“You don’t want to eat now. I want to talk to you about something.”

“Can I not stuff my face as you talk?”

“I want your full attention.”

I looked around the restaurant. A couple of businessmen over by the wall were watching us. When I looked over at them again a few moments later they were still observing us closely; clearly they were talking about us. It struck me that Susan, by now, must be known in the city, must have become a presence for people who were seeking advancement and power or connections with the United States.

“You’re not listening to me,” she said. “There’s a new guy at the embassy who’s very nice. I think he’s a little shell-shocked about being sent down here. He’s only been in Europe before. He’s quiet, he’s nice.”

“That’s twice you’ve said he’s nice. Is that a code word for something?”

“Yeah, he’s gay.”

“Is he gay, or do you suspect he’s gay?”

“No, I talked to him. He’s gay.”

“Is he really nice?”

When our drinks came she took up the menu again. She called the waiter back and said that she was ready to order. We ordered. I looked over at the two men who had been observing us, but they were deep in conversation now.

“So you told him all about me,” I said.

“Yes, I did.”

“And he’s about to arrive at any moment and look me up and down.”

“Not exactly, but he’d like to meet you.”

“I think I’m in love,” I said.

“With him? Already?”

“A nice American? No.”

“He really is very nice.”

“I think I’m in love,” I said again.

WHEN THE SECOND half of the money arrived, I became worried. I felt that I had lost my nerve. I had visions of us being caught, our photographs in the newspapers as we were led away. Signing the contract and getting paid seemed easy to live with, but taking money for services never provided was something else. Federico had given me precise instructions once more on how the check should be deposited. But I was frightened when I saw it. I had an urge to phone Federico and tell him that I wanted to return it, but that would have been ridiculous. Within a few weeks, I would have to give him three-quarters of the check in dollars in cash. I trusted him because I had no choice. I understood that he had made a great deal of money in this way, but people knew about him. He would be the first person to be investigated if the government decided to clamp down on corruption. Also, I did not know who else was in on the deal.