The Tattooed Soldier

Elena heads out past the paved streets of town toward Colonia La Joya. She ends up on a thin path that winds along the river. She sees girls bathing and collecting water in plastic basins. Beyond this point, she finds an astonishingly large slum hidden in the fields outside town.

Antonio is distressed to learn of her expedition, which surprises Elena. He argues that as a “city lady,” it is very conspicuous for her to go wandering. She suggests they move to Los Angeles to stay with a cousin of hers, but Antonio sees no hope in that plan.

Elena adapts to the town. She takes her son, Carlitos, to the park in his stroller. By engaging Mrs. Gómez in gossip, she wins the woman’s regard and disarms her suspicions. Meanwhile, she learns of political strife within the town. For example, Mrs. Gómez resents the intrusions of the town’s priest, a Belgian named Van der Est. Apparently, he has been assigned here because he does not involve himself in politics. But he acted cruelly toward Mrs. Gómez and the Ladies’ Committee, throwing their statue of the Virgin down the steps to demonstrate his contempt for their allegedly cult-like adoration of the Virgin.