"Ah, no, yes." "After the private guard quarters and the magazine blew up... in the big house there was some resistance." "Right, Tenorio?" "It was easy." "Wasn't it?" "Yes, it was." "We were about 20 men." "And everywhere you looked, so much wealth!" "Gold and silver everywhere." "And some totally cool things that glittered a lot." "See, like this." "Then we grabbed the old man and the woman... who didn't want to tell us where the money was." "Yes, I became naked for a reason." "Then, right then, the old lady told us." "What?" "Ansina deals." "She took us to the basement." "There really was gold everywhere,... boxes full of silver." "And we began to get our hands into it all." "How much will you go for me, buddy?" "I won't." "What do you mean "I won't"?" "Ten." "I'll see you,... and raise 50." "I bet all this stuff." "Call." "~ And you?" "~ Bet 20." "~ 20 on whom?" "~ On you." "No. 20 on Felipe." "Bet on Felipe." "30 on Felipe." "Your turn, buddy." "This is very nice." "Will you give it to me?" "~ See you, pal." "~ See you." "Go to the back." "She's coming back in a bad mood!" "~ Girl, girl!" "~ What's your problem?" "~ For me, it's just...this...is it me, this..." "~ Get on with it!" "Well...is...this...me, girl...our Treviño girl passed by." "~ Concha?" "My husband's lover?" "~ The same." "And what the hell do I care?" "Let them bury her and that was that." "~ But...this..." "~ Just to say that, you follow me around?" "No, not just for that, I also have to fulfill a commission." "The only thing missing!" "Don't get mad, girl, anyway, it can't be fixed!" "Well, get on with it!" "Well, it's just...this... that the late Treviño, before dying... requested that we bring you the brat." "Look, Filogonio, I thought you were a troublemaker and half-wit, but not that much of one." "You think I'm going to assume all the crap that my husband did with that woman?" "No." "So drag the child away with you, if indeed you brought him with you." "~ The poor boy has no one!" "~ He has his father, right?" "But Don José María neither knew nor ever glanced at him, he just was a passer-by...!" "Shut up!" "Nor..." "I don't care that this child is alone in the world,... get him the hell away from me,... if you don't want me to crash your head against the wall, for being a messer." "~ But, it's just that..." "~ Fuck off!" "Shut up!" ""Shut up, shut up"!" "You always make me shut up!" "What about the lady?" "You're staying with me." "If you want, you can sleep in the bed." "I don't like it because I just dream about swings and I'm scared of falling." "This tequila rinse will keep you from getting sick, you'll see." "~ Hey, Filo." "~ What?" "How long have you know the lady?" "Not long, since she was born!" "Her cry seemed like that of a ram." "I thought it had been a dark wool sheep,... but I later learned that Miss Antonia,... the daughter of the owner, had given birth." "And how she cried, the poor thing!" "And how she wept, the poor thing!" "Mourn, mourn my mother?" "But she won't ever shed a tear, she was heartless." "Better shut up, master, she's already judged by God,... and either way, she was your mom." "No, I have nothing of that blood in my body." "So you say, but you look like your mom." "You have all her features." "You mean you also knew my dad?" "Since the girl Antonia gave him the eye,... because it was her who gave him the eye." "~ Good morning, Don José María." "~ Good morning, Don Anselmo." "Do you know Miss Antonia Romero?" "I just know the name." "Nice to meet you." "What a miracle that you wander around here, you are almost at my spread!" "I'm just showing Miss Toña the best land she received as her inheritance,... but we were thinking of going to visit your estate later." "Happy to receive you." "And what can I do for you?" "No...!" "The Mayor has kindly appointed me director of the Civic Council to improve the town." "It's a good appointment." "You have improved many of the properties that you've administered." "You're too kind, Don José María." "But we have a problem." "The school..." "I think it needs a lot of repair work, because..." "No, you have to build a new one." "New?" "Yes, this school is old." "Besides, we have more kids around." "Speak to the Mayor, with the Board,... and whatever they're short, I'll make up the rest." "No doubt you are the best benefactor of the town." "Thanks, Don José María!" "~ Nice to meet you, Miss." "~ Nice to meet you." "~ Enchanted." "~ Goodbye." "All they want is for you to give them water for their animals." "That's no problem." "All I want is to buy the land." "~ Good morning." "~ Good morning, counselor." "~ Good morning, Don Anselmo." "~ Good morning, Don José María." "~ What you doing wandering around?" "~ Business, counselor." "How are you, Miss?" "Did you want to talk to me, sir?" "You are crazy, my daughter!" "You always treat me like I'm crazy, Father." "When I told him I'd take Tecuán, over my grandfather and others... you thought I went nuts." "~ Oh, well, then I was wrong!" "~ Sure." "But what now?" "Marrying José María Esparza!" "~ Well, don't you know who he is?" "~ Of