Cows (Vacas)

COWS

I - THE COWARDLY AIZKOLARI

CARLIST FRONT - BISCAY, 1875

Carmelo...

...guess who I've seen? - Who?

Manuel, from the house of Irigibel.

Where? - There.

Between 200 and 230...

20, 40, 60,...

80, 100,...

130, 150.

We've heard you're an ace with the axe.

The quickest.

The aizkolari who never lost a bet.

Guess who's coming? - He's Zaldibia.

One of Goizueta's woodsmen.

Carmelo of Mendiluze.

He's a... sergeant.

If you give me a head start, we'll fix a match.

You're here?

With the 2nd battalion.

Any news? Was my child born?

Yes.

A boy.

Is he OK? - Yes.

That witch bore a boy!

Liberals!

Ilegorri! You'll be shot! - Wanna bet?

Easy, Manuel, stop shaking.

You see? You've stopped shaking.

Now, shoot. Shoot, damn it!

Kill before you're killed!

I'm not dead.

I'm not dead!

Manuel...

I'm not dead.

Manuel Irigibel, 30 years later

Gipuzkoa, Spring, 1905.

He's painting me. - Painting who?

Me. Can't you see? -No. We aren't in the picture.

Watch. Now he's doing my ear. This one.

He's doing Txagorri's ear. - How d'you know?

Grandpa, we're in the picture?

Of course. - You see?

A cow only stays put if held. Especially in a picture.

That looks like Txargorri. - It is Txargorri.

Where is she? - In the forest.

Are you all crazy?

She'll eat a poisonous mushroom and go mad.

Beware of the boars!

II - THE AXES

Bet 700. They'll have a job raising it, but will accept.

You'll bet...with us?

Everybody knows the feud's between your families.

It's easy money.

You know that fellow always quits first.

Alright, done.

We'll bet on brother?

They're here.

When?

At noon, on Friday, in Erdialde's field.

How much?

700 reales.

She takes advantage because she's rich.

I'll bet with you.

Half the money.

He's strong, but you're quicker. Like your Pa.

He's looking at her.

Done.

We'll raise our half somehow.

They've accepted.

I wrote it down.

Good luck. - OK.

What do you think?

You make different noises.

Different noises? -Yes, different.

Your brother and Ignacio Irigibel are different.

Are you?

I can outlast him anytime.

He tires easily. - True.

But he could finish first.

Relax. We'll win.

Lucas!

Come on!

Next month, the winner will meet Sozaluze.

He'll be among champions.

The test is to cut...

...ten trunks first.

The match is private, at the families' request.

30 reales on Mendiluce. - Done!

Come on!

Here! 50 on Irigibel!

Irigibel, 50 reales!

Irigibel'll, keep this up and you'll make real money!

You're like your Pa. It's in your blood.

Blood?

Fix another match.

The judge said he'll meet Sozaluze next.

I can't change it!

What a waste!

What a disaster!

But, Grandpa, we won 700 reales.

That's true. I wrote it down.

Thank God the scythe's not on.

It would have cut our feet.

Four feet.

Not bad.

Hold it.

Hold on!

Hold still.

Careful! It's very dangerous!

Now, jump!

He's back with a huge cow!

A cow and a horse!

He must have beaten Sozaluze!

I don't hear the axe. - He hasn't seen him.

Is that odd cow ours?

Yes. Your father will be as famous as Grandpa.

Black spots. Why?

She's full of milk. The spots are really white.

You won again? - Sure. Want a ride?

Later. - When?

I want to see the cow. - See it from the horse.

Hold me, eh? - Sure. Upsydaisy!

She's huge.

What's her name? - Pupille.

What is it? - Pupille.

Why's she black? - White.

Black with white spots. - Black ones. Maybe she's pregnant.

She's Dutch. Imported. Very expensive.

How much? - A lot.

He still wants to challenge you. How about another match?

Your eyes are mute.

Igueldo's stud mounted her. It's some beast.

What's a stud? - A huge bull.

You look pregnant. Let's see what's in there.

If you gaze on that old coward's son...

...you'll ruin Juan's life.

Your father'll turn in his grave and you'll be the death of me.

He won't fight Juan. Not ever.

Why not? Who told you so?

Nobody. I told myself.

What have you done to me?

What have you cut off me?

III - THE LIGHTED PIT

Ten Years After.

Spring, 1915.

Good morning.

Come to the shade.

What's with you?

I must talk to you.

Juan, there's no shade here.

Hush, Peru. - But it's true!

I don't like you to go out alone.

You've no husband, Catalina.

You, Peru, no father.

Since mother died you've only me.

You aren't listening. -Yes.

What'd I say?

Don't stare at me!

When I get nervous I don't mean to frighten you!

I can't help it! But you can!

I don't want to hurt you!

Let him go!

A boar!

There aren't any around here.

There were when I was young. Once I wounded a female.

I dragged her to the pit, cast her in.

She squealed for two days. The pit was lit all summer.

Shall we light it?

Here, give me. - No, let me.

Throw it higher!

To the left.

That's it. It's lit.

Listen.

You've won again.

Please stand on that trunk. We'll take some photos.

Another camera here.

Lift it up high as if...

...you were about to chop wood.

Let the world know who's the ace.

Great. Now rest it on your shoulder.

Gaze on the horizon. Lift the axe high.

Ilegorri, pose next to Irigibel II.

That's it, a photo together.

Hey, listen!

I taught him all he knows, so let me have a look.

It's Lucas. llegorri's son.

He's come to gawp at my tits.

What ambition does the champion have for the future?

How does it feel to return...

...crowned with laurels?

You saw your son?

My father. He never taught me anything.

You're Irigibel I?

Manuel Irigibel, the best aizcolari of all time.

And a Carlist war hero. -It's in the blood.

Speaking of blood...

- ...has anyone seen my grandson? - Let him be!

See that camera?