El Loco Ruiz Detailed description by Kristen McCleary Darthes and Damel authors Opened April 2, 1919 Acting company Muino--Alippi Opens in a little living room (word in French, garconniere, which sometimes functions as a fumoir, both in French). Furniture is random, not a matched set. There is a big chandelier and a piano. There are two doors made of curtains. One big door opens into a dressing room. A little balcony with a railing. You see the beginning of the stairway that opens up to the street. A sofa with a well-dressed doll on it. [Ruiz’ apartment?] Curtain opens: The madman –el loco Ruiz and Angelica, horacio with Elena are dancing a tango that the older man, Ghio, plays on the piano. Antonia sulks in a corner. Ruiz: Let’s see if we can hit these moves [cuts as in the cut from the tango] Horacio: [to Ghio] Very good you one-man orchestra! Elena: Let’s see. We need more light to see! Ruiz: ]Makes an unusual but spectacular dance move] And I turn! Angelica: He sure can dance well. Agustina enters in a dust jacket, filing her nails. The music stops Ruiz to Ghio, how is the pianoforte Ghio: well it smells a little bit like gasoline. Other: It is stained too. Agustina: [referring to Ghio’s moustache and beard] where do you get the stain for this, Ghio? [joking] Ghio: Silence you big critic. This is my natural tone. Jet black. Horacio to Antonia: What’s up with you? Antonia: Nothing Agustina: Leave her alone if she does not want to talk. Ruiz looking at the three women’s hats sit on the piano. “Isn’t there a better place for these hats? Elena: I don’t see any hooks Ruiz: That is true. [looking around] what do you think of the place? It is missing a few things but..Here, check out this statue of Diana the Hunter that I bought in Guerrico’s place. And this porcelain pitcher with a portrait of a German prince that had been in Bricabrac for four years. Horacio: The prince? Ruiz: No idiot, the pitcher. Don’t make jokes. Here I have the ticket [pawn ticket] [Refers to “bric a brac” which must have been a famous pawn shop (mentioned in Tango in Paris too] Elena: and here we are all related. Antonia lives upstairs Angelica says: right and and she poisons herself three times a week Antonia: Me? I never do that Ruiz: and across the hall Gabriela lives And in the downstairs room, is Wilson the Englishman We are all the way we want to be. Ruiz to Horacio: and the boys? Are they going? H: yes Ruiz well before they leave, play another tune. Horacio calls to the right and two criollo ‘duetists’ come in [payadores would have a duel-off iwth their guitars in Argentine popular culture] Let’s hear the guitar! Ghio plays the piano and everyone asks for a particular song: Como Lake! Volver! Jokes and the guitar players want something to drink. Ruiz says, let’s mix the rabble with the upper classes! Guitarrist asks, which are we? Ruiz, says why the rabble of course! They leave all joking. Pianist asks Elena to sing, she says she does not feel like it. Ruiz: Well let us know what it takes, we can bring in the orchestra from the Teatro Colon [opera house a clear symbol of upper class argentina] Sing! Everyone wants her to sing. Ruiz picks her up and moves her to the balcony where she is up a few steps from the crowd. She is angry, Let me go! Angelica intervenes with Ruiz—let her go you brute! Ruiz to Angelica: You stay out of it or your opinion will find itself on the other end of a blow! Horacio: Come on Sing! Agustina to Antonia, why are you crying? Did Guillermo do something to you? Antonia: Yes, I tried to give him 50 pesos to buy an overcoat but he would not take them. [gender relations out of whack] Ruiz: And you are crying for this? Boy you need to move from here.. Antonia: Yes I am going. Angelica: (low voice) There is no man on earth that is worth one single tear from a woman Antonia leaves Agustina: What’s going on? Carolina Invenizio! [Carolina Maria Margarita Invernizio, better known just as Carolina Invenizio, was an Italian novelist. She had a large popular success between late 1800s until her death.] Ruiz: Come on! . Elena sings the first part of a popular tonadilla [look this up]. Ghio plays the piano. All are enthused. The bell rings. Ghio: using a tenor’s voice: Que puó? [in Italian] Ruiz angered: Hush! Come on up citizen there is no doorman. A kid enters “retinto.”[very dark] He is lively vivacious. He looks around. He is dressed in a green uniform. Sees the women and laughs. He asks, Is there a Pancho Ruiz here? Ruiz: who wants to know? Pibe/kid: A very well-dressed pibe.