"A blonde who always carried a leather handbag?" "I haven't seen her for two months." "She must have changed jobs." "Or she gets a cab." "That's a real bummer." "She brightened up the mornings." "Don't complain, at least you don't have to go round in circles." "I don't know what's worse." "We can swap when you want." "Yes, shall we?" "Do you know what it's like, going round in circles all day?" "Tell him, Martin." "Let's see." "Madrid-Valencia." "Put an X." "No, no, no." "Put 2. lf we win, we get 100." "And what would you do with 100 big ones?" "I'd buy a convertible." "I bet you'd do the route from stop to stop." "THE GARDENS OF paradise" "l'd go to Norway." "Norway?" "Yeah, Norway." "Norway's the coolest." "What's in Norway that's not here?" "Norwegian girls." "They're much better than Swedish girls." "Speaking of girls, Brazil's better." "Brazil has to be amazing." "What about you, Martin?" "Don't interrupt him, he's concentrating." "He's still going round in circles." "Hey, your stop." "Carry on like that, and you'll kill yourself." "So what?" "Nobody would miss me." "At the end of a year, that's seven a day multiplied by six, makes 42 a week." "We work 50 weeks a year-- -l'm getting dizzy." "Atletic-Zaragoza." "Don't complain." "You don't go through the suburbs." "I don't know what's worse." "You don't know what it's like, risking your life on those streets." "That's really scary, not like the circular." "I have 39 years left until I retire." "39 years equals- l don't trust those people." "They're ill." "They should see a doctor." "Minus a two weeks when I'm ill and another two because I just don't fucking feel like it." "It won't happen again. I'll get out the deodorant and he'll shit himself." "Fuck, be careful." "Relax." "Didn't they ban those things?" "lf Jareno knew, you'd be in trouble." "Jareno doesn't drive in the suburbs." "Let him drive, and change the route." "He has no idea what it's like to be scared shitless." "Let's see." "Be careful, that stuff can blind you." "83,800, more or less." "83,000 what?" "Circles, for fuck's sake, from now until I die." "The same for you guys." "Fuck, Rafa." "You'd make any guy lose the will to work." "Looks like a pen." "Where do you press?" "Here." "And what's up with him?" "He's having a bad day." "Not bad, just like every day." "Here?" "Shit!" "What are you doing?" "Martin." "Do you want to come in?" "No, I can't right now." "l brought Lupe, can you look after her?" "Are you leaving?" "Yes, for a few days." "Okay." "She'll keep me company." "How's everything going?" "Well, I'm cleaning better places." "How's your back?" "Better." "I'm doing some exercises that the doctor gave me." "Don't be too much work for Rosa, she's got back problems." "By the way, I had to tell you something." "But now I don't remember what." "Her food." "I think it was something important." "When I remember, I'll tell you." "Well, then, Rosa." "Well, take care of yourself." "You've been a really good neighbor." "Are you all right?" "Fine." "Where are you going?" "On a trip?" "Yes." "To Norway." "I know you're dying to meet me." "Call me and I'll die with you." "in the stars, if you have to make some kind of decision or if you have a problem, or are just feeling lonely call 906-2424 and we will answer your...." "l remember!" "The gas, they came from the gas company and cut you off." "I'm hopeless!" "What are you doing?" "You'll kill yourself, loser!" "Change your dealer." "Bastards." "They say things to us." "I'm sure they say things in the commercials." "If you look closely, some letters are a bit brighter than others." "It depends on the day, it's very subtle." "And if you cover them, you read different things." "Subliminal messages." "That's it." "Bastards." "But who?" "The ClA, the government, beings from another world, who knows?" "But they're saying things." "Different things, depending on what each of us wants to see." "Try it." "I'm still going to jump!" "Leave me alone." "Did I tell you not to jump?" "No." "Do what you want." "I'm just saying try it." "I don't want to try it!" "I came to kill myself, not to try stupid shit." "Don't call the messages stupid." "They're here for a reason." "And anyway, no one wants to stop you from jumping." "I wonder if you'd like to try living it up before you die." "God!" "I didn't see him." "Are you okay?" "He came out of nowhere." "Can you move?" "Do you need anything?" "A coffee." "A hundred million pesetas. ln cash." "Or in the account of your choice." "No papers, no salary, no questions." "Sign a receipt and that's that." "You spend it in a week and throw yourself off the viaduct." "Who are they?" "Loan sharks." "Bad news." "They'll give you no time at all and massive interest, 50%." "They usually work with companies." "Emergencies, phantom businesses." "A hundred million." "And you owe them 150, to be paid back in a week." "If you don't pay, they kill you." "But that doesn't matter to you, does it?" "l don't trust them." "You don't have to trust them." "You just have to take the money and spend it." "It's that easy." "Do you like to gamble?" "Yes." "And what do you get from all this?" "15 percent." "My commission." "Paco!" "A coffee and...." "Two." "Just like that, without a guarantor?" "Who told you that?" "You have one." "Your life." "You've nothing to lose." "You're going to die anyway." "This way you try it." "Try what?" "Being rich." "Have you got a better plan?" "You can turn on the air." "And you should fasten your seat belt." "I have to look after you." "You're my investment." "It doesn't matter, there's an air bag." "The company used to get me a new one every 2 years." "Better days." "What did you do?" "Accountant." "Banks, finance." "They fought over me." "But one day it all got fucked up." "Two years ago. lt was in the newspapers." "2 years ago I couldn't afford a paper." "lt doesn't matter." "The boss went down and we all went with him." "It was his wife's fault." "The bitch." "She found out her husband was having an affair with the maid and went after him." "She photocopied his accounts and sent them to court, by messenger." "Bitch!" "When they opened the safe, it stank to high heaven." "Guess who signed half the documents?" "We pulled the rope too hard, and it broke." "But you know what?" "The maid was worth it." "Maybe you were wondering why I was" "Not really." "I'd rather not know." "You have a week left, I don't want to start to like you." "I'm very sentimental, and later I suffer for it." "We're here." "LAS PRADERAS retirement HOME" "Wait here." "We're in luck." "She'll see you." "Do everything you're told." "I think she liked you." "Ready." "Let's go." "l don't have to sign?" "There's no need." "They trust you." "They call her "La Senora."" "She made her fortune after the war, selling orphans to Arabian mafias." "And not just orphans. lt seems she began with her own daughter." "That's the legend." "I think they say it to scare people." "Well, it works." "You have remote control." "lt's already open." "Let me try." "I love remote controls." "If God exists, I bet he has loads." "I've always imagined him like that." "Sat in a winged armchair surrounded by thousands of remote controls." "Tomorrow you'll have an armchair and remote controls. I'll take you home." "I'm rich and you want me