WLEXT.IS
Madrid, December 1940
Time goes by very quickly, Mom...
between the seams, scissors and patterns...
The days are getting shorter and shorter.
Paradoxically, I feel as if an eternity has passed since I left Tetouan.
Our old Madrid is recovering from its war wounds.
But my wounds seem to remain open.
When they're about to close up, someone comes and reopens them.
I know I must be strong...
Be patient.
But I feel so lonely...
A letter for your mother.
I guess it was hard to spend Christmas without her.
This isn't the first Christmas I spent alone.
I promise it will reach its destiny. I can assure that.
London asked us to reinforce the movement.
We hope you can help us.
Do you remember Manuel Da Silva?
You gave us information about him.
I remember him perfectly.
This is his picture.
Now I can tell you about him.
He is a businessman.
He has a good relationship with our diplomats in Lisbon.
He has many deals with British companies.
We believe he has established a parallel relationship with the Germans.
- What kind of relationship? - Business relations.
A deal that not only benefits the Germans
but that boycotts us as well.
We don't know what's it about yet.
Food, minerals, weapons...
We hope you can collect some information for us.
What should I do?
Da Silva lives in Portugal.
But, as you told us, he is coming to Madrid.
This is Berta Sterling.
She is a Spaniard married to a German.
He is a member of the Nazis.
He is influential.
Da Silva will attend a private party at his place...
during his stay in Madrid.
We need you to befriend Berta Sterling...
and get invited to that party.
How can I earn her trust in such little time?
I know it's complicated.
But use your clients.
Make her go to your workshop.
Do everything you can.
I'll try.
You're the only one who could do this.
Berta Sterling? Yes, I know her.
She is a reserved woman.
Between you and me, she's really unfriendly.
Really?
Yes, darling, she has no sense of humor.
Since her husband went to Germany she has been so rude to everyone.
If you're trying to get her as a client...
you'll have a hard time.
- Why? - She already has a dressmaker.
She is a faithful customer of Flora Villarreal.
Yes, yes. She's coming here tomorrow.
I'll tell her about you, but...
I told you, she won't change her dressmaker.
Okay. Well...
Would you mind if I joined you?
No, of course not.
Perhaps you and me can convince her...
That would be amazing. Flowers!
- Flowers... - But...
I want you to do something for me.
- Tell me. - As you know, I'm engaged now...
Of course I can make your wedding dress.
I already counted on that...
Sure, I'm sorry. Tell me.
You'll see...
I want you to accompany me to a New Year's Eve party.
The one in the casino.
I want you to meet my fiancé and his family.
I'm not really into these...
No, no. I know you'll be alone. I won't allow that.
So, please, promise me you'll come with me.
Okay, yes.
You'll see, you'll love it!
Thank you.
Let's finish with this.
Good afternoon.
- Aris! - Excuse me.
Darling...
- How are you? - Fine, fine.
Let me introduce you to Frau Sterling.
- My pleasure. - Good afternoon.
- You're very kind. - Thanks.
- Did you get your dress? - Yes, I'm delighted!
It's wonderful!
Miss Agoriuq is my dressmaker.
She has the touch of an angel!
That's great, I'm so happy.
I have with me the new seasonal stuff.
I'd love to see that!
- Now? - Yes, for sure.
- Okay. - Martina, after so long without seeing us
I don't think this is the right time.
You still have things to tell me about your new family, right?
Besides that, it's getting late.
Perhaps Frau Sterling would like to visit my workshop.
I already have a dressmaker.
But thanks.
Aris, darling. I have to leave too.
- Excuse me. - It's okay.
Wait for me a second.
I'm sorry, now we can go in.
- Who is that man? - That man?
My father-in-law's strong man.
- He had our invitations. - But who's your father-in-law?
You're so impatient!
You'll meet him!
Should we go in?
Give me your coat, I'll hang it somewhere.
Aris, darling, let me introduce you to my father-in-law.
Gonzalo Alvarado.
Nice to meet you.
He wants to tell you about his journeys.
I'm glad you accepted Martina's invitation.
Do you dance?
Please.
Okay.
