Caray, Caray!

At the tavern, Lafont says goodbye to his pals. Uriel with the canneloni curls says they really ought to go too, but Lafont doesn't want them to leave unconscious Gonzalo behind. Uriel protests that he has to get up early tomorrow to work in the store. (He's probably really sorry that Gonzo's passed out and can't make another sour-grapes remark about the store Jorge wouldn't give him.) "We'll take him home," Mateo with the Marcel waves says. Lafont agrees to this and leaves. Pablo follows discreetly.

Uriel tries to tap Gonzo awake. Uriel doubts what Lafont told them about the Englishman - it looked to Uriel as though the two had already met. He greeted him and even stopped to chat. Uriel suspects that this Englishman is the guy who's been buying their loot. Mateo is not so sure - would would he be doing here, considering that Jorge wouldn't even let them nab the most recent caravan? Uriel shrugs, says maybe Jorge didn't know he was coming. Mateo dismisses this, saying it's too much speculation. Mateo orders another bottle.

Jimena thinks maybe Ric can get his cousin Lis to back off. Camila asks how - by sleeping with her? Because that's what she really wants. Jimena says he could probably pull it off with a much smaller sacrifice than that, since she likes him so much. Cami doesn't think he would do that. Jimena gets all "I told you so" about buying the mill concession, but Cami says she never thought that letter would turn up again. J tries to cheer her up, saying surely the guys will find it. Cami feels guilty that Ric has risked so much for her. He's probably sorry he ever got mixed up with her!

Ric and Mario are inspecting Lafont's trunks - I mean his coffers, not his lacy underthings - when the call of a Long-Tailed Whistling Hawk, aka Pablo, warns them that the man of the house is on his way. Since they haven't found the letter yet, they assume it's on him. They prepare to welcome him.

Outside, Pablo makes sure Lafont's guard stays knocked out.

Since Ric and Mario don't have a fresh plate of cookies handy, Ric greets Lafont with a terrific blow to the head. Mario is impressed. Ric says he learned it from El Chino. They go through Lafont's pockets, but find nothing.

Camila is relieved when they get home. He tells her he didn't find the letter, and he doesn't know whether it means that Bernabe destroyed it. With her hand on Mario's arm, Jimena says maybe Jorge has it. "Could be," Mario says, looking as if he can't wait to find out. Sensing the birth of an even more frightening plan, Cami begins to protest. Jimena says she knows a way in - Vasco's got a key. She, Mario, and Ric start working out the details while Cami frantically tries to nip it in the bud! What if they get caught, what are they going to do, kill him? Mario suggests that they try to get in tomorrow on some pretext. Ric fears that it will be too late by then - the letter could already be in the hands of the judge. Cami says no, not at the cost of your life, but Ric says tonight's their only chance. She threatens that if he does that, she'll turn herself in.

"And what will you turn yourself in for?" Ric asks rationally. She says she'll tell them she's not Timoteo's rightful heiress because they weren't properly married. He reminds her that she can't pay back the money. She doesn't care! He says he cares. He tries to calm her down and suggests that they talk in private. As they leave the room, I see Mario take Jimena's hand. (I think Ric sees too!) Mario shrugs helplessly at her as he takes off his coat to wait for the fight to blow over.

Ric takes Cami to a bedroom. He says he had it made up for himself to sleep in out of respect for her ridiculous decision (to not sleep with him), and she's going to stay there until he comes back. She goes nuts and begs him again, loudly, but trying to kiss him goodbye too. He reminds her that this is his absolute last chance, and he locks her in! She screams for Jimena to let her out. Lis wakes and hears her. She wakes Fran.

Meanwhile, Ric, Mario, and Jimena hatch their plan. Ric asks J if she thinks she can get Jorge out of his room. J says she hopes so - she's always wanted to! "You're gonna sleep with him?" Mario asks, tantalized. J tells him to shut up - what does he care?

