2007
Emotionally detached professor Walter Vale discovers undocumented immigrants Tarek and Zainab living in his New York apartment, slowly forming a bond with musician Tarek who teaches him to play the djembe. Their friendship deepens through shared experiences until Tarek is arrested for a minor infraction and detained as an undocumented immigrant. Walter and Zainab, joined by Tarek's mother Mouna, tirelessly work to secure his release, navigating the complex immigration system. Despite their efforts, Tarek is ultimately deported, leaving Walter to find solace playing Tarek's djembe in a subway station, embracing the passion his friendship ignited.
Save the Cat beat sheet
An introspective economics professor named Walter unwittingly becomes host to two undocumented immigrants, Tarek and Zainab, upending his orderly life.
Open full beat sheetWalter Vale is listed as Protagonist. Sixty-two-year-old economics professor, widowed, emotionally detached. In the parsed data, Walter Vale is connected to 95 scenes, 194 dialogue lines, 194 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
95 scenes / 194 dialogue linesMouna Khalil is listed as Tarek's mother. Palestinian woman from Damascus, resilient and protective. In the parsed data, Mouna Khalil is connected to 43 scenes, 141 dialogue lines, 141 text mentions, first appearing around scene 38.
43 scenes / 141 dialogue linesTarek Khalil is listed as Musician. Young Middle Eastern man, plays the djembe, undocumented immigrant. In the parsed data, Tarek Khalil is connected to 22 scenes, 101 dialogue lines, 102 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
22 scenes / 101 dialogue linesZainab is listed as Tarek's girlfriend. Young West African woman, jewelry maker, undocumented immigrant. In the parsed data, Zainab is connected to 19 scenes, 43 dialogue lines, 53 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
19 scenes / 43 dialogue linesBarbara Watson is listed as Piano Teacher. Tightly wound, forced pleasantness. In the parsed data, Barbara Watson is connected to 4 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
4 scenes / 3 dialogue linesCharles Van Horn is listed as Colleague. Walter's colleague at Connecticut College. In the parsed data, Charles Van Horn is connected to 3 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
3 scenes / 3 dialogue linesJacob Konigsberg is listed as Neighbor. Former piano student of Walter's wife, lives in the apartment building. In the parsed data, Jacob Konigsberg is connected to 2 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
2 scenes / 17 dialogue linesMr. Shah is listed as Immigration Lawyer. Indian immigration lawyer, clinical and professional. In the parsed data, Mr. Shah is connected to 2 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 36.
2 scenes / 6 dialogue linesKaren is listed as Bartender. 44-year-old bartender at The Blind Tiger. In the parsed data, Karen is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 7.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesWalter Vale waits for his piano teacher, Barbara Watson, to arrive at his house.
Walter Vale, Barbara WatsonBarbara gives Walter a piano lesson, focusing on finger technique.
Walter Vale, Barbara WatsonWalter terminates his piano lessons with Barbara.
Walter Vale, Barbara WatsonWalter finishes a lecture on economic theory.
Walter ValeA student tries to submit a late paper, but Walter refuses.
Walter ValeCharles Van Horn pressures Walter to present a paper at an NYU conference.
Walter Vale, Charles Van HornWalter eats at the bar and talks with Karen.
Walter Vale, KarenWalter arrives at his NYC apartment and discovers strangers living there.
Walter Vale, Tarek Khalil, ZainabTarek and Zainab prepare to leave, but Walter allows them to stay.
Walter Vale, Tarek Khalil, ZainabWalter mingles at a reception, listens to a colleague's story, and observes Stephen Kriegman.
Walter Vale, Charles Van HornWalter encounters his neighbor Jacob Konigsberg on the stairs.
Walter Vale, Jacob KonigsbergWalter returns home and practices his presentation and piano.
Walter ValeWalter listens to Tarek and Zainab return home.
Walter Vale, Tarek Khalil, ZainabWalter buys a newspaper.
Walter ValeWalter attends a conference presentation.
Walter ValeWalter eats lunch and watches street drummers.
Walter ValeWalter finds Tarek playing the drum and they talk.
Walter Vale, Tarek KhalilWalter, Tarek, and Zainab have dinner.
Walter Vale, Tarek Khalil, ZainabWalter decides to join Tarek and Zainab at their gig.
Walter Vale, Tarek Khalil, ZainabWalter watches Tarek's band perform.
Walter Vale, Tarek Khalil, ZainabTarek teaches Walter how to play the drum.
Walter Vale, Tarek KhalilZainab returns home and finds Walter drumming.
Walter Vale, ZainabWalter, Tarek, and Darren eat dinner and discuss global economics.
Walter Vale, Tarek KhalilTarek meets Walter after his presentation.
Walter Vale, Tarek KhalilWalter and Tarek eat lunch and Tarek gives Walter a CD.
Walter Vale, Tarek KhalilWalter and Tarek visit Zainab at her stall.
Walter Vale, Tarek Khalil, ZainabWalter and Tarek wait for the subway.
