Sunday, December 02, 2007
Yo Amo a Juan - November 30, 2007 - In which Nidia is no starving artist and Ivonne should be negotiating hostage situations
On a lovely morning in the D. F., we revisit Delirio attempting to feed his Prodigal Wife. She wants him to demonstrate what’s important, and not with affectations (cursilerías). What? All this time and she hasn’t figured out that’s what he does best? Delirio is the King of Affectations. He takes the tray, so full of beautifully prepared food, away and somehow manages to get it out the door with both hands full. They have a prolonged exchange before he exits, though, with Nidia figuratively pushing him and his lovely gesture away and him trying to get her interested. When Delirio toadies up, he does such a grand job. Nidia is, of course, not only unimpressed, she’s provoked to the max.
And we revisit a beaming Monica giving Juan her briefcase and beaming at him as she wonders if he’s aware the Licenciada is leaving Farell? He thought bubbles that he hadn’t known, but maybe he’d best act like he had (not give her the rope to hang him, implied). He says he’d heard, and she wants to know what he thinks. He hedges—the hour comes for everyone to go sooner or later. He tells her he was thinking of it, too. Monica puts on her best flirting expression, grabs Juan by the tie and pulls him closer, asking “how’s that? The changes of bosses seems so bad to you?” Monica doesn’t simper well. Juan stumbles around. He wants to expand his horizons, he isn’t putting down his time as a chauffeur, but it’s time to move on, up. Monica is So Glad he has aspirations, and she guesses she understand him. She plays with his tie and tells him she can help him move in Farell. Juan is impactado and squirmy. He tells her this gives him pause (gives him pena, my interpretation), because he surely wouldn’t want her to bother. She plays with his lapels and tells him it’s No Bother. She strokes the lapels and tells him she loves to help people accomplish their dreams. She touches his nose fondly and tells him he’s demonstrated he’s a magnificent person. Juan wiggles his nose like he’s got an itch and thanks her, with no eye contact as he struggles to keep from sneezing. She tells him to let her see what she can do and touches him lightly to punctuate. Juan thanks her again uncomfortably, and then opens the limo door for her. She thanks him, spins around with full coquettish eye contact, a hand grasp and WHAT? A WINK? Sheesh. Finally, she gets into the car. What a relief. For Juan and for Us. Juan thought bubbles that this woman has him intrigued. First she hurled a stone at him with this info about the Licenciada, and then she comforted him by offering help. His eyes shift – he has no clue what to make of this. The door closed, he makes his way around the car, though bubbling that it’s got to be one of three things. She’s the Good Samaritan like people say, or she was plotting (tramando) something and wants to get him in the middle of it, or worse, you, if you were sly, “were a couple of bragging dogs???” ( Estaba echando dos perros, someone help with the dicho!) He glances in the mirror to see Monica smiling, still plenty coquettish. He maneuvers through traffic, still talking to himself while Moni plays with him in the mirror, kissing her finger and turning it around to him. He continues to muse on this—he’s not really surprised, it won’t be the first or the last little kid (goat type, cabrita - a little female) who would have slipped onto the terrain of Juan Dominguez. His eyebrow goes up as he watches her in the mirror. [Ed. Note: Moni, no way can you convince us you’re sleazy. Nice try, though. Just don’t crush Juan, he’s had plenty of that.]
Ana is sharing a distinctly uncomfortable breakfast with Paula. Paula wants to know what the heck is on Ana’s mind before Ana explodes. [Ed. Note: I froze the frame to type here and Ana’s expression was So Sour that my hubby said if she doesn’t be careful, it’ll freeze that way forever.] She doesn’t want them to continue with this attitude (plan, one of the definitions). They need each other. Ana explains that Paula will have to forgive her, but she overheard Paula and Juan the night before. Paula had asked Juan if he knew what she was looking for. It seemed like a plea to Ana. A plea for what? Ana can’t really say, she’s not sure. It was like she wanted him to do something. Ana says Paula will think she’s crazy, but he almost kissed her. Paula thinks Ana is hallucinating. But Paula isn’t making eye contact when she tells Ana. Ana says Paula’s attitude was pretty flirty, like she was provoking him. Maybe Juan is the answer to what she’s looking for, Ana earnestly tells her. Paula firmly denies this. She’s found what she wanted. Ana doubts it. She’s always wanted a love with integrity, honest, total. And the only man who’s offered that is Juan. Ana points out that Paula knows that no one will lover her like Juan does. Paula wants to know why Ana is so sure. Because Juan gave Paula up in order that she could be happy with CL. That’s the best possible proof of how much he loves her. Paula counters that CL gave up his marriage, his business [Ed. Note: and THIS makes him a good catch?] and CL told her he’d let her go so she could be happy with Juan. They’re saved by the bell again, thank heaven. It’s probably Fernando to pick her up. Ana stops her as she starts to answer the door—she can’t marry someone when she has feelings for another. Paula says she really doesn’t know why her mother’s saying that. Ana says it’s because of what she heard and saw the night before, the manner in which Paula looked at Juan. She tells Paula to think about it. Paula nods but says she has to go to the office, and kisses her mother. Ana is not thrilled with it all.
CL is all dressed for something, which is amazing given he’s unemployed. He greets his friend Andres, also dressed to the nines in a suit with as much hair gel as Fernando Mendiola (but on Fernando Mendiola, it was positively sultry). They exchange pleasantries. Andres thinks it’s odd that CL isn’t meeting at the office with him. CL tells him to sit, lots of things have changed since the divorce. Andres says CL will have to update him (actualizar). He can’t have a lawyer with these gaps (laguna, another definition). Ah, he’s a lawyer, that explains why CL has a suit and tie on when he’s unemployed. CL tells him it’s all a very long conversation ahead of them. [Ed. Note: So, is this guy on the clock or what? Can you afford to give him all the juicy details when you’re unemployed, CL?] The boys lean forward, so they can talk in whispers in CL’s apartment. CL wants Andres to tell him something. How soon can he re-marry? Andres is not the least bit impactado. Well, the divorce is done, but there’s paperwork….it’ll take up to a month if Andres really speeds up the paperwork. Not good enough, CL tells him. I want to get married next weekend. NOW Andres is impactado.
Marely is shocked to see Paula back in the office after “yesterday’s uproar (alboroto)!” No, Paula’s not leaving things incomplete. She’s not giving that woman the pleasure of seeing her abandon all the work, unfinished, and it’s going to be all organized and clear before she walks out the door for real. Marely just nods. Paula changes the subject. How’d it go with Nidia last night? Great, Marely tells her. Things are calm on the home front For The Moment. She thinks Paula might have lost some sleep with all the drama. No, Paula replies, she lost sleep, but not because of that. Marely wants to know what. Thinking about a thousand things. Marely retorts that among those things might be CL? Yes, that too. Paula doesn’t understand this enmity between him and her mother. He can’t stand her. Why? Well, because we talked about getting married and proposed to take her with us and leave the country to live, and she got furious. Marely is shocked that Paula and CL think to leave the country. Paula acknowledges that she’s not thrilled about the idea and they might be moving too fast. Marely points out that she’s said this to the point that it’s worn out. Yes, Paula agrees. She was completely sure of all this before, but now she doesn’t know. On one hand there’s CL pressuring her and on the other hand there is Juan. Juan? What’s up with Juan? Marely looks worried. Paula looks at her guiltily.
CL and Andres are still hashing out how a divorce in the D. F. can be accelerated to faster than the speed of light. Andres tells him it’s too hasty to try to get the paperwork done for a weekend wedding. CL tells Andres that maybe he didn’t understand what CL asked. He doesn’t give a rip about the paperwork. He’s ready to pay whatever. But, it has to be resolved in time for the wedding. Can Andres do it or not? CL’s camaraderie has flown out the window, he means business. Andres tells CL he’ll get to work on it. He’s not a happy camper. He wonders if the service will be a religious one. CL tells him that’s resolved; he didn’t marry Monica in the church. Andres wants to know if it’s not an indiscretion, why now? CL sighs. His mother in law is a toothache (dolor de muelas, toothache). If he doesn’t do it, she’s never going to get over it. He’s fed up with her. Andres points out that once he’s married, he’ll never be able to get rid of the mother in law. CL knows, but he’ll find a way. The woman is a really negative influence on Paula.
Paula is leaning against her credenza, telling Marely how Juan has been so good with her, so special. He even talked to her mother and helped calm her regarding CL. Marely looks increasingly worried with Paula’s change of heart. There’s no room for doubt that Juan has shown how much he loves her. He’s made a sacrifice. Marely quietly asks if she needs more evidence. No, Paula says, but this is making such a tangled of knots in her head that she doesn’t know how to handle it, what to do. Her mother’s got her thinking as usual, Paula continues, and she doesn’t know what she’s looking for. Paula asks what Marely thinks. Marely thinks she shouldn’t pay attention to her mother and not think twice. Paula is impactada. Marely fumbles around that whenever she gives advice, Paula does the opposite, so she’s giving her the opposite of what she should do now. So, Paula says, she should pay attention to her mother and let up on the accelerator. At least that, Marely agrees, and maybe even put on the brake and get out of the car. Paula sighs; Sr. Farell won’t think this is the least bit amusing. Marely says that’s some bad luck. Paula smiles fondly at Marely and asks if she has any more advice. Well, Marely says, if you’re going to let up on the accelerator take advantage of this opportunity to clarify your feelings for Juan. [Ed. Note: As I said last week, they are Recycling Scripts Here, folks. We’ve been there, done that.] Marely doesn’t’ want her to make an unforgivable mistake of marrying CL when Juan is still deep in her heart.
Monica is spitting out orders to Pastor. Two things: first, we need to think about finding someone to replace Paula Dávila. Pastor’s eyes get oh-so-wide. “Don’t tell me that she’s going?” Monica retorts indignantly that he shouldn’t try to tell her that he didn’t know. He hedges, well, he’d heard rumors. But the Licenciada’s resigning was becoming a sport….Moni interrupts him. That was during the CL era. Things are different now, so get busy and find a person to replace her. Pastor knows just the ideal candidate, now that she mentions it. He describes this person who could move up, with passion, hablablablabla and Monica cuts him off again. “Would that by any chance be You?” Nope, Forget It. She needs him right where he is too much. He protests and she cuts him off yet again, because she doesn’t want to discuss it. Look for candidates, already, and give three choices. Yes, Ma’am. Second, Monica wants Pastor to find something for Juan Dominguez. That gets Pastor’s attention. Excuse me? Well, Paula has resigned, and Juan is thinking of doing the same, and I suppose that’s something you also knew. Pastor makes a face that clearly says he had no idea. Well, Moni wants him to stay and so they have to offer something that will interest him. Yes, Ma’am. Pastor looks away.
