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  Civilization


  Dramatis personae


  Ulysses
            Rosa
            Fredo
            Mother
            Young Mother
            Climaco
            Vivian
            Lord Eagle
            Lady Cow
            Lady Cat
     
            Lord LionLord Pig
            Lord Fox
            Lady Serpent
            Lord Horse
            Lady Hyena
            Lord Bear
            Lady Rat
            Lord Dog
  Lawyer
 
                                   ACT I

                    A small table in front of an old sofa. There is a
                    bottle of wine, two cups and popcorn on a table.
                    TV screen and mirror to the right. A hanger with
                    several clothes sets and a shelf with books to the
                    left. The stage is lit by a small window placed as
                    high as possible.

                    ULYSSES crosses the stage. He is a student in his
                    late twenties, who wears colorful clothes. He
                    handles a heavy business bag.

          ULYSSES
               Rosa!

          ROSA
                         (O.S.)
               Yes?

          ULYSSES
               Any mail today?

                    ROSA, a 29-year blonde woman enters with a comb and
                    checks her figure in the mirror. She wears
                    high-heel shoes and a tiny dress.

          ROSA
               No.

          ULYSSES
               Has any one called me?

          ROSA
               No.

                    Ulysses drops his bag on the floor and seats in
                    the sofa. He finds a gun inside it and plays with
                    it.

          ROSA
                         (continuing)
               Now that I think about it-yes, you got an envelope.
               It's on the floor, besides the sofa.

                    Ulysses springs up to her words and looks around.
                    He finds an envelope under the sofa.

          ULYSSES
               It's a bill.
 
          ROSA
               Still it's yours.

          ROSA
                         (continuing)
               Stop playing with that gun.

          ULYSSES
               Why did you buy it?

          ROSA
               To protect my ass from intruders, you, silly boy.

          ULYSSES
               Guns are made for killing.

          ROSA
               Don't lecture me.

          ULYSSES
               Are you sure no one has called me?

          ROSA
               No one.
                         (pause)
               Your mom.

          ULYSSES
               Huh!

                    He opens the envelope. Rosa combs her hair.

          ULYSSES
                         (continuing)
               Are you going to the beach today?

          ROSA
               None of your business.

          ULYSSES
               I ought to know.

          ROSA
               Why?

          ULYSSES
               Your dress may get you into trouble.

          ROSA
               What do you mean?
 
          ULYSSES
                         (having a hard time)
               You may trip down. Look at your high-heel shoes.

                    Rosa looks at her shoes.

          ROSA
               That's not gonna happened. I'm going to visit Samuel.
               He has invited me to dine at his bungalow.

          ULYSSES
               Uh! The CEO?

          ROSA
               Better known for his deadly free jumps. Last night he defeated
               his own record. Did I tell you about his Olympic medal?

          ULYSSES
               I know he got one. I got three, did I tell you?

          ROSA
               No...

          ULYSSES
               Yeah! In 1984! In a monthly football championship. Do
               you want to see them?

          ROSA
               You cannot compare a piece of tin with Samuel's Olympic
               medal. Stop being jealous! Samuel, after all, may help
               you to get a job.

          ULYSSES
                         (sincere)
               Are you sure?

          ROSA
               It's a fact.

          ULYSSES
               That would make me so happy! Well, you better go out
               before it's too late!

                    Ulysses stands up smiling and walks to the right
                    of the stage. He looks at Rosa. He returns to the
                    left of the stage. He looks again at Rosa.

          ROSA
               Are you O.K.?
 
          ULYSSES
               Everything all right! Are you driving your car?

          ROSA
               I'd rather catch the train.

          ULYSSES
               I can drop you at Samuel's bungalow if you want.

          ROSA
               That would be so kind of you.

          ULYSSES
               I'm sure you would do the same in my place.

                    Rosa smiles skeptical.

          ROSA
               I must give you some money--for oil.

                    Rosa exits. LORD LION enters: he wears trousers,
                    necktie and a hat. He handles a blackberry.

          LION
               May I ask your banking number, please?

                    Ulysses moves around looking for his bag. He finds
                    it and takes several items from it: books,
                    letters, colorful brochures and journals that he
                    throws on the stage. Lord Lion observes Ulysses'
                    movements with contempt.

          ULYSSES
               I'm not sure where I wrote it. Can you wait a second? Where
               is it? You may take a seat, please. I apologize.
               Honestly--it's my fault. But even CEOs make mistakes-at
               least once in a life-time, doesn't he? I mean, don't
               they? I'm so sorry to keep you waiting. Please, relax.
               Feel comfortable at home. It must be somewhere around
               here. Now, if you allow me...

                    Ulysses laughs nervously. He finds his wallet and
                    takes a card out of it.

          ULYSSES
                         (continuing)
               41756000000000000

          LION
               Thank you, Sir. For verification purposes, can you give us
               your circumcision date?
 
          ULYSSES
               Pardon me?

          LION
               The day your penis was cut off, Sir.

                    Lord Lion exits. Rosa enters.

          ROSA
               Ready to leave?

          ULYSSES
                         (nervous)
               I must sign a check first.

          ROSA
               No lift, no money.

                    Rosa leaves. Ulysses grasps some documents and
                    walks to the proscenium.

                    LADY Cat, an actress wearing a police officer
                    outfit, crosses the stage. She handles a club in
                    her hands. A plastic lap dog is laced from its neck
                    to her hand.

                    Ulysses steps back to avoid her--too late.

          CAT
               You are a guest in Civilization, Ulysses. As a legal
               alien we expect you to report each morning at the
               school.

          ULYSSES
                         (nervous)
               Excuse me, Mom. I'm lost and...

          CAT
               Otherwise, we may think you are trying to disturb our community.
               In other words, we may suspect you are looking for a
               job or, what is even worse, working.

          ULYSSES
                         (nervous)
               You are mistaken, Mom; I just got a letter. Here I have
               it...

                    Ulysses searches his clothes--fruitlessly.

          CAT
               Civilization law requests the full accomplishment of your
               duty!
 
          ULYSSES
               I'm so, so, so, so sorry... I intended to go to the immigration
               services, Mrs. I must extend my IP-33 form.

          CAT
               IP-33? I love the color of that form--between yellow
               and gray.

          ULYSSES
               Saffron.

          CAT
               Yes! That's the word. I see you are an educated fellow.
               I will be glad to help you, Ulysses. May I know how
               long you have been in Civilization?

                    Ulysses looks at his visa.

          ULYSSES
               Five months, mom.

          CAT
               That's a long time. Out there you see thousands of guys
               who would like to come to Civilization--even for a day. Our
               government is extremely kind to allow fellows from
               laid-back rain-forest countries to study at our
               universities. Bear in mind that most of them return home
               after three months only. You are the bearer of an
               exceptional privilege.

          ULYSSES
               Thanks. But my visa will expire in two weeks.

                    Lady Cat snatches the visa from his hands.

          CAT
               I'm not surprised.

          ULYSSES
               Aren't you?

          CAT
               You don't need to go to the Immigration Office.
               Instead, you should make an appointment with your
               responsible officer.

          ULYSSES
               I haven't had the opportunity to meet him yet.
                         (upset)
               But, to be sincere with you, I don't want to deal with
               him.
 
          CAT
               Don't you? May I know why?

          ULYSSES
               Well...
                         (whispering)
               May I tell you a secret?

          CAT
               Please...

          ULYSSES
               Some aliens told me they don't use deodorant...

          CAT
               That's ludicrous. I'm your responsible officer, as a matter
               of fact, and I smell quite well.

          ULYSSES
               That's what I told them. But they also told me all of
               of you are but ex-mercenaries.

          CAT
               They may gossip I blew up a couple of wrong embassies, but
               I was acquitted. Two emigrants were blamed instead.

          ULYSSES
               I trust you, Lady Cat!

          CAT
               I'm glad to hear you saying that. Civilization pays me
               well just to take care of fellows like you, Ulysses.

          ULYSSES
               I really appreciate it. I mean, what I said was merely a
               joke--not mine, of course, but of those, those,
               those...

          CAT
               Aliens have a strange sense of humor. Never mind. Let's look
               at your form, and see who signed it for sponsorship.

                    Ulysses takes out his wallet and hands a document
                    out to Lady Cat.
 
          CAT
                         (continuing)
               Your sponsor handles your extension request. Even
               permission to bring your relatives to Civilization!
               Certain conditions apply.

          ULYSSES
                         (nervous)
               A sponsor is a sponsor...

          CAT
               That's correct! I see your sponsor is a businessman who
               donates rusty armament to your country, so that your neighboring
               states feel obliged to buy us more

          ULYSSES
               I think you are wrong. My sponsor is my Mother.

          CAT
                         (pause, disgusted)
               Is she? Documents!

                    She points out to his wallet.

          ULYSSES
               That's my wallet. Perhaps you are violating my privacy, Lady
               Cat.

          CAT
               Play once more the fool with me and I will issue a
               D-666 deportation form.

                    Ulysses takes out his wallet and hands it to Lady
                    Cat. She checks it.

          CAT
                         (continuing)
               What a lovely picture. A young attractive woman. Is she
               your wife?

          ULYSSES
               My Mother.

          CAT
               Good answer. I was testing you.

          ULYSSES
               Thanks.

                    Lady Cat studies the letter.
 
          CAT
               You must present a new offer letter from whichever University
               invited you to study in Civilization.

          ULYSSES
               Here I have it.

                    Ulysses hands her a letter, which he takes from
                    his pocket.

          CAT
                         (reading)
               I'm impressed.

          ULYSSES
               They want me to remain in Civilization, Lady Cat.

          CAT
               Sure they want. May I see your bank account statement,
               please?

                    Ulysses hands a sheet from his pocket.

          ULYSSES
               It proves I have enough funds to continue living here,
               doesn't it?

          CAT
               May I ask you a question?

          ULYSSES
               Please.

          CAT
               How long do you intend to stay in our country?

                    Lady Cat returns him the documents.

          ULYSSES
               To be frank with you, all my life.

          CAT
               You are bold!

          ULYSSES
               Please, understand my situation.

          CAT
               What do you intend to do in life?

          ULYSSES
               I have always longed to be tycoon.
 
          CAT
               You?

          ULYSSES
               Since I was a kid. I want to have limousines and sport
               cars. I shall owe a house in the beach, another in the mountains,
               and nine penthouses--one in each of the main capitals
               of the world.

          CAT
               So, you don't deny it! You came here just to make
               money!

          ULYSSES
               I...

          CAT
               That's disgusting.

          ULYSSES
               But...

          CAT
               You can't stay here for long. Permissions to extend visas
               are up to three years to the utmost. I can see you have
               been misguided by the digits of our treasure.

          ULYSSES
               My ancestors were misguided into the rain forest by a treasure
               as well.

          CAT
               Did they?

          ULYSSES
               Five hundred years ago your Queen, Lady Mare the third,
               sent an entire Happy Fleet to search oil somewhere in
               the jungle.

          CAT
               What are you talking about?

          ULYSSES
               Though I'm not sure whether it was oil, gold or red
               chili peppers.

          CAT
               You better go to the gym. I want to see you in shape
               next week.
 
                    Lady Cat exits. Ulysses steps back and picks up a
                    book from the shelf.

                    He takes off his shirt and approaches the mirror.
                    Placing the book on the floor he works out while
                    looking at it. By grasping his hands, one against
                    each other, his breathing becomes louder.

                    MOTHER, a 70-year old businesswoman enters. She
                    handles a stick. Ulysses wears on hastily his
                    clothes.

          MOTHER
               What are you doing, Ulysses?

          ULYSSES
               I am studying.

          MOTHER
               Did you just wake up?

          ULYSSES
               It's twenty past noon.

          MOTHER
               Have you gotten any job?

          ULYSSES
               Not yet.
                         (pause)
               But I will.
                         (pause)
               I haven't received my monthly stipend, Mother.

          MOTHER
               I was told you are living with an atheist.

          ULYSSES
               Her name is Rosa.

          MOTHER
               Rosa? That's a rainforest name. Couldn't you get something
               better?

          ULYSSES
               Better?

          MOTHER
               A girl with a Civilization name.
 
          ULYSSES
               I don't know too many.

          MOTHER
               We hear about them all the time: Lady D.,

          ULYSSES
               Rosa was born in Civilization. Her parents, her siblings
               and her previous lovers are Civilization nationals as
               well.

          MOTHER
               Her previous lovers?

          ULYSSES
               Platonic lovers. She's still virgin.

          MOTHER
               Very impressive. Does she have a job?

          ULYSSES
               Not really...

          MOTHER
               What does she make for a living?

          ULYSSES
               She got a tuition grant from Civilization.

          MOTHER
               Why haven't you got any?

          ULYSSES
               They are for nationals only.

