"Contracuadro presents" "A Leonardo Favio film (based in a story by Zuhair Jury)" "The Salesclerk" "...and it was like this." "Fernandez started working in the hardware store." "By then, Don Vila was as old as he is now." "From day one, Fernandez kept to himself." "He was gloomy, hard working, and careful with the money." "Don Vila saw in him the child that he once was," "And Fernandez in Don Villa, the father that would be." "The limits of their ambitions and goals, were cinscunscribed by the rectangle-shaped room that became their bussiness." "Between pans, pliers, plows and bird cages," "The shopkeep and his employee had spent 25 years of turpentine, screws, and giving change." "Parsil... parsil Fernandez, put some on the pan and that's it." "Very secretly, as a child," "Fernandez secretly wished for the death of Don Vila, and that, in his deathbead, by a fleeting promise," "He would leave him as the new owner of the bussiness and the old car that they used to make deliveries." "For some time now, the rythm of these two lifes was unbalanced." "Don Vila coughed less and less each time, those chronic convultions of every day." "It seems that this needs a little more salt." "But the news about Fernandez were more interesting." "During two or three sunsets, in the gate that fronts the spiritual center," "he had met the sad eyes of the landlady daughter." "They had shared a glimpse, and the woman's tranquility slowly touched his heart." "He thought he was in love, and a fearful and moral shake sped up his pulse." "Aren't you eating anymore?" "I don't know, I'm not hungry." "Are you sick?" "I'm ok." "I'm just not hungry." "Allright then." "Few people came today." "No?" "Few." "No delivieries today?" "No, none." "There's a rat Don Vila!" "Just let it be!" "Talking about rats when I'm eating..." "But it messes up with the goods Don Vila!" "Good night." "Beutiful night, huh?" "You are from here, aren't you?" "...yes..." "I have seen you around, this afternoon when I was with the car, and some other days." "Haven't you seen me around?" "I'm not making you uncomfortable, am I?" "...no..." "Somebody turned up the light!" "It's my mother." "She's cleaning up." "My little brother keeps getting dirty." "Ah, little brother..." "Alberto..." "Ah, yes yes" "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you, I'll be going now" "No, don't go," "I don't want us to meet here, would you like to go inside?" "Inside?" "... yes, of course." "Please sit down Mr. Fernandez." "Thanks." "So, do you live alone here?" "Nice..." "You should have someone looking after you..." "I don't know..." "Like a dog." "I don't know..." "You don't have a dog, do you?" "See?" ", that's a shame." "At least for the sake... of having it, no?" "And cats?" "There you are!" "There you are!" ", come here kitty kitty!" "No, not there, not there, I'm telling you NOT THERE!" "Mom..." "Excuse me sir." "But that couch used to be my husband's" "Don't worry ma'am... and I'm sorry about... your husband." "You haven't introduced me yet to this gentleman." "Fernandez, at your orders." "Cecilia, widower." "It's been long since your husband died?" "Not really." "Ah..." "I see." "Well ma'am... this things just happens in life..." " They're things that..." " Take a seat Mr. Fernandez." "You've never heard about us, have you?" "." "And haven't you seen us in the streets, have you?" "Neither." "You know why?" "." "Because we don't want people to talk about us in the streets..." "I sometimes go out to the door for a while" "And It's been years since my mother's gone out." "People love to get their noses in someone elses life..." "They like to talk..." "And being the gossip of the week isn't a good thing." " Oh, a bug!" " Where?" "I shall kill it!" " No!" "It's just a bug..." "It's harmless..." "I