Las crueles

The Exquisite Cadaver

“The horror, the intense visceral horror of nightmares,

composed upon her face an expression of infinite panic.

Arms with ghostly hands suddenly emerged from the darkness

advancing toward her. Arms with coarse hair,

with sharp, ashy elbows,

shrivelled, scaly and dark.”

Chapter Three... - Thank you, that's enough.

Do you like it? - I'll tell you when to read the rest.

This just arrived. They insisted that it was personal.

I'd prefer to save the description of the hands for the next chapter,

where he tears off a bite.

I can see that you're a follower of the suspense novel.

Yes, sir, a book for me is like an act of terrorism.

Clever idea.

Imagination is salvation.

I prefer hearing about that than technique and narrative,

Even so...

Is this your idea of imagination?

From now on, submit your suspense novels

to another editor. Good day.

I don't understand. - I said good day.

Come here a moment.

What is it?

Look at what that idiot understands by imagination and suspense.

A hand. - A disgusting wax hand.

Wax?

It doesn't exactly smell like wax.

Resmes would never have thought up a joke so stupid.

Why not? All writers are a little crazy.

It's wax.

In any case...

Don’t say a word to anyone. - Yes, sir.

Fire!

- I hit him. - No, that was me.

My rifle's aim is better than yours.

Did I hit you in the eye?

Is this how you greet your father?

Was it green or red? - What?

The ball that hit you in the eye.

Where's your mother? - She went out.

- With the new neighbour. - They had drinks.

And talked...

- About dresses. - And men.

And pills. - That's enough.

Give me a kiss and go play outside.

- It was red. - It was green.

No, wait.

- Red. - Green.

- Galapagos. - Chelonian.

Is a turtle an animal or a fish?

It's a reptile. - A quadruped reptile?

Do reptiles eat lettuce?

You promised to behave.

That was before. Today we promised nothing.

Well, all right. Go out and play.

And throw away that disgusting turtle.

He had no idea what a Chelonian turtle is.

Or a Galapagos.

- Or a loggerhead. - Or a flatback. Or anything.

...a large flock of kestrels hawks and other birds

to take down magpies or crows.

Because we've seen that owls

are the farmer's greatest ally.

Owls are our... - When did you get back?

From where? I've been home all day.

Those lying kids. They told me you went out.

Why would I go out? The girl was here today. They must have meant her.

No, they meant you.

I called your office this afternoon, and they told me you weren’t in.

I had to deal with something annoying.

You received a telegram.

From who? - From someone named Parker.

Who? - Parker.

It's very strange.

It says if you're interested in a forearm...

A what? - Here, read it.

What is it?

It's about a book. - A book?

A science fiction book, a good one.

Titled Forearmed . We want to publish it.

Yes?

What is there this afternoon?

From 5 to 6, a meeting with Pomar, the photographer,

and later, at 7, with the publisher.

Anything else?

Yes, I made an appointment with Resmes for 4:30.

Again with that idiot.

He was so embarrassed from the other day,

I thought I should call him... . - From now on, consult with me

before making a decision like that.

I just... - I'm leaving, and won't be back until 5:30.

What should I tell Resmes? - Think of something.

The boys are upset. Toby is dead.

Toby? - The turtle.

Dad said Toby was a repugnant reptile.

If he was, it was a serious offense.

And seriously he has paid. - And seriously he has paid.

He was our friend, our loyal friend.

but Dad said he was a repugnant reptile.

A package came for you. - A package?

Who sent it? - How would I know?

The guy who brought it swore he found it on La Rambla.

Can I open it? - No!

With Dad's permission we will pay tribute to Toby at his funeral.

- We are going to pay tribute. May he eat lettuce in peace.

A dress.

A dress?

And a photo.

Hold on, a candle went out.

And this.

Ready? Let's go.

Please give me a moment, my heart is heavy.

Do you know her? - No.

Are you sure you don't know her? - I'm sure. I don't know her.

How odd. Don't you think?

It looks odd, but it's not.

My friend Parker wants me to find that woman to give her the dress.

Sure, and he abandoned the package in the street.

The mailman could have lost it. - Of course.

And I suppose it's also possible to find a woman among two million

with a simple photograph.

It's possible.

Parker gave me some details. She sells tickets at a movie theatre.

Which one? I'm sorry, but it seems very odd to me.

We would be unfair to Dad, who is an honorable man.

That ticket girl wears expensive perfume.

As you all know, Toby adored Dad.

What nonsense. Want to see what I'll do with that junk?

Hey! - Maybe now we can have some quiet.

Instead of interrogating me, you could better use your time educating those vandals.

Boys, it's bathtime.

You first.

No, me second.

Go on, you've caused enough trouble. - I believe that you are right.

This almost hit me in the head. I know how kids are.

But next time, I'll call the police.

I'm sorry, I promise it won't happen again.

It better not.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Hey!

Did you find your ticket girl?

Yes.

Did you give her the dress?

Yes.

Is it as pretty as it looks in the picture?

No.

What's this?

A notice from the post office.

Another package from your friend Parker, I suppose.

I wonder what it could be this time.

Someone has had the idea of sending you food,

which is emitting an unbearable smell.

Here.

What do you want?

I'm the victim of a terrible joke in poor taste, sir.

I just received this package... - Yes, you received a package.

It's possible it's just a joke.

But I think it could also be something much more serious.

In any case, I want you...

Well, I suspect that inside the package is maybe...

If you want to speak to the commissioner, you'll have to wait.

I may not have explained very well.

I'm trying to say that inside this package is...

What is the matter? - It's regarding this package.

The commissioner wants to know if you're going to make a complaint.

I don't know yet.

The contents?

I'm not sure exactly, but it might be something horrible.

Who sent it?

A stranger.

You suspect a bomb might be inside?

No.

If you haven't opened it, how do you know it's not a bomb?

Because it smells bad.

It smells, yes.

And you think the commissioner is the appropriate place to bring this?

It's possible that this package contains human flesh.

Your I.D. card, please.

What makes you think it contains human flesh?

Because it stinks. Doesn't it smell like a corpse?

Don't waste my time.

You received a package that smells bad. So?

I advise you to go home, open it,

and if you believe it merits formulating a complaint,

go to the commissioner of your district, not here.

Yes?

The boss is coming, and he looks mad . - Thank you.

Good morning.

Did anyone call? - Your wife.

When? - Your wife is here.

Hide this.

Make it disappear. Burn it.

Give me that folder, and button up your blouse.

Okay.

Why are you here? Did something happen?

That's what I want to know: did something happen?

No, why?

You look a bit nervous.