-[birds chirping] -[tool striking the dirt]
[Elmer] Hold on. We'll make it a little bigger.
[Violeta] Okay.
-[Elmer] Now there. Yes. -[Violeta] Uh-huh. Like this?
[Elmer] Yes. Careful with the roots.
-Then we press it down like this. -Okay. Nice.
-[Elmer grunts] -Is this a good place for it?
It has water. It has light.
It has good soil, good substrate…
-[Milky barks] -And it has manure. [chuckles]
-Yeah. -It has everything.
[Violeta] I love this place.
I used to come here with my parents when I was a kid.
-[Elmer] Not anymore? -No.
My parents died in a car accident when I was… when I was pretty young.
I'm so sorry.
And that's why coming here with you feels like… I don't know, but, um…
I mean, it's silly, okay?
[brief sigh] But… I kinda feel like they're here.
[tender piano notes playing]
It's so stupid.
[Elmer] I don't think it's stupid at all.
The Celts went deep into the woods whenever they felt like they needed…
to talk to those who weren't here anymore.
[piano music continues]
Um… Listen.
There's a tavern by here. Really close.
It's a super average place, but the food is incredible.
Up for it?
[stirring string instrumentals playing]
[Elmer] Every tree you see here is a eucalyptus…
[Mrs. Jurado] In that lonely forest,
like a teenager, Elmer fell hard for a girl.
A girl who he was meant to make disappear.
…able to tell where you're going. So, sometimes, the forest is like that.
-[tender music swells] -[muffled conversation under music]
[Mrs. Jurado] My son had never known what it was to be in love.
That first moment alone together.
The stolen glances.
The gentle, distracted brush of a hand.
It must have blown his mind.
But the worst thing about those moments is that they're so fragile.
The slightest gust of wind
can shatter them.
…it's like… [chuckles] You know?
-Is this boring or is there something-- -No, no, no.
[Violeta] Oh. [chuckles]
I wish my teachers were more like you. I would've paid attention.
[music ends]
I bet you were a really cute boy.
[chuckles warmly]
Hey, what's up, Violeta? What's on your plate?
Ah. Potatoes. Nice.
[chewing] I haven't eaten, man. Sorry.
Ah. [puffs out air] It's been pretty long since I've seen you.
Hey, Mon. Nice to see you.
[burps] To be honest it pisses me off that you still come around this place.
[grunts] This your new boyfriend?
[scoffs] Listen. You know you're in danger, right?
She's a killer.
-Don't you get tired of being a dick? -Careful. She'll take us out.
Ha. Your boyfriend has no idea.
You really don't, huh? She hasn't said anything?
Watch out. She'll fuck up your life, then throw you off a bridge.
-[Violeta] You're a broken fucking record. -[Mon] I am?
-What do you mean I'm-- -Xoan killed himself.
Ooh. [chuckles]
Yeah, suicide? You know you're a fucking bad liar, right?
Stop.
[low, threatening notes playing]
Shut up. Leave us alone.
[inhales, clicks tongue]
Good luck, bud.
You're gonna need it.
[music builds to a low buzz]
[Violeta] Look, that guy's… He's a drunk. Don't listen to him. He's lying.
Yeah, yeah. I know.
-Are you all right? -No.
[Elmer] You wanna go somewhere else?
Uh, sorry, but I don't feel like it. I'll see you around.
I'm gonna head home, okay?
[low, ominous chords playing]
[Mrs. Jurado] What happened that day
was that love arrived hand in hand with anger.
[Elmer panting]
[Mrs. Jurado] The emotion of anger is a lot harder to control than love.
Elmer didn't have the tools to control his.
All he knew was that man had hurt the girl he was falling in love with,
and he wanted to return all of that pain.
[tense music fades]
[clock ticks]
[thunder rumbles]
["One is the Loneliest Number" by Harry Nilsson playing]
♪ One is the loneliest number That you'll ever do ♪
♪ Two can be as bad as one ♪
-♪ It's the loneliest number ♪ -[tires screech]
♪ Since the number one ♪
[somber violin riff]
[gearshift clicks]
[engine revs]
♪ No is the saddest experience You'll ever know ♪
-♪ Yes, it's the saddest experience ♪ -[car doors slam]
-[Mon] The fuck are you doing here? -♪ You'll ever know ♪
So you're gonna fight me?
