By Antonio Muñoz de Mesa
Translated by Phyllis Zatlin
Volume 5, Issue 3 (Spring 2015)
I had never heard of Antonio Muñoz de Mesa when I read the newspaper notice in Madrid about the opening in April 2013 of La visita, directed by the author and produced by his wife, Olga Margallo. The subject of abuse of children by priests intrigued me and I decided to go. Spectators that night were riveted to their seats, unwilling to miss a word of the fascinating performance by Iván Villanueva and Rosa Mariscal of a play that is marked by delayed revelations and touches of humor.
Rather than the anticipated short run, La visita stayed on the boards for over a year at various small theatres in Madrid. It was performed at a theatre festival in Miami in July 2014 and is scheduled for performance at the Thalia in New York City in May 2015. The American translation had its premiere at Rogue Theater in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, for a three-week run in November 2014.
La visita is a two-hander: a priest who is responsible for a Catholic school and summer camp and the woman insurance agent who has handled policies for the archdiocese for a dozen years. As is true of many plays for two characters, the action consists of a cat-and-mouse game. Here the priest seems to dominate in early scenes but at the end the woman triumphs.
The priest proclaims in an early scene that he and the agent are engaged in a game where winning is the only thing. That game is a conflict between his greed and her sense of morality. The game metaphor reappears in a later episode when the priest, believing that the agent has complied with all his requests, invites her to accompany him to a soccer game. The priest’s position of power is established at the outset linguistically, through his addressing the woman with the familiar “tú” while she uses the polite “Usted” with him and gives him his title of “Padre.”
In the opening scene, the priest informs the insurance agent he wants to add two clauses to the archdiocese policy: a confidentiality clause. In the second scene, he reveals that the second clause will define sexual assault of children as a workplace accident. The insurance agent expresses outrage at this immoral suggestion. In the next episode, after consulting her superiors in Barcelona, she seems to accept the proposal.
I chose to translate La visita because I anticipated that it would readily find audiences in the United State. I have left the action in Spain, but the subject, no matter the setting of the action, is of universal interest. The play has a small cast and does not require an elaborate set or expensive costumes. I predicted it would travel with ease.
In my translation, I made changes, always in consultation with the author, who has an excellent command of English and entered into an email dialogue with me on matters of concern, most notably the title, the priest’s name, and the contrastive use of “tú” and “Usted.”
In English, not only is The Visit used as the title of a 1956 tragicomedy by Friedrich Dȕrrenmatt (Der Besuch der alten Dame) and the related 1964 movie, but a musical version of the Swiss satire has been circulating in the United States since 2001. To avoid confusion, the American translation of La visita is called Policy, a word that is deliberately ambiguous, referring to the insurance policy and the Church’s initial policy of ignoring sexual abuse.
The priest’s name in La visita is Lucio. An American spectator, unfamiliar with that male name in Spanish, is likely to hear it as “Lucille.” Muñoz de Mesa clarified for me that he hoped audiences in Spain would associate “Lucio” with “Lucifer,” thus emphasizing the priest’s character as a demon. Ultimately we agreed to change the name in the English version to “Damián,” which should give the desired allusion to demon. The name Damián, along with others from the original text, are left in Spanish.
We do not have familiar and polite forms of “you” in English but translators can find ways around that problem. The solution in Policy takes advantage of the priest’s title of “Father.” The priest consistently calls the insurance agent by her first name, “Esther.” Esther initially calls him “Father Damián” but drops the title when she ceases to address him with respect. In the original play, Muñoz de Mesa achieves this effect by having her begin to address the priest with the familiar form he has used with her all along.
The author assumed his Spanish audience would have a thorough familiarity with Catholicism. I thought his reference to San Pancracio would bewilder most American spectators, even those who are Catholic themselves as was the case for many in Sturgeon Bay. At Rogue Theater actors and theater co-directors Lola DeVillers and Stuart Champeau agreed and I therefore glossed the reference.
ANTONIO MUÑOZ DE MESA, born in Madrid, Spain, in 1972. Playwright and actor. Graduated at RESAD (Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático) in 1994. Antonio has written numerous plays for children and adults. As a playwright he recently premiered “Otro Gran Teatro del Mundo,” a musical adaptation of Calderon de la Barca’s “The Great Theatre of the World” and “Policy,” translated by Phyllis Zatlin. He is now studying musical theatre writing at ANMT in Los Angeles with a scholarship from Fundación SGAE.
PHYLLIS ZATLIN, professor emerita at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, has translated numerous plays from Spain and France. Among books she has authored are Cross-Cultural Approaches to Theatre, Theatrical Translation and Film Adaptation, and Writers to Remember: Memoirs of Friendships in Spain and France. She is a graduate of Rollins College, holds a Ph.D. in Romance Languages from the University of Florida, and is a member of The Dramatists Guild.
POLICY: (La visita)
CHARACTERS:
DAMIÁN, a priest
ESTHER, an insurance agent
PROLOGUE
Stage is dimly lit. DAMIÁN puts in place a dead rubber plant, a box, a chalice, and a figurine of a saint. He exits.
BLACKOUT.
LIGHTS UP
ESTHER is waiting in the study.
SCENE 1
(ESTHER is standing in the middle of the study. She has a briefcase in one hand, with a coat draped over it. She sees the chalice, picks it up and looks at if for a moment. She lifts it up to her nose and smells it. At that moment DAMIÁN appears in the doorway on the opposite side of the room. He wears a black suit and clerical collar. ESTHER is startled.)
ESTHER
(Setting the chalice down.)
You frightened me! I’m sorry…
DAMIÁN
Sorry for what?
ESTHER
For… Nothing.
(A strange silence.)
ESTHER
And Father Valentín?
DAMIÁN
Don Valentín?
ESTHER
Yes. We have an appointment at half past.
DAMIÁN
Don Valentín is no longer here. Didn’t they tell you?
ESTHER
Well, no.
DAMIÁN
You’re Esther, aren’t you? From Ibéritas.
ESTHER
That’s right.
DAMIÁN
I’m Father DAMIÁN, the new Father Valentín.
ESTHER
The new Father Valentín?
DAMIÁN
Quite so. His substitute. Sit down, please.
(ESTHER, somewhat bewildered, looks for a seat but the only vacant chair has a box on it. She starts to remove the box.)
DAMIÁN
No, no. Don’t touch that. Get a chair from the hall.
ESTHER
Very well.
(ESTHER exits to get a chair. DAMIÁN takes out a bottle of wine and pours some in the chalice. ESTHER enters with a chair and sits across from DAMIÁN, next to the chair with the box.)
DAMIÁN
Would you care for some?
ESTHER
No thank you. And why is Father Valentín no longer here? I hope nothing’s happened to him.
DAMIÁN
No, no. What could happen to him? He’s gone to Bolivia, some mission, I believe.
ESTHER
My word. On a mission, like James Bond.
DAMIÁN
Some people have it made.
ESTHER
And besides he went off without telling me.
DAMIÁN
It was one of those “get going and don’t let me catch you” departures.
ESTHER
(Looking at the disorder in the room.)
That explains this chaos.
DAMIÁN
One of those transfers that you ask for a thousand times and one day, when you least expect it, they give it to you. When you no longer even remember that you asked for it.
ESTHER
Yes, that does happen. A lot.
DAMIÁN
Are you sure you don’t want some wine?
