Caray, Caray!

Mauricio is baby sitting the still unconscious Nieves. She is stretched out over her bed as he patiently maintains a vigil sitting watchfully at the foot of her bed. Finally she stirs and seems a bit shaken by his presence. poor thing, her hair appears to have been done by an under-medicated Shih Tzu groomer, complete with odd pink bows. Where's Cristian? Clearly a crime was committed on that pretty head. She now proceeds to undo all the good that came of his and Monita's recent makeup session. Jeez, that didn't last long. Yep, Moni and Roberto are an inseparable pair: always have been and always will be. She doesn't want Mao to get hurt. Not taking into account that she has the other dog in this fight, and true to form, our dim hunk of beef swallows it hook, line, and once again our hopes of he and Moni bumping little cars any time soon, sink.

The worried son Beto returns to find his mom up and talking with a crestfallen Mao. He inspects his mom, wondering what Mao is doing here. Mao explains that Moni has gone for the Dr., who apparently makes house calls to the barrio. Mao leaves before he is assaulted by anymore bad news or tainted advice. Beto is still understandably annoyed with Mao, but Nieves assures him that Mao is good people. He suspects that she too must have succumbed to Mao's magical spell. Another case of sermeñosis, perhaps? Nopis, Ma knows what she's doing and she's doing it with the skill of an experienced expert. She has the instincts of a mother bear.

Oops, looks like Jerónomo has actually engaged in a little car bumping and parking with a reluctant Connie. He is dressing and gloating, as a tearful Connie sits on the bed with a sheet pulled up to her chin. He informs her that there will be many more such encounters, and he'll even skip bathing if she prefers. This may be the ickiest scene so far in this usually light-hearted comedy. They've succeeded in making Connie, for the moment anyway, a sympathetic figure, and we at home take heart as we see, even now, the invisible anvil being positioned over this cockroach.

In the office, the elevator opens and releases a particularly alluring Ximena, in a loose fitting yet clingy white top over tight black pants. Very nice indeed. She is looking for Jerry, who is not there. She learns of Gabriela's planned move with her newly-found pretty-boy, and when Gabi excuses herself for a moment, proposes a surprise farewell party.

At home in his bedroom, Mao is troubled about things. Connie emerges, looking none the worse for wear. In fact she looks stunning in a pretty little pink silky dress with geometric designs. Are the wardrobe people that good or would she look great in just about anything? She sits on the bed and offers support to the moody Mao. She is even OK with the idea of a new school for the kids. He wants to talk to her and she is worried that he's going to call off the wedding.

Unaware of Nieves' little heart-to-heart with Mao, Moni is sharing the joy of her most recent and pleasant encounter with the prince. Beto is thanking the Dr.,who apparently does make housecalls, as they emerge from Nieves' apartment. Estrella suggests that she is ready for an appointment. Beto congratulates the Dr. because it's time for her Papanicolaou. I just report it, folks. Beto is now trying to sweet-talk his way back into noviohood with Moni. They can take it slow, but after all, he has already graciously forgiven her for her mistake. Moni looks exasperated.

Meintras Tanto, Mao is busy digging himself another hole that he will regret soon enough. Connie needn't have worried, he tells her that he wants to go ahead with their wedding as soon as possible. Well, that's fine with her. For now at least, she has landed on her feet. After her unpleasantness with Jerry, let's allow her to savor the moment. She agrees with him that a simple minimalistic wedding with only three hundred of his guests and only four hundred for her would suffice. And here's a shocker...the kids have been listening in. Who could have possibly foreseen that?

It's morning in Mexico, and Monita, still buoyed by her tender encounter with Mao yesterday, is all abubble as she glides into the mansion clutching a red carnation she has brought for her galan. Teresa is of course glad to see her, but what with things as they are at this time, she deems it best to have Ivan escort Moni to the kitchen while she goes to fetch Mao, still abed. I sure hope Mao pays her well. She gently wakes him with the news, "Constanza is in the bath and la Monita is in the kitchen." He's going to need some Cheerios waiting for him for breakfast this morning. He leaps from bed as Connie catches a glimpse of his hasty exit, and clad attractively in a short robe with her still wet hair turbaned in a towel, she smells a rat, or is that the unmistakable scent of a monkey? Bursting into Aldo's room, looking for him to distract Moni, Mao discovers that the kids have fled, leaving a note thanking him for his hospitality and all, but they do not wish to be culpable for any marriage involving him and Connie.

