"¤ FIRST COMMUNION ¤" "Juanito, you haven't seen Mario around here?" "Sure, he's there in the quarry with the boys." "Do you want to tell him his suit's here?" "~ For his first communion?" "~ Yeah, that's right, could you fetch him please?" "I'll be right back, so don't move them." "Mario!" "Mario!" "Your mom's looking for you, your suit's there." "Yeah?" "That's great!" "For the first time, beloved children, you are going to receive Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament,... pure in soul and clothing,... which is how you should receive your first communion." "And will you always remember that this is the Lamb of God..." "Who takes away the sins of the world." "The body of Christ." "The body of Christ." "Well, kids...well, kids, over there, we have cake, jellies, tamales, chocolate, and soft drinks." "What I want is you to be very happy." "Good, great!" "~ Give me chocolate!" "~ No, it's mine!" "~ It's mine!" "~ It's mine!" "~ Give it to me!" "~ Give it to me!" "How can I thank you for all this, my friend!" "Oh, don't say that, my dear!" "Rosita and you deserve more." "Thanks, my friend." "Put on some music, old dear, you must be happy." "Dad, when am I going to make my first communion?" "What did you say?" "When am I going to make my first communion?" "Still thinking about that?" "Sure, Dad, after all, Rosita and Mario, they're younger, they've made it." "I told you not to go wasting your time on those things." "Mom said that it's the duty of every Christian to make communion,... and I think I'm the only kid in the neighborhood who hasn't." "It shames me." "Stealing is a shame, son." "What's got into you?" "What, isn't my mom in heaven?" "Sure, no doubt about that." "So she can see us." "Yeah, well...sure." "Well, she must be so sad,... because she always said I'd make my first communion." "If she were alive, it would have happened already!" "Come here." "Look, my son, we both miss your mother, you and me both." "Sit down, Pedro." "Look, son, I had hardly any schooling, but I want you to be educated." "I think the most important is that you study so you can be better than me,... and avoid this blah life that I'm stuck in." "Don't you think?" "Now quit bellyaching." "Eat your breakfast." "Rosita doesn't have a father, either, and she's already made her communion." "Good day, Don Francisco." "Good day, Pedro." "Good day, Lupe, how are they all at home?" "Well my mom's as always, with her rheumatism." "You needn't have bothered to come, today's Sunday." "What's up with Pedro?" "Nothing, sulking, you know." "What's that, tears?" "Why are you crying, Pedro?" "It's that I, I just want to make my first communion,... because I'm already awful old for that, and my mom told me..." "Fine, fine, if that's what you want, do it, do it." "You see?" "That solves that problem." "When are you going to buy me a suit?" "Suit?" "What suit?" "The white suit for first communion." "Are you crazy?" "You think I'll buy you a white suit to use once and then never put on again?" "I even work on Sundays, and even so I can't ends meet." "First Communion ought to occur in a white suit." "~ It's a sign of purity!" "~ Spare me the story!" "If you want to make communion, go ahead, but do it in the clothes you have." "But this outfit doesn't...!" "Forget it!" "I told you." "So, what?" "Will you let your dad go off with no goodbye?" "White suit...!" "What you should do is to study the catechism." "Don't be discouraged." "Drop dead, else it's not funny!" "Why didn't Batman fall, if we've already shot him?" "You just drop dead, we did shoot better." "And besides, there aren't as many of your guys." "Help us, guys!" "Pow, pow, pow!" "~ They just killed one." "~ Holy crap!" "Hey!" "Shhh, shhh!" "What, they already killed you?" "Then what's wrong with you?" "My dad...he gave me permission to make my first communion." "So why are you sad?" "He doesn't want to buy me a white suit." "Pedro!" "Why won't he buy you one?" "I can't tell you just now because they killed me." ""Sinner that I am, I confess to Almighty God..." ""to the Blessed Virgin Mary..." ""to Saint John the Baptist and the Archangel Michael,..." ""and to the Sainted Apostles Peter and Paul,..."" "Get lost, Moron!" ""and to all the Saints, and to You, the Father, as I have sinned so much in deed and thought,..."" "Listen, do I have to confess to all those guys, too?" "Just to the priest, but you can commend yourself to all those saints...they're not guys." "Oh, but if they're Saints, then they have to be guys." "Hey, Rosita, but what sins --- suppose I don't have any?" "How about when you scratched Michael's book?" "Oh, good...!" "Hey, I just