Manny Bustos, a 14-year-old orphan, wakes to another day on the streets of Juárez, Mexico, a border town across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas. Manny has lived on the streets his whole life, but he knows that he can’t last much longer. With his red hair and small build, he is an easy target for both human traffickers and the bigger and stronger kids on the streets. Today, he decides he will attempt to cross the border to the United States, where he hopes to find a job and a better life. First thing in the morning, Manny goes to the Two-by-Four, a local eatery. He often begs Maria, the cook, for scraps, but today he has a big request: an entire chicken. Manny knows he will need strength for his journey ahead, and he promises to pay Maria back for the chicken once he gets a job in the US. Maria is reluctant at first but has compassion for him; she instructs Manny to return that evening to pick up the food.