Clothilde comes down to tell them that Camila's yelling. Ric loudly tells the gossipy maid that Cami's being punished, and no one can talk to her or let her out. Then Lis and Fran want to know what's going on. He says it's between him and his woman, and tells them to go back to their room. He shouts at them again to get them to leave.

After they go, he apologizes to J, saying he knows it hurts her to do this to Cami, but there's no other way. J says she understands. She excuses herself to get ready. (Mario seems to reach for her vaguely as she leaves, but he's gonna have to be quicker than that!) Mario reminds Ric that this is very risky. Ric asks if Mario has a better idea.

Lis and Fran wonder what's going on. Fran guesses that Ric must have caught Cami at something really terrible to have locked her up like that. Lis wonders if he found her with Santiago. Fran thinks not - he would have killed them both, but they'll find out soon enough.

Cami throws herself onto the bed and sobs disconsolately. Meanwhile, the Mission Impossible team ring the bell at Justo's place, waking Vasco and Ines. Ascanio is there too, shirtless anddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd

Wups, sorry. I think I had a blackout or something. Um, anyway, Ascanio is there too. Ric asks that they say something to Justo so he doesn't come outside too. Ines goes in to comply. Ric says he knows Vasco has the keys to the palacio, and he needs them. Ascanio seems lost. I'd like to give him a map.

A moment later, Vasco and Ascanio are dressed and they all make their way to Jorge's. Vasco warns that it's dangerous; Ric reminds him that this is all his fault. Vasco says again that he's sorry. Ric tells J to knock at the front door. She agrees, but tries to say that it's risky; he cuts her off. He tells Ascanio to keep watch nearby, and when she's been gone for a little while, to let Ric know. He tells Vasco to lead the way to Jorge's room.

Vasco asks what they should do if they get caught. Ric explains that if they're all very cautious, they won't get caught. The tone of his voice discourages further discussion. Ric and Vasco move off to the side. J watches with vague bemusement as Mario carefully arranges her shawl to hide her cleavage before he joins them!

A wagon approaches; everyone turns away and tries to act casual. Ascanio tells Jimena it's going to take a while for Mario and Ric to find Jorge's room; is she really going to try to sleep with him? "I'd rather go to bed with you," she tells him with a playful smirk. He rolls his eyes. "But Camila is my friend, and I don't want to let her down, so, fine - no biggie." He tells her to be careful. She takes his face in her hands and says she loves him - like a brother. "Same here," he says. They exchange a friendly (not hot) kiss and she goes to the door.

Jorge is awakened by a loud knock on the door. A guard says it's urgent - it's Jimena, they told her to come back tomorrow, but she insisted. Intrigued, Jorge tells him to send her to his study.

It's time for the guards to switch. One of the guys going off duty seems to notice Ascanio. Ascanio turns away and tries to act casual.

While the rest of the guys wait to get in, Vasco fills Mario in on the Santiago situation. Mario hopes that if Santi does become the señor, he doesn't try to get even with Ric for swiping his woman. Vasco says Santi would never do such a thing - he got married and Camila was free to marry someone else. Mario says - possibly from experience, we don't know - that just because they're married to other people doesn't mean he doesn't still have feelings for her. "You know," he adds. Vasco agrees with a rueful smile.

Jimena is adjusting her neckline, pinching her cheeks, and poking her eyes in preparation for the big show. Jorge comes in, and she gives him a sob story about how awful it is to live in "that house," Ric's a big meanie, and... and... today... (she turns to squeeze some tears out of her eyes) today he hit Camila and locked her in a room! Because she wanted to have a party to celebrate their wedding, he was okay with it at first, but then... she doesn't know... he went to see some English guy today... (she checks his face to see if it's working; he's lost in thought) and then he came back and threw a fit.

