Original subtitles

THE UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE

Based on the novel by

Screenplay

Produced

Directed by

When people become famous or belong to a dynasty,

they acquire a nickname which marks them in the flow of events.

A common defence to ward against threats

or against an alien force.

The Albergarias received their name years ago, "Storks",

because of their long legs.

Y es, I remember but the name fell into abeyance.

Because they grew in wealth and influence.

There were those also called "Penitents",

aristocratic lawyers.

The women were well-dressed, they visited Paris and Venice.

But they were still called "Penitents"...

Nobody could remember why.

Such nicknames have not disappeared.

Have you noticed, Daniel, that river-boat is empty?

The upper deck anyway, though it's covered with an awning.

Who wants a boat trip in this rain?

Y es, the weather's unsettled...

The sun is out,

then it's cloudy and raining...

It changes all the time.

These modern missiles and explosions have upset the climate.

It's topsy-turvy.

Never mind that. Let's talk about the name "Blue Bull".

It was handed down through generations of vine-workers,

both men and women.

Among them, a pretty girl,

the illegitimate daughter of a farmer, Celsa's grandmother.

Only one of her two sons is called Blue Bull.

- Is Florido the brother? - Yes.

A good husband and a man of property.

They grew up poor and now they have escaped destitution,

which is the mother of Eros, as you know.

"Blue Bull" is the surname of Jose Luciano,

the son of Celsa, the maid...

Celsa, who works for Antonio Clara,

known as the "Red Carnation".

The son of Ruth...

Yes Ruth, the mother of the Red Carnation.

He is the current owner of "Our Lady's Mount"

and enjoys a vast fortune inherited from an uncle,

according to a secret clause in the will.

They say Antonio, the Red Carnation son of Ruth, and Jose Luciano...

- The "Blue Bull". - The son of the servant girl, yes..

Despite the difference of rank played with Camila as children,

in her parents' garden.

But that was a long time ago.

The "Red Carnation" is now the landlord of "Our Lady's Mount"

and heir to his uncle's fortune.

He used to live in Oporto with this two brothers...

- His two older brothers. - When his uncle was alive.

Their mother Ruth was always close to her husband

and joined him in Africa.

Their father was a diplomat...

But he had to retire due to ill-health.

They live in Africa,

where he studies archaeology in Zimbabwe.

Right.

And Celsa, his faithful old servant, was left in charge of the house.

She worships the "Red Carnation",

"her" Antonio, as she calls him.

She loves him as she loves her own son Jose Luciano,

Blue Bull, a nickname he inherited from his mother

and which has stuck.

It was Celsa who gave Antonio the name Red Carnation,

because he was born scarlet.

It's a pity he has a slight limp.

He's an attractive man.

But "Blue Bull" is a great success with the women.

Y es, for example Vanessa, a beauty.

They are said to be lovers.

Lovers yes, and in disreputable business together.

Over and above the brothel they run.

The lad is an underworld prodigy.

He is a depraved rogue,

but there is no cynicism in his cruelty...

Nor mildness in his mercy.

He's a strange chap...

Celsa loves them as if they were both her own.

As if Antonio was her son?

Yes, as if he were her son.

Blessed Virgin, who knows all

and sees all.

Blessed Virgin,

protect Antonio,

save him from Luciano's wicked ways

and grant them both good sense.

Oh Lord!

She looks like our painting of Our Lady.

I remember going to Oporto to eat roast kid on St. John's Eve.

Those were the days, sister dear.

Carefree days. Now...

I'll take your sister's baby.

I was exhausted, mother.

My nephew weighs a ton.

Camila should get married and have children of her own.

Come in, Celsa!

Come in, come in.

How is Antonio? With his mother in Africa...

He's well, he's fine, Joana.

Miss Camila is quite grown-up.

A beauty...

She cannot lack for admirers.

When I saw her from the door, I thought of Master Antonio.

What he needs, now that he is a man, is someone...

A young lady like Miss Camila.

Hear that, Camila?

Yes, aunt.

She is still very young.

I know, but time marches on.

That's true, Miss T ofi.

Antonio!

I want you to meet my friend.

Vanessa, this is Antonio.

I've been looking forward to introducing you.

Besides being friends

we are also, shall we say, business partners.

You have a lovely house, and a beautiful pool.

The house and the pool,

are all yours whenever you please.

The offer and the place are equally charming.

As is Antonio...!

You seem upset, Celsa. What's the matter?

Yes I'm worried, Mr. Daniel Roper.

Don't get up Celsa. T ell us why you have come.

T ake a seat.

With your permission.

I'm sorry to disturb you.

I'm worried about Master Antonio Clara.

He is your friend. You are fond of him.

