El Mantequilla (2023) s01e02 Episode Script

1
All characters, plots, situations
and stories in the show
are purely fictional.
Any resemblance to reality
is purely coincidental.
[phone rings]
Mexico City.
[caller] The money's not here, Botello.
We had agreed you wouldn't call me here.
Where else should I call you?
Should I go to your house and knock?
[Botello] Middlemen.
If you don't want me to open my mouth,
get me the money now.
It's not in my hands.
It's not my responsibility.
Ah [chuckles] don't act so surprised.
I'm so sorry, but I can't help you.
Son of a bitch.
I need a lawyer, damn it.
BUTTER MAN
I'm not Butter Man,
and I'll say it publicly.
I'm not scared.
Because I didn't get
a proper defense in my due process.
And all because Botello's
a good-for-nothing clown
who attacked me right here.
But they got tired of paying
to keep me quiet
and now they're just mocking me.
The good thing is
that you're a real lawyer, right?
[Emiliano] Mm-hmm.
Let's suppose you're not Butter Man.
You don't need to suppose.
Okay.
Then do you know where the actual
Butter Man, Jacinto Buenaventura, is at?
Of course not.
I made a deal with Botello, got my money,
and my lips are sealed.
Exactly. That's what makes my job hard.
I can't prove you're not Butter Man
unless we find the real one
who, by now, is probably called John Doe
and lives in
the middle of fucking nowhere.
How long have they supported you
this way to keep quiet?
Exactly 20 years.
-Why talk now?
-They stopped paying me.
They keep stringing me along.
Are you ready to go before the press
and declare that you're not Butter Man
and that, for 20 years,
you've been paid to be a scapegoat?
Once bitten, twice shy.
[clicks tongue, sighs] Tell me something
Renato.
My name is Renato.
Can I speak less formally, Renato?
[Renato] Mm-hmm.
How many more years
do you think you'll live?
[sighs] Who knows. Who can answer that?
Take a guess.
You know yourself. How are you feeling?
[sighs] Well, I don't know.
Let's say you're in wonderful health
and you live for 25 more years.
Of course, that's if Botello
decides not to cut it short, right?
And this is how much
you said they're paying you per month.
-Right?
-Yes, that's right.
Okay. Good.
So that, plus inflation, plus my fees,
transfers, court.
So let's put down
an amount for monetary damages
for your emotional suffering,
and your mom's too,
because I heard she became ill
when they told her you were a thief.
Twelve months,
25 years,
is 935,000 dollars.
[Renato scoffs]
Let's see, sir, if they'll pay me
what they owe for the month now.
That would make my job much easier.
But what will happen next month,
when Botello acts like an idiot again
and doesn't pay you, hmm?
Will you call me back to take them on?
Because you've been loyal for 20 years.
You haven't talked,
and these assholes are playing dirty.
Those guys don't have that dough.
Where will they get it from?
Make them get it. It's their problem.
Plus, we'll make it easy for you:
they pay you one million,
all at once.
Let's see if I got it right.
You got conned
and you don't have half a cent
because your wife
let her manicurist's husband come over
to sell you insurance.
Hair stylist, okay?
You know how my wife looks
-when she doesn't get a perm.
-Irrelevant!
You signed the bank withdrawal form
for that guy.
For him to refund my money.
I thought it was a deposit slip.
But he never refunded your money.
-No.
-And he emptied your accounts.
-Yes!
-You decided to come here to
To tell you I don't have the money to pay!
Shh!
[Plutarco sighs]
I couldn't deal with this over the phone.
You had one job, Plutarco.
And one job only.
I will fix it.
[Beto] What's that?
The first statement from my case.
If I were you, I'd make it up and say
I already spoke to the involved parties,
I'd say the investigation's dried up,
and I'd argue there aren't enough pieces
to base an accusation on.
This guy's probably already drinking
a piña colada on a cruise right now.
This is my first case
and I'm going to exhaust
every resource to solve it.
-Hmm.
-But I get that, in your day,
you did things differently, Detective.
How does it feel to know you're only here
because they did your dad a favor?
How does it feel to know you're only here
because firing you is too hard?
It's nice to see
you're such good friends. [laughs]
Because I just decided
to put you on this case together.
-Captain.
-[Camacho] Elena,
Detective Beto has been here
for, like, 50 years.
You two will be
a perfect professional partnership.
You can learn a lot from him.
[Elena sighs]
-Mr. Ramírez, I really don't understand
-Manríquez.
Manríquez. I don't understand
why my client sought out your services.
Well, he's no longer your client.
You told him you couldn't help him.
That's ridiculous, sir.
Once my client receives
this month's outstanding amount,
your services will no longer be needed.
I wanted to talk to you about that.
It won't be necessary for you
to make this month's payment.
