Carlos: Hey, Angelo. We are going to go to an anti government protest march tomorrow after work.
Angelo: Why, what are you unhappy about?
Carlos and Maria look at each other in disbelief.
Maria: What are you unhappy about? Are you serious, Angelo? We are talking about the spiraling price increases on basic food items! How can you just sit there at your desk and act like everything is normal while the cost of living is skyrocketing? She crosses her arms, her eyes flashing with a mix of frustration and genuine concern for her colleague.
Angelo: I am affected too. He pauses. I don't think protest marches will make any difference. There is more chance of you being hurt or getting arrested.
Carlos: That is exactly what they want us to think! Fear is the biggest tool of the current administration. If everyone thinks like you, nothing ever changes. He leans in closer, lowering his voice so the supervisor across the room doesn't overhear. We aren't talking about a riot, Angelo. We are talking about a peaceful assembly of thousands of citizens demanding transparency and action.
Maria: Please, just come with us. Her tone softer, shifting from a political activist to a supportive friend, hoping the personal appeal will work where the political one failed.
Angelo: I'm sure most of the protestors there are genuine, and desire a peaceful march. It just takes a few who are agitators to stir up the crowd or start throwing things at police and the whole mood of the protest can change quickly. Next, there are running street battles, cars set on fire, shops looted. Not for me, thanks.
Carlos and Maria look at each other in disbelief.
Maria: What are you unhappy about? Are you serious, Angelo? We are talking about the spiraling price increases on basic food items! How can you just sit there at your desk and act like everything is normal while the cost of living is skyrocketing? She crosses her arms, her eyes flashing with a mix of frustration and genuine concern for her colleague.
Angelo: I am affected too. He pauses. I don't think protest marches will make any difference. There is more chance of you being hurt or getting arrested.
Carlos: That is exactly what they want us to think! Fear is the biggest tool of the current administration. If everyone thinks like you, nothing ever changes. He leans in closer, lowering his voice so the supervisor across the room doesn't overhear. We aren't talking about a riot, Angelo. We are talking about a peaceful assembly of thousands of citizens demanding transparency and action.
Maria: Please, just come with us. Her tone softer, shifting from a political activist to a supportive friend, hoping the personal appeal will work where the political one failed.
Angelo: I'm sure most of the protestors there are genuine, and desire a peaceful march. It just takes a few who are agitators to stir up the crowd or start throwing things at police and the whole mood of the protest can change quickly. Next, there are running street battles, cars set on fire, shops looted. Not for me, thanks.
Carlos sighs, looking disappointed.
Carlos: You're describing the worst case scenario as if it's a guarantee. But staying silent is just another way of agreeing with the people in power.
He glances at Maria, wondering if she has a better angle to convince him. Maria reaches out and lightly pats Angelo's shoulder, a small, encouraging smile on her face. She tries to make the event sound less intimidating.
Maria: We aren't asking you to lead the revolution, Angelo. Just walk with us. Have some signs, shout a few slogans, and then we can go grab dinner afterward. It's more of a community event than a political war.
Angelo has warm feelings for Maria and her soft sell approach has him in a quandary.
Angelo: I'll think about it tonight and let you know in the morning. If I do go, any sign of violence and I will leave.
Maria senses she is persuading him, her face lights up with a triumphant grin, and she gives his shoulder another quick squeeze.
Maria: Deal! We'll take that as a yes. Now, let's get some work done before the boss realizes we've been standing here debating politics for ten minutes.
Angelo: I'll think about it tonight and let you know in the morning. If I do go, any sign of violence and I will leave.
Maria senses she is persuading him, her face lights up with a triumphant grin, and she gives his shoulder another quick squeeze.
Maria: Deal! We'll take that as a yes. Now, let's get some work done before the boss realizes we've been standing here debating politics for ten minutes.
Angelo goes home and is sitting at the dinner table with his mum and sister, Isabella and Camila.
Isabella: Is everything alright with you Angelo?
Angelo looks down: It's fine.
Isabella puts her hand on Angelo's arm: You don't fool your mother. What's up?
Angelo sighs: You know inflation is biting hard. Some people at my work want me to go on a peaceful march to let the government know we aren't happy.
Carmila: Peaceful? They nearly always end with clashes with police and tear gas.
Angelo: Thanks for your insightful opinion, sis. You don't know how much pressure they put on me.
