Caray, Caray!

Day 3 on the recap job reporting for duty and this story was a doozy to recap..

We open Capitulo 18 in the Executive Office of El Rancho with Camila and AlLocoLonso.  Camila asks why the new ranchhand is doing  such lowly work.  Al counters that this is reasonable work and work is work.  Camila says she knows all work is respectable but that clearly Dandres is capable of more (incognito Daniel will hereby be referred to by me as Dandres until he is fully outed).

Out in the courtyard, it is lunchtime and Natalia and Dandres are talking. Poor Dandres doesn't wish to join the luncheon as he knows he does not smell the best.  Natalia complains that Dandres doesn't deserve the type of treatment he has received and Dandres, ever fair, says it is having the chance to work that is important.  Natalia commiserates with Dandres and launches into usual form, gossiping about the state of affairs at El Rancho.  She tells him that the ownership of El Rancho is in limbo because the recently deceased Daniel Sr. threw a curve ball by leaving it to someone unexpected and not to Camila.  This unknown inheritor is "foreigner" (which seems to matter at Malquerido) and the previously unknown son of Daniel Sr and a Chilean woman.  Everyone at El Rancho is anxiously waiting (and a few are crossing off the days) for the aforementioned foreigners' arrival. Dandres is taken aback with this news that Daniel Sr is thought to be his birth father and declares "no puede ser".  Dandres asks "exactly who knows about this?" and Natalia says the patrones for sure and Tio Leo maybe.  Dandres is desperately trying to make sense of this news. 

Asking Natalia exactly how she knows all this, Natalia reports overhearing a conversation between Camila and Al in the Executive Office.  Camila is asking AlLocoLonso why he continues to move things into the Executive Office.  The new dueno is sure to come soon, Camila reasons, requiring Al to then have to move everything back out.  ALocoLonso starts his usual declaration that El Rancho being hers and her needing to step up and claim it. Natalia is seen lurking behind the door listening in on this discussion.

Back at the courtyard, Natalia adds to her gossip report that the future of the ranch is in question as is the marriage of Camila and Al which only makes matters worse.

Back at the Executive Office, Camila is telling Al that the new ranchhand Dandres is clearly overqualified to be shoveling estiercol (dung).  She asks Al to see if he can find Dandres a better job.  Al snidely asks what would she like him to do with Natalia's "noviofucho" (a favorite snide word derivation of Als) then promises to do what he can but is making no promises.

In El Rancho dressing room, Agustina is primping and getting dressed to step out with Mr Slick Dionisio.  While putting on her finery, Camila says she is happy to see Agustina in good spirits and smiling.  She adds, not only is there a pep in Agustina's step, but it is a special pep because she is stepping out as a woman (wink wink).  Camila and Agustina have a little happy giggle time and Agustina has a little twinkle in her eye when she mentions Dionisio. 

While Agustina prepares to step out for lunch with Dio, Dandres is elsewhere in memoryland where he is remembering his mother and her happy memories of Mexico.  He remembers rifling through her box of momentos and how she said she wished Dandres could have seen Mexico as well.  Dandres resists the idea that he could be the son of Daniel Sr and wonders how it could be that his mom would not have told him something this significant.  He cannot accept that she would hide something like this from him all these years.

Memoryland scene is interrupted when El Rancho phone rings. Camila answers it and it is Isavibora calling for Agustina to continue with the knitting lessons.  To her surprise, Isavibora is told that Agustina is not at home but out on the town with none other than Dionisio.  They are out discussing their group venture a "retirement fund business".  Through a little teeth gritting and heaving sighs, Isa exclaims, how nice it will be that now she and Agustina have something in common.  We see, however, that Isavibora is not pleased by this news.

Camila finishes the phone call and returns to lunch mentioning to Al that his mum was just on the phone. Al mentions to Camila that an assessor is coming today to determine the value of the ranch. Camila, half asleep in this conversation questions "what for?" for about a minute.  Eventually she waves it off to "whatever since you already booked it, you might as well go ahead" which pleases Al.  Finally, Al has called a shot.  AlLocoLonso then sighs about how he wishes that he and his dear Camila could be elsewhere, traveling, like when they were on their honeymoon (short memory).  He thinks aloud that going away together, alone, will be great for their relationship and help to resolve their "problemas". He worries that the distance between them is greater every day.  Camila, now awake and paying attention  asks "what do you mean our problemas" hombre? She redirects him to "su problema" and that he needs to follow up with the psychologist to address it.  She points out that "su problema" will require more than five minutes to resolve.  Regressing to AlLocoLonso, he irrationaly reasons that Camila is using "su problema" as a pretext to avoid sleeping with him (although we in viewerville would certainly not blame her if this were so).

