Caray, Caray!

For the time being, Rogelio and that smarmy jerkface David "plan" to just keep the info about Miguel to themselves. If you can call that a plan. David makes it clear that if the people Miguel hit with the 18-wheeler end up dying (how the hell did they survive that in the first place?) it's going to be Miguel's problem. He's mostly concerned with recovering the cargo and keeping the company's nose clean. Niiice. Rogelio asks for a favor, but we don't hear what it is yet.

Hysteria at the house. Dany is worried about Miguel, Ana is confused about the possibility of the people he hit dying, and the ever-loving Tia Rosaura is concerned about having lost one of her meal tickets. Dany commences to a full-on freak-out, which makes even Rosaura tell her to pull it together. Optimistic Ana says they'll get Miguel home and they'll take care of him. The cop says that's not an option. He's actually technically under arrest for running two people down with an 18-wheeler. Man, this cop is an ass. If they die he's going straight to jail, don't pass go, don't collect any cash for Tia Rosaura. She focuses her distress on the lack of money to get him a lawyer. Pu-leeze, like she's not going to try to sucker Bruno into doing it for the low, low price of her niece's virtue.

David stands up Cinthia with the excuse that he's helping her brother. She's only mildly disappointed, from the looks of it. She's hanging out with Vanessa and tells her that David's ok and all, but she really likes her men a little more passionate. Vanessa gets all steamy about how passionate Rogelio is…or was? Cinthia brings up that if Vanessa's looking to get horizontal with Rog, she may want to adjust her expectations a bit. Vanessa figures she'll just ask the doctors if Rog can satisfy her carnal desires.

Miguel's really not doing well. A lung collapsed and he lost a lot of blood. He's stable, though. A couple of nurses wheel in a cart to work on him. She notices the hand and starts demanding information, but sees for herself as the doctor unwraps the bandages. He lost 3 fingers. Ana Paula is verklempt!

Bruno is summoned to David's office. Rogelio asks for an estimate of what could happen to someone who ran two people over…best and worst case scenario. Bruno wonders who the hypothetical someone is and Rogelio stupidly tells him it's Miguel, Ana Paula's brother. He calls her "my ex-nurse."

Ana Paula asks what is going to happen to Miguel. The doctor says they've got the fingers and they're going to reattach them. She needs to sign an authorization form and pay his bill. I don't know if he means it this way, but to me it sounds like he's not going to do the surgery if she doesn't cough up some cash.

Vanessa is planning to make her relationship with Rogelio public as soon as the divorce is final. Mommy is still trying to talk her out of the divorce. Papi doesn't want her with Rogelio, but he doesn't have a problem with the divorce. He suspects this is something to do with the business, because of the timing with the contract and all. Mami is worried about the talk if Vanessa goes back to the guy she ditched at the altar. Papi doesn't think she's up to handling Rogelio's medical/physical needs. Vanessa reacts like a spoiled child, screaming loud enough for the whole restaurant to hear that she already told them she could handle it. Mami wonders if he's proposed, which he hasn't, but Vanessa is sure he will. Papi tells her to get divorced first, and then they'll talk about another wedding. "Now eat your salad. Go on!" Damn! It's not easy being a spoiled rich bitch!

Ana Bertha Espin may be a lovely person in real life, but this is the second time she's played a character that just makes me want to smack her every time she opens her mouth. "Well, now how's Miguel going to work as a carpenter? With his hand like that. They won't even give him a job as a driver." Dear sweet Muses, please let me play a character one day who provokes that much emotion! Ana Paula says he'll be ok. Dany is still weepy. Ana tells her she can go see him, but she's got to calm down. She pulls it together and goes in to see him. Rosaura asks if he really will be ok or if she just said it for Dany's benefit. Ana Paula says he really will be fine, but they've got to figure out how to pay the bill. Predictably, Rosaura tells her to call Bruno since he's the "only" one who can help them.

Dany tells an unconscious Miguel that he's got to get better. "Remember we have plans!"

Ana Paula explains she doesn't want them to be indebted to Bruno when he obviously has a thing for her. She wishes Gustavo were there and Rosaura takes the opportunity to snipe at Gustavo for being a useless boyfriend when Ana Paula needs him.

And there he is, bleeding at the bottom of a ditch.

Ana Paula is sure something bad happened to him, but Rosaura says he's probably just off drunk somewhere. AP is sure he's not and she plans to go downstairs and ask Mercedes if she's heard from him. "Oh, his sister works here?" *sniff, sniff* "Are you sure you couldn't ask her to do something for your brother?" Um, maybe if you hadn't encouraged Bruno that might be a possibility now. Of course, I know she doesn't care about Miguel, per se, but his future potential earnings.

