Caray, Caray!

Zetina’s detective work has snagged Ale and Rafa a huge fish. A soused and cluelessly contented Chavez, enjoying his beloved whiskey in his second favorite place (after the hacienda). “Chavez!” “Licenciada Alvarez del Castillo!” Rafa is shocked that they know each other. Ale explains that she knows him alright, and lists his attributes— un ratero, un estafador, un desgraciado (a thief, a swindler, a loser). “It’s his fault we lost the hacienda. He should be in jail!”

Ale throws Chavez’ whiskey in his face, which draws more concern from him than the threat of jail. Ale does NOT want to talk to this guy and makes to leave, but Rafa convinces her there is much they can learn from Chavez about all the shenanigans happening in both their lives. They start the game of 20 Questions with the first question being what Carmela’s got to do with all of this.

We’ll have to wait for the answers, as we go back to our other fishies wriggling on a hook- the whole Siglo team. Doña Arcadia has just fired the whole lot for being impertinent loafers. They all beg her on bended knee to reconsider, but as they have no Trancazo food with which to tempt her this time, they’re having to beg particularly hard. Even her precious Susanita has earned the Queen’s ire for going out to eat with Dandy. They beg her for one more chance (una ultima oportunidad). Claudia and Rosaura say she’s like a mother to them. (That only works for Daniel ladies.)

The Generala womans-up and says they all should take responsibility for their mistakes and accept the consequences with dignity (she does remain on her knees, however). Marino tries a different, and more effective approach. Money, money, money. And a healthy dose of competitive pride. He reminds Arcadia that she needs her sales team for the upcoming dealership convention, in order to beat their competition ClauAutos. This gets the wheels turning in Arcadia’s head, and she paces thoughtfully, parting a path through her supplicants. Unfortunately, Bebe is neither agile nor fast enough to avoid getting trod upon by Arcadia’s royal shoes. Finally Arcadia decides she can’t go to the convention and compete against ClauAutos without a staff. “Les voy a dar una ultima oportunitdad.” (I’m going to give you all one last opportunity.) Cheers all around!

Carmela is not in as generous of a mood. She’s tired of giving Marco opportunities to pay her in full. Now she wants to receive her reward from her bizcocho (gorgeous; cutey; cutey-pie). Marco’s lack of liquidity means he has to pay up in another way, and they’ve arrived at Carmela’s favorite love hotel for her to receive payment. She’s ready to give his recently tuned up parts a test drive, and wastes no time removing his jacket, tie and shirt, leaving a trail of red lip stains on each item and Marco. A veil of discretion is dropped on this scene as we head back to our game of 20 Questions at the bar.

Chavez continues to spill the dirty details. The hacienda’s been free of debt for months. He and Marco had Carmela hold off on sending them the letters. Oh, and all the money Marco used to live his good life and “help” her family all came from what the hacienda produced. (I’m amazed that Ale is still managing to stay standing through this assault of hard truths.) She rubs her temples in utter shock of what she’s hearing. And the sale of the hacienda was fictitious too. The Shrimp, uh Señor Rubiales, just loaned us his name. Ale has had just about enough. She lets go a stream of insults to Chavez. “Usted es un desgraciado (see above), un transa (a crook), un mentirosa de lo peor (a liar of the worst kind)!” Chavez tries to throw all the blame back on Marco, but they point out that he’s not so innocent. “He swindled me too.” He tells them how Marco nearly tricked him into going to a dangerous country in Africa and then sent him to even more dangerous Iraq to find Rubi.

“Rubi sabe todo esto?!” (Rubi knows about all this?) Yep. And Quintana too. Ale has to sit down now. “No lo puede ser!” (It can’t be!)


And who really owns the hacienda, Ale wants to know. “Un tal Daniel Cepeda.” (Some guy named Daniel Cepeda.) Both Ale and Rafa look impactados. Chavez explains how Dan played into the hacienda scheme. And no, Marco doesn’t know about him. “Once he knows, he’ll die of rage (coraje).” Chavez is gleefully blitzed. Ale lets this all sink in. What she’s really worried about is Rubi. She explains to Rafa Rubi’s role in accompanying Jorge to Switzerland to track down the Swiss account information. She’s worried Rubi is just trying to scam Jorge. Chavez tells them to relax, since Rubi is truly gaga for the old bald guy (pelón).

Now we come to the 50 Million Dollar Question. Rafa wants to know what Chavez knows about the supposed radio contest that got his mama in trouble and sent her to jail. Chavez finally starts to squirm guiltily under Rafa’s intense gaze…as we head to commercial.

