Caray, Caray!

I'm filling in for Jardinera tonight. I share her enthusiasm for alliteration, but not her skill... perhaps she'll give you a double-helping next week.

A cheering crowd is waiting as Ines and Vasco come out of the church. They are congratulated by everyone, including the New Improved Ultra-Polite Ursula (Sofia gives her a look). Even Fran is friendly to them.

Mario asides to Ric that Lafont must have noticed his letter (from Foreman) is missing by now. Ric says he's not happy that Lafont is becoming so familiar with Lis and Fran, either - and talking secretly.

Ursula finds Santiago, who politely asks if she's staying for the party. Vasco glares at them over Fortunata's shoulder as she hugs him.

Justo stiffly thanks Jorge for coming to the wedding. Jorge thinks this would be a great time to tell him not to take the withdrawal of his concessions personally. Justo brushes this off and asks if he's staying for the party. Jorge says no, but can't resist telling Justo the "good news" that Camila bought the mill concession. Justo tells her she shouldn't have, but he's obviously pleased. "Blessed was the day you were born!" he tells her. (I bet gRita doesn't hear that very often.) Hugses.

Lafont drags a reluctant Manuela home from the party, claiming that these people aren't good enough for her, including Sofia who likes to mix with the poor people, and Ursula who's just looking to get laid. He sends her into the house, then goes back looking for Jorge.

Back at the reception, there's dancing and merriment. Ursula pretends to be interested in whatever Ofelia has to say so that she can sit next to Santiago. Rita is on the other side of Santiago, scowling vaguely at the rest of the party. The twins are there, fully dressed... I miss the leather aprons. Marcelino is there, and I almost don't recognize him because he's not wearing his ruff and he doesn't look frightened. Ric and Camila watch from the sidelines, but don't dance. Mario seems to be sitting alone.

Now at home, Jorge pokes at a cloth-covered harpsichord and explains to Lafont that he had to let Camila buy the mill concession so that people couldn't say that he took it away from Justo for personal reasons. He gave Uriel the store because he seemed responsible and hardworking. He wants to marry Manuela.

Lafont is impactado. (Not sure whether it's because of Uriel, or if he just didn't think anyone would marry his daughter.) Jorge says he thinks it's a good match, plus Sofia hadn't found anyone else for Manuela yet, so there shouldn't be any problem. Lafont flatly says no. He doesn't want his daughter to have such an unscrupulous husband. "As if you were such a holy soul!" Jorge laughs. Lafont doesn't care, he wants a decent man. Jorge says it won't be easy to find such a man, nor for his own daughter. For her, he wants a macho man who can keep her under control; while Lafont wants a son-in-law he can manipulate.

Lafont denies this. He says his daughter is fragile and innocent and needs a nice husband. (Did I miss a scene where he got a bump on his head or something? This does not sound like Lafont at all!) "And in such a twisted world, where are you going to find him?" Jorge snickers. "Do you want a goody two-shoes [santurrón, i.e. saint] like the blacksmith?" Lafont says no, not someone so low-class.

"They're the only decent people, because they accept their miserable condition in the name of Christ and they don't have the guts to confront those in power." Lafont laughs at Jorge's armchair psychology and reminds Jorge that the blacksmith did confront him. Jorge says it was just a fanatical fit and Santi told him that God would punish him. He's still a real saint deep down inside. (He's being sarcastic.) He's got a pregnant wife and he's still hot for Camila.

Lafont comments that Jorge was with Ofelia once - hasn't he ever thought Santi could be his son? "You too, huh?" Jorge asks. He tells Lafont that Sofia's been pestering him about the same thing - who knows why. He says when a guy gets with some woman, there's always the chance she could wind up pregnant. He shrugs noncommittally.

"And if Santiago were your son?" Lafont asks. "What would you do?" "Dunno," is Jorge's deeply pondered answer. "Despite his insolence, I kind of like him. But to recognize him as my son... I doubt it."

I guess San Fernando is just lousy with those harpsichords, because there's one out on the lawn. It can't possibly be the same one that's in Jorge's study, because it doesn't have a yellow tablecloth over it. One woman plays, while another sings as all the kids sit at her feet and smile up at her happily. GRita looks around aimlessly while Ursula and Santi chat, and Sofia watches with worry. Lis and Fran mutter amongst themselves. Everyone else seems to still be having a good time, including Vasco and Ines.

