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42. INT: [FLASHBACK: JULY 9] UNA'S BLINDFOLDED "POV" — TOTAL BLACKNESS. We are in guerrilla "FOCO," but SOUNDS evoke rural village more than armed camp. FOOTSTEPS. Someone has entered underground DUG-OUT. COT creaks as UNA starts up. UNA (VO) Magdalena? AMILCAR (VO) Yes. UNA (VO) You? AMILCAR (VO) Yes.
CU UNA — Her BLINDFOLDED FACE shows SCRAPES from run round Bald
Mountain.
AMILCAR Earlier tonight, I had them bring you a short-wave radio. Voice of America. Did you listen to the broadcast? UNA I couldn't much help it. AMILCAR
They were talking all day about the Bald Mountain.
UNA Yes. I know. But I didn't know when I... An American Marine. I didn't know... AMILCAR
He's dead, of course. Even though they still call him "missing."
That's so the assassin will think he or she missed. So he or she won't be afraid to
re-enter the USA. But as soon as he or she returns, Major Ron Stepp will suddenly be
confirmed as a dead hero.
UNA I know. AMILCAR And you threw away the gun. That means — UNA —They have my prints. I just couldn't help it. I fired with my face averted! I was frightened. I — AMILCAR — I sand down my fingertips. Then I apply a mild acid solution. The result: No prints. Many of us do that. If you stay, you can — UNA — Stay? AMILCAR Yes. We can protect you from your own government. UNA Would the Foco trust me? AMILCAR shrugs. UNA I can see that shrug. AMILCAR
It's just that they know what you know, too. That you are needed by
the Third World. But not in it. Your place is in the belly of the monster. You could help
open the Second Front inside the territory of the USA.
AMILCAR makes to caress CUT on UNA'S forehead. He doesn't touch her and yet — UNA It doesn't hurt. AMILCAR is amazed that UNA could feel — or "see" — a caress that didn't happen. UNA But I do suffer from eyestrain... AMILCAR
I'll say! You can see right through that thing, can't you! UNA doesn't join in his attempt at distraction. She answers simply. Sadly. UNA No. AMILCAR is struck by grief and longing in her voice. He turns away; takes his head in his hands. Then makes a decision. Faces what is in them both and thick in air of the place. He moves close to her, again. AMILCAR If you stay, you could take off your blindfold. UNA And you wouldn't put on a hood? AMILCAR No. We'd meet eye to eye. UNA immediately reaches to undo BLINDFOLD. AMILCAR forces himself to stop her; firmly grasps her eager hands in his. Now their faces almost touch. AMILCAR But you do understand that if you stay, if you see me — then you can never leave. No re-entry. UNA does not reply. AMILCAR takes this as tacit choice: To stay. He leans over her, reaches for BLINDFOLD and delicately, removes it. Underneath BLINDFOLD, UNA'S eyes are shut tight! TEARS escape tight-shut lids. AMILCAR is taken aback. For long moment, couple are silent. AMILCAR Are you — afraid? UNA Not afraid of being killed. I'm afraid of me. Of being doomed to spread a faith I just don't have. AMILCAR You fear that more than CIA at the border? UNA Yes. AMILCAR re-ties BLINDFOLD. AMILCAR I don't believe in faith. His words strike her. AMILCAR
I don't believe in faith, and I don't trust those who do. Faith is the easy
way. When things get hard, the faithful suddenly lose it. The good ones are those who lost it
long ago. And who still remain on the firing line.
UNA I will. In the USA. AMILCAR
So will I.
UNA
Oh! UNA reaches out to him. UNA And until you come, I will act as if I am faithful... And more... AMILCAR responds to her caress. There, on tiny COT, then rolling off onto DIRT FLOOR, they MAKE LOVE. UNA never sees his face. Chant of "DOWN WITH PERALTA" rises, OVER — |
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