Excuse me? I'm not understanding.
Look, Botello,
it'll be a lot easier for my client
if you pay him
the remaining balance in advance.
How much are we talking about?
One million dollars.
[laughs]
What are you thinking?
[clicks tongue] Your intention
is for my client to remain silent.
Right?
My intention is
to have my client's payment
never depend on
anyone else's checkbook again.
So, what you pay him monthly,
plus inflation,
-my fees, court
-Not even if I gave him ten million!
Nothing will guarantee
that asshole keeps quiet.
That's true. But if you don't pay him,
I guarantee he will talk.
We'll try to arrange this month's payment
and you'll be grateful.
You should know
what you're playing with, Botello.
[sighs]
[clicks tongue] It's on me.
[Carmenza] Ah, Itzel.
Her name's a little trashy,
but she's a delightful gal.
My hair looks so good after she does it,
I don't wash it for two weeks after.
And did she say this man, Abel,
was her husband?
[Plutarco] Enough, please!
His name is Abel Rodríguez.
Abelardo, and apparently
they've been married for four years.
[Elena]
And did you fill out the withdrawal form
-in your handwriting?
-Yes, I did.
And you left the amount blank?
Sweetie, before you come
to my house to interrogate me,
you should be searching
for that guy out there!
I need as many details as possible
to be able to help you, Don Plutarco.
[Plutarco sighs]
[Elena]
So, you filled out the withdrawal form
not knowing it was the withdrawal form.
You signed it, and left the amount blank.
For them to refund my money.
And they didn't refund you.
Anna!
-How did it go?
-Incredible.
-Everything's under control.
-Mmm.
-Congratulations.
-Mmm.
We need to celebrate your new client.
I know. Can we do it later?
No?
-No, really.
-No.
[sighs] Okay.
-[Itzel moans]
-[lover] Oh, baby, mmm.
Itzel Rodríguez, it's the police.
[both kissing, moaning]
-[Itzel] Where do we go?
-[lover] Bathroom.
-[Itzel] Hide.
-[lover] We both have to.
[Itzel] Quickly. No, idiot. The other way.
Itzel Rodríguez, open up! It's the police.
[Itzel] Coming. Coming.
[chatter through TV]
I'm Detective Elena Robles.
Can we come in?
Yes, come in.
-Are you alone in the apartment?
-Yes.
Well, we heard noises.
Oh, that was my soap opera.
We have a warrant to search the place.
-[door closes]
-Where's your husband?
Abel's not here. He's traveling for work.
When did he leave?
Day before yesterday, I think.
What do you need him for?
-Do you know your husband committed fraud?
-[Itzel laughs] No.
He's an insurance salesman.
A foreign company hired him.
That's why he left on this trip.
[objects clang]
That's my cat.
-[Elena] Show me your cat.
-Oh, he's very unfriendly.
No, please.
Are you hiding Abel Rodríguez, Itzel?
No. It's not Abel.
It's Rogelio, my neighbor.
[Elena] Put your hands up.
Uh, I came to check a leak
in the bathroom.
Show your ID.
Wait for us outside.
-I need to ask you some questions.
-Yes.
Officer.
[Itzel] I'll come find you later.
Check the rooms.
Has Abel contacted you since he left?
No.
Did he tell you where he was going?
-Did he say when he'd return?
-No, but he said he'd call.
You're part of an ongoing investigation.
Don't even think about leaving town.
Is that clear?
Call me if you hear from Abel.
We'll be in touch.
[door opens, closes]
I told you so.
This guy's already on an Italian beach
having an amazing time,
while his wife's here
cheating on him to the max.
I eat cases like this for breakfast.
Is there anything you won't eat?
[Botello, through phone]
Why the fuck did you talk to the police?
When they see that money
went into your account all at once
and they see the month and year,
and they see you only used
that account to make the same withdrawal,
how long do you think
it will take them to realize it?
[stutters] Okay, then, what do I do?
No, nothing. Don't do anything.
Don't move a fucking finger
until I tell you to.
But if the police come for me again,
what do I tell them?
Tell them to talk to your lawyer.
No, what are you thinking?
You want me to get you involved?
I'm your lawyer, dumbass!
That's me, they can talk to me!
[sighs]
[dial tone]
-Can I get you anything else, sir?
-No, nothing else. Close the door.
[sighs]
-[sighs]
-[door closes]
[sighs]
Take a look at that.
Butter Man
Breaks his silence
-How did you get in here?
-Don Javi, coffee, cigarettes.
-What's this?
-It's Butter Man,
the most badass con artist
Mexico's ever seen.
-And?
-And?
Doesn't it stand out to you
that you start investigating a scam
and right then, the king of scams
decides he wants to talk?
After what?
