Latin American Plays

by Sebastian Doggart

  LA CHUNGA (suggestive and domineering). I’m Josefino. Do to me what you do to him.

  Soft tropical music – boleros by Leo Marini or Los Panchos – breaks out in the distance. It evokes images of couples dancing close in a place full of smoke and alcohol. MECHE starts to undress, slowly and rather clumsily. Her voice sounds forced and tense.

  MECHE. Do you like watching me undress? Slowly, like this. That’s what he likes. Do you think I’m pretty? Do you like my legs? My breasts? I’ve got a firm body, look. No blemishes, no spots, no flab. None of those things that make people so ugly.

  She has stripped down to her skirt. She feels faint and screws up her face.

  I can’t, Chunga. You aren’t him. I can’t believe what I’m doing or what I’m saying. I feel stupid; it all seems so fake . . . so . . . (She collapses on to the bed, abashed and confused, wanting and not wanting to cry.)

  LA CHUNGA (gets up and sits next to her. She now acts attentively and tenderly, as if MECHE’s discomfort moved her). The truth is, I admire you for being here. You surprised me, you really did. I didn’t think you’d go along with it. (Smooths MECHE’s hair.) Do you love Josefino that much?

  MECHE (whispering). Yes, I do love him. (Pause.) But I don’t think I did it just for him. It was also what you said. I was curious. (Looks at LA CHUNGA again.) You gave him three thousand sols! That’s a fortune.

  LA CHUNGA (stroking her cheek, drying away non-existent tears). You’re worth more than that.

  MECHE (showing a glimpse of flirtatiousness behind her anxiety and shame). Do you really like me, Chunga?

  LA CHUNGA. Of course I do. You must have noticed?

  MECHE. Yes. You looked at me like no woman’s ever looked at me before. You made me feel . . . strange.

  LA CHUNGA puts one hand around MECHE’s shoulders and draws her towards her. Kisses her. MECHE passively allows herself to be kissed. When they separate, MECHE laughs, faking a giggle.

  LA CHUNGA. Oh well, you’re laughing, so it can’t have been that awful.

  MECHE. How long have you been like this? I mean, have you always been a . . . ? Have you always liked women?

  LA CHUNGA. I don’t like women. I like you.

  LA CHUNGA puts both arms around MECHE and kisses her. MECHE remains passive, allowing herself to be kissed but not responding to LA CHUNGA’s caresses. LA CHUNGA quickly draws away and, her arms still around her, orders:

  LA CHUNGA. Open your mouth, slave. (MECHE lets out her forced giggle, but parts her lips. LA CHUNGA gives her a long kiss and this time MECHE raises her arm and puts it around LA CHUNGA’s neck.) Yes, that’s much better. I thought you didn’t know how to kiss. (Sarcastically.) Did you see little stars?

  MECHE (laughing). Don’t make fun of me.

  LA CHUNGA (holding her in her arms). I’m not. I want you to enjoy yourself tonight more than you’ve ever done with that pimp.

  MECHE. He’s not a pimp! Don’t say that word. He loves me. We may be getting married.

  LA CHUNGA. He is a pimp. He sold you to me tonight. Next, he’ll take you to the Casa Verde where you’ll whore for him – just like he does with all his conquests. (MECHE tries to break free, feigning more anger than she really feels. After a brief struggle, she gives in.) Let’s not talk about that bum. Just about you and me.

  MECHE (more docile). Don’t squeeze so tightly, you’re hurting me.

  LA CHUNGA. I can do what I like to you. You’re my slave (MECHE laughs.) Don’t laugh. Repeat after me. I am your slave.

  MECHE (pauses, laughs, becomes serious). It’s just a game, isn’t it? All right. I am your slave.

  LA CHUNGA. I am your slave and now I want to be your whore. (Pause.) Repeat.

  MECHE (almost whispering). I am your slave and now I want to be your whore.

  LA CHUNGA. And so you shall.

  The room gradually darkens and eventually disappears. From the rocking chair, JOSE carries on watching the darkened room, hypnotised. We begin to hear the noise the Boys are making – toasts, singing, oaths – at the table where they are playing dice.

  III

  Speculations about Meche

  Throughout the following dialogue, the Boys continue playing dice and drinking beer.

  LITUMA. Do you want to know something? Sometimes I think Mechita’s disappearance is just another one of Josefino’s little stories.

  MONKEY. You’ll have to do much, much better than that, because I don’t know what you’re talking about.

