The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem (2021–…): Season 1, Episode 4 - Episode #1.4 - full transcript

How may I be of help, Mrs. Armoza?

-My brother is here?
-Yes, your brother is here.

And why are you holding him?

I would give my second eye

to bring back Matilda.

My friend, who was fatally wounded
in the blast, is dying in the hospital.

Is that a sufficient answer?

But why do you think that he did it?

I'm sure of it.

Here…

in this place,



the Turks hanged my other brother…

and killed him.

Please…

I want to see my brother now.

Please.

Please.

Ephraim!

Ephraim,
what have they done to you?

Ephraim.

Hi, my sister.

We are unknown soldiers

Uniforms, we have none

In death's shadow we march

In its terror



Volunteering to serve
To the end of our days

Only death from our duty can us sever

Over village and town

Our flag we'll unfurl

Love and freedom

The message 'twill bear…

What are you doing?

I, uh… have to get a few things.

You're a good man, Gavriel,
who's making a mistake.

I can't force you.

I can just promise you
that I will always love you,

no matter what.

I will be waiting here, wherever you go,

always.

I also promise to take care of our Luna.

Because the boy or the girl
will always remain with the mother.

What is it, darling?

You want Abba?

Take her.

At least say goodbye like you should.

Come here, sweetheart. Come here.

Enough, enough. No tears. Okay, love?

Daddy's going away for a little bit.

Don't go, Daddy. Don't leave me.

And now,

go back to your mother, okay?

But Daddy will be home soon.

All right?

It's just for a little while.

You shouldn't cry, my love.
Give Daddy a big hug.

Here.

Here.

Mm! Nice smell that has.
What is that smell?

Do you want to pick another lemon?

Let's see.

Let's see if we can reach it.

-Look at that.
-Hmm.

You know who loves you most of all,
the most in the entire world?

What's that smell?

-Is it the lemon?
-Yeah!

No, it's you!

It's coming from here?
Or it's over here?

It's the lemons! It's from the lemons!

Sleep tight, precious girl

Sleep tight with no fear or pain

Close your beautiful eyes

Sleep, sleep in peace…

From the cradle, you come…

Luna Armoza.

I just want to see her. Five minutes.

See that she's okay.

Please.

I'm going to check
no one's around. Wait here.

A British soldier cannot be bought.

The punishment for what you have just done
is five years' imprisonment.

Just free my Luna.

-No.
-Then let me see her!

If you try again
to bribe one of our soldiers--

I want to see how she is!
She is my daughter!

Now leave me alone!

Go home, Mr. Armoza.

You don't belong here, you know that?

This is not your country!

I'm coming from the hospital now.

Bill is dead.

I'm sorry.

He was my friend.

You liked him too.

Did you see Ephraim Siton
inside the club before the explosion?

-You already asked me that, a thous--
-I'm asking you again.

Luna,

I know how much you loved Matilda.

You grew up together. Soulmates, even.

Don't you want the bastard
who murdered her to be punished?

I know it's not easy for you.

Your uncle.

Your mother's brother.

But the fact is,
he has Matilda's blood on his hands.

You loved Matilda.

And now, she's in heaven,
and she looks down, and she's very angry.

I can charge you
with cooperating with terrorists.

At your age,
according to the laws of the Mandate,

you're old enough to be sentenced
to many years in prison, or even death.

-I want my father.
-And I want your uncle!

Give him to me and you can go home

and be with your father
as much as you like!

Gavriel.

To you, it's Mr. Armoza.

The Jews of Jerusalem
are praying for your daughter.

She's a heroine.

I know her uncle Ephraim.

He's a friend, a close friend.

Did she say anything to you?

Listen, um…

close friend of Ephraim,

if you want to say something, go ahead.

But if not… have a good day.

The thing is, though, Mr. Armoza,

the Jews are having a hard time
in the Land of Israel.

As if the damned British
and Arabs weren't enough,

there are the Jews
who inform to the Limeys.

They are the worst.

-Hmm.
-And they have to be hurt the worst.

You agree with me?

Listen carefully…

…close friend of Ephraim's.

