Mandabi Page #3

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I've been in my room for 3 days.

One day to the post office.

One day at the municipality.

Another at the home of Amath.

Another for the bank.

Two more days for the photos I didn't receive.

Nine days the money order has been here.

Six days left before it is returned to Paris.

Who can I ask for the three francs for the photo?

What now?

The money order is still at the post office.

I only have six more days before they return it.

Return it to Paris?

We will die of shame.

The assault you suffered is hard to believe.

Nowadays, bad people get away.

Is it a good idea to put all eggs in one basket?

A basket with all the eggs is still a single basket.

Nowadays, there aren't many half-way owners.

Maybe you're right.

But water never runs upstream.

So what are we going to do?

Wait another two days.

I need five francs.

Where would I get the money?

By the grace of Allah, help me.

You know you're not going to get that necklace back.

Lend me five francs,

I'll return them.

I have a message to give you...

Someone is interested in your house.

Never. Never!

Sell my house to pay you?

I'd rather die!

Being poor is well and good,

but being homeless? Never!

You're shameless!

Yesterday, when you crawled in for a handful of rice...

you didn't scream so much.

You trusted me, I will pay.

But sell my home, never!

Get out of my store, or I'll call the police!

You and your family can die!

When you have a debt, you pay it.

I'm tired of being the whole world's toy!

You say you were assaulted but it isn't true!

Yes, they robbed him, I am a witness.

Let me through!

We owe you money, but we won't be sacrificed for you!

I'm talking to your husband, it's none of your business.

That's exactly why it is my business.

Imam, tell them to leave.

It's true:
when you have a debt, you must pay.

The mule driver is always beside the hay-seller.

Tell them to leave,

these women want to beat me up.

That's not true,

he wants me to sell my house.

(in French) Come now, madame, go outside.

OK, enough, you too, come one.

(Wolof) I want to talk to you about your money order. Come to the house in two hours.

(n French) He's back.

(in Wolof) Ah, Uncle - I'm sorry.

No, it was I who came early.

They stole your money order?

No, that's a lie that was started by my wives.

Sometimes women are ingenious.

(speaking French) I'm off.

Until this evening.

(speaking French) Hello?

This is he.

I've seen the place.

All is well.

Listen, don't push.

He's here.

I'm telling you he's here.

That's right. With my shop it can work.

Oh, I know it's for your seller.

You will have it, your house.

I'll call you tomorrow at the Minister's office. Okay?

Good, goodbye.

(speaking Wolof) Come on, Tonton.

Sign a declaration for me.

How much will he ask for a commission?

10 francs is very little

for a man like him.

30 francs?

The money order isn't mine.

If he asks me for 30 francs,

I'll accept.

I'll write to Abdou...

and explain that I had to pay a businessman...

to get my documents.

I'm his uncle.

Sign this paper, and let's be done with this.

Give me the notification.

Take this, for the taxi.

Come see me tomorrow.

MBAYE SARR:
BUSINESS AGENT, CERTIFIED AT THE SCHOOL OF ADVANCED STUDIES

I never drink coffee.

Only herbal tea.

Tonton, I'm going to tell you the truth.

I cashed the money order.

What I will say is true...

A pickpocket stole it.

I know you won't believe me, but God is my witness.

Along with your 250 francs

I had another 750.

Mbaye, that money was not mine.

I have a family to feed. The money order wasn't mine.

I know all of that.

I knew you wouldn't believe me.

I have no money.

Tomorrow I'll pay you.

Have mercy on me. The money order was not mine.

I have a family to feed.

Listen, I'll give you some rice to take home.

Put 10 kilos of rice in a bag and take it to my car.

Do you think I cheated you?

God is my witness.

Help me, I have a family to feed.

Get up, I'll take you to your home.

We too have children!

Leave him alone.

Can't you see he's not well?

What happened to you?

It was Mbaye!

He stole the money order and gave me this!

What will become of us?

And my necklace?

Shut up!

That money order wasn't mine!

Ibrahima, so you're distributing rice?

No, that's not true.

The truth is that here, being honest is a crime.

Me too, I'll become an opportunist, a thief, a liar!

Why?

Mbaye stole the money order.

Honesty is a crime among our people.

Here's a letter. It comes from Paris.

We will change our country.

Who?

You.

Me?

You, your wives, your children...

All of us.

Sir, we've heard talk of your goodness.

For three days we haven't eaten.

I told you I would come after three days.

"I know you're out of work."

"Life is hard for people like us."

"Help me."

"You know what it's like to have a hungry child."

"Help me, I'm a foreigner...

and my children are waiting."

"My son...

he sent me this money."

"Goods protect us from disgrace,

but not from death."

"You know how much you owe me!"

"In this country, only rascals win."

"It seems you have been robbed of the money order."

It was Mbaye who robbed me!

I repeat that honesty is a crime in this country.

Based on the Spanish by Joao Paulo

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