"THE MIRACLE ACCORDING TO SALOMÉ" "Hail Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen." "Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with thee, blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus." "You look exactly like Her, may God forgive me." " Right, Natacha?" " Kind of, yes." "A veil like that would suit you perfectly." "You should ask Georgette to make you one like that." "I wouldn't dare!" "Why?" "If God made you like Her, He won't be offended by a veil." "Look who's back there!" "It's your counsellor!" " Who is that?" " It's Adélia." "She went away three months ago, before you came here." "She left this life behind because of baby Jesus." " You're kidding me!" " No, seriously." " She heard His voice three times." " Always with the same client." "In the bedroom?" "!" " What about the client?" " He came, paid and went." "Come on, girls." "Hurry up!" "The Russian ship is arriving." "Not in the lamp." "I still don't understand why your mother didn't pierce them before..." "Poor dear, maybe she didn't have a needle." " Don't be such a sissy." "It doesn't hurt!" " It doesn't hurt a thing, my ass." "Look at this:" "You've made me bleed." "Stop it." "You're making me shiver." "You taste of honey liquor..." "Natacha, what are you doing here?" "He's arrived." "Hurry up." "You stay here, Salomé." "I don't want you in the room." "This isn't the kind of people for you." "How chic!" "Mademoiselle, this isn't the kind of people for you." " Here I go again playing a little boy." " Did he make you cut it again?" "Not this time." "She did." "Mrs Rosa?" "!" "Does she also like it that way?" " You don't?" " You know that I only like old men." "Why?" "They're not the only ones who give earrings..." "But they are the ones who are less work:" "They get tired faster." "Put them in, otherwise the holes may close again." " Are you sure they won't get infected?" " Not with gold earrings." "What's the matter?" "They're my first earrings." "Silly girl." "No, lieutenant!" "Mrs Rosa doesn't want to..." "The lieutenant's here." "He's drunk again." "God damn it!" "Where's Salomé?" "Tell Salomé to lock herself in her bedroom." "Salomé's got a date already." "We'll soon find out if she has." "Take me to her bedroom." "Come on!" "Sing!" "Sing...!" " What happened?" " I locked him inside the closet." "I told him it was her bedroom." "He fired a shot at the door." " What's going on?" " It's nothing, Mr MP." "I'm so very sorry..." "We'll sort it out." " Wasn't that a shot?" " It sounded like it, sir." "Don't worry, Felipe." "It's just a soldier." "He's drunk..." "A soldier?" "An officer?" "Lieutenant Brás." "I'll talk to him." "Lieutenant Brás?" "Flanders, do you remember?" "The case of Burgundy..." "In the field hospital." "After the German attack..." "Mota-Santos?" "Here?" "I'm here to suggest we take up where we left off." "Judite, Judite..." " It's Brás." " I know." " Over you again." " Don't hurt him." "He'll fall asleep." "Well?" "He fell asleep." "Send me another to the bedroom." "Well frappé, as usual." "And when he wakes up?" "Either he won't remember a thing or he'll pretend not to." "Come on, Salomé." "The bastard might wake up anytime and start shooting around..." "He's so rough!" "And so young!" "He never comes close in the street." "He looks at me like I was the devil..." " I had never seen him this close." " Well, now you have." "Let's go." "If Mrs Rosa finds out that I let you in, she'll kill me..." "What?" "Holy Heart of Jesus." ""With all the love in the world..." "Mother."" "Poor thing, I feel sorry for him." "I think he would like if you felt differently about him..." "If he gets to touch you, with all the hunger he brought from the war!" "Maybe, deep down, really deep down, you would appreciate it." "Don't be a fool!" "I hope I didn't hurt you..." " What an idea...!" " Too bad." "Like that it won't do you any good." "You should come more often, Gabriel." "Seriously." "You are losing your touch." "I don't have time for fencing." "It's a pity." "Considering what you've been writing, it would help you." "A duel...?" "Who are you thinking of?" "The General?" "Don't be pretentious." "You'll have to grow up a lot before the General will see you." " But he has plenty of friends..." " Let them come and then we'll see." "You still haven't made any remark about my article." "You didn't like it?" "On the contrary." "It's well-executed." "Intrusive." "Somewhat green." "Like its author." "Are