Vanessa and Cinthia leave the mall. Vanessa complains about her parents, but Cinthia says things are moving a little fast. Cinthia borrows Vanessa's cell phone to call the hacienda. Consuelo answers the phone and says everything's fine. Cinthia actually asks for Efrain and claims it was on Rogelio's behalf, but Consuelo says he's a the stables. Cinthia tells her to pass on a message to Efrain, from her: "Don't forget your place."

Efrain asks someone to saddle Cinthia's horse, throwing his weight around in Rogelio's absence. Even Margarito tells him that no one is supposed to ride Cinthia's horse except her. He demands the horse be saddled.

Ana Paula finds Mercedes, asking if she's heard from Gustavo and saying she's worried. They have it out about the "kiss" and AP tells her Bruno kissed her, not the other way around. Whatever, Mercedes wants nothing to do with her. AP says she's there because her brother had an accident and while Mercedes is sorry, she'd still prefer to behave as though she didn't know Ana Paula.

David comes to the hospital looking for Miguel's relatives. He finds Ana Paula first and explains he's Miguel's boss. Rosaura sniffs and cries for his benefits, assuming verbally that he's there to pay the bill. David says no way! He took the company truck without permission. That's his story and he's sticking to it. He says Miguel must have been doing a transport job on the side. That's what the company logs say. He insists there's no mistake and the company can't be responsible. It's all on Miguel.

Maria wonders what the phone call was about and Consuelo says that Cinthia wanted to talk to Efrain. She didn't think about having Maria take the phone while she went out to get him, and since she's so touchy about her even talking to Efrain…. Maria softens up and says she has noticed that Efrain hasn't been sniffing around any other skirts lately, so if he keeps behaving himself, when Rogelio gets home, Maria will go to bat for their "relationship." Consuelo is overjoyed. Maria says she'll be watching them like a hawk! "Can I go tell Efrain? Pleeeeease?"

Ana Paula insists someone must have given permission in order for him to get the truck out. David says they're looking for an accomplice. Rosaura threatens him with getting a lawyer and David calls her bluff, saying he's planning on suing Miguel for stealing the truck. Rosaura uses this as ammo to convince Ana Paula to call Bruno.

Efrain rides Cinthia's horse. Consuelo lets him know that she talked to Maria about "them." Efrain doesn't want to get off the horse to talk to her. "Can't you see I'm busy? I'm taking the boss' place now. If he doesn't call or come home, then don't bother me."

Miguel regains consciousness…and the first person he sees is Rosaura. I think I'd vote for unconsciousness again! He tells her another car got in his way. He denies stealing the truck. Rosaura brutally screams at him about his missing fingers and he can't help unwinding the bandage and spiking his blood pressure. Dude freaks right the hell out! Ana Paula asks the nurse to please get a sedative for her brother! Man that sucks! Hand trauma of any kind scares the crap out of me! I know I could still act and sing, but the thought of not playing an instrument again…I might eventually work around it, but it would take some time to be emotionally recovered enough to do that.

Vanessa goes to visit her dad at his office. She tells him to fire Dany for not showing up for work.

Ana Paula tells Dany and Rosaura that Miguel wouldn't let her out of the room. Dany says she's gone to everyone she knows, but isn't going to be able to get much money. Bruno comes in and Rosaura is glad to see him. Ana Paula, not so much, especially after everything she told him last night. But Bruno isn't here on his own account, he was sent…by Rogelio. Dun, dun, dun!

Dany sits by Miguel's bedside and cries to him about how she can't get together enough money for his operation and hasn't been at work long enough to ask for a loan. This reminds her that she completely stood up her boss today and she grabs her cell phone to call him.

Vanessa is whining to daddy that her husband sent word through his lawyer that he doesn't want a divorce. She wants daddy to intervene, but he wants her to deal with her own problems. In the midst of the conversation the phone starts ringing and Vanessa picks it up. Dany asks for Leti, who isn't there and when she explains that she's Dany, "the other secretary" Vanessa responds with a shouted "You mean the EX secretary because you don't work hear anymore!" and slams down the phone. And what does Papi say? "Honey, you've got to learn to control your temper." Really? Really? That's it?

Dany doesn't take it well and cries that she can't have lost her job. Oh, just go back once Vanessa's gone and explain. Federico's a big softy. He'll take you back.

Rogelio asks to speak to Ana Paula alone. He hopes she's changed her opinion of him. Rosaura can't leave it alone and starts laying it on thick with the tears and saying they need money for his operation. Rogelio summons Bruno and tells him to take care of things…if Ana Paula agrees.

