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After a week she got her strength back and her aunt loaned her the bus fare: get the very last cent out of her, Amalia. She’ll see me and be sorry, she thought, she’ll ask me to stay. Don’t be so dumb the next time. She got to General Garzó n with the child in her arms and at the door of the building she ran into Rita, the lame maid from the first floor. She smiled at her and thought what’s wrong with me, what’s wrong with this one: hello, Rita. She looked at her with her mouth open, as if ready to run away. Have I changed so much that you don’t recognize me? Amalia laughed, I’m the one from the second floor, it was Amalia. Did they let you go? Rita asked, had they caught you? The police, caught me? If they see me with you, won’t they take me in? Rita said, frightened, wouldn’t they grab her too? Because that’s all she needed, they’d already hollered at her, asked her about her life and other miracles, and the same thing with the one across the way, and the one on the third floor, and the one on the fourth floor, in a nasty way, where is she, where did she go, where was she hiding, why did that Amalia disappear. In a nasty way, cursing, threatening, confess or we’ll take you in. As if we knew something, Rita said. She took a step toward Amalia and lowered her voice: where did they find you, what did they tell you, had Amalia confessed to them who killed her? But Amalia had leaned against the wall and was babbling take her, take her. Rita took Amalita, what’s wrong, what did you have, what did they do to you. She brought her into the kitchen on the first floor. Good that the folks aren’t home, sit down, have a glass of water. Killed? Amalia repeated, and Rita with Amalita in her arms, don’t shout like that, don’t shake like that, Señ ora Hortensia killed? Rita went to look out the window, she’d locked the door, finally she gave back the child, be quiet, the whole neighborhood will hear you. But where have you been, how come you didn’t know, it was in all the papers, all those pictures of your mistress, didn’t they talk about it at the Maternity Hospital, hadn’t she been listening to the radio? And Amalia feeling as if her teeth were chattering, a touch of fever, Rita, some tea, anything, Rita made her a cup of coffee. What more can you ask but that you got away, she said, the police, reporters, they came and knocked on the door and asked questions, they went away and others came, they all wanted to know where you were, she must know something because she left, she must have done something because she went into hiding, it’s good they didn’t find you, Amalia. She was drinking the coffee in small sips, she said yes, thanks a lot Rita and was rocking Amalita who was crying. She’d leave, she’d hide, yes, she’d never come back, and Rita: if they catch you they’ll treat you worse than they did us, God knows what they’d do to her. Amalia got up, thanks again, and left. She thought she was going to faint, but when she got to the corner the nausea had passed, and she was walking fast, holding Amalita tight against her breast so that her crying wouldn’t be heard. A taxi and it didn’t stop, another, and she kept on trotting, they were police, that one was, that one was going to grab her when he passed, and finally one stopped. Her aunt grumbled when she asked for money for the cab fare. You could have come back by bus, she wasn’t a millionaire. She went to shut herself up in the bedroom. She was so cold that she covered herself with her aunt’s blankets and only at dusk did she stop pretending to sleep and answer questions: no, the mistress wasn’t there, auntie, she’d gone on a trip. Yes, of course she’d go back to collect; of course she wouldn’t let herself be robbed, auntie. And she thought: I’ve got to telephone. She opened her aunt’s purse, took out a sol and went to the store on the corner. She hadn’t forgotten the number, she remembered it very well. But the voice of a girl she didn’t know answered: no, no Miss Queta lived there. She called again and a man: she wasn’t there, they didn’t know her, they’d just moved in, maybe she was the former tenant. She leaned against a tree to get her breath back. She felt so frightened, she thought the world had gone mad. That’s why she hadn’t come to the Maternity Hospital, that’s the murder they were talking about on the radio and she was the one they were looking for. They’d arrest her, ask her questions, beat her, kill her the way they did Trinidad.

