"The Coward" "From where I am now  I can hear the ocean again for the first time." "And I see again, in the distant past, my boat  still tied to the old dock  slowly dying there." "Sole witness of the inevitable events that transpired then  and silent accomplice of my strange fate." "It all began on a cold winter afternoon." "They saw my boat from the lighthouse at the jetty." "It was floating motionless  like the gigantic corpse of a sea monster." "Cries of "boat gone astray" were heard at the port." "The men at the dock became agitated." "On the tugboat that came to fetch me, in a jest  and because of fate, two boys and a man  came along." "3 people with whom my life would be linked thereafter, and forever." "The "Brandt", my boat, was named  after my father  my only memory of whom are his blue eyes." "Suspended between the dark sky and the lonely sea  my boat floated like a ghost." "Oh, the Brandt!" "Anybody on board?" "Where did it come from, uncle?" "From far, far away." "From Norway." "Oh, the Brandt!" "There's nobody on board." "The sea must have taken them." "Here, boss!" "Here, in the cabin!" "They came in curiosity  and when they walked in through the bridge  they found me  the only survivor a great catastrophe." "I learned this years later from  the man I called Uncle Arturo  and from his sister Irene." "Why is she tied, uncle?" "Surely, to save her." "To keep the sea from taking her." "Help me." "When they took me with them  leaving the boat tied to the old dock forever  destiny began weaving the invisible threads  that would bind us forever." "In Uncle Arturo's arms  I entered for the first time the sunny house overlooking the sea  which would be, aside from my boat  the other scenario of my strange story." "Among all the pieces of art that the sea has brought this girl is the most valuable." "You will be like a gift given to us by the sea." "I won't let anyone touch your boat." "There." "Covered up, so you're not cold." "Don't be scared." "We'll take care of you here." "Do you think she understands?" "Well, get out so she can sleep." "Let us see her, Aunt Irene." "Is she going to stay here, Aunt?" " Yes." " Forever?" "If nobody claims her." "What's your name?" "I'm Julio, and my brother's name is Roberto." "Well, go on now." "She can't understand anyway." " Why are you limping?" " Because I have a knee ache." "Come, I'll cure you on the boat." "There." "Let's play." " I'm the captain." " No, now it's my turn." "Here, you can play with it." "What happened to your knee?" "I fell, but Roberto cured me." "Wasn't my mother pretty?" "Yes, very pretty." "You're going to be just as pretty when you grow up." "Haven't you finished labeling the invitations yet?" "No, and I still have Roberto's list." "The days passed so quickly." "It isn't the days that pass." "It's us." "You, especially." "Over the past ten tears, they've only come and gone." "Julio is staying this time." "Your list is next." "You left out a lot of people." "Really?" "I included Mario, Jorge Marcelo, Melchor." "As far as I know, you don't have any other suitors, I'm the first." "Is your list ready, Roberto?" "Yes, Uncle." "Give it to Irene, and help her." "I haven't thanked you for the party." "You'll be gone for a long time." "Besides, I'm proud of you." "Committed into a hospital I'm getting old." "Stop showing off, godfather." "You're the youngest of the three of us." "Sad about Roberto's departure?" "Yes, very sad." "You've lived so long in this house with no company other than my sister Irene and I." "I should have thought that..." "I've been very happy here." "Thanks, Mara." "What's wrong?" "I don't know." "I'm sad." " Why?" " Roberto's leaving." "But, does he have to go?" "He'll be a doctor in two years, and I..." "You graduated." "But I want to be a soloist." "I want to go to Europe." "Study with the best "maestros"." "I want to be somebody." "I want to succeed!" "Have you asked my godfather?" "He says I've worked too hard." "That I need to rest." "Excuses." "He just doesn't believe in me." "Nobody thinks I'm talented." "I do, Julio." "I know you're very talented." "Tell me that every day, Mara." "Tell me always." "Don't let me start doubting myself." "I need love, Mara." "If one day I realize that nobody loves me I think I would kill myself." "When they didn't let you go on my boat because you were sick because there was bad weather." "Back then you already wanted to kill yourself." "But then you would scurry out and bring back what I wanted." "Don't ever leave me alone, Mara." "Swear you won't leave me alone." "Swear." "Stop asking childish questions." "Swear." "I swear." "You're very happy." "I'm very happy, I'm very happy." " Why are you leaving?" " No." "Why are you in love?" "How do you know?" "I don't, I was just asking." "Are you deeply in love?" "Can you say you're a patriot?" "No." "Things that are too great don't allow for consideration." "Either they are or they are not." "At least that's what I think." "I'm in love, and since I'm Mexican it's a natural