MIRIAM HOUSE ENTRANCEMonica approaches the entrance. She is afraid to call because everything is closed."Oh, God, did I get there too soon?"When in doubt, she takes a breath and decides to call.Inside the room, Miriam is still sleeping in her nightgown."Miriam!"Miriam wakes up and smiles when she recognizes Monica's voice.Back to Monica, She calls again, "Miriaaaam!"Then the bedroom window opens and Miriam appears without her nightgown, just wrapped up in the blanket. Monica is amazed to see her friend like that."Oh, friend, I'm sorry if I woke you up...""I'm sorry about that, friend. I just don't know if Carlos..."And she leaves the hint in the air. Monica gets scandalized, hand to mouth, "Is Chief Roldão in there with you?"Miriam pretends to be angry and makes gestures, "Schii! Stop this, don't speak louder or nobody will read The Tribune!""Miriam, sorry, but friends of ours don't mess with a man outside the biblical script!""And who are you to decide what I should do,
RICARDO'S LIVING ROOM - DAYRicardo opens the door more awake and better dressed. Wellington comes in, curious about the summons. Suspicious, Ricardo closes the back door."Here I am, sir.""Very well, today I received a visit from Luis. He told me something of concern. You are being harassed by Cassio."Wellington holds a laugh, "What is it, Mr. Oliveira? Both he and I like women!"Ricardo remains serious, "I'm using another sense of the word 'harassment', Wellington. Of course, you don't know."Wellington gets quiet.Ricardo goes on, "So I decided to help you find another place for you to live. I know that for the time being you don't have any money for rent. But, look around; get the amount I’ll give you."Wellington gets surprised, "Are you going to help me?""Yes, at least the first month. Let the landlord rest assured that he won't have defaulted."Wellington opens a big smile, "Thank you very much, Mr. Oliveira!""Anytime. You'll pay me later."Wellington and Ricardo shake hands
COR-DE-ROSA STATIONERYWellington comes in. Rosa smiles at the visitor."Good morning, my boy. Are you new here?""Yes, I have been in the neighborhood for a week.""Yes, the neighborhood is growing. Be very welcome, my name is Rosa. What will you want?""I'm researching these apartments that you have on the Avenue and I noticed that on top of your stationery you have a few more to rent. Are they yours?""No, they aren't mine, but their owner left her phone with me for me to pass on to interested parties. I'll write it down for you."Rosa looks in her diary for the phone, finds it, writes it down in another notebook, and then takes the piece of the sheet off to Wellington.He picks it up and reads it: "Penha. It must be an old lady..."Rosa shook her head vehemently, "Make no mistake, boy. Penha is thirty-one, and she's cute. Don't get carried away and maintain respect."Wellington takes his hands up, "I promise I won't do anything unseemly with her, but looking doesn't hurt, right?"R
POLICE STATION - AFTERNOONCarina comes in very upset at the police station. Carlos is standing and drinking water from the drinking fountain with a plastic cup. As soon as he sees her, he reacts nonchalantly."Do you want water too?""No, thanks, I just came to tell you that your wish would be fulfilled anyway."Carlos drinks the water and discards the plastic cup, "What do you mean?""Mayor Tito informed me that the chosen printer only works with photographs, and nothing as elaborate as my illustration. We waste time doing a job for nothing. What a waste of graphite and coal!"Carlos feels sorry for Carina, "I'm sorry, Carina. I know you did your best in that drawing.""I told you that I was going to give my heart, and my life to this project because I believe in you and the police station. But, you preferred whoever wanted to put you as a sex symbol and not a symbol of security and protection!"Carlos finds Carina's tone strange, "Wait a minute, Carina, what are those terms? I'm not
