"EARLY MORNING, 17th." "DECEMBER, 2001" "Has Carla Masotta arrived?" "No, not yet." "Hello, this is Carla." "Please leave a message." "Thank you." "I just wondered how you were." "As I lost you on the way..." "Anyway, call me." "I don't want to pretend nothing happened, Carla." "Let's talk, okay?" "Bye." "No, don't!" " Are you okay like that?" " Yes, yes..." "God!" "Tano?" "Tano?" "Men!" "WIDOWS ON THURSDAYS" "A FEW MONTHS EARLIER" "Transactions started falling a year ago." " Tano says..." " You can't say no to such an offer." "It's best to keep some money here." "Tano knows somebody at the bank..." "I paid 300,000 and 2 weeks ago it was quoted at 2 million." " Just like Paris!" " Quite a deal." "What a party!" "Tano's surpassed himself." "He chose the waitresses himself." "Don't even ask how he..." "Look at Teresa." "Remember when they first came to live here?" "It was only five years ago." "She looked so insignificant then!" " Hello there!" " Hello." "Where were you there?" "Fantastic beach, 5-star hotel, all included." "Teresa's like a queen." "She looks divine, doesn't she?" "I haven't seen Tano yet." "Where is he?" "When I was a kid, I believed in God." "They said he'd never let me down." "But when I really needed him, he wasn't there." "Then I started believing in democracy." "I thought it was the answer to everything..." "Everybody eats, everybody learns, everybody's healthy..." "Remember?" "Know what I believe in now?" "Money." "It's the international language." "With cash in your pocket, people understand you wherever you go." "If you have faith, money won't fail you." "God, on the other hand..." "That looks good on you, Tano." "I look like an ice-cream vendor." "The things you do for love, right?" "My wife's the only one who's never let me down." "Neither has money, of course." "That's why I'm telling you." "Think of Luisina." "She's having a bad time." "Give her all she needs, buy her another car, take her to Europe." "And if you're not sure..." "Be honest with yourself." "Take a look." "What do you see?" "I see a family man, hard-working, with initiative." "What more could you ask of a guy?" "So when you look in the mirror, ask yourself..." ""Don't I deserve everything?"" " Hello." " Hello." " How are you?" "Come on in." "Well, Martin?" "Any news?" "Interviews, that's all." "Nothing definite at the moment." " Any news of the Norwegian?" " They say he's already here." "I'll introduce you." "But be cool, okay?" "Nobody wants to be near a man in flames." "Do I look that bad?" "Lala could help you out." "Your wife's perfect for things like this." "You still haven't told her?" " Hi, Luisina." " Hi, Tano." "It's so nice to see you." "Same here." "Sergio told me about your mother." " Yes, it's really hard." " Life's a bitch, right?" " As long as she doesn't suffer..." " That's the main thing." "The only thing that matters." "Can I steal him for a second?" "Quite a party you're giving." "And thanks." " Well..." " Take a lesson from Tano, darling." " He played really well." " Excuse me." "Cinthia will see you on Monday." "She's great, don't worry." "Cinthia, my assistant, this is Sergio." " Hello." " Hello." "He'll be in on Monday to sign the insurance papers." " Fine." " She's a real pro." " Just leave everything to her." " Thanks, Tano." "Hey, Mavi!" "Tano must have a bad conscience." "This isn't his kind of thing." "Jazz, theme parties..." " Is that what you think?" " Yes." "Right, none of this is really his style." "Except for his present to Teresa." "Wait till you see it." "People wear white at funerals in India." "Death's a clean business there, not messy like here." "Tano, you've gone over the top with this party." "Tell me, what do you see in Ronnie?" "I love the poor guy but you..." "He has a dick this long." "Come on!" "I've seen him in the locker rooms." "He keeps it in his bedside table, and as he loves me so much, he lends it to me." "What's all this "new age" stuff?" "Spirituality is my wife's line." "I just buy it for her." "I wanted some too but I missed the queue." " But I can get you some." " No, thanks." "Let's go together." "Teresa won't mind." "Shut up, idiot!" "Enjoy yourselves and don't miss the cake." "You should see the number of candles they bought." "Two polo pitches, three golf courses, thirty tennis courts, two basketball and two football fields, fifteen daytime and twenty two nighttime security guards," "CCTV cameras with... 180-degree perimeter coverage..." "Used to be 360 degrees, but we changed them, we wanted to feel safe, not watched." "This is heaven on earth." " Have you got any kids?" " No." "This place has a high fertility rate." "Must be the water." "Even though no-one drinks tap water here." "Shall I take you upstairs?" "There's a small study, the master bedroom is huge." "No, there's no need." "No need." "The balcony's lovely." "You can even barbecue there..." "Will two guarantees be okay?" "I can send you the papers today." "Won't your wife...?" "What's her name?" "Carla." "Won't she want to see it?" "It's a surprise." "She used to teach English." "A new member for the "Pilates, Solarium, Coiffeur  Manicure" club..." "No, she's in the "Misanthropes and Cynics" club, like you." "She studies mankind as she brews her poison." "Ronnie." "Ronnie!" "Don't do anything stupid or show me up." "Just this once, show that appearances are deceptive." "Just this once, appearances... are deceptive." " Hi." " Hi." " Hi." " You're Carla, right?" " Yes." " I'm Mavi from the estate agency, and this is my husband Ronnie." " Hello, Ronnie." " Hello." "We live here too, so from now on, we're neighbors." "We've brought you some shitty stuff to add to your chaos." " Thanks." " We always do that." "It's part of the price you have to pay." "What a fantastic racket!" " Does your husband...?" " Yes, he plays." "Excuse me." "Hello." "Gustavo?" "Yes." "Hi, I'm Ronnie." "Mavi's husband." "Call me whenever you