"THE GOALKEEPER" "WHILE THE REBELS FIGHT FRANCO FROM THE MOUNTAINS," "A MAN ARRIVES IN A SMALL TOWN IN ASTURIAS." "HISTORY IS INTERRUPTED." "THE LEGEND BEGINS." "Good evening." "I.D." "Forteza?" "Ramiro Forteza?" "Yes, sir." "Nardo." "What's up, EmiIio?" "This is unbelievable." "Are you Forteza, the goalie?" "From real Madrid?" "Yes, sir." "Forteza, the King of the penalty!" "Look, look." "Forteza, Forteza," "Forteza, Ciriaco, Quincoces, Quesada..." "Quesada, Reguiro, VaIIe..." "Eugenio HiIario, Lazcano, Samitier, and Leoncín." "Very good, sir." "What brings you here?" "Give me a smoke." "Go on." "Do the bets pay the rent?" "I get by." "Like the rest of us." "Don't you know who this is?" "What would you know?" "It's Forteza, the King of the penalty!" "From real Madrid." "You should have seen him." "He was the best, number one." "It's no big deal." "He's even modest." "You see?" "Learn from the stars, kid." "I'd chat all night, but it's not safe here." "We've had problems with the rebels." "Go on, get in." "Be careful, Forteza." "We'II have a drink tomorrow in town." "You can tell us stories." "Go ahead." "It won't start?" "Try again, we'II push it." "Forteza." "Who'd have thought?" "Give this to the owner of "The Limp Rabbit"" "and he'II give you a free dinner." "Take it." "And don't order the soup." "A little advice." "It's awful." "I was given this for you." "Sit down." "I don't want soup." "Try it, you'II see." "It's good today." "shall I prepare your room?" "I'm not staying." "I have a tent." "I wouldn't advise it around here." "Where's the doctor?" "In the stable." "Indigestion, hypochondria, imagined pregnancy..." "What's wrong, ManueIa?" "Nardo." "My mother asks if it's serious." "The donkey's lonely." "She needs male company." "Thank you." "He's lost too much blood." "But he drank mine." "Now what, Doctor?" "Now..." "Disinfectant and discretion." "Don't bother." "I know the way." "What are you doing?" "I have to leave before dawn." "No way." "You're not leaving until I say!" "They need me." "They need you alive." "And so do I." "Wait until things calm down." "Then you can go back to the mountains." "Just like your mother!" "And you, your father!" "If you need me, knock twice." "I'II come back later." "Try to get some rest." "Tito!" "Tito!" "Tito!" "You frightened me!" "You'II catch pneumonia." "What were you doing?" "Moon-bathing to get white." "You're so strange!" "I Iove you for who you are." "Be happy you're different." "Why was Daddy black?" "Because he came from far away." "Why?" "To bring you to life." "Why didn't he stay with us?" "Look, Tito." "War, Iike the tides, brings things and takes them away." "Put out the fire, Nardo's not coming back." "Times are too hard to throw money away." "Is it regulation?" "Yes." "Did you set all this up?" "Yes." "So, you were a big-name goalie..." "Yes, before the war." "Forgive me, but I don't know much about soccer." "What are your intentions here?" "Same as everywhere." "Exhibitions." "I take bets." "people try to score on me." "If they score, they win." "I'II be at the beach later." "I'd Iike to try." "Go ahead, Father." "You won't score on me." "Wait." "Look..." "If you help me clean the vestry," "I'II announce your show after mass." "AII right." "Very pretty." "Very soft." "You have great hands." "Thanks." "well?" "How will it look on me?" "It looks great." "I'II wear it to the party at the barracks." "What do I owe you?" "You decide." "Thank you." "You don't want a coffee?" "Tito's waiting for me." "Did you know I speak French?" "Don't tell anyone." "You see this book?" "The doctor gave it to me for when I go to Paris." "Sit down." "It's by a poet named "LIamarmé"." "Listen." "What do you think?" "I don't understand it, but the doctor says that even the birds are drunk and we must flee." "I have to go." "Stay a little while." "It's just that, I'm so lonely and at times..." "It's the mind, you know." "I think of things I don't want to." "Don't you?" "AII the time." "I suffocate myself." "Can I ask you a question?" "Sure." "They say black men have..." "forgive me," "larger than normal." "You'd know about that." "Where are you going?" "To get Tito." "Wait, there's something I want you to see." "They say he's not in France." "They say he's been