The Dancer Upstairs Page #16

With infinite pleasure, comrade.

Ten days after the dramatic capture of guerilla leader Ezequiel...

... the political repercussions are being felt.

Yesterday, a delegation of senators

called on Police Captain Agustin Rejas...

... to run for president.

His enormous popularity could unify the opposition...

...and threaten the ruling party.

Thanks to the efforts of one honest man,

our country can now breathe easily...

... for the first time in a decade.

Meanwhile, the most notorious terrorist in the Western Hemisphere...

...began a new life on the island prison of San Lorenzo.

A military court today sentenced former ballerina, Yolanda Celandin.

As Comrade Isabel, she is believed...

... to have run the section of operative support.

The most damning evidence...

...a mention in her notebook of the cafe

destroyed by the Miraflores bomb.

Passing sentence, the judge agreed to a symbolic punishment...

...in addition to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Will you stand?

You will be condemned to a cell without light.

Viva El Presidente Ezequiel.

You wanted to talk about a deal.

So, what's the deal?

It's about Yolanda Celandin.

What about her?

I want to address three terms of her imprisonment.

Which terms?

First, I would like her to be allowed blankets, books...

...and writing material.

And?

Second, I insist that she be moved to a cell with light.

I want to be clear on this.

If we meet these conditions, you'll give your word...

...you won't run against the president in the next election?

In the next election.

No.

Let me tell you right off, this is impossible.

Your demands are preposterous. Besides...

...they contravene the due process of law.

But let us imagine a situation in which they could be met.

We would need reassurances.

You would have to give your public support to the government.

The president is much maligned, but he sees the bigger picture.

Despite the fact you disobeyed his orders...

...he remains anxious to show the nation's gratitude.

I know he would like to offer you a judgeship.

This could be announced at a press conference.

The sooner the better.

And the third condition?

A quiet release after five years.

That would not be mentioned at the press conference.

By the way...

...she already had writing material.

This came back with the blankets you sent her.

She's only a young woman, Rejas.

Seventy-two percent water.

Yet, you could have been president.

Do not contact me. Do not try to help.

I am dead.

I live only for the revolution.

Enough.

Let's see what we can do with this lovely, lovely thing...

... that goes past all racial conflict...

...and all kinds of conflict.

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