Kiss of the Spider Woman

Molina relates a new movie plot, which Valentin calls “a piece of Nazi junk” (56), but which Molina believes is “a work of art” (55). Valentin claims to only be interested in it because of its German propaganda. Leni, a singer in France during World War Two, falls for a German officer, even though she is devoted to France and has seen the fatal outcome of a chorus girl’s relationship with a different German officer. 

Interrupting his own explanation, Molina admits that he misses Gabriel, a waiter who is a straight and married. As he explains how in love he is, Molina admits to Valentin, “I can’t talk about myself like a man, because I don’t feel like one” (58). He wants to take care of Gabriel, finance his education, and give him a better life, though Molina settled for friendship.

Molina claims his “real name is Carmen” (65). He idolizes Gabriel, explaining that he quit his factory job and then his professional soccer position, married, and upon Molina’s continual insistence, started meeting him for coffee. Molina wanted more than friendshipbut settled for it. Valentin suggests that Gabriel join the union and then jokes that he’s going to stay up thinking about Molina’s boyfriend.