THE BLACK CROWN
The black crown is formed by vultures who circle the dead. -Jean Cocteau.
What do the vultures say?
Pay up, they say. Pay up.
Pay up.
Pay up. You have to pay up, ma'am.
But what's wrong? Are you sick?
Sick? She's drunk as a skunk.
Come on, enough silliness! Pay! It's time to close!
She doesn't have a dime. Go tell the police.
When you don't have money, you should stay home.
What's wrong, barkeep?
This lady doesn't want to pay.
A lady here?
- Don't bother her. - What's it got to do with you?
- Here you are. - Fine!
No one messes with me.
The things you see.
Come on. Let's get out of here.
Getting drunk, and deep in mourning.
Thank you.
Do you need anything, or want me to walk with you?
No, thank you.
You shouldn't be alone.
- You're sick. - I'm just tired.
I walked here.
Let's take a taxi. I'll take you home.
To my house?
Or to the hotel, or... wherever you live.
I can't go back to the hotel.
Where will you spend the night, then?
I can't leave you here, in the middle of the street.
My house is close. Come with me.
With you?
Yes, but you can sleep alone.
I understand your situation, and your pain.
It seems like I've come from so far...
and I've been walking for days.
Come on, my house is just a few steps away.
Where are we?
- What's that light? - Oh, it's the lighthouse.
You notice it at first, and it's annoying,
but then you get used to it.
I think I've been in this room before.
I've seen the shadows dance like that.
All studios look the same.
And we think we've seen them before.
They all have tables, walls, drawings, curtains,
...and chairs, just like these.
Here's the bedroom, and the bathroom over there.
For hot water, lower the handle on the left.
It's nothing special, but it's comfortable.
Make yourself at home.
There's tea, milk, and fruit in the kitchen.
If you're hungry, look in the pantry. There's always something.
I can't find the slippers.
I brought you this.
The doorwoman will serve breakfast in the morning.
I was trying to read the cards. Just a habit like any other.
- Do you need anything else? - No, thank you.
We'll talk more comfortably tomorrow.
I'll tell you things you don't know.
And you can tell me things I don't know.
- Alright? - You're leaving?
I need to go to the station. I have things coming in.
We prefer working at night because of the heat.
And these scissors?
Oh, I use those to cut the blueprints.
And sometimes when I make models,
...I cut out the doors, the windows.
It distracts me for a while.
Do you hear the birds beating their wings?
How strange.
Ma'am, your nerves are shot.
Lie down, try to sleep and forget.
Me forget.
Do it for your own good.
Try to calm down.
I'll leave the house key here.
Good bye.
Good bye, Mara
Mara?
One, two, three. A man, a road.
One, two, three, four.
A dark-haired woman.
One, two, three, it's a trick.
Mr. Andrés!
Listen! Mr. Andrés!
Good morning, Mrs. Blas!
Don't run! Don't be in such a rush, Mr. Andrés!
What's wrong?
The lady from last night, she left very early.
- She left? - Yes.
Here's the key.
Unlucky, but... there was no other way.
The cards had already told me.
Carlos?
Pablo!
Little Pablo!
That's enough. I'm here and I brought everything.
The net, the napkins, the coffee, the almonds, the strawberry jam...
- And Mauricio? - Honestly, I don't know.
- With Mauricio, you never know. - Not so loud, idiot.
You asked me to buy these things,
...and I bought them.
I asked you to tell Mauricio I wanted to see him.
I couldn't get to the bar and Mauricio will spend the night there.
How do you know?
- You're playing with fire, Mara. - Oh, it's you?
I'm not a guy you can fool easily.
I don't know what you mean.
But you should see that I don't want to play tricks.
I'm warning you. Anyone who tries to take me on pays for it.
My enemies always pay. Pay or make them pay, that's my motto.
You're talking to me like it's a business.
I'm talking the language women like you understand,
I'll never forget where I found you.
Me neither. You always remind me.
I'm telling you to leave Mauricio alone, because if not,
...I'll toss you back where I found you.
You get it?
You back in the quarry, and him in jail.
You were lucky.
Men like you need the type of workers they find in jail.
Or women in a cantina.
Don't hide. I know you heard everything.
And I know it's you who speaks for everyone.
But watch your tongue.
If not I'll tell Mauricio to leave you with that circus in Marrakech.
And you know he'll do what I say.
You think you can tell everyone what to do.
You want Mauricio for yourself. But not for him.
And I won't let you harm him.
Mauricio
It's you?
Come in.
I don't know why, but I knew you'd come back.
I wanted to explain.
No. You don't have to explain anything.
Come on.
Give me your hat and coat.
I'll make you a cup of coffee.
I just made it, so it's still hot.
I'm an expert at making coffee.
And to keep things informal, I'll put in a few drops of rum.
I've been thinking of us...
...alone in this room.
Now that it's happened, it seems normal.
Drink it. It will do you good.
Sit down.
You called me Mara last night.
And said you'd explain things I didn't know.
Yes. Do you remember me?
No.
My name is Andrés Leonardi.
I didn't find you last night by accident.
I was looking for you.
For me?
