Pie's inclusion of the image is in keeping with his dedication to a heritage. Both images evoke a different mythical past, a moment of pre-settlement for Americans and Mexicans. This is how Pie himself came, and many more who arrive via this route today come to El Bracero for help in becoming naturalized citizens. Your eyes return to the bar again, perhaps your mulling over what beer to try next, or the sounds of Spanish catch your attention. You notice some news clippings hanging on the wall.
Pie has the status of a local, or a veteran of the community.
Yet at the same time, there is the feeling of entering his restaurant and feeling completely removed from the familiarities of Poughkeepsie and of the indigenous Hudson Valley. El Bracero does function as a kind of social and cultural enclave for the Mexican community in Poughkeepsie, as much as it operates simply as a restaurant where people of all cultures can go to eat. Tacked behind the bar are various notes of money, Mexican and American, pesos and dollar bills. It makes sense to return to the money, because it's there for a reason. It structures Honorio's business.