Caray, Caray!

We open to see Juan and Fernando in the garage, and find Juan telling Fernando he’s been waiting for Fern. Fern looks at Juan warily, sensing he’s going to be hit up for another favor. He’s right. “I don’t have any money!” Juan begs, and Fern tells him he knows the answer. Nope. Nothing doing. Juan begs some more, he has in his hands the opportunity of his life. If Fern doesn’t help, all will be lost. Fern grumbles another no at him and Juan turns to the ceiling to beg the Blessed Child of Atocha to tell him why the Child brought him to this cold city! To be humiliated by all these people? Why Blessed Child? He tears up compellingly and turns away behind Fernando. Fern looks disgusted and asks when he needs the money. “Tonight!” Fern wants to know how much they’re talking about, and Juan tells him 2,000 pesos ($184.55 US). Fern is impactado and put out! He yells at Juan; is Juan drunk? Juan begs Fernando not to let him die alone! Fern thinks he has a screw loose. Juan tries to explain that this is going to be his big night. Why, Fern wants to know. Because, Juan explains, tonight I’m going to declare myself to Licenciada Paula. Now Fernando is beyond impactado, he’s gaping like a fish, speechless.

In Paula’s office, Ana is coming in. Paula is pleased to see her Mami and wants to know how it went. Ana tells her good and bad; she went to see the lady she was supposed to see the day before, and she wasn’t there, but on the other hand, she’s been hired at another job! Paula thinks it’s strange that she was not able to the woman at all, and Ana tells her that it’s going to be fine, though that work would have been good for her. Paula wants to know when Ana will start. This afternoon! Paula is very pleased, and remarks that who would have thought they’d soon become such important executives? Ana says she can’t believe it! Paula agrees and tells her mother they have an invitation to go to dinner, with Juan. Ana is a bit surprised; she guessed it was with CL. Paula tells Ana she has accepted for both of them. Ana smiles dubiously and nods.

In the garage, Fernando asks Juan, “you’re going to tell her WHAT?” Juan dances around, smugly advising Fern that he’s just going to spill the beans and tell her everything that’s in his heart. In the nights, he remembers her voice, her beautiful image, etc. He’s dreamily describing all he’ll tell her. Fern scoffs. Juan is really nuts. He tells Juan that if some day he pays back this money, he should really spend it on a good psychiatric treatment instead. Juan begs him not to be so insensitive. He says Fern is clearly not into poetry. “Who loves ya?” He asks and pulls Fernando’s ears out. Fern shakes him off. Juan asks if he’s going to help or not? Juan thought bubbles that Fernando is going to let go of the cattle (cash) while we see Fern biting his lip in thought about if he should make this loan. Juan’s smile will seal the deal. Who can resist this guy?

Ana asks to use Paula’s phone to talk to the lady she missed this morning and yesterday afternoon. She’s going to thank her and make sure no doors are closed. Paula’s cell phone rings at the same time, and she steps out to take the call, thus totally missing Ana asking for Monica Berrocal. [Ed. note: How very convenient! Ana and Paula still can’t put two and two together about CL’s interference! Paula would have recognized that name for sure.] Monica answers and they chat; Monica remarks that they have finally connected. She was sure they would never get to talk. Ana tells her they’ve actually lost the battle; she’s been offered and accepted other work. Ana tells Monica she has appreciated her graciousness (gentileza-gentility). Monica says there’s no remedy and she wishes Ana good luck. Ana thanks her, and lets her know that if the opportunity arises another time, she’d like Monica to keep her in mind. Paula comes back in the door. Monica assures her the door will be open. Ana thanks her again and they say goodbye and hang up. Paula comments on the lady’s kindness, knowing nothing of who it was. [Ed. Note: Paula is so right. Monica is waaaay too nice a lady for such a scumbag as CL]. Ana agrees and says what a shame it is (that she can’t work with her).

