Cruel Love (2026) Movie Script

()
(TRAFFIC RUNNING)
()
JULIA:
Hey, Patrice.
Yeah, can you call him and tell him
I'm gonna be about 20 minutes
late? I had to stop by the bank.
Yes. Thank you, dear. Bye.
Hey! Hey! Help! Somebody, help!
- You okay?
- He stole my purse!
Hey! Stop! Stop!
Stop!
You, stop! Hey!
Stop!
IVAN:
Stop!
(PANTS)
Hey, stop!
(PANTS)
Hey! Hey! Stop!
(THIEF GROANS)
THIEF 1:
Come on! Grab him!
(THIEF GRUNTS)
(IVAN GROANS)
THIEF 2:
Hey! Give me the bag!
- THIEF 3: Get it.
- THIEF 2: Hey!
[THIEVES CLAMORING, GRUNTING]
(THIEF GROANING)
Oh, my God.
Stop! Get away from him!
Let's get outta here! Hurry up!
I'm calling the police!
Hello?
Yes. A man has
(GROANS)
a man has been mugged.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God, I'm so sorry.
(GROANS)
Hurry up. He's bleeding badly.
I'm at the corner of Wilson and Fairfax,
the northeast garage.
Yeah, he's breathing.
He's just
(WHIMPERS)
Oh, my God. I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Keep breathing. Keep breathing.
(SIREN WAILING)
()
(BEEPING)
(GROANS)
No.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hi.
I'm the one who called 9-1-1.
Um, has he woken up at all?
Oh. He's muttering
in a foreign language.
Maybe Russian.
We couldn't find any ID.
Do you know who he is?
I really don't. I feel horrible.
He was just trying to get my purse back.
They were brutal.
NURSE:
I mean, he's pretty beat up.
He has a few broken ribs
and they collapsed his lung.
Wow.
What does that take to heal?
Maybe eight to ten.
- Hours?
- Days.
(WOMAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY OVER PA)
A collapsed lung is no joke.
It's gonna take quite a time to heal.
Well, you know, let me give you my
my business card.
I wanna take care
of all of his medical bills.
I just wanna do anything I can to help.
I'll be back to check on him,
but, uh, you know,
just call me if anything changes.
Just have him call me
when he wakes up. Thanks.
(SIGHS)
(FOOTSTEPS)
PATRICE:
Oh, my God. Julia. Are you okay?
I can't believe you got mugged
right outside the building.
JULIA:
I'm fine, really.
It all happened so fast.
PATRICE: Well, I have something
that will make you feel better.
The article is up!
(SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE)
(SQUEALS)
Oh, that picture.
It makes me look like...
A smart, professional
businesswoman who's filled
with an underlying
smoldering sexuality.
Is that how you see me?
Well, clearly, that's how
Journey L.A. sees you.
You've just become one of L.A.'s
most eligible bachelorettes.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
Jake will want a signed,
framed copy above his bed.
(CHUCKLES)
I've seen the way he looks at you.
Jake is great.
He's really good looking, too,
but I just...
I see him more as a friend.
Well, speaking of Jake,
weren't you supposed to meet him
for drinks today?
Oh, I am so late.
()
(THIEVES GRUNTING)
(GROANS)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Julia, are you okay?
Jake, I'm sorry.
What were you saying?
Well, I wanted to tell you that, uh
(PHONE RINGS)
Oh. I... I gotta get this.
Hold on. Sorry.
Hello?
Yeah, this is Julia Thomas.
He is? Oh, that's great news.
Yeah! Yeah, of course.
Yes, I'll come right down.
- That's incredible.
- What's incredible?
The guy who chased down my mugger,
he's finally awake and he wants to see me.
I gotta go see this guy.
I... I thought he was gonna die.
Yeah. Well, hey,
that's good news.
- Yeah, you should go.
- Yeah.
We can do drinks again soon,
right? Let me get the bill.
No. Hey, I got it.
- You sure?
- Yeah, I'm sure.
Thank you, Jake.
(KISSES)
Okay.
()
(PULSE MONITOR BEEPING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(DOOR OPENS)
JULIA:
Hi.
Do you remember me?
- Uh...
- Um, purse?
Uh, you are purse lady?
- Yes.
- IVAN: Yeah.
I brought you some flowers.
- Oh.
- I'm Julia Thomas.
- Oh.
- Hi.
- (CHUCKLES)
- I Ivan Petrov.
It's so nice to meet you.
Thank you so much for what you did.
Oh.
I'm so sorry for what they did to you.
I'm gonna pay for all the medical bills.
Oh, no, no worry. It's okay.
Do you have any family I can call?
I... I'm about to go
back to home, to Ukraine,
but the reason I call is,
do you know where my bag is?
The thieves took it?
No.
No, no, no, no, no. Can't be.
Uh, ticket, money, passport,
everything gone.
I need to go back to Ukraine.
I'm gonna buy you
a new airplane ticket,
and I'll even help you
get a new passport from the embassy.
You would do that?
Yeah, it's the least I can do.
Oh.
(WOMAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY OVER PA)
Did they get your purse?
No, you didn't let them.
You're kind of a hero.
(IVAN CHUCKLES)
Good news.
CT didn't reveal any brain swelling
or a sign of hematoma,
but you need to take it easy
for three to five weeks
for your ribs and your collapsed lung
to fully heal.
And make sure your wife
keeps an eye on you.
Oh. Uh, I'm not his wife.
Oh, my apologies.
I... I need to go home,
back to Ukraine, fight the Russian.
I have no place to go.
I... What do I do?
I'm sorry.
But in your state,
we need to keep you under observation.
Well, I... I have a spare room
that you are welcome to use
as you recover.
What do you think?
I... I do not want to interrupt.
Well, you wouldn't be.
Not at all.
Please just let me do this.
It'll make me feel a lot better.
You sure?
Yes.
Very kind. Thank you.
(CHUCKLES)
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(MUMBLES INCOHERENTLY)
Ivan?
(GASPS)
Sorry. I think
you were having a bad dream.
(SIGHS)
I fell asleep.
Let's get you inside.
We're here.
(IVAN GROANS SOFTLY)
Come on in.
IVAN:
Oh. This is very nice.
(JULIA CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
You must be exhausted.
Oh.
Um, let's get you set up in the guestroom.
It's right up the stairs here.
(GRUNTS)
JULIA: The doctor said I
should change your bandage.
IVAN:
Yes.
- Okay?
- Okay.
(GROANS)
They really did a number on you.
(GROANS)
- Sorry.
- It's okay. It's okay.
(INHALES SHARPLY)
Okay. I'm gonna...
I'm gonna wrap it.
Yep.
- Yeah.
- Easy. Easy, easy.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
(GRUNTS, CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Yeah.
(INHALES SHARPLY)
- Sorry.
- No, it's okay.
()
- Better?
- (GROANS)
Thank you.
Let's get you into some clothes.
(GRUNTS)
Found it!
Forgot I had this bag of clothes.
- Oh.
- Eric had great taste.
See if I can find you something that fits.
Yes. Very nice.
Who... who Eric?
Eric is... was my husband.
He's no longer with us.
Oh, I sorry.
You... you're divorced?
No. He passed away
about six years ago.
I so sorry.
I do not want to intrude.
No, no, it's okay.
I just... I haven't had a chance
to get rid of the bag.
Oh.
Um, this should fit.
(GROANS)
Okay.
Thank you. Thank you.
(GROANS)
()
You like?
(CHUCKLES) Yeah.
Uh, you like the way they fit?
Yes.
Yeah, you... you clean up nice.
Thank you.
Yeah, um...
Oh, here, you can...
you can take them
and use them anytime.
Oh, thanks.
- Thank you.
- Okay, well... I... I go.
I got a big day tomorrow,
so I should get to bed.
Yeah. Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
- Yes.
()
(SCOFFS SOFTLY)
I'm gonna be mad.
I'm seeing modern farmhouse,
whitewashed ship lap,
galvanized steel, natural
and reclaimed wood.
Clean, uncluttered, light, airy,
with a soft touch.
Neutral white, off-white, gray,
and grayish pink colors
with pops of color throughout.