When we get back, Chavez is still on the hot seat. Ale turns up the temperature. “We’re waiting for an answer Chavez.” Chavez is saved from answering when the Shrimp man strolls in. “Ignacio Rubiales para servirles” (Ignacio Rubiales at your service.), he says gallantly. Ale is not impressed by his gentlemanly greeting. She is ticked off, but Shrimp man thinks he did nothing wrong. He just lent his name after all. Ale’s rage builds to new levels when just then Quintana comes sauntering in with his lackey. Looks like all the roaches are scurrying out of the woodwork now that a bright light is being shown on their dirty dealings. Quintana casually greets everyone with a buenas noches. Rafa has to hold back an enraged Ale from attacking Quintana physically.

“I’ll never forgive you for what you did to my aunt Quintana!” Even Shrimp man tries to calm her down. Quintana graciously accepts Ale’s ire. He loves her aunt, even if Ale doesn’t believe it.

Now that all the relevant players are in the room, Chavez thinks it’s time for another round of whiskey. “Un momento!” Rafa protests. “This isn’t a party or a meeting of friends.” Ale, however, thinks the whiskey is a good idea if it will continue to loosen their tongues. “We’re here to learn the truth, mi amor.” Pascal brings a fresh bottle, glasses and ice cubes. Ale asks where they should begin. She is met by guilty faces all around, but Quintana decides to start first.

We need some relief from all this truth telling, so we head back to the Siglo crew. Everyone there is feeling pretty relieved that they’ve still got their jobs, although Bebe’s nerves are still so jangled that Claudia playing with his sparse hair is not enough to calm his nerves. He needs a hit of Jimenez’s Pepto. He chugs the whole bottle down to the horror of the crew.

The Generala thinks they all need to go out for drinks at El Trancazo after work to calm their collective nerves and everyone agrees. Dandy runs off to invite his Nonicita, and Marino scornfully makes fun of how whipped Dandy is by his skinny vegetarian. “Can he even go to the bathroom by himself?” (Ira solo al baño?)

In storms his latest victim, er baby-mama. Sandra, looking striking in blue, and like she means business. “Marino! Necesito hablar contigo!” (I need to talk to you!) Marino looks like he’s been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Maybe we need to step away from this intense scene for one that provides a bit more diversion. The veil has been lifted on a very tussled and satisfied looking Carmela, lounging in bed under the sheets. An even more tussled, but less satisfied looking Marco sits on the edge of the bed hurriedly dressing.

“I knew under those clothes was something marvelous. You’re a sensual animal! From the first time I saw you, I knew you’d make me very, very happy.” Carmela purrs like a contented cat. Marco tries to raise a smile. He thinks that because she’s a satisfied customer, he doesn’t owe her anything else. But he doesn’t know our Carmela. This little diversion was just a down payment on the money he still owes her. She’ll now give him all the time he needs to pay her. In the meantime, she’s eager to go another round. Marco thinks to himself, “Si tu supieras lo asco que me das.” (If you knew how disgusting you are to me.) But out loud he calls Carmela a super hembra, una hembra sensacional (a super woman; a sensational woman). Carmela is sure he must be making that wife of his, the one who gets to share his bed every night, a very happy woman. This sets Marco off on an unhappy thought bubble about that damn Ale and Medina.

We’re transported over to the increasingly enlightened couple. Quintana is confessing his sins. Daniel is his nephew and that’s how Dan came in on the hacienda deal. Ale is shocked by this familial revelation. Rafa wants to know what’s the difference between leaving the hacienda in Shrimp man’s hands or Dan’s. Well Dan bought it for real. Although Quintana thinks he just bought it on a whim (capricho), like rich people tend to do. Rafa speculates that he probably wants to gift it to Marian as part of his seduction of her. Ale looks as shifty eyed guilty as their four companions. She tells Rafa that Dan has OTHER intentions.

Ale cannot believe that so many people were conning her without her realizing, but our sweet Rafa tells her it’s because she’s so honest herself that she thinks the rest of the world is the same.

Now we get to the question we’ve all been asking. What about the ghost? Both Chavez and Quintana admit to arranging for their own headless (descabesado) horseman ghost on various occasions, but admit to unplanned ghostly appearances that neither of them can explain. They all conclude that there must be a REAL headless ghost. They have a toast to the ghost. Suddenly, the resident spook, Zetina, appears from nowhere at Ale’s elbow, giving a fright to both her and Rafa. All he wants is a drink of whiskey, and Chavez happily obliges by giving him the last dregs of the bottle. He orders another bottle. Rafa asks once again for an explanation of the radio contest. And we veer off to another scene once again.

Sandra confirms that she is indeed pregnant with a girl. Marino is over the moon. Finally he will have his precious, beautiful baby girl! Not so fast Marino. Seems that Sandra is not like his other women and doesn’t need his support. She plans to raise HER daughter by herself, and Marino will NOT get to see her. Unless, Marino conforms to her demands: marry her; live under the same roof; help educate her three sons; and no other women.

