""I listen to my finger, and therefore I am..."" "What are you doing, Florencio?" "Eh?" " Aren't you going to the ceremony?" " Yes, sure." "Put that blouse away, it's not for you!" "Jacinta ordered it!" "And Baldomero?" "He's not going?" "Who knows." "Excuse moi, to go to Rayo Cortado?" "They tell me, ask at the store." "Yes, this is the store." "The bus stops over there." "On Thursdays," "Ah bon!" "Today is Thursday..." "Yes, but it's already left." " Really?" " Yes." "So?" "So, Thursday." "Yes, Florencio's right, nothing until Thursday" "Would you like a herb for the wait?" "A souvenir from El Cerro..." "No, merci, no..." "Thanks." "Okay, let's go..." "How did things go at the bus stop?" "Didn't sell much, very little..." "Nobody came here either, except for this guy." "OFF TO THE CEREMONY" "Hello, Auntie, what have you got?" "Miracles, the basket of miracles." "Come on, I want to see what they come up with now, che!" "Take a seat, Don Eriberto say hello to everybody" "And Baldomero?" "Didn't he come with you?" "We locked the back door of the store, hope he wasn't inside!" "Can he be so absent-minded?" "There's a slight delay, right...?" "Good afternoon!" "What's new, Chasqui?" "Nothin'." "No letters today." "Goin' to the ceremony?" "Right!" "Anything to tell us?" "Baldomero must come to the ceremony." "Where is he?" "I've some news for him..." "OK!" "So talk!" "No, I can't, but there's this announcement he's been waitin' for" "Everybody has to be here, each and everybody..." "Ah Florencio!" "... come in..." "I don't see Baldomero..." "I'll brief him, Don Hidalgo, go on." "There's no need!" "Ok, very good, gentlemen." "I would like to thank you for your presence, and mention that 1983 will be a year to remember in many aspects." "One of them, of course, is the ending of national reorganization and on the other, democracy is just minutes away..." "But to make this announcement, I need my partner with me..." "This wonderful little child!" "Chief..." "Come, bring her here!" "Because if it weren't for her" "All that's happened and will happen wouldn't be possible!" "This is sweet Margarita;" "our inhabitant number 501!" "This means that thanks to her," "And thanks to my fervent work in the provincial capital" "Our village has reached the category of a town..." "This means we can choose a representative, a town president..." "I mean, a mayor..." "That's it!" "You didn't get it before, right?" "Gentlemen!" "We'll be able to choose our representatives!" "This town has matured;" "it has flourished!" "Applaud Margarita!" "Yes, thanks to her and my efforts, naturally!" "Gentlemen!" "This is great, right, Chief?" "Really great!" "To continue with the culture program" "I've created with passion and patriotism" "I've asked our dear Don Eugenio to bring us the movie..." "A beautiful movie which you can enjoy for only 3 pesos 50 cents..." "And for those who can't read, they can see it from the back," "For only 2 pesos..." "you can enjoy the movie!" "Beautiful!" "GENERAL ELECTIONS IN 1983" "ELECTIONS OCTOBER 30TH, ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE JANUARY 30TH" "CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERMENT BY JANUARY 1984" "So, we were a small town of 500 inhabitants, there was only one for each job, never two." "One Justice of Peace" "One church, one priest, one butcher, one policemen" "That's the way it was..." "Like the saying, there's no hell like a small town..." "So?" "Will you be running for mayor?" "Everybody's expecting it..." "Another cycle of the old man's death is almost ended" "Everybody in the family, same cycles, same time of day" "Can you believe it?" "I'd stop setting the clock on time if I were you." "Hi Baldomero." "And your brother?" "He'll be back." "Matilde is hoarding your attention..." "You want a herb to help you forget?" "No." "Here." "A pigmy owl's feather." "Keep it in your pocket." "When you see her wearing something bright yellow," "Then you approach her" "Flatter her hair and skin." "And she'll be yours." "But don't go to her on a Saturday evening." "Yellow." "Ok?" "Back again?" "I need lots of eggs." " What are you cooking?" " Great stuff." "Great stuff..." "look what great stuff does to you here..." "What's wrong with him?" "He's becoming a bit of a fool." " Anything else?" " No, thanks." "Let's start our game..." "Hope you're luckier than last night, Florencio, otherwise..." "Since I'm not lucky in love, maybe I'll be lucky at cards..." "Oh, that'll give us all a chance!" " Good afternoon..." " Good afternoon, Mr." " It's OK