[lunfardo for kid] Ruiz: do you have a letter [of introduction]? Pibe: no, he said to wait. Who? Pibe: Mingo Agustina: Where are you coming from? Pibe: the Petit Salon Ruíz: Oh Goyito, here take twenty pesos. Pibe: wow. Que mistongo [lundardo for something like, cheapskate] this is not worth much They all laugh Ruiz: I don’t have anything smaller Angelica offers the pibe a candy Pibe takes it Ruiz: give him a kiss Angelica: that no Ruiz: becomes violent “why not”? Pibe: is it because I am black? Ruiz grabs Angelica by the wrist, “kiss him” The pibe kisses her on the cheek and tension breaks up. She frees herself from Ruiz. Ruiz to the kid: do you like white almonds? Pibe: I prefer chocolates. Ruiz to pibe: take another 20 and scram Pibe to Angelica: Good night sweetheart! Elena: Look at him! The boy leaves with a mouthful of chocolates. Angelica turns to Ruiz furious You are a beast an animal! Ruiz: tone down your words, honey. [He pinches her.] Agustina: Leave her alone. She is on her period. Ruiz hits Horacio in the head Why don’t you do something to get these moribund people out of here? Horacio: Dude, don’t hit me! He leaves Agustina to Angelica: don’t go. Elena: don’t pay any attention to him –he’s crazy Ghio: Yeah, it was just a joke. Angelica: No Sir. I am going. Ghio to Ruiz: Don’t be like that madman. Apologize to her. Agustina to Ruiz: Call her back. Ruiz: Okay, Hey Angelica (he calls her indicating she should come back with his index finger) Angelica: What do you want? Ruiz: Hey you should take advantage this moment when I am sweet. Angelica: If you promise not to mess with me anymore Ruiz: I swear. From this moment on it will be like I do not know you. Horacio returns. He hits Ruiz on the head with the tray he is carrying full of siphons for soda water, bottles, and glasses. Horacio is always described as nervous or fearful when he stands up to Ruiz. Ruiz: What are you having boys? Everyone except Angelica is around the table. The women order triple sec, Cherry Brandy, the men whiskey and cognac [even drinks are gendered] Horacio: Let’s toast the madman Ruiz, patron saint of our little boat! The phone rings It is for Ruiz Everytime the phone rings Ghio announces it in the voice of a tenor which upsets Ruiz. Ruiz: Hello, who is it [he asks operator]? My sister? [then he takes the call] You get into La Union at ten? Sure I will come get you. Elena: Who is it? Ruiz is furious: When I pick up the phone, don’t talk near me or I will kick you all next time [must be hard to hear on the phone]. [returns to call] Yes, in a second I will get in my car and come get you. They are all drinking (cognac) Goyo shows up very well dressed says he is going to Noche de Odeon. [this refers to noche de gala, or the special event function of the theater where everyone dresses up] Who is the girl: a blond telephone operator… Door bell Who is it? Goyo, the three shout, Long Live Goyo Goyo comes in Horacio asks for music and Ghio plays the march from Aida to accompany his entrance He is dressed elegantly He says to Ruiz: Did you pay him? Ruiz: don’t talk to me about sad things… They serve him a drink, cognac What’s new Angelica? Nothing much--Did I hear that you are getting married Goyo: I am bored, what else can I do? Ruiz: I hear you are running out at all hours to get medicine for the baby--they say he has colic. To goyo: where are you going, so dressed up? Noche de Odeon (I am guessing this is the noche de gala de odeon) Will she be there? Yes! Oh I am trembling -- [they make fun of him being in love] Ghio: looking out the balcony: hey here comes alfredo Angelica and goyo sit on the sofa. They see Alfredo coming iwth someone: who is he? Some guy Alfredo brought home from the hospital [an air that they are looking to take advantage of Akman, a country bumpkin) Alfredo: I want to introduce you to my friend armando Akman, a great salesman of the bible and a Christian Ruiz: so you sell bibles eh? Akman: yes, but this is just a pretext so that i can help the youth who are so tempted into sin keep on the way of the lord. They offer him a drink but he refuses. They are a bit shocked, but this is to refuse yourself one of the pleasures of life! They ask him about women, surely you are interested in women? Ruiz asks the women to come near.. I am virtuous Akman says Someone throws a bit of sugar on him; they are teasing him but he is not in on the joke; Horacio sprays soda water on Akman. Come give us a sermon they say. But you cannot pray dressed like that in your street clothes. Agustina: come sit next to me--you would not resist a woman’s desires would you? They convince akman to put on a cloak with a hood. Ruiz hands him a palm frond Alfredo to Ruiz: hey, what is going on Fray Mocho? [Fray is a name for monk and Fray Mocho is a popular magazine of the era] Ruiz to Ghio: hey, play us some holy