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- La casa de las chivas
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La casa de las chivas (1968), Jaime Salom Vidal
The House of the Chivas, translated by Gwynneth Dowling
ACT ONE
- Context:
- Young Trini tries to seduce Juan. When he rejects her, she cries attempted rape. The girls’ father is outraged at the accusation, but his anger is not taken seriously by the other soldiers, who are amused at the alleged crime. Petra appears to have been engaged in sexual activities with Mariano.
- Sample text
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- JUAN:
That’s not true, Trini. In fact, completely the opposite. But I don’t want you, I can’t want you.
- TRINI:
Who do you think you are? You think you can pat me on the back like a little dog and it’ll all be okay? (She starts to scream.) Father! Petra! Help me! Leave me, you brute! Help!
- JUAN:
What are you doing? Why are you shouting?
- TRINI:
I’ll make sure you remember tonight and that you remember Trini. You’ll see. Father! Father!
- JUAN:
You’re mad.
- TRINI:
They’ll kill you. They’ll gut you like a pig and I’ll eat the pieces.
- JUAN:
Come on, woman.
- TRINI:
Father! Father!
(The FATHER appears. Then NENE, the baby of the group, and then SOPLA.)
- FATHER:
What is it, Trini? What’s happening? What are you doing up at this time of night, half-dressed?
- SOPLA:
Hey, Nene, take this as a lesson. That’s what a woman looks like in her underwear. (He laughs.)
- NENE:
Leave me alone.
- TRINI: (Clutching her father madly.)
Father! Father!
- FATHER:
What on earth’s got into you, my girl?
- VILLALBA: (Arriving.)
What’s going on? I’m trying to get some sleep!
- TRINI: (Sobbing and pointing at JUAN.)
He came at me like the devil. Then he carried me to his room, to his bed. Thank God you all got here in time.
- SOPLA:
Open your eyes, little Nene. That’s the way you do it.
(He laughs. Nene leaves.)
- FATHER:
You’d seduce a minor, an innocent girl!? I’ll report you. You’ll be arrested.
- JUAN:
Calm down. Nothing’s happened.
- FATHER:
No thanks to you!
- JUAN:
Things didn’t happen like Trini says.
- FATHER:
Silence! My God, we live in terrible times. I wish I was dead and didn’t have to witness such scenes under my own roof.
- PETRA: (Arriving after a minute, followed by MARIANO.)
La Chiva lived here. This house has seen it all already. And nobody’s died as far as I know. Stop your wailing, father!
- FATHER:
If I weren’t a frail old man, I swear …
- JUAN:
Listen.
- FATHER:
Be quiet!
- JUAN:
Listen to me! I’ve been on duty for nearly 20 hours and I’m exhausted. This isn’t the time for such dramatics. We’ll talk about it all tomorrow. Goodnight. (He goes into his bedroom.)
- VILLALBA:
I’m off to bed too. I’m dead on my feet. (He leaves.)
- MARIANO:
What happened?
- SOPLA:
Nothing. He took the kid to his bedroom, but he didn’t get lucky. (They both laugh.)
- Copyright
-
The above sample taken from the translation The House of the Chivas by Gwynneth Dowling is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Entry written by Gwynneth Dowling. Last updated on 6 June 2011.
