Original subtitles

Marketing is everywhere, except in our profession.

You're proposing a focus group on prostitution?

You can't apply today yesterday's methods...

if you want to succeed tomorrow.

-I have to wait 14 hours? -This may help you.

-We're totally booked. -Prostitution overbooking?

I can't mix my past life with the one I lead today.

Hi, I'm calling for a bachelor's party.

It was Augusto, a friend of mine.

Let's make a deal. Let's have dinner once.

Just a dinner, and you'll forget about me.

ALL ABOUT KARIN

I don't know what the first man on top of the Everest thought...

when he got up there. I don't know either...

what Neil Armstrong thought when he planted the flag on the moon.

But I know that when we became the first escort girls...

to hire a secretary...

Karin could only think about the dinner with Augusto.

Very good, Sônia. I'll see you next week?

-Ma'am, you won't regret it. -You don't have to call me Ma'am.

-Just call me Karin. -Thanks.

-You're welcome. -Bye.

Luna, how much are we going to ask? 15%?

-I don't know. -Ten?

-I think 10% isn't enough. -Do you think so?

I do. Twenty?

-I'm not sure they'll agree. -And why not?

I've been living in hotels, concierges are greedy.

-They might think it's too much. -Fifty is too much, 10 isn't much.

Twenty is the magical number.

-Okay. Maybe. -All right.

Karin never spoke about her past, but before she got her drink...

she and Augusto had already gone 20 years back in time.

"Let the world change you and you'll change the world."

-It's awful, Augusto. -What? Didn't you like it?

This is nonsense. Why change the world?

The world's a mess, always been. And it's perfect.

Nonsense? So do you have anything better to say?

No. Let's go, Joana.

Not yet. Do you have anything better to say?

Really? Okay.

I got you.

So?

We didn't do it.

We've nothing to do with it. I swear.

How long did they hold us at the police station? Ten hours?

They let us go in the morning.

You're crazy enough to have a boyfriend like Beto.

-What? He was your best friend. -Yes, but he was crazy.

-He was right though. -About what?

The world is a mess, always been. No need for changes. It's perfect.

Karin didn't want to go out with Augusto...

but she was having fun.

While she talked about the past, I was worried about the future.

Karin, we just got to the hotel. I need to ask you something.

Do you think 20% is good?

-You can ask 50% if you want. -Really?

Sure, it won't make a difference. I'll never pay more than 10%.

I think I can get a bit more than that.

-If you do, good luck. Bye. -Bye-bye.

-So? -Twenty percent.

Everyone thinks a movie theater profits from its box office.

Good evening.

But Karin told me it's not true.

The profit comes from the popcorn, the soda, the candies.

-Two candies, please. -So I thought...

if it works for the movie theaters, why not for prostitution?

We just had to convince our clients to buy things at the hotels.

Then we'll get a share on the consumption.

The hotel will profit and so will we.

It's perfect, Luna. Let's talk to the concierge?

I don't know.

Your guests spend more, the hotel will make more.

And we get a reward for our efforts. Isn't it perfect?

I don't know. How much would this reward be?

Thirty percent of what the clients spend.

Ten.

Twenty.

-Ten. -Fifteen.

Ten.

Ten.

Let's do it.

Excuse me.

I'll make my clients spend a lot, you'll see.

I'll make more in commissions than in escorting.

What?

Don't get excited, you're just starting.

You don't have a way with the clients yet.

-Are you afraid? -Afraid of what?

That I'll make more money than you.

Wake up. A rookie making more than I?

-I have a natural gift. -You have a lot to learn.

-Do you wanna bet? -I do. On one condition.

-What? -Double or nothing.

If I win and get $100 from the hotel, you'll have to pay me 100 more.

What if I win and get $200 from the hotel?

I'll pay you 200 more.

Double or nothing.

No. I didn't like New Kids on the Block.

You can't erase your past, Joana.

All right, I admit. But it was just a song.

-The worst. -What about you?

You wanted to be Che Guevara and preach the revolution.

