Do what you want with me.
Don't leave me.
What am I going to tell Nino? That I'm dead.
BLOOD
The night was dark
No moon shone
In the distance
A wolf howled all alone.
Vicente!
Thank God! Rosa has escaped again.
She's taken your brother.
- Rosa! - Nino!
There was no stopping her. I don't know what got into her.
Are you boys alone again?
Just for a while.
I only know about you because Nino tells me everything.
When is your father coming back?
I don't know. He's away for his treatment.
Is he worse?
Rosa! What's wrong?
Who hurt you?
I told you a million times not to come here alone.
And then the teachers give me the blame.
Look at you.
Sometimes you scare me.
Do you remember?
Nino, let's go home. Daddy's waiting.
Daddy?
Nobody woke up today.
They're burnt.
There's no bread.
The baker didn't open today.
And Dad missed his bus.
Vicente told you that?
I didn't hear you go out.
I always do.
This kid always has a cold.
You don't get any sun.
And in the winter it's always the same story.
I don't like the sun.
I get all swollen.
But you need it.
You were born before term.
You were smaller than the other babies.
2 kilos and 300 grams.
Not that small!
Do you wanna bet? It's in my album.
How much do I get if you're wrong?
Hold that up.
Gently!
Vick, Vick, Vick.
Your pills are on the table.
Always covered in scratches!
Dad!
Well, dad. Are you chicken?
You're a loser.
2 kilos 300, don't you remember?
More sausages?
It's in my album.
Born August 11
at 10 p.m.
2 kilos 300 grams. Enough! Give me peace!
You've lost.
Go on, humour him.
2 kilos 300! Happy now?
Dad.
Vicente.
You're growing up too fast.
Where did you hide it? Can't you see I haven't got time?
How did you get it?
You know damn well I need it!
I can imagine. You can't imagine anything!
- Where are you going? - Nowhere.
What a stubborn kid.
Never forgets a thing.
2 kilos and 300 grams
could be.
Colour of people's eyes, faces, names, dates.
Blackie! Are you a stray, boy?
- Blackie! - Comes around.
We feed him.
Blackie, here boy!
Keep quiet! Don't come out in the cold.
How long is the treatment?
I don't know. It's the last.
It's always the last.
It's a lot of money.
That's the way it is.
They don't pay you that much at the union.
What did you do with my letter? Did you read it, at least?
Two lines.
You didn't have the guts to finish it?
You're not an orphan yet.
Never mind...
Keep the money.
Don't pity me nor yourself.
- Are you cold? - No.
Doctor, doctor
Make me sleep
Flowers of all colours
Walking with you in the garden
So good to be in love
Where the fuck were you? You know the time?
And hand in hand
And foot in foot
Wait till the big boss sees you...
Two guys came looking for you.
Friends of yours, they said.
I have no friends.
You don't say...
Hey, boss! These bloody monkeys are fucked!
How am I going to deliver 5000 tapes with these two clowns?
Have you seen the orders we have?
Don't you know it's almost Christmas?
300 pesetas... It's a big rip off.
Here, it's Christmas.
Are you in pain?
What hospital is it?
In Lisbon?
Who looks after you?
You have it all well planned.
I never believed you were really sick.
Always playing the victim.
Everyone's asking me if you're better, when you're coming back.
I'm tired of making up stories for you.
Go to the bar, you'll see.
Nobody believes it. Nobody.
Can't you see that Nino is scared?
You know what he hears at school?
And now all this money.
Where's it coming from?
This time I won't let you go.
Save me!
You're the only one I trust.
We're going to get lost. I can't see a thing.
It's a bad night.
If the moon was out we could see the river.
How do you know?
I don't. I'm just talking.
Vicente...
We won't find an open one. We'd better stop.
Not here.
See? I told you so.
Don't touch him.
It's so cold.
- It won't close. - It never closed properly.
Vicente.
Gently.
Let me do it.
Can't let him go like that.
Clara, what's wrong?
- We can't leave a trace. - Don't be afraid.
We've broken a vase. It doesn't matter.
Don't cry.
You hardly knew him.
It's not for him.
If they see us like this they're going to think that.
Don't...
Look. Almost light.
Wait for that cloud... and close your eyes
Now look at the sun.
- And? - It's different now.
Did dad look at my album?
I left it in his bedroom. I won, he owes me.
What did you say at school?
Nothing.
You said Dad had gone away?
Yes.
Try to close them tighter...
And what else?
Everything.
You two made a helluva din last night.