We are, but what has happened? Is it serious?

Not yet. But it could be.

My son, the one they call Blue Bull...

A handsome lad.

He's always up to no good...

Dangerous business.

Imagine...

He's brought us Vanessa, a loose and depraved woman...

Who runs brothels as you know.

One is near here.

He has persuaded my Jose Luciano to go into business with her.

T o be partners and so on...

You wouldn't believe it!

That fool took Vanessa to Master Antonio's house

and I saw the three of them chatting by the pool.

Master Antonio is physically and morally weak.

He can't defend himself,

Iike my boy they call "Blue Bull".

He hasn't got the strength of character your boy has.

You know what Vanessa is like.

We understand your concern...

But what do you want us to do?

You have influence with Antonio.

He respects you.

He is an intelligent and civilized man.

What I thought was...

If you agree...

We could have a party after the wine-harvest...

What sort of party?

A big dinner for everyone.

Miss Camila and her family, of course...

And you both.

Miss Camila would be ideal

for Master Antonio.

That's true. They would make a lovely couple.

And you want our help?

Yes, Mr. Roper.

Persuade Antonio to give the party and you can count on us.

- Right, T orcato? - lndeed.

We must save Antonio from Vanessa the T emptress.

- From the claws of Vanessa. - Oh, sirs!

Thank you both.

Mr. T orcato and Mr. Daniel.

Its all for Camila's sake.

It's over, my love Our joy is over

Thank you, Alzira.

I have a mother, I have a father I have it all

But Maria's love

- T o your very good health! - Thank you, everybody!

"After the wine-harvest,

"Celsa convinced Antonio to give a dinner-party for the Ropers

"and Camila and her family.

"Antonio agreed but insisted Vanessa came

"and she brought Blue Bull."

- Is your husband in Zimbabwe? - Unfortunately he couldn't come.

The climate is good for his health

and travelling crucifies him.

He had to stay. He'd love to see his children

and meet Antonio whom he does not even know.

Have you never thought of going to see your father in Zimbabwe?

My brothers and l have thought about it...

A trip to see our father...

And for me to meet him.

Your father would love to see you and meet you, Antonio.

Some things aren't possible. What about your brother, Simao?

He couldn't come.

Our brother had to go away.

It was all very sudden. But our mother happened to be coming.

Not everything can be made to happen at once.

For the present, you have your mother here, your brother...

And Joana Ferreira,

T ofi Borges, and our Camila.

Our little Camila.

Our dear, little Camila.

My niece is no longer a child.

If she is unmarried, it' because she didn't want to.

She's had admirers...

- And rejected them all. - Why do you say those things, Aunt?

Because you should marry and you won't.

The time will come.

Women are like artichokes,

the heart is delicious and it's edible.

But it's not always available.

Camila reminds me of Joan of Arc, warrior and martyr.

More the warrior, or the martyr?

- Both, I said. - I was asking Camila.

Neither one nor the other, Vanessa.

A good answer, Camila.

Marriage makes a girl a lady.

Speaking of marriage,

they say that T orcato and Daniel both descend from Sir Thomas More?

It is no mere rumour.

They also say Thomas More could do anything

except marry a virgin. - There your are then.

Vanessa would have pleased our ancestor.

But would Vanessa like a man like him?

That is the principle of uncertainty.

- Joan of Arc was a virgin. - Really?

Some say she was a man disguised as a woman.

Gender does not preclude virginity.

- It only precludes proving it. - Well said Blue Bull!

Your son is witty, Celsa.

Celsa has been a mother to my Antonio.

He's more her son than mine.

You're standing, you should be sitting with us.

This is my place.

Where I feel at home.

You know I'm very fond of you Celsa.

Exactly.

Thanks to you,

I can treat both boys as my sons.

My boy likes to be called Blue Bull.

Lord knows why. But I love them both.

Celsa does not need to sit at table to know we like her.

As for Antonio, Celsa feels that,

because of Ruth's long absences,

he needs a wife,

a woman to accompany him. - A spouse.

Camila is a model of sincerity and innocence

who can confront a changing world without being spoiled.

Do you want me to wrap her up?

We'll make you a good price Mr Daniel Roper.

It is not my habit to pay for affection.

I agree with you.

I also agree with what Daniel says about Camila.

How are you?

How have you been since our dinner party?

- How are you Daniel? - T orcato.

T orcato! How are you Daniel?

Since that delightful dinner at Antonio's.

Please sit down.

That dinner...

Seems a long time ago.

But we are pleased to see you.

Very pleased.

We have been charged with a pleasant task.

It is about your adorable daughter.

Camila is indeed adorable.

She is already a lady...

Our mission is...

