"WEDDING DAYS" "Cheers!" "Here's to you." "Is the wedding reception in the Parador?" "Yes, it is." "Add a bit of lemon." "More guests have arrived." "I'm so happy!" "Rosendo, my husband!" "I hooked him!" "My friends are all so envious, and so is everyone in the company, right, Dad?" "I don't know, Sonia, but I'd say people in the company envy you more for your job and for being the boss's daughter than for marrying Rosendo." "Come on, Dad!" "All the women are crazy about him." "He's young, pleasant, a famous writer..." "And he's gorgeous!" "I don't want to put you off, but I don't think Rosendo is quite such a wonder." "Mom, don't be so negative!" "This is my wedding day." "I'm getting married in a few hours." "I can still say what I think, can't I?" "The child's right, Xosefina." "This is no time to be making insinuations." "They're not insinuations, Alexandre." "I can't be any clearer about my feelings for that boy." "There's no reason to think badly of Rosendo." "And much less at this stage." "He's a great writer." "As a publisher I back him all the way." "And he's our son-in-law." "Not yet, he isn't!" "You're not being funny." "Stop it!" "This conversation is ridiculous." "It's all too rushed." "You haven't had time to get to know each other." "I hate to think he's taking advantage of your situation." "Mom, Rosendo would never do anything like that." "And even if he did, it wouldn't change anything." "I love him and I'm not backing out now." "Cover yourself, you hussy!" "I'm Teresa." "I've come to dress the bride." "Come in." "At the end of the hall." "You shit, you didn't invite me to your wedding!" "No, I didn't, Nacho!" "And I don't know why the hell you're here!" "How can you be such a bastard?" "You've got the balls to say that?" "I've been looking for you for weeks!" "What are you afraid of?" "Of facing up... to how things are?" "I don't know what you're talking about." "Of course you do, Rosendo." "You can't fool me." "Maybe your fiancée and your... new family believe you're a gentleman, but I don't." "I know you too well." "Isn't there a better day to philosophize about the past?" "The past?" "How time passes for you." "Talking of the past..." "Luis Cernuda, "Reality and desire"." " I thought you'd like to have it." " Please!" "Look, I've got three or four." " But this was the first, right?" " Yes, we read it together." "Look, with this you published your first article in the Faculty newspaper." " Do you remember?" " Yes." ""It isn't love that dies, it is we who die."" "It was always beautiful." "Yes." "Why did you bring it?" " I don't know..." " I..." "I don't know." "Maybe you want me to reconsider things." "Reconsider?" " You tell me." " I don't know." "Why?" "I didn't say "reconsider"." "You did." "Yes." "But however much I might reconsider," "I'm getting married in a few hours time." "So let's just leave it for the moment, all right?" "I have to get dressed." "You've lost weight!" "Yes, happiness slims you down!" "You look great." " You all right?" " Are you staying?" "I have to get dressed, I told you." "Nacho!" "What?" "Why not find a lover to wear you out so you won't need to come and annoy me?" "It must be... that I like the way you wear me out." "That's why I wouldn't miss this experience." "As you took the trouble to come, you can stay for the wedding." "Really?" " Seriously?" " Yes." " You look so handsome." " Thank you." "I was intending to stay!" "I knew that." "That's why I invited you." "Son of a bitch!" "It's fantastic!" "What a knockout!" "This is what I call living!" "What scenery!" "It's so romantic!" "It's like a painting by Caspar Daid Friedrich." "But you wouldn't know about that, ignoramus?" "Come on, they're waiting for us!" "They're waiting for me." "They don't know you exist." "What do you mean?" "I'm the most international producer in Spain!" "This is like one of my productions." "It's wonderful!" " Fernando..." " What?" "Will you bring me here when you get divorced?" "We'll come back to celebrate my divorce." "Satisfied?" "I don't believe you!" "You've been saying for months that you'd get a divorce." "Come on, you know the problems I had with the last film." "A cheapskate producer's excuse." "I've got a room with a view that'll drive you wild." "My little sweety!" "Come on!" "Rosendo is good looking, but he isn't my type." "That's why we were always good friends, but nothing else." "But if I'm being honest," "I'm not his kind of ideal woman either." "And with this body which Nature gave me" "I'm obviously not his kind of man either." " Are you joking?" " Not at all." "What do you mean?" "He likes guys?" "A prize for the gentleman!" "Rosendo likes guys and certain kinds of girls, particularly blondes." "He likes both meat and fish, but as he's so discreet you wouldn't notice." "How does his fiancée put up with it?" "Is Fernando de la Cuea, the great film producer, really asking me that?" "Sonia doesn't put up with it!" "Rosendo isn't really gay." "He swings both ways." "Sonia doesn't put up with it because she doesn't know." "How do you know all this, "The