Original subtitles

Highway patrolman

Rojas, come here at once!

I haven't got all day!

What classes do you have today?

Law. Self-defence. Criminal psychology. Weaponry

this letter authorises you to work for me

show it to your tutors tomorrow

sir, this will affect my marks

report to my office in 15 minutes

guerrero, come here at once!

Come with me

Cadet, help the ladies

Open the door

But I was right there

you were lucky

I had to cut the grass and wash the car

I found condoms in the glove compartment

- you're having me on - I swear it's true

- Sorry, sergeant. A tyre burst - You'll pay for a new one

two volunteers to change the wheel. Guerrero and leyva!

Who can give me the essence of today's lesson?

You're the most stupid class I've ever had!

Let's see if cadet rojas can enlighten his illustrious colleagues

three reasons to stop vehicles -

one, highway patrol violations

two, mechanical defects

- three... - Stop thrashing about, rojas

what is the essence of today's lesson?

Well, it seems that whatever the circumstances...

They've always broken the law

exactly!

They've always broken the law

when you follow a vehicle...

Stop it first, then decide what they have done

- what have you learnt today? - They've always broken the law!

Your rifle

your pistol

your badge

Cadet Pedro rojas!

The national highway patrol...

Expects you to honour it...

And maintain the spirit of the service

Cake, Isabel?

I hope you like it

congratulations, brother

where's dad?

You know he's tied up with work

You're lucky to have passed

I'd have failed if it wasn't for Pedro

don't tell anyone

mother, dad hasn't spoken to me in a year!

Don't be upset. He wanted you to study medicine

you're the first to have finished his studies

no matter what dad thinks, I'm proud of my brother...

The patrolman

Your first assignment...

Is sector four of the northern zone, highway 82

you've been highly recommended. I expect an exemplary performance

report to lieutenant Perez. He will allocate a car to you

You get number 27, rojas

our best car, because they say you are a good driver

thank you, lieutenant

I'm warning you...

One scratch and I'll knock the shit out of you

- Congratulations - Thank you, lieutenant

May I see your licence?

You're putting lives at risk, driving the wrong way down a one-way street

what is your explanation?

I'm late for work and my boss wants to fire me

my mother is ill, my father beats me and my dog has died

you should leave earlier to get to work on time

I could impound your car for three days

here is your licence

I'll overlook it this time

everything is all right. Right?

Have a nice day

Buy our iguanas!

Pedro, they've assigned us to look after hell

even buzzards are at a loss here

- What would you like? - Ice cold beers

the beers have all gone, lads

there is only Tequila

- what about those gringos? - They brought their own beer

no beer. Bring Tequila then

what do you reckon?

Beer

no, thank you

German, the best

Mexican beer is best

you've never been to an oktoberfest...

Can't you see we're busy?

I'll leave them there

How do they expect us to make money here?

Meet our quotas

check trucks and permits

dealers smuggle drugs in truckloads of explosives

don't mess with them, they're really dangerous

we mustn't be afraid of them

it's poison!

- What's wrong? - No front bumper

it was stolen last night

- open the back - I've nothing but canned goods

Take this ball

shoes for your son. A bathing suit

I'm impounding this merchandise. Follow me to the police station

I'm only making a living

thanks for remembering my children

getting permission was difficult

god will know how to thank you

it takes so little to make them happy, doesn't it?

May I have a cigarette?

"Sons of the army"

Come to our restaurant, El familiar

try our delicious chilaquiles in green sauce...

And our succulent huevos rancheros

If you're so weary, stay at home instead of sucking travellers' blood

article 70 - trucks are not public transport. Licence, please

how am I supposed to take my workers to the fields?

In a limousine?

It's obvious that you come from the city

leave him alone, senorita Griselda

- Griselda... - Don't you like my name?

It's unusual, but I like it

what now? Because I am not going to give you money

you'll breakfast with your workers. I've not eaten since yesterday

You want to have breakfast?

Do you know pancho villa street?

Do you know where the Plaza is?

My house is two blocks from the Plaza. Number 115

I'll be waiting there... in an hour

don't be late

Is senorita Griselda in?

We've been waiting for you. You are two hours late

Lots of work?

Highway problems, sefor Marcos

never mind. You can come here whenever you like

why haven't the service station robbers been caught yet?

That's a matter for the municipal police, not us

well consider this your home

please help me with my sleeve

I hope I won't make it worse

what happened to your face?

When I was a boy, some friends threw me through a window

with such friends, I'd hate to meet your enemies

life in the capital, senorita Griselda

how do you like it in mapimi?

