Amor Bravío #78 (Uni 73) Wed 12/5/12 "Pass the Hankies Por Favor!"

Camila’s Cabana:  Lic Becerra is relieved that Camila knows the truth about Daniel now and no one has to hide information anymore.  Camila is impatient to get back the business matter of how to handle ownership of El Rancho between herself and Daniel.  Daniel explains he would like to transfer the lands to Camila, but if he does, she will be in danger again from the two and half crooks.  Lic Becerra is especially worried about Dio because there is no evidence to incriminate him yet.  Lic Bec tries to warn Camila about Dio but is beating around the bush.  Camila grows increasingly impatient with him.   Dan steps in and offers to help to tell the secret that Lic Bec is avoiding.  “Otro secreto?” spits Camila, “Por supuesto!”   Dan and Lic Bec look sheepishly at one another.  Dan explains that the Lic Bec doesn’t want to break the confidence of Amanda (because we think Lic Bec has the warmies for Amanda and wants to stay on her good list).  Dan explains to Camila that Dio is a flim-flam man with many aliases, one being Hector Gutierrez.   Many years ago, Sr Gutierrez was married to Amanda of El Pueblo and Natalia is their daughter (hija de ambos).  “Que?” Camila is impactada and for one split second we are spared her yelling about all of the secretos. 

Amanda’s Hostel:  Pablo and Mariano are getting a tour of the hostel from Amanda.  She assures Mariano that Pablo will be just fine, that she will treat Pablo as her very own hijo.  Mariano pulls out his wallet and offers to pay a few months advance (hecharte el mano).  Pablo refuses and insists that it is time for him to prove he is independent.    The brothers exchange guy-type niceties and backslapping goodbyes.

A Half Empty Cantina in El Pueblo:  Ximena and Al are charging up on liquid courage in the local cantina. They are discussing announcing their marriage to Agustina.   A hostess over by the karaoke machine announces it’s Ximena’s turn to sing.  The chosen song is none other than the Ximena – Al loveybird theme “Te Odio”.  Ximena starts to sing the tune and wanders over to sing the song and caress hubby-to-be’s face and warbles “Te odio!”  Viewerville has been transported to another dimension in a galaxy far far away where people who are deliriously happy to be married sing “I Hate You” to their dearly beloved.  Yessirree.

El Zocalo in El Pueblo (far away from El Hostel and Sra Amanda):  Yago has driven up in his truck and is dropping off Natalia.  She wonders aloud why he has been so quiet during their drive home.  Yago brushes off her concern and tells her he just had a headache.   Natalia wonders aloud why Yago is dropping her off farrrr away from el hostel.  She is ready to introduce him to mumsy Amanda.  Nat is tired of keeping secrets from her mom (anyone near Camila lately knows how keeping secrets too long can turn out!).  Yago grows impatient with this line of questioning and blows her off again saying that he is more concerned with avoiding problems right now.  Nat goes along with cranky Yago but she doesn’t seem to be understanding his change in mood.   Despite being bewildered, she kisses him goodbye and tells him she will never forget the day with him  (handing him her v-card, sadly).  Yago, looking aggravated, disappears into the night.

Camila’s Cabana:  Lic Becerra continues explaining about all the bad guys in town to Camila.  He adds that Bad Lic Salomen Morales has left the country most likely to avoid being caught for having forged a power-of-attorney for Isavibora.   Daniel and Lic Bec wonder aloud why Bad Lic Morales would have taken such a chance and jeopardized his entire career and “good name” (good name, we wonder? Ah hemm).  Lic Bec tells Camila she can count on him like her Tio Dan always did and he leaves.  Daniel asks Camila is she is OK.  “No,” she sighs, “the nightmare just keeps going on and on”.   She says no one is who they say they are!  Dan tries to hug her and she slips out of his attempt to hold her and leaves saying she needs some air.

Dining Room Table at El Malquerida:  Happy family Dan and Isa and Al and Ximena are sitting around the table.  Al looks over at Agustina and says that he and Ximena are planning on being married.  Agustina predictably scorns the idea. Al makes his case that he knows he wasn’t the best husband to Camila but that he promises that he will be a better one with Ximena.  Their relationship is completely different.  Agustina remains skeptical and Al says he understands her skepticism.  However, he is restates that he is a NEW person, forming a NEW life and he will not let anyone interfere (Al glares are Isadora!).   Agustina reminds them of her opinion and tells them she knows these loveybirds will do what they want to anyway.  Ximena smugly thanks Agustina for not interfering with their inevitable nuptials.   Isa adds her two pesos and says that everyone deserves a second chance to which Ximena gleefully adds, “Sure, look at Camila, she is already having good times with Mariano since el chofer dumped her!”  And not just that, Camila gave Ximena her blessings (if you call being married to Al a blessing, that is).   Agustina- Self-Justina suffers from the newest moral crimes committed by her daughters.  Ay Dios!  Isa welcomes Ximena into the spider web, I mean family.  Que honor! Such a grand family!  And speaking of this grand family, guess who comes for dinner but BioDanSr (aka Francisco or FatherlyFrank).  He staggers in, reeking of booze and bad taste.  The family hold their noses to both.