Best"?" "I'm the matron of honor!" "Haven't you heard that love is blind?" "It's clear as day that Sonia loves Rosendo blindly and that he needs her to obtain his objectives." "It's unbelievable!" " This is your room." " Thank you." "Well, what do you think?" " Do you like it?" " I love it." "Will you bring me here when you divorce your wife?" " Yes." " The keys." " I'll tip you later." "Scram." " Thank you." "Will we come back here when you divorce your wife, darling?" "Yes, we'll come back to celebrate it." " That's great!" " You look so like Loretta Young!" "Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me!" "My little piggy!" "You're gorgeous!" "You look gorgeous, Mom!" "That dress really suits you." "One does one's best, love." "It's a long time since I was the age you are now." "Don't exaggerate, it wasn't that long ago." "And you look great." "Lots of women would love to look as good as you." "It's a pity your father doesn't think I look so good." "I'm sure he does, but he doesn't say so." "You know what he's like." "And he's had a lot on his mind recently with the merger, and with a company as big as Hispania Publishing his responsibilities as president have multiplied." "And on top of that there's the new literary prize." "All the work for "Hispanic Writings" fell on Dad's shoulders." "I see it at close hand and I know he's working too hard." "Everyone in the company knows." "Love, I never know if your father really enjoys his work, or if he's using it to escape from something else." "Don't be so suspicious!" "Dad adores his work." "He isn't escaping from anything." "The moment of truth is at hand and the bride's father is ready!" "You're the most handsome father in the world!" "Did you have to wait until your wedding day to realize that, kiddo?" " I always knew it." " Well, then?" " But I never got married before." " That's lovely!" " What if I don't give you away?" " You wouldn't dare." "It would be no loss, with that son-in-law." "Mom, I heard that!" "Sorry, love, I was thinking out loud." "What do you think?" " It's the real thing?" " You don't sound very convinced." "I don't know what "The Best" told you, but two years ago, we had a reunion of old university friends at Rosendo's house." "It was at least..." " Ten..." " Ten years since we'd met." "To sum up, it was like updating the concepts of May 68 in France." "Well, there was a bit of everything, but it didn't work out as we'd hoped." "What I know about it, from what Beatriz told me, is that there were a lot of arguments, some of them violent." "I like it, it's very cinematic, very Cinecittà!" "Yes, but it was women's stuff and you know them." "Hold it!" "What does that mean?" "I'm going to get feminist here!" "That's how it was." "It was you who tore each other's hair out, literally, I have to say, and stole each other's boyfriends." " No, let me clarify that." " Go ahead." "The women did tear each other's hair out and one of them stole my boyfriend." "It seems that..." "Well, I don't know." "I think you told me everything, unless you've forgotten something." "Hold it, producer!" "It was like she said." "The other girls were jealous, and at that time we knew that Beatriz was really famous because of her news programs on the television..." "Which I am still presenting" " and directing as well." " Don't interrupt!" "Will you be quiet!" "Beatriz was having what we'll call a romance with a certain minister, and to top it off she turned up with a real hunk who was bursting out of his trousers!" "He was all muscle, and his arms...!" "It wasn't to piss them off." "It was to make the minister jealous so he'd get a divorce, but no!" "He wanted to keep his little wife happy." " Why do I pick married ones?" " But one of the girls did get pissed off, she decided to steal the guy, and in the end" " she got him." " She did." "I think my television star has always told me the truth." "What's more, she's even told me some details of those hippy parties." "What about the hemorrhage of pleasure?" "You could have written a book about that reunion." "And that's what Rosendo did!" "That's for sure!" "And like everything he touches, it was a success." " So success was his main objective." " Above all else." "If we all had his imagination..." "What's more," "Rosendo was orphaned very young, and since then his only goal is success." "It's reasonable to pursue success." "I do it myself with my superproductions." "It would be stupid not to admit it." "Success!" "You like success too!" "A lot, you know that!" "Aunt Rosa..." "I couldn't find you." "And no one knew where you were." "I was here, waiting for you." "Waiting for me?" "Yes." "Weren't you going to show me your dress when you were ready?" "That's why I'm here!" "What do you think?" "What do you think?" "Spectacular!" "You look beautiful and the dress is lovely!" "Thank you." "You know your opinion is the most important." "Yes, I do, and I'm very proud." " How's your mother?" " The same as ever." "Suspicious of everything and everyone." " You know she hates Rosendo." " She was always