WLEXT.IS
[Tétouan, October 1936]
My name is Sira Quiroga. I'm a seamstress.
I never imagined I'd be risking my life to cross a foreign city...
with a suit of pistols strapped to me.
But now I know that destiny is the sum of all the decisions we make in life.
Even the ones that seem insignificant at first.
In my case, no matter how long ago it seems now...
it all started with the simple act of learning how to thread a needle.
Look. Be careful.
Don't let your hands shake.
You may have to try it two or three times.
Sewing is patience, patience...
- And more patience. - Sira!
Sira...
Pay attention, otherwise you won't learn.
Very good!
It was a lot harder for me. You got it on your first try.
Good job, princess.
My mother was a dressmaker.
She worked ten hours a day, working herself to the bone.
- Always keep the needles tucked in. - Okay.
Let's go, we don't want to be late.
[Madrid, March 1922]
- Sira, come play with us. - I can't, I have to go to the shop.
If we come back early, you can play this afternoon, I promise.
Real milk!
After I left school, we made the same journey every day.
From our home in a low class suburb of Madrid...
to Doña Manuela's workshop.
It was located in the finest part of town, very different from where we came.
Good morning.
The Time in Between Episode 1
Why are you so late?
The Sotomayor sisters are coming. They need to be measured for two dresses.
- I learned how to use a needle. - Fantastic.
Now help Paquita with the iron and fold all the clothes.
That stitching needs to be much smaller. Do I have to repeat myself? Do it over.
Just like all the other apprentices...
before I was allowed to sew, I had to do everything else.
I heated the iron and swept the floors.
I carried the dresses to our clients' houses.
That's how I discovered a different Madrid.
The wealthy one.
I admired large living rooms...
and was stunned by fine carpets, fancy chandeliers, and velvet curtains.
I thought of how strange it would be to live in such a world.
Then one day, they finally let me sew.
I started with the simplest things.
Button loops, overcast stitching, and tacking.
Then came buttonholes, backstitching, and hemming.
And little by little I started mastering the more delicate parts of sewing.
I learned to make collars and lapels, to prevent sagging and complete the look.
Your girl has a good eye and steady hands.
She's good.
And it'd be best if she continued this way.
You must be so proud of her, despite raising her without a father.
Here we go again.
Come on, woman. One day you'll tell us who the father is.
Who cares who the father is? It's nobody's business but my own.
- You're so stubborn. - And you're nosy.
It was always the same conversation.
And although it was brought up so often, I knew very little about my father.
I wasn't very curious about him.
My mother never wanted to give him that satisfaction.
[Madrid, May, 1934]
He asked! I'm getting married!
Really?
You must fix up my mother's wedding dress.
- Please say yes. - Of course!
Make it discreet, it's a civil marriage.
I don't want to draw attention.
Bring it to my place, I don't want Doña Manuela to know.
All right, then.
This is huge news.
- Congratulations. - I'm so happy.
This is amazing.
Girl, let's go to the fair.
I'm working on your dress.
Doña Dolores, tell your daughter to leave what she's doing and come with us.
Fine, just don't complain if it isn't ready by your wedding day.
- I'll be out in a minute. - Let's go.
Keep dancing!
Your man is letting you go out with us just days before the wedding?
He's a member of the Communist Party.
He lets me do whatever I want.
Because God made us all equal.
The communist's wife believes in God!
But you're not getting married in church!
- Would you like a drink? - Not here. These women gossip.
- Why does that matter? - I said no.
We need to find a man for Sira.
Sira doesn't need that kind of help.
She has two eyes, hands, and a mouth.
Then show us, pretty girl.
Three horchatas.
You know what? Just give me two.
Someone will buy my friend's.
Stop. Weren't you about to let me try?
Where is she going?
She is so audacious.
We're out of luck tonight. It's the one with the limp.
She's staring at you.
Go on, she's all yours.
- Hello. - Hello.
What a pleasant evening, right?
We were wondering...
we only have money for two drinks...
so poor Sira won't get one.
So are you Sira, pretty thing?
You wish. No, no, I'm Paquita.
Sira is the one over there.
Yes, the pretty one.
She didn't ask for you.
She asked for this man.
Would you buy her a drink?
Sure.
Come on, we won't be here all night.
Go, go, man.
- What's your name? - Ignacio.
Sira, this man would like to buy you a drink.
Sira, this is Ignacio. Ignacio, this is Sira.
Well, we'll be exploring the fair.
Treat her nicely, Ignacio. She's worth more than your weight in gold.
Girl, let's go.
Don't worry.
She's always like that.
Give me two, please.
Would you like something else?
- It's all right. - Give me two.
I like your name, Sira.
It's not that common.
I guess I was lucky.
My mother chose from the saints being worshipped that day.
Would you like to hear the other saints' names?
Victorina...
Heraclia...
