Caray, Caray!

David and Abelardo stare in wonder at the unexpected present Satan’s Spawn (aka Carlos) has just left them. They know that the ring now in their possession must be one of the cufflinks. But if Adolfo has the other in his possession, he could easily get rid of it, and this one doesn’t prove a thing. When Fausto joins the two of them in the office, the theories continue to fly. It’s a trick! It’s a trap! It’s the ring Carlos has always had! It’s a fake! They finally decide to have an expert look at it and call Leo to get his assistance in making it happen, interrupting the class he is teaching at the police academy (where does this guy find time?). The three finally consider that Carlos has decided to help them (gasp)-- not a surprise given how badly he and his father get on and the fact that said father (aka Satan) treats him like a dog (I say that’s an insult to dogs). David’s still not so willing to let go all the bad things Carlos has done and trust him.

Fausto gets them back to the business at hand—the plan to fake Adolfo out with Gabi’s mad business management skills, while a supposedly paralyzed David recuperates at home. They can use the same tunnel Fausto uses for David to leave the house unnoticed in disguise. Who would have known Mario’s plan and tunnel would serve so many purposes. David remembers what a wonderful man his father was. (Let us also take a moment to remember the kind, generous, big hearted Mario. Que en paz descanse.)

Upstairs, a worried Ale decides to check in on her little sis by calling Adolfo’s. She finds out her sis has gone to the beach, but not with Adolfo. She also finds out that Carlos no longer lives in Casa Ávila. Once downstairs, she finds David and Gabi talking about Carlos and the ring. She tells them what she just learned about the not so prodigal son being cast out into the wilderness. David wonders again if Carlos and his father have had a disagreement, and for that reason he gave them the ring. “Because this is the proof that Adolfo killed Marta Sandivar!” Gabi is shocked to hear this news about her mother’s murder and the cufflink. David quickly explains about the cufflink Roberto stole from her apartment. Gabi is very confused. She wants to talk to the two mysterious old men, right now. She tells David to round up his dad, while she goes upstairs to call and demand the presence of hers. Uh oh looks on Ale's and David’s faces. David tells Ale he doesn’t know what he’s going to do. They change subject to the mysterious boxes from the States that Abelardo brought back. David doesn’t want the servants (servidumbre) or Gabi to hear, so they head to the office.

At Leo’s flat, he’s arrived just in time to say goodbye to Paula who is headed back to Durango. He’s too pressed for time to be able to go all the way to the airport with her, but Juli and Ramon will. Leo and Juli promise that she will be able to come back and spend her vacation with them. Paulita is sad, Leo is sad, Juli is sad, and so is Viewerville. Farewell Nancy Drew!

Carlos continues to make the rounds. This time he’s showed up at Ale’s office (Mina-take a good look at another hot man who is NOT into you). Mina shows him in to see Ale, who doesn’t bother with the pleasantries. “Where’s my sister?” He tells Ale that Bertha is getting herself into deep trouble by becoming more involved with Adolfo. Even though he’s lived his whole life with his father, he’s only just realized all the dangerous, shady business his father is involved in. That’s why he doesn’t live there anymore. He explains the “favors” Bertha has been doing for his dad. Ale is incredulous about the nature of these favors. Carlos isn’t sure if any of the type of favors Ale is imagining have happened, but he does know Bertha’s given false sworn statements for Adolfo. And she’s getting herself in deeper each day. Ale can’t listen to any more. Although Bertha is her sister and she loves her, she's an idiot (tonta), and ambitious. If she’s digging herself in deep with Adolfo, it’s because that’s where she wants to be. She loves luxury, but she doesn’t want to work for it. She was never good at school; she was super lazy (flojisima). And now she uses her good looks to get ahead. But now her life is her responsibility, she’s an adult, and Ale is tired of telling her this. Carlos agrees; he’s also tired of telling her the same thing. But, he’s in love with her, and he’s going to do all he can to get her out of this. Ale looks at him in disbelief. What does he mean he loves her? He simply does. He loves her, he likes her, they’ve had great times together. She may not be as brilliant as Ale, but she’s not as bad as his father either. Ale thinks it’s nice and all that he cares about her sister, but he hasn’t exactly been a saint. He admits to doing stupid things in his rivalry with David, including the Gabi mess…Ale stops him short. Oh no! The first unforgivable thing he did was sending an innocent man to jail for eleven years!! (Yes Carlos. Your little secret is out.) The only thing he can say is that he DIDN’T kill that woman! He then walks out without explaining further, leaving a very confused Ale.

Back in Mario’s home office, Leo is examining the ring and listening to the theories about it being a trap. Leo doesn’t think so. He told Carlos just the other day that the ring could be proof of a crime. He will have it examined by the jeweler who made Roberto’s ring. He’ll be able to tell them if it’s authentic.

In Michoacán, Don Jorge has decided he needs to give Dora a salary (sueldo), as well as a roof over her head and food. She doesn’t think it necessary but he insists. He’s also thinking about taking his savings and going travelling—to Vegas! (Looks like Dora will be minding the store in Michoacán for a while.)

