The Dancer Upstairs Page #3

is to be God"?

Who is Ezequiel?

- It's possible--

- F***!

- Why do you say " possible"?

- Because l'm not sure.

But you said you were.

It's possible he was

a Kantian philosopher...

...of no small distinction.

I taught with him at San Cristobal

University in Ayacucho.

Why do you think he is Ezequiel?

- Because of the things he believed.

- Like?

He maintained he was

the fourth flame of Communism...

...after Mao, Lenin and Marx.

He was also fond of quoting

the prophet Ezekiel.

You're a man

who understands history, right?

If you want to start a revolution,

why not issue a manifesto?

Why not show people who you are

and what you are doing?

That's perfectly understandable.

Socrates wrote nothing down.

Neither did Jesus.

You see, the problem with text

is that it assumes its own reality.

It cannot answer, it cannot explain.

So if you want it to be effective,

you leave no trace, right?

That's right.

- Describe him.

- But this was 10 years ago.

Then concentrate.

Average height...

...glasses, dark hair, thin.

Dress?

Left Bank look. Supposedly,

he'd been in Paris for a time.

Always a cigarette in his mouth.

- Can you remember the brand?

- Very well.

He made this thing

of preferring unfiltered Camels.

Would you have a photo?

He would never allow himself

to be photographed.

I see.

So, what is this person's name?

Rivas.

Edgardo Rodriguez Rivas.

Fine. Thank you very much.

No. Honey, wait.

Marco saw the guy

who wrote it on TV.

He thinks women down here will love it.

I just hope Marina doesn't find out

where I got the idea from.

Would you read my speech?

I've written two pages.

It's enough, isn't it, for 10 minutes?

Oh, I'll happily trade.

Let me see.

And you will be here to help?

You're not going to wriggle out

of my literary evening.

Of course I'll be here.

Come.

This novel is about

a photographer cowboy...

...who is always bringing light

into women's lives. "

Yeah?

- Agustin.

- Hi, Marina.

I can't read my handwriting.

So is this the ballet school?

This is it, big boy.

Brought your tutu?

- Where's Sylvie?

- At the vet.

How's Mom's apartment?

Listen...

I'm sorry we are behind with the rent.

I don't mean that. I know you'll pay.

Anyway, don't worry about that.

Is it true what Sylvie said?

They'll put you in charge?

- Sylvina told you?

- Yeah.

We're not supposed

to talk about that publicly.

I'm not talking about it publicly.

Is there a revolution going on?

Come on,

you promised to tell me, Agustin.

Otherwise I will never know

what to wear.

- I will keep that in mind. Bye.

- All right. Bye.

Yes?

Have you a moment?

- I'm Laura's father.

- Oh.

Yolanda. But Laura's left.

- You didn't see her?

- Yes, she's in the car.

Don't you want to bring her in?

I'd rather not. It's about your letter.

Laura's told you, I guess.

Do you want some cake?

I made it this morning.

So this is it.

I'm sorry about the mess...

...but I wasn't expecting anyone.

- Here's the money.

- Yeah.

I'm sorry the check bounced.

I warn you, it may not be the last time.

My employers are two months

in arrears with our salaries.

Yeah, I've been warned.

It doesn't matter. You're not

the first ballet father to bounce a check.

If you need it back,

you know where it is.

- Sit down.

- No, thank you.

Your daughter is

a real spot of sunshine.

I'm completely soaked.

I'm not sure you can answer this,

but should we encourage Laura?

My wife is keen for her

to join the Metropolitan.

- Well, they do take very few.

- Then are we wasting our time?

I have the feeling she would rather

try the kind of things I do.

What is that?

So Minister Quesada

likes the theater?

No, he hates the theater.

But one of the actresses sent

him some tickets.

You said it would be a musical.

Is it a life you recommend?

It depends if you want your

daughter to turn out like me.

What does that mean,

turn out like you?

No idea. I'm usually moving too

much to think about that. Thankfully.

- Bring back Robert Wilson.

- No, don't.

- You funded this.

- Get on with it.

It must be very demanding.

Physically.

Yes, sometimes.

Why does Laura need

to be on a diet?

Oh, no, she shouldn't be on a diet.

She needs energy and

she's lovely as she is.

I think so. Yes, I think so.

Death to all traitors

Long live President Ezequiel

- Daddy?

- Sorry, sweetheart. I'll be right out.

- But...

- What is it, Laura?

I answered your phone and you're

to call the Fisherman immediately.

Would it be too much if

I left Laura until...

- ...her mother collects her?

- She doesn't need to collect her.

- lt isn't far and I'd like a walk.

- Thank you, that's very kind of you.

Remember, we don't tell people

what Daddy does for a living.

Of course not.

Will you be okay, Daddy?

Of course. Tell your

mother I'll call her later.

- Okay.

- Thanks again.

You're welcome.

Come.

We walk to the end of Calle Diderot,

and then we turn left at the corner.

- Okay?

- Okay.

- Yes, sir.

- Who were they?

Students, they said. From the

Catholic University.

No names, and they paid

in cash. Right?

I was grateful for the business.

Merino spoke to the

Americans and Canadians.

They volunteered

help with forensics.

Fine, thank you.

When did Minister Quesada arrive?

Someone's celebrating.

- You drive.

- Okay.

Stop. Wait!

Wait!

Wait. Who gave these to you?

Who gave these to you?

Where did you get these posters?

We were paid.

Who paid you?

The wind blew it into my hand.

Get into the car. They'll kill you.

I'm dead already.

A thousand eyes are on you

Is that him?

- Yes.

- How do you know?

I took the photograph.

Last night, after a meeting of

the Cabinet to discuss...

...the execution of lnterior Minister

Quesada, the president returned...

...to his private chambers. He

found this taped over his toilet.

Roughly translated it says:

Missed you at the opening, but

you'll soon be flushed away. "

The photograph is uncredited,

you'll be pleased to hear.

General Merino...

... 11 months ago, I called to ask

what this officer knew about Ezequiel.

Today, our city woke up to

pictures of his face everywhere.

May I ask again what

you know about this man?

Well, the leads are still very scarce.

I remind you that until last night,

little had happened in the capital...

...if anything, and we have almost

no resources for investigating.

All we know is, there's been

a series of incidents...

...which sometimes have a

connection with the name Ezequiel.

So you don't know that he's

called Edgardo Rivas...

...that he was a professor

of philosophy at Ayacucho...

...or that these incidents, which you

feel may be developing into a pattern...

...are in fact, 327 separate actions...

...up to and including the murder of

six policemen, three mayors...

... 11 city counselors and the

minister of the interior.

Gentlemen, it strikes me there's

actually a revolution going on.

May I ask why the chief has seen

fit to keep the palace in the dark?

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