"GRAND CASINO" "We can't remain locked here." "You have to let us out." "You know very well we were supposed to be jailed for just one night... and we've been here three days already." "well, yeah." "But what do you want me to do?" "The mayor is the only one who could release you." "And now there's no way." "He's away visiting the oil fields." "So until he's back, you'II have to stick around." "If he went to the oil fields, he won't be back." "well, who knows." "My brother-in-Iaw has been there a month now... and he's making a Iot of money." "In his last letter he says the oil companies pay $20 to $30 dollars a day." "No way." "Did you hear that?" "$20 to $30 dollars a day." "We should've been there three days ago, making that money." "I know that song by heart, already." "Stop saying it." "I'm the one to blame." "But where have you ever seen... that saying something nice to a woman is a crime?" "Saying something nice is not a crime." "But punching... her husband in the eye... won't make the town embrace you as a son." "Go to bed now." "You won't rot in jail after all." "You have to hurry up." "I should leave you here." "That'II teach you... not to get us in trouble." "You're always complaining." "Now listen boys." "Soon we'II all be out of here." "It's best not to want to escape." "It's best not to want anything." "You just go with your friend." "I hope soon you'II get wherever... you want to go." "But you have to come, too." "Or they will accuse you of... aiding us to escape... and throw more jail time at you." "Even better." "Where else will people feed you for doing nothing?" "well, you may be right, Tubio." "Okay, now everybody mind their own business." "Let's go." "Hey, you think we will fit there?" "I will." "Let's see if you can." "I'II wait for you at the oil fields." "See you later." "THE NATIONAL" "HELP WANTED" "Mr." "José Enrique." "What's up, Heriberto?" "Nothing, boss." "I just came to see if you had any job for me." "Nothing, as you can see." "Jesus." "If I was you, I wouldn't let those assholes do what... they want, boss." "If you need me, just let me know." "Thanks, Heriberto." "If I only had a few resolved men, you... bet the oil wells of The national would be producing." "Ay, Chihuahua." "When it rains, it pours." "Last time I got paid was on my saint's day, wasn't it, boss?" "Jesus, how slowly a whole month goes by." "Aren't we in dire straits?" "Worst than dire straits, boss." "Here's a few dollars." "It may help you a bit." "Thanks." "I wish I couId walk into Rayado now with all his white... guards, to see who's the man." "I'II see you later." "Now I'm very busy." "Little Rayado, Little Rayado,... he can no longer walk..." "Because his father, because his father..." "I see you're happy, my friend." "What are you doing here?" "Just passing by." "Make sure you're not passing with a couple of bullets." "You hear me?" "Just let me go." "I'm a man of peace." "I don't want no trouble." "You know that working here is forbidden?" "Working?" "I just came to say hi to the boss." "Okay." "But nobody mocks orders by EI Rayado." "Understood?" "Is José Enrique there?" "Yes... yes, Mr. Fabio." "But he's very busy now." "Good morning, Mr. José Enrique." "hello, Mr. Fabio." "I was in the neighborhood and I thought..." "I'd come and greet you." "And to insist that I sell you the oil wells, right?" "Look, Mr. José Enrique." "I come here as a friend... in order to help you get out of this tight spot." "The national will never work." "Stop deceiving yourself and sell those three wells... once and for all." "They're doubling the offer and that's a Iot of money, Mr. Enrique." "So you're advising me to sell." "naturally." "You and I are both practical men... and we both know who's the real boss." "Yes, they're tough." "For a month now they've not allowed anybody to get hired here." "It must be that no one wants to work here." "Workers make too many demands now." "Enough of this, Mr. Fabio." "See those wells?" "I'm ready to blow them up if I'm not allowed to work." "Aren't you overreacting a bit?" "No, sir." "I've made my decision." "Nobody will make me change my mind." "tell it to whoever sent you here to threaten me." "AII right, Mr. José Enrique." "You know what you're doing." "I already did my part as a friend." "Goodbye, Mr. José Enrique." "I hope you find workers." "The ball is spinning." "AII bets are off." "Red 27." "Ay, Chihuahua." "When you're having bad luck, better to start selling beans." "Don't lose heart." "I once won after losing all night long." "How did you do it, Nanette?" "After I lost everything," "The casino burnt down." "Jesus." "Everybody ran away." "I took the money." "It was a Friday the 1 3th." "I remember it perfectly." "13?" "Then, I'II play the 26, because it's two 13s." "Let's see if the casino burns down meanwhile." "AII bets are off." "Leave it, blondie." "I saw you." "Jesus, Nanette." "You never change." "You're the worst thief in the oil fields." "A thief, no." "The doctor says I have an illness... called "kIeptomania."" ""Keptomania"?" ""KIeptomania"." "Whatever." "I'm so broke and you're so sick." "Okay, we'II leave it as it is." "Thank you, my friend." "You're welcome." "I was just standing here, so..." "Let me buy you a