(SIREN WAILING IN BACKGROUND)
You got it?
Got it!
Great.
Aren't you worried?
No, not at all.
This room is gonna turn out beautiful.
No. I'm talking about the Ukrainian.
You really just left him by himself?
Yeah. I mean,
he was awake and alert.
- I think it's okay.
- No.
You don't even know this guy, Julia.
You invited a stranger into your home.
A stranger who got the crap
beat out of him trying to help me.
It was horrible.
Maybe he's faking his injuries.
(SIGHS)
I saw it with my own two eyes.
He was a human punching bag,
bleeding like crazy.
I can get a homeless guy
to beat me up for ten dollars.
People will do anything
for money in this town.
Maybe I shouldn't have left him alone.
But you can understand
why I trust him, right?
He's... he's got this genuine
kindness about him.
He's cute, isn't he?
Yeah. But that's not
why I'm helping him.
All right.
So, this is my favorite example.
- Mm-hmm.
- And I think I wanna add
a couple different shades of navy.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
()
(CAR DOOR SHUTS)
()
(DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR SHUTS)
It's beautiful.
(WATER RUNNING)
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
()
JULIA: Ivan, I brought
you a towel and a robe.
Yes. Put on the sink, please.
Okay.
I'm gonna make us some pasta
if you're hungry.
IVAN:
Thank you.
I'll be down soon, yes?
Okay. Ooh!
It's very good.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Why you not remarried,
Ms. Julia?
You look, beautiful, smart, successful.
Thank you.
Um, I guess I've just been
a little preoccupied.
Too busy to date, I guess.
What about you? You're married?
()
Oh, well...
Oh, wow. Is that your family?
They're beautiful.
Yeah. Was.
Was?
They die in war.
Oh, my God. I'm so sorry.
I was trying to get family out of Ukraine.
Made deal with a Russian soldier
to help escape to border.
They go buy car from cousin, drive home.
Too late.
Home, gone.
Just rubble. Wife, daughters.
Um, I'm so sorry. I... (BREATHES SHAKILY)
I know how painful it can be.
I still think about Eric every day.
Pain hurt so, so deep.
But life must go on.
Hmm.
(SIGHS)
IVAN:
Here is to life, new beginning,
and the ones we've lost.
(BOTH SPEAK RUSSIAN)
()
(SPEAKING RUSSIAN)
(DOOR OPENS)
Oh!
You're here early.
And still alive.
I take it your Ukrainian visitor
isn't a serial killer?
(CHUCKLES)
How was your weekend?
It was good. It's really good.
- You didn't?
- No! No, no.
We just hung out and talked.
- Mm-hmm.
- He's kind of amazing.
I don't know.
There's something about him.
He's got a lot of layers.
When I came home on Friday,
he was playing the piano
and he didn't know I was listening.
And he played with so much emotion,
and it almost made me cry.
Sounds like you like him.
No, not like that.
(CLICKS TONGUE)
Hmm. Okay.
()
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(CAR DOOR SHUTS)
Wait, wait, wait.
I have surprise.
Okay.
Give me hand.
Close your eyes.
Okay, follow me.
Don't peek.
Give bag. Okay.
Oh. Now, you can look.
Oh, wow.
Ivan, this is amazing!
Yeah. I hope you don't mind.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
I wanted to do something
special for everything you do.
I... I don't know what to say.
Sit, sit.
I hope you're hungry.
Yeah.
This is a very special dish from Ukraine.
- It smells amazing.
- Yes.
My mother taught me
when I was a kid. Lokshyna.
- Lokshyna.
- Yes, I want you to try.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Hmm. Very good.
I'm glad you like.
- I'm also cook.
- No kidding.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
Your mom should be proud.
Hmm.
I miss her very much.
Always reminds me of mother.
Well, thank you.
Thank you.
(GLASS CLINKS)
- (LAUGHS)
- (FIRE CRACKLES)
(CHUCKLES)
So, wait. You dance, too?
- Mm-hmm.
- I don't... I don't believe you.
In Ukraine, everybody dance.
Come on, look, it's very easy.
They go like
(CHUCKLES)
Come on, I'll show you.
I'll show you.
Come, come, come.
- No, no, no, I don't dance.
- Yes.
- I don't dance.
- Yep.
- I don't dance.
- You dance tonight.
- Okay.
- I teach you, huh?
(TOGETHER)
Heel, toe.
- Hop, hop, hop.
- (GIGGLES)
Heel, toe, hop, hop, hop!
(BOTH GRUNT, CHUCKLE)
(SMOOCHES)
(BOTH MOAN)
Come on.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
[PATRICE SQUEALS]
Seduced by a sexy, hot foreigner.
Awesome. A lot of women
fantasize about this.
Actually, it was more like I seduced him.
- What?
- I just kissed him.
I don't know what came over me.
It's called lust.
A normal human emotion.
You should try it more often.
(SIGHS)
Well, I just...
I feel like such a creep
because he's still
kind of mourning the loss of his family.
I don't know what I was thinking.
Julia, Eric was a long, long time ago.
I don't think he would want you
to be alone forever.
You deserve to find love again
even if it's only temporary.
Sometimes, it's best if it's temporary.
I'm probably gonna have to leave
early today, by the way.
Hot day sex planned?
It's very presumptuous.
- Huh?
- Yes.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
How do you get a house like this?
Eric and I developed properties together.
- Hmm.
- He would do the construction
and the financing, and I'd do the design,
mostly for celebrities.
Hmm. What, uh,
happened to Eric?
He got sick.
Pancreatic cancer.
Hmm.
By the time they found it,
it was too late.
I so sorry.
It's part of life, I guess, right?
It wasn't easy, though.
After he passed, I ended up
taking on managing
the construction side
of the business, too.
Just threw myself into work
to keep the company solvent.
Probably wasn't healthy,
but it helped me move on.
Julia, it's important
to work to live, not live to work.
(SMOOCHES)
Thank you.
Mm.
Enough about me.
Let's talk about you.
Did you have a job
before you were planning
- on leaving here?
- Yes.
I was mechanic in marina.
I, uh, fixed motor on boats.
Learned in Ukrainian Navy, yes.
Hmm. You sail?
Yes, I like. You like?
Oh, my goodness. I love it.
- Yes?
- I haven't been in so long.
You know, I love when you're on the ocean.
- Salt air.
- Yes, yes.
It's the best thing for the soul, right?
(IMITATES WIND WHOOSHING)
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
You're always giggly, giggly.
(BOTH LAUGH)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(PHONE RINGS)
(EXCLAIMS)
Hey, sis.
JULIA:
What's happening, Robert?
ROBERT: (OVER CELLPHONE) Uh,
well, I've got my hands full at the moment.
(BABY BABBLING)
Is that my sweet baby niece I hear?
Oh. (CHUCKLES)
Sweet is not the word
I would use at the moment.
It took me a half hour
to get her to fall asleep.
(EXCLAIMS)
So, are you coming
to the party on Saturday?
Jake's coming with some people
from the office.
He's always asking about you.
Are you gonna make it?
That's exactly why I'm calling.
- I cannot come.
- Come on, Julia.
You can't stay a nun forever, all right?
I know you really like him.
I can't.
Besides, I'm seeing someone.
What? Oh. Shh, shh. What?
You're seeing someone?
You're dating?
- It's incredible.
- Sort of.
ROBERT: (OVER CELLPHONE)
Sort of?
It's complicated.
ROBERT: (OVER CELLPHONE)
Complicated? Tell me more.
Okay. Um, his name's Ivan.
He's from Ukraine, from some town
that I cannot pronounce.
He's just a really good guy, you know?
He's sweet and very earnest.
Just really adorable.
You sound really smitten.
Well, bring him to the party on Saturday.
Monica and I have to meet him.
- What about Jake?
- Well, just don't make
googly eyes at Ivan in front of him.
You don't wanna torture the poor guy.
Right.
Sis, I'm really proud of you.
Getting back out there.
()
So, what do we do now?
His visa's already been overstayed, right?
HARRY:
Well, that's correct,
and the next logical step
would be for Ivan
to apply for a green card status.
But that's not easy.
As permanent person?
