In the early afternoon we went to the city center and had a lunch of breaded chicken fillet and roast beef, with mashed potatoes and rice, all to save money. I took advantage of the fact that Regina and Clara had gone to the toilet and quickly sipped a glass of Chilean beer that Jairo had ordered. I didn't let her see, otherwise what would be the deal now, knowing the geographical South Pole? In that region, however, what you couldn't skimp on was sunscreen, creams, hats and sunglasses, all because of the ultraviolet rays, which are highly harmful anywhere in the world, but intensified there by the hole in the ozone layer, a weapon practically over our heads.

     The women's concern, however, was to visit the Free Trade Zone, which was five kilometers from the city center and which, they said, offered products at reasonable prices. The exchange rate was free.

     "Beautiful place, isn't it, Basílio?"

     "No doubt about it, Jairo. Despite the cold."

     "And it's only summer."

     "I don't even want to think about winter. You know, I hate cold places, but what can't you do to get things? All because of a site in the interior of São Paulo."

     "How come?"

     "It's a long story... I'll tell you. Do you remember the brandy?"

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     Later, after we had entered the Magallanes hotel and collected our keys from reception, Regina was very tired and didn't accept my invitation for another coffee in the piano bar. She let me go, but not without making a recommendation, which is easy to imagine:

     "Don't drink, huh? Remember your heart!"

     "Darling, it'll just be a cup of coffee!"

     "Yeah, I know! Like the two brandies from earlier today. And there was the beer at lunchtime. Don't think I saw it? Basílio, you're too innocent. You don't look like such a famous superintendent."

     "Relax!"

     "Hum... Those who doens't know you buy you."

     "It's vacation, darling."

     "Okay, I'll let you have two glasses of wine."

     I smiled. I gave her a kiss, said goodbye to the couple of friends, and went alone to the cozy piano bar. There was a pianist playing "Insensatez", by Tom Jobim, with exquisite execution and interpretation.

     As I sipped my coffee to the sound of excellent music, I saw a beautiful blonde woman arrive, accompanied by a younger man, hugging and kissing her, which made me feel a twinge of envy. They sat down next to me.

     And then the butterfly flapped its wings. The turning point, where my destination diverted towards the icy continent, appeared a second later right in front of me, blocking my view of the beautiful woman. He was an officer in the Brazilian Navy, a re-admiral. Standing between me and the beautiful woman, he greeted me:

     "Good evening, sir."

     I'd seen him before, watching me as I picked up my keys from the reception desk. I was surprised by the greeting, but I returned it. He continued:

     "I heard your wife...I mean, she was your wife, wasn't she?"

     "Yes, she was. Regina, my wife."

     "I've heard her called you Superintendent Basílio, am I right?"

     "Yes, you are!"

     The admiral's gaúcho¹ accent revealed his origin:

     "Bah²!Are you the famous superintendent Basílio de Almeida?"

     "I am, but the famous one can stay on your account, okay?"

     "Of course! But allow me to introduce myself. I'm Rear Admiral Henrique Nunes, at your service. It's a pleasure."

     I held out my hand and looked at his uniform, which was embroidered: H. Nunes. He asked:

     "But what winds bring you so far from home?"

     I explained. We then began a relaxed conversation, talking about various subjects.

     From time to time I watched the blonde woman and the boy standing next to us. They drank something, trying to enjoy the warmth of the fireplace, although who could feel cold with those warm kisses they were exchanging?
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¹Gaúcho: Word used to refer to those born in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS).

²Bah: Is a very common expression among gauchos. It's an interjection that can express various emotions, such as surprise, admiration, incredulity, indignation and even agreement. It is 'bah' a word that is part of the gaucho dialect and culture, and is used naturally in informal conversations.