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Celing (exasperated at his stupidity; explaining as if to a Celing. Very good, Teban. Now hurry back to the kitchen.
child): Your master is back in the cockpit. Quick, Mang Kulas might catch on. (Exit Teban)
make a bet with this. Hurry! You maybe too late! Sioning. Well, let's go, Celing. (Celing gets her tapis from a chair,
Teban (as light dawns and Celing pushes him out): Yes, puts its on, and picks up her basket. Kulas enters,
ma'am. Yes, crestfallen.)
Sioning: Betting five pesos! What's this, Celing? Are you Celing. What now, Kulas? Didn't the white carabao catch up
becoming a lighter? with you?
Celing (surprised): My dear Sioning. I'm not a cockfighter, Kulas (sore): Don't joke about that now. My, but what
but when- Kulas goes to the cockpit, I bet also. rotten luck -Celing, imagine, my cock was winning
right up to the last minute. Yes, up to the last
Sioning: Ah . . . you are not a cockfighter, but you just bet seconds. It was a freak fight that only happens
in the cockpit. Are you trying to kid me, Celing? once in a hundred times. I never saw anyone have
Celing: No, I'll explain it to you. But promise you won't tell such bad luck as I do!
anyone. Celing. That's the trouble with gambling. Kulas — you
Sioning: I promise. Don't worry. depend on nothing but luck.
Celing: You see, Sioning, I bet in the cockfights in order not Kulas. Cockfighting is really no good. Curse it! I don't want to
to lose. see even the shadow of the cockpit again. I give up
cockfighting. I tell you, never again. (The two
Sioning: Oh . . . You bet in the cockfights in order not to
women steal amused glances at each other.) You
lose. Celing, you are making fun of me.
won't see me going over there anymore.
Celing. Of course not, Sioning. You know, we are losing a lot
Celing. Here's hoping you mean that.
of money on account of Kulas' gambling. I'm sure
some day we'll be eating just rice and salt. I tried Kulas. I do. I promise you I will never gamble again,
my best to keep him away from the cockpit but we Celing. Well, sit down and cool off. Sioning and I are going
just quarrel about it. And in order to avoid quarrel to market. See you later, Kulas.
and to prevent our money from melting away
entirely, I thought of a plan. For the last month I (Exit Celing and Sioning. Kulas lights a cigarette, takes a puff,
have always sent Teban to the cockpit to bet on the throw down on the floor and steps on it. He slumps
side opposite Kulas. into a chair, downhearted Castor comes in. He is
another sabungero - a little older than Kulas.)
Sioning (a little slow, too): Why?
Castor, Kumusta ka, Kulas.
Celing: Well, if Kulas' cock loses, I win and if I lose Kulas
wins. So, whatever happens, we don't lose any Kulas (gloomily): Kumusta.
money. Castor: What's the matter? Why do you wear a funeral parlor
Sioning: Oh, I see. Why, yes, of course! Celing, you are clever. on your face? Did your wife make adobo out of your
(Shouts at the cockpit) pet rooster?
Celing. There they go. The match is on. Dear me, the Kulas. Oh, Castor. There's no one as neglected by luck
shouts make my head ache. as I am. I'm through with cocks and the cockpit
for good.
Sioning: Well, it is your fault . . . no one told you to
choose a near the cockpit. Kulas: You bet on . . . the . . . other . . . But suppose your
cock wins?
Celing: Don't think I chose it. Kulas did the choosing. I
wanted a house near the church but Kulas wanted Castor: My cock can never win. I see to that! I do some
one near the cockpit. tricks to make it lose.
(Louder shouts from the cockpit.) Kulas: Come, come, Castor, stop kidding me. My head is
boiling hot. and I am in no mood for clowning.
Sioning. Have you done your marketing yet? How about
coming along with me. Let's go. Castor: Who's clowning? It's the truth. And if you were not
my friend I would not tell you this precious secret. Kulas. Well. . . er. I'll have to wait for Celing, my wife.
Kulas. But, Castor, how can you make a rooster lose? Castor, Why, what for?
