THE CANARY ISLANDS, THE 60'S
Are you a relative?
She's his wife.
Will he live, doctor?
There's nothing more I can do for him.
I've ordered an ambulance to take him somewhere else.
Have faith.
Everything will be all right.
FUNERAL SERVICES
You're not coming?
I'll take the bus, don't worry.
I don't know what I'd have done without you.
Don't worry, that's what neighbors are for.
- My sympathies, Mrs. Eloisa. - Thank you, Perico.
My condolences, Eloisa.
I've been worried sick all morning waiting for the outcome.
Ma'am, can you come over here?
He doesn't fit, Mrs. Eloisa.
I can take him up, but he ain't leaving in a coffin.
What can I do, where can I put him?
I don't know, Eloisa.
Why not take him back to the health center?
There's no room for a wake.
That room is being turned into a bar.
What about the courtyard?
It's too hot, he'll stink in a couple of hours.
What about your place, Mrs. Isabel?
- It's the biggest in the building. - Have you lost your mind?
A neighborly and Christian offer.
But...
Who asked you to butt in?
I'm sorry, Eloisa, you must understand...
I understand, Isabel.
Why not?
Shut up, meddler!
Take him out, I'll see what I can do.
Okay then.
Put him in my house.
I'm only doing it to save you the embarrassment.
You really don't mind?
I mean, I don't know, on your bed...
Of course I mind,
Eloisa.
But it's done.
I'm pretty busy right now
and I don't have time for wakes.
Eloisa, my deepest sympathies.
Such a pity, isn't it?
I wouldn't know.
You should see about the coffin with the funeral home.
Did you hear me?
Yes... What?
- The box, to put him in. - The box, yes.
Of course, the box.
I'll have to go downtown.
But, what will I do, Isabel? I have no money.
He kept it all.
Go home and look.
There might be something.
It caught him unaware.
You'd better hurry.
There's a bus in 15 minutes.
Thank you, Isabel.
I really mean it.
Thank you.
Isabel, what came over you to have him in here?
What could I do? He didn't fit upstairs.
Perico and that nosy driver put me in a tight spot.
Well, I'm off to get my mother's lunch.
If you need anything...
Leonora!
- Yes? - Do me a favor, cover him up.
Son, come here.
Go to the other side.
Having a corpse that close can't be good for you.
And this one even less.
Leonora.
Hand me the boy's mattress.
Okay, that's done.
Isabel, I'm off.
If you need anything, call me. Bye, Isabel.
Bye, Leonora, and thanks.
Don't go near the bed, do you hear?
Go lie down, you've been standing in the sun.
Tonight you'll sleep in the small bed with Beni.
He swallowed his tongue, right?
Grandpa said he would because he was an informer.
Grandpa's ideas...
No, darling, he didn't swallow anything.
It was just his time to answer to the Lord.
He'll have a lot to answer for.
It's gonna be a long Saturday.
Guess what?
Mr. Lucio died.
You can come out.
You don't believe me? Go see for yourself.
- He's at Isabel's. - At Isabel's?
You're back. He didn't fit in his house.
- I'll go sit with him later. - No, mom!
- That bastard asked for it. - Metodio!
Don't insult the dead.
His infected soul will only gets worse.
Get out of here, go get some sun.
I've told you, he's dead, I've seen him.
Then send word to your brother to come back.
Are you sure? Better wait till he's buried.
He's waited long enough, go on.
Sweet Jesus!
He'll be so glad to hear it!
Concha!
Have you seen Eloisa? Have you heard?
- What? - Well, it's...
- Leonora! - Coming!
- Come and pray. - Didn't Eloisa tell you?
Coming! Well, this morning...
I'm coming, mom! Don Lucio's at your place.
I'm coming, mom, I'm coming.
I told you to stay in the courtyard.
You're home.
Good, I'm glad.
I didn't want to leave your brother alone.
- Until when? - I'll only be a minute.
Until when will he be here?
They're burying him tomorrow.
What happened?
I don't know and I don't care.
I hope the Northern tide
will keep your dad at sea until tomorrow.
I need to lie down.
I'm dead, mom.
The night shift's gonna kill me.
Go rest on your grandpa's bed.
Guess who's coming later?
"Stitches".
He's free until Tuesday, he's spending the weekend here.
