Behold the Dreamers

Because of the recession, Jende is forced to take backbreaking work as a dishwasher. He feels worried and ashamed that he will not be able to take care of his wife financially. Jende attends his first hearing with the immigration court. A court date scheduled for June grants a temporary reprieve from Jende’s deportation, but his case hanging over him makes him feel like he still is not free.

Riding the bus across town toward the apartment of the Edwards, Neni overhears excited discussion of African Americans as they talk about attending Barack Obama’s inauguration. Desperate for money for the deportation case, Neni confronts Cindy with pictures that show Cindy while she is under the influence of Vicodin. Neni blackmails Cindy for money in exchange for the photos. Cindy gives Neni $10,000 and promises Neni that she will see her in jail for her actions.

When Neni informs Jende about the blackmail money, Jende is initially guilty and ambivalent about his wife’s actions. By the end of the night, however, he’s glad for the money, the single largest amount he has ever had in his life.