Subject: Book 2, summary #2, part 1
Author: Nancy (198.4.159.5)
Date: 08-10-1999 18:26
Chapter 5
Scene # 1:
Renato is in his room with Aimee. He tells her to rest because the
next day will be very busy due to the wedding when they both notice
the first rays of light coming in through the window. Renato
comments on how extraordinarily efficient Don Noel has been
arranging all the necessary paperwork for the wedding once he
accepted that Juan's life depended on the marriage taking place.
Then in commenting on how DN has always had a weakness for his
brother Juan, Aimee questions what he has just said. He then tell
her that that was the detail she had ignored and that it was only
until last night that he himself confirmed it.
"Justamente anoche tuve la seguridad de que era mi hermano. Y mira
tu lo que somos los imbeciles, los sentimentales, los de corazon
blando… Senti una ternura y una alegria infinita, sali a buscarle
para estrecharlo entre mis brazos, para ofrecerle lo que, segun mi
utopico sentido de la vida, le pertenecia: la mitad de cuanto tengo…
Para rogarle rogar a mi madre, con lagrimas en los ojos, que me
permitiese darle tambien el nombre de mi padre, para hacerle
completamente igual a mi… Que imbecil soy verdad?"
Aimee asks Renato why he speaks so bitterly and he questions why she
does not understand. He compares his shameless, criminal of a
brother with her hipocritical and 'liviana' sister and asks her if
it's the truth. Instead of giving him an answer, Aimee just tells
him he is being to hard on her sister. Renato walks to the window,
sees Juan also observing the sun rise and pulls Aimee up from her
seat so that she too can see Juan.
Scene # 2:
Don Noel walks in on Juan and stops him from drinking down a glass
of cognac. There is a great description here of Juan:
"Estan en un angulo del amplisimo comedor, junto a los armarios
cargados de vajillas de plata, donde Juan, revueltos los cabellos,
desabrochada la camisa, toscos los ademanes de marinero, es una
figura tan extraña, tan ruda y anácronica, como cuando de niño pisó
por primera vez aquella estancia con los pies descalzos, con el
traje de terciopelo de Renato como inútil regalo…"
DN tells Juan how he spent the whole night looking for him an
couldn't find him. He asks Juan if she was warned him about the men
guarding Campo Real. Juan questions which 'she' he is referring to.
He was warned by a she (Ana) but it was not any of the shes he is
imagining. Juan says that either of those 2 shes would have been
happy if he had been shot. But that he is being watched over and
protected by a devil that only asks that destroy whoever gets in his
way. DN then insists about finding out the truth about the
"supposed" affair with Monica which he doesn't believe at all. But
Juan insists that Monica confessed and that he will marry her and
take her with him and that a woman will be useful on Luzbel because
she can cook and do the laundry.
Then when DN insists that Juan go to her house in Saint Pierre, and
that he will follow them there he is interrupted by Renato who
questions why he would see two newly weds. Renato then defies Juan
by asking him if he and Monica aren't getting married out of love.
DN tries to appease the situation by saying that he doesn't doubt
Juan can take care of Monica, which Juan retorts that he can take
just as good care of her as Renato takes care of Aimee, and then
proceeds to question Renato about locking Aimee in her room. Renato
gets angry at this point and tells Juan that he has no right to
question his actions and let alone bein his house drinking his
cognac in his glasses. Don Noel grows alarmed and Juan strikes back
at Renato telling him he knows he is 'el amo' and that is why he has
armed men to back him up…
R: Basta! No voy a tolerar…!
J: Soy yo quien dice, basta! No pisaré tu comedor, no beberé en tus
malditos vasos… Aguardaré la hora de mi matrimonio y me iré con mi
mujer adonde me dé la gana llevarla. Es lo que exigiste, y es lo que
hago… Nada más!
