MALTHUS SNACK BARSaturday. Aurélio is working normally. Fewer people because it’s a weekend, but Aurélio only stays until noon. Célio is sitting at the counter, snacks beside him, but he is attentively reading Monica's novel. Aurélio notices the cover, her name, and the title."'Love came later'... Is it Monica's book?"Célio follows the gaze on the pages, "Yes. And it's very good, by the way. Not short, but apart from the water-sugar tone; she has technique, context, well-structured dialogues, and characters built with realism... She really paid attention to Portuguese classes. Cássio and I used to mess in the back of the classroom.""In other words, isn't it just another one of those silly books by muscular, wealthy men and not-so-innocent girls like Carina and Annie?"Célio looks up at him, "Amazingly, Seu Aurélio... The physical description of the male main character... seems to fit me..."Aurélio smiles, "What do you mean?""Nothing cliché, as we mentioned. He's a normal guy, han

MALTHUS SNACK BAR Célio finally decides to eat his snack; the book is on his side. Aurélio approaches him, looking at the book again. "So the book is really good, huh?" "Awesome, Seu Aurélio, that publisher is very unable, has no commercial acumen." Aurélio got thoughtful, "And Monica is going to try other publishing houses." Célio responds excitedly, "For sure! This masterpiece cannot be left alone as a draft or manuscript." "And has she already registered it, with an ISBN?" Célio looks at him, never heard of it, "I don't know what it’s about." Aurélio takes the book and begins to leaf through the first and last pages, "No, she didn't," he looks up, "You know, Célio, a work needs to be registered and have this ISBN certificate which means 'International Standard Book Number', which will guarantee Monica's copyright protection." "This means..." "That if Monica goes around distributing her manuscripts indiscriminately to any Publisher, unprotected, an unethical publisher may s

RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION ENTRANCEResidents are leaving, more excited than they entered. The gang is also leaving.Cassio is scolding Edward, "Ed, you suck.""You adults are very discouraged. Didn't you find Seu Tito's speech brilliant?""Above average", Carina says, "But how good that the mayor touched you. Imagine when we start the campaign for the police station?""I'm looking forward to seeing it."Carina's eyes widen at Carlos's manly voice. She turns and finds him. Carlos is smiling and walking to the group.In another corner, Sandra and Miriam are as dizzy cockroaches looking for Carlos."I saw him, Sandra, he was upfront. Logically, he should be the last to leave!""Without despair, my friend, that's what the others do."Miriam is very anxious, "I got all dressed up for him, Sandra..."Sandra keeps looking until she finds him. Her reaction is strong and pats the "friend" on the shoulder. Miriam turns and gets wide-eyed.In Miriam's view: Carlos is talking to the group, but Miriam

RICARDO’S LIVING ROOMRicardo, in simpler clothes, meets Luis and lets him in. Luis enters, still not so comfortable with the guy."Here I am, sir.""Did you manage to sell anything?""Yes, so I wanted to get it right."Luis reaches into his pocket and takes out the money. He gives it to Ricardo. Ricardo takes the bills, counts, and returns half the amount. Luis is happy."Luis, I repeat so that you do not comment to your friends that I am the one who is financing everything. The officer didn’t get along with me and his friends here took me for being unsympathetic, but I never did anything bad to them.""I understand, sir, I just told Cássio I was going to work, I didn't quote you. Of course, they saw me today.""That's right. The officer didn't even show up. If it's up to him, he would arrest everyone. But Seu Tito won't let him.""If there is have more vendors wanting to pay the license fee, they will want to. He should fix that place and buy a computer.""That's right."Ricardo stan

MONICA'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Fábia gets caught, but still wants to come out on top. Monica keeps her hand on her face. Fábia disguises it, "A woman's discussion, you officer." Carlos shakes his head, "A woman or a messy woman? I could hear it on the sidewalk." "Fábia was already leaving," Monica says coldly. "That's right, you cop," Fábia turns to Monica, ironic, "Good night, dear neighbor!" Fábia Peres leaves and Carlos passes inside. "Are you going to press charges, Monica?" Monica smiles slightly, "Chief, this is not important." "Carlos. Outside, you can call me Carlos. I'm not even in uniform, even though I'm armed." "Oh, Carlos... It will be hard to get used to. Sit down. Do you want some water, coffee...?" Carlos is kind, "Oh, no... I was, you know... I was going to Carina's house. But, as I said, I heard your scream... And that hand on your face, is that what I'm thinking?" "What are you thinking about?" "'Marimar' or 'A Ursupadora'." Monica laughs and ends up reac