"BLACK ERMINE" "We're pleased to thank the Peruvian people and authorities for their generous and cordial collaboration." "This movie was filmed in Lima, the City of the Viceroys." "In Cuzco, the archaeological capital of the Americas." "And in Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, which was discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham and is said to be a thousand years old." "This time was a surprise." "Nobody expected this from Felipe Unzuaga." "It's painted dramatically, with passion." "Who could she be?" " You haven't seen Unzuaga?" " He won't come!" "He's been a shut-in since arriving from Peru." "What I don't understand is the name." "Why call it Black Ermine?" "Rita." "Collect the empty bottles and gather them here." " And these gloves?" " Don't worry about them." "Carmela." "I said to remove the ashtrays." "I can't stand that smell." "Open the windows." "Someone left a fur coat, ma'am." "What kind of fur?" "Cat fur... it's Gabriela's." "Have Ramon leave it at her house." " When did Sanchez go?" " This morning, after sobering up." "I don't know why he drinks." "Mr. Rosales, ma'am." "How's it going?" " It seems you're up early." " Not really, it's noon." "Anyway..." "What's wrong?" " How are my sister and the kids?" " Good... and bad." " Always in debt." " Yeah, I got her letter." "You know I bought our family home, right?" "Yes." "And I have to pay it off." " What about Regina?" " About that sister, not a word." "After she fell out with you, she did so with us too." "Imagine asking her husband for money..." "He doesn't even seem like family." "Are my brothers back?" "Yes, but they're hardly ever home." "Tell Eufemia to spend less." "I'm very short on money." "I appreciate it." " Were you up all night?" " I have to extend the days somehow." "What else do you want?" "A certificate of good behavior?" " Give Eufemia and the kids my love." " Thanks." "Carmela." " What's Mercedes's number?" " 38-0-40." "Oh, that's right." "Mercedes?" "Yeah, here, irritated." "I'm still upset you left me last night." "I was counting on you." "Everyone was here." "I know." "It was my last party of the year." "Beatriz?" "Yeah, unbearable." "I gave her the brush-off." "She's classless." "Okay, sure." "I'll try to come late this afternoon." "Expect me." "See you." "They broke four whiskey glasses and six snifters." "I'm skipping lunch." "Bring my tea to my room after my bath." "Yes, ma'am." "Oh, tell Ramon to take Rita to the villa and to come back." "You'll come back when I arrive." " Have lunch before leaving." " Yes, ma'am." "Take Rita." "Pick me up at 6:00 from Mercedes's place." "I'll be on time, ma'am." "Go with Ramon." "A support for the lampshade broke, ma'am." "When will me bring me good news?" "So long, ma'am." "Dr. Garrigós, please." "Yes." "Doctor?" "How are you?" "Maria." "Don't complain." "I won't be late." "In a few days, I'll deposit the check." "The mortgage?" "It worries you?" "By then I'll have it all sorted out." "Okay, I'll see you on my way back." "Okay, see you soon." "Darling." "Don't think I look tired." "I'm just tired of waiting." "It looks like you haven't slept much." "What more do you want, me to daydream about you?" "When will you stop lying?" "Those friends, Maruja those friends." "I bet you had a party at your house last night." "Why didn't you come?" "Isn't it yours too?" "I waited all night." "For many men, I'm sure." "What worries me sometimes is your loneliness." "Sometimes?" "I'm sorry." "You're all that matters, Antón." "What would I do without you?" "Will you allow me to not imagine it?" "Maria!" " What are you doing here?" "Let go!" " Come to my car." " What right do you have?" " The one I take." " You said you'd call." "Why didn't you?" " I had no time." "You did when you were after me day and night." "Probably." " How long do you plan to toy with me?" " I said I didn't have time!" "Don't lie to me." "I know you're never busy." " You're so kind." " I don't care to be." " I love you and that's enough." " Let me out." "They're expecting me." " When will we meet?" " Tomorrow..." "I'll call tomorrow." "No, tell me right now when to find you!" " I said I'd call." " Where will I meet you?" "Okay." "At the usual place." "At 6:00, let's say." "Remember that time and that I'm not one to wait." "And now, where are you going?" "To Mercedes's place." "Nice friends you've got." "You're right." "That's where I met you." "Maria!" "I thought you wouldn't come again." "Have I got a surprise for you!" "Don't spoil it for me." " What are you doing, Ignacio?" " Watching you." "Me?" "But Mercedes provides the temptations." "The temptation... is you." "How many years do I have left to be tempting?" "Never mind him." "I just got some new china that's just beautiful." "Come on." "She takes anyone important for herself." "Marcial wasn't so important." "He was a fling." "She has those too." "What do you care?" "Are you... bitter that you can't?" "Maria!" "How are you, doctor?" "Mercedes just told me..." ""Dr. Alzamora is dying to give you a message."" "A message from the heart." "What an organ, my God!" "I've spent my whole life listening to it." "Shall we leave it alone?" "I want you to know that it's your prisoner." "Why do you flatter me so much?" "If what I say flatters you you make me happy." "I wish I could answer you but I feel so tired." "Why don't you let me call you, so we can talk when you're more rested?" "I expect I'll be tired for some time, doctor." "You're not upset, are you?" "I'm running so late." "You've no idea how grateful I am to you for tolerating me." "You're such a flatterer." "When will I get the chance to see you again?" "I don't know." "It's such a hard life I lead." "I want you to know, Maria... that I'll always be awaiting your call for whatever