LUIS ESTRADA'S "THE DEAD GIRLS"
BASED ON A NOVEL BY JORGE IBARGÜENGOITIA
Put the date on it, then we'll take a look at the day's receipts.
Good evening.
Welcome, sir, what can I get you?
Four crullers, please.
Coming up. Two pesos.
Here you are.
Enjoy them.
Hand me that. I'll count it.
Let's see…
Don't you recognize me, Simón Corona?
Well, this might jog your memory, you bastard!
No! Ah! Ah!
Mr. Simón Corona, do you have any idea who would have wanted to try to kill you?
No, I don't have the slightest doubt of who would want to, sir.
I know perfectly and absolutely well,
from having seen her face behind the gun she pointed at mine,
that the woman who did this is none other than Serafina Baladro.
With the pertinent arrangements necessary to secure the arrest of
Serafina Baladro
and her accomplices.
Truth be told, one has to admit that in this country…
JANUARY 5, 1964
…justice is neither prompt nor expeditious,
and one doesn't know what to admire more,
the tortuousness of the bureaucracy needed to implement it,
or its inevitability.
The order that was sent from Mezcala instructing us to arrest Serafina Baladro
bounced around for several weeks between different judicial agencies,
until it finally landed on my desk, upon which I proceeded to execute it.
ENTER THE POLICE
JANUARY 13, 1964
How serious would you say this is for Serafina, Inspector?
Highest level, Captain.
Which is why I thought it important to advise you right away,
so that you can contact your lawyers and take appropriate action.
What is she accused of?
The charges are all laid out here, sir.
They describe how there was a shooting and an attempted murder
at Tuxpana Falls a few weeks ago.
It's a small town in Mezcala,
and Ms. Baladro's name appears in witness statements
-as the principal shooter. -Mm.
I swear to you as an officer of our nation's army
and on my saintly mother's honor,
that Serafina doesn't know anyone in Tuxpana Falls or whatever it's called.
She's never even been there, and it's possible
she has no idea the place even exists.
I know your word is golden and I appreciate your honesty.
But I do have an obligation,
in spite of the great admiration I have for the Baladro sisters,
to comply with this order
and proceed with the arrest of our friend Ms. Serafina.
Understood, Inspector.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
No need to thank me, Captain.
But do keep in mind that I will have to carry out the order eventually.
I already have an entire squad ready to go to the Casino del Danzón tomorrow,
and if I find her, I'll have to take her in.
Then say no more of it.
Have a good day.
Thank you for taking the time, Captain.
Inspector Cueto has to carry out the order.
He gave me the information knowing I would come to you.
He mentioned a Simón Corona as the one who placed her at the scene.
The Inspector's coming here tomorrow with an arrest warrant.
See that, Serafina?
You and your shit!
So fucking selfish, because you just had to get your revenge.
You think it's my fault that God made me so passionate?
If they find her here, we're finished.
We'll go hide in the States, Arcángela.
Leave my houses to those assholes? I will not!
Captain, if you could tell Ladder we'll be heading out.
We're moving to the ranch.
And then hunt down Rendón and get us some answers,
because he owes us an injunction.
Right away.
Herminia, come on.
-I'm coming. -Faster.
Leave everything in good order.
I need everything looking perfect.
Get a move on.
It needs to look spotless, girls.
Move your asses.
He needs to come back quickly to get the others.
Get in.
You need to hurry and get out of here fast.
And when you're finished, clean up this room.
Once everything's in order, stack some crates over the opening
and come out by the roof.
-Got it, Ticho? -Yes, boss, I got all that.
Aurora!
I'm in the dining room, Ms. Baladro.
What is it?
We're leaving for a while. It's an emergency.
Someone found out we're here. They're coming to check on the casino.
My sweet Jesus, I sure hope this won't put me in trouble with the authorities.
No one's going to bother you, Aurora.
But if the police ask you if you've seen us, you just say no.
Do I still get a payment for the month?
Huh. Let me see.
That should do it.
-And a little extra, just in case. -Ah. Thank you.
I want you to listen to what I'm about to tell you.
You keep your mouth shut. And if I hear you ratted us out,
I'll find you, and I'll hurt you.
Hm?
Imagine what it's like for a woman of my age, who was a loyal and dedicated
servant of the Lord,
to be locked away in a jail cell.
Because what I got for helping those ladies in their time of need
is a seven-year sentence,
which at my age means the only way I'm leaving is feet first.
All right, get in.
You'll all spend the night in here.
Tomorrow, we'll decide what to do with you.
Don't even think of doing anything stupid, because I'm not in the mood. Understood?
Understood.
Keep an eye on them, Skeleton.
Of course I will, ma'am.
Oh, Rosa, honey, you have a fever.
Tomorrow I'll make a special tea to help you.
Thank you, S-S-Skeleton.
I'm so cold, and it hurts everywhere.
Morning, ladies.
You can come out now and relieve yourselves.
-Good morning. -Where're you going?
Ay, Ticho.
How did the night go?
Did the girls give you any trouble?
Do I need to punish them?
No, ma'am, everything was calm and quiet.
But Rosa seems to have a chill and a bad fever,
so I'm making her tea.
Take a little more.
You need to drink so the fever goes away.
You'll feel better in a little while, sweetheart.
A little more.
That's it, Rosa.
Hm.
I'm hoping Bedoya was able to track down Rendón
and get that bastard to cough up those damned injunctions.
What we need is to go to the States for a while until things settle down here.