ESTHER
No thank you. Really.
(ESTHER smiles, trying to follow his thoughts.)
DAMIÁN
If it’s alright with you, let’s get down to business.
ESTHER
Of course. But we can’t sign today. I have to put in your information, instead of Father Valentín’s. If you’ll fill out a form for me, that will speed things up.
(ESTHER hands him a piece of paper.)
DAMIÁN
I’ll do it now. It’s a shame they didn’t alert you. What a disaster.
ESTHER
No problem. You have a digital signature?
DAMIÁN
(While filling out the form.)
What’s that?
ESTHER
It’s a certificate in order to sign the policy on-line.
DAMIÁN
I don’t think I have one. A digital signature.
ESTHER
Then you have to ask for it.
DAMIÁN
Maybe I have it without knowing.
ESTHER
That could be. Would you like me to look?
DAMIÁN
Please do.
(ESTHER crosses to the laptop computer. While lifting the cover, she knocks down the figurine of St. Pancracio that DAMIÁN put there in the prologue.)
ESTHER
Oh, St. Joseph. Dear God, I’m so clumsy.
DAMIÁN
It’s not St. Joseph. It’s St. Pancracio—patron saint of money. He hears prayers for immediate financial assistance.
ESTHER
St. Pancracio. I’m sorry.
DAMIÁN
No problem.
(ESTHER looks in the computer for the digital signature certificate.)
ESTHER
No, you don’t have it. You have to ask the Archdiocese to get one for you.
DAMIÁN
Computers are truly a pain in the ass.
ESTHER
You just have to get used to it. It’s basically very easy.
DAMIÁN
Here. Now you have my information.
ESTHER
Good. Thank you. Well, once they install the signature certificate for you, you’ll be able to sign on-line. I won’t have to come back, so I won’t trouble you further. Here’s my card in case you have a problem.
DAMIÁN
You’re leaving already?
ESTHER
If you don’t need me for anything else.
DAMIÁN
Can we go over the policy?
ESTHER
Well… it’s just the annual renewal. No mystery to that.
DAMIÁN
Precisely for that reason. Taking advantage of the renewal, I’d like to go over the insurance coverage. If you don’t mind.
ESTHER
No, no. Of course not. It’s fine with me… And that way you’ll be brought up to date.
DAMIÁN
Right.
ESTHER
If you like, we can begin with the first clause.
DAMIÁN
No.
ESTHER
No?
DAMIÁN
No.
ESTHER
No.
DAMIÁN
No.
ESTHER
Where would you like us to begin?
DAMIÁN
Let’s see. For me there are only two clauses in this insurance policy that are of interest. One is the confidentiality clause.
ESTHER
Confidentiality… I don’t believe we have a confidentiality clause. This is a standard multi risk policy. It covers the school. For fire, theft, flood, workplace accident, all quite typical. The one big item you insure-
(DAMIÁN exits while ESTHER is talking.)
ESTHER
is the El Greco painting. The one in the Sacristy-
(Realizing that she is talking to herself, ESTHER stops speaking.
DAMIÁN enters with a watering can.)
ESTHER
-In fact that’s what raises your premium. Truthfully, I don’t recall anything about confidentiality.
DAMIÁN
(Watering the rubber plant.)
You don’t recall it because it isn’t there. Take my word for it. Precisely what I want is to add it.
ESTHER
Oh, add it. Well, whatever you say. If you think you need it.
DAMIÁN
Good. It never hurts to have it.
ESTHER
Okay. In fact, lately it’s a clause that’s used a lot. The only thing is your premium will go up a bit. I’ll make a note. Confidentiality. And the other one?
DAMIÁN
What other one?
ESTHER
Didn’t you say there were two clauses you wanted to go over?
DAMIÁN
Oh yes. The other one’s nothing. Don’t worry. If you agree, we’ll talk about it when we sign the new policy.
(ESTHER remains silent.)
DAMIÁN
Is something wrong?
ESTHER
No. It’s just that… Wouldn’t it be better to look at both clauses at once? That would save us a visit.
DAMIÁN
I prefer not to. Let’s go one step at a time.
ESTHER
By steps?
DAMIÁN
Yes.
ESTHER
Yes?
DAMIÁN
Yes.
ESTHER
Why, if I may ask.
DAMIÁN
Because I can only discuss the other clause with you after you’ve signed the confidentiality one. Not before.
ESTHER
Oh. I see.
DAMIÁN
So that’s alright with you.
ESTHER
Yes, of course. The only thing… If we can’t talk about the other clause until we sign the confidentiality one…
DAMIÁN
Yes?
ESTHER
Has something happened?
DAMIÁN
No. (Pause) This is just in case something does. That’s why there are insurance companies.
ESTHER
That’s true enough. That’s what we’re here for.
DAMIÁN
So that’s that. When you have the confidentiality clause, call me and we’ll see one another again. That alright with you?
ESTHER
Okay. Don’t forget the digital signature.
DAMIÁN
Don’t worry. I won’t forget.
(They shake hands.)
ESTHER
I’m sorry about the saint.
DAMIÁN
Anyone can have an accident.
SCENE 2
(LIGHTS UP. DAMIÁN is carefully reading the insurance policy on the computer screen. ESTHER enters with a chair and sits down.)
ESTHER
Let me know if there’s anything you don’t understand.
(DAMIÁN continues reading as if he had not heard her. He leans close to the computer screen.)
ESTHER
It would be better to use the little arrow.
(DAMIÁN ignores her.)
ESTHER
If you want bigger print, click on the magnifying glass icon.
(DAMIÁN briefly looks up with an expression on his face of “Are you going to let me read?” He continues reading in silence. ESTHER remains still a few moments staring at the ceiling.)
ESTHER
I’m going to the bathroom for a moment.
(ESTHER starts to leave but DAMIÁN interrupts her.)
DAMIÁN
How do I sign this?
ESTHER
Look…you click where it says to sign, on each of the pages of the pdf file.
(DAMIÁN clicks as instructed.)
DAMIÁN
Okay. And what is this?
ESTHER
That’s your signature. You see how it has your information? Accept every time it appears on the screen and that’s it.
(DAMIÁN starts to accept on each page.)
DAMIÁN
So, accept. Click and accept. Accept. Accept. Accept. Accept and accept.
ESTHER
And to finish, click “send” and the policy will be validated.
DAMIÁN
How modern. So, send.
ESTHER
Now you have your confidentiality clause.
(DAMIÁN gets up, takes the wine bottle and serves himself a drink in the chalice. He then takes out a cheap plastic glass and pours some for ESTHER, who looks at him with a silly grin.)
DAMIÁN
Shall we have a toast?
ESTHER
This early in the morning?
DAMIÁN
Why not? Let’s toast.
ESTHER
Well, alright. Let’s toast.
DAMIÁN
What Insurance has brought together, let no man put asunder.
ESTHER
Provided it’s covered in the policy.
DAMIÁN
Well, in that case, what God has brought together, let no insurance put asunder.
ESTHER
Provided God covers it.
DAMIÁN
God covers everything. Care for more wine?
ESTHER
No thank you.
(DAMIÁN puts the wine bottle away.)
DAMIÁN
Do you know to whom priests go for confession?
ESTHER
Well, to other priests, I suppose. Or directly to God. Truthfully I don’t know.
DAMIÁN
Did you know that the Pope also makes confession?
