Jaffa Citrus
OUTLINE
Having escaped Italy, Isabella is smuggled into Palestine on Christmas Eve 1943. With the help of a young Arab boy, she eventually reaches a Moshav farming coop where she is employed until she becomes mixed up with Jewish terrorists.
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PORT OF JAFFA, CHRISTMAS EVE, 1943
The ship carrying Isabella docks in Jaffa. Two British Sailors get aboard. They are greeted by Adair, the ships Irish Captain.
BS#1
(jokingly as he looks around the deck)
So what are you bringing from Cyprus? Gorgeous sirens.
Captain
(looking at his list)
Oh no, only the dry stuff my friend! Not much actually. Only Indian tea and rice for Trans-jordan.
We're here to pick up a load of citrus bound for Southampton.
BS#2
(sarcastic)
Pretty hairy journey to lighten up ones cup of tea! (looking at back at the dock) Here are your crates. They were dropped here this morning. Don't they grow lemons in Cyprus?
Captain
Well, not as juicy as yours apparently. We would like to load tonight and sail tomorrow. Try to be back home for the new year.
BS#2
Well I'm afraid that this will not be possible my friend. The port will close as of 9 pm... (looking at his watch) in less then half an hour. So no loading or unloading until Monday 6 am.
Captain
Well those lemons can't sit here in the sun for 2 more days... they'll get spoiled before we even load them up.
BS#1
If you'd been stuck in this shit hole like us for the past 4 years, dealing with terrorists and thieves, you'd understand that Christmas is a holly mark that we intend to respect and that the only thing we'll do for the next 2 days, is drink loads of beer and stuff ourselves with turkey. Not count boxes of tea and bags of rice.
BS#2
We'll clear your crew and seal off the ship though (looking at his watch)... We have to carry a preliminary inspection and stamp the passports. How many aboard? Any Germans or Italians?
Captain
No, three Indian hands and a Portuguese mechanic. Let me get him to escort you while I get my things in order.
INTERIOR, SHIP CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS
The Captain unlocks the door to his room and finds Isabella hiding behind it.
Isabella
Are they gone?
Captain
No, Joao is walking them through the ship. You have to hide here until Monday.
He removes a plank from the wall where gold bars and guns are stashed.
Captain (con't)
Get in here fast and wait at least 2-3 hours before getting out.
Isabella
(nervous)
I don't have a watch.
Captain
(getting her to hurry)
Count to 10,000. And don't forget to replace the plank properly....
Isabella
(getting inside as Captain close the wall)
OK. But what do I do next... for 2 days.
Captain
(thinking)
Can you swim?
Isabella
(surprised)
Yes...
Captain
So wait till just before dawn then crawl to the side of the ship, opposite to the dock towards the back. Let your self hang... and jump! (he continues fixing the plank) If you get caught, don't tell them you were aboard this ship, don't tell them you're Italian either...
Isabella
But what do I tell them?
Captain
(short of ideas)
That you had a fight with your lover and that you wanted to die.
Isabella
(with her thick Italian accent)
In English?
Captain
(pensive)
Well tell them in Hebrew...
Isabella
I hardly know any Hebrew...
Captain
Neither do the Brits.
Isabella
What about my trunk?
Captain
We'll find a way
Knocks on the door.
Captain
(loud)
Coming!
(low to Isabella)
And don't you even think of stealing my gold!
More knocks on the door.
Captain
(walking towards the door and opening it to find the two British Sailors and Joao.)
Ready folks! Would you care to taste some fine Irish whiskey while doing the paperwork.
BS#2
Too late for paperwork tonight. We'll just hold on to your passports until the unloading inspection. (looking at his watch and colleague) but we won't say no to the whiskey.
Stuck behind the wall, Isabella is trying not to breath too hard as the 4 men are drinking in the Captain's quarters.
