Caray, Caray!

We open to revisit Pastor checking his watch and wondering how many hours an operation can take. It’s really inconsiderate of them not to come out and let one know what’s happening, too. Juan, of course, tries to help him calm—these things take time. He tries to get Pastor to sit, and the doctor comes in with sad news that Doña Pastora has not made it through the operation. Pastor is inconsolable. Juan can only thought bubble that words are insufficient for the loss of a mother, and only time will help.

We revisit CL arriving home to find Chelo alone; when he asks about Monica, he’s informed that he should know better than anyone where she is. He grinds his teeth.

Juan stands behind Pastor, hands on Pastor’s shoulders, and lets Pastor ask the inevitable “why?” questions. She had always wanted to die in her bed, surrounded by folks who loved her. Juan assures him that Pastor was with her at the end, and that’s what matters. Pastor continues to mourn: his mother was everything to him, and without her he has no one. If she is not here, he has no reason to exist. Juan won’t hear of it. He assures Pastor he’s important to society, a good man, and an exemplary son. Pastor denies this. He says he’s a fraud, a caricature of a man. He walks away and Juan follows, sternly scolding him not to say such things. Juan tells Pastor there is nothing more important in this life than to have been loved as much as Pastor was loved his mother. Juan tells Pastor his mother was at peace. And he wants to assure Pastor that she was completely happy, totally fulfilled. Pastor is doubtful, but Juan exhorts him; he’s not just saying that so Pastor will feel better. It’s the pure truth, and from Juan’s heart. Pastor just cries and Juan guides him to a chair. Juan gets onto his knee to continue comforting Pastor [Ed. Note: What a Guy!] Juan tells Pastor his mother was lucky to have Pastor right until the end; she was loved. Many people don’t have that and it makes closing the chapters of our lives much more difficult. He reminds Pastor that she’s done with suffering. She’s got eternal peace, and is with God. Juan tells him to cry, because it signifies that Pastor is able to feel the most beautiful of emotions that God gave us to make us human. And above all, he had his mother’s love. Pastor whimpers and weeps as Juan smiles fondly and leans to give him a half hug. Juan tells him “cry, Don Pastor, cry,” and Pastor does. [Ed. Note: Wow. ¡Qué emoción! What a spectacular job these two did.]

CL stands in the empty and darkened bedroom of the apartment. He looks pensive as he leans against the corner of a cupboard. Chelo comes into the room behind him, in her regular clothes, and asks if she can offer him anything. He shakes his head without looking around and takes a drag on his cigarette. She’ll just go, then. The camera closes in on CL’s face. He’s crying and his eyes look like he spent the last week awake. At least for the next 30 seconds or so, he might be sorry that Monica is gone.

Paula is sitting on the end of her bed, talking on the phone and taking her 4-inch heels off. She tells Ana that she got her car today. It’s way cool! (padrísimo). Paula’s so pleased to share this moment with her mother. She’s had a difficult day, appalling (espantoso), with lots of work.

We see VERY red stockings and VERY high black heels with a rather short black skirt – makes me think of Nebraska on any Cornhusker home game Saturday – swaying up a couple of steps. CL’s disembodied voice asks Laura if she knows where “she” is. The camera pans to a lovely face of a young woman in a white blouse and black low vest. Laura says she has no idea. He tells her to understand; he’s desperate. Laura says she hasn’t seen Monica in ages (siglos, centuries). She has no idea where Moni could be. (I can’t understand why she would say that, since she and Moni clearly both got the same memo about wearing red, black and white today). Laura asks if they fought very hard. CL confirms it was hard enough. He doesn’t want to talk about it. He asks for a favor. If Laura finds out where Moni is, let him know, or tell Moni to call him. Laura tells him not to worry and hangs up. Moni wants to know what he said. She tells Moni “he’s really down.” (Está hecho polvo – he’s made into dust). That’s the point, that he’ll be in pieces. [Ed. Note: Fat chance. Moni, you’re barking up the wrong tree.] Laura thinks she should throw him out in the street. Moni thanks her for the advice, but she prefers to handle it her way. Laura wants to know why Moni is disappearing to give him an open road to keep it up with that woman. Moni thinks she has the upper hand (ventaja, advantage) and she’s going to make their life h***. Moni tells Laura not to worry that they’ll escape their punishment; she swears they’ll be punished and they’ll both be sorry. [Ed. Note: What the heck could she have up that red sleeve?] She squares her jaw and demonstrates her best stink eye for Laura.

