LUIS ESTRADA'S "THE DEAD GIRLS"
BASED ON THE NOVEL BY JORGE IBARGÜENGOITIA
JANUARY 17, 1960
GÜEMES SIERRA, MEZCALA
You can see where the poppy field starts over there, Captain Bedoya.
There they are! Halt!
- On your knees! - Don't move!
Goddamn natives, you're fucking screwed! On your knees!
Get down, bastards! Get the fuck down!
In the dirt, asshole! Get the fuck down!
We only know the guy who brings the seeds and comes back to buy the paste, I swear.
And what is this idiot's name?
They call him Beto.
Humberto Paredes Baladro is his real name.
Where can my men and I find this Humberto Paredes?
All I know is he lives somewhere in San Pedro de las Corrientes.
That's where the boss has his business.
He's the son of a madam everyone calls Baladrona.
- Release these assholes.
You farmers listen up.
You better have told me everything you know,
or I will hunt you down and cut out your lying tongues.
Now, get out of here.
Proceed to fire, Sergeant.
Proceed to fire, yes, Captain.
ENTER BEDOYA
- We're not open yet, sir. - I'm looking for Miss Arcángela Baladro.
Can you come, ma'am?
This man's asking for you.
Go get ready, girls. We open soon.
Are you Arcángela Baladro?
- Who wants to know? - Pleased to meet you.
Hermenegildo Bedoya at your service.
I think I have information to discuss that will be of interest to you, madam.
If you're trying to sell me your goods, let me save you the trouble.
And if you're here to ask for a bribe for the plumbing,
go fuck yourself, because everything's in order.
I'm no inspector or salesman, I assure you.
Just a captain of the heroic Mexican Army
and here to talk about a small problem I encountered
concerning your son Humberto.
It's about my son? Please come in.
You're making this up, you're a big, fat liar!
I know you think your son is an innocent angel,
but he is up to his sweet ass
mixed up in some heroin trafficking business.
I'm here as a courtesy, because I have proof and a warrant for his arrest.
I can't believe this.
My sweet baby's selling heroin.
Please, Captain.
If you only knew how hard it is to be a mother.
I gave Beto everything.
I sent him to the best schools.
I wanted him to go to medical school and be successful,
not make easy money with that poppy garbage.
Delinquent, drug-dealing little fucker!
Crying never solves anything.
I know it's not news you wanted to hear, but it is what it is.
How am I supposed to react, then, to this news?
An entire lifetime of hardship and working my fingers to the bone
completely ruined by the stupidity and selfishness of that boy.
Not my Beto.
My poor little Beto.
Now he'll spend the rest of his life rotting away in jail!
I came here to try to avoid that.
The last thing I want to do is ruin your son's future.
I just might be able to pull a few strings.
Two thousand.
Three thousand. Four thousand.
Five thousand.
From the bottom of my heart. I don't know how else to thank you.
The look in your eyes is thanks enough.
It's my pleasure.
And you know how to get ahold of me, should you or yours need another favor.
- Rest easy, now. - Thank you, sir.
Get it through your thick skull, Serafina.
Simón Corona is never going to return.
Ah, Arcángela.
I don't want him back, I want to make him suffer.
I'm up to my eyeballs with work trying to run both houses while you pout.
But I'm more than happy to help you show that lying sack of shit
what revenge feels like.
I need to get myself a gun first. One that makes big holes.
I need to get rid of Simón Corona.
I'm sure I have just the right man to help you.
FEBRUARY 3RD, 1961
IF YOU DON'T PLAN ON DRINKING OR FUCKING… JUST FUCK OFF
Good Evening, Captain.
And welcome.
I want to thank you personally for what you did for my nephew, Beto.
You don't need to thank me for that.
I'm at you and your family's service, Mrs. Serafina.
I'm not married.
Miss is better.
Of course. Such a beauty, I assumed you were married.
I'm here tonight because I hear you need a gun.
You heard right.
I want a weapon that can shoot straight.
A pistol or something else, miss?