ESTHER
Even the Pope?
DAMIÁN
Even the Pope. And yes, we always make confession to other priests.
ESTHER
Like masseurs. They go to other masseurs to get massages.
DAMIÁN
I didn’t know that.
(DAMIÁN exits.)
ESTHER
I know because my sister’s husband is a PT…
(Realizing that she is talking to herself, ESTHER falls silent.)
DAMIÁN
(Entering with a couple cushions for the bench where they will sit.)
Oh. How interesting.
(DAMIÁN takes off his jacket, revealing his shirt and clerical collar. He rolls up his sleeves.)
DAMIÁN
Esther, why do you think we signed the confidentiality clause?
ESTHER
I don’t know, but I’m dying to find out.
DAMIÁN
Well, we’ve signed it because from now on I want you to be like a confessor for me.
ESTHER
Me?
DAMIÁN
Symbolically speaking, I mean.
ESTHER
Yes, of course. I understand.
DAMIÁN
I want to be able to tell you everything and rest easy knowing that you aren’t going to be talking about it out there and, besides, you’re going to take my side.
ESTHER
The customer is the customer, that’s the way it is.
DAMIÁN
Exactly. The customer is always right.
ESTHER
So they say.
DAMIÁN
So, shall we talk now about the other clause? Let’s go over it together.
ESTHER
Of course.
DAMIÁN
In confidence. You’ll recall.
ESTHER
In absolute secrecy, Father.
DAMIÁN
Absolute secrecy. Like in spy movies.
(As a good businesswoman, ESTHER is going along with him.)
ESTHER
Like horror films.
DAMIÁN
No, not horror movies. Forget horror. Think mysteries.
ESTHER
Alright. Like mystery movies.
DAMIÁN
What I really love are movies about submarines.
(ESTHER is taken aback. She did not anticipate that the discussion of movies was going to be so long.)
DAMIÁN
How about you?
ESTHER
I like them too, yes.
DAMIÁN
The submarine is damaged under water. They can’t rise to the surface. They can’t communicate with anyone. Nobody knows they’re there. How I love those films!
ESTHER
They are a bit oppressive, aren’t they?
DAMIÁN
Not for me. Rather than oppressive, I consider them intimate movies.
ESTHER
That’s true too.
DAMIÁN
Did Don Valentín make confession to you, Esther?
ESTHER
Quite the contrary. I made confession to him.
DAMIÁN
What did you tell him?
ESTHER
To be truthful, very little. I’m not much into sinning.
DAMIÁN
That’s obvious.
(A long pause.)
ESTHER
If you like, let’s go over the clause we still have pending.
DAMIÁN
Yes, let’s.
ESTHER
So tell me.
DAMIÁN
(Rising, without looking at ESTHER)
I’ll tell you. I’d like sexual abuse of minors to be included in the policy as a workplace accident.
(ESTHER is stunned speechless. DAMIÁN stares into space.)
SCENE 3
(DAMIÁN is looking for something in file cabinet drawers. He finds a box cutter and carefully cuts the wrapping tape from a box on the chair. He opens it and takes out a little bag of holy communion wafers. Opening the bag, he spreads the wafers on a little tray. At that moment, ESTHER enters. She crosses the stage and disappears. DAMIÁN puts a couple of wafers in his mouth the way one might eat potato chips at a bar. ESTHER enters with a chair. DAMIÁN offers her a wafer.)
DAMIÁN
Care for one?
ESTHER
(Taken aback)
No thank you.
DAMIÁN
(Munching another wafer)
You’re saying no to the body of Christ, you know.
ESTHER
No. I’m saying no to you.
DAMIÁN
You’re not looking well, Esther.
ESTHER
I’m not sick. Just tired. Yesterday I had to rush off to Barcelona. To report your request to the board of directors.
DAMIÁN
Really? And what did they tell you?
ESTHER
What would you expect? They’re scandalized.
DAMIÁN
And you? Are you scandalized? The other day you didn’t say a word.
ESTHER
I said nothing because you left me speechless.
DAMIÁN
So it seems wrong to you, too.
ESTHER
Yes, it seems wrong.
DAMIÁN
So. And because it seems wrong to you I suppose you did not support me during that meeting of scandalized people in Barcelona.
ESTHER
Nobody can support what you propose. It’s indefensible
DAMIÁN
Why is it indefensible?
ESTHER
Because it’s immoral. The sexual abuse of minors is a crime.
DAMIÁN
I never said it wasn’t.
ESTHER
No. You didn’t say it wasn’t a crime. What you said is that sexual abuse of minors is a “workplace accident.” And as far as I know, accidents are not crimes. So sexual abuse can’t be both: accident and crime.
DAMIÁN
You’re mistaken, Esther. They are perfectly compatible. A crime can be committed by accident. It happens every day.
ESTHER
The truth is that I find it indecent that a priest should seriously be saying this. That indeed is a sin and nothing else.
DAMIÁN
I thought I was the priest here, not you.
ESTHER
That’s what I thought, too.
DAMIÁN
You’re being disrespectful, Esther. Get off your pedestal if you don’t want me to complain to your bosses in Barcelona. I’m your customer. And I’m always right. Remember that.
ESTHER
(Biting her tongue)
I didn’t mean to be disrespectful.
DAMIÁN
Well you have been. Don’t let it happen again.
ESTHER
Have there been abuses in the school?
DAMIÁN
(Long pause)
No. But just in case.
(DAMIÁN pours himself wine in the chalice. He drinks a sip and then munches another communion wafer while ESTHER watches in disgust.)
DAMIÁN
Esther, how did we meet?
ESTHER
What do you mean “how did we meet”?
DAMIÁN
We met at an accident.
ESTHER
What accident?
DAMIÁN
No sooner had we met than you threw the saint on the floor. You didn’t mean to throw it, but you threw it. It was an accident. If you had broken the saint, the Insurance would have had to pay.
ESTHER
That’s some comparison…
DAMIÁN
You think that’s funny. I’ll give you another example. When you take your car out on the highway, you can have an accident and kill someone. Killing someone is a crime. But at the same time, it can be an accident.
ESTHER
You’re splitting hairs.
DAMIÁN
No. Justice on one hand judges the crime, and on the other, Insurance covers the accident.
ESTHER
It’s not the same thing. A priest who abuses a child is not having an accident. What you’re saying makes no sense, Don Damián.
DAMIÁN
I don’t agree, Esther. If a priest commits sexual abuse in the workplace during school hours, it can be considered a workplace accident and Insurance will have to cover it.
ESTHER
That’s nonsense.
DAMIÁN
Why is it nonsense?
ESTHER
Because for abuse to be considered an accident, the priest would have to abuse his victim involuntarily, without meaning to. And abuse is always voluntary, that is, intentional.
DAMIÁN
You’re mistaken, my friend. A priest, when he commits abuse, doesn’t want to. The same as when you take out your car, you don’t mean to kill someone. Abuse occurs because at times the priest loses control of his will, just as the driver, at times, loses control of a vehicle.
ESTHER
What are you telling me?
DAMIÁN
I’m telling you that a priest who abuses a minor is not in command of himself. He’s a toy in the hands of an impulse much stronger than he is. He’s a sick man.
ESTHER
But how can he be a sick man? He’s a criminal. The proof is that priests who abuse minors don’t do it just once. They do it many times. You can’t have the same accident over and over. It ceases to be an accident and becomes… a habit. How can that be an accident?