to go home?" "No way!" "I want to celebrate." "Tomorrow you're rich, today you're broke." "Well, give me a loan." "I'll give it back to you tomorrow, multiplied by 5." "Let's celebrate." "I'll give you a loan, but I'm not going anywhere." "Come on." "You can tell me about your boss and the maid again." "Was she really hot?" "A scorcher." "Have you had dinner?" "Yes, but it doesn't matter." "I'm rich, I can have dinner twice." "Bring another helping of prawns." "Or better, two." "And two more calamari and bring us some cuttlefish, fried potatoes, another Russian salad...." "Bring us a bit of everything you have, that way we won't get mixed up." "Do you want anything?" "No, I'm not hungry." "So what?" "Me neither." "We're rich." "We eat even if we're not hungry." "lf you say so." "Of course." "And beer." "Lots of beer." "The most expensive." "Hi, I'm rich." "They don't believe me." "We should've gone somewhere more elegant." "These hicks don't know a millionaire when they see one." "To be rich you have to look rich." "Be patient, enjoy your last dinner as a poor man." "No way. I'm sick of being poor." "I've been poor all my life." "It's over." "You be poor if you want." "l think you should go home" "No way." "Come on." "Let's go somewhere else, one of those discos that don't let you in." "I want to drink, meet girls." "I deserve it." "Fuck, I've earned it!" "And not because I won the pools." "Because I had the guts to do it." "Do what?" "To kill myself." "I've killed myself, I'm dead." "A millionaire and dead." "That's what I am, ma'am." "Well, then." "Are you coming with me?" "I'll pay you." "What do you earn?" "100,000, 200,000, and you come with me." "You don't need company, you need an accountant." "Perfect." "Aren't you an accountant?" "No way. I've done my part." "Come on, man." "You can help me spend it." "On my own I don't even know where to start." "How much do you want?" "l said no, no." "I'm already retired." "Eight hundred thousand?" "A million a week?" "Fuck, no." "Don't be such a pain." "One and a half million." "Okay then, three." "And just because it's you." "Jesus, what an accountant!" "Do you trust me?" "No, but I don't care." "By the way, what's your name?" "Salva." "Salvador." "They're the same." "Just the same." "As in magazines?" "No, as in dreams." "Three more, please." "Ask what those three want." "Have one yourself and give everyone at the bar, whatever they want and bring me the bill, okay?" "A hundred million." "What?" "A hundred million!" "Hello, miss could you tell me, I'm in room 402 could you tell me what my name is?" "Okay. ls the room booked in my name?" "And, what day is it today?" "Thank you." "Thank you very much, miss." "Good morning, how did you sleep?" "Well." "Okay, guys, let's go." "But, what's this?" "So, how do you feel?" "Like a millionaire." "Here, take the keys to the kingdom." "ls that all?" "You don't need anything else." "You only have to sign." "Would it be better if you managed it?" "It's in your name." "It's in my name, but you're the accountant." "What's more, you're very expensive, so earn your salary." "For your expenses." "I'll take care of the rest." "Ask for whatever you want." "I want a party." "A massive party." "In a luxury chalet, with a swimming pool and food, drinks and everything." "What's everything?" "Everything is everything." "Live music, mariachis, I love mariachis and live acts magicians, clowns, acrobats, everything!" "Caviar real Iranian caviar." "And salmon, champagne, popcorn, croquettes, cuttlefish, candy-floss." "And parking attendants, three." "And a doughnut stall, and fireworks." "A Russian choir and a contortionist snake charmer and another one without snakes and Chinese dancers, those that belly-dance." "They're not Chinese, they're Arabian." "Whatever." "Three of them, as well." "Balloons, confetti, streamers, paper lanterns, cinnamon biscuits...." "One of those guys who walks on a rope." "A tightrope walker." "That's it, a tightrope walker to walk between trees." "And three, as well...." "There's one thing missing." "What?" "Well, the guests." "Guests?" "A party needs guests, doesn't it?" "Yes." "Well...." "Here, these are the guests." "Could I have a cigarette, please?" "Have you got a light?" "Have you come to enjoy the party?" "Go and get more ice, we're nearly out and be quick." "Wine cellar, gym, sauna, jacuzzi and swimming pool an indoor, heated swimming pool, you'll love it." "They assured me that it would be ready today." "I'll talk to them tomorrow." "It seems they can't fill it until they connect the" "Yes?" "I'm sorry, I was looking for the bathroom, I got lost." "This place is so big." "On the way out, I think it's the third door on the left." "It seems they can't fill it until the purifier is connected and the purifier can't be connected until they come to check the wiring." "Are you listening to me?" "Yes, everything's fine." "The house, the party, everything's perfect." "ls it what you wanted?" "Yes." "Well, enjoy it." "That's strictly your responsibility." "l won't tell you again." "Yes, sir." "Go about your work." "How's it going?" "Everything okay?" "The drinks too?" "If you need anything just ask." "I hope you have a good time." "Yes, it's really a coincidence." "It's not a very common surname." "Maybe you'll turn out to be cousins." "Can't you look where you're going?" "l'm sorry, I didn't see you." "Doing it on purpose would be all I need." "At least pick up the glasses." "If I lose my job, it's your fault." "That asshole is here already." "What's happening?" "Are you trying to spoil the party?" "l didn't do anything it was him." "He knocked the tray onto me." "l was distracted" "Shut up!" "Do they call being an idiot being distracted now?" "Collect your things immediately." "But it was that idiot." "That idiot, I mean that gentleman happens to be the owner of this house." "What's more, he's my client." "Collect your things now." "I don't know how it happened." "You don't know how sorry I am." "is she always like that?" "Wait, wait, I can sort it out." "What are you going to sort out now?" "I pay, don't I?" "Anyway, it wasn't so bad." "l've got more suits." "l can well imagine." "You throw one away and put on another." "They put me out on the street and it's your fault." "You can sort it out today, but what about tomorrow?" "Are you going to be there so they give me a job?" "But of course, what does it matter to you?" "You're rich." "You don't know what it is to be broke to live in a shitty flat, to have the gas turned off." "Fuck this crappy party!" "l'll speak to your boss." "Boss?" "What boss?" "I've no boss." "That guy is an asshole." "Just because he's contracted me doesn't mean he's my boss." "Where are you from?" "Why?" "Because of your accent." "Oh, my accent." "What?" "Does it bother you?" "Quite the opposite." "It seems...." "l don't know, it seems exotic." "What are you looking at?" "Nothing. lt was you who started getting undressed..." "Don't you know how to turn around?" "Don't they teach you manners in private school?" "But one day we'll turn the tables." "All in good time." "We'll sit at the table and you'll serve us." "And when the time comes, I'll be there to see it." "Do you want a ride?" "l want you to take a hike." "I've got the car here." "For all I