state, almost constitutional." "Mara?" "Mara, yes." "You?" "The whole universe is in love with Mara." "Why should you be the exception?" "Don't you think that someone from that universe me, for instance, could take her from you?" "Yes." "I think about that." "Are you going to tell her tonight?" "Yes." "I'm leaving tomorrow, you're staying and I can't risk it, you see." "I'm leaving too, Roberto." "Don't tell anyone, it's a secret." "What?" "You're leaving?" "I applied for a scholarship in Europe, and I got it." "You'll be a great pianist when you return." "Then..." "Will you tell her tonight, too?" "I don't know." "I think we shouldn't disturb her peace of mind." "You're right." "Let's make a deal." "We'll tell her when we return." "It will be nicer then to say to her..." "What do you want to be, Mara?" "A woman who waits for her husband in a dark theater box or a wife who waits for her husband in a house with a bronze sign at the door?" "No." "I won't tell her." " Can I trust you?" " Roberto!" "You won't do it this time." "You would hurt me too much." "You won't tell her, and neither will I." " Swear it!" " You have my word of honor." " You're so pretty!" " Julio!" "Don't laugh like that." "Don't smile at others that way." "I don't want you dancing with anyone tonight." "I don't want anyone to embrace you." "Is it that serious?" "It is." "I don't want anybody holding you like that." "Now, forever I will be your very first kiss." " Good evening, how are you?" " How are you, Mara?" " Good evening." " How are you?" "You promised the first dance for me." " No, for me." " You promised me." "Mara, you said you were going to dance with me." "Pretty little bird lend me your medicine" "Lend me your medicine, pretty little bird" "Pretty little bird lend me your medicine" "Lend me your medicine, pretty little bird" "To pull out this thorn that is stuck in my heart" "That is stuck in my heart, and hurts me when I sigh" "To pull out this thorn that is stuck in my heart" "That is stuck in my heart and hurts me when I sigh" "And tell me your name to love you, to love you" "I can't love you if I don't know you, pretty one" "You are my beloved darling my beloved darling, you are" "Women are the reason of the doom of men" "My darling, give that flower you have in your hair" "You have in your hair, darling give me that flower" "My darling, give me that flower you have in your hair" "You have in your hair, darling give me that flower" "Don't let your beautiful eyes look at me in horror" "A look of love is what I want from them" "Don't let your beautiful eyes look at me in horror" "A look of love is what I want from them" "And tell me your name to love you, to love you" "I can't love you if I don't know you, pretty one" "You are my beloved darling, my beloved darling, you are" "Women are the reason of the doom of men." "Godfather!" "Godfather, dance with me." "But there are so many young men." "Experience." "Don't be jealous, doctor, I'll dance with you later." "It's been so long since I held you." "When I found you on your boat." "You probably don't even remember." "But me, I haven't been able to forget that night." "You smelled of the sea." "Why did you want to dance with me?" "You dance better than the rest." "Why are you flattering me?" "Yes." "Well..." "Go with the boys." "Don't waste your time on me." "Are you also angry because I danced with others?" "Also?" "Who's angry besides me?" "Julio." "Don't pay any attention." "Do you know him?" "No, I don't know him very well." "Do you know me?" "You?" "You're as clear as water." "You're acting strange tonight." "I'm just talking, to avoid saying what I shouldn't say." "I mean what I cannot say." "Is there something you can't say?" "What is it?" "I wrote it down." "I sealed it and I won't be able to open it in two years." "Julio!" " Will you dance with me, Julio?" " No." "I don't want to be with you." "It's just that tonight I have to dance with everybody." "You must understand." "I told you that I love you more than life itself." "No." "I don't love life very much." "I love you more." "More than death itself." "You preferred to dance with others." "You don't love me." "You don't love me." "Go with them." "All the others." "Julio!" "Where are you going, Julio?" "Julio?" "Julio." "Don't turn it on!" "I don't like the dark." "Yes, I know that you love it." "I've never really known why." "How did you know I was here?" "I know I can find you here whenever you're sad." "I'm not even sad today." "I just feel like dying." "Just Like that..." "Softly." "As if my body suddenly lost its mass." "It's strange how a place can be so different for two individuals." ""The boat of the sad past" is what I would call it." "You..." ""The boat of the sad present."" "What about Roberto?" "For him, it should be "the boat of good memories"." "I got to know him better here." "Is that why you came?" "To tell you that I love Roberto?" "No." "Once I thought that I should love him." "He's a kind man." "But at his side..." "I would have felt too