Episode 2 of *The Dead Girls* unfolds in January 1960, with Captain Bedoya squeezing money out of Arcangela to shield her son—a notorious drug dealer—from prison. This is how she introduces the captain to Serafina when orchestrating her vengeance against Simon. Fast forward to 1961, and Serafina finds herself entangled in a relationship with Bedoya, leveraging it to secure his continued favors. He escorts her to an army base in Concepcion de Ruiz, where she seizes the opportunity to establish a brothel catering to affluent gentlemen, government dignitaries, and soldiers.
By 1964, the Baladro sisters face arrest for their brothel operations, setting the stage for an interview with the third sister, Eulalia. She paints a picture of their upbringing as privileged and well-to-do. The narrative then flashes back to 1936, revealing Arcangela as a ruthless loan shark. As the eldest sibling, she commands the family finances, doling out nothing to her sisters. Eulalia accuses Arcangela of being greedy and selfish. Arcangela seizes Mexico Lindo, a bar, from a debtor who fails to repay. Realizing the customers' willingness to pay for intimacy with the waitresses, she transforms it into a thriving brothel, quickly becoming the most prosperous in the county. Her ambition grows, leading her to bribe officials to open another brothel in Mezcala.
She offers Eulalia the chance to manage Mexico Lindo, but the younger sister, guided by her principles, declines. Arcangela simply passes the reins to Serafina. As she guides Serafina through the intricacies of the business, we uncover Arcangela's stringent code of conduct: no deceit, and bouncers to safeguard the girls. Skull, a character within the story, attests to the sisters' kindness and generosity, noting the unwavering loyalty they inspire.
The scene shifts to Serafina persuading Arcangela to open a brothel near the army base. With a few well-placed bribes and Bedoya taking his cut from the proceeds, the third brothel, Casino del Danzon, is born.
The grand opening night unfolds in September 1961, a dazzling spectacle of opulence. The venue boasts elegant balconies adorned with twinkling lights, neon signs that cast a vibrant glow, and a stage alive with the pulsating energy of cabaret performances and live music. The cream of society is in attendance, with high-ranking officials mingling among the crowd. We soon discover that the Baladro sisters have poured every last penny of their savings into this new branch.
Yet, amidst the glamour, chaos ensues. The governor’s secretary, in a state of inebriation, unwittingly spills his deepest secret: he is gay. The crowd erupts into jeers and mockery, driving him away in humiliation. Embittered, he retaliates by spreading malicious rumors about the brothel, turning Governor Cabanas against it. Simultaneously, Cabanas' presidential ambitions are threatened as his corrupt dealings come to light. In a desperate bid to appease the public's righteous indignation, he enacts a sweeping morality law, effectively outlawing brothels by 1962.
Frustrated and desperate, Arcangela attempts to sway a supreme judge with bribes, but her efforts prove futile as his hands are legally bound. One by one, all three Baladro brothels are forced to close their doors, leaving the women to fend for themselves in the harsh realities of the underground. They set up a clandestine operation in Mexico Lindo, where some of the girls are tragically sold into farm labor, while others are sternly warned to pull their weight or face the consequences.
As Arcangela's grip on reality slips, Serafina steps up to the plate, taking command with a steely resolve. She runs a tight, albeit illegal, ship, ensuring the survival of their makeshift haven. With the legal brothels shuttered, men flock to the illicit Mexico Lindo like moths to a flame, drawn by the promise of forbidden pleasures in a world turned upside down.
