Caray, Caray!

And that's pretty much it in a nutshell.

What!? You want more? Well, Xime finds out it's not much fun to be poor, not if you're being squeezed like a sardine for hours on end in the metro. And Consti and Beto have another hot to trot almost kiss (dang! Moni comes in and interrupts) and even Mauricio gets locked in the coffee room.

Oh alright, if you insist, I'll just recap the whole darned thing. Fortunately we start with a little review of the stripper club scene. (Susanlynn, hope you were watching) We get to enjoy again Mau's little off-tempo dance, somewhat better knee scoot butt slappin' move and his tender request that Monita forgive him. They almost kiss also, but then another sassy lady tries to horn in on the action and pretty soon our galan is beseiged by a whole wad of lustful women. And who can blame them? Julia, Emilia and I would be right there helping out if we could. Oooooh if only we could! Quote of the evening? Monita saying tenderly, Gee you don't have to strip to ask my forgiveness. (But we're glad he did.)

And what else? Well, we see that Salvador definitely returns Gabriela's kiss. He caves completely. Oscar successfully plants the bug in Mau's office. Beto busts in, reeking as usual, but not yet completely under the effects of the dope they gave him. Jeri and Oily Oscar manage to convince him this was just a test. And he passed. What do I get, asks Beto (see his little brain cells are still firing) and sure 'nough Oscar forks over some money. But not a word of this to Mauricio he warns. And not a word about this money to Monita replies Beto. And even in his doped up state he doesn't spill the beans that he and Monita are actually novios. Well done, Beto!

We switch from the office to a tender good-bye scene twixt Mau and Monita. The romantic music swells and I'm dying for them to kiss, even if Nieves is watching, but they don't. Just gaze at each other with longing ...and yearning... and wanting.... and needing...and where was I?...oh yes, and goofy smiles. But no kisses. Still, Nieves is no fool. She felt the heat and she's worried.

Okay. Brief but funny Rocky take-off scene with Moni running up and down steps, punching away while mariachi-style "Getting stronger" music plays in the background.

Next morning a blissful Mau is breakfasting with his kids but things quickly deteriorate. (my, that brings back memories). Luisa rats out Aldo for not being prepared for his entrance exams to school. Mau offers to pay for a special prep course but our young galan wants nothing to do with it and stomps out. Luisa rats out some more about Estrella not returning Aldo's calls. Gets reprimanded for being a snitch. She stomps out. Only Dani remains and she wisely pretends to be asleep. Howevah gotta say I loved Mauricio's smile as he hugged the little girl. This guy has a terrific smile. Distracts me momentarily from the memory of his pecs and biceps. Momentarily.

Oscar and Jeri are listening in to the conversations in Mau's office and learn he was a stripper last night. Do you suppose he uses depilatory in those intimate parts? asks Jeri. Yep, this is definitely a guy show. No topic is off limits.

Meanwhile, Beto's lying around the barrio putting off going to work. Nieves tries to give him the 411 on taking better care of Monita so his beautiful girlfriend doesn't go off with someone new. Beto reminds her how often she's told him he's drop dead gorgeous. Did she lie? Does she know how traumatizing that could be to a son!? "Me dañas, me dañas" he bleats.

Don Cesar is being worked over also....by his loving, cosmetically inclined wife Dorita. She's worried about his pores and wants him to put on an avocado mask. He's more worried about Monita and whether or not she's serious about her career when she comes to ask for another chance. They agree he'll be her trainer again and Dorita makes her promise not to let anybody punch her in the face....because Lord knows she has nice skin and she'd hate to see it ruined! Dorita is very task focused...you gotta give her that.

And now my favorite couple--Salvador and Gabriela. He slides into the office and looks at her hungrily...(yes, I swear to God he does!) but Gaby plays it cool. Claims to remember nothing about anything last night, especially a kiss. Well, you DID kiss me, insists Sal, and then...well, WE kissed. Nope, don't remember. And then we made mad passionate love, he adds. No way, we did NOT! Okay, he laughs, you do remember. Yes, but I forgot the minute I saw Oscar. (Oh Gaby Gaby Gaby. I know Sal's married. But still he's better than that slithering lawyer. Wake up girl!)