HARRY:
Permanent resident, yes.
Uh, you haven't committed
any crimes, you're employed,
and you have got a sponsor
here in the U.S., correct?
Yes, my brother.
But he moved to Paris now.
Well, then you'll need
a financial sponsor.
Well, I could do it.
- Uh, yes?
- Yeah.
Oh, baby.
HARRY: (ON LAPTOP)
Are you certain?
Uh, this is a binding contract.
Of course, I'm certain.
Oh.
ROBERT: Fine. To get started,
there's a lot of paperwork.
And I'll email you all the documents
and the list of things
that you have to do.
- Okay.
- Mm.
- Thank you.
- Thank you, Harry.
- (KISSES)
- (GIGGLES)
Thank you, baby.
Of course.
()
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Okay!
You've had that mushy look
on your face all morning.
You're thinking about him, aren't you?
I know this is probably
gonna sound crazy, but...
I think I'm falling in love.
You mean falling in lust?
Do you wanna see a picture?
- Hell, yes!
- Okay.
Whoa!
My, oh, my!
Now, I really want one.
(GIGGLES)
- This one is mine.
- Okay, hands off.
Yes.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Coming!
Hello?
What the hell are you doing here?
MEI LI:
Surprise, Pasha.
Get in! You cannot be here.
Come on.
Mei Li, you have to leave.
Please?
Mei Li?
Please. You're gonna screw
this whole thing up.
MEI LI:
She's at work, Ivan.
Please, Mei Li.
You cannot smoke in this house.
Baby. Baby.
I know you want me. I want you.
(MOANS)
(SMOOCHES)
(GROANS)
Shh.
(BOTH MOAN)
(SMOOCHES)
()
(ENGINE RUMBLES)
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(PHONE RINGING)
(JULIA GROANS)
This better be good, Simon.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
SIMON:
Unfortunately,
the new buyer's finances are dicey.
JULIA:
Dammit!
Why did the Eckman family have to move?
They were the best tenants.
SIMON:
Yeah.
Well, that should be sealed, Julia.
Are you sure you don't wanna
accept the offer?
(SCOFFS)
It's 600,000 below market.
No. I am holding out hope
for another tenant.
SIMON: Julia, the maintenance
costs are cleaning you out.
(SIGHS)
Simon, I don't wanna sell.
Keep trying, okay?
All right. I'll, uh...
I'll give you a buzz tomorrow.
Let you know what I find out.
(SIGHS)
Hey, baby, everything okay?
Oh, I need a hug.
Oh. All okay?
My other house is a nightmare.
Other house?
Yeah.
You'll see it at some point.
Hmm. Okay.
I need to get out of these work clothes.
Oh. Well,
let me help you with that.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
JULIA:
They're gonna love you.
- Hmm.
- You look great.
(KISSES)
(FOOTSTEPS)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- Hello!
- Hey!
Julia, it's so good to see you!
It's been a while.
I know, I've been busy.
That's what I hear.
- Monica.
- (MONICA CHUCKLES)
This is Ivan.
Ivan, this is my sister-in-law, Monica,
and this is my brother, Robert.
- Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet both of you.
And this, the most
important person in the room,
is my sweetest, bestest niece, Sarah.
- Very cute.
- (JULIA GIGGLES)
Hey, uh... - Jake?
- I was hoping you'd be here.
- Hi. Hi.
- Um... (CHUCKLES)
It's good to see you.
This is, uh, my friend, Ivan.
- Uh...
- Nice to meet you.
Do I detect a European accent?
- Yes.
- Ivan's from the Ukraine.
He's here on the U4U program.
I'm helping him stay in the country.
He lost a lot in the war.
Yes, sorry to hear that.
Uh, what town are you from?
I'm from Severodonetsk.
Oh. Not too far from Odesa, huh?
Yes.
You know, I've been to Ukraine.
It is... was a beautiful country.
It still is.
(CHUCKLES AWKWARDLY)
You've been there?
Yeah, my dad was in the CIA.
- Huh.
- My family took a lot of trips
to, uh, former Soviet countries
when I was a kid.
I didn't know your dad was in the CIA.
Neither did I, you know,
until he retired and told us all about it.
Afterward, I realized
he probably was doing
a lot of spying on those family trips,
taking more than just vacation photos.
(ALL CHUCKLE)
That's funny.
Well, how about I get everybody a drink?
- MONICA: Yes.
- Yeah.
- That'd be great.
- ROBERT: Okay.
- MONICA: Let's go.
- Yeah.
ROBERT:
Make yourself at home.
So, what's he like?
He's wonderful.
He's tender, and kind, and hot.
(CHUCKLES)
- Sounds dreamy.
- JULIA: Hmm.
- Are you sure that...
- What?
Are you sure that he's ready to date?
I mean, after just losing his family?
(JULIA SIGHS)
MONICA: Took you years after losing Eric.
I don't know.
But isn't he entitled
to a little happiness
after everything that's happened?
You mean, like you?
Yeah, like me.
Hmm.
But it's true.
I'm happier than I've been in a long time.
I can see why.
He's kind of sexy in, like,
a dark foreigner kind of way.
You sound like Patrice.
Patrice has met him?
No. And if I have my way,
she never will.
(LAUGHS)
Wow.
It's great, right?
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
It's... it's more than...
It's a dream. American dream.
I'm really proud of my brother.
He's done really well for himself.
It's a beautiful place.
Oh. You... you are beautiful.
(CHUCKLES)
- Cheers.
- (GLASS CLINKS)
So, uh, they're really together, huh?
ROBERT:
Yeah.
You know, it's taken Julia a long time
to get back on the dating scene.
But it seems to be going well.
Now, no offense,
but there's something off about him.
ROBERT:
Why do you say that?
Severodonetsk is nowhere near Odesa.
Maybe he's poor in geography.
(SCOFFS)
Hey.
Are you sure you're not just
a wee bit jealous?
- (CHUCKLES)
- Huh? I know that look.
Yeah, I know you know that look.
(CHUCKLES)
Of course, I'm jealous.
I care for her.
But that doesn't mean I'm wrong about him.
You're a good guy.
(GLASS CLINKS)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
JULIA: You said there was something wrong?
HARRY: (ON LAPTOP) The
visa extension has been denied.
What? Why?
The Ukrainian authorities say
that Ivan's passport number doesn't exist.
But you have that copy
of his original passport,
that photocopy, right?
I do.
But the Ukrainian government
has no record of it
in their system.
The computer is destroyed in bombing.
Record building blow up in Severodonetsk.
The record should have been kept
in a master system.
IVAN:
No passport.
Not in system yet.
I mean, war destroy everything!
HARRY: (ON LAPTOP)
It's possible, I suppose.
So, what do we do?
Well, I'll put in another request,
and I'll explain the situation.
And what if that request gets denied?
HARRY:
ICE will deport Ivan.
Or he can leave on his own volition,
but if he does, he cannot
come back for ten years.
Ten years?
What?
But... (BREATHES SHAKILY)
Well, what if he just stays?
HARRY:
If he stays, he'll be illegal,
undocumented, subject
to immediate deportation.
Okay.
Try again. Just try again.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Who is it?
IVAN:
Hey, babe.
- Wow.
- Mm-hmm.
Nice clothes. I missed you.
- Hmm.
- (SMACKS LIPS)
You look like Ukrainian gigolo.
Hmm, maybe I am.
So, it's very expensive
clothes, but you deserve it.
My bet is that you and her
will get engaged very soon.
(CHUCKLES)
- You seem certain.
- Yeah.
Because I know what woman want.
I know what she needs.
We're gonna get rich very quickly.
Hey, baby.
How much time do you think
we have until you have to get
to home to target our cash cow?
- Hmm.
- Hmm?
Plenty of time.
(CHUCKLES)
(PHONE DIAL RINGS)
(PHONE RINGING)
Harry here.
Hi.
Um, what if Ivan were to get married?
Would that keep him from being deported?
Well, it might.
Uh, but, uh, would you... Uh, I mean, you?
I think I'm falling in love with him.
I see, okay.
Yeah, I really am.
HARRY: (OVER CELLPHONE) Does
he feel the same way about you?
I don't know. I hope so.
