The Dinner Guest (El comensal)

Spain at 8:00.

Good morning. Following the end of

Pro-Amnesty week in the Basque Country,

a funeral was held in San Sebastian yesterday for murdered

policeman, Manuel Ortega De La Cruz, killed by ETA.

ETA has broken its cease fire due to

the violent clashes between security forces and...

It's around here.

- You sure? - Absolutely.

These streets are narrow. If someone double parks...

He'll stop somewhere where we won't be blocked in.

...two men were wounded following gunshots fired by

unchecked cells last night in San Sebastian.

President Suárez condemned the violence and expressed that

amnesty for Basque political prisoners concerns the entire government.

Not only minister Martín Villa.

The parties are preparing their campaigns for the first elections in our democracy.

Tomorrow, Saturday, Santiago Carrillo will hold a rally...

...in Las Palmas and in Bilbao on Sunday.

for PCE supporters alongside party president, Dolores...

The storms...

affecting the province of Gerona

are causing massive damage to agriculture...

Be quiet! Don't move!

Get up! Move! Time to wake up.

You need to come with us, Don Javier. Put your shoes on.

THE DINNER GUEST

- What did she say? - There's no need for surgery.

The area looks clear.

No traces of the tumor?

That's right, Dad. Nothing left to remove.

That's great news.

I'm hungry. You guys?

- Yes. - Let's grab a bite.

But if it's all gone, why the chemotherapy?

And radiation therapy, Dad. It's standard procedure.

We came here for a second opinion.

Now we have it, right?

Relax.

We, the majority, need health care and education that's...

So...?

It looks great on you, you look beautiful.

- Isn't it a little... - Not at all. Buy it.

Can't it be another color?

You look fabulous.

- It's 50% off. - Step on it, please.

Let's eat something already. I'm starving.

Buy it.

Are you coming or what?

Thanks, honey.

How are you feeling?

Great.

What are you up to?

- Were you saying something? - What are you doing there?

Listening to a lecture.

- For your classes? - For my thesis.

They've assigned a substitute while I'm with Mom.

You need to pay attention to your mother.

I am paying attention, Dad. Besides, it's not like

she's going anywhere.

That's not funny.

Go on, have a stroll.

When we're done, I'll let you know to pick us up.

Where am I supposed to go?

There are some great bookstores or you can go to the hotel.

I don't feel like spending time in a hotel.

Sweetie, come here.

Sit here with me.

Shall we take a picture?

- A picture, now? - Sure.

- The three of us. - Come on.

Okay...

Better if she's in the middle.

- Over where? - Here, to the corner.

- That's it. - Let's take a selfie, okay?

Yes.

Here, Dad.

Dad, come on, you're blocking us.

- Wait. - Excuse me...

- Good morning. - You mind taking a picture?

- Sure, no problem. - Give it to her, Dad.

Thank you.

Just press that little arrow, like that, and turn the...

- This one? - That's it.

Here we go.

Okay, enough!

- Dad. - Easy now.

Take the picture.

Dad.

- Keep lifting. - Harder.

Hold it there. Steady, steady...

Hurry!

Hurry! Call the police!

It's okay, it's okay...

- Honey... - Yes?

- You should find a new apartment. - Don't you like it?

It's a little...

Finding an apartment around here isn't easy, Dad...

This is a mansion.

- You should change neighborhoods. - No.

Living in a nice area is important.

This place isn't very comfy and it's far from campus.

Well, I love it. Pamplona is tiny as it is...

No need to run into the same people every day.

I can't wait to take your mother on vacation.

The doctor said to avoid sun exposure.

Everyone needs a change of scenery, in the south too.

Things are quieter down there.

I hope you don't drag her along on those trips of yours.

A bit of sea air wouldn't do her any harm.

Roasting for eight hours on one of your friend's boats isn't the best idea.

She's thrown up plenty with the chemo.

Do you always have to be so unpleasant?

I don't have the soul of a poet, like you.

I don't want any tea.

And let's get going, she's probably done with the tests.

Congratulations.

So, we can go home?

We'll check things out after the summer.

- That's wonderful. - Bravo, Mom.

- Is she cured? - Like with any type of cancer,

we need to wait five years before we can say for sure.

But, things are looking good.

Will I meet my grandchildren?

You will.

Don't hold your breath.

Is she fully discharged?

Dad, she just said that will happen in five years.

We can go to the beach, just like you wanted.

I like breakfast here.

Since you won't let me stay for San Fermín,

let's at least pay the saint a visit.

Sure.

I've already checked. All clear.

With your dad's rushing, I barely had time to get dressed.

You look beautiful.

We could have stayed to have lunch with Icíar.

I'd like to get home, I'm tired of all this hopping around.

As soon as you get to Madrid, you'll pack for the beach.

That's it, gang up on me.

Thanks for everything, hon.

Come to the beach for a few days. I'm going to miss you.

As soon as school's out, I'll go.

Bye, Mom.

I need to use the bathroom.

- Where's your mother going? - To the bathroom.

Here.

I saw you reading it at my place.

Thanks.

Go with her.

No need, Dad.

Go on. You don't want to regret leaving her all alone...

Mom.

I'm fine.

With all that crap that they've been pumping in me,

no wonder my guts are acting up a little.

Go on, go with Dad, I'll be right there.

Go!

- Don't leave him on his own. - He's the one that sent me.

When your father gets moody, it's best to humor him.

Let's go.

Fernando, whenever you're ready.

They're asking for a billion, but there might be some room for negotiation.

- A billion is a lot of money. - It's outrageous.

So, perhaps, if we point this out, they might agree.

But you do understand that a billion pesetas is insane.

We don't expect you to give it away.

It would be a loan, to be repaid, of course.

- A line of credit, so to speak. - A loan in whose name?

My father's.

We cannot extend a loan to someone who's been kidnapped.

How will he sign the documents?

His children can sign on his behalf.

But the properties are not in your name, correct?

Nor the factory, the house or the company.

Well, my sister works with him.

And you?

No, I'm a journalist.

Well, perhaps we could look into a loan with the house as collateral,

provided there are no outstanding mortgage payments.

No, no, no, the house is debt-free.

Does your father have any liquidity?

Maybe we could help you access any accounts or other investments.

And using the house as collateral...

Hang on. No.

My father isn't that rich.

We're willing to sell the house, the factory, his shares, everything.

Legally, it is complicated.

You cannot liquidate his assets, Fernando.

You don't own anything.

They kidnapped him. But it could have been any of you.

You understand?

The point is, Fernando...

And I'm sorry to be so blunt, we would be setting a precedent.

And that's not good for any of us.

Including the bank and you, Fernando.

You understand, right?

Who's to say as soon as you pay they won't kidnap,

I don't know, one of your siblings.

And call yourself his friend?