El círculo
_Buenas. ¿Qué tal? Geez me espera - expresó Melvin y la muchacha señaló con los labios la puerta, sin responder el saludo.
Melvin entró y halló a Geez hablando por celular. Sin que se lo indicaran, Melvin se sentó frente al otro hombre a esperar que terminara de hablar:
_Perfecto. Cuenta con eso. Luego hablamos del dinero. Lo importante en este momento es que ya estás adentro. Luego te llamo que tengo un cliente aquí en la oficina - dijo y colgó.
_¡Pájaro de mar por tierra! Es una verdadera sorpresa ¿A qué se debe tu visita? - dijo con tono burlón mientras se reclinaba en el asiento de cuero.
_Estoy salado, Geez. No me sale ningún contrato y vine para ver si me ayudabas. Mi esposa me tiene loco porque no tengo trabajo.
_Ah, caramba. Justamente acabo de cerrar toda la plantilla de un concierto.
_Cónchale, hermano, y no quedará una vacante o no habrá otros eventos donde me puedas meter. No tengo ni un bolívar en la cuenta y le debo dinero a todo el mundo, sin mencionar que mi esposa amenazó con dejarme.
_Bueno, déjame ver. Tal vez tenga algo. Pero tú sabes que eso te va a costar dinero. Estoy pidiendo el 50% de lo que te paguen, pero como tú eres como mi hermano, te voy a pedir el 45%.
_¿El 45%? ¡Es bastante! - expresó con pesar Melvin.
_Mi trabajo cuesta plata, Melvin. Así que tómalo o déjalo, pero no regatees conmigo. - apuntó Geez con cansancio.
Melvin conocía perfectamente a Geez y sabía que todo lo hacía por dinero. Dentro de la industria, tenía muchos contactos. Además, Melvin no era de los mejores músicos por lo que debía conformarse.
_Ok. Acepto - aseguró y Geez puso su sonrisa de roedor.
_Perfecto. Déjame ver qué te puedo conseguir. Espera mi llamada. Ah, cuando salgas, dile a Lola que entre. Necesito un masaje - expresó mientras se masajeaba el cuello y Melvin cerraba la puerta.
El lugar quedaba en de las zonas más pudientes de la ciudad, la cual estaba hecha para militares. Melvin le dijo al vigilante su nombre y el hombre con uniforme revisó una agenda y luego lo dejó pasar.
Adentro, lo recibió un hombre alto, de nombre Tone. Tenía cara de pocos amigos y apenas lo vio, le dijo con autoridad:
_Nada de sacar celulares, nada de repetir lo que escuches o veas, aquí está tu contrato. Firma y espera tu turno para subir al escenario - le extendió un papel. Melvin vio que en el contrato tenía prohibido muchas cosas.
_Amigo - comenzó a decirle, cuando Tone le dijo con fuerza:
_No soy su amigo. Le exijo que se dirija a mí con respeto. Lea y firme.
Melvin firmó rápidamente y le devolvió el papel al hombre, el cual se marchó con largos pasos. Melvin no tenía pruebas, pero tampoco dudas: seguro que aquel hombre era o había sido un militar por la forma de caminar y hablar. Desde hacía años, los militares estaban al frente de todo.
Mientras cantaba, pudo observar que, entre los invitados, se paseaban mesoneros con bandejas con pasapalos, copas, pero otras tenían círculos de un polvo blanco. Los presentes agarraban con los dedos y se lo llevaban a la nariz o a la boca. Melvin recordó haber visto un reportaje que hablaba de cómo los militares tenían negocios de lavados de dinero, tráfico de drogas y hasta de armas. Cuando Melvin terminó, no recibió aplausos ni nada. Abajo lo esperaba Tone con un sobre lleno de dólares:
_Esta es tu parte. La parte de Geez ya se la enviamos. Puedes irte - aseguró y se perdió entre la gente.
Melvin se dirigió a la salida y al igual que cuando llegó, tuvo que dar su nombre. No había caminado nada, cuando su teléfono sonó. Vio que era Geez y atendió.
_Aló, hermano. Te quieren para una presentación en otra ciudad, mañana mismo. No te puedes quejar: estás adentro. Ya perteneces al círculo - dijo Geez y colgó. Melvin siguió caminando por aquellas calles oscuras y desoladas, sin dejar de pensar cómo le diría a su esposa que estaba trabajando para los militares y que él intuía que era algo peligroso.