At the tunnel house, Fausto tries out the makeup and silicone skin on David to create his disguise. David won’t have to speak to anyone or be forced to act. He’ll just have to enter and exit the office building. David thanks Fausto again for all he has done and is doing for them. Fausto is happy to do it. (Note the change from cranky, reluctant Fausto in the beginning.)

Ulises enters Zaida’s apartment, very obviously looking around for her bodyguard (guarda espaldas) Edgar. He’s gone to market, but Zaida does have some good news for him. She’s found work for Elsa with a very important man. He thanks her profusely, and she gives him Dante’s contact info to pass on to Elsa. Elsa should get there within the hour. In the hallway, Ulises runs into Edgar. Wow! Edgar is really dedicated to his job! Either that, or he swings both ways, because he is flirting up a storm with Ulises and making a date for them to chat over dinner at Ulises’ place soon. Ulises is having the best day ever! He gives Elsa Dante’s info, tells her to fix herself up and get going, and then runs off to write a poem, since he’s feeling so inspired!

The Guillen sisters catch up via phone. Gabi tells Juli about David’s miraculous recovery, but urges her to keep it secret. She’ll explain the crazy plans and schemes to Juli in person tomorrow. Tomorrow she also plans on speaking to their father (who is not currently home) and Don Mario, together! So pass the message on to their dad.

The best big brothers, ever, have decided to skip the delicious (I’m sure) dinner Lucha has prepared for them at home, and instead take the kiddies to the movies and arcade for fun, popcorn, sodas, fries, hamburgers, shuffleboard, Dance Dance Revolution, and video games. They even get to start a mini brawl, when Chicles wolf whistles at some mamacita wearing a mini. This is much to the displeasure of her boyfriend, who thinks JJ or Limon are the culprits. Even Caramelo gets into the mix- causing a distraction for the group to escape by tugging down the mini skirt that started the whole scandal! Chicles wolfs down his junk food, while stealing from Caramelo’s and JJ’s plates, and earns a queasy stomach for his efforts.

At the jeweler's, Leo finds out that the stones in the ring are indeed authentic and antique, but the setting (montadura) was not done there.

At Dante’s, Elsa gets her assignment. She will be selling fine jewelry to a list of clients preselected by Dante. Elsa is pleased and amazed that she doesn’t even have to find the clients to buy the jewelry she will be selling. It’s an offer too good to pass up. The Silver Tongued One pulls out the contract, encouraging Elsa to sell her soul…ah, agree to be contracted for a year. Despite her reservations, Dante assures her this will be such a great job, with wonderful earnings, where she will feel so comfortable (agusto), that a year will be no problem. In fact, today he’s getting a delivery of some fine jewelry he’s eager for her to get busy selling. She signs and gives a wide innocent smile. He returns a sinister one.

At MI6 headquarters (aka Casa Genoves), Q (aka David) is showing Agent 007 (aka Gabi) their newest toys. A tiny earpiece, and a transmitter attached to a garter that David helpfully slides up Gabi's shapely leg (earning him a few hand slaps). Abelardo tests to see that it’s all working. There is also a tiny camera and microphone in a silver brooch (prendedor) Gabi will have to wear. It will allow them to see what she’s seeing in real time, but she has to make sure it doesn’t get covered. Gabi is worried about what she’ll do if the equipment fails. David continues to build up her confidence. Just act normal like everyone else. It’s attitude that counts! Plus, “Mario” is going to give her a few acting tips, since he has some acting experience from college.

JJ and Limon bring the kids and their chalk/white erase board (pisaron) to Elsa’s. Everyone is in a good mood, even though they are late and Chicles had some stomach issues. (The word is estómago, but Caramelo keeps saying estógamo.) Chicles is ready to eat again, and asks Elsa what’s for dinner. Elsa is sure they’ve eaten plenty of junk (porquerias) already, and it’s time for Caramelo to get ready for bed. None of the four (yes four) kids like this, but mama Elsa puts her foot down. Time for the boys to go home. JJ shows his displeasure by mocking Elsa’s blown kiss behind her back, and mocking the very word “mama”. The boys leave. Big kisses from JJ. Sad kiss from Limon.

Across the hall, Zaida is eager for Edgar to leave, but he insists his job is to protect 24 hours of the day. She doesn’t like this, and she doesn’t like him helping himself to her liquor either. She resigns herself and has him serve her a drink as well, but she rues the day she got involved with the whole lot of them. Edgar’s advice- You’re in it now, so you better figure out the best way to survive. She told Adolfo, and she’s going to tell him, she can take care of herself. Edgar reminds her she wasn’t so good at that when he first met her, and Garnica had a gun pointed at her head. Fine. She’ll let him stay—on the couch. Edgar wonders if he doesn’t get a sheet, a pillow, etc. Sorry Edgar. He’s her bodyguard, not her boyfriend. She goes into her office, with Edgar’s words about survival echoing in her ears, and begins to write a confession/testimony(!?) letter to the relevant authorities (autoridades correspondientes).

