"EVERY 24 HOURS, 3 CHILDREN DIE A VIOLENT DEATH IN VENEZUELA." "BETWEEN 1999 AND 2003, 40,000 PEOPLE DIED VIOLENT DEATHS." "THIS FILM IS DEDICATED TO THE PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS" "WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF VENEZUELAN CHILDREN." "THIS STORY IS FICTIONAL." "ANY SIMILARITY TO REAL LIFE IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL." " Hey, China." " Hey, Maroa." "St. Jude!" "The patron saint of lost causes!" "St. Mark!" "The tamer of wild animals!" "Three for a thousand!" "Three for a thousand!" "Three for a thousand!" "Girlie." "What you got there?" "How much?" "Three for a thousand." "One for 500." "That's too much." " Make me an offer." " 400." "OK." "Our Lady of Mt." "Carmel!" "Jose Gregorio Hernandez!" "Our Lady!" "Jose Gregorio Hernandez!" "Three for a thousand." " Pay you later?" " No way." "Three for a thousand!" "Our Lady of Mt." "Carmel!" "Three for a thousand!" "Our Lady of Mt." "Carmel!" "Our Lady of Mt." "Carmel!" "Some other time, thanks." "C'mon lady, buy one." "I'D RATHER PAINT THAN KILL" "Hello?" "What do you want me to do, I'm flat broke." "Business is really bad." "You want to get nasty?" "OK." "But I can't do anything else, I'm broke." "Can't afford to pay your Colombian buddy?" "Keep voting for that dancing, singing, TV president of yours, while things just get worse." "Hey, Maracucho." "Hey, Maroa." "Got anything good for me?" "Gorgeous girls for 4,500." "Same old stuff as usual." "Got anything new?" "This is real good stuff." "It'll cost you 7,000." "You've got a nerve, Maroa." "I'll give you 5,000." "7,000." "Okay, 6,000 and you know you're ripping me off." " Here." " 7,000 or you miss out." "Here." "See you, Maracucho." "Take care." "Our Lady of Mt." "Carmel!" "Don't go off again or I'll thrash you!" "Three for a thousand!" "Ladies and gentlemen!" "Step right up, gather round." "The Great Brigida will now astound you." "Tell me my fortune." "Here's a young lady who wants her fortune told." "All right, but to demonstrate my powers to you I'm going to read this girl's ID number blindfolded." "Let somebody else hold her ID card and you'll see I always get it right." "Now, let's see..." "Quiet, please." "Any sudden noise could distract the fortune-teller." "Pay attention now." "I see... to start with I see a 2 and a zero on this girl's ID card." "Another 2... 253... no, 257... 2, that's another 2..." "and another number twice... 33." "That's 20257233." "Is that right?" "Yes!" "That's the number!" "Wait a minute..." "The spirits tell me that this girl is 11 years old." "Is that right?" "But the ID number tells you that!" "The spirits also tell me you never knew your mother, and gave you to your grandmother, who's a wonderful lady." "Am I right?" "Speak up." "Let everyone hear." "Yes, it's true." "Want to know when you'll marry and have kids?" "Then put some money, in the box here, to show your appreciation." "What else do you want to know?" "I've had this gift since I was three years old, when I foresaw my own mother's death." "She died in an accident 3 days later." "30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90," "110, 130, 150, 200..." "Freeze, kid." "Hand it over or you're dead." "Take the money but don't hurt me." " Carlos!" "You idiot!" " Take it easy, Maroa." "I was only playing." "Did your grandma take the rest?" "She didn't take anything!" "Fine." "So chill out." "So." "You know what?" "I'm rich today." "I'll buy you a burger and we'll do some business." "Come and live with me." "Everything I have is yours." "Nothing but the best for us." "I'll buy you a Big Mac." "They give you toys with a meal." "Sure, but a Big Mac fills you up more." "You're too big for free dolls." "Come on." "They say Wendy's are square." "And the fries are bigger." "Quick, Maroa, run!" "Maroa!" "Run!" "False alarm." "Always the same." "They go off by themselves." "Come on." "I was waiting." "Can I help?" "No, thanks." "Come on, Lia, stop it." "We have to talk." "Let's get together for a drink." "Where's your pride?" "Don't do this to me, Joaquin." "We've talked this to death." "It's