safe." "Always protected." "What about with me, now?" "With you, it's different." "I'm the one who feels like protecting you." "No." "You don't love me." "You're like the rest." "You just want to comfort me." "Poor Julio, his nerves are shot." "He's on edge." "He's has no will." "He's got to be loved so as not to suffer." "I'm not sick." "I do have a will." "And I love you." "I love you." "It's peculiar, the moment you start loving someone." "You were eighteen." "Here, with your wet hair that smelled of the sea." "You were laughing." "Your lips were my first temptation." "One minute prior, my heart was in peace." "The next minute, I had become a woman." "At that instant, I swore I would always love you." ""He thinks he's unhappy", I said to myself." "I'll make him happy." "He's scared of so many things." "I'll have enough courage for both." "No..." "Don't object to my treating you like a child." "Seeing a man like that makes me more of a woman." "Love, that is." "A desire to comfort." "A desire to touch." "A desire to embrace." "When you put your lips on me I feel as if moss were growing all over all my skin." "I didn't think you'd be so glad the day Roberto left." "Good morning, Godfather." "Why should I be sad when he's so happy?" "This is the true beginning of his vocation." "Besides..." "The other times we were left alone." "This time, Julio is staying with us." "No, Mara." "Julio is also leaving." "Didn't he tell you?" "He got a scholarship for Paris and decided to leave with Roberto." "When did he get the news?" "I don't know." "I think it was... three days ago." "But he hasn't said anything." "How come you didn't know?" "He must have a reason for not telling." "Something serious, I suppose." "He's had that dream for so long." "He must be very happy." "I'm going to congratulate him." "Mara!" "Wait a minute." "You haven't seen my new acquisition yet." "Come here." "Closer." "Look." " You finally got it." " Yes." "That's how things gain in value." "5 years waiting for the right moment to make a proposal." "I've always done the same thing." "I've waited for the right moment." "That's when you should attack." "I like to possess things." "Certain kind of things." "Do you think I'm too domineering?" "No." "Oh well, I don't think so." "Now I've spoken a bit for you." "Perhaps I should apologize." "Ever since the first day, I've considered you a bit mine." "I thought you were the most valuable thing the sea brought to me." "Remember?" "Even the first time you told me your name." "Mariana." "And I said no." "It has to be something pertaining to marine life." "And I renamed you." "Mara." "Have you always been happy here?" "Why are you asking me that today?" "I said you should always speak when the time is right." "You said that when the boys left we were left very lonely." "Maybe I waited for this loneliness of yours for us to talk." "You're in love with one of them." "You're right." "I shouldn't have asked you." "Knowing it, what I want to say would lack merit." "After they go you wish you could leave as well." "Where would I go?" "No." "This is the place for me." "Don't you ever go away, Mara!" "Haven't you thought I might be in love?" "That the moment would come when I would say that I love you?" "Take this money." "I'll send you more every other month but promise not to tell anyone." "Who cares who pays for my schooling?" "Thank you, aunt." "Aunt Irene, please, help Roberto." "I was just about to do that." "I'm sorry, Mara." "I couldn't tell you." "I was so ashamed of saying good-bye." "Don't talk about shame now." "It's not the time." "I only wanted to congratulate you." "You finally got what you wanted so much." "I've never been as certain as now that you'll achieve your goals." "I'll write frequently, Mara." "I'll tell you everything." "Two years go by fast." "When I return, I'll love you more." "It'll be hard not having you near." "Don't forget me, Mara." "How could I?" "!" "You're leaving so many memories." "This bird you gave me one day, and then took back." "Remember?" "You blinded it so it would chirp better." "It doesn't chirp anymore, but it's still alive." "It doesn't chirp." "And it's still blind." "Didn't you think about that?" "That someday it would get tired of chirping?" "Mara." "What?" "Don't hate me." "If it weren't for my career..." "This love for music is stronger than I." "I think..." "I'd kill myself if I didn't go." "Forgive me." "Don't worry about me." "And stop talking about killing yourself." "It's bad luck." "Mara!" "I'll be downstairs with my godfather." "Good-bye, Mara." "I want to see you in this house when I get back." "Good-bye, uncle." "You told me before that you loved me." "I wasn't able to reply." "As impossible as it may seem..." "There was another man in my life..." "No, I will never utter the name of my lover, I never will." "Do you still want to marry me?" "Yes." "I'll see to it that you never regret it." "I swear I will never, ever, be unfaithful to you." "The park is moist." "We'd better go in." "See?" "This is