01x01 - Meet Cute

[bunniefuu]

This is Julio.

MADRID, OCTOBER 23, 2003

And this is Irene.

They're gonna fall in love many times

because they're gonna break up many times.

But, no. They don't meet just yet.

Be patient.

MADRID, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

Yep, this is one of those stories
where you know what's gonna happen.

Pretty much.

But you wanna watch anyway.

Or maybe not. Maybe you don't
know what's gonna happen.

And that's way better.

Shall we begin?

IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN

CHAPTER 1
MEET CUTE

What do you mean you're going to...

I don't know. I don't know! sh*t.

- It's just. What are you doing?
- Look. Come on, Irene, please. Okay.

I mean,
you're not moving to Madrid...

- Irene.
- Where are you going?

- You want to break up.
- I don't know.

Because you want to be
a free agent in Madrid.

But you don't want to break up

because you'll miss me,
and you might not find anyone like me.

- I don't know.
- Or maybe you will.

Or maybe you won't.

And I can tell you that you won't.

But you know,

you might feel like getting up to
something in Madrid because Madrid...

Madrid is humungous.

- No... It's just...
- You know how things are in college.

No. Look, the way you're saying it,
it sounds bad,

but that's not what I said.

That's exactly what you said.

I have a photographic memory
with this stuff.

It sticks in my mind,
especially when I'm being dumped!

- I'm not dumping you, Fer.
- Oh.

We're dumping each other
because I'm going to Madrid.

Or what?
We act dumb? Pretend nothing's happening?

Don't talk about stuff? Then...

Jesus, you and I
talk about everything, right?

Yeah. We need to talk. Sure.

So a camping trip
to say "bye for now"

is turning into the trip
where we break up.

No. Irene, come on. Don't film me, dammit!

- Okay. Okay.
- Jesus. No.

Jesus, dammit!

You're gonna end up as
a top f*cking director,

and I'm going to end up as
the village idiot.

You think I'm going to end up as
a top f*cking director?

Yes.

Seriously?

Yes, Irene.

So let's not break up.

So let's not break up.

Okay.

It's just...

It's that simple?

Because if we don't want to break up,
we shouldn't break up. Done. It's just...

We should do what we want. End of story.
And we're good together, right?

Yes. Right.

Such long faces.

If you want,
we can abort the mission, huh?

Yes.

No, no! You're going.

Come on. Suitcases.

- Mm... Bye.
- Hey! Hey!

Come on, kids. Enough.

Please! In you go.

And you, start the car.

- Start the car.
- Bye.

- On it.
- Come on.

MADRID, OCTOBER 6, 2003

SCHOOL OF INFORMATION SCIENCES

Look, I don't know about that.

Hey. Is it okay if I sit here?

Depends.

Tie Me Up or Women on the Verge?

Um... I mean, I can't choose. I guess, both.

That's not fair. It's like making her
choose between Matrix or Fight Club.

Adriana. No, come on. It's a joke.
Sit down. Sorry.

How's it going?

- Good.
- Right. Uh, I'm Da.

Adri. And Jimena.

- And you?
- Irene.

- Irene.
- Yes.

What are you doing, Jimena?

Girl, it's not that cold.

- And you're from Huesca.
- It's not the cold, dammit.

- So what is it?
- It's this place.

It has this kind of...

It has the "you've watched Thesis
too many times" vibe. That's what it has.

It's just, she's really intense.
She really just feels stuff, you know?

Uh-huh.

- We've been living on the same floor for...
- One whole week.

- Yes.
- You're so lucky.

I'm looking,
but haven't found anything yet.

And it's been a while, you know? I can't
believe how tiny Madrid apartments are.

- They have a spare room.
- Yes.

The rent is 350, all utilities included.

- Seriously? Can I see it?
- Good morning.

- Uh, well, if I could...
- Let's talk later. Okay?

All right, to get to know each other
from the beginning,

hands up who wants to be a movie director.

Come on, dammit. Don't be shy.
Hands up. Go.

- No one?
- Well...

You. What's your name?

I'm Irene.

- Irene.
- Yes.

And why? Why do you want to direct?

