1
Good afternoon,
ladies and gentlemen.
We have just landed at Queen Alia
International Airport in Amman.
The outside temperature 38 degrees Celsius
which is equivalent to...
Hi, you've reached Ziad.
Leave me a message,
I'll call you back.
Hey, it's me,
I'm here, missing you already.
New York.!
Course, there was an empty seat
next to me on the plane,
so I thought about
you the entire flight.
I'm about to go meet my mom
and sisters so...
I'll let you know what happens.
Call me when you can.
I love you.
Bye.
May!
Hi!
Oh, my God!
- Hi.
- Hi.
I missed you.
I missed you, too.
. Okay, okay.
Can you share?
Hi, what's going on?
Ziad didn't come...
Oh, it's all... no, it's good, actually.
He had to teach, but, um, he's gonna
be here in a few weeks.
And it's actually better this way because
we'll get more time on our honeymoon.
Hmm.
Where's Mom?
She's cooking for you.
You didn't tell her that
he changed his plans, did you?
No, I didn't.
Is this it'?
Can I see it?
- Can we wait till we get...
- No, I wanna see it now.
Okay, okay, okay...
Just be careful.
- Tah-dah.
- I love it.
- You like it?
- It's really nice.
Yeah, I never thought I'd
go so conventional
but, you know,
it fits the wedding...
- I can't wait to see it on you.
- It's very simple.
Okay, can we
get to the reception?
Don't tell me you're bored,
you just got here.
What were we thinking coming
a whole month before the wedding.
We haven't all been here
together in years.
I know,
I keep telling her.
Dalia thinks that just because
she loves it here, I have to, too.
- I never said that.
- That's not how it works.
And even if I did,
there's nothing wrong with it.
- It's a part of me.
- Oh, my God, congratulations.
- On what?
- You got your certification.
- I'm so proud of you.
- No, I didn't.
You know, massage wasn't for me.
Touching people's bodies
all the time
and I was absorbing all
of their bad energy, it was so...
But you were almost
done, weren't you?
- Yeah, but, it's...
- Hold that, hold that.
I could go back if I want to.
Maybe I'll move here or
someplace, you know like...
So, yeah.
Wow.
- That's you?
- Yeah.
It's gotten bad.
I thought she'd try to
convert me this morning.
Yeah,
didn't work, though did it?
What does that mean?
Honestly, you can't
blame her, though.
I'm sorry, there weren't
this many ninjas growing up.
You shouldn't call them
ninjas, Yasmine.
- Dalia, in your face, look.
- Don't... stop pointing.
I'm sorry, if my mom dressed
like that, I would be terrified of her.
You're just... you're,
you're rude.
So what, um,
why were you laid off?
What happened exactly?
It wasn't just me.
It was whole round of people.
Some of them had been there for
20 years... it was really, really terrible.
But what about you?
Yalla, tell us things,
come on, how's it going?
- It's going well.
- Yeah?
Ziad's mom's...
been amazing.
She's planned all of it.
Does that annoy you?
No, not at all, she
consults me on all points.
That's great.
I forgot, what does Ziad
teach again?
Contemporary
Islamic Civilization.
Um-hmm..
Important.
I think so.
Mom?
Oh, my God,
it smells so good!
Your favorite.
Hi, Mom.
Come here, May.
How are you?
I'm good, I missed you.
Me too,.
Wow, I'm so glad you're here.
Me too, you look great.
Oh, it's all good.
How was your flight?
It was... you know.
I ate, I slept.
I froze my butt off.
You look pale.
Your eyes are red.
Do you want a nap
before everybody gets here?
I will never fall asleep.
Why do I keep forgetting?
You're exactly like me.
You can't even nap.
I know, me too.
Who's all coming over?
Hmm.
This is great, no,
but I would love some coffee.
- Amazing.
- Oh, I would love some, too.
Did I tell you guys that my paperback
is finally coming out?
That's great.
- Some time this fall.
- That's amazing.
I'm so proud of you.
Thank you.
- Really?
- Hmm.
They can't wait to meet you.
That's so nice.
So...
Everything else is okay?
Yeah.
It's good.
Are you sure?
Yeah.
I got worried when
I heard Ziad wasn't coming.
Never mind how I find out.
I felt it.
I felt that you were
having some problems.
I swear to you.
I told you, May.
Marrying outside your religion,
your culture, it's all the same.
It never works.
We're better than ever, Mom.
We're getting married.
- I just thought...
- He was just delayed.
He'll be here in a few weeks.
Don't worry, I know
you're not coming to the wedding.
Of course not.
What did we talk about?
What?
Have
you talked to dad?
And why do you
call him that?
What am I supposed to call him?
Anything but that.
It's been almost
ten years, Mom.
He had a heart attack.
It barely qualified
for a heart attack.
Even the doctors say so.
He invented the whole thing
just to get attention.
Still, when
I found out, I called him.
And you know why?
Because I am better than him.
You shouldn't
have done that.
I mean, he made
you miserable for years.
20 years.
As if his affairs weren't
enough humiliating,
he went and he
married a woman half his age.
She's not half his age.
May, she is your age, okay?
Are you going to see him?
- No
- Maybe.
You could've warned me.
I asked you not to tell her.
She said something already?
You're surprised?
I'm sorry.
I forgot.
Hmm.
And I... I didn't
think it was a big deal.
Can we clear some of your clothes
so I can have some room?
They're silk,
they need to be hung.