music He plays la neurastenica Akman: that is not holy music They all shout: La balbina la balbina ya no toma la aspirina!” a children’s rhyme?https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balbina Akman: you should not refer to things of the lord in that manner He tries to get down from the estrada/platform Ruiz; no no, stay put Everyone talks at the same time, Ruiz asks for silence Goyo tries to get them to stop making fun of Akman but Angelica intervenes, No, let them go ahead, don’t get involved. Akman opens the bible to Ruiz, Take the woman’s hand Ruiz: okay Akman: All we do is for the lord--It was a spring day and Magadalena was out showing off her luxurious hair. It is not like today when all the women want to ride in the tram with someone else alongside. That woman was better but like you all, she was a wayward sheep Agustina: slower please! Elena: yes, you englishman don’t make us miss things Ghio sings as a tenor: de Quella pirra [Italian} Alfredo throws something at Akman. Horacio to Ruiz: are you going to turn off the lights? Ruiz takes the key for electricity getting ready to turn it off Akman: but that poor woman who was so astray, met a pastor, who shone a light on her soul While he is talking they turn out the lights and great chaos ensues. The Englishman tries to escape--everyone except for Angelica and Goyo run out into the street where there is more shouting and the arrival of a cop. Goyo: everyday they get more crazy Angelica: I know, i cannot take this much longer Goyo: I am so bored of all of this. Angelica: me too Goyo: really? Angelica: however Goyo: what Angelica: You can still try to be happy. I cannot And you why not? He sits next to her Angelica: How can I get off of this merry-go-round? I don’t think I can love anymore. Or if I were to meet someone who can help me get out of here, I don’t know if I could trust that he really would or if he would deceive me. I can’t fall in love. Goyo: oh no? Why not? Angelica: because it is very late. I have waited too long. About five years ago there was someone who loved me but I rejected him because of frivolous reasons. I was young. Intoxicated by vice. You know, how I fear turning thirty! Goyo: 30? Angelica: Yes, you can fake it with perfume and clothes, trying to be twenty for awhile but… Goyo: for ten years we have known each other Angelica: Yes, ten years! Goyo: it was my first year of medical school Angelica: I remember it like yesterday, I was wearing a grey suit --un rancho de alas anchas--and someone introduced me to Lorenzo it was at Viamonte and Florida streets. Goyo: and he asked me to get in the car. Angelica: and we went together with Celia from the glove shop to have a vermouth in Recoleta. Then you left us near our house. Goyo: poor lorenzo Angelica: (with anger) why poor? He was the man who did me in--he was brutal perverse hurtful and who poisioned the air. He could not ever cry. He is just like el loco Ruiz Goyo: ten years in jail (palacios law) Angelica: they should have given him life! I was only 20 and far more innocent than anyone realizes. My mother died. My father spent his time in cafes and at the races. He lost 120 pesos regularly that would have made him rich but for the betting. And my three little brothers starving. How many Mondays would I read la Prensa [newspaper] hoping to see that he had won something, from the money we would have used to buy food with. Goyo: it was his fate Angelica: why did my mom have to die? If only i had a parent who would have hit me the first time i arrived home thirty minutes late, to keep me in line. Someone who asked me where i got these expensive clothes on my meager income. Goyo: life is hard Angelica: I know and now you are leaving too. Who else will i have to talk to me about those times in the past, when I was still good? Goyo: am i really your only friend? Angelica: Yes, because you are the only one who has not tried to have me be something more. You are the only one who has never had a violent word for me and you have taken care of me. Remember that time i drank too much, you put ice on my forehead and injected me with caffeine so I would come to my senses? [What???] Goyo: I spent two days by your side that time Angelica: and you did not speak Goyo: I was so in love with you. So noble were my intentions towards you that I could not put them into words without diminishing them. I was fine with just loving you in silence. And everytime I celebrated with you your latest conquest, I felt the love I had for you but which I never expressed, die a little. Angelica: [moved] Goyo! Goyo: I still see you there on our trips to Tigre, you next to Lorenzo, in your tailored suit. Angelica: with