The Hut

Artemio Cruz was born in a rude slave's hut on a plantation in Cocuya. The boy and his uncle, Lunero, are forced to flee the hut after Cruz accidentally shoots a white man while trying to save Lunero.

The River

Cruz and his lover Regina linger by the river. Regina invents a happy fable about their meeting, when she saw his reflection in the pool of water. In this daydream, the two rode horses across the river. This phrase becomes a talisman of sorts for Cruz.

The Plaza

As a young revolutionary Cruz returns from a mission to find that enemy soldiers have hung several civilians in the plaza as an act of retribution. His worst fears are realized when he recognizes Regina as one of the dead.

The Jail in Perales

Cruz is captured by enemy soldiers and taken to the jail in Perales. There...