I don't want to end up in prison.
The one thing we can't do is panic.
There's no point in leaving if Rendón can handle the situation.
Bosses?
Skeleton.
The girls said to tell you all that Rosa got a lot worse.
She's not breathing.
JANUARY 14, 1964
For many months, there'd been a rumor in Concepción de Ruiz
that the Baladro sisters and their girls had been hiding in the Casino del Danzón.
Although I had been there numerous times and confirmed that it was deserted,
I decided to go back to make sure there were no loose ends.
CLOSED
Get the chains off.
Interesting that the power's still on.
Yeah, interesting…
It looks empty to me,
but I want to look in every nook and cranny for clues.
Do you think it's strange that things aren't full of dust?
This place is clean as a whistle.
This isn't about the housekeeping, Castro.
We're here to get the dirt on Ms. Serafina.
You stay here.
Castro, come with me.
No one. Come on.
Nothing more for us to do.
There's nobody here. Let's go.
The search could have ended then and there.
But the records in Concepción de Ruiz
showed the Baladro sisters also owned a ranch.
My deputy and I went for a visit.
Morning.
We've been waiting for you, Cueto.
Take 10,000 pesos and tell anyone who asks that Serafina's nowhere to be found.
Don't act so innocent.
I can't remember not having you on the payroll, so I know you like your cash.
You're a wise one, Arcángela.
I'm only doing this because it's you.
Enjoy your day.
But unfortunately, the first time we went out to the ranch,
we came up empty-handed.
My investigation report shows clearly that we saw no one.
How'd you like that, Castro?
Ten thousand pesos.
This is your part.
If I'm being honest, I'd be willing to stay quiet for a lot less, Inspector.
-That says something, doesn't it? -Hm?
That the Baladro sisters are trying to cover up something a lot worse
than the charges against Serafina.
My thinking exactly, Inspector.
I've never seen anyone throw out such a wad of cash
without us even saying a thing.
Which means tomorrow we'll go back to look around the casino with a fine-tooth comb.
Listen up, gentlemen.
You, do a thorough search of the rooms upstairs.
-Yes, sir. -Daniel, start through there.
You, the bar and every nook and cranny in here.
Leave no stone unturned.
Castro, we'll go through the residence.
Yes, Inspector.
Ah, Mrs. Baladro, look how your girls turned out.
Now we have proof. All of this shows there were people living in the house.
Which only confirms the rumors.
We need real dirt.
Castro, take a look in that shed.
Will do.
Nothing but a cot and tools.
There's a smell here, like dead dog.
And the soil is loose in this area, Castro.
Officers?
-Anything unusual? -No, Inspector.
Then round up some shovels, would you? I want to dig around here.
Look, Inspector.
Fucking Baladros.
I knew the madams were hiding something big, but this…
We'll need more forces from Pedrones.
You two keep digging until you get the body out.
Quickly, gentlemen! I want the place surrounded.
Group A, take that side. Group B, you go around.
Castro, you're coming in the house with me.
-Yes, sir. -Watch your backs!
Bitches have cleared out already.
So they must have felt us getting suspicious.
Inspector! There are people in the barn.
We heard voices calling out for help.
Castro!
Thank God you're here, sir. We've been locked in here with no food or water.
Where are the Baladros?
Do you know where they've gone?
I overheard a conversation between Serafina and her sister last night.
Something about a train to Nogales, and then making a run for it.
Officers, call for reinforcements.
Take these ladies to the station and get them taken care of.
Come on, Castro. There's no way I'm letting those two criminals escape.
PEDRONES TRAIN STATION
Quickly, gentlemen!
I want them found!
You two, start with this car here.
Police, we need you hold this train.
Serafina Baladro, Arcángela Baladro.
You're under arrest.
JANUARY 15, 1964
And those are the madams who kept us locked up like animals.
Ungrateful leeches. Traitors.
Those are the bitches who did this.
Backstabbing pieces of shit.
Those are the witches who kill people.
Bullshit. We gave you a roof and fed your fat ass.
Fucking Cueto, you've got some nerve.
We could have sorted this out with less drama.
That's your cell.
I do regret that it's come down to this.
But we found the body of a dead girl buried in your courtyard,
and that is not something we can ignore.
So I recommend that from now on, you watch what you say, Ms. Baladro.
You and your sister.
I think we're going to have a hard time getting out of here.
Nothing we haven't faced before.
All of this bullshit can be settled with cash and connections.
I just wish that bastard Rendón would show up to pay these people off.
Please, we need to try to go faster.
What really matters is that nothing can be found connecting me to the Baladros.
I'm gonna finish off an urgent file for the Capital.
Because you're still trying to get an injunction for the Baladro sisters?
No, Juanita, it's for our protection.
The list of laws they've broken over the years is a mile long.
And it won't be long before they come after the lawyer.
It keeps getting more complicated.
Who knows how long it'll take if we keep digging up dead girls.
Between the macabre findings at the Casino del Danzón…
BALADRO SISTERS ARRESTED
…and the highly revealing statements provided by the girls we rescued,
we were able to clearly identify the Baladros' principal accomplices,
and we immediately proceeded to arrest all of them.
Captain Hermenegildo Bedoya was unaware that the Baladro sisters were in custody.
He went about his preparations for meeting them in the town of Nogales.
PLAN DE ABAJO COMMERCIAL BANK
Captain Bedoya, come with us.
Inspector Cueto, I have over 20,000 pesos in my account here.
Let me go, and it's all yours.