♪ Because one is the loneliest number… ♪
You should thank me for saving you from that bitch. Unless you wanna die.
-[Elmer grunts] -[both grunting, struggling]
♪ It's just no good anymore Since you went away ♪
[both panting]
♪ Now I spend my time ♪
♪ Just making rhymes of yesterday ♪
[Mon groans]
[muffled] Get off me!
♪ Because one is the loneliest number That you'll ever do ♪
[Elmer panting]
♪ One is the loneliest number That you'll ever know ♪
♪ One is the loneliest number ♪
♪ One is the loneliest number That you'll ever do ♪
♪ One is a number divided by two ♪
♪ One… ♪
[Mrs. Jurado] His more primal instincts had seized control,
driving out rational thought.
And he made a tiny mistake.
Even though he wasn't in the habit of leaving anything to chance.
While he was driving home,
a savage storm raged in his head.
He had only spent one day with that girl,
and already he was starting to pay the price for being in love.
[song ends]
[poignant string music playing]
[music builds to final note]
THE GARDENER
[engine rumbling]
[engine shuts off]
[Mrs. Jurado] Hey! Elmer!
-Where have you been? -Where I said I'd be.
-[Mrs. Jurado] The girl. How'd it go? -[exhales]
[hesitating] Uh, no. Not the girl.
[disappointed] Oh, Elmer. Why not?
I followed her through the forest, but there were people, so it seemed…
It seemed too risky to go on.
So what took you so long?
[owl hooting]
What happened to you there?
Uh. Oh. Oh, it's just some branches scratched me in the forest.
It's nothing.
Yeah.
Let's go in. You can tell me more over dinner.
Coming. I have, uh, something to do in the greenhouse first.
I'll be right there.
[Mrs. Jurado] Sure, no problem.
[van door sliding]
Who's this?
-His name is Mon. -[Mrs. Jurado] Elmer!
Wha-? [gasps]
Elmer! You're not like this.
It's not like you can just head out one morning and return a…
I'm…
-Elmer! -[Elmer] He- he was an idiot.
He- he got in my face, making these really ugly comments.
-But? -[Elmer] He- he got violent. I- I got mad.
He was bigger, but I was more mad.
Wait, angry? What are you saying, Elmer?
Elmer, you can't feel anything.
[low, anxious chord playing]
I- I think I can.
The other day when we were watching that movie, I…
had to go up to my room because…
I don't know. I felt like I was gonna cry.
But I never cry.
What's happening, Mom?
Say something.
[inhales shakily] I- I… [exhales]
I don't know what to think, Elmer.
Why didn't you say anything?
Because I didn't want to scare you.
[slow, eerie instrumentals playing]
[tearfully] You would never do that.
Never. Do you understand? [sharp inhale]
-[eerie music continues] -[fire crackling]
Thank you, Mama.
Thank you for protecting him.
For lending a hand.
Giving him such a significant and unique special ability.
Guide him please, Ma.
Give the protection, guidance, clarity, and wisdom
to keep my son from leaving the path we planned together. [inhales]
Keep them both on the paths that we mapped out for them.
Please.
[softer] Please.
-[phones ringing] -[distant sirens]
Are you reading the report?
Mm-hmm.
[Torres] What do you think?
…CARRIED THE BODY OFFSHORE…
[Carrera] The sea won't be giving the swimmer back.
Maybe because it doesn't have him.
-[Torres] What? -I'm getting a coffee.
-[Torres] Wait. I'll go with you. -I'm just getting it from the machine.
Here.
That was for you.
-Yeah, but you like it more than I do. -[desk phone rings]
Inspector Luis Torres, Missing Persons.
One minute.
[dog barking in distance]
[radio chirps]
[unsettling, rhythmic music playing]
[car approaches]
[background chatter]
[Carrera] His parents said there aren't any personal items missing.
And there are no signs of violence.
