Alfredo with mask in front of politician on TV

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Jacqueline Hayden
Date: Saturday, January 14, 2012 5:21am
Subject: SOS

Dear Jackie:
A disgraceful accident has happened to me. I brought from the States a TV set of 40 inches, and 4 days ago there was a HUGE lightening nearby that devastated the neighborhood in terms of the electrical equipment. So my new TV set is not working --it could enjoy it barely for a week. I'm waiting for the technician in order to evaluate the damage, probably I'll need a new source of power --but I'll know it for sure when the guy shows up. The problem is that LEDs TVs are not usual at all around here, so the spare parts are not available not even in the black market. I need your help in order to solve this, I'll send you the technical info as soon as the guy shows up, so you could bring it with you on Jan 29, and I'll pay you back when here. My blood pressure skyrocketed, not only because of the f... TV set but also because I've never seen a thing like that since I were born. For a few seconds I was under the impression that my bedroom was on fire.

Love
A

From: Jacqueline Hayden
To: Alfredo Prieto
Date: Saturday, January 14, 2012 8:35pm
Subject: RE: SOS

Dios mio!!!! Hell fire and damnation!! How did you get in with a 40" TV?? The gods are punishing you for your bourgeois values!!!
Tell me as soon as you know!!! I will come to your rescue!!

Hasta proxima,
Jackie

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Jacqueline Hayden
Date: Saturday, January 14, 2012 9:42pm
Subject: RE: SOS

Dear:
My room was so red for a few seconds, that I thought I was in hell (well, in a different one).
You're right: God should be affiliated to some branch of an old Communist Party and is after the ideological sins of its creatures living in the Tropics.
Thanks a lot you for your membership to the Fire Department --and Rescue. Thanks to Him, email works as a 911.
I'll see that with the people of International Relations. You'll have the letter waiting for you at the Airport.

Love
A

"I don't consider myself a part of the consumerist society, but..."


From: Jacqueline Hayden
To: Steve Daiber
Date: Saturday, January 14, 2012 5:25am
Subject: RE: SOS

Steve
I need your help to find this please!!

xx J

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Jacqueline Hayden
Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 10:32am
Subject: The Technician

Dear Jackie:
The TV technician just left and gave me the info of the part broken by the lightning. This is the thing:

1. Source of power Model MP 123-24TF
For TV Set Westinghouse 40" LD 4080
Version TW-63401-T040A

It's a "placa". On the superior right border appears the following: MEGMEET. They have a web page: www.westinghouse.com Orange, California. Please, let me know if there is some progress as soon as you can. I didn't jump out of the window for pure rationality.

A huge hug
Alfre

From: Jacqueline Hayden
To: Alfredo Prieto
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2012 4:10pm
Subject: RE: The Technician

Alfredo,
I put Steve on this. Will let you know. How did you get that big TV in? Shipped it on the airlines?

Abrazos,
Jackie

"I work in Havana as a publisher..."

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Jacqueline Hayden
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2012 5:27pm
Subject: RE: The Technician

Yes, it was shipped on Marazul (Continental charter flight). 20 USD for the box plus 2 USD by pound.

Love,
A

From: Steve Daiber
To: Alfredo Prieto
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2012 9:42pm
Subject: TV???

Hi Alfredo,
This part is hard to find as listed. Would you look at the broken piece- Power board- and give me the number on the bar code sticker?

Thanks,
Steve

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Jacqueline Hayden
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2012 7:36pm
Subject: RE: TV???

Dear Steve,
Oops, I see no bar code sticker in the power board, the guy told me it was 100% accurate and well-known...

A hug
A

"Tourists, big shots, actors, politicians...my own interest is in what they lost in traveling to Cuba to do the things they wanted to do..."

From: Steve Daiber
To: Alfredo Prieto
Date: Sunday, January 22, 2012 2:07pm
Subject: TV

Alfredo,
The bad news. Finding this part may be impossible. The Westinghouse web site is just about selling the TVs.

Our local repair person said Westinghouse is not helpful and suggested I look online. And I have for a couple of hours. A general search does not list any parts for your TV! Lots of them for sale but no parts.

I have found 1 company that lists Westinghouse parts and they suggested it may be possible that the part you need is used in other TVs. Look for any number on the power board that might allow for a cross reference.

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Jacqueline Hayden
Date: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:07am
Subject: RE: The Technician

Shit, I'll call the guy tomorrow, but I'll also search for the technical plano of the tv in the Web...

