"The man's badly injured." "It was a terrific blow." "The crowd is very jumpy." "Projectiles are landing onstage!" "Please, gentlemen, calm down!" "Bottles are being thrown." "They're setting fire to the stage!" "What's the diagnosis?" "He's not moving or complaining." "He's swelling up like a balloon." "One rib's stuck in his lung, his tibia's exposed, a concussion, most likely." "He landed on the seats, Doctor." "Sorry, but I think it's spinal, whether it's fractured or not." "WORLD CHAMPION JACOB VAN OPPEN IN SANTA MARIA" "I didn't do anything because there's nothing to be done." "You'd have to toss a coin to know where to start." " That bad?" " I'll tell you." "Multiple traumas, deep coma, pallor, weak pulse, severe tachypnea and cyanosis." "The right lung has collapsed." "Crackling sound and right sixth rib bent." "Tumefaction in the lower lung." "The coma's deepening and acute anemia increasing." "Possible broken ribs." "Isn't that enough?" "If I were you, I'd leave him be." "My patients die on the table." "Get him ready." "All right." "BAD DAY TO GO FISHING" "Hey, friend?" "Hey, pal?" "You got a cigarette?" "The man about to come out is the top wrestler of his generation." "World Heavyweight Champion, Gold Medal at the Spartakiada, before being rescued from the claws of communism." "Boxers, wrestlers, judo fighters, karate experts, tennis players, dancers... we take on anyone!" "Where's the brave man who'll risk his life for 1,000 dollars?" "1,000 dollars!" "Yes, ladies and gentlemen, life is an adventure without end." "And now, a big hand... for the World Champion, Jacob Van Oppen!" " Are we far?" " I don't know." "Not far." "Are you going to call?" "Ya." "When?" "When we arrive." "When we arrive there?" "You'll see." " What will I see?" " You'll see when we arrive." "Look at the stars." "Are there pyramids?" "No." " No pyramids?" " No, no pyramids." "You said we will see some pyramids." "We'll see pyramids later on." "Where?" "When we go north." "It'll be seven days." "Rings..." "The call." "How long does a call to Germany take?" "Germany... two or three days." "Depends on the operator." "May I?" "It's to the International Wrestling Federation." "When they answer, ask for Herr Mallwitz, please." "Jacob!" "That's enough!" " You pay in advance here." " Yes, I'll go to the bank tomorrow." "Here's my card." " Ronco." " Ronco?" " That's me." " Nice to meet you, Ronco." "He trained in the Leipzig school, the best in the Democratic Republic of Germany." "He won a gold medal at the Spartakiada." "He didn't win at the Olympics because when he escaped he became stateless." "He lost his crown..." "well, he didn't lose it, it was stolen from him in Gstaad." "A bad ruling." "The appeals board has it as an open case." "Next year he'll regain the title." "That's him with President Honecker." "They were on informal terms." "He's never been better." "He may have put on a few kilos, but that's why we're on this tour of 27 South American cities." "And how could we forget Santa Maria on this lead-up to the world championship?" "Prince?" "Yes." "Prince." "I could help... but this is fishing week and... the baptisms are today." "I've got all my journalists out." "But I thought your paper, the temple of culture and wisdom in this town, would like an exclusive on the visit of a world champion." "Not to mention the 1,000 dollars" " we're offering on Saturday." " What was that?" "The champion challenges anyone to last three minutes in the ring." "Do you smoke?" "Yeah, sure." "Thanks." "I only smoke because it bothers them." "An excellent reason." "Jorge!" "Well... when can we take the photo?" "The champion wants to pay tribute to this nation's freedom fighter." "From hero to hero." " Mrs. Lima, I presume." " Yes." "I've come to see Ronnie." "In the gym they spoke highly of you." "I know you were a good middle-weight." "Maybe a bit unlucky, Ronnie, but I can see that you're a good man." "That's why I'm giving you this chance." "Thanks, Ronnie." "I don't know." "Ronnie, this isn't like lying." "It's like the movies:" "a guy dies, and later on he appears in another movie." "It's like magic." "See this handkerchief?" "Look at it." "I pull it through." "I put it in my hand." "I blow..." "It's vanished." "Now check your pocket." "It's magic." "Wrestling's the same." "A great wrestler has to conceal his tricks." "Because everyone wants him to." "They want to believe it's true." "Just