Sunday, October 14, 2007
October 12, 2007 Yo Amo a Juan Q – In which Juan Has a Day at the Park and Yadi’s No Cargadora
We open to find ourselves in the Dávila living room, and Juan is talking earnestly with Paula. Since I didn’t see last night’s episode, thank you, Sylvia, for preparing me for Juan’s outfit. It wasn’t entirely real until I was confronted with it, but I was ready.
Juan and Paula discuss her mother’s departure for Monterey. He tries to give her a piece of advice, and thought bubbles that he feels like he’s 20 again, he’s so awkward. Juan has a brainstorm—he’ll speed things up a bit; he tells Paula he’ll ask her mother for her hand in marriage. Paula, looking both touched by his naïveté and dismayed by it, points out her mother isn’t going forever, this is a bit of a rush. He declares that he knows his feelings; he’s totally committed. He wants her mother to know it. She wants to think about this with more deliberation. Juan wants to know what there is to think about. He knew the first time he saw her, and he wants her to be the mother of his children. He wants her to be his support, when he gets old, and everything [Ed. Note: Huy, there’s a phrase guaranteed to send a woman off into hibernation. Juan, listen up. YOU’re supposed to be the one taking care of her when SHE gets old.] He describes the scene he imagines; looking at the family albums (with 50 grandchildren, all as lovely as she is). Juan wants to know what’s her dream of their future? Is it like his? [Ed. Note: Juan is no judge of facial expression and body language. He’d be sunk in the deaf community. Paula’s sent him every possible nonverbal signal of aversion here.] She’s just speechless with dismay.
Yadi has Kike cornered on a sofa in the Casa Cachón living room. He’s actually dressed up, with a lovely black leather jacket that looks ultra soft. Nice. Yadi, of course, is dressed to the nines in a provocative hot pink spangled thing. Kike tells Yadi he’ll just wait for Juanito outside and stands up. He gets unceremoniously dragged back down to the sofa. Is he so upset to see her, Yadi wants to know. Kike can’t look her in the eye. Probably because he’s looking at her hemline. He tells her they should just let it go. She wants to explain about that Gutierrez. He holds up his hands and frowns—that’s your stuff, he tells her. She whines masterfully. She tells him that she did it because she wanted to make him jealous. The person she has a big beef with is Alirio.
Speaking of the king of Rome, he’s in his striped jammies sitting up in bed, while Nidia, dressed to the nines (must run in the family) is fussing at him. Is he going to stay in bed and sulk all night? He peers around her and tries to work the remote at the television on the dresser behind her. We hear the actors….Nidia runs to grab the remote and turn down the sound. She tells him he has to come down to dinner with them. [Ed. Note: we all sincerely hope he doesn’t go down in his jammies. The shorts were bad enough.] He tells her to do him a favor and turn up the sound. She wants an answer: is he coming or not? [Ed. Note: apparently, this is not a simple yes/no question.] He tells her in the first place, differently from all y’all, who appear to be a group of party (farras) animals, I have nothing to celebrate. In the second place, I would get no pleasure in sitting at a table in your company, much less party with that degenerate Juan Dominguez. That’d be the last straw! What would that degenerate tell me? That jerk (conchudo) would proclaim himself king of the house, and I? I would be the one to pay for his ascension to the throne. [Ed. Note: not to put too fine a point on it, but since when have you brought home a salary, Alirio? It’s only your first week of work. Ever.] He tells her it’d be the last straw (sería el colmo, it would be the last straw). Nidia tells him then it seems he won’t be with them. She’s clearly upset. NOT.
Yadi is still working on Kike in the living room. She tells him she is a freeeeee woman, leaning far over at him while he attempts to draw back. He tells her it’s just a matter of time before she finds a new beau. She whines some more and wants to know if he’s so enamored of that Julia chick. He looks at her somberly and informs her that’s over. For real? She scoots closer to Kike, “then, you and I…..” He scoots further away and laughs nervously. “I pass,” Kike scoffs. He’s not interested. He scoots again. Yadi matches him one for one. “Well, we’ll see if you laugh like that when I give you the little surprise I have for you.” “What surprise?” Kike’s getting nervous. She tells him he’ll know it when the time is right. He wants a heads up, but moves over some more and Yadi follows suit. [Ed. Note: this sofa must be 12 feet at least.] She tells him if what she thinks is true, they’ll see who gets the last laugh---and shakes her finger at him provocatively. She past him on the knee and informs him she’ll just leave him to wait for his friend. Yadi gets up and sashays off to the stairs. Kike stares, impactado, at her departing derriere. His eyes track and his head swivels all the way around behind him while she swishes up the stairs, strategically hold the fabric of her dress taut across her okole. [Ed. Note: I hope that didn’t cost her much. They really shorted her on fabric. She’d be kicked right off of Southwest Airlines.] Kike’s tongue has found its way out of his mouth as he contemplates this scene. One hopes the sofa is stain resistant, because he’s drooling.
Juan is still trying to convince Paula it’s a good time to talk to her mother. She stands and paces a little. She reminds him she’s told him this is all too new for her. He reminds her that when they talked in the afternoon, she was very sure. (Well, of course she was, with CL standing there listening.) She protests that this is such an important decision…. Juan smiles and kisses the back of her hand lovingly. [Ed. Note: even his brilliant smile can’t dull the impact of the coat, tie, and shirt. The total picture is truly….how should we say…..indescribable?] He thought bubbles to himself and puts his hand up to stroke Paula’s cheek. She deftly removes his hand. He doesn’t register that this might not be a Good Thing, and thought bubbles that each day gives new reasons for joy. Paula, frowning, tells him he has to take this seriously. She tells him to give her time, and let them take it little by little. Not everyone operates on impulse [Ed. Note: except where César Luís is concerned, right, Paula?] Juan, totally oblivious to her impulse comment, leans over and grabs her in a hug. He lets go and tells her she’s totally right. He wants to know when her mother will go. Paula tells him that Ana will leave at 9:00 the next morning. He wants to go with them to the airport. She agrees, her mother will probably be delighted that he’s going with them. Well, Juan tells her, then he’ll see her in the morning. Paula’s smiling again and agreeing now that she has what she wants. He kisses her cheek and tells her goodbye until tomorrow. She responds. Juan walks toward the door but turns back, faces her as she looks at him, puzzled, and he grabs her for a deep kiss. “Ay, Amor” plays for us. The kiss goes on. And on. He breaks away and does the happy dance all the way to the door while Paula smiles and runs her fingers in her hair. The smile fades as he’s out the door.
Queen Nidia, complete with her in-home dining tiara, presides at the table. Kike regales the ladies Cachón with the tale of their new transport work. Marely wants to know if Juan is a really great worker, or is he the PR guy for the partnership? Kike assures her Juan is a pack mule getting the goods into and out of the truck. They worked like slaves, but the results they saw! Yadi praises Kike, how wonderful it’s going well, because he deserves it! Kike clears his throat and tells them this is only the beginning. They’re going to ride the wave (okay, I loosely translated using the Hawaii concept of success—get on that wave and surf a long way, because Kike did say they’d be “arriba la espuma” above the foam). Nidia is pleased. When he talks this way, he looks like Samuel to her. She reminisces about those days—Samuel had so many dreams, so many accomplishments. “What times those were!” She sighs with pleasure at the memory.
The door slams and they look at each other. Juan is back, without Paula. Yadi is, of course, the only one nosy enough to ask. Oh, Juan says, my girlfriend wasn’t able to come. [Duh.] Marely looks at him worriedly. He’s putting a good face on it, but clearly disappointed. They all look around again and Nidia looks toward Marely, nodding. She told them so.
Ana is lying in her bed telling Paula that Paula knows how much Ana loves her. But she’s concerned about Paula’s relationship with Juan. Paula had the opportunity to resolve things with Juan, what happened? Well, Juan didn’t give her a chance, Paula counters. Ana isn’t buying it. She overheard Juan, and knows he plans to ask for Paula’s hand. Paula shakes her head, smiling a little at Juan’s naïveté. Ana thinks she should have just done it. Paula says she was tempted at that moment, but….the flesh was weak (me falto valor, I lack the courage). Paula says she doesn’t want to hurt him; Ana thinks she’ll hurt him more by her silence now. What’s she waiting for, Ana wants to know? Until they have children and then she’ll tell him she never felt anything for him? Paula laughs and tells her about Juan’s dream of 50 grandchildren, but no! She just wants the night to make a decision. Ana looks doubtful. Paula assures Ana that after they take her to the airport she’ll explain to him with calm. “Are you sure?” “Yes.”
Dinner is an uncomfortable affair at the Cachón villa. He tells the family and Kike that his mother-in-law has to spend a few days in Monterrey for work, and Paula is home with her tonight. But she begged him to go with them to the airport. He smiles broadly and the silence is so deafening we can hear the crickets again. He starts again; what a shame that they prepared such a tasty dinner and went to so much trouble….he thanks Nidia. She says she did it gladly, for him. Juan just can’t let the awkward silence interfere; he proposes a toast. It’s to his dear mother-in-law, her trip, and that we here will be well. They tap glasses and toast. Marely is as silent as a stone, but Nidia babbles on. What’s this? Kike is actually making eye contact with Yadi while they toast!
Juan has that religious card in his hand as he prepares to go to sleep. He looks so cute in his yellow jammie shorts and sleeveless t-shirt—and white socks. He thought bubbles as he gets onto his knees, putting the card under his pillow. He’s worried about his beloved Palomita without her Mami for so many days. But, he’s going to resolve to take care of her - it’s in those moments of sadness that true love is shown. Apparently, his prayers can be said on the fly, and he swings back up into bed.
Pastor is fussing at his Mami, because he always goes with her to Mass but she wants to go alone. What if she begins to feel bad? The saints are at the church, and she can get a cure. He tells her if he didn’t know what a big joker she was, he’d be really upset. He tells her he could leave her at the church and then go get what they need for dinner. She wants to say a complete Rosary, and he should take his time, she tells him, as they leave together.
Juan is going by taxi to Paula’s and telling Kike why he can’t go right to work with Kike at this moment. He’ll meet Kike at the market where they’ll load the cargo. Kike wants to know if he’ll show up for sure. Juan is irritated. The same refrain again! Kike is worried, but Juan takes off in the taxi. Yadi trots up in her mini-falda (another one where they cheated her on the fabric) that has ruffles on the derriere. The tank top, at least, covers the territory and is actually quite fetching. Her dangly earrings match the lime green top, and the big white-framed dark glasses complete the look. Whoops, no, there’s more. She’s got botitas, too—or heels and flowered knee socks. Hard to tell with the captions on. Kike can’t believe she’s up this early, and on a Sunday, too, fully dressed! What’s up with that? Nope, she tells him, I’m going to work with you. She simpers a little. Kike is appalled—“what?? You work?” “Well sure, I didn’t have anything planned for today, so I decided to help you.” Kike is seriously doubtful. “Doing what?” “I dunno, whatever. Don’t tell me you don’t need an assistant!” (Yadi’s word was “chalana,” which according to my new Barron’s “Dictionary of Spanish Slang” is a bricklayer’s assistant). She postures with her hands on her hips, pouting. They fuss a little. He says she can’t do that, and much less like she is. Well, she’ll change if he wants her to, she says. [Ed. Note: Kike, be careful what you ask for.] He tells her that there is NO way he is going to take her. She pouts and cajoles and tries to give him a kiss—“why not?” She just wants to help him, so why is he so upset? Because in her whole life she’s never helped him with anything, and lately she has given up chasing him for some good amount of time. He tells her “see ya later” and gets into his truck. She whines, pouts and protests that he’ll see; he’s going to be sorry. She might even have stomped her little booted foot. Kike just tells her “Adios” and goes.