drink." "Heriberto MaIo." "Gerardo Ramirez, nice to meet you." "He's my friend..." "Demetrio Garcia." "Nice to meet you." "You're invited, too." "Thank you." "Here, take these... two chips to play." "And find a cure for that ugly "keptomania" of yours." "I Iike to see you with so much energy, Heriberto." "I Iike energetic men." "The ball is spinning." "Have you been long here at the oil fields?" "Two days." "Two days that seem like 20." "Why?" "Because we spent all four dollars we had" "To pay for our first and only meal." "Jesus." "The ball is spinning." "Three rums." "To think that we believed that bums became millionaires here." "And we haven't found even a miserable job." "Do you know of any work we can do around here, my friend?" "Anything." "We have no pretenses." "What a coincidence." "My boss is looking for workers." "He's from Argentina and a wonderful man." "But his wells are not working." "Now, the job has its risks." "But... it's legal, right?" "legal and very legit." "But they are threatening... whoever works there." "Oh, yeah?" "So, what he needs is to find more workers." "well, I'II take care of that and let's see who says otherwise." "Jesus." "If that happens, my boss will be so happy." "And what can you do?" "I'm a mechanic." "A mechanic." "A man." "And another man, if I may say so." "Jesus, my friends." "You've made your fortune already." "Bottoms up." "Cheers." "Cheers." "Remember what you told me this morning, Mr. José Enrique?" "well, here's what you need." "These folks are looking for a job." "They know what it's about... and they're ready to do anything." "With me, you already have three men to start the work,... even if it's little by little." "Take a seat." "Where were you before arriving at the oil fields?" "You say before arriving at the oil fields?" "well, we went to several places." "Last place we stayed was a jail." "What?" "It's true." "Nothing we can do about it." "Nothing significant." "You know how boys are." "After all, I'm in no position to ask you for recommendation..." "letters and I trust you." "I Iike your honesty." "naturally." "I have to warn you:... whoever works at The national is under threats." "This is not Iike any other job." "If you want, while I prepare the pumps, Gerardo can... go out to hire more people." "If it's no more than that, I'm ready to fight anybody." "I've been in worse situations before." "You risk your skin here." "It will last me until it's time to go." "Then, go ahead." "Now everybody go mind their jobs." "Let's play with all our hearts." "Now you're talking." "A man has to do what a man has to do,... as they say in my country." "You'II see, Mr. Enrique." "Together we'II be unbeatable." "The national" "Don't ask for employment." "No more jobs available." "Next." "Ready." "For the success of your efforts, Mr. José Enrique." "And for all the help you've given me." "well, I think they won't be able to stop us now." "How furious they must be, because we hit them really hard." "Remind me to telegraph my sister tomorrow, to cancel her trip." "Yes, boss." "I didn't know you had a little sister." "Is she coming here?" "Yes." "She tells me in this letter she'II arrive in eight days." "As soon as her contract ends in Mexico." "Her contract?" "What does she do?" "She's a performer." "If she comes, you won't be so lonely." "That's what I thought, too." "But in this situation, it will be crazy to bring... her to live here with me." "You've already seen how many difficulties we've had... and the risks we've taken." "How long has it been since you saw her last?" "When I Ieft Buenos Aires, she was just a kid." "I thought of bringing her to live with me some day." "I established myself here and put my mind on the job." "Her letters to me never stopped,... always written with the same affection." "Listen to this one." ""I'm so happy that I'm going to see again that brother... who seemed to exist only in my imagination." "You can never forget the land where you were born, Mr. José Enrique." "No, you never forget." "Sometimes I feel as if I never left it." "As if I can still smell its air." "It's a natural thing." "Leaving your land far behind makes you love it even more." "Yours must be a great country, isn't it, Mr. José Enrique?" "From the distance, it seems to me the greatest of them all." "well done, Heriberto." "I think you had a good idea." "well done, Gerardo, well done." "Thank you very much, Mr. José Enrique." "I'II keep you in mind next time." "well, if we want to pump oil tomorrow at 8:00,... we better go back to work." "Yes." "That's the most important thing: that the... wells start producing tomorrow." "But don't forget tonight you're invited to... celebrate our success." "I can't, Mr. José Enrique." "I have the night shift." "If you want, I can..." "You stay here to help me." "Some other time, then." "Gerardo will come with me." "He has nothing to do here." "We'II pay a visit to Mr. Fabio's casino... and see what kind of face he makes when he sees me." "Lucky at gambling, unlucky in love." "Didn't I tell you?" "Mr. José Enrique is very drunk already, boss." "Hey, my friend, bring us more champagne." "You'II have to forgive me, Mr. José Enrique,... but I can't drink any more." "We have to be