Fernando wants to give Juan advice, as friends. He tells Juan to come down off his cloud. Juan understands his worry; Fernando surely thinks the Licenciada is an unattainable trophy, he knows. He supposes Fern thinks he’s setting his sights too high, if he were Fern, he’d think the same, he knows. Fern wants to know “well, then, if you know that why do you keep fooling yourself?” Juan says that between him and the Licenciada there’s a lot of chemistry. He’s sure that she feels the same. Fern understands what he feels for her, but how is Juan so sure that she feels the same? Juan recounts several incidents where there were sparks (from his perspective), like the night he brought the musicians for her mother’s birthday, and when she intervened so he wouldn’t be fired. Fern says, okay, so? Juan says the most important detail is that when he had no place to go, she got him settled in her house, in the room and the bed that had been hers. He’s sure that’s the place she had the best dreams of her life. Is that insignificant? Fern tells him kindly that this means she esteems him and she’s good people, nothing more. Juan protests that in the end this is his problem and if he wants to fools himself, that’s his business. He’s not asking permission, just for a loan. Yes or no? Fernando is not going to make the loan. Juan tells him not to be bad folks, they’re friends, right? Fernando agrees they are, because they are friends, he’s not going to sponsor the huge blow/thump Juan wants to give himself. He tells Juan to open his eyes. Juan is going to do what he planned to. While we see Juan continuing to “lecture” Fernando about his plans and Fern walking away and finally turning to watch Juan, we hear Juan thought bubbling how he wishes he had paid attention to Fen’s words, because he would have avoided so much suffering. Fern wasn’t telling him at this time all he knew about Don Cesár Luis. But to be truthful, if he had told Juan at that moment, he wouldn’t have been listening to anyone. Juan continues to thought bubble that he was so emotional, thinking about the night with his little caramel-mouth, that he wouldn’t have heard anything at all.

In Pastor’s office, he’s telling Ivonne that supposedly, then, CL is in Monterey. Ivonne confirms it, saying that CL asked her to use much discretion. Pastor chuckles. He says he knows the word so well. She warns him about talking. He assures her he’s a tomb; among other things, he needs to remain the right hand of the big boss. They need to forget this, and remain like a sepulcher. Ivonne nods in agreement.

Juan is opening the door of the car to let Paula out. Talking with the speed of light, he tells he’ll leave her here, and tells her to go rest, he’ll come and get her, they’ll get her mother, they’ll all go to eat and be happy and content. She smiles and chuckles at his agitation, and tells him she’ll be waiting then. He opens the back door again and she comes back to him, thanking him for everything. He says she has nothing to thank him for, and they’ll go eat very tasty food [Ed. Note: is it just me, or does Juan become a complete imbecile most of the time when she’s around? He doesn’t do that with Marely. Looks more like heroine worship to me.] As he watches her going into the building, Juan happily thought bubbles about they will live their love all their days, and how she enchants his eyes. Palomita music plays and he whips his jacket around.

Kike is waiting for Juan on the street, standing in front of his new transport truck. He’s got a lively lime green shirt on, probably one of the best colors we’ve seen on Kike yet. Juan sees him and whips the car in front of the truck, jumping out to greet his friend. They greet each other; Juan wants a favor. [Ed. Note: Enrique should be way nervous right now; the favors Juan wants usually leave him broke for weeks.] Warily, he asks what type of favor they’re talking about now. Juan tells him not to get like that, it’s not of the other world. Enrique knows that the favors Juan asks will grind one down. Juan says this one will fill his heart and soul. He puts his arm around Enrique’s shoulder and kisses him on the head. Kike has a questioning look…..Juan says it’s the one way Kike can lend a hand. Kike laughs at him, and tells him to quit grinding. He loves Juan, too, but don’t work on him that way. It took everything he had to buy that truck. [Ed. Note: Aha! Kike has the nature of the favor figured out!] It left him broke. Juan begins to moan. He doesn’t know what he’s going to do, because the appointment he has is so vital to him…..the scene pops and we hear a “boing” sound repeatedly and we know that Juan continues to work Kike over about the favor he wants. Kike has his back to Juan and keeps saying, “no, no.” We see scene after scene with Juan begging. He looks sooo pitiful! Then he begins to rap “my Kike is with me, always with me” dancing with the rap. Kike is beginning to chuckle in spite of himself. Who can resist this guy?