you going to publish it or not?" "Why don't you send me one or two poems like those you sent last month?" "But no politics, okay?" "Your towel!" "Tell me, have you got anything to do tonight?" "Come with me." "I'll give you material for an article on plutocracy." " Good evening, Joaquim." " Good evening, sir." "Tell me, Felipe, what are they saying in the Parliament about these rumours of a coup d'état?" "In the Parliament, my dear Laura, as a principle, we never say anything about rumours." "You're kidding me..." "You, Sertório, do you think the General would get involved in such a thing?" "Our young friend here thinks so." "Do you really?" "I think that there are some people doing all they can to make him get involved." "Is there?" "!" "Who?" "The usual politicians." "The usual bankers." " The usual friends of order." " Fine." "Order, I agree." "Someone must put this country in order." "Or don't you think so?" "Splendid artist, my dear Cerqueira." "Unfortunately I'm too old to attend long wakes." "What does he call him, general what?" "Covered." "Just like King Dom Sebasti?" "o." " And you find him amusing." " I specially think that he has talent." "You must explain something to me." "Why do you pay court to the General, and at the same time encourage the boy to be scathing about him in the newspapers?" "For the same reason, precisely, my dear Cerqueira:" "To make the General "put this country in order", as Laura says." "If our arguments don't convince him, maybe the boy's stinging attacks can prick him." " By the way, he asked me to meet him." " Gabriel?" "!" " The General." " He's out of money again..." " That man won't pay his debts." " The army has never made anyone rich." " Nor have French lovers." " She's not French, she's Hungarian." "Oh, is she?" "I was told she was French." "And a countess." "She's Hungarian." "And a Jewess." "But you know that here being blond is quite enough to pretend being French." "Did you have an unforeseen event last Sunday?" "Nothing that I can recall." "I don't remember seeing you at the farm..." "Maybe that's because I didn't go there." "Excuse me." "What's the matter with him, Felipe?" "It has been a month since I haven't been able to talk to him for two minutes." "Odete?" "Have you seen the gentleman who came with me?" " He left about an hour ago, sir." " Okay, he left..." "Alone?" "No, sir." "He did the right thing." "He would have got lost if he had gone alone." "Go on." "You go to bed." "Tidy up the rest tomorrow." "I have less and less patience for this nonsense." "People tell me it's useful..." "What happened with Matilde?" "You're fed up?" "She's too well-to-do for me." " An armagnac?" " No, thank you." "I still have to pass by the newspaper before it closes." " Good night, Felipe." " Good night." "Felipe..." "That girl, your friend's protégé, the one with the freckles?" " Estefânia." "That's it, Estefânia." " What's she been up to?" " She got married." "Imagine!" "To an Argentinean." "He took her to Buenos Aires." " I see, she got married..." " Why?" "Did you have... any project?" "A vague idea of going away for two days." "To see the ocean, breathe." "And, frankly, I didn't feel like going alone..." "Excellent idea." "I'll sort it out." "Leave it to me." "I'll speak to my friend." "I'll tell you later." " Goodnight, Felipe." " Goodnight, Sertório." "Salomé." " The lady wishes to see you." " Tell her I'm going right away." "She asked me to tell you that it is not right away, it's now." "What a bore!" "Give me that!" "It's not for children!" "He is a banker." "But self-made." "Very rich." "Generous." "An excellent person." "Old or young?" "In the middle." "Take one." " And where does he want to take me?" " Strolling around." "But you'll be back tomorrow evening." "Doesn't he want to see me first?" "He trusts his friend, the member of Parliament." "If he's like him, Natacha would be better." "Well, make up your mind:" "Do you want it or not?" "I won't make you do it, but I can assure you won't be sorry." "All right." "Tell him yes." "You know you don't need to explain yourself too much." "You act exactly as you do with the others:" "You're a monarchy general's daughter, and that's enough." "Go, go on." "Salomé!" "Tell Natacha to come to massage me." "Press that button." "Excuse me." "You didn't tell me your name..." "Joaquim, Madame." "What's your name?" "My name is Joaquim." " What's he like?" " A very good person." "And what do you think of me?" "I