|HOME|

WANTED: A CHAPERON Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero

To the memory of Amalia B. Reye

!ir t Performa"#e: The !ili$i"o Player % u"der the author& dire#tio"% at 't. Ce#ilia& Hall% No(em)er *+% +,-.

CHARACTER':

DON !RANC/'CO 0the father1 DO2A PETRA 0the mother1 NENA 0their dau3hter1 ROBERT/NG 0their o"1 DO2A DO4ORE' !RED 0her o"1 !RANC/'CO 0the er(a"t1

PAB4O 0the mayordomo1

T/ME : O"e 'u"day mor"i"3% at a)out ele(e". 'CENE: The li(i"35room. 'im$ly fur"i hed. A 6i"do6 o" the ri3ht. At the rear% a #orridor. A door o" the left 'ofa% #hair % et#. at the di #retio" of the dire#tor.

Whe" the #urtai" ri e % DON !RANC/'CO% a)out i7ty% i ee" itti"3 o" the ofa% mo8i"3 a #i3ar He 6ear a "i#e5loo8i"3 lou"3i"3 ro)e. Pre e"tly ROBERT/NG% hi t6e"ty5year old o"% 3ood5loo8i"3% 6ell5dre ed% e"ter . He 6a"t to a 8 ome. thi"3 from hi father% )ut )efore he 3ather e"ou3h #oura3e% he ma"eu(er a)out the ta3e a"d #lear hi throat e(eral time )efore he fi"ally a$$roa#he him. ROBERT/NG 0Cleari"3 hi throat1. Ehem5ehem5ehem9 !RANC/'CO 04oo8i"3 u$ )riefly1. Ehem ROBERT/NG. 5!ather5 !RANC/'CO 0Without loo8i"3 at him1. What: ROBERT/NG. !ather5 !RANC/'CO. Well: ROBERT/NG. !ather5 !RANC/'CO. A3ai": ROBERT/NG. Well% you ee it; li8e thi 5 !RANC/'CO. 4i8e 6hat: ROBERT/NG. /t; "ot ea y to e7$lai"% !ather !RANC/'CO. /f it i ";t the" #ome )a#8 6he" /;m throu3h 6ith the $a$er

ROBERT/NG. Better "o6% !ather. /t; a)out5mo"ey. !RANC/'CO. Mo"ey9 What mo"ey: ROBERT/NG. Well% you ee5 !RANC/'CO 0imitati"3 hi to"e1. Well% you ee5/;m )u y9 ROBERT/NG. / "eed mo"ey. !RANC/'CO 0Dro$$i"3 the $a$er1. Need mo"ey9 Are";t you 6or8i"3 already: ROBERT/NG. <e % )ut5it i ";t e"ou3h. !RANC/'CO. Ho6 mu#h are you ear"i"3: ROBERT/NG. Ei3ht hu"dred% !ather. !RANC/'CO. Ei3ht hu"dred9 Why% you;re ear"i"3 almo t a mu#h a your father9 ROBERT/NG. <ou do";t u"der ta"d% !ather. !RANC/'CO. Hum$h9 / do";t u"der ta"d9 ROBERT/NG. Do";t mi u"der ta"d me% !ather. !RANC/'CO. A)a9 <ou =u t aid / do";t u"der ta"d5that mea" /;m "ot #a$a)le of u"der ta"di"3. No6 you ay "ot to mi u"der ta"d you5mea"i"3 /;m #a$a)le of u"der ta"di"3 $ala. Ma8e u$ your mi"d% Ro)erti"39 ROBERT/NG. <ou ee% !ather% 6hat /;m dri(i"3 at /> / 6a"t5er 5/ 6a"t5my old allo6a"#e. !RANC/'CO 0=um$i"31. Dia)lo 9 <ou 6a"t your old allo6a"#e9 <ou&re 6or8i"3 a"d ear"i"3 ei3ht hu"dred% you do";t $ay me a i"3le #e"ta(o for your )oard a"d lod3i"3 i" my hou e5a"d "o6 you re a 8i"3 for your old allo6a"#e9 ROBERT/NG. / ha(e o ma"y e7$e" e % !ather. !RANC/'CO. Ho6 mu#h ha(e you 3ot a(ed u$ i" the )a"8: ROBERT/NG. Ho6 #a" / a(e a"ythi"3:

!RANC/'CO. 'o you ha(e "othi"3 i" the )a"89 What 8i"d of 3ift do you 3i(e your 3irl5frie"d: ROBERT/NG 0Em)arra ed1. /5/5 !RANC/'CO. !lo6er : 0ROBERT/NG "od .1 T6e"ty5or thirty5$e o flo6er : 0ROBERT/NG "od a3ai".1 ?ue hom)re e te9 Whe" / 6a #ourti"3 your mother / u ed to 3i(e her o"ly ma"i or )alut. 0DONA PETRA% a)out fifty5fi(e%. e"ter a"d #at#he hi la t 6ord .1 PETRA. <e % / remem)er @uite 6ell% /f you o"ly 8"e6 6hat my mother u ed to ay after you u ed to 3i(e me ma"i or )alut. ABa 8uri$ut "ama"9A he;d ay. !RANC/'CO. Pero% Petra% thi o" of our i ear"i"3 ei3ht hu"dred. He doe ";t 3i(e u a #e"ta(o for hou e e7$e" e % a"d o" to$ of that he; a 8i"3 for hi old allo6a"#e. Where i" the 6orld ha(e you heard u#h a thi"3: PETRA / 8"o6 a $la#e 6here the #hildre" 6or8 a"d do";t 3i(e their5$are"t a"y mo"ey a"d till a 8 for their allo6a"#e. !RANC/'CO. Were: PETRA. /" the Phili$$i"e . !RANC/'CO. A)a9 Ho6 ilu trada you are% Petra9 PETRA. 0To ROBERT/NG1. <ou;re "ot 3oi"3 to 3et a #e"ta(o. ROBERT/NG. But% Mother5 PETRA /f you;(e "o mo"ey to ride i" a ta7i% ta8e a =ee$"ey. ROBERT/NG. Cee$"ey to (i it a 3irl9 Ay9 PETRA.. 0imitati"3 him1. Ay 6hat: 0ROBERT/NG 3oe out mum)li"3.1 PETRA. 0Calli"31. !ra"#i #o9 !RANC/'CO. Ha: PETRA. /;m #alli"3 the er(a"t9

