"Is your husband in?" "Who are you looking for?" "Ibrahima Dieng." "He is the husband of you two." "I bring good news." " A money order." " Money order?" "Yes, a money order... and a letter." "They are from Paris." "Who does Ibrahima know in Paris?" "How much is it for?" " 25000 francs." " 25000 francs?" "Don't delude us." "We are honest women." "This money order is for your husband." "Here's the letter." "He can collect it today... at the post office." "We'll find out if this is true." "Aram, let's go to the store." "Today we'll eat well." "Praised be Allah!" "What did I just eat?" "Blessed are women." "Uncle!" "Here's some papaya for you." "Let me wash." "It's been some time since I've eaten so well!" "Allah will never abandon us." "Allah helps those who help themselves." "How tired I am!" "Uncle!" "There's a beggar outside." "Is he young or old?" "Give him the leftovers so as to ward off evil." "Aram!" "Massage my legs." "Easy, don't touch the belly." "Did you tell him about the money order?" "Let's give him a chance to rest." "Who wants to buy water?" "Maty?" " Can you spare 50 francs for water?" " No, not even one." " Aram, do you want water?" " Yes, but on credit." " Until when?" " Until tomorrow." "Show him where to put it." "Just look at that!" "When your belly is full you think only of sleeping!" "What about Allah?" "My house is not for the wicked." "Where do I get money to... feed us?" "It's been four years I haven't had a job." "Today is Friday, and nobody thought of waking me up, what a shame!" "There is a proper time for prayer." "Uncle, uncle!" "What happened?" "What is it?" "I am penniless!" "Look, nothing!" " I don't mean that." "You received something in the mail." "What?" "It's not a bill." "It's a money order from Paris." "Who sent it?" "Your nephew Abdou." "Don't talk money in the street." "I hope the neighbors don't know about this." "Actually, we did go to the Mauritanian's store." "So everyone knows!" "There was nothing for the kids to eat today." "They borrow without telling me!" "I'm the husband of both!" "Only I can decide what to do!" "Good wives wait for their husband before making a decision!" "You went to spread the word that I have a money order?" "Your wives came to take rice, oil..." "You have done well to give it to them." "I'll pay." "What do I owe?" "That's not why I wanted to see you." "You know I do trust you." "I received a shipment of good rice." "The kind you ate for lunch." "It is neither American nor French." "It comes from Indochina." "It doesn't stick." "Look how good the grain is." "How much per kilo?" "You are not just a customer, you are a brother." "Why are you suspicious?" "This rice..." "Mbarka!" "Do you have rice?" "No, my son." "Did you see?" "If you weren't a friend, I wouldn't sell it to you." "I'll keep 15 kilos for you, no more." "Come to get it when you return from the post office." "If you see one of my wives, give it to them." "Add this to my account and lend me 50 francs to go to the post office." " Dieng, how are you?" " Praised be Allah!" "Mbarka has rice." "He sells it under the counter." "I didn't know." "He won't to lend me anything because he knows I'm broke." " Where are you going?" " With you." "The letter is from Paris." "The letter is from Paris." "It's from your nephew Abdou." "Dear Uncle, I am writing to you from Paris." "Thank Allah I'm well." "I think about you day and night." "I miss all of you." "I didn't come to Paris to become a vagabond... or rebel against authority." "I came to find a job... to make some money and learn a trade." "I left Dakar because there is no work!" "I couldn't spend my life... without work... waiting for handouts... or some used clothing." "At my age I need to get married and start a family." "Don't listen to what others say." "If someone becomes a vagabond in Paris... it is because he wants to." "Allah willing, not a single drop of alcohol will touch my lips." "Every day after work, I attend evenign school to learn something." "Here's a money order of 25000 francs." "Keep 2000 for me." "Give 3000 to my mother... and keep 2000 for yourself... because I know you don't have a job." "Tell my mother I'm doing well." "I miss her and the kids." "When I return from working, I say