Caray, Caray!

Hugo is in the workshop busy with a bellows. Boris comes in and says that he has sent a telegram to Andres asking him to confirm the arrival of Michelle in case she left the city. Hugo says that Michelle wasn’t on the list of passengers who left last night. He was right. She didn’t leave. Hugo says he is worried. Boris asks Hugo what he thinks happened. Eloisa (still wearing the same outfit she was wearing yesterday) bursts in and says that she has the answer to that question. She says that she has very bad news about Michelle. She is sorry to bring it but she has no choice. “Michelle left because of you,” Eloisa says to Hugo.

Paquito shoos his girls out of the tavern. Antonia is outraged that he would expect her to work in such a vulgar place with women who are practically naked. Paquito asks her to look around – this is art! “If this is art,” says Antonia, “it’s in decline.” She says that she is a respectable woman. Paquito chases her around the bar making offers: he will pay her double; he will say she is a foreign pianist; he will give her a costume; she can be his friend George and no one will know she is a woman.

Hugo asks why Eloisa says that Michelle left town because of him. Eloisa says that Hugo knows that Michelle is her friend. How could he have done that to her? “Done what to her?” asks Hugo. Eloisa says that Michelle was shattered. When she came to visit Eloisa, she was very sad and said that she didn’t want to say goodbye because Hugo and Soledad had ruined her life. Eloisa asks Hugo what he did to Michelle. What injustice did he commit?

Nurse Soledad is making up a bed and telling Dr. Dan that she told Alcides that he couldn’t buy her with his money. She says that her mother has seen Alcides roaming around the house. Dr. Dan says that they have to be careful. Alcides is very dangerous. Soledad (with her hair bound up and hanging down her back like a ‘dead animal’ (thanks Nancy)) says that she doesn’t think Alcides will come around her place again after what Soledad said to him yesterday. Dr. Dan asks if Soledad saw Michelle after he left her house. Soledad says no. She asks what is going on with Michelle. Dr. Dan says that it appears that Michelle has left San Marino forever.

Eloisa is continuing her performance for Hugo. She says that poor Michelle couldn’t stop crying before she left. Hugo says that he and Michelle had a little misunderstanding but they worked it out. Eloisa says that is what Hugo thought. Eloisa saw Michelle’s suffering. Michelle had no choice but to leave San Marino to stop the pain. Hugo says that Michelle isn’t like that. She is strong, faces things head on. She wouldn’t have left without saying goodbye to him. Eloisa replies that however strong she was, Michelle is a woman. A woman who knows she lost. She had no alternative but to leave. Hugo asks by what form of transportation did Michelle leave. Eloisa says that she took the last train. Boris says that he is sorry to contradict her, but Michelle was not on the list of passengers on that train. Hugo asks how Eloisa explains that. Eloisa gets that deer-in-the-headlights look.

Alcides pours himself some water on the porch of the Hacienda. He flashes back to Michelle’s death. “You asked for it, Michelle. No one can separate me from Soledad,” he says, “No one. My Soledad. Your hair smells so good. I can almost smell it from a distance. My Soledad… My Soledad..” He flashes back to Soledad returning the bag of money to him. “You’ll come back to me. You’ll come back to me today.” (‘Come back’ Alcides? You never had her.)

Margot says that she won’t go back with Hercu-less. He asks why if he’s her man. Margot says that it is because of that. If she goes back with Herc, Arturo will kill him. There’s a knock on the door. It’s Arturo. Margot shoves Herc out the window with a last kiss. She lets Arturo into the room. When he sees Margot’s dress he says that he understands why his mother was scandalized. Margot asks if he likes her dress. Arturo says that it is different. Arturo touches her breast (Herc watches this part from the window. Herc lets the curtain fall.) Then Arturo turns and leaves the room. Margot sighs with relief.

Paquito tells Antonia that he will dress her as a man with a moustache and they will have to cover up the ‘obvious parts,’ indicating her breasts. When he asks her what she thinks, Antonia slaps him and runs out of the tavern. The Paquitas comfort Paquito.

