Caray, Caray!

This is Jeanne, subbing for my mentor, Ferro, who taught me everything he knows. About recapping.

Emilio, ever the solitary hero, is in a dark alley with three thugs. He’s still looking for Gaby and the child trafficking ring simultaneously. The thugs tell him he’s not welcome there. He wants to know what they’re hiding, and swings deftly around to slug the one behind him. [Ed. Note: the bald guy better get a toupee. He’s like a beacon in the dark alley, with the only light around bouncing off his shiny head. Not exactly effective camouflage.] The thugs work Emilio over, and one points a gun in his nose. They tell him he doesn’t belong in this world. In another deft move, he swings, grabs the hand with the gun so they’re both holding on, and tries to get a grip [kind of the common thread of this entire novela, Emilio trying to get a grip]. The guys (one looking suspiciously like the dead Canibal, DL’s former cellmate, maybe they’re on a really tight budget) knock him to the ground. They kick him around. He isn’t moving.

At the morgue, Vargas, Alina and Rodrigo wait for the identification of the body, which is wheeled in. Who noticed it was a full-grown person on the gurney? Right! It is! Alina looks first and is impactada. But, it’s not Gaby. Rodrigo thanks God for that. Vargas says they’ll start the search in earnest for Gaby tomorrow, because now she can be considered a missing person. [Ed. Note: Sheesh.} Rodrigo is anguished about where his daughter could be.

At the Mansión Valtierra, Orlando is chatting with the maid and making himself at home to wait for Emilio. He’s ready to spill the beans about the cachorrito. For such a creep, he sure is a knockout in a pink shirt. It grieves my schoolmarmish soul to have to say so, though, gentle readers. I’m just sayin’. Thelma struts in, with a fetching dark lilac top with sparkly trim and a sort of a sparkly peplum thing at the bottom hem. Thelma’s surprised to see him and he looks like he was kind of hoping he’d catch Emilio first. [You kidding? When’s Emilio home?] Thelma didn’t think she’d ever see him again since he escaped from the Sierra. He tells her, well, you’re wrong and it’s your bad luck we’ve run into each other again.

Thelma asks why he’s there and he tells her it’s not her business. She tells him it seems like he might be stupid on his part. He rushes her, grabs her by the shoulders, and accuses her of betraying him. He knows “everything.” Yes, he knows she abused Alina, but he’s really here to tell Emilio that the child is Gaspar’s. [Very slick, Orlando, show your hand before the final play. I wonder how you do a poker with the boys?]

Elias is kissing Soledad passionately on the neck as they stand just outside of Don Loco’s cell. She calls “Álvaro” several times. He wakes up and sees them making out. He tells her for the millionth time to stop that! He’s never going to pardon her. Soledad and Elias are horizontal, still making out. DL, back to the bars, slides down and pants. Another nightmare.

At the Mansión Valtierra Thelma just can’t understand where Orlando comes up with this stuff. What on earth makes you think I would ever go to bed with an imbecile like Gaspar? He wonders why she gets so odd when she’s cornered. He’s personally confirmed that she was at the Cueva del Diablo, drunk, and with Gaspar. ALL the employees confirmed that they saw you on the night in question [Ed. Note: this piece of evidence is just about as convincing as the bracelet in José’s bed, but never mind that, Thelma’s officially on NOTICE, gentle readers.] She astutely points out that even if that happened, he has no proof. Folks know what kind of person he is, too. He points out that Emilio knows what kind of person she is. Orlando and Thelma are in this together. She tells him that Emilio loves that boy and nothing will convince him of this. She’s going to call the police. Orlando throws back some parting shots that he’ll find Emilio eventually, and leaves.

Alina and Rodrigo arrive at his apartment and reassure an anxious Tina that the child was not Gaby, though no one should have to go through a moment like that. Alina sends Tina to get something to calm Rodrigo. She tells him they will just have to wait for the police search in the morning.