Where did you see me before?
In the Zajal, in the vulture's quarry.
The vulture's quarry?
Yes, I have a small office in the Zajal.
I go there regularly for materials.
I remember a suffocating heat,
and you with a worker.
That's my routine, negotiating prices...
...and walking through that hell but looking calm.
From up top I saw a horse cart,
...driven by a boy, it seemed.
When it got close, I saw it wasn't a boy,
...but a woman.
It was you. You got down,
and came toward me, with that weird, deformed man.
But you stopped.
You looked up at the vultures in the sky.
I was struck by your beauty.
And you smiled at me, just a bit, and said:
If someone kills a vulture, what do the others do?
I got out my revolver, aimed and fired.
One of the vultures fell, as the rest scattered and squawked.
But then the others, seeing it on the ground,
...fell on it.
It was disgusting. Almost nauseating.
And we watched them devour it in silence.
And they peck at each other as well.
After looking at me, you went in the living quarters.
I didn't see you again. That night I returned to Tetuan.
You don't remember?
No, I don't remember.
In Tangier I saw you a few months later.
One night in The Palm Grove.
The people danced. And in the semidarkness,
...in front of me, I saw your eyes.
I couldn't look away.
After, when you got up to dance,
...I swallowed my emotion.
That strange, incomprehensible emotion.
I watched you,
until you looked at me.
A friend said your name was Mara Russell.
The wife of Russell.
One of the owners of the quarry.
A man jealous as a tiger.
And that he had hidden you away on a property in the Sahara.
So I thought that when our eyes met,
you tied your destiny to mine.
Maybe it's an illusion, but I've lived off it for three days...
As if I were obsessed.
Bewitched.
In Tangier, in The Palm Grove?
Yes, at a party in the Jalifa.
It's raining so hard.
And you said you looked for me yesterday?
Yes, I read in the paper a couple days ago,
...that Russell had died, victim of an accident in the quarry.
And i saw you in the station...
I knew it was you returning with his remains.
He didn't even leave you alone when dead.
You came back to bury him,
...fulfilling his last wishes.
You passed by me, with two nuns,
...and your eyes didn't look at me.
I didn't dare follow you to the cemetery.
Mara Russell.
Mara!
Ma'am.
Don't be like that.
Leave me alone.
- Leave me alone! - Sorry.
I shouldn't have talked to you like that. It's my fault.
- Calm down. - Leave me alone.
Let me be!
Fine.
I beg you, try to calm down.
Rest. Do it, please!
- And again, I'm sorry. - It's not your fault.
Now leave me.
I don't want to think.
I want to sleep.
I'll just wait over here.
I won't bother you.
If you need anything, call me.
Mara, why are you looking at me like that?
I don't know.
Please! Help me!
I've tried to hid it until now!
Not saying anything. But i can't go on.
Why do I hear the sounds of those birds?
The squawking of vultures!
Why am I scared of these scissors?
Why can't I remember anything?
You don't remember anything?
Nothing.
Not even who I am.
Not even my name.
I know I'm called Mara, because you said it.
But you're ill.
You have to be treated, Mara.
You'll get better.
It's like drowning in some frightful well.
Without air.
No light, no help.
That makes sense after what you've been through.
What happened?
I don't know.
You spoke of a quarry.
Of a dance.
Of a farm.
I don't remember any of it.
Sometimes I see things that frighten me terribly,
...and I prefer doing nothing.
In my solitude.
But you're not alone.
I'm with you.
And I love you, very much.
I always have.
I'm sorry.
Why?
For kissing you.
Pitchers!
- Mrs. Blas. - Good morning, Andrés.
Do you remember the woman from the other day?
- I do. - She's upstairs.
Don't go up, not right now.
Don't bother her, fix things up later.
Be careful, sir.
I'm going up to bring the letters to the lady.
Go with God!
Pitchers!
Good morning, miss.
I've come to fix your breakfast.
Thank you, but I'm not hungry.
You've had a bad experience. Don't tell me you haven't.
I can see it. The lady is like me,
...I can't take care of anything if I'm bothered.
Happily, I have my cards to tell me what I should do.
I listen to them, and they comfort me.
The cards know!
What do the cards know?
They know what we do not, and remember what we have forgotten.
- What we've forgotten? - Do you want to try?
Cut them.
Ace of spades.
Jack of clubs.
What is this?
It's the first time I've seen this!
Nothing. They say nothing. The cards don't want to talk.
It's like a blank page.
A blank page?
Yes, it's unbelievable, but that's what it is.
Wait, I'll come back later with Miss Flora.
Miss Flora knows these things better than me.
- But tell me something! - Later. Later.
At the moment I can't say anything.
I can't say anything.
This lady came with two nuns to see the burial of her husband.
The nuns didn't give any information?
They'll tell you right away.
Alonso.
Do you have the nuns' response?
Yes.
Yes, thank you.
The widow's actions seemed very strange,
...and they would consult with a doctor.
But after the burial, Mrs. Russell disappeared.
What hotel did she stay at?
The Cashmere Hotel.
But we know she hasn't returned to her room,
...and her suitcases are still there.
