"PARADISE" "TO EACH THEIR OWN LIFE" "Stop drinking, Mundito." "Leave me, Rosa." "You're killing yourself." "That's what I want: to end it." "Come to my room and rest a while." "We have to bring in the New Year right." "I don't want to see the birth of another year." "I want to die with this one." "And who will play the piano?" "Come on, don't be like that." "Come with me." "There goes Mundo again, drunk as always." "Delmira says Modesto brought him here." "Found him half-dead at The Screw." "Poor guy." "He came here with such dreams in his youth, and ended up in this dump." "The Missus forgot the cider and we'll need it." " But nobody orders it, Don Pepe." " Except on the 31st." "Mexicans do everything by the calendar, but in Spain..." "Always complaining about Mexico!" "About Mexico?" "Kid, you don't know what you're talking about." "How could I complain about where my wife and kids were born?" " I'm more Mexican..." " Than "pulque", I know!" "I don't want you souring my mood!" "Finish cleaning those tables and tell the Missus to send the cider." "Move it!" "Okay, but don't get mad at me." "Remember that it's New Year's Eve." "Seems I'll have my hands full tonight." "It's like witchcraft:" "If she arrives first, she'll leave last, after a bunch of fights." "AlwaysAlive, if you're broke, go somewhere else." " Hear that?" " Talking to me?" " No, to the Infanta Maria Cristina." "I had the pleasure of meeting her in Spain's royal court." " Waiter!" " Yes, AlwaysAlive?" "I'm Maria de la Soledad Ordoñez, widow of Moncada." "That's just for friends." "For you all, I'm Doña Soledad." "Bring me a well-prepared absinthe." " I told you, if you've got no dough..." " Will this be enough?" "Bring her a Pernod with water." "At your service, Doña Soledad." "Cleaned up at bingo night, eh?" "Leave me." "But I'm warning you:" "any trouble and you're gone." "Last time, you broke 20 glasses and two tables." " Do I owe anything?" " No, that idiot paid for it all." "Chivalry isn't dead." " I told you, if you want a fight..." " Leave me!" "Is it "well-burned"?" " What's that?" " Have her explain!" "I want to be alone." "No one should bother me." " Good evening." " 'Evening." "Hi, Don Pepe." "Happy New Year." "It's not even midnight yet." "Grouchy as usual." " Hey, Chucho." " Hey, Pepsi-Cola." "How'd it go with that old man last night?" "Did you hear that Mundo is near death?" "But he was just here playing." "Heels took him upstairs stone-drunk." "Modesto found him half-dead at The Screw." " Right, Modesto?" " Yeah, I had to bring him." "I heard his daughter's rich." " I asked if I should call her." " And?" " He refused." " Why bother?" " Why refuse?" " Said it was pointless." " Sure, with the life he led..." " Led?" " Leads." "Always drunk." " So?" " What daughter wants to see that?" " Any one!" " Oh please!" " And then what?" " Heels took him upstairs." "I went up to charge her for nylons and she told me she made him open up." "How'd she do it?" "Well, she was already kind of drunk, so she couldn't explain well." " Drunk?" " You know..." "She says she drank for the courage to hear him through." "I swear, Heels is one hell of a woman." "He said it was hopeless, that we should let him die in peace." "Another absinthe, garçon!" "Coming!" ""Garçon"?" "What's up with her?" "That broad's here." "Serve her, Modesto." "Chucho, I said go talk to the Missus." "I'm going, Don Pepe." " Should we tell her about Mundo?" " Who?" " AlwaysAlive." " Why?" "Seems they were close, and I heard that some time ago..." "Must've been a long time ago." "Chucho!" "Have Domitilo come play piano." "Must be across the street, still in bed." "I'm going." " You tell her." " No, I can't stand her." " Chucho!" " I'll be right back." "Rum, please." " Straight?" " Yeah, a double." "Here." "Hey Pepsi, do you think he needs anything?" "Mundo?" "I don't know." "Why?" "No, it's nothing." "When the Missus comes, I'll check on him." "Hey, you're not so mean, so why do you pretend you are?" " Another one?" " On the house?" " Sure!" " Planning to suggest we get a room?" " Oh Pepsi..." " 'Evening." " Hey." " How's it going?" " Okay, you?" " Awful." "Didn't make a thing last night." " You did, right?" " Some." " Hope today's better, but it's empty." " They'll come late today." "Hope so, because I have to buy medicine and it's so expensive." " Your son still sick?" " Doctor says he's anemic." " What's that?" " Weakness." " But he eats well." " Look who's here." " Who?" " Pretend he's not here." "Talk to me." " Eyes?" " Talk to me." " He still angry?" " He's touchy, you know him." "Last night he hit me just for not having his daily cut." " I don't know how you stand it." " What choice do I have?" "Are you in love?" "Well, no point in lying." "I am." "Modesto!" "A Cuba Libre." "You?" " You buying?" " First one, yes." " A Cuba Libre." "There's that damn Jarocha." "Guess what she made me last night." " What?" " Not a cent." "But I'll get her back today." "Hey, what's with you, Bridge?" " Why?" " For days, you've seemed off, as if..." " As if what?" " As if you were in love." "Me?" "You don't talk to the guys anymore and you drink alone." "Why?" " That's how I am." " No, man." "You've got real class and you can do as you please." "Nobody'd dispute that." "And?" "Nothing..." " Are the guys ready for tomorrow?" " Yeah, just say the word." " You explained it all?" " Every bit." "Hey, will it be really dangerous?" " You afraid?" " With you around?" "Nope." "Modesto!" "Another Pernod, and a tequila." "This'll get her drunk, but if she makes trouble, I'll..." " A double rum, Don Pepe." " This early?" " For a happy year's end." " Suit yourself." "Back at last." " What did the Missus say?" " She seemed a bit tipsy and said..." " Can I say it?" " Yes." " She said that you can go...!" "OK, I'll imagine the rest." "And the cider?" "Said she might bring it, but if not, then you can go...!" "I got it!" "Well, what's it to me?" "It's