just not going to work." "Because I'm the bad guy, or because there's a new director?" "Sure, his own place in Vienna, money, international fame..." " He's got everything." " Well, yes." "I do see him." "But for other reasons too." "He's a normal guy, for starters." "Not some neurotic Spaniard like you." "Shit!" "What a perfect day!" "IF YOU CHANGE, VENEZUELA WILL CHANGE" "Judging," "Condemning others, giving up, failing..." "All excuses!" "A true Christian doesn't make excuses for himself!" "A true Christian is someone who wants progress, not excuses." "You were a gift from God the moment you were born." " Alleluia, brothers!" " Alleluia!" " In His name..." " Alleluia!" "Amen!" "Who wants to bear witness?" "It will save your soul." "I do!" "Come forward, brother." "Glory be." "Glory be to God." "Thank you, brother." "The only truth is here, brothers." "The only weapon against evil is here." "Evil is among us." "I was one of its servants." "I was a sinner, a slave!" "Till the Lord spoke to me." "Alleluia!" "The word of God!" "Alleluia!" "And the Lord said to me," ""Thou shalt do honour to thy name." "Ezekiel art thou called and with this sword thou shalt enforce my word."" " Alleluia!" " Alleluia!" " Alleluia!" " Alleluia!" " Alleluia!" " Alleluia!" "Come and move in with me." "You're crazy, Paperhead." "Are you out of your mind?" "Where the fuck were you?" "Out of my mind enough to give you beers on credit." "Where did you get this?" "You've been with Carlos, I know it!" "You think I don't know you've been with him?" "I'd rather you be a whore than a thief." "I'd rather have that." "What did I take you in for?" "To bring back stolen goods here?" "And take a bath, I'm sick of telling you." " Stop, Grandma." " Shut up!" "Stop, Brigida, you'll hurt her." " Keep out of this, damn it!" " Stop!" "How much did you make?" "She won't hit you anymore." "How do you know?" "Let's see what you made today!" "Give it here." "What's this, girl!" "How many magazines did you sell?" "Three..." "And religious prints?" "Two Our Lady of Mt." "Carmel, one Jose Gregorio Hernandez." "You see?" "You see?" "She's just lazy." "Take this for those beers." "I just didn't like what you said in there." "We'll settle up now... or you'll think you're entitled..." "That's what I like about your grandma." "She's so sweet." "That's a load of crap." "What about the stuff?" "Delivery tomorrow night." "If it's what they said it is, we're lookin' good." "Really?" "Here, get yourself some sweets." "And don't let your grandma steal this off of you." "And it's twice as much stuff." "High quality." "Here, take this old-fashioned shit music of yours." "You're no good without it." "Heaven grant me just one wish..." "And another thing..." "I've never seen eyes like yours." "Heaven grant me just one wish..." "And another thing..." "I've never seen eyes like yours." "I've seen the whole wide world..." "Ridiculous!" "Wipe that look off your face." "You remind me of your mother." "And all that's left of her is that damn doll of yours!" "Look, look, look." "Whore!" "Give me my hat, damn you!" "I'll curse you." "Give it back!" "Curse you!" "That got you." "Crazy bitch!" "Old bitch!" " I know you like me." " The things you say, Graciela." "I know you want me to say something." "Just say yes." "Yuleisi, breakfast's getting cold." "Coming." "Hot dog!" "How much for this one?" "Will you take this Pokemon?" "Okay, I've got about seven anyway." "If I use this, they'll pay me 3 times as much." "How much do you earn?" "More than you do." "If you stick to those dolls." "Yuleisi..." "Does it hurt?" "What?" "What you do." "I can't remember." "But you have to moan." "That's what they like." "Why not run away?" "No." "I'm scared of life on the street." " That Armando flipped out." " What balls!" "Sounds like funeral music." "You've got a nerve, Brigida." "If I play this music, they'll wreck the place." "I'll give you 35." "40 with the CDs." "You've got some nerve, Brigida." "But you're stealing me blind." "Keep the discs, they're awful." "What for?" "The CDs are mine." "The player too." "They're Armando's now." "Then give me half