- Thank you. - Good bye, sir.
Ma'am.
This is Miss Flora.
She'll tell your future by reading the sands.
- But I have to leave now. - It will only take a minute.
I lay the sand over the table.
And now you have to hold your hand like this.
The sand knows everything.
- Hold out my hand? - Yes.
And leave your handprint with it.
There's no other way.
Like that.
This mark tells the past, the present, and the future.
The black crown.
The black crown? What is that?
- You seemed frightened - No, it's just a symbol.
Oh, sorry, here comes the mister. We'll continue another day.
Mrs. Blas, I asked you not to bother the lady.
Since she was awake, and to entertain her...
Mara, let's go.
Fix up the room, please. - Fine.
You said the black crown? - Yes.
It's death. That mourning brings death.
She left her mourning bonnet, and the overcoat.
And what is this?
A key!
For a crypt.
Of course.
Poor Mr. Andrés! We have to save him.
- That woman must disappear. - But how?
- Where are the brooms? - In the kitchen.
With the broom of Azrael. Azrael is the angel of death.
And if you leave the broomstick against a door,
...and the straw against a window,
Azrael sees it, and makes his messenger leave the house.
And this... is a brand new broom.
Good, let's go!
With the handle down.
Like this.
Look at them!
They're going to the plaza.
Who would think, seeing them: "That's the messenger of Azrael."
The sand is never wrong.
I look at this street, but I haven't seen these houses before.
And now, Mara, we will unravel the thread.
Taxi!
I imagine you left your suitcases in the Hotel Cashmere,
...and we will go get them.
My life must contain something terrible.
- Yesterday in the cemetery... - What happened in the cemetery?
I found Pablo, the dwarf.
I remembered Russell.
I remembered a lot.
Tell me, do you know the Dove's Nest?
Here?
No.
Wait!
Driver, do you know the Dove's Nest?
It's a music hall next to the market. Do we go there?
Yes.
You see, we'll find out little by little.
I beg you, Andrés, let's not go.
I'm not scared for myself, but for you.
We should go.
But only to free you from these absurd fears.
I don't remember this at all.
It's a horrible torture.
Wait.
Give me a table for tonight.
The artists don't work tonight.
Only on Saturdays and Sundays.
Fine, then two seats for Saturday.
Here, keep these in your purse.
It's best I don't go with you.
It would cause a scandal in the hotel.
Take this money and pay for your room.
I don't dare.
If they ask, what would I say?
- What would I say? - Go in. Ask for your luggage.
Don't be afraid. I'll wait here.
I can't park. I need to go to the corner.
Fine, I'll go with you.
Yes.
Good.
Good morning, ma'am!
My room key, please.
What number, ma'am?
It's number...
It's Mrs. Russell's room.
Mrs. Russell's room.
Number 132.
132.
- Ma'am. - Thank you.
I didn't think we'd meet here.
Let's go to your room to talk.
Come on up.
The lady planned to disappear.
You thought I was just a puppet,
that you could move at your will?
I see you've packed.
Pablo, take them.
We'll go with the lady.
And now we'll have a good laugh.
The Tangier Sun! Newspapers! Magazines!
The Tangier Sun is out!
Mrs. Russell, please?
She just left, sir.
- Are you certain? - Yes.
It's marked down here.
She left a couple of minutes ago with two gentlemen.
- And she didn't say anything? - No.
- A message? An address? - Nothing at all.
One of the gentlemen settled the bill and they left.
That's fine, thank you.
I've left the papers on the table.
Are you alone?
And the lady isn't with you?
Then she must have left.
What does this broom here mean?
Nothing. A cleaning lady normally has a broom.
The lady left her hat and coat,
...and this key. The key to a tomb.
Listen...
can you tell me who brought this wreath?
That one? They brought it the day of the burial.
A lady who came with two nuns?
I honestly don't know.
If I remember correctly it was the other one.
- The other one? - Yes, the other one.
Come on! If you only knew what can happen in a cemetery.
Even after death, people hold on to their troubles.
First was the pretty one.
The second, the one who caused a fuss because there were no flowers.
- Do you know her name? - Only her address.
She told me because she went for fresh flowers.
She said they were cheaper in the market.
I'd like to know that address.
I have it here.
On this piece of paper.
Jerife Street, number 30.
This gentleman would like to see the lady.
Go into the living room and wait a moment.
Of course, right away.
Miss Stubers, continue with the children's lesson.
Sir.
How can I help you?
- Have a seat, please. - Thank you.
I'm sorry for the trouble.
I don't know if you can help me.
I'd like you to tell me about Mrs. Russell.
That's me, sir.
I mean the wife of Luis Russell.
Right, that's me!
I mean, the widow of Luis Russell.
The one who lived in Zajal.
I'm telling you that that is me, sir.
There must be some mistake, ma'am.
I'm asking for Mara Russell.
Happily, I don't know her.
And she certainly can't call herself Mrs. Russell.
I am the only Mrs. Russell.
My husband filed for divorce in Casablanca.
A divorce I didn't recognize.
And then he married her.
Perhaps she is the one you want.
