Rough Diamonds (2023) s01e02 Episode Script

1
- Hello.
- Hello.
He'll agree. Just keep calm, yeah.
Wait a moment.
- Is everybody here?
- Only Speyer and Katz.
Why is he here?
- I suppose cause I asked him to come.
- It's none of his business.
- He's only here to listen.
- I don't think that's a good idea.
You're not coming in.
It will only hurt our case.
- You think you have a case?
- Stay out of it.
You think this arbitration
is gonna make it better?
Some people still respect our tate
and the values of Wolfson Diamonds.
Look, it's not like being here
was our choice.
There he is.
- Morning.
- Good morning, Mr. Fogel.
Hope you're well.
Praise God.
Thank you for keeping this quiet.
My father can't handle more turmoil.
Of course. I know this is bad timing,
but the matter is important to us.
Agreed, we need to resolve this.
You keep quiet.
Well, these situations are
never easy, but as my father taught me:
All that stands in the way of compromise
is a bit of goodwill.
So, let's start with the facts.
What we have here is a transaction
that was supplied, but not paid for.
Wolfson Diamonds has bought rough stones
for the sum of 1.5 million,
bought on a 45-day credit
from Fogel and Sons.
It has been now over 90 days
and the debt has not been settled
in whole or in part.
- Do we agree on these facts?
- Yes.
Good.
Eli, would you like to start?
Thank you, Mr. Speyer, Mr. Katz.
As you all know, we're mourning
our brother, may his memory be a blessing.
But we didn't want to ask
for a postponement of this meeting
because we wish to solve this issue,
no less than Mr. Fogel does.
It is not the Wolfson way to be in debt.
We've come to this regrettable situation
due to unforeseen circumstances,
but we are now ready
to pay what we owe.
We wish to offer a repayment plan
of 36 monthly installments.
I realize that this is not ideal.
- I cannot accept that.
- We'll pay interest of course.
I'm not your bank, Eli.
Giving up money is more their thing.
We all know that the banks are not exactly
friendly to our industry right now, so
Well, I'm very friendly.
I just want what I am owed.
David.
Our fathers have been friends for what?
Almost 40 years now.
Friends and colleagues.
They've helped each other a great deal.
Many of your father's connections
would not been formed
without my father's guidance.
Your father is a wise and talented man,
no doubt. A legend.
I've nothing but respect for him.
Unfortunately he is not the one running
Wolfson Diamonds anymore.
Look, we're not asking
for one cent of discount.
We just need
We need some additional time.
If three years is too long a period,
we can negotiate.
Will Wolfson Diamonds even exist
in three years?
So is this your goodwill?
Unfortunately this is a concern
we cannot disregard.
Ten years ago
this would not be in question,
but now that your father is stepping back
and the turmoil
your family is going through,
we cannot in good conscience rule
for a long-term settlement.
But given the special circumstances,
we will allow Wolfson Diamonds
some additional time
to come up with the payment.
Uh
It is our decision that Fogel and Sons
will grant Wolfson Diamonds
fourteen additional days
to settle their debt in whole.
Forgive me, that's not enough.
Eli, I'm sorry, that's how it is.
- But we can't do it.
- Of course you can.
I'm sorry to be the one saying this,
but it's time for you to face reality.
Wolfson Diamonds is over.
For your own sake, shut down
the company, liquidate your assets
and end this with dignity.
- I'm not going to.
- I'm not trying to hurt you, Eli.
It's the honorable thing to do
in your situation.
But if you don't pay me in two weeks
you will never be able
to show your face in the street again.
Eli.
We have to tell your father.
Nobody is saying a word.
Time is sensitive now.
He deserves to know.
He made this company what it is.
My father has a lot on his mind.
I'm the CEO now, I make the calls.
Yeah, but two weeks they gave us.
Your father will find out, Eli.
Benny, we'll manage it.
Two weeks, that's fine.
- I can't do what you're asking me to.
- You don't say anything to him, huh?
Benny. Leave it to us, please.
You're dragging his name
through the mud with this.