the money." "And all I've spent on you?" "Raising you, looking after you, feeding you..." "Get out of my sight, Scrounger." "Is it all there?" "I may be poor but I'm honest." "Hey, sweetie." "Out so early?" "Here, have one of these." "They're still hot." "What's that?" "That's Danzon, my love." "Caribbean classical music." "It comes from the French minuet." "It's marvelous." "The Mexicans dance to it like this." "All serious." "Salsa's what I like dancing to." "St. Ismael Rivera." "St. Celia Cruz, may she rest in peace." "I sent a letter to the Pope asking him to canonize her." "Were you a musician, Paper?" "I wish I could have been." "I'm what they call a "radio-listener."" "My grandma doesn't like music or anything." "What she likes is cash." "That's true." "You've always been nice to me, Paper." "She didn't only lose the player, but she listens to church music." "And you want her to stay with us?" "No way!" "I decide who stays." "Leave her alone." "Women are good for one thing..." "Work, and they only cause trouble." "That's what you always said, Carlitos." "That's all we need!" "Carlitos is in love!" "Jerk!" "How do you know what I'm good for?" "I know where there's money." "I hope you're not bullshitting." "Paperhead's getting some stuff tonight." "You sure?" "No, but lend me the CD player." "If I get that, it's yours." "What's the big secret?" "You wanna give the orders?" "Gimme your best shot." "We'll see who comes out alive." "Come and dance with death." "I dare you." "That's it." "Now you!" "Pantera and Pitufo, lookouts." " Ready?" " I'm ready." "Let's go." "Hide!" "Freeze!" "Freeze!" "Take your watch off." "Take it off!" "Give me that watch!" "Damn you!" " Raul!" "Raul!" " He's getting away!" "The short-cut!" "Quick!" "Freeze!" "Freeze!" " Down!" " No!" "I got him." "Let's go!" "Stop." "They went that way." "There's the girl." "Hey, sweetie." "Where you going?" "The fun's over." "You're going to tell me where Carlos is." "Carapita." "I told you." "Lying's a sin, girl." "And it wastes my time." "We combed Carapita all night." "I got covered in shit because of you." "And no one even knows him there." "No violence, Chief, please." "She's a minor." "Sorry." "You're right." "The thing is, because of this young lady, we're all tired and none of us have been to bed." " In any case, Ezekiel..." " Okay." "You haven't had breakfast." "Go on, I'll tell you when I've finished." "Okay." "But you know the rules." "Here, kid." "Don't worry." "Go on." "So did you think people around here don't talk?" "They tell me everything." "And anyway," "I made a pact with God." "I promote him and he protects me." "I know you were with Carlos all day yesterday." "You like his company." "So once and for all, tell me where he is!" "I already told you." ""Death and life are in the power of the tongue." "And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."" "Proverbs 18:21." "Gonna hit me with your belt?" "Big deal." "My grandma uses a hose." "Well, I've got a hose too." "Shit!" "Help!" "Great, Chief Merchan." " I love your methods." " Look what the bitch did!" "The Prosecutor for Minors will be here soon." "She'll want to know what happened." "Who told you to call her?" "You want trouble?" "If I tell her, you'll be the one in trouble." "Let them take the kid away and I'll forget what I saw." "Okay?" "It's obvious you're new to the job." "Another one." "Gonna de-louse her?" "Keep out of trouble, Milady." "Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!" "You start, Maroa." "Put emphasis on the accents and pause at the commas and periods." "Go on, Maroa." "What's wrong with her?" "What's the big joke?" "Quiet, please!" "Gimme that!" "Go on, Milady, get her!" "Give it to her!" "Touch me again and I'll kill you!" "That's all we needed!" "Come here." "Think you're tough, eh?" "What happened?" "She tried to strangle me." "The new kid started it." "Come here, you troublemaker." "It's A sharp, not A natural." "Learn to distinguish." "Nobody got it right." "Come on, Wilmer, give me an A sharp." "Sing it with me." "What's your name?" "Is this yours?" "Yes." "Why?" "I got your CD player