Excuse me.
HAVANA, CUBA 1870
Watch out!
Go on. Take a look and see if there are any rooms available.
Here?
Wouldn't you rather stay in a nicer place?
No, it's well-situated. It looks inexpensive, doesn't it?
Get going.
Well, come in, come in. Don't stay by the door.
Let it not be said that I'm a bad hostess.
Although, as I said, I would like to accommodate you,
but several boats docked today and the establishment is full.
There's one room, but it hasn't been used in a while.
We'll take it.
I must say that it has to be aired out a bit.
Don't worry.
- It's the biggest and most expensive. - Not a problem.
In that case, make yourselves at home.
Here, everyone minds their own business.
May I offer you a fresh cup of coffee before showing you to your room?
No.
Perhaps later. I have urgent matters to attend to.
And what brings you to Havana, Mr. Mauro?
Business of a diverse nature.
Well, welcome,
this island is small, but full of opportunities
for anyone who knows how to find them, and I see you have that gift?
I've seen guests arrive here
with empty pockets,
but when they leave, they're full of gold.
I apologize for the humidity.
As I told you, it's been unoccupied for years.
May I ask the reason why?
I'm not going to lie to you.
It was our bedroom,
when my Francisco was still alive.
He was a fellow countryman of yours and former owner of this establishment.
He left it to me after he died,
even though his real family is in Madrid.
But he had lost contact with them when he came here.
Imagine the fuss it created when they found out.
He was a medic in the army...
but not good enough of one to cure himself of the fever that took him.
May he rest in peace.
- He died here? - Yes, right here.
In Havana, I mean.
My God, I don't want to even think of what could have happened.
THE LATEST
This was left for you, Mr. Mauro.
Who knows I'm here?
Mr. Mauro, in Havana everyone knows everything.
A gentleman like you, from abroad,
with good looks and means, can be recognized from a mile away.
It's from Gustavo Zayas and Carola Gorostiza.
The sister of my son's future father-in-law.
Well, what a secret you were keeping.
You're lucky to have someone in your family marry into another
with such a distinguished lady as Madam Carola.
- You know her? - Personally? No, no, no, no.
I wish I did.
But I doubt there's anyone in Havana who doesn't know her,
if only by reputation.
Believe me, that woman is kindness personified.
She has presence, distinction, class...
It's an invitation to a masquerade ball.
What mask will you wear?
Perhaps you received an invitation by mistake.
I see you're not wearing a mask.
I have no need for one. I've never been one to hide.
I prefer to face situations without wearing a disguise.
Well, that says a lot about you as a gentleman.
But what brings you here if not to enjoy the ball?
I've come to pay my respects to the lady of the house,
Mrs. Carola Gorostiza.
Perhaps you could help me find her.
Of course, my friend.
But I've never seen you in these parts before.
I'm a recent arrival.
Mauro Larrea, a native of Spain,
and a resident of Mexico for many years now.
Julián Calafat, of the Calafat Bank.
You will find no other one on the island
more secure than ours to put your trust in.
As well as my means, no?
I see no one wastes time here, nor does something for nothing.
Forgive me, Mr. Mauro, if I've offended you.
But as you'll see, I've been in this business a long time,
and I'm capable of distinguishing from afar
when a good investment presents itself to me.
Give me your address, and I'll come see you tomorrow.
Here you are.
We'll see each other tomorrow, then?
I believe the time has arrived for me to introduce you to the lady of the house.
Come with me, please.
My dear friends,
Gustavo, Carola,
I don't believe you've had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Mauro Larrea.
Gustavo Zayas, at your service.
Carola Gorostiza de Zayas, a pleasure.
This is Luis Montalvo, a relative from Spain.
Here, drink this wine.
It's from our vineyards in Jerez.
Excuse me.
Gustavo, did you know Mr. Larrea and I are going to be family?
His son is marrying the daughter of my brother, Ernesto.
So, I imagine you have many things to talk about.
- Indeed. - Excuse me.
Luis...
Excuse me for summoning you here in such haste.
I had several slaves watching over the lodgings of the city
so that they could inform me of your arrival.
Why the urgency in seeing me?
I would like to ask you, in the name of your friendship with my brother,
to not say anything about the money he sent me through you.
Least of all to my husband.
You can count on my discretion.
But tell me, madam, what do you want me to do with these documents?
They're worth a lot of money and that is a big responsibility.
Keep them until I request them.
But you and I will talk in private.
I will let you know where.
- Shall we dance? - Of course.
Enjoy the party.
CALAFAT AND ASSOCIATES BANKING HOUSE JULIAN CALAFAT COLOMBAS
It's certainly a considerable amount.
Invested properly, it could guarantee you a good rate of return.
And what is your proposal?
Look, Mr. Larrea, I'm in the position of offering you
a very lucrative business opportunity.
But you would need more money.
How much are we talking about?
In the order of three or four thousand.
It's a quantity that I could manage to obtain somehow.
Continue.
Good.
Do you believe in luck, Mr. Larrea?