Fern is at the garage desk, doing crosswords or whatever he’s always doing. Juan, sans jacket, wants to know how it’s going with the Licenciada Paula? Fern doesn’t even look up. “How’s what going?” Well, Juan asks, you’re picking her up, bringing her here….? Fern finally looks up. “What do you think?” Juan replies “How bad tempered, a person can’t even ask you a question.” Fern goes back to his crossword. “You can, but not nonsense.” Juan prods a little. The Licenciada is good people, nice, chatty….. Fern says she didn’t open her mouth during the whole trip. Juan is impactado. Why? Could it be that something is bothering her? Fern looks up again, annoyed. “Well, you’re not leaving me in peace until I tell you some gossip about the Licenciada, right?” Juan protests that this is his ex-boss, he’s just interested in her well being. Well, Fern tells him, for his information she had a worried look. What kind of worried look? About work, or a personal matter, or what? Juan sits next to him, anxious. Fern wants to know how he’s supposed to know what sort of worry she had. Fern wonders if Juan is trying to drive someone up the wall. (sacar a algn de quicio to drive someone up the wall). He stands up, totally irritated. He points out he’s seen lots of faces in the rearview mirror, and this woman had a face that looked like she’s going through a complicated time, because of work, because of Juan, whatever, he didn’t have a way of knowing. Fern asks if he can get back to what he was doing. Juan snaps at him. Sorry to have disturbed your deep reading there. Fern shows him the book up close. Oops, probably not a crossword. Juan is disgusted.
CL is still in his apartment and still dressed to the nines. He’s asking Paula how everything is. More or less, she tells him, lots of work. He tells her she doesn’t have to worry. On the contrary, I’m leaving things all ready for your ex, she tells him. She won’t have any doubt about my management. He asks her to go out to eat, but Paula wants to do the work. He’s not accepting a no. He has a surprise. He won’t tell her, but suggests they meet at the Italian place. Bye bye, he hangs up too fast for her to say a word. Paula’s provoked. Marely wants to know what’s up. Paula says CL has a surprise lunch for her. Marely asks why she doesn’t take advantage of it and give him the surprise that they’re slowing things down some. Paula just looks irritated.
Pastor comes into the garage to see Juan and they exchange greetings and chitchat about how Juan’s new assignment is going. Pastor tells him the boss loves him. [Ed. Note: uh-huh.] She’s thinking of changing herself into his new guardian angel. Pastor remarks that he doesn’t know what it is about Juan and the female executives of this company, but he makes them crazy. Juan makes a self-deprecating remark about Pastor coming up with all this stuff, one just needs to be a decent person, nothing more. Well, Pastor informs him, the boss wants to offer him a job in the offices. It’s not just anything, it’s something important. Juan is wary, but says she mentioned it. Pastor wants to know what kind of work Juan would like to be doing in the company. Such opportunities don’t call twice at the door.
Ana is serving coffee as she and Nidia stand in Ana’s kitchen. Ana wants to know how it went the night before. Nidia, with a pained and martyred look, replies if only she could tell Ana about her Calvary. There is only one thing worse than having a big fuss with Alirio Perafán, and that’s to reconcile with him. Ana takes a pan of biiiig pastries out of the oven and puts them onto the tiled counter. Nidia continues, what a torture it was, his little gestures. She describes him bringing her breakfast in bed and trying to feed her while she looks longingly at what Ana has baked. Nidia does a great Delirio impression, tone of voice, expansive gestures and body language, and all. [Ed. Note: Nidia really ought to take up acting.] Ana chuckles, picturing Alirio in full splendor. She tsks and tells Nidia it’s not so bad, he’s making an effort. Nidia thinks he’s a pain in the neck. But, Nidia tells Ana, she wants to talk very seriously with Ana. Ana looks worried impactada.
Juan rubs at the car behind him a little and tells Pastor he simply doesn’t want to be in the company, but he has no problem with the company. Pastor wants to know if it has something to do with the Licenciada Paula. Juan tells Pastor he knows it does. That’s the only way he can forget. Pastor points out she’s resigned. Yeah, but those resignations were not forever. Pastor chuckles. In this case, yes. Paula and CL are going to live out of the country. For real? Juan is muy impactado. Yes, Pastor tells him, didn’t you know? Juan had no idea. Speaking of the Queen of Rome, Paula comes into the garage. She greets them and walks on, clingy black dress wrinkling badly around her okole. Juan looks after her, absolutely impactado. Pastor asks if he’s going or if he’s staying with Farell.
Nidia is telling Ana her tale of woe; she burned her brain all night, asking herself questions. Why me? And I concluded it happens because I’m idle. [Ed. Note: Busy hands are happy hands….] Ana is curious about that. Well, Nidia continues that she had dedicated herself to being a mother, hablablablabla and was going to escape with Anga. Ana wants to know if she’s going to work. Nidia is appalled at the thought. Nobody in her family goes to work. Except Marely, but she got that from Samuel. Ana rolls her eyes a little. Well, then, is she going to sew or embroider or something? Nope, Nidia has a better idea and that’s where Ana can help. Ana looks wary, and she should. Me? Yes, you. I want you to be my teacher, Nidia tells Ana. Teacher of what? Nidia wants to dedicate herself to painting. Lovely classical music plays.
Pastor is still working on Juan. Juan just has to overcome this situation. Can he give up an opportunity like this just for spite? No. Pastor expects more of Juan. Juan protests but Pastor asks Juan to do it for him. What’s he going to tell the Sra. if Juan doesn’t stay? Juan says that’s really annoying, such insistence. What abuse from this Sra. Pastor tells him to think a couple of days about it. He shouldn’t make any scatter-brained decisions (atolondradas). He should take his time and then decide what to do with his life. Juan looks warily at Pastor……
Paula strides toward CL, who is already seated at the table. She’s beaming. He jumps up, calls her his love, and kisses her—she looks LOVELY. And this? She wants to know what’s up. Is this the surprise? No. Why so much mystery—it’s making her nervous. [It should.] He tells her to calm down, and take her cup. They’re going to celebrate their wedding. He clinks her champagne glass and she’s impactada. CL, how good that you’ve brought up this topic because….because what? CL wants to know. We’re getting married next weekend. To your health, my love! She’s impactada again. [Her impactada never brings a single wrinkle or line out. What’s up with that? Is her face permanently botoxed?] He smiles broadly.
Ana and Nidia sit down to a Huge lunch. Nidia, her napkin tucked into her décolletage, sighs as the lovely classical music continues to play. All her life she’s been a frustrated artist, she declares to Ana. “Don’t tell me.” “Oh, yes, I tell you!” In college she was the queen of singing, dancing, theater. “What happened?” Nidia hops up and spins around, demonstrating the part she played. She describes how her father interfered, okay, partly because she was playing fast and loose with manhandling her leading man. Might have been partly due to the mini-falda, too. Ana chuckles and Nidia declares anything for art! Now that she has time again, she wants to take up that vocation again. What does Ana think? Ana wants to know if she’s painted before. Yes, for pure jokes. (?????) [Help! This dicho is beyond me and all 12 dictionaries—“puros cuernos” One definition of cuerno is “joke.”] They laugh again. Seriously, Ana asks, why painting? Because it’s so pretty, because I can do it at home, and because I’d have you as my teacher. Nidia leans over and touches Ana fondly. She’s going to pay Ana, though. Ana won’t hear of it and they fuss about that like the viejas they are. [Ed. Note: Nidia reminds her tactlessly that Ana has no work. Nice touch, Nidia. Give and take away.] Nidia thinks it’s a win-win situation. How does that seem to Ana? Ana shakes her head; it’s doesn’t thrill her.
CL is working Paula over at the restaurant still. He tells her he thinks it’ll be marvelous. Paula tries to protest. He protests over her, but she tells him to take a step like this they have to be very aware of what they are doing. He wants to know if those are her words, or her mother’s. [Ed. Note: Paula’s annoying expression is only surpassed by her annoying décolletage. How was it that Melinama put it not long ago? We just don’t need to see the underside of her bosom. Or something along those lines.] The discussion escalates into a drag-down fight. He complains about Ana, who is spoiling everything, in his opinion. [He is one First-Class Manipulator.] She sets Paula against him, he accuses. Hablablablabla clear up to about 120 decibels. Paula jumps up and sarcastically thanks him for the invite, then stalks away. He gets the waiter, pays and runs after her. She tells Fern “let’s go,” and CL stops them. He’s not done with the conversation. They yell at each other a while more and then he tones down. Fern crosses his arms and looks prepared to deck CL. Hm. CL wants to calm down, keep eating and talking. Nope. Paula’s going back to work. What for, she doesn’t work for Farell any more. She tells him to lower his voice. He tells her she’s forcing him to this. Oh, it’s my fault now? He whines a little. Their future depends on how they handle these situations. Finally, she’s out of there with Fern. Whew. That’s a relief, we don’t have to listen to the pair of them for a while. Fern gives CL a Really Dark Look as he closes the door for her. CL chews his lip in chagrin.
Gutis has come to visit Delirio in the catacombs. “You went to find her,” he accuses Delirio. “She’s my wife.” “And I imagine you crawled on the ground like a dog?” Nope. Delirio describes the scene where he manfully forced his wife to come home. Not. He tells Gutis how he talked tough and he cleared things up. Gutis wants to know where he found her—that guy’s house? Nope, a girlfriend’s house. [Ed. Note: please notice that he didn’t tell Gutis it’s Ana.] Now, Gutis, this topic is dead and buried, Delirio tells him.
Juan and Marely are at a quaint little eatery having a nice lunch. Why didn’t Marely tell him that Paula was leaving Farell? Marely points out that one day she’ll get mad and another she’ll change her mind and stay. And why hasn’t he told her about this little place? He can’t know how long she’s been looking for a place with delicious and inexpensive food like this close to the office. It’s a state secret, he tells her. They joke around a little. What if they spill the tepache about this place, everyone will start coming, and it’ll be full. Then the king that he is won’t get in. She accuses him of being jealous over it. Nope, he says, it’s self-preservation. He has to keep it exclusive. He touches her chin and she smiles back at him. He wants to change the topic and know what she’s doing after work. Nothing, why? He has a triple-header plan: some tacos and dancing. Marely says it doesn’t seem so good to her. The cachi-cachi-bombon music grinds to a stop. Juan wants to know why, and Marely wants to know why he’s asking her out now? He’s tired of work, wants to go out, get a little spirit, etc. relax [Juan actually said relax in English and the captioner MISSED it.] Marely calls his bluff; he wants to forget Paula. Busted. He can’t lie to her, it’s true. She’s the only one who can help him. She’s pleased with his frankness, but she’s tired of being his crying towel. It’s not that, he tells her. Yes, it IS that, she retorts. He tells her it’s not lies, he’s just going through a time that’s very difficult for him. Marely tells him he needs to find another person. And what’s more, she hesitantly tells him, she thinks that Paula’s not done with him. He snaps back to attention. Nope, she doesn’t know what she’s saying, she’s crazy. Of course she knows what she’s saying, Marely tells him. He tries to get more out of her but she refuses; she’s not saying anything more. She shoves a spoon into his mouth to feed him some dessert. [Ed. Note: Juan, we’re going to whack you if you keep on overlooking this gem!]