care, you can stick it up your ass." "Did you like that?" "Did that sound exotic too?" "It's no trouble." "Have you ever heard of buses?" "Those big vehicles that normal people catch?" "I'm sorry." "I'm not interested in anything you can offer me." "Not even a job?" "Tomorrow I'm having a private party, right here. I need help." "We'll see." "l'll expect you!" "Here they are." "Didn't you want girls?" "Well, here they are." "Welcome, ladies, make yourselves at home." "Go on in." "Plus 65O,OOO...plus 417 ,000." "Plus 215,000, makes a total of 2, 411, 126." "Plus rent, the catering invoice, the agency for the performers..." "...and variety shows...." "See you later." "Bye." "The girls and the fireworks." "Sign the contract and the acceptance here, here and there." "Leave me a couple more signed checks for the massage service." "And another for the parking guys." "Here." "Okay, it's not a bad start, is it?" "I said I wanted a chalet with a pool." "And you've got a chalet with a pool." "Did I have to tell you that I wanted water in it?" "Shut up about the pool, for Christ's sake." "You're rich you have got to do what rich people do." "And what do rich people do?" "What?" "Spend." "Yes, spend." "Of course, and what else?" "I don't know." "No idea." "Mix with other rich people." "I'm going to take you somewhere you'll like." "Hey, what if we filled it with champagne?" "There they are." "In their natural habitat." "They only mix with their own kind." "And they're great hunters." "They're omnivores, they eat." "everything They're very sociable." "They mate in unstable couples, but they're in heat all year round with greater intensity in spring and whenever they close a good deal." "And they're all here." "Look, that's Yanez." "And Martorell, the lift guy." "He's a lift operator?" "No, he makes them." "The man with him is Ufarte." "From Cardesa Group, he's in cement." "They began together, but now they've fallen out." "Shit, there's Montero." "Montero is a bastard." "Are you friends?" "Close friends." "Come on, I'll introduce you." "Wait, wait." "What do I talk about?" "Nothing." "Like they do." "Do you know about the stock market?" "Heard of lbex, MlBOR or Dow Jones?" "Yes, he's great." "He's the guy who did "Don't Go Breaking My Heart."" "If someone says something you don't understand, smile and pass them to me." "There are 3 answers." ""Of course," if they seem convinced." "If you're not sure, "Probably." And in case of doubt, "Tell me about it!"" "Wait, wait. "Of course," "Probably--"" "And "Tell me about it!" That's how it works." "And smile, always smile." "The world is marvelous because it's yours." "Salvita, where have you been?" "As if I'd tell you." "Montero." "Martin, my partner." "He's new around here." "Ready to reinvent the market like Salva did?" "Of course." "You have a good teacher." "He knew about the Asian markets three months before it happened." "He sees things happen before anyone, but he never tells how he does it." "I keep my ear to the ground." "Now what, patience?" "Wait until the earthquake's over and sell what you can, don't you think?" "Probably." "That's what Gallega did and look where it got her." "Gallega is a babe." "I don't know what turns me on more, her millions or her ass." "What shall we give her?" "An 8." "More, an 8 and a half." "What are you talking about?" "I'll go no higher than 7." "Shit, you've got high standards, Salvita." "Imagine her in bed, knowing you're making it with 70%of Euroelectrics." "That's got to be the best." "Don't you think?" "Tell me about it!" "Four four and a half." "Maximum." "Three, as well." "Three and a half." "Cleaners have their good points." "Have you tried them?" "l wouldn't dream of it." "Well, it's your loss." "They turn me on, I bet you don't know why." "Because they spend their lives on all fours, asking for it." "Do you fancy a bit?" "Or are you scared you'll catch something?" "Of course." "With electrics and a cleaner there could be sparks." "Hey, what a surprise." "l need the work." "Come in." "Lola, can I call you Lola?" "You can call me whatever the fuck you want." "Where do I change?" "No, no, no." "You're fine like that." "It's a small dinner." "This way." "Are the guests here?" "She just arrived." "One guest?" "Just one." "Oh, I see." "The gentleman would like to have fun with the servant." "Who do you think you are?" "I have dinner with whoever I like, understand?" "And I don't let anyone treat me like a whore." "But I'm only inviting you to dinner." "No you're paying me to have dinner." "It's not the same." "You think that you can buy everything with money, but you can't." "Shit, Lola, I'm trying to say sorry for yesterday." "You wanted to turn the table upside down, right?" "Turn the tables, not turn it upside down." "That, then turn it over." "When you are ready, we shall serve dinner." "What's on the menu?" "To begin, we have cream of lobster soup followed by veal medallions with strawberries and for dessert lemon champagne mousse." "Does it suit madam?" "I'll tell you later." "What was it, turn it upside down?" "Turn the tables." "Hey, I've worked, you know." "I don't believe you." "Maybe at the start, a long time ago." "If you didn't inherit it." "But it doesn't matter from that moment on, not even then." "That's how it is." "You don't produce wealth." "Wealth produces you." "Wait, wait there's no us and them here." "Every person has his life and is free to do what he wants with it." "Bullshit." "Without equality there is no freedom." "Hey, no one gave me anything." "Sure. I bet you're one of those who made a fortune overnight." "Overnight, she says." "Now you can allow yourself all your rich-kid whims." "Like this dinner." "Did you have something better to do?" "Anything." "What I do every day, the things normal people do on the weekend." "And what do normal people do on the weekend?" "I'd like to know." "You can go out for a drink, or dance at a disco, for example." "Well, if you want, we can go." "Don't bother." "It's Saturday." "Everywhere's full on Saturdays." "You never know." "We might be lucky." "I'm sorry." "is that any way to hold a bottle?" "What kind of a waiter are you?" "Bring another." "And be quick!" "Salva where's a disco, a good one?" "How's it going?" "Okay?" "Are you comfortable?" "Yes." "ls the music too loud?" "No, no." "CLOSED private PARTY" "Come on, sign." "Pass me the checkbook." "What for?" "So, what do you think?" "About who?" "Pancho Villa?" "Lola." "Well, she's not bad." "She seems intelligent." "And she's good-looking." "You can be honest, if you want." "I don't like her. I don't know why, but I don't like her." "What's more, she has a problem, a serious problem." "What?" "There's only one of her." "Jesus, Martin, you have 4 days to live." "You could have a different one each day, and you get stuck on this one." "I don't want a different one each day." "But, why not?" "Because I don't." "Hey you're not falling in love, are you?" "Don't talk shit, man." "How could I be falling in love?" "l just like her." "And if she doesn't want to, what?" "What if she plays frigid?" "By the time you get to fuck her you'll have a gun behind your ear." "Mind your own business." "What do I do with this?" "Show off." "Trips, dinners, concerts." "Leave her gaping." "I don't understand