I'm afraid it's too late for that, sir.
You need to come with us. You're under arrest, please get in.
I'm innocent. I was following orders from Captain Bedoya.
Not another word, Sergeant.
You can tell your side of the story at the station.
-Is everything they say about them true? -No, no, no, no, no, it's all lies.
They invent things. The Baladros are good people.
They'd never hurt a fly, I can vouch for that.
-Hm. -Come with us, Ladder.
You're under arrest.
Huh?! I'm innocent.
-Castro. -Inspector.
W-w-w-what have I done?
-Shut up. Let's go. Come on. -No, I'm just a driver.
-I'm just a driver. Hey! -Shut your mouth, I said.
You've locked up my bosses, so I want to be locked up here too.
Go home, sir.
Why don't you wait for them to come get you with an arrest warrant?
You can't just waltz in and ask for a cell.
I'm just a driver, I didn't do anything.
I'm innocent, I swear.
I work for the Baladro sisters.
I refuse to be left out of this. I'm their bouncer!
Ah! You jerk! Come on!
The last ones to fall were Eulalia Baladro and Teófilo Pinto.
The pair could've gotten away,
because we had neither photographs nor information by which to identify them.
But when they tried to escape on a bus to San Antonio, Texas,
they put their real names on a travel document.
That's how we tracked them down and arrested them.
Take them inside, to the cells.
And so, that's how the jail in Concepción de Ruiz,
which normally housed a couple of drunks sleeping off a hangover,
came to hold 19 suspected criminals for the one and only time in its history.
I'll only say this once.
And you bitches better listen closely.
We're going to make sure that we all get released as soon as possible.
That means you keep your mouths shut and don't tell these assholes a thing.
If any of you cracks, I'll slit your fucking throat. Understood?
Understood.
Some of the prostitutes we'd found in the barn told us
that they knew where more bodies were buried,
which is why we returned to where we'd rescued them.
And that's how we found three more dead girls
under a tree on the grounds of the ranch.
JUDGE PERALTA'S JUSTICE
Of all the cases I had to handle in my career,
nothing ever took on the proportions of the Baladro sisters and their brothels.
And despite what was said on the radio and printed in the newspapers,
I remained professional and let nothing affect my actions,
ensuring that I remained just, neutral, and impartial.
In my opinion, and with the usual hindsight brought to us by time…
ALREADY SIX DEAD! AND MORE TO COME!
…it's obvious people preferred to believe the version of events
printed in the headlines than the actual truth.
Ms. Arcángela, I'm not sure you're going to like today's headline.
MADAMS AND MURDERERS
Motherfucking liars.
They make it sound like we're just a bunch of cold-blooded murderers.
Ah, bullshit storytellers.
Assholes will write anything to sell papers.
From what we can glean from the rescued girls' statements,
we're dealing with a very complex case, Counselor.
It's become rather apparent, this requires tact and discretion.
You are absolutely right, Your Honor.
The first thing to do is separate the girls into two groups.
What I suggest is that the ones who stated that they'd been abused
would be better off identified as victims and witnesses,
and those who didn't mention anything
should be considered as potential criminals or accomplices
to the same degree as the Baladros.
-That's exactly how we'll treat them. -Good.
The following, Herminia N,
Guadalupe N, Gloria N, Luz María N,
Jacinta N, Perla N,
and Juvencia N.
Please come with me, ladies.
What about us, Counselor?
Are you leaving us in here?
Based on your previous statements,
you will continue to be considered accomplices and presumed culprits.
What?
-Wait. -Why?
-Why, sir? -One moment, Counselor.
Do you have any news from our lawyer, Mister Rendón?
Not a word. Not from him or anyone.
From this day forward, this is where you ladies will be staying.
And just to be clear,
you're no longer prisoners, or facing any charge.
It's nothing luxurious, but you are free women.
You may come and go from the station as you wish.
You have just one obligation,
which is to be present during the legal proceedings.
Do you understand?
-Yes, sir. -Uh-huh.
Is the food going to be the same as they gave us in jail?
I hate to complain, but it was awful.
We'll take better care of you here, ladies.
You'll be properly fed and have clean clothes.
Make yourselves at home.
More dead girls turn up at the madams' ranch!
Three more dead girls!
More dead girls turn up at the madams' ranch!
Three more dead girls!
More dead girls turn up at the madams' ranch!
Three more dead girls!
More dead girls turn up at the madams' ranch!
Three more dead girls!
I understand. We don't have any more rooms available.
Ah. All right, then.
Good luck.
-Good afternoon. -Afternoon, welcome.
We work for The Alarma.
The room should be under the newspaper's name.
Yes.
So you've come to report on the Baladro sisters murders?
We have.
Are there a lot of us?
You can't imagine how many.
You're getting the last room I have. We're sold out.
We'd like to get the jail as soon as we can.
Is it very far?
Nothing's far here.
Concepción's a small town.
The jail's in the justice hall, not more than two minutes away.
-I say we hit it. -Let's go.
If you could take care of our luggage, bring it up the room when you can.
-Sure. -And guard this with your life.
Certainly.
Dear ladies,
all those who live in Concepción de Ruiz are extremely moved by your trying story.
We hope you will enjoy this meal lovingly offered
by the ladies of Vela Perpetua.
It is with conviction and immense pride
that I am pleased to announce our council's promise,
that you will lack for nothing.
Enjoy your meal.
THEY WERE STARVED!
THEY WERE GIVEN ONLY 5 BEANS AND A TORTILLA A DAY!