Spending 20 silent years in his cell?
I don't see the connection, Pablo. Okay?
Get lost,
I don't want you to get me in trouble.
No. Did you find out anything
about the Don Plutarco scam?
Either the con artist's wife is an idiot
or she's a really good liar.
Do you have any information
about where that guy went?
My authority ends where the Pond begins.
It seems like this guy
was obsessed with Italy.
Don't be mean. Give me something.
If I write a follow-up piece,
they'll buy it like that.
If I had something, I'd give it to you.
But I don't, okay? Get lost.
Hey, Beto. I need you to get me
all of Abelardo's documents, okay?
ID, wallet, school report cards,
who his friends were.
Everything you can get on him.
Who said you could give me orders?
[Elena scoffs]
[Botello]
Here's what's owed to your client
and a bit more for your trouble.
It's perfectly good enough
to cancel that press conference.
One million dollars
or all of Mexico finds out
that poor dummy in jail isn't Butter Man,
and that you put him there.
No one will believe him.
He's a fucking decrepit, crazy old guy.
[clicks tongue]
You're like a rookie, Botello.
This isn't about people believing him.
It's about putting that idea
in the hands of the press, hmm?
One million dollars is an absurd amount,
-it's impossible to get.
-No, it's possible. Why not?
You're a big shot, Botello.
You're connected, you're distinguished.
I'm sure someone will do you the favor.
-It's not that easy.
-No.
It's one million dollars.
But on top of being
[laughs] a successful lawyer,
you also manage assets, right?
Manage them, asshole.
Hmm?
Don't be negative.
Believe in yourself.
I believe in you.
And to follow our tradition,
it's on me.
[Emiliano] Botello is about to give in.
[sighs]
As soon as he gives me the money,
the show's canceled.
[Renato sighs]
Come on, smile.
You look like I just gave you bad news.
Honestly, I'd already become attached
to the idea of talking.
-What?
-Money doesn't mean shit to me.
What would I spend it on?
A TV? A sofa? A new pair of boots?
You're right. You're right.
But it's also a question of pride.
For them to pay
for all your years in silence,
and for you to get justice.
Justice is for them to hear my truth.
So the true thieves out there
pay us people they screwed over
for taking their shit.
Renato, Renato, let's calm down.
Do you want one?
I don't think you're thinking clearly.
I don't know
what you think will happen if you talk.
You'll fight to appeal my sentence.
Do you know how long an appeal takes?
Many, many years.
I don't care about that.
[Emiliano] I'd guess that
in the 20 years you've been here,
you've seen how they kill people here.
Nothing bad should happen to you, Renato.
[stutters] I don't want
your blood on my hands.
We'll get that money,
and you'll live peacefully. Mmm?
Well, I've got an itch,
and the only thing
that will scratch it is telling the truth.
Okay.
[Pablo] Yes. Escamilla.
Uh, No. Are you sure?
That's the name I have written down.
Or can you do me the favor
of asking someone who can tell me?
20 Years since Butter Man Caught
-[dial tone]
-Hello? Hello?
[clicks tongue]
[sighs]
BUTTER MAN'S PARTNER
MARGARITA ESCAMILLA ARRESTED
-BUTTER MAN'S EX-PARTNER
-MORE THAN 20 SCAMS
MARGARITA ESCAMILLA
PARTNER
GOT OUT OF JAIL 10 YEARS AGO
HAS ALZHEIMER'S
[line ringing]
-[person] Hello?
-Hello?
-Margarita Escamilla?
-Yes.
Hi, good afternoon.
This is Pablo Garduño, from El Emisario.
Who is this?
Pablo Garduño. From El Emisario.
We have some questions to ask you
about your ex-partner, Butter Man.
Pablo
Garduño.
-From where?
-From El Emisario.
Why did Butter Man take so long to talk?
-I'll give him the message, okay?
-No. Ma'am
[sighs]
[coughs]
[coughing continues]
BUTTER MAN OR A GUPPY?
WANTED
necklace
Butter Man
Great Achievement by the Boys in Blue
I don't know what you're looking for.
It's all there.
And what's this?
The list of passengers on every flight
that left Mexico City that day.
So, Abelardo did go to Italy?
No, the Bahamas.
I told you: case closed.
It's out of our jurisdiction.
But have we confirmed he left the country?
Dang, woman.
There's the ticket with his name on it.
This just shows he bought the ticket,
not that he used it.
Ugh! You're more hard-headed
than my mother-in-law.
Excuse me.
-[pop music playing through radio]
-[keys clang]
What the fuck?
What?
You gotta be silent if you can, huh?
Look, this one's cool.
-Does it turn on?
-If you want it, take it, okay?
[music continues]
The radio. Do you want the radio? Here.
It's good.