her bar." " And Domitilo?" " Once he's up, he'll come." "All right." " I'm thinking..." " What?" "I keep thinking we should tell AlwaysAlive about Mundo." " Want me to tell her?" " No, wait." " A perico." " A perico?" " On my tab." " 'Evening, congressman." " Hey there." "This place is deserted." "Didn't you say it was a great spot?" "Let's go." "Be patient." "It starts moving at midnight, you'll see." "Hope so, because I feel like having some fun." " How'd you skip out on the wife?" " Said there's an extraordinary session." "That's nuts." "Now, on New Year's Eve?" " She's used to it." " And she believed you?" "You think anybody believes us?" "Not even the people do, man." " You like her?" " Who?" " Don't play dumb." "Sorrow." "Hey, Bridge." "Did you really offer her a drink and she refused?" "Me?" "That's what I heard, but I didn't believe them." "Why?" "Well, she'd be the first." " Would it be so weird?" " With you, yes." " Why?" " They all fall at your feet." "You know what?" "Before we were friends, I hated you for it." " Why?" " I would say, "What do broads see in him?"." "Of course the important thing is what you've got: class." ""Personality", like the Missus says." " The Missus?" " Yeah, the owner." "She must've been a looker, don't you think?" " Maybe." " I think she likes you." "Enough!" " If you don't wanna talk, I'll go." " Like I care." "In an afternoon at the bullring..." "I saw a cute guy bullfight..." "I told you: here we go!" "with his night cape..." "And he told me... he told me..." "What did he tell me?" "To sew his cape, gorgeous!" "Gorgeous...!" " Who called me gorgeous?" " I did, doll!" " Stop, she's a pest!" " Don't ruin it!" "Want to drink with me?" "A drink?" " And who are you?" " Me?" "Your grandson, doll!" "Go screw your grandma!" "No broad says that to me!" "Don't!" " Get off her!" " You someone to her?" " Let's pretend I am." " Know who I am?" " You tell me." " I'll show you!" "Gentlemen, please!" "It's New Year's Eve." "Let's go somewhere else." "Just stay, sir." "Drinks all around, on the house!" "Thanks, boss." "My grandson!" "You wish!" " Calm down, AlwaysAlive!" " Or better yet, go!" "I warned you." "No!" " I have money to buy everyone drinks!" " Next time...!" " Stop!" " So, we going or what?" " No, man." "We're staying." "This is gonna be fun." " What'll it be?" " The same for us." "Wait!" "Get her a drink." "I want her to toast with me." "Me?" " Drop dead!" " Well, your loss!" "Want a drink?" "No thanks." " Why not?" " Don't feel like it." " Even if I buy?" " Come on, have one." " Really, no thanks." " I'll have one with you." " If you want." "This is my first time offering anyone here a drink." " Know why?" " No." " Because they're beneath me." " You seem different." " Different?" "Sure, we all make a living the same way, but there are categories." "Me, for instance..." "Chucho!" "I was a great lady... born into a great family and..." "Bring the absinthe from my table and a double tequila." " And for you?" " Nothing." "Get an anisette, at least, and a drink token." " And a token..." " Get one before midnight." " And you?" " Me?" "I already got some earlier." " Get her an anisette." " Okay." " But no token." " I'll take the token." "Well, as I was saying..." "But first, one question." " Why are you always so sad?" " Don't know, just am." "Well, you mustn't be like that, because in our job well, you know." "That's the trouble with these girls:" "They do it for pleasure but they'll never be more than enthusiasts." "See how easy it is to laugh?" "Come on, today I'm feeling sentimental." " Tell me something." " About what?" " Your life." "What for?" "It's just like everyone else's." "No, dear." "Everyone has their life, each unique, even if they seem alike." " Hey... what's your name?" " Raquel." "I like that name." "I had an Aunt Raquel." "Well, let's have a toast." "Hey, isn't there music here?" "It's like a funeral." "The band just arrived, sir." " Another round?" " Why not?" "But with some company, at least." "Invite that girl to drink with us." "The other one too so fatso isn't lonely." "No, I'll wait for Golden Heels." "I agreed to meet her." ""Golden Heels"...!" "What a name!" " So, the same?" " What do you think, idiot?" "Two Pepsi Cuba Libres." "Jarocha, the congressman invited you to a drink." "Congressman?" "Go!" "He's got money." "You can get back at your man." "I would, to teach him a lesson, but..." " But what?" " He's very touchy." "And?" "Mind your business!" "Hey, take it easy." "He dislikes me drinking with other men in front of him." "Why did he come?" "Maybe to find me." " Don't you think?" " Maybe." "Two Pepsi Cuba Libres, coming out!" "Coming or not?" "Well, no." "What do I tell him?" "Say I'll come soon, that I'm handling a thing." "Whatever." "How can you let them exploit you?" "If I were a woman...!" "Where's that girl?" "She'll be right over." "She's just handling a thing." "To heck with her." " They're all stuck-up here." " No, man." "Even the old hag!" "I had a daughter, you know." "But let's talk about something else." " Want me to talk about my life?" " If you want." "I'll tell you as if you were my daughter, because you could be, even if you don't look like it." "They call me AlwaysAlive because they're jealous, just to bug me." "They think the name bothers me." "They don't know I actually like it, because that's how I feel:" "Always alive." "And for me life comes first." "Life?" "I've liked it since I was a girl." "And love, of course because without love, life is worthless." "Because life is love." "I didn't care for expensive toys or dresses from Paris, or the cars that my mother rode to the opera in, all covered in diamonds." "I always sought someone to love, even if he was a servant in my house." "So long as it was love..." "Hey, doll!" " Why so uptight?" " Me, uptight?" " You're not?" " I'll be over soon." " Why not now?" " Why'd you come then?" " Go with him." " Not by