At the Mansión Valtierra, Thelma steams and storms into her room, yelling about stupid Orlando threatening her. She flashes back to handing Gaby over to the tall mute guy (who reminds me of Vicente from Alborada.) She is recalling that she told him surely the people at this kid’s house would give him money for her return home. Brilliant thinking, Thelma. Find a dark alley, find a really big mute guy, and hand the kid over to him with a few instructions and no money. He’s going to be your very best bet for an escort for a little kid. [What I want to know, gentle readers, is how this woman has made it to adulthood?] Some common sense kicks in and she realizes she’d better not think too long about this. Could it be that she knows this was not a satisfactory strategy and has the potential to end in disaster for Gaby? Is it possible that the neurons fire off now and then?

All she wanted with this plan was that Rodrigo would marry Alina and get her the heck out of Puebla. [Another brilliant plan, given that he has family here, and a great career.] Then Emilio will have to realize that he’s going to have to stay with her, Thelma. [Magical thinking.]

Emilio, still on the ground and now unconscious, is being frisked for valuables by the thugs. The find his wallet and make him as a military officer. They want no part of that. They leave him and his wallet intact and run like h***. Gaby is dragged right past him by the huge, mute guy and is yelling and trying to get loose. She looks down at Emilio, probably thinking he is dead. Emilio comes to when she’s past him, too late, but her voice may have sunk through his haze. Another guy meets Gaby and her escort. He ushers them in commenting about how he sees the big, mute guy has brought the merchandise; Rosendo is coming soon, he’ll call Rosendo. Take her into the office. Gaby is still screaming, so why can’t Emilio hear that? They aren’t that far away! Emilio picks up his wallet and struggles to sit against the wall while we cut to commercial, exhausted from the emotion……

Emilio has finally gotten up on his feet and is making a call to Vargas about asking for Rosendo Luna and getting attacked by thugs. He’s continuing the search because he’s sure he’s on the right track.

At Rodrigo’s, he’s out cold on the coach and Tina and Alina talk above his head. How the poor man is suffering! Alina tells Tina she knows Tina’s exhausted and tells her to rest. But Tina wants to be available for the phone. Alina says she’ll cover. Tina thanks her for being with them at this time.

Back in an alley near Claudia’s home, Angel stops her. She looks impactada and a bit afraid. How did he find her? It’s not important, he just needs to see her. She tells him no, look for me at work tomorrow? He wants to know who she’s scared of? Her stepfather? She reallllly looks impactada and scared now.

At the Mansión Valtierra, Singing Auntie (who doesn’t seem to sing much these days), is baby-rocking. She greets Emilio who is coming in. He asks where Thelma is. She’s been gone most of the day. Angel’s been gone, too. He tells her he’s been involved in a search all day. She says that sounds interesting and he tells her it’s really bad, it’s about the daughter of Rodrigo Ochoa, Alina’s fiancé. Rebeca is a bit impactada. Someone has kidnapped Gaby. Rebeca picks up the flyer with Gaby’s picture and notices the ribbons in the child’s hair. She remembers the ribbons she took from Thelma’s purse—they’re the SAME!! Two and two do make four, Rebeca. Emilio wonders why she is so impressed with the photo---oh, it’s only because her father must be so anguished. She asks about what they know. He tells her he doesn’t want to burden her with the problems. She says, well, it’s like a television program, right, this work? He says it’s not really, unfortunately, this is real life.

Rebeca rocks the baby and contemplates the photo. She just knows it is the same ribbon and Thelma kidnapped this child. She must find out the truth.

Claudia moves Angel away from the door and the children playing in the alley. She tells him they shouldn’t be seen talking there. He tells her he’s run into her stepfather and they definitely didn’t become fast friends. Claudia is worried he treated Angel badly. No, that’s not it. He wants to know how to help her, but Claudia doesn’t want to make him sad. She prefers he doesn’t come looking for her. Doesn’t he realize they are from two very different worlds? He tells her this is nonsense and doesn’t matter to him [hooray, Angel!!] He just wants to be with her. Well, it may not matter to him, but it does to her. Good night! Angel gets the last word in, though, after she’s left. He’s not going to leave her alone, he tells himself.

Alina, still at Rodrigo’s, is telling her mother that she’s grateful it wasn’t Gaby. On the other hand, what’s happening to Gaby could be worse. [Worse than death?] They talk about the search, which has yielded no information. Rodrigo is doing badly, though he is sleeping now. Soledad remembers when she thought Alina was dead, and saw her buried. It was awful. She understands what he must be feeling. Alina reminds her that at least Luba knew she wasn’t dead. Alina tells Soledad that Tina is feeling terrible, because she feels so guilty that it is her fault Gaby disappeared. Soledad tells Alina to let her know anything new.

