On the Edge (Sur la planche)

Pride is a liar. And so he should be.

Why? Better to stand, held up by a lie,

than be crushed down by the truth of others.

I don't steal: I take my fair share. I don't burgle. I get even.

I don't smuggle: I do business.

I'm not a whore: I invite myself.

I don't lie: I am what I will be.

I'm way ahead of the truth: my truth.

ON THE PLANK

Falling from very high,

even from a flaming tower, that's nothing.

You fall, break into pieces. It's over.

But falling from yourself, now that's a fall.

A fucking fall.

I'm on a springboard, a cliff,

the edge of a diving board...

A few weeks before...

139.

Why count? You're paid by the kilo.

To know how many shrimps to a kilo.

Alert: back straight, eyes open, hands healthy.

12 dirhams a kilo! How much a shrimp?

Before the kilo, you're nothing. After, you're a slave.

I don't bow down. I'm no shrimp girl.

You make my head spin.

Open your eyes! Move!

If we miss the boat we'll end up...

Drowned. Electrocuted. Fish food!

Move!

Land first, before moving on.

I could finish these shrimps in an hour.

If I wanted.

Without gloves.

But if you take off your gloves you're screwed.

Hands matter.

They steal my time, won't get my skin.

Slow down! Where the fuck are you headed?

You're a work horse paid by the unit,

doing her 6 kilos,

then crashing back at the stable.

Closing time is 5 pm, like everywhere.

My time, my decision.

How do you do it?

The smell seeps into your skin.

Fix your hair. Your blouse is hanging out your bag.

Let's go.

Not yet. Mustn't mingle.

Let them go ahead.

I'll go before you.

- Don't talk to them. - They spoke to me.

Mustn't mingle!

Hey you!

You think you're so special. looking down at us!

You're just like us, you peel shrimp.

By the kilo!

Forget her, let's go.

Good evening.

Hello.

What's up?

We made it safe, we're still unpacking.

Tomorrow I start my new job.

I'm good, and you?

Good.

Who's in Fatiha's room?

Hello, how are you? I'm fine, got my health.

Sorry, hi, thought you heard.

So who is it?

Two girls I'm putting up for the night.

Tomorrow they go to my sister's in ldrissia.

They'll be working in the new Free Zone.

So there are jobs? Who's hiring?

The English. They brought them from Casablanca.

- Gotta go, I'm working. - Wait!

I don't like what's been going on.

You talk to nobody, you're a grumpy old sow.

Fine. But I won't stand for the rest.

This is a respectable place.

You can't come and go at all hours.

I work night and day. I don't pick my schedule.

Here I make the calls. I don't want any trouble.

The coming and going in the wee hours has to stop.

Or else find yourself another hole for shelter.

You're a daughter to me.

You're late.

Not from around here?

You're not from here.

Where here?

From the south. Not here.

"Inland". We "invaded you like grasshoppers".

Pretty scary.

Buildings sprouting all over. Worse than lice.

Ain't home anymore. I swear.

Yeah, "all the starving devils working round the clock"...

Tangier gives only to foreigners.

Just arrived, right? You act like a local.

Where you work?

Free Zone. Textile.

Vertigo leads straight to lying. Vertigo makes you dizzy.

I'm telling you, we're Jills of all trades.

Tightrope walkers. Strange. Free.

Knick-knacking. Working out emergencies.

Dealing in anything.

You well paid?

12.66 dhs.

No overtime. Just on holidays.

But you have a contract with benefits.

The Zone is really something.

How many people work in there?

Don't know. 30 or 50.000.

Hey! Passport and visa for entry!

- ls it too much...? - You're hot!

Who cares if we're shrimp or textile?

Makes me dizzy...

I don't know what to say.

Don't say anything. Better yet!

Things are looking up! My ex-boss called from Casa.

He's hooking me up with the Brits coming to the Zone.

Get ready.

I got references. Textima in Casa, first league!

Never heard of it.

Textima. the biggest textile plant in Casa!

Follow me?

Not really.

We worked for a Brit factory.

High class stuff, Zara, Mango, C&A and all.

We did 2.000 pieces a day. The Superbowl.

The Brits went Chinese. Bang, we closed shop.

I landed here with you.

Follow me?

I won't settle for a thread-cleaner job.

The Jumbekka. Or nothing. The best weaving loom!

Once I'm in,

I get you in and train you.

We'll be in by January. The old harbor's fucked.

I'm sticking with you.

Stop! I'm clean!

Don't mix your clothes.

Always put them in Tupperware with lavender.

Good evening.

Sit down.

Disgusting.

What're you doing?

- Turn out the light. - Your bag.

The light.

- Show me. - It's my bag.

- It fell from the sky. - No sky rains bags, old man.

Let me see what's in it.

It's mine, hands off!

- Let me see. - Don't touch my stuff.

- Go through my things? Pervert! - You're nuts!

- Got no shame? A girl's private stuff! - Totally nuts!

You really think...

What're you scared of? We all gotta eat.

If we're wet, he's swamped!

He gets 1.000 dhs! Steals from the owner!

Eating here? So even animals get a lunch break.

At it again! High, overflowing!

No one listens. You're yelling at yourself.

Arguing with yourself!

Once they're gone...

we'll go eat outside.

You're crazy. If we get caught...

1 ... 2... 3!

I'm Ahlam. She's Youssra.

What's your name?

Noureddine.

Where're we going?

See some pals.

ls their crib far?

Why, in a hurry?

You could say that.

Almost there.

Noureddine.

- Nawal. - Asma.

Ahlam and Youssra.

Ahlam, Youssra...

Hicham.

Any pizza left? Chips?

Yeah, but nothing left to drink.

- We'll go get some snacks. - Move.

Whose villa is this?

The tall one.

Which one?

Hicham.

How's he know Noureddine?

Dunno.

Family? Friends? Workmates?

- The family Boud... - Don't know.

Boudib... the Boudibs? The smugglers?

Honestly, I don't know.

Fungus.

Relax, take off your coat.

I'm ok, it's freezing.

We know each other? We've met, right?

I've seen you before.

I know you.

I don't think so. Maybe.

Live near ldrissia?

No.

Where do you work?