Paula has changed into lovely sage green velour sweats. She answers the phone; it’s Nidia. Does Nidia want to talk with Ana? No, Nidia has a little advice for Paula, since she promised Ana she’d look after Paula while Ana was gone. Paula is fondly irritated. The advice is about Paula’s night visitor. Paula is confused. Duh. Nidia advises her that a decent little girl doesn’t let her boyfriend stay over and take advantage of Mami’s absence. So, don’t do it again. Paula sighs and rubs her forehead. Paula sarcastically thanks her, asks her permission to retire, then hangs up, and sighs disgustedly. Nidia, who hasn’t had the last word for the first time since mid-June, shakes her head and laments the girls of today. They just don’t listen to advice.

At the night school, students pass into the room, but Kike is already in his seat working hard on the lesson. The Profa is coming so the students rush to their seats. She wants to know why Kike is alone again. He stutters an excuse for Juan—he has a little family problem, but she’s not buying it. What a shame! Probably his grandmother died. Kike basically tells her that’s close enough. She doesn’t ever want to see Juan around there again, and she threatens again to expel Juan. Kike is again left holding the bag for Juan.

Paula is pouring coffee and talking to Juan about Pastor. “Poor man, he must be devastated.” Juan agrees that Pastor is. He’s still at the hospital with Pastor, but has found a pay phone. [Ed. Note: Do they still have pay phones on this continent? Not according to the Spanish ads I hear for Cingular/Sprint/Verizon, etc.]. Paula tells Juan to let Pastor know if he needs anything, she’s there for him. He calls her endearing names and asks her to inform the office folk. Pastor is so alone, Juan reckons he needs to stay and help him, especially tomorrow at the wake (velorio). She’ll take care of it, she tells him. Juan also wants to know they won’t be able to see each other tonight since he really needs to stay with Pastor. She tells him to calm down, it’s fine and she understands perfectly. It’s a noble gesture. He thanks her sweetly [Ed. Note: what an ANGEL!] and asks how she is. Paula tells him she’s okay, but going to bed early because she’s wiped out (molida). He scolds her to take care of herself (okay, not a literal translation by any stretch, but that’s the idea) “you hear me, Licenciada?.” She chuckles a little. Yes, Juan. He tells her they’ll see each other tomorrow, sends her an air kiss on the phone, and tells her to sleep thinking of him. She tells him thanks, until tomorrow, and hangs up.

Nidia, the muchachas and Delirio are all in their jammies in Nidia’s room, sitting on the bed, watching a novela on the tele that’s on the dresser. This is quintessential family togetherness. Delirio is not nearly as wrapped up in it as the girls all are. They’re oohing and aahing over the novela, all huddled together with Yadi in the middle, the muchachas sucking their thumbs. He grumbles at them as he’s being eased off the edge of the bed by Nidia’s rump. Delirio grumbles that he’s like Horace. [¿¿Qué??] Nidia totally ignores him and wonders aloud where Juan is, and why he hasn’t arrived home—is he sleeping away from home again? [Like she thinks one more big man will fit on that bed!] Delirio grumbles about Juan, “this señor thinks this is a hotel, and there are no schedules to follow. Marely snaps up and looks at Yadi and Nidia. “What an idiot I am! I forgot to tell you the mother of Pastor got very sick and he helped take her to the hospital! They were going to operate!” Nidia and Yadi express their sorrow, but Delirio thinks there’s a bright side—Juan will be pleased to be at the side of his “detail,” hugging him, giving him his shoulder, etc. [Ed. Note: Don’t you just want to slap the man sometimes?] Nidia scolds him. What a beast, an animal! (We hear a donkey braying in the background). Marely points out she’d like to have the sensitivity of Juan. Delirio finally falls off the edge of the bed. It’s about time. Nidia sarcastically asks his pardon. The girls giggle. Nidia tells Delirio that before she forgets, tomorrow first thing he’s going to get his okole up, get ready, get breakfast, and get into see CL to talk about his work . Delirio bounds up and yells. He’s NEVER going back to that office! Not even if CL was kneeling in front of him! Nidia yells back that he’s going to do that very thing, or there’ll be consequences. Delirio tries to yell again and Yadi interrupts him. He’s interfering with their novela! He throws up his hands in disgust, then starts to leave, but throws his hands up in front of the screen before he goes in defiance. The girls all put their thumbs back in their mouths and settle back down for a night of novelas. Sort of like us.