my five prayers." "My regards to aunt Maty and aunt Aram." "Allah willing, I will return home." "Don't forget me in your prayers." "Your nephew Abdou." "That'll be 50 cents." "I'll cash the money order and then I'll pay." " Ibrahima Dieng." " It is I." "Identification?" "Identification?" "I don't have one." "Any document with your photo?" "Driver's license, draft card?" "I don't have any of those things." " Go get an identity card." " Where?" "I have mine." "Is the money order for you?" "It's for my friend." "Sir, I have no identification." "Go to the police station in your neighborhood." "The money order will be here for 15 days." "And my money, my 50 cents?" "We haven't cashed the money order." "Ask for your due politely without grabbing me." "I am a man of faith, not a thief." "You crook!" "I worked for you!" "You have to pay me." "We'll be back and pay you" "Why didn't you say so before?" " Did he soil my outfit?" " No." "Can you believe it?" "Soil me over 50 cents." "Want to walk with me to the police?" "To scrounge some cash off me?" "Indeed, I want you to lend me 5000 francs." "(speaking French) This is the house." "It could work." " Is it for sale?" " Leave that to me." "The guy is broke:" "two wives, seven children;" "an an insatiable need to keep up appearances." "What's happening inside?" "It seems there is a party." "Ah, I didn't know!" "Here comes his first wife." " How are you, Auntie?" " Mbaye, how are you?" "Good day, ma'am." "(speaking Wolof) We came to see Uncle." "Uncle went to the post office." "What's going on in your house?" "Looks like a party." "You know how it is in this country." "When they hear "money" everyone shows up." "Maty, when Ibrahima returns tell him to come see me." "I'll tell him." "Allah willing." "Mbaye!" "Do come in and wait for him." "Tell Uncle I stopped by to see how he's doing." " Can I help you?" " I need an identity card." "Birth certificate, 3 photos... and a 50-cent stamp." "Look, I need to cash a money order." "I have my tax bill and my voting card." "My friend, I need your birth certificate... photos, and a stamp." "Here I have a paper that proves my identity." "That won't do." "Go to City Hall" " How are the children?" " Allah be praised." "Here, have bread and sugar." "I stopped by to see you yesterday." "My wives told me." "Life is difficult for people like us." "That's why I came to seek your help." "Allah is my witness, I still haven't cashed the money order." "I need 5000 francs with a security deposit." "Oh no!" "I couldn't cash the" "I hope I'm not disturbing you." "Let's talk about life." "I came to see Ibrahima for" "We haven't eaten in 3 days." "I just told the Imam:" "I haven't cashed the money order yet." "I don't want money, but only some rice..." "Ibrahima, so long." "You know me, Ibrahima." "I'm counting on you." "Allah willing, you can count on me." "Ibrahima!" "Help me out." "Give 3 kilos of rice to Madiague." "We don't have any more rice." "What did you say?" "Maty, you are a mother, you must understand, the children are hungry." "Now everyone thinks we have rice." "He said to give Madiague some rice." "Tell him that there's no more." " This is all the rice we have left." " Give him a sack." "Never!" "We will starve What will happen to our kids?" "This is the rice we have left." "Take it." "Allah willing, we'll be fine after I cash the money order today." "Thank you." "It's better than nothing." "Many thanks!" "Any luck?" "That's it." "That's all?" "They say he has at least 100 kilos of rice." "It's Maty who refuses." "May Allah protect us from the women's dominance!" "Does anyone have 25 francs to loan me?" "It's for my bus fare to City Hall." "I have nothing." "Maybe Aram." "She's at the water fountain." "Aram, do you have 25 francs?" "I need it for my bus fare." "Not a cent!" "He won't have a penny left after he pays Mbarka." "(speaking French) Is that okay or not?" "It works for me." "20% is not deadly." "Credit has never killed anyone." "Stop bullshitting!" "Deal or not?" " 20%?" " Take it or leave it." "Yes, I know, (switching to Wolof) but it's hard." "Borrow from John and pay Paul." "(in Wolof) You should be grateful that I offer this to you." "(in French) All night I tried to work out a scheme." "Six