You don't know how happy I am to see you once again.
I know you're using another name and surname.
And that you're from Morocco.
But calm down.
I won't tell anybody.
I guess you have your reasons.
The man you hired hasn't found them out yet, right?
Darling, I didn't want to frighten you.
But I needed to know if it was you.
I saw you in the street. When I asked for you they told me you were...
Aris Agoriuq.
I needed the truth.
Why didn't you come see me?
Was it necessary to be under armed surveillance?
My employee is former military, that's why he has the gun.
I can assure that you haven't been endangered.
Please, don't act like you don't know me.
Would you like me to call you Dad?
Gonzalo is enough.
Sira, I'd like to buy you dinner. I'd like to hear everything.
I don't think I can.
I came because Martina insisted.
I thought it was a friendly invitation, but...
you were behind it.
I guess you don't want them to know your real name or your relationship with me.
I'd like you to keep quiet.
But I want you to know, my new name is an official name.
My Moroccan passport is real.
May I ask why the change?
I'm getting cover for the suit that your son launched at me.
- Did my son Carlos sue you? - Not him, Enrique.
He accused me of stealing the money and jewels you gave me.
Enrique was very impulsive.
Why do you speak of him in the past tense?
Enrique was killed three days after the uprising.
He thought something big was coming. He told us to get our money out of Spain.
I told him about your mom.
I told him I gave you your inheritance.
He didn't like it.
He went mad.
He interrogated our housekeeper...
I guess he concluded it was a robbery.
The next time I saw him...
I had to identify his body at the morgue. He had a bullet in his head.
I'm so sorry.
But... let's not talk about this. It's not the right time.
We're celebrating.
They're offering grapes.
If you don't hurry, you'll miss them.
Carlos, let me introduce you to Miss Agoriuq.
- Nice to meet you. - My pleasure.
Should we go now?
Aris, your coat!
- Thank you. - Come down quickly.
Thanks, Martina.
What do you think about my fiancé?
He is charming.
He's handsome too.
You really impressed my father-in-law.
I see... he was truly kind to me.
Yes, unlike Berta.
No, no, no.
No. You don't have to apologize.
I assure you, she's a nice woman.
I can tell you. In few days...
her daughter will play a role in a play at her school.
She even asked her husband to send some typical clothes...
From Germany! She's like that, she's a perfectionist.
I... I admire her.
Did she receive them already?
I guess so.
Manuela...
Do you know one of the women who iron on Gasca Street?
Of course, I have worked with many of them.
Are you still willing to help me?
Of course.
I've found a way to get closer to Frau Sterling.
But I need you.
- Madam. - Tell me.
Frau Sterling is at the door.
She didn't want to come in.
Don't worry, I'll take care of her.
Can I help you?
Miss Agoriuq...
- How are you? - Fine, thanks, and you?
I've suffered a setback.
A woman ironed my daughter's dress, and burned it.
- What a shame. - It's a folkloric German dress.
My husband sent it from Berlin.
There's no time for another delivery.
Someone told me that you could help me.
Yes, that would be my pleasure.
Can I come here tomorrow morning?
That's perfect. I'll be waiting for you.
Thanks.
I know the way out.
- Of course. - Thanks.
You know what they'll think of me for holding the arm of such a beauty?
- Does that worry you? - Not at all.
On the contrary, I'd like everyone to know you're my daughter.
Sira, I must tell you something.
Tell me.
I want you to know that...
It wasn't easy for me to separate from your mother and have no contact with you.
With my girl...
I was a coward.
I didn't have the courage to face my family.
That doesn't matter right now.
You're wrong, Sira. It matters a lot.
I made the biggest mistake of my life.
My lack of courage made me lose what I loved the most.
And I can assure you...
I repented every day of my life.
We've lost so much time, I'd like to recover it.
And what are we doing now?
Do you think someday you'll love this old, stupid man like you'd love a father?
I really don't know, Gonzalo.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Come in, please.
Would you be able to finish it today?
I'll do everything I can.
I thank you.
There are very few people in Spain...
who are as serious and hard working as you are.
Why do you say that?
Well...
