"THE INNOCENTS" " What's going on?" " Keep going, don't stop!" "Don't stop!" "Come on, come on!" "Move it along!" "Come on, let's go!" "Let's go!" "Keep going!" "Go ahead, don't stop!" "Stay to the right!" "Keep going!" " They said the ambulance is on its way, sir." " Thank you." "Don't cry or go to the car." " Officer." " Yes, sir?" " That photographer, please." "Make him leave." " Okay." "Hey you, you can't be here." "Come on, go!" " I'm from the Tribune." " Come on, move it." " But I'm from the Tribune!" " I don't care!" " I'm taking photos for..." " I said I don't care." " Come on, move it!" " Please don't push!" " Move it!" "Listen, you can't take photos." "Let's go, let's go!" "The family won't allow it!" "You've no right!" " No, no!" " Please don't shout!" "Okay, okay, let it go." "Here, here." "Stop... stop." "They're waiting for you." "Are you Bruno Sartori?" "Yes." "They called me." " How did it happen?" " They lost traction on the curve." "Come with me." "Do you recognize the woman?" "Yes." "It's my wife." "And the man, do you know him?" "No." "I've never seen him before." "Back it up, back it up!" "Okay, enough." "Enough!" "Please leave." "Help the paramedics, but be careful." "Go slow." "Be careful." " Stay here." " Please move aside." " Follow them." " Yes, sir." "What about her?" "We have to wait for the judge." "But... why call him in?" "Because it's a suspicious death." "The doctor gave the order." "Come down to the station." " My condolences." " Thank you." "We tried to tell you, but didn't know where you were." " When was it?" " At 7:00." " Does anyone know?" " Not yet." "Don't take any calls." "Don't say a word until I say so." "Okay, Don Ricardo." " What about Mom?" " She's inside, stunned barely conscious." "How are the girls?" "Just imagine." "This cross and the ribbon." " Okay, sir." "Sartori." " Your wife was Isabel Bernabé?" " Yes, sir." " Argentinian, 26 years old, a nurse." " Yes, sir." " Your name is Sartori, right?" " Yes, sir." "Bruno Sartori." " You're from Argentina?" " Yes, sir." " Where were you born?" " Here, in Mar del Plata." "Age?" "29 years old." "Profession?" "Clerk." " Do you have identification?" " Yes, sir, an ID card." "Give it to me." "1,639,013." "The man who was with her..." "Who was he?" "Don Félix Errazquin." "Didn't you know him?" " No." " But... you know who he was." "By name." "Everyone knows who he is." "And her, where did they take her?" "To the morgue." "We'll release her at midnight, after the autopsy." "Do you recognize these things?" "Yes." "They're my wife's." "There weren't many people." "A few curious onlookers, but the police kept them away." "I don't think anyone knows it was Félix." " Nobody saw him." " You mentioned a photographer." " Yes, from the Tribune." " It's the daily paper in Santovenia." " They owe us a lot of favors." " Yes, I know." "Call the editor later." " Tell him not to publish any photos." " Ask for the negatives too." "Otherwise, everything is in order." "We avoided a scandal." " Do you have the commissioner and doctor's names?" " Yes, sir." " They've been very polite." " Elena, are you okay?" " Don't you want to go lie down?" " No." "And the woman, who was she?" "Some floozy?" " Mom, please!" " Félix liked those ones." "She was married." "A poor girl, I'm sure." "That's even worse." "The family won't keep quiet." "There will be a scandal!" "Excuse me." "There's a special insurance policy covering passenger liability." "Don Félix gave it to me not long ago." "Okay, then sort that out tomorrow." "Find out the husband's name and address, and bring him the check." " How much is the policy for?" " 100,000 pesos." "That might be too little." " Who is the husband?" " A bank clerk." " Oh, it's enough." "What else is there, Leiva?" "The burial." "You have to decide what to do." "It'll be best to do a discreet ceremony with a few close friends." " Why?" " Sadly, Félix died in a way that..." "But he's an Errazquin!" "Do you agree with your wife?" "No." "What do you propose?" "That we bury him in secret because you're obsessed with guilt and sin?" "Do whatever you want then!" " Did you write the death notice?" " Not yet." "What I wrote was a list of his factories, companies, and posts." "Okay, read it." "President of Errazquin Industries, River Plate Metalworks," "River Plate Electric Company, Credit Bank, General Society of Mines..." "To raise a child only to lose them!" "What a tragedy!" "What a tragedy, my God!" "To die like that, so suddenly in the prime of his life." "My poor daughter!" "I didn't want him to come to the city." "He was doing so well in the country." " And Bruno?" " He's outside." "He's been on the sofa for a little while." "Don't leave him alone." "Come on, go with your sister." "Did you sleep?" "No." "How could she have been with that man?" " A millionaire!" " Don't talk about that now." "They might hear you." "I can't take it anymore." " I'm leaving." " You're starting to hate her." " I need a little while alone." " What do I