PORT OF JAFFA, DAWN, CHRISTMAS DAY, 1943
Isabella throws a bundle of goods wrapped in her clothes from the ship onto the deserted dock. She walks to towards the back, hangs on the side of the ship and drops in the water. She swims to an iron ladder, climbs onto the dock, picks up her bundle and takes refuges next to the citrus crates. She unwraps the bundle from which she grabs a dress, a pair of shoes and a sweater. As she pulls off her wet closes, she hears a cracking noise behind where she finds Yasser, a 15 years old boy hiding.
Isabella
(in broken Hebrew, surprised, covering her breast)
What are you doing here!
Yasser
(in Arabic, scared)
What? I only took five or six!
He opens up the flip side of his shirt which holds a dozen oranges.
Isabella
(in Hebrew then Italian, gesturing)
Turn around!
Yasser realizes that Isabella is naked and that she seems as surprised by their encounter as he is. He glances at her in awe, the turns around shyly.
Isabella (con't)
(in Italian then English as she quickly dresses up)
What are you doing here? Hey you can turn around now. What's you name?
Yasser
(in broken English)
Yasser. My name is Yasser, Madam Lady.
Isabella
(in English, extending her hand)
Don't call me Madam, my name is Isabella.
Yasser
Why you no clothes? Here danger for lady. Too many British Soldiers and thieves.
Isabella
I need to get to the center of town. Tel Aviv. Can you show me how to get there... Without being seen leaving the port?
Yasser
You Jewish lady?
Isabella
Well, I'm Italian and also Jewish. And you, are you from here?
Yasser
(half in English and Arabic)
I'm from desert Madam Lady. I Bedouin.
Isabella
How old are you.
Yasser
(in Arabic, showing with his fingers)
Fifteen.
JAFFA, CHRISTMAS DAY, 1943
Isabella and Yasser are walking through the busy streets of Jaffa. Isabella is surprised to see mostly Arabs people and signs in Arabic.
Isabella
This is Tel Aviv?
Yasser
(showing directions)
No Lady Isabella. This Jaffa. Arab old city. Tel Aviv Jewish city long walking.
People in the streets of Jaffa offer assistance to the couple as the make their way towards Tel Aviv. They buy food, are invited for tea and asked questions about their connection and journey. As they continue their journey, Isabella becomes more and more fearful of European looking people and entrusts her faith with Yasser. Although, she doesn't stand out, she becomes paranoid and hides at the sight of British Soldiers and Police.
A couple of nuns ring a bell next to their convent to gather funds.
Isabella and Yasser spend the night in a Christian convent as she passes for Catholic Italian and pretends that Yasser works for her. Yasser has to spend the night in separate quarters locked away from the nuns.
TEL AVIV, DECEMBER 26, 1943
Isabella and Yasser bump into German Templers around Sarona's fenced colony.
As they get close to Tel Aviv, Isabella is being directed to a Moshav looking for workers. She convinces the driver to take Yasser along as he also needs work. The driver reluctantly accepts.
CITRUS ORCHARD, AVIHAYIL MOSHAV, PALESTINE, 1943
Isabella convinces the Moshav's managers to hire Yasser although they try to find excuses not to hire him (age, language...)
Both are put to work the next day.
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CITRUS ORCHARD, AVIHAYIL MOSHAV, PALESTINE, 1944
During the winter months, the moshav workers are subjected to hard work, building irrigation systems and getting the land ready for the spring. Isabella grows more and more concerned at the possibility being pregnant. She asks the moshav manager permission to hike a ride to Tel Aviv to send a letter to Anastasio in Australia.
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Following a the botched bombing of a British radio station by Jewish terrorists, Yatom, a Hungarian Engineer and Isabella settle on the shore of the Dead Sea until the end of the British Mandate in Palestine, raising Moshe, her newborn son.
ROAD TO AVIHAYIL, PALESTINE, 1944
On their way back to Avihayil, 3 more passengers are traveling along in the Moshav's car. They tell the Driver, 22, that this was not the plan and that Isabella can't ride along. The driver says that she's an Italian refugee woking at the moshav and that she's not a risk.
The car is parked in a lane near the Jaffa GPO, the meeting point agreed upon with Isabella.
Driver
(to isabella as he sees her approaching the car)
Get in the back. More people are coming.