And after everything the man's done
to make the company shine,
you've managed to make problems by working
with a dealer you've known was shady.
Yanki fixed those deals, not me.
I found out when he stopped paying.
And you should have said something
about it then.
I wanted to protect Yanki.
I thought we could figure out a solution.
I figured we'd able to reason with Fogel.
Ungrateful man.
- And what if Fogel is right?
- About what?
This office here.
- If we sell it off, we can pay our debts.
- You mean close the company?
What's the alternative, Eli?
If we don't pay Fogel within two weeks,
every diamond exhibition in the world
is going to put our faces
on warning signs.
No.
We cannot be the generation
who lost everything.
Aren't we already?
- I'll find someone to reason with Fogel.
- Is that your plan? Some more chatting?
- We've got our own way of solving things.
- I don't understand.
You beg Fogel for more and more,
but forget who actually owes us money.
We can't force the man to pay us back.
Or use arbitration, he's in Dubai.
I'm not talking about that.
The gojim were good teachers to me:
When someone fucks you over,
you handle it with a stick.
Here we use a different kinds of sticks.
What's his name?
You have his number?
- I said I'll take care of it.
- Salman Karim.
- Where can I find the guy?
- I've got no idea.
Enough. I don't want you
going around making it worse.
According to the lab,
the diamonds are of standard quality.
- Uh-huh.
- Probably from Angola.
It's difficult to trace them
to a specific dealer.
- Okay.
- 700 carats.
- Value estimated at 2,000 euros per carat.
- Smets!
Tell me, I beg you, that you didn't start
an investigation in the Diamond District.
- That's where the evidence is leading us.
- See that it leads you elsewhere.
Just have a look at what we got.
The diamonds are from
an Albanian container.
We were hunting cash and found this.
Diamonds are better than cash
to these guys.
It can't get wet, it can't be burned
and you can't trace it.
Millions of euros in a little sack.
The Albanians are probably
laundering money this way.
We've got to find the source.
You're going to use agents to put the
screws to folks in the Diamond District,
because a sack of stones was found?
You'll create panic.
I'll do what I have to to track
whoever it is these men are working with.
- But you don't even know if he exists.
- These are rough diamonds. Uncut.
They must have come from some broker
in the Diamond District.
Jo, come on, please listen.
I don't need the attorney general
breathing down my neck.
Saying the mayor has called
to express some concerns
about whether we've hurt
Diamond District relations.
You have to find criminals, drug dealers.
Keep the fuck out of the Diamond District.
- Shmulik.
- Noah.
- Welcome.
- Hey, can I help you with anything?
Uh, sure. We'll need your help
in a bit with the tables over there.
Thanks a bunch.
Yeah, could you take these?
Hey.
You're still here.
Yeah, for now, but, uh
I got to go back.
Is somebody waiting?
My boss.
Can I do anything?
I'm getting his clothes packed.
For charity.
It didn't seem right holding on to them.
May I?
Yeah.
Is that Yanki's phone?
Mm-hm.
He left it here when he
Did he ever discuss his work?
- Or like the people he worked with?
- No, I'm afraid he didn't.
It was pretty quiet between us.
I saw he was having issues.
With the firm, family
He was close to you. And after you, uh
He was just
a bit lonely.
But you two were a good fit.
Good fit?
I was 20, Noah.
My fiancé abandoned me and his younger
brother came to fill his place.
How do you think that made him feel?
We were too confused and hurt
to be open with each other.
Did you love him?
I gave it my best.
And you?
You love Tommy's mother?
Yeah, it felt like that.
But it wasn't enough.
Enough how?
For what?
To keep me home.
When she told me she was pregnant,
I panicked and
She let me go.
But a few years later she got sick
- You got back together.
- Sort of.
She knew Tommy was gonna need a father,
so she forgave me.
But I don't know if he ever will.
He acts as if it's okay, but
it isn't.
I see it in how he stares.
Gila?
One sec.
I really don't feel comfortable
asking Fogel for something like this.
It's a matter of life and death, Weiss.
My family went through enough already.
If he's already made up his mind,
there's nothing to be done.