back." "Why?" "You don't even know me." "Some attitude you've got." "Sure I know you." "You were spying on my class." "I want you to join us." "Me?" "You're crazy." " Don't you like music?" " I like my CD player." "Do you?" "Then I'll take it back." "Wait!" "Don't go." "You know from experience that every child's a special case." "The most difficult kids tend to be the brightest." "If she likes music, it may help to make her more sociable." "Well, I refuse." "Look what she does in dictation." "Since she came here, it's been nothing but trouble." "And then her attitude in class..." "She defies me, she won't talk..." "And now she won't read either." "The straw that broke the camel's back." "She's aggressive and uncontrollable." "Why do you think we should reward her by letting her join the orchestra?" "She's got talent, damn it!" "Will you please stop swearing!" "I said "talent."" "Since when was the orchestra a reward?" "It's a first-rate therapeutic instrument." "And as for this, the girl could be illiterate and ashamed to admit it." "In a shootout between a drug ring and a gang led by a minor of 13 known as "Carlos", there were two new deaths last night in Casalta Tres." "Gaston Sanabria, known as "Paperhead", known to local residents as a drug dealer was shot five times..." "I can't see through you, you know." "Move, I want to see it too." "The leader's very dangerous but we know where he is, as one gang member, another minor, is working with the authorities." " Where you going?" " I have to get out of here." "Good news." "What's the matter?" "I have to talk to my grandma." "You can't get out of here." "But if it's so important, here, call her." "Hello, Luisa?" "Yes." "No, I didn't run away." "I'm in the El Cerrito Correctional Center." "I'll explain later." "Find my grandma." "Tell her to come here on Sunday." "It's something important." "Urgent." "Tell her to come." "Thanks a lot, Teach." "You can read numbers but not letters." "Tell me about it." "You're a cop, like the rest here." "Well, this "cop" came to tell you to come to his music lessons." "If I do, will you take me to grandma's?" "It's a deal." "And will you do what I say?" "It depends." "D for donkey." "K for kangaroo." "L for lemonade." "Lemonade vendor, Maroa." "Lemonade vendor..." "P for..." "Pupil." "Pupil." " N for night..." " Go on, Maroa." "Night ingale." "That's it." "Now it's my clarinet." "Here." "Give it here." "Treat it well." "Learn to love it, and it'll respond to you." "See this piece?" "It's called the "reed" and it's made of bamboo." "It's very fragile." "When it breaks, I'll show you how to put a new one in." "You play it like this." "Your teeth under it and your lips..." "Rest it there and bite it as if you were smiling." "You try." "Wait." "There." "There." "Put your top lip over it." "Very good." "These three fingers here." "This one here." "Press down and that's a C." "Do." "One less is D." "Good morning." "Re." "Raise another and that's an E." "Mi." "Good morning." "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen." "Morning, Teach." "That's enough, Maroa." "Come here." "This is Maroa, who's joining us today." "Right, let's begin with..." "Wilmer, stand up." "Come here." "Play a scale, E major, an octave for Maroa to hear." "Okay?" "Thanks, Wilmer." "Take Maroa with you and make room for her." "We'll start by tuning up." "The oboe can give us an A." "Now we'll play a scale of full notes in D major." "What is it?" "Secrets?" "Are you learning to write?" "Now you need to talk." "I'll talk to you outside." "Locked up in here, no chance." "You don't know what you're missing." "Words are what differentiate us from animals." "Dogs bark and cats meow." "But I've never read a love poem written by a cat to a dog." " I know a poem." " Do you?" ""I let a wet fart, people started to scream, a 5-mile-long turd then appeared on the scene."" "What do you think?" "Well, it's not exactly Gongora." "Here." "Read this." ""There will come... a time... when with enthu..."" "This is really difficult." "More than "the cat sat on the mat."" "Listen." ""There will come a time when with enthusiasm