Hugo asks Eloisa how Michelle left the city if she wasn’t on the list of passengers on the train. Eloisa says that Michelle said something about leaving incognito but that Eloisa was so upset on hearing her plans, that she didn’t pay too much attention. Eloisa says that she has to leave. Michelle asked her to speak to Soledad. As Hugo asks what Eloisa is going to say to Soledad, Soledad arrives at the workshop saying that Dr. Dan told her Michelle had left town. Eloisa confirms that Michelle has left town. She says that Michelle came to her house the previous night to say goodbye and that she was heartbroken.

Dr. Dan asks why Michelle said she was leaving. Eloisa says that she realized Hugo was destined to be with Soledad and she hadn’t realized it until it was too late. Dr. Dan asks why Michelle didn’t talk to him. Why didn’t she take her luggage? Hugo says that Michelle sent Andres ahead with all her luggage. Eloisa says that Michelle was feeling terrible. She only wanted to take her sword. “The sword that I gave her,” says Hugo to himself. Boris says that Michelle looked very upset when she left the hotel and was only carrying her sword. Soledad says that this is a mistake. Michelle has to stay. Soledad flashes back to Michelle telling her that the only way she would stay with Hugo is if their relationship didn’t hurt Soledad. Back in the present, Soledad says that this is hers and Hugo’s fault. “All that Michelle did for us,” she says, “and look what happened.” She runs out. Dr. Dan is going to follow but Eloisa says that Soledad needs to talk to a (woman) friend right now. Hugo asks Boris to get him a train ticket and pack some clothes. He is going to look for Michelle. (What the heck are you doing, Hugo?)

At the Obragon house, Antonia is looking for Ester. She is in her bedroom, very upset. Antonia asks what is the matter. (You could see this coming a mile away.) Ester says that all their money is gone. She doesn’t know how to tell Lucas. Antonia flashes back to Paquito offering to pay her double. Antonia tells Ester not to worry. She will be in charge of the finances in the house from now on. Ester won’t lack for anything.

Marina is looking for Alcides. He isn’t there. Marina says that he told her he was going to be at home. She wonders where he went.

Alone with Eloisa, Soledad says that when Michelle said goodbye to her last night, she had a feeling that she wouldn’t see her again. She thought it was her imagination but now she realizes it was the truth. Soledad wants to go find Michelle but Eloisa says that would only make Michelle believe that Soledad feels sorry for her. Now Eloisa starts with the lies. She tells Soledad that leaving San Marino was the best thing for Michelle. Soledad asks why she says that. Eloisa replies that Michelle told her that Hugo didn’t treat her right. Soledad is surprised and doesn’t understand. Eloisa says that sometimes Soledad is very naïve. Hugo showed one face to her and another to Michelle. He mistreated Michelle. Eloisa pretends to be surprised that Michelle never mentioned this to Soledad. Soledad says Michelle told her the opposite that she was very happy with Hugo. Eloisa say that Michelle told her that Hugo mistreated her verbally the same way he did to Soledad when he was pretending to be Alcides. Soledad says what Michelle is telling her is terrible.

In the lab, Dr. Dan flashes back to Michelle warning him about Alcides’ jealousy of him and Soledad and her fear that Alcides that might hurt him. Dr. Dan concludes that Michelle wouldn’t have left San Marino and especially not without saying goodbye to him. He thinks Michelle is in trouble and Alcides is involved. He gets his whip out. He says that Alcides will listen to him right now.

Hugo is getting on the train. He says that it will take two days to get to where Michelle is and then he will try and persuade her to return with him. He tells Boris that he didn’t tell Soledad that he was leaving so she doesn’t know that he won’t be visiting his daughter. Boris says that he sees Ursula frequently so he can send Soledad a note through her. Hugo says goodbye to Boris and that he will return in a month. (Two days there and two days back; what is Hugo going to do for the other three weeks? I think he meant to say above that it would take two weeks to get to Michelle’s ‘country.’)