"I can't stand any more of this," Rita says, throwing down her napkin. "I feel crummy." Santi excuses himself and follows. Sofia asks Ursula what happened. "Dunno, she said she didn't feel good," Ursula says. She lifts an empty glass to her lips to hide a faint smirk. Camila goes into the house to see if she can "help." Ofelia follows. Sofia takes Ofelia's seat.

Rita is accusing Santi of chatting with Ursula right in front of her face. He says he's not going to defend himself because he's got nothing to hide. She calls him a cynic and a hypocrite, wanting everyone to think he's such a great Christian man who's unable to do any wrong, but inside he's completely the opposite. "If that's what you think, then why'd you marry me?" "Because I fell for your façade too, I thought you were good, but you blew your cover after Camila came back!" (He tells her she's talking crazy, but she disagrees.)

"As for that brooch you gave to Ines, that was meant for Camila? Deny that you're still in love with her, deny it!" He doesn't bother. "Nope, I don't deny it. Are you satisfied? Is that what you'd like to hear? Well now you've heard it!" He bursts out the door and swoops past Camila and Ofelia, who have heard all of this in the hallway. Ofelia goes in to try to comfort Rita, while Camila goes to tell Santiago that Rita just wants his attention and affection.

"But it's not faaaaair, Camila!" he whines. She tells him to try to understand. He says, how can he understand a woman who's not in her right mind? She talks trash about everyone, and her jealousy is making her sick. Camila says Rita's suffering. "And I don't suffer?" Santi asks.

Okay, I am really seeing the resemblance to Jorge now, personality-wise.

Camila says men are stronger. He disagrees. He asks if she heard what he said to Rita about her (about not denying that he still loves Camila). Cami says yes, she heard, and he shouldn't have said it. She loves her husband. He says she can't already have forgotten the love they shared. "Well, I did forget it," she says, and takes off.

She is still flustered when she returns to the wedding celebration. She tells Ric that Rita isn't feeling well and Ofelia's with her; she conveniently neglects to tell him the rest. Justo gets up to give a speech; he talks about marriage and asks God to make the happy couple patient with one another, fill their hearts with love, and give him many more grandchildren. He thanks Sofia for giving them the party. He calls attention to Cami and her new husband Ric (the guy sitting next to Marcelino is surprised by the news that they're married) and announces that they bought back the mill concession, which Jorge had taken "in service of the crown," to keep it in the family. Sofia asks Justo to sit down before he becomes overwrought and sick. Cami thanks Ric for supporting her decision. He says her father's a good guy and he deserves it.

Ursula corners Santi and casually tries to arrange a date with him. Santi tries to get out of it, saying Jorge wouldn't like it. Ursula suggests that they meet outside the palace; it'd do her some good to "talk" with him. He gives in reluctantly, and she promises to send him a message. Looking scandalized, Fortunata hurriedly splits them up and ushers Ursula away, sending good wishes for Rita, who (she not-so-subtly adds) seems to be having a rough pregnancy.

As the party breaks up, Sofia says goodbye to Camila, saying she hadn't realized she'd bought the mill, and that she's a good girl and Ric is like a gift from heaven that she deserves. Meanwhile, Ascanio updates Ric on the Bernabe Quest - long story short, he didn't find the guy. Ric asks for Bernabe's relatives' addresses. Paco interrupts, asking Ric about some knots he promised to show him.

As the last of the guests leave, Rita makes a big dramatic huffy sweep through the yard, and Santi tearfully tells his mother he can't stand to live this way much longer. He wants to run away and disappear forever. He hopes the baby comes soon so he'll have something to look forward to.

At the palacio, Fortunata tells Sofia about Ursula's attempt to set up a date with Santiago. The poor guy couldn't get out of it, because Ursula wouldn't take no for an answer. Sofia says she has to talk to Jorge. Fortunata worries that Jorge will punish Santiago again, or send Ursula to a convent.

Ursula, who's been stalking Santiago all afternoon since the wedding, finds him again and pounces. She says she needs a special favor: she wants new furniture and can't decide what. He says she can take a look at they have stashed at the forge. No, she says she can't decide, so he has to come up to her room and check it out and make suggestions. He tells her that's not how it usually works, and she says that's why it'd be a special favor. He says maybe he'd do that for a house in the 'hood, but not at the palacio. (I guess she should have asked him to make her a trunk instead.) She pouts. He tells her he's still willing to make the furniture.

