[Scene: A sunny afternoon in São Paulo. Marcos and Lucas are sitting on the veranda, sipping cold guaraná, next to a large, sharp-leaved Espada de São Jorge (Saint George’s sword) plant by the door.]
Marcos: (gesturing proudly)
See that beauty? My Espada de São Jorge is thriving. That’s why my house has such good vibes. Not a single bad spirit dares to enter.
Lucas: (grinning)
Or maybe it’s just because you installed a proper lock and stopped lending money to your cousin Tiago.
Marcos: (chuckling)
No, man, it’s the plant. It wards off evil. Everyone knows that. It’s been in our culture forever. My vó swore by it. She said it blocks envy, the evil eye, bad luck…
Lucas:
Your vó also used to put garlic behind the TV to “repel radiation,” remember?
Marcos:
Hey, she lived to 93. Maybe garlic does work.
Lucas: (teasing)
So does modern medicine, Marcos. Let’s not pretend it was the garlic cloves fighting off her arthritis.
Marcos: (leaning in, serious now)
But don’t you ever feel it? Like… when you walk into a house without one of these plants, it’s kind of heavy? Off?
Lucas:
That’s called bad lighting or poor ventilation. You’re feeling trapped air, not trapped spirits.
Marcos: (grinning)
You scientists always need data and graphs. But this is energy, vibe. You can’t measure it with a thermometer.
Lucas:
Sure, but just because you feel something doesn’t mean it’s caused by a plant. Confirmation bias, my friend. You expect protection, so when things go well, you credit the plant.
Marcos:
Okay, Mister Rational. Then explain this: last week, I forgot to water the plant. That night, I had the worst nightmare—my ex chasing me with a frying pan.
Lucas:
Or maybe your subconscious just remembered you owe her money?
Marcos: (laughs)
Touché. But I watered it the next day—and no more nightmares.
Lucas:
Correlation isn’t causation. Maybe you just slept better because your conscience was clear—or because you skipped that feijoada before bed.
Marcos:
Okay, fine. Maybe it’s not scientific. But it gives me peace of mind. Isn’t that worth something?
Lucas:
Absolutely. If having that plant brings you comfort, I’m all for it. But I just don’t want you thinking it’s a magical barrier. It’s not an antivirus software.
Marcos: (playfully)
Says the guy who knocks on wood every time I mention plane crashes.
Lucas:
Old habit! Doesn’t mean I believe in it… I just… respect the chair’s structural integrity, okay?
Marcos:
See? Even you’ve got your quirks. We all believe in something that science can’t quite explain.
Lucas:
True. But the difference is, I’m open to being wrong. If one day a peer-reviewed study shows Saint George’s sword zaps evil, I’ll buy a whole nursery.
Marcos:
Deal. And until then, you bring the logic, I’ll bring the legends.
Lucas:
Perfect combo. Just don’t start waving the plant at me when Mercury’s in retrograde.
Marcos:
No promises. Especially if you keep disrespecting my grandma’s garlic.
[They clink their guaranás and burst into laughter, the sharp leaves of the Espada de São Jorge swaying gently in the breeze.]
End Scene
Science Vs Superstition 
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