Our mission...

Is to ask for her hand in marriage on behalf of Antonio.

Why are you here?

Do you hear? Why?

What were the Ropers doing here?

- The Ropers? - Yes, what were they doing here?

They came to ask my parents for my hand,

I'm to marry your friend Antonio.

- But I'd like to talk to you. - Really?

I haven't seen you in ages. Have you got a secret to tell me?

It's no secret, I merely want to say

that I am a man, and you are a woman.

I believe so.

If asked, would you marry me?

- Me? - Y es, Camila.

Do you remember, when we were small

and I used to tell you tales of monks and students,

which you loved to hear?

If I asked, would you marry me?

Me?

We are so poor. Do you see how poor we are?

You are to marry for money?

Have you seen the state this house is in?

The sink is worn out with scrubbing.

Our plates are all chipped except Aunt T ofis'.

Portugal has become a lottery, everyone wants to win,

everyone wants a consolation for being so poor.

I've won the jackpot and I intend to enjoy it.

What would Antonio think, if he heard you?

Marriage is an attitude. He's getting married, nothing more.

But I've loved you since you were five years old

and you played the piano on kitchen chairs.

It was for me to hear, wasn't it?

Yes.

I always wanted to seduce you.

I played the piano on kitchen chairs to impress you.

I may even marry to captivate you,

but marrying you would mean giving up.

- Do you understand? - I don't understand you.

I only know that I love you.

It is good to hear you say that.

I have waited so long.

Now I can marry in peace.

Sun, trees, do you understand me?

I am happy I can tell you this.

Antonio, will you take Camila to be your lawful wedded wife

according the rites of Our Holy Mother Church?

I will.

Camila, will you take Antonio to be your lawful wedded husband

according to the rites of Our Holy Mother Church?

I will.

Bless, O Lord, this manifest consent...

We're all fed up with wedding scenes

at the movies, in books, even in real life.

We all overdo the fetichism involved in uniting people.

You are quite right.

People...

In the symbol of the ring, the bouquet, the veil and the wedding march.

Are you against marriage?

It's the ritual I mean.

I'm glad to hear it. Go on, Mr. Roper.

The ring

represents a tradition. It can't be left out.

Quite.

Even homosexuals want a ring,

for propriety's sake.

That's why in comic scenes it is hidden, forgotten...

Or simply put in one's pocket.

Funny, what happened with the ring, just now.

But Camila is an intelligent woman.

Never "caught unawares", as Celsa says.

She had two curtain rings and the ceremony went on.

Here comes Vanessa.

She's managed everything.

She's even supplied maids from her brothel.

This Camila is a strange girl. Do you know what she said?

That during the night someone came and took her blood like a sample.

There were two drops of blood near her pillow.

- Could she be a bride of Dracula? - I'm serious!

We guard against the unknown, be it good or evil.

Even God we can't be sure whether he is good or not.

I think Camila likes to be outside all of this.

- Are you discussing Camila? - Yes we are...

- Did you find the rings? - No, no, I've looked everywhere.

Camila has a peculiar effect on us all, it's inexplicable.

I could have prevented her marriage...

- You tried, it seems. - I said, "could have".

She could have hidden them herself.

I'm not jealous, I don't desire her.

She'd commit crimes to remain Antonio's.

I think she's a witch or worse.

- I don't know what could be worse. - Being a nobody is worse.

Oranges can be classified according to sweetness and colour.

I'm not an orange.

He didn't appreciate the joke.

He dyes his hair to look Nordic, which women find attractive.

I don't understand why women prefer it so.

A question of fashion, probably.

Nowadays sport seems to dictate fashion.

Once Blue Bull, as well as athlete, wanted to be a racing driver.

- That was very dear. - Launching a trend is always dear.

Game.

No more bets.

1 6. Red.

It's a pity Daddy isn't here.

I came to invite you to dinner.

It's our first dinner for family and friends.

What a pity you can't come!

Yes...

Your father was sorry when you left home.

He went to your room several times...

He seemed to mourn your absence.

Three days later he was gone.

T o gamble?

T o fritter away the rest, like he did with the house.

Y es, but you know...

He gambles to forget his troubles.

He went to the Casino da Povoa and whenever he goes there...

Which he so often has!

What do you expect?

That's life.

- Gambling makes him forget. - Which is precisely the problem.

So you're giving a party?

Not a party.

Just a dinner to get everyone together.

Family and close friends.

I don't know if your father can come.

When is it?

- But you'll come? - Of course, darling.

It's next week.

I'd love to see my room now.

It's just as you left it, you see.

T orcato...

Daniel...

Sit down.

We have no help to speak of...

Why didn't you say? I would have closed the French windows.

