"Mr. And Mrs. López?" "The notary is ready." "That's fine." "All the details are correct." "We can now sign the cash sale of the property for 50 million pesetas." "Sign here." "40 years in that house." "If my wife were still alive she wouldn't have let me sell it." "Well, here is all our money." "Good." "I hope everything is in order." "If you'll excuse me, I'm very busy." "Have a nice day." "I forgot my glasses." "That's what a sucker must look like when he realizes hes been conned." "I've never seen it." "SUCKERS" "Say something, for fucks sake!" "Jesus Christ Almighty!" "Shit, shit, shit!" "Everyone has been conned some time." "Everyone has lied to get something." "Whoever denies it is lying." "I've always conned people." "Thats my job." "Listen, Ernesto." "The last thing I remember about my father is a lie." "The priests will take care of you." "I'll be back soon." "THE BLESSED VIRGIN ORPHANAGE" "I promise." "I never saw him again." "Spaniards," "Franco is dead." "The priests gave you everything but affection." "Ernesto, for the last time," " was it you or not?" " No, Father, it wasn't." "When we weren't in class we worked like slaves." "In case youre lying..." "Sweeping up, washing dishes, painting walls." "Boys, never forget that God sees you," "God hears you," "God watches you." "How can you lie in front of God?" "There were days we never stopped, even in mass, especially the little ones." "The old story, big fleas eat little fleas." "Amen." "Until one day, I fainted, just like that." "I was terrified, I was alone, and I was sick too." "This boy is lacking in iron." "He needs to rest." "And suddenly, everything changed." "I looked like a sick angel, and all the priests loved me." "There were no more beatings or hard work." "But I still had problems." "They called him the Gypsy." "He was scarier than the priests." "Get him!" "He was the real boss, and he liked to remind us of that." "He always won." "So you're the one with hands like a girl?" "That faint was the first lie in my life and it worked." "After the third, they left me alone." "Stop messing and read something worth while." "Thats good." "One thing I've learned is that a well-planned lie solves lots of problems, especially if you want something beyond your reach." "Those guys had it all." "I could go into their houses, drive their cars, sleep with their wives." "They were always smiling." "They seemed to be saying:" "Kiddo, we've got it all, you've got nothing." "Let go, please, father!" "Please, let go!" "At that point, I settled for one thing." "Winning over Gypsy." "Mr. Pablo caught him stealing." "Hed get a good hiding." "Mr. Carlos, Gypsy didnt do it." "It was Mr. Pablo." "I saw him with my own eyes more than once when I was going to..." "After that first step," "I couldn't go back." "What are you talking about?" "He touched me." "He touched me all over and he kissed me." "I was terrified, but that fear attracted me." "It was precisely that which made me lie non-stop." "I didnt care that they walloped me." "I got what I wanted." "I won over the Gypsy." "Gypsy, the guy with the checked jacket." "The three-card monte is an old scam." "It has the essence of any con trick." "It's pure theater." "The company consists of a thrower, the bait, a few supporters, a couple of lookouts and a sucker, who isn't in the company but plays the lead." "Keep your eye on the ace." "How much to start?" " 5,000, come on." " No, wait. 2,000." "Put your money on the table." "That's what I like." "The ace is in the middle." "Keep your eye on it." "Come on, wheres the ace?" "Here." "In the middle, he says." " And the gentleman wins!" " Here." "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose." " Want to play?" " All right!" "It's easy." "Here we have ajack, an ace and anotherjack." "Keep your eye on the ace." "What's your stake?" " I bet 4,000." " On the table, please." "That's the way." "Keep your eye on the ace." "Keep your eye on it." "Wheres the ace?" " Here in the middle." " No, no." "And you lose." "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose." " Again?" "How about 5,000?" " No, make it 10,000." "10,000!" "That's the kind of people I like." "The jack, the ace and the other jack." "The ace in the middle, keep your eye on it." "Keep your eye..." "The ace isn't here!" "How can it not be here?" "Heres one jack and here's the other." "And this is a jack too!" "I fucking screw you!" "Stop, stop." "Move, move!" "Scams are like three-card monte." "We all want to find the ace, but, like the monte, life is full of traps and losers." "When we wanted something, we just took it." "Today it was furs, yesterday, cigarettes, tomorrow, the whole shop." "Gypsy thought he owned the world." "And I was the best friend of the owner of the world." "But I was tired of robberies, of always running away." "I met Fingers through one of Gypsys scams." "He was known for being a pickpocket, but he was an encyclopedia of con tricks." "He taught me that the top cardsharps were magicians and he was one of them." "He seemed to be invisible, like a ghost." "It was a real show." "Sir!" "Sir!" "You dropped your wallet." " Thank you." " Don't mention it." "We get this shit after risking our necks?" "It's what we agreed on." "All right, you're the artiste but my pal saved us back there." "You're starting to lose the knack." "Mind your manners or..." "Or what, grandpa?" "Will you carve me up with your dentures?" "Lets go!" "Your partner is not a man of his word." "One must have some ethics in this miserable world." "You're a good operator, son, but if you stick with him you'll end badly." "Come on!" "No more hard times." "We're going after something big." "Here!" "That's enough, leave it." "I said, thats enough!" "Let's move!" "Poor Gypsy." "I knew I could trust him." "He didn't mention me to the police, but they did him forthings he hadn't done." " We can throw away the key." " Son of a bitch!" "I'm the Gypsy!" "I'm the Gypsy!" "One more punch and hed confess that he killed Kennedy." "I'd been with the Gypsy since the orphanage." "I didn't want to live as a petty thief." "Like Fingers said, I'd end up like him." "Maybe you'll be luckier now." "I needed money, and I didnt have many options." "In my dealings, you have to accept two conditions." "First, no violent robberies or hard drugs." "I'm a con man, one from the old school, and not a common thief." "And second, call me Fingers." "All right, son?" "Agreed." "But dont call me son." "When do we start?" "You've got a girlfriend, Lucía, and you're getting married soon." "Sir." "Sir!" "We don't accept checks." "But I'm getting engaged to Lucía tonight and the banks are closed." "Dad, why won't you use credit cards?" "Son, don't get nervous." "I'll go to the office and bring you cash." "By the time he gets back, you'll be closed." "That's enough!" "I'm sick of the wedding, of you and of your mother!" "Then I wont get married." "Forget it, put it all away." " I wont get married." " Calm down!" "What if I give you a check for everything, well