Well, to tell... stories and...

I don't know. And...
I mean, for lots of reasons, right?

Lots of reasons.

What an original answer. Am I right?

Anyone else?

Anyone who has
a more well-thought-out reason perhaps?

Mm-hmm. This is mine.

The next one is Matt's.
He's another roommate.

And the one on the end is Da's.

Okay.

I should have told that f*ck that
he's a sexist piece of sh*t.

He wasn't expecting a girl to answer.
That's why he went for the jugular.

I mean, the jugular...

Don't stress too much about it.

I mean,
at least you dared to say something.

Not much because you didn't say much.
But you did speak.

Other people's food is off-limits, okay?

Where are my yogurts?

- Where are my yogurts?
- Maybe you don't know the answer yet.

But I think that to be a director
you need determination.

You need personality.

You gotta create your own unique style.

You know what I mean?

- Excuse me?
- Mm, Woody Allen.

- What?
- Glasses.

- Uh, Almodóvar.
- Great hair.

- Hitchcock.
- A belly.

That's how it works.
A good name, unforgettable.

- What's wrong with my name?
- Don't worry. You'll find one.

Took me a while. Quite a while.

"Da" is a good name?

Oh.

The hot water doesn't work too well.

You have to shower kind of quickly.

f*cking hot water.

So, are you interested or not?

We have a pretty long wait list.

Uh, the rent is 350, right?

The outlander's included in the price.
I saw you.

- Damián.
- What?

She f*cked him. And I...

- You did?
- It was on different days.

He was drunk when we did it, hmm?

We didn't do much.
But with a straight guy,

even if you go halfway there...

Counts as double.

Well, I'm not...
I have a boyfriend in Castellón.

Oh, Castellón. That's another universe.
A parallel dimension.

Hold on. That's a good title for my short.

- Parallel dimension.
- You've written a short?

Dibs on the script.
And you're staying, right?

She's staying. You're staying, okay?

In 1980, the tape was seized,

and The Crime of Cuenca
became the only fiction movie

banned during democratic times.

Hmm.

It's the fourth draft,
and I still have to do some polishing?

This is a romantic comedy, right?

No.

Yes. It is.

Okay, all right, sure.
It's... I don't know. Yes.

I mean, what is it?
You don't like rom-coms?

Sh. Don't you worry, okay?

- I'll help you rewrite it.
- Uh.

It's incredible. It's...

It's really good.

Seriously, I think it's...
now it's thoughtful,

but it's also fun too, you know?
And really honest.

How embarrassing. Come on.

Why?

I don't know. I mean...

- Da, you're really talented.
- You're too nice.

- Well...
- What would you have said to the professor

when he asked us why we wanted to direct
and all that bullshit?

Well, I don't see myself as a director.
I... I want to write.

Why do you want to write?

Come on, Irene. I don't know why.

I guess there are hundreds of reasons.
I mean, this is...

I write because... Well, because I enjoy it.

Because I can't not do it.
It's like falling in love, you know?

You... There can be lots of reasons
why you fall in love,

or you just fall in love and that's it,
you know? Like a lightning bolt.

Like a lightning bolt
hitting you in the chest,

and once it hits you, you're so f*cked.

Um... two beers, please.

Come on. Lightning bolt to the chest?

That only happens
in movies and in songs.

No?

"To be fainthearted, bold, furious,

tender, generous, aloof,
emboldened. Emboldened..."

Hold on. I learned it at school
and can't remember...

"Emboldened, dying, dead, alive,
loyal, traitorous, cowardly, and vibrant."

"To find no rest or peace
away from their side."

"To believe that heaven is found in hell,

to surrender heart and soul
to disillusionment."

"This is love, as anyone
who has ever tasted knows."

"As anyone who has ever tasted knows."

Listen, I mean, look.

You don't have to bother much
with love songs.

But Lope de Vega? Always, hon.

For Lope de Vega. To Lope de Vega it is.

To Lope de Vega.

So what if I never...

Mm... I mean, I don't know. I just...

What if I never figure out
why I want to direct

because what if I find out that
I'm just not that talented?