seen." "If you saw him or knew something, you should tell me." "I promise it'd be between us." "I'm telling you just in case." "will you be at the dance tomorrow?" "You'd better go." "Why?" "Because I want you to." "I'II see." "Wait, wait." "I have something for Tito." "I don't like to be touched." "Don't do it again." "That was the third." "I remember very well." "A lefty tried to fool me by shooting right, but I stopped it" "with my foot." "With which foot?" "My left foot." "The fourth was high and I had to block it with my fist." "With which fist?" "My right fist." "The fifth came so hard it almost broke my rib-cage." "My right rib-cage." "I kept it out with a Iong stretch." "Hey, who are you?" "Tito." "He's black." "And I'm missing a tooth." "I can see that." "well, whoever wants to try can come to the beach later." "Three shots, 6 pesetas." "And a prize of 1 0 pesetas if you score a goal." "How did you stop this one?" "So, you want to know how I stopped that diabolical shot." "Just remembering makes me quiver." "I'd prefer not to say." "tell us." "AII right, I'II tell you." "Ortuño shot." "When God kicked the moon to put it in orbit around the earth, it was nothing compared to what that animal did to the ball." "Ortuño was a beast." "He broke stride and shot." "I didn't even see it coming." "I only realized I'd blocked it when I woke up in the infirmiry." "That brute had broken three of my fingers!" "That's when they started calling me "The King of the penalty"." "I'd still block three more in a row." "Up to nine!" "Here you have them, with photos and dates." "gentlemen." "Okay, kid." "Where are you from?" "From here." "Sorry if he's a bother." "On the contrary." "I'm very grateful." "Anyway, I'II gather my things." "Hey, your number..." "The number." "It's coming off." "I couId sew it back on for you." "I'II need it before five." "It'II be ready." "well, in that case..." "There you go." "Where do I pick it up?" "I'II bring it to you." "I didn't want..." "At 4:30, in the tavern." "At five at the beach is fine." "We'II be there." "Right, Tito?" "Amen." "please be seated." "Before we conclude..." "At the beach at 5:00, a famous goalkeeper is performing." "Cash prizes will be given to anyone who scores a goal." "I hope none of you will disappoint me." "Are you going?" "Of course." "You should have warned me!" "I told you about the vestry." "But I can't bury him alone." "What about a gravedigger?" "He was the gravedigger." "No one will help, they say it's bad luck." "You can count me out." "I remind you we made a pact." "To clean up the vestry, not to bury a body." "Have you got a better idea?" "It's not my thing." "I've kept my part and you can't back out." "You're not afraid..." "Afraid, no." "Just respectful." "Then do it out of respect!" "He was a good person, just a little obnoxious." "well, he's an unbearable stiff." "What's wrong?" "Nothing." "It's nothing, just a little stiff." "Does it bother you when you play?" "Not if I warm up." "Like your conscience." "It always hurts later." "By the way," "when did you last confess?" "You tell me!" "A man who buries another must be free of sin." "Right, then go find someone else." "I'm of no use to you." "Of no use?" "I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit." "Amen." "Let's get to work!" "Once you've seen one sin, you've seen them all." "We even bore God!" "CIumsiness of the flesh, lust for someone else's wife, envy and stinginess..." "Or did you kill someone?" "Not even in war!" "In war it was your duty." "I got pIeurisy in the trenches." "God, in his infinite wisdom," "saved your life." "I almost got killed." "Don't bIaspheme." "God only kills those who deserve to die." "Excuse me, Father." "Do you believe in God?" "Don't get me started." "Don't get me started." "Do you believe in your parents?" "I didn't meet them." "Not meeting them is no reason not to believe in them." "It's the same with God." "You never forget Him, of all the parents in the world, He's number one." "Give it to him." "Very good." "I washed it." "But it's still a little damp." "It's fine." "Thank you." "Here." "hold my cap." "That's it." "Here we go." "Forteza, I'm the first." "Ready?" "Ready." "Then let's get started." "You're staying, right?" "We're staying, right?" "Come