Relationship between Thomas Cole and Paul Benjamin

Thomas and Paul got to know each other, because Thomas saved Paul’s life. While crossing the street Paul didn’t realise that a truck was coming, in order to rescue him, Thomas pulled Paul away from the street. After being rescued, Paul wanted to return the compliment. The two introduced each other, but Thomas didn’t told his real name, he call himself Rashid. He invited Thomas to a coffee and offered him to stay a few days in his flat. At first Thomas was a little sceptical therefore he declined Paul’s offer but he took his address. Suddenly one day Thomas stood in Paul’s door, although Paul has not reckoned with him, he allowed him to enter his apartment. While living in Paul’s flat, Thomas hid a stolen packet of money in Paul’s cupboard. Thomas stayed at Paul’s flat until the day Paul realised that he couldn’t concentrate on his work. In order to be able to work again, Paul kicked Thomas out of his house. After Thomas left Paul’s flat, nobody heard from him for a few days. His aunt was worried about Thomas therefore she went to Paul, because she found his address in Thomas’s trousers pocket. During the conversation it is revealed that Rashid’s real name is Thomas and that he told Paul lies about his life all the time. Thomas’ aunt guessed that Thomas wanted to find his father, who he hadn’t seen for twelve years. Some days later, Thomas came back to Paul’s flat with a gift for Paul in order to thank him. But Paul now wanted him to confess that he lied all the time and asked him to tell the truth about his life. During the conversation Thomas told nearly everything about the bank robbery but he missed out that he took all the money. After Paul listened carefully he forces Thomas to contact his aunt. Afterwards Thomas and Paul watched a football match on TV. On Thomas’ birthday he and Paul went to a bar where they met Auggie. Auggie offered Thomas a job in his cigar store. Paul allowed Thomas to live in his apartment again where he eventually found the money of the robbery in his cupboard. Paul, who is now very interested in the whole truth of the robbery, forces Thomas to tell him everything about it now. This time Thomas really told him everything about the robbery and even confesses that he took the money the thieves lost during their escape. Paul insisted on giving the money to Auggie, who’s cigars Thomas destroyed by his inattentiveness.

In base of this summary, you can see that Paul likes Thomas very much.

Paul: Paul tries to help Thomas. He offers him a place in his flat, looks for a job for him and occupies the position of a father. Furthermore he wants to show him the right way of life, to enable Thomas to manage his future life. Although Thomas tells Paul lies about his life, all the time, nevertheless Paul always gives him a new chance.

Thomas: At the beginning Thomas takes just advantage of Paul. Later on however, Thomas notices, that Paul wants to help him and that’s why Paul gets Thomas’s confidence.

All in all the two have a good relationship which developed during the film.