It's lovely

they say that god was born in mapimi

- an egg? - Yes please, senorita Griselda

all my friends call me zeldita

You're dead tired

zanaida, prepare the guest room for the officer

it's not necessary, senor Marcos

patrolmen never rest. Always looking down the barrel of a gun

- true? - True... zeldita

father, weren't you going to do something?

No, I've got no plans

you asked me to remind you of something

oh yes...

I was going to change the flowers on your mother's grave

I'll come to the door with you

- What about father? - He's very tired and his leg hurts

tell him I miss him very much

let's get going, my love

I need money for irrigating the ranch

a patrolman's salary isn't big enough for that

open the door for me

I know how to do it

put it on the floor - ok

You know a patrolman's salary is barely enough to get by on

somehow we must have more money here

don't drool on me

Don't worry, all women are the same. She'll get over it

a wedding ring is a tightening noose

I just washed it

it's dirty here

- How goes it, anibal? - A promise is a debt

- how much? - Half. And check the oil in my car

what are you doing? Get rid of that banger

it's fine. I just need to change the plugs

- change the car - The car's fine

rojas. Report to the commandant

what have you done?

Who knows

you're worn out

come for some fun at the oasis after your shift

no. Thanks all the same, anibal

What's happening, rojas?

I hear you aren't fulfilling your quota for tickets. Is there a problem?

The road is deserted. There's almost no traffic

officer guerrero seems to have no problem

- I'm not interested in him - But I am, rojas!

Because of your poor performance I am assigning you to route 44

- the pig route? - Precisely

if you don't manage to fulfil your duties there...

I'll have to suspend you. Understand?

Yes, sir - dismissed

I think one is dead

did you ask for the permits?

He has the vet's examination papers but no health permits

I'll check. Confiscate the dead pig

Sorry, but without health permits I can't allow you to go any further

all the health department red tape...

The pigs will die of old age before I get permits

I have doctor matanzas' certificate...

And a donation to your department's retirement fund

we appreciate your donation

but you can't leave without permits

every time they change the officer, the bribe goes up

I'm not informed about that

I'll inform you. There you are

please stamp my permit

Even stones bleed out here, don't they?

- What's this? - The dead pig

they're not going to eat it!

The poor people haven't got much else

What are you drinking? I'll pay

looking for company?

I'm married

everyone here is married

buy us a drink

waiter!

A round of drinks for the ladies

Not like that. Dance slowly

Come on. Get up and go. Time's up

- Out, pepe - Pedro... Pedro rojas

come and see me soon, Pedro. I like you

officer Pedro rojas

Emilio. Are you paying a visit?

- What time do you call this? - It's only five in the morning.

Don't try to be funny, you fool. Where have you been?

Don't yell, you'll wake your father

since when have you cared?

I'll do what I please in my house

we'll see about that. No one makes a fool of me

I'm warning you, Pedro

it's my house...

And no one makes a fool of me

I'm warning you, Pedro!

Just you wait and see

where have you been, Pedro?

I'm talking to you

if you do this again you won't live to see another day, I swear it

and if you give me a venereal disease...

I'll serve your balls for breakfast

You're making money at last, Pedro dear

You should have said you were working

Come on. We must get there first

Car 27, reporting from the accident on highway 27

There's another one inside

- How goes it, anibal? - Fine

it's a good job we got here first. Those vultures never leave a thing

how about this? Nice, eh?

It's for you to keep, Pedro

I'm going after them

Car 27...

Reporting a suspicious yellow gremlin without number plates

Stop immediately!

Take it easy, boss. We don't want to end up full of holes

you're drunk. Get of the car!

Hold on, calm down

don't muck about with me. Show me your licence!

Take it easy, just give me a moment. Don't upset me

Give us a ticket quickly. We're in a hurry

Simon, show him your licence

Goodbye, copper!

Car 27, code 44

I've been shot in the leg

car 27, officer rojas, report your position

Pedro. Wake up, man

I must speak to you, boy

- father? - Yes. Don't you recognise me?

Dad, I'm happy to see you

those men almost killed you

I wasn't careful enough

it won't happen again

you'll end up crippled, like me

all because of those damn cops who blew my knee off in the 1962 strike

I'll be all right, you'll see

reconsider all this, son. Come and work with me

is that why you came?

You almost lost your life. Don't keep disobeying me!

Father, I'm a patrolman and I always will be

after this you insist on remaining a petty taker of bribes?

Please don't treat me like this

we'll meet again, Pedro

in another life

father, don't leave me here

help me!

When you grow up, you'll work like daddy, lucerito

Pedro, please. Don't start giving her ideas

so being a patrolman means nothing?

Don't get upset

you know your public service work gets very little recognition

Dad came to insult me, too

your father?

Your father...

