I found this half-burned piece of paper in the ashtray in my room.
The date is still legible, February 10. Why do they say he died the day before?
If they see me with doña Sofía's baby, they'll stop wondering about the crying.
Rest assured, sooner or later I'll find out what you're hiding from me.
I found this in our room.
Offer him the whole world, but don't let him leave me.
I have no choice but to give in. -Not just that.
You'll offer Alfredo your position.
I'm afraid your father's accounts weren't as healthy as you thought.
You forged my father's death certificate. I want to know who paid you to do so.
I thought I'd better give it to you in person.
Grand Hotel
What was it? -Nothing, it was empty.
It's absurd. We lured the doctor to find out who's behind all this...
and all we have is a blank envelope that passes from hand to hand.
What if we're not as smart as we think?
Maybe they realized it was a trap and are pretending to have fallen for it.
They wanted us to see the doctor give Ángela that envelope.
But they didn't count on you finding out it was empty.
Why would they do that? -I don't know.
To whom did Angela give the envelope?
To my mother.
If you don't need anything else, madam.
I won't allow you to take my grandson. -Alfredo, please.
I don't intend to take him with me. I just came to say goodbye to him.
Alfredo, wait until tomorrow. Yes?
Tomorrow you'll see everything in a different light.
Is that all you're going to do to make him stay?
I've asked him to forgive me, in vain. -What irony.
Now that Alfredo finally is the Marquis de Vergara, he's decided to leave you.
And you just make a feeble attempt to detain him?
That he couldn't say goodbye to his father was my fault, your fault.
His resentment isn't a whim. -It's up to you.
If I were you, I'd try to persuade him. I'd do anything necessary.
I wouldn't renounce the wealth of a marquisate. I'd use all my weapons.
Sofía, please get out of here.
Alfredo.
Please, I beg you.
Think of our son. -I'm sorry.
Alfredo, please don't do it.
I beg you.
I'm nothing.
Vergara is ruined. I have nothing left.
You have me. Did you ever think I would stop loving you?
That I could stop loving you? -What am I going to do now?
I don't know. But I know what you're not going to do.
You won't tell anyone what you just told me. And my mother least of all.
I'm sorry, dear, but no. That would be like rewarding your husband's slights.
Mother, it's not so strange that Alfredo refused.
I'm sure you'll understand that he was angry at me, at us.
Of course I do. He was angry and refused the co-directorship.
And you'll understand your mother won't let herself be humiliated again.
I have reasons to believe that this time he'll accept.
You don't say. And what reasons are those?
I'm starting to think he won't be able to leave me, even if I gave him reason to.
Suppose you're right and Alfredo is prepared to accept my offer.
Don't you think he ought to make amends for the way he slighted me?
What do you mean? -Don't play dumb, Sofía.
Your husband must ask me to repeat the offer that he rejected so haughtily.
That would be a humiliation for him. -Exactly.
Doña Adriana, don Eusebio. Welcome to the Grand Hotel.
Thank you. -It's a lovely hotel.
Could you send up a bowl of tepid water and salt? My feet are aching.
Of course, don Eusebio. -Thank you. My dear.
Please forgive him. He's an incorrigible pragmatist.
I wonder what such a delicate lady ever saw in such a monstrous man?
Anything wrong?
Alicia's been harassing Dr Bernárdez about the date of my husband's death.
What did he tell her? -Nothing yet.
I got him to bring that envelope to the hotel.
What for? It's empty.
Since Alicia was following him, she saw him give it to doña Ángela.
Which makes her seem suspicious. -She'll turn her inquiries away from us.
And from the truth.
Still, my wife is very persistent. I'll continue to keep an eye on her.
As you wish. But as long as she suspects Angela, we needn't worry.
I remember seeing you do this when I was little.
And I remember you watching me.
You called me 'Lángela' at the time, and you insisted that I let you help me.
And did you? -What a question. Of course not.
You may have been a child, but you were 'señorita Alarcón', and I never forgot that.
The doctor came to see you. If anything's wrong, I'd like to know.
It had nothing to do with my health, madam. Please, don't press further.
These spoons are scratched. Who was the last to clean the silverware?
