Kiss of the Spider Woman (29 page)

WARDEN
: Hello, Miss? I’d like to talk to your boss, please . . . Thank you. How are you! How are things there? No, nothing new here. Yes, that’s why I called you, actually.

I see him again in a few minutes. I don’t know if you remember, Molina was allowed another week. In addition, Arregui was given the impression that any day Molina was going to be shifted to another cell, because he was recommended for parole. Exactly, Molina’s own idea, yes. Christ . . . Of course, time is crucial then. Yes, if they want to know before launching a counteroffensive, I understand, of course. Right, I see him in just a few minutes, but that’s why I wanted to talk to you first. Tell me, in case he has nothing . . . absolutely nothing to pass on, in case there’s no progress whatsoever, what then with Molina? You think so? . . . How many days from now? First thing tomorrow? Why tomorrow? Yes, of course, there is no time to lose then. Yes, I understand, not today, that way Arregui has time to plan something. Perfect, if he gives him a message, Molina can lead us right to their door. The problem will be not to let him know he’s being followed.

But listen . . . There is something strange about our Molina, there’s something tells me, I don’t know how to explain it, but I can’t help thinking . . . that Molina isn’t coming clean with me . . . that he’s hiding something. You think Molina has gone over to them? Right, out of fear of reprisals from Arregui’s people, that could be the thing.

Yes, and Arregui might have been working on him, using who knows what sort of methods. That’s also a possibility too. It’s hard to fathom the reactions of a type like Molina, a pervert, after all. There’s also another possibility: that Molina hopes to leave here without compromising himself with anyone, either with us or with Arregui. That Molina’s out for Molina, plain and simple. Yes, it’s definitely worth the trouble of trying. And there is one other possibility too. Yes, excuse me for interrupting . . .

It’s just this: if Molina doesn’t lead us to anything . . . that is to say, if he doesn’t furnish us with any information today, or at the latest tomorrow before he’s out on the street . . . well, we’re still left with one other possibility . . . And it’s the following: have it published in the papers, or let the word out, whatever . . . that Molina, or perhaps just some agent, has furnished the police with information regarding the activities of Arregui’s group, and that the agent actually operated surreptitiously, as a prisoner in this penitentiary. Then when Arregui’s people hear of it, they’ll come looking for him to square up accounts, and at that point we close in. So it opens up a lot of possibilities, once Molina is out on the street. Ah, well, I’m very glad. Don’t mention it. Of course, I’ll give you a call the moment Molina leaves my office. Perfect, we’ll leave it at that. Fine, fine . . . I’ll call you immediately . . . My pleasure. So long.

WARDEN
: Come on in, Molina.

PRISONER
: Good afternoon, sir.

WARDEN
: That’s fine, Sergeant, you can go now.

SERGEANT
: Yes sir, as you wish, sir.

WARDEN
: How goes it, Molina?

PRISONER
: Okay, sir.

WARDEN
: So what have you to tell me?

PRISONER
: Well, here we are, sir.

WARDEN
: Any progress?

PRISONER
: I’m afraid not, sir . . . I thought . . . I wanted so much to . . .

WARDEN
: Nothing at all? . . .

PRISONER
: Nothing.

WARDEN
: Look, Molina, I’ve had everything arranged to obtain your release, provided you brought us some information. I’ll speak frankly: the papers granting your parole have already been prepared. The only thing missing is my signature.

PRISONER
: Oh, I see . . .

WARDEN
: It’s a pity.

PRISONER
: I did everything I could, sir.

WARDEN
: But wasn’t there at least a hint of something? perhaps the slightest clue? . . . Because any element would be enough . . . for us to take action. And that minimal element would already be enough to justify my signing your papers.

PRISONER
: You can imagine, sir, what more could I want than to get out of here? . . . But the worst thing would be for me to invent something to you. Honestly, you can’t get near him—Arregui is like a tomb, sir, and suspicious of everything . . . I don’t know, he’s impossible, he’s not . . . he’s not human.

WARDEN
: Look at me, Molina. Let’s talk like human beings, since that’s what we are, you and I, human . . . Think about your mother, about the happiness you can bring her. And rest assured nothing is going to happen to you once you’re out on the street, because we will be right there to protect you.

PRISONER
: It’ll be enough just to be out, never mind the rest.