course!" "There aren't many women for many leagues around... who don't want to be his wife, not even the city slickers!" "Well, it's what I've decided:" "I will be Mrs. Esparza." "Rest assured." "Bah!" "And to tell me that you made me come so far?" "Well, yes!" "Even if you deserted me when I was just a child, leaving me at the care of a tamale-selling woman..." "I have to communicate my decisions." "No?" "Since when is that so, since you never tell me anything?" "Because you never show up here, you travel from fair to fair." "Right?" "Ah, nice girl!" "Consentida!" "Run, go after that!" "Hurry, my son!" "Run, look!" "That's it!" "Bring it over here." "And is she always in such a bad mood?" "Since she was this tall." "Whenever she came to Tecuán, as a little girl, and on the sly,... she used to ride the horses not using a saddle awfully well." "No!" "And if they threw her off, how angry she used to get!" "And she wouldn't rest until she'd broken them, those nasty ones." "Rafaël gave good beating to the tamale-seller who cared for her when he was back." "Well, I'll teach you to shoot because the rain's coming." "Grab the shotgun." "Not like that, numbnuts!" "Here." "Look." "Look at this part here." "Put it in this part here." "Let's do it." "Come on, then." "Ah, so, there." "Now this little hand here." "That's the way." "Then look here through the sight." "Close your eye." "The other one, dummy!" "That's it!" "That's it!" "And then, then you put this finger here,... and when you're ready..." "Jesús, Mary, and Joseph!" "Well, it happened." "Not even the doomed quails would help." "How cool!" "~ Take my horse." "~ Yes, master." "Now what about you?" "No, it was you who called me." "What, did you forget?" "Of course not." "When I was on my way back, Consentida developed a limp." "Which one?" "The right." "No, gee...!" "Well, I think that has to be rumination." "~ Rheumatism?" "~ Yeah, that." "Yes, if even for us human beings the wet gets into us whenever the fog rises, the more so for animals." "And I've been watching her, and...then I..." "I think she's also pregnant." "~ Oh, really?" "~ Then later we'd better give her a rubdown." "Hey, come here." "~ You and I have to eat another chick." "~ Another chick?" "Don't play the fool." "This is about the boy." "Ah, well..." "No, because...uh..." "I...!" ""No, because...uh..." "I..."." "Yes." "So...why no more than the truth, girl?" "I've had him in my room." "Sure, you just need to be an Indian to be so stubborn!" "Stubborn?" "Why?" "Since I'm telling you I've kept him in my room, how am I being stubborn?" "Yes, I know, and shut up." "Bring me the boy." "The poor kid is afraid of everything, girl!" "Is it so?" "So in addition to the sin hanging over him, he's a sissy?" "No, he's just a boy, the poor loser." "Just a "boy"!" "Don't be stupid, Filo." "What, do you think I'm going whip you?" "Should you think you scared me, it's just that you caught me off guard." "Sure...bring me the boy, OK?" "Well, right now I'll go fetch him." "Hop to it." "Come closer." "Didn't you hear me?" "Come closer." "Come here, I say." "~ What's your name?" "~ Manuelito." "What?" "Look me in the face and tell me like a man." "Manuelito." "Manuelito!" "With such affection they treat you!" "Come on, turn around." "Turn around!" "Hurray for the mother who threw you out into the world, who brought you to such a state." "The Treviño." "It was Treviño?" "Such a wreck of a mother you got!" "Listen well to what I tell you." "Males only cry for their dead mothers." "From there to the end, no female or male are worth a tear." "And keep this in mind:" "I can't stand weepy boys." "Since your mother is dead and God knows where your father wanders around,... for the moment, you'll stay here." "No use for me to throw you into the canyon, right?" "Thank you, Ma'am." "And you go bathe this one, he smells like pure vomit, man." "Go on, go ahead!" "Yes, ma'am." "And there is nothing more horrible than the nahuates." "I tell you, I've seen many,... with burning eyes... and feathered heads,... and instead of hands, they have rather twisted claws,... with some larger than those of wildcats." "And then, how they howl!" "And you should see how much they like women!" "Right, Doña Casimira?" "They spend their time just casting their eyes to the mats where we sleep!" "They say that they totally sucked the blood from a pretty girl's body,... so that not even the bones were left, the damned things." "Damn, girl, what a fright you gave us!" "And what the hell is wrong?" "Fill the shopping list for the groceries and everything else you're lacking." "OK, girl." "And as for that, what fly stung him?" "Hey, the lady's talking to you!" "Come at once." "He was helping us deco the corn, girl." "I told you to give him a bath but you haven't done it." "Well, it's me...it's that...well, well..." ""No, no, because..." As always!" "Have him ready first thing in the morning." "Where will you be taking him?" "What do you care?" "Tomorrow we're going to town." "Hey, Filo: what if a nahuati appears to the lady?" "Poor nahuati!" "Why did you marry