I want to kill on the first shot, with something that fits in my hand.
My suggestion for you is a.45 caliber regulation pistol.
And how long would I have to wait for this pistol? And how expensive is it?
I should be able to get if for you within a couple of weeks,
and maximum 1,200 pesos.
I can give you an advance if you need one.
Your pretty face is all the advance I need, miss.
And would you be able to show me how to use it?
With great pleasure.
I'll make sure to take you to the proper range so you can practice
and learn to handle your weapon.
Tell me, Captain, do you enjoy military life?
We see it all.
There are nights we're miserable, cold and very bored, and hungry.
But there are days when I'm riding to my heart's content, which I adore.
Climbing on the animal's back,
dominating it.
Making sure it knows who holds the reins.
And then letting it loose.
Ride me hard!
Oh, I like that, Captain! Like that!
She's a beauty.
Excellent craftsmanship, huh?
A top-notch weapon. And 500 pesos is nothing.
Tell Lieutenant Lopez he'll get his money when the deal goes through.
At your command as always, sir.
A gorgeous weapon for a gorgeous girl.
And as you ordered…
…100 shiny rounds.
And your 1,200 shiny pesos.
It is gorgeous.
Now all we need to do is decide where you want to go to master your weapon.
The sooner the better, don't you agree, my captain?
You know what's funny?
I've been past here a hundred times but never visited Concepción de Ruiz.
You haven't missed much, really. But that's where I'm stationed.
Welcome, Captain.
You're bringing me to the barracks, Captain?
I thought we'd be alone somewhere.
The Major is on leave, and the Colonel doesn't like it out here.
So today, I'm the highest-ranking officer.
I ordered all the troops to combat exercises
so we could have the place to ourselves.
XII/A MILITARY ZONE
Always hold the weapon in both hands to shoot.
You bring it to the level of your left eye and hold.
And bring your target into focus with your right eye
before you squeeze the trigger gently.
I don't know if 100 bullets is going to be enough.
I couldn't have done worse with both eyes closed.
Patience. Why don't I show you my headquarters?
That's enough for today.
Take it.
After you, miss.
This is one of the finest in town.
I wish I could have met you sooner, Captain.
Whenever I'm with you, I forget the reason I wanted to buy a gun.
I'm very glad to hear you say that.
Because killing a man can get you in a lot of trouble.
May I take the bill?
Did you not enjoy the service, Captain?
You don't want my peso? I'll find someone who does.
Can you tell me if there's already a brothel here?
Unfortunately we don't have that pleasure. Why do you ask?
Because Concepción de Ruiz is the perfect little town for those who run them.
HISTORY OF THE HOUSES
A FAMILY OF MADAMS!
There have been many lies published
about my sisters and their businesses.
Evil tongues spread rumors
that they inherited their first brothel from my father,
that my father was famous for his errant ways.
Pure fiction, pure fabrication.
My father was a true gentleman, who was struck down by
the mighty hand of God.
You have to pay, there's no other way.
APRIL 21, 1936
I don't have the money to pay my debt, Miss Arcángela.
And with the interest you charge on top of it,
there's no way I'll ever pay it off.
I don't appreciate being played for a fool.
Everyone in town knows you lost the shirt off your back due to gambling.
And as you know, I don't run a charity, I run an honest business.
The deeds are in your satchel?
Since Arcángela was the oldest, she was put in charge of the estate.
DEED
And being the way she is,
she kept it all for herself.
THE GOOD WAY BAR
At first she began by lending people money at high interest, and then…
she opened a brothel.
- Miss Arcángela, it's good to see you. - Good Afternoon, Alejandro.
I've been waiting for you.
These are all the keys you'll need. And you have help.
These girls are your employees.
If you'll excuse me?
Of course.
- Hello, girls. - Good afternoon.
What the fuck do I do with this shithole?
Thank you.
No. Let go. Hey!
I'm working.
Stay with me, and I'll give you 20.
I'll be nice. You'll see.
Listen here, you filthy bastard.