Isabella
(entering, in now better Hebrew)
Good, you found some workers?
Driver
(looking in the rearview mirror)
No, we just have to make a stop along the way to drop these guys.
Isabella
(innocently)
Oh, Ok, I don't mind... I enjoy seeing new places.
Driver
(cutting her off, pointing at 3 men carrying heavy bags)
Here they are!
The group's Leader, 29, opens the passenger's door.
Leader
Who the fuck is she?
Driver
She's from the Moshav. Don't worry, she's an Italian refugee. She just got here.
Yatom, 34 and Aren, 25, sit next to Isabella on the back seat. They smile at her as the car pulls away.
Aren
(to Isabella, in Hebrew, unpacking guns from one of the bags)
So you'll stay in the car or you're coming with us?
Leader
Shut up Aren. She's not going anywhere.
Aren
(reacting aggressively to Leader)
Fuck you. Don't you fucking shut me up.
Yatom
(to the Leader and Aren)
Ok brothers, calm down. (to the driver) What happened?
Driver
The foreman told me to drive her to the city. I couldn't say anything.
Leader
(looking back towards Isabella)
You didn't see us and you won't remember us. Do you understand?
Isabella
(not understanding)
Yes...?
Aren
(to Isabella)
I'm Aren, this is Yatom and this in front is my big brother (making a sarcastic face), Mein Fuhrer.
Leader
(rolling his eyes)
Nice! Why don't you give her your address while you're at it.
Isabella
(to Aren and Yatom)
Hi, I'm Isabella. I'm from Torino.
Aren and Yatom smile at her.
SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVIHAYIL, PALESTINE
Car is parked
Leader instructs Driver to stand by.
Team carries bombing of radio station
British police shoots Leader and Driver dead
Isabella surprises all by picking up the wheel and driving Aren and Yatom out of arms way.
She brings them to the Moshav to seek treatment for the wounded driver but he dies anyways.
The driver slows down the car on top of a hill as they get closer to a steel tower standing next to a one story building.
Leader
(to the Driver)
That's it. Just a few more meters. There. (to the others) Ok, lets get out.
Yatom
(arming his riffle)
Lock and load.
Aren
(nervous turning back towards Isabella, in Italian)
Ci vediamo!
The trio grabs their bags and riffles and run to the back of the building
The Drivers turns his head all around to see if anyone's approaching.
Isabella
(concerned)
Do we have to stay here?
Driver
We're the getaway car. Don't worry. They'll be out in less then five!
SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVIHAYIL, PALESTINE (LATER)
A British Army convoy approaches towards their car from the North. One jeep followed by three personnel carrying trucks.
Driver
(seeing the convoy)
Shit!
He grabs a handgun from under his seat. Isabella grows nervous as the military jeep drives by and its front passenger glances towards her. The Driver feels relieved when as the convoy passes by without stopping. As he looks into his review mirror, the Driver notices that the convoy is slowing down and that the jeep is turning back towards them.
Isabella
(terrorized)
What?
Driver
(tightening the grip on his handgun)
They're coming back. Don't say a word.
The jeep stops right behind them and the Officer on the passenger side walks out towards the car. At the same moment, a loud explosion is heard from the radio tower building and the trio escape from the smoking building.
The Driver exits the car and shoots several shots toward the British Army Officer who takes cover behind the car. As a gunfight explodes between all, the Driver is run down by the jeep's driver who's then shot dead by the Leader, leading the jeep to crash into the ditch.
Getting the urgency of the situation, Isabella jumps on the front seat, starts the car and accelerates towards the trio leaving the British Officer uncovered.
At the same time, the three personnel carrying trucks turn around and accelerate at full speed toward the scene. As Isabella reaches the dispersed trio, the Leader is hit to the chest by the British Army Officer who managed to get a riffle from the wrecked jeep. Isabella leans towards the rear of the passenger side to open the back door so that Aren and Yatom could help the wounded Leader on the back seat. numerous gunshots are now reaching them from the approaching trucks as Isabella yells at Aren and Yatom.
Isabella
(pressing simultaneously on the gas and clutch)
Hop on!