you need." "You put me so at ease, doctor with the problems that I have." "Maria doesn't look after herself." "She's desperate, the poor thing." "I know her well." "Why don't you advise her?" "She's with Alzamora, who's a good guy, and she might reject him." "A few days ago, out of vanity, she got involved with that bullfighter." "Take away pride and self-regard, and what's left of Maria?" "Save me." " You hardly have any strength left!" " I'm really spent." "I'm like the bull who sees the sword before him." "Maria." "I guess you didn't oblige me." "Really?" "Mecha and her friends..." "I don't know where she gets them from." "Alzamora is a man with money." "You know that." "And for Mecha, you're a better attraction." "She sure can pick 'em." "I wonder what she said when I dumped Bustamante, and chose the bullfighter just to frustrate her." "If I didn't know you..." "It's true that I didn't dislike him, but now I don't know how to get away." "Today he made another scene, threatening me in the street." "I'll calm him down for you." "Leave him to me." " Are you going to Chosica?" " Yes." "And like every time I have to go, I'm gripped by fear." "I'm afraid of the father rector." "I'm afraid he'll say they won't accept Dario next year." "Come on!" "If they don't forgive what would become of us?" "That's true but you know our people." "I turned my back on them." "No woman forgives me for being a temptation to her husband." "But this is your son." "Whatever you say, but their kids are there too." "Why not send him to Argentina or the United States?" "That's too far." "I want him close to me." "Besides, if I did, they'd say it was because they rejected him." "That pride of yours, Mariucha!" "Anyone call?" "Yes, someone did a few times, but wouldn't leave a name." "They must expect I'll know." "Bring up hot chocolate and sandwiches." "If anyone calls, say I went to bed." "Oh, prepare a dark vinegar bottle for me for tomorrow, and tell Ramon to be ready by 9:00." "Forgive me, ma'am." "I made you wait." "How are you, father?" " And Dario?" " He's well, very well." "He's a great student." "I'm so relieved." "It won't be a problem if I take him today, will it?" "No, of course not." "We received your telegram." "Will you need any assistants over the break?" "Not at all." "Let him rest." "He could really use it." "You're right, father." "Do we owe anything, father?" "Nothing at all, ma'am." "Should I cover next year's first semester now?" "If you want." "But it's not necessary." "I wanted to talk about something else." "Something else..." "The boy is very diligent." "We're not worried about that." "But there is something that does worry us, and that's his character." "He's a boy inclined to getting discouraged and sad." "Did you know?" "It's like he's depressed and intimidated." "He avoids his classmates as if he fears them." "Something is eating at his spirit." "Something." "Is it something he picked up at home?" "I'm not judging your home, ma'am." "I'm trying to pinpoint the causes of it." "Generally, for a boy to regain confidence in himself, he must first regain it in his parents." "It might seem cruel, but..." "God punishes children for the sins of their parents." "But Dario has everything." "Everything... in material goods but it's not wealth that allows one to live a Catholic life." "I admit, father, that it's largely my fault." "I've spoiled him so much." "That's the problem with only children, father." "I didn't mean that, ma'am." "In any case, I've done my duty by warning you." "Okay, Dario." "It's time to say goodbye." "You'll rest now?" "Go find your things, and tell Ramon to wait for us beyond the bridge." " Don't you want to walk with me?" " Yes, Mom." "Okay, say goodbye to the father rector." "He doesn't even seem like my boy now, does he?" "No, ma'am." "I don't think he does." "He's a young man now." "Don't forget that." "I wanted so much to walk by your side like this, as if we were the same age." "You're so lovely, Mom." "What's that?" "Don't move." "I want you to come out as pretty as you are." "Ready." "Take firm steps." "One, two, three, four." "That's what I like to see." "The walk of a great and strong man so everyone will admire you." "We'll devote this vacation to traveling and fattening up." "Tomorrow we leave for Cuzco, which you like so much." " And we'll visit Machu Picchu again?" " Isn't that what you asked for?" "Then we'll see which suits us:" "staying in Lima or traveling elsewhere." "I don't like Lima, Mom." "Anyway, we'll see." "Take firm steps." "One, two, three, four." "What about the Cuéllars?" "I imagine you must've been classmates." "They're really stuck-up." "You're better than all of them." "When you're older, I'll tell you some stories." "Did you have lots of parties, Mom?" "On my birthday..." "I thought a lot about you." "I thought of you too, Mom, but I had nobody to tell about it." "I don't like my classmates." "I want you to be different, Dario." "I've dreamed about a strong and cheerful Dario." "I want to see the Dario I dreamed about." "You'll be like that, won't you?" "Dario!" "With this man at home, we'll have to stay in line." "Mr. Ortega is here, ma'am." " Did anyone call?" " Mr. Marcial a few times." "Dario!" "How are you, Ignacio?" "What do you think of him?" " Great to see you again, Ignacio." " Well, well." " She was right to be proud." " See how he makes me seem old?" "Go change." "Right after lunch, we'll go reserve the tickets." "Tomorrow we leave for Cuzco." "Excuse me, Ignacio." "Congratulations." "He's very mature and very proper." "Overly proper..." "Overly..." "You're right, Ignacio." "Leave them there." "How did it go in Chosica?" "Well, I didn't really understand the father rector." "He seemed worried." "I think he even hinted I was to blame for