The next thing we know, Juan is trying on expensive jackets in that men’s store. Kike wonders how he can convince Juan, knowing how he is. He looks resigned. Juan puts his arm around Kike and assures him he’ll return all that he has borrowed. Kike looks up at him dubiously. (We get a great shot of Juan’s chest, because his shirt is open to the waist and the shark’s tooth is prominent.) Kike says he can only hope so. Juan asks when he’s told him an untruth, or been crooked with Kike? Kike says what about what happened with Yadira? Juan asks when he hasn’t been honest? Kike acknowledges that he’s right. Juan says they’re soul brothers, until death, and he’ll make Kike feel proud. He asks Kike to help him find a great suit. It has to be tonight. Kike is concerned about the money Juan wants. Juan reassures him it’ll be all right.

Fernando is leaving CL outside Paula’s apartment building. CL won’t need him later. He’s staying. Fernando tells him to rest.

Juan tries on a white shirt and a gold and black tie with a trendy pattern. Kike thinks the only thing this will cause is smiles. He thinks the jacket Juan has him holding is eccentric (it’s light gray with white lapels. Kike is on to something here). Juan assures him it’s stylish, the color, fabric and texture. He calls the sales person. He wants five centimeters taken up on the slacks. The salesperson doesn’t like the idea, it’ll spoil where the pants break. Juan wants his boots to show. He’s the customer. They guy reluctantly agrees and goes off to take care of it. Juan explains about how his boots should be showing to Kike, who also looks dubious. (For all Kike’s lack of fashion expertise, he apparently registers that the shorter pants are NOT good form.)

We find Paula answering the bell in her robe. [Ed. Note: Geez, Louise, this is a lovely apartment!] She is pleasantly surprised. CL says that here he is, a well-behaved boy, as she can see, and he knocked first. He comes in with his little suitcase and briefcase. She asks about the suitcase. He tells her [duh] it’s a suitcase. She knows, but why? They flirt a little, and he finally tells her he’s staying (after he lays some mildly guilt-inducing groundwork about her worrying). They’re going to spend the night together, alone. She repeats this as a question…..and he says, “but if you don’t think it’s a good idea” and pretends to take his suitcase out the door. She grabs him back playfully. [Ed. Note. Blech]. They kiss. And kiss. [Ed. Note: Double Blech.]

In the mall, Kike and Juan walk away from the store. Juan is dressed in the new jacket and slacks (fast altering job, you think?) His tie is still tied too high above his buckle. What’s up with that? Kike tells him he’s keeping notes about how much Juan owes. Juan tells him he’s good for it. He’s Juan Dominguez. He walks away and Kike sees some girls ogle Juan and make a u-turn to follow them. Kike grins and comments on his new followers. Juan tells him to forget it, for him there is only one woman. From now on, pay attention here, Kike, Juan Dominguez is a faithful man! He throws back his head to punctuate this announcement. Kike smiles and chuckles. So, who’s the victim? He’s dying of curiosity. Well, it’s a formidable woman. Kike wants to know if he knows her? Is it Marely? Juan is slightly impactado. No, it’s not Marely. It’s his Licenciada, his boss. Kike is impactado. She is a major bombon. Juan does a twirl and they chuckle together.

CL is telling Paula about how they’ll be together all night. They can maximize the time. They flirt disgustingly. [Okay, okay, that should have been an Ed. Note. It was totally judgmental.] It’s his proposal. It depends on her. On me? Yep. She flirtingly reminds him she’s a decent woman. [Ed. Note: you could have fooled us, Paula.] He responds he’s a man of proposals. [Ed. Note: okay, at least he’s somewhat honest.] How about if they eat, dance, who knows what? She tells him “sorry, I have another commitment.” What??? Let me get this straight…..we are supposed to be together and what??? She explains about the dinner with Juan. CL is annoyed impactado.