Thanks, but I am the lady of the house.

Everything is poor quality nowadays.

That seems fair.

For instance?

T o each his own, Vanessa.

Camila is the jewel in the family.

Did you consider your daughter a jewel before she married?

Her sister was married.

Camila was our only treasure.

A family jewel shines brighter alone.

I think I'm going to follow Ruth's example in every regard,

if I have the strength, the valour and all that.

The family jewel shines brighter alone.

"The part your love forces me to play,

"inspires greatness of soul".

Words of Thomas More to his friend Erasmus.

I like hearing you quote.

But I'm afraid

when the papers alter things to make them sound better.

They don't say "black" they say "coloured".

They want to avoid problems and not be accused of racism.

You know Vanessa, we are the villains of the piece

who keep the blood flowing in the veins of these shits.

Luciano!

Do you think Camila is an angel?

What sort of question is that? Don't you believe in angels?

Not in the traditional sense.

But I believe some people appear fortuitously.

They are not sent, nothing like that.

They are mutants.

What is that?

They are like you and me

only they represent a variation on nature.

They seem like Camila.

Camila is a mutant.

You are mad Vanessa.

No, I'm not.

It is only that I cannot make her suffer.

You are mad!

Intriguing, this mutant notion...

Camila had a difficult time at school.

How so?

Not that she didn't suffer when she was betrayed by friends

on whom she had a girlish crush, but like me,

because I was born of indignant flesh

and my father didn't love my mother.

He behaved clinically and coldly towards her.

Are you talking about Camila?

I don't know. Perhaps in a way. Why not?

Camila would say she's not worth worrying about.

Is suffering that essential to human relationships?

Did Christ come down to earth

to cement an alliance with Man by means of suffering?

T ell me it is so and I shall pester you no more.

I can't answer that,

we are entering the realm of religion.

I'll answer you.

Two years ago I was not allowed to marry a student

who committed suicide a year later.

He hanged himself

and didn't leave a note to say why he'd done it.

If it hadn't been for you, he wouldn't have done it.

I hardly knew him.

That doesn't mean you didn't drive him to despair.

You are wicked.

You laughed when you heard of his sad end.

Yes, I did.

What did you expect me to say?

Nobody knows what happened.

She's a good girl.

Her heart is pure as driven snow.

This talk of the soul is meaningless.

Well, dinner is served.

I can't bear a woman to be naked before a man.

A low neckline is acceptable.

Showing one's legs, I can understand.

But backs?

Some backs are beautiful, like a carving,

with a channel you can pour wine into.

Beautiful or not, bare backs are for leeches and poultices,

not kisses...

However delicious the wine that runs over them.

Why are you so lovely and so well-dressed?

For reasons you certainly have guessed.

Guess no, but suspect.

Shall we sit there and talk quietly?

When I was first married,

I went on visiting the ruined chapel,

taking the key from under a stone.

Now my life is going through a phase of intercourse with people

whose names have for me...

A mystical flavour.

What surprises me, Camila, is...

How shall I say, the extent of your tolerance.

Do you think so?

I hate subservience that borders on superstition.

So why let people humiliate you?

I don't take things to heart. It's not important.

There are just good days and bad days.

Are you're a slave by any chance?

As a matter as fact I am...

Even to fashion as you see.

A pretty woman with your qualities can only be a slave to herself,

or perhaps to fashion.

It's not that.

It would be absurd to even consider fashions

which are models meant for simple working women...

Those they call "wearable".

An unhappy marriage doesn't prevent me from dreaming.

- Nor dressing well. - Duty of a wife under threat.

Marriage isn't for life.

Your present situation may be temporary.

- You could... - That's the trouble.

Anything could happen.

I've just arrived.

Have you noticed how well-dressed your Camila is?

Do I have to explain what I wear?

I'm not criticizing you, on the contrary.

I'm full of admiration

and calling Antonio's attention to your good taste.

It's late.

I'm off to bed.

Antonio is determined to show you don't deserve him.

I can't stand by...

You let him insult you.

Are you a slave?

That's the second time today I've been asked that question.

So let me ask you a third time.

- Are you some sort of slave? - Actually, yes.

But your power is ephemeral.

You have not yet reached the first stage of intelligence.

And what is the first stage of intelligence?

It is goodness.

You have not yet attained it. We must live with that.

I live surrounded by fences, barbed-wire, walls,

and threats you cannot conceive.

But I know you love me and I'm grateful for that.

You are free to attack me with your love.

Whip me till I bleed.

I'd never do that.

What do you take me for? Some sort of jailer?

Otherwise power would matter less to you.

- Me? - Y es, you.

Power and more power...