think you're very fine." "Honestly." " For his taste?" " For anyone's taste." "The pleasure is all mine." "I hope I didn't make you wait long?" " Not at all..." " You must have been told my name." "I was told yours." " Very pleased to meet you." " The pleasure is all mine." "It's freezing!" "Come on!" "It's nice." " I bet you don't know how to swim..." " I did once." "Maybe I forgot..." "No one forgets how to swim!" "I never knew." " Can you teach me?" " Now?" "Not now." "It's too cold." "Next time..." " How clumsy I am." "I got all wet..." " You're freezing." "Your feet are frozen." "You'll catch yourself a cold." "Fortunately you have warm hands." "Beatriz?" "I can't find the Chinese ashtray." "Where did you put it?" "It's broken..." " You broke it!" " No, it wasn't me, Mrs Rosa!" " It must have been a client." " Hello, Mrs Rosa!" "Hello, Beatriz!" " Am I late?" " No, girl." " How did it go?" " Well." "I'll tell you later on..." "Thank you." "Don't be afraid." "I'm not afraid." "Who let you in?" "What does that matter?" "Don't be afraid." "Really, Salomé, I don't want to hurt you." " But you will." " Why do you say that?" "I don't know why, but you will." "Don't say that." "I respect you." "Don't you believe me?" "I believe you." "Hurry up, you must leave!" "Mrs Rosa is coming!" "Please, go." "Go!" "I know who you are." "I know." "Judite!" "Something's happened to the Counsellor." "Hurry up!" "Come and see!" "He's as cold as a stone." "I think he's gone." " I don't want him to die." " I'm going to call Mrs Rosa." "I won't let you die." "Mr Counsellor, say something!" "Don't be afraid." "I'm here." "I won't let you die." "All we need is calm." "We mustn't lose our heads." "This won't be resolved with salts." "For me, he's dead." "Then that's because his time came." "May his soul rest in peace." " Is he alive?" " He fell asleep." "What did you do to him?" "I talked to him." " Is he still with the General?" " No, sir." "The General has just left." "Through the back." "So it went well." " Between the two of us..." " Between us:" "I think so." "Oh, it wasn't easy." "Poor man." "He is a walking mortgage." "I'm sure he happened to find an answer." "Of course." "The lady's valuables." "I beg your pardon?" "As a guarantee for the loan." "Are you going to take his wife's valuables from him?" "Of course not." "I don't even wish to see them." "His word is enough for me." "He's an assessor." "Theoretical, of course." "I'm glad he's theoretical." "I doubt one can find a practical one." " I've suggested your name." " Did he accept?" "Of course." "He had no choice." "You will no doubt write to thank him." ""Venerating, respectful and obliged"..." "Well played." "It will be harder and harder for him to refuse us anything." " Will you join me?" " No, thanks." "My next date doesn't like the reek of tobacco." "By the way:" "The other day, how did it go with the girl?" "It was good." "Very good indeed." "What do you mean by that?" "She's a very interesting girl." "Very interesting indeed." "So?" "So perhaps..." "I ought not see her again." "Come on, girls." "Finish your cigarettes and go to bed." "Have you heard from him?" " No, nothing." " He wasn't pleased perhaps..." "With you?" "He would be the first." "Don't think about that." "He must be busy." "Those kind of people work more than we do, you know." "Don't go to church Oh digger" "Because the religion Of those folk is false" "The saints are made of wood And are worthless" "You should only value Those who work..." "Mrs Rosa will kill me." "You should've told me it was so late..." "Shit, Gabriel!" "I'd forgotten him." "I'm sorry, I thought you were alone." "I can come back later." " It doesn't matter." "She's just leaving." " Good night." " You said nine." " It was my fault, we forgot the time." "You know how it is:" "When you're enjoying yourself..." " Will you join me in a bite to eat?" " No, I'm expected at the newspaper." " Did you manage to finish it?" " This afternoon." "Did you hear what happened in Oporto?" "The bakery robbery?" "The guard opened fire again." "Eight dead." "I was told five." "Five, plus two women and a ten year-old kid." "Because of a piece of bread!" "Bastards." " Can you get it printed by tomorrow?" " We have no option." "Isn't it to be handed out on Thursday at the assembly?" "And the paper about the strike over the river?" "Lt'll be ready tonight." "So, you're still seeing her..." "Judite?" "What do you expect?" "It's just as she