DAMIÁN
I’m willing to take you to court to prove it.
ESTHER
Do what you like. There’s no precedent that covers sexual abuse of minors. It’s impossible for you to win. And that’s my opinion—as a lawyer.
DAMIÁN
You’re a lawyer?
ESTHER
Yes, I’m a lawyer. I just have to take my bar exam. That’s why I’m not practicing law yet.
DAMIÁN
Well, if you’re a lawyer, you should be able to answer this question. You just said that there is no precedent for insurance covering sexual abuse of minors.
ESTHER
Yes, that’s what I said.
DAMIÁN
And what if there were? What would happen if there were a precedent, maybe not here but in some other European country or in America?
ESTHER
Well… I don’t know… if there were, we’d have to examine it. But I don’t believe there is. How could there be, Don Damián? It would turn the world upside down.
DAMIÁN
Perhaps we live in an upside down world. Without realizing it.
(DAMIÁN takes photocopies out of a folder and hands them to ESTHER. He retains a second set of the materials).
DAMIÁN
This is confidential.
(ESTHER begins to read the dossier, quite taken aback. DAMIÁN, glancing at his copy, gives her an oral summary.
As you see, in the year 2004 the Dutch Catholic Church asked their insurance company to include in their policy sexual abuse of minors as a workplace accident. The company refused. The Church sued and the Church won. The story is much longer, but to make it short, the Church only requested 58,000 euros for the abuse of a twelve-year-old girl, but they ended up paying a million euros. That was ten years ago.
(At the director’s discretion, number of years may be adjusted to the time of performance.)
(ESTHER is astonished.)
DAMIÁN
You wanted precedents? Now you have them.
SCENE 4
DAMIÁN
What you put here is the same as nothing…
ESTHER
(Entering with a chair)
Please… how can you say that? Putting that in is really something.
(DAMIÁN and ESTHER are talking at the same time, without listening to each other. Each of them is holding a copy of the modified policy. They pace back and forth constantly.)
DAMIÁN
Do you think I’m an idiot, Esther? Do you believe that priests only know things about the Bible, angels, and the Holy Spirit?
ESTHER
I neither believe nor disbelieve it.
DAMIÁN
What does “dependent on the particular case” mean? Do you know what “dependent on the particular case” means?
ESTHER
It means that each case will be examined to see if the abuse can be considered an accident or not. A minimal requirement!
DAMIÁN
Do me the favor of not treating me like an asshole. “Dependent on the particular case” means that you will be the ones to decide. And the decision should be made by the Church, the ones who are paying you. And the Church doesn’t want this piece of paper to say “dependent on the particular case.” The Church wants it to say: “in all cases.”
ESTHER
Each case is different.
DAMIÁN
No. Each case is different? No. All cases are the same case. Abuse of minors is a workplace accident. That’s what I want the policy to say. Not “dependent on the particular case.” And if it doesn’t, we’ll sue. You’ll see, Esther. Your insurance company will see!
ESTHER
Do you really think that all cases of sexual abuse of children are workplace accidents? Are you really telling me that? Because, pardon me, but I don’t get it.
DAMIÁN
What I think isn’t important. What matters is what has to go in the policy. We’re not talking about good and evil. Nor about you and me. Nor what you believe and what I believe. We’re talking about money.
ESTHER
I know we’re talking about money. Yes, I know that!
DAMIÁN
Besides, what are the criteria for deciding if a particular case of abuse is an accident or not? Because it says nothing about that here. Here it only says, “dependent on the particular case.”
ESTHER
It says nothing because the issue is still under study. This is only a draft.
DAMIÁN
In your opinion, what will the criteria be?
ESTHER
You know what I think. For me there is no discussion. Sexual abuse is sexual abuse.
DAMIÁN
So for you all cases are the same.
ESTHER
Yes!
DAMIÁN
But you just said they weren’t. That each case is different. That “dependent on the particular case,” it might be or it might not be.
ESTHER
Because each case is different, yes, but sexual abuse is sexual abuse. That’s it in essence.
DAMIÁN
You’re getting confused.
ESTHER
Yes… No, I’m not. A child who has been the victim of abuse once is different from a child who has been abused many times. It’s just that the underlying factor is the same: abuse.
DAMIÁN
Is that what you’re proposing to your bosses in Barcelona? That abuse is more or less an accident depending on how long it’s been going on?
ESTHER
It’s logical, Don Damián! It’s not the same thing when a boy has been the victim of rape for…!
DAMIÁN
Shut up! Of course it’s the same! It’s an accident!
ESTHER
It is not an accident!
(Long pause. DAMIÁN exits. ESTHER sits down at his table and drinks wine.)
DAMIÁN
(Entering with the watering can, he waters the plant.)
We’ll go to court and see who wins. I’m sure your bosses are going to be delighted with you.
(ESTHER remains silent.)
DAMIÁN
Has the company calculated how much it will cost them to lose us as customers?
ESTHER
Of course we’ve calculated that. That’s why we’re still talking. Why else?
DAMIÁN
What will cost more, continuing to have our account or add the clause I want? Shall I tell you which would cost more?
(ESTHER says nothing.)
DAMIÁN
Come on, Esther. What number did you come up with?
(ESTHER remains silent. She drinks some wine and, in disgust, takes some papers out of her briefcase.)
ESTHER
With twenty cases of abuse a year, supposing that each settlement would cost 100,000 euros, that would already be more than the two million euros that the Archdiocese pays us annually.
DAMIÁN
In other words, with fewer than twenty cases, our account continues being profitable.
ESTHER
Well, profitable… You could say that.
DAMIÁN
Especially because if we agree on this clause, the premium will shoot up, right?
ESTHER
That goes without saying.
DAMIÁN
How much?
ESTHER
Three hundred percent.
(DAMIÁN takes out a calculator and punches numbers. ESTHER watches him.)
DAMIÁN
I’d call that high handed.
ESTHER
It is what it is.
DAMIÁN
It’s too much. The most we can handle is an increase of 180 percent.
ESTHER
No way.
DAMIÁN
And then we can negotiate having the premium rise with each case of abuse, if there are any.
ESTHER
I doubt they’ll accept that. The calculations were done very carefully.
DAMIÁN
Esther, do you really believe that there will be more than twenty cases of abuse a year in the Archdiocese?
ESTHER
I hope not. I don’t know. How should I know?
DAMIÁN
How many cases have there been up to now?
ESTHER
As far as I know, none. But that’s not what bothers me.
DAMIÁN
What does bother you?
ESTHER
Even if there were only one case, Don Damián. It bothers me to think that I’m part of this agreement. It makes me want to vomit.
DAMIÁN
But what the hell is the matter with you? What vomit—or holy shit? You’re an insurance agent, not Mother Teresa! You’re going to earn a pile of dough just in the commission you get from my congregation!
ESTHER
Don’t be so cynical.
DAMIÁN
And you, don’t be so hypocritical! Go back to Barcelona and get me what I want. Period!
ESTHER
They’re not going to jump through hoops.
DAMIÁN
We’ll see whether or not they’ll jump.
ESTHER
With Father Valentín, this subject would never have come up.
DAMIÁN
Oh?
ESTHER
No.
DAMIÁN
You mean Don Valentín is better than I am.
ESTHER
I’m not saying that.
