The Inducer

by Ruthy Garcia

  -Who is sicker, you or me? Who joined a man who supposedly kills his son to do all this? It wasn't necessary. You should have just reported me.

  -Then it wouldn't have been worth it. It's not about revenge anymore, it's about justice. And I'm sorry to tell you... you'll be spending a lot of time in jail.

  -Is that so hard to understand? Cocaine is a way of life. This country is free. I'm a consumer, nobody can get into my life, he said with a red face, while his lawyer takes his things and with a face of disappointment he leaves.

  -Stop it. We'll close this section. Officer, take Frank and lock him up. We'll pick this up later.

  Mac's birth mother approached Yeri. He saw Frank walk away, who he's handcuffed. He looked at the signs and all his neighbours. Now I understood, they were supporting Yeri. It mobilized all the parents and friends of the community with letters. He managed to do what they should have done a long time ago.

  -Thank you, thank you for doing what I should have done. Nobody believed me. When I told my family what kind of monster Frank was, they judged me. Then we split up. I was diagnosed with that disease. Many people called me crazy, but I wasn't crazy, and today everyone knows it, excuse me.

  When the woman leaves, Yeri answers her:

  -If Mac ever goes with you, could I see him?

  -Yes, of course. You saved his life, you're a real mother, I'd say, more than me. She's leaving slowly.

  The guru stood still. His smile was annoying.

  -Why did you do it? Where's Munga?

  -Who is this? asks the judge.

  -He's an old friend.

  -Why is he handcuffed, Officer Fatima?

  -It's dangerous. I'll tell you all about it later, now I have to take him to a cell.

  -Dangerous? Don't say, you're funny.

  -I asked where Munga is. She must have brought Mac.

  -Blah, blah, blah. She must have brought Mac to court? She must have brought Ismat to the United States? She must have destroyed your life? She, my dear Yeri, is the real inducer. -He spoke in Yesi's native language, the judge and the officer did not understand.

  -What does it say? Shut up, guru. Enough. Tell me, where is she?

  -Think about it. She is truly responsible for the destruction of your family. She dragged Yaro here, then Ismat, and then you. If she didn't do any of that, you'd be in Kenya, happy. Maybe I wouldn't have even met you and this excessive revenge wouldn't have been necessary.

  -It's no longer about revenge, guru; it's now about justice.

  -Justice doesn't exist, Yeri, don't be silly. I'm sorry I chose such a weak apprentice. First you fall in love with Frank, then you get attached to the little guy. This is a big mistake, you shouldn't have.

  -What is this all about? The judge still doesn't understand.

  -Your Honour, I am an exemplary citizen. This woman is a crazy woman, you must let me go. -He speaks in English.

  -That's not true. This man is a madman, he's completely mad. I'm sure he's hurt Munga, his damn trade.

  -Ah, so, now you understand? It's a good exchange. You shouldn't worry about Munga, he's nothing but food for the beasts. It's a matter of time. It must be very cold by now. Speak in Yeri's language again.

  -Cursed! -Try to get on top of him.

  -Stop it! What's going on here? This is a courthouse, not a chicken coop.

  -You see, Judge, this stupid immigrant is a nightmare. Don't you see what he's trying to do to me?

  -I forbid you to call him an immigrant. It's not a crime. As you can see in this room there are several people, sixty-five percent are immigrants, including myself. That doesn't give anyone the right to judge. I am a citizen of this country, but I am a human being of the world. No one has the right to discriminate against anyone on the basis of origin or nationality. I hope that's clear enough for you.

  -Your Honour, this man is a threat. We're worried about Munga, Yeri's mother-in-law. This man took the child from her. We don't know when or how, but he did it.

  -Are you sure about this? -Look at Yeri.

  -Yes, very sure, so sure, that I dare to be sure I know where he is.

  -If so, I authorize Officer Fatima to go. Tell him the coordinates of the place. She's going with five of my best men.