like that!" "She won't change now." "You look so pretty!" "Let's be serious." "I'm going to call Rosendo." "I presume he'll be ready." "He's been at it for long enough." "Yes?" "Well, my dear, are you ready for the sacrifice?" "Showered and shaved, sweetheart." "I want to double check." "I don't trust you." "We can't have you scaring the bride." "Where are you?" "In the café." "I'll be right down." "We'll be waiting for you, mon amour." " Rosendo Carballo!" " Rosendo is outside." "Beatriz "The Best"!" "What a matron of honor!" "He's very handsome." "He looks good in tails." "They're still firm, eh?" "And how are yours?" "The same." "Come on, they're old friends." "Yeah..." "I'm sorry, I couldn't find anyone else to be matron of honor." "Faggot!" "You're a faggot!" "Did I say you looked gorgeous?" "No, you didn't." "I was thinking of taking back my compliments to you." "So they were just compliments, were they?" "Don't be jealous." "Where are those tickles now?" "Come on!" " Can I meet your producer?" " Of course, Rosendo." "The groom's wishes are orders for me." "Fernando!" "This is the one to blame for this wedding." " I'm Rosendo." " My pleasure." "I've heard a lot about you." " My pleasure, Fernando." " Likewise." "A promising wedding!" "There's still time, Rosendo, Start running and don't stop." "Don't joke, I'm shit scared as it is." "So you should be." "You know what you're doing?" "I'm getting married." "It's fashionable again." "Since when do you follow fashion?" "Fashionable writers have to move with the times." "You're after something else!" "Let's hear it." " The truth?" " The truth." "You want the "Hispanic Writers" prize and Sonia is the best way to get it." "Beatriz, don't be cruel." " You wanted the truth." " But you forgot something." " I love Sonia." " And I love my cat." "You see her?" "She was involved with the best looking minister." "I suppose it was because she was on TV." "I can't see any other reason." "Let's start running!" "Too late, Beatriz!" "May the grace and peace of God, our Father, and of Jesus Christ, our Lord, be with you all." "And with your spirit." "Rosendo and Sonia, the Church shares in your joy and welcomes you here along with your families and friends on the day that you join your lies together forever in the presence of God, our Father." "Rosendo, do you take Sonia to be your wife and promise to be faithful, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, and love her and respect her all the days of your life?" "I do." "Sonia, do you take Rosendo to be your husband, and promise to be faithful, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, and love him and respect him all the days of your life?" "I do." "May the Lord confirm with His goodness the consent you have given and proclaimed before the Church." "Sonia, receive this ring as a token of my love and fidelity." "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." "Rosendo, receive this ring as a token of my love and fidelity." "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." "May our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed the wedding at Cana with His presence, grant you, your families and friends, His blessing." "You may kiss the bride." "You look lovely!" "Hurrah for the bride and groom!" "Hurrah for the bride and groom!" " Where is he?" " I don't know." "I haven't seen him." "You've never understood me, Dad, and this isn't the day!" "Grandpa," "Grandma," "Let's find the photographer." "I want a nice photo of us all together." "Come on." "A photo of the groom and the matron of honor." "We're the best looking couple!" "How are you?" "Congratulations!" "An excellent wedding." "The bride is charming and he's a fine boy." "Yes, indeed." "A wedding to be proud of, and a priest who can always rise to the occasion." "It's very comforting to unite the children of friends in the holy sacrament." "You chose the most perfect place for a wedding of this category." "Have you tasted the canapés?" "Delicious!" "Thank you." "If the canapés were excellent, I'm sure that these delights will charm the most discerning palate." "My daughter deserves the best, father, and the Church benefits from that too." "Children, whatever their condition, always deserve the best." "We'd give our lies for them if necessary." "Absolutely unbeatable!" "Delicious!" "Excuse me, I'll be right back." " Where are you going, Sonia?" " Straight to the Caribbean." "Everyone goes on honeymoon, don't they?" "And at this time of year Cuba is wonderful." "I'm going to wash my hands." "Sun, heat, beaches..." "It's paradise." "I had a great time there." "And all those bronzed hunks..." "They're so... so..." "As I've got Rosendo, I really don't care about those hunks." "And we're not all like you, my dear." "You're quite right." "I haven't seen any girl at this wedding as pretty as mine." "Loretta Young!" "But beaches with a tropical climate, exotic drinks, parties..." "I love all that." "You'll have a great time, and a holiday will do you both good." "It's over, Rosendo!" "I told you!" "It's over now." "Sonia