thought of another one." "So should I say it?" "~ Right." "~ And if I keep quiet?" "Then it wouldn't be a good confession." "OK, but I'll be embarrassed!" "Well, I was very embarrassed, too, but I did it." "What are you eating there?" "And what sin did you mention?" "Oh, I can't tell!" "Hey, and what if the priest squeals to my dad?" "What do you think?" "Don't you know everything said in confession is a secret?" "Ah, OK!" "~ Hey, Rosita, if it's a secret of the confessional..." "~ Here!" "You're going to pay for this!" "I let you off because I'm studying the catechism, otherwise I'd kill you both." "Damned you both!" "Go on, Rosita." ""Then come the laws and commandments from God." ""First: you shall love God above all things." ""Second: don't take the Lord's name in vain." ""Third: observe the Holy Days."" "Pedro, get down!" ""Fourth: honor your father and mother."" "Crap, how do I do that?" "I've only got dad left." "We'll have to ask about that." ""Fifth: don't kill anybody."" "Oh, that's clear enough!" ""Sixth: don't screw around."" "Hey, what the fuck is that?" "I don't know, every time I ask my mom, she just coughs,... and says I'll learn when I'm older." "Right then, I'll have to cough." ""Seventh: don't steal."" "Is that another coughing matter?" "Robbing, don't rob anybody!" "Oh!" ""Eighth: don't lie or accuse people falsely." ""Ninth: don't desire your neighbor's wife."" "Hey, Rosita, there's a lot here I don't quite get." "Me neither, but you still have to learn it." ""Tenth: don't be jealous of other people's stuff."" "Hey, Rosita, do you believe in miracles?" "I don't know." "Oh, oh, oh, no, ma'am, please, don't be evil!" "Not castor oil!" "Oh, oh, oh, oh!" "~ This'll make you feel better, Pedro." "~ Oh, no, please, oh, oh!" "Fine, then an enema." "Lupe!" "Oh, oh, oh, oh!" "Oh, oh, oh, oh!" "Castor oil, now!" "This tastes worse than munching on a dead mouse." "Boy!" "Have you ever eaten a mouse?" "~ No, but I can easily imagine it." "~ Rosita, let it go." "~ Good evening." "~ Good evening." "What's up with you, Pedro?" "I just ate a small piece of watermelon,... and it gave me a huge stomach ache." "Lupe told me so I presumed to come." "Please, ma'am, on the contrary, many thanks for having come." "It scared me, since Pedro shouted horribly and twisted around..." "Oh, oh, oh!" "Hang on." "Do you want to be shamed in front of our guests?" "Yes." "I gave him some castor oil but it would be good if he saw a doctor." "If he's bad I'll take him to social services." "If you want I'll take him tomorrow." "Thanks, Lupe." "Fine, by your leave." "Lupe." "And thanks, ma'am." "Are you sure you don't want to stay and have a bite with us?" "That's nice of you, but as Christmas approaches, I've got lots of work to deliver." "Good, some other day you can drop by for some coffee." "Thanks." "Why not invite them to dinner with us on Christmas Eve?" "Yes, yes, Mom, yeah!" "That night's reserved for dining with your aunts and uncles." "But my aunts and uncles won't come back until the New Year!" "Rosita!" "That night is a family feast." "Well, as you say, ma'am, but it would be a pleasure." "Pedro and I'll be eating at home, and we have no family." "That wouldn't be polite of us." "Yes, yes, Dad, invite them!" "Fine, if you'd do us the favor, ma'am." "I'll help cook and we can invite Polo." "Sure, Lupe." "What do you say, ma'am?" "Good, if you'll let me bring the chicken..." "No, ma'am, you needn't bother,... now the important thing is that we all feel at ease." "Well, thank you." "Pedro, you get better." "How cool that you got ill by eating too much, Pedro!" "~ Rosita!" "If you should need something..." "~ Thank you, ma'am." "~ How much do you have in the bank?" "~ 17.90." "~ Lend me ten pesos." "~ What for?" "Well, what do you think?" "For dinner!" "Since you were the one who invited them." "Well, if it's for the dinner... but you'll pay it back, right?" "Of course, when did I ever not pay back to the piggybank?" "And besides, we're doing the right thing, screw the money... pennies are for rolling." "Look, Lupe, what a suit!" "How garish!" "I'm sure this is just like the one my mother was imagining." "But remember what your dad said." "We'd better move on, Pedro." "Hey, let me wait here a minute?" "OK, but promise me you won't budge from here at the display." "No, Lupe." "~ You like it?" "~ Heaps!" "Well, chose one." "Is it for me?" "Sure, it's for you." "Which of these do you like?" "This, the white one." "Is it expensive?" "Well, it costs just 200 pesos." "Are you on your own?" "No, with Lupe." "She went to the market but she said I could look for one." "Wouldn't you like to try it