Ivonne sashays back to the lobby desk where she used to sit, but now Julia is there. Julia and Ivonne greet each other warmly. Ivonne wonders if they’ve replaced her so fast, and gives Julia an indirect compliment about her suit – “are you on a diet, or are those my nerves?” Julia beams, then complains about the job. They put her there because Ivonne hasn’t been around. She gripes about “that Sra.” and Ivonne chuckles at her, looking very relaxed. The phone rings and Julia dives for it. Pastor walks up behind Ivonne, also chuckling—“who do we have here?” Ivonne turns and greets him with double-cheek kisses. He fusses fondly at her, the ingrate, he’s left her a thousand messages and she’s not reported back. He has her final payout ready. She’d better cash it today, he tells her. He asks her to come to his office. Nope, she’s not going. He warns her not to look for more problems, because the Sra. Monica….Ivonne turns to Julia and tells her to announce Ivonne’s visit to the boss. She wants to see Moni. Julia doubts Moni wants to see Ivonne. Ivonne is, as Sylvia noted yesterday, goal-oriented and persistent. It’s very important. Julia throws up her hands and goes off to do Ivonne’s bidding. [Ed. Note: And don’t we just know who the Alpha Female is here, huh?] Pastor whispers to Ivonne. “What are you going to do?” She’ll tell him later. Pastor tries to dissuade her from doing something truly nuts. A surprised Julia comes back to tell Ivonne to go right in. Next thing we know, she’s talking to Moni. She has a proposal for Moni. “You have a proposal for ME?” [Ed. Note: your recapper can’t help but notice that although Ivonne’s skirt is short, her décolletage is more subdued than usual. Sorry, Oldman54. Perhaps Ivonne realizes that she wants Moni’s total attention in the most positive sense, and the skirt doesn’t matter when it’s behind the desk.] Moni’s skeptical look shows what she thinks of that idea. Ivonne informs her that perhaps she hasn’t realized but now that she’s in the company, and now that CL and Paula are going to marry, what Moni will need is allies and not enemies. Why allies? Ivonne says she’ll need allies for what Ivonne wants to propose. With Ivonne she doesn’t need to hide anything. Moni thinks that’s pretty shrewd of Ivonne. Ivonne continues that she’s a woman who is equally, or possibly more, offended than Moni, and in Moni’s place Ivonne would be thinking the same as Moni is. And what would that be?..... “To ruin the lives of this pair.” Ivonne delivers the final punch: Moni won’t find a better ally than her in this company. Moni tells Ivonne to sit and convince her. Ivonne struts to the chair.
Marely and Juan are back from their intimate lunch at the hideaway gem of a restaurant. Marely greets Enrique, who’s seated at the desk Fern usually occupies. Kike wants to know what’s up, and she lets him know she has some orders for deliveries for him ASAP. They say goodbye and Juan sits on the edge of the desk. And, what’s up, my Juanito, Kike asks. He gets up onto the edge of the desk on the other side so they’re back to back and looking around to see each other. Kike gets that cute little grin he has when he’s prying for chisme—is Juan making points with Marely now? Juan denies it, he’s more at a loss with Marely than with the Licenciada. Kike teases him not to be that way, because it’s no secret to anyone that Marely is wild for him (anda cacheteando las banquetas, slapping the sidewalks – from my Barron’s dictionary of Spanish slang). Juan replies mournfully that women are strange and he had the brilliant idea of falling in love with the Licenciada and now he has no idea how long his punishment will last. He wonders if Kike knows someone who can help him rub out the tattoo. Kike is impactado. Kike tells him it’d be too difficult and he’ll have a Really Ugly Scar (cicatriz refea, adding the prefix “re” before an adjective can make it a very strong superlative in some cases, if I understand correctly). He retorts that his scar is in his soul.
Paula is actually talking to Fern as they drive back to the office. She asks him for a very special favor, that he be discreet with what just took place and that he won’t say Anything to Anyone. Fern is a little offended. He’s surprised that she has to ask this. She protests that she knows about the dirty laundry that gets aired in the garage. She’s serious, that he won’t say Anything to Anyone. Fern looks pained. Above all, nothing to Juan. Fern tells her straight out he’s offended but not to worry.
Ivonne elaborates on her proposal to the Jefa. Ivonne thinks Moni should know that things between Ivonne and CL aren’t done. Moni looks a bit impactada in an “Oh, don’t tell me” sort of way. Moni wants to know if Ivonne wants a medal. No, but Ivonne thinks this means something about how strong CL’s actual feelings for Paula really are. She plays with her hair and proceeds to tell Moni that she was in CL’s bed while he was convincing Paula he was going far away, and while he was comforting her for the discussion that Moni had with her, Ivonne was in his bedroom. Just yesterday…Moni cuts her off, enough already, she’s got the idea. Ivonne just wants her to know that Ivonne is still a part of his life and has been for a good long while now. Moni sarcastically congratulates Ivonne, what a great woman she is. Ivonne responds that CL doesn’t love Paula. Moni retorts that CL doesn’t love anyone with the possible exception of himself. Ivonne points out that he’s caused a lot of pain. Moni doubts that he’s caused Ivonne any. Ivonne responds that she’s always known that for him it was a game, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t hurting. Moni’s not sure that wasn’t an advantage for Ivonne, since she was always used to being the other woman. Ivonne thought there was no other way for her. Moni wants her to cut to the chase; what’s Ivonne looking for? To give them a lesson. Both of them, but especially her. Moni stands up….”and after you give this lesson to Paula Dávila…” Ivonne interrupts. No, WE give this lesson…because it’s a task for both of us. Okay, after WE give the lesson, Monica wonders, then what? Nothing more, each of us has had her vengeance. It’s what might be called a temporary partnership. Moni chuckles—“a partnership between you and me? In exchange for what?” [Ed. Note: this is why you’re the Jefa, you’re always two moves ahead, Moni.] Ivonne tells Moni that among other things, she wants her job back. Only that? Ivonne acknowledges that there will be the pure personal satisfaction, too. Moni looks thoughtful, and Ivonne reads her mind. “There’s not much to think about, Sra. Monica, I think I’ve been clear enough and my proposal is worth your while.” Moni and Ivonne exchange slightly conspiratorial looks.
Out in the lobby, Julia is typing away when Ivonne exits Moni’s office. “My esteemed Julia, what a shame, but you’re going to have to abandon this desk…” Ivonne hands Julia her water, and helps her move things off the desk. “You’re going to return?” Julia is impactada….and pleased. That’s good, because one more day working with this Sra. and I’d be totally fed up (estoy hasta el gorro, I am fed up). Ivonne smiles cheerfully at her and gently pushes Julia back toward her reception desk. She eases into her chair with a contented sigh.
The viejas have gone out to purchase art supplies, and the nice young man in a suit [in an ART supply store??] is helping. Nidia tells Ana that the first thing she has to buy is a horse, right? We hear the horse neighing in the background. Ana chuckles fondly at her, no, they want a caballete- easel – not a caballo – horse. Yeah, Nidia agrees, the thing they put the paper on so they can make drawings. Ana chuckles again. The young man says they have several models, or are they looking for a specific one? Nidia wants the most expensive one they have, the model doesn’t matter. The lovely classical music is playing at this store, too. Perhaps they have the same Muzak tape that Ana does. Nidia is convinced that if you go cheap, it ends up expensive. Ana takes her aside and disabuses her of the need for the most expensive. Nidia needs to begin with basics for now. Don’t go crazy buying supplies you don’t need, Ana advises. All she’ll need is some paper and charcoal pencils (carboncillos), that’s plenty for the first phase. Nidia is doubtful, but Ana wants her to listen up, she’s the teacher. Nidia still argues….
Ivonne makes Pastor nervous when she comes into his office because she’s not going to cash that final payout check. He’s upset that she’s going to provoke Monica and hasn’t followed his advice. She laughs and interrupts—“I’m staying at Farell!” “No!” Pastor is impactado. Yes, she tells her esteemed and incredulous comrade. He comes around, the perfect gentleman, to seat her and make her tell him Everything. Without omitting any details. [Now her décolletage is back to normal, folks. It’s magic. Or I’m not as observant as I thought.] Pastor settles back in for a lovely gossip session.
Ana struggles in her door with an easel that nicely matches the woodwork in her house, while Nidia carries the little bags of art supplies. The art supply store music is playing here again. Nidia is babbling about not wanting a class that is half way or they might as well just hang up the paintbrushes. Ana finally puts the easel down, resting against the back of the sofa, and says they won’t start today. Nidia is disappointed. She figured that she’d be getting at least $10,000 per work by the gallery showing she’s having next week. [Okay, I was being a little sarcastic.] She concedes, though. How about if they start early tomorrow? Nidia hopes that she’s going to have all the models they plan to use hired. The Muzak grinds to a stop. Qué the heck? Models? What do you mean, what models? The Muzak operator puts on a different lovely classical music tape. Nidia wants to begin with the human body. Certainly, a man. She describes in detail learning to paint each muscle, each curve, every chomi….complete with expansive hand gestures. Ana tells her not so fast. They can’t begin with that. Nidia goes back to her explanation, as if Ana will be convinced. Nope. First things first, the basics. Oh, of course, Nidia replies. Ana continues, for example, a line, a shadow, an outline, some color….lots of things. Nidia’s face falls [as far as it can, given lifts]. What a shame! She was so enthusiastic about the pair of papiricos she’d envisioned, chomi-chomis, oh well. Ana turns her face and giggles behind her hand. Well, Ana is not going to be moved and there’s nothing Nidia can do. Ana nods and smiles firmly as my favorite lovely classical Muzak plays.
Pastor congratulates Ivonne on her bloodless coup. She’s back in power. She defended her territory like the great ones, she was brilliant. Ivonne gives him the credit, because with a teacher like him, one can only imagine! He’s pleased she’s giving him credit where credit is due, and it’s always wonderful when the student surpasses the teacher. But, she confirmed one thing for him, that women unite only when they have an enemy in common. She affirms that she and Monica are going to have their vengeance on this woman. They’ll skin CL alive. Pastor chuckles. He has only one question. How can they do that when Paula and CL will marry and leave the country to live. Ivonne assures him it’s all coldly calculated. Ivonne’s partner, the Sra. Monica, will handle that little detail.
Speaking of the Queen of Rome, Moni informs CL by phone that what she wants to talk to him about isn’t urgent, but she just wants to talk about a matter with him. They arrange to meet the following day.
Fern helps Paula out of the car, and she strides off. She passes Juan and Enrique so that Juan can greet her, she can smile a little but not speak to him, and he stare after her. [Okay, did that sound sufficiently catty?] Kike wonders aloud to Juan about the little smile there. Juan snaps at Kike not to begin bugging him. Fern hurries over to Where the Boys Are. Kike is covering a smile as Fern greets them and asks what’s up. Juan replies that nothing’s new on this front. Fern says okay, nothing new…..and explodes, qué the heck, I have something new! [This is the most excited we’ve ever seen Fern, folks.] “With the Licenciada?” Juan is curious-impactado. “Spit it out, man!” Kike can’t wait. Fern realizes he’s put his foot in his mouth, so to speak.
Marely is surprised that Paula’s back so soon, she thought Paula would be longer at her lunch. Paula informs Marely she didn’t even eat. Why? Because every day CL leaves me with a new surprise. Okay, so now what’s the new surprise. That we’re going to get married This Weekend. Marely is impactada! Paula asks if that seems like he’s come totally unhinged.