Orlando is home, musing that Thelma is right, Emilio might not believe him (ya think?). He must find some real proof of his accusations. He throws back several belts of the hard stuff while he thinks out loud. He has to find Gaspar, who is the one who can really prove it. [Like anyone is going to believe Gaspar? Alina didn’t!]

We return from commercial to Rodrigo’s, where Alina covers him with a blanket and answers the phone. It’s Emilio, who is impactado that she is there. Why? She’s his fiancée. She asks about the search. He tells her there’s nothing new, but they are looking for a gang that traffics in kids. She is impactada. He reassures her that they shouldn’t be looking for trouble, though, they are just pursuing this investigation anyway. He asks if Rodrigo is there. Yes, but he’s sleeping, do you want to speak with him. Emilio decides that he doesn’t. He actually has some body language---and it’s not happy language. He doesn’t like Alina being there. He tells her to let Rod know they’ll see each other later. Emilio hangs up, and mutters that she’s with him, at his side. Angel comes into the living room and greets his brother. He wants to know who hit Emilio.

In the office off the dark alley, the big, mute guy is sitting on a sofa watching over Gaby, who’s lying on the sofa. This office reminds me of a detective office from a B-list 1950s movie, with the dim lighting and dark walls. There’s even a hanging light bulb type of lamp in the center. The guy who met them at the door comes in and the “escort” stands up. Rosendo is coming, get this kid up! Gaby resists as Rosendo’s feet appear, then his face. ¡Sorpresa! It’s Claudia’s stepfather (padrastro)! He must be the jefe, because he goes to sit behind the desk. He looks Gaby over. Really good goods. Gaby whines and struggles.

At the Mansión Valtierra, Angel and Emilio are having a little chat. Angel is concerned that what Emilio has told him is very dangerous. He thinks the bruises are a warning to drop the investigation. Emilio realizes that. But, it’s vital to find Gaby. Angel wonders about him doing this specific investigation, does Alina figure in it? Well, yes, because she is involved with Rodrigo, she’s suffering on account of the child. Emilio wants to lessen her suffering. Angel says it’s a noble objective, but it puts him back in close contact with Alina and that’s not good. Emilio realizes this, too. It hurts to watch her loving another guy.

In Rosendo’s office, he’s manhandling Gaby to get a close look. (shiver) He’s going to give the big, mute guy 5 thousand pesos for her ($458.22 at yesterday’s exchange rate). It doesn’t look like the big, mute guy is happy with that. He tries to negotiate. Rosendo says it’d be easier to understand an animal than him, and sneers. [Bad move, Rosi, if you want this one]. Gaby tries to tell Rosendo how Thelma tricked her to get into the car, kidnapped her, etc. and that her father is a captain in the army. Rosendo is impactado and tells the big, mute guy to get this kid the heck out of Puebla and try to sell her in Mexico City. They don’t need to get mixed up with an army captain. Gaby still isn’t quite understanding what serious danger she’s in, but she’s getting a glimmer. She’s impactada.

At the Mansión Valtierra, Rebeca wakes Thelma up. Thelma snipes at her, and Rebeca wants to know how she can sleep with all the atrocities she has committed. Rebeca makes it clear she’s figured out about Gaby’s disappearance and that Thelma’s involved. Thelma plays dumb, but realizes her Auntie is smarter than she seems.

Vargas is meeting in his office with Alina, and her two captains. They talk about the potential connection between Gaby’s disappearance and the gang trafficking in children around the same location where she was last seen; the two efforts will be joining forces. This is news to Rodrigo. He didn’t know about the child-trafficking ring. He’s upset, big time. He asks Emilio what makes him think the child has gotten involved in this? Emilio acknowledges he doesn’t have a real reason to think this. He points out that the thugs tried to scare him off by beating him. Rodrigo is grateful for this work, and hopes that Gaby isn’t somehow involved. Rodrigo and Alina leave, and Emilio stays to exchange a few last thoughts with Vargas. They’ll be in touch.