If one hair should drop off the head
of someone from my family,

if a mouse comes
and nibbles at my merchandise,

or a pigeon shits
outside my shop, it's you…

…close friend of Ephraim's,
whom I'll be coming to look for.

Why would
they hold a child like this?

They're worse than the Turks.

What do they want from her?

The day before we went to the police…

I spoke to Luna.

She remembered that Ephraim was there,

at the British club.

-That's not true.
-He was in a clown's costume.

And what would Ephraim be doing there,

at Purim, at a British club,
if not… you know what?

-Luna is lying.
-She's not!

Gavriel…

-Do you know what will happen if Luna--
-She won't tell them.

You know why, Rosa?

Because I…

I told my daughter to never,
no matter what, inform on family.

Promise me you won't tell the British
what Luna told you.

You care about her at all?
About your daughter?

If that hooligan had a drop of dignity,

a drop of morality to realize
how he's ruining our family,

he should now be a man

and go to the British
and tell them that he did it.

I've already lost a brother.

Answer me one thing, Rosa.

Who do you care more about?

Your daughter, your own blood,

or him?

How long will they keep Luna?
A day, two days, perhaps?

Ephraim will be hanged.

You know what those bandits from the Etzel
do to those who inform to the British.

Are you trying to scare me, Rosa?

God my Lord,
God of my forefathers,

God my Lord, God of my forefathers,

righteous in all generations…

righteous in all generations…

Grant me a male heir who is decent…

Grant me a male heir who is decent…

Conceive already.
Conceive, you selfish woman.

…and desired.

…and desired.

Handsome and kind…

Handsome and kind…

You've exhausted him, poor man.

…living without sin…

…worthy of living without guilt or sin…

That's it.

-Are you all right?
-Yes.

Why?

You look a little…

…like when
you were pregnant with Luna.

So can I say congratulations?

-With God's help.
-With God's help.

Every time I'd hear you and Gavriel,

I'd pray for you to conceive,
and that it would be a boy.

Is that what you do at night,
listen to me and Gavriel?

That's all I have left, Rosa,
hearing other people in bed.

Could you tell me
about the long face, though?

-You should be happy.
-Mm…

-What did Gavriel say?
-I haven't told him yet.

I haven't told Mercada either.
You're the first.

The minute Gavriel finds out,
he'll stop touching me, as if I'm sort of…

impure.

So, one day, you'll just have a big belly?

I'll tell him, soon, when I'm comfortable.

Till then, for a few more days,
I'll have a man in my bed.

That's something.

Mercada too, once she hears, she'll…

start telling me not to pick up this,
not to drink that.

She'll have me eating
the tip of the etrog.

She's right. It's good for pregnancy.

Besides, it wouldn't hurt you
to rest a little, would it?

After Luna was born,
there were days, sometimes,

when I didn't want to live anymore.

-Don't say that, please, Rosa.
-That's how I felt.

Um… I felt as if I was…

I was going crazy.

As if I had a demon…

who was controlling my thoughts.

I'm afraid I will feel the same again.

Until the baby comes,
you have nine months.

And once doesn't mean it'll happen again.

What happened? Hmm?

You were talking away like a radio,
and you become quiet when I come along?

Victoria just told me that she--

That, as a matter of fact, I am…

Well, I'm working very hard.

Washing half the neighborhood's clothes.

-That's hard.
-Including ironing.

I can barely stand on my feet.

Mm!

Mm.

The pie is really excellent.

My mother, God rest her soul,
she taught me how to make it.

Mm… What did you put in it?

My mother also taught me,
if I make something delicious,

I don't tell everyone what I used.

I'm your neighbor, Mercada.

Because you're my neighbor,

I'm not going to lie about the recipe
so you can cook something

that can't be eaten.

-Heaven help you, Mercada.
-Hmm.

Where's Rosa?

I sent her to Yehuda to get more ice.

Yehuda comes by twice a week
and sells blocks.

But I ran out. I needed it now.

Carrying ice from Yehuda
all the way here in this heat?

Here she comes.

God help me.

Give it to me.

No, that's not right.

Oh dear.

Where should I put it?

On my head. Where do we put ice?

Wow. How did you carry this?

What?

Rosa?

What?

