In a poor rural Cuban town, Bernardo's large extended family can just make ends meet. Then they learn about a trial to distribute among the many bearers of their name the proceeds of a pirate treasure which was deposited on a London bank in the Spanish colonial age. Passions soon rise from greed and lust, envy and suspicion, with numerous, often surprising conflicts. The money proves rather elusive, yet irresistible despite grim consequences.