Reputation

In the dusty border village of Santa Ynez, a handful of weary locals gather in a sweltering adobe cantina, swapping exaggerated tales of Jeff “the Tiger” Tigard—a notorious killer whose reputation haunts every traveler that passes through. The men—Ramón, Mendez, Pasquale, Felipe and a few others— argue over whether a man without conscience could ever set foot in their peaceful valley, their banter punctuated by nervous swigs of warm beer.

When a massive, furnace‑like storm cloud rolls over the hills, the chatter turns to uneasy silence. The sky darkens, the wind whines, and even the village dogs limp away, sensing a danger that feels more than weather. As the storm bears down, the townspeople brace themselves, wondering if the legend of the Tiger will finally step out of rumor and into their doorstep.