David likes that the other people at the restaurant think they're married. He won't tell her what he was doing for Rogelio earlier. "Well, you're lucky you caught me with Vanessa. I don't have a cell phone of my own." "Why not?" "Because Rogelio doesn't think it's necessary." This accompanied by a roll of the eyes I agree with wholeheartedly, but at the same time…come on, she's got enough autonomy to get into town alone every once in a while. Take some cash and get a prepaid cell. Not like there's any reception around that place anyway. David offers to get one for her so they can stay in touch. He tells her he loves her eyes. I get the feeling she'd rather he quit with the pretty words and just get it on right there on the table.

Ana Paula does agree, and thanks him. "You know I can only pay you with work." Rogelio babbles about her knowing how to be "humble" when necessary. Ana Paula sees his being there as wanting to support her and her family in their time of need, and she appreciates that, but she teasingly reminds him that he never said he was sorry for his previous dickish behavior. "Oh, well, I'm only doing this out of the kindness of my heart, with no intentions of emotionally blackmailing you into working for me again, of course!" Ana Paula says she knows and when he gives the word, she'll go back to the hacienda with him.

Consuelo is outside watering plants. She resists Efrain's advances, saying Maria will be watching. She tells him she was just looking for him to pass on a message from Cinthia: "Know your place." He muses that he of all people knows his (delusional) place on that hacienda. He wants to get frisky, but Consuelo tells him to quit wasting her time, she's got work to do. She leaves Efrain to his delusions of grandeur and gets verbal approval from Maria for demanding respect.

Ernesto notices Mercedes is upset and realizes she still hasn't heard from Gustavo. He offers to take her to the police station to talk to a friend of his as soon as he finishes up with a patient.

Bruno and Rosaura confab about Gustavo. According to Bruno, Gustavo put up a fight and things got out of hand. His hired thug brought back Gustavo's personal effects and wallet partly to hinder his identification, partly to make it look like a mugging, and partly as proof that he did the job. "And why are you giving these to me? I didn't ask for that! I only wanted him out of the way for a while." "These things have their risks. It doesn't always go the way you want." Rosaura turns around and sees Mercedes. She awkwardly turns back around, holding the bag of Mercedes' (presumably) dead brother's things. The tacky bitch shoves the plastic bag in her purse, turns back to Mercedes, and gives her a horrible smile.

Rogelio tells Ana Paula that he's attending to business in Tuxtla at the moment, so she doesn't need to work right away, she can take some time to care for Miguel. He can call or send Bruno when it's time for her to go back with him. She reminds him that he got the job for Miguel. *significant hand touch* (drink!) He tells her not to worry about material things right now, it will all work itself out. "The thing is, your friend is trying to say that Miguel committed a crime…." Rogelio tells her the cops will investigate and find out what really happened. Bruno approaches from behind Rogelio, and Dany comes up from behind Ana Paula to say that there's no more time to wait, the doctors need to perform the operation now. Rogelio tells her it's been taken care of. Dany weeps with gratitude and Ana Paula still looks somewhat skeptical.

Rosaura chats up Mercedes. Tacky. She says Ana Paula's been leading Bruno on and while she's sure Gustavo is a nice guy, there are men "para todos los gustos y tambien para todos los gastos" (for every taste and every expense). Mercedes doesn't like women who play around with men's feelings. "I always criticized her for that, but she always wanted to string two men along at once. She'll probably tell you a different story if you ask her yourself. Best not to. Just tell your brother to move on." Tacky. Mr. 5ft points out that this is a major TN trope--the first person to tell the story is the one who is believed.

Dany and Ana Paula have sandwiches in the waiting room. AP breaks the news that she's agreeing to go back to work for Rogelio. Dany finds the whole situation and the timing suspicious, but AP is still dressed by little birds in the morning, so she's sure there's a reasonable explanation and no one's out to hurt her brother.

Rosaura tells Mercedes she hopes her brother is found. Ernesto is ready so Mercedes excuses herself. Rosaura follows her partway down the hallway. She turns around and Bruno and Rogelio are there, so she asks Bruno to go see if Ana Paula has had anything to eat. She tells Rogelio she can tell that he's interested in her niece, and not in a professional way. "So? Would you object?" Rosaura gulps and doesn't answer.

Consuelo and the shopkeeper's daughter (sorry, her name slipped my mind), walk through the square chatting. The other girl has a key to Bruno's house and jokes that with everyone out of town, they could have had a party at his place. She gushes about there being a boy she would have liked to invite, but he's an out-of-towner who hasn't been back through (Miguel). She wishes her mother wouldn't insist she throw herself at Bruno. Consuelo says Bruno is aiming a bit high, and the other girl says he's too old for her. Consuelo says that she's thisclose to being Efrain's official steady, once the boss gets back from his trip and gives his permission. Blah, blah, blah, Efrain's so dreamy.

