Chapter 10, 1955: December 31 Summary

Cruz greets the press at an elaborate New Year's Eve party at the Coyoacan mansion. This is the only night of the year that he entertains people. He presents Lilia at the party, sumptuously surrounded by luxury. The two have lived together for eight years and Cruz's love has become fatherly. A feast of wildly expensive luxuries is served with the finest wine. Behind the antique walls, Cruz hears the shuffle of rats. Catalina dines at the house in Lomas, alone with Teresa and Gerardo.

Cruz loiters and eavesdrops on his guests' conversations, which are revealed as disjointed and largely meaningless phrases. Some of his guests refer to Cruz as the Mummy of Coyoacan. They gossip about Laura, his previous mistress and express pity for his wife Catalina.

On the patio, a young man named Jamie, the son of a political...