you, Martin, I don't understand you." "Money means not having to make someone love you to go to bed with her." "Bullshit." "Money means being able to do whatever you want." "I hope this Moet  Chandon is better than cider." "lsn't it pretty?" "Very." "It's 320 meters high. 15,000 metal pieces." "Welded together, one by one." "It was built by a guy called Eiffel." "What a coincidence, like the tower." "It reminds me of my neighborhood, of the high-tension towers." "It's true. lt does, a little." "Martin, doesn't it look like I stole it?" "It's just that these places make me really nervous." "Do what I do." "Just act naturally." "All right. lt was all very good." "The gazpacho was a bit weird." "Martin, it wasn't gazpacho. lt was carpaccio." "You're always joking." "Shit, a present." "With some clients, there are certain differences." "What do you feel like doing?" "What did you do at night before you met me?" "Sleep." "Alone?" "What's it to you?" "You have character." "Yeah?" "Yes." "You're observant." "You like to reflect while you drive." "And you have very sensitive feet." "Come on!" "Seriously." "It's all here, but there's something strange." "Normally rich people's signatures are heavier." "They're self-indulgent and tend to lean to the right." "Everything affects it, see." "Feelings, for example." "When you're sad, you sign differently than when you're happy." "Or when you fall in love." "When you fall in love your signature changes." "Maybe they'll reject it." "Martin, it's a really bad time." "I'm in the middle of a meeting." "No, we'll discuss that with London." "Sorry, Martin, we'll talk later." "A bit far." "Tomorrow's better. I'll leave the tickets at the box office." "Yes, yes, with London they have the financial report." "Martin, I have to go." "See you tomorrow, have fun." "Lola!" "What a coincidence." "Have you got a minute?" "How are things with Martin?" "Fine, why?" "Nothing. I don't know, he seems very up." "And I'm happy for him, and for you, of course." "Congratulations." "Why are you congratulating me?" "Why do you think?" "You're together, aren't you?" "Well, I wouldn't say we're together." "I've just seen him a couple of times." "Martin is a pretty busy person." "He hasn't much time." "When he puts so much into something, it's for a reason." "And what's that got to do with you?" "Well, I'm his friend." "I thought you were his accountant." "Look, Lola, I like you." "Seriously, I like you, you seem trustworthy." "I see, this wasn't a coincidence, was it?" "I wanted to warn you, that's all." "Martin is no good for you." "You're from different worlds." "He could disappear." "You think I'm with him for his money." "l didn't say that." "No, but you're thinking it." "l know what'll happen, that's all." "I just wanted to tell you." "To save you the trouble, that's all." "Listen. I'm no whore, get it?" "Just because your mother was doesn't mean all the women you meet are." "Don't project." "If I'm with him it's because I want to be with him." "Lola's going." "Lola's had enough of being treated badly." "For once, someone doesn't, then you come and fuck it up." "What?" "Martin can't fall in love with someone like me?" "Why, because I'm poor?" "Didn't you see Pretty Woman, asshole?" "Lola." "l'm paying for this." "It's one of the best overtures ever written." "Leaving aside the expressionistic subjective use of the chorus." "The bastard's really good, but here, he excels himself." "La Fuerza del Destino, a great theme for a dramatic genius like him." "I love Verdi!" "What's the matter?" "Nothing." "You like Verdi." "Yes, and so?" "Why do you think, Martin?" "I like Los Panchos." "What are we doing together?" "We've nothing in common." "Don't go thinking I love Derbi that much. I kind of love him." "I'd never heard him in my life." "Seems they sang you arias not lullabies." "Okay, but there's no need to exaggerate." "Salva was right." "Why?" "He came to talk to me." "What about?" "About you." "He says I'm after your money." "And that when I'm least expecting it, you'll leave me." "Take no notice, he doesn't like you." "Or the complete opposite." "The opposite?" "Why?" "I don't know." "He said he liked me." "He was being friendly." "He insinuated that I should leave you alone." "Lola." "Forget him." "He's a good guy, but he doesn't trust anyone." "Anyway, I'm not surprised he likes you." "Why wouldn't he?" "I want to go home." "Okay, I'll take you." "No. I don't want you to see where l live." "You won't like it." "Maybe I will." "What do you know?" "Maybe I'll surprise you, maybe I know your part of town better than you." "l doubt it." "We're not so different." "Things change." "Overnight. I know from experience." "Come on, let's go." "Shit, shit!" "What's up?" "Fuck!" "Won't it work?" "ls it funny?" "Very." "What do we do now?" "Now we catch a bus." "In my neighborhood, they'd have it open in seconds." "Do you really want to see it?" "Okay, well let's go get dinner." "I'll pay, come on." "Don't you dare ask for forks, I know you." "You eat this with your fingers." "Come on, come on!" "The pits go on the floor, that's why they put it there." "Spit." "Don't be scared." "Spit." "Well done, you're very brave." "Now comes the best bit." "Do you feel like skiing?" "Okay." "lt's like Switzerland, isn't it?" "Better." "lt's not as cold." "And not as painful." "Watch the tree!" "I'm going to win, I'm going to win." "Yes!" "World record!" "I beat you." "Come on." "Shall we do another sport, something more exciting?" "Yes, which one?" "The 100 meters." "Okay." "Where's the machine?" "Here, come on." "Go!" "Bastards!" "You should be ashamed!" "Stop, stop!" "I'm glad he's nice." "Some drivers are assholes." "l can well imagine." "What's up, have you never caught a bus?" "Yes, sometimes." "l love it." "Oh, yes?" "What's to love about it?" "I don't know, I like it." "You see everything better, from higher up." "Not better." "The same." "The world's the same from a bus as from any place." "I'm an expert." "Oh, yeah?" "And what do you know about buses?" "A lot." "Why?" "Because I make them." "As a kid, they fascinated me." "It was like leaving the district on a spaceship that took you to another planet." "What are you doing?" "It's not here." "Your stop, let's go." "Martin." "What are you doing?" "Leave him." "Come on, your stop." "What's up?" "Have they changed your uniform?" "I liked the other better." "Do you know him?" "He's drunk." "I missed you." "This is my garden." "Sorry, it's a bit of a mess." "I used to play here as a kid with Ana, the first friend I made here." "We would spend the whole day together." "I was Lancelot and she was Lady Guinevere." "And this was the castle." "We used to imagine that all around was an enormous rose garden." "And there was a magic ring hidden in it." "And if you found it, you grew up immediately." "The ring was from a can." "One day Ana put her hand in some bushes to look for it, and she got pricked." "She said it was a thorn, but it wasn't. lt was a needle and our game was fucked." "Did she die?" "No." "Nothing happened to her." "But it did to me." "What?" "I woke up." "My dreams were over the castle, the games." "There are no roses here." "Roses only grow in your gardens." "Well, not always." "Sometimes dreams come true." "Are you also an expert