much better." "For the first time ever the life of another depended on me." "At first I was scared but then I relaxed, and my hands were loyal to me." "It was a joy to see that boy laugh afterwards." "And his mother's face, laughing and crying at a loss of words for showing her gratitude." "The heat in this jungle is unbearable." "Whatever became of Julio?" "Where is he now, with his concerts?" "Tell me, does he write to you?" "Send Aunt Irene a big hug." "Tell Mara that a year later, I'm still amused about calling her "aunt"." "Give her a hug, too." "And for you, all my love and gratitude, Roberto." "Isn't perfection quaint?" "If anybody comes near, it's Roberto." "You'll settle for that, right?" "You see..." "Julio is in Europe, he doesn't write." "Shortly after he parted, Roberto left the hospital for the jungle with this crazy expedition, to study tropical diseases." "To die over there." "Has Julio written to you?" "No." "Has he written you, Mara?" "No." "Anything else that's interesting?" "The usual petitions." "I'll answer them tomorrow." "A letter from the antiquarian." "He has something you may find interesting." "I'll go if you don't want to bother." "Haven't you accepted too many responsibilities?" "I'm happy to take off the load." "But I'm afraid you'll get tired." "The work distracts me and makes me forget." "What do you have to forget?" "How happy you've made me." "Don't you know I'm becoming a bit selfish?" "Aunt Irene, don't work at night." "You know it's bad for your eyes." "Who's going to do it if I don't?" "I will." "I ran into doctor Orriaga." "He scolded me, as usual." "He said I do too many things at once and that I'm pale." "Whatever!" "He said he's coming to see me." "And I said he only comes to drink your cognac." "He can't fool me." "Can you believe he pulled my ears?" "To the two years of joy of Mara and Arturo." "Congratulations, Mara." "From the Brown Mountains, Pretty Darling, come a pair of dark eyes secretly peering into my life" "From the Brown Mountains come a pair of dark eyes secretly peering into my life" "Ha-ha, ha-ha, it makes me laugh." "You'll see, you'll see they will be discovered" "Pucker up, Pretty Darling, if you're outside" "For if you don't love me, my dear, I want to see you" "Pucker up, Pretty Darling, if you dare" "If you're afraid, Sweet Pea, I am terrified" "People say you don't love me, My Dear, don't love me anymore" "Nothing can change, Pretty Darling, what happened" "People say you don't love me, don't love me anymore" "Nothing can change, Pretty Darling, what happened" "Ha-ha, ha-ha, it makes me laugh" "You'll see, you'll see, you'll be discovered" " Fix me a drink." " Yes." "I appreciate your donation for the patients of my hospital." "It isn't worth it." " Are you happy?" " Yes, very happy." "Mara, I have a surprise for you." "What?" "My nephew just arrived." "Excuse me." "Won't you give me hug, Mara?" "You didn't tell us, we weren't expecting you." "Did you think I'd forget your wedding anniversary?" " Julio!" " Aunt Irene!" "I'm so proud of you." "Julio, what a surprise!" " Doctor Orriaga." " We've read about you and we all want to hear you play right now." "Only if Mara accompanies me." "Remember this?" "No, not that." "I don't think I remember." "You've been evading me for two days." "We're living in the same house, it's no use." "I thought you'd have the decency of never returning." "I couldn't go on living without you." "You have no right to say that." "You lost every right." "I still have so many things." "The pain if knowing you belong to another." "The anguish of so many nights dreaming of your arms." "The arms of somebody to whom you owe so much." "That man you believe is so good will surprise you one day." "I know him better than you do." "You mentioned duties and rights, Mara." "That's all you've talked about." "Such poor words to express affection love passion." "Don't awaken that which is dead." "I said them once; never again." "What words do you live by now?" "Dignity, respect." "Tenderness." "Compassion." "For you, perhaps." "But not quite..." "Disgust." "That's the word." "Disgust." "I was wary of your indifference." "I find wrath reassuring." "I feared they had frozen your heart." "That was my fear over there when I was absorbed in my work." "Trying to escape my obsession of the memory of you." "I didn't triumph, Mara." "It was this wrath of trying to reach oblivion." "That's why I'm back." "I came back for you." "Because I love you." "Because I've always loved you." "Because I've always needed you." "Don't ever talk to me like that in this house!" "It was hard to destroy the respiration of twelve years." "The flow of blood over those twelve years!" "The light and the shadows." "The joy of living." "Because that's what you were to me." "My affection seemed so pure that I didn't tremble when I gave into you." "That's the way it had to be." "You asked me to prove my love." "I couldn't have given you bigger proof." "Then in a matter of hours I had to destroy twelve years of