something." " Why won't he just speak frankly?" " It must not suit him." "Quit joking around." "I can't spend the night trying to interpret his words." "Look, Mariucha be careful while Dario's here on break, and if you can, afterward, devote yourself to the boy." "Cut out the parties." "He couldn't have meant anything but that." "Hello?" "No." "I haven't forgotten." "At 6:00, yes." "Wait here." "I told Mercedes I'd call her." "I've followed you everywhere." "I knew you'd stand me up." "I'm glad." "That means you know I had no choice." "Now you do." "Leave with me." "Don't make a scene." "I'm with my son." "I don't care." "Either you go with me or not at all." "Don't be pushy, Marcial." "I'm taking Dario home." "No!" "Send him with the chauffeur or I'll give you the scene you deserve." "Fine." "Come on, Dario." "Ramon will take you home." "Mercedes asked me to wait for her." "Meanwhile, you unpack what we bought, and tell Carmen to pack our suitcases." "Waiter." "Are the same men from last year coming?" "Your mother's sick of all those people, the poor dear." " Is it always the same ones?" " Yes, more or less." "Your mother overindulges them." "And Aunt Regina, she hasn't come back?" "No, she hasn't been back at all." "Oh." " What about Aunt Eufemia?" " Sometimes." "Uncle Pedro comes occasionally." "He's such a moocher." " I like Uncle Pedro." " Yes, he's not a bad person." "That man who used to sing, he didn't come back?" "Who?" "Look, you should go to bed." "You have to be up early." "I'm not sleepy." "Go to bed anyway." "There won't be anyone to wake you tomorrow." "I was waiting for you last night." "You shouldn't have." "I ran late." "Yeah... but I wanted to eat with you." "I had some commitments, since we're leaving town today." "Didn't Carmela tell you I called?" "Yeah, she told me." "I was running really late." "Fortunately, Mercedes gave me a ride." "A suite." "A telegram was sent last night." "Raygada de La Paz." "Hotel Cuzco." "Yes." "Okay." "You're with your son, right?" "So it seems." "Dario, what are you doing here?" "You should've said you were coming!" "I'm visiting Machu Picchu with my mom." "Luis." "It's just Hector Hugo, Mom." " What'd you say?" " Nothing, Mom." "Room 27, ma'am." "Maria." "What a joy to run into you in the middle of your honeymoon." " How are you?" "Having a walk around?" " Like you, visiting antiquities." " Aren't they the Melgarejo women?" " Yes, and their cousin from Arequipa." "I want to buy some things at the door, Mom." "Go, but don't be long." "Come right up." "Your friends are moving on to the House of the Virgins, right?" "Look, I don't know." "I'm here as a guide for an Argentinian painter." "You, a guide?" "You know the arts are my hobby." "Yeah, and the native mummies." " Always on the warpath?" " More than ever traveling with Dario." "You don't know the strength he gives me." "I smell of gunpowder." "Do you like it?" "Peru is too well known." "It's in all the magazines." "It's easy to do." "Maybe you're right." "I have a postcard at home that's very similar." "You're from Argentina, right?" " Who told you?" " Nobody, it's how you talk." "My mom had a friend from there." "He danced the tango." "That's great." " And what do you do?" " Me?" "I study." " I love to draw." " Oh, that too." "At school, we draw every week." " Where are you from?" " Lima." "You don't look it." "I'd say you look Moroccan." "Like this one?" "Yeah, it's the palace of Inca Roca." "Who brought you here?" "A friend I'm traveling with." "He's Peruvian." "The guides always show the same spots." " Want me to take you, Mr...?" " Felipe Unzuaga." "Won't your mom be upset if you're late?" "My mom?" "She treats me like a man." "My name's Dario Raygada." "What's wrong?" "It's nothing." "I was remembering something from this afternoon." "Do tell." "What's her name?" "Oh no, it was a young man." "A boy, almost." "He discovered that I was wasting my time." "You, the favorite painter of our society?" "You make thousands of soles and dozens of portraits." " What more do you want?" " To be more than just a Kodak." "Dario, what are you doing here?" "I was looking for... the gentleman." "My mom already came down." "Let's go, kiddo." " Coming?" " No, you go." "Remember, we're eating with the Melgarejo women." "Let's get going, kiddo." "My friend Felipe Unzuaga." "Now I understand why Dario wanted me to meet you." "He's such a bold kid." "What did he bother you for?" "I want him to meet you so you can see his drawings, and so he can draw you." "Have a seat, please." "You're with Fergan, right?" "How do you know that?" "He told me when I arrived." "That's some guide you've got." "I just replaced him with Dario." " Will you be in Cuzco for long?" " I think so." "I don't know." "You'd really have to stay a lifetime to see it all." "It's another world." "You're with lots of friends, right?" "From Lima." "The Melgarejo family." "Oh, okay." "You'll find nothing interesting there." "Nothing new." "Come on, it's time to eat." "Felipe is coming with us." "It's true." "This afternoon I accepted Dario's invitation." " What about Fergan?" " I'll ask him to excuse me before his friends." "That'll be equivalent to a declaration of war." "I'll start the offensive, then." "Excuse me." "He's nice, right?" "I like Felipe." "He's worth more than all your friends, Mom." "To the kid." " You're eating with her?" " That's right." " It was inevitable." "What do I tell the Melgarejos?" "It's too hard to find an excuse with women that old." "You'll think of one." "A pisco sour." "Hey, if you knew Mrs. Raygada, why didn't you join me?" "She's too hostile when she finds herself surrounded by former friends." " It's another of her charms." " I don't disagree, but she overdoes it." "Either you're with her or against her." "And to be with her, my