Caray, Caray!

EPISODES 1 & 2:
Pedro Montez sneaks in very late at night - his mom, Dona Reina, catches him and scolds him for worrying her half-to-death. He presents Angelita and Rodito to her and convinces her to let them stay for the night. He will notify his boss, Don Gregorio, about the truck in the morning.

Jose Luis returns home tired and hungry - his wife, Veronica, wakes up from her sleep on the sofa to be commanded to get him his breakfast and coffee. He vaguely tells her how awful his night was with the car accident. When she brings the meal, he insults and scolds her for her lack of cooking ability and then demands she bring him his coffee.

The next day, Pedro has breakfast with his mom, Angelita and Rodito. They discuss Angelita's dad and if there is someone to notify that they can stay with. No other relatives - Pedro sits with the kids as mama goes to the other room. Angelita touchs Pedro's heart - he convinces his mom to let them stay there for the holidays. Pedro gets a blessing from his mom, then rushes out the door for work - so fast that he forgets his jacket (but not his hat).

On the road to town, Jose Luis scolds Veronica over cb radio. Felipe tries to write up a ticket to orphanage director in car for speeding - director tries to debate his way out of the ticket - when he tries to bribe Felipe. He is pulled out of the car, cuffed and arrested. Jose Luis comes over to find out what happened when Pedro pulls up in his truck. The cops recognize the vehicle as the one that was reported stolen. Felipe approaches Pedro and asks for ID and papers - Pedro tries to explain his situation and that he doesn't have his papers with him. The cops don't buy the explanation - pull him out of the truck and arrest him also.

The director and Pedro are taken to the police station and put in side by side holding cells. Pedro explains to the police chief and the two cops that he didn't steal anything; he inadvertently left his papers at home, along with the two orphans he found on the roadside last night. The chief is half-way convinced and has the cops start to investigate Pedro's story.

Meanwhile, the director is released from the holding cell. Jose Luis works with the director on a plot to get Angelita and Rodito to his orphanage before Christmas. The director goes to Pedro's house and convinces Dona Reina he is there on Pedro's behalf - Dona Reina believes him and gives him the papers, but not the children. The director hands the papers over to Jose Luis on the rural stretch of road - Jose Luis rips up the papers and throws them in the air as they discuss the plan to get the orphans.

Jose Luis escorts the Department of Child Services lady to Pedro's house. Dona Reina explains that she gave the papers to another man who just left. Jose Luis acts understanding. He and the lady convince Dona Reina to let the children go with them. The kids voluntarily leave. Jose Luis makes Dona Reina promise to lie and say she doesn't know anything about any papers or kids.

The lady takes Angelita and Rodito to her house. She is rather nasty and rude to them; her sons are no better. Angelita gets them back after they drop hot dogs on the floor - she apologizes for being hungry and for her and Rodito not be worthy of sharing their table with them.

Jose Luis informs the police chief he found no papers nor children at Pedro's house. The police chief scolds Pedro for lying and making up stories to him. He is angry and will take on this case personally. Pedro, dejected, sits in his cell and prays.

Dona Reina goes to the station to find out about Pedro - he is innocent, she says. She explains to Felipe that she doesn't have the papers; he asks about the orphans, she lies and asks what orphans? Felipe thinks she is telling the truth and that Pedro must be lying. He advises her to get a good lawyer - and that she can return with food and blankets for Pedro.

Don Gregorio, Pedro's boss, is having problems with his girlfriend. She is upset that he lied about Pedro to the police. The only way he can redeem himself in her eyes is to recant his accusation and tell the truth (and set Pedro free).

Dona Reina returns to the police station with the stuff for Pedro. As she waits for Felipe, Veronica enters and asks where her husband is. Felipe doesn't know, but will give him the message that she was there looking for him. Dona Reina gives Felipe the stuff, as well as says her son is innocent.

Felipe takes the stuff back to Pedro - Pedro is hurt that no one believes him and doesn't understand why his mom is lying - he wants to talk with her but the chief won't allow it. Pedro takes the stuff out of the bag - he finds the card of the Virgin of Guadalupe - he makes a prayer to her about Angelita and Rodito and his story to the card and then he leans it on the table and wall. Felipe listens to the prayers and is curious as to the validity.

The next morning, Felipe wakes Pedro up and talks to him about the prayer and how to prove his story is true.


EPISODE 3:
Felipe stops by the apartment to talk with Dona Reina - he believes Pedro is telling the truth, after overhearing his prayers last night. Felipe convinces Dona Reina to tell him the truth about the papers and the orphans.

Angelita and Rodito are out wandering the dark streets, thinking they are lost. Rodito is getting sleepy also. As they find the house and look in at Dona Reina talking with Felipe, Jose Luis sneaks up on them and pulls them down the street.

Jose Luis takes the two to his house close by. Veronica asks questions, Jose Luis is bothered by all the questions and has no patience to answer. He leaves for the other room; Veronica is kind-hearted and polite to Angelita and Rodito. Angelita asks for her help.

Felipe talks with Pedro in the cell. The children are fine, they are with Jose Luis and the child welfare agency and will be well-taken care of. This just doesn't sit right with Pedro. Pedro is happy that the truth is out, but he's still worried about the kids.