my life." "It had to be done quickly." " And when I achieved it..." " That's not true!" "You haven't achieved it." "It's me you love, not him." "Let me go!" "Lupita must have let them fall from here." "Tell Lupita that orchids don't go in these vases." "Besides, she has to water them." "Good evening, dear." "The Cultural Center is pleased to invite you to the concert that will be held at the city casino in benefit of the hospital." "Guest of honor:" "Giuseppe Di Stefano." "Under the sad glow of the moon" "The rigor of my fate" "Will begin once more" "I want to increase" "All in peace, in a gentle dream" "All is asleep" "All is asleep" "Only I, my sweet beloved" "Hold a painful wake" "Hold a painful wake" "Slowly I wander in search of a decoration for you" "For I became your loving slave as soon as I laid eyes on you" "You, gentle lady while I am in pain" "While I am in pain" "Perhaps you dream of the faithful adoration" "Of a man who was born unfaithful" "Of a man who was born unfaithful" "The more I see you through the window" "I achieved your pity" "You, who were once a tyrant" "Award my faith today" "I LOVE YOU" "You award my faith today" "You award my faith today" "Please, Arturo." "Let's go home, I'm not feeling well." "As president of the Cultural Center, I can't go with you." "I have to tend to the artists." " Julio can accompany you." " No." "Why not?" "You're right." "You don't have to use the car." "No, I'll accompany you." "You have to go back for them." "Mara!" "Mara!" "Leave me alone, Julio." "Please." "Leave me alone!" "Why, Mara?" "Why?" "Why are you running from me?" "Mara." "Mara." "It's no use denying it." "You know." "I love you." "I will never be able to stop loving you." "But I swore to be faithful, and I'm keeping my promise." "I love you let me tell you one last time." "I love you." "But I shall never again be yours." "Never." "Where did you find it?" "I don't know who brought it, Julio must be playing a joke." "What for?" "I don't know." "Hurry up." "We're expecting you for breakfast." "Good morning." "Good morning, Mara." "The siren always makes me nervous." "It feels like part of me is leaving." "You'll never tell the siren of a ship that's arriving, from a departing one." "This one is arriving." "It sounds like a farewell, and I don't like it." "Poor Irene." "You'll have to bid farewell soon." " From whom?" " From us." "Mara and I are leaving tomorrow on the ship that's arriving now." "Tomorrow?" " Where are you going?" " First, to Scotland." "I want to be on time for the auction at Warren Castle." "Then, I want to take Mara to see her country." "You had given up on that." "Mara wouldn't say so, but I know that she was looking forward to making that trip." "Do you like your surprise?" "Yes." "How long will you be away?" "I don't know." "A year..." "Maybe two." "Why don't you finish your breakfast?" "I lost my appetite." "I'm interested in the Warren collection." "But more interested in your company." "I promised." "I never break my promises." "You don't either." "You never break your promises, either." "I know." "Is Mr. Julio back?" "Nobody knows his whereabouts since he left this morning." "Why are you hitting those dogs?" "Do you know what they did?" "They destroyed your tulip patch." "I don't know what's with them today." "They seem like they're possessed." "You shouldn't have hit them so." "There are more tulips on the property." "You're right." "The ones at the arbor are in bloom." "But you never go there." "You haven't been there in so long." "Yes, it's been long." "That's strange." "I found your shawl there." "Isn't this it?" "Yes." "You can complain to Lupita." " She must have left..." " Madam." "What do you want?" "Your jewelry box doesn't fit." "Give it to me, I'll pack it." "I must see you." "Come to the boat." "I know you're leaving." "You're right." "All of us cowards do the same things." "I called you to say good-bye." "I'm not walking out of here." "When you go, don't turn around no matter what you hear." "How many times did you stand here and say you wanted to die?" "Yes." "This is where I'm going to die." "I've always known it." "What do you want from me, Julio?" "Tree branches die, but remain attached to the trunk." "Isn't it natural that I want you near me until the last moment?" "Stop torturing me." "I know you wouldn't kill yourself." "You can't be so cruel." "Am going to die, Julio." "But in a slower fashion." "Much slower." "Watching empty days and years go by." "Slowly growing old." "Drying up." " Sullen." " No." "You can't end that way." "I don't want you to." "My love for you will make you beautiful forever." "Your love taught me the anguish of the condemned on the dawn of their death." "Do you still love me, Mara?" "Yes, I still love you." "I can't forgive myself for that." "Loving you like on the first day." "No!" "Stay away from me." "Look at me." "I'm afraid that if I touch something, it may ignite." "But I won't surrender to you." "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did." "You're