Caray, Caray!

Delirio is still trying to get answers out of Nidia. He demands to know where she was and tells her Gladys said Nidia wasn’t with her. Nidia jerks open the bathroom door and acknowledges she wasn’t with Gladys at all; she went looking for her lover. She rubs up and down against the doorjamb as she tells the truth for once in her life. She describes how they spent the day together and had some beers in the evening. Delirio scoffs at the story. He’s serious. He thinks she wants to make him jealous and embarrass him. But, she won’t get away with it. He goes back to his place in bed and tells her he’s not going to fight. What does she think of that? She tells him it’s marvelous, and minces back into the bathroom, shutting the door and looking oh, so worried again and breathing deeply.

Kike and Yadi are at it—and it’s not good for Kike. Yadi is trying to get him to rat on Mami and he’s doing his best to avoid it like the plague. Kike plays dumb and Yadi tries to nail him into spilling the beans. He spins a yarn about how they ran into her. They had a couple of beers and chatted, how nice. But he’s so tired. He flops onto the bed to show how tired he is. Yadi hits him with a pillow and yells. She’s not sleeping with a drunk like him. Kike jumps up and screams back at her…four sets of little feet patter down the hall to glue their ears to the door (okay, so Juan’s feet aren’t so little). Nidia asks the rest what it’s about in there. More screaming—it’s Kike. The eavesdropping audience members argue about what’s up, are they arguing or what in there? Then they listen to Yadi scream that everyone is hearing them argue. [Ya think?]. Delirio points out they’re fighting like an old married couple even though recently married. The audience continues to analyze the fight, taking sides as needed. The fight continues and the eavesdropping continues, and suddenly Kike emerges while the audience works hard to look like they’ve been dusting the hall lights and other chores. Kike remarks on the heat in the room. He thinks it’ll be cooler in the living room. The audience disappears into its respective places…and Kike ends up in Juan’s room, too.

Kike is still lamenting his spoiled honeymoon at Yadi’s hands. He’s throwing in the towel. He’s going to the US and never come back. Juan can’t believe it. Why should he stay, Kike wonders? To listen to Yadi screeching every day? Juan lectures him about Kike’s child growing up without a father. He reminds Kike that he has too good a heart to let that happen. Kike argues that’s why he married Yadi, for his child and because she’s the love of his life but he’s not putting up with this. Juan argues that it’s not going to be easy, of course. Kike thinks the dream is lovely, but it’s not the reality. Juan lectures more about staying at Yadi’s side, regardless, and making a family. Kike’s eyes fill with tears as he contemplates the future. Juan’s hand pats Kike’s cheek fondly.

Yadi and Nidia are in Yadi’s room having a heart to heart, with Yadi complaining about Kike. He better respect her or this marriage is over right now. Nidia tries to give her good advice about thinking before she acts, because she is depending on a good marriage, and Yadi scoffs that Nidia gives advice but does the opposite. Nidia denies it—she never set a bad example for her daughters, and Yadi wonders where she was all day. Nidia gives the line about being with Gladys. Yadi scoffs and Nidia says her suppositions are wrong. They argue a little and Yadi tells her Mami NOT to meddle in Yadi’s life. Nidia is impactada.

Juan is working off some nervous energy with 25-lb weights in each hand. [I know this because they are the same ones my hubby uses. It’s just that Juan moves them quicker than my 71-year old hubby.] He thought bubbles about how things are in Casa Cachón, all the scenes, etc. It’s never boring.