- But you're really talented, Irene.
- I don't know, it's...

You are. If not, it'll come.
This is just like love.

You find it, you know.
Like the lightning bolt.

The lightning bolt that I told you
just f*ck up your life.

SCHOOL OF LAW

MADRID, FEBRUARY 13, 2004

CASTING CALL FOR A NEW SHORT

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU
ACTOR AND ACTRESS, DATE, PLACE

Seriously?

Seriously, Dad? Do you know
how difficult it is to learn Roman law?

Who asked you to study law, son?

You're so lost.

You only live once, man.

Because you're young, you think you
have all the time in the world ahead.

And, well, you do.

But it flies by.

You're truly impossible
when you're stoned.

Quite the opposite.

I'm connected to myself.

How do I look? Handsome?

I'm seeing Marta. The tall one.

Want a drag?

Lithium. What I need right now is lithium.

What a loser.

Hello.

- Hi. How are you? What's up?
- Uh...

- Well, not much. Just fishing.
- Oh, are you with my dad?

Uh...

No. No. Go on. Go on.

Well, how cool is the image of
a lightning bolt going right through?

Have you read it?
I mean, it's... it's cool, right?

And just... Da is a genius.

He took it, and he... Look, in one second,
he improved it so much,

and now it's...

It's incredible.
It's incredible. A whole new script.

I don't know.
I... I think it's really strong now, right?

Yes. Most definitely, it's, uh... Yeah.

And have you ever felt something
like that when you've fallen in love?

Like what?

Well, when you meet someone

and it just feels like
you've been hit by a bolt of lightning.

Come on. I mean, come on, Irene.

Uh, it's just if you get hit by it,
you die.

There's a chance that you wouldn't, right?
There have been cases.

But...

but best not risk it, right?

Fer, uh, it's not literal.
It's just a metaphor.

Right.

You didn't like it, did you?

Irene, it's just, you've sent
me seven versions of it already.

Right, uh...

So I shouldn't send you
anything else then?

Because you're busy fishing,
so that's that?

And you don't want to read
my stuff anymore.

No, no, no no. Look, it's not that.

I read... Dammit. I read your stuff, okay?

And I listen to you and do everything.

But, Irene, you're over there in Madrid,
and I'm just here in Castellón,

and I don't know.

And that's that, right?

That's that, what? That's that like...

I mean,
I should stop sending you stuff to read,

or that's that between us?

Well, you saw it
really clearly before, right, Ire?

Fer... Are you dumping me?

No, no, no, no.
No, hold on, hold on, hold on.

Um, no, no. I mean,
you were the one who left me.

Or are we going to be one of
those couples who aren't together

and have nothing, but keep talking
even though there's nothing there?

f*ck!

Um... We're not.

Dammit!

sh*t. The fish just got away.

Irene?

- Come on, love.
- Sorry. Okay, I'm going.

- THE PROTAGONIST...
- THE LIGHTNING BOLT STRIKES.

Tremendous.

WHICH ACTOR?

Tre...

Tre...

Tremendous.

Tremendous.

Tre...

Tremendous.

Tremendous.

Tremen...

Tremen...

- Tremendous.
- Tremendous.

Tremendous.

Tremendous.

Irene!

Look at what we got!

- What is it?
- You won't believe this.

You're such a lucky b*tch.
I can't go. I have to work.

- What is it?
- Two tickets to Romano's premiere!

For his new movie?

- Oh my God!
- This is amazing!

You two are gonna make me sick.

CAPITOL, A STRANGE WORLD

MARCH 10, 2004

This is crazy. Oh, thanks.

Everyone's here. Look.

Ah, look. Look.

- There, do you see?
- Yeah.

- Do you see him over there?
- Incredible.

Where's Romano?

If you had the opportunity to pick
one of these actors for your short,

who would you end up choosing?

Can you imagine?

Over here on the right, please.

Irene.

I would love to be up there
presenting my own movie.

And what? You think it won't happen?

Come on.

A STRANGE WORLD
AN ÓSCAR ROMANO FILM

- You see that guy?
- Who?

Jesus, he's gorgeous.

