The Comedians - chapter 2 -
The 3 named as the comedians, Brown, Smith and Jones, continue on their Medea journey. Trepidation is heightened as those with prior visits to Haiti explain how the terror scene is worsening. The fear of the Papa Doc and Tonton Macoute is explained.
Minor characters Baxter and Fernandez have their time in the light, but are sad renditions.
Part 7 (chapter 2) Jones again comes to Brown - at his cabin after midnight. Brown (our narrator) was destroying papers which might be embarrassing if viewed by the authorities - possible sale of hotel etc. Jones indicates his true mission is something else. Brown notes that the army has 'gone'. Papa Doc doesn't trust them. "We've been at see 3 days, a lot can happen...." - a recommendation from the consul-general in New York may be a death sentence due to changes.
"Not exactly a tourist paradise any longer?" - "No, it never really was."
Jones evinces intention to explore opportunities - such as may present for a man without scruples.
Chapter II
The Petit Trianon, Versailles
Returning without much hope to a country of fear.
Geography: Kenscoff - leaning over the town half in deep shadow. New buildings for the exhibition, glassy, near the port. A stone Columbus statue - under which he used to meet his lover. Chaos at the wharf, yet no cause for it: one small ship. Beggars, Tonton Macoute, officials - immigration and customs, confusion. Road blocks.
The Jones's letter of introduction is to an out of favour politician. Petit Pierre, a journalist, however curries favour with all and assists the Joneses to avoid having their letter exposed and their entry to Haiti blotted. Pierre returns as the penman for the local paper, with deft writing skills, ingratiating himself such as to avoid having to pay for his drinks.
In a public park the musical fountain stood black, waterless, unplyaing. Electric globes winked out the nocturnal message, Je suis le drapeau Haitien, Uni et Indivisible. Francois Duvalier.
- I am the flag of Haiti, united and indivisible. So said Papa Doc.
- The Baron Samedi:
The former President for Life of Haiti, François Duvalier, modeled his cult of personality on Baron Samedi; he was often seen speaking in a deep nasal tone and wearing dark glasses.
Our man Brown has a knee trembler in the diplomat's wife's (Madame Pineda) car, and then must return to his hotel. The lights are not working, and there is a suicide in the empty pool. Things are not starting well. Dr Philipot has chosen to end it to avoid the suffering in store from the Tonton. He was the Minister for social services, and the Joneses did have a letter of introduction to him.
The body must be removed. Brown enlisted Dr Magiot to assist. He is discrete.
Far in the mountains, toward Kenscoff, the drumming of a Voodoo tonnelle beats the concern (a tent for voodoo worship).
Now to Chapter III.
The 3 named as the comedians, Brown, Smith and Jones, continue on their Medea journey. Trepidation is heightened as those with prior visits to Haiti explain how the terror scene is worsening. The fear of the Papa Doc and Tonton Macoute is explained.
Minor characters Baxter and Fernandez have their time in the light, but are sad renditions.
Part 7 (chapter 2) Jones again comes to Brown - at his cabin after midnight. Brown (our narrator) was destroying papers which might be embarrassing if viewed by the authorities - possible sale of hotel etc. Jones indicates his true mission is something else. Brown notes that the army has 'gone'. Papa Doc doesn't trust them. "We've been at see 3 days, a lot can happen...." - a recommendation from the consul-general in New York may be a death sentence due to changes.
"Not exactly a tourist paradise any longer?" - "No, it never really was."
Jones evinces intention to explore opportunities - such as may present for a man without scruples.
Chapter II
The Petit Trianon, VersaillesGeography: Kenscoff - leaning over the town half in deep shadow. New buildings for the exhibition, glassy, near the port. A stone Columbus statue - under which he used to meet his lover. Chaos at the wharf, yet no cause for it: one small ship. Beggars, Tonton Macoute, officials - immigration and customs, confusion. Road blocks.
The Jones's letter of introduction is to an out of favour politician. Petit Pierre, a journalist, however curries favour with all and assists the Joneses to avoid having their letter exposed and their entry to Haiti blotted. Pierre returns as the penman for the local paper, with deft writing skills, ingratiating himself such as to avoid having to pay for his drinks.
In a public park the musical fountain stood black, waterless, unplyaing. Electric globes winked out the nocturnal message, Je suis le drapeau Haitien, Uni et Indivisible. Francois Duvalier.
- I am the flag of Haiti, united and indivisible. So said Papa Doc.
- The Baron Samedi:
The former President for Life of Haiti, François Duvalier, modeled his cult of personality on Baron Samedi; he was often seen speaking in a deep nasal tone and wearing dark glasses.
Our man Brown has a knee trembler in the diplomat's wife's (Madame Pineda) car, and then must return to his hotel. The lights are not working, and there is a suicide in the empty pool. Things are not starting well. Dr Philipot has chosen to end it to avoid the suffering in store from the Tonton. He was the Minister for social services, and the Joneses did have a letter of introduction to him.
The body must be removed. Brown enlisted Dr Magiot to assist. He is discrete.
Far in the mountains, toward Kenscoff, the drumming of a Voodoo tonnelle beats the concern (a tent for voodoo worship).
Now to Chapter III.
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