on?" "Yeah, it's for my first communion." "Fine, come try it on." "These are for Mr. Ruiz." "Do you want to give them to him, please?" "With pleasure." "Good, that's it, there you go." "Look in the mirror." "You're a prince." "What's the matter?" "Are you crying?" "No, no, it's just my eyes watering." "Mr. Ruiz, they need you at checkout." "Right, I'm on the way." "So, are you going to buy this suit?" "I don't know, I'm trying it on." "Trying it on...well be careful, don't go to staining it with these shoes." "Enough, Couto, enough, I'm waiting on him." "Fine, go ahead." "Is he the owner?" "No, he's an employee just like me, except he's a bad apple." "So, then, do you like it?" "It suits you well." "Hell, yes!" "Mr. Ruiz, excuse me, they want you at checkout again." "Fine." "You think you're smart, don't you?" "What?" "Naughty boy!" "Look out!" "Look out, the kid's escaping!" "Grab him, grab him!" "That boy!" "Hey, old man!" "Grab him!" "Grumpy old man!" "Grab him!" "That kid, he's running off with that suit!" "By God, boy, do not go throwing that,... it's cut glass and worth thousands of pesos!" "Yeah?" "Think fast!" "Hey!" "Here I am, grumpy dude!" "Ruiz, Ruiz!" "Ruiz!" "You see, Ruiz?" "He ran off with the suit." "Thank you, sir, I'll be back." "Whenever you want, boy." "We're here to serve the customers." "What's wrong?" "What happened?" "Nothing, I've been here, not doing a thing." "Let's go." "Did they really let you to try it on?" "Yeah, but just for a moment." ""It looks like all these first communion suits are difficult,..." ""so my mom took it off me right away."" "How many days would it take to save 200 pesos?" "Well..." "I don't know." "How much have you saved up?" "17.90, but I had to pay 10 pesos to my dad toward Christmas dinner." "I think you're a bit short of money, right?" "~ Shall we go count it?" "~ Yeah, let's." "Come, come, come." "Bring it further back." "Come on, come on, to the right, to the right!" "Come on, come on, come on!" "Bring the truck body!" "Another 20 centavo coin." "7.90." "You know what?" "I have my own piggy bank." "Let's go count it." "Let's go." "Seven, eight, nine." "Still way too short!" "Way to short!" "Hey, what about if you ask your Uncle Polo?" "Oh, yeah, the other day he gave me a peso!" "No...he told me he lost his job." "So we've got to ask Lupe?" "Yeah, I suppose so!" "No, Pedro, I wish I could!" "I can't spare more than 10 pesos,... and you'd have to wait for it until next week." "And if you get the rest, you'll lend it to me?" "Why, sure, but where are you going to get it?" "I don't know yet, but we'll keep thinking." "Yeah, we'll keep thinking." "Hey, why are you walking like that?" "It helps me think better." "Listen, who has money?" "~ Well...rich folks." "~ Oh." "And who's rich in our neighborhood?" "Well..." "I wonder when you'll be able to pay it back." "You pay five and owe 20." "Mom said to at least put the bread on our account, if you can't go on." "Your mom doesn't know what she's talking about." "Or would you rather just go hungry?" "Evil demons take me!" "Come on, take it all before I change my mind!" "Are you taking advantage of me or not?" "~ Yes, Don Victorino." "~ That's right." "Here you go." "Debts, debts, just debts." "And like they say in America!" "Sugar!" "What do you want?" "Don Victorino, I came here to ask you to lend me 160 pesos." "What, what are you saying?" "I came so you can do me the favor of lending me 160 pesos." "Aha, 160 pesos." "Is that all?" "Yes." "Come, come...and how do you want it?" "Well...in one-peso notes." "All right...good, man, good." "And who sent you to pull a joke like this on me?" "No, it's no joke!" "It's not a joke?" "Then what, do you think I have a stupid face or what?" "No, I don't think so." "Look, leave me alone, I don't have time to waste." "Scram." "I need it to buy my suit for my first communion." "And why should I buy it for you?" "Why not ask your father?" "He doesn't have it." "So why do I have to give it to you?" "Well...because that's what the suit costs." "Beautiful, yes, sir!" "If I don't make it in the suit, well, I won't feel right, and the priest says that way it won't count as real." "~ It won't count?" "~ No." "And if I don't make it, I'll go to Hell." "Of course, because that's where I'm sending you now." "If I go to Hell because of you, you'll go there too." "Look, push off, because if it's me who chases you out, your ears are going to hurt, you damned brat." "Let's go, Rosita." "Why do I have to go to Hell?" "Sugar!" "¤ THE WHITE SUIT ¤" "~ No, it goes here." "~ Oh, whatever." "Good." "Here, Lupe." "Excuse me, but what happened after that?" "Well, we moved from