"I could maybe agree."
"You don't think I'm good enough for your niece?"
"No, on the contrary, you're more than good enough! You know my niece is a decent girl, from a good family. She's not…well, she's not just a girl you pass the time with."
"I would never see her like that! If that's what you think of me, …."
"No, I'm sorry, but look. We're two women alone. For all that Miguel is good for now."
"I don't want you to say a word about this to anyone! Everyone else will find out when it happens."
Rosaura gushes about what a great surprise, and oh how many secrets. Tacky. Rogelio waves her off and summons Hugo to get him the hell out of there.

Dany and Ana Paula reassure Miguel that he's going to be fine. Miguel says he's sorry for doing this to her. "I disappointed you! You're supposed to depend on me." They come to wheel him in to surgery.

Rogelio visits Vanessa. He's whistling with happiness. He pulls Vanessa onto his lap and tells her every day he's more sure that everyone has their price. This apparently appeals to her and they get their smoochies on. That skirt is short enough they could be doing more than that if he were so inclined.

Bruno quizzes Rosaura about the conversation with Rogelio, but she gives nothing away. She tells him she's worried for him because "the dead guy's sister" has federal police connections. "They're already investigating!" Bruno calls his thug and tells him "they" have a problem. The Federales are investigating.

Ana Paula advises Dany to go back to work and explain what happened. Dany figures once she has a chance to talk to him, it will all be fine. They go into the chapel to pray to the Virgen. Or at least Ana Paula does. Dany just weeps. Ana Paula asks for favors: (1) for Miguel to get better, (2) for Gustavo to come back.

Bruno's thug reports the "body" isn't where he left it. He doesn't know where it is. Bruno tells him they can't talk about it over the phone and summons him for a face-to-face convo. Rosaura asks what happened, but Bruno tells her that the less she knows, the better.

Mercedes and Ernesto spent the day with the cops. He's sure they'll find him. She's upset that he has to be missing for 72 hours before they can start the search. Ernesto's cop buddy is already looking, unofficially. Mercedes checks the machine for messages, but only gets Ana Paula, desperately looking for Gustavo. The message pisses her off. "It's that chick!" Mercedes cries and Ernesto comforts her. He still thinks she's pretty, even with her blotchy, teary face. She wonders if she should call their parents, but he says not yet. More comforting.

Miguel won't eat his jello. He just wants to sleep. He's characteristically pessimistic about the outcome of the operation. Rosaura says it had better work, as much as it cost. "Oh, that Mr. Montero! It's like he fell out of the sky!" Must. Not. Kill. Since I spend more time listening and typing than actually watching, Mr. 5ft has to call my attention to the fact that the tacky broad is drinking her nephew's juice. Tacky, tacky, tacky! Rosaura takes over the feeding duties. While talking up Rogelio as being a misunderstood man who jut needs love and affection. Miguel worries about needing to get back to work and make some money. Ana Paula tells him she's going back to work for Rogelio and Miguel flips out. She insists it's fine that she's going back to work for him and Rosaura gloats.

Bruno meets up with his thug and confirms the body is gone, gone, gone. "Then that means he's not dead! Idiot!" Bruno is worried about Gustavo spoiling his plans and the thug is worried about Gustavo recognizing him. Well, if the shit hits the fan, no worries, Bruno will definitely be throwing his thug under the bus, and he lets him know that.

Ana Paula is back in the chapel praying for Gustavo again. Dany finds her there and asks if there's been any word on Gustavo, which there hasn't. Dany is going to go back to work now that Miguel is better. AP says he's in a better mood today. She's really only worried about going back to the hacienda because she doesn't know what happened to Gustavo. She's also hopeful that Rogelio has really changed. He seems like a different person.

Mercedes goes storming into David's office and demands to know where Gustavo is and what he's done to him. She says he's the only person who has a problem with her brother.

Rogelio and Ana Paula have coffee. The doctors told Rogelio that Miguel will recover (he gets in the dig about how at least Miguel will). He agrees with Ana Paula about the importance of physiotherapy for Miguel's recovery. He asks if they've heard anything about the people who were hit, but they haven't. Ana Paula knows Miguel will be really upset about it and she wants to go visit them and see for herself how they're doing. Rogelio says that's not a good idea and it would be better if they died.

Rosaura is yelling at Miguel about how his boss insists he stole the truck, which is why he won't pay for any of Miguel's expenses, or those of the people he ran over. Tacky. "Your sister didn't tell you? You hit a man and a woman and they're in serious condition. Pray to God they don't die or you'll be a murderer."

Tomorrow: more praying, more smooching, a chick fight, more tears.

Labels: no-podia