Whoo!
Alma.
Alma, what are you doing?
Your tía spent an hour curling that hair.
Yeah, but, mami, I just nailed this song, you know,
- isn't it awesome? - Niña...
Really? 'Cause I feel like high-school graduation's
- probably important, so... - Alma, ya.
There are a hundred of people waiting to see you
and celebrate your quinces... put that dress on right now.
No way I'm putting on that big-ass cupcake dress.
Your abuelita did that cupcake dress for you.
Mom, you're not listening to me, okay?
I don't want a quinceañera. I never wanted that.
Ay, you are exactly like your grandfather Martino.
- You never even met him. - That's right, Alma.
Because he was a cheater and a murderer,
who only cared about himself and his music,
and not one bit about his family.
Heard this story a thousand times.
That man abandoned your pregnant grandmother
to come to this country with only your uncle Raul.
And you want to be like him...
a drummer who doesn't care about her family.
Is that it?
I'm coming back in ten minutes.
And if you're not in that dress
that drum set is going in the trash.
Okay, good.
Alma.
Alma, are you ready?
One, two, three, four!
*CREDITS*
If you're watching for the plane,
you're late.
Now that dress should pay you for the privilege.
Thank you.
So our guest arrived last night.
- Want to join me? - Yes.
- "Anna Karenina"? - Well, you know, uh,
between the kids and the grandkids,
I just never had much time to read, so...
Well, "Anna K"
- will have to wait. - Oh.
This is amazing.
Better than Russian literature.
Oh, well, let's see.
Much better.
That's our guest, Alma Garcia.
You know, she is so talented.
Yeah.
But her eyes are so sad.
So tell me, what can the island do for you?
Uh, I-I love my family.
I do, but my fantasy,
is to just be free of them,
you know, even if it's just for a couple of days.
They don't understand me.
What is it they don't understand about you?
Everything.
I mean, I come from a typical Cuban family in Miami.
My tío Raul... he's ancient now,
but he's still the head of the family.
He started a real estate business.
So my entire family is in the real estate business...
I mean, except for my Grandma Lily.
She just wants me to learn Cuban cooking.
Hmm. And your parents?
Mom only cares about appearances, um,
having what she considers to be a real career
and eventually
getting married and giving her grandbabies.
Well, uh, I mean, to be fair,
grandkids are just the best.
You know, Alma,
I know a thing or two about familial expectations.
You know, sometimes it feels like
you don't have a say in your own life, right?
Exactly, like, I'm... I'm a musician
for the past ten years.
And in my family,
being a musician is the worst thing you can be,
'cause my grandfather was a musician
and he, like, had an affair and abandoned my grandmother
and they claim he killed someone.
But that's him. That is him.
That's not me, you know?
- And you just want to be you. - For once...
Without all the criticism.
Is that dumb?
Because, honestly, on the plane ride over here,
I considered changing my fantasy
to a jam session with Radiohead.
No, there's no such thing as a dumb fantasy.
Isn't that right?
Um, well, you know, I-I've seen a few.
I think I know what you need.
Are you ready to begin?
Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
So, uh, what's through this door?
A world where your family as you know it
doesn't exist.
Okay, okay, cool.
You'll need this.
Um...
all right.
All right.
All right, let's do this. Yeah! Whoo!
Oh, my God.
Mamacita, where you from?
Um, Miami.
Uh, wait, no.
What is this place?
Uh, calle San Lorenzo.
In Havana?
- In Cuba? - Sí.
And judging by your clothes and very specific hair,
what are we, in the... the late '60s?
1967.
Do you need a doctor?
No. No, I need a club.
Oh, my God, the music right now is legendary.
- Go to El Rincón. - Okay.
It's that way.
Thanks.
But you may want to change first.
Yeah.
Hmm.
Come in.
You look cozy.
Yeah, you know, I'm just hanging out with Mr. Tolstoy.
Have you been spending
every single night in your room?
No, not every night.
You know, I do do stuff.
I hope so.
I would hate for you to squander your youth
inside this suite.
Anyway, Ruby, I am gonna be away for a couple of days,
and while I'm gone,
have a chance to explore the island.
And there's a few things that need to be taken care of here.
Yeah, well, I mean, that's why I'm here.
Excellent, okay, I'm gonna give you a list.
Okay, great, um...
Now, where are you gon...
Right, okay.
Uh... Bailar, dance. Sí.
Yes, uh, but I'm...
