Part 1: In the Rector’s Office (1974)
(The Rector’s office at Holy Cross Academy, 1974. Sunlight filters through the tall windows, but the air is heavy and suffocating. The mahogany furniture looms; the enormous desk feels like a tribunal bench. Father Felipe stands rigid to the side, arms crossed, eyes cold. Roberto steps in, stiff, face pale, chest tight with fear. He swallows, his shoes clicking nervously on the polished floor.)110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREES7vL7Ms
Rector (voice booming, sharp as a whip):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu1X073q9r
“Roberto. Do you have any explanation for what we’ve been told? That today, once again, you disgraced yourself in the back of the classroom? That you were showing your classmates a magazine from the United States? Tell me, is this true?”
Roberto (voice trembling, trying to sound respectful):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkay6tJPJMY
“Father Rector… with all respect… no, it wasn’t mine. I didn’t bring it. I had no intention—”
Father Felipe (cutting in, stern, unforgiving):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp8nZh73sS
“Do not insult our intelligence, Roberto. I examined the magazine with my own hands. It is a Playboy. The issue is brand new — from this very year. Such an edition could not possibly be purchased in Chile. It could only have entered the country through someone who traveled abroad. And who, Roberto, has just returned from the United States?”
(Roberto freezes. A silence crushes the room. His eyes drop to the floor; his lips part, but no words come.)
Rector (leaning forward, voice like thunder):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXX6bm7FrE
“Answer him! Who brought it? Who had the audacity to smuggle filth of this kind into this sacred institution?”
Roberto (barely audible, stammering):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTfgEZieAW
“I… I don’t know… maybe someone else—”
Father Felipe (slamming a hand on the desk, furious):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5XCm0D66B
“Do not lie to us, boy! Your deceit only worsens your shame. This was no accident. You carried this magazine into Chile. You put it into the hands of your classmates. You polluted their minds with images that defile decency and mock the dignity of women, of family, of God Himself!”
Rector (his face reddening, voice rising):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu73bfjcI6
“First you bring evolutionary theories, spitting on the teachings of Holy Mother Church. And now this? Nude women, obscene poses, filth that tears down the very foundation of morality! What will you bring next, Roberto? Drugs? Weapons? You’ve taken it upon yourself to be an agent of corruption in this school!”
(Roberto trembles, his eyes watering. He shakes his head desperately.)
Roberto (pleading):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG237TCWzQ
“No, Father Rector, please… I didn’t mean harm, I swear. I only—”
Rector (cutting him off, thunderous):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaHseQNDll
“‘Didn’t mean harm’? You parade smut before impressionable boys! You undermine the trust of the distinguished families who entrust us with their sons! You think this is amusement? You think corrupting others is fun?”
Father Felipe (cold, piercing):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxGYsiSjzf
“Your classmates will never forget what you showed them. You opened the gates of corruption. Even if you claim innocence, you planted poison in their minds. The sin will follow them. That is your legacy.”
(Roberto’s chest heaves; his hands shake at his sides.)
Roberto (voice breaking, eyes lowered):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQmYWElfbX
“Yes… Father Rector… yes, I brought it… but I swear it wasn’t to hurt anyone. I just… wanted to show them. I thought it was harmless—”
Rector (slamming his palm on the desk, roaring):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm1zxSvWMr
“Harmless?! Pornography is never harmless! It destroys respect, discipline, and honor. It makes a mockery of everything this school stands for. You disgrace your family, this institution, and your own soul.”
Father Felipe (coldly, almost hissing):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN7wi9Cayf
“Your father will hear of this. Do you imagine what he will think? That his son sneaks filth across borders and hides behind lies? That his son soils the very name of his family in this place?”
(Roberto winces as if struck. He bows his head lower, whispering.)
Roberto (broken, whispering):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZFIKb0Q7g
“I’m sorry… I didn’t think…”
Rector (leaning in, voice like a blade):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqZY1TdZnT
“You didn’t think. Exactly. You never think, Roberto. Reckless. Insolent. Vain. You imagine yourself clever — sneaking magazines, teaching theories of monkeys and men — but you are nothing more than a boy intoxicated with arrogance.”
(The silence is suffocating. Roberto’s breath comes fast, shallow. His ears burn with humiliation.)