As Pastor and Juan leave St. Rita’s Hospital, Pastor thanks Juan. He’s taken up all of Juan’s day. Juan, his arm around Pastor’s shoulders, tells him he couldn’t have left him alone in this time. They should go eat something. Pastor says he’s not hungry. Well, then, Juan will take him home so he can make the calls to his family members. What family? Pastor tells Juan he has no one. Juan tries again….a lost uncle, a cousin? Pastor sighs; there is no one. It’s a cruel irony—all his life he dreamed of having brothers and sisters, cousins, someone to play with, to share Christmas with, or birthdays. But there never was anyone. Just her and me. Pastor continues; when he was in grammar school (colegio—a private parochial school, probably) no one wanted to play with him. He knew he was somehow different. He was sensitive, loved fine things and beauty, and not football. Everyone made fun of him. He suffered so much. It became an obsession to have a brother. What a cruel irony it was that at the end of her life, she had such a big surprise for him. Juan is curious what sort of surprise that was. “That supposedly I have a brother. What do you think of that?” Juan is impactado, but remarks that seems like it would be good news. Pastor supposes so. Anyway, he would be the only person Pastor needs to inform of his mother’s death. He needs to follow through with his mother’s last wish (voluntad – will). But, it’s more than a duty. He’s not the same child he was. After all this, they’re not going to toss a football around. Pastor cries again, and Juan hugs him.

Paula has called Marely. Her telephone is Grand Central tonight. She lets Marely know about Pastor’s mother’s death. Marely will help inform others. Paula thanks her and hangs up. The doorbell rings. So much for a quiet night and hitting the hay early. Guess who’s coming to ….. well, not dinner? CL, por supuesto. If she doesn’t open in less than a second he’s going to FREEZE! [Ed. Note; at least it will keep the champagne cool.] Paula wants to know qué the heck he’s doing here, and scolds him, reminding him she’s not going to be pressured, and that’s what he’s doing. He tells her she’s right, but he couldn’t keep away. [Ed. Note: apparently, his deep, prolonged grieving over Monica’s departure is over.] She tells him to begin to control his urges (ganas). She tells him that Pastor’s mother has passed away. CL actually looks a bit stricken by this news for a moment.

The girls have toddled off to bed and Nidia is getting her side ready. Delirio comes in and sarcastically asks if he can enter his bedroom, or are the ladies of the house inclined to watch more television? She remarks that she hears buzzing in her ears….and he can just glue himself to the roof (????). He tells her he’s going to buzz at her and he’s not returning to Farell. He gives her all the reasons why he’s not going, and lose his dignity. Yadi bursts into the room in her jammies and ignores Delirio, begging her Mami to come downstairs RIGHT NOW! Nidia runs after her, leaving Delirio fuming.

CL is finally serious and focused on something other than his ….. uh….. needs. Does Paula know what funeral home Doña Pastora will be taken to? No. Juan will be letting me know. CL is sorry for Pastor; he understands that Pastor has no other family and is very attached to his mother. Paula remarks that it’s terrible to be that age and be alone in the world. CL agrees. And of course, the conversation makes a 180 back to his…..uh….needs. He starts in on her again with his polished line. Life is offering them….hablablablabla….. She tells him there are times it’s better to be alone than accompanied badly. He agrees [Ed. Note: his favorite strategy, agree with everything and change the subject back to his goal]. He talks about when one finds one’s soul mate (alma gemela, soul twin)…..and strokes her cheek. And the line goes on, and on, and on. [Ed. Note: oh, my, what nicely buffed nails he has.] Paula pulls his hand away, but he’s not deterred. He murmurs more pressure-laden junk about the same soul and practices the kisses he learned from watching Duelo de Pasiones. She responds into commercial…..