Sabidiana and Fortunata.
So my mom told the priest...
Just name her Sira, it's shorter.
- She picked the right one. - I think so.
- Cheers. - Cheers.
You're not much a drinker, are you?
Should we walk around?
I'm so sorry! I'll go for some water.
No, no, it won't come out with water.
Only with sodium bicarbonate and salt.
I should go home or my mom will kill me.
A stain is going to make you go home?
See you!
Sira, Sira!
Sodium bicarbonate and salt.
I spilled half of it while running, but I hope it's enough.
- Where did you find all this? - You better not ask.
Every effort is worthy if it makes you stay for a little longer.
But just look at me.
Don't take me wrong, I appreciate this.
May I walk you home?
Well...
you'll miss the fair.
The best thing at the fair left because I spilled something on her.
Four thousand pesetas a year, it's something.
And it's a lifetime position.
So of course I want to be a public servant.
Things are getting so complicated lately.
It's good money, yes.
- What kind of public servant? - In the ministry.
I applied for a position in taxes and the treasury but...
I wasn't lucky. But...
I know I should try again. Sooner or later I'll make one of those...
and I won't have to sleep in cheap rooms.
But let's stop talking about me. What about you?
How long have you been a seamstress?
Since I was a kid.
Do you see yourself sewing for the rest of your life?
I don't know, who knows?
This is my home, we've arrived.
Well...
Thank you for walking me home.
Thanks for the bicarbonate and salt.
Thanks for the conversation.
And for the kiss I gave you.
You haven't kissed me.
That can be solved very easily.
You're the seamstress with the most beautiful smile I've ever seen.
And you're a fresh aspiring civil servant.
Good night, Ignacio.
Good night.
Hey...
Why don't you come by my workplace?
Where do you work? No, don't tell me. I'll figure it out.
I've done more difficult things tonight.
Go, go home.
In less than a day he found out where I worked.
Long live the newlyweds!
Before I knew it, we were dating.
We went everywhere together.
We went to Paquita's wedding.
We walked through all the parks.
We went to every single fair.
We loved to dance with mechanic precision.
I noticed how he fell deeper and deeper in love...
And I let him love me.
How beautiful!
Amazing.
Ignacio is at the door, as punctual as always.
Thank you.
You're going out like that? You're a mess!
I'm always pretty in Ignacio's eyes.
Take care of him. He is a good man.
It's like you're the one in love with him.
Don't wait for me to eat, we'll go out for a meal.
You look so pretty.
Why the new suit?
Alpaca?
- What happened? - Ma'am, please be respectful.
You're talking to a public servant.
It can't be true!
Your mother's candle on St. Judas Tadeo's altar worked!
Come, let's tell everyone!
He passed! He passed!
Ignacio passed the exams!
Congratulations, son.
Thanks, Dolores. The saint heard your prayers.
Tell me that the ceremony will take place inside a church.
The modern ways of the Republic... they'll disappear as quickly as they came.
Mom! You didn't get married. You raised me alone.
- And you're saying this to me now? - I didn't marry and...
She never told me why.
It's not the time to talk nonsense. Ignacio, inside a church!
It's your daughter's call. I'm fine marrying her whether...
the witness is a priest or the mayor of Madrid.
- One piece of bread. - Well...
Then we should start looking for a church.
Sira, wear white!
No dark colors.
Doña Manuela and I will take care of the dress, regardless of the cost.
We must choose the guests.
Guests? I just need my close family.
We'll talk about that later.
You would look great in this style.
- Okay. - Darling.
It's the fourth dress you're rejecting.
Are you sure you want to get married?
Of course. Don't speak nonsense.
I'm sorry, but I don't think you're excited about this.
Why should there be a commotion?
- What? - People know I'm with Ignacio.
Would a wedding change that?
You have no blood in your veins!
Didn't you see me on my wedding day?
I couldn't believe it. Emilio entered my family.
I entered his family. Nothing bad could happen to us.
Dolores...
What if we use laces and a very long train?
- Gorgeous. - No need to get crazy.
I can add as many meters as you want to the train of your dress.
Now even more, since I have to get rid of...
Doña Manuela?
What happened?
Girl...
It's good that Ignacio has a job now. I don't know how to tell you this.
I have to close the workshop.
What could I say? You already know... that it's been several months now
that we've gotten fewer clients.
Don't tell me that.
It's just a bad season. There are better times to come.
Girl, don't you hear the radio?
- Don't you see what's going on? - Doña Manuela is right.
- This can't be solved. - What will happen to us?
I would like to know as well, Dolores.
Daughter...
Perhaps it's time for you to apply with Ignacio.
- Apply for what? - It's nothing.
Ignacio thinks I could take those tests.
I only know how to sew!
He says you must study four subjects and learn how to write with a machine.
Look!
Look at this one.
Good afternoon. How may I help you?