Nino, Dad's not coming back.
Not coming back?
Some things it's best to keep to ourselves.
Now we can do what we like.
But he just went for the treatment.
Stay with me today. Don't go to school.
Come to the markets with me.
We'll never see him again?
Shit.
Nino, haven't you got any homework?
Are you sad?
I went to Tahiti To see Ann Marie
Shut up!
She lives around the corner
Beside the bakery
Arithmetic?
I'm good at sums.
Having problems?
If you help me pack all this shit I'll help you with your sums.
Free! Super Spanish computer.
Multiply
And divide
Add And subtract
It's as easy As singing
What are you writing?
Nothing. A letter.
Who to?
To us.
Only we haven't got it yet.
It may arrive next week.
- What are you doing? - It was to be a surprise.
Now you can give us a hand.
Where do you want it?
I don't know.
You could have thought first.
You said we could do what we like.
You're strong.
Were you not strong?
When you were my age?
As strong as I am now.
We still haven't got any letters.
Soon.
Dad won't forget.
Do you think if someone saw us now
they'd believe you were my brother?
What's the matter with you?
We're brothers...
Forever.
But nobody would guess.
Everybody knows.
We're always together.
I take you to school, pick you up.
We should look more alike.
But how?
Right.
What will I wear?
See?
Just like us.
Cops!
Vicente, do you know what the greatest human invention was?
No?
Aren't you going to the fairground?
It was Rosa's fault. It wasn't me.
Are you still angry with me? No, forget it.
You didn't come yesterday.
The teacher was asking about you.
I had things to do. I couldn't come.
You've changed.
Aren't you going home?
I'm waiting for Vicente.
Can't you go on your own?
He's not coming.
You don't get it. This is something between me and him.
Come, I want to show you something.
Tell me.
It's a secret.
Stop!
Not another step.
That tree is haunted.
What'll happen if I go near it?
The very thought...
What do I do now?
I can't say.
I'll risk it.
You're scalding hot!
Go on, tell me everything.
You can't read that.
"A man with a thermometer in his hat"
"and my brother Vicente"
"and my father was there without being there."
It's my composition.
What about? - "A Dream I Had"
You can't hand this in. Say you didn't dream of anything.
Alright?
Only if you tell me your secret.
It was a long time ago...
...it was your brother teasing me.
When we got out of school
we always went home this way.
He'd scare me if I didn't give him a kiss.
And if I...
How was it?
This tree...
And now, are you still scared?
We'll be friends yet.
The days pass and not a word from you.
Worse.
- My father hasn't come back. - Careful.
Somebody might get hurt.
- What do you want from me? - Can't you guess?
Thinking of doing some chopping?
A pine tree for my brother.
How sweet, a Christmas tree.
Which one? A big one?
This smaller one here?
Until your father shows up we'll be dealing with you.
- Hands off! - Come on, we'll help you.
What about this one?
Don't be so bashful. Pick one!
Your father was a sick man.
It happens that he had
and still has big debts.
He was to pay up three days ago, but nothing...
We came to collect.
Here we have a list of names.
What's beside these names?
Here, for example, it says cancer.
Just have to cross it out. And write dead instead.
Keep still or I'll cut your ear off.
Well?
I'm not sure if I like it. I don't want to change.
Do you sleep with your jacket on?
You're going to wear it out.
If you want to change your life:
First cut your hair, change your face.
But your hair grows again.
True...
Let's see what he thinks.
- Well? Notice anything? - Didn't I tell you to wait for me?
Call that a Christmas tree?
We agreed you wouldn't walk home alone.
I didn't have the last class... I was fed up.
But I didn't come on my own.
It's my fault.
- We had a chat on the way. - Don't ever do that again.
Where's the Christmas stuff?
Who cares?
Go away.
Don't hide.
What if he finds out? Can you imagine?
What about me?
Why did you run away?
I was afraid.
Of me?
I don't know if we can keep this up.
Without you I can't.
Don't leave me.
Talk to me.
Ask me what I did today, yesterday and the day before.
Today I went to school...
It was sunny in the playground...
I dozed for I don't know how long...
I thought it all hadn't happened...
That you hadn't asked me anything and I was afraid.
Nothing happened. Don't forget that.
Look at me.
I can't go through with this all alone.
Nobody can hurt us. Nobody's like us.
Clara! Vicente!
I showed Nino our tree.
- Who is it? - My uncle from Lisbon.
- I'm going. - No! Stay.
What's wrong? Don't you remember me?