like and I'll show you around." "I don't know when I'll finish..." "That's okay." "If you're not too tired," "I'll give you a tour." "Let's not bother her any more." "I'd offer you a drink, if I could find the glasses..." "There'll be plenty of other times." "We're all like one big family." " Part of the charm of the place." " Karma, more like." " Be seeing you then." " Bye." " Bye." " Bye." "You're going to love the bedroom." "The wardrobe is huge, as you wanted." "Well?" "Been making friends?" "Yes, they seem nice." "Too nice for my liking." "Do you want to stand out from the start?" "You'd better rent a bunker next time." "Look, honey..." "There won't be a next time." "Come here." "Did I or didn't I promise in front of my therapist?" "Yes." "From now on, everything will be just fine." "That's it!" "Yes!" "Good one, Carlitos." " Who's that?" " I don't know." " Fancy a drink?" " Yes." "Hi." "Hold on." "Come here a minute." "This is a new resident." "Gustavo Masotta." " This is Tano and Martin." " Nice to meet you." " Same here." " Hello." "Tano's the uncrowned king..." "around here." "He runs an international firm, Dutch in origin." "Fantastic wife, gorgeous kids." "The greatest guy in the world... as long as you don't beat him at anything." "Not even at hide-and-seek!" "And watch out, the girls pee their pants for him." "Martin's... the lawyer at a global pharmaceutical." "A fierce defender of their right to poison you." "So every time you pop a pill, thank him for the trip." "He's what you might call our..." "lawman here." "And what about you?" "Me?" "I'm just the jester." "A guy of no importance." "Tano, did you see him play?" "6-0, 6-0 in less than an hour." "And as fresh as a daisy." " Fancy something to eat?" " Fine by me." "Unless you want to play a little longer?" "I'll think about it." "With this schedule..." "If you decide to, give me a call." "All the girls are going." " Okay, thank you, Teresa." "Great." " Bye." " Good morning, madam." " Morning." "Any calls?" " No, madam." " My husband?" "I haven't seen him this morning." " Did the children have a good breakfast?" " Sofi hardly touched her cereals." "Hello, this is Carla." "Please leave a message." "Thank you." "Madam!" "Madam!" "Call security!" "Would you mind closing his eyes?" "The chief of police gave me the thumbs up." "We're in luck." "What about Ronnie?" "Doesn't he...?" "Didn't he... always have dinner with them on Thursdays?" "He left early." "I passed Mavi when I came back from dinner." "Please try and locate Carla Masotta." "She isn't at home, doesn't answer the phone..." "The circuit breaker failed." "Any idea who did the installation?" "If anyone's responsible, that's where to look." "Just say the word and I'II..." "Fate." "Excuse me, please." "I have to answer it." "Hello?" "How are you?" "No, actually..." "I had it turned off." "Your voice... you're scaring me." "What's wrong?" "What?" "The three of them?" "That's ridiculous!" "Are you serious?" "I don't believe it!" "Last night?" "What time last night?" "Have you spoken to the girls?" "No, I'm not at the office at the moment." "Yes, Ronnie... was there last night but he came home." "Look, I can't talk now." "I'll call you later, okay?" "That's a ridiculous style." "You want to be an Olympic swimmer or what?" "No." "Swimming along the bottom instead of on the surface..." "You want to be a diver?" "Or an oceanographer?" "I just want to swim, that's all." "You're weird." "But I like that." "They say you need a strong male role model, because your dad hasn't worked for ages." "What do you care what people say?" "He's been at Lakelands school since he was a kid." " Shall I take him out?" " No." "What can they do to him?" "Nothing but... they're putting it out that he doesn't fit in there." "They don't like people who are different." "You make it sound like my son's gay or something." " No!" " Lf he was gay, he'd be... charming and affectionate." "He's just weird, that's all." "This place is like a jungle." "I thought Tano would have him bumped off." "No, as "Don Vito" said:" ""Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."" "Not only gorgeous but a good player." " I told you so." " Tano's over the moon." "His wife's a looker too." "You've seen her?" "What does she do?" "Does she work?" " Hello?" " Where is she?" "Is she a hermit or something?" "Why not ask him yourself?" "We should form a sexual welcoming committee." " Really, Lala!" " Oh, let me dream." "I'm the wife of the chairman of the board of ethics." "Without my fantasies I've nothing." " Yes, damn it!" " Well played." "Very good, guys." "Hi." "Pity your wife couldn't come." "Is she working?" "What do you do Thursdays?" "We meet up at my place." "For a good roast." "What do you say?" " Shall we go?" " You play poker?" " Do you play?" " What's the matter?" "Nothing." "When did Tano find another doubles partner?" "So what?" "I'm not married to him." "I know." "He was always the lucky one." "EVER HEARD OF THE NEUTRON BOMB?" "NEVER." "IT'S ASMART BOMB" "THAT KILLS PEOPLE BUT LEAVES BUILDINGS INTACT." "THAT'S A COOL INVENTION." "Sorry." "I did knock but... you didn't hear because you had..." "Still glued to the computer?" "No wonder you fall asleep in class." "All that stuff will turn you into one." "School's not very interesting." "Yeah, sure, I know." "But just pretend a bit, huh?" "People get annoyed if you make them feel... unworthy." "It's better if they think you're stupid than..." "I know, Dad, I know." "Anyway... don't stay up too late, okay?" "Good night." "DID A NEUTRON BOMB FALL ON YOU?" "NOT YET." "ARE YOU AS X-TREME AS YOU SAY?" "WHAT ARE YOU LIKE?" "ON THE OUTSIDE I'M A BEAUTIFUL GIRL." "ON THE INSIDE I'M REALLY ROTTEN" " TO THE CORE." "Nena said the Uribarris..." "You know who I mean?" "The Uribarris?" "The cousins of Rodrigo Belloch, the architect." "The one who lives in Barcelona." "Who's Rodrigo Belloch?" "You haven't a