happy, Gerardo." "After so many bad days,... you need something to look forward to." "Do as he says, Gerardo." "You only live once." "José Enrique." "CameIia." "I thought you wouldn't remember me." "I always remember you." "I'm glad you could come." "Take a seat and have a drink." "My friend, Gerardo Ramirez." "CameIia, the... nicest of all dancers." "Nice to meet you." "You used to visit me more often." "You know you're my favorite one." "A great success for you and some room in your heart for me." "Not just some room." "If you knew how much I Iike you." "And how much I Iike you, José Enrique." "The 11th commandment: you should not intrude." "I'II buy you a drink at the bar." "Thank you, Gerardo." "How nice." "I notice something strange about you tonight, CameIia." "Strange, what?" "I don't know." "I saw it in your eyes when you came to the table." "well, I don't want you to get emotional." "The important thing is that we're together and... we'II be very happy." "Right?" "Get her out of here." "Throw that old woman outside." "The Northern Song." "The Northern Song." "Brutes." "They prefer the worst song... to that beautiful waltz." "Everybody likes only what moves them inside." "It's true." "But I just get... moved by romantic things,... very romantic things." "Yeah?" "well, whenever you feel romantic, Iet me know." "Heriberto." "What a cute name." "I Iike him because he reminds me of a great love of mine." "A cook in the foreign legion, in Morocco." "Have you been in Morocco?" "He looked so much like Heriberto." "It was his fault I got fat; he made me eat at all times." "One day, we went out on a date and he said to me,..." ""Nanette, you're the most virginal... of all women."" "I couldn't resist and I cried." "When I met him, I was single and didn't have any money." "He said, "Nanette, you're the most beautiful of all women"." "What could I do?" "I ran away with him." "He looked so much like Heriberto." "On a july 1 4, I went to ArgeI with a captain." "And the cook found me on the train." "I didn't want to do it, but the captain convinced me... saying we had to celebrate the storming of the bastille." "But the cook was not into parties." "He looked so angry, that I felt like covering him with kisses." "He said, "Nanette, you're the most wretched of all women"." "well, he didn't exactly put it like that." "He just told me I was a..." "C'mon boys." "Time for you to go home." "Let's go." "Let's go." "Let's sleep it off somewhere else." "Excuse me, my friend, have you seen Mr. Jose Enrique Irigoyen?" "From The national?" "He left a Iong time ago." "Nanette." "Gerardo." "You're still here?" "Give me back my tie jewel." "What's a tie jewel?" "What you stole from here a while ago." "Gerardo." "Give it to me." "well, don't be like that." "It was just a joke." "Yeah, but between jokes I've already lost many." "That's why Heriberto says you have an ugly "keptomania"." ""KIeptomania"." "Good night, blondie." "Nobody knows anything." "Keep looking for him." "He must be somewhere." "The earth didn't swallow him." "What a coincidence." "The very day we were going... to start pumping oil." "Maybe he was so drunk, he's still sleeping it off at some hotel." "We have to find him, wherever he is." "Hey, boys." "Let's move." "Search for him in the oil fields." "Yes, sir." "And you, check all the hotels." "And you boys, go across the river." "Who knows if... you'II find him there." "Okay, sir." "Let's go." "We're going to the police." "The police?" "What for?" "In the oil fields there's no more police than the white guards." "We'II go, anyway." "You stay here just in case." "Let's go, boys." "Sorry to bother you." "Not at all." "tell me." "It's about Mr. José Enrique." "He's nowhere to be found." "We just went to the police to make a report." "impossible." "He must be somewhere." "Or maybe he went out on a trip." "He couldn't just disappear." "well, yes, but the fact remains that we looked... everywhere and he's not there." "He was last seen going up to your room." "Yes, but he later went home." "He was too dizzy." "So, you don't know anything either?" "absolutely nothing." "I assure you I'm very upset now." "please let me know if you have any news." "Goodbye." "Bye." "DISAPPEARANCE OF MR. JOSE ENRIQUE STILL A MYSTER Y" "believed to have suffered an accident when he... couldn't be found" "What's wrong with you?" "Are you polishing my boots or reading the newspaper?" "I'm already done, boss." ""I'm already done, boss"." "What happened?" "Since he has been missing for eight days now,... the police gave up the investigation." "What about the other thing?" "They've just read Mr. José Enrique's will." "Oh, yeah?" "And he named a sister..." "living abroad as the sole beneficiary." "Do you know what he did while he was still alive?" "He appointed a temporary manager to run the oil wells." "A temporary manager?" "Who?" "Who do you think he is, boss?" "Demetrio." "Isn't that funny?" "The mechanic?" "Yes, the one who talks like this." "Poor guy." "Anyway, I'm sorry for him because... this one doesn't care." "What the heck could The national mean for him?" "As if he was its owner." "Let's go, Jeronimo." "Heriberto." "Come here." "Here." "Read this." "I don't know what we are going to do." ""I