Please, Officer. Would you kindly tell the lawyer
who took our statement that we'd like to talk again?
What's the message?
We need to speak in private
and tell him some things we've recently remembered
that we can't share here.
All right.
Really, assholes?
You're ready to tell him all kinds of bullshit to save your asses.
Fucking ingrates!
Have you forgotten what condition we found you bitches in?
Dirty, full of lice, and starving!
Let the record show that those present here today
have requested to amend their original statements with new information,
and that they do so of their own volition,
free of undue influence or coercion.
The Baladro sisters lied to me and my mother.
I was 15 years old, and they bought me for around 200 pesos.
They told her I would be working as a maid in Pedrones,
but as soon as I got to the house, I was told
that what I was really there to do for them,
upstairs…
Sorry. At what age did you say it started?
Fifteen. Ugh, but that's wrong.
I remember I had just celebrated my 13th birthday when I got to the brothel.
And please type in that I never received payment for all the time I worked there.
I was only 12, Your Honor,
and my family was told that I was going to work in a factory that made matches.
But when I got to the place,
it turned out it wasn't a factory at all, it was a whorehouse.
And the sisters never let me out of there again.
I never received any money for the work I did, either.
I thought I was going to be a maid at Casa del Molino,
but the madams put me to work sleeping with the clients
the second I got there.
"Prostitution is what you're here to do, and don't complain," they said.
Is there anything else you'd like to tell us while you're here?
Yes, Counselor. Same as my friends said.
I never got any kind of payment from the sisters.
That's enough for now.
Could you please escort these brave young ladies
to the room where their colleagues are staying?
And make sure that you amend their legal status
to ensure that from now on,
we treat them not as presumed culprits,
but as victims and witnesses.
Yes, Your Honor.
THEY CHEATED AND PROSTITUTED THEM!
From what we've been able to ascertain from the girls' testimonies,
it's going to be a long one, sir.
Most of them are minors, or at least they were when they started,
and they were tortured, locked indoors, and starved for months.
We'll attend every session and check back in with you.
Thanks, Mr. Julio.
Julio's extremely pleased and sends his congratulations.
Imagine how much better it's going to be when the Baladros start to talk.
Cheers, Elisario.
This is our big shot.
And how do you explain the presence of three dead bodies
buried in the courtyard at Casino del Danzón?
We don't know how those bodies got there.
And if there are any, it had to be because someone wanted to get us in trouble.
What about the other three bodies found buried
under the tree at your other property, the Los Angeles Ranch?
We bought that damn ranch to raise cattle!
Many of the young ladies who worked in your four houses
claim that they were held captive,
that they were tortured, and they were almost starved to death.
They say that the only food they were given to eat was
one tortilla and four or five beans a day.
Is it true you starved those girls?
Those girls are full of shit.
They're just spoiled and think they're too good to eat what everyone else does.
We even treated them to noodle soup sometimes.
-Huh. -Ms. Baladro…
-One tortilla? -…we won't get anywhere like this.
It is of the utmost importance for you to get a lawyer who can ensure your defense.
The charges against you are very serious.
Neither of you seems to be approaching this
with the seriousness that the charges warrant.
You're the one who's not handling this like you should, Your Honor.
When our important friends in high places find out what you're doing to us,
you'll see how serious we are, asshole!
Take them back to their cell, I've had enough.
They think they're royalty?
-Don't touch me! -Get your hands off me! Don't you dare!
Finally, to make sure our investigation was complete,
we brought in the final potential accomplice,
the baker, Simón Corona,
whose testimony following the attempt on his life is what set the law
hot on the Baladro sisters' heels.
Listen, Officer, can you please put me in another cell?
Sorry, sir.
This is the only jail in Concepción.
And the judge and officers in charge have ordered all suspects be held together.
How are you, Simón?
What a coincidence life brings us together again.
See where we all ended up because of you, asshole?
Fucking Simón Corona!
Not only did you steal money from us, but you're a fucking rat.
Pleased to meet you, sir.
I was hoping we'd get introduced after all that Serafina's told me about you, Simón.
Serafina, Arcángela, I swear I never said a word.
I don't even know why I'm in here.
-Really? -Ah, Simón.
If you only knew how much I regret not shooting straight.
But that's in the past now, and you're perfectly safe here.
Right, gentlemen?
Of course he is.
We'll make sure he gets the treatment he deserves.
Hey…
stop with the noise.
-Ah! -What happened?
The Baladro sisters' trial cannot continue without their having counsel.
And guess what?
As one of our active public defenders,
you will have to take on their case, Mr. Céspedes.
All those ladies talk about are their high-powered friends.
Why can't they hire one of those?
When this started, they insisted that Counselor Rendón would come to the rescue,
but he never showed up,
and he seems to have washed his hands of them.
For good reason. And now no one wants to provide them due counsel.
Say no more.
In my defense, I want it on the record
that we both know that a miracle won't be enough to save my clients.
You never know, Céspedes.
Justice is blind in this country,
even for women like them.
We don't need you, Counselor.
You're not our lawyer, and we don't want or need you on our case.
We'd never trust a stranger.
My duty is to defend those in tricky situations.
If you don't have counsel to defend you, it will get worse.
We already told you we're innocent.
And we don't know anything about what they're saying.
What's going to happen, like it or not,
is you'll both be subjected to cross-examination and interrogation.
And after that, you'll plead innocence.
And that is where counsel comes in.
And why should we trust you to help us?
