The Nightmares of Carlos Fuentes by Hassan Blasim, Rashid Razaq Read Free Book Online Page A

takes out his silver ring with the bright red stone from his pocket and puts it on .
    LYDIA: For God’s sake don’t wear that ring Carlos.
    CARLOS: It is my ring.
    LYDIA: You can’t wear that. It’s hideous.
    CARLOS: I like my ring.
    LYDIA: It looks like a flying saucer.
    CARLOS: No one will be looking at my ring at a party.
    LYDIA: It’s a dinner party. And everyone will be looking at it in case it takes off.
    CARLOS: I’m wearing the ring.
    LYDIA: Carlos.
    CARLOS: Go without me.
    LYDIA: I can’t turn up on my own. I told Franny and Tim you were coming.
    CARLOS: I come with ring or not.
    LYDIA: You’re going to do this now?
    CARLOS: Maybe it is best I stay at home if you are a-shamed by me.
    LYDIA: My home.
    CARLOS: They are not my friends. They are your friends.
    LYDIA: Who are waiting to meet you. Waiting to meet the wonderful, exotic, younger man I’ve been telling them about.
    CARLOS : Really?
    LYDIA : Yes. Don’t make me go on my own. Please .
    CARLOS : I am a man.
    LYDIA : Nobody’s disputing that.
    CARLOS : You push me too far Lydia.
    LYDIA : You said you wanted my help. That’s all I’m doing.
    CARLOS: But the way you talk to me.
    LYDIA : How?
    CARLOS : I don’t think you talked to your ex-husband like this.
    LYDIA: You don’t know what you’re talking about Carlos. My ex-husband was nothing like you. He was a waste of space.
    CARLOS : Waste?
    LYDIA : He was weak. Lazy. A liar. A…philanderer. ( CARLOS doesn’t understand the word.) Somebody who cheats on people.
    CARLOS : Cheat you? From money?
    LYDIA : No. A philanderer is…he slept with other women. (Beat.) Behind my back. Sex.
    CARLOS : Oh! Intercourse.
    LYDIA : Yes. He was one of those failed artist types. Big dreams but little talent for anything other than sponging off me. You’re not him. You’ve got ambition. Drive. You…you’re… different .
    CARLOS : I don’t want to different. I want to be…
    LYDIA : British. Yes, I know…
    CARLOS : No. I don’t know. Maybe. What. What if I can not be British like you want me to be?
    LYDIA : I like you just the way you are. (Smiling.) With a few minor adjustments
    CARLOS : This ring is all I have. I have no friends. No job. I stay home all day waiting for you to come.
    LYDIA : Darling, I’m not stopping you from getting a job. Making friends. I want you to be happy. And it’s not true. You’ve got me. What do you want? Tell me. Whatever you want. I’ll get it for you.
    CARLOS smiles. LYDIA smiles .
    CARLOS: Anything I want Ms King?
    LYDIA: Anything you want Mr Fuentes.
    They embrace. A tender moment between them .
    LYDIA : Just tell me why the ring’s so important to you.
    As quietly as possible SAHAR enters wearing a short blue dress. CARLOS can see her. LYDIA can’t. SAHAR and LYDIA speak at the same time with their words overlapping .
SAHAR: Tell her.
LYDIA: Carlos?
    CARLOS looks at SAHAR .
    SAHAR: Tell her what it means.
    CARLOS: I can not.
    LYDIA: You can’t do what?
SAHAR: Tell her about me.
LYDIA: Carlos? What can’t you do?
    SAHAR: The wife and child you left behind.
    CARLOS: (Looking at SAHAR .) She won’t understand.
    LYDIA: Understand what?
    SAHAR: Are you afraid she will throw you out? There is nothing left for you in Iraq.
CARLOS: Iraq is my home.
LYDIA: What are you talking about?
    SAHAR: There is nothing for Carlos. That is who you are now. Salim is dead.
    SAHAR starts to leave .
    CARLOS: Salim is not dead.
    LYDIA: Who?
    SAHAR exits .
    CARLOS: (After SAHAR .) Salim is not dead!
    LYDIA: Who is Salim? Who are you talking to?
    CARLOS: (After SAHAR , not to LYDIA .) Salim is alive! You must believe me!
    LYDIA: Carlos?
    CARLOS: (After SAHAR .) I am not dead. I am Salim Abdul Husain. From Baghdad. From Iraq. I am not dead . I am a Sunni, you are a Shia. I am not dead. My wife, my child. I am not dead. Please. (Crying.) You must believe me. You must not forget. I am not dead. I… I am…not…
    LYDIA: Carlos? Carlos darling? You’re scaring me.
    CARLOS: (Crying.) Please. Come