right." "A love so great cannot be satisfied in itself." "There is only one thing that can ease it." "What are you going to do to me?" "There must be a place on the other shore where everything is better." "A place where we can be together." "We'd have to die for that." "We would simply have to stop living." "It must be easy when you don't have the willpower to keep going." "When you're as tired as both of us are now." "We could stay here." "In silence." "Like this not touching, and in peace." "But hearing each other's respiration." "And at dawn, with the first light go away together." "Not having to go back there." "Not having to pretend anymore." "If you want to, at dawn." "Yes, at dawn." "We'll venture on the great journey, the two of us." "It has to be at the same instant because a second of loneliness before or after would be terrible." "You'll smile at me..." "I'll shut my eyes, and you'll smile again." "On the other side." "Go to bed, Irene." "Not until we get word." "Besides, it's almost daybreak." "No." "I can't." "I can't." "Mara" "Mara" "Here comes Mara." "Alone?" "Yes, alone." "Mara, Mara!" "What happened?" "Look at me." "Talk to me." "The commissioner." "What's the commissioner doing here?" "Mara, where's Julio?" "What have you done to Julio?" "What is it, Commissioner?" "Say something." " Julio?" " Yes, Mr. Arturo." "We found his body this morning." "Suicide." "Suicide." "Beyond a shadow of a doubt." "Where?" " On the boat." "The boat where..." " Yes, I know." "We found this letter for you." "Didn't deem it necessary to open it." "Suicide is overtly evident." "We'll state the cause as being..." "A momentary lapse of judgment." "Excess work." "Is that all right?" "Thank you." "You've been very kind." "I regret this incident, Mr. Arturo." "Good day." "Mister Commissioner..." "Was my nephew alone when he?" "Yes." "I believe he was." "That will be all." "Good day." "Why did the commissioner come by?" "Julio." "What about Julio?" "He committed suicide at dawn." "That's impossible." "Why did you bring up my food, Lupita?" "I said I'd go down." "Mrs. Irene's orders." "She says you're ill and shouldn't strain yourself." "Is there anything else I can do?" "No, Lupita." "Nothing." "Who was that playing?" "Who was playing the sonata?" " Didn't you hear it?" " No." "I didn't hear anything." "Were you asleep?" "Why are you asking me that?" "No." "I wasn't dreaming." "I heard it clearly." "There was somebody here." "Look!" "The piano is open." "You get over-excited." "You're tired." "That's why you don't recall." "You came down and played that sonata last night." "The piano has been open since then." "But I heard it." "I swear I heard it." "You're right." "That must be right." "I don't remember." "Sorry." "How dare you throw a party?" "It hasn't been a month since Julio died." "Are you so blind you're unaware of the gossip?" "Do you want to give more motives?" "Rumors of his suicide are only natural." "We've been too respectful of him." "A man who commits suicide doesn't deserve that." "That's what you think." "Is that why you haven't notified Roberto?" "This isolation is harming Mara." "She needs to have a life." "Mara..." "Mara..." "Thinks only of herself." "I'll stay in my room." "I don't want any parties in this house." "Why do you hate her so?" "You used to care for her." "The day she confesses where she was the night Julio died then, I'll talk to her again." "To Mara and Arturo's happiness." "You may retire if you're not well." "I'll excuse you." "I'm fine." "I've never felt better." "How about some whisky?" "Yes, please." "There's a big surprise, Mara." "What?" "My nephew just arrived." "I'll be right back, sir." "Won't you give me a hug, Mara?" "Go with her to the study." "Tell them that Mara doesn't feel well." " Excuse her with everybody." " Certainly." "Enough crying." "A man doesn't come home to be greeted like this." "Did you forget to smile?" "Come on... make an effort." " Roberto!" " Aunt Irene!" "Roberto." "You've finally come back." "They can't keep the truth from you." "What's wrong?" "You're in mourning, Aunt Irene." "Where's Julio?" "What's wrong with Julio?" "Did he?" "Did Julio?" "I asked nobody to say anything because it's inexplicable." "At the prime of his life." "When he was starting to be famous." "Julio committed suicide." "Suicide?" "He was found on the boat." "When?" "Almost a year ago." "I tried to write, but the pain was intolerable." "I recalled how much you cared for him." "I thought of you alone over there, so far away." "I couldn't hurt you so." "I knew you would return." "Imagine how I longed for your return and how I feared it, as well." "Why did he do it?" "Nobody knows." "You must know." "You meant the world to Julio." "He told you everything." "He cared so much about you." "Why did he do it?" "Why?" "Did you see him die?" "It was at dawn." "On the boat." "I..." "Mara!" "Take her to her room!" "How's her pulse?" "Weak." "She needs rest and quiet." "I'm going to see Arturo." "I've been expecting you for