Caray, Caray!

We are now halfway through our story. We have managed to do this without a single fatality. (unless you want to count the dummy.) We have also managed to avoid all sudden falls down long staircases or other sinister accidents. (I am not counting tonight’s little Marco and Chavez blunder. Those two couldn‘t set a mouse trap correctly). We have not had a single case of amnesia, (you can’t count Jorge, that’s his memory thing). We have had no kidnappings and no switched babies. (although we do have Vicky who may or may not be faking a pregnancy, trying to do cositas with Rafita so she can switch the daddies.) (What?)

What we have had is plenty of fun. We have had Mariachis (Even Hindu Mariachis) animal rights activists (Rafa and Ale freeing the lobsters) . Great kisses and almost kisses (not Ramiro and the General). Lots of knife wielding (the Butchers crazy kids). Plenty of what the heck scenes (our idiot police men, and random salon visits). The funniest bungling villains ever to grace a TN (Marco and Chavez). The sexiest table dancing “nurse” who is soon to be happy in Iraq (Rubi), The craziest work environment since Mash (Auto Siglo). And my favorite, the best TN couple to root for in a very long time!!! (No, not Marino and Ramirez!!). Lets hope the next 115 or so chapters will bring us as much fun, smiles, sneers, frustration and cheers as the first one hundred and fifteen. So lets get to it. It was a busy two hours.

Chapter # 115 After the “Hazeme” has worn off
We have a little rehash from last night. Ramirez has an encounter with a chair and Rafa has promised Vicky a night of pleasure. He swears. (Famous last words.)

Ale enters her house and finds Marco fast a sleep and sawing logs on a rattan chair. He startles as she wakes him. (What’s up with the hair?) He tells her he decided to wait for her since she told him she would be home early. Ale tells him it still is early. She tells him she has to clean up her room and put some order to it. She asks him to join her. A sleepy Marco with hand bag in tow, follows Ale. She is ragging about how she has to put away all her things again after packing them to leave.

Marco snuggles up against her and tells her she can’t possibly stay there tonight. Why not stay with him at his place. Ale tells him to forget that. She has a very early morning. He asks her if she really is going to put everything away tonight. He has a better idea of what they could do. Ale does not seem enthused and suggests that he help her. Marco yawning, is pretending he didn’t hear her. She looks at him and sees him yawning, tells him Nothing my “cielo” (literally means heaven but is commonly used as a term of endearment like “my love” ) why not go and get some sleep. He goes in for a good night kiss and Ale has a difficult time trying to act pleased. He blows her a kiss and tells her he loves her, making a face as he leaves. Ale gives a sigh of relief.

It is morning and Ale is rudely awoken by a ringing phone. It is Rafa. He is up and raring to go. Ale not so much. He chides her a little for not being up already since she did leave early last night. He asks her if she is tired from dancing so much. She wants to know if he called her just to complain. He tells her no , he has a very important appointment today and would like her to review his proposal before the morning meeting, because afterwards he is going to Cuernavaca. She sarcastically asks him if he wasn‘t able to sleep just thinking about this. Then she literally blows him off and tells him he can leave with whatever proposal he cares to offer at what ever prices. Basically she tells him to do what he wants and stop bugging her. He says “whatever but I still want to see you early at the office.” Ale balks at this and Rafa doesn’t take any lip and hangs up on her.

Jorge and Tia Rosario are arguing. They have a huge mess downstairs with boxes still packed. They can’t find any of the kitchen utensils. Life has just been made easier for all, as who should show up but Azucena. Jorge’s prayers have been answered. It turns out Marco called her to inform her that Rubi has taken her love to Iraq.

Speaking of Rubi. We have a cute little von voyage at our local bar with Chavez and Marco giving a US flag adorned Rubi a proper send off. Rubi is a little worried that jobs might be a bit hard to come by. Marco tells her not to worry. She is all excited to leave and is practicing her new mantra once she lands in Iraq “I love United States.” They wish her well and Marco tells her if she needs anything not to hesitate to call. Big kisses by all are exchanged. As she leaves Chavez mutters “I hope this works.”

Quintana is walking down the street. We see a shady character trying not be noticed behind the wheel of a car. He is studying a picture of said Quintana. We switch back to Chavez and Marco discussing their other little problem. Chavez assures Marco they no longer have to worry about Quintana because he is about to have a little accident. You guys didn’t really think Marco and Chavez were going to be able to successfully pull this off did you? Our would be assassin aims his speeding car at Quintana. He is barely nudged and manages to land on the sidewalk a bit shaken up. He is terrified and walks away saying “ bread roll” (Carlos is that like “a duck”?) . Our assassin is detained by the police and Quintana continues to stagger away.