town, hoping Pedro would attend the university." "Then I undertook the obligation of buying the house, but sometimes things get really difficult!" "But this system is a boon to home-buyers." "Without that, what could a woman like me do?" "You're quite admirable." "Me, why?" "Because of your optimism,... even though life must be very hard for you." "I guess it is for everyone, a bit, but I'm not complaining." "With my husband cosigning, I could make a down payment on the house... and we never lack money for the installments and the food." "They're announcing mass." "Now?" "Yes, midnight mass, the hour of birth of Our Lord." "Oh!" "You're not going to church?" "Thanks, but I...it's not my way." "Merry Christmas, everyone!" "Polo, my cousin Polo!" "What's happening, Cousin, how are you?" "~ I'm fine, Polo." "And you?" "~ Just fine!" "~ Merry Christmas, Polo." "~ Merry Christmas." "Remember the lady?" "Sure, of course." "It's a neighbor of yours, right?" "Merry Christmas, ma'am." "Thanks, you too." "What's happening, Short Stuff?" "Merry Christmas!" "Hey, hey, hey!" "Why did you show up late?" "We're at the time of the very big celebration of Christmas." "Are you hungry?" "No, no, thanks, I already ravaged the table at some misfits' home." "Misfits?" "What do you mean?" "Some girls, some young girls!" "Polo is my cousin, and he's very strong!" "Right, Polo?" "No, Cousin, that's life, I've lost a lot." "Crap, what biceps!" "Here, here, Rosita, check out this bicep!" "Look, ma'am, what a bicep, come touch it!" "Go on, go on, Pedro, don't be a hardass, leave the lady alone." "It's true you were a good striker in football, right, Polo?" "I'm pretty good at it, Cousin!" "But lately I've been playing as a goalkeeper, and they've not scored a single goal on me." "Crap, that's great!" "Oh, but I was awfully unlucky in my bet in the football pools, man!" "It was going well, but finally America didn't play up to expectations." "I'd have won 250 pesos." "So you're still betting, Polo?" "Yeah, sure, Uncle, it's good for a laugh." "We're on our way to mass, if you'll excuse us." "~ Oh, yeah, yeah." "~ Let's go, Rosita." "Are you going to sleep over?" "No, Uncle, I came to meet up with some friends." "Well, don't be a stranger." "It's almost a month since I've seen you." "Sorry, I already attended a lot of Nativity parties." "I understand." "Hey, Uncle, can you advance me some 40 pesos?" "I'm half skint." "Well, you know I live day to day." "How about 5 pesos?" "Sure, sure, fine." "Well, thank you very much, dinner was very tasty." "You're very kind." "You saw how happy we were?" "So what's happened, that you're down in the dumps?" "Pedro's worried about his first communion." "Why, since I told you he could make it?" "He wanted to talk with Polo about the white suit." "Again?" "We already talked about this, Pedro." "My dear, the Nativity scene?" "Good, see you later." "~ Good evening, ma'am." "~ Good evening." "I'll escort you to the bus." "Pedro, come on, come on." "I have an idea: why not ask the Three Kings for the white suit?" "What a good idea!" "No...they only bring toys." "No, they bring other stuff, too, when they want to." "~ Yeah?" "~ Yeah." "~ Is that right?" "~ Sure." "And which of the three should I ask?" "The black one." "They say he brings stuff even without people asking." "OK, the black one, then." "Well, what are those kids up to, eh?" "What a good idea, Rosita!" "~ Polo." "~ Mhh?" "How nice you came!" "Mind that for being able to have dinner with your uncle, I also had to have dinner at home." "How courageous!" "When will you be back?" "~ Soon." "~ Really?" "Yeah, you see how this cheers up my uncle!" "He's a very nice guy." "Yeah, it's just that we think differently." "Yeah?" "Yeah, he's already a grownup." "There's that." "I think that in almost everything, I think just like him." "You're going to be old soon!" "Polo, do you have a girlfriend?" "A lot of them." "How about you, a boyfriend?" "No." "Uh, then how silly!" "As pretty as you are, you could have whoever you want." "Good, here comes my bus." "See you!" "I respect everything." "I don't believe or deny anything, but my faith lies in real work." "Life taught that to me." "I'm just an average guy, I know that." "I was referring to something else:... maybe you'd do well to move a little closer to God." "Forgive me, I did not want to interfere in your way of thinking." "It's just...maybe Christmas makes people more sentimental." "Yeah --- True enough." "Thanks for escorting us." "On the contrary, thank you." "Tomorrow we write the letter, OK?" ""And now I'm telling you I want something,..." ""and don't turn me down." ""I want