clue, have you?" "They bought a house near Montreal, so that they could ski all year." "But apparently it's thirty below zero... ten months a year there." "Imagine that." "By the time you got to the end of the slope you'd be like a block of ice." "Slow down, that's too rough." "Relax your tongue." "Haven't you ever licked an ice-cream cone?" "Not this flavor, as I recall." "You liar!" "Don't make me talk." "I ought to kill you but I see you down there and think..." "Tere, please!" "I think of when we were kids." "So cute, so pure." "We used to dream of a house like this and living like this." "We thought it was all we needed." "We were so naive." "But people always need more." "You were always the only one for me and always will be." "You've pulled off a deal." "Admit it." "When you do that behind the company's back, you always get horny." "Oh ye of little faith!" "I don't need anything to make me horny." "You always had an instant effect on me." "Watch." "Did you hear about Luisina's mother?" "Skin cancer." "Is this your idea of a stimulating conversation?" "The poor woman." "And she was always so vain." " How did you hear?" " Never underestimate your husband." "I always know what I need to know." "You can't live in a state of permanent conflict." "Life is a state of permanent conflict." "It's always the same game." "Death wish versus life wish." "I'm talking about economic policy, handling power." "Are you two trying to scare him off?" "Hello." " Hello." " How are you?" " Fine." " Everything okay?" " Fine." " Want a beer?" " Yes." " Two." "It's hello and goodbye, I have to go." "I'm already late!" "Don't rush, Mavi's not ready yet!" "Ah, Mavi..." "Hello, Gustavo, how are you?" "That's why I always pick her up last." "My wife always looks sassier and sexier when she goes out without me!" "That head of yours never stops." "One day it'll get you into trouble!" " Have a good time." "Bye." " Bye, baby." "We're like giants." "You disappeared." "I went out." "Out where?" "The real outside." "Where the real monsters roam." "Where do you think I get this?" "Don't worry, this is a blind spot for the cameras." "The only one in the whole place." "A kid could die here and no-one would know." "How do you know?" "Hold this." " It's okay." " Hi." "Bye." "If your old lady found out..." ""Oh, Trina!" "Are you trying to kill me?"" "That's part of the fun." "...Teresa's masseur." "It depends what you need." "Mine's much better." " Hello." " Good evening, ladies." " Hi." "Good evening." " Welcome." "I see you've brought another widow along this Thursday." "This way." ""Widows" is just a joke." "They call us "The Thursday widows"." "Because our husbands get together on Thursdays." " They drink like fish." " They lose money and fight." "Martin has to break them up all the time." "That's why we run away!" "We haven't been dancing for a long time." " Teresa." " What?" "You never want to dance." "I don't know what to do." "It'd be best to get the money out of the country." "Then do it now." "What with the current interest rate..." "So high it makes me suspicious." "Pass." " Pass." " Pass." "Right, I'II..." "I'II..." "Yours..." "You bastard!" "Is it my fault you can't bluff?" "Come on!" "We met in Buzios." "I thought he was Brazilian at first." "He spoke perfect Portuguese, and when he finally said he was Argentine, I almost killed him." ""If I'd told you, you wouldn't have given me a chance."" "And he was right." "So two hours later there we were in my room, and I came back as white as when I arrived." "And did you get this in Buzios?" "No, I got it before." "He doesn't like me having tattoos." " What year was that?" "98?" " 99." "Not so long ago." "So you're still in the "love zone"." " What's the "love zone"?" " The first few years." "Romance, sex in every room and depilation every week." "So what does the future hold?" " Heartburn, honey." " Sex in the dark..." "And being prepared for any eventuality." "That's all talk." "She's as faithful as Lassie." "If I was Mavi..." "What comes after the "love zone"?" "The "grey zone"." "Sounds awful." "Call it a period of reassessment." "Once you've seen the reality, you can answer what before were only questions." ""Was this what I wanted?" "This man, this sense of dependence, these demands?"" " "These weaknesses, these obsessions."" " Careful with that..." "It starts with the tattoos, and before you know it..." "Dessert, ladies?" " Yes." "I'll have a..." " "Don Pedro"." "Right." " 12-year-old whisky." " And don't be stingy." "If Teresa saw us..." "The dog pisses here all the time." "So shall I send the money abroad?" "That depends on your faith in the banking system, Martin." "I'm making so much money here..." "You still haven't told her." "If Lala finds out from somebody else, it'll be worse." "Stop fucking around." "The Norwegian will call me before she finds out." "So what do you think?" "Never trust a guy that gives advice with his dick in his hand." "I heard the Dutch are packing their bags... and keeping the subsidiary company in Brazil." "What will you do now?" "Take the money we agreed on." "Send the money abroad, and make a living with a new business I set up." "Ever heard of viatication?" " Viati...?" " Viatication." " No." " I bought some databases... from insurance companies, and made a list of people with terminal illnesses." "I advance them some money, so they can enjoy it while they are still alive." "Or they can use it to pay for their treatment, and I get their insurance when they die." "Superb, Tano!" "That is superb!" "And I thought you'd kill me the minute I told you!" "No, really." "It's superb!" "The way it exposes the very essence of the system." "Which is predatory, clearly." "I mean, it's capitalism." "In its purest form." "What would happen... if there was nobody left with blood to suck?" "I mean, the system can't work without them, can it?" "What would become of us?" "How would we