Florencio, I'll help him" " Carry on, guys, carry on..." "What will you have, Hidalgo?" "A round for the boys, ok?" " Very good..." " You need a drink to play, right?" " Thank you, sir." " Thank you!" "So that's two..." "What will you have?" "I'd love a brandy..." " Goyito... you start..." " Come On." "What did you come for, Hidalgo?" "Since you go straight to the point..." "Elections are about to take place!" "I'm organizing a committee and I want you as my right hand." "Truco!" "Huh, right hand..." "the hand you never gave us." "Quiero re truco!" "You know good that thanks to my father and grandfather our town is on the map." "It's too small a town for you, think about your future." "I've got all the contacts on the capitol city, they would smooth your way." "Quiero vale cuatro!" "What?" "Think about it." "Quiero, mierda!" "So there...!" " Bravo!" " Bravo, Goyito!" "Gentlemen..." " I love these!" " How lovely!" "I have several, for all of you!" "Petro, come on, let's go!" "Wait, I'm coming." "What are you doing here?" "Franca's waiting for you, with the kid!" "What are you doing?" "I brought five shirts they all want yellow, can you believe it?" "OK!" "A draw!" "A draw, from 1 to 10" " 10!" " No!" " 3!" " No!" " 6!" " No!" " 7!" " Yours, Matilde!" "Let's go Petro!" "We're cooking here..." "Where do I leave the eggs?" "Leave them here on the table." "I'll make shawls for all of you," "Here, this one's for you." "Come on, Petro..." "Come on." "You're such a smart one..." "You should have brought all yellow." "It's great they're making a movie about us" "And that we take part in it!" "And don't forget this happened..." " Some 20 years ago?" " Yes, sir!" "The guy who's acting me, I don't think much of him, what about you..." "Have they come out?" "There's one in yellow coming out." "Is your sister in yellow?" "No, that's Matilde." "He's a bit weird lately." "Has he started the campaign?" "Don't remind me, I have to make a barbecue for him on Saturday." "Good." "I knew Baldomero would oppose him in the end..." "We can have Saturday's barbecue at home if you like" "Choose one!" "I don't know, Franca, I don't want to bother you..." "It's OK!" "Let's do it at home, then you can rest a bit..." " Shall we do?" " I don't know how to get you out of the store..." "... Yeah, coming" "OK?" "Think about it!" "Bye!" " Hi, Matilde, how are you?" " Good, Franca!" "Yellow is in these days..." "I'm concerned about Baldomero." "People like him, love him..." "I don't really know, maybe it's just a question of luck..." "The thing is, he's not one of us." "Any ideas about this, Chief?" "Surprise me, my dear..." "Have you seen what Hidalgo is distributing, Florencio?" "ONE STEP AHEAD BY HIDALGO DIAZ VELEZ" "We have to register the party before the end of the month..." "I'm busy enough with the store." "Baldomero must be very busy with the campaign, right?" "..." "Tell him to let me know if he needs me." "I'll be at Chavelito's today..." "Florencio!" "Hate to tell you, but your brother's at the mercy of vultures near the goats' stream..." "Goyo!" "Bring the horses!" "What happens?" "I think that today I'm not going to be able to rent you the horses." "I'll tie my brother's murderer to stakes" "And then I'll stick this finger up his ass..." "So that he rots... and is eaten by vultures." "Excuse me, ladies..." "It just came out of my mouth, like that..." " He looks hypnotized..." " Like a painting..." "My God, what a waste!" "What a waste!" "I'll be right back." " Respect the dead!" " How soft he is..." "We've not finished..." "They'll be right out." " That's enough, Rosario!" " This town needs some seasoning" "Auntie, what's that herb?" "A love herb, Ali, goes straight to the one who eats it." "It's a cake." "It's a herb, it's harmless." "Matilde always lets me add my own things." " Matilde isn't here." "So now I'm cooking." "She won the blouse and disappeared..." "Have you heard from Florencio?" "Has he found out anything?" "I'm so worried about what happened to Baldomero..." "We all are!" " We should ask Hidalgo" " I don't think he's involved..." "Could it have been that Frenchie who's wandering around town?" "No, poor devil, he doesn't even know how to get out!" "So which one of you is getting him?" "To San Pedro Norte?" "Tell him, in French, two days on horseback..." "Two... days... on... horseback!" "Rufino!" "If I were you, I'd wait and take the bus in the afternoon." "Rufino, fetch all the empty glass jars and put them on the fridge next to each other." "My condolences, Florencio." "What a terrible business." "I'm