you to bring me the white suit at the corner store, where traffic is so heavy." ""It's for my first communion." "You're a king so you can't say you're not able to do it." ""That's everything." "I salute you, and my dad and Rosita send greetings, too." "Thanks, Pedro."" "Come on!" "OK." "Hey, why are you keeping it a secret?" "My dad can write asking for a blue suit to keep using after the first communion." "But it must be white!" "Even if he writes, the Three Kings don't listen to grownups." "You think?" "It's better if no one knows, and it'll be a surprise for my dad!" "Let's go, Rosita!" "OK." "No, my love, I don't think you should change that point." "There's no change, I just want her to be able to talk!" "You shouldn't harass the Three Kings so much." "~ But they're really nice guys!" "~ What's all this, Rosita?" "OK, I'll be happy even if she isn't able to talk, Mom." "Can I tell Pedro?" "Yes, my love, go on." "Good evening." "How are you, Pancho?" "Come on in." "No, thanks, Julia, it's already late." "I just dropped by to drop this off." "It's for Rosita." "I do not know what to say, Pancho." "It's been such a long time..." "No, no, don't say anything, it's no big deal, it's a trifle." "I just thought that..." "Well, I wanted to give it to Rosita in appreciation for how good she is for Pedro." "Rosita is going to be happy with another gift, they make her so excited!" "I hope she'll like it." "~ Good night." "~ Good night." "And thanks." "They let me down, Rosita, they let me down!" "I think they got mixed up, I asked for a doll but they brought two." "How strange!" "What bad luck!" "That's the first time they've failed that I know of." "Don't be sad, Pedro, you'll see, we'll get your suit some other way." "Where?" "My dad can't afford it." "The Kings failed, Don Victorino doesn't want to stake me a loan." "We'll keep thinking." "Hey, and what if Don Victorino gave it to me, without him knowing?" "How?" "I'll take it without him noticing." "No, that would be stealing." "But I'm going to pay him back!" "If I don't pay him back, the first communion would be tainted." "Well, then it's OK!" "~ Will you help me?" "~ Sure." "Well, he from Hell again!" "And now what is it?" "Half a liter of cooking oil." "Oh, all right!" "Feet on the ground, right?" "Feet on the ground." "Half a liter." "¤ If Adelita should leave me for another... ¤ I'd follow her by land and by sea,... ¤ if by sea in a warship... ¤ ~ I took five pesos too much." "~ It doesn't matter." "~ No, because that itself is a sin!" "We just wanted a quarter liter!" "Sugar!" "Ready, let's go!" "The oil!" "Fine, I like it that you're being formal and behaving." "Thanks, Don Victorino." "Hey!" "Come back here." "What, you think I'm stupid or what?" "Pay up." "Come on, don't wear that naive face." "The oil isn't a gift." "It just that...we don't have any money." "So what do you want, do you think I'm psychic?" "OK, I'll add it to your father's account." "Go on, scram!" "Thanks, Don Victorino." "Great!" "Now just let's grab the 10 pesos and our piggy banks." "Bugger!" "I'm short the 10 pesos I lent my dad." "~ Well, ask for it back." "~ No." "Then ask Lupe, in the end it's not all that much." "Bang!" "Let's go, she knows where they're selling the suit." "~ And the oil?" "~ Well, we'll give it to her." "No, Pedro, that's not a loan, and right now we will return that money." "No, Lupe, don't give me a rough time, I plan to repay him!" "Of course, only that you're going to do it this very minute." "He'll have a shit hemorrhage." "Probably." "He'll have me sent to jail." "Probably." "You'll give it back for me, won't you?" "No, sir, no, you're going to do that very thing yourself." "Let's go." "~ Oh!" "~ Oh, really?" "Come on." "Sugar times ten!" "But you're back again?" "What now?" "Less oil?" "Well, what is it?" "Spit it out." "These kids here want to talk to you." "OK, talk!" "We came to return your 160 pesos." "Oh?" "But hey, what's this?" "Are you trying to drive me crazy?" "No, Don Victorino, it's your money." "We helped ourselves to...a loan." "You borrowed it?" "Where, when, how?" "When you were giving us the oil." "When I was giving you the oil?" "Is this possible?" "Look, boy, what you're saying is very serious." "Yes, Don Victorino, it's just that I asked the Three Kings for the suit but they blew me off." "They blew you off...do you want to know something?" "When your father finds all this out the Vietnam war will seem like a few firecrackers compare to what'll happen to you." "We understand each other?" "But I already brought it back, Don Victorino!" "You gave it back..." "Go away, go away before I break that pumpkin you