A few days later, Guálinto meets with El Colorado. He speaks of his continued heartache over María Elena and his lack of desire to go to college.

El Colorado scolds him on both counts. He declares that Guálinto represents hope for many of his friends, and that many of them are counting on him to get a degree and help lead them out of poverty and powerlessness. He also tells Guálinto to forget about María Elena and recommends he visit the brothels in Morelos if he needs to address his sexual urges.

One night, man with a gun accosts Guálinto. In a moment of distraction, Guálinto is able to pick up a brick and throw it at the man, striking him in the head and knocking him out cold. The police arrive, and the white chief, MacHenry, takes Guálinto home and tells Feliciano that the boy will likely receive a reward for capturing “Arnulfo Miranda,” a dangerous fugitive. Piqued by the name, Feliciano visits the police station to see the man.

When he returns, he tells the family that “Arnulfo Miranda” is in fact Lupe García, his younger brother and María’s elder, and that Lupe died not long after the incident with Guálinto.