-Come here a second.
-I'm going to lie down for a bit.

Before you lie down,
come here for a moment.

Sit down.

Is there anything you'd like to tell me?

Because if you had told Gavriel,
I would already know.

That's how you're making me look,
like I'm some sort of witch?

One that would let her daughter-in-law

carry ice in the heat
when she's carrying a child?

Huh?

What's wrong with you?

You tell Victoria before you tell Gavriel,
before you tell me.

I wanted to be very sure first.

So Gavriel wouldn't be disappointed.

This time, you will have a boy.

I'm sure of it.

Here comes Gavriel.

Do you want to tell him, or should I?

Never mind. Your wife's pregnant.

Really, Rosa?

-Praise be to God.
-Praise be to God.

This time, it will be a boy.

Amen.

Why are you separating the beds?

Rosa…

it's not good for us to…
when you're pregnant.

I've asked, Gavriel. It's all right.

-Who did you ask?
-Yehudit, the mikvah attendant.

-She said it's allowed.
-The mikvah attendant.

I asked Rabbi Shlomo.
He said it's forbidden.

Who should we believe?
The mikvah attendant or Rabbi Shlomo?

Rachel!

Tzachi.

-Ephraim Siton's your uncle?
-Who are you?

On the radio, they say he's a hero.

You want to be like him?

-Do you visit him in prison?
-No, the British won't let us see him.

If the British weren't here,
your uncle wouldn't be in prison now.

They say the British
also took your sister to prison.

They'll let her out eventually,
but your uncle…

-Really?
-You want to help him go free?

Me?! How?

Come here tonight at ten.

Here? What's gonna happen?

Just come.

My parents will never let me come.

You're a big girl, Rachel.

Rachelika.

What?

My name is Rachelika.

I don't believe it!
She went by me, she didn't say anything!

Shall we continue?

Continue what?

Well, what are you waiting for?

Paste these.

Pinhas, amigo!

Come, come. Give this to me.
Give it to me. Come on in.

Come on in.

Mwah, mwah.
Come, come. Come on in.

Come on in. God bless me.
How many years has it been, man, huh?

How is the senora?

Praise be to God.

And this is Rosa, my wife.

-She's pregnant, like you told me.
-Mm-hmm.

-When, with God's help?
-No, no, no. Don't answer him.

No, I'm sorry. That brings the evil eye.

First of all, for the senora.

Ah, what a gentleman.

The latest fashion in New York.

It's so beautiful, Pinhas.
Thank you.

-This is for Luna. Where is she?
-Look. Lovely.

At the neighbor's, playing with the kids.
Thank you very much.

-You shouldn't have, Pinhas. Thanks a lot.
-And this, Gavriel, is for you.

I remember how crazy you were
for automobiles when we were in New York.

He would look
at every automobile.

He would drag me to the shops.
He almost bought one.

Thanks, Pinhas. Thank you very much.

-And this, madame…
-Yeah?

…I brought for you.

Huh.

What's that?

Bra. That's what they call it in America.

I sold 600,000 pieces this year alone.

Yes, but what is it for?

You wear it, actually,
instead of a negligee.

It holds up the titties.

Thanks, Pinhas.

Your tits look like camel's humps
with that thing on.

It's comfortable, Victoria. A pleasure.

On top of that,
my back pains have stopped.

Yes?

Oh, what does it look like?

Come over later, I'll show you.

Show me. Nobody can see us.

Reish.

Reish is good. It's for Raphael.

Lamed.

Oh!
They're sending him from heaven.

Raphael. We'll stop there.
Half a name is enough.

We stop only
when we have the entire name.

Otherwise, it brings bad luck.

Chet.

-No, there's no chet in Raphael.
-The third will be male, God willing.

-No, this one now has to be male.
-Rachel is not a boy's name.

-I need proof. Do it again.
-Heaven is very angry, Mercada.

I said do it again. I need proof.

God, please forgive me. This one is crazy.

What is it, Jilda?

-Two.
-Two what?

In your daughter-in-law's stomach, there…

Hold on a minute.

You're seeing two boys?

Talk to me, I beg you. Talk to me.

Please, talk to me.

-Sin.
-What sin? What? Nobody has sinned.

