Plunder of the Sun

And now your answer, sefion

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... 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, uh, this one?

Good afternoon, senores.

- How do you do, Mr. Carter? - 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, senores?

- 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 and a half bucks you owe me.

Mafiana, amigo.

The money. Now!

Maybe you didn't hear what I said.

Mafiana.

J'

J'

J“

J'

J'

J“

"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.“ J”

Juan.

UN momentito, Mr. Colby. It's coming.

- Is the boss around? - No, no. He's some place. He's some place.

- Any mail for me? - No. No mail.

Same old tired letter. That's all.

I'm getting a little tired myself.

- You don't suppose the boss might have lost it, do you? - No, no.

We lost a lot of customers the other day, but we never lost a letter.

Oh, too hot for me. Hey, 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'd you know my name?

Well, I... I could not help overhearing it.

Mmm? Then you'll understand why I'm not offering you a drink.

Allow me to offer you one.

- Juan. - Senora?

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, huh?

Gateway to the tropics. The turquoise blue of the Caribbean.

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...

And I haven't been out after dark.

And what did you do before that?

Does it matter?

No. No, I guess not.

Oh, well, if you have to know. My...

My husband is an invalid, and... And he's very possessive.

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

Yeah. You know, you're a very fast worker.

The trouble is you've 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... 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...

And now, at last, I have a chance to do all the things I thought of.

Cocktails at the national, dinner at El patio,

pelota at the fronton.

- That's quite a program. - Oh, I haven't even begun.

I would like to go dancing,

and I'd like to visit the cantinas and see rumbas like...

Like I've never seen them before.

And then... then if there is moonlight...

Oh, there's... There's moonlight. There is.

A drive along the ocean.

You know, you're making it sound better and better.

Then what?

(Lquién sabe?

You know something? That "c'quién sabe?"...

That-that's what appeals to me most.

What did you say your name was? You didn't...

- Anna Luz. - Anna Luz.

No last name? No.

Oh. 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. - Yeah?

Who's this, your husband?

This is the great god tlaltecuhtli.

No wedding ring. No marks of one.

Who are you? What is this?

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

Ah, 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, José.

You must excuse me for arranging things this way, Mr. Colby.

But I find it inconvenient to go out.

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 a thousand dollars alter your opinion of me? - How did you know my name?

I inquired 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.

Look, 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 on board 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, a hundred dollars 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? - Oh, 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.

- Then you can say you found it there. - Exactly.

Well, 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 a thousand dollars.

- Oh, 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, that's one way to get home.

Splendid. I cannot tell you how much I...

How much I...

Let me do it.

Can I do something?

- I'm sorry. - I'll get the Brandy.

These things happen very often?

Too often. One of them will kill me some day.

That is why I keep my mind occupied...

With matters such as we were just discussing.

I have your promise to help me?

I said I would. There's one thing though.

I'm gonna need an advance of another hundred dollars.

There's a few debts I have to clear up here in Havana.

My proposition was $100, Mr. Colby.

And mine's 200. And in 10 seconds, it's gonna be 300.

Very well. Another hundred dollars.

See you on board ship. Yeah.

Oh, uh, how's about that evening we were discussing?

That was not part of the bargain, Mr. Colby.

- I'm sorry. - All right. I'm sorry too.

Next morning, I traded the $200 for some traveler's checks,

paid my bills...

And found out that berrien was almost what he said he was.

I packed my suitcase...

And figured that the best way to carry the package...

Was to fasten it to my ribs with some adhesive tape.

After that, I boarded the freighter...