I've seen a lot of people
do this, and, uh, it doesn't end well.
I mean, it's a big move.
So, please think about it, Julia.
JULIA: (OVER TELEPHONE)
Yeah, I will.
()
(ENGINE RUMBLES)
Wow.
(CAR DOORS SHUT)
Wow.
(CHUCKLES)
Amazing.
It's beautiful, right?
(IVAN SCOFFS)
Yeah.
After Eric and I got married,
we bought it with his parents
as an investment property.
We were hoping to use it as a venue
for extravagant weddings.
Obviously, that never happened.
I inherited the house and the mortgage,
which was difficult at first,
but then I was able to rent it out
to this avocado millionaire
who was willing
to take on the mortgage
and the maintenance,
and I was able to make
a little extra money each month.
Wow. This is very nice.
Yeah.
Let me show you my favorite part.
Okay.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(CHUCKLES)
Doesn't it feel like you're in Italy?
(WATER RUNNING)
Wow.
Now, I understand
why you like this so much.
(JULIA CHUCKLES)
Come on.
I know, right?
(CHUCKLES)
This is... This is what
sold me on the place.
IVAN:
Hmm.
When I grew up,
we had a lake and a dock near our home,
and we spent all of our summers there.
It was amazing.
So, that's why I fell in love.
Yeah, this is a big house.
Maybe you'll find a big family,
somebody to rent.
Good for wedding, too.
I agree.
I just wish I had more time
and energy to dedicate
to a wedding business.
Now, I've gotta find a renter
or I've gotta sell.
How do you say in America?
When there is will, there is way.
(CHUCKLES)
I just hope I find the way
before I go broke.
Hey, Ivan?
Yes?
JULIA:
Can I ask you something?
- We're doing it!
- (CHUCKLES)
We're getting married.
(CHUCKLES)
Well, congratulations!
IVAN:
Yes, yes.
Thank you, Harry.
I'm very happy.
(CHUCKLES) (KISSES)
Uh, listen. I'll draft up
the legal paperwork
and, uh, permanent
residency application, okay?
Yes. I... I also want to ask,
I think, uh, agreement needed
before marriage.
Agreement be...
Oh, you mean like a prenuptial agreement?
- Yes, yes, prenuptial.
- No.
- Yes.
- It's not necessary.
IVAN:
Please, baby.
Make me feel better.
I don't want money
in way of love. No.
You see why I want to marry this man?
Look at him. So sweet.
(SMOOCHES)
HARRY:
Well, as it turns out,
it's not uncommon
for immigration attorneys
to draw up prenups.
Uh, and it would be my honor
to draft one up
for your wedding gift.
- Thank you.
- Thank you, Harry.
Congratulations to you, both.
- Thank you, Harry!
- Bye, Harry.
Bye!
Bye!
Ah. Look at that, huh?
He sure as hell knows what he's doing.
()
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
This is the biggest scam
I've ever been involved in.
Those fool broke two of his ribs.
Two! They supposed to go easy.
Well, you wanted it authentic.
(SCOFFS)
So, uh, am I gonna be invited
to the wedding?
Do I have to go get something
new to wear or is this okay?
(CHUCKLES)
There's gonna be some real lawyers there.
- I doubt it.
- Oh, what a bummer.
(CHUCKLES)
You guys really think this will work?
I mean, she's not that stupid.
Don't worry.
Once you talk kids, it's all over.
That's her weakness.
You two have no scruples, huh?
This lady's not gonna even know
what hit her.
How long do you think
before we collect on the scam?
Patience, Harry.
We're going in deep.
The longer the wait,
the bigger the return.
Yes.
And I got your passports for you.
Well, these should do it.
Uh, to notarize an online
home equity loan application.
Almost too easy, huh?
I would say you can get
at least 1.3 million.
They were a little bit
more expensive than I expected,
but, uh, if we do 50-50,
then I'll take care of it,
and it'll be fine.
That's too much.
Fifty-fifty?
Come on. It's the price
of doing business.
I didn't expect it.
Whoa, whoa.
We agreed on a third each.
I know, I know.
But if we split the final take 50-50,
I'll take care of the incidental cost
like fake ID and such.
Okay, okay, Harry.
You're gonna get your 50.
Well, it looks pretty standard.
Yes.
It is important to me that you have this.
Here, I sign it.
You really didn't need to do this for me.
- You know that, right?
- Hmm.
I know. I want to.
Well
- that's it.
- (BOTH CHUCKLE)
We're getting married!
Can you believe it?
- Hmm.
- (CHUCKLES)
I love you, Julia.
I love you.
Hmm.
(SMOOCHES)
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
(SIGHS)
This is nice.
Yes.
(FIRE CRACKLES)
()
PASTOR JANE:
By the power vested in me by law
and the state of California,
I'm about to join in holy matrimony,
Ivan Petrov and Julia Thomas.
Isn't it unbelievable?
Very.
(SNIFFLES)
Oh, he's so sexy.
Agreed.
Oh, shit.
Did I say that out loud?
Shh.
If there is anyone who has cause
why these two should not be united
in holy matrimony, please speak now
or forever hold your peace.
And I now pronounce you husband and wife.
(CHUCKLES)
You may kiss the bride.
(APPLAUSE)
(SMOOCHES)
()
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(KISSES)
- So sweet.
- Oh, my gosh.
- Her dress.
- I know.
(CHUCKLES)
(BOTH SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
So cute.
You know, I hope she signed a prenup.
Oh, she did. And guess what?
It was his suggestion.
She didn't even want it.
Yeah, that's just too perfect.
Well, she's in love, Jake.
I haven't seen her this happy in forever.
It's a miracle. You know what?
It's time for you
to stop carrying that torch.
The world is filled
with available women. Hmm?
Yeah.
You know, she's too young for me.
Well, that's too bad
considering all the naughty things
- I've heard about her.
- (LAUGHS)
Think about it.
(SMACKS LIPS)
()
Hmm.
(CHUCKLES)
I cannot believe we're married.
(CHUCKLES)
It's incredible.
- Yeah.
- I don't deserve you.
Of course, you do.
Mm.
(CHUCKLES)
What do you think about this place?
- Oh, I love it.
- What would you think
if we were to move here for a little bit
just to see how we like it?
But your work?
I can design from here.
And L.A.'s only an hour away.
Besides, we might as well
get some use out of it
before we sell it.
Hmm.
If we sell it.
And who knows, maybe...
- Never mind.
- No, no, no, no.
We're married now.
You cannot hide things from me.
You were gonna say more, no?
Well, we both have had a lot
of tragedy in our lives,
and yours more recently than mine.
So, I didn't know how you felt
about, you know, maybe...
Starting family.
We haven't really talked about it, so...
Julia, I want to have children with you.
I thought you understood that.
- You do?
- Yes, of course.
(CHUCKLES)
This is a wonderful place
to have children.
I love you.
I love you.
(CHUCKLE SOFTLY)
(SMOOCHES)
()
Oh. Oh, I love this.
Hey, hey! Welcome back.
- (CHUCKLES)
- How do these look?
Oh.
Are those wedding photos I see?
Do show.
(PATRICE CHUCKLES)
Ooh! (CHUCKLES)
Oh, yeah. What do you think?
I think this photographer is amazing.
- Hmm.
- PATRICE: You look beautiful.
And he looks hot.
(GIGGLES)
How was the honeymoon?
It was magical, exhilarating.
All the things.
We went, uh, wine tasting,
we went sailing,
and then we got drunk off our butts.
Then we went horseback riding,
and, you know,
a few other things.
It was beautiful.
I knew you were hiding some deep kinks.
Giddy up, cowgirl!
Get your mind out of the gutter, Patrice!
(CHUCKLES)
But seriously, I'm glad
you had a good time.
We're moving there.
What? Moving where?
Temecula.
How can you afford that?
What about the office?
Well, I'm gonna commute in
a few days a week, and we can do
all our communicating over Zoom.
But I thought you had to sell
the place after your tenant moved.
Well, we ran the numbers,
and if I sell my house here,
it'll more than cover the cost
of Temecula.
And besides, we're thinking
of starting a family.
So, it'll be the perfect place
to raise kids.
