Ganado: a novel

by Manolo Mario

  Ortiz stared at Matos for a few seconds. “Are you sure? Do you not think the time will break them?”

  “I have been thinking as long as we received a supply from the west we would be fine. With the novillos we are able to ‘back door’ from Camagüey without public knowledge. We can hold out. If Perez bought the steers and let it float we don’t need novillos, they will have to panic. So, I hope it doesn’t come to what I’ve asked. Yet, I am compelled to consider that option. Do you know of a way, man?”

  “All right, Alberto, clearly there are many accidents that happen, but an accident doesn’t represent a guarantee. If we go this route, he would need to be killed with a bullet and made to disappear in a way no one will ever know what happened.”

  “Yes, yes, yes … and how would this be done?” Matos was excited and rubbed his hands together.

  “I know a certain person that has taken care of problems for me. I have paid him well for over a year and he is reliable. He is not afraid to get his hands dirty for a price.”

  “Good, why don’t you talk to him and start the dialog. Perhaps you can send him to Camaguey and get him settled in the town. In time, if nothing has changed, we can get more serious and at this rate, money will not be a problem.”

  On schedule, the next day Perez returned with his assignment completed. “Alvaro, welcome back young man. Now tell me some good news!”

  “Well sir, I did as you asked. There are many angry guajiros.”

  “Not at us, though, right?” Alberto leaned forward across his desk.

  “Forgive me, but they are not happy with us at any time.”

  “Yes, yes, but you blamed Bartolo, no?”

  “Yes, I did! I put it squarely on their contract! Many got really red.”

  Alberto smiled broadly almost laughing. “What else, what else? Tell me more!”

  “Not all was good. Many wouldn’t sell, but a bunch of others did sell. I stayed away from the Big Five, like you asked.”

  “Good. That was important. What about novillos? Did anyone press?” By now, Alberto was almost on the other side of his desk.

  “One guajiro asked and I responded with no need. Despite others not asking, I did let it out to make sure as many knew as possible.”

  Alberto Matos sat back and took a deep breath. “Finally, I think we’ll have them by the balls!”

  “Sir, the banker and their main supplier also accepted the commission. They won’t be giving time for payment!”

  “Yes, the vise is in place, damn it! I want a cigar! Do you want one?” He reached into his box on the desk.

  “Sure, I would. Jefe, are you sure you aren’t squeezing too hard? How far will you go?”

  Alberto handed a cigar and worked to cut off the end. “I will go as far as I need to never have to deal with this shit again! We’ve been too generous and now we are getting bit. It won’t happen again! Is there anything else you haven’t told me?”

  “Yes, I almost forgot, but it looks like Quintero is desperately trying to gain information about his injured son in Europe. The man is hogging the telegraph trying to get old friends in Spain to travel to Paris to bring direct news. He’s too preoccupied to worry about ranching.” The first plume of blue smoke rose from Matos’ side of the desk.

  ***

  Elio received the first flow of cattle from the west on Monday. It looked like good cattle. The novillos especially rendered a good yield, even though they were few in number. He prepared an update letter to Galo, where a detailed observation on the cattle received drove home the point. He also included his visit with Campos affirming drafts would be honored if Galo needed to issue them. He did not include any further information, other than to offer his own opinion. This involved some thought on how to extricate Galo from the contracts. He knew Galo would probably curse him up and down if they were face to face. Galo was committed and he would see this through to his death. That was the last part of the letter. Elio again implored Galo to be careful and to keep his eyes open. This was a dangerous situation with the men they were dealing with.

  ***

  Wednesday afternoon Galo was at Ofelia’s at the appropriate time, on time. He knew these guajiros were pressed and they would break rank under the pressure. He needed to support them and ride it out. Half of the group that had been together on Saturday didn’t attend, but the others did. One of them said he would relay the message to the others.

