Caray, Caray!

Sorry - I have no idea why this disappeared briefly. I'm making sure it's back now.

Fern begs Lety to go to Germany and says he needs her. She reluctantly agrees, and Fern does something cute to her face in thanks. He goes to give Ricardo the good news. Lety tells herself she doesn't feel good about this, and doesn't think she should go.

Martha is talking about the soccer game. Actually, she's talking about the food that she'd like to get for them to eat in front of the game. PM says Fern doesn't like them eating at their desks. Alicia comes in and greets them all brightly. They don't seem so happy to see her. They ask if she's been dreaming of horses. They harrass her for being late, and she says her arrival time is none of their business; only Fern can tell her what to do. They tell her Fern's already been at his desk for hours, and because Lety arrived on time, she's now in a really important meeting with Fern and Ricardo.

This surprises Alicia because she evidently didn't see yesterday's episode where she was in Fernando's office, wearing the same outfit she's wearing now, bothering them in their meeting. (I think something got edited out of order.) They tell her it (the meeting) is a matter of life or death. Alicia doesn't believe them and they won't say any more. She resolves to find out what's going on.

Fern tells Ricardo that Lety has agreed to go to Germany. Alicia just walks on in carrying a tray of coffee. Nobody asked her for coffee. She says that's okay, she thought she'd bring it because they all came in so early. Fern tells her he knows she's there because she wants to know what's going on. She gets offended, but he says he's going to tell her everything... later. He ushers her and her tray to the door, whispering, and pushes her out. She tries to listen at the door.

Ricardo says "your secretary is so pretty." Fern says he sometimes wishes she would hang herself!

Tomorrow's episode: Alicia hangs herself. Ricardo calls the police - it wasn't a suicide... it was murder. And he knows who did it!

Not really.

Sara sneaks up behind Alicia, who is completely absorbed in her eavesdropping. Sara yells and Alicia is startled. She screams and drops her tray. They all laugh at her. Come on, isn't this like shooting fish in a barrel? But I digress.

Saimon comes in to make an announcement. He wants them all to get together and ask Fern to let them watch the game. They get rowdy with excitement, and Irma shushes them. Alicia says she'll ask Fern... not to let anyone watch it. She starts ordering people around.

Fern is annoyed in his office about all the noise going on outside. Ricardo tells Lety he just spoke to his assistant, and Lety will be able to get a passport right away. Lety says she really thinks they can't go. It's going to be difficult to get plane tickets, hotel reservations, etc... Ricardo assures them that's all taken care of too. They'll be on a first-class flight to Frankfurt. Lety frets about the cost, which is not an issue for Ricardo. He gives them their contact information. Then Lety worries about the underwear commercial, and Fern says that's not going to be an issue either; this trip to Germany will be very quick. He tells her to stop making up excuses.

Ricardo asks Lety what's up. Isn't she excited to be going to Germany? She says sure - she'd even be happy to go to Acapulco. Ricardo leaves and Fern tells him to say hello to Luigi.

Now Lety is worried about something else. What if Alicia finds out they're going to Germany? She'll tell Marcia. He wonders how they'll be able to explain their absence.

They can hear Saimon outside Fern's door. Saimon is saying what a great humanitarian their boss is, and how good he is to his employees. Fern comes out and Saimon has them all saying wooooo for the Mexican team. Fern blows a horn. Irma asks if they... but Alicia cuts her off. Fern asks Irma what is it. Sara impatiently begins asking instead. He interrupts. You want to see Mexico play? They all cheer. He blows the horn and dances a bit. Alicia complains that the cuartel are always wasting time and never working. A vacation every day, she says. Lola clarifies that they want to watch the game here, in the office.

Fern and Lety step into his office. He tells her he has an idea to prevent them all from discovering their trip to Germany. They go back into the lobby. He says that to thank them for helping with the underwear commercial, they can all take tomorrow off to watch the Mexico-Angola game. They all cheer, but Alicia is dismayed. She asks if he's lost his mind, rewarding them for being slackers. He blows the horn some more.

He and Lety go back into his office, and she asks how they're going to explain their absence when they have to leave early this evening to catch their flight. He says that's okay, he's already figured that out too. (They are very cute in this scene.) They step back into the lobby and he blows the horn some more. He tells them to go out today and prepare for a party. Go out and buy whatever they need to buy to watch the game. Alicia protests. Fern says no, this game is very important, they must prepare themselves psychologically, prepare their hearts, their organization... okay Fern, don't you think you're laying it on a little thick? I mean, it's not like it's the Celtics, for crying out loud!