You pay for her to bring you drinks, not let you paw her like an animal.
You talk to me first if you want anything more.
- How much did he offer, Petra? - Twenty pesos to sit.
Twenty pesos?
Give me 30 and she can sit with you.
Ten more and you can take her to the storage room and do what you want.
- You'll get your share afterwards, Petra. - Yes, Miss Arcángela.
And that's when my sister realized
that women would bring in a lot more than any beer or rum.
MAY 2, 1939
Arcángela did so well that after two years
she sold the cantina and opened the Casa del Molino.
The brothel quickly made a name for itself.
Not only in Pedrones, but in all of Plan de Abajo.
Enjoy your time, sir.
You take good care of her, now.
You take care, sweetheart.
You look satisfied. That smile says it all.
Here you are, boss.
But my sister has always been ambitious, and soon after, one brothel wasn't enough.
She wanted another in Mezcala.
What's your answer, congressman?
Is there a problem with you getting me a permit
to open in San Pedro de las Corrientes?
I'm afraid it will be difficult.
For what you're offering me, I can't do it.
Here in Mezcala, it's a lot more conservative than Plan de Abajo.
And more complicated.
What was that figure you mentioned?
For me, it's 2,000 a month.
And Mrs. Arcángela lets me have service on the house when I drop in.
That settles it, then.
You give me 2,500 pesos a month,
and if I feel the urge to partake of the services in your new business,
I insist on paying.
I do like your style.
I'm going to give you what you asked for.
But with the girls I'll bring in to San Pedro,
you'll be sorry you didn't negotiate the same conditions as your colleague.
- To us!
- To us.
Over here, girls.
These gentlemen are our new godfathers, I want you to take good care of them.
Ah, my goodness.
Ah, aren't you a lovely goddaughter? How are you, sweetheart?
Why don't you tell me your name first?
- Camila. - Can I buy you a drink, Camila?
Stupid assholes.
I want you to know I'm moving along to San Pedro de las Corrientes.
I want you to take over the business on Molino Street if you want it.
We'll have to discuss it, Arcángela.
If it's something I can do without neglecting my other responsibilities,
it might work.
What would I have to do?
Administrate the daily running of it, that's all.
Everything's perfectly organized already. Teófilo could help you too.
I've always thought it was very important for business to stay in the family.
And what type of business do you run over on Molino Street?
Is it a restaurant?
No, Eulalia.
I swear to God, you're the only woman I know
who gets dumber with age.
It's a brothel.
Uh… Wh…what?
Listen, sister.
Teófilo and I might be poor, but we are upstanding and decent.
You'll bury us both before we set foot in that sinful place.
Forget I ever asked, you righteous idiots. Go fuck yourselves.
Serafina agreed to take over running Casa del Molino
because she was young and naive.
And as was often the case, she was nursing one of her many broken hearts.
Listen, Serafina.
The world's oldest profession is prostitution.
But in order for it to be a good business, you need order.
Girls!
The most important thing is for customers to feel comfortable,
so they'll spend as much as possible.
Which is why it's important for the girls to always look put together and clean.
Quickly!
Everyone in line!
Hands out!
Rosa!
What have I told you about your ears? Go wash them out.
Yes, Miss Arcángela.
And do your makeup again so you look like a whore, not a clown!
The doors open at eight o'clock, and everything has to be ready before that.
Beers need to be cold, the jukebox needs to be on,
- and the sign lit up.
Some clients come in just to do their business.
They don't drink or dance, they choose a girl and go up to the room.
But others come to spend the evening enjoying drinks,
and they all need to be treated well.
Others like to dance with the girls, and once they're warmed up,
they choose their favorite for the evening.
But you have to ensure that the girls are making every effort
to get the clients upstairs.
We take care of the register and keep records of everything that goes on.
It's 40.
Although we sell a lot of alcohol and make a good profit,
we never water down the drinks.
If someone orders rum, he gets rum.
If they ask for tequila, we give them tequila,
because the true goal of the business
is for the girls to service the most men each night.