Ursula goes to wake up Aurora but she is gone. Meanwhile, back at the lie-fest, Eloisa tells Soledad that she is glad that Michelle left San Marino. She says that Michelle told her that she was envious of Soledad because she could never have what Soledad had. Soledad says that is not true and Eloisa is claiming that she has never lied to Soledad when the Obragon witches and Ursula burst in to announce that the baby is not in the house. Someone took her. Everyone is running around. Maybe Lucas has the baby? He doesn’t. Eloisa says to herself that Alcides must have taken the baby.

Hugo is on the train. He says to himself that he can’t believe that Michelle left because of him. He has to ask her forgiveness. He should start a new life with her far from Soledad. He flashes back to seeing a shadow when he was talking to Alcides the previous evening and figures out that it was Michelle. She heard him say that he still loved Soledad and that is why she left San Marino.

Dr. Dan goes to the Hacienda to see Alcides. Marina says that he isn’t there.

Soledad concludes that it was Alcides who took the baby. He is the only person who can go in and out of her house without being seen. Soledad wants to go see Alcides immediately. Ester says that she will go to the police station and file charges against Alcides. Eloisa pipes up and says that she will go to the police station. Ester can go with Soledad.

The baby, carried by an as yet unknown person, is at the cabaña in the woods. She’s pretty calm so far.

Lucas wants to go and help find the baby but Antonia tells him he would just be a burden. He realizes this is true.

Hugo is on the train. He doesn’t respond when the conductor asks for his ticket. Finally, he realizes that the conductor is talking to him. He says that he is distracted. When the conductor is gone, he flashes back to when Aurora nearly got a catalepsy attack and he saved her.

Marina tells Dr. Dan that she doesn’t know how long Alcides will be out. She suggests that he leave and she will give Alcides the message that he was there. Dr. Dan agrees and at that moment Soledad bursts in looking for Alcides. Soledad says that Alcides has taken her baby. Marina says that she doesn’t know anything about it. Dr. Dan says that he will help and the first thing he does is hug Soledad.

Ursula comes into the workshop looking for Hugo. When Boris tells her that Hugo has gone on a trip for a month, Ursula jumps to the conclusion that it was Hugo that took the baby.

The Obragons and Dr. Dan search the Hacienda but don’t find the baby or Alcides. Marina says that Alcides will be furious when he finds them roaming around his house. Ester tells her to shut up and get out. At that moment, Alcides comes into the house carrying a box. “Where do you have my daughter?” demands Soledad, “Where did you take her?” Alcides stares at her with that sappy look he gets when she is near him. (He probably smells her hair.)

Alcides tells Soledad that he doesn’t know what she is talking about. What has happened with my niece? Soledad screams at him that she knows he kidnapped the baby and she demands to know where Aurora is. He doesn’t know what she is capable of. Ester says that Antonia saw Alcides roaming around the Obragon house. She demands that he confess to taking the child. Alcides says that he roams around their house all the time to get a glimpse of Soledad. Ester saw him. He didn’t have the baby. Soledad says that Alcides must have returned and taken the baby. She is losing her patience. Dr. Dan says that the Obragons have reason to believe that it was Alcides who took the baby. Alcides says that Soledad is wrong. He didn’t have anything to do with this. He is innocent. Soledad has to believe him. Alcides wonders who could have kidnapped the baby. Alcides asks Marina to put away the box he is carrying but Soledad grabs it and it has baby clothes in it! Soledad and the others demand to know where the baby is.

Boris asks Ursula to calm down and explain to him what has happened. Ursula says that Aurora has been kidnapped and since Boris told her that Hugo has left town, he must have taken her. Boris asks how Ursula could believe that Hugo is capable of doing something like that. Boris assures her that it wasn’t Hugo. Ursula asks why Hugo left town. Boris tells her that Michelle decided to go back to her country and Hugo went after her. He says that they have to let Hugo know what has happened as soon as possible.

