Thursday, February 07, 2008
La Traición, Episodes 1, 2 & 3
Note: I am writing the recaps of the first month or so of La Traición after the novela has ended. I will not reveal any spoilers for those who may be reading these recaps and seeing the novela for the first time. However, I may make reference to information that we learn later that might be of interest. My comments on the novela and vocabulary that I find interesting are in italics in brackets, [thus]
La Traición: Episode 1
Hugo de Medina and his servant Boris Monsalve ride along a beautiful lakeshore to where several other men are waiting.
Hugo: I am here, Don Arturo de Linares, in response to your challenge [‘reto’].
Arturo: As the injured party, I have the right to say how the duel will be conducted. I have decided it will be a duel to the death.
H: It doesn’t seem necessary that death be the price for a mistake, sir.
A: You call soiling the reputation [‘el haber enlodado la honra’] of my sister, Beatriz, a mistake?
H: I’ve told you before and I repeat it again: there never existed anything but a healthy friendship between me and Beatriz. However, I know that I can’t do anything to convince you of that.
A: Hugo de Medina, you will pay with your life for what you did to my sister.
An attractive house in a garden- Soledad de Obragón is sitting at her dressing table with her maid, Ursula. Ursula asks if Soledad still remembers Don Hugo de Medina. Ursula says that she has something to tell Soledad. Soledad’s mother is planning to have Don Alcides visit Soledad formally. “Alcides, the brother of Hugo de Medina?” says Soledad. Ursula tells Soledad that her mother wants her and Alcides to have a relationship [‘sean novios’]. Soledad asks why her mother insists on bringing suitor after suitor to her that she doesn’t want to see and above all Hugo’s brother. Ursula asks what she means. Soledad says that she doesn’t know how to explain it but she has always felt a special curiosity about Hugo de Medina. She remembers him as a man who was so brave, so interesting, so intelligent, so gentlemanly… Ursula breaks in to say that Hugo is very mysterious and strange. She asks if Soledad remembers that Hugo went out of his house very little and now goes out even less. “That’s why,” says Soledad, “but I would rather meet Hugo de Medina a thousand times before having to receive his brother, Alcides de Medina.
Alcides de Medina, who is Hugo’s identical twin [‘gemelo’], is walking along the street in a city that will only be referred to as ‘the capital.’ [These scenes were actually shot in the old part of Bogotá, Colómbia.] Up ahead there is a commotion. A couple are accepting bets [‘apuestas’] from a crowd of men on the outcome of the duel between Hugo and Arturo. This couple, who I will refer to frequently as, ‘the diminutive duo,’ or 'Los Burke,' are Guillermo and Elena Burke, the lovable lowlives of the city.
Beatriz asks Arturo what crazy thing he has done. Is he going to kill Hugo? Arturo says that he challenged Hugo to a duel to protect her honor but he was defeated. He hired men to kill Hugo in that eventuality but they failed too. Beatriz tells Arturo not to touch Hugo and not to try to hurt him again. Arturo say that as the oldest son in the family he will do as he pleases. He will protect the good name of his family regardless of what it takes.
Los Burke have lost all their money because of Guillermo’s bet on the duel. They are broke. Guillermo says that he has a plan to get their money back. Helena says that he will never earn it in 100 years working as Hugo’s gardener. Guillermo says he isn’t going to continue to work as a gardener. Elena asks if he is going back to his old job of stealing corpses from the cemetery for Dr. Max. Guillermo says that he will never go back to that job. Elena says that the money was good and they were helping science. Guillermo says that it gives him goosebumps [‘se me pone la piel de gallina,’ literally, I get chicken skin’]to think about the cold, stiff corpses. No, his idea is to steal stuff from Hugo’s house. “He has so much; he’ll never miss it,” says Guillermo.
A cemetery at night. A funeral procession enters carrying a coffin. Hugo is in the coffin. “Get me out of here! [‘Sáquenme de aquí’]” says Hugo in a low voice, “I’m alive! [‘Estoy vivo’]” but no one hears him. The coffin is put in the grave and dirt starts to be shoveled on top. Hugo wakes up from the dream and yells, "No!"
Boris comes in and asks if he is all right.
H: I had the same nightmare as always. I am being buried alive and I yell and no one hears me and you aren't there, Boris.
B: You know that you can count on me.
H: You are the only person who knows that curse that I have to carry. (Hugo puts his hand on Boris’ shoulder.) Listen to me. No one must know, no one! I don't want their pity.
B: Your secret is safe with me and while I am by your side, no one will bury you alive.
Boris takes Hugo’s hand. Hugo lies back down and closes his eyes.
H: Thank you, thank you, my friend.
Soledad [in a lovely green gown] and Ursula are heading out the door when Ester stops and asks where they are going.
Outside of Hugo’s bedroom door, Soledad begs him to open the door. On the other side of the door, Hugo loses the battle and succumbs to an attack of catalepsy. Boris lowers him gently to the floor.
Episode #3:
[Sorry, no pictures from this episode. I deleted it from my TiVo by mistake and I had to watch it on You Tube. The quality of the video is so bad I can't do screen shots. More pictures from tomorrow's episode, which will be in the next post.]
We see the scene of Alcides aiming his gun at Hugo and Soledad who are kissing on the ground in the woods.
Miguel has passed out drunk. Guillermo opens the tomb and is horrified to find that the corpse is an old woman. Helena laughs.
Úrsula tells Soledad that her mother made her tell where Soledad had gone. Soledad tells Úrsula not to worry about that. Where is she going to go at this hour to find work? Úrsula says that she will find something. Ester tells her not to count on it. Ester will make sure that no decent family hires her. “Enough!” says Soledad. “Get out of my house!” says Ester to Úrsula. Soledad hugs Úrsula and says that she will find a way for her to return. Ester orders Soledad to go to her room. Soledad tells her mother that she hopes that she doesn’t have to pay for what she has done.
Hugo and Boris-
B: I understand that Señorita Soledad was here, señor.
H: You understand correctly. (Hugo smiles)
B: I assume that things have changed.
H: I only hope that Soledad didn’t get into trouble with her mother for coming home so late.
Úrsula arrives at the Medina house.
H: What are you doing here? Has something happened to Soledad?
U: (crying) They found out. Her parents realized that she came to see you here.
Guillermo refuses to get the corpse out of the tomb so Elena does it.
H: (to Boris) Saddle me a horse. I’m going to the Obragón house right now.
B: Lucas was here earlier looking for you and he was very angry. He was told that you were out. It might be better to wait until he is calmer.
H: No, Boris. This shouldn’t wait.
U: Pardon me for expressing my opinion but I agree with Boris. At this hour, Don Lucas and Doña Ester are not going to listen to you and it might be worse for Soledad.
H: I should not have left her to face them alone.
B: Don’t beat yourself up. You couldn’t have known what would happen.
H: I am worried about what her mother will do.
Soledad tells her father that he can send her away but he can’t separate her from Hugo. Lucas replies that she and Ester are not her enemies. Soledad says that she cares for them a lot but she loves Hugo and he is a marvelous man. Lucas says that she doesn’t need to meet him to know what kind of man he is since he didn’t even have the decency to present himself at this house. Soledad says that he didn’t come because she knew that you wouldn’t receive him. “I will never accept him. What he did tonight was too much. Ester is destroyed. I know that she will become ill and it’s your fault.
Dr. Max is angry at Guillermo and Helena for bringing him the corpse of an old woman. They make excuses. Dr. Max pays them less than what had been agreed upon. Helena objects but Dr. Max pulls a sword on them and they leave.
Arturo sees Beatriz all ready to go out first thing in the morning. Beatriz says that she is not going to see Hugo or to confront Soledad. She has thought about what Arturo said and decided not humiliate herself any more in front of Hugo de Medina. Beatriz asks Arturo to introduce her to potential husbands from his friends. Arturo tells her that he doesn’t believe her and is going to kill Hugo anyway.
Hugo and Boris (Boris is assisting Hugo to dress)-
H: It won’t be easy to convince Soledad’s parents but I will be at her side through all of this.
B: Including marrying her?
H: I would love to but you know the price she would have to pay if she came to live with me.
B: Señorita Soledad has shown that she has a strong character and determination. She will be able to take on your illness and help you conquer it.
H: Maybe, but I don’t know if she could become accustomed to seeing me fall down unconscious like I was dead time after time.
B: Then I am not very sure about you marrying her.
H: Boris, stop analyzing me.
B: Pardon me. I didn’t mean to offend you.
H: My head is spinning.
B: It’s a difficult situation.
H: It’s not just about Soledad but my brother. Since last night, I’ve had a bad feeling.
B: About what?
H: I’m not sure but it’s a feeling that I don’t like at all. I don’t like it.
Arturo and Alcides meet by a lake while Beatriz waits in the carriage. Arturo says that Alcides wants his brother dead and Arturo will help him. Alcides says that Arturo will be a rich man when Alcides gets his inheritance. Alcides asks what will happen with his sister. “She says that she wants to forget Hugo,” says Arturo, “but I know it’s not the truth. In any case, when the job is done, she won’t have any other option than to forget him.” Arturo asks Alcides to help his plan by bribing a servant in Hugo’s house so that Arturo can be informed of Hugo’s movements.
Soledad has a breakfast tray for her mother. She asks Lucas how Ester is doing. Lucas says that she didn’t sleep at all and cried all night. Lucas says that he is worried about Ester’s health and he asks Soledad not to make the situation worse. Soledad comes into her mother’s room and announces that she has brought her breakfast. Ester asks if Soledad thinks that she will forgive her. Ester asks where they went wrong in her education. After all the love she received, how could she do this shameful thing? Soledad says that it’s not shameful to be in love. “With a libertine, it is,” says Ester, “Meeting secretly at night is too much. I pray that no one saw you.” Soledad tries to explain but Ester won’t listen. She says that she doesn’t recognize her daughter. Soledad says that if it helps Ester to forgive her, she will do what Ester has said. Soledad says that she thought about it last night and it hurts to see her mother suffer so she will go to her Aunt’s house even though it hurts to be apart from Hugo.
Guillermo and Helena are in bed when there is a knock on the door. It’s Miguel, the gravedigger. Los Burke are nervous but the not-too-bright Miguel has only brought a bag of tools that Guillermo left in the cemetery. He says that Guillermo will need them for his work as a gardener. Thanking him profusely, Los Burke usher Miguel out the door.
Hugo tells Marina that Úrsula will be working there. Úrsula says that he won’t have any complaints about her.
Hugo tells Marina that cleaning his room isn’t part of her duties. Boris tells Hugo that a while ago he saw Alcides in front of the house. Hugo goes downstairs, confronts Alcides and asks
H: why are you hanging around my house?
A: I need to talk to you.
H: I have business that I need to attend to.
A: You are going to see one of your new conquests and you are putting Soledad aside since you obviously got what you wanted from her.
H: What are you talking about?
A: You were with her! I saw you last night. Now you are going to abandon her like an old rag.
H: What happens between Soledad and me isn’t any of your business.
Alcides tries to hit Hugo but Hugo dodges the blow.
A: It is my business! Because I courted her first and you took her from me like the rotten person you are.
Boris: (to Hugo) Sir, our business is urgent. We need to leave.
A: This conversation isn’t finished! When you return, I’ll be waiting.
Fabio and a confederate are hiding in the bushes outside the Obragón house. The confederate wants to be reassured that the target is Soledad, not Hugo de Medina. Fabio says that’s right and it has to look like an accident.
Lucas and Soledad are getting ready to leave their house to go to the house of her Aunt Antonia. Lucas tells Soledad that Ester had decided not to go because she doesn’t feel well. He says that Soledad will thank them later for what they are doing. Ester decides that she shouldn’t let Lucas go with Soledad alone. She is capable of doing anything of to deceive them. Lucas and Soledad get in the carriage. Soledad says that she just wants to stop at Hugo’s house on the way out of town to say goodbye to him. Lucas says no. He says that Soledad would just use the opportunity to tell Hugo where she was going to be.
“Papa, don’t be angry about what I’m going to do!” says Soledad as she jumps out of the carriage and runs away. Ester runs out of the house and asks about Soledad. Lucas says that she escaped. Ester calls Lucas an idiot and runs after Soledad. The murderers are also on the move.
Soledad is hurrying down the street with Ester in pursuit. Hugo is there also in a carriage. Hugo tells Boris to stop the carriage. Arturo and Beatriz are strolling along this street as well. Arturo’s men are trying to run Soledad down with a cart but it is Ester who is in danger. Hugo reacts and pulls Ester out of the path of the cart at the last second. Arturo realizes that his men were trying to kill Soledad, not Hugo and is furious. Ester has hysterics and beats on Hugo telling him not to touch her and saying that it was his fault that she was almost run down by a horse. Soledad says that she is not being just. Hugo saved her life. “Wicked girl,” says Ester, “I trusted you and look what happens.” She faints. Hugo calls for Boris.
Alcides gets admitted to Hugo’s house to wait for him. He asks when Úrsula started working there and she answers that today she is here tomorrow who knows where she will be. Alcides then asks to speak to Marina alone. Úrsula reminds Marina that she is supposed to be instructing her in her duties. Marina says that she can’t talk to Alcides right now. Úrsula says that she doesn’t trust Alcides. Alcides sneaks up to Hugo’s bedroom.
Hugo’s carriage returns to the Obragón house. Lucas comes up and asks what happened. Hugo explains that Ester has just fainted. She is fine but she needs to rest. Hugo, Boris and Soledad bring Ester into the house.
Alcides goes into Hugo’s bedroom. Alcides discovers his father’s skull. He asks what in God’s name Hugo is keeping that for. Marina comes in.
Fabio tells his confederate that he tried to kill the wrong person. Arturo arrives and
demands to know why they were trying to kill Soledad de Obragón.
Hugo puts Ester on her bed. Soledad thanks him for what he did. Hugo leaves. Soledad runs after him.
H: What happened? Why were you running in the street? (He takes her hands.)
S: I was looking for you to find some way for us to keep seeing each other. My mother wants to separate us. She wants to send me to my aunt’s house. My love, the only way for us to be together is if we run away together. Let’s run away!
The credits roll.
La Traición: Episode 1
Hugo de Medina and his servant Boris Monsalve ride along a beautiful lakeshore to where several other men are waiting.
Hugo: I am here, Don Arturo de Linares, in response to your challenge [‘reto’].
Arturo: As the injured party, I have the right to say how the duel will be conducted. I have decided it will be a duel to the death.
H: It doesn’t seem necessary that death be the price for a mistake, sir.
A: You call soiling the reputation [‘el haber enlodado la honra’] of my sister, Beatriz, a mistake?
H: I’ve told you before and I repeat it again: there never existed anything but a healthy friendship between me and Beatriz. However, I know that I can’t do anything to convince you of that.
A: Hugo de Medina, you will pay with your life for what you did to my sister.
An attractive house in a garden- Soledad de Obragón is sitting at her dressing table with her maid, Ursula. Ursula asks if Soledad still remembers Don Hugo de Medina. Ursula says that she has something to tell Soledad. Soledad’s mother is planning to have Don Alcides visit Soledad formally. “Alcides, the brother of Hugo de Medina?” says Soledad. Ursula tells Soledad that her mother wants her and Alcides to have a relationship [‘sean novios’]. Soledad asks why her mother insists on bringing suitor after suitor to her that she doesn’t want to see and above all Hugo’s brother. Ursula asks what she means. Soledad says that she doesn’t know how to explain it but she has always felt a special curiosity about Hugo de Medina. She remembers him as a man who was so brave, so interesting, so intelligent, so gentlemanly… Ursula breaks in to say that Hugo is very mysterious and strange. She asks if Soledad remembers that Hugo went out of his house very little and now goes out even less. “That’s why,” says Soledad, “but I would rather meet Hugo de Medina a thousand times before having to receive his brother, Alcides de Medina.