go to the paper and make the challenge." "And then stay away." "If people see us together, the magic's gone." "And if you run into Jacob, stay away and not a word, because he respects a pro who knows his job." "What'll my dad say?" "We said we'd only think about us." "Oh, Juan Andres." "Oh, Maria Victoria." " You're so wonderful." " So are you." "Kiss me, darling." "Where?" "Right here." "Like that?" "You're so romantic." "Afternoon." "Everything all right?" "(unintelligible)" "Is everything all right?" "On requesting baptism for your children, do you know that you must educate them in the faith?" "Do you promise to spurn the temptations of evil?" "Yes, I promise." "Do you promise to renounce the Devil, the source of sin?" " Yes, I promise." " Then we shall proceed." "Hey, stop!" "You're 30 short!" "You're 30 short." " Relax, here's my card." " I've got it." "Gimme the money." "Here." "And the rest?" "I just got here." "You're leaving me with nothing." "The money." " All right?" " Okay." "Ciao." "Hey, pal!" " Yeah?" " Where is there a florist?" "FLOWERS, URNS, CANDLES" "Unless my memory fails me, the proscenium is smaller than in Trieste." "Do you know?" "La Duse worked there." "La Duse herself." "The first woman to play Hamlet." "Three people are asking after you." " They're from the gym." " Good." "Let them in." "Any doubts?" "Any questions?" " When do we work with Van Oppen?" " Easy does it, boys." "As the champ gets to know you." "When do we start?" "Start?" "Now." "He looks bigger in person." " Who?" " Jacob." "Barely fits through the door." " What door?" " The church door." "God bless." "Our father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name..." "WORLD CHAMPION CHALLENGE" "Take the flowers." "Thank you." "Now, put them there." "Can I go now?" "No one else is coming." "Can I go?" "Yeah, sure." "Go." "Someone was asking for you." " Ronnie!" " Hey, Prince." "Come up." "I went to the paper." "Come up!" " You know what they said?" " Grab a beer and come up." " Where are they?" " Get up here!" "I'll come round in the morning." "Take my card." "But I want the money now." "I need it." " Later, Ronnie, we agreed." " But I want it now." " You know I need it." " Go home." "I went there and said what you told me to say." "Gimme the money." "I need it." "Go home and don't talk to anyone." "Go on." " Anything else?" " No, thanks." "Oh, yes, the bill." " Gloria." " No." "Jessica." "Gloria doesn't work here anymore." "You'll be Gloria to me." "It's on them." " Cheers, gentlemen." " Cheers!" " Do you want to play?" " No, thanks." " One hand?" " No, no." "Thanks." "Miss, are you all right?" "Excuse me." " May I see you home?" " Where were you heading?" "Me?" "I'm in no hurry." " Are you sure you're all right?" " Yeah." "It got late and started raining." ""Adriana."" "May I?" " Where did you say you were going?" " I didn't." "Straight ahead." " Do you want to stop for a drink?" " No." " Do you want to go to my hotel?" " What?" " What did you say?" " No, nothing." "Just thinking out loud." "Thinking gets you into trouble." "It's here." "You can come in for a drink." "You didn't tell me your name." "Orsini." "Prince Orsini." "Prince..." "What kind of prince?" "A prince, prince?" "Descendant of the Orsinis, the Republic of Sienna, a Byzantine family." "What happened to the family?" "The 15th century, signorina." " 1500?" " That's it." "...four times the distance between the earth and the moon..." "And now, tonight's last request:" "from Braulio to Marta, "Nights Without You."" "What time is it?" "9:00." "I saw the poster in the square." "Is it true?" " Is the 1,000 dollars true?" " What are you talking about?" "My fiance is going to fight the champion." "It's no joke." "He'll fight, but first you have to deposit the money." "Fight the champ?" "You'll be left without a fiance, miss." "I saw him in the church." "He's old." " Your fiance, does he know about this?" " No." "Better that way." "Besides, there's already a contender." " Who?" " A boxer." "Ronnie Lima." "Ronnie?" "Our Ronnie?" "Now you're talking crap." "He's a drunk, everyone knows." " Why him and not my fiance?" " That's how it is." " Why?" " There can only be one contender." "Why?" "Out of respect." "The ceremony, miss." "Or do you bury men without a wake here?" "Your beauty and youth is your excuse." "Ronnie's a drunk." "Everyone knows he'll be tanked on Saturday." "Goodbye." "That's enough for