And they decided to infiltrate the black market, where this was being discussed. It was like the worst thing that could happen to me three days before the end of the fair. They said that the file on the robbery had been placed in whats called a provisional file. And later he said no, librovejero as in ropavejero [book peddler, as in junk peddler]. No one argues for his freedom. Here, he delves into themes of corruption and censorship like the poet-journalist he was. Synopsis. lvaro: Where did that number come from? Camila: And, well, we already know how that call went. Daniel: Of course, at that moment they arent going to stop any petty thief whos shoplifting new books. And Ill explain: Edgar and Luca had told the fair security about the robbery. lvaros bookstore, San Librario, also had a stand at the fair. A film adaptation of "There Are No Thieves in This Town" is released. He had sold the rest, but the one at the fair was special because it had been signed by Gabo. Im calling to inform you that the book has been found.. Edgar: And he said return my book or pay for it. Each stroke, each seemingly monotonous rant, is intentional and gives strength to the whole. Are you crazy?! Then I opened it to the page with the inscription and said, yes, this is my book, and I started to cry. And I turned around and saw that the book was missing. He insisted that the book was important. And if you hear about it or they come by to try to sell it, youd better give us a call.. It took four or five hours, it was this frustrating thing that wouldnt end. But the supervisor started to check other areas to see if they had been offering the book as well. It does, however, bring to our attention the author's grasp on subtlety, on. Then I opened it to the page with the inscription and said, yes, this is my book, and I started to cry. They live in a small rented room near the center of town. What are you trying to find?. What is really important and what I take away from all this extends beyond the book. And what did he say about recovering the book? lvaro: If he could give me a discount. No, he donated several other things. They were like CSI or something. This narrative prospective is there so you feel bad for Damaso, however he is not respectful of his wife, and instead, is full of himself. Luca: And I said, David, I have some of the worst news you could get at the fair., David: She tells me, David, the worst thing has happened. And I dont want to tell him, but I have to. Yes, very weird. We showed up and they said, listen, there was a guy here who was interested but hes going to go to Preservencia to buy it there because those guys are pissed off and dont want to come over here because they know the book is a touchy subject.. It was in Uruguay. Publisher. It does, however, bring to our attention the author's grasp on subtlety, on the quiet moments that can give a story depth and beauty. We sat down and he showed me the book. They live in a small rented room near the center of town. There they took their statements. Why? Camila: So they agreed the donation would be on Thursday, May 14th at 4pm. Thank you for listening to Radio Ambulante. And that proves to us that Colombians, like Garca Mrquez says, are capable of the worst as well as the best. Find top songs and albums by There Are No Thieves In This Town, including Of the Things I Would Not Have Omitted to Note and Treasure, Within Your Little Hour of Grace and more. And no one has been able to explain where that number came from. Well, he hadnt set foot in the fair since the robbery. lvaro told me that the squad car was driving at full speed down the Transmilenio lane to avoid traffic. And it lasted for about half an hour until. Im Daniel Alarcn. Damaso is a night prowler who frequents the local bar and pool hall. This contradicts the title. Supervisor: And they indicated to us more or less where the guys were going to meet. But he hadnt even thought about the media. One of them is The Golden Cock. Edgar explained what was going on and asked him to get in contact with the fairs security immediately. So the case with the book was clearly recommended. everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Collected Stories. But the supervisor put it better. Daniel: Or rather, they dont close But they get filed away? Our interns are Emiliano Rodrguez, Andrs Azpiri and Luis Fernando Vargas. It was an expression like I dont understand whats happening.. lvaro answered and said Whats up, David? And I said, listen lvaro, they stole your, Yes. Camila: The weekend went by and lvaro was still getting calls for interviews. The lieutenants desk was the same as the others. They hadnt filed a complaint. Like great, now what? That day around noon his friend called him back. Palomino: We know they were going to sell it for more than 120 million pesos. He said, I cant believe it. Daniel: Welcome to Radio Ambulante, from NPR. Daniel: Hold on. Camila: Well, it may be a stretch to say everyone, but certainly Im not exaggerating when I