Jorge wants to hear more. She sobs for dramatic effect. Outside, Ascanio gives Ric & Co. the thumbs up. Ric says that if Jimena comes back too soon, to let them know; they'll leave the door open for him. They sneak into the building while Jorge pumps his seemingly cooperative visitor for information. He asks if she's ever heard anything to make her think Ric's a pirate. God forbid! she says, crossing herself hurriedly, but admits that his "people" are strange, and sometimes he goes on trips and doesn't say where he's going.

The guys sneak through the hallways, sounding like a herd of buffalo wearing tap shoes. Now they're in Jorge's room! They search all the easy places, then prepare to open a large coffer.

Jimena is telling her eager audience that she has to get out of that house - she'll become a tavern wench, if necessary. Jorge makes his move and says no, no need for that! I can take care of you! She says she'd be profoundly grateful. She giggles as he nuzzles her neck and tells her she's pretty. She tells him he's handsome. (Interesting - I didn't know apuesto could mean that.)

He suggests that they go to his room. "Just like that?" she asks, startled. "Why not?" he answers. They'll be more comfortable there. Thinking fast, she asks if she can have another glass of wine first. She glances nervously at the window as he pours.

It appears that Mario, Ric, and Vasco have found nothing. Vasco insists that Bernabe would have regretted his actions and burnt the letter. (But not returned the money, apparently.) He thinks the fact that he stayed in that miserable little village with his cousin, rather than living like a king in the big city, proves that he was sorry for what he did. He was a nice guy who just got blinded by greed for a while, same as Vasco, but he still loves Camila.

"Yeah, maybe, maybe not" Mario replies. Now he wonders if the letter is in Jorge's office. Ric worries that if J is there with Jorge, they'll get caught.

Jorge is getting a little frisky with J now, telling her she won't be sorry, and describing the lush lifestyle he'll give her. She tells him he's generous. He tries to pull her out of the room with the promise of champagne. She then falls prey to a well-timed stomach ache. She produces a nice dry heave and says she must have had too much to drink. He gives her a glass of water and realizes the party's over, at least for now.

After the commercial, Jimena joins the men outside. The first thing out of Mario's mouth is to ask if Jorge took her to bed. She tells him he was just about to, and she would have liked him to, but instead pretended to be sick and that cooled him off. As for the guys - no, they didn't find the letter.

Ric stalks off. Mario follows after another quick attempt to cover up Jimena's charms.

Ines is trying not to nod off when Vasco and Ascanio come home. V tells her they didn't find the letter and asks for some coffee. She hopes that if Jorge didn't have it and Lafont didn't have it, then maybe it no longer exists. Ascanio is not so sure. They looked in Lafont's study and Jorge's bedroom, but there are other places it could be. Vasco's not happy with Ascanio's gloomy attitude, but Ascanio thinks Lafont could have killed Bernabe to keep him quiet even if he did get the letter.

At Ric's place, Ric tells Jimena and Mario that they've run out of hope. Jimena reminds him to get Camila out of her room.

Mario tells Jimena that she's a very courageous woman and gives her a hug. "And very pretty, too," he adds. She weeps on his shoulder with relief, and slaps his shoulder weakly when he calls her "sirenita."

Cami is still at 100% Pissed Off when Ric comes back to the room. She screams, "you can't do this to me!!!!" After he shuts the door, she asks in a much calmer voice, "you didn't find it?" She cries and says she's so sorry and it's all her fault. She should have listened to him and not bought the mill concession. He tries to cheer her up and says life is full of mistakes. He holds her and they make up. And make out. Just when I think they're going to have a pleasant accident in the Room of Celibacy, he apologizes for his poor behavior. He offers to take her back to her own room, but she wants to stay there, because it's not fair that he can't sleep in their room, it's his room too. He says no - all of his stuff's in here anyway.

They laugh over how they're driving each other crazy. She suggests that they just talk. About him. "But not on the bed," he says. She tells him about the time Timoteo told her about Ric. (There's a sepia-colored flashback to their day at the beach.)

