Vergara is ruined.
Do you need to read the contract? -I trust you on your word.
The hotel has a debt with the Public Treasury. 300,000 pesetas.
I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need you to help me.
Isabel, are you happy at the hotel? -Yes. One boy is very special.
Does he know you like him? -I think he's in love with someone else.
To see if your father was killed, we only have to exhume his body.
What are you up to? -Nothing, Mother.
Tell me the truth.
I thought I could help with the baby while you're packing.
Grand Hotel
I couldn't have done it without Ángela. She always took care of you as a baby.
It was she who bathed you and stayed with you when you were ill.
Each of us has his station in life. Ángela knew what she had to do.
Neither more nor less. She knew her duty and fulfilled it.
She's always been the perfect housekeeper.
I hope this sudden trip to Vergara isn't due to anything serious.
It isn't. Just paperwork related to some property.
Doña Teresa. -Have a good trip.
You think they know something? -They seem very calm.
Is that a good or a bad sign?
As for Alfredo, good. He's as transparent as glass.
With my daughter you never know. I'm afraid of what she'll do if she finds out.
She inherited her mother's character. -Only a part, my dear.
If you confirm the suspect's identity, one may say the case will be closed.
Do you understand that's a large responsibility?
Yes, sir. -Very well, miss.
I want you to go in and look among those five men for the man you saw.
I'd rather not have them see me.
You understand my caution, right? -Of course.
It's not one of them. -Look again. I want you to make sure.
The man I saw isn't here, officer.
Very well. That means we're done.
I'll let you know when the record of your statement is ready to be signed.
As you wish.
I have to talk to you.
Your passion to come and see me will end up damaging my reputation.
It's about Julio. -You're too late, he's no longer here.
What do you mean? -The witness has testified?
Indeed she has. -But you know who she is.
She's a thief who betrayed Julio before.
If you value Mr Olmedo, and I think you do, I advise you to say no more.
I don't trust that woman either, but she happens to be the witness.
So that's it? -Madam...
the witness didn't identify the suspect among the men we showed her...
one of whom was Mr Olmedo.
She didn't identify him? -As I said.
And Julio? -Julio Olmedo has been released.
On probation, but released all the same.
Thank you. Let me know if there's anything else.
Good day.
Here, your pearls. -Thank you.
Do you like our hotel, madam? -'Miss.' It's even better than I expected.
What can I do for you? -I have a reservation. Cecilia Mieres.
What are you doing? Go away. -I must talk to you. It's important.
My husband will come in soon. You don't know what he's capable of. Go.
Where and when can we meet? -Javier...
No, we can't meet. -What I have to say won't take long.
Where are you going? -As you weren't coming...
I didn't take that long.
Have you seen Julio, Ernesto? -I'm afraid he's ill. Can I help you?
It's a delicate matter. -As you prefer.
A friend of mine has a problem of the heart, involving a married woman.
And in a moment of weakness this married woman kissed your friend.
Yes, how do you know?
The hotel's terrace is not a very safe place. Anybody could have seen you.
In this case I did.
Are you threatening to tell, Ernesto?
If you knew me, you'd know that possibility doesn't exist.
But you should be careful.
Not everyone is like me.
I'm sorry if I offended you, Ernesto. I just don't know what to do.
What happened between that woman and you?
I can't bear not seeing her again. I've never felt this way before.
I wanted to impress her by pretending to be what I'm not, and she found out.
Clearly a bad start. -But then it got better.
I kissed her, and she slapped me. -You call that an improvement?
You saw her kiss me. That was definitely better.
But this morning she's been avoiding me.
Tell me, don Javier, did you declare that woman your love?
I haven't had the chance. -Then you have to do so.
If you can't talk to her, you have to write her a letter.
I've never been good at writing, Ernesto.
Perhaps I can help you.
Adriana?
Listen to me. -Don't talk to me. Go away.
I just want to give you something. -I can't.
I'm sorry, but you've been misinformed.
My husband and I aren't going to the village. You'll have to post it yourself.
Señor Alarcón, I see we have the same routine. We keep seeing each other.
I'm sorry to have interrupted your reading. Don Eusebio.
I hope he wasn't bothering you. -Oh no.
He just wanted to ask us the favour of posting a letter.
Such a fancy hotel doesn't have a mail service?
It always amazes me how quickly young people recover.
I don't know what you mean, sir. -I was told you were ill.
And I was. -One wouldn't say so.
May I know what this capricious ailment is?
It's one of those things that come and go. -Of course.
But I have an inkling of what happened to you.
You're lucky I was young myself once and still remember those days.
Tell me, is she pretty?
Very pretty, sir.
Go on, shave, get dressed and go to the restaurant.
And if doña Ángela should ask, don't tell her about your romance.