Che isn't worse than New Kids.

-They even out. -Don't say that, please.

Of all the places I lived, I liked Porto Alegre the most.

It was fun, wasn't it?

We went to the beach every weekend.

-Beto always got in trouble. -And you got mad at him.

But we always laughed in the end.

It was a nice time. Despite New Kids on the Block.

But then you left so sudden. We never heard from you.

-I wrote to you and Beto. -Not much.

I never got an answer.

What happened to your life after that?

How did you end up here today, having a Blood Mary?

Excuse me, your table is ready.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Do you really want to know?

Then I'll tell you everything about Karin.

It's important to greet the client when you get there.

It's important to look the client in the eye.

This sale is self-multiplying. You sell one product, then three...

then five, ten...

My Mom and I never spent a long time in one place.

We moved so much, we couldn't even...

hang the paintings on the wall.

Mom worked for a company that based its sales...

on a pyramid scheme, like Amway, you know?

She set up the sales system in several cities...

but swore that Porto Alegre would be the last one.

But a week after we painted the wall...

I found out she wanted to move once again.

-Joana. -Go away, Mom.

Honey, don't do it. We're going to São Paulo.

To stay, I swear.

And we moved once again.

And again...

and again...

and again.

Then we came back to São Paulo.

This time, I hung the paintings on the wall.

I went to college and began to have a normal life.

Until...

Until...?

Guess.

Your mom decided to move again.

Joana.

Honey, this is a great offer. I did some research...

you can finish your school there. They have English classes for...

Mom, I won't live in China.

It'll be a great experience, honey. There're a lot of Brazilians there.

It doesn't matter. That's enough. You wanna go? Go ahead.

I'm staying. I'm not going, Mom.

The rent's already paid for the next 3 months...

and the fridge is full. Okay?

I love you. Do you hear me?

Take care.

I had to quit school and work to make a living in São Paulo.

-Then you began to work as... -An escort?

No.

I started working at a jewelry store.

Will you try these on, please? So I can see how they look.

Which one is cheaper?

It didn't take long for me to find out...

why every hotel has a jewelry store.

These guys come here to work, but they don't work at night.

Then they feel guilty and stop here to pay for their sins.

They go back home, say they missed their wives...

and give them jewels. The wives get happy...

the guys get happy, everyone gets happy.

We had a thing going on at the store.

We'd bet on how much each client would spend.

That guy's been here for a week now...

he walks in with a different woman every day.

Poor thing. He'll feel so guilty.

It's sure-fire. The more they betray their wives...

the more expensive is the jewel they get.

-Five thousand. -Only? No.

Eight thousand.

This was the funnier part of my life.

Thank you.

-Easy now. -It's taking too long.

Relax. It's almost here.

-Finally! -Hold on! I'll take care of it.

The first thing I did was to convince my client...

to spend on two things...

without which civilization wouldn't exist.

Champagne and strawberries.

-But Magali... -I'm so thirsty.

Don't get anything from there. It's too expensive.

There's a water fountain at the end of the hall.

Do you want me to get you some?

Sure.

But I'm getting hungry, too.

I got cereal bars from the plane. Hold on.

-I don't like that. -I got some peanuts, too.

Lívia! Shalom.

-Namaste. -Sit down.

I found out a lot about Karin.

Before talking about problems, let me give you the good news.

What is it?

Do you know Dudinha Moreira de Barros?

-The father? -The son.

Even cuter.

He will go on a cruise around Greece...

on one of the biggest yachts in the world...

and you might be a part of his entourage.

I'd love to.

Done! Now, tell me what you found out about Karin.

Have you heard about overbooking?

In no time, I made my client buy a pay-per-view movie...

the hotel's robe...

and a new sheet.

-But Magali... -You brought condoms.

Great. I was afraid I'd have to buy them here at the hotel.

Do you know how much they charge for condoms?

I love to have sex when I'm high. Want some?

Pot? It's been a long time since I smoked pot...

-and I never smoked and had sex. -You'll see, it's wonderful.