months now." "Why didn't you write back?" "When you asked me to come?" "Yes, yes." "I never got any letters from you, Mara." "Then it means I didn't write to you." "But I did..." "I'm sure I did." "I don't know." "See?" "This is what torments me." "I forget everything." "I think I do things, and..." "But now that you're here I'll get well." "You'll help me, won't you?" "You won't go away again." "You'll cure me." "Yes, Mara." "I swear." "I'm tired." "I'm very tired." "How is she?" "I want you to look after Mara." "I'm placing her in your hands." "Do you think it's serious?" "I'm not sure yet, uncle." "We'll have to study her case." " I'll see her tomorrow." " Tomorrow?" "Aren't you staying here?" "No, I wasn't planning to." "Dr. Orriaga is leaving, I'm taking his place." "I'm going to live in his house." "That's odd." "He didn't mention anything." "I'm sorry you won't stay, but suit yourself." "Anyway..." "Do you think I could move back in beside Julio's empty room?" "There is tragedy in the life of every family." "But the cause of those tragedies is always known." "None of us know why my brother committed suicide." "Have you forgiven my silence?" "Yes." "But I think it was a mistake." "Come over early tomorrow morning." "Were you aware that Julio had a heart condition?" "That he was doomed?" "No." "He never let me check him." "I had known for a long time." "I told him not to travel to Europe." "He said he rather live one hour in the light than 100 in the dark." "The lifestyle there quickly consumed him." "When he returned and came over, the day he died I could tell he didn't have much longer." "I tried to hide it, but he wanted the truth." "I had to tell him." "It was so timely." "That must have been why he killed himself." "He beat death by a few days." "The certificate shows we found him on the boat." "A firearm." "No signs of foul play." "Everything was perfectly clear." "There was even a letter." "A letter?" "Yes." "Addressed to your uncle." "It was sealed, and I didn't read it." "I gave it to Mr. Arturo myself and I recall he put it in a metal chest that was on the table in his study." "Thank you very much, Commissioner." "You're welcome." " How are you, Pedro?" " Fine, sir." "What happened to these dogs?" "They used to be so playful." "They loved Mr. Julio." "On the night he..." "Their barking broke my heart." "After that, every night it was the same thing." "Nobody could sleep." "Mrs. Mara cried out in horror." "The veterinarian did something to their throat and they've been like this ever since." "How is she?" "Off." "Turn it off!" "Come sit down." "Please don't scold me." "I've felt insecure for so long." "Roberto seeing you has been so good for me." "Tell me all of this is not true." "That the years haven't passed, and we're on the deck." "No." "Not there." "We're on the beach." "Remember?" "You peered at me with that look of adoration." "And I hurt you not intentionally." "Just to make sure you still loved me." "Forgive me, Roberto." "Forgive the harm I've done to you." "You've only done me good, Mara." "I cared so much about you." "I swear I loved you dearly, Roberto." "I know." "I was your second greatest affection." "No, I didn't feel affection for him, it was something a lot harder to explain." "You know a great tree says to the ivy..." ""Climb up, I'll hold you"." "And the ivy grows and grows." "And kills the tree." "Then, I was happy to be a tree." "To let myself die." "Why did you marry Uncle Arturo, Mara?" "Julio walked out on me." "He went away." "He told me..." ""Teach me to be strong"" ""Prove to me that..."" "And then, he left." "Arturo loved me." "I knew he loved me." "Somebody else loved you too." "You." "Yes." "Would you have forgiven me, too?" "Then, maybe nothing would have happened." "Julio wouldn't have returned with that hurtful smile..." "That I couldn't help seeing." "Roberto, save me." "I know you can save me." "I know." "I've made so many mistakes." "Julio's calling." "He's calling me." "Mara." "Mara." "I promised I would die with him." "We waited hours on end." "Not touching." "Face to face." "Looking at each other." "Just looking." "When the sun started to rise both of us held up a gun." "He was smiling." "I remember perfectly." "Smiling." "He was happy." "He said:" ""See you in eternity, my love"." "And pulled the trigger." "He fell over as if his body had turned into sand." "When I realized it I was still there unable to shoot." "Not dead." "I tried." "I swear I tried." "Now I'm frightened at not having kept my promise." "You're scared he'll demand it." "Mara." "Mara!" "Look at me!" "Don't you understand?" "I can feel him so close." "He's so strong." "I hear him." "He calls me at night." "And it happens all over again." "The dead never return." "Only the living hurt each other." "We've got to be brave." "Look straight into the sun." "Like this." "See?" "Wind and sea are only strong against the soul of a child, like yours." "The wind and the sea they don't mock voices." "I've always reacted too late, Mara." "But