today, Ronnie." "That not good enough?" "There's another mistake here." "Bravo, Jorge." "Beautiful photo." " Good day to you." " Hello, boys." "No, there's no 'h' in it." " Prince!" " Ah, Heber!" "I came to thank you for the headline." "I'm sorry, your contender had some trouble with the police." "He'll be held for a few days." " But luckily, this lady came..." " Adriana." "My friend Adriana." "We've met." "She came to accept the challenge in her fiance's name." "Yes." "I myself asked her to come." "Then you agree?" "Yes." "Of course I agree." " So your fiance's up to it then?" " Where's the money?" "I know the paper's sponsoring the challenge." "This evening or tomorrow morning at the latest." "Is tomorrow morning here at the Liberal all right?" "It's all right with me." "We'll validate the challenge." "Heber, does the death penalty exist in Santa Maria?" "Why?" "Because a man just got a death sentence." "Ladies and gentlemen, don't miss it!" "One time only in Santa Maria, world champion Jacob Van Oppen!" "This week in the Apollo Theatre, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM!" "A prodigy of nature:" "Jacob Van Oppen!" "A once-in-a-lifetime event!" "A superman." "Half-price Wednesday!" "Don't miss it!" "Wednesday half price!" "You look lovely, madam." "Thursday and Friday, two pesos!" "No one can beat him!" "In Europe or both Americas!" "What a man, look at those muscles!" "A force of nature!" "A once-only, extraordinary event in Santa Maria!" "'Morning, sir!" "Wednesday half price!" "Don't miss it!" "Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, two pesos!" "One time only in Santa Maria!" "Once only, gentlemen!" "Jacob Van Oppen!" "Look at this." "Look at this!" "Full of muck!" "And this is no cheap stuff, eh." "This is a Borsolino, Italian suit." "You find that funny?" "It's all right for you!" "You got plenty of clothes." "Don't laugh." "Good afternoon." "Radio Santa Maria here." "Lorenzo Garcia speaking, broadcasting this unique event for our city." "The newspaper El Liberal," " organizer of this superb event," " Bingo cards!" "takes pleasure in presenting this exhibition by the German wrestling champion, Jacob Van Oppen." " Check your blood pressure!" " Popcorn!" "Coffee!" "Bingo cards!" "Jacob Van Oppen, sportsman, is tough, difficult and rather prickly, so we ask spectators to take care to avoid any gesture that may bother or infuriate this great sportsman." "I recommend that you remain in your seats and enjoy this splendid show, ladies and gentlemen." "A tractor tire." "Incredible." "An oxygen tank." "Amazing." "A bathtub." "Wonderful." "And you have 50 cents discount on the Santa Maria Bingo." "First number of the night." "1,8: 18." "21: 2, 1." "41: 4, 1." "14: 1, 4." "Bingo!" "Since word spread about the fight, the theatre's been filling up." "I raised ticket prices to keep pressure off the champ, but people keep paying." "All thanks to you." "Did you deposit the money?" "I want to see the money." " When can I see it?" " Miss, what's your problem?" "We need the money to get married." "You love your fiance?" "Then go home and forget about it." "Don't push your luck." "Don't make him look ridiculous." "My fiance is 23 and I'm 26." "Right now he's working in the store." "Porfilio Brothers." "Go and see him." "They call him The Turk, but he's Syrian." "He has the papers." "How much does a wedding cost in this part of the world?" " 1,000 dollars is a lot of money." " Single and widowed." "A sad fate for a woman so young and beautiful." "Single, no." "We can marry with that 1,000 dollars." "And I won't be a widow." "Your champ is very old." "Who said he was an ordinary man?" "What if he can still break arms, legs, ribs, collarbones?" "And if he's not that old?" "You don't know what he's capable of." "Even schoolgirls jump better." "Yes, but when it really starts, he's an animal." "I swear to you, he knows his job." "World Champion." "And in all the weights, miss." "What am I doing here?" "Wait." "Always wait." "Soup is ready." "Give me that." "Give me that!" "How many time have I told you not to drink while you're taking your medicine?" "It's not good." "without discipline, there's no moral." " Hello." " Hello." " Is everything all right?" " Everything's fine." " You don't need anything?" " No." "Excuse me, Mr. Prince... have you got the money?" "No." "Tomorrow morning." "I had a problem with the bank, but it's sorted out, don't