Me, doña Ángela. -Polish them until not a scratch is left.
One does one's best to instruct them, but their thoughts are elsewhere.
Ángela, what do you know about my father's death?
Not much, madam. Your father didn't leave his room during his final days.
Hardly anyone of the staff saw him.
Natalia, please, watch out. I'm very sorry, madam.
I don't care about that, Ángela.
But I wouldn't like you to hold back something about my father's death.
That's all I have to tell you. Now excuse me, I have work to do.
Do you have a knack with the maids?
I know what you've been up to, and I won't have them blame us.
I haven't done anything. -There's silverware missing.
I swear I didn't steal anything, Julio. You have to believe me.
Doña Alicia saw you got nervous when doña Angela reproached you.
I didn't do anything. -That's not how it seems, Natalia.
I got nervous, but not for that reason.
Doña Angela lied to señorita Alicia. It's not true that no one saw don Carlos.
She said don Carlos didn't leave his room before he died, but it's not true.
You saw don Carlos out of his room? -Outside the hotel, at the station.
Please don't tell anyone. I shouldn't have been there.
I went to meet a friend. I was afraid he'd see me, of course.
I saw him leave the post office and suddenly stop short.
I thought he'd seen me, but no. He stopped to talk to a man.
Did you know that man? -I'd never seen him before.
He was missing an arm, Julio. The right one, or the left one.
The one you hold a spoon with. -The right one.
What did he say to don Carlos?
That's all I know. He got off the same train as my friend, the one from Aldain.
It was very strange. -Why?
Don Carlos seemed frightened, as if the man was going to hurt him.
Then my friend distracted me, and a moment later he was gone.
Nothing had happened to don Carlos.
At least not that day. But the next day he was dead.
The best thing about this device is that it not only produces music...
but it also records sounds. -How is that possible?
You see this cylinder? The needle transmits the sound to be recorded.
But you'd best see for yourself. Say something.
Like what? -Anything. Your name, place of birth.
My name is Isabel, Isabel Beneito Fontes.
I come from Ponferrada, in the province of León. Yes?
Was that me? -Yes. This is the future.
Soon every house will have a phonograph, as this device is called.
And for any of you who see, it will be a font of independent, profitable work.
You make it sound as if it were easy to construct one of these.
Who talked about construction? Those devices do amazing things.
But they also break down. Whoever can repair them has a golden future.
Could one make a living that way? -Definitely. A good living, young man.
Did you talk to your mother? -I told you.
She has no problem offering you the co-directorship again.
Did you hear me? -You're not telling me everything.
I'm waiting to hear the bad part.
She wants you to ask her. -She wants me down on my knees?
So what? Go and assert yourself.
One can't kneel down and also assert oneself.
Alfredo, my mother expects you to ask her for the co-directorship.
Don't. Ask her for the directorship and let her set Diego aside.
I've never been good at intrigues.
Before you go see her, think of your son and what's best for him.
Just the thought of challenging your mother fills me with anxiety.
You seem engrossed in your book. -Forgive me.
I let myself be carried away by it and give offence without meaning to.
My wife has a weakness for novels. They interest her more than her life.
They're just an escape. -You said it, my dear.
Who needs an escape when one isn't locked up?
You favour logic too much. There's nothing wrong with reading novels.
Do you know them? -I've read some.
Usually a romantic heroine rebels against circumstance...
while a suitor without any decorum declares his love in excessive terms.
Such things also happen in real life. -Allow me, my dear.
'In his eyes she noticed the passion of a man blinded by love.
He trembled as he told her he couldn't give her up...
as he'd known even before possessing her.'
I wish I could enjoy your company a bit longer, but I must answer some letters.
What's the urgency?
I talked to señorita Alicia. We're going to Aldain.
Don't expect me to congratulate you. You know my opinion.
Andrés, I meant us three. -I can't just hop on a train.
That's why we've decided to go by car. -We?
Señorita Alicia and I. -Sure, I don't count.
Yes, you're driving. -One moment.
You're the only one who can drive. -I'm not going.
It's an order from the wife of the director.
Why you? Can't señora Alicia call on one of the chauffeurs?
