"THE SWAMP" "Thank you, God, for giving me Isabel." "Who's Joaquín up in the hills with?" "Vero." "Vero." " Move over." " What's wrong?" "I don't want anyone but Isabel." "Mom's firing her, Momi." "Why?" "She says the sheets and towels are disappearing, so she's firing her." "That's a lie." "Mechita." "Get up." "It's gonna rain." "Okay, I'm getting up." "I'm fine." "Momi!" "Mecha fell down." "I don't want to see blood." "I'll get up by myself." "Put her in the chair." "Let me go." "Don't make a fuss." "It's okay." "Suddenly all the towels appear." "Momi, bring the car around." "Let go of me!" "She's crushing the hydrangeas." "Stop her." "Let go of me!" "Tell Dr. Gringo she's coming." "Your mom's losing a lot of blood." "Momi, go get my dress with buttons." "This savage wants to take me to La Ciénaga like this." "We've gotta get her to the hospital." "She's losing a lot of blood." "Go see what Isabel took." "Don't put the towels in hot water." "The stains will set." "What's going on?" "It's all dirty." "I'm not wearing this." " Don't make me." " Mom, it's raining." "Get in the car." "This rain will do the land good." "Let's go." " No, Gregorio." " Vero, I'll go." "Do as I say, Verónica." " I'll go." "Please." " Don't let him drive." "What if I'm stopped?" "Say you forgot your license and that it's serious." "It is serious." "Isabel, the gate!" "Isa, the gate." "The gate!" "It's her age." "My mother-in-law was always like that." "She's not really blind." "She should travel, but she won't budge." " With all the cultures to see " " I'm going to the parade." "Isn't it raining?" "With so many - I don't mean far away, but " "Look at the hare in the sink." "No, Rafael has so much work, we're stuck here all year." "Where?" "Bolivia?" "Who did you go with?" "Alone, with the kids?" "That's brave!" "Colorful costumes?" "Really colorful." "Gaudy." "Nothing you could wear." "Sounds gorgeous!" "But you could never wear it." "Quiet!" "Was there a lot of paperwork at customs?" "My mother-in-law should go, but she says she's blind." " They soaked us." " We told them we didn't want to play." "Girls, please!" "What is it?" "I'm on the phone." "Go tell them, Mom!" "As soon as carnival begins, so do the problems." "I'll call you later." "What happened, Luchi?" "Let me see." "You cut yourself." "How'd you do that?" "Girls, I can't hear a thing." "Agustina, come help me." "Take him to the bathroom." "Wash it carefully." "The water will stop the bleeding." "It's okay." "Rafael?" "Can you take Luchi to see the Gringo?" "He cut himself again." "No, nothing serious." "Tali, this won't defrost." "Bring home some chicken." "The beef was frozen solid." "Okay." "Bye." "Careful." "It's hot." "Dr. John, the surgeon" "We must operate today" "In the emergency ward" "On a girl of your age" "She is 21 years old" "You are one year older" "Who is this girl?" "Verónica." "But at home they call her Verito." "She lives four days with her mom and three with her dad." "Her dad has an apartment." "Her mom kept the house." "That's nice." "Poor thing." "No, my mom has the apartment." "My dad has the house." "Same thing." "Hello?" "Agustina, it's for you." "A young man." "Hello?" "It's my dad." "Yes, Dad." "They're leaving now." "Okay." "Bye." "Are you all right?" "Are you crying?" "It sounded like you were." "I don't know if I can come." "There's a lot of work." "It's raining there, right?" "I can hear it." " Who is it?" " Vero." " Vero who?" " My sister." "Hi." "Yes, I can hear you." "How many stitches did they give her?" "Did you have to give blood?" "What happened?" " Is Mom all right?" " José?" " Are they both at the clinic?" " What happened?" "My mom had an accident, but she's all right." "What?" "Tali, you know Mecha?" "Yes, we're like cousins." "Poor Mecha." "Is she badly hurt?" "A little drunk." "Poor Mecha." "I don't know what's wrong." "This is nothing new, but she stopped drinking." "Apparently not." " What happened?" " Nothing." "Rosa, tell the Gringo to hurry." "My place is a madhouse." "All right." "What happened?" "When I tell you kids to listen, you have to listen." "If Mecha had listened to her mom, she'd never have married that