Rhodia River - In the stream of love

Chapter 5 Falling in love with the policeman (1)

AT THE POLICE STATION - NIGHT

Chief Carlos pins the thief on the wall; he wants to know if there is a gang forming in the neighborhood. There's tension and suspense. The thug starts to stutter and doesn’t look straight in the eye.

"Y-you are going crazy, man! T-there are no gangs forming here, no. I did it on my own!"

"What's your name?"

"Uélton!"

"Well, Uélton, I think I'm going to let you spend the night here to let you reflect on what you've done. If there's no one behind you, then you're just an inexperienced person. Think, reflect on what you want in your life."

Uélton is almost crying, "Okay, "cop", it was my bad..."

Carlos looks almost fraternally at Uélton; he could be his little brother.

Carlos straightens up and leaves the cell, letting Uélton let out a sigh of relief.

At the reception, Carlos walks slowly, going to his desk. It’s a small neighborhood police station, just for cases like these of minor importance. Some policemen are doing other things, answering the phone, and listening to residents and their complaints, while Carlos turns on his computer to report his action.

Someone has already left Uélton’s documents on his desk. When Carlos starts typing, the monitor turns itself off. Carlos reacts impatiently and slaps his hand on the monitor until it lights up again, making it clear how the police station is doing.

STREETS

Carlos is in his car, he drives home. With a tired expression on his face, he yearns to relax. As he passes by the entrance to Fábio's house, LOUD SAMBA MUSIC with QUESTIONABLE LYRICS hits his ears like a sword. Dislike reaction. Carlos brakes, looks at where the "music" comes from, parks beside it, and gets out.

At the entrance to Fabio’s house, Carlos approaches the loose guy's residence. Célio is standing in his living room window, anguished, hands on his ears. Carlos knocks loudly at the main door.

"Police! Open this door now!"

Fábio appears at the living room window, shirtless. Fábia is beside him keeping him company. She smiled seductively, clearly willing to deflect and distract the cop.

"Is there a problem, chief?"

"What the hell is this music? And even if it was your taste, why do you need the volume so loud, for the whole neighborhood to hear?"

Fábio looks away, "It looks like someone's already been gossiping!"

From a distance, Célio screams, "I didn't say anything, did you hear?"

Carlos completes, "I don't think so, by now you must be deaf. Here's the thing, buddy: you're not the only resident of this neighborhood. And the River Rhodia Environmental Park police station is here to ensure a peaceful environment. That means we're keeping an eye on any funny guy who wants to get in trouble. Turn the volume of this crap down right now, there are a lot of working fathers here who need to sleep to get up early!

Fábio grimaces and goes inside.

Fábia tries to distract him, "Do you want to come in and have coffee, you cop?"

Carlos responds harshly, sharply, "Stay on your own, miss!"

Fábia Peres takes offense and also leaves the window. The volume is turned down. Carlos walks away, and Célio is visible to him.

"Thank you, Chief Roldão."

Carlos approaches him, "Mayor Tito is thinking of setting up surveillance or something to prevent this kind of abuse. For now, you can only count on the police station."

"I know. We are having a meeting on Saturday."

"I'm not aware of this."

"I pasted posters on Rhodia Avenue."

Carlos smiles indulgently, "Stick one in the police station so that many residents can read it. Excuse me and good night."

"Now that I'm going to have it!"

Célio closes his home window. In the foreground, Carlos is moving away and allows himself a smile.

FÁBIO'S LIVING ROOM

Fábio and Fábia are sitting on the sofa, talking with wine. The room is better furnished. Fábio is from rich parents who have spoiled him too much. Fábia takes advantage of the situation, she's very donkey to live for herself.

Fábio complains, "What an outrage, my parents didn't spend a lot of money in this district for us to be treated like that."

"I agree, dear."

"We have a right to privacy, we are free citizens."

"I agree, dear."

Fábio makes fun, "And you look like a broken record player with this repetition."

"I agree, dear."

Fábio no longer thinks it’s so funny. He serves himself with more wine.

"How was your day?"

"Ah, do you believe that Monica suggested that you didn’t throw away those indecent magazines? I told her that you are a decent boyfriend and that you were going to fulfill the agreement once I did my part."

Fábio reacts weirdly; he does not stare at her.

"And how did Monica find out what we talked about?"

Fábia disguises herself, "It's just that the garbage truck didn't pass and dogs tore my bag. The magazine ‘Mr. Hot Guy’ flew off the street and the naughty Monica saw it."

"Didn't the garbage truck pass? It's been here every day."

"Yeah... I put it on a Friday. It happens, dear, that on the block where I live, the truck passes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Here on your block, the days are different."

Fábia Peres manages to deceive Fábio.

"Look, I didn't know that."

Fábia gets up, "Well, the rough is to face troublemaker Monica accusing me of dirtying the street."

"Monica, a troublemaker? Never, sweetheart, she is—"

Fábia turns to him, furious, "Not complete! There you go drooling over that little one!"

"Stop with that! She grew up, she's not two meters tall, but she's not that short, plump girl anymore. This is good because as soon as she grows up, she stops being chubby and stays—"

"Fábio Dance!"

Fábia takes a vase from the coffee table and threatens to throw it at the boyfriend.

Fábio gets fearful, "No, dear, that vase my mother bought at Praia do Canto!"

"Do you care more about the vase than about your head? I deserve it!"

Fábia Peres leaves the vase and picks up her purse.

"Where are you going?"

Fábia responds with SARCASM, "Didn't you hear the officer? It's time for the little kids to sleep. Good night!"

Fábia Peres gets out stepping hard.

Fábio serves himself more wine, never minding, "Tomorrow you’ll come back."