Because it's my job to try to keep you ladies from going to prison.
Do you believe we're innocent?
I'm not the one who'll be deciding that.
But if you promise to tell the truth and cooperate when I ask you,
then I will do my best to get you out of here.
If you're going to be our lawyer, it's best you think we're not lying.
And if you get us out of here quickly, we will fill your pockets.
The charges against you are nothing to laugh at.
And the judge doesn't like how you've been talking to him.
So stop arguing and throwing insults, which is of absolutely no use
and it'll only make your situation worse.
All right, then. We accept you as defense counsel.
Very good decision. I'll get straight to work.
The sisters kept us locked up like prisoners.
JANUARY 28, 1964
There was one thing three of my friends and I did that made the bosses mad,
and they locked us up together.
And one day, Ms. Serafina told me, "Grab this paddle
and hit your friends hard, and if I see that you're going easy,
I'll beat you myself so you learn your lesson!"
I'm still covered in bruises from where I was hit, Your Honor.
Order!
Order in the court!
They kept records of all our clients, but deducted our room and board.
Since I told them I didn't go to school, they knew I couldn't do math.
Which means I only racked up debt.
You are nothing but a wretched snake, Aurora.
We paid you every cent we ever owed you.
And we even bought you dresses and shoes so you looked good.
Isn't that the truth?!
The women whose remains were found buried at the casino,
do you know how they got there?
I do, Your Honor.
I remember seeing the two sisters, Arcángela and Serafina
come behind Feliza and Evelia and shove them off so they fell off the balcony.
The poor things lay crumpled with their heads bleeding on the floor.
And they buried them in the courtyard after.
That's cold-blooded.
You're full of shit, motherfucking liar!
For the love of God, don't listen, sir. Arcángela!
None of the girls ever had enough to eat.
A few times we even had to pick scraps out of the garbage
while they were feasting on eggs and meat stew.
You're just a backstabbing, filthy liar, Marí Carmen.
All of you were treated like our very own daughters.
And that wasn't the worst of it, sir.
There were times that we were locked up for so long,
that some of my closest friends got sick and died without seeing a doctor.
So don't be surprised if you dig around and find these two buried more dead girls.
Jesus!
Order!
"The poor, innocent victims describe what must've been a daily ordeal
and a living hell while imprisoned in the house of horrors."
"Only an exemplary sentence will show the gravity of the sisters' sins
and render justice."
That's inspired, Chucho.
I took a few good ones of the sisters when they were insulting the girls.
I think they're perfect for your article.
Best three.
-What do you think? -These are just what we need.
Get your copy of The Alarma!
HYENAS! THEY MAKE A MOCKERY OF THE LAW!
Problem was the story aroused
so much morbid curiosity throughout the country…
VICTIMS REVEAL ATROCITIES "YOU MURDERED THEM!"
…that it started wreaking havoc in the justice hall and in the court.
Order!
-Quiet! -Silence!
When we got to the ranch, one of our friends named Rosa got a fever.
That's when I saw this lady get close to her and whisper,
"Don't worry, I'll make a tea to cure you."
And poor Rosa had to drink every drop of it.
And a few hours later, she was taken by God.
Because that lady's a witch, and she never did like Rosa,
and she poisoned her with one of her deadly potions.
Guadalupe N.
I was forced to be there, because Skeleton said so,
and when she finished ironing,
she got a cold soda and poured it down Blanca's throat, and that killed her.
And is there anything else, miss?
Whenever one of us would be expecting a child,
Skeleton would make one of her potion teas so we wouldn't have a baby,
and she refused to tell us what kind of witchcraft she was using,
and what she did with all those unborn children.
Your Honor,
I swear, I swear that none of that happened.
ACCOMPLICE, WITCH AND VULTURE!
SUFFERING, TERRIBLE INJUSTICES, HUMAN MUD
Remember that time when you got the broom to scare away the vultures,
and all they did was flutter around?
I don't know if that happened
because I've had to scare away vultures since I was little,
so I can't say if they fluttered around whichever time you're talking about.
The time when Serafina came to get you,
gave you her pistol, and shouted the order,
"Ticho, shoot those buzzards!"
Does that ring a bell?
No, I don't think I was there on that day.
Isn't it true that you were there that day
when Arcángela asked you to get rid of Feliza and Evelia,
and you buried them right next to where you did Blanca in the courtyard?
No, I never did.
You had to have imagined that or seen it in a dream because I didn't dig the holes.
Take him away.
"Eustiquio Natera…
THE BALADRO BROTHELS EXTERMINATION CAMPS
…AKA 'Ticho' or 'The Gravedigger',
wanted to pass himself off as ignorant of the facts."
"I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE I HELPED BURY A WOMAN"
"But just looking at his twisted face, full of evil, cruelty, and anger…
ENDLESS CRIMES OF INNOCENT EXPLOITED CHILDREN
…we can see the sinister truth for ourselves,
which is that the Baladros' bouncer
must have at least a dozen more deaths on his conscience."
No.
"At least a hundred more deaths."
Stop talking, Teófilo. That's enough of your bullshit lying.
And one day she came along with the four and said,
"I need you to put a roof over their heads, and give them food."
"And if you see one trying to escape,
you shoot her with the rifle I gave you to protect the cattle."
You fucking liar!
No one ever told you to shoot the girls, you idiot!
When I used the rifle to stop the runaways, Your Honor,
I was only obeying the strict orders I'd been given directly by Arcángela.
I didn't order that, you asshole!