Fern has spoken out of turn and is doing his level best to backpedal so he won’t have to spill the beans when he told Paula he was offended that she’d think he’d do it. Especially to Juan. Fern tries to run off and the boys try to grab him. “Better to leave it there or there are going to be problems.” The boys protest, especially Juan. Fern already “rumbled” and he’s gotta give the info up. He starts to describe waiting outside the restaurant and what did he see? “What did you SEE?!” the boys howl at him. Well, the Licenciada coming at him absolutely furious! And they’ll never guess who was right after her? Juan yells to Fern to not keep them guessing the gossip. Well, it was the boss (CL), running to catch her. Fern describes the fight with CL raising his voice and her wondering if he wanted the pair of them yelling in the street. Kike is totally tickled by this scene, that got so bad. Yep, Fern tells them, she didn’t let him twist her arm (give her arm to him to twist, no dio su brazo a torcer) go back to the restaurant with him, either. And what do you think? She finished off the conversation telling him if he’s tiring of her, she’s tiring of him, even more! The boys’ expressions are proud (Fern), tickled (Kike) and incredulous (Juan). “That’s a quote!” (palabras textuales exact words). Fern tells them he doesn’t know, but it seems like this pair is everything except a pair who really wants to marry. This pair has serious problems. If they’re this way now, imagine what it’ll be like when the knife is at their throats (They’re married?). Kike thumps Fern’s gut, what great gossip. Juan’s smile expands like the Grinch’s heart.
Nidia and Ana, exhausted from the afternoon of shopping, are chatting on the sofa. Nidia tells Ana it’s good that she told Paulita what she was thinking. Ana second guesses herself, because Paula’s not listening, she thinks. Nidia wonders who ever listens to their mother. Ana tells Nidia she’s not against marriage, but she thinks it’s not an easy undertaking (another definition of “empresa.”) Even if one marries the most marvelous person in the world, there are sacrifices. Sure, it has its recompenses—it’s not all bad. Nidia wants to know how Ana knows so much since she was never married. Oops. She realizes at Ana’s pained look that her foot’s in her mouth. Pardon me, Nidia begs. Ana doesn’t want to sound harsh, but she thinks that Samuel’s relationship with her was practically a marriage. And, Ana learned many things about Nidia’s marriage with Samuel. Among others, Ana knew what was going wrong between Nidia and Samuel. Nidia becomes distinctly uncomfortable. If Ana’s going to turn out to be her professor in everything, at least don’t pound it in. In addition to painting, it looks like Ana knows everything, everything about love, Nidia declares. Ana is rueful. Nidia wants to talk in confidence; what would Ana do in her case? Ana diplomatically replies it depends on whatever she’s prepared to do. Drama Queen Nidia tells Ana whatever is needed to recover her peace. Ana continues for her to think about doing what’s needed to reconcile her marriage, be lovely for her husband. Nidia agrees, of course. Ana tells Nidia she’s passionate, so take advantage of it. Put those qualities on the table, and if she’s willing to tame her husband he might turn into an interesting man. Nidia scoffs, Ana shouldn’t be making fun of her. This tasteless man can’t inspire any thoughts in her except bad ones. Ana thinks the feos (ugly ones) have their points (gracias – one definition is graces), it’s just a matter of identifying them. She continues that Nidia should put on a very sexy blouse, exploit her sensuality to the max [Ed. Note: Let’s keep in mind, friends, that this is ANA speaking here.] Nidia leans over conspiratorially—did Ana do this with Samuel? Ana is impactada-offendida. That’s a question that she’s not going to answer, she tells Nidia sternly. Nidia tells her okay, who would have seen her, so timid, so cautious. You had yours hidden, but you had it. Ana hesitates at this outburst….Nidia changes the subject, she’s got to go. She’s got to be ready for her hubby.
Moni is watching Juan musingly from the back seat. Juan is thought bubbling; he wonders if it could be true what Fern has told him. No way would he be inventing these things, right? Could it be that they fought because of me? He begs the Blessed Child of Atocha about the bad piece of meat and calls himself pig-headed [Ed. Note: my hubby says that – about a bad piece of meat - when he’s having a bad day and his head is full of stuff he doesn’t want to think about. It’s from Dickens, I think, the Christmas Carol.] Moni chews on her finger thoughtfully, watching like a cat ready to pounce. Juan continues: now, what do I do?
Apparently, he’s decided what to do. He’s back to stalking outside Paula’s bedroom window and standing there talking to himself—only this time we can’t hear inside his head. He’s angry? Unhappy? All of the above?
CL isn’t meeting Moni at the office. No, he’s coming to see her at Laura’s house. Perhaps he’s strategizing to throw her off her stride. She wants to know what he’s doing here. What, he asks, didn’t you need to meet with me? It could have waited for tomorrow. He turns around and retorts that they say you shouldn’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today. Before anything, he tells her, he wants to thank her. What for? Her discussion with Paula, thanks to that his future wife no longer works at the company. Moni informs CL that she didn’t fire Paula, if that’s what Paula is telling him. No, CL says, he didn’t come to talk about Paula or hear Monica defend herself. But thanks to that, Paula now has nothing to hold her in this country. Well, then, Moni observes, you must be thinking in going. Moni adopts the “poor little woman” demeanor. She had no idea how difficult it would be to manage such a large company as Farell. CL smiles that MCP smile and assures her it’s a titanic job. Moni regrets that she can’t do it alone. She begs him to stay and come back to work. He looks at her warily, all traces of the chauvinist gone. He knows when he’s been set up. And we are reminded that any similarity to real life is purely a coincidence.
Monday: (the last day of Destilando, but Juan is still on) Paula is still confused, but we’re not surprised, because she is terminally confused. Ana tells her to figure out what she feels for Juan. Can there be something that will change everything? Will she stay with CL or go with Juan?
Vocabulary
Cursilerías – affectations
Tramando – plotting
Plan – attitude, (alternate definition)
Actualizar – update
Laguna – gap (alternate definition)
Alboroto – uproar
Sacar a algn de quicio-to drive someone up the wall
Atolondrada – scatter-brained
Anda cacheteando las banquetas – wild about someone (slapping the sidewalks – from my Barron’s dictionary of Spanish slang)
Estoy hasta el gorro - I am fed up
Carboncillos – charcoal pencils
No dio su brazo a torcer – didn’t let him twist her arm, didn’t give her arm to be twisted
Palabras textuales – that’s a quote (exact words)
Echando los perros - flirting, (thanks, Cap'n Eve/Sylvia for checking with a friend)
La soga al cuello - get married (thanks, Judy B.)
Schoolmarm Jeanne
And we revisit a beaming Monica giving Juan her briefcase and beaming at him as she wonders if he’s aware the Licenciada is leaving Farell? He thought bubbles that he hadn’t known, but maybe he’d best act like he had (not give her the rope to hang him, implied). He says he’d heard, and she wants to know what he thinks. He hedges—the hour comes for everyone to go sooner or later. He tells her he was thinking of it, too. Monica puts on her best flirting expression, grabs Juan by the tie and pulls him closer, asking “how’s that? The changes of bosses seems so bad to you?” Monica doesn’t simper well. Juan stumbles around. He wants to expand his horizons, he isn’t putting down his time as a chauffeur, but it’s time to move on, up. Monica is So Glad he has aspirations, and she guesses she understand him. She plays with his tie and tells him she can help him move in Farell. Juan is impactado and squirmy. He tells her this gives him pause (gives him pena, my interpretation), because he surely wouldn’t want her to bother. She plays with his lapels and tells him it’s No Bother. She strokes the lapels and tells him she loves to help people accomplish their dreams. She touches his nose fondly and tells him he’s demonstrated he’s a magnificent person. Juan wiggles his nose like he’s got an itch and thanks her, with no eye contact as he struggles to keep from sneezing. She tells him to let her see what she can do and touches him lightly to punctuate. Juan thanks her again uncomfortably, and then opens the limo door for her. She thanks him, spins around with full coquettish eye contact, a hand grasp and WHAT? A WINK? Sheesh. Finally, she gets into the car. What a relief. For Juan and for Us. Juan thought bubbles that this woman has him intrigued. First she hurled a stone at him with this info about the Licenciada, and then she comforted him by offering help. His eyes shift – he has no clue what to make of this. The door closed, he makes his way around the car, though bubbling that it’s got to be one of three things. She’s the Good Samaritan like people say, or she was plotting (tramando) something and wants to get him in the middle of it, or worse, you, if you were sly, “were a couple of bragging dogs???” ( Estaba echando dos perros, someone help with the dicho!) He glances in the mirror to see Monica smiling, still plenty coquettish. He maneuvers through traffic, still talking to himself while Moni plays with him in the mirror, kissing her finger and turning it around to him. He continues to muse on this—he’s not really surprised, it won’t be the first or the last little kid (goat type, cabrita - a little female) who would have slipped onto the terrain of Juan Dominguez. His eyebrow goes up as he watches her in the mirror. [Ed. Note: Moni, no way can you convince us you’re sleazy. Nice try, though. Just don’t crush Juan, he’s had plenty of that.]
Ana is sharing a distinctly uncomfortable breakfast with Paula. Paula wants to know what the heck is on Ana’s mind before Ana explodes. [Ed. Note: I froze the frame to type here and Ana’s expression was So Sour that my hubby said if she doesn’t be careful, it’ll freeze that way forever.] She doesn’t want them to continue with this attitude (plan, one of the definitions). They need each other. Ana explains that Paula will have to forgive her, but she overheard Paula and Juan the night before. Paula had asked Juan if he knew what she was looking for. It seemed like a plea to Ana. A plea for what? Ana can’t really say, she’s not sure. It was like she wanted him to do something. Ana says Paula will think she’s crazy, but he almost kissed her. Paula thinks Ana is hallucinating. But Paula isn’t making eye contact when she tells Ana. Ana says Paula’s attitude was pretty flirty, like she was provoking him. Maybe Juan is the answer to what she’s looking for, Ana earnestly tells her. Paula firmly denies this. She’s found what she wanted. Ana doubts it. She’s always wanted a love with integrity, honest, total. And the only man who’s offered that is Juan. Ana points out that Paula knows that no one will lover her like Juan does. Paula wants to know why Ana is so sure. Because Juan gave Paula up in order that she could be happy with CL. That’s the best possible proof of how much he loves her. Paula counters that CL gave up his marriage, his business [Ed. Note: and THIS makes him a good catch?] and CL told her he’d let her go so she could be happy with Juan. They’re saved by the bell again, thank heaven. It’s probably Fernando to pick her up. Ana stops her as she starts to answer the door—she can’t marry someone when she has feelings for another. Paula says she really doesn’t know why her mother’s saying that. Ana says it’s because of what she heard and saw the night before, the manner in which Paula looked at Juan. She tells Paula to think about it. Paula nods but says she has to go to the office, and kisses her mother. Ana is not thrilled with it all.
