Subject: Book 3 Chap 8 Part 2.
Author: Marta I (198.232.250.51)
Date: 10-29-1999 15:43
Juan shows up, as if answering their call...
He had just raced the heck out of the horses on the wagon. He looks
wild, bare chest and sloppy hair. He's looking at Monica and Renato
with a very unappreciative, few-friends stare.Juan sarcastically
comments on the high society customs, how everyone mourns on the
outside even though inside they actually wanted or wished for the
death of the deceased. He says that is why he made the trip, to find
out if it was still the customary action of their 'class'.
Monica is upset at Juan for thinking that she and Renato are
'mocking up' the mourning. Juan ironically comments that the scene
is worthy of being painted by an artist. Let's see... what will they
write in the toumbstone? 'For AImee, perfect sister and adored
wife...'
Renato gets furious and starts insulting and daring Juan to a fight.
Monica intervenes again, jumping in between the two men. Juan calms
down somewhat at the touch of her cold shivering hand. Juan says
it's not the time or the place to settle accounts with Renato. But
maybe they should go to another, more appropriate place. Renato says
'If you only had come armed'. Juan mocks him again.
J: 'Por supuesto... Tu cruzas la espada, pero con caballeros de tu
calana. ... Conmigo no puedes pelear, ni como caballero ni como
ganan. How convenient a stand!! You will have to swallow the insults
from others...'.
Renato keeps yelling and insulting Juan, daring him to a fight.
Defend yourself!! Because I will go ready to kill you!!. Juan
replies: 'And just how many men
are you going to bring to help you?'. REnato gets even more enraged,
but Monica throws herself in Juan's arms and orders him to take her
away with him. As his wife, she has the right to ask him to do that.
They will not fight withough killing her first!! Juan agrees to do
it. Renato follows, but Juan threatens he will kill him if he does.
He takes Monica running to the wagon and takes off fast. Renato
keeps yelling dares at him but Monica asks Juan to go on...
Later Juan stops the wagon. He realizes Monica is still upset and
tries to calm her down.
J: Nothing happened. Why are you crying so much.. In the end, you
got me to back off ... again.
M: But you took me with you...
J: Of course, I know why you did come with me... to protect Renato.
M: Why did you come anyway??
J: To get you! Campo Real is not your place, at least not while
you're my wife. Until our marriage is annulled you won't sleep under
Renato D'Autremont's roof. It's the last right that I haven't given
up on.
Monica remembers that she left her mother back at Campo Real and
gets upset.
M: This blow has turner her crazy in pain.
J: That's what I heard around. What else could the D'Autremonts say
to justify what
happened?? Renato cound have come up with many reasons to do it...
M: He didn't do anything!...
J: Just because Renato says he didn't, you believe him just like
that??
M: Don't you think I need to know that the accusations on him were
wrong??!?
Why are you speaking so hatefully anyway??
J: Maybe because that's what I grew up with. I was raised with
vinegar and cruelty so that HE, who you defend so much, could eat
sweet bread.
M: He's your brother!
J: Do you tell him that too?? Do you tell that to Sofia? Careful.
They might accuse you of punitive damages in court. I just learned
recently from Don Noel that a child of adultry is worse than
nothing. Could someone like that, with no last name or parents.. be
actually the brother of 'el caballero D'Autremont'? ... 'Da horror y
asco la vida, Monica...'
M: But life can be more than that. Life itself can be different.
It's not anyone's fault where they were born, but we can do
something about how we live, Juan! I only judge others on their
actions, and so far you have been a good and honest man.
J: That's very nice coming from you, Monica.
M: I'm not trying to be nice. I'm talking about how I feel, about
the truth in my heart and soul.
(Juan is not looking at her. IF he did, he would notice the love and
desire in her. He would see the light in his shadows. But he doesn't
look. Maybe he's afraid to find another man's image in her eyes.)
J: You always manage to soften me. There's never anything to
reprieve in you. You're pure and straight, tender and human, flesh
of faith and sacrifice.
M: But I don't want to be just that, Juan...
J: We all want to achieve happiness, but some of us are born denied
that right. Line if an omen condemned us to live in the shadows.
M: Forever? Do you think that we have no hope? That there will never
be happiness for us?
J: Don't speak for the both of us. Our souls are going in different
paths. That I have no hope does not mean that there is none for you
either. But we must stay standing, no matter what. You must continue
in search of your happiness. As for me... I'll be contempt to keep
standing straight and walk strong through this harsh and bitter
world.
(At dusk Juan drops her off at the convent... SHe wakes up and is
very disappointed that he brought her back there...)
J: Isn't that where you wanted to come back to?
M: Of course, and since it's my life.. despite the sad joke of our
marriage...
J: Isn't that a harsh phrase?
M: I learned it from you... You called it that way first and you
bring me back to the convent again... But go on... go back to your
freedom... your docks, taverns...
J: It's my life, like this is your life. I don't criticize your
life, please don't criticize mine. Let's go...
(she denies his escort...)
M: Keep going... Don't bother... I never needed escorts... Good
luck, Juan del Diablo!!