arrive today." "Mexico train." "Kisses." "Mercedes."" "The boss' sister." "She's chosen the worst time to come." "Mr. José Enrique didn't want her to come." "Yes, but the boss didn't have time to send her the telegram." "We have to take care of her." "She's the boss now." "Gerardo, you know about women." "You'II have to welcome her." "I have work to do." "Me?" "I don't even know her." "It doesn't matter." "tell her what happened to José Enrique." "She must understand this is no place for her." "And how the hell do you expect me to know who she is?" "It's very easy, brother." "You know she's from Argentina." "You just pay attention, and when you hear" ""Che", well that's the one, brother." "Look what I get." ""Che", not even one luggage carrier in this station?" "I was looking for you." "For me?" "I don't think we know each other." "I don't have the pleasure yet,... but I've come to welcome you." "You're very kind." "I should have started by saying..." "I'm here on behalf of Mr. José Enrique." "Oh, yeah?" "Yes." "He couldn't do it himself." "follow me, please." "Hey." "well done, RaqueIa." "You just got here and made friends already." "Did you see that, Mercedes?" "He thought I was you." "Who's that man?" "I don't know." "Your brother sent him." "How strange that José Enrique didn't come himself." "surely you'II see him later." "Yes, something... must have held him." "Let's go then." "That nice boy is waiting for us." "When will you be able to see a man without losing your head?" "Move." "Here goes the cart." "This girl comes with you?" "Yes, she's with... me, she's my friend." "Ms. RaqueIa Ortiz." "Gerardo Ramirez, at your service." "please, follow me." "This one is the largest one and it has a view of Main Square." "You've been lucky to find a room available." "It's easier to become a millionaire in the oil fields, than to get a room in a hotel." "Oh, it's here." "This is the other one, miss." "Can I have a word with you, miss?" "I didn't dare to tell this to Ms. Mercedes." "I'd... rather tell it to you." "What is it about?" "I'II explain it to you." "Come in." "You were saying?" "Mr. José Enrique has been missing for eight days now." "Missing?" "What are you saying?" "We don't know where he is, miss." "impossible." "unfortunately, that's the way it is." "AII our efforts to find... him have failed and we fear the worst." "If that's true, what are the police doing?" "The police don't know anything either." "It's impossible that no one knows anything." "I assure you we did everything we could, miss." "José Enrique." "And who are you?" "We are kind of his heirs now." "well, not the heirs exactly." "The people in charge of the business,... that's what I meant." "How could this have happened?" "A man can not disappear in a city, Iike a suitcase." "How did he disappear?" "Where?" "We don't know." "Last time I saw him was in gulf's casino." "The Grand Casino." "He was a bit drunk and he went... up to CameIia's room." "CameIia?" "Who's CameIia?" "She's a dancer at the casino." "I met her that night,... and I don't know anything else about her." "I saw them going up the stairs, and since then..." "Mr. José Enrique became invisible as the eyes of an ant." "Mr. José Enrique had decided his sister wouldn't come here." "You haven't even been informed." "Because my friend's brother wanted to bring her here to live with him." "For her own good, convince her to get away from the oil fields." "Why are you so interested in seeing her leave?" "Me?" "You're wrong, miss." "I'm not interested in having her stay or leave." "tell Ms. Mercedes that I'm at her service." "And yours, too." "Who can get mad at a such a pretty woman?" "What's wrong?" "Mercedes, what happened?" "José Enrique is missing." "probably he got himself killed." "killed?" "Are you crazy?" "That man just told me that." "What did he tell you?" "That he has just disappeared." "Ah, that doesn't mean he was killed." "calm down, Mercedes." "We have to think straight." "Think straight." "We have to do something." "First, we have to confirm it." "And if it's true,... it will be better for you" "Not to stay here." "How can I leave after..." "learning this?" "We could see later what can be done." "No, no, RaqueIa." "You go." "Your ship leaves tomorrow... and you can't miss it." "I'II stay here." "You can't stay by yourself." "You don't know anybody here... and you can also be in danger." "In spite of everything, I'II stay." "That man mentioned a dancer from the casino." "He said José Enrique was with her before he disappeared." "I'II go see him and get the truth out of her." "Whoever she is, she won't be so stupid as to implicate herself." "Do what I say, Mercedes." "They'II know you're José Enrique's sister and... you won't find anything." "You made sure nobody knows who I am." "Can we talk to Ms. Mercedes Irigoyen?" "Mercedes Irigoyen?" "Let me check." "Yeah." "One of the two Argentinean girls, right?" "Yes." "They both left already." "You mean they left the oil fields?" "Yes, sir." "They said they will board the South American ship." "The one that left 2 hours ago." "well, that's the best that could have happened." "could I see the boss?" "Mr." "Fabio won't be late." "Thanks." "I'II wait for him." "What?" "That's not the