  “Men, I have no way to make it more clear what I am going to tell you. We came together to do business with a great intention. I ask for your trust and support. The guy who came to see you from La Habana wants to push you into breaking our contract, turning it into horseshit. If they are successful, they will own you forever. And once they have you by your balls, you will be sucking their dicks the rest of your lives. So, you need to grow some balls right now!”

  “Señor Galo, all that sounds good, but if my balls are cut off now, it doesn’t matter. We have to pay debts.” Others nodded and groaned agreement.

  “Yes, I know and I understand. I do not know and cannot become responsible for your debts or other promises and obligations other than the ones you made to me and signed your names to.”

  “Does this mean you will let us out of our contracts?”

  “No, I am not saying that. I wouldn’t say that, ever.” There were more groans and heads dropping.

  “What I am saying is I am going to give each of you another ten percent advance on the contract and ask you to be prudent.” There was a collective change in the breathing of the men and nodding looks among them.

  Another guajiro seated off to the left spoke. “How much longer do you think, Señor Galo before the sales start moving?”

  Galo thought of Elio’s courier and the bad news about the cattle from the west. In what number and for how long would the supply flow? He did not know. “Whomever asked that question knows it’s the key question. I am afraid I don’t have an answer, but I want you to stay calm and committed. This deal will happen! At some point, they will have to give!”

  The guajiros were appreciative and vowed to keep it together as best they could, but they were apprehensive. The drafts would allow them to pay some of their debt and continue with their labors. Galo left the meeting with a sense of relief as to this issue, but with grave concerns about the supply from the west. In his response to Elio, he asked him to send someone to Pinar Del Rio and get a true assessment of what was happening. He also knew this would take a few weeks to do. By that time they would be into February, a short month. The forty days of Lent would begin in March and last until the first week in April. It meant that right after Easter, the beef needed to be available. In his mind he estimated the buyers would return by the middle of February.

  ***

  A week later, Galo rode Maximo back home. Before he crossed the bridge, Frank came in a full gallop from the central road. Waving his hat, he called out. Galo reared his horse and stopped. Frank was out of breath.

  “Galo, there’s a problem you need to know.”

  “Not another one!” He turned Maximo to face his brother. “Okay, let me hear it.”

  “I was walking by the office at the hardware and overheard old man Cisneros tell his brother the guy from La Habana, Perez, paid him a commission to press for payment from the guajiros.”

  Galo flicked his cigarette and signaled for Frank to follow him home. The echo from the lead horse could not be mistaken, “Shit on his mother53!”

  ***

  The next day Galo went to see Quintero. Although he was still preoccupied with making arrangements for his injured son, he took the time to meet.

  “Felipe, I hate to bother you at a time like this, but I need your help once more.” Galo stood as Felipe kept writing on a pad. “The bastards bribed the bank and several suppliers to pressure the guajiros into paying.” Silence fell upon the room.

  “What do you think about that? How would you deal with the situation?”

  Felipe’s mind seemed too d
istant from his normal business to fully comprehend. “Galo, I am not going to be much help to you now. My energy is with my son. What do you have in mind?”

  Felipe sat at his desk and Galo sat across from him looking at a background of books. He remembered Felipe was a fastidious record-keeper and a thought came to him. “Felipe, I don’t know if you would be comfortable, but perhaps you owe these vendors as well. If you do, can I use the information to counter their commission? I mean I would not tell them you would not pay, of course. I would tell them you would not buy any more from them.”

  Felipe turned back to his books and pulled one out. He opened it, flipped it over to Galo. “Have at it. I buy a lot from those guys. It may be better if I ordered directly from La Habana and cut them out anyway!” Then, Felipe’s face changed and he left the room returning to his preoccupation. Galo pored over the books and left La Vaquita with his guns loaded.

  ***

  “Hello Cisneros, do you have a minute we can speak in private?” asked a polite Galo from the counter at the hardware store. Cisneros was a fellow of similar height, but huskier, of course. He had a rounded pudgy nose and perhaps three long hairs flying about the top of his otherwise bald head. Seldom would you find him dressed in anything other than the current dirty white shirt and dusty black pants and shoes.