only take the ring and the watch and tomorrow we come for the rest?" "Well, if thats how it is, yes." "RUIZ MATEOS PUNCHES BOYER" "I CAN CURE ANYVENEREAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ILLNESS" "Fingers said that con techniques hadn't changed for centuries." "There have always been rogues and suckers." " How long have you had it?" " About four years." "Apply it around the solar plexus." "Keep this remedy on for four days." "It will itch at first but that will soon stop." "People need to believe in something." "We take advantage and give them that something." "It's 40,000 per session, the whole treatment must be paid in advance, no credit cards." "Every minute, a sucker is born." "Every three, hes conned." "The old man had got slow but his mind worked perfectly." "He talked non-stop." "Ascam is like billiards." "You plan out your moves." "You keep your eye on the balls." "And never underestimate the sucker." "That way, you can spend your life playing, or if you're lucky you may find a rare bird." "The rare bird." "A greedy sucker with loads of money." "The scam you can retire on." "A legend among con men." "But his favorite topic" " was Federico." " The best grifter I ever knew." "Over 20 years in the profession and the cops don't even know he exists!" "He takes care of every last detail." "And he never loses his style." "But he nearly ruined his life over a bit of skirt." "It's the only weakness I know him to have." " Women?" " No!" "Just one." "You could become as damned good as he is." "Do you know why?" "When you work, you only think about the scam, and not about the loot, like others." "And that, partner, is called..." "Class!" "Take away the pillow." "I cant sleep like that." "I cant breathe." "I've always been like that." "You have a gift, a gift, and you'll go far." "If you don't rush things, that is." "I didn't mind now if he called me son." "In fact, I even liked it." "And I didn't even know his real name." "I soon started doing my own jobs." "Any psychotropic will do." "I prefer Transillium-3." "Two capsules takes care of everything, although it can be slow." "I went from having nothing to having almost everything." "And what I didn't have, I wanted now." "Rafa?" "Rafa?" "Anyone at home?" "Who are you?" "No, who are you?" " How did you get in?" " I'm Paco." "You're Paco." "You're Paco!" "Of course." "Rafa told me about you." "I'm Javier, a friend of Rafass." "Today he was saying we should all have dinner some night." "Yeah?" "And what happened him?" "Nothing, we were at a party, he started to drink, and ended up like that." "Do you know where he keeps the bicarbonate?" "I could get out of any situation with a lie." " You bastard!" " Stop, stop." "Stop, please!" "I haven't done anything." "Why are you hitting me?" "I only came because" "Rafa didn't want to be alone." "I rushed it." "I made the same mistake as my victims." "I believed I was smarter than anyone." "And that's the stupidest thing." "As the old man said," "Partner, youth is a defect that is corrected with time." "It was just a matter of waiting and learning." "Roman Serevriakof, or something like that." "Mr. Serevriakov?" " Yes, can I help you?" " Luis Armero, management." "It's a pleasure to welcome you." "The boy will take your luggage." "Hes not staying in this hotel." "Correct." "First, you'll have to register." " I wait in the bar." " Very well." "Mabel, you haven't sent the champagne to 414." "That's right." "Thank you." "I would recommend that you keep all your valuables in the safe." "Our hotel security is unquestionable but one never knows today." "Did you get a key at Reception?" "Yes." "Here it is." "If I may..." "In Russia, its much worse, believe me." "The governments hard line cant beat the criminals." "Governments..." "Governments need a hard line themselves." "Thats it?" "Now I just wait until he leaves the hotel and then I clean out the safe." "It's late." "We should go." "Take your passport." "Well need it." " Just a minute." " Well, I leave you." " Enjoy your stay." " It wont open." "If you need anything, call me." "Just a minute." " Who closed the safe?" " He did." "Give me the key." "Don't act dumb." "Give me the key." "I dont understand." " Was it the Russian tumbled you?" " No, not him, the other one." "He wasn't even staying there." "Fuck it!" " Hes here!" " Who is?" "Why the hell is he here?" "I'm off." "Where are you going?" "Don't worry, hess an old friend." "That's Federico." "There before me was the king of con men." "That title didn't excuse the dirty trick in the hotel." "Fingers spoke very highly of you." "You can trust him." "Hes a first-rate partner." "Were you testing me?" "And you failed." "Next time, leave the passport out." " I wasted $1,000 and a gold watch." " You wasted nothing." "It's worth sacrificing one chance in favor of a better one." "By revealing you, Federico won the suckers confidence." "He hopes to take him for 30 million!" "Do you have a record?" "Fingers wasn't exaggerating." "Federico isn't a con." "Hess an artist." "His method is meticulous and he stays back." "He chooses someone he can trust to give instructions to the rest." "He gathers information and submits his victims to an exhaustive study." "He never repeats a scam twice in a row nor the city." "The paraphernalia he has around him is essential." "He takes care of every detail." "You must surprise the sucker from the start, and be a first-rate actor." "It's not easy to spend time mingling in an officers club and become popular and respected." "You have to win people over and wait for the right person to appear." "In this case, there were two in The Colonel Scam... a favorite of his." "I'm a soldier, not a businessman, so we can avoid the commercial liturgies and get to the point." "I'll be intermediary between you and the Portuguese army in the purchase of 500,000 sheets for 600 million, which you will then sell to the Spanish Army for 1,200." "I'll receive 60 million, as commission, of course." "Who'll guarantee the sale to the army?" "The quartermaster of the army currently in that position." "Myself." "We could have got three times that much, but Federico wont do scams of over 100 million, to avoid the attention of the press and the police." "When collecting the money, Federico prefers the swap." "There are good times for doing scams." "The Seville Expo was a goldmine." "Federico, a committee member, had accepted a bribe to cede the advertising exclusive." "As instructed, the businessman brought 60 millions in a bag." "I'll finish my drink, then I take the bag and leave." "The selection is on the 22nd." "Your company, naturally, will be chosen." "That sounds fine but..." "I'm risking a lot here." "Today, you can see the money." "I'll give it to you on the 22nd." "That's not what we agreed." "Yes, but that's what there is." "Very well." " Did anyone follow you?" " Follow me?" "No." " Are you sure?" " Yes." "Those two guys are policemen." "Dont look, relax." "I'll tell you what." "Well hide the bag to avoid