That's why the girls are not allowed to refuse
any client who wants to spend time with them.
It's also very important to control
the comings and goings in the rooms upstairs.
For Casa del Molino,
Skeleton is in charge of keeping track of all that.
She's stationed at the foot of the stairs, and when a client wants to go up,
she gives the girl a clean towel and a token,
and depending on the service and how much time the client asked for,
the token will be a different color.
For Licha, it's 40 pesos for the usual.
Why 40 this time, Skeleton? Last week it was only 30 for Aurora.
Because Licha has the best reputation in the house, sir.
If you don't want to spend that much, try Rosa or Marta.
They're 20 an hour.
She knows how much to charge for each girl,
because they're not all the same quality.
And if there's ever any trouble with a client being too rough
- or wanting more than he paid for…
…the bouncers go take care of it.
Lots of clients think they have a right to hit or mistreat the girls.
- I didn't do anything. - And you're not gonna!
It's also Skeleton's job
to make sure the girls come back downstairs unharmed.
When a girl's finished providing a service,
she needs to quickly get herself cleaned up and get back to work.
A prostitute with a good work ethic can service up to five or six clients a night.
But the outstanding ones can do more.
And a few can do even twice that.
You had ten again last night, didn't you?
Congratulations, Licha.
Keep it going, and maybe you'll be able to wipe the slate clean of what you owe me.
- Go rest. - Yes, ma'am.
People can say what they want about them,
but I worked for the sisters for 20 years and I can say they were excellent bosses.
I have no complaints, and they have none either.
Which is why the two of them will always have my loyalty.
And if this whole thing gets twisted around
and the police throw us in jail,
it's nothing more than misfortune befalling us.
Personally, I think it's the perfect location for you.
It couldn't be better suited to build the type of business you want, either.
I love it, Captain.
How much are they asking?
Thirty-three thousand pesos,
and for what you can do here, I know you're getting a steal.
The owners are a couple of older ladies who need to sell
because they need to pay to move their brother to the mental asylum
run by the good sisters in Pedrones.
Hm. If it were up to me, I would buy it today.
I just need to run it by my sister.
Think about it, Arcángela. That place would make a fortune.
I swear to God, Concepción de Ruiz is the perfect place
for us to open another brothel.
So our take in Mexico Lindo and at Casa del Molino isn't enough?
We're doing very well, but they're in the red-light district.
So it's easy to find the whores.
But Concepción will draw all those gentlemen who don't come here
because they don't want to be seen.
Plus, the village is in between Pedrones and San Pedro, and there's a base.
You want a brothel at the barracks?
I saw the perfect place for sale with the Captain, and we could buy it today.
That's what I don't like about this idea.
It's the Captain making you act like a love-struck little puppy.
Why are you always so suspicious?
Hermenegildo only wants to help us.
I put you in touch with that guy because I wanted to help you buy a gun.
Not so you two could become lovers.
I have the right to live my own fucking life, no?
I can't argue with that!
What a ride. These streets are full of holes.
- But not as much as this thing. - Hm.
Even the fence is made of dirt.
Besides the fact that the number 85 is no good.
It adds up to 13, which we know is bad luck.
Come inside and take a look.
This is not bad.
The border walls are nice and high, and the courtyard is spacious.
We could put a few rooms with a bathroom up there.
And the chicken coop can go on over on that side.
What we want to know is whether or not we'll have any trouble
opening a new business in your lovely town.
And you are well aware of the business we're talking about
since you're one of our valued regulars.
You won't run into any trouble with your new endeavor, none at all,
as Governor Cabañas is favorably disposed
to support all local investment that will bring prosperity to our state.
I only hope that you sisters will act with your usual discretion.
You're always so generous.
Our discretion is assured.
Of course you'll be our honored guest at the grand opening.
- Uh… - We are planning a whole new concept
that no one's ever seen before.
Ah… I'm sure your concept will not be a problem.
Welcome to our town.