She asked me herself. What can I do? Refuse an order from an Alarcón?
No, but what do I do with the baby? -I don't like to be away from him either.
He's changing as you look at him. I wish I could stay with him all day.
Go, you'll see him again soon enough. -You never know.
My father left when I was five. I still recall the last time I saw him.
The way he smelled, and his smile. Especially his smile.
The next thing I heard was that he'd drowned.
You're only going to Aldain to run an errand. It's not the same.
Have you seen my wife? -She left an hour ago, by car.
She said she was going to Aldain. -Aldain?
Yes, sir. Is anything the matter?
Garrido, take the other car and go to Aldain. Find out why my wife is there.
She should be there by now. -Very well.
Andrés, sure you know what you're doing?
I'm not a mechanic, but if a belt is out of place, I'd guess I should put it back.
Why do you want to find that one-armed man?
He may have something to do with don Carlos's death.
And with what happened to you.
To me? -Remember they tried to kill you?
Yes, don't remind me. That's over. -But we still don't know who it was.
The people of Aldain won't answer your questions.
I'm not going to ask them anything. -They won't trust me.
You won't ask them anything either. -You want the lady to do it?
What are you thinking? -So who will ask the questions?
Inspector Alaya, national police. We're looking for a man.
All we know is that he's one-armed and lived here a year ago.
Excuse me. -I only mind my own business.
Ayala, draw this man's portrait.
Get his ears right, they stand out. -Yes, sir.
Your portrait will go on record. You'll regret not cooperating.
There's only one one-armed man here. In the house by the ditch.
Look at me. Is there something else? -No.
'No, sir.' -No, sir.
Alright, go back to your work.
Will my portrait still go on record? -It won't be necessary.
In that case, may I keep it? I'm sure my grandson will like it.
Give it to him.
Here you go.
Let's go home, he's not here. -We're not giving up that easily.
Julio, what are you doing? No, what if they see us?
They'll think we're policemen entering by law.
I went in through the back window. Come.
Good day. Have you seen a very pretty and well-dressed young lady come by?
If he sees us, he won't be happy. And look, he has a shotgun.
We have to find out if he was involved in her father's death.
She helped me find out about my sister. And she helped you as well.
It's the least we can do. -Is that why you're here?
I can assure you it is. -Look.
Newspaper clippings about the hotel.
'Carlos Alarcón, director of the Grand Hotel, dead at 65.'
And this is his obituary.
If someone killed my father, would it be whoever it was that tried to kill Andrés?
It's possible. -Is it possible it's the one-armed man?
Money orders.
He received money from the hotel a day before your father died...
and a day before your accident. -I can check who sent it to him.
This is his house. -Let's go.
The window. -We can go in through this window.
You're standing on my dress. -I'm sorry.
It's the only good hiding place. -Come.
I don't like going into the one-armed man's home, with that temper of his.
Are you sure she went inside? -Eulalia said she saw her climb in.
And the men who were with her? -They said they were policemen.
Inspector Ayala and another one who gave the orders. But I doubt it.
Let's go.
Don Javier? -Doña Adriana.
I see we had the same idea.
You seem surprised. -That book doesn't suit your reputation.
Maybe my reputation doesn't suit me. Have you read it?
As soon as my bookseller had a copy.
A marvellous love story, isn't it? -It holds me captive.
What is your favourite passage? -I wouldn't know which one to choose.
The encounter at the flower market? Or the escape to Paris?
Maybe the same as mine, when she pretends not to recognize the duke?
Yes, I believe we're of one mind. That chapter is exquisitely delicate.
Allow me to doubt it, señor Alarcón. There's no such chapter, nor any duke.
I think you've misunderstood. -On the contrary.
Your imposture is as obvious as the goal you've been pursuing.
I don't know what goal you mean. -Do me a favour, sir.
Your reputation precedes you. You were trying to seduce me.
Did you find my wife? -Yes, sir. She just went into your office.
Look, the vanished wife has returned. -I was looking for you.
I'm sorry, the weather was so nice I must have lost track of time.
You did lose track of time, Alicia.
What did you do in Aldain? -Aldain?