force!" " And you?" " Me what?" " Name it, doll." " 'Cause you're a bigshot?" " Well, not to brag..." " Big deal!" " Why get involved, Pepsi-Cola?" " Ignore him, girl." "Oh wow, "Pepsi-Cola"...!" "Got a problem with that?" " I like you, come drink." " And Jarocha?" " I changed my mind." " I didn't." " Coming or not?" " Nobody bullies my friend!" "Don't argue, come have a drink." " You've nothing to lose." " Except your..." "Go with them or I'll kick you out." "Who do you think you are?" ""Mouse" Macías?" " You two coming or what?" " I'll take the "what"." " OK, I'll go." " Both of you!" " Not her." " Why not?" " She's got a husband." " What?" " A husband?" " Over there." " Where?" "Expect me to ask permission?" " Want something?" " Stay out of it." " Yes sir, I do." "I'd like to ask if it's okay for your wife to drink with me." " Up to her." " Hear that?" " I don't want to." " Go on, drink." " No!" " We having that drink or not?" " Come on, don't beg her." "Fine, then." "Stay with your "husband"." " Another perico." " You gonna pay?" " I can't." "Why didn't you go?" " I'm talking to you." " To me?" "To you!" "Let me go!" " Drink with them, or I'll..." " Bastard!" "Want a replay of last night?" "No." "Don't get mad." "Then?" "But you hate me drinking in front of you with other men." " He's different." " Why?" "He's a congressman." "He must have loads of dough." " After you leave." " I said drink with him." "If you leave, I'll do it." "I can't leave." "Why?" " I have a thing to handle." " With who?" " That's my business." "If I see you with another woman, I'll scar you up!" " Don't be silly." " You know I will!" "Who are you expecting?" "A guy friend." "Really?" "You'll see." "All right." "Want a drink?" " Here?" " Why not?" "No woman buys me drinks where she works." "You going with them?" "All right, but..." "If I had a daughter like you..." "You'd be used to it, eh?" "Tramps!" "That's what you are." "The band wants a round to start warming up." "They never have money!" "But all right, give it to them." " Excuse me, officer." " Yes?" " Do you know Dorita?" " Who doesn't?" "Is she here yet?" "There she is." "How's it going, professor!" "You came, like you do every year!" " Great to see you!" " Good evening, Dorita." "Hey, go in." "They don't bite!" "Thank you, Dorita." "Hey, blue." " Hey, Don Pepe!" " Dorita!" " Want to sit with me?" " Yes." " You buying?" " That's what I came for." " Then come on, professor." "Hey, just what we needed:" "it's the professor." "Hello, professor." "How was your year?" "Same as all the others, Don Pepe." "Same as all the others." " No hello for me, Don Pepe?" " Hello, Dorita." "What a surprise." "That's me, full of surprises." "Long time no see." "It's just that I work at the Thief's place now." "You know." "But, well..." "I can't complain." "But today I thought, "I'll go say hi to Don Pepe."" "Thank you." ""And the professor, who'll go to celebrate New Year's like always."" "I got here and there he was, too shy to come in." "No, it's not that..." " You know you're always welcome." " Thank you." "What'll it be?" "Me, I'll start with a tequila!" "A double, please." " Your usual absinthe?" " Well... yes." " But the good stuff, eh?" " Oh Dorita..." "An absinthe and a double tequila!" "Times sure are hard, eh?" "Well... yes." "Very hard, yes." " And with kids to feed..." " How many kids do you have?" "Well... nine." "Damn!" "Sorry, it slipped out." "You're excused." " I'm what?" " "Excused", Dorita." "Don't be embarrassed." "The professor's just very proper." "Oh, okay." " A toast, professor?" " To your health." " To your health!" " To yours!" " To my what?" " Your health, I said." " Oh, okay." "Come on!" "Play something with some flavor!" "They're waiting on the pianist." "He'll come soon." "He better hurry or I'll play piano with my gun." ""Gun"..." "I'll show it to you." "Oh, I forgot to tell AlwaysAlive." "What should I do?" " What is it now?" " Some thing." " Another?" " Yeah." "Set up an office, eh?" "Want me to tell her?" "No, wait." "I'll work up the nerve." "The same for me, and another anisette." "All right." "Bridge, come here." " Yes, ma'am?" " I'll buy you a drink, and don't call me ma'am." " I'm on my way out." " Wait, I want to thank you." " For what?" " Standing up for me." " You're a gentleman." " Well, so long." " I said wait!" "I want to introduce you to my friend." " I know her." " I don't think you do." "Come." "You afraid of him?" "Afraid?" "Well, shake hands." "Bridge..." "Coming back?" "If I can." "Will you snub me?" "No." "Should we expect you?" "Yes." "You better come back!" "Let's go dance!" " Shall we?" " I don't..." " Come on, it's New Year's Eve!" "All right, Dorita." "Get off me, you bastard!" "Hurray for Golden Heels!" ""Golden Heels" is done." "Stop playing!" "Stop it!" "I said stop it!" "Who's playing the piano?" "Get away!" "Nobody can play the piano here." "The piano is dead." "Mundo." "Mundito!" "I can't believe it." "Calm down, Rosa." "Calm down." "Come on, come on." "But is it true, girl?" "Is it?" "Calm down and tell us." "We left him at the funeral parlor." "He grabbed my hand... and the last thing he told me was to tell AlwaysAlive." "Always..." "AlwaysAlive!" "Why didn't you go?" " Why?" " May he rest in peace." "Forgive me, Always." "Forgive me!" "May God forgive him." " Should we go see him?" " Yes, but first let's pray." "Eternal rest, grant unto him, o Lord." "And let perpetual light shine upon him." " May he rest in peace." " Amen." "Hey." "Hey." "Want another one?" "You buying?" "Modesto!" "Two Cuba Libres." " You feeling better?" " Sure, thanks..." " Were you two close?" " Very." "And the old lady?" "She was." "Oh, no wonder." " Aren't we gonna go see him?" " When they get back." "Yeah, don't be rude." "The living need company too." "Right, doll?" " Let's go have a drink." " You got it." " Come on, girl." " What'll you have?" " A cognac." " A cognac?" "Told you she's