Bitter Gold (2024)

[bunniefuu]

Come on!

I'm firing him for real now.

Look at that as*h*le.

He's drunk again.

sh*t, dad, don't f*ck up now.

Hold on for just one more month.

-I warned him about arriving drunk again.

-Come on...

you can't fire Humberto.

Do you really want to get in

trouble with his family?

This fool is way out of line.

I've arrived.

You have a manager's working hours, eh?

It's just a joke.

Ok, let's go.

Come on, pull your weight.

Who were you with?

Alright, let's go! Go!

BITTER GOLD

Humberto and Juan Mara

get the drilling machines.

Anbal, prepare the dynamite and

Vladimiro, come with me.

Let's wheelbarrow this quickly,

I'm hungry.

Careful with the rod, Anbal.

Bootlicker. You always agree with him.

But he is completely lost here.

Hey, look. Look at the stone.

There's no copper here, dude.

The ore is fine.

Work quietly.

This sh*t is bad.

Just do your sh*t and shut up.

I told you, didn't I?

This is low grade material.

Plus, the vein is running out.

-Hey, why don't you focus on your work?

-Shut up.

You get paid for your work,

not your opinion.

"You get paid for blah blah blah"

You are tiring me out.

One more time and I'll kick you out.

If you get here late one more time...

or if I catch you a little drunk...

You don't want to do that, sir.

What?

Lunch's ready.

Ok.

You are not eating the rest?

No, thanks.

Ok.

It was lovely.

Alright.

I'll get back to work

while the rest of you laze around.

Earn that bread.

Ok.

These are this week's profits.

There's 3.6 million.

We'd be 400.000 short.

Did you ask about the drills?

We can get good money for those drills,

they are good equipment.

Did you ask about the drills or not?

It's just...

Maybe we won't even need to sell them.

-Why keep drills on a beach, Pacfico?

-Savings. Might need them someday.

Do you want to leave this place?

Of course I do,

and I want you to go to school there too.

Alright, then,

how are we supposed to make it?

-Searching for gold nuggets?

-Shh...

We'll leave,

but we'll do it with money, Carola.

There's more gold in the

boarded up mineshaft, I'm sure.

Come with me tonight, to explore it.

Come on, put on that helmet!

What are you doing here?

I'm looking for your dad.

What's going on here?

Nothing. Just talking.

Open your jacket.

Go to the truck.

-This wasn't on me, Mr.Pacfico.

-We'll talk later.

You p*ssy.

Take all your sh*t and leave.

You have to pay me

for all my work so far, though.

You disobey,

you get no pay.

Come on, say something, pussies.

What do I owe you, as*h*le?

Last week you were late

two times, I paid you anyways.

You arrived drunk yesterday, today,

and who knows how many other times.

Forget it, man.

Be thankful I'm not screwing

Vladimiro over because of you.

That's enough, Humberto. Just jump in.

Hey, you! Come.

You can't even open the door.

What's up, Bunny?

Cut it out.

Pay attention to where everything is.

We have to leave it just like it was. Hm?

DANGER

This way.

Careful over there.

Behind any of these rocks

there could be another nugget.

Look.

Wherever there's gold...

there's always a somewhat bitter taste.

Look.

When there's copper,

you get a spicy aftertaste instead.

Dad!

You're saying there's gold in here?

You'll have to pay

everything you owe me.

Put that sh*t down, Humberto.

Your secret ends here.

Dad!

Listen to me.

Listen to me.

Humberto.

Dad!

Your leg, dad.

Do we go to the hospital?

No.

If we go to the hospital

the cops will get involved.

No one will believe me

about what happened.

We don't even have papers for the mine,

Carola.

Let's go home.

Alright.

Pour alcohol on me now.

-We should go to the town...

-No, no!

Pour alcohol on me.

For f*ck's sake Pacfico, please.

Let's go to the hospital!

Alright, hand me the alcohol,

you go clean the blood on the truck.

Hello...

I was getting up.

Hey...

Do you think Humberto is...?

Yes.

You have to go to the hospital.

No.

We have to go to work.

You can't work on the mine like that.

Yes, Carola. If I dont show up,

theyll notice something is wrong.

I have to be there.

No.

Look at you!

Alright.

Go to the crossroad and tell the men I

went to Caldera for some business.

Tell them work's suspended for today,

but we'll resume it tomorrow.

We need to close the

gold pit's entrance then.

You are right.

Carola.

Bring me the pills from the mine's

first aid kit. The sleeping pills.

sh*t.

Good morning.

Good morning to you.

So, where's Pacfico?

What happened to him?

Pacfico had to go

to Caldera for some business.

But...

that's why he sent me.

To talk to you.

This is Gaspar.