Hello. We're looking for a good typewriter.
We're comparing models and prices.
Why don't you check out all of our models, see which ones you like?
Perfect.
Take a look at this one.
A precise mechanical piece.
I know. But the keys are too hard.
- It's for her delicate fingers. - In that case...
This model will suit your needs. Come with me.
May I help you?
I came with my boyfriend.
We want to buy a typewriter.
It could've been worse.
- I'm sorry? - He could've been your husband.
He'll become my husband soon.
What a lucky guy.
Is that how you sell typewriters?
The typewriters sell themselves.
Ramiro Rivas.
Sira.
I'm here for whatever you may need.
Should we go?
- I'm Ramiro Rivas, the manager. - Nice to meet you.
He's looking for a good and resilient machine for his girlfriend.
I'll take care of it, don't worry.
I know what you're looking for. Follow me.
This is the new Olivetti.
Just look at how light and smooth it is.
Look at the letters, it's like they were carved into marble.
Staggered in four rows.
- May I try it? - Of course.
Didn't you say they sold themselves?
So the machine is for you?
I want to teach her how to type. So she can take exams.
Brilliant!
Then this is the perfect choice.
It's suited for your girlfriend's fingers.
May I see them?
What a fantastic thing!
This is the one.
- How should I pay for it? - You'll pay half now...
- And the rest when you take it. - Can't we have it now?
Not until tomorrow, we don't have them.
- Can't we just take this one? - No, no!
I couldn't let you take a machine that has been used by other people.
- Come here tomorrow. - Well...
I start working at the ministry tomorrow.
Perhaps you could come get it.
That's precisely what I said...
- Let's go. - But...
Let's go.
You know?
I've been thinking of you.
I can assure you, I usually don't obsess over someone I just met.
Look...
I don't care if you're obsessed or not.
So you don't believe me.
I came for a typewriter!
What would you like to drink?
- Hot chocolate. - Black coffee for me. Thank you.
These dots aren't because of typing.
I sew.
So you're a dressmaker?
I was.
But things aren't going well lately.
So I'm willing to work at the ministry.
Why would a woman like you spend her life in the ministry?
If I may ask.
I guess I want to live better.
Sira, are you willing to strive for a better life?
Let me wipe that.
I want the typewriter. I'll go there this afternoon.
Come on, don't get angry at me.
Come back whenever you want. You know where to find me.
For a week I went to bed hoping that the next day would be different.
For a whole week, I woke up just thinking about him.
Ramiro Rivas.
Press hard with your pinkie.
Can't I just use another finger?
No. There's a finger for each key.
You should be able to write without looking at the machine.
Without looking at it?
Stop that nonsense.
That would be like blind sewing.
Typing is different, I mean it.
This is about mechanization.
That's why routine is so important. So go on.
Do the next row, come on.
- I already typed that 200 times. - You'll repeat it a thousand times more.
- Ignacio! - What?
This key isn't working.
Do it again.
All right. It doesn't write.
It doesn't show the 's.'
We have a warranty. We must go to the store.
You'll take it.
Why is it important that it shows up?
We just want to train with it.
We bought a new machine, it should work.
Is it so hard to take it to the store?
No.
Gorgeous.
I knew you'd be back. I knew it.
The 's' doesn't mark.
You didn't need an excuse to come back.
The letter isn't working. We have a warranty.
Try it yourself if you want.
You're right, the 's' is malfunctioning.
We must fix it, otherwise your name will look like this.
[rage]
Now I get your rage, you need your 's.'
And you came to the right place.
What is this?
I don't understand.
- I'll wait for you. - Bighead.
[Sira, Saint Susan, tonight at 9:00 p.m.]
- I'm going! - Are you leaving?
- I'm sorry. - Don't go away, please.
I can't stop thinking about you.
I can't stop thinking about you either.
Stay with me.
Did I tell you that my brother will give us some very fine gifts?
My aunts called, they're coming from Santander.
We must find them a good place to stay.
My mother is so silly, she bought a new cloth for the wedding.
She's willing to adopt you as her daughter.
- She told me that when she was young... - Ignacio!
I can't marry you.
Are you with someone else?
Don't deny it, Sira. I'm not a fool.
You've been avoiding me for several days.
You're always making up something to spend afternoons out.
Are you with another man?
I'm so sorry.
I never meant to hurt you.
I don't know what's happening to me.
It's better if you keep quiet.
May I know his name?
That won't help.
Sira...
Whoever that man might be...
he will never love you like I do.
Mother...
Ignacio told me everything.
- Then why are you still sewing? - This must be finished on time.
But I'm not getting married.
Stop talking nonsense.
You'll end up fixing this.
Don't throw your life into the abyss at the first fight.
I've found love, Mom.
It hurts me to tell him.
This wasn't what I had with Ignacio.
You just have birds inside your head.
