A week has past since the events of Christmas Eve. Everyone accepted the fate of the Hacienda Esmeralda as what was best. In the middle of the debris the flagpole stood erect still attached to the top of the dome.
Willard had taken Carlos' tarp and hoisted it up to half mast as a flag in his memory. It was the beginning of a New Year and a new era. The usual fireworks display was set up. In the past, it had always been in the field where the pit was now filled with the remains of the Hacienda. So this year the display was set further back. By dusk everyone in Montage was assembled. Just before the fireworks were to begin, a glow appeared in the air above the park. As it took form everyone could see that it was a handsome young Carlos, perhaps in his twenties, dressed in white.

"My dear ones." His voice thundered gently, "you have witnessed a great event and I am not who I have appeared to be. You have known me as Carlos but I am Kekchala, the Mayan God of the Earth's Riches. In the early 1500s, the Mayan Gods were overwhelmed by prayers to stop the Spanish from finding the gold that was so plentiful here. The Mayans and other tribes thought that if there was no gold the Spanish would go away and leave these lands to the people who were at peace here. Hernando was relentless in his search. When the natives posed a challenge to him he used the smallpox disease to poison them by the thousands. We were sworn to protect man and could not interfere directly. I was given the task of stopping him since it was my riches that they were after. My first attempt was to influence the King of Spain, warning him that Cortez had become too powerful and would soon rival his position. I was successful at removing Cortez, but he was only replaced by another, Pedro de Alvarado, and the search and the slaughter continued. The Mayans, in desperation to preserve their culture dispersed themselves and consequently their prayers began to fade as they merged into other beliefs. The other Gods lost interest with them, but I was sworn to protect the riches of Central America and could not leave. One of the darker, more powerful Gods, who was fading, fed off of Hernando's obsession and chose to help him by tricking me, robbing part of my omniscience and giving it to Hernando. He was without death from normal causes so his search for gold, silver, and power could continue forever. But I had already collected all the gold and hid it. Eventually his search was to end here. For over five hundred years I have been watching and waiting."

Next to Carlos another glow appeared. It was a beautiful young woman dressed in white with long flowing hair and a halo of flowers. "It's Miss Carla!" shouted little Juan Everyone in Montage applauded and cried as she smiled and blew them kisses. "Miss Carla is with me now." Spoke Carlos. " My omniscience is restored and I will share it with her for eternity. And so dear friends it is time to say…" Miss Carla pulled Carlos down and whispered in his ear. "Oh yes, of course," he said, "The gold! It's been here all along. Montage is the richest town in The Americas! Always use it for good and it will serve you well. Behold!" The ground behind Hernando's rubble filled pit began to rumble. In the park the statue of de Alvarado rocked back and forth and finally flipped over backwards as tons upon tons of solid gold blistered up through the ground. The people of Montage cheered and threw their hats in the air. Nicola shouted "Carlos es el Salvador!" Padre frowned at this outburst but then smiled in mild agreement. The New Years Eve fireworks show exploded into action, flowering beautiful umbrellas of light over Carlos and Miss Carla. They waved as they rose higher and higher, fading forever away into the evening sky.