Juan and Kike are sitting at a table, and Juan is telling Kike that things began as all great love stories begin. He can’t deny that his marble goddess, from the first day, began throwing him to the dogs (making him crazy?) Just imagine, here he was, a country boy in the capital, confused, and he didn’t realize. Kike notes that he falls for the women. Juan coughs and comments on it……He tells Kike this evolved over time, chatting in the car, while they were in traffic, at the stoplights, and romance surged, clearly, between them. [Ed. Note: I hate to see Juan doing this to himself. What planet has he been on?] And the moment arrived when he realized…..Kike asks if the Licenciada has said something to him. Well, no, she doesn’t need to say it, he can tell. Kike isn’t so sure. Kike points out that unfortunately, one never really can understand women. [Ed. Note: pay attention, Juan, Kike is more savvy than you think.] Juan says he and Paula are at another level. He goes on about how they arrived at the place where their hearts collided. Kike wants to know if they’ve done the deed. Juan is offended! Not yet! It’s in her heart and mine. Kike asks about the invitation to eat, what’s up with that? Juan explains (as if Kike were a small child who had to have everything explained very clearly), it’s to bare their hearts to each other, and accept that they must be for each other. He sings some thumping sounds like heartbeats for Kike.

CL wants to know how Paula prefers eating with her chauffeur. She shouldn’t be choosing the chauffeur over him! She tells him she just can’t tell him no. He mocks her— “oh, what a bother, you’re his BOSS!” She protests that it’s a question of politeness, and he lives with her mother. Okay, but why does it have to be exactly today?? She tells him to put himself in Juan’s place. He showed a lot of fortitude to make this invitation and she’s not going to cancel. CL wants to know if they couldn’t pick another day? He goes on the offensive; he accuses her of exaggerating. He says he’s gotten jealous. Of Juan? Yes, of Juan, who are we talking about? She chuckles and tells him he’s exaggerating. [Ed. Note: I can’t get past him keeping his wedding ring firmly on his hand and gesturing often with it flashing at the camera. Why isn’t she picking up on this??? Or, is it not a wedding ring? Do they wear weddings rings on the right hand like the Europeans, so this isn’t one? I’m just saying….] CL backs down a little. He puts his hand on her cheek. What he wants is to be with her. Could they come to a neutral point? He has the perfect solution; he’ll go eat with them.

Kike and Juan are walking out of the mall. Kike asks him what he’s getting mixed up in here. Juan tells him it was going to happen sooner or later. Kike is concerned about what he’s going to do, but Juan says it’s a sacrifice he’s prepared to make for love. It turns out what Kike is trying to argue him out of doing is…..CUT HIS HAIR! Juan is determined to get it cut more in a current style. [Ed. Note: Kike, leave the man alone. It’s time he cut it.] Kike tries to convince him it’s part of him, his personality. Juan says where there is love, there is grief. He’s doing this. He appreciates Kike’s good intentions. Kike wants him to take five minutes to think it over. Juan agrees. Five minutes, no more.

Paula and CL are still discussing him going with them to dinner with Juan. She doesn’t think it’s a good idea and he doesn’t see why. Well, because she thinks she should ask Juan first. CL thinks Juan will be charmed with the idea. [Ed. Note: baloney]. Well, she tells him, the plan was more for a family thing. He’ll inhibit it. He goes on the offensive again, telling her he gets the impression that she doesn’t want him along. Or, does she have some problem about Juan finding out about them? She sighs and tells him that’s not it. She’s the one who’s interested in having what’s between them as open as possible. Well, since that’s the case, he tells her, then this person so important to you, so close, such as Juan, should find out about us right now. She tries to explain, and he cuts her off, telling her not to worry so much. She says they’re back to the same place, it’s just not the correct thing to do. “I want to say something. Correct or no, Paula, I am not prepared, for anything in the world, to be apart from you. Not even for a second.” [Ed. Note: at least for the next twelve hours or so.] He charms her annoyance away with kisses.

Yadi and Marely are talking together in their living room. Marely wants to know what Yadi knows about Cesár Luis Farell. Yadi senses some gossip here and wants to know that now she wants to spite Juan with this Papi Rico? Marely is offended. She says she’s looking for a boyfriend, like others (but implies he’s not it). Yadi turns back to CL and sings his praises, especially his wealth. He’s almost perfect. Except for one tiny detail. Marely wants to know what that is. Yadi tells her that according to Mami, he shoots at anything that moves. Marely wants to know how Mami knows these things about him. Well, Yadi replies, according to Mami, he had her in his sights at one time. And you know our Mami….Marely cuts her off, yelling. It’s TMI. Don’t be vulgar, we’re talking about Mami here. Yadi says, what else? It’s in my genes. She goes back to flipping her magazine. Marely points out he’s married, or what? Yadi replies he’s VERY married. Marely asks if she sure, and Yadira replies that she was there with Mami when she called the wife personally and invited them to the wedding. Marely is impactada and says, for real? Yadi nods, yep, yep. We hear Nidia prancing in on the wood floor before we see her. Well, we actually only see her legs, with her hands carrying a large poster covered with brown paper wrapping, and she’s behind it. They greet each other. The package slides down and Nidia is beaming over the top of it at them. Yadi wants to know why this joyful face? Nidia’s brought them a little surprise.