thought that you...." "I'm sorry lady." "They're harmless... they come with light." "Excuse me Mr. Fernandez" "They're harmless... they come with light..." "Yes, of course." "I just thought...." "About that stuff about people and gossip..." "I can tell you, I feel the same way..." "I might say that getting to know you has been... well..." "A mere coincidence." "Because I never hang around here... just when I have to deliver something." " I work in Mr..." " Vila hardware store!" "Exactly!" "I knew that you worked there, that's why I let you in." " Of course!" ", I'm all day in the store, I..." " One should know who to trust." "Starting tomorrow, I won't be at the door anymore..." "I'll wait for you inside, you know?" "What's your name?" "... how should I call you?" "Mrs. Prasini..." "Of course... but your real name?" "I prefer that you call me this way, thanks." "Mother, it's eleven o'clock!" " Well..." "I think I've bothered you enough..." " Sorry Mr. Fernandez" "Mom, would you close the house already..." "Mom!" " Just for a little while, that's all" " You know it's time!" "." " Oh , okay!" "Well..." "I think I've bothered enough and I'm going now." "Mom, Mr. Fernandez is leaving." "Good night." "Have a nice evening Mr. Fernandez" "Good night ma'am." "And thanks." "Ok, Mrs. Prasini... see you tomorrow." "Mr. Fernandez... i wanted to tell you something." "Yes Mrs. Prasini." "I've read it in your eyes, Mr. Fernandez" "I know what you feel." "But please... contain yourself." "...someone's coming..." "Yes." " Good night Mr. Fernandez" " Good night Mrs. Prasini" "Twelve o'clock..." "If a client saw me..." "He would be surprised..." "Well good man, haven't you given a good step" "I'm sorry Don Vila?" "Well... what can I say... you don't look good." "I mean... you look better than usual... in a better mood." "Is just...." "I just feel good." "You seem fine yesterday... but not in this mood." "God only knows" "There are days and there are days." "Oh lord..." "Well, I'm glad that you're ok" "I'm also well, and thankful" "At the end... the only wealth that one must wish for is health." "Without health, everything else... comes second." "Money comes in second... anyway..." "life's beautiful." "Of course... health is everything." " Good morning." " Good morning, what can I do for you?" " Just a small saw, Don Vila." " We have those, we have those." "We have this... it's made out of steel, finely crafted..." "look at it!" " Don't you have another one Don Vila?" " Of course, of course!" ", we're here to serve you!" " What's up Mr. Fernandez?" " I'll see you later at the bar!" "Ok, I'll take this one." " Ok, have a good one!" " Thanks, thanks, at your service!" "Can I have money for meat Don Vila?" "Yes my son, yes" " What shall I cook?" " It's up to you... something light..." "I could boil some meat bones to make out a nice soup..." "Could be... though the meat makes me kind of sick..." "Then I shouldn't buy meat?" "Yes, yes... but just a small piece" " I'm feeling good and I don't want to spoil it, you know?" " Ok, ok..." "Hey, Mr. Fernandez!" ""I'm feeling good"" "Old man talk" "He's fooling himself." "Don Alvaro!" "Don Alvaro's truck!" "If he sees me, he will tell don Vila!" "I'm sure he will!" "Me, walking at night for a woman..." "What would Don Vila think!" "Good night, Mrs. Plasini" "Good night." "Take a seat." "Nice flowers!" "They're called "Hortencias"." "I put them just for you." "Thanks." "Thank you very much Mrs. Plasini" "Lot of work today?" "Well..." "I didn't deliver anything, but the bussiness has its complications..." "And Don Vila?" "How's he doing?" "Don Vila... eh... he's okay." "He lives alone, doesn't he?" "Yes... he has nobody." "Not nobody... he has you." "Yes, of course... he's got me." "Mrs. Plasini..." "You look