Veronica brings the food and water out to Angelita and Rodito to eat at the table. As she tries to return to the kitchen, Angelita asks her not to leave. She assures them. Then she goes to Jose Luis and asks for basic information about the two kids. Jose Luis gives her the basics, but no specific details. He gets very annoyed and angry when Veronica tries to give her opinion about his duties and the kids. He slaps her; she starts to shake and cry; he leaves. Angelita and Rodito console her in the living room.

Jose Luis pays the lady a visit in her home. They discuss Angelita and Rodito, their business deal as well as their personal relationship.

Veronica and Angelita have a sweet heart-to-heart conversation about Jose Luis - there are two personalities: one is sweet and tender, the other is violent and nasty.

Francisco "Poncho" and the other drivers are voluntarily turning themselves in to police; for the same charges as Pedro. Felipe has to explain the situation to the chief.

Party time in Pedro's cell - Poncho and the others gather inside Pedro's cell; Poncho starts to play the guitar and sing.

Jose Luis calls in; Chief needs him there; Jose Luis says Veronica is sick and he has to take her to the hospital. He will be there later. Chief and Jose Luis discuss any leads on Pedro's case and the orphans.

Jose Luis hangs up and orders Angelita and Rodito to get their coats on, they are leaving immediately. Veronica is startled by the orders; Angelita tells her that he must be the second one (the nasty one). As they leave, Veronica hands Rodito his teddy bear, Gabriel. Angelita thanks her for her kindness. Jose Luis pull the two kids out the door.

Poncho interrupts the conversation between chief and Felipe - he wants to get some chips and beer - Chief orders him back to the cell; this isn't a bar after all.

Don Gregorio and his girlfriend appear at the desk. Don Gregorio wants to recant his charges against Pedro - he lied with the false report; to prove it, he pulls out enough cash from his pocket to bail all the drivers out of jail.

In the car, Jose Luis and lady discuss the plan for the kids - Angelita and Rodito start to ask questions - lady is shocked; Jose Luis is irritated and frustrated and answers vaguely.

A driver runs back to the cell and announces that Don Gregorio recanted and everyone especially Pedro is free - Everyone Celebrates! The chief comes back and says Pedro will be released first. Pedro and Poncho scold Don Gregorio at the front desk for lying on the report; they lead the drivers on a strike against Don Gregorio. Chief tells Don Gregorio he won't be pressing charges on filing a false report.

In the office, Chief and Felipe discuss Jose Luis taking his wife, Veronica, to the hospital. Felipe is stunned.

Jose Luis, lady and kids in the car in the countryside.

Felipe calls Veronica at home and asks her about her health; Jose Luis called and said he took her to the hospital. Veronica is stunned by the story, but does her best to cover.

Poncho and others are with Pedro and Dona Reina at the house. Poncho gets everyone excited to have a huge posada at the house with pinatas, mariachi and everything. Dona Reina is also excited to host the posada. Pedro isn't as thrilled and thinks Reina is ill. Reina pulls Pedro into her bedroom. She wants to tell him something important - he is only interested in where Angelita and Rodito are - she says with Jose Luis and the social worker lady. He says that isn't possible; he thinks that they kidnapped the kids - he has to know for sure and will investigate himself to find the answers. Before he leaves, she blesses him; he tells her to help the guys with the posada arrangements.

Chief and Felipe are talking about Jose Luis; Felipe checked out the Veronica story and thinks that Jose Luis is becoming corrupt, and could be involved in kidnapping. During the discussion, Pedro bursts in and demands by force that the chief tell him where his children are (Angelita and Rodito).

Jose Luis and lady have arrived with Angelita and Rodito at the orphanage. Angelita fights with Jose Luis about going inside. They don't want to stay; Jose Luis gives them no choice and picks them up and hauls them inside. Director and lady accompany them.

Poncho, Reina and others are busy preparing the pinatas and decorations and food for the posada. One man asks if Pedro has a girlfriend. Poncho and Reina say no he has no girlfriend. Don Gregorio stops by to talk with Pedro - Poncho takes over as man of the house and pushes Gregorio outside and slams the door in his nose.

Pedro meanwhile is back in lock-up to cool off (seems fighting the chief of police is a huge no-no even in Mexico). As Felipe talks with Pedro and opens the cell door, Pedro makes a break for it. Felipe aims his gun at Pedro to stop him from leaving. Pedro dares him to use it; he is determined to leave and find Angelita and Rodito. Chief, Felipe and other officer chase after Pedro, he's desperate and could do anything.

At the director's office, the director asks Angelita and Rodito some questions. Angelita tells him that they do have a father and he will come for them. Rodito is hungry and then mentions Pedro. The three adults are stunned. During the discussion, Angelita makes a prayer for Jose Luis and the lady; she also pleas to the lady to help them, not make them stay. This starts a brief argument between the lady and Jose Luis.

Chief sits Pedro down in his office. They talk as Felipe enters with the report about the car accident. Apparently the German guy driving the car isn't Angelita and Rodito's father after all. (Puzzle)

Director pays off Jose Luis and the lady for bringing Angelita and Rodito to his orphanage. They leave. Director laughs as he looks at the two kids. He states that he will be very rich now that they are there.


CASTING NOTES: Pedro - Fernando Colunga; Francisco "Poncho" - Jorge Muniz; Jose Luis - Eduardo Rivera; Police Chief (Comandante) - the actor who plays Don Clemente in "Mundo"; social worker lady - Alejandra Procuna.

Labels: navidad