          MOTHER
               We have decided to cut your monthly allowance, Ulysses.

          ULYSSES
               But, why?

          MOTHER
               Climaco will graduate in two months. His party will
               cost us fifty thousand pounds. Yes, fifty thousand. We
               must reduce expenses. From now on you will have to provide
               for yourself.

          ULYSSES
               But I can't work!
 
          MOTHER
               You cannot hope we are going to feed you all your life,
               Ulysses. Need is the school of life. Poverty, the path
               of resourcefulness; suffering, of manhood.

          ULYSSES
               At least three hundred pounds, Mother!

          MOTHER
                         (continuing)
               Alexito got a job two weeks after his arrival to
               Civilization. He has a car, a glamorous wife and a
               family that loves him.

          ULYSSES
               Alexito came to Civilization twenty years ago. I
               haven't accomplished my fifth month yet.

          MOTHER
               Didn't you just tell me that you had a job?

          ULYSSES
               No, I didn't. Nobody hires me. I'm a rainforest alien.

          MOTHER
               That's because you are looking for a bureaucratic position.
               You should start with a decent job. To clean toilettes
               is an outrageous humiliation in the rainforest, but
               that very job is a gratifying experience in
               Civilization.

          ULYSSES
               Two hundred pounds!

          MOTHER
               Alexito started as a chef assistant. Today he is the main
               waiter of an aristocratic hotel restaurant where he has
               had the opportunity to serve Lord Hippo and Lord
               Condor. According to his experience, the farts of the
               Queen are truly unique. Of course, Alexito studied
               chemistry. But he prefers to work in a restaurant. His
               experience provesthere is not discrimination in
               Civilization. You can get a well-paid cleaning job at
               once--just as Alexito did.

          ULYSSES
               As Alexito? He waits all day on the street, just to
               feed on garbage!
 
          MOTHER
               Don't be jealous! To beg is not a crime. He even has a
               house.

          ULYSSES
               In a housing project.

          MOTHER
                         (stern)
               How can you question the hospitality of the Emigrant
               Kigdom? You are full of rain forest resentment. I won't
               alter my decision.

          ULYSSES
               Fifty pounds.

          MOTHER
               All right. But you must find a job.

          ULYSSES
               But, what?

          MOTHER
               You may deliver pizza from door to door, for instance--as
               in the movies.

          ULYSSES
               That would be illegal.

          MOTHER
               Illegal! There you have another excuse for laziness. Life
               requires sacrifice, Ulysses. Now listen to me. Go to
               the nearest Italian pizza shop and get a delivery job!

          ULYSSES
               I can't do it. I want to be clean.

          MOTHER
               Then ask to that girl you have-- Edelminda--to

                    The light casts over Rosa, who, seated on the
                    floor, lies on the sofa. She, wearing a night
                    gown, watches TV. Ulysses sits down and holds her
                    hand.

          ULYSSES
               Rosa.
 
          ROSA
               I will go out for the weekend, Ulysses. My best friend has
               asked me to visit her.

          ULYSSES
               I understand! A lot of fun! I will study then.

          ROSA
               Again? That sounds so boring. Why don't you get a
               friend?

          ULYSSES
               You are my friend.

          ROSA
               I mean, another.

          ULYSSES
               I should write an essay on the Revolutions of
               Civilization.

          ROSA
               How boring. Now I must pack my luggage.

          ULYSSES
               Promise me you are not going to see any man up there.

                    Rosa laughs.

          ULYSSES
                         (continuing)
               Would you marry me?

                    SAMUEL enters: an athletic man wearing a climbing
                    outfit. Rosa stands up and kisses him.

          ROSA
               I am living with a rain forest fellow.

          SAMUEL
               I bet he is obsessed with sex. Those guys start handling
               chicks and pigs. What else does he do?

          ROSA
               He studies Arts. He wants to be a painter.

          SAMUEL
               The next Pollock, right? Did you meet him at

          ROSA
               He is my roomate. I got the best deal from him.
 
          SAMUEL
               Beware of those tramps. They do everything to get their
               residency in Civilization.

          ROSA
               Let's talk about something serious. Are you going to
               break your own record once again?

          SAMUEL
               That depends of the money I get. I already agree to
               jump three hundred feet without a parachute.

                    Samuel leaves. Rosa returns to Ulysses. Ulysses
                    pours wine into both cups. The Mother enters. Rosa
                    drinks.

          ULYSSES
               Taking on account the advantages a stranger gets once
               he marries a national, you may feel I don't love you.

          ROSA
               I can't.

          MOTHER
               How dare she!

          ULYSSES
                         (to his mother)
               Rosa is involved in several professional projects.

          MOTHER
               I don't want a useless son. Now go and talk to the president
               of the corporation.

                    Ulysses stands up to face his mother.

          ULYSSES
               What corporation?

                    Rosa, visibly upset, exits.

          MOTHER
               Whichever. Civilization is full of them. Call and ask
               them for an interview.

                    The mother exits. LORD EAGLE enters followed by
                    LORD COW.

          EAGLE
               Who are you?
 
          ULYSSES
               My name is Ulysses Arg┬üello. I came to Civilization
               seven months ago. I have learnt to speak your language
               with a local accent. Love-ly. Do I get my point across?
               Re-mark-a-ble. Is it pretty clear? I apologize to
               promote myself in such a sneaky way. My boss used to
               say: "This fellow", that's me, "works as a horse". You
               can rely on me, Sir.

          EAGLE
               Do I know you?

          COW
               He insisted to talk to you, Lord Eagle. He wants to
               work as your private toilet cleaner.

          EAGLE
               Does he have any experience?

          COW
               An impressive record--yes.

          ULYSSES
               I used to take care of a battalion's toilet in the army,
               Sir. 300 men popping in and out day and night. I can
               assure you I will turn your bath into a shiny
               nice-looking bowl.

          EAGLE
               I like this guy. We need people with initiative.

          ULYSSES
               Thank you, Sir. You won't regret it.

          EAGLE
               And he has a good sense of humor!

                    Ulysses exits laughing.

          EAGLE
               Does he qualify for the position, then?

          COW
               He does not have a Civilization working permit, Sir.

          EAGLE
               What? That's indecent! You have been wasting my time, Lady
               Cow.

                    Lord Eagle exits. Ulysses enters combing his hair
                    with a comb.
 
          COW
               I regret to inform you that the position as Lord President's
               Toilet Cleaner has been fulfilled. Our decision was
               based on our current needs, and it does not represent,
               by any means, your personal qualifications as a
               candidate. We suggest you to keep in touch with our
               office for further job positions. Our best wishes on
               your professional career.

                    Lord Cow and Ulysses exit by opposite directions.
                    Darkness. Sound of heavy traffic, car beep and a
                    broken glass.

                    Car lights cast over Ulysses, who lies on the
                    floor. Lady Cat enters. She looks
                    around--searching for possible witnesses.

          CAT
               I am afraid I followed you too close.

          ULYSSES
               I need to go to a hospital.

          CAT
               Damn! Had you not come to this country I wouldn't have
               hit you! Have you updated all your documents, Ulysses?

          ULYSSES
               Sure.

          CAT
               Even your health insurance?

          ULYSSES
               Health insurance?

          CAT
               You must paid a health insurance--that's the law. That way
               tax-payers don't have to be responsible for your
               hospital bills. Only, perhaps, a small deductible
               amount. But never mind, since I was the one who hit you,
               I will pay any deductible fees from my own pocket.

          ULYSSES
                         (nervous)
               Very kind of you, Lady Cat.

                    Lady Cat holds him in her arms.
 
          ULYSSES
                         (continuing)
               How much does a hospital charge to attend someone like
               me?

          CAT
               Depending on your injuries and the amount of time you spend
               under intensive care. It may cost you over ten thousand
               pounds a day.

          ULYSSES
               That's a fortune!

          CAT
               Civilization health care is the most expensive in the world.
               Over ten thousand pounds a day. Yes! And let's not talk
               about the X-ray extra-fees.

          ULYSSES
               Extra-fees?

          CAT
               So, do you have a health insurance?

          ULYSSES
               I'm afraid I don't.

          CAT
               Just what I feared! You have committed a serious offence,
               Ulysses.

                    Lady Cat drops him. Ulysses falls flat on the
                    floor.

          ULYSSES
               I thought it was not necessary.

          CAT
               You better go to the bank and get all the money you
               can. We'll go to the Hospital!

                    Ulysses stands up limping.

          ULYSSES
               Let's just forget about it.

          CAT
               I can leave you here.

          ULYSSES
               I beg you!
 
          CAT
               That would be unfair!

          ULYSSES
               I entreat you!

          CAT
               Let me think...

          ULYSSES
               I beseech you!

          CAT
               You are not a bad boy...

          ULYSSES
               I implore you!

          CAT
               I will accept your plea, with one condition.

                    Lady Cat kisses Ulysses on his mouth.

          CAT
                         (continuing)
               That you come to visit me on Valentine's day!

          ULYSSES
               Sure.

          CAT
               You are lucky I was the one who hit you, baby!

                    They exit by opposite directions--Ulysses limps.

                    CLIMACO, a 25-year old hippie wearing silk
                    clothes, enters with VIVIAN, a youngster wearing a
                    yellow dress. She carries two baby dolls.

          MOTHER
               Uh, Dear Vivian. I am so glad to see you here. Who are these
               beautiful babies?

          MOTHER
               Your grandchildren.

          MOTHER
               Really? Uh, thanks.
 
          VIVIAN
               I would like you to take care of them during the weekend.
               Climaco and I want to spend a couple of days in the
               mountains.

          MOTHER
               You are in your right! But these are your children, not
               mine.

          VIVIAN
               You don't love them!

          MOTHER
               I wish I were in Civilization, where the elderly are never
               bothered by the young.

                    Climaco and Vivian leave the baby-dolls over the
                    sofa.

          MOTHER
                         (continuing)
               Would you like to drink a beer?

          VIVIAN
               It's too heavy for my stomach.

          MOTHER
               A glass of whisky?

          VIVIAN
               I dislike whisky.

          MOTHER
               A cup of champagne? Le Gelet Mort?

          VIVIAN
               If you don't mind.

                    The Mother picks up the bottle and serves her a
                    cup.

          CLIMACO
                         (with a baby voice)
               Any news from Ulysses?

          MOTHER
               Any. He got into an accident.
                         (pause)
               But now he is fine.

          CLIMACO
               He's sleeping on our pounds.
 
          VIVIAN
               How so?

          CLIMACO
               He lives in a luxurious apartment, just in the center
               of Civilization!

          MOTHER
               I cut his stipend--you know it.

          VIVIAN
               Will he come to Climaco's party?

          MOTHER
               By no means. He may suspect that we are still well-off.
               After all we have four cars, two trucks, five weekend
               houses, six apartments, one farm and two manufacturing
               companies.

          CLIMACO
               He should be proud of us. My party is the talk of the
               Jungle. I don't understand why you still send him
               money.

          MOTHER
               I would have rather send you to Civilization. You don't
               waste your time in silly activities, such as reading
               and writing. But you failed all the admission tests.

          CLIMACO
               I blame my sense of honesty. A professor tried to black-mail
               me. Now compare the money you invest in my brother's education
               with the money you give me. I'm in disadvantage.

          VIVIAN
               True.

                    Silence. Sound of a thunder storm.

          VIVIAN
                         (continuing)
               Life in the jungle is getting dangerous. There are too
               many revolutions. We may even lose a farm!

          CLIMACO
               We are planning to emigrate, Mother.

                    Climaco lights a cigarette.
 
          MOTHER
               That's a sound decision.

          VIVIAN
               Do you think Ulysses will host us?

          CLIMACO
               Do not even question it, Vivian. He must do it.

                    Mother smells Climaco's clothes.

          MOTHER
               We, after all, invested all our savings in his trip.

          MOTHER
                         (continuing)
               Are you smoking again, Climaco?

          CLIMACO
               Only once in a while.

          MOTHER
                         (sobbing, to Vivian)
               He is often depressed. I hope you are not making him
               unhappy.

                    Vivian stands up.

          VIVIAN
               What have you told her?

          CLIMACO
               I don't hide secrets to my Mom!

          VIVIAN
               I hate you!

                    The mother pours wine in her cup and drinks,
                    fixing her gaze on the TV screen.

                    Climaco sobs.

          CLIMACO
               You were only interested in my money! Now that it has run
               out you plan to leave me!

          VIVIAN
               I can't stand a man who complains all day long!

                    Climaco beats Vivian. Vivian hurts him badly.

                    We listen to a Piazzola tango.
 