!RANC/'CO. Demo"tre 6ith that 'er(a"t9 Ha(i"3 the ame "ame a the o6"er of the hou e9 PETRA. /;m 3oi"3 to 8i#8 him out oo". He )ro8e your $late a3ai". !RANC/'CO. A3ai"9 / do";t 8"o6 6hy he al6ay )rea8 my $late . He "e(er )rea8 your $late % or Ro)erti"3; % or Ne"a; . No% he )rea8 o"ly my $late : 0!RANC/'CO% the er(a"t% e"ter . He i a dar8% tall% thi" )oy. He loo8 fooli h a"d i . He ha hi mouth o$e" all the time.1 'ERDANT. O$o% e"ora. PETRA. Did you ma8e that i3" / told you: 'ERDANT. The o"e you told me to ma8e: PETRA. 0Em$hati#ally1. Of #our e9 'ERDANT. The o"e you told me to 6rite: AWa"ted: a Mu#ha#ho:A PETRA. 0irritated1. <e % Do" !ra"#i #o9 !RANC/'CO. Ha: PETRA. /;m tal8i"3 to the er(a"t. Well% did you do it: 'ERDANT. No% e"ora. / did";t ma8e it yet. PETRA. A"d 6hy "ot: 'ERDANT. / for3ot ho6 it hould )e 6orded. / udde"ly remem)er "o6.% PETRA. ?ue e tu$ido9 Hala% 3o out a"d ma8e it immediately9 0'ERDANT 3oe out.1 !RANC/'CO. Where; Ne"a: PETRA. A lee$ i" her room. !RANC/'CO. At thi time: /t; ele(e" o;#lo#8. PETRA A"yho6 it; 'u"day.

!RANC/'CO. Ha

he heard Ma

PETRA. / u$$o e he did at four !RANC/'CO% A"d o Ne"a 6e"t to the $arty la t "i3ht 6ithout a #ha$ero": PETRA. /t 6a the fir t time. !RANC/'CO. / ho$e "othi"3 ha$$e"ed. PETRA. What #ould ha(e ha$$e"ed: We di #u ed thi already ye terday. !RANC/'CO. <e % / 8"o6% )ut ima3i"e a !ili$i"o 3irl 3oi"3 to a $arty 6ithout a #ha$ero". PETRA. After all% he did";t 3o out 6ith !red alo"e. 'he 6e"t 6ith her frie"d % 4olita a"d 4udi"3. !RANC/'CO. <e % tho e t6o 3irl % i"#e they arri(ed from a)road% they;(e )ee" tryi"3 to tea#h our dau3hter all the 6ro"3 thi"3 they lear"ed from tho e $la#e . PETRA. Wro"3 thi"3 : Ay% you e7a33erate% !ra"#i #o9 0!RANC/'CO% the er(a"t e"ter 6ith a i3" i" hi ha"d .1 PETRA. Are you throu3h 6ith that: 'o oo": 'ERDANT. / fi"i hed it la t "i3ht% e"ora. PETRA. 4a t "i3ht9 'ERDANT. O$o% eEora% )ut / for3ot 6here / $la#ed it. PETRA. E tu$ido ito"3 tao"3 ito9 4et me ee it. 0'he ta8e hold Of the i3"% read aloud.1 Wa"ted: A Mu#ha#ho.A All ri3ht% ha"3 it out there at the 6i"do6. 0The 'ERDANT ha"3 it out ide the 6i"do6 ill )ut 6ith the i3" fa#i"3 i" ide.1 / aid out ide5"ot i" ide9 !RANC/'CO. Ay% !ra"#i #o% he had to )e my "ame a8e9 0The 'ERDANT% after $la#i"3 the i3"% tay )y the 6i"do6% ma8i"3 i3" a"d fa#e to ome)ody out ide.1 PETRA. A / 6a ayi"3. !ra"#i #o55

!RANC/'CO. Were you tal8i"3 to me% Petra% or to the er(a"t: PETRA 0Addre i"3 the 'ERDANT1. !ra"#i #o9 What are you till doi"3 here: Go )a#8 to the

8it#he"9 0'ERDANT 3oe out.1 !RANC/'CO. <ou 6ere ayi"3% Petra5 PETRA. A / 6a ayi"3% / thi"8 you;re )ei"3 (ery u"fair to Ne"a. After all% he; 3ro6" u$

!RANC/'CO. Petra% my dear% (irtue i a3ele . PETRA. / 8"o6 that% !ra"#i #o% )ut #ha$ero"i"3 i rather old5fa hio"ed. !RANC/'CO. Old5fa hio"ed% may)e% i" ome other #i(iliFed #ou"trie . PETRA. But i ";t the Phili$$i"e #i(iliFed: !RANC/'CO. /" ma"y 6ay % ye %5)ut i" ome 6ay it; u"#i(iliFed. PETRA. Ay. !ra"#i #o% if 'atur"i"o Bala3ta % our 3reat $atriot% hould hear you "o69 !RANC/'CO. Where did you 3et the idea that Bala3ta ; fir t "ame i 'atur"i"o: <ou mea" !ra"#i #o. PETRA. 'atur"i"o5!ra"#i #o5)oth e"d i" o. !RANC/'CO. <e % that; 6hy 6he" you #all out my "ame% !ra"#i #o the mu#ha#ho ru he i". PETRA. A"yho6 our 6ome" #a" ta8e #are of them el(e .% !RANC/'CO. Are you ure: PETRA. E $e#ially if they;(e re#ei(ed a" edu#atio". !or i" ta"#e% our Ne"a i % i" her e"ior year i" edu#atio" at the G"i(er ity of 'a"to Toma . 'he; e(e" ta8i"3 ome #our e i" home e#o"omi# . !RANC/'CO. / u$$o e that ma8e her immu"e from a"y moral fall . PETRA. Moral fall % !ra"#i #o9 Ay% @ue e7a3erada "ama" tu9 No%. 6hat / mea" i that Ne"a i )etter edu#ated a"d more e"li3hte"ed to ta8e #are of her elf. !RANC/'CO. 0A""oyed1. Thi Petra "ama"9 <ou do";t ee the $oi"t. Edu#atio"% e(e" a u"i(er ity edu#atio"% 6ith all the letter of the al$ha)et after a 3raduate; "ame AB% B'E 44B% PhD% i "ot moral edu#atio". Trai"i"3 the mi"d i "ot trai"i"3 the heart. PETRA. But if the mi"d i trai"ed% 6hy% the heart 6ill )e ruled )y the mi"d.

