Durval heard a meow, then another and another. He didn’t want to take his eyes off Heitor and his story about the illegal invasion he had made into the army’s laboratory, but he diverted his gaze. Melinda, Heitor’s wife, was heading towards the balcony carrying three bowls that should contain cat food. Around her, about eight felines as white as paper accompanied her with meows and purrs.
Melinda passed close to the armchair where Durval was sitting. He could smell her perfume with the fragrance of a freshly taken bath. Her long black hair, which fell to the middle of her back, was still somewhat wet. The short, floral dress revealed her tanned legs.
Durval cleared his throat and looked at Heitor, who was lighting a cigar.
— Want one? — He asked.
— I don’t smoke. Thank you.
Heitor took short, quick puffs to get the cigar lit. He looked at the glowing tip and then slowly inhaled a considerable amount of smoke, releasing it afterward while closing his eyes to savor the moment. A slight smile formed on his lips.
Without opening his eyes, he said:
— Do you have any hobbies, Durval?
— I play the flute.
— Really? What kind of flute? — Recorder. Alto.
— Isn’t the recorder that tiny one for kids?
— No. It’s different.
— Well, where were we again?
— You were saying you got trapped in the laboratory with some kind of caged beast.
— Yes! I was up top. Lying on the metal structure above the surgery tables. When the soldiers and your friend Botelho left the laboratory taking Second Lieutenant De Matos, who had been beaten by those cowards, I found myself alone locked in the laboratory.
“I didn’t know what time it was, but it must have been late at night. Since I was underground, the only windows faced a viewing platform at the top of the laboratory. Luckily, a faint light was coming from there; otherwise, it would have been complete darkness. Even so, it was hard to see.
“I waited a few minutes and then began to descend from the metal structure. I took great care to make as little noise as possible. I used the surgery table for support and managed to get down. I went to the door and checked that it was indeed locked. The lock was one of those with a secret, and it would be difficult, if not impossible, to open without breaking in. On the other hand, back then there were no security cameras. If it were today, a platoon of soldiers would have been there in less than 2 minutes as soon as I came down from my hiding place. In any case, that made little difference to my fate.
“Then I remembered the beast that was trapped at the back of the laboratory. I couldn’t see the cage from where I was, first due to the darkness, and second because it was behind the metal structure where I had hidden.
“I sharpened my hearing, but the silence was total. I began to walk towards the cage.”
Episode XXXVIII continues in the next edition.
JOSÉ GASPAR
Cinematographer and writer
www.historiasdooutromundo.com