"VERONICO CRUZ" "TO THE PEOPLE OF JUJUY" "CHORCÁN" " Northwest Of Argentina" "What's wrong?" "Nothing." "I'm all right." "I'm fine." "But this soil is no good any more, Cástulo." "We'll have to go work in the canefields, then." "I want my son called Veronico." "Veronico!" "Hurry up!" "You fool!" "You stupid boy!" "Foolish Granny!" "Stupid Granny!" "Foolish Granny!" "Stupid Granny!" "Foolish Granny!" "Have you finished?" "Go and wash the bowls." "Have you finished the washing?" "Where is Chiquito?" "Go and find the lamb." "Hurry up you stupid boy!" "Granny!" "Granny!" "Veronico!" "Veronico, my darling boy." "Good morning!" "Anybody here?" "Hello." "Have you any water please?" "Do you live here?" "I'm very tired." "I've come a long way." "Can you give me some water?" "I'd be grateful." "You like it?" "Thank you." "Sorry, boy." "Veronico, what are you doing with that man?" "Go and take care of the lambs!" "Off you go!" "Here boy, take this." "You'd like these too." "You'll like these." "Thank you." "Hello." " How are you?" " Fine." "Constable!" "Come on, he's here!" " Who's here?" " The schoolteacher." "The schoolteacher is here?" "Go and put your bloody cap on!" "Good afternoon, Maestro." "I'm the Commissioner of Chorcán." "Our police constable." "You've taken us by surprise." "We weren't expecting you yet." "I'm a little early because..." "We'll show you to the school." "Come." "Don't worry, Maestro!" "The constable will look after the donkey." "You seem a bit tired." "It must be the altitude." "Bring the donkey." "Come on." "The school has been rather neglected lately, being closed far so long." "But now you're here." " How was the journey?" " Not bad." " But tiring?" " A little." "You'll be able to rest now." "That's the field where the children play football." "And this is the school, Maestro, where you'll be working." "Just a moment." "Sir, the children of this district, eagerly await the opening of this temple of knowledge, where you so worthily..." "I am therefore honoured, sir, on behalf of the whole village, myself included," "to hand over to you the key, the key... the key to this temple... wherein is tempered... the temperate..." "Go and get the key, damn you!" "Maestro, this is the classroom." "Please." "Well, Maestro, we'll leave you in your new home." "Enjoy your stay." "Whatever you need, just let us know." "Come on, let's go." "The Maestro will want to rest." "I'm not here to take your boy from you." "It's not you, Maestro." "It's the school." "But he's going to school to learn." "I don't want him to learn." "What good will do to him?" "What do you mean?" "His father went to school." "He went off to work in the canefilds and never come back." "I don't want that to happen to Veronico." "I won't be here to protect him." "You teachers came and go." "But only we old folk remain here." "This land of mine" "Warm although cold" "A thorn although a flower" "Placed by God in these mountains" "I pray the saints, on high but not the rulers here below" "Come in, Maestro." "Let's have mate together." "The thing is i am feeling a bit lost." "Don't worry, Maestro." "People are kind." "I'm not suggesting otherwise." "The trouble is you're new here." "That's why there's some mistrust." "Better days will soon come." "Yes Domingo." "I understand that but," "I'd like you, and them, to understand me." "I don't want them to come to school just to teach them to work for others." "Do you understand me?" "I want them to have greater opportunities, so that education, if it's to do it's job," "will help them think for themselves." " That's what I really want." " I agree." "You'll soon have more pupils, don't worry." "Let's listen to what this radios saying." "I don't know what these bloody Brazilians are on about!" "That's it." "Now, with this colour we write." " What are we writing?" " A C" "Look, look." "Write with this, see?" "Write." "Later we'll go and talk with Mummy and Daddy." "BEL" "B, not V." "That's it, BEL." "BEL GRA." "You do it." "BELGRANO." "One plus one, two." "Write this down." "Don't crowd the ball!" "Raul, you run now!" "That's it." "That's it!" "Run run!" "Throw the ball, Maestro!" "Hello." "I'm tired." "You like those magazines?" "Do you like them?" "Good." "Do