dear Unzuaga, is to live in a state of war with the people you know and see often." "There's no middle ground." "Damn, but why?" "Oh, it's a long story and she's too beautiful to be forgiven." " Tell me." " Not a chance." "I'll leave you the undeniable pleasure of discovering it yourself." "(Quechua)" " It's says we're close now, Felipe." " Machu Picchu." "So present and nobody knew it was there." "Not even the conquistadors discovered it." "It took someone more perceptive than us, or more fortunate, to find the city that the forest had hidden from the eyes of the world." "Imagine the surprise, Maria." "To pass alongside it and not see it." "It's like discovering a luminous soul behind eyes full of shadows." " Are we leaving yet?" " Lost the enthusiasm you had?" "It's too much for me." "I'm so used to carpets and soft light." "Hakuchi, hakuchi!" "Before you regret it, Mom." "Machu Picchu!" "The lost city of the Incas, Unzuaga." " We'd climb mountains." " Use bows and slingshots!" "We'd have flea-less dogs!" " We'd light a fire with tinder." " We'd paint all day long." "Like this, kiddo." "This is how I want you to be." "I'll teach you to paint." "You'll come here and put a roof on a home, and you'll do what we don't dare to do." "I'll choose one, and take some photos." "When are you returning to Lima?" "Tomorrow." "I don't feel right." "If they take my home, if it goes on like this, it's like they're undressing me in the street." " What are you afraid of?" " I don't know." "Sometimes I think I could've been different." "But only for an instant." "My vanity wouldn't forgive me for it." "How can you think that?" "You're perfect as you are." "I can't imagine anything more perfect." "Don't say things you don't mean." "Watch out for the scenery." "You're under its spell." "No, it's not that." "I didn't look at it before because it didn't interest me." "Now..." "I feel it through you, Maria." "And I feel so passionately attracted..." "Let's follow Dario, please." "Are you upset?" "No." "I just don't want to fool myself, Felipe." "Luckily for you, you can still dream." "I haven't let myself dream for a long time." "Forget everything, Maria, and look at me with those shadowless eyes." "I've dreamed of you every minute since I saw you." "So much... that it seems unreal to feel you in my arms." "Maria." "I'm going to help Ramon." " Anyone call for me?" " The usual ones." "And the man who doesn't give his name, ma'am." "Listen, Carmela." "I'm not back yet." "Don't tell anyone I'm back." "Tell Rita in case she answers the phone." "Anything else?" "Last night Antón said he'd be in Ica for a few days, and that he deposited the check in your account." "WAITING FOR YOU ALWAYS." "CALL ME." "Mom, we have Felipe's suitcase." "Call the number he gave you and tell him." "Wait." " Invite him to eat with us." " Okay, Mommy." " I found you at last." " Where'd you come from?" "You... got lost in a jungle of tresses." "Lucky you." " I called you a few times." " Don't lie." "You only thought you did." "We understand why, but it's not right to abandon everything." "Excuse me." "Mariucha, Marcial really worries me." "He's upset." "He might cause a scandal." " Talked to him yet?" " He won't even listen to me." "This could only happen to me..." "Be careful." "Think about Dario and Felipe." "Okay, kiddo." "Bye, kiddo." "Was that Dario?" "What did he ask you for?" "A surprise." "He asked if we could see a bullfight tomorrow." "I called him to tell him that I got tickets." "Oh, just brilliant..." "I'm not up for a bullfight." "Anyway, you two go." "Dario is hoping we'll all go together." "Tomorrow we'll see." "I want us to have all of today to ourselves." "Darling..." "I'm so happy." "I never knew what love was until I met you." "It's like I'm discovering how things are." "Everything seems new to me." "I was living by habit but now I need to live." "Now I want to live to feel you around me." "I want to live because I feel so alive." "If you could free me from this anguish that imprisons me..." "What's troubling you?" "My past." "We all have one." "Yes." "But some pasts loom large." "We make them large." "No, Felipe." "It's other people's memory." "What does that matter to you?" "It matters a lot." "It'll never let you see me as I am." "Maria... you still don't know how much I love you?" "Remember my killing blow." "Congratulations." "It's nonsense." "Let's go." "Now they'll say I put a spell on him." "Who was that bullfighter?" "Just some bullfighter." "Mercedes introduced us a few days ago." "Mercedes's friend." "Oh." "I don't like bullfights anymore." "How are things, Ignacio?" " Did you hear the news?" " It's why I came." "People are terrible, Mariucha." "Carmela." "Now they're blaming you for Marcial's death." "Forget about that." " Would you like a drink?" " No, no." "Coffee." "I haven't felt too well the past few days." "Then some coffee for Ignacio." " Here for a hello or money?" " No, I don't need anything, Mariucha." "Besides, if I did, you know I've never been ashamed to ask." "That was before." "I haven't intervened in your finances in a while, and that makes me wonder." "What sort of pain?" "Want a doctor?" "I mean a real doctor." "Save me from science." "My own toxins are enough for me." "As you wish." "Ignacio..." "I'm stunned by Marcial's death." " How tragic!" " Don't think that!" "It's you I pity." "That was shaping up to be a tragedy, and you don't have the temperament for that." "Perhaps." "Anyway, I felt awful for him." "He was so young." "And about my temperament, I'll tell you this:" "You might be right, but since childhood, I've been beset by winds of tragedy." "That's also true." " You're leaving?" " Yes, ma'am." "Need anything?" "No." "Oh, look." "Tomorrow pay the bills I mentioned, and politely put off the