you'll see yourself at your own door, in your own mirror, and each will smile to the other's welcome and say, 'Sit here." "Eat.'" "Again you will love the stranger you were." "Sit." "Enjoy life."" "Who do you think it's about?" "Very tender." "It's like a song, isn't it?" "It's about one's self." "Very good, Maroa." "Here, keep it." "When you understand it, learn one and sing it to me." "And my prize?" "Nothing." "You got a girlfriend?" "None of your business." "People in love like poetry." "Like Paperhead." "Strange name for a boyfriend." "He was my grandma's boyfriend." "Right, two before A." "Stop, stop!" "What's the second to last note?" "D?" "Wilmer, keep out of this." "And this one?" "A?" "Notes are to music what letters are to writing." "If you can't read them, you're out." "Let's continue." "Out of the way." "No." "Then we'll stay here all night." "You can't kick me out of the orchestra!" "I can." "You made them laugh at me, then you kick me out." "What about your part?" "Go on, give me one reason why I should take you back." "Because it's all I've got." "Know the notes by heart by tomorrow." "Now get out of the way or I'll run you down." "... a boy and that boy kissed me." "Hey, that's mine!" "Maroa's got sweets!" "Is it your birthday?" "Better than that." "I'm Shakira Moubarak." "I've travelled the whole wide world..." "Sounds good." "How does it go?" "And now I can't live without it." "Heaven grant me just one wish, and another thing..." "Flute, give me an A." "A bit more." "Just a little." "Horn, you were okay." "You." "Good." "You." " Look." " And push down more." "Yes?" "You're making good progress." "If I try hard, I may get into third." "Let me tell you a secret." ""Eyes" ends in S not Z." "But don't tell anybody." "Right, kids, Handel's Alleluia Chorus." "From where we were yesterday." "Cellos, double basses, bassoons." "Da capo." "And remember, middle of the bow." "1, 2, 3, 4..." "Da capo." "Now." "Okay?" "1, 2, 3..." "Forte!" "Excuse me." " Excuse me." "Maroa Guanipa." " Who's this?" "That's her." "You can't come barging in here." "Wait outside." " Sorry." " He's a police officer." "I just want to ask the young lady a few questions." "Maroa, come with us." "Don't let them take me away." "It's okay, Maroa." "You'll be okay." "I'll be right back, kids." "Four people have died now." "If you go on covering up for him, you're gonna be in a lot of trouble." "I said look at me!" "Tell me where he's hiding or I'll kill your grandma." "Tell me, damn it!" " Teach!" " Leave her alone!" "This is none of your business, Spaniard!" "My pupils are my business." "We do things differently here." " With guns, right?" " Yes." "So what?" " Don't touch me!" " I'll get you." "What's the matter?" "This animal hit this child." "Keep your nose out of my business and I'll keep mine out of yours." "This kid's aiding criminals who have blood on their hands." "And I didn't touch her." "Yes, you did, you liar!" "Shut up, Maroa." "Ramos, take her to the office." "Nothing but trouble." "Come this way, Chief." "I saw him hit her." "Please don't interfere in police procedures." "Maroa!" "I know you're here." "I looked for you everywhere." "Why didn't you tell me?" "Covering up for criminals..." "You're a cute one, aren't you?" "Come on out." "I spoke to the principal." "That policeman wants you transferred." "Just tell him what he wants to know." "I'm not a rat." "Too many people have died because of me already." "Okay?" "What do you mean?" "Ezekiel said he'd kill my grandma if I didn't talk." "Report him then." "Who to?" "The police?" "You're not from Spain." "You're from Mars." "You're right." "I'm losing it." "You made a promise and didn't keep it." "I have to warn my grandma." " Are you there?" " Sure I am." "Did they let you out?" "That's right." " Hey, Maroa." " Hey." "Got any magazines?" "I quit that." "Hey, is it much further?" "Come on." "We're almost there." "Come on in, Joaquin." "May I?" "Come in then." "Do they feed you in that prison?" "Three meals a day." "It's not a prison, it's a detention center." "Maroa can read and write now and she's good at music." "Prison, detention