Vargas gets back to papers on his desk. He opens one and looks mildly impactado. He puts the paper back into the envelope. He makes a call asking to see Dra. Loca immediately.

Mauro stands outside DL’s cell. He needs to explains some strategies he has underway to get DL out of this cell. DL nods, resigned, and gets up from his cot. He walks to the bars and grabs Mauro from behind the head, pulling him forward to choke him on the bars. He warns him about all his stupidity and not to mess with Dra. Loca.

At the Mansión Valtierra, Thelma is still in bed, attempting to deny that she’s involved with Gaby’s disappearance. Singing Auntie Rebeca reminds Thelma that she’s the one person Thelma can’t fool. [Ed. Note: come to think of it, Rebeca eventually has found out all of Thelma’s perfidies. I guess she’s right. But it’s not in her best interest to let Thelma know that so blatantly. Thelma’s repeatedly told her that she’s capable of anything, even up to and including murder if necessary, to get her way. This apparently isn’t registering with Rebeca as a potential threat to her own person. Tsk.] She pulls out the ribbons. Thelma is commercial impactada.

Thelma wonders how the h*** Rebeca got those? Thelma tries to grab them and Rebeca tap dances around her. (Great strategy, Rebeca. You and Orlando better not play poker together). Rebeca tells Thelma she’s giving Emilio the ribbons, because he told her he’s looking for this child. If they don’t find this child, Rebeca doesn’t want to think what might happen. Thelma actually looks worried. She should.

Mauro is still choking on the bars. For a guy behind them, DL hasn’t lost much style. He still controls his world, even if it’s way smaller. Mauro will go beg Dra. Loca’s pardon. He thinks DL is thinking too much about this. DL gives him another warning about getting him out of jail and lets him go. Mauro rubs his neck. Mauro’s plan is to get him out to a hospital where he can get medical help. Predictably, gentle readers, DL doesn’t like this plan any better. It’ll still be four walls and he’ll still be trapped inside them. A guard comes to take him and Mauro to see Vargas and Dra. Loca in the visitor area.

Alina is ready to get into a military car with Rodrigo. She sees Emilio and asks to have a moment to talk to him. Rodrigo turns his back while they go a few steps away to talk. She wants Emilio to know how much she cares about him, and gives him the heart to keep him safe. He kisses it and tells her she doesn’t know what it means to him. She goes back to the car, and he goes to his, stopping briefly to breathe a sigh of….relief? Satisfaction? Rodrigo looks like he’s steaming, with his jaw very squared before he gets into the car.

At the Mansión Valtierra, Thelma and Rebeca continue their heated discussion of the ribbons and Thelma’s complicity in what’s happened to Gaby. Thelma warns R she better not give those ribbons to Emilio, but R is going to find a way to tell him. Thelma says she paid a guy to take the kid home, and she’s surely home by now. (I didn’t notice any money changing hands, but maybe I missed it. It wasn’t 5 mil pesos, though, so the goods always go to the higher bidder). Rebeca looks relieved and tries to make sure Thelma’s not trying to fool with her. [Sheesh, Rebeca, what a stupid question. This girl is ALWAYS trying to fool with you. But, eventually the truth will out as you already noticed.] Thelma demands the ribbons. She thought Auntie was on her side! They struggle and fall on the bed. Angel comes in, wondering what the heck this is about. They get quiet and Rebeca looks a little smug. Ribbons, ribbons, who has the ribbons?

Vargas and Dra. Loca wait in the visitors’ room at the jail. DL comes in with Mauro and the guard. DL looks at Vargas and asks what miracle brings him here, since he thought they were done dealing with each other. He moves threateningly toward Vargas, but Mauro restrains him. Vargas reminds him there’s unfinished business. They have the DNA results. DL sits to look it over. This will surely prove Soledad’s betrayal. Vargas tells him, “not so fast.” Dra. Loca explains that the proof is positive, and reliable: Alina IS HIS child. DL is impactado.

