Caray, Caray!

Pastor and Juan continue their “moment.” Imagine if Pastor had seen Juan in those running shorts! Pastor breaks the silence and asks if Juan is there for the job. Juan says that he is and introduces himself to Pastor. Pastor replies that the pleasure is all his. He walks to the other applicants and says that the job has been filled. Juan thinks this means that he should leave and wait for another vacancy, but Pastor explains that Juan is the one who filled the position. Juan recognizes that he’s playing with fire.

Paula gives CL her credentials. CL tells Paula that her mother has told him all this. He offers Paula something to drink, which turns down. He tries his best, even saying that some business deals go better with a cocktail. She still says no. They telenovela stare at each other across the room.

Juan and Pastor walk around an office that oddly resembles the layout of Conceptos. Juan notices the pretty little assistant.

Paula continues with the story of her education. CL says that is all well and good but he believes more in experience then in academics. Paula replies that she doesn’t have the experience but she thinks that she has the qualities that the business needs. CL agrees that she probably does have them. He says that in this business there are two ways to get employment – the easy way and the hard way. Paula asks about the easy way. CL says that to talk about that path, they need to have a drink. She acquiesces and he goes straight for the vodka. It’s perfect for talking about business. Paula looks a little more than unsure.

Juan sits in Pastor’s office. Pastor says they should just get rid of all formality. He casually asks Juan about his job experience. Juan says that he has a lot of experience. Pastor replies that he could see that at once, it’s a natural born physiognomy, and he’s never wrong. Pastor can tell that Juan has faculty, intelligence and a good presentation. Juan thanks him. Pastor says he has a position for Juan. He asks Juan to accompany him on an errand and Pastor will tell Juan about the job on the way. Juan recognizes that Pastor is fascinated with him. Juan turns down the offer. Pastor takes this to mean that Juan isn’t interested, but Juan assures Pastor that he is. Pastor says that he’ll give Juan another opportunity. He asks if Juan knows how to drive. Juan doesn’t, but he says that he can. Pastor offers Juan the job of chauffer. Juan knows that he shouldn’t but he accepts the job anyway. Pastor advises Juan that the introductory course will be tomorrow. Juan tries to weasel his way out of it, but the men come to an agreement. Juan thinks to himself that he’s doing all this for Marely, for whom he would make any sacrifice.

Juan and Pastor continue to wander around the office. Pastor introduces Juan to, Fernando, the man Juan will replace. Juan introduces himself. Pastor tells Fernando that he can go have a torta or something else because Pastor needs to explain everything to Juan. Fernando coldly exits the garage. Juan thinks to himself that he didn’t like Fernando’s attitude and he didn’t like the way Pastor dismissed Fernando. Juan turns to Pastor and sees him looking at Juan in the same way Nidia does. Juan doesn’t like it, but he needs the job. Juan gets into the driver seat. He goes through the buttons on the dash – the lights, the signals, the windshield wipers. Pastor tells Juan that the car is an automatic, Juan has no idea what this means. Pastor asks Juan to come to a dinner party later in the evening. Juan says that he has something else to do, a friend has died. Juan says they can do something another day.

CL gives Paula a little speech about the power of women. They use the most powerful tool of all, sex. He points out several famous women, like Helen of Troy, who used their sex appeal to their advantage. Paula wants to get to the point of how to get “in” in the office. CL explains that a woman should use all her power (emphasis on the all) in order to climb the ladder. Paula’s upset; she came for a job. She asks why he didn’t read her curriculum. He says that he reads it in her eyes. He touches her face, but she pushes his hand away. He asks if she wants to begin at the bottom as an assistant in sales or if she wants to be the commercial director of the company. CL says that he wants things to be clear. Paula replies that she would be happy with whatever position, but she prefers commercial director. CL says he likes ambitious people, now all he needs to know is if she has the qualifications for that charge.

Pastor and Ivonne talk about the new employee. Pastor’s very obviously enamored of Juan. Ivonne agrees that Juan is very handsome. Pastor thinks Juan’s more than handsome; he’s divine. Ivonne asks if there was chemistry. Pastor thinks there were; he saw it in Juan’s eyes. Pastor tells Ivonne how Juan upset Fernando. He draws a picture of two hearts with the names Juan y Pastor inside the drawing. He holds it up for Ivonne to see. They giggle.

CL and Paula toast. CL leans in for a kiss but Paula moves out of the way. She stands and says that she too likes things to be clear. She says that she has all the qualifications, but she’s not going to sell her soul or her body for a job. She dismisses herself from the room, but CL stops her. He tells her that she passed the test. He wanted to make sure she wasn’t like all those women who came to him to find a job the easy way. He offers his apologies. Paula falls for it; she sits down again. He says they will now talk seriously. He offers the commercial director position. CL calls Pastor to come to his office.

Juan stands at the bus stop. He’s worried about the situation with Pastor, but he’s more worried about having to show up to work on Monday and drive that car; he’s only driven a scooter, a bicycle and what I can best translate as a yam cart (un “carrito de camotes” anyone?). Juan sees the beautiful woman standing near him. He walks around her just like she’s prey. He speaks to her to assure that she’s safe with him around. The woman plays disinterested. They make some small talk about where they’re going and where they’re from.

CL introduces Paula to Pastor. When CL tells Pastor about Paula’s position, Pastor begins to protest but is cut off by CL. They excuse themselves to another room.


Tomorrow:

The families celebrate

Labels: Juan