Isn't that where you were?
Did you have me followed? -I had someone look for you.
Alicia, Aldain isn't a good place for a young woman to go to by herself.
Though you were in good company, it seems. Officers Ayala and Hernando?
I happened to run into them, but I went there by myself.
Don't I have the right to know why?
Don't I have the right to keep my personal matters to myself?
Of course, but that suggests I may have something to worry about, right?
I went to order something.
Doesn't your husband have the right to know what?
No, because it's for my husband. I hope it'll be ready for your birthday.
Only ten more days.
You have to be patient.
There's reason for worry, madam. Alicia went to Aldain.
She wouldn't tell me why, but I hope to find out.
I just received some very bad news.
But due to my trust in the director of this hotel, I refused to believe it.
What news is that? -Sit down. Care for a drink?
People at the Public Treasury are interested in the hotel.
People who spread the word that my late husband left some debts unpaid.
They already did so just after your husband died.
You said it yourself. They tried to ruin us.
I ordered you to eliminate that threat. -And I did, doña Teresa.
It cost more than anticipated, but I did. -You did not, Diego.
If you had, it would have been settled.
They're calling in an outstanding debt of 300,000 pesetas.
This leaves me no alternative.
I wanted to tell your brother-in-law I didn't have anything for him...
after letting him thoroughly humiliate himself.
But I'll have to control myself.
We need that weakling's money.
Who is it? -It's me.
Hello, Mother.
Is Alfredo here? -Doña Teresa.
Sofía asked me to renew my offer to make you co-director of the hotel.
And you refused, unless I were to ask you in person. If that's what you want...
Don't bother, Alfredo. You sacrificed yourself for my daughter.
You went to jail to protect her name. -And that of our child.
You're a marquis now and shouldn't have to ask. I ought to offer it to you.
It ill befits your standing and loyalty to share a position with a man you detest.
What are you suggesting?
The direction, above Diego. You'd be at the head of the Grand Hotel.
Don't touch it if you don't know how it works.
You seem to like the phonograph. -Excuse us, don Pablo.
No, please, I want you to enjoy it as much as I do.
So let's play some music. -Of course, if you will dance.
Why not ask the young lady to dance? -Me? No.
Why not? -Because I can't dance.
Someone told me it's never too late to learn.
I thought you couldn't dance.
Señorita Alicia.
Don't worry, it's your time off. I came to have a brief word with Mr Espinosa.
Ernesto's friend insisted we dance. -You don't owe me any explanation.
Did anything happen?
Diego came in as I was checking the books.
Did he see you? -No, but he signed the money orders.
Yes?
Andrés, come in.
Is it true what you said last night about the music devices and repairing them?
I'm not in the habit of lying. -Could you show me how it works?
It's less complicated than it seems. -I have a knack for those things.
Believe it or not, this morning I repaired a car I'd never seen.
I see you hadn't noticed. Or you pretended not to notice.
If I wear my prosthesis too long I get sores. Only morphine eases the pain.
I suddenly remember I have tasks to finish.
Just a few minutes. Ernesto is very understanding.
Sit down. I'd really like to have a word with you.
The one-armed man is here. -What are you saying?
Try to calm down. I don't understand a word.
The one-armed man is here. -Are you sure?
It's Ernesto's friend Pablo.
Maybe it's not the same one-armed man.
How many one-armed men do you think are here, intending to kill me?
He even has the morphine. -And if it isn't him?
We'd be accusing a poor cripple. -What shall we do?
We have to verify whether it's the same one-armed man.
He's in his room now. He'll come out for dinner.
I'll be in the restaurant with my family. Let me know.
And me? Don't leave me alone. He may come and kill me.
Relax, I don't think he'll try until tonight.
Don Pablo, have you had dinner? -No, but I don't want to bother you.
I'll take something to Ernesto's room. -It's no bother at all. Please, sit down.
What's the matter? -It's a prosthesis. I lost my arm.
Hadn't you noticed? -No, you carry yourself very well.
Andrés, won't you have dinner? -No, I'm not hungry.
I'm off to my room. No, to the other side of the hotel. Enjoy your dinner.