tough." " She doesn't drink cheap like you." " Got a problem?" " Me?" "Drink all the water here for all I care." "After all, it's New Year's Eve." "Three cognacs and a colored water for her." "Wait." "I'll have cognac too to shut them up." "Have whatever." "I'm buying, aren't I?" " That's why." " See, she's surly." " So what?" " Well..." "Move it, man!" "Gonna cheer up now?" "Why not?" "What I can't get over is praying in a bar." "These broads are so strange." " Why strange?" "Don't we dance too?" " That's different." " Why?" " I'm just respecting the dead, because otherwise..." " Otherwise what?" "No, no, but seriously: how can you believe in that nonsense?" "We're nearly in the 21st century and our people are still drowning in superstition." "If you cared, you'd be elsewhere." " Yep!" " Where should I be?" "I come to..." "Ah, he's gonna say the same thing as that "screenwriter"." "What does he say?" "That he comes here to take in the setting and study us." "No, of course not!" "And after studying us, he leaves totally hammered, and gets what he can." "These broads really make you laugh, man." " You have to admit: they're great!" " That they are!" "This tastes like water." "Chucho!" "You're right." "Why try to cheat me?" " What is it?" " You know what?" "Bring a bottle of Five-X to speed this up." "Of course, sir." "I got so sad, I lost my buzz." " And I don't want that." " Why?" " It kills the sadness." "Sorry, professor." "I couldn't help myself." "You're excused." "What?" "Oh, I remember!" " Cheers, professor." " Cheers." " Come on, don't get depressed on me!" " I'm not, Dorita." "Cheers." "We barely have time to get happy." "It's true." "Are you sad?" "The news about Mundito shocked me." "Yeah, me too." "We toasted together every year." "Remember?" "Yeah." "Last year..." " Let's talk about happier things, okay?" " All right, Dorita." "Cheers." "The next-to-last drinks of the year." "Yes, the next-to-last ones." "Come on, down the hatch, for some pick-me-up." "Oh Dorita, you're so nice." " Do you like me?" " I think you're fantastic." " I'm inviting you." " Where to?" "Upstairs, behind closed doors." "Let's go." " Should we take a bottle?" " If you wish." "A bottle of Five-X!" "Open it, eh?" "Thanks, Don Pepe." "Go in, my dear professor!" " Another year goes by." " And a new one comes in." " Finish your drink, eh?" " All right, Dorita." " Want a little cognac?" " All right." "Come to think of it, I've called you Pancho before." "After all these years, shouldn't I use your first name?" "As you wish, Dorita." "I think I feel better now." "We've gotta ring in the new year the right way." " The right way?" " Yeah." "Oh Dorita, you're so nice." "Do you really like me?" "Like I said, I think you're fantastic!" "Unzip me." "Know what, Bobby?" "What?" "I don't get you, man." "You've got all that money, a mansion in Lomas, and a Cadillac, and still come every night to get drunk and chase these hookers and muster the courage to go on living." "That's how it is, even if you don't get it." "The same." "And you?" "Same." " It's just that you're kinda..." " Kinda what?" "Well, kinda tight-assed, man." "Shut up!" "I told you not to talk to me that way." " Wanna fight?" " With you?" " You think I can't?" "Let's change the subject." "How'd your year go?" " Not as well as yours." " Oh really?" "Got grounded at home?" "Listen, Eyes." " Watch it, or you'll be sorry." " Don't be like that." "What?" "You're gonna kill me?" "You're not worth it." "Or kill yourself?" "Sit down!" "Sit down." "Two Cuba Libres." "Who's paying?" "You're all out to humiliate me today." " Do I owe you?" " Not me." " Then?" " Boss's orders." " What?" " You drink, you pay." " Oh come on..." " I'll pay." "Well, cheers." "Cheers." " Hey Eyes, you buying?" " If you want." "But no funny business." "Don't be mean." " Your friend won't mind?" " Why would I?" " Have a seat." " Thanks." "Well, introduce us, eh?" "A friend." " Lila Hernandez, at your service." " A pleasure." " If Jarocha comes, I'm outta here." " Why?" " She might hit you." "Me?" " Excuse me." " Where you going?" "Is he mad?" "What do I care?" "Seems a bit light in the loafers." "You think?" "His problem." "Like AlwaysAlive says, "to each their own life", eh?" "That girl's getting on my nerves." "Why?" "She's a sleaze." "And a slut." "Let her be." " Maybe you like him." " Who?" "Who do you think?" "That guy." "Me?" "That's like casting pearls before swine!" "Amen!" " So why are you mad?" " Because he's my friend's man." "Right, Heels!" "So what?" "Nobody steps out on my friends." "I like that!" "Want me to get him out of there?" "Like I'm not man enough!" "More man than him, I bet!" "Another, you bastard!" "Another!" "Go or I'll call the cops." "I don't want troublemakers." "Pour me another one!" "Another!" "Another!" "Pay for the last one!" "I've got no money." "They robbed me at the bar next door." "Thieves robbed me." " Kick him out!" " Nobody kicks me out!" "Let me go!" "I said let me go!" "Get lost!" "Get lost?" "Sucks to that!" "Serve me another." "Get out already!" "Oh, now you're brave..." "You cowards!" "Two against one!" "I want the Spaniard!" "Let's see if he can take me!" "Get out here!" "Come on!" "Let him go!" "Do it!" "Stand aside!" "You going or not?" "Don't get mad, boss." "I just want another drink." "Here." "Everyone walks all over me!" "I'm gonna kill myself!" "Get back!" "I swore to kill myself the day I couldn't work anymore!" "I won't depend on anyone!" "Not even on my kids!" "My hand won't shake this time!" "It won't!" "No!" "Give me the razor, sir, please." "Give it to me." "Come on, pal." "Calm down, calm down." "Don't worry." "Tomorrow you'll be fine." " Want someone to walk you home?" " No!" "I don't want to go home!" "No!" " Want that drink?" " No, I don't want a thing!" "Not a thing!" "My razor!" "I want my razor!" "I want my razor!" "You'll get it back tomorrow." "They stole my razor and my money!" "My