Actors

Ali
Laura

Laura, a tall, thin 36-year-old woman, who wears a mini-skirt and a small top, enters. She talks through a mobile.  

Laura. - It would be a smashing party, JuanCa! I will take care of Ali! He lives in a house near a rehabilitation centre There, where he lived with her parent’s servant. And he got married to her too. A scandal! The gold-digger took away all his money and divorced him. He never goes out.

Laura exits. Lights. Ali, a 36-year-old man, lies on the floor. His eyes appear to be lost, He is half-naked in a foetal position. Knocks on the door. Ali doesn’t move. Knocks on the door. Ali covers his ears with his hands. Knocks on the door. Ali sits down on the floor and looks around. Knocks on the door.

Laura. - Open the door, Ali!

Ali stands up and exits. Knocks on the door. Ali enters with an upset countenance. He dresses himself quickly. Knocks on the door.

Laura. - Is Laura Meléndez.

Ali. - Yes. I saw you.

Ali dresses up and exits the stage. He returns. Laura follows him.

Ali. - Who gave you my address?

Laura. - Doña Matilde.

Ali looks insecure at her.  

Ali. - My mother. She still lives. Every Friday she brings me groceries.
And she cleans my house. I don’t like it. My Dad has not died as yet. I no longer have hopes to get his inheritance. You know. I know I will die first than him. My family owns eight buildings. And look where I live! I heard you are a drug-addict.

Laura. - (Upset) I’m not, Ali. Who told you that?

Ali. - One of your fiends. I like crack. I know you like cocaine.

Laura. - Bullshit. Did you hear it in the rehabilitation centre? Mere jealousy. That’s a Calumny. Besides, I live in Europe. You know me since I was a little girl. Do you remember when you used to come home? We used to swim all day long. Even when it rained, until sunset. Your swimming suit was so tacky.

Ali. - (Laughing) You have always find the way to make fun of the others.

Laura. - Children’s games. How handsome you are! I want to invite you to a party.

Laura tries to hug him. Ali shuns her.

Ali. - I didn’t see you since our graduation ceremony.

Ali and Laura moved to the front-stage. During the next dialogue they will behave joyfully

Ali. - Do you want to be my girlfriend?

Laura. - (Smiling) Ali! What kind of a question is that?

Ali. - Did you not dump Juan Carlos?

Laura. - No. Why do you think so?

Ali. - I saw him with Camila. They were kissing each other.

Laura turns around and speaks to an invisible character.

Laura. - What did you have with that bitch? Ali told me everything. For your information, I also kissed Alejandro.

Ali. -(Who undergoes a physical attack from an invisible character) I thought... But, I’m not lying. That’s what really happened. Juan Carlos! I’m sorry, man. Ah!

Ali and Laura return to their previous position.

Laura. - You were the best in maths.

Ali. - I was not smart enough. But I was diligent. That’s why I used to memorise all the class exercises. It was easier than calculating.

Laura. - Those were great times! And we will revive them this weekend!

Ali. - And what happened with Juan Carlos?

Laura. - (Feeling nausea) Juan Carlos? What’s that smell?

Ali. - What smell?

Laura. – Like pee. Do you have cats?

Ali. - Yes. One. That’s the only thing I keep from my home. My wife’s name was Petronila. We were happy for one year. And you-did you marry Juan Carlos?

Laura. - Did I... Oh, no JuanCa is only a friend! I married to a German architect. We live in Berlin.

Ali. - And what are you doing here?

Laura. - We are celebrating the twentieth anniversary of our graduation. That’s why I came-to visit you, and to invite you...

A mobile rings.

Laura. - Sorry...

Laura moves away and answers the mobile. Ali remains still.

Laura. - Hello, Juan Ca... I’m with Ali... He lives in a den... You can not imagine how it stinks... He is almost the same. Yes, I know he has been hiding since his return from England. Didn’t you know? They screwed him even more over there. His mum buys his drugs on the streets-that way they don’t scalp him. He only goes out to get into a resting home... It’s going to be fun. Very well... Don’t forget to buy the whisky. Four boxes

Laura hangs up and returns.

Ali. - What about your husband?

Laura. - He stayed in Germany.

Ali. - Don’t you love him?

Laura. - Yes. Of course.

Ali. - So?

Laura. - We’ll be away from each other for one month only.

Ali. - How can you be like that with him?

Laura. - How?

Ali. - Like Petronila. She used to be away from me, just to have sex with other men. My mum saw her. Petronila told her that I was not able to perform well enough.

Laura. – Of course...

Ali studies Laura´s reaction. Laura avoids him.

Ali. - In the resting house I met men and women who were faithful to their partners-to their ill, retarded or handicap partners.

Laura. - The party will be this Friday evening. I know I shouldn’t tell you, but the boys have hired two poll dancers.

Ali. - I, on the contrary-I’m faithful to the wife I haven’t met.

Laura. - There will be an orchestra. And whisky!

Ali. - I can’t drink.

Laura. - How so? Are you taken some medicament?

Ali. - I’m a Muslim.

Laura laughs.

Ali. - I’m serious.

Laura. - Since when?

Ali. - Since I got sick. It happened in front of a pub. My brothers picked me up and brought me home. I didn’t know anyone in London, but they took care of me.

Laura. - But there is not a single mosque in Bucaramanga.

Ali. - I’m not going to the party. And neither will you.

Ali surprises Laura from her back. He holds her by her neck and threatens her with a knife he has previously taken out of one of his pockets.

Laura. - Jesus! Ali! Don’t kill me! I have children!

Ali. - This way you will be faithful to your husband.

Ali struggles with her, back to the audience. Laura groans. Ali drops her. She moves away, towards a non-existent mirror that faces the audience, covering her face with her hand. Laura drops her hand and discovers a cut. Blood runs over her face. She screams. Fade out.