If it weren't for her,
...my husband would not have acted like he did,
...toward our son.
I never asked for anything for myself.
But our son deserved to be treated differently.
You judge without knowing, ma'am.
You don't know everything.
My son left for Zajal to protect our interests.
Because my husband was rich.
He had money, jewels, valuables.
So then, everything has disappeared, nothing has been found.
Not the money or the valuables,
and she, by chance, has disappeared too.
But she is here.
When her son returns from Zajal,
...I'd like to talk to him.
My address is on the card.
My son thinks the same as I do.
I've informed the police to look after the matter.
I'm sure when I tell what I know,
...it will change your point of view.
- Goodbye, ma'am. - Sir.
If it's of interest,
the monster who is always with her
was seen with her in the cemetery.
A dwarf!
Left, left. Lower your head.
And you, lighter on your feet.
That's it.
Hi!
The towel.
Thank you, Madame Laborde. How is your throat?
Same as always, one-note.
Now you can be happy, your children are with you.
You know Mauricio never stays in one place for long.
You lie! Like always!
I don't believe a word.
As you wish.
It's impossible! And I know you invent stupid things.
It's true!
I've lost my memory. I don't remember anything.
I'm telling you, I don't recall anything!
Where are the stones?
I don't know what you mean.
Before you left you gave me the box and key,
saying the diamonds were inside.
But when I opened the box, it was empty.
- Empty, you hear? - Leave me.
- You don't understand that I can't answer. - Empty!
And you had already left disguised as a widow.
Wrapped up in black crêpe.
Playing in a comedy, and now you want to be believed.
Leave me, I beg you.
First you will talk!
And I know how to make you.
Pablito! A visitor for Mrs. Mara.
Yes, the poor thing is upstairs. She arrived in bad shape.
We thought it best for her to stay here with us.
Thankfully she's in good hands.
Over here, sisters.
One has to think you're good with God.
Here are His guardian angels: two nuns.
My God! Mrs. Russell, we were so worried.
We didn't know what happened to you, after the funeral.
You left no address.
Happily, Sister Angustias remembered that Mr. Mauricio,
...was Mr. Tony's brother.
We decided to go to the gymnasium to ask after you.
We hope you're in good health.
Are you ill, ma'am?
You don't recognize us?
You're very upset. That's normal after what happened.
But you'll be better soon. We'll leave you now.
We'll come back later, at a better time.
That's it, we'll come back!
Let the lady sleep.
Good bye for now.
But she's very sick. We saw that in the train.
We wanted to take her to the doctor, but she fled right after the funeral.
You think she's lost her memory?
Yes, we do.
You don't remember that Mrs. Mara had an attack...
And strange things happened two years ago. She returned from Tangier, and..
- May I accompany you? - For the love of God! Don't bother.
Come with me!
I'm going with you.
Who is this man?
He's Mr. Mauricio's brother, don't be scared.
Let's go.
Goodbye. Take care.
Thank God! Take me with you.
But, Mrs. Russelll.
Get me out of here. Please!
- Why? - Get me out!
I'm scared of these people, of this old lady and this man!
Who is that man?
Your husband's secretary told everyone
to look after you.
No, it's my only chance! I want to go!
Get me out of here!
They're talking to me about some diamonds....
Let me go!
Doctor Luján is the doctor for our community.
Don't worry, you can go in peace, sisters.
Mauricio.
You remember me?
Yes, Mauricio. I remember you.
Mister Andrés! Good evening!
Would you like your dinner now?
No, thank you. I'll eat out.
But do me a favor.
Stay here in case the phone rings.
Who would call at this hour?
I don't know, there could always be an important call.
Good bye!
One, two, three...
A trip.
One, two, three, four...
Death!
Claims.
Miss, someone must answer.
Be insistent, please.
That's right, keep calling.
I'm at 4446.
Yes. 46.
You were calling someone.
They called and I answered. But no one responded.
I've been here for a good 15 minutes,
...and no one called.
You don't need to leave your room.
It would be better to lock me in.
You don't see that it's for your own good.
Then don't spy on me.
And you, when will this farce end?
You don't understand how much damage
you've done to Mauricio.
- Me? - Yes, you.
Mauricio had finally gotten a stable job.
Mr. Russell trusted him.
And you, you pushed him to all this.
And if he worked well, they'd find a place for me.
But then you showed up, and it all fell apart.
Sure, since the lady didn't need to be around,
she would hide herself in diamonds and jewels.
I told you, by God!
I told you I don't remember anything.
If it weren't for Mauricio's love for you,
I'd make you talk.
Leave her alone! Tony!
And you, you go too!
To have loved you, Mauricio must be crazy.
His brother is right.
Two, three, four, one, two....
One, two, three, four...
A man with money.
- Yes? - Finally, Mr. Blas.
Is the gentleman in? Call him quickly.
I am Mrs. Russell.
The gentleman isn't here. He's not in.
He went to Marseille. For several months.
Was it them who called? You answered.
It was someone playing a joke. But I took care of it.
- Ok, good night. - Get some rest.
Mara, what are you doing here? Why did you leave your room?