It was on the seat. Out of battery.
-How'd you get the car unlocked? -[Torres] It was open.
Do you know where he was on Saturday afternoon?
He planned to meet some friends at a tavern.
Shit. I guess he got pretty drunk.
-Those spots locals go to can be-- -The neighbors say he never got home.
He's run out.
I saw a corner shop nearby. Maybe he went there for tobacco.
Shall we get that coffee?
No. I'd rather not.
It's one of those trendy places you like.
They can make a heart out of the milk foam.
Listen, can you just stop acting like this?
Acting like what?
[Carrera] Like this. Like nothing happened between us.
-Well, nothing did. -Yeah.
That is the problem. It didn't. You turned me down the other day.
[inhales] I'm married. You know that.
[slow inhale] I thought things weren't going well with your wife.
We've been together 37 years. It's not good or bad. It just is.
That's great. So, you are capable of driving in neutral.
That's what I want you to do with me.
I don't understand.
We won't be going for coffee together, no more gifts,
and don't ever talk to me about your private life again.
Understand now?
Ah.
Yes. Yes, I understand.
[Carrera] But if it'll cause tension, I can ask for a transfer.
[Torres] No. No need.
Perfect.
Then I'll start heading back to write the report.
[seagulls cawing]
[intriguing music slowly builds]
[girl 1] The Galician Garden Award for 2022…
-[girl 2] Is that a thing? -[girl 1] It has very few likes, so no?
Isn't that much green a bit boring?
-[Violeta] Enough already. -[girl 2] Let me see if I've got it.
You just ran into this dude in that forest all alone just by chance?
-Mm-hmm. -That is weird.
Yeah, no shit. He could be like a stalker.
Then I'm the stalker, right? He was there first.
Hm, I don't know. You're like a boy magnet.
Just for the weird, toxic guys, though.
Girl. Ease up, okay?
Right. I'm sorry. That did come out so much worse. Sorry.
Elmer's not like that.
Wait, what? Are you falling for the gardener or something?
Well, I kissed him.
-[girl 1] For real? -[Violeta] Yep.
[bright, hopeful instrumentals playing]
[Mrs. Jurado] Elmer.
[music slowly fades out]
Let's talk about what you told me last night.
I understand, trust me,
that you're feeling these emotions that are brand new. [inhales]
That you must learn all this gradually, but…
But, sweetheart, small things cannot make you lose it like that, okay?
-You have to control yourself. -I know. Nothing else bad will happen.
First, because it's unjust and also needless.
And second, Elmer,
because when we get carried away by bad impulses, we make errors.
-[hissing] Which can alert the police. -It was all fine. I…
I- I didn't make any errors.
-I promise. -Okay, then where did you meet him?
Where were you anyway?
-Where did you meet him? -In a tavern.
And what were you doing there?
You were with that girl, weren't you?
We'd just met in the forest,
and I was about to complete my mission, and…
-And it got complicated. -[sighs]
-Then she asked to get-- -Complicated how?
The thing is, this man suddenly walked up to us,
and- and out of nowhere, he said horrible things to her.
He got aggressive.
Elmer, no!
No, no, no. Get it in your head. No!
You can't do something like that
just because you don't like how a guy talks to a girl.
What is the matter with you?
You think she can't defend herself?
[echoes] You're this macho man who has to defend a little damsel?
Is that it?
[voice distorts] Elmer, please.
If you keep putting off this job, I guarantee you, it'll become hell.
It'll only get worse. Son, please. I can't deal with this anymore.
Elmer, what are you doing? I'm talking to you. I'm talking to you!
-[frenetic music builds] -[thud]
Elmer!
-[rhythmic whooshing] -[muffled voices]
[EMT] …regain consciousness.
Heart rate is 110. Blood pressure is 100 over 60 and stable.
-You can't come through. -He's my son!
Wait here, please. We'll give you an update as soon as possible.
[frenetic music continues]
-[door shuts] -[music stops]
[hospital chatter]
[elevator dings]
["La Pistola y el Corazón" by David Hidalgo and Louis Pérez playing]
[laughing] Ay, Paulino!
