The Amado's decide to spend a weekend at the family's country home, but the plan is disrupted when Dominga, the Amado's cleaning woman, gives birth to a baby in the middle of a family gathering.

The Amado family decides to spend a weekend at their old and decaying country home in the outskirts of the city. The entire clan leaves reluctantly, not wanting to repeat the ritual that feels more like an obligation than anything else, but wanting to settle the sale of a small piece of land in order to alleviate some of their financial hardships. The family arrives at the house, but things take an unexpected turn when Dominga, the domestic employee that takes care of the family's patriarch, Mr. Arcadio Amado, gives birth to a baby in the kitchen. The unexpected event rattles and disrupts the gathering. Everyone is astonished and stunned, not knowing what to do whilst Dominga gives birth, with the help of Yola and Amelia. There is great commotion, while the 'men' of the family gather to assess the situation. Horacio and Mr. Amado talk nervously among themselves, worried about the strange turn of events. Little by little, the moral fabric of the family begins to give way, while Natalia, the only child in the family, wanders about the house in a shocked and bored state. Gradually, the family begins a tug of war, each looking after their own interests; revealing jealousies and resentments, and awakening deep-rooted distrust and remorse, leading Dominga to make a drastic decision.—Luis Sampieri