worry." " What's that?" " Nothing." ""Nothing"?" "What is it?" "It's cyclical, although I don't understand the cycle." "One day he'll strangle me just because I'm nearby." " My card." " No, please, Mr. Prince." "Stop!" "Please stop it!" "Go on!" "Go on!" "Sit down!" "It's okay, it's okay." "It's okay, I'm here." "Come on. relax." "Remember I told you that we're a team?" "We're more than a team." "We're family." "We're family." "So don't be sad." "It's okay." "Come on, I know you miss the old times." "I know it." "But I think you're too strong." "I'm here." "We're together." "We got each other." "I swear, we'll get what I promised." "I swear." "Now listen to me." "Everything's going to be fine." "We will go there." "And they will all come." "Come on, Champ, I'm going to get you soup." "I'll take one." "THE MATADOR VERSUS THE STRANGER" "Come in." "Look who's here, the new business champion." "I came to thank you, Heber." "Ever since you've backed this, everyone wants to watch the champ in training." " I'm glad." "Very glad." " I read your front page." "Great headline: "The Matador."" " How did you come up with it?" " It's not mine." "They've called him that since the incident." " If you can call it an incident." " What do you mean?" "Right, you're not from around here." "It was a couple of years ago, when he worked in the country." "The girl, who was unattached then, went to a hairdresser, a friend of hers from school." "She fell asleep while she was waiting." "This friend, as a joke, shaved her head." "When she woke up, she got hysterical and ran out." "The whole town laughed." "The Turk was passing by and they told him about it." "He found the hairdresser and with a razor... he sliced off the man's ears." "The guy can still hear..." "through the holes." " That's that." " What happened?" ""What happened?" The guy's crazy." "He barely even saw me." "He said, "I don't like being called 'Matador.' "" "He knows we all call him that." "It's not the same as seeing it on the front page." "I said it's freedom of the press, we're in a democracy..." "The girl saved me." "She kicked him, spat at him and calmed him down." "He put on his fishing shorts and I got a shot of him" " lifting Ramirez's cow." " A cow?" "She watched him, proud as a mother, smoking away." "He put the cow down and started running, non-stop from Bartolome Mitre to Saravia Square, doing laps behind the park." "I get it, I do." "Poor kid." "I've seen so many cases like this." "Character is a mystery." "It doesn't come from big muscles." "Tasty toffee apples." " Yes?" " Your call's ready." "Good, pass it to me." "Hello?" "Mr. Maldritch, please." "Hello?" "This I about the appeal I forwarded regarding my fight to Jacob van Oppen." " Oh, yes, it didn't go through, I'm sorry." " What?" "Did you check the file?" "Is something missing?" " No, nothing." " I don't understand." " My fighter is ready for his comeback." " Not in our federation." "He's too old." "Wait a minute." "You haven't seen him since Gasdad." "The problem here is that you're afraid of him." "Because you know if he's given a chance, he'll regain his title." "Please stop calling us." "No, no, listen!" "Yes, I know." "The champ is stronger than ever." "I doubt he would accept the contract under those conditions." "So you think about it." "Okay?" "Thanks, bye." "Champ, we have to talk." "Take a shower." "I'm going to have something to eat." "Remember when we were in Mexico?" "Sometimes I regret not following the Rio Gravo right up and crossing to the States." "Thanks, Gloria." "You should get some sun on those legs." "Why don't you find a friend and we'll go to Isla Paraiso?" "I'm taking the champ." "How about one of those in the back?" " Judi, do you want to go to the beach?" " All right." "Hey Champ, they want us to go to the beach with them." "I hate the beach." "I think it's a good idea." "We need a rest." "We can't." "I hate the beach." " The skin." " Out with the skin business again." "You should know my skin can't take it." "There's sun lotion to protect the skin." " No beach." " No beach." "It was just an option." " No!" "No beach!" " No beach." "No beach." "But we do need a change of scenery." "I was at the newspaper earlier on." "And I think I came out with a good idea." "I don't want to go." "Why not forget about the first option?" "You're going to love this one when you hear it." "I don't want to hear it." "Okay." "I won't tell you." "United