  “Why, of course, Señor Galo, please come back to my office.”

  Cisneros lifted a part of the counter and opened the latched door underneath to let his guest come through. Galo followed him down the hallway to his small and messy office.

  Galo stepped in and took the armchair in front of the desk. Lighting a cigarette, he swung his right leg over the arm and let his left arm drop over his crotch before he began to speak. “Cisneros, you have a fine store here. My brother swears by the company and has been loyal to you and I paid you for quite a few earring tags for cattle at a fine price.”

  Cisneros nodded with a smile from behind his desk. “Of course, Galo, will you be needing more? Do you need time to pay?”

  “Hopefully, I will be needing more tags, but I should be able to pay. I am here because I have some information that could help you.”

  “Information señor? What information?” He saw curiosity lure Cisneros. The storeowner leaned forward crossing his fingers with his elbows on the desk.

  “The kind of information that could put you out of business if you didn’t know or think about it.” Galo’s stern look and change in expression hit Cisneros who leaned forward over his desk even further.

  “I will be as direct as possible. You took a payment from a cattle buyer named Perez to squeeze the guajiros by their balls for payments.”

  Cisneros turned his head toward the door and it was closed. He sat back from the booming voice.

  “That’s right. You have a big mouth and I am surprised you actually closed the door. So, sit tight until I finish. You should know you are not the only one. There are others and I will be visiting with them later.”

  Cisneros squirmed in his seat, but remained attentive.

  “Now, as to you, you will not squeeze the guajiros any longer. I will tell you what will happen if you do not cease. If you don’t, I will make sure the Big Five houses never buy a nickel from you ever again.”

  “Of all the God forsaken things in the world. I know you sound big, but why would they do that?” Cisneros became agitated. Galo sat still for a moment and stared into Cisneros’ eyes before answering.

  “Simple, Quintero owes you four thousand seven hundred and thirty two pesos. I have a draft here to liquidate the account. His next purchase will come from a supplier in La Habana. After that, I will come back with a similar solution for the other houses. In addition, I will make sure others in the city understand that you were bribed by outsiders to screw your own neighbors. How long do you think you will stay in business?”

  Cisneros half stuttered and beads of sweat developed on his upper lip. “Now, now, now wait a minute. I didn’t mean anything by that or any harm to the guajiros. I wasn’t going to collect right away. I wanted to keep asking. There is nothing wrong with asking, is there?”

  “It’s all wrong if you are doing it because someone paid you to do it, you pig! More importantly, it is wrong if I don’t want you to, and I don’t want you to ask!”

  The last word came out so strong that it echoed through the small office and undoubtedly in Cisneros’ brain. “Very well, very well. It’s my mistake. Let’s let the whole thing drop. I’m sorry for what happened.”

  “Drop? Hell no! You are going to visit these men and affirm you are giving them as much time as they need! Understood?”

  “Yes, yes, I understand. I didn’t mean to cause any harm.”

  “I think you are full of shit, but to be clear, I will not have to come back and deliver this and other drafts. Is that correct?”

  “Of course, it’s clear.”

  Cisneros wiped his upper lip with the back of his hand. His eyes seemed to glaze over. He returned his look back to the small man with the big voice. “Galo, the person from La Habana gave me money. What do I do with it?”

  “You already have the guajiros worried. So, you have to go and un-worry them! Use the money to give them a discount for the headache you caused!”

  * * *

  53 Another flowery insult in Cuba involves defecation on someone’s mother.

  Chapter 53

  The Matadero El Sol in La Habana received cattle daily for two weeks without a problem. The novillos were few, as expected, but they were being delivered. Unexpectedly one early morning a half hour after opening, the foreman went to Rico and asked him to come outside. At four thirty in the morning it was still dark. With a lantern in hand, the foreman walked Rico to the cattle received the evening before and Rico almost fell over. The steers were thin … very thin. There were five novillos and they were emaciated. One could see the bones projecting through their hide. It would be a crime to slaughter these animals. They needed to go back to the fields and get fat. Elio would not be in until eight, but he needed to see this disaster.

