by Puig, Manuel
—Mmm . . . It must be a fear that you’ll turn into a panther, like with the first movie you told me.
—I’m not the panther woman.
—It’s true, you’re not the panther woman.
—It’s very sad being a panther woman; no one can kiss you. Or anything.
—You, you’re the spider woman, that traps men in her web.
—How lovely! Oh, I like that.
— . . .
—Valentin, you and my mom are the two people that I’ve loved most in the world.
— . . .
—And you, are you really going to remember me?
—I learned a lot from you, Molina . . .
—You’re crazy, I’m just a dope.
—And I want you to go away happy, and have good memories of me, like I have of you.
—And what is it you’re supposed to have learned from me?
—It’s kind of hard to explain. But you’ve made me think about so many things, of that you can be sure . . .
—Your hands are always warm, Valentin.
—And yours, always cold.
—I promise you one thing, Valentin . . . that whenever I remember you, it will always be with happiness, like you taught me.
—And promise me something else . . . that you’re going to make them respect you, that you’re not going to allow anyone to treat you badly, or exploit you. Because no one has the right to exploit anyone. Forgive me if I’m repeating this to you, because the last time I said it, you didn’t like it.
— . . .
—Molina, promise me you won’t let anybody push you around.
—I promise you.
— . . .
—You’re putting your books away, so early?
— . . .
—Aren’t you going to wait for when lights go out?
— . . .
—You’re not cold taking your clothes off?
— . . .
—How good you look . . .
— . . .
—Ah . . .
—Molina . . .
—What?
—Nothing . . . I’m not hurting you?
—No . . . Ow, yes, that way, yes.
—It hurts you?
—Better like last time, let me lift my legs. This way, over your shoulders.
— . . .
—Like this . . .
—Quiet . . . quiet a little while.
—Yes . . .
— . . .
—Valentin . . .
—What?
—Nothing . . . nothing . . .
— . . .
—Valentin . . .
— . . .
—Valentin . . .
—What’s the matter?
—Oh, nothing just some nonsense . . . that’s all.
—What?
—No, better nothing.
— . . .
— . . .
—Molina, what is it? Did you want to ask for what you asked for before?
—What?
—The kiss.
—No, it was something else.
—You don’t want me to give it to you now?
—Yes, if it doesn’t disgust you.
—Don’t make me angry with you.
— . . .
— . . .
—Thanks so much.
—Thank you.
—Valentin . . .
— . . .
—Valentin, are you asleep?
—What?
—Valentin . . .
—Tell me, what is it?
—You have to give me all the information . . . for your friends . . .
—If you want.
—You have to tell me everything I have to do.
—Okay.
—So I can learn it all by heart . . .
—Sure . . . Was that what you wanted to tell me awhile ago?
—Yes . . .
— . . .
—But one thing, and this is very, very important . . . Valentin, are you sure they won’t interrogate me before I leave?
—I’m sure.
—Then I’ll do whatever you tell me.
—You don’t know how happy that makes me.
CHAPTER 15
* * *
Report on Luis Alberto Molino, prisoner 3.018, paroled on the 9th, placed under surveillance by CISL in conjunction with wiretap unit of TISL
9. Wednesday. Subject released 8:30 A.M. and arrived home approximately 9:05 A.M., alone by taxi. Spent entire day at home, Calle Juramento 5020, appeared at the window a number of times, peering out in various directions, but concentrating several minutes in a northwesterly one. Apartment situated on third floor with no tall buildings opposite. Telephoned 10:16 A.M., asking for Lalo, and when latter responded conversed several minutes together, in feminine gender, using various different names interchangeably throughout the conversation, for example: Teresa, China, Perla, Caracola, Pepita, Carla, Tina, etc. With the above Lalo insisting vehemently that subject relate any “conquests” while imprisoned. Subject answered to the effect that what was said about sexual behavior in prisons was hardly the truth and that there had in fact been no “diversions.” Exchanged promises to get together over the weekend to see a movie. Each time one addressed the other with a new name, it was followed by laughter.