Issam!
How do they know that it
hasn't already been opened?
Hi, my love.
I wanted to tell you
about my fun-filled day.
Well, first, my mom confirmed she's
not coming to the wedding.
You know,
in case we had any doubt.
And... then my cousin in front
of the whole family
announced I'm going to hell.
Ah, but you'll be there too,
so don't worry, we'll rot together.
That's something to look forward to.
Hello?
Auntie?
May?
I'm... I'm on the phone.
I am here, I'm on the phone.
Can you please hang up?
I'm sorry,
I'm sorry, okay, okay.
Oh, my God, see what it's like?
Oh, my God, okay,
I'm gonna go to bed now.
Um, call me tomorrow, please.
Okay.
I love you.
No.
Mom!
Hello?
Hello? Ziad?
Shit...
Hello?
Oh, my God, why do
I never have...
Z, are you there?
Ziad, let me call you back, if you
can hear me, I'll call you back, okay?
This traffic
is ridiculous.
Shit.
on, my God.
Wow.
- Is it too much?
- No.
Oh, my God,
you look so beautiful.
On.
Get over here.
Mom is totally gonna regret not
being here for this moment.
She might still come around.
Yeah, right.
Uh...
When can we, uh,
go shopping for our dresses?
I don't wanna wear a dress.
Hello?
Dalia, you have to wear a dress.
- Uh, no, I don't.
- May, tell her.
May, do I have to wear a dress?
- She has... tell her.
- You can wear whatever you want.
- Exactly.
- No, she has to wear a dress.
That's what people do at weddings,
it won't kill you.
Oh, is it your wedding?
No, it's not your wedding.
No one wants to marry you.
It's May's wedding and she said I
could wear whatever I want.
Fine, whatever?
Yasmine, can you
grab my phone, please?
Uh, yeah, where is it?
It's in... ifs in
the dressing room.
No, I got it, stay right
where you are.
In your bag?
Yeah, yeah,
in my purse.
Here.
Thank you, thank you.
Oh, my God, on, my God.
Finally.
I know.
- My God, we speak.
- Can you believe it?
No, why does it gotta
be so hard?
- I miss you.
- I miss you, too.
- How are you?
- I'm good.
I'm at-
I'm at my fitting.
I'm actually wearing my dress.
Nice.
How do you look?
I mean, is it okay to ask?
- Um...
- It's not unlucky or anything.
No.
It's weird, I don't... you know,
I don't feel like myself.
Oh, of course,
you know, that makes sense.
What do you mean it makes sense?
Well, you said, you weren't
sure you wanted to go through with it.
So it makes sense that you wouldn't
feel comfortable in your dress.
May, Issam wants
to take us out tonight.
Oh, come on, come on.
Um, Ziad, hang on one second.
- Yeah, okay.
- That's great, you should go.
No, all of us.
Cool, yeah, I'll be right back.
Ziad, I freaked out.
I'm sorry, it was
the planning, it was the book tour.
It was... it was all
of it at once.
I got scared.
- Okay, I mean...
- I love you so much.
Can we please just chalk this up
to some pre-wedding clich
and get on with our lives?
Yeah.
Yeah, that's what
we're doing, but okay.
Okay, but you haven't called
me since I... I got here.
You were with your
family, you needed time.
Why do you always think
you know what I need?
Because I know you,
May, better than you know yourself.
Yeah... Well, if that were true,
you'd be here right now.
We talked about this.
We agreed I should teach
and you said it was okay.
Of course, I said it was okay,
what else was I gonna say?
Well, how about what you meant?
That would be a start and
it would be helpful.
May?
May, can we go?
I have to get back out there.
Can I call you back later?
Sure.
This is awesome.
Oh, God, my body is like
physically rejecting this place.
I'm gonna... I'll-I'll
see you later.
I didn't think I'd
see you till the wedding.
I moved back.
What happened to Paris?
I'll go back one day.
I'm working with my brother now.
No way, we're all together?
Just like old times.
Where did Dalia go?
Her body didn't like the place.
- Yalla, cheers.
- Cheers.
Cheers?
- Oh, shit.
- Oh.
- Yeah.
- Yeah?
Can I bum one?
Yeah.
Thank you.
Oh, my God, that's disgusting.
Take it away.
Why'd you give me that?
You asked for it.
Oh, shit, I feel nauseous.
- Oh...
- Okay, okay.
Oh, my God,
everything's spinning.
Hold on, hold on, hold on.
Okay, just-
ooh, take it easy.
Can you walk with me?
- Mmm.
- Yeah?
Okay, just, oh, no, no, no,
that way, yeah.
Okay, sit on the hood.
Okay, okay.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, just wake up,
wake up, open your eyes, okay?
Hey, okay.
What are you doing?
What?
You were about to faint.
- No, I wasn't.
- Yeah, you were.
You don't know me.
Yeah... well, you needed help so
I was just trying to be nice.
You can't be nice
to people you don't know.
Whoa... uh...
okay, boss.
Can I sit here?
- Yeah?
- I don't care.
Just tell me something
about yourself.
I'm drunk.
"I'm drunk," yeah,
okay, I gathered that.
On.
I don't know where
my sisters went.
Oh, God, so drunk and lost.
I'm May.
I'm Karim.
Karim.
- Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you.
Where are you from?
I live in New York.
Nice, New York, I love it.
You're May, yeah?
Yeah, I'm May.
You're-you're,
you're Issam's cousin, May?
