Caray, Caray!

In court, Marina testifies that Boris has fled because he is afraid of Hugo; because he knows that Hugo is a murderer. Sensation in the court. The Judge says the police will find Boris and he will have to answer to a charge of complicity with Hugo. Marina testifies that not only did Hugo kill her child, she destroyed her marriage (is this a crime in San Marino?) because now her husband will have to spend the rest of his life in jail. The Judge asks Hugo if he wants to speak. Hugo says that what Marina says is a lie. Her fall was an accident, a terrible accident. “Liar!” screams Marina, “Don’t believe him. Hugo de Medina killed my baby. He’s a murderer.” Hugo says that isn’t true and she knows it. Arturo speaks up and says, “Why should we believe him? He’s a swindler. Why shouldn’t we believe that he tried to kill this woman?” Then Gladis pipes up and says that, “It is true. They were all witnesses to what Lucas said about this man.” Michelle says to herself that she would do anything to help Hugo but she is afraid this will end very badly.

Soledad asks her mother what Lucas wanted her to tell him. Ester says that Lucas was drunk and she shouldn’t believe all that he said. Soledad replies that yes, he was drunk but he was making sense. She says that his suffering for what Hugo did to her was bad enough and now this. Ester asks if Soledad is going to continue to protect Hugo. Soledad says that if her father dies, she will never forgive Hugo. Ester approves.

Time for afternoon pond sex! Margot can’t wait to find out what Hercu-less’ surprise is. She has a surprise for him too and starts to strip (that’s not too surprising).

Hercu-less has a gun and is approaching someone tied up in a cart. He says that he should finish his job for Alcides so he can go have pond sex with Margot. It’s Boris in the cart. (It was Alcides who kidnapped Boris!) Boris calls for help.

There’s chaos in the courtroom. The rabble is yelling, “Guilty!” Ursula goes to Michelle and asks her to help Hugo. She says that if Hugo is executed, Soledad will die. Michelle says that she wishes she could do something but there’s no way.

Paquito shows up at the trial in time to see the judge find Hugo guilty and sentence him to be hung. Hugo looks like he just can’t believe that this has happened. Michelle cries silently while the rabble hoot and holler.

Soledad asks Dr. Dan how her father is. Has he woken up? Dr. Dan says yes but he is very weak. Lucas wants to speak to Soledad alone. She goes to his bedside. Lucas says that he is dying. Soledad won’t accept that. Lucas repeats that he is dying but before he dies, he has something very important to tell her. He says that what he did at the trial was horrible. He did it because of the love he has for her. She will always be his little girl. Soledad says of course she is his daughter and he is the best father in he world. “No, says Lucas, “I am not your father. Your real father was man who was my best friend – Jeremias Montenegro.” Soledad is impactada. (If he really loved Soledad, why on earth would he tell her that?)

The judge says that the sentence will be carried out on the following Sunday in a public execution in the town square. Alcides stands up and tells that judge that as a lawyer and with all due respect to the court, he does not agree with the sentence. Eloisa says to Paquito that she doesn’t understand why Alcides is objecting to the sentence. Paquito says that Alcides is a brute. He probably wants Hugo burned at the stake. Arturo stands and tells Alcides that the sentence has already been handed down. It’s too late. The judge asks why Alcides objects to the sentence. Alcides says that a death sentence isn’t warranted by the evidence. It’s Marina’s word against Hugo’s. There are no witnesses. Arturo objects. Alcides says, “Am I or am I not right, Your Honor?”

Soledad asks what her father is talking about. Of course he is her father. Lucas says that she will always be his daughter. Wherever he goes when he dies, he will always be looking out for her. Soledad asks what Jeremias Montenegro has to do with this. He has always been her father. He is weak and this idea just popped into his head. Lucas says no, her mother knows the truth. Even if he didn’t give her life, he loves her.

Ester wants to go into the room with Soledad and Lucas. Dr. Dan says no. Lucas is about to die. This may be the only chance he has to speak to his daughter.

Alcides says to the judge, “You can’t condemn anyone to death, the maximum penalty, without sufficient evidence.” Arturo stands up and says that if Alcides wants more evidence it is in the flight of Hugo’s servant Boris. Manrique adds that they all heard what Lucas said, this man is a criminal! Michelle stands up and says that she agrees with Alcides. No one knows why Boris isn’t here but she is sure that if he were present, he would testify against his wife. The judge says that it is clear that the defendant lied to various people about a mine that didn’t have any gold. His long-time servant made very clear charges about the loss of her unborn child. The only witness fled to avoid justice. Then the judge says that there is other evidence. Hugo, knowing he was guilty, escaped from prison yesterday with the aid of three masked individuals and was missing because someone offered him refuge and protection. The judge asks Hugo who helped him escape from prison? Who hid him from justice?