Castor. It's easy . . . But why should I tell you? You do not Kulas. Well . . . you see . . . she holds the purse strings in
appreciate what I am doing. You are even sore at me. this house.
Kulas. Oh, come on, Castor. Don't be touchy. You only caught Castor. Gosh, what a man, this Kulas. A slave to roosters and
me in a bad mood. Come on, be a good friend and tell pecked by a hen. Well, wait for her, but get plenty of
me, ha? money, huh? - so we can make more.
Castor, Do you really want to know? Kulas. O.K.. . . er . .. Castor.
Kulas. Sure, sure. Sige na. Castor. Yes?
Castor. Well, get one of your cocks and I'll show you. Kulas. Er . . . Celing is probably on her way home now. You
Kulas. Any one of my cocks? see, I don't want her to see you here. She doesn't like
to see me with cockfighters you know. Don't take
Castor. Sure. Any cock. It doesn't matter. (Kulas exits the offense, please , . , but I'd rather you'd run along
kitchen. Hi returns with a cock.) now.
Kulas (giving Castor the cock). Here, Castor, here's the cock. Castor (laughs). Follow soon, ha? You’II have a match ready
Castor. Now get me a needle. as soon as you get there.
Kulas, A needle? Kulas. O. K. I'll see you there.
Castor. Yes, a needle. That thing that your wife uses for Castor. See you later. Squeeze all you can from the wife, pal.
sewing. This cannot miss!
Kulas, Ah . . . yes . . . a needle . . . (Goes to Celing's sewing (Castor exits. Kulas smiles, fondles his cock and admires the
box gets a needle.) Here's a needle. trick done on its leg. Sioning and Celing enter).
Castor (holding the cock in his left hand and the needle in Celing (upon seeing the cock). Kulas, are you at it again? I
his right Now come here and observe what I'll do. thought you had sworn off the cockpit.
Every cock has ligament in the leg. Once you prick Kulas. Celing, just this once. I am sure we can recover what
it, the leg will be weak. Look here (Castor pricks the we lost.
cock leg.) There. No one will notice what we did but
that leg is weak and now cock can no longer strike Celing. My, my, this Kulas of mine, just like the price of
with it. sugar: changes very minute.
Kulas. Then that cock won’t win any more. It surely is going Kulas. Celing, really and truly, just this once. If I lose now
to lose. you can butcher all my other cocks. I promise. I
swear!
Castor Naturally. Now all you have to do is to go to the
cockpit, arrange a match for that cock, and bet Celing. Another promise to be broken. Kulas, I think you
secretly on the other side. should be a politician.
Kulas. Superb! That certainly is a wonderful trick! Kulas. Come now, Celing, quit joking. I am serious. Look . . .
here is Sioning. She is the witness to my pledge.
Castor. See? The trouble with you is you don't use your
coconut. (Indicating the head.) Sioning (winks at Celing). That is right, Celing. I am the
witness. You might as well give him what he asks for.
Kulas (troubled). But, Castor, Isn't that cheating? Go ahead.
Castor. Of course, it is cheating! But heavens, show me the Kulas. Sioning is right. Thank you, Sioning.
gambler who ever made money without cheating?
And besides that, you have already lost plenty of Celing. What is this, a conspiracy? 0. K. All right. But
money. You will use this trick just to get it back. remember, this is the last time.
What is bad in that? Kulas. Swear, by all that's holy. Strike it on a rock.
Kulas. You are right, Castor. I've really lost a great deal. Celing. Well, how much?
Castor. And do not suppose that when you lost, they did Kulas. Er .. . just twenty pesos.
not cheat you? Celing. Twenty pesos!
Kulas (thinking), Er ... uh .. . Why, I do suppose they did. Stoning. Susmariosep!
Castor. See? You will not be cheating, Kulas. You will just be Kulas. Yes, Celing. Twenty pesos, so that we will win back
getting back at them. our loses. (Celing hesitates.)
Kulas. Sure enough. You are right. Celing. But -
Castor. Well, what are you waiting for? Let us go.
