Macabéa Scene 3
Aparecida cleans
Rodrigo, Gloria
In Rodrigo’s studio. It is exactly like the photo of Lispector's studio, with a desk, typewriter, bookshelf, etc. Aparecida, his housekeeper, arrives quietly with an upright vacuum cleaner. She cleans while Rodrigo lounges in his chair. It is very hot.
Macabéa Scene 7
In the office
Raimundo, Gloria
In Raimundo’s dingy office. Macabéa has done a terrible job as a typist. And Raimundo and Gloria reflect on her deficiencies. Macabéa is hiding in the bathroom. (attacca Scene 8)
Macabéa Scene 8
In the office bathroom
Gloria, Macabéa
Macabéa has been in the bathroom for too long. Gloria walks to the absurdly small, dirty bathroom to see what she has been up to. She barges in and startles Macabéa, who is putting on lipstick, but is getting it all wrong. She looks like a child who has stolen her mother’s makeup.
Macabéa Scene 10
The fortune teller’s vision
Carlota, Macabéa, Rodrigo (off-stage), the Three Marias
In Carlota’s studio. It is a favela, heavily decorated with colorful, plastic items. There is not a blank spot anywhere. She is seated with her crystal ball and bowl of bon-bons, which she eats during the first part of the scene. Her previous client runs through the room crying hysterically.
Macabéa Scene 11
The phone call
Macabéa, Raimundo (off-stage)
Macabéa is outside Carlota’s studio, the sun is shining brightly in her eyes. She approaches the sidewalk and gets a call from Rodrigo on her cellphone.