center... same thing." "He's teaching me the clarinet." " For a concert." " Do you realize all the trouble you're causing?" "All because she won't rat on Carlos." "Why do you think Ezekiel's so pissed off?" "Muscled in on his turf." "Who do you think Paperhead was paying protection to?" "Who do you think, girl?" "They killed my Cuban because of you!" "Are you all right?" "Take this, Grandma." "Take her away." "Take her back to that centre." "Don't let her out again." "Leave me here, Teach." "You want to get me fired?" "Take her, and keep her there!" "I don't need her." "I can manage." "I don't want to see you again!" "She never loved me." "I wish I knew why." "Now she hates me even more, because they killed her boyfriend." "Enough of that." "It's not your fault." "How do you know?" "I don't care what you've done." "I'm more concerned about your future." " What?" " Foreigner, you don't know a thing." "You can learn people's secrets by drinking from their glass or eating their food." "Give this a lick." "Go on, I dare you!" "Scaredy cat!" "Last one in is chicken." "You gonna chicken out?" "Wilmer!" "Wilmer!" "Help me, Maroa!" "Wilmer!" "How do we tell his family?" "An awful responsibility." "Here." "It'll warm you up." "Is that her prize?" "Some coffee?" "What about Wilmer?" "It was your fault!" "You let him die because he was better than you." "You wanted his place in the orchestra." "You were jealous of him!" "Teach." "It wasn't my fault." "I couldn't help him." "I'd like to be the soloist but I didn't want him to die." "You can't swim, can you?" "And you wouldn't tell Milady that because it would have made you look weak." "Tell me something." "What can we do with you if you won't tame that wild animal inside you?" "They almost packed you off to an institution today." "Any more trouble and they will." "Why didn't they?" "They still could." "You're on probation." "Because I said we needed you for the concert, that nobody else could stand in for Wilmer." "Will I be the soloist?" "Keep practicing and we'll see." "The concert is sponsored by an international bank." "The money pays for this place, the orchestra, everyone's food, my salary..." "You must practice really hard." "What's this?" "Use it." "It's for more than that mop." "B, B, C, B." "Your right hand's too stiff." "Relax." "Let the music lead you." "Are you tired?" "Why do you like music?" "I don't know..." "Because I imagine things." "Fantastic things." "I imagine it's talking to me." "And it does." "There's music in everything." "Even in our breathing." "They say Orpheus tamed wild beasts with music." "Who was Orpheus?" "A zoo owner?" "He was a god." "Is God in music or is music in God?" "You know, I live opposite the mosque." "The Arab church with a big tower." "At dawn the muezzin sings to Allah, to God, from the top of the tower and wakes me up." "My neighbors are always furious, but not me." "It reminds me that if God exists, he speaks to us through music." "And yes, you're right." "It says some fantastic things." "Hey!" "Hey!" "Hi, Teach." "Just a minute, just a minute, please." "Just a second." "Cellos, violins, short notes, middle of the bow." "Okay?" "Maroa, I'm glad you've come." "That's Carolina." "Hi." "Hi." "She's external and she'll be helping us out with the concert." "Right, let's go back to two before A." "1, 2, 3..." "How do you feel?" "A bit nervous." "It's our first concert." "That's only natural." "Without nerves..." " Bye." " Go and rest now." "Don't worry." "The night before, just think that everything'll be okay." "You're well prepared anyway." "So rest and think positive." "We're off now." " Bye." " Fine." "Bye." "What you doing, "A sharp"?" "Don't ever call me that again." "You've got your soloist." "I quit." "You know we can't put the concert at risk." "But I've worked really hard on it." "But you were confined till yesterday, so you couldn't practice with the band." "Come on." "Sit down there." "You know, my feet dangled from the chair but I used to stand here." "I was only a kid but I played solo with the greatest orchestras." "But from here at 8, you don't see life as it