Hercu-less drags a bound and hooded Boris into the woods.

Soledad says that Lucas must be delirious. He says that he just wanted to her know the truth but she will always be his daughter. He asks her to forgive him for what he did at the trial but Hugo doesn’t deserve her. He asks her to promise to take him out of her life. She says that he will recover. He asks her again to promise to separate her life forever from Hugo de Medina. She says, “Papa, Yo por ti..” – “I for you…” (that's not a promise, right?) and then thankfully Lucas appears to die.

The judge asks Hugo again who helped him escape from prison. Michelle flashes back to the escape. Hugo says that when the escape took place, he was having a severe attack of catalepsy. He was unconscious and didn’t know what was happening around him. He woke up in his own house where the judge arrested him. Arturo addresses the judge and says that Medina brothers are working together to make a joke of the law. He asks the judge, not only to ratify the sentence but have it carried out as soon as possible to avoid the possibility of another escape. He says that the judge holds the dignity of San Marino in his hands and that Hugo should be executed today.

Soledad tries to get Lucas to react. She calls Dr. Dan. Dr. Dan tries pounding on Lucas’ chest. Let’s hope that doesn’t work.

Margot has set up a sex picnic and she flashes back to pond sex with Herc. She likes the sound of his name. Will he take her away from her sordid tavern life?

Hercu-less is not a happy killer. He flashes back to Margot saying that she liked him because he didn’t have blood on his hands. Boris tries to figure out what is going on. “Just kill me,” he says.

Soledad and Ester wait outside for Dr. Dan to finish crushing Lucas’ chest cavity. Soledad asks her mother what she did. Her father told her that he isn’t her father. That she is the daughter of Jeremias Montenegro.

The judge rejects the arguments made on Hugo’s behalf. He says that evidence presented demonstrated that Hugo was guilty. He hasn’t shown any remorse and has refused to name the people who helped him escape from jail. He reaffirms the death sentence and says that in view of the likelihood of another escape, the sentence will be carried out tomorrow at dawn. Impactado is not a sufficient word. Poor Hugo looks like a ton of bricks fell on him. Michelle is crying and Los Burque are saying that Hugo is a good man. The judge tells the guards to take Hugo away and lock him up in a high security cell. He asks if Hugo wants to say anything. Hugo looks around and says, “Tomorrow at sunrise you will all take pleasure in hanging an innocent man.” Marina looks satisfied. The evil ones smirk. Michelle says to him, “I promise…” Hugo responds, “There’s nothing to be done. Please tell Soledad that I’d like to say goodbye to her.” The guards take him away.

Ester tells Soledad that she will hate her after this but she has the right to know the truth. She tells Soledad the sad story of her early marriage that we’ve heard so often. She swears to Soledad that she is Lucas’ daughter. Soledad wants to know why her father thinks that Jeremias is the father. Ester tells Soledad that she was Jeremias’ lover and made him believe that she was pregnant with his child.

Arturo says to Alcides that he started with his brother and the next one will be him. Alcides says that he warned Arturo not to get in his way. He already lost a hand; he shouldn’t lose his head. Indicating Arturo’s stump, Alcides says, “You should take of that, it’s bleeding.” Alcides signals Eloisa to follow him outside. Michelle says to Alcides that he was generous with Hugo. “He’s my brother,” replies Alcides. Michelle says that she has heard such bad things about him. Alcides say that the bad things people say to ruin a man’s reputation are blown on the wind. It’s deeds that matter. He thanks her for defending Hugo and takes his leave. Eloisa follows him and Paquito takes note. Andres says to Michelle that they should leave. Michelle says that they have to tell Soledad what has happened. Poor woman, her father is sick and now this.

Soledad asks how Ester could have done this to her father. Ester tells her about her humble origins as a seamstress. She thought she was getting a better life when she married Lucas but he changed into a good for nothing alcoholic. Soledad says that isn’t an excuse. When you love someone, you don’t betray them. Ester says that everything she did was for love of Soledad. Ester knew what it was like to live in poverty. She took Jeremias as a lover, made him believe that Soledad was his child and Jeremias gave Ester the house they live in. Soledad says that she won’t judge Ester but she won’t justify her actions. Ester swears on all that is most sacred that Soledad is Lucas’ child. Dr. Dan comes out of Lucas’ room.

