Three Plays: The Young Lady from Tacna, Kathie and the Hippopotamus, La Chunga (22 page)
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Authors: Mario Vargas Llosa
BOOK: Three Plays: The Young Lady from Tacna, Kathie and the Hippopotamus, La Chunga
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LA CHUNGA
and
MECHE
are dressed. There is no sign whatever of them having undressed or made love. Their outward behaviour is very different from the previous scene in which they appeared.
MECHE
is sitting on the bed, a little dejected, and
LA CHUNGA
, who is standing in front of the bed, doesn’t seem at all like the sensual or domineering woman she was before, but rather more enigmatic and machiavellian.
MECHE
lights a cigarette. Draws the smoke into her lungs, trying to hide the fact that she feels uneasy.
and
MECHE
are dressed. There is no sign whatever of them having undressed or made love. Their outward behaviour is very different from the previous scene in which they appeared.
MECHE
is sitting on the bed, a little dejected, and
LA CHUNGA
, who is standing in front of the bed, doesn’t seem at all like the sensual or domineering woman she was before, but rather more enigmatic and machiavellian.
MECHE
lights a cigarette. Draws the smoke into her lungs, trying to hide the fact that she feels uneasy.
MECHE: If you think he’s ever going to give you back those three thousand
sols
, you must be dreaming.
sols
, you must be dreaming.
LA CHUNGA: I know I’ll never get them back. I don’t mind.
MECHE: (
Scrutinizing her, intrigued
) Do you really expect me to believe you, Chunga? Do you think I don’t know you’re the most tight-fisted woman in town, that you work day and night like a black so you can keep on coining it in?
Scrutinizing her, intrigued
) Do you really expect me to believe you, Chunga? Do you think I don’t know you’re the most tight-fisted woman in town, that you work day and night like a black so you can keep on coining it in?
LA CHUNGA: I mean,
in this case
, I don’t mind. Just as well for you, isn’t it? If I hadn’t given him that money, Josefino would have taken it all out on you.
in this case
, I don’t mind. Just as well for you, isn’t it? If I hadn’t given him that money, Josefino would have taken it all out on you.
MECHE: Yes. He would’ve beaten me up. Every time something goes wrong, every time he’s in a bad mood, I’m the one who pays for it. (
Pause
.) One of these days, he’s going to kill me.
Pause
.) One of these days, he’s going to kill me.
LA CHUNGA: Why do you stay with him, silly?
MECHE: I don’t know … maybe that’s why. Because I’m silly.
LA CHUNGA: He beats you up and you still love him?
MECHE: I don’t really know if I love him. I did to begin with. Now maybe I stay with him just because I’m scared, Chunga. He’s … a brute. Sometimes even if I’ve done nothing, he makes me kneel down before him, as if he were a god. He takes out his knife and draws it across here. ‘Be grateful you’re still alive,’ he says. ‘You’re living on borrowed time, don’t ever forget that.’
LA CHUNGA: And you still stay with him? How stupid women can be. I’ll never understand how anyone can sink so low.
MECHE: You’ve obviously never been in love.
LA CHUNGA: And I never will be. I prefer to live without a man. In total solitude. No one’s ever going to make me go down on my knees. Or tell me I’m living on borrowed time.
MECHE: Ah, if only I could break loose from Josefino …
LA CHUNGA: (
Like a spider attracting a fly into the web she’s spun for it
) But you can, silly. (
Smiling mischievously
) Have you forgotten how pretty you are? Don’t you realize what you do to men when you walk past? None of them can take their eyes off you. Don’t they pay you all sorts of compliments? Don’t they make you propositions when he’s out of earshot?
Like a spider attracting a fly into the web she’s spun for it
) But you can, silly. (
Smiling mischievously
) Have you forgotten how pretty you are? Don’t you realize what you do to men when you walk past? None of them can take their eyes off you. Don’t they pay you all sorts of compliments? Don’t they make you propositions when he’s out of earshot?
MECHE: Yes. I could have been unfaithful to him a thousand times, if I’d wanted to. I’ve had plenty of chances.
LA CHUNGA: (
Sitting beside her
) Of course you have. But perhaps you haven’t realized the best chance you ever had.
Sitting beside her
) Of course you have. But perhaps you haven’t realized the best chance you ever had.
MECHE: (
Surprised
) Who are you talking about?
Surprised
) Who are you talking about?
