The naked lady

Part 2: Penn - thirteen

Julius is waiting for him.

Penn can see Julius has waited long.

The man has changed since he last saw him.

Julius is no longer laughing.

His pale face and hands are cold.

Why Julius came here, Penn will soon find out.

But Penn is not cruel.

Without speaking, he lets Julius go in.

His clean flat surprises the older man at first.

For a second, Penn smiles.

Why did Julius come? Why not earlier?

Penn pours himself a glass of water and lime.

'Have you come for forgiveness?'

Julius laughs, 'Look how she left me...

Without her, I have nothing left to live for.

I will never ask forgiveness.

I came... to ask you a favour.

Will you do something for me if I beg?'

Already Penn is saying no.

He goes back to open the door.

Julius must go. Penn has to plan his trip.

'Now, don't say no yet.

Just listen... I know you'll do it.

This is your one chance to be a hero.'

Julius takes out a pistol.

He places it in Penn's open hands.

'Shoot me,' the old man does not look away.

Penn wants to do it.

He has wanted to his whole life.

Nothing is stopping him; it would be so easy.

Something has caught Julius' eye.

The bedroom door has been left half-open.

Julius can see Karina's painting painted on the wall.

He goes inside to look.

'The Naked Lady' is large and great.

Karina is drifting in the water with great tranquillity.

'You did this?' Julius asks.

'I have never seen anything like it.

Your mother would have loved to see herself here.

I think it is magnificent.

It is close to how she looked.

When I held her dead body, she was so...'

Penn cannot speak or listen.

He is still thinking of killing Julius.

Looking at the painting makes his anger rise again.

There is little time left.

He will do it for his mother.

All those times he heard Julius scream at her.

Julius touches her one hand.

It is like touching an old memory.

When he turns Penn's pointing the gun at him.

Julius starts to cry more.

He closes his eyes, waiting for it.

Penn pulls the trigger, and the shot echoes throughout.

Julius falls to the ground.

But he is not dead or lamented.

'I am sorry! I am sorry!' the man cries.

Penn has shot his foot.

'As I said before, I forgive you.'

Penn touches his mother's other hand; he is whole.