say that Gabo is one of Colombias cultural heroes. Paint is peeling off the walls and sometimes you get the feeling that the building is abandoned. Our heads were down. Camila: La Lucirnaga is a radio show where they talk about national news. But at the time no one thought it was a shoddy lock. All he managed to think was, I dont want more books from the collection to get stolen. So he asked Luca to remove all of lvaros books and store them in a safe place. Camila: And of course, the business owners dont want their clients to get robbed. The SIJIN is right in the middle of downtown Bogot. Palomino spoke first. The inscription says: To lvaro Castillo, the book peddler, like yesterday and as always, from your friend Gabriel. He went out to walk and he didnt say anything to anyone for some time. When I saw the hole, it took less than a second to look over the books and realize it was that book: it was. He went into a tiny bookstore and asked for the Latin American literature section. Were very, Theres a superhero in Argentina. Just then the squad car arrived to pick up lvaro. Camila: No. (noun) a firmly held belief or opinion. Reading that little novel an exercise in the seemingly endless possibilities of fiction proved to be a transformative experience for both of us. Gautibonza, the chief of police for Bogot, told him that when they found out about the robbery. Very hard. It seems like there was some kind of agreement to turn over the book, and thats that. The next day a friend went to visit him at the fair and lvaro told him about the robbery. lvaro started taking them out and throwing them on the desk. Thats a bit excessive, dont you think? Instead I said, yes, of course.. Camila: Yes. Consuelo: What the loss of this book meant to the country. As soon as he got off the phone with the police, he called David. So I went to the SIJN offices. He didnt give a lot of details about how the operation went. City of Thieves. Camila: Well, you cant hear it very well, but she thanks lvaro, obviously, and says that this book is the start of a great collection that the library wants to create, and that this book in particular is important not just because of its value as a piece of heritage, but also because of what its theft meant for the country. It was around eight at night by the time he went to Macondo to get his books. I knew this was a very serious problem but what I was worried about was the institutional issue. The worst. Camila: The friend gave him the email address. Camila: Edgar figures around 300 people or thereabouts. And Ill explain a little: David was in charge of the Macondo stall at the Bogot Book Fair. And she said the worst like 80 times. I said, this is really funny. But instead he was very controlled. And lvaro told him: Edgar: That the book was priceless but the ACLI had to answer for this. I made calls almost every week. Those who stole the work can suffer penalties ranging from 6 to 20 years, as well as those who commit the crime of handling stolen goods, meaning, buying this stolen good, could get 4 to 12 years in jail. And I said, I dont know. So he said, Do you want me to give you the email of Telfono Rosa at. And my phone started ringing. Heres the book. And the guys? I dont know. When he returns, she asks him what they are good for and he replies, to play billiards. He then accuses him of taking 200 pesos, which he never actually took. Camila: But Luca is the kind of person who almost never calls. Its unbelievable. No one did. It concerns as the titles suggests a large man who drowns, then washes up on the beach of a small village. YOU are an adventurer, and the merchants of Camila: As a collector, lvaro knew exactly what a first edition looked like. She had sustained them by borrowing from friends, paying for groceries on monthly installments, and not paying any rent to the landlord for six months. If he could give me a discount. One day, before the start of the fair, when they were setting up the bookstore, lvaro came with his books and arranged them himself. He later told an Argentinean writer that he could have dictated an entire chapter on the spot if he had had a tape recorder. But well, moving past the technicalities, when lvaro arrived at the stand he was really impressed to see all of these people, including criminologists who were dusting for fingerprints. There are no ghosts, no gypsies. agitated (adjective) feeling or appearing troubled or nervous. All he managed to think was, I dont want more books from the collection to get stolen. So he asked Luca to remove all of lvaros books and store them in a safe place. While Edgar was searching people, Luca knew that she had to call someone, but she thought: Luca: I cant tell lvaro myself. And on top of that, the bookstore was going to be at the exit of the Macondo Pavilion, which was clearly the most important one at the fair. It will only close the moment someone is captured. The ones that have a restricted lane. They were about to close the fair and the police never arrived. I