Alcides de Medina, who is Hugo’s identical twin [‘gemelo’], is walking along the street in a city that will only be referred to as ‘the capital.’ [These scenes were actually shot in the old part of Bogotá, Colómbia.] Up ahead there is a commotion. A couple are accepting bets [‘apuestas’] from a crowd of men on the outcome of the duel between Hugo and Arturo. This couple, who I will refer to frequently as, ‘the diminutive duo,’ or 'Los Burke,' are Guillermo and Elena Burke, the lovable lowlives of the city.
Guillermo approaches Alcides and says that he supposes that Alcides has come to town to accompany his brother to the duel. Alcides is buying flowers. Alcides tells Guillermo to beat it [¡sáquese!]. Guillermo says that he works as a gardener in Hugo’s house and one hears things. Is it true that Alcides and his brother don’t get along? Alcides pulls a switchblade from his pocket, flicks it open and puts the blade against Guillermo’s throat. He tells Guillermo to get lost, he’s in a hurry. Undaunted, Guillermo tells Alcides that he is organizing bets on the outcome of the duel. Would Alcides like to place a bet? Alcides hands Guillermo some money, “You already know who my favorite is,” he says.
Soledad tells her mother, Ester, that she isn’t interested in Alcides de Medina and won’t receive him. Ester asks what makes Soledad think that she has the right to choose her suitors. “Convention [‘las normas,’ literally, ‘the rules’] dictates that your father and I decide your future,” Ester continues. Soledad replies that the conventions of society don’t interest her. “Mama,” she starts to say, “love is…” Ester replies that love comes with time. She goes on to say that Alcides isn’t rich but he comes from a good family and that should suit her. “It suits me?” asks Soledad, “Are you sure? Or does it suit you?” Soledad suggests that it is something that she could brag about to her friends. Ester accuses Soledad of trying to kill her with her rudeness. Ester tells Soledad that it shouldn’t be too much to ask to to at least speak with Alcides. Soledad agrees to speak to Alcides but she isn’t promising anything. She tells her mother that she has a right to dream, a right to find a man that will make her happy, that she loves and she is sure that one day she will find that man.
At the duel, Hugo gestures to Arturo to choose his weapon. He takes a pistol and Hugo takes the other. Boris wishes Hugo good luck. One of the seconds tells Hugo that this is his last opportunity for Arturo to receive satisfaction and avoid bloodshed. Arturo says that the only thing that he will accept as satisfaction is if Hugo marries his sister. Hugo says that he can’t pay for something he didn’t cause. “I didn’t sully [‘no mancillé’] Beatriz’ honor,” says Hugo. Arturo says in that case, the duel should proceed.
Alcides has brought flowers to Soledad. He says that is a treat [‘un agasajo’] to be able to enjoy her company. He says that he doesn’t have much experience in such things but he confesses that he has been attracted to Soledad for a long, long time. Soledad starts to say something discouraging but Alcides interrupts and says, “I know that that with time and a little luck [‘con el tiempo y un ganchito,’ this is Alcides’ mantra and we will hear it many, many times] he will win her heart.
At this point, Lucas, Soledad’s father, comes home and announces the latest gossip – Alcides’ brother, Hugo, is fighting a duel to the death with Arturo de Linares. Alcides says that he knows this already. Lucas mentions that Arturo was a soldier and no one gives Hugo much of a chance. Soledad tells Alcides that he has to do something to prevent this duel. Alcides replies that he is concerned about his brother’s life but in this case, there isn’t much that he can do – Hugo has acted shamefully with a woman. Soledad says that she doesn’t think that Hugo is capable of doing harm. She goes on to say that even so, it isn’t worth putting his life at risk. She tells Alcides that he has to go and stop the duel and she will go with him. [This is Soledad’s first ‘crazy stunt,’ where she gets an idea and acts on it immediately, no matter how ridiculous]. Lucas starts to object to the idea of Soledad interfering in a duel but surprisingly Ester supports Soledad’s position and says that Alcides’ brother shouldn’t be left to certain death. Alcides say that will have to hurry. Soledad goes for her coat and Alcides says that he will wait in the carriage. Lucas is surprised that Ester is concerned about the life of Hugo de Medina. Ester reveals her twisted mind by saying that she doesn’t care a whit about that libertine, Hugo de Medina, but she wants to give Alcides the opportunity to do something to impress Soledad.
Soledad tells her mother, Ester, that she isn’t interested in Alcides de Medina and won’t receive him. Ester asks what makes Soledad think that she has the right to choose her suitors. “Convention [‘las normas,’ literally, ‘the rules’] dictates that your father and I decide your future,” Ester continues. Soledad replies that the conventions of society don’t interest her. “Mama,” she starts to say, “love is…” Ester replies that love comes with time. She goes on to say that Alcides isn’t rich but he comes from a good family and that should suit her. “It suits me?” asks Soledad, “Are you sure? Or does it suit you?” Soledad suggests that it is something that she could brag about to her friends. Ester accuses Soledad of trying to kill her with her rudeness. Ester tells Soledad that it shouldn’t be too much to ask to to at least speak with Alcides. Soledad agrees to speak to Alcides but she isn’t promising anything. She tells her mother that she has a right to dream, a right to find a man that will make her happy, that she loves and she is sure that one day she will find that man.
At the duel, Hugo gestures to Arturo to choose his weapon. He takes a pistol and Hugo takes the other. Boris wishes Hugo good luck. One of the seconds tells Hugo that this is his last opportunity for Arturo to receive satisfaction and avoid bloodshed. Arturo says that the only thing that he will accept as satisfaction is if Hugo marries his sister. Hugo says that he can’t pay for something he didn’t cause. “I didn’t sully [‘no mancillé’] Beatriz’ honor,” says Hugo. Arturo says in that case, the duel should proceed.
Alcides has brought flowers to Soledad. He says that is a treat [‘un agasajo’] to be able to enjoy her company. He says that he doesn’t have much experience in such things but he confesses that he has been attracted to Soledad for a long, long time. Soledad starts to say something discouraging but Alcides interrupts and says, “I know that that with time and a little luck [‘con el tiempo y un ganchito,’ this is Alcides’ mantra and we will hear it many, many times] he will win her heart.
At this point, Lucas, Soledad’s father, comes home and announces the latest gossip – Alcides’ brother, Hugo, is fighting a duel to the death with Arturo de Linares. Alcides says that he knows this already. Lucas mentions that Arturo was a soldier and no one gives Hugo much of a chance. Soledad tells Alcides that he has to do something to prevent this duel. Alcides replies that he is concerned about his brother’s life but in this case, there isn’t much that he can do – Hugo has acted shamefully with a woman. Soledad says that she doesn’t think that Hugo is capable of doing harm. She goes on to say that even so, it isn’t worth putting his life at risk. She tells Alcides that he has to go and stop the duel and she will go with him. [This is Soledad’s first ‘crazy stunt,’ where she gets an idea and acts on it immediately, no matter how ridiculous]. Lucas starts to object to the idea of Soledad interfering in a duel but surprisingly Ester supports Soledad’s position and says that Alcides’ brother shouldn’t be left to certain death. Alcides say that will have to hurry. Soledad goes for her coat and Alcides says that he will wait in the carriage. Lucas is surprised that Ester is concerned about the life of Hugo de Medina. Ester reveals her twisted mind by saying that she doesn’t care a whit about that libertine, Hugo de Medina, but she wants to give Alcides the opportunity to do something to impress Soledad.
The guy in charge of the duel tells Hugo and Arturo, who are back to back, to take ten steps and then turn and fire one shot. He counts to ten. Hugo and Arturo turn and fire.
Alcides stops the carriage on the road and pretends that there is something wrong with the horse. “I wasn’t aware that you were acquainted with Hugo, Soledad,” he says as he examines the horse. Soledad says that it isn’t necessary to know someone to believe that it is unjust for two men to fight to the death because of a woman. Alcides replies that it isn’t that simple. He says that Hugo is his brother but he didn’t behave properly with Beatriz de Linares –he seduced her and then abandoned her. “But he’s your brother!” says Soledad, “You can’t just let him be killed. Let’s go.” Alcides says that he doesn’t recommend continuing. The horse has a loose shoe. He will go to the nearest village, get help and be right back. Soledad’s second crazy stunt: she takes the reins and takes off in the carriage leaving Alcides open mouthed in the road.
At the duel, Arturo has been wounded in the arm. Hugo is unharmed. Boris tells Hugo that he knows that he could have killed Arturo but he didn’t do so. Hugo says that Boris knows how he feels about duels of honor. He only came to defend himself. The doctor says that Arturo’s wound is not serious. Arturo tells Hugo that it was a lucky shot but this isn’t over. Hugo bows to Arturo and repeats that he is wrong. Hugo and Boris leave. The doctor says that Arturo should leave this matter alone. “No way,” says Arturo, “I have reserved a surprise for him.”
Hugo and Boris are riding through the woods when Hugo stops to listen.
Alcides stops the carriage on the road and pretends that there is something wrong with the horse. “I wasn’t aware that you were acquainted with Hugo, Soledad,” he says as he examines the horse. Soledad says that it isn’t necessary to know someone to believe that it is unjust for two men to fight to the death because of a woman. Alcides replies that it isn’t that simple. He says that Hugo is his brother but he didn’t behave properly with Beatriz de Linares –he seduced her and then abandoned her. “But he’s your brother!” says Soledad, “You can’t just let him be killed. Let’s go.” Alcides says that he doesn’t recommend continuing. The horse has a loose shoe. He will go to the nearest village, get help and be right back. Soledad’s second crazy stunt: she takes the reins and takes off in the carriage leaving Alcides open mouthed in the road.
At the duel, Arturo has been wounded in the arm. Hugo is unharmed. Boris tells Hugo that he knows that he could have killed Arturo but he didn’t do so. Hugo says that Boris knows how he feels about duels of honor. He only came to defend himself. The doctor says that Arturo’s wound is not serious. Arturo tells Hugo that it was a lucky shot but this isn’t over. Hugo bows to Arturo and repeats that he is wrong. Hugo and Boris leave. The doctor says that Arturo should leave this matter alone. “No way,” says Arturo, “I have reserved a surprise for him.”
Hugo and Boris are riding through the woods when Hugo stops to listen.
He gets off his horse and draws his guns. Boris follows suit asking what is going on. All of a sudden, two men start firing at them. Hugo and Boris return fire. Hugo gets on his horse while Boris tells him not to expose himself that way. Into this drama comes Soledad in the carriage. One of the attackers tries to get Soledad to stop the carriage. She refuses and he fires at her. This spooks the horse, which bolts. Soledad calls for help. Hugo hears her, rides alongside and jumps onto the carriage from his horse and brings the carriage to a stop. Soledad is babbling about what happened. Hugo gets out of the carriage and lifts Soledad down.
H: Are you all right, Miss?
S: Yes, I owe you my life. (Wonderingly) You must be Hugo de Medina?
H: Have we met before? (Soledad gives an embarrassed laugh. Hugo realizes who she is.) Señorita Soledad de Obragon. But you were just…
S: A little girl who ran by your house on her way home from school.
H: I heard that you were in Europe, right?
S: Yes, but I’m back. And you? I heard you were in a duel. I was coming to look for you with your brother.
H: With my brother?
S: Yes, but I’m happy that you are ok. I heard the duel was over a woman.
H: I assure you that I am innocent of whatever I am accused of.
S: I am not anyone to judge you. First, I don’t know… (Soledad notices that Hugo’s hand is bleeding) You’re hurt. Are you all right? Did something happen?
H: No, it was the attackers in the road. The duel ended without any fatalities.
S: It doesn’t matter. A doctor has to see you. Let’s go to the hospital. Let’s look for your brother, Alcides, first and then go to the hospital right away.
Alcides arrives.
A: You heard him. It’s nothing. Let’s go.
Alcides hands Soledad into the carriage, gets in himself and they leave. (We hear Alcides’ theme for the first time. The words (in Spanish) can be found at Mabouchita’s LT website: http://www.mabouchita.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4331)
Back in town, Guillermo Burke is assuring his wife that they will make a fortune with the bets he has collected. Guillermo figures that Hugo de Medina must be dead by now. Elena says that she hopes it works out as he predicts because this is their whole savings. The cry goes up that the duelists are returning. Everyone runs to see who survived. Guillermo can’t believe it when both Hugo and Arturo ride back into town. Everybody who made bets wants their money back and Los Burke run off with the crowd in pursuit.
Boris says to Hugo that he acted recklessly when the men were shooting at him on the road. Hugo replies that he would prefer being shot than dying of catalepsy. Boris says that Hugo acted like he wanted to commit suicide. Hugo replies that they shouldn’t discuss this in public. They dismount and walk over to where Arturo has just gotten off his horse. “Arturo de Linares,” says Hugo, “I thought that you were a gentleman.” Arturo tries to punch Hugo but Hugo stops him with a martial arts type move. “Don’t waste your money sending killers to get rid of me,” Hugo says to Arturo, “In addition, I didn’t have anything to do with your sister.” Hugo puts on his hat and walks away while Arturo looks after him with hatred.
Alcides is having tea with Obragons. Ester says that she was wrong to let Soledad go to the duel. She might have been hurt. [Make a note of this. Ester almost never admits that she was wrong.] Soledad says that nothing happened. Hugo was able to stop the runaway carriage. She says that Hugo was very courageous. Ester replies that Soledad was very stubborn to run away from Alcides in the carriage. Lucas interrupts to say that the important thing is that nothing happened. He thanks Alcides for bringing Soledad home. Alcides says that he only did what any gentleman would do. Lucas says that he will send Hugo a note with a good bottle of wine as thanks. Ester says that Lucas will do no such thing [this will not be last time that Ester overrules her husband]. Ester says that she doesn’t want Hugo to get close to their family. She says that he is nothing but trouble. “To be honest with you, Doña Ester,” says Alcides. “Hugo is a good guy [‘un buen tipo’] but he leads a dissolute life [‘una vida desordenada’] and he’s always getting into trouble.” Soledad announces that she will go visit Hugo tomorrow to thank him and to check on his wound. Ester forbids Soledad to visit ‘that libertine.’ Soledad does not reply and excuses herself to take a bath.
Ursula says to Soledad that Hugo has made a big impression on Soledad. She has been distracted all afternoon. Soledad tells Ursula that she is surprised how different Hugo and Alcides are in spite of being twins. Soledad says that Hugo is so confident and the deep look in his eyes impresses her. Ursula says that Hugo makes her afraid. He is mysterious and has a reputation as a womanizer. Ursula points out that the duel was because Hugo dishonored one of the young ladies in the city. Soledad replies that Hugo told her that he was innocent and she believes him. Soledad says that Hugo’s eyes are those of an honest man who doesn’t need to lie to impress a woman. Soledad says that there is something else, she doesn’t know what, it’s as if he is deeply sad. Soledad says that she has to see him again. Ursula points out that her mother has forbidden this. “When did I ever do what my mother said?” asks Soledad.
In his townhouse, Boris is cleaning Hugo’s wound. We can see the two rings that Hugo wears on the index and ring finger of his left hand.
H: I met Soledad after so many years. An agreeable surprise, I would say.
B: Only agreeable?
H: My dear friend and partner in crime. Soledad has become a woman... beautiful, her eyes, My God, what a smile!
B: I have seen Señorita Obregón when she was walking in the plaza. It wouldn't be a bad idea to court her.
