Caray, Caray!

Luigi and the cuartel

In the ladies' room, Irma tells the cuartel (plus Saimon and Luigi) that Rafael, the dirtbag husband who left her 30 years ago had come back to her to die. She went to the doctor in the morning to get an explanation of the lab reports. Raf has an advanced case of diabetes, poorly treated, and his kidneys are shot. He could die at any moment. Saimon asks Irma what she's going to do. She doesn't know, and she's afraid. How can she sit by this man and wait for him to die?

And her kids - she'll have to let them know, and it will dredge up all those bad memories of the pain they felt when he abandoned them. It wouldn't be fair. Luigi says it would be even more unfair not to tell them. PM agrees that her kids have ever right to know what's going on.

They talk a little more in the lobby and Luigi leaves Irma with the feas so he can get some work done. Irma just wants to go see how Rafael is doing. Lola says they'll go with her. They all agree, and she is unable to resist.

Another pointless phone call

RoboPop complains that he needs to set up a business for himself, because he can't find a job and he's still waiting for his severance. Mom says Tomas is looking too. He grumps that Lety went off to Acapulco without even knowing how much she'd be paid. Mom says she thinks that Lety is going to come back soon, because she said she misses them. This cheers him up, and he eagerly reaches for the phone. Mom says no, we can't say anything, because you're not supposed to know! He asks why. She says she doesn't know why, maybe 'cuz he bothers Lety so much. :-) RoboPop asks what other secrets the two of them are hiding from him.

She is saved by the bell, or should I say, the telephone. They have a needlessly long conversation about how he should conduct himself in case that's her on the phone. Finally he answers it. It's...

...Fernando! Fern puts his hand over the mouthpiece and nervously tells Omar that it's Erasmo. He hands the phone to Omar and says "speak to him. That's an order!" Omar takes the phone and asks for Lety. RoboPop suspiciously asks who's calling. Omar says, "I'm a friend." "Which friend?" Erasmo asks suspiciously.

"I'm..." Omar hesitates, unable to think of even one name. "Diego," Fern suggests. "Soy Diego," Omar says. "Diego who?" RoboPop asks. Again, Omar is at a loss. "Vivanco," Fern offers. "Vivanco!" Omar tells RoboPop. He asks when he can talk to Lety. RoboPop says only that she's out of town. Omar asks did she go on a trip, where to, and when will she come back; RoboPop tells him that it's confidential information and he can't divulge it. What does he need from Lety, anyway? Omar says he needs to chat with her about some important things.

At Fern's urging, Omar suavely asks to speak with Lety's mom. RoboPop is even more suspicious and asks what "Diego" wants with Julieta Solis. (Mom raises her eyebrows inquisitively.) Yet again, Omar is stymied. Fern reminds Omar that Julieta Solis is Lety's mom.

Mom takes the phone from RoboPop, and Omar hands his off to Fern. Fern hurriedly tells her to please don't tell Erasmo it's him, but he really does need to talk to Lety. It's very urgent. She tells him that, like her husband said, she's away and they don't know when she's coming back. Fern says he can't talk to Erasmo because things can get complicated, but Lety needs to come back because she has an appointment with the lawyers at Conceptos. It's very serious; she left some loose ends when she quit, and she needs to be there at 10 tomorrow morning.

All Mom can promise is that she'll pass his message along to Lety. Fernando flips out silently in his chair but sounds perfectly calm as he asks her again to tell Lety that it's very urgent. She promises.

Fernando fans, imagine this: you receive a message that Fern desperately needs to see you at 10 the next day. What do you do? (Obviously, this is only a rhetorical question.)

Fern is disappointed. He and Omar rehash the conversation that just took place and wonder what to do. Fern has a great idea: they'll go to lunch, and Omar will pay. "Why me?" Omar asks. "Because I'm not the president anymore," Fern answers. "I'm broke."

