Caray, Caray!

Hi all, on Saturday morning I leave for a three-week vacation, no TV and no computers. Would one of you other recappers be willing to post a date and title on the next three Thursdays for me? I'm hoping that some of our commenters will weigh in with a sentence or two (or more!) of what happened in the episode.

On with the show...

We begin with a repeat treat of Paula giving Ivonne an earful, poking her in the head, then pushing her out of the elevator. Paula continues down to the garage and instructs Juan to take her to his house immediately.

Cesar and Monica drive up moments after Paula leaves. Cesar doesn't want to go up with Monica so Fernando makes up a story that he has to talk to CL privately. CL acts all bummed out in front of Monica but afterward thanks Fer for "playing the ball well". He gives Fer the "thumbs up compadre" sign, Fer just shakes his head in disapproval.

Alirio tells Nidia with great flair that when he visited Paula at the office she was a fiera and nearly tore him to shreds while ejecting him from her office. Furthermore, she suspects there is something fishy going on because Nidia is so anxious to get rid of Ana and Paula...as he, Alirio, told Nidia she would be.

Nidia insists there is nothing to worry about because Samuel's original will is gone and only the forged will remains, right??? Alirio begs her, for once in her life, to be tactful and diplomatic. She retorts that the snot-nosed brat Paula doesn't scare her. Alirio wheedles some more and dramatically concludes that no matter what he will not shoot himself in the head like the deceased Samuel! (Uh oh, I really hope Alirio doesn't off himself cuz I like his obnoxious self.) Nidia rolls her eyes like "I only wish."

On the drive over Paula tells Juan that she's angry, furious, hysterical. Juan, thinking he's in trouble, talks a mile a minute saying he has no idea why Marely refused the job, he doesn't understand why Paula wants to go to his house, hablabablabablaba... Paula tells Juan not to worry, there is a lot he doesn't know about her.

Juan continues to suffer in angst. Paula finally does the big reveal...she tells him that she and Marely are half sisters. Juan is slam-on-the-brakes, bug-eyed, drop-jawed impactado.

Paula asks Juan can he imagine how she felt when her own half sis came in and asked for a job, especially after he recommended her? Juan is aghast that Nidia and family are the ones tormenting Ana and Paula. Paula tells him the Ana/Samuel story. "WOW!" Juan exclaims, dumbfounded, speechless for once.

CL sequesters Monica in his office. He sees Marely and asks her what's up. She informs him she is Paula's, er Licenciada Davila's new secretary. CL says he respects her work ethic, it's just like her dad's. He glances at Ivonne's empty chair, looks at his watch and frowns.

Paula hopes Juan doesn't think badly of her mother, now that he knows she spent her life sinning with Samuel and all. Juan assures her not at all, there are no bounderies when it comes to love and sin. Then he makes a funny face and thoughtbubbles, "Like mother like daughter." (I paraphrased what he said, it was rather complicated.)

Paula goes on a tirade against Nidia, explaining to Juan the bad things Nidia has done to Ana recently. Paula doesn't need Juan's help and doesn't want to get him into trouble. She will put that woman in her place on her own!

Ivonne wasn't at her desk because she's in Pastor's office complaining about Paula's behavior to her in the elevator. She says Paula is a fiera who thinks she's the queen of the place. Pastor sees through Ivonne and asks her to swear that she's not the one who's been making crank calls to Ana. Ivonne insists she's not but Pastor doesn't buy it. He knows his gal pal too well.

Marely daydreams about Juan at her desk.

Pastor gets a call, CL wants to see him right away. Ivonne throws her hands up...great, the boss is here and she's not at her desk. This morning sucks!

The next scene is classic - Cl, Monica and Pastor are in CL's office. While CL tells Pastor to find his wife a job, she's very bright and will be a great asset, he stands behind her making all kinds of sign language that says 'Get her the hell out of here, NO JOB!! Pastor's face goes through a series of confused contortions as he tries to decipher CL's true intent. Pastor takes a deep breath and goes for it, he has the perfect job that requires Monica's many skills, it's at the plant in Pachuca! CL nearly wets himself in joy. Yes! Pachuca! (Kudos to Alexis Ayala and Pedro Romo for a truly funny scene.)