!RANC/'CO. No% Petra% if a $er o" i i"telle#tual% it doe ";t i$ o fa#to ma8e; him moral. PETRA. /$ o fa#to. That; (ery. dee$ for me "ama"% !ra"#i #o. !RANC/'CO. Dery dee$9 Our dau3hter Ne"a 6ill fall i" dee$ 6ater if you do";t 6at#h out9 PETRA 0E7a33eratedly% =u t li8e a 6oma"1. Ay% you;re o a$$rehe" i(e% !ra"#i #o%. 0The 'ERDANT ru he i".1 'ERDANT. Did you #all me% e"ora: !RANC/'CO. Hoy5 you9 'ERDANT. <e % e"orito. !RANC/'CO. /;m married to the e"ora% therefore /;m "ot the e"orito a"ymore% )ut the e"or% u"der ta"d: 'ERDANT. O$o% e"orito. !RANC/'CO. /;m 3oi"3 to #ha"3e your "ame. !rom "o6 o" you;ll )e #alled !ra"#i . 'ERDANT. !ra"#i % $o: !RANC/'CO. <e % !ra"#i % u"der ta"d: 'ERDANT. Why "ot Pa@uito% e"or: Or Pa#o or !ra"#i @uito: !RANC/'CO. Be#au e / do";t 6a"t it9 No6 3et out9 0'ERDANT 3oe out. ROBERT/NG #ome i".1 ROBERT/NG. !ather% / #ould";t 3et a ta7i. !RANC/'CO. <our mother told you to ta8e a =ee$"ey. ROBERT/NG. But /;m (i iti"3 my 3irl5frie"d. !RANC/'CO. Di iti"3 3irl at thi time of the day: /t; "early lu"#h time ROBERT/NG. 'he #alled me u$. 'he ay / mu t ee her% ri3ht a6ay. /t; (ery im$orta"t.

!RANC/'CO. Ro)erti"3% you 6e"t to the $arty la t "i3ht: ROBERT/NG. <e % !ather% 6ith 4ia. !RANC/'CO. <ou 6e"t to the $arty u"#ha$ero"ed: PETRA. Doe Ro)erti"3 "eed a #ha$ero": !RANC/'CO. /;m "ot tal8i"3 a)out Ro)erti"39 /;m tal8i"3 a)out the 3irl he too8 out9 PETRA. Well% if you;re 3oi"3 to lo e your tem$er% / mi3ht a 6ell )e i" the 8it#he". 0'he 3oe out.1 ROBERT/NG. <e % !ather. !RANC/'CO. <e % 6hat: ROBERT/NG. / too8 4ia to the $arty alo"e. !RANC/'CO. <ou you"3 moder" $eo$le. Do you realiFe that i" my time 6he" / 6a #ourti"3 your mother% her father% her mother% her three i ter % her you"3 )rother.% her 3ra"dmother% fi(e fir t #ou i" a"d t6o di ta"t relati(e at i" the ala 6ith u : ROBERT/NG. But 6hy o ma"y% !ather: !RANC/'CO% Be#au e i" tho e day 6e 6ere more #areful a)out a 6oma"; re$utatio". ROBERT/NG. But i" tho e day 5 !RANC/'CO. Do";t tell me tho e day 6ere differe"t. Out6ard thi"3 #ha"3e% li8e the tyle of 6ome"; dre e a"d me"; tie % )ut the huma" heart remai" the ame. ROBERT/NG. But i" other #ou"trie % !ather5 !RANC/'CO. There you 3o% i" other #ou"trie . The Phili$$i"e i differe"t% my o". Our #limate% our traditio" % our i""ate $ y#holo3y55 all the e ma8e our $eo$le differe"t from forei3"er . ROBERT/NG. But my 3irl frie"d ha tudied a)road55 Colum)ia G"i(er ity $a. !ili$i"o 3irl 6ho ha(e tudied i" other #ou"trie a#@uire the out6ard #u tom a"d ma""eri m of $eo$le 6ith traditio" a"d tem$erame"t differe"t from our . But a !ili$i"o 3irl #a";t ea ily #ha"3e her tem$erame"t. /t i i")or". 0A 8"o#8 i heard.1

!RANC/'CO. 'ome)ody; at the door. !ra"#i #5er5!ra"#i 9 !ra"#i 9 ROBERT/NG. Who; !ra"#i : !RANC/'CO. The er(a"t. / 3a(e him a "e6 "ame. 0Calli"3 a3ai".1 Pa@uito9 0No a" 6er1 !ra"#i @uito9 0The 'ERDANT ti$ $ear . !RANC/'CO tare at him.1 'ERDANT. <e % e"orito. !RANC/'CO. No% "o% my o" Ro)erti"3 here i the e"orito% )ut /;m the e"or9 'ee 6ho i 8"o#8i"3. Tell him to it do6". 0'ERDANT 3oe out. ROBERT/NG a"d !RANC/'CO 3o to their room . Pre e"tly 'ERDANT #ome i"% follo6ed )y PAB4O. He i a fat% dar8 fello6. He i all dre ed u$55 6ear a tie a"d e(erythi"3 He mo8e a #i3ar. PAB4O a"d the 'ERDANT tare at ea#h other% the 'ERDANT o$e"5mouthed a u ual.1 'ERDANT. 6hat do you 6a"t: PAB4O What do / 6a"t: Ha(e";t you 3ot a"y ma""er : 'ERDANT. / aid 6hom do you 6a"t to 6e: PAB4O. Why do";t you $ea8 more dearly:. 'ERDANT. What hall / tell the o6"er of the hour: PAB4O. Who; the o6"er of the hou e: 'ERDANT. The e"ora% of #our e. PAB4O. Why% i he a 6ido6:

