"Our sincere gratitude to the Public Affairs Department of the Ministry of the lnterior for the true information offered for the production of this film" "AL-lMAM ALLEY" " Evening, Chief Bayaza" " Evening, Saied Effendi." "Come in" "Thanks" " Evening, Nabaweya" " Evening" "Anybody show?" "Only Chief Ramadan" "He left you 7 0 pounds for the watch from Doqqi is that all?" "It's worth far more." "Must he swindle me?" "He said it sold for that sum" "Put Sanaa to bed and get my sneakers" "Alright" " A visit tonight, boss?" " Tonight's hit will ease our suffering" "Villa Koka where Nabaweya works" "It's high time" "She's worked there for two months." "Why tonight?" "They' re all in Alexandria" "They' ll spend two days and be back on Saturday I hope they don't have a ghost in the closet" "Have no fear I left the northern bathroom window open" "You' ll come out to find the lady's room on your right" "Right, I hope she didn't take her jewelry with her I saw her leave them on the dressing table" "Lovely!" "Take care of yourself, Eleish" "Don't worry, I made all my arrangements" "Let's go, Eleish" " Good night, Nabaweya" " Good night" "The phone, please" " May I?" " Sure" "Hello, the police?" "A thief entered Villa 1 2, Zuheir Street" "Five minutes ago;" "he's still there" "Saied Mahran Bayoumi" "The court rules that the defendant serve 5 years" "Gamal El-Leithy presents" "THE thief AND THE DOGS" "Starring:" "Shadia Kamal El-Shennawy" "Shukry Sarhan as Saied Mahran" "Adapted from the novel by the great writer Nagib Mah fouz" "Screenplay:" "Sabry Ezzat Kamal El-Sheikh" "Dialogue:" "Sabry Ezzat" "Production Manager:" "Ihab El-Leithy" "Music Score:" "Andrea Rider" "Cinematography:" "Kamal Karim" "Directed by:" "Kamal El-Sheikh" "Welcome, officer Abd Rabbo I bring you a new colleague, Mahdy" "Why not?" "All that God brings is good" "Yours truly, Mahdy El-Etr" "Chief robber and a know-it-all." "I've been places I didn't skip one prison in the whole republic" "For instance, Egypt Penitentiary I don't like it. lt's damp and its furniture is ancient" "Then there's Abu Zaabal Penitentiary lt's spacious with northern windows but too cozy its crowd is not to my taste" "Are you an ex-con or a newcomer?" "It seems he's new, Zeinhom" "Take the cigarette, for he takes offence quickly" "Poor thing, he can't speak properly" "That's more like it" "Cheer up and remember God, jail is for the good guys" "So God, I had to end up with two mute chaps!" " Evening, Nabaweya" " Evening, Eleish" " Tell me first" " What?" "How did it go today?" "I went to the lawyer and insisted he attend tomorrow's hearing" "So I must go to court tomorrow?" "We' ll go together" "They' ll rule for divorce; we' ll leave together and return together and remain together forever" "And will he be at court?" "Do you think they' ll give him a day off jail?" "!" "Of course not!" "Just say:" "God willing" "Or we've labored for nothing" "No way, Nabaweya" "Your husband's been incarcerated for over a year" "So you earned a divorce with no appeal or reversal lt's the law, Nabaweya" "Its tune is harmonious, Nabaweya" " And after that...?" " Comes the marriage clerk" "Who will the best of ladies wed?" " The best of men" " Well done." "Say:" "God willing" "Here." "To the law" " Evening, Chief Eleish" " Evening, Bondoq" " To Chief Eleish" " To you all, fellows" "Would you believe it?" "I swear by the One who gathered us together things will shine up and we' ll do well thanks to you" " There's a time for everything - lt's time now, boss" "You earned the recommendation so you' re deep into it:" "a generous man and a complex one" "We can't fear for ourselves, men, with such a know-it-all" " Makes sense?" " Sure does, Mursy" "Right you are, Abu El-Maras" " To the know-it-all" " To the know-it-all" "Cheers, men" "Another round, Tarzan" " Deal them two bubbly ones" " Two whole beers" "Evening, Chief Tarzan" "Noor!" "Welcome back, what a long absence, girl!" "You've been gone for so long" "Three months." "A vacation, chief" "Can't a girl give herself some rest?" " You' re welcome here" " Thanks" " Hey, Bondoq" " Yeah, Chief" " What will you drink?" " Acid" " Dry?" " No, two pieces of ice" " Get us a drink, Bondoq" " Right away" "The one you seek isn't here, Noor" "Has he a visit tonight?" "A prolonged visit. lt will be some time" "What do you mean?" "Did some evil befall Saied?" "He's in jail, Noor" "What are you saying?" "How did that happen?" "He was stabbed in the back, dealt a treacherous blow" " Eleish?" " When the snake warmed, it bit him" "Saied!" "What a shame!" "What a shame!" "Abd El-Azim Shaalan" "Ramadan Abbas" "Metawea Eweis" "Zeinhom Hassanein" "Mahdy El-Etr" "Saied Mahran" "Ali Mohammed Ali" "Saied!" "How are you, Noor?" " Be tough, Saied" " Thanks, Noor" "How is your health now?" "As you can see" "One must live out one's destiny" "Who would have thought Eleish could do such things?" "He' ll soon get his just desserts" "He' ll have some guy dob him in like he dobbed you in" "What?" "Eleish dobbed me in?" " Didn't you know?" " Know what?" "Speak up, Noor" "Eleish has displaced you everywhere" "Even at home" "Then he is grateful for our long friendship and takes care of them" "Enough to appoint a lawyer for the divorce hearing?" "Divorce?" "!" "Nabaweya?" "lmpossible!" "Abandon those who abandon you" "Eleish?" "!" "He' d do such a thing?" "I gave him all he has I took him away from the circus and fed and sheltered him I dressed him in my clothes till he became a shadow of me" "On my wedding night, he danced more than I did I would leave him in the desert with my wife, and distrust my brother" "The traitors... the dogs!" "Excuse me, may I leave money here for Saied Mahran?" "Certainly, ma' am" "First door to the right leads to the safety deposits" " Thanks" " Any time" "Enough." "There's still good in the world" "Good?" "!" "Where is this good?" " Don't they teach you a skill?" " l need no more learning I want to leave here at any cost" "Looks like you want to flee;" "forget it" " Then what?" " Then... I' ll treat you to dinner tonight, don't be late." "Come on" "See that, officer Abd Rabbo?" "You are now smarter looking than the high ranks" " Well done, Saied" " Know what you' re missing?" " What?" " A tip" "An anonymous tip whereby you catch someone and earn two ribbons" " Still evil-hearted?" " Did