THE NOT-SO-HAPPY LIFE STORY OF ROMMEL SALUSTIANO

"Sir?"

"Mikael. You surprise me."

The other party frowns after hearing what Officer Aragon said.

"I'm not sure I understand."

"Surely you are no stranger to these high-society matrons, with their pet priests and pet cardinals? They underwrite their projects, they fund their charities, they bask in the reflected glory when the priests are elevated to the higher echelons of the Church."

"You mean—you heard all that?"

"Jonathan and I were right behind you. And Mrs. Urrutia is not exactly a quiet woman."

The director grasps Mikael's hand and shakes it vigorously, as though by doing so, he will be able to jolt him out of his black mood.

"Come now, Mikael. The old bat may have won this round. But people like you and me—we win simply by surviving yet another day."

He motions to his son, indicating that he wishes to be pushed toward the theater entrance.

"Come, gentlemen. The Black Swan awaits."