Kadu, a boy from Pakil, Laguna, experiences the dissolution of tradition as it gives way to capitalism in the form of Madame, a foreigner who initially came to their village as a customer during the Festival of Turumba.

The story starts as a seemingly simple crime of passion, Jimmy, the persistent suitor, is stabbed to death by Salome, the young and pretty wife of Kario, an ordinary farmer. But as the story unfolds, conflicting versions of the crime are given.