H: Boris, you more than anyone know how much I suffer because of my illness. No, friend, it isn't fair that I drag the woman who loves me into my suffering. It is better to be involved in affairs that don't go anywhere.
B: The woman who loves you, will have to understand you, know that you suffer from catalepsy and support you. It has been a long time since you had an attack, maybe you are getting better.
H: Yes, if catalepsy was just any illness but it is incurable, my father suffered from it and was buried alive, (Thunder crashes outside. Hugo pulls a cloth to uncover his father’s skull on a stand)… alive. (He looks at a portrait of his father. We hear Hugo's theme.)
Hugo flashes back to a scene from his childhood. A coffin is opened. The inside of the lid is stained with blood. His mother is screaming, 'I told you and you didn't believe me! Curse you all!’ She kneels by the coffin. Someone leads the twin boys away. ‘Forgive me,’ his mother cries, ‘they wouldn’t listen! Bastards. They didn't believe me!’
One of the attackers in the woods [we find out later his name is Fabio] is at the front door of Arturo’s house. Arturo asks why he has dared to come there. Fabio says that he has come for his payment. He needs money. Arturo says that he won’t pay since Fabio didn’t do the job. Hugo de Medina should be dead (We see Beatriz comes down the stairs to overhear this.) Fabio says that he has to get out of town before Hugo finds him. Arturo says to meet him tomorrow in the usual place.
H: Are you all right, Miss?
S: Yes, I owe you my life. (Wonderingly) You must be Hugo de Medina?
H: Have we met before? (Soledad gives an embarrassed laugh. Hugo realizes who she is.) Señorita Soledad de Obragon. But you were just…
S: A little girl who ran by your house on her way home from school.
H: I heard that you were in Europe, right?
S: Yes, but I’m back. And you? I heard you were in a duel. I was coming to look for you with your brother.
H: With my brother?
S: Yes, but I’m happy that you are ok. I heard the duel was over a woman.
H: I assure you that I am innocent of whatever I am accused of.
S: I am not anyone to judge you. First, I don’t know… (Soledad notices that Hugo’s hand is bleeding) You’re hurt. Are you all right? Did something happen?
H: No, it was the attackers in the road. The duel ended without any fatalities.
S: It doesn’t matter. A doctor has to see you. Let’s go to the hospital. Let’s look for your brother, Alcides, first and then go to the hospital right away.
Alcides arrives.
A: You heard him. It’s nothing. Let’s go.
Alcides hands Soledad into the carriage, gets in himself and they leave. (We hear Alcides’ theme for the first time. The words (in Spanish) can be found at Mabouchita’s LT website: http://www.mabouchita.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4331)
Back in town, Guillermo Burke is assuring his wife that they will make a fortune with the bets he has collected. Guillermo figures that Hugo de Medina must be dead by now. Elena says that she hopes it works out as he predicts because this is their whole savings. The cry goes up that the duelists are returning. Everyone runs to see who survived. Guillermo can’t believe it when both Hugo and Arturo ride back into town. Everybody who made bets wants their money back and Los Burke run off with the crowd in pursuit.
Boris says to Hugo that he acted recklessly when the men were shooting at him on the road. Hugo replies that he would prefer being shot than dying of catalepsy. Boris says that Hugo acted like he wanted to commit suicide. Hugo replies that they shouldn’t discuss this in public. They dismount and walk over to where Arturo has just gotten off his horse. “Arturo de Linares,” says Hugo, “I thought that you were a gentleman.” Arturo tries to punch Hugo but Hugo stops him with a martial arts type move. “Don’t waste your money sending killers to get rid of me,” Hugo says to Arturo, “In addition, I didn’t have anything to do with your sister.” Hugo puts on his hat and walks away while Arturo looks after him with hatred.
Alcides is having tea with Obragons. Ester says that she was wrong to let Soledad go to the duel. She might have been hurt. [Make a note of this. Ester almost never admits that she was wrong.] Soledad says that nothing happened. Hugo was able to stop the runaway carriage. She says that Hugo was very courageous. Ester replies that Soledad was very stubborn to run away from Alcides in the carriage. Lucas interrupts to say that the important thing is that nothing happened. He thanks Alcides for bringing Soledad home. Alcides says that he only did what any gentleman would do. Lucas says that he will send Hugo a note with a good bottle of wine as thanks. Ester says that Lucas will do no such thing [this will not be last time that Ester overrules her husband]. Ester says that she doesn’t want Hugo to get close to their family. She says that he is nothing but trouble. “To be honest with you, Doña Ester,” says Alcides. “Hugo is a good guy [‘un buen tipo’] but he leads a dissolute life [‘una vida desordenada’] and he’s always getting into trouble.” Soledad announces that she will go visit Hugo tomorrow to thank him and to check on his wound. Ester forbids Soledad to visit ‘that libertine.’ Soledad does not reply and excuses herself to take a bath.
Ursula says to Soledad that Hugo has made a big impression on Soledad. She has been distracted all afternoon. Soledad tells Ursula that she is surprised how different Hugo and Alcides are in spite of being twins. Soledad says that Hugo is so confident and the deep look in his eyes impresses her. Ursula says that Hugo makes her afraid. He is mysterious and has a reputation as a womanizer. Ursula points out that the duel was because Hugo dishonored one of the young ladies in the city. Soledad replies that Hugo told her that he was innocent and she believes him. Soledad says that Hugo’s eyes are those of an honest man who doesn’t need to lie to impress a woman. Soledad says that there is something else, she doesn’t know what, it’s as if he is deeply sad. Soledad says that she has to see him again. Ursula points out that her mother has forbidden this. “When did I ever do what my mother said?” asks Soledad.
In his townhouse, Boris is cleaning Hugo’s wound. We can see the two rings that Hugo wears on the index and ring finger of his left hand.
H: I met Soledad after so many years. An agreeable surprise, I would say.
B: Only agreeable?
H: My dear friend and partner in crime. Soledad has become a woman... beautiful, her eyes, My God, what a smile!
B: I have seen Señorita Obregón when she was walking in the plaza. It wouldn't be a bad idea to court her.
H: Boris, you more than anyone know how much I suffer because of my illness. No, friend, it isn't fair that I drag the woman who loves me into my suffering. It is better to be involved in affairs that don't go anywhere.
B: The woman who loves you, will have to understand you, know that you suffer from catalepsy and support you. It has been a long time since you had an attack, maybe you are getting better.
H: Yes, if catalepsy was just any illness but it is incurable, my father suffered from it and was buried alive, (Thunder crashes outside. Hugo pulls a cloth to uncover his father’s skull on a stand)… alive. (He looks at a portrait of his father. We hear Hugo's theme.)
Hugo flashes back to a scene from his childhood. A coffin is opened. The inside of the lid is stained with blood. His mother is screaming, 'I told you and you didn't believe me! Curse you all!’ She kneels by the coffin. Someone leads the twin boys away. ‘Forgive me,’ his mother cries, ‘they wouldn’t listen! Bastards. They didn't believe me!’
One of the attackers in the woods [we find out later his name is Fabio] is at the front door of Arturo’s house. Arturo asks why he has dared to come there. Fabio says that he has come for his payment. He needs money. Arturo says that he won’t pay since Fabio didn’t do the job. Hugo de Medina should be dead (We see Beatriz comes down the stairs to overhear this.) Fabio says that he has to get out of town before Hugo finds him. Arturo says to meet him tomorrow in the usual place.
Beatriz asks Arturo what crazy thing he has done. Is he going to kill Hugo? Arturo says that he challenged Hugo to a duel to protect her honor but he was defeated. He hired men to kill Hugo in that eventuality but they failed too. Beatriz tells Arturo not to touch Hugo and not to try to hurt him again. Arturo say that as the oldest son in the family he will do as he pleases. He will protect the good name of his family regardless of what it takes.
Los Burke have lost all their money because of Guillermo’s bet on the duel. They are broke. Guillermo says that he has a plan to get their money back. Helena says that he will never earn it in 100 years working as Hugo’s gardener. Guillermo says he isn’t going to continue to work as a gardener. Elena asks if he is going back to his old job of stealing corpses from the cemetery for Dr. Max. Guillermo says that he will never go back to that job. Elena says that the money was good and they were helping science. Guillermo says that it gives him goosebumps [‘se me pone la piel de gallina,’ literally, I get chicken skin’]to think about the cold, stiff corpses. No, his idea is to steal stuff from Hugo’s house. “He has so much; he’ll never miss it,” says Guillermo.
A cemetery at night. A funeral procession enters carrying a coffin. Hugo is in the coffin. “Get me out of here! [‘Sáquenme de aquí’]” says Hugo in a low voice, “I’m alive! [‘Estoy vivo’]” but no one hears him. The coffin is put in the grave and dirt starts to be shoveled on top. Hugo wakes up from the dream and yells, "No!"
Boris comes in and asks if he is all right.
H: I had the same nightmare as always. I am being buried alive and I yell and no one hears me and you aren't there, Boris.
B: You know that you can count on me.
H: You are the only person who knows that curse that I have to carry. (Hugo puts his hand on Boris’ shoulder.) Listen to me. No one must know, no one! I don't want their pity.
B: Your secret is safe with me and while I am by your side, no one will bury you alive.
Boris takes Hugo’s hand. Hugo lies back down and closes his eyes.
H: Thank you, thank you, my friend.
Soledad [in a lovely green gown] and Ursula are heading out the door when Ester stops and asks where they are going.
Obviously lying, Soledad says that she is going to the park as usual with Ursula. Ester asks if they think she is stupid. Last night Soledad threatened to go see Hugo de Medina and Ester knows that she is capable of doing just that. Soledad replies that she has thought about what Ester said and has decided not to see Hugo. Ester believes that Soledad is deceiving her. Lucas comes in and tells Ester that they should trust their daughter. Ursula says that she will make sure Soledad doesn’t do anything she shouldn’t. “Your vigilance and nothing are the same thing,” retorts Ester. Once again, Lucas urges Ester to trust her daughter and the girls leave. Ester turns and asks how Lucas dares to countermand her order. Lucas tells her not to be so rigid. Their daughter is young and deserves space to breathe. “It’s you who won’t be able to breathe if you do something like that again!” says Ester viciously.
Walking through the park, Soledad says to Ursula, “Will I seem too bold to Hugo if I visit him at his house? I don’t want him to think badly of me.” Ursula says that she has the perfect excuse. She produces a jar of ointment that her grandmother taught her to make that prevents scars from forming. Soledad can use it on Hugo’s wound.
Guillermo is sneaking around Hugo’s house with a bag. He picks up a mantle clock and puts in the bag. Seconds later, he is surprised by Boris who asks what he is doing. Guillermo thinks madly and says that he is looking for a bathroom. Boris replies that his bathroom is in the servants’ quarters. Boris tells him to leave before Hugo sees him. Guillermo starts to go rejoicing in his luck when Boris asks him what is in the bag he is carrying. Guillermo replies that he has his gardening tools in the bag and produces a pair of pruning shears. Boris accepts this explanation and tells him not to come to this part of the house again.
Hugo is reading in a dressing gown. Boris announces that he has a visitor – Beatriz de Linares. He knows that Hugo isn't pleased that she has come but she insists on speaking with him. Hugo comes downstairs to see Beatriz and tells her that she shouldn't have come. She is making things more difficult for him. Beatriz says that she wants to apologize for what her brother did. She hadn't known about the duel or the ambush afterwards. Hugo thanks her but says that doesn't change anything. He tries to get her to leave. Beatriz says that would never allow anyone to hurt him. She loves Hugo so much.
Hugo asks how he can make her understand that her feelings towards him are not reciprocated. Beatriz mentions all the time they spent together. Hugo responds that they went to the theater and to restaurants as friends. Beatriz says that she didn’t take it that way. Hugo says that is why he ended their friendship. He says that she has to leave his house. He almost drags her to the door, opens it and there are Soledad and Ursula.
Outside his house, Arturo asks the maid where Beatriz is. The maid says that she went out early and looked nervous. Arturo says that he thinks he knows where she went and he will end this once and for all. He marches off purposefully.
Beatriz: So your next victim will be the distinguished Soledad de Obragon?
H: Beatriz, I've told you not to speak like that. Soledad and I..
B: Don't tell me, you are only friends. (to Soledad) Be very careful, that’s how he begins with all his women and that’s how it ends with them only being a friend.
S: I should definitely go. I've come at a bad moment.
H: No, Beatriz is just leaving. (Hugo gestures to the street. Beatriz leaves.) Please come in. (Ursula says that she will wait outside.) I invite you to go into to the tea room. I owe you an apology, first for receiving you dressed like this and second for that embarrassing incident.
S: That woman, you fought the duel for her?
H: No, no, I didn’t fight it for her. It was all a mistake. Her brother accused me of having seduced her but I treated her as a friend.
S: Fine, you don't have to give me explanations.
H: For me it is important that you know that what people are saying is not true, Soledad, Beatriz has given me a lot of trouble, but unfortunately… (he takes her arm. Soledad looks at his hand and he lets her go.) unfortunately, she confused love with friendship and now she can't distinguish between reality and fantasy.
S: I brought you some ointment, a family recipe. It prevents scarring.
Outside, Arturo finds Beatriz. He says that he knows where she has come from and she tells him to mind his own business. He tells her to forget about Hugo or Arturo will finish him. Beatriz replies that she loves Hugo and he will be hers whatever the price. “If you continue to see Hugo,” says Arturo, “I swear that I will kill him.”
Back inside Hugo's house:
Soledad puts the ointment on Hugo's wound. Hugo watches her without saying anything. Soledad realizes this and lowers her gaze. Hugo approaches her. Soledad gets up nervously and says that she has to leave.
H: Stay a little longer!
S: You saved my life and I gave you some ointment. We're even ['estamos a mano'].
H: But I want to see you again, Soledad, if you permit me. I would like to visit you formally at your house.
S: I don't think that would be possible.
H: Nothing is impossible in this life, unless, are you engaged? who? Alcides?
S: No, no, no! to be honest, with your reputation, you are not very eligible.
H: I would like to get to know you better, Soledad, a little better.
S: I don't think there is anything wrong if I see you as a friend.
Hugo kisses her hand.
The screen says, ‘Three months later’. There are a series of scenes showing Soledad deceiving her mother to go out with Hugo and having picnics, riding bicycles in the park and kissing him. We hear Soledad’s theme.
Hugo gives Soledad a bottle of French perfume. She asks what the occasion is. Hugo replies that today is the three month anniversary of their meeting. Soledad replies that the time went so fast. Hugo says that nothing gives him more pleasure than in being in her company. She has succeeded in bringing color to the gray life he had before. Soledad says, "Gray?" and Hugo replies that now he feels that he is a different man.
At this moment, Alcides sees Hugo and Soledad together.
Soledad says that she feels like a different woman also. These have been the most marvelous three months of her life. Hugo kisses her. Alcides looks on with anguish.
Alcides pays a boy to put a note under the door of the Obragón house without being seen. "Let’s see how much longer your clandestine romance lasts, brother," says Alcides. Lucas finds and reads the note.
In the Park:
S: Will you come to my birthday celebration?
H: Of course, I will make every effort but I can't promise anything.
S: If you are concerned about my parents, I am inviting you.
H: I want you to understand that my obligations don't leave me time for social events.
S: (angrily) Ah, so you consider me a social event.
H: Of course not! If I promise that I will come to your birthday party, will that make you happy?
S: Completely.
H: I promise. (They part) Adiós, Soledad.. I will be thinking of you... a lot. (They kiss and we see that Lucas is watching.)
Boris is waiting for Hugo.
