By Angela Gant
Act I
Scene i
(As the scene opens, lights rise on a parlor in Madrid. JOSE LOPEZ REGA enters from the door pushing on a rustic table. EVA PERON lies underneath a sheet. REGA beings to speak. He examines the documents that came with the body as he does. Over the course of the narration, REGA removes the sheet from EVA’s body and straightens out her hair and clothes.)
REGA
September 4th, 1971. The body of Eva Perón was delivered unannounced to her husband Juan’s home in Madrid. The body had been missing for 15 years. In 1957, five years after Eva’s death and two years after the Revolucion Libertadora overthrew Juan, new President Aramburu discovered the body in an attic in a crate marked “Radio Parts.” Deciding that the body was an enormous liability, Aramburu entrusted it to a priest, who, in turn, sent it to Milan for burial. Aramburu himself had no idea where the body was, having only a sealed envelope with that information. He left the envelope with instructions to deliver it to the current president of Argentina four weeks after Aramburu’s death. In 1970, Aramburu, then thirteen years removed from his presidency, was killed by leftist radicals who kidnapped him trying to find Eva’s body. When President Lanusse received the envelope with Eva’s whereabouts, it gave only the names of the two priests responsible, but by 1971 both were dead. Lanusse launched an investigation. The Argentinian secret service finally found Eva’s body in a grave under a fake name. Lanusse wanted the body even less than Aramburu had, so it was delivered to Juan Perón and his current wife Isabel in Madrid. Juan was unamused.
(PERÓN enters through the door and hands REGA a valise without looking at EVA.)
PERON
Let the Ambassador know I have returned. You should go help Isabel with her things.
(PERÓN crosses to his desk to pick up the mail. He speaks without turning around.)
PERON
Is there some reason you are still standing there like a simpleton?
REGA
Yes, sir.
(PERON turns and starts to yell, then sees EVA. He opens his mouth, crosses toward her, stops, and sits down.)
PERÓN
Those bastards.
REGA
The body was delivered this morning, sir. I was sure you would want to look over her paperwork yourself. How was your trip, sir?
PERÓN
Why is she here?
REGA
She was a little damp. I took the liberty of laying her out and cleaning her up in preparation for your arrival. She seems quite well-preserved, all things considered. I sent for Dr. Ara. I assumed you would want him to assess any damage to the body.
PERÓN
(Reading paperwork.)
Milan?
REGA
Apparently so.
PERÓN
So this was all done secretly?
REGA
She was perfectly quiet when she arrived.
PERÓN
It couldn’t have been that secret if there was paperwork.
REGA
If you say so, sir.
PERÓN
She’s been dead for twenty years, why bring her to me here, now? Why not return her to Argentina?
REGA
President Lanusse felt that her rightful place was by your side.
PERÓN
President Lanusse is not as foolish as he looks. He does not want her back. If Eva’s body was returned to Argentina, the people would rise up in support of their Santa Evita. They would remember the glory of days past, the glory of Perón.
REGA
Eva’s return must be an omen. The great works that make her a Saint in Argentina will now fill your house with positive energy.
PERÓN
Rega, you are a half-witted charlatan incapable even of decent flattery. I sent you to help Isabel five minutes ago. Feel free to make yourself useful.
REGA
Of course, sir.
(REGA exits.)
PERÓN
(Pacing back and forth alternately addressing the body and the air.)
I had not expected to ever see you again. But here we are, you and I. The old man and the young girl, the President and the whore, the living and the dead. Being dead must inspire great confidence in others. What secrets must you have heard these years? What would a man hesitate to say in front of a dead woman? Those years in the palace basement – you may well have known of the plot against my presidency before I did.
(ISABEL enters dragging REGA to the door. She drops his hand and gasps. She crosses reverently to the body.)
ISABEL
(Fast-paced and breathless.)
It is her. She is more beautiful than I imagined her to be. (To EVA) I mean, you are more beautiful than I imagined you to be. It’s truly you. (To REGA) It’s really her. (To PERÓN) To stand here in front of Santa Evita. (To EVA) I can’t believe that I’m here. I can’t believe you’re here. As a girl I stood in the street as you passed by – my first parade. You looked right at me. I remember hoping that I could actually meet you. That I could touch your hand. I remember my parents talking about you, how good you were to the people, how good you were to us.
PERÓN
Admirable sentiments, my dear, but the Santa cannot hear you.
ISABEL
Oh, I know she can’t hear me. I wish she could hear me. I wish there was some way she could hear me. So she would know how we felt, how we all felt. I just wish she could hear me now. (Crosses to PERÓN) Tell me again what she was like. I wish she could hear me.
REGA
Perhaps my mistress would like to draw back the veil between the worlds.
PERÓN
(Sarcastic.)
Of course. What is it you say? Oh yes, all things are possible between the stars? Is this between the stars?
ISABEL
(Crosses to REGA and grabs his hand, ignoring PERÓN.)
Oh, yes! Rega! Dear Rega, do you think it’s possible? Can you do it? Could Eva really hear me? I want to talk to her. I want her to hear me. I want her to really listen. Please, Rega.