6:22 P.M., subject telephoned a woman he called Aunt Lola. Talked to her at length, evidently a sister of the mother’s, with the conversation focused especially on health problems of subject’s mother and aunt’s impossibility of looking after her because of her own illnesses at the time.
10. Thursday. Subject left home, 9:35 A.M., stopped at a drycleaners located on corner of Pampa and Triunvirato, which is to say, two blocks from home. Delivered a large bundle of clothing. Next proceeded to a grocer’s, half a block away, located around the corner on Gamarra. On the way back stopped to buy cigarettes at newsstand, over on Calle Avalos just below Pampa. From there, subject returned directly home.
11:04 A.M., subject received phone call from relatives, Uncle Arturo and Aunt Maria Esther, welcoming him back. Immediately afterwards, a party with a much younger voice also called, her name Estela, presumably a cousin because she passed receiver to her mother whom subject addressed sometimes as Chicha and sometimes Aunt Chicha. Subject was congratulated on his release, because of good conduct, before serving out full sentence. Callers invited him to lunch the following Sunday, certain unintelligible phrases were then exchanged which apparently were meant to suggest idiosyncratic speech habits of subject as a child, when requesting food. Subject, for instance, when questioned in said fashion about his preference for food on Sunday, requested “camel only” (?). All of which would seem to be nothing more than babytalk, but nevertheless we call attention to same. At 5 P.M., in spite of cold weather, subject opened the window, and remained there a considerable period of time and—as on previous day—looking northwest. At 6:46 P.M. a call from the same Lalo of day before, inviting subject to come for a ride in the car with his girlfriend, subject accepting with one proviso: to get back no later than 9 P.M., in order to have supper with mother and aunt. The latter, name: Cuca, also inhabiting the same apartment, generally leaves premises mornings to stop in at a local bakery and deli, and evenings sometimes, for shopping at the local supermarket situated six blocks away on the corner of Avenida Triunvirato and Roosevelt. Subject came out a few minutes after call, and waited in the doorway until two males arrived in a Fiat, not a man in the company of a woman as announced. One of the two, around forty, quickly got out of the car and flung arms around subject, kissing the latter on both cheeks and seeming to be visibly moved, whereas second male did not leave the car, instead, remained at the wheel with the motor left running, and gave the impression of being unfamiliar with subject, given the way in which he extended his hand to same. Second male about fifty. Drove them together straight to Avenida Cabildo, along Pampa, up Cabildo as far as Pacifico and next along Santa Fe, then Retiro, Leandro Alem, Plaza de Mayo,
Avenida de Mayo, Congreso, Callao, Corrientes, Reconquista, and various streets in the San Telmo district, stopping the car for brief moments in front of several new cabaret-nightclubs which lately seem to be proliferating in the area. Also in front of various antique shops. With subject continually turning around to look out rear window, obviously suspicious, evidently aware of being followed. From San Telmo district car proceeded without additional stops directly back to subject’s own home.
With respect to suggestion of yesterday from unit deployed by TISL concerning the possibilities of a hidden code based upon the various feminine names employed by the subject in addressing the above-mentioned Lalo, it should be stressed that the tone of the conversations was continually bantering and the conversations themselves extremely disordered. Nonetheless, the matter will be watched further.