Carmila: Like Maria fluttering her eyelashes at you?
Isabella: Enough you two! Bickering will get us nowhere. She turns to Angelo. Carmila is right about the street violence that always seems part of protest marches. I don't want you to go. Tell that Maria you will not be pressured.
Isabella: Is everything alright with you Angelo?
Angelo looks down: It's fine.
Isabella puts her hand on Angelo's arm: You don't fool your mother. What's up?
Angelo sighs: You know inflation is biting hard. Some people at my work want me to go on a peaceful march to let the government know we aren't happy.
Carmila: Peaceful? They nearly always end with clashes with police and tear gas.
Angelo: Thanks for your insightful opinion, sis. You don't know how much pressure they put on me.
Carmila: Like Maria fluttering her eyelashes at you?
Isabella: Enough you two! Bickering will get us nowhere. She turns to Angelo. Carmila is right about the street violence that always seems part of protest marches. I don't want you to go. Tell that Maria you will not be pressured.
Angelo looks away, awkwardly avoiding eye contact with his mother. Big sister Carmila sees his discomfort.
Carmila: You haven't said yes, have you Angelo?
Angelo: No-o. Well maybe I said I'd think about it.
Carmila: Maria does have you on a string.
Isabella: Enough I said Carmila. She turns to Angelo. You're not going, and that's final. Tell that to Maria and anyone else at work who is pressuring you.
Angelo: I understand. I'll be definite about it.
Isabella gets up from her dining room chair and hugs him.
The next day, Angelo is at his desk when Maria comes over, smiling warmly.
Maria: Good morning, Angelo! I've been thinking about yesterday. I made a small, non aggressive sign for you, just to show we are there for peaceful reasons. She holds up a small piece of cardboard that says "Fair Prices for All," written in neat, colorful markers. See? It's not aggressive, just a request. Are you coming with us after work? She looks at him with a hopeful expression, her eyes sparkling with friendliness.
Angelo: That's really sweet of you Maria, but I've decided I won't be attending.
Maria's countenance changes: You're serious?
Angelo: Yes, I spoke to my family and they said it was a very bad idea. Please don't go, Maria. I don't want to see you hurt or in trouble.
Carmila: You haven't said yes, have you Angelo?
Angelo: No-o. Well maybe I said I'd think about it.
Carmila: Maria does have you on a string.
Isabella: Enough I said Carmila. She turns to Angelo. You're not going, and that's final. Tell that to Maria and anyone else at work who is pressuring you.
Angelo: I understand. I'll be definite about it.
Isabella gets up from her dining room chair and hugs him.
The next day, Angelo is at his desk when Maria comes over, smiling warmly.
Maria: Good morning, Angelo! I've been thinking about yesterday. I made a small, non aggressive sign for you, just to show we are there for peaceful reasons. She holds up a small piece of cardboard that says "Fair Prices for All," written in neat, colorful markers. See? It's not aggressive, just a request. Are you coming with us after work? She looks at him with a hopeful expression, her eyes sparkling with friendliness.
Angelo: That's really sweet of you Maria, but I've decided I won't be attending.
Maria's countenance changes: You're serious?
Angelo: Yes, I spoke to my family and they said it was a very bad idea. Please don't go, Maria. I don't want to see you hurt or in trouble.
Maria lets out a small, disappointed sigh, her shoulders drooping slightly.
Maria: I appreciate the concern, Angelo. Truly. But some things are worth the risk. We can't just wait for things to get better on their own. She looks at the sign in her hand and then back at him, a flicker of sadness in her gaze.
Angelo apologetically: Anyway, I had better get back to work.
Angelo apologetically: Anyway, I had better get back to work.
Maria gives him a gentle, knowing look, sensing that he is torn between his family's wishes and his desire to fit in.
Maria: The invitation is always open. Even if you just come to watch from a safe distance, we'd love to have you. She turns to leave, but pauses, glancing back over her shoulder. Just think about it one more time. For me?
Angelo smiles weakly at Maria but says nothing.
Angelo smiles weakly at Maria but says nothing.
Maria goes to Carlos: Angelo won't be with us tonight. His family said no.
Carlos: Typical. He's too scared to stand up and be counted. He'll regret it if this government does nothing about our plight.
Maria: He cares. She looks toward Angelo's desk, her heart aching slightly at the thought of his fear overriding his desire to be part of something larger.