I'm dying to see him!
- Good morning, ma'am. - Good morning.
I'm looking for something simple.
I don't have much.
Is there anything on sale?
This isn't a thrift shop, but do sit down.
We'll find something suitable.
Here's our catalogue, look at the last page.
Is it for you or a family member?
For my husband, he died this morning.
Name?
Eloisa Peralta.
The deceased's, ma'am.
I don't mean to be rude,
just show me the cheapest model, I'm in a hurry.
First I have to fill in the application card.
If I don't, I can't sell anything, no matter how cheap.
Be kind enough to tell me your late husband's name.
Lucio.
Lucio Falcón.
The market inspector?
Yes, that's right.
- Do you know him? - Who doesn't?
Forgive me, I didn't realize you were his wife.
Well, his widow.
My deepest sympathies.
What a terrible loss
for everyone.
It's strange.
- He came by just a few days ago. - His heart failed without warning.
Don't bother looking.
Your husband was one of our best customers.
Mr. Lucio was a practical man.
This way, please.
I'm sure he wanted to save you from this unpleasant task.
He was a good man.
What a great loss.
Here it is.
The best wood.
Varnished.
An excellent finish and extremely comfortable.
- Forgive me, I don't understand. - It's simple.
Your husband chose and paid for his coffin.
He used to come by to make sure we hadn't sold it.
He was delighted.
You mean I don't owe you anything?
Nothing.
Just tell me where we should deliver it.
Well, he's at my neighbor's.
I bet he'll go to heaven, he was a friend of the priest's.
And he hated Commies.
I'm going.
Bye, Benigna.
- It's true. - What is?
The corpse is here.
Yeah.
- Where's your mom? - Shopping, she won't be long.
How much?
50 cents.
- Thanks. - All right.
Bye.
It's because of the chalk, from writing on the floor.
Pass me the cream.
Beni.
What?
How old do you have to be?
For what?
To die.
That's up to us to say, you know.
In this house we decided to live a long time.
Don't you worry, sweetheart,
we'll be here for a while still.
At school, some of the kids say that I...
Don't pay attention to those fools.
Don't listen to them!
Who touched the corpse?
Who uncovered him?
Benigna.
Don't look at me, must have been the cat.
Cover him, will you?
- Wait, my nails aren't dry. - Where the hell is Eloisa?
What bad luck.
She must be crying her heart out, poor thing.
BEAUTY PARLOR
Come on, give me a hand.
With all this fuss, I haven't fixed lunch.
Son, go get Grandpa.
Cousin.
Why did you use a good sheet to cover him?
It'll end up yellowing from the wash.
I'm not planning on keeping it.
Wash your hands.
We have to talk.
Chop the garlic.
It's about him.
- Have a drink with me, I'm dry. - But you never...
But today I will, cousin.
Goodness gracious!
- Now what? - Damn it, we've got to dress him.
So we'll dress him, what can we do about it?
By the way, guess who showed up again at the Blue Night?
Yep.
Worse even, he wanted me to...
She takes off while I'm speaking.
You like that?
Do you like that, son-of-a-bitch?
Do you like it?
Does that feel good, you bastard?
Excuse me,
does this bus stop at the lighthouse?
No, that's the Riveros' bus, it stops at the market.
Are you all right?
Yes, thank you.
Do you go to the movies?
Not really, I don't usually...
I've always liked the movies.
But I hadn't gone since I got married.
My husband says the devil makes them to tempt bad women.
Heavens,
I sure cried seeing Jorge Negrete singing love songs.
It was wonderful.
I nearly forgot...
What?
My husband.
What will you say if he asks?
Nothing, don't worry.
He's in my neighbor's bed.
No, that's not...
I'm a widow.
As of this morning.
I hope it fits.
I grabbed the first one I saw.
If Eloisa doesn't like it, that's just too bad.
Beni.
Here.
Just like a bib.
Leonora, give her a hand.
Buttoned?
I hadn't seen that before.
Leonora, go over that side.
Lift his head.
What an ugly birthmark.
I felt like eating swordfish with onions today.
Silly of me.
Sure.
By the way, speaking of swordfish...
If she heard me...
Last night, Adolfina "Dry Cod" did it with another relative.
Again? She won't get anywhere that way.
Why do you call her "Dry Cod"?
She's skin and bones.