Juan and Kike are still sitting in the mall at the table. Juan notices time is flying and he’s going to be late. Kike is still working on him, reminding him to pay attention to how Kike has ended up with Yadira. (He implies that he loves her and she is on another planet). Juan says his thing with Paula is different. Kike presses him; did she say something in concrete? Of course not! Juan is miffed. Kike wants to know how he can be so sure. Juan says one can feel these things in the soul, the skin. It’s a great attraction like the moon feels for the earth, and neither of them can deny it. How could they resist such a pull? Okay, Kike says, if you cut the mop of hair, and then….they give you a hit (as in baseball)…..Juan says that would be a work/an act of God. One of two things will happen; they’ll have to unglue him from the floor with a spatula or off the morfera? But one thing is for sure, I’d split myself for what I feel for her, now and always (it’s a guess, folks “Yo me la rifo”). Kike wonders if he hasn’t thought maybe his boss likes him with his hair like that? Juan says again that he wants to be stylish so he’s cutting it, and adapt himself as the women like. In the world of bald men, the hairy ones are ?? Trenzudo? Mocked? Kike hopes it all his dreams come true with all this effort. He’ll be Kike’s total idol, Kike tells Juan. Juan hears a cuckoo clock (in his head), taps his watch, and Kike looks at his. It’s getting late and time to get that mop of hair cut and listen to the rhythm of the sax. Juan dances in place.

Yadi tells her mother not to keep them waiting, what’s the great surprise? The girls stand, waiting, with arms crossed and backs to us. Nidia tells them not to get ancy, they’re going to adore it. Marely and Yadi exchange irritated looks and Marely asks if they can turn around yet. Nidia says they can turn around, and she’s got a large picture up on the kitchen wall, but is standing in front of it, covering the best parts so it’s not fully visible. Yadi whines a little about Mami messing with them. Mami moves aside with a trumpet sound and flourish of hands—it’s Juan, nude and framed beautifully on canvas. Yadi and Marely have never, ever been so impactada in their lives. El Rey de Tiburon plays in the background as the camera pans up and down the picture of Juan’s elegant frame. Marely puts her hand to her mouth, her eyes big a saucers. Yadi makes a large “o” with her mouth, and then abruptly closes it. Nidia grins impishly. [Ed. Note: one wonders how Alirio will take this, gentle readers.]

Juan is in the same salon at the mall where Pastor had taken him when Pastor was trying to change Juan. The stylist, Pastor’s friend, says, “look who we have here, the rebel without a cause.” He mocks. Have you finally decided to cut that hair? Juan grabs his hand in a friendly shake. How’s it going? The stylist tells him fine. He peers around Juan to give Kike a judgmental once-over. Has Juan abandoned Pastor for this? Kike fusses. Juan calms them. He tells Kike he looks very good. Juan tells the guy Pastor is his boss, period, nothing more, and this is his brother. [Ed. Note: not to put too fine a point on it, but you two look nothing alike, Juan.] The stylist tells Juan not to infuriate him. He tells the fellow to cut his hair. The stylist says with much pleasure he will arrange these locks, for Juan, he always has time. He turns and glides happily to the chair. Juan turns to the scowling Kike and hands him the new jacket, telling him not to wrinkle it. Kike gets the shopping bag, too. Juan goes to the chair. The stylist puts a cape on Juan, walks away, then turns and gives him an intense look before he goes to the back to get his cutting tools. Kike leans over and stage whispers to Juan that they really better go, and he’ll take Juan to see Kike’s stylist, who’s very macho. Juan shushes Kike. In this day and age fellows like Juan and Kike do go to stylists like this one, what’s Kike talking about? The stylist is on the way back, behind Kike, who is gesturing widely at Juan. The stylist pushes Kike away and speaks to Juan. He asks what Juan would like. Juan tells him cut it, cut it, it’s your hair, whatever you like. The stylist beams! He wants to put highlights in it, and the whole nine yards. He grins devilishly. It’s a joke. [Ed. Note: what a lovely floral pattern on his black silk long-sleeved shirt, and how nice with that white vest. How come I can never find outfits like that? ;-) ] Juan sets his jaw. He’s prepared for the worst. The beaming stylist spins Juan around so he can watch the devastation in the mirror.