She had asked Tim why he hated his nephew so much. He said they had been a happy family until their father died in the prime of his life, and his older brother (Ric's father) inherited everything and came down hard on Tim and Fran. Everybody else thought he was a swell guy, but he was awful with them. And Tim wasn't his mother's favorite, either. Then Tim fell in love, but the big mean brother married her instead. To get rid of Tim, the brother gave him a miserable little piece of property. Eventually he died, and his wife had had a son; he offered to marry her, but she turned him down. However, he was the executor of the son (Ric)'s inheritance; the boy had inherited his father's evil blood. 19 years later, he had become a murderer, escaped, and now he's a pirate.

Ric says he now understands why TIm hated him and his mother so much. His mother died shortly after Tim did. Cami says she didn't quite believe what she said about Ric's father anyway. He says he has only good memories of his father, and if he was unkind to Fran and Tim, maybe it's because he sensed the evil in their hearts. He explains that Tim hired Bermejo, the guy who ran the slave auction where she was sold, to kill a woman and frame Ric for murder. Fran was in on it too. The man even confessed.

Shocked, Cami asks why Fran isn't in prison. Ric says he asked his godfather to leave her name out of it to expedite the process. Cami says it was her fault he had to run away. He says he ran away like a coward. She says no, he was young, he had to. He says Fran's an older woman, and she needs to take care of Lis - and Lis knows all about the murder story.

That's why he wants to have a family. He lost his father too soon, and his mother was hard and bitter; his aunt and uncle wanted him dead. When he met Camila, he knew that with her, it would be possible to have a real family. She proimises to make it happen. He asks her to never again saying that he's only interested in her for her money! He asks her never to doubt him.

Jimena brings out a snack for herself and Mario. He asks what if she had stayed with Jorge. She tells him about the house and the mesada (I don't know what this is) and jewels he offered her. "So are you going to accept?" he asks. "He's a very pleasant gentleman," she teases. He reminds her that she told him the other day that she was looking for a husband, not a lover. (Mario, Jorge IS a husband!) Did Jorge's offer make her reconsider? She tells him it was an attractive offer.

He feeds her a grape and says he could set her up with something, too. "And marry me?" She asks. "I'm not the marrying type," he says, feeding her another grape, and she bites his finger! She says if she's going to be a mistress, she'd rather do it with a rich guy.

She asks what they're going to do about the letter. He asks who she discussed it with. She says only Vasco, and that was because Ric wasn't around at the time. (I think they're referring to the fact that Bernabe had the letter.) He wonders if Lis and Fran overheard something. She thinks this is likely, and that they went straight to Lafont with the gossip. Disgusted, she says she hates them. Mario says he hates them too, and that's not the only reason - there are plenty more.

It's morning. Fran and Lis weigh whether they should go down for breakfast, or have something sent up. Lis wants to stay in because of what happened last night. Fran says they can't stay shut in just because those two fought. She asks Lis how she left things with Lafont. Is he going to come over to tell them what the judge says? Lis seems surprised to imagine that Lafont would dare come over (he's been there before, but only once, when Ric was away). If Ric suspects that they've been plotting against him - and when the letter shows up to prove it - he'll throw them out on the street and maybe beat them up first.

Lis wonders if they could ask him not to turn the letter in. Fran thinks this is crazy-talk. Lis reminds her that she got it by bribing the doctor. She told Lis and Ric! Fran innocently says she doesn't remember that. Lis scolds her for feigning senility. Fran asks Lis if it wasn't unfair of Tim to leave everything to a whore. In that case, there's nothing to debate. She's tired of Lis's indecision and of arguing with her. Ricardo's lost to Camila, and he'll throw them out the day she asks. Then they'll enjoy Lis's father's inheritance while Lis and Fran live in misery. (With their little trunk full of gold coins.)

Camila and Ric chat over breakfast after spending the night in separate rooms. She asks about dinner with Foreman (I guess I should really be calling him Lancaster for now). Ric says he's going to go get him. She wants to know how many in the party - Lis and Fran too? Is the guy going to bring "someone"? Ric says he'll bring his peeps, but they won't be eating with them.