We have a lot of morning after talk by the Siglo crew. Seems like they all have poor memories of what went on the night before. Why not blame it all on Dandy’s “Hazeme brew” . It seems like everyone is having a rough morning. We see Dona Arcadia talking with Beltran. They both look like “the morning after” a not so memorable night. She wants to know how the fiesta went and Beltran has a Claudia flashback and tells her everything was fine.

Ramiro being Ramiro tries to get frisky with the general. She tries her hardest to tell him to leave her alone. He does not get this. Finally she leaves to go to the bathroom and he follows her. She tells him what happened last night was just what happened last night. Ramiro asks her if she didn’t really feel anything. She does think about this for a moment but says nothing. He salutes her and she silently leaves.

Ale enters Siglo and greets the crew. None of them are fairing very well after Dandy’s brew. She then asks Susana if Rafa has shown up yet. She tells Susana that he got jealous last night. Susana seems pleased to hear this. Ale reminds her there is nothing between them. Besides he has a girlfriend and she has Marco.

Rafa shows up and asks Ale if she needs to review the Groupo Celeste deal. Ale tells him no. Susana is puzzled by this. Ale tells her why would this matter to her.

Dandy shows up and wants to know how the night went and all about the “Hazeme”. Rosaura wants to know how long the effects last. Dandy tells her two months. She looks panicked. Pepito wants to know where he can buy some.


Marino shows up minus Ramirez. Everyone wants to know where his “carnal” (brother or best buddy) is. They all become concerned. Bebe blames Dandy for spiking everyone’s drinks causing them to all behave irrationally and if something happens to him it will be his fault. We see a worried look across Marino‘s face as he remembers the last time he saw Ramirez. Dandy assures everyone that all he put in their drinks was an natural essence oil from Susana. The most they could expect from that is strong nails and good skin.

Marino is calling around looking for Ramirez. He finds out he spent the night in the hospital and was just let out. At that moment we see Ramirez enter Siglo with a huge shiner. Marino asks him what happened. He tells him you left me alone at that bar and when I left I was assaulted. ( I was a little confused by Ramirez’s story. Is he lying? Didn’t that happen when he hit the chair after Marino shoved him? Or is he trying to make Marino feel guilty for leaving him alone at the bar? All good questions.)

Ramirez enters the conference room to inquiring minds. He lies and tells them he had just left Siglo by himself and was assaulted. Marino has entered now and has sat down. I swear he actually looks like he feels bad. They can’t understand what kind of person would do this. Ramirez tells them “a piece of garbage” the worse he has ever seen in his life, as he looks at Marino. They ask if they got anything and he says “My dignity”. . Bebe things they lack solidarity. If one of their friends was drinking why wouldn’t someone want to look after him and make sure he made it home safe. Claudia tells him not to blame them. After all he has a good friend, looking at Marino. Marino tells Ramirez he is sorry about what happened last night. Claudia smarts off and says “give a little kiss too.” This sets Marino off and he threatens Claudia and leaves.

Chavez and Marco are still at the bar. Chavez is talking on the phone to the dumb street thug (idiota potota) that they hired to take out Quintana. He warns him not to open his mouth to the police. He tells him he can’t go to the police station as he doesn’t want them to know he is involved in all of this. He tells him he will come up with something to help and hangs up. Marco wants to know if Quintana is out of the picture. Chavez says this jerk wasn’t able to hit him.

More problems for our dynamic duo. Chavez is on the phone with his contact from the hacienda embargo and he is informing him that the embargo has been formally lifted. Marco wants to know what is going on. Chavez says , what needs to happen. “Marry Ale now and then tell the family the embargo has ended.” Marco wants to know if the notification has been sent to the house. Chavez says more than likely, but with all the chaos going on with moving hopefully it got lost. Marco wants to know what happened to all of Chavez contacts. He wants to know who the people are in charge of sending out the information. Chavez does not know, but is going to find out. And hopefully it is someone they know. Other wise they are going to have to go join their friend Rubi in Iraq.

