WE WERE KINGS
I went with your grandfather to San Hipólito
to buy your medals for your First Communion.
He said, "Those two lost their father."
"But I'll make sure they grow up to be good men."
"And Saint Jude will help me."
And now look.
You dropped this.
Grandma…
Poor Sonia is a wreck.
She recalled you went to paint the wall.
She knows it was you.
And I had to lie to her!
I'm an accomplice because I had to keep from her
that my idiot grandson was the one who kidnapped her mother.
They forced me to, Grandma.
They threatened to kill me and my family.
They threatened to hurt Mom, Heidi, and even baby Santos.
Who, Javo? Who threatened you?
I can't tell you.
It's better if you don't know.
Don't tell anyone about this.
I don't believe you, Javier!
Your brother's a cop. Ortega too.
Report those assholes! They'll get arrested.
Sorry.
I don't know why I still bother with you.
You're nothing but a criminal. You always have been.
Alicia needs her medication. Get it to her.
How? I don't know where they're holding her.
God knows how much I've loved you, Javier.
They say no grandparent has a favorite, but that's a lie.
From the moment I held you in my arms…
I felt a love so great.
A love…
I could never even have imagined.
And because of that love,
here before the Virgin Mary,
you will swear to me that you'll return Alicia safe and sound.
Or I swear to you I will never talk to you again!
Don't cry, Grandma.
Granny…
I swear I'll do whatever it takes for you to forgive me.
Just look at me.
Look at me, please.
Grandma!
What's up, man?
-I was looking for you. -What's up?
Help me piece together what happened that night.
Sure. Later.
What do you mean "later"? Now. Come on.
I don't get where the mugger came from.
I don't know, man.
Okay.
Santos took out his gun. Did he point it at the mugger?
What the fuck, Mike?
Don't worry, dude. The safety's on.
Okay. Pretend you're the mugger now.
What did that asshole do? How did he take the gun from Santos?
Man, help me!
-Then what? A struggle? -Yes.
What was it like?
I don't know, man. It was dark and I was drunk, okay?
Give it a try.
Then what?
They went in for a hug.
A hug?
That's what it looked like.
They were struggling, right?
I heard a gunshot.
Here? Bang!
Dude.
Javo, what's wrong? You got really pale, man!
Mike! Javo!
They caught Santos' killer!
Come on, asshole.
Let me go.
What's your name, motherfucker?
Lucas Bermúdez!
Well, you're dead now, you piece of shit!
But why? I didn't do anything!
Don't play dumb.
This asshole killed Santos. He had his gun.
I didn't kill anyone! I swear!
I found the piece in the trash.
Let's hang this motherfucker! You'll get what's yours!
Leave him alone! Stop!
Stop it! We're not lynching anyone today!
What the fuck is going on here?
It's the guy who killed Santos.
Do you recognize him, Javo?
-Son. -Javo!
-No! Wait! -Get off me!
Let me at him!
-This motherfucker killed my Santos! -Give him to me!
Why do you defend him? He killed your friend!
I just want to see justice done.
-Santos would have wanted it as well. -You're fucking complicit, Miguel Ángel!
Stop. Mike is right.
Mike! Get him!
Get him!
-Stop him! He's getting away! -He's running!
I found the piece in the trash.
Let's kill him. Let's hang this motherfucker!
You'll get what's yours!
You know what, Ortega?
I think he is telling the truth.
Listen, Miguel Reyes, have you ever talked to anyone in prison?
Nobody ever says they're guilty.
They are all innocent there.
Fucking scum.
But I believe him.
Something in his eyes,
in his voice.
Do you think he just found the gun?
Well…
Only one way to find out.
That's why we need to find him.
Come on. Let's go.
Here's your money. 200,000 pesos.
Count it.
No need, boss. I trust you. And I'm not here for that.
Then why?
There is no future in my uncle's line of work.
I want to work for you.
Doing what?
Something like we did the other day.
Chano!
Take your shirt off.
I said take it off!
I'm not wearing a wire, boss.
Nothing in my underpants either. See?
I thought you didn't like what I do.
Do you know how long it takes me to make 200,000 pesos scrapping cars?
You disappoint me.
Changing your mind for such a measly amount of money.
It's not just about the money.
I've thought about what you said.
I'm fed up with working like a dog
so that shithead bankers like that old lady's daughter
line their pockets stealing homes from our neighbors.
I like you. I want to believe you.
But this is not a business you can just join easily.
Prove yourself.
Kidnapping the old lady wasn't enough?
The kidnapping that was a fucking mess?
It's a miracle we didn't get caught.
But you know? I have a good feeling.
I have a good feeling about you, and your 200,000-peso balls.
Then tell me, boss. What do I have to do?
-Hello. -We are watching you, bitch.
Don't do anything stupid, or you won't see your mother again.
Yes, sir.
That's good, bitch.