          MOTHER
               A good flattering son, you always rely on your mother's
               word. I wasn't as kind to my mother. I loved dearly,
               even though she gave me a hard time--agonizing for ten
               years, day and nigh, in a cracking bed. Now it's time
               for us to move to Civilization. Let's ask Ulysses for a picture
               of his bride. I won't accept to be nursed by an
               overweight ugly girl.

                    She stands up and leaves the stage.

                    Tango music.

                    Rosa and Samuel enter and dance. Ulysses enters by
                    the left with an old cumbersome camera. He sets it
                    up.

          ROSA
               If Ulysses likes to kiss his mother's ass, that's his business. I
               won't play her dirty tricks! She doesn't deserve a
               picture of me! There is nothing I hate as much as to
               smile in front of a silly camera. I already told him:
               "I won't do it! You may insist, but I won't do it!" We
               haven't had sex since then.

                    Flash. Rosa screams. The music is harshly
                    interrupted.

          ROSA
                         (continuing; hysterical)
               Ulysses! You, son of a Cat! I'm talking to you! How
               dare you? (to Samuel) Did you see? Ulysses did it! He
               took that pic without my consent, Samuel!

                    Samuel exits. Rosa approaches Ulysses. She slaps
                    him and embraces him.

          ROSA
                         (continuing)
               I would like to find someone else, but you are the only
               one I have!

                    Mother's laugh is heard.

                    Rosa kisses Ulysses.

                    The Mother enters carrying a piece of broken
                    glass.
 
          MOTHER
                         (V.O.)
               I was expecting a silver-hair son when Ulysses was
               born. Instead, he came out with a reddish face. I
               washed him in bleach for a week, till he got a couple
               of blisters. Then I said to myself "well, a red-face
               fellow still can do it".

                    Ulysses and Rosa eat pop-corn in front of the TV
                    screen.

          MOTHER
                         (V.O.)
               Later on, he told me "Mom, I want to study Arts".
               "Arts?", I asked him. "That's fine, but you are not
               going to make a lot of money." He didn't listen to me,
               and there he is, dealing with that cow.

                    Climaco enters. Ulysses and Rosa look at them.

          CLIMACO
                         (to the audience, smiling)
               Our business is to sell glass. Ulysses is ashamed of
               our trade, but without glass he wouldn't had studied at
               the best schools. It was not knowledge, but cunning,
               that brought prosperity to our home. After so many
               years I have come to the painful conclusion that
               Ulysses is just another loser. He can't deliver glass to any
               place around the world.

                    They exit.

          ROSA
               I am too bored. I am leaving.

          ULYSSES
               Would you mind if I go with you?

                    She doesn't move. Ulysses takes out the gun from
                    the sofa.

          ROSA
               There is a blizzard out there.

          ULYSSES
               The storm of the century.

          ROSA
               Bullshit. Stop playing with that gun.

          ULYSSES
               Why did you buy it?
 
          ROSA
               I already told you!
                         (pause)
               Did you send that pic to your mother?

          ULYSSES
               They say you are pretty!

                    Rosa stands up in anger.

          ROSA
               Am I supposed to believe you? I'm fed up to hear about your
               family! You are pathetic! You obey them in everything.
               They abuse you! Were I in your shoes I would have sent
               them to hell long ago!

          ULYSSES
               That may offend them.

          ROSA
               So what? Maybe then they will learn to appreciate you a little
               bit!

          ULYSSES
               I can't.

          ROSA
               Just because you live out of their money? You better
               get a job!

                    She exits.

          ULYSSES
               Rosa!

                    Ulysses hides the gun and stands up.

                    He walks around the sofa.

                    LORD PIG, a 40-year old man, enters. He pushes a
                    wheel chair, where LORD FOX, a teenager actor,
                    sucks a gigantic lollipop. A block of paper and a
                    pen hang from his waist.

                    Lord Pig wears hat and raincoat. One of his
                    fingers handles a heavy ring with a ruby. Lord Fox
                    wears a swimming suit.

                    Ulysses kneels down in front of Lord Pig and
                    kisses his ring.
 
          PIG
               I asked candidates to cross the nation from coast to
               coast as a token of their loyalty. But you were the
               only one who came. Was I eccentric?

          ULYSSES
               I'd rather say you were keen, sound, lucid, sane, smart,
               commonsensical...

          PIG
               Thanks!

          ULYSSES
               Rational, wise, judicious, shrewd, astute, prudent, careful,
               gentle-alert!

          PIG
               Enough! Thanks!

          ULYSSES
               I'm at your service, Lord Pig.

          FOX
               Nobody else has come to the convention, Doc.

                    Lord Pig runs to the right corner of the stage. He
                    peruses the audience. He runs to the left corner
                    of the stage. He peruses the sky. He returns.

          PIG
               This fellow will do for all of them.

          FOX
               But according to this form, we must interview no less than
               twenty seven candidates.

          PIG
               You will write, then, any twenty six names, Lord Fox--wouldn't
               you?

          FOX
               You are so cleaver!

          ULYSSES
               So crystalline!

                    Lord Fox scratches names on a notebook.

          PIG
               Where are you from?
 
          ULYSSES
               I'm from the rainforest.

          PIG
               "I'm"--did you listen, Foxy? I love his grammar! Are
               you from the jungle then?

          ULYSSES
               That's correct.

          PIG
               Are you planning to return to the jungle later on?

          ULYSSES
               Over my dead body.

          PIG
               I appreciate your sincerity. We need trusty fellows.

          ULYSSES
               I'm a survivor.

          PIG
               I'm listening.

          ULYSSES
               Every fifteen minutes a man, woman or child is murdered
               in my country.

          FOX
               That sounds good to me.

          PIG
               Do you speak any language besides English?

          ULYSSES
               Seven Indo-European dialects.

          PIG
               Dialects?

          ULYSSES
               I mean, languages.

          PIG
               Right. Would you cook?

          ULYSSES
               I would be delighted.
 
          PIG
               You are hired, then. Foxy, pass the contract to this
               rain-forest, courageous cook assistant and meet me on
               the beach.

                    Lord Fox stands up and passes a sheet and a pen to
                    Ulysses.

                    Ulysses studies the sheet. Waltz tune. Lord Fox
                    drops his body on the foreground and drags his
                    body, as swimming. Lord Pig takes his coat off--beneath
                    he wears a swimming suit. After some hesitation he
                    jumps into the imaginary waters. During the next
                    conversation, Lord Fox and Lord Pig will stage

          ULYSSES
               How many pounds will I earn?

          PIG
               Five hundred per month.

          ULYSSES
               Isn't it very low?

          PIG
               Low?

          ULYSSES
               I understand! How many hours will I work?

          FOX
               Fifty four per week.

          ULYSSES
               That's a heavy load.

          PIG
               Heavy?

          ULYSSES
               I Understand! May I know my working hours?

          PIG
               From six in the morning until midnight.

          ULYSSES
                         (laughing)
               I love your sense of humor.

          FOX
               Me too.
 
          ULYSSES
                         (sad )
               That's quite a bit?

          PIG
               Quite a bit?

          ULYSSES
               I Understand! I accept.

          FOX
                         (to Lord Pig)
               You haven't asked him to be in charge of my underwear!
               And what about the deliveries?

          PIG
               No need to mention it. Once he signs, he will have to.

                    Lord Pig and Lord Fox exit. Mother and Climaco
                    cross the stage.

          ULYSSES
               I got a job, Mother!

          MOTHER
               Doing what?

          ULYSSES
               I will be a cook.

          MOTHER
               Couldn't you be a University Professor?

          ULYSSES
               No, mother.

          MOTHER
               Have you applied to Harvard?

          ULYSSES
               No, Mother.

          MOTHER
               What are you waiting for?

                    Ulysses exits.

          CLIMACO
                         (to the mother, laughing)
               Do you remember Samuel? The employee who cut his wrist
               with a broken piece of glass?
 
          MOTHER
               The crook who sued us.

          CLIMACO
               He is now our new mayor!

          MOTHER
                         (almost passing out)
               O, dear!

          CLIMACO
               I must travel, Mom! I must travel!

          MOTHER
               Don't forget to correct Your brother's

                    They exit. Lights dim off.

                    The background projects the surreal shadows of a
                    tree.

                    Ulysses and Rosa lie in bed.

          ROSA
               I already told you--I can't.

          ULYSSES
               What do you want then?

          ROSA
               I'm very young. I have some doubts.

          ULYSSES
               And what about next year? Are we going to go

          ROSA
               I don't know. Maybe I won't love you; maybe you won't love
               me.

          ULYSSES
                         (After a silence)
               You are right. I've been a fool, Rosa. I thought you
               were...

          ROSA
               I'm Lady Bitch. Don't forget it.
                         (pause)

          ULYSSES
               Yes, sorry. I though you wanted to love me.
 
          ROSA
               You just wanted to be loved.

          ULYSSES
               Yes. How selfish love is. Just like you and me.

          ROSA
               Don't I make you happy?

          ULYSSES
               I already told you. I feel insecure.
                         (pause)
               I'd like to say that I have buried my past for you. But
               that would be a lie.
                         (pause)
               As to believe that I'm happy now, as to believe in
               today, as to believe in you, as to believe in my
               memories and myself.
                         (pause)

          
               Our major torture is the future. But, anyway, I'm
               healthy, I don't have economic problems.

                    He smiles.

          ULYSSES
                         (continuing)
               Not yet.
                         (pause)
               If I'm suffering it is because I chose it.

          ROSA
                         (tender)
               I didn't mean I don't love you, Ulysses.

                    Ulysses rests his head on Rosa's breasts.

          ROSA
                         (continuing)
               You feel powerless, as every man I know.

                    Ulysses withdraws.

          ULYSSES
               Why do you have to compare me with him?

          ROSA
               With who?

          ULYSSES
               Whoever.
 
          ROSA
               Do you want me to be your faithful bride?

          ULYSSES
               Yes!

          ROSA
               You are so naive, Ulysses. There you are, offended once again.
               I'm with you not to make you suffer.

          ULYSSES
               I feel you so far away.

          ROSA
               I hope you won't be offended, Honey, but your accent is getting
               worse.

                    Knocks on the door. Ulysses comes out and returns
                    followed by Lord Lion.

          LION
               We apologize for the confusion. Sir. I understood 0001.
               Now I am confident your identity number ends 0000.

          ULYSSES
               I was worried, believe me.

          LION
               A digit can alter the fate of an entire nation, Sir.
               What can the FIRST EMIGRANT UNION CORPORATION do for
               you today?

          ULYSSES
               I was unfairly charged thirty pounds on my

                    Lord Lion checks his blackberry.

          LION
               You are right, Sir. Your payment was received on Monday the
               fourth. Your due date was on the first of June.
               Unfortunately you cancelled your payment too late.

          ULYSSES
               If you count weekend days, yes, three days. But only one
               working day.

          LION
               We are so sorry, sir.
 
          ULYSSES
               What surprises me the most, it's that I mailed my
               payment on the tenth of May. You must have received it
               one week after. You can check the posting date on the
               envelope.

          LION
               I'm afraid our computers don't take it on to account.

          ULYSSES
               That's unfair.

          LION
               Our computer system is too stern on this matter. It
               does not allow us to change your credit balance.

          ULYSSES
               Last month I was overcharged as well.

          LION
               You are most correct, Mr. Arg┬üello. You sent your payment
               too early. It was received on May the sixth.
               Unfortunately it was due on the seventh. You paid a day
               too soon.

          ULYSSES
               I mailed it to your company on the fifth! You must have
               received it on the tenth at least--not the day after!

          LION
               If you want to sue us, Sir, we can lend you money to
               hire a lawyer.

          ULYSSES
               Me? Of course, no.

          LION
               May I do something else for you, Sir?

          ULYSSES
               What would you do if I cannot pay off my debts?

                    Lord Lion looks haughty at Ulysses.

          ULYSSES
                         (continuing)
               It may happen.

          LION
               I understand. Do you smoke?
 
          ULYSSES
               No.

          LION
               Do you drink?

          ULYSSES
               No.

          LION
               Do you have sex with more than two mates?

          ULYSSES
               Uh... No.

          LION
               Then we recommend you to sell one of your kidneys.

          ULYSSES
               I see.

          LION
               Is there something else I can help you with, Sir?

          ULYSSES
               No, thanks.

          LION
               The FIRST EMIGRANT UNION CORPORATION wishes you a happy day,
               Sir, and thanks you once again for taking the decision
               to rely on us.

                    Lord Lion exits. Ulysses looks at his watch and
                    runs on the opposite direction.

                    Lady Cat enters wearing a dominatrix outfit and a
                    whip. Ulysses enters. She whips against the floor.

          CAT
               You are late.

          ULYSSES
               I was paying a loan.

          CAT
               A bank loan?
                         (pause)
               You are not entitle to request loans while living in
               Civilization.
 
