C18 The Extraordinary General Assembly

RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION - DAY

Ricardo, in a good brand shirt and social pants, is getting closer among some residents, standing out among them, who were simpler. Residents divide into small groups and talk about random subjects, some of whom notice Ricardo. Ricardo watches Luis and exchanges a nod, and then walks on until he enters the gym at the back, where there are more residents. An improvised stage suggests that this is where Tito will speak. Ricardo giggles.

"There is our mayor."

"Too simple for your accurate taste, right?"

Ricardo turns and exchanges a look with Carlos. "I hardly recognize you in this civilian outfit."

"I want to see if I can recognize you if I see you in an orange uniform."

Ricardo loses his pose a little, approaches Carlos. "What are you trying to imply? You have been picking on me since we met/"

Carlos is ironic. "Mr. Oliveira, today we are going to see how we can help small children with improvements to the square."

Carlos walks away and leaves Ricardo in a vacuum. Luis approaches him.

"How are you, sir? Is that the officer/"

"I know who he is, Luis! Do yourself a favor; be careful that people you know don't see us together."

Luis reacts surprised. "Why? If we're not doing anything wro/"

Ricardo disguises. "Unfortunately, the officer does not think so. He has this prejudice against people who are working informally. It is a good thing that you have already taken your license, but still, be careful. The officer is very friendly with your friends."

"I just told Cássio."

Ricardo looks without expression. Luis stays the same.

"Then go to my home and get your tent."

Luis nods and walks away. Ricardo continues walking among the people. He goes to a big table. There is a petition sheet for the City Hall. He smiled. Ricardo's hand takes the pen and signs. We see Carina arrive behind him.

When Ricardo straightens up, she says: "Thank you for helping us, sir."

Ricardo turns and Carina recognizes him. He smiles slightly. Still, Carina has weak legs.

"You're welcome, miss. I want to help."

Carina remains with her head down. "Thank you, again."

Carina turns away from Ricardo and signs. Ricardo looks at Carina and then walks away, only to bump into Monica.

"Oh, Gee," She complains, "were you making fun of the posters and decided to come?"

"After all, am I, or am I not, a resident here?"

Ricardo walks away when Monica pins. "How was it with the ‘cat’? Did you manage to escape?"

Ricardo spins on his heels. He storms: "'Anonymous reporting,' said the officer. It was you, I knew it!"

Monica smiles in mockery: "Not exactly, I was the second. More people don't like mess getting stuck in our routine, Ricardo."

"For your information, everything was resolved and no, I didn't bribe any authorities."

"I never suggested that! Chief Roldão is an exemplary policeman."

"So can you just leave me alone?"

Without them noticing, Célio approaches. "Oops, what scene is this here? People are already looking. Is there a problem, man?"

Ricardo snorts: "I have a problem hearing you."

“You took the day to be unpleasant, right?

In another part of the gym, we see Aurélio perceiving the scene. He frowns and strides up to the three of them.

"Boys, come with me, please. A word," he turns to Ricardo, "Can I?

"Not only you can, but you also should!"

Aurélio pulls Célio and Monica, each hand on each other's shirt, and the three walk away. Célio is still looking at Ricardo, and he does it too.

LATER

Aurélio is in the middle of Célio, Monica, Cássio, Annie and Rosa. He's giving warning, all in a confidential tone: "Boys, for your sake: avoid head-butting this Ricardo. This guy doesn't inspire confidence."

"There's always the rotten apple in the basket", says Annie.

"You can't even put it in a pie", Cássio jokes.

"Seu Aurélio, thank you," says Monica, "But, I'm not afraid of him."

"But, Seu Aurélio is right, Monica," Célio says, "We don't know what this guy is like. What if he is a tremendous coward, and does he try to do you any harm?"

"Okay, guys, I won't be reckless either. I just chatted with him here because this gym is full of people. He would be crazy if he hit me or something."

Aurélio is always the big daddy. "Just avoid more problems, my boys and my girls."

Rosa comments: "Listen to the voice of experience, people."

Monica nods. "Okay. Hey, Seu Tito has arrived. It looks like he's going to start!"

Cassio looks at his wristwatch, "Punctually!"

Tito enters with pomp and circumstance, wearing a tie, thinking of himself in Royal Hill Parliament. He goes to the improvised stage that creaks with each step. Residents gather around him. Some notice that there is no chair for them to sit on. Ricardo is with the same mocking face.

"Residents of Rhodia River Environmental Park, welcome! This is our first meeting/"

Ricardo screams ironically: "Assembly, Seu Tito!"

There's laughter among the residents. Aurélio and his friends don't laugh. Tito gets embarrassed.