The End Midnight Mass in Montage is the most sacred event of the year. It is the one time when everyone in town assembles on the boardwalk to worship the birth of Christ with Padre. The twelve foot cross is always erected and lighted so that all can see it as they stand facing the ocean. This year the scene was different though, because behind them stood the Hacienda Esmeralda, it's bright green lights spilling onto the scene. Through the crowd, Hernando's limo arrived at the front entrance and a tall black woman in a flowery purple gown and large garish hat emerged. Madam Rosetta had arrived. Thinking the crowd was for her she smiled and waved as she passed through the entrance with her two escorts. Carlos worked his way down the boardwalk steps to the beach where he found his tarp in it's usual resting place. Through the darkness, a few minutes before midnight, he appeared in the upstairs room where Cheena and the other girls were being detained. "Quickly girls" said Carlos "gather around." Once the girls were close he spun his tarp over them and they found themselves amongst the crowd on the boardwalk. Most were with their families, though Cheena and one other were standing in the choir with their music in their hands. The service started with "Angels We Have Heard On High". Hernando was furious. On what he thought would be the biggest night of the year, the Hacienda was nearly empty. Only his closest people remained. Some of his workers had even quit their jobs to attend Padre's service. "Where are they?" asked Madam Rosetta, "There is no one in C-12." "What!!?" shouted Hernando, "I saw them in there not twenty minutes ago! Search the hotel!" his voice echoed in the empty foyer. A quick search revealed nothing. Hernando burst out of the entrance to the Hacienda with two of his guards close behind. The huge lighted cross glared at him as he saw Cheena singing in the choir. He stood fuming, his eyes began to glow yellow in anger, his teeth clinched tightly. Suddenly Carlos was standing directly in front of him. "I have waited for centuries for this moment Cortez" said Carlos. "What did you call me?" asked Hernando, stunned. "Don't you remember me?" asked Carlos. "You stole something very dear to me, was it so meaningless that you have forgotten?" " Kekchala!" Hernando shouted, "You are still alive?" "I knew the gold would draw you here." Said Carlos. "I have waited for you for five hundred and twenty years. I want back what you have taken." Hernando's eyes beamed light as he reached out for Carlos' shoulders to hold him. Carlos did the same pulling Hernando in. A bright glow appeared around both of them. The service had completely stopped in mid "Gloria" at this point and everyone was turned facing them. The two of them lifted off of the ground and began to spin in the air. Bright yellow lights beamed from their eyes surrounding them, consuming them. The Earth shook below them and lightning flashed around them. The thunder was deafening. To those on the ground, Hernando & Carlos were now a spinning blur of yellow light. The dome and flagpole of the Hacienda Esmeralda suddenly caved in crushing everyone inside. The people of Montage stood dumbfounded as they watched the entire Hacienda crumble into the giant pit that lay behind it. The spinning light vanished in a huge explosion and a skeleton came crashing down from the sky onto the boardwalk, instantly turning to dust. Padre blessed himself saying, "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost". The people of Montage echoed his words as they too crossed themselves and stood in an ominous silence.

A week has passed since Rodriguez had feebly attempted to run Warrez off the road with his car. He had only accomplished losing control of his own vehicle and smashing it in the rocks along the road from the Hacienda. The flames had been so bad that Warrez decided to just let them burn out on their own. The tension was building in Montage as everyone now knew about the brothel that was developing there. Warrez was working on getting a search warrant and back up from San Salvador but the progress was painfully slow. Members of the town were starting to take matters into their own hands. Padre was waiting for Hernando as he emerged from the mines brushing dirt from his mint green leisure suit Hernando had just diverted the miners for the seventh time, this time to the east. He was frustrated by their lack of success. "I would have words with you, sir." Demanded Padre, rolling his small chained crucifix in his hand. Hernando looked nervously at the gold cross and replied "What's on your mind, Padre?" "You have deceived me and my church!" he accused angrily. "You are not the gentleman you made yourself out to be. You are holding members of my congregation against their will. Minors!" Padre pointed a sharp finger at Hernando releasing the cross. "I demand to see Cheena and the others at onc…" Padre's words were choked off by an invisible grip around his neck. Hernando's eyes were darting angrily as he spoke between his clinched teeth, "It is time for you to go now, Padre. Leave and don't come back." Hernando walked away leaving Padre gasping for air. "Mother of God…" he muttered, scrambling off. "I need to speak to those girls at the Esmeralda" Carlos told Willard. "Are you crazy? Do you think they are going to let you just walk in there?" asked Willard. "I believe I can talk to them." Carlos said. "Well, the reality of the situation is that you CAN'T." quipped Willard. Carlos drew in a long breath as he took Willard's hand saying "The power of belief is stronger than reality." Cheena found herself holding Carlos' cold calloused hand in the upstairs room of The Hacienda Esmeralda. "Carlos!" she exclaimed, the others quickly gathering around them. "Where, how did you…?" Carlos spoke softly to them, "You trust old Carlos don't you?" "Yes, of course" they all said. "Then have faith that you will all be safe. The time has not yet come. You must stay here a few days longer, but NO ONE, NOTHING will harm you. I am watching over you." The girls stood puzzled clustered in a group in the middle of the room. Carlos was gone. Back at the station, Willard was still holding Carlos' hand, "So, what's the big plan? What are you going to do?" asked Willard. "It's already been done." Said Carlos opening his eyes. Hernando called his two most trusted bouncers into his office and told them, "I have a job for you. It's very important and dangerous. You will be taking the limo to pick up Madam Rosetta where she's been hiding in Argentina. She has a huge shipment that needs to be brought here in time for Christmas. Take all the fire power you can carry."