You know, everybody here loves wine and parties, but then...
- When they have to work... - I see...
Well, of course we're not like the Germans.
The Fuhrer said it clearly...
This makes no sense.
'Arbeit macht frei.'
Which means?
Work will set you free.
Of course.
Heinrich Himmler said...
There's a path to freedom.
Its pillars are...
Obedience...
Hard work...
Fidelity...
Soberness...
Order...
Cleanliness...
Veracity...
Sacrifice...
And love for your country.
I couldn't agree more.
That's why Germany is a great nation.
The Fuhrer will put it in the place it deserves.
I have no doubt about that.
It's a good thing that Spain rectified soon.
It was good indeed.
I hope we finally join the war.
And finish all this.
Yes, I hope it will end soon.
- Excuse me, I'll be right back. - Don't delay.
- One more word and I'll kill her. - Calm down.
That woman is so rude.
She's so arrogant!
How can a Spaniard be more Nazi than the Germans?
Relax.
You're doing this for a higher purpose.
Yes, I know that.
I needed to say something.
Cheers, everything will end up well.
Frau Sterling, it's ready.
Congratulations. You did a good job.
If they don't look too closely, I doubt they'll notice...
the difference with the ones made in Germany.
- Thanks. - No.
Thank you, you did me a big favor.
- My pleasure. - Go change.
I liked the conversation we had.
I know very few women who are as enthusiastic as you about the Fuhrer.
Well...
Besides that...
You have had a fascinating life.
You just need a good man to fall in love with.
- Everything will come, right? - Yes.
- Thanks a lot. - Thank you.
You know?
I know how to pay back the favor.
No, no, don't worry.
It's nothing.
Thursday night I'll have a party for my close friends. A gentleman will be there...
I think you should meet him.
I don't know.
- It seems a bit forced. - Not at all.
He is attractive.
A true entrepreneur.
I guess you'll like each other.
Thursday night at seven. I'll be expecting you.
I'll be there.
[Gregorio Quintana, piano solo]
People say I'm very fortunate.
- Really? - Yes.
I just need to get me a blonde woman. That way I'll have both.
Okay, fine.
I forgot to tell you...
We'll meet a group of old friends, I haven't seen them in a while.
They're British engineers, from the Tinto River mines.
I see they come with... a group of Englishmen.
Possibly with someone from the embassy.
Englishmen on this side, please.
- Hello, boy, how are you? - I'm good.
Let me introduce you to Miss Agoriuq.
A pleasure.
- My wife, Gabriela... - Gabriela.
Sit.
You must have no contact with British people.
- Are you okay? You look pale. - I'm fine, don't worry.
- Do you need something? - No. Please go greet your friends.
Are you okay?
- Wait here. - Yes. Thanks.
Yesterday you were in great danger.
I'm sorry, I had no choice.
We can't afford to have these incidents.
Things are more complicated now.
- In general or for me? - Both.
It's not our business to step into your private life.
But there's something we must talk about.
- Gonzalo Alvarado. - Precisely.
We know you've been seen together, in public areas.
I must tell you I have no relationship with him.
He's unaware of my activities.
The relationship you have isn't our problem.
So?
We've found there's a group of Spaniards collaborating with the Germans.
They're making lists of people affiliated either with the Brits or the Germans.
- Am I on one of those lists? - We know that.
There are double agents who told us...
that you're among the pro-Germans.
As expected.
Why is Gonzalo Alvarado relevant?
He was on that list too.
He is on the other side.
He is a pro-British citizen.
We know the Germans are tightening surveillance over those people.
- I get it. - So the fact that you're with him...
on a regular basis might seem suspicious.
There are rumors about that.
- About what? - What? Why would a person who is
closely related with the Germans' wives...
be going out in public with a...
loyal collaborator of the British?
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
We've been very unsettled these days.
This country is vital for Europe's fate, it could join the war at any moment.
I know that.
I don't know if you're aware...
of how compromised and exposed you are.
If they get suspicious about you...
I can assure you'll have great troubles.
That's not good. Not for you, not for us.
Don't worry.
I won't contact him anymore.