man." " I always listen." " I know." "Thank God - no." " On top of everything else." " Damn rain." " Want to stay over?" " Yes." "Who'll stay with Mecha?" " Momi's coming." " All right, then." "Tali, has he had a tetanus shot?" "Damn!" "I left the vaccine at home." "Did we vaccinate you?" " Did we?" " Yes." "We did." "Are you sure?" "Bye, Gringo." "Thanks." " Will he need stitches?" " Yes, but don't worry." "Darn it, Luchi!" "What's that in your mouth?" "It's an extra tooth coming in." "Close your mouth." "May I see Mecha?" "No, we had to pump her stomach to give her tranquilizers." "She must be asleep." "Better tomorrow." " Gregorio was no better." " Was he hurt too?" "No, just drunk." "Couldn't even give blood." "Good God!" "What a family." "I've been here two hours, and I haven't seen anything." "But here's the owner." "Nilda." "Look, that's the spot." "I don't see a thing." " Did you see the Virgin?" " Well, not me." "My daughter." " Is she in?" " Yes, I'll call her." "Miriam, they want to ask you some questions." " You saw the Virgin?" " Yes." " How did it happen?" " I was hanging out the wash, and I saw a light above the water tank." "I looked up and saw the Virgin." "Had you seen her before?" "No, just this once." "Close up or far away?" "Medium." "From the yard I saw her on the tank." "Any comment, sir?" "I came because my niece saw her, but I can't see her." "Mom says you have to answer." " Do you pray or sing?" " We pray." "Hello." "Hi, dirty Momi." "Yes, I heard what happened." "Vero called me." "Is she back?" "Don't talk too long." "It's long-distance." " Shall I open the window?" " No, that's worse." "Hi." "Tell Vero I'll probably be there tomorrow." "Tell Vero I'll be there tomorrow." "Turn the TV down." "I can't hear." "Who's with you?" "Put Isabel on." "Hi, José." "There were lots of people." " You saw the Virgin?" " Yes, Pablo and I did." "He was ecstatic." " Where are you going?" " Your brother told me to leave." "José, stop being bossy." "Isa, he says he's sorry." "Isa, come back." "Where's Mom?" "She's spending the night at the clinic." "Is she okay?" "She wants a nightgown, and she wants you to take her one of her dresses with buttons and a towel." "And Vero?" "She's sleeping over at Tali's." "How can I go?" "Take the car." "I don't have a license." "I told you you should get one." "Dad, I'm 15." "Come on, Momi." "The road's deserted." "If you're stopped, say I sent you." "Tell Isabel to go with you." " Look up there." " It's not up there." "Then maybe in there." "Just look at these." "I'll take that T-shirt just the same." "How long are you going for?" "Just a few days." "Is it that serious?" "We're very busy this week." "If you're not back in a few days " "Maybe I should go too." "I could talk to Mecha." "Maybe they'd deliver the peppers on time for once." "There's no need." "I can talk to Dad and fix everything, so you don't have to go." "Gregorio!" "Fat chance." "Maybe you're right." "It's too much for two days." "Go sleep in your room." "It's too hot." "I'll be right back." "Would this fit José?" "What size is he?" " Perro's outside." " Call him so he can try it on." "Here's Perro." " What are you doing here?" " Working with my cousin." "Could you try this on?" "It's for José." " He's bigger than me." " It's just to see." "Medium." "Okay." "Bye." "What size are the gray trousers?" "Whose turn is it?" " It won't open." " Let me see." "It's locked." "No way to open it." "Let's go back to town and call them to come open it." "Didn't you say they invited you?" "Things work the same everywhere." "Rafael, we could put a pool in the back." " Just for cooling off." " Of course." "Your place is too small." "Put in the clutch." "There." "That's it." "Poor Mecha." "Where will it all end?" "Gregorio's always been such a ladies' man." "I say she knew about Mercedes but pretended she didn't." "Not in front of the kids." "Yes, because otherwise it'll be worse later, and history will repeat itself." "I always thought Mecha knew he and Mercedes " "Gregorio's married to Mecha and he's going out with another girl?" "Before." "Now " " Apparently." " Which Mercedes?" "Careful." "Watch the