Living with Saci by M J Dees

Author:M J Dees
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: brazil, m j dees, sao paulo, saci, living with saci
Publisher: M J Dees
Published: 2017-08-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two - The Conversion – 15th February 2015

“What did you think of the protest?” Teresa asked as they sat in the restaurant and waited for their sandwiches.

“I understand that these are people who are pretty upset that their favoured candidate did not win the election. But to be willing, or even keen, to remove the elected Government, no matter how unpopular, and hand over power to an unelected group whose main role in society was to have lots of weapons and show them off whenever things seemed to be getting out of hand. I don't see how handing over the country to the military just because you didn't get your way in an election was a solution of any kind. This is not the way to go about things. Not just 30 years after the country has managed to wrestle power back off the dictators. What short memories these people have,” he said. “They’re talking about runaway inflation, but most of these protestors are enough to remember when Brazil did have runaway inflation, not just the 8% it has at the moment.”

“Wow, I didn’t know you felt that strongly,” she said. “So, what are you doing here amongst so many angry right wing middle class people?”

“I told you. I came to see you,” he smiled, then got serious again. “And another thing, PT might be left wing but they’re certainly not communist, they are as neoliberal as the next centre-left capitalist party. I have a lot of sympathy for the protesters. I’m also disgusted by the level of corruption. Corrupt politicians have stolen billions of dollars, some of whom are from the PT party. Billions of dollars which could have been better spent on hospitals, schools, adequate housing, clean water for all and filling in potholes.”

Teresa raised her eyebrows. She had no idea, Felipe had all this pent-up rage inside him.

“But I don’t see how it would be a good idea to remove Bolsa Familia,” Felipe continued. “That single benefit has lifted millions of low-income families out of poverty and guaranteed millions of Brazilian children an education. I’m also here because the Brazilian people have to show the corrupt politicians that they will not tolerate them robbing the country anymore. But mainly I’m here to see you.”

The waiter arrived with their sandwiches.

Felipe bit into his Bauru.

"Yeah, I see what you mean," he said after a bit of chewing. "Still nice, though."

"I don't like them here,” Teresa repeated.

"I know, but they are the original recipe,” argued Felipe.

"Original does not mean best."

He smiled. Teresa observed it. She hadn't noticed his smile before, but now she saw it she liked what she saw.

"You have a nice smile,” she said, cringing at hearing her thoughts spoken out loud.

"Thank you, so do you," he said smiling even more. "You should do it more often."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she couldn't help herself. Always on the defensive.

"Nothing, Just that you look even more beautiful when you smile."

She blushed. She couldn't believe she was letting Felipe's cheap tricks fool her.

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