not this time, no." "This time I won't let you suffer anymore." "You'll throw the ghosts out here." "You'll get out of this room." "You'll look straight at others because you have nothing to be ashamed of." "Julio died because he chose to." "He had no right to take anything with him." "Live, Mara..." "Live!" "Tomorrow you'll go out alone." "Bravely." "Like you did years ago when we were kids and we still didn't know what being happy or unhappy was." "You'll go out." "Yes, Roberto, I want to go on living." "I want to go on living." "You're dreaming." "It's impossible." "Something terrible is going to happen in that house." "And I can't do a thing to stop it." "The horror will come and leave no trace." "Not even the striking hand." "You're seeing things." "Ghosts don't belong to these times." "I wouldn't be so sure." "When you see how far I go to defend her you'll change your mind." "You still love her." "My first childhood memory is loving Mara." "I've loved her since I was little." "Always." "When I heard she got married I went to the jungle to try to forget her." "But something didn't let me." "Why did she marry Uncle Arturo?" "I wanted so much to live in hiding that I wasn't surprised I didn't know about Julio." "I thought he'd be doing the same." "Because he wouldn't understand, either." "Understand what is so clear to me today." "I spoke with her." "She thinks she's a coward for not dying with Julio." "He was the coward." "Because knowing he had few days left to live he tried to force a death pact on Mara." "And it wasn't over love but over facing his destiny alone." "Mara is in danger, doctor." "I can't tell her that I love her..." "It's too late." "But I'll do what I can to save her even if it's from herself." " Are you going out?" " Yes." "You'd better not." "The wind is beginning to blow." "What's wrong, Mara?" "This house is damned." "We live like in dreams." "I need to see somebody." "Somebody who will tell me the truth." "What truth do you want to know?" "Come in." "Mara!" " I'm looking for Roberto." " He isn't here." "But, come in." "We need to have a word." "Don't you like your old friends anymore?" "I have to see Roberto." "When he speaks, everything becomes clear..." "Whenever he's with me I feel secure." "And I don't hear that voice." "No." "No, doctor." "I'm not crazy." "It's just that tell me..." "Can a dead person return to this world?" "Can someone return with the sole purpose of torturing?" "I LOVE YOU" "Take this tranquilizer." "Mara!" "It doesn't matter, doctor." "My question has been answered." "Mara!" "I know it's you, Julio." "Forgive me." "I couldn't do it." "Mara, what's wrong?" "Why are you yelling?" "He's back, he's back!" "Arturo, save me." "Who's back?" "Nobody." "Can't you see we're alone?" "You've been frightened again." "You've always feared the wind." "See?" "There's nobody in the room." "Only the wind and the two of us." "Everything the wind has done." "What a shame." "You used to like it so much." "Get me out of here!" "I don't want to be here!" "Let's go." "Calm down." "We'll go away tomorrow." "We'll make a long journey." "You'll forget this house where we've made you suffer." "You won't be afraid starting tomorrow." "Never." "Never again." "Please, Arturo." "I can't wait until tomorrow." "Let's go away now, right now." "All right." "I'll wake the driver to get the car ready." "Stop torturing yourself." "Trust me." "Starting tomorrow think that starting tomorrow you won't suffer anymore." "Get your things ready." "I'll go see about the power." "I need to see you." "Look in the chest." "There must be a place on the other shore where everything is love." "A place where the two of us can be together." "We'd have to die for that." "We would simply have to stop living for that." "Coward." "You didn't dare this time, either." "Poor thing!" "Didn't you want to rest?" "Here's your rest." "Poor Julio." "He's still waiting for you, you don't want to go." "No." "Don't be afraid of me." "I only wanted to help because Julio wrote to me and told me everything." "And I've known all along, all this time." "Imagine." "I felt so sorry for you." "I knew you wanted to die, but were scared." "I tried to help." "I pushed you, little by little but you're such a coward..." "That's why..." "That's why I have to do it myself." "They'll think you couldn't stand the remorse and I'll say..." "No she couldn't take the pain of knowing that her lover died for her." "But it won't be true." "Because Julio didn't die for you." "He was already condemned." "He didn't have a month left to live." "He wanted to take you with him." "Close your eyes, Mara." "Close them." "You'll see how easy it is to die." "Take me away from here." "Don't ever look back." "Don't think about anything." "What could I see, anyway?" "Except the horror of the past months." "The horror of this instant." "Many years ago, here, on this boat you could have died." "You came to begin a new life." "You're arriving from another journey..." "For another new beginning." "THE END"