  “What in God’s name is going on, Rico? What the hell are these animals doing here?” Elio stomped his foot.

  “Exactly what I wanted you to see. Of course, it was the first day I didn’t go personally to pick up the animals. This is what we received last night.”

  Elio thought for a moment and whispered to Rico, “Do you think they know about Galo and us and this is their way of getting at us?”

  “I haven’t thought about that, but let me go see the other slaughterhouses and see what they’ve gotten.”

  “Sounds good. We won’t touch these animals in any case.”

  ***

  John Howard returned a day ago after a long and tiring trip that began the week before in Chicago. He worked a series of trains to Key West and eventually boarded the ferry to La Habana. It took him a day of rest to recover, but he did have time to send a message to Matos for a meeting at his office at nine the next day. Matos was prompt and a little anxious. He had not seen Howard for three months and the last meeting was a bit unsettling. He had done his best to overcome obstacles.

  “Come in, Matos,” waved a smiling Howard.

  “Good morning, Mr. Howard. It is good to see you. Welcome back. I hope your affairs were solved in a satisfactory manner.” Matos matched the smile as he walked and sat in the office chair.

  “Yes, thank you. It is good to be back. Chicago was cold, snowy, and windy. I have learned to appreciate the warmth of the tropics.” Howard looked fresh in his vested shirt.

  “Now to our situation, I have reviewed the numbers and the February deliveries seem a bit slow. Is this a result of the holidays or are you still having issues in the east?”

  “Yes. The holidays did contribute to the slow volume. We also experienced a quarantine on some novillos in the west, but it has been lifted. Now, Mr. Howard, the issue in the east has not been fully solved, but we are working on a plan that should blossom shortly. In an
y case, we are receiving some novillos from the east anyway. I can assure you it would all work out.”

  “Matos, I want everything to get corrected. There is much argument in the United States for and against the war in Europe. If the country goes to war, I expect the prices to rise dramatically. We need to make sure we were prepared.”

  “Yes sir. We will be prepared. I can assure you.” Matos could not have spoken with more confidence.

  “That’s good to hear! I always knew I could count on you, Matos and your ability to get the job done.” The smile was genuine.

  ***

  Rico visited other slaughterhouses and returned to Elio around midday. The slaughtering stopped after all the appropriate cattle were used. The remaining thin animals were held there. “Elio, it isn’t just us! It seems we were the last to receive cattle and this is what they have. The other houses will be receiving these thin animals tonight. I believe it was all chance.”

  “Damn these idiots. They probably think they can get away with this in their blind effort to screw the guajiros in Camagüey. Looks like Galo is holding the four aces. We’ll need to let him know.”

  “We also got surprised because our man in the stockyard was sick and he hasn’t been there.”

  “Go and find that lousy, ugly horse dick, Ortiz, and get him over here to see this, Rico. I want him to explain what he thinks he’s done?” Elio did his best Galo imitation.

  “All right. It will take time, but I’ll find him.”

  Rico found Ortiz at the bar La Sirena and though he had been drinking, he was alert enough to follow him to the slaughterhouse. Ortiz took one look at the cattle and sobered quickly. He pleaded a big mistake and said he would seek a solution. Rico told him he needed to have answers and to be back in the morning to meet with Elio, who was extremely angry. Ortiz agreed to return and thanked him for giving him the rest of the afternoon to solve the issue.

  Ortiz made his way to the stockyard as a shipment arrived and as lots were being divided for delivery. What he saw almost made him sick. Cattle were being off loaded and the lots for delivery looked the same. He rushed to the dispatcher and pressed him on what was happening. The dispatcher assured him these were the cattle ordered from the west.