Marely and her mother are still at the breakfast table; it’s the weekend, after all. Marely accuses her mother of knowing something she hasn’t shared. Nidia denies it—nothing special. Only that she knows more about Juan’s relationship with Paula than they imagine. Marely wants to know how Nidia knows so much. Nidia makes her swear not to tell anyone. Marely points out that Nidia will tell her in the long run, so out with it, already. It comes out that Ana told Nidia some things….Paula is involved with CL, and he told her pure lies about his relationship. Marely is suspicious—Doña Ana told you all that? Yep, and what’s more, to get back at him Paula is using Juan. Marely looks disgusted; she tells her mother that he’s the only one who doesn’t know. Nidia is impactada; she knew it already? Marely’s pained look tells it all.
Juan kisses Ana’s hand and wishes her a good trip. Ana smiles and reminds him she’s only going for a short time, he’s exaggerating. Paula protests that they’ll miss her as if it’s a thousand. Juan assures Ana that he’ll take care of Paula, protect her [Ed. Note: you’ll protect her from CL? We think not.] He strokes her hair. They seem to have gotten the same memo and both wore orange tops today. They both have considerable cleavage, too. Juan’s, oddly enough, is not annoying. Ana tells him that more than taking care of Paula he ought to look out for himself. He thought bubbles that he didn’t understand it. But, he grabs Ana and hugs her. As he breaks away, Paula hugs her mother and Juan strokes them a little, looking anxious.
Marely confesses that Paula has told her all, about her relationship with Farell, his deceptions, the sadness, her “engagement” with Juan. She looks terribly sad. Her Mami, showing a rare moment of parenting skill, asks if Paula couldn’t see her suffering? Marely replies that Paula doesn’t know how she feels about Juan. Really, she shouldn’t be feeling anything. Paula just thinks she’s asking about Juan because she worries for him, nothing more. Nidia wants to know what they’re saying in the office. [Ed. Note: how did she know they’d be saying stuff?] Marely tells her it’s a hotbed (hervidero). They’re all craving the info about Juan and Paula, and then about this unfinished business with CL. Nidia exclaims about what a rogue Paula is. Marely says it’s not true, she’s really a good person. Nidia doesn’t think so, because what’s she doing with Juanito? This boy doesn’t’ deserve to be treated in this manner. Marely is close to tears, but keeps her composure. She doesn’t dare tell him. Nidia wants to know if she loves him or not. “What difference does it make now?” Nidia scoffs. It’s important. She’s always been a fighter, and in love, there is no such thing as giving up. She gives Marely a piece of advice. When Paula is through with him, Marely will be there for him. She’ll comfort him, and he’ll fall crazy in love with her—it never fails. Marely is incensed. She’s not going to take someone else’s leftovers. She’s not second best. If he loves her, fine. She’s not going to beg and offer herself as a consolation prize. She’s not going to pick up the pieces of a man who loves someone else.
Paula and Juan are back at her home, and she wants to have a serious discussion with him. He helps her be seated, gentleman that he is. He thought bubbles—is it just him, or does it seem like this could be really serious? He puts his jacket on the back of his chair and makes himself comfortable. She wants to tell him something she’s not sure how he’ll take. He tells her to go ahead in good faith because he’s all ears. She stutters around while he smiles encouragingly. It’s much more difficult than she thought. She thinks she’d like to put it off to another time when they have longer to give the subject.
Pastora is at the loading dock where Juan and Kike were working the day before. She gets into a taxi that is conveniently waiting for her at the cargo loading dock. What a charmed life she leads! Always a taxi there for her…..next to the taxi, Kike gets out of his truck. He rushes around toward the loading dock and notices Pastora leaving in the cab. He rubs his eyes---no, it can’t be Doña Pastora, can it? He’s seeing things!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch….er, the church, Pastor is watching the people leave, but no Mami among them. He asks a couple if they have seen Doña Pastora—do they know her? Apparently, they haven’t, and don’t. He looks muy worried and peers into the church.
Juan is encouraging Paula to talk to him. She looks tired, and probably just cannot find the words she wants to say. [Ed. Note: gee, what a teddy bear he is.] Nope, she tells him, it’s something else. He’s going to get her a cup of tea. She stops him. He tells her he’s going to propose something else. He’s inviting her to the fair. There’s one nearby and it’s enormous. It’s very amusing, so let’s go. She looks doubtful. [Ed. Note: it’s her second-best look, right after the fake smile when she’s using Juan to make CL jealous.] She thanks him but she’s not in the mood, especially for a fair. He wants to tell her a story about when he was a child. Every year, he waited eagerly for the fair to come to town. It was the National Fiesta, and you can imagine, my love, when it arrived those enormous mechanical games (rides?) were impressive! And a voice rang out in the town, “the fair has come! The fair is here! And we ran from our homes, and sat ourselves down, like this, out in the open field (portrero), and we watched how they put together ever one of those rides. It was impressive discipline, watching on the little grassy field. And after they were done, we got onto the games, under the games, on top, to the sides, they shook us up (nos zangloteaban). My love, the question was, I swear to you that when we got off of those rides, we forgot the world existed. The most serious problem in the world- was gone. That’s why it’s called an amusement park.” Juan’s enthusiasm is infectious; Paula is smiling in spite of herself. “You can forget all your sadness, all the problems, all the grief you have in your soul.” He takes her chin and strokes it, then her hand. “Surely Juan, but in this case it’s different. If I don’t talk with you, I’ll never be calm.” He thinks she would be diverted for at least a little while, and it would clear up her mind. Those words will leave like they have little wings. He’s not taking no for an answer, and stands, taking her hand. Let’s go! He’s going to get her a cotton candy (algodón de azúcar), a little ear of corn (elotito?). She finally gives in, and they’ll go “for as long as you want,” he tells her, and they won’t fight about it. He kisses her, grabs his coat and they get ready to go.
Kike is hanging out at the loading dock when Don Angarita comes out of his warehouse. “And your partner?” Kike makes excuses for Juan. He’s been detained….problems with…he almost says “faldas” – skirts, or woman problems. Instead he catches himself and stutters, then says “familiares,” family problems. Anything serious? No. Nothing that can’t be resolved. Kike nervously smiles—Juan will be along soon. Don A hopes so, because there’s a lot of work to be done. He doesn’t’ think Kike can do it alone. Kike tells him Don A doesn’t know him, look at the muscles (fiber). He pounds his triceps and grins. Don A recommends that Kike find a couple of dockworkers to help (cargadores). Kike says he’ll get right on it, and not to worry. This will be all cleaned up in two loads (patadas, another definition). Don A says in that case, he’ll leave Kike to it. Kike thanks him cheerfully and goes to unlock the truck. The thugs from their last visit to the bodega (warehouse, storeroom) move into a menacing circle around the dock in front of Kike. He eyes them warily.
Nidia bursts into Marely’s room. She can’t find Yadi. She’s worried; Marely suggests several places, including maybe Yadi’s gone to the store to buy something. Nidia says Yadi never told her, so she doesn’t think so. She’s been looking for Yadi a while and she hasn’t come back. Nidia goes into histrionics, her stock in trade. Where is that girl?? Marely just shrugs.
At the loading dock, we find out where Yadi has gone—there’s a chorus of wolf whistles. Kike isn’t whistling. She changed her clothes, and is wearing the mini-est bright red jump suit, sleeveless, with a long zipper, that was ever designed. She has a pink bandana over her hair, and high-top black and white sneakers with bright laces. They might even be high-heeled sneakers. She’s carrying a cute little purse. [Ed. Note: if you’ve ever been to Waikiki, she looks like the gals who come out after 9:00 p.m. when most families have taken the kiddies back to the hotel to bed. Especially the purse is reminiscent of those ladies….that’s the trademark style]. Yadi minces up to Kike, looking a little askance at the thugs. Kike was lifting a heavy bag of rice or beans, which drops abruptly on the ground. He flings his arms out, but if he thinks it’s going to save Yadi, he’s got another think coming. He stares at her and runs toward her. She jumps toward his arms while the leader jeers out harassing comments at her. (How much is that kilo of fruit?) Kike gets her a little way off from the tipos, and she fusses at him that she’s been looking for him and almost didn’t find him. He wants to know qué the heck she’s doing here? She wants to help. “How can you help me?” He yells at her and she fusses at him not to yell at her. [Ed. Note: the pink scarf just doesn’t cut it with the red jump suit. Or maybe it’s orange. Anyway, she needs to ditch the scarf.] She pouts and flirts and kisses him. Great, that’s guaranteed to make him look real macho in front of the gang here. “The only thing you need to do is go home RIGHT NOW,” he stage whispers at her. He tries to close up some of her cleavage. The tipos are really enjoying this show. It’s the best entertainment they’ve had in weeks. She pouts again and whines for him to let her help. He should take advantage that she’s there. He fusses some more at her and tells her to take it or leave it (didn’t catch it all). The tipos hop down from where they’ve been sitting on the dock, and join the leader to walk toward Kike and Yadi. The leader so you’ve brought reinforcements, our dear friend. Yadi cowers behind Kike, grasping him around the waist. “Whew, what reinforcements,” another one comments. “Just a moment, just a moment,” Kike tells them. “Respect this lady!” The leader grabs him and calls him a fool, and threatens him since Juan isn’t here. They look like they’re going to go for Yadi while the leader chuckles evilly and the tipos smile. Yadi stays glued to Kike’s back while we cut to commercial.
“Palomita” plays cheerfully at the fair. Oh, what a lovely sight it is! Juan is an overgrown puppy, bouncing around and yelling with joy at the fun. He points at a roller coaster, “it’s going up my love, and it’s going to come down, whoa!” Our eyes follow the roller coaster and our stomachs lurch. Thank goodness it’s only digital television and not IMAX. “The monumental Russian Mountain!” He puts his hands over his mouth and stares in shock and awe. Paula murmurs an agreement. He tells her he feels like he’s in a buffet and grabs her hand to drag her to a ride. Like Pacman, they’re off the screen. Like Pacman, they’re suddenly back on, going the other direction, “you know what, my love, we’re going to the toboggan.” Paula is laughing now at his excitement. She wants a plan. He apologizes for being a little barmy (chiflado – nutcase, crazy, barmy). He is so excited! She tells him to calm down and they’ll enjoy it all. He agrees, but he’s still bouncing up and down as he talks, hands askew as he gestures. He lists all the rides they’ll go on, ending up on the Russian Mountain. Paula tells him okay, let’s go. He kisses her hand before he drags her on again. [Ed. Note: She’s more covered up than usual, with jeans and boots. But, the jeans are so tight I’d have a backache trying to move in them.] Off they go to the rides, Juan spinning her around on the way.