CL is all dressed for something, which is amazing given he’s unemployed. He greets his friend Andres, also dressed to the nines in a suit with as much hair gel as Fernando Mendiola (but on Fernando Mendiola, it was positively sultry). They exchange pleasantries. Andres thinks it’s odd that CL isn’t meeting at the office with him. CL tells him to sit, lots of things have changed since the divorce. Andres says CL will have to update him (actualizar). He can’t have a lawyer with these gaps (laguna, another definition). Ah, he’s a lawyer, that explains why CL has a suit and tie on when he’s unemployed. CL tells him it’s all a very long conversation ahead of them. [Ed. Note: So, is this guy on the clock or what? Can you afford to give him all the juicy details when you’re unemployed, CL?] The boys lean forward, so they can talk in whispers in CL’s apartment. CL wants Andres to tell him something. How soon can he re-marry? Andres is not the least bit impactado. Well, the divorce is done, but there’s paperwork….it’ll take up to a month if Andres really speeds up the paperwork. Not good enough, CL tells him. I want to get married next weekend. NOW Andres is impactado.
Marely is shocked to see Paula back in the office after “yesterday’s uproar (alboroto)!” No, Paula’s not leaving things incomplete. She’s not giving that woman the pleasure of seeing her abandon all the work, unfinished, and it’s going to be all organized and clear before she walks out the door for real. Marely just nods. Paula changes the subject. How’d it go with Nidia last night? Great, Marely tells her. Things are calm on the home front For The Moment. She thinks Paula might have lost some sleep with all the drama. No, Paula replies, she lost sleep, but not because of that. Marely wants to know what. Thinking about a thousand things. Marely retorts that among those things might be CL? Yes, that too. Paula doesn’t understand this enmity between him and her mother. He can’t stand her. Why? Well, because we talked about getting married and proposed to take her with us and leave the country to live, and she got furious. Marely is shocked that Paula and CL think to leave the country. Paula acknowledges that she’s not thrilled about the idea and they might be moving too fast. Marely points out that she’s said this to the point that it’s worn out. Yes, Paula agrees. She was completely sure of all this before, but now she doesn’t know. On one hand there’s CL pressuring her and on the other hand there is Juan. Juan? What’s up with Juan? Marely looks worried. Paula looks at her guiltily.
CL and Andres are still hashing out how a divorce in the D. F. can be accelerated to faster than the speed of light. Andres tells him it’s too hasty to try to get the paperwork done for a weekend wedding. CL tells Andres that maybe he didn’t understand what CL asked. He doesn’t give a rip about the paperwork. He’s ready to pay whatever. But, it has to be resolved in time for the wedding. Can Andres do it or not? CL’s camaraderie has flown out the window, he means business. Andres tells CL he’ll get to work on it. He’s not a happy camper. He wonders if the service will be a religious one. CL tells him that’s resolved; he didn’t marry Monica in the church. Andres wants to know if it’s not an indiscretion, why now? CL sighs. His mother in law is a toothache (dolor de muelas, toothache). If he doesn’t do it, she’s never going to get over it. He’s fed up with her. Andres points out that once he’s married, he’ll never be able to get rid of the mother in law. CL knows, but he’ll find a way. The woman is a really negative influence on Paula.
Paula is leaning against her credenza, telling Marely how Juan has been so good with her, so special. He even talked to her mother and helped calm her regarding CL. Marely looks increasingly worried with Paula’s change of heart. There’s no room for doubt that Juan has shown how much he loves her. He’s made a sacrifice. Marely quietly asks if she needs more evidence. No, Paula says, but this is making such a tangled of knots in her head that she doesn’t know how to handle it, what to do. Her mother’s got her thinking as usual, Paula continues, and she doesn’t know what she’s looking for. Paula asks what Marely thinks. Marely thinks she shouldn’t pay attention to her mother and not think twice. Paula is impactada. Marely fumbles around that whenever she gives advice, Paula does the opposite, so she’s giving her the opposite of what she should do now. So, Paula says, she should pay attention to her mother and let up on the accelerator. At least that, Marely agrees, and maybe even put on the brake and get out of the car. Paula sighs; Sr. Farell won’t think this is the least bit amusing. Marely says that’s some bad luck. Paula smiles fondly at Marely and asks if she has any more advice. Well, Marely says, if you’re going to let up on the accelerator take advantage of this opportunity to clarify your feelings for Juan. [Ed. Note: As I said last week, they are Recycling Scripts Here, folks. We’ve been there, done that.] Marely doesn’t’ want her to make an unforgivable mistake of marrying CL when Juan is still deep in her heart.
Monica is spitting out orders to Pastor. Two things: first, we need to think about finding someone to replace Paula Dávila. Pastor’s eyes get oh-so-wide. “Don’t tell me that she’s going?” Monica retorts indignantly that he shouldn’t try to tell her that he didn’t know. He hedges, well, he’d heard rumors. But the Licenciada’s resigning was becoming a sport….Moni interrupts him. That was during the CL era. Things are different now, so get busy and find a person to replace her. Pastor knows just the ideal candidate, now that she mentions it. He describes this person who could move up, with passion, hablablablabla and Monica cuts him off again. “Would that by any chance be You?” Nope, Forget It. She needs him right where he is too much. He protests and she cuts him off yet again, because she doesn’t want to discuss it. Look for candidates, already, and give three choices. Yes, Ma’am. Second, Monica wants Pastor to find something for Juan Dominguez. That gets Pastor’s attention. Excuse me? Well, Paula has resigned, and Juan is thinking of doing the same, and I suppose that’s something you also knew. Pastor makes a face that clearly says he had no idea. Well, Moni wants him to stay and so they have to offer something that will interest him. Yes, Ma’am. Pastor looks away.
Fern is at the garage desk, doing crosswords or whatever he’s always doing. Juan, sans jacket, wants to know how it’s going with the Licenciada Paula? Fern doesn’t even look up. “How’s what going?” Well, Juan asks, you’re picking her up, bringing her here….? Fern finally looks up. “What do you think?” Juan replies “How bad tempered, a person can’t even ask you a question.” Fern goes back to his crossword. “You can, but not nonsense.” Juan prods a little. The Licenciada is good people, nice, chatty….. Fern says she didn’t open her mouth during the whole trip. Juan is impactado. Why? Could it be that something is bothering her? Fern looks up again, annoyed. “Well, you’re not leaving me in peace until I tell you some gossip about the Licenciada, right?” Juan protests that this is his ex-boss, he’s just interested in her well being. Well, Fern tells him, for his information she had a worried look. What kind of worried look? About work, or a personal matter, or what? Juan sits next to him, anxious. Fern wants to know how he’s supposed to know what sort of worry she had. Fern wonders if Juan is trying to drive someone up the wall. (sacar a algn de quicio to drive someone up the wall). He stands up, totally irritated. He points out he’s seen lots of faces in the rearview mirror, and this woman had a face that looked like she’s going through a complicated time, because of work, because of Juan, whatever, he didn’t have a way of knowing. Fern asks if he can get back to what he was doing. Juan snaps at him. Sorry to have disturbed your deep reading there. Fern shows him the book up close. Oops, probably not a crossword. Juan is disgusted.
CL is still in his apartment and still dressed to the nines. He’s asking Paula how everything is. More or less, she tells him, lots of work. He tells her she doesn’t have to worry. On the contrary, I’m leaving things all ready for your ex, she tells him. She won’t have any doubt about my management. He asks her to go out to eat, but Paula wants to do the work. He’s not accepting a no. He has a surprise. He won’t tell her, but suggests they meet at the Italian place. Bye bye, he hangs up too fast for her to say a word. Paula’s provoked. Marely wants to know what’s up. Paula says CL has a surprise lunch for her. Marely asks why she doesn’t take advantage of it and give him the surprise that they’re slowing things down some. Paula just looks irritated.
Pastor comes into the garage to see Juan and they exchange greetings and chitchat about how Juan’s new assignment is going. Pastor tells him the boss loves him. [Ed. Note: uh-huh.] She’s thinking of changing herself into his new guardian angel. Pastor remarks that he doesn’t know what it is about Juan and the female executives of this company, but he makes them crazy. Juan makes a self-deprecating remark about Pastor coming up with all this stuff, one just needs to be a decent person, nothing more. Well, Pastor informs him, the boss wants to offer him a job in the offices. It’s not just anything, it’s something important. Juan is wary, but says she mentioned it. Pastor wants to know what kind of work Juan would like to be doing in the company. Such opportunities don’t call twice at the door.
Ana is serving coffee as she and Nidia stand in Ana’s kitchen. Ana wants to know how it went the night before. Nidia, with a pained and martyred look, replies if only she could tell Ana about her Calvary. There is only one thing worse than having a big fuss with Alirio Perafán, and that’s to reconcile with him. Ana takes a pan of biiiig pastries out of the oven and puts them onto the tiled counter. Nidia continues, what a torture it was, his little gestures. She describes him bringing her breakfast in bed and trying to feed her while she looks longingly at what Ana has baked. Nidia does a great Delirio impression, tone of voice, expansive gestures and body language, and all. [Ed. Note: Nidia really ought to take up acting.] Ana chuckles, picturing Alirio in full splendor. She tsks and tells Nidia it’s not so bad, he’s making an effort. Nidia thinks he’s a pain in the neck. But, Nidia tells Ana, she wants to talk very seriously with Ana. Ana looks worried impactada.
Juan rubs at the car behind him a little and tells Pastor he simply doesn’t want to be in the company, but he has no problem with the company. Pastor wants to know if it has something to do with the Licenciada Paula. Juan tells Pastor he knows it does. That’s the only way he can forget. Pastor points out she’s resigned. Yeah, but those resignations were not forever. Pastor chuckles. In this case, yes. Paula and CL are going to live out of the country. For real? Juan is muy impactado. Yes, Pastor tells him, didn’t you know? Juan had no idea. Speaking of the Queen of Rome, Paula comes into the garage. She greets them and walks on, clingy black dress wrinkling badly around her okole. Juan looks after her, absolutely impactado. Pastor asks if he’s going or if he’s staying with Farell.
Nidia is telling Ana her tale of woe; she burned her brain all night, asking herself questions. Why me? And I concluded it happens because I’m idle. [Ed. Note: Busy hands are happy hands….] Ana is curious about that. Well, Nidia continues that she had dedicated herself to being a mother, hablablablabla and was going to escape with Anga. Ana wants to know if she’s going to work. Nidia is appalled at the thought. Nobody in her family goes to work. Except Marely, but she got that from Samuel. Ana rolls her eyes a little. Well, then, is she going to sew or embroider or something? Nope, Nidia has a better idea and that’s where Ana can help. Ana looks wary, and she should. Me? Yes, you. I want you to be my teacher, Nidia tells Ana. Teacher of what? Nidia wants to dedicate herself to painting. Lovely classical music plays.
