Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Sands You meet me two nights from now, at La Piletta, ten p.m. sharp. And, er, bring only what’s important to you. Oh yeah, it might get a, a wee bit dangerous there, sugar-butt, so, er, can you dig it?
Ajedrez I can dig it.
Sands I want my key back.
Ramirez Testing, one, two, testing.
Sands Hello, can you hear me now? Okay. Fucking bells. Er, did you assemble your team?
Elle You know I did. Why are you having me followed?
Sands Oh, yeah, that. Let’s just call that a guarantee of compliance, shall we? Because Cucuy also provides protection.
Elle From what? Mosquitoes?
Sands Oh gosh. I really wouldn’t wanna mess with him if I was you, because he’s a bit of a live wire that one. And he’s not the happiest that you killed his men. Oh, yeah, by the by, I have your next assignment.
Aide You the mariachis? This is the back entrance, make a note of it.
Soldier Quiénes son? (Who are they?)
Aide Son los músicos (The musicians)
Soldier Por qué pesa tanto? ( Why is this so heavy?)
Lorenzo Tiene amplificación. (It has amplification)
Soldier Toca. (Play)
Elle All right.
Soldier Pasen. (Come in)
Elle Let’s go.
Aide I was afraid you couldn’t play.
Elle Are you kidding?
President Lo que estamos buscando es el respaldo de la gente de este Estado. Un hombre puede hacer muchas cosas por si solo, pero con el respaldo de su pueblo puede hacer mucho mejor. (We are searching for the back- up of our people. A man can do lot of things alone, but with the back-up of his people can do it better.)
Lorenzo I wonder how much we’re getting paid for this shit?
Fideo A man wants nothing. He’s invincible. Come on. Hey, are you gonna tell him that this is his last meal?
Elle Señor Presidente, alguna canción que quiera oír en particular. ( Mr. Presindent, any song you want to hear?)
President La Malagueña.
Lorenzo This is pay from El Presidente? I can’t buy half a tequila with this shit.
Fideo It was meant as an honour.
Lorenzo Fuck honour. We need money.
Elle His call is tomorrow. Enough for everybody. Even for you, Lorenzo.
Lorenzo Why are you selling your interest in squaw? What’s in it for you?
Elle Only revenge. A much delayed revenge. Go practice.
Fideo Practice? Playing or shooting?
Elle What do you think?
Fideo I don’t think. I drink.
Sands Yeah, hello.
Ramirez Been following Barillo and the good Dr. Givarah.
Sands Oh, Agent Ramirez, no longer retired. Good man, welcome to the fold.
Ramirez I haven’t spotted any illegal activities yet, only that Dr. Givarah is scheduled for a medical procedure on November 2nd.
Sands Ah-ha. The Day of the Dead. That’s tomorrow.
Ramirez I also identified a member of the group, as Billy Chambers. A fugitive, we’ve been wanting to pick him up for some time now.
Sands Billy Chambers. Yeah. You sure?
Ramirez Bet my badge on it.
Sands Well, whatever they’re up to, I can guarantee that it’s going to happen tomorrow. So, my suggestion to you is. . .
Ramirez What’s going down tomorrow?
Sands If you see an opening, take it.
Ramirez What do you know?
Sands Not enough, get inside.
Ramirez I got nothing. Gotta get in. I got nothing. They make a move, I don’t have a move to make. What you gonna do, stupid? Billy Chambers is on the move. Where are you going? You’re buying a taco. This is too easy. Where are the other guys? This is a set-up. It smells like a set-up. I’m making my move. (Speaks in Mexican)
Chambers Pollo. (Chicken)
Ramirez Billy Chambers.
Chambers Well, that depends on who’s asking.
Ramirez Thought it was you.
Chambers Yeah.
Ramirez Here, let me pay for this.
Chambers Oh, thanks. Oh, God, no. Is that real?
Ramirez Yes it is.
Chambers God damn, what took you boys so long? Oh, hey, friend. You ain’t gonna need that. Believe it or not, man, I’m ready to go.
Ramirez Let’s talk over there.
Chambers After you. Man, I just wanna get outta here. I’ve been on the run, hiding out here, down in Mexico, for the last. . . eight goddamn years. And, er, working for this here cartel for the last four. I ain’t got no shit, all I got is what I’m wearing on my back. And I can’t go nowheres, sorta got me by the balls, you know.
Ramirez Jorge Ramirez. I’ll take you in under the FBI’s supervision and protection. Until we can take you back to the States, where you will be prosecuted for the crimes you committed.
Chambers In the U.S?
Ramirez In the U.S.
Chambers Yeah. The things I’ve had to do for this goddamn cartel are, unspeakable.
Ramirez You really don’t know what Barillo’s up to?
Chambers I’m close to the man. . . I’m real close, but, he don’t let nobody in, that cocksucker.
Ramirez Can you get him close to Barillo?
Chambers Him?
Ramirez I need your help.
Chambers Then you’ll get me outta here?
Ramirez Then I’ll get you outta here.
Chambers Him too.
Cucuy There’s cartel on every corner.
Elle Sands told me you handle protection.
Cucuy I don’t work for Sands any more. And since I’m a MexiCAN, I can do whatever I want.
Elle Then I guess I don’t work for Sands, neither. Goodbye.
Cucuy There’s a price on your head. I’m going to collect. Why don’t you just tell Barillo everything you know? And then maybe he’ll just cut off your hands.
Elle And if I don’t?
Cucuy You know that old man I killed in your village? What if your whole village was next?
Elle Would you kill them?
Cucuy Me? They certainly would.
Elle Then I guess I have no choice. . . but to kill you all. You. . . are last.
Cucuy Ay ta el cabrón., agárrenlo. Y si no lo agarran voy a matar a tu hermana. (There is!, catch him!. If you don’t do it I will kill your sister) That should put him out for a few days. And give him some nasty dreams.
Piano teacher Para tocar hay que relajar los dedos. La música es pura, debe nacer del alma. Si el alma es pura la música nacerá fácilmente. (To play well you have to relax your fingers. Music is pure, it have to birth from your soul. If the soul is clean, music will flow easily)
Barillo Y si el alma no es pura? (And if the soul isn’t clean?)
Piano teacher Entonces hay que practicar como la chingada. (Then you have to practice like shit)
Chambers May I present to you, er, Señor Cucuy.
Barillo Get this condescending ass out of here.
Chambers Hey, you want me to break his fingers?
Barillo No, I want you to chop them off.
Chambers I was just making a joke.