I'm not very good.
Don't worry. I can lead anyone.
Okay.
- You like the music? - Yes, I love the music.
That's my brother in the band, Tino.
Tino, Tino, Tino.
- Tino, what? - Tino Valdez.
- You heard of him? - Yes.
Yeah, I've heard of him.
Wait, are you... are you Raul?
How did you know?
Alma.
I got us drinks.
All the pretty women came out tonight.
Can you excuse us a moment?
I need to chat with my girlfriend.
- It's my great-uncle Raul. - Oh.
But he's so young and hot,
which is surprisingly unexpected.
What is going on? Why...
Why am I in 1967 Havana?
Sometimes going into the past
is the best way to free yourself in the future.
Taking a short break. We'll be right back.
Go and introduce yourself to your grandfather.
Come on.
Maya.
Mr. Valdez. Hi, I'm... I'm Alma.
It's my first time ever hearing you play.
- You're amazing. - Oh, thank you, thank you.
Call me Tino.
I'm a percussionist as well.
I was thinking maybe I could
sit in with your band sometime.
Women don't play percussion.
Yeah, but you're pretty.
Learn to sing.
If you want to play with Tino,
you have to get Raul on your side.
Raul...
My uncle...
My uncle has always made it seem like
they were never close.
Your uncle must not know them, then.
Elena.
I can't believe it.
Have you missed me?
How long has it been?
- A year? - About.
Did you come to Havana for business or pleasure?
A little bit of both.
Raul?
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Who are you? Really?
- No one. I'm no one. - What's going on?
This girl was spying on you, hermano.
I'm not a spy. I'm...
I'm a drummer.
Prove it.
She can play, Tino.
Even a child can play that rhythm.
Get out of here and mind your own business.
Hold on.
Tino...
She's an American.
- Maybe she can help us. - Shh, shut your mouth, Raul.
- We don't know this girl. - Yes.
I can help.
You don't even know what you're talking about.
Whatever it is. No, I'll help.
Yeah, I'll do it. I mean...
I just...
I just want something in return.
Yes, I know. You want to play with my band.
I want you to teach me.
Ay, you're a strange girl.
And for some reason, I like you.
Okay.
But I need to know if I can trust you.
What do you want me to do? Solemn vow?
No.
You have to talk to my wife.
Wow.
Oh, my gosh.
Ay, what's wrong?
Did Raul do something to upset you?
I'll get my chancleta and teach him a lesson.
No, no, no, no.
It's just you...
You're so beautiful.
Well, you-you look like my grandmother,
in pictures when she was younger.
That's very sweet.
Go inside, and drink some water.
- Okay? - All right.
Let me talk to my crazy men.
What is this?
"The drink menu could use refreshing."
"Please consult with the head bartender."
Okay, I mean, sounds easy enough.
All right.
Well...
I'll peel, you smash.
So how much have you figured out?
I think Martino and Raul are skimming rum from the club.
My grandmother...
She told me about the Cuban black market.
Yeah.
Ah, your grandma told you about the black market,
but not how to make tostones?
She has this press.
She has this...
Exact press.
I...
Never let her teach me how to use it.
Family recipes...
Are very important to pass down.
Food, music, stories...
It's how we stay connected to who we are.
Put that plantain in there.
Close that.
Ah, not too hard.
It's not a cockroach.
Sorry.
Press just enough.
- Okay, well... - See?
So you were saying?
Yeah, the smuggling, I mean,
why take that risk?
The baby.
This little one, will be an American,
a Cuban American.
- And I want him... - Or her.
Or her,
to have opportunity.
No more food shortages,
or gas shortages,
or spies everywhere,
watching to see if we are all good communists.
I believe we can trust you.
- You can, I mean, 100%. - Good.
You'll stay here with us,
but first I'll teach you how to make tostones
so you can make your grandma proud.
Okay, yeah.
And then, Tino can fill you in on his plan.
I know he'll make sure everything goes okay.
- And now keep smashing. - Yes.
- Yeah. - Okay.
Willie Colón is playing at the club next week.
- Oh, ah... - You should stay.
I wish I could.
I have to go back.
I have a lot of responsibilities to attend.
This is the third time you've been here
in a couple of years.
You never told me what you do.
I help people...
People who are lost,
who have a need they don't even necessarily understand.
You are a psychiatrist?
In a way, yeah.
But it's more personal.
Sometimes I think I...
I live other people's lives, more than mine.