me if you don't want to be mine?" "Are you crazy?" "You're the woman I've wanted most and could have you now,... but I wanted us to be as man and wife who loved each other very much,... not by force." "I'm leaving you." "Want to know why I married you?" "To get back at all the people who despised me and humbled me as the illegitimate daughter of Miss Antonia,... and to show I've achieved everything I've tried." "So you can go now." "I am Mrs. Esparza." "Scrub your face." "~ How's the water, girl?" "~ Lukewarm." "Lukewarm?" "Put more hot water, quick!" "Stretch your fingers well." "Now the other hand." "~ Are you going to take the child to the village?" "~ Yeah." "Look, here's a lesion." "Well, the Treviño also had one." "Disgusting old drunk!" "She was starving you." "Did you like how the water was scented, girl?" "You put in more herbs, right?" "Sure, all the herbs that you like!" "Basil, rosemary, orange blossom..." "Gee, wow!" "So cool, so perfumed, and without a man!" ""Man"!" "Like my grandfather." "Like my own father." "Or like him." "Filo, bathe me well so I'll be cute." "Cute, you?" "You're not going to dance the Talpa, numbnuts!" "Check out these filthy ears, you loser!" "Careful." "~ How are you, Serapio?" "~ May God grant you a good morning, Ma'am." "~ You just had another child, right?" "~ A boy." "Well, yes." "Crescencia and you seem like rabbits." "See if you can figure out how to stop." "It will be as God wills." "No, surely God doesn't want hordes of naked brats." "Maybe I'll look for you, because if you need anything, you won't dare to ask me, right?" "~ Thank you, Ma'am." "~ Goodbye." "Let's go, poor boy." "And now you, don't be filthy, blow your nose!" "Not like that!" "I don't have anything to do it with." ""I don't have anything to do it with"!" "Let's see, wait, wait." "Here." "Well, what if Mr. José María comes and reclaims him?" "Just let him dare ask for what he ejected into this world in a moment of weakness!" "When you see him, tell him I know he'll come for his son,... but he'll get short shrift, because this kid is mine, no matter what." "And you, let go the skirt." "You look queer." "Who the hell are you afraid of?" "Come on, show me what you've got." "Well, Toñita, I'll send out all your order to Tecuán straightaway." "~ Thank you, Don Cuco, bye." "~ It's nothing." "Goodbye." "And now what did you do?" "You halfwit, just look where you sent the ball!" "In the bar, and I can't go in there." "Go get it, go on!" "~ How are you, Jesús?" "~ All right, boss." "~ Hey, and this, how strong is it?" "~ 48%, boss." "Ah, it's going to be good!" "Don Gerónimo, the patron has arrived." "~ Come on." "See you there, Jesús." "~ Goodbye, boss." "~ How are you, my daughter?" "~ How are you, father?" "Ah, well, still here!" "I never complain." "Hey, I just asked for a taste of the tequila you're making here right now." "Indeed, it's very good." "Thank you." "Well, what are you here around for?" "I brought a few cocks for Mr. Santiago's party." "And...how are things around your way?" "Well, they've told you the news in town, right?" "Yes." "They told me you brought an orphan, here, for Tecuán." "It's true." "Well, fine!" "I don't dislike it even a little bit!" "A kid is exactly what you were missing." "Someone to darn the clothes, too, like women do." "No, Father, I have no reason to do such things." "Even so, it's the son of José María, as you well know, isn't he?" "Damn it!" "Don't tell me you still recall him!" "But skip the cheating because you don't fool me." "Because this --- look --- this, I have it rather hard, already." "Who cares whether the kid's José María's or some street bum's?" "You never cared about your husband a blessed damn." "But I care about his child." "~ Really?" "~ Really." "Are you fooling me into thinking that you love him?" "I think I AM beginning to love him, Father." "It's hard to believe... because you've never endeared yourself to anybody." "It took hard work for you to just get along with me, and just barely at that." "Nobody taught me to love." "That's true." "But in the end I'm fair." "I brought you into the world where it wasn't convenient,... and that by falling in love with a woman I shouldn't have." "But, for what whim have you gotten involved with the child, who has done nothing wrong?" "Don't cause him suffering, Antonia,... like I did with you." "And, look:" "José María isn't just going to let you keep him." "He knows that you aren't able to raise boys,... that you were born a roughneck,... you don't know how to give a caress and it costs you dearly to say something nice." "As for that guy, what does he know about me?" "Well, almost nothing, my soul, just that he was your husband!" "~ Oh, really?" "~ Well, at least just for the appearances." "Because every time he approached you, you crawled back like a mountain mule." "Why would he entrust you with his son, if you didn't allow him to make you any?" "But it's worse to give life to him and leave him like a dog." "This son will be mine as if I had given birth to him, and even without a man." "How do you like it?" "Now, why haven't you gone to bed, hmm?" "~ Well...well..." "~ "Well...well..." You sort everything out with your "well..."