20 YEARS EARLIER
[man] Come with me.
[general party chatter]
[snorts]
[man] That's so cool, right?
[Mrs. Jurado] How nice. Aw!
[man] China.
China.
Come on, China!
China, don't make a scene. I'm warning you.
I'm not making a scene.
[man] China.
-China. Hey! I'm talking. Do you hear me? -Get off me!
-Tony, you're fired. You're disgusting. -Yeah? About time.
-You disgust me. Disgust! -You disgust me. Get away from me.
Get the hell out of here!
No. You go.
-Get away from me. -Don't touch me.
-Don't touch me! -Get off!
-[Tony grunts] -[China] You piece of…
-Piece of shit! -Get outta here!
[muffled party music continues]
[sniffs gently] Elmer.
-Elmer. -I'm sleepy.
I know, sweetheart, but we're leaving.
[low, ominous chords playing]
[China sobbing]
Fucking Tony.
-[sobs] Fucking piece of shit. -[phone buttons beep]
[sharp inhale, sighs]
Nancy?
[crying] Nancy, it's me.
Elmer and I need to come stay with you, please.
Tonight because… [sobs] …I had a really bad fight with Tony.
Call me. Please call me.
[Elmer] Where are we going, Mommy?
You're not wearing your seatbelt, Elmer. Put it on!
What do you mean, no? Please put it on, Elmer. Do what I say.
-No, Mom! -Elmer! Dammit, put it on!
Put it on! Do it!
-[shrieks] -[thud, glass shatters]
[engine hissing]
[China groans] Oh. [coughs]
[coughs]
Elmer!
[gasping] Elmer. Elmer. Elmer!
Baby?
[China panting]
[shouting] My baby!
Elmer!
[machines beeping]
[liquid dripping]
-[folksy guitar intro playing] -[sniffs]
["Beneath the Rose" by Micah P. Hinson playing]
♪ It is said ♪
♪ That you cannot be found ♪
♪ Under rocks or broken skull I will lay down ♪
♪ I will lay down ♪
♪ I can be found beneath the rose ♪
[muffled sob]
♪ Beneath the rose ♪
♪ Alone ♪
[wheels squeaking]
♪ Safe to say that I'll never be found ♪
♪ Broken bones holding loose You will be crowned ♪
♪ You will be crowned… ♪
[under breath] Please wake up, sweetheart. Please.
I'm begging. Please. Please.
Oh, please wake up. [sighs]
Wake up now.
♪ Alone ♪
[machine beeping]
[mournful guitar solo]
[dial clicking]
♪ It is said that you cannot be found ♪
♪ Under rocks or broken skull I will lay down… ♪
-[clown] Hi kids! How is everyone? -[children shouting] Good!
-[clown] Do you want to play? -[children] Yeah!
-[clown] Do you want prizes? -[children] Yeah!
[clown] When I ask who wants a prize,
whoever raises their hand and shouts "I do!" will get a prize, okay?
-Who wants a prize? -[children] I do!
-[clown] Who wants a prize! -[children] I do!
-[clown] Who wants candy? -[children] I do!
[clown] Now I'm gonna give you all prizes. You all get a prize!
You do! And you and you and you, little one!
Prizes for everyone! [cackles]
[song continues]
[music slowly fades out]
[doctor] The MRI has detected a benign tumor
located in the frontal lobe of the brain.
That is very likely the source
of the dizziness, the nausea, and the headaches.
I've been feeling rather peculiar.
[doctor] That's normal.
Sometimes these types of tumors can lead to personality changes
or behavioral changes.
So, what's next, Doctor?
[doctor inhales] Elmer will have to undergo treatment
to shrink the tumor,
and then we'll remove it.
-[China] Okay. -But it's benign.
-Why do you need to operate? -[China scolds] Elmer.
[doctor] As it grows,
it's possible the tumor could eventually end up encroaching upon the brain,
which could lead to a loss of mobility, blindness, or even swelling
that could result in death.
No.
It's okay.
[ominous music playing]
[China] Sometimes, that's how life is.
But things happen for a reason, Elmer.