LA CHUNGA: Someone who’s crazy about you. Someone who’d do anything you asked, just to be with you, because he thinks you’re the most beautiful, the most exquisite creature alive – a queen, a goddess. You could have him at your feet, Meche. He’d never ill-treat or frighten you.
MECHE: But who are you talking about?
LA CHUNGA: Haven’t you noticed? I suppose it’s understandable. He’s very shy with women …
MECHE: Now I know why you gave those three thousand
sols
to Josefino. Not because you’re a dike. But because you’re a pimp, Chunga.
sols
to Josefino. Not because you’re a dike. But because you’re a pimp, Chunga.
LA CHUNGA: (
Laughing, warmly and affectionately
) Did you think I was going to pay three thousand
sols
to make love to you? No, Mechita, no man or woman alive is worth that much to me. Those three thousand
sols
aren’t mine. They belong to the man who loves you. He’s prepared to spend all he’s got and more just to have you. Be nice to him. Remember you promised to do whatever I asked. Now’s your chance to get your own back on Josefino for all those thrashings. Make the most of it.
Laughing, warmly and affectionately
) Did you think I was going to pay three thousand
sols
to make love to you? No, Mechita, no man or woman alive is worth that much to me. Those three thousand
sols
aren’t mine. They belong to the man who loves you. He’s prepared to spend all he’s got and more just to have you. Be nice to him. Remember you promised to do whatever I asked. Now’s your chance to get your own back on Josefino for all those thrashings. Make the most of it.
(LITUMA
has gone up the little staircase and is at the door of the room, but he doesn’t dare go in
. LA CHUNGA
goes out to meet him.
)
has gone up the little staircase and is at the door of the room, but he doesn’t dare go in
. LA CHUNGA
goes out to meet him.
)
Go on in. She’s there waiting for you. She’s yours. I’ve already had a word with her, don’t worry. Go on, Lituma, don’t be frightened. She’s all yours, enjoy it.
(
With a sardonic little laugh, she leaves the room and goes to sit down in her rocking chair. The superstuds carry on drinking and gambling.
)
With a sardonic little laugh, she leaves the room and goes to sit down in her rocking chair. The superstuds carry on drinking and gambling.
)
MECHE: (
Surprised
) So it was you. The last person I would have suspected. Mono or José, perhaps – they’re always flirting with me, and they sometimes go even further when Josefino isn’t looking. But you, Lituma, you’ve never said a single word to me.
Surprised
) So it was you. The last person I would have suspected. Mono or José, perhaps – they’re always flirting with me, and they sometimes go even further when Josefino isn’t looking. But you, Lituma, you’ve never said a single word to me.
LITUMA: (
Deeply embarrassed
) I’ve never dared, Mechita. I’ve never quite been able to show what I felt about you. But, but I …
Deeply embarrassed
) I’ve never dared, Mechita. I’ve never quite been able to show what I felt about you. But, but I …
MECHE: (
Amused at his awkwardness
) You’re all sweaty, your voice is trembling, you’re so shy, it’s painful. How funny you are, Lituma.
Amused at his awkwardness
) You’re all sweaty, your voice is trembling, you’re so shy, it’s painful. How funny you are, Lituma.
LITUMA: (
Imploring
) Please, don’t laugh at me, Meche. For the love of God … I beg you …
Imploring
) Please, don’t laugh at me, Meche. For the love of God … I beg you …
MECHE: Have you always been frightened of women?
LITUMA: (
Very sorrowfully
) Not frightened exactly. It’s just
that … I never know what to say to them. I’m not like the others. When they meet a girl they know how to chat her up, and make a date with her. I’ve never been able to do that. I get so worked up, I can’t get the words out.
Very sorrowfully
) Not frightened exactly. It’s just
that … I never know what to say to them. I’m not like the others. When they meet a girl they know how to chat her up, and make a date with her. I’ve never been able to do that. I get so worked up, I can’t get the words out.
MECHE: Haven’t you ever had a girlfriend?
LITUMA: I’ve never had a woman without paying for her, Mechita. Only the whores at the Casa Verde. And they always make me pay.
MECHE: Just like you’re paying for me now.
LITUMA: (
Kneeling before
MECHE) Don’t compare yourself with those whores, Mechita, not even in fun.
Kneeling before
MECHE) Don’t compare yourself with those whores, Mechita, not even in fun.
MECHE: What are you doing?
LITUMA: I’d never make you go down on your knees to me, like Josefino does. I’d spend my life on my knees in front of you. I’d worship you, Meche, as if you were a queen. (
He crouches down and tries to kiss her feet.
