"ONE STAR AND TWO COFFEES" "I'll check it." "No, I'll check it!" "Want to get your butt kicked?" "Come on, chicken!" "Assholes!" "They treat me like a little girl." "Do you know any hotels?" "Tourist or backpacker?" "You're no tourist." "You haven't got a camera." "An uncle of mine has a hotel." " Hello." " Hi, have you got a room?" "Thank you." "Bye." "Hello." " Do you know the Town Hall?" " Come on." " Where are you from?" " From Jujuy." "From Buenos Aires, in fact." "But I live in Jujuy." "Do you live here?" " At the other end of the street." " Don't you go to school?" " In the morning." " Don't you have homework?" "I've done it already." "And I have no classes tomorrow." "How old are you?" "WII you keep on asking questions?" " Here?" " Yes." "It's closed." " It's open from 8 to 12." " Oh, no!" "I'll come back tomorrow." " Do you know any restaurants?" " For tourists or backpackers?" "It was a joke." "There's something between them." "No way." "Enrique doesn't love her." " He does." " And Mariela loves Armando." "Armando's gonna die." "He's always saying bad things." "He's a blond crook." " Blond?" " Yes." "And he's odd." "He speaks strangely." "He's a foreigner." "Someone dubs his voice." "People should speak properly." " I speak as I want." " That is dangerous." " Cut the crap." " It's no crap!" "My grandma says if you say "God" and a dirty word the world will end." "Nonsense!" "How could that happen?" "Don't say it!" "Would you sell me a bottle of wine?" "If you don't sit, I can't." "Well, good night." "Good night." "Good night." "Now I know what I feel for you." " Armando!" " He must be kissing her." "The transmission got cut." "Traitors!" " Who was that?" " Mariela's boyfriend, probably." "Why would he kill Armando?" "He doesn't love Mariela." "To make the story longer." "He won't die." "When will they fix it?" "Aurelio'll take it to Jujuy next week." "But if it's too expensive, I won't have it fixed." "There's nothing worth seeing, anyway." "Have an apple, Estela." " I don't feel like it." " You'll get an upset stomach." "I won't worry about that now." "Must be old Pedro." "I'll go." "Hello, would you have some wine?" " We've run out." " How's that possible?" "If you drink so much, it runs out." "Want some fruit juice?" "No, thanks." "And alcohol?" "We've run out of everything." "When will you have some?" "I don't know." "There are strikes..." " Ok." "See you tomorrow." " Bye." " Hello." " Hello." "Can I ask you a question?" "Do you know where I can get a cup of coffee?" " Over there." " Just been there." "Anywhere else?" "No." "We don't even have wine in this village." "Thanks, anyway." "Sir?" " Would you do me a favor?" " Sure." "Would you buy me some wine?" "I'll pay for it." "We're relatives but we've fallen out." "It's okay." "Goal!" " Come on, River!" " Come on, Boca!" "It must be on the way to the Colorados, architect." "But the Reyes who sold it to you is not the only owner." "He didn't sell it to me." "It was to someone in Buenos Aires." "I am in charge of the draft." "I'm looking for the land registry." "There's no registry." "That land belongs to several families." "My own wife has a right to that land." "She's a Reyes, too." "So there are no official heirs... no deeds to the land... you can't build there?" "You can, but at your own risk." "If other relatives appear you might have legal problems." "Isn't your wife entitled to that land?" "She's not the problem." "If you just want to build a house, she won't mind." "The people I work for want to build bungalows... but if there are no deeds they're not gonna invest anything." "Let me see." "No, there's nothing." "Are they hippies?" "You know, people that come and go." "We're open-minded here, but we don't want certain people." "They're not hippies, don't worry." "How can I find the place?" "Ask Tomas Reyes." "The man who sold it." "He'll tell you where it is." "You may build, if you want but if the relatives come, you may have trouble." "How can I