Out of the Wings

En la red (1959), Alfonso Sastre Salvador

In the Net : ACT ONE excerpt 1 , ACT ONE excerpt 2 , ACT THREE

In the Net, translated by Gwynneth Dowling

ACT ONE excerpt 1

Context:

Hiding in an abandoned apartment, relative strangers Celia and Pablo are opening up to one another. It is dangerous to know too much about other members of The Organisation, but they nevertheless start talking about their differing roles in the struggle for independence.

Sample text

CELIA:: I wanted … well, in fact I wanted to know how long you’d been in hiding.
PABLO: (He looks at her with feigned suspicion.): I don’t think I have to answer that.
CELIA: (Now she smiles.): Don’t be scared.
PABLO:: I could seriously compromise myself.
CELIA:: I’ll forget what you say at once. (A brief silence.)
PABLO:: Just a week.
CELIA: (Surprised.): Is that all? How come?
PABLO:: It’s just the way it is.
CELIA:: What happened? Did someone tell you about our cause? Were you just drawn to it? All of a sudden? Tell me, but don’t mention any names. Please.
PABLO:: I’m sorry, you’ve not quite understood.
CELIA:: What do you mean?
PABLO:: I’ve only been in hiding for a week, that’s true. But there are other ways of supporting the cause. Have you forgotten about them? I’ve been fighting for many years.
CELIA:: I’m sorry. I know what you’re talking about now.
PABLO:: I’ve been fighting for years – out there, in the desert. I’m a soldier. And our army isn’t hidden away. We’ve got bases, headquarters. We fight under the sun.
CELIA:: I know.
PABLO:: We also die under the sun. (CELIA watches him, confused by the way his tone of voice has changed, all of a sudden very moving.) Do you know what the enemy does when they take our soldiers prisoner?
CELIA:: I’ve heard something.
PABLO:: They stone them to death. They display their mutilated bodies in Arab villages, to teach them a lesson. (Under his breath.) Dogs.
CELIA: (Now she is the one smiling slightly.): You’re talking about our countrymen, don’t forget. Those ‘dogs’ might once have been our school friends.
PABLO:: It’s a long time since I’ve thought of them like that. My home is here. These dark people. These humiliated men. It’s been a while since I spat on the flag of my country.
CELIA:: I’ve never done that, disrespected the flag. I think that … over there … there are those who reject what’s done in their name.
PABLO:: I was talking about the flag. These people don’t have one.
CELIA:: Perhaps some day … and then a period of reconciliation. What do you think?
PABLO: (Shrugs his shoulders.): I’m ready for it. (Silence. She looks at him steadily.)
CELIA:: You … you were in the army?
PABLO:: Part of a garrison. One day I killed a corporal who was torturing one of the locals. I deserted and was welcomed by the desert people. Since then, I’ve been on their side.
CELIA: (Moved.): What you’ve told me is truly admirable. Thank you.
PABLO:: You promised to forget it.
CELIA: (Tears in her eyes.): Not possible.
PABLO:: Don’t take it too much to heart. It’s nothing, honestly.
CELIA:: Sometimes we forget … out here.
PABLO:: About us?
CELIA:: Yes. We think that it’s us and only us fighting the war. Here in the city. Printing propaganda, arranging strikes. We forget about you. Frequently.
PABLO:: It happens over there, too. Or else we just figure you’re all having a great time – you suddenly think to yourself: ‘Over there they can go to a bar, have a bath, go to the cinema, read a good book’. That’s when the resentment sets in.
CELIA:: We think we’re so important. It’s like the police basements are the most dangerous place on earth. Smuggling weapons from one place to another, delivering a message, crossing the border on a false passport. Those are big deals for us. The height of danger. We live with this vain sense of self-importance. It’s ridiculous.

Copyright

The above sample taken from the translation In the Net by Gwynneth Dowling is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

ACT ONE excerpt 2

Context:

Celia has left the room and Pablo and Tayeb are alone together. Tayeb is an old Arab gentleman, scarred by his war experience and wary of Pablo whom he does not know very well. Pablo starts bombarding Tayeb with questions.

Sample text

(PABLO goes to the door. He listens, as if scared that CELIA might return. Reassured, he turns back to TAYEB.)

TAYEB:

(Agitated.) Is something wrong?

PABLO:

Nothing. (Now, without missing a beat, he asks quickly and probingly.) How long have you been with The Organisation?

TAYEB:

I’m not supposed to say.

PABLO:

I’m a friend. What did Celia say?

TAYEB:

That you’re a friend, yes.

PABLO:

Well, tell me then. We’re just making conversation.

TAYEB:

Five years. Maybe a little more.

PABLO:

Which cell are you with?

TAYEB:

The 23rd.

