Pepe was frightened. He needed help. Eureka, Margarita Sin Sal and the four Juans ! He met them last year covering the story about Margarita's nephew, Chico who tried to get the "Chicleros," kids who sold "Chicklets", at traffic lights in Guadalajara, to become "Bubleros," selling bubble gum. The whole scheme blew up in his face.
Margarita lived in Ixtlahuacan. She would know about the Vampire. He went to her bar. She and the four Juans were there.
"Que Tal Pepe," Margarita shouted. She reached across the bar and hugged him. It hurt. The four Juans held up their almost empty beer bottles in a salute. Pepe raised his arm and waved it toward them. Margarita saw his gesture, quickly opened four beers and slid them along the bar.
"How nice, you treat your old friends. How about a margarita for Margarita?" Pepe turned pale, fingered the few coins in his pocket and nodded.
"My editor claims there is a Vampiro in Ixtlahuacan. He told me to interview and kill him," he said. "But I am afraid to meet him."
"Fear El Vampiro? Only those who do not keep their promises have problems," Margarita said.
Pepe shuddered. It sounded like people promised to let the Vampire suck their blood.
"You have dealt with El Vampiro?"
"It is only the first time that is painful."
"My Bisabuela said I must interview him next week at dawn on the night of the full moon."
Margarita shook her head. Our El Vampiro is never up at dawn. You must see him around noon."
"She told me Vampiros sleep all day," Pepe replied.
"Maybe some do. Go see her again. Be sure to tell her that you are talking about El Vampiro of Ixtlahuacan. I think she knows him" She looked at the consejeros again. They agreed, shouted "Si," in unison and again raised their bottles of beer. Pepe thrust his hands into his pockets to avoid signaling for another round of beers. Margarita thought he was reaching for money and again sent four bottles sliding down the counter.
"Margarita, I do not have enough money to pay you" Pepe stammered.
"Do not worry Pepe. We will take you to El Vampiro. You can arrange a loan." She started to mix herself another drink.
Borrow money from a Vampire? Pepe shook his head in disbelief. He left to see his Great Grandmother.
At the Casa de Los Ancianos, his Great Grandmother was watching a Soap Opera on television. She was using her hearing aid and also had the cardboard core from a roll of paper towels pressed against her other ear. Pepe waited. Half an hour later the program ended.
"Bisabuela, Do you remember me?"
She took off her eyeglasses and looked at him." Yes, the editor of the Ojo sent you to interview me last week. I am 90 now. It will cost 20 pesos."
"No, it is a Vampiro that I must interview. Besides, last week you offered me a family discount."
"Since then the peso has dropped in value and you are still talking to me. This is an interview."
Pepe swallowed hard and handed over four, five-peso coins.
"Your editor knows a Vampiro?"
"It is El Vampiro of Ixtlahuacan."
She laughed. "That one: We all know him. He is a second cousin of your grandfather's sister's husband."
Pepe recoiled. "We are related to one of the living dead?"
"Living dead? There are none in Mexico. Only banks and big business are allowed to suck people's blood. El Vampiro of Ixtlahuacan lends money at high interest rates. Some people call it "sucking blood."
Pepe sighed in relief. "But if I tell the editor he is wrong he will not pay me for the steak I bought."
"A steak?"
"To kill the Vampiro."
"Ay Chihuahua" the old lady exploded. "He meant a stake."
Pepe hung his head. "Ingles is a difficult language. But if there is no real Vampiro," his voice trailed off. "I will be fired."
In Mexico we always tell people what they want to hear. Tell the editor you have killed the Vampire. Make up an interview. Reporters do it all the time.
"But I know nothing about Vampiros"
"Do not worry. We have a computer here. I will get the information. But first you must give me the steak." Pepe agreed.
Then he embraced his Bisabuela. In Mexico you can always count on your family to solve your problems.
Keep watching the Ojo. One day you may find the interview.