you see my heart?" "I needn't see it." "Your tongue pours it all out" " All because I tell the truth?" " Get to work, don't be sly" "We taught you a skill so you can be a useful person" " What town are you from?" " Will we be family?" "Don't worry. I married once and that was it" " Do you have children?" " Yes" "A pretty girl called Sanaa" "Since I came here I haven't set eyes on her" "You' re bound to see her eventually" "That's true I' m bound to see her" "You really like that chick's picture?" "Me?" "I like the man who wrote that article, he's my friend" " A man of the trade, like us?" " But on a far higher level" "His mind outweighs the whole lot of us" "Let me see" "Wow!" "He's so posh" " ls he royalty?" " Royalty?" "He's of the Barefoot Family" "But his brains are some heavy stuff" "You hear him speak only well-balanced words" "You know, degrees do help out" "Degrees are not everything" "The sharp mind does it all" "Everyone reads, but they don't all understand" "Does he work alone?" "You still can't understand" "Let me see, I might leave here to open a newspaper" "That's it, laugh and cheer up" "You've been gloomy enough for three years" "Three years less three days" " l still have 3 68 days to go" " Not too long now" "On the contrary, what's left is still too long" "Each day is 2 4 hours, each hour 60 minutes and each minute that passes gnaws away at me" "Moonlit nights have come, To stay up is fun" "Right, Saied?" "I used to love working only on moonlit nights" "That's why they say we all like the moon" " My last hit was on a moonlit night" " And the first?" "It wasn't even a hit, but an attempt at a hit" "Then it's a misdemeanor" "You could have got a suspended sentence provided your lawyer's good" "This Raouf Elwan defended me then" "But you said he was a chief robber not a lawyer" "How grand if your lawyer is a chief robber!" "You would know what you are doing, and rest easy" "May a curse settle on me if I understand a word of that I will explain I was filling in for my dad at the dorm in Giza" "Raouf Elwan was a student there" "But not just any student" "He was like a leader amongst them" "A public speaker and a real chatterbox" "He loved me a lot" "He was the one to get me to replace my father" "He made me read and guided me and gave me books" "After my ma died in the public hospital I got more attached to Nabaweya I was afraid I' d lose her too" "due to a lack of dough" "Your crescent is here, holy month" "May it be a blessed month for us, God I saw the moon on your face, Saied I saw it on yours too, Nabaweya" "Then why don't you repeat after me?" "Your crescent is here, holy month I said that last month, and here I am, as is" "The peanuts I make from the dorm are good for nothing" "So you've no intention of rescuing me from that Turkish hag I work for" "Don't say it, Nabaweya" " lt's not like I am standing still - l don't know I am running late, Saied." "See you later I' ll come and walk you home" "No, stay." "My lady waits at the window." "Bye" "STUDENT DORM" "Saied, Saied" "Yes" " Come up here. I want you" " Yes, sir" "I will be able to get it off him" "Try to humor him at first" "Yes?" "Come here, Saied" "You' d better take out the watch" "Watch?" "What watch?" "The watch you stole. lf you don't, I swear - l' ll gouge your eyes and jail you" "What's this?" "I took no watch I' m no thief!" "You sure are" "No one enters this room in our absence but you" " Yes, to dust it" " To dust it of watches, gangster?" "What is this?" "Here's the watch. lt was in his room behind the gas tin" "You robber, you worthless jerk!" "Don't you hit me" " Shame, Samir Effendi" " What happened, guys?" "There you go, Raouf." "There's the fellow you guarantee" "Theft now occurs in broad daylight I must call the police" "Allow me to intervene" " l can't let him get away" " Calm down, Samir" "You have your watch." "Let me handle it" " What' ll you do?" " l said I' d handle it." "Right?" "Let's go, Saied" "Rest assured, Saied." "Raouf won't let him off easily" "Raouf has no faith or creed" "Close the door" "Here, Saied." "Take it, don't be shy" " Raouf Effendi, I..." " You' re what?" "A thief?" "So what?" "But..." "They' re narrow-minded and don't know the real world" "But I wanted to make you proud" "Do you think I' m mad at you?" "Not at all." "Why did you do that?" "I' m in need. ln dire need for cash" "So you have an excuse I consider what you' re doing a legitimate act lt happens daily" "Some people have hoards of money while others live on scraps I am deprived too, Saied" "Pardon me, Raouf Effendi" "Don't be an idiot" "My family sends me 5 pounds a month out of their necessities to eat, drink, study, buy books, and clothes and become a lawyer" "Wow!" "I wouldn't blame you if you do more than that" "This life we are going through has no equality and no justice" "Some live in luxury while others live on the margin" "If only one were born rich!" "is that a solution?" "No way lt's selfish" "You wouldn't sense the pain a poor man suffers" "Right you are." "So there's no solution" "The solution lies in your current deed lf they won't give us our rights, we' ll snatch them" "That collected by theft will be returned by theft" "But with a clear plan" "A clever plan can bridge the gap between rich and poor" "Right I believe I must stay here no longer" "What's the use in staying?" "You' ll always be the same" " And lose Nabaweya?" " And lose your life I am leaving, Raouf Effendi" "You've removed the blindfold from my eyes" "Because I empathize with you" " Where will you go?" " Try my luck anywhere" "Grab your own right, no one will hand it to you" "Take Nabaweya with you" "Start looking to your profit" "Start living..." "live" "Correct. I will never forget your favors, Raouf Effendi I have nothing to offer you except these books" "Read them well, and remember me lf you need anything, call me" "Goodbye, Saied" "And I changed direction" "Raouf Elwan's words echoed in my ears day and night I had one goal, to live" "Live with my share that the rich usurped I lighten their load of money and of sins" "I married Nabaweya on a memorable night" "Eleish Sedra was serving at our feet" "God granted us Sanaa." "She meant the world to me" "Sanaa..." "Sanaa" "Soon you' ll go home to Sanaa and rejoice with her and be bored of her" "Long may you live" "No