Back at Casa Cachón, Yadi and Marely are frozen in time and space with open mouths. Marely speaks first. “It looks grotesque to me, Mamá!” Why? Nidia wants to know. Give me reasons. Reasons??? Yadi is incensed. The man is naked right in the middle of a room of our house! Nidia says exactly, now they going to be able to have Juan present in body in the house, at least in their imaginations. She babbles sweet nothings at the portrait. What a body, my Lord! Oh, yeah, divine, Yadi tells her. All we need is to light a candle and pray to him, as if he were a cherub. [Ed. Note: Yadi does sarcasm so well]. Nidia tells her not to be such a lowbrow, this is art! She says there’s nothing vulgar about it, it is the purest expression of the beauty of the male figure. We hear well-known classical music playing in the background. Marely says no, Yadira is right, it’s frightful. Frightful? Look at it well, Nidia tells her, it’s like Rafael’s David. Marely analyzes, that would be Michelangelo. Nidia says whatever. Our Juan, has his skin…..Nidia strokes her fingers along the portrait’s body and the girls are in shock. If they keep their mouths open that wide much longer they may not be able to get them closed again. Nidia says, “so bronzed, so tan!” The girls are gasping and gaping. Nidia turns back to them and points out that those marble statues are so white! Yadira, perhaps at a loss for words, says, well, it seems you know a lot about art. Marely says perhaps a female would be better, more delicate, and more feminine. Nidia says, well, excuse me, I like this one. Yadi tells her okay, okay, if you like it, put it into your room but not here where the whole world can see it! Marely agrees. You have to take it out! No, no, Nidia says she’s not taking it out. It’s good there. Not only the model, but also the work itself is good. The person who painted it has an artistic sensitivity. (She hoists and clasps her fists in emphasis.) And since she’s in charge of the house, she is ordering that this picture stays put. She huffs off, mincing and hoisting, complaining that they know nothing about nudes. Yadi stares at her Mami while Marely goes to the kitchen bar and drapes her elbows on it, head on hands, to stare at the picture. Yadi joins her. They sigh, and Marely says, “no way. Well, he has good body.” Yadi agrees, very good. She wonders aloud who could have painted it. [Ed. Note: won’t THAT make for an excellent scene?] They sigh, stare and purr at the painting as the camera turns back to it. We hear Juan’s voice, “here I was. Like Cuauhtémoc , [Ed Note: Tortured to reveal his treasure, Cuauhtémoc replied that it lay at the bottom of the lake–where the Spaniards had perished with it in their flight from Tenochtitlán on the noche triste [sad night]. ] The camera slides slowly to Juan in the chair getting his hair cut.

He’s handing over his treasured hair. It’s torture. We see the scissors snip the tangled locks into the stylist’s waiting hand. If the emperor could give himself up to the fire, he can go to the bother of giving up his hair for the Licenciada. He thinks that the sacrifice will allow him to break the hard shell of his oriental pearl and he can cherish the pearl in his hands finally. He glances in resignation at the pile of hair on the floor.

Paula is still in her robe and CL is still working on her. He tells her she looks divine in a robe. She tells him to enjoy it now because she has to go get ready. CL wants to take advantage of the moment in time they have now. He pulls her down onto the sofa deftly and kisses her.