tell them?" "Tell them anything." "That I felt bad." "I'm going home." "You haven't eaten anything." " I'll eat later at home." " We won't arrive until 8:00 PM." " Are you leaving this afternoon?" " Yes, on the 5:00 PM train." " Bruno will go with you to the station." " No, what for?" "He should sleep." " A coffee will do him well." " Yes, a coffee, yes." " Come have some coffee." " Close the door." "Isn't it strange about Gloria?" "She was Isabel's best friend." " Why didn't she come?" " I don't know." " Did you tell her?" " I didn't, but she must know." " And she didn't come." " Neither did her other friends." " They must not know." " She's afraid I'll ask her something." "Forget about that." "Come on, let's go." " Don't you want to keep a memento?" " No, nothing." " Not even this purse?" " No." "I opened it and there's money inside." " Keep it." " But it's a lot." " 10,000 pesos." " It was your sister's, she earned it." "You can keep it." " Hey Bruno, they're asking about you." " Who is?" "The Errazquin's business manager." "But here?" " What does he want?" " To talk to you." "What should I tell him?" "Okay, tell him to come in." " You, get out." " Okay." " Come in." " Thanks." " Mr. Sartori?" " That's me." "Please forgive me for bothering you today, and allow me, first of all, to express the Errazquin's condolences." "What else?" "Don Félix Errazquin had taken out a special insurance policy..." "And...?" "Here's the company's check." " For me?" " Yes, it's the compensation." "It belongs to you." "It's for 100,000 pesos." " How dare you!" " Maybe you didn't understand." "No, I understood you perfectly!" "You brought me a check!" " Why, to keep me quiet?" " Mr. Sartori..." " Think money solves everything?" " Please, listen..." " That you can humiliate me?" " Wait, let me explain." " Explain what?" "You don't know or care one bit about my troubles!" "This check, I'll return it myself." "Tell them that!" " Now please get out!" " Very well." " You're returning that money?" " Right now!" " Are you crazy?" " Stay out of my business!" "Bruno!" "Come in." "Did you want to talk with someone in my family?" " You're the daughter?" " Yes." "Do you know who I am?" " I saw you yesterday." " I didn't see anyone there except my wife on the ground." " I wanted..." " Don't tell me you're sorry!" "Why did you come?" " Do you think nothing happened to me?" " No, it's not the same." "You weren't disgraced." "Nobody cheated on you or took from you." "Nobody meddled in your life and ruined it." "Death by itself isn't shameful." "It evokes pity in everyone." "My situation is worse!" " I don't know what to say..." " And then..." "There's this!" "Money, the Errazquins' money!" "Why?" "Do you think I have no shame, or take me for an imbecile?" " Who offered you money?" " A business manager of yours." "He tried to deceive me too." "He said it was from an insurance policy." " And... isn't it?" " It's a personal check, signed by an Errazquin." "Why do you think the worst?" "It's an advance on the policy, in case you needed it." "But I don't want it!" "That's foolish." " Couldn't it help someone?" " Help who?" "Me, I have no idea." "You must know." "All I know is the harm that's been done to me." "Why?" "And besides..." "Besides, it's humiliating." "Throwing money in my face to shut me up!" "It's not right." "And what can I do?" "You?" "Nothing, I know." "I'd like to help you somehow." "I..." "I understand what you're going through." "My name's Elena." "You're very young." "And I talked too much." "Forgive me." "They say she was married, a clerk's wife." " Imagine the husband now!" " He'll make a fortune!" "He returned the check to me." "He doesn't want the money." "When did he come?" " A little while ago." "He just left." "You were wrong to take it." "Grandma and Laura were lying down, so I went down myself." "There's no reason for you to get involved." "It was sad to hear him talk." " Sad?" " Yes, uncle." "He's devastated." " You won't fix it with a check." " What do you know?" "That man's wife surely didn't think so." "Don't stay here." "You'd be better upstairs." " Have you seen him?" " Who?" " Sartori." " He's here?" " Yeah." " Where is he?" " The manager called him." " Have you expressed your condolences?" " Of course, you should too." "I say that because of what happened." "It was in the newspaper." " Don't you feel bad for Bruno?" " I do." " He looks really sad." " His wife was very pretty, they say." "Hello?" "Yes." "Yes." "No, he's not here." "Who?" " Yeah, I'll tell him... of course." " She was no fool." "With an Errazquin!" " What do you think?" " It's a beautiful love story." "Poor Sartori, he lost his name." "He won't be Bruno anymore." " Who will he be?" " "Cornelio". (Cuckold)" "You got a phone call, from Elena." "She left her number." "I don't know what you're talking about, Bruno, I swear." "You were her friend." " She didn't say anything?" " About what?" " That man, Errazquin." "This isn't right, pursuing her after her death." " I'm