kidding." "However long l live, it's no use I' ll never serve all the sentences against me I have a contract with the prison overseer, that renews automatically" "Like 'The Prisoner of Zenda'" "One would sell one's life for a single hour outside jail I sold the tram and spent the cash in a month I sold the Attaba Square, it barely covered the summer expenses I tried to sell Ramses' statue, but got caught" " Why?" " l thought the customer a fool but he was a policeman" "Know why the sheriff wants me?" " Did you do something wrong?" " Like what?" "My blood boils in an attempt not to" "Yes, sir" "Did any wrong issue from me?" "They've issued a pardon for you and some colleagues due to the feasts" " So I will be released?" " Right now" " Congratulations, Saied" " Unbelievable!" " l must be dreaming" " Your conduct was good" "May it continue to be so." "We don't want to see you here again" " Finalize your procedures" " Yes, sir" "Thank you so much, sir" "Goodbye, Saied ln thirty years, I' ll catch up with you" "Saied Mahran!" " How lovely to see you!" " Hi, how are you, chief?" " Welcome home" " Thanks" " Hello, Abu Se' da" " Hello, Chief Saied" " Long time no see" " Thanks, men" "Chief Eleish, Eleish" " Come and drink sherbet" " Later, chief." "On my way out" "Out of where?" "I have a score to settle first" "Hello, Officer Hasaballah" " Why are you here?" " To talk things through" " You can't do that" " Yes I can" " For my daughter" " You can go to court I still think peaceful talks are best" "This way, let him up, Hasaballah" "Let's go" "You coward!" "Hiding behind them all, jerk!" " What was that?" " Nothing" "Stay here and watch the girl" " l am so scared, Eleish" " What of?" " Must he come up here?" " l must know what he's after" "Then we' ll figure something out" " Don't be long" " No worries" "Come in" "Welcome" "Welcome back" "I say let bygones be bygones" "These things happen every day" "People get acquainted and people part" "A man is smeared only by shameful acts" "Right you are" "Get to the point instead of beating around the bush" " Where can we start?" " There's only one way" " Your daughter" " Only?" "Your daughter is safe and well with her mom Islamic Sharia says she gets her for 6 years I promise to bring her to visit each week" "After what happened, she is mine by law" " Meaning?" " Lots of talk only brings trouble" "Did I commit a felony?" "It's destiny" "All I did was my duty, it was gallantry" "For the little girl's sake too I left her lots of money, my money" "Which you stole, right?" "Nonetheless, where did it go?" "Not a penny, men, I swear" "Their condition would have moved a stone to pity ls this how you repay one who does his duty?" " And all this money you roll in?" " Are you God to judge me?" "Shun the devil, Saied and praise the Lord." "Sit I know you like the back of my hand" "You are seeking perdition" "Don't stray from the topic of the girl" "Right you are." "Okay I will humor you only for the men's sake" "Thanks, Hasaballah" "Bring the girl, might as well get her opinion" "What are you saying, officer?" "Saied, no slyness" "When you can feed yourself look for the girl lt's a humane deed that we' ll let you see her." "Fetch her" "Right you are, Hasaballah" " lt's your dad, girl" " Say hello" " No" " Sanaa" " No" " Sanaa" " Mommy!" " l' m your dad" "Sanaa, I' m your dad" "Mommy, mommy!" "Take it easy, the girl doesn't like you" "Calm down, Saied and praise the prophet" " l want my daughter" " Let a judge decide" " l want my daughter - lt's none of my business" "Her mom doesn't want to part with her except by law lt's final." "The court" "The court." "Alright" "First, find yourself a decent job instead of being a punk" "Right you are I must put the past behind me and find a job" "for Sanaa's sake, then I can take her lt's over" "But I want my books" " Your books?" " Yes lt seems Sanaa lost them I' ll find what's left" "Where' d all the learning come from?" "Are you a robber or an engineer?" "If you like stealing books better sell them by weight" "Saied Mahran?" "!" "Welcome back!" "How nice to see you" "Chief Tarzan" "Chief Tarzan" " Tarzan, your buddy" " Who?" "Saied Mahran?" "!" "Welcome back, my dear fellow" "Hello hello." "Why didn't you tell us?" "Thanks, chief" "Sit and tell me your news." "Hot or cold drink?" "I' m burning hot, chief" "A cold drink to cool you off." "Two bubblies, Bondoq" " Yes, boss" " Long time no see, cool one" "Thanks." "How's work?" " We no longer have men like before" " Why not?" "The new ones are lazy like agency clerks" "Lazy ones are better than traitors, chief I was thrown in jail thanks to a traitor" "God protect us!" "Hello hello" "Drink up" "I need a tough weapon, chief" "At your service" "But you know I have nothing these days" "Don't say that. I must help" "Drop in tomorrow and you' ll find it ready with accessories" " Thanks, chief" " Now tell me" "Where can I start?" " Cheers" " Cheers" "AKHBAR EL YOUM PRESS HOUSE" "Mr Raouf Elwan, please" " Excuse me?" " Mr Raouf Elwan" "Mr Raouf is in a meeting and will be a while" "May I get his address?" "It's in the phone book over there" "RAOUF ELWAN" "Mr Raouf" "Mr Raouf" " Who is it?" " l' m Saied" "Saied Mahran" " Oh, Saied" " Yes" " Welcome back" " Thank you" "Get in" "Get in" "Here" "To freedom" "How is your daughter?" "My daughter didn't recognize me" "How come?" "Her mother betrayed me, as did Eleish" "My nearest and dearest betrayed me and got married before I' d been long in jail" "When I went to them they received me with a bunch of gangsters" "Sanaa didn't recognize me" "She didn't, Mr Raouf!" "Never mind." "When she grows up, she will learn the whole truth" "A phone call, sir" "Hi, Riri." "Why, dear?" "I' m naughty?" "!" "Why, I' m a poor man" "As usual, I went for a drink at Cosmo Bar and came straight home l will call you in an hour." "Bye" "Well, Saied, congratulations on your new-found liberty lt's a treasure to compensate all your loss I was so happy for you when I was in jail" "Who would have dreamed of all this?" "I trust there is no struggle or war now as before" "You can call it a ceasefire" "Each war has its own battlefield" "And what a field this is!" "What's the comparison?" "I mean it's so spacious" "Don't beat around the bush, be frank I don't mean a thing" "Remember, I always live by the sweat of my