Yeah, but he listens to you.
You've been friends for a long time.
Friendship is friendship,
and business is business.
Not in diamonds.
Don't drag me into this, Eli, please.
Our kids are about to go the same yeshiva.
Is Goldmintz still the principal there?
Mm-hm
Why?
Mr. Goldmintz, how are you doing?
How's your eldest boy doing these days?
Praise God, Eli.
I haven't seen you in a while.
How has everyone been?
We're getting stronger.
Praise God.
I have to say
I'm here with a bit of sad news though.
And I'm aware
it's none of my business, but
I'm listening.
During the shiva, people were talking
and I overheard a very trustworthy man say
one of the kids who's about to join
your school lives in a home
where I'm sorry to say
the internet is unfiltered.
And it seems the kids told their friends
that they've watched
non-kosher videos.
The name of this kid?
Not here. Let's move this way.
Yanki, it's Salman.
I have a very good deal for you.
You can always find me in my cousin's
restaurant, Tarboush. You know it, right?
We really appreciate it.
We'll see each other.
Yeah, talk to you soon.
Hello?
- Okay, bye.
- See you. Talk soon, bye.
Hello?
Hey.
What What are you doing?!
Stop the car.
I don't have diamonds on me.
Shut up.
- Who are you?
- You owe my family a lot of money.
For some reason
you think you don't have to pay them.
- Wolfson?
- So you haven't forgotten.
No, no, but it's not me.
My client didn't pay.
You have until Monday night
to get the money.
My client is not the kind of people
you can push.
If they don't want to pay, they don't pay.
Very dangerous men.
- Oh, I see.
- Yeah. Yeah.
No, no, no, no! No. No, stop!
Please! Please, please!
No, no, no! Please!
- Feeling enough danger?!
- Yes!
No, stop! Stop!
I don't give a fuck about your client.
You took the diamonds, you pay.
Am I clear?
- Okay.
- Omar.
Monday, 11 p.m., right here.
- Don't you fucking disappoint me.
- Okay.
Hi.
- Are the potatoes ready?
- Yes. Also the chicken.
Oh, thank you.
Uh, put this in the kitchen.
- Of course.
- Yeah, I'll come.
You feeling alright?
You'll feel a lot better this evening
when everybody's here for Sabbath dinner.
I want Noah to join us at the table.
That man is not wanted in my house.
It would make me delighted. And Adina too.
Did she tell you to come and talk to me?
He is our child.
You can't just send him away.
One empty chair is all I can take.
He turned his back on his family
and community, his friends,
and worst of all, his faith in God.
This is our last chance to see Tommy,
before they leave for London.
That little goj boy our son had, huh?
So the boy should pay
for the sins of his father?
Ezra
Can't you see what is happening here?
You can't ignore the signs from heaven.
God has taken from us one child
and another
he returned to us.
Fuck
- Okay, I think we've got everything.
- Dad.
- What'd you call my daughter for?
- To come get you.
Dad, what did we say
about you driving the car?
I'm not taking orders from you, yeah?
- It seems like you're a little hurt there.
- I'm not. It's nothing.
Sorry, Hendrik.
- I've called for a tow truck already.
- Yeah?
- They'll bring it over to Patrick.
- Ah, that's good.
- Tell them to send me the bill.
- No, I'll take care of it. Thanks.
Why don't we have a look at that, huh?
Come on.
Something went wrong with the brakes.
You bought a loaf of bread? Rally?
You just put your car through the bakery.
Yeah, what's the matter?
I came for it, didn't I?
Unreal
Don't walk on the grass.
Beer?
Is the peroxide in there?
Oh
- Ugh, Dad, this house is falling apart.
- Ah, the house is perfect.
Hm, let's see.
- Ow!
- Yeah, sorry.
- Ow! Get off me!
- But I got to
Anyway, you don't have to stay.
I'm sure you've got something
important to do elswhere.
- I'm done for the day, so
- Oh, good.
Not as if there's anybody
waiting for you back home.
Well, you know what I think, father?
- That you need somebody to help.
- Don't start.