." "Have you brushed your teeth?" "No?" "What did I say this was for?" "Ah, but I don't know how to use it!" "Ah, you don't know?" "Well, get over here." "I'll show you." "Let's see." "I better go to Filogonio." "You're not going anywhere and you'll stay where I tell you to." "Got that?" "And don't start whining... --- right?" " or I'll whip you." "But I'm not crying!" "Well, get on with it!" "Ah!" "But what are you doing?" "Not like that." "Let's see, close your jaw." "So." "Very well." "Open." "Close." "The other side." "Here I'll teach you a bit of hygiene, right?" "Now let's see." "And why do you swallow it?" "Isn't that why you gave it to me?" "But it's to rinse!" "Let's see, look." "Look." "Did you see?" "Go on." "Please put on your nightgown." "Didn't you hear me?" "Your nightgown!" "Put on your nightgown." "It's just that I don't like flowers." "Ah, he doesn't like flowers!" "Well, look, if you prefer the rough life, then scram back to Filogonio." "Don't expect me to beg!" "Have your stuff." "What, didn't you hear me?" "Come on, take your stuff." "Your stuff!" "Come on, get out of here." "Didn't you hear me?" "Beat it!" "You're surely a prime dunce!" "Let's hope she doesn't get fed up with you." "Why did you have to balk, huh?" "Loser!" "~ Mm!" "~ "Mm" what?" "There's the bed, then." "I don't like it because I just dream about swings and I'm scared of falling." "Lie down, then!" "Snap to it." "Why are you hanging off the edge like snot?" "Didn't you hear me?" "Get on the bed!" "Get your legs up there, numbnuts!" "Why aren't you listening?" "~ Hey, Filo." "~ What?" "Can't the nahuati come through that window?" "Why do you think I scattered garlic?" "The nahuati fear them, fool." "And if they dared to enter, then there's the shotgun,... also well-seasoned with garlic, and besides, I showed you how to shoot it." "Didn't I?" "Get inside with the kids." "That isn't the right way, Emerenciano." "We'll fix this the friendly way." "You already scared the brats." "You just pay me for that." "Tomorrow I'll pay what I owe, and everything will be settled." "Go ahead and die." "Early tomorrow they'll hand over my salary,... and I'll pay you the lot then." "Right now,... or you run out of goats." "Chino and John, over there --- Celso, Rafaël, to the right." "~ Don't shoot him, I want him alive." "~ Yes, ma'am." "Surround him." "Chino, Juan, go over there." "You, come with me." "Over there, follow him!" "Stop, you bastard!" "He's already exhausted!" "Keep harassing him!" "Over there!" "Fucking murderer!" "I'll gloat at the jail every day of your life!" "Take him away!" "Step on it!" "Who's there?" "Manuel!" "But what the hell are you doing there?" "Come here, Manuel!" "Hurry up!" "What are you doing here, blockhead?" "Answer me!" "Well, since I was told you were with this man, because...well..." "With this guy?" "You came to defend me, right?" "What a nuisance of a scatterbrained load of crap!" "And for this you want me to thank you!" "Whips are what I'll give you." "Come on, get on." "Now." "You're spared a hard fate, I almost make a hole on you!" "And if you even take a deep breath I'll whip you." "Mom!" "Have some water." "Holy crap!" "Good to see you, José María!" "It's been a long time since I set eyes on you, man." "Five years." "Five long years." "~ How about you, Don Trinidad?" "~ How are you, José María?" "What's new?" "Excuse me, gentlemen." "I'd heard tell that you were here around the city." "Have you already been back to the ranch?" "Yes, I came to take a look, I didn't care for it for quite a long time." "We're two of a kind,... the kind who devote ourselves to a single woman,... the kind who expose a wrecked heart so they trample it down." "The festival looks promising, right?" "Indeed, it looks promising!" "Hey, José María:..." "So you came to town just to attend the festival?" "Yeah, well." "Why else, if not that?" "Look, Don Chema, cards on the table." "Whether good or bad the facts, we must take the deal no matter what,... just as we grab steers by the horns." "I also like being above board,... so spit it out at once." "Go on." "Since I came to the town, gossip brought me... news that Concha Treviño gave birth to a son of mine." "~ Yes, yes." "~ Well, no." "I can assure you that this kid is not mine." "Oh, wow!" "Is what you say true?" "Certainly." "To disdain the people, that was her pride and revenge." "Well, my daughter is sure that you're the father." "Well, that can't be all bad." "Mom!" "Come in." "How come?" "I thought you didn't like the flowered nightshirt." "It's very warm." "So what did you come to gripe about?" "Can I sleep in my room?" "Come on, come here." "Quickly." "How come this brat came in?" "Weren't you more comfortable with Filogonio?" "Let's see, turn around for me." "I'm taking you to bed." "Come on." "I already brushed my teeth and I didn't swallowed the rinse." "How nice!" "Take off your shoes." "Aren't you mad at me anymore?" "No." "And when you see me angry, just