brow" "No doubt about it" "Please, don't get upset" "Pardon me, for l just got out of jail I need time to recall the civility of conversations" "Eat" "Have you considered the future?" "I had no time" "All I thought of was what's gone" "There are plenty of women" "One betrayed you, there are thousands of others" "But you must find a job" "They taught me to sew in prison" "Will you start a tailor's shop?" "That's unreasonable" "What then?" "I learnt only one trade in my life" "You' ll go back to your old work?" "It's profitable, as you know" "What?" "As I know?" "What do you mean?" "Don't be offended I meant to say as you know of me" "Right?" "Listen, Saied" "Times have changed" "You were a thief and I your friend due to circumstances you know lf you return to theft, you will be just a thief" "Find me a suitable job" "What do you want to do?" "I can be a journalist at your paper I am educated, your old student" "You often gave me books to read and commended my brains" "You just got out of jail, don't forget that" "Must I find a lowly job then?" "No honorable job is lowly" "That's the advice of the rich to the poor. I've wasted your time I am worn out from work at the paper" "Wait" "Till you sort things out" "Don't be offended if I say I' m tired from work" "You' d rarely find me free like tonight" "God grant you more blessings" "Ten pounds, mister?" "No thanks!" "You' ll be my customer tonight" " Shall we summon the police?" " Go wait outside" "Yes, sir" "It's a stupid idea to try out your tricks on someone who knows you well l was awaiting you" "In fact, I opened the window you sneaked in through I was hoping I' d be wrong in my suspicion but my suspicions proved true" "There is no use, you will always remain lowly and die lowly I must turn you in to police" "No, Raouf Bey" "What did you want?" "You' re revealing your hostility" "You forgot my charity and only maintain envy and jealousy I know your thoughts as I know your actions" "My... my head's still spinning ever since I left jail" "Liar, don't fool me" "You thought I've become one of the rich people I attacked so you' d treat me the same" "No, not at all" " Then why come?" " Don't know I can't understand myself" " You won't believe me" " Of course, you know you' re lying" "You didn't believe me, but believed your pride and envy" "Up to you." "You' ll land back in prison" "Raouf Bey, give me the benefit of the doubt I still reason with a prison mentality" " And pre-prison too" " You've no excuse I read every word going through your mind" "So I must hand you in to police" "No, no." "Please, don't, Raouf Bey" " Don't you deserve it?" " Sure" "But I just got out today lf l see you again, I' ll wipe you out" " OK" " Now go" "Wait!" "Give me back the ten pounds" "Give it!" "Don't let me see you again" "May God's peace and blessings be upon you" "Lord Almighty" " Peace to you, Sheikh" " And also to you." "Hello" " l am Saied, son of Mohammed Mahran" " You' re welcome" "Be seated." "You need no permission" "Your father, God bless him, never stopped visiting this place I was released from prison yesterday" " Prison?" " Yes" "You haven't seen me for ten years" "Many things befell me in that time." "You may have heard I hear so much that I hear nothing at all I didn't want to conceal it from you" "You traded a small prison for a bigger one I resorted to you at a time my own daughter denied me" "His weakest creatures may work wonders I am in a whirlwind" "My daughter denied me;" "she couldn't stand me" "And her mother previously betrayed me with a dog, one of my boys" "She exploited my imprisonment to get a divorce and marry him" "Look up to heaven, son. its door is open, ever and anon I am still on earth, sire, and all doors are locked before me" "Take the Quran and read" " l was in jail  didn't perform ablution" " Do so and read" " First tell me what to do" " Perform ablution and read" "" Say:" "If ye love Allah, follow me, Allah will love you"" "Forgive me, God I owe you a debt which I must repay" "But I' m owed a debt I must settle" "May it bring death upon your enemy" " How much?" " A gift from yours truly" "Thanks" "But all I ask is you wait for a while I said stop it" " The radiant light is here" " Poor soul" "She wears herself out to survive I swear no one mourned more for you than she I know, Chief Tarzan" "She's always been a decent girl" " Did she learn of your release?" " l doubt it" "She' ll be delighted to see you." "I will tell her" " Bondoq" " Yes" "Tell Noor in a gentle way that Saied is here" "Really?" "!" " Welcome home, Saied" " Thanks, Noor" " When were you released?" " Two days ago I didn't know when you' d be released Did someone wait for you?" "My release was a surprise just like my capture" "You look well" "Take care of yourself." "Though your eyes show you are concerned" "You look concerned" "Forget him." "He lost his senses" " ls he a new alcoholic?" " New at everything" "Oxes with cash." "An only son with 1 2 shoes he never stepped with on ground" "Why?" "Does he walk around barefoot?" "He rides a car that could feed ten people, including me" "He wants to give me driving lessons on an abandoned road" "Are you not afraid of ghosts?" "It's my livelihood" "A car on the mountain road?" "!" "Listen, Saied" "His dad's powerful and his family large" "Don't think of something foolish and put me in trouble" "Don't worry, Noor. I' m not a kid" " You need money?" " l need a car" "You and I will meet up often, just do as I say" "Go to him or he' ll get worried" "Move and I' ll blow your brains" " Out" " What do you want?" " Out" " What is it?" " Out" " Okay" "Don't shoot" " Your money - ln the jacket in my car" " Get it" " Alright" " Get it" " Okay, okay" "Here it is" "You've a minute to save your skin" "Alright" " Get lost" " Alright" " Go" " Thanks" "Get inside. inside!" "I went to Tarzan to arrange for one of our taxi-drivers" "But this car was my destiny" " Now you know my value - l knew it, Noor." "You were great I was truly scared, and the kid's knees went wobbly I hope I pulled it off well or he will suspect me" "He had no brains to suspect you with" "Why do you need the car?" " For work" " Oh no, Saied!" "You just got out of jail" "Can you change your trade?" " You have no heart" " A heart?" "They sequestered it in jail according to instructions" " Where will you spend