Pastor is still working on Juan. Juan just has to overcome this situation. Can he give up an opportunity like this just for spite? No. Pastor expects more of Juan. Juan protests but Pastor asks Juan to do it for him. What’s he going to tell the Sra. if Juan doesn’t stay? Juan says that’s really annoying, such insistence. What abuse from this Sra. Pastor tells him to think a couple of days about it. He shouldn’t make any scatter-brained decisions (atolondradas). He should take his time and then decide what to do with his life. Juan looks warily at Pastor……
Paula strides toward CL, who is already seated at the table. She’s beaming. He jumps up, calls her his love, and kisses her—she looks LOVELY. And this? She wants to know what’s up. Is this the surprise? No. Why so much mystery—it’s making her nervous. [It should.] He tells her to calm down, and take her cup. They’re going to celebrate their wedding. He clinks her champagne glass and she’s impactada. CL, how good that you’ve brought up this topic because….because what? CL wants to know. We’re getting married next weekend. To your health, my love! She’s impactada again. [Her impactada never brings a single wrinkle or line out. What’s up with that? Is her face permanently botoxed?] He smiles broadly.
Ana and Nidia sit down to a Huge lunch. Nidia, her napkin tucked into her décolletage, sighs as the lovely classical music continues to play. All her life she’s been a frustrated artist, she declares to Ana. “Don’t tell me.” “Oh, yes, I tell you!” In college she was the queen of singing, dancing, theater. “What happened?” Nidia hops up and spins around, demonstrating the part she played. She describes how her father interfered, okay, partly because she was playing fast and loose with manhandling her leading man. Might have been partly due to the mini-falda, too. Ana chuckles and Nidia declares anything for art! Now that she has time again, she wants to take up that vocation again. What does Ana think? Ana wants to know if she’s painted before. Yes, for pure jokes. (?????) [Help! This dicho is beyond me and all 12 dictionaries—“puros cuernos” One definition of cuerno is “joke.”] They laugh again. Seriously, Ana asks, why painting? Because it’s so pretty, because I can do it at home, and because I’d have you as my teacher. Nidia leans over and touches Ana fondly. She’s going to pay Ana, though. Ana won’t hear of it and they fuss about that like the viejas they are. [Ed. Note: Nidia reminds her tactlessly that Ana has no work. Nice touch, Nidia. Give and take away.] Nidia thinks it’s a win-win situation. How does that seem to Ana? Ana shakes her head; it’s doesn’t thrill her.
CL is working Paula over at the restaurant still. He tells her he thinks it’ll be marvelous. Paula tries to protest. He protests over her, but she tells him to take a step like this they have to be very aware of what they are doing. He wants to know if those are her words, or her mother’s. [Ed. Note: Paula’s annoying expression is only surpassed by her annoying décolletage. How was it that Melinama put it not long ago? We just don’t need to see the underside of her bosom. Or something along those lines.] The discussion escalates into a drag-down fight. He complains about Ana, who is spoiling everything, in his opinion. [He is one First-Class Manipulator.] She sets Paula against him, he accuses. Hablablablabla clear up to about 120 decibels. Paula jumps up and sarcastically thanks him for the invite, then stalks away. He gets the waiter, pays and runs after her. She tells Fern “let’s go,” and CL stops them. He’s not done with the conversation. They yell at each other a while more and then he tones down. Fern crosses his arms and looks prepared to deck CL. Hm. CL wants to calm down, keep eating and talking. Nope. Paula’s going back to work. What for, she doesn’t work for Farell any more. She tells him to lower his voice. He tells her she’s forcing him to this. Oh, it’s my fault now? He whines a little. Their future depends on how they handle these situations. Finally, she’s out of there with Fern. Whew. That’s a relief, we don’t have to listen to the pair of them for a while. Fern gives CL a Really Dark Look as he closes the door for her. CL chews his lip in chagrin.
Gutis has come to visit Delirio in the catacombs. “You went to find her,” he accuses Delirio. “She’s my wife.” “And I imagine you crawled on the ground like a dog?” Nope. Delirio describes the scene where he manfully forced his wife to come home. Not. He tells Gutis how he talked tough and he cleared things up. Gutis wants to know where he found her—that guy’s house? Nope, a girlfriend’s house. [Ed. Note: please notice that he didn’t tell Gutis it’s Ana.] Now, Gutis, this topic is dead and buried, Delirio tells him.
Juan and Marely are at a quaint little eatery having a nice lunch. Why didn’t Marely tell him that Paula was leaving Farell? Marely points out that one day she’ll get mad and another she’ll change her mind and stay. And why hasn’t he told her about this little place? He can’t know how long she’s been looking for a place with delicious and inexpensive food like this close to the office. It’s a state secret, he tells her. They joke around a little. What if they spill the tepache about this place, everyone will start coming, and it’ll be full. Then the king that he is won’t get in. She accuses him of being jealous over it. Nope, he says, it’s self-preservation. He has to keep it exclusive. He touches her chin and she smiles back at him. He wants to change the topic and know what she’s doing after work. Nothing, why? He has a triple-header plan: some tacos and dancing. Marely says it doesn’t seem so good to her. The cachi-cachi-bombon music grinds to a stop. Juan wants to know why, and Marely wants to know why he’s asking her out now? He’s tired of work, wants to go out, get a little spirit, etc. relax [Juan actually said relax in English and the captioner MISSED it.] Marely calls his bluff; he wants to forget Paula. Busted. He can’t lie to her, it’s true. She’s the only one who can help him. She’s pleased with his frankness, but she’s tired of being his crying towel. It’s not that, he tells her. Yes, it IS that, she retorts. He tells her it’s not lies, he’s just going through a time that’s very difficult for him. Marely tells him he needs to find another person. And what’s more, she hesitantly tells him, she thinks that Paula’s not done with him. He snaps back to attention. Nope, she doesn’t know what she’s saying, she’s crazy. Of course she knows what she’s saying, Marely tells him. He tries to get more out of her but she refuses; she’s not saying anything more. She shoves a spoon into his mouth to feed him some dessert. [Ed. Note: Juan, we’re going to whack you if you keep on overlooking this gem!]
Ivonne sashays back to the lobby desk where she used to sit, but now Julia is there. Julia and Ivonne greet each other warmly. Ivonne wonders if they’ve replaced her so fast, and gives Julia an indirect compliment about her suit – “are you on a diet, or are those my nerves?” Julia beams, then complains about the job. They put her there because Ivonne hasn’t been around. She gripes about “that Sra.” and Ivonne chuckles at her, looking very relaxed. The phone rings and Julia dives for it. Pastor walks up behind Ivonne, also chuckling—“who do we have here?” Ivonne turns and greets him with double-cheek kisses. He fusses fondly at her, the ingrate, he’s left her a thousand messages and she’s not reported back. He has her final payout ready. She’d better cash it today, he tells her. He asks her to come to his office. Nope, she’s not going. He warns her not to look for more problems, because the Sra. Monica….Ivonne turns to Julia and tells her to announce Ivonne’s visit to the boss. She wants to see Moni. Julia doubts Moni wants to see Ivonne. Ivonne is, as Sylvia noted yesterday, goal-oriented and persistent. It’s very important. Julia throws up her hands and goes off to do Ivonne’s bidding. [Ed. Note: And don’t we just know who the Alpha Female is here, huh?] Pastor whispers to Ivonne. “What are you going to do?” She’ll tell him later. Pastor tries to dissuade her from doing something truly nuts. A surprised Julia comes back to tell Ivonne to go right in. Next thing we know, she’s talking to Moni. She has a proposal for Moni. “You have a proposal for ME?” [Ed. Note: your recapper can’t help but notice that although Ivonne’s skirt is short, her décolletage is more subdued than usual. Sorry, Oldman54. Perhaps Ivonne realizes that she wants Moni’s total attention in the most positive sense, and the skirt doesn’t matter when it’s behind the desk.] Moni’s skeptical look shows what she thinks of that idea. Ivonne informs her that perhaps she hasn’t realized but now that she’s in the company, and now that CL and Paula are going to marry, what Moni will need is allies and not enemies. Why allies? Ivonne says she’ll need allies for what Ivonne wants to propose. With Ivonne she doesn’t need to hide anything. Moni thinks that’s pretty shrewd of Ivonne. Ivonne continues that she’s a woman who is equally, or possibly more, offended than Moni, and in Moni’s place Ivonne would be thinking the same as Moni is. And what would that be?..... “To ruin the lives of this pair.” Ivonne delivers the final punch: Moni won’t find a better ally than her in this company. Moni tells Ivonne to sit and convince her. Ivonne struts to the chair.
Marely and Juan are back from their intimate lunch at the hideaway gem of a restaurant. Marely greets Enrique, who’s seated at the desk Fern usually occupies. Kike wants to know what’s up, and she lets him know she has some orders for deliveries for him ASAP. They say goodbye and Juan sits on the edge of the desk. And, what’s up, my Juanito, Kike asks. He gets up onto the edge of the desk on the other side so they’re back to back and looking around to see each other. Kike gets that cute little grin he has when he’s prying for chisme—is Juan making points with Marely now? Juan denies it, he’s more at a loss with Marely than with the Licenciada. Kike teases him not to be that way, because it’s no secret to anyone that Marely is wild for him (anda cacheteando las banquetas, slapping the sidewalks – from my Barron’s dictionary of Spanish slang). Juan replies mournfully that women are strange and he had the brilliant idea of falling in love with the Licenciada and now he has no idea how long his punishment will last. He wonders if Kike knows someone who can help him rub out the tattoo. Kike is impactado. Kike tells him it’d be too difficult and he’ll have a Really Ugly Scar (cicatriz refea, adding the prefix “re” before an adjective can make it a very strong superlative in some cases, if I understand correctly). He retorts that his scar is in his soul.
Paula is actually talking to Fern as they drive back to the office. She asks him for a very special favor, that he be discreet with what just took place and that he won’t say Anything to Anyone. Fern is a little offended. He’s surprised that she has to ask this. She protests that she knows about the dirty laundry that gets aired in the garage. She’s serious, that he won’t say Anything to Anyone. Fern looks pained. Above all, nothing to Juan. Fern tells her straight out he’s offended but not to worry.
Ivonne elaborates on her proposal to the Jefa. Ivonne thinks Moni should know that things between Ivonne and CL aren’t done. Moni looks a bit impactada in an “Oh, don’t tell me” sort of way. Moni wants to know if Ivonne wants a medal. No, but Ivonne thinks this means something about how strong CL’s actual feelings for Paula really are. She plays with her hair and proceeds to tell Moni that she was in CL’s bed while he was convincing Paula he was going far away, and while he was comforting her for the discussion that Moni had with her, Ivonne was in his bedroom. Just yesterday…Moni cuts her off, enough already, she’s got the idea. Ivonne just wants her to know that Ivonne is still a part of his life and has been for a good long while now. Moni sarcastically congratulates Ivonne, what a great woman she is. Ivonne responds that CL doesn’t love Paula. Moni retorts that CL doesn’t love anyone with the possible exception of himself. Ivonne points out that he’s caused a lot of pain. Moni doubts that he’s caused Ivonne any. Ivonne responds that she’s always known that for him it was a game, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t hurting. Moni’s not sure that wasn’t an advantage for Ivonne, since she was always used to being the other woman. Ivonne thought there was no other way for her. Moni wants her to cut to the chase; what’s Ivonne looking for? To give them a lesson. Both of them, but especially her. Moni stands up….”and after you give this lesson to Paula Dávila…” Ivonne interrupts. No, WE give this lesson…because it’s a task for both of us. Okay, after WE give the lesson, Monica wonders, then what? Nothing more, each of us has had her vengeance. It’s what might be called a temporary partnership. Moni chuckles—“a partnership between you and me? In exchange for what?” [Ed. Note: this is why you’re the Jefa, you’re always two moves ahead, Moni.] Ivonne tells Moni that among other things, she wants her job back. Only that? Ivonne acknowledges that there will be the pure personal satisfaction, too. Moni looks thoughtful, and Ivonne reads her mind. “There’s not much to think about, Sra. Monica, I think I’ve been clear enough and my proposal is worth your while.” Moni and Ivonne exchange slightly conspiratorial looks.