No wonder you like to come to Havana.
Yeah.
I know you would rather stay in Cuba,
with me.
It's complicated.
It's always complicated with you, Elena.
Let's dance.
Mm, okay.
I don't know, I think that we should go out of the box,
so...
Passionfruit.
- You must be Ruby. - Oh, hi.
Elena has told me all about you.
- I am Segundo. - Ah, Segundo.
Aha, yes.
I'm the caretaker of the island,
and I understand that you are adjusting
to a whole new you.
Yes...
Sometimes I-I don't know who I am.
- Ah, you will figure it out. - Yeah, thank you.
But, you know, in... in the meantime,
I'm currently adding a new daiquiri to the menu.
So, tell me what you think.
- Mmm! - Yeah?
Yeah.
- Okay! Great. - Back to my garden.
I guess he liked it.
So...
You're a smuggler now?
I want to help them.
I mean, my grandmother, she's so young.
She has so much hope.
I would imagine she still does.
What, you mean me?
Alma, she wants for you,
the same things that she wanted for your mother.
Now my mother wants the same for me, too.
So what, I'm...
I'm failing them?
If I pursue my dreams, I'm letting them down?
- Is that what you're saying? - No, not at all.
All will be clear in time.
Should I?
Time to go.
Como los americanos dicen,
this is gonna be a piece of cake.
You're gonna drive to the outskirts of the city
- towards Pinar Del Río. - Okay.
That's where you'll hit the military checkpoint.
If we got stopped, you tell the cops I'm a local tour guide.
Wait, is it cops or military?
Military and cops are the same thing in Cuba.
Okay, time to go.
- Just stay calm. - Okay, let's do this.
Relax, Alma.
Just drive.
You have a boyfriend in Miami?
Ah, no, no, I don't...
I don't have time for relationships.
You know, I'm just trying to focus on,
you know, life decisions.
What decisions?
I want to be a musician.
But my family, no, they want me to have a more...
Traditional profession.
Cubans are set in their old ways.
Huh, yeah.
When I started to court Lily,
her mother never let her out of her sight.
She would chaperone your dates?
- Yeah. - No.
Yeah.
My mom would chain me to a nightstand if she could.
Sometimes I just want to...
Run to the other side of the world,
you know, and never see them again...
At least I used to.
No use in that.
Family's everything.
They're the only people who will always be there for you,
protect you.
It all comes from love.
Suffocating love...
But love all the same.
Okay, here we are.
Remember, I'm a tour guide.
Act normal.
- Americana? - Yes.
Yes, and-and Mr. Valdez here is my tour guide for the day.
Yeah, he's gonna show me
some local musicians in Pinar del Río.
I prefer American rock and roll.
Oh.
- Elvis Presley. - Yeah, sí.
Did you hear his new song, "Suspicious Minds"?
Who doesn't love Elvis, right?
Ah...
- Have a nice day. - Mm.
Yes!
Thank you, God.
Yes, okay, okay.
Now we just got to go drop off this rum,
and get back, because you...
You owe me a jam session.
- Okay? - Yeah.
Yes, okay. Let's go.
I hear you're a born smuggler.
No, I was terrified.
I was terrified.
I mean, don't you ever worry,
that you're gonna get caught and,
you know, go to jail?
I'm too pretty to worry, chiquita.
Come on, Alma!
Let's see what you can do.
Wow, wow.
I've never seen a woman drummer before.
You're very, very talented.
Thank you. You are, too.
Please, please, never stop singing.
- Oh, that's just for fun. - No.
Oye, I was wrong, americana.
You're good enough on the timbales,
to play with any man.
Thank you.
Hey, but that conga you played for me
needs work.
Tomorrow your real lessons begin.
Okay, yes.
Yeah, yes, deal.
Cheers.
- Oh, hello. - Hi.
I got a note from Roarke,
to talk to you about farm-to-table options
on the restaurant menu.
- Come, harvest with me. - Okay.
Hey, but-but be gentle.
Stressed plants attract bugs.
All right.
Segundo, can you just be straight with me?
Did Roarke really need me
to go and do all these things?
Or is she just, you know,
getting me out of my room?
Why would she do that?
There's nothing wrong with a grown-ass woman
spending her weekend, reading "Anna Karenina."
Why do you want to read that?
She dies in the end.
Oh, my God... Segundo.
Okay, you just spoiled it.
No, no, no, no.
I save you hours of sadness.
Okay.