The stylist declares it’s ready and he’s a genius! Juan had his eyes closed, and is turned around to Kike, whose opinion he wants. You’re asking me?? Come on! Is it good or bad? Kike tries to respond. Well, like a sheared lion-that was a lot of hair you were carrying around! [Ed. Note: I think he looks great! Okay, okay, the mullet was endearing, but this is classy.] The stylist says “permit me to disagree, it looks divine to me.” He leans over and talks to Juan about ten inches from his face. Juan is uneasy with this. He’s left Juan an Adonis. Really? Uh-huh. Kike interrupts and says “what Adonis? This is Juan Dominguez.” The stylist pats Juan on the shoulder and makes a snide comment about Kike, who retorts back. Juan gets up and calms Kike. The stylist wonders if Kike is jealous or what? Juan calms them some more. He asks for the bill so he can pay it, and how about the clippings in a plastic bag? The stylist gasps in horror. Juan wants him to hurry. While the stylist picks the clippings off the floor and glares over his shoulder at Juan, Juan puts his jacket on and asks Kike’s opinion. Kike just scowls at him.

Kike, counting the change, comes out of the shop where Juan is waiting for him in the mall. He’s hoping this serves well to solidify Juan’s happiness, because here’s all Kike has left. Juan grabs at it, but Kike’s too fast. Finally, Juan gets the cash. What? You’re sure there’s no more? [Ed. Note: with friends like Kike, who needs an ATM?] Kike is irritated. This should get him dinner and pay the tip. Juan explains he’s not sure, because he wanted to make it really special down to the last detail for his little dove, that’s all. Kike is surprised, won’t that fill his belly sufficiently? Juan puts the cash in his pocket and mumbles a little that he wanted to be able to buy her a little gift. Something that would help her never to forget this evening, for example, a little ring. Kike is impactado. Oh, a ring and everything! Well, when have you not seen a hand with a ring?

Prominent on the screen is a black velvet box with a shiny, big diamond in it, held in a masculine hand with well-buffed nails. We hear Paula exclaiming in awe, “it’s for me?” “For who else?” CL asks as the camera shows his face, all earnest, as he offers it to her. She can’t believe it and he tells her to take it, it’s a way for him to show how much he loves her. She takes the box. She remarks that it’s precious and must have cost a fortune. He replies it’s nothing she doesn’t deserve. She tells him she adores him, and he replies not as much as he loves her---between the sloshy kisses.

Kike is still mocking at the idea of Juan spending Kike’s money on a ring for his love. Juan remarks about them seeing his mother-in-law, and Kike wonders if he’s already asked for the lady’s hand. Juan says he hasn’t yet. Kike thinks he’s moving pretty fast! Juan scolds him on his pessimism, though. Kike says it’s one thing to be confident, and another to be defective, with all respect. Juan scolds him again. What kind of friend is he? Kike responds he’s the kind who’ll work 18 hours a day so he can give his lunatic friend the money to do all this for an old woman. Juan asks if he’s going to help him buy the ring or not? Well, why not? Can’t send you into the war without a weapon (fusil=rifle, gun). Juan beams at him. [Ed. Note: could it be that Kike is living his dreams out vicariously through Juan?] He hugs Kike from the side and gives him a kiss on the head. They mutter at each other. Juan tells him to come here and moves him back toward the stores.

Juan is looking through the center of a ring, close-up. He thought bubbles it’s like he told Kike, the prices are like from another planet. Kike shakes his head and says nothing. Juan leans over the counter with the rings, behind which stands a saleslady. He hands her the ring and says confidentially “very pretty, but do you have something more….economical?” She smiles and takes it back; she’ll show them to him right away. Kike whispers “it costs more than….” Juan waves him off while the saleslady comes back with more to show him. Juan is thought bubbling to himself how he realizes he’s near the stars, he wants to buy the best for his little caramel mouth, and little by little as they go down in price, he’s realizing the truth. They get the last tray, with tiny stones in the rings. “And this one, how much?” He holds one up. “150 pesos.” Kike tells them it’s precious. Juan says this one will charm her, he’s getting this one. Kike pats him on the shoulder and they comment on how precious it is and how pretty.