entirely at your service." "This town, it's one step forward, one back." "We're 500 once again..." "I'm not thinking of reporting his death yet, Don Hidalgo, if that's your concern." "Congratulations on your civic duty, your solidarity with the town!" "Why arouse more suspicions in this dark business?" "Just when the town's picking up after so many years." "What are you doing, dear men?" "!" "Good morning!" "..." "What did that man want?" "Nothing, Franca." "What do you think?" " He doesn't do anything for nothing, eh." " Making sure the death isn't reported." "Which one do you like?" "I don't know..." "They're just jars." "Choose one." "What for?" "Hi, can I leave this at the back?" "There are lots of people coming..." " Rosario!" " What?" "Which one do you like?" " What a strange smell..." " Hmm..." "Hidalgo was here." "This one." " Sure?" " Yes, definitely." "This one." "Get in, dear man, get in..." "Don Hidalgo..." "Listen..." "We're at a delicate stage right now, yes?" "And it would be interesting to act prudently." " Prudently." " Exactly." "Pru-dent-Iy." " Very prudently." "Yes, yes, you heard, don't repeat what I say all the time, eh?" "Regarding this business of the mysterious death of my opponent..." "What a tragedy..." "Don't get involved..." "For now..." "Actually, they don't have a candidate now, Which makes voting all the more simple really, you see?" "Yes!" "So boring...!" "I would have welcomed a little fight, but..." "Our arrangement, Chief, keep it in the dark, understood?" "Perfectly, in the dark, yes!" "That light hasn't switched on for a long time." "It lights up sometimes..." "Come on kids..." "Come on." "Place the cakes one beside the other." "Perfect." "Hey, place one beside the other, hurry, quick, quick...!" "There's no time!" "Hurry up, come on!" "Put them over there!" "Come over here, hurry!" "Hurry, there's the bus, quickly, everyone ready, quick, tidy up!" " Are they on the table?" "Come here!" " It's coming!" " It's coming!" " Arrange them by color!" "Quick!" "It's coming!" "There's the bus!" "Get ready!" "There it is!" "Here, stand here!" "Look!" "So Jacinta?" "Your brother, didn't he warn you it was gonna speed through?" "It looks like you're gonna have to stay a little longer..." "Looks like it..." "This place traps you!" "We all say we're leaving and here we are." "You'll have to buy some herbs now!" "For the waiting." "You're the only tourist left now, so..." " Do you want a muffin?" " OK, Thanks." "Florencio, come and have a piece of cake!" "The bus left!" " It drove through and left!" " Come, there's plenty to eat..." "The Chief of Police?" "Name and identification number, please." "Name and identification number, please." "Florencio Contreras, 10448238" "How can I help you?" "Where's the Chief?" "No, the Chief is busy with Mrs. Pura Encarnacion's Great Dane." "Try tomorrow..." "But who knows... it's a difficult case." " Tell him I need to see him." " OK." "Tomorrow..." "Maybe tomorrow we'll find some clue." "ALMOST EVERYTHING GENERAL STORE" " Good morning!" " Good morning" "The Chief of Police has a car but it doesn't always have gas..." "Florencio?" "Why don't you come by this afternoon and we can talk?" "Thanks Father, but I've other things to do right now..." "Exactly." "Shouldn't we talk?" "That oath you swore...?" "Thanks, Father!" "I'll try and come by later." "The Chief of Police?" "Good morning, sir." "Good morning, sir." "Name and identification, please..." "Have you had a nice ride, Chief?" "Any information is welcome, Florencio!" "I'm looking for a dog." "I only need to know who did it!" "Afterwards, I'll handle it." "Go, Pérez!" "If you find who did it, I'll cancel your grocery account." "The law can't get mixed up with what you want!" "There are other ways...!" "I'm helping." "I'm giving you time...!" "I'm doing nothing!" "I'll tell the judge I couldn't resolve the murder" "Because I'm being absolutely fair!" "I must discover who murdered ...Pura Encarnación's Great Dane!" "Díaz Vélez's mother's dog!" "We carry out the law here, it's equal for everybody!" "Be it the murder of a man, an animal or a theft..." "It's all right, Hidalgo..." "I know you didn't get on with my brother, but... about your investigation over de dog's missing?" "Don't tell me that crap!" "Some advice?" "Go and talk to the villagers, it's easier..." "Talk to them, you know this town!" "Everything is known eventually...!" " Color, color..." " Ah, a color!" "Chango!" "We're going to go ahead with what my brother wanted." "We must submit a candidate for elections." " Of