Be careful with the smoke detector.

Magali wanted to whet the client's appetite.

A cereal bar is not enough for that kind of appetite.

Excuse me, may I take the dishes out?

Sure.

Thanks.

Have you tried drying your hands with those air blowers?

You have to wait about 10 minutes.

And when we wash our face and there's no towel, just the blower?

That's the worst human creation, along with perfumed deodorant.

-I'm sorry. Continue. -Where was I?

You worked a lot and made little money...

and got home tired.

Right. I didn't know a lot of people. Mom rarely called me.

Months went by. All of them the same.

Until one day...

-May I help you? -I hope so.

Are you looking for a specific piece?

No.

We just got a new collection, if you...

No. I'm not here to buy a jewel. My name is Luiza.

-I want to talk to you. -What about?

I work for one of the most important guests in this hotel.

He's...

-a very important man. -Yes?

He saw you the other day and fell in love with you.

-You're kidding, right? -Not at all.

He thinks you're very pretty.

He wants to know...

what's your price to spend the night with him.

Oh, my!

-That's when you... -Of course not.

-Are you crazy? -I'm sorry. I was too blunt.

Do you see a label hanging from my neck?

A bar code on my forehead?

I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.

I'm very sorry.

She came back the next day.

Hello.

Hello.

I'd like to see that necklace.

Listen, my boss doesn't mean to insist...

but he wants to know if you'd accept $15,000 reais...

to spend the night with him.

-Then you... -No.

No.

If you change your mind, give me a call.

I was really upset with that.

Upset and flattered.

Upset, flattered and curious.

I couldn't stop thinking about a man...

who'd pay $15,000 just to spend the night with me.

I don't want to spend the night with him.

-I don't want his 15 thousand. -So you didn't change your mind?

Of course not. But having dinner with him would be fine.

Dinner?

Right, just dinner. I'm curious. I'd like to meet your boss.

Excuse me.

-Anything else, sir? -No, thank you.

Excuse me.

Tell me.

What?

Anything. Tell me about your life.

I don't have a lot to say about my life.

Tell me about yours.

My life is boring.

It doesn't look like.

But it's true. I spend my life travelling for work...

I spend more time at hotels than in my own home.

I'm a lonely man, you know?

Sometimes, I need to be with someone.

But I don't like the idea of hiring an escort.

You don't?

No. I've never done that, nor intend to.

Let me tell you something. I agree with him.

I've never had a date with an escort.

-Sure. -It's true.

I don't get it. Why pay if you can get it for free?

-What? -Nothing.

One day you'll understand.

-I will? -Yes, you wll.

Sooner or later, every man hires an escort.

-I learned that with experience. -Not every man.

-Every single one of them. -It's not true.

Why would I pay an escort if I can take any woman to bed?

-Not any woman. -Any woman.

Some are born with the gift of writing great books...

being a nation's leader, writing great songs.

As for me, poor me...

I was born with the gift of seduction.

Augusto.

I'm not proud of it, but that's true. I didn't choose it.

-You're so ridiculous. -I know that. What can I do?

You'll understand one day. Even those happily married...

those who think like you, it doesn't matter...

one day, they'll get the wallet and will ask how much.

That's life.

Wow...

I'm a bit dizzy.

My client had already spent a lot.

Too bad they don't have a Jacuzzi here.

You'd see what I'm capable of.

But not enough yet.

Was it good?

I think so.

-Do you feel anything? -I do.

-What? -I'm tired.

-Is that all? -I'm a bit dizzy and feeling asleep.

-Can I use the phone? -Sure.

Collect call, please. The hotel fees are ridiculous.

You talk two minutes and spend a fortune.

A whole week's pay.

Forget it. It wasn't important.

I'm getting hungry.

This room must have cost a fortune.

Relax.

Are you hungry?

-I am. -Do you like caviar?

Don't you want it?

I told you I'm vegan and against animal killing.

This is the tail. Losing the tail won't kill them.

They get the tail and don't kill the animal?