Rector (raising his hand toward the ceiling, voice thundering like a sermon):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB9FedAQKv
“Even the Son of God forgave the unworthy. Therefore, you too shall be given this one chance. But mark my words, boy — the rope is at its end. Stray again, and not even Christ Himself could intercede for you in this office. You will be cast out without mercy.”
(Roberto nods rapidly, voice shaking, his whole body trembling.)
Roberto (humbled, almost whispering):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzbIEd4m9L
“Yes, Father Rector… I understand… thank you for your mercy. I swear it won’t happen again. I’ll do anything to regain your trust — yours and Father Felipe’s.”
Father Felipe (icy, final):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjnUVzUs3K
“Your last chance. Remember it well. One step further, and you will not return.”
Roberto (head bowed, voice faint):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtPNODxAkp
“Yes, Father Felipe… I swear I won’t forget. May I leave with your and Father Rector’s permission?”
Rector (nodding slowly):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF1SgWoNdW
“You may go. But remember… there will not be another opportunity.”
(Roberto, trembling, steps toward the door. He hesitates, then turns back.)
Roberto (voice shaking, humble):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MuohYzWNS
“Father Rector… Father Felipe… forgive my boldness… but… would it be possible… to get the magazine back?”
(The Rector does not answer. His eyes say everything: impossible. Father Felipe watches him coldly, without the faintest sign of approval.)
(Roberto lowers his head so deeply it almost touches his chest. His voice comes as a faint whisper.)
Roberto:110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORdV5yWDkt
“My apologies… forgive me. Thank you.”
Part Two: The Confession After the Confession
After Roberto hurried out, the office settled into a quiet stillness. Father Rector Alfonso leaned back in his chair, adjusting his glasses, while Father Felipe lingered near the door, a grin still tugging at his lips. Alone now, they could finally let their guard down and talk freely about the boy — and the chaos he’d brought with him.
Father Rector (sighing, leaning back in his chair):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHxdd7v4qn
“Well… that was something. I haven’t seen a boy tremble like that since… hmm, who was it? Ah yes, Martínez from eighth grade. But this one — he nearly broke my spectacles with his fear.”
Father Felipe (chuckling softly, pacing the room):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg7URFw7uJ
“I swear, Alfonso, he looked like a rabbit caught in headlights. And the things he said… ‘I didn’t mean to harm anyone!’ Oh, the innocence! At fourteen, they all think they can charm their way out of hell.”
Father Rector (smirking, shaking his head):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL5aLn5cUS
“Charm? He nearly fainted under my gaze. And that magazine… Felipe, I had almost forgotten what a color page could do to an adolescent mind. I suppose I should be grateful — he brought sin to my doorstep rather than elsewhere.”
Father Felipe (grinning, hands on hips):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr5fe3Iwbv
“Grateful, you say? I was thinking… we might have to hide our own collection next time. Heaven forbid someone catches sight of Farrah Fawcett in our prayers!”
Father Rector (laughing quietly):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHP9g5XjQj
“You always have the humor of a devil, Felipe. But yes… let’s be thankful it’s only Playboy and not some modern philosophy or — horrors — evolutionary theory again.”
Father Felipe (raising an eyebrow, mock solemn):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MYkSNbc09
“Indeed. And to think, we once worried about ink stains on holy texts. Now our greatest challenge is teenage lust disguised as curiosity.”
Father Rector (leaning back, rubbing his temples):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjexh4ASrIu
“Ah… adolescence. May it remain ever distant from our doors… and yet, somehow, eternally amusing.”
Father Felipe (chuckling as he heads toward the door):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohCcPrmX0r
“Let’s call it a lesson in patience — and restraint. But next time… let’s lock the windows.”
Father Rector (smiling faintly, nodding):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu5VcFKMgH
“Agreed, Felipe. Agreed.”
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Part Three: The Holy Grail of Playboy
Steam from the showers hung thick in the locker room air. The guys were toweling off, tossing jokes, and cracking up at each other. Roberto came in looking stiff and serious, maybe still shaken, but as soon as he dropped onto the bench, he couldn't hold it together—he burst out laughing. Instantly, everyone crowded around, hungry for gossip.
Pereira (grinning, nudging Roberto):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AZl7pHv8F
"Come on, man! Spill it! What’d they do—did they whack you with the Bible or what?"