Juan then storms out of the room and Don Noel tries to question
Renato about why he is trying to provoke Juan. Renato looks around
the room and his eyes settle upon the portrait of his father, and
his anger grows deeper because he sees that Juan resembles his
father so much.
Scene # 3:
Renato walks into his mother's bedroom. Sofía comments on Yanina
being sick because Bautista left Campo Real without saying a word to
anyone. She says that although Renato doesn't like her she is indeed
loyal and grateful servant. Renato makes a bitter remark on the
'loyal' part. Sofia asks Renato why he insists that Monica and Juan
get married. But he insists that he has to see the whole situation
to its end. If everyone agrees that it is so then he doesn't see the
reason that everyone would be discontent about the whole wedding.
When Sofia insists on the subject Renato cuts her off and Ana
arrives. Ana brings the news that the men guarding CR just brought
back Bautista, tied up and brimming with fury. She thinks its very
funny (as do I). Renato is glad that his orders were followed and no
one was allowed to leave CR. Renato then sends Ana to Aimee's room
to help her get ready for the wedding but not before Ana reminds him
that Aimee is locked in her room and he gives her the keys. Renato
then asks his mother that she too get ready and tells her that he
will be returning Bautista to his post as administrator of Campo
Real.
Scene # 4
Doña Catalina enters the room Monica has been in praying since she
returned from speaking with Juan. A disconcerted Catalina tells her
it is time to go to the church. Monica gets up from kneeling and she
doesn't look well.
"Mónica se ha puesto de pie, abandonando el reclinatorio donde
largamente ha rezado, y se mueve como una sonámbula a través de la
estancia. En sus ojos hay un brillo extraño, sus manos arden, y
están sus labios también resecos y ardientes bajo el vaho de fuego
que respira. Tímida y torpe, la madre va tras ella como si no
hallase gestos ni palabra...
Catalina asks Monica why she hasn't changed out of her black dress
and Monica asks for her book of prayers and her rosary when Renato
knocks on the door. Catalina opens the door to find a very clean
shaven, but solemn Renato holding a small bouquet of white roses.
When Renato asks her if she is ready, his question is in earnest and
inquisitive as if wondering if she will back out. Monica takes him
by the arm and is suddenly tormented by the fact that Renato will be
the one to take her to her wedding:
"Tenía que ser él, tenía que ser el hombre a quien tanto amó en
vano, a quien aun siente junto a sí como una quemadura, quien la
llevase del braso al altar, quien pusiera en sus manos el ramo de
novia para sus bodas con Juan del Diablo... Tenía que ser aquel
Renato D'Autremont a quien amara desde niña con el ingenuo amor de
sus nueve años, y tenía que ser su voluntad la que pidiera a su vida
el sacrificio enorme, más grande aún que el de la vida misma. Ahora
va junto a él, apenas apoyada en su brazo la blanca mano leve,
mientras llora su corazón con lágrimas de sangre, porque es aquél
con quien soñara, aquél con quien tejiera los jasmines purísimos del
amor primero, aquél que viera novio y esposo en sus ensueños de
colegiala, el que la lleve ahora como un verdugo camino del cadalso.
Nunca fue tanto trecho de su brazo, nunca recibío flores de su mano,
nunca le vio, como ahora le ve, inclinarse para mirarla, mientras
avanza con una sombra de inquietud en las claras pupilas...
Renato asks Monica if she feels well and she says she feels fine and
they continue to the church.
Scene # 5
Juan is waiting at the church. Aimee is trying to get his attention,
asking him how far he plans to carry on with this charade. Juan
doesn't respond but ignores Aimee's inquiries. In the meantime the
church is filling up with allthe poor workers of CR who have come to
witness the wedding. Aimee feels like she is in a dream, as if she
were at her wedding but instead of Renato it is Juan whom she is
marrying.
Renato and Monica arrive. She looks ill and is dressed all in black.
