Rhodia River - In the stream of love

Chapter 2 The Friends (2)

ON THE AVENUE

Monica was mugged, just as the bus is approaching. She is both angry and indecisive. Célio makes up his mind and starts running. Cassio watches him. The bus stops.

Cássio asks the driver, "Hey, driver, my friend was mugged! Can you wait a little while?"

The driver nods negatively. Cassio laments to Monica with his hands.

Suddenly, a police siren is heard. The two friends follow with their heads, a car runs after the thief. Monica reacts hopefully.

Further on, Célio is overtaken by the vehicle. He stops running.

Further on, the thief tries to escape the police vehicle, but it’s faster. As in an American detective film, it overtakes the thief and then brakes sideways, blocking the passage and the street. The thief tries to run towards the back.

Two policemen each come out of a vehicle door and wield their weapons. Nearby residents react with fear.

Carlos Roldão, 27, authoritative and tough, orders, "Freeze, little funny! Makeup is not too expensive to steal ladies' purses!"

Passersby start to laugh. The thief stops for being more offended than for being cornered.

"Okay, you can drop the purse. But, slowly, we don't want anything to break!"

The thief carefully leaves the purse on the floor.

"Now let's have a little chat at our police station."

The second police officer goes to the bandit and handcuffs him, standard procedure. Passersby applaud the police action. Carlos is not vain, just thanks with a nod. He takes the purse.

Célio breathlessly returns to where Monica and Cássio are still. The bus didn't leave.

"I was almost reaching him..."

Carlos arrives next and extends the purse, "I believe it belongs to you."

Monica thanks emotionally, "Oh, Mr. Policeman, thank you very much! I didn't even have money in the purse; it was the draft of a book I'm taking along to the publisher."

"When it comes out, I'll buy a copy to help the writer in our neighborhood." To Célio, "and you, boy, be careful! The miscreant could be armed."

Carlos walks away.

Annie comes running out of the cafeteria, "Guys, what happened? Monica, are you still here?"

"I just got mugged, but Officer Roldão, that's what was written in his pocket, recovered my purse."

Cassio scoffs, "Your responsibility is growing, Monica! Everyone is hopeful that this bullshit will be a success."

"Ah, don't make fun of my book, man!" She turns to Célio and talks softer, "Despite the scolding of the police, thank you for trying to help me, Célio!"

"Anytime, Monica. And good luck."

Monica gets on and the bus leaves.

"Everything to defend the beloved, huh?" Cassio continues to joke.

"Get out! If Monica's lover were like that, it would be this police officer Roldão."

Annie laughs, "I hope he doesn't pass you by and conquer Monica with the heroic act!"

Cássio joins Annie in laughter. Célio is embarrassed and shakes his head.

AT MALTHUS CAFETERIA

Annie returns. Aurélio gives her an inquiring look.

"Hey, don't look at me like that, Seu Aurélio. Am I or am I not your best customer?"

"Yes, but I'm afraid today I won't have the amount you want. Today I fried a few pastries."

"Didn't you know? Outside, those car sirens it was to stop a thief who stole Monica's purse!"

Aurélio reacts in shock, "What's that, Annie? Just her purse that had the book for the publisher?"

"If I were a crime novelist, I would say that someone very suspicious is trying to stop my best friend's success."

"Yeah, it would make sense, I just don't know if there are bad people for that. And then, choose something that won't miss me."

Annie looks on with pleasure at the counter options, "Let's go sweet now; I ate a lot of snacks. How about this cake?"

Annie points to a cake that had one slice less.

Ed appears at the entrance. He’s 15 years old, a smart boy, wearing a school uniform and backpack on his back. He reacts with amazement to Annie's request.

"What exaggeration is this, girl? Do you want to become diabetic, huh?"

Annie turns to him, "Ed! Get closer!" She adds smartly, "since you don't want to see me diabetic, then may you help me with this cake."

Ed sits at a table away from Annie, "Of course not. I don't eat that crap. It's bad."

Annie responds firmly, "You don't eat is nothing, and that is bad."

Ed makes a fool of himself and picks up the menu. Aurélio leaves behind the counter and goes to the customer.

"So, what will you want, son?"

"A glass of water is fine, Seu Aurélio."

Annie reacts in revolt and shakes her head.

CÉLIO’S ENTRANCE HOUSE

Célio is walking to his house; he lives alone like his friends. When he passes in front of the house of his neighbor on the left, he is bothered by the LOUD SOUND of axé music. Célio covers his ears and feels his head hurt. He crosses and goes straight to his house when Fábio calls him.

"Not even to disguise it a little, huh? I don't complain when I hear your Tchaikovsky!"

Célio takes a deep breath, takes two steps back, and faces his neighbor. Fábio Dance, 20, blond and even little shaped body. He's in the living room window, at ease, shirtless. Looking and smirking, he likes to provoke Célio.

"First, what I hear is, yes, music. Second, I don't put it out loud for everyone to hear, still being a beautiful melody. Now you, with this thing of shaking I-don’t-know-what, of rolling in the bottle... there are children in the neighborhood, do you know?"

"I bought this expensive little house, I left my parents' wing. I think I deserve a little freedom, don't you think?"

"Did you hear what I said about the kids? Turn that volume down at least because I had a busy morning. It's ten in the morning, for God's sake!"

Célio stomps away and enters. Fábio laughs and disappears inside the house. But the music IS STILL loud.