The door to the station burst open and a very upset Padre walked in trying to say three things at once. "Calm down, Padre." Willard told him, "Take a deep breath and try again" "Where's the Chief Inspector?" demanded Padre. "I must speak with him at once!" "He's out making calls." Answered Willard. "He'll be back in an hour or so. What's wrong Padre?" "I'll tell you what's wrong! Something terrible is going on at that…that…Hacienda! Cheena has an important role in the Christmas Mass and when she missed rehearsal twice this week and didn't even show up for church this morning I went out to her house to see what was wrong. OH MY GOD! I've got to talk to the Chief Inspector!!" Carlos stood at the open cell door listening as Willard assured Padre that he would send the Chief Inspector over to the church as soon as he returned. "Cheena is safe, for now" Carlos told Willard after Padre had left. "There are others, too, just like her. But nothing will happen until Madam Rosetta arrives." "How do you know this, Carlos? How can you possibly know this?!" asked Willard. "I listen" said Carlos. Carlos removed his sunglasses for a moment to rub his face. Willard stepped back at the sight of Carlos' eyes. It wasn't just that they were horribly bloodshot beyond belief, but that they seemed to undulate and he couldn't focus on them. After talking to Willard and Padre, Chief Inspector Warrez arrived at The Hacienda Esmeralda to confront Hernando. He was escorted to the pit where Hernando was arguing loudly with the supervisor of the mining team. "Goddamnit! Don't tell me, I'll tell you! If you don't…" Hernando stopped abruptly when he saw Warrez. "Chief Inspector." Hernando said with a smile. "What a nice surprise." "Cut the crap, Hernando." Snapped the Chief Inspector. "I want to know exactly what's going on upstairs in this hotel of yours. And where's Pepe's daughter Cheena?" "Cheena…oh yes, Cheena! She has been hired to the housekeeping staff. Why do you ask? Has she done something wrong?" asked Hernando innocently "Has she done…has she…" The Chief Inspector stammered. "Listen here you worthless scumbag, I know exactly what's going on up there and I want to see that child NOW!!" Cheena slowly walked down the stairs to the landing where Chief Inspector Warrez was waiting. "Hernando said you wanted to see me." Said Cheena quietly. "Are you ok Miss?" asked the Inspector. "Oh yes, I'm fine." she replied. Her speech was slow and her eyes looked groggy. "They're treating me very nicely here. They're nice." "Would you like to go home?" asked Warrez. "Oh no," she said dreamily, "I'm learning how to be a maid. I can't go. I'm fine. They're nice." "Look Cheena, I'm gonna go now. But I'll be back to check on you real soon." Chief Inspector Warrez turned and headed for the door. Downstairs by one of the blackjack tables Hernando pulled Rodriguez aside. "That Warrez is sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. Follow him and make sure he doesn't come back here…ever."

It began with a simple cup coffee personally delivered by Mr. Martinez. Once the first perfect hot drink hit his system, something started back up again in Carlos. After over a week of silence, Carlos spoke his first words, "Thank you". Though this was all he said for the next few days, he was saying it more frequently as his visitors brought him food and love. Pepino's Mother brought him cookies, and others came him soup and bread. The people of Montage had sorted out their feelings about the murders via heated arguments and a few fist fights, but in the end everyone agreed that Carlos was not to blame. Willard had embarked on a new life. He had a job at the station and had sworn off drinking. Caring for Carlos had helped him see the other side of his own tragedy and the healing had begun. Mere days after the Chief Inspector had taken over the station, he had released Carlos on his own recognizance and at once offered the cell to both he and Willard until they felt up to moving on. With Rodriguez no longer embezzling the station's prisoner funds for himself, there was ample money for food and even clothing for Willard and Carlos. On three or four occasions Hernando had been called down to the mine to examine small gold nuggets that had been spotted. The miners had been ordered to turn westward. This would put them under the Library. In spite of their warnings, Hernando demanded that they proceed but working only when the Library was closed. The new Librarian was unaware that the banging sounds he occasionally heard were anything more than the ventilation system. Pepe had overcome his reluctance with the people at the Hacienda Esmeralda, in fact he had developed a gambling addiction there. He was now hopelessly in debt to the Hacienda. Two of Hernando's bodyguards showed up at his house and threatened to kill him if he couldn't pay off his debt. After begging for mercy, the men suggested that his teenage daughter, Cheena, could work off his debt by working "upstairs". Pepe knelt on the floor weeping as they took away his only daughter. Carlos felt a nudge as he fought to pull himself out of the morass of self-despair that was swirling around him.