right lyrics." "I'm sure it's the way I sing it." "The cook from the Foreign Legion was in Argentina... and he used to sing this song." "Whatever." "But the song says another thing." "It says what I sing." "It does not." "The lyrics are different." "The lady is right." "It should be "caracanfunfa"." "I was sure it said that." "You've been to Argentina, right?" "I'm Argentinean." "Anyway, you sing it horribly." "Are you going to teach me how to sing an Argentinean tango?" "Let's hear what she thinks about it, since she's from there." "You know how it goes, right?" "Yes." "Are you a singer?" "Yes." "Then, show us how it goes." "No, not now." "Why not?" "Because I'm waiting for the boss." "It doesn't matter." "Sing it." "Leave her alone." "She doesn't look the type who sings tangos." "Maybe she just knows how to sing in church." "You think so?" "please, maestro, play it for me." "Very well, miss." "You sing it wonderfully." "I'm the owner of this casino." "Nice to meet you." "RaqueIa Ortiz." "Did you come to the oil fields to work as a performer?" "I'm just passing through." "I'II be here only a few days,... but I'd Iike to work." "Consider yourself hired, Miss RaqueIa." "Thanks." "I'II assure you my customers will be happy to see you,... when they see you and listen to your singing." "Don't worry about the conditions." "You won't regret it." "This is what's best about the oil fields." "Where do you come from?" "Now, from Mexico." "But I'm actually in a tour out of Buenos Aires." "Hey, CameIia." "CameIia." "What do you want?" "Take this girl upstairs, to number 9." "AII right, Mr. Fabio." "I believe you'II like the room." "Let's go upstairs." "Make yourself at home." "CameIia will tell you all you need to know about it." "You know I'm the kind of man that when I say, Iet's work, I mean it." "But tonight is tonight." "It seems to me the new manager of The national gets drunk even with lemonade." "That man doesn't exactly look like a genius." "The national gets worse every day." "Good evening." "would you be so kind as to have a word with me, Mr. Demetrio?" "Listen, Gerardo." "Don't you think Mr. Fabio is onto something?" "Yes." "But some people don't always get what they want." "What would he want Demetrio for?" "I don't know." "But don't worry." "Demetrio is not a kid." "We'd talk better inside." "You tell me here what you want to tell me." "I've heard you'II start working tomorrow,... and I just wanted to give some advice." "Don't be a fool." "Mr. José Enrique thought he was better than the rest of us." "He didn't heed the warnings of his friends." "You're a man of experience." "What do you get by getting into trouble?" "Take advantage of this opportunity and sell those wells." "Did you finish already?" "I want you to understand, Mr. Demetrio." "I have nothing to do with this matter." "But I wouldn't like to see you getting a headache over this." "Look, Mr. Fabio." "Where I come from we have a saying,... we can tell the kind bird from afar." "So, you see." "If you're interested, we'II start pumping tomorrow at 8:00." "Nice to see you, Mr. Manager." "Why so serious?" "To hell with business," "let's have fun, okay?" "I'm afraid I drank too much." "What you drank without me doesn't count." "So, clean slate, Iet's start from scratch." "What's your name, doll?" "CameIia." "Are you CameIia?" "I Iike to be with a serious man." "And so handsome." "would you dare?" "Let's go, then." "Where's Heriberto?" "He's trying his..." "luck at the roulette." "Let's see if he hits the jackpot, Iike I did." "You two talked a Iong time." "Yeah." "What did he want?" "Nothing." "Stop drinking now." "You had enough already." "This is a new countdown." "Don't you see CameIia and I are having fun?" "Leave him alone." "He's not used to drinking." "Didn't you hear what the kid said?" "That's envy." "Show him how you can drink more than all the boys." "Sure." "I'II hold more than him, at the very least." "I liked you since the first time I saw you." "How lucky I am I came to the casino tonight." "You had to come, because someone was expecting you." "I finally learned how they sing in heaven." "I imagined you would be far from the oil fields by now." "And Ms. Mercedes?" "She left." "So you've been left here alone." "What a pity." "would you join me at my table?" "After all we're old acquaintances, you could say." "What are you thinking about?" "That I'II accept your invitation." "What do you drink?" "Thanks, nothing for me." "As you wish." "Since last night it seems as if you have something against me." "Why, RaqueIa?" "I hardly know you." "I assure you I have no other intention than... to take care of you." "Besides, I Iike you." "That's the truth." "Last night you told me you were one of the people... in charge of The national," "Right?" "well, the one in... charge is Demetrio." "He's the general Manager." "Manager?" "Who named him to manage what is not his?" "Whoever that was, it doesn't matter." "Let's talk... about something else." "About you." "I'm asking you who appointed him." "Every time I see you I Iike you more." "Don't be a spitfire and let me show you that I am your friend." "You're all by yourself here, and that's not good." "Do you know why you remained in the oil fields?" "Because