says:" "When you are enjoying yourself..." "I'm sorry for speaking so frankly, but... the things she does are not very compatible with our ideas." "Why?" "Do you think that those bosses you mix with, the MP, the banker," "Are you sure you don't have time for a bite to eat?" "No, I really have to go." "At least a drink." "To make our peace." "Luciano wants me to go live with him if Natacha's MP gets him a job in the newspaper." " Don't tell me you're going to do it?" " Wouldn't you?" " God help me, no." " Even if you loved him?" "It's worse when you love them:" "You start as a lover and finish as a maid-servant, as Natacha puts it." "Natacha doesn't know what it is to love a man..." "If your banker set you up on your own, don't tell me you wouldn't go." " It's not the same." " Why?" "Because the rich don't need maids:" "They already have them." "Bloody woman, she seemed to be possessed by the devil tonight." "I thought I would never get rid of her." "Make room." "You could put a shirt on at least." "You know it upsets me." "Don't you feel cold, damn it?" "You warm me up." "Look what I stole from her." "If she finds out, you'll be fucked." "To fuck me she doesn't need to find a thing..." "Not that lamp." "Not the Virgin's lamp!" "Don't be silly." "What harm can a cigar do to the Virgin?" "What a joke!" "My friend wishes to open an account." "Could you announce her to the director?" "Her name is Salomé." "Nice name." "Promising..." "But I can open an account myself, there's no need to call the director." "Either she sees the director or we'll go to another store." "What seems to be the problem?" "How can help you?" "I" "They wish to open an account, sir." "Is this the one?" "No, no." "It's not him." "You're not the person my friend wishes to see." "It's the other." "The owner of all this..." "the boss..." "Mr who?" "Cerqueira." "The Chairman!" "The Chairman doesn't open accounts, Madame!" "Miss." " Anyway, the Chairman is not here." " That's okay." "We can wait." "It's pointless!" "The Chairman is away." " What if you wrote to him?" " I don't know how to write a letter!" "Don't be silly." "I'll help you." "It might be better than opening an account." "Well, okay." "We're going to think about it." ""My friend"..." ""Friend"?" "Yes, "friend"." "Like in the French novels." "It's chic." "Go on, write it!" "Stop it!" "Okay, I'll stop." " It would be better if you wrote it." " No, it has to be you." "One can feel these things." "Go on, write." "Salomé!" "The car's downstairs, at the door." " His car?" " Yes, the limousine." "Move yourself, woman!" "Please, tell him to wait." "Wait?" " You're crazy, girl!" " Why?" "I waited myself." "Do you want me to go with my slippers on?" "The old man's... downstairs!" "Come on in." "I want to show you my house." "This house was built by a nouveau rich from the time of the Monarchy." "A baron!" "Now it's in the hands of a nouveau rich from the time of the Republic..." "Come in." "So, do you like it?" "Very much." "I like it very much." "The entire house." "This is your bedroom." "Everything's ready." "You can sleep here tonight, if you wish to." "Do you?" "Just like that?" "So suddenly?" "You don't have to decide now." "I'll give you time to reflect." "Take it!" "Take everything." "This way, I'm sure you won't forget me." "Put that down." "It isn't for you." "I saw it first!" "Grow up first." "Give it to her." " I feel like I'm betraying you." " Don't say such nonsense!" "Don't worry, I won't stay here much longer either." "Salomé!" "Wait!" "Write!" "Send me your address!" "Don't forget us..." "Welcome." "I see you are going to change the habits of the house." "Don't you want Her here?" "I'm an atheist, but I respect your faith." "I have an oratorium somewhere." "You can bring it here." "I honestly don't understand." "You're not thinking of actually marrying the girl?" "I wouldn't say "marry", but I don't have the youth to play hide and seek anymore." "So?" "My dear Mota-Santos, what I need is a woman capable of bringing to me and this frozen mansion some life..." "And someone to receive decently those who visit us." "That's all." "And do you think that such a girl can play that part?" "Why not?" "Where do I come from?" "I'm rich, I agree." "But no one is going to teach me how to make a fortune." "And believe me, it is not by holding onto virtue, chastity and innocence!" "No offence meant, but don't you think she's too young for you?" "Let them come and peep through the