Walter Vale, Tarek KhalilWalter and Tarek arrive at the drum circle.
Walter Vale, Tarek KhalilWalter and Tarek stand in front of a drum circle; Walter decides to watch while Tarek joins in.
Walter Vale, Tarek KhalilWalter eventually joins Tarek in the drum circle and begins to play.
Walter Vale, Tarek KhalilTarek and Walter leave the park, discussing 'Arab time'.
Walter Vale, Tarek KhalilTarek is arrested by police after a turnstile incident.
Walter Vale, Tarek KhalilWalter informs Zainab that Tarek has been arrested.
Walter Vale, ZainabWalter makes calls to check on Tarek's status.
Walter ValeWalter meets Zainab outside the police station.
Walter Vale, ZainabWalter and Zainab consult with Mr. Shah regarding Tarek's case.
Walter Vale, Zainab, Mr. ShahWalter visits Tarek at the detention center.
Walter Vale, Tarek KhalilMouna Khalil arrives at Walter's apartment looking for Tarek.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilMouna and Walter discuss Tarek's situation and decide to visit the detention center.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWalter and Mouna travel to Queens.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWalter and Mouna walk through Queens while discussing their personal lives.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWalter shows Mouna the detention center.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWalter visits Tarek and tells him his mother is here.
Walter Vale, Tarek KhalilMouna waits at a diner and speaks with a waiter while Walter visits Tarek.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilMouna and Walter return home and meet Jacob.
Walter Vale, Mouna Khalil, Jacob KonigsbergMouna initially refuses to stay at Walter's apartment but eventually agrees.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilMouna settles into Tarek's room.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilExterior shot of the detention center at night.
Walter observes Mouna on the phone.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWalter and Mouna discuss Tarek and plan to meet Zainab.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWalter and Mouna arrive at the office building.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWalter and Mouna consult with the immigration lawyer.
Walter Vale, Mouna Khalil, Mr. ShahWalter and Mouna find Zainab at her jewelry stall.
Walter Vale, Zainab, Mouna KhalilMouna and Zainab bond over their shared love for Tarek.
Zainab, Mouna KhalilThe group takes the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty.
Walter Vale, Zainab, Mouna KhalilWalter visits Tarek and discusses his mother and Zainab.
Walter Vale, Tarek KhalilWalter and Mouna walk home.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWalter informs Mouna he must return to Connecticut.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWalter and Mouna eat dinner.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilMouna and Walter eat dinner in silence and discuss Walter's work and Tarek.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWalter prepares for bed.
Walter ValeWalter and Mouna head to the parking garage for Walter's departure.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWalter arrives home.
Walter ValeWalter returns to teaching.
Walter ValeWalter sees Karen.
Walter Vale, KarenWalter works in silence.
Walter ValeWalter wanders his empty house and steps outside.
Walter ValeWalter plays the drum to Fela Kuti music.
Walter ValeWalter meets with Charles.
Walter Vale, Charles Van HornMovers remove the piano.
Walter Vale, Barbara WatsonWalter drives back to New York.
Walter ValeWalter returns to his apartment and finds Mouna cleaning.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWalter visits Tarek.
Walter Vale, Tarek KhalilWalter, Mouna, and Zainab discuss Tarek's situation.
Walter Vale, Zainab, Mouna KhalilMouna and Zainab talk.
Zainab, Mouna KhalilWalter and Mouna run errands.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWalter and Mouna prepare for their date.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWalter and Mouna ride to the theater.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWalter and Mouna arrive at the theater.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWalter and Mouna leave the theater.
Walter Vale, Mouna KhalilWell...if China continues to threaten the wage earners in the first-world economies by keeping wages down, then it's really just a matter of time. What they buy they inflate. What they sell they deflate. But then you have to ask the question `who's paying the cost?'. And the answer is the Chinese people.
Good. Now one more thing, Walter. You listen to classical music so you think in fours. One. Two. Three. Four. Da. Da. Da. Da. This is an African drum. So we are gonna play in three's. Tat. Tat. Tat. You have to forget your classical. Leave it behind. Tat. Tat. Tat. One. Two. Three. Come on. Follow me.
We were here for three years by the time the letter arrived. I had found a job. Tarek was in school. Everyone told me not to worry. That the government did not care. And it appeared to be true. And then, after time, you forget. You think that you really belong.
No. It won't be OK. That doesn't matter! He is illegal! As am I! We are not citizens. Do you know what that means? Do you?! Of course you don't. How could you?
It has been a long time. I thought that maybe you sold the place. Oh. This is Sprinkles. Say "hi", Sprinkles. Is your wife here with you?
She moved to Florida. Now I live here. It's nice. There are a lot of new faces. I hardly know anyone anymore. But I have Sprinkles so...
Walter. Listen to me. She can not stay here. She doesn't know anyone in New York. I'm sorry but you must get her to go back to Michigan.
I don't know. I think to other detention centers. Two Moroccan guys were just moved. They had no idea. Suddenly they were just gone.
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