Caray, Caray!

Alvaro has caught Soledad trying to sneak out of the hacienda. She is carrying a big purse and a heavy, cumbersome suitcase. Some sneak. Alvarado asks her where she thinks she's going, to town to meet her lover? They bicker about who's causing whom more pain. Soledad tells him if he thinks she's a traitor then it's best they separate. Alvaro doesn't buy this extremely sound logic. He says she won't get away so easily. "How are you going to stop me?" she demands. He thrusts his hip out and shows her his gun. She is impactada.

Mexico City - Mariana's friend Malena asks Mariana if she thought that Alvaro had discovered her with Jose. Mariana says yes, but luckily Adela, keeper of the keys, said he was angry at someone else. She was frightened for a while, especially when she heard a gunshot, but luckily Jose escaped. He's looking for work up North. He's a good man. He wants to settle some business so that she no longer has to depend upon Alvaro.

Malena says none of this would be happening if Mariana's father had left her part of his fortune instead of leaving everything to Alvaro. Money is the least importantthing says Mariana. Jose has compensated her with his love and tenderness. But for her papa Alvaro was always the favorite one. Furthermore, both papa and Alvaro treated her mother very badly and Mariana doesn't know why. Malena looks around suspiciously as if she might know something.

The one thing that worries Mariana is her daughter Marianita. She doesn't look well. Tomorrow she'll take her to the doctor and then she never wants to be separated from her.

Soledad tells Alvaro to go ahead and kill her. Alvaro tells her if she insists on leaving he will kill not her but her daughter. "Are you crazy?" she asks, "She's your daughter too!" Alvaro shakes his head and has a flashback...he asks little Alina (maybe 3 yrs. old) to play with him but she wants to ride her pony and Soldedad lets her. It is proof of their mutual perfidy! (I admit I laughed out loud that a grown man would hold something like this against his daughter for all these years, but I guess we need to advance the plot. I just started laughing again as I wrote this.)

Back in the present Alvaro tells Soledad to shut up. Her father was right. He warned him about her but Alvaro believed in her, why, why? Soledad caresses his face and begs him, "Please Alvaro, please!" But Alvaro remains hard. She can remain there with or without her daughter, her choice. Soledad wants to know what he is planning but he orders her to return to her room, she'll find out very soon what his plans are. Deflated, she grabs her bags and returns to her room. (Um...I can think of at least 25 things I would be doing if I were Soledad and going up to my room would NOT be one of them.)

Alejandro tells the servant Adela that he wants to talk to her and Sergio. Adela gives him a card from Mariana. It says she left last night for Mexico City. He wonders why nobody told him, however he is happy that she is with Malena. It's better that Mariana not be at the hacienda right now.

Alina's godmother Blanca is fussing, she tells Alina not to go to the ocean, it's very dangerous. (?) Alina wants Blanca to keep trying to locate Soledad, she's worried about her mother. Alina says she spent the whole night thinking about Emilio, he's going to the beach too! Blanca tells Alina to be careful with that young man, don't believe everything he says. Boys always lie when they want something. "Emilio's not like that," Alina gushes. Even though they just met she knows this because her heart tells her. I'm guessing first boyfriend.

Emilio is packing for his trip to the coast. He's sure he'll run into Alina because he knows the parents of Sofia (Alina's friend). Just then the phone rings. Angel answers. It's Thelma, Emilio's "girlfriend." Emilio shakes his head and finger at Angel who speaks into the phone, "No, Emilio's not here, he left early. Where? Gee, he didn't tell me." Emilio tells Angel the only thing that interests him is Alina Montellano. He grabs his bag and leaves. Angel, with wool scarf around his neck, coughs.

Thelma's aunt or friend or roommate is singing "Figaro" which irritates Thelma (and me). The friend wants to party and Thelma wants to pout. The friend wonders if Thelma no longer interests Emilio. "Of course I interest him," Thelma insists, "he loves me and I'll be Mrs. Valtierra sooner than you think!" The off-key friend reminds Thelma that Emilio is a real ladies man. They have a conversation that I didn't fully understand.

The friend advises Thelma that she needs to marry soon because the fortune her parents left her will soon be gone. Thelma needs to marry a rich guy if she doesn't want to be poor. Thelma insists money isn't important to her. She wants Emilio and he has to want her, and she always get what she wants.

Split screen of Alina and Emilio flying to and arriving at the coast. Emilio is in his rental convertible either singing with a phantom backup chorus or lip-synching with the radio to the tune Quien Sera? (AKA "Sway"). He's really getting into it as he fantasizes about Alina. As the song ends he screeches to a halt, faces the camera as it closes in on his face and says "Won't it be Alina who gives her love to me?" He peels out again as the 60's style music concludes. It's incredibly cheesy and so far my favorite scene. Someone get me my hot pink sunglasses and polka-dot scarf.

