What can a boy do? Maybe be a futbol star like Chelato. What else? Hang around in El Progreso and wait for something to happen? He’s been waiting all his life for something to happen. He’s still living at home and his mamá, his tía, are saying, I’m getting tired of you being here.

There’s this guy who’s been pressuring him. When first enlisted he’ll be a lookout, report on anything out of the ordinary he sees, strangers in the barrio, whatever seems unusual. Tell the jefe what he sees. So now he’s hanging around with the guys and they get to know him. Next he’ll be assigned some errands. Next he’ll be loaned a pistol and told to steal a motorcycle or threaten a cab driver who refuses to pay up. If he’s successful, then he’s in.