Aren and Yatom step on the running boards on each side of the car and grab each other's hands over the roof as Isabella releases the clutch creating a huge cloud of dust concealing their escape as they easily distance the heavy trucks.
SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVIHAYIL, PALESTINE (LATER & FURTHER)
Aren leans on the back bench carefully applying water on the chest wound of his is unconscious brother. Isabella looks over her seat and notices blood coming out of the Leader's mouth as Yatom gets in on the passenger's side.
Isabella
(under shock)
We gotta get him to a hospital. I don't know where we are.
Yatom
(looking around)
I don't have a clue either. But we have to move out of here and fast.
Isabella starts the car.
INTERIOR, RADIO STATION, ROAD TO AVIHAYIL, PALESTINE
An employee from the radio station describes the trio to the British Army Officer as Soldiers are putting out the fire lit by the explosion.
BAO
(on the phone)
Yes, three men and a woman. One of them most likely wounded... We killed one and we'll bring his body and belongings back to Jaffa tonight... Jewish terrorists... North in a black car. Yes Sir.
EVENING, SMALL TOWN, EAST OF AVIHAYIL
Isabella drives the car and its passengers through a small town. Only a few men walk in the streets lit by very few lamp posts. Sign above stores and businesses are unilingual in Arabic.
Aren
(rising his head from the back seat to look through the rearview window)
This is a fucking Arab village. We won't find a doctor here.
Yatom
At least, there doesn't seem to be any English!
Isabella
(Seeing a bearded old man wearing a turban)
Let's ask this men if there is a doctor.
Yatom reaches a bag on the back seat floor to cover the guns.
Yatom
(to Aren)
Hide the blood.
Isabella slows down the car next to the Arab man.
Isabella
(in broken Arabic)
Salam Aleikum
Old Man
(looking at Isabella and the 3 others)
Shalom!
Yatom
(in Hebrew, bending over Isabella to speak through the driver's window)
Our friend is very sick and we need to bring him to a doctor
Old Man
(in broken Hebrew, looking over on the back seat at Aren and his brother)
Unfortunately the doctor only comes here once a week... But, the pharmacist's son lives at the edge of town. He can maybe help out.
Yatom
Great, that's will do. How can we get there.
The Old Man gives them directions and Isabella drives off.
EVENING, IN FRONT OF HOUSE/PHARMACY, EDGE OF TOWN, EAST OF AVIHAYIL
The pharmacist, a 24 Arab looking man in western clothes, is examining the Leader's wound on the back seat of the car.
Pharmacist
(in English, to Yatom and Aren)
This looks pretty bad. I don't think we have anything to operate this man here. This is my uncle's Pharmacy. He died two month ago.
Yatom and Aren don't understand a word and turn towards Isabella.
Isabella
(in English to the Pharmacist)
Please sir, you have to help us. We have been driving for two hours and he lost too much blood.
Aren
(in Hebrew to Isabella but looking at the Pharmacist)
Tell him to do something or I'll kill him.
Yatom
(to Aren)
Calm down...(looking towards Isabella) What's going on?
Isabella
(in Hebrew)
He's saying he doesn't have instruments to operate...
A woman peaks at the scene from inside the house/pharmacy's window.
Pharmacist
Bring him inside. We'll try to stop the hemorrhaging until the doctor gets here.
Yatom, Aren and the Pharmacist carry the Leader as Isabella walks ahead opening the house/pharmacy door.
EVENING, INSIDE HOUSE/PHARMACY, EDGE OF TOWN, EAST OF AVIHAYIL
Isabella, Aren and Yatom stand next to the Pharmacist as the Leader is resting and banded up on the pharmacy's main table. An older English looking woman comes back from a adjoining room.
English Woman
(in English, to all)
I spoke to the Doctor. He should be here by the morning if the roads are clear.
Isabella
(to the woman)
Thank you Madam.
Aren
(to Isabella)
What's she saying? Is he in danger?
Isabella
She doesn't know, but she saids the doctor will be here in the Morning. We should leave him here resting.