Well, sounds like you got it
all planned out.
I'm happy for you.
I'll leave these for you.
()
Yeah, me, too.
()
Hello, love.
Hi. Is somebody here?
No.
Whose car is that?
- I buy.
- You bought this?
I didn't even know you had a license.
Mm. I took test. I got license.
Want to surprise you.
- Wait, how did you buy it?
- We're married.
I used your name. No problem.
You wanna go for a ride?
It's a good car.
No. You had to use
more than my name.
You had to use my social security number
in order to do a credit check.
Yeah, your credit, very good.
I show a marriage license,
they happy to sell me car.
You cannot do that.
You used my financial information.
That's like stealing my identity!
No, no, no, no. We're married.
- Oh, my God.
- I not steal.
- Oh.
- Guy say, mutual property state.
What is yours is mine
and what is mine is yours.
Who told you this?
The guy selling car.
He shouldn't have told you that.
- IVAN: Julia...
- (SIGHS)
Los Angeles full of cars
everywhere.
I just wanna be more like other Americans.
I'm sorry I disappoint you.
I'll take back. It's okay.
No, no, Ivan. It's done.
Just next time, please tell me
before you make a big purchase.
Buying a car is a big deal.
It's very expensive.
Looks like you got a good deal.
Yeah, I... How do you
say? I haggle very hard.
Come, let's go for a ride.
(CHUCKLES)
Come on. (CHUCKLES)
Look, it's... (EXHALES SHARPLY, CHUCKLES)
It's beautiful.
It's beautiful.
(JULIA SIGHS)
(DOOR OPENS)
Macchiato. Extra whipped cream.
What's up? I haven't seen you
this subdued in weeks.
Yeah.
Sorry, it's just Ivan bought a car.
- A Beamer.
- Okay, (CHUCKLES)
So, he's a normal man. Nice car.
Yeah. Except he did it
without saying a word to me.
Don't you think that's odd?
A bit presumptuous for sure.
How'd he pay for it?
Credit.
Using my financial information.
- What?
- Yeah.
That's pretty messed up.
But you two are married now, so...
And that's what he said.
Well, he learns quick.
- (JULIA SIGHS)
- Are you pissed?
It's not necessarily
that I'm pissed, I'm just surprised.
I don't understand
why he would have done that.
Well, maybe he's tired of taking the bus.
Riding with the whinos
and schizos gets old real fast.
The BO alone is enough to make you gag.
- Fair enough.
- Mm-hmm.
(VACUUM CLEANER WHIRRING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER ON TV)
Babe, no, please.
Babe, baby, please. Babe, stop.
(SPEAKS RUSSIAN)
(GROANS, SIGHS)
- Sorry.
- Baby, you should not do that.
What?
I said you should not have to do that.
You work hard.
You should get housekeeper.
(SCOFFS) Right.
No, I'm serious.
You own business, always busy, so busy.
I don't think my mom would approve.
She said a woman should always
take care of her own house.
Oh, I know person.
Friend's wife.
She's looking for work.
She need... she needs job.
She have any experience with housekeeping?
Yeah, she housekeeper.
Baby, baby, baby, sit down, sit down.
Good game, baby.
(CHUCKLES)
Oh, my gosh.
- Come on.
- So, now, I watch soccer.
- Football, baby!
- Oh, I'm sorry.
Oh, you Americans! Oh! Goal!
(EXCLAIMS)
(VACUUM CLEANER WHIRRING)
She's very efficient.
I thought you said she was Ukrainian.
Mm, yes.
She and Demitri got married.
She actually Mongolian.
Lots of Chinese in Ukraine.
And she and Demitri both work
and send money
back to family in Kyiv.
Hmm.
She also great cook.
Why didn't you say so in the first place?
Less cooking for me.
(CHUCKLES)
- Wow.
- Oh.
(EXCLAIMS)
This was the best Chinese food
I've ever had.
Thank you.
Recipe from where I come, Mongolia.
My husband, Demitri, love it.
We had a restaurant in Kyiv, best Chinese.
Then the war, you know?
Oh, I also can cook spaghetti fish.
Thank you for letting me serve you.
Oh, no, thank you.
I know we said,
"Only come one day a week,"
but how would you feel about coming Monday
through Friday?
Yes. I would love to come every day.
Wonderful!
(MEI LI CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Thank you, madam.
No, no, no, call me Julia.
As you wish, Julia.
Uh, you like dessert?
I bring dessert for you.
JULIA: Sure. (SPEAKS RUSSIAN)
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
She's very sweet.
I told you, yes. Very nice.
(CHUCKLES)
()
(WATER SPLASHES)
(GROANS SOFTLY)
Please enjoy yourself.
- Oh, thank you.
- You're welcome.
Would you like to go swimming?
I have an extra suit.
Oh, I used to, but my leg.
No, thank you.
I have so much to do.
Okay.
Oh, will you get me one of those drinks?
- Yes.
- Ah!
Hello.
Hello, my love.
Let's get some sunscreen
on you before you burn.
Yes.
Thank you.
(GROANS)
- So nice.
- (KISSES)
Oh, I owe you for a massage.
()
- (PHONE RINGS)
- (EXHALES SHARPLY)
- Hey, Jake.
- Hey, bud!
How you doing? You busy?
Ah. Well, she's been crying
for an hour,
and I'm realizing a man needs patience
when raising a child.
And as a workaholic lawyer,
I have no patience.
So, please, please interrupt.
How's New York?
Oh, yeah, New York is great.
I'm doing great, man.
Hey, look. Uh, it's about Julia.
My dad did a deep
background check into Ivan.
(SIGHS)
That's not cool, Jake.
JAKE:
Yes, I know.
But, you know, he did not find anything.
Well, see, there you go.
Worrying about nothing.
No.
See, nothing is the problem.
There should be something
somewhere about Ivan
somewhere in the State Department.
Well, actually, Julia did say
there was a problem with Ivan's records.
They were burnt in a fire
after a Russian missile attack.
Oh, come on!
There'd be a digital record somewhere.
No one really relies on paper anymore.
Well, she also said
there was a spelling mistake
in the Ukrainian computer system
that might have caused the problems.
Yeah, sure there was.
You know, the guy's a phony,
and I know it.
It's a strong accusation to make, Jake.
I mean, come on.
Lack of proof isn't proof.
Yeah, yeah.
Just tell her what I told you.
Okay, I will.
I can't right now.
Uh, she's in Temecula anyway.
Okay, let's do this.
Baby, I love this.
I'm sure you do.
Take a deep breath.
Just make it fast.
I will. Relax, okay?
- (IRON HISS)
- (SCREAMS)
God!
(GROANS)
Okay, Pasha. It's all right.
(PHONE RINGING)
Hello?
Yes, this is she.
No, I did not apply for new credit cards.
Yes, he is my husband.
TIMO:
Now, after your consultation
with my assistant, I understand
you are seeking a divorce.
Uh, yes.
And you are not a U. S. Citizen,
correct?
No, I'm from Ukraine.
My wife, she... she American.
Wife, okay.
So, what... what is her name?
Uh, Julia Thomas.
Julia.
So, tell me, what are the,
uh... the grounds for the divorce?
Um, my wife,
I... I love her very much.
She, um... she violent.
Violent?
Yes. She, uh...
she hit me with things.
What sort of things?
Um, belt, fist, shoe.
Here, she, uh... she got mad,
put hot iron.
Good Lord.
- How often does this happen?
- Yeah.
When she gets drunk, she become monster.
I love her very much,
but she mean and cruel.
And she drinks.
Do you fight back?
No. Uh, I'm man, she woman.
- (SCOFFS) That is wrong.
- Yes, it is wrong.
Spousal abuse is wrong
no matter what partner it comes from.
Do you mind if I document this?
Sure.
This happens too often.
- Oh.
- Immigrants seeking sponsorship
from a spouse only become trapped
and subject to abuse.
This is where VAWA can protect you.
VAWA?
It stands for Violence Against Women Act.
It was created to help protect
immigrants from abuse
from their husbands,
but it also applies to men
also suffering from spousal abuse.
Let me ask you, have you
applied for a green card?