Early the next morning, Gabi has arrived at the Guillen apartment to catch Fausto. She has Juli wake the sleeping Fausto, who comes shuffling out. Gabi wants him to get dressed, chop chop, and return with her to Genoves Manor to speak with Mario. Not possible, says Fausto—with the excuse that they can’t just disturb Mario in that way. Seeing that her sis is about to put the screws on their dad, Juli decides to leave the room. Gabi just wants him and Mario to explain a few things. Fausto thinks it’s too early. Ask him first, and then later they can talk to Mario. (He’s good.) Gabi wants to know how the two men know each other; also her mother and Adolfo. Fausto stalls uncomfortably, so Gabi lays out all the facts she knows. Fausto was an actor. Adolfo was the owner of the theater where he worked. Her mother was a dancer. And Don Mario???

Fausto skirts around the truth. Her mother was a beautiful woman who had lots of suitors (pretendientes). He (Fausto/Santiago) fell in love with her the moment he first saw her. But one of her suitors was Mario. Gabi wonders about this, since Mario was already married. Yes, but Mario still went to the theater every night to see her. Was she already married to Fausto? No, but he got really jealous of all her suitors, like Mario. (Truth bending alert! Find the untruths in the rest of Fausto’s statements.) According to Fausto, when Marta realized Mario was married, she cut ties with him, realized she loved Fausto and married him. Then came along Gabi and Juli. All was good until that fateful night when Marta was murdered, he was blamed by Adolfo, and he had to flee with his girls. Then he started this sad life, full of fear, hoping no one would recognize him. Gabi obviously feels her father’s pain and doesn't push any further.

In Michoacán, Don Jorge stands in for Viewerville and asks Dora all the things we want to ask her. Doesn’t she miss her son? Oh, yes. Then why doesn’t she at least call him? It will just cause more trouble. But, she can’t hide all her life. She should think about that poor boy who spent 11 years of his life in prison. What if he were her son? Wouldn’t she do something for him? Dora begs him not to remind her of it. She’s already been living with the guilt all these years. Don Jorge promises not to push, but he wants her to do some soul searching to find the answer within herself.

At Dante’s, Elsa is given the newly arrived from abroad jewelry that she is to sell. She’s blown away by how fine they are, and checks to make sure they have a bill of sale (factura). Dante assures her they do. He NEVER takes risks. He has a long and prestigious career to protect. Viewerville says a collective uh oh! Elsa breathes a sigh of relief. But she is still worried about carrying around such expensive items and possibly being robbed/assaulted. Since no one will know what she’s carrying around, Dante doesn’t think the robbery risk is great. And his chauffer will take her to see the clients she makes appointments with. Elsa thought she would be selling less expensive things. Dante assures her she will, but right now, these are the pieces he has. He gives her the list of clients and contacts, and informs her she already has an appointment that day at 4pm. Her mission: to sell him a particular necklace or bracelet. If she’s persuasive enough, she may be able to sell him both, and if she does, she gets a bonus. Elsa asks about those pesky bills of sale again, but Dante waves her concern away, saying he’ll send them to the client later.

At Ale’s office, Mina is in the mood for coffee and gossip. What did Carlos say? That he didn’t kill that girl. Ale figures it must have been Roberto, but she’s not sure if she should believe Carlos didn’t do it. He is Adolfo Avila’s son, capable of anything. Super intelligent Mina thinks he may not be as bad as they think. Ale should speak to him and get the whole truth. It might even mean Ale can help her galan. Ale’s eyes light up at the thought of helping JJ escape his 11 year nightmare.

Said galan has just arrived at his office, in time for a visit from our friendly neighborhood Streetwalker Barbie. He bobs and weaves away from Zaida’s hello kiss. (Good boy.) He then asks her not to be so, so…she finishes for him. Flirty (coqueta). (That’s the nice way of saying skanky.) It doesn’t bug him per se, but that last kiss in his office got him in hot water with his novia. He doesn’t mind being kissed by a beautiful woman, but he loves his girlfriend a lot and doesn’t want problems with her. “She doesn’t have to know.” JJ gets serious and finally decides to drop the flirtiness from his response. He is not interested in games and between them there is nothing! Got it! It’s loud and clear to Zaida. In fact, she’ll go see his girlfriend personally and tell her there isn't/wasn't/will never be anything between them. JJ writes Ale’s office info down. If Zaida doesn’t do what she promised, JJ will break the partnership with her. She is sufficiently motivated.

At the tunnel house, David gets his new, middle aged face, paunch and name- Franco Valencia, Campo Real employee. Even David can’t recognize himself! At the main house, Gabi’s getting help from Ale with putting on her “costume”- sensible black business suit, complete with cool spy brooch. She’s nervous as heck. Ale keeps her focused on the mission- thwart Adolfo; save the family business and fortune. Gabi makes one last ditched effort to pass the baton on to someone else. “Mario” has been looking really healthy to her. Surely he can take the reins of the company. Ale assures her he is very, very sick. No can do. She gives her a hug for good luck and a final reminder to not let her hair block the camera and microphone.

At the Campo Real offices, FrancoDavid, Aberlardo and the technician ready the tv monitor and equipment, while FaustiMario and Gabi prepare to enter the board room on another floor. A final sign of the cross from Gabi, and a deep breath from FasutiMario- game on!

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