"I have called this Assembly to discuss with you a subject that is bothering you a lot."

Ed yells: "The Square is falling apart!"

There are summaries among all.

"That's right." Tito goes on, "We need to come together to carry out a petition and thus pressure the competent authorities, or else..." there is a great expectation, "To make a collection for ourselves to fix."

General dismay. Monica raises her hand. "I prefer the first option. The city cannot just leave us in the most extreme corner of the southwest!"

General agreement. Carina says: "We are an ‘environmental park’ and precisely the square makes us feel in Santana do Agreste!"

Stupid people like Cássio did not understand and did not agree. Tito tries to inflame the audience.

"So, let's move! I see that some have already started to sign. I will personally look for our councilors and deputies and thus we will have the Granja Square completely renovated for our children!"

The climax of the speech, but only Ed vibrates and claps his hands. Out of the boy's pity, the other residents also vibrate and clap their hands. Tito forgets the initial embarrassment and feels fulfilled.

RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION ENTRANCE

Residents are leaving, more excited than they entered. The gang is also leaving.

Cassio is scolding Edward. "Ed, you suck."

"You adults are very discouraged. Didn't you find Seu Tito's speech brilliant?"

"Above average", Carina says, "But how good that the mayor touched you. Imagine when we start the campaign for the police station?"

"I'm looking forward to seeing it."

Carina's eyes widen at Carlos's manly voice, she turns and finds him. Carlos is smiling and walking to the group. In another corner, we see Sandra and Miriam as dizzy cockroaches looking for Carlos.

"I saw him, Sandra, he was upfront. Logically, he should be the last to leave!"

"Without despair, my friend, that's what the others do."

Miriam is very anxious. "I got all dressed up for him, Sandra..."

Sandra keeps looking until she finds him. Her reaction is strong, pats the "friend" on the shoulder. Miriam turns and gets wide-eyed. In Miriam's view: Carlos is talking to the group, but Miriam's jealousy only makes her see Carlos talking TO CARINA.

Back in the first group, Annie turns to the two and smiles in mockery, nudges Jonas. The talk is already in the middle, with Monica: "We are doing this with great pleasure, officer. But, we have not told you before, we thought about making a surprise."

"Tito told me," Carlos answered.

Carina promises: "I will do my best, officer. I was even thinking of having you as a poster boy."

Carlos smiles wide, "Me? I'm not that boy anymore..."

"Oh, oh, full of grace", Célio says.

"Look at the contempt, man", warns Cássio.

Carina goes on: "A picture of you in uniform, perhaps with a gun drawn, very serious and at the same time protective, giving us security and tranquility; how about that?"

"Fantastic. We have to combine this correctly /"

"What do we have to agree on?"

Everyone makes room for Miriam and Sandra in the back. Miriam is possessed, indignant. Everyone is on alert, except Carlos.

Carlos greets her: "Miriam! How have you been at dawn for now?"

"After you left me in my bed, everything was fine!"

Total shock between the girls, especially Carina. She turns red. Everyone thinks Carlos and Miriam had sex. Even Sandra is ashamed.

Carlos tries to ease it: "Miriam and I gone out yesterday..."

Miriam adds to complete the petulancy: "It was at the pizzeria De Luca. A delight for pizza, wine... Everything was wonderful. We need to repeat, Carlos."

More shock when they heard the other use the officer's first name.

Miriam notices the shock between them but goes on barking: "Ah, sorry, you are not his neighbors, you can't with intimacy. Anyway, I'm going home to rest. This ‘meeting’ was less than I expected."

Sandra says quickly, smart "Come on, Cassio, I want to go to your house."

"Alright! See you guys!"

Cassio and Sandra walk away; she’s gone staring at Miriam.

"See you, Carlos!" Miriam gets closer and gives Carlos a quick kiss on the cheek.

After she leaves, in the background we see Ricardo watching the scene, delighted.

Carlos tries to fix the embarrassing scene: "Don't mind her, guys. Where were we?"

"I must go, too, folks." Carina starts to walk away; Carlos takes her by the arm. Carina reacts in surprise with his firm hand on her elbow.

"When do we see your plan?" He asks seriously.

Carina shyly replies: "I'll call or warn you."

Carlos releases Carina and she goes.

Monica asks: "Did I miss anything?"

Annie is reflecting: "We'll tell you later, friend. Come on, Jon?"

Jonas heaves a sigh, "Only if it is now. It's too much shame for me."

The two also move away.

Aurélio approaches: "What are these grimaces, guys? Aren't you happy to take a step in the restoration of Praça da Granja?"

"I'll tell you later, friend..."

Carlos goes out. Aurélio doesn't understand...