Ahem. Martha is already talking about food. They all go crazy about taking two days off. Fern reminds Alicia that he's the president, but she complains that this is absurd. She doesn't understand all the excitement about nasty soccer and says it's a game for... I bet she wanted to say nacos, but Fern cuts her off. "It's a game for people like me," he says. He blows the horn a final time (I hope) and dances some more.

Lety goes into her cubbyhole and prepares to call her father to ask permission to go on the trip. She fears he will think she's joking. Mom answers. She senses Lety's nervousness and starts to panic. Lety's afraid to ask. Finally she blurts out that she has some news. Mom and Pop look excited. Then Fern comes in and she loses her nerve again. He shoves some gadget at her that I don't recognize (turns out it's a clock) and she gets flustered and hurriedly ends the phone call. He says they need to get their tickets, get her passport, etc. etc. She agrees and shoves her own, less-fancy (and more recognizable) clock (probably a Moty clock) at him in acknowledgement.

Then he spontaneously grins, tells her she's beautiful (hermosa, like a garden), leans in and does that weird thing with her face again and kisses her. He leaves and she grins happily.

Filler scene: cuartel discusses how great Fern is. Alicia complains. Martha mentions food. You know the drill. Then Saimon asks Alicia if she'd go to their party if they asked her. (I'm not even sure where this party is going to take place.) They don't all love this idea, but Irma asks Alicia if she would like to be invited. (Not "would you like to go," but "would you like to be invited." LOL.) Alicia says she'd die first. Sara scolds her for being so rude about Irma's kind invitation.

Fern comes out and encourages them to enjoy their time off. He says he and Lety are leaving now. Naturally, Alicia wants to know why. He says they are going to visit all of his girlfriends. She wants a better answer. He says they're going to the bank for some business dealings. "Dealings?" she asks. "Type B," he elaborates, and leaves her there scratching her head.

Back at home, Tomas speculates about Lety's news. Maybe she's getting married! RoboPop says how many times have I asked you not to make such jokes. Okay, Tomas says... maybe she got a promotion. Pop says don't be stupid, she's assistant to the president - what would they promote her to? Mom says the suspense is killing her. Tomas strokes an imaginary beard, deep in thought.

Meanwhile, at the passport office, Lety and Fern laugh that Alicia was the only person who was upset about getting two days off for nothing. They pat themselves on the back for their brilliant way of solving the problem. Lety says she speaks English, French, and a little Italian, but not German. He says it's okay, everyone in the world speaks English.

It's getting late. Lety worries that they won't let her have a passport. He asks why she is so pessimistic. Does she really not want to travel with him? Just then, her passport is ready. She doesn't want him to look at it, but he does anyway. She sees it and admits it's not so bad. He says, "that's what I'm saying." She signs it and it's time to go on to the next step - she's gloomy again. Now for the only thing that can ruin their plans now: telling RoboPop. She makes a horrible face.

Mom, RoboPop, and Tomas are just sitting down to lunch. Pop is saying that his daughter has a nice quiet family life at home. That should be enough for her. (He's still a bit wound up about Tomas's prediction that she's engaged.) Tomas says that even if Pop doesn't like it, Lety is bound for better things, and better people than themselves. He snickers. Mom tells him to knock it off. They will find out Lety's news tonight.

But Tomas has one more idea: maybe Lety's going to join a convent! Mom gives in and laughs. She tells him to stop being silly.

Lety comes home. They think that means it must be even more serious than they had thought. Mom asks if she's the new president of Conceptos. Tomas asks if she's going to have cosmetic surgery. Dad asks if she's getting married. She just blurts it out: she's going to Germany with Fernando. Tomas laughs and scoffs, but Lety is serious. Pop says: with whose permission?

Meanwhile, at Casa Mendiola, Fern is on the phone with Marcia. Marcia wants to know why he gave everyone two days off. He wants to know who told her. Was it Sanson, Celso's dog? Wait, no, was it... Juana? No...

Marcia does not appreciate his sarcasm. (He thinks to himself that he'll have a better time on his trip with Lety.) There's too much work to do at Conceptos. He says they've worked hard. She tells him she thinks he's hiding something from her. He points out that Alicia, her informant, also said that they were making dirty movies, so maybe Marcia should listen to him and not Alicia. He wants to see the Mexico game tomorrow, himself. He'd like to enjoy it, please.

Marcia asks where he's going to watch this game. (Is there a TV shortage in Mexico or something? What kind of trick question is that?) Actually... it trips him up a bit. He says he's going to the club and see it so he doesn't have to watch it alone. He can watch it with the horses, and his associates, and the old guys, yep, watchin' soccer on the TV.