road." "Merce, the one who works with José in Buenos Aires." " Weren't you three close friends?" " That's just it." "Turn here and brake." "Slow down." "That's it." "What's he doing standing there?" "Nothing, of course." "He's just standing there." "What's the problem?" "What a loser." "That guy was never good for anything." "I guess I have to get out." " How are you?" " Fine." "You?" "Hello, Rafael." "How are you?" " I brought the kids." " How are you, Gregorio?" "So they can use the pool." " Beautiful day." " Hope it stays that way." " I'll pick them up this evening." " Gregorio dyed his hair." "Isa." "We came to see." "They told us the Virgin appeared on that big tank." "But we didn't see anything." "Then the neighbors told us it was this house here, near that small tank, on the small ledge where the cement tank sits." "They say they saw her right there in the center." "That's where she stands." "We'll stay a while longer." "We'll wait all night." "Until dawn, if possible." "We're really anxious to see the Virgin." "Right in my cleavage." "What a disaster!" "Where are you going?" "To see my sister." "What's that dress for?" "You're going to carnival, right?" "How can you go when Mom's sick?" "Why don't you go to the pool?" "It's hot." "Party girl." "Momi, dirty Momi." "I'll get you, Momi." "Come here." "It seems her cousin found a dog in the street." "A tiny, short-haired dog." "It looked abandoned, so she took it home." "She put it outside with her cats and fed it." "The next day, she gets up to feed it again." "The dog is covered in blood, and the cats are gone." "She takes the dog, washes and dries it off, and takes it to a nearby vet." "She tells the vet," ""Doctor, I think this dog ate my cats."" ""Put it on the table."" "The vet turns around, grabs an ax hanging on the wall, and chops the dog in two." "The woman gets up close and notices it has loads of teeth, two rows." "The vet says, "That's not a dog, ma'am." "It's an African rat."" "What are you taking?" "What's in your hand?" "I didn't steal it." "I just put it there." "I didn't steal it, Isa." "Come here." "Why don't you shower?" "You haven't showered in four days." "And that pool's filthy." "You can't go in there." "You'll catch something nasty." "Put these on." " They don't go together." " Yes, they do." " Not stripes and flowers." " They do." "Go on." "When Joaquín goes up into the hills, I worry about his other eye." "Go bring the boys back from the hills." "If they're not ready when Tali comes, she'll stay and chat for hours." "Shall we shoot it?" " Luchi, move." " Luciano!" "Out of the way." "Those priests are really organized." "What a mess." "They already gave me a list of things the kids need for school." "Right?" "Even nylon thread." "I can't imagine what they'll learn with that." "Nothing." " Want a drink?" " No." "Something cool with ice." "Well, something cool." " A little ice with..." " Mamina." " Yes, ma'am?" " Bring some cool drinks." "Glasses, ice, and some wine." "Teresa went shopping in Bolivia." "She went there and got everything for next to nothing, from tennis shoes to pencils." "Why don't we take a little trip?" "To Bolivia, the two of us." " To shop." " Sure, why not?" "We'll ask Teresa where she stayed." "She got everything, from pencils to tennis shoes." "It's worth it." "With the kids, there's never enough money." "And this year there's Joaquín's operation too." "That's right." "You know Joaquín." "Nothing bothers him." "But this year he'll start dancing." "Pour me a bit." " What's wrong?" " Nothing." " And parties." " Oh, yes." "His eye will be a problem." "What did the Gringo say?" "He said he'd need surgery two years after the accident." "How long's it been?" "Almost four." "Yes, my mom was still alive." "The Gringo says it'll look perfect." "But he has to take out his eye and put in an artificial one so there's no cavity left." " Amazing." " He hates the glass eye idea." " Says they'll call him One-Eye." " No, they won't." "I'm taking Luchi to the dentist on Thursday." "He's got an extra tooth growing out of the roof of his mouth." "This girl's prettier every day!" "Her hair's all in knots." "No, it's like