The Road of Life Page #2

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Don't believe him, it's not true what he's saying!

It was me, sir, it was me!

It wasn't the child, don't believe him!

Counselor Gutierrez.

Counselor Gutierrez.

Excuse me, Doctor, I was distracted.

At your command.

They say Luis, the kid from that record, is ready to make his statement.

Do you want us to go talk to him before he starts?

If you don't mind, Doctor, I'd like to do it.

Well, Counselor, on the contrary. I want to show you several things.

The boy's in the hospital. Let's go.

After you.

Good morning, Conchita.

~ Good morning, Doctor.

~ How did this child spend the night?

Pretty calmly, but he's been crying a fair amount.

And my mother, sir? Have they done something to her?

Calm down, son, your mother is fine and nothing's happened to her.

Look, Luis, don't think about what happened.

Neither your mother nor you are to blame for what happened,...

therefore nothing will happen to you.

No, she wasn't at fault!

My stepfather beat her all the time, so I hit him.

It was me, not her.

Look, kid, even if you did it you're not here to be punished. Don't cry.

What we have to do now is tell the truth,...

to the gentlemen who ask you, exactly what happened.

Yes, but my mom told the policeman that she killed him, and they locked her up.

You'll help us, won't you, sir?

We'll all help you.

Sir...are they going to operate on me like Pedro?

I told you we wouldn't. You're not sick.

They operated on him because he couldn't speak.

And now he's speaking OK, right?

They restored speech to a mute by operating on him?

Well, he wasn't exactly a mute, Counselor.

The boy suffered hypertrophy of the tonsils and persistent adenoids...

which made his speech almost unintelligible.

He suffered a strong inferiority complex because of his voice and the abuse he received.

Now you'll see the change.

Well, go up there and just tell them the whole truth. And don't be afraid.

Wake up, Pedro.

How do you feel? Can you speak well yet?

Now I can speak well.

Since I had surgery here I speak well. Before, like that.

Well, look, you're going to talk to this man all about your history.

Counselor, it would be interesting for you to hear. I have to go to my office.

I'll wait for you there.

Of course, Doctor. You go on ahead.

So let's see...Tell me what happened to you. Why are you here?

Well, you see,...

Hey, mister, you dispense.

Can I see Don Panchito, the preceptor?

I brought my son here to him, so he can educate him for me.

Go into the Headmaster's office. I'll tell him you're coming.

Sit there. I'll notify the principal.

Mr. Director, they're looking for you.

Don Panchito, a pleasure.

What, don't you remember me?

I'm Pedro Romero of San Damin de las Tunas.

When you were over there you taught me to read.

San Damian of...But, of course, Don Pedro!

I do never forget any of my disciples.

And now, what brings you here?

Sit, sit.

Well, you see, this one you see here is my son.

I brought him here so you could make a worthwhile man out of him.

Back in the village they harass him a lot. He doesn't learn anything.

And as you remember, we live some distance from the village and the school.

Now that I have some money put away, I thought, "Pedro, you have to know how to live,...

"and it's best to take Pedrito the capital to Don Panchito so he'll teach him properly."

Very well thought out, Don Pedro.

If your kid isn't stupid, he'll learn.

No, you'll see that he's not a halfwit.

The bad thing is the poor kid has a minor defect.

Back in the village the boys gave him a rough time...

and then fight with him. They never leave him to study in peace.

What is this defect?

I didn't notice anything.

You'll hear it now.

Come on, son. Tell Don Panchito here your name.

Why not? Don Panchito will say that you are disobedient.

Come on, come on, tell him your name.

Pedro Romero, to serve God and you.

Do you think, Don Panchito, that he can stay in spite of that?

Yes, of course I do.

That must be a bad cold, which we'll cure him of.

Well, Don Panchito, for then, if you admit him for me, I'll pay at once the whole term fee.

I don't want him to be short of anything. How much will it be?

Well, we really here take only half-time boarders,...

but because it's you I'll make an exception.

We'll see how we can house him.

Taking everything into account, what do you think of 200 pesos per month?

If something is needed I'll send notice requesting it to you.

You're the boss, Don Panchito --- of course.

Allow me. I'll give you a receipt. Come along.

What is the address?

Ccono Ranch,...

Saint Damin de las Tunas,...

Guanajuato.

What year are you in, Pedrito?

No, because you see, he's way behind, he just finished the third.

And when can you leave him here?

Well I would say from today, right? That would be better.

Well, as you like.

You can start classes this afternoon.

Well, my son, you're on your alone.

Comport yourself like a man.

And write to me often.

Don't cry, my child,...

and think a lot about your mother and me.

Take him now, Professor.

May God save you, my boy!

Come on, Pedro. Let's have you eat with one of your peers.

Here you'll have many friends.

You'll know them all when it comes time for class. Come along.

Put your bets on the table. If it lands on its feet, I win.

Ah, no, no! It's not allowed to hold it by the legs!

Hush, child.

I present to you Pedro Romero, a new companion.

Treat him well and be his friends. Sit here, next to Carlitos.

You'll eat and then your teammates will tell you where to go.

Pedro goes into fourth year.

Please tell him what room he'll be in and advise the teacher.

Yes, sir!

You, where are you from?

Why don't you answer? Can't you talk?

Of course he can! It's just like he's very like an Indian. Don't you see?

Since he's new we must explain everything to him.

Hey you:
here the new kids must do our chores for us.

And give us their food.

The director said you should feed this Indian, too.

Scumbags!

Wow, how brave!

So you get you used to it, bring those rolls here.

~ And I'll have the soup.

~ And me, the rice.

~ I'll have the stew.

~ Me, the dessert.

And me, the beans, at least.

Your dessert was great...too bad you didn't get any.

Come on, Dumbo, it's time to go to class, stand up.

Guys, here's a new kid. Come on, come on!

And you, what are you doing here? You should be in class.

Look how messy you've gotten. Were you playing pigs?

Do you think your father left you here to play around?

Now I'm realizing the kind of card you are.

Come on, we're going to your class.

Good afternoon, sir.

~ Be seated.

~ Thank you.

Sign up this child to your class, teacher Magano. He's just arrived from the countryside.

With pleasure, sir.

Be seated.

You didn't bring any books, right?

Take these papers and this pencil and sit in there with Antonio in the second row.

What's your name?

Didn't you hear me? I asked you your name.

Pedro Romero, at your service.

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