really is." "Adults, your mother, journalists tell you you're a genius." "You don't know what that is but you like it and get to believe it." "Then one day your nose grows, your ears, hair where you never had it before..." "The kid grows up and the show's over." "Then one night you go to bed 14 and wake up 30." "And you know where?" "Here, at the back of the orchestra." "Think I like this place?" "Well, I don't." "I wanted to send it all to hell, like you." "But when you love music, there's nothing else." "Very nice story." "Go and tell your girlfriend, Carolina." "You were great." "Now go home and rest." "Well done." " Thanks." " Good." "Sensational." " Fabulous." " Congratulations, Joaquin." "All you've achieved with the kids." "Because I'm a kid at heart." "Thanks." "Thank you." "Joaquin Esparza." "Thank you." " Hi, Luisa." " Hello, Maroa." "What are you doing here?" "Maroa." " Is that you?" " Grandma." "Don't be angry." "I haven't run away." "I've come to see you." "She's very sick." "Shut up, jinx." "Leave us on our own." "My granddaughter's here." "I'll look after you, Grandma." "Don't lie on my chest, it hurts." "Give me... the big one..." "Jose Gregorio." "You want to pray?" "Pray?" "Pull the head off." "Turn it upside down, here over the bed." "Grandma, what a lot of money!" "Get me the best urn money can buy." "And make me look nice, with make-up." "All right?" "With what's left over, buy yourself a dress." "A blue one or a pink one." "Not black, that's horrible." "And no crying, no hypocritical neighbors." "You and me, alone, like always." "You and me alone." "And put some flowers in my hair." "Watch out for the police." "Watch out for that Ezekiel." "Don't stay here." "Go somewhere where he won't find you." "And never forget" "I love you." "My hat." "Find it." "Oh, just Judge... we the exiled sigh for Thee." "My hat." "Hail Mary, full of grace..." "Blessed art thou... blessed be the fruit of thy womb..." "Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for we sinners at the hour of our death." "Amen." "Hail Mary, full of grace..." " The dead woman?" " Next room." "Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for we sinners..." "Hail Mary full of grace." "Blessed art thou among women... blessed be the fruit of thy womb..." "Hey, Maribel, that TV's mine." "Sorry, I was here first." "Anything wrong with that?" "Do you know where Maroa is?" "No." "She abandoned her grandmother and nobody's heard from her since." "She didn't even go to the cemetery." "ONLY GOD IS MORE POWERFUL THAN A PEOPLE UNITED" "Here, try this." "She was my queen." "But they fucked her up like they want to do with me." "Look at me." "Well, they won't... because I turn into a cat at night and a wall in the day." "They'll never find me." "Carlos, say "Maroa." Say my name." "You're gorgeous." "Come here." "Come here." "Keep still!" "I'm gonna make you feel good!" "Don't go!" "Honey, I'll be your daddy." "Only the best." "Maroa." "Maroa." "Maroa?" "Maroa?" "Sorry." "Give me something, lady." "Maroa?" "Come on." "It's all right." "Teach!" " What are you doing here?" " Don't send me away." "Let me stay with you." "Maroa." "I've got strawberry yoghurt." "Sit down." "Chew your food, you'll choke." "Look at those hands." "Where's my clarinet?" "Another kid's got it but don't worry," "I'll get you another." "What shall I do with you?" "That's easy." "I'll clean, wash, cook and you can fuck me." "Shit!" "I looked after my grandma's place." "You need a woman right away." " This place is like a pigsty." " Come on, piggy." "To the bathtub." "Finish your food later." "And wash your hair." "Maybe it'll stop you talking nonsense." "Come here." "Maroa!" "Did you fall down the drain?" "Maroa?" "Wake up, you'll catch pneumonia." "That's it." "What are you doing?" "Cleaning this place up." "You'll get me thrown out!" "We're going to the detention center." "You can't do that to me!" "Can't I?" "You can turn your back on the orchestra, run away, and I have to be a hotel for you?" "I'll be in trouble if they find out you're here." "And you wake me up with all that row." "Are you deaf as well as