The ladies owned three brothels
and made a lot of money, maybe millions.
Only they never gave us enough to live on.
We were like beggars.
If they weren't so greedy and stingy,
I'm sure things would've worked out quite differently.
You're a traitor and a moron, Teófilo!
I've heard enough.
-Let go! -Don't fucking touch me!
The Captain was the one who suggested to the madams how to punish us.
I saw him go into the courtyard when he wanted some more switches,
and he beat each against the palm of his hand to see which hurt most.
And then, when he beat us, that's the one he would use,
and he bragged about it.
Your Honor, I would like to specify that I considered these girls had
committed a calculated act of insubordination,
and it was necessary to squash it and nip it in the bud.
And do you still think that was the best way to proceed, Captain?
Yes, I do.
As a proud officer of the forces that strive to protect our supreme nation,
it is my utmost obligation to ensure discipline within all the troops.
"The heartless military man, Captain Hermenegildo Bedoya,
was the one who would not only suggest,
but execute the punishment that the Baladros
awarded to their victims."
We were outside doing laundry and chores when the Captain came along.
The first thing he noticed was a lump underneath the shade of the shed.
"What's that?" He asked.
"That's Blanca," is what Serafina answered.
Then the captain got upset and starting talking very loud,
"Tell Ticho to take her for a car ride and take her to the edge of town,
and throw her in the dump to be food for the dogs."
I was only trying to be funny, Your Honor.
Do you really think a decorated officer would say such nonsense?
"The sinister officer…
BEAT AND TORTURED US WITHOUT MERCY
SINISTER CAPTAIN AND ACCOMPLICE OF THE BALADROS RAGED AGAINST THE GIRLS.
…was the common-law husband of Serafina Baladro,
one of the many men in the fearsome collection
of lovers she used for her own sordid purposes,
in the same manner as
the
dreaded black
widow."
When the papers started printing headlines mentioning
that the madams had such sizable power…
THE BALADROS: DIABOLICAL, INFLUENTIAL MILLIONAIRES
…and influence throughout the entire state of Plan de Abajo,
that a conviction was an impossible result to hope for,
my immediate response was to ensure there was complete seizure of their properties.
With the full intention of protecting the future compensation to the victims.
You're letting those assholes steal our properties?
That's what they've wanted all along, those sons of bitches!
We're going to lose everything!
-Officer. Officer! -Counselor. Counselor!
An ambulance or a doctor, please, one of the ladies has fainted.
What can we do so they don't take our houses?
What happened?
-I'll call for help, don't move. -Where would I go? Just go call.
Give her air. Give her air.
Arcángela.
Excuse me. Sorry.
Counselor Céspedes, what I’m gonna ask might put you on the spot.
You're the appointed defense lawyer,
but do you believe the Baladros are innocent?
You certainly did ask a loaded question.
I'll defend these two ladies because it's my obligation,
as I was assigned as a public defender when nobody else would take the case.
But you mark my words, I don't believe a word they say.
On the contrary, I think the firing squad is what these madams deserve.
If only it hadn't been made illegal in the state of Plan de Abajo.
Gentlemen.
DEATH PENALTY! EVEN THEIR LAWYER IS ASKING FOR IT
Without a doubt, particularly as it came from their own lawyer.
The quote was inflammatory and unfortunate.
There were others, uncalled-for and excessive,
and mounting pressure from all the parties,
including some from the Capital.
Alarma! Alarma! Testimony is going to get the Baladro sisters…
But by that time, the case had gained international attention.
And Concepción de Ruiz turned into an outright circus.
At one point, I counted at least 119 people present at the proceedings
who had no business being there.
The demon sisters!
DEATH TO THE BALADROS
Alarma! Alarma!
Testimony going to get the Baladro sisters hanged!
THE TRIAL DROWNS CURSED SISTERS
Read about the bloodthirsty witches!
THEY WERE BLOODTHIRSTY
But the trial had to go on, and as procedure dictated,
we had to reenact some of the claims with the victims and the accused on site.
Order, please, everyone!
Thank you.
Please go ahead, ladies.
The barn is where Skeleton gave her the tea.
And not long after, the poison killed her.
Didn't it?
And over there is where my friends were shot in the back.
We were trying to run away, and then I heard gunshots.
Mr. Teófilo was standing in the doorway.
Ms. Eulalia came out of the house and gave him the rifle.
Do you agree with what they say, Ms. Eulalia?
We should go take a look at the grave site, Your Honor.
As you wish.
…deserve to die!
Is this where you dug the graves, Ticho?
Yes, Your Honor.
And who asked you to?
My boss, Ms. Serafina there.
She said, "I don't want anyone driving by to be able to see anything."
And are you sure that there were only three young ladies who died out here?
I know that the only ones I buried are these three.
And then there's the other three I buried at the casino.
If there're any other bodies, sir, I don't know where they are.
Ladies, would you point to the grave for us?
The growing public indignation,
which was somewhat manipulated by the ever-exaggerated daily headlines…
THEY KEEP TURNING UP DEAD IN BROTHELS!
…sometimes turned to outright fury,
and on more than one occasion,
took on the extreme dimension of calls to lynch the accused.
Put them away forever! They're murderers, put them away!
The balcony up there is where the bosses pushed the two girls over.
And over in that room is where the sisters tortured us so many times.
You beat each other! Hypocrites!
Fucking liars. Bullshitting assholes.
Everyone, stay calm.
Please follow me over here.
This way, please.
-Which way did you say? -Thankless little shits.