course!" "Chasqui!" "My brother's barbecue is on!" "Tell everybody!" "Lunch is free!" "If anyone wants to be a candidate, they must submit a proposal!" "If you want to be a candidate for Baldomero's party, doctor you must submit your proposal by Saturday, eh?" "Is the party ready...?" "We're thinking up names." "The White and Red Party" "That makes Pink." "Baldomero's party is being launched on Saturday, che." "Morning, Juan." "I'll need an assortment of meat for Saturday" "I don't know how many we'll be..." "I presume... the whole town." "I'll deliver it early." "Franca, can we put up the Frenchie until the bus stops?" "Ma'm, Florencio would like your permission to hold the barbecue here!" " New Red Party?" " New..." "If there'd been an old one." "Excuse me..." "On Saturday Florencio is organizing a campaign barbecue..." "A barbecue?" "Strange..." "Is there something else I don't know?" "No... they couldn't have found another candidate so soon..." "Chasqui, let me know any other strange movement?" "Go now..." "Thank you..." "Son, you must be at that barbecue, the town votes are going begging..." "You must go, and pick up Baldomero's votes." "Mother, I know what I must do..." "Now, I'm praying." "It's very good, eh?" " Florencio, come, sit down a little..." " No, no..." "Thank you for organizing all this here, Franca, it's good if it had been in the store, it would've been much sadder..." "You know you can count on me..." "Florencio, I'm a little lost..." "I mean, I don't see anybody here who can be a possible candidate." "Why don't you run?" "No, I'm no politician..." "Anyway, I'm busy with something else, I'm doing this for Baldomero..." "But someone else must turn up..." "The doctor, Chango..." "Nobody's submitted any proposal?" "Who invited him?" "They'll all turn chicken now..." "Good morning everyone!" "How's everybody?" "What a pleasure, eh?" "." "Oh, but what a handsome kid!" "So talented I've heard!" "So, good." "I've heard, so good!" "Maestro... play another tune!" "Just keep it up!" "Handsome kid...!" "A glass of wine?" "Florencio, if you'll allow me, a small gift for this sad time..." "Sweety!" "...two wine caskets from my wine cellar, I hope you enjoy them..." " So how's things, Eugenio?" " Good, good..." "Your family?" " Good, good..." "Moti!" " Hi, how are you doing?" " Good..." "You're always so pretty!" " Thanks..." " And the Chief of Police?" "Did'nt come?" " No." "You know... the thing about that dog..." "never ends." "Hidalgo's mother is very nervous about that." "I was devastated, I couldn't accept there were people who wanted my brother dead," "I couldn't believe this..." "he was so good..." " I think I ate too much." " Yes?" "Come, I'll cure your indigestion." "Come on!" "Come on!" "Up, get up, drinking's over!" " Drunks to the bar, out!" " God help us, eh" "Go on, out!" "Straight out!" "That way!" "Straight out!" "Straight out!" "Delicious barbecue, sir!" "Look what the Chief missed..." "All because of that hell of dog." "Gentlemen, your health!" " Cheers!" " Cheers!" "Time to get going..." " Hi, Chasqui" " Hello..." "Hmm, what have I missed..." "Where were you?" "I was delivering letters in Aguas Blancas." " This one is to..." "Baldomero" " Yes, sir!" "To Baldomero..." "He fooled himself, that guy, eh..." "What?" "Florencio, I heard that Baldomero... used to meet Matilde, the butcher's wife, down by the river" "We've reached a key part of the story." "The part where Florencio has to make good his oath..." "In this town, anyone who promises something... has to fulfill it." "Matilde was the butcher's wife..." "Not easy to face that butcher to fulfill the promise..." "Rufino?" "Are you going to bring the carriage or should I put reverse on this animal?" "It's cool out, eh?" "You know why I'm here?" "Yes, of course..." "Things will turn out as they should... and I will be fair..." "A duel in the square..." "Don't feel bad, Florencio..." "I was expecting you..." "I'm going with you because I'm an honest man, Florencio..." "You know that well." "I had my reasons for doing what I did." "I was waiting for the time to clear this up." "I also have my reasons." "You must have gone mad!" "What drove you to do it?" "You're a peaceful guy..." "All for what?" "..." "A nothing..." "Did you hear a little gossip?" "Had he chased after Matilde?" "Made some joke?" "Who has he not chased, eh?" "It meant nothing..." "No, that's not it, No, no I saw them..." "There they were..." "Going at it like rabbits" "Pure treason..." "They swore to me you'd stabbed him in the back" "No!" "That's