While the happy couple analyzes things, we move back to the courtyard, where Dandres is framed by the lovely hacienda arches.  Rudolfo or Ramone (?) comes out to offer Dandres a taco since he missed lunch and he figured Dandres was likely starving by this time.  They have a short exchange but frankly I was distracted by the peacock in the background flying around and down to the ground. 
At the pueblo, we see Isavibora at a restaurant questioning the hostess as to whether a certain Sr. Dionisio has a reservation.  Hostess looks over the guest list and does not see him listed and tells her this. Hostess offers Isa entry to the restaurant to look for herself, but Isa declines saying she must have been mistaken.

We move to the kitchen at El Rancho where Piedad and Tio Leo discuss the state of affairs at El Rancho. Tio Leo wonders where this baboso gringo primo is and when he may show up. To clarify for Piedad, Tio Leo explains this fellow is from another country, therefore he is a "gringo".  Side note: Tio Leo is Mr Mumbles and this recapper would sure appreciate it if he could annuciate a little more!  Tio Leo fears the imminent demise of the ranch if the gringo doesn't show up because he fears Camila is incapable of handling ranch affairs by her little lonesome female self.  Piedad tells Tio Leo that he needs to get back to work, that he should be grateful to have a job and stop with his silly ramblings . Tio Leo, not taking kindly to this lecture from Piedad grabs her by the throat and tells her that she and the niece should be the ones grateful to him for having what they have.  He leaves, looking back, sardonically saying, "You? telling me to work? Estas Loca!".  Isn't that a George Lopez line?

Back in town,at a fine restaurant in town, we see Dionisio and Agustina dining together.  Dionisio pours some wine, Agustina giggles demurely saying she is not used to drinking.  Dionisio assures her she has nothing to worry about as he will see that nothing will happen to her and that in fact, he will be the designated driver (wooing begins). As he slobbers over her, Agustina exclaims she is sooo inexperienced at business having been a housewife and never working outside the home. She says that Dionisio will just have to show her everything.  He slobbers, of course, "I will, step by step" adding a little suggestive comment about taking pleasure at "being the first".  He is happy to be her, first, umm business mentor that is.  As the slobber collects, a surprise chum shows up at the table .... Isavibora!  What a coincidence she exclaims! Then, coincidentally, again, said friend calls to say she can't make it to lunch with Isa. Agustina grits her teeth saying "you don't say, what a shame".  Isa says she just can't intrude, but well, if they insist, sure, she'll join them... Agustina's facial expression tells us she doesn't appreciate this third wheel rolling in. 

At the hacienda, Luzma enters Camila's office to ask a huge favor. She promises that she will not take advantage of Camila's offer to support her in seeing Pablo, but......  She asks if Camila would consider letting Pablo use Camila's private phone number.  She tells Camila this will keep her from being caught by mom and Tio talking to Pablo on the public house phone.  Camila says "of course" and says wistfully she would love to be Luzma's age and in love with the glow in her eyes (we think Camila forgets the acne that comes with this deal). She tells Luzma to give Pablo her number and when he calls, Camila will tell her and she can come use the phone. Shy shrugs and grins abound.

Meanwhile, back in town, Dandres  is walking down Main Street and sees the notario office where the Licenciado Becerra works.  He is remembering the phone call he received back in Chile notifying him of his inheritance.  He realizes this is the same notario that contacted him in Chile and was handling his inheritance.

Back at the hacienda, Alonso is standing in the driveway when Rafael drives up. Lucky for Alonso, Rafael stops short of his toes and steps out of the car.  Alonso informs Rafael to make it quick with this visita and not return.  He adds that he doesn't approve of  this friendship of Rafael's with Camila along with the "fotografucha". He informs him that after this visit Rafael is to return to the town and not return. Not surprisingly, Rafael seems unmoved.

Back on Main Street, Dandres is shown into the Licenciado's office by the assistant Marguerita, whose name Dandres clearly remembers from the phone calls in Chile.  While waiting, Dandres lurks near the door and overhears Lic. Becerra on the telephone wanting to know what is going on with Daniel Acosta.  Lic. Becerra is impatient as he says he needs to know what is to happen next which depends on whether Daniel is dead or alive.  When finished, he steps out and introduces himself to Dandres and mentions a possible job to Dandres.