Juan parks around the corner from Nidia's Nuthouse and directs Paula to it. Yadi begrudgingly interrupts her manicure to answer the door. She and Paula trade barbs but Yadi's no match for Paula today. Paula brushes past her and clickety-clicks into the main room. Defeated, Yadira fetches Nidia while Paula tenderly looks at Samuel's picture.

Nidia is screaming at Alirio to tell her EXACTLY how much inheritance she can expect when Yadi interrupts. When Nidia hears that Paula Davila is downstairs she does an epic chest thrust and tosses her hair back. Aliria tries to prevent her from going downstairs. Nidia calls him a chicken and says he has no...(cups her hands like she's holding his huevitos)...he has no...guts!! She pushes him aside and Yadira follows.

Meanwhile Juan is outside with a worried look. He recalls the night he arrived, when Samuel ordered him at gunpoint to take care of his girls, especially Marely the only one worth salvaging, and don't forget about Paula. Juan remembers being confused. Who was Paula? Samuel shoots himself and scares Juan back into the present. Claro! Paula is his palomita, and Samuel entrusted her to Juan's care. Life is a difficult path sometimes.

Nidia must have cut Alirio off at the pass because she is the one talking to Paula. Paula says she has Personal Business with Nidia. Nidia insults her but Paula stands firm, she'll not leave until Nidia hears her out. Nidia likes to talk, not listen, but she does a chest heft and tells the Señorita to follow her. Yadi and Alirio press their ears against the study doors.

Pastor sucks up to Monica and extolls the virtues of the job in Pachuca. Monica sits and listens patiently, she says the job sounds wonderful, PERO...she wants to enjoy this pregnancy working side by side with CL. It's what they both want. CL squirms. Pastor thinks. He has another great idea, he needs an office manager for the main delicatessen. Monica likes this idea, she'll go for it even though she has no idea what it entails. Whatever. CL gives her the bum's rush and Pastor escorts her to her new job. Great idea Pastor, let the pregnant lady work around all the food.

Nidia tells Paula she has five minutes to say her what's on her mind. In between Nidia's insults Paula manages to state her case. She has a proposition for Nidia, she wants Nidia to 1) stop trying to take away Ana's house, 2) stop trying to get them out of the country, and 3) stop blackmailing Marely into quitting her job. Nidia smirks, it's the stupidest proposition she's ever heard of in her life! And what will she get if she agrees to these demands?Paula retorts that if Nidia lays off then she will NOT thoroughly investigate everything having to do with Samuel's will. Alirio, listening outside, nearly faints.

Paula goes on to say that Nidia and Alirio's recent behavior has made her suspicious and if Nidia insists on tormenting them then she will investigate until she finds out what Nidia and Alirio are up to. Alirio graps his throat like he's choking. Paula tells a somewhat mollified Nidia to think good and hard about her proposal. She blasts through the doors, flinging the eavesdropping pair aside. They try to act nonchalant.

Kike enters Farell Industries offices looking for Juan. He is suprised to see Marely. He can't believe Juan kept his promise and got her a job. The office gossipers stroll over to spy on the conversation. They eyeball Kike; maybe they're interested in him even though he needs to do about 500 situps a day.

Paula tells a worried Juan that everything went fine, much better than she imagined, now they have to get back to work. Juan tells her no, there is an important something she needs to do first. He saw Ana this morning and she was sad. Paula gets a stubborn look on her face but Juan keeps working her, talking in his sexy persuasive voice to please give mama a second chance. He acts out for her how they will kiss and make up. His antics make Paula smile...OK, she cannot say No to Juan.