months without salary, to pull through that?" "Come on!" "(in Wolof) You know, many can't get credit." "I'm on my third." "(in French) You know how I do it?" "I change banks." "The gov't knows about that." "That's why they take payroll deductions." " Well, I'll take your offer." " As I said, I'm trying to help." "I'm sick of working!" "(in French) How are you?" "(in Wolof) What do you want?" "A birth certificate." "Your date of birth?" "Here are my papers, I can't read." "Forget your papers." "What date were you born?" " (in Wolof) What's up?" " (in French) Get in line." "You better be polite with citizens." "Name:" "Ibrahima Dieng." "Born in Dakar around 1900." "Tell me the month, wise guy!" " About 1900!" " In a year, how many months are there?" "Twelve." "In which month was he born, your Ibrahima Dieng?" "(switching to Wolof) When you know your date of birth... come back to see me." "Make it quick, we're in a hurry!" " Step back." "If not..." " If not, what?" "Who to turn to?" "Someone influential." "What will I tell the neighbors?" "How can I face them?" " My name is not Amath." " Sorry, I mistook you for my nephew." "He is a very good boy." "I'm sure he would have given me 20 francs for the bus." "I'm dry, my friend." "What a resemblance!" "The fact is that the world is upside down." "I'm glad you came to see me." "Say hello to Uncle!" "I saw someone on the street;" "as if he was your twin brother." "I came to see you... because I have a money order to cash at the post office." "But to exchange it, I need an identification card." "For that, I need a birth certificate." "I just came back from City Hall... but I don't know anyone influential there." "You're my only hope." "Look, here is the money order." "Take this, it's the only cash I have on me." "I'll write you a check." "You can cash it in a bank." "For the rest, I have a friend at City Hall." "Let's go see him." "Uncle, it's settled." "Come and see him tomorrow." "(in French) Here's the information:" "born around 1900 in Dakar." " This will do." " Thank you, my friend." "See you." "Sir, help me." "I need 20 francs to return home... and my children are waiting." "Many thanks." "May Allah bless you." "What a misfortune!" "I didn't even ask her name." "May all of my misfortunes..." "Hello, sir." "How are you?" "What do you need?" "I have a check I want to cash." "Do you have identification?" "This can be sorted out." " Ask for 100 franc bills." " It's a deal." "Did everything go well?" "It was thanks to my friend." "He only wants 300 francs." "How much?" "Life is hard these days." "He has a family to support." "I come to you, a good believer." "I'm a foreigner." "I've eaten nothing all day." "You have some nerve!" "You just... asked me for 20 francs... and I gave it to you!" "You're confusing me with someone else." "I recognize you... even with these clothes." "Sir, don't make these propositions to me." "I am an honest woman." "Where is this country going" "Look over here." "Close your mouth." "You came to the right place." "Lift your chin." "There." "The bird has flown." " How much?" " 300 francs." "When will it be ready?" "Come tomorrow around 6PM." "Aram, when are you going to pay me?" "Take it easy." "If I had money, you would have been paid." "Stop rushing me." "Come back tomorrow, I'll pay you." " Has Ibrahima returned?" " Not yet." "Tell him we passed." "Maty!" "You see how many have come asking for money?" "How many?" "For what?" "As long as they think we have money... they'll be harassing us." "By the way, we're out of rice again." "The 15 kilos lasted only 3 days." "We also owe 3 kilos you borrowed from the store." "15 and 3 makes 18 kilos." "There are 5 liters of oil." "Add 300 francs we borrowed in cash." "You have to add the bra." "Then there's the charcoal and the waterboy." "You forget the tomatoes: 8 cans" "We can't give or lend anything else." "If one wants to help 9 poor, he will soon become the 10th." "Did you deliver my message?" "Yes I did, but Uncle is too busy with his money order." "It's okay." "Tell him to come see me." "I'll be waiting for him." "Who do I see?" "Isn't that Astou?" "It is her!" "I repeat that I must return with 3000 francs." "Don't tell me you didn't get that money order." "Even