He Was an Angel

EXT. STREET – NIGHT

Two thieves sit inside a car. From afar, the sound of the Dua of Sahar drifts through the night.

FAT DISCIPLE

You sure the house is empty?

BEARDED DISCIPLE

Yeah. Been keeping watch since afternoon.

EXT. OLD HOUSE – NIGHT

The shadows of the thieves creep along the wall.

INT. OLD HOUSE – NIGHT

A poor, run-down home. SADEGHI sits on the floor. A simple meal of bread and cheese is spread before him.

A dusty old radio plays the Dua of Sahar.

SADEGHI (emotional, trembling):

If a man lives simply…

(chokes up)

… detached from wealth and property…

(tears stream)

… that’s when he touches the real knowledge, the true treasure. That’s when the signal enters his heart—

A hand ENTERS FRAME and STRIKES his head with a stick.

SADEGHI

Ahhh!

He collapses.

CUT TO:

INT. HIDEOUT – NIGHT

Sadeghi, tied up, lies unconscious.

The two thieves stand over him. One dials a number.

BEARDED DISCIPLE

Change your voice so they don’t recognize you.

FAT DISCIPLE

Relax, my love. I know what I’m doing. Keep that old man from waking up.

The Fat Disciple speaks

If you want to see Haj Agha alive again, listen carefully!

You’ve got until sunset.

Transfer the land in Ozgol and the Welfare plot into his name.

No tricks—or we call the police.

INT. NOTARY OFFICE – DAY

The thieves drag in the weak Sadeghi. Documents lie on the desk.

FAT DISCIPLE

Sign here. And here!

BEARDED DISCIPLE

Hurry—before he wakes up. We’ve got to put him back!

FADE TO BLACK.

VOICE – FAT DISCIPLE

He’s coming to!

VOICE – BEARDED DISCIPLE

Thank God a hundred thousand times—He spared us!

INT. LUXURIOUS MANSION – DAY

Sadeghi awakens on a lavish sofa. He looks around, stunned.

SADEGHI

Oh no! Where is my simple life?!

BEARDED DISCIPLE

Haj Agha, the doctor said you mustn’t strain yourself.

SADEGHI (weeping)

What are you hiding from me? What are all these luxuries?!

FAT DISCIPLE

Please, Haj Agha, stay calm. After kidnapping you, the thieves demanded we transfer the Ozgol land to your name in exchange for your release.

SADEGHI (sobbing)

Oh God… what do I do with all this luxury?

We were not worthy of simplicity…

(pauses, calmer)

What about the Welfare land?

FAT DISCIPLE

That one… didn’t work out.

MUSIC: Salar Aghili / Ehsan Khajeh Amiri

A lifetime of devotion, lost in a single night…

FADE OUT