At El Rancho, Camila and Rafael are sharing un traigo over friendly talk.  Rafael asks if Camila considers him a friend only because of her friendship with Viv. Camila assures him that this is not the case and that the pair of them have become very important to her.  She adds, independent of Viv, Rafael himself is very important to her.  Rafael says this makes him very happy and we think a little wooing may be up soon. He asks if he can serve himself (another traigo) and Camila says " are you thirsty"?  Rafael announces he is thinking of living in the pueblo for a while. He adds that Alonso is not happy about him being there.  Camila tells him that before her life at the ranch her life was full of friends, then it became full of the bulls and ranch animals and now it is full of friends again and this is how it will stay.  Alonso, apparently will need to just accept this. She takes Rafael's hand reassuringly in hers, her hand that is bedecked in  a furry bracelet to match her furry vest.

Back at the law offices of Lic Becerra, Dandres thanks him for the job offer but insists he must decline.  Someone who trusted in him helped get him another job and therefore it would be disloyal to take a different job.  The Lic. Becerra  is impressed with Dandres' good character and wishes him well.  Dandres asks if Lic. has known the Monterde family for long.  The Lic. says he has known Daniel Sr all is life and then Agustina and Camila.  Dandres bids the Lic goodbye and heads out for the church.

Further down Main Street, at the town church, Dandres enters and passes by the Padre while greeting him.  All of the sudden... the Padre recogizes him as DANIEL DIAZ ACOSTA, the one that everyone has been waiting for!  Padre is sure this is the son of Agatha.  Padre is thrilled he is in front of him alive!  Daniel slowly turns and responds that the Padre is the only one that has recognized him so far and that he would like to keep it that way.  He tells Padre firmly that he mustn't tell anyone, that he will tell the good Padre everything as a confession so that the Padre cannot tell anyone else (church rule and telenovela law).  He adds that if Padre breaks this trust, Padre will have to live with the guilt of this broken rule/law (no heaven and no new casting).  Not only that, but Daniel will leave town. The threat does the trick! Oye,Daniel!  Don't forget you will be leaving behind a sizeable inheritance to make your point.

They sit together and Padre asks Daniel about the accusation that he killed his wife and unborn child. An animated Daniel denies it and claims his innocence.  He asks if Padre knew his mother to which Padre says yes, for many years. He adds that more recently they learned that Agatha had died and was survived by a son, this same Daniel.  Padre reassures Daniel to stay calm and they sit together to talk about all these things.

For some reason, we return to Camila in memoryland reflecting on her first meeting with Dandres in the restaurant.

Back to church (not positive of the exact order of this convo, only the content), Padre asks Daniel why he escaped from jail and why doesn't he just turn himself in?  He turns and says "in front of God and in the memory of my mother, spouse and unborn child, I am innocent and unjustly accused."  He swears he will not make the same mistake again of turning himself over to authorities, but will seek truth and justice on his own. He further stews that if Camila is responsible for all that has happened to him, she will have to pay!

Elsewhere in town, Dionisio arrives at Isavibora's apartment, peeved that she both barged in and left him with the tab. Isavibora  drops the dumb act of "whatever are you doing here, we just saw each other" and quickly switches to "don't try to play me for stupid" Bub.  "Sooner or later I will know everything" she tell Dionisio.  He tells her she is acting like a jealous woman.  Isavibora, certain of her feminine wiles, laughs it off as ridiculous.  She says Agustina is a nobody and that she would never be jealous of her. She says it is Dionisio that she wants to keep in check.  Dionisio justifies his rendevous with Agustina as part of the plan to get her to control Camila.  He accuses Isa of being paranoid.  Isa counters she is not paranoid, but simply taking precautions. She cares not about Dionisio and Agustina, but rather of their nefarious plans. Dionisio hits below the belt when he reminds Isavibora that her son has not yet been able to handle his part of the plan.. Low blow, literally. She counters that it is she and Al who have managed to ensnare Camila into marriage thus far.

We return to the town church with Daniel and the Padre again.  Daniel tells Padre that he is certain that someone, likely Camila sent someone to frame him for murder back in Chile.  Then they sent someone to bump him off. Padre says, "no puede ser", that this is not the Camila he knows.  Daniel continues to insist that Padre may think of Camila one way, but that this lady is no lady!  She is the cause of his loss of freedom and the infierno that his life has become.  Padre stays in the no puede ser retort, but Daniel holds firm to his view and declares to Padre that she will have to pay for what she has done. Last scene at the church has Daniel storming down the stares bumping into several indignant parishioners!