don't pay attention to me." "Are you afraid of me?" "Only sometimes." "Only now and then." "Fine." "Well, go to sleep then." "And get up early because tomorrow we will sing Las Mañanitas to Mr. Santiago." "Hey, Mom, what does the horse do?" "Nothing." "You see that it's just cardboard?" "Pray for me, because I'm not very good at it." "You ask to stay with me, so that no one will take you from me." "Mr. Santiaguito, please don't let anyone take me away from her." "Mr. Santiaguito, when I die take me away on your horse's rump." "Please Mr. Santiaguito, when I die take me away on your horse's rump." "Well, Filogonio, don't be a wet blanket,... should you believe the horse is going to do miracles." "It's cardboard, man!" "He may be cardboard but I put all my faith in him." "It's cardboard, touch it!" "Well I know, girl, but remember Don Rafaëlito Andrade,... that last year a bomb exploded in his hand,... and he got healed as soon he entrusted himself to him." "~ OK, but I don't believe in these things." "~ But I do." "Well, then keep praying to him." "When you get tired, look for me at the roosters." "OK?" "Sure." "I'll be there." "Here." "Thank you, girl." "Come on, buddy." "Look such a beggar, there!" "Here." "~ Hello, my child." "How are you?" "~ Hello, Daddy." "And you, boy?" "Are you OK?" "~ What do you want?" "~ A teensy bit of water." ""A teensy bit of water"?" "Don't talk to me using kiddy words, right?" "Talk to me like a man: water." "Water." "And sit up straight." "~ Celso, a glass of water for the child." "~ Yes, Ma'am." "Dear, bring a helping of lemon water." "Put on the knives, and let's organize the fight." "Girl, have you looked at...?" "Yes, I looked at everyone." "Am I one-eyed, or what?" "Well, I'm not saying you're one-eyed, I'm asking you...that's all." "Shut up." "~ I beg you, be calm, girl!" "~ Take heed of your own advice." "Don't be an animal." "Silence, gentlemen!" "Silence, we'll begin the third fight of the card for today!" "Matching two powerful parties:..." "Rancho, the mesquite slouch,... presented by Mr. Salvador Rentería... and here Colorado, Colorado,... on the other hand, presented by Mr. Gerónimo Romero,... from San Cayetano." "Well, bring your roosters." "Check out these two cocks to see how to place your bets." "Have you already seen them?" "Call the bookmakers, if you've already figured out your bets." "Bet 200 on the Colorado." "50 on the poor one." "Colorado." "Your order, boss?" "Order, order, order, gentlemen!" "Mr. José María Esparza says he's placing... 3,000 pesos, backing the cock from San Cayetano, el Colorado!" "Let's see who takes the bet!" "Bookmaker, come here." "Your order, boss?" "7,000 on the poor one." "~ 7,000 on the poor one?" "~ 7,000 pesos on the poor one." "On the poor one?" "Order, order, order, players!" "Romero says Mrs. Antonia Esparza... wagers 7,000 pesos backing the hopeless cock, the mesquite slouch." "~ You're betting against my cock?" "~Yes, sir." "7,000 pesos is a lot of money." "It's my money, and it pleases me." "Well, on your own head be it!" "Colorado!" "Look how excessive!" "This girl would dare to bet the very Tecuán just to screw you over!" "No, don't provoke her, don't provoke her!" "Get ready to fight." "Clear the ring." "They'll fight, for death or glory!" "Entrust yourself to Mr. Santiaguito's old nag, girl." "Don't meddle in what doesn't concern you." "Right?" "Prepare to close bets, bookmakers." "Get out, bookmakers." "Bets are closed." "Let me go, José María." "We have nothing to talk about." "I brought a gift for the child." "How generous!" "Watch out when you come bringing goodies!" "But your help is worthless." "Filogonio, collect the money and save it for the child." "Grab it." "Let go, José María." "I want to talk to you, and you'd better come looking for me." "Meet me at seven in the evening by the old christening font." "You put up your act, right?" "As always!" "Playing with fire, contradicting and annoying everyone." "You bet against my cock just for kicks,... but your plan backfired." "I hope you'll be happy,... because now, for sure, Don Chema is going to take the kid, seeing that you haven't changed." "And that's all to the good!" "Your child will be better off educated by a low rank soldier." "Father, if you only came to insult me, you'd better..." "Better, what?" "Come on, my dove, spit it out without fear!" "You'll send me...where?" "Since when do you swallow your dirty words?" "Please, Father, don't make me angry because I owe you respect." "So much the better, even if you're a grownup now, that you finally come to respect my role." "Maybe this very night you'll be deprived of this so talk about Manuel." "Did he tell you?" "Will he take him off me?" "So to be prevented and able to fight back." "Fight him?" "With what?" "With classy lawyers, or your money?" "How?" "You always forget who Don José María Esparza is." "Because this ranch of yours, the Tecuán, would fit fourfold within his lands,... and that's not counting his properties in the village and in the city." "You believe that the whole woods is oregano... and that