The thug tells Kike and Yadi he’ll count to three, and they better take themselves far away. Kike tells him to calm down, folks understand discussion. Yadi is still clinging to Kike, her arms wrapped around his belly. Both she and Kike watch the group warily. They are surrounded. Kike wonders if they couldn’t come to some resolution (arreglo). The leader says the only thing he wants is to rearrange Kike’s face (arreglar la cara). Kike chuckles nervously and touches his face in horror. Yadi mirrors his horror behind his shoulder. She tries to talk, and Kike tries to shush her. “Oh, what fear! Kike knows karate and judo!” He makes chops in the air to punctuate her defiant words thrown at the leader---still from behind Kike. “This little porker is going to hit me? Oh, what fear, boys!” The leader clasps his hands, points at Kike, looks around at his buddies and laughs scoffingly. They all laugh. Kike is impactado as the guy reaches for his collar and threatens him insultingly again. Kike tells him the one thing he asks is that the guy calms down. Yadi yells behind him. “Leave him in peace, leave him!” The tipo tells his buddies that at least this guy with the face of a prickly pear (nopal) has her to defend him. He threatens both Kike and Yadi and acts like he’s coming behind Kike to grab Yadi. She makes an attempt to hide. [Ed. Note: the head thug was the pageant director guy in La Fea Más Bella. I liked him way better there.] Don A comes out of the warehouse door and intervenes. For as mild mannered as he looks, he sure does get their attention. A dockworker is with him. “You’re not giving any lessons to anyone,” he advises the tipos. The head tipo is annoyed but stops dead in his tracks; Yadi and Kike are impactados.
On a street somewhere in the D. F., some feds are pushing Gutis out of a blue shack. There’s a broken down 1970s VW bug (or thereabouts, I had one, the bumper is the same), it’s that kind of neighborhood. Gutis is yelling that he doesn’t know that guy. The feds yell back at him that he’s the guy’s lawyer, right? Anything you want to say, you can say to the public minister.” They keep yelling at each other and the feds wrestle a resisting Gutis to a police car. Agent Alirio, complete with dark glasses and fancy suit and tie on a Sunday morning, peers from behind a bushy area. The car takes off. Alirio is impactado!
Don A tells the thug leader and his tipos that Kike and his partner are working for Don A. “Is that a problem?” “No, Don Angarita. We didn’t know.” Don A tells him to listen up: leave these folks in peace or you’ll deal with me. “Understood?” Chaflán, the tipo, tells him it’s understood. Yadi looks smug behind Kike as Don Angarita speaks. Don A tells him to do the favor of leaving and let it be the last time. Chaflán nods tersely, agrees, and whistles to his wolf pack. They go, leaving a stunned Kike and Yadi there. “Is all well?” Don A asks Kike, who stutters around in affirmation and thanks him, apologizing for the trouble. He introduces Yadira, who flirts a little with Don A (who is much older). Kike calls her his “friend.” She bats at him as he pushes her to greet Don Angarita. Don A leans over and kneels on the dock to greet Yadi. He’s Angarita Calvo to serve her. She pleasantly greets him. Don A thinks he’s met her, but she says she doesn’t think so. He’s sure of it. She’s not. He’s seen her somewhere else, before. She doesn’t think so. For all the guys watching, we get a shot of her okole from below, looking up at him on the dock from behind her. Where is Ferro when we need him? Don A tells Kike there is much to do, and Kike says he’s on it and thanks Don A a thousand times. Don A gives Yadi one last long look and excuses himself.
Pastora has found her way back to the church, where Pastor has actually found his way inside to pray. She scolds him for not waiting outside. He tells her he looked all over for her and couldn’t find her, and that worried him. He was afraid something had happened to her like the other day. She scolds him that he’s always exaggerating and she was in the sacristy. He says that’s the one place he failed to think about looking. She fusses at him and calls him foolish. She wonders about him seeming very nervous through this weekend. He tells her there are problems at work. “That you will be able to resolve, I suppose.” He assures her he can, sadly. He takes her arm to walk out.
Juan and Paula enjoy ride after ride; she watches him with amusement while he savors each one. “Ay, Amor” plays for us in the background as we watch them enjoy life. Paula actually looks like she’s having fun. However, I am reminded that any similarity to real life is pure coincidence. Ooops, not time for that yet. They go on the carousel, the bumper cars, everything. Paula actually throws back her head and laughs. Finally, we see Juan coming off a ride with his arm draped over Paula’s shoulder. He thought bubbles that he learned that day that the youth from Chichipico shouldn’t be climbing onto rides that were made for astronauts. He’s green, but Paula’s doing well. Juan holds his hand over his mouth; we expect him to go running for the baño any second. Paula asks if he’s all right. He says he’s just fine. He thought bubbles that Juan Dominguez Coral may be dying of fear, but not in front of the woman he loves. Juan stretches to show his strength and fortitude, and smiles at Paula.
Delirio is home again, and Nidia is doing her quasi pushups against the bedroom wall in her honeybee workout suit. He slams the door and she asks him what’s up with coming into a room like that; does he want to give her a heart attack? He tells her to listen up, he has something huge to tell her (Agárrate, listen to this!). She turns around – “Okay, so what is it?” “They’ve arrested Ramón Gutierrez!” Nidia is muy impactada. “They arrested him? Who?” He plops onto the bed and tells her the police, of course. They took him off to the tank. “And that, why?” Well, some deal (implied drug deal – transa, also written tranza in Mexico) he got mixed up in. But to get to this extreme! Nidia notes that at least they’re rid of his bore’s harassment. She goes back to her pushups and he notices her okole, getting up with his hands outstretched to touch, but thinks better of it and backs off. “He’s going to have the canary syndrome, we’re fried!” Nidia wants to know what that is. He condescendingly informs her they sing when they’re locked up. With all this man knows about me…..he sits back on the bed, his head on his hand. “He could sing a complete Verdi opera!” We hear Verdi in the background as Nidia laughs. “You are always so optimistic,” she rolls her eyes. She scolds him and tells him he’s neurotic. He protests that he’s just letting her know the situation. She thanks him sarcastically and asks if she is permitted to continue her routine. Without waiting for a response she turns around and he gets a good shot of her okole, drooling over it anxiously. Her yellow waist gizmo says “Follow the Beast” in English. We see the okole moving back and forth toward the wall and hear Delirio panting.
Paula is chuckling at Juan and trying to get him to admit to dying of fear. He denies it. They play the game, her touching his chin and him turning so he doesn’t have to make eye contact, then facing her and thought bubbling about being ready to keep up that lie, but looking into her eyes, they penetrated his soul, and it was impossible. “Okay, okay, I accept it! Only a little, though.” She laughs and asks why he didn’t tell her the truth and they could have gone to a movie. He gives her a long explanation, points out that she’s laughing and at least he’s seeing her with color in her cheeks (his goal). She laughs again and shouts as if to the world, Juan Dominguez admitted he’s afraid! He shushes her. Okay, a little nothing more, he asserts. They flirt and tease. She thanks him and tells him the outing was a very good idea. She asks what she’s going to do with him. He says nothing more, Licenciada, than to care for him as he cares for her. They kiss tenderly as “Ay, Amor” plays.
Back at her house, she’s still smiling and lighthearted. He’s smiling at her joy. What did he tell her? She agrees, he was right. She asks if they’ll see each other the next day, a rhetorical question since it will be Monday and he’ll need to pick her up for work. He asks what she had been going to tell him before they left. She hedges; it wasn’t so important. He runs off to the kitchen, telling her she hasn’t eaten a thing. She laughs and protests. He’s going to serve whatever it is that was conveniently cooking on the stove. She says she hopes he won’t take this wrong, she needs to be alone for a while. He takes the pan back, tells her to eat something, please, and she thanks him as he kisses her. He leaves and she gets a very contemplative look, touched by a little smile.
Ana and Paula touch bases by phone. Paula assures her mother she took down all the information, and Ana says she needs to go. Paula thanks her for calling. Ana wants to know if she spoke with Juan. Paula hesitates a split second and tells her mother she did speak a long time. [Ed. Note: technically, she spoke with him for hours. It just wasn’t the subject Ana thinks was covered.] Ana is pleased and sends her a kiss; they’ll talk by phone later again. Paula tells her Mami to take care of herself. She hangs up and contemplates…..
A dockworker pushes Juan on a loading cart “right to my entrance!” Juan, now without his orange shirt but still wearing his good slacks and a tank t-shirt, jumps off, all smiles. Kike and Yadi are hanging out waiting. Kike is rubbing his aching back and Yadi is sitting on the dock reading a magazine and looking fresh as a daisy, which she probably is. Another dockworker takes something Juan throws into the truck at him. There’s not a lot of cargo in the truck; one hopes that Kike is on the second load. Kike looks at his watch “a lovely time to arrive!” Juan protests that something unforeseen popped up (I had an unexpected, tuve un imprevisto). Kike gives him a hard time about the Virgin appearing to him. [Ed. Note: the Virgin? No chance, it was Paula, and that wouldn’t be her, given the circumstances.] Kike notes his wide smile. Juan tells him this was his day. Kike throws him an apron, and tells him that happened to him while Kike was being a pack mule. Juan tells him not to get sour. He puts on his lifting belt. His heart is going several hundred miles an hour. Kike chuckles at him. Juan wants to know what happened there? Only a tropical hurricane, Kike tells him. Hurricane Yadira, Category 20. Juan wants to know the forecast? What’s the damage? They wave at Yadi, who waves back with a sarcastic look. They continue to exchange chitchat; Kike says he’s the tired one.
Hours later….back at Juan’s room in Casa Cachón, Kike regales Juan with the story of the thugs. If not for Don Angarita arriving when he did, Kike would have been smashed to bits, and Yadira, we’d best not say. Juan wants to know what’s up with her, she seemed to half sun struck. (?? Asoleadon). He confesses to Juan that deep down, he could….he talks about his feelings about Yadira. (But it was really full of Kike-isms, I think. I didn’t get it. Maybe I was just tired). Juan tells him to be patient, and wait and see what might happen. Kike asks what happened with Juan’s girlfriend. Juan tells him it was like a movie. Kike thinks it must have been heaven. Juan tells him about the Russian Mountain; Kike wonders if he was afraid. Juan denies that he was afraid. He brags about his bravery like the macho he wants Kike to think he is, and Kike obligingly admires.