PABLO:

How many are you?

TAYEB:

I think there’s about ... 15.

PABLO:

Arabs?

TAYEB: (Nods.)

Except one. (He smiles.) It’s not me, I’m one to some extent.

PABLO: (Returns the smile.)

And do you know them all?

TAYEB:

Not personally.

PABLO:

How many do you know personally?

TAYEB:

About five or six.

PABLO:

Really try to remember. How many?

TAYEB:

OK, more than that, of course. But not everyone.

PABLO:

And what about the head? I mean … the person who runs The Organisation?

TAYEB:

No, I’ve never seen him.

PABLO:

Who are you talking about? You mean the leader of your cell?

TAYEB:

No, I know who that is. I was talking about the head of the … well, let’s call it the Fifth Column. High Command.

PABLO:

Alright. (He stares at him.) You don’t know his name, or anything about him.

TAYEB:

I don’t know him. Honestly.

PABLO: (His voice hardening slightly.)

You must have seen him.

TAYEB:

I’m telling you the truth.

PABLO: (Coldly.)

Of course you are. I just needed to make sure.

TAYEB:

But … why are you talking to me like that?

PABLO: (Smiling.)

Like what?

TAYEB:

Like … (He shivers.) Like a policeman.

(PABLO roughly grabs him by the lapels. His face has hardened.)

PABLO:

Don’t you ever say that! To anybody! Or I’ll kill you. Never say that again!

TAYEB:

I didn’t mean to upset you. (Silence. PABLO seems to calm down a little. His smile returns.)

PABLO:

I’ve all but forgotten it already. Fancy a cigarette?

Copyright

The above sample taken from the translation In the Net by Gwynneth Dowling is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

ACT THREE

Context:

Tayeb and his wife Aisha are leaving the country and have just said their goodbyes. Pablo has wrestled the gun from Leo, and is about to reveal just who he is.

Sample text

CELIA:: Now, go downstairs. They’re waiting for you. (TAYEB and AISHA leave. CELIA sees them out, but comes back presently. She sees PABLO standing by the cupboard, casually holding the gun. She glances at LEO – who stands with his back to the audience – and she realises what’s going on. Silence.) Will they get there?
PABLO: (Turning to face her.): What is it? I don’t understand your question.
CELIA:: What’ll you do to them?
PABLO:: They’ll be in Switzerland before noon. Is that what you want to know?
CELIA:: You mean … you mean you’re letting them go? Why?
PABLO: (Laughing.): Me? What are you talking about?
CELIA:: There’s no reason to torture them! They know nothing! Don’t make them suffer any more … Don’t you think they’ve been through enough? I’m asking you … please.
PABLO:: But, what are you talking about? You’re not making much sense.
CELIA:: I’m saying that if you’re looking to find out who the head of this Organisation is … they don’t know! You get me now? They don’t know and we don’t know. Get that into your head.
PABLO: (Calmly.): I’ve had the chance to do so. It’s been very reassuring to find out that … that the security systems have not failed. Congratulations.
CELIA:: What do you mean? What trap are you setting now? (But PABLO does not answer the question.)
PABLO: (Taking out another envelope from his pocket.): I forget to tell you that, besides their papers, other documents have arrived. This is for you. (He hands the envelope to LEO who, after a brief hesitation, takes it. He inspects it. Silence.)
LEO: (Stammering.): I … I never asked for these.
PABLO: (He now speaks with surprising authority to LEO, but without airs and graces. Naturally.): It was thought necessary – a few weeks ago now – to arrange your departure from the country. You were too conspicuous, we feared your arrest was imminent. Unfortunately the papers arrived a little late. You need to use them in any case. Leave the country and await further instructions in Italy. You’ll find out your new address there. There’s a seat waiting for you on this evening’s flight. Make sure you know your new name and the time you need to be at the airport - there’s a brief window of time when the police are ours. Take advantage of that to get across the border. (CELIA and LEO are dumbfounded. Silence.)
CELIA:: But … who are you?
PABLO: (Laughs.): I’m nobody! Just a humble warrior trapped in the city because of a raid. Who would you like me to be? The head of a secret organisation? Absolutely not! His skin’s a little darker … if that’s not giving too much away. (He smiles.)
CELIA:: We … we knew that the man they arrested – Andres Benami – wasn’t him. But we don’t know who it really is.
PABLO:: Me neither. Ignorance is bliss.
CELIA:: Really?
PABLO: (Smiling.): Let’s just suppose that I don’t know who he is. For security reasons. Let’s just suppose that I’m a fighter. Let’s just suppose my name is Pablo. Let’s just suppose … (He starts to laugh. CELIA also starts to laugh. She looks like a new woman. Her laugh is happy, almost bittersweet. Finally she stops.)

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