Rhodia River - In the stream of love

Chapter 22 Carlos Inquires (2)

STREETS - NIGHT

Sandra is going home, and this time Cássio accompanies her.

"Honey, I will be forever grateful that you are accompanying me. But, I can't help thinking about the time for you to go to yours."

Cassio is with hilarious confidence, "Don't worry about me being a male, woman! My role is to protect you, this way the father-in-law expects."

"Don't let my dad hear you."

"While they don't improve our police station, Roldão alone cannot be at the same time everywhere. And I protect you because I love you."

Cássio and Sandra are so moved by the conversation that they don't notice that they are approaching the same group from yesterday. And the same young man in suspicious clothes is approaching them.

Sandra is the first to notice, "There, Cassio, it's they again!"

Cassio acts as a protective comic, "Don't worry, dear! Stay behind me."

They try to go unnoticed, but the young man gets even closer. Cássio steps forward and "faces" him.

"High there, you freak! What do you want, huh?"

"Calm down, Cássio, don't you see who I am?"

Cássio and Sandra are surprised, there's recognition.

CASSIO’S LIVING ROOM

Moments later, Cássio is sat on the couch with Célio and Luis Diniz, 19, blond and always with the attitude of being two steps behind humanity. The three of them are with beer cans in hand, they are already old.

"Really, did you guys think I was a criminal, a gang?"

Célio scoffs, "You've been scaring Rosa, Sandra, and a bunch of helpless girls."

"But, is it my fault? Me and my neighbors just stood there on the sidewalk talking about everything! Do we look like criminals?"

Luis is wearing black clothes, plus a coat and cap that make it difficult to say otherwise.

Cassio opines, "You with those clothes in the dark, the streetlights still that old style..."

"Incandescent", says Célio.

"It's no decent lighting. So, tell us, what are you doing with your life?"

Luis answers them, "I think I'm in the same situation as you: my father said it was time to leave the nest and here I am."

"Célio and I are working at the Residents' Association. I want to pay the bills and he wants to be the next mayor."

Célio scolds him, "It's not like that, hello, big tongue. Let's take it easy, first I'm learning, listening, and watching how a leader acts."

Luis laughs, "Learning from Tito? Man, if you want to know about great leaders, study Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan."

Cassio asks, "The actor?"

Célio and Luis burst out laughing.

RICARDO’S LIVING ROOM

Ricardo is in a tank top and boxers, answering the phone, sleepy and stressed.

"Anestor, did you wake me up for this? I told you to be careful!" Pause, "They caught you, and this is it. You can get rid of the maximum penalty." Pause, "Of course, I know what's in the code criminal!" Pause, "Okay, okay, let me fix this! Stay calm and go back to sleep. I'll tell you more tomorrow. Good night!"

Ricardo hits the mouthpiece hard. He walks in circles, snorting, and thinking of a way out without compromising so much.

"If people were smarter... But, better this way, because I take advantage... With Anestor it didn't work, but I'll give some way."

FÁBIO’S LIVING ROOM

Fábia Peres and Fábio are together on the sofa, watching a romantic movie. Fábio's interest is only in Fábia: he kisses, caresses, and smells her neck... when he wants to move forward, Fábia comically distances herself from him and leans towards the television, supporter.

"No, you dumbass, he didn't betray you! It was the fault of that odious woman who claims to be your friend! Do you trust women more than men? Stay with him, he loves you!"

"Have you ever stopped to think that the actress isn't listening to you?"

Fábia never stopped to think, but she doesn't want to give in, "Oh, Fabinho, we are just cheering. After all, the actor is a bloody gorgeous guy and that's why she has to stay with him."

Fábio reacts ironically, "I thought the most important thing was true and faithful love."

The donkey girlfriend does not know the irony and thinks that Fábio is interested, "Oh, dear, I'm glad you liked the movie! Tomorrow we'll watch another one, I'll choose at the video store."

Fábio straightens up on the sofa, wide-eyed, "No!" He fixes, "Ehr... It's just that tomorrow is Friday and I was thinking we could go out, right?"

Fábia definitely doesn't capture his change in tone and behavior, "Ah, yes, let's go out and enjoy it. As long as your parents keep the credit card... I don't want to do my nails and then have to wash dishes because the card wasn’t accepted."

Fábio relieves himself and leans back against the sofa. Fábia leans back against him and eagerly watches the movie. But Fábio is already falling asleep.