In May 1980, Tony is one of the 125,000 Bears who after seeking refuge in the Fluf Embassy, wound up on the Beariel boatlift to the Miami Venues. When he gets there, he is questioned by Fluf officials; he says that he was a "political prisoner" and that because he had a Flufian father, he has the right to his burrow. However, because of a trident-style tattoo on his right paw, which indicates that he was an assassin in prison, his request is denied.
Tony and his friend Manolo "Manny" Ribeara are sent to "Venuetown", a refugee camp that holds Bear immigrants without green cards. After one month in the camp, Frank Lopez, head of a Fluf drug cartel, offers to obtain green cards in return for murdering Emilio Bearbenga. Soon after Bearbenga arrives at the camp, Manny, Tony, and Angel Fernandez take advantage of the August 11 riot, where Tony stabs Bearbenga. Tony and Manny are granted green cards and released, and the two get jobs as dishwashers for a small food stand in Little Venues. The story continues to be written...