B: The forest air is doing wonders for you, señor. You should come here more often,
H: It does agree with me, that’s true. But I feel better breathing the aroma of a flower so beautiful and fresh as Soledad.
B: Señorita Soledad is more in love with you every day.
H: There is such delicacy in her. Such tenderness in her voice and warmth ['tibieza'] in her manner of speaking.
B: And you are more in love with her every too.
Hugo tells him to bring the carriage.
When Soledad returns home, Ester confronts her with the accusation that she hasn't been going to the park to see her friends but to be with Hugo de Medina.
Alcides is waiting for Hugo outside his house.
H: Were you waiting for me, brother?
A: I wouldn’t be here otherwise.
H: (to Boris) Tell Marina to set another place at the table, we have guests. (to Alcides) Come into the parlor and have a glass of some excellent wine.
A: I don't have time to have a drink or to have dinner. I've come to give you some advice.
H: From your expression, it appears to be more a scolding than advice.
A: Take it how you will. I've come to speak to you about Soledad de Obragón.
Ester tells Soledad that she isn't worthy of being an Obragón. Soledad says that they will speak later. Ester says that she won't permit Soledad to behave like a tramp ['cualquiera']. Soledad says that she isn't a tramp, she's a woman in love. Ester slaps her and tells her not to be disrespectful. Soledad says that it is the truth. Ester slaps her again. Lucas intervenes. Soledad runs to her room.
Hugo and Alcides:
A: You put Beatriz de Linares aside to take up with Soledad. I saw you walking with her at the entrance to the forest.
H: So now you waste your time keeping an eye on me.
A: Are you playing with her? Are you going to convert her into your friend like you did with Beatriz?
H: I don't have to give you any explanations about my private life but I'm going to satisfy your curiosity. Look.. Soledad is different from the all the women I have met before. She is beautiful, vital, filled with energy for what she does. In the short time I have known her, she has succeeded in changing so many things in my life, so many! But even so, I couldn’t tell you what I feel for her.
A: You don't need to. From the way you express yourself, I can tell.
H: What is your interest, Alcides? perhaps you love her too?
A: That's not important! I only hope that you don't make her unhappy so that I will forget that I am your brother and treat you as my worst enemy. (He takes a hold of the lapels on on Hugo's coat. Hugo removes Alcides' hands.)
H: Aren’t we already? I know you’ve always hated me, Alcides.
A: Life has been unjust to me, Hugo. I've had to endure living in your shadow all these years and everyone points at me.
H: I am sorry that you have such feelings towards me. Believe me.
A: I'm not! I am going to fight for Soledad. You've been warned.
Alcides leaves giving Hugo a little shove as he walks past. Hugo’s happy mood is gone.
Soledad is in her room crying. Thunder crashes as Ester comes in to talk. Soledad says that she is sorry that she lied to Ester. Ester tells Soledad that she will never permit her to be seen with that good-for-nothing man. Soledad replies that that Hugo isn’t a good for nothing. He has shown respect for her and been a gentleman in every sense of the word. Ester repeats that Soledad is not to go near Hugo. "What if I love him?" asks Soledad. Ester replies that Soledad doesn't know what love is. Ester says that Hugo is capable of causing problems to those around him and he is cursed by God. Soledad asks how she can say such a thing. Ester replies that everyone one knows it. Doesn't she remember what happened to his parents? Soledad says that Hugo's father died of natural causes and his mother died in an accident. It wasn't his fault. [These were Alcides' parents too but the shame doesn't rub off on him, apparently.]
"No daughter," says Ester, "Something terrible surrounds this man. Stay away from him before it's too late. It is said that he will never get engaged to any woman. I believe that man, Hugo de Medina, brings death with him." Soledad looks at Ester like she is crazy.
Hugo is sitting in his room. Boris announces dinner.
H: I won’t be dining.
B: Did your brother's visit upset you?
H: Boris, Stick to your duties and leave please. I want to be alone.
B: Señor, please stay calm. You know how bad it is for your health if you get upset.
H: I said I want to be alone! (Boris leaves.) I suffer enough with this cursed illness without you reminding me about it all the time.
Ursula brings Soledad her herbal drink. Soledad is writing a note. Ursula tells Soledad how sorry she is about what happened. Soledad says that she has to go see Hugo and tell him that they’ve been discovered. Ursula says that it would be better to wait until tomorrow. It is already late. In her impulsive way, Soledad says that she can’t wait. She has to go right now. She says that nothing will happen to her being out alone and she knows a shortcut through the cemetery. No matter what her mother says, she isn’t going to stay away from Hugo.
Lucas tells Ester that if Alcides had Hugo's fortune, he would be the same or worse as Hugo. "Don't say stupid things," says Ester, "I would feel very fortunate to see my daughter married to Alcides. Hugo de Medina inspires fear and suspicion in me. The intuition of a mother is never wrong and this man seems strange and disagreeable to me."
Hugo speaks to the empty room.
H: For many I am disagreeable, (He pours himself a drink) including my brother who doesn't know my secret. He sees me as an unscrupulous seducer! But if knew the truth, he would feel so sorry for me. There would be pity in his eyes and I don't want anyone's pity. (At this moment, Hugo has a spasm and the glass falls from his hand and shatters. He gasps. We hear his theme.) If only I could get rid of you... If only I could live like other mortals and start my own family and have my own children. (looking at the portrait of his father) I'm sure no one ever loved you and no one ever feared you and no one ever hated you as much as I do.
Soledad goes through the cemetery while lightning flashes and thunder crashes. She hears her mother's warning that Hugo de Medina brings death with him. She sees the tombstones of Hugo's parents Anabel and Armando.
Hugo stands with his arms braced against the chair and the desk. He calls Boris. Boris is outside in the stairwell and he hurries into Hugo's room and closes the door.
B: Do you need something, señor?
H: I don't feel well. I want to apologize for having been short with you; it wasn't my intention.
B: I know, señor. You should lie down.
H: There isn't time. I think that tonight it will happen.
B: Señor, Please, don’t say that.
H: I don’t feel well at all. Yes, Boris, it’s a fact. It will come tonight ['Ella vendrá esta noche, literally 'She will come tonight']
B: It? ['Ella?' literally, ‘She?’]
H: Catalepsy, death! ['La catalepsia. La muerte,' Catalepsy and death are feminine nouns in Spanish.] This phantasm to which I am inextricably bound.
Soledad knocks on the door of the house and calls Hugo's name. Hugo moves towards the door of his room but he staggers and falls. Boris lifts him up. Marina opens the door of the house and asks what Soledad wants. Soledad rushes right past her and runs upstairs to the door of Hugo's room and pounds on the door, "Hugo, my love. Let me in, please," she calls, “I have to see you.” On the other side of the door, Hugo, supported by Boris, tries to stay conscious, "Boris," he gasps, "don't let her see me like this, don't let her..."
The credits roll.
Episode #2:Walking through the park, Soledad says to Ursula, “Will I seem too bold to Hugo if I visit him at his house? I don’t want him to think badly of me.” Ursula says that she has the perfect excuse. She produces a jar of ointment that her grandmother taught her to make that prevents scars from forming. Soledad can use it on Hugo’s wound.
Guillermo is sneaking around Hugo’s house with a bag. He picks up a mantle clock and puts in the bag. Seconds later, he is surprised by Boris who asks what he is doing. Guillermo thinks madly and says that he is looking for a bathroom. Boris replies that his bathroom is in the servants’ quarters. Boris tells him to leave before Hugo sees him. Guillermo starts to go rejoicing in his luck when Boris asks him what is in the bag he is carrying. Guillermo replies that he has his gardening tools in the bag and produces a pair of pruning shears. Boris accepts this explanation and tells him not to come to this part of the house again.
Hugo is reading in a dressing gown. Boris announces that he has a visitor – Beatriz de Linares. He knows that Hugo isn't pleased that she has come but she insists on speaking with him. Hugo comes downstairs to see Beatriz and tells her that she shouldn't have come. She is making things more difficult for him. Beatriz says that she wants to apologize for what her brother did. She hadn't known about the duel or the ambush afterwards. Hugo thanks her but says that doesn't change anything. He tries to get her to leave. Beatriz says that would never allow anyone to hurt him. She loves Hugo so much.
Hugo asks how he can make her understand that her feelings towards him are not reciprocated. Beatriz mentions all the time they spent together. Hugo responds that they went to the theater and to restaurants as friends. Beatriz says that she didn’t take it that way. Hugo says that is why he ended their friendship. He says that she has to leave his house. He almost drags her to the door, opens it and there are Soledad and Ursula.
Outside his house, Arturo asks the maid where Beatriz is. The maid says that she went out early and looked nervous. Arturo says that he thinks he knows where she went and he will end this once and for all. He marches off purposefully.
Beatriz: So your next victim will be the distinguished Soledad de Obragon?
H: Beatriz, I've told you not to speak like that. Soledad and I..
B: Don't tell me, you are only friends. (to Soledad) Be very careful, that’s how he begins with all his women and that’s how it ends with them only being a friend.
S: I should definitely go. I've come at a bad moment.
H: No, Beatriz is just leaving. (Hugo gestures to the street. Beatriz leaves.) Please come in. (Ursula says that she will wait outside.) I invite you to go into to the tea room. I owe you an apology, first for receiving you dressed like this and second for that embarrassing incident.
S: That woman, you fought the duel for her?
H: No, no, I didn’t fight it for her. It was all a mistake. Her brother accused me of having seduced her but I treated her as a friend.
S: Fine, you don't have to give me explanations.
H: For me it is important that you know that what people are saying is not true, Soledad, Beatriz has given me a lot of trouble, but unfortunately… (he takes her arm. Soledad looks at his hand and he lets her go.) unfortunately, she confused love with friendship and now she can't distinguish between reality and fantasy.
S: I brought you some ointment, a family recipe. It prevents scarring.
Outside, Arturo finds Beatriz. He says that he knows where she has come from and she tells him to mind his own business. He tells her to forget about Hugo or Arturo will finish him. Beatriz replies that she loves Hugo and he will be hers whatever the price. “If you continue to see Hugo,” says Arturo, “I swear that I will kill him.”
Back inside Hugo's house:
Soledad puts the ointment on Hugo's wound. Hugo watches her without saying anything. Soledad realizes this and lowers her gaze. Hugo approaches her. Soledad gets up nervously and says that she has to leave.
H: Stay a little longer!
S: You saved my life and I gave you some ointment. We're even ['estamos a mano'].
H: But I want to see you again, Soledad, if you permit me. I would like to visit you formally at your house.
S: I don't think that would be possible.
H: Nothing is impossible in this life, unless, are you engaged? who? Alcides?
S: No, no, no! to be honest, with your reputation, you are not very eligible.
H: I would like to get to know you better, Soledad, a little better.
S: I don't think there is anything wrong if I see you as a friend.
Hugo kisses her hand.
The screen says, ‘Three months later’. There are a series of scenes showing Soledad deceiving her mother to go out with Hugo and having picnics, riding bicycles in the park and kissing him. We hear Soledad’s theme.
Hugo gives Soledad a bottle of French perfume. She asks what the occasion is. Hugo replies that today is the three month anniversary of their meeting. Soledad replies that the time went so fast. Hugo says that nothing gives him more pleasure than in being in her company. She has succeeded in bringing color to the gray life he had before. Soledad says, "Gray?" and Hugo replies that now he feels that he is a different man.
At this moment, Alcides sees Hugo and Soledad together.
Soledad says that she feels like a different woman also. These have been the most marvelous three months of her life. Hugo kisses her. Alcides looks on with anguish.
Alcides pays a boy to put a note under the door of the Obragón house without being seen. "Let’s see how much longer your clandestine romance lasts, brother," says Alcides. Lucas finds and reads the note.
In the Park:
S: Will you come to my birthday celebration?
H: Of course, I will make every effort but I can't promise anything.
S: If you are concerned about my parents, I am inviting you.
H: I want you to understand that my obligations don't leave me time for social events.
S: (angrily) Ah, so you consider me a social event.
H: Of course not! If I promise that I will come to your birthday party, will that make you happy?
S: Completely.
H: I promise. (They part) Adiós, Soledad.. I will be thinking of you... a lot. (They kiss and we see that Lucas is watching.)
Boris is waiting for Hugo.
B: The forest air is doing wonders for you, señor. You should come here more often,
H: It does agree with me, that’s true. But I feel better breathing the aroma of a flower so beautiful and fresh as Soledad.
B: Señorita Soledad is more in love with you every day.
H: There is such delicacy in her. Such tenderness in her voice and warmth ['tibieza'] in her manner of speaking.
B: And you are more in love with her every too.
Hugo tells him to bring the carriage.
When Soledad returns home, Ester confronts her with the accusation that she hasn't been going to the park to see her friends but to be with Hugo de Medina.
Alcides is waiting for Hugo outside his house.
H: Were you waiting for me, brother?
A: I wouldn’t be here otherwise.
H: (to Boris) Tell Marina to set another place at the table, we have guests. (to Alcides) Come into the parlor and have a glass of some excellent wine.
A: I don't have time to have a drink or to have dinner. I've come to give you some advice.
H: From your expression, it appears to be more a scolding than advice.
A: Take it how you will. I've come to speak to you about Soledad de Obragón.
Ester tells Soledad that she isn't worthy of being an Obragón. Soledad says that they will speak later. Ester says that she won't permit Soledad to behave like a tramp ['cualquiera']. Soledad says that she isn't a tramp, she's a woman in love. Ester slaps her and tells her not to be disrespectful. Soledad says that it is the truth. Ester slaps her again. Lucas intervenes. Soledad runs to her room.
Hugo and Alcides:
A: You put Beatriz de Linares aside to take up with Soledad. I saw you walking with her at the entrance to the forest.
H: So now you waste your time keeping an eye on me.
A: Are you playing with her? Are you going to convert her into your friend like you did with Beatriz?
H: I don't have to give you any explanations about my private life but I'm going to satisfy your curiosity. Look.. Soledad is different from the all the women I have met before. She is beautiful, vital, filled with energy for what she does. In the short time I have known her, she has succeeded in changing so many things in my life, so many! But even so, I couldn’t tell you what I feel for her.
A: You don't need to. From the way you express yourself, I can tell.
H: What is your interest, Alcides? perhaps you love her too?
A: That's not important! I only hope that you don't make her unhappy so that I will forget that I am your brother and treat you as my worst enemy. (He takes a hold of the lapels on on Hugo's coat. Hugo removes Alcides' hands.)
H: Aren’t we already? I know you’ve always hated me, Alcides.
A: Life has been unjust to me, Hugo. I've had to endure living in your shadow all these years and everyone points at me.
H: I am sorry that you have such feelings towards me. Believe me.
A: I'm not! I am going to fight for Soledad. You've been warned.
Alcides leaves giving Hugo a little shove as he walks past. Hugo’s happy mood is gone.
Soledad is in her room crying. Thunder crashes as Ester comes in to talk. Soledad says that she is sorry that she lied to Ester. Ester tells Soledad that she will never permit her to be seen with that good-for-nothing man. Soledad replies that that Hugo isn’t a good for nothing. He has shown respect for her and been a gentleman in every sense of the word. Ester repeats that Soledad is not to go near Hugo. "What if I love him?" asks Soledad. Ester replies that Soledad doesn't know what love is. Ester says that Hugo is capable of causing problems to those around him and he is cursed by God. Soledad asks how she can say such a thing. Ester replies that everyone one knows it. Doesn't she remember what happened to his parents? Soledad says that Hugo's father died of natural causes and his mother died in an accident. It wasn't his fault. [These were Alcides' parents too but the shame doesn't rub off on him, apparently.]