Our conference meeting has ended and Ale is congratulating Rafa for his strategy to give all the employees names of potential clients. They seem to be very motivated by this. Rafa brushes this off. He needs to leave he has a very important appointment. It is none other than our lovely Marian Celeste. Her arrival has caused quite a stir. Trapita informs Rafa that there is a mamacita here to see him. Rafa gets ready to leave. He asks Susana to take his calls and keep him informed. He tells Ale to wish him luck. She says why would you need it in her very wry Ale way. Rafa gives her an Ira ira ira and leaves.

As he walks out to greet her he is given pats on the back and looks of envy from all as they wish him luck.
Rafa is impressed with Marians punctuality. She tells him she is punctual when it is in her best interest to be punctual and gives Rafa a flirty little smile. (She is so sweet but she is not Ale).

He tells Trapito to get the car. Marian asks him if he wants to drive. He seems surprised by this. After all Ale never seemed to want him to drive. Rosaura has witnessed all of this and as she enters Siglo she remarks Rafa isn’t coming back today. Ale overhears this and we see a worried look cross her face.


Chapter # 116 The Road to Cuernavacca

Ramirez is about to confess something to the Siglo group when Marino chimes in and says he has nothing to confess. He tells them to leave him alone. Where is their compassion. They all disperse . Ramirez asks him if he is afraid that he might tell them that he left him alone at the bar and when he left he was assaulted? Marino tells him he won’t open his mouth. Ramirez asks him what he’s afraid off. That they will find out what class of person he really is. He tells him the reason he didn’t say anything at the meeting was because he respects the concept of friendship and walks away from Marino who calls him a bitter (amargado) idiot.

Random scene where Claudia enters Dona Arcadias office all sad and weepy and leaves happy and chirpy.

Chavez and Marco are still at the same bar and Chavez once again is on the phone trying to solve their problems. He has a name but doesn’t know who it is. Marco tells him he needs to get to know her and get her on their side no matter what the costs are. She has their future in her hands.

Chavez tells him he will do what he can but Marcos better get a move on and get Ale to marry him. Set a date today!!! After all they have Quintana on their heels. Marco assures him he will set a date today. Ale will have to accept this. Marco calls Ale and tells her he needs to talk to her tonight. He makes her promise that she won’t blow him off with any other commitments. Ale promises. After she hangs up Susana wants to know what’s up. Ale says he made her promise that they would talk tonight. Then she shoves a bunch of papers at Susana and tells her to not let the papers touch because they all reproduce (I think they are bills.) Susana tells her not to worry. Rafa will do well with his Celeste deal and she will get the commission. Ale tells her she doesn’t want anything to do with this deal. She won’t help him and she doesn’t have good vibes about Marian. She doesn’t want any thing from the deal. .

Rafa is driving to Cuernavaca with Marian. They are having idle chatter when they come across the same location where Rafa and Ale had their accident. Rafa suddenly has a flashback of Ale’s car flying through the air into the ravine. He looks quite stressed and Marian inquires if he is okay. Rafa tells her he just hasn’t been here in a while.

Now we see Ale sitting and remembering Rosaura’s gossip about Marian and “basic instincts in small houses.” She is interrupted by Susana who tells her Beltran needs to see her. She gets a call from an old friend from school and Ale tells Susana to tell Beltran she will see him later.

Vicky calls Susana. She chews her out for not calling her. There is the funniest visual while Vicky is talking to Susana and we see the huge mounted stuff bulls head behind her. They have things to talk about. Rules to be set. Then she tells her she wants to talk to Rafa. Susan tries to explain that he is not available and with a client. Susana assures her that Ale is with her and not Rafa. Vicky finally believes her.


Rafa and Marian have arrived at the “small house” that is quite grand and palatial. They are discussing flowers and the export business and other stuff. Rafa’s phone rings and he takes one look at it and decides it is best to just turn it off. He goes on singing Marians praise about what a wonderful woman she is with such passion and vision for the future. She tells Rafa that when she enjoys something she gets really involved with it as she throws him a very flirty smile. ( I think she might be referring to our Rafa here.)

We get Ale’s wonderful “Vicky Vicky Vicky” imitation as she and Susana continuing discussing what Vicky wanted. Ale says yea especially since he is out at Cuernavaca with Marian. Susana wants to know more about the call with Ale‘s fiend. Ale tells her he will be in Mexico and she will see him tomorrow. Ale always the business woman, tells Susan there is the possibility of maybe selling a few cars. She tells Susana she is off to see Beltran but casually inquires if Rafa has called. Susana tells her no and ale says “smooth“.