I wanted to make a call.
Tony told me. Call whom?
Why do you want to know?
You still think I'm making things up, or lying?
No, Mara, I don't doubt your sickness.
We've already arranged for the doctor to come see you.
Mauricio, I'm scared of remembering my life.
Of knowing what I was.
Just think, if you can remember,
we'll have a fortune.
We could live like we've dreamed.
Wouldn't it be best to forget that dream?
Then I could live without my past.
What does the past matter if I love you,
even if I know about your life.
You love me?
You don't know?
I'm like a wound that bleeds,
when I finally see the truth.
We're like two sleepwalkers dreaming. It's time to wake up.
If you love me, don't keep me locked up here, Mauricio.
If you love me, let me forget this dream.
I'm so scared of remembering it.
Why?
We all need to know our truths at a certain time.
And we only have one path to take.
We get used to it.
But this truth brings me fear. I don't want it.
I don't want to remember what I was, or what I am.
No. It's absurd. We can't give up that fortune.
You're sick... You must remember.
Fine.
Call the doctor.
Look at the light.
Down.
Up.
Good. To the left.
And to the right.
Nothing serious!
The nerves are excited.
Please turn on the light.
Bring me a glass of mineral water, miss.
Right away.
Doctor, you have to help me get out of here, to escape!
- What's that? - Speak softly, please!
The dwarf must be listening outside.
He always spies on me.
- The dwarf? - Yes, you didn't see him?
But we can't waste time. The old woman is coming back.
Say you have to take me to a clinic.
Please understand, I'm being kept here.
You're being kept?
They say I know where the diamonds are.
Calm down.
After, I'll leave the clinic and then go to Marseille.
Believe me! I have to go to Marseille.
Calm down, I believe you.
I see that you're telling the truth.
It's like being trapped in a maze.
Save me! Don't let me be like my sisters.
You know, the door is there.
- Here's the water, doctor. - Ah, thank you.
Take these pills, ma'am.
It's to calm your nerves.
You'll sleep and wake up more relaxed.
I've understood completely, and will arrange everything.
Lie down.
Let's go, ma'am.
This way, doctor.
What does she have?
I already told her.
Nowadays in neuro-psychiatric centers,
they're a bit skeptical of amnesiac cases.
But in her case it's evident.
Memory loss combined with a persecution complex.
She thinks she's being held here.
Held?
Why? By whom?
Don't worry.
She says the normal things you hear with these cases.
Mazes, dwarfs, spies.
I don't understand.
How long will it take for her to get better?
A long time, a year or more.
Even so, she remembers certain things now.
She recognized me.
Amnesia lacunaris.
Isolated or partial memories.
For right now, pay attention to her dreams.
Let me know if anything changes.
Lalina.
Lalina, don't be wrong.
Don't be wrong.
It knows what we know.
What we've forgotten.
Andrés... give me your hand.
Give me your hand, Andrés.
You're all i have.
I love you with all I have.
Yes, Andrés.
In the Dove's Nest, I put the tickets in my bag.
Don't worry about me, worry about yourself.
I beg you...
- What's going on? - Well...
It's like I imagined. But you never listen to me.
What?
This amnesia that I never believed.
The truth that there's another man behind this comedy.
Don't be silly.
Silly! Silly!
His name is Andrés, so you know, and he lives in Tetuan.
And she gave him the diamonds,
because she loves him, and not you.
Be careful with what you say, Pablo.
She said it in her dreams. Andrés, Andrés...
I only have you... I love you like I've never loved...
Oh, Andrés!
And she has to go back to see him in the Dove's Nest.
- How do you know? - Here are the tickets.
Fine.
I'll go back tomorrow.
Come on, ladies and gentlemen, come on in!
Pablito, go get a table near the one she reserved.
Careful!
If he sees you like that, he'll know you.
This is absurd, Mauricio.
I did what you asked: wear white and leave with you.
But now we're leaving. I don't feel good.
If you tell the truth, there's no reason to fear.
Otherwise, he'll know to tell us where the diamonds are.
I've told everything.
It's true I met him a few days ago when wandering the streets.
And it's true he's in Marseille!
I got the table next to you.
You'll sit alone! And we'll see what happens.
Let's go in!
Hi, Mara!
[Arabic]
- I don't understand. - Mara. - [Arabic]
Mara!
I didn't think I'd find you.
Leave! I beg you. It's best for both of us.
But why?
Why don't you look at me?
I deserve an explanation.
That's why I'm here.
You?
- Who are you? - I'm asking you the same thing.
Where and when did you meet Mara?
I have no reason to answer you.
I will...
I saw him months ago killing vultures in the quarry...
...and talking to the lady.
You said you met me here... days ago.
What's this man to do with you?
Mara is my lover.
She didn't tell you?
One moment! I'm not done yet.
What do you know about the box and the stones?
- The stones? - The shiny ones.
Mara will remember if she talks to you.
And that's why you've both come?
So I can refresh her memory.
Why of course! I have the stones.
That's not true!
You don't remember. You've forgotten that too.
But if they want the stones,
...her lover has to come look for them at my house.
She knows my address.