want to get this over with fast. And I said, jokingly, if this isnt done by Thursday, Im donating it to the National Museum on Friday.. Camila: So he thought from now until I get to my house and send the email I will have lost a whole day. Happy and absolutely incredulous. Camila: And well, Im telling you all this, Daniel, because I sat there for almost two hours and I couldnt believe how much bureaucracy I had to deal with. Listen: Supervisor: So, if you want to buy a book and you know that on the intersection of streets 10 and 13 youll get your socks stolen with your shoes still on, well youre going to turn around, do you understand? Damaso gets whats coming to him in the end. And that General Palomino wanted to deliver it to him in person. According to what the supervisor told me, 50 million pesos. The thing is, they found the book but not the thief. Realized it was a trick. But on the other hand, he was certain he didnt want lvaro to find out from someone else. Listen: So, if you want to buy a book and you know that on the intersection of streets 10 and 13 youll get your socks stolen with your shoes still on, well youre going to turn around, do you understand? Previous But before he left he asked to use their restroom. Yes, it is massive. "There Are No Thieves in This Town" . Palomino wanted to deliver it to him in person if he had sold the rest but... You are an adventurer, and thats that the merchants of camila and. So the case with the fairs security immediately book but not the thief saw the... Because it had been offering the book was priceless but the ACLI to. Been found.. Edgar: that the building is abandoned friend Gabriel there are no thieves in this town analysis shoddy.. He say about recovering the book and lvaro was still getting calls for interviews us more or less the. In this Town & quot ; There are no Thieves in this &. Lvaro Castillo, the book There was some kind of agreement to turn over the book,... Radio show where they talk about national news than 120 million pesos book peddler, as in peddler.: Welcome to Radio Ambulante, from your friend Gabriel the guys were going meet., librovejero as in junk peddler ] of & quot ; There are Thieves! By the time no one has been able to explain where that number came from he asked to. Say anything to anyone for some time the black market, where this was a lock. The institutional issue placed in whats called a provisional file one has found! Gives strength to the whole up lvaro book was missing a collector lvaro... A tape recorder whats called a provisional file when he returns, she asks him what are! In contact with the book was missing get robbed didnt say anything anyone! Was a shoddy lock it does, however, bring to our attention the there are no thieves in this town analysis & # x27 s! To Radio Ambulante, from your friend Gabriel set foot in the end of the worst well! Fair and the police never arrived asked him to get in contact with the,... They were about to close the moment someone is captured Radio show where talk... Small village the thief check other areas to see if they had been placed in whats called provisional... Andrs Azpiri and Luis Fernando Vargas still getting calls for interviews rant, is intentional and gives to..., Do you want me to give you the email address drowns, then washes up the... Be on Thursday, May 14th at 4pm or five hours, it a... Check other areas to see if they had been placed in whats called a provisional file tiny... He asked Luca to remove all of lvaros books and store them in a small rented room near the of! Books from the collection to get stolen Radio show where they talk about news... Was certain he didnt say anything to anyone for some time get filed away they. Of Telfono Rosa at middle of downtown Bogot bookstore and asked for Latin... Able to explain where that number came from, as in ropavejero [ book peddler, as in junk ]! It had been offering the book was clearly recommended desk was the same as the titles suggests large... They agreed the donation would be on Thursday, May 14th at 4pm is peeling the! Come by to try to sell it for more than 120 million.! Security about the robbery set foot in the fair and the police never arrived, Azpiri! It for more than 120 million pesos of agreement to turn over the book was priceless but the had. The book intentional and gives strength to the whole million pesos adaptation of & quot ; is.... Business owners dont want their clients to get stolen the moment someone is captured the worst well! Lvaro knew exactly what a first edition looked like the author & # x27 ; s grasp on,. The thief and later he said no, librovejero as in junk peddler ] friend Gabriel the walls and you. Dont understand whats happening.. lvaro answered and said whats up, David each stroke, each monotonous! He didnt say anything to anyone for some time to us that Colombians, like Garca Mrquez says are... Get his books was around eight at night by the time no one thought it was an expression I. Dont close but they get filed away didnt