La imagen principal fue creada por mí en Canva, y el texto fue traducido con Deepl Translate
HASTA UNA PRÓXIMA OPORTUNIDAD, AMIGOS
![Click here to read in englis]
The circle
When Melvin arrived at Geez's office, he was greeted by a girl wearing a leather miniskirt and a shiny blouse, with very long nails, so long that Melvin doubted she could press the keys on the computer easily. The girl looked at him with boredom, as if the man's presence was unwelcome. Melvin knew that more than a secretary, this girl was one of Geez's many girlfriends:
“Hi. How's it going? Geez is expecting me,” said Melvin, and the girl pointed to the door with her lips, without responding to his greeting.
Melvin went in and found Geez talking on his cell phone. Without being told, Melvin sat down across from the other man to wait for him to finish talking:
“Perfect. You can count on it. We'll talk about the money later. >
The important thing right now is that you're in. I'll call you later, I have a client here in the office,” he said and hung up.
“A seabird on land! What a surprise! What brings you here?” he said mockingly as he leaned back in his leather chair.
“I'm broke, Geez. I can't get any contracts, and I came to see if you could help me. My wife is driving me crazy because I don't have a job.”
“Oh, man. I just closed the entire lineup for a concert.”
“Come on, brother, there won't be a vacancy or other events you can put me in? I don't have a penny in my account, and I owe money to everyone, not to mention that my wife threatened to leave me.”
Well, let me see. Maybe I have something. But you know that's going to cost you money. I'm asking for 50% of what they pay you, but since you're like my brother, I'll ask for 45%.
“45%? That's a lot!” Melvin said regretfully.
“My work costs money, Melvin. So take it or leave it, but don't haggle with me,” Geez said wearily.
Melvin knew Geez well and knew that he did everything for money. He had many contacts within the industry. Besides, Melvin wasn't one of the best musicians, so he had to settle.
“Okay. I accept,” he said, and Geez flashed his rodent smile.
“Perfect. Let me see what I can get you. Wait for my call. Oh, when you leave, tell Lola to come in. I need a massage,” he said as he massaged his neck and Melvin closed the door.
At 6 p.m., Melvin arrived at the place Geez had pointed out to him. In two days, Geez had found him a gig at an exclusive venue:
“If you do your job well and keep your mouth shut, we'll get more contracts and more money,” he promised, and Melvin thanked him for his help.
The place was located in one of the wealthiest areas of the city, which was built for military personnel. Melvin gave his name to the guard, and the man in uniform checked an address book and then let him in. Inside, he was greeted by a tall man named Tone. He had an unfriendly face, and as soon as he saw Melvin, he said authoritatively:
No cell phones, no repeating what you hear or see, here's your contract. Sign it and wait your turn to go on stage," he handed him a piece of paper. Melvin saw that the contract prohibited many things.
“Friend,” he began to say, when Tone said forcefully:
"I'm not your friend. I demand that you address me with respect. Read and sign.
Melvin signed quickly and handed the paper back to the man, who walked away with long strides. Melvin had no proof, but he had no doubts either: he was sure that man was or had been in the military because of the way he walked and talked. For years, the military had been in charge of everything.
That night, Melvin performed at around 11 p.m., after several unknown artists who, like him, weren't very talented. In reality, those present were not paying attention to the music. Apparently, they were there for something else. Melvin sang two songs, which he considered the best in his repertoire. While he sang, he noticed that waiters were walking among the guests with trays of appetizers and drinks, but some of the drinks had circles of white powder on them. Those present picked it up with their fingers and put it to their noses or mouths. Melvin remembered seeing a report about how the military was involved in money laundering, drug trafficking, and even arms trafficking. When Melvin finished, he received no applause or anything. Toner was waiting for him downstairs with an envelope full of dollars:
“This is your share. We already sent Geez his share. You can go,” he said, and disappeared into the crowd.
Melvin headed for the exit and, just like when he arrived, had to give his name. He hadn't walked far when his phone rang. He saw it was Geez and answered.
“Hello, brother. They want you for a presentation in another city tomorrow. You can't complain: you're in. You belong to the circle now,” said Geez and hung up. Melvin continued walking through those dark and desolate streets, thinking about how he would tell his wife that he was working for the military and that he sensed it was dangerous.