manage?" "For God's sake, I can't sleep thinking about it..." "If you want some milk, go to the fridge." "What would happen to us if we lived under water?" "There's no way of knowing." "If you don't exploit people, they'll exploit you." "Not necessarily." "Of course, you could always belong to a royal family." "Or live on other people's generosity." "Or be born with magic in your feet like Maradona." "But what about people like us?" "Everybody has their share of guilt." "That's the price you pay." "And you know what?" "I don't think it's too high." "I've got kids." "So have you." "I want to fuck." "Now." "Gustavo." "What's the matter?" "Nothing." " Are you sure?" " No, really." "A bad dream." "Go back to sleep." "Go back to sleep." "Go back to sleep." "Carla?" "Call my therapist tomorrow, please." "Make me an appointment, okay?" "What were you dreaming about?" "I dreamed I was killing you." "Top of the range, high finish, thematic, air-brushed, hand-painted..." "Once you've made your choice, we can adapt it to your preferences." "There are different types of lids, bottoms, fittings, linings..." "Excuse me." "Yes?" "Again?" "Give them till tomorrow, but no later." "Okay." "Sorry, but with the bank accounts all frozen, to be paid is getting more difficult each day." "Excuse me a moment." "Tere..." "How's Ronnie?" "Under sedation." "Which is for the best." "When he's awake he's impossible." "What with the pain in his leg and..." "Did he say anything else?" "Just that he went home because... he'd drunk a lot and had a headache." "Whenever he thinks of it, he starts crying like a baby." "I think there's something... he's just not able to tell me." "BANK BALANCE OCTOBER" "EXPENSES OCTOBER" "CURRENT BALANCE" "The ryegrass will last till November." "All the same shade." "That's to avoid color clashes between houses." "Green, green..." "Yellow, ugh, it would be awful!" "You have 2,000 square meters of garden." " Right." " At 1,000 per 30 square meters..." " But that's..." " It's expensive, but wait till you look through the window in winter." "Ryegrass is more than grass, it's a statement." "An anti-depressant in the form of seeds." ""Buy ryegrass and you'll be happy."" " You haven't been yet, Lala." " No." "Caro told me to come before everyone else." "I bought those lovely glasses she had." "Remember them?" "What kind of person sells off their daughter's Barbies?" "And, "We're going to Miami." "Carlos is being transferred there." They must think we're stupid." "There are no secrets here." "Sooner or later it all comes out." " Carolina never had ryegrass." " No!" "Lala?" "Lala, are you here?" "Lala?" "Madam's not here, sir." "Wash this for me now, please." "Blood's a damn nuisance." "Where's she gone?" "To Miss Nena's, to see her garden." "I'll bring you a clean shirt." "Oh, sorry." "I knocked but I didn't..." "I thought you weren't here." "Then why did you come in?" "Go ahead, have a good search." "I was on my way out." " Another one!" " So what?" ""Notifications are not accrued." "There is no limit." "They do not amount to or incur disciplinary action."" "Lakelands School Regulations, paragraph 20." "You should know." "You voted in favor of it." "When they make you chairman of the parents' association, and they will..." "Lady Macbeth's already hatching plans... remind me I have a few suggestions." "Where are you going?" " To the slums." " Have you gone mad?" "You do like adventure tourism." " Well, it's the same but free." " You're staying here." "Trina, I'm talking to you." "The thing is when you talk, nobody listens." "Aren't you used to that by now?" "Do you remember how "Macbeth" ends?" "The law." "Our most faithful employee." "You've been working out." "Very good." "We like that." "With your official permission, agent..." "Whatever." "Juan!" "What are you doing there?" "Come on." "You can help me in the kitchen." "You were sent back to your childhood?" "What have you done today?" " I went swimming." " Of course you did." "You'd go if it was the end of the world." " Give me a kiss?" " Oh, Mum!" "How was school?" "Isn't that obvious too?" "I managed to avoid the taxes." "I ran into Armand." "They're hiring new people." "Below management level." " Can I go?" " No." "We could find out at least." "Would you move back in with your folks?" "Well, I couldn't go back to a lower position." " More flan?" " No." " Let me go." "You two can talk better..." " No!" "What we should do is sell this place, and buy another somewhere else." "Don't change the subject." "We're talking about you." "And I do want more flan." "Give me some, please." "I want some more too." "Do you think it's easy for me?" "I have to cope with everything." "The office, the house, your moods." "My moods." "Family matters." "Hold on." "Weren't we talking about me?" "I know it's hard being a man." "It's all I've done since I was born." "So if my kind has borne the burden for so long, why shouldn't women be able to too?" "Luengo has bought a Mac... as big as the fridge." "Would you like one like that?" " Can I go?" " No!" "Speak." "Say something." "At least pretend to be part of this family." "Luengo watches porn on the Internet and jacks off to it." "Juan!" " You told me to say something." " But not something disgusting!" "I climbed his tree the other night." " He was at it all night." " Get out!" "Out of my sight!" "Go!" "Now!" " Good night." " Good night." "Who'd have thought Luengo would do that?" "I never would." "So?" "Did they offer it to you?" "If they didn't, challenge them." "They're slow to offer management posts but if you insist..." "Make them notice you." "People never appreciate what they don't see." "You never complain, even when they replace you." "Not even at tennis." "Look how easy it was with Tano." "Could you sign here and here, please?" "I'm trying to remain calm... and keep my dignity despite all the tragedy." "This isn't fair!" " Lala, please." " You