)
He crouches down and tries to kiss her feet.
)
MECHE: Ha ha, when you do that, you’re just like a little lapdog.
LITUMA: (
Still trying to kiss her feet
) Then at least let me be your lapdog, Meche. I’ll obey you, I’ll be loving and gentle whenever you want or if you’d rather I’ll just lie still. Don’t laugh, I’m being serious.
Still trying to kiss her feet
) Then at least let me be your lapdog, Meche. I’ll obey you, I’ll be loving and gentle whenever you want or if you’d rather I’ll just lie still. Don’t laugh, I’m being serious.
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 I thought he was your friend.
LITUMA: You’re worth more to me than any friend, Mechita. Do you believe that?
(MECHE
puts her hand on his head, as if stroking an animal
.)
puts her hand on his head, as if stroking an animal
.)
MECHE: Come, and sit beside me. I don’t want anyone to grovel to me like that.
LITUMA: (
Sitting beside her, on the bed, without daring to go very close to her or even touch her
) I’ve been in love with you since the first day I saw you. In the Río-Bar, on the Old Bridge. Don’t you remember? No. Why should you remember? You never seemed to take any notice of me, even when you were looking straight at me.
Sitting beside her, on the bed, without daring to go very close to her or even touch her
) I’ve been in love with you since the first day I saw you. In the Río-Bar, on the Old Bridge. Don’t you remember? No. Why should you remember? You never seemed to take any notice of me, even when you were looking straight at me.
MECHE: In the Río-Bar?
LITUMA: José, Mono and I were in the middle of a game, when in came Josefino with you on his arm. (
Imitating him
) Hey, look what I’ve found. What d’you think of her, eh? Then he lifted you up by the waist and paraded you in front of everyone. (
His face suddenly clouds over
.) I hate him when he does things like that to you.
Imitating him
) Hey, look what I’ve found. What d’you think of her, eh? Then he lifted you up by the waist and paraded you in front of everyone. (
His face suddenly clouds over
.) I hate him when he does things like that to you.
MECHE: Does he make you jealous?
LITUMA: No, he makes me envious, though. (
Pause
.) Tell me, Mechita. Is it true he’s got one this big? Is that why women are so crazy about him? He never stops bragging to us: ‘Mine’s a real whopper,’ he says. But I’ve asked the whores in the Casa Verde and they say it’s not true, that it’s the normal size – just like everyone else’s.
Pause
.) Tell me, Mechita. Is it true he’s got one this big? Is that why women are so crazy about him? He never stops bragging to us: ‘Mine’s a real whopper,’ he says. But I’ve asked the whores in the Casa Verde and they say it’s not true, that it’s the normal size – just like everyone else’s.
MECHE: You aren’t going to have much success with me if you say such disgusting things, Lituma.
LITUMA: I’m sorry. You’re right, I shouldn’t have asked you that. But, doesn’t it seem unfair? Josefino behaves so boorishly with women. He knocks them around, they fall in love with him, and when he’s got them really hooked, he sends them out to whore for him. And in spite of that, he still gets the ones he wants. Yet someone like me, who’s an honest, well-meaning, gentlemanly sort, who’d be prepared to treat any woman who loved him like precious china, never gets any attention at all. I ask you, is that fair?
MECHE: It may not be fair. But is anything in life fair?
LITUMA: Is it because I’m ugly that they don’t pay any attention to me, Mechita?
MECHE: (
Making fun of him
) Here. Let me have a look at you. No, you’re not that ugly, Lituma.
Making fun of him
) Here. Let me have a look at you. No, you’re not that ugly, Lituma.
LITUMA: Please be serious with me. I’m telling you things I’ve never told anyone in my life before.
(MECHE
looks at him for a moment mistrustfully
.)
looks at him for a moment mistrustfully
.)
MECHE: Did you fall in love with me the first time you saw me?
LITUMA: (
nodding
) I didn’t sleep all night. In the darkness, I kept seeing you. I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I thought women like you only
existed in the cinema. I worked myself up into such a state that I even cried, Mechita. I can’t tell you how many nights I’ve lain awake, thinking about you.
nodding
) I didn’t sleep all night. In the darkness, I kept seeing you. I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I thought women like you only
existed in the cinema. I worked myself up into such a state that I even cried, Mechita. I can’t tell you how many nights I’ve lain awake, thinking about you.
MECHE: And you say you don’t know how to talk to women. It’s beautiful, what you’re telling me.