entitled to know if she was cheating on me, aren't I?" " But Bruno..." "Why do you think that?" "You have no reason to suspect Isabel." "I do." " In her purse I found 10,000 pesos." " Oh, and you thought that?" "Come with me to the office." "I'll show you there." "Show me what?" "On the day she died," "Isabel received bonuses for the last three months of classes." "Exactly 10,000 pesos." " Really?" " Well of course." "Ask in the office." "You're not fair to Isabel." "And now I realize it's true she wasn't happy with you." "She said that to you?" "She said you weren't a good partner." "That you didn't love her." "Forgive me, but you asked." "No, forgive what?" "It's fine." "You've shown me that I didn't know Isabel, and for that I'm grateful." "Goodbye." " I have to go, goodbye." " Goodbye." " See you tomorrow." "Aren't you going to say hello?" "Sorry, I didn't see you." "Can I take you somewhere?" " I wouldn't want to bother you." " It's no bother." " You went right past me on the way out." "Didn't you see me?" " No, I didn't." " You come here?" " I help with what I can." " I sign my friends up." " I understand." "It's a way to amuse yourselves." "Not for me." "For me, it's something more." "That's how society people amuse themselves, with charity work." "Not me." "I think it's our duty to do good." " Where should I drop you off?" " Anywhere downtown, if it's no problem." " Tell me where to go." " To the casino." " Are you a gambler?" " No, I never gamble." "I'm going to see someone." "I called the bank a few days ago." "You weren't there." "I know." "I left my phone number." "Did you get it?" "Yes." "I thought you would call me." " I didn't feel like it." " Why?" "I thought you'd try to comfort me or protect me, like those disabled kids." " That's pride talking." " Perhaps." "And it wasn't sincere." "You just didn't want to see me or talk to me." "Quite the opposite." "I needed to see you." "I thought about you more than once." "I have lots of questions to ask you and a few things to tell you." "I'm sure you forgot my number." "Want me to repeat it?" "Your number is 4-4-2-4-0." "If we died together now what would they think?" "There's nothing to be done." " He doesn't want any trouble." " What trouble?" "It's an investigation!" " He doesn't like the case." " Isn't he a cop?" "He doesn't want to get involved, okay?" "When he heard the name Errazquin, he said very clearly:" ""Are you crazy?" "Don't you know who they are?"" "I already told you all he told me, about the place where he brought women." "What do you plan to do with the Errazquins?" "You returned the check, and now you're poking around." " What for?" " That's my business!" "I know what I'm doing." "You're acting like a fool!" "No not anymore." "The Errazquins are going to remember me." " When is the concert?" " In two months." "But I thought that with the Don Félix situation..." "There's no reason to cancel it." "No reason at all." "You should keep coming here to practice." "Thank you, Don Ignacio." "The Errazquin name, as you know was always there to promote the needs of the spirit." "This year's concert series will be sponsored by me personally." "The board of directors is already in agreement." "One of these nights we'll discuss that at length." "Your participation is essential." " Good afternoon." " Hello." " Good afternoon, Ms. Elena." " How are you, Ezequiel?" "You're leaving?" "Yes." "For the reading of the will." "It's tomorrow, at the notary in Osario." "What about Laura?" "She won't come." "She's unbearable, as usual." "Hysterical, and drinking." "She'll have to see the psychiatrist again." " When will you be back?" " In two days." " Want anything from Buenos Aires?" " No, have a good trip." " Chao." " Bye." "Come in." " Where were you?" " I went out for a bit." "You needed it." "You hadn't been out in days." "I have to tell you something." "What?" "No, nothing." "I bumped into someone on the way here." " He's in here again?" " Who?" " Uncle Ignacio's protégé!" " I don't know." "Can't you hear him?" "That's Lázaro who's playing." " I can't stand him." " Why?" "He's a phony, just like Uncle Ignacio." "One fancies himself a protector of art, and the other takes his money." " What are you staring at?" " Nothing." "Some family we've got!" "You know what I was thinking when you came in?" " That I'd leave." " And go where?" "Paris, Rome for three or four months." " Want to come?" "I'll bring you." " No" "I want to go back to feeling like myself, the old me and have hope that everything can start over again." "Are you fighting with Mauricio again?" "Not even that." "He's no fun anymore." " Didn't you want to go to Buenos Aires with him?" " He bores me." "All he talks about is money." "He depresses me." "He ages me." "I'm getting old." "Don't you think so?" " No..." " That's a lie, you fraud!" "But someday you'll be like me!" " Drinking is bad for you." " Go away!" "I don't like you looking at me like that." "They say I'm nuts." "Isn't that true?" "Honestly, I've