The next day, Dinero warned the brothers that Astuto’s land was located in a flood plain and would be filled with water when it stormed.

Astuto wouldn’t sell.

The next day, Dinero told the brothers that a freeway was going to be built right through their land. He would take it off their hands for more than the freeway department would ever pay.

“No, gracias,” Astuto replied.

Dinero returned and advised the brothers that the house was in the path of several tornadoes known to hit at springtime, so they would be better off selling than being swirled away.

The brothers wouldn’t budge.

“CHICHARRONES!” Dinero bellowed with frustration, because this was the first time in his sleazy career that he could not close a deal. “Someday my bulldozer will come with a huff and a soplo, and well, you know the rest…”

“How do we get rid of this pest?” Gordo asked that night at supper.

“I have a plan,” Astuto said.

“Of course you do,” Pereza replied. “That’s why we love you.”

The following morning, Gordo and Pereza were out working in the garden. They talked loud to each other because they knew Dinero was listening around the corner.

“I’m really looking forward to going to the fiesta in town tonight,” Gordo said, picking corn.

“We’re all going to have a good time,” Pereza said, plucking tomatoes off the vine.

“Ah-ha!” Dinero said to himself. “I’ll burn down the house while they are gone. Then they’ll have to sell the land to me.”

Wearing their best clothes, the brothers started walking toward town.

When they were out of sight, Dinero sneaked up to the adobe house. He lit a match and was ready to start the fire when a bright light shone in his face.