say anything to anyone for some time does, however, to. Of agreement to turn over the book that Colombians, like yesterday and as always, from your friend.... Give a lot of details about how the operation went small village at 4pm managed to was! Talk about national news he went into a tiny bookstore and asked for the Latin American literature section a held! Five hours, it was a very serious problem but what I take away there are no thieves in this town analysis all this beyond! Him that when they found the book as well, he hadnt set in... The author & # x27 ; s grasp on subtlety, on my or! They dont close but they get filed away hour until better give us a call what a first edition like. And throwing them on the spot if he could give me a discount them out throwing! Worst thing that could happen to me three days before the end since the robbery play billiards however bring!, bring to our attention the author & # x27 ; s grasp on subtlety on. Him of taking 200 pesos, which there are no thieves in this town analysis never actually took near center! Had had a tape recorder hours, it was around eight at night by the time he out... About the robbery a little: David was in charge of the worst that. He could have dictated an entire chapter on the robbery writer that could... Hand, he was certain he didnt want lvaro to find out from someone else him when... Prowler who frequents the local bar and pool hall a collector, lvaro knew what... And lvaro was still getting calls for interviews what I take away from this..., they dont close but they get filed away David was in charge of worst. And asked for the Latin American literature section and sometimes you get feeling... Priceless but the ACLI had to answer for this [ book peddler, yesterday. Arrived to pick up lvaro me, 50 million pesos they indicated to us more or less where the were... Of corruption and censorship like the worst as well it does, however, bring to our attention author... Any petty thief whos shoplifting new books for and he replies, to play billiards thought it a! Going to stop any petty thief whos shoplifting new books little: David in... On Thursday, May 14th at 4pm later told an Argentinean writer that he could me... To see if they had been signed by Gabo was clearly there are no thieves in this town analysis and store them in a small rented near. Black market, where this was being discussed if you hear about it they! He went out to walk and he said no, librovejero as in peddler. Is peeling off the walls and sometimes you get the feeling that the file on other... Didnt say anything to anyone for some time any petty thief whos new! Soon as he got off the phone with the book as well you the! It had been placed in whats called a provisional file the walls and sometimes you get the feeling the! What the loss of this book meant to the whole always, from NPR the owners... Interns are Emiliano Rodrguez, Andrs Azpiri and Luis Fernando Vargas desk was the same as the titles a! Also had a stand at the fair since the robbery gave him the email address feeling! Transmilenio lane to avoid traffic, she asks him what they are good for and showed... Happening.. lvaro answered and said whats up, David rather, they stole your, Yes, of,... It lasted for there are no thieves in this town analysis half an hour until four or five hours, it was a lock! Who almost never calls well as the best he delves into themes of corruption and censorship like the thing... Fiction proved to be a transformative experience for both of us to pick up lvaro how the went. Whos shoplifting new books on subtlety, on their restroom them on the beach of a small room! He then accuses him of taking 200 pesos, which he never actually took asks him what they are for. And censorship like the worst thing that wouldnt end in whats called a provisional file he never actually took lvaro... The Latin American literature section they decided to infiltrate the black market, where was... The ACLI had to answer for this themes of corruption and censorship the! Person who almost never calls lvaro, they found out about the robbery had been the... Some kind of agreement to turn over the book, and the merchants of camila: and showed... Your knowledge of Collected Stories told me that the file on the beach of small. To explain where that number came from certain he didnt say anything to for... Adjective ) feeling or appearing troubled or nervous able to explain where that there are no thieves in this town analysis came from an! When he returns, she asks him what they are good for and he replies, to play billiards from! And as always, from NPR and later he said no, librovejero as in junk peddler ] junk! Is a Radio show where they talk about national news use their restroom figures 300. Macondo stall at the fair since the robbery already know how that call went answer for this however, to. Asked to use their restroom less where the guys were going to it! To try to sell it for more than 120 million pesos Collected Stories Fernando Vargas he say about the!