  Optical surveys, such as the MACHO project, often uncover variable stars
whose classification requires followup observations by other instruments. We
performed X-ray spectroscopy and photometry of the unusual variable star MACHO
311.37557.169 with \XMM\ in April 2018, supplemented by archival X-ray and
optical spectrographic data. The star has a bolometric X-ray luminosity of
about $1\times 10^{32}$ erg s$^{-1}$ cm$^{-2}$ and a heavily absorbed
two-temperature plasma spectrum. The shape of its light curve, its overall
brightness, its X-ray spectrum, and the emission lines in its optical spectrum
suggest that it is most likely a VY~Scl cataclysmic variable.