Alcides goes into a room in the courthouse. Eloisa follows. He asks if anyone saw her come in. She says no. Eloisa says that Alcides was wonderful the way he paid Hugo’s debts and then defended him. Alcides asks why Soledad wasn’t in court. Eloisa tells him about Lucas’ drunk denunciation and collapse. Alcides says everything went wrong. Eloisa is confused. “Tomorrow your brother will be hanged,” she says, “You’ll finally be rid of him.” “My brother Hugo can’t die,” responds Alcides. Eloisa is impactada.

In the woods, Boris tells Hercu-less to kill him once and for all. Herc lowers his gun and walks away. Boris says that he knows who he is. Herc pauses. Boris says that he knows that it is Alcides behind all this. Boris falls down a hill. Herc goes back and shoots at him.

Arturo returns to his carriage cradling his bleeding stump but Margot is gone. Gladis appears. She tells him that Lucas mentioned her daughter, Beatriz in court today. They have to continue to look for her. Arturo flashes back to Dr. Max telling him that Beatriz was murdered. He tells Gladis that Beatriz left of her own accord and Gladis should forget about her and go home. Gladis says that he is callous but he will regret this. Arturo tells the coachman to go to Dr. Max’s.

Dr. Dan says that Lucas’ heart started again (rats!) but the strain of confronting Hugo in court and his alcoholism mean that even if he lives, he won’t be the same. Dr. Dan says that everyone is helping Lucas because they are so grateful that Soledad founded the hospital. Soledad asks him what he means that her father won’t be the same. Dr. Dan refuses to say and says that he has to return to his patient. Ursula arrives. She asks about Lucas. Ester asks what happened at the trial. Ursula tells them that Hugo was condemned to death and will be hanged tomorrow morning. Soledad is impactada.

Eloisa asks what Alcides means by saying that Hugo can’t die. It’s what he always wanted. Soledad will be his. Alcides says that if Hugo dies, he’ll be converted in to a martyr and Soledad will be devastated and that isn’t his plan. Eloisa says that it’s too late to do anything. Hugo will be executed tomorrow. There’s no going back. Alcides says that the stupid judge condemned Hugo to death. If Alcides had wanted Hugo dead, he could have done it himself, easily. Eloisa says that sometimes she doesn’t understand Alcides. Alcides goes through his grudge against Hugo from when they were children. Hugo got all the love and tenderness. Alcides got yelled at. Even the fortune that he should have had was given to Hugo. “But now it is my turn to win,” says Alcides, “and Hugo has to witness it. I will win the heart of the woman I’ve always loved fair and square and Hugo has to be there to see it with his own eyes. There has to be a way to save him. The dead don’t suffer. Torture was made for the living.” To himself, Alcides says, “I have to stop Hercu-less. He can’t kill Boris.” He turns and leaves the room.

Hercu-less comes to the pond sex and picnic place. He’s a little nervous. Margot wants to know what his surprise is and Herc looks guiltily at a bag tied to this saddle that appears to be leaking blood (oh no! not Boris!).

Eloisa congratulates Marina on getting Hugo condemned to death. Marina says that she only did what Eloisa told her. Marina says that she has nowhere to go and Eloisa promised to help her. Eloisa asks if Marina expects her to give her money right in the courthouse? Marina should come to Eloisa’s house later and make sure she isn’t seen.

Alcides is riding around looking for Herc and Boris. He says they aren’t there. Way down at the bottom of a hill is something, presumably Boris. Alcides doesn’t see him and leaves.

Hercu-less tells Margot that he wants her for himself. He will buy a house. They can get married. Does she accept? She does. But right now he has to see someone. Herc leaves.

Arturo tells Dr. Max that he is in a lot of pain. Dr. Max asks what happened to the medicine he gave Margot. Arturo should be careful or he will lose his arm. Not to worry, says Dr. Max, he can cure Arturo and he has the perfect replacement for his hand – a hook!

Hugo is shoved into his cell. He says that he is innocent. He shouts it. He paces and remembers things from the trial. He screams that he is innocent. He screams out the window asking if there is an honest person in the city. The trial was a farce, a farce. He thinks, “Boris ran away? No, that’s not true. He couldn’t betray me. He couldn’t.” He cries.

Soledad says, “Hugo sentenced to death? My God.” Ester the witch says that Hugo deserves death for all that he has done. Michelle arrives. She asks how Lucas is. Ester says that he is in a very delicate condition but Dr. Dan is doing all he can. Michelle assures Soledad that Lucas will make it. Dr. Dan is great and she is a strong woman. Did Ursula tell her what happened with Hugo? Soledad says yes. Michelle says that it might not be the best time but Hugo asked if she would come and say goodbye to him before he’s executed. The credits roll.

Tomorrow: Hugo asks Soledad to forgive him and Dr. Dan finds out that Dr. Max killed his father.

Labels: la traicion