Courtyard at El Malquerida:  Camila is sitting in the courtyard with her delightful pooch Maja.  Lic Becerra approaches her to console and advise.  He advises her to understand that people lie sometimes to protect those that they love.   He points out that she too lies; she is lying to Agustina by not telling her who Dionisio really is.  Camila contradicts Lic Bec and tells him that her circumstance with Daniel is completely different, that she and Dan had a relationship and love means never having to say you lied!  Lic Bec retorts that Camila has a relationship with her mom and that in these types of relationships -  parent, partner or child –  people lie in order to protect another.  “Love is love”,  he tells her.   He wants her to remember that all of her friends have the deepest care and respect for her and that they want the best for her.  Lic Bec takes his leave and viewerville cheers for this unexpected display of common sense so early in our TN.  Camila is left to ponder. 

Dining Room at El Malquerida:   FatherlyFrank is still full of swagger and swill.   Agustina scornfully observes he hasn’t stopped drinking even after all these years.  FatherlyFrank boasts that he is the father of the dueno of this ranch, so there!  “Let’s relax and talk about the wedding”, he says.  He adds that it is thanks to him that they are all able to live at this fine ranchito.   Ximena jabs at FatherlyFrank saying that they are in the house thanks to brother Dan not boorish Dad and for that reason he should reign in his smug little attitude.  Al grows weary of this crowd and takes leave.  Agustina tells FatherlyFrank she is sorry she ever met him (maldigo la hora en que me topaste en la vida) and she and Ximena take leave as well.  Isa takes her turn to swipe at FatherlyFrank and warns that he better not have used her money to have gotten drunk.  She too, takes leave.  FatherlyFrank is left all alone at the table.  Vaya!  He says, “No one in this house likes a party.”  Yah dude.

Courtyard of El Malquerida:  Camila is sitting outside by the fountain breathing far fresher air than that found in the dining area.  Alonso approaches her and swears to her that he will keep the secret that Andres is really Daniel Diaz Acosta.  Camila is dubious as to why she should believe him.  Al continues in his self-realization phase of life and says he is no longer blind and has had his eyes opened.  He wants to ask for her forgiveness for hurting her.  Still dubious, Camila responds, “Por favor!”  No really, pleads Al.  He knows he hurt her and that what he did was wrong. She reminds him that his marrying her for her money was bad.  But not only that, Tio Dan once trusted and cared for Al.  Tio’s last word to her was Al’s name and his discovery of Al’s dishonesty may have been the cause of his final heart attack and death.  Al  pleads apologies again saying he would change everything if he could and will have to live with this reality forever.  He wonders what he can do for her to believe him (Note to AL:  you too picked the wrong week to use the phrase “believe me” to Camila!).  She leaves him with her suggestion to not hurt anyone else - if he marries her sister, to not hurt her.  She walks away and we wonder if the message landed anywhere in between Al's ears.

El Hostel in El Pueblo:  Amanda gives Pablo the tour of the place.  Nat comes in and is surprised to see him there.  Pablo explains that he has chosen to be independent and to build his life with Luzma over pleasing the parents.  Amanda acts surprised that Yago has not mentioned this to Nat since they have been spending so much time together (hint, hint Nat – Mom knows your secret).  Pablo explains that only brother Mariano knows (Yago is a little preoccupied being Mujeriego del Mes).  Pablo excuses himself to call Luzma and give her the news of his new independence and address.  Amanda tells Natalia that “they need to talk” and be completely honest one another.  Nat tries to squirm out of it and suddenly, who should show up but ….. Dio!  Natalia blithely welcomes Dio who reports he has “lost” his assistant (hopefully not at the bottom of the pond with cement shoes) and would like to know if Amanda would like to work for him.  Amanda interjects that Nat has a job, thank you very much!  Nat, clueless about the history between these two (and thinks Amanda has lost her Miss Manners book), introduces Dio to her Mom.   Dio slimes her, er, kisses her hand and asks Nat about “her father”.  Nat tells him he died when she was little and adds that Amanda has always said good things about him to her (lucky for Amanda’s current well-being, to be sure).  The scene is full of slime-ridden charm and curtness.

Upstairs at El Hostel:  Pablo is on the phone talking to Luzma about his new independence.  Luzma is touched that Pablo would make such a stand on behalf of his love for her.  She vows to work as hard as she can and be the best spouse in the world.  Pablo tells Luzma he wants her to finish high school and to follow her dream and study in college.  Viewerville nods with approval at this dashing, sensible, s and courageous young man.

Back downstairs at El Hostel:   Dio tells Nat he will ask Mariano if she can work at Malquerida.  Amanda repeats that Nat does not need Dio’s help.  Dio says he will try another time and gushes good night and how he would have loved to have had a daughter like Natalia to treat like a queen.  Amanda’s worst fear appears to be coming true - that Dio can seduce Natalia with his money even if he registers zero on the moral character scale.  Pablo interrupts the gushing and tells Nat that Luzma needs to speak to her on the phone.  Pablo and Nat take their leave.  Alone, Amanda tells Dio to "largate" or she will call the police.  Dio, reverting to his brutish self warns Amanda not to try to call the police or run away with their daughter Natalia as she did many years ago or she will be sorry.   This nightmare is now real for Amanda and his name is Dionisio!