  -That's the problem, your honour. When I went to that place I was blindfolded, but I can make it. Let me go with them. I know I'm facing kidnapping charges. I know my felony is phishing. I'm not trying to escape. Trust me, I'm the only person after this crazy psychiatrist who knows the place. Please. Please. -He looks her in the eye.

  The magistrate looks at Yeri, then at Fatima. Then he nods his head and gives orders to a policeman to take the guru to a cell.

  -We'll talk about it after all this. -He's retiring.

  The guru walks in annoyance. He's starting to say a lot of obscenities to Yeri in her native language. They're taking him away. Then he says at the end, very pleased:

  -It must be ready, very cold... very cold. You'll never, ever get there. Never, ever will, ha ha ha ha!

  -You're crazy, guru. His madness is over.

  He stops, turns around and tries to return, but the officer in custody won't allow it. Standing there, he speaks.

  -Did I forget something, Yeri Mariga or Yesi Polman? You know so many good films.... You are exceptional and I wondered if you happened to see the film The Seven Deadly Sins. Did you see her?

  She swallows dry and responds.

  -Of course I saw her, of course.

  -Then you can't forget that scene. Kevin Spacey in orange, sunk. That moment when Brad knows that this man has dismembered his loved one. That, Yeri, is an impact finale, don't you think?

  -Fucking asshole!

  -He who laughs last laughs best laughs, remember?

  -I hate you, guru. Fuck you. Fuck you. You' re a sick, crazy man.

  The guru kept walking, this time whistling hiss very hard. Yeri, angry, tried to follow him, but Officer Fatima stopped her.

  Yeri was mad to think that her mother-in-law was inside the big refrigerator in the guru's den, waiting for her to freeze, and then become food for that Bengal tiger.

  Fatima takes the handcuffs off Yeri, after seeing that they are alone and have taken the guru away.

  -What are you doing?

  -If we go together I need help. I'm not going with these silly officers, we're going alone. Come on, let's go.

  -So let's go. Time is money. I assume the guru took over Munga when she came to get Mac. From the distance of the place, I don't think he had time to get back and forth. It's almost three hours' walk, it's obvious that...

  -The guru does not work alone, he has a henchman.

  They look at each other and quickly leave in search of Munga.

  -Give me a hint. Which way are we going? -Fatima walks out the back with Yeri. They board a patrol car. The afternoon is falling.

  -I can only tell you that two hours after leaving New York there is a kind of chocolate factory. I remember that piercing smell. Then it'll be easy to find the place.

  -Is that all? That doesn't lead to anything. We're looking for a tear in a cup of water, it's impossible. How am I supposed to know that?

  Well, I don't know, you're a cop, you're supposed to know things. Do some research. -The vehicle starts to run.

  -Well, this is Officer Fatima. Please tell me the exact coordinates of the chocolate factories around the exit of the city, any cardinal point. I'm waiting for an answer. Change.

  After a while…

  -We got it, this is the place. We send you coordinates via the web. Change. -The officer takes the coordinates and heads to the scene.

  Already on the road, they talk:

  -I'm so sorry about all this!

  -Don't be sorry. You have done something extraordinary, you have saved that child from a nightmare by being next to a being as sick as his father.

  -Do you think so? You don't think Mac hates me?

  -It is up to you to continue to sow love. Although it is almost certai
n that you will spend some time in jail on charges of phishing and kidnapping. They haven't made the ruling yet, but it's almost certain to be so.

  -I don't care. I'll go to jail with satisfaction, as long as Munga's all right. I wouldn't forgive myself, it's the only thing I have as a souvenir of the beings I've loved the most.

  -You know? I didn't understand what the guru was saying, but it was a horrible thing, I could see it in their faces.

  -That's right. You can't imagine what it's like to hear so many things. He's a madman.

  -And Frank, do I love him?

  Yes, I loved him, you said it, -she replied after a brief silence.

  After two hours of driving, the smell of chocolate floods both women's noses.

  -It's this way, can you feel it?

  -I can feel it, but it's not this way. This is just a hint. Just keep driving. It's getting dark. I think we're a short distance away.