Gaby's not the only one who's hungover. Even our professional daiquiri swiller Ximena is feeling a bit under the weather. Connie's not sympathetic and warns her that if she keeps hanging out with those girls who reek of frying oil, she'll lose Constanza's friendship completely. It's them or me! Well, muses Xime, there's three of them (her favorite number) so I guess they win. But a quarter kiss for you, Con, and the rest for my buds. And off she goes.

At the big house, Estrella has arrived with Aldo's shirt, neatly washed and ironed, but alas, she's there to give him the big brush off. Yes, I let you kiss me because I was feeling down, but you're just a kid. This can't go on. Don't call me. Don't look for me. Please. And off she swishes...as only Estrella can, leaving our lad bewildered and heartbroken.

Light is slowly....very slowly...creeping into Mau's little brain. He's wondering why someone always alerts the judge when there are problems at home. He suspects something by golly! Salvador is encouraged but of course Jeri and Oscar are listening in to this conversation and are on full alert. Oscar gets in a dig about Jeri's lack of brain power (guess it runs in the family) but they both agree technology is going to keep them well ahead of Mau's every move.

The light's going off in Beto's brain too. He comes in to confront Mau about Monita. Something's wrong. She's goofy, distracted, head in the clouds. He thinks she's going out with someone in the office. Could it be Jeronimo? No way. But why should Beto care? He's her brother, not her novio. Beto handles this adroitly. Well, I'm really close to this guy. He has, um, five or six character defects, yes, but he's really likeable, ticks along like a clock with her and he's "buena bestia" (a good guy) so if I thought anyone was trying to take Monita away from him, I'd hang him by his b***s, he adds menacingly. Mau gives this statement his utmost consideration.

Wow. And speaking of menacing, we're now in the gym and Andy is there with that really scary professional boxer. (I forget her name. Honestly I forget MY name when she's around. Scares the p*** outta me, that one) They want to set up a fight with Moni and offer a 60-30 split. And what about the other 10 percent asks Don Cesar.... I wasn't born yesterday. Okay, they agree to a 60-40 split. Done deal. But I'm still scared! Moni and my Nightmare get into a little scuffle but it's quickly settled. Whew. Protect me Moni.

Fortunately, we're back with favorite gal pal Xime. She's down in the barrio and is right suprised to find Estrella there also. Well, hey, it's because she lives here. Oh...well, then I'm down here to visit you, chirps Xime. I want to find out how working folks live. Estrella points out that "Pobre se nace, no se aprende" (You're born poor, it's not something you learn) but Xime insists she'd like to hang with her and find out what it's like to go to auditions. So let's take a taxi, she adds. No way, answers Estrella. When you're poor, you take the metro, and get squeezed like a sardine. Okay. Xime's on board. Somewhat.

Back to the coffee room where things are heating up between Consti and Beto again. She's angry because she found out Beto's Monita's "brother" and thinks he's after her so Monita will have a clear shot at Mau. Not so. Beto wants her for her own sweet babelicious self and is ready to prove it (in spite of the broom she's swatting him with). She's pressed against the door again, he's moving in for the kissing kill , murmuring Relax. This won't hurt. It's like an injection and will do you a lot of goooooood.

Rats. Monita comes in and the whole scene deflates. Pooh.

After the ad, Connie is talking fast about coming in for raw sugar (that refined stuff is toxic!) and Monita not believing a word of it. I'm surprised she doesn't ask Beto to drop his pants again for a chastity inspection. She's about to start the Big Talk when Paula tells her Gaby wants to see her. Saved by the bell is Beto.

Connie, properly inflamed, now spreads herself all over Mau's desk (that's as discreetly as I can put it) and starts in about this sexy dream she had about him being a stripper. But alas, it turned into a nightmare because that Monita was in it too. Mau plays dumb. Not really a stretch for him. And then suggests she talk to a psychoanalyst about this, not him. Meanwhile, our listeners Oscar and Jeronimo are intrigued. Wow. He's resisting her, muses Oscar. I'd be all over her in a minute. Beto barges in and they have to pretend they're listening to a soccer game. And now, gotta go. We're hungry. No prob', Beto wants to go along. Jeronimo archly reminds him that employees don't hang out with executives, and certainly don't eat in the same restaurants! So there.