Upstairs at El Hostel:  Luzma tells Nat that Rodolfo still has the warmies for her and asks about her.  Nat tells Luzma to tell Rodolfo that she is not interested in him and to stay out of her affairs.  Nat is happy for Luzma and Pablo and admires Pablo’s courage to stand up for what he wants and who he loves.  We can see she hopes that this galan behavior runs in the Albarran family, especially on the part of Yago.

Dinner at El Rancho de Buenaventura:  Darling Ana asks where Pablo is, waking Yago up from his dreams of his new belt notch.  Que?  Rocio rambles on about her concern that Luzma is not at Pablo’s level (altura).  Ana asks what that means and Mariano tells her that Grandma is a snob …. um, no …. he tells her that it means Luzma is from humble means with few pesos.  Out of the mouth of babes, Ana says, "Poor Luzma, it is not her fault she is poor".  Bratgirl attempts to further Ana’s education in elitism and says, it is more than that,  Luzma is the daughter of a cook with no education and no class.  Mariano attempts to contradict this but Rocio adds that Luzma’s education is not like theirs.    Cayetano adds his final two pesos to this inane conversation and says that all discussion of Pablo is to stop until Pablo returns to his senses,comes home, and apologizes to his parents.  Meanwhile, Pablo and Luzma pray separately that he is successful in making his way independently and that the in-laws can see that Luzma makes Pablo happy.

Camila’s Cabana:  Camila has a little conversation with herself about being conflicted and having miedo that things will never be the same between Daniel and herself (OK, can viewerville have him?).  She asks El Senor to send her a sign and she falls asleep on the “horns of dilemma”.   As she sleeps and their theme plays on, Daniel slips in and places a rose in her lap while she sleeps.  He has a little silent conversation with himself that reconfirms his love for her. He tells her that his love is hers, only hers, near or far.  He kisses her and takes leave.  Camila wakes up and relives a mental montage of moments with Daniel and the flowers that won her over while their love theme plays on – “ ….. divina tuuuu…”

Kitchen of El Malquerida:  Luzma is dressed for school. She and Piedad comment on their mutual relief that LeoSordido is behind bars and can no longer threaten them.  Luzma tells Piedad about Pablo’s plans - the house, the wedding and her schooling.    Sweetly, Piedad offers Luzma  her little savings and Luzma declines.  Luzma tells Piedad that while Pablo prepares for their future, they will need to postpone their wedding.  She tells Piedad that this would be a good time to go to the north and seek out Luzma’s dad’s family and find the truth about what happened to Fidencio, Piedad’s betrothed. She reminds Piedad that Camila is supportive of this plan and Luzma promises that she and Dolores can handle the chores of the kitchen while she is gone.  Piedad agrees and takes leave.  Luzma prepare the breakfast tray for Daniel and suffers a bout of nausea. 

Fields of El Malquerida:  Camila is riding and admiring the herd.  She trots off on her horse and falls off.  Eleuterio tries to help her and she bites off his head.  He suggests she is tired and she agrees.  She walks away channeling Rogelio of LQNPA, snapping her whip.

Courtyard of El Malquerida:  Rodolfo talks to Luzma, yet again about Nat.  Luzma tells him to find another novia and give up his illusions with Nat.  Nat has passed along the message that she will tell Rodolfo to stay out of her life herself.  Rodolfo is left with his unrequited love.

Camila’s Cabana:  Luzma brings breakfast to Daniel. They share a lovely moment together as Dan thanks her for all she has done and says he can never repay her.  Well, now that you mention it, Luzma says there is something Daniel can do for her.  They talk about Pablo and his search for a job.  Daniel promises to help Pablo with a job.  Smooth move Luzma.  Camila comes in very bad humor after her tumble off the horse.  She enters the bedroom and after exchanging small talk with Daniel about Luzma looking for Camila, Daniel tells Camila he is leaving and thanks her for all she has done for him.   Their love theme begins to play in the background ….. “divina tuuuuu”…. She asks him where he is going and he tells her he is going to be with Rafa until his situation is resolved.  She walks away from him and pauses at her desk.  He says he knows she told him that the love story between Camila and he has ended.   But,he begs her to reconsider a relationship where the two of them can start from zero, without anger and resentment.  He closes his eyes and now has tears streaming down his face as he speaks. …Camila and Daniel look deep into each others’ eyes as he talks…. She says nothing…….  He adds that he wishes that someday again, the only thing that will matter is what they see when they look into each other’s eyes and hearts ….. But, he knows now that the only hope he has of winning her back is to set her free…He turns and walks to the door….” Te doy me alma” now plays in the background…... ….  He opens the door and leaves, having lost in love with Camila.  The door closes behind him.  Camila melts into a puddle of tears.  All of viewerville sighs and sniffs and sighs again while reaching for the hankies.  

Avances:  Ximena is eavesdropping and discovers that el chofer is the real Daniel Diaz Acosta!