In the darkness, a clock ticks. Aging antique dealer Jesús Gris marks his time with his granddaughter Aurora, and his wife Mercedes. Señor Gris comes to possess, quite accidentally, the ancient Cronos device. The invention of a sixteenth century alchemist who fled to Mexico during the Spanish Inquisition, it grants eternal life and youthful vigor to the user. The only drawbacks are marble white skin that burns under sunlight and an insatiable thirst for human blood. Elsewhere in the city, a dying industrialist obtains the alchemist's journal, learns of the device, and imports his American nephew to track down and obtain the device, by force if necessary. Señor Gris can grasp the gift of time, but the cost is high. Can he keep his soul intact faced with such great temptation, or will he be overcome?