I feel sorry for her, the poor thing's pretty enough.
- Even her breath smells nice. - No wonder she's skinny.
She told me she was tempted to please her dad,
him being a Ionely widower and all.
She already did,
and her grandfather, her uncle,
her brother, but worst of all, she doesn't charge them.
They're family, so...
It really irks me, they take advantage of her.
God, it's late, I better go.
I told Blondie I'd pick her up.
What about lunch?
No, my stomach's still upset from last night.
And you wanted swordfish.
You don't want to eat because of him.
No, it's not.
I've always liked swordfish with onions.
He can't turn my stomach anymore.
I can't take him out to the courtyard, it's too hot.
You think I like having him here?
Just turn your back to him, that way you won't see him.
That's not it!
I'm working this afternoon and I said I'd pick the girls up.
Jesus!
Hand me a rag to tie his jaw.
Here.
There.
There's cotton wool in the drawer.
I'll fry the sardines right away, Dad.
Don't worry, my child.
I ate a little at the bar, I'm not really hungry.
You too?
You all knew it was lunchtime.
Why did you let me spend good money?
I'd be embarrassed to die a wealthy man.
Isabel, what's that?
What's what?
A key fell out of his jacket.
Do I put it back?
No, give it to me.
I'll give it to Eloisa.
Nobody will know when I die.
Dad, don't start with that foolishness.
- You're always going on about that. - I don't like bothering people.
You'd avoid dying not to bother death itself.
I'm gonna change.
Goodness gracious, he actually looks kind.
No, Leonora, he doesn't and he wasn't one.
We all know that.
Yeah, that's true.
I'm off, my mother's alone.
If you need anything, just call me.
My mom said she'd drop by later this afternoon.
Go with God.
Isn't your daughter going to get up?
She just got back.
She's got to find another job, cleaning won't take her far.
- You're not going to eat? - No, I'm not in the mood.
- What about the sardines? - I don't know.
Where the hell did I put the pestle?
- Good afternoon. - Good afternoon.
Mrs. Eloisa!
- Mrs. Eloisa! - Yes?
Mrs. Eloisa,
I want to tell you how deeply sorry I am
for the death of your husband.
Thank you, Jerónimo, but it was God's will.
- Is everything all right? - Yes, thank you.
- Mrs. Eloisa. - Yes, Jerónimo.
Mrs. Eloisa,
forgive me if I'm indiscreet,
but do you know anything about your husband's account?
I don't understand.
Do you know if your husband had money in the bank?
I know nothing about that.
Please, don't take me wrongly.
I'm not being nosy or anything like that.
I'm only being neighborly.
I know about these things.
Knowing your husband and what he did,
with all due respect,
I'd swear he must have left a tidy sum behind.
Sincerely, as your neighbor and friend,
I think it would seem unfair if the bank kept it.
I really don't know what you're talking about.
I just wanted you to know
that I can help you recover the money.
What money?
Do you know where your husband kept his papers?
I think so, in a metal box on top of the wardrobe.
Well, you must hurry.
- Mr. Jerónimo, I don't understand. - I'll tell you later.
Now I must go, I have things to do.
I'll stop by at the wake later on.
Have the box ready, will you?
Mr. Jerónimo.
Yes?
Why don't your spectacles have glasses?
Well, we'll talk about that later.
Where's the Portuguese?
Hopefully, he won't be back today, that's all I needed.
- I thought he'd be back yesterday. - So did I, son.
The more time your Dad is at sea,
the less time he spends with his family
on account of his dizzy spells.
Dad,
don't you start.
He gets dizzy on land, it's not his fault.
- May I? - Eloisa!
Come in.
Good appetite.
We're finished.
If you're hungry, the sardines are delicious.
No, thank you, I had a bite downtown.
- By the way... - How is he?
He hasn't moved an inch, he's very well behaved.
Do sit down, I've jut put the coffee on.
Eloisa,
have you seen about the coffin?
Yes, I have, but it was all very strange.
Strange?
But it's all right, it's on its way.
You've dressed him?
Yes.
You did it on your own?
Well, Benigna and Leonora helped me.
You weren't here.
I went up and grabbed a suit, I hope you don't mind.
Goodness, of course not.
Eloisa, you do realize I've been here while you were...
By the way,
have you called his relatives?