The next morning…..CL, still in bed in his PJs, wants to know why Monica is up so early. She’s had a shower and washed her hair, and is still drying it. She informs him she’s going to the office. From today, the excuses are done and she’s going to work at Farell Industries. He tells her qué good, but his face says “qué the heck??” She says the idea is to work on Paula’s team. Paula will be in the national market, and Moni will be in the international market. “For better penetration.” CL gets a bemused and muy impactado look. “Better penetration?” One can only imagine what he’s really thinking. “Sure, a marketing policy that’s very aggressive, and coordinated on all fronts” CL rubs his face. He’s not used to thinking in innuendos with Moni, apparently. Both fronts? Yep. She’s not planning to invade Paula’s space, though. CL murmurs. Mmm. [Ed. Note: Ah, Moni, if only you knew.] She asks what he thinks. He tells her that if they’re going to go for a more aggressive commercial policy, it seems perfect. He sighs and gets up. She looks at him, puzzled.
The doorbell rings at the Dávila casa and Paula runs down to open it wide – in her bathrobe. Juan has come with pastries for breakfast. He is cheerful; the day has dawned better than ever. She wants to know what’s up here. He’s confused. She points out it’s pretty early and she’s not ready. He tells her he knew his Licenciada was alone and he’s gone to the bakery (Sylvia taught me that word, panadería). He’s offering some humble rolls. He puts the bag to her nose for her to smell them. Just out of the oven. He wants to know if he’s okay, or should go. She smiles, slightly at a loss for words.
Moni and CL walk out to the waiting car and Fernando. She tells CL she wants to talk to Paula first, if that’s okay with him. CL is hesitant, but tells her it’s all right. [Ed. Note: not like he has too many choices here.] She says that because he’s the big boss, if he wants to talk about her presence in the company before she does, that’s okay. He tells her it’s a special case (well, there’s an understatement). He tells her to do what she considers best. She says she prefers that because she doesn’t want it to seem imposed on his part. He tells her to go ahead. He looks over her shoulder at Fern, knowing full well that Fern is taking it all in. CL tells Moni to do whatever suits her. She’s his partner. He smiles. She smiles and touches his cheek and thanks him, getting into the car. [Ed. Note: she’s really a doll, what the heck is wrong with CL???] Fern looks at him, with disapproval. CL smiles awkwardly and gets into the car.
Paula has changed into a slightly longer dress than usual, with a pattern that would make any deaf person cross-eyed if she was the interpreter. Juan is singing loudly in the kitchen as he cooks. He gives her an expansive compliment, and she thanks him awkwardly. He tells her breakfast is ready, and she thanks him, but no. The bread and a bit of coffee will be fine. He insists on pouring chocolate for her. She worries he’s going to burn himself as they sit down and he pours. She tells him to stop, because she wants to talk. He tells her he’s listening, but he’s not. He just keeps pouring. She thanks him for all he’s done for her. She wants to repay him for all these nice little things he’s done for her. He says no, it’s all my pleasure and touches her chin. Yes, but it makes me uncomfortable, she tells him. Uncomfortable? She points out she lived many years alone in the U.S., she is used to doing things alone, talking to herself, and not depending on anyone. It’s not as bad as people paint it, on the contrary, at times it can be healthy and one can enjoy it. He asks if that would mean, in other words, that he’s making a pest of himself? She rubs her forehead and tries to regroup. His intentions are the best, she knows, but he shouldn’t be worried for her. He realizes that she needs her personal space. He’s looking very awkward and like she just slapped him. Well, she replies, a little, yes. She’s feeling very pressured and hasn’t had a moment alone. She takes his hand and looks into his eyes earnestly. He begs her pardon. He only wanted her to be all right. He understands…..He’ll wait outside. Juan gets up from the table and goes out, a little sad. Paula sighs and sits back at the table.
Moni and CL get out of the car in the garage at Farell Industries. Kike rises to greet them and Fernando. Fernando wants to know if Juan has arrived yet. No, Kike tells him. Why? Oh, nothing, Fern says. Kike wants to know what the wife of the big boss is doing here. Fern just laughs. Whooo! If I could tell you! Kike wants him to tell it, if nothing else, to kill time before he gets his orders for the day. Fern sits on the desk and tells Kike that from what he heard, after today, Sra. Monica will be working here. That’s going to complicate our friend Juan’s life. Kike is impactado. But, why? Well, Fern tells him, because she’s going to work in the same department as the Licenciada Paula. For real? Fern nods. “Tell me, Kike, how are things between the Licenciada and Juan, ultimately?” Kike tells Fern it’s going super and elaborates with a smile. Fern tells him that the worst is on the way, though. “Don’t tell me!” Fern tells him that the harsh reality is that Juan is in for it. [Ed. Note: I am incensed that the writers left me with a difficult dicho for the last line of the show! ¡No es justo!] Here it is, folks; I hope someone can translate this one: “Le están haciendo del chivo los tamales al Juan.” They will make Juan the scapegoat? It must be pretty bad, because Kike is max impactado.
We are reminded that any similarity to real life is pure coincidence.
Monday: Is Juan going to deck César Luis?
Vocabulary:
Farras – party-goers (which I loosely translated as party animals)
Conchudo – jerk
Sería el colmo - it would be the last straw
Me falto valor - I lack the courage
Chalana – assistant, bricklayer’s assistant – also chalán
Hervidero – hotbed (of gossip, in this case)
Portrero – open field, grassland
Zangloteaban - shook
Algodón de azúcar – cotton candy
Cargadores – dockworkers
Chiflado – nutcase, crazy, barmy
¡Agárrate! - listen to this!
Jeanne
Juan and Paula discuss her mother’s departure for Monterey. He tries to give her a piece of advice, and thought bubbles that he feels like he’s 20 again, he’s so awkward. Juan has a brainstorm—he’ll speed things up a bit; he tells Paula he’ll ask her mother for her hand in marriage. Paula, looking both touched by his naïveté and dismayed by it, points out her mother isn’t going forever, this is a bit of a rush. He declares that he knows his feelings; he’s totally committed. He wants her mother to know it. She wants to think about this with more deliberation. Juan wants to know what there is to think about. He knew the first time he saw her, and he wants her to be the mother of his children. He wants her to be his support, when he gets old, and everything [Ed. Note: Huy, there’s a phrase guaranteed to send a woman off into hibernation. Juan, listen up. YOU’re supposed to be the one taking care of her when SHE gets old.] He describes the scene he imagines; looking at the family albums (with 50 grandchildren, all as lovely as she is). Juan wants to know what’s her dream of their future? Is it like his? [Ed. Note: Juan is no judge of facial expression and body language. He’d be sunk in the deaf community. Paula’s sent him every possible nonverbal signal of aversion here.] She’s just speechless with dismay.
Yadi has Kike cornered on a sofa in the Casa Cachón living room. He’s actually dressed up, with a lovely black leather jacket that looks ultra soft. Nice. Yadi, of course, is dressed to the nines in a provocative hot pink spangled thing. Kike tells Yadi he’ll just wait for Juanito outside and stands up. He gets unceremoniously dragged back down to the sofa. Is he so upset to see her, Yadi wants to know. Kike can’t look her in the eye. Probably because he’s looking at her hemline. He tells her they should just let it go. She wants to explain about that Gutierrez. He holds up his hands and frowns—that’s your stuff, he tells her. She whines masterfully. She tells him that she did it because she wanted to make him jealous. The person she has a big beef with is Alirio.
Speaking of the king of Rome, he’s in his striped jammies sitting up in bed, while Nidia, dressed to the nines (must run in the family) is fussing at him. Is he going to stay in bed and sulk all night? He peers around her and tries to work the remote at the television on the dresser behind her. We hear the actors….Nidia runs to grab the remote and turn down the sound. She tells him he has to come down to dinner with them. [Ed. Note: we all sincerely hope he doesn’t go down in his jammies. The shorts were bad enough.] He tells her to do him a favor and turn up the sound. She wants an answer: is he coming or not? [Ed. Note: apparently, this is not a simple yes/no question.] He tells her in the first place, differently from all y’all, who appear to be a group of party (farras) animals, I have nothing to celebrate. In the second place, I would get no pleasure in sitting at a table in your company, much less party with that degenerate Juan Dominguez. That’d be the last straw! What would that degenerate tell me? That jerk (conchudo) would proclaim himself king of the house, and I? I would be the one to pay for his ascension to the throne. [Ed. Note: not to put too fine a point on it, but since when have you brought home a salary, Alirio? It’s only your first week of work. Ever.] He tells her it’d be the last straw (sería el colmo, it would be the last straw). Nidia tells him then it seems he won’t be with them. She’s clearly upset. NOT.
Yadi is still working on Kike in the living room. She tells him she is a freeeeee woman, leaning far over at him while he attempts to draw back. He tells her it’s just a matter of time before she finds a new beau. She whines some more and wants to know if he’s so enamored of that Julia chick. He looks at her somberly and informs her that’s over. For real? She scoots closer to Kike, “then, you and I…..” He scoots further away and laughs nervously. “I pass,” Kike scoffs. He’s not interested. He scoots again. Yadi matches him one for one. “Well, we’ll see if you laugh like that when I give you the little surprise I have for you.” “What surprise?” Kike’s getting nervous. She tells him he’ll know it when the time is right. He wants a heads up, but moves over some more and Yadi follows suit. [Ed. Note: this sofa must be 12 feet at least.] She tells him if what she thinks is true, they’ll see who gets the last laugh---and shakes her finger at him provocatively. She past him on the knee and informs him she’ll just leave him to wait for his friend. Yadi gets up and sashays off to the stairs. Kike stares, impactado, at her departing derriere. His eyes track and his head swivels all the way around behind him while she swishes up the stairs, strategically hold the fabric of her dress taut across her okole. [Ed. Note: I hope that didn’t cost her much. They really shorted her on fabric. She’d be kicked right off of Southwest Airlines.] Kike’s tongue has found its way out of his mouth as he contemplates this scene. One hopes the sofa is stain resistant, because he’s drooling.
Juan is still trying to convince Paula it’s a good time to talk to her mother. She stands and paces a little. She reminds him she’s told him this is all too new for her. He reminds her that when they talked in the afternoon, she was very sure. (Well, of course she was, with CL standing there listening.) She protests that this is such an important decision…. Juan smiles and kisses the back of her hand lovingly. [Ed. Note: even his brilliant smile can’t dull the impact of the coat, tie, and shirt. The total picture is truly….how should we say…..indescribable?] He thought bubbles to himself and puts his hand up to stroke Paula’s cheek. She deftly removes his hand. He doesn’t register that this might not be a Good Thing, and thought bubbles that each day gives new reasons for joy. Paula, frowning, tells him he has to take this seriously. She tells him to give her time, and let them take it little by little. Not everyone operates on impulse [Ed. Note: except where César Luís is concerned, right, Paula?] Juan, totally oblivious to her impulse comment, leans over and grabs her in a hug. He lets go and tells her she’s totally right. He wants to know when her mother will go. Paula tells him that Ana will leave at 9:00 the next morning. He wants to go with them to the airport. She agrees, her mother will probably be delighted that he’s going with them. Well, Juan tells her, then he’ll see her in the morning. Paula’s smiling again and agreeing now that she has what she wants. He kisses her cheek and tells her goodbye until tomorrow. She responds. Juan walks toward the door but turns back, faces her as she looks at him, puzzled, and he grabs her for a deep kiss. “Ay, Amor” plays for us. The kiss goes on. And on. He breaks away and does the happy dance all the way to the door while Paula smiles and runs her fingers in her hair. The smile fades as he’s out the door.
