"THE EXECUTIONER" "Good morning." "We're here." "Come in." "Just tell us where you want it." "Over there." "Then wait for further instructions." "And don't scratch the wall." "Here." "Cigarette?" "What a morning!" "I have all the luck." "Did they already...?" "They were all present." "The last one is the defense attorney." "Let's go." "Look." "The executioner." "Let's go." " Where do I sign?" " Here." "You keep the keys." "Couldn't you put that somewhere else?" "Sorry about that." "Enjoy your breakfast." "Do you smoke?" " No." "I should stop on account of my lungs, but I don't have the willpower." "Ah, the envelope." "Thanks." "I'll put it in here, because on the streetcar ‒" "Open up." "Tell me... what time does the first streetcar come by?" "In another hour." "Could one of those gentlemen give me a ride?" "How would I know?" "Ask them!" "Did you see the executioner?" "They were paying him." "How much you think he gets?" "How would I know?" "Actually, he looks like a normal person." "If we met in a café, I'd never suspect." " I liked the guy." " Really?" "Ask this guy if he felt the same way." " Good-bye, gentlemen." " Take care." "Why don't we give him a ride?" "He can tell us everything." "No, the whole thing turns my stomach." " I feel sorry for him." " I'm taking off." "Listen, if you're not going far, would you like a ride?" "You'd be doing me a great favor." "The streetcar doesn't run for another hour." "If it's not any trouble ‒" " Not at all." "I'll get in first." "Get in." " Thank you." "I tell you, times have changed." "These guys used to be made of sterner stuff." "One fellow, at the last moment ‒" " You see?" "My colleague here didn't want to give you a ride." "It was just that we'd never met ‒" "It's always the same." "No one understands us." "This guy calmly handed me his watch and said ‒" "In the chair, with the collar around his...?" "Hold on." "He said, "Maestro, take this keepsake, and forgive me for getting you up so early."" "Stop here." "This race is going to the dogs!" "Watch the door getting out." "Well, thanks so much." "Shall we get a coffee?" "I'd love to." "The family's right behind us!" "What's going on?" "Why are you stopping?" "Just a minute." "Just relax." "We'll continue on in a moment." "He left his bag." "Run and catch him." "You're young." " You're his friend." "You go." "Me?" "Run down those stairs with my asthma?" "You always get your way." " What is it?" " I just wanted to leave ‒" " Door C." " It's for Mr. Amadeo." "You're not leaving anything with me." "This is a respectable building." "Listen, I have nothing to do with this!" "Fine!" "I'm always stuck doing these things." "What is it?" "Sorry to disturb you." "The porter said Door C. It seems she was mistaken." " This is it." " I came to see Mr. Amadeo." "He's inside." "I brought his bag." "Father, a man brought your bag back." " Hey there!" "Come in!" " Thanks." "I'll just leave it here." "After coming all this way?" "Please!" "I'm so forgetful." "I was about to call the funeral parlor." "I tried to catch you in the subway ‒" " How about some coffee?" " No, don't bother." "It's already made." "Sit down." "This gentleman gave me a ride." "This is my daughter." "She's very clean." " It's a pleasure." " The pleasure's mine." "Go on, sit down." " Thank you." "You've got very steady work." "I'd prefer to go to Germany and study to be a mechanic." "Why?" "Your job's so secure." "Never any lack of work." "That's true." "We've been busy this winter." "But I'd prefer something more up to date." "Is it good?" "A bit bitter." "There's some good sugar there from the jail." "Does this make you uncomfortable?" "A little." "So you too think our work is ‒" "I don't think anything." "Not everyone shares your opinion." "I'll show you." "María, your little boy's getting all wet in the courtyard." "Get him!" "He's crying." " Thanks, Carmen." " You're welcome." "Beautiful day, isn't it?" "Yes, thanks." "No, thank you." "Is that your fiancé?" "No, he's the one who gave me the watch." "Look here." "Read this." "No, those are just relatives." "A book on the garrote." "Just read the dedication." "The whole thing." ""To Master Amadeo... with gratitude for his assistance." Signed Cor‒" "Corcuera, a great writer and scholar." "A great man." "He had to turn to me." "It was a great vindication." "Once in a while we get our due." "Well, I'll be going." "The van's waiting." "Oh, right." "The poor guy." "How did he look to you?" "Very... normal." "Calm and... serene." "They say the garrote is inhuman." "Don't make me laugh!" "Is the guillotine better?" "You think it's right to bury a man in pieces?" " I don't know much about it." " Because you're a good man." "We must respect the condemned." "They've suffered enough as it is." "And those Americans!" "Give me your hand." "Stick your fingers in here." "See?" "You're scared." "And that's only 120 volts." "Father, I'm trying to iron!" "Well, the electric chair uses thousands of volts." "It leaves them burned black!" "Where's the humanity in their famous electric chair?" "I think people should die at home in bed." "Of course!" "But if the law imposes a sentence, someone has to carry it out." "More coffee?" "No, thank you." "Put those down." "You'll cut yourself!" "What the hell can your mother be doing?" "Can't you two come get this kid?" "Do I have to watch her every day?" "Enough is enough!" "I was better off at the boarding house." "I pay my keep here." "I have the right to sleep alone!" "Stop putting the kid in my bed every night!" "I'm a grown man." "I don't feel like playing babysitter." "Hurry up, please!" "I've been waiting an hour!" "I told you:" "Use the courtyard." "I can't do everything in the courtyard!" " I can't come out now!" " Damn it!" "So much for fixing me an omelet!" "Burned to a crisp." "We eat at 2:00." "If you're going out, fix your own." "Of course!" ""Fix your own."" "Very convenient!" "I pay board here!" "A three-year-old child." "An angel!" "The one time I ask for a favor ‒" " It's every night!" "So you two can have another kid to put in my bed?" "The kid doesn't understand." " Pipe