suspicion." "Go to the next table and order something." "And the bag?" "Don't touch it, don't look at it." " Have you got this brand?" " Yes." "In the cigarette machine." "In the machine?" "Well, will you serve me a few beers?" "Relax, dont look at me." "Wait five minutes and then leave." "I'll call you later." "He taught me how to live well without paying a cent." "You can get everything, just by winning peoples trust." "You need a credible story, a friendly face and good clothes." "Your image is essential." "I enjoy cheating, and I can make a living doing what I like most." "What a lovely car." "You son of a bitch!" "You bastard!" "Son of a bitch!" "Son of a bitch!" "I was only sorry about one thing." "Not seeing the suckersfaces when they realized the scam." "Becoming his right-hand man was wonderful for me." "I was his link with the group, I handed over the loot, and he paid us the money by bank transfer." "Got any short-term plan?" " Professional or personal?" " Personal." "No." "The small one." "We've pulled off a big one." "Do as I do." "Spend every last peseta on living well and then think about work." "I know a lot of very good con men who ended up in jail for being too ambitious." "We are privileged, Ernesto." "Look at these people." "They build a family, kill themselves working, pay taxes, Social Security, and don't care if they're robbed by Inland Revenue or the banks, or that the State grows rich on them." "They accept that." "Whats that got to do with us?" "You and I stand up in front of this rotten system, we win its confidence by our talent, we feed its greed of which there is a lot by offering a lot for a little, and take it for a ride." "Isn't that fairer?" "To your Caribbean trip." "I guess you can be trusted." "Federico!" "I'd never before seen the cold, calculating Federico in a rage." "Did you bring her?" "No." "I dont know who she is." "Madam is waiting in the garden." "You may wait here." "Keep out of my way." "If you want an apology," "I can beg your pardon a thousand times, now that I'm on my knees." "It's a bit late forthat, bitch." "I see you've never attacked a woman." "You insult her, then you hit her, not the other way round." "I want nothing you've touched." " When I left and took the money..." " You stole it!" "I still spent it." "I had good and bad spells until five years ago I met Jorge Durante, my husband." "A multimillionaire, old, and widowed." "I don't give a shit!" "For a year, hes been in bed with heart ailment." "It's a matter of days." "I'm heart broken." "Do you love him or are you using him?" "My stepchildren are waiting to kick me out on my ass and leave me with nothing." "While I'm Mrs. Durante I can plan something, a good scam with a lot of money at stake." "Anything else?" "I don't love my husband." "I've only ever loved one man, you know that." "What do you want, an apology after all this time?" "You went off without a word and with my money!" "I'm sorry." "Federico, it's a lot of money." "But we have to do it now, before he dies, or his children will ruin me." "Please, help me." "For the funeral expenses." "That's how I met Federico only weakness." "She brought us bad luck." "The next scam was a total failure." "We had to get out fast." "Fingers and I had an enforced vacation." "Excuse me." "Is it African?" "What?" "The bracelet." "Is it African?" "How do you know?" "I work there." "Really?" "It was Christmas." "Agood time for the Nazareth scam." "You buy goods wholesale from a company to which you only pay the first orders." "Then you re-sell the stuff at sale price." " Hows it going?" " Fine, fine." "Very quiet." "You set up a legal company, hire employees and do everything properly." "They never know they're working for a con man." "Your company must have a legal representative." "Not just anyone can do it." "Your I.D." "If theres a problem with the police all the responsibility falls on him." "Pablo!" "Pablo!" "Sign this." " Where?" " Here." "Put your name there." "When will you give me the money?" "Right now." "You go downstairs and ask the fat guy for any bottle you want." "Wonderful." "That's great." "This is for you." "You're company president." "How does it feel?" "Wonderful." "No, we don't stock glazed fruits." "Just a minute." "Get me the director of Molina Meats on the line." "That's the problem." "The phone company cut two of the lines." "I cant phone until you hang up." "Mr. Ramos?" "Can I call you later?" "The phone bill has not been paid." "But you cut two lines and left me one." "Why?" "I don't understand." "We cut all three, then we were ordered to reconnect one." "An order?" "From whom?" "I cant tell you that, Mr. Arrojo." "I want a flight to Sydney." "Awindow seat, please." "Business class." "One second." "The police have tapped the phones." " How do you know?" " My intuition says so." "And it never lies." "And from Miami to Lima?" "Fine, I reserve it." "Thank you." "He started leaving false trails to gain time while we dismantled the set-up." "He phoned clients, suppliers..." "I never knew if the police were after us, but, knowing Federico," "I'd say his intuition was right." "That's how Fingers and I ended up at the beach and I met Miriam." "When I saw her I had a feeling, or an intuition, as Federico called it." "She was a special girl." "It took me a month to win her confidence." "She fell in love with me." "Well, with an adventurous doctor who renounced career and fortune and worked for an NGO." "I honestly liked Miriam." "Well, as honestly as I could." "Mom!" "What a surprise!" "The one smiling isn't the mother." "Thats's Aunt Luisa." "The other one is Aunt Carlota." "This is her mother." "She wasn't expected until next week." "What is your specialty?" "Neurology." "But I haven't practiced for a year." "And you work abroad?" "In Kiriata, a village in Guinea." "He works with an NGO." "Thats a good business." "Aunt, its non-profit making." " Really?" " They're the worst kind." "Aunt Carlota!" "It was a very poor hospital." "Hes going away again soon, to Zambia." "I believe you're building a hospital and a school." "Yes, well, that was the plan but the money they've got barely covers the trip and a few water bottles." "And the people are dying of huger." "Can we still make a donation?" "That's not necessary." "I demand to do it." "Just a minute." "You don't have to, were in contact with other NGOs." "Just tell us how much, or I couldn't look at those poor black children on TV again." "It was incredible." "However much I refused, they insisted." "I didnt want to do this to Miriam." "I was on vacation, I loved being with her, but those ladies were determined." "If Id said I wanted to take advantage of their daughter, they wouldn't have cared." "The checks were raining down on me." "I told you, Federico." "This boy is overflowing with class." "You're falling in love with that girl." "No, Federico." "You're falling in love with that girl." "Well, I like her a bit, but..." "No one can share our life." "Forget her." "Forget her." "Did she go to see you?" "Yes, but