My cousin. He'll replace Humberto

now that you fired him.

Stand up to greet her.

Well, you'll have to forgive me,

but we'll have to cancel work today.

But we'll resume tomorrow.

Are we still getting paid?

Of course we are, that's the done thing.

I mean, Pacfico told me

you'd hash it out later...

about the pay.

Since we can't pay you

for a day you didn't work.

It doesn't work like that, miss.

If you don't pay us for the whole week,

we have no reason to keep working.

We were here on time, as agreed.

Vladi's right about that.

No, no, I won't come tomorrow then.

I'd rather go to Amadeo's.

He might pay less,

but at least he pays up.

I won't come either.

Hey Carito, I'm sorry

to go against you, but the boys are right.

Alright, Gaspar, let's go to Amadeo's.

Wait.

Give me a sec.

The number you dialed is

currently unavailable...

Hello.

Yeah, I'm with them

here at the crossroads.

The new guy is here, too.

They say if we don't pay today's wage...

they won't be coming tomorrow,

or the rest of the week.

Okay.

Yeah, I know what to do.

Yeah okay, I'll tell them.

Okay, understood. Bye.

Okay.

Go ahead, get on the truck.

Pacfico says we have to work.

He wants us to go with you?

Well, why not?

Excuse me miss, but...

this isn't a job for little girls.

We didn't come here to waste our time.

Thing is, I'm not asking, Vladimiro.

Do you want the money or not?

Because you work by the week.

So get to work.

Let's get up, man.

I'm leaving, Vladi.

Are you getting in or not?

Come on Valdi, get up.

Hey, women are meant for the kitchen!

-Shut the f*ck up.

-Don't shut me up. This is bullshit.

So, did Pacfico tell you

what that urgent business of his was?

Still, the brat is somewhat hot.

You liked her, did you?

Behave, she's a kid.

Let me be.

Plus, she's a sh*t driver.

Goddaughter.

Could you stop for a second please?

Come on!

What happened?

Show respect to Carito!

We hear all the nonsense you're saying.

Tell her to learn how to drive then!

-You are not carrying animals.

-We're wasting time today, I tell you.

Hey!

To work!

You have to give us today's tasks,

Carolita.

Do the usual, what you do every day.

-Excuse me, Carolita.

-Yes.

Hey!

Why aren't you two working?

Because you don't know a thing.

What do you want us to do

without clear orders?

What do you mean?

I told you to do the same as yesterday.

I was doing maintenance

on the machinery, miss.

You know it's my first day.

I don't know the ropes.

Plus it's not that easy.

You don't just mine anything.

We'd need to know

where the vein is, first.

I am not mining sh*t, Juan!

If you don't give us clear instructions,

I'm staying here all day.

I don't come here

to waste my time and energy.

Find the vein then.

Is that clear enough for you?

So you want me to teach you.

Some free lessons, right?

My Lord and I always find the vein.

Come on!

We should keep looking.

What do we do now?

You said you knew.

Shut up.

The ore is bad, nothing but hard rock.

Guys.

What's happening?

This stone seems to have no copper at all.

That's why we mine the stone

to check if it has copper.

Want me to tell you what's happening?

I shouldn't be the one

finding the vein.

That's the leader's job.

Now you say that.

What? What was that?

Why don't you try?

I'd rather not.

Anbal claimed to know,

why doesn't he try?

-He doesn't know sh*t.

-I've never done that.

Let the new guy try.

Let's see if he's lucky.

No, miss, what are you saying.

I've just arrived here today,

I don't know anything.

When do you think Pacfico will be back?

We are nothing without him.

Give me that.

Pacfico comes back tomorrow,

so you'll have to catch up.

Felix is also coming with the truck!

All ready, Carito.

Send my buddy best regards.

-See you tomorrow.

-Be on your way.

I told you to call off the work day.

I couldn't.

Carola...

I didn't want Humberto to die.

But you saw him. He wanted to k*ll us.

I know.

I can't end up in jail again.

I can't leave you alone again.

Sure...you better take your meds though.

I'll go make you tea, alright?

-Are you okay?

-Yes.

I'm changing my bandage.

How are you feeling?

Better. Much better.

But...

I'm not going back to the mine yet.

Why?

Because the men can't see me like this.

Pacfico explained to me...

how to find the ore vein, so...

whoever doesn't listen,

leaves without pay.

Is it true Pacfico isn't coming?

Do you see him around?

Could you please

go in the back, Juan Mara?

Yes.

Did something happen?

No.

Ha, nice, you got sent to the doghouse.

Nothing but bad stone.

What if we wait for Pacfico?

So we don't waste more dynamite.

No.

We have to keep looking.

sh*t...

