Original subtitles

Somebody on the Phone

Oh no, my boy. No looking at your watch.

There's more partying to be had. Later it's off to the Russian Bodega, violin and caviar...

and at dawn, Pompadour, with pink champagne.

Great, a full night!

A round of whisky! Without soda, please.

Whisky again?

What a lack of imagination.

And what do expect me to ask for in the Congo? A crocodile?

Well said, crocodiles...not even in shoes!

You're tireless.

For me a night of partying doesn't start until the sun comes up. Or are you already sleepy?

Just tired. I'm a man who works.

You hear him? These wealthy guys are worried about time?

Don't give me the line about work, you were just born old.

But a handsome old guy!

Nelly's right. You're becoming too serious.

It's the responsibilities. Until my people come back from Europe, I'm the head of a family and a home.

Yes?

Well, take better care of her...

so they don't steal her.

What do you mean by that?

Isn't that Luisa?

It looks like she also likes serious men.

Nowadays the ladies men are like that. The more mature the better.

That's enough!

Can you talk about something else? Sorry, my boy, it was a joke!

Wanna dance? No!

Well, I do! Shall we?

No, please.

Not jewelry.

I assure you it's a real diamond!

That's possible...

but I don't like to get involved in things I don't understand.

It's not as payment, it's just a guarantee.

Within a month you'll have all the money.

By your word?

I swear on my life.

Excuse me a moment.

Luisa!

What are you doing here at this hour?

Isn't it the same hour for both of us?

Who is that guy?

Nobody. Can't I have a friend?

You don't meet a friend at night in a place like this!

I have the right to ask.

Not in that tone. I'm old enough to know what I'm doing!

Don't worry so much about my friends.

And go back to yours. Good night, Raul.

Where are you going now?

Home. I'll accompany you. It's not necessary, I know the way.

Luisa!

Luisa!

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Who was it?

No one.

Weren't you watching?

Must be a wrong number.

How many times did they call?

What do I know?

Three, as far as I counted.

Why did you ask how many times?

No reason.

It was a stupid question.

Yes.

Really stupid.

Did you have fun?

I thought you'd be here when I arrived.

I came slowly...

walking.

It was so hot.

Hot?

Let's see...

give me your hand.

But you're burning up.

Are you sick? No, it's nothing.

You seem very odd these days.

Is something wrong? Don't you think that's enough interrogation?

Okay...

I'm not planning to butt into your life.

But if something's wrong, it's a mistake not to trust your brother.

No one's ever loved you as much as I do.

I'm sorry, Raul, it's just that I'm nervous.

Listen, Luisa...

Remember when we were kids?

Once when you were playing with ships in the pool at the country house you almost drowned and I saved you.

Since then, when something scared you, you cried out to me.

Help, Captain!

And your captain never failed you.

Why do you remember that now?

I just wanted to tell you if you're ever in a pinch and need help,

your captain is always with you.

Agreed? Agreed.

See you tomorrow, dear. See you tomorrow.

Is that all?

Thank you, Raul, thank you!

No...

not like that.

Firm at your post of duty, sailor.

At your orders, captain.

That's it.

Hello?

Yes, it's me.

Tonight I couldn't.

No, no, please, not now.

I just can't, I'm afraid.

My brother is here.

Tomorrow, yes, at your place.

Until then.

What's that, Maria? A cable.

Luisa!

Luisa!

A cable from Europe! Do you hear me? Wake up, sister!

What's wrong? Nothing.

I couldn't sleep...

I took two veronals.

I'm a little dizzy...Did something bad happen?

On the contrary, the parents are arriving, finally! When?

Last night they took the plane. They'll be here early tomorrow.

We have to prepare a party as if it were their honeymoon voyage.

Doesn't the news make you happy?

Of course, three months apart...

Take a nice cold shower and start preparing!

I'm off to the bank, it's payday at the factory.

Breakfast, Maria!

I'm sorry, Mr. Valdes, but it's not a mistake.

I've reviewed your account, and it's closed.

I repeat that this is impossible.

Just two weeks ago there were over 70,000 pesos, and I haven't signed any checks.

You're not the only person who can access the account...

your sister also can.

My sister?

She not only withdrew all the funds, there's an overdraft of ten thousand.

Look, please.

Is the signature authentic?

I apologize,

I thought you had been notified.

Was it sent to the factory?

To your home.

Ahh...

I understand.

Excuse me.

Good afternoon.

What have you done with the money?

Me? What money?

I've just come from the bank...you've not only withdrawn it all, you also overdrafted.

Why? And for who?

Let me go, you're hurting me! And you're not hurting me?

All of us!