Stand guard, I'll check his luggage. -What do I do?
Hide in your room. -I told him I'd be there.
No, you told him you'd be all over. If necessary, I'll look out.
If someone comes, how do I warn you? -I don't know. Whistle.
A lady shouldn't whistle. -Then don't whistle. Raise your voice.
Alright.
How did you lose your arm, Mr Llanos?
Don't be so impudent, Isabel. -Don't worry, I don't mind telling.
Cleaning stables in Uruguay, a splinter got stuck in my hand.
I didn't pay it attention and it got infected.
When I finally consulted a doctor, the gangrene had advanced too far.
What bad luck. -I saw it more as punishment, señorita.
What a silly idea. -If you knew all my sins...
you'd understand what I mean.
Don't say that, you have a kind face. They say your face reflects your soul.
They also say appearances deceive, and I know brutes with angelic faces.
Let us not give up hope that behind that severe mask of hers...
doña Ángela has a good heart after all.
I'll go with you. -Good night.
Good night.
Doña Alicia. -I was just looking for you, Ernesto.
Is anything wrong, señorita? -Indeed there is.
Don't you think it's rude to keep your guest here, in the servants' quarters?
You haven't even shown him the rest of the hotel.
To be honest, no. It was kind enough of you to allow my friend to stay here.
Believe me, I'm extremely grateful. -But I insist.
And I must insist in declining your offer. Thank you, señorita.
Alright, as you wish. If you prefer to withdraw...
Are you feeling alright, doña Alicia? -Yes, perfectly alright.
Are you sure?
Yes, Ernesto, good night. -Good night.
Is it him?
And now?
As soon as Ernesto leaves, I'll confront him. Wait in my room.
Who is it? -Isabel.
Isabel, what's the matter? -One of the samovars is leaking.
My shift is over. -Your mother says you should fix it.
What are you doing? You should be locked inside.
Tell my mother.
Don't worry, I'm watching Ernesto's room.
If Pablo goes out, I'll know. -I'll be at the restaurant.
Come in.
Don Ernesto? -Julio.
Such haste is fine during working hours, but not in your spare time.
I'm looking for your friend. -He stepped out. He couldn't sleep.
Do you know where he went? -I have no idea.
Is something wrong? -No, don Ernesto, not at all.
You're safe now. I'll take care of him.
You hit hard, kid. Not many men can knock me down with one blow.
Tell me the truth or I'll hit even harder.
What were you going to do to Andrés?
Julio, no.
You were the best of the Alarcóns as a child. I'm glad you haven't changed.
You know me? -You won't remember.
You were only two years old when I left the hotel.
You used to work here? -For ten years.
But if you ask about Pablo, no one will remember. My name was Juan.
I'm Andrés's father. -No, his father died in the Philippines.
A war makes it easy to disappear and return as someone else.
That was twenty years ago. -I know.
Why did you?
I don't want to offend your father's memory.
I know Ángela and he were lovers. -It took five years before I found out.
If it had been a fling, I'd have forgiven her.
But Ángela was in love with don Carlos, and he with her.
That was what I discovered. They had always been lovers.
Can you imagine, a servant with an Alarcón? Impossible.
So they both married someone of their own class, and neither became happy.
And Andrés? -I took care of him for six years.
I knew he wasn't my son, but I feel as if he were.
So why did you abandon him? -Out of anger, or pride.
I had many reasons, none of them any good.
It was the biggest mistake of my life. -Why have you come back?
They saw you talk to my father a year ago, at the station.
It's hard for a one-armed man to find work.
I knew don Carlos's big secret and came for money.
For me, for my son.
I failed him when he was little and at least wanted to provide for his future.
I know this won't make up for what you suffered, but I'll give Andrés what's his.
I'll acknowledge him as my firstborn. He'll inherit part of the hotel.
Why did you wait so long to tell me? -I couldn't do so before.
They watch me, the stakes are too high. But don't worry.
I've prepared everything. Tomorrow Andrés's future will be settled.
But when I read he had died, I knew his promises would never come true.
So why did you come back this time? -I'm getting old.
I'm ill.
When I read about my son's accident...
I wanted to see him one last time.