Chief Inspector Warrez paced back and forth in Inspector Rodriguez's station getting more irritated by the minute. "Now let me get this straight," he reviewed in frustration, "You put the handcuffs on "nobody" and they just fell to the ground?!"  "No Sir." Explained Inspector Rodriguez for the umpteenth time, "I put them on Carlos. Then he just disappeared. That's when they fell on the ground."  "Do expect me to write that in the report?" Warrez shouted, "He disappeared?!! You arrested a man who was already in your jail?. And then he disappeared?!!!! Willard here says he never left the cell!! How do explain that, Rodriguez??!!!! There are people outside your station waiting to lynch this poor old man for something he couldn't have done, people who swear they saw him on the beach at the time of the murders, he couldn't possibly have done whatever was done to that foreman, his fingerprints aren't on the knife… why are these men in jail in the first place?!!! You're an incompetent! You've been sitting on you fat ass for forty years in this little town where the biggest emergency you've ever seen was that your goddamn TV was on the blink, and the first piece of real police work comes along and you fall apart!! And it doesn't stop there Rodriguez. I know you've been moonlighting for this "Hernando". I looked into him, he's bad news. You've got a serious conflict of interests going on. I'm taking over here 'til this double murder blows over. You are hereby suspended of duty pending a psychological evaluation."

Hernando pointed to the wall of the pit that went towards the area behind the Library. "I want you to start here," he told the miners, "just get started and I'll tell you when to stop, and men, if you see any precious metals come and get me immediately". After Hernando left, the miners started talking among themselves as they prepared to create the mine shaft. "This guy must have a screw loose" one miner said. "What's he looking for here? This is El Salvador!"  "If he wasn't paying so well I would never have taken this job in the first place." Another said.  Santos and Fernando were now working for the miners. As they carried railroad ties across the pit they spoke. "I saw him as they put him in the ambulance, Santos. He was shaped like a barbell, all squeezed in in the middle and bulging at the ends. What could do that to a man?", asked Fernando. "It must have been some kind of machinery," replied Santos, "anyway, good riddance. I hated that jerk. But Miss Carla…that was a tragedy. Everyone loved Miss Carla." "Do you think Carlos killed them?" asked Fernando. "No way he killed Miss Carla! That was JuanPedro's stiletto she was killed with. And if JuanPedro did it, I don't care if he WAS in jail at the time, Carlos might explain what happened to JuanPedro."

At the station, Carlos had visitors. It was Pepino, and his Mother, and Juanita. "I'm Chief Inspector Warrez," the inspector told Pepino's Mother, "If you want to see Carlos it will have to be through the bars. You can't go in with him, he may be dangerous." "That will be ok." She said. "It is Pepino that needs to see him." When Pepino saw Carlos he shouted his name and ran to the cell. Carlos turned slowly to face him as Pepino reached desperately through the bars as far as his little arms could reach. "I'm sorry, Carlos. I'm sorry I broke my promise" he said. "Thank you for saving me." Juanita couldn't be silent any longer, "Carlos couldn't have killed Miss Carla and JuanPedro!" she told Warrez, "He was with me on the beach he saved Pepino from drowning!" Pepino's Mother spoke up saying, "Pepino nearly drowned last Sunday. He was being swept out to sea . He swears that Carlos spoke to him and told him to relax and then pulled him back to shore." "He did, he did!" shouted Pepino, almost in tears. "He should not be in jail." added Juanita, "He is a hero!" Warrez, who was thinking the whole town was going mad said, "Ok, I've heard enough for one morning, everybody has to go now."