down!" "Make some other arrangements." "There's 50 pesetas missing." " You used the phone." "Great!" "Fifty pesetas for two calls!" "And you have nothing to say?" " Come try this on for me." "Antonio, one day I'll take half the furniture and leave!" "Just ignore him." "You're the older brother." "Older brother!" "When it comes to paying, I'm the older brother." "As if you got nothing in return!" "If his lordship isn't happy, he can go elsewhere." " Is the armhole tight?" " No, it's fine." "Try it out." "It pulls a bit here." "You have nothing to say?" "Of course not!" "A brother comes in handy as a mannequin." "If my poor mother saw me now ‒" "That face would put her back in her grave!" "I'm not a loser!" "Someday you'll see I can do something important." "Stupid jerk!" "You do the same thing every day!" "We have plenty of water, asshole!" "Keep the windows closed, honey!" "No!" "With this crowd, we have to air out the place." " I bathe regularly!" " I don't mean that." "It's certain other odors that are too much to bear." "Good morning." "Does José Luis live here?" " Yes." "I'm Amadeo." "I've come to pick him up." "Antonio, they've come for your brother." " You became a priest?" " I'm just helping my brother." "Is Carmen here?" " Yes." "I'll be ready in a minute." "What's that little butterball's name?" " Mari Pili." " Ah, a girl." " Of course." " Here's a candy." " You do the same work as...?" " No." "Your brother's told me a lot about you." "I know you're a tailor." "Certified tailor to the church and military." "Antonio, could you lend me your camera?" "No, it has pictures of the kids." "I told him that." "I see you're fond of birdies." " Just to sell." " Hasn't sold a single one." "I told him to grow mushrooms, but he never listens." "Are you going by Rosales?" "Just a minute." "Aren't you going to make your bed?" "I'll do it when I get back." "Deliver this to Lieutenant Colonel Ramírez." "On Calle de Ferraz." "And have fun." "Old Sourpuss has a girlfriend." " Some tramp." "He has no shame, bringing that van here." "What will the neighbors think?" "I just hope he marries and moves out!" "I've told you:" "The baby's normal." "My father's condition isn't hereditary." "Must I keep repeating it?" "Look!" "The ice is still frozen." "See if you like it." "If you don't, I'll be so disappointed." " Did you make it yourself?" " It's delicious, Carmen." "That girl is a jewel, my boy." " Boys!" " Settle down." " Don't make me get up!" " Let them have fun." "We should come out here in the van every Sunday." "It's delightful here." "And anyone who dies on Sunday should go to jail!" " More sugar?" " No, it's great." "If my shrew of a sister-in-law made it like this!" "What if I lodged with you?" " Whatever Father says." "You just need to get married and start a family like everyone else." "You'd be much happier." "I was telling Ignacia that the other day, right?" "I was saying José Luis should get married." "I dozed off." "Lunch always knocks me out." "But then there's the rent to think about." "Young people today want to be free!" "Of course." "Yeah, free to put up with my sister-in-law, the old bag!" "Careful!" "A fellow poisoned his sister-in-law three years ago ‒" " And you finished him off." " Of course." " Tell me all about it." " But your wife ‒" "Don't worry." "She's out like a light." "Now, about that guy...?" "It didn't go smoothly." " Father, we just ate!" "He had a neck like a bull." "So the irons were too small." " That's for sure." "You have to put them ‒ Lift your head up." "The collar goes here, and the other piece ‒" "Silly!" "Look at this tree." "Looks like cork, huh?" "You think it has pine cones?" "Look how beautiful!" "It looks like the sea, huh?" "I have to learn to swim!" " Shall we dance?" " All right." "I should go to France." "Why not Germany?" "We could go together." "It doesn't matter." "Anywhere to get away." "I'm so unhappy." "Why?" "You're a nice-looking woman." "If there's anything I can do, just tell me." "Can't you see?" "When guys find out I'm the executioner's daughter, they take off running." " Is that all?" "Same here!" "Women run at the word "undertaker." We have the same disease!" "If they want to dance, let 'em bring their own music!" "Carmen, you like the view?" "It's a beautiful landscape." "Where would you like to die?" "Die?" "Me?" "I don't know." "Excuse me." "Sorry." "You two!" "Come on." " Just a minute." " Forget him!" "Is the plane in the picture?" " Of course!" " Here." " We'll be at customs." "Give us a hand." " Careful now." " Slowly." "Let it down." " Let it down." " That's it." "Give me the guitar." "This must be for bombs." "It's a passenger plane!" "Sure, but it's all ready for war, you idiot." "Let's go." "In wartime they open that, and the atomic bombs fall." "Good Lord!" "So I'll call, and if she's alone, I'll go join her." "And leave me alone with this mess?" "I've done the same for you!" "No!" "I always end up dealing with the corpse." "No!" "Forget it!" "All you have to do is tell them I had to leave ‒" " Bear with it, child." " I can't!" "Slow down!" "We're losing the family!" "Not so fast!" "Okay, take it away." "You'll have to open it." " All the papers are in order." "It's the rules." "The key, please." "We have to open it." "I'll go call the cemetery to say we're on the way." " Sweetheart, the key." " The key, please." "Must we open it all the way?" " No." " It's not him." " How could that be?" "He looks so different." "Give me the picture." " How could it not be him?" " I don't think it is." "He didn't have a mustache." " She got married by proxy." "Poor thing." "He's so skinny!" "His beard just grew out." "Try to understand." "Calm down, sweetie." "Sorry, ma'am." "I'm always bothering you." "But it's an urgent family matter." "Carmen, how are you?" "Is your father there?" "He is?" "When's he leaving?" "No, I don't want to talk to him." "As soon as I ‒" "Your pictures." " How much?" " Twenty pesetas." "I have a surprise you'll like:" "a picture of Charlton Heston." "Charlton Heston." "The guy who plays Ben-Hur." "No, he was here at the airport this