11. Friday. 11:45 A.M., a call from someone with a raspy voice, whom subject addressed as “godfather,” and from the tension in the voice the phone call might have been construed to be suspicious, the voice sounding slightly fake, but topic of conversation turned out to be subject’s future conduct. The “godfather,” who in reality appeared to be that, recommended good behavior on the street and above all at work and reminded subject of the fact that his recent incarceration stemmed from carrying on sexually with a minor in the very shop where he worked as windowdresser. Conversation ended on a very cool note, with both parties apparently offended. Godfather saying: “You never spoke to me in that tone before, is that what you learned in prison?” Minutes later a call from the above-mentioned Lalo, during which the two again proceeded to address one another by a number of feminine names, this time actresses, or so it seemed: Marilyn, Gina, Greta, Marlene, Merle, Heady (?). It should be reiterated that it did not seem to pertain to any code, but rather a running joke between the two. The tone of the conversation was animated, with the friend advising subject that a few acquaintances were about to open a boutique with a fair amount of windowspace but couldn’t come to any agreement with another windowdresser because of budget difficulties. Lalo then supplied subject with address and phone number, suggesting he call them on the following Monday, Berutti 1805 and 42–5874 respectively. At 3 P.M., subject went out and walked as far as Cabildo, a little over twenty blocks, and went inside the Cine General Belgrano, not many people in the audience, subject sat alone, spoke to no one, before leaving stopped in men’s room, but to avoid suspicion was not followed at that point, given the close quarters. Left immediately afterwards. Walked home, along a street running parallel to the previous above, stopping on several corners, gazing at houses and shops. Entered own premises a little before 7 P.M. Later on, subject telephoned party which answered “Restaurant” something or other, impossible to pick up because of the background noises and voices, apparently originating at the counter of a bar or place to eat. Subject asked to speak to Gabriel. The latter picked up the receiver immediately, sounded quite shocked and surprised, but went on to talk in very friendly tone. His voice quite manly, and his accent attributable to lower-class neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. Finally agreed to call each other the hour that the said Gabriel, whom we suspect to be a waiter there, usually arrived at work, if it turned out subject couldn’t get to the restaurant around the same time. We call attention to certain ambiguities in passages of conversation, making it definitely mandatory to establish identity of Gabriel. Immediately afterwards subject appeared in window without bothering to open same, obviously due to the cold temperature outside, did however open curtain, remained there for several minutes staring attentively out, but as per usual not at the streets below but somewhere higher up. As on previous occasions, so this time staring in a northwesterly direction, which is to say toward intersection of Calle Juramento and Bauness, or—to give more precise location—the existing site of the present penitentiary.
12. Saturday. Subject left with mother and aunt, caught a cab, arrived at Gran Savoy Cinema on Avenida Cabildo, 3:25 P.M. Sat together and spoke to no one. Left 5:40 P.M., but this time caught a bus at the corner of Monroe and Cabildo. Got off together, one block from home, walking with occasional outbursts of laughter. Stopped in at bakery to buy eclairs. At 7 P.M., subject telephoned the restaurant, and this time it could clearly be heard “Restaurant Mallorquin,” where presumed Gabriel picked up to talk and subject explained that he was unable to come to the restaurant because he needed to stay with his mother. Gabriel suggested the following Monday, when he would be on dayshift, because tomorrow, being Sunday, restaurant would be closed, as per usual. Also seemed somewhat put off by the change in plans. As was already stated in a previous report, attempts are being made, through units of the CISL operating in that district, to establish identity of Gabriel. Tomorrow a report on the above is to be delivered to our office, as per arrangement.
13. Sunday. In possession now of said report. Manager of the Mallorquin, a Spanish restaurant in business for almost fifty years, located at Calle Salta 56, affirms that Gabriel Armando Solé has in fact been in his employ for over five years, as a waiter, and that he hasn’t the slightest doubts as to the honesty of the said person. That Solé seems not to exhibit any extremist political tendencies and does not attend union meetings nor is he known to have friends who are active in politics at all.
Only one phone call at subject’s home, time: 10:43 A.M. Same individual who called once before, Aunt Chicha, once again persisting with more babytalk, but this time we could make out that they were expected to come to her house at 1 P.M., and shouldn’t arrive late because she was cooking something for them which was first referred to by some peculiar phrases, but which subsequently we were able to interpret as “cannelloni.” At 12:30 P.M., subject left house, with mother and aunt, hailing a taxi on corner of Avenida Triunvirato and Pampa. All three were driven to number 1998, on Calle Dean Funes, a one-story dwelling, in the Patricios district, where they were greeted by a very stout, gray-haired woman, who showed obvious signs of affection for all three as they mounted the front steps. Left there approximately 6:25 P.M., driven home by a young girl of uncertain age who took them in a Fiat 600. It should be noted prior to this that the taxi driver had looked back several times during the rather long drive, trying to determine if he was being followed, and subject also exhibited the same behavior, but not the two ladies. On the way back, however, the driver of the Fiat seemed not to notice anything.