it was God's will that we met." "would you come to my table, RaqueIa?" "I believe the lady is with me." "We haven't finish talking yet." "And I won't leave the casino... without telling you all I have to tell you." "What are you doing here?" "Get out or I'II call someone to throw you out." "please, be quiet." "I told you to get out." "Look, miss, please..." "Mr." "Fab..." "RaqueIa?" "RaqueIa." "Oh, I'm sorry." "I thought you were alone." "Angered I Iike you even more, I tell you." "Enough." "Now you're gonna listen to me." "You're under arrest, son." "RaqueIa." "I knew something was wrong." "calm down, take it easy." "calm down." "calm down." "No, miss." "Not you." "He's all mine." "What are you doing, stupid?" "I've told you many time I don't want any trouble here." "Okay boss." "I'm just a simple man doing his job." "That cretin is not worthy of a single bullet." "Throw him out in the alley." "If he shows up again here at... the casino, kill him like a dog." "God help you if I see you again." "You're a dead man." "Get out or I'II shoot you even if the boss doesn't... want me to do it." "please, RaqueIa, calm down." "I beg your forgiveness." "It was all my fault, for not taking precautions." "I should have known sooner or later some cretin would try to bother you." "A wretch like that." "And I believe he's even more than a wretch." "unfortunately, there are plenty of bandits and... kiIIers here, RaqueIa." "Make no mistake, he's one of them... and he came here just looking for you." "That's what I thought at first, too." "But now, I'm not sure." "Everything seems very odd." "Anyway, I'II say it again: this won't happen again." "Excuse me, I'II go now." "Have a good rest." "Thank you." "Any more news, Rayado?" "Nothing, boss." "But since I'm on my day off, I decided to check... with you, Mr. Fabio." "You know what I mean." "Yes." "Go see the cashier and get your money." "What about that guy?" "We kicked him out." "He's certainly stubborn." "I'II have to be alert." "He won't go far." "We should teach... him once and for all." "We'll see. lf he ever again sets a foot in the... casino, he'll regret it." "Won't he try to turn on the Argentinean's oil wells?" "Well, who knows." "What if we play the same joke on him that we played on..." "Mr. José Enrique?" "The same one we just played on the other guy from The national?" "Okay, boss, I was just saying." "What happened last night with Gerardo?" "They told me he came into your room and got out of line?" "He seemed so nice." "Do you know that man?" "Yes, a little bit." "I suppose he got fresh with you." "Who is he?" "I only spoke twice with him." "He's a close friend of Heriberto." "well, I know something else." "I think he likes you." "He told me so himself." "also, Mr. Fabio is almost in love with you." "If you put your mind to it, he'II be putty in your hands." "Nanette, excuse me for a second." "Heriberto, what happened to you?" "Where's CameIia?" "CameIia is not here." "She went out." "See you later." "Heriberto." "Come." "I wanna talk to you." "Demetrio was murdered here last night." "We're completely sure of that." "We haven't seen him since." "killed here, in the casino?" "Yes, here." "The same way my boss Mr. José Enrique was... killed here before." "And the same way they'II try to kill Gerardo, for being the new general Manager of The national." "If he's so dumb to get inside this cave of thieves again." "Are you sure of what you're saying?" "Look, miss, you better shut your mouth." "Heriberto." "It's hard to believe that behind this angelic face... hides so much evil." "Last night, you stopped Gerardo from saving Demetrio... and surely you knew he was getting murdered... somewhere inside the casino." "Upstairs." "What else would you expect from an... intimate friend of Mr. Fabio?" "Heriberto, wait." "Wait, Heriberto." "Leave me alone." "If you were not so stupid, you could be of some use." "Get out of my way." "tell the boys to go home." "Just keep the guards here." "Okay, Mr. Gerardo." "You take turns every eight hours." "Anybody tries to get close, you shoot them." "Yes, sir." "Everything is ready to start pumping oil... tomorrow at 8:00." "Poor Demetrio, he won't see the black geyser... springing up from these towers." "And we probably won't either." "We ran out of dynamite, and we're just halfway... through the field, Mr. Gerardo." "Okay, you two go get more dynamite." "Yes, sir." "Go with them, Heriberto." "What are you going to do?" "You have to be careful, Gerardo." "What needs to happen will happen." "Listen, if I'm not back by 5:00 am,... blow up the wells." "How am I supposed to wait until 5:00 am... doing nothing, knowing you're risking your life?" "Let me go with you." "You'II do as I said, Heriberto." "At 5:00 am, if I haven't come back." "I'II see you later, and if you want we can leave the oil fields." "Leaving the oil fields?" "Look, Gerardo, you... know how much..." "I respect you and how fond I'm of you,... but I'd rather stay here." "I was born here, and I don't think I couId live anywhere else." "In case we don't see each other again..." "Now go fetch the dynamite." "There's a lady in the office who wants to talk to you." "With me, a lady?" "Who?" "She didn't tell me her name." "That's