This is our vein.

This is our vein.

Alright!

Look...

Look at that.

Go, go!

Well done, Carito.

It's very high grade.

Well done there!

Lil' boss!

Let me see.

Alright men,

let's bring the wheelbarrows.

-Let's go.

-Come on.

Let me through.

Over here, old man!

There you go!

And what business

did Pacfico have in Caldera?

It's weird that he didn't mention it.

I always help him when he goes there.

I don't know, really.

You know how he is.

He wouldn't tell me.

Maybe he's with some lady friend.

You know how he is.

-A player.

-Yeah, sure.

He'll call me at some point...

if he gets any reception, that is.

Hey, Mr. Flix.

-What?

-Could you come again on Friday?

We did very poorly yesterday.

I'll be here same time Friday.

Okay.

Thanks.

Pacfico?

Dad?

Well...

If you can find a copper vein...

then you need to know your drink.

-Here.

-No.

No, I don't want it.

To your first truckload.

And to me getting this f*cking b*llet out.

Alright.

This is way too strong!

Coming!

I'm coming.

Hand me the keys.

Juan, can you pour me more soda?

Is it true people

are looking for Humberto?

I heard he's missing, hasn't he gone back?

He's been looking

for him for two days now.

Amadeo.

They're cousins, see?

Of course he cares.

Blood is thicker than water.

Humberto got lost in the drink.

He may be in Copiap...

and can't find his way back

like that other time.

You already know how he is.

A couple of drinks

and he turns into a f*cking c**t.

DANGER

Hello?

Pacfico!

-Hello?

-Good morning young lady.

Pardon the interruption,

but we are looking for Pacfico.

Hey there, Amadeo!

-Hey, Vladi!

-Hello, Nelson.

If you are looking for Pacfico,

then you are out of luck.

He isn't here today.

Oof... Who's in charge then? Juan Mara?

The girl's in charge.

Ah...

As I was saying...

Pacfico isn't here.

He's taking care of

some business over in Caldera.

We haven't seen Pacfico around

for a while now.

They say he's seeing

to some business but...

those are running kinda long.

We came here because Humberto told me

the other day that he got fired.

And it seems like your dad owed him money.

Do you know anything, miss?

Yes.

Humberto actually

went to our home that night.

And Pacfico paid him

his missing workdays and he left.

Humberto was really drunk though.

Why hadn't you told us that before?

Because It's not my place

to discuss that with you.

Well...

Still, tell your dad

that Amadeo is looking for him.

To find out what the hell

happened with my cousin.

We won't bother you any longer, okay?

Let's go.

Bye, Vladi. See you.

See you.

I'm sorry, daughter...

You'll have to do it.

f*ck's sake.

Here.

No, thank you.

I'll just...

We'll go to the hospital.

Today, after Flix takes the load,

I'll come get you.

We'll say you were hunting a viscacha

or something, I don't know.

Alright, godfather.

Let's just go.

Godfather!

Come sit in the front.

What's going on here?

We are working.

You? What are you doing in there?

Good morning, miss.

Looks like we're going to be neighbors.

What?

No.

This is Pacifico Peralta's property.

With all due respect, miss,

I checked and that's not true.

The concession is under the name

of a man that died some years ago.

There's nothing to Pacfico's name.

Pacfico has mined

here for over 20 years!

That particular mineshaft?

No, but... It's his property!

As I was telling you, miss,

I checked and his name isn't there.

There's some

really nice stone here, you know.

We think there might even be gold.

There's no gold here.

Just plain old stone.

Well, goes to show this won't

affect you at all then. Right?

Look, in any case, if Pacfico wants

to talk to me, he can just come.

It's no trouble to me.

Pacfico is taking care

of his business, that's why I'm here.

As I was saying,

I'd rather speak with him.

So if he wants to talk, let him come,

and I'll listen to him, okay?

Amadeo!

Don't waste your breath

on that son of a b*tch.

Dude!

You can't say that!

Well, it's the truth.

Ask her what was her mothers job.

Pacfico is coming,

and we'll see who's laughing then.

Miss?

-Is it true there's gold here?

-Carito, be careful.

Where there's gold, the devil shows.

Juan Mara, what are you talking about?

We need to fill Felix' truck, let's work.

We won't get much done by ourselves.

Well it will be something!

And Pacfico?

When is he coming?

It's as if he doesn't care for the mine.

I've been calling him to no avail.

It's strange.

Have you been telling us the truth?

Is he really in Caldera?

Pacfico!

Pacfico!

-How did he get the wound?

-With a g*n.

It was an accident.

Well, he was out hunting, you see,

and he dropped the g*n.

Ok. And when was that?

Three, four days ago.