those two little pockets that were so hard for them to sewn Goyo: what healthy and natural laughter we shared Angelica: and at night when we parted, remember how quiet and sad we were? [she cries] Goyo: are you crying? Angelica: Then I was a young woman, innocent. now I am.. Goyo: life is like this, cruel very cruel [everyone comes back into the scene including a police officer from Cordoba they are all in lively conversation] Alfredo: Like we said officer, we did not know him. He showed up on the balcony asking us to let him in Horacio: since we are good guys we let him in Elena: he was so pale And cold freezing cold Alfredo: we brought him in and gave him some hot soup Ghio: and bread Horacio: turns out he was here to rob us! Elena: Here (with the door knob to the bathroom in his hand) this is the proof of the crime! Police: there are many wise guys around here--he is one of them Elena: Officer why don’t you have a drink Police: no i can’t Elena: really just a little cognac? Police: I don’t drink hard alcohol like that Agustina: how about Anis then? Police: well, sure maybe a little Agustina: small or large glass? Police: (points to large) but just give me a little, anis is okay to drink because it is sweet Horacio: and you see officer, we are young active men so you know there sometimes is a little noise coming from this place Alfredo: you will be the one watching this place right? Police: Yes, I will “watch” the place [uses lunfardo word calo from calar] You are all at 340 correct? The other night something was thrown down from the balcony and it almost hit someone. I was on the rounds but I came by and I did not see anything. Ghio: very well done officer Elena: What a provincial gaucho you are! Police: you can all rest easy. We are all criollos after all aren’t we? Ghio: here take this “che”[hands him five pesos] Police: no, we cannot be paid off with money Elena: really take the money Police: I will take some more of this drink, however Agustina: [aside] this botón [lunfardo for police] is shameless Police [has more to drink]: okay see you all later. We are going to cite him, no worries. He is super upset though. Anyway, you can all rest easy, and remember that the police cannot be bribed with money! [he leaves] Angelica: you all are animals Horacio: Ah don’t be that way Goyo: did they arrest him? Alfredo: Yes, Ruiz made the police think he was crazy. Angelica: what a thug. Where is he?o Ghio: He disappeared amidst the turmoil He had to go pick up the girl who called on the phone Alfredo: do you know who she is? Horacio: they say she is a telephone operator Ghio: I think I saw her with him last week at the Molino [a cafe]. She is pretty good looking. Goyo: there was a distinguished air about her What do you mean distinguished? You know, like all the young girls who meet him end up being, ‘distinguished’ [clear social class reference] Antonia enters pale with her hand on her stomach. What is wrong with you? Antonia: I feel sick. I feel like crying [she cries]. I am ashamed. Others: what is going on? Why? I poisioned myself Elena: with what? With Acaroina [a popular disinfectant--http://blogs.monografias.com/el-buenos-aires-que-se-fue/2012/02/07/acaroina-el-desinfectante-popular/ Angelica: does something hurt? Antonia; my boots do Alfredo: maybe give them a beating Angelica: hush! But why did you do this? Antonia: because Guillermo would not take the 50 pesos for the overcoat And I am ashamed Horacio: here take a little of this soap water Ghio to Goyo: you have studied medicine, what should we do? Goyo: oil Ghio: we don’t have oil Horacio: soap water give her Agustina: milk Antonia: no! [everyone argues over the best remedy] Horacio: she is losing her color Everyone panics not knowing what to do--someone says to throw vinager on her face Agustina picks up the phone to call public assistance Horacio puts it down saying it will bring them too much attention Ghio to Alfredo: call a car Horacio: i will take her Someone give us an overcoat They carry Antonia down the stairs to the car Ghio: the fourth time she has done this! Angelica: poor girl Agustina: hey alfredo is it true you won at the horse races? Alfredo: yes Agustina: how much? Alfredo: 100 pesos why? Agustina: look how worn out my boots are Alfredo: you still have a good two months in them Agustina: oh honey [comes near him, affectionate] don’t be mean Alfredo: [gives her the money] here you go take it Agustina: 20 pesos? Not even half? Alfredo: Well, I will take it back then Agustina: no no I will keep them Alfredo to Elena: Che [look up] are you about to see Jorge the guy who doubles down on everything? Can you give him these five tickets? Elena: if I get a commission