she only wants to talk to you." "You're a big-mouth." "Go out by the service door." "What must I do to keep you out of my life?" "Give me a drink." " Get out of here." " Not so fast, Federico." "You need the money as much as I do." "May I?" "Your last job was a disaster." "You invested a lot and now you're broke." "How did you get Fingers to tell you everything?" "That doesn't matter." "Let's talk business." " I want you to leave, Pilar." " No." "First, listen to me." "I'm giving you a prime sucker on a plate." "A friend of my husband." "We can take him for 300 million." " I want you to leave." " Federico," "I'm desperate." "Time puts us all in our place." "Goodbye, Pilar." "What if it were 600?" "We can take him for at least 600 million." " I never work those amounts." " Come on, Federico." "A blind man can see it's a rare bird." "He trusts blindly in me." "The walls of his house are lined with undeclared money." "With the arrival of the Euro, it's useless." "He has to invest it, don't you see?" "How do you know I wont cheat you?" "I prefer that risk to losing everything." "The new scam was a challenge for Federico." "The imminent death of Pilar's husband meant he had to work fast." "He played the main character, Federico Collado, a businessman who'd made a fortune with investments." "To make the contact, Pilar went to a gala party to be attended by her friend, the sucker." "She got invitations for Federico and another of our con men." "Federico, excuse me, I'd like you to meet" "José Luis Orozco and his wife Lola." "We were dying to meet you." "Pilar talks about you a lot." "I hope you don't listen." "Pilar always exaggerates, a lot." "An honor." "The honor is ours." "I hope we can do business." " Right, darling?" " Yes." "I hope so." "This is Antonio Mellado." "Is that a Buenos Aires accent?" "It is." "A pleasure, Antonio." "Likewise." "This is a very fine apartment." "Does it have a service door?" "Of course, we have two." "I'll show you the other side." "Once Federico assigned the work, things went very quickly." "He gave me the instructions and I spoke to the rest." "The 5,000 peseta notes are very good." "Quit joking, grandpa." "This is serious." "The key to the deal is the informer." "Only I shall be in touch with him." " Who is he?" " An important ministry employee." "His position means he is aware of all activity by foreign investors in Spain." "You needn't know any more." "What I'm offering is simple." "We pay him to tell us a companys intention regarding a land purchase." "We jump in, buy the land at a low price and sell it to the company for six times that price." "As you see, a good business." "Can he be trusted?" "Hes worked with me on deals that earned me huge profits." "Why come to us now to make the investment when youve being doing amazingly well?" "You said it." "Amazingly well, to the point that I may have a tax inspection." "I admit that an informer inside the ministry is quite a guarantee, but who can assure me, or assure us, that an inspection isn't under way?" "I can." "And I keep it like that." "And to avoid risks," "I prefer to gather five friends, share costs and profits, and go unnoticed." "How much are we talking?" "My informer says the profits will triple the previous ones." "Is that a lot or a little?" "January 1, the euro arrives." "February 28, the peseta disappears." "It won't be long now." "The Euro is getting more familiar." "If anyone had bet on guessing who I'd see," "I'd certainly have lost." "Won't you let the Gypsy in?" "It's great to see you." "Come in." "Two attempted escapes, a knife fight, heroin and hepatitis is all he got from jail." " When did you get out?" " Yesterday afternoon." "Yesterday?" "You should have told me." "I didn't want to bother you." "You're a wreck." "You look fucking great." "What a shack!" "What are you up to?" "Business." "Business." "Well?" "Are we going to eat?" "My guts are rattling." "Let's go somewhere." "Ernesto..." "I've got 10,000 pesetas and nowhere to sleep." "Gypsy, this is your home." "I'm clean." "I haven't taken anything in three months." "I'm clean as water." "As water." "As a professional, I know when someone is lying." "I'm sorry were late." "No, donttt get up." "This is Judge Buendía." "I've hung up my gown, but I'm still called that." "Aginger ale, please." " And you?" " A dry martini." "Gentlemen, Pilar." "I think we should get right down to business." "The five of us are a group of investors sharing costs and benefits." "Excuse me." "I don't have your experience in such special dealings." "What if a problem arises and the deal falls through?" "I undertake to repay the money." "I've agreed the first payment." "100 million for information." "20 from each of us." "In cash." "Tomorrow." "No one can talk to anyone about the deal." "Not a word." "Whoever breaks that rule is out." "We needed a dramatic touch to impress the sucker." "Federico set up a meeting in another city and supplied his private jet..." "Does anyone know why he summoned us so urgently?" "The sucker, at 8,000 feet, feels protected and overwhelmed by the style of his host." "The first payment was 20 million." "All the expenses were paid with the money in his briefcase." "How about dinner?" "I can't, Luis." "Ive got an awful day tomorrow." "I won't invite you again because I wontt lose." "One drink?" "I can't, really." "See you in two days." "Will you book the court?" "I do that." "Please leave or I call Security!" "Call whoever you fucking want!" "But my friend is in there." "Look!" "Here he is, smart ass." "You're a smart ass." "I'm sorry, Mr. Monzón." "No, forgive me, Paloma." "Call Security now." "That's enough, all right?" "Sorry, Paloma." "Why the hell did you come here?" "It's urgent, man." "I need money." "Whatever you've got on you." "Here." "This'll get me nowhere." "I'll do something crazy if you dontt help me." "I'm begging you." "Listen." "You got a friend who doesn't look like a junkie?" "May I have some coffee?" "When do you return to Buenos Aires?" "As soon as possible." "I miss my husband." "How is he?" "The same." "What's wrong with..." "I'm sorry for the delay." "Please don't get up." "Is everything all right?" "The hotel service has been overwhelming!" "One second." "This is suite 904." "I want a plate of pasta." "Whatever you have." "No spices, just butter." "Thank you." "Dinner or negotiations." "I've got no problem in sharing both pleasures." "I fear that if you've brought us here, the matter is very urgent." "Yes, there is a problem." "A problem?" "My informer rang to tell me that he wants more money or the deal is off." "More money?" "Lets say no." "And the money we've paid?" "Vitum est." "Don't talk rubbish." "It's just Latin." "Let's not lose our nerve." "Were negotiating with a speculator." "Were moving in his terrain of illegality." "What did you expect?" "The judge is right." "I don't know." "Neither do I. To be honest..." "Up to now, hes always honored our agreements." "For me, I have no problem in making the extra payment, if it's