Over your harlots and your clients,

over your schemes to bring you wealth and the good life.

Power affects everyone. The whole world.

Death is the only escape possible.

You are neurotic. Your family are all neurotics.

It's hereditary.

That can be resolved.

What I mean is, don't count on me.

Sleep with Antonio, enjoy the house,

it will not humiliate me nor make me suffer.

My love for people is not reciprocal.

I'm raceless, and that's that.

Another thing, Vanessa.

Don't look at me like that, it makes me lose heart.

You spend your life talking about problems,

but you are incapable of inventing a problem.

I spend my life inventing problems.

You are a problem for everyone around you,

your husband, your mother, your father.

I've never seen such lack of feeling.

T o hear you talk of feeling is comical.

Perhaps it's your personality,

voracious but also voluptuous,

when it comes to playing the benefactress...

You support sports' clubs,

you give large gifts to hospitals and old peoples homes.

Are you talking about me or about society?

It's the same thing. It's in your blood

you, and others like you,

Ieeches who suck the blood out of a society of pleasure.

Your father is an inveterate gambler

and you, Camila, have inherited his vice.

You play with life as if it were a roulette wheel.

Isn't it?

Well, the game's up for today.

I'm tired after my journey and I'm going to bed.

Goodnight.

Goodnight, Camila.

I've never seen you dance, T orcato.

It's too tiring and I'm not a young man.

You'd rather chat, would you?

That depends on the conversation.

You used to talk to Antonio to lend him money and give him advice.

Those days are over.

Once inherited his great fortune, he doesn't need money

but it seems to me he needs your advice now more than ever.

Money changes things.

There is the right age to please ourselves.

There is a saying

"a bridle of gold does not improve the horse".

We do what we can... Or what we're told.

- What are you saying? - It doesn't matter.

Do you think things matter, unimportant things?

Unimportant, my eye!

I hate being taken for a nobody.

I am wealthy. I know everybody.

You can't get there without lying.

The truth gets you nowhere,

it's disillusioning.

So now we've got a mistress of illusion!

Kind of.

If I were you, I wouldn't dye your hair, Vanessa.

Men like it.

It's a means of attraction, pretending to be something we're not.

I pretend from morning till night,

or rather, from night until morning.

Anything of interest has to be make-believe.

Stop drinking Vanessa. You've had enough.

What is he doing here? T o see the girls?

You're mad.

Or is he after the teacher of the trade.

You're crazy.

I'm not dishonouring the house.

Let them show him their bodies and have a drink with him.

If they don't,

we'll call them inexperienced whores.

Go to hell!

I'm glad I've found you.

I have got the shivers, I don't know why.

Who makes me feel that?

It's good you're here. T orcato loves talking with you.

- Don't leave on my account. - They were just going.

We were leaving. We have things to do at home.

We'll have a quiet chat some time.

I'd like that.

Alright.

Goodnight.

You proposed to me the first time we met...

I was single then.

Now I'm married...

I love you too much to behave like Camila.

I'm a different breed.

Our love doesn't need marriage.

Several days after.

Do you need anything else?

No thanks. Celsa, go and do your chores.

I've been talking to the farm manager, I'm boiling.

- Dive in now. - I'll change.

You'd do well to drop those two.

He won't leave his wife.

- Nor would I want him to. - So what do you want then?

We have too little sense of the general to understand truths

such you are seeking about yourself and Camila.

Different philosophies are not in competition here.

And Camila isn't all bad.

No, only a little disturbed.

Remember, there is madness in the family.

What did Blue Bull want?

T o talk about Camila. I think he's jealous.

Jealous? Of Camila or you?

Camila!

The problem is we pay her too much attention.

- I admit I pay her too much. - I accord her none.

Meaning, you don't sleep with her?

In that case I disapprove completely.

She is your wife, after all.

- I thought that was understood. - No, it's not. Not at all.

If you say you don't wish it,

you put me in an embarrassing position.

What position?

What am I doing here, then?

You can't treat me like a guinea-pig, that's all I know.

You seem to have grasped the vulnerable aspect.

Vulnerable aspect?

One is vulnerable if one wants to conform

to patterns of behaviour called normal.

Whatever you say, Vanessa.

So long as you love me.

"Antonio and Camila went to Aosta, in the North of ltaly.

"Vanessa joined them.

"On their return Camila went straight to the Ropers."

I know Vanessa joined you in Aosta.

- It was a pleasure trip. - That does not matter.

It's not bourgeois morality I'm worried about but...

Vanessa can still have children and she may wish to have one by your husband.

Daniel...

You are wicked!

Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

Undignified, your circumstances are.

If at least you had a child you could only benefit.

Why don't you try?