find Tomas Reyes?" "Ask around." "Everybody knows him." "Thank you." "Excuse me." "Can I talk to the Mayor?" "I am the Mayor." "See you." "Hi." "Do you know Tomas Reyes?" "He's my dad's cousin." "Won't you ask me my name?" "I was about to yesterday, but you scolded me." "What's your name?" " Estela, and yours?" " Carlos." "What've you come for?" "To take measurements to build a house." " You're an engineer." " An architect." "Why do you live in Jujuy?" "I though I'd be better off there." "Aren't you better off than in Buenos Aires?" "No." " You're worse." " No." "So you live badly both here and there." "Maybe." " You don't like anything." " Maybe." "You don't speak much." "And you speak too much." " Won't he get angry?" " He's an angel." "Hi, Tomas." "I'm Carlos Ferrari." "I've come to see the land you sold." "I'd like you to tell me where it is." "Is that Quechua?" "No, just drunken Spanish." " Will he be able to go?" " Yes." "Are you gonna build a house?" "That was the original idea but there are too many problems." "Tell me something." "If your father is his relative... do you also own the land?" "Yes, it also belongs to my family." "Don't worry about me." "I'll give you my part." "Thank you." "What will your dad say?" "He left when I was 8." "I don't think he'll come back." "All this land here..." "My friend!" "What are the boundaries?" "That part there." "I'm asking about the property line." "I'm asking about the property line." "No problem, friend." "How did they manage to buy it from him?" "He's okay when he doesn't drink." "I see." "Is there water near here?" "Yes." "Over there." " And there's a spring, too." " Where?" " About 2 miles from here." " Fine." "Are there any slides?" "He means rocks falling." "If you don't touch them..." "I'll try to make it cheap." "I'm worried about the deeds." "The place is unbelievable." "I'm worried about that." "I'll handle the presentation on Monday." "I'll call you." "Okay." "Bye." "Estela, where are you going?" "Come on, Fatso." " Play with us." " No!" "Come on!" "Which one?" "Do you know any stonemasons?" " Don Pedro." " Where does he live?" "Come with me." "Near home." "He's sick." "He shouldn't drink wine but a fool bought him some." "He's in hospital now." " Wanna see the village?" " I know it." " I came some years ago." " As a tourist?" "Yes." "Ten minutes for the church, 10 minutes for the mountains..." "Ten minutes to buy craftwork, and off you go." "That's right." "But I didn't come in a tour." "General Belgrano was here." "Yes, I know." "Maradona and Brad Pitt, too." "Brad Pitt was here?" "It's a joke." "Want to see where tourists don't go?" "Okay." "This way." "Watch your step." "I can't go on." "Just a little more." "You've said that ten times." "I have mountain sickness." "That's a tale for tourists." "I never had it." "You were born here." "We're almost there." "Do you like it?" "Yes, very nice." "This is where I come when I'm angry." "I argued with mom once and spent the whole day here." "She went everywhere, looking for me." "I went back home very late." " What did she say?" " Nothing." "She just cried." "I wish she'd beaten me." " Are you married?" " Yes." "No." "I don't know." "But you wear a ring." "I'm separating." " You got kids?" " No." "You'll steal my soul!" "You're pretty naive, aren't you?" "I like photos." "Wait." "Now." " Very nice." " Now it's my turn." "Come on!" "Come on!" "Smile." "Come on, smile!" "More!" "Very nice." "Are you sad, or are you always like that?" "I'm not sad." "You should be." "You're separating." "My mom was sad when my dad left." "I tried to make jokes... but we couldn't forget him." " Where's your house?" " That way." " Well, I'm off." " See you." " Bye." " Bye." "Where have you been?" "I was worried about you." " I was with the kids." " Don't lie to me!" "Coming!" " Good afternoon." "How are you?" " Better." "A little tired." "I know you, don't I?" "Yesterday, remember?" "Oh, yes." "You did me a favor." "Yes, but I didn't