not excessive." "I think 150 million is a very respectable amount." "Who guarantees that even if we pay" " he won't ask for more?" " Gentlemen, this person is ambitious but not stupid." "Hes making the most of a unique opportunity, as we are." "150 million between all of us?" " 10 more per head." " 30, in all." "If the profit is so big, let's pay." "Judge?" "For my part, I'm willing." "30, but on one condition." "I wan't to meet him." "No." "The deal was that only I would contact him." "All right, but the deal was 20 and didn't include 10 more." "What I'm asking is fair." "Do you agree, Pilar?" "Given Mr. Xs excessive ambition, I think that's reasonable." "Take it easy." "Police!" "Turn off the music!" "Everyone!" "Please pay attention!" "Were going to carry out a routine search." "Please collaborate when you are asked for your I.D." "No one can leave the premises until we've finished." "Thank you." "1150 million is a very respectable amount." " I'm sorry." " You old shit!" "You could have fucked it all!" " He didn't realize." " He can't keep his mouth shut!" "And he was drunk!" "I only drank a bit." "You're finished." "You know better than anyone." "Your time is up." "You've seen it in others." "I won't let you fuck this up." "I'd end up like you some day." "That's enough." "I swear I won't put my foot in it again." "I swear on my life!" "On your life." "That's not worth a lot!" "Fingers is finished." "Fingers is finished." "Give him a chance." "I'll look after him." "I don't know how, but hes out." "If I hear hes talking, you'll pay for it, I'm warning you." "Do it as a favor." "Don't be stupid." "Forget about that old drunk." "He's not an old drunk." " Know something?" " If I don't know it now, it's not worth knowing." "Before, everything was easier." "In those days," "I didn't mess up." "Don't get depressed." "We've all blown it some time." "Federico never spoke to me like that." "It's late, I have to go." "Will you see him home?" "Fingers, take care of yourself." "See you tomorrow." "I didn't know you got on so well." "Why did you never talk about her?" "The only thing I can tell you is don't trust anybody." "If everything stays as it is, you needn't worry." "But be very careful if Federico starts to trust her again." "What are you doing here?" "Is that how you greet me after not seeing me for a month?" "We agreed you wouldn't come, that you'd wait in Buenos Aires until it was over." "I had to come." "Your presence here could endanger our plan." "For them, you're dying." "Darling, I'm the one who lost everything and my wife is risking her life with criminals for me." "The least I could do was be at your side." "Otherwise, I'd have felt like a coward." "That's not true." "No, Ernesto, well do things the way I said!" "Everything was fine, but something had changed." "It was Federico." "He became surly and distrustful, even of me, and he was nearly always in a bad mood." "Everything annoyed him." "He had to know everything we were doing." "On top of that, Gypsy had cleaned me out." "What annoyed me was the gesture because I hadnt paid for any of the stuff he took." "Tomorrow was the day." "I would be Luis Onieva, Federicos informer." "The role meant I was the axis of the farce." "There are 5,000 hectares, in an area of Guadalajara crossed by a tributary of the Ebro" "and near the town of Brihuega." "A North American company is going to offer 700 million to the owner in order to build a theme park there." "What company is it?" "The Disney group." "How much should we offer for the land?" "I reck on 800 million should be enough." "Gentlemen, that amount is larger than the one we originally talked about." "At present, I don't have enough money to cover my share." "Does that mean you're out?" "I'm afraid so, although I regret it." "I'm very sorry." "According to our deal, I can reclaim the money I've deposited." "That is so, and I keep my word." "I'll pay you the 30 million." " I give you a check now." " No, don't bother." "Federico had become a real bastard but he was still the best." "He got rid of the old man and gained ground with the sucker." "As one of you is pulling out," "I suggest that I come in and take the judges place." "I won't object if the vote is unanimous." "For me, theres no problem." "Nor for me." "I agree, provided you pay your share or return the money" " we've paid you already." " Not a chance." "So what do you want?" "That we let you in on the scheme and pay for you?" "Right." "This is my offer." "I join the group without changing our agreement." "Information for money." "That complicates things but there's no time to change." "I accept if you all agree." "I think I should get something for leaving early." "You know, life is very tough for an old man who might say more than he should." "I'm sorry, judge." "If anyone else has doubts, back out now or else he can't do it." "At least with all he put in." "Who owns the land?" "I tell you that at the moment you each pay me another 50 million." "In two days." "Federico knows my account." "Absolutely not!" "I refuse!" "It's an outrage!" "What a nerve!" "We kept bleeding the sucker." "His protests didn't matter." "We had to squeeze him dry." "The more money he put in, the greedier hed get." "On nights like this, it should be forbidden to worry." "With a toy like that," "I wouldn't worry too much." "You never know what can happen to a woman." "I'm prudent, but not so stupid as to have it loaded." "I'm getting so old." "I can't remember the last time I drove a man home." "What's wrong with not being young?" "Are you always so charming to the girls who see you home?" "I mean that you're a very beautiful woman, undoubtedly more so than 10 years ago." "Give me a break." "I can imagine how Federico felt when you left him." "I have to go." "There's nothing between Federico and me." "That's over." "And?" "In case that was making you get out of the car." "See you tomorrow." "Ernesto!" "What a looker." "You like them a bit older now." "What are you doing here?" "Waiting for you, of course." "You changed the lock." "I don't want you to rip me off again." "That was just a loan." "Were friends, aren't we?" "Are you all right?" "I'm fine." "Driver, the Ministry of Public Works." "No, were going to the hotel." "No, were going to see Luis Onieva with our own eyes." "Have you gone mad?" " I'm going to call Federico." " No, don't, please." "There's a lot at stake, I'm not taking any risks." "It's 8.00 a." "M. There won't be anyone at the ministry." "Let's go to the hotel and discuss it over breakfast." "Don't answer!" "Yes?" "Were at the hotel, Orozco wants to go to the ministry." "Stop him!" "Hes made up his mind." "Mr. Onievas office, please?" "That way, second floor." "Orozco, let's go." "It's very risky." "Mr. Onieva, please?" "Office 201, second door on the left." "We've checked what you wanted." "Let's go before he sees us." " I'm off." "Call me and confirm it." " Perfect." "I've booked a court for 7.30 tomorrow." " Thanks." " See you tomorrow." "How could you not foresee