'ERDANT. Not yet. PAB4O. Tell your e"ora / 6a"t to ee her. 'ERDANT. Whi#h e"ora: PAB4O. Ho6 ma"y e"ora do you ha(e /" thi home: 'ERDANT. There; e"ora Petra% e"orita Ne"a5

PAB4O. Ga3o9 Call e"ora Petra the". 'ERDANT. O$o. 'it do6". Here are ome #i3ar 0'ERDANT 3oe out. PAB4O% loo8i"3 a)out% 3et o"e #i3ar5the" a e#o"d556he" a)out to 3et a third% PETRA #ome i".1 PETRA. <e : PAB4O. Good mor"i"3. PETRA. Good mor"i"3. PAB4O. / a6 that i3" at the 6i"do6. PETRA. <e : PAB4O. /t ay AWa"ted: A Mu#ha#ho.A PETRA. Why% ye . Are you )y a"y #ha"#e a dete#ti(e: PAB4O. 0Gi33li"31. <ou flatter me% e"ora9 A 3irl told me m6 that / am (ery 3ood5loo8i"3. PETRA. Really: That i (ery i"tere ti"3. PAB4O Wome" ometime tell the 6eete t lie . PETRA. Do you mi"d if5 PAB4O. Of #our e / do";t mi"d. Go ahead a"d a 8 a"y @ue tio" PETRA. Do you mi"d if / a 8 6hat / #a" do you H PAB4O 0Blu hi"31. /;m a$$lyi"35 PETRA. A$$lyi"3 for 6hat: PAB4O 0After mu teri"3 e"ou3h #oura3e1. /&m a$$lyi"3 for the =o)9 PETRA. What =o): PAB4O 0Poi"ti"3 at the i3" out ide% i3"ifi#a"tly1. That. PETRA 04oo8i"3 to6ard the i3" a"d at PAB4O. /"#redulou 1. <ou mea"5

PAB4O 0Coyfully1. <e % /;m offeri"3 my er(i#e PETRA. <ou mea"5you 6i h to )e a mu#ha#ho: PAB4O. / 6i h you 6ould";t )e o i" ulti"3% e"ora% )ut / 6a"t to )e 6hat they #all i" Euro$e a mayordomo. PETRA. A 6hat: PAB4O. A mayordomo. <ou 8"o65 PETRA. Oh. <ou mea"5: PAB4O. <e % that; 6hat / mea". PETRA 0After 3i(i"3 him a dirty loo81. Well% for a mi"ute / mi too8 you for a" ha#e"dero or a mo(ie a#tor. PAB4O. That; ri3ht. / do";t loo8 li8e a mu#ha#ho> er5mayordomo My mother al6ay u ed to ay / 6ould amou"t to omethi"3. 0Cu$$i"3 hi ha"d to6ard PETRA; ear .1 Co"fide"tially% my mother 6a"ted me to marry o"e of the Pre ide"t; dau3hter . PETRA. Pre ide"t; dau3hter : <ou mea" the Pre ide"t of the Phili$$i"e : PAB4O. <e % 6hy "ot: / there a"ythi"3 6ro"3 i" that: PETRA. A"d you 6i h to 6or8 here a a5er5a a mayordomo: PAB4O. That; it9 PETRA. What #a" you do: PAB4O. / #a" 6at#h the hou e 6he" you;re out% a##om$a"y the #hildre"% if you;(e a"y% to the mo(ie or to $artie . PETRA. What el e: PAB4O. / #a" do ma"y other thi"3 . / #a" e(e" i"3. PETRA. Ne(er mi"d your o#ial a##om$li hme"t . What; your "ame: PAB4O. / 6a )a$tiFed Mar#eli"o% )ut my mother #all me Pa)lo )e#au e / remi"d her of her

)rother 6ho $e"t t6o year =ail. But my frie"d that i % my i"timate frie"d . #all me Paul. PETRA. /;ll $ay you ei3hty $e o . i"#ludi"3 )oard a"d lod3i"3. PAB4O 0Cum$i"31. /;ll ta8e the =o)9 0PETRA ta"d u$ a"d loo8 at him fri3idly.1 PETRA. Good. <ou Ca" tart )y 6a hi"3 the di he . PAB4O. The di he 9 But it; time for lu"#h. Ha(e";t the di he you u ed for )rea8fa t )ee" 6a hed yet: PETRA. No% )e#au e our er(a"t !ra"#i #o al6ay )rea8 the $late . 'o / told him thi mor"i"3 after )rea8fa t "ot to 6a h them yet. PAB4O. / 6i h / had #ome after the di he had )ee" 6a hed. PETRA. All ri3ht% a 8 !ra"#i #o for i" tru#tio" . 0PETRA 3oe out. PAB4O li3ht a #i3ar a"d throu3hout the follo6i"3 #e"e dro$ the a he e(ery6here. !RANC/'CO e"ter .1 !RANC/'CO. Oh% 3ood mor"i"3. Ha(e you )ee" 6aiti"3 lo"3: PAB4O 'tari"3 at him i" ole"tly1. No% / =u t tal8ed to the e"ora. !RANC/'CO. Oh% ye . 6hy do";t you it do6": PAB4O. / 6ill. 0A"d PAB4O $ra6l Cleo$atra5li8e o" the ofa.1 !RANC/'CO. Did you #ome o" ome )u i"e : PAB4O. Bu i"e : Oh% )u i"e !RANC/'CO. That; 3ood. PAB4O. That; a "i#e lou"3i"3 ro)e you;re 6eari"3. !RANC/'CO. <ou li8e it: PAB4O. / #ertai"ly am 3oi"3 to )uy o"e e7a#tly li8e that !RANC/'CO. Tha"8 you. /mitatio"% they ay% i the u)tle t form of flattery. of a ort.