It can happen, right? Eat it, it's delicious.

Quit it, Ariel! I don't want it. Can I finish?

-I didn't tell you everything. -Is there more?

She's looking for a secretary.

A secretary?

And she rented an office in a commercial building...

beside an investment bank and a multinational company.

I'm impressed. Who does she think she is?

A Steve Jobs of prostitution? A damned Zuckerberg of fellatio?

How much does she charge the girls?

That's the thing.

Nothing.

Augusto, you won't convince me.

Right. If several restaurants offered free food...

would you come to this one to pay a lot for a meal?

What if I told you this food is delicious, but comes at a cost?

Wouldn't you be tempted to try it?

-All right, Joana. -Joana?

Aside from my mom and the bank manager...

nobody calls me Joana.

You were talking about the dinner.

The dinner.

We drank.

We laughed, drank some more.

He was fun.

-I want to show you something. -What?

Listen.

Fun...

charming...

and sad.

-It's sad, isn't it? -It is.

But it's also very beautiful, don't you think?

And you fell for him.

Good morning.

Hello. I have to go to the jewelry store, I'm late.

-I loved our night together. -Me too.

Well...

that's it.

Be careful with your purse. I put the money in there.

What?

I put the $15,000 in your purse.

-I don't want your money. -It's not mine anymore. It's yours.

-I came here because I wanted to. -All right, but I gave it to you.

-Thanks, but I don't want it. -You're worth it.

If I don't give it to you, I'll give it to the next.

Hold on. I don't understand.

Didn't you brag about never going out with a whore?

I don't.

They become a whore...

the minute they walk out my door.

That guy looking at the window. How much?

-Four thousand. -Do you think he'll spend all that?

Since that day, every time a client came into the store...

I asked myself...

"How much would he pay to spend the night with me?"

One murder is enough to make someone a murderer, right?

What about having sex for money?

One date is enough to turn a woman into a whore?

After some days with this on my mind...

I decided to go to a club close to my house.

I wanted to see what it was like.

I just don't wash, iron or cook, but I'll do everything women do.

How much?

For you, $250 only.

-Give me a discount, honey. -It's a set price, honey.

Are you crazy?

I'm sorry, ma'am.

Then I was sure I couldn't be an escort. That life was not for me.

-Augusto. -Hello, Vanessa.

Jerk!

See that? These are the consequences of free sex.

Augusto, free sex is more expensive than paid sex.

I'll go to the restroom.

With that damned air blower in there.

-I forgot something. -What?

The dry cleaners don't know I've changed rooms.

Hello, it's Sergio. It's just to let you know...

that I was in room 367...

but I moved to room 808.

Right, I left my clothes there...

and I need them tomorrow at 5 a.m. My flight is early. Okay?

I mean, if there's no overbooking again.

A problem?

It's too expensive. I can't believe I'm paying so much.

A small chocolate for $1.30! That's a rip-off!

Do you want a bite?

Don't you want it?

No, thanks.

The dessert is vegan.

-Ariel, can I ask you something? -Sure.

Do you have a picture of Karin? I want to see what she looks like.

Here.

On the 30-plus-year-old girls folder.

This is Karin.

For what I've heard, I expected better.

-What will you do? -Wait.

Wait for what?

The right time to strike.

I can't believe it.

Look at this shirt. Look!

Do you know how expensive this shirt is?

-I'm sorry... -One thousand dollars.

-Did you hear me? -Calm down, Sérgio.

Calm down? This is an Armani. Tell Armani to calm down.

Sir, we'll do whatever we can to make you happy with us.

-It'll be hard. -I'll talk to my manager.

But I'm sure the hotel won't charge for your visit.

All your expenses are on the house.

All of them?

Yes, sir. The room, room service...

whatever was taken from the minibar.

You don't have to worry about anything.

All right. But it's still outrageous. It's still outrageous.

I hope you accept our sincere apologies...

for this unfortunate incident.

And...?

She?

She's not part of our services, sir.

I just asked.