Yatom
(in Hebrew to Aren)
We can't stay here Aren. The Brits are going to bust us.
Aren
(looking at his brother, then at Yatom and Isabella)
You go... I'm not gonna let him die alone.
Isabella gets near Aren and hugs him as he breaks a tear. Yatom gives Aren a pat on the back. Aren looks back at him with a smile.
Yatom
(in Broken English, looking at the Pharmacist and the English Woman as he drags Isabella away)
Thank you...
Isabella
(to the Pharmacist and looking towards Aren)
He's going to stay here until the doctor arrives... We have to get going. Sorry.
INTERIOR CAR, NIGHT, DRIVING IN PALESTINE
Yatom
He's not gonna make it till the morning.
Isabella
(slightly crying)
I know.
They both stare at the road.
Isabella
I have no idea where we're going.
Yatom
Me neither, let's just drive...
DAWN, SIDE OF THE ROAD, EASTERN PALESTINE
Isabella and Yatom are are awakened by goats passing by their parked car in a rocky field. A couple of Arab kids are guiding the herd. At first surprised and apprehensive, Isabella rises her head and smiles as she sees the young kids peacefully walking against the rising morning sun. Still lying down on the back seat, Yatom observes her smiling.
Yatom
(waking up)
Where did you learn to drive?
Isabella
When I was a kid. My father is in the car business.
Yatom
(thinking he knows)
Fiat!
Isabella
He actually sold paint for cars. Every Sunday, we'd go to car shows or races. I started driving on his lap at around 7 or 8. By 13, I think I drove my first lap at Monza, alone in an Alpha Romeo.
Yatom
(Rising)
Monza! Wow.
Isabella
You know about cars.
Yatom
Not much. I remember seeing the Monza Grand-Prix accident on the news-reel. (smiling) Where I come from, we're still using horses.
Isabella
And guns...
Yatom
That, I actually learned here.
Isabella
(looking at the kids and goats moving away)
You think he's dead?
Yatom acknowledges her question with a sorrowful nod.
Isabella
I don't know what he died for?
Yatom
Our land. The land of our people. A land for our children.
Isabella
(still looking at the kids)
Who's children?
Yatom
Jewish children.
Isabella discreetly touches her belly looking away.
MORNING, OUTSIDE THE HOUSE/PHARMACY, EDGE OF TOWN, EAST OF AVIHAYIL
Two black cars park in front of the pharmacy as a military jeep blocks the back exit. Armed British and Jewish police officers walk out of the cars and knock on the door.
Inside the house, Aren is wakened up by the knocks and looks at the body of his brother lying on the table. As he sees no signs of the pharmacist and of the English woman, he reaches for his bag, but is shot down as he opens it.
The British Army Officer is standing outside the back window holding the smoking gun.
The Police officers storm in at the same moment to find Aren lying on the floor next to his dead brother. The Army Officer walks in at the same moment.
Army Officer
(looking at the scene)
He was reaching for his gun in this bag.
The pharmacist walks down the stairs followed by his English aunt.
English Woman
What happened, I had set him up to sleep while waiting for the doctor.
British Police Officer
(to the woman)
Please stay away from the bodies. The doctor's on his way.
Jewish Police Officer
(in English with a Hebrew accent, to the British Police Officer)
There is no gun in this bag.
The doctor walks in accompanied by a uniformed policeman.
Doctor
(looking at the two bodies then at the aunt)
I thought there was one injured.
British Police Officer
This one is dead and this one just got shot.
The doctor walks towards Aren to checks his vital signs and examines his wound.
Aren
(with a very low voice, in Hebrew)
Is he going to make it.
Doctor
(in Hebrew)
I believe that he passed. Sorry. Please don't speak. We're going to try to help you.
(looking at the aunt)
Can you bring me distilled water, cloth and iodine.
(to the Jewish Police Officer)
Also, cleaned up this table, we're gonna operate right here.
Army Officer
(approaching the Doctor and Aren)
I'll need to interrogate him before he dies.
Doctor
(to the British Police Officer)
Can you please get him out. Now.