Sofia finds Jorge and asks if he's sober enough to hear what she has to say. He says something about a gentleman not drinking enough to lose his figure. (I may have that wrong.) She says his daughter has found a new hobby - Santiago. Jorge asks if he isn't still in love with Cami. Sofia says yes, but he just might give in to temptation to try to forget her, and Ursula's inherited Jorge's wiles. Her solution: to make public that Santiago is Jorge's son. Jorge says, "this again?" Sofia tells him that even though Ofelia denies it, her cousins confirmed that "well, you know." And he's Jorge's only son.

Jorge thinks Ofelia would have told him. Sofia thinks not. She encourages him to recognize Santi as his own. Jorge thinks it would be ridiculous to do so after all these years. Sofia says it's never too late to correct an error, and it'd make him look good. Anyway, Santi's the kind of man anyone would be proud to have as a son.

Jorge is still not sure. Sofia says she's willing to take this to the archbishop, and if Ofelia protests she'll escalate it even further. He questions her motives - wouldn't she rather see her own grandson as señor of San Fernando? Sofia says they don't know if Ursula will ever have a son, and she doesn't even seem to be interested in marrying, as she's into "other things." She urges him to find out for himself.

After she leaves, he mutters, "damn witch! She always knows just the right words to bother me."

Fortunata springs out of her chair as soon as Sofia returns. "What happened? What'd you tell him?" "That Santiago is his son," Sofia answers matter-of-factly. "Whose son?... Your husband's? How? Why??" The shocked look on Fortunata's face is almost comical. Sofia explains that Jorge raped Ofelia some years ago. Fortunata, who has difficulty believing bad things about other people, asks if Sofia isn't just saying it to prevent Ursula from getting crazy ideas about Santiago. "That too, but also because he's his son."

Fortunata stills seems unclear on all of this, and follows Sofia up the stairs, demanding a more thorough explanation. I fear Sofia will have to go all the way back to the birds and the bees. Thanks to a strange photographic illusion, as the camera follows them up the stairs, it looks as though the table in the foyer is chasing them too. (I know it's an illusion, because if that table really could move on its own, it would head straight for the exit.)

Santiago is just leaving church, and the priest is telling him to pray for strength against temptation. He runs into Ascanio outside, who says he's feeling a little worried now that Vasco is married. Santi assures him that his dad still thinks Ascanio's a good guy, and although Vasco seems to have turned a corner now, there's some concern he could go back to his old ways. Ascanio says he hopes not, because Ines deserves a good man. He asks Santi why he's not at home. "Because I can't stand my home, my wife, nor the life I'm living." (Hmm. Sounds like someone's ready for a dramatic change in his lifestyle!)

I remember a time when I could not shut up about how Sebastian Rulli was the hottest man alive. With him standing next to Ascanio, I can't remember why I thought that. (Oh right, I remember now. Back when he was in Mundo, he was standing next to an evil dude with a bad combover and only one eye.)

Fortunata bursts into Ursula's room to give her the news about Santiago. At first, Ursula dismisses it as a bad joke, then she thinks it's a lie that Ofelia made up; but when Fortunata says that Jorge didn't deny it, Ursula realizes it is no laughing matter. Fortunata's not sure if Jorge will accept Santiago or not, but that's what Sofia has in mind.

"And where does that leave me?" Ursula realizes she'll no longer be the favorite only child; and even if she marries and has a son, he won't get to be the señor of San Fernando. Grasping at straws, she asks Fortunata if perhaps Sofia and Ofelia hatched this plan together to trick her father into shutting her out. Fortunata is puzzled by this bizarre accusation. Ursula says her mother hates her. She runs to her father to straighten things out.

She finds him in the foyer and asks if it's true that Santi is her brother. Jorge asks if it's true that she's been flirting with him all day long. "Of course not, Father! Who told you that? If it was my mother, it's not true! She hates me!" She tells him her theory that her mother and Ofelia worked up this scam to spite her. Jorge tells Ursula her mother's not dumb enough to make up a story that would be so easy to disprove. "So you believe her??"

"If you're referring to your flirting, then yes." He tells her she's grounded! She can't go out, and she can't have visitors! She whines and says he can't do that. He says he can and he WANTS to! And if she yells at him again, he'll hit her. He's barely out of sight before she resumes wailing and screaming.

Jorge goes out for a walk and finds himself at Ofelia's. She is struck with horror at the sight of him. On hearing that Santiago's not home, Jorge says it's better if they speak alone anyway. "It's been many years, but you're still just as pretty," he tells her. "My wife tells me that Santiago is my son," he adds casually. She insists that Santiago was her husband's child, but Jorge points says he could very easily check out the date of Santi's birth. If it's less than nine months after her wedding, he's probably Jorge's; because when he "took" her (I hate these euphemisms of his), she was a virgin.