Out in the lobby, Julia is typing away when Ivonne exits Moni’s office. “My esteemed Julia, what a shame, but you’re going to have to abandon this desk…” Ivonne hands Julia her water, and helps her move things off the desk. “You’re going to return?” Julia is impactada….and pleased. That’s good, because one more day working with this Sra. and I’d be totally fed up (estoy hasta el gorro, I am fed up). Ivonne smiles cheerfully at her and gently pushes Julia back toward her reception desk. She eases into her chair with a contented sigh.
The viejas have gone out to purchase art supplies, and the nice young man in a suit [in an ART supply store??] is helping. Nidia tells Ana that the first thing she has to buy is a horse, right? We hear the horse neighing in the background. Ana chuckles fondly at her, no, they want a caballete- easel – not a caballo – horse. Yeah, Nidia agrees, the thing they put the paper on so they can make drawings. Ana chuckles again. The young man says they have several models, or are they looking for a specific one? Nidia wants the most expensive one they have, the model doesn’t matter. The lovely classical music is playing at this store, too. Perhaps they have the same Muzak tape that Ana does. Nidia is convinced that if you go cheap, it ends up expensive. Ana takes her aside and disabuses her of the need for the most expensive. Nidia needs to begin with basics for now. Don’t go crazy buying supplies you don’t need, Ana advises. All she’ll need is some paper and charcoal pencils (carboncillos), that’s plenty for the first phase. Nidia is doubtful, but Ana wants her to listen up, she’s the teacher. Nidia still argues….
Ivonne makes Pastor nervous when she comes into his office because she’s not going to cash that final payout check. He’s upset that she’s going to provoke Monica and hasn’t followed his advice. She laughs and interrupts—“I’m staying at Farell!” “No!” Pastor is impactado. Yes, she tells her esteemed and incredulous comrade. He comes around, the perfect gentleman, to seat her and make her tell him Everything. Without omitting any details. [Now her décolletage is back to normal, folks. It’s magic. Or I’m not as observant as I thought.] Pastor settles back in for a lovely gossip session.
Ana struggles in her door with an easel that nicely matches the woodwork in her house, while Nidia carries the little bags of art supplies. The art supply store music is playing here again. Nidia is babbling about not wanting a class that is half way or they might as well just hang up the paintbrushes. Ana finally puts the easel down, resting against the back of the sofa, and says they won’t start today. Nidia is disappointed. She figured that she’d be getting at least $10,000 per work by the gallery showing she’s having next week. [Okay, I was being a little sarcastic.] She concedes, though. How about if they start early tomorrow? Nidia hopes that she’s going to have all the models they plan to use hired. The Muzak grinds to a stop. Qué the heck? Models? What do you mean, what models? The Muzak operator puts on a different lovely classical music tape. Nidia wants to begin with the human body. Certainly, a man. She describes in detail learning to paint each muscle, each curve, every chomi….complete with expansive hand gestures. Ana tells her not so fast. They can’t begin with that. Nidia goes back to her explanation, as if Ana will be convinced. Nope. First things first, the basics. Oh, of course, Nidia replies. Ana continues, for example, a line, a shadow, an outline, some color….lots of things. Nidia’s face falls [as far as it can, given lifts]. What a shame! She was so enthusiastic about the pair of papiricos she’d envisioned, chomi-chomis, oh well. Ana turns her face and giggles behind her hand. Well, Ana is not going to be moved and there’s nothing Nidia can do. Ana nods and smiles firmly as my favorite lovely classical Muzak plays.
Pastor congratulates Ivonne on her bloodless coup. She’s back in power. She defended her territory like the great ones, she was brilliant. Ivonne gives him the credit, because with a teacher like him, one can only imagine! He’s pleased she’s giving him credit where credit is due, and it’s always wonderful when the student surpasses the teacher. But, she confirmed one thing for him, that women unite only when they have an enemy in common. She affirms that she and Monica are going to have their vengeance on this woman. They’ll skin CL alive. Pastor chuckles. He has only one question. How can they do that when Paula and CL will marry and leave the country to live. Ivonne assures him it’s all coldly calculated. Ivonne’s partner, the Sra. Monica, will handle that little detail.
Speaking of the Queen of Rome, Moni informs CL by phone that what she wants to talk to him about isn’t urgent, but she just wants to talk about a matter with him. They arrange to meet the following day.
Fern helps Paula out of the car, and she strides off. She passes Juan and Enrique so that Juan can greet her, she can smile a little but not speak to him, and he stare after her. [Okay, did that sound sufficiently catty?] Kike wonders aloud to Juan about the little smile there. Juan snaps at Kike not to begin bugging him. Fern hurries over to Where the Boys Are. Kike is covering a smile as Fern greets them and asks what’s up. Juan replies that nothing’s new on this front. Fern says okay, nothing new…..and explodes, qué the heck, I have something new! [This is the most excited we’ve ever seen Fern, folks.] “With the Licenciada?” Juan is curious-impactado. “Spit it out, man!” Kike can’t wait. Fern realizes he’s put his foot in his mouth, so to speak.
Marely is surprised that Paula’s back so soon, she thought Paula would be longer at her lunch. Paula informs Marely she didn’t even eat. Why? Because every day CL leaves me with a new surprise. Okay, so now what’s the new surprise. That we’re going to get married This Weekend. Marely is impactada! Paula asks if that seems like he’s come totally unhinged.
Fern has spoken out of turn and is doing his level best to backpedal so he won’t have to spill the beans when he told Paula he was offended that she’d think he’d do it. Especially to Juan. Fern tries to run off and the boys try to grab him. “Better to leave it there or there are going to be problems.” The boys protest, especially Juan. Fern already “rumbled” and he’s gotta give the info up. He starts to describe waiting outside the restaurant and what did he see? “What did you SEE?!” the boys howl at him. Well, the Licenciada coming at him absolutely furious! And they’ll never guess who was right after her? Juan yells to Fern to not keep them guessing the gossip. Well, it was the boss (CL), running to catch her. Fern describes the fight with CL raising his voice and her wondering if he wanted the pair of them yelling in the street. Kike is totally tickled by this scene, that got so bad. Yep, Fern tells them, she didn’t let him twist her arm (give her arm to him to twist, no dio su brazo a torcer) go back to the restaurant with him, either. And what do you think? She finished off the conversation telling him if he’s tiring of her, she’s tiring of him, even more! The boys’ expressions are proud (Fern), tickled (Kike) and incredulous (Juan). “That’s a quote!” (palabras textuales exact words). Fern tells them he doesn’t know, but it seems like this pair is everything except a pair who really wants to marry. This pair has serious problems. If they’re this way now, imagine what it’ll be like when the knife is at their throats (They’re married?). Kike thumps Fern’s gut, what great gossip. Juan’s smile expands like the Grinch’s heart.
Nidia and Ana, exhausted from the afternoon of shopping, are chatting on the sofa. Nidia tells Ana it’s good that she told Paulita what she was thinking. Ana second guesses herself, because Paula’s not listening, she thinks. Nidia wonders who ever listens to their mother. Ana tells Nidia she’s not against marriage, but she thinks it’s not an easy undertaking (another definition of “empresa.”) Even if one marries the most marvelous person in the world, there are sacrifices. Sure, it has its recompenses—it’s not all bad. Nidia wants to know how Ana knows so much since she was never married. Oops. She realizes at Ana’s pained look that her foot’s in her mouth. Pardon me, Nidia begs. Ana doesn’t want to sound harsh, but she thinks that Samuel’s relationship with her was practically a marriage. And, Ana learned many things about Nidia’s marriage with Samuel. Among others, Ana knew what was going wrong between Nidia and Samuel. Nidia becomes distinctly uncomfortable. If Ana’s going to turn out to be her professor in everything, at least don’t pound it in. In addition to painting, it looks like Ana knows everything, everything about love, Nidia declares. Ana is rueful. Nidia wants to talk in confidence; what would Ana do in her case? Ana diplomatically replies it depends on whatever she’s prepared to do. Drama Queen Nidia tells Ana whatever is needed to recover her peace. Ana continues for her to think about doing what’s needed to reconcile her marriage, be lovely for her husband. Nidia agrees, of course. Ana tells Nidia she’s passionate, so take advantage of it. Put those qualities on the table, and if she’s willing to tame her husband he might turn into an interesting man. Nidia scoffs, Ana shouldn’t be making fun of her. This tasteless man can’t inspire any thoughts in her except bad ones. Ana thinks the feos (ugly ones) have their points (gracias – one definition is graces), it’s just a matter of identifying them. She continues that Nidia should put on a very sexy blouse, exploit her sensuality to the max [Ed. Note: Let’s keep in mind, friends, that this is ANA speaking here.] Nidia leans over conspiratorially—did Ana do this with Samuel? Ana is impactada-offendida. That’s a question that she’s not going to answer, she tells Nidia sternly. Nidia tells her okay, who would have seen her, so timid, so cautious. You had yours hidden, but you had it. Ana hesitates at this outburst….Nidia changes the subject, she’s got to go. She’s got to be ready for her hubby.
Moni is watching Juan musingly from the back seat. Juan is thought bubbling; he wonders if it could be true what Fern has told him. No way would he be inventing these things, right? Could it be that they fought because of me? He begs the Blessed Child of Atocha about the bad piece of meat and calls himself pig-headed [Ed. Note: my hubby says that – about a bad piece of meat - when he’s having a bad day and his head is full of stuff he doesn’t want to think about. It’s from Dickens, I think, the Christmas Carol.] Moni chews on her finger thoughtfully, watching like a cat ready to pounce. Juan continues: now, what do I do?
Apparently, he’s decided what to do. He’s back to stalking outside Paula’s bedroom window and standing there talking to himself—only this time we can’t hear inside his head. He’s angry? Unhappy? All of the above?
CL isn’t meeting Moni at the office. No, he’s coming to see her at Laura’s house. Perhaps he’s strategizing to throw her off her stride. She wants to know what he’s doing here. What, he asks, didn’t you need to meet with me? It could have waited for tomorrow. He turns around and retorts that they say you shouldn’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today. Before anything, he tells her, he wants to thank her. What for? Her discussion with Paula, thanks to that his future wife no longer works at the company. Moni informs CL that she didn’t fire Paula, if that’s what Paula is telling him. No, CL says, he didn’t come to talk about Paula or hear Monica defend herself. But thanks to that, Paula now has nothing to hold her in this country. Well, then, Moni observes, you must be thinking in going. Moni adopts the “poor little woman” demeanor. She had no idea how difficult it would be to manage such a large company as Farell. CL smiles that MCP smile and assures her it’s a titanic job. Moni regrets that she can’t do it alone. She begs him to stay and come back to work. He looks at her warily, all traces of the chauvinist gone. He knows when he’s been set up. And we are reminded that any similarity to real life is purely a coincidence.