you play the flute?" "It's really high up here." "How's your grandmother?" "These people, do they live on the water?" "Most of their lives, yes." "But they're always fighting." "Well, that's the way pirates were." "But there aren't any pirates now." "Not like these, anyway." "Nowadays..." "I'm so tired!" "Nowadays, people work on the sea." "There are fishermen ships." "There are ships like this one." "See?" "These are ships." "Now they are larger and more modern." "There are cargo ships for transporting goods." "There are passenger ships." "And there are some with sails." "They're called yachts, look." "They're something like pirate ships, they're owned by people with lots of money, who use them for playing." "What is the sea like?" "Very very big." "Like the salt pan?" "But full of water." "So, there's no sea here?" "No, there's no sea in Jujuy." "The sea is far, far away in the south." "And it's... beautiful." "Very beautiful." "But you still haven't told me your name." "Veronico." "I'm the schoolteacher, the tired schoolteacher." "Maestro, Maestro!" "Come and see this!" "Come with me!" " What's is it?" " Come and see this!" "Hurry!" "Hurry!" "I'm coming." "Where are we going?" " Is this the only pen where it happened?" " Yes." "Incredible!" "It must have been big to do this damage." "Good morning, Maestro." "What do you make of this?" "Did you know about the Puma?" "Are there Pumas around here?" "We didn't think so, but now we do." "Look what it did to the poor sheep!" "Well, bring the deceased and let's go." " The what?" " The sheep." "Veronico, my child, you can go to school now." "The Maestro is waiting for you!" "Off you go!" "Go on!" "We'll try some singing now." "Something we all know." "Let's see." "The Little Orange, eh?" "Do you know that one?" "No?" "Yes you do." "It goes." "Little orange, speckled little orange" "Come on, all joint in" "That's it, all together, but softly." "I want to record this." "Carry on singing." "That's beautiful" "But who could it have been?" "Who knows Maestro?" "The moment i got to the window, i saw it turn the corner." "You know there are as many airwaves in the skies, as the human soul wears masks." "Let's hear what Brazilian Radio has to say." "But why me?" "You never know." "It might have been a Brazilian." "See you tomorrow." "Veronico, is your granny still unwell?" "Tell her to take one of these every 8 hours." " Thanks." " Tell her not to forget." "Communiqué number 1 of the military junta:" "The Argentine people is hereby informed that as from today, the country is under the control" "of the military junta." "All civilians are advised to adhere strictly to the measures and guidelines laid down by" "military security and police authorities." "Another coup!" "There's been so many." "Avoid any individual or group action that may require drastic countermeasures." "Pass it back!" "Come on!" "From now on, the police officer is in charge here." "Hand over all the administration papers." "Do not leave the village." "You are forbidden to indulge in any political activity." "Is that clear?" "I'm looking for Artemio Aguirre and Cástulo Cruz" "Who are you?" "The schoolteacher." "Well, tell me, do Aguirre and Cruz live here?" "They used to, but they left years ago" "You come with me." "In five days you'll receive your orders." "You will obey them to the letter!" "Straighten your jacket!" "And get your hair cut!" " Where shall we hang this one?" " Right here." "See who is it, go on." "This is your house now." "Where shall we hang it?" "I've orders to go look through your bookshelves." "What for?" "I told you, orders." "Anything particular?" " Books." " Which books?" "Political books." "These are the books?" "What the hell does it say here?" "I don't know what you're looking for." "Here, Maestro you read it." "What political books?" "Any political books!" " What's wrong, Maestro?" " It's nothing." "Here we go again." "Here." "Tow political books!" "HISTORY OF MAN'S STUPIDITY" "You'll have to come with me." " Where to?" " Don Domingos." "What for?" "I said i have my orders." "You've forgotten your orders." "Let's go, Maestro." "So now they send books to prison, do they?" " So It seems." " Listen, Don Domingo." "It's