Somebody needs to stay here
with you full time, that's what I think.
Here.
You have to be patient,
it's gonna be a while before we eat.
- Cash okay?
- Yeah, of course.
- Oh, and we can't use the phone.
- Because of the Sabbath?
Right.
- Thank you.
- Am I Jewish?
- Uh, not really.
- How come you're Jewish and I'm not?
Well, it's complicated.
Uhm
- The rules go by the mother.
- There you go.
But you shouldn't worry about it.
It doesn't matter.
So I'm half and half?
I guess.
Cool.
Good evening, welcome.
- They are in the kitchen.
- Thank you.
Good Sabbath.
Good Sabbath.
Welcome to our home.
I'm so glad you're here.
It is really good to see you here.
- Good Sabbath.
- Good Sabbath.
Good Sabbath.
That must be Benny.
Oh, Feldman is here.
- Good Sabbath.
- Good Sabbath.
Do you know the words?
I forgot.
Okay, now you repeat after me.
- Blessed are You, O God.
- Blessed are You, O God.
Surprised to see you
at our home this evening.
We wanted you guys to have a full table.
- I hope I was clear about our strategy.
- He should find out from the exchange?
That's not gonna happen.
I fixed the situation with Fogel.
How?
I spoke to Goldmintz at the yeshiva.
Convinced him to suspend Fogel's son.
Well, I hope God will forgive you.
I reminded the man
what tate did for his firstborn son.
- Now what?
- I go back to talk to Fogel.
I'm sure he's feeling
a little more open to negotiation.
What a fucking mess, Eli.
Your father hears about this
That won't happen.
What's going on, Dad?
Each father gives the bread to his family.
And what about us?
We, uhm
- You won't say something?
- It's alright, just eat it.
Children, come help.
- Did you like the bread?
- Yeah.
Thank you.
Are you still chasing all those bastards
from the bank?
Yeah, of course.
Hmm.
But I'm also working on something new.
And you could have an interest in this.
I'm looking for a connection with
the drug world and the diamond industry.
Because it looks as if the Albanian mob is
laundering their money through diamonds.
Mm, are you sure of that?
I'm pretty familiar with those fucks.
They'd never get involved in that shit.
Dad, the days where you polished diamonds
in the backyard are over and done with.
It's different now.
Jews are the same always.
They're not exactly big fans
of paying taxes, but never drugs. No way.
They're upright. Strong morals.
They fucked you over in those
days, Dad. They paid you like a pauper,
and when they had their own polishing
ring, it's like you never existed.
We got paid rather well.
I earned more in a weekend
than in a month of farmwork.
What? Peanuts.
- Compared to what they were pulling in?
- Ah!
Anyway, we don't even know
if it's the Jews.
- Nowadays all those traders are Indian.
- Hmm.
I hope for your sake
the ones behind it aren't Jews.
What for?
Because Jews are not snitches.
Because their morals are strong. Ha!
They don't talk to the authorities.
They have their own systems in place.
Well, Dad, maybe that's true,
but we do too.
- Oh, yeah?
- Yeah.
But their systems are much older
than yours.
Ah
Children!
Children, come here.
- Come on.
- Come. Come, children.
Tommy.
I have a surprise
for Tommy. It's a yarmulke.
I would like you to give it to him,
as his grandfather.
What's that?
Ezra
Tommy?
Come on over.
Grandpa Ezra has something for you.
- What is it?
- Well, you'll see.
- This is something for your little head.
- Hm-mm.
- Just like Hillel's?
- Yes, it's written "Tommy."
- Thanks.
- Oh, thank you.
Thanks, tate.
Gila, poor thing.
- Everything's gonna be fine.
- With God's help.
It will. It will all work out.
Just as pretty as the moon.
You haven't heard from a matchmaker yet?
No, of course not.
- It's way too early.
- No.
Of course, of course, but when the time
does come, I have the perfect one.
She was the one who found a match
for my Miri.
And the brides
for both her elder brothers.
- Tova?
- Tova.
She's the one who found a match
for my Mendel. From a very good family.