This way.
One day, when the sisters were talking to Captain Bedoya,
we overheard them say they planned to kill us all
and stick us all in the ground right here.
Am I right, girls?
-Yes. -Yeah, yeah.
Mm-hm.
Yes, Ms. Socorro, you have something else to tell us?
Once in the middle of the night, Ms. Arcángela, and Ms. Serafina,
and Captain Bedoya took us on the roof and tried to make us fall.
-Didn't they, girls? -Yes. Mm-hm.
Why don't we move on to the next reenactment?
Tell me, Captain, is the army where you learned to distribute
this cruel and unusual retribution
to which you subjugated these ladies?
No, Your Honor.
This one in particular was of my own inspiration.
And the sisters were going around beating us while we held the stones.
Ms. Arcángela,
would you hold the switch for us, please?
THE PEOPLE DEMAND JUSTICE
THEY WANTED TO LYNCH THE HYENAS!
THE POLICE RESCUED THEM
In spite of the enormous media pressure for us to produce even more dead girls,
we never could find them, no matter where we looked.
DEAD GIRLS KEEP TURNING UP IN BROTHELS!
But thanks to the testimonies the victims gave us
and the thorough reenactments,
we managed to get enough to charge the suspects,
which officially allowed us to keep them in our custody
and proceed to issue their judicious individual sentences.
I will not be treated like this, you lousy bastards!
I am Arcángela Baladro
and I didn't do anything.
Please behave yourself, madam.
CONCEPCIÓN DE RUIZ POLICE HEADQUARTERS
Next!
Lift up the sign, please.
Right profile.
Left profile.
Next!
This is so embarrassing. What must God think of us?
I need you stop crying, please, ma'am.
Right profile.
The right!
Next!
Captain, remove your glasses, please.
Right profile.
Left profile.
Next!
Right profile.
Left profile.
Next.
Can you bend your knees a bit?
More.
Good.
Right profile.
Lower!
Left profile.
Next!
As part of a careful and thorough investigation…
MARCH 5, 1964
…and evaluation of the evidence presented by all parties,
I will now proceed to deliver the verdicts to all of the accused.
I ask you to maintain your composure as best as you can.
Captain Hermenegildo Bedoya…
for complicity in committing a crime,
and for being the intellectual author of the acts detailed in your accusation,
guilty on all counts, and hereby sentenced to 25 years.
Murderer!
"CAPTAIN BEDOYA" 25 YEARS
Juana Cornejo.
The woman named Juana Cornejo,
commonly called Skeleton,
ten years for first-degree murder in the death of Miss Rosa N.
Four more years for performing clandestine abortions,
and another six for extreme criminal negligence
leading to the death of Miss Blanca N.
"SKELETON" 20 YEARS
Teófilo Pinto and Eulalia Baladro.
For Mr. Teófilo Pinto,
20 years
for two first-degree murders with premeditation,
malice aforethought and advantage.
For Eulalia Baladro, his spouse and accomplice,
15 years for taking the rifle from inside the house
and handing it to her husband
with the full intent of having him shoot the two victims.
15 YEARS
20 YEARS
Eustiquio Natera, also known as Ticho
or The Gravedigger,
12 years for violating human burial laws
and for complicity in the various crimes of the accused.
12 YEARS
For the driver and chauffeur, Fulgencio Pérez,
also commonly referred to as Ladder,
six years for violating numerous traffic laws,
sex trafficking, and sex trafficking over state lines.
"LADDER" 6 YEARS
Nicolás Pérez,
also known as Brave Nicolás,
six years for the crimes of attempted murder,
usurpation of functions, and abuse of authority.
"BRAVE NICOLÁS" 6 YEARS
Simón Corona.
For Simón Corona, recently referred to as The Baker,
six years for the crimes of clandestine burial
and criminal association.
"THE BAKER" 6 YEARS
And for the last two,
Serafina and Arcángela Baladro.
-They did it! -They're guilty!
Please!
For the crimes of murder in the first degree,
criminal negligence and unlawful acts,
unlawful deprivation of liberty,
physical and mental abuse,
possession of illegally acquired firearms,
willful use and carry of said arms,
corruption of minors,
procuring,
deprivation of income to a third party, fraud,
trespassing and occupation of a seized property,
violation of human remains burial laws,
violation of federal transport regulations,
and concealment of property,
this court declares you on all accusations listed here,
Serafina and Arcángela Baladro,
guilty as charged.
Silence!
You shouldn't have listened to those fuckers!
My sister and I are innocent!
You're nothing but a corrupt, useless sellout, Peralta!
And you're nothing but lying sons of bitches,
each and every one of you!
Scumbags!
All you fucking do is lie about us!
You know we never killed anybody, ever!
You don't know the first thing about justice!
My sister and I would rather hang than deal with this disgrace!
Consequently, in the case of Serafina and Arcángela Baladro,
you will be imprisoned and obligated to serve a 35-year sentence,
non-commutable, and with no possible parole.
JUSTICE HAS BEEN DONE! THE HYENAS WILL DIE IN PRISON!
ALL OF THE JACKALS HAVE BEEN SENTENCED.
Aurora Bautista.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF CONCEPCIÓN DE RUIZ AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Perla Pilar Cardona.
IN SUPPORT OF THE VICTIMS FOR A NEW LIFE FOR ALL
Guadalupe Enríquez.
Gloria López.
Luz María Méndez.
Socorro Montes.
María del Carmen Régules.
Jacinta Reyes.
