Following their failed attempt to cross the border, Lupita and Salvador find themselves back at the park in Tijuana with little money and no idea about how to get to the US. When Lupita begs a gringa woman and accepts a silver coin from her, Salvador slaps her and throws the money into bushes, but Lupita searches the bushes and finds it again.

The brother and sister end up spending many days in the park as Salvador searches for work so they can buy food. Lupita obediently waits for him each day. As she observes him, she begins to see the toll their hardship is taking on her brother. Despite their desperation, they do not have a plan to cross the border or to make money.

Hearing that vendors sometimes give overripe produce away free, they go to the market one morning. Salvador is greeted by Bartolo, a friend from Ensenada who has come to work for his grandfather in Tijuana. Salvador introduces Lupita as Eduardo, his younger brother, then tells Lupita to go back to the park and wait for him. Salvador returns to the park at night and tells his sister that Bartolo is going to help them cross over the border that night.