PAB4O. Of #our e mi"e 6ill )e more e7$e" i(e. !RANC/'CO. G"dou)tedly. <ou mu t )e a ma" of mea" . PAB4O. Of mea" : Well% ort of5 Hm% / 6o"der 6hat; delayi"3 !ra"#i #o. !RANC/'CO. !ra"#i #o: / am !ra"#i #o. PAB4O 04au3hi"31. <ou are !ra"#i #o: !RANC/'CO. <e . PAB4O. Well% if you;re !ra"#i #o% the e"ora told me to a 8 you for the i" tru#tio" . !RANC/'CO. /" tru#tio" : What 8i"d of i" tru#tio" : PAB4O. / u$$o e he mea"t the i" tru#tio" for 6a hi"3 the di he a"d all that ort of thi"3 !RANC/'CO 0PuFFled1. Di he 5all that ort of thi"3: What do you mea": PAB4O. Are";t you the er(a"t here: !RANC/'CO 0!la))er3a ted1. 'er(a"t9 / am the o6"er of the hou e9 PAB4O 0Cum$i"31. Oh5the o6"er9 E7#u e me9 0Glidi"3 a6ay.1 / u$$o e thi i the 6ay to the 8it#he"9 0He ru" out to the 8it#he"1 !RANC/'CO. Petra9 Petra9 0He e7it % PETRA e"ter a"d arra"3e the #hair . NENA #ome i". NENA i a)out ei3htee"% a"d he; 6eari"3 a "i#e5loo8i"3 Pair of la#8 . 'he o)(iou ly ha =u t ri e" from )ed for he 8ee$ ya6"i"3 atro#iou ly.1 NENA. Where& the 'u"day $a$er: PETRA. Oh% o you;re a6a8e. Ho6 6a the $arty la t "i3ht: NENA. 0'itti"3 o" ofa1. 'o5 o. Mother% 6here; the mo(ie $a3e: PETRA. Pro)a)ly your )rother Ro)erti"3 i loo8i"3 at it. 50!RANC/'CO e"ter .1 !RANC/'CO. <ou;re a6a8e at la t. Ha(e you had )rea8fa t:

PETRA. Brea8fa t 6he" it; "early t6el(e: !RANC/'CO. Ho6 6a the $arty: NENA. 'o5 o. 0!RANC/'CO loo8 for ome #i3ar o" the ta)le.1 !RANC/'CO. A)a9 Where are the #i3ar % Petra: PETRA. Why% / $la#ed half a doFe" there thi mor"i"39 !RANC/'CO. Half a doFe"9 /;(e mo8ed o"ly o"e I far9 PETRA. / 6o"der. !RANC/'CO. Hm5 /;m 6o"deri"3% too9 NENA. 0'ta"di"3 a"d ya6"i"31. /;m till lee$y. !RANC/'CO. Wait a mi"ute% Ne"a. 'it do6". NENA. What i it% !ather: !RANC/'CO. 'o you 6e"t to the $arty alo"e la t "i3ht: PETRA. Thi !ra"#i #o "ama"9 / told you he 6a out 6ith !red. !RANC/'CO. A"yho6 / ho$e that& the fir t a"d la t time you 3o to a $arty u"#ha$ero"ed. NENA. But there; "othi"3 6ro"3% !ather. After all /&m a" edu#ated 3irl. 0NENA ya6" o de $erately that he loo8 li8e a" a#ro)at. PETRA a"d !RANC/'CO tare at ea#h other.1 PETRA. <e % !ra"#i #o. 'he #a" ta8e #are of her elf. Ca";t you ee he; edu#ated: 0!RANC/'CO 3ul$ a"d 6o"der if hi 6ife i #raFy. ROBERT/NG e"ter .1 ROBERT/NG. 0To NENA.1 'o you;re a6a8e9 Ho6 6a the $arty la t "i3ht: NENA. 'o5 o. !RANC/'CO. Why are you here: ROBERT/NG. / #ould";t hire a ta7i. No mo"ey.

PETRA. / told you to ta8e a =ee$"ey. ROBERT/lNG. A"yho6 / #a" ee her thi after"oo". /"#ide"tally / met !red; mother a hort 6hile a3o. NENA. !red; mother: ROBERT/NG. 'he 6a "ear Marti"i; ta7i tatio". PETRA. What 6ere you doi"3 at the ta7i tatio": !RANC/'CO. Tryi"3 to 3et a ta7i o" #redit% / u$$o e. ROBERT/NG. A"yho6 !red; mother5 NENA. What a)out her: ROBERT/NG. 'he aid he 6a #omi"3 today. PETRA. What for: ROBERT/NG. 'he did";t tell me. !RANC/'CO. !red; mother: <ou mea" the you"3 fello6 Ne"a 6e"t out 6ith la t "i3ht: ROBERT/NG <e % !ather. NENA Did he ay 6hy he 6a #omi"3: ROBERT/NG. No.. But he eemed ore at me. /" fa#t he eemed ort at you% too% !ather. !RANC/'CO. At me: ROBERT/NG 0/mitati"3 Dolore ; (oi#e1 . 'he aid% ATell your father Bi8o /;m 3oi"3 to ee him9A !RANC/'CO. 'he #alled me Bi8o: ROBERT/NG. <e J !RANC/'CO. Did";t he ay Do" Bi8o at lea t: ROBERT/NG. No. 'he im$ly aid Bi8o.