know." "You can't drink." "I can, but my wife gets scared." "If I drink, she takes me to the hospital." "Because of high blood pressure." "Yes, sure." "I've heard that." "I thought you were in hospital." "Are you okay?" "Sure!" "Come on." "Sit down." "Excuse me." "What tiny letters!" "It says "Carlos Ferrari"..."architect."" " Architect?" " Yes, architect." "I was told you're a mason." "I need to take measurements of a plot Mr. Reyes sold." "Have you got the papers?" "They made a bill of sale." "You know?" "Tomas has already drunk 3 plots." "He always measures them by the "brick."" "How's that?" "Wne cartons are called "bricks."" " He does well!" " Fine." "I need some sticks and a spirit level." "I've got some." " Can I rent them?" " I'll go with you, architect." " Can you?" " I'm fine." "My wife exaggerates." "We'll go tomorrow." "You can't do it alone." " Sure?" " Yes, pick me up early." "Pedro!" "What're you doing up?" "I hate doctors." "They just send you to bed." "If they knew who I go to bed with they'd send me running for the hills." " Come by early tomorrow, architect." " Goodbye." "Pedro, where are you?" "Come here." "Washing your hair again?" "It's cream, to comb it more easily." "The things they invent to make money." "My grandma used to make coca tea." "She put some oil in it and combed her hair with it." "It left her hair nice and shiny." "I won't comb my hair with coca tea!" "What's that you're putting on your hair?" "Water..." "Sodium Laureth... cocamidopropyl... cocamide..." "You see?" "It's got coca." "Cocamidopropyl and cocamide... are coca?" "Of course." "If it says coca, it's coca." "Come on, I'll comb you." "Grandma?" "How did you meet grandpa?" "I always knew him." "He lived over there." "He was my cousin." "Why did you marry him?" "The priest decided." "I was expecting your mom." "Or was it your aunt Rosa?" "Alberto was already going to school..." "I know that story." "Why did you marry grandpa?" "I was expecting your uncle Ramon." "Why did you choose him?" "There was no one else." "Or I would've had to marry your grandpa's brother... who was a dummy, and was always sick." "So you chose grandpa because he was the only one around." "I liked him from the day he helped me with a goat." "The goat was on the other side of the river which was rising." "But your grandpa crossed the river and brought it back." "You married him because of a goat?" "Yes." "He brought it back." "Before that I hadn't noticed he was after me." "I saw him as a friend." " Hello." " Good night." " Have a good day." " Thanks, bye." "Why are you up so early on a Saturday?" "It's a nice day." "Why are you wearing those shoes?" "Because I want to." "They're for going out." "You'll ruin them." " Go get changed." " I won't ruin them." "Why can't I wear them?" "You can't play ball wearing them." "Go change, or you can't go out." "I never do what I want." "I always have to do what you want." "Enough!" "Are you crazy?" "Yell at me again and you'll work at the shop the whole weekend." "Thanks, madam." "Don't "madam" me." "What happened?" "She wants to wear her new shoes." "They are the only ones she has." "She wants to look nice." "Good morning." "You got up early." "I always do." " Can I help you?" " Okay." "Tie it up to the other stick." " How are you, girlie?" " Fine, don Pedro." "Has the wine arrived?" "Yes." "But Tomas bought it all." "Tomas." "Where'll you build the house?" "Right here, I think." "You'll have to dig." "This land is covered with rocks." "Yes, I see." "It's more work." "It'll cost more." "I guess so." "Are things well in Jujuy?" "Not really." "I built three apartments, but only sold one." "They are building a lot here." "If people had deeds, they'd build more." "There are deeds." "Yeah. "Deeds, not words."" "But now you have this job." "Yes, but they're from Buenos Aires." "They may regret it." "Things... are difficult." "I'm beginning to think that you want to leave." "Maybe." "But I don't know if I'll get work