Angina will serve you better. -Thank you.
Did you make it on time? My mother was in the hallway.
I saw her leave. -Son.
Andrés. -Coming.
What is it, Mother? -Your sheets.
Let this be the last time you leave them in the laundry room.
I'm sorry, madam.
What's that?
Baby clothes. -They must be Alejandro's.
Probably a mix-up in the laundry room. -Or your mother knows everything.
Wouldn't she have said something? -I don't know.
I'm ready, sir. -Then go serve tea and pastries.
Julio, you have a moment?
Come.
Sugar. -What?
Sugar. -Isabel, I have work to do.
That goes here. Sugar. -Very good.
But it's easy to see that sugar goes into a jar with sugar in it.
What goes in here?
Bis...
Bisc...
Biscuits. -Very good.
And that's not all. Look, I wrote this.
You're an excellent student. -Espinosa, the pastries.
'Table 14: Doña Cecilia Mieres.'
I hope you'll enjoy your stay.
And that it will be brief. -You're such an ingrate.
If the lady has no further wishes... -This lady saved your hide. Be grateful.
Why should I be grateful? Because you stopped lying?
You'd have gone to the garrotte, which is a bit tighter than that bow tie.
You sent the police after me, but I know the murder was your doing.
Do you have proof? No. But I have my tongue.
I'm the witness, remember? It's all I need to send you back to jail.
Why did you save me? -Your death won't serve me.
You're of much more use to me alive.
I've always dreamed of living at a luxury hotel.
You couldn't afford it. -You think so?
Yes. -With all those rich people here...
and a waiter as my partner? -Don't count on me.
Of course I'm counting on you. You'll do as I tell you.
For if you don't, I'll tell the inspector I want to identify the murderer again.
And you'll do so for another reason.
You were never better off than when we worked together.
True or not? -I'm not the same anymore.
We were a perfect couple, Julio. In every sense.
That's how you remember it. -You remember it too, my dear.
And if you've forgotten anything, I'm here to refresh your memory.
I expect you in my room at seven.
You're a vixen. -That sounds very much like a yes.
At seven. And bring champagne.
You know I'm crazy about it.
Julio, I've just been to the jailhouse. I'm glad you're back.
I told you to have faith. How could the witness identify me...
if I've never been near that place? -Yes, that's what you said.
And the witness, do you know who it is?
A woman I don't know. Now excuse me, I have work to do. We'll talk later.
Well done, waiter.
To make sure you won't betray me, I want you to show your allegiance.
How?
By getting your hands dirty. You will rob for me.
I won't put my job at risk.
You will too, and profit from it. You'll start with something easy.
A brooch.
Where is it? -Pinned to your employer's clothing.
Who do you mean?
Alicia, what's the matter? -It's nothing, Mother.
You can talk freely in front of Sofía, Mother. She knows about the estate.
What can I tell you? Some men never fail to surprise you, even after they die.
Who would have thought I'd end up ruined?
It doesn't look as if you're ruined. -Don't fool yourself, dear.
As things are, I can hardly welcome people of class in this house anymore.
That's what I wanted to talk to you about.
The hotel has had a setback, and I quickly need some money.
300,000 pesetas.
I wish I could help you, my son, but I have just enough for my expenses.
One of these days you'll find your mother mending socks. Excuse me.
You've heard her. I don't think I'll be able to persuade her.
It's not a question of persuading her.
Be so kind and tell her you're going to sell all this.
I can't sell everything without her permission.
So what will you do? Just sit back and do nothing?
Sofía, please, she's my mother. I can't do that to her.
She can live in a nice house, just not in this one.
And she'll have to make do with two or three servants, not twenty.
Sofía, don't force me to choose.
There's no other way. Either take your mother's side or mine, and your son's.
Her husband won't leave her side. -That complicates things.
Don't tell me. -It does show that he's a smart man.
Are you on his side or mine?
She never leaves her room. I think she's avoiding me.
That's not a bad sign either. If she's avoiding you, it means...
What? That she's afraid of me? -No, that she's afraid of herself.
Whoever she's afraid of, I have no way to get this to her.
That's exactly why we're here. Give it to me.
Jesús, is this what señor Eusebio ordered?
Yes, sir. -I'll take care of it.
I'm sorry, I didn't order anything. -Your husband ordered this, madam.
Please, take it back. I have no appetite.
Won't you have a look, madam? Perhaps you'll change your mind.
Listen. -Tell me, madam.
I told you to take it back. Everything, please.
Why didn't you give it to her? -I did, but she gave it back again.
Maybe she didn't see it. -She did, but she gave it back.
Don Javier, maybe you should give up. -I can't, Ernesto.
I can't get her out of my mind. That never happened to me before.
It almost always does, don Javier. -This 'almost'...