In the morning, Marely and Juan eat breakfast and Marely tells Juan that Paula mentioned his chat with CL. He tries to defend himself. Was she very angry? Marely tries to tell him and Juan interrupts that he has to know. Well, she felt betrayed and offended. [Marely is wearing a VERY off-the-shoulder top, worthy of a night at the opera in the US or a day at work in the D. F.] Juan keeps trying to defend himself. She tells him he acted in good faith and she’ll have to understand sooner or later. Juan laments that all his good deeds turn out bad. Marely takes his hand and tells him if it makes him feel better, she’s very proud of him. He beams and sits up straighter. Really? Yes, a man who is capable of doing so much for love is worth the trouble, Juan. Marely looks lovingly at him. [Marely, honey, you’ll have to hit this guy with a 2 by 4 to get his attention, no matter what top you wear to work.] That is, guys like you are few and far between. Juan smiles fondly at Marely, gratitude oozing from every pore of his face. [Ed. Note: Qué the h*** is the matter with you, blockhead? Grab this woman!] She tells him he’s one of a kind, really. Juan kisses Marely’s hand and thanks her sincerely. She smiles lovingly at Juan.

CL is already at work with Pastor planning today’s schemes. CL is not sure qué the heck is going on with Paula. Pastor offers his take on it. Paula is very proud, and she has all the reasons in the world to be offended. Whatever. What CL needs now is to know qué the heck to do? Pastor thinks he just needs to go to Spain already, but CL protests that’s exactly what he wants to avoid doing. Pastor says if the woman in question reacts, just go already. [Ed. Note: the logic here escapes us, but Pastor claims to know women’s minds.] Go for a week, a month. They argue about it, and Pastor urges CL to just go to Spain as fast as possible. That’ll show her he’s serious. CL shakes his head and evaluates the proposal.

Gee, we haven’t seen Julia and the other lobby lizard chatting at Ivonne’s desk for a while, but here they are. Julia can’t imagine the Licenciada Paula cutting her veins. [Oh, great. Everyone has a take on this situation. How revolting.] Ivonne, the bearer of all the news, elaborates. They wonder how she knows all this. Pure coincidence. [Uh-huh, you just happened to be in CL’s bedroom when Juan showed up to spill it.] As she continues gossiping, Marely is coming off the elevator and approaching Ivonne’s desk. Marely registers that Ivonne is talking about things she shouldn’t be, and Marely’s stink eye is just as good as Nidia’s. She trains that eye right onto Ivonne as we hear Ivonne babble on about how sorry she is to hear about Marely’s boss and how much she’s missed. Marely looks at Ivonne, disgusted, and turns to her desk as Ivonne and her chismosa buddies smirk.

Juan and Fern greet each other in the garage. Fern is worried and expresses his concern about Juan’s absence the day before. The usually talkative Juan, with a pained expression, tells him there’s really nothing to say. Fern looks a bit stunned as Juan walks away.

Nidia gets into a taxi and gives directions, while close behind Gutis directs another taxi driver to follow, hurry! Gutis has his spywear on; a hat over the bald spot and dark glasses. They all zoom off to a commercial for Pasión, which I can’t watch until this recap is done, drat. Gotta fast forward for the cause.

Fern and the boys lament their life situations. They’re all sad and forlorn. Kike reminds him that they warned him about his situation with Nidia while Juan nods his agreement [Big Help, Kike]. He says the interest with this woman is past. Nothing has him nailed down now. Juan jumps up and warns him not to speak ill of the woman he loves like his own mother. He warns Kike to be respectful of his mother-in-law. Kike denies any disrespect, they all have reasons to love Nidia. At least one more than the others. Fern makes a grunt at him. Kike keeps babbling, and Juan comes over to put his arm on Kike’s shoulder and caution him to shut the heck up. Kike, never one to take a broad hint, keeps talking, but changes the topic to the Lic Paula. Fern looks around the corner and “speaking of the Queen of Rome….” Juan asks “What? What’s she doing here?” And we see Paula drive into the garage. Kike asks Juan what, you didn’t know she works here? Juan walks toward where Paula is pulling her car in, impactado.