Marino takes orders from no woman (a mi ninguna vieja me obliga nada). Anyway, he’s still married and has NINE of his own kids to educate. Sandra is horrified. He told her he has three kids. Marino’s apparent lack of concern earns him a slap and a “hasta que nunca” (until never). Sandra storms out. Undeterred, Marino decides to turn the Trancazo outing into a celebration of his little girl. Obviously he does not remember the begging, blubbering mess that was Sandra’s ex when we first met her long ago. I have a feeling Marino will never see that girl of his if he doesn’t tow the Sandra line.

Rafa is finally getting his answer about Frank, aka Jerónimo Vega, and the radio contest scam. “That’s the guy! The one who brought charges against my mamacita.” Shrimp man has a one track mind and thinks Rafa is referring to Ale, his other mamacita. When Rafa takes offense, saying he is talking about his sainted mama, Ale takes offense. Isn’t she his mamacita? (This is what you get when you can use the same term of endearment for your loving mother, or your hot girlfriend.) “Si, si, si hombre. Eres mi mamacita.” He gives her a few kisses to prove his point. But back to the business of his mother, Doña Leonor Nuñez de Medina. Poor, lonely Zetina interjects that Rafa is lucky to have a mother. Chavez offers his lawyer services to Leonor and is derided for his cynicism. They all decide to toast to Leonor instead.

Rafa wants to find Frank, ASAP. Chavez understands, but can’t seem to help. He’s interrupted by a call from none other than his ex-other half, Marquito. He explains he’s at the usual bar, but not with the usual people. He’s with Ale and Medina and he’s told them everything. “Es demasiado tarde. Ya sueltó la sopa.” (It’s too late. The soup has already been spilt./The beans have already been spilt.) Click!

Rafa starts to get violent, giving Chavez’s lapels even more of a workout than they usually get with Marco. He demands Frank’s dondeabouts. Ale calms him down, and Chavez self medicates with more whiskey. Rafa takes a moment to point out to Ale that he never lied about the contest and Ale apologizes for doubting him. The bar urges them on. “Beso, beso, beso!” They share a sweet, chaste kiss.

At Trancazo, things are a bit more caliente. The drinks are flowing and Margarita La Diosa de la Cumbia (goddess of the cumbia) is singing with her band. Everyone hits the dance floor to Margarita’s upbeat tune Amor de Mis Amores.


Nadie Sepa Mi Sufrir (Amor de Mis Amores) Lyrics

no te asombres si te digo lo que fuiste
un ingrato con mi pobre corazon
porque el fuego de tus lindos ojos negros
alumbraron el camino de otro amor
y pensar que te adoraba tiernamente
que a tu lado como nunca me senti
y por esas cosas raras de la vida
sin el beso de tu boca yo me vi

amor de mis amores amor mio
que me hiciste que no puedo soportarme
sin poderte contemplar
ya que pagaste mal a mi carino tan sincero
lo que conseguiras que no te nombre nunca mas
amor de mis amores si dejaste de quererme
no hay cuidado que la gente de esto no se enterara
que gano con decir que un hombre cambio mi suerte
se burlaran de mi que nadie sepa mi sufrir

no te asombres si te digo lo que fuiste
un ingrato con mi pobre corazon
porque el fuego de tus lindos ojos negros
alumbraron el camino de otro amor
y pensar que te adoraba tiernamente
que a tu lado como nunca me senti
y por esas cosas raras de la vida
sin el beso de tu boca yo me vi

amor de mis amores si dejaste de quererme
no hay cuidado que la gente de esto no se enterara
que gano con decir que un hombre cambio mi suerte
se burlaran de mi que nadie sepa mi sufrir

(morire de amor sin que nadie sepa mi sufrir)

amor de mis amores si dejaste de quererme
no hay cuidado que la gente de esto no se enterara
que gano con decir que un hombre cambio mi suerte
se burlaran de mi que nadie sepa mi sufrir

The gang takes a break from the dance floor and Claudia brags about her natural cumbia skills. She’s always felt something moving within her. The Generala thinks it’s those additional parts of hers that are filled with liquid. Claudia asserts that she was born with these assets, including her sensual dance moves. Pepeto takes her back to the dance floor to prove it, and everyone else returns as well. Dandy busts an intricate move while dancing with Susana, and some shapely chickadee (skank) takes the opportunity to cut in and wedge herself against Dandy. The Siglo ladies jump in to aid Susana, then send the chickadee and her friend packing. “El señor tiene dueña. Fuera!” (This man has an owner. Beat it!)

Susana thanks them for standing up for her and protecting her interests (cuidado mis intereses). I think all is forgiven for the meat test incident. The scene ends in expected Trancazo fashion with Susana falling flat on her bum, and banging her elbow, from a busted chair. Everyone laughs and all is well with the world.