Yeah, you're the one who wrote that
book about the Proverbs and... yeah?
- Yeah.
- Yeah, that's you.
I love that book.
- Really?
- I love it, yeah.
You're here to get married
or something like that?
How'd you do that?
Oh, Amman's
not that big, you know.
There you are!
We're gonna go, um, get the car.
That is my sister.
So you're not
that lost after all.
I got something
I wanna give you, okay?
This is not for you so don't
take it the wrong way.
This is for your wedding guests.
In case they felt adventurous.
You do tours?
Yup, like hiking,
scuba diving and...
four-wheeling in
the desert.
- Cool.
- Yeah.
Have some water when
you get home.
Okay?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Bye-bye! May'
- Bye.
- Bye.
- Hey.
- Where have you been?
Falafel place.
Had enough fun in there?
Can I have some.
Yeah.
Whoa, big bite.
Oh, wow, you're pretty drunk.
- No, I'm not.
- Yeah, you are.
No, I'm not.
What are you
doing up?
- I couldn't sleep.
- Me neither.
I thought you'd be sleeping in.
No such luck.
1J1 a
What?
Oh, nothing, it's silly.
What for?
I'm supposed to untie it.
But it's impossible.
You know Aunt Hanan
with her crazy ideas.
It kind of binds
it altogether, it's like a theme.
Binds it altogether.
It's really
essential to have a theme.
Why did she come with us?
I didn't tell her we
were going dress shopping.
Yasmine?
She has to be here,
May, she's gotta get used to it.
Let's keep in mind, I'm
looking for a nice pant suit.
You can drop
the pant suit, please.
That sounds wrong.
There's no getting used to it.
She's praying we break up.
No.
This morning, I caught
her untying this huge knot.
I swear to God, it's some kind
of freaky breakup voodoo.
When are we planning
your bachelorette party.
How about... never.
How about, that's not an option.
How about no scavenger hunts
or stripper telegrams.
Do they have strippers here?
Let's not find out.
May, was it a knotted rope?
Yeah... why?
What if we
take you to Hammam.
- Or we could go to the Dead Sea, huh?
- That sounds nice.
They say that if you untie two
pieces of knotted rope,
you're trying to break
the bond between two people.
Who says that?
I don't remember,
but it's some kind of spell.
She's got too much time
on her hands.
Do you think she'd
ever consider getting remarried?
- No.
- No.
Do you
think May would like this?
Are you kidding, that's trashy.
- I don't think so.
- No, it's too sexual.
What are you guys
whispering about?
- Nothing.
- Nothing.
No secrets.
I'm the bride,
you have to tell me everything.
. Okay-
Mom, you ever think
about getting remarried?
Why, I'm already married.
- Please don't say to God.
- Why not?
- Oh, Jesus.
- Him too.
And don't you poke fun
just because you have no faith.
Who says I don't have any faith.
I have so much faith.
Mom, I hate to break it to you,
but you married another lousy husband.
He's never around.
You can't see Him.
But He's here.
Everywhere.
That's right, I forgot,
He's a ghost.
Why is it so difficult
for you to respect my beliefs?
You're throwing a fit over my wedding
and you wanna talk to me about respect?
May, you don't know what you're
getting yourself into.
Your kids will automatically
considered Muslims, do you know that?
Do you know that if you divorce, you
will never have the right over them?
- We live in the U.S., Mom.
- So what!
He's from here, okay?
Well, then, I guess, I should just
maybe think about converting to Islam
because I'll have more
fights that way.
He's not even
practicing, he's secular.
You don't have to listen to me
if you don't want to.
But I think I have more
experience in the matter than you do.
Mom, you married
the imperialist.
And just because your marriage crumbled,
doesn't mean mine will.
Let's say God doesn't exist.
Do you think you would ever consider
remarrying a human being?
Even if I do, and it's a big if,
where in the world I'll find
someone at my age?
Mom, you're still young.
You don't look anything
like your age.
Plus, we can help, right?
Don't look at me.
Aren't there any
single guys at your church?
I don't go around asking them.
I can ask them.
. Maybe-
Okay...
I'm good, thanks.
I'll come.
Really?
Yes, but only because
I'm curious.
And I'm only gonna go to find you
a husband so don't get your hopes up.
Find me a husband.
And find Jesus at the same time.
I don't
wanna do it.
Come on.
You can't just wait
out here, you'll roast.
I'm fine.
Dalia, get out of the car.
Open the door.
No.
Come on, he called
like six times.
He wants to see us.
Good for him, let's give him
an award, he remembered that we exist.
He had a heart
attack, Dalia.
Just because he has
a re-awakened conscience,
it doesn't mean that I am
obligated to forgive him.
No one is asking you
to forgive him.
No, but it's even worse,
you're asking me to meet his whore.
Here they are.
Oh, my God, look at you, girls.
I can't believe I'm finally
meeting you.
Get out of the car.
I'm Anu, I think
you all know that.
- I'm May.
- May.
Yes, oh, my God.
Ooh.
I've heard so much about you.
Your dad's so proud of you.
On.
And, um, Dalia?
Come on out.
I've seen so many
pictures of you, come on.
Yeah.
- How are you?
- Good.
You're a
grown-up girl now.
Um, Yasmine, Yasmine, oh.
- You're done.
- You're so beautiful.
Prettier than the pictures,
all of you.
Thank you for coming,
girls, come on in... come.
Of course.