British Police Officer
(to the Army Officer)
This is a police matter. Let's step outside.
Army Officer
They killed one of our men.
Jewish Police Officer
(helping the uniformed policeman to remove The Leader's body)
And you got two of them it seems
Army Officer
(to the British Police Officer)
Which side is he on?
British Police Officer
(to the Army Officer)
Lets step outside sir. Please.
DAY, SIDE OF THE ROAD, EASTERN PALESTINE
Isabella and Yatom are driving in the dry landscape. At an intersection, a road sign points to Jericho 5 one way, and to Bridge to Transjordan 15, another way.
Yatom
(showing the way)
We should go this way. They won't be looking for us there.
Isabella
Transjordan?
Yatom
Across the Jordan River.
Isabella
I though you didn't know this land.
Yatom
I don't. I just remember my school books.
DAY, SIDE OF THE ROAD, NEAR THE ALLENBY BRIDGE
The car is stopped 500 meters from the bridge. They both stare at a British checkpoint.
Isabella
(sarcastic)
They didn't mentioned that Bridges are likely to be guarded in your school books!
Yatom
(pointing to the south)
Continue this way. Go slowly. I don't think they saw us.
Isabella
(wiping sweat off her face)
I can't take this heat... Where is this leading?
Yatom
I don't know.
Isabella
Great!
DAY, END OF THE ROAD, DEAD SEA
They reach the end of the road and look at each other. The landscape surrounding a vast water plane is eerily dry and no life could be seen for miles away.
Isabella
Great, water.
She cuts the engine and steps out of the car.
Isabella
(walking toward the water then removing her shoes and pants only keeping her shirt on)
Don't look!
Yatom
(stepping out of the car)
You sure you know how to swim.
Isabella
I don't know where you guys are from, but us Italian girls, we swim, we drive and we...
Isabella dives in and disappears underwater to resurface seconds later turning her head towards Yatom. She looks at him strangely and starts screaming.
Yatom
(running towards her.)
What happen. What happen. Did you hit something?
Isabella
(rubbing her eye and trying to reach the shore)
No. This thing is burning. This is not water.
She reaches shore as Yatom helps her out.
Yatom
You're Ok?
Isabella
No my eyes are burning. Do something please. Get me the bottle.
Yatom runs to the car and comes back with a quasi empty bottle.
Yatom
This is all that's left.
Isabella
Pour some over my eyes. Please. I can't see!
Yatom carefully pours the remaining water on Isabella's eyes and removes his shirt to dry the excess water.
Isabella
Thanks.
Yatom
Better!
Isabella
Yes. I guess. What was that.
Yatom caresses Isabella's cheek with his finger to collect a thin residue off her skin.
Yatom
(tasting the tip of his finger)
Salt! He looks at the water. The Dead Sea... This must be the Dead Sea.
Isabella
Wow. No wonder it's dead.
(looking uncomfortable)
I need to wash. This hurts.
Yatom takes the bottle in his hand and empties the last drop into Isabella's mouth.
Yatom
This is it.
He stare at the sun and looks around.
Yatom
(looking towards the car)
You can wash it out with petrol.
(looking at her)
Or you can... (half-embarrassed, half smiling) piss on my shirt and wash up with it.
Isabella
(grabbing his shirt, looking unnerved)
Let's save the petrol...
DAY, ROAD AROUND THE DEAD SEA
Isabella and Yatom are driving along the sea. Isabella is wearing the "wet shirt" as Yatom, shirtless, feigns to smell something.
Isabella
(slapping Yatom and holding her smile)
Shut up!
Moment
Yatom
(looking out the window)
So what is it you Italian girls do on top driving and swimming?
Isabella
(holding a smile for a moment before answering)
We cook spaghetti!
Still looking out the window, Yatom resumes mimicking an odor and both explode into laughter. Seconds later, the car stall and they stare at each other.
Yatom
Petrol...
LATER DAY, ROAD AROUND THE DEAD SEA
Yatom and Isabella are gathering some of their belongings from the car.
Isabella
You're sure it will disappear.