others." "Say that I just got back in town." "Okay, ma'am." "Don't worry." "See you tomorrow." "In debt, Mariucha?" "For now." "Come." "Look, Mariucha." "You don't know how much I like Felipe." "He's a good person and I think he even loves you in his way." "But you mustn't forget the life you lead, your commitments, all that you've surrounded yourself with, which you need to feel strong." " Am I neglecting something?" " You're jeopardizing it." "What's wrong with accepting an invitation from someone you'll need later?" "You've always done it." "How can I spare an hour?" "And what if Felipe suddenly calls or comes over and I'm not here?" "Felipe just got here and doesn't know about your commitments." "Your life didn't begin with his arrival, and he must understand that." "No, no." "And I'll tell you what:" "I'm not up for those adventures." " I don't want or need them." " It's all relative." "Besides, there's Dario." " He's really fond of Felipe." " That's also dangerous." " What is?" " His fondness for Felipe." "Because he won't be able to give him up after." "So tell me, why would he have to give him up?" "How long do you think your crush on Felipe will last?" "Crush?" "It's love, got it?" "Okay, your..." "love." "As long as fate permits." "Okay, then the boy will be happy for as long as fate permits." "Okay?" " Felipe." " What's up, kiddo?" "This is for you." "Kiddo, why'd you do this?" "You shouldn't have." "You liked it, so I'm giving it to you." "Keep it." "Let's go, Ramon." "What a surprise, friend." "I was nearby and hadn't visited in a few days." "I really appreciate it." "Let's go in." "I fear for the day when Maria doesn't have you." "When Maria learns all her sacrifices have been in vain..." "Will she be able to recover?" "That's where my anxiety and fear begin." "Because Maria is happy and she's over 30." " Is there an age for being happy?" " Perhaps not." "But there is an age when it's impossible to stop without plunging into the void." "And why must she stop being happy?" "Because the love between you two has no foundation." "What life do you think she leads?" "That's a strange question." " Who sets terms on love?" " Circumstances do, for example." "Perhaps... but passion sweeps those away." "Have you considered what will happen to her, if one day, because of some circumstance you leave?" " No." "I didn't stop to consider it." "I admit it." "I'm in the current." "I can't think about the shore." "What I don't understand, if you'll allow me, Ignacio, is why you worry so much about the future." "Because I don't see stability in the present." "Your relationship isn't normal." "Life... is very cruel." "Two beings in love can only stay in the realm of fantasy if they have money, lots of money." "With money, events will align to one's will." "It's a sad conclusion, but that's how it is." "I've often wondered:" "To what limit will you and Maria escape the demands of what's normal?" "So you think I shouldn't encourage this love in Maria?" "Something like that, unless you have it all worked out." " Do you love Maria a lot?" " I do." "I feel deeply honored by her affection and friendship." "Honored." "Do you know why?" "Because Maria became who she is by self-denial, by sacrifice, as a reaction to other people's spite but she's a generous soul." "Black ermine... always driven to pure things unaware that her coat is stained." "Hello?" "How are you, dear?" "I know Dario left you." "Did you two have a lot of fun?" "Look, I'm finishing some shopping." "Wait for me, okay?" "Take care." "Okay, send it all to my home as soon as possible." "Don't lie to me:" "Did you prepare the one from Paris?" " All the ones you saw." " And now the bill." " It's coming." "Who do we send it to?" " What are you implying?" " I'm just asking." "Well, send it to my home, but don't rush." " Are you afraid I'll fall behind?" " Did I say something?" "I'll send it to you." "I see you make progress when I'm not around." "I'll have to leave you alone so you can finish." "What's this?" "Is it new?" "Dario gave it to me." "What's wrong?" "I'm worried about Dario." "I've wanted to tell you for a while." "I see in his eyes that he expects something from me." "He sees what I am to you but he ignores it." "If that's so, which is completely natural," "I couldn't betray his trust and disappoint him." "You must've noticed that, around him, I never... say anything that might upset him that I even watch you." "I've noticed." "What did you think?" "Nothing." "I don't know what to think." "Maria, what's wrong?" "You said "while our love lasts."" "As if you already saw its end near." "Listen." "Yes, yes." "Its end near." "You think it's horrible to disillusion a boy, but you don't see the immense cruelty in doing it to an unhappy woman." " Maria..." " Don't say any more." "It's strange... that you understood what you became for Dario and don't realize what you are for me." "You're worried about what my boy might feel." "Not about what I do feel." "I'm sure, in case you're doubtful, that Dario knows about us." "You could've told me about Dario, without announcing you'd have to leave one day." " Listen to me." " Leave me alone!" " They're just words." "I only wanted to tell you how I felt." "Right now I don't care how you feel." "I care about how I feel." "I'm suffering with my heart, not with yours." "Don't go, stay." "If you knew me better you'd know what your love means to me." "Come with me." "I want you to know what nobody else knows about me." "In this room, my mother received guests." "Until I turned seven, it was full of cheerful people." "And the piano that was in that corner could be heard in the afternoon." "And one listened to it like a familiar voice in the square." "Suddenly my father turned reclusive and hostile." "He tormented us with