Summary

Belisa Crepusculario regained consciousness to find herself in a military camp. El Mulato led her to the Colonel, who was resting in a hammock; his face covered by the shadows. From the Colonel’s disposition, Belisa Crepusculario was able to conclude that the Colonel was sad and lonely. However, the Colonel declared that he wanted to be President in order to be recognized, feared, and relied on by all the different kinds of citizens.

the Colonel wanted Belisa Crepusculario to write him a campaign speech. Belisa Crepusculario accepted, partly due to her fear for her life, but also because she felt a strong affection towards the Colonel. She spent some time writing the speech under El Mulato’s watchful gaze, then she presented the speech to the Colonel.

the Colonel told her to read the speech, because he did not know how to...