-[groans]
-[radio station changes]
-[groans]
-[radio turns off]
-[Renato] That was it, right? [grunts]
-[assailant] Shut up, asshole.
-You don't get it at all.
-[groans]
-[pants]
-This guy loves to gossip.
[groans]
[prisoners clamor]
[Renato] No, no. No!
-[assailant] Aren't you a big talker?
-[mumbles]
Look, you're going to get your money,
you'll buy another radio,
and you'll keep quiet. Got it?
[Renato] Oh, no. [groans]
Enough, enough.
[grunts]
-[prisoners chattering, shouting]
-[Renato groaning]
[cell door closes]
[sighs]
[Botello]
Captain, this could get out of control
Botello, how are you going to stop this?
They're asking me
for more money than I can get.
How much do they want?
One million dollars.
Well, we have our little nest egg, right?
Fix it and stop calling me
about dumb shit, okay?
-Sounds good.
-[dial tone]
Darling
I need you to do me a favor.
It's piece 3562.
[Renato breathing heavily]
-[mumbles] I'm not going to say anything.
-What?
[mumbles] I'm not going to say anything.
I can't understand you, Renato.
You have to enunciate.
-[guard] He won't say anything.
-That's what he said?
Well, yes, that makes sense.
Just look what they did to you.
You can't even speak.
You know what? I promise I'll give it
to those assholes who did this to you!
And on top of that,
I'll get you what we agreed on.
They took it too far. Thanks.
Hang in there, Renato. Hang in there!
Dear reporters,
may I have your attention for one minute.
First, I want to thank you
for coming to the conference
to talk to Butter Man.
Unfortunately, I'm going to have
to ask you to be a bit more patient.
[journalists chatter]
-[whispers] What happened?
-I'll get what you asked me for.
But stop this fucking circus
and give me one week.
One week.
Go.
I'm afraid I have to tell you
that Butter Man won't be able to make it.
-We've been here since 10:00 a.m.
-[Emiliano] One moment, please.
-Listen to me. One moment.
-So, what then?
It's because I just heard
my client was attacked in jail.
[journalists clamoring]
[Emiliano] I have
no further information at this time.
I don't have any information
other than what I just told you.
-Thank you for coming, everyone.
-[clamoring continues]
Did you call me, Captain?
Yes, Robles. The case is closed.
-What?
-Don Plutarco's lawyer,
a guy by the name of Botello,
came by to drop the charges on his behalf.
But we didn't solve anything.
He said his client
took full responsibility for what happened
and that he was no longer interested
in pursuing any legal action.
-He can do that?
-Let it go.
The guy practically handed over the money
then later alleged that it was a scam.
I'm sure he doesn't want to look
more ridiculous or make more of a fuss.
Isn't a lawyer supposed
to help you get justice
rather than close the case, Captain?
We won't invest more resources
if they don't give a damn. Leave it be.
[Elena sighs]
-Anything else I can do, Captain?
-No.
Yes. No. Bring me a coffee.
[sighs]
[footsteps approach]
Didn't bring coffee today?
I'll buy you a beer,
but you gotta give me something.
Say yes.
Don Plutarco's lawyer dropped the charges.
The case is closed.
I'm no good for you today.
I think you're the one
who will have to buy me a beer. Look.
BUTTER MAN
CANCELS PRESS CONFERENCE
-What's this, Pablo?
-It's related.
The way Don Plutarco was conned
is identical to a scam
that Butter Man did in 1956.
Coincidence?
-Could be a copycat.
-And coincidentally,
Don Plutarco was conned twenty years
to the day that Butter Man was arrested.
Plus, Butter Man's press conference
was canceled
because he got his ass kicked
on the day they dropped the charges.
What are you thinking?
I think there's a new Butter Man
and he's mocking everyone.
[sighs] I need a beer.
Shall we?
"Lawyer Julián Manríquez, after talking
with the prison directors,
and having a word
with the con artist's former attorney,
Mr. Pedro Botello,
from 'Botello Legal Corporation,'
-decided to cancel the conference."
-Wait.
-Did you ask your dad?
-Did you say "Mr. Botello?"
-Pedro Botello.
-"Botello Legal Corporation?"
-That's what I said.
-No fucking way.
-What?
-It's the same guy.
-Who?
-Don Plutarco's lawyer
and Butter Man's former lawyer
are the same guy: Botello.
-[phone rings]
-Hello.
-[assistant] Your visitor is here, sir.
-Let them in.
[door opens]
[visitor, in English] Hello.
-[chuckles]
-[in Spanish] Hi, honey.
-[laughs]
-Mm-hmm.
Is that it?
Don't worry, darling.
I know just the right person to sell it.
Do you think you could sell it
for one million?
I've been preparing
for this my entire life, Becky.