on dreams?" "Also." "Dreams and buses are my speciality." "Not today." "My sister is in. I live with her." "Another day would be better." "Soon." "Fuck, it makes a difference to cider!" "Cool!" "This is the life." "Do you know what you've spent?" "That's your problem, not mine." "I've no problems anymore." "I threw them all off the viaduct." "You know, yesterday I nearly kissed her." "Sign." "Wonderful." "Nearly kissing her cost 70 million." "Think how much it'll cost to get laid." "You're jealous." "Who, me?" "Yes, you jealous. lt's normal." "Lola is lovely, and you're human." "You have your needs." "Don't talk shit." "The only idiot here who has fallen in love is you." "l'm your accountant, the only thing" "Exactly." "You're my accountant." "So behave like an accountant." "For example, I need 2 million." "What for?" "You don't want to know everything." "Your business, your business." "Very well." "You know what you're doing." "It's your money, you can spend it however you like." "Look the money for champagne, okay." "And with these 2 million, you'll see." "But, come on 4,727,225 on roses, that really takes balls." "I hope she's not allergic." "I love this place." "Everything looks so pretty." "Why anyone would want to commit suicide with all this in front of them." "Maybe when they're here, they can't see it." "Well, they should fucking look." "They arrive, climb up and jump." "Just like that." "Yeah?" "I swear, 2 a month. ln spring it goes up because of the allergy." "The allergy?" "To life. I don't understand." "If this is so pretty there must be more pretty stuff, mustn't there?" "Why don't they think?" "Has it happened to you?" "Not to me." "To Lady Guinevere." "Did you know they send us messages?" "Who?" "The advertisements." "That's what they're for, isn't it?" "No, no." "Another kind." "Subliminal messages." "I didn't believe it either much, at the start." "Try it, you'll see." "Do you see anything?" "lt's true!" "What?" "Are...you...never going to kiss me?" "Lola." "Lola." "Are you awake?" "I'm not sure." "is all this ours?" "Until 12." "Do you come here often?" "Now and again." "Do you always bring women here?" "No, not always." "l don't believe you." "It doesn't matter, I'm not jealous." "Really?" "Really, I'm very jealous." "I want you to be all mine." "And I'll be all yours." "lf you want." "Of course I want." "Well, then, sign." "I thought you didn't believe in documents." "I don't. I believe in skin." "Turn over." "Be careful, I'm ticklish." "Don't move." "Didn't you put your name in your schoolbooks, so you didn't lose them?" "Well, it's the same." "I always lost my books." "Even with my name in." "Well, you'll never lose me." "Martin." "There." "Hi." "Excuse me." "There was an urgent note left in reception." "For me?" "Will there be anything else?" "No, thank you." ""Dear friend, may we remind you that tonight, at 12 o'clock the term allowed for the repayment of the loan is at an end." "The amount due, with interest, is 150 million pesetas."" "Who was it?" "It's nothing." "From the company." "I have to go and deal with something." "You have to deal with something else here." "And mine is more urgent." "What's the matter?" "Don't you want to swim?" "I'm sick of champagne." "I arranged the reservations and the present." "It was a bit expensive." "Here's the invoice." "Do you want to see it?" "I'm sure it's fine." "Salva you have to help me." "I want to talk to these people." "Talk about what?" "There's nothing to talk about." "I want to pay." "I want to negotiate, I want more time to pay." "More time?" "How long?" "A week?" "10 days?" "A month?" "How are you going to find the money?" "Working?" "Stealing?" "It's not going to happen." "It's a lot of money, Martin, a lot." "It's your own fault." "For falling in love." "You were dead, did you forget?" "Dead people don't fall in love." "We don't go looking for these things, these things happen." "I wouldn't be so sure." "No?" "Why not?" "Nothing." "You said it for a reason." "Because you're acting like a fucking idiot." "Lola is a professional." "Can I be more clear?" "She's after your money." "But, what are you saying?" "They smell it." "From a distance. I don't know how they do it, but they smell it." "It's obvious." "She's not the least bit interested in you!" "Bullshit." "You're saying that because you like her." "You want her." "You're in love with her." "You're crazy!" "How could I like that insect!" "Get out." "Go." "Go." "Get out." "The checkbook." "Lola loves me, get it?" "She loves me!" "It's beautiful." "It's not the only one." "And are they for real?" "Yes." "And are you?" "Am I what?" "Are you for real?" "Of course I'm for real." "Why?" "Lola. lf l were, it's an example but imagine I were poor, would you still love me?" "You say such stupid things." "You're rolling in it." "And are they forever?" "What?" "Diamonds." "They say it on TV." "And you, Martin?" "Martin are you forever?" "Well, I don't know." "I'd say yes." "But who knows?" "I might die." "And why would you die?" "Well, for many reasons." "Imagine I get run down by a car." "Or I get cancer." "Cancer!" "Jesus!" "Imagine I owe 100 million to the mafia and they kill me." "The things you think of!" "100 million pesetas to the mafia." "It could be true." "Don't laugh. I might not be rich." "I might have been deceiving you." "Don't take things as you see them." "We're not all what we seem." "Are you saying this for a reason?" "Are you all right?" "Yes." "No. lt's just this place." "It makes me nervous." "We're leaving." "What do you mean, leaving?" "Where to?" "Somewhere else." "To dance. I feel like dancing." "Don't you?" "Waiter!" "Waiter!" "Bring the check, and quickly." "We're in a rush." "Martin, they'll kill you." "Me?" "Who?" "The waiter." "You've left everything on your plate." "Lola, what a fright." "I'm sorry, sir." "It's been rejected." "Have you another?" "Rejected?" "Who has rejected it?" "Why?" "l don't understand." "lt's okay, I'll pay." "No, no, you're not paying." "I'm paying." "I don't understand why it's been rejected. lt's the first time." "What time is it?" "One minute past 12, sir." "It's just this once, it doesn't matter." "Let's go." "And the fork?" "Are you taking it?" "Yes, I collect them." "There it is." "Thank you." "Hi." "A silver car, a convertible." "l'm sorry, I don't understand." "Convertible." "A soft-top." "It's just been taken." "Taken?" "Who by?" "The tow truck?" "Some gentlemen." "From your company." "One second." "From my company?" "What company?" "lt was in their name." "ls there a problem?" "Lots of problems." "Lots of problems." "They've just taken my car and I still don't know why." "They had documents, it was in their name." "Who showed you the documents?" "Yeah." "Some gentlemen who came." "But the car is his." "But it's not in his name." "ls that important?" "Well, I'd say so. lf you'd be so kind as to accompany me inside, please." "All right." "It's all right." "I'll walk, walking is very healthy." "Sorry. I'd be happier if" "Really, it doesn't matter." "I forgive you. I'll walk." "I'll phone tomorrow and fix everything." "I forgive you." "Let's go." "Who took the car?" "The guys from work. lt's fine." "I ask them to do it from time to time." "That way I have to walk a little." "Walking is great for