Among nicknames to have Superman, a smaller asked moniker leftover showing up: Enrique los angeles Reina (Enrique the brand new Queen). “I interviewed one or two people that did in the Shanghai, and they said categorically you to Superman try gay,” Prieto informed you. According to Lowinger’s account, Marlon Brando immediately following requested in order to satisfy Superman during one of is own visits so you’re able to Havana, visiting new Shanghai with two showgirls to the his palms.
There may have been zero satisfaction based on the newest abilities. It was all the an act, most of the on the activity of the listeners. “This is his skills. It actually was their job,” Gacio told you. “The guy earned his living with his muscles, maybe not his notice. He had a beneficial cost.”
Roberto Gacio as well as believes one Superman was gay and this the new rumor towards affair with Brando Deutsch sexy Frauen holds true
A good Cuban documentary filmmaker one to Mike and that i had met from inside the New york introduced me to their brother, Willy, who demonstrated all of us as much as. Willy is actually a beneficial 52-year-dated gourmand and you will Lothario, a man on area inside the Havana who appeared to learn group. He’d an astonishing appetite for ladies; while in the our very own 10-tour, the guy apparently tucked out getting salty rendezvous back from the their flat. A finer people having a well-groomed peppery goatee and you will a keen earring, Willy offered to act as the fixer.
I satisfied Willy for the Habana Vieja at the Este Floridita, a pub well-known into the 1950s Havana. It absolutely was heaving having visitors drinking daiquiris once we turned up shortly after food. They presented to have photographs which have a tan statue off Hemingway, who were a typical in bar’s heyday. “I detest this one,” Willy told you. “This place is like Minutes Rectangular.”
Willy told you he had particular intel into Superman. He know a man who know a person which knew Superman. “Superman was known as the ‘Queen of Italy.’ But if you entitled your the fresh new King, he would punch your,” Willy told you. As to the reasons Italy? Willy didn’t see, but the guy told you we are able to meet the guy exactly who died you to definitely pointers.
The fresh contact try a journalist called Rolando who’d authored multiple courses on the Havana communities. Rolando in addition to has worked given that a beneficial podiatrist to complement his income; Willy had developed a meeting next morning at that podiatry office. Rolando had and advised Willy he understood in which Superman immediately after lived-a region entitled Barrio de- los Sitios, close to a chapel. It was an equivalent society Prieto got mentioned. Willy told you he imagine the guy understood the new stop, and then he together with know an old lady just who lived around. We had go truth be told there tomorrow. Follow los angeles pista .
Getting Gacio, the newest performer’s sexual orientation suggests a keen undercurrent from depression in order to their facts
Rolando, this new publisher/podiatrist, stayed towards the a good cut off inside Habana Vieja, simply off among the tourist-heavy roads. He had been 71 years of age and you will dressed in a light physician’s coat over jeans and you will sandals. He had one of those dated-man smiles that completely undetectable their side white teeth and you can good bushel from light nose hairs.
Their podiatry workplace are next door in order to their house. Mike and that i sat about dusty, candlight waiting space while you are Rolando has worked from the right back space, puffing an effective cigar, investigating an excellent person’s bunions.
We were to fulfill a person titled Eduardo, a friend away from Superman’s. It absolutely was 10 a good.m. and in addition we had come waiting for thirty minutes. Rolando informed me to hold off a small lengthened; Eduardo manage come soon. The atmosphere when you look at the wishing space is actually stuffy and smelled from mothballs. Outside, the trail is real time which have early morning interest.
After an hour away from wishing, Rolando emerged on bunion cures to break the newest bad news: However merely spoken so you’re able to Eduardo over the telephone, in which he wasn’t future. “The guy does not want to talk. The guy does not want a photograph. He’s scared.”