odd." "What are you doing here?" "What do you want?" "You better leave immediately." "Listen to me." "I'm here because I have a serious... matter to talk about with you." "Now I know I was wrong." "And I beg you to forgive me for... suspecting you were responsible for the death of my brother." "Your brother?" "Yes." "I'm Mercedes Irigoyen." "You?" "What kind of trick is this?" "It's not a trick." "You confused my friend with me... and I took advantage of that to stay here incognito." "That's why you treated Mr. José Enrique's friends so poorly?" "I already told you I didn't know." "I just found the truth last night." "What truth?" "About Mr. Fabio and everything." "I still don't get why you let all those thugs jump on top... of me if you knew it." "I Iearned it after they threw you out." "It's okay." "In that case, there's no need for explanations." "And I'm the one to ask you to forgive me." "Now I know how much I owe you." "I can't thank you enough." "You owe me nothing, miss." "AII this is yours and you're my boss." "I'm at your service." "Dynamite?" "Your brother ordered us to blow up the wells before giving them away to that gang of thieves." "I was ready to execute his will." "Now, you tell me." "You do whatever is best." "Poor José Enrique." "I was so eager to see him again." "You were old friends, right?" "Not exactly." "We knew him a few days before it happened... and we became very good friends." "If we could read it in the eyes when someone... really loves us." "Sometimes it's hard to know when something unites us." "I should have understood it all after you first talked to me." "And I should've tried to make you understand." "We are both a bit guilty, right?" "We were both walking on the same path without realizing it." "I couldn't have imagined before coming to the oil fields that I would be involved in all this." "And that I'd meet you." "Me neither." "I came to see my brother, to get together... with him, and now you see." "Here we are, you and me,..." "like arriving by night to places unknown." "It feels as if fate had everything ready... just for us to meet." "It smells like kerosene, doesn't it?" "Crude, we're sitting next to an oil well." "well, this is the end." "Pretty soon the jungle will devour even the Iast... traces of what José Enrique built in this corner" "Of the gulf of Mexico." "What are you planning to do?" "I'II go to the city and leave this situation in the... hands of justice." "Yeah?" "My justice doesn't wait that long." "Tonight Mr. Fabio will pay." "You mean you're going back to the casino?" "Your life is in danger and these people don't mind more killing." "Death comes at its own time, don't you think?" "Are you set on that?" "absolutely." "In that case, I'II stay, too." "No, Mercedes." "Not you." "Leave the oil fields." "I've been cornered and I don't want you to get mixed up with that." "It's not your problem only." "I beg you, Mercedes." "Get out of here." "When I Ieft the casino to come to see you," "I thought I would never return to it." "Now I've decided to stay and help you." "help me?" "Yes." "I don't know what you propose to do, but you won't be alone." "You see, Gerardo,... our paths are still the same." "Did you see?" "What?" "That one just walked in." "Get him." "Move." "The Northern Song." "Calm down, calm down." "Since they don't pay attention to us, I'II sing it for you." "I'II dedicate it to my good friend, Mr. Fabio." "And be aware that I'm actually saving you from a tight spot." "Because if it wasn't for me, tonight they would have... destroyed your casino." "That's the way to sing." "Now come have fun with us." "I'II be back in a moment." "Wait." "Very good, very good." "Last night I was thrown away from the casino just... because I came to see her." "How can you blame me for liking my darling so much." "I'm here to see if you throw me out again." "You're planning also to visit her in her room tonight?" "Maybe I'II do it." "Very well said, my friend." "But now come have a drink with us." "Let's go then." "And you know you're not alone." "Because men get along with men." "That's true, always." "Come with us." "I was out-numbered last night." "Those white guards, they just grabbed me and..." "Nothing will happen, RaqueIa." "Don't worry." "You can go up to your room, whenever you feel like it." "Perhaps it will be best to finish this matter once and for all." "That's right." "Another drink and people to say 'cheers'." "To the honor of having you with us." "To good friends." "Cheers." "Excuse me." "I'II drink double later." "I'II be back soon." "This is going better than I expected." "Mr. Fabio set everything up for me." "He set it up for me, 'cause he's a good friend." "And he realized how much I liked you." "I swear, tonight is the biggest night of my Iife." "And now, sugar, we're alone at last." "Let's see who... dares to throw me out." "I missed your kisses." "And I won't die without them." "You understand?" "Come here, sugar." "Where are you going?" "C'mon, Rayado." "Drop the package." "See who that is." "We're here for the package." "There's no package." "No package?" "No." "AII right, honey, don't get mad." "They changed the orders." "It's better if we don't have a dead body tonight." "Let's