Thelma is facing off with Angel now, who wants to know why they were fighting. Rebeca sits on the bed, adjusting her caftan and poncho-thingy. Thelma tells Angel it’s nothing. (Okay, two grown women struggling over something on the bed and screaming at each other, it’s nothing.) Rebeca says they were discussing about caring for the baby. Angel lectures Thelma that if she wants to be trusted with caring for her own baby, she better adjust her attitude. Thelma is incensed at his audacity. But, he’s just sayin’. She snidely thanks him as he leaves, and he snidely says, “Whenever you want [good advice], Thelma.”

Thelma slams the door and goes back to Rebeca (who should have been in Panama with the baby by now, but she moved too slowly). Thelma wonders why Rebeca didn’t accuse her just now while she had a chance? Rebeca’s giving her the benefit of the doubt. It the child is really at home, they’ll know it soon. If not, she’ll tell Emilio, and qué the heck was Thelma thinking, snatching this kid? She has the proof, though.

Back in the jail visitors’ room, the results of the DNA test just have to be wrong, it’s just not possible that Alina is his. DL is sure the results were manipulated in the lab. Vargas assures him that they are professionals (okay, it sounds a little more convincing coming from Vargas, but not that much. Still, if the results were manipulated in the lab, someone else who was tested that day belongs to DL….). Mauro wants a second test. Dra. Loca, righteously indignant and smug as always, asserts the proof is indisputable. Alina IS his child. DL is now getting it. He messed up big time. He abused his own daughter. Demeaned her. Maltreated her. Dra. Loca points out that also, his wife never cheated on him.

Alina, back in her room at Casa de Coral, is talking with Soledad. Have the found Gaby? No, and a military group is searching as well as the police. Emilio is involved. He has a lead on it. What? You saw Emilio? Yes. She tells her mother it’s okay. But, they are worried about the possible connection with a child-trafficking ring. Soledad asks her, “You care about him a lot, right?” Alina acknowledges it. [Ed. Note: Aside from her fetching top, which would meet ALL of Ferro’s criteria, and pink wedge heels, she is wearing an outfit that reminds us of her cave-dweller days. You’d think by now, gentle readers, that Alina would never wear denim again.] Yeah, but what’s it worth. Alina is going back to Rodrigo’s—she’s packing a few clothes to stay. Her mother asks Alina to call if there’s any news.

DL is thinking through this bomb he just had dropped on him. Soledad didn’t cheat; Mariana told the truth. The letter was for her. But what about the bracelet? Why did Jose call Alina “hija” before he died? Vargas explains that he probably was bad off. DL wonders how he could have been so blind. (eye roll from your Ed. here)…..he asks Dra. Loca if he could have a mental illness of jealousy? She has no response. [Ed. Note.: This would have been a tender, sad moment if we hadn’t suffered through fifteen weeks of DL’s mental illness with Soledad, Alina and all, gentle readers. Instead, I want to shake my head and shake DL.]

As we return from commercial, Emilio is pulling up in his snappy silver auto. He pulls the heart out of his pocket and looks at it. He flashes orange back when she gave it to him and walks ahead, showing the flyer to an officer type guy on a corner.

In the visitors’ room, Dra. Loca is gently talking to DL, her jacket and camisole meeting all of Ferro’s criteria and then some. (She’s a professional, though, let’s remember). She tells him that he surely had some traumatic experiences during childhood that left him this way. His perception of reality is affected. [I must say, this gal is a really brilliant diagnostician.] Jealousy is just one side of the coin. (Oh dear heaven, we don’t want to know what the other side is!!) He cries rather convincingly. Why could he only see what he wanted to? Because this was his only security that he was not mistaken. He wants to know it there is a cure.

Vargas tells him he’s a day late and a dollar short, but he’s got 25 years in the slammer to work on a cure. What’s done is done. Vargas leaves.

At the Mansión Valtierra, Thelma is still asserting she didn’t do anything to this kid, just took her out a while. Rebeca isn’t having any of this drivel. Well, whether you believe it or not, I took her to an amusement park! [Gaby was NOT amused, if we recall correctly, gentle readers.] Okay, okay, I took her to ask her a favor. I asked her to convince her Daddy to marry Alina [and get her far away, but we won’t disclose that right now, will we, Thelma?]. Rebeca scoffs, but Thelma, clever in finding ways to change the topic, “hears crying. Why aren’t you caring properly for that baby?”