Good evening.
Let's get to it!
Where are the stones?
- Where is Mara? - Enough jokes. Answer!
I already said I'd only give them to her.
Hey! You go overboard like an oaf, and now where are we?
They can't be far. Look everywhere.
Mr. Andrés Leonardi, please?
On the landing. Go on up.
Quick, let's leave! People are coming!
Tony, Tony, it's no use. Let's go!
That's strange, the door is ajar.
And they don't answer.
My son! Oh my God!
- Door lady! Ma'am! - What's wrong?
Come up quickly!
I'm coming!
- What is it? - He's unconscious.
They beat him.
- He's coming to. - Help me!
Virgin Maria! What is this?
Don't just stand there!
Bring me water, and a cloth with alcohol.
They've discovered that Mr. Luis Russell,
...had invested his fortune in diamonds,
...and he kept them in a box.
Everything has disappeared.
In Tajal, they've begun preliminary investigations,
at the request of his son and inheritor.
That's fine, inspector.
But I don't see what it has to do with me.
I told the inspector that he had visited me.
And of his interest in this woman, Mara.
It's important for us to know if you have seen her recently, and where.
No.
I stopped seeing her before visiting Mrs. Russell.
Did she mention the titles and the missing diamonds?
Mara isn't well.
She doesn't remember anything at all.
She can barely talk about anything.
Do you know the people who attacked you?
Do you know why they did it?
No idea. I've never seen them before.
Do you have any other questions, inspector?
Not at the moment. Thank you very much.
My son, they mentioned some things.
It seems like Mara tricked Mrs. Russell, and...
...got Laborde involved.
He's the man she trusts.
And he isn't in the Zajal anymore, either.
But he might be at his brother's house.
He's a boxer with a gym at Praye 28.
Your towel.
Showers are to the right. Your ticket?
Mara!
It's insane for you to have come, Andrés.
- Since you never visit me... - You don't know how dangerous this is.
- Does that matter to you? - Quiet, they can hear.
Come here.
Come!
I've been forbidden to pass through this door.
You could have done it.
Since I've been here, I remember my past a little more.
You wouldn't love the woman I'm finding.
I don't care what you've been.
I've loved you since we met. That's why I want you with me.
Even if you don't love me.
I love you more than you can imagine, Andrés.
Well then, Mara?
I don't know if I stole the diamonds everyone wants.
I don't remember. But I could have.
I know I'm capable of anything bad, Andrés.
- The police are looking for you. - It's worse if they find me.
- Then you don't love me. - I'm tied to Mauricio.
- Why? - Because of the diamonds.
- He thinks he could find them. - That's why you stay?
- The money is that important. - Yes, I told you I'm no good.
Poverty is terrible. It kills love. It kills everything.
I don't want to be poor.
Mara.
She's seen us! Go!
No, they'll never think that I've stayed.
- Let me wait for you in the garage. - I beg you! Go!
So he came to see you?
- Yes. - He left without you?
-Yes. - And you let him go?
I told you I know nothing about the diamonds,
... so why would I stop him?
I thought he was in love with you.
He loves another. A woman you don't know.
With no past.
You always speak of the past with horror.
Today he came for the diamonds.
It would be good for you to remember a few things.
- Why? - I didn't look for you.
I wanted to start a decent life.
For the first time I had a job and the respect of a man.
But... then you came.
You said you loved me, adored me, looked for me, made me dizzy with love.
- It was hard to resist you. - Enough!
You took me with you to Casablanca.
And I knew a life I had never imagined.
Russell sent the money, and you gave it to me.
But you had poison inside!
And everything you did, you did with evil!
You're lying.
I'm not lying, and you know it.
You hated Russell, like you hate everyone.
That's why you liked tricking me. Simply to do evil.
If this is true, then we deserve one another.
You're right. That's what brings us together.
There's something you haven't told him,
and it'll make you give up these queenly airs.
Fool!
Remember, if you say a word of what you promised not to,
I'll kill you!
Mara.
Leave me.
Leave me alone.
What do we do? What will we do?
Now you're free.
Yes, free to die of hunger.
We'll leave together, to somewhere far from here.
With what? His son will end up with everything.
I'll work.
You?
The diamonds are in the box.
The key is in my bag.
- Look for it. - Mara!
Look for it, Mauricio.
Do it for me.
For you.
The key.
Finally.
They won't find it here.
I'll take it in the car.
Everything is ready for the journey.
You can get a car at the quarry with no trouble.
Go outside.
See if anyone's there.
Andrés!
I said I'd wait for you.
We'll leave soon. Get me out of here!
When I saw her return with him, I almost dropped dead.
- They came together? - Together.
- This is serious. - Why?
- She's leading him to death. - Jesus!
They say they're leaving in a few minutes.
What can we do?
You should pour some hot water on a mirror,
...that Mr. Andrés has looked in.
Only that can save him.
But make sure the water is not boiling,
...because if the mirror breaks, that means certain death.
- I'll go find a mirror. - Go do that.
On this side.
And the shirts.
Who can that be?
It's Mrs. Blas. I know how she knocks.
Come in, Mrs. Blas!