Sorry, your dad had to be in
Jerusalem with Ambassador Williamson,
but he should be
here any minute.
- So we'll get to hang out and, um...
- He's not even here.
Fruit salad?
Yasmine?
- Yes, thank you.
- There you go.
- Thanks.
- Dalia?
Unh-unh.
I'll have hers.
. Okay-
Just something...
for you.
I guess...
Okay.
So...
Where are you from in India?
Oh, I'm originally
from North India.
But I grew up in Mumbai.
I actually lived in
New York, too.
I studied there.
I did not get my work permit so
I decided to move to Dubai.
And that's great, because
that's where I met your dad.
He was living in the hotel
I was managing.
He's got a real
foreign fetish, don't you think?
Um... I hear you have a fianc
who's Palestinian, right?
Yeah.
- Okay.
- He is.
And?
Does he live here?
Um...
he grew up here.
But he's been in New York
for 15 years now.
I actually saw an
interview of him on the internet.
He is quite a
good-looking guy.
And very well-spoken, too.
He actually reminded me
of Edward the first time I saw him.
I'm sorry,
I'm so sorry I'm late.
I can't believe how
crazy it's gotten.
There's a complete bottleneck.
I'm so happy you're here.
It started with a
heaviness in my chest.
I thought I maybe had heartburn
or something like that.
Spiciest chicken biryani
does not give him a heartburn.
Ana's the one who insisted
that I go to the hospital.
I come from a family of doctors.
And they say that there's nothing
wrong with me, so, I'm... I'm good.
Thank God.
Yeah.
So tell me
about how you girls are.
I wanna hear about that, so...
You're writing
another book, May.
- Yeah, I am.
- Good.
- It's a novel.
- What's it about?
Well, it's maybe historical fiction,
I really don't knew yet.
But it's, um, it's
set in 1948 Palestine.
Ed, did you tell her about how
we read her first book?
Oh, that's right.
Anu brought it to me,
she read it before I did.
And I read it twice.
And loved it.
You read it twice?
I didn't quite finish it
the second time but I still intend to.
Because I love it,
it's really clever.
But the real achievement
is the way you have put a human face
on so many of the conflicts in the
region, that's rare, that's...
- It's beautiful.
- I'm so proud of you.
- Thank you.
- Yes.
As I am of you,
Dalia, because I understand
that you're gonna be finishing
massage school.
Actually, no.
I dropped out.
I'm a massage school dropout.
Uh, well, that's probably for
the best because I imagine there isn't
a lot of money in-in that
massage business.
You know, I'm thinking that since
your Mom's here and Anu and I are here,
and you're both looking
for work, huh?
- How do you know that?
- What?
Oh, your mom called
when he was in the hospital.
Yeah, what... she just said
you were laid off.
All's I'm saying is that, you know,
you might wanna consider moving here,
because there's a lot of
opportunity here.
There is, and we'd love
to help you out in any way.
You could work with refugees
in the U.N.
or you could do capacity
building with the embassy.
There's a couple of spots in
the office that I think would be great.
And you'd really might like it.
I think, I personally would rather
shoot myself in the head
than represent
U.S. foreign policies.
Especially in a Middle Eastern
country, I mean...
Tell me
about the wedding.
Your mom is still
boycotting this?
Well, we'll support you,
no matter what, with everything.
- Right, lobster?
- That's right.
We went through
something really very similar.
It all works out.
And don't let anyone
tell you any different.
Dalia, how about some more lamb?
Um...
- Oh, Dalia doesn't...
- Dalia doesn't eat lamb.
Oh, come on, you're
just... teasing me.
Come on, you love lamb, Dalia.
I love lamb, Dad.
Dalia's a vegetarian.
Yup.
How about your dad
and I take you guys somewhere?
Uh, we came here every summer
growing up so...
We've been all over.
There's gotta be
someplace you want to see,
- how about Dami mountains?
- Been there.
You really haven't
said very much about Ziad.
You haven't asked.
All right, let's see.
He is, uh, professor
at Columbia, I know that.
Yeah, he's their Palestinian
expert.
That's impressive.
He's written two books
on the economy of Palestine.
He's working on his third.
He's written all kinds of articles,
essays, op-eds.
He's doing
pretty well for himself.
Yeah.
You sure he's the one?
That's why
I'm marrying him, Dad.
So he must be a pretty
special guy, right?
You still playing tennis?
It's been a while.
Good, that's the way
I like to play you.
You wanna play tomorrow?
I can't tomorrow, but
I'd love to play.
You could've told me
you'd be gone for the whole day.
I needed the car.
- We didn't know.
- Sorry.
You must be hungry.
- Yes.
- No.
We stopped at Uncle Waleed's...
Maram fed us a little.
What's wrong?
It's not good?
- No, it's really good.
- Thank you, Mom.
Mm-hmm.
So what did Maram cook?
Leg of lamb.
It was really dry.
That's so cute.
I'm not thinking
holy thoughts.
Okay.
I never thought
I would hook up here.
Yesterday, we made out in
the elevator for two hours.
- Does he live with his parents?
- Yeah, they all do here.
Now I know why they get
married so young so they can get laid...
- Shh.
- Hmm?
What about him?
He's married.
He's cute.
That could come right off, Mom.
If I'm gonna do it again,
I better do it right.
He has to be a Palestinian Christian.
And he has to know how to
cook and do laundry,
And if he has to travel,
he better travel for fun and not for work.
