House of Sand and Fog Page #3

in this area.

-When would the house be available?

-Not until autumn. We need some time

-to find a new home.

-That might work for us.

She has come for a tool

her boyfriend carpenter may have

left behind. l was expecting her.

One moment, please.

l am happy you came.

This way. My family knows nothing of

this. l'd like for it to remain so.

-You confuse me with someone else.

-No. l'm certain l know who you are.

l'm Kathy Nicolo.

l know my lawyer talked to you,

Mr. Bahroony,

but l thought we could meet

face to face.

My name is Behrani.

Colonel Behrani.

Colonel Behrani, l'm sorry.

My father left us this house.

He left it to me and my brother...

Tell these things to the tax office.

They made the mistake, not l.

They said they'd give you your money

back, and you've put that deck on.

l'm sure they'd repay you

for that.

Sorry, but l have nothing more

to say to anyone.

Why should l be penalized

for their incompetence?

Sue them for enough money

to buy ten homes.

l'll sell you this house for the

right price. That's all l require.

l do not know where

he left his hammers.

-There is nothing more to say of it.

-Let go of me!

Let go of me!

You can't expect to just move

in here and make money

off of this.

This is my house.

l lived here,

and you stole this house from me,

you son of a b*tch!

This is a stolen house!

He's trying to sell you

a stolen house!

What did you tell your kids?

l told them the truth.

My old man walked out on us. l swore

l would never do that to my own.

What happened?

My lawyer couldn't get

the house back,

so l went to see the owner.

And he put his hand on you?

lt's okay.

Don't worry about it.

That's not right.

He's got no right to do that.

Who is this guy?

His name's Behrani.

He's a Colonel.

-Behrani? What country is he from?

-l don't know.

But his wife hardly speaks

any English.

Maybe they haven't

been here that long.

Maybe they don't know

their way around.

-What are you doing?

-l'm going to pay him a visit.

Officers tend to listen to other

officers. lt's worth a shot.

What if he doesn't listen?

Then l'll make him listen.

Little bird.

Little bird!

Little bird!

Welcome to our new home.

Does it go down the hill?

lt's an investment property, Soraya.

Like our second home on the Caspian.

lt's an investment home.

Let us go to the roof porch.

For the view.

Jesus, look at them. What are they

celebrating? Stealing a house?

F***

these people.

You're a very wise man.

To live in such a place

that gives you a view of

God's wonders.

Did you post that sign, sir?

Yes, is there a difficulty,

officer?

And that's your sign

at the bottom of the hill?

Yes.

Please, come in, officer.

l am new to the area. ls there

a permit required to post signs?

Not on the house.

But the utility pole,

that's city property.

l see. Very well,

l'll put the sign

elsewhere.

Thank you for informing me.

You're a long way from home,

aren't you?

This is my home.

l am an American citizen.

-Were you a general?

-l was a colonel.

Tell me, officer. What more

can l do for you this evening?

What's your name?

Massoud Amir Behrani.

And the names of your family?

Why do you need the names of family?

What is your name, officer?

Deputy Sheriff Gonzalez.

Now let me as you a question,

Colonel. Are you selling

this house on your own?

l do not with to offend,

officer,

but if you'd excuse me,

l have work to do this evening.

Civil Code 1101.

Yes, you informed me. l suggest you

come with me to witness the removal

of the sign.

No, l'm talking about the

disclosure law, Colonel.

You, the owner, are obliged to tell

all prospective buyers

anything about the property

they have a right to know.

l do not understand.

You sure about that?

Are you interrogating me,

Mr. Gonzalez?

No, no, you tell me.

l understand your friend,

the Shah, made a habit of it.

l don't know whom you think you're

speaking to, but l've had enough.

You've done your job.

You may leave.

You're used to giving orders,

aren't you?

Colonel, let me get

right to the point.

Pacific County has offered you

money. They don't want any trouble.

The only one that seems to want

trouble around here is you.

You don't want to do the right

thing, which is to sell this house

back at the price

you paid for it

so it can be returned

to the real owner.

The real owner, Mr. Behrani.

Now that just won't wash.

l have contacts at lmmigration.

People get deported

every single day.

There are a lot of things

l can do.

l suggest you call the movers

so l won't have to.

What happened?

Well. the guy's obviously

not right off the boat.

You're right. He probably buys up

seized property to make a killing.

l set him straight.

l think he'll listen.

He will.

So.

What do we do now?

l mean...

Look at us.

We're both homeless.

Listen, my friend has a cabin a few

miles south. We can stay there.

give to me answer, Behrani.

What did that man say of deporting?

-He said nothing, Nadi.

-Do not lie to me! l heard him!

Who was that man?

Tell to me, Behrani!

What have you done?

lt's none of your business.

Have you no faith in me? No respect?

That man has only said

l must remove the sign. That's all.

Coward! Liar!

You dirty liar!

lt is your fault we were forced

to flee from lran!

lt is your fault we are here!

Yours and your Savak friends!

How long can we stay here?

Till we get things figured out.

You hungry?

l could eat.

Do you still love her?

Look, it's just...

lt's not her.

She's a good person,

a good mother.

Would this have happened

anyway?

Even if you hadn't met me?

Yes.

l miss my dad.

He worked really hard

for that house.

lt took him...

thirty years to pay it off.

And it took me 8 months

to f*** it up.

Come here.

We're going to get

your house back.

Soon.

When this is all done,

l promise

l'll move you back in myself.

My son.

Do not follow the example of your

father one day when you are married.

Do not do as l did last evening.

Do not be disrespectful, son.

Look at me.

Were you a Savak?

No.

l only bought fighter planes

for Shah-jahn.

-Why did he say we'd be deported?

-l do not know.

But we are American citizens.

We own this house.

They can do nothing to us now.

l feel bad for that lady.

The woman's house was taken from her

because she did not pay her taxes.

That happens when one is not

responsible. Do you understand?

Do not feel bad. Americans,

they do not deserve what they have.

They have the eyes of small

children, who are forever looking

for the next source of distraction,

entertainment,

sweet taste in the mouth,

we are not like them.

We know rich opportunities

when we see it,

and we do not throw away

God's blessing.

You know l must raise money

for your university education.

l can get another paper route.

l know.

You are a kind child.

Quickly becoming a man.

You have my respect

for your heart.

Soon all this will be over.

Dad.

Thank you.

Have a good day at work.

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