Caray, Caray!

Friday: Carlota is all tied up in a cellar with Alonso, looking a bit nutsy himself, pouring some drink down her throat and generally gloating that he has found her out. She begs him to let her go, offering money (no thanks, he has plenty) and telling him to think of his wife and daughter (no fears, they’ll never find out) and offering maybe herself (no thanks, you make me want to puke).

How does it feel to be controlled by someone else, to have no power? He asks, smiling.

I don’t know how Carlota feels, but I’m feeling pretty great right now. On with tonight’s show:

Diana, who has unexpectedly dropped in on Orlando, says I just wanted to talk, is that so bad? Orlando says everything connected with you turns out bad. She comes on strong to him, caressing him, and he backs up. She says things between us have changed, our secret is out in the open, and there’s our son we have together. She smooches his hands and says she remembers all those hot times. She drops her jacket, revealing some shoulder. Poor Orlando is trying to fight her off, but suddenly it seems like she has thousand arms.

Orlando says You go shouting from the rooftops that Camila is a golfa, and look at you, you’re way worse. That does the job. Diana turns her back, arms folded, wounded. He says that the disrespect that Em has for you is even less than you deserve. He tells her to get out and she gits, spitting rancor as she goes.

Split screen of Camila at home, leaning on her suitcase, undecided, and Rafa packing his and sighing.

Inez is shyly walking with her secret admirer. It seems like he wants to have lunch together. She titters okay, but next time her place. Into this sweet little scene comes Diana running. She wants Inez to come eat with her, so she can talk, but Inez says she just promised Juancho. Diana says cancel. Juancho graciously says we can do it another time. Inez stands her ground and says I’m going to have lunch with Juancho and you can come talk afterwards.

Camila is ready to go and Orlando has come to pick her up. Romina tells them bye, and don’t forget to buy me all the stuff on my list. Orlando tells her the agent has the keys to her new place. Whoopie claps Romina. They say they don’t know how long they’ll be gone and off they go. Alone, Romina is ecstatic that she can play house alone with Em now.

Angelica is picking up papers from Orlando’s desk and finds the slim manila envelope that holds her book. In all these months in Real del Monte, it looks like she’s only managed to turn out a 50-pager. He didn’t even care enough to read it, she sighs. And wouldn’t you know, just then the phone rings and it’s that skunk Dario. Hey, he’s in Pachuca and can drive over for lunch. No need, says Angelica. He says oh, but you’re so important to me.

She tries to wave him off by saying she’s the only one in the office and she can’t leave. He says he’ll bring food and he’s dying to talk about her book. She caves and says okay, but make it short.

Oh boy, we’re back where we want to be, namely in a dark dank cellar where somebody has turned on a fog machine. Carlota says I’m not scared of you or anybody else. Alonso says shut up and listen, and the he begins to read her Arcadia’s letter about how Carlota did in Inaki.

We are treated to all kinds of effects, the late Arcadia in sort of a light blue fuzzy light doing an echoey voiceover of what she’s writing, the image hovering over Carlota, who says would you believe that low-life woman? Shut up! says Alonso again, and now he takes up reading. Soon it’s Arcadia’s voice again and we see a ghostly-colored reenactment of her trip to the market and how she saw Carlota buying something, and how she asked the seller what that herb was, and how she found out it could stop a person’s heart.

Chris rings Natalia's doorbell and she, in high strappy heels, a form-fitting dress and of course her tumbling curls, answers and hugs him in greeting. They go in, and a complete stranger, a man, stops on the sidewalk and asks himself out loud Who is that woman that Padre Chris is greeting so tenderly?

Another thing about Real del Monte: The people there talk to themselves. Out loud.

Romina is on the phone with Diana. She says she understands, but she feels split loyalties; it’s her mother and her mother-in-law after all. Plus she didn’t like that Diana used her wedding to air her grievances. Diana said she just couldn’t help it, it was making her blood boil. Romina says but didn’t you think it would create a problem between you and me? Diana says you mean you and Em don’t want to talk to me?