everything has to go your way just to match your whim." "It's not a whim, Father, it's a necessity,... because sometimes I think nobody loved me." "And the truth, I felt the lack." "And where did you get the idea now that nobody loved you,... when I've never stopped doing anything else,... despite the humiliations I suffered for having laid eyes on your mother,... although I've been cast off from her side,... although they chased me away like a dog,... have I ever stopped loving you?" "So help me, Father." "Tell José María not to take away my child." "No, you'll have to ask him that yourself." "It's time to be humble." "Sometimes by using humility, you achieve more than using pride and bad manners." "All right, Father," "I'll give it a shot." "Daughter of Jonah!" "Well, she's breaking down for real, this girl!" "What happened, Antonia?" "Well, nothing." "How nice you came, José María!" "You've never made so welcome." "I was so afraid you wouldn't come!" "I'm so glad, José!" "But I had so many bad thoughts while I was waiting." "Bad?" "I'm sure I've never done any wrong to you." "I know,... and I don't have the right words just now,..." "I know I was never good with you and that I didn't act like I should have." "You saw it was the same this morning." "Forget about this morning." "What should I make of it, that you've honored me by coming here?" "Your son, José María." "What about him?" "I love him like my own." "No...don't be surprised, I love him, it's true, I love him!" "I don't know why, if I've only just realized how I have been getting that love." "It seemed so hard to love... and it's so easy!" "Someday you had to love someone." "I understand your bitterness toward life,... but, why did I have to pay for the guilt of others?" "Please, José María!" "Why is it my fault that your father was chased away from Tecuán?" "And why should I feel guilty that you have borne the shame of your mother and your grandfather?" "Please drop it, José María!" "I never took anything away from you!" "It's my fault that you had that son." "I should have given him to you." "But Manuel is as if I had given him birth,... complete with labor pains." "I beg you, please, leave him with me." "Antonia, you have to calm down." "You have to calm down." "You take life so strenuously... you hurt yourself and you hurt other people." "You know I would give everything in my power to make you happy." "So you'll leave me the child?" "Do you know?" "I've even thought you might return to Tecuán." "Sure, when you have the time...for the sake of the child." "There would be no fights or arguments or scandals." "That's over now, I can swear." "And as for the people,... since we're still married under the two laws... they'd have to bite their tongues." "Do you realize that I couldn't stand to be at Tecuán... if not to live as your husband?" "Everything I have belongs to your son,... and to you as well, if you like." "Before..." "And now you want me to handle your spread?" "Keep the child." "I'll come by when I can." "Thank you." "Isn't it enough that claim you've put against me in the courts... but you also have the nerve to come here, into my own house?" "Only a bastard would do so!" "I came to see you because I like things clear,... face to face with things open, not tangled up!" "And since when such honesty?" "Wasn't it using cheating and gossip that your dad stole the love of my daughter from me?" "They fell in love, and you were the one who stole my father's love by sending my mother to get married in another city." "Shut up!" "Yes, and you were the guilty party who drove my mother to an early grave." "Shut up, you're devil's child!" "No, it's hatred who I'm child of,... hatred of you to my father and to some granddaughter who hasn't asked to be born." "And so you drag me into court?" "We didn't sue, I went to legitimize what you did illegitimately." "The midwife and Filogonio already witnessed my birth." "Filogonio is a traitor!" "But loyal to me, and if I am to you, it's because the courts have ruled... and shown that I'm your granddaughter, your only descendant,... since my mother had no other children." "~ Are you my sole heir?" "~ Count on it!" "And you couldn't wait for me to die to claim your inheritance?" "~ You are very old, Grandfather." "~ I'm not your grandfather!" "These lands are alone, going to ruin,..." "I am young and strong, I can help your work." "Stay with everything!" "Take it all!" "Thief!" "Suit yourself, and enjoy the meal you serve yourself, damn you!" "Damn, damn you!" "Damn!" "Did you send for me, girl?" "Yes, fix up this room perfectly." "This one?" "Your grandfather's?" "Along with getting old, are you also going deaf?" "Well, then, deaf to what, since you said ages ago that this suite was to be sealed off... and now are you saying we should reopen it?" "Shut up, and don't contradict me." "I want it for when José María returns to the spread... so he will find it like new." "Is Mr. José María coming back?" "He's my husband, right?" "~ ..." "No!" "~ No?" "Yes, yes, he's your husband and you're the mistress,... but first you tell