Vicky is pacing about fuming that Rafa turned off his cell phone. She turns and has a little chat nose to nose with our beastie stuffed bull’s head swearing she won‘t stand around with her arms crossed. And as she turns to leave she smacks into it. We hear mooing in the background. (was that symbolic?) .

Beltran is chewing Ale out for not having reviewed the proposals Rafa will be presenting to Marian. She tells Beltran he was the one that put Rafa in charge of the Celeste deal. Beltran reminds her that he put Rafa in charge of Marian. He still wants her to review the contracts before Marian signs them.


Ale tells Susana she needs to call Rafa. Rafa has turned his cell phone off. Ale is peeved now. Rafa can‘t have the contracts signed until Ale reviews them. (Okay raise your hands if you didn’t see this coming, guess who needs to go to Cuernavaca?) Susana informs Ale that she will have to go to Cuernavaca to review the contracts. Susana tells her at least she will be able to find out what they are up to . What good luck, hey?

Rosaura is remorsefully sharing last nights moments of weakness with the General. She can’t even look her husband in the eye. What was she thinking. She is a married women. That darn “wichiwhichi brew” is to blame. The general insightfully informs her that if something happened last night with Pepito it wasn’t the wichiwichi brew, it means something isn’t right with her marriage and she needs to confront that.

Vicky is still trying to hunt down her man. Ramiro happens to be the next unfortunate soul to answer the phone. She wants to know where Rafa is. That secretary of his is worthless. Ramiro isn’t able to give her any more useful information so she asks to talk with Pepito. We see Pepito throw him a don’t you dare look and says no way. Vicky continues on her rant and Ramiro tells her he has to get to work and hangs up on her. This does not bode well with Vicky. She is convinced he is with a woman. Now she has to figure out which one.

Ale is off to find Rafa. Susana has reminded Ale to drive carefully. That road isn’t lucky for her. Ale is now in her car is on her way to Cuernavaca. As she approaches the scene of the accident she stops and has her own flashbacks of the event. She talks out loud and tells herself to leave quickly.

Marco entering his favorite water hole alone, is asking Chavez where in devil is he. Chavez informs him he is on the hunt for Carmela. Marco wants to know if he found her. Chavez tells him yes but she looks pretty busy. Marco reminds him that he has to make sure that the announcement of the ending of the embargo does not get sent out. That will be the end of them. Carmela does not appear to be an easy hunt for Chavez as we see her screaming “forget it!!” into the phone and slams it down. Chavez rightfully looks worried as he hangs up with Marco and approaches her office.

Chavez politely greets her and she tells him to cut the crap, and tell her what he needs. He introduces himself and says he also works for the gremio (union, trade or corporation). She ponders this for a while She asks him he was the one that was fired for receiving money under the table? She tells him he is one extraordinary rat. Chavez seems quite uncomfortable with her blatant knowledge and attempts to close the door. This Carmela is wise to his ways and tells him to leave the door open. He tells her not to believe the gossip that was started by his enemies from the company.

She asks him what he needs. He goes to sit down and she stops him quickly, telling him she didn’t say he could sit down. Chavez Tells her he is the administrator of the Hacienda de Alejandra. She knows which one he is talking about. The one they are having trouble with sending out the notice that the embargo has been lifted. Then she asks him if he knows the embargo has been lifted. He answers yes. She says good than you have Senor Jorge come down and sign a few papers and we will give him back his hacienda. Not what Chavez wanted to hear. She starts screaming at him to get Jorge down here to sign the papers. Chavez has finally gotten his spine back and shuts the door and asks if they can “talk confidentially”

She stands up and tells him to do a little spin. Chavez looks very confused. He does a little spin and Carmela is not impressed. She then asks him what he wants. He tells her stop sending notification of the lifting of the embargo to Jorge. Carmela looks intrigued. She has Chavez figured out. She says oh you don’t want to loose your job? She wants to know what kind of money is behind all this little game. After all the hacienda is worth quite a bit of money. Well that’s what he came to talk to her about in confidence.