pure gossip..." "nothing else." "Nobody's died by my hand with so much dignity..." "A serene pulse..." "A serene look in his eye..." "No." "He just stood there, no scream, no groan..." "He kneeled over slowly, like a bull tailing to the ground" "Mother of God..." "I swear, I never thought he'd die like a true man." "I swear..." "I've never seen anything like it..." "It's not about me, It's his dignity that matters." "Because he faced the consequences..." "It's not easy to find people like that." "He was never a coward, no..." "He doesn't." "You have to make that clear, Florencio..." "Don't let them to come to you with bullshit." "Your brother chose his destiny." "He had a dignified death, he went like a man..." "A fair duel would be good." "With all due respect, Juan, will you get down?" "Is he going to stick the finger up his ass?" " I'm not gonna let them..." " Don't make it more difficult." "One step further and I'll skin you alive" "Kill him, let's shoot him!" "Yes, yes!" "There's never been an execution in this town!" "Come on, Florencio!" "We'll put him out ourselves!" " Shoot him, shoot him!" " Come on, he must be shot!" "Kill him!" "Come on!" "Come on!" "Put him down!" "Finish it!" "Things will be as should be." "Take it easy." "We're gonna do what Baldomero says!" "See what the finger shows." "What's it showing?" "The finger is pointing up." "It's always sideways but now it's pointing upwards." "Why would Baldomero point upwards?" "It's pointing to the roof, you've got to stake him on the terrace." "It's pointing to the sky." "It's a sign from heaven!" "The emperors forgave with a thumbs-up sign." "Exactly, it's an emperor's sign!" "Baldomero has forgiven him!" " What an example!" " He was always that way, amazing..." "And now what?" "Now go home!" "Come on, home everybody!" "You wanted to see me, Mr Hidalgo?" "Yes." "Listen to me, Chief." "I don't want any trouble brewing." "I'm this town's future president, the future president of El Cerro" "I don't want elections to be stopped for any reason." "OK?" "So, don't even think of arresting Torres, the butcher right now" "It's not the best time to reveal personal secrets" "We're the best ones to handle this matter, you understand?" "The postal service delegate will be teaching the procedures of the election tomorrow to the elections authorities, do you follow me?" "No, no I don't, sir." "He will teach you how to vote!" "And we don't want him to know there's somebody missing, do we?" "!" " Oh...!" "Rufino, what are we gonna do with him?" "There're so many things he can't do now, and he's getting worse!" "Auntie!" "The finger's moving!" " Auntie!" "The finger's moving!" " And what's it looking at?" "What's Baldomero pointing at?" "Call the doctor!" "Are you hurt?" "Don't worry!" "I'm OK." "Same pain as always..." "It's pointing to the corner, where the ham is hanging" "Of course!" "Grandma's orthopedic device!" "How come I didn't think of it!" "We must put it on Goyo!" "Take off all this..." " We're gonna need help" " I'll send you a couple of guys" "Come on!" "Park over there!" "OFFICIAL MAIL SERVICE" " Are you OK, Goyo?" " I'm OK" " We must hang him" " Rosario sent me..." "If I'd known it was to hang this guy..." "Goyo, help lighten up on that side Chasqui, you go over there..." "Come on!" "One, two, three!" "One more... there...!" "One more time!" " There!" "Hold on!" " You got him?" "That's it." "There!" "Let him go!" "Go!" "So, Goyo?" "Eugenio, what do you think?" "It looks quite complicated..." "Why?" "He blocks everything, you can't see what's on the shelves." "Right, move him a little bit towards the window..." "Sorry, the breeze is not good for me." "Move the ladder, let's try further over..." " What are you doing up there?" " Baldomero's healing my hump." "Oh..." "Here's the mail service man Some of you already know him." "He's going to bring the ballot boxes for the elections." "They will take place at the school, Dr. Panfilo will preside." "Florencio, please make a sandwich for him, he has a long trip ahead." "Oh, yes." "What kind of sandwich?" "Salami, butter and cheese, please, Florencio." "No." "No butter..." "No?" " No need with this salami..." " Fantastic!" "How's Baldomero?" "Haven't seen him, no letters for him lately..." "He's not here!" "Oh, okay, send my regards to him!" "Thanks, bye!" "Florencio, I'm glad you changed the jar." " What happened now?" " I don't know, that's new." "What's missing here is courage..." "It's not easy to replace Baldomero." "The way he solved things..." "The finger was like this, then