Pay attention:
If you want to see your mother again, you'll pay us one million dollars in cash.
What? I don't have that kind of money.
Shh. Don't play dumb.
We know your mother is fucking loaded.
We know she owns several properties, cars--
I can't sell those properties without her permission.
One million dollars. You heard it.
I don't have that money.
And I can't get it, either.
But you need to give my mother medication, because she's si--
Hello?
So, boss? Did I pass the test?
Did you think that stupid phone call was a test?
Chano!
Call Pitbull.
We're taking Javo for a ride.
Do you know how much this ring is worth?
It's an original Tiffany ring.
My husband bought it for me in New York
for our 25-year wedding anniversary.
It's yours if you make a phone call.
Hello.
How's the lady doing?
Have they been respectful to you?
Get the stuff.
I'm good.
Thank you.
But I need to take my medication.
Right.
They told me you're worried about that.
Don't worry. Go on.
No. What is that? What is it?
-No, please. I don't… -Calm down. It's your medication.
And they say they don't have a million dollars.
They're fucking reckless, huh?
You wanted a test, Javo?
Go on.
Cut off a finger.
Go on, man.
The ring finger.
Harvard scientists say it's the one we use the least.
Hello.
Look at this picture. Tell me if you've seen him.
His name is Lucas.
Last seen in San Miguel Teotongo.
He's a potential suspect in the murder of a policeman.
You haven't seen him?
No.
The old lady has some weird condition. Her blood won't clot.
-If I cut her finger-- -Oh, come on.
I think you're just scared.
Shut it, Pitbull.
How do you know?
My grandma told us.
She hurt herself once
and had to go to hospital to stop the bleeding.
Boss, if I were you, I wouldn't risk it.
It's total bullshit.
He just made it all up.
If you don't believe me, go on.
But if she dies, it isn't my fault.
And you can kiss that ransom goodbye.
It will be your fault, Pitbull.
And I'm going to enjoy that.
Who's scared now, huh? We better call you Chihuahua.
Hey!
Stay cool, Pitbull.
He got you good and proper.
Let him go.
Let him go!
One more thing, Pitbull.
Be careful not to go too far.
Remember the one who decides who lives or dies here
is me.
Go now.
Morning.
What's up?
I thought you were sleeping in.
Mike.
I want to apologize.
I lashed out at you and acted crazy.
You don't have to apologize.
I was just doing my job.
I haven't thanked you for that.
For everything you've done.
Can I ask you for a favor?
-Can you watch him while I take a shower? -Sure.
-I won't be long. Thanks. -No worries.
Yes, baby. Yes, honey.
There, there. What's the matter?
Hello.
Mom.
Malena asked me to watch him so she could shower.
Come. I want to talk.
I need a favor.
Sure, Mom. Whatever you need.
I need to know who baby Santos' father is.
I have more important things to do right now.
More important than your nephew knowing who his father is?
You're right, Mom. But listen…
Do it for me.
Find out.
Yes, Mom.
Is it true the old lady has a blood condition?
Of course not, Taiguer. I got that shit from a leaflet.
Here it is. 200,000 pesos in full!
Where is the GPS we took from the Audi?
What for?
I need to know where the old lady is.
Hey! Keep a cool head!
We can't mess up.
There is no "we." I'm in this alone.
No way. Your father would've killed me.
Come in, man!
Look at that.
What a beauty.
It belongs to some rich kid.
What's up, dude?
This moron got in trouble with Venegas.
-The Venegas? -I didn't know who he was.
Shit, bro! I need to find Pitbull.
It's okay, man.
I know how to help.
NAILS… AND MORE
In his mother's arms
Rocking this baby to sleep…
He was crying.
That's okay.
When Santos was a baby, I used to sing him that as a lullaby.
Want me to teach you?
GROCERY STORE
It's true, man.
I'll see you, guys.
The GPS points this way.
-Are you sure? -Yes.
Let's park, then.
-There. That's Pitbull's truck. -Here?
-Is this it? -I don't know, man.
-What? -I had my head covered.
Let's wait here and see if the old lady is there.
Let's be patient, Javo.
-What the hell? Come back! -I'll go check.
Come back!
-Wait here. -Don't be an idiot. Come back.
Damn, Javo.
Yes! Like that!
Grab me like that, yes!
Yes!
The footprints were Santos', I'm sure.
They were from police boots.
The other footprints were his mother's.
Malena's.
But right outside the bathroom?
Yes.
Outside the bathroom where Javo said he saw Santos vomiting.
But she told me she hadn't seen either of them.
Damn, man.
Are you suspicious of Santos's mother?
No way, Ortega.
What I'm saying
is that one of them is lying.
Either Javo or Malena.
Or both.
I have a problem.
A huge problem.
Tell me.
I like Malena.
I like her a lot.
Why is that a problem?
Because I can't stop thinking about her.
About her smile.