Yeah, I don't mean that.
It's just... He was crying.

That's the kind of actor
I think we need for the short.

Because he makes you ask why he's crying.

Not because of the movie.

It couldn't have been
more cryptic and wishy-washy.

- Did you enjoy it?
- Mm-hmm.

Well, if the director were here,
I'd like to tell him exactly what I think.

Are you crying?

Don't cry, man. You'll set me off, dammit.

So why do you bring me
to these movies then?

I almost never get free stuff.

Hey, do you think we could meet
the leading actress? Look.

This is wild! I'm freaking out!

Okay, let's get
the little b*tch of the night up here!

Ah, Romano!

- Whoo!
- Bravo!

Thank you.

Ooh! Hello. A round of applause
for these three, right?

Thank you everyone for coming!

Thanks to my team
for organizing this incredible party.

Thank you for responding to
my movie so well.

Long live Strange World
because it is a strange world,

but the night is young,
so enjoy, everyone!

- Let's go!
- And be very naughty!

Karma!

I bet you don't have the ba*ls
to tell Romano what you think now? Hmm?

Coming through!

Move aside. Move aside.

Cowboy.

- Hey, Da, are you really gonna do it?
- I feel a little crazy.

- Sorry. Excuse me.
- Hands off!

I'm sorry.

Open your mouth. Open.

Very good.

People are so gross.

People are pigs.

Right. Look.

What?

There he is.

- There he is.
- Ha.

Hello.

So what made you cry?

Could you leave?

Hmm?

I mean, could you leave
and then come back and ask me again?

That way I can come up with a good answer.

I'm usually funny, but...

but it just takes me a second.

I think I'd rather stay,
and you can be less funny.

You're amazing, son.

Just amazing.
I don't know where he gets it from.

Why don't you walk around, Dad?

- Sh. I'm his dad.
- Nice to meet you.

- You brought your dad to the premiere?
- Well, no. Actually, he brought me.

We're roommates right now,

so he's hell-bent on spending
quality time together.

- It's awful.
- Yeah, terrible.

He thought I was going to
ask for an autograph.

- Uh-huh.
- And uh...

Mm. Hi. Oh.

- Tell me what happened?
- He left me hanging.

- Seriously?
- Who?

- Romano.
- The director?

The guy who directed the movie?

Don't tell me you don't know who he is.
Seriously?

I'd love to speak to him, but no. No.

- Don't you dare. He's an as*h*le.
- So annoying.

- He wants a pretty boy to suck his d*ck.
- Do you want to meet him?

Yes, and you know, and work with him.

Let's make the most of the fact
that I'm pumped up on beta blockers.

Go.

- What?
- Hello. Sorry. I love you.

- Could you please sign my ticket?
- What? No, sweetheart. Not now.

- Please. Please. Sorry, okay?
- I'd have to sign everyone's.

Enjoy the party.

It doesn't matter.

Come on.

Romano!

- What? What?
- Do you think I can have an autograph?

Another one.

Here.

- What should I write?
- What?

My legs don't inspire you?

How disappointing.

Karma!

Marker, now.

Happy?

Yes. Thank you.

You're welcome.

- Romano!
- What?

- Can I introduce you to...
- Irene.

Your girlfriend?

- No.
- Good.

Relationships tie you down.

And we should live free in the now.

Come on. Let's go.

What did he write on you?

I don't know. I have no idea.

It was really quick.

You have to be the lead in my short film.

- What?
- I mean...

I swear, of all the actors here tonight,
you're the only one I'd choose.

Oh! Look. Look. My hair's standing up.

But I swear that made me get goosebumps.

- No, I... I can't.
- Why not?

I'm not an actor.

Of course you are. I don't know...

You. Handsome.

A few of us have arranged to go back
to Romano's place, a small clique.

And he insisted that you come.
This is the address.

If I were you, I'd go.

Go.

Come on. I'm serious.
Don't worry about us.

Sorry.

You guys want to come?

- We're really going to his place?
- Sure. If you want.

We'll have a few shots
and head over in a bit. I don't know.

- Okay?
- Yes.

I love this song! Let's go. Come on!