Nidia, resplendent with little dead animals on her shoulder, senses something wrong over that shoulder and looks back. She tells the taxi driver “young man, at the next corner take a left.” She’s worried. He retorts that she told him to take her to the central market, and that won’t get us there. She tells him she’s changed her mind. They argue about the route, and she tells him she’s sorry to spoil his plan, but a higher force has taken over. Finally, she tells him someone is following them and he makes a big deal of looking in the mirror. She fusses at him to be discreet. He wonders what’s up, and she says she’s a married woman, decent, and victim of a jealous husband. He makes a crack and she retorts that lots of women in this world suffer. He asks her pardon and wonders what they should do now. She tells him to lose them and he chuckles and moves out. Behind, Gutis leans out the window with his camera. He struggles back in, losing the funky hat and glasses in the process. The driver tells him he thinks they’ve been noticed. Why? Gutis wants to know. The driver can’t say why, so Gutis goes back out the window. The two cabs turn a corner tightly together. Not exactly your high speed chase, here.

Juan sits on the hood of the car, stopping Paula on her way by, asking her to pardon him, but what’s she doing her? She came to work. He asks if she isn’t supposed to be at home resting? She acknowledges she’s supposed to but she’s fine. He wonders if it’s a good idea to disobey the doc. She snarls at him. Stop worrying, you’ve done enough for me. He protests and she cuts him off—she knows very well the consequences of him worrying. She wants him to maintain his distance. Does he understand? She stalks off and he looks like she just slapped him hard. Well, she did.

The taxi driver wants to know if Nidia’s hubby is very distrustful of her. She asks if he’s married. He sighs contentedly—he’s happily married. She points out then he knows how difficult it might be. He says she doesn’t have to tell him; he spends all day on the streets, without knowing what his wife is up to. They talk about life at home. She tells him about Samuel working all day, and he’d arrive home and scarcely greet them. Nidia goes into her Nidia-esque hot flash hoisting mode, telling the driver how women need (fan-fan-fan, huy!) attention and caring. She wonders how long he’s been married. Fifteen years, he tells her, they’ve gone as fast a water. She chuckles companionably. Gutis and company are still tailing them. Nidia talks on…..

Paula stalks off the elevator followed by the lobby lizard while other lobby lizards stare. They must be intrigued by her emerald green dress with the disco décolletage, ya reckon? The lobby lizard waves at Julia and gestures at Paula, who makes a beeline for her office. All the lobby lizards rotate to keep their eyes trained Paula. Paula greets Marely and realizes she’s being scrutinized from all sides. Marely greets her back. Paula says what’s up? They act like they’ve never seen me. Ivonne and the lobby lizard chick stare at her retreating back as she beckons Marely into the office. Ivonne, always helpful, runs to inform CL that his Veep is back. “I have news!” “They’ve fired you already.” “No.” She gives him a disgusted look and tells him the dead fly has arrived. “Who?” The Licenciada. She urges him to run over there. He tells her not to be absurd. “What, you’re not going to give her welcome to the land of the living?” Nope, not interested. Ivonne heard him but doesn’t believe him. He informs her that Paula is no longer one of his interests. Ivonne scoffs. He advises her what she needs to do is get out of his office, sit at her desk like a good secretary, and get on the line with an airline. He wants a ticket to Spain. One ticket, one-way (de ida—one-way. Round trip would be de ida y vuelta), to Madrid, first thing tomorrow morning. Ivonne is impactada. He asks if she’s clear, or will he have to draw her a picture (explain with blocks, my best guess)?