is my daughter." "I love her more than anything." "I don't know if you can understand." "And our projects?" "What about our projects?" "What projects do you mean?" "We may have had some once, but not after you slept with my daughter." "You can blame her for that!" "Don't be such a bastard!" "There are a lot of things I won't allow." "My marriage is a fucking disaster." "That's very obvious." "But I put up with it for my daughter." "I always thought it was better for her to have a family with problems than no family at all." "I'm not going to hurt Sonia, and you certainly won't, because if you did you'd regret it the rest of your fucking life!" "We had a deal." "If you mean the "Hispanic Writers" you'll get it, if your noel isn't worse than the other finalists." "I'd rather the prize money went to you, that is, to my daughter, than to anyone else." "Xosefina, you've hardly eaten a thing." "Xacinto, this is a very special day for me." "I've got no appetite." "I'm too worried about everything." "You needn't worry about anything anymore." "It all worked out perfectly." "Your daughter is happily married." "What more do you want?" "Mom, Dad and Rosendo are taking a long time, aren't they?" "Yes, and I think it's rude of both of them." "They've probably gone out for a cigarette." "Perhaps, but this isn't the time." "You know what they're like." "When I first met you and decided to publish your noel, it was because I was sure that you had talent and the book was good." " Just for that?" " Yes, just for that!" "Then, at that party, alcohol took care of the rest and something happened that shouldn't have." "Do you regret what happened between us?" "It's useless to want to change the past." "But it won't happen again!" "We should try to be reasonable and look for some way out." "There is no way out." "You're my daughter's husband!" "I never thought it would come to this." "If I could have imagined it, nothing would ever have happened between us." "None of this was planned." "I met Sonia and she fell in love with me!" " And you with her!" " Yes, I did!" "Because she reminded me of you." "Never say anything like that again!" "You love Sonia because she's your wife, because of how she is!" "Not because she reminds you of anyone, understand?" "Calm down." "Calm down!" "Of course I love her for how she is." "Otherwise, I wouldn't have married her." "Very well." "That's all clear." "There's no more to be said." "Let's get back, they'll be missing us." "You took a long time." "Sorry, love." "I had to give the groom a few words of advice." "It's traditional." "I'd do anything to prevent what's happening!" " But I don't know what to do!" " Do nothing, that's the best." "And I don't know what you're talking about." "I'm sure you know perfectly well!" "Thank you." "It was very kind of you to give us a lift." " We've never thumbed before." " Really?" "It's called hitch-hiking, Marcela." "Haven't you seen it on TV?" "What do you know, you old crock?" ""Thumbing" is more modern!" " Anyway..." " May I ask another favor?" " Of course." " Sign your latest book for us." "You said you had some in the car." " I'll pay you." " Not at all." "You're not going to pay me!" "It's a present for you, and I'm delighted to do it because you've been perfect traveling companions." " It's for Marcela and Rosendo." " I'll do that." "What a coincidence." "The person who picked us up is a writer, like our grandson." "Talking of coincidences," "I met your grandson a few years ago." "That's normal among writers." "We met in a nightclub." "He was with a friend of his, a very close friend, a Galician publisher called Alexandre." "I remember him perfectly because I was about to get married, and he was laughing at me and saying." ""I wouldn't get married if they dragged me to the altar."" "So just look at how people change." " That's true." " Life..." "Anyway..." " There you are." " Let me see." "The dedication..." ""For Marcela and Rosendo a memento of a memorable journey, with all best wishes."" "Thank you very much." "Well, I hope you enjoy reading the book." "And for me it has been a real pleasure traveling with you." "I hope all goes well and you don't have any problems." "It's our grandson who'll have problems." "That's another story." " Thank you." " You're welcome." " Goodbye." " See you again." "Goodbye." "Good evening." "Do you have a reservation?" "What we have is our grandson's wedding!" "Excuse me." " Father..." " Yes?" "Could you come outside?" " Is anything wrong?" " No, it's just for a moment." "Very well." "I wont' be long." "Hello, I'm father Xacinto." "How can I help you?" " How are you, father?" " Very well." "How the father is, although I must say he looks well, isn't what matters right now." "What we want to know is how is our grandson?" "When you say "our grandson", do you mean Rosendo?" "Exactly, father!" "I mean Rosendo Carballo." "You're saying Rosendo Carballo is your grandson?" "We're not saying anything, father." "You asked a question and we, out of politeness, answered." "But is he or isn't he your grandson?" "Listen