lovely... you look... beautiful." "Thanks." "Mom!" "you can turn the radio on if you like!" "Yes I do!" ", I do!" "Good evening, Mr. Fernandez" "And the street?" "How are things outside Mr. Fernandez?" "The streets?" "... the streets are ok ma'am." "I haven't been out for so long..." "The radio... yeah, I shall look for it" "Do you enjoy radio Mr. Fernandez?" "The radio?" ", yes, yes." "I just love it... when people talk... and also the music." "Do you like music, Mr. Fernandez?" "Yes, yes." "Music..." "let's put on some music!" "Mom..." "Excuse me..." " Your mother seems to like music..." " Yes." "My father doesn't." "My father didn't use to like any of these things." "He always sat in that couch" "He was a great man." "He would sit me on his lap and spent hours teaching me sentences..." "He always used to pray before dinner..." "I'll show you some photographs." "He was lanlord of the place we used to live in" "He was a fine medium..." "He would fall in a trance anytime he wanted..." "A great man." "The portrait is nice" "Very nice Mrs. Plasini" "Take it away, mother." "Oh, but I haven't offered you anything... what would you like to drink Mr. Fernandez?" " Oh please, don't bother." " It's no a problem at all." "For me, anything will do." "Tea, then." "You'll have to excuse me for a moment Mr. Fernandez but we run out of tea" " I'll go buy some and be right back" " No, Mrs. Plasini, don't bother!" "No, no!" "." "I told you it isn't a problem." "And tell me..." "When are you going to ask my daughter's hand?" "Has my daughter gone?" "Yeah, she went to buy some tea." "Then wait a second that I want to show you something..." "As you see... all these things are mine, but she won't let me use them." "Before you came, he painted her lips with this." "She never does that." "I do that, but she won't let me." "But anyway, she's right, because I did a bad thing once..." "And tell me again..." "When do you plan to ask for my daughter's hand?" " Your daughter's hand?" " Yeah, that's what I said." "Ma'am I'll..." "I would gladly ask for your daughter's hand." "Allright, I just wanted to know that." " My mother will be right back with the tea." " Thanks Mrs." "Did I take too long?" "Oh no Mrs. It was enough that you took the trouble." "My mother told me that you spoke to her." "Yes..." "That you had asked for my hand." "Yes... hmm... yes, I took that liberty." "I'm sorry..." "Here's your tea, Mr. Fernandez, help yourself." "Excuse me..." "We don't let anyone use that couch" "Even my mother." "Of course, of course." "It's to honour his memory" "Yes, respect for those who are gone." "Even more when it's the father that is gone." "Don't you practice any creed?" "Creed?" "... well..." "I... eh... no." "No creed, to be honest." "What I would like to do is..." "Well my dream is to be a rotarian" "Rotarian?" "From the Rotary Club." "Don Vila is a rotarian." "Well... he's a proprietor." " I have to be a proprietor to enter." " Of course, of course." "This was a lovely tea, Mrs." "Thanks a lot." "Don't worry... excuse me." "*radio* (this is the musical world ... of jaco select)" "Well, Mrs. Plasini... it's quite late." "I think I've bothered you enough already." "Oh nonsense." "Mother, Mr. Fernandez is leaving!" "." "Good night." "Have a good day Mr. Fernandez." "Good night, ma'am." "Did you really asked my mother?" "Yes... did I make a mistake?" "No... that depends if you really meant it." "I'm very pleased to have done that." "Because men can get confused sometimes" "They believe they're in love and..." "It's not that." "One must be sure of what he wants... out of love." "I'm very glad to have asked for your hand." "Besides, it was my duty... beacuse I..." "I..." "Mrs. Plasini, I..." " I feel..." " What?" "I feel..." "love for you." "Love!" "Yes..." "love...." "Mrs. Plasini, what's wrong?" "Mrs. Plasini, shall I call your mother!" "?" "Mrs. Plasini, please!" "Mrs. Plasini, calm down!" " Mrs. Plasini, stop!" " No, no!" "... good night." "Oh god..." "If only that old man would die..." "What's the matter, Don Vila?" "Again with that cough?" "You should take something for it... you need to take care of yourself!" "What's that Don Vila?" "(inaudible)... ok then." "It's okay Don Vila... it's okay." "*It's been a year now since I'm alone...