Alvaro tells Adela and Sergio that Soledad is not allowed to leave her room. He asks Adela if she ever saw anything between Soledad and the foreman Jose. "Never!" Adela insists. Alvaro presses, clearly Adela is Soledad's accomplice. He reminds her who is in charge as he juts out his jaw and hip for emphasis. He walks out as if his boots hurt his feet.

Alina and Sofia are hanging out at the beach hoping to run into Emilio. Meanwhile Emilio calls Sofia's house and is surprised that they're not there. He wonders where they are. (Um...how about the beach?) A treat for the gentlemen, Alina and Sofia are walking along the windy beach in their bikinis and sarongs.

Adela tells Santiago that the patron has become loco. Sergio says Alvaro always has his reasons. (Yeah, what she said, loco.) Adela asks Sergio if he thinks it's right to lock up Soledad. Surely he doesn't believe Soledad and Jose were lovers? Sergia says where there's smoke there's fire. Jerk. They go on a bit more but Sergio ends it by saying the patron pays them to do what he says.

After Sergio leaves, Alfonsina, wearing a bright orange halter top-peasant blouse-table doily thingie, steps out from behind the door. Adela tells her to get back to work but Alfonsina says Adela shouldn't be talking about Alvaro. The patron would be very mad to know that Adela was talking about him behind his back. Alfonsina smirks. Adela harrumphs.

Alina and Sofia are in their bikinis having fruity rum drinks and yummy-looking shrimp cocktails. Alina is STILL talking about how enchanting Emilio is. Suddenly we hear music and masculine crooning. Any moment now I expect Frankie Avalon to come walking around the corner, but no...Emilio is nearby.

Sofia tells Alina that Emilio's parents were good friends with her parents. His parents died in a plane crash and now he lives with his brother whom he adores. Angel isn't like Emilio. He's not as handsome. (What a dumb thing to say.) Alina goes on about Emilio in his uniform but it's just too sappy for me to repeat.

Scene change to Emilio (crooning continues in background). He has a flashback to when he met Alina. "Yes, I like her, I like her a lot!"

Alvaro visits Soledad in her chamber/prison. I'm already weary of these two. "What do you plan to do with my daughter?" she asks. "Aha! YOUR daughter! You said it, that proves it!" says the crazy man. He says HER daughter cannot live the life of a Montellano; she is the daughter of a foreman and that's how she's going to live. As of right now the lives of Soledad and HER daughter are going to change forever. Blah blah blah. Soledad tells Alvaro he's going to regret this, he's not to lay a finger on their daughter, not while she, Soledad, is alive. Alvaro says she should have thought of this before betraying him and having a child with another. "This is going to cost you a lot, Soledad!"

Alina's godparents Blanca and Elias are talking about moving to Canada. Blanca wishes she could take Alina with them, she's loved having her live with them for the past three years. Elias says Alina has her own parents and Alvaro probably wouldn't let her travel anyway. Blanca says, "Alina would be your daughter if Soledad had decided to marry you." Elias tells Blanca that he is happy with her by his side. "Liar," she says. "No really," he answers. They kiss. Hmmmm...?

Alvaro stalks out to the field to rant and whack plants with a machete. He tells Hugo that he plans to go to his ranch in Sierra Escondido. It will be a great place to lock up Soledad, no phones, no lights, no motorcars, not a single luxury. Hugo wonders about Alina. Alvaro has the perfect place for her. He'll keep her close enough for Soledad to suffer as she sees Alina. (I think that's what he said.)

Now even Hugo thinks Alvaro might be going too far. He asks how is all this Alina's fault? She's innocent. As Alvaro whacks Hugo tells him not to cut off his nose to spite his face. More of the same crazy talk from Alvaro, Alina was only a tool to win and torture him. Hugo tells him not to act crazy. Alvaro brandishes his machete and says he is rabid with jealousy, he's going to unload the woman who deceived him! Hugo shakes his head, the patron is a nut case.

Sundown in Cancun, Quintana Roo - Emilio is still looking for the girls. They are in the disco having drinks. Alina doesn't want to dance because she's worried about Soledad. Suddenly Emilio shows up, he and Alina are ga-ga about each other. She agrees to dance with him, guess she forgot about mom. In an unusual twist it is the guy, Emilio, who dances while the girl, Alina, stands like a petrified log. Shake it Emilio!

Soledad weeps on her bed. She has a flashback of being young and kissing Alvaro. Her dad says she's a discgrace and she's not going to marry Alvaro, not while he's alive. Young Soledad vows that Alvaro loves her, he's a good man and the love of her life; nothing will separate them! (Feh.)
Adela arrives with some tea and tells Soledad that Alvaro went on a little trip. Soledad begs Adela to help her look out for her daughter.

Back in Puebla Orlando tells Thelma that Emilio has disappeared but Thelma thinks Orlando knows where he is. Orlando says it's been days but Emilio is probably at the Cabaret called The Devil's Cavern. Emilio is a regular there. He likes Coral, one of the dancers. Orlando tells Thelma that Emilio is a hardened ladies man. "Thelma I love you and Emilio doesn't deserve you," Orlando says as he tries to kiss her. Thelma turns her head away and wonders, "A dancer, eh?"

