Highway Patrolman (El patrullero)

HIGHWAY PATROLMAN

Rojas, come here at once!

I haven't got all day!

What classes do you have today?

Law, self-defence, criminal psychology, weaponry.

This letter authorises you to work for me.

Show it to your tutors tomorrow.

Sir, this will affect my marks.

Report to my office in 15 minutes.

Guerrero, come here at once!

Come with me.

Cadet, help the ladies.

Open the door.

But I was right there.

You were lucky

I had to cut the grass and wash the car

I found condoms in the glove compartment.

- You're having me on. - I swear it's true.

- Sorry, Sergeant. A tyre burst. - You'll pay for a new one.

Two volunteers to change the wheel. Guerrero and Leyva!

Who can give me the essence of today's lesson?

You're the most stupid class I've ever had!

Let's see if Cadet Rojas can enlighten his illustrious colleagues.

Three reasons to stop vehicles:

One, highway patrol violations.

Two, mechanical defects.

- Three- - Stop thrashing about, Rojas.

What is the essence of today's lesson?

Well, it seems that whatever the circumstances

they've always broken the law.

Exactly!

They've always broken the law.

When you follow a vehicle

stop it first, then decide what they have done.

- What have you learnt today? - They've always broken the law!

Your rifle.

Your pistol.

Your badge.

Cadet Pedro Rojas!

The National Highway Patrol...

expects you to honour it,

and maintain the spirit of the service.

Cake, Isabel?

I hope you like it.

Congratulations, brother.

Where's Dad?

You know he's tied up with work.

You're lucky to have passed

I'd have failed if it wasn't for Pedro.

Don't tell anyone.

Mother, Dad hasn't spoken to me in a year!

Don't be upset. He wanted you to study medicine.

You're the first to have finished his studies.

No matter what Dad thinks, I'm proud of my brother

the patrolman.

Your first assignment

is Sector Four of the Northern Zone, Highway 82.

You've been highly recommended. I expect an exemplary performance.

Report to Lieutenant Perez. He will allocate a car to you.

You get number 27, Rojas.

Our best car, because they say you are a good driver.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

I'm warning you,

one scratch and I'll knock the shit out of you.

- Congratulations. - Thank you, Lieutenant.

May I see your licence?

You're putting lives at risk, driving the wrong way down a one-way street.

What is your explanation?

I'm late for work and my boss wants to fire me.

My mother is ill, my father beats me and my dog has died.

You should leave earlier to get to work on time.

I could impound your car for three days.

Here is your licence.

I'll overlook it this time.

Everything is all right. Right?

Have a nice day.

Buy our iguanas!

Pedro, they've assigned us to look after hell.

Even buzzards are at a loss here.

- What would you like? - Ice cold beers.

The beers have all gone, lads.

There is only tequila.

- What about those gringos? - They brought their own beer.

No beer. Bring tequila then.

What do you reckon?

Beer.

No, thank you.

German, the best

Mexican beer is best.

You've never been to an Oktoberfest...

Can't you see we're busy?

I'll leave them there.

How do they expect us to make money here?

Meet our quotas.

Check trucks and permits.

Dealers smuggle drugs in truckloads of explosives.

Don't mess with them, they're really dangerous.

We mustn't be afraid of them.

It's poison!

- What's wrong? - No front bumper.

It was stolen last night.

- Open the back. - I've nothing but canned goods.

Nothing but canned goods?

Take this ball.

Shoes for your son. A bathing suit

I'm impounding this merchandise. Follow me to the police station.

I'm only making a living.

Thanks for remembering my children.

Getting permission was difficult.

God will know how to thank you.

It takes so little to make them happy, doesn't it?

May I have a cigarette?

SONS OF THE ARMY

Come to our restaurant, El Familiar.

Try our delicious chilaquiles in green sauce,

and our succulent huevos rancheros.

If you're so weary, stay at home instead of sucking travellers' blood.

Article 70 - trucks are not public transport. Licence, please.

How am I supposed to take my workers to the fields?

In a limousine?

It's obvious that you come from the city.

Leave him alone, Señorita Griselda.

- Griselda... - Don't you like my name?

It's unusual, but I like it.

What now? Because I am not going to give you money.

You'll breakfast with your workers. I've not eaten since yesterday.

You want to have breakfast?

Do you know Pancho Villa Street?

Do you know where the plaza is?

My house is two blocks from the plaza. Number 115

I'll be waiting there... in an hour.

Don't be late.

Is Señorita Griselda in?

We've been waiting for you. You are two hours late.

Lots of work?

Highway problems, Señor Marcos.

Never mind. You can come here whenever you like.

Why haven't the service station robbers been caught yet?

That's a matter for the municipal police, not us.

Well consider this your home.

Please help me with my sleeve.

I hope I won't make it worse.

What happened to your face?

When I was a boy, some friends threw me through a window.

With such friends, I'd hate to meet your enemies.

Life in the capital, Señorita Griselda.

How do you like it in Mapimi?

It's lovely.

They say that God was born in Mapimi.

- An egg? - Yes please, Señorita Griselda.

All my friends call me Zeldita.

You're dead tired.

Zanaida, prepare the guest room for the officer.

It's not necessary, Señor Marcos.

Patrolmen never rest. Always looking down the barrel of a gun.

- True? - True, Zeldita.

Father, weren't you going to do something?

No, I've got no plans.

You asked me to remind you of something.

Oh yes

I was going to change the flowers on your mother's grave

I'll come to the door with you.

- What about Father? - He's very tired and his leg hurts.

Tell him I miss him very much.

Let's get going, my love.

I need money for irrigating the ranch.

A patrolman's salary isn't big enough for that.

Open the door for me.

I know how to do it.

- Put it on the floor. - OK.

You know a patrolman's salary is barely enough to get by on.

Somehow we must have more money here.

Don't drool on me.

Don't worry, all women are the same. She'll get over it.

A wedding ring is a tightening noose

I just washed it.

It's dirty here.

- How goes it, Anibal? - A promise is a debt.

- How much? - Half. And check the oil in my car.

What are you doing? Get rid of that banger.

It's fine. I just need to change the plugs.

- Change the car. - The car's fine.

Rojas. Report to the Commandant.

What have you done?

Who knows.

You're worn out.

Come for some fun at the Oasis after your shift.

No. Thanks all the same, Anibal.

What's happening, Rojas?

I hear you aren't fulfilling your quota for tickets. Is there a problem?

The road is deserted. There's almost no traffic.

Officer Guerrero seems to have no problem

- I'm not interested in him. - But I am, Rojas!

Because of your poor performance I am assigning you to Route 44.

- The pig route? - Precisely.

If you don't manage to fulfil your duties there

I'll have to suspend you. Understand?

- Yes, sir. - Dismissed.

I think one is dead.

Did you ask for the permits?