your circulation." "Shall we get a taxi?" "But didn't you want to walk?" "Well, just a little. lt's good for circulation, but bad for scoliosis." "Taxi!" "Taxi!" "Do you want a drink?" "A beer." "A beer." "A whiskey soda and a beer." "Martin, where are you going?" "I'll be back in a minute." "I can't come to the phone, leave a message after the tone, thank you." "Salva." "Salva." "You're not there." "Okay." "This afternoon was funny, wasn't it?" "I hope you didn't take it seriously." "Listen, I need to speak to you because I think they're" "They're calling me." "I'll phone you later, okay?" "Hey, you!" "Who, me?" "Yes, yes." "Motherfucker." "Wait a minute!" "The son of a bitch has gone to take a shit." "Where are you?" "Motherfucker." "He'll pay." "He'll fucking pay." "Where have you gone?" "Where did the faggot go?" "Come on, come on." "What's up, man?" "No, please." "Please. I will pay." "Of course you'll pay." "If you don't, you're not leaving here." "I need time." "A few days, three or four." "l can't now, I've no money." "You shouldn't have asked for any." "It's a lot. I need time." "A lot of money, loser?" "1600 pesetas?" "I'm letting you off the supplement." "lt was imported whiskey." "1600?" "1600?" "You should've said." "1600 is no problem." "1600?" "It's okay, okay." "Keep the change." "Yes, yes, yes." "1600." "Wait there and don't move." "Taxi, taxi!" "Don't answer the phone to anyone, or the intercom." "And don't make any calls, or open the door to anyone." "And don't go near the windows." "And please don't ask any questions." "Coffee." "Excuse me." "Has Salva been in today?" "l don't know any Salva." "Yes, Salva." "He has a beard." "He was here with me, about a week ago." "We sat at this table, talking." "l don't remember." "You do remember." "You have to remember." "You know him." "He comes here a lot." "He spoke with you." "I don't know him." "You know him, of course you know him." "He knew your name, he called you Paco!" "Fuck, he said Paco!" "Just another lunatic." "It's a busy night." "That's the forth ambulance I've passed with its siren on." "Three stabbings already." "Three." "When things start like this, they don't stop. I know from experience." "I've smelled it since I came out." "It smelled off." "I can smell it, you know." "Don't ask me why, but I smell it." "It's in the air." "Smell, smell." "Shit, smell it!" "Go ahead!" "What, can't you smell it?" "The truth is, I can't." "It stinks." "It smells different, like blood." "Fuck." "Lola." "Lola." "Lola." "Lola!" "What are you doing?" "It smells." "Don't you smell it?" "No, what?" "Can't you smell something?" "Good." "How many were there?" "I don't know. I didn't see anything." "Motherfuckers." "What were they looking for, money?" "Did they take it?" "I'm carrying it." "They want me." "You?" "Why?" "Because." "Let's get out of here." "To somewhere safe." "But where?" "To a friend's house." "But, what friend?" "Come on, let's go." "He's called Rafa. I want you to meet him, he's like a brother to me." "We're really close." "We studied together." "Oh, yes?" "It went well for you but not for him." "Yes." "What's that?" "This?" "Nothing." "Rafa." "He has weird habits." "He says this way, contamination can't get in." "I thought it was stupid as well, when he told me." "But you have to see how healthy the guy is." "You never hear him cough." "Make yourself at home." "There are shirts in the third drawer." "You do know each other well." "Martin what's going on?" "Nothing." "Something got complicated. I went to see some people. lt's stupid." "What thing?" "It's a complicated business, a long story." "But, is it dangerous?" "Yes, very." "Let me hide." "And what's the story?" "You wouldn't understand." "Try me." "I can't talk, it's a secret." "Martin, I'm so glad to see you." "Oh, yes." "You're not alone. I saw her yesterday." "Through the peephole." "ls that where she's from?" "Where?" "Norway." "No." "She's not Norwegian." "She looks it, she's beautiful enough." "She's from Soria." "Her parents aren't Norwegian either?" "No, neither, Rosa." "ls she there?" "She won't come out." "She's shy." "Of course, it must be cold in Norway." "She's not from Norway." "I'm happy to see you with company." "You needed it, wherever she's from." "Come on, Rosa, Rosa." "Are you all right?" "l'm fine." "You don't look well." "Well, I don't." "Because I haven't looked well in my whole life." "Since I was born." "It's the first thing the doctor said." "A boy, but he doesn't look well." "You're not well." "You're in trouble, aren't you?" "Yes." "Can I help you?" "Yes." "Salva, where've you been, man?" "At last." "I don't know, everything." "I need help." "Salva, Salvita, they're after me." "But it's a lot of money." "What do you think?" "I need help, man." "Yes." "Yes, I know where that is." "At 8:00?" "Okay." "Don't let me down." "Yes." "I'll be there." "Finished?" "Yes." "How did it go?" "Fine, fine, Rosa, fine." "Come with me, come on." "Look at this." "But what are you doing?" "Keep it. I heard you." "It appeared in the letter box. lt's from one of those radio competitions." "And I didn't even phone." "That's it. I don't want it." "But it's yours." "Yes." "But you need it more." "What about your back?" "With this, you could give up cleaning." "No, I couldn't do it." "It's my job." "Are they his?" "Do you like them?" "A lot." "l don't know why." "Because they have their backs turned." "People are better with their backs turned, more sincere." "It's true, you can lie with your face, or with your mouth with your eyes and with words." "But with our backs turned, we never lie." "Do you think I'm sincere?" "What?" "Look me in the eye." "Do you think I'm sincere?" "Of course." "And me?" "You?" "Yes, aren't you?" "I'd never lie to you." "And I'd never lie to you either." "Sincerity is important." "Very." "lt's the most important thing." "He's not taken a photo for 10 years." "Doesn't he like it anymore?" "He can't anymore, he sold his camera." "Anyway, he wouldn't know how to anymore." "Why not?" "It's like everything else, if you don't practice, you forget." "Taking photos, riding a bike or a balloon, it's all the same." "Swimming...." "Or what?" "Or anything." "You have to practice, a lot." "They're after me." "They followed me, Salva." "Calm down, calm down, man." "How do you expect me to be calm?" "They're everywhere!" "ln restaurants, discos" "You are exaggerating." "I'm not exaggerating. lt's true." "I went to the old people's home, there was nothing there." "No old people, no senora, nothing." "And I'm being watched." "I'm sure I'm being watched." "But who?" "Them." "They were in my house and searched drawer by drawer, they even hit Lola!" "Hit her?" "On the head." "With something heavy." "Not heavy enough." "Come on, Salva, man." "She's an insect." "She looks like an angel but she's an insect." "Don't start that again, please." "Salva." "Help me." "But how?" "l don't know, talk to them." "What do you mean, talk to them?" "Tell them I'm a good guy." "That I'll pay, I just need more time." "That you'll pay?" "Yes, we'll see how." "I have something left." "We could bet on the horses at the racetrack." "Or buy shares on the stock exchange." "You exchanged your life." "You're my accountant." "No, not anymore, you fired me." "You believed