CASSIO'S LIVING ROOM Cássio is in the armchair watching television to see if he relieves stress. Wellington appears cautiously, "Dude? I was in my room; I seem to have heard some screams." Cassio responds slightly irritated, "Sandra messing me up. She's full of mysteries, killing time in the square instead of hunting for something useful to help in our wedding. Then she comes to tell me about the rights of women to work and blah, blah, blah, but it's the muggle here who can't be a soccer player because it's not a safe profession." "That's why I haven't dated until now. My girlfriend will meet me with my own house and car in the garage." "Yeah, but I hope she'll think and see that I'm right." Wellington remains cautious. Cássio asks, "Do you want to tell me something?" "Man, I don't want you to be offended. I am very grateful that you opened the doors for me, but..." Cassio raises an eyebrow, "Yes..." "I got a place to live. There in the Cor-de-Rosa stationery building. Soon I
CASCAIS BAKERY - AFTERNOONJonas becomes more desperate when he hears Annie tell him that he wants to take a break from dating. Jonas is about to cry, pathetic, "Annie, my love, my life! You can't do this to me!"But Annie gets annoyed, "For Christ's sake, Jonathan! I should be bursting into tears, not you!""And you think I don't suffer when I hear you talk about such madness?""What's crazy: asking for a break or being accused of being seduced by—"Jonas gets up, "I told you I wasn't accusing YOU of anything. I talk about him and you revert to yourself. That's a low semantic trick, Annie!""Jonas, calm down. Let's talk rationally."Jonas is shaking when he sits down, "No, that is not possible. You cannot leave me, I love you!""But, you don't seem to believe me when I say I love you."Jonas starts to get angry, "What did that bastard say?"Annie reacts cautiously, "He didn't go into details. He said he tried to convince you otherwise, without success.""He will never succeed because
COR-DE-ROSA STATIONERYCarina is talking with Rosa. The stationery shop is empty, it's time to close."I went to talk about the photos to the officer and he went so far with me!""Did you expect him to be closer?"Carina reduces her irritation, "Well... He started to behave with me in one way and now he starts to treat me in another... especially when Miriam complained."Rosa becomes suspicious, "The one who was here and was bragging that she was going to have a meeting with the officer?"Carina nods annoyed, "It's herself.""It looks like she's seeing you as a threat."Carina stomps her foot on the floor, "That's what I don't understand! I never told her that I liked the officer, and I never showed anyone that I like— because I don't like him, I respect him as an authority!"Rosa smiles slightly, "A lot of explanation for me, dear.""What do you mean?"The door opens and Ricardo enters. Carina looks back and sees him, stays to die.Ricardo gives a friendly smile, "There's still time?"
FÁBIO'S LIVING ROOM - EVENING Fábio is sitting in the armchair with a glass of wine, he says he is celebrating. Célio goes through the open door. "Hey, what is this home invasion here?" Célio sneers, "You shouldn't even know what 'invasion home' is." "I'm glad you at least aren't sweating like you used to be. You can sit down if you want. I won't be a bad host." Célio keeps standing, "Listen, man, we need to clear up a few things." "What is it now?" "Your ex must have been spying, or else she was pissing me off at the Malthus Snack Bar telling me that you asked Monica to date. Tell me that is a lie." Fábio gives a good laugh, "Does it bother you so much that Monica wants to date me?" "Of course yes! Monica is not a woman for you." "And who decides that, do you?" "I just want the best for her. She always liked you, but you preferred to look at Fábia Peres's body. Now that the fun is over, do you want Monica as second in line to have fun? Fábio wiggles. He doesn't feel it fun
BAKERY CASCAIS - DAYFábio enters the bakery and is amazed by what he sees: Monica prostrated in the chair, finishing crying, with Annie sitting next to her, comforting her and assuring her that she was not a bad friend for Carina. Jonas continues to serve customers, sometimes taking a look at both.Fábio approaches the two girls with concern, “Monica! What happened?”He kneels to her. Monica smiles slightly, touched by his concern, “It’s okay, Fábio. I was worse. I just remembered Carina and the worst step she’s going to take in her life.”“You are thinking about the lunch she has with the damn parents.”Annie explains, “It’s just that Monica is feeling guilty for not preventing Carina from going to that lunch.”Fábio caresses Monica’s hair, “My love, you tried, but Carina needs to make her decision. After all, everyone has to carry their load.”“She is going to suffer, Fábio. At least I asked her to keep an eye on the family. She could take advantage of the fact that she is going to