Aimee panics and tells Juan that it cannot be and just when it seems
she is about to burst, Renato arrives at the foot of the altar with
Monica and grabs Aimee and takes her away. The ceremony proceeds
quickly and before she knows what is happening, Monica is being
whisked away by an angry Juan.
"Como un torbellino de locura, ha cruzado Mónica la iglesia, del
brazo de Juan... Sin ver, sin oir, como la rama desgajada de un
árbol que el vendaval arrastra, han salvado la distancia del pórtico
de la iglesia hasta el centro de aquella plaza abierta en los
floridos jardines de los D'Autremont..."
Juan calls for Colibrí to bring the horses, while Renato begins to
protest that they need to talk first. Juan refuses ans says that
Monica is now his wife and he will take her where he chooses. He
gets on the horse and violently lifts Monica on as well and is off
before anyone portests:
"De un salto está Juan sobre el caballo. Con rápido y violento gesto
que nadie ha podido prevenir ni impedir, alza a Mónica sobre el
arzón del caballo que monta, encabritándolo al golpe brutal de sus
talones."
Everyone reacts in dismay and confusion but Aimee begins to cry out
loud that someone stop them, claiming that Juan will most likely
kill her. She begs Renato to stop them but Renato asks her the
reason of her lamentation. After all, didn't Mónica marry the man
she loved? When Aimee agrees, Renato tells everyone to get out and
to go celebrate the wedding.
Scene # 6
The horse ride through CR and to the awaiting ship is fast and
Monica is barely conscious of most of the ride. She is mostly
conscious of Juan's arm that holds her in place. When she realizes
that they are not going to St. Pierre. When he tells her that they
are married and he will take her where she pleases Monica begins to
panic. In the distance he point to el Luzbel. Monica begins to
protest and asks that he please allow her to return to her convent.
But Juan pays her no mind and reminds her of her wedding bows and
then tortures her further by telling her that for their wedding
night, the Luzbel has a wide wedding bed awaiting them. Monica
begins to struggle and Juan warns her to stop if she doesn't want
him to hit her. He grows more and more angry with her until his
anger towards her finally explodes:
"Basta! Ya me mordió también el perro de las súplicas, y sé lo que
significan, lo que valen y para lo que sirven. Ya sé lo que cuesta
conmoverse por tus súplicas y tus lágrimas... Significa caer en una
trampa, pagar con la vida un momento de debilidad. Una vez lo
lograste, pero no vas a conmoverme más. No tendré piedad de nadie, y
de ti menos que de nadie! Al bote... al barco! Te casaste conmigo, y
ni tú ni tu hermana van a seguir burlándose. Te llevaré aunque sea
arrastrando!"
Juan forces her onto the rowing boat and angrily gives order to his
men to row back to el Luzbel as fast as they can. The men are caught
by surprise by Monica's presence and by the fact that Juan has left
Colibrí behind. Once they reach the boat, Juan lifts Monica to the
ship. Segundo tries to ask Juan about Monica but Juan cuts him short
and then pushes Monica into the only cabin on the whole ship. Monica
tries to shout for help but Juan tells her that the men on the ship
will not help her, that they only follow orders, and that he would
kill anyone if they tried to intervene. He violently pushes her to
the platform that is supposedly the bed and she passes out. Juan
thinks she is faking but when he shakes her and gets no reaction he
unbuttons her top where he stops to look at her pale neck.
Segundo then knocks on the door to tell Juan that Colibri is on
shore, yelling to have someone pick him up, and also to inform him
that a storm is developing to the northeast. Juan orders that they
get Colibri and then set sail in the direction of the storm. Juan
then closes the door and turns to Monica whos is now tossing and
turning with fever. He turns away from her because he is filled with
anger and resentment towards her.
Chapter 6
Scene # 1
Renato is in his room with Aimee. He is bitter and drinking. He
tells Aimee to sit back down because she is not going anywhere. He
is trying to get her to drink to celebrate her sister's wedding.