Alirio has a complete meltdown because Nidia didn't do as he advised and now the fiera is sniffing at their trail. She tells him to shut up, she has a very simple plan. She will act like she accepts Paula's proposal, the stupids will forget, then after a while...they'll be mole (pulverized sauce)! She will completely destroy their lives, this time for good and Alirio will help her reclaim her property. Alirio hems and haws, he tells her that actually, in reality, no dear Nidia of his heart, he will not. He lied to her, he never falsified Samuel's will in her favor like he told her. Nidia is wide-eyed impactada, her eyes get pretty darn wide.

The commercial advance shows Alirio counting his money.

Nidia gasps and cries she has nothing! She is ruined by Alirio's lies! She stands up, glares at him, and in a divine about-face begins to circle the desk after him. "No wedding!" she hisses. She chases and shouts insults at him. When she corners him he starts talking to save his skin. She can't be paid Samuel's inheritance because, well, basically he embezzled it. "You robbed me!" she shrieks. She chases him round and round the desk.

Kike tells Marely that he's at Farell Industries seeking employment as a chauffeur so he can earn more money so Yadi will treat him with respect and admiration. Marely sighs that sooner or later Yadi will see he's the man for her and Fernando's deceptions will be a big surprise for her. Kike perks up his ears, deceptions? What does she mean? Is he married? Does he have kids? Is he half poofter? Marely tells him to beat it, she has work to do.

Nidia's got Alirio in an arm lock. He pleads for his life, he never thought to keep the money for himself, it was going to be her wedding present. She chokes him until he promises to hand over the money...tomorrow! He says he will give it to her as part of their Marriage Agreement. "Pay up now," she demands, "before the little bird flies."

Paula tells Juan he is an angel for persuading her to visit her ma. He smiles and says life is too short to fight with those we love.

Inside the house - Ana paints, hates her art, and smears her palette onto her painting. The doorbell rings. Ana answers and she and Paula stare at each other.

CL is majorly miffed because Paula has been AWOL all morning. He asks Ivonne if she knows where Paula is. "Miami," Ivonne sarcastically answers. It's not her business to know. La Licenciada was there this morning but then she left. She accuses CL of being afraid his two women will meet. Cl squirms. Ivonne advises him that nothing gives away a cheating man faster than a bad case of the nerves.

CL asks Marely about Paula. Kike pushes CL to get his attention, he is Enrique Bueno, Juan's friend. Has Juan spoken of him? Cesar looks confused.

Ana and Paula make up, tears, apologies, things are looking good. But then Ana asks Paula to give up her job. This boring pair go on and on so I'll try to make it short. Paula has been on her own and doesn't want mom to run her life. Mom can't stop being a mom. Paula wants to make her own mistakes, will mom let her live her life? Mom says as much as it pains her, NO. Paula says they have nothing more to discuss. Mom says she will always be the mom and will be there if Paula ever needs her. It's a mother/daughter Mexican standoff.

Paula goes outside, sees Juan, and rushes into his arms. Wow, it's like a dream come true for Juan except that his sweetie is really bummed out. He's not sure if he should hold her. He thoughtbubbles "I thank the heavens for her sadness because thanks to her tears I now feel the greatest happiness of my life. It's an ironic contradiction but there it is. I want this moment to last for all eternity. Watch, (he's adressing his watch now) you hold time in your hands. Make this night last forever so that she never, ever goes away from me." He embraces her sadly.

I love Juan!!!!

Advance for tomorrow: a disastrous encounter, later Paula gives Pastor her resignation.

echar balone fuera = evade the issue (lit. to throw the ball outside)
enredar = to tangle up
Dando y dando, pajarito volando. = Do the money exchange now. (lit. giving and giving, the little bird flies away)
floripondio = big poofter (derogatory slang for homosexual)
para colmo de males = to make matters worse

Dear friends, next week I will be in the Galapagos Islands, the following two weeks I will be in Peru hiking Machu Picchu. I'll be back August 18th and will resume my recapping duties the following Thursday. I'll miss you all and look forward to catching up when I get back! If I happen to run into Christian Meier I'll give him a kiss for each and every one of you. We get like 600 hits a day, right? heh heh

Labels: Juan