  LITUMA. A woman can’t vanish into thin air, overnight. Not in Piura. This town’s no bigger than my hand.

  JOSEFINO. If she’d stayed in Piura, I’d have found her. She’s left town, I’m sure of it. Probably run to Ecuador. Or Lima, maybe. (Pointing to the rocking chair where JOSE is sitting.) She knows, but she’ll take the secret to her grave. Won’t you, Chunguita? Because of you I lost a woman, a woman who’d have made me rich. But I don’t hold any grudge against you. Because I’ve got a heart of gold, you know.

  MONKEY. Don’t start on Meche again or José will start wanking off. (Nudging the invisible JOSE.) It drives you crazy imagining them up there. Eating hair pie, weren’t they?

  LITUMA (continues unperturbed with his theory). Someone would have seen her taking the bus or the colectivo. She’d have said goodbye to someone. She’d have taken some stuff with her. But she left behind her clothes, her suitcase. And no-one saw her go. That’s why I’m not convinced about this escape story. You know what I think sometimes, Josefino?

  MONKEY (touching LITUMA’s head). A miracle! He can think! I thought ‘hee-haw’ was the only thing asses could manage. (Mockingly sympathetic.) Aahh!

  JOSEFINO. What do you think then, Einstein?

  LITUMA. You beat her up every now and then, didn’t you? Don’t you beat every girl who’s mad about you? I sometimes think you might have let things get out of hand, my friend.

  JOSEFINO (laughing) Are you saying that I killed her? What a profound thought, Lituma.

  MONKEY. But this little Gallinazo couldn’t hurt a fly. He’s all mouth and trousers. Just look at him, playing with his knife, acting like he’s Mr Big. I could blow on him and he’d fall over. Look! (Blows). Fall over, will you! Don’t make me look bad in front of my friends.

  LITUMA (very seriously, developing his idea). You could have been jealous that Mechita spent the night with Chunga. You were furious. You’d been totally cleaned out that night, do you remember? You got home feeling like a wild beast. You needed to take it out on someone. Mechita was there and she took the rap. You could easily have let things get out of hand.

  JOSEFINO (amused). And then I chopped her into little pieces and threw her in the river. Holy Shit, you’re a genius, Lituma. (To the absent JOSE, handing him the dice.) At last, José, you’ve been chosen to win. The dice are yours.

  LITUMA. Poor Meche. She didn’t deserve a sonofabitch like you.

  JOSEFINO. The things you have to put up with from your friends. If you weren’t one of the Boys, I’d cut off your balls and feed them to the dogs.

  MONKEY. Aahh! You big bully! What have the little doggies done to make you want to poison them?

  JOSE returns to his seat, as discreetly as he left it. At the same time, and with the other three Boys equally unaware of any movement, LITUMA gets up and leaves the table.

  JOSEFINO. Why have you gone so quiet, pal?

  JOSE. I’m losing and I don’t feel like talking. OK, now my luck’s going to change. (Picks up the dice and blows on them. Puts a banknote on the table.) There’s a hundred sols. Who’s game? (Addressing LITUMA’s chair, as if he were still there.) Lituma?

  In the following two scenes JOSE, MONKEY and JOSEFINO act as if LITUMA were still at the table. But LITUMA is now at the foot of the little staircase, looking up at LA CHUNGA’s bedroom, which is now lit up.

  IV

  Pimping

  LA CHUNGA and MECHE are dressed. There is no trace of them having taken off their clothes and made love. Both behave very differently from
the previous scene that they acted out. MECHE is sitting on the bed, slightly distressed, and LA CHUNGA, who stands in front of her, no longer seems sensual and domineering but more enigmatic and Machiavellian.

  MECHE (lights a cigarette and takes a deep drag, trying to conceal her uneasiness). You must be dreaming if you think he’s ever going to give you back those three thousand sols.

  LA CHUNGA. I know he won’t give them back. I don’t care.

  MECHE (scrutinising her, intrigued). Do you think I believe that, Chunga? That I don’t know what a moneygrubber you are? You work day and night like a dog just to rake in more cash.

  LA CHUNGA. I mean, in this case, it doesn’t bother me. And it’s helped you out, hasn’t it? If I hadn’t given him that money, Josefino would’ve taken out all his anger on you.

  MECHE. Yes. He would have beaten me. Whenever something goes wrong, whenever he gets angry, I’m the one who takes the rap. (Pause.) One of these days he’s going to kill me.