She spent a few days without leaving the house, helping her aunt clean. She didn’t open her mouth, she thought they killed her, she was dead. Her heart stopped whenever someone was at the door. On the third day she went with her aunt to the parish to christen Amalita and when the priest asked what name she answered: Amalia Hortensia. Her nights were a blank, hugging Amalita, feeling empty, guilty, forgive me for having said bad things about you, how could she have known, ma’am, thinking I wonder what became of Miss Queta. But on the fourth day she recovered: you’re making too much of it, why so afraid, stupid girl. She’d go to the police, she’d been in the Maternity Hospital, check on it, they’d see that it was true and they’d leave her alone. No: they’d insult her, they wouldn’t believe her. At sundown her aunt sent her out to buy sugar and when she was turning the corner a figure left the lamppost and stepped in front of her, Amalia gave a cry: I’ve been waiting for you for hours, Ambrosio said. She let herself fall against him, unable to speak. That was how she was, swallowing tears and mucus, her face on his chest, and Ambrosio was consoling her. People were looking, don’t cry, he’d been looking for her for three weeks, what about his little son? Little daughter, she sobbed, yes, she was born healthy. Ambrosio took out his handkerchief, cleaned her face, made her sneeze, took her to a café. They sat down at a back table. He put his arm around her, let her cry as he patted her back. It’s all right, it was all right, Amalia, that’s enough. Was she crying about Señ ora Hortensia? Yes, and about the way she felt, so all alone, so frightened. The police are looking for me, as if she knew anything, Ambrosio. And because she thought he’d abandoned her. And how could he have gone to see her at the Maternity Hospital, silly, did he know maybe, was he going to guess maybe? He’d gone to wait for her on Arenales and you didn’t come, when the news about the mistress came out in the papers I was looking for you like crazy, Amalia. He’d gone to the house where your aunt used to live, in Surquillo, and from there they sent me to Balconcillo, and from there to Chacra Colorada, but they only knew the street, not the number. He’d come, asked everywhere, every day, thinking she’s going to come out, I’m going to find her. It’s good I finally did, Amalia. What about the police? Amalia asked. You’re not going, he said. He’d asked Ludovico and he thought they’d keep you locked up at least a month, asking questions, checking things out. It’s best if they didn’t see her face, better if she left Lima for a while until we forget about her. And how would she leave, Amalia was pouting, where was she going to go. And he: with me, together. She looked into his eyes: yes, Amalia. He had evidently already made up his mind. He was looking at her very seriously, do you think I’m going to let them arrest you even for one day? his voice was very serious, they’d leave tomorrow. What about your job? That was the least of their worries, he’d work on his own, they’d go away. She kept looking at him, trying to believe, but she couldn’t. Living together? Tomorrow? In the jungle, Ambrosio said, and put his face close: for a while, they’d come back when they’ve forgotten about you. She felt everything tumbling down again: had Ludovico told him? But why were they looking for her, what had she done, what did she know? Ambrosio hugged her: nothing was going to happen, they’d leave tomorrow on the train, then they’d take a bus. Nobody would find her in the jungle. He huddled up against her, was he doing all that because he loved her, Ambrosio? Of course, silly, why do you think I don’t? There was a relative of Ludovico’s in the jungle, he’d go to work for him, he’d help them out. She was struck dumb with fright and surprise. Don’t say anything to your aunt, she wouldn’t say anything, nobody should know, nobody would know. It might be dangerous, she, yes, of course, yes. Did she know where the Desamparados station was? Yes, she did. He went with her to the corner, gave her money for the taxi, leave under any pretext, and she would come very quietly. All night long, her eyes open, she listened to her aunt’s breathing and the tired snoring that came from the old couple’s room. I’m going back to the mistress’s to collect, she told her aunt the next day. She took a taxi and when she got to Desamparados, Ambrosio scarcely looked at Amalita Hortensia. Was that her? Yes. He had her go into the station, sit and wait on a bench among mountain people with bundles. He’d brought two large suitcases and I not even a handkerchief, Amalia thought. She didn’t feel happy about leaving, living with him; she felt strange.

“IT’S ABOUT TIME, Ambrosio, ” Ludovico said, “It’s bad enough for a person to get himself all fucked up without having his friends turn their backs on him. ”

“Do you think I wouldn’t have come to see you sooner? ” Ambrosio said. “I only found out this morning, Ludovico, because I ran into Hipó lito on the street. ”

“That son of a bitch told you? ” Ludovico asked. “But he most likely didn’t tell you everything. ”

“What’s with Ludovico, what’s happened? ” Ambrosio asked. “He went to Arequipa a month ago and not a peep out of him. ”

“He’s all bandaged up from head to toe at the Police Hospital, ” Hipó lito said. “The Arequipans gave him a beating. ”