that, I was the first to see it..." "Just one movement, then it stood firm..." "You should've seen how he faced death..." "Huh..." "I would've voted for him..." " Who wouldn't have voted for him?" " He found a way to straighten Goyo." "He found the old grandma's device and they put it on Goyo." "Rosario was there!" "She's with the French guy, did you know?" "You should see him." "He's hanging in the store like a carcass." "Suddenly Hidalgo comes in, so to avoid trouble Baldomero hid." " He did?" " Yes!" "He must have a secret hiding place in the jar" " You think so?" " Yes." "He'd do it for elections!" " Thanks, Florencio." " Brown, Goyo!" "Shit!" "So much dust!" "If I weren't up here they'd all be brown!" " The dust's for free." " Put it on my account please?" "Hand me the kerosene lamps for the school!" " OK!" " Watch out, Goyo!" "Sorry!" "I'm not used to being up here yet" " I want to work there with Goyo!" " Come here, Ali dear!" " Good morning!" " Hi!" "How're things?" "The kids all have sore throats." " Not only Chulita." " It's the time of the year." "You gotta take care, or else the whole town'll take ill..." "Tree syrup!" "That's what you've got to give them." "One spoon of syrup every morning." "Is that what Baldomero says?" " Hi Florencio." " Hi Jacinta!" "How are you, Franca?" "Goyito?" " Two cans of peaches, please?" " Sure, Ma'm." " Here you are." " Thanks!" "I'm glad you're better." " God bless you!" " Many thanks." " How are you, Jacinta?" " Can I have a little room?" "It's good someone's taking care of us and of the town, eh?" "Thank you Florencio!" "Florencio, can I have syrup and spaghetti?" "Shall I pay you?" " You'll block up the metal straw!" "The metal straw!" "Good morning, don!" " What brings you here?" " I wanna ask the finger something." "Oh, good!" "You want a herb also?" "The finger sometimes points to my basket." " Oh, OK!" " I know exactly what he's saying." " Did it point out anything to you?" " No, I didn't see it move." "For me, if it changes position, it's a question of physique." "Forget it!" "He's not from here." "Go and ask him, ask him quietly." " I'll follow." " OK." "What a lovely couple!" "They've been together since he arrived" "Your bus is coming..." " You can see it?" " I haven't seen it, I hear it" " What are you going to do?" " Will it stop?" "I don't know, but if it does, are you leaving?" "Hello, Miss Teacher, how are you?" "The subscription forms for elections are here." "Are you organizing a political party?" "That's what I'm trying to do." "You stopped, at long last!" "So I'll be around soon." "More trips than ever." "What are you up to?" "It's because of the finger." " Good afternoon." " Hello, how are the kids?" "Oh!" "Much better, thanks!" " Chulita stopped using her pacifier!" " Really?" "Yes!" "As soon as I gave her the syrup pointed at by the finger." "Never again!" "She's 3 already, we couldn't get her to stop..." " Perhaps you can show your gratitude..." " You think so?" " Sure!" " Would you like some?" " No, thanks!" " Bye!" "Hi!" "Here's everything, don." "It's been a while since you last visited us, these letters are old." "Thank God!" "It's today's newspaper!" "Give me a Bitters Florencio, I'm so thirsty..." "You know, few people come this way, but it's changing, there's passengers." "I have some bookings, and that didn't happen before." "I go through Caminiaga, Santa Helena, El Churqui, Rayo Cortado, and end up here because of the passengers." " The visitors are due to the finger" " What finger?" "Baldomero's finger." "People come for advice." "There it is!" " What kind of advice?" " Depends on their needs..." "Today, for instance, it pointed out a horse to Chango to win the races." "And it won!" "Churrinche, my horse!" " The little Virgin looks radiant!" " Even prettier than last year!" "We gave her a holiday, consulting the finger so often!" " So, you stayed?" " Yes!" " Good for you!" " To know the place better before..." "There are so many things to see, you have no idea!" "Good morning." "How are you?" "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." "Amen." "Remove that devilish finger!" "I don't want idol-worshippers!" "How could you?" "Who dared put it next to the Virgin?" "That finger doesn't allow the dead to rest in peace!" "What are you saying?" "The finger is here for the Mass!" "Listen to me!" "That finger has to be buried with the rest of the body." "Take that jar away!" "Carry the Virgin inside so we can start Mass, come on!" "No!" "We can't leave the finger here!" "We'd better go back down." "The Virgin