on, Father Constantine!" "You can do it!" "Of course I can!" "Shit!" "Is he hurt?" "No, he isn't." "You all right, Father?" "It's nothing." "Get back in position." "Another try?" "Of course!" "I paid, didn't I?" "careful, Father." "He'II break his leg!" "Like hell I will!" "You'II see!" "You let it go in!" "You let it go in!" "I swear I didn't." "Don't swear!" "It was unstoppable!" "I swear!" "Perjury!" "You can do it!" "You're the greatest!" "Jacinto, Jacinto!" "Cheater!" "Impostor!" "Perjuror!" "Let's go." "Why?" "I said let's go." "Why?" "please." "That's enough for today." "Party's over, come on." "Everyone go home." "What's wrong, Sergeant?" "I have all the permits." "We wouldn't want you to injure yourself." "I have plans for you, Forteza." "Big plans." "Drop by the barracks later." "I'II tell you about it." "What's going on?" "Nothing bad in the eyes of the Church." "EVERYTHING FOR THE FATHERLAND" "What's wrong?" "Hurry up." "Nardo's waiting." "So you shoot penalty shots." "No, ma'am." "I block them." "Too bad." "Someone has to." "She doesn't understand soccer." "Ma'am." "Lisardo." "This is Forteza, the great champion." "Lisardo, the mayor and coach of our team." "How are you?" "Fine." "What do you think of the idea?" "What idea?" "Father, give Forteza some cider." "It's a great idea." "I thought of it." "I propose a great penalty challenge." "Two teams: one from the town, the other from the barracks." "You'II be the goalie, naturally." "Five shots per team and a pool of 200 pesetas put up by both contenders." "Winner takes all." "What do you think?" "I'm not up for a challenge." "Too many injuries." "I only do exhibitions." "Exhibitions!" "My friend, I saw you at the beach." "You're in great shape, Iike the good old days!" "No excuses." "This will strengthen ties between the people and the military." "Another chance to serve your country, Forteza!" "Yeah, but..." "For how much?" "This is my livelihood." "naturally, naturally." "It's all planned." "The faction, or better said, the team that wins will give you," "let's say, 1 5 percent." "Or even 20." "Let's talk about 25." "Or 50, in case of a tie." "No, there won't be a tie." "There will be a victor." "Okay, and 1 0 percent up front." "As a deposit for equipment." "Go on, Lisardo." "Watch it, kid!" "Go on, count." "And 1 0 percent for the Church." "But the Church isn't playing." "The Church will arbitrate." "That will guarantee impartiality." "Forteza, I want the doctor to see your arm." "This Forteza is no patriot." "Look, López." "Any player on real Madrid, despite his pay, is a patriot." "You got that?" "almost." "Enjoying the party?" "Very much." "Is the dance tonight?" "Tomorrow." "Are you going?" "I don't know yet." "well, bye." "Bye." "This is cured by rest and only rest." "Don't use it at all and in 1 5 days it'II be fine." "The match is the day after tomorrow." "Then he's your patient, pray for him." "If I couId work miracles, I'd start with my ankle." "AII right." "miracles start with the individual." "What if a bald doctor treated hair growth?" "A little respect." "only God makes miracles." "tell him to do a better job." "He gives poor sight to the blind and he gives the paraplegic a limp." "His miracles are haIf-way." "He's drunk." "Bonjour." "I see your French is better." "If only my husband let me speak foreign languages..." "Bonjour, madame." "Comment-aIIez vous?" "Bien." "Et vous?" "The strap's killing me." "It's tight?" "Kind of." "Then loosen it." "Not in front of all these people." "Come by in the morning and I'II loosen you up." "Oui." "Pig." "López, Mrs. Benita died." "I hope it wasn't serious." "Sergeant, they caught this one spying." "What was he spying?" "He was watching us with this." "Isn't he blind?" "Can't see a thing." "Then he's just a suspect." "Take him away." "Make him talk." "Give him two bottles of cider." "Yes, sir." "Come on, Iet's go." "We lost Gabino and Onofre." "They received orders from toulouse to withdraw and they think you're dead." "Is that all?" "They said there's a penalty challenge between the guards and the town." "What do we do?" "We can't turn back." "Tito would Iike you to come by tomorrow morning." "please don't forget to bring your ball." "Thank you." "Lord of toads and snakes and other