me?" "I didn't fire you. I just got a bit mad and lost my patience." "We rich people are very impatient." "I'll try." "I can't promise you anything." "I'll speak to them tomorrow." "Thanks, man." "Go and hide at home and don't move." "By the way, where do you live?" "I'll write it down." "I'll get some paper, okay?" "What?" "Looking in the mirror?" "Hey, kids." "Daddy's home!" "You're an insect." "A dangerous one." "It was you who turned his house over." "It was you." "You're after his money." "Since the first day, since the party." "You're not even a waitress." "I could tell, you were terrible." "With your innocent, poor-girl act, with your backpack and cheap perfume." "I'm on to you, Lolita. I'm on to you." "You're not the first, you know." "You're all the same." "I can spot you from a distance." "I don't know, it's like a sixth sense I have, and do you know why?" "Because you're just the same." "Exactly." "But this is different." "Oh, yeah?" "Why?" "Because of Martin." "He's different, I like him." "You like him." "Well, that, I didn't know." "That's just perfect." ""l like him," says Lola." "I said before that you're all the same. I'm sorry." "You're the best." "The best by far." ""l like him." lt's great!" "What's up?" "Can't l" "No, you can't." "Because you're a professional." "And a professional shouldn't mix things up." "I'll tell you just once." "Disappear." "Today." "Or I'll tell him everything." "He wouldn't believe you." "Try me." "Salva, mate." "You're the best." "I can really count on you." "Where's Rafa?" "When will he be back?" "He won't." "He killed himself." "Really?" "Really." "A week or so ago." "Poor guy." "Not poor, the guy was an asshole." "He didn't understand life." "He'd begun to hate it." "And if when you start hating life, it starts hating you." "It's the pits, believe me." "Each little problem, no matter how small, becomes a whole world." "Everything is enormous, deformed, monstrous, unbearable." "That's what happened to Rafa." "He didn't understand that life is different, life is enjoying each day." "Enjoying Friday, being fucked on Monday playing in parks, crying in hospitals." "And hugging the people who hug you, and not hugging those that don't." "And facing up to all your problems, large or small." "And sometimes overcoming them, and sometimes not." "Getting rid of them." "Falling down, getting up and getting up again as many times as is necessary." "That's all, more or less." "Did you ever talk to him like that?" "No." "But it wouldn't have mattered, he wouldn't have understood." "Why not?" "lt's the truth, and the truth hurts." "Anyway, he wouldn't have listened." "He was deaf and blind." "He couldn't see anything, all in all, a disaster." "Do you miss him?" "No, not at all." "You're right." "The truth hurts." "What's up?" "l'm leaving, can't you see?" "I can see that, but why?" "It's not going to work. lt'll get fucked up." "We're different things." "It'll get fucked up." "That's all." "Period." "Why?" "What if we're not so different?" "Believe me. I'm not what I seem." "No one is what they seem." "Me neither." "I'm not talking about that. I'm not talking about things changing later." "You snoring at night, or liking football or your hair falling out and you going bald at 40 like your father." "I'm talking about something else." "I'm not what you think I am." "And neither are you." "I love you." "Hi, Martin." "Hi, Pilar." "Shut up, for fuck's sake." "Fuck, you're hurting me." "Don't shout." "What's the matter?" "Fuck!" "I was worried." "You didn't answer, I thought something happened to you that's why I came in. I'm sorry." "It went badly, didn't it?" "Salva." "Did it go badly?" "I did the best I could." "You have to leave." "lt's all happening at once." "They want their money, Martin." "They can go fuck themselves." "They won't go fuck themselves." "You have to leave." "These guys can be really evil." "You've not seen them angry. I have." "And they can be terrible." "I've seen them do things with fingernails that" " What?" "For God's sake, forget Lola now." "You have problems." "More serious problems." "l love her." "You don't fucking love her!" "She's hot, period." "You like her." "She has a good ass, I'll give you that." "But don't tell me you love her." "You don't love her!" "You can't love anyone when you're about to die!" "How do you know?" "Have you spoken to her?" "No, you've looked at her ass, but you haven't spoken to her." "You don't know her." "An insect." "I still have friends on the force." "It's the only good thing about prison." "You meet people." "She was after you from the start." "Not for any special reason." "She simply had you in her sights." "What a bitch." "She turned your house over." "She hit herself." "Did you see her bleed?" "No, she said she had hemopoiesis." "Hemopoiesis?" "An excess of white blood cells." "That's why she didn't bleed." "Hemopoiesis." "The girl's amazing." "But why?" "She was after your checkbook." "But she didn't find it." "No. I had it on me." "Good." "Have you kept an eye on it?" "Yes." "Bitch!" "Does she have your signature?" "l don't know." "Think." "Have you ever signed anywhere she could make a copy from?" "I think so." "Well, that's that." "She has it." ""We're different things." Of course we're different things." "You're a fucking bitch and I'm not." "I'm an idiot. I spent the last week of my life with a..." "...bitch." "Forget her." "She's not worth it." "And anyway, Brazil is full of Lolas, mulatto Lolas." "Why Brazil?" "Because it's better than Venezuela." "I transferred what's left to a secure account." "That bitch hasn't touched it." "It's under your name in an account at the Bank of Sao Paulo, branch 112." "Account 110947 , it's a normal account, they give you 4.5, not bad for Brazil." "Maybe with the crisis, interest rates will go down." "It's a direct flight, no transfers." "There'll be a car to meet you." "And a room at the Garota Dorada." "Ask them for a room in the back." "I've been there, you'll like it." "Don't thank me. I charged you another 200,000." "Don't look at me like that." "I'm your accountant, aren't I?" "is there an emergency exit?" "Wait." "What?" "Nothing. I'm not sure." "There must be another solution." "Running away solves nothing, I'm leaving a lot unresolved." "Forget about Lola!" "She tricked you." "She's a thief!" "She's no good for you." "I need to talk to her." "Just once." "To tell her what I think." "Call her up." "Martin, we're saving your life." "Can't you see that?" "We?" "Who's "we"?" "We are." "Me and you." "The royal "we."" "Anyway, it's not just Lola." "I'm risking my life. I shouldn't do this." "You're going, I'm staying." "l'm staying." "lt's me" "What do you mean?" "l'm sick of running away." "I don't want to run away." "I prefer to fight." "Fight?" "Have you seen those guys?" "lt'll be a massacre." "l don't care." "I prefer that." "I want to live, for fuck's sake, live." "ls that so difficult to understand?" "lf you really want to live catch that plane, now." "Run, I'll sort it!" "Good luck!" "Okay?" "Okay." "Did I hurt you?" "Be fucking careful." "You know it's sore, and you hit me." "You should see a doctor." "l didn't mean to." "You do everything without meaning to." "It's always without meaning to." "The other day, it was without