The Stakeout
At a bus stop in Costa Rica, a 9-year-old boy is dropped off by his father and abducted by his mother and her ex-husband. Audio and transcript from the files of Atlantic contributor Nadya Labi.
TODD HOPSON: You mean lay down?
HELEN ZAPATA: Mmm hmm.
TODD HOPSON: Because if somebody walks by, they're going to be...
HELEN ZAPATA: I don't want Jason to be turning around. Because I don't understand why he didn't stop there. Maybe because the bus is in that side here. You know? What should I do, should I turn? Because Jason went all the way there so I don't know if the bus is on this side.
TODD HOPSON: Beats me, I don't know. Just go ahead and go, sweetie, and we'll see what's going on.
HELEN ZAPATA: Why Jason went through like that so quick?
TODD HOPSON: I don't know. Maybe he's going to work.
HELEN ZAPATA: So where's Andres?
TODD HOPSON: I don't know, baby.
HELEN ZAPATA: That's what I said. So maybe he left him in this street like this right here.
TODD HOPSON: Let's go down there and see.
HELEN ZAPATA: I don't know if we should.
TODD HOPSON: If you want to run into him. You want to make the full circle around again?
HELEN ZAPATA: Oh, here! Ah! With Chino! Get down, get down. Come, Andres! [Rolls down window.] Ven, Andres!
TODD HOPSON: Open it.
HELEN ZAPATA: No, because el dice--he said no.
TODD HOPSON: He said no?
HELEN ZAPATA: Mmm-hmm.
TODD HOPSON: Did he see me?
HELEN ZAPATA: No, but pull yourself down! No, he said no.
TODD HOPSON: Did Chino see me?
HELEN ZAPATA: Yes.
TODD HOPSON: Chino saw me? Why don't you just go get him?
HELEN ZAPATA: He doesn't want me to. He's with Chino.
TODD HOPSON: Go out and get him, Helen. Just go out and get him.
HELEN ZAPATA: But you told told me not to ...
TODD HOPSON: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Fuck, I'll get him. Come on! Go back, go back, go back. I'll get him. Okay?
HELEN ZAPATA: Okay. Because the bus is coming here.
TODD HOPSON: I don't care. Let's go. Is that the bus?
HELEN ZAPATA: Yeah.
TODD HOPSON: Just go, because we're made. Let's go. I'm going to go get him. Just go. We're done. Let's go. Go! Stop. Where are they at?
HELEN ZAPATA: Here.
TODD HOPSON: [Opens the car door] Andres, come on! Let's go. Come on! Come on buddy!
HELEN ZAPATA: Come on!
TODD HOPSON: Come on! Come on, buddy!
HELEN ZAPATA: Come, Andres!
TODD HOPSON: Go. [Slams the car door] You don't have to go fast.
ANDRES: Oh.
TODD HOPSON: Just go. It's okay. Go, sweetie. Just take it easy. Hi buddy!
ANDRES: Hi.
TODD HOPSON: How are you sweetie? Who's that?
HELEN ZAPATA: That's not Jason.
TODD HOPSON: Don't worry, Papi, it's going to be okay.
HELEN ZAPATA: Chino's running to the house...
TODD HOPSON: That's okay, sweetie, just, just ...
HELEN ZAPATA: ... but Chino cannot make it.
TODD HOPSON: That's okay. Fuck him. Hang a right, nice and easy, nice and easy. Go.
HELEN ZAPATA: Papi, why didn't you want to come when I told you so?
TODD HOPSON: You scared? Look, he's scared, sweetie. It's okay. It's okay.