wanted to avoid... any scandal and I said okay." "Now, make yourself responsible!" "My husband was put into that ambulance without his wedding ring." "I don't care how, but make sure it's found!" "It was Martin's wedding ring..." "I've got the same insurance." "And it's fine... if you want to make sure your family's covered." "But if you don't want to bequeath the money, or you have to spend it all on treatment like your uncle..." "Yes, it's crazy." "MESSAGE FROM CARLA DO YOU HAVE EGGS?" "Wouldn't you rather pay for the best possible treatment than regret it later?" "You do the best you can." "The rest is luck." "Okay, Carlos." "I'll call you back." "Don't you worry." "Bye." "Sometimes I wake up and wonder where I am." "Everything seems just too perfect, too unreal." "I'm scared of somebody saying..." ""Well, that's it, Tano." "It's all over." "It was all a reality show." "Now get back where you came from." "Back to public transport." "Back to your dad's newsstand." "Get back."" "Sometimes I feel like..." "I don't belong here." "That I'm out of place." "Like I was hiding from the police." "Afraid people will think I'm not innocent, even though I am, and point me out." "Report me to the police." "And I always thought I was the only one." "Is that what you mean?" "Bye, Tano." "Take care." "Bye." "What's my baby doing home so early?" "I didn't feel very well." " Really?" " My stomach." "It's a bit upset." "Really?" "You're kidding me." "The one time I cooked dinner!" "Just when I'd made cheesecake." "A recipe of Teresa's." "It'll be interesting to see how it's worked out." "What a miracle, it was good." "I don't understand all this feng shui stuff." "It's all mumbo-jumbo." "I mean, how can where you put the furniture affect your sleep or your health?" "If life was as simple as that..." " What's the matter?" " I don't like the sauce." "Since when?" "The times I've seen you..." "Since today I don't like it." "And so what?" "I'm telling you." "I don't like the sauce." " And that's that." " Hey, take it easy." "What was Tano doing here?" "He brought me the eggs I needed for..." "Are you fucking with me?" "You slut!" "Are you fucking with me?" "No, I'm not." "He came to ask about Tere." "Do you think I'm stupid?" "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." "No, don't tremble like that, baby." "Everything's going to be all right." "Everything's going to be all right." "The decree that freezes the bank deposits..." "No person will be able to withdraw... more than 300 pesos or dollars by week, quoting the minister..." "Avanti, Scaglia-Masotta, che la vittoria e nostra!" " Stop shouting." " Tano!" " Funny about Carla, isn't it?" " Yes." "Martin and Lala never miss a game." "You're forgetting today's Saturday." " Martin is at the Ethics Board." " And Lala?" "May I remind you again to turn off your mobiles, please?" "Hello." "We've been waiting for you." "Where are you?" "Here?" "Where?" " Fifteen love." " I'll come to you." " Back in a minute." " Okay." "Thirty love." "Take it easy." "Imagine them dead." "See it in your mind." "All you have to do is put the coffin lid on." "Just a little nudge, like this." "How about something more in your line?" "Like teaching English at Lakelands maybe." "It's hard to get in but I could ask." "That'd take a long time." "I need to get out and about now." "What a day!" "Don't call me now, Lala." "The game's started." "We can talk later." "Good one, Tano!" "Carla, it isn't a good time." "It's pretty dead." "Real estate is higher than ever before and sales are lower." "I made my last sale three months ago." "You don't even have to pay me." "But I need to do something, get out, keep my mind occupied." "If I stay cooped up here, I'll go mad." "Great!" "Good one!" "Good one!" "Excuse me." "Hello, Lala." "Look, I can't talk at the moment." "Probably at home asleep." "He did what?" "You're joking!" "Fucking hell, man!" "Come on, we're leaving." " But they're just getting started!" " We need to speak to your son." "Where...?" "But, Mavi..." " Hi." " Hi." " Hi, Carla." " Hi, Carla." "Hi, gorgeous." "You know what they'll do?" "Ban you from the clubhouse." "You'll have to use our swimming pool." " Oh, no, it's the end of the world!" " Don't you..." " This is supposed to be a conversation." " You're crazy." " Don't call me crazy!" " Let's see..." "Look, Martin will sort it out." "He's got Lala off the hook enough times." "That's not the point." "We've given you everything." "Love, the best education..." "Why did you do it?" "What else do you want from us?" "I bet you've been smoking that shit..." "He's done some stupid things without that." "I know I'm always telling you to open up, but I just can't understand how you could do such a thing." "There's a wide range of choices... between autism and exhibitionism." "Whatever were you thinking?" "In full view of everybody!" "In broad daylight!" " Why did you take out your...?" " Dick, Mum." "The word is dick." " I'm sick of you both!" " Come here." "Just like I said, a little nudge, that's all." " Congratulations!" " Thank you very much." "Look at this cup, son." "Hello, princess." "Did you see us?" "We're the champions." "Where's Mummy?" " Carla was sad so she went to her." " Oh, did she?" " Congratulations!" " Hi." "This used to be used a lot." "But people started letting their horses go." "Lala's girl had a filly..." "It was bitten by a bat and had to be destroyed." "Rabies." "Other times." "The enclosure was lovely." " Have you seen it?" " No." "Thank goodness you caught me." "I almost had a heart attack." "I hate seeing you this way." "It breaks my heart." "Is there anything I can do?" "Anything you need?" "Money, a place to stay, a lawyer..." "No, thank you." "Really." "I want to help Gustavo through this." "It's the least I can do." "Providing he tries his hardest." "He'd only be worse if I left him." "You have to think of yourself too." "I am." "I think