El muro del silencio

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WALL OF SILENCE:

Was it Julio who fixed that amount?

No, we did.

Sure.

Since you don't have to pay rent...

we considered that this amount was sufficient for anything needed --- by the child.

He wouldn't be missing anything, anyway...

and believe me, I'd refuse this generous help,...

but the son of your brother has rights which I won't deny.

You are...very proud.

Not hardly. You saw with what humility I had left when they threw me out of the cemetery.

Understand, lady, Julio's wife and children were there.

Something very painful could have happened.

For me, it was, anyway.

Do be seated.

The difficult times must be dealt with at once, as a rule.

Tell me about the house.

Well...

the fact is that my brother died intestate, and left many things unresolved.

But you know very well that he left the house to his son.

No, nobody's thinking of claiming it back.

The trouble is we don't know where the deeds are.

He left so many papers, that...

we need a more thorough review.

Come with me.

Come on in.

I saved all of Julio's papers for you.

These are contracts and business matters.

The portrait of our mother.

I didn't know it was here.

Why are you surprised? This was Julio's home.

-May I?

-They're yours.

I hope you won't abuse my good faith by playing a dirty trick on me.

It's not in my nature, ma'am, so I won't tolerate such gratuitous insults.

Of course I understand how you feel, and what you have suffered.

My brother's death was a terrible blow to you,...

and I also heard that your child was very ill.

A lot, but not as much as you would have liked.

Do you consider us so inhuman?

No, let's say careful with your property.

Thank God my son was saved, and is more beautiful than ever.

Thanks be to God.

You saved my son for me, my God, and I dedicate him to You.

Deliver him from evil and suffering.

No, son, not like that. Look. Like this.

That's it, sweetie!

Go and wash your hands, we're about to eat.

Oh, and bring me my medicine.

You can go.

Be here at three o'clock in the afternoon. Right?

Don't let yourselves be delayed, please.

-Are you coming to my house?

-No, we're headed elsewhere.

No, no, no, leave it to me. He won't eat it if his mother doesn't prepare it.

Go on, you can leave.

Eat the wedge, son. It's the expensive sort.

But don't wield the knife like that, son.

And elbows.

That's it.

Mom, when are you going to buy me a TV?

If your Mom keeps granting you good grades and you progress on the piano, you'll get it for Christmas.

Mom, how many breasts does a chicken have?

Well, actually two, one on each side of the...

The other half I'll fix breaded tonight.

And when will we go to the movies?

Whenever you want. Later I'll check to see what cinemas are showing a kids' movie.

I'll be right back, son.

I know! But look, lady, I had an appointment with Mr. Olmedo at...

What a coincidence that whenever I talk with you, you tell me the same thing!

What?

Well, tell him I need to speak with him urgently. That he must talk to me, but he must be the one to call.

When the father puts his seed in the womb...

this begins the process of division and multiplication of cells that mom already told you about,...

until the child is fully formed.

-Madam!

-Coming!

Ma'am, this completes 12 sheets.

They want two dozen. The bride is rich.

Are you still alone, love?

Girls.

-Daniel, are you done?

-Yeah, Mom.

Go play, son. Off you go.

Don't measure that way. With the meter stick, please, else they will come out shabby.

Let it air out a bit.

Smells like a pack of women.

Oh, ma'am, but we bathe every day!

The bad thing would be for us to smell man-like.

I didn't say you smelled bad, but just like women.

-Ah, that's good!

-Women are honored.

-Do you feel bad?

-It's nothing.

Nerves, perhaps.

Drop this matter, Regina. It's humiliating, and you won't...

Oh, please, don't start again!

Besides, there's nothing humiliating in demanding what's ours.

As you wish. I'll wait, then.

Yes? Hello?

Hello? Who is this? Look, next time you...

-One moment, madam.

-Where are you going?

Let go of me!

I'm tired of being brushed off.

Get out of my way.

-Let go of me!

-Dr. Olmedo's in a meeting.

Forgive my barging in this way, but it's the only way to get to talk to you.

Leave us, miss.

The house is my son's and I want the deeds.

Believe me, I'm sorry,...

but this house has belonged to my family for over a century.

It stores a lot of memories. You must understand, we can't just give it up.

But Julio gave it to his son.

You know that.

You've always recognized that.

That you can live in it, yes, and I still think so.

You've always acted in bad faith.

You've been giving me the runaround for seven years,...

promising me the deeds, deceiving me.

Sure, now the site has risen in price,...

the house is worth more, the money is stronger than moral obligations and rights.

Some rights that don't count for the justice.

And if I had written documents?

Present them to a judge.

That I'll do.

But I warn you --- law or now law, the house will belong to my son.

But, why this fear of telling him, if he's just a child?

He's so sensitive!

I would not want to hurt his feelings.

Besides...I don't know, I don't think he sympathizes with you.

Because you've developed in him an unhealthy eagerness not to love anyone but you.

Lorenzo!

Forgive me, but that child is lonely.

He should go to school with kids his own age.

I did send him, but I had to pull him out again.

They mocked him.

They insulted him in the most horrible way, and beat him.

And there were those who told him that his mother was a...

Enough, Regina!

Children are cruel.

-Well, but you bring him so...

-Clean, neat, nothing more...

as all the others should attend, if their mothers would take care of theirs as I do of mine.

Besides, at school they only waste time.

I'm a career teacher, and I know how to educate him.

The proof is that he's far far more advanced than any child his age.

But that can't continue forever.

Of course. When the time comes, I will pay for special tests and he'll attend the best schools,...

but for now he's too small and not able to defend himself.

And if he should lose you?

No, no, you can't love him.

Why can't I, if I love you?

No, of course, and it's natural, he's not of your blood.

I already love him because he's yours.

I'm willing to acknowledge him legally and to get him out of that all-women environment that harms him,...

to lend him the support of a man just like he needs.

But then he'd lose the right to that house.

And what does it matter?

I have plenty of money, enough to buy you as many houses as you want.

For me, not my son.

And for him.

I can give both of you everything you might want.

Why do you have to bear privation and shame?

Tell him, Regina, please.

It's absurd that we have to lurk in places like this,...

which degrade us, if we can instead get married.

You're right. At the first opportunity I'll tell him. I promise.

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