Queen Nidia, complete with her in-home dining tiara, presides at the table. Kike regales the ladies Cachón with the tale of their new transport work. Marely wants to know if Juan is a really great worker, or is he the PR guy for the partnership? Kike assures her Juan is a pack mule getting the goods into and out of the truck. They worked like slaves, but the results they saw! Yadi praises Kike, how wonderful it’s going well, because he deserves it! Kike clears his throat and tells them this is only the beginning. They’re going to ride the wave (okay, I loosely translated using the Hawaii concept of success—get on that wave and surf a long way, because Kike did say they’d be “arriba la espuma” above the foam). Nidia is pleased. When he talks this way, he looks like Samuel to her. She reminisces about those days—Samuel had so many dreams, so many accomplishments. “What times those were!” She sighs with pleasure at the memory.
The door slams and they look at each other. Juan is back, without Paula. Yadi is, of course, the only one nosy enough to ask. Oh, Juan says, my girlfriend wasn’t able to come. [Duh.] Marely looks at him worriedly. He’s putting a good face on it, but clearly disappointed. They all look around again and Nidia looks toward Marely, nodding. She told them so.
Ana is lying in her bed telling Paula that Paula knows how much Ana loves her. But she’s concerned about Paula’s relationship with Juan. Paula had the opportunity to resolve things with Juan, what happened? Well, Juan didn’t give her a chance, Paula counters. Ana isn’t buying it. She overheard Juan, and knows he plans to ask for Paula’s hand. Paula shakes her head, smiling a little at Juan’s naïveté. Ana thinks she should have just done it. Paula says she was tempted at that moment, but….the flesh was weak (me falto valor, I lack the courage). Paula says she doesn’t want to hurt him; Ana thinks she’ll hurt him more by her silence now. What’s she waiting for, Ana wants to know? Until they have children and then she’ll tell him she never felt anything for him? Paula laughs and tells her about Juan’s dream of 50 grandchildren, but no! She just wants the night to make a decision. Ana looks doubtful. Paula assures Ana that after they take her to the airport she’ll explain to him with calm. “Are you sure?” “Yes.”
Dinner is an uncomfortable affair at the Cachón villa. He tells the family and Kike that his mother-in-law has to spend a few days in Monterrey for work, and Paula is home with her tonight. But she begged him to go with them to the airport. He smiles broadly and the silence is so deafening we can hear the crickets again. He starts again; what a shame that they prepared such a tasty dinner and went to so much trouble….he thanks Nidia. She says she did it gladly, for him. Juan just can’t let the awkward silence interfere; he proposes a toast. It’s to his dear mother-in-law, her trip, and that we here will be well. They tap glasses and toast. Marely is as silent as a stone, but Nidia babbles on. What’s this? Kike is actually making eye contact with Yadi while they toast!
Juan has that religious card in his hand as he prepares to go to sleep. He looks so cute in his yellow jammie shorts and sleeveless t-shirt—and white socks. He thought bubbles as he gets onto his knees, putting the card under his pillow. He’s worried about his beloved Palomita without her Mami for so many days. But, he’s going to resolve to take care of her - it’s in those moments of sadness that true love is shown. Apparently, his prayers can be said on the fly, and he swings back up into bed.
Pastor is fussing at his Mami, because he always goes with her to Mass but she wants to go alone. What if she begins to feel bad? The saints are at the church, and she can get a cure. He tells her if he didn’t know what a big joker she was, he’d be really upset. He tells her he could leave her at the church and then go get what they need for dinner. She wants to say a complete Rosary, and he should take his time, she tells him, as they leave together.
Juan is going by taxi to Paula’s and telling Kike why he can’t go right to work with Kike at this moment. He’ll meet Kike at the market where they’ll load the cargo. Kike wants to know if he’ll show up for sure. Juan is irritated. The same refrain again! Kike is worried, but Juan takes off in the taxi. Yadi trots up in her mini-falda (another one where they cheated her on the fabric) that has ruffles on the derriere. The tank top, at least, covers the territory and is actually quite fetching. Her dangly earrings match the lime green top, and the big white-framed dark glasses complete the look. Whoops, no, there’s more. She’s got botitas, too—or heels and flowered knee socks. Hard to tell with the captions on. Kike can’t believe she’s up this early, and on a Sunday, too, fully dressed! What’s up with that? Nope, she tells him, I’m going to work with you. She simpers a little. Kike is appalled—“what?? You work?” “Well sure, I didn’t have anything planned for today, so I decided to help you.” Kike is seriously doubtful. “Doing what?” “I dunno, whatever. Don’t tell me you don’t need an assistant!” (Yadi’s word was “chalana,” which according to my new Barron’s “Dictionary of Spanish Slang” is a bricklayer’s assistant). She postures with her hands on her hips, pouting. They fuss a little. He says she can’t do that, and much less like she is. Well, she’ll change if he wants her to, she says. [Ed. Note: Kike, be careful what you ask for.] He tells her that there is NO way he is going to take her. She pouts and cajoles and tries to give him a kiss—“why not?” She just wants to help him, so why is he so upset? Because in her whole life she’s never helped him with anything, and lately she has given up chasing him for some good amount of time. He tells her “see ya later” and gets into his truck. She whines, pouts and protests that he’ll see; he’s going to be sorry. She might even have stomped her little booted foot. Kike just tells her “Adios” and goes.
Marely and her mother are still at the breakfast table; it’s the weekend, after all. Marely accuses her mother of knowing something she hasn’t shared. Nidia denies it—nothing special. Only that she knows more about Juan’s relationship with Paula than they imagine. Marely wants to know how Nidia knows so much. Nidia makes her swear not to tell anyone. Marely points out that Nidia will tell her in the long run, so out with it, already. It comes out that Ana told Nidia some things….Paula is involved with CL, and he told her pure lies about his relationship. Marely is suspicious—Doña Ana told you all that? Yep, and what’s more, to get back at him Paula is using Juan. Marely looks disgusted; she tells her mother that he’s the only one who doesn’t know. Nidia is impactada; she knew it already? Marely’s pained look tells it all.
Juan kisses Ana’s hand and wishes her a good trip. Ana smiles and reminds him she’s only going for a short time, he’s exaggerating. Paula protests that they’ll miss her as if it’s a thousand. Juan assures Ana that he’ll take care of Paula, protect her [Ed. Note: you’ll protect her from CL? We think not.] He strokes her hair. They seem to have gotten the same memo and both wore orange tops today. They both have considerable cleavage, too. Juan’s, oddly enough, is not annoying. Ana tells him that more than taking care of Paula he ought to look out for himself. He thought bubbles that he didn’t understand it. But, he grabs Ana and hugs her. As he breaks away, Paula hugs her mother and Juan strokes them a little, looking anxious.
Marely confesses that Paula has told her all, about her relationship with Farell, his deceptions, the sadness, her “engagement” with Juan. She looks terribly sad. Her Mami, showing a rare moment of parenting skill, asks if Paula couldn’t see her suffering? Marely replies that Paula doesn’t know how she feels about Juan. Really, she shouldn’t be feeling anything. Paula just thinks she’s asking about Juan because she worries for him, nothing more. Nidia wants to know what they’re saying in the office. [Ed. Note: how did she know they’d be saying stuff?] Marely tells her it’s a hotbed (hervidero). They’re all craving the info about Juan and Paula, and then about this unfinished business with CL. Nidia exclaims about what a rogue Paula is. Marely says it’s not true, she’s really a good person. Nidia doesn’t think so, because what’s she doing with Juanito? This boy doesn’t’ deserve to be treated in this manner. Marely is close to tears, but keeps her composure. She doesn’t dare tell him. Nidia wants to know if she loves him or not. “What difference does it make now?” Nidia scoffs. It’s important. She’s always been a fighter, and in love, there is no such thing as giving up. She gives Marely a piece of advice. When Paula is through with him, Marely will be there for him. She’ll comfort him, and he’ll fall crazy in love with her—it never fails. Marely is incensed. She’s not going to take someone else’s leftovers. She’s not second best. If he loves her, fine. She’s not going to beg and offer herself as a consolation prize. She’s not going to pick up the pieces of a man who loves someone else.
Paula and Juan are back at her home, and she wants to have a serious discussion with him. He helps her be seated, gentleman that he is. He thought bubbles—is it just him, or does it seem like this could be really serious? He puts his jacket on the back of his chair and makes himself comfortable. She wants to tell him something she’s not sure how he’ll take. He tells her to go ahead in good faith because he’s all ears. She stutters around while he smiles encouragingly. It’s much more difficult than she thought. She thinks she’d like to put it off to another time when they have longer to give the subject.
Pastora is at the loading dock where Juan and Kike were working the day before. She gets into a taxi that is conveniently waiting for her at the cargo loading dock. What a charmed life she leads! Always a taxi there for her…..next to the taxi, Kike gets out of his truck. He rushes around toward the loading dock and notices Pastora leaving in the cab. He rubs his eyes---no, it can’t be Doña Pastora, can it? He’s seeing things!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch….er, the church, Pastor is watching the people leave, but no Mami among them. He asks a couple if they have seen Doña Pastora—do they know her? Apparently, they haven’t, and don’t. He looks muy worried and peers into the church.
Juan is encouraging Paula to talk to him. She looks tired, and probably just cannot find the words she wants to say. [Ed. Note: gee, what a teddy bear he is.] Nope, she tells him, it’s something else. He’s going to get her a cup of tea. She stops him. He tells her he’s going to propose something else. He’s inviting her to the fair. There’s one nearby and it’s enormous. It’s very amusing, so let’s go. She looks doubtful. [Ed. Note: it’s her second-best look, right after the fake smile when she’s using Juan to make CL jealous.] She thanks him but she’s not in the mood, especially for a fair. He wants to tell her a story about when he was a child. Every year, he waited eagerly for the fair to come to town. It was the National Fiesta, and you can imagine, my love, when it arrived those enormous mechanical games (rides?) were impressive! And a voice rang out in the town, “the fair has come! The fair is here! And we ran from our homes, and sat ourselves down, like this, out in the open field (portrero), and we watched how they put together ever one of those rides. It was impressive discipline, watching on the little grassy field. And after they were done, we got onto the games, under the games, on top, to the sides, they shook us up (nos zangloteaban). My love, the question was, I swear to you that when we got off of those rides, we forgot the world existed. The most serious problem in the world- was gone. That’s why it’s called an amusement park.” Juan’s enthusiasm is infectious; Paula is smiling in spite of herself. “You can forget all your sadness, all the problems, all the grief you have in your soul.” He takes her chin and strokes it, then her hand. “Surely Juan, but in this case it’s different. If I don’t talk with you, I’ll never be calm.” He thinks she would be diverted for at least a little while, and it would clear up her mind. Those words will leave like they have little wings. He’s not taking no for an answer, and stands, taking her hand. Let’s go! He’s going to get her a cotton candy (algodón de azúcar), a little ear of corn (elotito?). She finally gives in, and they’ll go “for as long as you want,” he tells her, and they won’t fight about it. He kisses her, grabs his coat and they get ready to go.
