EP29 | War
In the chaos of Portland in 2020, a desperate search for housing brought Najaf “Nate” Hobbs and Cassy Leaton into the orbit of a man who ruled through deception, intimidation, and control. What began as a landlord-tenant dispute escalated into a battle over power and territory—until one perceived challenge became a justification for war.
In the spring of 2020, Portland was a city coming apart. The pandemic had emptied the streets, uncertainty had moved into every household, and the normal rules of everyday life seemed to be disappearing. For Najaf “Nate” Hobbs and Cassy Leaton, finding a place to live should have offered some stability. Instead, it brought them into the orbit of a man who claimed authority over the building and the people inside it.
What began as a dispute between tenants and their supposed landlord quickly became something far more sinister. Locks were changed. Basic utilities became weapons. The police were called. And inside a Portland fourplex, a growing struggle for control moved toward a confrontation from which no one could walk away unchanged.
In this episode of Sword and Scale, a housing arrangement built on deception becomes a dangerous battle over power, territory, and control. Because for some people, even the smallest challenge can become a casus belli, a justification for war.
Crew
Host - Mike Boudet
Creator & Director - Ash Patiño
Director of Photography - David Patiño
Director of Photography - Zack Placencia
Cinematographer - Zack Placencia
Producer - Tyann Sells
Sound & Music Credit - Zapsplat
Additional Crew Listed on Episode