It was still early in the morning when the man who gave the orders kicked on the door of the shed and shouted let’s be on our way. The stars were still out, the cotton gin wasn’t working yet, it was chilly. Trifulcio stretched his arms on his cot, shouted I’m coming and mentally cursed the mother of the man who gave the orders. He’d slept in his clothes, all he had to put on were his sweater, his coat and his shoes. He went out to the spigot to wet his face, but the wind made him change his mind and he only rinsed out his mouth. He smoothed his curly hair, cleaned the sleep out of his eyes with his fingers. He went back to the shed and Té llez, Urondo and Marí nez the foreman were already up, complaining about the early hour. The lights were on in the ranch house and the van was by the door. The kitchen maids gave them some mugs of coffee which they drank surrounded by growling dogs. Don Emilio came out to see them off in slippers and bathrobe: well, boys, behave yourselves there. Don’t worry, Don Emilio, they would behave themselves, senator. Get in, said the man who gave the orders. Té llez sat in front, and in back Trifulcio, Urondo and Martí nez the foreman. You wanted the window seat but I got in the other side and beat you to it, Urondo, Trifulcio thought. He didn’t feel well, his body ached. All set? Arequipa, said the man who gave the orders and they started out.

“Dislocations, contusions, body water, ” Ludovico said. “When the doctor comes by he gives me a regular lesson in medicine, Ambrosio. These past days have been motherfuckers for me. ”

“Just last Sunday Amalia and I were talking about how you didn’t feel much like going to Arequipa, ” Ambrosio said.

“I can sleep now at least, ” Ludovico said. “During the first days, even my fingernails ached, Ambrosio. ”

“But you’re covered, think of it that way, ” Ambrosio said. “You were beaten up on duty and they have to reward you. ”

“Just who are those Coalition people? ” Té llez asked.

“I was on duty and I wasn’t on duty, ” Ludovico said. “They sent us and they didn’t send us. You don’t know how whorey the whole thing turned out, Ambrosio. ”

“Just be happy to know that they’re a bunch of shitheads. ” The man who gave the orders laughed. “And that we’re going to fuck up their rally. ”

“I was only asking to find something we could talk about and make the trip a little livelier, ” Té llez said. “It’s a big bore. ”

Yes, Trifulcio thought, a big bore. He tried to sleep, but the van was bouncing and his head kept hitting the roof and his shoulder the door. He had to ride all hunched over, hanging onto the backrest in front. He should have sat in the middle, by trying to fuck up Urondo he’d fucked himself up. Because Urondo, squeezed in between Trifulcio and Martí nez the foreman, who cushioned him against the bumps, was snoring away. Trifulcio looked out the window: sand dunes, the black snake of a road getting lost in clouds of dust, the ocean and diving gulls. You’re getting old, he thought, one early-rising morning and your whole body starts to rust.

“A bunch of millionaires who used to lick Odrí a’s boots and want to test his patience now, ” the man who gave the orders said. “That’s the Coalition. ”

“Then why does Odrí a let them hold rallies against him? ” Té llez asked. “He’s softened up a lot. In the old days, you make a fuss and it’s the lockup and a good beating. Why not now? ”

“Odrí a held out his hand to them and they crawled all the way up to the elbow, ” the man who gave the orders said. “But that’s as far as they got. They’re going to be taught a lesson in Arequipa. ”

Lazy bum, Trifulcio thought, looking at Té llez’ shaved neck. What did he know about politics, what did he care about politics? He was asking questions just to ass-kiss. He took out a cigarette and in order to light it he had to lean on Urondo. He opened his eyes in surprise, what, are we there already? How could they be there, they’d just gone through Chala, Urondo.

“It’s the kind of story where I don’t know where to begin, it was all lies, ” Ludovico said. “It all came out backwards. Everybody tricked us. Even Don Cayo was tricked. ”

“You can say that again, ” Ambrosio said. “If anybody caught it with that business in Arequipa, it was him. He lost his ministry and he had to leave Peru. ”

“Your boss must be happy over what’s happened, right? ” Ludovico said.