Because, as a matter of fact,
a silent partner
has just backed out of a deal I'm taking part in.
And you could take his place.
I'm all ears.
Look. It's a reefer ship.
A marvelous invention
that can transport fresh beef from Argentina to the Caribbean.
- And the meat is perfectly preserved? - That's right.
Without needing to salt it beforehand?
What exactly are you proposing?
This is the future, Mr. Mauro.
If you can obtain the money you're missing,
we would be five partners, all equal.
However,
if you decide not to, I will invest the missing funds myself.
And how long do you think it will take to make a profit?
I calculate it to be three and a half months.
And the rate of return?
It would multiply your investment by five.
And how long do I have to make a decision?
No more than two days.
Mr. Mauro, you're a very popular man.
Don't tell me you've been invited to another ball in El Cerro.
No. I regret to inform you that there is no party today.
And what is it, if you don't mind me asking?
The Tacón Theater.
You're going to love it!
Have you heard the saying?
"There are three things in Havana that lead to admiration:
"El Morro, La Cabaña,
"and the Tacón Theater's chandelier."
Excuse me.
Thank you for coming, Mr. Mauro.
I brought what you requested, the documents your brother sent you.
No, no. Please, not here.
I just need a little more time.
For now, keep in your possession the money my brother sent me.
And I suppose without your husband knowing.
- Exactly, my dear friend. - I have a proposal for you.
Join your capital with mine.
I have an impending business venture both solid and profitable. Guaranteed.
And what does this fabulous venture consist of?
Investing in a reefer ship,
where the meat is preserved as fresh as it was the day it was cut.
It's a new invention that will eventually unite nations and commerce.
It does sound like a very good opportunity.
- Is that a yes or a no? - A perhaps.
But I also have a venture to propose to you.
It all depends on your scruples.
Well... Without them, we wouldn't be able to do business, would we?
Look, this isn't the place to go into details.
Tomorrow night, go to the tile warehouse
on the corner of Obra Pía and San Ignacio. At eleven o'clock.
Tell them Samuel sent you.
And now, please leave.
There, there.
Waiting for Mr. Larrea?
That's the job.
He'll be back in no time.
My lady, Mrs. Carola, won't keep him long.
So, you are...
The same person who delivered your boss's messages
to Mrs. Caridad's lodgings.
I run from here to there... I can't read, but I see. I see everything.
Great. Then you can show me around this beautiful island.
From what I can see, the loveliest parts are not the landscapes...
Look, if you think that flowery language
and wide-eyed looks are going to get you anywhere...
sit down and wait.
Keep the flowers for someone who'll buy them.
Is that so? Then why did you come over?
To give you some advice,
of the free variety.
Beware of those people back there.
They prey upon gullible dupes like you.
They've already picked a few pockets tonight.
- Know what I think? - What?
That if you're worried about me, it's because I caught your eye.
Such arrogance...
WILLIAM PHYNN EARTHENWARE AND CERAMICS
Don't budge from this spot. Wait for me.
You got it, boss. I'll wait until the sun comes up if need be.
- Who sent you? - Samuel.
This way.
- Good evening to you, gentlemen. - Good evening.
I'm Lorenzo Novas, the owner of this establishment.
Our mutual friend told me you'd come.
I have her complete trust.
I'm the one who will decide what to do with her capital.
Then let's not waste any more time.
Gentlemen, I have good news. Our boat has dropped anchor.
How many pieces are expected to arrive in port?
I calculate some 650,
although a certain percentage will not be in perfect condition.
They could break?
It's possible some might break.
A blacksmith is doing all that is necessary
to keep the cargo secure.
If they're chained, we can avoid deterioration.
As long as they arrive in one piece.
Alive, you mean.
Serviceable to serve,
despite how redundant that sounds.
Where are you going? You're not interested?
I'm not interested in making money
neither by buying nor selling human beings.
And why did you think we were meeting in secret?
To discuss the importing of fine porcelain?
Gentlemen.
Knowing my niece, she must be very excited about her wedding.
I'm looking forward to meeting your son.
I'm sure he's an incredible young man.
I'm happy we're going to be family.
Yes, of course. Let's sit for a moment, please.
- Listen... - May I know what happened last night?
Everyone who took part agreed unanimously.
The only one who didn't was you.
I didn't expect that.
What you're proposing is inhumane.
The only suffering I want to make a fortune on is my own.
Not on that of some poor slaves.
I can't do it alone. My husband could find out.
That's not my problem anymore.
Think about it.
Don't miss out on such a great opportunity.
Boss, the captain of a Mexican sailboat brought this for you.
He says it's urgent.
Son of a bitch!
Is something wrong?
It's from Tadeo Carrús.
He says he knows I left Mexico, and doubts I'll return.
He wants to cover his back and says
I have to pay him a percentage of my debt to demonstrate my good faith.
He says that he's sorry for having left Mariana without our dog.
And that next time, she will be the one who suffers the consequences.
Come, my love.
LA TEMPLANZA BASED ON THE NOVEL BY MARÍA DUEÑAS