to this priest!" "Are you a policeman too?" " Marcela, he's a priest!" " You don't say!" "Because of this priest we're missing our grandson's wedding banquet!" "I must admit, you're right there, ma'am!" "I said this wedding was promising and it seems I wasn't mistaken." " Will you accompany me?" " Yes." "That priest isn't right in the head." "Be quiet, he'll hear you." "What if he does?" "He's round the bend." " Did you say something?" " Yes, there'll be cake at the end." "What a family!" " Did you see that?" " See what?" "The old couple the priest brought in." "One of his works of charity." "You know how the priests are." "Come off it!" "You have to look beyond appearances, like I do in my productions." "Don't be naive." " Really?" " Of course." "Look closely and you'll see the old couple have substance and shouldn't be extras in an independent production but real supporting actors in one of mine." "The things that big producers know!" "It isn't one of father Xacinto's charitable works?" "No way!" "Wait and see!" "How could you do this to your grandparents?" "Leave us locked up in the old people's home while you got married without telling us." "What did I say?" "Truth is always stranger than fiction." "You wouldn't do that to a dog, Rosendo, much less your grandparents." "We've always loved you and helped you since your parents died in that terrible accident!" "We know you're a very busy man." "We understand that you can't visit us as much as we would like." "And what else can we do but accept that you only visit once a year?" "When you come to the home we are always so delighted and for weeks we've got a topic of conversation, talking about you, how well you're doing what a good writer you are..." "We remember your parents." "Our poor son!" "They died so young in that damn car accident!" "We think how proud they'd be that you're a successful writer." "We even boast in front of the other old folk and read your books to them." "But what really upsets us is to know that our dear grandson is ignoring us on a day like this, when we are the only grandparents you have left." "That's why we ran away from the home and thumbed all the way here," "or hitch-hiked, as your grandfather likes me to say." " What's wrong with you?" " There's nothing wrong with me." "You hide it very well for being your daughter's wedding." "Look who's talking!" "I think something is tormenting you." "Really?" "Who says that?" "My dear sister or the clairvoyant inside her?" "Fools always mock what they can't understand." "So now I'm a fool." "Why don't you say something more offensive, what you really think?" "I don't want you to get hysterical and start shouting like always." "And I'm more respectful than you." "And why's that?" "Because you're single, or because you're a lesbian?" "You were always worse than a snake." "Sonia, please, come with me." "Just for a moment." "We'll sit at the table." " What's all this about?" " It was necessary." "What was necessary?" "This!" "Does it have to be today?" "And right now?" "Do you love me, Sonia?" "You know I do." "Why do you ask me that?" "And do you trust me?" "More than my own mother." "That's good." "Maybe I shouldn't say it, but it's the truth." "Why do you hate each other?" "You're sisters." " It goes back a long way." " Tell me!" "Not now." "We haven't got much time." "My mother said you used to hit her." "I wish I'd thrown her out the window." "I wanted to." "Aunt, she's my mother." "Do you know what she did when she was little?" "What?" "She'd throw her dolls out the window." "Well, they were hers, weren't they?" "That wasn't all." "She'd throw them out the window and then she'd start screaming and crying." "And when mom, your grandma, came to see what had happened, my little sister said that I'd thrown the dolls out." "And I got all the beatings." "My mother was really nasty." "It got worse with the years." "What happened?" "We've got more important things to do than talk about her." "Why is it so urgent to read the cards?" "I sensed something in the dining room." " What do you mean?" " That's what I want to find out." "You're the center of this celebration." "Cut the cards in three." " Like always?" " Yes." "Pick one." "The middle one." "What is it?" "Something's wrong." "We'll start again." "What do the cards say?" "I'll tell you now." "I wanted to give you a surprise and bring Sonia to see you." "I was wrong, but I thought you weren't up to making the trip." "Rubbish." "Youngsters think old folk are useless, and you're greatly mistaken." "Have one of these pills." "I got them from Amsterdam." "They're great." "Have one." "Ecstasy?" "That's shit, Mr. Producer!" "All in good time." "Don't talk rubbish, "The Best"." "If one has to take them, one does." "That's it!" "What else can we do here?" "The company here is so boring." " I'm so depressed." " And I'm on a downer." "Thank you, son." "I like your company too." "You're young and attractive and that gets my spirits up." "It gets what up?" "I can't remember the last time you got anything up." "Well said, grandma!" "You