his behavior." "And this door... was slammed over and over until the last of our friends disappeared." "One day he became gravely ill." "He was almost glad to die." "He'd done so much to destroy himself." "Years of poverty followed, and my sisters abandoned us." "When we didn't even have shoes my mother sent a telegram to a cousin in Piura." "He answered her call." "He was tall and thin." "He looked us over." "I reminded him of my mother when she was fifteen." "His excitement gave him away." "And this house livened up again." "One night... going up the stairs I saw him silently exit my mother's room." "Then I understood everything." "My father's bitterness and my mother's telegram." "I couldn't bear his presence anymore." "He realized it, and his character grew bitter and callous." "One day..." "I was left alone with him at home." "He called me to his room where he would stay confined for long hours." "For a long time, he'd been avoiding me." "When I entered he came toward me trembling." "I still remember it." "I barely had the strength to escape his embrace and run!" "I didn't say anything but he disappeared that same night." "They blamed me for him leaving." "Poverty threatened again, and I decided to go find work." "It was all in vain." "None of those arrogant people who'd been our friends lent me a hand." "Desperate, I found a man who said he'd help, but he lied and later fled Lima in fear." "Dario was born shortly after his father died." "I looked for a protector in my disgust and hate." "And money returned to the house." "My mother and sisters knew how I was getting it but they kept quiet." "With that money, I married off my sisters." "I paid their dowries." "Then they shunned me." "When my mother died, we lost the house." "And I was left alone with Dario." "After that... for years... for years, only my pride sustained me... my spite my vanity as a beautiful and desired woman." "Years without hope or meaning." "Why did you take so long to arrive?" "It'll be very hard to renew that mortgage." "Why?" "If we pay the interest, I think it's fine." "You think so, but the bank doesn't." "Your mistake was using a powerful friend to get such a short-term loan." "Now it's too late." " How much time do we have left?" " A week, nothing." "With how badly you run your finances now, less." " I run them like always!" " Hardly." "Didn't you get the bank statement?" "Deposits: none." "Withdrawals: a stack of checks." "I've had a lot of expenses." "I'm not disputing that, but don't take on new ones." "Why do you need to rent a palace?" "To get another palace." "Don't you know that poverty brings poverty?" "Banks don't care about superstitions." "But I do!" "Besides, I'm moving to my parents' mansion." "If the bank doesn't get it first." "The weight of the mortgage hangs over its walls." "I'll fix that in two or three days." "God willing." "Don't forget, Maria." "For many years I've represented you." "Reduce your expenses to the minimum." "Be more careful." "If you're not, one day you'll end up in the street." " The dressmaker sent them, ma'am." " Okay." "Keep me informed, because time's running out." "I will." "Don't be impatient." "The bill?" "Don't even respond to it." "Yes?" "Alberto, Alberto!" "He didn't say he felt sick." "You're sure he didn't say that?" "I'm sure, ma'am." "We would've listened." "With how polite Ignacio was to everyone." "Which room is his?" " Didn't he have a balcony to the street?" " Yes, but that was before." "A few months ago, he asked to be moved to the room in back." "I don't know." "Things must've been bad for him." "Here it is, ma'am." "Tell Felipe." "And Fergan too." "And Manresa." "It's a crime to claim he didn't suffer." "People only notice physical pain." "What's visible is what counts." "I never imagined he was so poor." "I knew he was in debt but I never thought that he lived in that hovel." "Why didn't he tell me?" "One reaches poverty without noticing." "When you're alone, you bear it." "He had nothing left." "He was like we were right after my father died." "But he was alone, Maria." "That's no comfort." "He was alone..." "because he was poor." "Don't say that." "His friends, we were his friends." "God save me from "friends"." "Who were our friends?" "All of Lima." "What did we have left after we sold our last chair?" "Someone demanding to sit in it." "That's different, Maria." "Don't get upset." "How can I not get upset?" "Poor Ignacio..." "Take care of your mother." "She's suffered a lot." "If you need anything, tell me." "I won't leave home." "Be more careful." "If you're not, one day you'll end up in the street." "My dear child, at last!" "When you called me, I could hardly believe it." "Would you like a drink?" "I heard about your novel." "It's your right, but why haven't you introduced him to me?" "What a time for introductions, with Ignacio's death and all I'm going through." "I heard about that." "Poor Ignacio." "Such a good friend, and always so dignified." "You did a lot for him." "And I even heard you paid for a little plot for him." "That's life." "It was a very great loss for me, Mercedes." "Now, to be honest I don't know who to consult for the few dealings I have." "What about Olmedilla?" "What've you done with Olmedilla?" "He's not back from Ica yet." "I see that you didn't leave Antonio." "I think that's good, Maria." "It's not a crush, and he can't do without you now." "You're at the age when men need us most." "One look at him and he'll do whatever you say." "Olmedilla is a good friend, but he'd make for a bad advisor." "I used to have Ignacio as my advisor." "That's why I thought of Dr. Alzamora." "He's offered to so often." "Of course I don't want to do it, as I told you, in a very direct way." "I'd like to find an opportunity... as if by chance if you don't