!RANC/'CO. A)a9 0PAB4O; head i

ee" ti#8i"3 out )y the door1 er(ed9

PAB4O 0'houti"3 at the to$ of hi lu"3 1. Di""er i

!RANC/'CO. Hay9 Do";t hout that loud9 0PAB4O e7it .1 ROBERT/NG. Who; he% Mother: PETRA. The "e6 mayordomo. ROBERT/NG. Mayor 6hat: PETRA. He; the "e6 er(a"t9 0They all 3o out. But NENA li"3er for a. 6hile% a"d there; a" e7$re io" of 6orry o" her fa#e. The" he e7it . PAB4O a"d the 'ERDANT #ome i".1 'ERDANT. Hoy9 PAB4O. What do you mea" hay: My "ame i Pa)lo. <ou may #all me Paul. 'ERDANT. My "ame i !ra"#i #a The e"or #all me !ra"#i % )ut / $refer Pa@uito. / o"#e had a"other amo 6ho u ed to #all me !ra"8ie. PAB4O. What do you. 6a"t: 'ERDANT. The e"ora 6a"t you i" the di"i"3 room PAB4O. What for: 'ERDANT. To er(e the di he . PAB4O. That; your =o). /;m "ot a mu#ha#ho9 /;m a mayordomo9 'ERDANT. Did";t you. a" 6er that i3" o(er there at the 6i"do65AWa"ted: A Mu#ha#hoA: PAB4O. <et 6hy: 'ERDANT. The" you;re a mu#ha#ho% li8e me9 PAB4O. 0Threate"i"3 him 6ith hi fi t1 / 6a"t you to u"der ta"d that / am "ot a mu#ha#ho9

'ERDANT. Hal <ou loo8 li8e a #ommo" mu#ha#ho to me PAB4O. 0Threate"i"3 him 6ith the #i3ar he hold 1 Do";t let me #at#h you u i"3 that 6ord a3ai"9 'ERDANT. 'o$lado9 0PETRA e"ter .1 PETRA. What are you t6o doi"3 here: Do";t you 8"o6 6e;re already eati"3: 0PAB4O a"d 'ERDANT 3o out. Pre e"tly NENA #ome i" a"d 3oe to the 6i"do6 'he ee ome)ody #omi"3% a"d ru" out. 'e(eral 8"o#8 are heard. PAB4O i ee" #ro i"3 the #orridor The" PAB4O e"ter fir t tryi"3 to #o(er hi fa#e% follo6ed )y DONA DO4ORE'% a fat arro3a"t 6oma" of forty% 6eari"3 the !ili$i"a dre a"d $orti"3 more =e6el tha" a $a6" ho$. Her t6e"ty5year5 old o" !RED follo6 he" !RED i o dum) ;a"d a dum)5loo8i"3 "o)ody 6ould )elie(e it. PAB4O i till tryi"3 to hide hi fa#e.1 DO4ORE' 0!a""i"3 her elf (i3orou ly1. Where; Do"a Petra: PAB4O. 'he; eati"3. 'it do6". DO4ORE'. Call the e"ora5a"d ;mi"d your o6" )u i"e <ou5you9 Wor8i"3 here9 Ho6 mu#h are you ear"i"3: PAB4O 0/" ole"tly1. Why: DO4ORE'. After treati"3 you o 6ell at home a a mu#ha#ho% "o6 you #ome to 6or8 here 6ithout e(e" lea(i"3 me a fare6ell "ote. Che9 PAB4O 0With arm a8im)o1. /;m "ot a mu#ha#ho9 / am a mayordomo9 DO4ORE'. Mayordomo9 Mayor to"to9 Che9 i0PAB4O% 6ho i "o6 all $ri"8led 6ith DO4ORE'; ali(a% 3et hi ha"d8er#hief. PETRA a"d !RANC/'CO e"ter1 PETRA. <ou may 3o% Paul. DO4ORE'. Paul: 0PAB4O lea(e .1 PETRA. Good mor"i"3. !RANC/'CO. <ou 6a"ted to ee me: DO4ORE'. <e 9 <ou a"d Petra9 PETRA. Wo";t you it do6": 9 0Re#o3"iFi"3 him.1 Che9 'o it; you9

DO4ORE'. /;d rather remai" ta"di"39 Che: !RANC/'CO. Thi 5thi i your o" !red% / ima3i"e. DO4ORE'. Do";t ima3i"e5He i my o"9 PETRA. Ah9 'o he i your o"9 DO4ORE'. 'u$$o i"3 he i 5 6hat; that to you: !RANC/'CO. / 6a =u t thi"8i"3 he doe ";t loo8 a )it li8e you. DO4ORE'. Certai"ly "ot. He; the $itti"3 ima3e of my third hu )a"d9 PETRA. Do it do6". DO4ORE'. Are you tryi"3 to i" ult me )y im$lyi"3 /;(e "o #hair at home: Che9 !RANC/'CO. What #a" 6e do for you: DO4ORE' 0Poi"ti"3 to !RED1. A 8 him9 PETRA What i it% !red: !RED 0Poi"ti"3 to hi mother1. A 8 her9 !RANC/'CO. '$ea8 u$K my o"9 DO4ORE'. <our o"9. <our o"% eh: 'o you a"d your dau3hter Ne"a ha(e de i3" o" my o"% eh: Well% you 6o";t hoo8 him9 PETRA. What are you. tal8i"3 a)out: !RANC/'CO. Call Ne"a9 0Aloud1 Ne"a9 Ne"a9 0ROBERT/NG a$$ear .1 Ro)erti"3% #all Ne"a9 0ROBERT/NG 3oe out.1 !RANC/'CO. /f you do";t mi"d% / 6ill it do6". PETRA / 6ill it do6"% too. /;m tired. 0!RED trie to it do6" too )ut hi mother ya"8 him out of the #hai". NENA% 6eari"3 a $ort dre % #ome i"K follo6ed )y ROBERT/NG1