          ULYSSES
                         (playing the fool)
               What a charming apartment.

          CAT
               Feel at home--please.

                    Ulysses sprawls in the sofa. Lady Cat approaches
                    him and caresses him with the whip.

          CAT
                         (continuing)
               You are lucky I sympathize with five-feet tall hairy
               rainforest studs.

          ULYSSES
               Hairy? Tall? Stud? Who?

          CAT
               You wrote me you want your relatives to visit you.

          ULYSSES
               Yes. I intend to invite my brother Climaco to
               Civilization--while I complete my research.

          CAT
               Does he live in a rain-forest barn?

          ULYSSES
               He has a barn--yes! But he lives in a

          CAT
               And he doesn't have a visa, I presume.

          ULYSSES
               Not yet. The immigration service wants to be sure
               Climaco has enough money to pay his expenses while
               visiting me. I want to...

                    Lady Cat covers Ulysses' mouth with her whip.

          CAT
               You don't have to persuade me. You must prove it.

                    Lady Cat takes Ulysses' head.

          CAT
                         (continuing; horny)
               I'm sorry to inform you, Ulysses, but your brother is
               not a member of your immediate family.
 
          ULYSSES
               I always doubted it.

          CAT
               In legal terms, your immediate family is made up of your parents,
               your wife and your children--that's the law.

          ULYSSES
               Climaco won't be happy to hear that.

          CAT
                         (fast)
               But you may invite him as your son--as your adopted
               son.

          ULYSSES
               Huh! And, you won't denounce me?

          CAT
               How can I denounce such hot stuff!

                    Lady Cat kisses Ulysses. He does not oppose. Red
                    light. They roll over the stage. They scream. They
                    separate. Hard breathing. Lady Cat changes her
                    clothes.

          CAT
                         (continuing)
               Aliens! They are all the same! From now on I will work trading babies
               from the jungle!

          ULYSSES
                         (gasping)
               You are a nice woman.

          CAT
               You have enlightened me! I will make money--a

          ULYSSES
               For the kids?

                    Lady Cat laughs.

          CAT
               I need to contact some of your acquaintances. Would you write
               their names for me?

          ULYSSES
                         (infatuated)
               Sure.
 
                    Ulysses writes down some names on a piece of
                    paper.

          CAT
               And don't worry about Climaco. His visa has been issued. Your
               plan worked well, baby.

          ULYSSES
               My plan?

          CAT
               I am confident a corporation can hire you. I can even write
               you a recommendation letter.

          ULYSSES
               I'm sorry Lady Cat, but...

                    Ulysses takes out a piece of paper from his pants
                    and reads:

          ULYSSES
                         (continuing)
               "Alien research is paid by Civilization State
               Administration. They expect emigrants to come back to their
               undeveloped nations in order to expand their global
               economy".

          CAT
               Now, are you going to teach me?

          ULYSSES
               That way our... flimsy economy will continue in the hands
               of...

          CAT
               I see you memorized your lesson! I want to see

          ULYSSES
               I'd rather stick to the law.

          CAT
               Your honesty sounds suspicious to me, baby.

          ULYSSES
               I'm a honest man, Lady Cat.

          CAT
               Are you? Suppose you marry me. Wouldn't you be able
 
          ULYSSES
               I am forced to be physically present in my country for
               a two-year period.

          CAT
               Too bad. You will regret it.

                    Lady Cat exits with an ironic smile. Ulysses runs
                    to the opposite side. The Mother enters.

          MOTHER
               How many pounds do you owe, Ulysses?

          ULYSSES
                         (O.S.)
               Twenty five thousand.

          MOTHER
               I told you never to accept a loan. Didn't I?

                    Ulysses enters.

          ULYSSES
               I had to travel to the Himalayas to get my new job.

          MOTHER
               Did you receive the pictures of Climaco's graduation
               party?

          ULYSSES
               Yes. I did.

          MOTHER
               I want you to rip them off. All of them.

          ULYSSES
               Why?

          MOTHER
                         (crying)
               He is going through a divorce, Ulysses. That woman was
               only interested on Climaco's bank account. Now that we
               are penniless, she recriminates us for our lack of
               success. She was a gold digger!

          ULYSSES
               Vivian?

          MOTHER
               I know Climaco should have realized her ill-intentions before
               wasting my savings with her.
 
          ULYSSES
               Aren't you a little bit unfair with Vivian?

          MOTHER
                         (sobbing)
               I knew you were going to take pleasure on your
               brother's misfortune!

                    Climaco enters, bruised and battered. He wears
                    rags.

          CLIMACO
               Ulysses! My dear bother!

          ULYSSES
               Bother?

          CLIMACO
               What?

          ULYSSES
               You say "my dear bother"!

          CLIMACO
               I don't know what you are talking about.

          MOTHER
                         sobbing)
               You are so inhuman, Ulysses!

          ULYSSES
               Climaco! My brother!

                    Climaco cries. They embrace.

          CLIMACO
               I'm so happy to see you! Believe me! My dearest
               brother!

          ULYSSES
               I'm your only brother!

          CLIMACO
               I didn't mean to offend you.

          ULYSSES
               You haven't.

          CLIMACO
               Life in the rainforest is a hell. You, on the contrary,
               live in Civilization, where the sun shines every day.
 
                    Ulysses looks at the sky. Thunder.

          ULYSSES
               Do you think so?

          CLIMACO
               I have decided to move to Civilization before the end
               of the year.

          ULYSSES
               Do you plan to rent an apartment?

          CLIMACO
               That would be awful. I plan to share my bachelor days
               with you.

          ULYSSES
               What? For how long?

          CLIMACO
               As much as I can. After all Mom paid for quite a while
               your monthly rent!

          ULYSSES
               I need privacy, Climaco.

          CLIMACO
               The rainforest stinks. Shut up your fucking mouth--I know
               you will open that door as soon as you see me! You
               won't leave me on the street.

          ULYSSES
               You don't understand. I live with Rosa. Her real name
               is Lady Bitch. We share our lives.

          CLIMACO
                         (to the Mother)
               Did you listen to him, Mom?

          MOTHER
               Have you lost your mind, Ulysses?

          CLIMACO
                         (to Ulysses)
               You just hate me because Vivian married me.

                    Climaco exits.

                    Dim lights. The Mother, in a wheel chair, rolls up
                    to the center of the stage.
 
          MOTHER
                         (lyrical)
               Cursed be the night loaded with brief pleasure, when I
               conceived the scorn of my sad husband.
                         (to Ulysses)
               It seems to me that it was yesterday when you were
               born.
                         (sweet)
               They used to tell me I was younger and attractive. Now
               they just pity me. Certainly I must have changed. Happy
               birthday, my son! Today we must celebrate the day I
               brought you into the world! I know you will like the
               gift I sent you--three hundred pounds: in cash. Oh, my
               son, I'm so proud of you. Because you are opening our way
               into a nation of happiness, aren't you?

                    Her smile vanishes.

          MOTHER
                         (continuing; angry)
               Is it true that you don't want to host your brother?
               Don't be ludicrous! You haven't seen me angry yet! Open your
               doors to Climaco and be gentle with him--otherwise I
               won't talk to you anymore! (sweet) After all, you owe
               me all you are--without me you wouldn't have even
               exist!
                         (angry)
               And stop your bitterness. There are many reasons to be
               happy. Your brother and I have been very hard workers.

                    Full lights.

          MOTHER
                         (continuing)
               It is almost nine, Ulysses. Were you sleeping?

          ULYSSES
               I worked until midnight. How is your health, Mother?

          MOTHER
               Worst. I cannot walk.

          ULYSSES
               I would like to come back to the rainforest.
 
          MOTHER
               Don't even mention it! Your life is in Civilization,
               Ulysses. Your return would be a shame! An offence
               against all of us! Ulysses! Please! You don't want me
               to see me crying. I want you to support Climaco--do it as
               an act of charity. He is going through a hard time.

          ULYSSES
               So am I. My boss humiliates me.

          MOTHER
               You must respect your superiors! Be humble. If you have
               problems, it's your fault.

          ULYSSES
               How is that if Climaco has problems, it is the

          MOTHER
               Don't make fun of me! Your older brother will arrive to
               Civilization airport tomorrow at five p.m.

          ULYSSES
               Tomorrow? He told me he was planning to travel

          MOTHER
               He changed his mind.

          ULYSSES
               Tomorrow? What for? I haven't discussed this matter with
               Lady Bitch!

          MOTHER
               With whom?

          ULYSSES
               My girlfriend. Why didn't you inform me of his trip
               before?

          MOTHER
               I hope you won't be so wicked as to forsake your brother
               in an unknown country.

          ULYSSES
               Do I have any choice?
 
          MOTHER
               Stop bickering on your duties! Your brother just got
               his first divorce! I almost lost my entire fortune in
               one month! I had to sell my farm to cover the cost of
               Climaco's flight ticket.

          ULYSSES
               I'm fed up of your tears, Mother; of your talk, of your
               needs, of your dreams! I'm fed up of this comedy: you,
               the suffering mother, and I, the obedient son who must
               stay at any cost in Civilization.

          MOTHER
               By heavens!

          ULYSSES
               My life is miserable here, Mother. My patience has worn
               out. Why can't you understand it?
                         (pause)
               I will fly back to the jungle!

                    Mother cries.

          MOTHER
               At least Climaco loves me!

                    Mother cries.

          ULYSSES
               Your tears won't do it!

                    Mother cries.

          MOTHER
               I know what's behind your bickering! Vivian!

          ULYSSES
                         (downhearted)
               Vivian! Please!

                    The Mother stops crying and laughs. Ulysses pushes
                    her out of the stage.

                    Vivian enters. She wears light-blue pants and a
                    leather jacket. She and Ulysses meet, kiss each
                    other and seat one next to each other.

          VIVIAN
               When will your brother arrive?
 
          ULYSSES
               Tonight.

          VIVIAN
               Will you see me again?

          ULYSSES
               Yes.

                    Vivian looks around the stage.

          VIVIAN
               We were so happy.

          ULYSSES
               I know.

          VIVIAN
               Your mother says I am too old for you. You are such a
               child.

          ULYSSES
               I'm just practical. We don't have the means to get
               married.

          VIVIAN
                         (ironic)
               Of course.

          ULYSSES
               Climaco is a good worker. He's going through a hard
               time, though.

          VIVIAN
               I see you love him.

          ULYSSES
               He is such a smart guy. That's why my mother asked him
               to go overseas.

          VIVIAN
               But he couldn't make it, right?

          ULYSSES
               The aptitude test was too hard for him.

          VIVIAN
               I would like to live with you, Ulysses.

          ULYSSES
               Mom wants to send me to Civilization.
 
          VIVIAN
               I thought...

          ULYSSES
               When I told her I'd rather help her with her businesses,
               she burst into tears.

          VIVIAN
                         (caustic)
               And then you beg for her forgiveness.

          ULYSSES
                         (naive)
               How do you know it?

          VIVIAN
               Do you want to emigrate, Ulysses?

          ULYSSES
               She's my mom. I must obey her. I came out from her
               womb.

          VIVIAN
               That doesn't make her better than any one else. My
               house is yours, Ulysses. It's not a palace--but it's
               cozy. My parents love you.

          ULYSSES
                         (pungent)
               They love my money.

          VIVIAN
               You are penniless! Please!

          ULYSSES
               So they love mom's money.

          VIVIAN
               Why do you believe her?

                    She bursts into tears.

          ULYSSES
               It's good to cry. It will heal your wounds.

          VIVIAN
                         (caustic)
               I assure you: some day you will regret it.

                    She wipes her tears.
 
          ULYSSES
               I wish you the best, Vivian.

          VIVIAN
                         (continuing)
               Tell me about Climaco.

          ULYSSES
               He started five careers--but he got tired of all of
               them. Provincial life doesn't suit him.

          VIVIAN
               Are you sure he will love the city?

          ULYSSES
               Bogot├í is one of the greatest capitals of the jungle! But
               he may return to Bucaramanga. He's just looking for the
               perfect woman. Sixty, ninety, sixty--just like you. Mom
               has promised Climaco the most sumptuous wedding--a
               one-week carnival with fifty priests and twenty
               thousand guests.

          VIVIAN
               You exaggerate.

                    Silence. They fall sleep. Climaco enters. Vivian
                    screams.

          CLIMACO
               Ulysses! What is this woman doing here?

          ULYSSES
               Climaco!

          CLIMACO
               So, that's how you squander our money!
                         (to Vivian)
               Would you leave us alone, please?

          ULYSSES
               This is my apartment.

          CLIMACO
               Mom owns this place; her property is mine as well;
               therefore, I own your apartment.

                    Climaco peruses Vivian's jacket.
 