  LA CHUNGA. So why are you still with him, you fool.

  MECHE. I don’t know . . . Maybe that’s why. Because I’m a fool.

  LA CHUNGA. Do you love him even though he beats you?

  MECHE. I don’t really know if I love him any more. I did in the beginning. Now perhaps it’s only fear that stops me leaving him. Chunga, he’s . . . a brute. There are times, even when I haven’t done anything, when he makes me kneel in front of him like he were a god. He takes out his knife and presses it here. ‘Be grateful you’re still alive,’ he says. ‘Your life is only on loan, always remember that.’

  LA CHUNGA. And you’re still with him? Women can be so stupid. I’ll never understand how anyone could stoop so low.

  MECHE. Then you’ve never been in love.

  LA CHUNGA. And never will be. I prefer to live without a man, alone, like a cactus. No-one’s ever going to force me to my knees. Or tell me my life’s only on loan.

  MECHE. Ah, if only it were possible to break free from Josefino . . .

  LA CHUNGA (starting a game in which the spider lures the fly into her web). But you can, you fool. (Smiling mischievously.) Have you forgotten how pretty you are? Don’t you realise what you do to men when you walk past? Don’t their heads turn? Don’t they flirt with you? Don’t they make passes at you when he can’t hear?

  MECHE. Yes. If I’d wanted to, I could have been unfaithful a thousand times. I’ve had many opportunities.

  LA CHUNGA. Of course you have. But perhaps you never noticed your best opportunity.

  MECHE (surprised). What are you talking about?

  LA CHUNGA. Someone who’s crazy about you. Someone who would do whatever you asked him, just so he could be with you. Because, to him, you’re the most beautiful, most precious woman alive – a queen, a goddess. You can have him at your feet, Meche. He’ll never treat you badly or make you feel afraid.

  MECHE. Who are you talking about?

  LA CHUNGA. Haven’t you noticed? I suppose it’s possible. He’s very shy with women . . .

  MECHE. Now I know why you gave Josefino those three thousand sols. You’re not a dyke. You’re a pimp, Chunga.

  LA CHUNGA (laughing, cordially). Did you think I was going to pay three thousand sols just to make love to you? No, Mechita, no man or woman’s worth that much to me. Those three thousand sols aren’t mine. They belong to the man who loves you. Just to have you, he’s prepared to spend everything he’s got and more. Be nice to him. Remember you promised to do whatever I told you. Now’s your chance to get your own back on Josefino for all those beatings. Make the most of it. (LITUMA has climbed the little staircase and is standing in the bedroom doorway, not daring to go in. LA CHUNGA goes out to get him.) Go in, go in. She’s there waiting for you. She’s all yours. I’ve spoken to her, don’t worry. Go on, Lituma, don’t be afraid. She’s all yours, enjoy it.

  With a mocking little laugh, she goes down from the bedroom to sit in her rocking chair. The Boys continue gambling and drinking.

  V

  A Romantic Love Affair

  MECHE (amazed). You! You’re the last person I expected. Monkey or José, perhaps. They’re always flirting with me, and when Josefino isn’t looking, they go even further. But you, Lituma, you’ve never said a single word to me.

  LITUMA (profoundly troubled). I’ve never dared, Mechita. I, well, I’ve always hidden my feelings for you. But, but, I . . .

  MECHE (amused at his embarrassment and awkwardness). You’re sweating, your voice is trembling. You’re so embarrassed, it’s painful. Ay, you are funny, Lituma!

  LITUMA (imploring). Don’t laugh at me, Meche. For the love of God, please don’t.

  MECHE. Have you always been frightened of women?

  LITUMA (very distressed). Not frightened. It’s more . . . I don’t know how to talk to them. I’m not like the others. When they want a girl, they know exactly what to say. But I’ve never known. I get nervous, the words don’t come out right.

  MECHE. Have you ever had a girlfriend?

  LITUMA. Not for free, Mechita. Only the harlots at the Casa Verde. I’ve always had to pay.

  MECHE. Just like you’re paying for me now.

  LITUMA (kneeling down in front of MECHE). Don’t ever compare yourself to a harlot Mechita, even as a joke.

  MECHE. What are you doing?

  LITUMA. I’d never make you kneel in front of me like Josefino does. I’d spend my life on my knees before you. You’re a goddess to me. (He crouches down and tries to kiss her feet.)

  MECHE. You look like a dog in that position.

