Summary

At 5 o’clock, Trujillo attends his daily meeting with Joaquín Balaguer, the poet, lawyer and puppet President. He interrogates Balaguer about a scholarship in America given to Urania Cabral without his knowledge, and we learn from Balaguer that Agustin’s “situation” was not supposed to extend to his family (218). Trujillo continues to show much concern for the breach of protocol, before moving on to the question of the Catholic bishops. Balaguer urges caution and expresses his dislike for Abbes and his violent methods. Trujillo ruminates on Balaguer’s rise to power and the mystery that survives this seemingly unambitious, gentle, and friendly man.

Point blank, Trujillo asks Balaguer about his vices, calling him “inhuman” (221). Balaguer deflects with praise. Trujillo wonders about the rumors of Balaguer’s devoutness and his continued counsel of caution in matters surrounding the church. Surprising himself, he praises a...