          CLIMACO
                         (continuing)
               I remember this jacket. It was your Christmas present.
               Why is she wearing it?

          ULYSSES
                         (nervous)
               It's old. It doesn't fit me.

          CLIMACO
               Try it.

          ULYSSES
               Now I remember! I lost it in a card game!

          VIVIAN
               Ulysses lent it to me, Climaco.

          CLIMACO
                         (to Vivian)
               Thanks. I appreciate your honesty.

          ULYSSES
               Don't insult me! You are my brother--my only brother.

                    Climaco smiles.

          CLIMACO
               You almost make me cry.

                    Climaco exits.

          ULYSSES
               I must migrate to Civilization!

          VIVIAN
               I already heard you.

          ULYSSES
               Mom wants to live overseas.

          VIVIAN
               What about me?

                    Ulysses looks at her. She sighs, leaves the jacket
                    over the sofa and exits. Green light.

                    Lights. Ulysses cleans and orders the stage.

                    Lord Pig and Lord Fox enter.
 
          PIG
               Why aren't you at work? You are supposed to leave at
               nine p.m.!

          ULYSSES
               I forgot to tell you. I quit.

          FOX
               I told you! Never trust a jungle fellow!

          PIG
               I'll ban you from all the restaurants in town!

                    Lord Pig and Lord Fox exit.

                    Climaco enters carrying two bags.

          CLIMACO
               Thanks for picking me up at the airport, bother.

          ULYSSES
               The least I can do.

          CLIMACO
               Your apartment is clean and beautiful. You must be
               making a lot of money. Do you hire a housemaid?

                    Ulysses picks up his luggage.

          ULYSSES
               I spent the whole night cleaning up the place.

          CLIMACO
               Did your girlfriend help you?

          ULYSSES
               No. She is too dedicated to her work.

          CLIMACO
               I see.

          ULYSSES
                         (nervous)
               She can spend a whole night at her office.

          CLIMACO
               I would like to see her! Where is she?

          ULYSSES
               She won't be back until Wednesday.
 
          CLIMACO
               What is she doing?

          ULYSSES
               Visiting a friend, I believe.

          CLIMACO
               A friend? Male or female?

          ULYSSES
               Does it matter?
                         (pause)
               I have arranged a room for you.

          CLIMACO
               Do not move. I am so happy to see you again.

                    Climaco takes the luggage and exits.

                    Rosa enters with Samuel. She carries a wedding
                    dress.

          ROSA
               Samuel has registered a new jumping record of 345

          ULYSSES
               A great step for humanity.

          SAMUEL
               Rosa! There is something I must tell you.

          ROSA
               Ulysses! This is Samuel!

                    Ulysses shakes his hands.

          ULYSSES
               Congratulations!

          SAMUEL
               Did you already send your CV to my company?

          ULYSSES
               I think so.

          SAMUEL
               What would you like to do?

          ULYSSES
               I'm currently a cook. I guess I lack experience, but...
 
          SAMUEL
               Be frank with me.

          ULYSSES
               I would like to work as your Chief Executive.

          SAMUEL
                         (laughing)
               You? Our CEO? I love it! I love it!

          ULYSSES
               I can even work as your President.

          SAMUEL
               You are pulling my leg, aren't you?

          ULYSSES
                         (laughing)
               Not at all!

          SAMUEL
                         (laughing)
               I love it!

          ROSA
               What job would you like to apply for, Ulysses?

          ULYSSES
               To tell you the truth...

          ROSA
               Toilette cleaner.

          SAMUEL
                         (earnest)
               I'm afraid we won't be able to help you.
                         (to Rosa)
               Starting today I am a full time sportsman. I will tour
               around the world.

          ROSA
               He is so modest! A rope company is paying him one
               hundred thousand pounds per month. Only to help him in
               his career!

          ULYSSES
               I pity you.

          SAMUEL
               I do what I can.
 
          ULYSSES
               Climaco has come to visit us.

          ROSA
                         (surprised)
               From the Jungle?

                    Climaco enters. He smiles.

          ULYSSES
               He plans to stay with us for five months.

          ROSA
               After all the problems he caused you before your
               departure?

          ULYSSES
               Let's say he's changed.

          SAMUEL
                         (laughing)
               I love his sense of humor! I love it!

          ROSA
               I don't want to host a liar!

          ULYSSES
               He's my brother. He is already here.

                    Ulysses points at him.

          CLIMACO
                         (to Rosa)
               Nice to meet you, Rosa. You look better than in
               picture.
                         (to Ulysses)
               I see you've been talking about me.

          ROSA
               He's handsome...

          SAMUEL
               I like him!

          ROSA
                         (to Ulysses)
               You don't share your life with me at all. You have not
               asked for my consent.

          SAMUEL
               No need to recriminate him, Rosa. He's just a funny
               guy.
 
                    Rosa lies on Samuel's chest.

          ROSA
                         (to Samuel)
               You are so kind.
                         (to Ulysses)
               I am flying to New Delhi tomorrow, Ulysses.

                    Silence.

          ULYSSES
                         (smiling)
               There is no need to overreact. My brother can rent a
               room in a hotel near by.

          CLIMACO
               What?

                    Climaco exits.

          ULYSSES
               Climaco! Wait!

                    Ulysses sits on the sofa.

          ULYSSES
               All this must end.

          ROSA
               I can't trust you anymore.

          ULYSSES
                         (laughing)
               You don't understand.

          ROSA
               Samuel and I have decided to live together.

          SAMUEL
               Pardon me?

          ULYSSES
               I'm so glad to hear it.

          SAMUEL
               I must leave, I'm afraid; to Australia. Alone!

          ROSA
               Don't be afraid of Ulysses, Samuel. He's just a funny
               guy.
 
          SAMUEL
               You both are sick!

          ROSA
               Why do you reject me? My parents love you, Samuel!

          SAMUEL
               You have mistaken me. I just wanted sex--do you
               understand? Now excuse me.

                    Samuel exits.

          ULYSSES
               Sex?
                         (laughing)
               I want to speak to you, Samuel!

                    Ulysses exits.

                    Rosa drops in the sofa sobbing.

          ROSA
                         (angrily crying)
               Once you succeed, you don't really need anyone else in
               your life! But I'm a woman! How can I succeed? I'm a
               woman!

                    Rosa takes out the gun from the sofa and exits.

          ULYSSES
                         (O.S.)
               Rosa!

          CLIMACO
                         (O.S.)
               Ulysses!

                    Four shots are heard.

          ULYSSES
                         (O.S.)
               What have you done?

          ROSA
               Not I, Ulysses! What have you done?

                                                      LIGHTS OFF.
 
                                   ACT II

                    A court room slightly lit. 12 Louis-XIV chairs
                    form a semicircle on the backstage. A 11-member
                    jury remains seated: Lord Fox, Lord HYENA, Lord
                    Pig, Lord Eagle, Lady Cat, Lord BEAR, Lord RAT,
                    Lord HORSE, Lady SERPENT, Lord LION and Lady Cow.
                    There are two chairs for Ulysses and the LAWYER, a
                    90-year old man who makes crosswords, seated on
                    his chair. The judge chair is occupied by Lord
                    DOG.

                    Ulysses, wearing a dark suit and a tie, walks on
                    the stage.

                    Vivian, wearing shirt and skirt, enters from the
                    opposite direction. She counts coins in her hands.

                    Ulysses and Vivian hit each other. They fall and
                    roll over the floor.

                    Vivian's coins bounce over the stage. Ulysses'
                    documents fly in the air.

          VIVIAN
               Asshole!

          ULYSSES
               Motherfucker!

                    They look at each other in amazement.

          VIVIAN
               But, look at you! Ulysses! I fancy you at Civilization!

          ULYSSES
               Mrs. Coronaria! I have had to wait one year to process
               my documents. I was confused, and...

                    Ulysses approaches to embrace Vivian.

          VIVIAN
               Don't touch me! Look at my shirt! It's wrinkled!

                    Vivian picks up her coins.

          VIVIAN
                         (continuing)
               I must meet a friend in one hour. Why do you wear
 
          ULYSSES
               Mom sent me this dress.

          VIVIAN
               It's tight.

          ULYSSES
               That's correct. She sends me undersized clothes in the
               hope I will be obliged to lose some weight.

          VIVIAN
               I never picture you in such an outfit. What are you
               doing here?

          ULYSSES
                         (nervous)
               Just walking, Mrs. Coronaria.

          VIVIAN
               On a Monday afternoon? Call me Vivian, as you used to!

          ULYSSES
               Vivian.

          VIVIAN
               Do you still love me? Don't say it! Everybody gets
               jealous of me sooner or later. I have become an
               influential lawyer. My enemies fear me.

          ULYSSES
               I feel happy for you.

          VIVIAN
               I don't believe you.
                         (pause)
               Am I talking to a senseless wall?

          ULYSSES
               Are you upset?

          VIVIAN
               Who is upset? Are you upset?

          ULYSSES
               You are.

          VIVIAN
               I cannot believe I loved you! You are so insecure!

          ULYSSES
               Let me tell you something!
 
          VIVIAN
               Still I will help you in your career, Ulysses.

          ULYSSES
               Thanks, but it won't be necessary. I am flying to
               Civilization tonight.

                    Vivian laughs.

          VIVIAN
               It sounds familiar to me.

                    Ulysses hands out an envelope to Vivian.

          ULYSSES
               This is for you. I intended to send it to you by mail, butbsince
               you are here, I'd rather give it to you immediately.

                    Vivian receives it.

          VIVIAN
               Thanks. What is it? A gift? A bribe?

          ULYSSES
               I won't bribe you. My exile is, overall, a political
               move.

                    Vivian laughs. Ulysses tights his tie.

          VIVIAN
               You are playing the detective, aren't you?

          ULYSSES
               I will study, on my arrival, a Master on Rainforest
               Arts. Civilization Administration may offer me an
               administrative position after all.

          VIVIAN
               Promises. After you spent your savings in a
               rock-and-roll university you will end up cooking
               omelets and cakes.

          ULYSSES
               Civilization encourages his citizens to learn the habits
               and manners of a third-world rain forest.

          VIVIAN
               Stop being naive, Ulysses!

          ULYSSES
               Won't you open my envelope?
 
          VIVIAN
               I know its content.

                    Ulysses burst into tears.

          ULYSSES
               Why?

                    Climaco enters.

          VIVIAN
               Climaco! Ulysses brought us the pictures of our first
               date!

                    Ulysses takes out a gun and shoots at Vivian. He
                    misses her. She screams. Climaco and Vivian run
                    and exit.

                    The lords applaud. Full lights.

                    Two guards enter, snatch the gun out of Ulysses'
                    hands, shackled him and guide him onto his chair.
                    The PROSECUTOR, a thin tall man, enters.

                    The Lawyer stands up.

          LAWYER
               It's the truth! He is innocent!

                    The lawyer returns to his crosswords.

          PROSECUTOR
               Thanks, honorable lords! I content that the suspect is
               not only guilty of the murder of Jake M. Junior, but of
               several crimes against humanity, all of them
               perpetrated in his good-for-nothing middle-of-no-where
               third-world rain-forest country.

                    Silence. Lord Dog strikes noisily his hammer
                    against his table.

          DOG
               Order! Order! Order! Now it's time to deliberate.

                    Pause.

          EAGLE
               I see it very clear. The suspect accused his ex-lover
               of lechery. He try to kill her in the middle of the
               street.
 
          BEAR
               We don't want such scoundrels in our happy nation!

                    The lords applaud. Pause.

          HORSE
               The suspect is still a human being. We cannot judge him
               for a crime he didn't commit.

          LION
               You don't try to murder the girl you just dumped! He is
               a psychotic!
               HYENA
                         (to Lord Dog)
               Your Excellency is too kind to judge this man for his previous acts.
               What counts is the havoc he has caused in our society.

          FOX
               I agree with Lord Hyena. The whole world is not our
               main concern.

          CAT
               We must be our main priority! If the world burns, we'll
               be the last to burn!

                    Silence.

          SERPENT
               My heart pounds of rage just to see Jake M. Junior
               bleeding on an Civilization road!

          HYENA
                         (laughing)
               That's my point! Jake M. Junior was only fourteen years
               old when he died!

          BEAR
               Tit for tat!

                    The lords applaud. Pause.

          PIG
               May we speed up this trial, your excellency? They'll broadcast
               the Bobby Awards tonight.

          CAT
               The Bobby Awards?
 
          SERPENT
               James Wordsworth and Marlon Hughes are going to wear
               their four- million-pound suit!

          COW
                         (euphoric)
               Who designed it? Ibiza Royal? Open Airbag?

          FOX
               Hardy Miller!

          RAT
               The designer that foresaw the destruction of the world?

          BEAR
               The same one!