No...
I just wasn't expecting you.
It's Christmas.
I come every Christmas.
I'd forgotten.
Can you tell me what this is?
It came yesterday. I was going to tell you.
- You didn't tell me that my own brother... - Lies, darling.
- Shut up. - You shut up! The lady's with me!
- What happened? - I only know what's in the letter.
Your father never mentioned any treatment.
He didn't want anyone to know.
Does Nino know?
This is a fake!
"A friend of the family who means only well..."
What friend? Tell me!
"Passed away today at 3.00 p. M... In this time of grief..."
It's not even dated!
"Expenses for removal of the corpse...
having no money on him..."
Nothing else. You just forgot to sign it.
You or the Devil!
- What do you know? - Leave him out of it!
What do you want?
Money? These expenses?
Here! Take it!
Keep it!
You're scared? What have you done? Where is your father?
You wrote this letter, didn't you?
- Where is your father? - Come Nino, let's wash your hair.
You slut!
What did you expect to get out of this?
He left without a word.
Didn't leave an address?
- Enough! - What are you doing?
He can't stay here a minute longer!
Did you think I'd leave him with you? A child...
This is no place for him.
Nino, inside! There's nothing to look at!
He won't give up!
Neither will we!
Will we have time?
I'll look after you.
Mend your sweaters.
It's his.
It's pretty.
It's too small.
It's pretty.
Bags.
It's the children.
Ask me.
I don't know.
Ask me things.
You're trembling.
Closer.
We'll never have a night like this again.
My body's gone all limp. Numb.
My name is Charlie Hayes
I'm lost in a big maze
Searching low and high
For the apple of my eye
In every street
I lose you
In every street
I find you.
Is he serious?
Sort of.
You and Zeca?
Why not?
Water under the bridge...
You and Zeca?
Don't be stupid!
Look.
The mist.
Nino's so tired.
They're getting suspicious at school.
He misses classes.
He has changed so much, they're beginning to wonder.
We shouldn't have left him on his own.
Now you can't see a thing.
Let me be! Leave me alone!
Nino?
Vicente?
Clara...
What's wrong?
It's so late.
Are you sick?
I fell asleep.
- You were talking a lot. - What did I say?
- Dino's a big boy now. - Nino.
What about his clothes?
- There was no time. - We'll get him new clothes
Good idea. I'll be at the doctor's all week.
We'll manage.
Well, Happy New Year! Thank you.
We pulled it off, then? Yes, we did.
Did what?
This is it! Your new home!
Like it?
Cândida comes to clean the house.
Takes care of your cousin Pedro when I'm at the office.
She's very nice.
Here's the TV and the video recorder.
You can watch cartoons as much as you want.
The bathroom, like all others.
The kitchen and balcony.
And this is Pedro's room.
Now, it's yours too.
Aren't we sleepy, then?
This is your cousin Nino. He's here.
Don't be shy! Come in!
Pedro's like that. He's a bit different.
He always looks at people like that.
He's very quiet but he likes you.
See why I'm happy?
You can use his clothes for now.
There's a toothbrush for you in there.
Don't be afraid.
He likes you.
It'll be odd at first but you'll get used to it.
No!
Who is it?
Wrong doorbell.
Nino?
Call you father!
Even if one of us dies, the other one will still get you!
Our patience has run out. It's pay time!
- No point in running. - I didn't run.
And what do you call this?
I came to get my brother. I didn't run.
Don't see no difference!
I didn't run!
You're just a kid. It's not worth the pain!
Where is the money?
- Where is it? - I told you I don't have it!
Who is it?
No business without respect.
- Who is it? - Open up, please!
- Is that you, Eduardo? - Open up!
- Go away! - We're tired of you, kid!
You really think they'd believe you?
They're all afraid. Especially of somebody like you.
I've had enough of you, Eduardo.
Open up! I live in 3 B.
Let's move.
Seems your brother isn't home.
Eduardo?
Do you like them?
No, get out!
Try them on anyway.
What do you feel like doing today?
We could go to the movies. Do you want to?
No.
How about the zoo?
Then let's stay in town and do some window-shopping.
What do you like?
Nino...
I'm right behind you.
Don't be sad.
Put on a happy face.
- Clara? - Wait for me.
Clara?
Now what's wrong?
Don't you think you're better off with us?
He never sleeps.
It's his sickness.
Your brother is sick, too. But his sickness is worse.
We can't live with him without all of us being sick.
Don't you like the fish?
