SEVENTEEN
Ross got to his feet and felt his head swim as the shock of it hit him. Someone was at his side, he turned, it was Rosa, she had a hold of his shoulders. “Ssh, it’s alright, Father. Look.” She said pointing back to the scene of execution.
But he could do nothing but stare at the look of mild amusement on her face. “What is this madness?” He said and she physically took hold of his face and turned him back.
The remaining five children all scattered as the smoke began to dissipate. “Deja de!” It was another child’s voice coming from the stage.
Ross knocked Rosa’s hands away from his head and looked on at the surreal sight. A boy of perhaps eight was standing next to the girl on the stage, he was dressed exactly like Hauser, complete with fake white beard and white wig sticking out from the bottom of a homemade Panama hat.
The crowd went wild. And began chanting; “Hauser, Hauser!”
Back in the square the creature reared up again as the smoke began to dissipate from all around it. It took Ross a moment to process what he was seeing. It was a puppet! Now that the illusion was fading along with the smoke, he could see it was being operated by four master puppeteers all dressed in black. Two were controlling the four twisted limbs, one in front one in back. Whilst the other two were working the massive misshapen head and jaws.
“Hauser! Hauser!” The chant continued as the child playing the old man raised a piece of paper above his head. The ‘creature’ coward seeing this and the crowd cheered.
Up on the balcony, Ross could see that both Hauser himself and the once scared woman at his side were chanting and clapping too.
“What the fuck is this place?” Ross said.
The mini Hauser jumped down off the stage and began to circle the cowering puppet. He lunged trying to touch the paper to the thing, but it dodged dramatically which won a cry of “ole!” from the crowd. He lunged twice more each time just missing the target as they continued dancing around each other. Then finally the boy made a feint left and as the thing moved to avoid the anticipated contact, he leapt to the right and slammed the paper into its chest where the paper stuck.
The crowd let out a roar of approval as the puppeteers raced around the square making the creature convulse very convincingly until finally they threw it into the air letting it fall hard to the ground and made their exit leaving the puppet in a crumbled heap.
The victorious child put one foot on it and raised his hand in victory.
The place erupted and all the main lights came back on.
“Dulces para todos!” The boy shouted and at this a dozen screaming kids ran into the square and began to beat and pull at the puppet which burst open showering them with a mixture of confetti, sweets and treats of all shapes and sizes.
Ross half sat half fell back down onto the bench where Rosa joined him. “What the..?” Was all he could muster with a shake of the head. She thrust a fresh bottle of beer into his hand and he took a long swig.
The child who had been the creature’s victim got to his feet to join in the free for all for candy as did the other performers. Ross could now see that in fact his guts were nothing more than strips of red ribbons stuffed under his cassock.
He took another long pull on the beer draining half of it and gasped, not caring this time if anyone heard. “That’s an interesting looking piñata,” he said watching as the destroyed remains were dragged from the square. The band reappeared on stage and began playing a slower number to which several of the villagers began dancing to.
“There is an interesting story behind it,” Rosa said. “You look like you could do with some food, Father.”
In all the excitement Ross had forgotten just how hungry he was, he took another drink and looked at the beer, his second, which was now three quarters gone. What with the heat and the floor show his head was beginning to swim and this thoughts cloud somewhat.
“I think that would be a good idea,” he said. Ross looked up at the balcony to see Alicia was up there now talking with Hauser and the middle aged woman. The German was clearly not happy with something and Ross reasoned that he was the topic of discussion. This was confirmed when Hauser looked directly at him for a moment, even at that distance he could plainly see a look of contempt on the old man’s face. Then back to the two woman who were clearly haranguing him.
“Poor Hauser hasn’t got a chance,” Rosa said getting to her feet. She gestured up to the balcony. “You must understand,” she continued. “Hauser has had it very hard, and from what he tells us much of that has been due to the indifference of your Vatican.”
“They’re trying to convince him to talk to me.” Ross said.
“Yes, Gabriela has a way with him, he can be a how you say, old bastard? At times, but he has a good heart, and our love. She will talk him around.”
“But you don’t even know why I’m here.” Ross told her.
“No, but it must be of great importance for you to come all the way from England. Besides, he knows we will not let you take him away.”
“As I said to Alicia, it’s not like that. Something’s going on, back in Europe. God I don’t even really believe it, but I really could do with talking to him. Apparently he’s got experience in...” He had to think for a moment before adding lamely. “Things”
“Oh, that is true for sure,” Rosa said. “We here in Santuario know that more than most.”
Ross couldn’t help thinking back to the bizarre show he had just seen. He shuddered slightly as he wondered what events had inspired such a twisted tale.
“Patience, Father. I’ll get you some food and another drink?”
“A soft drink, please?”
“Of course,” Rosa said with a smile. “Yes, patience. Poor Hauser will be much more accommodating after another bottle and five more minutes with Gabriela and my Alicia.” With that she set off towards one of the large barbeques that was still blazing away full blast.
Ross finished his beer and looked back up to the balcony. Sure enough, the older woman was still speaking to Hauser who actually seemed to be shrinking further and further down in his chair as she spoke.