Part Four, Chapters 4-6: Summary

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Three miles beyond Denver, Stan suffers a bite on his arm from a mysterious insect. His arm experiences significant swelling, which Sal interprets as a foreboding indication. They journey away from Colorado, traverse New Mexico, and enter Texas. Dean encourages everyone to share their personal narratives. Stan takes the lead, recounting his adventures in Europe as they proceed southward through the sweltering, arid expanse of Texas.

In San Antonio, as Stan seeks medical attention for his infected arm, Sal and Dean explore the Mexican section of the city. They pause at a billiards hall to observe a young, disabled Mexican playing pool. After several hours, they collect Stan and proceed to the rundown town of Laredo, ultimately crossing into Mexico in the early hours of the morning.

Upon crossing the border, Sal, Dean, and Stan exchange the majority of their dollars for pesos. Both Sal and Dean are excited to explore a new country, finding the peculiar Mexican desert scenery captivating. They proceed southward, passing through Sabinas Hidalgo, a tranquil, bustling town characterized by muddy roads and dozing donkeys. Dean takes pleasure in observing the locals as they go about their daily lives. Their journey continues as they traverse Monterrey, a manufacturing metropolis situated on a lofty mountain plateau, en route to Mexico City.

Beyond Monterrey, the path leads them across dense marshlands, where Mexican men laboriously cut through vines with extended machetes. As Dean and Stan rest, Sal takes the wheel, contemplating the indigenous population of Mexico and their link to the "Fellahin Indians of the world"—noble, dignified, and industrious individuals—entirely distinct from the common misconception of Mexicans as foolish and indolent.

In the land of Gregoria, a youthful fellow called Victor proposes to supply them with females and cannabis. Dean promptly consents. Victor escorts them to his familial abode where his mother cultivates marijuana. Victor crafts a massive, cigar-like joint and shares it amongst them. Victor's siblings get acquainted with Sal, Dean, and Stan, as they all spend time together, puffing away and scrutinizing one another with keen curiosity. Subsequently, they return to the city with Victor, relishing the uneven journey. Upon arriving at Victor's residence, they encounter his infant son, Perez.

Victor escorts them to the neighborhood bordello. Everyone dances and imbibes alongside the ladies present, swaying to the contagious rhythm of the booming mambo tunes. A significant portion of the town gathers to observe the Americans as they dance and consume beverages, gazing at them through the establishment's windows. Sal explains that the mambo rhythm shares similarities with the conga beat originating from the Congo, dubbing it an authentic "world beat."

Sal, Dean, and Stan use their money to have sex with several of the prostitutes working there. Sal observes that a few of the women employees are barely out of their teens. Sal has a thing for a dark-skinned young woman he calls "Venezuela," but he just can not bring himself to have sex with her, while knowing that she really needs the money. He ascribes "unimpeachable dignity" to her and refers to her as "queen." Sal is well aware that her financially struggling family is pushing for her to take the job.

Victor informs Sal that they owe the brothel $36 after many hours of sex, dancing, and drinking. Having settled their debt, they leave. Sal and Dean have to pull a reluctant Stan out into the night. Before they leave, Victor makes sure they all get cleaned up at a public bath house. Victor, who is sad to see them leave, bids them farewell.

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Part Four, Chapters 1-3: Summary

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Part Four/Five, Chapter 6 & Conclusion: Summary

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