Look, I-I-I get that, um,
you know, I was supposed to be getting out there,
and-and whooping it up,
living my best 20-something life.
But, sometimes I just...
Oh, I miss being 75 years old.
And now this young body I'm inhabiting, it's just...
I don't know what to do with her.
Oh, I-I'm sorry.
I'm stressing out the plants, aren't I?
Un poquito.
I'm sorry.
I think you need some lemonade.
Oh no, no, no, no, no. I'll go get it.
Being spry, is definitely
one of the pluses of being...
Oh, dang.
- Are you hurt? - Oh, yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yes.
You know, for the record,
if I were reading in my room,
that would have not just happened.
When you're not worrying about other people's problems,
what do you want, Elena?
I never think about that.
Do you ever think about leaving it all behind?
- All the time. - Maybe you should.
No, because to me, wants are fleeting.
You know, I think about...
About needs.
You know, these past few years
since the revolution,
many people in Cuba need so much.
Having the luxury to reach for something we want,
it feels important.
S-stop, eating my ice cream.
Ah.
Don't tell Tino you saw me talking to that man.
What are you doing, Raul?
My brother's too cautious.
We'll never get out of Cuba if we don't take bigger risks.
No, no, Tino wouldn't like this.
This isn't your family, Alma.
Stay out of it.
I was hoping the sun wouldn't rise today.
Mm.
Thank you...
For such a lovely night.
Honestly.
You don't have to say goodbye.
Oscar...
You know what you said about
want versus need?
I had no idea what a wise man you are.
I hope you get what you want, Elena.
Gracias.
I'll always be here for you, Elena.
She's dead.
All right.
Hello? Ruby?
Hi...
I'm Gina Delgado, the island doctor.
Hi, I didn't know we had one of those.
Yep, at your service.
I heard you hurt your ankle.
Yeah, a, uh, tragic gardening accident.
But you know, I-I've been icing it, so...
- Ah, let me check? - Yeah.
Great.
Just gonna...
- A little bit of pain? - Yeah.
All right, that is definitely a sprain.
Just, um, keep it elevated,
continue icing it,
and you should be able to put some weight on it
- by tomorrow. - Oh, okay.
Well, um, thank you, Dr. Gina.
Yeah.
I tried reading that once,
but someone spoiled the ending for me.
Oh, same.
Do you mind if I take a look?
Oh, please. No, go ahead.
But before you go thinking I'm all...
Literary, I haven't actually
read all of those,
you know, yet.
Do-do you, um, you know, live here full-time?
Mm, I'm on a neighboring island.
But, I'm here a lot.
You know, medical emergencies, and the margaritas.
Yes.
You should try this one.
It's tragic but romantic.
Oh, Gabriel García Márquez.
And I won't spoil the ending for you.
Yeah.
You know, um,
did we just start a book club?
I guess we did.
Well, let me know when you're done with it,
and we'll have a Márquez and margaritas night.
Oh, that'd be lovely.
Thank you.
Yeah.
_
Hey.
- My gift to you. - What?
No, no, no, no, no. That's too much.
You need to save your money.
You risked your safety for the sake of my family.
And if you're gonna play drums,
you need a real Cuban conga drum.
Thank you.
Now close your eyes.
Wait, I thought you were gonna teach me.
I am.
Close your eyes...
And listen.
Tell me what you hear.
I...
I hear the waves...
Breaking against the wall...
People laughing...
Horns honking.
All the rhythms of my home.
I channel these sounds, into my playing.
Hmm.
You're a technically wonderful musician.
But, you're not connected.
You need to play from your soul, Alma,
not your head.
Yeah.
Yeah, I get stuck in my head a lot, actually.
I don't know, but then I just go and
pop in the ear buds and
tune out the rest of the world.
But...
I'm starting to realize I don't really listen much,
at all, actually.
Ear buds?
Uh, never mind.
Raul?
What's he doing?
That's a committee member.
He's up to something.
He shouldn't be with him.
I don't think you want to get involved.
You know something?
Oye, this is my family.
You need to tell me if he's in trouble.
Stay here.
Raul...
What have you done?
Raul, what have you done to Felipe?
I didn't mean to shoot him, Tino.
- You have to believe me. - He was spying on you.
You killed a committee member?
It was an accident.
We were fighting for the gun,
and-and it went off.
I-I'll explain it to the police.
No, you're not talking the police.
Take this.
You're going to pick up Lily at her tía's.