Yes, but take very long time.
Yeah. VAWA can help
speed up the process.
Uh, she my sponsor.
She threatened to report me to ICE.
Mm-mm. You'll be protected.
Under this law, the immigration department
cannot speak to or contact the abuser.
So, your wife will have no idea
that you filed.
Oh.
TIMO:
Now, in these types of cases,
I usually go through
an immigration attorney.
Do you have one?
- Yes.
- Great, great.
()
(DOOR OPENS, SHUTS)
Hello, love.
How was English class?
Oh, good. I learned much.
Don't you think my accent getting better?
I learned many new words.
Great.
Then maybe you can use them
to tell me about these.
You applied for three new credit cards.
Why would you do that?
I learned I need to build my own credit.
Why? Don't you have
everything you need here?
Julia, please calm down.
Calm down?
You used my financial information again
without talking to me.
Our financial information.
We are married, remember?
I work hard for my money, Ivan.
You think taking care of property easy?
No. In Ukraine,
I am transport director
of architecture company.
Here, I am gardener of our home.
I mow grass, cut trees, fix plumbing.
You can find another job.
- I'll help you.
- I've been looking.
That's why I want English to be better,
'cause Americans
all think foreigners are fools.
I am no fool.
Okay.
So, just tell me about these.
Why did you apply for so many?
Because everything in your name.
I have no credit.
In America, you need credit.
What if... "What if" what?
What if you don't love me
anymore and you don't want
to be with me anymore?
I signed prenup.
I have nothing.
And I will be alone again.
That's not gonna happen. Okay?
I... I sorry.
Hello.
(CLEARS THROAT, SIGHS)
You got this.
Hello.
Hello. I'm Julia Thomas.
It's great.
It's a great fake ID. It's good.
I look nothing like Julia Thomas.
I'm Mei Li. I...
Baby, Benjamin Franklin says you do.
Benjamin Franklin says I am Julia Thomas.
Yes, I am Julia Thomas,
a rich, successful woman.
And this is my subservient,
Ukrainian, sexy.
(CHUCKLE SOFTLY)
You are becoming far too American, Mei Li.
But you do love American woman...
- Hmm.
- do you not, Pasha?
- (SMACKS LIPS)
- I love you.
(SMOOCHES)
Let's go.
(RAIN SPLATTERS)
(CAR DOOR SHUTS)
Babe, here.
So, uh, Julia Thomas?
Yes.
And Ivan Petrov?
Yes.
- All right, then.
- (CLEARS THROAT)
Home equity. 1.3 mil.
This looks about right here.
I'm gonna need your signatures on this.
Mm-hmm.
(SCRIBBLES)
NOTAR:
All right, then.
You guys, um, buying a new house?
(CHUCKLES)
I flip homes. I'm a contractor.
Oh.
I hear that's a real good business.
It's a lot of money in that business, huh?
You know that old saying, in God we trust,
the rest pay cash.
How do you pay?
(CHUCKLES)
We pay cash.
Okay.
This looks like it's just fine.
Okay, then. Here you go.
And if I can be of any more
assistance, remember
I am an insurance broker.
- Insurance?
- Life insurance.
Great. Well, I gotta get
to my next meeting.
Thank you for stopping by.
I'll see you next week.
(GRUNTS SOFTLY)
- Jake! Hey!
- Hey.
Come on in.
What are you doing here?
Oh. You know, I had
some clients in the area.
I thought I'd stop by
to say, "Hi."
Hi. Hi. (CHUCKLES)
Oh. So, this is where
the magic happens, huh?
Yes, it is.
I've been so busy.
My clients, who I cannot name,
want to move into their place
in April, and we're a little bit behind.
Yeah.
I'm sure they'll be pleased.
You are an amazing woman.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Well, why don't you, uh, take a seat?
Okay.
So
what does Ivan think of all this?
Is that why you came by,
to talk about Ivan?
Oh. No, no, look.
I'm just honestly concerned.
Robert told me that Ivan
was having some issues
with immigration.
I thought I'd stop by
to see if I could help.
Really?
You're an environmental lawyer,
not a immigration lawyer.
You know, my dad
pulled a few strings to see
if he could help out
with Ivan's situation,
but he couldn't find anything.
Ivan was a blank slate, very unusual.
Well, it's 'cause his records
were ruined in the war.
That's been settled.
Has it?
They were able to recover
his passport information, so...
Yeah. But there'd be other
records, uh, employment,
education, birth.
Like, nothing seems to exist.
What are you trying to do here, Jake?
- Help or hinder?
- No, I'm just...
I want you to really see
who this person is,
- if he's really...
- Really what?
Have you noticed
any strange behavior from Ivan?
Something involving money?
(SCOFFS)
What the hell, Jake?
Ivan and I are married.
He is my husband.
You and I had a little thing,
and that's it.
And you really need to just move on.
Move on like you finally did
after Eric died, and now, you're married
to some foreign guy you don't even know.
I can't believe you'd do
something this reckless.
- You need to leave.
- Oh, oh, I'm sorry... Now.
Please leave.
()
([MEI LI HUMMING, SINGING)
(IVAN GROANING)
(LIGHTER CLICKS)
All right, let's do this.
You're certain it's gonna hurt?
I know you're gonna enjoy it.
Mm. Very much.
Mm-hmm. Right here.
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
Okay. Ready?
Mm-hmm.
All right.
(GROANS)
Shh. Okay.
(GASPS)
Oh. Poor Pasha.
(GROANS SOFTLY)
Okay, one more.
Okay.
(KEYS CLATTERS)
(FOOTSTEPS REACHING)
Hey, are you two okay?
Jake seemed pretty upset when he left.
Yeah. He...
he's just jealous of Ivan.
He was saying
some really upsetting things.
They ticked me off.
Well, you received a call
while Mr. Jealous
was swooning over you.
It's from a Miles Ortiz
at Equity Credit Union.
What?
Thank you.
()
(JULIA SIGHS)
Hello, Mr. Ortiz.
This is Julia Thomas calling you back.
Let me guess, you're calling
to confirm another credit card.
What? A business loan?
For how much?
()
- (CLICKS PICTURE)
- This is out of hand.
Cigarette burns, hot iron.
You need to file assault charges.
The state of California
takes domestic violence
very seriously.
IVAN:
Who will believe me?
I... She will say I did it to myself.
Do you have any witnesses of her abuse?
Not just physical, but also verbal?
No. She never abused
when people around.
She's clever.
Do you have recordings,
camera, audio, anything?
Uh, no.
Well, I think I should file
the order anyway.
Oh, no, not yet.
What if you become
seriously hurt next time?
I be careful.
Do you know how many clients
I've had say those exact words
just to end up in the hospital?
Uh, I be very careful.
Look. If she assaults you,
I need you to call the police.
Okay.
We have to get these incidences
documented by the authorities.
Can I not just get restrain order?
(SIGHS)
Yeah, you could.
But without a police report
of an actual assault...
(SIGHS)
you both have the right to live there.
Look, just be careful, okay?
And don't be ashamed.
This is
more common than you would think.
()
(ENGINE RUMBLES)
(DOOR SHUTS)
Ivan?
Ivan!
()
Ivan! I just got off the phone
with the bank.
We need to talk!
Oh. What the hell?
Ivan!
What
what is this?
What happened?
(SOBS)
What happened? You happened.
What?
(SOBS)
You attacked me for no reason.
What?
You were filled with rage.
You pushed me.
You started yelling
you don't want me anymore.
You don't wanna see me again.
What are you talking about?
(SNIFFLES)
You hit me in the face.
Why are you so crazy?
Why don't you love me anymore?
Baby, please.
You've gone crazy.
- What are you doing?
- Why did you hit me?
Stop. Stop.
Let go. I'm calling the police.
No, no.
All I want to do is help.
And you made me fall in love with you.
JULIA:
What is wrong with you?
Now, we're married.
And you don't want me anymore.
I'm not good enough for this.
(SOBS)
I love you.
- Ivan, stop.
- No, I love you.
Please stop. Ivan.
IVAN:
I love you!
- JULIA: Please.
- (SOBS)
- Ivan.
- Julia, I love you.
