Chapter 11 Sandra's schemes (1)

IN THE POLICE STATION

Carlos is at his desk in front of Tito. The mayor wants to know what's going on in the neighborhood. The conversation already started.

Tito is reacting surprised, "What? Daylight robbery?"

"Exactly! The boy spent the night here in the cell. But, I checked his background. Nothing. He debuted in the criminal world and paid for it. I don't think he ever tries again."

"God help me not. Today's youth... Why did they say the 1980s were the lost decade? It didn't have half the problems today."

"Young boy, he could be working as a supermarket assistant, or in his father's workshop... But, no, they are unoccupied today... They don't even want to watch television, nowadays they are all restless."

"Do you think it's an isolated case?"

"He said categorically that he was not under the command of any gang. But, I trust not very much."

"It was just what I needed, gangs killing each other in our neighborhood."

"With the necessary tools, we will do a good job."

Tito does not capture the emphasis that Carlos gave in the sentence. Carlos stares at the mayor, dissatisfied with his passing.

FÁBIO’S LIVING ROOM

Fábia Peres watches television. It’s a series or soap opera because Fabio is visibly bored.

"Do you know if the electricity in your house has already returned?"

"Carina was going to call Escelsa. Why?" She turns to him, "don't you want my company anymore?"

Fábio quickly disguises it. "N-no, it's just that I'm worried. You know, this thing about short circuit, ‘cats’, I don't know what—"

"There is no way for me to know if the power returned without me leaving, and I don't want to go. Today the episode is awesome."

Fábio provokes, "We can call Monica." Fábia pinches Fabio, "Ouch, you crazy!"

"Mention that bitch again, go!"

"Call Carina, then. I'm just mentioning your neighbors."

"I don't have Carina's phone number. And why would I?"

"For these cases."

Fábio gets up, and without fearing Fábia's reaction, he goes to the phone and dials Monica's number from the heart.

"Who are you calling?"

Fábio doesn't answer, tough guy. Waits to be attended, "Hello, Monica?"

Monica is in her living room, in front of the computer, showing that electricity has returned and that she has already written a good piece of history, "Jesus Christ, when it's not her, it's you."

"A good afternoon for you too," Fábio says wryly.

"What do you want?"

"Fábia wants to know if the energy has returned. So she won’t miss the soap."

"For her information, it's already back. Hours ago. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a novel to write."

Fábio shamelessly asks, "And you will put me as the hero of your novel—"

The exchange of speeches ends and Fábio is surprised by the sudden silence. He thinks that Monica hung up on him until he noticed Fábia kneeling on the floor, with the telephone cable disconnected.

"The power is back."

"And yours is gone!"

Fábia Peres gets up, lets go of the cable, and again takes her purse and stomps out of Fábio's house. He doesn't even care, takes the remote control, changes channels, and finds one that is showing basketball. He jumps on the couch, now with visible interest.

"Tomorrow she'll be back."

POLICE STATION

Carina comes in at the police station. Shy, not used to the coarse environment. She doesn't know who to turn to, so she decides to go to Carlos's desk. When she starts approaching...

...Two policemen appear carrying a detainee who is bleeding from the temple. The detainee struggles and wants to escape, even in handcuffs, and the policemen lead him with roughness and strength. Carina gets more wide-eyed.

"Don't be afraid, young lady! You can come."

Hearing Carlos's voice, Carina, walking slowly, approaches him. The officer gestured for her to sit down.

"How can I help you, miss...?"

"Carina. Carina Sousa."

Carlos is kind and friendly, "I'm going to have to ask you to speak a little louder, dear. And what is your problem?"

Carina is suspicious before speaking, "It happens, Chief, that there was no electricity on our street... OUR STREET, not our neighborhood. And some neighbors deduced that this was the work of a ‘cat’. A neighbor of mine, who is the girl you helped yesterday on the street, later deduced that another neighbor of ours was responsible for that."

"The one who did the ‘cat’?"

"The one who was paid to make the ‘cat’."

Carlos stretches on the back of the chair. Interesting information.

"Do you know the suspect?"

"His name is Ricardo. You know, I live at Carijó Street, nº 32, and Ricardo lives at nº 12."

"Electricity theft does not have the same weight as armed robbery, but it’s not something to overlook too."

"Monica was writing another book and there was no power right away."

"Was that other published?"

"She still hasn't received an answer."

"Okay, Carina. I'm going to open the system here to formalize your complaint. And we're going to open a routine investigation. Get calm that we’ll keep your name confidential and don't feel guilty if this Ricardo reacts badly to the situation."

Carina replies sweetly, "You know, I don't like to harm people."

"I got it."

Carlos will type again when the monitor blinks, hangs up, goes back, blinks. Carlos knocks it again and the screen steadies. Carlos laughs to reassure Carina and she laughs back.

In the background we see Sandra entering, she reacts with surprise. In Sandra's vision, Carina and Carlos are laughing and talking. Sandra smiles, mysteriously.