Apparently during the commercial she came to and now she’s pushing him away. He protests he just wants to show her how much he loves her. She’s not buying it. She wants him to respect the deal they have. He agrees, okay. But, he just KNOWS she felt the same about that kiss as he did. She reminds him no pressure! Just go! Okay, okay, he adds a few more thoughts calculated to pressure about how he feels and backs toward the door. Ooops, one more thing….he rushes her again and she tells him NO. She points at the door. He starts toward it, but she calls him back. He looks hopeful, but she just wants to hand him the bottle he forgot. He smiles and takes it. [Ed. Note: I think it’s Judy B who keeps reminding us what a great actor Alexis Ayala is. He’s doing this to a “t..”] Finally, he’s gone. But, not forgotten. Paula smiles fondly. [Ed. Note: Idiot.]

Marely offers a drink to Pastor, who is sitting in the living room at Casa Cachón. Nidia is talking aside to Juan about poor Pastor. We see Juan’s lovely portrait in the background. [Ed. Note: Will Pastor take his painting of Juan home now that Pastora won’t be complaining about it? I’m just saying.] Nidia holds Juan’s arm. Pastor is suffering a lot. Juan points out he has no one, and is alone now. He shouldn’t be sleeping alone in his home tonight. He’d better stay here. Nidia is impactada. Where? Maybe Juan should go to Pastor’s home and stay with him there? No, given Pastor’s current mood, not a good idea. Juan volunteers his own room; Juan will be comfortable on the sofa. Nidia tells him what a heart he has. Not many men have his sensitivity. She is so happy, and proud of him. She hugs him and calls him son; he hugs her back. Could it be that Nidia is changing to feel motherly feelings toward Juan? Could be, since she has Fern as a back-up young galán. Marely, on her knees, comforts Pastor as he drinks a cup of tea. Juan thought bubbles that the Grim Reaper (huesuda) arrives when we least expect him. When another dies, a piece of one dies with him (her). We see a lovely sunrise, as Juan continues to thought bubble that the following morning, life continued. We see him at the hospital signing the death certificate with the physician, Pastor standing some feet away and not involved. “The poor man had no head” to do the formalities, sign the certificates that would make his mother’s death official. He continues to thought bubble that they selected a flower spray that would let her arrive to heaven well decorated. He had told the Child of Atocha that she had her unique personality, but wasn’t bad people. He asked God to give her a special place in heaven. Then they went to look for Pastor’s brother. Juan asks Pastor what? We’re looking for your brother here? He holds up the paper that Pastora had given her son with is half-brother’s address. Yes, that’s the place. Juan protests that this is in the middle of the public markets (abastos). Pastor is mildly impactado, and Juan is muy impactado. “What’s your brother’s name?” Juan asks. (Are you ready, gentle readers?) “Angarita,” Pastor responds, “Angarita Calvo.” “No way!” Juan tells him. Pastor says that’s what his mother put on the paper. Juan tells him that’s incredible, and we all agree with him. (Wasn’t it just two weeks ago that Don Angarita chased a herd of thugs away who were harassing Juan and Kike?) Juan declares that the world is a handkerchief (small); he knows Pastor’s brother. Pastor is really impactado. “For real?”

The market is humming; it reminds one of the Market in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Juan waits while Pastor confronts his destiny: he has the brother he always dreamed of. Or not. Angarita says “son of the guayaba,” which might mean a guava or the lie, the fib. Anyone know? Angarita can’t believe it. Pastor responds that he’s just as flustered as Angarita. Juan hovers in the background like a mother hen. Angarita says he must be the very Pastor Gaitán. Pastor reaches out his hand to shake Angarita’s, telling him “pleased to meet you, brother,” but his tone of voice and body language make us wonder…..caray, this is awkward. Angarita pumps his arm until Pastor’s teeth rattle. Angarita returns the greeting. Pastor grabs his arm away and rubs it; they eye each other warily and possibly with a bit of disgust. Juan eyes them both and thought bubbles that it must be a heavy thing to find oneself with an instant brother, and they have a mother in common. All he could think at the moment, Juan continues, is about the crash of two such different worlds that’s coming.

CL is giving instructions to Ivonne regarding how to handle Pastor’s mother’s funeral. Ivonne has found that the funeral home is “The Last Breath,” and the mass will be at noon, at the church near funeral home. CL wants to know who is going from the office. Ivonne says it’s a group of those closest to Pastor, if that’s not a problem. CL assures her it’s fine. For a change, they’re not fussing and they’re both subdued. He tells her to arrange everything that’s needed and to send a corona of flowers (a wreath) from the company. Monica bursts in and greets them; only Ivonne initially responds. CL tells Ivonne she can leave them alone. He accosts Monica, wanting to know where the h*** she stayed the night before. She smiles slightly with a “what’s it to you?” sort of look. They face off with glares.