Herminia Solórzano.
To you ladies,
I speak for myself, and my fellow public authorities
of Concepción de Ruíz and the great state of Plan de Abajo
that it is our honor to have brought you all justice.
Many people told us that there was enormous power
and influential friends that would protect the Baladros
and let them off easy,
and thus prevent an exemplary punishment!
But once again, we have shown you,
justice is blind.
And we live in a country that respects the rule of the law.
As material proof,
you hold the checks for well-deserved and fair compensation
for the trust you showed in the system.
¡Viva Concepción de Ruíz!
-¡Viva! -¡Viva Plan de Abajo!
-¡Viva! -¡Viva México!
¡Viva!
Make ready the steel and the bridle
And may the earth tremble At its center
At the resounding roar of the cannon
Let us give thanks to our Father for letting these innocent young women
survive this tragic and painful experience.
And may our Lord God, the Father Almighty and Eternal
offer a better future to each of you,
away from the vices and sins you endured.
Let us pray that it be so.
I believe in one God,
the Almighty Father,
creator of Heaven and Earth,
of all that is visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord,
Jesus Christ,
only son of God,
born of the Father,
before all ages,
God of God,
Light of Light,
true God of true God,
begotten, not created,
of the same essence as the Father,
by whom all things were made,
for us men, and for our salvation,
was brought down from heaven at the time of Pontius Pilate,
suffered death and was buried,
and on the third day, he rose again and ascended into heaven.
And he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and from there he will return with glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom shall have no end.
If I'm being honest, I'll admit we went a bit overboard with the Baladros.
Especially when we said they killed dozens and even hundreds of girls.
THEY WERE PROSTITUTES GOD FORGAVE THEM!
VICTIMS OF THE BALADROS GIVE THANKS TO THE CHRIST OF CUBILETE
But the circumstances required we do so.
Because thanks to our diligent work,
we brought serious problems throughout Mexico to light,
such as teenage prostitution,
procuring,
sex trafficking,
unsolved disappearances,
children being abused…
But the biggest one was the corruption and complicity
of the authorities at every level.
Now, we don't like to toot our own horn, unless we deserve it,
and I'm sure you recognize all the power of the written word,
but I am convinced that our work on the Baladro sisters
was a turning point in how journalists operate here in México,
and that since then, all the media, including radio and television,
have tried hard to imitate our style.
That assignment was so…
big and successful,
that for a while, we tried to bring more of the story to our readers,
so we tracked down all the trial's protagonists
to put them back into the limelight.
But what we found turned out to be so depressingly dull, that
we forgot about it.
EPILOGUE
LA RIVERA BAKERY
Simón Corona recovered from the stab wound he suffered while he was in jail.
JANUARY 17, 1976
They never found out who did it.
He served his prison sentence in the state of Mezcala,
where his conduct was exemplary,
and when he got out, he returned to Tuxpana Falls,
where he opened a new bakery and lives happily.
Brave Sergeant Nicolás was discharged from the army.
He learned the shoemaking trade while in prison,
and now has his own cobbler shop.
Ticho, The Gravedigger, tried to go back to being a bouncer,
but that didn't work out, and he now works as a loader in a warehouse.
He visits the Baladro sisters every chance he gets
since he's still quite fond of them.
Ladder went back to being a chauffeur,
and now owns a fleet of cars in San Pedro de las Corrientes.
The rumor around town is that he bought it with Baladro money
and he reports the accounts to the sisters on a weekly basis.
To San Pedro, and make it quick, eh?
Go on.
Eulalia Baladro was also released.
She runs a stand outside the Pajares prison
where she sells candies, cookies, and traditional sweets.
She waits in the hope of seeing her husband, Teófilo Pinto, set free.
Captain Hermenegildo Bedoya is serving his time in Pedrones,
where he commands the wing and is feared and respected by the inmates and guards.
Arcángela and Serafina Baladro are locked up in the women's prison.
A meal and a soda.
In addition to running multiple businesses,
they are moneylenders and, rumor has it,
madams for a few of the prisoners.
They are said to have accumulated another fortune,
this one topping 100,000 pesos.
-But nevertheless… -One meal.
…the Baladros don't have the slightest chance
of ever getting beyond those walls again.
Another meal.
But the women who worked in the brothels…
We put in a lot of effort but didn't find a single one.
We think they all went their separate ways and we lost track of them.
What happened to them is anyone's guess.
Line, gentlemen.
JUNE 15, 1960
I'm lonely, Ernestina.
Let's have some fun.
Don't call me Ernestina,
or Helda or Elena, either.
My name isn't that hard to remember. It's María.
Let's go upstairs.
Sounds good.
Thirty pesos.
Here.
Lead the way, sweetheart.
-My pleasure. -I mean, María.
SOME OF THE EVENTS NARRATED HERE ARE REAL.
ALL CHARACTERS ARE IMAGINARY.
THE DEAD GIRLS
APPENDIX
PICTURED
2. SKELETON
4. BLANCA… SHE WAS BLACK (DIED JULY 17)
5. EVELIA (DIED ON SEPTEMBER 14)
7. ROSA (DIED JANUARY 15)
8. LUPE (COULD NOT FIT IN THE LATRINE)
9. AURORA BAUTISTA (WAS COMPENSATED)
10 AND 11: THE TWO WOMEN KILLED BY TEÓFILO PINTO.
THE DEAD GIRLS
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY AND INGENUITY OF JORGE IBARGÜENGOITIA