Sioning. Go ahead, Celing. After all this is the last time. Sige Sioning. Of course, but that was only temporary. After
na! that, everything was all right again.
Celing. All right. There is no use arguing, I guess. Here you Celing. I don't think I can do that. I prefer to suffer things as
are. (She gives Kulas twenty pesos which she gets they are. ( The shouts suddenly subside.)
from the trunk.) Sioning. The match must be over. I wonder who won.
Kulas (taking the money). Oh thank you, Celing. You Celing. We will know when Teban arrives. He rushes home
will not regret this. I’ll see you both later. (Kulas immediately Kulas won't see him.
exits hurriedly with his cock.)
Sioning. Celing, if I were you, I wouldn't trust Teban too
Celing (follows Kulas with her eyes until he is far). Teban! much with money.
Teban!
Celing. Don't worry about Teban. He can be trusted.
Sioning. Teban, hurry, Teban! (Teban comes from the
kitchen.) Sioning, Maybe you are right, but you know how people
can succumb to temptation.
Teban, Yes, ma'am.
Celing. Don't worry . . . (Teban comes in.)
Celing. Take this money. Your master is in the cockpit again.
Teban (downhearted). We lost, ma'am.
Sioning. Hurry, Teban. Bet that on the other side.
Celing. Oh, we lost? Well . . . but never mind. After all,
Teban (surprised at the amount of money). Twenty pesos! Kulas won. Teban, better go back to the kitchen
This is twenty pesos, ma'am. before your master returns. (Exit )
Celing. Yes, twenty pesos, go on, hurry! Sioning. You really have a clever way of not losing, Celing.
Teban (not understanding). Shall I bet all of this, ma'am? Celing (sadly). Of course.
Sioning. Yes, all of it. Sioning. Why are you so sad, Celing?
Teban. Yes, ma'am. Wow, this is big money! (Exit Teban.) Celing. Because Kulas won.
Celing. And now, Sioning, why did you ally yourself with Sioning. And what if he did? Whether he wins or you win,
Kulas? (Imitating Sioning.} What was the idea of your you lose no money. So, what's the difference?"
Sige na!
Celing. Plenty. You see, now that Kulas has won. he will
Sioning. Well . . . after all you are sure not to lose. So stick to the cockpit more than ever. (Kulas comes in,
there's no harm done. sad.)
Celing. You are right.. . but it is not only the money that I Kulas. This is really the end. Nothing can change my bad
am worried about. luck. They will never see me in the cockpit again.
Sioning. What else? Celing. What?
Celing. The other bad consequences of gambling. Sioning Sioning. What did you say?
dear, you. know all gambling leads to other evils. It
often leads to cheating, stealing . . and ... well.. . Kulas. Why did I ever listen to that sneaking Castor?
women. Celing. But, Kulas, didn't you win?
Sioning. But Kulas does not do those things . .. Kulas. No, I lost again. And the twenty pesos are all gone.
Celing. Certainly, but shall we wait for the fire to start Celing (suspiciously). Kulas, don't fool me. I know that you
before we prepare the water? (Shouts are heard from won.
the cockpit.)
Kulas. Who told you that I won? Oh, curses on that Castor.
Sioning. But Kulas promised this will be his last fight.
Celing. Kulas, I will not fall for any acting. Give me your
Celing. Indeed, he promised. But you may just as well winnings.
write that on water. (The shouts grow louder.)
Kulas. Good Lord! There aren't any. Nothing is left. All gone.
Sioning. Well, the trouble with you is you don't have
Celing (more suspicious). Wait, this is getting to be
enough courage like me. Let me tell you what I did
suspicious. Aha . . . Maybe you have a Kulasisi . . .
when Siso, that husband of mine could not be kept
and you gave the money to her!
away from "monte." I went to the club one day
and insulted him from head to foot. From that Kulas. Oh Celing, what crazy things are you talking
moment on, Celing, he never showed up in the club about? I lost! There can be no two ways about it.
again. Whoever gave you the idea that I won?
Celing, But, do you remember how, after that, you had to Celing. Teban said so. He came from the cockpit.
keep yourself in the house for a week, because you Kulas. Teban . . . ?
had two black eyes?