razor!" "My razor!" "Maybe we should've let him." "Let him what?" "Kill himself." "Think he would've?" "Why not?" " Life's not worth living like that." " How?" " Without dreams." "Think he has any?" "He did." "For what?" "His job." "Dreams for a job?" "You don't have any for yours, right?" "Well, honestly, no." "I pity you." "Wait, help me understand here." "Do you have dreams?" "One." "For... this?" "Not this." "But it's your job, isn't it?" "Apparently so." "What do you mean, apparently?" "Go on, explain it to me." "For me, life is about loving." "That's all:" "loving." "Don't tell me you're here for that." "Here I found my dreams, and here I remain." "Until when?" "Until he needs me." ""He"?" "Because I'm different when I think about him." "Different how?" "I'm someone else." "Someone good." "You're in love." "I'm..." "I don't know the words." "And he loves you?" "I don't know." " But I do know one thing." " What?" "He'll need me one day." "Just me." "Understand?" "Just me." "Just you..." "But not for what you think." "All men need that and all women have it." " What, then?" "I don't know." "For something really big even if it's only for a day." "Tell me..." "Is he married?" " I haven't asked." " And he hasn't told you." " We don't talk about him." " What do you talk about?" " Things." "Him, me..." "God." " God?" " Why not?" "Must be a strange guy." "He's different." "With me, at least." "See him often?" "When he wants to, he comes, and he goes." "And you wait for him?" "Always." "And before you met him?" "I was waiting to meet him." "And when that thing happens, when he needs you for that huge thing, and you help him, and he stops needing you, what'll you do?" " Die." " Kill yourself?" "No." "Just die." "That must be..." "That must be love, right?" "Love?" "Yes." "I think so." "Did AlwaysAlive leave?" "Yes." " Will she be back?" " She's at the funeral parlor." " The funeral parlor?" " To keep vigil over Mundito." "When did he die?" "A while ago." "Poor guy." "Maybe he's happy." "Happy?" "Yes." "Up there." ""Up there"!" "You don't believe in God?" " You do?" " What else could I believe in?" " I don't know." " What do you believe in?" "In life." "In life?" " In this life?" " No, not this one." "In what one?" "In love." "In love?" "Don't laugh!" "Bridge!" "You said love, didn't you?" "You said love." "I don't know." "You're ashamed." "Me too." " I think that's why I laughed." " I don't know why I said it." "You said it." "You did." "I can't believe in it." "Why not?" "Because I'm the worst, aren't I?" "A hustler, a thief." "Does all that weigh on you?" "No." "Let's dance and drink." "If you want." " What do you want?" " An anisette." " And you, Bridge?" " Cognac." "Why wouldn't you sit with me the other day?" "I was afraid." "Of me?" " Yes." " Why were you afraid?" " Because of my reputation?" " No, not that." "Then what?" "I was afraid you'd be different." "Different?" "That you'd be good." "Me, good?" "You're not, right?" "Say you're not." "And if I were good... to you?" "Why to me?" "Because..." " No, you'll laugh again." " I swear I won't." "Because I love you." ""Because I love you"...?" "That's what that jerk is doing to me:" "Making my life miserable, professor." "Miserable, professor." "Absolutely miserable." "It must be nice to love like that." "Very nice!" "And I'd do anything for him!" "I'd even leave this life." "But he says he likes me because I'm this..." "Just some you-know-what!" "Don't cry, Dorita." "Don't cry." "I'm not." "I'm just remembering." "That's why he hits me." "Because he likes that I am what I am." "He hits you?" "And you let him?" "I don't "let him"!" "I want him to!" "The day he stops hitting me it'll be because he doesn't love me anymore." "Anything but that, professor." "He has to love me even if he doesn't want to." "Because that's how it is." "I've never loved like that." "How could you?" "You don't know what it's like to love." "That much?" "No." "I bet you've never truly loved anyone." "Who?" "Well, many years ago..." "Who?" "My wife." "Then you've never loved anyone." "That's not love." "Definitely not your wife." "Why not?" "Because she's old and ugly." "And because she's your wife." "I saw her last year when she came to get you at dawn, like she does every year." "Old... and ugly!" "Old... and ugly?" "Well, but you, on the other hand..." "Me?" "What about me, Dorita?" "You're not that bad-looking yet." "But the clock's ticking." "If you don't hurry..." "If I don't hurry..." "I really still deserve...?" "Well, what are you waiting for, professor?" "What, what am I waiting for?" "Dorita, don't get my hopes up." " With me, professor?" " With you." "You're not old or ugly." "I need a woman who values me." "You don't know what it's like to go years and years... with a wife as she grows fat, and bears children and wrinkles up, and stares at the ceiling when you look at her." "You don't know what it's like to feel it all coming to an end, and not have the guts to cheat one day to prove you're still a man." "And when that day comes... you drink for courage, get drunk since your fear is too great... and then, after you conquer your fear, your head says "yes"... it screams "yes" but you feel your body not responding." "You keep drinking, drowning yourself in it but you don't dare to make a move." "Not one!" "Not one!" "Calm down, my dear professor." "Calm down." "Don't get all dramatic on me." " Aren't you with me?" " Yes, Dorita, yes." "I'm with you." "With you." "And I'm not drunk, right?" "Right, I'm not drunk?" "I can dare to do anything, right?" "Why not?" "With luck, you can still do it." "You'll love me a little, Dorita, right?" "To go as far as loving you..." "I already told you." "When it comes to love, true love there's only him." "But after all no one ever denies this or a drink of water to anyone." "Really, Dorita?" "You're serious?" "All right, my dear professor." "Take off my stockings." "Get dressed, Dorita." "It's