the rice we served you was borrowed." "That's none of my business." "I can do without your rice." "I didn't come to beg." "My son earned this money you are refusing to give me." "You and your wives are here indulging on my son's sweat." "Astou, calm down." "You'll return tomorrow with your money." "Ibrahima will see his connections." "You stand beside your husband." "But I want my money." "I'm tired of borrowing clothes from neighbors when I come here." "He hasn't gotten the money yet." "I'm not leaving empty-handed!" " Sell this." " But it's yours." "Wealth protects us from dishonor, but not from death." "Mbarka, I have not forgotten you." "I need your help." "This is gold." "I want only 5000" "I am being harrassed by my sister." "I'm sure to cash the money order in a few days." "You think I have that much?" "Do you know how much you owe me?" "I can't give you more credit." "I can leave it on consignment." "What do you want?" "It's gold." "I'll take it for 2000 francs." "You have 3 days to pay me back." "I paid 15000 for it!" "Here, have it back." "In two days I'll cash the money order." "Mbarka here is my witness." "Give me at least 4000 francs." "To do you a favor..." "I'll give you 2000 francs for 3 days, and add 500 in interest." "Interest is immoral." "You don't fear Allah?" "2000 francs, plus 500 in interest," "Final offer." "Take it or leave it." " Well?" " Okay." "If you don't come in 3 days, it's mine." "I told you I have a money order." "Allah willing, I'll pay you." "Praised be Allah!" "I just came from your house." "I want you to loan me 5000 francs." "You are my last hope." "Allah is my witness, I cannot." "Money has no roots, but it grows in a man's heart." "Don't be selfish." "Help people in need." "This money belongs to my older sister." "Don't let your women mislead you." "A man is nothing without his fellow men." "I want to lend you that sum." "I wish I was able to help." "The money order is not mine." "The money you see is not mine." "It belongs to my sister." "That's why I can't help you." "Yesterday I saw him count a bundle of bank notes." "His wives run his house." "Solidarity has become a thing of the past." "If I don't have the rest in 3 days, I'll return." "You still owe me 1500 francs." "Allah willing, I'll get the photos today." "I repeat: if I don't have the rest in 3 days, you will see me again." "Allah willing, you'll get your money." "I'll write to Abdou today." "Don't dare mention my name." "I'll write him myself." "He's my son." "A man like you, without papers." "All aboard." "Time to leave." "It's the third time I come!" "Your photos didn't come out." "Go away!" "I paid for them!" "I'm going to kill him!" "He broke my table!" "Go away, while you still have a head." "He took my money, I want my photos." "I'll kill kim!" "Let me go, I'll kill him." "Malik!" "Give me the bottle of wine." "Buddy, some day you'll get caught at this game." "In this country, only the crooks live well." "They've killed him, he's going to die!" "What happened?" "They robbed Ibrahima." "More than 100000 francs!" "It seems there were two of them." "They were four, and they jumped him!" "The money order wasn't even his." "It was his nephew's." "Because of this money order the whole neighborhood hates us!" "Return to your homes," "Look at all the things people brought us." "Why did you lie?" "Spreading the word that I was robbed..." "Now I too must lie." "A lie that unites is better than a truth that separates." "What I mean to say is... won't it be known that the" "I'll be the laughing stock of the whole town." "Forgive us." "We are not alone in distorting the facts." "This conduct is not in our nature." "We just wanted to keep away the gossip about you... that they are encouraging." "Rumor has it you've been robbed of the money order." "The 2nd notice, the money order is still at the post office." "I was in my room for 3 days." "I lost one day at the post office." "One day at City Hall." "Another at the home of Amath." "One day at 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 300 francs for the photo?" "What now?" "The money order is still at the post office." "If I don't get an ID card in 6 days, they'll return it." "Return it to Paris?" "Allah be