And then you're gonna go to Cheo's.
Cheo?
Your father's old fishing buddy from Vedado.
- How did you know that? - Doesn't matter how she knows.
Pay attention! Cheo has a boat,
and he can get you and Lily to Miami.
- Give him this money. - No, no, no.
You're coming with us.
It's a small boat, we won't all make it across the sea.
No, Tino. We have a plan, okay?
We're going to America together!
You're going to be a star musician!
Hey...
Once Felipe's death is discovered,
they won't just punish you.
The whole family will be under constant surveillance.
Getting out now is Lily's only chance.
Our baby's only chance.
I'll stay. I'll take responsibility.
Raul, I love you.
You won't survive a day in Castro's prison.
Lilly will never leave you.
You will tell her, that I killed our neighbor.
No, no.
I'm the head of this family,
and I make the decisions.
You will tell her
that I was having an affair with Felipe's wife,
- and he caught us. - She won't believe me.
She will.
You're gonna make her believe it.
Tell her that her mother was right,
that I'm a good-for-nothing musician,
that only cares about himself.
That's the story you will tell her.
And she will hate me for the rest of her life.
And you will never tell her the truth.
You understand?
Vamos.
You sacrificed yourself?
Everything Raul did,
was because he wanted my unborn child
to be born free.
I couldn't live with myself if he suffered for that.
I want to report Martino Valdez.
He killed a member of the defense committee.
You can find him at El Rincón tonight.
If they come to the club,
there will be fewer patrolmen at the dock,
and Raul and Lily will have an easier time escaping.
Don't be so sad, Alma.
We're gonna play some music.
Good evening.
I have...
I have a special guest tonight...
The future star in America.
Please welcome to the stage...
Alma Garcia.
Play me out, americana.
Are you okay?
I want to tell the police the truth.
I want them to know that it was Raul who killed Felipe,
not Martino.
I understand that impulse.
Oh, but you don't think I should?
Mm, I can't tell you what to do.
No, I need to redeem my grandfather.
I need my grandmother and my mom
to know the truth, but...
I know they made peace with their past,
and if I tell them the truth now,
it'll destroy their relationship with Raul and...
I don't know, just shatter my entire family.
I don't think the young woman I met the other day
would have understood that.
Yeah, but I have to do something.
I mean, I have to make this better.
There could be another gift you can give him.
They made it.
Oh.
Are you sure?
As sure as I am sitting here.
Oh, thank God.
They are gonna have
beautiful lives in America, Tino.
Raul will be successful,
and-and Lily is gonna give birth to
a beautiful and healthy baby girl.
And you're gonna have two granddaughters.
And the youngest one is gonna be a
pain in the ass but cocky.
You would've loved her.
Who are you?
Where do you really come from?
I'm just an americana who plays the drums.
You told me your family doesn't want you
to pursue music.
Yeah, but...
You told me that family is everything.
Play for them.
Really play for them...
From your soul.
They will understand.
It's beautiful, but where is Alma?
Mrs. Valdez? Mrs. Garcia?
I hope you're enjoying yourselves.
Oh, yes, yes. Thank you so much.
But, um, you said we were gonna meet my daughter Alma.
- Where is she? - Well, I...
I believe she is where she belongs.
She's a musician!
She's wonderful.
Come, let's dance.
Ruby?
I hear you took a tumble.
I'm so glad you're up and around.
Ha.
Take the day off.
Really? I mean, that's my task?
You deserve it.
Okay, but you could at least just admit it.
Okay, you didn't really need me
to come up with new daiquiri flavors,
or to talk to Segundo, about vegetables.
No, but I do need you to engage with our guests,
on a profound level.
And how can you do that if you're not
truly engaged into your new life?
So this is kind of like a...
Mr. Miyagi in "The Karate Kid" situation?
Yes, exactly. You know, wax on, wax off.
Exactly.
You know, the tasks got you out of the room.
So it's a good thing.
But seriously, I mean, were you really even gone?
I took a couple of days off in Havana, yes.
I worked.
I also played.
- Oh, well, okay. - Mm...
And...
Enjoy your day off, Ruby.
Thank you.
Hi.
Do you mind if I join you?
- Come on over. - Thanks.
- You are in for a treat. - Oh?
They added a passionfruit daiquiri,
and it is so much better than the margaritas.
- Oh, really? Okay. - Yeah, yeah.
All right, let's try it.
Yeah, really.
It's so good.
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