Mau is still resisting and asking Connie to get off his desk. After all, he would NEVER strip before a horde of women. And Monita...well she has a novio, Don Cesar. Uh oh. More lies and more misunderstandings. Where will this lead? Give you three guesses and the first two don't count. And Beto, hearing this, is gonna be on the warpath.

A brief scene with Gabriela and Paula. Gaby's wondering how Paula can be fresh as a daisy after drinking like a fish the night before. Paula replies it's because Gaby has two hangovers--one from booze and the other from kissing a married man. Wow. Some down home wisdom there, Paula.

In the meantime, Beto has charged off for the gym and is accusing hapless Don Cesar of sneaking around with Monita. Sweet little Dorita goes ballistic and starts belting hubby and accusing him of being a "rabo verde" (dirty old man). Ay yi yi.

An all too brief scene with Monita and Mau in the coffee room. He's whispering, afraid of being overheard. She's wondering if Connie reamed him out and if she's jealous. The mood is tender and warm and dang! this time it's Costeño calling...you gotta get down to the gym pronto. All hell is breaking loose. Mau wants to go with her. She sends him back for her sweater. Then she whips out and locks him in. Runs out of the building.

Mau yells for help. Gaby goes to get the keys. Sal pleads in vain for him to stay because the Japanese clients are waiting for him in the meeting room. Take them to the Alameda, whiffs Mau, and off he goes in hot pursuit. (Alameda Central is a famous park in Mexico City. Google it for more info). Sal sidles up to Gaby and she's on red alert. I'm NOT going to disguise myself as a geisha, she snaps. Sal does a clipped "Come here and do what I say" routine and who knows? will she cave? Could be fun.

Xime drags in to Consti' boutique, aching all over from her tough day in the metro. She wants Connie to send her to a spa for a massage. She hurts all over. Connie's playing it tough like the Cuna de Lobos diabolical lady she is. Threatens to tell Rolu about the goings on last night. Xime promises to do anything, be her slave. Double uh oh. And...she needs money for the taxi. No metro to the spa for her. Ask Augustina, snaps Connie.

Beto's still accusing Don Cesar of nefarious doins' with Moni and getting thoroughly thrashed by Don Cesar for his pains. And now I understand why you wanted to take her to Vegas! Beto adds. This really riles Dorita because Cesar's only taken her to Xincolcuan (hey if this is wrong, it's what was in the closed captions...sorry) Monita arrives in the midst of this harangue. Cesar tells her to tell the truth, the whole truth! Whoops. And then Mauricio arrives. Cesar looks at him glumly....this is all we needed, he sighs.

And there the madness ends for the evening.

Previews:

Beto is caught kissing Monita. A big kiss.
And some sort of dream sequence? Beto's in black like the cowboy bad guy. And Monita and Mau, also in cowboy gear look mighty scared. Who knows? We'll find out tomorrow.

Vocabulary:

es un cromo= (she's) a looker. Nieves talking about how pretty Monita is.
dar duro a la pera = really work hard on the punching bag. Cesar's advice to Monita
esto no da para más = this can't go on. Estrella dumping Aldo.
que siga la fiesta = let the party continue. Ximene. Who else?
agasajando = celebrating
Alameda = tree-lined poplar grove but also a famous park in Mexico City , adjacent to the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Built on an area that used to be an Aztec marketplace. After the Spanish conquest, the Catholic Church used space to burn heretics and witches.

Dicho of the Day:

We'll credit Estrella with this one...

Pobre se nace, no se aprende. One is born poor, one doesn't "learn" it.

and another proverb about poverty....

Más tiene el rico cuando empobrece que el pobre cuando enriquece. The rich man who loses his wealth is richer than the poor man who attains wealth.

Labels: gancho