The way she smells.
The way her hair looks.
How did this happen?
I mean, when did you realize?
Ever since I was a kid, man.
I saw her all the time, and she was so…
determined.
Determined how?
She's been a cleaner.
She's sold elote, built piñatas. She's worked in factories.
She's worked hard to provide for her son.
And always with so much dignity.
She's one hell of a woman.
Okay, but…
you don't fall for someone just because they're hardworking.
She has a good figure.
You care about that, right?
Yes, of course.
But that is not everything.
There are lots of attractive women,
but Malena…
she's something else.
When I see her…
Well, man. You're totally in love.
You should talk to her.
Tell her she drives you crazy.
But she's my friend's mom.
And Javo's godmother. So what?
I'm sure that Santos…
God rest his soul, obviously.
Santos wouldn't mind if you went for it.
Do you think so?
Of course.
The department party is coming up.
You should invite her.
I said goodbye to the house today.
They're going to auction it.
Santos had become a Nazarene
to ask the Señor de la Cuevita to help us pay it.
But look at us now.
BANK OF THE REPUBLIC
Hello. I'm here to pay a mortgage.
I need you to sign this.
One moment, please.
I'll wait outside.
Javo?
Miss Sonia. What are you doing here?
I work here.
My grandma said your mother got sick. I hope it's nothing serious.
She's better now, thank you.
Good.
Is somebody helping you? Do you need anything?
No, thanks. I'm being helped.
-That's everything, right? -Yes.
Thank you.
Hope your mom gets better soon.
What did those two want?
To pay a mortgage.
I can never repay you for what you've done.
Whatever you need, you can count on me.
You don't need to thank me.
It's been our pleasure.
We did it for Santos.
He was like a son to me.
You should be thanking Taiguer.
And Javo, too.
Who knows what he did
to make a cheapskate like Taiguer give him so much money.
It was a loan, okay?
I'll be working it off.
No way, Javier.
Tell your uncle I'll pay him back every last cent.
Why are you here?
I was nearby. Thought I'd say hi.
You've never done that.
Well…
Things change.
Do you miss it?
What?
Going out with your friends.
Gossiping around.
Dancing.
I actually do.
You could do that.
Be one of those girls dancing.
But that would require a father.
There isn't one.
Heidi, please understand--
Listen, Mike, I stay out of your life and your business.
I don't judge you either.
But I don't have a baby.
How do you know? Maybe you did, but you never knew.
If you're doing this because Mom asked, you're wasting your time.
I'm fed up with her blackmailing and pressuring me.
This makes me never want to tell you.
Just live your own lives, okay?
I'm not the only one with secrets.
I want to know too.
But if you don't want to tell, I respect your decision.
See you at home?
What's going on?
-Where are Malena's things? -She went home.
What do you mean? Didn't she get evicted?
I don't know.
I saw them on their way out.
They just said Malena had paid off her house.
You saw them? Who is "them"?
I don't get it.
Javo got a loan to pay the mortgage.
It's all sorted now.
A loan?
Come on, Mom.
What bank would give Javo a loan?
That shady uncle of yours.
That's it, dude.
Awesome.
Guys.
Ma'am.
-Bolillo, Taco. Thank you so much. -That's what friends are for.
I don't know what Javo promised, but…
Leave it. I'll take care of it.
Thanks a lot, guys.
I'll buy you some beers to thank you.
Thanks, bro.
Have a good one!
-See you! -Thanks.
I still can't believe it.
Just yesterday, I thought I'd lost my home.
Now, I don't know who to thank first.
The Señor de la Cuevita.
Santos, who lit your way from Heaven.
-Or you, who… -No need to thank me.
Listen, maybe we're not being careful enough.
Ofelia and your mom were staring at us--
Don't worry, babe.
I don't care if anyone finds out.
I don't want to hide anymore.
I can't.
Thanks, Mom. You outdid yourself.
Mom, what are you doing here?
Miss Sonia…
She fired me.
What? Why? What happened?
It turns out she's having money problems.
-Where are your things? -I'll get them later.
Later, yes.
The thing is…
I have nowhere to live.
Grandma, of course you do.
I have to leave now, but make yourself at home.
We'll find a way.
Don't worry, Mom. It will be all right.
My baby.
My son was with me last night.
Where did you take him?
Shut up. There are no kids here.
If you piss yourself again, I'll beat you up, bitch.
You've got to be kidding. You can't get mad, the poor lady's sick.
The old lady's nice.
I have something to lighten your mood.
Ma'am. My son has been kidnapped!
Can I borrow your phone, please?
Ma'am!
Young men, my son and I have been kidnapped.
-Do you have a phone? -Yes.
-Call this number. -Tell me.
The number is 5638 0002.
No fucking way.
Fuck.
Herminia! Pick up, please!
Fercho and I have been kidnapped.
Subtitle translation by: Mariela Rascioni