Adam in Eden

Chapter 24

Another nightmare:

Adam González enters my dream.

He is a fat man with dark skin, curly hair, and a trumpet-player’s lips.

This time, my nightmare happens very quickly, and the events unfold one after the other in flashes across the screen of my dream.

Adam González compiles a list of his enemies.

Slowly, he locks them up, one at a time.

He accuses one person of disrespecting our nation’s flag, another of raiding the public trust, a third of abusing power, a fourth of insulting the omnipotent public figure Adam González.

In my dream — I am not fooled, this time I know it’s a dream—those accused by González defend themselves.

“He attacks us just to humiliate us.”

“He’s sending a message to all citizens.”

They understand the pronouncements. “Nobody is safe from my arbitrary decisions.”

“Nobody better think of turning against me.”

“Nobody better protest, and nobody better ask for nothing.”

The families of the detained state their cases.

“We haven’t been allowed to see my father.”

“My husband is in solitary confinement because he’s guilty of being a flight risk.”

“I know the jail cells. They measure two square meters. Nobody can lie down without bending their knees.”

“I’m the governor. And they’re going to take away the job that I was elected for.”

“I’m a student. They locked me up for going to a demonstration.”

“I’m the mayor. I’ve been waiting six years to be sentenced.”

“We’re guilty of treason, of rebellion, of sedition.”

“We’re disqualified.”

“We’re guilty.”

“That’s what Adam González says.”

“If he says that, it must be so.”

“God bless Adam González.”