Right now, just concentrate on your health, the operation,
and everything is gonna be fine, so you don't have to worry about anything.
You said it was a miracle.
You are a miracle, Elmer.
You are a miracle, son.
This is an opportunity, see? To grow stronger.
But I don't wanna go back to how I was before.
I know. I get it.
But stay positive, son.
If you don't feel, you don't suffer.
Elmer.
-Elmer, you are special. -Special.
I am special. You've told me that many times.
Well, you are special. You aren't like anyone else in the world.
Wasn't.
You should say I wasn't like anyone before,
but I am now, aren't I?
I can't simply forget who I was with her, Mom.
What… [hesitates] What are you saying, sweetheart?
What?
[sighs]
Violeta.
I want you to cancel the job. Nothing bad can happen.
Promise me.
Very well. The job is officially canceled.
On one condition.
I'll cancel if you don't see that girl ever again
and commit to having the treatment and the operation.
You decide.
[intriguing, percussive music playing]
Fine.
[music builds]
[zipper]
[door shuts]
-[music slowly fades] -[rain pouring down]
[Carrera] Violeta Álvarez?
Yes?
What is it?
Inspectors Carrera and Torres. Police. We want to talk.
This a good time?
[Violeta] He was drunk and being really obnoxious. That's all.
[Torres] What's his problem with you?
[Violeta] I guess his friends told you. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here.
[Torres] True, but I'd like to hear it from you.
He thinks I'm responsible for the death of Xoan Costeira.
Why's that?
Xoan and I had been together. It, um, was a hard relationship, really.
Xoan was a person with some serious issues.
And, um, when I finally ended it with him,
he told me he'd kill himself unless I got back together with him.
And that night, um… he did.
We read the report. Mon states that you pushed Xoan.
We didn't even see each other that night.
Had Mon been bothering you about this regularly?
No. I…
I hadn't seen him since Xoan's funeral.
[Torres] What happened after your encounter at the tavern?
I wanted to leave right away, so we got up and left.
-You were with a friend right? -[Violeta] Yes.
And what is his name?
Elmer.
[Torres] Elmer?
Elmer Jurado.
[tense music playing]
[hanger scrapes]
[doorbell rings]
Yes, Mrs. Jurado?
Excuse me, Mrs. Costeira, for coming by without warning. Mmm…
-Something is wrong? -Umm…
There is an issue with respect to your problem.
[inhales] Please come with me.
-[latch clicks] -[door creaks]
Days after Xoan's funeral…
all these boxes arrived.
They're the parts of a sailboat that Xoan was restoring.
Tell me if you think a person
who had ordered all these parts just a… week before it happened
would commit suicide?
[sighs]
I understand. I do, Mrs. Costeira.
It's just that the thing with this girl… It's messier than I thought.
I-is it a question of cost or…?
It's not that. Um, no. No.
[Sabela] As I told you, I can be very generous.
I'll give you double what I offered.
Will that be sufficient?
[idyllic, hopeful music playing]
-[birds singing] -[water running]
Hi. [chuckles]
[Elmer] Hi.
They said that you'd be here in… [chuckles] …your landscape.
Wow. It's incredible.
You like it?
I love it.
It's something out of a fairy tale, you know?
Hmm.
The colors are unbelievable.
Because of the manure. [chuckles]
I had to apologize to you for the other day.
I… I felt pretty rude actually.
Ah, no. No, forget it. I… I get why you wanted to go home.
But the point is I had a really great time that day with you.
Uh, today I'm working on plots with… with thujas.
[Violeta chuckles]
And on the left, there are, uh, camellias, salvias…
-But actually, they need some time-- -My rowing club, uh…
…is having a party at the harbor, and I… I thought…
I don't know. Maybe you'd like to come.
I'm sorry. I have to work today.
Yeah, but it's at night. [chuckles softly]
Hm?
I think it's best we don't go any farther.
I'm very sorry.
Okay.
Mon has disappeared, and the police are looking for him.
They came to talk to me, and…
And I gave them your name, so I don't know.
They may get in contact with you.
Just so you're aware.
I'll see you, Elmer.