comes with us!" "Right!" "The little Virgin comes with us, she's ours, Mr Bishop!" "How can the bishop think of separating the Virgin from Baldomero if he was the one who recovered her?" "They can't." "To Heaven what is Heaven's, to Baldomero what is Baldomero's." "He'd have been happy to be mayor." "Shame he wasn't when he was alive." "He'd have been so good!" "Anyway, he's doing well now, eh?" " Yes!" " What are we thinking of?" "The finger resolves everything!" "We need Baldomero's finger as our candidate for mayor!" "Well, Baldomero is already registered as a candidate..." "Things are decided consulting the finger's position..." "How could it not be the one that governs?" "Let's see..." "Very good!" "A STEP FORWARD!" "HIDALGO DIAZ VELEZ" " Hidalgo!" " Yes!" " Yes, sober..." " Aword...?" "Just a sec..." "Good job!" "Very sober..." "What's the hurry?" " Seems you have an opponent..." " Yes?" "Who?" " Baldomero" " What?" "The finger is their candidate." "Don't fuck with me, Fulgencio!" "If there's no death certificate, nothing can stop him being voted as a candidate!" " Quiet, someone's coming..." "Lock it...!" " Do you have a minute?" " Do you want me to stay?" "No, it's okay..." "Come in, Don Hidalgo." "It's a little stuffy in here..." "I took down the ceiling fan, the '"truco"' cards would get blown about." "Aha..." "That finger's alive, eh?" "The value of lifeless things is a matter of interpretation." "Stop the struggle, Florencio." "Baldomero is dead, he can't be a candidate." "I come to humbly offer my cause so your votes are not trashed." "But you say that voting for you is voting for your greatgrandfather who brought roads, the civil registry, put us on the map... and taxes..." "Isn't he good and dead?" "I ask myself sometimes, Don Hidalgo, shouldn't things be equal for all?" "That depends..." "Voting in honor of someone dead is not the same as voting for a dead man." "Let's get to the point, Hidalgo." "No dead man is candidate yet." "But... there are more voters registered than villagers alive..." "Elections are like that, everybody votes if they don't figure as dead..." "It's a right." "Uncovering this affair is worse than digging up skeletons." "So let's not uncover it..." "You keep your voters, we keep our candidate." "You know something, Hidalgo?" "He's not registered as dead because you asked me not to." "We can always take a step back but there wouldn't be elections." "That's not quite true." "But... in a civilized world, there can't be fraudulent elections." "so, let's be patriotic..." "An unchallenged electoral roll and your brother as a candidate, OK?" "They learnt from my school, I taught them!" "Poor things..." "But they don't know who they're up against." "However..." "Something's wrong, sir..." "The car doesn't go forward, I'm gonna take a look..." "Go on, go..." " Come, sir, it's unbelievable!" " What?" "Fuck...!" "Oh, no...!" "Baldomero's stolen my four wheels!" "He's the suspect, you must investigate!" "Do you think, Don Hidalgo?" "We can't be digging up graves..." "If we do, people will rebel like they did with the bishop!" "I do think, investigate!" "He's the suspect." "Keep this a secret, OK?" "I'm trusting you..." "Let's see..." "If we don't write down the items, we can't go forward!" "Franca, read what you've written down up to now..." "Up to now?" "A town entry sign." "A flag pole for the school, books to start the school library," "A mattress for each ranch hand when they stay overnight, plus an all-night candle." "I don't know if you're doing right" "Why do you say that?" "Do you have a better idea?" "No, but the finger has stopped moving." "What?" "It's been still, pointing at the letterbox, since yesterday." "Insistent, it hasn't moved." "So!" "We must send the campaign proposal now!" " You know what Franca?" " Yes?" "A bus stop..." "No!" "Aroofed bus stop." "Roo-oof-fed bus stop." "Books to start the school library, a mattress for each ranch hand and an all-night candle..." "This is bullshit!" "For sissies..." "Chief, we wouldn't be able to dominate the ranch hands, get it?" "You'd find it very difficult to keep the town in order...!" "You think so?" "Don't tell me later I didn't warn you..." "Sunday 11th, vote Baldomero for mayor!" "Your store accounts to be started atresh!" ""Sunday 11th, vote Baldomero for mayor!"" "The Sunday, vote Baldomero tor mayor!" "Slower, Rufino, it's very jumpy back here...!" "The balls are arrived..." "Give me a kiss...?" "Slowly!" "Don't quarrel..." "A kiss?" "Oh, he's got a little cold, ugh..." "OK, Ok!" "Grab them, go