Sometimes it is the most chance encounters that are the ones that have the power to change us the most and are the most impactful on our lives. The moment that Lee stood outside of Margot’s office was a moment he will never forget. She was rude, he was combative and yet they had to work together as a team. Lee is in the United States of America on a student visa that has expired. His lawyer Margo must figure out how to best defend him in order to help him stay. Getting caught making inappropriate comments further divides the two as the wonder if this partnership is even possible. Lee continues to say that he has a greater purpose for needing to stay, a justification for not filing his paperwork, but Margot reminds him that she needs specifics, much more to defend him that he is not willing to give. The two do not see eye to eye from the very beginning coming from different places, having different understandings, and different backgrounds even in basic communication. The one thing that they have in common is that they both genuinely want to win. As Margo works to defend Lee, she also learns a lot about herself, her history, and the biases that she lives with. While she examines herself Lee must realize that if he wants understanding and change, he will have to trust someone that he does not know and have faith in someone that has not proven themselves to be worthy. Through the telling of the story, we see two very different people come together for one goal and in the end, we recognize that sometimes what makes us different has the possibility to bring us together. A story that centers around the ability to work through adversity for the sake of a greater cause. *Within the text of the scene Lee is Vietnamese.
The Dreamer
(Lee, a Vietnamese man in his early twenties stands outside of an office door that he has just arrived at. He takes out a letter and reads.)
Lee: (Reading) “Dear Mr. Phoung, due to your financial hardship the court has assigned you a public defender. Ms. Margot West will represent you for this case. (mumbles a little) Immigration District Court 19. (He folds the letter and puts it back in the envelope. He looks up at the door and reads.) “Margot West- Immigration Attorney at Law.”
(Suddenly the door opens to a startled Margot, mid to late twenties well dressed with a bit of a chip on her shoulders and a clear arrogance stares at Lee for a moment waiting for him to apologize. Silence.)
Margot: Well?
Lee: I’m sorry?
Margot: Apology accepted.
Lee: No, I said, “I’m sorry” because I didn’t understand why you greeted me that way.
Margot: Let me explain it to you. (Pointing behind her) This is my office. (Point at the door) And this is my office door. And you sir aren’t supposed to be outside of my office door when I open it because it can scare the hell out of someone, just like it did me.
Lee: Why am I not supposed to be here?
Margot: (She looks him up and down for a moment.) I’m not sure what you’re selling or trying to sell or how lost you are from where you should be, but I don’t need any and this is a building of professionals. I’m talking about lawyers, psychiatrists and such- there was a sign clearly posted on the outside of the building that said, “No soliciting.” Did you not see it or not care that it was there?