Alfredo: here take 12, five will be winners Elena: on who? Alfredo: Maldanante now don’t forget Ghio: I am hungry Alfredo: in the kitchen are those six chickens that Ruiz brought Ghio: let’s go prepare them Goyo: to the women: are you coming? Agustina: we don’t feel like it [men leave] Agustina: hmmm what should I buy with this money? Elena: shoes--you cannot get boots for 20 pesos. How much will we get from Malandante? Agustina: 100 pesos Elena: I have such a desire to drink up those five tickets! The bell rings Who is it? [Angelica who was on the sofa playing iwth the doll, moves to the stairs] Angelica: it is a woman I don’t know with a baby. Woman: I am sorry to bother you all. I am here looking for el loco Ruiz Angelica: he is not here. What can we do for you? Agustina: yes, you can wait. He should be back soon. Woman: No no, I should go. [she moves towards door but then breaks into tears] Angelica: what is wrong? Agustina closes the door that leads to the hallway for privacy: yes tell us what is wrong Woman: he has no soul. He is terrible Angelica takes the baby from her: here don’t scare the baby, sit down Agustina and Elena come near the baby: look at him smile, oh he is so skinny, how old is he? Woman: two months Elena; it’s a boy right? Look how he smiles Angelica: what a treasure he is [all the women agree] Agustina: look, be frank with us, why are you here to see El Loco? Woman: well, i come like i do everyday just to talk to him. But he always turns me away..so why should I tell you all? Who will listen to me?who will believe me? Agustina hands her a handkerchief: here wipe your face Elena: the baby has such a cold. Angelica wipes his nose Woman: yes, what a cough the baby has. He is sick Angelica: What does the doctor say? Woman: Doctor! Who has any money to pay for a doctor! This poverty is making us both weak. Angelica: are you two eating? Agustina to elena: go get some milk Angelica to Agustina: look it looks like he understands! Oh, if only my own child had not died.. Angelica: who is this boy’s father Agustina: is it true it is Pancho Ruiz? Woman: yes, but he denies it. He won’t give us money. I tell him I will work but I only want an honorable job. You two could you find me a place in a house with a decent family? Even to work as a servant would be something Angelica and Agustina look at one another upset Neither of them can help her this way. You don’t have any family they ask her? Woman: no, when I was younger I worked in a fabric factory (de tejidos) when I met Pancho. They threw me out when they found out I was pregnant. I have come to ask for help from him many times but he never listens--he even pushes me away, saying I am lying that the child is not his. But misery and hunger make me return. Elena returns with a spoon, warm milk, and a napkin for a big. Agustina: look how smart he is, he knows it is time to eat [morfi she says in lunfardo] Angelica enraged over the woman’s story: listen, I know el loco better than you do but he is all you say; a beast, without soul, a criminal. I will help you. Give me your address and I will do what I can Woman: Ecuador 860. But don’t go there yourself. It is a conventillo. No place for you [social class distinction --these plays are in boarding houses not conventillos or not?] Angelica: well look where I am now. Isn’t this a thousand times worse? Elena: Here he is -- all fed. Now go to your mom [hands the baby back] Agustina: his feet are so cold. Angelica: here put on the slippers [escarpines https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escarp%C3%ADn_(calzado)] from the doll Elena: ah good idea. [puts on the shoes] Angelica in low voice: girls, come on, do we have some money we can give this poor woman? Agustina: I just have these 20 pesos Alfredo gave me to buy shows...but here, take them Elena: and wait, i have ten pesos he gave me to buy those 5 tickets. Take them. Besides, Malandante is nothing but a burro. He was going to lose anyway. Angelica: this poor young woman is far worse off than we are. [she takes all the money rolls it up and puts in a ring she has taken off of her finger and gives it to the woman] Here take it. I do not have any money but you can pawn this ring. It is worth at least fifty pesos. Woman: but why would you give us such a precious ring? Angelica: take it, pawn it, you can send the pawn ticket to me here Agustina: yes, take the money. We would just waste it on trivial things Woman: I don’t know how to thank you all Agustina: just take the baby to a doctor tomorrow. That is how yuo can thank us Elena: just keep us posted Agustina: I am going to hit the father of this beautiful baby! He is awful. [they all kiss baby] Woman