morning." " He's here?" " No!" "Yes, I got you an autographed picture." "Come on." "We're waiting." "I gotta go." "Bye." "They made this American guy up like a woman." "His widow doesn't even recognize him." "I tell you, it's not him." "Sweetie, they put makeup on them over there." "I tell you it's not him." "Who's this shrimp?" "A cyclist." "He won lots of races." "But he took off like all the rest." "I'm better-looking, huh?" "So-so." "Shall I make some coffee?" "If you like." "Back in a minute." "Black or with cream?" "Black, like always." "Carmen, shall I tear him up?" " Who?" " The cyclist." "Yes, darling." "And his bicycle too." "I don't care." "Carmen." "We finally got a real apartment!" "I'm on the list now." "They've assigned us an apartment." "I'm on the list." "It's really nice." "We have to go see it right away." "Look." "Three bedrooms and central heating." "What's wrong?" "Aren't you happy?" " Of course." "You'll meet new people." "Young people." "Father, I love José Luis." "That's fine." "He's a decent, reliable young man." "He's here." "He wants to talk to you." "Here?" "Where?" "In there." "I have a terrible headache." "You have a headache... and you're barefoot." "You scoundrel!" "You rat!" "I know you may be thinking the worst ‒" "Get dressed!" "I was so happy!" "Shameless girl!" "In my own home, naked!" "Stop exaggerating!" "I'm not naked." "What will the neighbors think?" "I don't care what they think!" "They've done nothing but criticize us." "You know, if I'm not careful, I'll die an old maid." "Father..." "José Luis isn't a cad." "I was so happy." "The happiest day of my life, and you two ruined it." "Especially you." "I can't believe it." "I assure you, sir:" "I didn't do anything." " Your coffee." " There's just one solution." "What a shame!" "With those views!" "You could see the mountains." "Why'd you tell him I was here?" "It's better this way." "If he'd found you by surprise, he'd have killed you." "Carmen, should I go?" "No, wait." "You have to talk to him." " Me?" "What do I say?" "I don't know." "Say we're getting married." "Getting married..." "Just to calm him down, damn it!" "Even if it's a lie." "Mr. Amadeo, I'm a good man." "My intentions are good." "I have news that will make you even happier than the apartment." "Sir, I'd like to marry Carmen." "Less music and more work!" "This isn't a cabaret." "You put "from her heartbroken children" on this, and she was single!" " Was she rich?" " Just look." "Then I'll put "From José Luis, her adopted son."" "Did you talk to the boss?" " Yeah, you're not going along." "The one time I'd get expenses!" "He's got it in for me." "What's the matter?" "Come on, face the situation!" " No, take her away somewhere." "Where?" "The funeral?" "You've gotten yourself in a real fix!" "Let me have that wreath." "And the candlesticks." "Fernando, take these." "I'll fix the generator." "Are you looking for someone?" "José Luis Rodríguez." "José Luis, you have a visitor." "Couldn't you wait at home?" "I'm working!" "I have to get this running." "Here." "Is it yes or no?" "Yes." ""Positive reaction."" "So it's for sure?" "Maybe they're wrong." "Last year they said I had typhus when it was chicken pox." "Don't worry." "We'll do whatever you want." "Sure, sure." "I've gotta go to Germany!" "In a year I could be a mechanic and dump this job forever." "How can I do that now?" " If you're saying it's my fault ‒ - "Your fault."" "So what do you suggest we do?" "I could go to Germany alone and call you as soon as I find a job." "And the baby?" "The baby..." "Grandchild of an executioner." "What's my father got to do with it?" "Just that if it takes after its grandfather, better it not be born at all." "Don't say that." "Congratulations." " For you." " Thank you." "Come on in." "Aurelio, stop playing." "That's enough." "This way." "Watch the garland." "Step over it." "Stand up." "In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." "My friends, you are here to celebrate the sacrament of marriage, necessary for the propagation of the human race and granted to every man and woman not otherwise impeded by circumstance." "It was instituted by God in paradise here on earth and sanctified by the real presence of Christ our Lord." "It's one of the seven sacraments of the church... as great in its importance as in its virtue and dignity." "It confers grace upon those who enter into it with pure hearts..." "I tell you the organ needs tuning!" "Three notes have gone flat in two registers." "I've put in a request." "Don't eat what's left over!" "Sigüenza, try and catch the woman who left this earlier." "This way!" "That boy!" "Not so loud!" "We're in church!" "Hurry up." "I'm performing tonight." "Are you premiering the Austro-Hungarian romance?" "Don't forget my two comps." "Here's what we got." " I sang my throat raw for this?" " Stop complaining." "Father, you were right." "Vicente Trueba won the mountains classification in the Tour de France." "I gotta go." "We have two clients before noon." " You can't come to lunch?" " Ignacia and the kids are staying." "Take the dress back yourself, okay?" "Mention me and make sure you get a discount." "You could have worn a different suit for your daughter's wedding." "It's practically new." "I've only worn it three times in five years." "Are you all right?" " Godparents?" " Right here." "Do I sign "Ignacia" or "Igni"?" " However you usually sign." "Do they sell ice cream around here?" "I wouldn't know, ma'am." " I really want one!" "Where are the witnesses?" "Antonio." "Hurry up." "Goddamn motorcycle!" "You have to sign!" "You can't snub us like this!" "I'm not eating with that monster!" "Let's go!" "Listen, we came to church, but that man is just ‒" "We're decent people!" "Please!" "You have to sign!" "Don't sign anything." "A signature is forever." "If you don't sign, the marriage isn't valid." "I'll sign, but that's it!" "You wouldn't listen before." "Now you go your way and we go ours." "Don't sign!" "You'll bring shame on your children." "Antonio, come back." "He'll destroy your life!" "It'll only bring trouble!" "Listen