useless." "Did you see him?" "Yes." "I've always liked seeing the dead." "Why?" "Because, after seeing them I felt more alive." "As if I had been reborn." " But..." " Yes?" "...today was different." "He was there... in his coffin... with a very sad smile... as if he'd finally found peace but felt terrible, terrible loneliness." "I felt lonely too." "Lonely in here, as if I'd died for the first time." "You loved him a lot?" "Did I love him?" "I don't know." "Now I can't even remember if I ever loved him." "No, it must be something else... because I felt as if my body were missing something as if something had broken inside." "Then I realized that everyone was staring at me, as if they were accusing me." "I had never minded people staring, even if they mocked me... but today... today I felt as if I were naked and I was terribly ashamed." "I went out into the street, to breathe the air running, running as if someone were after me." "Then I went into a bar... to drink, to drown myself in it so I wouldn't feel so lonely." "But there she was!" "Her!" "Who, who?" "That woman who curses us all, all us women, and who talks about God and about Hell." " The Saint?" " Yes." "But she's crazy." "Don't you know that?" "Yes, I know." "I've even laughed at her and yelled things at her before." "But tonight... she filled me with fear a terrible fear." "A terrible fear." "What's that?" "Oh Bridge, it's you." "I didn't even realize you were here." " Did you two talk?" " Yes." "Okay." "Never mind me." "You two need to get happy." "The year's about to begin." "A new year." " How about it, eh?" " All right." " You too, Bridge?" " Sure." "I'll order a "jukebox"." "Chucho!" "A "jukebox", an anisette, and a cognac!" "Okay, that's enough!" " What do you want with me?" " This'll be fun!" " What's the idea?" " Stay out, bastard." " Take that back or I'll..." "Why not pick on a man, you son of a...!" " Stay out if it!" " You got it, doll." "Will do." "I'm not taking back anything." "Piece of trash!" "Leech!" "What?" "You heard me!" "Piece of trash!" "Leech!" "If you were a man, I'd..." "I'm more of one than you, and I'll prove it!" "Hurray, Golden Heels!" "Hurray!" "Beat him up, Rosa!" "I won't fight!" "Coward!" "But I will." "Let's see what happens!" "What do you want?" " You something to Eyes?" " I'd rather be dead." " Then what?" "He's my friend's... "husband"." "Even if he is trash no broke-ass sleazo hits on him behind her back." " Certainly not in front of me." " You don't say!" " Got a knife?" " Let's see it." " Go on!" " Stop!" "Stop, Rosa." "This is my business, don't you think?" "You got it, Jarocha." "You're the boss." "I don't want a fight." "Let her, Don Pepe." "After all, it's New Year's Eve!" "Let her!" " I don't want the cops here." " I'll take any blame." "I have immunity." "Me too!" "I'm in congress!" "Suit yourselves, but hurry, eh?" "It's almost midnight." " What'd you tell Heels?" " Didn't hear?" " I want you to tell me." " Don't be a bitch." " Let's go, Jarocha." " So you like my man, eh?" " What, can't I?" " I noticed it days ago." " So what?" " I'll give him to you." " Sure, I'll bet." " But you gotta provide for him." " And?" " Pay him daily, starting today." "Let's see if you have enough!" "How much is on you?" "Let me go, you bitch!" "Let go of me!" " Cough it up!" " Let go or I'll cut you!" "Cough up the money!" "Just you wait, you bitch!" "Ten pesos." "Here's your New Year!" "But it won't be enough because you're expensive!" "Get her!" "Ten pesos is nothing for my man so I'm gonna rip that dress off you!" "Get her, get her!" "Enough, Jarocha!" "Enough!" "That's so he can sell it, 'cause you don't have enough!" " Enough!" " Shut up, or tomorrow I'll be sending a wreath." "Congressmen don't scare me!" "I warned you!" "Bridge!" "Be damned!" "God's punishment will fall on all of you!" "On the prostitutes!" "On the drunkards!" "On the depraved!" "The wrath of Saint Paul will destroy this city of sin just as it destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah!" "Be damned!" "Damn those who murder their children before they're born!" "Damn the exploiters of women, and damn homosexuals!" "Soon I'll be an old maid!" "In June of the year that's about to begin!" "My God, I'm so old, so old, my God!" "And I haven't managed to find a husband." "It's almost midnight!" "Let's toast to the New Year!" "Be damned!" "Be damned!" "Be damned!" "Happy New Year." "Happy New Year." "Hold each other." "You can fight next year." "Come on, girl." "It's no use being sad." "Put this on." "I've a right to defend myself." "That's why the revolution was made." "By who?" "Mr. Madero." "That's my leader!" " No more leaders!" " No!" " Death to all of them!" " Yeah!" "You're totally crazy!" " Death to exploiters!" " Yeah!" " Death to all leaders!" " Yeah!" " Death to the minister!" " Yeah!" "Death to..." "No, not death." "Long live the revolution!" "And death to congress!" " You done?" " I'm done." " Now come with me." " Where?" "Downtown, so you can keep bad-mouthing the government and congress." "Move it!" "I didn't bad-mouth the government." "I assure you that I'm part..." " Move it!" " One moment!" "Commander." "What?" "Who are you talking to, sir?" "To you, my friend." " It's just that..." " Tell me, commander." "It's just that I'm..." "I'm not a commander." "Not yet?" "No, not yet." "You sure look like a commander, man." "Besides... you deserve to be one." "Thank you, sir." "And that's how it goes." "Hardly anyone is what they seem." "Me, for instance." " I seem like a congressman, right?" " Sure do." "Well, you know how things are." "I'm not a congressman." "What?" "I'm not a congressman." "Yet." "You're coming too, for mocking the authorities." " What authority?" " Please, sir." " You shut up." " I'm the authority." " Oh yeah?" "Hang a sign around your neck, pal." "Nobody insults me!" "Move it!" "First let's have a little chat." "Come on." "No." "No, Mundito!" "Let