of that marvelous, perfect Carla Gustavo sees." "Who could see you any other way?" "You're a great girl." "It's hard to think straight when you're overwrought." "I have something for that." "No, my doctor suggested sedatives, but they make me feel worse." "Like I'm dead inside." "Like a zombie." "I prefer to have control of my feelings." "They haven't invented a pill to relieve pain... without dulling the mind." "I need a clear head." "Even though it hurts." "My life depends on it." "Ronnie's is the one with the gold ribbon." "Juan's is over there." "The red book." "If it's for Juan, I bet I know what you got." "A bible." "He needs to come back into the fold and the First Lady of Ethics..." "It's "Gormenghast" by Mervyn Peake." "A masterpiece of fantasy." "Juan may be weird but at least he's intelligent." "Aren't you a bit early?" "It's still a month till..." "The mall was empty and they had new collections." "In a week's time there'll be nothing." " Teresa always says..." " Ah, Teresa!" "Of course." "If Teresa says so, then it must be right." "Can you pour me gin and tonic, Manuela?" "Thanks." "What did you get me?" "Or have you hidden it like when I was a kid?" "I haven't got you anything." "That's not right." "Even the bad boys get something." "It can't be a school uniform." "You gave me one last year." "What I want to give you isn't on sale." "You really went over the top." "I knew you'd like it." "I'm glad they didn't stop me coming here." " I could talk to my old man." " No." "So what will you do now?" "The pool at home." "I like to dive to the bottom and stay there all I can." "Have you ever timed yourself?" "Can you stay down for very long?" "Two minutes, two minutes five." " What's that?" " I bought it down in the slums." "Cheaper than beer and stronger too." "The kids get really high on it." "Smoking's okay, but that..." "They say it fucks your brain." "Exactly." "What do I need a brain for here?" "Or outside." "What's it good for?" "Mindless people are better off." "I want to take care of my brain." "It's all I've got." "That's what I heard." "Those who saw you weren't very impressed." " Dickhead." " You're the dickhead." "Got a condom?" "You see?" "Such a big brain but you don't use it!" "Safe sex then." "Did you tell Joaquin he wasn't going with the kids?" " Where?" " Rafting." "It's not dangerous." "All the guys are going..." "It wasn't because of that." "If it's because of the expense, everything's okay." "There are other things to worry about." "Like who'll teach Joaquin how to get frustrated... if we don't?" "Life will teach him." "You know how it is." "You have to learn those things as a kid, when you're resilient." "With lots of staying power." "After that it's too late." "What are you doing?" "Personalized cards." "Photos instead of names on the presents." "Coming to bed?" "In a minute." "Luisina's mother is really bad." "In a minute." " Hello." "Can you all hear me?" " Yes." "As on every 8th December for the last six years," "Tano and I want to give you a little show." "It's our way of saying how happy we are... to be members of this community." "In an ever more selfish world, we'd like to share the idea with you... that there's nothing like personal happiness, and that when our nearest and dearest are happy," " we're happy too." " Blah blah blah..." " Hypocrisy, sentimentalism, ...a special hello to the kids." "Santa Claus!" " Hi, kids!" " Hi!" " Are you being good?" " Yes!" " And your mummies and daddies?" " No!" "There'll be no presents for some this year." "You've been bad, so no present for you." "Everybody with cards asking for presents... put the card in this box and I'll take them with me." "See you at Christmas." "Bye now." " Bye, mummies and daddies." " Bye now." "Now!" "Look!" "Look at that one." " Hi." " Hello, Tere." "Sofi wants you to go and sit next to her." " Off you go." " Okay." " Your wife's marvelous." " Yes." "If you hurt her again, you'll be in trouble." "You forgot to say the most important thing." "This may be hard to believe, but nobody behaves worse than grown-ups." "You've got nothing to lose." "But I have." "Shall I leave the money in the wall again?" " José..." " Hello." "I'm so sorry, José." "Excuse me..." " Tano..." " I'm so sorry, Sergio." "Thank you for coming." "Such a shame." "Tano, do me a favor." "Stay here." "Don't go to Luisina." "Teresa just said hello to her." " She's really upset." " Why shouldn't I?" "You know women." "They get confused..." "Is this about the insurance?" "And I did you both such a favor." "Don't you fucking touch me!" "It was you who went to Europe on the old lady's insurance money." "And now I am the vulture?" "Tano..." "Somebody has to pay for that kind of lifestyle." "You think it all came from nowhere?" "By the grace of God?" "You think you can point your finger at other people?" "You're this deep in it, like me!" "This deep!" " Don't bother, Tano." " Get off, Ronnie." "Let's go, Tere." "Come on, Tano." "Come on." "Tere..." "Open the door." "I should have told you before, I know." "But I hoped I could fix things without you having to suffer." "How could I have anticipated something like this?" "How could I have anticipated this black death..." "This meltdown?" "I didn't do anything wrong, Lala." "You know I did exactly the same as everybody else." "The country's fallen apart." "Overnight the banks crashed, credit dried up, and heads started rolling at the office." "One after another." "Like the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland." "Trina... always cried at that part." "That's why... and it breaks my heart... we have to sell the house so that..." "No, listen." "Let me finish." "Let me finish." "We can use some of the money to pay off the loan and go... somewhere you'd like." "Miami if you want." "But let's choose a serious country." "We don't deserve this, do we?" "A real country, with a solid base." "With nothing to hold