Lis and Fran come down to breakfast. Lis is taken aback when she hears Cami's voice.

Lis: "Camila?"
Camila: "Yes?"
Lis (in a very small voice): "uh... hello."

Ric tells them about their dinner guest. It's the guy that Lafont introduced to them yesterday. "I didn't know you knew him," Lis answers in a still-subdued voice. Fran says they're going to see Ofelia later to have some things made. Ric tells Fran she doesn't have to report to him - they're free to do what they like.

Jimena and three servants come out with a lavish breakfast. She asks about Mario; Ric mutters, "I guess he'll come now!" He seems surprised by the feast; I think they're supposed to be test dishes for tonight's meal. To break (or maybe to exacerbate?) the heavy tension, Jimena tries to get them excited about the food. Fran is irritated as usual. Lis sulks.

Meanwhile, at Mt. Carmelo...

Rita is here, and she's already telling Ofelia it's time for Santi to go home, or is he going to become a monk? Ofelia says she brought Rita with her because she insisted, but they'll leave if Rita's going to harrass him. Rita says she won't do that, but it's been too long already - doesn't he want to be around for the birth of his child? Ofelia says there's still a ways to go.

Santiago approaches. Ofelia warns Rita to stop. He's happy to see them and asks about Justo. After addressing this, the next words out of Rita's mouth are "when are you coming home? I've missed you so much. We need you at home." He says "soon," and she asks why not now. Ofelia shuts her down and says he came here to be in peace and to think about what he's going to do. Rita says that reality isn't going to change just because he's holed up in here. "I'll leave tomorrow," he promises. This puts a rare smile on her face. She tells him that Jorge and Sofia have been looking for him.

He asks about Pancho and Crispin - if they know. Ofelia says they've been curious, but she doesn't think they know. Ascanio knows, but he's sure he hasn't told anyone, since he's so reserved. (He did mention it to Mario, in fact, but he thought Ric had already told him.) Rita says she didn't tell Justo, but maybe Ines or Vasco did. Ofelia thinks that in that case, Justo would have asked her about it.

"So, what have you decided?" Rita asks, getting back to the one subject of interest to her. She says it was so swell of Sofia to do this for him, and he should go for it.

Santi is angry with her for asking him to accept the surname of the man who raped his mother and the woman he was going to marry.

Awww, he just had to mention that. Too soon, Santi. Too soon. It will always be too soon to mention Camila. Rita throws a fit. "I knew it! I knew Camila was in this!" Ofelia goes off on her, tells her to leave her sister alone, or else she'll disgrace herself and the entire family, including the baby.

Santiago says he's going to find the head priest to thank him, and check out today. Rita smiles triumphantly. She thinks she's just won a battle.

Back in the town, Fran wonders what the deal is, with Ric and Cami fighting last night and acting so pleasant today. They're going to Ofelia's today to confuse their spy... at least, that's the plan, but Ramona, who's cooking something, tells them they all went out to Mt. Carmelo to see Santiago, he went there to pray because he's so pious. She offers them some food, and Fran says they'll come back another time. She holds her nose and gags as they leave.

Lafont has a temper tantrum in front of his security staff because of last night's breach. Manuela lurks nervously in the hallway as he tells his guards that they're a bunch of dopes who are only fit to watch pigs. "You didn't see anything, huh?" he says, grabbing one of the guys. "You didn't see anything?" shaking him. He turns and sees Manuela. "And you? You didn't see anything?" She shakes her head in mute terror. "So it turns out that there's some Pedro out there who can just come waltzing in here like it's his own house," he fumes.

She asks, if they didn't take anything, what could they have been looking for?

Lafont hisses at her, "that's what's killing me: I DON'T KNOW!!" And he knocks over a chair for good measure.

---

Jueves
Guess who's coming to dinner?

Labels: Pasion