At Tomas's favorite restaurant, the Casa de Padilla, RoboPop says he's not going to stop bugging Mom until she tells him who that guy was. She and Lety have friends in common, he complains. Mom insists that the man was just a coworker of Lety's. They need her there. RoboPop wants to know why he wouldn't talk to him? She says she doesn't know, maybe because he's infamous around Conceptos for being a grouch. Now RoboPop wants this guy to say that to his face! "Call him," he demands, waving the phone at Mom. She encourages him to take a nap to mend his bad mood. He turns to Moty and tells him not to get up on the bed and wake him up. He shuffles off to bed.

"Are you like him?" she asks Moty. "No, you're nice," she says, giggling.

In Marcia's office

Marcia is on the phone with Ricky Armstrong of Bella Life (purveyors of makeup, perfume, jewelry, and... lemon soda?), telling him they've had some problems, but he doesn't need to worry. They'll talk about it in a meeting. Luigi enters. Marcia says she's trying to set up a meeting but needs to check with Fern. Luigi says he went off to lunch without a care and this is their (his and Marcia's) chance to prove they don't need him. He takes the phone and says "I would like to make you an indecent proposal."

After lunch

The feas talk about Irma and Rafael. They say Irma is in Luigi's office on the phone with her kids. Omar and Fern come back from lunch just in time to see Marcia, Luigi, and Ricky come out of the boardroom, saying what a great meeting they just had! Laughing, Ricky asks Fern how he's doing. He adds that it was strange not to have him in the boardroom to plan the new commercial for the lemon soda. Fern looks confused. Luigi says they came up with some good ideas for the commercial. Marcia looks very pleased with herself.

Omar says sorry, we were at a business lunch, but Fern interrupts and tells Ricky no, actually, they were at lunch because their production executive and their director didn't tell them they were having a meeting; if Ricky has time, Fern would like them to go to the president's office and discuss the project. Confused, Ricky says sure, let's go. Omar, Fern, and Ricky go into the office where, strictly speaking, Fern shouldn't still be occupying.

The feas exchange quizzical glances while Luigi congratulates himself and Marcia for showing Fern that he's not needed. Marcia seems to have mixed feelings about this, and excuses herself. Offended, Luigi swishes back to his studio. The feas gossip about the way Fern is being treated, and mope about missing Lety.

Marcia is on the horn telling someone that Conceptos won first place at Cannes for production quality. "I would LOVE to work for you," she tells the person on the phone as Fern walks in, mad as a hornet, making unnecessary noise to let her know he's irritated. She winds up the call and hangs up. Fern accuses her of shutting him out of the Ricky Armstrong meeting; she broke the rules of the game. He starts fiddling with something on her desk, but he's clumsy and ends up making a mess. She watches him calmly, not even rolling her eyes, and you have to give this actress some credit for not cracking up laughing at him.

As he struggles to put whatever it was back together, she tells him if he can't do that, then she doesn't think he can run a business either. And he's very much mistaken, because the rules of the game went out the window when he slept with Lety. Livid but unable to disagree, Fern stumbles out of her office.

That evening

Mom calls Lety to tell her about the call from Fern; more about that later. The outcome is that Lety isn't coming home after all; Tomas is going to have to go to the meeting tomorrow in Lety's place. Tomas comes over wanting to be fed, but Mom wastes no time in sharing the bad news. Tomas cringes in anticipation of having to face Fernando and Alicia. Mom gets impatient with him; she's worried about what's going on. It sounds very serious to her. She's afraid someone might be going to prison. Tomas says no; it's not THAT bad, but it'd be better if Lety told her when she comes back.

Meanwhile, at Conceptos, Alicia catches Marcia on her way out and tries to get another invite to her place. Marcia wants to talk to Fernando. Alicia says he's in the president's office, which is improper, because he is no longer the president. She asks Marcia if she's going to forgive him. Marcia says no, she just wants to know if Lety is coming in tomorrow for the meeting with the lawyers. Alicia says, "If that woman shows up here tomorrow, not only do you have to prepare yourself, I do too. Filthy witch!" Marcia gives her a shocked look. Alicia adds that the filthy witch is Lety, not Marcia.