His relatives?
They're far away, Mr. Ignacio.
I can't call them, they don't have a phone.
Have a funeral notice radioed, they'll hear it.
I hadn't thought about that.
I'll go to the radio station, if you want.
That way you can stay here with him.
I won't impose on you, Mr. Ignacio.
You've done enough already.
I'll go, it'll take my mind off things.
Yes, you do that.
As a matter of fact, I'll go right away.
I'll see if the radio office is open on Saturday.
I won't be long, bye.
I can't believe it.
She went to the beauty parlor.
Heavens, you're all skin and dirt.
I'll heat some water so you can wash.
This is good for rags.
Eloisa!
Nothing lasts forever, son.
Thank God.
I was going to take you some clean clothes on Monday.
You've saved me a trip up there.
Eloisa.
Come in.
My brother, Jorge.
Mrs. Eloisa, his widow.
I know.
Jorge, offer your condolences.
She had nothing to do with it.
Don't worry, Josefa, I came to thank Leonora.
Goodbye, pleased to meet you.
It's not her fault her husband was what he was.
- Why was she with him? - Hush, she'll hear you.
- Excuse me, do you know? - Over there.
We're from the funeral home.
Come in, come in, there he is.
Better pray a rosary for him.
I don't think his wife will.
The first time I saw the sea
was on my way here, after I got married.
Sorry, I have to go.
Coming here made him mean, he wasn't like that at first.
The moment we arrived and he put on that uniform,
it poisoned his blood.
He was born bad, ma'am.
You didn't realize it because you didn't want to.
- Metodio, what is it? - He's gonna get you.
Go, go, run!
He won't come back, don't worry.
So many ghosts, ma'am, give us some time.
Hi, sweetheart, what a terrible blow, isn't it?
I'm sorry, ladies, but...
The priest told us, he asked us to come over.
How kind of him.
But he's not quite ready, perhaps a little later...
- When you least expect it. - That's right.
When should we come back?
I don't know, in an hour or so.
Are you the bereaved?
No, the bereaved isn't here right now.
Are you family?
No, not at all.
Let's go to the Social Hall see what we find there.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God...
No, Mother.
Don't insist, I told you I wouldn't do it again.
It's for your brother's own good.
He'll calm down and we'll be able to pray.
No, why can't he do it himself?
It's not the same, it's got to be someone else.
Come on, don't torture him.
I swear this is the last time!
There's no sense in him hiding any more.
Did you get it?
All right, we're going, ma'am.
Can't we close it?
It's not done, ma'am, unless he's a wreck.
- But if you insist... - No, no, let it be.
If it's not done...
By the way,
how much did that box cost?
We're workers, we wouldn't know, ma'am.
But it's the best we've delivered in a long time, isn't it?
I'll say.
Well,
in that case, we'll be going.
Our condolences for the loss of your husband.
My husband's at sea, that's my neighbor's.
Good day.
- Good day. - Good day.
My sister sent me.
Yes, come in.
I can't reach the top of the wardrobe.
Come in.
I've climbed on the stool, but I still can't reach.
I'm too short.
I'll try again.
Let me.
I'll try with the table.
It's a metal box.
Do you see it?
No, that's not it.
What is it?
Jorge!
- What are you doing? - I'm going to the wake.
- Have you gone mad? - Jorge!
Have you forgotten who's in that damn box?
To me, the dead are all the same, son.
Mom is just being neighborly for Eloisa's sake.
If you won't do it for us, do it for Pedro.
Don't shame his memory.
No, son, I'm going to clean it.
That man is suffering from cold and Ioneliness.
Clean prayers will give him a little warmth and company.
Aren't you resentful?
Who am I to be resentful?
Hi, Isabel.
I've come to pray for him, if I may.
Of course.
Come in, Josefa.
How's the boy?
Hanging on.
They said he wouldn't make it past last year.
Now I must be careful because he grows fast.
He may not be able to take it.
I don't know what to believe any more.
Be patient.
He's in God's hands.
At least, he's still with you.
He may be weak, but he's here.
I pray for him every day.
I pray for everyone.
I know, Josefa.
My mother went to pray for him, that should make you happy.
Yes.
You've no idea what we went through, right?
I couldn't see beyond these four walls.
Why are you happy, then?
I can open the window and no one will slam it shut.