The property will be in the name of both Miss Arcángela and Miss Serafina Baladro
as equal partners and heretofore referred to as "the buyers".
And it will be acquired from the current owners,
Miss Elpidia and Miss Rosa Serrano,
heretofore referred to as "the sellers."
The transaction is in the amount of 33,000 pesos, in cash,
which will be transferred directly to the sellers.
That concludes my involvement.
Thank you very much, counselor.
I thank you both for coming.
Thank you for your help.
Thank you, ladies. It's been a pleasure.
- Thank you, again. - Captain.
I need to get my cap out of the counselor's office.
You two go ahead, and I'll meet you out front.
Yes, Captain.
Wasn't this a good day for both of you?
You can finally get rid of that trash heap.
And you helped us get a lot more than we hoped for.
This is your commission.
Thank you, ladies. Now I mustn't keep the buyers waiting.
And this is your share of course, counselor.
Thank you.
You got us such a good deal on that property,
you certainly earned that commission.
And these are for you to grease the wheels
with the authorities in Concepción de Ruiz.
I want them in our pocket right away to avoid any problems.
Don't worry about a thing, Arcángela, I'll smooth the way for you.
If I remember what Captain Bedoya told us about your work,
you've built a few brothels and nightclubs in Tijuana recently.
Your memory is excellent, madam, I've done all sorts and all sizes.
I think you're both going to love these plans I designed specially for you. Mm?
We want something unique and new.
We want something that grabs people's attention
and becomes the Bajío's greatest brothel.
Then you'll be glad to hear that tropical decor is in.
I recently did a club in a jungle theme, and the clients loved it.
I'm thinking that we make the most use of this beautiful space
and add private parlors.
Listening to you talk like this makes it clear you understand our plan.
I'm eager to see your drawings.
My plans can be ready in a week with the advance I was promised,
and then I'll show you the project and the blueprints.
This is the 1,500 pesos that you asked for.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Fifteen bedrooms and fifteen bathrooms.
A lovely suite for each lovely lady.
Fifteen is the perfect number to get started.
But we need to plan ahead so that we can add on
when business starts booming.
Wisely said. I propose that the grand ballroom be decorated
with murals representing ocean life,
and we would hang various species like sharks and manta rays from the ceiling
to give the sensation of being underwater,
and also lights of different colors to enhance the ambiance.
I would really like there to be a balcony.
For music and singers.
Ah, that is an excellent idea.
As for the private parlors that we talked about,
I suggest each one has its very own theme.
One Moorish style, and one Oriental,
so that the overall effect is novel and exotic.
Starting with the neon sign that will be front and center of the entrance. Hm?
- I'm going for a bite to eat. - Enjoy, sir.
- I'd like a wake-up call at six, please. - Six in the morning.
- Thank you, sir. - Have a good evening.
How are you, friend? Do you remember me?
Get in the car.
On the floor!
- On your knees. - No.
- Get down! - Ah!
I'm here to give you good news, my friend.
The boss remembers you very well.
Especially for the shit job you did for him.
He sends his warmest regards.
That's what he thinks of your Tropical Magic decor.
Fucking architect disappeared into thin air.
Luckily he left all of the plans with the foreman, Nacho,
who I also learned is a master builder.
Master Nacho, how are you?
Busy with your plans, boss.
What's new? Are we still on schedule?
It's tight and we'll really need to try and finish before the rainy season.
We are putting in extra effort to try to have it ready for September.
If there's anything you need help with, you get a message to Captain Bedoya.
He might as well be family.
You get this done quickly, but don't cut corners.
I don't want this falling on my head.
You're still building a balcony for the musicians?
I want the most beautiful brothel anyone's ever seen.
Don't worry, it will be.
TWO INCIDENTS AND A STUMBLE
Casino del Danzón is open!
SEPTEMBER 15, 1961
Listen, if you will.
Only those on the guest list can come in tonight.
We invite you to come back tomorrow when we're open to all.
Your name, sir?
Carlos Comodo.
Yes, welcome and enjoy your evening.
Thank you.
