A crowd was gathered before the newly opened Phoenix Opera House. Its wooden domed cupola arched up to the heavens. Elegant painted scrolls with gold details made the exterior white walls shine bright like the exquisite musical librettos performed within. Blind men sat before the grandeur selling the text of opera songs and plays attached to sticks with string.
Pêro and Paulinha pushed through the throng of people. “If we can get past this you can make it to the next scheduled appointment. Remember Pêro, you promised to meet with them before noon.”
They both stopped. Pêro’s muscles tightened, seeing a husband and wife arguing in the crowd. The man struck the woman across the face. The people around the couple turned their heads away from the scene. The man pushed people out of the way, l