- And you? - What do you want from me?
Was he worse outside than inside?
- You sincerely don't know? - No.
I don't.
But not a day went by without me praying for it to end.
My brother Pedro didn't deserve what they did to him!
Pedro?
Forget it.
What's the point?
It was before you came.
I don't want to forget it.
Tell me about it.
Why?
I need to understand so many things.
- I can't, I'm sorry. - Forgive me.
I didn't know you had a brother.
Pedro used to hang out
with guys that your husband disliked.
Reds.
One evening we had a few drinks,
and we met the priest on the street.
- You mean Mr. Viviano? - No, the one before that.
He heard the girls' confessions
and would send the cops to beat up their boyfriends.
We had drunk one too many
and Pedro lost his head when he saw the priest.
He went straight for him, grabbed him,
lifted him up and threw him on Otilio's dung heap.
We nearly pissed our pants watching him trying to get up,
rolling around in the manure like a pig.
We turned around and saw your husband.
Your late husband.
He was watching from a corner, hiding as usual.
The next day he asked my mother
for money to convince the priest not to report us.
My mother gave him all we had.
Two days later, the cops showed up.
I ran away and hid in the hills.
You've seen my little brother.
He won't come out from behind the sideboard.
What about Pedro?
They got him.
They pushed him off a cliff.
Believe me, my brother
wasn't the only one.
Look well among those papers.
Your husband had a lot of money.
Jorge, I'm so sorry.
Help me find the money, I swear I'll return it all to you,
I swear.
What about my brother?
Can you bring him back?
Josefa, I wonder if you could do me a favor?
I must go get the child's medicine.
Mind keeping an eye on him?
- Concha's sleeping and... - Of course not, go on.
I won't be long.
Afternoon, here we are again, can we come in?
- Are you here for the wake? - Yes, the priest sent us.
Mr. Viviano said this man would probably need company.
- Are you related? - No, no.
- Come in and do what you must. - Thank you.
Don't bother sighing for my sake.
I suppose whoever's paying you will drop by later.
- I'm sorry to have been so long. - Don't worry about it.
Mr. Viviano sent these ladies to pray.
Right. Good afternoon.
Get up and get dressed, we've got visitors.
I saw "Stitches" getting off the bus.
"Stitches"?
They say a priest raped him when he was a child
and tore him real bad.
That's why he walks like he has stitches up his crotch.
Josefa!
Hi, Josefa.
Hi, Concha.
Offer some anisette to the ladies.
How about you, Josefa?
I can't on account of my blood pressure.
Ladies?
Well, just a sip, child.
- Have you booked the church? - Josefa, she's just a child.
If I did, I wouldn't see him again.
- Why's that? - He can't stand priests.
Here we go again.
It's because of history books.
He says it's enough to read to know what they're like.
He's crazy about reading.
That's him.
Hi.
Excuse me, Juan.
Behave yourself.
Now's not the time.
Have some respect for our guests, go comb your hair.
The deceased isn't even hers.
Come in, Juan.
Don't worry, he's no relative of ours.
My daughter will tell you about it.
Jerónimo, thank you for coming.
I told you I'd drop by for a little while.
Yes, but he's not here, there wasn't enough room.
He's downstairs, at Isabel's.
I didn't know.
In that case, I better go downstairs.
Listen, concerning the matter I mentioned earlier,
did you find the box? Did you open it?
I found it.
But there's no money, only papers I don't understand.
Don't worry.
- Hi, I didn't see you come in. - Hi, Leonora.
I came up for the wake,
but Eloisa just told me that it's downstairs.
Go on ahead, I'll take it down to you.
I'll finish getting ready.
- I can take it down. - Thanks, but it's only papers.
I'll carry on, then.
See you.
Bye, Leonora.
All right,
I'll be downstairs.
It's better if no one knows about this.
People love to gossip,
and there's no need for that.
Don't worry, go ahead, I'll bring it all down.
I heard that when he arrived with his wife,
she was pregnant and almost due,
and that a few days later
she gave birth to a baby boy with a huge head.
But the baby died a few days later.
I've heard that he killed it
while his wife was out.
Apparently, he smashed it against the floor,
infuriated by the child's ceaseless crying.
Jerónimo!
For God's sake!
Forgive me, Mrs. Isabel, I didn't mean to bother you.
