Plunder of the Sun

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And now, your answer, seor.

Do you realize you're a guest of Mexico?

And still you are willing to abuse

our hospitality with no explanation.

- You are sure your name is Al Colby?

- Yes, I'm sure my name is Al Colby.

Resident of San Francisco, California.

Occupation, insurance adjuster...

who made a big mistake

of trying to collect a debt in Cuba.

- And your business in Oaxaca?

- I was a tourist.

Does the tourist usually leave a trail of

bodies throughout the country he visits?

- I wouldn't know.

- And who does this gun belong to?

And this one?

Good afternoon, seores.

- How do you do, Mr. Chavez?

- How do you do?

Mr. Colby,

we're from the United States Consul.

I understand that you've been refusing

to discuss your recent activities.

Perhaps you'd rather

talk to me about it first.

I have your permission, seores?

Naturally, you can talk

as much as you desire.

Thank you.

Suppose you start at the beginning,

when you first came here.

You'd better, if you want any help.

All right.

Well, the whole thing started in Havana.

It seems like a long time ago.

Actually, it was only last week.

They say Havana

is the Paris of the New World...

but I was in no mood

to appreciate the scenery...

or the famous hotels.

And I was broke.

- Any mail for me?

- No.

- And you've been here five days.

- Six, if you count today.

I'll settle for the $12.50 you owe me.

Maana, amigo.

The money. Now!

Maybe you didn't hear what I said.

Maana.

Without him, it's impossible to live.

Without him, I can't live.

His kisses...

I can never forget.

And his laughter...

will forever torment me.

It's useless...

to try and resist.

Because without him, I can't live.

- Juan.

- Un momentito, Mr. Colby, it's coming.

- Your boss around?

- No, he's at his own place.

- Any mail for me?

- No, no mail.

The same old tired letter, that's all.

I'm getting a little tired myself.

Look, Juan, you don't suppose

the boss might have lost it, do you?

No, we lost a lot of customers here

everyday, but we never lost a letter.

- Too hot for me. You want a drink?

- No, thanks, Juan.

Okay.

- What's so funny?

- Your face, Mr. Colby.

A small child deprived of a toy.

It's not a toy, it's a check.

How did you know my name?

Well, I could not help overhearing it.

Then you'll understand

why I'm not offering you a drink.

Allow me to offer you one.

- Juan?

- Seora.

The lady want you

to have a drink with a big kick.

Something good for your nerves.

- Not now.

- Okay.

There are other things in Havana,

Mr. Colby, that are...

also good for the nerves.

- Have you been here long?

- Long enough.

You don't like it?

Yeah, well, I guess I'm supposed to,

according to the travel folders.

Gateway to the Tropics,

the turquoise blue, the Caribbean...

the exotic scent of...

whatever flowers have exotic scents.

Frangipani and night-blooming jasmine.

You've been reading

the same guidebook.

That is about all.

I've been in Havana for three months,

and I haven't been out after dark.

- And what did you do before that?

- Does it matter?

No, I guess not.

Well, if you have to know...

my husband is an invalid,

and he's very possessive.

- But tonight he is out of the city and...

- I know.

You know, you're a very fast worker.

Yes, the trouble is,

you got the wrong man.

I mean, you got the right man,

it's the wrong time.

Well, would it be so wrong

if I were to hire you as a guide?

What's wrong

with the local talent around here?

And have them think

I must hire escorts?

Mr. Colby...

I've been under lock and key

for so long...

and now at last I have a chance

to do all the things I thought of.

Cocktails at the Nacional.

Dinner at El Patio.

- Pelota at the Fronton.

- That's quite a program.

I haven't even begun.

I would like to go dancing...

and I'd like to visit the cantinas

and see rumbas...

like I've never seen them before,

and then...

- if there is moonlight...

- Oh, there's moonlight. In your head.

...a drive along the ocean.

You know,

you're making it sound better and better.

Then what?

# Quin sabe?

You know something? # Quin sabe?

That's what appeals to me most.

What did you say your name...

You didn't...

- Anna Luz.

- Anna Luz.

- No last name?

- No.

You know I never thought

I'd end up a gigolo. But why not?

- When do we start?

- At once.

We will go home first.

- So I can change my dress.

- Oh.

- That's the back door.

- I know.

This is very nice,

if you happen to be an Aztec mummy.

These are Zapotec relics.

Who's this, your husband?

This is the great god Tacatecutla.

No wedding ring, no marks of one...

Who are you? What is this?

- Look, whatever it is, I'm not buying.

- Mr. Colby.

I wouldn't be so sure,

not until you've heard my proposition.

I'll call you if I need you, Anna Luz.

You may go, too, Jos.

You must excuse me for arranging

things this way, Mr. Colby...

but I find it inconvenient to go out.

Well, maybe you can answer some

questions I was asking your wife...

or your daughter, or whoever she is.

Actually, Anna Luz is merely my nurse.

It was my fault she misled you.

I told her to persuade you to come here

at whatever cost.

I have a business proposition for you.

I'm not interested.

I don't like the looks of this place...

or you.

Would $1,000 alter your opinion of me?

How did you know my name?

I enquired of my friend,

the proprietor of the bar you frequent.

He told me that you were reliable.

I must confess, he also told me

that you were short of money.

Will you just drop the pedigree stuff

and get down to business?

- Mr...

- Berrien. Thomas Berrien.

Antiquarian.

I find your directness refreshing,

so I will be equally direct.

A freighter, the Cinco de Mayo,

leaves Havana for Mexico tomorrow.

I want you to take a small package

onboard for me.

On landing,

you will proceed immediately to...

the Hotel del San Felipe...

in the city of Oaxaca.

And there we will meet,

and you will hand me back the package.

Here are the tickets, $100,

and the package.

In Oaxaca,

I will give you the other $900.

- What's in the package?

- I am unable to tell you.

- Well, don't you know?

- Yes, I know.

- Narcotics, huh?

- Nothing of that kind.

I will tell you this much.

In the package is an antique.

It was exported illegally from Mexico

and purchased by me.

I see. You want me to smuggle it back

and then you can say you found it there.

Exactly.

Why don't you do it yourself?

I am too well known in Mexico.

My baggage and my person

will be thoroughly searched.

But for you, an American tourist,

there will be no trouble.

It must be pretty valuable

for you to offer me $1,000.

Who can say?

- And what happens if I'm caught?

- It would be confiscated.

But you must not be caught, Mr. Colby.

You must not be caught.

It would mean the end of everything I...

Will you do it, sir?

Well, it's one way to get home.

Splendid. I cannot tell you

how much I...

How much I...

Let me do it.

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