She doesn’t want anything to do with this. She isn’t going to get involved with anything that gets her into problems with the lawyer taking care of the Hacienda. What’s his name, oh yea Marco. She doesn’t want to have any problems with him. Chavez assures her she won’t have any problems with Marco. As a matter of fact he is the one who sent him to talk with her. Now she gets it. There’s more money here than she could have imagined. Then she tells him that it isn’t him she needs to talk too. She wants to talk to Marco.
Chavez says fine. I will tell him that. He tells her to have a good day and calls her colleague. She is offended by this and tells him to get!! She calls in her “assistant” and tells him to see if Jorge has received any notices about the lifting of the embargo

Rafa and Marian are getting down to business. Well that’s Rafa’s plan. Marian is more interested in relaxing. Have something to eat. Regular food. Maybe some tequilas. Rafa would rather have her review the contracts. But ever the gentleman agrees to have lunch. It seems to be getting a bit chilly as Rafa offers her his jacket. Maybe they should go inside. Sit by the fire. They can review the contracts and maybe seal the deal with a little brandy. Ale has finally found Rafa. Marian wants to know if Rafa invited her. She tells Marian she needs to talk to Rafa. He has his phone turned off. Rafa tells her it is because of the problems with reception. Yea Ale believes that one. She tells him she needs to review the papers.
Marian offers Ale a drink. Tequila perhaps. Rafa doesn’t think this is too good of an idea. Ale says she loves tequila but not during work hours as she shoots Rafa a look. She insist that Ale stay and eat with them. Rafa tells her that Ale doesn’t really like “comida tipica.” (traditional dishes). Marian assures her it is okay not everyone can eat that kind of food. She offers her lobster. Ale says no thank you she just needs to talk a bit with Rafa than she will be off.

Marian tells them she will let them be, but just for a little while and gives Rafa his jacket back, admiring his fine taste in clothes. These are the same clothes that Ale picked out for Rafa and loaned him money for when he first started at Siglo. She Mocks Marian and caresses Rafa’s jacket saying “you have great taste.” She remembers when they went shopping and Rafa wanted to pick out a blue sear sucker suit. She has a nostalgic moment and Rafa wants to know what’s going on. She snaps out of it and reminds him he still owes her money for the suits. He tells her she was the one who made him buy them. Then she reminds him he went over to Cloautos and wiped the floor with them. Rafa tells her he will pay for all the clothes the end of this month. (These are the cute little spats we all love so much.).

She tells him that’s not why she came, to interrupt his fine little time with Marian. She needs to review the contracts before they are signed. Rafa chews her out saying how many times did I ask you to review them, but oh no you said this was a done deal. She grabs the contracts from him and says enough. Beltran is really nervous about this. She looks at him and says “ this isn’t any fun for me to come down memory lane to Cuernavaca. She blames him saying she wouldn’t have had to come if he hadn’t turned off his cell phone. He tells her he didn’t want to be interrupted while Marian was discussing business. Ale says he just didn’t want to be interrupted by “la Pajarita”. “She doesn’t know where you are right?” We have great stares thrown back and forth.

Pepito has sold a car. This great moment is interrupted by a phone call from Vicky. She is looking for Rafa. She knows he is with a woman. She wants to know who. “Rafa is asking for big trouble“.


Ale is reviewing the contract. Rafa wants to know if they are okay. Ale says they are fine except there are a few concessions that they just can’t allow. Marian returns with a jacket on and thoughtfully hands a coat to Ale. (Marian really is sweet.) Rafa offers to help Ale put the coat on and meets resistance and decides to just let her be. Marian is taking this all in. She asks if they were able to review the contracts. Rafa says yes and Ale says no. Marian wants to know which it is. She suggests they eat first than Rafa and Ale can look them over together.


Ale tells Marian that they didn’t have time before to review the papers. Marian is a little confused. Can’t Rafa do this by himself. Why does someone have to review it. She wants to know if the contracts are any good. Ale says yes they are fine they just need a little tweaking. Ale tells her you’re a business woman, you should understand this. Marian tells her well can’t Rafa do that with me. Isn’t that why he is here? They finally decide to review them together. (this conversation had me a little lost so I might have messed it up a bit. Feel free to correct or add.)

Our final scene is a hoot. Vicky finally manages to climb her way up the telephone pole to reach Beltran. She tells him it is an emergency. Beltran gets a little worried and hopes Rafa is okay. Vicky starts screaming at him that he is with another women. He starts screaming back at her and tells her he is working. He tells her she can’t be calling his place of work like that. She says “Yes I can because I don’t trust any of you people there“. Beltran is outraged. Than clever little Vicky reminds him about his little massage and whiskey time with Claudia.

I am so sorry this is late. I killed another mouse. Don’t know what I am doing wrong but I killed my “magna mouse” at work the other day as well. Thank goodness this is my last monster recap, they are really hard on my mice.

Labels: dinero