Out of Captivity : Surviving 1,967 Days in the Colombian Jungle

144 OUT OF CAPTIVITYthat he had lollipops. He signaled for Tom to come and sit with him onthe same bench. Sombra was in his speechifying mood, so Marc and Icould hear what he was saying.“Tomorrow we will once again demonstrate our strength and unityto all the world. They will understand our commitment to our causeand see how just we are.”Tom decided to play along. “You love the peace, I know. But whatdoes that have to do with us?”“An international press will be here tomorrow to speak with all ofyou.”“International press?”“Yes, a well-known journalist and others will speak with you.” Sombrapaused for dramatic effect. “I need to know your clothes sizes. Youmust look good for your visitors. You will have a chance to clean up.”Tom turned to us while Sombra sat and held the lollipops in hishand like a kid’s doctor waiting to deliver an inoculation. “He seems tobe saying that this is a big deal. Besides talking about the journalist, heused the term prueba de vida—proof of life.”We’d heard the term before, but we were wondering exactly how theFat Man and his cronies conducted such a thing. We knew the basics,that we’d be photographed or videotaped with some dated document, anewspaper usually from the day of the proof of life, to show everyonethat we were still alive. We didn’t have much time for who, what, when,where, or why questions. A couple of guards came in holding theirhands up like just-scrubbed surgeons going into an operating theater.They had scissors in them, and we were clearly the objects of theirintentions. The rest of the guards gathered around to watch us get ourhaircuts. After that, we were brought big bowls of rice and canned tuna.We were clearly being worked. They wanted us to be happy and fullbelliedfor this proof of life meeting.We took advantage of the situation by talking openly.