Chapter 1 Summary

Captain Pantoja and the Special Service is the story of a straight laced Peruvian Army officer who is given a shocking task. Women in the local villages around Iquitos are being raped by the soldiers stationed there. As a deterrent to the attacks, Pantoja's superiors choose him for a top-secret assignment. Captain Pantaleón Pantoja has been assigned to Iquitos in the Amazon jungle. From Iquitos, Pantaleón will run a prostitution operation which will cater specifically to the soldiers stationed in the Amazon District. Pantoja is instructed to keep the entire operation (including his part in it) a secret from everyone.

At the opening of the first chapter, Pantaleón Pantoja, his wife Pochita and his mother Leonor excitedly await the day. Pantoja has recently been promoted to Captain. With the new rank, Panoja will receive new orders and he and his...