PERÓN
Oh, yes, please, Rega.
REGA
But of course. We require only a few simple items. Three candles to contain the force…
ISABEL
I’ll get them! (She does, and REGA arranges them around Eva’s body.)
REGA
(Avoiding PERÓN.)
We need a dagger…
PERÓN
(Holds out letter opener to REGA.)
I have a letter opener. I am sure it will suffice for your purposes.
REGA
(Crosses to PERÓN to retrieve opener)
Thank you, General Perón. I am sure that it will. We will need a prayer cloth, as well.
PERÓN
You will find no prayer cloths in this house.
ISABEL
I have a prayer cloth! It was my mother’s! I’ll be right back! (She exits.)
PERÓN
You are shameless, charlatan. I trust you will not miss me if I cannot be present for you to insult two of my wives at once?
REGA
You may, of course, do as you please.
PERÓN
(Threateningly.)
Tread lightly.
ISABEL
(Entering with prayer cloth.)
I have it. I’m ready!
PERÓN
(Picking up gardening gloves.)
If you will excuse me, my dear, I have business to attend to in the garden with the living.
ISABEL
Of course. I understand.
(PERÓN exits.)
REGA
(Beckoning ISABEL around behind EVA.)
Please step around here, mistress. Now drape the prayer cloth over her chest. Gently, so. Now affect the open position.
(ISABEL closes her eyes, and tilts her head back raising her palms in front of her.)
When you feel the channel open, speak inwardly what you wish Eva to understand. Do not be alarmed if the energies come back to you, as Eva may wish also to communicate with you. Do you understand?
ISABEL
Yes. Yes! I understand.
REGA
Excellent. Now, keep your energies focused within the channel.
ISABEL
(After a pause)
Oh, Rega, I don’t feel like I’m getting through!
REGA
If I might help you, mistress?
ISABEL
Please. You are always so kind, Rega.
REGA
(Crosses to ISABEL and stands immediately behind her.)
You are too entrenched in the self. To reach Eva on the other side, we must reach out to her as she should be reached.
ISABEL
Help me to reach.
REGA
My pleasure, mistress. Eva was a very passionate woman. She had a great passion for the people of Argentina, very passionate appetites for all things. You must feel that…
(REGA wraps his arms around ISABEL and places his palms on her solar plexus.)
Here. Draw your passion to your center with a deep breath. Breathe in…let the passion, a passion like Eva’s, enter you with the air…let it fill you from your center…
ISABEL
All right.
REGA
Let it fill you. Now open your channels and reach out to Eva.
ISABEL
I’m trying.
REGA
Place your hands over mine. (She does.) Now add my passion to yours.
(REGA and ISABEL sway slightly together, both looking quite happy and then ISABEL starts.)
ISABEL
(She turns around.)
I’m sorry, Rega. I just can’t… I understand what we’re trying to do… it’s very difficult…
REGA
Of course. Perhaps my energies are interfering.
(REGA starts to exit.)
ISABEL
But Rega…
REGA
(Stops, turns to ISABEL and bows slightly.)
I will leave the two of you alone.
(REGA exits.)
ISABEL
But, I don’t know how to tell if my channels are open. Why? Why? Why? These men, Eva. You knew men so well. I know I’m a silly girl. I know Perón loves me, in his way, but I also know that he loved you more. He never speaks of your death. I know he must have loved you quite dearly, for it to pain him so. I’ve always been told how silly I am, and how fortunate I am to be married to a great man… but it does not always feel fortunate. I wish I could be more like you. You were such a strong woman. The most loved woman in Argentina. The Santa Evita. I wish I could be like you.
(EVA animates and reaches up for ISABEL’s face. ISABEL responds without surprise and seamlessly tilts her head into EVA’s hand. ISABEL places her hand over EVA’s. Blackout.)
Scene ii
(As the scene opens, REGA is going through PERON’s desk.)
REGA
I met Isabel Perón six years ago. At the time, I was known mostly as an occultist, having written several books on the subject. She was acting as Juan’s representative in Paraguay and I persuaded her to take me back to Spain as her secretary. Juan hated me immediately and refused to allow me in the house for a year, until finally one day Isabel left, famously announcing “Either he comes or I go.” I came here more as Isabel’s astrologist than her secretary, but outsiders always notice the many things I do for the Perons. Little things, menial things, but a man in my position must find ways to make himself useful. Little by little, I became more important and gained influence. Because nobody understood where my power came from, I became known as El Brujo – the witch.
(As REGA finishes, ISABEL rushes in holding a well-wrung note.)
ISABEL
Rega, thank goodness you’re all right.
(ISABEL rushes to him and embraces him.)
REGA
(Smiles and hastily shuts the drawer.)
I was just putting some things away.
ISABEL
(Rapid fire.)