Renato begins to insinuate that drinking is a great way to forget.
Aimee is upset by his attitude and they begin to argue about what he
means and why he is acting the way he is. Renato is very bitter over
what he is beginning to realize is the truth. He feels betrayed by
the woman he once so blindly loved and is filled with a strond
desire to destroy everything around him, especially her.
Renato orders her to drink but Aimee asks him to leave her alone.
Aimee begins to reproac him about giving Juan her sister. She says
that all she wanted was for Juan to go away but Renato reminds her
that Juan is his brother. When Aimee asks her if its true renato
makes some remark about whether she is scandalized over the
adulterous story behind Juan's origin. The he turns against her and
his hands reach for her neck. Renato tells her that he wants her to
confess, to tell the truth in order to save Monica, who is an
innocent vitim she has sacrifices. Aimee shouts for help and a knock
is heard at the door. Sofia comes in and inquires what is happening.
Aimee plays the innocent (that bitch!) saying that she doesn't know
or undertand what Renato wants from her. Sofia takes Aimee away to
her room.
Scene # 2
Juan is navigating el Luzbel. Colibrí is asking him if he can go see
Monica (this is one of the most tender moments in the book when you
get a good first glimpse at the Juan we all know and love):
"Suplicante, colibri se ha abrazado a la pierna de Juan, y un
instante la varonil cabeza se inclina para mirar al muchachuelo, en
cuyos grandes ojos brillan las lagrimas. Luego, otra vez contempla
el horizonte espeso, oscuro, las nubes bajas, el mar alzandose en
montañas, la lluvia que cae furiosamente, todo el barbaro
espectaculo de la tempestad que apenas ilumina el livido resplandor
de los ahora lejanos relámpagos... La frágil embarcación cruje,
estremecida desde su quilla marinera hasta el tope del palo de
mesana. Es una voluntad contra la tormenta, un cuchillo que se hunde
en la carne salada del mar. Asimismo, siente latir en su pecho su
propio corazón Juan del Diablo... Contra los elementos, contra la
sociedad, contra la vida... Como la espuma amarga que le azota los
labios, es el rezumar de su alma; como el tenso vibrar de la nave en
peligro, vibran tensos su pensamiento y su voluntad... Odia y quiere
odiar más; le ahoga el rencor, y aun quiere que ese rencor se
ahonde, como las aguas del océano... Quiere hacerlo infinito, quiere
alzarlo tan alto como el mundo que le rechaza, pero en sus rodillas
siente el aliento cálido del niño negro, la voz cándida y suplicante
llega hasta él, así como también la imagen de la mujer blanca,
tendida como muerta sobre las tablas de su litera, tan indefensa,
tan desdichada como aquel muchachuelo de cuya vida puede disponer
con una palabra, y mitad compadecido, mitad enojado, dice:
--Toma la llave, entra, y déjame en paz!
Colibrí goes to see monica and when he tries to ask her questions
about how she is feeling all Monica says are her fever-induced
protests against Juan touching her. Colibri tells Juan that she has
the same illness of the men she used to treat in Campo Real. She has
the same symptoms that she needs medicines. Monica is murmurring
that Juan get away from her, that she will never belong to him, that
he would have to kill her first. Juan gives Segundo the order to
head for the next island, Maria Galante. Then he tells Colibri to
get the things he saw Monica use to take care of the men in CR. Then
he looks at Monica (this is another prime moment!)
"Con los brazos cruzados, Juan contempla a Monica, ahora inmovil,
callada, el perfil de medalla entre el nimbo dorado de los cabellos
sueltos, desnudo el cuello blanco y suave. Largo rato la mira, y la
encuentra hermosa, extraordinariamente hermosa...
--Juan del Diablo... Juan del Diablo...--susurra monica en voz baja,
a impulsos del delirio obsesionante.