Roberto (leaps onto the bench, puffing up, performing like the Rector):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxtBCtUZ6f
"'Young Roberto… You haven’t just poisoned your classmates with American monkey-man evolution… Now you show up to corrupt them with naked women!'"
The guys lost it—doubling over, clutching their sides. Roberto strutted along the bench, throwing his arms around like a furious priest onstage.
Roberto (switches to squeaky Father Felipe, wagging his finger):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro8oasdkKX
"'This magazine is way too new… No way it’s sold in Chile… Only a smuggler could get it in… You, Roberto, you’re the devil’s mule—hauling sin in a Playboy wrapper!'"
Soto (howling, pounding the locker):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGydMV47apd
"Bet Felipe's already got it stashed under his cassock for a little late-night action!"
Rodríguez (snorting):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssmVFiiwYg
"Man, picture the old guy getting off to Farrah Fawcett with his rosary looped around his wrist!"
The whole locker room went nuts. Fists hammered the lockers, towels cracked through the air, laughter echoing like machine-gun fire.
Roberto whipped his towel high, holding it aloft like the sacred magazine itself.
Roberto (solemn, eyes up, Rector voice):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKme1fpSJB
"'Even the Son of God forgave the most hopeless… and today, you too will be shown mercy…'"
Suddenly, he dropped his voice to a rude whisper—as if giving the Rector's secret thoughts:
Roberto (mocking, crude):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwF9IYdPuf
"'But that Playboy? No way in hell you’re getting it back, kid. That’s mine, for a holy whack-off tonight.'"
Laughter erupted again. Pereira hit the floor, slapping the bench with tears streaming down his face.
Jaramillo (pompous, parodying):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOdpeqHAJv
"Bet the Rector and Felipe are fighting right now: 'My turn first, Father—I’m the Rector!'"
Roberto (sweet, syrupy voice, bowing low):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUdMnnvVBB
"'Thank you, Father Rector, thank you, Father Felipe, if you please…'"
In a flash, he switched to a furious scream, veins bulging.
Roberto (shouting, vulgar):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9Yuu2bme8
"'Permission my ass, you horny old farts—buy your own damn Playboy instead of stealing mine, you prehistoric pervs!'"
The whole room shook with laughter. Towels cracked like whips. One kid crossed himself theatrically, then collapsed, cracking up.
Soto (gasping through tears):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT3gOPnauD
"Dude, nobody’s ever gonna see that magazine again… They’ll pass it around like it’s the Holy Grail."
Roberto (wrapping up, raising the towel like a chalice, voice thundering):110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yxyG00nRK
"'Brothers, forget the communion wafers—tonight, we feast on forbidden fruit. Amen!'"
The locker room exploded. Boys howled, pounding backs, rolling on the floor, lockers rattling, towels flying—Roberto’s humiliation from the Rector’s office just hours before had turned into a wild celebration, an instant legend among the guys.
It was in that wild, rebellious laughter, in that irreverence, that Roberto tasted freedom for the first time—even under the school’s darkest shadow. He didn’t entirely understand that feeling yet, but he’d carry it with him for decades, tucked deep in memory, waiting for its return.
Epilogue — From Fear to Freedom
Roberto, now thirty-four, leaned back in his chair, the newsroom’s late hum fading into the background as his mind drifted. More than twenty years had passed since that dark autumn of 1974, when Chile itself seemed frozen in fear. He was only fourteen then, trembling in the Rector’s office, feeling crushed under the weight of authority. He could still recall the stern voices, the burning shame, the way his throat closed as he tried to defend himself, and the humiliating certainty that he had been caught.
But in the same breath of memory, another scene always followed. The locker room that afternoon — steam hanging in the air, boys pounding the lockers, laughter echoing like drums. His terror had melted into something else entirely: a wild, shared joy. His friends had turned his humiliation into comedy, into a story they owned together, mocking the very men who tried to frighten him. The sting of shame gave way to the liberating roar of laughter, the irreverence of youth that no rector could suppress.
Time had blurred the edges of it all. What once felt like tragedy now resembled a scene from Chekhov: solemn, theatrical, and faintly absurd. Roberto smiled to himself, shaking his head. That year had been brutal, the shadows long — and yet, tucked inside even its harshest days, there had been freedom.
It was a memory no longer heavy with fear, but worthy of a smile, because in the same day he had learned what it meant to be humiliated… and what it meant to be free.
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ns216.73.216.13da2
and then Add to home screen.