Don't you love your husband?

If you don't, why do you let this situation drag on?

Frankly, I don't understand.

Women's capacity to leapfrog suffering

is extraordinary.

Freud wrote to Marta Bernays, when he still called her my sweet,

"lnfirmity is not incurable in itself,

"only social position and the obligations of the individual."

Which means?

He was more interested in having power over her, than in knowing her.

"l don't understand you", he said,

and I say the same to you ; I don't understand you.

She didn't love him.

You mean to say you were not seduced.

Antonio Clara is very rich...

I was convinced, not seduced.

Seduction lasts a shorter time than persuasion.

Our marriage is for life.

Why are you so invulnerable?

So young and so invulnerable?

Don't tell me you're jealous?

Would you enjoy seeing me commit a faux pas?

That would be better than nothing.

I'm sincere but I can't feel enthusiasm,

for long.

The Virgin Mary's way is the only way to avoid suffering,

"Do as you will".

Which is brilliant. As a response.

Antonio hit me.

He hit you!

It was out of despair.

In the casino, Vanessa was having fun with some other people,

though she was losing heavily.

When we got to our room

Antonio took it out on me.

When I pulled away he tried to hold me,

and unfortunately broke my pearl necklace.

And the pearls...

But that was boorish!

Or proof of love.

What! He loves you?

How should I know?

It's unlikely.

I only know he hit me.

Maybe he loves me

but not according to intelligent people and European standards.

What are European standards?

I mean, logical thought has nothing to do with desire.

Of course not.

When we use the word sex nothing causes more terror.

I already knew what had happened.

Antonio told Vanessa. She said to me,

"lf he lays a hand on Camila, I don't know what I'll do."

She added, "what a bastard he is".

So you already knew...

Yes, but I wanted to hear your version.

I don't know what Vanessa will do now.

I doubt she'll do anything.

It's all my fault. I'm bothering you with my problems.

Not at all Camila; your presence is soothing.

But the effect is wearing off. I must rest.

- That's just what you should do. - Thanks.

Go now.

Have a good rest.

With Aunt T ofi

I had a premonition.

Just as I did

with the death of Daniel.

In my dream,

in the darkness of the night,

I saw a train.

It passed with all its carriages lit up and empty.

Aunt T ofi was alone

in one of them.

I recognised her profile

and her hair tied back.

Y es,

her hair was in a bun,

but it was her,

certainly.

I never knew

if it really happened

or if it was just my imagination.

I never knew if it really happened

or if it was a play of the imagination.

Daniel often said he thought a lot about death.

I never think about it

yet all around me is contaminated with death.

Some are on drugs and scream,

others spit blood into their table napkins.

Some have Al DS.

And others take precautions and use knives

and other weapons.

Their lungs are black with smoke,

their veins plugged up,

and their sex life a mess.

They live like clockwork toys, on a battery.

When we think the battery has run down

they start up again,

playing a drum or something.

Is there any whisky in this house?

You got married. You are married.

Your husband is a good man and you want for nothing.

You don't give him children,

and he tries not to care.

If you don't like the way he behaves, divorce him;

that's what you should do.

Make a fresh start, it's not that difficult.

But why divorce a good, rich man?

You have money. You can spend what you like.

What you need is a child.

If she doesn't want children, she has her reasons.

You don't know half of it.

Half of what? What are you talking about, Adoracao?

Leave it, mother. Don't take any notice of what Adoracao says.

You know best.

Me, loved?

Y es, loved.

I don't know anyone with your good fortune.

Because you have a fortune,

over a million in oil and gold!

Gold? What gold?

I never knew what people mean by that.

Let's see if I'm loved...

I've been insulted by everyone.

Antonio has hit me, left me without food or drink,

broken down my bedroom door and refused to put the lock back,

Antonio goes round with you as if you were his wife...

I don't know if he sleeps with you but I wouldn't bother to find out.

But this is the treatment of a princess.

Making you suffer is making you worthy of a throne.

What would have happened to the Virgin Mary if she was wealthy

and St Joseph had a shipyard where they built boats?

Small boats to sail on the Sea of Galilee.

In Nazareth, mainly farmers lived.

The Blessed Virgin was of that stock.

Where do you get your literary ideas?

In newspaper supplements?

Wrong...

All this learning

was taught me by the Roper brothers.

Good God.

T o hear you, would think you knew the Virgin Mary!

Look here Celsa.

Neither sesame seed, nor tobacco seed,

only the seed of man.

Do you know what? I've had enough.

This woman is the Devil!

Celsa, come here, close to me.

Listen, I have lived many things.

I'm going to tell you an ugly secret.

I'm not ashamed of it but I've never told anyone.

