House of Sand and Fog

Lester has Behrani park his car in the tax office’s lot. He’s especially anxious since the tax office is right next to the Hall of Justice, where he fears he might be recognized. Lester orders Behrani to proceed while he waits with Esmail in the car, but the colonel refuses, and Lester has no choice but to escort them to the tax office himself.

As they walk to the office’s doors, a police officer who Lester trained recognizes him and stops the deputy to talk. The young officer doesn’t say anything about Lester’s situation, and the three continue toward the tax office. Lester jams his fingers into Behrani’s back, hoping to intimidate him. Behrani seems unmoved, and Lester realizes he is drawing outside attention.

Suddenly, Esmail grabs Lester’s gun from his belt, and Behrani twists one of the deputy’s arms behind his back. Passersby take notice and yell for the police. Although the gun is unloaded, Lester decides not to tell Esmail so that the Behranis won’t recognize his bluff. Behrani says something to his son in Farsi, and Lester breaks free just as two police officers arrive and order Esmail to drop the gun. Esmail turns to the policemen, who see him holding Lester’s weapon and shoot the boy two times.