Romina says I can’t receive you in my mother’s house, and if Em doesn’t want to talk to you, that’s his decision. I really miss you, but if that’s what my husband says, that’s what I have to do. Diana says but I really need you. We can meet secretly. Romina says you know my situation with Em is delicate. But maybe with my mama gone, things’ll get better.

Gone? Where? Diana wants to know. With who? Romina says I don’t know how long she’ll be gone, but when she gets back, Em and I will be in the house Orlando got for us. A house??? Diana says. It’s wonderful says Romina, well, gotta go now, buh bye. She clicks off the phone while we hear Diana still ranting on the other end and saying If she went somewhere with Rafa, I’ll kill her.

Chris asks Natalia how things are going with the investigation into The Will. Natalia’s girlfriend Ivonne is there too, hanging out. Natalia says Alonso hasn’t had any luck so far. Chris says he hopes all this gets found out before he leaves. For where? asks Natalia. Chris doesn’t know yet. Natalia says it looks like they’ll be in Real del Monte a while, Alonso really likes it. Chris asks where he is, and Natalia says she hasn’t seen him since morning.

Paloma is visiting Licha, the girl who sniffed the paint thinner, in the hospital. Licha begs her not to drop her from the art class. Paloma says of course not, but you have to promise not to sniff any more art supplies. Licha says but I like to. Paloma says we have to work on that together. Well, says Paloma, I have to go because my aunt gets really cranky if I’m late for lunch.

Carlota says just because I bought some herb in the market doesn’t mean I poisoned anybody. Arcadia’s voice starts up and we have flashbacks of her going to Carlota’s house to blackmail her about Inaki’s death. Arcadia says she should have gone to the police, but she needed money.

Closeup of present-day Carlota grimacing like she’s going to bite someone.

Long-gone Arcadia continues: I didn’t realize what evil that woman is capable of. I am writing this letter in case anything happens to me. If it does, you’ll know she was responsible.

Alonso folds up the letter. He says to Carlota Is there anything you want to say before…
Before what? says Carlota.

Musica de suspenso! The violins scrape furiously. Greenish light darkly illuminates the basement. Alonso turns his back, then turns to approach Carlota, a small earthenware pitcher in his hand. He sneers.

Em is at the hospital desk, paying Licha’s bill. Paloma comes by and sees him. They chat a little about Licha being better, then Paloma says I understand you’re moving to your new home with Romina in a week. Em says yes, and I won’t be able to look across the street and see you every day.

Paloma says it’s painful to see you. Anyway, I don’t think the young girl you knew exists anymore. I don’t believe in happy endings anymore. The day you married Romina, I lost all my illusions. The girl who believed love conquers all has died.

I still love you, Em says. Paloma says but what use is that? Em says maybe one day we can be together again. Both are tearful by now, natch. Paloma says I don’t believe it. It’s happened to me twice now - first with Inaki who died the day of our wedding, and now this with you.

Em says our love will last forever. Paloma says you are beginning your new life, and I have to go make mine. Our love isn’t eternal.

Em is holding her face, caressing it lightly with his thumb when who should walk into the hospital but Gabriel because people in Real del Monte hang out at the hospital a lot. Maybe the cafeteria food is really cheap. He studies them thoughtfully. He’s not talking aloud to himself, or even thoughtbubbling, but I can read his mind. Say, he’s thinking, this might make a great subject for another swell drawing! I could even do it on velvet, maybe put some glitterglue for the teardrops.

Diana has materialized at Rafa’s office and is yelling at him for going out of town with Camila. Rafa retorts that he’s going to the ceramics convention in Valle de Bravo and no, Camila isn’t coming. Diana says I know Camila is going out of town and I’m not stupid. Rafa says she’s going to the U.S. with Orlando.

Ha! says Diana. Now you’re the one who got left for someone else. Rafa says get out. I’m tired of you putting on scenes. You’re not allowed in my office from now on.

