About the title
After the mayor of a small village is killed by angry residents, a young PRI party member named Juan Vargas is appointed temporary mayor by a state official. At first the new mayor tries to work for the good of the village, but a lack of funds prevents him from accomplishing much. After asking for help from his superior, the secretary to the chairman of the PRI party, he is given a copy of the Mexican constitution and a revolver — he is told that the only law is the law of Herod: "screw them before they screw you."