never heard that." " Do you think I'm nuts?" " No, ma'am, no." "I think you're very unique." "Yes, that's it." " Of course, it's not the same." "Even if it is the same." "I don't like this color anymore." "It makes me look so old." " Are you spying on me?" " No, Grandma." "I came to give you a kiss." "Come back later." "You're making me nervous." "You're always going about like a ghost." "Ashy blonde hair, how would that look on me?" "Divine." "How did it happen?" "How could it happen?" "How did she run into him, a man from such a different world?" "Surely it was in one of these places, where summer brings together all kinds of people." "Maybe this is where they met." "Did your wife go to beach?" "Nearly every afternoon." "Didn't you go with her?" "I couldn't." "I was at the bank." "We only came together on weekends." "All I do is think about that, about how they could have met." "Chance." "What about him?" "Didn't he come to the beach?" "Yes, sometimes." "On the beach, in their bathing suits, just a man and woman looking at one another and talking." "This could be where they talked and made their first date." "Why do you insist that it had to be that way?" "How was it, then?" "Maybe they met the afternoon they died." "Why are you trying to fool me?" "I don't believe it." "The beachgoers must have seen them together more than once but they're all gone now." "There's no one." "No one to ask." "You know, she liked to go to the casino." "She gambled eagerly because she believed in luck." "She thought that everything might suddenly change for her." "They could have met there, at a roulette table." "Or somewhere on a rainy day at the end of summer." "He offered to give her a ride..." "They looked at one another and sometimes there's something that suddenly unites a man and a woman." "A look, or their voice and not what they say." "Besides, he was a gentleman." "He had everything that could impress a woman like her." "One of those men who seems to promise a new life." "And me who am I?" " Nobody." " Don't say that." "A poor devil!" "I crunch numbers shut up in an office." "I handle other people's bank accounts." "Did you love her?" "She was my wife." "But did you love her?" "I don't know anymore." "She was with me and was thinking about another man." "You're obsessing over this." "But I'm right." " You never heard anyone talk about your father's affairs?" " No." " Not even about the cottage?" " What cottage?" "The one on Falucho Street, where he'd bring his lady friends." "I don't believe it." "Your father must not have been who you imagined." "Others must've known him better than you did... his employees, his laborers and his lovers." " Why'd you want to see me?" " I thought..." " To defend your father's memory?" " No, not that." " Pity?" " Not that either." "Then why are you with me?" "So you have someone to listen to you, to help you find the truth." " Help me, then." " How?" "I need to know if she was cheating on me if I have to forget her, or remember her." "If she was in that cottage, she might've left something behind." "A letter, a photo something." "You could get the keys." " Find them and give them to me." " I'm not doing that." " Are you afraid?" " No, but I won't do it." "I expected as much." " Elena!" " Hey, Elena." " Hey." " How are you?" " Fine." " And your family?" " They're all fine." " We've missed you." " Yeah, I don't go out much." " Come with us for a bit." " No, I can't." "It's late." " Call you tomorrow?" " Okay, call me." " Bye, Elena." " Chao." " Bye." " Bye." "Race you to the car!" "I'll find the keys." "To show you that you're wrong." "She wasn't like that." "He wasn't either." "It couldn't have been like that." "What are you afraid of losing?" "A memory." " Is it here?" " Yes." "We shouldn't go in." "We don't have the right." "I'm going in." "Give me the key." "Let's go." "All this for a summer afternoon..." "A quiet place for..." "I'll wait outside." "Stop thinking about it." " Why did it have to happen to me?" " Don't think about it." "It's embarrassing." "I'm embarrassed that you know." "I wish I'd never met her." "You have to forget." "You have to forget." " Do you like the foal?" " He's precious, and looks great." " He'll run for you in Buenos Aires." "He's yours now." " Mine?" " When do you turn 19?" " On the 12th." " He'll be my birthday present to you." " Thank you, uncle!" " I promise you a great prize." " I hope so." " It's Galloso, the engineer." " Want to go deal with him?" " Sure." "Where were you yesterday?" " When?" " Yesterday afternoon." " In a cottage on Falucho Street." " Where'd you get the keys?" "From my Dad's room, inside a box there." "Who told you about the cottage?" "Sartori?" " Yes." " Why did you see him?" " Because." " That's not a reason." "What do you care about him?" " We hurt him." " We?" "Dad did, and then you all offered him money." "And me, I offered him a little friendship." "Don't trust your compassion." "So what happened to you with that man?" "Nothing." "Do