All right, well, you're gonna have
better luck at the second coming.
But Jesus has facial hair
so that's gonna be a problem.
We don't make fun of Jesus.
One minute.
Hello?
- May?
- Yeah.
- It? A878.
- Hi.
Oh... I- I can't
talk right now.
Oh, that's okay.
I...
I just, uh...
Is everything okay?
I promised I was not gonna cry.
Yeah, um... May,
can i...
Can I just take
you out for a coffee?
Something wrong with Dad?
I have this terrible feeling,
May, the same one I had when,
when my first husband
left me and...
He wanted more children,
and I couldn't give that
to him so he left me.
- Uh, uh, uh...
- So I understand that,
but Ed doesn't want any more
children and-and we're having great sex
so I don't understand why.
Why are you telling me that?
I think he's having
an affair, May.
You're playing tennis with him
day after tomorrow, aren't you?
I really want you to talk to
him and tell him...
Shit.
- May.
- You need to tell your wife
she can't call me with your
marital problems.
Hi.
Black Label on the rocks.
Anything for you, sir?
He'll have the same,
he's gonna need it.
Uh, I guess
we're not gonna play.
She thinks you're
having an affair.
All right, look, uh...
Anu can be dramatic...
You're not doing this
to me again.
Dad, you are not putting
me in the middle of your shit.
- Please.
- It is not okay.
Will you just sit down, please.
I am sorry that she called you.
Sit down.
Anu is lonely, Anu
doesn't have a lot of friends here.
She is not like you.
She can be like a kid sometimes.
She can get a little insecure.
Maybe because you're
cheating on her.
No, it's not like that.
You think I wanna
go through that again.
Do you think that's something I'm
prepared to, kind of, relive.
It was...
Trust me.
I'm not that person anymore.
I used to think the grass was
greener, you know, but then you...
You get there and you look
closer and it's just...
it's not greener,
it's just different.
What does that mean?
You're not cheating?
It means that I learned
from my mistakes.
I think it's important for you to
understand what I've been through.
Oh, my God, I'm not gonna
sit here and listen...
Would you
just stop for a second.
I know I'm not who you
wanted me to be.
But I'm your father
and I'm not gonna go anywhere
and I just think that you and
I deserve to figure out
how we can have some
kind of relationship that's real.
Is that what you wanted, Dad, when you
didn't bother calling on our birthdays?
All right, you have
every right to be angry with me...
Yeah, I have every
right to be angry.
I spent years of my
life trying to fill your shoes
so don't sit here and tell me you
want a real relationship.
Just... trying to say that I'm
here now and making an effort... now.
I, um...
And I would completely
understand if you continue to hate me.
I don't hate you, Dad.
Dalia hates me.
Dalia doesn't hate you,
no one hates you.
She was 12 when you and Mom
started throwing dishes at one another.
Your mother threw the dishes,
I never threw any dishes.
All right, one dish, once.
And it wasn't aimed
at your mother.
It's mind-boggling that
the two of you even ended up together.
You have nothing in common.
That's not true.
We had a lot in common.
And then we just
drifted apart, I guess.
Your mother's a very hard person
to please, you know that.
No matter what I did, you know,
she... I couldn't make her happy.
Are you happy?
I...
I think the mere that I figure out about
myself, the easier it gets.
Hi, you've reached Ziad.
Leave me a message,
I'll call you back.
Hey, it's me.
You will never believe what
just happened.
I had a
conversation with my dad.
Like, an actual conversation
for the first time in-
I don't even know
in how many years.
That just made me think
about so much.
Anyway, I'm seeing
your mom tomorrow.
It's sort of like seeing you.
Call me, bye.
Hmm.
Interesting.
TIME'!
Un-huh.
You said you suck!
I haven't played in a while.
Yeah, I see how you are.
Come on.
- Okay.
- Come on.
. Oh!
Yes.
Yeah.
So who do I have to
blame for this humiliation?
' My dad.
Yeah?
He's very good and he knows it.
Modesty is not
exactly his strong suit.
Sol made it my mission in life
to beat him.
. And?
Never happened.
Well, you kicked my ass.
So how did you get
into adventure tourism?
I was 20, I was studying
engineering.
I was lost, miserable so...
I took a tour to Thailand.
It was an adventure
tour and it changed me.
I discovered that this is what
I wanna do with my life.
I wanna do that for
people who come to Jordan.
And it's fun, you know, every day,
all day, I get to have fun.
You on the other hand, you
would never get to understand it,
- Oh.
- because you're too much busy
being ambitious, yeah?
- Right.
- Yeah.
- Yup.
- Yeah.
That's me.
I am working on
my second book, so...
Putting me to shame.
Good.
How do you have
the time to write, I mean...
Aren't you busy planning for
your wedding stuff?
It's soon, isn't it?
Less than two weeks.
So how does it feel like?
Good, better feel good, it's too
late to back out now.
I'm sorry, I don't
know why I just said that.
It's never too late to back out.
No, I didn't
mean it, I didn't mean it.
I don't want to back out,
I don't know why I said it.
Oh, my God, I'm so sorry.
Wow, I'm a...
TIFF-II
Um...
I'll tell you something,
it's not you, okay, it's me.
I am exceptionally
easy to talk to.
People tell me things
all the time so it's not a big deal.
Seriously.
If you need someone to be an
idiot with, I'm here, okay?
Thanks for the ride.
You're welcome.
. See Ya'
. Bye-
Bye.