*" "*Don Vila... you're not alone... you have me.*" "*I know my son... you're the only thing that's left to me.*" "*Don Vila... thanks for what have you just said.*" "*That... that the only thing you've got left is me.*" "*Do you want something to drink, Mr. Fernandez?" ".*" "*Tea?" "Coffee?" "*" "Yes, thanks, Mrs. Plasini." "What happened!" "Nothing!" "don't worry!" "That disgraceful cat!" " How can you let this happen, mother?" " Oh, okay, okay." "My chair just rolled over!" "Are you hurt?" "No, Mrs. Plasini" "It was just a scare" "I startled the cat accidentally" "That cat... it keeps ruining my father's sofa!" "If you want, next time I make a delivery, I can drop it somewhere in the fields..." "NO!" ", that's my cat!" "and I love it!" " Good evening Mr. Fernandez." " Good evening Mrs. Plasini." "Don't take away my cat..." "I love that poor thing." "As you say ma'am." "Put on the radio!" "Now!" "Haven't you heard me?" "Yes mother." "Take a seat, Mr. Fernandez." "Yes, thank you." "Excuse me." "I don't care about that!" "Help yourself, Mr. Fernandez." "And sorry." "Sorry for what Mrs. Plasini?" "Nothing... my mother just has days when..." "Is it true that Don Vila isn't allright?" "He's has a little cough, but with some local herbs I gave him, he's feeling better." "It's his age... yeah... his age." "How old is he?" "I don't know..." "I've been with him since I was 15..." "I don't know..." "I truly don't know." "And how are things in the street Mr. Fernandez?" "Fine, ma'am... the street's are fine." "Before, in the old house, I would go out in a streetcar...." "And went round and around the city..." "Of course..." "You know Mr. Fernandez?" "I'm glad to see you." "I like that you come every night..." "Thank goodness that my daughter met you." "I never go out..." "Mom!" "It's true, she wouldn't let me..." "I don't know what people are saying!" "Kitty, here kitty kitty!" "Fuck, you have scared the hell of that poor thing!" "Mom!" "What?" "It's the truth!" "Ma'am, I..." "Excuse me Mr. Fernandez." "No, no, don't worry." "I don't like this music!" "Mom!" "Shall we dance?" "Mr. Fernandez?" "Shall we dance?" "Mr. Fernandez!" "Yes?" "Shall we dance?" "I don't know how, ma'am." "Oh, come on!" "It's true ma'am, I swear!" "Come on, come on!" "Please ma'am, I swear!" "Oh, stop it!" " But ma'am!" " I'll teach you!" "..." "like this, like this..." "It's true ma'am, I swear!" "Ma'am, please!" "It's eleven o'clock..." "Eleven o'clock...!" "It's eleven o'clock!" "What is this mother!" "what is this?" "Mrs. Plasini, I..." "We were dancing... isn't it true, Mr. Fernandez?" "Oh my god... how... how embarrasing..." "Throw him out!" "Throw him out mother, throw him out!" "I don't want to!" ", I won't do it!" "My boy... wanted to see is the food's ready?" "It's my boy!" "Shut up!" "He has seen him already!" ", and I don't care!" "It's been 10 years since your father's death!" "For how long is this going to continue!" "?" "Mother, shut up!" "He was crazy!" "Praying all the time... saying that he was being possessed by spirits..." "He said that my son was dumb because I wouldn't go to church!" "And that he was the devil's child... always punishing him!" "Shut up, shut up please!" "He forced me to lock this poor thing down!" "And she did as well!" "Asking me to feed him in the