Fern is sitting at his old desk, staring at the photo of Lety on his iMac screen. There is a silly grin on his face. Marcia barges in and he closes the picture hastily. Marcia asks if Lety will be here tomorrow. He says he doesn't know. She says he should have arranged it by now and she just wants to know if Lety is coming so she can prepare herself to be nauseated. He says he hopes Lety will come. Marcia asks why is he so insecure. Was he unable to get ahold of her, or is he upset that she betrayed him at the Big Meeting? He says he truly doesn't know where she is, and no one will tell him.

Marcia is angry. Lety has disappeared with their company. Fern says no, she'll show up. Marcia says everything depends on it. She stomps out and Fern goes back to his picture of Lety. Soon he is smiling that silly grin again.

The feas say goodbye for the day. They say nothing of consequence, just in case you were wondering.

Alicia wants to know what's going on with Lety. Marcia says Fern doesn't know where she is, so they're going to wait for her to call. Alicia makes a crack about Marcia no longer being in her glory days, or somesuch, having to wait on Lety like this. Marcia does not appreciate the insult! They discuss that if Lety doesn't show up, they could lose the business. Alicia says she can't survive without her job, but says they'll find out about that tomorrow. Marcia, however, wants to stick around tonight and wait.

Alicia asks for cab fare. She reminds Marcia that she's an unconditional friend. Marcia grudgingly hands her some money. Alicia generously helps herself to some more and stuffs it in her blouse. She thanks Marcia and leaves Marcia looking frustrated.

Fern calls Lety's house again. Julieta answers and gives him the bad news that Lety isn't coming tomorrow. Fern flips out. Julieta says Lety is too busy; Tomas will be going instead. Yelling, Fern asks, "has your daughter gone crazy, or what?" Julieta says "if you want, I'll tell Tomas not to go." Fern backs down, but asks Julieta to tell Lety not to hide; that he needs her, please.

He hangs up and asks himself what Lety is doing.

---

Acapulco

Rewinding to early afternoon:

Carolina is telling Alex that she doesn't know where Lety is. She told her to take the day off, but now it's getting late and she's not in her room. Alex says Caro knows he's easygoing and patient, but they're working, and he has his limits. Just then, Lety comes screaming up and apologizing. Caro exclaims in surprise. Perhaps it's the unexpected sight of Lety's semi-nude arms. She scolds Lety for being late and worrying her. Alex shakes his head disapprovingly.

Lety and Caro hurry to their next event. Lety tells Caro that she told her life's story to the man she met today. Caro confirms that sometimes it's easier to confide in strangers than in someone we already know. Lety said she felt like she had known him forever. He was sincere and relaxed and had a calmness about him that relaxed her. Caro asks what this great new friend's name is. Lety suddenly realizes that she's forgotten his name! All she knows is that he's a fisherman. She knows because he was going around in the water catching lobsters. Caro says he must be a very special fisherman.

Caro gets a call from Alex. It's time to work. Lety tells herself that if she can forget all of this (Aldo's name, her work schedule, etc.) she ought to be able to forget Fernando.

Caro explains to the contestants that this is a closed event. She introduces Lety and explains that this is a dress rehearsal for the most important event, the one they've been preparing for. The bellezas ooooh in anticipation.

Miss Puebla asks Lety if she looks too made-up. (I just remembered, Puebla was the only place Lety had ever been to before she went to Germany.) Lety is unsure how to tell; this confuses Miss Puebla, until Lety explains that she doesn't wear makeup. (Is Miss Puebla blind?) Alex approaches and tells her (her name is Renata, which reminds me of Squeaky from that other novela) that it's time for photos. Alex also proudly remembers Lety's name: "Linda Padilla Solis." (Ha, that's funny, Linda means Pretty.) Lety corrects him. He shrugs it off good-naturedly and takes off with Renata. Renata goes back to Lety and says, "with us, you are going to learn many things." Alex comes back for Renata and drags her away. Caro overhears Lety say to herself, "heh, maybe I'll learn how to be happy."

Lety squeezes in between bellezas at the mirror and observes that they look pretty in their makeup; it changes their faces. Some of them glance at her and she hurriedly adds that it makes them a different kind of pretty. (Good save, Lety.)

