Poor Valdivieso is awfully put out. He always had such a high opinion of you. You are one of the two or three persons in this town who buy books. It would be a tremendous relief to him if you would only tell him that you knew he was incapable of doing anything so foolish as to think that I would ever be interested in his affairs. You see, I have my own problems to deal with, and I cannot afford to waste my time on the trivialities of others. I have my own life to lead, my own ambitions to pursue, and I cannot let myself be dragged down by the petty concerns of someone like Valdivieso. He may be a good man at heart, but he is not someone I can afford to associate with. I need to focus on my own future, my own success, and I cannot let anyone, not even Valdivieso, stand in my way.

Zurita Monologue from His Widow's Husband

Rehearse Zurita's monologue