back there." "Here." " Have some coca." "This is a painkiller." " Is it?" "Take it with both hands." "Don't worry." "See how green it is?" "All is green." "You'll get lucky." " I hope so." " That's life." "When there's no hope left you find a job." " Bye, architect." " See you." "I have to talk to Tomas." "About wine, for sure." "Are you going back to Buenos Aires?" "I doubt it." "Going back home just like I left..." "And without your wife." "Wthout my wife." "What was her name?" "It is..." "Ana." "I haven't killed her yet." "Why did you split up?" "Couples split up." "Want some?" "Shall we go?" "Already tired?" "Very." "Anyway, going down is easier." "Very." "Anyway, going down is easier." "I know it's obvious, but..." "it's easier than going up." "I just realized that." "What do you miss from Buenos Aires?" "What do I miss?" "Going to coffee bars with friends... or to the football stadium... a lot of things." "Let's have a coffee." "Let's have a coffee." "There are no coffee bars here." "There's coffee." "We'll invent the rest." "Okay." "Do you like tango?" "Since I live here, I've begun to like it." " Can you dance?" " No." "Strange porteño." "It's not that easy." "My generation doesn't dance tango." " Do you dance carnavalito?" " Yes." " Excuse me." " Thank you." "Good!" "This happens to me for trying to act like a porteña." "What do you talk about with your friends?" " About soccer." " I'm a River Plate fan." "Just to make my friends angry." "They're Boca fans." " And you?" " Temperley." "Do you know it?" "Yes." "What else do you talk about?" "About work, jokes..." "And about women?" "Most of the time." "But I won't talk about women with you." " Are you ashamed?" " You should be." "I don't care." "Ask me something." "Do you have brothers?" "No..." "Well, maybe one." "I once saw a photo of my dad with a baby... at my grandma's house." "Must be my brother." "My mom doesn't know." "Did your mom remarry?" "No, she's very shy." "A guy from Tilcara came once but she paid no attention to him." "Grandma says it was like throwing away the winning lottery ticket." "Was he rich?" "He had three cars!" " Three?" " They were all taxis." "Didn't your mom like him?" "He was too old." "About 50." "I think she's still in love with my dad." "Come on, tell me what you talk about." "That's what we talk about:" "Life." "What about your life?" "What can I tell you?" "Tell me about elevators." "You don't know them?" "An aunt took me to a building once." "I spent the day going up and down, up and down." "Did you enjoy that?" "You enjoy going up and down hills to take photos." "But this is a beautiful place!" "Why don't people stay then?" ""What a nice goat!"" ""Look at that cactus!"" "They take photos and photos, they come and go." "What are they looking for?" "I'm never gonna be a tourist." "You're smart and pretty." "What?" "I'm not pretty." "Yes, you are." "You must have lots of boyfriends." "I have none." "Do you know the salt marshes?" "No." "Anyway you won't let me take photos nor be a tourist." "It's different if you go with me." "I'll show them to you." "My cousin is going." "I always go with him." "Want to come?" "Some other day." "Come on!" "Are you busy?" "I have to draw, and I'm tired." "We won't go on foot." "Draw now, we'll go later." "Come on!" "Okay." "Waiter!" "Two coffees." " How are you?" " Fine." "Hello!" " Your hair's full of thistle." " And yours is full of lice." "Look after my girl, will you?" "She can look after herself." "Did you make coca tea with something that looks like oil?" "She washed her hair again." " My cousin Aurelio." "This is Carlos." " We've already met." "Make yourself comfortable, architect." "Be brave, don Pedro!" "Don't grow fond of it." "Why not?" "Just heed my advice." "A puncture." "What?" " A flat tire." " Can't believe it." "Let's change it." "I have no spare." " What do you mean?" " They never go flat." "That's not funny." "And now?" "I'll get a spare tire at the party." "What will I do