Later, as the bellezas finish up their dress rehearsal, Lety looks off into the distance and is surprised to see Fernando approaching her in his suit and tie. "Lety, finally I've found you," he says happily. "I found out you went to Acapulco with Carolina, and I missed you so much... I can't live without you." He moves to kiss her.

Suddenly, he's Aldo. She backs away with a surprised look on her face. "The fisherman who saved me?" she asks. Aldo smiles at her, and then she snaps out of her daydream. Carolina is asking if she liked this event with the contestants. Lety says yes, and she was happy that Renata won, because she's so nice. "Yes, and well prepared," Caro agrees. They go to congratulate Renata. Lety announces that in addition to her preparation and beauty, she's also very skilled at speaking publicly. She adds that they all are, but Renata especially. They all applaud Lety; she looks perplexed, and asks why. Caro says it's because she just spoke in public. Lety explains that like Renata, her family is also from Puebla.

Caro (subtle as a thunderbolt) says she doesn't think Renata was always able to speak well in public. Renata confirms this. Caro prompts her to explain how she wasn't always able to do that and didn't think she would become a model. Renata tells them she used to have a shrill voice; she demonstrates and they all laugh, but I'm thinkin', it sounds a lot like Lety when Lety's doing the voice. You know that voice I mean. I call it the Baby Lety voice. Anyway, Renata says it hurt peoples' ears. And she had a terrible walk. She demonstrates a very schlumpy gait. Lety laughs and says that's how we walk in Puebla.

Caro asks if she would give lessons to Lety. (Ouch. This is like buying someone wrinkle cream for her birthday.) They all cheer. Lety's eyelid twitches. They all line up on the stage, and Renata explains how to walk properly, how to move her arms and hips. Pointing to her cast, Lety says she's one arm short. Miss Veracruz says it's Lety's turn to show them how she walks. Lety gets spooked and wants to leave; Caro says they mean well, and doesn't Lety want to learn and show herself what she can do? Renata encourages her too, saying she herself once felt the same way.

Caro gets a phone call but doesn't tell us who it is. It's someone who is surprising her, talking about a miracle, and inviting her to something. The rest of the conversation is drowned out by the bellezas trying to get Lety to walk for them. She winds herself up and then, accompanied by that damn kazoo music, she walks. They all congratulate her, although the walk looks pigeon-toed (or whatever you call it when your toes point in) to me.

Lety and Carolina talk after the event. Lety admits that it was fun, but she'd like to never have to take any more lessons for the rest of her life. She's never going to learn to walk like those girls. Changing the subject, Caro says they need to get ready for tonight's outing, which will be a surprise. She was invited to a very beautiful place and so was her most important person, aka Lety. Lety tries to get out of it, but Caro tells her to take it as an order.

Lety asks if it's going to be something fancy. Caro asks if she brought an evening dress. Lety says she does, so Caro tells her to hurry up and change. Lety just stands there doubtfully. "Rapido," Carolina repeats. "Hurry!"

But the phone is ringing in Lety's room. It's Mom, wanting to know if she's coming home like she said, and telling her about the call from Fern. Lety says she couldn't quit on Caro, and as for Fern, "what did he say this time?" Mom recounts the conversation and asks Lety what's going on. Lety assures her mother that it's just a pretext for Fern to try to talk to her, and that she's sure she left everything in place when she resigned. Mom is still worried, but Lety says she's committed to her job with Carolina. If it's really that serious at Conceptos, Tomas should be able to work it out.

She ends the call and goes into her bathroom. Looking at herself in the mirror, she remembers Aldo's words: "when you can love yourself, you can love this man or whichever one you want freely; you will be able to love for real." Then she puts the plastic bag over her cast and has a fight with the shower nozzle.

Later, Carolina answers a knock at the door. It's Lety, but we don't see Lety right away; instead, just like in the very first episode (which I didn't see) and the one where she had her makeover with the big green jacket and the polka-dotted skirt, we see only Caro's reaction. It is a look of horror. Caro turns away quickly and says "it can't be, it can't be, it can't be."

"I'm ready!" Lety announces. Caro disagrees. Lety is wearing her sea-washed shoes, heavy black hose, a frumpy black dress, and a light blue sweater. (There was a similar scene in an Ugly Betty episode when Betty had to go to a swanky hotel restaurant in Soho; she wore her prom gown. And she didn't have a Carolina or a Salma Hayek to help her out.)