mind." "Why would I mind, dear?" "You can't imagine the satisfaction this gives me." "When do you think I could see him, then?" "In a few minutes." "Purely by chance." "You've no idea how grateful I am." "I should be grateful to you for giving me the chance to help two friends." "Another drink?" "To your Argentinian." "But don't trust in love, my dear." "Keep worrying about your finances." "Excuse me." "You're so late, Rafael." "If I were you, I'd have spent the night and awoken to this surprise." " Maria!" " Our prodigal child." "How are you, Maria?" "Always so striking." "Don't flatter me, doctor." "She was going to leave, but I kept her, knowing you were coming." "I'll remember you in my will, Mecha." " A glass of port, Rafael?" " If you two are drinking, sure." "It's the happiest day of my life." "Believe me." "It won't be once you hear what I have to say." "Didn't you say that I could turn to you for advice?" "Always." "We haven't been close at all." "I had hoped we would be." "Then let's say... they didn't let us." "She told me she has some problems, and I thought you, Rafael, could fix them." "So great is your influence." "Your problems are my problems." "I don't know where to start." "Anyway, I'd like you to see my representative Garrigós, doctor." "He'll explain it better than me." "Whenever you choose, I'll see him right away at my office." "Now you see, Maria, how wonderful Rafael is." "It wasn't worth giving up on life." " More port?" " No, but thanks, Mecha." "Dario is expecting me." "May I join you?" "Thanks." "I left my car at the door." "As it happens, I sent mine away, so I'd like to go in yours." "Mercedes won't want me to take her guest..." "One more word..." "and I'll go with you two!" " Why did you want to join me?" " To be beside you a few more minutes." "Don't you realize that Mecha will think we left together quite intentionally?" "It didn't escape her that I wanted you to come." "Please, Rafael." "Where do you want to be dropped off?" "You won't allow me at your house?" "That would be imprudent for you and for me." "You're just being polite." "I don't see the imprudence in it." "Maybe you're right." "If people guessed my feelings for you, Maria, maybe they'd be right to gossip, but knowing how scornful you are..." "Scornful?" "Not at all." "Women like me... sometimes want to feel they're the object of a loving friendship... that's patient that can wait." "Do you think, Rafael, that this was a chance encounter?" "It was me who made it happen." "Do you know why?" "Because I remembered you, out of all my friends, as the only one able to give me impartial advice in these difficult times I'm going through." "You weren't wrong, Maria." "No, no." "Not now." " Did Felipe call?" " Twice, ma'am." " Anyone else?" " Dr. Garrigós." "He urgently wanted to speak to you." " And where's Dario?" " He's upstairs." "Felipe?" "I've wanted so much to be with you, dear." "I'm so upset with myself." "Yes, I've lost precious time." "As usual, with friends." "You know." "I went out with Mercedes, the poor thing." "She just dropped me off." "I don't know." "I'll call you again in any case." "You?" "What brought you here?" "Come in, kiddo." "My mom wasn't home so I came here." "Look, this portrait is of your mother." "Why didn't she come with you?" "I don't know." "She went out early." "You've traveled a lot, right?" "Not much." "Some." "I'd like to travel." "Tell me, Dario..." "like you would a friend:" "What's the matter?" "Nothing." "Everyone treats me like a kid." "My mom does too." "Nobody understands me." "You should be different." "You're my friend, Felipe." "Come on, Dario." "Let's talk man to man." "Tell me what's wrong." "I want to have a father." "Everyone has one." "I see how things are." "Okay, okay." "Many kids are in your position and it's nothing unusual." "Besides, you'll be a man soon and you have a mother who adores you." "What you need to do is study hard." "Make your mom proud of you." "Then you'll work for her." "You'll move to the new house." "I want her to live differently, to marry a man like you." "If not, I'd rather she were old and ugly." "What nonsense, Dario!" "A child must never judge their mother." "I'm not judging her." "I've never criticized her." "But since you've been our friend... everything's been like like I would've wanted it to always be." "Dario..." "I thought you were a man." "It's you who's grown and sees your mom differently." "You'll see." "In a few years, you won't even remember these worries." "I almost forgot." "This is for you." "Thanks." "Don't tell my mom anything." "I don't want her to know I came to see you." "Why the secret?" "It wouldn't upset her to know you were with me." "Please don't tell her." "Okay, okay." "Felipe Unzuaga?" "Below the stamp, sir." "Thanks." "How long will you stay in Lima?" "I don't know." "But it's not unlikely that I'll have to go to Buenos Aires." " See you later, Felipe." " Later, kiddo." "And don't worry." "You need to come back as soon as possible." "The doctors think that it would help a lot if you came." "Your call came at just the right time." "It revived her so much that even she was totally surprised." "What are you up to?" "Come have a soda." " Your mother's really okay?" " Yeah, uncle." "Nothing new around the house?" "Nothing." "And how's it going with the painter?" "I've heard good things about him." "A good person, right?" "A good friend of yours, right?" "He's always been very caring to me." "He's the best of our friends." "But you're unhappy, Dario." "You're worried about something." "Isn't that so?" "He's going back, to Buenos Aires." "He told me so himself." "So that you'd tell your mother." " He said it without even thinking." " But you'll tell her, right?" "No." "Why wouldn't you tell her?" "Because I'm sure