This is for of the night we met and for...

- Eh.
- To Castellón!

Let's go!

Is that why you want me for your short?

- What are you talking about?
- Is it because I'm hot?

Whoa! Not even a little modest.

No, that's not it.

It's something else that you...

you give off.

Uh, f*ck is what he gives off.

No. Da! It's...

No, it's... it's in his eyes.
You want to know what's behind them.

- And that mystery is the best MacGuffin.
- Oh sh*t. f*cking hell.

Don't know what you said,
but it sounded good.

I think I'm going to puke. Oh.

- Are you okay?
- Oh God. Uh...

I'm not going to puke.

It was a false alarm.
What'd he write on your leg?

I couldn't see it
'cause it was really dark.

Well, we need to find out, right?

You're being very forward, hmm?

You're behaving like
the female lead in your movie. I like it.

I like to see you being dirty.

You want me to strip right here?

- Uh...
- Sure.

- No.
- You guys are dangerous.

- Oh.
- Ah.

Ooh.

Mm... Let's see.

Mm. "These lovely legs

will take you wherever you want to go."

See?

It's just... You're already a star.

- What a party, son! What a party!
- What are you doing here?

Now I really will puke, okay?

Wait, wait, wait.

- Uh, is there another bathroom?
- Yeah, it's that way.

- You okay?
- Mm.

- The bathroom?
- Not here.

Oh, gross.

Gross.

Ugh...

Okay, where did this idiot come from?

Who the hell brought him here?

That was me.

You, huh?

Okay, give me a mop. I'll clean it all up.

It'll be fine with a little bit of spray.

What is it? A Golden Globe?

No. It's not a Golden Globe.

You guys should stay. Seriously.
I don't want to spoil anyone's night...

- No, no, no, no.
- I can manage on my own.

I'm fine. I said, "I'll clean it all up,"
but that as*h*le didn't want me to.

- Go to hell. Go to hell, seriously.
- Hey, hey, don't go!

They have the best coke in here! Look!

- Bye!
- Sh. No. Sh. Hey!

- Bye, Dad! Bye, bye, bye!
- Julio!

- Ah, f*cking hell.
- All right!

- f*ck you, Romano!
- Sh! Da, enough!

- You okay?
- Yes, I'm fine.

- You got it?
- Yes.

Okay.

All right, now straight home to bed.

- You have the time?
- It's been a long night.

What?

Nothing.
It was a fun night, right? Overall? Hm?

Even though you didn't get to become
best buddies with the famous director?

Yep.

- A bummer.
- Hmm.

Ah, well.

It's okay. I met someone better.

The lead actor of my short film.
If he says yes.

So insistent.

I know. A real pain.

How about we... we get him to bed
and discuss it over a beer?

Mm-hmm?

Well, then.

What happened?

We're almost at the hospital.

MADRID, MARCH 11, 2004

Hi, sweetie.

- Hi.
- Hello, baby.

How are you?

I brought you a bunch of sedatives, okay?

You can take as many as you like, my love.

What happened?

A b*mb, son.

They don't know if it was ETA
or an Islamist group.

For this kind of thing
to happen in Madrid is...

No one thinks it was ETA, Pablo.

- Well, that's what the president said.
- Okay.

And I may think he's a total a*s,
but if the president says that...

- I don't think he'd lie about that...
- Okay, Pablo. We get it.

- How long have I been here?
- Two days, son.

I should have insisted
you stay with me at the party.

- I'll never forgive myself.
- Oh, Pablo, no need to get like that.

Are you back together?

No, no, no, no.

- Well, we did have sex to calm down...
- Pablo.

- What? What is it?
- Could you be quiet, please?

Can nothing just stay private
in this family?

But babe, when I smoke a joint,
I just lose it, okay?

I have to go find Irene.

Irene?

Who's that? Have you heard of Irene?

He brings a lot of girls home.

Don't know how he does it.

He just meets them,
or where he gets the time.

I actually have no idea if it's possible
to f*ck that much at his...

- I feel like you've wasted my life.
- Oh, Pablo, please stop it.

We're talking about our son.
Don't make it about yourself.

