Then They Came for Me_ A Family's Story of Love, Captivity, and Survival - Maziar Bahari [122]
“A person who passes secret information related to the national security of a country to another country.”
“What is a journalist?”
My patience was running thin, but I had to humor him to see where this would ultimately lead. “Someone who reports about events for print media, TV, or radio or Internet sites or blogs,” I said as calculatingly as I could. “The difference between a spy and a journalist is that a spy works secretly against the national security of a country for another government, but a journalist works openly—even if he uses secret sources—to inform the public. With all due respect, I really don’t understand what a media spy is, sir.”
“Slow down, Mazi. Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Rosewater said curtly. “So both journalists and spies deal with information. Isn’t that right?”
“Different kinds of information.”
“Information, nonetheless.” He was getting annoyed with my noncompliance. “What if a journalist’s reports are used against the national security of a country? For example, you filmed the demonstrations after the election despite the government’s orders that you should not report anything. The enemies have used your footage and writing against our holy Islamic Republic. Should we just revoke your press card or should we charge you with something more?”
Just cancel my press card and let me go, you motherfucker! “Just cancel my press card, sir.”
“Of course you’d say that. But we think that what you’ve done is an example of media espionage. Even if we still can’t offer a cohesive definition of media espionage.” He stood up and began to pace the room. “As I told you in the beginning, no one can make a decision about your fate except for us, the Revolutionary Guards Corps.” This was the first time he’d mentioned that he was part of the Guards. “Mazi, you’re very lucky that we would like you to be freed and to help the Islamic system.”
This was not the first time I’d been promised release in exchange for my cooperation, and I was reluctant to allow the hope I was beginning to feel to truly take hold. “I’m willing to help any way I can,” I said. “I’m a filmmaker and a journalist, and I can offer you my services when I’m out of prison.”
“Of course you can,” Rosewater said. “But the gentleman who’s going to be here in a few minutes will tell you how else you can help us. He’s my boss, so be very careful when you talk to him.”
Rosewater had left the room to get more tea and biscuits when his boss walked in. The Boss sounded like an old man, and his strong and distinct accent betrayed that he was from the city of Isfahan. The Boss pulled a chair up next to mine and began to gently rub my back. “I hope you’ve had a pleasant time, Mr. Bahari.”
“Well, sir,” I said, “because of its nature, prison is a very difficult place to be.”
“Soon you’ll be out of here,” the Boss reassured me. I closed my eyes under the blindfold, trying to absorb his words. “But there are certain formalities that we have to go through before releasing you. I’m sure you know what I mean?”
“Not really, sir,” I said apologetically.
“Well, do you know why we’re releasing you?” the Boss asked.
“Because I’ve repented?”
“Yes, but what will the manifestations of this repentance be?”
“I’ll make films for you and write articles in defense of the Islamic Republic,” I offered.
“That’s very good, but we need you to cooperate with us in other ways.” The Boss got up from his chair and moved even closer to me. He had polished brown shoes and creased brown trousers. Rosewater walked in and put a fresh cup of tea and digestive biscuits on the arm of my chair.
“Would you like me to stay, sir?” Rosewater asked the Boss.
“Maybe it’s better if I have a private talk with Mr. Bahari,” the Boss answered. I heard Rosewater leave the room.
“He is a very devout soldier,” the Boss said about Rosewater. “He’s tough and a firm believer but you and I … we are intellectuals. I think we can work this out between ourselves. If not, I can just leave and ask your interrogator to carry on his duty.”
I was too afraid to say anything. I wanted to hear him