As is usually the case when Paula comes in to work, Marely is hearing her gripes about the world, first thing. It comes before the day’s to do list and everything. Looks like the world knows all the gossip. Marely confirms it, and the worst thing is that they got the suicide version. Paula yells about Juan. [Remind me, why DOES Marely put up with all this bellyaching?] She never thought he’d do something like this. Marely tells her it wasn’t Juan; someone else got this gossip going. Who else, Paula wants to know. Marely points out that it could have been her. Paula thinks she wouldn’t have the capacity to do that. Well, much less Juan, Marely asserts. Paula says she’ll quit defending Marely. Marely fusses back at her, defending Juan—what about CL? Marely reports overhearing Ivonne and her buddies. Paula just can’t believe CL talked about it. Paula is so angry she gets up to go out into the office and deal with it. Marely makes her stop—it’s not worth the trouble. Why doesn’t Paula just go home? Nope, not and have them still talking behind my back. [Ed. Note: not that I’m a good judge, or anything, but this green dress does nothing for her hips except outline them so it looks like saddlebags. And while I’m at it, Marely’s top looks like she could lose it in a strong breeze or with too forceful a gesture.] Marely tells her she’s stubborn and Paula says she has to distract herself. Fine, Marely takes her by the wrist and aims Paula back to her chair—TO WORK! Only to work! Someone is peeping in the door as Marely comes back around the desk to her seat. Oh, what do you know! It’s Monica, here to welcome Paula back warmly, and how does she feel? Marely high-tails it out. Moni tells Paula it’s a relief that she’s recovering so fast, given the circumstances. Paula asks her “what circumstances?” Moni tells her everyone knows she tried to kill herself. She doesn’t know if she should admire Paula or feel sorry for her. Neither, because the supposed suicide attempt was a bit of fiction (mentira, another definition). Moni smiles and chuckles snidely.

Moni sits herself down in Paula’s office. She doesn’t have to deny this, it won’t serve anything to fool herself. It’s better to recognize our weaknesses. Paula says it is worth it to be sure the world isn’t believing fiction. She didn’t try to kill herself and she doesn’t need to give any more explanations. Moni presses and Paula tells her again she doesn’t want to discuss it more. Moni says she just wants to help, and Paula doesn’t want her help. She has work to do, if that’s all right with Moni. Oh-kay. As you like it, Moni singsongs, throws up her hands with a shrug, and bounces out the door. She turns back and gives a little smile as she closes the door and mouths some farewell. [Ed. Note: for someone so nice at the beginning of the novela, she’s a world-class witch now. Whew.] Paula mouths something nasty at the door behind Moni, mocking.

CL is making clear for the millionth time that Ivonne is NOT going to Spain with him (okay, I exaggerated about the millionth thing). He says please, I NEED this reservation NOW, and I want an appointment with the employees at 11:00 so I can say goodbye to them. Ivonne’s face has fallen. Really, do you think leaving is going to solve your problems, she asks him. He reminds her that he had already told her it was over between them [talk about mixed messages, since after that you slept with her at least two more time, you creep.] Ivonne wants to know what will happen to her. He tells her to live her life, find a guy who’ll love her, marry, have kids, I don’t know. It’s your life, LIVE it. She argues back; she’s being dumped like so much garbage with nothing to go to. They continue to argue about it and she tells him she’s not going to let him go. He asks how she’s going to prevent it, and what she plans to use to threaten him now; it’s already all lost. He tells her the only thing that she can try to do is save her work and he can’t help her with that. If she hopes to do that, she’d better talk with Monica, because after today, she’s in charge. Ivonne strikes back; he’s a wretch, the worst human being she’s known in her life.

Nidia and the taxi driver are jubilant; they seem to have lost Gutis. The driver feels like he’s James Bond-007, like in the movies. He knows those streets inside out. Nidia checks around again, then they celebrate and then decide where to next.

Ivonne has come to cry on Pastor’s shoulder, figuratively. Without CL, she is going to die. Pastor tells her it’s her opportunity to begin to live. She can’t believe that Pastor is saying exactly what CL told her. Pastor tells her it’s not the same, since CL told her with cruelty and he is telling her with great caring. [Judy B., I think you mentioned this scene in the first part of the recap; it was indeed lovely. Pastor is a good guy to have at your back.] She’s not had love at CL’s side, but slavery. Now she has her opportunity to find a genuine love. She protests, but he points out this guy has avoided having something permanent with her. Pastor encourages her to go find love. It’s scary but she doesn’t have a choice. Ivonne thinks if she speaks with Paula and asks for acceptance and pardon, CL won’t leave. Pastor fondly tells her she’s crazy. She just loves him, she says. He goes around to put his arms around her and comfort her (blinds open as usual, but now no one’s paying attention).