Ofelia gets flustered and says so what if he is - what's it to Jorge? It didn't matter to him all these years so far. "It didn't matter to me before, but it does now," he says. It was no secret that he had some bastard children, but they've all been females, and now that he's heard he might have an heir, he's curious. "Out of curiosity, you're willing to destroy the life of a good and decent man?" Ofelia asks.

Jorge disagrees that it would destroy him. On the contrary, he's hoping to spoil (favor) him. Blacksmithing is heavy, dirty work. No doubt it's enough to live on, but that's all. With Jorge's help, they could become rich, and they'd all enjoy in it. Ofelia says that Santi is content with what God has given him. "God didn't give him that, but a destiny much more important," Jorge tells her. "But you want to interfere with the designs of the Lord?"

Ofelia accuses him of trying to tempt her the way Satan tried to tempt Jesus in the desert. He says he just wants to know if Santiago is his child. She says "I told you no." "Would you swear to that on a consecrated Host?" he asks her. He says he'll check the official records tomorrow for Santi's date of birth, and then he'll take her to church, where she can swear in front of the sacristy that Santiago isn't his. She protests, but Santiago shows up. Jorge excuses himself, telling Ofelia, "don't forget what I told you." Santi asks if he needs something, and Jorge says something like "you resemble someone."

Santi asks Ofelia what that was all about. He can't remember Jorge ever visiting them before. She stammers and says he came by to ask how Rita was because Sofia told him she hadn't been feeling well at the party. "Do you think I'm going to believe that? What was it that he asked you not to forget?" He knows Jorge was threatening her, but he can't get her to talk.

Lis is clutching her cane in the dark and crying big hot tears of crazy hate. Fran comes in to say that Ricard's talking to Mario in the salon, and Camila's in her room with her vulgar (alcahueta) friend. They're going to have a light snack.

Lis says she ate too much at the party, and she told Ricardo that Santiago came by twice looking for Camila. "To get him upset with her," Fran says. She predicts that they'll fight, but then they'll make up, because once a man's in love, there's nothing you can do about it, try as you might. Fran says she's going to see Lafont tomorrow, and Lis can come with if she likes, else she'll go alone. Lis says that'd be better. "Are you afraid your cousin would find out?" Fran asks. She says they can always claim they were going to see Manuela to bring her a gift, or something she left behind at their place. Lis says she'll think about it.

Fran asks if Lis asked Ric where he went this time. Lis complains that with Camila around all the time, how can she talk to him any more?

Ric and Mario are talking about the next caravan that's coming through the day after tomorrow. Maybe Lafont and/or Juancho will try to attack it. Mario suggests that they take a look and see if they recognize anyone. Ric says he'd like to go with Pablo and Jesus, and he'd like Mario to take over finding Vasco's friend Bernabe and the ED letter. Mario gets up and reminds Ric (in more of a tired than combative tone) that they need money, and for that they're going to have to go out to sea. Foreman told them that the Spanish are starting to give out corsair permits (government-endorsed pirating) - Ric should ask Gaspar to get him one. At least this time he'd be doing it for Spain!

Ric says he's been thinking the same thing, except he's not sure where Gaspar is right now. Last time he saw him, he said he was going to Mexico City, then to Spain or Rome or someplace - he's not sure.

Camila is rehashing with Jimena about Jorge telling Justo how Camila bought the mill concession, Justo got all choked up and blessed the day she was born. Then Ric smiled at her, and aw, it all turned out okay. Jimena says God will pay her back. Camila wonders if Ascanio found Bernabe. Jimena figures they would have heard about it.

Camila is grateful for all the things Ric's gotten himself into with her and her family's problems. She wonders if he's starting to regret it - he looked very serious today. Jimena says no problem, he's crazy for her. Camila jokes that sure, he's crazy for her, but not for hers (her family and problems).

Ric shows up, and Jimena beats a hasty retreat. Cami then repeats most of what she just said to Jimena. Her father's thrilled about the mill, sorry to get Ric involved. Nah, Ric says that's fine. No, Ascanio didn't find Bernabe, but he and Mario are going to retrace Ascanio's steps to find out more. (Liar, Mario's going alone, Ric's going to scope out the caravan robbery with Pablo and Jesus.) As for why he's been so somber all day, Ric asks Cami why she didn't mention that Santi came to visit twice while he was gone. She explains that Santi actually came to do a job for Lis, but while he was there he also tried to talk her out of buying the mill concession. Vasco did the same thing. Ric asks why he's meddling in that. He can understand why Vasco did it - he's her brother. But why Santi? Cami says, well, you weren't here... (awkward silence).