ungrateful?" "Me, ungrateful?" "What about you?" "You said I could be the soloist, you brought that Carolina, and then you kicked me out!" "You're not going to cry on me?" "I already am, stupid." "I clean up, liven the place up with some music and you start shouting at me." "I didn't shout at you." "You said I was deaf." "You don't know anything, foreigner." "Like feeling so sad you have to put music on to stop thinking." "I'm sorry, love." "Really." "The noise made me mad." "All this has me on edge." "And where else can I take you?" "The police will find you here." "If I go back to the center the cops will find me and kill me." "You taught me to act civilized and now I'm in the way." "Hello, Dolores." " Morning, Joaquin." " Okay?" " Could you...?" " Yes?" "Ask Lia to turn down the music." "It's annoying the neighbors." " I like music but..." " Of course." " But the neighbors..." " I'll tell her." "Really." "Bye now." "Can't you make less noise?" "Everyone will know you're here." "I made this for you." " What is it?" " Spaghetti." "Try it, it's delicious." "Have a look at what I brought you." "Smart!" "Good stuff!" "Hot dog!" "Thanks, Joaquin." "So you don't want me to go?" "Stay and it's in God's hands." "Help me to clean these squid." "We'll do them in their ink." "Clean them well inside, get rid of this part." "This." "And you eat this crap?" "My fingers get slower and slower." " Go on." " I don't feel like it." "It sounded so nice." "You'll learn more from a genius like Mozart." "I don't know the guy but I know you." "I prefer you playing." "Try and follow it." "What is it?" "I bit my lip again." "Come here." "Did you break the skin?" "Don't exaggerate." "You'll learn." "That's enough." "Go and do your homework." "That's Lia's nightdress." "Take that off." "Give me the eye make-up." "I look like a vampire." "Put more on, it's a party." "Are you going to marry him?" "You're a bit young to have a husband." "Yuleisi, he's not my husband and I'm not his wife." "I told you, his wife left him." "It's because he won't have you." "You're hot for him." "Is it much further?" "No." "Let's cross the road." "What's he like?" "Fat, thin, good-looking..." "Hey, sweetie, you look gorgeous." "Alleluia, brother!" "Happy birthday!" "Happy birthday, Teach!" "Maroa, you are crazy." "Come and see." "Well?" "What do you think?" "Nobody's made me a birthday cake for years." "Thanks for the present." "The best is yet to come." "Close your eyes." " No way." " Close your eyes!" "No." "Close your eyes." "No peeping, you cheat." "You can open them now." "Happy birthday to you... happy birthday to you." "Happy birthday, dear Joaquin." "Happy birthday to you." "Don't mind if I do." "Hey, gorgeous." "How old are you?" "The same old question." "23 and lived to the fullest." "Help, Joaquin!" "Help!" "What's the matter?" "Gonna bite me?" "Help!" "Help!" "Don't move or I'll kill you." "Come here." "What the hell do you want?" "You're in trouble." "The cleaner told us." "Abuse of minors." "Move that ass, Spaniard!" "This is the only way the embassy will guarantee your safety." "If I'm innocent why should I have to leave?" "You've got enemies in the police force, okay?" "And who'd employ a teacher accused of corrupting minors?" " Resign yourself." " I haven't done anything!" "And you know it!" "Maroa!" "They're deporting me!" "Get off me, damn it!" "Maroa!" "Listen, I won't see you again." "Go back to the detention center, to the orchestra." "Promise me you will." " Not without you!" " Promise me!" "Maroa, promise me!" "Cross your heart." "Cross my heart and hope to die, Joaquin." "Come on, or we'll miss the flight." ""I make my debut in Madrid in 15 days and hope to see you in the front row." "And I'm going to be your wife whether you like it or not." "I'll stay with you in Spain." "And since lying brings bad luck," "I want you to know something..." "Remember the CD player in your car?" "Well it was me." "It was me." "I stole it in the theater parking lot, but I didn't know you then." "I bet your 'eyez' went as big as plates as you read that."" "Maroa, you always amaze me." "And "eyes" ends in S not Z."