Makina, a young woman, narrowly escapes being swallowed by a sinkhole in Little Town. Makina came to Little Town from the village where she lives to ask for assistance from the top-dogs, the men who run the criminal underbelly of the town. Her mother, Cora, wants her to bring a note to Makina’s brother in the North; she does not trust a man to do it.  

The first top-dog whom Makina visits is Mr. Double-U, who spends his days steaming in the local Turkish bathhouse. She strolls past the sentry, a young man with whom she had a brief sexual relationship, and enters. Mr. Double-U is a large man whom Cora aided when he was young and in trouble. Makina drinks a beer with him, and Mr. Double-U tells her he will have someone help her cross the border into the North.  

Makina then visits Mr. Aitch, the top-dog who convinced Makina’s brother to go to the North. She finds Mr. Aitch in the bar with his henchmen, all of whom look alike and carry guns. Mr. Aitch is excited by the fact that Makina needs his help. He agrees to help her find her brother in the North on the condition that she smuggles a package across the border.