Ivonne is back at her desk, with Paula standing in front of her. Paula is clearly dressed for a funeral. Her black dress is at least four inches longer than usual and doesn’t outline her okole. What a shame, Ivonne tells her with a signature smirk, but CL is busy at the moment. His wife arrived and is with him. Paula asks if she doesn’t mean his ex? Ivonne stands and asserts that Monica is still his legal wife, clearly taking much joy in making this point. She wonders if Paula maybe isn’t aware how CL handles these formalities (jerarquías, hierarchies, formalities). Paula warns her to watch herself. Ivonne continues that the wife is above the lovers. Paula sets her jaw. Ivonne continues that the wives who have class, like Sra. Monica, have preference over the **bleep** like you, you understand. Paula dives over the desk at her and a girl fight is in full swing. All the lobby folk run to the desk and Marely pulls Paula away from choking Ivonne over the desk. They’re all yelling. Ivonne calls Paula stupid and tells her she’s going to disintegrate Paula—“cut-rate slut!” (Golfa barata). CL and Moni come rushing out the door of his office, CL yelling “what the h*** is going on here?” Ivonne is angry impactada. Paula glares and gulps.

Juan chats with one of the market workers. We see Angarita coming down some stairs with a couple of coffees, telling Pastor “she was a good woman, with her temper, but a good woman.” [Ed. Note: he obviously knew the Pastora we all knew and loved.] Pastor tells him it’s a terrible loss. Angarita gives him a coffee, and tells Pastor at least he was able to enjoy her more than Angarita could. He just had her for short times. Pastor asks him for no reproaches, please. Pastor continues that he can hardly make sense of what was hidden for so many years. Angarita points out that everyone has something naughty (travesura) recorded in the book. And, all have attempted to cover some stain (corrector a la mancha). Pastor says that she wasn’t the kind of person to do those kinds of bad things, and even less the kind of deeds that she would hide in the trunk of secrets (baúl). Angarita tells him he’d best not judge, because he has no right. Pastor agrees. On the contrary, it makes her more human. Pastor imagines that it must not have been easy for her to have to give up Angarita, and perhaps that’s why she overprotected Pastor so much. Now he understands better why at times she was as she was. Pastor becomes sadder as the relates this to Angarita. Angarita jumps in, uncomfortable and tells him not to get to bawling right here. Have patience, like your mother, who was like iron. You have to be strong. Accept things as they are. Pastor agrees he is right. He tells Angarita that he imagines if she were here, she’d be whacking him for crying. He wipes his nose. He tells Angarita that when his mother told him he had a brother, he didn’t imagine someone like Angarita. Angarita agrees that he also didn’t imagine one like Pastor. He looks Pastor over and pauses before he finishes that thought. Pastor stares at Angarita. [Ed. Note: now we understand why a couple of weeks ago Kike saw Pastora get into a cab at the loading dock near Angarita’s warehouse, when she disappeared from the church while Pastor waited for her.]

Paula is being scolded, after a fashion, by Moni in Paula’s office while Marely looks on in the office. Moni is surprised by Paula’s attitude, since she says Paula has been a woman well self-controlled. Paula defends herself. She didn’t start it; she and Ivonne have not had a good relationship, but she never thought it would come to an assault like this. Monica tells her according to what she’s been told, Paula provoked it. Paula rubs her head and tries to explain. Well, Paula replies, I reacted to her insults instinctively, nothing more. Moni isn’t buying it. What could a secretary have said that an highly placed executive would have been caught like this in front of all the employees. Paula responds they were nonsense that don’t bear repeating. She begs Moni’s pardon and it won’t happen again. Moni gives her a stink eye and Marely looks distinctly worried.

Juan is selling fruit to some shoppers while Pastor tells Angarita that it was he who said they must accept things as they are, and they are brothers and should have something in common [Ed. Note: hard to imagine just what, but I guess we’ll see.] Angarita sarcastically points out it must be something well hidden. He wants to know about Pastor’s relationship with Juan. Is he family, too? Nope, Pastor tells his brother, just a friend. A very good friend. Angarita thinks he has this figured out. He changes the subject. Is Pastor going to have a wake, to stand watch over their mother? Juan looks over at them and thought bubbles that it wouldn’t take a genius to figure out that Angarita ….and doggone but there was no way I understood any of the rest of it. Jump in any time, anyone. Angarita and Pastor continue to chat and Juan continues to hawk Angarita’s produce.

