The South Page #2

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makes you look so old.

Get rid of it.

And your wife?

Good, good.

Come on, let's go into the house.

Yes, let's go.

I cant believe how far away this place is,

I thought we'd never arrive.

Good afternoon, Miss.

What's your name, dear?

Casilda.

Look, can you do me a favor

and grab my cane, it's in there.

"The Seagull. "

Did you give it that name?

No, it was here when we arrived.

Estrella!

Do you remember me?

It's your granddmother...

The last time I saw you

you were just born.

Julia.

How are you?

So-so, dear.

Just so-so.

But I wanted to see my granddaughter

on the day of her first communion

and here I am!

You must be tired and its getting chilly.

Let's go in.

Here is Miss' cane...

Help Pepe with the luggage.

You know who I'm remembering right now?

Who?

Your father.

If only he were here.

Milagros was the woman who took care of my father

since he was a boy.

She had a way about her

that seemed incredible to me.

Different from everyone

I'd known up to that point.

That night we had to sleep in the same room.

When does it start to get warm here, my girl?

Here its almost never warm.

No? What a strange world we live in.

In some places,

people burn up from the heat,

and in others they freeze from the cold.

Well, I'm old enough to know what to do.

And is it very hot in your town?

Very hot.

How do you stand it?

With patience and good shade.

Hey, is it true there are a lot of Moors?

There are still a few, but all disguised.

Now why are you laughing?

I like how you talk.

My dad doesn't speak like that.

Because he's a "gentleman" and a renegade

who prefers to forget about his hometown.

Now, don't pay me any attention, Estrellita,

Or I'll starting shooting off my mouth

and never stop.

But oh what a shame that he's never been

back to the house where he was born

And how many years its been

since he left!

I know.

What would you know about it, dear?

Well, that my father never went back

because he fought with grandfather.

Your father told you that?

No, my mom told me.

Hey, is it true that Grandpa is a very bad man?

Go on! Thats just talk from the old times.

And you know what?

Even a wild animal gets tamer with age.

Your grandfather has changed.

And with all that happened back then,

and all the people who died...

And all for their ideas.

Its true your Grandfather had it bad,

And as your father always thought the opposite

he just couldn't take it.

Your grandfather could've kept it in,

but your father didn't keep quiet.

Just the opposite.

So they were at each other all the time.

They lost respect for each other.

Until one day your father left home.

Your grandfather never understood

why they argued.

And Its been like that ever since.

They both entered a tunnel with no way out

and there they stay, trapped.

But Grandpa was one of the bad guys, right?

Bad guys, good guys,

Look, just so you understand

When the republic, well... before the war

Your grandfather was one of the bad guys

and your father was one of the good guys

but then, when Franco won,

your grandfather became a saint

and your father became a demon.

You see how things are in this world?

Just words, and only words.

But... why was my father a prisoner of war?

Well, because that's what the winners in a war

always do.

But you're such a little girl,

who told you all this, at your age?

My mother.

My goodness, couldn't she have

told you nicer things?

Or waited a little. You've got plenty of time

to learn about all that.

thats what I say.

Look, Estrellita, you are just a little girl!

Forget about those things now

and think about your first communion tomorrow.

One of the most beautiful days of your life.

Like if you were getting married.

Thats what the priest said too,

but I dont understand.

Well me neither, but you get to dress in white

just like a bride.

Well when I grow up

I'm never getting married.

And why not?

Because all brides have that stupid look on their faces.

Look at the wedding photos in the stores, you'll see.

Alright, enough chitchat!

Wait, don't turn it off!

What do you want?

Milagros, do you think my dad will come to church tomorrow?

Of course he will

Its just - he never goes.

I know, but don't you worry,

I'll get him in there if I have to push him myself!

Now go on, go to sleep.

Good night, Estrellita.

Good night, Milagros.

(rooster crows)

Mom, these shoes are too tight!

I told you so in the store and you didn't listen.

That always happens at first, you know later

they get more comfortable

Julia, put a little talcum powder.

And now... the veil!

(shots fired)

What was that?

Agustin, out shooting.

Now who would think to do that?

My son's never happy

if he's not calling attention to himself!

Theres no excuse for firing shots

on a day like today

He does things like that when you least expect it.

But I'm getting used to it.

(more shots)

Will he be back soon?

Mom, will he be back soon?

I don't know, Estrella, I don't know.

Just like a bride!

Milagros!

The things you say!

Am I right, or am I right, Estrellita?

(many shots fired)

(choir singing)

(... corpus dominus de jesus cristo...)

Amen.

(... corpus dominus de jesus cristo...)

Amen.

Now, girls,

having received Our Lord

go and greet your parents.

He's here.

Where?

In the back.

If you get tired, you can step outside

but don't go, okay?

Okay.

He did it for me. He did it for me.

(accordian playing)

(cheering)

They left after the party was over.

late in the afternoon.

From that day on,

whenever I thought about the south,

those two women came to mind.

I don't remember clearly now

but I think it was around that same time

I discovered that,

in my father's imagination

another woman existed.

(Irene Rios)

Who could Irene Rios be?

Did she really exist?

Or was she just an imaginary figure?

Why did Dad write her name so many times?

Mom, do you know Irene Rios?

No.

Who is she?

No one - a new girl

who just arrived in my class.

I lied the first time

I spoke of Irene Rios

My mother's ignorance made me suspect that

behind this woman's name

my father was hiding something

unknown to me.

Thus without hardly realizing it,

I became his secret accomplice.

A few months later

when I least expected it

something extraordinary happened.

I discovered that Irene Rios existed for real.

It was on a winter afternoon,

just as school was getting out.

(knocks on glass)

Do you have a program?

You know its not permitted?

Yes, I know.

Here you are.

Who is Irene Rios?

Who?

Irene Rios - she's in this movie.

Yes, here it is, you're right.

Is she the blonde or the brunette?

Carmencita Alonso is the brunette

so Irene Rios must be the blonde.

Is there much time left until the movie finishes?

Half an hour.

Well, goodbye.

Goodbye.

(humming Blue Moon)

(sings Blue Moon refrain)

(You!)

(Yes, me!)

(Are you surprised?)

(I thought that...)

(Go on, continue... I dare you to tell me everything!)

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