Good evening, sir, and welcome.
May I have your name to let them know you've arrived?
You can let them know Ernesto Canales, Secretary to the Governor is here.
Of course, sir.
Secretary Sanabria, so good to see you!
This way, gentlemen, for our honored guests.
- The Baladro sisters are waiting for you. - After you.
- Very well. - They want to give you a proper welcome.
What an excellent decision to make the trip here tonight, Carlos.
The responsible decision, Canales, would have been to stay in Mezcala
with the Governor for the Independence gala.
But I told a little white lie to get out of it.
My loyalty is to the office,
but I couldn't miss this spectacle of lights, could I?
Let's go see our hosts.
We put up our entire savings to open this lovely casino for you all.
But we're absolutely certain it was a good investment,
because we went first class, especially on the girls.
- You're the moneymakers. - They're here, boss. The Secretaries.
Ah? Mr. Canales, what a pleasure to welcome you here.
The pleasure is all mine, Miss Arcángela.
Especially as I can introduce you to my friend and colleague,
the right-hand man to our Honorable Governor Cabañas,
his private secretary, Carlos Sanabria.
Delighted to meet both of you, Baladro sisters.
I have to say that I do hold it slightly against you
that you opened your doors here in Plan de Abajo,
when your legendary Mexico Lindo is in our superior state.
Please forgive us for any offense we caused you,
but if we're as successful as we hope here in Plan de Abajo,
maybe we'll open one in Mezcala.
My ambitious sister and I believed we would be moving up from there.
That we still had many peaks yet to climb.
How are you?
But that grand opening was the peak of our rise in status.
Two insignificant incidents and a snag sent our big dreams up in smoke.
He's the head of the area's cattle herders.
- Pleasure. - Likewise.
And this here is Inspector Cueto, the Chief of police here in Concepción
and one of our most loyal friends.
- At your service. - As am I.
Ma'am. The priest has arrived.
My prayers have been answered!
What an honor for you to be here to give us your blessing.
Ah, my child.
I wouldn't have missed this evening for anything.
- Praise be to God.
Well then, we now have our Lord's benediction.
It is my pleasure to introduce you gentlemen
to Casino del Danzón!
- Finally!
Counselor.
Goodness! This is wonderful!
You helped us so much, didn't you?
Oh my goodness.
My favorite part is the balcony.
That mermaid is absolutely exquisite.
It's like an ocean.
- That's what we wanted. - Oh!
Mrs. Baladro!
Congratulations.
- Just a moment, if you will.
Skeleton! Send in the girls!
One moment, just one moment more!
Before getting the celebration under way,
our favorite priest is going to bless us with an official benediction.
Please, Father Marcial.
Lord, we ask you to bless Casino del Danzón
and bless its wonderfully devoted, pious owners,
yours in faith, Arcángela and Serafina Baladro.
Please bless all those who revere you with good health and prosperity,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- Amen. - Amen.
Gentlemen! My sister and I would like to celebrate your presence here with us.
Everything tonight is on the house.
Please, gentlemen.
You didn't let me finish.
The food and drinks are on the house,
but what fun would it be if the girls were free too?
- So please behave yourselves
and get in line with our lovely Skeleton.
Fellow citizens! ¡Viva México!
¡Viva!
Viva our national independence!
¡Viva!
Viva the heroes who gave us freedom and liberty!
¡Viva!
Viva live the Baladros sisters!
¡Viva!
Viva the Casino del Danzón!
¡Viva!
¡Viva México!
- ¡Viva! - ¡Viva México!
¡Viva!
¡Viva México!
¡Viva!
Gentlemen, may I borrow you a moment?
- We've a little surprise. Please join us. - Certainly.
- You have fun. - I'll come and find you later.
See you soon.
It's through here.
Wonderful!
- Bravo! - Beautiful!
Well done! Well done!
Such a performance!
Magnificent!
A performance worthy of a world-class cabaret.
As good as Moulin Rouge in Paris, I'd say.
Truly, you have outdone yourselves, ladies.
