The Smoking Fish 1977

La Garza controls El Pez que Fuma

La Garza runs the brothel El Pez que Fuma with an iron hand, maintaining power while letting her lovers believe they are in charge. She assigns administrative roles to her associates and uses the workers to reinforce her control. This arrangement creates an illusion of autonomy among the lovers, even as she guides every move from behind the scenes.

Tobias arrives at the brothel seeking help

Tobias comes to El Pez que Fuma with no money and asks La Garza for aid. She takes him in, giving him a place inside the house and a path toward intimacy. His arrival marks the start of a shifting power dynamic among the men competing for her favor.

Tobias is given an admin role and gains a foothold

La Garza assigns Tobias an administrative position, allowing him to operate inside the brothel’s inner workings. He begins to win La Garza’s trust and to project influence over the staff. The other men observe Tobias’ rising status as the competition intensifies.

Dimas supplants Tobias

Tensions peak as Dimas overthrows Tobias as La Garza’s favored lover. The shift demonstrates how fragile the unofficial pecking order can be within the house. Tobias is pushed aside as Dimas closes in on control and access to La Garza.

Dimas gains a place inside the house

Dimas secures a position within the brothel and wins La Garza’s confidence through his presence and actions. He becomes a central figure in the operating dynamics and the love competition. The house grows more competitive as different men vie for the same mistress.

Jairo rises to challenge Dimas

Jairo enters the fray and pushes Dimas out, stepping into the role of La Garza’s lover. His ascent signals another major shift in the internal power structure of El Pez que Fuma. The competition for La Garza’s favor continues to redefine who runs the place.

Jairo consolidates power and reshapes staff

Having secured his position, Jairo consolidates control over the brothel and begins reshaping its inner circle. He elevates a younger prostitute, expanding his influence beyond the romantic bond with La Garza. The brothel’s operations begin to reflect his vision of dominance.

La Garza's final affair with Jairo changes everything

La Garza’s last affair, with Jairo, marks a profound turning point in the story. The relationship alters how power is exercised within the establishment and signals a new configuration of loyalties. The dynamics inside El Pez que Fuma become more volatile as a result.

Dimas escapes to avenge himself, seeking Jairo

Dimas escapes from prison to pursue the man who displaced him and caused his downfall. His plan spirals toward violence, culminating in the killing of La Garza instead of his intended target. The act upends the balance of power and propels the narrative toward its conclusion.

La Garza is dead and Dimas is recaptured

With La Garza dead, the power structure collapses and Dimas is returned to prison. The brothel is left leaderless as the others adjust to the aftermath of the tragedy. The absence of the central authority clears the way for Jairo to tighten his grip.

Jairo seizes full control of El Pez que Fuma

Jairo takes complete control of the brothel, assembling his own core of workers and allies. He begins to run the business with a firmer hand, solidifying his position at the top. The other men lose their earlier illusions of running the show as his authority becomes undeniable.