me go!" "Let...!" "What's wrong, Dorita?" "Give me a minute." "How awful!" "Well, professor, I'm off." "My wife must be waiting for me." "Want a ride?" "You too, Dorita." "No, thank you." "It's already past five." " I'll be seeing you, then." " Bye, congressman." "It was a pleasure." " At your service." " See you, professor." "Dorita, I'll go pay my tab." "Get mine too, okay?" "Bring the bill!" "Staying, fatso?" " It's up to her." " Some other time." " Why not now?" " Well..." "You heard her." "Let's go." "Don't be mad, but I want to start off this year differently." "See you Saturday." "It's only 708 pesos, sir." ""Only"?" "I can't get a discount?" " And a New Year's tip?" " Keep the change." " Thanks, sir." " Bye, Pepsi." "Consider me a friend." " Thank you." "Tell her bye for me." "I don't want to interrupt." "Sure." "And Heels?" " At the funeral parlor." "Won't be long." " Tell her I said bye too." "Hey, Don Pepe." "How's the year starting off?" "Like all the others:" "lots of work and little profit." "You're like the Missus now." "Don't complain." "Anyway, what's it to me?" "It's her money." "Want one last drink?" "Okay, but so I don't mix drinks:" "half tequila, half cognac." "Really, man, those broads are so strange." "You know what, Juan?" "Now I don't think they're so strange." "Because..." "Come on, let's go." "How strange." "I've gotten drunk three times tonight, and each time I lost my buzz." " Why might that be?" " No." " Where's Bridge?" " He said he'd come back." " You'll wait for him, right?" " I don't know." "He said he had a little thing to handle." "I know what, but I won't tell." "Hey, do you love him?" " Please!" " Wait!" "It hurts, doesn't it?" "But that pain is nice and good." "Let's talk about something else." "Want me to tell you about my life?" "If you want." "Like I told you, I never met my parents." "They left me at the orphanage soon after I was born." " But I told you that, right?" " Yes." " AlwaysAlive..." " Yes?" "Tonight you've told me three different stories of your life." "Three stories?" "Which one's true?" "After you've lived for so many years and so many centuries, who even knows what the truth is?" "Three stories..." "Maybe they're all true." "Maybe none are." "I don't think it matters." "Get in here!" " I said get in here!" " No, please." "I don't want to." "You want them to beat you up again?" "Let me go." " I'm not that drunk." "Stop." " Come in." " Want to vent?" " No." "This couldn't be more agonizing or more sordid." "None of my friends, or these women can look their parents in the eye." "Or I am different?" "Why this terrible need to hate..." "and to disappear?" " I'm obsessed with doing evil." " Evil?" "To drown out my tenderness, and this shame and this anger." "I feel like crying, like when I was a child." "Then cry." "Cry." "Like how I cried that day my father shouted at my mother that he didn't love her, that he had never loved her." "That he only married her because I was on the way." "That he hated me too." "Don't think about that now." "I'd almost forgotten." "Afterward, my mother held me and cried a lot." "But those tears..." "Yes, I understand now!" "They weren't out of love for me." "They were out of rage and jealousy." "Out of hatred for him!" "And fear too." "Fear?" "Why?" "Could she also be to blame?" "No!" "Not her!" "Not my mother!" "But my God!" "To blame for what?" "No!" "Bobby was killed!" "He's dead!" "Raquel!" "Why'd you run away?" "I don't know." "Where were you?" "I'm free now." "Free?" "From what?" "Everything tying me down..." "and keeping me from loving you." "I wish I could be too." "What?" "Nothing." "Nothing." "I'm scared, Bridge." "Of loving me?" "Of you loving me." "Why?" "Why?" "What did you have in mind?" "To take you away with me." " Where?" " Far away." "Today, if you want." " Bridge..." " Yes?" "I can't go away with you." "Why?" "Hold me!" "Tighter!" "Tighter." "Raquel!" " What were you going to do?" " The worst thing, but God stopped me." "I'm sick, with no hope for a cure." " Are you sure?" " Completely." "I only have five or six months left." " What is it, Raquel?" "What is it?" " A tumor in my head." "I was born with it." " Five or six months?" " Yes." "We'll go to my town, okay?" "I haven't been there in many years." " I'll take you to my house." "It's humble but..." " No, no, please!" "But I'm sicker than you." "I'm rotten inside sick from every type of vice:" "cowardice, lies..." "But you must accept me as I am, since love means accepting everything." "Everything, understand?" "Everything." "So... you'll love me as I am?" "As you are." "Every hour... and every minute from this sunrise on." "Look at the new day." "Look at how a new day is born." "Our day." "Bye, girls." "Happy New Year." "Bye, girl." "Same to you." " Bye, Dorita!" " See you, Dorita!" "Bye, Dorana!" "Bye, Chipotle." "Good-bye, my dear professor." "See you next year." "He'll have nightmares when his wife gets here." "Bye, AlwaysAlive." "And thanks." "You're leaving together?" "Yes." "Together." " You have no money, right?" " Yeah." "Love is the best thing in life." "But money is the lifeblood of the world." "Give me your hand." "Here." "You can get 10,000 for it at least." "Here's the receipt." "It's very old, but it'll do." "I like things to be in order." " But..." " But, AlwaysAlive..." "Don't let them hear." "They'd laugh at me." "See you soon, AlwaysAlive." " See you, AlwaysAlive." " No." "Not "see you"." "Good-bye, Bridge." "See you tonight, Always." "See you tonight." "You still owe 20 pesos." "Did you discount my tokens?" "It was 89.50's worth." "But all the drinks were for you." "Can't I earn tokens on my own drink orders?" "All right." "Rosa, will you stay for a bit?" "I'm gonna go say hi to a friend." "Watch the register." "I won't be long." "Good morning, Cholita." "What?" "Good morning, Doña Concha." "Oh, there's Pancho!" "Sleeping, the poor thing." "I was afraid he'd