What am I going to tell father tomorrow?

Let's see...take off that glove!

Where is mother's diamond ring? I lost it.

Last night in the club! With that guy, right?

That's who's robbing you! Why? I told you, that man is a friend.

Friend! What power does he have over you?

Because it's not about love, that's clear from a distance.

It's about fear. What's going on between you two? Answer me!

Answer me, I tell you!

I never expected that from you, Raul.

You see I'm desperate...

and this is how you help me?

But don't you understand that's what I'm trying to do?

Help you.

You've been gambling again...

and you lost big?

And then?

Then I didn't know what to do...and I signed everything he wanted!

I was afraid, understand?

He'd tell father.

A blackmailer...

The bastard!

His name, now! No, No, please!

Luisa!

There he is.

It's his code. To make sure you're alone.

Three...

four...

five...

and hang up.

Now a few seconds of silence and he'll call again. Isn't that it?

You're making up a story. I saw you unhook the phone last night. You think I didn't notice?

But now when he calls back, you're going to answer in front of me.

Let me go... You stay right here with me!

There he is again. Answer!

No!

Okay, I'll answer it.

I beg you, Raul, you don't know what this man is capable of!

Hello?

Hello!

This is Valdes, her brother! Speak!

Speak, you coward, speak! Enough, Raul!

You can't do anything.

I'll take care of this, you hear me?

Me alone.

Luisa! Wait!

Luisa!

Let's be reasonable.

Listen...

Mr. Valdes? That's me, how can I help you?

Don't be alarmed, please. Your sister... What about my sister?

Would you like to speak with her? She's in her room.

No, Mr. Valdes, your sister is not there...

Luisa!

Luisa!

Twenty years old...

Single...

You don't have any suspicions as to the cause?

Sickness?

Disappointment in love?

None at all.

She was a completely healthy and happy girl.

Happy...

Nevertheless... She didn't kill herself.

She was killed.

What do you mean?

Nothing.

That's my business.

Last night he was in this booth with a girl.

They all come in with girls. An older man, with grey hair.

Who was last at this table?

A regular client. He waited an hour for someone who never arrived.

The person he was waiting for can no longer come. I've come instead.

You don't know...

where I might find him?

Sir, if you're so interested, maybe the drivers...

They eat in the bar around the corner, next to the garage.

Thanks.

He was angry! A woman, for sure!

Full!

To tell the truth, I don't remember.

Look, sir, I have 200 passengers every day in my taxi.

Imagine if I could remember each one.

This fare might interest you more. There's a 100 peso tip for whoever remembers the address.

Do you know these cigarettes?

They're great! Last night a client gave me one.

Is that him? That's him.

Do you remember where you took him?

Mister, for a hundred pesos anyone could remember.

Just a sec.

Is it far?

Across the river.

Do you remember the exact address?

No, but I know the place.

A gambling house, no? Keep going.

Tell me, this doesn't involve the police, no?

I wouldn't want to get in any trouble.

Don't worry...

I'm going to lay it all on the line.

Good night and thank you. Good luck!

Good evening. I've come on behalf of Luisa.

Luisa, which Luisa?

Luisa Valdes.

Can we speak alone?

Come in.

I'm alone.

Good.

This way.

Hah! Women!

I do her a favor out of pure pity, and instead of thanking me, she leaves me waiting!

That rings is Luisa's, no?

Yep.

I hope it's real!

She gave it to me as guarantee for a loan. A loan?

Is that what it's called now?

Each one earns his keep as he can, not as he'd like.

Why didn't she come?

I've been calling her and she doesn't answer.

She couldn't.

Luisa died this morning.

That's not possible!

On the contrary, it's most likely.

You don't know how to kill a woman

slowly and from far away?

With fear.

With anguish, until she goes crazy.

But this time...

the woman wasn't alone.

What are you doing?

Are you crazy?!

I've come to return your telephone code.

Remember:

five times, then hang up.

One.

Why? All I did was help her!

Two.

I swear this is a mistake!

Three.

Why?

Four.

And five.

I know this fixes nothing,

but it's all I could do.

Rest in peace.

Three.

Four.

No.

No!

No!

No!

No.

The Songbird Comes Home

This story could be well told in two dimensions: the tactile and the auditory. The visual hardly participates in it.

Nevertheless, we will try to also tell it for the eyes.

Good afternoon. Mrs. Rosa Juncal?

Yes. Who is it? A letter for you.

For me? It must be a mistake.

No one ever writes to me.

Well the envelope is very clear. Is it here or not?

A letter?

For me?

Do I need to pay anything? Nothing, ma'am.

Good afternoon. Good afternoon, young man! And thank you!