Back at El Rancho, Agustina takes a call from what seems to be another of her suitors, Licenciado Becerra.  He reports that Daniel did not take the job but that he seems to be a decent fellow.  He asks her to lunch, but she tells him she doesn't have time as she is now a working girl, working for Dionisio. Lic. Becerra seems surprised by the news. Undeterred, the Lic takes a rain check for lunch and for another opportunity to spend time and maybe woo Agustina.
Back at El Rancho in the parlor, Agustina confesses to Camila that she had a teeny little accident. It seems she hit this nice gentleman in order to avoid hitting something else. This teeny little accident was discovered by Al when he saw the dent in the car.  Camila is troubled, asking why she didn't tell her before, but Agustina tells her she knows Camila has other things on her mind. On the good side, she says, the fellow was very nice, doesn't hold grudges and promises not to sue them.

At the hotel, Dandres drags himself in for the night. Natalia asks where he was, as she waited for him at El Rancho so they could come back to the hotel together.  Sorry, says Dandres, "I was at the Notario and the local church". Natalia assumes he met Padre Baldomero and Dandres says yes.  Dandres asks about Padre and Nat says he's a swell, everyone loves him,  and that he eats at the hotel frequently. Not one to miss a gossip moment, she adds that he was good friends and a confidante of the former Daniel Sr. Dandres asks if Padre is a dueno of El Rancho too, but Nat assures him that he is not but that Padre received a little monthly sum according to Daniel Sr's will. We see this may be leading Dandres astray, thinking the Padre may be in cahoots with the Monterde family interests. 

Returning to the church, Padre prays to picture of Jesus, hoping for answers, and for justice for Daniel.  He wonders about the real paternity of Daniel and the hazard of jumping to conclusions (too late Padre).  He asks his higher power for another chance to talk to Daniel.
Back at el Rancho Camila and Agustina talk about the luncheon with Dionisio.  Agustina is giddy and enchanted (except for being interrupted by Isavibora) and Camila is happy that mum is happy.

We close the day for Dandres as he lies in bed saying prayers.  He doesn't believe the good Padre.  He asks "what next in this "blank"  town" and "what other surprises await?".  Go to sleep Dandres, you have alot of capitulos ahead of you. 

Back at El Rancho, AlLocoLonso ( in his red pajamas) and Camila have a discussion about, yet again, trying to make the marriage work.  Camila wants to make another go at it and to be like they were when they were "novios".  She adds a caveat that Al still needs to work with the psychologist to fix his "multiple personality" and other problems.  Al is animated by Camila's proposition and reaches to hug Camila telling her he wants her near to him.  Camila adds another little caveat to this proposal.  If this try fails, she wants them to have a simple easy divorce.  Al assures her this will never need to happen but that "sure, whatever". We in viewerville all know the dicho that says that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over again and expecting different results.  We don't think Camila and AlLocoLonso know this dicho.

Next day, Camila is outside by the bull pens. Dandres is shoveling "blank" somewhere nearby.  Al and the assessors arrive and Al asks if Camila can show them around.  She is busy but suggests Rodolfo as a substitute.  Alonso calls him a tortoise and a "baboso" and his gaze lights on Dandres.  "You there", he suggests Dandres do the escorting as a favor to him in keeping Camila happy.  Camila, it seems, has been advocating for a better job for Dandres, and well, this is Al's opportunity to make the wifey happy if Dandres accepts.  Dandres accepts. 

Back in town, Rafael and Viv are strolling along talking about Camila.  Poor thing, they agree, to be married to Al. Although AlLocoLonso has uninvited the pair of them to future visits, Rafael has no intention of being uninvited.  He inquires as to Viv's love life.  She says she is not interested in love but says "if it happens, it happens" but insists she is not thinking about it.  We think this will likely change for Viv according to the Telenovela rulebook.

Final scene at el Rancho, Dandres is escorting the assessors around and asking about the ranch.  They tell him that the ranch is the biggest in the region and worth alot of money. Dandres asks why they are assessing the value and they suggest the patrones may be selling it and suggest Dandres start looking for another job.  Dandres asks if Camila knows about this possible plan and the assessors assume she does. 

Back at the parlor, roses have arrived again for Camila with a mushy note from Al.

Finishing the final scene out by the bull pens, Padre arrives and greets Camila and Agustina.  He says he needs to talk to them about Daniel Diaz Acosta....Dandres overhears, excuses himself from the escort job and starts to lurk. Dandres' facial expression tells us he is coming to a mistaken conclusion which will lead him to stew and future trouble to brew.

Avances:  Rafael recognizes Daniel and Padre tells Camila and Agustina that Daniel Diaz Acosta is not dead.

Labels: bravio