CL is chewing Ivonne out. What the heck was she doing? Putting that woman in her place, Ivonne retorts. She calls Paula a fox, and it isn’t a compliment. CL tells her not to refer to Paula in those terms. Ivonne spouts back at him and tells him that Paula’s putting on airs and has no rights while he has a legitimate wife. [Ed. Note: how amazing that SHE defends his wife.] CL yells at her that Paula has rights. Ivonne retorts that he should yell a little louder so his wife hears. He tells her that Moni already knows about his thing with Paula, and Ivonne can’t blackmail him with it. Well, Ivonne says smugly, anyway Monica is an owner of this company. “And?” “And it’s not in your best interest to make her into an enemy.”

Alirio bursts into CL’s office with warm greetings. He asks if he can enter, and answers his own question, of course he can. CL rolls his eyes and closes them, sighing. He and Ivonne glare at each other.

Nidia is fitting her wedding dress onto Yadi, who has her hands in long white gloves, clasped above her head. She’s grousing about Juan bringing that Pastor to live with them. Nidia clucks at her. It’s not for so long, just while he’s going through this sad time. Nidia thinks Juan will be calling her any time with information about the funeral. Yadi says she hates funerals. Nidia clucks at her again. Dramatic flamenco music plays as Nidia surveys the effect and declares that Yadi will look quite the lady on the day she marries. Yadi pouts; she looks “horrible, horrendous.” She’s definitely not getting married in this dress, she doesn’t like it. Nidia argues with her; Yadi looks divine and it’s all fixed. Yadi doesn’t like the style….it’s a little….nerdy (naco, Mexican). What nerdy? Nidia is offended that she’s offered her wedding dress and Yadi is insulting it. Yadi sits and pats Nidia’s hand, “it’s okay for your age, Mami.” “But for me?” Nidia tells her not another word! She understands and is offended. She tells Yadi to take off the dress and sarcastically blathers on. Yadi tells her not to be drama queen. Nidia calls her a countess, a duchess, and begs Yadi’s pardon for upsetting her delicate sensibilities, then storms away.

Juan is driving Pastor away from the market. How did your brother seem, he asks Pastor. Plenty ordinary, Pastor tells Juan. His feeling were hurt and he’s having trouble thinking about Angarita. “With no class. I would have preferred something else.” Juan defends Angarita. He may not have much class, but he has a good heart. He’s good people. If you say so, Pastor responds, looking out the window. He’s a little coarse for my taste. Juan points out that the market owners have two things: short tempers and lots of money. His brother is rolling in dough. Pastor can’t believe it could be so much. Juan tells him Angarita has six markets. He moves a lot of merchandise and makes a lot of money. Juan wonders where Pastor wants him to take him. Pastor wants to go home and change clothes, if it’s not too much trouble, then to the funeral home.

Delirio has made himself comfortable in CL’s office to talk about his readiness to come back to work. There are conditions, of course. He wants his work environment improved, for one. He’s really unmotivated by his previous treatment. CL’s eyebrows go up. Delirio continues that he did everything he was assigned to do. What did he get in return? CL shrugs. I was fired like that! Like I’d done something bad in the company. CL asks him what, then, are his aspirations? Delirio wants guarantees for work. Fair and kind treatment. He shakes his finger in the air to punctuate his requirements. And to improve his work conditions. CL offers him to continue in the archives. Delirio protests. No way. CL says he’d better thank God Nidia intervened for him …. But if this doesn’t interest him…. They go around a little, and Delirio sees the light. No, that’s fine. He’ll stay in the archives, but he’s sure he’ll be offered improvements in the future. He looks at CL meaningfully. He understands that CL has made an apology and he accepts it. CL looks pained. Delirio adds a few parting remarks about how it is sure to improve, and tells CL it’s been a pleasure as he slithers out the door. He greets Monica and backs out of her presence, true sycophant that he is.

Moni strides over to Ivonne’s desk and announces that she wants to talk to Ivonne. Ivonne has the grace to look a bit nervous and follows Moni to the office. Marely runs back into Paula’s office, telling her that it looks like Paula is going to have problems. Paula wants to know what more? Marely isn’t sure, but Ivonne went with Monica to her office and Marely’s sure that Paula is the theme of the conversation.