[dour music playing]
He was very unpleasant, and he got violent.
Did what he said to Violeta bother you?
I didn't know what he was talking about.
I'd only just met Violeta. I've seen her maybe twice.
And that morning, we met by accident.
[Carrera] Did you stand up for her?
I got the impression that Violeta was capable of handling things on her own.
[Torres grunts] And then what happened?
We said goodbye by the entrance. From there I went home.
When I got home, me and my mom watched a movie.
[Carrera] What movie?
-[inhales] Um-- -So, it was The Notebook.
But… [laughing] …actually poor thing
because I always choose that kind of sappy movie,
and he has to put up with it.
What time did your son return to the house?
Well, Officer,
I normally have my afternoon coffee at around, let's see, 5, 5:30?
It was around then.
[inhales] Right, so I think that's all. Uh, thank you. Thank you for coming in.
[China] And thank you.
If they were suspicious,
they wouldn't have let us go so easily, no.
-I know. I'm not worried. -[China] Oh, well, that's great.
Although I bet you're pretty glad that I was there, huh?
You needed help. You were in a daze.
-Did you really watch The Notebook? -[China] Of course.
Now, you need to listen to this, Elmer.
Every lie, no matter how small, has to have a little bit of truth to it.
Those guys are trying to pin something on that girl.
That's how it looks to me.
I don't think Violeta did anything to her ex.
[China] It's none of your business.
You have more important things to think about, Elmer.
Your treatment, for example.
I put your pills in your room for you, okay?
Oh, how beautiful. Look.
You think Mon made a bad decision just like Xoan?
He left his car on the street and dove off a bridge.
[inhales] But he was obsessed with the suicide of his friend.
Yeah, but it's already been three days. His body would've shown up.
There are other variables.
Yeah? Sharks in the rivers now, too?
[Torres sighs]
I'm putting in an order to trawl the riverbed.
Well, that will do nothing.
I'm just surprised that with your experience
you can't see there's something strange about all this.
Perhaps I'm getting old.
More like you've disappeared now, yeah? And that's really fucking ironic.
It's getting late. I will send the order on my way out.
-See you tomorrow. -See you then.
[mouse clicking]
[sighs with annoyance]
[intriguing music playing]
[China] Where are you going?
Going to a party.
With Violeta.
I made a deal with you, Elmer.
I know that.
-But I can't hold up my end. -Why not?
Because there are things I wanna feel. I don't wanna live like I did.
What are you getting at?
-I won't do the treatment. -Then what'll happen to you, Elmer?
You think that a tumor will vanish because of love or one wild urge?
-[inhales] -[China] Really?
Sorry, Mom, but I… I want this.
Elmer.
["First Love/Late Spring" by Mitski playing]
♪ The black hole ♪
♪ Of the ♪
♪ Window ♪
♪ Where you sleep ♪
♪ Wild women don't get the blues ♪
♪ But I find that ♪
♪ Lately I've been crying like a ♪
-♪ Tall child ♪ -[waves crashing]
♪ So please hurry, leave me ♪
♪ I can't breathe ♪
♪ Please don't say you love me ♪
[song continues in Japanese]
♪ One word from you and I would ♪
♪ Jump off of this ledge I'm on, baby ♪
♪ Tell me don't, so I can crawl back in ♪
[song fades out]
[China inhales shakily] Oh, I feel like I'm falling apart. [sighs]
[droning organ music playing]
[tearfully] I can't… [sniffs]
[sobs, sighs]
I don't know how you did it, but when I left, I wanted to embrace life.
I wanted to live then. [inhales shakily]
And he doesn't. I don't understand why not.
I don't understand. [quiet sob]
Oh, give me the words, please. Show me my path. Show me my path.
So he understands. Oh, please, I beg of you.
[organ music intensifies]
-[Violeta] I'm glad you came. -[Elmer] Me too.
And help make her disappear. Hear my prayer.
-[Elmer] What? No, I don't believe it… -[China] Make her disappear.
[muffled conversation]
[China] Help me make her disappear.
She will disappear.
[music builds to a climax]
[music slows]
[mournful organ instrumentals playing]