Kike is hanging out at the loading dock when Don Angarita comes out of his warehouse. “And your partner?” Kike makes excuses for Juan. He’s been detained….problems with…he almost says “faldas” – skirts, or woman problems. Instead he catches himself and stutters, then says “familiares,” family problems. Anything serious? No. Nothing that can’t be resolved. Kike nervously smiles—Juan will be along soon. Don A hopes so, because there’s a lot of work to be done. He doesn’t’ think Kike can do it alone. Kike tells him Don A doesn’t know him, look at the muscles (fiber). He pounds his triceps and grins. Don A recommends that Kike find a couple of dockworkers to help (cargadores). Kike says he’ll get right on it, and not to worry. This will be all cleaned up in two loads (patadas, another definition). Don A says in that case, he’ll leave Kike to it. Kike thanks him cheerfully and goes to unlock the truck. The thugs from their last visit to the bodega (warehouse, storeroom) move into a menacing circle around the dock in front of Kike. He eyes them warily.
Nidia bursts into Marely’s room. She can’t find Yadi. She’s worried; Marely suggests several places, including maybe Yadi’s gone to the store to buy something. Nidia says Yadi never told her, so she doesn’t think so. She’s been looking for Yadi a while and she hasn’t come back. Nidia goes into histrionics, her stock in trade. Where is that girl?? Marely just shrugs.
At the loading dock, we find out where Yadi has gone—there’s a chorus of wolf whistles. Kike isn’t whistling. She changed her clothes, and is wearing the mini-est bright red jump suit, sleeveless, with a long zipper, that was ever designed. She has a pink bandana over her hair, and high-top black and white sneakers with bright laces. They might even be high-heeled sneakers. She’s carrying a cute little purse. [Ed. Note: if you’ve ever been to Waikiki, she looks like the gals who come out after 9:00 p.m. when most families have taken the kiddies back to the hotel to bed. Especially the purse is reminiscent of those ladies….that’s the trademark style]. Yadi minces up to Kike, looking a little askance at the thugs. Kike was lifting a heavy bag of rice or beans, which drops abruptly on the ground. He flings his arms out, but if he thinks it’s going to save Yadi, he’s got another think coming. He stares at her and runs toward her. She jumps toward his arms while the leader jeers out harassing comments at her. (How much is that kilo of fruit?) Kike gets her a little way off from the tipos, and she fusses at him that she’s been looking for him and almost didn’t find him. He wants to know qué the heck she’s doing here? She wants to help. “How can you help me?” He yells at her and she fusses at him not to yell at her. [Ed. Note: the pink scarf just doesn’t cut it with the red jump suit. Or maybe it’s orange. Anyway, she needs to ditch the scarf.] She pouts and flirts and kisses him. Great, that’s guaranteed to make him look real macho in front of the gang here. “The only thing you need to do is go home RIGHT NOW,” he stage whispers at her. He tries to close up some of her cleavage. The tipos are really enjoying this show. It’s the best entertainment they’ve had in weeks. She pouts again and whines for him to let her help. He should take advantage that she’s there. He fusses some more at her and tells her to take it or leave it (didn’t catch it all). The tipos hop down from where they’ve been sitting on the dock, and join the leader to walk toward Kike and Yadi. The leader so you’ve brought reinforcements, our dear friend. Yadi cowers behind Kike, grasping him around the waist. “Whew, what reinforcements,” another one comments. “Just a moment, just a moment,” Kike tells them. “Respect this lady!” The leader grabs him and calls him a fool, and threatens him since Juan isn’t here. They look like they’re going to go for Yadi while the leader chuckles evilly and the tipos smile. Yadi stays glued to Kike’s back while we cut to commercial.
“Palomita” plays cheerfully at the fair. Oh, what a lovely sight it is! Juan is an overgrown puppy, bouncing around and yelling with joy at the fun. He points at a roller coaster, “it’s going up my love, and it’s going to come down, whoa!” Our eyes follow the roller coaster and our stomachs lurch. Thank goodness it’s only digital television and not IMAX. “The monumental Russian Mountain!” He puts his hands over his mouth and stares in shock and awe. Paula murmurs an agreement. He tells her he feels like he’s in a buffet and grabs her hand to drag her to a ride. Like Pacman, they’re off the screen. Like Pacman, they’re suddenly back on, going the other direction, “you know what, my love, we’re going to the toboggan.” Paula is laughing now at his excitement. She wants a plan. He apologizes for being a little barmy (chiflado – nutcase, crazy, barmy). He is so excited! She tells him to calm down and they’ll enjoy it all. He agrees, but he’s still bouncing up and down as he talks, hands askew as he gestures. He lists all the rides they’ll go on, ending up on the Russian Mountain. Paula tells him okay, let’s go. He kisses her hand before he drags her on again. [Ed. Note: She’s more covered up than usual, with jeans and boots. But, the jeans are so tight I’d have a backache trying to move in them.] Off they go to the rides, Juan spinning her around on the way.
The thug tells Kike and Yadi he’ll count to three, and they better take themselves far away. Kike tells him to calm down, folks understand discussion. Yadi is still clinging to Kike, her arms wrapped around his belly. Both she and Kike watch the group warily. They are surrounded. Kike wonders if they couldn’t come to some resolution (arreglo). The leader says the only thing he wants is to rearrange Kike’s face (arreglar la cara). Kike chuckles nervously and touches his face in horror. Yadi mirrors his horror behind his shoulder. She tries to talk, and Kike tries to shush her. “Oh, what fear! Kike knows karate and judo!” He makes chops in the air to punctuate her defiant words thrown at the leader---still from behind Kike. “This little porker is going to hit me? Oh, what fear, boys!” The leader clasps his hands, points at Kike, looks around at his buddies and laughs scoffingly. They all laugh. Kike is impactado as the guy reaches for his collar and threatens him insultingly again. Kike tells him the one thing he asks is that the guy calms down. Yadi yells behind him. “Leave him in peace, leave him!” The tipo tells his buddies that at least this guy with the face of a prickly pear (nopal) has her to defend him. He threatens both Kike and Yadi and acts like he’s coming behind Kike to grab Yadi. She makes an attempt to hide. [Ed. Note: the head thug was the pageant director guy in La Fea Más Bella. I liked him way better there.] Don A comes out of the warehouse door and intervenes. For as mild mannered as he looks, he sure does get their attention. A dockworker is with him. “You’re not giving any lessons to anyone,” he advises the tipos. The head tipo is annoyed but stops dead in his tracks; Yadi and Kike are impactados.
On a street somewhere in the D. F., some feds are pushing Gutis out of a blue shack. There’s a broken down 1970s VW bug (or thereabouts, I had one, the bumper is the same), it’s that kind of neighborhood. Gutis is yelling that he doesn’t know that guy. The feds yell back at him that he’s the guy’s lawyer, right? Anything you want to say, you can say to the public minister.” They keep yelling at each other and the feds wrestle a resisting Gutis to a police car. Agent Alirio, complete with dark glasses and fancy suit and tie on a Sunday morning, peers from behind a bushy area. The car takes off. Alirio is impactado!
Don A tells the thug leader and his tipos that Kike and his partner are working for Don A. “Is that a problem?” “No, Don Angarita. We didn’t know.” Don A tells him to listen up: leave these folks in peace or you’ll deal with me. “Understood?” Chaflán, the tipo, tells him it’s understood. Yadi looks smug behind Kike as Don Angarita speaks. Don A tells him to do the favor of leaving and let it be the last time. Chaflán nods tersely, agrees, and whistles to his wolf pack. They go, leaving a stunned Kike and Yadi there. “Is all well?” Don A asks Kike, who stutters around in affirmation and thanks him, apologizing for the trouble. He introduces Yadira, who flirts a little with Don A (who is much older). Kike calls her his “friend.” She bats at him as he pushes her to greet Don Angarita. Don A leans over and kneels on the dock to greet Yadi. He’s Angarita Calvo to serve her. She pleasantly greets him. Don A thinks he’s met her, but she says she doesn’t think so. He’s sure of it. She’s not. He’s seen her somewhere else, before. She doesn’t think so. For all the guys watching, we get a shot of her okole from below, looking up at him on the dock from behind her. Where is Ferro when we need him? Don A tells Kike there is much to do, and Kike says he’s on it and thanks Don A a thousand times. Don A gives Yadi one last long look and excuses himself.
Pastora has found her way back to the church, where Pastor has actually found his way inside to pray. She scolds him for not waiting outside. He tells her he looked all over for her and couldn’t find her, and that worried him. He was afraid something had happened to her like the other day. She scolds him that he’s always exaggerating and she was in the sacristy. He says that’s the one place he failed to think about looking. She fusses at him and calls him foolish. She wonders about him seeming very nervous through this weekend. He tells her there are problems at work. “That you will be able to resolve, I suppose.” He assures her he can, sadly. He takes her arm to walk out.
Juan and Paula enjoy ride after ride; she watches him with amusement while he savors each one. “Ay, Amor” plays for us in the background as we watch them enjoy life. Paula actually looks like she’s having fun. However, I am reminded that any similarity to real life is pure coincidence. Ooops, not time for that yet. They go on the carousel, the bumper cars, everything. Paula actually throws back her head and laughs. Finally, we see Juan coming off a ride with his arm draped over Paula’s shoulder. He thought bubbles that he learned that day that the youth from Chichipico shouldn’t be climbing onto rides that were made for astronauts. He’s green, but Paula’s doing well. Juan holds his hand over his mouth; we expect him to go running for the baño any second. Paula asks if he’s all right. He says he’s just fine. He thought bubbles that Juan Dominguez Coral may be dying of fear, but not in front of the woman he loves. Juan stretches to show his strength and fortitude, and smiles at Paula.
Delirio is home again, and Nidia is doing her quasi pushups against the bedroom wall in her honeybee workout suit. He slams the door and she asks him what’s up with coming into a room like that; does he want to give her a heart attack? He tells her to listen up, he has something huge to tell her (Agárrate, listen to this!). She turns around – “Okay, so what is it?” “They’ve arrested Ramón Gutierrez!” Nidia is muy impactada. “They arrested him? Who?” He plops onto the bed and tells her the police, of course. They took him off to the tank. “And that, why?” Well, some deal (implied drug deal – transa, also written tranza in Mexico) he got mixed up in. But to get to this extreme! Nidia notes that at least they’re rid of his bore’s harassment. She goes back to her pushups and he notices her okole, getting up with his hands outstretched to touch, but thinks better of it and backs off. “He’s going to have the canary syndrome, we’re fried!” Nidia wants to know what that is. He condescendingly informs her they sing when they’re locked up. With all this man knows about me…..he sits back on the bed, his head on his hand. “He could sing a complete Verdi opera!” We hear Verdi in the background as Nidia laughs. “You are always so optimistic,” she rolls her eyes. She scolds him and tells him he’s neurotic. He protests that he’s just letting her know the situation. She thanks him sarcastically and asks if she is permitted to continue her routine. Without waiting for a response she turns around and he gets a good shot of her okole, drooling over it anxiously. Her yellow waist gizmo says “Follow the Beast” in English. We see the okole moving back and forth toward the wall and hear Delirio panting.