small animals," "let whoever eats this soup take me away from here." "They never look you in the eye." "Why?" "They're more afraid than you." "They can miss, you can't." "To score a penalty is normal." "To block one, extraordinary." "Look at this." "If you lean to one side, he'II think you're tricking him." "He starts to doubt, and he won't know which way to shoot." "So don't forget." "On a penalty shot, it's better not to think." "Let him do the thinking." "Dive right before he shoots." "Okay." "Got it?" "Got it." "Let's see." "Are you ready?" "Here it comes." "Very good, very good!" "The coffee's ready." "What a block!" "Very good, honey." "Tito will be a great goalkeeper." "My son's very happy you came." "He's your son?" "Yes." "My mom's very happy, too." "And you?" "I am, too." "Who taught you to play?" "You did." "That's right." "I wanted you to come because some boys are giving Tito a hard time." "They call me monkey." "Me, too." "I've been called so many things." "Pay no attention." "I want to be a goalie like you." "How long are you staying?" "until Monday." "My chicken said to tell you not to leave." "Sergeant Andrade wants me to play in Sunday's tournament." "The guards versus the town." "will you do it?" "Do I have a choice?" "Tito wants to have a picnic in the country." "Are you busy later?" "A picnic in the country." "Soup again?" "This one's special." "Bon appetit." "Thank you." "Can I help you?" "We're the ones who are going to shoot on behalf of the town." "Join me if you Iike." "Did you really block 9 in a row?" "In different matches." "Counting the ones that missed or hit the post." "Oh, right." "Of course." "We want to beat the guards." "Your chances are good." "Yesterday I barely stopped you." "But you did." "naturally." "You chose the wrong spot." "But I shot both sides." "Then try the same place again." "You'II just block it again." "Shoot low instead of high." "will you block it?" "Of course." "It's easier to fall than fly." "If you shoot low, you can only miss three ways." "Either you miss, hit the post, or get blocked." "But if you shoot high, same thing." "So what do we do?" "Try the middle." "AII goaIies dive before the shot." "We're not stupid." "We'II decide what we do." "Sure, but it'II be easy for me to guess." "You'II end up doing what I'd do in your place." "Right." "We're leaving." "Oviedo wants to sign me." "More responsibility." "You better not miss." "Come on, Iet's go." "Did you Iike it?" "You didn't notice anything?" "No." "Something... hotter." "Maybe." "Finish it, you'II see." "It's a beautiful afternoon." "Come on, get in." "You tell me." "Which way do we go?" "Looks like we're going on a field trip." "We were looking for you." "This is Orozco." "He'II play with corporal López." "Sergeant Andrade says to give us the ball." "Can I know what for?" "I guess he wants to examine it." "Examine it yourselves." "It's regulation." "tell Sergeant Andrade I have no problem" "using any ball he wants." "We don't have any official balls." "Give me the ball, Tito." "Take it." "But this is ridiculous." "You think?" "The secret isn't the ball." "The secret is the man." "Soccer is guts, reflexes, aim..." "We have plenty of that." "The civil Guard never fails." "Then good luck and see you tomorrow." "Thank you." "Forgive me." "We had to get him out." "He told me not to say anything" "Who is he?" "Nardo's my brother." "Good, now it's coming low on your right." "Here goes." "Good, that's it." "Throw me the ball." "I'II get it here." "Now it's coming high." "clear it with your fist." "Ready?" "Let's go." "Go on, get up there." "Come on, Tito." "That's enough." "Go for a walk but don't go far." "always keep warm, that's it." "He'd play all day." "It's normal." "Thank you for helping my brother." "It wasn't for him." "I know what you're thinking." "You're the first person who hasn't asked about Tito's father." "I'm grateful." "But you must be really curious." "Aren't you?" "I Iike you both and I don't need to know more." "You're lying." "You don't have to tell me." "I also have things I prefer not to tell." "Are you married?" "I was." "And you?" "I thought you didn't care." "well, I do." "Who would marry a woman with a black kid?" "Some think I'm worse than a whore." "I don't." "What