Chapter 12 Sandra's schemes (2)

IN MALTHUS SNACK

Ed enters the snack bar. He passes by and does not look at Cássio and Sandra talking at one of the tables in the background. He goes straight to the counter.

"What do you want now, Ed? Something more than a pastry?"

"What I ate this morning was the best cheese pastry in my entire life. And yes, I want one more."

Aurélio looks at his wristwatch, "For kids like you, isn't it almost dinner time?"

"Then why can they?"

Ed points to Cássio and Sandra’s table. The two continue talking.

"Because they are past your age," Aurélio explains to him.

Ed laments, "Complicated."

Aurélio laughs, "And to drink?"

"A cane juice cup!"

Already calmer, Aurélio will prepare the juice. Ed takes the plate with the pastry with some ketchup squirts, and goes to the table in front of Cássio and Sandra. With his back to them, he starts to eat, but his ear connects to their conversation.

Cássio asks her, "Are you sure you were not mistaken, honey?"

"Are you calling me blind or a liar?"

"Blind, no, and it's not a question of being a liar. It's a matter of having misunderstood Carina's intention to flirt with Chief Roldão."

Ed reacts with his eyes out of his sockets.

AT THE CASCAIS BAKERY

Jonas is sweeping the bakery after the last customers leave with bags. He will close the shop. When Jonas finishes sweeping and collecting the garbage with the shovel, the door opens and Monica gets in.

"We are closed, Monica. And you already bought me six loaves."

"And I'm going to have to deal with so many loaves since I live alone. Didn't you ever think that weird?"

"No. For me, the more the customer buys, the better for me."

Monica remains firm, "How funny. With Annie, she doesn't have to buy anything. However, you demand that she come here, eat for free, just to satisfy your ego, your possession."

There’s an exchange of gazes between Jonas and Monica. The circus will catch on fire.

"Is that what you came to do, then? You were going to come and insult me, complain that I fought with Annie, but she asked you not to do it and then you asked for those rolls? Because Annie is a woman's charm, I imagine it was like that."

Monica gets irritated, "Yes, she asked, and I answered it... at that moment. Because I won’t accept what you did with my best friend, with the aggravation that today she came here and all finished for herself! Annie doesn't understand, but I am here to defend her."

Jonas speaks louder, "I AM here to defend her, I am her boyfriend! You don't know what that is!"

"That's beside the point, I don't want you to treat Annie like a slave. If you and your family resent the Malthus Snack Bar, that's your problem. Annie has nothing to do with it!"

"The girlfriend has to support the boyfriend. If she asks me to stop doing something that hurts her, I have to stop."

"First you have to see if this thing really hurts or is just an insecure man's ego. Mr. Malthus is even cute, but he's 42 years old and he doesn't seem like that kind of person."

Strangely, Jonas is more nervous, "This doesn’t mean anything. And we're closing already! I'm going to lock you in there and you're going to be hungry; because if you eat what we have here, you’ll get bloated!"

Monica slaps Jonas. The dizzy one almost falls. Monica stands up and leaves with dignity.

MALTHUS SNACK BAR - EVENING

Ed overhears more of Cássio and Sandra's crazy conversation, launching intrigues between Carina, Carlos, and Miriam.

Cássio questions, "You know that Miriam likes the chief."

"Yeah, imagine if Miriam hears about this?"

"She doesn't have to know that. I mean, she may even know, but not for that reason that you're showing."

"Okay, let's continue to eat in peace."

Aurélio approaches with the sugarcane juice. He notes Ed meditating on what he heard.

"Is there a problem, Ed?"

"Nothing, Aurélio."

Aurélio turns to Cássio and Sandra, "And you two, hurry up 'cause I'll be closing soon."

"It’s my bad, Aurélio. The dating is good here."

"Couples date in squares, parks, cinemas... And do you want to date here?"

Both laughs. From Sandra, a little fake, "Good places like that, we have to honor."

Ed rolls his eyes, getting Sandra's falsehood.

EXTERIOR OF RICARDO'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Carlos knocks on Ricardo's door. After a moment, he opens the door and answers it. The light is off in the living room, but the TV is on.

"Mr. Ricardo Oliveira? Chief Carlos Roldão."

"I've seen you around. It's from the neighborhood patrol."

Carlos notices a sarcastic tone.

"I'm knocking on your house asking you to come to our police station for clarification."

"Can I know what is about?"

"About an anonymous tip, I received it this afternoon. There was no electricity in a certain section of our neighborhood. A certain section in which the existence of a clandestine power connection is being investigated."

Ricardo looks like someone who doesn't understand, phony, so as not to give a clue.