          EAGLE
               Nonsense!

          SERPENT
               Yes! Some people have been waiting for this ceremony in
               front of their TV for one month.

          FOX
               I can not be here any longer, your excellency.

          COW
               This may be my last chance to watch James Wordsworth
               and Marlon Hughes together on the screen.

          PIG
               How so? Are you sick?

          COW
               I heard they got new lovers!

          EAGLE
               Nonsense! James Wordsworth is in the morgue!

          BEAR
               No!

          CAT
               What happened?
 
          EAGLE
               He was poisoned by his wife this morning. Although, of course,
               some journalists have wickedly suggested he killed
               himself by taking a can of drugs--as if the
               rainforest's drug-lords were not the guilty ones in such
               a case.

          FOX
                         (to Lord Dog)
               I want to see him burning, your excellency!

          DOG
               Order!

                    He strikes his wooden hammer.

          DOG
                         (continuing)
               I won't tolerate such vocabulary in my court!
               Civilization citizens are never burnt nowadays.
                         (pause)
               They are either electrified or injected.

                    The lords applaud.

          RAT
               They must be flayed off!

          DOG
               Modern law despises such barbaric terms. Criminals must undergo
               a painless death.

          ULYSSES
               Why?

                    Silence.

          DOG
               Did he ask why?

          ULYSSES
               Why?

                    Silence.

          DOG
               You are the least indicated person to question our
               judicial system, Sir.

          SERPENT
               If you have any doubts, read the dictionary.
 
                    The Dog strikes his hammer.

          DOG
               Law forbids dictionaries in court!

          RAT
               We can inform our victim of his rights!
                         (to Ulysses)
               You are our victim, yes! Why ought we pity a murderer?
               We are not dumb Christians! Not anymore. We are free
               intolerant thinkers!

          BEAR
                         (to the Lawyer)
               I want to see you suffer! I want you to beg mercy
               before a TV camera. Only, and only then I will enjoy
               your death!

          LAWYER
               I'm not the accused person, Lord Bear.

          BEAR
                         (blushed)
               Excuse me.

                    Images of executed victims are projected on the
                    screen. Lord Rat screams in an ecstasy of
                    pleasure--increasing the intensity of his screams as
                    Ulysses speaks.

          ULYSSES
               Criminals are fairly treated before their execution
               because if we see them suffering we'll be obliged to
               pity them. Citizens of Civilization cannot stand pain.
               Look at the pictures of a jet-set magazine, where
               celebrities smile. We are expected to believe they are
               happy. But, are they? We don't know. We are capable of
               dissembling our feelings. That fact, among so many
               others, distinguishes us from animals--who stress
               rather than conceal, their tribulations. We may pity
               the agony of a pig, or of a dog--they don't strive for
               dignity after all. The clean and painless death of a
               man, on the contrary, is a healthy tribute to order.
               Without horrendous screams people may even believe that
               our system is merciful with its victims.

                    Lord Rat screams and faints. Pause.

          HYENA
               Now he even instructs us.

                    Silence. Lord Dog strikes his hammer.
 
          DOG
               Order!

                    Silence.

          PROSECUTOR
                         (to Ulysses)
               I agree with you, Mister Arg├╝ello, although I wouldn't use
               the same words.

          RAT
               Can we condemn the offender, your excellency?

          DOG
               Sure.

                    The lords, but the Dog, the Horse and the Eagle
                    laugh. Silence.

          DOG
                         (continuing)
               Who believes the legal alien Ulysses, is guilty of
               murdering Jake M. Junior?

                    All the lords raise their hands, but the Horse and
                    the Bear.

          DOG
                         (continuing)
               The trial must continue.

                    The lawyer stands.

          LAWYER
               The criminal is innocent!

                    The lawyer sits down.

          PIG
                         (to the Bear)
               Why didn't you condemn him? I'd rather watch the Bobby
               Awards tonight.

          BEAR
               Damn! I forgot about them!

          ULYSSES
                         (raising his arm)
               May I say something?
 
                    The prosecutor runs and hits Ulysses in his nose.
                    Ulysses screams and grasps the Prosecutor's neck.
                    The guards seize Ulysses back.

          PROSECUTOR
               That man tried to throw me an egg, your Excellency.

          DOG
               The prosecutor may continue.

                    The prosecutor makes a gesture to the guards and
                    Ulysses is escorted out.

          PROSECUTOR
               My theatre group "Blame the killer" is proud to stage
               the death of Jake M. Junior!

                    The lords applaud. Lady Cat exits.

                    Climaco enters carrying his suitcase. Ulysses
                    follows him.

          CLIMACO
               I cannot believe it! You preferred that woman to your brother!
               To your own blood!

          ULYSSES
               I was about to tell you that I have decided to leave
               this place for good.

                    Samuel enters. He bears several wounds. His mouth
                    bleeds. He has no teeth.

          SAMUEL
               I did it!

          ULYSSES
               Are you O.K.?

          SAMUEL
               I beat my own record. I jumped from a helicopter
               without a parachute!

          CLIMACO
               Samuel Hardrib!

          SAMUEL
               I did it for my family, my country and myself! Listen
               to me Kid! I got ten million pounds for that jump!
 
          CLIMACO
               Isn't it wonderful?

          ULYSSES
               Would you like me to get you a doctor?

          SAMUEL
               Are you out of your mind? Where is the media? Call the journalists!
               I must do it again. I will set up another record:
               "First man who jumps from a helicopter twice in a day!"

          CLIMACO
               What about: "First man who jumps from an helicopter twice
               in a day, in the company of a newcomer!"

          SAMUEL
               That sounds good to me!

                    Samuel laughs and exits through the right flies.

          CLIMACO
               I don't need your support! I am in a land of
               opportunity!

          ULYSSES
               Climaco!

          CLIMACO
               Leave me alone!

                    Rosa rushes in from the left flies. She carries a
                    gun in her hand. She aims it to the right flies.

          ULYSSES
               Rosa!

                    Ulysses holds her from her back.

          CLIMACO
               Ulysses!

                    She struggles to get free of Ulysses. In the
                    struggle she shoots four times to the air.

          ULYSSES
               What have you done?

          ROSA
               Not I, Ulysses! What have you done?
 
                    Ulysses snatches the gun from her hands. She runs
                    away. Lady Cat enters bearing a lap dog in her
                    arms.

          CAT
                         (sobbing)
               Look what you did to Jake M. Junior!

                    The lords applaud. Lady Cat leaves the carcass of
                    Jake on the center of the stage. The guards escort
                    Ulysses back to his chair.

                    Climaco exits.

          PROSECUTOR
               The forensic report has been conclusive. Jake M. Junior suffered considerable
               distress by the shooting of four bullets. He endured a
               horrendous death. As his heart stopped beating, he
               agonised on the ground, raising his tiny legs to his
               last view--a view of the sky that cherished his cute
               steps twice a day. Human beings are cruel! To die
               thinking that you won't be able to piss peacefully
               anymore--that your existence has been destroyed by the zoo-phobic
               behaviour of a man! But not any man! A rainforest man! Someone
               excluded from our hierarchical society! Inferior, even,
               to a bee! Jake, overall, was a beautiful creature, born
               and brought up in Civilization. As the National
               Institute of Dog's Family History has proved, one of
               Jake's ancestors sailed to Civilization on the lap of
               Christopher Columbus. This is a crime History can't
               forgive. I humbly suggest to impose the capital
               punishment on that ungrateful, merciless, carnivorous,
               lusty alien: Ulysses Arg├╝ello!

                    The lords applaud. Ulysses is brought back.

                    The lawyer stands up.

          LAWYER
               Nobility title of three letters banned from
               Civilization.

          LION
               Rat!

          RAT
               Cat!

          CAT
               Bat!
 
          FOX
               Cow!

          

          COW
               Dog!

          DOG
               Pig!

          PIG
               Fox!

          LAWYER
               Starts with ┬½M┬╗!

          ULYSSES
               Man!

          LAWYER
               Thanks!

          HYENA
               Lord Lion

          LION
               Yes?

          HYENA
                         (sly)
               He even accuses us.

          LION
                         (loud)
               I won't tolerate such disrespect! I am a war veteran!
               Who are you to suggest we are undocumented fellows?

                    Silence.

          DOG
               Once more, who believes the legal alien Ulysses, is
               guilty of murdering Jake M. Junior?

                    All the lords raise their hands, but the Horse.

          DOG
                         (continuing)
               The trial must continue. The defense will proceed.

          LAWYER
               The man is innocent!
 
                    The lawyer sits down.

          EAGLE
                         (to the Horse)
               Why didn't you condemn him? I'll miss my TV reality
               show tonight.

          HORSE
               I got a Charley horse.

          ULYSSES
                         (raising his arm)
               May I say something?

                    The prosecutor and the lords yawn.

          ULYSSES
                         (continuing)
               I didn't kill Jake M. Junior.

                    The prosecutor points out to Lady Cat.

          PROSECUTOR
               Will you deny the fact that you sustained an affair
               with his owner, Lady Cat?

          ULYSSES
               Me?

          PROSECUTOR
               Did you have sex with her? Answer me! Yes or not?

          ULYSSES
               Well...

                    The lords laugh.

          PROSECUTOR
               In other words, you seduced her in order to obtain a
               work permit.

          ULYSSES
               What?

          PROSECUTOR
               Not to mention her entire fortune!
                         (to Lady Cat)
               Before meeting Ulysses, to whom had you written your
               will?

          CAT
               To Jake M. Junior.
 
          PROSECUTOR
               She loved Jake! As a good citizen, she wanted to ensure
               a comfortable living to her pet once death do them
               apart!

          BEAR
               That's so touching!

          PROSECUTOR
               And, now, Lady Cat, tell us: one day before the death
               of Jake M. Junior, to whom did you write your will.

          CAT
               To Ulysses Arg├╝ello.

                    The lords mumble.

          CAT
                         (continuing; crying)
               He had promised me to marry me!

          ULYSSES
               That's not true! And I never heard of her will!

          PROSECUTOR
               Ignorantia non excusat!

          ULYSSES
               This is a farce! Lady Cat is a public employee!

          CAT
               That's false. Now I'm a baby dealer.

          PROSECUTOR
               May I ask you what your legacy would have been?

          ULYSSES
               She even doesn't have a car!

          PROSECUTOR
               Objection!

          DOG
               Allowed.

          PROSECUTOR
                         (to Ulysses)
               I will ask you once again: did you conspire against
               Jake M. Junior?

          ULYSSES
               Conspire? I'm not a spy!
 
          PROSECUTOR
               He accepts his guilt.

                    The lords applaud. Lady Cat exits.

          ULYSSES
               I recognized the fact that Jake M. Junior died!

          CAT
               He was a 14-year-old lad, fed with chocolates,
               beefsteak and lobster!

          ULYSSES
               There you are! With such a heart, I'm surprised he was
               able to walk by himself!

          BEAR
               This fellow doesn't respect the elderly!

          HYENA
               I love chocolates!

          SERPENT
               I want to enjoy a quiet retirement! What is wrong with
               it?

          DOG
               Order!

                    Silence.

          COW
               Can we vote once again?

          HORSE
               Before we do it, I would like to ask a simple question
               to our suspect.

          DOG
               Allowed.

          HORSE
               Thanks, your Excellency.
                         (to Ulysses)
               Why did you decide to migrate to Civilization?

          ULYSSES
               I wanted to be civilized.

          CAT
               That's not true! He told me he came here to make a lot
               of money!
 
          FOX
               How reckless!

          HYENA
               You came to the best country in the world. Are you
               aware of that?

          ULYSSES
               No.

                    Whispers and exclamations.

          ULYSSES
               A country should be given without conditions, without a
               map, without passports. I sigh when I see a country man in uniform
               turning his nice disposition into aggression--and all
               by the mere sight of a stamp!

          HYENA
               I am amazed our boys haven't shot you yet!

          FOX
               He's an anarchist!

          CAT
               To the stake!

                    Ulysses looks at the Designer.

          ULYSSES
                         (raving)
               I'm guilty!

          PIG
               He raves!

          ULYSSES
                         (sobbing)
               I kill him!

          BEAR
               He is treating us as inquisitors!

          FOX
               As judges!

          SERPENT
                         (to Ulysses)
               In your opinion, are we virtuous or vicious people?

                    Ulysses whispers.
 
          HYENA
               He said that we are viciously virtuous!

          COW
               I'm a worthy citizen.

          LION
               I won't tolerate him any longer!

          FOX
               He muttered that we rank people as if they were
               animals!

          HYENA
               He even offends us!

          BEAR
               I will smash his head against the wall!

          DOG
               Order!

                    Silence. Ulysses mumbles.

          LION
               Do you believe in the Designer?

