I Must Betray You

In the office, Cristian notices the portrait of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu but is more concerned by the stranger before him. The man holds a file of papers, and Cristian immediately knows he is a member of the Romanian secret police—the Securitate. Cristian explains that their identities are not as secret as they might like, as the black Dacia car each one drives gives him away. Cristian is instantly worried as he sits before the stranger, who tells Cristian he “knows what [Cristian] has been doing” (7).

Cristian speculates as to what he could be guilty of. The stranger tells him his crime is selling a postage stamp to “a foreigner and accept[ing] foreign currency” (10). Cristian recalls the dollar paid to him by the son of the American diplomat whose home his mother cleans. He tries to offer an explanation that will satisfy the agent, but the agent will not relent. Instead, he orders Cristian to provide the Securitate with information about the American family in exchange for medicine for Cristian’s grandfather, Bunu. Feeling left with no choice, Cristian agrees to become an informer and is given the code name “Oscar.”

Cristian walks home, wondering who informed the Securitate. He considers that his informing is somewhat justified, as it is an American family—not a Romanian one—that he will be spying on. He contemplates how he might keep his family from growing suspicious, as surely his behavior will suggest that something is bothering him. Cristian decides that he will tell them that he is preoccupied with the upcoming university admission exams. He knows, however, that it will be difficult to fool Bunu. As he nears his apartment building, Cristian realizes that someone is following him.

The person following Cristian is Liliana Pavel, the girl Cristian had hoped to leave school with. Her apartment building faces Cristian’s, and her father works as a manager of the grocery supply. Cristian emphasizes how much quieter and more thoughtful Liliana is than other girls their age. He shamefully recalls a time when he embarrassed her in front of a group of their peers after she tried to give him a piece of gum. He realizes now how foolish he was to rebuff the attention of such a kind and attractive girl. The two walk together and pass a line of people waiting for food. They recall being told that Bucharest was once a great city, though now they are surrounded by poverty due to Ceauşescu’s collectivization of industry and agriculture. Cristian becomes lost in thought, but then Liliana interrupts him in a panic.

Stray dogs have caused Liliana to panic. The dogs attack a young girl on the street opposite, and Liliana and Cristian rush to her assistance. Strays have become an increasing problem in the city. Cristian and Liliana continue homeward and encounter an older boy nicknamed Starfish. Starfish is known for wearing Western clothing (which, while not illegal, is taboo) and possesses both American videos and a video cassette player. He asks them about their plan to attend one of his “video nights,” and Cristian and Liliana agree they will attend the following evening.

Cristian arrives at his apartment building. He describes some of the families living there, noting that there are certainly listening devices by which the government spies on its citizens. His family speaks in whispers when they are at home, except for Bunu, who refuses. Cristian explains the apartment’s sleeping arrangement, noting that Bunu insisted that he be given his own “bedroom”—the apartment’s front closet. In this private space, Cristian writes in a secret notebook.

Once in his apartment, Cristian is greeted by his grandfather, who tells him a joke about the government. Such jokes are a daring way to resist the regime. Cristian’s mother asks him to count the number of Kent cigarettes remaining in the house—these Western cigarettes are used for bribes. Cristian worries that he may not have made the best decision by agreeing to spy in exchange for medication for Bunu.

Cristian looks forward to video night—an opportunity to see Liliana and encounter Western culture. Cristian’s sister Cici is sewing when he enters the apartment. Cristian notes that she is kind and attractive. She is clearly upset, however.

Cristian guesses, correctly, that Cici is upset because she was forced to submit to the “baby police” at work. Women are subjected to crude gynecological exams as Ceauşescu decreed that the Romanian population be increased. Cristian helps Cici momentarily forget her trauma by joking with her, but the guilt he feels over agreeing to spy nags at him.

Cristian showers in preparation for video night, then finds Liliana waiting for him outside. She shows him a Christmas gift from her father—a contraband can of Coca-Cola he obtained through his job as a grocer. Neither she nor Cristian have ever tried soda, and they share it secretly.

Starfish’s home is crowded when the pair arrives. As the film plays, Cristian wonders about the machinations of the underground network that supplies Romanians like Starfish with American films. He is amazed by the freedoms enjoyed by the Americans in the films and cannot imagine such a life.