the night?" " Anywhere" "Come to my place I live alone behind the cemeteries on Negm El-Din Street above the agency" "No man has entered it before you" "Listen, Noor." "Go to a police station now and tell them what happened, as if you don't know me" "Give them any description." "Say I' m fair-skinned, fat, have a knife scar to my face" "Tell them I abducted you, tortured you and even raped you" "But that's not the case" "Then I threw you out of the car and ran off" " When will I see you?" " Later" "A word of honor" " Bye now" " Bye, Saied" "Captain Kamal, I am Raouf Elwan" "Hello, Captain." "Fine thanks" "Listen, Kamal, that Saied Mahran incident you have" "Yes, Eleish Sedra I will send Helmy with a camera I want the details and photos" "Thanks a million" "What did you write?" "" He leaves jail only to kill his wife and his rival"" "Good" "Helmy, rush with a photographer to the Khalifa police station I want all the juice on the thief incident" "Forget that headline." "Write instead:" "" He leaves jail to kill an innocent man" "A stray bullet exposes a dangerous thief" "After midnight, Saied Mahran, a professional thief tried - to kill his ex-wife and her husband, Eleish Sedra, by shooting at them in his old apartment" "The killer failed to realize they left the apartment on the night of his release" "He killed the new tenant, Shaaban Hussein with a fatal shot which killed him instantly" "The innocent victim died by a stray bullet from the fugitive thief" "Help police find Saied Mahran"" "These things happen." "You didn't mean to do it" "Who's Shaaban Hussein?" "I don't even know him lt's his destiny" "He paid Eleish compensation to take over the apartment and die instead" "Who knows?" "He might even have kids" "A strange world!" "A poor guy dies because Nabaweya and Eleish married" "And the treacherous criminals get away unscathed" " And you are chased by police" " Nevertheless..." "They still won't get away" "No" "You have to calm down lt's still a hot issue and thousands seek you" "Hide from them a while and one day you' ll find them" " Noor" " Who is it?" "It's Saied" "You?" "Oh dear!" "Have you been waiting for long?" " Since 1 2 o' clock - lf only I knew you were coming!" "Come in" "I had no hope you' d come" "Didn't trust my word of honor?" "Did you forget your old habits with me?" "Forget the past, Noor" "Today is the best day of my life I can't believe you' re with me in the same house" " Shall I trill?" " No, don't" "Please, don't I don't want anyone to sense my presence here" "I will be your guest, for a long time perhaps I would hide you between my eyelids" "Remember how cruel you were to me, Saied?" "I had no time for love" "What could be more important than love?" "Plenty of things" "What did you do with the car yesterday?" "They kept me under interrogation at the station all night I left it at a far off spot" "Though I was in dire need of it" "They' ll soon find it and return it to the owner" "And before you abandoned it?" "Why the rush?" "You' ll find out soon enough I fear for you, Saied You've suffered much" "If you humor me, I will make you very comfortable" "Comfort comes with one's last breath" "Your comfort might be right by your side while you don't sense it" "No sooner did I think than I rushed to you" "You didn't seek me out;" "we met by chance" "Think I can't find a place?" "No" "But you won't find one to love you as much as I or have as much patience as I or rejoice with you as much as I" "Wise up for your sake and mine, Saied" "We have only each other" "Saied, don't you miss the world?" "You wasted 4 years of your youth" "Let me make it up for you" "Easy, dear" "Hope you get better soon" "Ahmed Maher hospital, fast" "May you have a safe delivery" "Bye, dear" "Your beard is prickly" "Rise and shine, love I must have overslept lt's past noon" "You looked sleep-deprived so I couldn't wake you I've bothered you a bit, Noor I' d lay my life down for you I dreamt you went on a long trip and I was waiting for you" "In your dreams!" "You' re the one going out, and I' m the one waiting lt's not time for me to go out yet" "Good." "That way I' m sure to find you when I get back" " Get me the papers" " As you wish I prepared everything and if you change your mind and do go out you' ll find a spare key in the sewing machine drawer" "No one used it before you" "Bye" " Morning, Noor" " Hello, Um Ragab" "Don't you ever think of us?" "How come?" "You are always on my mind I thought you forgot me last month and would remember this month" " The rent is all I have - l' ll prepare it in two days lf l didn't need it badly, I wouldn't mention it I promise I' ll get it" "Bondoq, Bondoq" " Saied Mahran!" " ls there any snake inside?" "Have no fear." "All is clear" " Dim the lights till I pass" " Sure" "Who turned the lights out?" " Welcome, Saied" " Hi, chief" " Had dinner?" " No appetite" "Things will improve" "Take good care of yourself" "Don't spend two nights in one place" "Why?" "Any snakes come here?" "The whole place's spiked lnformers spread all over lt's like you' re the first man to kill" "Never mind." "Soon the frenzy will die down" "Doesn't look like it, Saied" "Your pictures are all over the papers, like they've nothing else to write about" " Got the paper?" " Upstairs" "Your story is more famous than Hamlet's now" "Once they call you a serial killer, once a devil which will spur on the police" "A full beer bottle here" "Good evening, gentlemen" "Why do you have few clients tonight?" "You are more than enough" " Two sodas, hurry" " Sure" "Freezing sodas!" "Flee to Upper Egypt these days, it's best" "And leave my vendetta?" "Eleish, Chief Tarzan I want to know where he is" "Master, master" "The police are upstairs" " Upstairs?" " Yes" "Two bad-breathed informers who want sodas" " Go to them till I handle this" " OK I told you so" "Even here is no longer safe for you" "Don't be offended. I fear for you" "This way" "Bye, Saied" "Evening" "Where were you, Saied?" "I was sick of the cemetery and confinement and decided to go out I thought I wouldn't see you again" "You' ll soon be bored of me" "Don't say that, Saied" "My life and yours are intertwined" "An officer got you this note" " lt seems they want you" " Must be from the station" "They want to cross-examine me" "What's all this?" "A banquet?" "Egyptian Kebabs, Levantine