--Por que no me llamas Juan de Dios, Santa Monica?-- Juan ha tomado
las manos de la ex-novicia, que arden; ha buscado el pulso, que late
desbocado, y la contempla con una extraña, con una indefinible
expresión en los profundos ojos italianos, al murmurar como para sí
mismo--: Monica de Molnar... mi esposa..."
Scene # 3
Aimee wakes up and is suddenly confused because she is not in her
room. Then she realizes she is in Doña Sofia's room and recalls the
events from the previous night and also remembers Sofia giving her
something to make her sleep. When she hears a slight singing she
calls out to Ana and begins asking her the whereabout of Sofia and
Renato. Ana informs her that Sofia left CR that morning with Yanina,
and that Sofia also ordered Don Noel to go somewhere. She tells
Aimee that Renato is in the office/library still drinking. Aimee is
startled because she realizes she is alone in the house with a drunk
and angry Renato. Ana tells her that Sofia can save her against
Renato and when Aimee agrees, she begins asking herself what it is
she can do to win her mother-in-law over to her side. Ana tells her
that the best way is to give Doña Sofia what she has always wanted
since Renato left for France, another child all over again, a
grandchild. Aimee considers this impossible because she hasn't been
with Renato and then Ana mistakenly mentions making it up. Aimee
tells Ana to forget ever mentioning anything to her about a child
and promises her money and jewelry for her loyal silence.
Scene # 4
The Luzbel is nearing the island of María Galante. Monica is still
tossing with fever and still she murmurs for Juan to stay away. Juan
is both worried and frustrated by her side. But despite her words,
he still patiently sits by her, placing the vinegar-soaked rags on
her forehead. "Sólo en los ojos oscuros y profundos hay una laz
extraña, como de compasión, como de angustia, acaso como de
remordimiento…"
Segundo comes in to let him know that they are approaching the
island's canal. Juan grows angry with Segundo for coming in. Segundo
then voices his concern for Monica, telling Juan that he doesn't
agree with him bringing a woman in that way. Juan tells him Monica
is his wife, at which point Segundo is very surprised. Juan then
bitterly replies:
"Si… Yo, casado. No puedo yo casarme como los demás? Te parece muy
raro? Sin embargo, te parecería natural casarte tú; te casarías en
cualquier momento que te diera la gana, llevarías a tu mujer a tu
casa, la dejarías junto a tu madre cuando salieras a navegar, y la
llamarías por tu apellido, la marcarías con tu nombre como se marca
a una potranca… Sería la esposa de Segundo Duclós… La señora Duclós,
verdad? Y en este momento estás pensando que yo no tengo casa, ni
madre, ni nombre que darle… Piensas eso verdad? Responde! Responde
de que piensas de eso, para aplastarte!"
Segundo is startled by Juan reaction and quickly breaks free from
Juan's grasp. Then he says what he wanted to say: he thinks that
monica is real sick, that Juan should no treater her that way, and
if she is his wife then he should treat her better. Juan replies
that he will treat Monica however her pleases and then orders
Segundo to go to land and bring back the best doctor he can find.
An elderly doctor is now in the room with Monica. He observes Monica
and then her surroundings and then is startled by the wild and
disheveled-looking Juan. He tells Juan that the ship is the worst
place for a sick person and tries to convince Juan to allow him to
take Monica to the hospital on the island. Juan refuses and he tells
the doctor that he can come and go as he pleases but he will not let
her off the ship. The doctor makes an inference that he wants to
talk to the "patrón" and Juan tells him that he is already speaking
to him. Juan tells him that Colibrí thinks that Monica has been
struck by the same epidemic she was helping to cure in la Martinica.
The doctor considers this and then tells Juan that her ill is made
worse by a great fear that seems to invade her. The doctor then
muses about why they could be making such a trip and he is silenced
by Juan's cold stare. He insists on taking Monica to land and begins
to ask questions about how long they have been married, and what her
and his name are. The doctor then tells Juan that he will do his
best but that Monica is gravely ill and that she has few chances at
survival. He tells Juan that she will need exceptional care. When
the doctor returns to the cabin with Monica, he is struck by the
sight of Colibri next to the bed, his eyes full of tears.