"No daughter," says Ester, "Something terrible surrounds this man. Stay away from him before it's too late. It is said that he will never get engaged to any woman. I believe that man, Hugo de Medina, brings death with him." Soledad looks at Ester like she is crazy.
Hugo is sitting in his room. Boris announces dinner.
H: I won’t be dining.
B: Did your brother's visit upset you?
H: Boris, Stick to your duties and leave please. I want to be alone.
B: Señor, please stay calm. You know how bad it is for your health if you get upset.
H: I said I want to be alone! (Boris leaves.) I suffer enough with this cursed illness without you reminding me about it all the time.
Ursula brings Soledad her herbal drink. Soledad is writing a note. Ursula tells Soledad how sorry she is about what happened. Soledad says that she has to go see Hugo and tell him that they’ve been discovered. Ursula says that it would be better to wait until tomorrow. It is already late. In her impulsive way, Soledad says that she can’t wait. She has to go right now. She says that nothing will happen to her being out alone and she knows a shortcut through the cemetery. No matter what her mother says, she isn’t going to stay away from Hugo.
Lucas tells Ester that if Alcides had Hugo's fortune, he would be the same or worse as Hugo. "Don't say stupid things," says Ester, "I would feel very fortunate to see my daughter married to Alcides. Hugo de Medina inspires fear and suspicion in me. The intuition of a mother is never wrong and this man seems strange and disagreeable to me."
Hugo speaks to the empty room.
H: For many I am disagreeable, (He pours himself a drink) including my brother who doesn't know my secret. He sees me as an unscrupulous seducer! But if knew the truth, he would feel so sorry for me. There would be pity in his eyes and I don't want anyone's pity. (At this moment, Hugo has a spasm and the glass falls from his hand and shatters. He gasps. We hear his theme.) If only I could get rid of you... If only I could live like other mortals and start my own family and have my own children. (looking at the portrait of his father) I'm sure no one ever loved you and no one ever feared you and no one ever hated you as much as I do.
Soledad goes through the cemetery while lightning flashes and thunder crashes. She hears her mother's warning that Hugo de Medina brings death with him. She sees the tombstones of Hugo's parents Anabel and Armando.
Hugo stands with his arms braced against the chair and the desk. He calls Boris. Boris is outside in the stairwell and he hurries into Hugo's room and closes the door.
B: Do you need something, señor?
H: I don't feel well. I want to apologize for having been short with you; it wasn't my intention.
B: I know, señor. You should lie down.
H: There isn't time. I think that tonight it will happen.
B: Señor, Please, don’t say that.
H: I don’t feel well at all. Yes, Boris, it’s a fact. It will come tonight ['Ella vendrá esta noche, literally 'She will come tonight']
B: It? ['Ella?' literally, ‘She?’]
H: Catalepsy, death! ['La catalepsia. La muerte,' Catalepsy and death are feminine nouns in Spanish.] This phantasm to which I am inextricably bound.
Soledad knocks on the door of the house and calls Hugo's name. Hugo moves towards the door of his room but he staggers and falls. Boris lifts him up. Marina opens the door of the house and asks what Soledad wants. Soledad rushes right past her and runs upstairs to the door of Hugo's room and pounds on the door, "Hugo, my love. Let me in, please," she calls, “I have to see you.” On the other side of the door, Hugo, supported by Boris, tries to stay conscious, "Boris," he gasps, "don't let her see me like this, don't let her..."
The credits roll.
Outside of Hugo’s bedroom door, Soledad begs him to open the door. On the other side of the door, Hugo loses the battle and succumbs to an attack of catalepsy. Boris lowers him gently to the floor.
Still speaking through the door, Soledad apologizes for coming at this hour but she has to speak to him. Boris comes out of Hugo’s room and closes the door behind him. He tells Soledad that she can't see Hugo. Since he got back from the park, he hasn't felt well. Soledad asks if it is something serious and Boris says no. She says that she will only stay for a minute but Boris repeats that she can't see Hugo; he is sleeping. Boris says that he will give Hugo a message from Soledad. Soledad gives him a letter and leaves. Marina asks what happened to Hugo. Boris tells her that it isn’t any of her business. He tells Marina not to let anyone into this part of the house without Hugo's permission. When Boris has gone back into Hugo's room, Marina calls him 'grosero,' or rude.
Hugo is on his bed unconscious [that is to say, he appears to be unconscious or even dead. When he is having a catalepsy attack, Hugo's skin feels cold and he has no apparent heartbeat or respiration. He can't move or speak but he is aware of what is going on around him.] Boris tells Hugo that he has to wake up for Señorita Soledad.
Returning home through the cemetery in the thunderstorm Soledad is startled by the sudden appearance of the gravedigger, who, we will find out shortly, is named Miguel.
Hugo wakes up with a sudden intake of breath and starts coughing.
B: Thank God! I thought you weren’t going to wake up. How do you feel?
H: Fine, thank you, fine.
B: The good thing is that this attack wasn't too severe. It certainly was the result of the discussion with your brother, it disturbed you too much.
H: I’m very thirsty, Boris. Bring me a glass of water, please.
B: Right away.
H: Boris, Soledad was here?
B: I told her you couldn't see her.
H: I heard. Did she leave something for me?
Boris gives him the letter. Hugo reads it:
Hugo is on his bed unconscious [that is to say, he appears to be unconscious or even dead. When he is having a catalepsy attack, Hugo's skin feels cold and he has no apparent heartbeat or respiration. He can't move or speak but he is aware of what is going on around him.] Boris tells Hugo that he has to wake up for Señorita Soledad.
Returning home through the cemetery in the thunderstorm Soledad is startled by the sudden appearance of the gravedigger, who, we will find out shortly, is named Miguel.
Hugo wakes up with a sudden intake of breath and starts coughing.
B: Thank God! I thought you weren’t going to wake up. How do you feel?
H: Fine, thank you, fine.
B: The good thing is that this attack wasn't too severe. It certainly was the result of the discussion with your brother, it disturbed you too much.
H: I’m very thirsty, Boris. Bring me a glass of water, please.
B: Right away.
H: Boris, Soledad was here?
B: I told her you couldn't see her.
H: I heard. Did she leave something for me?
Boris gives him the letter. Hugo reads it:
My parents know about us, Hugo, and they want to separate us but they won't succeed. If you support me, if you want, I will leave this house and I don't care about the scandal or what society thinks. What is important is to be by your side.
H: (smiling)What craziness are you thinking about Soledad?
Ester is looking for Soledad and Ursula tries to cover for her not being there. Soledad returns without Ester realizing that she went out. Soledad tells Ursula that she left a note with Hugo's servant because Hugo was not feeling well. Soledad says it was strange. She thought Boris was lying to her because Hugo would never refuse to speak with her. She says that they are hiding something from her and she will find out what it is.
Hugo and Boris:
H: You realize all that Soledad is willing to sacrifice to be with me?
B: And if you tell her, señor? If you speak to her about your illness, Señorita Soledad seems to be very understanding. She could help you and support you.
H: I've told you the tragedy that was my mother's life? The catalepsy attacks that my father suffered ended up driving her insane on the day that he supposedly died.
Hugo flashes back to when he was a child. There is a funeral procession but his mother is screaming that her husband isn’t dead, that he suffers from an illness. She says that they have to listen.
H: No one paid any attention to her pleas not to bury him. They thought she was crazy. No one knew that Papa suffered from catalepsy. Then Mama went insane for real.
B: It must have been terrible.
[This story is being told for our benefit. We learn much later that Boris was actually living in Hugo’s house when all this happened so he must have been there when Hugo’s father was buried alive and doesn’t need Hugo to tell him about it.]
H: I realize that I can't permit Soledad to suffer the same way my mother did. It would be very selfish of me.
B: There must be something we can do. It's been a long time since you consulted the doctors in Europe. Maybe by this time, they’ve found a cure for catalepsy.
H: I've spent a fortune on those doctors and I’ve come to the conclusion that catalepsy is incurable.
B: What are you going to do, señor?
H: Make a decision.
Ester asks Soledad how long she is going to continue with this absurd whim. Soledad replies that it’s not a whim. She is in love. Why can't Ester try and talk with Hugo? He isn’t the bad person that she thinks he is. Ester replies that she isn't going to talk to Hugo and he isn't coming to her birthday party.
In the taverna, Alcides sits down at the bar with Arturo and says that he has something to propose to him. Arturo asks why would he want to talk to the brother of his worst enemy? Alcides says that he does not agree with the way Hugo treated Beatriz. Alcides says that the behavior of his brother is an embarrassment that sullies the Medina name. Arturo replies that Hugo de Medina is a good for nothing who doesn’t want to admit the damage that he did to Arturo’s sister. People like that should be eliminated.
Soledad asks her mother to let Hugo come to her birthday party. It's her birthday. Ester refuses and says that Soledad will be escorted by Hugo's brother. She also tells Soledad that her engagement to Alcides will be announced at the party. Soledad is impactada.
In the taverna, Alcides asks Arturo if he has thought about how to kill Hugo. Arturo asks if Alcides expects him to tell him his plan so Alcides can run and tell his brother about it. Alcides says that he and his brother have never been on good terms. He says that in his opinion a weed has to be pulled up by the roots so that it doesn’t damage the garden ['la mala hierba hay que cortarla de raiz para que no dañe el huerto']. Arturo replies that he has an agreement with Beatriz. As long as she doesn't go back to seeing Hugo, Arturo won't touch him. Alcides says that is a bad agreement. His brother is a danger for all the women of the city and much more for Beatriz.
Los Burke are broke. Guillermo says that he will have to go back to stealing things from Hugo’s house. Helena says no. He might be caught by one of Hugo’s servants. Guillermo says that in that case, they will have to sell the clock that he stole but Helena doesn’t want to sell it.
Boris notices that the clock is missing and ask Marina when she last saw it. She says that it was two or three month ago. Boris recalls when he caught Guillermo with his sack in the house. He tells Marina to make an inventory of all the valuable things in the house. He has to find out if it is Guillermo who is stealing.
In the Linares house, Arturo tells Beatriz that her dear Hugo is courting Soledad de Obragón. Beatriz says that Hugo is playing with Soledad. "No," says Arturo, "he played with you. He treated you like a tramp." Beatriz tells him to leave her alone.
Soledad stands holding flowers and crying in front of a tombstone that says, Hugo de Medina, 1855-1890. "Why, why did you leave me alone?" says Soledad, "Why did you have to deceive me? You knew that your illness would finish you. You knew that you would die” "Get me out of here, I'm alive," says Hugo in the grave but Soledad doesn’t hear. Soledad puts her flowers on the grave and Hugo's arm comes out of the dirt and grabs her hand. Soledad cries out in terror. Hugo wakes up from his nightmare and looks at the portrait of his father and his father’s skull.
Soledad is on her way to Hugo’s house having told her mother that she is going to the dressmaker. She needs Hugo’s answer to her proposed plan. Beatriz approaches Soledad in the plaza and says that they have to talk about Hugo.
Guillermo steals a necklace that is lying on a table. Boris is watching. Guillermo brings it outside and gives it to Helena.
Soledad says that she is sorry about what happened but she has nothing to say to Beatriz about Hugo. “Don’t you want to know the truth about what kind of man he is?” asks Beatriz. Soledad asks if Beatriz is going to tell her all the terrible things that Hugo did to her. Beatriz says that it isn’t just what he did to her. Hugo is an expert in breaking hearts. Soledad says that she doesn't believe anything Beatriz says. Beatriz says that Soledad is blind because she loves Hugo but he will betray her just like he did to Beatriz. Does she like having a man play with her? Soledad tells Beatriz to be careful because Beatriz has to treat her with respect. Beatriz says that Soledad is just after Hugo's money and she isn't anything but a tramp. Soledad hits her and Beatriz attacks her. Úrsula pulls Soledad off of Beatriz. Úrsula tells Beatriz not to say another word or she will close her mouth with her fist [‘puñetazo’].
Hugo is looking at a letter that he has written. Boris tells Hugo that Guillermo Burke has been stealing things from the house. Boris wants to confront Guillermo. Hugo asks Boris if he has proof of his accusations. Boris tells Hugo that he saw Guillermo steal a necklace of his that had no value. Hugo says that right now they have more important matters. He gives Boris a letter and tells him to deliver into Soledad hands and to no one else. Boris leaves. Hugo raises a glass in an ironic toast to the portrait of his father.
Soledad decides to go home and not to go to Hugo’s house. Úrsula asks her if it wouldn’t be a good idea to think about what Beatriz told her. Soledad says no. She tells Úrsula that she thinks Beatriz is crazy. She is obsessed with Hugo. Maybe so says Úrsula but in the city people say terrible things about Hugo. "I know who Hugo is and what matters to me is that I love him and he loves me and that's enough for me.
Arturo yells at Beatriz for fighting with Soledad in the plaza. Beatriz says that she doesn’t care what people say. It’s true. She is in love with Hugo. Arturo raises his hand to hit her but doesn’t. Arturo says that it may not matter to her if the family name is dragged through the mud but to him it does. Beatriz says that she will fight for Hugo’s love. Arturo says that he sees now that the only way to make Beatriz forget about Hugo is to get rid of him and Arturo says that is what he will do.
Soledad returns and Ester asks why she is back so soon. Soledad says that she didn’t go to the dressmaker because she didn’t feel well. She goes to lie down. Ester says that she knows her daughter very well and she can see that something happened. Úrsula lies and says that it was just the heat. There's a knock at the door. It's Boris. He says that he has something to deliver to Soledad personally. Úrsula says that he can depend on her. Boris says that he hopes so for the sake of both their masters. Úrsula takes the letter but Ester sees her. She asks what Úrsula is carrying, "A letter for Soledad from that shameless man?" She grabs the letter, opens it and read its. She smiles in satisfaction and hands it back to Úrsula to give to Soledad. Úrsula is surprised.
"My mother read it?" asks Soledad. Úrsula says that she couldn't do anything to prevent that but then Ester gave her the letter to give to Soledad.
H: (smiling)What craziness are you thinking about Soledad?
Ester is looking for Soledad and Ursula tries to cover for her not being there. Soledad returns without Ester realizing that she went out. Soledad tells Ursula that she left a note with Hugo's servant because Hugo was not feeling well. Soledad says it was strange. She thought Boris was lying to her because Hugo would never refuse to speak with her. She says that they are hiding something from her and she will find out what it is.
Hugo and Boris:
H: You realize all that Soledad is willing to sacrifice to be with me?
B: And if you tell her, señor? If you speak to her about your illness, Señorita Soledad seems to be very understanding. She could help you and support you.
H: I've told you the tragedy that was my mother's life? The catalepsy attacks that my father suffered ended up driving her insane on the day that he supposedly died.
Hugo flashes back to when he was a child. There is a funeral procession but his mother is screaming that her husband isn’t dead, that he suffers from an illness. She says that they have to listen.
H: No one paid any attention to her pleas not to bury him. They thought she was crazy. No one knew that Papa suffered from catalepsy. Then Mama went insane for real.
B: It must have been terrible.
[This story is being told for our benefit. We learn much later that Boris was actually living in Hugo’s house when all this happened so he must have been there when Hugo’s father was buried alive and doesn’t need Hugo to tell him about it.]
H: I realize that I can't permit Soledad to suffer the same way my mother did. It would be very selfish of me.
B: There must be something we can do. It's been a long time since you consulted the doctors in Europe. Maybe by this time, they’ve found a cure for catalepsy.
H: I've spent a fortune on those doctors and I’ve come to the conclusion that catalepsy is incurable.
B: What are you going to do, señor?
H: Make a decision.