“Naturally. Don Fermí n more than anyone else, ” Ambrosio said. “He didn’t want to screw Odrí a as much as he did Don Cayo. He had to hide out for a few days, he thought they were going to arrest him. ”

The van entered Camaná around seven o’clock. It was beginning to get dark and there weren’t many people on the streets. The man who gave the orders drove them directly to a restaurant. They got out, stretched. Trifulcio felt cramps and chills. The man who gave the orders took the menu, ordered beer and said I’m going to do some checking. What’s the matter with you, Trifulcio thought, none of the others here is as tired as you are. Té llez, Urondo and Martí nez the foreman were eating and cracking jokes. He wasn’t hungry, only thirsty. He drank down a glass of beer without taking a breath and thought of Tomasa and Chincha. Are we going to spend the night here? Té llez asked, and Urondo wondered if there was a whorehouse in Camaná. There must be, Martí nez the foreman said, one thing there’s no shortage of anywhere are whorehouses and churches. Finally they asked him what’s wrong, Trifulcio. Nothing, I’ve got a touch of a cold. What you’ve got is you’re getting old, Urondo said. Trifulcio laughed but he hated him inside. While they were having dessert the man who gave the orders came back, in a bad mood: what kind of a mess was that, who could understand that mix-up.

“No mess at all, ” the Subprefect said. “Secretary Bermú dez explained it to me quite clearly on the telephone. ”

“A truck will be coming through with Senator Aré valo’s people, Subprefect, ” Cayo Bermú dez said. “Take care of them, please give them anything they may need. ”

“But Mr. Lozano only asked Don Emilio for four or five, ” the man who gave the orders said. “What truck is he talking about? Has the Minister gone crazy? ”

“Five people to break up a demonstration? ” the Subprefect asked. “Somebody’s crazy, but not Mr. Bermú dez. He told me a truck, twenty or thirty people. I set up beds for forty just in case. ”

“I tried to talk to Don Emilio, but he’s not at the ranch anymore, he left for Lima, ” the man who gave the orders said. “And with Mr. Lozano, but he’s not at Headquarters. God damn it. ”

“Don’t worry, the five of us are enough and more than enough. ” Té llez laughed. “Have a beer, sir. ”

“Can’t you get some reinforcements? ” asked the man who gave the orders.

“No hope, ” the Subprefect said. “The people of Camaná are a lazy bunch. The whole Restoration Party here is me. ”

“Well, let’s see how we can get out of this mess, ” the man who gave the orders said. “No whorehouses, no drinking. Get some sleep. We’ve got to be fresh for tomorrow. ”

The Subprefect had set up lodgings for them at the police station and as soon as they got there Trifulcio flopped down on his cot and wrapped himself up in his blanket. Quiet and covered up, he felt better. Té llez, Urondo and Martí nez the foreman had sneaked in a bottle and were passing it from bed to bed, chatting. He was listening to them: if they’d asked for a whole truckload the thing must be rough, Urondo was saying. Bah, Senator Aré valo told them an easy job, boys, and he hasn’t tricked us yet, Martí nez the foreman said. Besides, if something went wrong, that’s what they had cops for, said Té llez. Sixty, sixty-five? Trifulcio was thinking, I wonder how old I am now.

“It started going bad for me the minute we got on the plane here, ” Ludovico said. “It was so rough that I got sick and puked all over Hipó lito. I was a mess when I got to Arequipa. It took a few drinks of pisco to get me back in shape. ”

“When the newspapers wrote about what went on in the theater, that people were killed, good Lord, I thought, ” Ambrosio said. “But your name wasn’t on the list of victims. ”

“They sent us to the slaughter knowing all about it, ” Ludovico said. “When I hear the word theater, I begin to feel the punches. And the feeling of being strangled, Ambrosio, that terrible feeling of being strangled. ”

“They were able to raise a row like that, ” Ambrosio said, “because the whole city rose up against the government, right, Ludovico? ”

“Yes, ” Senator Landa said. “Grenades were thrown in the theater and people were killed. Bermú dez is all washed up, Fermí n. ”

“If Lozano wanted a truck, why did he tell Don Emilio four or five are enough, ” the man who gave the orders cursed for the tenth time. “And where are Lozano and Don Emilio, why is it impossible to get anyone on the phone? ”

