Manuel leaves Portugal and goes to Brazil to start a business. When he arrives in Rio he looks up his old friend, Joaquin, who advises him to
go into the motel business as it is the most profitable business in Rio.
After some months the two friends meet again.
″Your suggestion is making me bankrupt!″
complains Manuel.
″How can that be?″ asks Joaquin. ″There are no risks in this business. Maybe you did something wrong.″
″No, no!″ says Manuel. ″1 did everything you suggested. I used the best architect and interior decorator. Everything has atmosphere and taste.
The whole motel is designed in an Arabian style. It is very romantic — like camping in a tent in the desert. The beds are round, there are
mirrors on the ceilings, exotic music is playing and there are thin veils shimmering in the soft red lamplight.″
″So what could be wrong then?″ asks the friend.
″I don′t know,″ answers Manuel. ″None of the couples you said would come checking in every hour have come. Only once in a while a family stops in.″
″What name have you given your motel?″
″Motel of Our Holy Mother Mary!″ answers Manuel.