carry on your shoulders!" "Let's go, Pedro." "Hey, wait." "Come here." "You say it happened while I was getting your oil?" "Yes, Don Victorino, while you were dispensing the oil, I jumped the counter." "~ You jumped." "~ Twice." "Twice?" "Aha." "Then the pumpkin head is me, such an idiot I am!" "Yes, Don Victorino." "No, Don Victorino!" "Get out of my store, go out, because I'm reminded of Herod and I may do something harsh." "Let's see, would you like that?" "Answer me." "I didn't mean it like that." "Don Victorino already told you!" "Yeah." "He knows I have to discipline you." "You're going to slug me?" "~ Do you think you deserve that?" "~ Yes." "Dinner's ready, Don Francisco, and they're waiting for me at home." "By your leave." "Why did you do this?" "It's just that...the Three Kings let me down." "Oh, you were expecting a miracle, is that it?" "They brought the rest of the kids everything they asked for." "I just asked for the suit." "They haven't delivered it." "They gave me this shit of a truck." "They let me down." "We have to talk man-to-man, Pedro." "Look, son, it seems to me that the Three Kings don't exist,... and that shit of a truck was all I could afford to buy for you." "What?" "Really, Dad?" "I've always said that there's no such thing as miracles." "If I'd known you were asking someone who doesn't exist,..." "I would have explained it wasn't so...because I'm poor." "No, really." "Look, son, even if you lack some stuff,... but I'm happy that we're paying for this house,... and it'll be yours when you grow up,... and because you're very studious, and your grades are very good." "You see?" "You'll have the opportunity to learn more and live better than your parents did." "That's what's important." "Do you understand?" "Yes, Dad." "Now, if you're insisting to making your first communion, do so, but in those clothes." "It's not just the suit, my son,... there's the shirt, tie, church, cakes,... and I don't know what all, and I can't afford it." "Friends?" "Friends." "Mind your schooling, my son, your schooling." "Don't be silly, Pedro, Don Victorino wasn't angry when he told me,... and he wants you to go there alone." "What if he sends me to jail?" "No, man, nothing'll happen to you." "It'll be better if you take me." "Right, Polo?" "OK, I'll go with you, and if I see anything bad happening, I'll step in." "Thanks, cousin!" "~ No..." "I changed my mind." "~ Go on!" "~ Hi." "~ Hi." "I had to tell your dad because it's up to him to discipline you." "You hear?" "And don't be upset, because I did it for your sake." "Do you get it?" "I've been thinking a lot about what you told me the other day." "About me going to Hell." "But that was a lie." "Well...who knows --- maybe you were right." "Because if we can be good but we're not, then we're bad, isn't that right?" "And what's money for?" "Nothing!" "That's how it is." "I'm remembering when I was your age in my hometown back in Spain... and when I made my first communion, I did it in a sharp white suit... which the Three Kings brought me." "And such party...well!" "I had a convulsion..." "I won't tell you any more!" "I know how badly the Three Kings treated you." "There are no Kings." "They told you that?" "Yeah." "Well, that wasn't very nice, Sugar!" "To tell a child that there aren't...of course the Three Kings exist, right, Mister!" "Well..." "I'll tell you the truth --- sometimes they let people down." "They didn't bring me anything, either, you know." "The thing about the party, I made it up,... and I didn't make my first communion in a white suit,... but indeed you're going to." "You're going to make it as God commanded for such is my will." "You'll see." "That's it, indeed." "Here." "What's this?" "Look inside." "~ For me?" "~ Of course." "Thanks, Don Victorino, thanks!" "No, better not." "~ Why not?" "~ It's just..." "But, what's all this, are you crazy or do you want me to go crazy?" "What's the story?" "Don't be angry, Don Victorino, but presents...no." "My dad wouldn't like it." "It's better if you lend me the money and I'll repay you when I'm older." "What did you think, that I was going to give it to you?" "No, sir, it's a loan!" "A loan!" "That way of course it's fine!" "Thanks, Don Victorino, goodbye!" "Rapacious demon!" "But he didn't make me smile." "¤ CLOSE TO GOD ¤" "The old guy's really nice!" "Hey, don't go telling my dad." "No, man." "You'll look grand in your 160 peso suit." "~ It costs 200 pesos." "~ How are you going about it?" "From my piggy bank, and with the 10 pesos Lupe and Rosita will advance me, and from my dad, I'll total 200!" "And how are you going to ask my uncle for money unless you want