Ester asks Soledad how long she is going to continue with this absurd whim. Soledad replies that it’s not a whim. She is in love. Why can't Ester try and talk with Hugo? He isn’t the bad person that she thinks he is. Ester replies that she isn't going to talk to Hugo and he isn't coming to her birthday party.
In the taverna, Alcides sits down at the bar with Arturo and says that he has something to propose to him. Arturo asks why would he want to talk to the brother of his worst enemy? Alcides says that he does not agree with the way Hugo treated Beatriz. Alcides says that the behavior of his brother is an embarrassment that sullies the Medina name. Arturo replies that Hugo de Medina is a good for nothing who doesn’t want to admit the damage that he did to Arturo’s sister. People like that should be eliminated.
Soledad asks her mother to let Hugo come to her birthday party. It's her birthday. Ester refuses and says that Soledad will be escorted by Hugo's brother. She also tells Soledad that her engagement to Alcides will be announced at the party. Soledad is impactada.
In the taverna, Alcides asks Arturo if he has thought about how to kill Hugo. Arturo asks if Alcides expects him to tell him his plan so Alcides can run and tell his brother about it. Alcides says that he and his brother have never been on good terms. He says that in his opinion a weed has to be pulled up by the roots so that it doesn’t damage the garden ['la mala hierba hay que cortarla de raiz para que no dañe el huerto']. Arturo replies that he has an agreement with Beatriz. As long as she doesn't go back to seeing Hugo, Arturo won't touch him. Alcides says that is a bad agreement. His brother is a danger for all the women of the city and much more for Beatriz.
Los Burke are broke. Guillermo says that he will have to go back to stealing things from Hugo’s house. Helena says no. He might be caught by one of Hugo’s servants. Guillermo says that in that case, they will have to sell the clock that he stole but Helena doesn’t want to sell it.
Boris notices that the clock is missing and ask Marina when she last saw it. She says that it was two or three month ago. Boris recalls when he caught Guillermo with his sack in the house. He tells Marina to make an inventory of all the valuable things in the house. He has to find out if it is Guillermo who is stealing.
In the Linares house, Arturo tells Beatriz that her dear Hugo is courting Soledad de Obragón. Beatriz says that Hugo is playing with Soledad. "No," says Arturo, "he played with you. He treated you like a tramp." Beatriz tells him to leave her alone.
Soledad stands holding flowers and crying in front of a tombstone that says, Hugo de Medina, 1855-1890. "Why, why did you leave me alone?" says Soledad, "Why did you have to deceive me? You knew that your illness would finish you. You knew that you would die” "Get me out of here, I'm alive," says Hugo in the grave but Soledad doesn’t hear. Soledad puts her flowers on the grave and Hugo's arm comes out of the dirt and grabs her hand. Soledad cries out in terror. Hugo wakes up from his nightmare and looks at the portrait of his father and his father’s skull.
Soledad is on her way to Hugo’s house having told her mother that she is going to the dressmaker. She needs Hugo’s answer to her proposed plan. Beatriz approaches Soledad in the plaza and says that they have to talk about Hugo.
Guillermo steals a necklace that is lying on a table. Boris is watching. Guillermo brings it outside and gives it to Helena.
Soledad says that she is sorry about what happened but she has nothing to say to Beatriz about Hugo. “Don’t you want to know the truth about what kind of man he is?” asks Beatriz. Soledad asks if Beatriz is going to tell her all the terrible things that Hugo did to her. Beatriz says that it isn’t just what he did to her. Hugo is an expert in breaking hearts. Soledad says that she doesn't believe anything Beatriz says. Beatriz says that Soledad is blind because she loves Hugo but he will betray her just like he did to Beatriz. Does she like having a man play with her? Soledad tells Beatriz to be careful because Beatriz has to treat her with respect. Beatriz says that Soledad is just after Hugo's money and she isn't anything but a tramp. Soledad hits her and Beatriz attacks her. Úrsula pulls Soledad off of Beatriz. Úrsula tells Beatriz not to say another word or she will close her mouth with her fist [‘puñetazo’].
Hugo is looking at a letter that he has written. Boris tells Hugo that Guillermo Burke has been stealing things from the house. Boris wants to confront Guillermo. Hugo asks Boris if he has proof of his accusations. Boris tells Hugo that he saw Guillermo steal a necklace of his that had no value. Hugo says that right now they have more important matters. He gives Boris a letter and tells him to deliver into Soledad hands and to no one else. Boris leaves. Hugo raises a glass in an ironic toast to the portrait of his father.
Soledad decides to go home and not to go to Hugo’s house. Úrsula asks her if it wouldn’t be a good idea to think about what Beatriz told her. Soledad says no. She tells Úrsula that she thinks Beatriz is crazy. She is obsessed with Hugo. Maybe so says Úrsula but in the city people say terrible things about Hugo. "I know who Hugo is and what matters to me is that I love him and he loves me and that's enough for me.
Arturo yells at Beatriz for fighting with Soledad in the plaza. Beatriz says that she doesn’t care what people say. It’s true. She is in love with Hugo. Arturo raises his hand to hit her but doesn’t. Arturo says that it may not matter to her if the family name is dragged through the mud but to him it does. Beatriz says that she will fight for Hugo’s love. Arturo says that he sees now that the only way to make Beatriz forget about Hugo is to get rid of him and Arturo says that is what he will do.
Soledad returns and Ester asks why she is back so soon. Soledad says that she didn’t go to the dressmaker because she didn’t feel well. She goes to lie down. Ester says that she knows her daughter very well and she can see that something happened. Úrsula lies and says that it was just the heat. There's a knock at the door. It's Boris. He says that he has something to deliver to Soledad personally. Úrsula says that he can depend on her. Boris says that he hopes so for the sake of both their masters. Úrsula takes the letter but Ester sees her. She asks what Úrsula is carrying, "A letter for Soledad from that shameless man?" She grabs the letter, opens it and read its. She smiles in satisfaction and hands it back to Úrsula to give to Soledad. Úrsula is surprised.
"My mother read it?" asks Soledad. Úrsula says that she couldn't do anything to prevent that but then Ester gave her the letter to give to Soledad.
Soledad opens the letter, "Dear Soledad: you can't imagine how much..." He's breaking up with me! He says that he doesn't want to see me anymore. Soledad is devastated. "I don't understand! Why?" Úrsula tries to comfort her.
Helena tells Guillermo that the necklace he stole was worthless. She tells him to go back inside and steal something valuable. Guillermo says that he is under suspicion. Helena says that this was his idea so he had better figure something out.
Soledad is inconsolable. Úrsula says that Beatriz was right - Hugo isn't a good person. He was just toying with you. Soledad says that it is so hard to believe. He seemed so sincere. Ester is listening outside the door in triumph. Soledad says that Hugo is a good person, it is she who must have been confused. She must have frightened him with the note that she sent. Úrsula says that Soledad was wrong to have fallen in love with Hugo, he doesn't deserve her.
Hugo and Boris:
H: I don't deserve her! Soledad shouldn't love a man like me.
B: I hope you have considered this carefully, sir.
H: (holding his father's skull) I can't tell her. How do you explain to someone that you suffer from a disease like catalepsy?
B: If you will permit me to say so, sir, it's very hard on you too. You have the right to fall in love and be happy.
H: That's not true. I am not a man like any other. The disease I suffer from cannot be taken lightly. At any time, I could fail to recover from an attack.
B: You know that is why I am here. To help you when you have an attack. If you spoke to Señorita Soledad, she would help and support you.
H: That would be selfish of me. Soledad deserves another man, one who can fill her life with light and not make her suffer.
Ester tells Alcides that the moment has come for him to resume his courtship of Soledad. She tells Alcides that according to the note she read, Hugo doesn’t want to have anything to do with Soledad. Alcides says that he stopped visiting when he found out they were seeing each other. Ester says that she is ashamed of what Soledad did but her virtue is intact. She didn't go all the way in her friendship with Hugo. "Please," says Alcides piously, "I didn't have the slightest doubt. She was educated with the best principles." Ester says that Hugo is dangerous and certainly has bad intentions towards Soledad. Alcides says that Hugo is a hardened seducer who doesn't hesitate to get what he wants. He says that what Ester has told him has raised his hopes. Perhaps it is possible for him to win Soledad's heart. Ester is encourages him to make an effort.
In Hugo’s house, Boris surprises Guillermo holding a vase and he drops and breaks it. “Now look what you made me do!” says Guillermo. Boris accuses him of robbing valuable articles from the house. Guillermo denies it indignantly. Boris says that he has proof and produces a list of things that he found in pawn shops in the city that had been stolen from the house. Caught out, Guillermo asks whether Boris is going to turn him in to the authorities. Boris says that of course he is but Guillermo pulls a knife and says that he won’t allow it. Unfortunately for Guillermo, Hugo is behind him with a gun. Hugo cocks the gun and Guillermo drops the knife.
Soledad continues to cry helplessly. She remembers Hugo's words about the gray life he had led before meeting her, that the last three months had been the best of his life and his kisses. Úrsula comes in and asks if Soledad is still crying for that man. Soledad says that the more she thinks about it the less she believes it. Úrsula says that she was very much in love. Soledad replies that she will never forget Hugo, she can't. Even though very little happened between them, she feels that Hugo is in her heart. Suddenly Soledad decides that she isn't going to give up solely on the basis of a simple goodbye note. She needs to know why Hugo doesn't want to see her any more. Soledad says that Úrsula has to help her.
Hugo and Boris are escorting Guillermo through the courtyard of the house. Suddenly, he runs ahead yelling for Helena to flee. To stop him, Hugo demonstrates his marksmanship by cutting the cord of a hanging planter that falls neatly on Guillermo’s head. Predictably, Guille thinks that he is dead. Helena comes in and escapes with Guillermo.
Helena tells Guillermo that the necklace he stole was worthless. She tells him to go back inside and steal something valuable. Guillermo says that he is under suspicion. Helena says that this was his idea so he had better figure something out.
Soledad is inconsolable. Úrsula says that Beatriz was right - Hugo isn't a good person. He was just toying with you. Soledad says that it is so hard to believe. He seemed so sincere. Ester is listening outside the door in triumph. Soledad says that Hugo is a good person, it is she who must have been confused. She must have frightened him with the note that she sent. Úrsula says that Soledad was wrong to have fallen in love with Hugo, he doesn't deserve her.
Hugo and Boris:
H: I don't deserve her! Soledad shouldn't love a man like me.
B: I hope you have considered this carefully, sir.
H: (holding his father's skull) I can't tell her. How do you explain to someone that you suffer from a disease like catalepsy?
B: If you will permit me to say so, sir, it's very hard on you too. You have the right to fall in love and be happy.
H: That's not true. I am not a man like any other. The disease I suffer from cannot be taken lightly. At any time, I could fail to recover from an attack.
B: You know that is why I am here. To help you when you have an attack. If you spoke to Señorita Soledad, she would help and support you.
H: That would be selfish of me. Soledad deserves another man, one who can fill her life with light and not make her suffer.
Ester tells Alcides that the moment has come for him to resume his courtship of Soledad. She tells Alcides that according to the note she read, Hugo doesn’t want to have anything to do with Soledad. Alcides says that he stopped visiting when he found out they were seeing each other. Ester says that she is ashamed of what Soledad did but her virtue is intact. She didn't go all the way in her friendship with Hugo. "Please," says Alcides piously, "I didn't have the slightest doubt. She was educated with the best principles." Ester says that Hugo is dangerous and certainly has bad intentions towards Soledad. Alcides says that Hugo is a hardened seducer who doesn't hesitate to get what he wants. He says that what Ester has told him has raised his hopes. Perhaps it is possible for him to win Soledad's heart. Ester is encourages him to make an effort.
In Hugo’s house, Boris surprises Guillermo holding a vase and he drops and breaks it. “Now look what you made me do!” says Guillermo. Boris accuses him of robbing valuable articles from the house. Guillermo denies it indignantly. Boris says that he has proof and produces a list of things that he found in pawn shops in the city that had been stolen from the house. Caught out, Guillermo asks whether Boris is going to turn him in to the authorities. Boris says that of course he is but Guillermo pulls a knife and says that he won’t allow it. Unfortunately for Guillermo, Hugo is behind him with a gun. Hugo cocks the gun and Guillermo drops the knife.
Soledad continues to cry helplessly. She remembers Hugo's words about the gray life he had led before meeting her, that the last three months had been the best of his life and his kisses. Úrsula comes in and asks if Soledad is still crying for that man. Soledad says that the more she thinks about it the less she believes it. Úrsula says that she was very much in love. Soledad replies that she will never forget Hugo, she can't. Even though very little happened between them, she feels that Hugo is in her heart. Suddenly Soledad decides that she isn't going to give up solely on the basis of a simple goodbye note. She needs to know why Hugo doesn't want to see her any more. Soledad says that Úrsula has to help her.
Hugo and Boris are escorting Guillermo through the courtyard of the house. Suddenly, he runs ahead yelling for Helena to flee. To stop him, Hugo demonstrates his marksmanship by cutting the cord of a hanging planter that falls neatly on Guillermo’s head. Predictably, Guille thinks that he is dead. Helena comes in and escapes with Guillermo.
Boris wants to go after them and take them to the police. Hugo says to let them go and learn the lesson to be more careful in such situations in the future. Boris is humiliated by the reprimand. Marina asks what is wrong with Hugo. Why did he treat Boris so unjustly? Boris tells her to keep her comments to herself.
That night Alcides brings flowers to Soledad but when Ester goes to get her, Soledad has put pillows under the covers and is gone. Ester demands that Úrsula tell her where Soledad is.
Soledad barges into Hugo's house past Marina and finds him eating dinner.
S: I need an explanation. I deserve one! What are your real reasons for leaving me?
Ester tells Alcides that Soledad is ill and he leaves.
Hugo and Soledad:
S: Speak! I came to listen to you. Talk to me.
H: (very calmly) You shouldn't be here, Soledad. Please don't make the situation more painful.
S: Are you throwing me out?
H: I'm not throwing you out. I'm only trying to prevent this crazy behavior from having consequences. If someone saw you enter my house, the scandal could do you much harm.
S: I risked everything I had for you. I thought what we had between us was important. How can you send me a note ending everything without explaining anything?
H: Soledad, do your parents know that you went out?
Ester tells Lucas that Soledad went to Hugo's house.
Outside the Obragón house, Alcides says to himself that something is suspicious here. ['Aquí hay gato encerrado,' literally, ‘a cat has been shut up here'].
Hugo and Soledad-
H: I will take you to your house. Wait a moment.
S: I don't need you to take me. How could you deceive me this way? How could you play with my affection this way? You are a bastard. She leaves.
Guillermo tells Helena that he doesn’t think Hugo will turn him into the authorities. Helena is glad but she says that they have no alternative now to doing grave robbing for Dr. Max. Guille refuses and Helena says that she makes the decisions in their house.
There’s a knock at the door. Guillermo thinks that it is the police. Helena opens the door. It’s Dr. Max. He says good evening.
Soledad is running in the woods in the night and she trips and falls. Hugo is running after her and helps her up.
H: Soledad, are you all right?
S: Let me go! Don't worry about me. Go back to your house. You don’t have to bother about me.
H: You can think what you want about me but I can't let you go alone.
Soledad cries.
S: No, let me...
H: You have to understand that this is not easy for me.
S: Oh really? Yes it is! I was so ready for you to conquer. How could you do this to me? Why? I hate you! I hate you! (she hits him on the chest and take a hold of the lapels of his coat crying uncontrollably. Slowly, almost against his will, Hugo puts his arms around her.)