leaves Elena: the baby belongs to El loco? Angelica: yes Elena: I thought the baby looked like him -- a little bit of canalla/scoundrel in his face Angelica: Girls, let’s just keep this to ourselves and not tell anyone right now They all agree Ghio: Girls are you coming or not? We are all getting bored waiting for you Angelica: Well, so are we! The girls wait for Ghio while he closes the piano, singing an aria from an opera. They hear loud guffawing from the other room, Ruiz enters. Ruiz, Che, bring in the girl. Get everyting in order. Stop making such chaos. Ghio: but… Ruiz: scram. He becomes super kind and says: Luisita, come on in here. Have a seat. Luisita innocent comes in looks around: why how pretty all of this is. How well decorated! Ruiz: yes, thanks to my sister it is so nicely arranged. Here come sit next to me. Luisita: I did not think you would introduce me to your family so soon! Ruiz: of course. I love you so much if you feel the same then.. Luisita: i think of you all the time. I am so happy. If this is being in love, then I guess I am She hears something from the bathroom--what is that noise? Ruiz: oh it must be the boys--hey you guys, be quiet! Luisita would you like a drink? Some champagne perhaps? Luisita: oh I have never had a drink before. Will it make me sick? Ruiz: make you sick? Of course not, it is sweet. Don’t move. I am going to go get some people who want to meet you. [he exits] Luisita stares, inquisitorially to the living room. She turns towards the bathroom where it sounds like someone has fallen. Horacio returns from the public hospital surprised to see a new face. He asks her: who brought you here? She smiles: Pancho Horacio: aside que ligarotti! [Italian] is the Loco! Luisita is going to spy through the lock what is going on in the other room when the door that the lock is on open and Angelica, smoking a cigarette, comes in. The two women look at each other. Angelica sits on the sofa, legs crossed, and whistles. Silence. Luisita: good evening ma’am Angelica: good evening Luisita: Pancho has gone to get some champagne. Everyone always talks about how good it is. I have never tried it. But i guess there has to be a first time for everything! Angelica: yes, of course [distracted] Luisita: are you pancho’s sister? Angelica surprised: what? Ruiz comes in with champagne and two glasses: Ah, just in time so I can introduce you two, my sister, Angelica, and my girlfriend, Luisita Luisita: so pleased to meet you! [looks to ruiz] she smokes? Angelica: European ways [she whistles] Ruiz: she spent a lot of time in Paris Luisita: she whistles too? Ruiz, yes, she does a little of everything, smokes, plays the piano, whistles. [gendered behaviors only one of which is what ‘decent’ women might do] Luisita: is her husband a good man Angelica: aside [my husband] Ruiz: ghio Angelica: ah Ghio! Ghiho come here Ghio comes in singing like a tenor in Italian: ridi pagliacco https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesti_la_giubba [and do more research on this!] Ruiz tells him to hush up Ghio: what’s up Ruiz: I want to introduce you to my girlfriend. Luisita this is my brother in law, Alberto Ghio Luisita: we aren’t engaged yet though Ghio aside to ruiz: who am I married to? Ruiz motions to Angelica: to her They open champagne, Ghio plays along, Luisita takes a sip: it’s spicy! You get used to it after awhile Luisita to Ghio: you have a good family? Yes, do you? Luisita: yes, well mom has finally gotten over her headaches Alfredo comes in humming and dancing to a tango: Angelica, come on and eat iwth us Ghio whispers to him: Angelica is my woman Ah pardon me! Ruiz, we have guests. Luisita this is my brother Antonio Alfredo whispers to Ruiz: she is quite a looker! Agustina from the hallway, eating bread, her mouth full, why don’t you just play cara sucia? [dirty face] which is such a lovely song. Ruiz: ah come here I want you to meet my girlfriend Luisita She meets agustina, and exclaims: but how many of you live together! In my house there are just four, my mom and my two younger siblings, and me [no father] The sound of breaking dishes comes from inside. Luisita is getting frightened It must be Horacio who is crazy Luisita: who is Horacio? Ruiz: he is the cook’s dog. Here someone come with me to help tie him up.