DAMIÁN
Then what are you saying?
ESTHER
I’m saying that for Father Valentín morality and principles are more important than money.
DAMIÁN
Is that so?
ESTHER
Yes,
DAMIÁN
Well, you should know that it’s because of Don Valentín that we’re discussing this topic.
ESTHER
What do you mean?
DAMIÁN
That Don Valentín is the one who got us into this mess. That he was the one accused of sexual abuse.
ESTHER
Yes… But… You told me that there had been no accusations, that we were doing all this just in case!
DAMIÁN
In case there are more.
ESTHER
How could you lie like that!
DAMIÁN
And how can you be such a crybaby? We have a problem, Esther, A big problem! You and I! Stop moaning like a soul in Purgatory and help me solve it. That’s your job!
ESTHER
Who was Don Valentín’s victim?
DAMIÁN
What difference does it make?
ESTHER
A boy or a girl?
DAMIÁN
A boy.
ESTHER
When?
DAMIÁN
It doesn’t matter when.
ESTHER
When?
DAMIÁN
Last year. What’s wrong, Esther? What does that have to do with anything?
ESTHER
What does that have to do with anything? It has to do with my son. He goes to this school. That’s what’s wrong!
SCENE 5
(ESTHER enters. She hangs up her coat and gets Damián’s bottle of wine. She pours a large amount in the chalice. She puts her hand in the box and takes out a wooden figure of Pinocchio. She also takes out a bag of communion wafers. She opens the bag, takes a handful of wafers and puts them in her mouth while she drinks. DAMIÁN enters.)
DAMIÁN
You didn’t come yesterday.
ESTHER
No. I was in Barcelona.
DAMIÁN
I was worried about you.
ESTHER
That figures.
(ESTHER finishes the wine in one swallow. She wipes her mouth on DAMIÁN’s white handkerchief and puts the box on the floor. She sits in that chair. She opens her briefcase and takes out a folder.)
DAMIÁN
Did you talk with your son?
ESTHER
Yes.
DAMIÁN
And?
ESTHER
Nothing. According to him.
DAMIÁN
I’m glad.
ESTHER
So am I.
DAMIÁN
I asked the headmaster about him. He’s a very bright boy.
ESTHER
That’s true.
DAMIÁN
Esther, wouldn’t it be better if someone else handled this matter?
ESTHER
Why?
DAMIÁN
I don’t know. It seems logical to me that having your son here you’d prefer not to be involved.
ESTHER
Yah, but I can’t help being involved. I’ve been handling policies for the Archdiocese for twelve years. It’s my job. Besides my son has not been the victim of sexual abuse, fortunately, and he leaves here after this year, also fortunately. So there’s really no problem.
DAMIÁN
If you say so, then there’s not a problem.
ESTHER
None.
DAMIÁN
Your son doesn’t know more than he should?
ESTHER
No, no need for you to worry.
DAMIÁN
Good. I won’t. Now, let’s see what they said in Barcelona. Have they jumped through hoops?
ESTHER
(Handing a photocopy to DAMIÁN)
Indeed they’ve jumped through hoops. Sexual abuse of minors is considered a workplace accident provided it occurs during work hours at the work location and during the regular school year, that is, between September and June. The premium will increase 200 percent annually and, if there are more than fifteen cases of abuse in a given year, starting with the sixteenth case, the Archdiocese will pay half of any compensation. If there are twenty or more cases of abuse annually and total compensation is more than two million euros, the insurer is no longer responsible for such fines. The Church will pay one hundred percent of the expenses.
(DAMIÁN takes out his calculator and enters numbers to ESTHER’s indifferent gaze.)
DAMIÁN
How much will the premium go up for each accusation?
ESTHER
The increase will be fifteen percent for each incident of abuse in the first fifteen cases and seven percent, starting with the sixteenth case, but keeping in mind that the Church will pay half of any settlements.
DAMIÁN
That’s assuming 100,000 euros for each compensation.
ESTHER
Precisely. A hundred thousand euros per case of abuse.
DAMIÁN
That means we speak of an increase of 250 thousand euros a year if there were twenty cases.
ESTHER
More or less. Yes. A quarter million.
DAMIÁN
That’s a lot.
ESTHER
It’s what’s fair. You won’t find a better offer. Even if you take us to court. I’ll cover fifteen cases of abuse annually plus half of an additional five cases. That’s one million, seven hundred and fifty thousand euros. It’s somewhat more than what other insurance companies in Europe and the United States are offering.
DAMIÁN
I see that you’ve done your homework.
ESTHER
What choice did I have?
DAMIÁN
There’s just one thing that doesn’t come out right.
ESTHER
Tell me what it is and we’ll discuss it.
DAMIÁN
The policy covers the school year, between September and June.
ESTHER
That’s it.
DAMIÁN
I need it to cover the calendar year. From January to December.
ESTHER
Why’s that?
DAMIÁN
That’s because the school organizes summer camps in July and August. I can’t run the risk of having those months uncovered.
ESTHER
Ah yes. My son always goes to those camps.
DAMIÁN
I should think so. They’ve been very successful.
ESTHER
July and August. Two more months.
DAMIÁN
The whole year. Without having the insurance increase even one euro.
ESTHER
I doubt they would authorize me to do that. I’d have to go to Barcelona again and discuss it with the board of directors.
DAMIÁN
Do what you have to. But let me tell you that without July and August, there’s no agreement. And don’t forget, that’s without raising the premium.
ESTHER
You made that clear. Don’t worry.
DAMIÁN
I’m pleased we’re finally going to score a goal, Esther.
ESTHER
I’m pleased that you’re pleased. One question, before I go. Where is Don Valentín?
DAMIÁN
We sent him to a monastery.
ESTHER
He’s not going to prison?
DAMIÁN
Not if we sign this policy.
ESTHER
What do you mean, not if we sign this policy?
DAMIÁN
We’ve reached a private agreement with the family, that if we sign the policy, they will withdraw their accusation and accept 100,000 euros from the insurance company. They don’t want to make the matter public either. That would be stigmatize the family and the child.
ESTHER
And if we don’t sign?
DAMIÁN
If after all, we don’t reach an agreement and sign, I’ll sue the insurance company, and you know we’ll win. It’s nothing personal. Besides, that’s why insurance exists. To make money off other people’s misfortunes.
ESTHER
That’s true. And this child’s “accident”? In what month did it happen?
DAMIÁN
August.
ESTHER
August. Of course. At one of the camps.
DAMIÁN
Unfortunately.
ESTHER
Unfortunately, of course. I’ll see you day after tomorrow.
DAMIÁN
Esther, wait. I really don’t have anything against you. I like you. Why can’t we try to get along better?
ESTHER
What would you have done if you were that child’s father?
DAMIÁN
I don’t know. I don’t have children.
ESTHER
What I don’t understand is why Don Valentín didn’t go to prison.
DAMIÁN
Neither do I. But that’s the way the Church is. It has its good points and its bad points. Like any institution. (Beat) Are we friends?
SCENE 6
(DAMIÁN is working at the laptop. ESTHER enters.)
DAMIÁN
Esther, can you help me with this?
ESTHER
What are you doing?
DAMIÁN
I’m trying to buy tickets for the Atlético-Juventus soccer match, but the webpage won’t let me.
ESTHER
Are you an Atlético fan?