Could you give me your ID number, sir?

8 million...

989...

072-K.

Okay.

-We'll take him in right away.

-Thank you very much.

Yes?

Excuse me.

Hi?

Hi.

Are you Pacfico Peralta's daughter?

Yeah. How is he? Is he out yet?

Is your mom here?

Maybe some other adult?

No. How is my dad?

Can we talk in my office?

Your dad had sepsis

when he arrived here.

Do you know what that is?

No.

Excuse me for a moment, alright?

Hello.

I'm sorry, Carola.

I'll be right back, ok?

Yes, she's here with me.

But, isn't there a policeman on duty?

Well, they can take her.

Alright.

Alright, then we'll wait.

Carola...

I'm very sorry but...

Pacfico didn't make it.

He passed away.

Can I see him?

No, minors aren't allowed

in the unit without a family member.

Look.

I don't know what happened.

And I'm not going to ask you.

But when we deal with b*llet wounds...

there are certain procedures

we have to follow.

You don't need to worry,

nothing will happen to you.

-People are coming to get you to...

-May I go to the bathroom?

-Yes.

-I need the bathroom.

Hey!

Hey no, no, no you can't just leave!

No, no, don't let her go!

Good morning.

Good morning, miss.

What about your dad?

Isn't he coming?

Pacfico died last night.

No way.

What happened?

Now you care about Pacfico?

Now, after you stole all his sh*t?

Pacfico died.

With all due respect, miss,

Now that you told me,

I don't know how to tell you why I came.

Juan Mara will take over Pacfico's

things and he'll be in charge of the mine.

Pacfico is dead.

Let's divide into two teams.

We will take on both mineshafts.

You agree? Right?

Excuse me, miss

for bringing this up now, but...

it is what it is, no?

We will take on both mineshafts.

Don't be sad, old friend,

you can work with us.

You too, Anbal.

Juanma, say something.

What do you want me to say?

You f*ck!

Where are you going?

Get off, you f*ck!

Whit all due respect, miss,

that's what I wanted to discuss with you.

Give me my truck back, now!

Look.

We have such bad luck

that my truck broke down.

So we wanted to ask for yours

to go pick up a cousin of mine

that lives in Chaaral and is a mechanic.

We'll give it back tomorrow.

It's a promise.

What promise, you m*therf*cker.

All my sh*t is on that truck.

Look.

If you want, you can cook for us.

And we pay you for it, okay?

So you can make a little money.

Don't touch me, you f*ck.

Okay.

Let's go.

Go away.

You old coward.

Looking for something?

Give me my money back, as*h*le.

-What money?

-Don't play dumb. It was in my purse.

Easy.

Don't do anything you'd regret.

I don't have

anything of yours, understood?

What do you mean? You stole it!

What are you gonna do about it?

Daddy's no longer around to protect you.

But we are not like him.

Here, if you work you get paid.

So, go.

Get to work.

Go!

This f*ck.

He took

the money I had in the truck.

Is that true, Vladi?

What's so funny?

Stop talking bullshit.

Prove it.

Show us your pockets.

Don't you butt in. Be grateful

we gave you a job, f*cking old man.

Why not show what's in your pockets?

You too?

-Why don't you mind your own business?

-Why are you so worked up, dude?

Show us and get it over with.

There's your f*cking money,

you can all share it for all I care.

That's wrong, Vladi. Taking up the work is

very different from straight up stealing.

Where's my nugget?

Where's my gold nugget, f*ck?

-It was here!

-What gold nugget?

Search him!

Search me.

Man, it's cold out here.

Is it always this cold here?

Drink your wine, old man,

I put fruit in it.

No, no, I'd rather have my tea.

I have a stomach ache.

Drink more wine, it's good. Very nice.

It's going down like water.

Hey guys,

who's going into the pit

to take out the dead dog?

How can you tell it's a dog?

With that stench, what else could it be?

Can we change the subject?

Some of us are eating.

Sorry, but we

need to fix this issue,

the smell in there is unbearable,

we can't work in that mine.

We have to do something.

It's up to us, so,

who's volunteering?

I have a hanging ladder.

Some of the rungs need fixing,

I can do that tomorrow.

Sounds fine. I think the slimmest one

should go down though.

Like sh*t I'm going down. Nope.

We should let luck decide, no?

-Hello, how are you?

-Where's my truck?

Look, I think Amadeo isn't back yet

because he had trouble finding the parts.

You know Chaaral's a small town,

It will take at least one more day.

Don't take it too bad,

he'll be back soon enough.

Hey, would you still like me

to make you all lunch?

-Really?

-Yeah.

That would be very nice!

It's good.

BITTER GOLD

IN MEMORY OF NICOLS WELLMANN