forbidden to listen to any Communist radio." "Here's the notification for you to sign." "And for you to witness, Maestro." "What do you make of this, Maestro?" "What a shitty world!" "They stripped me of my authority, just because." "What do bloody soldiers know about governing?" "Don't take it to heart." "It's the way things are." "We can't change them." "Get your bloody hands off me!" "Who the hell are you to take over my authority?" "!" "Listen here, you midget, don't raise your voice with me." "I give the orders!" "I'm the authority here!" "No wonder people leave this place." "Dear Sir," "I know my son is living with you." "It pained me to learn of my mothers death." "Go and play, i'll be back soon." "Domingo writes me everything, and I know what's been happening in Chorcán." "As for me here i am in the middle of this green, so different from my native hills," "This is what Fate had in store for me." "I've done all kinds of work." "I've chopped down trees, cut sugar cane," "worked in the steel mills with people like myself, who every day suffer privations" "and worse things for poor pay." "That's why i'm involved in the workers struggle in the front line of trying to change things." "I know it's dangerous because strange things are going on." "Because there are people who disappear overnight, never to return." "I wouldn't want the same thing to happen to Veronico." "I don't know whether i'll be back, but I beg you, Maestro, to tell him all this" "and not let him be a bad father like me." "He mustn't abandon his children." "He should stay there in the hills, where his home is and help his own people." "Oh, my Veronico!" "My friend, old Domingo, and you, Maestro." "I hope everyone will understand you, and help you." "Why did he leave, Domingo?" "Because his wife died, and because there's no work here." "But why abandon his boy?" "He didn't abandon him." "It was fate and a quest for a better life." "Why do you ask?" "See?" "It's fate." "What should i..." "What do you think I should do with Veronico?" "Ask him, Maestro." " Where have you been?" " Around." "Come and have a look at this." "Why are the ships so big?" "There's so much water." "Tell me, Veronico, would you like to know your father?" " But do I know him." " What do you mean?" "Wait a moment." "Is this Cástulo Cruz?" "According to my granny, that's my dad." "Would you like us to go and find him?" "There?" "Well, near there." "I don't really know where he is." "Do you know where that is?" "That monument?" "It's in Jujuy, the capital, it's the monument to General Belgrano." "I think I told you about him in school, remember?" "Yes, I'd like that." "We'll go and look for him when school's over, shall we?" "This is the General Belgrano's monument." "And behind it, see over there?" "That's Government House." "The flag he created is kept there, in the flag Room." "And see there, on the right?" "That's the Cathedral, where the flag was first blessed." "And what else?" "Nothing else." "I'm going over to the police station for a moment." "You won't get lost if I leave you here?" "I'll be right back." "Why are you looking for Cruz?" "What's your name?" "I'm a schoolteacher from up in the Mountains, sir." "In a village called Chorcán." "And who is this Cástulo Cruz?" "Who?" "You haven't told me." "I don't know, a miner, a migrant worker." "I'm really not sure." "I don't know him." "And what do you want him for?" "I said:" "What do you want him for?" "I didn't say you could look at me!" "Well, he's the father of Veronico Cruz." "That's a boy I teach in the school in Chorcán." "His father left when the boy was born, and I thought it would be rather nice if..." "You want them to meet?" "Yes, Sir." "Your place is in the school, not here interceding on behalf of subversives." "Don't look at me!" "As you can see, schoolteacher," "Cástulo Cruz is not here." "Why don't you inquire at the hospitals?" "Perhaps he is ill, or has met with an accident." "Maestro!" "I went to the Flag Room, and there, on the wall, was the flag you told me about." "And there was another wall with pictures..." "Is something wrong, Maestro?" "Did they say anything bad about my dad?" "Won't we be able to find him?" "Seems there's someone at the