Diana scoffs and points to her wedding ring. She says I’m you’re wife. Rafa says but you’re not anything at this factory, or for me. Get out!

Orlando and Camila are eating at a casual outdoor café overlooking a scenic parking lot. He tells her that Diana tried to seduce him, and that it was the second time. He wants her to know so she won’t feel bad about Diana, who’s the bad one in town, not her. Orlando thinks that Diana’s sending Em to Monterrey was the best thing that could have happened to him, so he wasn’t under her influence. Camila says maybe people are just born the way they are. She brought up Romina, but Romina’s very much like Samuel.

Orlando says maybe she’ll grow out of it. Camila is doubtful, but she hopes being a mother will change Romina.

Romina is walking along a tree-shaded sidewalk and runs into Lili, who snarks at her about not being on bed rest. Romina brags that she’s going to see her new house, and unfortunately she’s going to be her neighbor. But when she and Em have their second child, she’ll need a bigger house in a better neighborhood.

You won’t be having one with him, I assure you, snipes Lili. They trade insults. Lili tells Romina how bad pregnancy makes her look, her skin, her weight gain. Romina brushes by her, but looks doubtful.

Joel stops by the shop and tells Monica he’s leaving town for a while, but when he comes back, he wants to have a long talk with her.

Gabriel has brought Licha a drawing pad and a set of chalks to draw with. She is thrilled and tries one out. He points out that these don’t require thinner or any kind of chemical.

Paloma has come home and is astonished that Carlota isn’t there for lunch. Felipa doesn’t know where she is.

Back to the green-glowing cellar. Alonso pours some of his potion down Carlota’s throat. She struggles and says I didn’t kill him! Alonso pours more and says I know you did, and you have to pay for it. You’re going to feel just what he felt.

Carlota gasps and laughs. You should have seen how happy he was, she says. He thought he’d won, investigating the inheritance. He thought he’d vanquished me when he married Paloma.

A: Shut up!
C: That night he drank everything – everything! – that I gave him. That belladonna is great stuff and it doesn’t leave a clue.
A: You’re an evil woman.
C: Not evil, just a woman who always gets what she wants.
A: Well this time you’ve failed. How long will it take you to die? You’re going to suffer hours of terrible pains, of gasping for air.
C: Same as Inaki felt.
A: Rot in hell!

He leaves. Carlota struggles against her bonds.

It’s bright and sunny out, and Alonso has a nice white Mercedes. But he’s anguished. He leans on the car’s hood and, looking heavenward, tells Inaki that’s he’s avenged him. He covers his eyes and sobs.

Carlota has escaped! Chin down, her eyes shooting fire, she slowly sneaks up on him and wham! whaps him a powerful one on the back of the head with a big chunk of wood. He staggers and looks back at her.

Captions: Gritos. Ruidos.

Both reeling, they stare at each other like castmembers of the Night of the Living Dead. A truck drives by, and Carlota shoves Alonso in front of it.

Alonso is left on the street, one shoe off, blood pooling under his face. The truck driver jumps out, looks at him, and runs back to his truck and screeches off. Closeup of Carlota looking evil but also relieved.

Chris is leaving Natalia’s house. She has to go on an errand near the church, so can she walk with him? They both wonder where Alonso got to. Maybe his cell phone batteries died. Natalia says if he’s not home when she gets back, she’ll start to worry. Across the street, the same fellow who wondered aloud why Chris was so friendly with her is knocking on a door. He watches them leave together and asks himself what’s going on with them. We see he has a Madonna statue in his hands. Is that the same man who along with his wife gifted Chris with a statue the other day?

Paloma is remembering Mac giving her her pearl necklace and putting it on her. She remembers sobbing over Inaki dead in bed. How happy my mother was to give me this necklace, thinking that I would be happy with Inaki. And I wasn’t even able to find happiness with Emiliano.