Hey, babe, it's me.
I can't believe you
ended up with your dad.
That was a long time coming.
Um, call me when you can, okay?
I'll be up late grading papers.
I really wanna talk to you.
Uh... I hope your writing's
going well and, uh,
okay, um, love you, bye.
Hi.
Hi.
I was gonna brush my teeth.
It can wait.
You haven't been around much.
I know, I've been really busy.
Writing a lot.
We're going for my
bachelorette party, Mom.
Why, you wanna come?
Who dropped you off?
A friend.
What friend?
His name's Karim.
I don't know his last name, Mom.
He could be Muslim or Hindu.
For all I know, he's Jewish.
Would that make you happy?
That's not why I asked.
And it wouldn't make me happy.
I don't believe in
these religions.
They don't
believe in yours either.
I don't have a religion, May.
I have the truth.
I'd like to take a moment to
explain about the hotel
and the facilities of
the hotel, if it's okay.
We're right now in the main building
called Zara building?
The room will be located over here.
on, my em!
Isn't it crazy
that that's Palestine?
Yeah.
We could swim there.
If we wanted to die.
What?
There are landmines in here.
No way.
If you swim out too far.
How do you think
they keep the refugees out?
God, that is messed up.
Here we are with
all our petty problems.
Do we choose tall centerpieces
or short centerpieces?
Should we hire a band or a DJ?
Band.
Should we spend
the entire lifesavings or only half of it.
All of it.
Yeah...
It is pretty ridiculous.
Why do people even
do it anymore?
I don't know.
You would think that
the 50 percent divorce rate,
people would not wanna
do it as much.
At least keep it simple.
Geez.
I mean, wouldn't it be nice
to just exchange vows in a garden?
Drink a glass of champagne?
Shove cupcakes
into each other's faces?
And just go on a honeymoon?
That sounds great.
Why don't you guys do that?
Ziad wanted
the traditional thing.
Mostly for his family.
Couldn't you make some
kind of compromise?
I didn't wanna
make a big deal out of it.
Then how is it a big deal if
it's what you want?
You're having doubts, May?
No.
I don't know.
I hear myself say it and I
think, "What is wrong with me?"
Why can't I just be happy?
He's so good to me.
Do you know how many
drafts of my book he read?
How many times he made me
dinner when I was writing.
He brings me breakfast in bed.
Who does that'?
He makes the best
egg white frittata ever.
But that doesn't mean you
have to marry him.
What are you doing out here?
Where's Tamer?
Having a work crisis.
That sucks.
Well, at least we get to
spend some time to ourselves, right?
We always have time
to ourselves.
. Okay-
Uh, hey, uh...
[AMP-IE
You sound like an
obnoxious American, that's all.
At least I speak Arabic.
You speak just as shitty Arabic
as I do, Yasmine.
I do not speak
shitty Arabic, okay?
I took two years in college.
So what?
I taught myself how to read.
You have to sound things
out like a child.
Which is
more than you can say.
- Excuse me?
- I understand the meanings
- of the words...
- Doesn't matter if you can't speak it.
You don't even understand
the origin of the word...
Guys, you speak
equally shitty Arabic.
Let's relax.
Let me get on in it
I wanna make love
with you, you, you
Come on let me get it
Let me get up in it
I wanna make
love with you, you, you...
Men are retarded.
No.
Dalia... Stop it!
Perfect.
Yasmine, stop it.
It's in my nose.
Hey!
Hello.
Hi.
- HEY
- Hey.
Where have you been?
Stupid clients
can't make up their minds.
At the last minute, they wanted some
changes on their website.
I had to do it, Yasmine.
Yeah, of course.
We're glad you could join us.
Please, don't be mad.
I'm not, you're blocking my sun.
I wanna have a good time.
No one's stopping you.
I wanna have a
good time with you.
Come on, Yasmine,
he couldn't help it.
Excuse me?
You're defending him?
You're being unfair.
What do you know?
Just trying to help.
Well, I don't
need your help, okay?
Why don't you go flirt with
the bartender some more?
Okay, I think I should go.
No, no, stay.
What the hell was
that supposed to mean?
It means you seem a little
confused, lately.
Why, because I'm actually friendly
to people and not bitchy, like you.
Is that what you
call that, being friendly?
Well, maybe you should stop
being so friendly.
I mean, people might
get the wrong impression.
You are getting married,
aren't you?
That's right,
run away like you always do.
Run and hide, that's the answer.
Hi, my name is May
and my life is perfect.
And you're all the fucked-up ones.
What do you want, Yasmine?
I wanna know
why Ziad isn't here?
And I wanna know why you don't give
a shit about your wedding?
Because I don't know
that I wanna go through with it.
Well, then why didn't
you tell us?
Tell you what?
I don't even
know what to tell myself.
Wouldn't it help to
talk about it?
And risk
the whole world finding out?
- No.
- Come on, that is such bullshit.
Yasmine, Yasmine?
Did you tell Tamer that I'm gay?
Dalia,
now's not the time.
His friend Chati just outed himself to me
because he thinks that I'm gay.
Aren't you?
That's not the point.
Are you going around
and just telling everybody?
What am I supposed to
do, okay, lie?
Who I do or do net sleep
with is rue-body's business, okay?
See big mouth?
So, what, you think I
can't be trusted.
- You can't be.
- You can't be.
I wasn't talking to you.
How could you tell
people that, how can I trust you?
