In Costa Verde

Friday, July 13, 1990

SCENE: A Catholic church in Costa Verde, lit only by candles and the light coming from the sanctuary entrance. Worshippers make private prayers.

A woman enters, wearing black, with a wide-brimmed hat and a veil that hides her face. She walks towards the altar, looking slowly to the left and right. Suddenly, a man in dressed totally in white comes from her left and pulls the veil back from her face.

They are, of course, HOLLY and ROGER.

ROGER: You’ve been sticking to me like glue ever since we’ve arrived in Costa Verde. Why, Holly? What game are you playing?

HOLLY: I want to help. I’m not sure how, but I can’t sit by in that hotel room, doing nothing.

ROGER: Aye, but your following me just complicates things.

HOLLY: What are you up to, anyway, running from church to church? I thought you and the kidnapper had come to terms.

ROGER: We did. But once I’ve paid the ransom, there’s no telling what they’re gonna do to Alan-Michael. I figure if I can find him before the drop, I can save the boy and the money.

HOLLY: I understand that.

A bell rings in the background.

ROGER: Sssh!

HOLLY: What?

ROGER: Listen!

HOLLY: The bells ... the same bells on Alan-Michael’s tape. You were looking for a match.

ROGER: And I’ve found it. He’s gotta be somewhere nearby.

HOLLY: Now what?

ROGER: Now you go back to the hotel!

HOLLY: No!

ROGER: Now listen! This is a dangerous neighborhood. You could get hurt!

HOLLY: All the more reason to stick with you. I’m not going back alone. So now, what’s the next move?

ROGER [Only partly resigned]: See if we can find someone who’s seen anything suspicious.

HOLLY: In this neighborhood? Try finding someone who hasn’t.

An elderly priest enters.

ROGER: Padre, habla ingles?

PRIEST: Yes, my son. What can I do for you?

ROGER: We were drawn to your church by the sound of its bells.

PRIEST: Isn’t it lovely? Pity the same cannot be said for our sanctuary. Time and poverty have taken their toll.

ROGER: Perhaps we could assist with its restoration. [He gives the priest some money.] Please ...

PRIEST: God bless you both!

HOLLY: Thank you.

PRIEST: American tourists are not as generous as you. But then, I trust that few find their way here. This neighborhood is not safe.

ROGER: You don’t see many Americans?

PRIEST: Hardly any.

ROGER: Perhaps you remember a young American? He’s around 5’11”, medium height ...

PRIEST: Enjoy your visit to Casa Grande. [He walks away.]

HOLLY to ROGER: Think he knows anything?

ROGER follows him.

ROGER: Father, please, you have to help us. A crime has been committed. A young man’s life is in danger.

PRIEST: Many crimes have been committed in this neighborhood. Now, if you will excuse me, I must take care of the confession.

The priest walks away again. HOLLY comes back to ROGER.

HOLLY: Any luck?

ROGER: Not yet.

HOLLY: So what now?

ROGER considers the situation for a few seconds, and then says, “I’ve heard confession is good for the soul. I wonder.”

ROGER kneels at the confessional.

ROGER: Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.

PRIEST: This is a confessional! You cannot use God’s house for your own ends.

ROGER: I have much to atone for, very much. But in my life I did one good thing; I made a life. A beautiful young life, my little girl Christina. She was my hope and my salvation, and I lost her too.

PRIEST: Perhaps there is nothing more sorrowful than for a parent to lose a child.

ROGER: She didn’t die, Father. I hurt her mother so badly, that she left, and she took our daughter with her. And I went mad, and I did things, unspeakable things. In my mind it was all part of a grand scheme to win my daughter back. I wanted to make up for the hurt. I wanted to be the kind of father she could be proud of. And I wanted enough money and power to be able to do anything to make her happy. Anything! And I didn’t quit until I got it. And I did win my daughter back, only to see her lose the one thing that I believe could make her truly happy, and that’s her husband.

PRIEST: Was that the young American you mentioned earlier?

ROGER: Yes, Father. He was kidnapped on their honeymoon. I am desperate to find him for her. Please try to understand. She is counting on me. I can’t let her down again. All I need, is a little help.

PRIEST: I cannot condone violence, much less encourage it.

ROGER: I understand. Your church is a testament to that. It’s a symbol of peace in a troubled area. You’re a brave man to do what you do, but even brave men can be afraid. Am I right, Father?

PRIEST: I did see something last week. Late one night, when I had just closed up the church, I was up in my room, when I hear a voice of a man, an American, threatening another man. I went to my window just in time to see a man leading another man around the corner toward the market. I am not sure, but I think that the man being led was blindfolded and bound. He could have been the young man you mentioned.

ROGER: Why didn’t you tell the police?

PRIEST: I did. They said they would send somebody.

ROGER: And?

PRIEST: I’m still waiting.

ROGER: Okay, you said they went toward the market from here?

PRIEST: Yes. I’m sorry I can’t help more.

ROGER: It’s a start, Father. [ROGER gets up.]

PRIEST: Would you like to confess your sins? Your burden would be much lighter.

ROGER: Perhaps when this is over. Thank you, Father.

Both men cross themselves. ROGER walks away, and HOLLY asks, “What happened?” ROGER takes her by the arm and leads her out, saying, “Come on. We’re running out of time.”

Continued ...
Confessions, Part 2