Maria! Coming, Aunt Rosa!

It finally arrived!

Open it! Hurry!

It must be from him! From Daniel?

Who else would remember me? Open it!

Is it him?

It's typed. And what's that matter?

Is it him or not?

Why did you lower your head?

Because it's not him, Aunt Rosa.

It's from the bank.

Ah...

I see.

It would be to much effort, no?

Should I read it to you?

Why?

That son of mine!

That son!

It's been eight years. He's never written once.

His father was like that too.

Crazy for traveling around.

When he was young, women and ships stole him from me.

One day he returned...

old, penniless...

and no one ever stole him from me again.

Only death.

Who took the chair from here? I'm sorry!

Never move anything from its place, dear.

I would end up getting lost in my own home.

It's that at your side I forget about your eyes.

You do everything so well.

My hands and ears are enough for me.

Turn on the radio, my child.

Daniel used to like music so much.

Did he ever play an instrument?

Only the harmonica. But he didn't need it.

He would sing like a bird.

Where are you, crazy boy?

I don't ask that you return.

I know this town is too small for you.

Just a letter, that's all.

A letter, my dear.

One moment, please, Okay.

Have you decided, or would you like to see something else?

It's not necessary.

I'll give you my card so you can send it to my hotel this afternoon.

Sorry, whistling is a bad habit.

But I can't quit.

Good afternoon, ma'am. Goodbye, sir.

Don't shout nor move. My partner never misses a shot.

Bastards!

Why are you in the dark?

You want to learn too? I didn't even notice. I was thinking.

How do you when it's night?

It a different kind of darkness. Colder.

And earlier, with the letter

how did you know I lowered my head?

I notice the direction of a voice in the air.

Hopefully you'll never have to learn.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

Once again, an incredible crime shocks our city!

It happened in the heart of downtown and in plain daylight,

in Farmer's Antique Shop,

where an elegant and unsuspicious young man

backed by two accomplices,

treacherously shot to death the owner of the shop.

And fled with the most valuable jewels.

Only seconds before, the ruthless criminal

smiled calmly, whistling a well-known song.

It was the Songbird, listeners,

the impassive murderer who whistles as he works.

The music he intoned was the tango "Uno," his favorite melody.

Don't forget it, in case you hear it again.

How long must we suffer the villanous deeds of this audacious delinquent?

How's he doing?

It looks like this is it for him. That's all we needed.

If he would just shut up once and for all!

Are we close? Is he that bad?

The sooner we get there the better. They say that after they bring bad luck.

Aunt Rosa... Silence, dear. What's wrong?

I like to listen to the trains that come and go.

In one like that Daniel left...

and in one like that he'll return.

But the trains pass by and pass by, and none stops.

Are you waiting for someone?

No one. It's just my imagination.

Ah...if only some day we could set three places at the table.

I hear a car.

They don't stop either.

They come closer, but they pass by.

Not that one. It stopped in front of the house. No!

Sometimes they ask for water for the motor.

Open up!

Not like that, bring the clothes, idiot!

That voice... Quiet!

Open up, now! Daniel!

Open up!

Careful! Turn out that light!

Go on in!

Bring him up there, by the stairs!

The last room!

The shed is still out on the patio?

Come with me to put the car away!

My son!

One moment, old lady, I'll be right back.

Finally, I was so sure! Finally!

What's up, old lady!

"Old lady," is that all you have to say to me?

We'll have time to talk later. There's lots to do and I'm tired. What a night!

Who's that? Your cousin Maria.

You don't remember her? She's never forgotten you, not a single day.

Maria?

She sure turned into a woman, the kid.

Aunt Rosa!

What's wrong? There's blood on my apron!

It was on the seat of the car. We had an accident and a friend is hurt.

There's a good doctor in town. We could call him.

We don't need anyone. We'll take care of it.

Hot water, now!

I'll bring it up. You boil it, I'll bring it up!

Fast!

What are thinking about? C'mon, speak!

Nothing, son.

I've been imagining this moment for eight years...

and it was so different.

That's life...

the rest is a novel.

Are you staying long? Just tonight.

Let me see you.

See me?

With my hands.

Like before.

You don't seem the same person.

This deep wrinkle between your eyes.

This hard expression.

And this? Nothing...

a fight. You can't even see it.

And that happy world you dreamed of...

You've suffered, no?

I've lived...

Without remembering your home.

That's enough, mother! The past is the past!

Now I have more serious things to do!

The water. Give it to me!

And whatever happens tonight, it's best you both forget it!

Understood? Whatever you say, son.

It must have been a terrible accident!

The car has holes and the windows are broken!

An accident? Of course.