This 'almost' is called hope, Ernesto.
Good luck, sir.
I'm done, my dear.
'I know this message puts me at risk, but circumstances demand it.
I can't deny my feelings, as my actions have shown more than is desirable.
But I ask you to accept the end of what should never have been.
I beg you to forget me. Adriana.'
What are you doing here?
Working. And you?
Keep you from committing a folly.
Don't say a word. I know who that woman is.
Who? -Cecilia, your old girlfriend.
She sent you to prison and accused you of the murder.
If I'm free, I owe it to her. -And I see she made you pay for it.
Alicia, I'm sorry, I didn't want to, but otherwise she'll retract her statement.
Why didn't you tell me? -What can you do to help me?
You have to denounce her. -I can't.
If they know she's a thief, they'll void her statement.
And if I do it? -No way.
You don't know how dangerous she is.
I have no choice but to stay close to her and do her bidding.
Is that it? You're surrendering?
I won't allow you to rob inside the hotel.
What do you see in that waiter? You can't take your eyes off him.
I'm the daughter of the hotel's owner. We watch every detail, señorita.
Of course. Are you sure that's why? -Do you doubt my words?
Some ways of looking are unmistakable.
I know who you are and why you're here.
I won't lie to you, madam. I'm single, as is Julio. We've been lovers before.
You're not here for love. Who are you trying to fool? You forced him to steal.
Leave today or I'll call the police and have them put you in prison.
If I go to prison, your waiter will go to the scaffold.
That depends on you. Leave and you'll prevent both.
Waiter, keep those tables clear. I'm having a confidential meeting here.
As you wish, sir. -And bring some coffee and liqueur.
Good day. This way, please. -Tell the receptionist to come over.
Any problem getting the advance? -No, sir.
Did you count it? -Yes, madam. 300,000 pesetas.
Prepare our safety box. -Right away.
Where's the brooch? Your admirer threatened to go to the police.
Alicia caught me, but she won't. Not if I ask her not to.
Then do so. I don't want any risk. -The risk is worth it.
I heard the director talk about 300,000 pesetas.
Where? -The Marquis de Vergara's safety box.
It requires two keys, the receptionist's and the guest's.
I can get the one from the guest. -And I the one from the receptionist.
Get yourself a box, to make it easier. Besides, it'll be a perfect hiding place.
You're starting to remind me of the Julio I fell in love with.
Here's your key. To open your box, let me know and I'll come with mine.
Don't forget, you need both of them. -Thank you, Mateo.
May I give you a piece of advice? -Of course, señorita.
You have a natural elegance.
Don't let a sloppy knot spoil it. -Thank you, señorita.
How clumsy. -Allow me.
Here you are. Your key. -Thank you. You're an angel.
Why get a safety box if you're leaving? -I've decided to stay another night.
If you don't leave, I'll call the police.
Stop acting. Julio told me everything. About when you kissed...
about when you tried to run away with him but he didn't show up. Everything.
He lied to you.
If you wish, we can take it up with your husband.
Don't touch anything, Hernando.
A telegram from Dr Schneider just came in. Bad news, agent.
He's gone off to a conference in Argentina.
I see you've been informed. What bad luck we have, don't you think?
I don't think luck has anything to do with this sudden departure.
Now we'll have to do what Schneider would have done.
We? -A very singular plural, my friend.
May I call you my friend?
Fine. You should read the telegram. -Why? I already know what it says.
No, you don't. At least, not everything.
'Hindered due to conference in Argentina, stop.
Advise Marsh test, stop. Use metallic zinc and sulphuric acid, stop. Add...'
Blessed Dr Schneider, what a terrific professional.
What are you waiting for? Go and buy everything.
We still have a chance. -No, we don't, agent.
The judge just called. They're coming to take away the body.
Agent.
What can I do for you this time, madam?
I want to report a theft.
And do you know who the thief is? -It's a woman.
Cecilia Mieres. She's staying at the Grand Hotel.
And what did she steal? -This.
But it's in your possession. -I recovered it.
How did you recover it?
I took it from her room. I know it's not right, but...
Are you the owner of the brooch? -No, it belongs to my mother.
Then she should report the theft. -She doesn't know.
I made her think I had it. -Why?
You protected a thief and now want to report her?
I have reasons to believe she will rob again, tonight.
Very well. Thank you for the information.
Thank me for the information? Is that all you intend to do?
No, I also want to advise you to calm down and stop playing hotel detective.
I fear your imagination is running amok.
I'm not imagining it. That woman is going to rob...
Listen to me. Leave the criminal investigations to the professionals.
You still think the same way about your charitable lady?
The upper classes have too much spare time, my mother used to say.
And she was upper class herself.
Absolutely amazing.
Waiter, I hear some thefts have taken place. Do you know anything about it?