it?" "You spend time with him." "He surprised me." "He seemed fine in the plane, a bit quieter, it's true, but..." "But?" "That behavior should have alerted you." "If he doesn't want to speak, what can I do?" "He seems worried about something." "So you all knew something was wrong!" "I want to know how many peanuts he eats in the plane, how much he smokes, when he changes his tie, etc." "Etc." "Etc." "I want to know everything!" "We fleeced them with the dyed notes scam..." "And I thought you were just a bad-tempered pickpocket." "Ernesto..." "Hes mixed up in something big." "What do you know about it?" "I was part of it too, like in the old days." "With all of you, there must be big money." "What's the deal?" "I cant tell you, I'm sorry." "You mustn't find out." "We've found a rare bird." "Well, what a surprise." "Fingers." "Fingers!" "Hey." "Hey." "That's how I found him, lying quietly in bed." "A nice way to die." "Unless you cant sleep with your head on the pillow." "I asked in the bar and they told me he'd been drinking with the Gypsy." "What did you do to the old man?" "Are you crazy?" " What did you do to him?" " What the hell are you on about?" "You got him drunk, you followed him home and went up to rob him." "He woke up and you killed him!" "That's not true!" "Don't touch me again!" "Fuck!" "We were together earlier but I didn't kill him." "He probably pegged out on his own." " Let go of me." " He was blind drunk." "Let go of me." "Ernesto." "For the first time since my father left me I felt alone." "I didn't know who to go to." "Federico was no use, and Pilar wasn't the right person." "Or maybe she was." "But there was no one else." "You may go." "I'm sorry to turn up like this." "Do you want a drink?" "Don't you want to know why I'm here?" "If you want to tell me..." "You're hurt." "I'll dress it for you." "Fingers is dead." "She could have killed Fingers and been pretending, but I needed consolation and I knew shed give it to me." "What happened?" "Poor Malaquías." "So that was the old guys name." "The scam continued." "The second act was starting." "BISHOPRIC OF MADRID" "I admit that I'm surprised by your interest in that land." "That estate has belonged to the Church since 1737 and no one has ever been interested in it." "It fits our aims perfectly." "What kind of aims?" "Business ones." "I can appreciate a businessmans discretion, but the Church doesn't sell a flowerpot without knowing what it will decorate." "We want to set up a research centerfor a medical company." "The site is far away from centers of population." "That's a legal requirement." "Medical research." "Helping humanity." "Very praiseworthy." "We're offering 800 million." "Holy Mother of God!" "800!" "We're looking at other options so wed be grateful for a quick answer." "I can only say that I chair the committee and you have my consent." "But I can do nothing without the others." "800!" "Anyone hear from Orozco?" "He rang me to say he had to leave." "He's back tomorrow." "I was calling his cell phone, but he's out of range." "Tomorrow, when he gets off the plane," "I want someone to meet him and stick with him!" "I was going to go, hes staying with me." "Pick him up, but put him in an hotel." "Very well." "That's it for today." " Hang on, I want a word." " Yes, of course." "I meant Pilar." "Be wary when Federico starts to trust Pilar too much." "Poor Fingerswords." "I had to know at all times what those two were doing." "I could only control one." "I made it up with Gypsy, and he took care of Pilar." "Follow her." "My feet are so sore!" "I have to admit he surprised me." "He was good." "Like a stoned Colombo without dandruff." "A bit of practice and he could get through keyholes." "You haven't thought for even a moment that it would be fair if you and I got a bit more?" "Leave it, Pilar, dont keep on." "As you wish." " I'm worried by Fingers death." " Why?" "Everyone thinks he was killed." "That's ridiculous." "They dont think so." " Who are they?" " The ones you trust so much." "They think someone killed him, and then put him in bed to fake a natural death." "Who'd bother doing an autopsy on an old drunk?" "But all that is just nonsense." "No." "When Ernesto found him he had his head on the pillow." "Fingers couldn't sleep like that." "Since when are you so close to the boy?" "Forget about the boy." "The others all know Ernesto's theory too." "I asked since when are you so close to the boy?" "And they think you're the murderer." "Did he tell you if the Church Committee had decided?" "He just summoned us." " Wheres Pilar?" " She couldn't come." "Why in a park?" "Doesn't it seem strange?" "I dont know." "He's the first priest I know." "In life, you have to know how to win and lose." "You can't be in business all day trying to win." "When you want to win at all costs you might make mistakes which is serious if you use other peoples money." "Hello." "Can I talk to you?" "It's important." "Yes, of course." "Come in." "What's so important?" " Federico." " What about him?" "At first I couldn't believe it, but you were right." "Someone killed Fingers." "And that someone is Federico." "How do you know?" "When I said you thought it was murder, he didn't flinch." "He didn't say a word of sympathy." "He just looked." "A look isn't enough to blame someone." "I saw that look the other night when he threatened the old man." "If he killed Fingers..." "Well be all right." "I hope you're right." "This will complicate our lives." "Yours, maybe." "Good morning." "Sorry I'm late." "I went for a walk and got distracted." "Has the Committee met?" "Gentlemen, no." "I understood the meeting was imminent." "You were right, but I decided not to summon the committee yet." "I've received another offer." "Isn't it incredible?" "They offered me 2,500 million." "Who was it?" "Confidential information." "Fucking secret of confession." "So why bring us here?" "I took the liberty of checking up on you, and I noticed particularly the huge profits which Federico has had in the last two years in buying and selling land." "You need a special gift to buy at one peseta and sell a month later forfive, if I may say so." "Why not get to the point?" "The committees decision will depend on the best offer." "But I'm the only one who knows there are two." "I'd be willing to have the committee accept 1,300 for the land on condition that you give me 1,200 deposited in a few accounts I'd be happy to give you." "No, you've gone crazy." "Father, don't you think the conditions are excessive?" "I'm sure that with your gift, you can multiply the loaves and fishes by ten." "Orozco!" "At last!" "We have to talk." " I cant now, Martínez." " Yes, you can." "The health report has arrived, were in trouble!" "You knew that." " Federico is expecting us." " Just a moment." "He was quite ordinary looking." "I only saw him for a minute." "When he mentioned the report," "Orozco went white and took him aside." " Pilar, do you know about this?" " No, I dont." "Orozco exports pigs and hes had some