[most exit, laughing] Luisita: well, what a fright he gave me Angelica; how long have you known ruiz? L: a month and a half Angelica; how did you meet him? L I left the office one night, and he followed me 12 blocks. I finally turned to meet him because he was so insistent [streets are dangerous for young women] Goyo comes in and hands a revolver wrapped in cloth to Angelica; Here take it, it is Horacio’s and you know how violent he can get when drinking [the audience sees it but luisita does not] Goyo sees L and asks Angelica; who is this? Angelica; oh this is Ruiz’ girlfriend, Luisita this is Goyo Campos, a friend of ours Goyo: how old are you? L: 15 [while they talk Angelica hides the pistol under the cover of the piano Goyo: are you alone? L: No, i have my mom and my little brother luisito who is 14 and a messenger and my sister Maria who is 12 and works in a corseteria [place where they make corsets] Goyo: and what do you do? L: I am a telefonista [operator or receptionist?] when my father died, they recommended me to sr. Gigena who hired me right away. Here in the winter they are going to change my shift because getting off at ten pm, well my mom doesn’t like it and i don’t either. [laws about working age at this time?] Goyo: and how did you come to be here? L: Ruiz brought me. If i had realized I was going to meet all of you I would have worn something nicer. This lustrina [material] is fine for work but not nice enough to wear here. Angelica: but why did he say he was bringing you here? L: to meet you, his married sister. Goyo: and you believed him? L: is there something wrong? I mean, if we were going to get married one day, eventually we had to meet. I am poor but honorable...we love each other [she seems about to cry] he never told you about me? Angelica: calm down, yes, of course he did Goyo: poor thing L: you don’t oppose this do you? Ruiz is my first and I am sure he will be my only boyfriend! Angelica: and if you find out that Ruiz has lied, that he is deceiving you? Goyo: shhh. Don’t tell her L: no, pancho is a good man. Yesterday he gave me this watch bracelet. Here look how nice it is [she looks at Angelica’s boots] and he told me he would buy some nice boots of charol de caña alta, like yours. I think they would suit me well. What do you think? Ruiz enters: come in Luisita, my sister and brother in law want a moment with you in the dining room L: what time is it? Oh it is 1030 my mother must be waiting for me on the corner, waiting for me to get off of the tram! Ruiz: don’t worry we are there in five minutes with the car L: how happy mom will be when she finds out about all of this! Ruiz: scratching his ear: listen honey better not tell her too soon Luisita: I am going to tell her everything! Are you sure it only takes five minutes to get there? Ruiz: just five He exits with luisita Angelica: What infamy! I am going to call the police Goyo: no you cannot. El Ñato is done for. Elena eating an apple followed by Ghio and Alfredo Alfredo: did you see the face that girl put on? Goyo: what if it is true what she says, that she really believes there are good men out there? Angelcia: there is no word for what they are going to do to that girl We have to protect her Elena: you are crazy. You want to say that to Ruiz? Alfredo: he will shut you up the second the first word comes out of your mouth Angelica: well, let’s see if he is so ‘guapo’ if he will do that or not Elena: i opened the door, and the balloon escaped (a horrifying scream comes from Luisita, Mama! She runs in, her face pale, her hair strewn about her face, all of them laugh except for angelica and goyo Luisita: please, help me ma’am Angelica: what happened? Luisita: I want to leave, where am i? I have been tricked! Angelica: calm down Luisita: I get it now you aren’t Ruiz’ sister, just a woman like the rest right? Angelica: yes but.. L: oh I am sorry to talk to you like that Alfredo: besides it’s all over now Ghio: look honey, just laugh and stop playing the victim Luisita: I am not whatever it is you think I am. I wish you would believe me and just let me go. [she cries] Ruiz: [with a devilish laughter] there’s the door. It’s locked and I have the key. You aren’t going anywhere until I feel like it. Luisita: don’t touch me you scoundrel! Angelica: poor thing Luisita gets down on her knees and begs him: please for my mother, my little brother and sister, let me go! Goyo: let her go. Have you know feelings? Angelica: she’s just a kid Ghio starts going to their side: yes, maybe they are right Ruiz furious: I am in charge here. This is my house! Ghio: but loco don’t be like this Ruiz: i want all of you to leave and don’t come back No one moves Ruiz grabs the old man Ghio by his lapels and shakes him--don’t you get it old man with dyed hair?get out! Ghio takes his hat and leaves. Everyone else starts to follow with the women taking their hats from the piano. Angelica to Ruiz: give me the key He gives it to her Angelica moves to leave and Luisita gets on her knees begging her not to leave her alone with Ruiz yells at Luisita to get up