DAMIÁN
No way. I’m for Juve. As the Italians say, “Vincere non é importante, é l’unica cosa che conta.” Winning isn’t the important thing; it’s the only thing.
ESTHER
Nice slogan. It suits you to a T.
DAMIÁN
Terrific!
ESTHER
Let’s see. “Schedule.” “How to purchase tickets .” “Additional information.” And here, “Admission Tickets.” Let’s see: “Platinum VIP,” “Category 1”…
DAMIÁN
“Category 1”! Where are the tickets for “Category 1”?
ESTHER
Here On this menu.
DAMIÁN
Well, go there. What team are you for?
ESTHER
I’m for Atlético.
DAMIÁN
For Atlético? You’re in jest?
ESTHER
No, in red and white stripes, like the team.
DAMIÁN
Shall I get you a ticket and we’ll go together?
ESTHER
For real?
DAMIÁN
Of course for real. Put in for two tickets.
ESTHER
Thank you!
DAMIÁN
And I thank you.
ESTHER
Do you have your credit card handy?
DAMIÁN
(Taking out his card)
Right here.
ESTHER
Are you sure you want to invite me? It’s a lot of money.
DAMIÁN
I’m not inviting you. The Church is. As a reward for your patience with me.
(ESTHER enters his card number and completes the purchase.)
DAMIÁN
That’s that. You take care of the sandwiches and I’ve taken care of the tickets.
ESTHER
Consider it done.
DAMIÁN
Good. And what did they tell you in Barcelona? Are they including July and August or are we going to court where I’ll win?
ESTHER
They’re adding July and August for you. No need to go to court. But in exchange they want to add another little paragraph.
DAMIÁN
A little paragraph. Little paragraphs scare me. Let’s see what little paragraph they have in mind.
ESTHER
Well, a little paragraph that says whenever a monetary agreement is reached with a family because of sexual abuse, if the priest who committed the particular act of abuse is not reported to the police, like in the case of Don Valentín, the insurance will not cover possible future acts of abuse that he might commit, only past abuses.
DAMIÁN
Only past abuses.
ESTHER
You understand, Don Damián, that Don Valentín should be put in prison. If you make an under the table deal with the family and Don Valentín can wander about freely, we can’t be responsible if he abuses some other child. Knowing that he has done it before.
DAMIÁN
But Don Valentín isn’t going to abuse anyone again.
ESTHER
We have no way of knowing that.
DAMIÁN
Yes, we can know, Esther. Don Valentín has been removed from teaching. He’s been put in a Monastery, away from the world.
ESTHER
Yah. For how long?
DAMIÁN
For how long? I don’t know. Until he has reformed. Forever.
ESTHER
Which is it? Until he has reformed or forever?
DAMIÁN
It’s the same thing. What difference does it make to you if it’s until he has reformed or forever. The result is the same. He’s not going to repeat what he’s done.
ESTHER
Well, if that’s the way it is, what difference does it make to sign the policy with the little paragraph? If you’re sure that he’ll not touch another child. We’ll give you July and August without raising the premium even one euro, and you give us the peace of mind that if any priests are running around loose, we don’t have to concern ourselves with them.
DAMIÁN
It’s amazing how pigheaded you are, Esther.
ESTHER
No. Not pigheaded.
DAMIÁN
Not pigheaded? Oh, yes you are. And to boot I’ve just invited you to a soccer game that’s costing me a lot of dough.
ESTHER
Not you. The Church.
DAMIÁN
I am the Church, Esther. Don’t get funny with me or I’ll return your ticket in a flash.
ESTHER
You can do what you want with my ticket, Don Damián. But let’s not mix soccer and the Church. That’s all we need.
DAMIÁN
Let’s not mix business and pleasure, is that it? That’s what you’re saying.
ESTHER
That’s the theory. And that should also be the practice.
DAMIÁN
Otherwise, tell that to Don Valentín, right? If he hadn’t mixed what he shouldn’t have mixed, we wouldn’t be in this mess.
ESTHER
At heart, you and I think alike.
DAMIÁN
Don’t you believe it. If we weren’t in this mess, we’d be in some other one. We are all sinners, Esther.
ESTHER
Well, we are all sinners, yes, but we should try to sin as little as possible. Or do the least possible harm to others, given that we are all going to sin.
DAMIÁN
Do you know that you would have been a very good priest?
ESTHER
Me?
DAMIÁN
Yes, if you had been born a man. What a shame you’re a long-suffering Atlético fan.
(ESTHER exits and returns with the watering can.)
The really good priests, like me, are all for Italian teams.
ESTHER
(Watering the rubber plant)
I don’t go for Italian teams. They’re revolting.
DAMIÁN
Say what you will, we’ve won four World Cups.
ESTHER
Winning isn’t everything.
DAMIÁN
Yes, it is, Esther. Do you believe in God?
ESTHER
I do. And until recently I also believed in the Church.
DAMIÁN
I’m not asking you about the Church. I’m asking you about God.
ESTHER
I answered about God. I believe in God.
DAMIÁN
Shall I tell you why you believe in God?
ESTHER
You don’t have to tell me. I already know why I believe in God.
DAMIÁN
Why do you believe in God?
ESTHER
I believe in God because… it makes me feel secure.
DAMIÁN
Precisely. You’re saying I’m right, Esther. You believe in God because it makes you feel secure. God is like you, an insurance agent. You sign a policy with him when you’re baptized. You renew it at your communion. You increase it when you get married and, if there haven’t been lots of reports against you during all that time, God gives you the policy when you die. He gives it to you, for free, forever. You believe in God because he assures you how the game will end, Esther. You believe in God because by being on God’s team you win. Winning is everything. God is winning.
ESTHER
(After a moment of silence)
Sometimes, in order to win, you have to let yourself lose a little.
DAMIÁN
Sometimes, yes. That’s why I’m going to let you put that little paragraph in the policy. Render unto God what is God’s.
(DAMIÁN offers his hand to ESTHER and they shake.)
ESTHER
And to Cesar what is Cesar’s.
DAMIÁN
We’ll sign when we get ready to go to the game, if that’s okay with you.
ESTHER
Okay.
DAMIÁN
You’re going to take a shellacking, you know.
ESTHER
We’ll see about that.
SCENE 7
(DAMIÁN enters, putting on a black and white Juventus neck scarf as if it were a priest’s stole. He sits down at the computer to read the revised insurance policy and prepares to sign on-line. Enter ESTHER, wearing red and white for Atlético. She is carrying a tray of ham sandwiches.)
ESTHER
Shall I put oil on the bread?
DAMIÁN
Yes.
ESTHER
And cheese?
DAMIÁN
No cheese. I don’t like cheese.
ESTHER
Sliced tomatoes alright?
DAMIÁN
Esther, please be quiet a minute so I can concentrate. Make mine the same as yours but without cheese.
ESTHER
Okay.
DAMIÁN
Pour me a bit of wine in the meantime.
ESTHER
Fine. I’ll make that two.
(ESTHER pours wine in the chalice for DAMIÁN and in a plastic cup for herself. She puts communion wafers and pieces of ham on a golden plate. They both snack in silence while he reads and she finishes making the sandwiches.)
ESTHER
It will be better to buy the beer there to have it chilled.
DAMIÁN
Perfect.
ESTHER
So it is, right?
DAMIÁN
No. Yes. I mean the policy. It’s perfect.
ESTHER
Look it over again, if you like. We have time.