When I heard – I was just so worried – I just knew something happened – I had just gone to the market, which you know is my custom on Wednesday – I always go to the market on Wednesday which is how she knew she would find me there – I almost didn’t go this morning. I wasn’t feeling well – I am so happy you are all right…
REGA
Mistress, I’m grateful for your concern, but if I might ask…what are you talking about?
ISABEL
They are coming for you.
REGA
They…who?
ISABEL
(Holds up the note.)
My friend has a son who is in communication with some unsavory gentlemen in Paraguay.
(REGA looks shocked and sits down.)
It seems these gentlemen have made inquiries as to your whereabouts. There seems to be interest in a business transaction that went… awry.
REGA
(Laughs.)
Awry. That’s very charitable. I’m sorry, my mistress. I’m afraid my business has been sometimes…complex. I was entrusted with some money….untrustworthy money from untrustworthy men. Ah, well. I always supposed that they would eventually find me. Not the most forgiving sorts of men.
ISABEL
My friend seemed to indicate something similar. There was an additional matter… of some delicacy.
REGA
Did this delicacy have a name?
ISABEL
(Uncomfortable, puts note down on desk, does not look at REGA.)
I believe she was the wife of the leader of these unsavory types.
REGA
Señora Ibañez. Indeed. That was delicate. For what it’s worth, I did not steal the money so much as I had to leave quickly when…when certain affairs came to light. She said she loved me.
ISABEL
There is much to love.
REGA
It pains me, Señora Perón, but I must take my leave now…these men are not particularly discriminate. I am more sorry than you will ever know.
(REGA gets up to leave.)
ISABEL
Where are you going?
REGA
Much safer that you never know, mistress.
ISABEL
You needn’t go. You will be safe here.
REGA
It is not me I’m worried about.
ISABEL
We are safe behind these walls. They may know you reside in the house of Perón, but it is the house of Perón! No man would be foolish enough to…
REGA
Never underestimate a criminal’s foolishness.
ISABEL
I need you here. Please don’t go. I need you… here.
REGA
Don’t you want to know what happened in Paraguay?
ISABEL
I don’t care. Stay with us. Stay with me.
REGA
I am touched, but I think it…imprudent for you to throw in your lot with a man like me, not really knowing who that man might be. They will be here for me soon. Perhaps not today or tomorrow, but soon.
ISABEL
Then there is no need for you to leave today or tomorrow. Stay. We still have some time. Paraguay is far from here. I will come up with something. We will come up with a plan together.
(DR. ARA enters.)
DR. ARA
Hello. Sorry to interrupt, but I believe I was sent for…
REGA
Would you be Dr. Ara?
DR. ARA
Yes. I am.
REGA
(Crosses to DR. ARA with an outstretched hand.)
I am José López Rega. I sent for you when the body arrived.
(DR. ARA, seeing EVA for the first time, ignores REGA’s outstretched hand and crosses immediately to the body.)
Well. I’m sure you have much to do. I will leave you to it.
(REGA looks at ISABEL, then exits.)
ISABEL
(Distracted she watches REGA exit.)
I will let Perón know you are here.
DR. ARA
(Rouses himself from his reverie on the sound of Perón’s name.)
Perón? Juan Perón? Yes, yes, yes. Perón. Go tell the President I’m here. This is for the best, anyway. I should have a few moments to examine the body without…quite upsetting. It can be quite upsetting for the family to see the examination…yes, go and find Perón. I’ll be here. With my Eva.
ISABEL
Excuse me, doctor.
(ISABEL exits quickly.)
DR. ARA
(Begins to examine the body.)
My beautiful Eva, oh, what have they done to you?
(Pulls out small notebook and starts taking notes.)
Striations across the sternum. Deep cut above the clavicle. Shoulders somewhat distended, deltoid structure compromised on left side.
(To EVA.)
This so disturbing. I don’t know how this could have happened. I am so sorry. Someone has been very…clumsy. After they took you away from me…I’m sorry…it wasn’t my choice, you know. I came to see you every day at the palace. Then one day I came and you were gone. Oh, I know it wasn’t your fault, but please know that I didn’t have anything to do with it, either. I don’t even know why they took you from me.
(Caressing her face.)
Your facial structure has held up beautifully. As well it should. I told them my work would withstand a hurricane.
(DR. ARA crosses to the couch and takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes.)
Oh, I’ve missed you terribly. It’s been such a long time. Did you miss me too?
(EVA animates and crosses DR. ARA. She crosses to the arm of the coach and strokes his hair.)
EVA
Of course I missed you, my darling.
DR. ARA
It’s been very hard without you.
EVA
I know it has.
DR. ARA
Very hard, indeed.
EVA
Shhhh. It’s all right. I’m here now.
DR. ARA
I think of you every day.
EVA
I know you do.
DR. ARA
I must look so different to you now. You’re still so beautiful, like not a day has passed, but if you look at me…well…
EVA
You are just as handsome as you were seventeen years ago. You’ve grown distinguished. I like it.
DR. ARA
Distinguished? Do you think so?
EVA
You are and always have been a handsome man. Handsome, like my Perón.
DR. ARA
But I never left you the way he did, and I never would. No…never would