to me." "Don't sign!" " Is this the one?" " Yes, ma'am." "Come on, old man." "The third floor." "Feels like the fourth." "Why didn't they give me the first floor?" "There'll be an elevator." "What if it breaks down?" "You should have stayed downstairs and not tired yourself out." "What light!" "Look at the view!" " Third floor right." " It's the fourth floor!" "Kitchen, bathroom, living-dining room with balcony, and three bedrooms." " This bedroom's mine." " What do you think?" "It's great." "I like it." "But there's something I don't get." "Where's the kitchen?" " Right here." "No, use the door!" "Get in the habit now." "Look, just steps from the dining room." "I'll look at the floor plan and tell you." "On the balcony in summertime with a beer!" "Amadeo!" "Look how great!" " You'll break your neck." " What are you doing?" " Where do we sleep?" "Here?" " No, that the neighbors'." " Ah, that's not ours." "Well, if there's nothing else, I'll be going." " Bye." " Thanks a lot." "Take care." "Hey, what are you doing?" "You're right outside my window!" "Use your own bathroom!" "I'll report you!" "Then you'll stop crapping out in the open!" "Armoire, dresser ‒ Hold that." "What are you doing?" "If this is our bedroom, the bed would go here." "This is the dining room!" "It's got the balcony." "Look at the view." "All the way to Guadalajara." " So where do we sleep?" " In there." " With no window?" " Oh, you're right." "Why don't we switch with your father?" "I feel bad." "The poor guy's old." "He doesn't need fresh air, but we do." "Especially for the baby." "You tell him." "No, you do it." "He'll pay more attention." "This bedroom's sheltered from the winter cold." "Wouldn't that be better?" "Much more comfortable." " I'm not budging from here!" "Okay, fine." "Put me wherever you like." "Are you the guard?" "We were told he was here." "Is this the third floor right?" "Fourth floor, and it's ours." "No, it's ours." "The council assigned it to us." " Let me see." " What's wrong?" " They say it's their place!" "There's some mistake." "I've already been measuring." "Two families can't share the same apartment." "What are those old bats saying?" "Watch your language!" "There's a child present!" "This apartment is ours!" "Yes, both claimants are state employees." "The council issued the documents two months apart." "Hold on." "They say you're retiring in three months." "Only because of my age!" "I'm still plenty strong." "Then the apartment is theirs." "You'll be retired when it's ready." "Is my poor daughter to live in the street?" "Just a minute." "This gentleman has a daughter." "Yes, she's married." "A married daughter has no right to the apartment when you retire." "But she's single!" "That's my great misfortune." "Ask me what work I do, and then try finding some fool willing to marry her!" "Then what's he doing here?" "I'm not involved." "I'm just handling the furniture." "Shame on you!" "The apartment belongs to this gentleman." "I hope they enjoy it!" "Let's go!" "Don't look at them." "We're decent people, thank God!" "You must prove your daughter is single, because by all appearances ‒" "I told you it's my great misfortune!" "But I need documentation." "Birth certificate, proof of marital status." "All done." "Sir, I'm done." " Thanks." "You must always look sharp in government offices." "Let's go." "Wait for us here." "What's wrong?" "What is it?" " What's the matter?" " I can't do it." "Then why'd we come?" "Did we agree or not?" "Then let's go." "You're not committing yourself by going inside." "Carmen, say something." " Yes, what do you say?" "Do as you think best, darling." "Don't worry about me." "I was only thinking of the baby." "Of course... the baby." " Let's go." " It's the only solution." "See you later, darling." "I'm going sale shopping for clothes for the baby." "And shirts for you." "What's your size?" " I don't remember." " You don't remember!" "Father, what's his neck size?" " Forty-one." " That's right." "Okay." "Bye." " What's the matter?" " He's crazy." " What's wrong?" " Can't we come back tomorrow?" "You'll say the same thing then." " Do we want the apartment or not?" " Yes." "Two strawberry ice creams." "How am I supposed to prove she's single?" " Tell them you don't want to resign." " I wish!" "I'm still strong." "But rules are rules." "Sit down and forget about the whole thing." "I'm fed up with both of you!" "This boy's lost his marbles." "He doesn't understand a thing." "All my life I've never been able to kill so much as a fly!" "You're always working with the dead!" "But I've never seen them alive, and they died a natural death." "Complete strangers!" " Are we going in or not?" " Go on." "That's them." "You want to be an executioner?" "No." "It's just that this gentleman insisted ‒" "We thought the only way not to lose our apartment ‒" "This form is incomplete." "You're missing a stamp." " We weren't sure." "How much?" " Three pesetas." "Here you are." " And the signature?" " We weren't sure it was correct." "Sign it." "Get rid of that and sign!" "Here." "Arlequín won the championship with that move." "Let's not waste time!" "Can he write or can't he?" "He's very intelligent." "He almost graduated high school!" "Then hurry up." "Fine." "And bring me a copy of a nice clean criminal record." "Just look at that move." "Here you go, clean as a whistle." "Already?" "You're kidding!" "Now all you need ‒" "Study the game." "You're too old to need parental permission." "But listen, last year I had the mumps ‒" "Pay no attention." "He's healthy as a horse." " What about character references?" " He has two." "From his parish priest and the Guardia Civil." "Now I need his military I.D., with all the appropriate signatures." "Is this his?" " Of course!" "My file's in there for sure!" "He's number 37." "What do you mean?" "There are 36 others ahead of him." "So there's no hope?" "Not without a good recommendation." "No, we don't know anybody." "Don't worry about that." "Thank you very much." "My scholar friend will fix everything." "Good-bye." "Checkmate." "Dear book fair visitors, author and