          PIG
               I must answer to your question. I'm a priest of the
               order of the Designer. That's my job.

          DOG
               The question has been addressed to the prisoner, Lord
               Pig!

                    Lord Lion slaps Ulysses.

          LION
               Do you believe in the Designer?

          PIG
               He won't be able to answer your question, unless you
               provide him with a clear definition of the Designer.

          SERPENT
               The entity who created the universe, for instance.

          PIG
               If the creation is an act of creation, then...

          ULYSSES
               Yes, I do believe.
 
                    All the lords raise their heads.

          PIG
               He's a liar. I've never seen him at my church.

          FOX
                         (angry)
               Are you against us?

          PIG
               I worship the Designer as well, Lord Fox. It is a
               profession that allows me to spend my holidays in
               Greece. But I'm not a creationist.

          SERPENT
               I'm an evolutionist as well. I believe That everything
               evolves out of nothing

          HORSE
               I also believe black holes exist.

          HYENA
                         (to Ulysses)
               Do you see the Designer as a bearded man?

          SERPENT
               With an apple?

          CAT
               Is he alone?

          BEAR
               Is he the face of authority?

          COW
               Does authority has a face?

          LION
               How do you define the sentence "The Designer is love"?

          EAGLE
               In your opinion, does only love create, whereas hate
               destroys?

          HORSE
               This is ludicrous. Whether I believe or not in the
               Designer, I didn't expect to discuss his existence in
               this trial.

          HYENA
               I agree. Let's pretend he doesn't exist.
 
          LION
               This man tried to murder his ex-lover in his
               third-world rain forest. Someone allowed him to enter
               into Civilization! As a result Jake M. Junior is dead.

          LAWYER
               The accused man is innocent!

          ULYSSES
               I told you I'm guilty!

          FOX
               Now he pretends to be a martyr!
                         (to Ulysses)
               Shame on you!

          DOG
               Order!

                    Silence.

          HORSE
               This fellow only wants to take advantage of his crime.

          BEAR
               The man is innocent!

                    The lords applaud.

          DOG
                         (to the audience)
               Given the special circumstances of this trial, I doubt
               we can provide the accused with a fair trial. I must
               ask the audience, then, to vote the innocence or guilt
               of Ulysses Arg├╝ello--those who consider him an innocent
               man, please, raise your hands!

                    The Dog counts the votes.

          DOG
                         (continuing)
               By the authority of Civilization, you, Ulysses Arg├╝ello,
               are declared guilty of manslaughter. I sentence you to
               seven years in jail!

                    The mother enters, rises from her chair and opens
                    her arms.

          ULYSSES
               I did it, Mom!
 
          MOTHER
               Thanks to your crime they allowed me to come in!
               Ulysses! My dearest son!

          ULYSSES
                         (crying)
               Mom!

          MOTHER
               Now I may live and die in Civilization.

                    She laughs. The guards take Ulysses away.

          ULYSSES
               I did it--didn't I, Mom! I succeeded in life! I brought
               my entire family to Civilization!

                    The Dog hammers his desk.

                                                      LIGHTS OFF

 
                                   ACT III

                    Electric post in the middle of the stage. Ulysses,
                    fatter and older, paints a canvas while looking at
                    the audience.

          TITLE CARD
                         (projected on the back screen)
               7 YEARS LATER

                    Can-stick-in-hand Lord Pig, wearing a white suit,
                    enters and leans over the post. He looks fixedly
                    at Ulysses.

          PIG
               You! Miner!

                    Ulysses looks around and looks at Lord Pig.

          PIG
                         (continuing)
               You! Yes! Do you have a light?

          ULYSSES
               I don't smoke.

          PIG
               My name is Piggy.

          ULYSSES
                         (surprised)
               Pardon me?

          PIG
               What a cold day. Have we met before?

          ULYSSES
               Certainly not.

          PIG
               Pity. What do you paint?

          ULYSSES
               A mountain.

          PIG
               It's pretty big. Are you new in town?

          ULYSSES
               I have been away for many years.
 
          PIG
               Lucky you. I've spent half of my life in this lousy
               town.

                    Ulysses restarts painting.

          PIG
                         (continuing)
               Would you like us to go to a pub?

          ULYSSES
               I'd rather be outside.

          PIG
               It's sunny, yes. But it's getting cold!

          FOX
                         (O.S.)
               Daddy!

          PIG
               My goodness!

                    Lord Fox enters with a club.

          FOX
               What are you doing away from home?

          PIG
               Walking.

          FOX
                         (to Ulysses)
               Who are you?

          PIG
               He's a painter. I want to hire him.

          FOX
               I'm not silly, Daddy! Not any more! You are talking to the
               murderer of Jake M. Junior.

          PIG
                         (nervous)
               Ulysses? I didn't recognize him! I swear I haven't seen
               him since the trial.
                         (to Ulysses)
               Did you escape?

                    Ulysses stands up an grasps his canvas.
 
          ULYSSES
               I apologize for the inconvenience.

          PIG
               Should we call the guards?

          FOX
               He has been just released.

          PIG
               So, we can talk to him...

          FOX
               You, Pig! I cannot leave you alone! Why do you have to
               mess up with every guy that comes into town?

                    Lord Pig kneels down.

          PIG
               Teach me, Lord Fox! Please, teach me!

          FOX
               Yes!

          PIG
               No! Please! No!

                    Lord Fox beats Lord Pig with his club. Ulysses,
                    undecided about what to do, observes powerless.

                    Lord Pig lies unconscious.

          FOX
               That's enough for today!

                    Lord Fox looks nervously at Lord Pig.

          FOX
                         (continuing)
               Let's go home, Daddy. Lord Pig? Are you upset?

                    Lord Fox shakes Lord Pig's body.

          FOX
                         (continuing)
               Don't do this to me! Piggy!

          ULYSSES
               Is he dead?

          FOX
               He doesn't move!
 
          ULYSSES
               Shake him up!

                    Lord Fox drops the club on the ground. Ulysses
                    picks it up.

          LION
                         (O.S.)
               Murder!

                    Lord Lion, Lord Bear, Lord Rat, Lord Serpent, Lord
                    Cow, Lord Hyena, Lord Horse and Lord Eagle enter.

          RAT
               What have you done, Ulysses?

          ULYSSES
               I'm just picking up this club.

          EAGLE
               I see seven years in prison are never good enough.

          HYENA
               He is a serial killer!

          COW
               He must be flayed off!

          RAT
                         (pointing at Lord Pig)
               Look at his innocent victim!

          SERPENT
               A psychotic has slain him.

          ULYSSES
               Just a moment! I'm just an onlooker.
                         (pointing to Lord Fox)
               He was the one who beat him!

                    Lord Fox throws himself over Lord Pig's body.

          FOX
                         (crying)
               He did it! You assassinated him! Piggy, my dearest
               partner!

          SERPENT
               Murdered by an onlooker.
 
          BEAR
               By an immigrant.

          RAT
               By an ex-convict.

          HYENA
               Now I understand what he meant when I heard him saying
               that he intended to convert this nation in a non-lord
               area!

          SERPENT
               Did he?

          LION
               Did you?

          ULYSSES
               Did I?

          COW
               How dare you?

          ULYSSES
               I swear I don't remember!

          HYENA
               He's not only a murderer! He's a liar! Don't you
               remember Lord Dog?

          COW
               Doggy?

          HYENA
               Last month his daughter was hit by a car driven by a rain-forest
               fellow!

          COW
               I can't believe it!

          EAGLE
               They are all from the same stock!

          ULYSSES
               What are you talking about?

          HYENA
               He's dissembling!

          ULYSSES
               I?
 
          EAGLE
               Nobody criticizes us without paying the consequences,
               Moron!

          BEAR
               Nobody, but me, can criticize my own country!

          COW
               Death to the monster!

          RAT
               Burn him on the stake!

                    Lord Lion attacks Ulysses, who shields behind his
                    canvas. The canvas falls on the ground. Ulysses
                    flees.

          BEAR
               To the train station!

                    Trumpets. The lords, but the Horse and the Rat,
                    step over the canvas and exit.

          RAT
               Won't you prosecute him?

          HORSE
               We should.

                    The Horse picks up Ulysses' canvas.

          RAT
               Why do you sympathize with him? He's a maniac.

          HORSE
               I dislike the fellow as much as you, Lord Rat, but we
               must control our hate. Our community cannot survive
               without immigrant cheap-labor work.

          RAT
               You are always right, Lord Horse!

                    Climaco enters holding a camera. Lord Pig stands
                    up; his face is bruised, his right eye bleeds.

          FOX
               Daddy! I thought you were dead!

          PIG
               You hit me on the wrong spot. Now I have such a
               headache!
 
                    Climaco approaches him.

          CLIMACO
               Can we take some pictures of you, Lord Pig?

          PIG
               Well...

          CLIMACO
               Civilization citizens have the right to know how brutal outsiders
               such as Ulysses are.

          FOX
               Go ahead, please.

                    As they exit, Climaco takes several pictures of
                    Lord Pig.

                    Rosa approaches the Horse and the Rat with a
                    microphone.

          ROSA
                         (to the Horse)
               Lord Horse! I want to ask you some questions about this racial
               incident.

          HORSE
               What a pleasure to see you, Lady Bitch. How is your TV
               show going on?

          ROSA
               We'd love to promote another one-million-pound

          HORSE
               Another?

          ROSA
               Life in hotels and restaurants is rather depressing. We
               need need to buy a villa.

          HORSE
               Toasts and coffee are never good enough! I got your
               point.

          RAT
               Lady Bitch!

          ROSA
               Lord Rat!
 
          RAT
               Our office is planning to approve a fifty-million-pound campaign
               against sun tanning. Can we book some TV ads in
               advance?

          ROSA
               I would be delighted to help you, Lord Rat.
                         (to the Horse)
               Excuse me, Lord Horse!
                         (to the Rat)
               Do you believe this attack was racially motivated?

          RAT
               It just displays what we, citizens of Civilization, have
               feared for many years. Newcomers are turning this land
               in a nation of half-breed fellows.

          ROSA
               What do you mean with "half-breed".

          RAT
               They want to melt us into races with uncertain
               ancestry. "Racial impurity is the most conspicuous sign
               of decadence", wrote my friend Adolph the Hun. He was a
               prophet.

          ROSA
               What do you say to your rivals, who affirm Lords
               consider themselves superior to any regular citizen.

          RAT
               Certainly. I'm Lord Rat, the son of Lord Rat, grandson
               of Lord Rat, son, son of his.

          ROSA
               Scientists affirm that humanity came originally from
               the rain-forest. Do you agree with them?

          RAT
               Nonsense! I presume those scientists are half-breed.
               I'd rather believe Arthur C. Clark and Stanley Kubrick,
               who believe that a UFO brought intelligence from the
               sky. The monkey who threw up the bone was a Lord, and
               he threw it from Civilization up to the moon! The
               rain-forest? My ass! Those mongrels don't have
               spaceships as we do! And they will never have--because
               we won't allow them to cut their trees--we need them to
               breathe. Look at me! Am I related to any of those
               animals?
 
          ROSA
               Certainly no! How can we distinguish Lords from
               animals?

          RAT
               By culture. How can you distinguish peasants and
               workers from slaves?

          ROSA
                         (laughing)
               Right!

          RAT
               These immigrants, or children of immigrants--what's the
               difference?, should be locked up, turned straight round at
               the nearest port, and sent back to from whence they
               came once.

          ROSA
               Thanks, Lord Rat, for your enlightening thoughts.

          RAT
               Thanks to you Lady Bitch. You'll get your check by the
               end of this week.

          ROSA
               This was Lord Rat, interrupting his holidays to defend
               our culture. Now back to studio, where our models will
               show us a report about the incoming national campaign against
               sun tanning.

                    Music. Darkness.

          ULYSSES
                         (O.S.)
               Help!

                    Knocks on a door. Lights on. Samuel, blind and
                    handicap, enters seated on a wheel chair.

          SAMUEL
               Who knocks?

          ULYSSES
                         (O.S.)
               Open the door!

          SAMUEL
               It's open.

                    Ulysses, battered and bleeding enters.
 
          ULYSSES
               Where is my Mother?

          SAMUEL
                         (O.S.)
               Who are you?

          ULYSSES
               They want me!

          SAMUEL
               Dolly!

          YOUNG MOTHER
                         (O.S.)
               Samuel!

                    15-year-old YOUNG MOTHER enters.

          SAMUEL
               Call the police, Dolly!

          YOUNG MOTHER
               Ulysses!

          ULYSSES
               Who are you?

          YOUNG MOTHER
               Don't you recognise me? Of course! How can you?
                         (to Samuel)
               Don't worry, Sammy. This is Ulysses, my son.

          ULYSSES
               Mother?