keyhole." "She has to respect me!" "And what about the others?" "If the others want me, they'll have to accept her." "And you'll see they will." "Excuse me, Madame?" "There's a woman downstairs..." "A young lady." "She says her name is Judite." "That you know her." " Shall I send her in?" " Of course, bring her here!" "Wait." "I'll go there." "Where have you been?" "!" "I sent you so many messages!" "I thought you were missing." "Odete, could you please serve the tea upstairs?" "Just look at this view!" "It's worth a fortune." "I'll show you everything later." "Sit down." "Sit down, girl." "Tell me everything." "Did you quit the job?" "Don't tell me you married Luciano?" "Less than two months later after you gone." "I couldn't stand that without you!" "Well, not really married, so to speak..." " Like me." "And?" " I'm not sorry yet." "His only flaw is that bloody politics, unions, strikes..." "But it could be worse if it were the wine, don't you think?" " Didn't you receive my messages?" " Yes, I did, Mrs Rosa sent them to me." "But the first time I came by I was told you were out, and the second time no one was in." " We were probably in Spain..." "And how's Mrs Rosa?" "And Natacha?" "Natacha came out." "With a Belgian woman or Swiss or whatever." "A blond bombshell." "Are those real rubies?" "Did he give them to you?" " Is this your bedroom?" " Mine." "His bedroom is at the end of the hallway." "Don't you ever get lost, with all these rooms?" "Sometimes, at the beginning." " You haven't changed!" " He gave it to me." "May I?" "May I?" " Look at what you've got here, girl!" " Choose two or three things for yourself." "I'll tell Odete to wrap them up for you to take." "Don't even think about it, what an idea!" "Don't be silly:" "It's my wedding present." "Ah, wait a minute!" "There's something I want to show you." "Move away and close your eyes." "You can open them now." "You look just like her, God forgive me." "Good afternoon, Madame." "Sir still hasn't came back from lunch, but he won't take too long:" "He's got a scheduled interview with a journalist..." " That's all right, I'll wait in his office." " As you wish, please..." "Whatever you need:" "Coffee, tea, a glass of water..." "She doesn't need anything!" "Excuse me." "Excuse me." "I didn't know anyone was here..." "You've cut yourself!" "It's not important." "Here?" " Has anything happened to you?" " No, nothing..." "I bought some hats..." "I was passing by..." "It was just to show you..." "I didn't intend to disturb you." "What an idea, on the contrary!" "Hello, Gabriel." "I'm sorry." "I'll see you in a minute." " Have you cut yourself?" " It's nothing..." "It broke..." "It doesn't matter." "I'll call someone to take care of this." "Come..." "Odete, my handkerchief..." " So, do you think I should invite him?" " The General, to your dress box?" "No, what an idea!" "To the party I'm planning to give in my house." "A kind of debutante party to introduce Salomé to society." " Do you think it is really necessary?" " Indispensable, my dear." " So, shall I invite him or not?" " Try." "This party you want to give..." "Yes?" "What is it?" "Is it a ball?" "A dinner?" "Something of the kind..." "Buffet, orchestra, ball..." "But you don't have to worry:" "A complete service is coming from outside." "You just have to entertain, play the role of the lady of the house." "That's not what I'm worried about." "It's the people..." "The people and what they're going to say behind our backs." "They can say whatever they want behind our backs... as long as they are careful enough with what they say in front of us." "Don't worry." "Everything's going to be fine." "And now..." "I'll let you sleep." "See you tomorrow." " Shall I go with you?" " It's not necessary." "You really did come!" "Come in!" "Come in!" " What's he doing here?" " Who?" "!" "Ah, Gabriel..." "Do you know him?" "!" " Only by sight..." " Come." "I'll introduce him to you." "Don't do that!" "I'll come another day, when you're alone." "Aren't you feeling well?" "Are you feeling unwell, Madame?" "No." "It's nothing." "It'll go." "The General has not yet arrived?" "You were right, Sertório, they all came." "The newspapers even sent their photographers." "Take every single journalist to the buffet and give them whatever they want." "Madame..." "Counsellor." "Please..." "Salomé," "I'd like to introduce you to the Counsellor and his wife." "Delighted." "Lieutenant." "The general has entrusted me