fine silk." "Just beautiful." "Tali's arranged for us to go to Bolivia this weekend." "We thought we'd go buy school supplies." "Already?" " The kids are in the pool." " Fine." "Couldn't they stay a few more days?" "Fine by me, sweetheart." "Yes, let's turn the lights on." "But Rafael's unbearable when the kids are gone." " He has no one to talk to." " But we'll be back soon." "Why not come visit?" "Your mom can rest." "I hardly hear them." " Because you're in bed all day." " Shut up, filthy savage!" "Tali says we're going shopping in Bolivia." "We could ask Rafael for the car, right?" "Don't worry." "We'll find a way." "Ah, it's José." "What a handsome son you've got." "I just hope he doesn't turn out like his dad." " Did you see the Virgin?" " I wish I'd had the time." "Teresa went." "She said it was incredible." "She was utterly transformed." "She phoned me in tears." ""Tali, you have to see it to understand," she said." " Teresa likes being everywhere." " It's true." "She went in the beginning and saw her very clearly." "It was packed, but Teresa pushed through and slowly made her way right up to the house and saw her on the tank." "The Virgin of Carmen, with scapular and robe, just like in the image." "You know Mr. Maure's wife?" "She saw Our Lady of Mercy with Jesus and the guardian angels." "And she's Jewish... so it must be true, because Jews don't go around seeing things." "We each see what we can." "I heard of another apparition in a blue robe with golden rays coming from her hands." "What a clown!" "That's right, dance!" "Come on." "Let's go." " Am I staying?" " What a beautiful night!" "Yes, sweetie." "But Luchi, you come along." "The dentist has to see that extra tooth." "Where are your clothes?" " Come on." " Vacation's almost over." "But when you grow up with nice teeth, you'll thank me." " Bye, Martín." " Let's see your teeth." "No, another time." "Did your cut get wet?" "Don't let your father see." "He'll have a fit." "José, help me." "I'll change him in the car." "Okay." "Bye." "This kid weighs a ton!" "Sure you didn't forget anything?" "What's wrong?" "We'd agreed the kids wouldn't stay over." " Why do we even talk about it?" " It'll be okay." " We'll pick them up tomorrow." " They'll be okay." "Don't get me worried." "That house is a disaster." "You know whose fault that is?" "Your cousin's." "She should have thrown him out." "Poor Mecha." "She'll end up like her mother, who took to her bed one day and stayed there until she died 15 or 20 years later." "Mecha and I thought we'd go to Bolivia next weekend." "School supplies are cheaper there." " I can't go." " No, we'd go alone." "With the kids, of course." " When I go hunting with Martín..." " Why not?" "You always say no!" "...he won't lend me his rifle." "He'll lend it to you in time." "You're still little." "What do we need to go?" "Luchi, I told you not to get wet." "Now look." "Do we need papers?" "Careful, Mariana." "Do we need papers to cross the border?" "Don't you have them?" "What papers do we need?" "I'm sick of those Indians pounding those drums all night." "They won't let anybody sleep." "It's not a good time for a trip." "It's too dangerous - especially for two women." "Teresa went last week and nothing happened." "But Mecha's a drunk and all stitched up." "Nothing will happen." "It's two or three days at most." "Why go so far when you can buy it all here?" " It comes out cheaper." " No, it's more expensive." "Want more?" "Here." "Mom... how " "Do African rats really exist?" "Leave the light on, Daddy." "There's a huge rat." "It's okay." "How revolting!" "Let's go." "Come on." "It's all bloody." "Agus." "What?" "What?" "We won't move you." "Go to sleep." "His clothes are all dirty." " What did they do?" " They took an X-ray." "Now we wait to see if it keeps growing." " What did they do to your mouth?" " I hate that noise." "There's the X-ray." "Luchi, open wide." "Are the kids coming back today?" "I'll go get them when they call." "I don't like them being there." "How many times do I have to say that?" "That's killing me." " They'll be home this weekend?" " Yes." "But there's a pool there." "They get bored in the