Do you really see a sin, Jilda?

And water.

-Lots of water.
-I… I don't understand.

Water.

Lots of water.

The ocean, far…

Far off.

Mercada?

Mercada.

What is it?

Have you seen the thing
Pinhas brought me from America?

-The what?
-You know, the bra.

I hung it here and now it's gone.

Yes, you hung it here
for the whole world to see

and bring shame upon us.

Mercada, where is it?

A woman with child has to protect herself,

not only her health,

but also by doing good deeds,
and most importantly, by being modest.

Go see if the cheese is ready,
and bring it.

To this day, I don't understand
why you didn't stay in America with me.

Well, my father, God rest his soul,

wanted me to come back
and work in the delicatessen with him.

So did my mother.

They wanted me
to find a bride in Jerusalem.

You could have been my partner.
You'd be a millionaire today, in dollars.

So how are you, Gavriel?
Tell me about yourself.

No evil eye on me.

I make a good living. I can't complain.

Besides your livelihood, what about life?

Rosa looks like a good woman.

Rosa is a good wife, yes. Sure.

Are you happy, Gavriel?

My Luna.

Little Luna,

she gives me all the happiness I need.

And now,

there's another one on the way,
praise be to God.

Frieda and I, we're…

we're getting divorced.

What?

-But why? What happened, Pinhas?
-Nothing's happened.

We have everything.

A nice house,
healthy children, money, but…

the most important thing is missing.

I used to look at Frieda
and she'd look like, you know…

like Mary Pickford.

What's that?

-A star, a beautiful actress.
-Ah.

I'd wait for her to come back
from the mikvah, like a bull.

-You know what it's like.
-Yeah, yeah, yeah.

After three children,

the mind starts to wander.

But why getting divorced?

America is not like Jerusalem.

People over there look for happiness,
and they're not afraid to say it.

Pinhas…

…can I ask you for something?

Of course, with pleasure.
How much do you need?

N-- No, no, no, not money.

I want you to find someone
in America for me.

America's a very big country.

New York, in, uh… Brooklyn.

What's his name?

Her name.

It's a woman.

She's been like this
for three days.

Won't eat, won't drink.

-She won't make it much longer.
-So, let her go.

It's up to you, Ephraim.

Luna, you have to eat.

I want my father.

She wants to see her father.

I know what she wants,

and she knows what I want.

Father told me
that family comes above all.

Father told me something else too.

What?

That you're a piece of shit.

Oh. Oh, my daughter.

Are you all right? Huh?

-Are you all right, my love? Huh?
-I wanna go home, Abba.

Let's go. Let's go home.

Let's go. Come on. Come on.

Here, querida… drink.

I squeezed it for you.

You shouldn't eat a lot
after fasting for a few days.

Did you tell them?

Leave Luna alone.
Whatever you have to say, say it to me.

-I wanna know who informed on my brother.
-Ephraim confessed.

He confessed
because he cares about his family.

-Something I can't say about my daughter.
-Enough.

Tell me why you stopped eating.

Did you think your uncle
would let you starve yourself to death?

-He did it to save your--
-Enough, Rosa! Be quiet!

It's a difficult time now, Rosa,

but we're a family.

We have to be together.

Family, Gavriel?

Together?

What are you talking about?

Drink, drink, querida.

"I, Ephraim Siton,

declare that on March 9th, 1937,

I placed a bomb
in the British officers' club

in the Old City of Jerusalem."

-"The bomb I placed caused--"
-I know what I did.

EPHRAIM

EPHRAIM

Soon, you will stand trial.

You will be found guilty
by your own admission…

and you will be sentenced to death.

And then,

you will hang until you die.

Who is it?

My name is Pinhas.

Hello.
I'm sorry for intruding like this.

-Yes?
-Are you Mrs. Rachel Leibowitz?

Yes.

Uh, I'm just back from Jerusalem,

and a good friend of mine
asked me to give this to you.

Who?

Armoza?

Gavriel Armoza,

who has a delicatessen
in the Machane Yehuda Market.

I don't know him.

Are you certain?

-Because he says--
-I don't know him.

Try the neighbors.

Goodbye now.