that it's her fault he's leaving." "So that's how it is..." " And what did she do?" " I don't know." "Her usual things, I'm sure." "I should know." "You thought it was serious, didn't you?" "Son, your mother wasn't born for marriage." "She's never considered it." "But if a man like Felipe wants to marry her why can't he?" "What makes you think he wants to?" "Maybe he does." "Maybe he doesn't." "Love and marriage are two different things for a man." "You'll understand some day." "Yes, uncle." "I'm catching on." "How's it going, dear?" "I heard you got back yesterday." "You didn't even call me." "I did, but you were out." "Yes, in the afternoon, but I waited all night for you." "You waited for me?" "And why so nervous?" "Having bad financial trouble?" "Watch your tone or get out." "Something's not right in that little head." "Look, I don't need anything." "And I think I won't need anything from anyone, got it?" " I'm catching on." " I said watch your tone!" "Dear, we've known each other for years." "Let's talk like close friends." "Last night I was at the Argentine embassy." " And your point is?" " You'll see." "I heard jokes there about an Argentine painter, who, from the looks of it, seems to be one of your friends." "Jokes, you said?" "They said, among other things... that he had gotten hopelessly lost in a skirt and that this skirt was yours." "But don't worry." "Luckily for us, it seems the painter was called back to Buenos Aires." " That's a lie!" " What?" "You're lying." "You're making it all up, this encounter and these allusions." "I'm too old to lie or make up things." "I'm a businessman, dear, who deals with reality every day." "You know it's all true, don't you?" "I won't even bother giving you a response!" "Take your news and get out!" "As you wish." "But I told Dr. Alzamora..." "Of course." "Don't make me despair." "He said he'd call." "He was very polite, but I'm still waiting." "Remember, Maria." "It expires in two days." "I'd say the situation is serious." "Okay, fine." "I'll handle it." "Today." "I'll be sure to call this afternoon." "Yes, I'm sure he's dealing with it." "See you later." "Where were you?" "I went to the country club to see a tennis match." " Or am I not allowed?" " Why don't you tell me first?" "I'm talking to you." "What's with you?" "Nothing." "That's no way to answer your mother." "If you don't want to talk, it'll be best if you go back to school tomorrow." "What's that there?" "A letter for you." "They gave it to me at the door." "It's from a Mr. Alzamora." "Mom." "Yes?" "I'd like to talk to you." "Later." "I'm busy now." "Who else would it be?" "Yes, I just got it." "I really appreciate that you worried about me." "Of course but it'd have to be in Ancón." "This evening at 6:00, okay?" "Don't park your car too close." "See you later." "Carmela?" "Yes, ma'am." "Have Ramon take Rita to the villa and wait until she's done." "Right away, ma'am." "Felipe?" "Darling." "Look, I'll be free at 9:00." "Yeah, I know..." "Anyway, if you're up to it, we'll go to your friends' dance." "From tomorrow on, you'll be all mine." "It's just that I've had some serious problems, dear." "But today they'll all get resolved." "Except you." "Oh, you're not a problem." "Love me forever, Felipe." "See you later." "Ma'am." "Come in." "Mr. Rosales is here, ma'am." "He wants to see you." "He smells my finances." "He told me to tell you he's not here about money." " I know that trick." " He says it's about Dario." "Some of Eufemia's nonsense." "Tell him to come back tomorrow." "He insisted that it's important, ma'am." "Tell him that I'm sick, that I'll visit them tomorrow." "Shall we have a drink?" "A cocktail?" "Whiskey?" "I'd prefer a whiskey." "Very elegant and very beautiful, Maria." "Soda water, ice?" "Straight is better." "Delicious." "Forgive me, Rafael." "But I'm so worried." "I have so many problems." "Your worries are over, Maria." "That pretty little head won't have any more problems." "I spoke with your representative." "A nice guy, Dr. Garrigós." "Please, don't tell me anything." "We have a lot of time ahead of us." "I think." "A whole lifetime." "Want a cigarette?" "Okay." "Why do you keep this house, Maria?" "I don't know." "It would've been sad to part with it." "I was here with Dario when he was really little and was sick." "Then I rented the house in Miraflores." "And I didn't feel like giving it up." "It holds so many memories." "You can't imagine, Rafael..." "how much my memories cost me." "Want a tour?" "Okay." "There's not much to see." "The living room." "The little garden." "And my bedroom." "Forgive me, Felipe." "I got delayed, but I'll be with you in a minute." "Carmela, come help me." "Dario isn't back yet, ma'am." " He's not back?" "Where'd he go?" " I don't know, ma'am." "I thought he told you." "Maybe that's why Uncle Rosales came." "He must be at their house." "Call and see." "Call Eufemia." "It's Carmela." "Is Dario there?" "Oh, he hasn't been there." "No, no, nothing." "Thanks." "This kid!" "I'll shut him away at school!" "He must've gone to the stadium." "To the stadium?" "And when does soccer end?" "But it's 9:30." "When does the game end?" "Go find out." "Ask Ramon." "What's wrong with Dario?" "This kid has become unbearable." "Where could he be?" " When do the soccer matches end?" " 7:00-7:30, ma'am." "Then he should be here." "It's not possible." "He left just before 5:00." "We were talking and he asked for the keys to the villa." "I doubt it's serious, Maria." "Calm down." "Dario's a young man." "He can take care of himself." "Dario!" "Son!" "He killed himself." "Call a doctor." "Rosales is here." "He wants to talk to you about Dario, ma'am." "I'd like to talk to you, Mommy." "It might seem cruel, but..." "God punishes children for the sins of their parents."