You are always telling
people things.
If you knew something was
wrong, why didn't you say anything?
Don't blame us?
How were we supposed to know you're
thinking of calling the whole thing off.
Wait, What?
I thought you were
gonna wait till Ziad got here.
I'm not calling it off.
You told Dalia?
You told Dalia
and you didn't tell me.
I told Dalia this morning while
you were busy making out
with your boyfriend,
thank you very much.
But I'm really glad to know that
that's all you care about.
You wonder why
I can't talk to you?
You have never been
happy for me.
- Excuse me?
- Either of you.
Whoa, what?
No, you wish you were
the one getting married and you...
don't think anyone should
get married.
I never said that, May.
Gays don't have the same
rights, I get it.
Gays, what is
wrong with you people.
Why do you think I'm gay?
'Cause you haven't had a
boyfriend in ten years.
So what... I'm so sorry
to disappoint all of you.
And you know what, even if someone
is, I mean, there's nothin wrong...
I never said there was!
I only told Tamer because I was
proud to have a sister who was a lesbian.
I am not a lesbian!
I saw your mom.
We went to the wedding planner
and he was showing us
the reception hall.
And I just kept thinking
I don't know how to do this.
You're-you're upset,
okay.
Just listen to me, Ziad.
You need a break from
your family.
They're making you crazy.
Well, then, we're all crazy.
Okay, I'm gonna he there in
a few days, all right?
We'll figure all of this out.
. May?
Mom called.
May?
Edward.
On.
Oh, my goodness.
. Dad?
Hey, Dad, hi.
Was it another
heart attack?
Well, they did some
tests and we'll hear in a little bit.
Good to see you...
Nice to meet you.
I heard so much about you.
No, you too.
Not all bad things, I hope.
No.
Girls, it's so nice to
see you again.
I only wish it was
under different circumstances.
That's right, you had lunch together
and you cooked a leg of lamb, right?
It's hard to make
it tender, don't you think?
Dad, uh, when did it happen,
exactly, like what happened?
I was playing tennis.
It was way too
hot to be playing tennis.
Do you remember when
you two used to play?
Yeah, you hated
it when we played.
'Cause you got so
competitive.
I thought you were
going to kill each other.
Oh, you know, it was... I guess I was
sweating a little bit more than usual.
I kept playing and then
all of a sudden, I got really cold.
Everything went white.
I wasn't feeling any pain.
Could it be, this is the end?
Not too bad way to go.
Wham, chest pains kicked in.
I was at home when
I got the call.
I don't know
what I would have done.
Are you hungry?
Are they feeding you well?
Anu brought me some
chicken soup from the cafeteria.
Which was very good, because I got my first
meal, and what was it: Salmon.
- Oh, God.
- Oh, no.
I can't believe
they brought you salmon.
I'll talk to them.
- Okay.
- I already did.
Well, that's good.
I was looking for my...
my rope.
Have you seen it?
No.
You're awake too?
- I am now.
- Me too.
I need a cigarette.
Do you know what
you're gonna do?
Please, don't ask me that.
All rig ht.
I forgot, no one in this family
tells me anything.
He gets here tomorrow,
Yasmine, and I have no clue.
Why can't we talk like
normal people?
It's just like when
Mom and Dad got divorced.
No one told me what
was going on.
You think I wanted to know?
I wish no one had told me.
Come on, May.
Here we are, always saying
we're so close.
What do we actually
know about each other?
When were you actually gonna tell us
that you were fired and not laid off?
When are you
gonna tell us you're gay?
You know, I don't...
I don't need labels, okay?
I don't.
But if it makes you happier...
Then, yes.
I like women.
It took you years to tell us.
I know, but I just
need to do it at my own speed.
I couldn't do it just...
Okay.
Why were you fired?
'Cause I opened my...
'Cause I opened my big mouth.
And the agency lost a major
account because of me.
I have no idea what to do.
I haven't been
able to write in months.
May, you just need to take some
time off, man, I mean,
you're just, like, going non-stop.
Here.
- Sorry.
- That's okay.
I didn't mean
to, you know...
I'll be right back.
How am I gonna
tell Mom?
I have no idea.
- She's going to freak out.
- Well, I'm here.
I'm exhausted,
but I need to see you too.
Hi, you've reached Ziad.
Yeah, yeah,
okay.
I'm on my way.
Okay.
Whoa, patience,
I'm on my way, bye.
Dude, what
are you doing?
Mom left.
What do you mean, she left.
I don't know, she just... she...
snuck out.
Holy shit.
- Guys, wait up.
- What's she doing?
- Guys, just slow down.
- We need a taxi.
Take it easy,
guys, I'm in my slippers.
Taxi!
- Where is she?
- I don't see her.
- We lost her.
- Right there, she's right there.
Turn, turn, turn.
- Okay.
- Ow.
- You heard right?
- Positive.
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it.
I knew that Mom was a bad girl.
You should've seen
the lingerie I found in her drawer.
I don't wanna know about that.
Maybe she has a lover.
Maybe she
met someone at church.
What is she doing?
She just pulled in...
stop, stop, stop.
Stop, pull over.
Wait, wait, I'm scared.
Shh...
Okay, now, go.
Shh.
Let's go, come on.
- Oh, my God, oh, my God.
- Mom?
What are you doing here?
Okay.
- What are you doing here?
- What are you doing?
Did you follow me?
You're having
an affair with Mom?
Affair?
We were married first.