us to seal the suite... and now to open it, and...and you expect us to understand that..." "Shut up." "And what are you up to, lurking there?" "Come in." "We're fixing up this chamber for your dad." "~ My papa?" "~ Yes, your papa." "~ Do you remember the handsome man at the roosters?" "~ Yes." "When he shows up, you'll have to kiss his hand and address him as "Father"." "Here on the farm we all have to welcome and respect him." "Even you, too?" "~ Yes, me too." "~ Holy crap!" "Did you see it?" "Nothing, girl." "You spied him out real well?" "From the highest rooftop, watching the road, no less." "And on the way the lumber yard, did you check it out well?" "That goes straight to his estate." "Both ways, girl, one from the town and one from the land, and nothing, the master doesn't appear." "Well...go see." "~ Well, I've already gone to see and see...!" "~ Go see." "We have to see the sun all morning,..." "Totally wasting time, as if I had nothing else to do!" "What you have done here, my daughter?" "As you see, father, I've cleaned everything." "Did you remember her?" "It's like I just arrived." "When I saw her... everything churned inside me,..." "I even imagine that time hadn't spun like a whirlpool." "When I first saw her... it was a Saturday." "She was thin as a stick,... with her hair loose, very black." "She was under the sun,... next to a window." "And you loved her madly, Father?" "You ask if I loved her?" "I'd give my life away for her sake." "When I heard she was dead..." "I cried for her." "The only tears ever in my eyes." "You have her blood in you,... why you did very well to claim her heritage." "But you had a moment of happiness, Father, and I did not." "Manuel has come to change my whole life,... and I'll fight for a bit of happiness." "You've done very well, my daughter,... very well." "~ Good morning!" "~ Good morning, boss!" "How's the crop?" "There it is, boss, as you see, working." "Emereciano Torres, you have a visitor." "How are you, buddy?" "How do you want things to be?" "And...they're moving you out of town, as expected?" "Yeah." "They say I have to go to another jurisdiction, to the place where that beggar died." "And when will they move you?" "In a few days." "Will you be standing outside, my friend?" "Make him come!" "Don't do it for me, however, but for the child." "Why is it his fault that I've been so silly and mean?" "How beautiful is the Virgin of Zapopan!" "Right?" "Has she always been so small?" "Yes." "And so you see her so small... 100 years ago she was named General and Sovereign of the State of Jalisco." "And what does that mean?" "Well...so she could protect us all." "She's on our side?" "No, my son, what happened is that Jalisco was so important... the central government mutilated it." "What does "mutilate" mean?" "Well...they broke it into little pieces." "Do you understand?" "~ But Jalisco never loses out." "~ Never?" "No, never." "Look, she has her bandana and her staff." "And what's it for?" "Oh, my son, I surely don't know!" "She's good for storms, lightning, and all sorts of epidemics." "Let's sleep." "~ Ma'am." "~ And now what?" "Tomorrow is your birthday." "So what?" "I'd like to be the one to give you the first hug." "¤ How beautiful is the morning." "¤ Today I come to greet you!" "¤ We all came willingly, with pleasure, to congratulate you." "¤ The day you were born, all the flowers were born... ¤ And at the baptismal font sang the nightingales. ¤" "May you be very happy, Toña." "I hope so." "May my father have many long and happy days." "To you, too, I also brought a gift." "These things must be used with great care." "Filo taught me how to shoot." "Now you learned what we got married for." "Congratulations, lady." "Congratulations, boss." "A thousand congratulations." "It's beautiful, José María." "Thank you." "Since you like horses, I give you a stud for your mares' seasons." "It's beautiful." "What's his name?" "The Black Prince." "May you be very happy, my daughter." "Now that we're together..." "I hope so." "I fixed up as best I could your bedroom." "I hope you like it." "Well, this thing already worked out." "Come, bring up the horses." "What's up, buddy?" "What's up, buddy?" "Hey, this guy's been really badly hurt." "You, man!" "Help this poor guy die rightfully!" "And now you, my friend, are going with us to the mountains." "No, buddy,..." "I have a little matter to settle here in Tecuán." "So many days waiting!" "I'd already lost hope of you coming back." "I had many things to fix... before coming back... forever." "You became thoughtful, suddenly,... like you're sad." "It's just that that I'm not used to being happy." "I've changed a lot, José María,... as if I weren't the same person." "Before I used to get angry over everything: the good, the bad,... and I hated myself and I consumed myself... but since I met your son..." "I noticed the tyke changed me,... and all that clutter inside me was put into place." "Then,..." "I thought of you,..." "I began to miss you." "The boy recalled your image into me." "Strange --- right?" "... that a child of yours has