Carlos sat on his bunk where he had been for the past week. He no longer cared what was going on in Montage. He hadn't spoken a word, changed his clothes or eaten. His spirit was broken. Chief Inspector Warrez unlocked the cell door. "You're free to go Willard" announced Warrez. "I can't leave Carlos, thanks just the same," he replied, "can I stay?" "Yeah, ok, …I'm worried about him too." Said Warrez. "But I'm letting you out. I gotta go out for a while. Keep an eye on him…hey, maybe you could sweep up a little around here."

Willard watched Carlos sitting on his cell bunk. Carlos was breathing heavily as his head went back and forth like he was following a slow motion tennis match. The expression on his face was gravely serious as he followed two events developing simultaneously. Willard had given up trying to talk to him. On the beach Pepino had already broken his promise. He had sneaked out early to play there before his family had gotten up. Already they were looking for him. Miss Carla was just arriving to open the Library. Montage was still and sullen with only the sound of the gulls and the waves breaking on the shore. The ocean lay in awaits for little Pepino and JuanPedro was waiting for Miss Carla. Pepino heard Carlos telling him "No Pepino, remember your promise" but his desire for the sea was greater than his word. Carlos knew that Miss Carla was already on edge at the thought that it was early and she was alone but just the same he put the word "hurry" in her mind. A small crowd had gathered on the beach but no one was brave enough to swim so far out to save Pepino. He had gotten past the waves and was drifting out into the endless Pacific. "What can we do, Carlos?" one the children asked Carlos who was standing behind the crowd. "Run and get my tarp, Juanita. It's there where I sleep." Without hesitation Juanita ran for his tarp. Carlos began to motion with his hands for Pepino to come back to the shore. "GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF OF ME YOU ANIMAL!!!!" Carlos heard Miss Carla's scream pound in his head. Pepino was getting closer to the shore but the undertow was fighting Carlos as he gingerly drew him in. Juanita arrived as fast as she could with Carlos' tarp. Pepino was finally close enough for some of the older children to splash out to get him. No one saw Carlos spin his tarp over his head like a matador and vanish under it. Carlos was now at the street side of the dimly lit alley between the Library and the Hacienda. Miss Carla's lifeless body fell from JuanPedro's grasp. JuanPedro, startled by Carlos' unexpected presence, turned to him dropping his bloody stiletto to the pavement. "You have killed Miss Carla." Carlos choked out the words too overwhelmed to say anything more. "You didn't see anything, Old Man!" replied JuanPedro with defiance. Carlos began to fill with rage. "Who cares? She was worthless and you are just a crazy old bum." Continued JuanPedro, "No one will ever belie…" Suddenly JuanPedro felt a great pressure on his chest. "You have taken your last breath.. JuanPedro " he heard Carlos' voice booming in his head. "You have taken something precious from Carlos and now Carlos will take from you." The capillaries in Carlos' eyes began to burst as he squeezed his right fist tighter, cracking JuanPedro's ribs. The pressure on his chest was forcing his insides out at top and bottom. Then, with the flick of his wrist and the opening of his fist, JuanPedro's body splatted against the emerald green wall of the Hacienda Esmeralda. Carlos was instantly with Miss Carla holding her and sobbing. "You were the one truth in my life." He spoke softly as he wept, "And I have failed you. Life on Earth is so fragile, and like a match asunder it always consumes itself in the end. Let the spirit that is you know no bounds. Sleep now my sweet one, for we will be together again soon." "Oh my God!" said Inspector Rodriguez answering the disturbance call. Sickened by his discovery, he stood fast at the entrance to the alley. "What has happened here?… Oh my God… Carlos…" Eternal moments passed as he looked in disbelief. Finally, after he had regained enough composure to enter the gruesome scene, he walked over to Carlos and put his handcuffs on him. "Carlos Mysterioso, you are under arrest for the murders of Miss Carla and JuanPedro."

Carlos stood on the beach listening to Pepino's mother scold him, "Pepino get out of the water! You're too young to be in the waves without your brother or sister with you!" "I'm almost five," he talked back, "I'm old enough to swim!" "That's it," she shouted, "Papa's going to hear about this when we get home!" "No Mama, don't tell Papa, I'll never go in the water again, I promise!" Carlos knew this was a promise that Pepino wouldn't keep.