Ivonne is describing how Paula became hysterical and tried to treat her like a servant but she wasn’t giving into it. But Ivonne only takes orders from Don Cesár Luís. Moni wants to know if Paula was abusing her authority how come Ivonne didn’t just take it up with CL instead of fighting with Paula? Oh, well, CL doesn’t like this type of intrigue, and much less when it’s about la Licenciada Paula. What? Well, she’s always had many considerations. Now she acts like she’s the owner of Farell Industries. Moni assures her she can be calm, because the reign of Paula Dávila won’t last much longer. Ivonne puts on a very convincing worried look when she really wants to cheer.

CL asks Paula what happened. Paula says that woman called her a slut, insulted her. Paula knows she did the wrong thing, but just responded to the slur. CL points out it’s even more important for her to control herself than for Ivonne. Paula normally would, but she couldn’t help it. This woman is insufferable! CL tells her in that she is totally right. Paula grins a little. Is he supporting her? One hundred percent! (Cien por ciento). She breaks into a wide grin. He can’t actually congratulate her, but it was about time someone put this woman into her place. She’s presumptuous and insolent. CL asks if she’s gone to the funeral home yet? She hasn’t, so he says they’ll go together. What about your wife? She’s not my wife. She points out the legalities. Okay, I’m no lawyer, no judge, but for all practical purposes, Monica and I are separated. Paula says she’s not used to it yet. He tells her she’ll get used to it. They’ll go together. They go to the garage and round up Fern to take them to the funeral home.

At the funeral home, the wreath from Farell is lovely. The wood casket is shiny and rich, with a lovely white spray over it. Candles burn around the room. Pastor stands mournfully at the end of the casket, looking at it. Nidia and Yadi stop abruptly as they enter the room and seem him and the casket. Yadi has changed into mourning clothing, which is simply her regular look in black. Nidia is a bit more reserved. Yadi protests again that she hates funerals. Nidia scolds and compels her on. They greet Pastor and Nidia offers the most sincere sympathy on behalf of her family. Pastor thanks her, and Yadi nicely tells him that they are with him. Nidia wonders where Juan is—isn’t he with Pastor? Yes, but he had to go back to the office, and he’ll come shortly. Pastor fights tears. He explains that Juan hasn’t left him alone for a single second. Nidia says Juan is of the tenth degree, and Yadi says the twentieth (the best). Pastor says it’s at times like this when one can really measure the size of people’s hearts. Juan, with no other motives, has such great generosity. He’s treated Pastor like a prince, like a brother. Nidia gives him a hug as his tears come, and Yadi stands with her arms crossed, looking a little irritated. Nidia looks over her shoulder at Yadi and makes a face at Yadi’s pouting.

Juan gets out of the car in the Farell garage and sees Kike. Kike wants to know where he’s been. Juan says he’s been helping Pastor with the details for his mother. Kike says that’s very big of you, but I have bad news. He tells Juan about the Profa’s threats to expel Juan. Juan tells Kike he was busy all night helping Pastor. He says all he has to do is go in and his lovely face will do the miracle and will change her mind. He tells Kike the news about Pastor having a brother—a brother in blood, not like Juan and Kike are brothers—Don Angarita! Kike can’t believe it. They have different last names! Juan explains that Doña Pastora, may she rest in peace, had a little thing before she was married and Don Angarita is the result. Juan wants to know where Paula is, he’s going to get her to go to the funeral home. Juan runs upstairs, and sees Marely, who is going to the wake (velorio). Marely breaks the news that she’s gone with CL. Juan frowns with a puzzled expression as we are reminded that any similarity to real life is purely coincidental.

Monday: Is Juan finally going to deck César Luis or are we going to have to wait some more?


Vocabulary:

Padrísimo – way cool, extremely cool
Espantoso – scary, appalling
Está hecho polvo – he’s really down, shattered (made into dust)
Velorio – funeral wake, funeral vigil
Molida – beat, tired, wiped out
Voluntad – wish, will
Abastos - public markets
Golfa barata – cut-rate slut, or street slut
Naco – nerdy, trashy, stupid
Huesudo/a - Grim Reaper, bony

Labels: Juan