here?" "I'll be back soon." "And I'll bring something to eat." "I'll be right back." "Aurelio!" "Don't bring any salt." "Don't worry, he'll be back." " I didn't know this would happen." " It's okay." "But you're angry." "I'll cool down." "I invited you because I thought you'd like it." "What could you do in the village?" "Nothing." "I have nothing to do." "Why the hell does it all have to happen to me?" "Why does nothing turn out well?" "I don't understand you." "I don't understand myself." "Don't listen to me." "I'm sorry." "I'm sorry, Estela." "I'm bad, and this situation makes me feel worse." "It's not your fault." "You asked me if I was sad." "Remember?" "I am." "I don't know why." "But I enjoy being with you." "Let's take some photos before the sun sets." "Come on." "He's late." "They must've invited him to dinner." "Does Aurelio drink wine, too?" "What if he forgets?" "Don't worry, he'll come." "What are you looking at?" "The stars." "Do you know those three up there?" "Those three?" "Yes." "The constellation of Orion, the hunter." "The hunter?" "Yes, it's like a drawing." "Those three stars form Orion's belt." "Those other three... are the diamonds on his sword." "Those two... are the shoulders." "And those three form a triangle." "It's the head." "And the feet." "And if you draw an imaginary line there... what can you see?" "A very brilliant star." "It's Syrius." "Another constellation." "Canis Major." "It's Orion's dog." "The hunter and his dog." "I can't see the dog." "You need a lot of imagination." "Do you know all the stars?" "Just some." "That's the Southern Cross." "That one is Acrux." "The other big one is Mimosa." "Stars are very far away." "Some have died, but we still see them." "Like memories." "We remember people who're not around any more." "Look." "There." "A star's about to appear." "It is... very beautiful." "It's Spica, which means spike." "It's in Virgo." "How do you know it's about to appear?" "We are moving." "Stars move too... and appear, like a clock." "Are you so sure?" "Are you so sure?" "Yes." "There he is." "Carlos?" "Yes?" "When you got angry, you spoke to me as an adult." "I liked that." "I told you I'd be back." "In an hour." " They made me drink some wine." " Just some?" "We'll be leaving in a minute." "They'll tell your mom we'll be late." "I told you not to grow fond of it." "A flat tire held us up." " I'm leaving, good night." " Goodbye." "Who's that gringo?" "An architect who wanted to see the salt marshes." "Good morning." "Is Carlos Ferrari here?" " Yes." " Thanks." "Coming." "Hello." "Were you asleep?" "Fast asleep." "I went to bed late." "Why have you come?" "I was on my way to Tilcara and... here I am." "You're thinner." "You saw me three days ago." "What were you going to do?" "I intended to sleep." "Now I guess I'll have a shower." "Can I have a shower first?" "Sure." "I missed you." "Hello." "Hello." "Hi!" "How are you?" "This is Ana." "My wife." " How are you?" "Estela!" " You met her these days?" " Yes." "And it did me good." "Was it very late?" "About 1 AM." "We had no spare tire, so we had to wait." "You talked to her about the stars?" "Yes." "She's in love with you." "She's a girl." "A girl who's in love with you." "I didn't seduce her." "Remember the night we met?" "In Buenos Aires?" "How many stars can you see there?" "That's not the point!" "Even if it was only one!" "And it was not just one night." "Remember the nights in Madrid." "Or in Jujuy." "So I seduce women talking about the stars." "Is that it?" "You can hurt that girl." "You're not a bad guy." "Not at all." "But you hurt people." "Architect!" "Excuse me." "You got a call from Buenos Aires." "You must call them right away." "Thank you." "Yes." "Yes, it's very expensive." "I know." "I'll call you when I arrive." "Bye." "I knew this would happen." "I knew it." "People think building is just like buying land." "When they're back in Buenos Aires, they lose interest." "He's the one who sells the land." "He