“It sneaked up on me! The guide, an expert hunter, of course, shot him in the ear, and the elephant went crazy. We started to run in the opposite direction . . .”
“We knew that since the animal was so big, it would be hard for him to turn around,” continued Pao, chortling. “But that day it didn’t turn at all. With blood gushing from his ear, he continued straight ahead with us close behind . . .”
Kilian took an increasing dislike to Dick and Pao. There was something about them he did not trust. Dick did not look him in the eyes, and Pao’s laughs were cruel.
“Finally, the animal began to slow down. We shot him several times and”—Jacobo raised the palms of his hands—“the elephant vanished! He disappeared from sight! The hunt ended and there I was, frustrated because I didn’t see him fall!”
“These devils take an age to die.” Dick took a drag from his cigarette and held the smoke in his lungs before letting it out.
“This one, a couple of days!” Pao interjected. “When we returned with the guide and found the body, it was still warm.”
“It took a number of men to carve it up. And they left nothing but the bones!” Jacobo raised his glass. “The tusks were as tall as that door!”
Kilian had found the story quite gruesome. He was used to hunting mountain goats in the Pyrenees, but he could not imagine a scene like the one described. Since the days of Adam, the suffering of animals could be avoided with an accurate shot. He did not know any man from home who could enjoy the prolonged torment of one. He could only shake his head and say, “It sounds very dangerous.”
“It certainly is!” Dick looked at him with his cold, expressionless blue eyes. Kilian turned his head to light a cigarette. “I was on a hunt where the elephant caught one of the blacks with his trunk and flung him to the ground, trampling him into a pulp of flesh and bones.”
“Not even his mother could have recognized him!” Pao laughed insipidly, showing off his crooked teeth.
Kilian had heard enough. What a night he was having! Between Julia’s outburst, the extreme wealth on display, and the story of this cruel hunt, he guessed that his first night in the famous casino would be his last. The drink was going to his head, so he pulled at his tie to loosen it.
“What’s wrong with you now?” Jacobo asked in a low voice.
“It turns out that I’m happiest in the forest,” murmured Kilian, lighting another cigarette with the butt of the previous one.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing, nothing. Are you going to stay much longer?”
“Oh, we’re going to go to somewhere a bit livelier.” Jacobo paused, wondering whether to invite his brother. “You can go back to the plantation with the rest.”
“Yes, of course.”
If I can avoid annoying them . . . , he thought ironically.
After Jacobo, Dick, and Pao left, Kilian watched some young men playing billiards until some raised voices caught his attention. He turned and saw Emilio, all steamed up, arguing with a hefty black man in an elegant tan suit. Generosa was pulling her husband’s arm, but he took no notice. The discussion got louder, and the crowd began to fall silent. Kilian went over to see what was happening.
“How can you, especially you, say that to me, Gustavo?” Emilio almost shouted. “I have been a friend of your father’s for many years! Have I ever treated you badly? I dare say I have lived more years on the island than you!”
“You don’t want to understand, Emilio,” Gustavo hissed. A few drops of sweat beaded on his furrowed brow and slid down his temples past a pair of large square-shaped glasses. “You whites have exploited us enough. Sooner or later you will have to leave.”
“Yes, of course, that is what half of you here tonight would like. That we leave so you can keep everything . . . my business as well! Well, you won’t get it, Gustavo!” He pushed his finger into the man’s chest. “I have worked my fingers to the bone in this land so that my family could have a better life. I won’t let you or anyone else threaten me!”
Generosa, beside herself, did not know what to do. She pleaded with her husband to leave and looked relieved when she saw Julia come over with Manuel.
“Nobody is threatening you, Emilio! I thought you were more reasonable. Have you ever considered our position?” Gustavo’s nose flared in agitation.
“In your position?” roared Emilio. “Nobody has ever done me any favors!”
“That’s enough, Dad!” Julia took his arm and gave the two men a hard stare. “Others have been punished for less than this! Tell me what’s going on. Are you going to allow damned politics to ruin your friendship? If so, you’re wasting your time. Things won’t change here for many years to come.”
The two men fell silent, but neither apologized. Emilio finally agreed to follow Generosa toward the exit. Little by little, all those present resumed their conversations. Manuel and Kilian accompanied Julia and her parents to the door.
“Are you all right, Julia?” asked Manuel softly as she caught her breath.
“Fine, thanks, Manuel.” She held out her hand affectionately. “I had a very nice time with you. In fact, it was the only nice part of the night.” She saw Kilian make a face and hastened to add, “The dance with you wasn’t bad either. Still, it would be best if we left. How embarrassing, my God! I won’t be able to come back to the casino for weeks!”
“I’m sorry, my child,” said Emilio sadly. “I couldn’t help it. Generosa, he rattled me.”
“Relax, Emilio,” his wife comforted him, nervously adjusting her fine lace gloves. “I’m afraid that from now on, we’ll have to get used to the demands of these ingrates.”
“That’s enough, Mom.” Julia looked at Kilian and Manuel. “We’ll see one another again.”
“I hope so,” Manuel said wistfully. “And soon. Good night, Julia.”
Manuel and Kilian remained at the door of the casino for a few seconds until they were out of sight.
“A charming woman,” said Manuel as he cleaned his glasses with a handkerchief.
Kilian grinned for the first time all night.
A few days later, Julia was handed a note from one of Sampaka’s boys: “I am truly sorry for my behavior. I hope you will forgive me. It will not happen again. Jacobo.”