PENHA’S HOUSE - DAYEverybody took the day to ask Ricardo trick questions. However, he felt it was not the time to answer or lie to the inquirers.He just weaves his classic silly little smile and avoids the subject, “Calm down, Penha, you don’t need to create conspiracy theories. The guy disappears from the bar for three days without giving any satisfaction. I thought he moved out of the neighborhood. I didn’t understand the disappearance.”Penha narrows her eyes, hardly believing what she heard. He kidnaps Wellington and then asks “why did he disappear?”“I hope he disappears. I always thought he was too good for your business. You were in danger of being reported by him.”Penha already knew the truth, since Wellington had told her. She just teased Ricardo, as if she had fun with it. She wanted to see his reaction.Ricardo was more nervous, tense, taking a deep breath, and “counting to three” so as not to reveal himself more than he did at the Malthus snack bar. Not with Penha.“Any
MALTHUS SNACK BAR - DAYAurélio is teaching Luís how to properly serve customers. Wellington is sweeping. Nobody notices the window, where Ricardo is looking at the three with dismay.Ricardo goes back a few steps and enters the snack bar even with the “closed” sign on the door. The three men turn their attention to the door opening and closing and are surprised.“Ricardo?” the owner says, “We haven’t opened it yet, but we already have snacks in the showcase.”Ricardo looks with disgust at the snacks, “I don’t want to be a victim of the ‘Salmonella bar’ anymore. What are these two doing here?”Disgusted, Wellington drops the broom and approaches him, “You can ask us, directly. We are here!”Aurélio gestures for Wellington to calm down.Ricardo goes on talking, “And you, Wellington? Are you working here now? Aren’t you going back to the bar? Rubens is waiting for you until now!”Wellington looks at Aurélio in doubt, Aurélio responds affirmatively with a slight nod.“No, Ricardo, I won’
PENHA’S HOUSE - NIGHTPenha is disgusted by Ricardo’s unexpected visit just to ask if she is going to lunch tomorrow. Because she had no intention of going.Even with her clear body language: pouting, arms crossed and one foot hitting the ground, Ricardo does not undo the classic little silly smile.“Did you interrupt my movie... for this?”Ricardo sits in the armchair closest to the coffee table and puts his feet on top. Penha can see from the soles of one of his shoes that Ricardo stepped on ox feces.“Get those dirty feet off my coffee table!”“You haven’t confirmed me yet, sis. The dress that Carina chose is beautiful. Did you choose yours?”“Get outta my house now!”Ricardo threatens to rub his foot with his dirty shoe, showing that he knows the situation of his shoe.“Come on, sis, say yes! A family lunch, with dad and mom...”Penha is about to cry, she is very nervous. She just wants Ricardo to leave, “Please, Ricardo, stop this clowning! I’m not going to show up for lunch to h
PENHA HOUSE - NIGHTAfter Penha and Wellington cancel the lease agreement, the two say goodbye and Wellington leaves. Carlos leaves behind, without saying a single word, just smiled mysteriously at Penha, as if he knew she had just slept with Rubens.Then she takes a forgotten flannel in a corner and begins to try to clean the spilled coffee on the sofa, as it has practically dried, staining the fabric. Rubens, sensing the empty house, leaves the room furious and in long strides.Rubens takes Penha violently by the arm and makes her turn to him. Penha is startled by being taken by surprise and widens her eyes.“Hey, what are you doing?”“What did that kid come to do here?”Penha tries to get rid of Rubens, but he won’t let her go.“Let go of me! He just came to end the lease! He won’t be living in the kitchenette anymore!”“Did you send him to the bar today?”“I was so shocked by his decision that I didn’t even remember!”Rubens squeezes Penha’s arm tighter and she screams more, “You