Sioning. (getting an idea). Aba . . . Wait, Celing. I have a hunch money?
Teban pocketed the money . . . just as I thought Teban. Well, er .. .
would happen.
Kulas. Wait a minute, Celing. Teban really lost.
Kulas. Ha? What money .
Celing. And your cock won?
Celing. Hey .. . maybe you are right, Sioning.
Kulas. Yes.
Sioning. I told you not to be too trusting. (Celing goes to the
kitchen door.) Celing. Then give me the money!
Kulas. Hey . .. what's all this. Kulas. No, Celing. Because I lost, too.
Celing. Teban! Teban! (Teban enters.) Celing. You won, but you lost?
Teban. Yes, ma'am. Kulas. Yes. You see I also bet on the other cock.
Celing. Teban, give me back the money. Sioning. Dear me, what a confusing mess!
Teban. What money, ma'am. Celing (to Kulas). You bet on your opponent?
Kulas. Yes, what money? Kulas. Yes, You see, I lamed my cock so it had no chance to
win. Then I bet on the other rooster. But the
Celing. The twenty pesos you took to the cockpit a while ago. moment I put down my cock the other cock turned
Teban. But we lost ma'am. Money . . . no more. about face and ran away! So my cock won by default
Celing. Liar! What do you mean we lost? If you lost, Kulas and I — well, lost.
must have won. But Kulas lost, so you must have Celing. Ah, so you wanted to cheat, eh? Well, you certainly
won. hit your own head with a stone. .. (She laughs).
Teban (not understanding). Eh? What's that, ma'am? If I Kulas. Hey . . . What's so funny?
lost... he ... Sioning. Really, Celing, why are you laughing?
Kulas. What! What! This is becoming very complicated. Celing. Because I am very happy. Er . .. Sioning, I invite you
Teban, were you in the cockpit a while ago? to eat with us tonight. And invite Aling Kikay and
Teban. Yes, sir. our other friends. I am going to give you all a
Kulas. What did you do there? blowout.
Teban. I bet, sir, Celing. Sure! Teban, prepare our pots, and borrow Ate Nena's
casserole.
Kulas. Ah, you bet! Where did you steal the money?
Teban. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. (Exits to kitchen.)
Teban. From Aling Celing, sir.
Kulas. But how are we going to give a blowout? We lost
Kulas. What? You stole from Aling Celing? more than forty pesos today?
Teban. Er .. . no sir, Aling Celing ordered me to bet, sir. Celing. Never mind. I want to celebrate your last farewell to
Kulas (to Celing), Ah! So you are preventing me from the cockpit.
cockfighting but you are betting secretly yourself, Kulas. Last farewell?
eh?
Celing. Yes, because you promised me and I have a witness
Sioning. No, Kulas. Celing just bet on your cock's opponent. (indicating Sioning), and besides, we don't need to
Kulas (to Celing). Ah, and you even go against me, eh? buy any meat.
Celing. Don't get mad, Kulas. I just bet on the other cock so Kulas. Why?
that even if you lose, we won't lose anything. Celing. You still have six fighting cocks in the coop. Three will
Sioning. Yes, Kulas. It is a wonderful idea. You bet on be made into adobo and the other three will be cooked
your cock. Celing bets on the other cock, If you in broth, (Sioning and Celing laugh. Kulas does not
lose, Celing wins, and if Celing wins, you lose. catch on until a little later. Shouts begin in the cock-
Simple, isn't it? pit.)
Kulas. You mean, even if my cock wins, we really don't win Kulas. Adobo .. . (Starts with a mirthless laugh) He . . . he! ha
anything? . . . ha.. he! (Laughter becomes sincere. He approaches
Celing with a look of approval.
Sioning. Of course, and vice versa. Very clever.
Kulas. So I have been wasting gargled water and smoke and a
lot of fondling on my cocks. I was like a fool who — Curtain
Celing. Wait a minute. Let's find out first what happened to
our twenty pesos. Teban, where did you put the