No, sir? -Anything suspicious among the staff?
I doubt our staff would do such a thing. -Oh no? Remember Cristina Olmedo?
Yes, sir.
She had an accident when she entered the hotel to steal.
Not everyone believes it was an accident.
Then what do they believe?
That she was killed, and the murderer is still free.
There's your coffee, sir.
That's absurd. -Whatever you say, sir.
If you needed Alfredo to invest money to settle the hotel's debts...
you should have told him instead of deceiving him with that contract.
I was afraid Alfredo wouldn't have wanted to help us. I'm sorry.
My husband is a man of honour. You know that as well.
Is he prepared to invest that money? For the sake of us all?
The money is already here, in a safety box.
But it's not right that Alfredo should have to pay for the mistakes of others.
Not in exchange for nothing.
What do you want? -An appropriate compensation.
He will pay your debt and you'll make him director for 10 years.
I don't like my daughter to bargain with me.
And you'll give him a third of the Grand Hotel.
How dare you?
Have you been fair with me? -Don't provoke me.
What if he hears the truth about you?
Alfredo loves me, whether I deserve it or not.
Will he still do so when he knows you faked the pregnancy?
I don't know. But are you willing to pay the price to find out?
I'm ashamed of you. -I'm only doing what you taught me.
You ought to be proud. -You won't back down?
No, Mother.
Madam, you have a visitor.
She's waiting for you.
Alfredo and Sofía mustn't know I'm here.
What's the matter, Marquise? This doesn't look like a courtesy call.
I heard you want to make my son director of the hotel.
You've been well informed. And you're not happy about this?
As happy as you are.
I don't know what your daughter did to achieve this...
but if you expect anything more from my son than his title, you'll be deluded.
What do you mean?
Alfredo has no assets. All he inherited are debts.
My husband was, forgive me for saying so, an irredeemable libertine.
I assure you that your son has money.
What he showed you is all he has, obtained from selling off our property.
Don't tell me Alfredo has had to sell your mansion.
I know we've never been friends, but we ought to stick together now.
Don't you realize, doña Teresa? Our children are conspiring to ruin us.
For the sake of us both, don't let them deceive you.
That's it. -Indeed. I hope you're happy now.
Yes, Mother, very happy.
We ought to celebrate with champagne.
Go ahead. I'll join you and your husband later.
With permission.
I'm waiting for your reproaches.
I'll be satisfied with an explication, if you'll give me one.
Why did you give that weakling a third of the Grand Hotel?
What counts now isn't our pride, but the future of the hotel.
We needed the money, and we got it. -In exchange for what, madam?
The marquise lost her mansion and has a minimal stipend now.
And all thanks to her son. -Very amusing.
We'll have to put up with Alfredo for years, without his giving us any money.
That's why I signed. If he were rich, he'd be a formidable opponent.
But without money or property, and with his weak, melancholic character...
he'll be easy to eliminate.
Doña Teresa, you're not insinuating...
Yes, when the time is ripe.
You're a singular woman, madam. You never fail to amaze me.
I hope you take into account that Alfredo is married to an Alarcón.
If my daughter has to choose, she'll opt for her family and her son.
I know some secrets that will force her decision.
I'm sure you're right.
I've bought everything you need.
But I guess it's too late.
Hernando, what would you say if I told you I saved a rib?
Well, fewer than ten won't do us any good.
At least, if it's veal. We're both good eaters.
Hernando, one of the ribs of don Carlós Alarcón.
What little remains of us, right?
I suggest doing with this rib what Schneider would have done.
What good will that do? -In legal terms, nothing.
Neither of us is a pathologist and this rib shouldn't be here.
But with a bit of luck, it will reveal the truth to us.
Since when do you know? -What does it matter?
Why didn't you say anything?
And you ask me that, son? You kept this baby from me.
If doña Teresa finds out, she'll take it away from us.
And you... -I'm your mother.
And the housekeeper of this hotel. -Yes.
And it's my obligation to tell my employer.
But he's your grandson.
So you gave birth to two babies.
You gave up one and kept the other.
You make it sound as if I'd planned it.
I didn't expect it. What should I have done?
Not what you did do. Deceive doña Teresa and my son.
I had no other option. -You could have confided in me.
In you? You hate me.
And you always do what you have to, what the rules prescribe.
If I'm really like that, then why haven't I told doña Teresa your secret?
Rules are rules... We're folding it the wrong way.
But there are things more important than rules.
You won't tell doña Teresa?
Neither she nor my son should know more than they do.
But you can't stay here with the baby. They'll catch you.
We have nowhere else to go. You know that.
Find employment at another house. I'll help you as much as I can.
Thank you.
I'm not doing it for you, but for my son, and for my grandson.
Even if I shouldn't.