!RANC/'CO. Ne"a% thi lad: 6a"t to tal8 to you. DO4ORE' 0Nud3i"3 !RED1. Tell her9 !RED Te": her 6hat: PETRA What i all the my tery a)out: DO4ORE' 0Omi"ou ly1. My o"5a"d your dau3hter5. !RANC/'CO. They 6e"t to the $atty la t "i3ht% did";t they:. DO4ORE'. Of #our e they 6e"t to the $arty. But ho6 did they 3o: !RANC/'CO. Ha your o" a #ar: May)e they 6e"t i" hi ear. DO4ORE'. My o" ha a #ar% a"d it; all $aid for. But that i ";t the $oi"t9 !RANC/'CO. What; the $oi"t the": DO4ORE'. That; 6hat / #ame to fi"d out9 PETRA. Ne"a% 6hat ha$$e"ed: NENA. Ha$$e"ed: DO4ORE'. <e % la t "i3ht9 NENA. What ha$$e"ed: DO4ORE'. /;m a 8i"3 you9 PETRA. What ha$$e"ed% Ne"a: NENA. Why. "othi"3% Mother PETRA. Nothi"3: NENA. Nothi"3% Mother DO4ORE'. Nothi"3. #he9 A 3irl 3oi"3 to a $arty u"#ha$ero"ed a"d "othi"3 ha$$e"ed9

PETRA. What really ha$$e"ed% Ne"a: NENA 0A$$roa#hi"3 DO4ORE' a"d $ra#ti#ally #reami"3 at her1. Nothi"3 ha$$e"ed a"d you 8"o6 it9 DO4ORE'. Che9 Ho6 dare you hout at m#9 !RED. Do";t tal8 to my mother li8e that% Ne"a9 NENA 0A$$roa#hi"3 !RED1. Bo)o9 E tu$ido9 'ta"di"3 there li8e a tatue9 !RED. 'tatue: What tatue: NENA. The tatue of a dum)5)ell% dum) )ell9 !RED. Ga3a9 ROBERT/NG. 0A$$roa#hi"3 !RED a"d holdi"3 him )y the "e#81 Hey% you9 Do";t tart #alli"3 my i ter "ame 9 !RED. 'he tarted it9 PETRA 0A$$roa#hi"3 DO4ORE'1. <our o" too8 my dau3hter out to the $arty la t "i3ht DO4ORE'. Why do you allo6 your dau3hter to 3o out alo"e: !RED. Ne"a i" i ted there 6a "othi"3 6ro"39 But my i"tuitio" told me it mi3ht )e 6ro"3. DO4ORE'. 'hut u$% !red9 !RED. Why% mama: DO4ORE'. 0To PETRA1. Why do you allo6 your dau3hter to 3o out alo"e 6ith my re $e#ta)le o": NENA. What; re $e#ta)le a)out him: 0DO4ORE' 3i(e her a $oi o"ou loo8.1 DO4ORE'. Peo$le a6 them #ome a"d 3o u"#ha$ero"ed. <e % u"#ha$ero"ed9 /ma3i"e5 ima3i"e a 3irl 3oi"3 to a $arty alo"e9 !RANC/'CO. 0Ad(a"#i"31. 'he 6a 6ith your o"% 6a ";t he: DO4ORE'. G"fortu"ately9

!RANC/'CO. The" if my dau3hter 6a 6ith your o"% 6hat da"3er 6a there: DO4ORE'. Peo$le are tal8i"3 a)out la t "i3ht5 PETRA. But 6hat ha$$e"ed: DO4ORE'. 0To !RED1. What ha$$e"ed% !red dear: !RED 0Tearfully1. Nothi"3% mama9 DO4ORE'. Try to thi"89 'omethi"3 mu t ha(e ha$$e"ed9 !RED. Nothi"3. "othi"39 0DO4ORE' "oti#e that the 3rou$; ho tile eye are fa te"ed o" her1 DO4ORE' 0Pi"#hi"3 !RED% )ut hard1. Tor$e9 !RED. 0T6i ti"3 6ith $ai"1. Aruy9 DO4ORE'. <ou5you5you o" of my third hu )a"d9 Why did";t you tell me "othi"3 ha$$e"ed: !RED. /&(e )ee" tryi"3 to tell you i"#e thi mor"i"3% )ut you 3a(e me "o #ha"#e. 0Em)arra ed% DO4ORE' trie hard to re3ai" her di3"ity.1 !RANC/'CO. 0A$$roa#hi"3 DO4ORE'1. <ou mea" to tell me you #ame here a"d rai ed all thi rum$u 6he" "othi"3% a) olutely "othi"3% ha$$e"ed: DO4ORE'. Well9 / 6ould";t )e too ure a)out a) olutely "othi"39 Be ide % / ha(e to )e #areful5 ye % (ery #areful5a)out my )elo(ed o"; u$)ri"3i"3. !RANC/'CO. <our o"9 <our 'o" i (ery tu$id9 !RED. What9 DO4ORE'. My o" tu$id9 PETRA 0'houti"31. A"d defi"itely9 !RANC/'CO. A tu$id a you are9

DO4ORE'. A me9

PETRA. A"d $o iti(ely9 !RED. 0A$$roa#hi"3 NENA1. /t; your fault9 NENA. What do you mea" my fault% dum))ell9 !RED. /;d la$ your fa#e if / 6ere";t a 3e"tlema"K 0ROBERT/NG flie a#ro !RED.1 ROBERT/NG. /;ll la$ you e(e" if Mother ay /;m "o 3e"tlema" at time 9 DO4ORE'. 0To ROBERT/NG1. Do";t you dare tou#h my o"9 Che9 NENA. 0To DO4ORE'1. <ou #a" ha(e that huma" =ellyfi h9 Comi"3 here to ay 6hat mi3ht ha(e ha$$e"ed9 0NENA 3ru"t o a(a3ely that DO4ORE' retreat i" terror.1 DO4ORE'. 0To !RANC/'CO1. <ou hould ad(i e your dau3hter to to$ 3oi"3 to $artie u"#ha$ero"ed9 Peo$le 3o i$ a"d i"#lude my o"9 !RANC/'CO. Mi"d your o6" )u i"e loo8i"3 dum)9 9 0Rai i"3 hi fi t to her head1 Tell your o" to to$ the ta3e a"d fa#e