you know he tried to file a lawsuit against your father?" "We were warned by the same lawyer he talked to." "That's been dealt with, but your thing..." "You're an Errazquin, understand?" "Men don't see you, they see your inheritance." "Don't forget that." "Now go see your foal." "When are you leaving for Buenos Aires?" "Next week." "I don't know why you went so briefly to a hotel." "I couldn't stand the apartment anymore, especially alone." " The keys, you'll turn them in?" " Yeah, tomorrow." "Did you see the lawyer again?" "What for?" "They bought him too." "You can turn off the television if you're not watching it." " What hotel did you go to?" " The Florida." "Oh, you want to throw away money." "You could've come here." "Isn't it odd that the bank is sending you to Buenos Aires now?" "I asked for it year ago." "It seems as if the Errazquins want to help you." "Why?" "Well... because of what happened." "They're responsible." " Aren't you interested in their help?" " No, I'm not." "I don't understand you." "What do you plan to do, then?" "Something else." " The boy is crying, can't you hear him?" " I'm coming!" " You're bitter, that's what it is." " With good reason!" "Every morning when I get up, I think: "I'm poor."" "Poverty is not having anything to eat, but you... returned a check for 100,000 pesos." " I didn't return it." " You what?" " The insurers called me three days ago." " Did you collect?" " No, it was for the report." "They take months to pay." "And if I do, so what?" "It's always the same filth!" "I'll remain the same." "Work, sit at home, go the movies or to the café..." "Talk with my soccer friends or discuss politics..." "Just get by." "And one fine day, you wake up and you're retired." "I don't want that life." "Shut up already!" "That's it, you're gonna get it!" " Don't hit the boy!" " He won't go to sleep!" " But don't hit him!" " You do it then!" "I still have to clear the table and wash the dishes!" "Okay, okay, I'll take care of it!" "You have no patience." "You two, go to sleep!" "Okay, ready?" " How much is the land worth?" " 30 million." "But if Galloso knew about the minerals, he'd ask for 300 million." " Will he sell?" " Of course he'll sell." "He can't keep up with the mortgage payments." " Don't do any deals this year." " What?" "Mars is dignified... and Saturn definitely enters Aquarius." "Mom..." " It will be a year of great losses." " We're being serious, Mom." "Some matters are better discussed alone, instead of here at the table." "Mr. Sartori is on the phone." "He insists on speaking to Miss Elena." "Tell him we can't take his call and to stop bothering us." " Okay, sir." " Were you planning to leave in a week?" " Yes." " No thank you." " But we leave in three days." "Sunday, I think that's best." "I'm staying here." "Do whatever you want." "Our project is to install the furnaces near the coast and build the workers' homes around them." "Excuse me." "Some day in this country there will be a town with the name Errazquin." "Hello?" "What?" "Who?" "Sartori?" "Elena doesn't want to talk to you." "Don't call again, got that?" "What are you doing here?" "I was waiting for you." " Did you call me at home today?" " No, I called last night." " I was told not to call again." " I didn't say that." " I thought so." " I looked for you at the bank this afternoon." " No, I haven't gone there in four days." " Then I went to your home." "The manager gave me this hotel's address." "I'm going with my family to Buenos Aires in two days." "That's why I came... to see you before I leave and to talk." " There's a café next door." " No, not in a café, no." " Here, then." " Here?" "Want to go upstairs?" "Okay." "Don't cry." "It feels good." "I'll get over it." " Why didn't you tell me?" " Did you think it was a fling?" "No." "But I never thought that you... with me..." "Why?" "Because I love you..." "and you're everything to me." "What you did was crazy." "I know but now you'll never leave me." " I won't." " You'll forget everything." "You'll only think of me." "We'll be together forever, Bruno." "Are you afraid that I love you?" "I don't know." "I am." "I'm afraid." "I don't know what you're like." "I'm asking you to love me, Bruno." "To protect me." "I need you." " What made you notice me?" " You looked sad." "Yes?" "Ms. Laura would like you to come down." " Are they playing?" " Yes, miss." "Bridge and canasta." " Where is Grandma?" " In her room." " Tell my sister I'll stay upstairs to dine with Grandma." " Okay, miss." "Come here." "Try this on." "Do you like it?" " It's very lovely." " It's a star sapphire." "Look at the gem inside." "What do you see?" " Nothing." " Look closely." "Don't you see a star deep inside?" "Oh yes, yes." "A star." "Very odd, don't you think?" "It's natural, it's just light." "Give it to me." "They come from the Orient." " They're rare." " Are they worth much?" " Not really, only 300,000 pesos." " What's your birthday?" " April 6th." " You're an Aries." " You must have