go." "You're a bit nervous." "Did anything happen?" "That's the way I wanted you, murderer." "I knew that one of us wouldn't survive the night." "Your time has come and you're gonna pay." "I'm sorry, Mercedes." "I know you'd rather not see your... brother's killer again." "So you tried to use as bait no less than..." "José Enrique's sister." "Listen to me first." "Listen to me." "Listen to me, miss." "I'm not the one responsible for your brother's death." "I can prove it." "What would I get from it?" "I'm just a working man, without enemies." "I just followed orders." "Orders?" "Whose orders?" "I can't tell you that." "Have mercy on me." "I'II give you everything I have." "I'II make you rich." "It's not my fault." "There are others... who are responsible." "Who?" "Speak." "It's very hard to... explain." "Others." "Speak." "No." "The ones responsible are... the trust, the company people." "The company people?" "What about the orders, who gave them to you?" "Van Eckerman." "Van Eckerman?" "And who's that person?" "The CEO of the company." "Everybody knows him." "Where does he live?" "In the house at Main Square." "The yellow house." "Who's that?" "Ms." "Raquela, your number." "Go, don't worry." "Besides, you won't be able to escape." "My signature will be useless to you." "But before that, I'll pump all six bullets from my gun in... your head, if you don't write me that paper." "Don't go away." "It will just take a second." "It's for the publicity." "please, just one moment, miss." "Right here." "Good." "It's a photo for the news." "Open the door or we'II shoot." "Open or we'll shoot." "I'II be the one shooting." "Stay where you are." "Don't move or I'II shoot you." "He's here." "Now, Rayado got scratched all right." "What's going on?" "We captured that guy." "He's in your room upstairs." "Mr. Fabio was shot and I'm going to get the doctor." "And what did you do to the man who shot him?" "Nothing yet, in case Mr. Fabio wants to talk to him... before sending him out to the next life." "And that will have to wait until he regains consciousness." "Excuse me." "Good evening, Miss RaqueIa." "Take me to the house of Mr. Van Eckerman." "To the house of Main Square?" "Take me to Mr. Van Eckerman's house." "Go." "What?" "What's happening?" "A lady wants to see you, urgently." "A lady?" "She says she's Mercedes Irigoyen." "Owner of The national." "The national, you said?" "Yes, sir." "It's okay, go." "Take a seat, miss." "Thanks." "I'm all right standing." "So, tell me." "You know who I am, don't you?" "I'm the sister of Engineer Mr. José Enrique Irigoyen." "The new owner of The national." "Nice to meet you." "So..." "I'm perfectly aware that my brother was murdered... because he wouldn't yield to the threats of the oil companies." "I also know that last night another man was killed... for the same reason." "I don't understand a single word of what you're saying, miss." "Excuse me, you're a bit upset and I'm very busy." "Just one minute." "You have to hear me first." "I just came here to ask you for your help to save someone who's in danger." "only you can do that." "Someone..." "Who's that?" "Gerardo Ramirez, temporary manager of The national." "I don't know him." "He also tried to confront the oil companies." "Another naive man who believed that the weak... can fight the strong." "An old stupidity that has caused much pain in the world." "Let's talk slower, miss." "You seem to be an intelligent woman." "Let's sit down." "Doesn't it seem absurd to you that some people are willing... to bump their heads against the wall?" "Absurd, at Ieast for now." "For now, you say?" "Yes." "Just for now, because you have the power." "A power that changed into civilization... the wilderness of these places, miss." "A power that brought hatred and desperation to the world." "I think you're exaggerating, miss." "Anyway, what's the reason for your visit?" "You're interested in The national, and I'm here to sell it to you." "Why do you want to sell it?" "Because only in this way can I save the man who I want to save." "Aha." "I understand, miss." "Your proposition could be of some interest to my company." "In this case, we could get together here again... tomorrow morning" "To discuss the deal." "No, it has to be done right now." "Do you understand?" "He's held at the casino by the same thugs who killed my brother." "I Iike you, miss." "So I'II solve this matter as my gift to you." "That's why they say women are the salt of the earth." "Bring me the file of The national." "Yes, sir." "There are still a few more formalities,... that we can resolve tomorrow,... the next day or whenever you want." "You understand, business is business." "So, please, sign here." "What about Gerardo?" "Who can guarantee nothing will happen to him?" "You're right." "Go to the casino and bring here Mr..." "Gerardo Ramirez." "Right away." "TRAIN SCHEDULE NORTHBOUND" "Let's go." "What's going on?" "I don't know." "Did you hear that?" "Yes." "The wells." "I had forgotten" "They were going to blow up." "I didn't." "That's why it was so urgent for me to close the deal... with Van Eckerman." "But you did it knowing they were going to blow up?" "That's not good." "We won something out of our defeat." "I did." "Me, too."