do you know?" "They say I slept with a black man and liked it." "Why not?" "I'd do it 1 ,000 times in order to have Tito." "But it wasn't just one." "It was many and they were drunk." "Don't touch me." "I don't know." "Since that day..." "It's as if all men kind of repulse me." "Do I?" "No." "Not if you don't touch me." "I don't want Tito to ever know the truth." "I don't know why I told you." "Because you trust me." "Tito." "Tito." "This is horrible." "I can't stay here any longer." "Go to the doctor's before sunset." "Get the papers he forged so Tito and I can go to France." "How will you do it alone?" "Like I always have." "I'II see you tomorrow." "Tonight I have to go to the dance so they won't suspect." "If you go to the dance, so will I." "They can't see us together." "Do it for me." "Take the doctor a bitten apple so he'II know I sent you." "One moment!" "Who is it?" "Forteza." "I'm coming." "Forteza, my friend." "Come in." "I suppose it's about the arm." "This apple is green." "Take off your coat." "Sit down." "Doctor, I came about the..." "Sit down, sit down." "Where did you get that thing?" "I saved its life in the Amazon." "It dove in the water, thinking it was a duck." "Was it this arm?" "I regret saving it." "I have a snake, too." "faithful and silent." "He can keep a secret." "tell ManueIa tomorrow, after the penalties." "Tendinitis takes time." "I might go with her." "Hurting your arm isn't the same as losing your head." "I have my papers and a truck." "You won't get far." "I know a therapist in Santander." "He has a boat." "A nice riverboat that can handle the Seine, up river, towards Paris." "relax, relax." "The city of art and liberty, where your tendinitis" "won't keep you from rubbing elbows with Picasso and ApoIIinaire and other celebrities that I met in my day..." "relax, relax." "...and who owe me inconfessabIe favours for..." "Do you know each other?" "Forteza, the great goalkeeper." "Mrs. Andrade is my patient." "We've already met." "Nice day, isn't it?" "Don't tell my husband I was here." "He hates foreign tongues, especially French." "You didn't see me, either." "He's so jealous!" "He only dances the tango." "Tricorn." "You came." "Yes, I did." "So did I." "López!" "Orozco." "Take him home." "It's late." "Forteza." "Tomorrow's participants have to go to bed early." "But you can do as you wish." "In that case, good night." "Good night." "Are you two involved?" "What do you think?" "I had no choice." "He thinks I'm easy because I slept with a black man." "Everyone does." "Do you?" "Did the doctor give you the papers?" "He gave me a massage and ate the apple." "I'm not joking." "Tomorrow, after the penalties at the beach." "I thought I might go with you." "Who are you looking for?" "Andrade ordered me to follow you." "well, I'm not here." "Neither is she." "people who smoke are reliable." "So collaborate." "It's better for everyone." "What were you saying?" "You look like best friends." "They want me to let them win." "I'd hate you if you did." "I won't." "They'II be furious if they lose." "I'm afraid for you." "I'II leave with Tito when I have the papers." "But first I want to see the town win." "Without cheating." "I'm sure you'II be fine." "They're smugglers." "They take cows to Santander." "The guards are in on it." "They never come here." "This is my father's grave." "They shot him after the war." "Got a match?" "No." "Our baggage." "I've had it ready for days, so we could leave quickly." "How will you get to France?" "With the cows, to Santander, on foot." "Then by boat." "I'II take you." "Why?" "Because I have a truck." "You're doing it for Tito?" "And for you." "For me?" "Why?" "I don't know." "I don't believe you." "I know." "We'II leave tomorrow, after the match." "No matter who wins." "No cheating." "Now kiss me." "Cigarettes, rolling papers, elegant combs, scented soap, cologne and pocket knives for every need..." "Come on, Tito." "EmiIio, count the money." "AII there, sir." "Perfect." "López, no guns!" "They could go off." "Orozco, for God's sake, take that off." "The pride of the Corps is in your hands." "You mean in his feet." "At your service, Sergeant." "UrsuIa, please." "Some candy, Tito?" "He doesn't like it." "Five shots per team." "If there's a tie, we