Angelica: and what if I don’t leave? Ruiz: huh? I will kick you down the stairs [he slaps her in the face] compadrea now! [fromcompadrear] Angelica: bastard! [she takes out the gun that she has hidden and Ruiz stops cold] Ruiz: Luisa come here! He grabs her by the wrist and pulls her towards him. Angelica pulls the hammer of the gun back Angelica: let her go! [he does and luisita goes to Angelica] here take the key and get out of this house and don’t come back no matter what you hear Luisita: thank you senora -- kisses her and leaves Nobody moves. They hear the key in the lock and breathe a sigh of relief as the door opens. Angelica has the gun on Ruiz who grits his teeth and tells her, you will pay for this. She sets down the gun, ruiz takes a bottle and tries to hit it over her head but the men stop him. And they are holding Ruiz back. Goyo takes Angelica by the wrist and tells the men to let Ruiz go. They do. Goyo says, from now on, I am Angelica’s man. Let’s see who dares touch her? [no one moves. She falls into his embrace and the curtain falls. A skinny woman with 2-month old baby shows up looking for Ruiz. Pancho Ruiz is father she says but he denies it. She wants a job not a handout from him she says. Wants to be a servant if anyone can recommend her to a good family. Woman is from a family with a father who works in a teido factory. They threw her out when found out she was pregnant. El loco es un patotero/trouble maker / member of a gang Angelica says she will take care of woman and asks for address—says it is 860 Ecuador but a. should not go there since it is a Conventillo/tenement house [research on the neighborhood—probably San Telmo] Muneca de los escarpines All the woman offer her some money including angelica who tells her to pawn her ring for 50 pesos; they say we throw away money on so many useless things. Luisita loves pancho with all of her heart. She has met him one and a half months ago, leaving her office, he followed her. Etc. He lies to her about everything saying Angelica is his sister and is married to Ghio (all done comically—they do not know the lie and he tries to fix it all in front of luisa who seems stupid or very naïve) Luisita says she is running late to meet her mom at the train station. R. says they will make it there 5 minutes in car but he takes her somewhere else [catorro is lunfardo for love nest] she screams when she realizes what is happening and he says he will keep her there as long as he wants. It is quite a scene. She begs them on her knees to help her, the rest, ghio, angelica act like they are leaving. Angelica takes a gun out and points it at him. She tells Luisita to open the door and take the key L. thanks her. Ruiz threatens her. Men intervene and Angelica gives up the gun. Goyo tells them never to threaten angelica that she is his woman now and is sacred as a result…they embrace, etc. A skinny woman with 2-month old baby shows up looking for Ruiz. Pancho Ruiz is father she says but he denies it. She wants a job not a handout from him she says. Wants to be a servant if anyone can recommend her to a good family. Woman is from a family with a father who works in a teido factory. They threw her out when found out she was pregnant. El loco es un patotero/trouble maker / member of a gang Angelica says she will take care of woman and asks for address—says it is 860 Ecuador but a. should not go there since it is a Conventillo/tenement house [research on the neighborhood—probably San Telmo] Muneca de los escarpines All the woman offer her some money including angelica who tells her to pawn her ring for 50 pesos; they say we throw away money on so many useless things. Luisita loves pancho with all of her heart. She has met him one and a half months ago, leaving her office, he followed her. Etc. He lies to her about everything saying Angelica is his sister and is married to Ghio (all done comically—they do not know the lie and he tries to fix it all in front of luisa who seems stupid or very naïve) Luisita says she is running late to meet her mom at the train station. R. says they will make it there 5 minutes in car but he takes her somewhere else [catorro is lunfardo for love nest] she screams when she realizes what is happening and he says he will keep her there as long as he wants. It is quite a scene. She begs them on her knees to help her, the rest, ghio, angelica act like they are leaving. Angelica takes a gun out and points it at him. She tells Luisita to open the door and take the key L. thanks her. Ruiz threatens her. Men intervene and Angelica gives up the gun. Goyo tells them never to threaten angelica that she is his woman now and is sacred as a result…they embrace, etc.
