Robert Oppenheimer invites the Serbers, old friends, to his ranch in New Mexico. When they arrive, after driving for hours on unpaved roads with enormous potholes, they find that there are already other occupants in the Oppenheimers’ guest room. Robert nonchalantly suggests that the former Serber guests take two of his horses and ride to Taos, 80 miles to the north (!). The poor Serbers, who had never been on horseback, accept Robert’s provisions: a toothbrush, a chocolate bar, a bottle of whiskey, a change of underwear, and horse food. After three days on horseback, their skin burned by the sun, they arrive in Taos. After a night at Ranchos de Taos, they ride back to Pierro Caliente. Charlotte Serber falls from her horse twice and arrives with her jacket stained with blood…
