Morales, man of honor and strengst of Palermo.
Orestes, his son.
Elena, his daughter.
Nélida, his wife.
Soriano, man who has the confidence of Morales and lover of Nélida.
Teresa, friend Elena.
Vicente, friend of Orestes.
La mujer de la Milonga, old ego of Morales.
Neighours and milongueros

The characters of Orestes are situated in the 'Porteño outskirts during a period of transition in Argentine history. It is the picturesque world of "guapos and "'malevaje , where the strongest men, slick with knives and with women, dominate. Worshipped is the man of courage who rises above the rest in battle as well as in dance. In this setting of guapos, relationships are established through rigid codes of honor that do not exclude intolerance and violence. Because refusing any incitement would mean dishonor, its characters are forced to be in constant readiness for duel.

The death of Pancho Morales sets off this story of a guapo recounted through the memories of his daughter, Elena. Elena not only takes upon herself the death of her father but his entire person. This unconditional adhesion to the values of Pancho's age determine her unfortunate destiny. Through Elena's narration Morales embodies the myth of the guapo, touching upon the nostalgia and positive aspects of malevaje. It is the darker sides of this setting that are depicted simultaneously through the memories of Pancho's wife, Nélida.

In tacit condemnation of provocation and self-executed justice, Nélida and Vicente search for convivial peace; opposing the codes of the fighting pit's circle of rage and blood. The drama unleashes when both worlds collide. It is through Orestes, the son, that the plot turns toward the true dramatic twist: the change of the socio-political scene and the demystification of the guapo. Orestes, son of Pancho Morales, finds himself tied to his father's codes of conduct without much personal conviction. In them, he looks for an affirmation of his own persona. In pathetic submission he attempts to win over his father's indifference and procure his love and respect. Driven by the need for his father's affection and admiration, Orestes commits murder. Elena's unquenchable thirst for revenge is awakened when Orestes reappears at his father's funeral. She accuses Nélida and Soriano, her own lover, of the murder. Obsessed with avenging her father's death, she then pushes Orestes to eliminate Nélida and Soriano. Orestes is the victim of the collision of two contradicting worlds. The strong affectionate link that ties him to his mother and Vicente's fraternal friendship make place for revealing episodes that further demystify the figure of Pancho Morales.

Orestes must decide between carrying forth the revenge according to the codes of honor and bravery of his paternal world and listening to his own desires: those of the man who does not wish to kill.

'Of the port city of Buenos Aires
" Gallant bullies of the porteño subculture
'"The mischievous subculture of the porteño outskirts; a macho world where passion, blood and tango intertwine

Translated to English by Valerie A. Martin