Has died

while you were in hospital

you had such a fever

we couldn't break the news to you

I'll put the baby to bed

Eat

What did they do to you?

Don't touch me there. It hurts like hell

It's a dangerous job, isn't it?

Your job is dangerous too

Maribel? Why do you do this?

What do you mean "why"?

Why are you a cop?

You can't compare jobs

no? What do you know?

I have two children

my husband left me two years ago

do you think I do it for fun?

No, not that

get the hell out of here

I never want to see you again

maribel, I didn't mean to offend you

fuck off! I don't want to see you

Damn leg!

Are you all right? What happened?

- I hit a truck - You were chasing it?

No, I shifted to first instead of reverse

well you did a thorough job

do you think it's funny?

This vehicle is public property and you are responsible for it

you must pay for the repairs

In the meantime, use this car

no objections or you'll keep it

Pull over! That's an order!

- Let's see how brave you are now - Don't kill me!

Why should I stain my hands with your blood?

Your cellmates can rape you

I'm Ramon Lopez Perez, son of the state governor

- bullshit! I'll knock that out of you - I swear! I'm Ramon Lopez Perez!

I'm taking you in. Your friends can wait for the pick-up truck

Eliseo, call my father at the mansion

I'll call my uncle at the police too

- why not call the president? - I know him, too

I swear I'm Ramon Lopez Perez

My uncle will fix that creep

stop crying, sissy. You're all right

You've really screwed things up, Pedro

first you crash your car. Then you rough up the governor's son

he deserved a bigger beating than he got

sure, but you know these little rich boys

they're made of porcelain

you can't touch them. Daddy is someone

- it was a misunderstanding - Control your animals

navarro, sort this creep out

- just try that again! - Clear off, you brat!

Rojas, come to my office

never draw a gun on a minor

it's the first thing we teach you!

So what happened?

I'm on report. I must go and see doctor bolanos in torreon

rojas, car 27 is ready

assign it to someone else. I've got used to 112

you're joking. This car is a death-trap

no. The 112 engine is more powerful

Pedro, take 27. It's a better car

like this gun, it's better

Smith and Wesson automatic. You can't compare it to your gun

what's the difference?

They both kill

Are you sure you didn't hate your father?

He was very strict but I loved him

And you still like women?

Absolutely

doctor, be frank

do you think there is something wrong with me?

Officer rojas, take these pills

if they don't work I'll prescribe stronger ones

Senor pena, your bus is in no condition to be driven

give us a break. We're not going far

think of the kids. They're all mentally retarded

besides I was going to give you a big tip

it's not a question of money. You're responsible for the children's safety

Car 19, this is 112. Over

white caravan, licence 471 ove, coming your way

driver was smoking a joint

- we'll collect off them. - Thanks, Pedro!

Be careful, they look like smugglers. Keep radio contact. I'll join you

there's a campsite up there

it's for girls but I'm sure they'll admit you

god bless you, officer. You're kind

have a drink on me

drive carefully, sefior pefa

what are you looking at? Get inside

Car 19, I've spotted them. I'm moving to intercept

Car 19. I'm behind the white caravan

there's no danger, I'm stopping him

calling car 19. 112 won't start

relax, Pedro. Fix it and then follow

t've switched on my warning lights

don't do it, anibal. Wait for me

they've shot out my windscreen!

Those bastards won't get away!

Anibal, back off!

- They're armed to the teeth! - They're getting away!

- Now they've stopped. - Where the hell are you, Pedro?

Take cover. I'm almost with you

I can't hear you, anibal!

Speak clearly, I can't hear you!

Where are you, brother? Hold on!

What happened to you?

What have they done to you?

Where was god when they did this to you?

What would you like, gentlemen?

A bottle of Tequila

I'm sorry, we serve only cocktails

Tequila, or I'll knock the shit out of you!

Sorry. We've just come from a funeral

please make an exception in this case

Thirty years in the service...

And I can't get used to this

To anibal, Pedro. We must never forget him

I'm going to look for those gringos. They're going to pay

don't waste your time. They're out of the country by now

learn from what happened and forget the whole thing

but be sure to remember your friend anibal...

Who died doing his duty

the white house has stated...

Turn off that television!

And bring another bottle of Tequila

And another glass

Salud, sergeant

Buy our iguanas!

Why aren't you at school?

We don't want to go

don't you know it's illegal to sell iguanas on the highway?

- Where did you get them? - The mountains

you don't want to go to prison?

Tell me where your school is then

it's up there

you don't want to go?

Well I'm taking you up there right now

take your hands off the car

You think it's funny?

Officer, we have a big problem. A rabid dog, over in the corral

- What happened to her? - The dog bit her

take her to the clinic at once!