States of America." "I knew, Champ, but deep down you'd like to know this." "Listen..." "I called an old friend of mine in the States." "He's preparing a big event in Phoenix." "And guess who he wants to invite over?" "Gloria... open up some bottles." "We're going to celebrate." "Going to the States." "We're going to the States." "Where they know about talent." "And there you're going to regain what they took from you." "Is this true?" "Damn me, Champ, if this is not true." "Damn me." "Gentlemen!" "A round for everyone!" "It's on me!" "Cheers!" "Put me down!" "Put me down!" "Put me down, Champ, put me down!" "Put me down!" "Champ..." "I'm going to order another bottle." "We can drink all night. and then, first thing in the morning, we're out of here." "Tomorrow?" "No, no, no." "Tomorrow is Friday." " What about Saturday?" " No, no, no, forget about Saturday." "A fight with that guy is like feeding sows to the pigs." "Pigs..." " But I want to fight." " No... no, no." "We can't waste any more time, Champ." "We have to rest, for the great things ahead of us." "That's okay... good are you." "But after the fight." "I saw you this afternoon at the Apollo." "Straight away I see what people are like." " Is he all right?" " Yeah, it's cyclical." "Are you sure?" "What's wrong with him?" "Is he sick?" "Shall I call a doctor?" "He can't breathe." "Champ." "Champ!" "Something's up." "Why do you say no?" " I'll call a doctor." " No." " You sure you don't want me to...?" " No, no!" "Get out!" "Now!" "Idiots." "That's a boy." "That's a boy." "All right.." "Okay, come on." "Rest." "Okay." "No no no no no no." "I told you clearly 1-0-7-6, not 1-0-3-6." "Yes, I know we're friends." "But friendship is one thing and business is another." "Yes, it's the first time it's happened, I know." "You have to understand, it's making me nervous." "No." "That's no excuse." "I requested the transfer four days ago." "Please, check it again. 1-0-7-6." "Hello!" " Are you sure?" "Tomorrow morning?" " Who is this?" "All right." "Perfect." "No, your word does reassure me." "Hello." "Hello." "No." "Thank you, Mr. Ramirez." " Bubi?" " No, thank you." "Ciao." "At last." "Tomorrow morning we'll have the money." "A setback with the bank, but midday tomorrow I'll have the money." "All right." "Excuse me." "Sometimes I laugh and I don't know why." "Yeah, I understand." " I'm going." "Things to do..." " Sure." "Sometimes I forget you're so busy." "I've got so much spare time." "If I were a smart guy instead of a cut-rate journalist," "I'd think all this was a sham." "What's that?" "No, I know that's not the case." "I'm just supposing." "I know lots of foreigners who think they're clever, stick their noses where they don't belong, talk non-stop..." "My friend... you're pale." "Are you okay?" "Shall I open the window?" "No, wait a second." "I think you need help, someone to lend you a hand." "And that could be me." " Help with what?" " With what, Prince?" "With the deposit." "If it comes to that, I can say that I've got it." "Let's see if I get this." " You'll handle the deposit?" " The deposit?" "What for?" "Incredible." "This is unbelievable." "You couldn't arrange it with the girl, you don't have the money," " and you don't think you can win." " What do you take me for?" "For God's sake, Prince." "What have you got yourself into?" "That girl wants to see the money." "She'll kick up a stink here." "Tomorrow could be a very tricky day." "Why don't you go to your hotel?" "Take a shower and pack your bag." "There's an early morning bus." "Hello?" "Hello?" "Mario?" "I'm the impresario, Orsini." "Prince Orsini." "Manager of Jacob Van Oppen, the World Champion." "Oh, yeah." "At your service." "It's about the money, the 1,000 dollars." "To put your mind at ease." "It was transferred this morning, and will be deposited tomorrow." "Good." "But I wanted to talk about some other things too." "Excuse me." "I have to finish up." " What's it about?" " Nothing in particular." "Everything's been said, Mario." "But I consider it my duty to say it straight out." "The truth." "To you." "I'd like you to look at this." "It's in other languages, but you get the idea." "The photos help." "Golden Belt, World Champion." "Eight columns, front pages, the Spartakiada... 