Tomorrow? Moni is mildly impactada. Yes, tomorrow, that’s what you wanted, right? CL furrows his brow and looks her in the eye as they sit in his office. Moni points out he had told her a week. Yes, I know, CL responds. But you were in such a rush for me to get out of the company, I changed my plans. Moni tries to talk him back into taking a week. He points out with his departure there’ll be plenty of happy folks. Paula, for example? Moni is annoyed. But she is also a little concerned, and she tells him she didn’t really think he’d be able to leave. He wishes her luck. It’s not easy, but with her abilities, all will go well.

Fern answers the phone in the garage. Someone is summoning, and he assures the person they’ll be right up. The three boys exchange chitchat as they head upstairs.

Marely answers the phone in Paula’s office. She thanks the person, and hangs up. Marely tells Paula that CL wants to see all the employees. Paula smirks that he’s going to assure us he’s not going, according to what she’s been hearing. Marely says she was told they better not miss it. They finish up a column of numbers.

Pastor claps his hands up on the mezzanine to get the employees’ attention and calls to them. CL, Monica and Pastor stand on the mezzanine catwalk just over the elevators, looking down at all the Farell employees. It puts us in mind of Juan’s fantasy of CL leaving and putting Juan in charge, but the reality it’s Moni who will be in charge. Pastor asks for silence so CL can say a few words. He clears his throat. “Unfortunately for me but lucky for you, people come and go, but companies stay.” He wants to wish them farewell, and thank them for being such loyal, passionate workers and great colleagues. That will stay with him as a good memory. He wants them to have the same attitude of service with Monica, who will be taking over. (In the crowd we see Juan, Fern, Kike, Alirio, Julia, the lobby lizards, Ivonne – with arms crossed and a scowl). They applaud and Juan thought bubbles eloquently about how there is no doubt now that CL is going. For some reason I can’t fathom, Paula smiles up a little at CL and smiles back a little at her.

The boys are on their way back to the garage, and Fern is wondering why the big boss is in such a rush. Kike says that’s the least of it; what’s going to happen to all of them? Juan, whose tie has gotten shorter in the last couple of weeks, is silent. Fern protests that everything’s going to stay the same. And for some of them it’ll even get better—he smiles a little in Juan’s direction and adds a crack. Juan doesn’t like it much and fusses at Fern. Fern tries to make light of it; he wasn’t analyzing the relationship. Juan tells him it’s a question of sensitivity. Juan thinks he should know that there are many folks who will be roughed up by all this. Fern points out that now he will have a free road with the Licenciada and could win her heart back. Juan tells Fern he knows absolutely nothing about this topic. It would have been much better if the boss had stayed. Much better. Both Kike and Fern look puzzled as Juan stalks off. Fern tells Kike he understands even less now. What’s up with Juan? Kike explains to Fern that finally, Juan accepted that the Licenciada was not for him. The one who trips her trigger is CL. Fern’s jaw drops.

Delirio is excited by something as he opens the door to his…um…office. Oh, it’s a miracle, or an illusion! Nidia sits with her arms crossed behind the desk, glaring at him. He tells her sweet nothings, calls her his life and his love, and either doesn’t care that he’s about to get chewed out or doesn’t register it. She asks him what hours he works. All day, of course, he tells her. But I was upstairs to hear the farewell speech CL gave. Farewell? He’s going to live in Spain. Nidia is impactada, and she begs him for the gossip. Delirio tells her he doesn’t know it, and she scolds him for not paying attention. He says he doesn’t have the head for gossip, hablablabla and she sits back, skeptical as Gutis in funky hat, trench coat and dark glasses comes in the door. Well, look who is here, she sneers. What a surprise, right? Gutis actually looks busted.

Moni is working on investment numbers with Paula in Moni’s office. Paula refers to CL’s strategies—it’s complicating things, and Moni advises her they’re changing strategies. They’re done for the day and Paula gets ready to leave the office, when Moni has one more thing….Moni wonders if it’s important to Paula that they change chauffeurs. What? Yep, Paula can have Fern and Moni will take Juan. Paula is impactada.