scholar Mr. Corcuera is currently signing his books at stand number 25." "Is this where they autograph books?" "Is Mr. Pemán here?" "No, today it's Mr. Corcuera." " Same difference, right?" "Mr. Corcuera, these ladies ‒" " My pleasure." " It's for our niece." " What's her name?" " Elenita Santonja." "It won't be too grown-up for her, will it?" "Excuse me, do you have anything on Bergman or Antonioni?" "Bergman?" "The actress?" "No, not the actress." "Thanks." ""For Elenita."" "It looks interesting." " Where is he?" " He's the man with the mustache." " He's signing books now." " He'll hear me out." "Would you be able to tell me if that man signing books over there is Mr. Corcuera?" " No, we don't know." " Thank you." "Let's go." " I'll wait here." "Without a recommendation, there's no chance." "You'll do better alone." "I don't know him." "Go on." "That lady didn't pay for your book." "Should we bill it to your account?" "That's the thing about autographing." "People pick up the book ‒" " You have any pamphlets?" " No, no pamphlets." " How are things?" " Hello." " How are you?" " Very well." "You don't remember me?" "Sure... of course." "Here." " To autograph?" " No, read there." " It's already dedicated." " Just read it." "Oh, of course!" "How are you?" "Still at it, huh?" " I have no choice." " Are you interested?" " Yes." "You mean the book?" "History of American Civilization." " How much is it?" " 350 pesetas." "Ah, then no." "Sorry." "Thank you." "José Luis, come here." "No, I'll wait here!" "The poor guy's very shy, but he'll come over." "You've aged so well!" "Better than me." "It's the best book on Italian art." "Well?" "Made up your mind?" "This?" "What is it?" "History of American Civilization." "Ah, yes." "How much?" "I already told you: 350 pesetas." "That's very expensive." "I'll come back another time." "José Luis, come here." "Come here." " Busy with work this year?" "Not really." "That guy who killed his wife and children and a security guard." "Wasn't too bright." "My son-in-law." "Mr. Corcuera." "What can I do for you, young man?" "We were just thinking of some way to keep the apartment." "See?" "He doesn't want to." "Can you explain why you refuse to carry on the tradition?" "It's a matter of dynasty." "In France and England, the position was always passed on from father to son to grandson." "I'm just the son-in-law, not part of the dynasty." "I just wanted to ask if you think it's right for me to work in that profession." "You have to decide, but society will always need someone to carry out justice, whether it's you or someone else." "You see?" "But I think society needs someone very practical, self-confident, and determined." "But if you advise me to do it, then I will, because I can always resign at the last minute." "No, if I recommend you, you can't make me look bad!" "Don't listen to him." "Give him a recommendation." "I'll vouch for him." "He's very honorable." "He doesn't seem the ideal candidate ‒" "That's it!" "Not the ideal candidate." "I just want a referral for some other line of work." "I'd like to work in Germany ‒" "All this talk of Germany today!" "I'll do whatever this man wants, but please forgive me now, because my friends and fans ‒" " The book." " No, I made him mad!" " Mr. Corcuera, one of your books." " Of course." "Abel in the Night?" " No, The Garrote." "Ah, The Garrote." "We already have a copy." "Let's see, now." "Your name?" "That's not important." "It's your signature that matters." ""To the future executioner... carrying on the family tradition."" "Perfect." ""Corcuera."" "Thank you." "Thank you." "We're closed." "Don't worry ‒" "Can't you read? "Closed."" "Forgive me." "Don't you remember me?" "More of your pranks!" "We're closed." "I know, but we came straight from the cemetery ‒" "Hello." "He's right." "The eulogies went on forever." "Don't make me come back." "You know I try to be on time." "Don't worry, it's not from the funeral." "The deceased didn't smoke." " Who was it?" " How would we know?" "Upper crust, that's for sure." "You don't bother to find out whose funeral you're attending?" "From the eulogies he sounded like a good man." "A very good man." "Rodríguez, José Luis." "Special services." "Next time be on time and come dressed normally." "Don't worry." "It was one eulogy after another, all saying the same thing:" "He was a good man who started from scratch and belonged to all the right councils, and so on." "Thank you very much." "Good-bye." "Look at these benefits." "I even get extra for the kid!" "A plum position you found yourself!" "But it doesn't say anywhere that you're an executioner." "It's a secret." "Even the clerk doesn't know." "And you wanted to go to Germany!" " Always at your service." " Stupid jerk!" "What a temper!" " Well, I guess I'm the dummy here." " Why?" "You met Carmen because of me." "Now you're living it up with an apartment, a motorcycle, and a plum job." "You can apply too." "There's an opening in Málaga." "You know all the angles now." "Listen, where's that mattress store where you get a discount?" "Mr. Middle Class!" "I wasn't looking at your wife!" "Don't get me mad or I'll punch you!" "Just try it!" "Calm down, both of you!" "Tell me what happened." "This idiot says I was looking at his wife." "That's no sin, my friend." "I'm sure he meant it as a compliment." "There's looking, and then there's ogling!" "He's been undressing her with his eyes all morning!" "It's just that your wife is so beautiful." "I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it." "Who are you?" "Why are you dressed that way?" "I'm a state employee ‒" "And I'll show you who I am!" "We're all going to the police station!" "No, no guns!" "You two have to make peace." "Shake hands in front of your wife." "Come on, Pepe." "I'm going now or I won't be responsible!" " Same here!" " Go jump in a lake, jerk!" "Hooligan!" "I've told you not to wear such tight-fitting clothes." "Now it's my fault?" "...look at a lady in a way that offends her husband." " Hey!" " What's wrong?" " They didn't pay for their beers." " I'll take care of it." "How much