His wife's not been right in the head ever since.
Good heavens.
Fifth mystery.
This looks like a really good coffin.
I wonder how much it costs?
Yeah, me too.
- May I go on with the Rosary? - Go on, go on.
Fifth mystery, the lost child in the temple.
It's hot...
Eloisa.
What about the notices?
It certainly took you long enough.
I'm sorry, Isabel, what will you think of me?
But these papers are a mess.
Papers?
Have you forgotten that he is yours?
I'm really sorry, please try to understand.
These are for Mr. Jerónimo.
Yes,
family documents, you know.
We better speak outside, Mrs. Eloisa,
so as to not disturb the deceased.
If you'll excuse me.
Yes, here's a checkbook,
and the saving's account book.
Let me see...
Well!
What?
Apparently, Mr. Lucio did not have as much as we thought.
Didn't you say he had a lot?
I don't understand.
I'm well aware of your husband's line of business.
This doesn't make sense, not at all.
It must be some kind of front.
Mr. Jerónimo, I don't follow.
You've looked everywhere?
Are you sure there's nothing else?
As far as I know, there's this box
and a cardboard one full of medals and stuff.
No, I mean a strongbox.
No.
Are you sure?
Still, you must keep searching.
Try and think where he'd keep money and documents.
If you find anything, let me know immediately.
As you know, the government
would suspect if you became rich overnight.
The money must be washed.
We know
that it isn't clean.
What?
I had no idea what my husband did.
Well,
until today.
By the way, I'm terribly sorry,
but I won't be able to come to the funeral tomorrow.
You've done enough as it is, I'm very grateful.
- At what time is the funeral? - At ten.
That's right, I seem to be losing my head.
Well,
Mrs. Eloisa, Mrs. Isabel,
please excuse me, I have things to attend to.
- See you tomorrow. - No, you can't come tomorrow.
That's right, yes.
Goodbye, then.
- Is everything all right? - Yes, yes.
Jerónimo's helping me with the paperwork.
- Are you the bereaved? - Yes, ma'am.
We have to leave.
There's a funeral.
Well, thank you very much.
How much is it?
Sixty pesetas.
We did a limited service, just sighs.
Forgive us,
but it's hard to cry for a deceased such as your husband.
Ten.
That's sixty.
All right, thank you very much.
The pleasure was ours.
Well, you know what I mean, good day.
Good day.
It seems the deceased left you some money.
By the way,
the men from the funeral home said there's no hearse tomorrow.
It wasn't included.
I didn't have enough.
You didn't?
Tell me all about it over a cup of coffee.
Isabel, I must go dye a dress for the funeral,
I don't have anything black.
Eloisa!
- It'll be dark soon. - That's enough.
Enough is enough.
You're not leaving me alone with the corpse again.
- All right? - Isabel.
I've got to.
Are you leaving, Josefa?
Yes, I've done enough.
Listen,
why did you come? There was no need.
For my son, Pedro.
If they were to meet again, this time he won't squeal.
Concha,
turn on the light.
People are going to think I sew by touch.
You don't look good, Juan.
Well, I'm a little tired.
I think I'll go.
- So soon? - Let him be, he wants to leave.
Good evening.
Juan, wait!
Juan!
What have you done? It really hurts.
I haven't finished, come back in.
In front of that corpse and your mother?
- Walking will relieve me. - But, Juan...
- Tell him ice's the best thing. - Thanks.
Juan, wait!
Hi, sweetheart.
What's up?
Business is slow?
No wonder,
in this heat, nobody feels like doing it.
No, it's not that.
I don't feel too good.
I didn't want you to be alone with him here.
Well, it's a good thing you came.
I can check the sleeves.
Come on, stand up.
Sweetheart, go buy yourself something.
Beni, what do you mean sending him out so late?
Can I, Mom?
Go on, but don't buy sweets and put your hat on.
Mom, the sun's gone down.
Close the door.
Cousin, I have to tell you.
I'm worried sick.
You're telling me.
I think I killed him.
You've hurt me!
What?
Mr. Lucio.
He went to the Blue Night.
What are you saying?
I couldn't believe it when I saw him.
The bastard came straight over to me,
and there were prettier whores than me.
He came because of me, I just know it.