school." "Juanita!" "How are you?" "Did you miss us?" "Sit down and i'll tell you about it." "The sugar mill had really tall chimneys." "There were cars everywhere, just like the Maestro's posters." "And in all sorts of colours." "Oh, we've brought you, a little gift." "Thank you, Veronico." " Did you like it?" " It's very pretty." "There was a place where they showed big films." "And a a..." "What's that box that showed the little films?" "A television, Juanita." "They have all that in Argentina." "This is Argentina too, Veronico." "But why haven't we got those things here, Maestro?" "Aren't you going to raise the flag?" "Quiet!" "I've got something for you." "Maestro, come and listen to the match with us!" "You go, Veronico, I'm okay here." "What does Hong Kong mean?" "It's an island, a British colony." "Why?" "Because on the flag it says:" "MADE IN HONG KONG" "Go and listen to the match." "Let's hope Argentina wins!" "Ardiles passes to Tarnatini, back to Gallego." "Ardiles now in possession." "He slips between two players." "Good dribbling." "In comes Luque, who crosses to Kempes." "He shoots," "Goal!" "Number 10 sweeps forward." "He centers," "A header Goal!" "Goal to Holland!" "Passarela crosses to Bertoni on his left." "Bertoni now..." "Domingo's radio!" "Wait, children, wait!" "Mario Kempes to De la Rosa, who passes to Tarantini," "Tarantini plays the ball to Bertoni," "Kempes again, now in the penalty area," "He shoots Goal!" "What can you hear?" "Nothing." "THE SCHOOLTEACHER, CHORCÁN VILLAGE SCHOOL" "The General Education Board of the province of Jujuy, is pleased to advise you of you transfer," "to school number 45, Bernardino Rivadavia, in Humahuaca." "You are required to take up your post as soon as possible." "With kind regards." "Yours sincerely." "Are you going, then, Maestro?" "Are you coming with me, Veronico?" "Thank you for your educational efforts." "Have a good journey, Maestro, and good luck." "Thursday 28th, Humahuaca." "Dear Veronico," "I don't know how soon you'll get this letter." "It seems there are always problems with the post." "Anyway, things here these past four years have gone well." "I'm still teaching, like my colleagues, and i'm fairly happy." "I always remember my experiences in Chorcán." "Of all my adventures, it's been the one that has meant most to me." "I remember Chorcán, and I remember you, juanita and Domingo." "Even the Commissioner, whom I didn't like all that much." "Still, he was a good man." "A bit nosy, perhaps and inquisitive, but all right." "Shall I fill your glass, Maestro?" "Please." "White wine." "I imagine you getting up to mischief with juanita." "Herding your goats." "I'd like to hear from you more often." "It's always nice to hear from someone you love." "So stop being so lazy and write more often." "We have recovered, safeguarding our national honour, without malice, but with the firmness circumstances demand, the southern islands, which are a legitimate part of our national heritage." "This decision, has been taken to put an end," "to the interminable succession of excuses, and delays orchestrated by Great Britain, to perpetuate her control over the islands," "and the area of influence around them." "Good afternoon, Don Adolfo." " Any letters for me?" " I'll check." "I was here yesterday and there was nothing." "There's nothing today either." "Thank you, Don Adolfo." "What do you think of the thrashing, we'll give the British?" "See you later, Don Adolfo." "Nothing for you, Maestro." "At 17:00 hours on 2nd May, the cruiser General Belgrano," "was attacked and sunk by a British submarine, outside the exclusion zone," "set by the British Government." "The ships crew numbered 1,042 men." "Rescue operations, and search for survivors are under way." "You see, Maestro." "My radio hasn't worked for the last three years, so I have no news at all of the outside world." "Nor of national news." "Nor of the Germans, nor the Brazilians." "The fact is my radio was very old..." "Around here, unless someone gets a letter, nothing ever changes." "Ah, I had a letter from Veronico some time ago." "Look how grown up he is!" "THE LADS FROM THE BELGRANO" "What is the sea like?" "Big." "Very big." "Maestro, do you remember Juana?"