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RICARDO

I nodded. 'And they took all my clothes and they gave me no food.' I was hoping that he would take the hint about food, but he didn't.
'Can you get money?'
'I think I can get money. Maybe that woman will come back. Maybe the British Embassy. If I can speak with some friends, they'll send me money, for sure.'

Ricardo looked me over again, then appeared to come to a decision.
'OK, Inglaterra. You can sleep on my floor tonight. But you have to pay.'
'Thank you, but I'm sorry. I have no money.'
'You can pay me when you get money. Two dollars per night. You can go now. I am talking with my friends. See you tonight.'
'OK, thank you,' I turned to leave and the three immediately recommenced their conversation. Then I remembered something. 'Ricardo. I'm sorry to interrupt, but how can I find you?'
'In Pinos. You see that gate with the five stars above it? Just next to the Coca-Cola sign? In there. Ask for Ricardo.' He turned back to his conversation and ignored me.

I wanted to get out of their way before Ricardo changed his mind, so I hurried back down the corridor to my abandoned building. There was now a group of four men inside, huddled together under a blanket against the opposite wall, passing a pipe around. They looked up briefly. One of them muttered something and the others laughed. I only caught the word 'gringo'. I remembered what Ricardo had said about gringos. However, after that they ignored me and went back to their pipe. I sat down near the entrance, just in case. I was weak from hunger.

Night began to fall and I could feel the air getting colder. I put on the pullover Sylvia had given me, but even with the blanket it wasn't enough to keep me warm. I wanted to go to Ricardo's cell as soon as possible, but I was worried he might be annoyed if I went too early, so I decided to wait as long as possible. I pulled my knees up to my chest for warmth and waited patiently for several hours, all the time wary of the men propped against the opposite wall. Someone switched on a light outside, so I could still make out their figures. Every now and then one of them would mumble something, but mostly they stayed silent. I started shivering.

Eventually, one of them stumbled to his feet and left the building.

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