Carlos: Caring is good, Maria. But action is better. Let's go finish our reports so we can get to the protest on time.
The day is over. They head off to the protest while Angelo heads home. He exchanges glances with Carlos and Maria as they go their separate ways. Angelo understands people's frustration but realises protests rarely, if ever, produce change. There are also some who join a protest with bad motives. They can turn things ugly.
Angelo has dinner with his family, quiet but not unhappy.
Isabella: I'm proud of you son.
Angelo: I know I did the right thing.
Carmila: You need to watch that Maria.
Angelo: She's okay. It's Carlos who influences her.
Angelo goes back to work the next day. He looks around for Carlos and Maria, but they haven't come in. He goes to his work station and gets on with his day. He gets a text from Maria.
Maria: Just to let you know, Carlos was arrested and is currently detained. I'm at home, suffering the mild effects of tear gas. Might be back to work tomorrow.
Angelo: I'll come to see you after work.
He goes around to her home and her mother lets Angelo in. Maria is sitting in the lounge. Her eyes are bloodshot. He joins her and they talk.
Carlos: Typical. He's too scared to stand up and be counted. He'll regret it if this government does nothing about our plight.
Maria: He cares. She looks toward Angelo's desk, her heart aching slightly at the thought of his fear overriding his desire to be part of something larger.
Carlos: Caring is good, Maria. But action is better. Let's go finish our reports so we can get to the protest on time.
The day is over. They head off to the protest while Angelo heads home. He exchanges glances with Carlos and Maria as they go their separate ways. Angelo understands people's frustration but realises protests rarely, if ever, produce change. There are also some who join a protest with bad motives. They can turn things ugly.
Angelo has dinner with his family, quiet but not unhappy.
Isabella: I'm proud of you son.
Angelo: I know I did the right thing.
Carmila: You need to watch that Maria.
Angelo: She's okay. It's Carlos who influences her.
Angelo goes back to work the next day. He looks around for Carlos and Maria, but they haven't come in. He goes to his work station and gets on with his day. He gets a text from Maria.
Maria: Just to let you know, Carlos was arrested and is currently detained. I'm at home, suffering the mild effects of tear gas. Might be back to work tomorrow.
Angelo: I'll come to see you after work.
He goes around to her home and her mother lets Angelo in. Maria is sitting in the lounge. Her eyes are bloodshot. He joins her and they talk.
Angelo: What happened?
Maria: It started peacefully but a small group of protestors started picking up objects and throwing them at riot police. It escalated quickly and the police charged us. Carlos was grabbed and dragged away to a waiting van. I just ran, but some tear gas got into my eyes. My getting away quickly saved me. I probably could have made it to work, but I was so upset for Carlos and the chaos that unfolded. You did the right thing, Angelo.
Angelo: I was nearly talked into it, Maria. My family brought me to my senses.
Maria: My mother says God's Kingdom is the only true solution, but I don't have her faith.
Angelo: I hope your mother is right. However, the world stumbles from one self induced disaster to another. Power, greed and selfishness are destructive forces. The common people can't do anything about those negative vices that affect those at the top. I'm glad you're safe, Maria.
Maria looks down: You're a caring person, Angelo.
Angelo: I do care. My lack of action against authority doesn't mean I'm indifferent to injustice.
Maria's mother, Corazón, brings in some refreshments. She smiles at Angelo and then at Maria. Corazón: You should have listened to Angelo.
Maria and Angelo exchange shy glances. Angelo feels Maria's growing attraction toward him. Maybe, just maybe...
Angelo: I was nearly talked into it, Maria. My family brought me to my senses.
Maria: My mother says God's Kingdom is the only true solution, but I don't have her faith.
Angelo: I hope your mother is right. However, the world stumbles from one self induced disaster to another. Power, greed and selfishness are destructive forces. The common people can't do anything about those negative vices that affect those at the top. I'm glad you're safe, Maria.
Maria looks down: You're a caring person, Angelo.
Angelo: I do care. My lack of action against authority doesn't mean I'm indifferent to injustice.
Maria's mother, Corazón, brings in some refreshments. She smiles at Angelo and then at Maria. Corazón: You should have listened to Angelo.
Maria and Angelo exchange shy glances. Angelo feels Maria's growing attraction toward him. Maybe, just maybe...
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