L-I wanted to tell you,
believe me.
And I think we
should talk about it now.
- There is nothing to tell.
- Wait, you knew about this?
What do you mean,
there's nothing to tell?
Anu called me crying.
Since when Anu calls you?
You're having
an affair with Dad?
Please lower your voice.
All right, I don't
think you should go right now.
- No, no, you have to rest...
- I think we should talk, girls, quiet,
- we need, stay, don't go.
- Edward, we will talk.
Where are my shoes?
After everything he
put you through?
- He put us through.
- I don't wanna talk about it.
No, Mom, you are not gonna
get off that easy.
Listen, I didn't plan it.
It just happened.
Mom, affairs don't just happen.
How long as this been
going on for?
- None of your business.
- None of our business?
We were there
to pick up the pieces.
So am I just supposed to stop
loving him like that?
I was married to
the man for 20 years.
You have no idea what
it means to...
just live with
someone for so long.
So you're getting
back together?
How can you
ever trust him again, Mom?
Who says I trust him.
- Then what are you doing?
- Besides being a hypocrite?
- Excuse me?
- A hypocrite, Mother.
Someone who pretends to be holy.
You're so holy you can't go
to your own daughter's wedding.
For your information,
I was planning to go.
Oh... oh, I'm so happy.
You've changed your mind.
Do you think I'm happy?
There's nothing
for me to live for.
There's nothin to do but sit
around and wait to die.
That is bullshit, Mom, do
not try to make us feel sorry for you.
Why are you so angry?
Have I ever stopped you
from marrying him?
You have been
trying to break us up.
You think I don't know what that
whole knot thing is about?
It's about your father!
I never planed on
missing your wedding, May.
Even if I don't approve.
You... you want me to believe you've been
planning to come this entire time?
Yes.
May-
Hi.
Everything okay?
I don't wanna go home.
Can we go somewhere?
Okay, let's go.
Wake up,
sleepy head.
Hello?
- Okay, Zidan, please.
- Where are we?
Uh, it's a surprise.
You okay?
- Yeah.
- You up?
Can you see
that one?
It's speaking to you.
What's it say?
I don't know,
I don't speak star.
Then what good are you?
My parents
are fucking.
Is that unusual?
They've been
divorced for eight years.
My dad's remarried.
Oh, shit.
What does it mean?
What does it mean!
This is where speaking star
would come in handy.
Maybe it means
they still love each other.
All those years of misery
for nothin.
Sometimes it
takes losing someone
to really know what they
mean to you.
Maybe if we worked harder,
we could actually hold onto something.
Yeah, sure.
Assuming that what
you have is right for you.
It's amazing how cold
it gets out here.
Come here.
Come on.
I'm sorry.
I... I can't.
I'm calling it off.
I know that makes you happy.
May.
. May?
I'm sorry.
Oh, Jesus.
Shh.
I know he loves you.
He always has.
There's nothing
I can do about it.
Nadine, I really need
him right now.
He needs me too.
. May?
I'm not hungry.
I'm fine.
I know it's not what you want to hear,
May, but it does make me happy.
He's a good
person and I like him.
But he's not right for you.
And it's not his religion.
I don't get you, Mom.
You act like you
don't know what it's like
when you ran off and married
an American.
I'm reminded
of it every single day.
If it weren't for you and
your sisters,
I would say it's
the worst mistake of my life.
Am I supposed to believe that when you're
having an affair with him?
You think I'm happy
the way my life turned out?
He and I should be traveling now,
seeing the world.
Instead, I'm sneaking
like a desperate teenager.
I have no idea what I'm doing.
It's like I'm scared to end up alone
for the rest of my life.
When I just
have to know that I will.
You don't have to, Mom.
People don't fall in love
at my age.
Yes, they do.
No, they don't.
Not here.
Don't you go thinking
that I am happy to see you in pain.
Since you were a baby...
every time you cried, I cried.
Especially you,
because you never cried.
I'm sorry you're sneaking around.
I gave the bastard
20 years of my life.
And now...
I'm the other woman.
You were the only woman, Mom.
He knows it.
Let me talk to him.
They released him
from the hospital.
Is he gonna stay with her?
I don't know.
It's all my fault.
No, May.
You did nothing wrong.
You'll be okay.
You know that, right?
Can I have some soup now?
AN
ET!
All right, don't rub it in.
Did I just win?
You've gotten so good.
It's not me.
How's your mother?
She misses you.
Did she say that?
She didn't have to.
Sure you don't wanna stay longer?
- No, I can't, I can't.
- All right.
What's gonna happen to you?
I don't know.
Everything-
. Everything.
I hope, what about you?
I'm gonna get my license.
I'm just gonna do it just to
make some extra cash
to figure out
what I really wanna do.
- Good.
- Yeah.
- Cool.
- You ready?
I can't believe you're staying,
this is so weird.
I know.
I'm never gonna
have sex ever again.
I'm excited to be living
with you.
You should be.
You should all come
and live with me.
Yes, Oh... thank you.
You know I hate good-byes.
I know, it's okay.
Okay, let's go.
Yeah, I
don't want you to be late.
You got your passport?
You got your Buddha?
I got my Buddha.
Thank you.
- Love you.
- Love you more.
Bye.
- Fly safe.
- Don't forget about me.
- Text us from Baltimore.
- OK.
Love you.
Love you, too, bye.
Not for a few more days.
Yeah, Mom.
I'll be right up.