is it?" " 22.50." "They must have drunk the whole keg!" " What happened?" " They were fighting." "In a flash it can turn into a violent crime." " So?" " Have you forgotten my new job?" "Just mind your own business." "Look at Grandpa." "Just a minute." "Just a minute." " Here it is!" " It's beautiful!" "Give me a hand." "You like it?" "I love it." "Is it foam or springs?" "Springs." "Foam gets too hot in summer." "Feel how soft it is." "Amadeo, you'll be living like a patriarch." "Give Daddy a kiss." " Wash your hands first." "Don't worry." "The guy died of old age." "Where's the paper?" " Right here." " Any news?" " More about Queen Fabiola." "Carmen, why do you wash your stockings in the sink?" "I can't find anything with all your things hanging to dry." "They fine me if I hang them on the balcony." "It looked so big!" "I told you:" "That should have been the bathroom." "You took my bedroom." "Now you'd put me in the bathroom!" " Where's the crime section?" " Father must have it." "No, I'll take that." "Give him a tip." " I can't do everything!" " Any news?" " Just the usual." " And the guy who killed the hooker?" " Escaped." "They can't find him." "Thank God." "Hurry up." "My back is killing me." ""Hotel receptionist kills wife and waiter."" "Don't worry." "They were caught in the act." "He'll get the death sentence!" "No, it was a matter of honor." " What is it?" "I got a real scare." "You get worked up over the paper every day." " In England they'd hang him!" " They're more lenient here." "Hurry up!" "I'm freezing!" " He knows what he's talking about." "And lots could happen before he's sentenced, right?" "Yeah, but all these scares are giving me gray hair!" "Jerk!" "So he slept with your wife!" " It's because you never went to war." " Father, don't start." "He's trembling when there's nothing to it." ""Shot in the back..."" "Let's see here." "Article 449." ""A man who kills his wife..."" "Settle down and keep warm." "It's great, isn't it?" "This wouldn't sag even if an elephant lay on it." "That's nice!" "Now you're calling me fat!" " Come here." " What are you doing?" "You know what I'd like to do?" " Don't be silly." " Carmen, listen." " What?" " Shall we break it in?" " Let me up." "I have to make the bed." "Silly man." "I have to fix the baby's food." "Don't be a brute." "Let me go." "Come here, you crazy woman." " My father's right there!" " He can't hear us." "Look at Grandpa, kid." "Mommy." " Coming!" " Someone's at the door." " What is it?" " A letter." " Slip it under the door." " It's registered." "José Luis Rodríguez?" "You have to sign." "Here." "Sorry, I was in the bathroom." "I'll tip you next time." "Some timing!" "Luisito, Mommy will be right there." "Where are you going?" "Who's it from?" " The ministry." "What's it say?" "What's wrong?" "José Luis, where are you going?" "Come back here." "I'm getting cold." "José Luis." "What's going on, José Luis?" "What's it say?" "What's going on?" "What is it?" "It's a notice saying he has to execute a man." "How awful!" "Just when we were so happy!" "Calm down." "Don't cry." "Don't worry." "I'm resigning right now." "José Luis, come here." "Give me that paper." " I'm resigning." "There'll be time for that later." "If you resign now, we'll lose this place." "Where would we go?" " The street!" "Don't believe that letter!" "They'll pardon him." "I've made so many trips where nothing happened!" "Just show up, and if the pardon doesn't come through, you say a polite good-bye and off you go." " No need for good-byes." " Carmen, persuade him." "Tell him to think of his son." "Darling, he's right." "If you want to resign, don't worry about me." "We'll manage somehow." "I can go back to sewing." "But I think you should at least go." "And you'd have to give back your pay." " Fine, I will!" " But how?" "You want me to be a murderer?" " Where is it?" " I don't know." "Palma de Majorca!" "I've never worked there." "Otherwise I'd give you a card." " Shall I pack your bag?" " No, I'm in enough trouble already." "If you want to resign, I don't care." "But if you go, you'll at least get to see Palma." "No, I'm not going alone." "Maybe if you came ‒" "Me?" "I'll go if you want, but it'll be expensive." " And what about the baby?" " The sea air would be great for him!" "What's the decision?" "We're both going to Palma." "The honeymoon we never had." "Lucky you!" "I only went to depressing places." "Should I get a new swimsuit or take this one?" "How can you think about swimming now?" "It's my one chance to see the sea." "I've never been to Palma de Majorca." "INTERNATIONAL BEAUTY CONTEST "MISS UNITED NATIONS"" "Take this." "What's that black girl doing here?" "I like that girl in green." "Probably mixed race, right?" "What do I care about black girls?" "You should care about all these girls, black or white." "Don't you see?" "This beauty contest makes a pardon more likely." "I remember once in Cádiz... many years ago, they pardoned a man during Carnival." "So just imagine during this international event." " It's true." "There's even a Chinese girl." " See?" "Look how beautiful!" "And you didn't want to come." "Come on." "Careful with the kid." " Look, the guards are here." " What guards?" "To take you to the jail, of course." "Here we are." " The papers." "It's not me." "It's my son-in-law." "José Luis, please!" "Come on." "Stop." "Wait." "Come on." " I'm not going." " The pardon will happen soon." " They're already waiting!" "I'm going back to Madrid." "Carmen!" "That doesn't mean anything." "You'll go to the jail, then you'll come back here." "No!" "I don't want to be involved." "Carmen, let's go." "José Luis, he knows what he's saying." "Don't be so thick-headed." "Whose name is the apartment in?" "Who earns the salary?" "Don't be childish." " Then you're coming too." "Gladly, but I don't think they'll let me." "Now let me do the talking." "My son-in-law thought he'd forgotten something." "Which of you is José Luis Rodríguez?" "He's a little nervous." "Give him the papers." "Here." " Shall we wait for you here?" "No, you go to the pension." "We'll be along