sweets and Cyprian wine" "You haven't forgotten a thing" "" Saied Mahran still at large"" "Even you, Raouf, you dog?" "!" "Who's this Raouf, Saied?" "Raouf Elwan, he's behind it all" "Nabaweya sold out my heart and that traitor sold out my whole life" "What's between you two?" "You cannot understand it I know everything" "You killed someone" "That happened before I came to you" "What shall we do now?" "Your pictures are all over the papers and cops are on your trail" "Everyone is talking about you" "People are proud of me." "They love me" "But the police hate you" "They've set up traps for you everywhere" "You've imprisoned yourself a second time" "Fear not I will escape even through the eye of a needle" "What a calamity I' m in!" "Why did you have to kill?" "What for?" "They killed me first I had hoped you' d rest and give me rest I wanted to live with you forever" "We will escape and live as you wish" "Why wait?" "When, Saied?" "I will tell you at the right moment" "You don't know Saied Mahran yet" "The papers and the public speak of him but you still don't trust him" "Shame!" "They live in peace and we are lost" "That's what you think" "They are the ones in terror They die, though they are alive" "How will it all end?" "We will drink and make merry" " Take this" " Enough, Noor" "Shame on you, don't turn me down" "How wonderful!" "Tell me truly, Saied, isn't this company worth the world?" "My father always said so" "He rejoiced when we gathered around the table in the evening lt was all his reward for such hard work" "People would stay at my dad's place till morning eating, drinking and listening to poems till dawn" "One night would cost him a fortune" "He was mayor" "Mayor or servant of the mayor?" "Oh come on, Saied." "Did I tell you that before?" "All is the same, Noor" "Strangely, I can't hold grudges against you" " Something wrong, Noor?" " Not at all" "Looking out on that scene one would think the dead outnumber the living" "As if death never rests" "Here the murderer and the murdered meet, the cop and the robber, for the last time side by side with no conflict" "Do you have anyone buried here, Noor?" "All my family is buried elsewhere" " Listen" " What?" "Can you get me a black cloth fit for a policeman's uniform?" "Policeman?" "Right" "Didn't you know I graduated a master tailor - from jail" " What will you do with it?" " lt's my turn to enlist" "I can't lose you again" "Have no fear for me I will wear a snake's skin to evade its poison" "So you' ll throw yourself in harm's way?" "You do it every day" "It's my livelihood that forces me to do it" "Of course you noticed the paper's circulation soared these days" "People follow Saied Mahran's news with interest I want to record Raouf Elwan's unparalleled efforts in this case" "At the same time I don't agree with his view for he sentenced Saied Mahran to death without hearing his plea" "I only wrote the truth" "He's a criminal in my eyes and those of the public" "On the contrary, some consider him a hero and pity him due to unjust and prejudiced attacks" "What fault is it of Saied Mahran's victim?" "An innocent man died due to the envy of a psycho" "As you seek the victim of Saied Mahran, find out whose victim he is" "Who transformed him from man to criminal and from criminal to serial killer?" "Fatma Anan wrote a story on the woman in his life" "Why didn't you publish it?" "Saied Mahran is victim to a woman" "We are not only the prosecutors" "The press is also the police, lawyers and judges" "Foremost, judges!" "A man like that, chased by police and by hunger with envy gripping his heart, is like a madman" "He is a true peril to society I believe, Mr Raouf, that to continue publishing stories about him is a form of idolizing" "Our duty is to turn public opinion against him and warn of his danger" "You made him a hero" " Raouf Bey" " Hello, Mona" "Your serial killer wants me dead He' ll deprive art of me" "Deprive art of you?" "Why?" "Publish my photo and say he's threatening me I have a picture in my swimsuit that's perfect for the story" "As you wish lt's an important story I told no one else" " Never fear" " Bye" "Bye, lady" "O serial killer, how many crimes are committed in thy name!" "Don't be pedantic." "She's after fame" " The paper's on the line, sir" " Okay" "I' m Raouf Elwan." "Give me Salah" "Listen, Salah, hold three columns for me on the front page and move the political article inside" "Don't let anyone in the template department leave I've an important item on the serial killer." "Wait by the phone" "What do you say to the killer falling tonight?" "Why tonight in particular?" "He called the widow of a lawyer living alone at Villa 9, Roda Street and asked her to prepare 200 pounds warning he' d kill her if she tried to call the cops" "So he will find a crowd in waiting" "Let his narcissism be of use to him" "You know, he' ll get away, Raouf" " l bet you 5 pounds" " Make it fifty" "Raouf, you speak as if you and he are arch-rivals I am against any criminal who toys with the law and sneaks among decent men I have my principles" "That's why I' ll oppose Saied Mahran to the very end" " Bye" " Bye" "Two whiskeys." "Will you have one?" " Who is it?" " Don't turn, drive straight ahead" "Saied, are you nuts?" "I went nuts the day I heeded you." "Drive on" "Where to?" "I' ll guide you like you guided me years ago" "Drive straight ahead" "Get out." "Out!" "Get up, up!" "You are truly a chief robber, but you never suffered as I did" "What do you intend with all this?" "To remain steadfast to my principle" "Shall I remind you?" ""That collected by theft will be returned by theft"" "But now you are rich" "You no longer feel the pain of the poor" "Your bullets are rash" "You kill the innocent who have done nothing" "You threaten people with whom you have no vendetta I never did, I want nothing of the world but Nabaweya and Eleish" "Liar!" "You threatened to kill people if they don't pay you lt's all in the open I only threatened Nabaweya and Eleish." "They' re my only target I must reach them." "Where are they, Raouf?" "I told you I know nothing of them" "Your articles prove you know their whereabouts" " You demand the impossible" " And you demand death" "If you don't confess, I' ll bury you here in their stead" "They work at a house in Roda Street, number 9" "So the