Lety can tell by Caro's manner that there is something wrong with her outfit. Caro starts off tactfully, saying "well, we're in Acapulco, and it's 2006, and I think that with this dress you're going to be very warm." Lety says she's used to sweating, but uses Caro's objection to try to get out of tonight's outing. It's the only elegant evening dress she brought. (Folks, this dress is not elegant in any sense of the word.) Caro offers to lend her something of her own. Lety reacts in terror. Caro doesn't back down. Lety says it's just that they have different styles. Caro says fine, so change your style, but Lety still looks stubborn.

"I'm going to be blunt with you," Caro says. "You feel out of place here, but you have to try to adapt yourself; it's your attitude that keeps you excluded. It's not a question of style. What do you say? Can I lend you something?" Lety manages a faint smile of agreement, but it looks more like she's just swallowed a bug.

Soon Lety is wearing sandals without hose (bare legs AND bare toes), something pink that doesn't look like something her great-grandmother would have been buried in, and a white shawl that's a slight improvement over the shapeless sweaters she usually wears. She's also wearing fancy earrings that probably aren't from her own collection. She frets that she doesn't know who they're meeting with; if you haven't figured it out on your own yet, it's Aldo. He's all cleaned up, wearing a white suit and that man-necklace from before. He's kind of hot, I think, except for the necklace.

Lety is impactada! And Aldo looks very pleased with himself. Caro looks from one to the other in confusion. "You know each other?" she asks. Aldo confesses that Lety had mentioned knowing Carolina. Caro is still confused; Lety explains that he's the dude who saved her from drowning. Turns out that Caro doesn't think of Aldo as a "fisherman," as Lety has been describing him, hence Caro's cluelessness. As Lety and Aldo share a warm handshake, Caro gives them a funny look as all the pieces of the puzzle snap together in her mind. Aldo explains that he's a fisherman among many other things. Carolina introduces him formally: he's Aldo Domenzain, internationally famous chef and he's in charge of the food and diet of the pageant contestants. Lety introduces herself formally as well; good, now let's get on with the party, that's what I say.

He kisses her hand. Lety looks stunned, until Caro kisses his face and says "good to see you, friend." Then Lety looks a little disappointed as he puts his arm around Caro.

They walk to the marina. Lety clutches her shawl around herself as she shuffles awkwardly in those sandals. Caro and Aldo walk arm-in-arm. Aldo says he's rented a yacht and they're going to float around the harbor while he makes them something yummy to eat. Caro is seriously excited, but Lety, the wet blanket, gets nervous. (AGAIN.) She's never been on a yacht. She's never even imagined being on one. She's afraid of boats. Sometimes they go down like the Titanic. Aldo promises that this yacht won't sink for anything in the world. (Um, Aldo, that's exactly what they said about the Titanic.)

Caro practically runs to the yacht. With some prodding, Lety eventually gets on too. As she clomps down the gangplank, Aldo laughs to himself and says "Leticia, I promise that this night will be unforgettable." (As a side note, folks, the book about the sinking of the Titanic was called A Night to Remember. I'm just sayin'.)

Carolina is enchanted and thinks it's incredible; Lety is seasick. (They haven't even cast off yet.) Lety asks if this incredible yacht has a bathroom. He directs her to the head and tells Caro that Lety is enchanting. Caro flirtatiously asks him if he only invited her, Caro, to this yacht in order to see Lety. He chuckles sheepishly. "You're interested in her!" she says delightedly. He doesn't say anything, just grins and chuckles some more.

---

Next week

Fern confirms Marcia's worst fears.
Lety is either king of the world or fixin' to throw up - it's hard to tell from the look on her face.

Does Aldo like Lety? Will the yacht sink? More important, what's for dinner?

There's no episode on Monday, so you'll have to wait till Tuesday night for the next episode. However, I'm going to post a little something special to make up for that. It's no big deal, just something I've been wanting to do for a while. Until then, happy holidays and feliz navidad!

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