  LITUMA (still trying to kiss her feet). Then let me be that for you, too. Your dog, Mechita. I’ll obey you. I’ll be loving when you want or I’ll stay very, very quiet if you prefer. Don’t laugh; I mean it.

  MECHE. Would you really do anything for me?

  LITUMA. Try me.

  MECHE. Would you kill Josefino if I asked you to?

  LITUMA. Yes.

  MECHE. But he’s your friend?

  LITUMA. You’re worth more to me than any friend. Please believe me, Mechita.

  MECHE (runs her hand through his hair as if she were stroking an animal). Come and sit down. I don’t want anyone to grovel to me like that.

  LITUMA (sits beside her on the bed without daring to approach too close, let alone to touch her). I’ve been in love with you from the first day I saw you. In the Bar Río, on the Puente Viejo. Do you remember? No, why should you remember. You never seem to notice me, even when you look straight at me.

  MECHE. In the Río Bar?

  LITUMA. José, Monkey and I were in the middle of a game and Josefino came in with you on his arm. (Mimicking him). ‘Check out what I’ve found. What do you think of this little pussy?’ And he lifted you up by the waist and showed you off to everyone. (Frowns.) I can’t stand it when he treats you like that.

  MECHE. Are you jealous of him?

  LITUMA. It’s more that I wish I could be like him. (Pause.) Tell me, Mechita. Does he really have one this big? Is that why all the girls are so mad about him? He never stops bragging to us: ‘I’m hung like a donkey.’ But I’ve asked the harlots in the Casa Verde and they say he’s lying, that he’s got a normal one.

  MECHE. You’re not going to get very far with me with filth like that, Lituma.

  LITUMA. Sorry. You’re right, I shouldn’t have asked you about that. But don’t you think it’s unfair? Josefino treats girls like an animal. He kicks them around, wins their heart, and when they’ve become totally hooked on him, he turns them into whores. Yet he still gets any girl he wants. Then look at me: I’m a nice guy, I’m romantic, I’d treat a woman who loved me like cut glass. But girls don’t even look at me. Is that fair?

  MECHE. Perhaps it isn’t fair. But is anything in life fair?

  LITUMA. Is it because I’m ugly that they don’t look at me, Mechita?

  MECHE (making fun of him). Let’s see, turn round, let me look at you. No, you’re not ugly, Lituma.

  LITUMA. Please be serious. I’m telling you th
ings I’ve never told anyone before.

  MECHE (watches him for a moment, suspicious). You fell in love with me the first time you saw me?

  LITUMA (nods). I couldn’t sleep all night. In the darkness, I kept seeing you and saying to myself: ‘She’s the loveliest woman I’ve ever seen. Women like that exist only in movies.’ I got so worked up I started crying, Mechita. You don’t know how many nights I lay awake thinking about you.

  MECHE. And you say you don’t know how to talk to women. What you’re saying to me is lovely.

  LITUMA (puts his hand into his pocket and takes out a small photograph). Look. I always carry you around with me.

  MECHE. Where did you get this photo from?

  LITUMA. I stole it from Josefino. It looks faded because I’ve kissed it so much.

  MECHE (strokes his head again). Why didn’t you ever say anything to me, silly?

  LITUMA. We still have time, don’t we? Marry me, Mechita. Let’s get out of Piura. Let’s start a new life.

  MECHE. But you’re broke, Lituma. Like all the Boys. And you’ve never done a day’s work in your life.

  LITUMA. That’s because I didn’t have anyone to push me, to make me change the way I lived. You don’t think I like being one of the Boys, do you? Let’s get married and you’ll see how different I’ll be, Mechita. I’ll work hard, at whatever. You’ll have everything you ever wanted.

  MECHE. Would we go to Lima?

  LITUMA. Lima, yes. Or wherever you want.

  MECHE. I’ve always wanted to go to Lima. It’s such a big city, Josefino would never find us.

  LITUMA. Of course he wouldn’t. Anyway, who cares if he does find us? Are you afraid of him?

  MECHE. Yes.

  LITUMA. With me, you wouldn’t be. He’s all bark and no bite. I’ve known him since we were little kids. He’s not a Mangache like us – he’s a Gallinazo. Gallinazos are all talk.

  MECHE. He’s not just talk with me. Sometimes he beats me unconscious. If I left him and went off with you, he’d kill me.

  LITUMA. Rubbish, Mechita. He’d find himself another woman in no time. Let’s go to Lima. Tonight.