          SAMUEL
               Your son? Ulysses the killer?

          YOUNG MOTHER
               Yes! I forgot to tell you; he got out of prison last
               week.
                         (to Ulysses)
               Don't look at me like that, my son. I feel awful when I
               have to explain to people what I have gone through.

          ULYSSES
               Where is my mom?

          SAMUEL
               Don't talk like that to my wife!
 
          YOUNG MOTHER
               Don't be rude, darling!
                         (to Ulysses)
               I'm your mother, Ulysses. Seven years in jail should
               have been a terrible experience. Aren't you proud of my
               sexy appearance?

          ULYSSES
               Where is my mother? Do I know you?

          SAMUEL
               Her carcass was burnt.

          ULYSSES
               What? You murdered her!

          YOUNG MOTHER
               Don't be silly! I just had a body implant.

          ULYSSES
               Body implant?

          YOUNG MOTHER
               Or brain imnsplant--it depends on the point of view you
               want to look at it from, of course. It's the last
               fashion in medicine. One day my doctor told me I needed
               a new heart, two new lungs and a kidney. My condition was
               critical--you know, smoking, drinking and so on. For a
               couple of hours I thought I was going to die. But
               then--thank the Designer--the nurse asked me whether I
               was one of the one hundred wealthiest women in this
               country. I answer positively--as you know, I have made
               a modest fortune humiliating people in my TV show. The
               doctor, then, inform me that, due to the high rate of
               child casualties in third-world rain-forest hospitals,
               I could buy a healthy body for myself. At the beginning
               I was so scared, but then I thought, why not trying? So
               they took out the brain of my old carcass and put it in
               this beautiful, gorgeous body. Isn't it wonderful?

          ULYSSES
               I never heard of that.

          SAMUEL
               How could you? You are a convict!

          ULYSSES
               I don't believe you!
 
          YOUNG MOTHER
               Body transplants are the best kept secret in our
               nation, Ulysses. Can you imagine the reaction of the
               mob if someone tells them that now you can change your
               body?

          ULYSSES
               But, why? Is not one life good enough!

          YOUNG MOTHER
               Don't lecture us. You are such a boy. Think of all the embarrassment
               you cause to Climaco and me.

          ULYSSES
               Climaco? Where is he?

          YOUNG MOTHER
               He has become a famous TV reporter. I admire his
               courage. Every week he haunts criminals with a video
               camera.

          ULYSSES
                         (pointing out at Samuel)
               I know this man! Samuel! He used to jump from a
               helicopter without a parachute.

          YOUNG MOTHER
               We met each other at the Hospital. Isn't it romantic?

          ULYSSES
               What?

          YOUNG MOTHER
               Samuel himself is going to change his body. We are just waiting for
               the right fellow to die. It's so hard to agree. He'd
               rather someone of my type, but I love green eyes, light
               skin and curly silver hair.

          SAMUEL
               Such fellows don't die every day, Honey. We'll end up
               buying one of those dark-skin guys--they look just like
               your son. I cannot wait to set up my new record!

          ULYSSES
               You are sick! You both are sick!

          YOUNG MOTHER
               Don't be reactionary, Ulysses.

                    Knocks on the door.
 
          BEAR
                         (O.S.)
               Open the door!

          SAMUEL
               Who's it?

          HYENA
                         (O.S.)
               You are sheltering a criminal!

          YOUNG MOTHER
               There should be a mistake. You just came out from
               prison, Ulysses, didn't you?

          ULYSSES
               They are accusing me of attacking a man with a club,
               Mother!

                    Knocks on the door.

          SAMUEL
               Another?

          ULYSSES
               You, shut up!

          YOUNG MOTHER
               Respect your father, Ulysses.

          ULYSSES
               My father?

          YOUNG MOTHER
               Well, not quite yet. We plan to get married next year.

                    Knocks on the door.

          ULYSSES
               I need to escape, mom!

          YOUNG MOTHER
               I won't shelter a criminal--even if you are my own son.

          ULYSSES
               They will kill me!

          YOUNG MOTHER
               Wouldn't it be lovely, Samuel, to use Ulysses' body for
               your brain?
 
          SAMUEL
               He's too old.

                    Knocks on the door.

          PIG
                         (O.S.)
               We will thrown down your door!

          SAMUEL
               It's open!

                    Ulysses exits.

          YOUNG MOTHER
               He escapes!

                    The lords cross the stage bearing clubs and
                    weapons. Young Mother and Samuel follow them.

                    A slide of Ulysses' canvas is projected on the
                    screen: a landscape scratched all over by
                    nails--it carries the imprints of heavy shoes.

                    Lord Hyena enters holding a stick in his hands.

          HYENA
               Arg├╝ello imposes importance both for his art--painting,
               and for his subject--landscape. The impositions are
               crude, familiar, plausible. But they hardly prepare us
               for the scale and virtuosity with which he conjures up
               the ultimate subjects: mountains, lost winds, apocalypse,
               the last days of mankind. Leavening romantic
               grandiosity with modernist ironies, Arg├╝ello offers a
               painting about painting: evoking "the big scratch"
               called history in a variety of dramatic modes--fairy
               colours, steps, amoral tragedy, magic sunset,
               philosophical landscapes--with an imagery cast of tens
               of millions of seconds spent in prison and, as
               protagonist, murder itself.

                    Full lights. Lord Rat and Lord Horse enter with
                    the painting. They show it to the public.
 
          HYENA
                         (continuing)
               Who offers one million pounds? Two millions? The
               pharmacist on the left offers twenty. What about you,
               Lord Ostrich? Forty? Eighty millions? One hundred!
               Three hundred! Six hundred the lady with the rose tattoo!
               Ladies and gentlemen! This is the most expensive
               painting ever sold! Al the laundryman offers one
               billion! One billion two, one billion three! Sold for
               one billion to Al the laundryman!

                    Lord Hyena takes the canvas and exit.

          RAT
               Our criminal has become a pop art star.

          HORSE
               I must admit I'm impressed by his talent.

          RAT
               Perhaps we should forgive him for his crimes.

          HORSE
               I have thought about that, but I'm afraid it will
               depreciate the value of his works. I have a better
               idea, but we should find him first, before the
               honorable lords condemn him and inject him.

                    Lord Rat and Lord Horse exit. Sound of babies
                    crying. Vivian and Lady Cat enter. They both carry
                    baby dolls in their arms.

          VIVIAN
               Did you close all the curtains?

          CAT
               All of them.

          VIVIAN
               Here we'll be fine, then.

                    They both suckle their baby dolls. Sound of babies
                    crying fades away. All of a sudden Ulysses
                    enters--battered and bleeding.

          ULYSSES
               Help!

          VIVIAN
               Ulysses!
 
          CAT
               What are you doing here?

          ULYSSES
               Vivian! Weren't you dead?

          CAT
               You are wanted everywhere!

          VIVIAN
               Leave me alone!

          CAT
               Call the police, Vivian.

                    Ulysses sits on the ground and laughs madly.

          ULYSSES
                         (angry)
               Yes, call the police, before I blow up the entire
               nation!

                    Lord Eagle, Lord Bear, Lord Cow, Lord Serpent,
                    Lord Hyena and Lord Lion enter. Lord Bear and Lord
                    Lion grasp Ulysses.

          BEAR
               You make a terrible mistake! Nobody can escape from the
               hands of Civilization!

          HYENA
               Beat him! Kill him! Smash his head against the wall!

          COW
                         (to Cat and Vivian)
               What the hell is going on here?

                    All the lords look at Lady Cat and Vivian, who, intimidated, take
                    their babies away from their breasts. Sound of
                    babies crying.

          HYENA
               Did you see those mothers? They are suckling their
               babies!

          LORDS
               Incest!

          VIVIAN
               No!
 
          EAGLE
               We caught you, Mom! You won't deny your crime! Yes! You
               were taking part in a primitive ritual. You both were
               violating the civil rights of two innocent babies!

          DOG
               Take their babies away from them!

                    Lord Bear and Lord Lion drop Ulysses on the floor
                    and grasp Lady Cat and Vivian. Lord Cow and Lord
                    Hyena take the babies away from them.

          CAT
               What you say is not true! We were nurturing them!

          VIVIAN
               My babies!

          SERPENT
               She just called them "my babies".

          COW
               I always wanted to have a lad without enduring the
               pains of birth.

          HYENA
               Aren't they cute?

          COW
               You must feed them with a hygienic, non-sensitive piece
               of plastic!

                    Lord Cow takes two baby's bottles from her coat
                    and puts them into the baby-doll mouths.

          SERPENT
                         (to Vivian)
               You both are guilty of incest! Of moral decadence!

          EAGLE
               Be sincere with us. Confess us that you experienced
               pleasure as you fed the babies. Confess us that you
               really enjoyed an erotic experience.

          COW
               I call it pornography!

          HYENA
               These women must be injected!
 
                    A rope falls from the Designer. Lord Hyena throws
                    the baby doll over the floor. He ties a hanging
                    knot.

          VIVIAN
               We were only feeding two babies.

          COW
               Don't question us, little lady! You are spreading
               promiscuity!

          VIVIAN
               But those babies are not ours!

          LION
               Aren't they?

          VIVIAN
               Our business is to sell babies--from the rain-forest!

          BEAR
               It's true! I saw them in TV!

          COW
               How lovely!

                    The cow picks up the babies and returns them to
                    Vivian and Lady Cat.

          EAGLE
               In such a case you are not committing incest.

          SERPENT
               By no means.

                    Vivian and Lady Cat exit.

          ULYSSES
               I'm going to kill you all!

          HYENA
               He's mad!

                    Lord Lion and Lord Bear grasp Ulysses by his
                    shoulders. They place the knot around his neck.

          ULYSSES
                         (raving)
               You can blame me of all the crimes I'll commit after my
               death as well!
 
          HYENA
               To the stake!

          LION
               We are so happy to see we were always right.

                    Lord Horse and Lord Rat enter. The former holds a
                    paper in his hands, the latter a crocodile mask.

          HORSE
               The congress and parliament of Civilization has granted
               a life pardon to Ulysses Arg├╝ello!

          RAT
               Now promoted as Lord Crocodile!

                    Lord Dog snatches the document from Lord Horse's
                    hands.

                    Lord Rat fits a crocodile mask on Ulysses' face.

          HYENA
                         (to Lord Bear)
               You better act quickly.

          DOG
               For his outstanding contribution to the arts?

          RAT
               As a retribution, Lord Crocodile must spent two years
               in the front--battling rain-forest newcomers. After
               all, now he's one of us! Seven years in prison can
               change the nature of a man.

          COW
               That's wonderful! May I invite you to dine at home,
               Lord Crocodile?

          HORSE
               Think about it this way, Lord Dog: Ulysses will paint
               fifty apocalyptic landscapes per year; each of them
               will be sold for 1 million pounds, and we will tax him
               up for upto eighty per cent of its raw value.

          DOG
               That's fabulous!

          HYENA
               Hang him up! Now!
 
                    Music. Ulysses jumps over the stage and sings.
                    Climaco, Young Mother, Samuel and Vivian enter.
                    Choreography.

          LORDS

                    That's Civilization

                    Where all newcomers end

                    Even if you don't know

                    How to trick and mend

          

          CLIMACO

                    My wife asked me two pounds

                    We split up, for I had one

                    Since then everything sounds

                    I'm as handsome as a swan

          LORDS

                    That's Civilization

                    Where all newcomers end

                    Even if you don't know

                    How to kick and mend

          YOUNG MOTHER

                    My husband was a pig

                    My children spilled milk

                    Now I change every week

                    To get my drum and silk

          LORDS

                    That's Civilization

                    Where all newcomers end

                    Even if you don't know

                    How to trick and mend

          SAMUEL

                    Fine fellows never work
 
                    As dandy I will die

                    Give me a body, you'll get blood

                    As a demon I won't lie

          LORDS

                    That's Civilization

                    Where all newcomers end

                    Even if you don't know

                    How to kick and mend

          VIVIAN

                    Men deceived me once

                    Now I deceived women and men

                    Selling children is my trade

                    They sell better than cocaine

          LORDS

                    That's Civilization

                    Where all newcomers end

                    Even if you don't know

                    How to trick and mend

          ROSA

                    My lover kicked me once

                    Now he kicks himself alone

                    From the jungle to the nation

                    I say the truth in TV sets

          LORDS

                    That's Civilization

                    Where all newcomers end

                    Even if you don't know

                    How to kick and mend
 
          ULYSSES

                    When I was a jungle lad

                    Death was hanging on my head

                    As a Colonialist Lord

                    I hang death on other's necks

          LORDS

                    That's Civilization

                    Where all newcomers end

                    Even if you don't know

                    How to trick and mend

                                                      LIGHTS OFF






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