Paula is chuckling at Juan and trying to get him to admit to dying of fear. He denies it. They play the game, her touching his chin and him turning so he doesn’t have to make eye contact, then facing her and thought bubbling about being ready to keep up that lie, but looking into her eyes, they penetrated his soul, and it was impossible. “Okay, okay, I accept it! Only a little, though.” She laughs and asks why he didn’t tell her the truth and they could have gone to a movie. He gives her a long explanation, points out that she’s laughing and at least he’s seeing her with color in her cheeks (his goal). She laughs again and shouts as if to the world, Juan Dominguez admitted he’s afraid! He shushes her. Okay, a little nothing more, he asserts. They flirt and tease. She thanks him and tells him the outing was a very good idea. She asks what she’s going to do with him. He says nothing more, Licenciada, than to care for him as he cares for her. They kiss tenderly as “Ay, Amor” plays.
Back at her house, she’s still smiling and lighthearted. He’s smiling at her joy. What did he tell her? She agrees, he was right. She asks if they’ll see each other the next day, a rhetorical question since it will be Monday and he’ll need to pick her up for work. He asks what she had been going to tell him before they left. She hedges; it wasn’t so important. He runs off to the kitchen, telling her she hasn’t eaten a thing. She laughs and protests. He’s going to serve whatever it is that was conveniently cooking on the stove. She says she hopes he won’t take this wrong, she needs to be alone for a while. He takes the pan back, tells her to eat something, please, and she thanks him as he kisses her. He leaves and she gets a very contemplative look, touched by a little smile.
Ana and Paula touch bases by phone. Paula assures her mother she took down all the information, and Ana says she needs to go. Paula thanks her for calling. Ana wants to know if she spoke with Juan. Paula hesitates a split second and tells her mother she did speak a long time. [Ed. Note: technically, she spoke with him for hours. It just wasn’t the subject Ana thinks was covered.] Ana is pleased and sends her a kiss; they’ll talk by phone later again. Paula tells her Mami to take care of herself. She hangs up and contemplates…..
A dockworker pushes Juan on a loading cart “right to my entrance!” Juan, now without his orange shirt but still wearing his good slacks and a tank t-shirt, jumps off, all smiles. Kike and Yadi are hanging out waiting. Kike is rubbing his aching back and Yadi is sitting on the dock reading a magazine and looking fresh as a daisy, which she probably is. Another dockworker takes something Juan throws into the truck at him. There’s not a lot of cargo in the truck; one hopes that Kike is on the second load. Kike looks at his watch “a lovely time to arrive!” Juan protests that something unforeseen popped up (I had an unexpected, tuve un imprevisto). Kike gives him a hard time about the Virgin appearing to him. [Ed. Note: the Virgin? No chance, it was Paula, and that wouldn’t be her, given the circumstances.] Kike notes his wide smile. Juan tells him this was his day. Kike throws him an apron, and tells him that happened to him while Kike was being a pack mule. Juan tells him not to get sour. He puts on his lifting belt. His heart is going several hundred miles an hour. Kike chuckles at him. Juan wants to know what happened there? Only a tropical hurricane, Kike tells him. Hurricane Yadira, Category 20. Juan wants to know the forecast? What’s the damage? They wave at Yadi, who waves back with a sarcastic look. They continue to exchange chitchat; Kike says he’s the tired one.
Hours later….back at Juan’s room in Casa Cachón, Kike regales Juan with the story of the thugs. If not for Don Angarita arriving when he did, Kike would have been smashed to bits, and Yadira, we’d best not say. Juan wants to know what’s up with her, she seemed to half sun struck. (?? Asoleadon). He confesses to Juan that deep down, he could….he talks about his feelings about Yadira. (But it was really full of Kike-isms, I think. I didn’t get it. Maybe I was just tired). Juan tells him to be patient, and wait and see what might happen. Kike asks what happened with Juan’s girlfriend. Juan tells him it was like a movie. Kike thinks it must have been heaven. Juan tells him about the Russian Mountain; Kike wonders if he was afraid. Juan denies that he was afraid. He brags about his bravery like the macho he wants Kike to think he is, and Kike obligingly admires.
The next morning…..CL, still in bed in his PJs, wants to know why Monica is up so early. She’s had a shower and washed her hair, and is still drying it. She informs him she’s going to the office. From today, the excuses are done and she’s going to work at Farell Industries. He tells her qué good, but his face says “qué the heck??” She says the idea is to work on Paula’s team. Paula will be in the national market, and Moni will be in the international market. “For better penetration.” CL gets a bemused and muy impactado look. “Better penetration?” One can only imagine what he’s really thinking. “Sure, a marketing policy that’s very aggressive, and coordinated on all fronts” CL rubs his face. He’s not used to thinking in innuendos with Moni, apparently. Both fronts? Yep. She’s not planning to invade Paula’s space, though. CL murmurs. Mmm. [Ed. Note: Ah, Moni, if only you knew.] She asks what he thinks. He tells her that if they’re going to go for a more aggressive commercial policy, it seems perfect. He sighs and gets up. She looks at him, puzzled.
The doorbell rings at the Dávila casa and Paula runs down to open it wide – in her bathrobe. Juan has come with pastries for breakfast. He is cheerful; the day has dawned better than ever. She wants to know what’s up here. He’s confused. She points out it’s pretty early and she’s not ready. He tells her he knew his Licenciada was alone and he’s gone to the bakery (Sylvia taught me that word, panadería). He’s offering some humble rolls. He puts the bag to her nose for her to smell them. Just out of the oven. He wants to know if he’s okay, or should go. She smiles, slightly at a loss for words.
Moni and CL walk out to the waiting car and Fernando. She tells CL she wants to talk to Paula first, if that’s okay with him. CL is hesitant, but tells her it’s all right. [Ed. Note: not like he has too many choices here.] She says that because he’s the big boss, if he wants to talk about her presence in the company before she does, that’s okay. He tells her it’s a special case (well, there’s an understatement). He tells her to do what she considers best. She says she prefers that because she doesn’t want it to seem imposed on his part. He tells her to go ahead. He looks over her shoulder at Fern, knowing full well that Fern is taking it all in. CL tells Moni to do whatever suits her. She’s his partner. He smiles. She smiles and touches his cheek and thanks him, getting into the car. [Ed. Note: she’s really a doll, what the heck is wrong with CL???] Fern looks at him, with disapproval. CL smiles awkwardly and gets into the car.
Paula has changed into a slightly longer dress than usual, with a pattern that would make any deaf person cross-eyed if she was the interpreter. Juan is singing loudly in the kitchen as he cooks. He gives her an expansive compliment, and she thanks him awkwardly. He tells her breakfast is ready, and she thanks him, but no. The bread and a bit of coffee will be fine. He insists on pouring chocolate for her. She worries he’s going to burn himself as they sit down and he pours. She tells him to stop, because she wants to talk. He tells her he’s listening, but he’s not. He just keeps pouring. She thanks him for all he’s done for her. She wants to repay him for all these nice little things he’s done for her. He says no, it’s all my pleasure and touches her chin. Yes, but it makes me uncomfortable, she tells him. Uncomfortable? She points out she lived many years alone in the U.S., she is used to doing things alone, talking to herself, and not depending on anyone. It’s not as bad as people paint it, on the contrary, at times it can be healthy and one can enjoy it. He asks if that would mean, in other words, that he’s making a pest of himself? She rubs her forehead and tries to regroup. His intentions are the best, she knows, but he shouldn’t be worried for her. He realizes that she needs her personal space. He’s looking very awkward and like she just slapped him. Well, she replies, a little, yes. She’s feeling very pressured and hasn’t had a moment alone. She takes his hand and looks into his eyes earnestly. He begs her pardon. He only wanted her to be all right. He understands…..He’ll wait outside. Juan gets up from the table and goes out, a little sad. Paula sighs and sits back at the table.
Moni and CL get out of the car in the garage at Farell Industries. Kike rises to greet them and Fernando. Fernando wants to know if Juan has arrived yet. No, Kike tells him. Why? Oh, nothing, Fern says. Kike wants to know what the wife of the big boss is doing here. Fern just laughs. Whooo! If I could tell you! Kike wants him to tell it, if nothing else, to kill time before he gets his orders for the day. Fern sits on the desk and tells Kike that from what he heard, after today, Sra. Monica will be working here. That’s going to complicate our friend Juan’s life. Kike is impactado. But, why? Well, Fern tells him, because she’s going to work in the same department as the Licenciada Paula. For real? Fern nods. “Tell me, Kike, how are things between the Licenciada and Juan, ultimately?” Kike tells Fern it’s going super and elaborates with a smile. Fern tells him that the worst is on the way, though. “Don’t tell me!” Fern tells him that the harsh reality is that Juan is in for it. [Ed. Note: I am incensed that the writers left me with a difficult dicho for the last line of the show! ¡No es justo!] Here it is, folks; I hope someone can translate this one: “Le están haciendo del chivo los tamales al Juan.” They will make Juan the scapegoat? It must be pretty bad, because Kike is max impactado.
We are reminded that any similarity to real life is pure coincidence.
Monday: Is Juan going to deck César Luis?
Vocabulary:
Farras – party-goers (which I loosely translated as party animals)
Conchudo – jerk
Sería el colmo - it would be the last straw
Me falto valor - I lack the courage
Chalana – assistant, bricklayer’s assistant – also chalán
Hervidero – hotbed (of gossip, in this case)
Portrero – open field, grassland
Zangloteaban - shook
Algodón de azúcar – cotton candy
Cargadores – dockworkers
Chiflado – nutcase, crazy, barmy
¡Agárrate! - listen to this!
Jeanne
Labels: Juan
Comments:
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Wow, Jeanne, that was awesome, I was scribbling away translations as I read, not realizing you were going to put a great little list at the end as well.
I have no idea what the last "dicho" was but I thought maybe it was a colorful way of saying "they were putting horns on Juan" referring to the love scene Fern had witnessed on Paula's office couch. But I'm sure Maricruz can enlighten us.
What really intrigues me is the Spanish world for rollercoaster "montano ruso". I first came across it in a book on psychology and learned it then (emotional rollercoaster, blah, blah, blah) but I'd love to know the origins.
Anyhoo...thanks as always for a delightful read and a great help with slang.
Judy B.
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Wow, Jeanne, that was awesome, I was scribbling away translations as I read, not realizing you were going to put a great little list at the end as well.