DO4ORE'. Che9 / "e(er a6 u#h $eo$le% #he9 !RANC/'CO. Get out of here )efore / #all the $oli#e9 !RED. The $oli#e9 Mama% the $oli#e9 DO4ORE'. We;re 3oi"3% #he9 PETRA. Paul9 Paul9 !RANC/'CO. Who; Paul% Petra: 0PAB4O a$$ear .1 PAB4O. <e % Do" !ra"#i #o: PETRA. Paul% 8i"dly e #ort the e55 the e $eo$le to the door9 !RANC/'CO. Rou3hly% Paul% rou3hly9 DO4ORE'. 0!a#i"3 PAB4O1. Ca"alla9 0To PETRA.1 / u$$o e you e"ti#ed my mu#ha#ho to #ome here9

PAB4O 0Tou#hi"3 DO4ORE' o" the houlder1. Hoy% / am "o mu#ha#ho9 /;m a mayordomo9 !urthermore% Do"a Petra 3i(e me ei3hty $e o a mo"th 6hile you u ed to 3i(e me fifty $e o o"ly9 DO4ORE'. Ei3hty a mo"th9 Where 6ill they 3et that mu#h9 PETRA. Do"a Dolore 9 Dolore de #a)eFa9 DO4ORE'. Ei3hty a mo"th9 Che9 0Goi"3 to the door.1 Che9 0Tur"i"3 a3ai".1 Che9 0'he #ome )a#8 to re#o(er her o" 6ho ha remai"ed li8e a tatue.1 PETRA. Ca" you ima3i"e9 The i" ole"#e9 Che9 0E(ery)ody tare at her.1 !RANC/'CO. That; 6hat Ne"a 3ot for 3oi"3 out u"#ha$ero"ed. / 6a already telli"3 you% Petra5 PETRA. Ho6 #ould /% 8"o6 thi Dolore 6ould ma8e all that a6ful fu : ROBERT/NG. <ou 6a"t me to )rea8 !red; "e#8: !RANC/'CO. <ou hould 5ha(e do"e that 6he" he 6a here. <our mu #le refle7e are tardy i" 6or8i"3% my o". ROBERT/NG 0G"#o" #iou ly1. Che9% 0They all loo8 at him. NENA ha )e3i" to #ry.1 PETRA. Do";t #ry% Ne"a. /t& o(er. NENA 0Bet6ee" o) 1. Ma8i"3 all that fu duri"3 the $arty a"d left him. PETRA. 4eft him9 Where did you 3o: NENA. / #ame home 6ith 4udi"3 a"d 4olita. !red; mother had )ee" tryi"3 to i"tere t me i" her o"5that; 6hy5he told hi mother5a"dJ !RANC/'CO. Ay% hi=a mia% 3o i" "o6 a"d let thi )e a le o" to you. NENA 0A he; "ear the door5u"#o" #iou ly1 Che9 0They all tare at her a"d at ea#h other.1 for "othi"39 The truth i that / @uarreled 6ith !red at o" the oLa a"d

PETRA. !i"i h eati"3. Ro)erti"3.

!RANC/'CO. /"#ide"tally% Ro)erti"3% / ho$e "othi"3 ha$$e"ed 6ith you la t "i3ht. ROBERT/NG. 4a t "i3ht: !RANC/'CO. <ou 6e"t out 6ith 4ia% did";t you: ROBERTCNG. <e % )ut "othi"3 ha$$e"ed55 / thi"8. PETRA. <ou thi"89 0PAB4O #ome i"% mo8i"3 a #i3ar.1 PAB4O. / e #orted them out already. e"ora. What do / do "o6: PETRA. <ou may 6a h more di he . PAB4O. Ha: 0He i a)out to 3o.1 !RANC/'CO. Hoy9 Where did you 3et that #i3ar: PAB4O. Ha: Er56hy% ome)ody 3a(e it to me. !RANC/'CO. Who: PAB4O. !ra"#i % e"or. !RANC/'CO. 'o9 Mayordomo mo8e o6"er; #i3ar . O6"er 8i#8 mayordomo out. 0He ma8e a 3e ture of 8i#8i"3 PAB4O% )ut the latter ru" out ide i"to the treet. The 'ERDANT i ee" #omi"3 i" from the #orridor. He di a$$ear a"d #ome )a#8 6ith a #oat 6hi#h he thro6 out of the 6i"do6.1 'ERDANT. Hoy55 your #oat9 Mayordomo5mayor ya)a"39 PETRA. Get )a#8 to the 8it#he"% !ra"#i 9 'ERDANT. Am / till the er(a"t here% e"ora: PETRA. <e % / u$$o e 6e;ll ha(e to )ear 6ith you for a 6hile. 'ERDANT. / 6o";t ha(e to $ut out the i3" a"ymore5AWa"ted A Mu#ha#hoA: !RANC/'CO. No9 Ma8e a"other a"d $ut AWa"ted: A Cha$ero"A9 PETRA. Wa"ted a Cha$ero":

!RANC/'CO. <e % for our dau3hter Ne"a. PETRA. ?ue (er3ue"Fa9 /% her mother% 6ill #ha$ero" Ne"a 0'he tare out the 6i"do6. 'he ee ome)ody #omi"3.1 Ro)erti"39 Ro)erti"39 0ROBERT/NG a$$ear .1 ROBERT/NG. What i it% Mother: PETRA 0Poi"ti"3 out ide1. / ";t that your 3irl5frie"d 4ia: ROBERT/NG. Why% ye : PETRA. A"d 6ho i that old ma" alo"3 6ith her: ROBERT/NG 0'6allo6i"31. That; 5er5that; her father9 PETRA. A"d he; #arryi"3 omethi"39 ROBERT/NG. <e 5ye 9 He; Carryi"35a 3u"99 0Ru""i"3 out ide.1 Tell them /;m out9 !RANC/'CO. Ay% Petra9 We "eed t6o #ha$ero" 9 Che9 0PETRA tare at him.1

CGRTA/N

|HOME|