him to know?" "The worst thing would be if they sold the suit." "Hey, can you lend it to me?" "Of course I'll lend it to you." "Don't ask the old women for money, that's pretty shabby." "I'll make up the 40 you're short." "Give me the money, I'll buy it myself." "Thanks, Polo!" "It's the one in the window of the store, that big one where there's heavy traffic on the street." "Yeah, man, I know it." "In the middle, right?" "Sure, you'll have it tomorrow." "~ In the middle, right?" "~ Yes." "Yippee!" ""My Lord, Jesus Christ, God and true man,..." ""for being who You are and because I love You above all things..." ""in my sins I have offended You, Lord."" "Five, and another fifty." "~ I fold." "~ Me, too." "Me even faster." "Jesus loves me a lot, a lot." "That's why He became a child like me, so I'd love Him too." ""Lord, I firmly resolve to confess,..." ""and to take communion, and do any penance that I'm imposed." ""I offer you, Lord, my life, works and labor,..." ""toward the rectification of my sins." ""So I trust in your infinite goodness..." ""and may You forgive me through your priceless blood,..." ""and give me grace to sin no more." "Amen."" "Cards." "Two." "Two also." "Your bet." "100." "100 plus all the rest." "Pedro!" "You'll have to catch up, I'm going to see my suit." "What, you're not going to study?" "I'll go to your place for the catechisms!" "Where's Polo?" "What, didn't Polo come by?" "He said he couldn't wait for you." "Oh, I know!" "Where's my suit, Lupe?" "There is no suit." "What, did they already sell it?" "No, Pedro, Polo gambled away the money." "That can't be, you're joking!" "No, Pedro, I'm telling you the truth." "Polo lost the money." "He didn't tell me he was going to bet with it." "He lost it, he lost it all." "This can't be, Polo wouldn't do something like that!" "Well, Pedro, we were wrong." "Polo isn't what we thought he was." "And my suit?" "Ahoy the scaffolding, prop it up to reach the second floor!" "Listen, sir, sir, listen!" "~ What do you want?" "~ How much to buy the aggregate?" "400 pesos per truck." "Why?" "No..." "listen, sir, by the sack?" "Sack?" "I don't buy by the bag." "You know, I live here in the town of Meyehualco." "Can you buy my aggregate?" "But you don't have a truck." "But I have a sack." "Look, sir, when I gather a lot like this, how much will you pay me?" "I'll give you 400 pesos." "400 pesos!" "Good, pay me when I'm done, OK?" "Sure, man, sure." "Fine, a done deal, and thank you, sir." "Hey, sir, sir, where do you want me to put it?" "Wherever you want." "Look, sir, come." "Come here, can I put it here?" "Here by the pillar, can I put it there?" "Sure, man, I told you, wherever you want." "Thanks, sir!" "Yippee!" "What's up with Pedro, he's not up yet?" "I don't know, I already called him three times." "Pedro." "~ Let's go, kiddo." "~ I'm coming." "~ Morning, Dad." "~ Good morning." "Come on, my son, hop to it, don't be lazy." "Listen, Pedro, just look at your hands, I told you not go playing with dirt." "Go on, go wash them." "Regino, what's this doing here?" "~ I don't know." "~ Well, gather it over there." "Hey, hang on." "Leave it where it is." "~ And nobody move it from there, clear?" "~ Yes, sir." "Oh, what a silence!" "If you don't mind, would you tell what are you up to?" "You've been stealing aggregate for two days." "What, it has an owner?" "Sure, everything has an owner." "Don't you have an owner?" "OK, sure, my dad." "Aha!" "Well, I'm the watchman here, and I won't have anyone stealing aggregate!" "OK, this is as far as I go, I already walked you quite a ways on." "Do you think you can make another trip?" "No, this morning I have to go to school." "Ah, wait." "Let's see..." "Thanks." "Kids, copy this down, please." "9 x 1 = 9, 9 x 2 = 18, 9..." "She said "copy it down"." "Children." "~ Pedro, what's wrong with you?" "~ Nothing." "Your grades have really fallen off." "How much have I earned, huh?" "Roughly 50 pesos." "You want me to pay you?" "No, no, it'll be better when I've earned 200 pesos." "What do you want the money for?" "To buy a suit for my first communion." "Fine, why don't you work in the daytime?" "No, I can't, I have to go to school." "~ Pedro!" "~ Yeah?" "Come here." "Do these look like good grades to you?" "I'm close to killing myself through work to keep afloat,... and now you're turning into a scumbag." "What's up with you?" "~ Answer me!" "What's going on?" "~ Nothing." "What do you mean "nothing"?" "I've told you that school is the most important thing." "It's the only thing you have to do, and you bring me results like this." "What the fuck?" "I'm talking to you." "You're going to straighten