I begged Mrs. Lucrecia to get him another girl,
but he threatened to have the place closed,
you know.
There I was, putting up with that drunkard's breath.
Although I'm used to that.
I can take a lot, I'm a true professional.
I've been with worse pigs.
But there are limits.
I'll have nothing to do with relatives,
you can be sure about that, no way.
I felt like throwing up
every time I thought about what that bastard did to you.
I felt like doing him in.
For God's sake, Beni, have you lost your mind?
It was our only chance, cousin.
I didn't give a damn, I had to do it for you and for me.
Remember Cenicita Carmeja?
- Who? - Cenicita Carmeja.
The old lady I used to take care of.
- Remember? - Yes.
She told me to remember two things, no, three.
One, that I should go to bed with whoever I pleased,
and to charge them,
that were was nothing wrong with that.
Two, not to fall in love with anyone and,
most important of all, not to let anyone humiliate me.
And that man did, get it?
Worse yet, he humiliated you.
I didn't forgive him, did you?
Maybe you did, but not me.
Well, she told me there was one solution for men like that.
And she gave me this.
What is it?
The solution.
Some kind of chemical product, a couple drops are enough.
But the best part is that no one can tell.
I couldn't take it anymore
and I put it in his drink.
I put it all in.
He drank and drank.
Then he wanted...
But I knew.
I knew it was the last time.
I think that for a moment,
I even enjoyed it.
Do you know
if the doctor said anything?
- Are you sure? I'm scared. - No, not a thing.
He got rid of him real quick.
Come in.
What day is today?
Saturday.
His whoring night.
It's a good thing too.
If he saw this mess, I'd get a beating.
Why were you with him?
I suppose I saw what I wanted to see.
In all those years, he only had one friend,
saint Dimas, over there.
Quite a saint.
Imagine,
until the time of his death,
he was a criminal.
A real bandit who never did
a single
miracle.
The strongbox.
Jorge, the money!
- I told you so. - Open it.
- It's locked, I can't. - The key.
The damn key.
Mom!
What?
What is it?
What's wrong, Concha?
Jesus!
- What's that smell? - The boy.
What happened?
- It stinks! - I didn't do anything.
That's okay, sweetheart, we'll wash...
It was the skinny guy, he shat on the corpse.
What skinny guy?
The one that hides, who else?
Do you mean Metodio?
Metodio never comes out from behind the sideboard.
He did, he lifted the lid and pulled his pants down.
- The moron didn't waste time. - It's on the head.
Christ!
This is sick!
But where's the head? Underneath?
I can't take it anymore.
Benigna, Concha, help me take it outside.
You saw him and said nothing?
- Where are we going to put it? - How did he get up here?
Concha!
- To show Benigna. - Come on, don't be a pig.
Come on, please.
Open the door.
Not a word to anyone.
Get it? Not a word.
Just think how Josefina would feel.
Go on, I'll get something to clean it up.
Leave it, he'll be underground tomorrow.
- Mrs. Eloisa. - Good morning, Mr. Jerónimo.
But, what can I do for you?
I was just about to leave to do some errands.
I'm afraid I won't be able to go to your funeral...
I mean, your husband's funeral.
Don't worry, that's not why I came.
I wanted to ask a favor.
- Of course, anything you want. - May I have the metal box?
The box? What do you need it for?
I mean, I'm the one who knows about paperwork.
As I told you yesterday,
the box doesn't have much.
Unless you know something that I don't.
No, nothing new.
But I need to check to see if it contains my
birth certificate
for my widow's pension, I'll return it to you right away.
On Sunday?
All the offices are closed.
Yeah, but your house was on my way,
I've a lot to do tomorrow, and the offices are pretty far.
All right.
Wait here.
- Shit, it's not here! - What's wrong?
The damn wedding certificate.
- Wasn't it your birth certificate? - Yes, that's right.
Hello, Portuguese.
I expected you Friday.
The damn tide, it's that time of the year.
I feel terrible, it's going round and round.
I think I'm seeing things.
No, you're not.
Go and use the rocking chair, I'll fix you come coffee.
No one from the family is going to come.
Perico, it's going to be up to the neighbors.
I'll come as soon as I fill this up, Mrs. Isabel.
Morning, my children.
Let's get going, I have a previous engagement.
Where's Mrs. Eloisa?