traitor went back to her old job!" "What will you do?" "I will leave you here, you might feel remorse in your loneliness lf you' re lying, I' ll bury you before they hang me" "RODA STREET" "Hello, who is it?" "It's me" "Did you get the 200 pounds?" "Well done" "You never fear, unless danger's near I am the serial killer who will show you" "In fifteen minutes, I will be there." "No tricks" "Have mercy." "What's this?" "We' re having fun instead of sitting around bored" "You' re gloomy and don't like fun" "But that woman will spend a sleepless night" "Why not?" "What else does she have to do?" "Fear not." "We' re here to protect you" "Be natural..." "I won't budge from here" "PRESS" " What's he here for?" " Don't they ever let off?" " They sniff news before it happens" " Go get rid of him gently" " What's wrong, fellow?" " l' m working that out" "Here, you can't." "Move it forward lt won't budge; needs a push" "Get in and we' ll push, then I' d be grateful" "The culprit!" "You startled me, why didn't you turn on the lights?" "My nerves relax in the dark" " What's wrong, Noor?" " My whole body aches" "Drank too much?" "I've always been drinking" "The pain is from beating not drinking" "Who beat you?" "The police?" "Three youths who seem to be students when I got particular about money..." "Go wash your face and drink some water; you' ll be fine" "Okay I got you the fabric and accessories for the uniform" "Thanks a lot, Noor" "Come and relax in your room" "Sorry, Saied, I am too tired I' m beat" "You just need some rest You' ll be fine tomorrow morning" "Shall I make you a hot drink?" " Good grief!" "I am your servant" " Let me repay some of your kindness" "Don't say that." "We have no one but each other" "We are both lost, Noor" "We must remain together, for better or worse" "Why should you put up with the worse?" "I returned to prison I used to have one prison-guard, now there are a thousand lf only you' d listen to me" "Let's run away." "Steer clear so they will forget you lf they abandon their vendetta, I won't abandon mine I chase them, they chase me" "None knows which of us is the hunter" "The thief or the dogs?" "What of me, Saied?" "You've suffered on my account" "But what you missed out on yesterday, you' ll make up for today" "Hello?" "Anybody?" "Miss Noor" "Who is it?" "I am Tahra, pretty one" "May you always welcome the guest;" "and by the Lord ever be blest" "God willing." "Come in, Tahra" "For so long, I pass by and call but hear nothing and no window is open I've been very busy" "May God clear your trouble and comfort you, double" "May the disobedient heed you" "Throw in your silver, honey" "You' re just in time, Tahra Check it properly, please" "The shells speak:" "your friend is a freak" "On heaven, he set his sight;" "towards hell he aims his flight" "His blood boils, as his heart recoils" "He came from a trip and is headed on a trip" "His journey is long and he suffered much wrong" "But further along the way, he' ll find security" "And you too are tender and true" "After the clouds go, the sky will glow" "The fire of night will be ashes by daylight" "God gives generously, young lassie" " Bye for now" " Bye" " Bye, Tahra" " Thanks" "Saied, did you hear the gypsy woman?" "Each of us has a trade to make a living off, Noor I wish she' d be right for once" "What do you think?" "is captain a high enough rank?" "What should I say?" "It becomes you?" "!" "You' ll see how useful it is" "Come to your senses." "You are caught up in the line of fire" "Fear not. I am used to heat I was glad to find you and again you wish to deprive me of you?" "!" "What's wrong, Noor?" " My stomach cramps" " Must be the dinner we had" "The medicine is there..." "fetch it quick lt's empty, Noor Have you another?" "Noor, how do you feel?" "Where is the prescription?" "Where is it?" "No need." "The pain will go now" "Saied, where are you going?" "Saied, Saied!" " 2 2 plasters" " Quickly please" "Drop by in 30 minutes, this drug needs preparation" "No, please." "The patient is in extreme agony" "Take a seat" "" Saied Mahran threatens a widow living alone" "Police seek the murderous thief"" "Don't be anxious. I will bring it outside" "Please be quick" "Please wait outside for a while I won't leave here without that medicine" "Doctor" "Doctor Adeeb" "Go to him" "Give me a laxative, please" "Go in and get it over with!" "A single tablespoon every two hours till the pain subsides" "No need" "Here. I am not a swindler I am going and don't wish to return and do you in" "You' d better forget everything" "Noor, the medicine" "May God heal you" "Hi, sir." "A felucca?" "In you go" "Careful, sir" "Raouf I am Saied Mahran." "Take that!" "How can a cab door do all that?" "What is logical these days, Noor?" "You went out in that uniform without a thought to anything" "These coffee beans will make the bleeding stop till dawn" "But I will suffer much" "You are so kind, Noor I am so miserable I ask for nothing but your wellbeing" "But you care for nothing" "Don't say that!" "We have no other person in the world" "When I' m with you, all I lack is Sanaa" "Please deliver this card" "One moment, sir" "Come in" "Hello, Mr Raouf" " Thank God you' re safe" " Thank you" "Please be seated" "Helmy, Shukry and Hussein are security force members" "Dr Adeeb owns a pharmacy in Helmeya" "Mr Raouf, you advertized a reward in your paper for the capture of Saied Mahran I got the DA's approval first I understand, but don't you think it will turn him on you?" "Saied Mahran was my servant during my school years" "When he left jail, he came to me and I helped him out with some money" "Even so, he tried to rob me on the same night I was in waiting as I expected him to display treachery" "He played the miserable destitute, so I did him no harm" "Now he wants to do me harm" "Did you know that he was ill with a certain ailment?" "On the contrary I don't recall him ever being ill" "This prescription was in his possession" "He stormed into Dr Adeeb's pharmacy for the medicine and threatened him not to report it" "For whom do you think such a criminal would sacrifice, exposing himself to the danger of arrest?" "I've no clue" "Sir, the patient for whom the prescription was issued lives at the Citadel and Saied Mahran is with him" "Or her" "Sir." "The force is ready" "To your posts!" "Excuse me. I