At the Devil's Cavern men are whistling, pounding and yelling "Coral, Coral, Coral!" Coral leaps onto the table wearing black and red fringe. Her hair is Run-Lola-Run Red. She shakes her bootie and drives the men wild.

Adela asks Soledad what more can she do? Sergio is guarding the house and she must obey the patron. Soledad says that's OK, she doesn't have any hope anyway. What a couple of wimps! I would be so out of there by sunrise. But wait...Adela returns. She says she'll forget to lock the door. Well it's a start anyway.

Soledad grabs a wad of cash and, oh no, not the gigantic suitcase again! Think stealth, not clunk clunk clunk down the stairs!

Back at the Devil's Cavern Coral is chatting up an elderly patron. She sees Orlando and asks about Emilio. Unfortunately Orlando hoped to find Emilio there. He wonders where his friend is.

Santiago dozes at the bottom of the stairs with a gun in his hand. Soledad, wearing a long cape and carrying a big purse AND her heavy suitcase starts to descend the stone stairs. She sees Santiago and turns back.

Border town of Juarez, Chihuahua - (The following conversation was very slangy and difficult for me to understand. If anyone can add some enlightenment please comment!) Jose is in a bar with some shady-looking dude. I think he's a coyote. The shady dude tells Jose the cost to get across is five here and five on the other side (Five hundred? I don't know what the going rate is these days.) The bad dude tells Jose when he has enough dough then they can talk. Jose asks about going across on foot. Bad dude (BD) says that's how the illegals get hunted and filled with lead. When Jose gets enough money he is Jose's best chance. BD says he'll help Jose get one of the many maquiladora** (assembly or shipping) jobs that are found along the border. If he applies himself he'll get what he needs. After Jose leaves BD's pal walks up and asks if Jose gave him the "billete," slang for bill I think. BD says not yet but soon. They will follow Jose very closely.

Marianita has a bad fever. Malena thinks it's serious but Mariana hopes not, she doesn't have money to pay for a doctor and medicine. Malena suggests calling Alvaro for money but Mariana refuses. Alvaro would never forgive her for having Jose's child. Get some backbone lady!!

The doorbell rings at the house of Alina's godparents. It's Alvaro and he's looking for a good lawyer. He wants to do whatever is necessary to take his surname away from Alina. The godparents are impactados but I'm wondering, this guy is a landowner, doesn't he already have a lawyer or lawyers?

Soledad is now trying to sneak down the back stairs, staggering under the weight of her gigantic luggage. She sees something that shocks and startles her. It is Sergio of course. Busted. She begs him to let her go but he says he's only following orders.

Sofia is out walking on the beach with three guys she just met at the disco. She tells them she's afraid of the water so of course they start to throw her in. She cries for help and Emiliano singlehandedly beats the guys to a pulp. He manages to keep his entire outfit sparkling white throughout. Our hero! However he did not sing while beating them up. Maybe next time.

Godfather Elias tries to calm Alvaro down but Al insists Soledad was unfaithful. He shows Elias the letter. Elias says the letter doesn't mention Soledad's name, Alvaro should be very certain before accusing her. Alvaro says the proof is that Jose, coward that he is, ran away. Elias continues to urge Alvaro not to accuse Soledad, he needs more proof. Alvaro asks himself "Could I be wrong? But her father made me doubt her. I've not had peace of mind since that day. Am I letting that influence me?"

Soledad is back in her room and begging Adela to help her, she's worried about Alina. Adela says as hard as the patron is surely he wouldn't lift a finger against the girl. Adela says she's going to pray to God that Alvaro opens his eyes and sees things clearly. That's all she can do, it's better than nothing. Technically, I think that would be nothing.

Elias and Blanca whisper very loudly behind the door that Alvaro has crazy ideas and he quite possibly deserves to be cuckolded. Alvaro hears and gets all blurry and dizzy and their voices sound funny. After his head clears Alvaro insists to Elias that he's not wrong about Soledad and nobody can convince him otherwise. They are all in cahoots with Soledad. He doesn't believe in anything except the words of Don Manuel, Soledad's dad, who warned him against her. Alvaro's eyes bug out and he shouts to Elias, "Now where is that damned bastard Alina?!?!?"

**The following is from my dictionary: Maquiladora = bonded assembly plant set up by a foreign firm near the US border. In the 1980s many non-Mexican companies set up assembly plants in areas along the US-Mexican border. They were attracted by the low wages, special tax concessions and the proximity to the US market. They produce many kinds of products, but usually by assembling parts manufactured elsewhere, and by law they must re-export 80 percent of their production. Today these maquiladoras are an important source of income for Mexico and they employ more than a million Mexicans, mostly women. The managers are usually foreigners, whereas the hourly-paid workers, who have little job security and few benefits, are Mexican.

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