Fools’ Alley (Darb al-mahabil)

FOOLS' ALLEY

STORY BY NAGUIB MAHFOUZ

DIRECTED BY TAWFIK SALEH

- Thank you, mister Madbouli. - You're welcome.

- Make your father a cup of tea. - Yes, mother.

- Yes, mother? - Where's the soap?

In the cupboard.

Here you go.

Where's your mother?

- Doing the laundry. You need anything? - No, dear.

- Where to? - I'm going to feed the chicken.

Again with the chicken?

- I'll be back. - Don't be long now.

Yes.

I didn't mean to.

- Good morning, Taha. - How nice.

You think you're safe from me.

But if I catch you...

Come here.

Come.

I said come.

Heed me.

- Are you afraid? - I know you too well.

Either you come, or I will.

Hush, they'll hear.

- If you don't come, I'll scream. - Would you do that to me?

- Would you shame me? - Then come here.

So it's like that?

Fine.

- Should I jump over? - No, no, please don't.

No, Khadigah, don't.

No, please, no, don't.

Oh no.

Taha, please go back.

Here, I got some more money.

- Come here. - No, Taha, please.

Naughty boy.

What kind of life is this? Always a wall between us?

How is this fair?

- We have to be patient, Taha. - Till when?

We've been waiting long.

Will it ever end?

- We need more money. - Great.

So broke people can never get married?

Here's one pound. That makes it four.

You don't get it. At this pace...

a shilling per day, it'll take a year.

We're almost there, Taha.

- It's going to be fine. - Fine?

I don't know how we'll manage.

Where are you?

I said I was coming.

When will this mess end?

- Come sit. I'm hungry. - Why don't you start without me?

- I'm busy with laundry. - Laundry isn't going anywhere.

I can't enjoy food without you.

I'll get some fabric. Your clothes are falling apart.

Never mind that.

- Everything will be fine. - How will it be fine?

You have to work harder.

All you do is loaf around and read the Koran.

And what's wrong with that?

There's nothing better than reading the Koran.

You don't have to do it all the time.

- Come eat, daughter. - Yes, father.

- What's this? - Some laundry from mister Taha.

You poor girl, you're already doing his laundry?

Again with this nonsense?

- They're engaged. - All we have is a verbal agreement.

The poor boy is paying for the furniture bit by bit.

- He's doing his best. - You're too kind, it won't do.

You should be more forceful with him.

Why? Isn't he working hard?

He got an offer from Aswan, and wanted to move there with her...

- But you said no. - You want to tear my child from me?

- Have pity. - Be reasonable.

Have faith in God.

- Good morning. - Hello there.

- Make me some tea please. - Sure.

- Good morning. - Hello, mister Taha. How are you?

Let me show you the bed. Come.

See this bed? See it?

Fit for royalty. Pure copper, brand new, with a mirror.

Yes.

It's great.

- What do you say? - God will provide.

- Here you go. - Thank you.

- How much does that make? - Let's see.

- How much is it now? - Four pounds, total.

- Exactly? - Yes.

- So long. - Won't you stay for tea?

Boss.

Boss. Where are you?

- Boss. - What is it?

- What is it? - Throw me the key.

How very nice.

- Oh god. - That's all you've got? 'Oh god'?

Boy, what's wrong with you? Do you know what time it is?

You're a disgrace.

It's too early for this.

Easy on the cheese. You'll get heartburn.

You'll hurt yourself.

Do you want to die? Remember, your mother died from overeating.

- You've had enough. - Why don't you let me eat?

That' enough, already.

That's what you're good at: Eating, and spending my money.

Money?

What money? I have nothing.

- Got some? - I feed you. Isn't that enough?

I told you to give me some money so I can start my own business.

Help me with the store instead.

You'll make money for me, instead of fleecing me.

You'd save us the 15 shillings we pay Taha every day.

Again?

- This topic again? - That way...

- we'll save a little. - Again with saving.

Is that all you think about? Why don't you enjoy your money?

You're so clueless.

Don't you understand?

Boy, I'm not a miser.

I'm saving money for our own sake.

That's enough food.

What's this?

You even count bites?

I'm leaving the house, and I won't come back.

You left before, and you came back with your tail between your legs.

I swear, I won't come back, even if I have to become a beggar.

- You'll see. - Children are a blessing, indeed.

Leave. Go, god damn you.

- Good morning, sir. - Good morning to you.

May it be a blessed day.

Watch where you're going.

- The bat comes back to its cave. - That's bats for you...

hunt by night, and sleep by day.

- How much? - 11 pennies.

See?

Where was she, I wonder?

Working hard to make a living.

I don't have change.

- Where have all the men gone? - Are they going to stand for this?

Wait here. I'll get you the money.

Where were you?

Answer me.

Where were you?

- I was earning my living. - Drunk, too?

How is it your business?

Are you my husband? My benefactor? Get out of my way.

Let go of me.

Driver. Driver. Your money.

Good morning.

- Mother. - What? What is it?

What is it?

Her father was a good man.

Go inside, daughter.

- Good morning. - Hello, priest. Please come in.

Was that her?

Poor girl. That's her fate.

- God forgive her. - Amen.

- Here's the book I told you about. - Thank you. You're so kind.

- Good morning, priest. - Good morning to you.

God bless this day.

Praise His name.

Ouffa's here!

Praise the prophet.

Don't you dare stand here. I'll beat you up.

Pray for the prophet and for God.

Say the prophet's name.

Enough already. You're scaring the customers away.

Animal. Scum. Rabble.

- Let him be, he's holy. - Holy my behind.

God preserve your secrets, and heighten your worth.

Praise God, praise him.

- Here you go, good man. - Thank you, god bless you.

Good morning.

God bless you.

- Hey, Ouffa. - Yes.

Stop this nonsense already.

Go on, scram.

Take it easy. What's the fuss about?

Get out of here, you bum.

Beat it, damn you.

Hello, blessed one.

I've told you a hundred times not to talk to this crazy fool.

- Ouffa, pray for me. - May god lighten your load.

God lighten your load.

Ouffa, would you sell Aziza?

Your sweetheart's here.

- Hello, mister Madbouli. - Welcome. Hello, dear.

So nice to see you.

- I want to pay the bill. - What did you take today?

5 loaves of bread.

I'll be right back.

- Where to? - I'll be back.

Khadigah...

What a good omen.

Work hard, and make some money, and all will be well.

Nice strong bed, foreign-made.

- Lottery, big prize. - Well hello there.

- Please take it. - No thanks.

- Scram, he doesn't want it. - What's in it for you?