problems, but nothing serious." "But if he has an inspection, hell lose a lot of money." "Well see what Federico says." "We wont say anything for the moment." "What?" "Were almost at the end." "The slightest thing could make Federico back off." "Believe me." "I think shes right." "Maybe were giving it too much importance." " Let Orozco sort it out for us." " Right." "We paid you 320 million for a report that was useless!" " We can do something, Orozco." " Oh, yes?" "What?" "Beat our heads against the wall?" "Calm down." "I can't, not with this idiot here!" " I won't listen to this!" " Really?" " I won't listen to this!" " What will you do?" " Be careful!" " What will you do?" "That's enough!" "What is going on?" "What's going on?" "2,500 million is a considerable amount, but the profits from the sale will be 6,000." "6,000!" "Can't you see?" "In any case," "I'm continuing, and I do it with or without you." "I'm going to call the priest and give him an answer." "Wait, wait." "I vote to continue." "I'm not backing out." "Well, Pilar?" "It's a very large sum." "2,500 million." "500 per head." "Yes or no?" "All right." "Orozco?" "Sometimes I wonder if I'd be willing to follow you no matter where." "Even if you swore it, sooner or later youd disappear." "You said it yourself:" "We chose different paths..." "No, not if we keep all the money." "I did that once but I gave you up." " Now I can have everything." " I won't betray anybody." "Forget the others, think about you and me, all we could do together." "My intuition never fails, and it says you're hiding something." "No, I've got nothing to hide." "But I don't trust Ernesto and the others." "They'll blow the money and call attention everywhere." "If even one is caught..." "Why do you say that?" "What are you insinuating?" "That we should guarantee our money." "We could take care of them." "Like you did with Fingers." "What?" "Will you ruin it all" " for those fools?" " Please, Pilar." "No one has to disappear." " And Ernesto?" " Don't worry about him." " But never mention Fingers again." " Forgive me." "I just want all this to end so we can get back the time we've lost." "Everything was ready." "Each one would have a briefcase." "But only one would have the 500 million." "Nervous, Pilar?" "They're here." "Cold blood, and please, no surprises." "I'll take it all to the priest." "Let's hurry." "And after?" "Is anything wrong, Orozco?" "I cant go on." "What do you mean?" "It's over." "I'm out of it." "Now you tell us?" "Think about it." "We're almost there." "For me it's over." "I want my money." "What are you talking about?" "You know I'm won't give you back anything." "What are you doing?" "Why don't we all calm down?" "We've been under stress." "Shut up!" "I don't want your money." "I want what I've paid." "Fine." "You're over-reacting." "I'll do anything to get my money." "I swear by my children." "Be careful with that." "I said, shut up." "Orozco, put down the gun." "Keep away from me." "Don't move!" "All right, but put it down and well talk." "I just want the money I gave to that bloodsucker." "Put down the gun." "Why, Orozco?" "What have you done?" "Hell bleed to death, call an ambulance." "Hell bleed to death!" "Call an ambulance!" "Tell my wife I love her." "No!" "Come on." "A doctors coming." "Mellado, help me." "Get Pilar out of here." "Get her out of here." "Where shall we go?" "To Pilars house." "Wait for me there." "No, I don't believe it." "That's it." "Gentlemen, a magnificent performance." "This blood tastes like raspberry syrup." "Try it." "Tell my wife I love her." " Where did you get that?" " I was going to be an actor, but this pays better." "How about a drink?" "No, later." "First, we have to clean up." "It's not over yet." "Federico chose the airport for swapping the briefcase." "When the sucker started to suspect, he'd be on a plane and we would be on the moon." "This'll do you good." "Where were you?" "I left you several messages." " Pilar, how are you?" " Cant you see?" "On the verge of hysterics, and so am I!" "Let's calm down, for Godss sake!" "We have to forget about everything that's happened." "We've never met." "Forget everything." "Forget it?" "It's all shot to hell, we can't do anything." "But two people have died!" "What do you want me to do?" " Revive them?" " Why dont you die!" "It's all your fault!" "You got Federico into this!" "He knew what he was getting into!" "Calm down, both of you!" "Come on, my dear." "We need each other to put an end to this nightmare." "Where are the bodies?" "They won't be found for a long time." "Right." "Now what do we do?" "You take a plane." "Right now." "I'll drive you to the airport." "Please, don't go!" " He has to go." " Please!" "I'll be all right." " I call you when I get there." " Come on." "Darling, we've almost done it." "Almost." "Pack the cases." "I had to get the sucker to the washroom and there, helped by Gypsy, swap the briefcase." "Whats wrong, Luis?" "Luis!" "Luis, what's wrong?" "What's wrong?" "What's wrong?" "What happened?" "You fainted." "Do you feel better?" "I dont know what's wrong with me." "Shit!" "Come on!" "Are you all right?" "My God!" "What is all this?" "What's going on here?" "Did you let go of the briefcase?" "What?" "I'm hallucinating." "This isn't happening." "Did you let go of it at any time?" "I don't know." "When did you lose sight of it?" "What's wrong?" " What happened?" " You fainted." "Please watch your belongings at all times." "What the hell?" "What is all this, Luis?" "At last, for the first time in my life," "I saw the face of a sucker when he realizes hes been done." "Wait a minute." "It can't be." "You conned me." "Did you swindle me, bastard?" "Yes." "It was a set-up, but someone changed the plan and took the money." "Listen, Luis or whatever you're called." "You can pay me back every last peseta." "I want my money now." "Understand?" "I'm calling the police now." "There's no time." "We have to get out of here." "You're not moving until the money appears!" "I don't have your money!" "See that briefcase?" "It's disappeared." "Understand?" "They've taken it." "You've laughed at me." "You stole from me." "You're sons of bitches." "Listen." "Yes, we did what we wanted with you." "You were the victim of a scam, but it's nothing personal." "All right?" "Now, if you want to get your money back, you have to do as I say." "The police are going to come in." "I'll tell them everything." "Just wait." "No, no, no." "No, you wait." "If you tell them, you'll be ruined." "You'll have to explain a lot." "If they find us with that body," "I wont take all the blame." "You do as I say, or I swear that this shit will bury both of us." "You decide." "Seen anything strange?" "Such as what?" "We were told there was a fight." "It was probably some joker." "All in order." "As usual." "Excuse us." "Why me?" "Why?" "Orozco isn't dead." "Nor Federico." "And the priest, and the office, and the money in the other briefcases." "Pilar knew." "Shes in on this, isn't she?" "I'm a sap." "It was all