DAMIÁN
That won’t be necessary. I’ve already seen it twice. What do you think?
ESTHER
Well, sign it and we’ll go to the game.
DAMIÁN
(Moving the mouse to sign)
Right. We’ll see how you lose. Who would have thought, a month ago, that we were going to sign this as such good friends?
(ESTHER remains silent while watching how DAMIÁN signs.
ESTHER
Have you talked to the child’s family yet about the policy?
DAMIÁN
Yes, of course. By the way, you’ll have to get the money ready.
ESTHER
You’ll have the check tomorrow. Have there been any other accusations?
(DAMIÁN stops short. He thinks about it for a moment.)
DAMIÁN
No. Not that I know of.
ESTHER
That’s good.
DAMIÁN
At any rate, if there is some other accusation, you’ll be the first to know. You’re the one who pays.
ESTHER
I don’t. The company does.
DAMIÁN
Well, the company then. It’s all the same to me.
ESTHER
The last page of the pdf file is in triplicate and then you have to sign.
DAMIÁN
I have to fill out the information three times?
ESTHER
Three times. Yes.
DAMIÁN
Like the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
ESTHER
The very same.
(DAMIÁN starts filling out the last three pages but stops a moment before signing.)
DAMIÁN
And this asterisk?
ESTHER
What asterisk?
DAMIÁN
This asterisk. The one by my name.
ESTHER
(Looking at the screen)
Let me see. (Beat.) It’s not by your name. It’s next to the policyholder.
DAMIÁN
Yes. But I’m the policyholder. The one who’s signing.
ESTHER
But it’s not an asterisk specifically referring to you. It’s a standard asterisk for a contract.
DAMIÁN
Alright. Whatever. But where is the explanation for the asterisk?
ESTHER
It has to be somewhere below. Or in a link. I don’t know.
DAMIÁN
Well, find it or I won’t sign.
ESTHER
Let’s see. I’m going to look over the other pages.
(ESTHER reviews other pages in the policy.)
DAMIÁN
You’re not trying to deceive me, are you?
ESTHER
God forbid, Father.
DAMIÁN
I’m asking where is the fine print.
ESTHER
The fine print, if you’ll pardon my saying so, is what you slid in.
DAMIÁN
Kicking the ball out of bounds won’t help. You’re going to lose the game anyway.
ESTHER
We’ll see about that. Juventus isn’t what it used to be. But I’m not finding it.
DAMIÁN
Well if you don’t find it, you’re not going anywhere. You look for it. But I’m going to the game. You’ll see.
ESTHER
Wait. I’ll call the office. (She calls) Marta? Is Jordi there? Oh, he’s gone already. Well, maybe you can answer a question I have. On the last page of our policies, in the pdf on-line version, where it has “policy holder,” there’s an asterisk. Yes, Where is the fine print for the asterisk? Oh. And what does it say? Okay. Yes, yes. Of course. No, it’s just that there’s no link or anything, and if you aren’t careful, you might not even see it. And that’s bad. Tell Jordi, so they can fix it. Right. Well, many thanks my friend. See you tomorrow.(She hangs up.) It’s in the tab for General Contract Terms.
DAMIÁN
See how you were trying to deceive me?
ESTHER
Anyone can have an accident, Don Damián. (Pause) Click here.
DAMIÁN
Let’s see what the asterisk says. “The policy holder, who represents himself or the enterprise, organization or institution for which he has power of attorney, accepts the general conditions and privacy statement of the insurer.” Very good. And you are pleased about that. What are the general conditions and privacy statement of the enterprise?
ESTHER
Oh, what do I know. You’re so suspicious, Father. They must be the standard conditions. To comply with the law for protecting information and all that, and that we’ve had to follow for many years. You signed it as well when you asked for the confidentiality clause and didn’t realize it.
DAMIÁN
Well, I realize it now.
ESTHER
What we don’t have to put up with. Let’s see what Marta says now.
(ESTHER calls and lets it ring a long time.)
ESTHER
She isn’t picking up. It’s after work hours. Let’s check on the webpage to see if it’s there.
(ESTHER sits in front of the computer and begins to navigate the web.
DAMIÁN looks anxiously at his watch.)
ESTHER
Let’s see. About Us. Products. Blog. Customer Service. Employment Opportunities.
DAMIÁN
Forget it.
ESTHER
What?
DAMIÁN
Come on, forget it. We’re going to be late. I’ll take it on faith. Only because it’s you.
ESTHER
It’s no problem for me to look it up, really.
DAMIÁN
Sure. It’s no problem for you but you can’t find it. You’re more inept than I am with these things.
ESTHER
Here’s something we can do. Tomorrow I’ll bring you a paper copy of the general conditions and we’ll sign everything in ballpoint. We’ll forget the internet.
DAMIÁN
And the check?
ESTHER
The check will have to be next week.
DAMIÁN
Next week!
ESTHER
That’s the bad part about doing it on paper. The insurer has to return a signed copy. The good thing about the internet is that it’s instantaneous.
DAMIÁN
(After thinking a moment)
Next week is very late. I want the check tomorrow. I can’t risk having the child’s family change their mind.
ESTHER
I’ll do whatever you say, Don Damián.
DAMIÁN
It’s the damned internet. Let’s see, where do I have to click?
ESTHER
First here, in each one of the three blocks. And then in this tab, under “General Conditions.”
DAMIÁN
Let’s see if we finally get it.
ESTHER
Then in this tab.
(DAMIÁN signs under ESTHER’s watchful eye.)
DAMIÁN
That’s that. Done. What God has signed, let no man put asunder. Don’t forget the check tomorrow. Come on, let’s zoom off to the game.
(ESTHER, grinning from ear to ear, picks up the sandwiches).
ESTHER
Just a minute.
(DAMIÁN exits. ESTHER crosses to the table, picks up the chalice and drops it, indifferently, into the wastebasket.)
SCENE 8
(DAMIÁN is searching for something in the study. He seems annoyed. ESTHER enters.)
DAMIÁN
I can’t find the chalice anywhere.
(ESTHER smiles and says nothing.)
DAMIÁN
The damned kids. One of those little monsters must have taken it. If it doesn’t show up today, I’ll mount an offensive in the school that will make them pee in their pants.
(DAMIÁN, giving up, stops looking. ESTHER listens in silence.)
DAMIÁN
So, have you recovered from the rout?
ESTHER
Well, we still have the return match.
DAMIÁN
Hope is what losers lose last.
ESTHER
Uhhhhh! That’s a new saying.
DAMIÁN
Did you bring me the money?
ESTHER
Yes.
DAMIÁN
Fantastic.
ESTHER
But there’s one little thing we have to look at first.
DAMIÁN
A little thing? Beginning with what letter?
ESTHER
It’s nothing. It’s the matter from the other day. You signed accepting the general conditions. The asterisk, you know.
DAMIÁN
No hitting below the belt, Esther.
ESTHER
There’s already been enough of that, don’t you think?
DAMIÁN
I do. So show me “the little thing.”
(ESTHER takes out two folders. She hands one to DAMIÁN and keeps the other.)
ESTHER
This is what you signed yesterday on-line. I’m bringing you a hard copy because I know you prefer paper. Review it carefully.
DAMIÁN
Let’s see…
(DAMIÁN puts on his glasses and begins to read.)
ESTHER
How is the boy that Don Valentín abused?
