THIRTEEN"

What do you want? Why do you stare at me like that? Leave me alone!

Yes, I was pronounced guilty. But haven't I suffered enough? Look at me, my hollow cheeks, the dark
rings around my eyes, my wearied body; do they not show signs of hardships? Aren't they enough to
atone for the crime to which I was accused? Yes, that Crime!!! Crime!!!

Don't you believe that Arturo and I first met at August 13? We were engaged November 13. And during
our 13th stage performance, Arturo and I had three curtain calls. One and Three makes 13. So what I
mean, 13, oh, what a lucky number!

I was in my dressing room getting ready for the second act when my attention was attracted by a note
lying on the floor. I picked it up and read it. "Belen Martinez, wishing you a bad luck." Who could have
sent this? What could this mean? There was no signature.

I stepped on the silver plate with the number 13 engraved in. "Curtain Call for act II", shouted the
director. In that act I was to murder Arturo. Getting the dagger from the drawer I slowly approached the
bed taking care not to awaken the sleeping hero. And to thrust the dagger through Arturo's head!
Everything went black. I didn't notice the curtain fall and the audience rose from their seats and shouted
"BRAVO! What a fine performance!" they said. A fine performance indeed for Arturo was already dead! I
killed him, but I didn't mean to kill him. It was only an act. Yes, Arturo and I had a quarrel, but it was only
a pretty quarrel.

How could I kill Arturo when I loved him very much? Somebody must have tricked me. Somebody must
have replaced the dagger.

The note, that number on the plate! The genuine dagger! Belen Martinez, a criminal!-No! No!

Jailer, what is the day today? You don't have to answer. I know it.

I know why you came for me. It is my execution day. May 13. That number is driving me mad! Mad! No!
No! No!
I'm not a murderer. Belen Martinez, a killer?

Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!

13! 13! 13! 13! 13! 13!

Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!