Black & White 4

She is sitting at one of the tables of the now empty room. The detective speaks to her gently, aware of the bags under her eyes and the little bruise on her cheek, still visible under the make-up. She shakes her head at most questions and he notices in her eyes guilt of the betrayal after years of loyalty. He leaves her his card and for a second his fingers seem to caress hers. Cast in white.

Fade from black, the detective walks through the corridor towards his office, almost unaware to the sounds that surround him on his way across the station. When he opens the door she is sitting in front on his desk. Startled, she turns to look at him rushing to raise the collar of her coat. He apologises for being late and offers her a coffee, she nods and he opens the door again to speak to someone in the corridor. He sits and lights a cigarette, he presents the open box to her but she refuses. The detective studies her face through the smoke. The door opens and a big middle age woman appears with the drinks. After a few sips she seems to be more relaxed. She starts to speak and he listens, never interrupting her, only to hold her hand when her voice fails. Chained cast.

He is not surprised to discover that the debts of the victim tie her to the Small Man, and how his threats chain her for life to his place. He admires her for pushing her fear aside and coming to see him; very few have done that before. He knows about the Small Man and hides his frustration; he knows that he won?t be able to give her the justice she seeks.

She is sitting in front of the mirror; the bruise on the cheek is not as visible anymore. She opens her robe slightly and her neck shows some darker marks around her neck. Her eyes fall on a rectangular box on the table. She opens it and the tears well in her eyes at the sight of the broken necklace and the small note wishing her good luck on her very first public appearance, two years ago. The tips of her fingers touch the name of her agent at the end of the message. Cut.

She jumps at the knock on the door, the voice of the detective calms her quick heartbeats and she covers her neck before telling him to enter. He takes off his hat while he sits next to her in front of the mirror. He smiles, and she feels safe for the first time in days. The detective takes a soft wrapped parcel out of his coat and gives it to her. She looks at him surprised and opens it to discover a silk white scarf. He raises his fingers to brush a little bruise peeking out from her robe. His fingers rise to cup her chin, his dark eyes draw her in and when he tilts his head and his lips meet hers she kisses him back eagerly, her hands holding on to his shoulders trying to keep her saviour close. Chained cast.

Fade from black. His white hat lies on the table while he watches her sing. The tobacco mixes with the whisky on his tongue. The loose scarf covering the front of her neck sways at the rhythm of the music between the swirls of smoke. Cast in white.

He leaves the club and starts walking under the street lights, unaware of the two men following him. Later, he would blame the alcohol. They call him and as he turns a third man appears behind him holding his arms behind his back. He feels the fist on his stomach and his face, then the kicks on his ribs. Now, he appreciates the whisky for the numbness it bestows upon his body before darkness sets over him. Cast in black.

© Chelo Cadavid 2015