Yatom
(grabbing a hand gun from the bag and slipping it under his belt)
No but we can't leave it here on the road.
Isabella helps Yatom pushing the car into the Dead Sea. They anxiously stare at it slowly sinks.
Yatom closes the bag loaded with riffles.
Yatom
(grabbing the bag)
Let's hide the guns somewhere. We shouldn't carry them with us in case we get stopped.
Isabella
(looking around)
How will you remember where you hid them?
Yatom
(walking up hill and looking behind a rock)
I don't know, we'll mark the spot.
Yatom grabs a small rock and scratches a Star of David on the bigger one.
LATER DAY, ROAD AROUND THE DEAD SEA
Isabella and Yatom are walking under the Dead Sea sun. Isabella looks dizzy and stops to vomit. Yatom gently holds her head.
LATER AFTERNOON, ROAD AROUND THE DEAD SEA
Isabella is lying on the side of the road. Yatom is over her, casting a shadow over her head.
Isabella
(with a very low and dry voice)
I don't feel good.
Yatom
Rest for a bit. The sun's going to set fast.
Isabella
(smiling with difficulty)
How do you know...
Yatom
(caressing her hair)
It always sets faster in the south.
Isabella
(very low)
From your schoolbooks...
Yatom
(smiling)
Yes, from my schoolbooks.
Isabella
I should have listened more in class.
Yatom
(placing his finger on her lips)
Rest now, save your breath.
EVENING, ROAD AROUND THE DEAD SEA
The night has fallen and Isabella is sleeping on the side of the road. Yatom is sitting next to her looking at the starry sky when he notices a fire up on the hill. He stands up to get a better look then gently grabs Isabella into his arms and starts walking towards the fire.
EVENING, BEDOUIN CAMP, DEAD SEA
Yatom carrying Isabella arrives at a Bedouin family camp. Lose goats, donkeys, chickens and rabbits alert the family gathered around the fire of their arrival. As he gets to near the fire, the father stands and helps him lowering Isabella under an open tent.
Bedouin Man
(in Arabic)
Is she hurt?
Yatom
(in Hebrew, mimicking drinking water)
She needs water...
Bedouin Man
(to the women)
Bring some water.
Three generations of Bedouin women gather around Isabella to provide her with water and care. They signal Yatom and the father to step aside as Isabella slowly gains consciousness. The Bedouin man tells his son to bring tea and food to Yatom as he invites him to sit next to the fire.
NIGHT, BEDOUIN CAMP, DEAD SEA
Isabella is lying under the tent and Yatom is sitting next to her.
Yatom
(gently)
Better?
Isabella
(slowly awakening)
Yes... How did we get here. I vaguely remember being dizzy and thirsty on the road...
Yatom
I carried you up here.
Isabella smiles at him and looks around the camp.
Yatom
(handing her a plate)
You're hungry?
Isabella
(looking at the plate then sitting)
Maybe a little.
Isabella picks and choses delicately from the plate.
Isabella
What is it?
Yatom
I don't know. I guess it's goat.
Isabella
(eating very slowly)
Mmmm.... Good.
Yatom pours tea in a cup.
Yatom
Tea?
Isabella
(smiling, accepting the cup)
Yeah... Thank you... You're so kind to me. I feel like a Princess in the Arabian Nights.
Yatom
(smiling)
We're like the Bonnie & Clyde of Palestine.
Isabella
Bonnie who?
Yatom
Bonnie & Clyde, they're American gangsters who were running away from the police for months.
Isabella
And what happened?
Yatom
(hesitating)
They got shot!
Isabella
Nice.
They remain silent for a while.
Isabella
(looking out towards the moonlit Dead Sea)
I'm pregnant.
Yatom
(not knowing how to react)
Oh...
Isabella
I was in Jaffa to send a letter to... my baby's father to tell him the news when all this happened.
Yatom
Where is he now?
Isabella
Probably in Australia... Or somewhere between here and there.
Yatom
You were not married?
Isabella
No... It wouldn't have worked out with my family. He is Greek... Orthodox.
Yatom
And when do you think that the baby will be born?