(LITUMA
puts his hand in his pocket and takes out a small photograph.
)
puts his hand in his pocket and takes out a small photograph.
)
LITUMA: Look. I always carry you around with me.
MECHE: Where did you get that photo from?
LITUMA: I stole it from Josefino. It’s a bit faded – with all the kissing I’ve given it.
MECHE: (
Stroking his head again
) Why didn’t you ever say anything to me before, silly?
Stroking his head again
) Why didn’t you ever say anything to me before, silly?
LITUMA: We’ve still time, haven’t we? Marry me, Mechita. Let’s leave Piura. Let’s start a new life.
MECHE: But you’re broke, Lituma. Like the rest of the superstuds. And you’ve never done a day’s work in your life, either.
LITUMA: Because I’ve never had anyone to push me, to make me change the way I live. You don’t think I enjoy being a superstud, do you? Marry me – you’ll see how different I can be, Mechita. I’ll work hard, I’ll do anything. You’ll always have everything you want.
MECHE: Would we go to Lima?
LITUMA: To Lima, yes. Or wherever you want.
MECHE: I’ve always wanted to go to Lima. It’s such a large city, Josefino would never find us.
LITUMA: Of course not. And besides what would it matter if he did find us? Are you afraid of him?
MECHE: Yes.
LITUMA: With me you wouldn’t be. He’s quite harmless, really, he’s just a loud mouth. I know him very well – we were kids together. He’s not from round here, of course – he’s from the Gallinacera. There, they’re all talk and no action.
MECHE: Well, he’s not all talk with me. He sometimes beats me practically unconscious. If I left him to go away with you, he’d kill me.
LITUMA: Nonsense, Meche. He’d get himself another woman, just like that. Let’s go to Lima. Tonight.
MECHE: (
tempted
) Tonight?
tempted
) Tonight?
LITUMA: We’ll catch the bus from the Cruz de Chalpón. Come on.
MECHE: Shall we get married?
LITUMA: As soon as we get to Lima, I promise you. It’s the first thing we’ll do. Would you like that? Shall we go? (
Pause
.)
Pause
.)
MECHE: Let’s go. We’ll never return to Piura. I hope I won’t live to regret this one day, Lituma.
LITUMA: (
Kneeling again
) I promise you never will, Mechita. Thank you, thank you. Ask me for something, anything you want, just tell me to do something.
Kneeling again
) I promise you never will, Mechita. Thank you, thank you. Ask me for something, anything you want, just tell me to do something.
MECHE: Get up, we’ve no time to waste. Go and pack your suitcase, and buy the tickets. Wait for me at the Cruz de Chalpón bus station. Halfway up Avenida Grau, all right? I’ll be there, just before twelve.
LITUMA: Where are you going?
MECHE: I can’t just leave without taking anything with me. I’m going to fetch my things. Just a few essentials.
LITUMA: I’ll come with you.
MECHE: No, it’s not necessary. Josefino is in the Casa Verde and he never gets back till dawn – I’ve got more than enough time. We mustn’t be seen together on the street though, no one must suspect a thing.
LITUMA: (
Kissing her hands
) Mechita, Mechita, darling. I’m so happy I can’t believe it’s true. (
Crosses himself, looks at the sky
.) Thank you God, dear sweet God. From now on I’m going to be different, I’m going to stop being lazy – I’m going to stop gambling, living it up, lying … I swear to you …
Kissing her hands
) Mechita, Mechita, darling. I’m so happy I can’t believe it’s true. (
Crosses himself, looks at the sky
.) Thank you God, dear sweet God. From now on I’m going to be different, I’m going to stop being lazy – I’m going to stop gambling, living it up, lying … I swear to you …
MECHE: (
Pushing him
) Come on, hurry up, we’re wasting time, Lituma. Quickly, run …
Pushing him
) Come on, hurry up, we’re wasting time, Lituma. Quickly, run …
LITUMA: Yes, yes, whatever you say, Mechita.
(
He gets up hurriedly, rushes towards the staircase, but there he loses his impetus. He slows down – comes to a halt – and slowly returns to the gambling table, weary and sad. The
superstuds do not notice him. Once again the central focus is on them, as they continue to gamble, swear and drink toasts to each other.
)
He gets up hurriedly, rushes towards the staircase, but there he loses his impetus. He slows down – comes to a halt – and slowly returns to the gambling table, weary and sad. The
superstuds do not notice him. Once again the central focus is on them, as they continue to gamble, swear and drink toasts to each other.
)
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