Do you want more wine?

I'd like some coffee.

-But let's have it outside? -Yes.

Where were you?

I'll take care of it, sir.

-Joana. -Yes?

-Are you busy? -No. What is it?

The guest from 810 wants to see some jewels.

-Can you take them to his room? -Sure.

Show him this one.

-I'm going. -OK. Thanks.

You're welcome.

One moment. I'm finishing up some business.

No problem.

I'll be right back.

Give me the concierge, please.

Okay.

Hello, I chose the girl.

It's Vanessa.

How much? One thousand?

Great. Tonight at 8 p.m. I'll take her out to dinner.

I'm sorry. Did you bring the jewels?

I did.

-Thank you. -You're welcome.

Joana, I'm just a concierge. I know nothing about it.

But since you're asking...

rumor has it that there's a booker...

who helps the girls, takes their pictures...

contacts the clients, very few, but trustworthy, well selected.

It's all very discreet, I've been told.

And the girls can choose if they want to go out with the guests.

They're all adults. Nobody's forced into anything.

And some girls do that once in a while to gather some cash.

It's nothing to do with clubs or the classifieds.

But if you ask me if I believe it, I don't. It's all a myth.

Don't worry. I don't believe it either.

If you want to, I can give you the booker's number.

No. I just wanted to know if it's true.

You're late, Joana.

I didn't come to work.

I really thought I could do that once in a while...

but I started making more money and spending more money.

One thing led to another, more dates, more money...

more spending, more dates.

I know what you mean. It's the same at my work.

The problem is that I hate pimps. I never could get along with one.

So, I'm by myself now.

I saved some money and I'm close to retirement.

-Retirement? -I'm over 30 years old.

So?

Men prefer 19, 20-year-old girls.

Very few work after the age of 30...

and they're worth much less.

I spent years of my life going on dates...

and then I realized I ended up with nothing.

So I decided to apply some marketing strategies on the field...

to get rid of pimps and make more money.

I made a deal with the tuxedo shop and now I'm here.

I think it's outrageous that clients prefer the youngsters over you.

You've never been so pretty.

-Stop it. -It's true.

Time shapes and improve some women.

Really? So when I'm 80, I'll be perfect.

The check, please.

Another glass.

You've finally quit drinking water all the time.

I could almost see you growing gills.

Ariel.

-I'm prettier than Karin, right? -Lívia, you're much prettier.

Well, it's late. I have to go.

-Thanks for dinner. -Thank you.

I won't forget your help.

If you forget, I'll remind you.

Lívia...

keep your ears open. Okay?

Any news, let me know.

While Ariel spied on Karin...

other people...

spied on Ariel.

-It wasn't my fault. -Neither was mine.

I made him spend his money and I don't get anything?

What do you want me to do? He didn't pay.

But it was your fault!

What about you? Did your client buy anything?

Let me see.

A chocolate for $1.30.

Ten percent of $1.30...

is 13 cents.

Good job, girls.

Let's go.

Hold on.

-How much is the gum? -It's 10 cents.

-Here. Keep the change. -Thanks.

Before I forget, you owe me 13 cents.

Not bad for a rookie.

-Happy? I told you everything. -Thank you.

See how silly it was to be embarrassed to meet me?

You're the one who should be embarrassed.

Tax attorney.

I'm happy to have met you again.

We make few true friends in life.

It's true.

-How about a nightcap? -No, I'm tired.

I spoke too much.

I've never thought I'd hear that from a woman.

-Just a coffee. -No, thanks. I have to go home.

-So let me handle the check. -No. I'll let you split it with me.

Did you know that most women who split checks...

spend the next morning regretting that?

Really? I'm on the select group of those who don't regret.

-Goodbye. -Thank you.

Can you get me a cab, please?

Why spend money on a cab? I'll drive you home.

-No need. I live nearby. -One more reason.

Did you know that most women who accept a ride...

spend the next morning regretting that?

I'm on the select group of those who don't worry about it.

It'll take about 15 minutes. Do I call it?