WARDEN
: Honestly, Molina, you needn’t fear reprisals of any kind, we will provide you with twenty-four-hour protection, you’ll be perfectly safe.

PRISONER
: I know that, sir. And I appreciate it very much, your thinking about that, that I might need protection . . . But what can I do? The worst thing would be to make something up that wasn’t true.

WARDEN
: Well . . . I’m very sorry, Molina . . . In that case there’s nothing I can do for you.

PRISONER
: So it all comes to nothing then? . . . My parole, I mean. There’s no hope for anything?

WARDEN
: No, Molina. If you don’t furnish us with any information, then I’m powerless to help you.

PRISONER
: No recommendation for good conduct? Nothing?

WARDEN
: Nothing, Molina.

PRISONER
: And my cell? Are they going to let me stay in the same cell at least?

WARDEN
: Why? Wouldn’t you rather be with someone . . . more communicative than Arregui? It must be rather upsetting to stay with a fellow who never talks.

PRISONER
: It’s just . . . I still have the hope of someday his telling me something.

WARDEN
: No, I think you’ve already done enough to help us, Molina. We’re moving you to another cell.

PRISONER
: Please, sir, for the love of God . . .

WARDEN
: But what’s all this? . . . One would think you were attached to Arregui.

PRISONER
: Sir . . . As long as I’m there, I’ll at least have the hope of his telling me something . . . And if he ever talks there’s a hope of somehow getting myself out of here.

WARDEN
: I don’t know, Molina. I’ll have to give it some consideration. But I don’t think it’s feasible.

PRISONER
: Sir, please, for the love of God . . .

WARDEN
: Control yourself, Molina. We have nothing more to discuss. You may leave now.

PRISONER
: Thank you, sir. For doing whatever you could for me, thanks anyway.

WARDEN
: You can go.

PRISONER
: Thank you, sir . . .

WARDEN
: So long, Molina.

SERGEANT
: You rang, sir?

WARDEN
: Yes. You may take the prisoner back.

SERGEANT
:At your orders, sir.

WARDEN
: But first, I want to say one more thing to him. Molina . . . tomorrow have your things ready to leave your cell.

PRISONER
: I beg you . . . Don’t, don’t take away my only chance to . . .

WARDEN
: Just a minute, I haven’t finished speaking. Tomorrow have everything ready because you will be paroled.

PRISONER
: Sir . . .

WARDEN
: That’s right, tomorrow, first thing in the morning.

PRISONER
: Thank you, sir . . .

WARDEN
: And good luck, Molina.

PRISONER
: Thank you, sir. Thank you . . .

WARDEN
: It’s nothing, just see that you take care now . . .

PRISONER
: But you really mean it?

WARDEN
: Of course I mean it.

PRISONER
: It’s so hard to believe . . .

WARDEN
: Well, believe it . . . and behave yourself, once you’re on the street. Because you had better stay away from any more nonsense with little kids, Molina.

PRISONER
: Tomorrow?

WARDEN
: Yes, first thing tomorrow.

PRISONER
: Thank you . . .

WARDEN
: All right, now get going, because I’m very busy.

PRISONER
: Thank you, sir.

WARDEN
: Don’t mention it.

PRISONER
: Oh! . . . one thing, though . . .

WARDEN
: What is it?

PRISONER
: Even though I’m getting out tomorrow . . . if anyone came to see me today, from my house, or the lawyer . . .

WARDEN
: Speak up . . . or do you prefer I have the sergeant leave the room for a minute?

PRISONER
: No, I just mean . . . if they came to see me, they couldn’t be so sure I was getting out tomorrow . . .

WARDEN
: What do you mean? . . . I don’t understand you. Make yourself clear, I’m much too busy to spend any more time . . .

PRISONER
: Well, if they came to visit me they’d bring another package . . . So, to cover it with Arregui . . .

WARDEN
: No, that’s not important anymore. Tell him they didn’t bring anything, because the lawyer knew you were going to be paroled. Tomorrow you’ll already be eating in your own house, Molína.

PRISONER
: It wasn’t for me, sir. It was for Arregui . . . to cover things.

WARDEN
: No need to overdo it, Molina. It’ll be fine like it is.

PRISONER
: Excuse me, sir.

WARDEN
: Good luck to you.

PRISONER
: Thank you so much. For everything . . .