They’d left Camaná while it was still dark, without any breakfast, and the man who gave the orders did nothing but grumble. You spent all night trying to phone and you’re dying from lack of sleep, Trifulcio thought. He hadn’t been able to sleep either. It got colder as the van climbed up into the mountains. Trifulcio nodded at times and listened to Té llez, Urondo and Martí nez the foreman as they passed cigarettes around. You’ve grown old, he thought, you’re going to die one of these days. They arrived in Arequipa at ten o’clock. The man who gave the orders took them to a house where there was a sign with red letters: Restoration Party. The door was closed. Knocking, ringing the bell, nobody opened. On the narrow street people were going into shops, the sun didn’t warm anything, newsboys were hawking papers. The air was very clean, the sky looked very high. Finally a boy in bare feet came to open up, yawning. Why were party headquarters closed, the man who gave the orders scolded him, it was ten o’clock already. The boy looked at him with surprise: they were always closed, they only opened them on Thursday nights when Dr. Lama and the other gentlemen came. Why did they call Arequipa the white city, when none of the houses were white? Trifulcio was thinking. They went in. Desks with no papers on them, old chairs, pictures of Odrí a, posters, Long Live the Revolution of Restoration, Health, Education, Work, Odrí a Is the Nation. The man who gave the orders ran to the telephone: what happened, where were the people, why wasn’t there anyone to meet us. Té llez, Urondo and Martí nez the foreman were hungry: could they go out and get some breakfast, sir? Be back in ten minutes, the man who gave the orders said. He gave them ten soles and they left in the van. They found a café with small tables and white cloths, they ordered coffee and sandwiches. Look, Urondo said, Everybody to the Municipal Theater Tonight, All with the Coalition, they’d done their little publicity job. Will I get mountain sickness? Trifulcio wondered. He was breathing and it was as if the air wasn’t entering his body.

“Arequipa’s nice, clean, ” Ludovico said. “Women on the street who aren’t too bad. Apple-cheeked, of course. ”

“What did Hipó lito do to you? ” Ambrosio asked. “He didn’t say anything to me. Just it was bad for us, brother, and he took off. ”

“He feels guilty because he acted like a fairy, ” Ludovico said. “What a coward of a guy, Ambrosio. ”

“And to think I might have been there, Ludovico, ” Ambrosio said. “It was lucky Don Fermí n didn’t go. ”

“Do you know who we found as the big boss at the post in Arequipa? ” Ludovico asked. “Molina. ”

“Chink Molina? ” Ambrosio asked. “Wasn’t he in Chiclayo? ”

“Do you remember the way he used to put on with those of us who weren’t on the regular list? ” Ludovico said. “He’s a different person now. He received us as if we were old buddies. ”

“Welcome, colleagues, come in, ” Molina said. “Did the others stay on the square flirting with the girls of Arequipa? ”

“What others? ” Hipó lito said. “Only Ludovico and I have come. ”

“What do you mean what others, ” Molina said. “The twenty-five others Mr. Lozano promised me. ”

“Oh yes, I heard him say that people were probably coming from Puno and Cuzco, ” Ludovico said. “Haven’t they got here? ”

“I just spoke to Cuzco, and Cabrejitos didn’t say anything about it, ” Molina said. “I don’t understand. Besides, there’s not much time. The Coalition rally is at seven o’clock. ”

“The tricks, the lies, Ambrosio, ” Ludovico said. “The confusion, the fairying around. ”

“I see now, it’s an ambush, ” Don Fermí n said. “Bermú dez has been waiting for the Coalition to grow and now he wants to pounce on them. But why did he pick Arequipa, Don Emilio? ”

“Because it would be good for publicity, ” Don Emilio Aré valo said. “Odrí a’s revolution had its start in Arequipa, Fermí n. ”

“He wants to show the country that Arequipa is an Odrí a town, ” Senator Landa said. “The people of Arequipa stop the Coalition from holding a rally. The opposition looks ridiculous and the Restoration Party has a clear path in the ’56 elections. ”

“He’s going to send twenty-five plainclothes cops from Lima, ” Don Emilio Aré valo said. “And he’s asked me for a truckload of peasants who are good in a fight, ”

“He’s prepared his bomb with great care, ” Senator Landa said. “But this time it won’t be like Espina’s time. This time the bomb is going to blow up in his face. ”

“Molina tried to talk to Mr. Lozano and he’d disappeared, ” Ludovico said. “And Don Cayo too. His secretary answered, he’s not here, not here. ”

“Send you reinforcements, Chink? ” Cabrejitos said. “You must be dreaming. Nobody told me anything and even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. My people are up to their necks in work. ”

“Chink Molina was tearing his hair, ” Ludovico said.