on..." "VOTE FOR BALDOMERO" "Sunday 11th, vote Baldomero for mayor!" "Fresh eggs..." "the best French bread..." "For sale, the revolucionary stretch method I'm wearing...!" "Some projects proposed are a 12 miles tethering post..." "Six bowling strips... a pavilion to play truco..." "And the most ridiculous of all, Manuel, just listen!" "For Thursdays they want to buy a roofed bus-stop!" "Waste all that money just for one day!" "Eh?" "Let them dream a little, eh?" "It's fixed already!" "I propose a toast for your future government!" "Yes!" "Gentlemen, cheers!" "THE ARGENTINE PEOPLE VOTE NATIONWIDE" "BACK TO BALLOT BOXES AND DEMOCRACY" "RETURN TO VOTING" "VICTORY OF THE PEOPLE" "There it is!" "Look at the time, che!" "It's shameful!" " They come when they feel like it." " As if we were so far away." " What a shame!" " There is." " Excuse me..." " Please sign here..." "But my God!" "Give me patience..." "Franca, I think the ballot box isn't alone!" "No, no-one touch a thing!" "Wait a minute!" "I don't want to be impolite or a loud-mouth..." "Something seems to have been forgotten inside the box..." "What kind of statement is that?" "You sure?" "Keep still!" "So...!" "The ballot boxes have been violated we're confiscating them until we've cleared things up..." "We're not going to vote?" "There's some irregularity here, so for now elections are suspended until further notice -we have no tamper proof fiscal premises." "Further notice!" "?" "Yes, we do have a place!" "I propose what Baldomero always preferred." "Our votes go into the mailbox." "Exactly!" "It has the National Emblem" "It's a tamper proof fiscal premise." "Perfect!" "We carry all the tables to the square." "In 15 minutes, voting begins!" " Everybody carrying their identification, OK?" " Come on!" "What are you gonna do now, boss?" "One step ahead, Plan B, we must fix your incompetence." " 'Morning." " Goyito!" "'Morning!" "." " How straight you're looking!" " Thanks, Franca!" "What did you bring to vote with?" "A document, an accounts book?" " My document." " Document..." "Here Jacinta..." "What do I do now?" "Now you go to the car, choose one of the ballot papers, OK?" "Choose one, put it into the envelope, if you can't read" "The black is Don Hidalgo, the red is Baldomero, OK?" "Go, go on..." "Next!" "Simón!" "What have you brought?" "Fresh chicken eggs." "Thanks!" "But you haven't forgotten your document?" "No, here it is!" " Let's see?" " Here." "Everything OK?" "Yes, we'll wait for Goyito, then it's your turn..." " He can go now?" " Yes, yes, go ahead." "Next!" "Goyito, what's this?" "No, to the mailbox, stick it up and put it into the red mailbox." " Excuse me, excuse me..." "Hidalgo's mother is coming..." "shall we make her come in, Franca?" "She'll have to wait, look at all the people waiting...!" "How are you?" "Franca, Doctor?" "Jacinta!" " How are you?" "." " Very well, here's my vote." " Where do I deposit it?" " First give it to me..." "I'll seat it, you stick it up and put it into the mailbox" "Where?" " The red mailbox on the corner." " Oh, how original!" "Thank you!" "See you later." "Bye, everybody!" "Goodbye, my dears!" "He's brought all the ranchhands, and more!" "That's done it!" "Welcome!" "Go ahead, go ahead!" "Just vote right, boys!" "Then you're all invited to the ranch for a delicious barbecue, eh!" " I see you came with company..." " Yes, plan B, Fulgencio." "Plan B." "You make me move down in the alphabet." " No, no, stop!" " Wait, wait, into line please" "That line." "Come, Ma'm, over here..." "Here we are the women!" "Come on!" "Let's go to vote!" "Let's go to vote!" " Come on, everyone!" " Here we are!" "Just a minute, silence please!" "Let's get organized..." "Men on this side, women over here..." "Everybody will vote, one by one, each with their document..." "Calm down..." "Let's start." "Come Franca..." "They want to know who was elected..." "They don't know?" "What kind of journalists are they?" "I'm tired of these kind of people, so unprepared..." "Noo, please Franca, calm down, here, sit here..." "We won!" "Beer all around!" "Congratulations!" "Long live democracy!" "THE FINGER WAS EL CERRO'S MAYOR FOR FOUR YEARS" "DURING IT'S MANDATE, THE TOWN FLOURISHED AMAZINGLY" "BEING THE MOST DEVOTED, FRANCA CONTINUED THE FINGER'S TERM OF OFFICE FOR FOUR MORE YEARS" "SHE WAS RECENTLY CALLED TO BE MINISTER OF EDUCATION OF THE PROVINCE." "FLORENCIO DIVIDES HIS TIME BETWEEN THE STORE AND QUERIES FROM BOTH THE FAITHFULAND CURIOUS" "THE FINGER CURRENTLY ATTENDS QUERIES, DEVOTING TIME ESPECIALLY TO THE LOVESICK"