Summary

Trujillo receives Luis Rodriguez, Manuel Alfonso’s chauffeur. After bemoaning Manuel’s cancer, Trujillo confirms with Luis that the girl Manuel picked out is ready for tonight. Preparing for his walk, he fantasizes that the girl is the daughter of a school principal he had sex with years earlier. He changes uniform, noting with satisfaction that there are no urine stains, curses the memory of the skinny girl from weeks earlier, and proceeds like every day to the house of his mother.

As he talks briefly to his mother, he contemplates her Haitian ancestry and her eternal frugality. He regrets how modest she is despite the honors he has showered on her. After saying farewell to her, he returns to the Avenida where his cronies are waiting.

As Trujillo walks along the sea-side road, he calls up several of his lieutenants. First is Modesto...