Isabella
If we don't get shot... End of summer I guess.
They remain pensive for a while.
Isabella
(snapping out of her mood)
Anyways, one day at the time.
Yatom
I think I understood that the man offered to bring us to a Jewish farm tomorrow morning.
Isabella
(skeptical)
A farm around here?
Yatom
Maybe I got it all wrong. We'll see.
DAWN, BEDOUIN CAMP, DEAD SEA
Isabella wakes up as Yatom is sleeping next to her. She sit on the carpet looking at the rising sun and caressing her belly. After a moment, she looks back at Yatom and lies down by his side.
MORNING, BEDOUIN CAMP, DEAD SEA
Isabella and Yatom are dressed in Bedouin outfits. The father is helping Isabella to mount a reluctant Donkey as the women and kids laugh at the situation.
Yatom
I guess they don't have Donkeys in your village.
Isabella
City!
Isabella finally gets the Donkey to move.
DAY, KALYA KIBBUTZ, DEAD SEA
Isabella, Yatom and the Bedouin man arrive at a settlement where fields of date trees grow out of the desert. They get to a group of European looking workers.
Yatom
(in Hebrew)
Shalom.
Settler
(surprised to hear Yatom speaking Hebrew)
Shalom.
Yatom
(removing his turban)
Is this a Kibbutz? We're from Tel Aviv and looking for work.
Settler
(in Russian)
You're Russian?
Yatom
(in Russian)
Bohemia... from Prague.
Settler
Oh... Then you should go to the mine. They need city people there. (indicating the way) Continue about one kilometer this way.
Yatom
Thanks. Shalom.
Isabella and Yatom unmount their donkeys and greet farewell to the Bedouin man who gets back from where he came from.
DAY, ROAD TO KALYA POTASH MINE, DEAD SEA
Isabella and Yatom walk across the idyllic garden of date trees and other fruits.
Isabella
I though you were from some village. It's always been my dream to go to Prague.
Yatom
I am from a village, right next to Prague where I worked. But it doesn't exist anymore.
Isabella
(looking around the fields)
I heard that Prague women are beautiful...
Yatom
Yes, they are...
Isabella
(breathing the fresher air)
I like this place...
END OF EPISODE
NEXT IN THIS THEAD
Isabella and Yatom would marry and Yatom would recognize little Moshe as his son. They would remain in Kalya until 1948 when Yatom would join the new Israeli army and the Dead Sea region would become under Jordanian rule.
In 1946-47, Isabella could have played a role in the discovery of the Qumran Scrolls by a young Bedouin Shepherd. Maybe a son of the Bedouin who helped Yatom and Isabella.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea_Scrolls
Yatom's czech pregnant wife would have been arrested by the Germans and deported during a raid in his village, Lidice, in the spring of 1942. As he was in Prague teaching at the University at that time, he only found out when he got back home and as he realized that he might never see her again, he made his way to Palestine trough.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lidice
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NOTE FOR FUTURE EPISODE IN TIME 1
THIS LETTER WILL NEVER MAKE IT TO PERTH, AUSTRALIA, AND ISABELLA WILL RECEIVE IT BACK FROM THE BRITISH POST MANY YEARS AFTER THE WAR. THE SHIP CARRYING IT WAS SANK BY A GERMAN U-BOAT OFF YEMEN. IN 2010, TREASURE HUNTERS DISCOVERED TWO SEALED BOXES FROM THE ROYAL MAIL WITH STACKS ON UNOPENED LETTERS. THEIR CONTENT WAS SURRENDERED TO THE ROYAL MAIL WHICH REDISTRIBUTED IT TO THE ADDRESSEES. AS THEY COULD NOT TRACK ANASTASIO IN AUSTRALIA, THEY FOUND THE ADDRESSER, ISABELLA IN ISRAEL. ON HER DEATH BED, SHE ENTRUSTED THE LETTER TO HER CHERISHED GRANDSON, URI, WHO USED ALL IS CONNECTIONS TO TRACK DOWN ANASTASIO (DEAD), PAT (DEAD) AND FINALLY CARLA.