must have sold some." "Carlos." "I'm not here to try and sort things out." "I know it's impossible." "What are you here for?" "To..." "To try to sort things out." "I can't stand being away from you." "This coldness." "What should we do?" "Yell at each other?" "I'm not angry with you." "I'd love to know what you feel." "What are your feelings?" "It's all over?" "You're just leaving me?" "You always knew." "What did I know?" "Answer me." "What shall I say?" "That I love you?" "Okay." "I'll say it." " I love you." " Then stay with me." "I can't." "Wait, Marcelo." "She didn't even say goodbye." "Come, please!" "We need a player." "Come on!" "Don't be a chicken!" " Good morning." " Hello." "Can I help you?" "Is Estela in?" "You're the architect who went to the salt marshes." "Yes, I'm Carlos." "This is Ana." "How are you?" "Estela's not back yet." "Do you need her?" "We wanted to say goodbye to her." "Have you been to the soccer field?" "It's quite near." "Okay, I'll see." "Thank you." "Want to leave her a message?" "We'll find her." " Goodbye." " Thanks." "Wait, Carlos." "Have you got an aspirin?" "Are you feeling sick?" "Must be the altitude." "Want some coca tea?" "Don't worry." "It's okay." "You couldn't kick, chicken." "You're mad." "What's up?" "Are you mad, chicken?" "Are you mad, chicken?" "Estela's crying!" "Come play with us." "I'm better." " Thank you." " It's okay." "Thanks a lot." "Wait a second." "Here." "If she feels sick, make her some tea." " How much is it?" " Nothing." "It's a present." "Thank you." "Bye." "Thank you." "Have you seen Estela?" "We didn't call a penalty and she got mad." "She went that way." " Thanks." " Not at all." "Goal!" "Fatso, you're an asshole!" "Asshole!" "I know where she is." "Wait here." "Don't go away." "Fucking hell!" "Estela!" "That Fatso is a fool." "I won't build that house." "So I'm leaving." "WII you ever come back?" "Sure I will." "Are you going to Buenos Aires?" " Are you angry?" " No." "You said you came here when you were angry." "It's a pity you're angry." "We had a great time yesterday." "That was yesterday." "Now it's daytime." "And there are no stars." "Do you feel anything for me?" "I've grown fond of you." "Like father and daughter?" "Like two friends." "I don't want you as a friend." "Hi." "Want to drink something?" "Come on." "I'll buy you a drink." " Coffee?" " Okay." "Good morning." "What will you have?" "Two coffees." "Have you become Carlos's friend?" "I'm not her friend." "The first time I fell in love I spent the day thinking of him." "I wanted him to know everything I did." "I wanted him to listen to me." "And at the same time..." "I felt nothing had made sense till the day I met him... and nothing would make sense without him." "It wasn't Carlos." "The first one didn't even learn of it." " He never knew?" " Never." "Did he live far away?" "No, he was a neighbor but much older than me... and he got a girlfriend." " Did you suffer?" " Yes." "You should only love someone who loves you." "Is that possible?" "I mean..." "I don't know if I'm loved." "I just know I love." "You're right." "I wish we could know." "You love Carlos, don't you?" "Yes." "Does he want to separate from you?" "Did he say so?" "No, but you've come for him." "I came to see..." "if he still loved me." "He does." "I realized." "He was very sad." "Even though he took off his ring." "Even though he took off his ring." "It's complicated." "Sometimes love is not enough." "Look after him." "Excuse me." "Some day I'll do it well." "Are you alright?" "Yes, I am." "Want to know what we talked about?" "We talked about... men, love... and about you." "Also about you." "She asked me to look after you." "Well... we wanted to say goodbye." "WII you ever come back?" "Maybe." "Sure." "Bye." "This is for you." "The names of the stars." "Of all of them?" "Almost." "If you find one that's not here make up a name for it." " Come on, Estela!" " Don't be a chicken!" "Come on!" "Can I accompany you?" "Okay."