T ell me, my child.

When I was thirteen years old

my father took me to the cinema in Oporto.

It was strange of him to sacrifice

two or three hours he could have spent at the casino.

In the next row was a middle-aged, respectable-looking man...

During the film he put his arm over the chair

and touched my legs.

I felt his hot hands

and his nails.

I though he was just changing his position and had touched my legs.

But when it became clear it was not a mistake,

I told my father I wanted to change seats.

He didn't answer and I repeated.

"l want to change seats." He still didn't listen.

During this time I defended myself as best I could.

Before the interval the man got up and left.

When I thought I was free of him, he came back...

When the lights went out

I had to get up and move without explaining to my father.

But, when the film ended

I saw them exchange glances

and I realized that he had used me to pay off a gambling debt.

My father had sold me to that man.

Don't cry, Celsa.

Everyone has a cross to bear.

This, together with what goes on in this house,

is mine.

Please come in, Madam Camila.

The house is sad after the death of Mr Daniel

and the disappearance of Mr T orcato.

But now I notice...

You are thin.

Are you well?

I am rather thin,

but it's not due to illness.

- Is it to keep up with fashion? - No.

I know it's the fashion to be thin

but I've always been thin. - That's true...

But you really are too thin.

Is it because of Mr Antonio Clara?

Why do you say that?

No reason.

No reason?

Well I sometimes heard the Ropers worrying about you.

I don't know anything.

All I know...

All I know is...

They were both very fond of you.

That's true.

And I miss them.

They were good men...

What is it?

It's been terrible. The police have searched everywhere.

There isn't a drawer they haven't turned out

and Mr Clara is in his study being questioned, together with Vanessa.

- Why? - I don't know more than you do.

- Won't you come to the study? - Yes, just to peep.

Have you been out?

I went shopping. I'm not a prisoner.

Don't say, "l shall never drink from there".

- Are you the lady of the house? - I believe so...

Please follow me.

Are you satisfied or do you want to ask more questions?

- Not for the moment. - For the moment?

Until things become a little clearer.

I don't think there is any more to be said.

There are a few details...

We still have to clear up.

Well? Mrs Camila Clara?

She has been questioned.

And...?

She said she was tired and wanted to lie down.

So, that it's it then.

Not quite. We will need to talk again.

But it can wait.

I don't know what's going on, but whatever it is, I love you.

- What now? - We'll be back.

- Whenever you like. - We'll see you soon.

What's this all about? I feel left out and helpless!

A lady behaves like a lady,

she does not use certain words nor lose her composure.

Bastard!

Cad!

- What are you doing here? - I need to speak to Camila.

Yes, I know she's alone and I need to talk to her.

Come in.

She's in her room.

- What do you want to say? - I want to warn her.

Yes, warn her; please, mother, go and call her.

She's just coming.

Well then...?

Let's go into the living-room.

I need to speak to you, Camila.

I'm worried about you. You had better leave here.

Things are not looking good.

It would be better if Antonio told me.

He doesn't know anything, even I don't know the whole story.

But I don't want you involved.

I'd like to see Vanessa's dives.

Her gambling dens and clubs.

I don't think that's a good idea. They are public places

where one can get a drink and dance.

They are for young people. They'll call you granny.

You don't drink those awful drinks or smoke grass,

or even dress suitably for those places.

What you should do is get hold of some money and go.

- I haven't even got a passport. - I'll get you one.

Thanks for your advice. Maybe one day I'll take it.

T omorrow I'm going to Oporto.

I'm going to visit Daniel's grave with the Roper's housekeeper.

Can't you see it's too late?

I love you and so does my mother and she wants me to help you.

You are beautiful and good

and don't deserve none of this.

I'm not good.

Everyone thinks I'm good but I'm not.

I don't hurt anyone, it's a question of discipline,

Iike putting a hand over your mouth when you yawn. I'm not good.

Sometimes we need to hurt people and scare them.

T read on worms

and kill flies. - There are people to do that.

Caught you. You don't want anything to do with the seamy side of life,

but you don't mind if other people do the job for you.

I've already told you I'm not good.

Life is a fairy-tale.

Of fairies and witches.

I've already noticed you are not good, but I insist.

If you stay here, Camila,

you are lost.

I can still hear him saying,

"Playing with a split personality is an odd business.

"You, Camila, play at not having one.

"The epic quality of life depends on this.

"People who don't have split personalities

"are what we called epic figures."

The Roper brothers were very open to these ideas.

They were subtle men.

Then he gave me an example.

There was a moment in the trial of Joan of Arc

in which she almost assumed a double personality.

In the cemetery at Saint Ouen,

Joan denied her visions in public and said,

"I'd rather sign than burn",

and burst out laughing.