to tell you that he can't be here tonight due to his duty to the Republic." "He also asked me to pay you his compliments." "I'm very sorry that his Excellency's duties keep him from giving us the honour of his presence." "I hope that yours, sir, might allow you to take a glass of champagne with us..." "If you wish." "I'm sorry, but with both of our fathers being generals, it's quite impossible that we haven't met before..." "No, I'm sure we haven't." "Didn't your father ever attend service in Africa?" "Angola?" "Mozambique?" " Or maybe Macau..." " No, I don't think so." "Excuse me." " Salomé!" " I don't know you!" " What are you doing here?" "!" " Leave me alone!" "Don't be afraid." " I won't tell anyone." " I don't know you." "Leave me alone!" " Didn't you hear what the lady said?" " Stay out of this, you shitty journalist!" " It's nothing to do with you!" " Stop!" "Let him go." "Son of a bitch!" " Don't you dare touch him!" " Calm down!" "Let me go!" "You shouldn't pay attention to him." "He's a beast." "A military man..." "I'm sorry." "I'm the beast." "There are respectful military men." "I'm sure your father was one of them..." "My father wasn't an officer." " But didn't you tell me...?" " I lied to you." "There's no monarchy general." "It's an invention by Mrs Rosa." "I never knew my father." "And I hardly remember my mother." "She sent me to Lisbon to work when I was twelve and I never saw her again." "You see how things are?" "I came to work in Lisbon before I was nine." "As an apprentice in a grocery." "After all, we're more alike than I thought." "Don't you think you're exaggerating, my dear Gabriel?" "You can't understand it." "I hardly can, myself..." "I cannot stop thinking of her." "Since the first time I saw her." "So you're unlucky:" "Neither can Cerqueira." "It's not for him to decide, it's her." "Men like Cerqueira do not allow anyone decide for them, my dear Gabriel." "And then, I'm afraid that such a woman is way beyond your possessions." "That's what we'll see." "It's amazing!" "First, Cerqueira, now you." " What's so special about the whore?" " Don't say that." "Calm down, old chap." "I won't call her that again." "If I were you, I'd be me more concerned about Lieutenant Brás than with Cerqueira." "Why?" "He's also crazy about her and he is dangerous." "Believe me." "I know him." "Besides, your attacks against the General give him a reason to do something stupid..." "What are you doing there?" " Are you praying?" " I can't stay in Lisbon anymore." "I can't stand the idea of facing those people again after what happened." " At least, in the coming days..." " But where do you want to go?" "To the country." "To my village." "But you have no one there anymore." "Why would you go there?" "I don't know..." "To see it again..." "The people..." "the time when I was a girl..." "I don't know..." "I don't know how to explain it to you." "It's the only place I can return to." "The only place in the world that belongs to me." "I do understand you..." "It's not really the right time, at this point..." "I've got two or three things to do..." " But I'll manage to take some days off..." " No, you don't have to." "I'll go by myself." "I do not want to bother you." "You never bother me." "Don't get out of the car, Madame." "Stop the car, Joaquim." "Stop here!" "Stop the engine, Joaquim." " Wait here." "I'll be right back." " Don't go too far, Madame." "Don't worry." "I know the place." "Madame!" " Are you all right?" " Take me away from here..." " My earring!" " What, Madame?" "Nothing." "Let's go." "Let's go to Lisbon!" "It's almost daybreak, Madame." "We are almost at home." "I don't want to go home." "Don't take me home." "But, where do you want me to take you?" "To Judite!" "My friend." "The one where you drove me the other day." "Take me there." "But, Madame, you should at least see a doctor." "I don't need a doctor." " Don't you want me to wait for you?" " No." "You go on." " What am I supposed to say to sir?" " Tell him whatever you wish." "Judite!" "It's me, Salomé." "Open up!" " Holy Virgin!" "What happened?" " Gabriel." "Give me his address." " But what's going on?" " I have to see him, Judite!" "It's smells like burnt coal." "It's the brazier." "I like the smell of burnt coal." "It's all foreseen, gentlemen." "Hotels, cottages for rent, gardens, a market place, baths." "Even a hospital for looking after pilgrims." "Besides the railway station, of course..." "Have you though about