We Were Strangers

Our illustrious leader, the Presidente,

has brought law and order to Cuba.

This law and order, under which Cuba

has become a land of progress...

must be preserved boldly.

There are factions in Cuba

which are dangerous to our people.

They must not be allowed to flourish.

We must protect the people of Cuba

from their disturbing influences.

Strong measures are needed,

and we are strong.

I move, therefore, that the Senate of Cuba...

vote immediately on the bill before it.

The bill that makes the assembling

of more than four people...

in any open public place...

not only illegal, but an act of treason

against the government.

Only by the enactment

and vigorous defense of such a law...

can Cuba achieve its destiny.

Second the motion!

The motion has been put

that the Senate vote on the bill...

making all public gatherings

of more than four citizens of Cuba...

a violation of the public welfare.

All those in favor will please rise.

The bill making public assemblage

an act of treason against the government...

has been passed unanimously.

What is all about it? What's it say here?

I am reading now:

"Long live freedom in Cuba.

"Cubans, our rights have been stolen.

We live in fear.

"The tyrants are strong,

but the cry of liberty is stronger.

"Cubans, raise your..."

You're under arrest. Come on.

- I have done nothing.

- Let him alone!

Come on!

It's no good. Go on. Save yourselves.

Manolo.

What is it, Manolo? What has happened?

You were out with them again.

Why, Manolo, why tonight?

- Can't it wait?

- No. It can't wait.

It can never wait, China.

That is something I learned.

- There is so much at stake for you.

- I didn't forget the examination's tomorrow.

I didn't forget the way you, Mama,

and Lolita have worked for tomorrow.

Still I could not do otherwise.

I couldn't go to them and tell them:

"No, I'm sorry. Cuba will have to wait

until I have finished my education."

But it was only a matter of one day.

It's always a matter of one day

or one week or one year.

There are always excuses.

I've heard them all from others:

"Yes, I would join you, but I'm married.

"I believe in what you're doing,

but I have a family."

That's why there are so few of us.

What happened, Manolo?

What happened tonight?

There were three of us.

We were distributing leaflets.

The police spotted us. They chased us.

- The one who was driving got shot.

- They killed him?

He was still alive when we left him.

I hope he's dead now.

Don't look at me as if I'd gone crazy.

He's in the hands of the Porra.

I hope he died quickly,

for his sake and for mine.

If he's alive they will make him tell

who was with him.

You must get away, Manolo. You must hide.

- The examinations are tomorrow.

- What does that matter?

- Your life is at stake.

- But suppose my friend is dead by now?

Suppose he was lucky enough to die?

Then I will be running away from shadows.

We must keep our heads, China.

If my friend is alive, he won't talk at once.

We have a rule in the organization

that a man who is caught must hold out...

for at least six hours,

to give his comrades a chance to escape.

After that, he is free to die easy.

Then if they come after you...

it would be around 4:00

or 5:
00 in the morning.

That's right.

Now listen, China. I know a place I can go.

If the Porra are not here by 8:00,

at the latest...

you will know that everything is all right.

In that case...

walk up the east side of the street opposite

the university at 9:00 tomorrow morning.

I'll be waiting. If you don't come,

I'll know they're after me.

What will you do then?

Havana will hide me.

She takes care of her own.

See you soon.

Nobody came to the house.

I waited up all night.

It was just like every other night.

The policia passed every three hours.

Our neighbor, Seor Gandara,

came home at 2:
30 in the morning.

He was drunk.

His wife was very angry with him.

She almost woke up

the whole neighborhood, telling him so.

At 5:
00 the vegetable trucks

passed on their way to the market.

Do you remember

everything that happened?

Everything.

It was the longest night of my life.

- But it ended well.

- Yes. It ended well.

Let us thank God for that.

Thank you, Chinita.

- Good luck.

- I don't need it anymore.

- You are China, his sister, aren't you?

- Yes.

I was with your brother in the car.

Forgive me

for not standing with you at the grave.

I was afraid to show myself.

They are after me, too.

Who are these murderers?

They have a hundred faces and one name:

The Porra.

They're everywhere, listening,

finding out who is against the President.

And big or little, it makes no difference,

they are silenced.

I saw the man who killed Manolo.

I saw his face.

I will never forget it.

I am going to get a gun and I will

wait for him outside their headquarters.

- They will kill you.

- I expect that.

- I will gladly give my life in exchange.

- It won't only be your life.

They'll arrest your whole family.

They'll punish your friends.

I know that your heart is filled with hate.

But you must try to understand

that vengeance is no good.

What else can I do?

There's a great deal you can do.

If you're willing to risk your life.

If you want to serve a real purpose, join us.

- How do I go about this?

- I will tell my superior...

and he will communicate

with those higher up in the movement.

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