German shows his new red convertible to Em, who says they must be paying him very well. German wants to take him for a spin, but Em says Romina’s not doing well and he has to stay with her. German teases him that now he’s married, he has a good reason to want to be at home.

Em says quite the opposite. He leaves as early as he can.

Dario and Angelica have finished up the sushi he brought. He wants to know when they can do it again, and she is unenthusiastic. He says give me a copy of your book and I’ll look at it, and then we can do dinner. Okay, she says wearily, and gets it for him. When she’s not looking, he gloats over the manuscript.

We see Gabriel returning to his studio when Don Eugenio calls. He says he’s transferred the money for Paloma’s paintings into Gabriel’s account and wants Gabriel to go get it out in cash and give it to Paloma. Gabriel says sure. Don Eugenio says keep me posted on her progress.

Paloma has given up on waiting for Carlota and tells Felipa that she’s going to go out and tell Carlota that she’ll be back. Felipa says Why don’t you like me? Paloma is surprised, as she was being very polite. Felipa says she knows Paloma is upset Rufi is gone. Paloma explains that it’s nothing to do with Felipa, it’s just that Rufi is like a grandmother to her and it’s not fair that Carlota let her go just because she asked for a few days off.

Felipa says how did you know? Paloma says I talked to Rufi. She’ll be back in a week. Felipa says and I’ll be out in the street. Paloma says I don’t know what will happen when Rufi comes back to town, but I do know that in two months (is that when her birthday is?) she and I will be moving out of town, and my aunt will need help in the house. Felipa beams. Gracias, señorita!

Señorita! Paloma repeats the word, surprised. I’m a señorita now and not la niña Paloma.

Edmundo is discussing Mac’s medication and Carlota with Rufi. He thinks a sister wouldn’t kill another sister, but that maybe she was trying to control how fast she got better. Rufi says Mac never could rely on her health, and so Carlota was able to control her.

Carlota is staggering along, clinging to a rock wall and dry heaving. A tax driver comes by and stops to help her. She says take me to a hospital!

Edmundo tells Rufi you better forget what you know about Mac and about Carlota, because if what you suspect is true, your own life is in danger. Rufi gasps.

The taxi driver brings Carlota to the hospital. The emergency staff set her in a wheelchair and a bunch of them run down the hall with her.

Paloma is visiting Dr. B. She asks him if Rufi can stay in his house. He says of course, and you too. Paloma says she can’t until she’s 18, but she’s so grateful about Rufi.

Back to the hospital: Carlota is starting to rave vaguely. The doctor says they’re going to pump her stomach. Carlota begs him repeatedly not to tell her family that she’s there. Don’t tell anyone!

Natalia comes home and Ivonne tells her Alonso hasn’t come back yet. Natalia is worried.

Paloma is in church asking God why bad things happen to good people, like her for example. What doesn’t she understand that she’s supposed to? Why does everyone she loves go away? Please don’t let her fall in love again.

Padre Chris comes by her pew and she tells him why she’s so sad. She’s holding the pearl necklace. He asks her where she got it. She says from her mother, her father gave it to her. Padre Chris says are you sure it’s from him? Paloma says it’s from the man my mother said was her true love, and she also told me I was born from love. My father was the only man she loved. Although maybe he didn’t love her the same way, or so it seemed when I saw him.

When I found this necklace this morning, it really came over me. I miss her so much and wish she could give me a hug. Chris says I’m here – can I give you a hug? Please, says Paloma, hug me as if you were my father. He does.

The doctor tells an improved Carlota that they got her just in time to avoid a heart attack. Her heart was racing. They are going to run tests to find out what she was poisoned with. I was poisoned? Says Carlota. The doctor says you told us so yourself. Who poisoned you?

Carlota turns her head away. Nobody. The doctor says don’t be afraid. I can call the police right now. Who was it?

Avances: Paloma wonders where Carlota is. Natalia wonders where Alonso is. The doctor says the police should be called and Carlota’s eyes open wide.

Labels: amor