Simply and astonishingly spectacular.
I believe that deserves a toast.
- Cheers. - To us, sister.
Salud.
And twirl. Hm.
We'll dance again a little later, all right?
Don't go yet, honey. We're not done.
Cheers, ladies.
Cheers. And to you.
A kiss.
Ah, shit.
Ay, Dios mío.
- Uh, sir. - A kiss.
Uh, sir…
Just a quick one.
Thank you for the dance. Enjoy the rest of your evening.
- Sir.
But why?
- A dance?
Hm. Suit yourself. Dance?
No? Really?
Faggot!
This place is for men!
Oh. Uh…
Get out of here, sissy!
Where's the door? Excuse me.
Such outrageous behavior, Mr. Canales!
Have you ever seen such a thing?
Were you aware that your colleague suffered from these tendencies?
This immoral, godforsaken scandalous sickness?
Miss Baladro, I did not. No.
- Another? Of course. - Please do.
The consequences of the grand opening celebration at Casino del Danzón
were damaging and unpredictable,
and my efforts to smooth the way for its success blew up in my face, of course.
Governor, you wouldn't have believed your own eyes.
The way Secretary Canales was treating the owners of that whorehouse
like some sort of national heroes.
I've rarely observed such sacrilege.
With all due respect, you must take urgent action.
There are multiple versions of the story
that point to different intentions or motives,
like branches sprouting from the same root.
Which is this.
Of all the governors Plan de Abajo had ever had,
Cabañas was the most ambitious and most idealistic.
You will quickly attest that the Baladro sisters and Canales
have an indecent alliance.
- Mm-hm. - He could be a partner, for all we know.
You see I wasn't exaggerating, sir?
The worst thing about a scandal of this magnitude
is the potential to irreparably jeopardize your political future.
Enough. We are going to extinguish this scandal with immediate force and action.
CABAÑAS AIMS FOR THE PRESIDENCY
Cabañas arrived on the scene
young and eager to move forward and go far.
And to position himself favorably in the run for President,
He undertook a string of monumental projects.
DOMINATE NATURAL FORCES
Fellow citizens! It is with pride and immense satisfaction,
that we inaugurate this magnificent work for the people of Plan de Abajo.
Triumphal arches, dams, bridges, highways…
Which, of course, bankrupted his government in a hurry.
Long live Plan de Abajo!
PATRONS CONFERENCE
He eventually had no choice but to raise taxes,
which generated great popular unrest.
With all due respect, Governor Cabañas,
how can you pretend that raising taxes again will benefit us
when our state looks like a pigsty and we don't get the services we pay for?
Our faucets run dry all year round,
but when it rains, our streets and houses flood with water.
We're not only flooded by rain but by sin and vice,
in brothels and gambling houses.
All these dens of immorality, tolerated by the corruption of our leaders.
To partially satisfy the disgruntled and influential voices,
he took into account all of the exposed problems and defective services
and implemented the cheapest fix.
As you have seen and heard countless times from your own Governor Cabañas…
MARCH 2ND, 1962
it is our responsibility to ensure
the moral and physical safety of our children
by ensuring that we take actions and commit
to erase these evil temptations from our neighborhoods
and avoid the proliferation of venereal diseases.
But to do this, you must support our efforts
to protect our family virtues
by raising your hand in support of this law today.
All in favor?
PLAN DE ABAJO CONGRESS
The vote passes unanimously.
MAP OF THE MEXICAN REPUBLIC
MORALITY LAW
And with that, he ordered that all brothels in the state be shut down.
The Plan de Abajo Morality Law, which prohibited all forms of prostitution
and made criminals out of even those who handed out drinks
in the brothel houses…
THE PARTY IS OVER!
…was presented for a vote,
under Governor Cabañas' initiative, and discussed for 30 minutes.
PROSTITUTES AND GAMBLING OPERATORS OUT
After which it won unanimous approval…
CLOSED
…and tremendous applause…
PROSTITUTION BANNED IN PLAN DE ABAJO
…on the second of March, 1962.