Ivan. Ivan! Ivan, no.
No.
Get away from me!
(SCREAMS)
(SHRIEKS)
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
Ah! You!
(SCREAMS, GROANS)
Sir? You okay, sir?
You, stay away.
How can you hurt him like that?
You crazy woman.
(GROANS)
My arm.
Thank God. See, he's alive.
Call! Call ambulance, please.
Call ambulance.
Go, call ambulance.
I call 9-1-1.
(GROANS)
Hello, yes. Somebody get hurt.
JULIA: (OVER CELLPHONE)
Get away from me!
(IVAN GROANING)
MEI LI: (OVER CELLPHONE)
You, stay away.
How can you hurt him like that?
You crazy woman!
Thank you.
Sorry, ma'am. But I'm gonna
have to ask you to come with us.
What? Why?
I didn't do anything.
- OFFICER MARSHAL: Ma'am...
- This is a setup.
Please stand up.
Hands behind your back.
Ma'am, let's make this easy.
(SIGHS)
()
- (EXHALES)
- (HANDCUFFS CLATTER)
()
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(SOBS)
(SOBBING CONTINUES)
Hey.
Thank God you're here.
I don't understand what's happening.
Ivan went crazy.
Okay, here's the situation.
You've been arrested for assault
for pushing him down the stairs.
That much I understand,
but they won't tell me anything.
Like, is he okay?
Well, he's got a broken arm
and some contusions.
But other than that, nothing too serious.
Well, this was an accident, Robert.
I came home
and he was acting so strangely.
He was covered in blood.
And... and... and I don't know
what it was.
He... he was telling me
that I didn't love him.
That I... that I was out
to get him.
- It was self-defence.
- Well, he claims
that you've been abusing him
ever since you got married.
- That's insane.
- Well, apparently,
he's hired a divorce attorney
and he's been documenting signs
of spousal abuse
for... for a while now.
I mean, this sounds so crazy to me, sis.
(JULIA SIGHS)
ROBERT:
Have you been abusing Ivan?
Are you kidding?
This is me we're talking about.
When have I ever been violent?
They have video of you
pushing him down the stairs.
It was self-defence!
He was grabbing onto my wrist,
and it hurt.
All I did was pull away.
I didn't even push him.
He just fell back.
I can't believe
you would even ask me this.
Listen, I'm sorry.
I have to ask.
I just wanna go home.
Yeah, about that. You can't.
Why?
Once your bail posts,
you have to come stay with me.
Ivan filed
a restraining order against you,
so he's gonna be staying at your place,
recovering from his injuries.
But listen,
I've got a great attorney
who's willing to help us.
He was my college professor.
We go way back.
The best attorney there is.
I can't believe this is happening.
I can't believe this is happening.
I know, I know.
I'm gonna take care of it,
okay? Hey.
I'm gonna get you out of here.
Just give me a little time.
(CROWD CHEERING ON TV)
Yes! Here we go.
(IVAN CHUCKLING)
Come here. You look great.
Aw, come on.
I wanna watch a romantic movie.
Mm. What do you wanna watch?
I want to watch, uh...
Do you know the movie "Untouchable"?
"Untouchable"?
- Yes.
- Mm.
You know Robert De Niro in it?
He use bat, beat man to death.
0(IMITATES BAT THUDDING)
- (CHUCKLES)
- Really, my love.
- Hmm. Come on, baby.
Let's watch something (SMOOCHES)
- Else.
- My little... I love you.
Mm.
Let's make love.
- Mm.
- Gentle.
- Gentle.
- (SMOOCHES)
Mm.
(MEI LI SMOOCHES)
(IVAN MOANS)
()
LINCOLN:
So, your housekeeper, Mei Li,
says that she witnessed you
constantly berating Ivan.
(INDISTINCT CHAT OVER CELLPHONE)
LINCOLN:
And cursing at him.
But she did not see any
physical violence
until the stairs incident.
JULIA: (OVER CELLPHONE)
Get away from me!
(IVAN SCREAMING, GRUNTING)
Now, that... that video
is pretty incriminating.
It's a setup.
She shouldn't have even
been there. It was late.
She said you asked her to stay later.
It's BS. She's lying.
I wouldn't even hurt a fly.
Hmm. She's obviously partnered with Ivan,
so we have no real way
of knowing who she is.
And from what Jake says,
we're uncertain
about Ivan's true identity.
I got Ivan a lawyer to help
with his immigration status.
Um, there were some problems at first,
but they were able to verify his passport.
His passport? Anything else?
Uh, Jake's father
has connections at the CIA.
They looked into it,
and they weren't able to find
any other records.
He says his State Department contacts
are first class.
Let me look into this.
I'm gonna consult with VOIF
and see if they have any ideas.
VOIF?
Victims of Immigration Fraud.
They're an advocacy group that helps
with immigration scams.
Happens a lot more often than you think.
I mean, it's a beautiful scam
when it works right.
People meet someone
in a foreign country or online,
comes and visit them, outstays their visa.
Now, they can't leave, 'cause if they do,
they can't reenter the country
for ten years.
Now, by this time, the mark
is emotionally attached,
be a friend or a lover,
and they'll do anything
to help them, including marriage.
Now, this is where the abuse
accusations kick into play.
They use the Violence Against Women's Act
to remain protected without a sponsor,
meaning they don't need you anymore.
They've got the law on their side.
And now, they can stay,
get their green card,
get their citizenship.
I was so stupid.
How do I get him out of my house?
It's gonna take time, Julia.
We need solid evidence
of criminal activity
to prove he's a fraud.
What kind of evidence?
Like proof he's not who he says he is.
So, where's the prenup?
There's gotta be something in there,
maybe a loophole or something.
Here. Here's the file.
Where are the signatures?
What do you mean?
We both signed it. I swear.
He must have switched them.
(SIGHS)
Well, without it,
he'd get half of everything.
You married a con artist, sis.
He planned this the whole time.
- So, what do I do?
- Prove he's a fraudster.
Yeah. If you can show
he's lying about his identity,
then the marriage is null and void.
So, it was all fake.
The purse snatch, Harry,
Mei Li, they were all in on it.
Yeah, they have to be.
They targeted you.
How?
Journey L.A.
You were profiled in the magazine,
one of the city's trendsetters.
Yeah. Yeah, that has to be it.
He read the magazine.
- ROBERT: I wonder if...
- JAKE: Yeah. If
he approached anyone else before Julia.
If he did, we could show
a... a pattern of fraud.
I'm gonna go talk to Lincoln.
Okay.
I... You know, I know
that I signed that prenup.
I know that I did. So...
And I know that he did.
So, it has to be here somewhere.
JAKE:
Hey, hey, it's okay.
- We'll get him.
- No.
- JAKE: We'll get him.
- (BREATHES SHAKILY)
This isn't happening.
This isn't happening.
- Hey, hey.
- This isn't happening.
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
(SOBS)
I feel like I can't breathe.
- It's okay.
- I can't breathe.
- You got this.
- Oh, my God.
We'll get him, okay?
(STEPS REACHING)
You might as well give it up.
- What?
- Pretending to work.
It's not happening.
I have to try.
I have nowhere to go.
I sold my house.
I'm living with my brother.
I'm being charged with domestic assault.
And Ivan has taken out loans
to the... the tune
of over a million dollars.
(SIGHS)
I should have seen the signs.
Can't you get the marriage annulled?
In order to get the marriage annulled,
I have to prove that he married me
under false pretenses.
Well, obviously, he did.
But I have to be able to prove it,
and he has the law on his side right now.
Yeah, that's twisted.
I know what I would do.
What?
Buy a gun.
I got friends in low places.
3-D printed. Untraceable.
All you gotta do is lure Ivan
to a dark alley,
double tap the back of his skull.
Bang, bang! Problem solved.
Who are you?
Growing up on the wrong side
of the tracks has its advantages.
Think about it.
(SIGHS)
(HUMMING)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Okay, okay!
Hold your horses.
I'll be right there.
(KNOCKING CONTINUES)
Who is it?
Mei Li. Open the door.
What took you so long?
Huh, what is this?
American tourist look?
Hey.
I'm going to the Philippines!