Monday: (the last day of Destilando, but Juan is still on) Paula is still confused, but we’re not surprised, because she is terminally confused. Ana tells her to figure out what she feels for Juan. Can there be something that will change everything? Will she stay with CL or go with Juan?
Vocabulary
Cursilerías – affectations
Tramando – plotting
Plan – attitude, (alternate definition)
Actualizar – update
Laguna – gap (alternate definition)
Alboroto – uproar
Sacar a algn de quicio-to drive someone up the wall
Atolondrada – scatter-brained
Anda cacheteando las banquetas – wild about someone (slapping the sidewalks – from my Barron’s dictionary of Spanish slang)
Estoy hasta el gorro - I am fed up
Carboncillos – charcoal pencils
No dio su brazo a torcer – didn’t let him twist her arm, didn’t give her arm to be twisted
Palabras textuales – that’s a quote (exact words)
Echando los perros - flirting, (thanks, Cap'n Eve/Sylvia for checking with a friend)
La soga al cuello - get married (thanks, Judy B.)
Schoolmarm Jeanne
Labels: Juan
Comments:
<< Home
>
>
>
>
>
Thanks Jeanne...I'm always lurking around the computer on Sunday watching for your recap. There was sooo much slang in this one, but so many enjoyable scenes also. I liked the sassy interchanges between Fernando and the boys, between Pastor and Ivonne (always) and the two actresses that play Nidia and Ana really seemed to be having fun with their scenes together.
I was puzzled by "echando los perros" (throwing dogs??) but thought, from context, that it meant "Is she coming on to me?" But hoping Maricruz can give us a clue.
And when Nidia joked about only "pintar los cuernos" I thought that was a play on words and the expression meant to cuckold someone. And "la soga al cuello" I believe means yoke around the neck, or rope around the neck but really just refers to being married. Typical negative male view of an institution which usually serves them very well!
Anyhoo...shout out to Maricruz, or to Amanda, now that we know she's bilingual, HElP.
And like you, like all of us! I find any scene with Paula a drag. At least with Cesar Luis, you can admire his acting or the incredible lines the writers give him...but Paula..sheesh.
Judy B.
>
>
>
>
Thanks Jeanne...I'm always lurking around the computer on Sunday watching for your recap. There was sooo much slang in this one, but so many enjoyable scenes also. I liked the sassy interchanges between Fernando and the boys, between Pastor and Ivonne (always) and the two actresses that play Nidia and Ana really seemed to be having fun with their scenes together.
I was puzzled by "echando los perros" (throwing dogs??) but thought, from context, that it meant "Is she coming on to me?" But hoping Maricruz can give us a clue.
And when Nidia joked about only "pintar los cuernos" I thought that was a play on words and the expression meant to cuckold someone. And "la soga al cuello" I believe means yoke around the neck, or rope around the neck but really just refers to being married. Typical negative male view of an institution which usually serves them very well!
Anyhoo...shout out to Maricruz, or to Amanda, now that we know she's bilingual, HElP.
And like you, like all of us! I find any scene with Paula a drag. At least with Cesar Luis, you can admire his acting or the incredible lines the writers give him...but Paula..sheesh.
Judy B.
Permalink posted by 
: Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 5:03:00 PM EST
: Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 5:03:00 PM EST
Judy B., you are so right about sooo much slang in this one. It took about two hours longer than usual because of that. I watched it on the treadmill Friday before I sat down to recap, my habit. I remember thinking "I'm sunk tonight!" Those specific dichos you noted gave me fits, and I think I just ignored them, didn't I? Or at the very best translated incorrectly. Anyway, I'm learning LOTS.
Yes, Nidia and Ana are having a ball being the viejas and all because of Samuel, what irony. That's one of the niftiest things about this novela, I think.
Schoolmarm J
Yes, Nidia and Ana are having a ball being the viejas and all because of Samuel, what irony. That's one of the niftiest things about this novela, I think.
Schoolmarm J
I emailed my friend Maria and she said "echar los perros" means to flirt with someone, to court someone, to come onto someone. So you got it right, at least according to Maria! I couldn't figure out what in the heck it meant. There was SO MUCH slang in this episode!
Hey, I heard Juan say "relax" too! Does he speak English??
You know, Julia looks thinner, but she also looks kind of pregnant. I wonder if the actress is is or if it was just her suit?
Very interesting about the "bad piece of meat" reference, do thank hubby for us.
What a fascinating twist, ex-wives and "la otras" getting together. In the one case forming a friendship, in the other to plot against the new woman.
Captain Cash, thank you for you incredible recap and your dedication. Did I say Ivonne was goal oriented and persistent? She's a rank amateur when compared to your recapping prowess.
Hey, I heard Juan say "relax" too! Does he speak English??
You know, Julia looks thinner, but she also looks kind of pregnant. I wonder if the actress is is or if it was just her suit?
Very interesting about the "bad piece of meat" reference, do thank hubby for us.
What a fascinating twist, ex-wives and "la otras" getting together. In the one case forming a friendship, in the other to plot against the new woman.
Captain Cash, thank you for you incredible recap and your dedication. Did I say Ivonne was goal oriented and persistent? She's a rank amateur when compared to your recapping prowess.
Thank you, thank you!
:-)
Ladies, thanks for your help on dichos; I went into it and added with credits to you.
Schoolmarm Jeanne
:-)
Ladies, thanks for your help on dichos; I went into it and added with credits to you.
Schoolmarm Jeanne
I hope this comment is seen by the faithful, and someone responds....I have watched this show since late August, and I have noticed that Paula wears open toe shoes when leaning toward falling in love with CL, and close toe pumps when leaning toward love for Juan.....Has this been mention here, or has anyone else noticed it....I will post this comment again after the next re-cap if no one responds....by the way, Paula should always wear close toe heels, because as pretty, and shapely as she is, she have ugly toes, if she is to be a Bond Girl, she would have to get the hammer toes fixed.
Permalink posted by : Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 10:48:00 PM EST
: Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 10:48:00 PM EST
Goodness...I've been so busy watching the closed captions and trying to avoid those thrusting bosoms, I haven't noticed Paula's footwear at all.
Shout out to Oldman 54,have you noticed Paula's zapatos...or her dedos de pie? Well, I try and look for these signs and wonders now, Anonymous. Thanks for a new conundrum.
Judy B.
Shout out to Oldman 54,have you noticed Paula's zapatos...or her dedos de pie? Well, I try and look for these signs and wonders now, Anonymous. Thanks for a new conundrum.
Judy B.
Permalink posted by : Monday, December 3, 2007 at 7:00:00 AM EST
: Monday, December 3, 2007 at 7:00:00 AM EST
Anon 10:48 pm - what an interesting observation! I thought I saw lots of unusual details, but you really have the eye for it! Now, we'll all be watching. I once heard something about hemlines in times of recession and times of plenty--they go up and down, though I cannot remember which is which. In this novela we just have to watch for Juan's tie and now Paula's shoes.
Schoolmarm Jeanne
Schoolmarm Jeanne
Hmmmmm, Paula's shoes as love indicator...maybe I could be more observant about such things if my eyes weren't glued to the closed captioning. I wonder what other little clues are being thrown our way? Thanks anonymous. Has anybody heard any updates about Mayrin being the next Bond babe?
On an unrelated topic, I notice that Pastor has decided to keep his nude of Juan in his office instead of taking it home. He's quite the HR Director! I felt a little sorry for him when Monica immediately pooh-poohed his request to replace Paula.
On an unrelated topic, I notice that Pastor has decided to keep his nude of Juan in his office instead of taking it home. He's quite the HR Director! I felt a little sorry for him when Monica immediately pooh-poohed his request to replace Paula.
I felt sorry for Pastor as well...now that Monica has gone all vengeance, she's extremely brusque with Pastor and he's one of my favorite characters. However, if she effectively sizzles Cesar's bacon, I'll forgive her.
Judy B.
Judy B.
I'm with both of you, Sylvia and Judy B., that Pastor was not treated well. Did Monica know about his little larceny? I don't think so. But, he's been loyal to the company, etc. for the most part. She'd do well to have him with her and not against her.
Schoolmarm J
Schoolmarm J
Jeanne, Hats off once again for your fabulous diligence with the dicho translations. Your recaps are always a great pleasure to read with humor and thoughtful philosophy just part of your generous offerings each week. This show gives us the duel pleasures of constant new vocabulary and an amusing plot line.
I hope the inevitable changes come soon. I am more ready than the writers to move the CL/Paula scene off to some remote corner, they are so boring. Monica is disappointing as a scheming battleax, although it is understandable that she could be the revengeful woman scorned. But she had my sympathies totally when she was sweet. I actually like the scheming part but I don't like it aimed at Juan. I noticed when Mayrin appeared at the telenovela awards shown last month, she really does not have a melodious voice, it really is that scratch/screechy. Es una lastima, pobrecita, because she really is stunningly beautiful in life and as Paula.
I am just enjoying this series for its whacky good times. Tonight it will be a test of my ability to juggle. I will watch Juan at 5 and begin the recap but I am the caboose on the Destilando Finale recap so will have to switch when it begins. I hope the Juan fans don't feel short-sheeted too much. I'll do my best and plan to stay up late to finish as soon as I can.
I hope the inevitable changes come soon. I am more ready than the writers to move the CL/Paula scene off to some remote corner, they are so boring. Monica is disappointing as a scheming battleax, although it is understandable that she could be the revengeful woman scorned. But she had my sympathies totally when she was sweet. I actually like the scheming part but I don't like it aimed at Juan. I noticed when Mayrin appeared at the telenovela awards shown last month, she really does not have a melodious voice, it really is that scratch/screechy. Es una lastima, pobrecita, because she really is stunningly beautiful in life and as Paula.
I am just enjoying this series for its whacky good times. Tonight it will be a test of my ability to juggle. I will watch Juan at 5 and begin the recap but I am the caboose on the Destilando Finale recap so will have to switch when it begins. I hope the Juan fans don't feel short-sheeted too much. I'll do my best and plan to stay up late to finish as soon as I can.
Make that dual pleasures not "duel". The spell checker doesn't catch nonsense words if they are spelled correctly....
And just to set the record straight...
I never, ever, look below Ivonne's chin!!
Okay, maybe once, but only because I dropped something and had to look down...:)
I never, ever, look below Ivonne's chin!!
Okay, maybe once, but only because I dropped something and had to look down...:)
Heh heh, Oldman54 when you're bad you're better.
Hey Cheryl, wow what a night you have ahead of you. Don't worry if you have to skim through Juan. We, your fans, will understand the double-down. Have fun!
Post a Comment
Hey Cheryl, wow what a night you have ahead of you. Don't worry if you have to skim through Juan. We, your fans, will understand the double-down. Have fun!
<< Home
© Caray, Caray! 2006-2022. Duplication of this material for use on any other site is strictly prohibited.