have to hit men where it hurts them most!" ""The Best"." "This is "The Best"." "Thank you." "Thank you." "You saw how it came out the same." "The cards don't lie." "I'd like to be wrong." "It doesn't make sense." "What the cards say doesn't make sense." "Maybe something isn't working today." "There's a chance that I'm mistaken." "No, you're not mistaken." "You never are." "You knew before I did that I'd marry Rosendo." "The vibrations at this wedding aren't good." "It's as if Rosendo were charged with negative energy and it was all rebounding off your marriage." "But what can I do?" "This should be a happy day!" "And what is it?" "Nothing!" "It's shit!" "First I learn that my husband abandoned his grandparents is some home or other." "And on top of that, my aunt Rosa foresees trouble in my marriage on my wedding day!" "My God!" "What can I do?" "What can I do?" "We'll fight to protect your marriage and clean Rosendo of that negative energy." "We can do it!" "We can!" "We can!" "My little girl!" "How dare you behave in such a disgusting way on my wedding day?" "How could you do this to me?" "We were joking, Sonia." "We did it while we were waiting for you to come back to the table." "Did you enjoy it?" "With her?" "What do you call her?" ""The Best"?" "The best whore?" "It isn't like that." "Beatriz is the matron of honor." "It isn't her fault." "Matron of what?" " Of this wedding of Babel?" " Sonia." "I understand that you're hurt." "And I understand that you're angry about this joke, we'll call it that, by Rosendo and Beatriz." "But they were just having some fun." "Come on." "Come on." "Apologize to Beatriz." "There she is!" "There she is, the culprit and the liar." "How can you warn a girl against her own mother?" "It's impossible." "Please, Sonia, open the door!" "Open the door!" "Come on, please!" "I need to be alone!" "I'm not going to open the door!" "You can't sort things out like this." "Dear friends," "I would ask you to continue with your meal and not be affected by this little upset, which was due, undoubtedly, to nerves, something understandable on such a special day as this." "But the young will be young, and these things are becoming more common in the times that we live in." "But I promise you that when we cut the wedding cake it will all be over and the couple will have forgotten this unimportant little incident." "Thank you for your understanding." "Thank you, father." "You did very well." "I'm only doing my duty, Alexandre." "That priest isn't as crazy as I thought, and he's nice too." "Thank you for your opinion, Doña Marcela." "See?" "He heard you." "It's your fault!" "You're deaf and I have to shout." "Are you feeling guilty?" "What the hell are you doing here?" "You should be eating with the rest." "I should be eating?" "So the bride and groom can go off in a rage but we have to carry on as normal?" "What is this, Rosendo!" "Do you want the bride and groom to sere the meal?" "You know it isn't that." "What is it, then?" "Don't go on the defensive with me, it doesn't work." "I know you, and I know what you're going through." "You don't say?" "So now the hack of the cultural press, or rather, of the gossip press, is my psychologist." "You can joke all you want, but that won't sole your problems." "What problems?" "I don't have any problems." "You've got the problems." "A lousy free-lance who sells gossip to the highest bidder." "We can't all marry our lover's daughter in order to buy a literary prize." "How the hell did you think up that bit of rubbish?" "It isn't rubbish." "It's the truth." "And you should admit it." "You've fallen very low." "But not as low as you." "I may be a lousy free-lance who sells gossip, but I know my trade and I've just proved it by airing all your dirty linen." "You're wrong, Nacho." "All you've proved is that you're nobody and that you smell of the shit that you're sinking in." "You smell of that too, Rosendo." "That's why I always liked you." "What the hell's going on here?" "It isn't easy to explain, but it isn't what it seems." "It might look like it, but..." "Rosendo, I demand an explanation." "This is very serious." "Like Nacho said, nothing happened." "Christ, you were necking!" "I wanted to put him to the test, but it was no good." "Nacho, I know what there was between you two." "I'm asking you to leave this wedding, to which you were never invited." "That's very true, but people in my profession, lousy free-lances, are used to gate-crashing cheap weddings like this." "This isn't like the cheap weddings you frequent." "You're right." "This one is considerably worse." "Get out before I lose control and beat the hell out of you!" "Rosendo, I didn't mean to mess up the party." "I'm sorry." "Goodbye!" "Have you seen my husband or Rosendo?" "Yes, they're on the terrace." "Look, Rosendo," "I don't want to hear any more about this, but just remember that if you make Sonia suffer I'll never forgive you." "You can forget about the prize and about publishing books with me." "You wanted to know what happened with Nacho." "Well, now you