Sorry to bother you, Mr. Andrés.
But... could you let me borrow that mirror?
Of course!
Take it.
- Please look into it. - Why?
It's for a matter of life and death.
I'm below with Mrs. Flora. Thank you.
When I first entered this room,
it seemed like I knew it already.
That's true.
Why?
But no!
I don't want to remember! Don't let me remember!
No, Mara, try to think.
Don't be like that. What's with you?
The light from the lighthouse makes the shadows dance...
- ...lIke the candles. - Like the candles?
What candles?
The ones that burn in Russell's chapel?
But no!
I told you I don't want to see those images that move.
Talk about something else.
You don't understand, you need to remember for your own good.
If I do, I fear I'll lose you.
Lose your love.
I love you, no matter what.
Have faith in my love. What happened? What did you do?
Why do you tremble?
If you didn't love Russell...
They were going to seal the coffin. I went in his room.
The bag of diamonds was in his hands.
I put it beneath his body.
You did that?
Later I gave Mauricio the empty box, without the diamonds.
But why?
I don't know. I didn't want to be poor.
To love like I lived before my marriage.
No, never again.
I was afraid of Mauricio. He was capable of anything.
If I gave him the diamonds, I was at his mercy.
You did it to protect yourself.
And gave the diamonds to their owner.
You think me better than I am.
I thought you could recover them in Tetuan.
That's why I felt trapped in a tomb.
See? By remembering you feel more calm.
You can show me your heart without fear.
It's bad to look too much at another's heart.
Don't look far into mine, Andrés.
All hearts have their shadows.
Their dirty mud that entraps.
Love means opening up.
Showing oneself.
Letting light in.
Do you see? I'll have to let this cool a bit.
They're coming down!
Mr. Andrés!
Mr. Andrés, don't go, you're in danger.
I already saved you once, but now they're leading you to death.
Enough silliness, focus on the cleaning, Mrs. Blas.
Good bye.
Silliness?
Silliness! Now they'll see!
Focus on the cleaning!
If he only knew. And just for thinking about them.
Mrs. Mara. What a coincidence!
Are you going back to Tajal?
Yes, I'm much better now.
I'll be in Esauira in a few days.
Just like us. We're making a circular route.
Then we'll see each other here and there.
You've always been so good with the nuns in the mission.
I've been good?
What a question. Of course!
Good bye.
We're going to our stateroom.
Mara, wait for me.
I'm going to call Mr. Russell's son.
Why?
I want him to know where the diamonds are.
Before we go, we have to return them to their owner.
Don't be afraid.
A woman isn't kept by force.
Between us, the cards have been dealt.
It's just a matter of turning them over.
- Go, I'm not alone! - I know.
You're going back with him to Zajal.
Have you stopped looking for the diamonds?
- I don't know you. - Sometimes one changes.
You accept poverty with him,
...but never wanted to share it with me.
Why?
I begged you to forget about the diamonds.
You preferred riches, and that I would remember.
Well fine, I've remembered too much.
I could have been wrong, not showing you how to remember.
But I've loved you, and I still do.
- You love me? - Yes, Mara.
If I've worked, and done good, it was for you.
I've loved you since I met you, and you me.
I wasn't happy.
You think that now.
Before I go, I wanted to tell you,
that I don't regret what I've done for you.
Don't tell me what you've done for me.
You're right.
And I hope you never know.
Don't be surprised.
Don't explain anything.
I know why you're back.
For the diamonds.
Mara and I wanted to tell you that they've been found.
Now I see.
I told you that sometimes one changes.
They're in the cemetery, in your friend Russell's coffin.
In his coffin?
I've just told the family,
...who will take the necessary steps to recover them.
You did that?
You don't know what you've done.
Poor thing.
So then?
The diamonds have been found.
Happily, it all worked out well.
I'm sorry to tell you, ma'am, that at the disinterment,
...we found a wound in Mr. Russell's back.
That's natural.
My father's car crashed into an embankment.
It's a wound from a knife.
What are you saying?
This can't be explained by the car accident.
We've reached the conclusion,
...that Mr. Russell was murdered.
When you live like him, you don't die by God's will.
You'll drop us off in Ventarud, in the detour...
- ...next to the fountain. - Fine. You can get on.
The vultures.
There must be something dead nearby.
Or something that's going to die.
Why do you say that?
The vultures know when someone's going to meet their end.
When a man dies in the quarry,
they come from far away, crossing the desert.
And when we tie him to his horse, so he goes back to his house,
the vultures follow.
- You tie dead men to their horses? - Yes.
They can't be buried in the quarry,
We attach them to the saddle, whip the horse,
...and it returns to their home.
The vultures circle them like a crown.
They call it the black crown.
We've noticed the crown from the mission,
...knowing we can only wrap up the body.
Mr. Leonardi, one moment please.
Whatever you need, send a request to the mission.
- Good bye, sisters. - Whatever you need.
Thank you again.
- What did that man say to you? - Something terrible.
Russell didn't die in the quarry, it seems.
No, he was murdered.
You knew?
Yes, Andrés. I remember.