Outside Ana’s home, it’s dark. Juan enters. Ana is sitting at the table, having a cup of tea. Juan comes to parade his new clothes and see if she’ll notice, greeting her warmly. He asks how she likes his new look as she seems muy impactada. He whips off the jacket to show the white shirt, tie, etc. She tells him very good, it suits him well. He tells her to touch the jacket, it’s pure English cashmere [Ed. Note: Caray! Expensive for Kike!] Ana obligingly touches it. She tells him she meant his hair. Oh, my ex-mop! He’s a little embarrassed. But how about the clothes? Pretty, huh? She agrees, very lovely. Very appropriate for the occasion. Ana doesn’t know what else to say. (After all he left this morning a country boy in a suit, and now he’s a meterosexual…..or would be, if his tie didn’t end midway up his chest). He tells her she’s elegant herself and twirls her around, dances with her, and tells her she’s so good-looking, nice, and look, she’s in blue, and he’s bluish. [Ed. Note: huh, Juan??] The tease back and forth, and Ana says, well, shall we go? Yes, he replies, it’s time to get the Licenciada, my dear lady. She goes for her purse. Juan thought bubbles that with a mother-in-law it’s better to have a friend than an enemy. It’s no work to do that with Doña Ana. She’s a total lady. They leave together.

Alirio comes in and says “lovely Yadi,” he thought no one was home. It almost sounds suggestive, or ooky, depending on one’s perspective of this viejo. He sort of gives her a once over. (Me, I’m shuddering). She retorts that for a moment, she thought it must be someone else. She tells him to come in, sit down, she’ll tell her mother he’s here. He hopes he didn’t interrupt supper. Sarcastically she tells him not to worry, the freeloader arrived at the right moment. He says she always comes up with witty remarks. She looks irritated and puts her forehead on her elbow, which is resting on the banister. Unfortunately, he’s not to blame if he happened to show up to visit exactly when they chose to eat. [Ed. Note: timing is everything, Alirio, isn’t it?] Yadi says really, what a coincidence. (She’s a pro at sarcasm.) He avidly watches her retreating derriere swaying up the stairs in her minifalda and smiles to himself. [Ed. Note: she’s going to be your step-DAUGHTER, Alirio!] He goes to get a drink, and notices the PICTURE. Thunder booms as the music gets darker and darker. Alirio is muy, pero muy, impactado!

Yadi runs into Nidia’s room, breathless. Mama, Mama, your enamored is looking for you and you better go downstairs before he sees the picture…..we hear a bellow from below. Niiiiidia! Yadi looks at her mother—“he’s already seen it.” They look at each other ruefully. Alirio is having a mimisqui, ala Luigi from La Fea Más Bella. He gasps for air. He looks again. We see the magnificent portrait.

Paula is wearing a lovely red confection, and hanging after telling someone they’ll be right down. She tells CL Juan has arrived. CL says, oh, a punctual gentleman. He puts on his jacket, making a comment about Juan. Paula tells him not to make fun. CL brushes it off. She tells him she doesn’t like that kind of commentary. Why can’t he let people express themselves as they want? Not everyone can be the same as you. He backs down and pacifies her. He says he was just playing; he knows perfectly well how to behave according to the occasion and the guests. He tells her not to worry, and she says she hopes so. Juan is good with her and her mother, and there’s no need to make fun of him. CL takes her face in his hands. He promises and what’s more, this evening he’s going to make Juan feel like a king. They leave.

Juan and Ana are waiting downstairs, chatting. Ana is thanking him for the lovely gesture of inviting them to eat. He assures her it’s nothing, and they deserve much more. He wants to confess to her that because they have been so supportive and have trusted him, this dinner is to thank them really for all they have done for him, but this isn’t the whole reason for the invitation. Ana asks, well, what then, Juan? He thought bubbles to himself “Here I go, Papa God, give me a hand.” He sets his shoulders and screws up his courage as Ana watches curiously. He takes her hand and tells her he wants to take this occasion to express (in the background we hear the elevator ding as Ana looks a bit concerned at something behind Juan)……He turns to look, still holding her hand. Here come Paula and CL off the elevator smiling broadly. The four look at each other and then Juan looks down; Juan is impactado-unhappy and Ana is impactada-irritated. Juan looks back up at the pair with shock and hurt in his face. We are reminded that any similarity to real life is purely a coincidence. [Ed. Note: thank heaven]

Jeanne

Labels: Juan