Sh.

This girl Irene... was she at the party
with you that night?

Were you both on the train together?

I have to find her.

- He has to find her.
- No, no.

Leave him. The doctor said the sooner
he gets back to normal, the better.

- We're going with him.
- No, what do you mean?

Don't you see? It'll ruin his big moment.

What big moment, Pablo?

It's just a girl, and he may not
even find her in his condition.

All I know is her first name.
Irene.

She has long, brown hair
and beautiful, green eyes.

She was in the same train car with me.

With me and with Da. Da, as in Damián.

And you don't know
Damián's last name either?

Rodriguez.

Damián Rodriguez.
A really common last name.

That's why I go by Da.
Just Da. It... it has a better ring.

More personality.

- Where were you?
- Where were you?

as*h*le! I've been going literally
from hospital to hospital for two days

saying, "His name's Julio.
He's a hunk." And nothing.

So tell me your last name.
I'm getting it tattooed.

- Mera.
- Well, nice to meet you, Julio Mera.

You look gorgeous
despite all the bandages.

You look gorgeous. How are you?

Good. My ear hurts a little, but...

We're really connected.
You know what I mean?

We're really connected,
and we only met the day before yesterday.

But we're basically like brothers now.

Without the incestuous fantasies,
or maybe yes, Julio, but brothers.

Irene?

Where is she? Did you find her?

Don't be shocked
when you see her because she's fine.

She had to have surgery. They may need to
operate again. But she's going to be fine.

So you... you have to
act like nothing happened.

Don't worry. I'll behave.

Irene...

- Hi.
- Julio.

- How are you?
- Hello.

I thought that... Da, he's alive.

Wow, look at your poor eye.

- Julio!
- Don't worry.

Sorry, sorry. I told Da I'd behave and...

- Are you okay?
- Yeah.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

This is nothing, 'kay? I have to...

I mean, they don't know
if I'll get my sight back,

but I still have the other one.

Are you laughing at me or what?

No. It's just, I...
I didn't know your last name.

- Lamala.
- Lamala?

It's awful, I know,
but I'm changing it to my mom's.

Cabezudo.

Cabezudo.

- What is it? Is it worse?
- No.

Your name is just perfect.

I'll introduce you to my new face
and name at the same time.

Irene Cabezudo sounds like
a director, right?

Yeah.

Will you do my short film?

Well, as if anyone would turn you down.

But it's not great for
the director and her actor to...

Hi! How are you?

Ah, here's your coffee, Damián. Hi!

- Hi.
- And you are...

Yes.

Oh my God!

No way, man! Jesus Christ! How heavy!
You gave us a real scare, man.

I mean,
when I heard about the bombing and all...

Well, when I heard that
Irene was on the train...

And at first, I thought,
"Come on, Fernando, don't be paranoid

'cause would she be there?" You know?

With the amount of people that
live in Madrid and the size of the city...

And yet, you were on the train, dammit.
You were on the train.

Unbelievable.

It obviously wasn't ETA, right?
It was the jihadis.

And tomorrow, Aznar's going to pay for it.
Tomorrow, the left will win.

- Sh, Fer. No.
- What?

It's, I mean, it's just...

He's angry because
he won't be able to vote in the election.

Honey, if I'd known
I was going to be in Madrid,

I would have arranged to mail my vote.

But how was I to know
these lunatics were gonna blow up...

- Fer.
- I'll shut up.

Honey, it doesn't matter.
The main thing is that you're okay.

And you're coming to Castellón.

And that you're going to be
taken care of by your parents and me.

- You're going?
- Yes. We've really missed her.

I've decided to take this as
a sign of fate.

This has made me wake up.

Okay, I'll be going.

I just wanted to know you were okay,
and you're doing good.

So, uh, my parents are
probably looking for me.

Bye.

This was the first time
they split up.

PEACE

Even before things got started.

MADRID, MARCH 12, 2022

A b*mb had blown them
away from each other.

How many more signs did they need
that they shouldn't be together?

They would need a lot more.

Until fate decides
to stop giving them chances.

Or not.

Oh sh*t.