Lety is packing all of her frumpiest frocks. Her father demands an explanation. He tells her she's not going. Lety says it's important. Tomas defends her too - he says she deserves these opportunities. (He'll do just about anything for Lety, but I wonder what he gets out of his friendship with her, other than Mom's cooking.) Lety explains that she's going to assist in negotiations and review contracts worth hundreds of thousands of Euros. (Not sure offhand what the conversion factor is; originally €1 Euro was = $1, I think, but it's certainly changed since then.) The deal won't happen if she doesn't look at that contract, she says.

Tomas spies Lety's passport and gasps with admiration... until he sees the picture. He says she looks blurry. Mom is excited too. She's never seen a passport before. RoboPop is still thinking about what Tomas and Lety have said. She's going to review a contract worth hundreds of thousands of Euros? Suddenly, he's very impressed. Lety nicely asks if she can go. Mom puts in a few more good words.

After the commercial break, they are at the airport's VIP room. She is very nervous. She admits she's afraid to fly. Fern tells her that flying is safer than driving or even the dunebuggies you rent at the beach (somehow I doubt she has ever rented such a thing and possibly never been to the beach at all). She says she's not worried so much about the airplane, as being in a situation she can't control (I think that's what she says). She says more stuff, which causes him to laugh. She is not amused. I think what she's talking about is claustrophobia. If she were not with him, she would want to go home to her parents... but since she's with him, she'll go on the airplane with him.

He takes her to the bar and orders her a tequila. Their flight is announced, and she clutches his arm like for dear life. She slams that shot down like lukewarm Gatorade on a hot day (try it; when you're dehydrated it tastes like paradise). (Gatorade, I mean. Don't drink tequila if you're dehydrated.) (Hmm, I wonder if they mix?) She makes a face.

Back home, Mom and Tomas talk about world travel. Tomas notices that RoboPop isn't paying attention. He seems to be asleep or in a trance. Tomas waves his hand in front of his face, and he doesn't react. Then RoboPop pops out of his chair and says "how important is my daughter?! I am so proud of my daughter. Her boss can't lift a finger without her." etc... "Thanks to Lety, Fernando will have that contract in his hands."

Lety and Fern are just about to board the plane when Lety has a panic attack. She wants to go home. The people behind them (one of them looks like the guard from the country club) are impatient to board. Fern pleads with her to get on the plane.

Due to technical difficulties, I missed the next few minutes. Fortunately, I tape my episodes on a clunky old VCR as backup. Unfortunately, I did not rewind the tape in a timely manner, so that part of the episode might be missing from there too. If I have it, I'll replace this paragraph with whatever happened. If I don't have it, well, I doubt anything important happened.

Fern has apparently gotten Lety to her seat, where she's having another drink. She guzzles it and says she wants another. He asks the flight attendant, but she says no, we're about to take off. She tells Lety to fasten her seatbelt. This causes Lety more panic. Fern helps her with the seatbelt. She's a bit loud and the other passengers are annoyed. One woman in particular is giving her disgusted looks. A man asks if she's feeling well when she starts praying. Fern tells her they're just taxiing down the runway. She clutches his arm again. He says she's hurting him. She's yelling. People are shushing them. She says she's worried about crashing. The disgusted lady behind them gives them an earful in Russian but all I get is "pozhalsta," aka "please." Fern doesn't understand it either and we aren't given captions for that so I guess it's a mystery. Fern politely agrees with her ("tiene usted toda la razon") and Lety whines some more. He tells her to look out the window - they're up in the air. She's impressed, but she really wants another tequila.

Mom and RoboPop watch TV in bed at home and talk about Lety being on an airplane. They remember their one trip to Puebla. He says travel is for the rich. She asks if he thinks they'll ever have the money to go on a nice trip. He doesn't know, but he only wants to do it if they can do it as a family.

Lety slams another tequila. She is now extremely "relaxed." She's singing some traditional Mexican song (I assume). He urges her to be quiet. She shushes in agreement - very loudly. And now she wants to go to the bathroom. He wants her to sleep. She insists on the bathroom and needs him to show her where it is before she starts climbing over the seats. She keeps flopping over as he guides her up the aisle. She lands on this one man and converses with him in English. He is very patient and gracious. She asks where he's from, and he says Nigeria. Fern apologizes (also in English), explaining she's drunk, as if he couldn't tell. She asks is he a teacher, what does he do for a living. Fern propels her along and she asks how much longer is this flight - he says it's just a mere nine more hours.

A few missteps and "disculpames" later, Lety is passed out cold.

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I was bluffing about the steaks on the plane. I don't know what the first-class meal will be, and I doubt that Lety will be in any condition to eat it!

Monday: Mexico plays Angola; Luigi wears something sleeveless; Julie drools. Also some stuff about Marcia.

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