Alina’s in her room, all changed into cave-dweller jeans and a jacket. She thought bubbles that God willing, Rodrigo will find Gaby. She prays to the Virgen, who is a miracle worker, to help find Gaby.

At Coral’s boutique, she’s talking with Soledad, who is worried that Alina is suffering, and still loves Emilio. Coral points out this isn’t new and if not for Thelma, they would long since be happy. Soledad notes that Alina is engaged to Rodrigo, but Coral doesn’t’ think it’ll last. They get back to the happy business of running the boutique.

At the Mansión Valtierra, the baby wasn’t crying, he’s calm. Singing Auntie is a good caretaker. She picks up the baby, cooing to him and Thelma seizes the moment and takes the ribbons out of Rebeca’s pocket. Slick, Thelma. Good hiding place, Rebeca. “Now you don’t have any way to lay the blame on me with Emilio.” Rebeca retorts, but Thelma counters that now she realizes she cannot trust Rebeca. Thelma storms out and Rebeca tells the baby that his mommy is one bad person. “You are not going to be like that, my love.”

We couldn’t get through an evening without Alfi and Hugo, could we? Here they are, still in José’s old cabin, with Alfi in her campesina outfit that meets NOT ONE of Ferro’s criteria. She asks Hugo, who is striding toward the door, where he thinks he’s going. He’s going to look for the cofre, of course. What do you take me for, a fool? This cofre could have much more money in it than what’s in your briefcase…..if you get it, I probably won’t ever see you again. Hugo retorts that she shouldn’t be an idiot, after he denounced Don Loco in court, he instantly became his worst enemy (this argument seems to work for Alfi, but it’s convoluted to me and doesn’t answer her original question). She says, okay, but I swear if you try to mess with me you’ll never see a single cent of the money in the briefcase. He storms out and she watches out the window.

Emilio is showing Gaby’s picture around the airport (it looks like the airport, could be a big bus station or train station). Two official looking guys, one in a uniform, tell him they’ll be on the lookout. She was taken only a day ago, so we have to hurry and find her. Oh!! There’s a scowling, struggling Gaby, inside the building – we can see her through the full-length windows! The big, mute guy is dragging her by the wrist. He doesn’t exactly look like he could be her dad, so this should be suspicious, but this is telenovelaland. The escort lets go of her wrist to sit down. She sees the uniform and runs to the window, pounding. One of the men notices her behind Emilio’s shoulder. “!La niña!” They all look, cut and run to get around inside. The door’s not far, but the big, mute guy is quick, grabs her by the waist and runs. Soon we see Gaby walking again, being propelled by his hand behind her neck (no doubt with plenty of pressure on the neck). She’s scared, scowling, and looking for help as he pushes her along. Emilio and the officials keep running in the direction they think is right, but Gaby and her escort have disappeared. No! Emilio stops and reconnoiters. There she is! Gaby is gazing mournfully at him. They turn and run again. Emilio jumps a railing. They’ve lost her again. He tells them they have to find her before she and the big, mute guy get on a road someplace. He goes into a vehicle door (bus station, it looks like) to look.

Back in the visitors’ room, DL is shaking his head sadly. “I’ve been thinking: how could I have doubted Soledad?” [Yes, we’ve been wondering the same thing for fifteen weeks.] How could I have treated my own daughter so badly? Mauro is of the same opinion as Vargas. What’s done is done. It’s time to move on. But, there is a good side to this. Do you understand me, Doc? “No, licenciado.” She’s not playing this game with Mauro. He wants her to diagnose that DL is incapacitated by his mental illness, and therefore not responsible for his bad judgment. He should be transferred from jail to a hospital to get help. [Ed. note: why would I be having such a hard time believing that DL is really sad about his behavior and is sneakily looking for a get-out-of-jail-free card so he can more easily escape from a mental hospital? We certainly don’t have anything in the past fifteen weeks that would lead me to that sort of suspicion…..] A chorus sings, the same ones who sang at Alina’s funeral. How nice they were available for this gig, too!

Coming: Thelma finds out that they are still looking for Gaby and she hasn’t returned home. She realizes she’s in deep kim-chee.

Vocabulario:

Padrastro – stepfather (lagniappe: padrastro feo – ugly stepfather, just in case you need it)

Jeanne

Labels: duelo