WELLINGTON KITCHENETTE - DAYCarlos cornered Rosa asking her to explain to everyone how Penha is Ricardo’s sister. She gulps, nervous.Wellington looks at her more deeply than the others.Finally, she decided it was time to end the mysteries. She gets up to explain better, “Yes, people. It’s true. Ricardo is Penha’s younger brother. However, since they moved here and built the building, they have presented themselves as lovers.”“But, why is that disgusting lie?” Everybody notices Wellington’s afflicted and distressing tone.“Because Ricardo believes that by presenting himself as a boyfriend, he prevents other men from flirting and taking Penha to bed.”The girls are embarrassed.Annie blushes and asks, “Doesn’t Penha know how to simply say ‘no’ to the perverts?”“No. She deliberately accepts to sleep with anyone who invites her. She has a boyfriend who is in Europe doing a Master’s or Doctorate and doesn’t even dream that his darling is horning him.”Wellington is very ashamed of him
RHODIA AVENUE - AFTERNOONMore people gather to see Célio’s rescue, which hung in the window of Wellington’s kitchenette. Even Aurélio and his clients left the snack bar to see.“Guys, these windows... Who was the idiot who bought these big windows?”Monica, Sandra, and Annie exchange mocking gazes: they all imagined it was Ricardo’s idea with the masons.WELLINGTON’S KITCHENETTECarlos strides in and goes to the window.“Hang in there, boys!”With another strong man, it was easier to pull Célio back safely. When they finally succeed, he can hear the palms and cheers of those present from below. Célio runs to Wellington’s bathroom to throw up, he’s still scared.Wellington and Luís laugh out loud. Carlos then notices the boxes and suitcases, “Hey, what’s going on here?”Wellington stops laughing and announces to Carlos, “Officer, I’m moving out of here. I don’t think is right to live in the place where I have to pay rent for my kidnapper’s girlfriend.”Carlos smiles in understanding,
PENHA’S HOUSE - DAYPenha opens the door for Rubens, who hurries in and looks worried. She closes the door and signals him to sit down.“I was going to offer you coffee, but you need chamomile tea.”“This is no time for jokes, Penha! The situation is getting more complicated.”Penha purses her lips in indifference; everyday things are complicated. She sits in the other armchair, “Every day you live in confusion. You guys don’t seem to want to live in peace. And if I guess, it has to do with Monica and her friends.”Rubens doesn’t like the tone of Penha’s voice and replies harshly, “It has to do with that bastard Wellington who didn’t come to the bar neither Wednesday nor yesterday! What is he thinking?”Penha, on the outside, remains calm and indifferent; but inside, she is overflowing with relief. It was what she wanted most, for Wellington to get out of that snake’s nest, “You’ll see, he found a better job and couldn’t even tell you.”“We paid above the minimum!”Penha is irritated
MIRIAM’S ROOM - DAYMiriam is talking to Fábia Peres. The two got on well again after Sandra’s advice. Cleverly, Miriam leads the conversation to the topic of lawsuits.“Oh, Fábia, you don’t know the worst: I talked to Carlos and he said that he won’t insist on objecting to his fate at the trial. That he will acknowledge that he was wrong and accept the punishment.”Fábia Peres is gaping. Then the officer who always behaved like a warrior, dropping the towel so easily?“What does the officer have in mind, Miriam?”“He said he doesn’t mind losing the case, as long as he can get Ricardo behind bars. He’s gathering proofs and evidence.”“And is Carina going to marry this guy?”“Hopefully, she’ll fall flat on her face when she finds out the whole truth on her honeymoon, with the police invading their suite, ha, ha!”The two girls giggle maliciously.“Girl, on the subject of the trial, I’ve been thinking about something. If the officer is not offended, I can ask my father to pay the compen