selling relics?" "Of course, Monsignor." "An area with kiosks." "Gentlemen..." "Tomorrow the Parliament examines the project of the extension of the railway." "A pro forma:" "The vote is practically won." "As a result of your "republicanisation" of the miracle, I suppose..." "Religion is a business too serious to leave in the hands of the priests..." "Do you know how many pilgrims saw the third apparition?" "Five thousand!" "Next time I bet they will be one hundred thousand, at least." "Have you heard from her?" "No, not exactly..." "I wanted to return her things." "Dresses, jewels, that sort of thing." "She turned everything down." "Apart from an image of some saint that she had in her room." "Didn't you try to see her?" "I doubt she would receive me." "I don't know you, Sertório." "Some time ago you wouldn't give up so easily." "Judite." "Are you ready?" "Mrs Rosa!" "Salomé!" "My dear, my Salomé..." "What's that?" "What are those tears for?" "It's Natacha..." " It's my Natacha..." " What happened to her?" " Is she dead?" " She's condemned." "There's nothing to be done about it..." "You came." "I knew you would come." "I wanted to see you so much before..." "Don't you wear earrings anymore?" "The holes closed up." "You have to pierce them again for me." "I don't think I'd have the strength for that." "Don't worry." "I'll wait." "I'm not in a hurry..." "Natacha?" "Wait..." "Just a little..." "I'll go with you..." "It's open..." "Can I..." " Can I see her?" " She's not at home." "She went to work." "Anyway, she wouldn't receive you." "She doesn't want to see you." "Did she tell you that?" "I'm sorry..." "You said she went to work..." "But is she no longer..." "What do you think I am?" "I'm sorry." "Honestly, I beg your pardon." "If you really want to know, she makes artificial flowers with a friend." "They sell a lot, you know." "I'm sure." "I brought her a souvenir." "A French perfume she likes a lot." "If she doesn't want it she can throw it away." "I promise I won't disturb you again." "Come in." "The General has finally decided to appeal to the army and to the nation." " To re-establish republican order." " When?" "The next time the Virgin appears." "He'll say it's a sign from heaven." "Each time I come through that door I fear to death that you might have left." "Let me finish..." "I have to hand this in to the newspaper." "How did you guess?" " Judite told you!" "It was her!" " Told me what?" "But this is very expensive!" "It's sheer madness!" " Where did you get the money?" " What are you talking about?" "Ah, that..." "If you don't let me finish the article, I swear I won't give you presents again!" "I don't believe it." "What sort of damn article is so important?" "It's an article about the apparition of the Virgin." " And what does it say?" " It says it's a sham, what else?" "But you can't say that, Gabriel!" "It's not true!" "It's not a sham." "What's the matter with you?" "How do you know it is not a sham?" "Were you there?" "Yes." " I was coming from there that morning." " From Cova da Serra?" "I was born there." "And you saw the Virgin?" "No." "I didn't see Her." "Wait a minute." "Don't say a thing." "My earrings." "It was Cerqueira who gave me them." ""Our Lady's blood tears, found in the place of the Apparition."" "The shepherds saw you." "There was no Virgin." "They thought you were Her." "It was you!" "No!" "They saw the Virgin!" "It was my body but She was the one they were seeing." "Do you understand?" "She used my body to appear to them." "But why didn't you say so?" "Why didn't you tell me?" "So, it was Salomé!" "Life's irony, heh?" " You really want me to publish it?" " Of course." "Or should we let Cerqueira fill his pockets and the General impose a military dictatorship on the country all because of a ridiculous sham?" "And the girl?" "Have you thought about her?" "I haven't thought about anything else." "But there are more important things than one person." "No matter who they are or what we feel for them." "More important things?" " What things?" " History, for instance." " Reason." "Progress." " Of course!" "What a fool I am!" "What was I thinking?" "History, of course." "Reason, progress." "Of course." "Leave this with me." "I'll think about it." "Fine." "Take this to the General Staff." "Give it to Lieutenant Brás yourself." "I don't believe they can publish this." "That's what we'll see." "Like this, with her name..." "Anyway, the only miracle I believe in is this one."