In the garage, speaking of the King and Prince of Rome, Juan and Fern aren’t speaking. Well, Fern is trying, but Juan is just walking past him. Kike tries to get Juan to calm himself. It was just a comment, Kike tells him, Fern doesn’t know how the story went. Juan fusses about Fern and one of these days he’s going to plant one in his nose. Juan makes a fist to demonstrate his intentions. Kike tries to get him to settle down again. Don’t tell me that you’re taking it hard that the big boss is going? Juan says it’s not, but he just didn’t expect it. Kike tells Juan not to get mad with him, but Fern might be right, if CL goes he can…..Juan interrupts. I can what? Be the second plate? No! Juan Dominguez Coral de Chichipico is not served for dessert! Kike says it’s the opportunity he’s waited for. Juan won’t hear it. Nothing’s changing just because CL is going. Everyone will head back to their own places, clearly.

Moni explains to Paula that Fern has always been more than a chauffeur to CL. She alludes to the things he knew about CL’s activities that she doesn’t want to be reminded of. What’s more, she thinks she and Juan will get along well and he inspires confidence in her. Paula stands with a blank look but smiles a little and says Juan knows how to give caring. Moni also thinks the interchange will be better for both Paula and her, since it won’t be easy for her to have Juan around after all this. It’ll be Paula’s opportunity for some distance. Fine, Paula replies. You sure? Moni presses her. Yep. Perfect, Moni thinks.

Nidia is in full swing—nobody in her life has humiliated her in such a despicable, contemptible manner. Gutis looks embarrassed and Delirio tries to look puzzled. She chides them for this infantile plan. Delirio begs her, he swears….she cuts him off. What? You’re going to swear to me? Or are you going to tell me that your friend Gutierrez spies on his friends wives just to pass the time? She yells at them and Delirio tries to get her to calm down, he’ll explain. He turns to Gutis, demanding that Gutis tell her that Delirio knew nothing! Gutis won’t do it; he tells Delirio you wanted to know where your wife was going! Nidia looks stricken and puts her hand to her chest. Delirio begs again; he never said a word, it was all Gutis’ idea! They yell simultaneously and Nidia yells that she doesn’t care who had the idea. Gutis yells at Delirio that he told Delirio it wouldn’t work. She warns Delirio—Don Perdador Roncho de Fantoche (using words that sound like Perafán etc.) – loser – that if he doesn’t shape up she will kick him out of her house and her life forever. She snaps her fingers at him for emphasis. He’s impactado.

The elevator opens and an impactada Nidia looks up from the inside to see a VERY tall figure stalking onto it with her. Fern, arms crossed and facing Nidia, greets her—what a miracle! He’s glad to be able to greet an old friend, he says with some sarcasm. Nidia isn’t in the mood and tells him not to begin with her, this isn’t the time or place. He wants to know what’s happening. Is this a way to treat your lover? She tells him that even if they have had something, he has no right to demand explanations, much less raise his voice to her. He tells her to save the drama for her hubby. He’s not just anyone that she can give him a cheap excuse. All Nidia can say is that he’s raising his voice again. He wants an answer. Why is she avoiding him? The elevator opens and in comes Ivonne. She looks at their faces and sweetly asks if she’s interrupting something. They both scowl. No, Fern spits out. Nidia doesn’t speak, and Ivonne studies her face.