later." "Amadeo, explain to him." "I know it's unusual, but I'd like to go with him." "I did the same work." " No, impossible." "I can't." "Go on." "And don't make a fool of yourself." "Let's go." "Father, the bag." "The bag." "Be a man, now." "Go on, son." "Look how pretty they are." "It's José Luis!" "Wave to Daddy!" "Say "Daddy."" "Here you are, girls." "And stay out of the way." "Excuse me." "Is the gentleman you're expecting for lunch coming now or later?" "I don't think he'll be coming." " You said he would be!" " What's for lunch?" "Seafood casserole, and bananas for dessert." " You said he'd be back." " Hear that?" "Seafood casserole." "With prawns, grouper, and king shrimp in a spicy sauce." "You'll be licking your fingers!" "You think the baby's had too much sun?" "Put his cap on." "José Luis, how'd it go?" " How do I come up?" " Over there." "Did anything happen?" " Where?" " Over there." "No, the wooden stairs." "He seems in good spirits." "It's José Luis." " Did he have the bag?" "I don't know!" "That idiot probably ran off without telling the Guardia Civil." "The phone." "Where's the phone?" "Your phone, ma'am." "He's sick!" "I don't have to do anything." "Careful!" " He's sick!" " Calm down." "Tell us everything." "Nothing's going to happen." "I think he's going to die." "Why else would they wait?" " So we're going back to Madrid?" " No!" "Look!" "Our expenses!" "They told me to wait and see what happens." "If that man takes his time dying, we could be here a month!" " Exactly what did they say?" ""Here are your expenses." "Tell us where you're staying, and don't leave Palma."" "Couldn't be clearer." "Just a minute." "Fix another serving of casserole." "The other gentleman has arrived." "Happy?" "Is the pension nice?" "It's wonderful!" "I knew they wouldn't call you." "There's seafood casserole for lunch." "What?" "Ah, a photograph." "Sure." "Give it to me." "German, huh?" "Very good camera." "Down?" "Oh, right." "There." "Would you please take a picture of me and my wife?" "Wait." "Carmen." "The young lady's going to take our picture." "Thank you." "Of course!" "The address to send it to." "I live in Madrid..." "Polígono Sur, Group 4, Block 17 ‒" "Isn't this beautiful?" "Shall we send it to Álvarez?" "That's my address." "Visit us anytime." "See if you prefer other postcards." "Whatever you like." "These are fine." "What's the matter?" "I don't understand a word that guy's saying!" "You were with those hussies long enough to learn several languages!" "They're calling us." " How do you know?" " How could you miss it?" " They don't announce it in Spanish!" "We're the last on the bus, as usual." "Hello." "This is good here." "No, keep going." "Keep going?" "To the end, so we can see the water." "We'll be cooler here." " I can't understand a word again." " Me neither." " When are they going to speak Spanish?" " Good question!" " Are you Spanish?" " Yes." "We can't understand a word." " Just married?" " Yes, and we have a baby." " You like it?" " Yes, but I'm scared." "Beware the vampire of the cave!" "You idiot!" "You scared me." "No, not with all these people!" " Who cares?" "Those two don't care." "Gosh!" "But they're foreigners." " It's natural for them." "If I asked her to kiss me, she'd do it." " Really?" " Of course." "Excuse me, miss." "Go on." "Ask her." "Are you a foreigner?" "Yes, from Indonesia." " You're so silly." " They're Catholic there!" "She can't!" "Mr. José Luis Rodríguez..." "Mr. José Luis Rodríguez, if you're in attendance, please come to the jetty." "They're paging me." "Maybe he died." "Mr. José Luis Rodríguez... if you're in attendance, kindly come down to the jetty." " Did he die?" " What?" " Did he die?" " Are you José Luis Rodríguez?" "This is my wife." "Come with me to the boat." "I have to go." "Quiet!" "Where are you going?" "I'll go with you." "No, stay here." "I won't let you go alone." "I'm going with you." "Stay and watch the show." "You have to let your father know." " How?" "I'm all alone!" " Let him know right away!" "What do I tell him?" "To go the jail right away." "He knows where it is." "Okay." "Stay calm." "Don't worry." "You don't know if he died?" "Our orders are to take you to the provincial jail." "Excuse me." "Is this height good?" "Excuse me!" "Is this height okay?" "How would I know?" "Do what you want." "I'm just waiting." "What time is it?" " Five past 5:00." "The chair?" "Thanks." "I prefer to stand." "This guy's crazy!" " San Martín, a visitor." " For me?" "No, for the executioner." " For me?" " Yes." "Hey, wait for me!" " It must be Amadeo." " Calm down." " Please hurry." "Good morning." "Good morning." " Hello." "The condemned has said he's never had champagne, so I took the liberty ‒" " I have no objection." "In your case we can depart from the usual procedure." "You're very kind." "Thank you very much." "The poor man has behaved with great dignity." " Very impressive!" " What is it, Juan?" "Forgive the delay, Marquis, but I had to wake the marchioness for the keys to the wine cellar." "I see." "Is it French?" "Yes, sir." "I'm sure you have a little ice." "I think so, Marquis." " Perfect." " A bucket would be ideal." " Anything else, sir?" " No, nothing." "We'll be done here shortly." "Who's that guy?" "He's here to see the executioner." "Did you notify him?" "Just a moment." " Wait!" " I have to speak to that man." "What's going on?" "They had me get everything ready." "Take it easy." "You have to calm down." "I told you:" "The pardon will come through." "No, it won't!" "I asked!" "It doesn't matter." "They always say that." "Listen, be sure to tighten the screw on the right, or the irons will slide down the post." "To hell with the screw!" "Just wait." "If you're not up to it, tell them you resign." "Let my father-in-law in." "He's the real executioner." "Rules are rules." "You have to wait till the last minute!" "Stop acting like a woman!" " I'm not!" "Excuse me, sir." "Please let him in." "He's done this for 40 years." "He knows the job well." "We'll be waiting at the ship." "Don't forget:" "We'll be waiting at the ship!" "When you're done, tell them