know." "Don't ever do that again, Rosendo!" "Please!" "You have to go on and fight for what you want." "Don't get carried away by your impulses." "You know what happened and you read it in the cards." "I tell you, you're wrong." "Rosendo and Beatriz are just good friends." " I can swear that!" " But I saw them." "What did you see?" "You imagined everything, that's all." "So what do the cards say?" "I'm not very sure." "But it's got nothing to do with Rosendo and Beatriz." "I don't believe you." "You're hiding something." "You must believe me." "You know I want the best for you." "That's why I want you to fight for Rosendo and your marriage." "You can only overcome difficulties with decision." "Sonia and Rosendo will cut the cake." "So they should." "It's a tradition." "The bride and groom always do that." "Customs are changing now." "Don't you see the television?" "What would you know!" "Some things never change and that's one of them." "And that's all?" "AII?" "What more do you want?" "Don't worry." "I've got my things and I'm leaving." "I don't want to cause any family problems for you." "Stop it, Nacho!" " You're not going anywhere." " Oh, no?" "I was thrown out, didn't you see?" "Of course I'm going!" "Nacho." "Forgive me." "You've always been able to drive me crazy." "Don't worry." "I don't care." "Think about your wife, your father-in-law, and the "Hispanic Writers" prize." "I'm the past, and the past is that, the past." "It's best if I leave." "In case your father-in-law rearranges my face!" "You're not leaving." "You're staying here with us." "It's my wedding and I'm taking the decisions." "You're wearing the trousers." "I don't care what my father-in-law says." "You're staying." "It's true that the past is the past." "I'm going to try to be happy with my wife and to make her happy." "It won't be easy, but I'm going to try my best to do it." "Nacho..." "I want to start over again." "I'm sure you understand." "As I said, the bride and groom are going to cut the wedding cake." "I want to thank you, on behalf of the family and myself, for your understanding about that little incident earlier on." "I'm sure that with time we'll remember this wedding as what it was." "A happy wedding!" "There they are!" "Rosendo!" "Hurry up, or breakfast will get cold!" "Don't eat everything, I'm hungry!" " The coffee smells great." " What about me?" "You smell better than the most expensive perfume." "Don't be silly." "Let's eat or it'll get cold." "I really regret having been so stupid." "Not again, Sonia!" "We agreed it was all forgotten." "We're starting a new life today." "I love you, Rosendo." "Despite what happened, I'm happy today and things look better now." "I love you too, Sonia." "Know what?" "At times I feel guilty." "About what?" "Being here with you." "Our wedding." "Being happy." "I don't know." "But how can you feel guilty about things like that?" "At times I feel that I hooked you, that we only got married because of me." "That isn't true." "You know I was scared of marriage, because of my character." "And I told you about my problems with men." "Yes, and I appreciate that." "Everything has worked between us up to now, and I'm sure it'll continue like that." "Last night was a good test, champ." "The credit was all yours." "Come on." "Good morning!" "Morning!" "Are you coming to the Virgin of the Rock?" "I don't want to intrude." "And I do want breakfast." "You won't be intruding, but if it's for breakfast..." " I hope you choke!" " Be careful, producer." "Beatriz may try to drown you in the sea." "I've been warned." "I've lost a cufflink." " Have you seen it?" " No." "Will I give you my phone number?" "Yes, leave it there." "I'm going for a coffee." "Yeah, right." "And I'll get the tip later." "Thank you." "I think that last night" "I felt something hard between my legs." "Well, sort of hard!" "I don't know if it was real or if I was dreaming." "I think it was real, but don't think it was deliberate." "The television wasn't working and I couldn't get to sleep..." "You know what?" "From now on, no more television in the house at night." "Don't do that to me, Marcela!" "It's said and done!" "It can't be!" "It's odd, everyone decided to have breakfast in their rooms." "Except us." "What a coincidence!" "It's as if the Lord wanted to give us a chance to talk in private." "Something we've never had a chance to do, Alexandre." "And what do you think we have to talk about in private?" "For example, your marriage, which is worrying you." "Or your daughter's wedding, which is also worrying you." "Are you a priest or a fortune teller?" "You should know that priests have a special gift." "Look, Xacinto..." "You're a family friend and I appreciate all you did for us at this wedding, but you know I've never liked priests." "It's nothing personal, but I don't believe in priests." "You needn't believe in them, just trust them." "You only have to believe in God." "It's best if we leave it." "It wouldn't be a suitable conversation for a day like today." "I promise I'll start the divorce, amicably or otherwise, no