Persona Non Grata

Scene 6 - The Meeting at the Tavern

Penitente's methods of conducting business have never ceased to amaze me. Elusive, cautious and unpredictable: he always finds ways to be one step ahead of everybody, may it be a friend or a foe. He treats every matter, even the meager ones, with utmost care that he virtually never fails to cover every contingency in his affairs. Never have I met a man so sophisticated, so capable of creating the most elaborate and daring of schemes that he pulls them off without drawing the slightest attention of the government to himself. Practically speaking, he is a shadow behind the curtain, pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

To be honest, I find myself utterly fortunate to be on his good side.

One thing I found mind-boggling about him is that how in the world does he manage to maintain a loose alliance with the tulisanes of Luzon despite being under contract with the government - providing food for the prisoners in Bilibid and the soldiers in the capital city, which was all thanks to his granary business in Nueva Ecija serving as a front. Though under close scrutiny from authorities, not the slightest suspicion from the government was aroused in his seven years of being a covert arms dealer. Did he have a man inside the Malacañang? What sort of demon did he sell his soul to to pull off this kind of thing?

I reached for my pocket watch inside my coat to check the time. It's twenty-eight minutes past seven and he's still nowhere to be seen. The tavern where we're supposed to meet is starting to fill up with patrons and I'm afraid I'll have to leave if he doesn't appear until the last minute.

"I am very sorry for the delay, Doct-!"

With a sudden jolt, I immediately placed my hand on my holster beneath the coat, and turned to face the source of the voice.

"Mierda! Watch where you're pointing that thing!" warned the man.

"Goddamn it! Will you stop appearing out of nowhere, Penitente!" I reprimanded him.

"My apologies. I had to take a detour." he explained.

"Who's this?" I asked, acknowledging the presence of his companion wearing a camisa, with a salakot covering almost half of his face.

I tried to get a glimpse of his features. By the looks of it, he seems to be much older than I am. He had eyes as sharp as the Chinese, a thin and narrow face, thin lips, a small mustache and a brown complexion. He is much taller than I am, and he has the built of a farmer.

"Ahh, yes! Let me introduce you to my personal assistant. This is Perfecto Peralta, he is my....'attaché' - I'm not even sure if that is the right term. But enough of that. I suppose it would be better if we talk inside the tavern, eh?" Penitente invited.

"Attaché, huh? And why are we meeting in a tavern, anyway? It's a place where gossips come and go." I answered in a nuanced tone.

"Come on. You'll see." countered Penitente with a smile, who led me by the shoulder inside the tavern.

At the entrance, a man with a ragged coat sat near, as if guarding it. The man then said, "Good evening. The tavern is full right now and I'm afraid we cannot accomodate more patrons at this hour."

Then, Placido, smiling, replied to him. "Not even for a friend of the bartender?" he said as he produced an odd coin from his pocket and presented it to the guard.

"Oh. Well, in that case, this way please." replied the man, who, upon hearing Penitente's response, stood up and opened the door for us. Curious, I thought to myself.

"After you." invited Penitente as he showed me the door.

As was expected, the tavern is packed with all sorts of people. Ilustrados wearing their coats, smoking cigar in their tables. Women in their fine dresses, serving food and drink to guests. And on some occasions, I spy some dock workers trying their luck with the ladies.