one big lie." "Say something, for fucks sake!" "Jesus Christ Almighty!" "Shit, shit, shit!" "I know the story this far." "I only hope I'm not crushed to death in this car." "I know you feel like shit and want to kick my head in." "But, ironically, I'm all you've got." "I'm your only chance for getting back your money!" "So you have to trust me, like it or not." "Guzmán, they've screwed us." "Be very careful." "Call me." "Where are you, Federico?" "Guzmán!" "My God!" "They're going to kill all of us." "It's strange how things change." "They used to pack my cases, now I have to do it." "But not anymore." "Why don't we drink to our future?" "I make up for everything you've done for me." "Yes?" "Just a minute." "Drain your glass." "It's all OK?" "Darling, I don't know what..." "I'll be at the port at 6.00." "All right." "Pilar, did you say I will be?" "Take your filthy hands off me!" "What's wrong, my love?" "I can't stand you." "You disgust me." "I can't bear to see you, listen to you or be touched by you." "I'm your husband, I demand an explanation." "You can't demand anything, my love." "Not when you're bankrupt." "What are we doing here?" "Waiting." "Give me time." "Got a cigarette?" "There's a machine at the bar." " How do I know you won't vanish?" " Get the fucking cigarettes!" "Please." "Where's the briefcase?" "The briefcase, Ernesto?" "Full of newspaper cuttings." " Is this a joke?" " No, it's not." "Someone did the swap before we got to the washroom." "I've never been so glad to see you, I mean it." "You expect me to believe that?" "They killed Gypsy and Guzmán, and sent the police after me in the airport." "I'll ask once more." "Where is the briefcase?" "Bastard, where is my money?" "Calm down, all right?" "Tell him what was in the briefcase." "Bits of newspaper." " I want my money." " Why is he here?" "I was sure youd tricked me." "Would I be here if I had the briefcase?" "If it wasn't you or me..." "Pilar!" " No, it wasn't Pilar!" " It's obvious." "Think about it." "She screwed you once." "It's not odd that she'd do it again." "It can't have been her!" "Oh, no?" "How could an idiot like you have cheated me?" "I want my money!" "First we have to find Pilar." "Take your hands off me." "It had to be when I fainted." "You must have let go of the briefcase." "I don't like your tone, thief." " Did you let go of it or not?" " Fuck you!" "That's enough!" "That's enough, stop!" "Well put him in the trunk." "What can I do for you, gentlemen?" " Were looking for Pilar." " Too late." " Federico?" " Do I know you?" "I am Jorge Durante." "I've been in a coma for six months, my poor wife will be kicked out by my children once I'm dead, and before that tragedy happens she's tricked a former partner and lover into pulling a scam." "Now do you recognize me?" "Where's Pilar?" "I supposed she was with you." "But as I was clearly wrong, it obvious my adorable wife has conned the three of us." " Where is she?" " A strange question." "I'm her loving husband and I should know." "She said so many things, I don't know." "First I want a share of the money." "Forget about the money, idiot!" "Where is she?" "She screwed both of us, but me only once." "Where is she?" "I don't know." "Someone called and they arranged to meet at the port." "Who called?" "Who the fuck called?" "Federico, stop it!" "Lousy parasite!" "What took you so long?" "I thought you werent coming." "This time, you wont get away with it." " Where's the money?" " What's wrong with you?" "Pilar, where is the money?" "What do you mean?" "The money wasn't enough, you had to kill them too." "I don't have the money and I didn't kill anyone." " What's going on?" " Someone swapped the briefcases." "And killed Gypsy and Guzmán." "You think I'm stupid?" "You want to cut me out with that story?" "Pilar, where is the money?" "I haven't left my house since Ernesto rang me and told me to meet you here." "Please." "Please!" "Federico, that's a lie." "A lie?" "Didn't you tell me to come here?" "I'm telling you the truth." "Yes, like your husband on the verge of death." "No, I can explain that." "But I didnt kill anyone or make any swap." "He called me, he set up this farce." "Pilar, where is the money?" "This morning, I'm supposed to have done the swap and killed two people without leaving the house." "It's ridiculous." "Go after him." "Give me the briefcase." " How you must have laughed at me." " I didn't know howto do it." "I'm sorry." "I didn't know how to do it." "It was all her idea." "She said that youd take all the money." "What are you saying?" "You're lying!" "Why?" "That you killed Fingers and you'd kill all of us." "I don't understand." "I had to swap the briefcase and bring it here." " Is that all?" " Yes, I swear." "I'm sorry, Federico." "The deaths, the swap..." "It was you." "You called me, you cant fool me." "You're pathetic." "Pathetic." "You'll never change." "It wasn't enough that you and I would split it." "You wanted it all." "What the hell are you talking about?" "You'd have screwed us all for this whore?" "That's enough!" "Put down the gun." "It's not loaded." "You'll never humiliate me again." "No, Federico." "Stay where you are." "I didn't betray you!" "I didn't want to shoot!" "Why did you make me do it?" "Federico, you must believe me!" "Ladies and gentlemen, please!" "Please keep calm." "Were policemen." "It's all under control." "I didn't betray you." "Don't lie anymore, please." "She's not lying." "It was all a set-up." "And I organized it all!" "Gypsys death." "The police." "All in order." "Orozcos swap." "Guzmán's death." "I knew you'd want to screw me so I took your advice." "I kept one step ahead." "The police are coming!" "Let's go!" "Please, an ambulance." " It's too late." " Why did you have to go so far?" "I wanted to be sure, you bastard!" "Who's in on it?" "Good Lord, what a surprise!" "I owed it to poor Fingers." "Come on!" "I've always wanted to travel, see the world." "Amonth in the Caribbean, another in Puerto Rico..." "I'd like to start a business." "And go bankrupt, open another one, and another." "I don't know what I do." "Ernesto?" "Hear that?" "It's Mellado." "What'll we do with him?" "Drop him at the next bus stop." "What'll I do with my share?" "I don't know and I don't care." "But I know I have it." "Life has taught me that fathers break their promises, that the people you love die too, that you never get the ace," "that money can take possession of people, that there's always somebody smarter than you." "To sum up, life is just a fucking scam, and it's best to be with the cheats." "I know what I do with it." "Give it all to the Church." "Amen!" "This blood tastes like raspberry syrup." "Try it." "Whats up?" "Give me the briefcase." "The briefcase!" "I'm sorry, Federico." "The deaths and the swap..." "It was you." "You're pathetic." "You'll never change." "Lies have short legs." "In life, you have to know how to win and lose." "You can't be in business all day trying to win." "When you want to win at all costs you might make mistakes."