Mauricio is the last person he saw.
- Isn't that right? - Yes, don't go on.
- Mauricio killed him. - Why didn't you tell me?
I've started to feel a bit worried.
I'm scared and anguished when I remember.
You shouldn't think on it any more.
Mauricio has fled to Tangier.
The police are looking for him.
We've changed our methods.
And if I've let you in so early in the morning,
...it's so you know what I'm going to do.
I had to wait until the caliph gave the order to bring him.
Enough lies!
I'm no fool.
I've seen all your dealings with the caliph.
Like I saw with Mauricio, or with that French aviator.
You're jealous and don't know what you're saying.
You're so stupid!
But here's what I'll do.
I've asked for a divorce.
- A divorce? - Yes.
I'm going alone to Geneva.
I've spent all my money on diamonds.
That's what was in the box you were so interested in.
Diamonds.
But not for you.
You won't have a dime.
That's what you think.
You'll have to start from scratch,
...calling to men from street corners.
Better than living with you.
Imbecile! Look in the mirror!
Let's see if one could stay by your side for love.
Be quiet!
Now you'll pay, day after day.
Let me go! Let me go!
- You'll stay here in this house... - Fool!
Let me go, I tell you!
You won't be on your own. You'll live like you used to live.
Men aren't so easy, you know.
It's not so easy to get money, you know.
And you'll end up working tables
...in the Dove's Nest.
You'll go back to what you were.
You'll sell yourself like...
- Andrés. - It's me.
Mauricio is hiding. The police are looking for him.
- What are you going to do? - I don't understand.
Everything seems to be against him.
He's risking his life for you.
For me?
You know Mauricio didn't kill Russell.
You killed him.
You know I don't remember anything.
You lie! You can read it on your face.
But if you don't save him, I'll give you away.
No one will believe it.
The nuns, the doctor, everyone knows my situation.
I've lost my memory.
How can you prove the contrary?
And you'll let him be condemned?
I want to be happy.
I also have a right to happiness.
And as long as you're happy, he can go to jail.
Obtaining happiness always causes pain for others.
You can save him.
Sell the farm and we'll have money...
for the lawyers and witnesses.
No.
Let him save himself.
I don't want to be involved with you all.
I don't remember anything...
Nothing.
The more I know you, the more you disgust me.
Get out of here! Go!
But you'll pay, like Russell said.
You'll pay with the thing that hurts you most.
Out! Get out of here!
We'd like some clarification, ma'am,
...based on the reports from the police in Tangier.
I'll tell anything I know.
It's just that I don't remember much.
We know you've been distant...
...with loss of memory.
She was treated in Tangier by Dr. Mijald.
There were also two nuns,
these two here, who traveled with her,
...who recognized the severity of her case.
You had no doubt, no suspicion,
...when you were told of the accident?
No.
I felt an intense emotion so severe,
...that it caused my memory to leave me.
I do have a blurred memory.
You felt a strong closeness to your husband?
Yes.
But he had begun the process of divorcing you.
His unjustifiable jealousy caused problems for our marriage.
We both agreed to separate.
But on the day of his death, we had reconciled.
What did he think of Mauricio Laborde?
My husband thought well of him. He trusted him.
He even ignored that he had spent time
in the Marrakech prison.
And you think he could have committed this crime?
How can I answer that?
I hardly remember anything. I even forgot my name.
I was kidnapped by the Laborde family.
- Kidnapped? - Yes, in Tangier.
And Mauricio interrogated me every day,
...to know where the diamonds were.
When the nuns visited, I told them.
They didn't believe me.
How could we believe you? You were in a bad condition,
...and we suspected you were delirious.
The doctor didn't believe me either.
I was able to flee thanks to Mr. Leonardi.
And now I'm getting better, little by little.
I hardly remember anything.
- I feel so unwell. - Ma'am.
It's fine, ma'am. We'll continue with our investigation.
We're done with this interview for today.
How terrible! I can't think of anything.
I'll leave now.
You know we're here to help you with anything.
- Good bye, commissioner. - Good bye.
She said she was kidnapped,
...and that you interrogated her every day,
...to know where the diamonds were.
The situation has deteriorated considerably.
But she killed him.
It's worthless saying it. How can you prove it?
You're the lawyer. What can you do?
You've brought me on this case.
And although the doctor signed the papers about the injury,
...she maintains that the injury was caused by an iron from the car.
We need witnesses who saw the accident.
We'll have witnesses.
That costs a lot of money.
We'll have witnesses who will say what you want.
We'll have the doctor who will affirm he saw the injury.
We'll have the money.
She'll give it to me. You hear?
She'll give it to me.
- We'll meet this evening? - Yes, see you soon.
Hey, what's wrong?
I want to talk to you.
What do you want?
To clarify a few things about Mara.
- There's nothing to clarify. - You're wrong.
- Pablo visited her yesterday. - I know.
He asked for money for the doctor and the lawyer,
...the witnesses, and to prove that Russell's death was an accident.
Why does she have to help?
Because she's the one who killed Russell.
You're lying! Lying! But even if it were her...
I'd never let her help. Never!
You loved her!