porch, keeping him locked down, aren't you ashamed!" "But this thing is over!" "OVER!" "did you hear me?" "Ma'am, I..." "Forgive me, please, Mr. Fernandez..." "No...." "Come Estanislao, come here my boy..." "I understand if you, after this..." "No Mrs. Plasini... after this... nothing." "You're not to blame for someone else's faults..." "All this has been so terrible..." "So terrible!" "Stay calmed... please...." "You're not to blame..." "I..." "I care about you, Mrs. Plasini... and we'll live together in the hardware store..." "When?" "Well, understand..." "When, when?" "Soon... it won't be long." "But you really mean "soon"?" "Yes, yes... he's very ill..." "We just have to wait." "I..." "I care about you, Mrs. Plasini." "Do you like it Estanislao?" ", like it?" "Don Vila's dead?" "Don Vila! Would you open the door Don Vila!" "Well..." "I should call the police...." "Don Vila's dead!" "." "Hey!" ", Fernandez!" "I'm talking to you, man!" "Where were you going?" "Come!" "... come!" "You look pale!" "... come on, change that face!" "I thought something happened to you" "The door was locked!" "You see... with the herbs you gave me last night i feel much better... but fell asleep." "Of course..." "Open the door and the window, boy!" "Let the sunhine in!" ", all the sunshine!" "The door was locked..." "Should I open the register box for you, Don Vila?" "Are you alone?" "They aren't here, are they?" "Are they?" "Oh, good evening ma'am" "Good evening Mr. Fernandez!" "I thought you weren't home..." "We are... we are." "She's inside... hasn't came out all day." "Is she sick?" "It's because of what happened last night." "Sit down, Mr. Fernandez!" "Estanislao likes the cat..." "Do you like the cat, Estanislao?" "And how are things going, Mr. Fernandez?" "Not so good, ma'am" "And why's that?" "No, I'm good, I'm good." "This is Mr. Fernandez." "Fer - nan - dez" "What would you like to drink, Mr. Fernandez?" "To drink?" "Yeah, to drink" "Oh... tea ma'am... very hot, please." "And the cat?" "It's gone!" ", It's gone!" "Oh..." "Mrs. Plasini" "I had a bad night..." "Sure..." "I understand." " I look haggard" " A little pale, you mean?" " Yes." " Oh no, no, no, Mrs. Plasini." "Can you take me out from here Mr. Fernandez?" "I can't stay here any longer." "Yes, yes..." "I'll take you with me." "And how's Don Vila?" "He's okay..." "Yeah... suddenly he got better!" "What a disgrace..." "What?" "What a disgrace!" "..." "Daddy!" "No Estanislao, this is not your father!" ", this is Mr. Fernandez" "Fer - nan - dez" "He believes you're his father, poor thing..." "Yeah..." "Well, stop looking at Mr. Fernandez that you have to eat!" "Mom!" "Aren't you drinking it?" "No Mrs. Plasini, excuse me." "But I don't want it anymore." "It's true..." "I'm sorry Mrs. Plasini?" "You do look like my father." "Yeah, I saw the picture." " Mr. Fernandez" " Yes" "Excuse me, but I don't feel well tonight." "Don't worry Mrs. Plasini, I'm going." "Good night, Mr. Fernandez." "Good night Mrs. Plasini... good night Mrs. Plasini" "She was angry... of course she was!" "Don Vila..." "It's Don Vila's fault." "What is he waiting for?" "He just won't die!" "*Fernandez*" "*Fernandez*" "So, Fernandez?" "Until when?" "I'm tired, Don Fernandez." "Years... waiting here." "I'm tired, Fernandez." "Sh e's looking at you!" "Don Vila!" "Don Vila!" "Open, don Vila!" "Don Vila, open up!" "Don Vila..." "Ha!" "... he's dead..." "Plasini family" "Our pain is present." "Rotary Club." "Your employee" "Mom, he's laughing..." "He doesn't understand, the poor thing..." "Hey Estanislao, don't laugh!" "How can you do something like that, huh?" "You can't!" "(praying)" "Mrs. Plasini" "Yes?" "Would you like to view the hardware store?" "Okay..." "Please, let me..." "Please, let me..." "Do you like it?" "Yes..."