She was condemned to life imprisonment

and had to suffer pain and bitterness.

She went back on this and was condemned to death.

Daniel said

she had two identities, she was two women,

one quite carefree and quite in control of herself.

Was this the maid so oddly spared torment

whom nobody recognized in the flames,

because she concealed her feelings and seemed apathetic.

What do you think of all this, Mrs Clara?

Daniel thought...

"There is only one Joan, a strong, powerful personality.

"Perhaps she was a man.

"What made her laugh in the cemetery at St Ouen?

"An extraordinary posture of abandonment

"which she then trumped with another, winning card? "

It was wonderful to hear.

I like hearing you too.

But I didn't understand everything.

You don't need to understand, just listen.

There are families that hear voices.

Is it hereditary?

Auntie T ofi heard voices and no-one took any notice of her.

And you?

Do you hear voices?

I dream I hear them.

As clearly as if they were at my side.

If I heard your statue speak,

you who always gave me strength

you, Joan of Arc,

you would tell me what to do.

What are you doing here?

- Why are you doing this? - I don't want to be found here.

- This way I'll escape by the window. - Jump out of the window?

And break a leg?

- A great disaster looms on the horizon. - What sort of disaster?

All things end and this has been brewing for some time.

Vanessa won't listen and she'll come to a bad end.

I don't know what you are talking about,

it seems you are in love with her but she is not in love with you.

That's more or less it.

She loves only you, Camila.

I don't know how we got here but she has abandoned everything,

her business, her interests...

She cares for nothing but you, Camila.

She's lost and we are all going down with her.

We are all going to burn in hell.

Burn, understand?

Don't smile, I'm serious Camila.

Luciano!

I must go.

I know you are not asleep. Can I speak to you?

Don't think I've come to apologize.

I know that. I know why you've come.

Good. That makes things easier.

I'm under pressure to pay a debt and I haven't much time.

What will happen if you don't pay it?

It's better things don't reach that point.

These people are ruthless.

I'm not signing anything.

Not even under torture.

What kind of a rat is Antonio Clara?

You laugh as Joan of Arc laughed in the cemetery.

Or are you laughing at me?

I could be killed and cut up in pieces tomorrow.

They'll cut off my hands, my nose, my ears.

They are ruthless.

You are too much.

We all are.

Don't you mind if you are dragged down with us?

I don't believe that. But we'll see.

Advise me.

Well, Antonio?

Yes or no?

I already told you...

I already told you that at the moment it is not convenient.

You know I have work to do on the estate, and...

And that I have...

I have a lot on my plate.

A lot on my plate.

Fine.

Are you angry?

I'm not angry, I'm disappointed. I expected more from you.

I don't know what you expected of me.

Or you of me. Aren't we lovers?

We were.

Not any longer.

Because I asked you for money?

Why did you stop loving me?

Oh, Holy Virgin.

You who see all and know all

have punished me for my sin,

for having changed Ruth's still born child

for my Antonio,

and pass him off as her son.

This must be my punishment.

I ask for mercy for what I did

and mercy for Jose Luciano,

for his wild life.

Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women

and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

And what about Camila?

- The police have picked her up. - The police?

They say she has to get a lawyer. Just as a precaution.

Camila is fine.

You know why I'm here, mother?

I suspect.

I don't know anything. I'm confused.

You always led an erratic life.

But you know why I'm here? I could have run but I didn't.

I went to the police.

It's all a muddle to me

and I don't know what to say.

I feel I'm to blame for it all.

T o blame, you?

Leave it, I get ideas in my head...

What about Vanessa?

Vanessa is in Spain.

She is pregnant.

- By Antonio? - I don't know.

I don't know anything.

You don't know anything...

T ogether?

Yes, Madam Camila Clara, together,

united by a one cause.

I'm worried about "Blue Bull".

Blue Bull?

Yes, Blue Bull,

Jose Luciano, Celsas son.

Ah yes, Jose Luciano...

He's in prison.

He confessed.

For the very reason he was twisted by servitude

and the power of suggestion is very strong in him.

He preferred to do time

rather than name an authority,

which he considers a supernatural power.

Whom are you talking about? Are you referring to a woman?

In many ways, slavery is a woman.

He has known that since he was born

that he could only take his place in a world of pleasure,

of plenty,

through lies,

pretence

and above all, through disloyalty.

Well I don't know him...

But I know his case presents mitigating circumstances.

What can we do?

Well, not much for the moment;

I am studying the case carefully and then we'll meet.

It is convenient that we continue our meetings.

I want to find out all the details of the case...

And I need to know more about you especially.

About me?

It's a personal matter now.