Part II, Chapters 27-30 Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 27, "San Pedro Prison Tours," Thomas is deeply depressed after the departure of Yasheeda, and only Sylvia and Ricardo help to keep him from losing all hope. A plan bankrolled by Thomas and Abregon to deal to steal and sell cars goes wrong and they lose their money. Yasheeda has left a legacy, however, which is a small but slowly growing stream of tourists who have heard about Thomas and come to visit him. He gives them an hour-long tour of the prison and tells stories, which they love. The price starts at five dollars but gradually goes up, as the police insist on larger cuts. Other inmates, especially David Cordero, a dangerous man nicknamed Fantasma, try to muscle into the action, but the tourists specifically ask for Thomas. He befriends Fantasma, who is...