Your brother would kill me given half a chance.
There's always hope.
Do you know what you're saying? It's your fault I'm like this!
It was Vicente. Because I wanted to help you!
Try to understand!
We don't need help!
Want a closer look at the prehistoric monsters? Do you?
Better now?
- The kid's a tough nut. - Like father like son.
It's a fucking nightmare!
Little liar!
Cut the TV!
When's New Year's Eve?
Monday they close the books.
Check the accounts, put 2 and 2 together... 3 days left...
I told you the kid wasn't to be trusted...
Son of a bitch!
Vicente...
Can you hear me?
I'm here.
Don't be afraid.
Unbelievable! See how she treats him?
Shut up!
You loved the bastard. Always did.
You must be hungry.
The man has blinded you.
Bring me a tin of tuna!
You're not a pretty young thing anymore, love.
Look at you!
Spare me the Miss Portugal 1950 routine!
Don't try to speak. Rest.
Later you can ask all the questions.
The woman's gone mad! We'll be asking the questions!
What you did was wrong!
And bringing him to my house...
Our house!
Until this is over, it's our house. Don't forget that!
There were four of us at the start, there will be four at the end!
Got it?
Let's have a little séance.
Just like the old days.
I'm sorry.
And now we have a reason.
Someone might respond.
Someone always responds.
- Let's go to bed. - Who could we contact?
A certain union man... sickly...
Sentimental...
- Stop it! - We've tried everything else...
- Stop it for Christ's sake! - See what you've done?
- Calm down.
I only did it to save him. Just for him.
You've got me.
Hands off me, you pig!
I can feel a presence...
Slight...
Come have dinner.
Nino!
Don't worry, I won't run away. Vicente is on his way.
Get down here!
I don't like restaurants.
You better get used to it. We'll have to eat out
as long as Cândida is sick.
But food is the same everywhere.
Hmmm, mashed potatoes!
Like it?
What?
It's not poisoned, don't worry!
It's good.
What a mess!
Nino, eat!
I can't eat like this
He looks as if he's blind.
Pedro isn't blind.
And if he were?
One for daddy...
One for mummy...
And one for...
cousin Nino...
I'm not his cousin!
You're his cousin, you're my son, you're what I say you are!
If you lived with your brother, I shudder to think...
I'm going deaf thanks to him.
Vicente will be here any minute now.
- What have you been writing there? - Prices.
When I go away I'll pay you back.
I don't remember you.
Vicente told me you came to our house when I was small.
But I don't remember your face.
And I never forget anything.
I'm feeling better now.
Get yourself a drink.
Keep me company.
I never have guests.
How long have I been here?
You had me scared. But it's alright now.
You look better.
You were sweating so much.
I'll get you a pullover. I don't need anything.
- I'm going. - They've locked us in.
We'll greet the New Year together.
Do you want to see him?
It's my father you want, isn't it?
Let me go. I'll take you to him.
My brother will be here soon.
He'll come at night, in disguise.
Do you want to come with me?
If I fall asleep, wake me.
If I fall asleep,
do this to wake me up...
This is to run away...
And this when he arrives...
I'll count to 100 and
my brother will be here.
He could be your son. The same eyes.
Quiet, the children are sleeping.
Children...
You're so pathetic!
Fucking bracelet!
Gently...
83, 84, 85...
86, 87, 88...
89...
...98, 99
100.
Vicente.
Why did you leave me alone?
I've come to get you.
It's too late now.
Let's find Vicente.
It'll just be the three of us,
like before.
You never told me your secret.
No...
Our secret
Are they the same?
Where are you going?
I'm going home.
Faster!
Are we going to your house?
I begged him so many times to take me there.
I'd like to meet Nino.
Can't you go any faster?
He never talked about me?
How is he? - We're not going to make it.
Midnight.
It was the other two who had this crazy idea.
They thought it all up,
planned it all.
Ernesto, the older one, was the treasurer.
He said it would work.
I was so scared. Your father was getting worse.
I went along with it to save him.
But things are never work out the way we plan them.
It started out with some of membership fees and donations...
Not much, really.
They collected, we kept the books.
Then it became too easy.
They wouldn't stop.
They're ruthless. Your father is afraid of them.
But I'm sure he can get better.
Several doctors told me so.
We have the money.
A woman my age can't give up hope.
Vicente?
Clara...
How old are you? 12?
- 13? - 10.
Do you know what the greatest human invention was?
You know?
I swear I don't.
You won't get lost? No.
I'll just take a little nap.