Chapter 9 Summary

Taking a taxi to the Columbia Buffet, Arturo makes a big deal out of ordering an expensive cigar and trying to make Camilla keep the change. He orders their most expensive Scotch, buys one for each of the two bartenders and calls it rotgut.

Camilla is uncomfortable in new white high-heeled pumps, and hurt that Arturo has not said much about them. She objects to his comment about her being a Mexican princess, saying she is an American. He tells her she will always be nothing more than a sweet little flower girl from Old Mexico, to which she responds with a racial slur toward him. Now he is hurt and she is angry, but she apologizes and he compliments her on the new shoes. 

Camilla and Sammy, the bartender, meet Arturo at her car. Camilla drives aggressively and dangerously. Arturo notices the...