But he still wants to know why she didn't tell him. "Because I knew it would bother you." He says if she knows things will bother him, then don't do them! She tells him okay, but he can't forbid her to see him when he comes over. "Why not?" "Because he's my brother in law." (I have a BIL too, but he never comes over to visit all by himself!) "And you are beloved by all the world," Ric sighs. Cami smiles and says "I don't love him any more, I swear." "And he?" Ric asks dubiously. He doesn't like to see that man around her - can't she understand that? She can, and she cheerfully agrees to avoid Santiago.

He brings up the money problem again. She says "but you have mine!" He tells her he appreciates it, but he doesn't want to spend any of it. He says he's got an opportunity to ask Don Gaspar about, concerning a Spanish pirating license. Cami says great, so you'll be fighting against the English this time, but it's still the same thing. He'll kill, or they'll kill him. (She doesn't even know he killed Lazaro just yesterday.) He reminds her that he WANTS to retire, but he doesn't have the money for it, because they stole it all. Sure, her money could make a nice enough life for the two of them, but there are lots of others depending on him - all his men, and their families at La Iguana, the orphans and the widows? They all depend on him.

She says if things don't work out, she'll die of sadness. He says nobody dies of sadness, and if he's successful, they can afford to have all the kids he wants, and he wants a bunch with her. It'll be fine!

Jimena is nibbling on a giant mango. She's saying how "they" (Ric and Camila) never come down to eat. Mario says El Antillano is very much in love. She asks if that's such a bad thing. He says it depends - if it weakens, that's not good, especially for men like them. (He's already given this speech, that time when they were taking care of Pablo. If someone hadn't interrupted them, I think they would have had sex right there on the bed next to their comatose patient.)

Mario complains that Ric doesn't want to go pirating and stealing money any more, and it's all because Camila doesn't want him to. Jimena says it's because she's afraid something will happen. Mario says sure, but you could get killed by a scorpion or worse here on land, too. She says Camila's got money; he explains to her why that's not good enough.

"And you? You got any money, Shark?" Jimena asks. He takes off his jacket and says he's got a little stash. And his wife and kids? she asks as he helps her down to a comfy spot beside him on the floor. He says he doesn't have a wife. Kids maybe, but if so he doesn't know where they are.

"I like you, Jimena," he says with a devilish smile.
"I like you too," she says between bites of mango.
"Sooooo....?" he asks hopefully.
"So whaddaya want, a quickie?" she asks in annoyance. He says it wouldn't be a bad start. She says "no, dearie, I've known guys like you. They hang around for a while, and then they get bored and take off, leaving you with a little kiddo in the tummy."

He wants to know if she's had a kiddo in the tummy. She says thank God no, she wants a different kind of life. She wants a great man who will care for her. "A husband?" Mario asks, stretching out on the floor (just in case she accidentally falls on top of him, I guess). She says yes, a totally legal husband. He laughs and says he's not that guy. "Then find yourself someone else who'll go to bed with you when you're hot - good thing there are plenty of whores. Good night." She throws her mango at him. He finishes it happily.

Vasco is waiting in bed. Ines comes in wearing a white shawl over a white robe over a white nightgown, with a white cap. She's nervous as anything, saying Paco was still excited about the party and couldn't sleep. Vasco says Paco's big enough to understand these things, so she shouldn't indulge him so much. (She is slowly taking off her shawl and putting it away, stalling for time.) She says yes, but it was a special day, full of emotion, etc... He reminds her that they're husband and wife now, and invites her to bed.

She shyly takes off her robe and slowly takes off her shoes and says she can't tell whether he's happy or not. He says what's done is done (that's what every girl wants to hear on her wedding night), and anyway, tonight she looks very pretty. He takes her cap off and kisses the side of her face. She says she'll try to be a good wife for him, not only because it's her duty, but because she loves him. "Yeah, I love you too," he mumbles as he gently pushes her down to the bed.

Then he pulls up her nightgown, sorta... wiggles... into place, and suddenly I realize, no matter how bad things get between them, they will never be anywhere near as miserable as Santi and Rita, because they already know the worst about each other. There's nowhere to go but up.

---

Martes
"You're not going to like this," Ofelia tells Santiago. "You're going to hate me."

Labels: Pasion