Lebassi Baraye Arossi Page #2

I kicked his ass,

he came back and punched

me in the eye, right here.

And then one of the guy's friends

took a swing at me...

and knocked my breath out.

I gave him a shove

and he went tumbling

into the gutter.

- Just outside the club?

- Yeah, in the street out back.

The guy fell,

and the others came after me.

When they saw that I'd beat him

down, they came after me

in the alley behind the club.

There were two huge containers...

I tipped them over on the

guys just behind me.

When the others saw that,

they got even more pissed,

and they began

coming after me again.

And then I ran into one of my

cool buds from the club,

I said to him:

"How's it going, Hossein?"

I bummed 25 cents from him

and I jumped into a taxi.

I need to borrow 25 cents

from Ali to repay him.

- I don't have any money.

- I'll give it back on Friday.

I'd give it to you if I had it.

And you, Hossein?

And my 5 tomans? You always have

some new story to mooch off of me.

Go ask anybody you

want to at the club.

- You won't lend it to me?

- No.

What are we friends for then?

It's nothing, 25 cents.

Would I ever refuse?

- Come on, give it to me.

- I don't have it. I told you.

- You don't have it?

- No.

No? You don't have anything?

Ali, you're my witness.

You could pay back the guy's

I'm only saying that I bet you

have some change in your pockets.

I have some, but I'm saving it

to buy some bread.

He said he didn't have anything.

I know that you'd only

go off and bet it away.

It's for your own good.

I swear, Ali,

he says that every time.

It's for my own good?

- Come on, lend me 25 cents.

- If you had just been honest,

I would have lent it to you.

It's settled then! You'll lend it

to me if I tell you the truth?

I haven't eaten, I feel faint.

Ali, do you believe this?

We know you eat at your boss's

place, and you come begging to us?

He gave my lunch to somebody else,

and told me I'd have

to buy something to eat.

- You dig?

- Yeah.

- I need my strength for the club.

- Why do you go there?

Mind your own business.

Your brother slaves away

day and night to earn money

thinking that you're going

to school not to the club.

That's none of your business.

I used to be studious and,

every time I went near the gym,

- I got beat up.

- You set everything up for a fight.

Set things up however you want.

Keep going to class.

But when you get your diploma,

when you try to go

to America with your girl,

and some weakling tells

you that you can't,

then you'll find

yourself with a bloody nose.

You'll say to yourself:

"Mamad was right."

Nobody's forced to fight

if they don't want to.

People just have

happy accidents?

You always have a come back.

I'm telling you no as a friend.

You're my friend?

Really and truly?

Give me the 25 cents,

Ali is my witness.

- It's not a question of money.

- Then hand it over cheapskate!

You'll give it back to me?

- Yeah.

- When?

Thursday. At the end of the week.

It's for Ali's sake

that I'll do it.

- Cheers.

- Cheers.

- So, you're going to lend it me?

- What?

The suit.

- He'll know.

- No. I'll sort it out.

It won't fit you.

I'll leave it unbuttoned. I'll

bring it back without a wrinkle.

Well, we'll see.

If my boss leaves early...

What time does he leave?

- 7:
30 at night.

- I'll come around then.

A customer.

He's come for a fitting.

It will be ready Thursday morning?

Come Wednesday evening.

You're open until...

Until dinner time.

I doubt I can make it.

If his father comes home early,

I'll try to come and catch you.

Otherwise, I will have

to come Thursday moring.

No problem, come Thursday

Thanks so much.

What's Mamad look like?

I don't know.

About this tall, brown hair.

I can't tell from that...

go take another look.

The body must be held at

How's it going?

What are you doing here?

- How about you,?

- I was at the club.

- Why didn't I see you?

- I was in the locker room.

- I didn't see you.

- I was in the locker room.

- You headed home?

- Yeah.

- Give me a lift.

- I have to return the scooter.

- Drop me off. It's on your way.

- You're such a bore.

What were you doing there?

I was signing up for karate.

You'll be out cold

with the first punch.

Think I'm weaker than you?

One kick and you'll

be flat on your back.

That's why

I'm signing up for karate.

- You have money, at least?

- Sure.

Turn around,

we'll go sign you up!

I wanted some information.

So you have to ask

your father first.

What do you mean by thatr?

Last time, he chewed you out.

Is it my father or your brother

who is the problem?

My brother slaps me

but you're weaker than I am.

- How am I weaker?

- In every way.

First, you have to sign up

and then you need 90 tomans.

You have to go to karate class

three times a week

and you have three days at school.

Your boss won't let you go.

Never mind that,

I'll figure it out.

I have a better idea.

I know somebody who teaches karate.

He only asks for 30 tomans per month.

He'd teach you during

lunch break close to work.

- And who is that?

- Who'd be better than me?

You yourself need a teacher.

- Me, need a teacher?

- Yeah.

How long have you

been taking karate?

I've been going to the club

for 11 months, you dig?

On the first day,

the master gave me a little tap

and I flew across the room.

Afterwards, I had bruises everywhere.

I couldn't even put on my jacket.

I was dropping the tea trays

that I had to serve.

You're a worker, like me,

you have lots of work.

So if you want,

I could teach you the basics.

After a little practice, you can

sign up at the club on one condition.

What's that?

Sort things out with Ali

so I can have the boy's suit.

Do that for me,

I need to go somewhere.

He won't even lend it to me.

Have you forgotten about that

suit that you borrowed last year?

There won't be any fighting. I swear

I'll bring it back in one piece.

I don't believe your promoses.

- You don't care about karate, then?

- Yes I do.

Then bring me that suit.

He won't lend it to anyone.

Not even to me.

Last year, you brought one

back with a torn pocket.

Ali had to bend over backwards

to keep the boss from finding out.

- And if he agrees?

- We'll see.

- Stop here.

- Wait.

- Wait, you walk back a few steps.

- No. My feet hurt.

- See you.

- See you.

I'm off.

- What time is it?

- 7:
30.

Hossein.

- What are you doing here?

- How about you?

What have you done with the suit?

It was for me!

Hand it over or you'll see!

I have some integrity,

and I went out of my way.

I don't care.

Don't I have integrity?

- Why do you need it?

- Never mind that!

Hand it over or I'll hit you.

- It's not up to me.

- And what will he do to you?

Ali lent it to me and I have

to return it to him.

I'll give it to you so that

you can return it to him yourself.

- Ha! such a girl.

- Shut up.

- I'll go call him.

- I'll bring it back in 30 minutes.

I'll lend it to you and

you'll return it to him.

- Well, what are you waiting for?

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