to take you to the ship." "Don't forget!" "Excuse me, sir." "Be patient with him." "It's his first time." "And tell him not to forget about that screw." "Do you feel ill?" "I said do you feel ill?" "No, I just want out of here." "You'll have a nice little drink in a minute." "Here we are." " Where?" " Don't you want to see the condemned?" "No!" "I prefer not to." "You really should." "It's only right." " You're sure?" " Of course." "I can't see a thing." "It's all black." "If you need anything, call me." "Good morning." "Father, any word on the pardon?" "No, there's never any word when it might come through." " Excuse me, Father ‒" " Calm down, my son." "Trust in divine providence to the end." "But if you called the ministry ‒" "They won't notify the priest." "They'll notify the warden." "Come on." " Is it cold?" " Yes, from the prison yard." "That's enough." "I'd like to know who they'll toast to!" "Let's go." "Serve the coffee at 6:00 like any other day, you hear?" "Get me a cup." "Sit down." "Go on." "Is the coffee ready?" " Yes." "A cup for this man." " Is that the executioner?" " Yes." "Jeez!" "Manuel, you give it to him." "Hey." "You there." "How much will you get today?" "I killed a guy, and all I got was this." "San Martín, after all that fuss, he doesn't want it." "Put it in the pantry." " Brandy is best in these cases." " Nothing is best!" "Come on." "Well, the moment has come." " To do what?" " Your job." " What about the pardon?" " What pardon?" "Come on." "Where are you going?" "Which way is the exit, please?" "I'm going to Madrid." "I want nothing to do with this." "I waited till the last minute." "They can have the apartment back." "I'm going back to Madrid." "Where's the way out?" "Calm down." "More brandy or coffee?" "No, just some paper, please." "Write this down:" "They can take the apartment and turn my wife and kid out in the street." "Write down that I'm resigning." "They can have my salary back." "I don't want it." "Come, now." "What's your name?" "José Luis Rodríguez." "But it doesn't matter." "I'm leaving." "Let's discuss this man-to-man." "Did you have some brandy?" "Did you have a drink?" "Bring the champagne." "Now, then, tell me what's going on." "It's all because of the apartment." "My father-in-law was retiring, so he was no longer eligible." "Your father-in-law?" " Amadeo, the executioner." "Forty years of service!" "That's why I said to let him in." " Go on." "Cigarette?" " Thanks." "Look, I'm an undertaker, and girls wouldn't go out with me." "And Carmen, being the executioner's daughter, was having a hard time too." "It's not that I didn't love her." "She'd never seen the sea." "Then Amadeo, Carmen's father ‒" "Amadeo caught us together in the bedroom." "You know, these things happen." "And since Carmen was six months along," "Amadeo persuaded me, in order to keep the apartment, which was very nice ‒ a little far away, but since I had the motorcycle now, I didn't really care." "So your father-in-law would lose the apartment when he retired?" "Excuse me, sir." "Shall we use what the marquis brought?" "He said I should take over his job, but I didn't want to." "I wanted to go to Germany, you see?" "When I married Carmen, my brother stopped speaking to me." "He used to at least say "good morning" or "good night."" "Here." "But since I loved Carmen and she was about to give birth," "Amadeo persuaded me to apply for the job." "That way I'd get the pay and the apartment." "He said that when this moment came ‒" "Warden." " Go on." "He said if this moment arrived, I could resign." "Go on." "I can't be an executioner!" "I want to resign!" "But you'll lose the apartment." "I don't care anymore!" "We'll live in the street." "I just want paper to write my resignation." "Just a moment, please." "I just want to live in peace with my wife and son." "Carmen's a very good woman." "That's her, and this is my son." "He was three months here." "This is Amadeo, the executioner." "Forty years on the job!" "He's at the Pensión Broseta." "He can be here in a minute." "Look, the executioner's wife and son." " She's very pretty." " Who's this?" "No, she's not family." "She's a friend of Carmen's." "Let the witnesses know that it may not be very pleasant." "We were goofing around there." "And this was at the baptism ‒" "José Luis, my son." "You're a man, and I'm a man." "The condemned is a man too." "And what is the condemned most interested in?" "A pardon!" "No, getting it over with." "Why?" "You say you'd like to resign." "I can try to speak to authorities at the ministry of justice and get another executioner." "Exactly." "I can do that, of course, but you know how bureaucracy can be." "The work piles up." "One day goes by, then another, then a whole week." "The condemned can't wait." "Why not?" "Besides, he's resigned himself to it." "He's made his confession and received Holy Communion, to the great edification of all concerned." "His soul is once more filled with God's..." "God's grace." "And who can ensure that while we wait for a reply, he won't sink back into despair?" "Do you think that's fair?" "The condemned can't wait." "Why?" "Why can't he wait?" "Why?" "Put a tie on him." "Hold on." "No, don't." "Let's go." "Come on." "Let me go!" "Calm down." "Why?" "He won't even know it." "It's very quick." "Put that in your pocket." "Hold your hat." "Why?" "He's going to be sick." "Warden!" "Doctor, over here." "What's going on?" "Let me see." "José Luis, come on." "He's just a little dizzy." "Father!" "José Luis, don't make a scene." "Be strong, my son." "Go on, Father." "Attend to the condemned." "Look at the birdies and drink your bottle." "Father, get me some water." "You want a little water?" "It's all over!" "He's back!" "Thank you." "Have you eaten anything?" "I'm worried." "He cried all night." " Father, take the baby." " Give him here." "Go with Grandpa." "You want a sandwich?" "Hey, the pay went up!" "I'm never doing it again, you hear?" "Never again!" "I said the same thing the first time." "Let's wave bye-bye." "Wave bye-bye to them." "Here we go." "Bye-bye!" "Have fun!" "Don't get wet!"