continue." "The first goal wins." "Jacinto, why are you barefoot?" "Put on some shoes." "My boots are small." "Fine." "If you get hurt, your teammate goes on alone." "What if Forteza gets hurt?" "If it's serious, the match will be postponed." "The result stands no matter what." "Heads or tails?" "Heads." "tails." "Of course." "Goddammit." "Re-toss!" "We're off to a good start." "Heads." "Forteza, take position." "May the best man win." "What is it?" "Where's the ball?" "Didn't you have it?" "He took it." "What for?" "To paint it." "To paint it?" "Who would think of such nonsense?" "Sergeant Andrade." "BugIer." "Procede." "Look, not the flag again!" "Here we are." "Sergeant..." "Sergeant..." "What is it?" "It's wet." "It looks like blood." "López looks so handsome." "He looks martial." "Forteza's a fortress." "Let's shoot him." "relax, relax." "UrsuIa, behave yourself." "Come on, Jacinto." "Low, strong, and right." "Shut up, he can hear." "No doubts!" "Come on, Largo!" "Break your foot!" "He broke his foot." "It's broken." "One less." "Stay still." "Stay still." "Who would play barefoot?" "Come on, Orozco." "Let's kill them!" "He's good!" "Yeah, but we'II never score." "It's Pepin's turn." "He'II score." "Come on, Pepin, Iet's go." "One less." "It's up to you, Pepin." "Come on, Pepin!" "What's up?" "Pepin's going to shoot." "I wouldn't miss it!" "Come on, Forteza!" "Here goes Pepin." "That's Pepin." "Bravo, Forteza!" "We'II stop whenever you want." "Get ready, baIIbIocker." "We've got them now." "This one's for you, Sergeant." "For the Corps, López." "Nice body." "López!" "He got lucky." "Then get lucky and score." "Go, Pepin!" "Do it for your mother!" "Come on, Orozco." "Between us, how is Forteza?" "Much better." "You heard him, Orozco." "Why don't you give him medicine, too?" "He's on duty, for God's sake!" "Lisardo, give me that." "How do you get this off?" "It's boat-paint, Sergeant." "It looks like pig's blood!" "You're 20 years younger." "Shoot for his nuts." "What if I shoot softly?" "I'II kill you." "Sergeant Andrade wants you." "What is this interruption?" "Orders." "tell him on the field the referee is in charge." "The arm?" "The hip." "Can he continue?" "I don't know." "It's fine to make the people happy, but the Guard must not be defeated." "It would be nice if your pupil missed." "Shoot soft." "If you score I'II castrate you." "Come on!" "We've ruined this kid's career." "Don't complain, Lisardo." "Don't complain." "tell ManueIa I have the papers." "For your mother, Pepin!" "López, stand down." "How dare you come here!" "I have a right to play." "This is my town." "That's true." "Yes, but no." "We've come to win." "block it." "Nardo, stay calm." "If you leave, no one will shoot." "I'II shoot for the town." "If you shoot, we'II all get shot." "Andrade, arrest them." "Sergeant, he might as well shoot." "Go ahead, Iet him shoot." "But my goal was good!" "I'II decide that." "well, Father?" "It's good." "How exciting!" "I Iove soccer." "Now what?" "Nardo's going to shoot." "I don't see any shootout." "Company!" "Come on, Nardo!" "Get back!" "He let him score!" "I don't agree." "Due to injury to the goalie, the result is a tie." "No way!" "There has to be a winner!" "Victory or death!" "Unity and fight!" "He can't go on." "If not they'II fight." "Don't you see he can't go on?" "ManueIa, go away." "He can't go on." "please." "Nardo, shut them up." "Go ahead, López." "Bravo!" "Bravo!" "UrsuIa." "It's Nardo's turn." "Whatever happens, everyone will keep calm." "And I said everyone." "AII right?" "In that case, go ahead." "Let him shoot." "But I'II shoot last." "naturally." "Come on, Nardo." "Up with Spain!" "It's over!" "It's a tie." "No ties." "It's my turn." "What about me?" "I'II shoot." "Beat it, you drunk!" "Move, you little darkie!" "I'm going with them." "UrsuIa!" "Demagogue!" "Move!" "Don't make me shoot!" "They're running away!" "follow me!" "Let's get them!" "Stop!" "It's a trap!" "Where's he going?" "They'II kill him!" "Quiros, come back!" "Here comes the Guard!" "Get them!" "They're leaving!" "Forteza, your cut." "Thank you, Father." "Are you all right?" "Better than ever." "Me, too." "Besides, we're rich!" "Go on, Tito." "Open it." "Two pesetas!" "Two pesetas?" "Two pesetas." "Damn priest!"