matter what Pilar says." "Don't worry, love." "I hope you do." "Otherwise, we're through." "I'm want nothing more to do with married men." "You know my marriage has been over for years." "But I didn't want to hurt Pilar." "She won't hear of a divorce and it's also..." "What will people say?" "All of that is between you two." "But I won't wait another month." "Either you both agree to a divorce, or you ask for a separation." "Whatever." "Otherwise, forget about me." "I can't do that." "You know I love you." "Don't talk rubbish." "If you can't forget me, prove it to me!" "You know I can't forget you." "You're thinking what I am, aren't you, "The Best"?" "The same!" "And it'll be the last time until I see your separation papers." "I'll leave you satisfied until then." "You'll remember this." "The great star, Loretta Young!" "We'll always have Paris!" "Here I come." "I'm your Quasimodo!" "Your Hunchback of Notre Dame!" "Where are you, little one?" "Drive me crazy!" "A golden shower..." "Go on!" "I love you, you're terrific!" "I can't believe it." "My little doll!" "What aggression!" "You're an animal!" "Loretta Young!" "My gypsy!" "I love you, I'll get a divorce!" "Whatever you want." "I'm all yours!" "My she-wolf!" "Hello!" "I didn't know you liked working out." "I need to do this every day so that I can breathe." "I haven't come to work out." " No?" " No." "I've come to talk to you." "I'm all ears." "I'm going to be blunt." "Your marriage to Sonia must not continue." "What kind of rubbish is that?" "It isn't rubbish." "It's what's best for her, and for you too if you want the "Hispanic Writers"." "I don't get it." "It all sounds stupid to me." "I've known about you and my husband for a long time and I saw you last night on the terrace." "The past is in the past." "And last night wasn't what it seemed." "I can't believe you." "You aren't being fair to Sonia, You're just using her." "That isn't true." "Sonia and I love each other." "I know what my daughter's feelings are." "I know she loves you." "That's why I know she'd be unhappy with you." "Don't you think Sonia should decide that?" "She's too young." "Right now, she doesn't realize anything." "Not so long ago, I was as young as Sonia." "And despite my age I think I'm still attractive." "I can help you to win that prize you want so much." "You just have to end a marriage which, in any case, is doomed to fail." "Please, Xosefina, this situation is ridiculous." "No!" "This is crazy!" " What's going on?" " Where's Sonia?" "What are you doing here?" "Where's Sonia?" "What about Sonia?" "She should be here." " He tried to rape me!" " That's a lie!" "You arranged to meet Sonia here so she'd see what you already knew was going to happen." "How do you know that?" "Have you forgotten I'm a clairvoyant, sister?" "You're up to your old tricks, like when you humiliated me in front of mom and dad because you couldn't understand that I loved another woman." "And so you destroyed her, me and, worst of all, our parents." "Mom died from grief because one of her daughters wasn't normal." "And even today, dad can't accept me as I am." "And all thanks to you, sister!" "But fate paid you back with your own husband." "But none of that is Sonia's fault." "She should have been here!" "She isn't, because I told her not to come!" "I didn't want her to see how you threw her feelings out the window, like you did with your dolls when we were little." "Do you realize you're still doing the same thing?" "Screaming like a lunatic to get attention, first from mom, and now from your own daughter," "so they could see how others abused you, when really it's you who abuses everyone else." "I didn't want to." "Not then, not now." "But you did it." "It's always the same!" "Sonia, what are you doing here?" "You took so long I came to see what was wrong." "Mom!" "No, Sonia, no!" "Not now, please!" "Rosendo!" "Promise me you'll reconsider." "I can't promise anything now." "I want to be alone and forget this nightmare." "Remember that after the storm comes the calm." "I'll do that." "Send another taxi to the Parador." "Number?" "Thank you." "Well?" "How did it go?" "She doesn't want to reconsider right now." "She wants to be alone." "She's got reasons to hate me." "Hatred was never a good counselor." "At this stage, father," "I find it hard to tell good from evil." "You mustn't get downhearted, Rosendo." "I'm sure Sonia has a good heart and will know how to forgive you." "She wouldn't listen to me." "After the commotion, she ran from me as if I had the plague." "What should have been some lovely days became hours of tension for everyone, and affected her more than anyone." "It wasn't all my fault." "I'm talking about responsibility." "You got married before God, and given what's happened your responsibility is to do anything to save your marriage." "I have to go, the taxi's waiting." "Don't forget that she loves you and has always trusted you." "Thank you, father." "If only things happened like they do in stories, but you and I know life isn't like that." "Goodbye, son." "Goodbye."