They have some big real estate company
over in Brussels.
It's too strange
to see his chair like that.
But your parents are truly strong.
Praise God.
Praise God.
With all the hardships they had.
First one son, then the other.
What was that?
Well, it's true.
It's not only child they've lost.
What's your problem, Feldman?
You're my problem.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
Tommy!
Hey.
You okay?
Yeah, I just had to step out for a bit.
What happened?
Yeah Rivki.
She's already discussing marriage.
- Incredible
- Yeah, but she's right.
Eventually, that'll be the next step.
You don't have to do that yet.
Who wants the widow of a man
who committed suicide for a wife?
Any man would be lucky to have you.
Two men have already left me.
If I could have taken you with me,
I would have given up all I have.
You're too close.
Kids, come on, we're leaving!
Come on, we're about to leave.
- Uh, yeah, okay, yeah.
- Okay, Mom.
- Morning.
- Good Sabbath.
What?
Nothing, I just thought
you'd be joining us at shul.
No.
Okay.
Shmulik, isn't it getting late?
Uh
Who is it?
It's alright, it's for me.
- Kerra.
- Hello, love.
This is Kerra, Tommy's grandmother.
- Oh, hello.
- Hello.
- Uh, this is my sister, Adina.
- Uh
- Lovely to meet you all.
- Nice to meet you too.
This is her husband, Shmulik.
He's not allowed to touch a woman.
- Nice to meet you.
- Grandma!
Tomtom. Oh, I've missed
you're pretty little face.
- Got this for you.
- What is it?
See for yourself, love.
Uh, please sit down.
Do you want some coffee, some tea?
- Oh, tea would be lovely, cheers.
- Okay.
- Didn't you have to go?
- No, it's okay. They'll go on ahead.
We're late for the synagogue,
so we have to leave now. Nice meeting you.
So
I finally have a chance
to meet your long lost family.
Please, do sit down.
Tea is coming in a minute.
- Oh, that's nice.
- You like it?
- Yeah!
- Hm-mm.
Thanks. Can we try it?
- When were these picures taken?
- Last night, at the Albanians.
- And who's that?
- Salman Karim, diamond dealer.
We're still investigating it,
but he's not a member of the exchange.
Looks like he had a pretty heated argument
with one of Tahiri's top men.
- You think he's our man?
- Yes, possibly.
I'm not sure he's actually the kind of guy
with access to this quality of stone.
He's too small.
He strikes me as a little fish.
But who knows? Could be.
Well, be ever vigilant and track
the bastard until we have an idea.
- I'm on it.
- Good.
Did he have kids?
Two, younger than Tommy.
Poor things.
- Fuck, I need a cigarette.
- You told me you quit.
Hmm.
Listen, I was gonna call you.
I never meant to stay for so long.
What did you think was gonna happen?
- Did you think I wouldn't find you?
- I didn't
You think you can do whatever you want.
Disappear on me.
- What kind of gratitude is that?
- That was never my intention.
You didn't want me to know
you're back home.
You thought I wanna rip off your family.
Afraid I couldn't help myself.
We still don't have a new supplier.
People are starting to notice.
We're like a wounded animal.
I need you with me to sort it out.
I just need deal
with some trouble here first.
Jesus. Listen, Noah
It's very sweet of you
to worry about your family here,
but I need you to worry
about your family in London.
- Or there'll be consequences.
- Grandma! Dad!
- Come see how I flip it off the fence.
- Sure.
We'll figure it out.
Don't you ever fucking lie to me again.
Show me, buddy! Wow!
- That's wicked.
- Do you wanna try? Here.
- Good Sabbath.
- Good Sabbath.
I heard about the unfortunate
yeshiva situation.
What a shame, your son worked hard,
he deserves a spot.
If I can be of aid to your boy,
Goldmintz is an old friend.
I can talk to him.
And I'm sure we can work something out.
I've got to say, you
Fogel, good Sabbath.
Well done. Such a good deed.
Well done.
- What's all this?
- You didn't hear?
Fogel said he's gonna be donating a gift
of a new Torah scroll to the yeshiva.