"Coffee, black, two sugars, right Miss Carla?" Mr. Martinez said as he reached for a cup. "I'll have the same" said JuanPedro, "and here's for both." Before Miss Carla could protest JuanPedro was already paying for her coffee. "Look, I don't think…" started Miss Carla but was interrupted by JuanPedro with, "It's on me, Miss Carla." Miss Carla was thinking she wished it was, though her expression was enough. "Missy, you got me all wrong. I'm a nice guy once you get to know me. How about we spend a little time together and I'll show you." "I don't think so." she said curtly, "thanks for the coffee." Miss Carla headed back to the Library and JuanPedro, disappointed once again, went back down the alley to the pit.

As he approached the pit he heard the machinery stop. Hernando was climbing down into the pit without a care for his green leisure suit. "What is that?!" He shouted, "Don't move! What is that?!" All the workers stopped as Hernando scurried through the dirt to pick up a stone. "What is it?" JuanPedro shouted down to Hernando. "It's…it's…an old cuff link. No big deal." Hernando put the stone in his pocket and began climbing out of the pit.

The Inspector approached Carlos as he stood on the beach. "Carlos," he said "I'm afraid you're going to have to come with me back to the station." "Why?" asked Carlos. "I'm going to have to detain you for a week or two." Replied Inspector Rodriguez "Detain me? You are arresting me? Carlos? What are the charges?" asked Carlos. "Carlos, I'm sorry, but I have to bring you in for vagrancy." With his head held high Carlos walked off the beach and down the street with the Inspector.

"Carlos," started Miss Carla, "I have a present for you." "A present for Carlos?" smiled Carlos as he sat with her at the Library computer. "Yes, I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but you're looking terrible lately. I'm afraid you are frightening the children. I bought you a nice pair of sunglasses to wear." Carlos held the dark plastic glasses as he thought. "Sunglasses…yes that is a good idea, Miss Carla. Thank you so much for thinking of me." "I know you can't see yourself and have no way of knowing. Please accept these with my affection." Carlos put on the glasses knowing that she had the best of intentions. "You look so handsome now!" giggled Miss Carla. In his cell, Willard was rocking back and forth on his bunk. "How long are you going to keep me here?" he asked the Inspector. "As long as I want" said Inspector Rodriguez. "This is a town matter. I can hold you till I feel you're ready go." "This isn't right! You're treating me like a criminal!!" cried Willard "I need a drink!" "You need to sober up." Was the Inspector's final comment on the subject as he went back to watching his morning talk show. Carlos was aware that his sun wasn't as bright on his face as he walked down the Library steps. His new sunglasses were the first joy he had felt in a long time. JuanPedro stood by Mr. Martinez's cart watching Carlos as he left the Library. "Good" he thought "she will be coming out soon to get her morning coffee."

"The inspector was asking about you yesterday." Mr. Martinez told Carlos as he handed him a cup of coffee. "He arrested Willard, you know". "Why would he arrest poor Willard?" asked Carlos as he sipped his hot drink. "Public intoxication he called it, but I know what it's really about." Mr. Martinez leaned towards Carlos and spoke quietly. "Hernando is paying him to get the bums off the street. He doesn't think it looks good for the Hacienda. You better watch yourself Carlos he doesn't like you hanging around either."

"This just doesn't make any sense, JuanPedro" Santos complained, "How deep is this swimming pool going to be anyway, twenty feet, thirty feet?" "Just do as you're told!" barked JuanPedro "If you don't want to work then get out!" Fearing for his job Santos dropped the matter but couldn't understand the size and depth of this hole. Where were the blueprints, he wondered. This is no pool.

As Carlos was leaving the cart Padre approached looking very solemn. "Carlos," He said, "where have you been my friend?" "I have gone nowhere, Padre," replied Carlos, "where have you been?" "Oh sad business, Carlos" said Padre "I just came from Benny's service, tragic thing that." "Yes, tragic" agreed Mr. Martinez.

"Carlos, I haven't seen you in Church for many weeks,." noted Padre "I've been worried about you…afraid you'd lost your faith." "Yes I've been worrying about you too, Padre" with this Carlos walked off towards the library, staff in one hand, coffee in the other. "I wonder what he meant by that?" pondered Padre.