60,000 people watching, Mario." "That's a champion." "No one can beat him." "No one can last three minutes with him." "One minute would be a miracle." "I don't mean you're not stronger than the champ." "You're younger, more vigorous." "I'd sign a paper saying that." "If the champ bought this business, in six months he'd be begging." "You, on the other hand, will be rich in two years." "Why?" "Because you understand business." "The champ doesn't." "He was trained to break ribs, to bend you at the waist and knees and put you on the mat." "Each to their own profession." "Mario, my friend, look me in the eye." "You're the one getting into the ring." "You're the one who's going to get hurt." "If you get up there, the champ will break some of your ribs, a bone." "He'll have you on your back in 30 seconds." "There'll be no 1,000 dollars and you may have to spend more than that on doctors." "Who'll run the business while you're in the hospital?" "To say nothing of the shame, being made a fool of." " You said if I got up there on Saturday..." " I said?" "I think I gave you some advice." "At any rate, if you withdraw from the challenge, there could be a deal, some compensation." " How much?" " Chief, pour a drink for us both." "I'm buying, of course." "Whatever you like." "Cheers, Mario." "He doesn't drink." "Adriana, I do drink vermouth." "Mario, my friend, let's continue." "Friend Mario and I already talked about tomorrow." "1,000 dollars, exactly." "We're not going to lose it." " Mario, we're closing." " The grass;" "I have to haul the grass down." "If you don't go tomorrow, everyone will know you're afraid." "I'll tell them, house by house, person by person." "Just a second, Mario." "I thought about that too." "About comments around town if you don't go to the Apollo." "But it can all be sorted out." "Suppose you do climb into the ring." "Don't get the champ mad, because that'd ruin our plans." "You'll soon see what the champ can do and you'll be on your back, without a scratch." "I get it." "I go and I lose." "How much?" "How much?" "Let's say 100," " 200..." " 1,000." "1,000 dollars." "We need the money and he'll win clean on Saturday." "No tricks, no deals." "People will be proud of him." "My husband's no idiot." "No one's stronger than him." "No one can beat him, especially not that old man, however much of a champion he was." "Mario, let's close up now." "Miss, I'm getting tired of you." "I came to warn my friend Mario of the danger he's in." "And I will not be pressured!" "You don't know what you're talking about." "You made a public challenge, and the money had better be there tomorrow!" " Mario, we're closing!" " I have to haul the grass." "Then haul it!" "Why did you pack the bags?" "To save time." "That's why I packed the bags." "But it's at nine." " And it always begins later." " Of course." "One, two, three..." "One, two, three..." "One..." "One, two, three..." "One... one... two... three..." "Three... one... three..." "One, two..." "Champ... we're leaving." "Today's Friday." "The fight is tomorrow." "Forget about the fight." "We're leaving at six." "But before, we'll celebrate." "I'm going to order another bottle right now." "Why do you want to leave?" "Because what will take place tomorrow night, has nothing to do with wrestling." "This man knows no rules." " This is not wrestling." " It's a challenge." "It's foolishness." "Twenty three years old... and at first look, I'd say, 130 kilos." "Not an extra ounce of fat on his body." "Not an extra gram of intelligence or sensibility." "Twenty three..." "I was also twenty three and I was less strong." "Less wise." "And why is this shopkeeper going to resist three minutes?" "The shopkeeper can resist three minutes." "But I'm sure he can go more than one." "And at present, Champ doesn't have the heart to go for more than a minute." "How many twenty year old men have I able down down on their back in less than twenty seconds?" "All of them..." "every one of them." "But also every time I'd seen the challenger." "Looked them over, checked them out." "Not one of them has to do more than thirty seconds, Champ." "And I knew it before... long before he walked onto the ring." "No... nobody can beat the champion of the world." "But this thing's different." "His girlfriend's pregnant." "And nothing is going to stop her." "When we finish this exhibition tour..." "Everything will change." "There'll be no more drinking." "A little time to recover." "But today..." "Tomorrow..." "Saturday night, here, in Santa Maria... or whatever's the name of this hole in the middle of nowhere..." "Jacob