meaning to." "Martin, please." "I know you're there." "Open up." "Hi." "Sorry." "You're Martin's girlfriend." "You don't know how happy it makes me, he really needed one." "And you're so cute." "I never saw him with anyone like you in the ten years we've been neighbors." "Neighbors?" "Has he taken any photos of you yet?" "He took one of me, from the back." "No one understands that guy." "I don't think he's in." "Come in for a coffee?" "We can get to know each other." "After all, we're going to be neighbors." "So this isn't his friend's house?" "Whose friend's house?" "Martin has no friends." "How's Norway?" "l think it's broken." "No, man, no." "How could it be broken?" "I was passing, and I thought:" "I'll go see Lolita and her little sister." "This is really neat!" "But, hey, this is me." "Were you so in love with me, you wrote my name everywhere?" "Or were you just playing games with me?" "Both things." "Are they compatible?" "Yes, I tricked you." "I took up with you to rob you." "But things changed." "It got harder to rob you and I fell in love with you." "Liar." "That's why I left." "I couldn't carry on." "Liar." "You lied about your sister too." "Didn't you live with her?" "Where is she?" "Because I can't see her." "Little sister, where are you?" "Don't hide, Lola's sister." "Where are you?" "Or maybe you don't exist." "What's her name?" "Ginny." "Gin is what you drink." "And she's not here because she's in the hospital." "The bills aren't cheap, I had to get the money from somewhere." "Waitresses don't earn much, you know." "Her family is all she has." "She can't move." "She didn't like life." "She began to hate it." "And if you start hating life, life starts hating you." "I expect she was a coward and decided to get out." "Like your friend." "Like your friend Rafa." "Liar, liar." "You tricked me before." "I don't have to believe you." "Are you talking to me about sincerity?" "What about being a millionaire, the business?" "Rafa's house?" "Who the fuck is Rafa?" "That's different." "lt's not so different." "It's the same thing." "I tricked you to rob you, and you tricked me to get laid." "Yes." "And you know what?" "It wasn't worth it." "Give me the checkbook." "What checkbook?" "The one you took from my house, thief!" "I don't know what you're talking about. I have no checkbook." "Lola, please." "l swear." "How do you want me to say it, with my back turned?" "I wasn't going to come." "I was afraid to see you, but now I'm glad I did." "You can keep it." "The account is empty." "Martin." "Salva, it's Martin, I want to see you." "Where do you think?" "No, you listen." "At a quarter to three." "On Senate Corner." "Alone, alone." "If you got a tip for every passenger that gets on, just work it out." "At an average of 25 pesetas, 600 passengers a day." "Wait, wait, this is serious money." "Why would they give you a tip?" "They give waiters tips." "Same thing." "But they're given it for the service." "What about us?" "We take people home." "Doesn't that seem like service to you?" "15,000." "15,000, every day." "Imagine in a month." "I think it's obligatory in New York." "Really?" "Yeah." "And they're all Americans." "Fuck, Martin." "Didn't he get fired?" "Hi." "Jero, can you do me a favor?" "It's like a deodorant." "With the little hole facing away." "And be careful." "Problems?" "A few." "Small ones." "Hi." "Good afternoon." "Good afternoon." "Let's go, Ivan." "Be cool!" "Anyone who moves is dead meat!" "Who is he?" "Don't they know anything?" "l promised my wife she wouldn't have to see me in jail again. I'm trying to keep my promise." "But you're still working." "Yes, for myself. lt's safer." "And the others?" "The others?" "l want to see them." "I've thought it through." "I'll start to work, and put part of what I earn in a fixed-term account." "80 percent, and live off the rest." "And then there's my photos." "I've been told they're pretty good." "We're going to try and get them in a gallery and if I sell-- Yes, I know what you're going to say." ""That these are really bad guys," but I'm really bad too." "And if it all goes to plan, I figure that in a couple of years...." "There are no others." "What do you think?" "There are no others." "There are no others." "You don't have to pay anything to anyone." "What about the money?" "The money?" "Did you ever see any money?" "No." "There you are." "But it was there. I bought things, had dinner in expensive places." "It was there, but you never touched it." "You signed checks, you might've been signing paper napkins." "I did the negotiating in your name investing in the appropriate places, buying from group companies." "You were just a spender." "A person to spend for us." "But why?" "For your financial identity." "To recycle 100 million without arousing suspicion." "We use people like you to spend a certain quantity of dirty money trying to reinvest in the group it comes from." "It comes from them, and goes back to them. lt all stays at home." "Fuck, I don't understand." "It's very simple." "We gave you the chips to play, but it's our casino." "Right." "And the banker always wins." "Always." "Money laundering." "The last time I heard that was in front of a judge." "And it's not a happy memory." "We followed you." "We knew where you were all the time and what you were spending our money on." "And you know what?" "You were one of the best spenders I've ever seen." "I knew it from the start." "This guy is good. I couldn't let you get away." "And you were very good." "You let yourself go." "Until the insect appeared." "It happens sometimes." "You're not the first spender who attracts an insect." "Especially when there's so much money around." "We call them insects because they're difficult to eliminate." "And this one was holding on tight." "She was putting everything in danger to make the money fly to another nest." "If things get complicated we intervene with insecticide." "This time we didn't need to." "You're not the first." "We also use the desperate, and if they change their mind, like you we get them out of the country." "And what's going to happen to me now?" "The company thinks you're in Brazil." "You can do whatever you like." "You have 10,000 pesetas left." "Take her out to dinner." "I'm going. I have work to do." "Don't complain." "You lived it up, didn't you?" "Come on, you're falling asleep." "Look at that for a present." "But he has pus in his teeth." "You're either rich or good-looking." "You can't have it all." "You've not seen Pretty Woman." "What's up?" "Look where you're going!" "Shit!" "Martin!" "How did you find me?" "Looking for you." "l have lots to tell you." "Not here." "Let's go." "Wait, I'll get changed." "How's it going, Martin?" "Good." "If the markets don't calm down, we'll have to raise prices ourselves." "Probably." "If we want things to liven up a little" "Fuck." "She's not bad." "At least a nine." "A nine?" "Don't you think?" "You think that's high?" "Eight and a half?" "What happened?" "The martini was a little loaded." "Let's go." "This isn't how it goes." "Why?" "Wait." "You hardly know me." "Nor you me." "Lola." "Martin." "What do you do?" "I rob the rich." "And you?" "I drive people." "Let's say I take them where they really want to go." "What are you, a magician or something?" "A bus driver."