- I haven't seen her this morning. - How come?
- She must be sleeping, I'll go see. - Yes, go, go.
Hello, Perico.
You two stay here.
Go to my house and have some coffee.
Where are you going?
To tell Blondie I'm not up to it today.
I sure ain't.
I haven't seen you in church lately.
You haven't been around either.
What the hell?
What is it doing here like a box of bananas?
He snored, we decided to take him out.
Eloisa!
Jesus.
What is this?
She's not home.
She must have gone to mass with Josefa.
Goddamn it!
She should have been back.
Something must be done.
We must avoid the noon heat at all cost.
And I'm going to miss my card game!
We don't have enough men to lift it.
You too?
- Where are you going? - To the beach.
- You're going in spite of all this? - "Stitches" is waiting for me.
Bye.
And not a goddamn phone to call the funeral home!
Who the hell's going to go get a hearse?
I saw Otilio pass by with his cart earlier.
Of course!
Otilio Beriel's cart.
Perico.
Go ask Otilio to lend you his cart for an emergency.
Take the two altar boys, it'll seem more solemn.
Yes, sir, as soon as I finish this.
Forget about that!
What a nitwit!
Careful with what you do, Viviano.
Clubs?
Nope.
All yours.
Come on, Portuguese.
Here's the cart. Hurry, Lile!
- A heart. - A heart.
- Sir, the cart's here! - Christ! It was about time.
Come with me, Portuguese.
Son, how many times have I told you not to run?
- Drink some water and lie down. - But, Mom...
Lie down!
For heaven's sake, that cart's full of shit.
He'd just gone for guano, father.
Couldn't he have washed it?
It wasn't too bad,
but when I told him whom it was for,
he tossed some more manure in.
That son of!
This can't be.
All right, it'll have to do, we've done what we could.
Gabriel, let's get the deceased.
Perico, come here, hurry.
All right, let us pray for his soul.
- Gabriel, raise the lid. - No!
No!
He's already begun to smell.
- That's why we took him out. - Right.
Let's be quick, we've wasted enough time already.
With this heat, the stench will soon be unbearable.
- Shall I go get the altar boys? - No, there's no need.
A fine coffin.
Giddy up, donkey!
Come on, move it, the stench's getting worse.
Come on!
Goddamn it, I won't make it to my card game.
What time is it?
About 11:30.
- Heavens, I'll never make it. - You didn't go last Sunday.
Sure I did, I had two bingos.
Isabel.
Don't tell me he's gone.
As a matter of fact, he is.
You can catch up with them, he's on the cart.
No, no, thank you.
I mean,
God decided I should be late, there must be a reason.
I left early this morning, the box was in the courtyard.
We took it out for the boy's sake.
I'm really sorry for all the bother.
- Where were you? - Well, I...
I went...
I went nowhere, Isabel.
Nowhere.
Goodness, son, you're sweating again.
What did I tell you?
When I grow up, I'll play professional soccer.
Sure you will.
And your grandpa will preside your fan club.
You're sweating, let's take this off.
Beni,
wash him and get him a clean shirt.
Come on.
He threatened to have my husband killed.
He said he could do it quite easily.
Believe me, I'd have skinned myself alive.
I couldn't do anything.
I was sick afterwards, and then I was pregnant.
Gabriel thinks he's his.
He's never been good with dates.
Why didn't you tell me, Isabel?
Tell you? How?
But now I wouldn't give him up.
He's mine.
There's only that birthmark left, that's all, believe me.
Nothing else.
I can't rub it off.
Only my cousin Benigna knows.
Eloisa.
Yes?
We found this in his pocket.
You might need it.
Thank you, Isabel.
Thank you for everything.
Isabel.
That's the key to...
I know, Eloisa.
I think I'm gonna be sick.
What's wrong?
You're ill?
You didn't drink your anisette water this morning.
You should be dressed in white instead of growing a belly.
You do everything wrong, you should have learned from me.
Long live the newlyweds!
You must take me somewhere.
Right now.
Long live the newlyweds!
- What are you doing? - Come on up.
My grandma used to say that bitterness dries you out.
But that if one day, I was sure that I'd be happy forever,
I should drink water.
Because happiness is like a source of joy inside you,
it needs room to run
and water helps it find its way.
I've been drinking water all night.
THE WOODEN BOX