Where's the money?
The money is right here...
Never cheat a cheater.
(GUNSHOT)
Over a million dollars in loans,
and every sheet co-signed by you.
That guy's got some big balls,
that's for sure.
Obviously, I didn't sign anything.
I had the bank manager send over the docs,
and the loan manager said
that Ivan was accompanied
by a woman who presented
an I.D. with your name.
It had to have been Mei Li.
Unfortunately, the banks won't give me
the security camera footage
without a court order.
Can we get a court order?
Well, the problem
is that the police are siding with Ivan
at the moment.
They view you as the offender.
He can't just get away with this.
This is a nightmare.
Can't get worse, Julia.
I got a call from Ivan's lawyer today.
In addition to suing you for 50 percent
of your estate in the divorce,
Ivan is suing you for abuse
to the tune of ten million dollars.
That's absurd. I... I don't
have ten million dollars.
I can barely pay the property tax
and the upkeep on my estate.
He's... he's actually
gonna ruin me.
I spoke with my contact at the VOIF.
They know when
something's a forgery or not.
The problem is they need
to have a document
in their possession.
And we don't have time
to sue Ivan for his passport.
It could take months.
And that's if he doesn't decide
to flee the country.
Shit. So, he could just
run off with my money.
How do we get the passport?
Julia, as your lawyer,
I can only make lawful suggestions to you.
Like, I can't suggest that you, uh,
do a search when he's not at home.
I can't make that suggestion legally.
However, if you were somehow
able to get a hold
of his passport,
and if it did prove to be fraudulent,
your marriage could be easily annulled,
and Ivan could be arrested for his crime.
I understand.
()
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
I can't believe I'm staking out
my own house.
Thank you so much for doing this with me.
I... I really didn't wanna do it
by myself.
Yeah, I get it.
The guy's a psychopath.
JULIA:
Looks like he's leaving.
(CAR BEEPS)
(DOOR OPENS)
(ENGINE REVS)
(TYRES MURMUR)
(JAKE WHISPERS INDISTINCTLY)
Of course, he changed locks.
(GRUNTS)
(GLASS SHATTERS)
(GASPS)
Look, you've been vandalized.
Better call your HOA.
(GRUNTS SOFTLY)
Okay.
Let's try the study.
Okay.
(FLICKS SWITCH)
()
Hey, baby.
Somebody's here in the house.
Yes, yes. I don't know.
Hurry back.
()
JULIA:
Okay.
He's gone through
all my financial documents.
Yeah, that's what crooks do.
Try the cupboards.
Okay.
Look at this.
What?
He took out
a life insurance policy on you.
Yeah, we need to get that passport
and get out of here.
It's got to be here somewhere.
()
I found it.
Okay. Let's go.
MEI LI:
What are you looking for?
This violates
your restraining orders, Julia.
What do you got?
Give me that passport.
Ivan, I know what you're up to.
Don't do anything stupid.
I saw the life insurance policy.
Well, then you know
that I don't care if you die.
Wait, wait, wait.
And then you know
that life insurance policies
have a 180-day waiting period.
If you kill her now,
it won't even be active.
I'm gonna shoot that bitch.
- You lie.
- No, no, wait.
You're not gonna do that.
You're gonna have to kill me first.
- That's fine with me.
- (GUNSHOT)
(JAKE GROANS)
You go this way.
Cut her off at the door.
- (GUNSHOT)
- (GLASS SHATTERS)
(GASPS)
(CONTINUES FIRING)
- (GRUNTS)
- Hey!
(MEI LI GROANS)
No! No.
No! No!
Please. Shit.
(GROANS)
Baby, stay with me. No. No!
(MEI LI WHIMPERS)
No, please!
(GROANS)
- I love you.
- No.
Bye.
Get rich. Get rich.
This is Julia Thomas.
I need help.
My husband is trying to kill me.
Please hurry.
(GASPS) Tell me the
(IVAN SOBS)
Tell me the words.
(SOBS)
No, no.
(WHIMPERS)
- (KISSES)
- (GROANS)
- Yes, that's the address.
- Please. Please hurry.
(BREATHES HEAVILY, SCREAMS)
(GRUNTS, PANTS)
Where are you?
You know I'm gonna find you.
Where are you?
Where the hell are you?
(JULIA BREATHES HEAVILY)
Julia?
(GRUNTS) (GROANS)
(PANTS, SOBS)
(GRUNTS)
(SOBS)
(WHIRRING)
Give me the passport.
Give me the passport, Julia.
(SOBS)
Why are you doing this?
(YELLS)
I said give me the passport!
(SOBBING CONTINUES)
Thank you.
You're not gonna get away with this.
Home invader comes to make
you a homeowner and robbery gone bad.
Husband also injured.
I think the insurance
will buy that, don't you?
Why? I loved you, Ivan. Why?
Isn't it obvious?
You're a good person and I'm not.
It's in my nature.
No hard feelings, Julia.
Forever. Rest in peace, my love.
(BREATHES HEAVILY, SCREAMS)
(WATER SPLASHES)
(GROANS)
(PANTS, GROANS)
Jake. Jake.
Jake, are you okay?
- (GROANS) Yeah.
- Are you okay?
(JAKE GROANS)
Hang in there.
- Help is coming.
- JAKE: Yeah.
(GROANS)
I wasn't gonna let him hurt you.
(SOBS, SNIFFLES)
It's over.
Thank you.
That was one hell of a date.
(SOBS)
Yes, it was. Yes, it was.
Oh. Can I get another?
(SOBS, KISSES)
Yes, you can. Yes, you can.
Just please hang in there.
Okay? Just hang in there.
- It's cold.
- Where are they? Where are they?
(WHIMPERS)
I'm at 1116 Old Vine Way.
I already called. Where are you?
Somebody's been shot!
Hurry! Please!
(SIREN WAILING)
Come on. (SNIFFLES)
Stay with me.
Stay with me. Stay with me.
Stay with me, please.
(SIREN WAILING CONTINUOUSLY)
(PULSE MONITOR BEEPING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
It's gonna be okay.
(SIGHS)
Lincoln.
Thanks for stopping by and helping us.
Oh.
I'm always glad to help, Robert.
So, how's Jake holding up?
Well, the bullet did some
damage, but they were able
to stop the bleeding.
Oh, good.
What did you find out about Ivan?
Anything?
Yeah.
I ran him through the Interpol database.
His real name is Franz Odikov.
And he's from Prague, not Ukraine.
The real Ivan Petrov was killed
in the bombing in Severodonetsk.
Now, Odikov had a long list
of criminal records
and arrests from various crimes,
but mostly fraud and swindling.
You were not his first victim
of marriage fraud, Julie.
Well, I'm gonna be his last.
And her money, any chance
of recovering any of that?
Oh. It's been recovering
as we speak.
Turns out, their fake lawyer,
Harry LeGrand,
was found dead in his office.
He was conning the con artists.
And, well, I guess they didn't like it.
Isn't that ironic?
Indeed, it is.
Thank you so much
for coming by, Lincoln, and filling us in.
No. Look, I just wanted
to make sure you're okay
and let you know that, Julia, it's over.
Thank you for everything.
I gotta get out of here.
Okay, I'll walk you out.
Okay.
(SIGHS)
LINCOLN:
So, buddy, uh, how's she doing?
ROBERT:
She's gonna be okay.
These are for you, buddy.
(GROANS SOFTLY)
Hey, Julia.
- Hey.
- Yeah.
How you feeling?
Oh.
Like I got hit by a Mack truck.
(SIGHS)
Well, they were able to stop the bleeding.
The doctor says you're gonna be okay.
Mm.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
Thank you, Jake.
JAKE:
Yeah.
You saved my life.
Yeah, I'd do it again.
And I'm sorry.
(CHUCKLES DRYLY)
Oh, sorry for what?
I really messed up.
- Yeah, you messed up.
- JULIA: Yeah.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
I mean, how many guys
would take a bullet for you?
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
I'm here
for whenever you need me. Okay?
Thank you.
JAKE:
Yeah.
(KISSES)
- Of course.
- Thank you so much.
(BOTH CHUCKLE SOFTLY)
()
()
()