All is not well in the world of Ale and Rafa, but things are starting to right themselves. Ale invites Rafa in to her apartment for some coffee. She begs his forgiveness once more and he happily gives it with a hug and kiss. They still have many problems to resolve, but Rafa doesn’t doubt that they will do so after all they have already been through. “Quien, que podre impedir nuestro amor?” (Who , what will be able to stop our love?) Absolutely nothing.

A desolate and disheveled Marco wanders the streets wondering where it all went wrong. He had it all and now he’s lost it, and to that naco. He does not want to go to jail. He has to make a definitive decision.

Back at the Alvarez del Castillo apartment, we have a cozy scene. Ale, Rafa, Rosario, Jorge and Rubi are enjoying a coffee. Ale has just recounted all the revelations of the night. Rosario always knew that Chavez was the worst of the worst. What surprises Jorge is that Marcario. And Rafa is perplexed by this new character. Ale explains that it’s Marco and Rafa chimes in that he never liked Marco from the get go. And then Quintana and Shrimp man too! Ale wants Rubi to clear up where she fits into all this. (Tienes que explicar muchas cosas.) Now Rubi’s in the hot seat.

She explains that she was never a nurse, but when she started taking care of Georgie she decided to become a nurse, started taking classes and stopped dancing for good. She realized how much she loves taking care of people, especially someone as sweet as Georgie. “And Iraq?” Dastardly Marco and Chavez sent her there to keep her from spilling the beans to Ale’s family. She worked as a dancer once again at a bar for tourists and diplomats. (We see an animated Rubi shaking her bon bon in Iraq.) There she met a rich, old sick guy whom she began taking care of. Then he kicked the bucket (looks like he was quite happy at the time) and left a small but significant inheritance for Rubi.

It’s with this money that she returned. And she hasn’t returned to dancing, although she really misses dancing. Jorge seems have gone right through and past the forgiveness stage and tries to cheer-up Rubi. She can dance with him! The two take a happy spin. The ladies look on in horror. Rafa stirs his coffee and looks like he thinks Jorge is the luckiest man in the world.

Rosario’s not ready to let her off the hook about knowing about the hacienda and not telling them. Rubi explains that she wanted to, but Marco and Chavez threatened. But she was able to help them with their house the first time they were about to be evicted. She was the one who went to Quintana and got his help in stopping their eviction. They all realize that it wasn’t Marco who worked that particular miracle, as he lead them to believe. The thought that it was Quintana who saved them brings a smile to Rosario’s face. Rubi assures her that he really does love her.

And what about Switzerland? Well, Rubi met a lot of men there, but all they wanted was her bodacious body. Rafa, who has been taking this all in wide-eyed, makes an involuntary appreciative sound at this, but quickly plays it off as appreciation for the coffee under Ale’s wilting gaze. Rubi just had to come back to the best man she’s ever known- her Georgie. She gives him a big hug and a kiss for his bald head. Awwww!

Marco is back at his apartment having a drunken, paranoid conversation with his whiskey. An even more drunk, but carefree Chavez enters. He wants to talk, but Marco doesn’t talk to or drink with his enemies (yo no bebo con mis enemigos). Chavez claims he is a friend, not a foe. As much of a friend as Marco was when he tried to send Chavez off to Africa (touché). Marco isn’t interested in talking about the past, but instead about Chavez’s betrayal in the here and now. Chavez doesn’t think that Medina is such a bad guy. This does not get a happy response from Marco. They already know everything, and they’re looking for Frank. When they find him, you’re toast.

Ale is meanwhile explaining that Marco threatened her with throwing his mama in jail and that’s why she broke up with him. Rafa knew all along (he sure didn’t act like it), and that’s even more reason why they need to resolve this issue. They hope their man Zetina can find Frank.

On to business. Rafa shares the good news about Urdiales’ purchase of the fleet (flotilla) of trucks and they celebrate the expected commission. Rafa wants her to go to the dealership convention and he’ll stay behind to keep an eye on all these outstanding problems. No señor! Ale wants her man with her at the convention (and so do we). He’ll think about it, but he really wants to know what she plans to do about the hacienda. Ale doesn’t think there’s anything she can do. It’s been sold; her dad signed the papers. “Santa Claus!” Well, then they can start anew together and help their parents.

But wait just a minute buster! Ale wants to know what he intends to do about Vicky and Marian. And what is Ale going to do about Daniel, Rafa wants to know. Mr. Todo Yo? She’ll resolve that issue just like that (*snaps fingers*). Well, Rafa will resolve things with his two auxiliary women just like that (*snaps fingers*). They both look skeptical, but beam happily at each other.

What’s important is that we love each other, and we’re together. We end the evening of questions and revelations with an embrace and a kiss.

Labels: dinero