Scene # 5
A fiery looking Sofia enters the room Aimee is in. Her lips are
pursed and her face wears a look of blame and disapproval. She tells
Yanina to leave them alone and close the door behind her. Sofia
informs Aimee that she has just come back from looking for Juan. She
begins to accuse Aimee for sacrificing her sister in order to save
her own hide. When Aimee fains not understanding Sofia voices her
disbelief at not havin realized that behind all her beauty and
sweetness, Aimee is evil and a hypocrite. Then Aimee tells her that
its not possible for her to know anything but Sofia backfires,
asking her if the same is true for Don Noel. This silences Aimee.
Sofia goes on musing, she now understand Catalina's desperation,
Juan's insolence, and Monica's actions. Sofia then openly accuses
Aimee of being Juan's lover.
Aimee contnues to deny everything. Sofia grows angry and tells her
to be quiet. She voices her disdain for Juan since the day he was
born and can't believe that it is with him that Aimee has betrayed
her son. Aimee wants to know of Sofia will tell Renato if she
confesses. Sofia tell her that she will not. Aimee then tells her
that if Renato kills her he would be killing his own son as well.
Sofia is struck back by Aimee's words. Then Aimee confesses to
having accepted Monica's sacrifice to save her son (which unlike the
novela version doesn't exist). She confesses to having done
something stupid but not before blaming Monica for loving Renato and
always disputing his love with her. Aimee claims that her jealousy
led her to it because Renato is the only one she has ever loved but
now he no longer trusts her. Aimee pretends as if she is really
going to tell Renato and of course Sofia stops her, but no before
telling her that she doesn't believe in her theatrics:
"Si! Bien sé que la mitad de tus palabras son falsas; sé que, a
pesar de tu desplante, no has de buscar la muerte. Quien ha sido
capaz de callar frente a lo que tú has callado, tiene que ser
demasiado egoísta para dejarse matar…"
Sofia tells Aimee that when she first entered the room she was
determined to spare her life, not to save her but her son from
committing a crime, but that she was ready to force her out of CR.
Now however she will codemn Aimee to live in CR as Renato's slave.
Suddenly Renato knocks on the door. Sofia makes Aimee hide in the
next room. When Sofia lets Renato in he begins to ask her for Aimee.
He wants to talk to her, to make her confess the truth. Renato
informs Sofia that they found the dead body of the horse Juan took.
It died of exhaustion from the inhumane trip it was forced to do.
The horse was found near the beach where an improvised landing
platform was set up for a quick escape with Aimee!
Sofia asks him if he is sure and Renato says he isn't and that is
why he wants to talk to Aimee. Sofia tells him that she has spent
hours talking to Aimee, forcing her to tell her the truth and now
she knows that Aimee never betrayed him, that she couldn't possibly
lie to her, and that his attitude has humiliated and offended Aimee.
Then she asks him how much he has been drinking. Renato's reply:
"No estoy borracho! Si ella te ha dicho… Pero, es que no comprendes?
He estado loca, desesperado; he buscado algo que me ayude a
contenerme, a no herir como ciego, a no matar. Qué cuanto he
bebido…! Que importa cuánto he bebido? Ni una sola gota de ese
alcohol está en mi cerebro! Nada ha logrado calmarme; todo se lo ha
tragado esta angustia, esta desesperación, esta rabia, este anhelo
furioso de encontrar la verdad. Ella tiene que decírmela!"
(Poor thing. I really feel for him here.) Sofia tries to calm him
down by reassuring him that Aimee was never unfaithful, but that his
violence towards her and his lack of trust has made her want to die.
Then Sofia tells him that Aimee is pregnant with his child and
Renato is struck down by the news .