have to attend the funeral" "Whose funeral?" "The janitor that Saied Mahran killed in my place" "The criminal got away again!" "What fault did that janitor commit?" "What's between you and him?" "My goal was Raouf" "Why kill Raouf?" "Did he know your wife?" "Did he marry her too?" "Raouf is the cause of all these catastrophes" "You' re hopeless" "You still love your wife and you' re jealous lf only you' d harmed yourself alone" "Now there are two innocent souls that died because of you" "Silence, Noor." "Enough!" "You think you can beat the government, officers and all." "How?" "I cannot explain" "But you can torment me, and kill me slowly with terror for you" "Kill me once, it's easier" " No one would dare harm you" " Words!" "I can't change your state, nor can you set my mind at rest" "Noor, I will keep my promise to you; you' ll see" "We' ll escape and live together as the gypsy woman said" "After all that's happened?" "How?" "It's not my first crisis I am used to troubles" "I will be rid of it" "Where to, Noor?" "To the street lt's my only resort" "Saied Mahran" "You are accused of premeditated murder" "Have you anything to say?" "Your Honors... I shall be my own defense" "I did carry a gun" "But Raouf Elwan taught me to fire it I didn't kill the janitor, I don't know him" "He was killed because he served Raouf Elwan" "That's the reason" "Last night, his image remained before my eyes" "Even when I slept on it, he paid me a visit in my dreams I hid my face from him, he said:" "Do not be sorrowful, Saied" "Millions like me die by mistake, unaccounted for l will continue to trail Raouf Elwan till he joins me in my grave" "Even if I never see my Sanaa again" "What worse judgment can you pass against me than hers?" "She killed me before I set my eye on the noose" "Everyone pities me deep down lf you pass a death sentence against me, you kill them all I am their dream, their aspiration I' m every coward's savior I am the tears that expose their owner" "I am not mad alone" "You will find that any who have a heart are mad" "Seek the reason, then try to judge me" "Noor!" "Noor!" "Noor" "I am the landlady, open up" "This is unreasonable!" "Till when will you conceal yourself?" "!" "Maybe she isn't back, Um Ragab I can't be fooled by such cheap trickery I am doing what my conscience dictates; she's two months late" "She might have a good reason I am yelling at the top of my voice, so those who haven't heard may hear" "There's a limit to everything." "My limit is today" "My money, or I' ll show a new tenant through this evening" "That's all I can take." "Come with me, Hakeem" "I wonder where you are, Noor" "Damn you!" "He nearly broke my arm" "Oh!" "Noor?" "!" " Why are you here?" " A traffic offence" "The sign says one hour and I parked for two" "Never mind, we' re losing our thing" "People have no sense" "You lie to yourself, Noor" "We are a few steps away from old age" "Dogs will find no flesh on us to devour" "You always say that" "Our ending is always like that I wish I could die, even by a bullet of the serial killer's" "He too, poor thing, is nearly at his end" "Did they catch him?" "There's a cordon of policemen from the Weapon Market area all around the Citadel and El-Khalifa upwards" "They' re searching every home and every room" "Why?" "They must have got a tip that he's staying there" "They will bring the whole area down." "He must fall I must get out of here" "Noor, stay in hiding here or you' ll catch a stray bullet that they' re firing at him I pity the guy, he can't tell they' re surrounding him" "Come in, Hakeem" "Alright" "Spacious, calm, all the windows northern" "The flat must be tranquil" "We belong to God and to Him we will return" "How nice!" "I am an artist, so I love constant peace and tranquility" " Your neighbors are perfectly calm" " Obviously" " Come see the bedroom" " Obviously" "How beautiful... how wonderful!" "This room too is quiet, overlooking the cemetery" "Fabulous!" "Magnificent!" " Tell me, ma' am" " Yes" "Were your neighbors living here before they moved out?" "Let's pray for the souls of your neighbors" "Oh my!" "It's a policeman's uniform." "Where' d she get it?" "We found the uniform, sir lt's stained with blood" "Yes, sir." "Roger that" "Master, I seek your protection I want none of your visitors to see me" "The world's too small for me I lost track of the scoundrels" " How many?" " Three" "Joy to the world if its scoundrels are limited to three" "The world's full of them, but to me only those three count" "Then none have escaped I was right in all I did" "What torments me is that criminals escaped death and the innocent pay the price" " He is ever just" " Justice is on my side" "But who will judge me?" "If one truly feels need for God, one will be enriched with God" "Woe to me, time is lost and I suffer defeat" "With what can I stomp my amity when we meet?" "Enough love, if enamored I come" "My passion is ahead of me and my judgment gone" "tourism." "TOURS" "Where are you, Noor?" "Death is to me more bearable than parting with you" "Break the door!" "Saied Mahran, surrender!" "Come forth with your arms raised" "Don't attempt to resist" "The mountain is surrounded on all sides" "You have one minute to surrender" "If he doesn't surrender, they' ll demolish it" "He's in a no-win situation He should take his own life" "Please, sir, let me talk to him I will make him surrender" "Saied plays the tough guy but he is very kind" "He thinks all people hate him" "He knows I love him and he' ll listen to me" " What's your name?" " Noor" "Listen, Saied." "You have one last chance" "Noor will talk to you" "I am Noor, Saied" "Please surrender, for my sake I don't want you to die" "You promised, Saied and I believed you" "Noor, why are you here?" "!" "Recall your words, Saied." "Don't waste your life" "Have some faith ln whom?" "Nabaweya and Eleish?" "Or Raouf Elwan?" "Or those around you, who want my demise?" "You are innocent, Saied." "You never meant to kill them" "Surrender to the court and you will be acquitted" " Raouf Elwan's court?" " Trust me, Saied" "Even if you' re imprisoned, I' ll wait for you. I can't live without you" "Think of your daughter Sanaa" "To whom will you leave her?" "Saied Mahran, last warning" "You have thirty seconds to surrender" "They shot him!" "Saied!" "Saied!" "Saied!" "THE END"