Time to Die Page #2

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Come here.

The last time I saw him,

he was sitting right here.

I was only seven years old,

but he talked to me like a grown man.

He said, "This afternoon,

I'm either going to jail or the cemetery.

In either case, Julin,

promise me one thing.

Never be a lesser man

than your father."

Later, I went with Mother

to retrieve the body.

It was so big

it wouldn't fit in the coffin.

You never showed me.

It was a clean shot.

It was a dirty trick. It had to be.

There's never been

a better marksman than Ral Trueba.

But he was shot from the front.

I thought that...

Don't believe everything you hear.

Honor abides no doubt.

I know what kind of man

Ral Trueba was.

Once I saw him throw

a live rooster in the air.

He put four bullets in it

shooting with his left hand.

I've never doubted you, Julin.

Now, least of all.

- It's about keeping your word.

- I know.

Wait for me at Sonia's house.

And don't you worry.

Juan Syago won't be living

by this afternoon.

Juan Syago!

You paid for your crime with the law.

Now you have to pay for it with me.

They've always said you're a coward.

I've suffered as much as you

for your father's death, Trueba.

Let's make the effort to live in peace.

There'll be no peace

as long as you're alive.

It's a question of honor.

Honor's not about

making boasts, kid.

And dignity only comes

through suffering.

You'll suffer more

out of fear than death.

Let everyone see how you lived

like a chicken and died like one.

- I'll be back in a moment.

- Very well, madam.

Sonia, someone's here for you.

Coming, Mother.

- Mariana.

- Good morning.

What beautiful roses.

Aren't they?

They're from my garden.

- So, what brings you here?

- I'm always eager to come and see you.

And for one reason or another,

I always put it off.

It's good you've come.

I need to talk with you.

Take a seat.

I expect you know that

your boyfriend plans to kill a man.

Yes.

The man who killed his father.

I expect you also know that I was

to marry that man many years ago.

I know.

He came to see me yesterday.

I felt as if I would die,

but I had the strength

not to let it show.

I treated him badly

to see if he would leave.

Men cannot run away.

I thought that as well

when I was your age.

That's what I said to Juan Syago,

and look where I am now,

cursing my error.

It took an entire lifetime of bitterness

for me to realize that it's better

to have a coward at home

than a brave man

in jail or in the cemetery.

Won't you have some coffee?

You just can't imagine

what we've been through in this town.

It's dustier by the day,

hotter by the day.

Time goes by and you just

feel yourself rotting away.

Honestly,

if it weren't for the dead

who are buried here,

we all would have left

for somewhere else years ago.

Juan Syago!

There's nowhere on earth

you can hide from me!

Let's see who holds out longer!

He who's rash with words

is quick to run.

How much does the mirror cost?

Beats me.

It's been here

since before time began.

- Will this do?

- Yes, sure.

Just give me your word

you'll keep this between the two of us.

- You left without saying thanks.

- There was no one to thank.

- What happened?

- An earthquake. The mirror fell.

What luck! Let's see if you win

the lottery in the next seven years.

- They didn't pick a fight with you?

- Wouldn't you know it, Inspector.

I ran into the older Trueba brother.

He didn't even say good-bye.

That's good.

I told you that deep down

they're two fantastic kids.

In fact, remarkable horse breeders.

It's in their blood.

Nobody knew more about horses

than the late Ral Trueba.

You got it your way, congratulations.

What's your plan?

First off, bring this ranch back to life.

That's great.

Fill it with white doves.

They smell bad and make a mess,

but they bring good luck.

- See you later.

- Sure, Inspector.

I thought I'd leave it to you.

I don't have a horse after all.

I've got mine back.

Just to return the favor.

You could be my son.

Keep that to yourself.

Before you draw,

think what you're doing.

You have no idea how

a dead man weighs on you.

Revenge is just and weighs nothing.

There's no place for revenge

where justice has been done.

You played a dirty trick on Ral Trueba.

Not even a century in jail

can wipe that away.

So that's what they told you.

Take a good look at me.

Think I could kill a man

without honor?

I don't know.

Then wait till you learn the truth

before getting blood on your hands!

- What's gotten into you?

- So many rumors

and who knows the truth?

Honey, I didn't expect you so soon.

- Sonia, I've taken enough of your time.

- It was a pleasure.

- We've talked about everything.

- Especially about you.

Sonia tells me you're a wonderful

young man and I believe her.

Thank you, ma'am.

And moreover,

seeing you up close,

I wonder if you'd have the heart

to kill a man.

If that man killed my father,

don't you doubt it, ma'am.

When he went away,

he was like you, young and determined.

I saw him yesterday after 18 years,

and it terrified me.

You can see in his face

that he can't handle the bad memories.

Isn't that punishment enough?

It's not for me to decide, ma'am.

It's something that can't be avoided.

We're the kind to keep our word.

- Won't you hear Sonia's pleas?

- This is a matter between men.

In that case, young man,

just remember this.

Juan Syago

can't be killed so easily.

Good-bye, Sonia.

Thank you for everything.

Thank you, Mariana.

Come, Claudio.

What are you up to, Julin?

Trying to settle an old debt.

But the debtor won't show his face.

All the better for you.

Just know you've done your duty

and let the poor man be.

He's a coward.

No, that's where you're wrong, Julin.

No one knew him

better than my father.

He told me about him many times.

He admired him as a level-headed man,

no friend to bickering and gossip.

But don't make him lose his temper.

On the contrary.

I hope he does real soon.

Did it ever occur to you

that he could kill you?

I'm prepared for whatever may come.

Are you prepared to kill a just man?

Saddle my horse! Quickly!

Rosita! I'm so glad to see you again!

Come in!

We just heard you'd come back,

Juan Syago.

Casildo is dying to see you.

Casildo? You don't say!

In jail I heard he was run down

by a horse.

That's right.

But thank God only his legs died.

He's bedridden, but more

of a troublemaker than ever.

Just the same old mule as always.

I bet you'll keep shooting

even after death.

And my aim is just as sharp as ever.

Sister, could you open

the window for me?

You can't imagine what this is like.

My back is as raw as a mule's.

Sometimes I can't sleep

for weeks on end.

Because the noise inside me

just won't stop.

My bones shudder.

I swear,

I've had every illness

that's come through this town.

I've had syphilis,

herpes,

crabs.

And do you see me complaining?

Well, only of loneliness.

You've got me here

for company, old pal.

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