CL is packing his office up, complaining to Gaitán that this is the most ridiculous thing he’s done in his life, going to live in Spain. Qué the heck is he going to do in Spain? Pastor points out that a little vacation never hurt anyone. Oh, no, brilliant. He’s risking his business, women (plural!), his life is changing, for what? A vacation in Spain? Pastor struggles to come up with something pithy----well, you’re risking it all….for love! What love? What those two women would love is to burn me with green wood! Pastor begs his forgiveness for contradicting him, but reminds him this is purely for display. The three women, counting Ivonne, are all dying for him. CL leans forward with his sardonic sneer—oh, really? The two principal ones, Monica and Paula, won’t dare to show it but deep down it’s eating them alive. Well, when is Paula going to dare to take the step, CL wants to know. Will it be in this millennium or the next? Pastor blusters that CL has conquered all her resistance. CL can only say “oh, sure.” Pastor continues that she’s weakening and the thread’s about to break! CL asks if it isn’t the case, what am I waiting for? Pastor assures him that he knows human nature and Paula and CL will end up together much sooner than he thinks. CL says it better work out that way, because if it doesn’t and he’s wrong, he’s going to come back and skin Pastor alive. Is Pastor clear on that, CL asks with a smile. Pastor gulps loudly and nods.

CL walks out of his office into the lobby, a box in his hands with his briefcase on top. Ivonne looks up as Pastor follows CL out. CL, always so sure of himself, sighs and turns to Ivonne slightly, then walks by her as Pastor shuts the door and follows him to the elevator. Lobby lizards look on with interest. CL meets Marely coming off the elevator. She asks if he is going now. He replies that he is, and Marely wishes him luck and a good trip. He thanks her and awkwardly asks her to give his farewell to her boss. She tells him she will and excuses herself. The little voice on his shoulder – oops, it’s Pastor – tells him “well done.” CL walks the green mile onto the elevator with his jaw set, nods to Pastor, and the elevator closes.

In the garage, CL has made good time getting off the elevator and coming around by the boys’ station. Garage lizards are shining shoes and reading. Fern jumps up at CL’s “let’s go.” He takes CL’s box and runs to open the trunk. Juan sees CL approaching and thought bubbles that at the end, his sacrifice didn’t serve for anything. CL is really going forever. He and CL face off. Juan is definitely left without the Licenciada. CL comes by him and looks Juan over derisively and Juan continues to thought bubble about where all this has brought them. He’d like to punch the guy, and hard. He wonders what’s going through Paula’s head now. Who will comfort her? Who will sing to that guitar?

Pastor is briefing Moni, Juan’s portrait in its full splendor behind them. He just lacks a few details to the paperwork to liquidate Ivonne. Moni is going to leave him to finish the matter, and not one day more can pass with that woman in this office. He tells her yes, and he’ll see her to the door. Moni tells him not to bother. Oh, yes, there’s one more little change she’d forgotten to tell him. From this moment, Juan is the President’s chauffeur and Fern is the Veep’s. Pastor is impactado and starts to speak….but Moni continues. Is there any problem with it? No, of course not, whatever you require. She sneers a little as she tells him how good it is that he’s clear.

Ivonne is asking Moni why she wants to fire her. Ivonne tells Moni she’s a good secretary and she doesn’t think she’s given any reason to her or CL that she would deserve this. Really, do you want to know why, Ivonne? Yes. It’s simple, Moni tells her. Monica doesn’t want to have a woman who betrays, lies, and then has the nerve to ask not to be fired. Ivonne protests and Moni informs her that she’s aware Ivonne was the lover of CL. Ivonne protests that this is pure office gossip. Moni reminds her that Ivonne came and begged for Moni to not allow CL to fire her, but she could have told Moni then. She just wanted to keep her position and stay close to CL. Moni regrets having served as her advocate. Ivonne tries again and Moni cuts her off. There’s nothing more to say. Oh, yes, there is one more thing. She tells Ivonne to call the employment agency they usually use and send a few candidates to replace her. Ivonne is impactada.

Juan continues to muse that just when he thought nothing worse could happen, it did. We see Moni coming into the garage. She calls him and he snaps up at her orders. She gives him the good news that from now on, Juan is Monica’s chauffeur. He is muy impactado. And we are reminded that any similarity to real life is purely a coincidence.

Vocabulary

Pasaje de ida – one way ticket (round trip would be de ida y vuelta)

Schoolmarm Jeanne

Labels: Juan