“It’s good Senator Aré valo is sending us help, ” Molina said. “Fifty, I think, and tough. With them, you and the people on the force we’ll do what we can. ”

“I’d like to try some of those stuffed chilis they have in Arequipa, Ludovico, ” Hipó lito said. “Since we’re here. ”

After breakfast, disobeying orders, they took a little walk through the city: narrow streets, a cold little sun, houses with grillwork and big entranceways, shining cobblestones, priests, churches. The gates to the Plaza de Armas looked like the walls of a fortress. Trifulcio was taking in air with his mouth open and Té llez was pointing at the walls: the Coalition people have sure done a lot of publicity work. They sat down on a bench in the square across from the gray faç ade of the cathedral, and a car passed with loudspeakers: Everybody to the Municipal Theater at Seven O’Clock, Everybody Come Hear the Opposition Leaders. Out of the car windows they were throwing fliers that the people picked up, looked at and threw away. The altitude, Trifulcio was thinking. They’d told him: your heart like a drum and you have trouble breathing. He felt as if he’d been running or fighting: pulse fast, temples throbbing, veins hard. Or maybe old age, Trifulcio thought. They couldn’t remember the way back and they had to ask. Restoration Party? people asked, is that something to eat? Some party Odrí a has, Martí nez the foreman laughed, people don’t even know where it is. They got there and the man who gave the orders bawled them out: did they think they’d come here as tourists? There were two guys with him. One short with glasses and a small necktie, and the other half-breed-looking and hefty, in shirtsleeves, and the short one was arguing with the man who gave the orders: they’d promised him fifty and he’d sent five. They weren’t going to make a fool of him like that.

“Call Lima, Dr. Lama, try to locate Don Emilio, or Lozano, or Mr. Bermú dez, ” said the man who gave the orders. “I tried all night and I couldn’t. I don’t know, I understand it even less than you do. Mr. Lozano told Don Emilio five and here we are, doctor. Let them explain who’s right and who’s wrong. ”

“It’s not that we don’t have people, but that we need specialists, people with experience, ” Dr. Lama said. “And besides, I’m protesting on principle. They lied to me. ”

“What difference does it make if they haven’t sent more, doctor? ” the hefty half-breed said. “Let’s go to the market, we can round up three hundred and they’ll tear the theater apart just the same. ”

“Can you count on the people from the market? ” the man who gave the orders asked. “I don’t have much faith in you, Ruperto. ”

“Absolutely, ” Ruperto said. “I’ve had experience. We’ll draft the whole market and we’ll fall on the Municipal Theater like a landslide. ”

“Let’s go see Molina, ” Dr. Lama said. “His people must have come. ”

“And at Headquarters we met Senator Aré valo’s famous bruisers, ” Ludovico said. “The fifty turned out to be five. ”

“Somebody is pulling somebody’s leg here, ” Molina said. “This isn’t possible, Prefect. ”

“I’ve been trying to talk to the Minister to get instructions, ” the Prefect said. “But it seems that his secretary won’t let me through. He’s not in, he left, he still hasn’t arrived. Alcibí ades, that fag. ”

“This isn’t a misunderstanding, it’s sabotage, ” Dr. Lama said. “Are these your reinforcements, Molina? Two instead of twenty-five? Oh no, this is too much. ”

“Alcibí ades is my man, ” Don Emilio Aré valo said. “But the key is Lozano. He’s rather understanding and he hates Bermú dez. His palm, of course, will have to be crossed. ”

“Five poor devils and, to top it off, one of them an old man with mountain sickness, ” Ludovico said. “Do you think those five and us are going to break up a rally? Not even if we were all Superman, Prefect, sir. ”

“He’ll get what he wants, ” Don Fermí n said. “I’ll talk to Lozano. ”

“We’ll have to use your people, Molina, ” the Prefect said. “It wasn’t part of the plan, Mr. Bermú dez didn’t want people from here involved. But there’s no other way out. ”

“Not you, Fermí n, ” Senator Aré valo said. “You belong to the Coalition, officially an enemy of the government. I’m part of the government, Lozano trusts me more. I’ll take care of him. ”

“How many of your people can we count on, Molina? ” Dr. Lama asked.

“Around twenty, counting officers and men, ” Molina said. “But they’re on the regular list and they won’t do it. They’ll want a guarantee against risks, extra pay. ”

“Promise them whatever they want, we’ve got to break up this rally any way we can, ” Dr. Lama said. “I made a promise and I’m going to keep it, Molina. ”

“The truth is we’re all worrying for no good reason at all, ” the Prefect said. “They won’t even fill up the theater. Nobody here knows the Coalition big shots. ”