  -The road was straight, lonely. There were almost no vehicles. It was a half-built road. After about forty minutes of trajectory, the road ends with signs for "No pass", equipment that made it clear was abandoned by a road construction that was possibly halfway. Yesi gets out of the vehicle. Officer Fatima leaves the lights on. It's dark, they find themselves alone on an abandoned road.

  -It must be close.

  -Try to remember. We're too far away without backup. -She's a little upset.

  -I was blindfolded when I came here, remember that. Besides, it was your idea to come alone, I'm sorry.

  -Well, let's go, I don't like this place. -She touches her gun, looks awesome in that uniform.

  -There, look -says Yeri, about 30 feet away. A small light flashes, but then disappears.

  -Come on. -They turn off the lights of the vehicle first.

  They walk in the dark, a little spotlight is what they have. Cautiously they take slow steps. The light comes back on, then it becomes clearer.

  -That's it, that's where it must be. Come on, let's go.

  It could be seen amidst a cornfield, a slit half-open in an opening in the ground. Big surprise: it's an iron gate. They open it cautiously. It's so bright in here. They see the steps of the rustic floor. You must come down.

  -Be careful. I'll go ahead, you make sure the rear guard. I have a feeling we're not alone.

  The music is loud. It's a beautiful tune, Yesi recognizes it. It's about that song that the diva sings in the movie The fifth element. https,

  They go down slowly. They're coming into the anteroom. The door is ajar.

  -Be careful, Yeri. Come on - the officer whispers.

  They come in. They see there's a woman at the piano. Touch the keys slowly. You can only see his back. The tiger looks awesome in that cage. He roars and walks from side to side. Yeri looks up and realizes that the glass dome is now covered by some kind of plastic. You can't see the sky anymore, the place is half lit.

  -Who are you? The officer walks around pointing the gun. Yesi goes ahead.

  -Let me see....

  -Be careful.

  Yeri's coming over. This time he sees it better: it's Pons. His tears fall on the piano keys.

  -Pons? Is that you? What's going on? Why...? What's the matter with you?

  -Why? Why did he leave? Because I couldn't do that dance for him face to face?

  Yeri sits next to her and touches her tear-drenched hands.

  -What are you doing here, Pons?

  Quiet, you might wake her up. -The girl's eyes look lost. She seemed crazy.

  -The guru wrapped you up, didn't he? You got wrapped up in it, you didn't go on tour, you stayed. Why?

  - Someone has to stop her, she's the inducer. She's nothing but a madwoman. She must pay. Take a knife from above the piano. The officer didn't realize I was there, least of all Yeri.

  -Get away, Yeri. Quickly!

  This one obeys. The girl gets up and walks around with a knife in her hand. She' s heading for the fridge.

  -Drop the knife, girl, I don't want to hurt you.

  -Yes, Pons, the guru is a madman. He only wrapped you up to fulfil his lowly desire for revenge. He's a madman.

  No, he's not a madman, he's not," he shouted loudly.

  That's when the refrigerator starts to move. It's clear Munga's in there.

  Pons hurry up with the knife.

  -If I were you, I wouldn't do it. I'm going to shoot. -The official is direct.

  -Munga, hang on! I'm Yeri. Hang on! Hang on! -Yesi said crying as the refrigerator moved insistently. It looked like it would fall to the ground.

  -Don't resist, Munga, it'll be quick, very quick. -The girl ran like crazy to the refrigerator and with a scream started stabbing him. It was inevitable, Officer Fatima had to shoot. Pons falls to the ground. The sharp knife is buried in the refrigerator, which stops moving.

  -Oh, my God! Yeri runs to the refrigerator.

  Meanwhile, the officer confirms that he shot Pons' shoulder. The girl remains unconscious, but she's alive.

  Yeri manages to open the fridge. Munga is there, with his body cold, frozen.

  -Munga, wake up. Munga, ohh! I'm the one to blame. Sorry.... Noooooo. -Cries.

  -Shut up, silly. -Munga opens her eyes, gets up and leaves with Yeri's help.

  -Are you all right, you dirty old woman? -She hugs her. She's freezing cold.