We're having the commencement ceremony
later this week.
I heard it cost him 50,000 euros.
That's very generous.
- Take care, Eli. Good Sabbath.
- Good Sabbath.
- Good Sabbath, Eli.
- Good Sabbath.
It cost me a small fortune to repair
the damage from your dirty scheme, Eli.
But you
you'll pay a lot more than that.
Forget about the two weeks, hmm?
Pay me what you owe me on Monday, or else
I'll personally tell your father
about this shameful business.
No, please, I'm begging
Mame.
How are you doing?
Not to talk business with you,
but did you reopen the office?
Next week.
Though I'm a bit confused
as to why to tell you the truth.
Don't say that.
We have to keep going. No matter what.
- That's the will of the Lord.
- You're right.
I'm trying. It's not only that though.
Mommy, I have to ask something,
but you have to swear
you won't say a word to tate.
Did you ever consider that our future
lies elsewhere, outside of diamonds?
What makes you say that, dear?
I'm worried things
aren't looking good for us.
I see.
It wouldn't really be
the end of the world, right?
Look at the Eckersteins.
They all moved into real estate
when the business closed.
And where are they now?
They fight each other
over each piece of that business.
It tore that family apart.
Diamonds are not just about money.
It is in our blood.
It's what holds us together.
Even through the worst of times.
If we want to break the business apart,
we'll have a different set
of problems to face.
So this is where you grew up?
Pretty much.
We did most of our shopping here.
My mother used to send me out with a list,
and I would go from shop to shop
on my bike.
That's a good lad.
- Are you staying with us, Grandma?
- Oh no, love. I booked a room.
But it's just for tonight.
We'll be together back in London tomorrow.
- Really? We're leaving?
- Hm-hm.
- We don't know yet.
- Yes, we do.
Say your goodbyes tonight.
No!
Dad? What's happening?
Take him to Adina.
Hey, hey!
Hey! Easy, easy!
Sammy, what happened?
What happened? Two guys
Two guys came in with gasoline and
I managed to get one,
but the other one had a gun!
Stay the fuck back!
- Who did it?!
- Did what?
- Who are they?!
- What are you talking about?!
Don't you fucking lie to me.
They almost killed my friend.
It's not me, I swear. All I did is tell
my client you wanted your money.
- Who?
- I cannot
I won't ask again.
The Albanians. The Albanian mob.
How's Tommy?
Oh, he's fast asleep.
I'm going to the hotel.
You alright, love?
How much do they owe you?
One point five.
Jesus
You have to let me stay
and deal with this.
I can't leave my family with this mess.
Maybe there's a solution
to both our problems.
- What do you mean?
- There's this bloke here in Antwerp.
High-end money manager.
Got this private bank.
I met him when I was working
with Amsterdam.
He deals with all sorts of types,
the Albanians too.
I can set up a meeting for us,
see what he says.
Think about it.
Your family has something
the Albanians want.
And the Albanians have something I want.
That's not an Albanian.
- No, far from it.
- Who's that?
- I've looked into his rental car.
- Keep going.
It's registered in the name
of a man called Noah Wolfson.
- Wolfson? That's Jewish.
- It certainly is. Yeah.
He doesn't appear that way, I know,
but he's one of the old Hasidic
Wolfson family.
One of the oldest diamond families
in Antwerp.
And you think they are behind it?
They trade in rough diamonds.
You want me to put a tail on him?
How's Sammy doing?
- Better.
- Praise God he's still alive, huh.
Those people are wild animals.
I think you agree it's about time
we spoke to your father about this matter.
Yeah? Don't wait on it.
What will you say?
That the firm has to close.
No. We're not going to say that.
Adina, we have no choice.
What else can we do?
Doing this to mame and tate? No way!
Doing this to our kids? No way!
It's not our company
to do with as we please.
Come on.
There must be something
that can still be done.
There is one more option.
- Mrs. McCabe.
- Matthias.
Kerra.
Mr. Wolfson. Matthias Dumont.
Let me introduce you
to Mr. Tahiri's right-hand man, Bujar.