Dr. Max tells Los Burkes that he doesn’t carry any grudges from their business in the past. He helped them. Guillermo agrees that Dr. Max helped them in the past but he doesn’t want to steal corpses from the cemetery for Dr. Max’s experiments. Dr. Max tells him not to call them experiments. They are serious scientific studies. The reason that he resorts to stealing corpses is that the law puts many obstacles in the way of obtaining them legally. Dr. Max says that he heard that Guillermo was fired from Hugo de Medina’s house today. Guille responds that he left on account of ‘professional differences.’ Dr. Max says that he knows they need money and he will pay them double for each cadaver they bring to him. He puts some money on the table. “Double?” says Los Burke in unison. Dr. Max nods.
Arturo de Linares is meeting with Fabio, his henchman. He tells Fabio that Beatriz’s obsession with Hugo de Medina is damaging the good name of his family and he has decided to eliminate Hugo whatever it costs. Beatriz overhears. Beatriz runs after Fabio, and asks him listen to her idea for a change in his plans. She is sure that he will like it.
Hugo and Soledad-
S: (moving away from Hugo) Forgive me, what am I saying? I’m one of your conquests? I didn't even rate that. I only got kisses and pretty words.
H: Don't say that. You're wrong.
S: How could I have been so naïve? How could I have been so stupid? Of course, I must have looked to you like a stupid child.
H: I can explain. Let me speak.
S: Hugo, you are the only man that I will love in my life. For you, I defied my parents and now I see that they were right. You like to snare women to enjoy and then abandon them without any explanation.
H: You deserve an explanation and I will give you one.
Fabio is kissing Beatriz and she pulls away and says that is enough for now. She says that is a sample of what he will get if he helps her. Fabio says that surely Beatriz is crazy for that rich guy if she will sleep with him in return for Hugo’s life. Beatriz says that Fabio has to do something else for her. She wants him to kill Soledad de Obragón.
Hugo and Soledad-
S: I don't want any explanation because it will hurt me and what could you tell me? (Hugo tries to say something) That you don’t want to be with me? That you found someone better?
H: Please! You have to let me speak.
S: Don’t bother. I know that you don’t care. The last thing I want is your pity.
H: Never! I swear that I don’t feel sorry for you. You have to believe me.
S: You are so selfish. It’s my fault for opening my heart, for telling you what I felt.
Soledad starts to walk away.
H: I love you [‘Yo te quiero’] (Soledad stops and turn around.) The only one here who has been deceived is me. I can’t hide it anymore even though I would like to. I know that I should let you go but I can’t. I love you Soledad.
S: Hugo.. (She runs back to him and he embraces her and picks her up.)
H: I love you. I love you. I can’t continue hiding it. (They kiss and then we see them lying down on the ground.
That night Alcides brings flowers to Soledad but when Ester goes to get her, Soledad has put pillows under the covers and is gone. Ester demands that Úrsula tell her where Soledad is.
Soledad barges into Hugo's house past Marina and finds him eating dinner.
S: I need an explanation. I deserve one! What are your real reasons for leaving me?
Ester tells Alcides that Soledad is ill and he leaves.
Hugo and Soledad:
S: Speak! I came to listen to you. Talk to me.
H: (very calmly) You shouldn't be here, Soledad. Please don't make the situation more painful.
S: Are you throwing me out?
H: I'm not throwing you out. I'm only trying to prevent this crazy behavior from having consequences. If someone saw you enter my house, the scandal could do you much harm.
S: I risked everything I had for you. I thought what we had between us was important. How can you send me a note ending everything without explaining anything?
H: Soledad, do your parents know that you went out?
Ester tells Lucas that Soledad went to Hugo's house.
Outside the Obragón house, Alcides says to himself that something is suspicious here. ['Aquí hay gato encerrado,' literally, ‘a cat has been shut up here'].
Hugo and Soledad-
H: I will take you to your house. Wait a moment.
S: I don't need you to take me. How could you deceive me this way? How could you play with my affection this way? You are a bastard. She leaves.
Guillermo tells Helena that he doesn’t think Hugo will turn him into the authorities. Helena is glad but she says that they have no alternative now to doing grave robbing for Dr. Max. Guille refuses and Helena says that she makes the decisions in their house.
There’s a knock at the door. Guillermo thinks that it is the police. Helena opens the door. It’s Dr. Max. He says good evening.
Soledad is running in the woods in the night and she trips and falls. Hugo is running after her and helps her up.
H: Soledad, are you all right?
S: Let me go! Don't worry about me. Go back to your house. You don’t have to bother about me.
H: You can think what you want about me but I can't let you go alone.
Soledad cries.
S: No, let me...
H: You have to understand that this is not easy for me.
S: Oh really? Yes it is! I was so ready for you to conquer. How could you do this to me? Why? I hate you! I hate you! (she hits him on the chest and take a hold of the lapels of his coat crying uncontrollably. Slowly, almost against his will, Hugo puts his arms around her.)
Dr. Max tells Los Burkes that he doesn’t carry any grudges from their business in the past. He helped them. Guillermo agrees that Dr. Max helped them in the past but he doesn’t want to steal corpses from the cemetery for Dr. Max’s experiments. Dr. Max tells him not to call them experiments. They are serious scientific studies. The reason that he resorts to stealing corpses is that the law puts many obstacles in the way of obtaining them legally. Dr. Max says that he heard that Guillermo was fired from Hugo de Medina’s house today. Guille responds that he left on account of ‘professional differences.’ Dr. Max says that he knows they need money and he will pay them double for each cadaver they bring to him. He puts some money on the table. “Double?” says Los Burke in unison. Dr. Max nods.
Arturo de Linares is meeting with Fabio, his henchman. He tells Fabio that Beatriz’s obsession with Hugo de Medina is damaging the good name of his family and he has decided to eliminate Hugo whatever it costs. Beatriz overhears. Beatriz runs after Fabio, and asks him listen to her idea for a change in his plans. She is sure that he will like it.
Hugo and Soledad-
S: (moving away from Hugo) Forgive me, what am I saying? I’m one of your conquests? I didn't even rate that. I only got kisses and pretty words.
H: Don't say that. You're wrong.
S: How could I have been so naïve? How could I have been so stupid? Of course, I must have looked to you like a stupid child.
H: I can explain. Let me speak.
S: Hugo, you are the only man that I will love in my life. For you, I defied my parents and now I see that they were right. You like to snare women to enjoy and then abandon them without any explanation.
H: You deserve an explanation and I will give you one.
Fabio is kissing Beatriz and she pulls away and says that is enough for now. She says that is a sample of what he will get if he helps her. Fabio says that surely Beatriz is crazy for that rich guy if she will sleep with him in return for Hugo’s life. Beatriz says that Fabio has to do something else for her. She wants him to kill Soledad de Obragón.
Hugo and Soledad-
S: I don't want any explanation because it will hurt me and what could you tell me? (Hugo tries to say something) That you don’t want to be with me? That you found someone better?
H: Please! You have to let me speak.
S: Don’t bother. I know that you don’t care. The last thing I want is your pity.
H: Never! I swear that I don’t feel sorry for you. You have to believe me.
S: You are so selfish. It’s my fault for opening my heart, for telling you what I felt.
Soledad starts to walk away.
H: I love you [‘Yo te quiero’] (Soledad stops and turn around.) The only one here who has been deceived is me. I can’t hide it anymore even though I would like to. I know that I should let you go but I can’t. I love you Soledad.
S: Hugo.. (She runs back to him and he embraces her and picks her up.)
H: I love you. I love you. I can’t continue hiding it. (They kiss and then we see them lying down on the ground.
There’s another Medina in the woods tonight. Alcides sees Hugo and Soledad kissing and knows that he has lost again to his brother. He pulls a gun and aims it at Hugo and Soledad.
The credits roll.
The credits roll.
Episode #3:
[Sorry, no pictures from this episode. I deleted it from my TiVo by mistake and I had to watch it on You Tube. The quality of the video is so bad I can't do screen shots. More pictures from tomorrow's episode, which will be in the next post.]
We see the scene of Alcides aiming his gun at Hugo and Soledad who are kissing on the ground in the woods.
Alcides lowers the gun and leaves.
Linares house:
Beatriz says that she only wants to know if Fabio will do it or not. She wants Soledad de Obragón dead as soon as possible. Fabio tells Beatriz that she must hate Soledad a lot to give him her body in exchange for her life. “Ok,” says Fabio, “I will do it.” Beatriz says that it has to look like an accident. Fabio tells Beatriz that her brother wants him to kill Hugo de Medina. Beatriz tells him to leave her brother to her. Fabio asks how he can be guaranteed that Beatriz will do as she promised. Beatriz says that he has her word. He will have the privilege of being with a true lady [true ladies don’t sleep with thugs in return for murdering their rivals].
Hugo and Soledad:
S: Today is the most marvelous day of my whole life. I am your woman and I’m so happy.
H: I am happy that I listened to my heart. This is the precise moment for you to know…
S: No, we don’t have to talk now.
H: Soledad, you are the woman that I’ve always waited/hoped for.
S: You are the love of my life, Hugo.
H: I hope that this madness won’t cause problems with your parents.
S: You have regrets?
H: Never! I love you.
[There has been a lot of speculation as to whether Soledad and Hugo are supposed to have had sex in this scene. Soledad saying that she is “Hugo’s woman now,” would indicate yes but the fact that Soledad doesn’t seem to have taken off any of her voluminous clothes would indicate no. Hugo and Soledad never refer to this scene in the many, many times they will talk about the first time they made love (and a baby).]
Alcides is in the cemetery and he addresses the Medina family tombstone. “Mama, Papa. You are the guilty ones. All this is your fault.” He puts his pistol to his head and has a flashback:
One of the twins as a child comes into where his mother, Anabel, is in bed. “Is that you, Hugo?” she asks. “It’s me, Alcides [‘Soy yo, Alcides’],” says the child. “What are you doing here?” responds his mother, “Do you want to kill me, too? It was your fault that your father had an attack of catalepsy. It was your fault that he was buried alive.” “Don’t say that! Don’t say it again.” says the child Alcides. “Get out!” screams Anabel, “It’s all your fault. Your brother Hugo is so different. You are a devil!” The child Alcides looks at his mother in horror and runs out. He passes by his brother and says, “I hate you!” Adult Alcides says, “I’m not Hugo, mama,” he falls to his knees, “I’m not Hugo, mama, I’m not…” He points the pistol at his head but can’t pull the trigger. He starts to cry, “I’m not Hugo. For the love of God… My God, release me from this misery!” He puts the gun in his mouth but can’t bring himself to shoot and cries like a child, “Mama! Papa! Please, I’m not Hugo. I’m tired of losing.” He lies down on the tomb. “Please, love me!”
Hugo and Soledad:
S: Are you all right?
H: I have a strange feeling… I think something is happening to my brother.
S: Why would you think of him now?
H: Sometimes I get sensations from outside that are only related to him.
S: Yes, I’ve heard of that. It is common with identical twins even if they are hundreds of kilometers apart, one can feel what the other is thinking.
H: This has always happened since we were children. Always.
S: Don’t think about it. You are with me.
Lucas comes to Hugo’s house looking for Soledad but first Marina and then Boris turn him away saying that Hugo isn’t at home. Lucas is angry but he leaves. When Lucas is gone, Boris tells Marina that she did a good job. Their duty is to protect Hugo’s back. Marina tells Boris that Soledad was there and ran out. Hugo went after her. Marina says that she thought they were arguing because Soledad was crying. Boris says that Marina would be a good servant if she didn’t gossip so much.
Hugo and Soledad (still in the woods) -
S: I feel so happy in your arms, I would like to stay here forever.
H: I need you at my side, Soledad. I believe that I can’t live without you. I believe…
(He hears someone coming. They both see Los Burke go by.)
S: (whispering) It’s Los Burke. I wonder what they are doing at this hour. I can’t imagine what would happen if anyone found us here, much less your gardener.
H: (whispering) It’s a long story but Guillermo doesn’t work for me anymore. (He smiles.) Why don’t you give me a kiss? (They kiss.)
S: I don’t want my parent to know I’m gone.
H: Let’s go.
Ester yells at Úrsula, “After all we have done for you and this is how you repay us? You will leave this house tonight!” Lucas returns without any news. He says that only thing they can do is wait for Soledad to come back. Ester says that when she comes back, she will know what Ester de Obragón is capable of to keep the good name of her family.
Hugo and Soledad-
H: I will speak to your parents this very night.
S: No, it’s better if you wait.
H: For what?
S: They aren’t ready, especially my mother.
H: Soledad, I want them to know that I am ready to formalize our relationship.
(Soledad laughs and kisses him)
S: Good. Tomorrow I will speak to them.
In the tavern, Alcides is getting drunk. He asks for another drink but the bartender (Omar) tells him that he can’t give him any more credit. Arturo comes in and buys a drink for Alcides and himself. Arturo asks if Alcides is drowning his sorrows since Soledad and Alcides’ brother are still seeing one another. Alcides asks what Arturo knows about his brother and Soledad.
Los Burke are in the cemetery getting ready to dig up the body of someone named Clarissa. Guillermo asks Helena to assure him that it isn’t an old woman. He doesn’t like to deal with the corpses of old people. Helena reassures him. They are about to open the tomb when Miguel the gravedigger and watchman asks what they are doing there.
Lucas is waiting when Soledad returns. He asks where she has been. Soledad says that they can talk about that tomorrow. Ester says that Soledad needs time to think up a story and says that she was with Hugo de Medina.
Helena tells Miguel that the Clarissa was her cousin and they have come to say goodbye to her. Miguel asks why they have come at this hour of the night. Guillermo says that as poor relatives, they weren’t welcome at the funeral. Guillermo produces a flask and offers it to Miguel to ward off the cold.
“If you already know,” says Soledad, “why are you asking me?” Ester slaps her. Soledad say they can do what they want but they she isn’t leaving Hugo because she loves him more than anything in this world. Ester says that she will see about that. She will make it her business to get Hugo de Medina out of Soledad’s head even if it costs her life. She says that first thing tomorrow Soledad is going far from the city to her Aunt Antonia’s house and she will stay there until such time as she forgets about Hugo de Medina. Soledad appeals to her father but Ester says that Lucas is in agreement with her. Lucas reluctantly confirms that he is in agreement with Ester. Soledad says that they will never succeed in removing Hugo from her heart.
Alcides tells Arturo that he couldn’t succeed in winning Soledad’s love. “That woman doesn’t care about you,” says Arturo, “You aren’t rich but you come from a good family. You could get any woman that you want. Why Soledad de Obragón? For her money?” Alcides says that he doesn’t care about money. He asks if Arturo has ever been in love. Arturo says no. Alcides says that he wants to see Hugo humiliated in front of him. Arturo asks Alcides if he hates Hugo that much, would he like to see him dead? Alcides says that he would be happy with whatever gets Hugo out of his life. Hugo has turned into a shadow that is ruining his life. Arturo says that Alcides can get rid of Hugo and Arturo will help him. Alcides asks what the price is. Arturo says that he’s heard that Alcides and Hugo have no other family. If Hugo dies, Alcides will inherit Hugo’s fortune. Alcides promises to compensate Arturo well if succeeds in killing Hugo. They make a toast to their new alliance.
Linares house:
Beatriz says that she only wants to know if Fabio will do it or not. She wants Soledad de Obragón dead as soon as possible. Fabio tells Beatriz that she must hate Soledad a lot to give him her body in exchange for her life. “Ok,” says Fabio, “I will do it.” Beatriz says that it has to look like an accident. Fabio tells Beatriz that her brother wants him to kill Hugo de Medina. Beatriz tells him to leave her brother to her. Fabio asks how he can be guaranteed that Beatriz will do as she promised. Beatriz says that he has her word. He will have the privilege of being with a true lady [true ladies don’t sleep with thugs in return for murdering their rivals].