Don't follow me, it might be dangerous

You have a problem, too?

It's my daughter, these children's mother

as long as it's not another dog

You must pay for killing my chicken

you fool

Can you take my grandson?

They left my daughter here this afternoon

- maribel? - Do you know her?

Then help her. She can't stay here

It's Pedro. Don't you recognise me?

Maribel, what did they do to you?

I'm all right, don't worry

I'm freezing - put my coat on

- Put that animal away - It's only an iguana, Pedro

careful, there's another somewhere

don't be a sissy

I'll take you to the bar but you must tell me who is giving you the drugs

- what's it to you? - I'm not mucking about

me neither. Stop acting like Tarzan's mother

you can't change things

- what are they for? - Pills. For my nerves

Let me help you

keep out of my problems

let me buy you something to eat at least

- if you like - Two portions of pork scratchings

come and see me sometime

Emilio, listen. I need some now

Emilio, I'm dying. Let's go inside

- who was that cop? - A customer, like all the others

Car 27, report your position

Can you tell me the time?

Come on, can't you afford a watch?

It's very late

Pedro, breakfast is ready

what are you doing?

I'm just checking anibal's gun

you can't forget, can you?

I couldn't save his life

be careful, that's all I ask

I'm your wife

but I don't want to be your widow

Get out, with your hands up!

Where are you going?

I'm taking my brother to work in nuevo laredo tomorrow

- what's your job? - I'm a journalist...

- Show me your press card - It's at home in brownsville

journalist?

Don't you mean smuggler?

- Open the boot - I haven't got the key

You travel light

maybe your heavy bags are elsewhere?

On your knees, you bastard!

Drop your trousers

why? This is abuse by the police

what have we got here? Where did you get this stuff?

They'll kill us if we squeal

that's not my problem

what about the helicopter beyond the mountains?

It's the distributors, foreigners

we take their drugs across for them

- when are they due back? - In two days, stuff for los organos

please don't kill me. For my children's sake

we haven't done anything

clear off

the car?

- Can I come in? - Yes

finished?

A few moments ago

Want to cover yourself?

Don't you like me like this?

Take this money. And the drugs

go and dry out at your mother's

Who are you to order me about?

A patrolman

obey me or go to jail

Pedro, there is no cure for me

I am going to die

then die at home

I don't want to find you dead in this crappy place

Hold me

pack and I'll take you to the bus

Hug your mother and the kids for me

tell me if you need anything

call me through hq when you get home

enough of that, we're off now

Rojas, we're out of work. You haven't wrecked your car in months

check the points while I see the commandant

I've received a report from the police

They stopped two men on the highway

they said a patrolman confiscated their drugs then let them go

do you know anything about this?

The police are very naive

I'm sure it's just a yarn. The drugs have been hidden

- you don't know anything? - Absolutely nothing

I'll tell them to make further enquiries

you may go now

Be careful, lad. I'll be keeping a close eye on you. Understand?

Emilio! It's Pedro rojas of the pndc

all I want to know is who the guys in the helicopter were

come and get me, if you can!

Emilio, I'm maribel's friend

let's drop our guns and make a deal

just come and get me!

I only wanted to talk to you, that's all

fuck!

I'll tell him at once

central office congratulates you, rojas

He was a drug trafficker. He deserved it

- I only wanted to detain him - That you did. Congratulations

however, I must suspend you for 30 days during the investigation

why?

It's routine, when there's been a death

the police insist that weekly deliveries were 15 kilos

they accuse me of concealing the drugs?

You know how they are. They suspect everybody

I'm resigning, commandant

the highway patrol rewards its most effective personnel, rojas

we must be tough. You have a great future in the corporation

I don't give a damn. I'm going home

Stupid little boys

most don't even make it this far

- What's wrong with the baby? - Who knows, dad

don't forget to tell venancio to repair the cow pasture fence

drive carefully. Don't hurt the boys

Buy me the afternoon edition of "the voice of the north"

and don't forget my change

- is that all? - No. My kiss

What's so funny?

What a nice surprise

maribel, you have a visitor

Pedro, I'm surprised to see you

I couldn't come before, what with quitting the service and everything

I can imagine. I went to headquarters a month ago

invite the officer for a cup of tea

we'd invite you to eat but there isn't enough

I'm glad to see you looking well

Pedro, live with us. We'll be very happy

no, I can't leave my family, my daughter

so I'll have to go back to the bar

no, please don't

how am I supposed to feed my family?

You promised to give me money, or have you forgotten?

If you don't want to live here and I can't work... what then?

What the hell am I supposed to do?

Are you going to support me or what?

Yes. I'll give you money every month

thanks, Pedro

you're great

maribel, the child!

Buy our iguanas!

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