14. Monday. At 10:05 A.M., subject called number, belonging to said boutique, wiretapped since Friday the 11th, and duly corresponding to above-named location on Calle Berutti, not searched to avoid suspicion in expectation of events. Answering party stated that they did in fact have need of the subject’s services and asked him to stop by on the following Monday, the 21st, in order to discuss possible salary, at the same time complaining that the contractor had far exceeded his original estimate for renovations which would be completed within the week but that as a result they wouldn’t be able to offer a windowdresser as high a salary as they had intended. Following this, subject telephoned waiter Sole at same restaurant. Told him there was no chance for him to get into town today because he had to stay with his mother. Solé sounded uninterested, no new date was arranged, subject promised to call later in the week. Sole has already been dismissed as a possible suspect but we still recommend continuing the wiretap of Mallorquin telephone. 3 P.M., subject appeared in window again and stood there for a long time with his attention directed as per usual in the northwest direction. 4:18 P.M., left house and went to newsstand, bought two magazines, and because of the large typeface we were able to establish one of them as the fashion monthly Claudia. No political magazines are vended at this location.
20. Sunday. Phone call from Lalo at 11:48 A.M., who suggested another ride in the car with Mecha Ortiz, as on the previous Sunday. We suppose the latter to be the nickname of the driver of the Fiat on last auto ride together. Additional names exchanged, but which we do not believe to constitute any sort of code. Names were Delia, Mirta, Silvia, Nini, Liber, Paulina, etc., alm
ost certainly referring to actresses, like said Mecha, from older Argentine movies. Subject, however, turned down invitation due to previous plans which involved mother. 3:15 P.M., went out with mother, catching a bus on corner of Pampa and Avenida Triunvirato, getting off at Avenida de Mayo and Lima, walking a distance of two more blocks to the Avenida Theater, where two seats were purchased to the Spanish operetta, then crossing the street to peer into shop windows while waiting for showtime, i.e., 6:15P.M. During one intermission, subject went to men’s room but spoke to no one. After sitting together in the orchestra, where for the whole show they spoke to no one, the two left together at 8:40P.M. At the tearoom on Avenida de Mayo corner of Santiago del Estero had not chocolate with churros, spoke to no one. Took same bus back, from corner of Avenida de Mayo and Bernardo de Irigoyen.
21. Monday. Subject went out at 8:37 A.M., took bus to Avenida Cabildo, from there another to Sante Fe and Callao, walking the last five blocks to intended destination: Calle Berutti 1805. Spoke with two males, examined space to be given over to window decoration, had coffee together. Left, alone, and repeated identical bus rides in opposite direction, returning home. At 11:30A.M. called his friend Lalo at Banco de Galicia, where the latter works 11 A.M. to 7P.M., talked together but seriously this time, obviously due to the fact that the friend was there at work. Subject simply related that he had arranged to begin work on the following day, in spite of not having settled the question of salary. The only other phone call that day came from Aunt Lola, who talked at length with subject’s mother, both rejoicing over the prospect of employment.
22. Tuesday. Subject left home at 8:05A.M., and arrived at boutique almost at 9A.M., running the last two blocks. At 12:30P.M. went out to lunch, coffee shop on Calle Juncal between Ayacucho and Rio Bamba. Made a call there, from a public phone. It should be pointed out that subject dialed the number three times and hung up immediately, then spoke for a period of some three minutes. All that very peculiar considering fact that a phone also exists at his place of employment, whereas subject had to stand on line and wait to use phone at the coffee shop. Phones at the subject’s home, the Restaurant Mallorquin and the Banco de Galicia were immediately checked, verifying the fact that it was not with any of the above locales that subject had made contact. Subject left work at 7 P.M. and arrived home a few minutes after 8 P.M.