Hugo and Soledad:
S: Today is the most marvelous day of my whole life. I am your woman and I’m so happy.
H: I am happy that I listened to my heart. This is the precise moment for you to know…
S: No, we don’t have to talk now.
H: Soledad, you are the woman that I’ve always waited/hoped for.
S: You are the love of my life, Hugo.
H: I hope that this madness won’t cause problems with your parents.
S: You have regrets?
H: Never! I love you.
[There has been a lot of speculation as to whether Soledad and Hugo are supposed to have had sex in this scene. Soledad saying that she is “Hugo’s woman now,” would indicate yes but the fact that Soledad doesn’t seem to have taken off any of her voluminous clothes would indicate no. Hugo and Soledad never refer to this scene in the many, many times they will talk about the first time they made love (and a baby).]
Alcides is in the cemetery and he addresses the Medina family tombstone. “Mama, Papa. You are the guilty ones. All this is your fault.” He puts his pistol to his head and has a flashback:
One of the twins as a child comes into where his mother, Anabel, is in bed. “Is that you, Hugo?” she asks. “It’s me, Alcides [‘Soy yo, Alcides’],” says the child. “What are you doing here?” responds his mother, “Do you want to kill me, too? It was your fault that your father had an attack of catalepsy. It was your fault that he was buried alive.” “Don’t say that! Don’t say it again.” says the child Alcides. “Get out!” screams Anabel, “It’s all your fault. Your brother Hugo is so different. You are a devil!” The child Alcides looks at his mother in horror and runs out. He passes by his brother and says, “I hate you!” Adult Alcides says, “I’m not Hugo, mama,” he falls to his knees, “I’m not Hugo, mama, I’m not…” He points the pistol at his head but can’t pull the trigger. He starts to cry, “I’m not Hugo. For the love of God… My God, release me from this misery!” He puts the gun in his mouth but can’t bring himself to shoot and cries like a child, “Mama! Papa! Please, I’m not Hugo. I’m tired of losing.” He lies down on the tomb. “Please, love me!”
Hugo and Soledad:
S: Are you all right?
H: I have a strange feeling… I think something is happening to my brother.
S: Why would you think of him now?
H: Sometimes I get sensations from outside that are only related to him.
S: Yes, I’ve heard of that. It is common with identical twins even if they are hundreds of kilometers apart, one can feel what the other is thinking.
H: This has always happened since we were children. Always.
S: Don’t think about it. You are with me.
Lucas comes to Hugo’s house looking for Soledad but first Marina and then Boris turn him away saying that Hugo isn’t at home. Lucas is angry but he leaves. When Lucas is gone, Boris tells Marina that she did a good job. Their duty is to protect Hugo’s back. Marina tells Boris that Soledad was there and ran out. Hugo went after her. Marina says that she thought they were arguing because Soledad was crying. Boris says that Marina would be a good servant if she didn’t gossip so much.
Hugo and Soledad (still in the woods) -
S: I feel so happy in your arms, I would like to stay here forever.
H: I need you at my side, Soledad. I believe that I can’t live without you. I believe…
(He hears someone coming. They both see Los Burke go by.)
S: (whispering) It’s Los Burke. I wonder what they are doing at this hour. I can’t imagine what would happen if anyone found us here, much less your gardener.
H: (whispering) It’s a long story but Guillermo doesn’t work for me anymore. (He smiles.) Why don’t you give me a kiss? (They kiss.)
S: I don’t want my parent to know I’m gone.
H: Let’s go.
Ester yells at Úrsula, “After all we have done for you and this is how you repay us? You will leave this house tonight!” Lucas returns without any news. He says that only thing they can do is wait for Soledad to come back. Ester says that when she comes back, she will know what Ester de Obragón is capable of to keep the good name of her family.
Hugo and Soledad-
H: I will speak to your parents this very night.
S: No, it’s better if you wait.
H: For what?
S: They aren’t ready, especially my mother.
H: Soledad, I want them to know that I am ready to formalize our relationship.
(Soledad laughs and kisses him)
S: Good. Tomorrow I will speak to them.
In the tavern, Alcides is getting drunk. He asks for another drink but the bartender (Omar) tells him that he can’t give him any more credit. Arturo comes in and buys a drink for Alcides and himself. Arturo asks if Alcides is drowning his sorrows since Soledad and Alcides’ brother are still seeing one another. Alcides asks what Arturo knows about his brother and Soledad.
Los Burke are in the cemetery getting ready to dig up the body of someone named Clarissa. Guillermo asks Helena to assure him that it isn’t an old woman. He doesn’t like to deal with the corpses of old people. Helena reassures him. They are about to open the tomb when Miguel the gravedigger and watchman asks what they are doing there.
Lucas is waiting when Soledad returns. He asks where she has been. Soledad says that they can talk about that tomorrow. Ester says that Soledad needs time to think up a story and says that she was with Hugo de Medina.
Helena tells Miguel that the Clarissa was her cousin and they have come to say goodbye to her. Miguel asks why they have come at this hour of the night. Guillermo says that as poor relatives, they weren’t welcome at the funeral. Guillermo produces a flask and offers it to Miguel to ward off the cold.
“If you already know,” says Soledad, “why are you asking me?” Ester slaps her. Soledad say they can do what they want but they she isn’t leaving Hugo because she loves him more than anything in this world. Ester says that she will see about that. She will make it her business to get Hugo de Medina out of Soledad’s head even if it costs her life. She says that first thing tomorrow Soledad is going far from the city to her Aunt Antonia’s house and she will stay there until such time as she forgets about Hugo de Medina. Soledad appeals to her father but Ester says that Lucas is in agreement with her. Lucas reluctantly confirms that he is in agreement with Ester. Soledad says that they will never succeed in removing Hugo from her heart.
Alcides tells Arturo that he couldn’t succeed in winning Soledad’s love. “That woman doesn’t care about you,” says Arturo, “You aren’t rich but you come from a good family. You could get any woman that you want. Why Soledad de Obragón? For her money?” Alcides says that he doesn’t care about money. He asks if Arturo has ever been in love. Arturo says no. Alcides says that he wants to see Hugo humiliated in front of him. Arturo asks Alcides if he hates Hugo that much, would he like to see him dead? Alcides says that he would be happy with whatever gets Hugo out of his life. Hugo has turned into a shadow that is ruining his life. Arturo says that Alcides can get rid of Hugo and Arturo will help him. Alcides asks what the price is. Arturo says that he’s heard that Alcides and Hugo have no other family. If Hugo dies, Alcides will inherit Hugo’s fortune. Alcides promises to compensate Arturo well if succeeds in killing Hugo. They make a toast to their new alliance.
Miguel has passed out drunk. Guillermo opens the tomb and is horrified to find that the corpse is an old woman. Helena laughs.
Úrsula tells Soledad that her mother made her tell where Soledad had gone. Soledad tells Úrsula not to worry about that. Where is she going to go at this hour to find work? Úrsula says that she will find something. Ester tells her not to count on it. Ester will make sure that no decent family hires her. “Enough!” says Soledad. “Get out of my house!” says Ester to Úrsula. Soledad hugs Úrsula and says that she will find a way for her to return. Ester orders Soledad to go to her room. Soledad tells her mother that she hopes that she doesn’t have to pay for what she has done.
Hugo and Boris-
B: I understand that Señorita Soledad was here, señor.
H: You understand correctly. (Hugo smiles)
B: I assume that things have changed.
H: I only hope that Soledad didn’t get into trouble with her mother for coming home so late.
Úrsula arrives at the Medina house.
H: What are you doing here? Has something happened to Soledad?
U: (crying) They found out. Her parents realized that she came to see you here.
Guillermo refuses to get the corpse out of the tomb so Elena does it.
H: (to Boris) Saddle me a horse. I’m going to the Obragón house right now.
B: Lucas was here earlier looking for you and he was very angry. He was told that you were out. It might be better to wait until he is calmer.
H: No, Boris. This shouldn’t wait.
U: Pardon me for expressing my opinion but I agree with Boris. At this hour, Don Lucas and Doña Ester are not going to listen to you and it might be worse for Soledad.
H: I should not have left her to face them alone.
B: Don’t beat yourself up. You couldn’t have known what would happen.
H: I am worried about what her mother will do.
Soledad tells her father that he can send her away but he can’t separate her from Hugo. Lucas replies that she and Ester are not her enemies. Soledad says that she cares for them a lot but she loves Hugo and he is a marvelous man. Lucas says that she doesn’t need to meet him to know what kind of man he is since he didn’t even have the decency to present himself at this house. Soledad says that he didn’t come because she knew that you wouldn’t receive him. “I will never accept him. What he did tonight was too much. Ester is destroyed. I know that she will become ill and it’s your fault.
Dr. Max is angry at Guillermo and Helena for bringing him the corpse of an old woman. They make excuses. Dr. Max pays them less than what had been agreed upon. Helena objects but Dr. Max pulls a sword on them and they leave.
Arturo sees Beatriz all ready to go out first thing in the morning. Beatriz says that she is not going to see Hugo or to confront Soledad. She has thought about what Arturo said and decided not humiliate herself any more in front of Hugo de Medina. Beatriz asks Arturo to introduce her to potential husbands from his friends. Arturo tells her that he doesn’t believe her and is going to kill Hugo anyway.
Hugo and Boris (Boris is assisting Hugo to dress)-
H: It won’t be easy to convince Soledad’s parents but I will be at her side through all of this.
B: Including marrying her?
H: I would love to but you know the price she would have to pay if she came to live with me.
B: Señorita Soledad has shown that she has a strong character and determination. She will be able to take on your illness and help you conquer it.
H: Maybe, but I don’t know if she could become accustomed to seeing me fall down unconscious like I was dead time after time.
B: Then I am not very sure about you marrying her.
H: Boris, stop analyzing me.
B: Pardon me. I didn’t mean to offend you.
H: My head is spinning.
B: It’s a difficult situation.
H: It’s not just about Soledad but my brother. Since last night, I’ve had a bad feeling.
B: About what?
H: I’m not sure but it’s a feeling that I don’t like at all. I don’t like it.
Arturo and Alcides meet by a lake while Beatriz waits in the carriage. Arturo says that Alcides wants his brother dead and Arturo will help him. Alcides says that Arturo will be a rich man when Alcides gets his inheritance. Alcides asks what will happen with his sister. “She says that she wants to forget Hugo,” says Arturo, “but I know it’s not the truth. In any case, when the job is done, she won’t have any other option than to forget him.” Arturo asks Alcides to help his plan by bribing a servant in Hugo’s house so that Arturo can be informed of Hugo’s movements.
Soledad has a breakfast tray for her mother. She asks Lucas how Ester is doing. Lucas says that she didn’t sleep at all and cried all night. Lucas says that he is worried about Ester’s health and he asks Soledad not to make the situation worse. Soledad comes into her mother’s room and announces that she has brought her breakfast. Ester asks if Soledad thinks that she will forgive her. Ester asks where they went wrong in her education. After all the love she received, how could she do this shameful thing? Soledad says that it’s not shameful to be in love. “With a libertine, it is,” says Ester, “Meeting secretly at night is too much. I pray that no one saw you.” Soledad tries to explain but Ester won’t listen. She says that she doesn’t recognize her daughter. Soledad says that if it helps Ester to forgive her, she will do what Ester has said. Soledad says that she thought about it last night and it hurts to see her mother suffer so she will go to her Aunt’s house even though it hurts to be apart from Hugo.
Guillermo and Helena are in bed when there is a knock on the door. It’s Miguel, the gravedigger. Los Burke are nervous but the not-too-bright Miguel has only brought a bag of tools that Guillermo left in the cemetery. He says that Guillermo will need them for his work as a gardener. Thanking him profusely, Los Burke usher Miguel out the door.
Hugo tells Marina that Úrsula will be working there. Úrsula says that he won’t have any complaints about her.
Hugo tells Marina that cleaning his room isn’t part of her duties. Boris tells Hugo that a while ago he saw Alcides in front of the house. Hugo goes downstairs, confronts Alcides and asks
H: why are you hanging around my house?
A: I need to talk to you.
H: I have business that I need to attend to.
A: You are going to see one of your new conquests and you are putting Soledad aside since you obviously got what you wanted from her.
H: What are you talking about?
A: You were with her! I saw you last night. Now you are going to abandon her like an old rag.
H: What happens between Soledad and me isn’t any of your business.
Alcides tries to hit Hugo but Hugo dodges the blow.
A: It is my business! Because I courted her first and you took her from me like the rotten person you are.
Boris: (to Hugo) Sir, our business is urgent. We need to leave.
A: This conversation isn’t finished! When you return, I’ll be waiting.
Fabio and a confederate are hiding in the bushes outside the Obragón house. The confederate wants to be reassured that the target is Soledad, not Hugo de Medina. Fabio says that’s right and it has to look like an accident.
Lucas and Soledad are getting ready to leave their house to go to the house of her Aunt Antonia. Lucas tells Soledad that Ester had decided not to go because she doesn’t feel well. He says that Soledad will thank them later for what they are doing. Ester decides that she shouldn’t let Lucas go with Soledad alone. She is capable of doing anything of to deceive them. Lucas and Soledad get in the carriage. Soledad says that she just wants to stop at Hugo’s house on the way out of town to say goodbye to him. Lucas says no. He says that Soledad would just use the opportunity to tell Hugo where she was going to be.
“Papa, don’t be angry about what I’m going to do!” says Soledad as she jumps out of the carriage and runs away. Ester runs out of the house and asks about Soledad. Lucas says that she escaped. Ester calls Lucas an idiot and runs after Soledad. The murderers are also on the move.
Soledad is hurrying down the street with Ester in pursuit. Hugo is there also in a carriage. Hugo tells Boris to stop the carriage. Arturo and Beatriz are strolling along this street as well. Arturo’s men are trying to run Soledad down with a cart but it is Ester who is in danger. Hugo reacts and pulls Ester out of the path of the cart at the last second. Arturo realizes that his men were trying to kill Soledad, not Hugo and is furious. Ester has hysterics and beats on Hugo telling him not to touch her and saying that it was his fault that she was almost run down by a horse. Soledad says that she is not being just. Hugo saved her life. “Wicked girl,” says Ester, “I trusted you and look what happens.” She faints. Hugo calls for Boris.
Alcides gets admitted to Hugo’s house to wait for him. He asks when Úrsula started working there and she answers that today she is here tomorrow who knows where she will be. Alcides then asks to speak to Marina alone. Úrsula reminds Marina that she is supposed to be instructing her in her duties. Marina says that she can’t talk to Alcides right now. Úrsula says that she doesn’t trust Alcides. Alcides sneaks up to Hugo’s bedroom.
Hugo’s carriage returns to the Obragón house. Lucas comes up and asks what happened. Hugo explains that Ester has just fainted. She is fine but she needs to rest. Hugo, Boris and Soledad bring Ester into the house.
Alcides goes into Hugo’s bedroom. Alcides discovers his father’s skull. He asks what in God’s name Hugo is keeping that for. Marina comes in.
Fabio tells his confederate that he tried to kill the wrong person. Arturo arrives and
demands to know why they were trying to kill Soledad de Obragón.
Hugo puts Ester on her bed. Soledad thanks him for what he did. Hugo leaves. Soledad runs after him.
H: What happened? Why were you running in the street? (He takes her hands.)
S: I was looking for you to find some way for us to keep seeing each other. My mother wants to separate us. She wants to send me to my aunt’s house. My love, the only way for us to be together is if we run away together. Let’s run away!
The credits roll.
Labels: la traicion
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