be gone." "I'm late today." "A child of ours is sick, and you know what that's like." "Yeah." " Did everyone have fun?" " I think so." "A little." "And you're still up?" "You're so kind." "Me?" "Taking care of him, like last year." "Remember?" "Right." " Want me to wake him up?" " No." "Let him sleep for a bit." "I won't make it to 6:00 mass." "By the time I got him to our door..." "even though we're close... and as it's almost 6:00..." "I'll go to the 6:30 mass." "Do you want a... a soda?" "No." "Thank you, but I don't eat between meals." "All right." "You have a daughter here, right?" "Me?" "Sure, I thought you did." "It must be very hard at your age to stay up all night." " I'm younger than you and I can't." " Well, yes." "It's hard." "But we mothers will do anything for our children." " He give you much trouble?" " No, he didn't." "Would you believe that, by June, I'm already wishing it were December?" "Why, Conchita?" "For the first few months, he's very calm." "In January and February, even affectionate." "After June, he starts to get restless." "And by November...!" "Oh, Cholita!" "By November..." "What terrible moods I have to bear." "You laugh, but if you only knew..." "You must be a widow, right?" "A widow?" "Yes, I'm a widow." "Lucky you!" "What?" "I meant... lucky you for having had a husband with a better temper, right?" "Of course, Conchita." "That's why I'm even glad to come get him every New Year's." "I know that tomorrow he'll buy us pastries." "He's waking up." "Don't tell him we talked." "He's very touchy." "Don't worry, Conchita." "Pancho?" "Panchito?" " I'm here now." " What?" "Dorita?" "Oh, it's you." "I just got here." "Come on, let's go." "The children will be up soon." "The children!" "The children!" "Want help?" "The two of us can carry him." "No, but thank you." "What would people say?" "If they see him leave with one woman, okay." "But with two?" "Come on, Panchito." "Let's go." "Everyone's gone?" "Everyone, except Cholita, who stayed to look after you like last year." " Thank her." " "Cholita"?" "AlwaysAlive!" "Don't mind him." "When he's like this, he likes to give people odd names." "Last year he called me Pepsi-Cola." "How funny, right?" "What's wrong?" "It's this life." "Sometimes it feels like that game that spins and spins, and never stops." "Roulette?" "Yes." "But it's nice after all, isn't it?" "It's... it's unfair." "All the good ones suffer." "They die, but we keep on living." "So you think that to be good, you have to be like other women, eh?" "Get married, be faithful..." "and have children." "Be quiet, be quiet." "Don't you want a child?" "Wait!" "Tell me what's wrong, as if I were your mother." "No... no." "Are you ashamed?" "Of what?" "Of the thought that I could be your mother." "No, not that." "Why should I be ashamed of that?" "Then... why does the thought of having a child scare you?" "Aren't we all the same?" "Leave me alone!" "You're pregnant, right?" "And that's why you're crying." "Yes that's why." "Because I shouldn't have it." "Why not?" "You have to ask?" "How can I have a child..." "if I don't even know whose it is?" "What does that matter?" "It's yours, isn't it?" "Didn't you ever want to have it?" "Many times... when I was alone but never when I was with a man." " That's not what counts!" " I'm going, AlwaysAlive." " Just wait!" "I also know about that." "I also killed my child!" "AlwaysAlive!" "It's not just another of my stories." "I killed my child..." "because I felt what you feel:" "That it had no father." "That I didn't have the right." "I don't have the right!" "I live in the street, the filth!" "Not even alley-cats live like I do!" "There's no good in me or the willpower to change my life, or even the desire to!" "Because today I'm crying and in despair but tomorrow, I'll love life more." "Even if now I think I could have the child... and love them... and care for them,... maybe if they were born..." "I'd beat them... or abandon them like so many others do." "And why should the child pay?" "Tell me one thing." "Is this your first time?" "My first." "But I always knew what I'd do when that day came." "What I will do!" "Haven't you thought of what your child would want?" "What?" "Haven't you thought of how life could be nice, grand, and clean for them?" "If our mothers were respectable, why can't our children be so as well?" "And another thing:" "Listen closely." "One day, a priest told me that I could take communion." "I laughed so hard!" "How could I take communion being what I am?" ""With God by your side," he said, "you'll be less bad."" ""But I'll keep sinning," I told him." "You know what he said?" "No." ""Leave it to Him."" "I couldn't have children after that one." "That child's memory has haunted me all my life." "That's why I'm telling you:" "If we have nothing... except God we must seek shelter in Him." "May your child be born!" "May they live, may they love." "Whether they're good or bad, sick or healthy... that leave that to Him." "All right." "Now go to mass, and say one in my name because I think I'll be at this all day long." "You're so kind, AlwaysAlive." "Now that's twice I've heard that today." "Eventually I'll believe it, eh?" "Go on, go." "What about Don Pepe?" "He told me to watch the register." "I'll watch it." "Go, don't worry." "Go on, or you'll be late." "See you tonight." "See you tonight." "Hey!" "Are you happy now?" "Yes, I think so." "Eighty-nine fifty." "Well, to each their own life." "Happy New Year, Alka-Seltzer!" "Happy New Year, AlwaysAlive." " Staying for a bit?" " Yes." "Watch the register!" "Don Pepe won't be long." "Okay." " Happy New Year, AlwaysAlive." " Happy New Year, Minute." "Want to go get a tequila at The Screw?" "Just one?" "How about forty!" "Drunk on tequila..." "Alka-Seltzer for your hangover." "Aspirin with caffeine!" "Alka-Seltzer!" "subtitles:" "lenguaje visual original translation: cecilia largomarsino s." "second version: j+v"