The Regidor By Antonio Guzman Analysis

The letter that Corregidor Alonso Guzman had given him had its desired effect. On reading it, the official in charge of the first regidor of Madrid’s office made an appointment for Antonio to see him at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, four days later. The official said it could not be earlier because the regidor was at Escorial and would not be returning for several days. Antonio wondered just how important the king’s life could be if the meeting could be delayed for that long. Couldn’t they send someone to Escorial to tell the regidor? Eventually, and after Antonio had played in nightly performances with the Wandering Chordsmen at the Príncipe theatre, he found himself waiting outside the regidor’s office. Catalina had told him not to show …show more content…
The obvious choice was Carlos, his current boss, but he had an interest in the decision. He could talk to one of his other colleagues but they too might think in terms of the effect on their troupe. Then he solved the problem: he’d discuss it with Catalina! She’d tell him frankly what she thought. He’d talk to her that night. *** Catalina sat on Antonio’s bed with her eyes wide open as she listened, occasionally putting her hand through her red hair. ‘So you’d be a spy, Antonio. And you’d be away from Madrid. You’d be spying and reporting back to the regidor what you’d discovered. You’d have the protection of a spy, a pistol concealed about you, loaded and primed. If anyone suspected that you were spying on them they’d kill you. Dead!’ ‘He never mentioned the word “spy” but, yes, I…I suppose you could be right. It’s the element of danger that makes it attractive; and I would be helping to protect the king…and for good money! Nearly three times what I’m earning now!’ ‘The king’s a lazy fool. Protect him…? Well, like him or not, he’s still the king,’ she said, almost resigned to Antonio deciding that he’d do it. ‘But what would Carlos and the troupe think? They’d have to find someone