Connie, Still wearing the robe and towel, interrupts the boxing lesson that Moni is giving Ivan. "First the left and then your right..." Needless to say, Moni, still operating under the assumption that things are fine between her and Mao, is a little surprised to see Connie here and clad in a way that shouts out, "Nyah, nyah, I spent the night with Mauricio and you didn't!" Connie dismisses Aldo, and the two engage in a little felinish, feminine banter during which Connie announces the upcoming nuptials. Mauricio ventures in with Aldo's note gripped in his fist. He is greeted by a gloating Connie and a silent Moni sporting the face of a child who was just informed that the trip to Disney World was canceled. The cat has his tongue, or as we say in Mexico, el ratón le comió la lengua (the mouse ate his tongue).

Gabi is dining with the too-good-to-be-true Fernando Retrete. She is gushing over their trip, "Tell me about Wisconsin," when he drops the bomb. "Ain't gonna be no trip." Wouldn't you know it? He's short of cash. Run away right now Gabi! Run away! Not heeding our collective warning, she asks how much. "Fifty thousand dollars." No problema, she's got that and a little more. Sure, let's give this boob your savings. What could possibly go wrong? Well, he's embarrassed, sure, couldn't possibly... Oops, talked him into it.

Connie interrupts the awkward silence to gloat a little more and goads Mao to jump in. "My children..." he stammers. "Our children," she corrects, "We all are a family,already." Remembering her flower, Moni observes that it was for Mauricio, but now offers it to our blushing bride-to-be instead. Connie graciously accepts. Acting as though he's heard none of this, Mauricio pleads with Monita to stay and then whines about the kid's leaving. Suddenly tone-deaf, Connie expresses that she doesn't see the importance of that at this moment. Moni offers to find the wayward children, and leaves. Still off key, Connie suggests that the children had a little tantrum; it'll pass. Disgusted, Mao goes to take a bath.

Over breakfast, Ximy is trying to recruit Jerry's help. She asks him who rescued him from the top of the building. "Mauricio." Yes, but it was because Ximy insisted. "May I tell you three things?" "No, no, y no." Undaunted she proceeds, "Uno, because of you, Mauricio is going to marry someone he doesn't love, dos, Gabirú is leaving Mexico, y tres, I'm very depressed and am planning a farewell party for her." She leaves for an emergency massage and Jerry retrieves the camera to review his X rated video of Connie and Beto. He is very pleased with his opus. Jerk!

Now dressed, Connie unwisely continues to rag on Mao over Monita. She mentions the assault by Moni on Maira. Bad choice of topics. Mao now knows from Maira's own mouth that was a lie her mother coaxed her to tell. Connie asks what else she may have disclosed. Our genius, instead of saying, "You mean there's more?", simply answers, "Nothing." She rags him a little more and he leaves.

Outside the orphanage Mao catches up with Moni. She informs him that the kids are here. He is relieved and then they they begin an unpleasant conversation much like previous unpleasantries they have shared. This time she paint an unflattering picture of things will be in twenty years, describing his fat belly, hair loss and his novia is getting Botox injections for her wrinkled visage and surgery on her bubis that are sagging to her knees. She hopes that they will still be happy. Mercifully they are interrupted by the social worker, Bernarda. The children will talk with Moni. Mao is not invited. He pouts.

Dani is especially glad to see Moni and greets her with a hug. The kids explain to Monita why the left. They don't want Mao to marry Connie because of them. The selfless Moni points out how much he loves them and blah, blah, blah, he's marrying Connie because he must love her and blah, blah, blah. Convinced or at least persuaded to return, we have a group hug.

Outside, Mao gets a gentle earful from the wise Bernarda, who essentially points out that Monita would be the better choice as a spouse and mother for the children. As if to punctuate her words, Moni appears surrounded by the obviously adoring children. They run to Mao and he is hugged by Luisa and Aldo. Miffed because there is no room in this group hug for her, Dani protests by turning around with arms tightly crossed. "¿Y yo, qué?" Realizing the slight, Mao sweeps her up in his arms. Problem solved. Family reunited. Next!

Ximena has recovered THE camera and is filming a documentary at the office as a farewell message from all to Gabi. She begins with Paula, who complains that Gabi never helps her and is now leaving without recommending her for the job she's leaving. Next up, Moni, who has just come into the coffee room. Say something pretty, Ximy instructs. Moni, who begins by introducing herself to Gabi before hoping that Gabi never has to hurt from love so much that she wants to die. Moved by this, Ximy tells Pau that she should learn from this. Pau is more interested in consoling Moni. Abandoned by her subjects, Ximy turns the camera on herself and utters a heartfelt,"Pobre."

Maurcio is wishing Gabriela well on her decision to leave, but notes the suddeness of it all and points out how much she is loved and is part of a family. "Love doesn't think..." she responds. Listen to what you just said, Gabi, dear. He kisses her cheek affectionately and they are joined by Moni with tea for Gabi. Gabi is bursting with excitement which she briefly shares with Moni and then scurries off, leaving M&M awkwardly alone together, her tea untouched. He informs her that the kids are safely home. She's glad and is about to leave but what he really wants to talk about is the two of them. He does. She's unmoved, "Next time you sleep with your novia, pretend you're doing the same with me." Ouch. She leaves. He scowls. We pout.