  -I'll be fine when you get me out of here and bathe me in hot water. Jesus, I want to get away from that animal. -The three of them look at the tiger.

  Blessed are those who are hungry

  and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be quenched.

  Jesus Of Nazareth

  CHAPTER XI

  JUDGEMENTS

  Months Later…

  The afternoon is falling. Yeri delights in the sunset when the sun sets its red tone on the sea waters, in that catamaran next to Munga. They're on their way to take a break on a beautiful island.

  Yeri was released. The community helped, so did Pons' testimony. This one would serve a lesser sentence for attempted murder. Pons admitted that she was seduced by the guru to perform the revenge, but that she did it with all the responsibility that she was an adult and that no one could influence her if she didn't want to do it.

  Frank will face charges of possession, sale and assisted drug use, as well as more than forty lawsuits from parents of young people who filed not only the document signing that Yeri had filed, but also individual lawsuits. Frank would have a hard time.

  Mac went to live with his birth mother, after thorough examinations by psychiatrists, psychologists and specialists. The woman was determined to be a victim of Frank's. She didn't have any disorders, she was disturbed by Frank's abuse for many years. The woman confessed to Yeri about the abuse Frank is subjecting her to. They cried together, became friends and promised to take care of Mac, who had been successfully operated only a month earlier. When the boy saw his mothers' faces he smiled. It was strange, I swore I'd see their faces as they were when I had no vision.

  On the other hand, the guru had been identified as a wanted hacker, a swindler. There were a considerable number of complainants who pointed out and blamed him for similar episodes. A pity the guru had swindled Munga in a vile manner. With the money he took from her, he financed the gifts for Yeri.

  The cunning man had pretended to be a decadent French painter. In his escapades, when he used to disappear, he created a veil of mystery, romance and sorrow in Munga. She had fallen madly in love with the alleged painter who had lost his family in a tragic accident and was supposedly unemployed. Yeri laughed inside as she listened to Munga narrate the scenes of passion with the man. She knew the guru was a liar when he told her his penis had been amputated. He was lying the whole time.

  What was true was that many years ago he had already murdered his father: he suffocated him with a pillow.

  The tiger was taken from that place and sent to the zoo. On Saturdays Mac and Yeri used to visit the animal.

  -Do you know? I needed this time alone with you. I was a ba
d person, a selfish person. I should never have taken you away from Yaro, I'm sorry.

  -No, Munga, you didn't do wrong. You only wanted what was best for us. I was the one who should have followed in your footsteps and come to this country. Maybe it would have been different. Forgive me for judging you.

  They cry a little. The catamaran is slow and the waters are calm. His fate is already near.

  -On the other hand, I want to give you something, something that might free us a little. Yesterday, while I was getting some things out of my house, I found this letter in Yaro's room. You know that when Ismat passed away, Yaro moved in with me. Then what we know happened. Here's what I found. She passes her the letter.

  Yeri reads.

  Family:

  Sorry, I confess I'm responsible for what happened to my son. It was so many times that he surprised me while I was using drugs, so many times that he persuaded me not to, and I, an infamous, crazy person, did not listen to him. I remember when he started stealing cocaine. When I found out, I stopped using. I wanted to rehabilitate myself, but it was too late. Ismat was lost, he was an addict. He started hanging out with his basketball friends and took a breath. I left my son in the hands of my great friend Frank. He wouldn't let anything happen to my Ismat. And you see, everything got out of control. I'm nothing but an irresponsible man who doesn't value his beautiful wife, leaving her. I also didn't value the mother and child I had. I don't deserve to go on living. Don't judge me.

  And even though I wrote this letter, I'm not sure I want you to actually read it. I'm ashamed of myself.

  Yaro.

  -The letter was well hidden in an envelope, inside the room where Yaro had hung himself.

  -It's terrible, Munga. I mean, Yaro was the real inducer... It can't be. I…

  -Yes, that's right. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is. We must learn to live with this pain. There's nothing to do, just live, dribble. To live. -Tears.

  —Frank…