The Morality Law was applied with rigor
and without precedence…
in the state of Plan de Abajo.
And pretty much by the end of the month,
they had closed down every single brothel in the state.
I'm just the messenger, I'm sorry.
I wouldn't be here if I had a choice, Miss Serafina.
We'll see who slips you 500 a month now, traitor.
Just doing my job.
Although everyone in town appreciated your generosity.
We don't know how we're going to make it.
We'll miss you.
You don't need to count, Arcángela. We said 11,000.
A thousand for each one.
Take care of my girls, Sirenio.
I love my girls like daughters,
and it's killing me to take the roof off their heads.
You don't need to worry about their heads.
They're already farmed out to a few different houses.
In Guatáparo and Jaloste.
They'll treat them very well.
- Thank you. - All right, then.
Goodbye, girls!
God bless you and watch over you.
CLOSED
Ticho! Skeleton! C'mon! Time to go!
We really have to go now, sister.
They only let us in so we could pick up our clothes.
This will all blow over in a matter of months, don't worry.
And if it continues, we'll take it before the Supreme Court if we have to.
I've been praying to Saint Jude and I assure you
that he will make it so that we can return
to this place that received God's blessing.
We'll leave everything as is for our return.
We'll pray to God that is soon.
Let's go home.
PLAN DE ABAJO POLICE
CLOSED
All right, girls.
As you already know, we've fallen on some hard times
and we're going to have to pull up our sleeves to get through it.
Until we come up with a better solution,
you're all gonna have to share rooms for sleeping
and when you're pleasing customers. Understood?
Shut your mouths, you stupid bitches!
You heard my sister!
We open early tomorrow, so you get better get some rest.
And the first one to talk back or complain is finished.
Now shut up and go to your rooms.
I'm a businesswoman.
Here's 5,000 for you to make this go away, your Honor.
You need to cancel the suspensions.
I would like nothing better than to help you, Miss Baladro.
What you're asking me to take care of is not merely a suspension.
You're asking me to provide impunity to allow you
to circumvent a new law that had unanimous support in Congress.
That is exactly what I tried to explain to you before we came.
You stay out of this, Rendón. I'm not paying you for opinions.
Judge Peralta, I desperately need you to help us reopen.
Just tell how much, your Honor.
Don't be shy, I can be very generous.
I appreciate your kind offer, but I cannot undo the suspensions,
no matter how generous you are.
The Governor proposed this law himself,
and is absolutely adamant that its implementation
not be hindered in any manner.
The Governor can go fuck himself, and so can you.
All you do is sit around finding ways to persecute us!
But I'm warning you that I will not stop
until I have reopened all my houses,
even if I have to bring my complaint to the fucking President!
Eh… Uh, please excuse us, your Honor.
I'm starting to think that Saint Jude really has abandoned us.
You're not thinking straight, Arcángela.
This isn't the first time we've been knee-deep in shit.
I'm going to beg Eugenia tomorrow, hopefully she'll take another ten girls.
There's no need to sell any more girls.
We need to wait until they cancel this law,
and put our efforts in Mexico Lindo,
which has always been solid and will get us through.
God willing you're right, sister. Because it would be such a shame
for us to end up broke after all these years of honest work.
God forbid such misery. In the name of the Father…
Son and Holy Spirit.
For the time being, you're all going to stay here.
My sister wanted to sell more of you off, but I convinced her to wait.
So that means you will have to double your efforts.
Those who refuse will lose their spot.
Understood?
Understood.
Ticho, Ladder, the door.
Go, girls. To your places. Let's go!
This way, gentlemen.
Can I have some cigarettes, please, Skeleton?
You know you have to be careful with these up there?
I told you, didn't I? God squeezes but doesn't strangle.
Nothing like forbidden fruit.
And men are a lot like flies.
The sooner they see a crowd of their own, the quicker they come.
- Here you are. - Thank you.
What the Lord taketh away with one hand
he gives back to us with the other.