I have no idea what the last "dicho" was but I thought maybe it was a colorful way of saying "they were putting horns on Juan" referring to the love scene Fern had witnessed on Paula's office couch. But I'm sure Maricruz can enlighten us.
What really intrigues me is the Spanish world for rollercoaster "montano ruso". I first came across it in a book on psychology and learned it then (emotional rollercoaster, blah, blah, blah) but I'd love to know the origins.
Anyhoo...thanks as always for a delightful read and a great help with slang.
Judy B.
Permalink posted by 
: Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 8:59:00 AM EDT
: Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 8:59:00 AM EDT
Judy B., given the context of that last one, I think you're right. I remember thinking that was a possibility the first time I watched (on the treadmill, before I sit down to recap) Friday. Sometimes thoughts elude me between the treadmill and the laptop.
;-)
Jeanne
;-)
Jeanne
I'll tell ya, Jeanne, I just admire anybody who can make sense at all of a telenovela while on the treadmill! You are one busy lady but I'm glad you're making time for fitness as well as all the rest that you do.
Judy B.
Judy B.
Permalink posted by : Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 11:15:00 AM EDT
: Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 11:15:00 AM EDT
"She’d be kicked right off of Southwest Airlines"...Ha ha! That's brilliant. You are so right.
Juan's 'cleavage' is not annoying...no, it never is. That guy has one bodacious bod, and there's so much of it too!
Moni IS a doll. It's painful to watch her interactions with CL.
I love your comments that include your experience working with the deaf. It gives another very unique perspective on how to view the world.
Juan at the fair pretty much sums up who Juan really is. He's a big overgrown child, isn't he? Now you all know that I really adore Juan, but I'm going to force myself to be objective for just a moment, just this one time. Juan, in his current mentality, would probably drive me up the wall if he were my boyfriend. All that fawning attention would really turn me off and invade my space. I understand how Paula can feel overwhelmed by Juan. However, she enables that childish behavior by not being truthful to him, the way that some people lie to children so as to not tell them upsetting truths. They are a horrible couple and not at all good for each other. They bring out the worst in each other.
Judy B, you are right about the horns. I asked a friend of mine about Schoolmarm's mystery phrase. She said "hacer de chivo los tamales" means to put the horns on somebody (poner los cuernos), to cheat on somebody. She didn't know the background of "montano ruso".
Sensational recap as always. I truly enjoyed it. Thanks for all your hard work!
Juan's 'cleavage' is not annoying...no, it never is. That guy has one bodacious bod, and there's so much of it too!
Moni IS a doll. It's painful to watch her interactions with CL.
I love your comments that include your experience working with the deaf. It gives another very unique perspective on how to view the world.
Juan at the fair pretty much sums up who Juan really is. He's a big overgrown child, isn't he? Now you all know that I really adore Juan, but I'm going to force myself to be objective for just a moment, just this one time. Juan, in his current mentality, would probably drive me up the wall if he were my boyfriend. All that fawning attention would really turn me off and invade my space. I understand how Paula can feel overwhelmed by Juan. However, she enables that childish behavior by not being truthful to him, the way that some people lie to children so as to not tell them upsetting truths. They are a horrible couple and not at all good for each other. They bring out the worst in each other.
Judy B, you are right about the horns. I asked a friend of mine about Schoolmarm's mystery phrase. She said "hacer de chivo los tamales" means to put the horns on somebody (poner los cuernos), to cheat on somebody. She didn't know the background of "montano ruso".
Sensational recap as always. I truly enjoyed it. Thanks for all your hard work!
Permalink posted by : Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 11:29:00 AM EDT
: Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 11:29:00 AM EDT
Thanks to both of you! Judy, I really liked the extra details on Russian Mountain, I forgot to say that earlier.
My new favorite quickie dictionary (n addition to the 12 reference books I have now) is the Collins online "reverso" dictionary. It often has the unique grammatical constructions for specific words that no other dictionary has, including that Oxford Unabridged and the Larousse Unabridged. I hope now that I can remember all this vocab I've found!
Sylvia, I agree about Juan. Since we're analyzing just this once, I'm going to add my two centavos' worth. He seems to be stuck with the emotional development of a 14-year old, which you may remember was the year he lost his mother. He's been largely on his own since 14, from what little we hear about his early life; this might make him both affectively delayed and very eager to have a real "family." He's certainly given us lots of signs that he likes the family feeling of the Cachón casa and having friends like Kike he refers to as brother. He's resilient, likely in large part due to his mother "being there" for him early on for enough years that he learned it, but he's also stuck at the point she was gone.
Here's a data point for you, a significant research project on resilience in children resulted from a longitudinal study of children born on Kauai in 1954. I have an acquaintance who is very dear to me, and former colleague, who is one of those "children" studied. The resilience literature that evolved in large part from that study emphasizes the presence in the child's life of a person, or persons, who is/are always "there" for the child, regardless of any other circumstances. My friend's story is compelling and even though I've heard it four times, in large lecture halls and small groups, I never tire of it. I could repeat some of the stories from memory and they touch me where I live every time. Juan reminds me of the resilient child my friend describes who had someone "there" who was supportive, nurturing, and loving no matter what, early enough and long enough for the child to thrive forever because of it. (There are a few humans who have innate resilience; Dave Pelzer, a nationally-famous inspirational speaker, is one of those; it's easier with an adult who gives you that support. Pelzer didn't have it).
Jeanne
My new favorite quickie dictionary (n addition to the 12 reference books I have now) is the Collins online "reverso" dictionary. It often has the unique grammatical constructions for specific words that no other dictionary has, including that Oxford Unabridged and the Larousse Unabridged. I hope now that I can remember all this vocab I've found!
Sylvia, I agree about Juan. Since we're analyzing just this once, I'm going to add my two centavos' worth. He seems to be stuck with the emotional development of a 14-year old, which you may remember was the year he lost his mother. He's been largely on his own since 14, from what little we hear about his early life; this might make him both affectively delayed and very eager to have a real "family." He's certainly given us lots of signs that he likes the family feeling of the Cachón casa and having friends like Kike he refers to as brother. He's resilient, likely in large part due to his mother "being there" for him early on for enough years that he learned it, but he's also stuck at the point she was gone.
Here's a data point for you, a significant research project on resilience in children resulted from a longitudinal study of children born on Kauai in 1954. I have an acquaintance who is very dear to me, and former colleague, who is one of those "children" studied. The resilience literature that evolved in large part from that study emphasizes the presence in the child's life of a person, or persons, who is/are always "there" for the child, regardless of any other circumstances. My friend's story is compelling and even though I've heard it four times, in large lecture halls and small groups, I never tire of it. I could repeat some of the stories from memory and they touch me where I live every time. Juan reminds me of the resilient child my friend describes who had someone "there" who was supportive, nurturing, and loving no matter what, early enough and long enough for the child to thrive forever because of it. (There are a few humans who have innate resilience; Dave Pelzer, a nationally-famous inspirational speaker, is one of those; it's easier with an adult who gives you that support. Pelzer didn't have it).
Jeanne
Dear Sylvia~~~I will take your portion of the ''fawning attention.''~```GRACIAS.
Permalink posted by : Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 5:50:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 5:50:00 PM EDT
Jeanne, I had forgotten that Juan lost his mother at age 14. Yes, he does seem stuck at about that age. You make some interesting points.
Susanlyn, you're too funny!
Susanlyn, you're too funny!
Permalink posted by : Monday, October 15, 2007 at 9:54:00 AM EDT
: Monday, October 15, 2007 at 9:54:00 AM EDT
I'm fascinated by the subjects that come up from watching soap operas. I've always been intrigued by "resiliency", especially since I work in a counseling ministry at church. Studies seem to show that abusive, and/or alcoholic families produce children that are equally abusive, children that cope reasonably well, though with problems, and...outstanding children. Seems to shake out in thirds. Clearly some children are born resilient and use early trauma as a learning tool so they will never hurt others that way.
The big question: Can we teach resiliency or is it just the luck of the genetic draw?
I have three children and they have greatly differing levels of resiliency and energy. To the best of my knowledge, I raised them all the same way, but they arrived "different" from birth and so it is.
Anyway, love the breadth and depth of your interests, Jeanne, and thanks so much Sylvia for checking on the slang...I depend on you guys for such much!
Judy B.
The big question: Can we teach resiliency or is it just the luck of the genetic draw?
I have three children and they have greatly differing levels of resiliency and energy. To the best of my knowledge, I raised them all the same way, but they arrived "different" from birth and so it is.
Anyway, love the breadth and depth of your interests, Jeanne, and thanks so much Sylvia for checking on the slang...I depend on you guys for such much!
Judy B.
Permalink posted by : Monday, October 15, 2007 at 1:01:00 PM EDT
: Monday, October 15, 2007 at 1:01:00 PM EDT
Judy B. :-)
The Kauai study has spun off into quite a lot of literature regarding resilience. Some of it is, without a doubt, intrinstic. Some of it can be "taught" in terms of strategies, but it takes the right kinds of teachers. The Kauai study has been conducted by E. E. Werner, so you might want to check it on Google Scholar. This will help with the counseling ministry (good for you for doing that! It's not easy work! My mother has been doing that work for years, and just retired in her late 70s). I'll post a website that talks about helping kids develop resilience.
Jeanne
The Kauai study has spun off into quite a lot of literature regarding resilience. Some of it is, without a doubt, intrinstic. Some of it can be "taught" in terms of strategies, but it takes the right kinds of teachers. The Kauai study has been conducted by E. E. Werner, so you might want to check it on Google Scholar. This will help with the counseling ministry (good for you for doing that! It's not easy work! My mother has been doing that work for years, and just retired in her late 70s). I'll post a website that talks about helping kids develop resilience.
Jeanne
Jeanne, Your recap is so awesome, it outdoes the interest in the episode by quite a bit for me. And the diagnostic commentary from all our learned amigas and amigos has given me so much food for thought. It's what I love about this blog besides being able to think about my favorite TN's with other people finally. Who expected this wealth.
Thanks too for the great list of idioms, I appreciate your scholarly additions and I have already checked out the reverso dictionary and added it to my page of study and resources. Your thoughtful work is another star attraction. I am so impressed with all the recappers and the insights they offer to the whole community. Gracias, gracias. Mil besos.
Thanks too for the great list of idioms, I appreciate your scholarly additions and I have already checked out the reverso dictionary and added it to my page of study and resources. Your thoughtful work is another star attraction. I am so impressed with all the recappers and the insights they offer to the whole community. Gracias, gracias. Mil besos.
...and I agree with you, this is really a wonderful group. Watching with our little community here is what makes it addictive, more than the TNs themselves.
Jeanne
Jeanne
Jeanne...thanks for that website! And guess what!?...I'm from Ohio...my husband is a retired OSU prof...so what better site to consult!? Muchas gracias my friend and ditto to everything Cheryl of New Mexico said.
Judy B.
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Judy B.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 7:16:00 AM EDT
: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 7:16:00 AM EDT
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