Part 3 Summary

Cesar's job as maintenance man for the apartment building was supposed to have been a temporary position but Cesar realizes that he has held the job for twenty years. This fact is hard to believe given Cesar's flamboyant personality and personal style but day follows day and Cesar gains friends among the tenants and becomes content as a man can be without a wife and family of his own. Cesar's generosity over the years has left him with little money saved, employed in a job with no health benefits, and with no one to care for or to care for him every day. Cesar's health is also failing yet he refuses to pay attention to his doctor's warnings especially about the excessive alcohol usage.

Cesar continues to play mambo music at private parties and one night during a break is approached by a...