a temper." " No, no, ma'am, don't believe it." "Your lucky stone is amethyst." "See?" "Look, like this one." "If you have money some day, buy yourself one." " You'll see, it'll bring you luck." " Yes, ma'am." "What's wrong?" "Nothing." " Do you think doing that is okay?" " What?" " Staying in your room like a nun!" "Everyone's asking about you." "You scorn your family and our friends..." " No I don't!" " ...then say you're lonely and we don't understand you, because you think we're all crazy and useless." "Don't get all worked up." " Who's here?" " Only close friends." "The Berensons, the Aguirre Velascos, the Vidal Alonsos, and Jorge, who wants to see you." "He leaves for Europe on Monday." "They're our first guests since Dad died." "We had to do it before leaving." " Do people matter that much to you?" " They're all that matters to me." "My people." "You're coming down, right?" "What's charming about Paris is the "Je m'en fou."" "You do what you want, live how you want." "You're ["atonés"]." "On Algeria and plastic explosives..." "they don't say a word." "Nobody pays it any mind." "The people have ésprit and don't even talk about it." "They have fun." "You go to the Lido, okay." "You go to [?" "], okay." "You go to the Crazy Horse, and it's packed." "Well, the Crazy Horse is fantastic, a real wonder." "You have to see the strippers." "What bodies they have!" " It's sensational." " Excuse me." "Florida Hotel?" "Room 41, please." "Bruno... it's me." "I want to see you." "Yes, yes, now." "We'll meet at the usual place." "No, don't ask me." " You were so far away." " What's wrong?" " I had to see you." " Did you miss me?" " Yes, a lot." "Now this is a real bank, huh?" "The Mar del Plata branch is a joke." " Do you feel off here?" " A little." " You have to forgive me." " For what?" "When you came yesterday, I forgot to ask you about your wife." " You found out..." " Some friends wrote me about it." " How did it happen?" " In an accident." "She died with Félix Erraqzuin?" "Yes." " How strange." " It was a coincidence!" "I imagine so..." "and I'm very sorry." "Thank you." " When do you want to come for dinner?" " Whenever." " We'll set a date tomorrow?" " Sure, tomorrow." " Where do you know him from?" " The Mar del Plata branch." "Oh, of course, you worked there." " For three years." " So why did they transfer him?" "To give him the post, they had to take it from Anselmo." "He's the Errazquin's protégé." "Here, it's like this..." "I'll take this." "See you soon, okay?" "How are you?" "Happy." " Did the landlady see you come in?" " No, nobody was there." " What did you bring?" " Coffee, sugar, some candy and I bought you the soap and cologne." "If you had a kitchen, I'd make you some food." " You know how to cook?" " Not a thing." "Not even fried eggs." "But I could learn." " What'd you do after work?" " I walked here." " Why?" " The rain." "There was no way to catch a streetcar or a trolley and a taxi, no way." "Poor guy." "I didn't realize." "Why didn't you tell me?" "I would've come for you." "Starting tomorrow, I'll come every afternoon." "This cologne is very expensive." "Not that expensive." " Did I give you enough money?" " More than enough." "I'll make you a coffee." "Okay." "Are you sad?" "No." "All these rainy days..." "Buenos Aires is depressing." " Do you miss your family?" " No." "Sometimes the only one I saw was my brother." "I've hardly seen my mother since she remarried." "I don't want you living here, in this room." "Then where will I live?" "It's not like your home, I know." " My home isn't what you think, Bruno." " But it's not a boarding house." " That's true, it isn't." " And you have your family." "No, Bruno." "We're in the same situation." "I don't have a family either." "My mom died when I was a little girl and I barely remember her." "Then I lived in England with my aunt Elvira." "I studied there for six years." "Two years ago, I came back." "But my family still doesn't feel like it's mine." "My father..." "I don't know what he was like." "My sister..." "I can't talk to her." "I don't understand her." "Forgive me." " I didn't mean to offend you about the room." " I know." "I said it to you because I'd like to see you happy." "I love you so much..." " We have to be together our whole lives." " Yes, yes." "And from now on, I'll stay here and live with you." "Are you crazy?" " Never again, got that?" " Ma'am, please." "Don't give me that!" "You can't bring women here!" " Much less a minor, a kid like her!" " Okay, don't shout." "My home is a decent home, and always has been!" "Couples aren't welcome here!" "This isn't a brothel!" "Go somewhere else to do your filthy business, you lowlifes!" " Did you talk to them yet?" " No, but I'll talk to him." " Who?" "My Uncle Ignacio." "He's my tutor." " What will you tell him?" " The truth." " Everything?" " I don't know." "I wouldn't want to tell him anything intimate." " Are you afraid?" " No." "It'll be our secret." "You'll tell him..." "that we love each