In the restaurant Connie solicits Oscar's (look how far you've fallen, darlin') help in recovering the video. Oscar is well aware of the video which he vividly and lasciviously describes in detail. "Jerry showed it to you?" she gasps. No, but he knows pretty well what it consists of, and by the way, he adds that he too will be participating in the extortion. Oh dear.

Somewhere on the street Gabi and the increasingly suspicious Fred Clean Toilet are strolling arm in arm. Looks like she has surrendered, as well as her heart, her life savings. I'm guessing in cash and in that briefcase he's toting. She's got a party to go to. They kiss...goodbye. Oh my.

Our videographer confronts that insect, Jero for some nice words for Gabi. He complies. "Gabriela, estoy muy triste realemente porque te vas, pero mas triste me voy a poner si algún dia regresas, Nunca vuelvas más. (Gabriella, I'm really very sad because you're leaving, but I'm going to become more sad if you return. Never come back.)" Nice. Ximena notes the churlishness of his words and then turns to Osky, fresh off the elevator, for something more inspiring. He offers up, "No te detengas a mira las ramas muertas del rosal que se marchita Don't tarry to observe the dead limbs of the rose bushes that have withered." Huh? "He recited you a poem," Ximy enthusiastically says into the camera. Next up is Beto. He mugs at the camera making obscene gestures with his tongue, and says, "Gabriela, I know that ever since you saw me you, you've wanted to take a bite, don't blame all those who have, I'm a tasty morsel, but here I leave you a chameleon's kiss so that you won't miss me." It even rhymed. As I said, I'm just the reporter.

Sal is sharing his concerns over the business deal with Freddy Tidy Bowl. Sensing that his mind is on other concerns, Sal listens to Mao complain about the state of his relationship with Moni, then offers advice. He lost Gabi because of cowardice. Mao should not make the same mistake. He should not close that door because the same key won't work twice. When that door closes, there's no way to open it. Discuss amongst yourselves.

Beto finds an unhappy Moni in the coffee room. She is short with him offering to cut off his hand if he touches a bottle meant for the party, but then apologizes. It's not his fault that she's miserable. He is affected by her sadness and offers his support, affection and protection. She is touched by his tenderness and sincerity and impulsively assures us of many more episodes...she gives him another opportunity to win her love. Take that, you dumb, blonde, handsome guy!

Connie's turn before the camera. In the conference room, she briefly primps, arranges here sweater, and reclines on the table. She begins her offering, "Hola Gabriela, muchas felicidades in this moment so important in your life, what luck that love arrived just in time, because in this man's world we women have an expiration date and yours is at the point of triumphing so that..." but she bogs down. Ximena, who must go to the bathroom, gives her the camera advising her to erase that and revise her statementand leaves. Connie views with disgust her original offering but then stumbles onto...THE scene. Oh joy! She hardly believes her good fortune. Ximy returns and Connie professes her profound, if new found love for her. She is ready for her close-up, but first she instructs Ximy to record every moment of the party. Our favorite bad girl is once more back on top.

In the coffee room, Beto is continuing to suck up to Moni, they are joined by Pau who is busy getting the food set out for the party. She orders them to bring the Champagne.

In the outer office the party is set to commence as Gabi steps out of the elevator to be greeted by the well-wishers including her gal pal from the barrio, Estrella. She seems surprised. Ximy busies herself filming it all. Take note, she is living proof that there are a few women who can get away with wearing plaid pants. Connie is clinging to Mao like socks to underwear fresh out of the dryer. A serious Sal wants to talk with Gabi in private, but she's having none of that. "Say what you have to say in front of my friends." Well, she has to be told, so he announces to all gathered the results of his investigation of one Fernando Retrete Pulido, which strikes Ximena as quite funny; he shushes her and continues, alias Fernando de la Rosa, alias Fernando Rodriguez Peña, alias Fernando Robles...Gama, A well known swindler (estafador) wanted in six states. Wow, talk about an aguafiestas (party-pooper). Understandably, Gabi is devastated. Her heart and her savings have been burgled. Now if that wasn't enough dampness to spoil the party, Beto pops out with a reluctant appearing Moni in tow, He's blowing a whistle. Clutching a bottle wrapped in a red napkin, he launches his grenade...he and Monita are getting married. Mauricio looks stunned. Monita looks uncomfortable. once again, we at home are left somewhat unsettled and unsatisfied. Dr. Judy...Next!

Carlos