joined us!" "I love you, Antonia." "Believe me,..." "I love you." "Look, it had a coyote's nose, and... and a huge claws,... and a terrific shriek as if it were a soul in torment." "And you don't know what it was." "A nahuati." "Oh, wow!" "Just so you know!" "Filo taught me that,... and even cured my shotgun that my dad gave me with lots of garlic... to kill nahuates." "Right, Filo?" "~ So you've already taken him to the swamp!" "~ Happily for the mosquitoes!" "What are you talking about?" "I was talking to the kid about the nahuates here." "Here's another tenant, one of the great ones!" "~ Patron." "~ Yes?" "Consentida is about to give birth." "~ Well, let's go!" "No?" "~ Come, come!" "And you, where do you think you're going?" "To see the colt." "To see the colt, no." "You go to bed." "~ No!" "~ Yes!" "Look, Manuel, go to sleep now,... and tomorrow you and I will get up early to see the foal." "Or are you afraid to go to your room by yourself?" "~ No." "~ Well, then?" "Good night." "~ How's it coming out, Filogonio?" "~ He's breaching in the right position, boss." "Man, look, it had a coyote's nose,... and huge claws,... and a terrific shriek as if it were a soul in torment." "What horse is the sire, Filogonio?" "Ensueño, which is a good light sorrel." "You'll see how beautiful a colt they'll give us!" "Clear up the whole dining room table." "The gentlefolk aren't going to eat dinner because everyone is in the stables,... while that mare gives birth, Consentida." "Look, the door's open!" "Manuel's not there." "They must have taken him to the stables." "Did you misunderstand what I said?" "Collected all the clothes, cleaned the kitchen well..." "Poor thing!" "Hey, man, don't worry, everything will be OK." "For how many mares have already gave birth so far?" "But this one's mine, right?" "Well, yeah, but...!" "So, Filogonio." "But isn't this thing taking too long?" "It's her first foal, boss, but I think we're nearly there already." "I'll go out for a moment." "Are you happy?" "Very happy." "José María!" "Coming." "Here he comes now, look." "Just like I wanted to find you." "The nahuati!" "Manuel!" "Manuel!" "Manuel!" "You know that I don't pray well, but I beg you not to take him away." "I beg you, I beg you, don't take my child,... don't take him,... please." "Will he be OK, doctor?" "For wounds sustained as serious as this,... all we can do is wait." "Wait for what, doctor?" "Is there another way to save him, with an operation?" "Take him to the city, to the capital, if necessary?" "Doctors won't be resigned to waiting." "Antonia, please." "You can do whatever you want, madam,... but my best advice is to wait." "We must immediately order these medicines." "They can be found in the shop at Trillo." "It takes patience." "~ We can only..." "~ Wait," "I know." "Antonia,... there are things that happen in this life... that we can't help." "You are suffering too much." "So what?" "Would you rather I not suffer, like you?" "I must tell you something." "What?" "This...that..." "That the child's not your son." "Sitting here with my pain..." "I've been tying up loose ends,... now beginning to understand." "This child doesn't look anything like you." "He doesn't look like you at all." "And above all, you have not suffered as a parent must suffer to see his son die." "~ Let me explain." "~ You have nothing to explain." "I helped Concha Treviño." "Did you think I would stop suffering by knowing that the child isn't your son?" "I know the love that you have for this child,... but it will be nothing compared to the love that you're going to have for one made with our own flesh,... of our own blood." "What are you saying?" "A child of our own blood?" "Understand me well, José María Esparza:... this child who is dying, this child,... is much more mine now than ever." "So now you can go." "I never want to see you again in my life." "You're confused, Antonia." "I'm not confused!" "I am very clear, José María, and I've always been very clear,... that's why I'll never forgive you for having lied to me." "I didn't lie, I just hid the truth, and if I did, it was for love." "Out of love for you!" "To have me!" "To have my body!" "And you conspired with my father!" "So the two of you can bugger off, I don't need you!" "Neither of you both, I don't need you!" "I don't need you!" "I don't need you!" "You're paper dolls, just paper!" "Just paper!" "~ Daughter, daughter, calm down." "~ Let me go, father, let me go." "Please leave me alone here." "Go away, please." "We'll talk some other day, Antonia." "Never." "Let's leave it to time." "Mom!" "Yes, my son, I am your mother." "Tell me how you feel." "I'm cold." "Soon you'll be warm." "Aren't you going to go?" "No, my life, I'm staying here with you." "I won't separate myself from you for even a second." "Does it hurt a lot?" "Yes." "Where?" "Everywhere." "Now close your eyes, you'll calm down." "Close your eyes, my love." "Try to close them." "Forgive me, forgive me." "Take him, and don't make him suffer any more." "Take him." "...And blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesús."