Eleven Minutes

Maria arrives exhausted from the long flight and frightened by the realization that she is totally dependent on Roger. Roger, who suddenly becomes aloof, turns her over to his employee, a Brazilian national named Vivian, who informs Maria that she should have asked a lot more questions before signing the contract. The majority of the money she earns goes toward living expenses she must pay. She learns it will be a year before she has enough money to take a return flight to Brazil. She discovers that there are six young Brazilian women dancing a Swiss version of the samba in Roger’s club. Vivian tells her that all the other women, like her, are there for adventure, money, or to find a husband, and she pours cold water on all those dreams. In her diary, Maria writes that all the dancers are unhappy. She is resolved not to be depressed, saying, “I can choose either to be a victim of the world or an adventurer in search of treasure. It’s all a question of how I view my life” (37).