On the train, Hugo is having a happy vision of going on vacation with Soledad and the baby. Soledad kisses him. (This is not a good sign when you’re going after another woman, Hugo.) Hugo wakes up from his happy fantasy and flashes back to telling Boris outside the mine that he has to go to a meeting to advance his Plan of Vengeance. He says to himself that it all could have been so different. Hugo flashes back to one of the many times when the evidence was there that Soledad loved him but he ignored it. In this case, Hugo says that the other Aurora told him that Soledad named her baby Aurora because this other Aurora saved Hugo’s life at the trial. Hugo says that if that is true, then Soledad loves him. Boris and Marina pour cold water on that idea by saying that Soledad probably just likes the name or wanted to keep up appearances since she cares what other people think.

Antonia tells Lucas that she doesn’t understand how Alcides comes in and out of the house without anyone seeing him. Lucas is frustrated that he can’t even confront that miserable bastard Alcides for what he has done. Antonia tells him not to torture himself. He should trust in God that Alcides took the baby to get Soledad’s attention. Lucas hopes Antonia is right. Antonia starts fiddling with her hair obviously figuring out how she is going to do the Victor Victoria thing. Lucas says that Antonia seems very nervous and not just about the baby. Is she hiding something from him? She flashes back to her conversation with Paquito in the tavern and Ester telling her that they are broke. Antonia tells Lucas that he is imagining things. She is worried and upset about Aurorita’s disappearance. Isn’t that enough to make her stressed out?

Ursula is crying for Aurora. She asks Boris who could have taken the baby if it wasn’t Hugo. Boris says that he doesn’t know but it wasn’t Hugo. Boris took him to the train and he didn’t have the baby. Ursula says that she believes him. She tells Boris that they have to tell Soledad that Hugo is out of town. She needs to know. Boris says that he will go with her. He will send a telegram to Hugo at the next station to tell him that the baby has been kidnapped.

Soledad goes ballistic on Alcides asking how he could take and innocent child and she beats on him. Alcides asks Soledad to look him in the eyes. He swears to her that he doesn’t know where the baby is and had nothing to do with her disappearance. Soledad says that she doesn’t believe him. Why else would he be buying baby clothes? Alcides says that the baby clothes have nothing to do with his niece or rather they do. He bought them for Aurora because Soledad was so upset when she left his house this morning and he wanted to do something nice for her but now it has all gone wrong. Dr. Dan tells Alcides that he should tell the truth. “I will accept whatever from Soledad,” says Alcides, giving Dr. Dan a nasty look, “but not threats from you.” Ester says that the police will be here soon and Alcides will have to confess. “You accused me of this to the police without evidence?” Alcides asks Soledad. Soledad replies that there is more than enough proof (‘pruebas me sobran’). Of course, she is accusing him. Eloisa has gone to do so in Soledad’s name. Dr. Dan notices that Alcides’ arm is bleeding. What happened to him? How did he get injured?

Eloisa runs into the sole representative of law enforcement in San Marino, the judge. She says that she has come to notify the police that Soledad’s baby is missing. The judge asks where and when this happened. Eloisa says that it happened this morning. Soledad’s servant, Ursula, got distracted and someone took the child. The judge asks if Eloisa suspects anyone. She says Soledad thinks it was Alcides but she doesn’t agree. Eloisa pretends to not want to incriminate someone. The judge tells her that her information will considered ‘off the record.’ So Eloisa accuses Michelle Phillips.

We see the baby sleeping and the kidnapper is, who else, Arturo. (Except for Alcides, sort of, he’s the only bad guy we’ve got left.) He flashes back to overhearing Soledad tell Alcides that he has gone into her room without anyone seeing before. Arturo says to himself that Alcides must be dealing with the wrath of Soledad and her family. He told Alcides that he would get revenge, whatever it cost. The credits roll.

Monday – The hunt for the baby –well, at least Hugo seems to have come back to town.

Labels: la traicion