other." "And that you'll be my husband." "Your uncle will laugh." "He'll think it's just the whim of a spoiled rich girl." "Then I'll tell him everything..." "that I'm yours now." "You have to help me." "You have to come to my house." "Meet them, confront them, challenge them." " That's really hard for me." " You have to do it." "I like being with you, Bruno." "All I do is think about you, day and night..." ""He's mine," I think, "and I'm his." I'd be yours all my life." " We can't keep hiding." " They sent him a postcard." "Last I heard, they divorced." "What do you think?" " Look who's here!" " Elena, good to see you!" " How are you?" " Okay." " So happy to see you." " When'd you arrive?" " 15 days ago." " What about me?" " How are you, Ernesto?" " It's been ages." " It has." " I'll introduce you..." "Mary Sue." " Hey." " Agatha." " It's a pleasure." " Ernesto Magnín." " How are you?" " Bruno Sartori." " Nice to meet you." "Sartori... the one from Montevideo?" "The refrigerator guy?" "No, the ones from Montevideo are named San-to-ni." "Oh, yes, Santoni." "That's right." "Well, it's almost the same." " What are you doing?" " "Hélas", nothing." "We never do anything." "What for?" "What's there to do?" "Oh, it's so sad to be young." ""Oisive jeunesse." "À tout asservie, Par délicatesse." "J'ai perdu ma vie."" ""Ah!" "que le temps vienne Où les cœurs s'éprennent."" ""Mille veuvages De la si pauvre âme" "Qui n'a que l'image De la Notre-Dame!" "Est-ce que l'on prie La Vierge Marie?"" " Do you like Rimbaud?" " I don't know, I'm not familiar with him." " What?" "Sorry but a man who doesn't know Rimbaud doesn't deserve to live." "Ignore him, Bruno." " He's an idiot." " Thanks." " We're leaving." " Already?" " I'll call you tomorrow." " Call me." " Bye." " Chao." " Bye." " What an odd guy." " But cute." "He'd look good in a chauffeur's uniform." "Bruno." "Bruno." " Hello." " Waited long?" " No." " Come on." " That's the famous Sartori." " Yes." " Ready?" " Yes." "You know who he reminds me of?" "Aren't you coming?" "No, I'm not." "You go." "I'll wait for you in the car." " My sister Laura..." "Bruno." " Nice to meet you." " How do you do?" " You're going out?" " Yes." " Weren't you going to dine with us?" "Mauricio had a last-second commitment." "Dinner with the Linares-Colemans." "They arrived from the USA yesterday." " And you're going with Mauricio?" " Yes, he's charming today." " Then I..." " Is Uncle Ricardo coming?" " No." " And Uncle Ignacio?" " He isn't either." "Why don't you eat out?" "Bye, kiddo." "Good night." "It's my fault." "I know what they're like and I made you come." " It's nothing, Elena." " They're cruel." " It's only natural." " How can you say that?" " We're from different classes." "To them, I'm suspicious." "You can't ask them to think like you." "The lady is at the table." " If you want, we can eat out." " No, not now." "You're right." " How are you?" " I'm okay." "This is Bruno, Grandma." "Your boyfriend, right?" "Sit here to my right." " Do we know each another?" " No, ma'am." " So you talked to me about him." " Yes, Grandma." "He's handsome." "Women must like him." "What month were you born in?" " In July." " What day?" " The 29th." " You're a Leo." " She knows a lot about astrology." "Your birthstone is ruby." "Buy yourself one, it'll be a talisman against sickness." "You're lucky." "Leos are impulsive, passionate, and above all, ambitious." "Your favorable plants are windflower, chrysanthemum, primrose, and parsley." "Don Ignacio wants to talk to you, Mr. Sartori." "Go, go." "Excuse me." "This way, please." "Hello?" "Yes, sir, it's me." "Be careful, dear." "He's too handsome." "He's going to cheat on you like your grandfather did to me." "Excuse me." "Whenever you want, Don Ignacio." "Tomorrow?" "Yes, sir." "Yes, sir, yes." "Very well, sir." "See you tomorrow." "Go in please." "Sit down." " Anything more to sign?" " No, sir." " Miss?" " Yes, Don Ignacio." " Do you have that info?" " Yes, sir." "Employees at that level earn 9,000 pesos a month." "Thank you." "I'm not to be disturbed." "How old are you, Sartori?" " 29 years old." " How long have you been at the bank?" " 8 years." "You studied a special subject at Mar del Plata Technical Institute?" "Yes, sir." " Foreign Exchange and Credit." " Exactly." "And you earn 9,000 pesos a month." "Yes." "You're worth more." "I can offer you a better post." "What about foreign exchange manager for the credit bank in Córdoba?" "That's 60,000 pesos a month, a car, and a home, on a 5-year contract." "What's the condition?" "It's what you expect." "That you forget about my niece and stop seeing her." "Even if I love her?" " You feelings don't interest me." " What about Elena's?" " In this case, no." "Your relationship with my niece is absurd." " Besides, it's unclear what it is." "It's very suspicious." " You're wrong!" "I love her." "I really do." "I need her." " And she needs me too." " Since when?" " Since we met." "That wasn't even 4 months ago." "That's not