- Another bunch of flowers from my dad? - Yes.
I'll leave it here, with the others.
At least you should answer.
What should I tell him?
I'm sorry, Manuela.
I'm a bit nervous.
Don't worry, girl.
What if I can't convince Da Silva?
What if they uncover me?
- What if... - Everything will be fine.
You look beautiful.
You'll drive Da Silva crazy.
I'm sick of all this.
Deceiving everyone.
To have to follow orders. How uncomfortable...
I have to be careful, always.
We're going through difficult times.
I became a liar.
I'm afraid.
I feel anguish.
I barely can sleep.
And all for what?
Don't say those things.
If Spain joins the war... I wouldn't be able to stop that.
I'd rather leave it like that and go back to normalcy.
Which normalcy?
The one you had when you were about to marry Ignacio?
The one you had with Ramiro?
The life you had in Tetouan by yourself?
I don't know.
Normalcy is what you want it to be.
To search somewhere else or in the past...
makes no sense at all.
Thanks.
This way, please.
Miss Agoriuq, you're here on time.
- I'm a bit late, sorry. - No problem.
The dinner isn't ready yet. Come with me.
Let me introduce you. Friends!
This is Miss Agoriuq.
A famous dressmaker from Madrid.
These are Herr and Frau Winkler.
From the German embassy.
Hello.
Herr and Frau Kühl.
They own a successful business.
- My pleasure. - Excuse me.
Miss Agoriuq, Herr and Frau Ulrich.
From the stock market sphere.
Nice to meet you.
Excuse us.
Herr Da Silva, a great Portuguese businessman.
Enjoy your time.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
Me too.
I must confess something to you.
Whatever you want to.
You're the first Moroccan woman I've ever met in my whole life.
- So you haven't been to Morocco. - No, I'm sorry for that.
Even more if Moroccan girls look like you.
- Thanks. - Cheers.
Cheers.
Morocco is a fascinating country.
Full of marvelous people.
But I think you'll find it difficult to find women like me over there.
Why do you say so?
Because I'm an atypical Moroccan.
My mom is from Spain.
I'm not a Muslim.
My mother tongue isn't Arab, it is Spanish.
I've worked with Spaniards.
Before the war I came here often because of my work.
Now I'm into a different business. I don't frequently travel to Spain.
Perhaps it's not the best moment for that.
It depends.
Things seem to be going well for you.
I see you're well informed.
Frau Sterling gave me the profile.
Ladies and gentlemen, we can have dinner now.
Would you like some?
Ladies and gentlemen...
For the friendship uniting us.
What do you do, Mr. Da Silva?
Please, call me Manuel.
Then I'll have to be Aris.
Aris?
I love it!
Well, Aris.
My business is the import and export of whatever is profitable.
Cotton from Green Cape, wood from Mozambique.
- Silk from Macao. - Yes.
Silk from Macao?
It must be wonderful.
Do you want to know the truth?
Of course.
The truth is that I don't know.
I'm not personally responsible for the silk we import.
I'm just aware of the data, the numbers.
About aesthetics
the thing I guess you're into...
I have no idea.
Don't be modest, Manuel.
I'm sure you have good taste.
I just need to see the pin on your tie to know you're an elegant man.
You're not mistaken.
I bought this pin in the best jewelry store in Madrid.
I collect some every time I come here.
They are the ones who accessorize me.
- Even so. - Thanks.
I won't deny I like to be surrounded by beautiful things.
Otherwise I wouldn't be sitting by your side.
Thanks for the compliment.
- Enjoy your meal. - You too.
Excuse me.
Please.
I'll see how everything in the kitchen is.
- Excuse me. - Yes?
You have a call.
- For me? - Yes, miss.
Thanks.
I'll be right back.
I'll be counting the seconds.
Leave my house immediately.
Excuse me?
I saw you at the theater the other day.
If my guests find out they're dining
with a friend of the British, I'll look like a fool.
I'll lose the confidence of people who are important for me.
So I'll say this one more time...
Leave my house. Let's pretend this never happened.
- I'm sorry... - Goodbye!
WLEXT.IS