house." "I'll buy a pool for the patio." "Your house is too small." "Stop putting things in your mouth." "Take that eraser out." "Let's go." "Hi." " You going to the dam?" " Yes." "They don't know about last night." "They want to go to the dam." "Let's go." "What a pig you turned out to be." "Someone answer the phone!" "Get the phone!" "Same old story." "It rings and rings." "Who is it?" "Who?" "The phone, Mamina!" "Mercedes who?" "Ah, Mercedes, how are you?" "These Indians never answer the phone." "No, don't worry." "I'm fine." "It was just a little scare." "My blood pressure dropped or something." "I don't know." "What?" "José?" "Wait a minute." "Just a second." "José!" "He was out partying yesterday." "He's probably at the dam now." "He must have gone out, but I'll have him call you." "Really?" "When are you coming?" "Mamina." "Get me some ice." "When are you coming?" "Great." "You can relax a bit too." "Okay." "Bye, Mercedes." "Ah, you were here after all." "I don't have a swimsuit." "There!" "One, two, three, four... 15, 16, 17..." "25, 26." "Now it will grow straight." "When the dog next door barks and jumps against the wall, he might break it down." "Who?" " The dog next door." " Break the wall down?" " No, the wall's too thick." " It sounds really big." " The dog?" " Yes." "Luciano, you're dead!" "Fall down dead!" "Luchi, get up." "Pass me that hammer." "Look at me." "What's in your mouth?" "You hiding something?" "Open up." " Lots of teeth are coming in." " It's just one." "Open up." "Breathe." " Don't hold your breath!" " It's a dog-rat." "Get down!" "You're scaring your brother." "I said get down!" "Careful." "Go play somewhere else." "I told you kids you're not allowed on the ladder." "Luchi, come help me." "We'll put this here." "Joaquín, the fish." "Thanks." " You gonna cook them?" " This crap?" "It's all mud." "Indians will eat any shit." "Summer getting you down?" "Call Compratel right now and ask about the Upsala minifridge." "The Upsala is compact and quiet, with a 30-gallon capacity." "Ideal for offices or as a minibar in game rooms." "It has an ice compartment and eight ice cube trays." "All the shelves are non-drip and adjustable to meet all your needs." "The all-new crisper keeps your fruit and vegetables at just the right humidity to prevent spoilage, with an evaporator fan and five-level adjustable thermostat." "The door closes automatically and is reversible too, making it ideal for anywhere in the home." "You should ask Tali to let you stay longer." " Till the weekend." " Yes." "It smells like fish in here." "It's awful!" "Go get some soda, Joaquín." " It's your turn." " Go on!" " Did you see a doctor?" " It's nothing." "Right!" "Then one of you shows up one day without an eye!" "Joaca." "Eat properly." "Don't be a pig, Joaca." "Did you call Mercedes?" "José, did you call Mercedes?" "What?" "Did you call Mercedes?" "She called for you earlier." "She needs some information about customs." "She's coming for a few days." "I imagine she'll stay here." "I'm staying in bed till she leaves." "I can't stand that witch." "Yes, she's unbearable, but she sells our peppers, which no one here will do." " You kids have fun in the pool?" " The pool's been filthy for years." " Oh, right." " Your hair's filthy." "Because the filter doesn't work, the pump doesn't work - nothing works." "Leave that here." " Joaca, eat properly." " Come on, Joaca." "What is this?" " Catfish stew." " It's good." "It's good... but go easier on the peppers." "Isabel, bring me some peaches, please." "Hi, José." "Hi, Mercedes." "It's José." "I'm at home." "I'll call you later." "Mechita." "Go get a cool drink." "Go away, Vero." "Is Mercedes coming?" "I think so." "You love her?" "Go to your own room." "Out!" "I'll pour you a little more." "Listen, Gregorio." "Tomorrow Isabel will take your things to the back room." "I'd like you to move there." " What about the kids?" " Starting tonight." " What will the kids say?" " You know what else?" "Stop dying your hair." "It's ruining the sheets." "You doing that for carnival?" "Careful with the dogs!" "Let them go." "Let it go, stupid Indian!" " Don't pet them." "It makes