What else could it be?

I'm afraid, Aunt Rosa! Why? I don't know.

But I'm terribly afraid, and not sure of what.

It's okay, silly girl.

Just as I thought. An infection.

Let's see if the burn works. And if not?

Like that we can't bring him...or leave him here.

You won't have to think much...

I think this will take care of itself.

Leave him for a bit. We're also made of flesh and blood.

Juan, my partner. My mother and my cousin Maria.

Pleased to meet you.

A pleasure, young lady.

Congratulations. With a girl like her at home I wouldn't be away so long.

My friend is hungry.

Set another place, Maria.

We've already eaten.

Then there's an extra place.

Yes, son, there's an extra place.

The girl seems nervous. Do you think she saw anything?

Women always see everything...

even without eyes.

I beg of you, don't whistle like that!

I do it without thinking, when I'm nervous.

You don't like the song? Not tonight!

Why are you sitting so far away?

I've always sat here.

Say something at least, there's a guest here.

Are you angry, old lady?

I don't like you to call me old lady in that tone.

Before you used to call me something else. Okay.

To your health, Mother Rose.

Like that? Like that.

Thank you.

Go up there!

Why?

What did he do to you? Who? The cat.

He's my only friend.

I'm sorry.

Daniel!

You two go into the bedroom and stay there until I call you!

Now the other guy is coming down.

When he went up, the stairs didn't creak so much.

It's not one coming down, Maria...

...there are two. Be quiet, please! It's already too late to be quiet.

Now it's time to face things as they are.

Look at me and answer: what is the name of that song?

What music? Not like that. Look at me!

That music that Daniel was whistling.

I don't know. Yes you do, answer me! I swear I don't!

Well then I'll tell you.

It's the song of the criminal.

Isn't it? Aunt Rosa!

Without tears, Maria.

Tonight we too are going to have lots to do.

We've done for him...

more than he'd have done for us.

A great solution. One less to divvy up with.

Look at that, a blister.

I hope no one mistakes you for an honorable worker!

Go to bed right now, lock the door...

and don't be afraid.

Hello, young lady.

Leaving without saying goodbye?

If you need anything, all you need to do is call.

What are you looking for?

Nothing... Anything wrong with looking?

Is there anything to drink here? Maybe in the cabinet.

If you're sleepy, don't stay up for us.

Sorry. I was already leaving.

Don't take it badly, but we have to talk business.

What business? Still thinking about another job? Speak softly.

The blind hear through walls.

Stop with the bullshit. The only thing I want is to be on that ship as soon as possible.

And why not kill two birds with one stone?

In that bank, all the idiots in town keep their money.

I've known this place since I was a child.

I can draw you a map with my eyes closed. But after today?

Exactly, the police think that after a job like that we always take vacations.

Deal? Deal!

Off to bed then, we gotta get up early.

We do I sleep? Upstairs, let's go.

Are you crazy, in the room with the stiff?

This isn't hotel, where you can choose. Let's go!

Don't shout. Between friends, whatever you want, but like that, no.

Let's go.

Let's go!

And if she wants to? I'm right here!

Don't get angry...we're just talking about a woman. Let's go, I said!

Who gives orders here? All right...

If she's yours, all you have to do is say so.

Good night, boss!

Don't be scared, it's me, Maria.

Open up!

Put on some warm clothes, and meanwhile listen well.

They plan to rob the bank in town tomorrow.

All those poor people keep everything they have there.

We must stop them... Us?

You know how to drive.

In ten minutes you can get to the gas station on the highway.

Tell them to bring armed men and come back with them. Fast!

But Daniel is your son.

Not any more. The way I taught him wasn't that.

They could kill him! That's not the worst thing.

His father is dead, and he's still mine.

Go to the kitchen and remove the fuses for the lights.

Hide them and come back

I'll be at the front door.

All done, Aunt Rosa.

Now we're all the same...

all blind!

Go, my child, and be careful.

Try to make as little noise as possible until you're far away.

Daniel!

Daniel!

Daniel!

Juan!

They've locked me in and stolen my gun.

Mother!

Mother!

Daniel! I found the dead guy's gun!

Damned old lady!

No!

She's a snitch! She's my mother!

My son is fighting for me...

For me!

I haven't completely lost him!

Who?

My son!

Sorry, Mother Rosa.

I have to leave...

I swear to you that this time...

I'll choose the right path.

May god be with you...

my son.

Aunt Rosa!

Too late...

There's only one here. He's dead!

And the other one, which way did he go?

She can't tell you, she's his mother.

Yes, I can tell you.

My son risked his life for me...

And now he's taken the righteous road.

The righteous road.

The only one.