Tomorrow morning you'll ask for his forgiveness.
Ignacio still loves you.
But I don't love him.
Can't you hear me when I say these things?
How can you be so selfish?
You used to do whatever you wanted to.
What I wanted?
Don't be so naive.
I did what my dignity allowed me, nothing more.
Do you think it's easy to be pointed at on the streets?
I was a pariah!
A single mother!
Would you fix that by marrying me to someone I don't love?
It's my life, Mom!
Sira!
Are you okay?
Is something wrong?
May I stay with you tonight?
Stay for an entire lifetime.
- What is this? - Princess.
This is so cute!
Would you like a strawberry?
There was no past or future when I was with Ramiro.
As if we had to enjoy every moment...
just in case the future didn't come.
Close it!
We could spend hours...
imagining the opportunities ahead of us...
in a distant corner of the Earth.
There was no night when we didn't laugh until dawn.
Ramiro knew my caprices...
He was always impressing me with unimaginable gifts.
So, as I held his body like it was my last hope...
months went by.
Sira, my love...
I'll arrive a little late.
Keep sleeping.
I'm coming!
Why the rush?
He forgot the hat!
Come on!
Hello.
- Do you want to come in? - No.
It's not needed.
I come to you with a message.
A request that isn't mine. You can't decline it.
- Tell me. - You'll meet your father.
He wants us to visit his house.
I'll get dressed.
Wash your face, you look like a prostitute.
Good morning. We're here to see the master of the house.
You don't have to accompany us, thank you.
Hello, Dolores.
Hello.
Thanks for coming back.
You know I wouldn't ask for this unless it was important.
I know I'll be killed.
- What are you talking about? - It's a matter of time.
Come here.
My workers aren't pleased with bread and circuses anymore.
They're part of a union now. They're threatening to kill the owner.
They have reasons though.
Please.
With all the unrest...
we'll end up...
sending the country into civil war.
We'll end up killing each other.
You look just like your mom 20 years ago.
We're not here to hear about the past.
Why not? I've never felt guilty because of that past.
I was 24, your mother was 22...
She came to my house to sew my mom's dresses.
Three years later you were born.
Gonzalo was studying engineering.
He had a formal girlfriend. His mom was about to disinherit him.
That's why I stopped seeing him.
He had a promising future ahead and he couldn't screw it up.
I didn't want to give you just crumbs.
I'm not anyone's maid.
Everything or nothing, right?
Will somebody kill him?
Your dad is afraid, he's used to command without criticism.
He is upset because now the workers are raising their voices.
He gave me a lot of money and jewels.
- What should I do with all this? - Be responsible.
Responsible and wise.
Please, I beg you.
He told me to take care of you and flee from Spain.
I won't flee anywhere.
Is everybody crazy now?
How could a war break out?
All this is very expensive.
There is even more.
What will we do with it?
What would you do, darling? This money is entirely yours.
I have no idea about money.
What would you do?
Pittman Typewriters Academy is the leading school in Argentina.
They have 20 schools and 1000 students...
all learning typewriting with revolutionary methods.
All right, it sounds interesting.
Do you want me to take a course?
No, darling, I want to buy some shares of that business.
We could bring Pittman Academy to this continent.
Girl, your moment is about to hit you.
You just need to assent.
Yes.
Sira, are you home?
Yes, it's so early. Didn't you end at 6:00?
Did the notary call?
What's wrong with you?
Yes, I went for the papers this morning.
Here they are.
The business's shareholdings.
Then it's official, we're business owners.
Right.
I fired myself.
Olivetti isn't good enough now.
- What? - I received that telegram from them...
from Pittman Academy. They told me that they're...
analyzing our proposal.
So it's time to start flying.
Besides that, I think it would be good for us to leave Spain.
The proposal to Pittman Academy...
is to open a very big store...
in Morocco. Where exactly? In Tangier.
Why would the Moors start typewriting?
You're funny, Sira.
Tangier is an international city.
A French port where many European passengers arrive.
You'll love it, I can assure you.
So start picking up your things. We're leaving.
Now?
What about my mom?
I can't leave her here alone.
Sira, Sira...
Darling...
You deserve to start living your own life.
Stop thinking about everybody else.
This is your great moment.
Our moment!
- Isn't this too sudden? - Come on, Sira!
We'll have a better life.
Do you trust me?
Of course I do.
You must be insane.
How can you leave like this with him?
Just like that.
Come on, Mom, come with me.
We can start a whole new life.
I won't leave this place.
You shouldn't go either.
I've already made my choice.
I hope that someday you'll understand me.
You know what you're doing.
I must leave now.
Ramiro is waiting for me.
What is it?
Nothing.
I'm a fool.
I've never left Madrid before.
I'm already missing it.
Calm down.
Madrid won't go anywhere.
We'll be back soon, I promise.
WLEXT.IS