From: Steve Daiber
To: Alfredo Prieto
Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2012 8:07pm
Subject: TV

Alfredo,
I will keep searching but finding the part is not easy. This is what Westinghouse said.

Steve

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Case Information: Case Number ZW1144132
Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:39:34 -0600
From: Westinghouse
To: Steven Daiber

Dear Steven Daiber,
Below is the current status for your case number: ZW1144132 We are contacting you in regards to your recent request for technical assistance. The accessory that you are requesting is not carried by Westinghouse Digital. You would need to refer to an online or local retailer to obtain that product. If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our Customer Support Team at the number provide below.

Westinghouse Customer Support Center 1-800-701-0680

Our service and support team is available:
Monday - Friday
7:00am - 7:00pm CST (North America)

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Steve Daiber
Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2012 10:34pm
Subject: RE: TV

Steve,
Okay, good idea, thanks a lot.
I'll also do some research with the Miami guys.
I'll keep you posted.

Best
A

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Steve Daiber
Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2012 2:43pm
Subject: RE: TV

Dear Steve:
OK, I never imagined it was so complicated, but you're doing your best and I appreciate it.
Take care, and a hug for all of you --including Lodo, one of my favorite dogs in the US.

Alfredo

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Jackie Hayden
Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2012 11:35pm
Subject: RE: News and question

Dear Jackie:
...The technician hasn't showed up yet, so I'm afraid that if you guys couldn't find the part with the info he gave me, I'll have no more choice than waiting since time is getting short.

Huggies,
A

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Jackie Hayden
Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2012 12:13pm
Subject: RE: News and question

Dear Jackie,
Oops, I never imagined it was so complicated...but I know you guys are doing your best and I appreciate it. But as they say, the only thing with no solution is passing away.If not this time, in some other time the problem will be solved.

See you at the Airport, Dios mediante.
A

From: Jackie Hayden
To: Alfredo Prieto
Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 10:51pm
Subject: RE: News and question

Alfredo,
I adore the saying, no problem!! Hahaha I am so sorry about your TV, Steve is really trying....it's too new to have parts available he thinks maybe.

xxx J

From: Steve Daiber
To: Alfredo Prieto
Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 1:09pm
Subject: RE: TV

Alfredo,
I'm sorry, in the 'land of everything you want' it is amazing not to able to find this part. Perhaps when the Hampshire College person comes in March I will have it for you.

Steve

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Steve Daiber
Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 3:23pm
Subject: RE: News and question

Hi, Steve
A hint. Try this: http://www.shopjimmy.com/megmeet-mp123-24tf-power-supply-unit.htm and see what happens, just received the info from a friend in Miami

Best,
A

From: Steve Daiber
To: Alfredo Prieto
Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 5:38pm
Subject: RE: TV

Well who knows, your friend is correct. To get it here it will cost $27 plus the $54.10 for the part for a total of $81.10.

Steve

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Steve Daiber
Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 6:13pm
Subject: RE: TV

Dear Steve:
No problem, I have a check to collect from the J-----. M--- is in charge of this, so I'll tell her to pay you guys back. But please make sure that the part is exactly what the TV technician wrote me. He insisted on it.

Please, keep me posted and, again, thank you so much for doing this for me.
Alfredo

From: Steve Daiber
To: Alfredo Prieto
Date: Thursday, January 26, 2012 1:28pm
Subject: RE: TV

Hi Alfredo,
It is the same numbers as you sent me. I've ordered it and we should have it Friday.

Steve

Fwd:
Hello Steven Daiber,
'Thank you for your order from ShopJimmy. Once your package ships we will send an email with a link to track your order. You can check the status of your order by logging into your account. If you have any questions about your order please contact us at sales@shopjimmy.com or call us at (877) 881-6492 Monday - Friday, 8am - 6pm CST and Saturday - Sunday, 10am - 4pm CST. Your order confirmation is below. Thank you again for your business.