(DAMIÁN looks up from the papers, surprised.)
DAMIÁN
The child’s okay. And he’ll be better when we give his family the money.
(DAMIÁN reads the document, murmuring some of the paragraphs aloud. ESTHER walks around the room. DAMIÁN finishes and takes off his glasses.)
DAMIÁN
Fine. I don’t see anything odd here. Everything is in order.
ESTHER
Did you look on the reverse side? It continues there.
DAMIÁN
(Pissed off)
Oh, it continues on the reverse side.
(DAMIÁN turns the sheet over, puts his glasses back on, and reads.)
DAMIÁN
What do we have here. “Exclusions of exceptional nature.” And they are… “In addition to exclusions described in the policy are those cited in the following sections:
(DAMIÁN reads in a whisper. Suddenly he stops, in alarm. He reads further in silence. Then, disturbed, he gets up.)
DAMIÁN
I don’t understand section 2.
ESTHER
(Reading her copy)
Section 2. Let’s see. Well. Basically here it says that the policyholder, that is, you, affirms that he has no criminal record or open cases in the justice system. It’s very clear. If there is a violation of this section, the Church will have to pay for abuses, not the insurer. Moreover we would no longer be subject to confidentiality.
(DAMIÁN is silent a moment, his jaws clenched.)
ESTHER
Is something wrong?
DAMIÁN
No. What could be wrong?
ESTHER
Then, what’s the matter?
DAMIÁN
What matters is that this document has no validity if I don’t sign it.
ESTHER
But you signed it.
DAMIÁN
No way. I have not signed this, I’m sure. I’d remember this section.
ESTHER
By accepting the general conditions it’s as if you signed it. From a legal point of view, it is the same.
DAMIÁN
(Exiting)
The lawyer speaks…
ESTHER
Look, I told you yesterday that we could wait.
DAMIÁN
(Entering with the watering can, which he does not use)
Are you making fun of me, Esther?
ESTHER
No, Damián. But what’s wrong? If you don’t have a criminal record, there’s no problem.
DAMIÁN
And if I had one?
ESTHER
Then the policy you signed is not valid.
DAMIÁN
(Stunned speechless, he sets the watering can down on the bench.)
Esther, what have you done?
ESTHER
What have I done? I haven’t done anything.
DAMIÁN
What have you done!
ESTHER
Let me repeat. I’ve done nothing.
DAMIÁN
We’ll have to sign the policy again, without this section.
ESTHER
That’s impossible, Damián.
DAMIÁN
Nothing is impossible, Esther.
ESTHER
I’m sorry, but the General Conditions of policies cannot be changed. That indeed is impossible.
DAMIÁN
Well, I’m going to prove that you deceived me.
ESTHER
How are you going to prove that, Damián? You signed the policy. In triplicate. With your electronic signature. From your computer. With me as a witness.
(DAMIÁN remains silent, thinking. Then he realizes something.)
DAMIÁN
Precisely. I can say that you got me entangled with the computer. I can say it was the first time I did this and I didn’t know what I was signing.
ESTHER
But that’s not true. We have the other policy you signed previously. The confidentiality clause. We have a precedent. As you do with sexual abuse.
DAMIÁN
You think you can win with this bullshit about a digital signature? You have no idea.
ESTHER
I don’t know what you’re talking about, Father.
DAMIÁN
Besides, I have that girl as a witness. The one you called, Marta. She’ll say that we spoke to her because I wasn’t sure of what I was signing.
ESTHER
That’s true. If I’d called someone. But I didn’t call anyone.
DAMIÁN
(Stunned)
You’re a lying bitch.
ESTHER
What’s wrong? You don’t have to worry. You’re clean. You don’t have a criminal record. Or do you?
(DAMIÁN bangs the table and raises his fist at ESTHER.)
ESTHER
Are you going to hit me?
DAMIÁN
Go away.
(ESTHER starts to leave. DAMIÁN stops her.
DAMIÁN
(Defeated)
How did you find out?
ESTHER
Don Valentín.
DAMIÁN
Don Valentín?
ESTHER
Don Valentín was my friend. It wasn’t that hard to find him.
DAMIÁN
I’m not like Don Valentín!
ESTHER
So it wasn’t you who abused a seven-year-old boy at a summer camp in the Canary Islands?
DAMIÁN
That was more than fifteen years ago.
ESTHER
The story is much longer, but to make it short, the District Attorney couldn’t prove anything without the child’s testimony and you were acquitted. Not guilty. Tell me, with your hand over your heart, what happened between you and that little boy was an accident?
DAMIÁN
Be quiet, Esther. Please!
ESTHER
No, I won’t be quiet. We’ve had enough of being quiet!
(DAMIÁN listens in silence, ashamed.)
DAMIÁN
I’ve paid for my sins. God has forgiven me.
ESTHER
He’s forgiven you? A pedophile who keeps other pedophiles from going to jail. With money. Not for principle. Not for love, as God says. But with money.
(ESTHER shows DAMIÁN the check.)
DAMIÁN
Be quiet.
(Silence)
DAMIÁN
I haven’t touched a child since the incident in the Canary Islands. I’m not an abuser.
ESTHER
I don’t believe that. But it doesn’t matter to me. Even if you never abused anyone, what you’re doing… is wrong. Wrong! It’s bad. And it can’t be permitted. We can’t permit it!
(ESTHER beats DAMIÁN on the chest. Then silence)
ESTHER
Did you know that the child Don Valentín abused is my son’s friend?
DAMIÁN
I found out later.
ESTHER
Later. I found out about your “workplace accident” later too. That’s what happens with truth. Sooner or later you find out. By the way, your money.
(ESTHER takes out the check and tears it up.)
ESTHER
If the family wants money, you can pay it. I for one wash my hands.
DAMIÁN
I’ll take you to court, Esther.
ESTHER
No you won’t, Damián. You will not take me to court. You know why? Because you’ve lost. And you know it. And you can’t bear it.
DAMIÁN
You’re a dreamer. Okay, maybe, it’s true this year you’ve got your way and you won’t pay for abuses. But what about next year? Next year we’ll renew the policy. And I won’t be here; it will be someone else. And one way or another you’re going to jump through hoops. Because sooner or later you’ll jump.
ESTHER
We’ll see about that.
DAMIÁN
No. We won’t see about that. But others will see. Don’t think that you’re going to keep working for the insurance company. I’ll make sure of that. You’ll be out in the street.
ESTHER
That’s not necessary, Damián. I’m quitting Ibéritas.
(DAMIÁN is speechless. ESTHER throws the little pieces of the check on the floor.)
ESTHER
Sometimes you don’t have to jump through the hoop. Hooray for Atlético…
(ESTHER starts to leave but stops in the doorway She points at the wastebasket.)
ESTHER
I forgot. The chalice is in the garbage.
(ESTHER exits. DAMIÁN slowly retrieves the chalice, cleans it off, and pours himself some wine. We hear the school bell and the sound of children going out to recess. DAMIÁN munches a communion wafer while he finishes the wine.)
THE END
© 2014 Copyright by Antonio Muñoz De Mesa and Phyllis Zatlin. This work is fully protected under international copyright laws and is subject to a royalty. Contact author through Sociedad General de Autores y Editores (E-mail:sborjasp@sgae.es), or author (demesa@gmail.com) or translator (pzatlin@hotmail.com).
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