praised." "The assault you suffered is hard to believe." "That's how things are these days, nobody can be trusted." "But is it right to measure all grains with the same cup?" "A cup of whatever grain is still just a cup." "True, but one should try not to lose everything." "Maybe you're right." "But it's also true that a river never flows back to its source." "So what are we going to do?" "Be patient." "Wait another 3 or 4 days." "I need your help, just 500 francs." "Where would I get the money?" "I know that." "By the grace of Allah, Mbarka, help me." "You know you're not going to get that necklace back." "Lend me 500 francs, and I'll pay you back 1000 francs." "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!" " Why are you shouting?" "The bottom line is you owe me." "Pay me." "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 starve, but no more rice from me!" "When you have a debt, you pay it." "Leave me alone." "I'm tired of being the whole world's toy!" "You say you've been robbed." "Liar!" "You just want the money yourself!" "Stop spreading poisonous rumours." "He was robbed!" "I am a witness!" "Let me through, let me through!" "Mbarka, 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" "Let me get to him, he'll be sorry." "Imam, tell them to leave." "It's true: when you have a debt, you must pay." "The mule driver is always" "A stooge has no dignity left." "Tell them to leave, he owes me and his wives 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 on." "(in Wolof) I heard about your money order." "Come to the house in two hours." "(in French) It's time." "He woke up." "(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." "Indeed, it didn't work out at the store." "Oh, I know it's for your" "Listen, he's crippled with debt!" "You'll have it, your house." "I'll call you tomorrow at the Minister's office." "Okay?" "Good, goodbye." "(speaking Wolof) Come on, Uncle." "Give me the power of attorney to cash the money order." "How much will he ask for a commission?" "1000 francs is too little for a man of his caliber." "3000 francs?" "That's too much." "The money order isn't mine." "If he asks for 3000, I'll accept." "I'll write to Abdou... and explain that I had to pay a businessman... to get my identity card." "I'm his uncle." "Sign this paper," "In French or Arabic?" "Give me the notification." "Take this, for the taxi." "I have an important appointment." "Come see me tomorrow." "MBAYE SARR:" "BUSINESS AGENT, CERTIFIED" "Get a 2nd cup for Uncle." "I never drink coffee." " What about some milk?" " Only herbal tea." "I was about to come see you because you missed me yesterday." "Really?" "Allah be praised!" "Many thanks." "What I will say is true..." "A pickpocket stole it." "I know you won't believe me, but Allah is my witness." "Along with your 25000 francs I had another 75000." "Mbaye, that money was not mine." "I have a family to feed." "The money order wasn't mine, it's my nephew's." "I know all of that." "Mbaye, the money is not mine!" "I have no money on me today." "Tomorrow, I'll pay you." "Have mercy on me." "The money order was not mine." "I have a family." "Uncle, you don't have to" "Don't you believe in Allah?" "Listen, I'll give you some rice to take home." "Put 10 kilos of rice in a bag" "If I had money I'd pay you." "Mbaye, help me..." "The money order is not mine." "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's the matter?" "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, me..." "All of us." "Sir, we've heard about your generosity." "For 3 days we haven't eaten." "I told you I would come after 3 days." ""and keep 2000 for yourself..." "because I know you don't have a job."" ""Life is difficult for people like us."" ""Maty, you are a mother"" ""You must understand, the children are hungry."" ""Help me, I'm a foreigner... and my children are waiting."" ""You and your wives are here indulging on my son's sweat."" ""My son earned this money."" ""Wealth protects us from dishonor, but not from death."" ""Do you know how much you owe me?"" ""In this country, only the crooks live well."" ""Rumor has it you've been robbed of the money order."" "It was Mbaye who stole my money order!" "I repeat that honesty is a crime in this country."