us back." "No clouds on the horizon." "But at least we're together." "Together we'll manage." "I should have told you before... but..." "I should have told you before." "I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word, act and omission." "Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault." "And I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, the angels and all the saints and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God." "May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life." "Amen." "Father, hear our prayer." "We beg your mercy, for Luis Alberto Scaglia," "Martin Ordóñez and Gustavo Masotta, whom you have called from this world into your presence." "Grant them light and perpetual peace, and allow them to be present at the assembly of your saints and friends." "I'LL WAIT FOR YOU IN THE UNFINISHED HOUSE" "Juan, I'm off." "I've left you some food in the microwave." "Today's Thursday and Dad's with Tano." "Call him if you need to." "The economic activity is virtually paralyzed." " Transport isn't..." " Popular assemblies are being held..." "The slogan "Everyone out" is running from mouth to mouth." "Protests are repeated throughout every place..." "The death toll is at 15, but unofficial sources... are certain the toll is higher." "I've had it with this!" "I want everyone to quit!" "Shortage of supplies is around the corner." "People are afraid to go out." "Let's not overreact." "Everything's okay here." "What if the people from the slums start stampeding?" " Lala, they're not animals." " That's why we have surveillance." "Sure, five men against five hundred." "Hello." "Sorry I'm late, I couldn't stop watching the TV." "You see?" "I don't know how we'd cope... without our credit cards." "Martin..." "Did you get the money out or...?" "I got caught like everybody else." "Tano warned me but I was too greedy for the interest." "Well, at least you've got a job." "You got out in time, right?" "The money's safe." "But I've no clients left." "How long will what I've got last?" "The money just runs away like water." "Come on, play." "How many did you want?" "Good one!" "Very good!" "One day you had to lose." "Why did you make me come?" "Don't you know I'm on duty?" "Don't you get tired of looking after all those turds?" "What are you doing?" "You've gone crazy." "Isn't this what you wanted?" "Get off, you bastard, or I'll report you!" "Who'd get you the goods then?" "Will you go down to the slums?" "Go on, tell me." "I've got you on tape, selling drugs to the other kids." "You really believed there was a blind spot?" "You're my little pussy cat!" "My slave!" "And you'll do whatever I say." "You give them everything." "Love, the best education..." "And they treat you like dirt." "It's all part of the process." "Remember your teenage years?" "You're still in time." "Kids come into the world to eat you up." "Simple as that." "To point out your defects, to laugh at you in your old age." "Lala, it's not that bad." "Oh, be quiet, Teresa, please." "You live in a kind of paradise." "Your kids adore you, your husband's fantastic..." "Normal people are different from you." "Normal people suffer, feel, have problems." " Will you take it easy?" " What have I done now?" "I say she's happy and she gets offended." "What do you all think about death?" "We all know you don't like losing, Tano." "But don't overreact." "I wouldn't want to die to that music, unless heaven's one big shopping mall." "I hate thinking about endings." "Of everything coming to an end." "I like life too much." "You like your life, Tano." "If you'd been homeless..." "Life's what you make of it." "With a silver spoon in your mouth?" "I was born into a middle-class family." "There's your silver spoon." "Or hadn't you realized?" "So what are we really talking about?" "Death?" "Or politics as always?" "If so, I'd rather talk about death." "It's less depressing." "I think there's what I'd call "the politics of death"." "That sounds interesting, but with this shitty music, I can't think." "So liberal for some things and fascist for others." "What I'm saying... is... that... death's okay as long as it happens to everybody else." "Cheeky guy!" "And plays according to some rules." "Terrorists and civilians are death's predictable casualties." "Earthquake victims, the people who die every day in Africa... that's inevitable." "That's just the kind of shit I hate hearing from you..." "Would you prefer "foreseeable"?" "When you hear about that on the news, are you surprised?" "No." "Then you'll agree... that those deaths are part of what's normal for us," "of the rhythm of everyday life." "So..." "regarding my death... our deaths... we all have a chance of growing old, of going on till our bodies give out." "But there's no place for politics there." "That's all too painful, too overwhelming." "There's nothing left to negotiate." "There all you can do is resign yourself." "It's a question... of doing things while you're in a position to dictate conditions." "Now, for instance." "Death isn't the IRS." "There's no negotiating." "What I mean is this:" "I think it's possible to grab something from death." "Not necessarily money, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at it." "But it could be the answer to other things." "Right now." "Imagine... what'd happen if we were in the pool... and the wind blew the hi-fi into the water?" " Nothing because of the circuit breaker." " And if it didn't work?" "If I put it out of action?" "We'd all fry." "Right?" "Now imagine Martin losing his job." "With things as they are today, he'd have a hard time surviving." "But he could still get something out of death." "Lala would get the money from his insurance." "Wouldn't be a bad deal, would it?" "If the insurance company didn't suspect suicide." "Four people don't commit suicide together." "I'm talking about an accident with the circuit breaker." "And as