them tame." " It doesn't." " I said don't pet them." " One's stuck up there." "Go get it." "Hurry up!" "It's not a dog-rat." "We can get out." "Don't look." "He dyed his hair." "It's not as bad as I thought." "With the bandages off, in just a few days " " Hi, Tali." "How are you?" " Fine." " And the kids?" " Fine." "I'm glad." "I'll take that." "Mercedes is coming." "Really?" "When?" "I don't know." "She's so smart." "Remember at college?" "Always taking notes." "Kids are so lucky nowadays with copy machines." "Is she with anyone?" " Mercedes never sleeps alone." " Poor thing." "Answer the phone!" "Answer the phone, Isabel!" "They never answer the phone." "Why "poor thing"?" "She always had lots of admirers and suitors, remember?" "Yes, but it was always a bunch of bums, almost all of them." "She's always had a weakness for losers." "Too bad I realized it too late." "Too bad." "I mean, that you can't come." "The weather's great." "I'm staying a few more days." "I'll be back in Buenos Aires in a few days." "Things need fixing here around the house." "Wiring and stuff." "Have you got my towel?" "This one's yours." " Guess what?" " What?" "Mercedes isn't coming." "Give me my panties!" "Look!" "Those Indians must have fucked her." "You can't trust them for a minute." "They like dogs." "They like their hair." "It's so soft." "Their hair's so rough, and they live in one big jumble - father, mother, grandfather, cat, dog." "Did you see how they're always fondling them?" "They fondle them all day long." "Have the Gringo do some nice plastic surgery to hide any scars." " It's a shame." "I love low necklines." " It'll hardly show." "They do great plastic surgery now." "Teresa had it after her cesarean, though cesareans are more hidden." "You have such lovely hands." "First I have to worry about eye surgery for Joaquín." "Look after yourself a bit more." "These worthless kids leave things in the way." "I'm always tripping over " "What did you trip over the other day, Mom?" "A towel." "Didn't you know?" "Though with Isabel around, towels are hard to come by." " She doesn't steal towels." " Don't talk back!" "Filthy savage." "She spends all day with the maid." "Just look at her hair!" " You were drunk." " Shut up!" "Don't listen." "All she does is torture me." "Get out of here!" "A little sun will heal the scars." "Tali, in this heat?" "I know how this will end." "You'll take to your bed like Grandma." "Get out!" "If I want to stay in bed, I will!" "Let's go to Bolivia this weekend, okay?" "All right." "I'll get the papers straightened out." "We'll relax, get some fresh air." "The road's a bit dangerous, but " "It'll be fine." "We'll walk around." "I'll find those papers." "We'll just see if I end up like my mom." "Kids, get those dogs out of here." "Come on, let's get going." "Ready?" "My towel's missing." "José, you're filthy!" "Go wash up!" "Find him a towel." "Look, Mecha has a dog-rat." "Where's Isabel?" " My towel's in the bathroom." " Go and look." "It's a dog-rat." "Get that thing off the bed." "It's full of germs." "Get out." "Get out." "Get out." "Leave that dog here." "Let's take it." "Faster." "They're catching us." "Poor Joaquín with one eye - he's gonna fall down." "Are they gone?" " Where are you going?" " I'm going to walk." " I'll take you." " No, it's okay." "I'll take you in Gregorio's truck." "Wait here." " Dad?" " What?" "Can you wash my hair too?" "Look." "I found them." "Aren't these the car papers?" "Pass me a towel." "Where are they?" "No, a rag." "No, use this." "I'll wash it later." "Are these the papers we need for the border?" " Put those back where they were." " In a minute." "Look at you." "This is why the house is so dirty." "Do they ask for these papers at the border?" "You kids shouldn't go there." "You get all dirty." "Mom said I could." "Pass me the detergent." "You're a mess." "Luciano too." "Something exploded." "The light fell down." "Get out or the smoke will " "Where's Perro?" " What did he do?" " Nothing, Momi." " What did he do?" " Stay here." " Is the owner home?" " Yes, she is." "Ma'am... has the Virgin reappeared?" "My daughter says the Virgin asks everyone to pray