van Oppen can hold a lock or resist the lock for more than a minute... and that animal won't go down in less than a minute." "That's why I packed the bags." "That's why we must be on that bus at six." "Not this time, Champ, this time we're leaving." "And now... this is just a rest on the long road ahead of us." "In a few months time, everything will be as it was before." "Quality." "That's all." "Who has it?" "You're born with it, or you die without it." "That's why all the others come up with the gimmicks and the flashy names to print on the billboards." "But Jacob van Oppen only goes by one other name." "And that name, is Champion of the World." "Orsini... my friend, the prince Orsini." "Have a drink, Champ, it will do you good." " Now, the Prince will drink that glass in one." " Champ... drink." " Satisfied?" " Good." "Now a glass for me." "Prost." "No, the Prince will drink also this glass." "We are both drunks." "But I am not drinking tonight." "Because it's Friday." "Yes, Champ." " Then, the fights..." "I..." " You won, Champ." "You won." "The dumb idiot." "Yes, Champ, you're right." "I'm an old fool." "Time goes by." "And things get worse." "Is there a fight tonight?" " Yes?" " Did you miss the bus?" "Or don't you even have the money for tickets?" " What are you still doing here" " The fight's on." " What?" " You heard me." " When do we see the money?" " There's been a change of plan." "The money will be handed in tonight at the Apollo." "But that wasn't the deal." "Forget the deal." "I'll take the money myself in case the Turk's hospital bills have to be paid." "A funeral you'll have to pay for if you don't come up with the money." "Be careful, Prince." "People don't like being tricked." "He's buying." " Cheers." " Cheers." " Do you want to play?" " Yeah, sure." "Why not?" " What are the stakes?" " 20 pesos a chip." "Fine." "Gentlemen, why don't we get serious?" "What do you say to 50?" "Fine by me." "What are you drinking?" "Grappa?" "My friend, a bottle of grappa, please." "Here from the Apollo, we're broadcasting one of Santa Maria's biggest, most important sporting events." "The challenger's brute strength versus the champion's skill." "Cheers." "Sorry, friend." "You know what they say:" "If you're out of luck, don't go fishing." " The bottle." "Can we drink that?" " Yes, of course." "Let's cut the small change." "200?" "Fine." "Our dear friend Alcides now with his accordion, playing a beautiful melody." "Are you all right?" "Are you all right?" "You want to stop?" "No." "500 more." "Listen, tomorrow I'll come and pay for the round." "Ever since you came in I've wanted to ask you..." "Grappa, is it better here, or in Europe?" "I'll go find him." "No." "Stay here until I say." "236?" "There are 400 people at least." "How can that be?" "They sneak in." "I don't have the money for the challenge." "Sorry Champ." "Is that enough?" "That's fine." "The lights go down now, ladies and gentlemen, and coming out is Prince Orsini." "Thank you." "Thank you, good evening, and welcome to this extraordinary event." "Today... you'll witness a unique event for your beautiful city." "The man about to come out is the top wrestler of his generation, from the finest wrestling school in history," "World Heavyweight Champion, Golden Medal at the Spartakiada, before being rescued from the claws of communism." "Ladies and gentlemen, a big hand for the World Champion," "Jacob Van Oppen!" "And now, the challenger, a brave man who has put his life in the clutches of the champion for a prize of... 1,000 dollars!" "1,000 dollars!" "This brave man is the Turk, Mario Porfilio!" "What are you doing there?" "Come on!" "Get out!" "Turk!" "Turk!" "The Turk, loudly applauded and supported by the crowd..." "Now let's hand it over to the gladiators." "Your arms!" "Lower your arms!" "What is he doing?" "Isn't this illegal?" "Lower your arms!" "Lower them!" "Get up!" "Get up!" "Get up!" "DOCTOR'S ROOM" "So?" "Pulse, breathing and cyanosis improved." "Sporadic recovery of lucidity." "As for brain recovery, we'll have to wait." "Dimas came a while ago." "Can I go?" " Yeah, sure." " See you." "Brother, don't give me that false modesty." "If that brute hasn't died yet, he never will." "You did it, boss." "The best doctors in the capital couldn't have done better." "How is he?" "Alive." "I was going to have a baby." "Now I'm going to have to look after two." "May I?" "You should quit smoking."