for..." "Ronnie..." "Would stop being a burden on poor Mavi, who'd also get the insurance." "Show some imagination, Tano." "I was going to say if you left all the money to Greenpeace, or the Palestinian cause, but..." "if that's what you prefer." "And what about Gustavo?" "Let's say Gustavo was in real deep trouble of some sort, and couldn't get out of it." "It must be something I send out." "People are always asking me for things." "They never ask me how I am." "They seem to think I'm made of stone, that I don't have needs or problems." "That I don't have feelings." "But I do have feelings, Carla." "Sometimes I feel I'm going to explode." "Let's say I understood my well-being was based on the ill-being of others." "That's how the system works, as you know." "And I don't want to fuck anyone up." "You saying I'm right?" "Now it's me who needs to show some imagination." "That's the socio-political thesis." "But there's a romantic one too." "Imagine I love someone who doesn't love me." "Or that I want to flee from some unbearable truth." "Now that's a philosophical thesis." "Or that I'm tired... simply." "The existential thesis." "Take your pick." "Deep down... everybody could find a reason for dying." "You know what?" "I think you're feeling depressed." "Okay, let's say you're right." "I think you can still think clearly even when you're depressed." "Or can't you?" "Yes, you can." "I think my mind's never been so clear." "Let's look at it the other way, if you like." "Convince me I have a good reason to go on living." "And forget about the future in a world where there is none." "Or my kids, because I don't know them." "Or my wife." "Teresa doesn't..." "I know I'm a burden on Mavi but I also know... she loves me for... more than my ability to make money." "Killing myself would be a way of denying... all the other things I am." "And it would degrade her, as if I was saying she only saw me as some kind of provider." "And that's not how it is." "You're a lucky guy, Ronnie." "Then there's my son." "I know he's like a stranger..." "But why should you only love what you know?" "We're all stranded in this lonely universe." "But the fact that my son and I... managed to find ourselves in this void is nothing short of a miracle." "That's why I want to be near him." "Because he's the first thing I think of when I wake up." "Anyway, I think the best thing we can do... is go to bed and sleep off all this sadness." "Tomorrow is another day, as Scarlett O'Hara said." "Come on, Gustavo." "I think..." "I'll stay a bit longer." "If Tano doesn't mind." "Don't worry, Ronnie." "Juan's probably asleep." "You can watch some porn on the PC and nobody will bother you." "Well, good night then." "Bye." "Tano..." "All this stuff you've been saying..." "You weren't serious, were you?" "Of course I wasn't, dickhead." "Go on." "Good night." "Pass me the Dom Perignon, Tano." "Got any photos of Mavi in the nude?" " Of course." " Wanna buy one?" "Have you?" "So you've got some too?" "Give me one, mine are old." "Mine are fantastic." " Fuck off!" " Got them off the Internet." " Will you give me one?" " And I've got some of your mother." "Shall I call a doctor... to take a look at you?" "He could take photographs... for your statement to the police." "I'm not going to the police." "I'm not going." "Trina, did you go down to the slums?" "Did somebody attack you there?" "Report the bastards to the police." "You think the police will find them?" "Of course they won't." "I'd only feel humiliated, Juan." "I don't want that." "I want you to stay with me." "And hold me." "You're so beautiful, Juan." "So good." "I want you to kiss me, that's all I need." "Did you end up arguing again?" "Tell me, Virginia..." " Am I a burden to you?" " Don't be silly." " Lf I wasn't here..." " Why wouldn't you be here?" "If I went on a long journey, or we got divorced, would you... feel relieved or...?" "I don't know what I'd do without you." "If you're thinking of getting rid of me, I'll kill you." "I'll get us a drink." "I have to tell them." "Ronnie!" "No, please, it isn't the right time." "When will the right time be?" "Do you think it'll be less painful for them in a month's time, or a year's time?" "It's the truth." "I have to tell them." "Then I came back here." "I was sure it had all been... a macabre joke of Tano's." "But when I was out on the terrace, and the lights suddenly went out and the music stopped..." "You understand?" "What is there to understand, Ronnie?" "The circuit breaker failed." "The experts said so." "Yes, but Tano said..." "Were you there?" "Did you see what happened?" "What makes you think you have the right to tell us a story, a fantasy, like this, when you know how much it hurts us?" "You're telling Lala that Martin killed himself... so that he wouldn't have to tell her he'd lost his job." "And Gustavo was crazy about Carla." "Why would he leave her on her own?" "And what about me?" "What about my children?" "Are you saying Tano thought we didn't love him?" "No, of course not, Teresa." "Then I don't understand." "I don't understand!" "This must be one of those cases of the survivor feeling guilty." "But with how painful all this is for us, having to listen to this story, especially from you two..." "Do you want our kids to think their fathers killed themselves?" "And even worse, if the insurance company hears about this story of yours, they'll use it as an excuse." "Do you want to ruin us?" "Unless they've already spoken to you, Ronnie." "But that would be sinking too low." "Get out of my house." "Get out now!" "Let's get out of this place." "As soon as we can." "Sell the house, Mum." "We've got nothing to do with this place or these people." " Good evening." " Good evening." "Going to Buenos Aires?" "All the roads into town are closed... because of the demonstrations and looting." "This isn't a good time to leave." "Are you really sure?" "WIDOWS ON THURSDAYS"