a lot, because hard times are coming." "May we speak with your daughter?" "No, she's very tired." "Miriam, how are you?" "Have you seen the Virgin again?" "Phone!" "Answer the phone!" "She's tired of all the people." "She doesn't want to talk to anyone." "That's the truth." "Has the Virgin reappeared?" "Very well." "Here at this intersection in the barrio of San Francisco, something worries us." "Now you answer!" "Isabel, hang up!" "Hello?" "Ah, Mercedes." "These Indians never tell me who's calling." "What?" "Yes." "I don't know if he's up." "Just a minute." "Hold on." "I'll try to transfer the call." "Damn phone." "Hello, José?" "No, it's me, Mecha." "Hold on a second." "This phone's a piece of junk." "Come here." "Can you work this phone?" " Who is it?" " It's for you." "You're always either out or asleep." "What's going on?" "Yes, Mecha." "Yes, Mercedes." "Yes, Mecha's fine." "Yes, she's fine." "Don't worry." "Okay." "Big kiss." "I gotta go back to Buenos Aires." "Get some rest, son." " He bought it for me!" " No, it's mine!" "Kids, stop fighting and get in." " Those are my pencils." " No, they're mine." "Take this for me." "What's going on?" "They're mine." "What are those?" "Let your brother have that." "Let's see that, Mariana." "What's all this?" " Very nice!" "Where'd you get this?" " Back there." " What's back there?" " Supplies." "What supplies?" "For school." "What else?" "Give me that." "When did you buy all this?" "Why didn't anyone tell me?" "I don't know." "Who gave Rafael the list?" "Agustina." "You already bought everything." " Why didn't anyone tell me?" " I don't know." "Take the box out, Mariana." " I can't." " Take it out!" "Luciano, help me." "Isabel, are you asleep?" "Are you asleep?" "Momi." "Go pick up a box that's arrived for Mecha." "Take the truck." "I can't." "I'm busy." "Ask José." "Isa, are you listening?" "Momi, go pick up the fridge." "I need the truck." "I'm not going." "Stay a bit longer." "Luciano, what color labels do you want?" "Blue, red, or burgundy?" " Light blue?" " Yes." " First and last name?" " Luciano Echenique." "Class?" "First grade, section A." "First grade is easy." "Second is much harder." "Luciano, breathe." "Breathe." "Breathe, Luciano." "Breathe." "Breathe." "I'm going to call Mecha." "I'll just call her... and tell her we're not going." "Besides... it's dangerous." "We'll call Mecha and tell her there's no point going to Bolivia." "We'll avoid problems." "This rain won't let up." "What if something happened on the way?" "And with no papers for the car." " It's throwing money away." " Yes, we'd spend too much." "Rafael got it all wholesale, right?" "Probably dirt cheap." "We'd end up spending more." "We'll say it's a shame we can't go." "He bought everything?" " Your husband is extraordinary..." " Kids." " While I'm here with..." " Pass me that pillow." "Sure, we'll go some other time." "Well... bye, Tali." "Isn't he sleeping here anymore?" "It's impossible in this heat." "The healing process raises my temperature." "There's never any ice." "God, I'm not made for this climate." "Stop it, asshole." "Boys!" "I don't feel well." "Stop it." "Ma'am, may I talk to you?" "Bring me some ice." "I have to go to my sister's." "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" "For how long?" "I need you here." "I might have to stay there." "You'll have to find another girl." "I have to stay with her." "She asked me to." "I wonder why." "These wild Indian girls." "You give them everything:" "A family, lodging, food." "And this is what you get." "They're all the same." "Ingrates!" "Then you have to look after their kids." "God, what ingrates!" "Move over!" "Go on!" "I'll send for you to settle your pay." "Just great." "Unbelievable." "Leave me alone." "There it is." "Where?" " Here." "Listen." " Here?" "There it is." "Listen." "It's fading." "Quiet!" "Just call." "Maybe no one's even home." "You can leave a message." "You call." "I don't know what to say." "No, I'll call some other time." "Hang up." "No need for you to come." "Stay here." "I'll call Tali and come join you." "Where did you go?" "Where the Virgin's been appearing." "I didn't see a thing."