yourself out." "I don't want a bum in the house." "Straight to bed!" "Don't hit him." "It hurts me more." "I understand, Pancho, but I guess he's like all children, they have their bad days." "Pedro may feel abandoned." "Every day the loss of his mother bites worse." "Yes, a home without father or mother for the children's like a garden without trees." "Julia, do you want to marry me?" "Don't answer me straight off." "Think it over." "Think it over, please." "It might be the right thing to do for several reasons." "Forgive my rudeness, but my way is the clearest way of saying that..." "I love you." "And I appreciate it." "I admit to feeling a little nervous, but I have to tell the truth, I wanted you to ask me." "Pancho, Pancho!" "Get up, the scaffolding collapsed!" "Oh, wow, there's a child in there!" "Hurry, guys, there's a kid there!" "Help me!" "Quickly." "Pedro." "Pedro!" "Yes, Doctor, yes, I'll pass on your message." "Doctor, I'm the father of the boy inside." "Do you know anything about him?" "Your son has two broken legs." "He needs a very delicate operation." "There's nothing we can do here." "Doctor, can I see my son?" "No, sir, he's still in shock." "Excuse me, you're the boy's father?" "Yes, sir." "Fine, well, I owe him this money." "Take it." "You owe this to my son?" "For what?" "What, you didn't know?" "He's been carrying aggregate to the building site every night,... to buy a suit for his first communion." "Let's see, let's see, tell me, what's this all about?" "Since the boy wanted to make his first communion, he's been laboring nights." ""Child seriously injured for trying to make his first communion"" ""Beautiful example of sacrifice"" "This child is about to lose his legs for a beautiful illusion:... to buy a white suit for his first communion." "His family is so poor they couldn't afford to buy it for him." "Are they going to buy him the suit?" "Yes, my son, he deserves it." "...he fought, and nearly met his death." "He's a little hero." "His behavior and his sacrifice are a beautiful and respectable example... in these days of violence throughout the world." "I know we're all excited... and want to help this little giant of will and determination." "Let's see how much I can help with." "Carlos, isn't it marvelous?" "Incredible." "As far as I'm concerned, this boy deserves as high a regard as we can show him." "And so that you see I'm not bluffing, here are the first five pesos, from me." "~ Well, here's another five." "~ Good, brother." "~ Let's see it, Juan." "~ Well, bring it." "~ We were successful." "~ Good!" "~ How great!" "I told you." "~ Blessed be God." "This is the same child who was here." "Look." "Mr. Ruiz, Mr. Ruiz, come, look." "And now, ladies and gentlemen, allow me a few words of thanks." "I want to give thanks very sincerely, deeply,... to everyone who responded to our call... helping Pedro with such generosity and selflessness." "It was a magnificent response." "Thank you." "But thanks very specially, very specially, to Dr. Mora Trejo,... for his extraordinary gesture." "He operated with his wisdom, but also with love, and at no cost." "And I'll tell you the wise words of Dr. Mora Trejo:..." "Pedro will make a complete recovery and will walk again... just like prior to the accident." "Good, now I am proud to present... this boy who has stolen our hearts, touching the whole city:..." "Pedro Robles." "~ How are things, Pedro, how are you?" "~ Just fine, thanks." "~ What's the matter, boy?" "~ It's kind of embarrassing." "Oh, wow!" "Well look, you will be relieved with the news that I'll give you... that you'll be very happy to hear." "You fought to get a white suit, am I right?" "And now you'll see the results of your effort." "Would you be so kind as to draw back the curtain?" "Look!" "Eleven white suits!" "What do you think?" "~ That's a lot of them." "~ And they're all yours." "Holy crap!" "You see?" "Now your problem is that you've got too many!" "It's not a problem, for there are many other kids just as poor as I am,... who can't afford a white suit." "~ Forgive me, Pedro." "~ It's nothing." "Forgive me, man, this is all my fault." "It could have been the fault of everyone and anyone." "This is in accordance with God's will." "Thank God, now everything's sweetness and light." "Sugar, many other gifts are still showing up for you!" "Looks like it will be better to close my business and dedicate myself to managing your assets." "Very soon it will be our turn to be here." "I'd forgotten the ceremony." "Don't worry, you just do what I tell you." "Yes, starting today." "This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." "The body of Christ."