Your Order #1198535 (placed on January 25, 2012)

Billing Information:
Steven Daiber
Red Trillium Press
221 Pine St. #332
Florence, MA, 01062
United States
T: 413 695 7990
Payment Method:
Payment Method: Credit Card
Type: Visa
Credit Card Number: xxxx-xxxx
Expiration Date: 01/2015
Shipping Information:
Steven Daiber
Red Trillium Press
221 Pine St. #332
Florence, MA, 01062
United States
T: 413 695 7990

Shipping Method: UPS - UPS Next Day Air Saver

Item: Megmeet MP123-24TF Power Supply Unit
Qty: 1
Item #: sj-MP123-24TF
Subtotal: $54.16
LOC: DA Subtotal: $54.16
Shipping & Handling: $26.94
Grand Total: $ 81.10

Thank you again,
ShopJimmy

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Steve Daiber
Date: Thursday, January 26, 2012 4:12pm
Subject: RE: TV

GREAT!!!!
By the way, aren't you coming down in 3 months? Jackie is concerned of a serious generational problem in an AreoMexico flight. I have the same problem --but in solid ground.
And say hello for us to sugar houses and maple syrup. We miss them!

Best
A

From: Ivonne
To: Steve Daiber
Date: Friday, January 27 2012 7:26pm
Subject: RE: TV

Dear Steve: I wrote to our boy in H and told him to fork over the dough to J. I told him that his b--- check had not arrived, and that there was no way I was going to lay out the dough for his decadent indulgences!!! It's unbelievable that that awful Xxxxx Xxxxxx didn't fork up the dough, what A wrote me back was that he did not mean me to pay you now, since you were not going down now. But the problem with this is that the part is. He should pay Jackie, and I will write him and tell him so if you want me to do this. I hate his fucking TV.

Ivonne

From: Steve Daiber
To: Alfredo Prieto
Date: Friday, January 27 2012 11:27pm
Subject: RE: TV

The part arrived today. Did you email Ivonne about your desire to have her pay us?

Steve

"Cubans have a very high sense of imagination. They know how to deal with their own problems in order to solve their own..."

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Steve Daiber
Date: Saturday, January 28, 2012 1:21am
Subject: RE: TV

Dear Steve,
Affirmative. She knows she has to pay you back as soon as my check arrives. But she's making some noise by email because she hates high tech and above all because she thinks she is the perfect mom who defines what you need --and what you don't. The fact is that she will get a check that belongs to me and has no jurisdiction on the subject. (By the way the check arrived to her place while I was in the US, but she sent it to Mars and consequently it never arrived to my cousin's place in Miami). A standard, ordinary and simple procedure is becoming a little noisy just for nothing. But don't worry. I'll make her do the right thing even though I'll have to take a raft and cross the Atlantic up to MA!!!

I'll tell the details to Jackie when here. It's simply hysterical!!

Thanks, buddy!!!!
A

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Steve Daiber
Date: Saturday, January 28, 2012 1:30am
Subject: RE: TV

In other email she mentioned the word "my decadence" for the TV, well, maybe after years teaching the Russian revolution she got contaminated with its Stalinist rhetoric!!! But take a look at this yesterday's email, she hates my TV set!!! And visiting us here in Havana, she saw a new coffee maker I brought and guess what: it was an expression of "bad taste". Isn't it crazy?

-----Mensaje original-----
De: Ivonne
Enviado el: jueves, 26 de enero de 2012 14:17
Para: Prieto
Asunto: RE:

Okay, I will do Steve when the check gets here, I hate your tv. -I

Well, much ado about nothing on her part. It was very simple-- so I'm still shocked. Yesterday no problem --today the opposite. But the most important thing is that I solved the problem thanks to your good will, I'll handle it with Jackie.

Best
A

From: Steve Daiber
To: Alfredo Prieto
Date: Saturday, January 28 2012 3:02pm
Subject: Jackie says...

I should have waited until talking with J. - Tell him not to worry she has you covered and will talk about it next week. We pack tomorrow -as if we haven't been packing all week.

"One of the first changes was to authorize the entrance of DVDs from abroad..."

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Steve Daiber
Date: Saturday, January 28, 2012 8:11pm
Subject: RE: TV

Steve
Ok, good luck, packing is always a pain in the neck...

A hug
A

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Steve Daiber
Date: Friday, February 3, 2012 1:19pm
Subject: RE: TV

Dear Steve:
It worked! It worked!!!!

The Decadent

From: Steve Daiber
To: Alfredo Prieto
Date: Saturday, February 4 2012 2:02pm
Subject: News

That is wonderful!!!!
So what is the first TV show you watched in 40 inch color today?

From: Alfredo Prieto
To: Steve Daiber
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2012 9:19am
Subject: RE: TV

A baseball game between Industriales and Matanzas, Industriales are kind of Cuban New York Yankees --they even dress in blue. I had the feeling of being at the stadium!!

Full interview with Alfredo Prieto

Published by Red Trillium Press in 2015 with the permision of all writers