long." "For us it was enough." " I already think of Elena as my wife." " I know." "She told me." "And that won't help your cause or decide anything." " You don't know her." " Yes I do." " Don't fool yourself." "Elena is still very young." "What she did is crazy." "Now she thinks she's in love." "But in another three months, she might despise you, find you repulsive." "It's not so easy to know a woman not even after marriage." "And you know that from experience, Sartori." "Did you want something?" "Nothing." "I should leave." "My niece is a minor, and I'm her tutor." "She has to wait two years to get married." "In two years, if she persists, she'll be disinherited." "She won't have a cent." "Maybe you can be her husband then but not before." "Don't get your hopes up, Sartori." "You won't join our family or control an Errazquin's assets." "Some gaps can never be bridged." "Think about my offer." "It's a unique opportunity, on which your whole life depends." "Opportunities like this aren't chosen;" "they're taken or they're lost." "Monday night at The Plaza we conclude our managers' convention." "Have dinner with us and give me your answer." "Show him out." "Bruno!" " Bruno!" " Attention, attention." " Bruno!" " ...to the owner of the stable Carnations..." "Attention, will the owner of the stable Carnations please appear before the race commissioners as soon as possible." " Did you see what happened?" " It ran well until the curve, then froze." "He got scared." "It was his first race..." "and he's so young." " They left you all alone?" " They're waiting for me." "Come on." " What's wrong?" " Nothing." "Something's wrong." "I can see it in your eyes." " You're sad again." " No." " I fell asleep crying last night." " Why?" "All I do is think..." "about you, me, my family, us..." "Did you tell me the truth?" "Was that everything Ignacio told you?" "Yes, it was everything." "He asked me... to leave you." " He said you'd tire of me." " He lied." " I know." " He didn't offer you money?" " No, no." " Or threaten you?" " No." "I'd like to go away with you." "Far away." "Let's go and not tell them where we are." " You're all worked up." "You can ignore anything they say and any threats they make." "I love you." "And if you love me too, they won't be able to hurt us." "It's just you and me, Bruno." " Nothing else matters." " Elena?" " Call me later." " Okay." "...whereas in Canada, it's listed at 3.6." "I've worked for them for many years." "I started as a typist, and then Don Félix took me as his secretary." " Did you know Don Félix?" " No." "He died in an accident." "What a tragedy." "I cried all night." "He was a kind and generous man." "A real delight." " Are you married?" " No." "I'm single too." " Want to speak?" " No, go ahead." " Okay." "Ladies and gentlemen..." "Ladies, gentlemen... at the close of our annual managers' convention, the board of directors of Errazquin Industries, once again, is satisfied with your effective collaboration." "Year after year, we've had these words of recognition for you, but this year we have something more than words." "We have a surprise, which we've saved for this cheerful time of the meal, and which we will announce to you." "Erraqzuin Industries... has created an annual fund to let six managers... take all-expenses-paid... three-month trips to the United States, or Germany or England, or France." "To Don Ricardo and Don Ignacio." "And the memory of the unforgettable Don Félix Errazquin!" "Looking for Mr. Sartori?" " Yes." " He left." " Do you know if he'll return?" " He moved out, dear." "Didn't he tell you?" "No." "He left half an hour ago, for the 8:00 PM train to Córdoba." "Miss!" "Miss!" "Bruno!" "What happened, Bruno?" "What's wrong?" " Please, Elena, calm down." " Did something happen?" " No, nothing." " How could you go without a word?" " I didn't want to hurt you." "I was going to write." "Where are you going?" "To Córdoba." "I asked for a transfer at work." " I can't stay in Buenos Aires!" " Why?" "Because of you." "Because of your family." "To avoid hurting you." "Because I love you." "You didn't stop loving me?" " No." " Then I'm going with you." " But that's crazy." " No, Bruno." "The crazy thing would be to split up!" " Did you come in the car?" " Yes." " You're leaving it here?" " I don't care about the car or anything else!" "I'm going with you on this train." " Don't leave me, Bruno." "Don't leave me." " Listen to me, Elena..." " Don't you want to take me?" " Yes, yes, Elena." "My ticket!" "There's barely any time." "Go on, Bruno." "I'll wait for you here." "Hello?" "Mr. Errazquin, Don Ignacio, is he there?" "This is Bruno Sartori." "Tell him it's urgent, very urgent." " Are you cold?" " No." "Where are we?" "I don't know." "Are you Mr. Sartori?" " Yes, sir." " Ms. Elena Errazquin?" " Yes, that's me." " Do you have identification?" " Yes." "Police, please come with us." "You're underage." "Your family is calling for your return." "Was it you?" "Bruno..." "Bruno!" "Poor Bruno."