Amores Verdaderos #73 Wed 2/20/13 Skinnier, you couldn't be!

Some of our novela characters have been approaching the Patio with concerns about the cognitive dissonance* they are experiencing in their roles.  Today someone who prefers to be known only as "Big Joe" writes as follows:

[*cognitive dissonance:  psychological conflict resulting from incongruous beliefs and attitudes held simultaneously.]

Dear NovelaMaven:

I am a good character.  Really, I am.  I love my wife and I would never be unfaithful to her.  It would break her fictional heart -- and my imaginary daughter's too.  But the writers are throwing me at another woman and I don't know what to do.  She's a very nice woman, it's true.  Sometimes we have a blast together -- you should have seen us at the bowling alley.  But how can she be my soul mate when that position was filled some twenty years ago?  Please help, my dear Maven.  Don't let them Nelsonate me! I refuse to be Anibalified!  But frankly, I need the work.  So what do I do?

Yours in desperation,

Big Joe

-----------------------

Dear Big Joe:

Have faith in the writers.  The anvils are in their hands and they will drop them when the time is right.  Your problems will be solved before you can say "¡Yo no soy bígamo!"  (If you doubt the power of writers to solve the insoluble, you haven't been keeping up with Downton Abbey.)  Suck it up, Big Boy.

Besitos,

NM

Now let's get back to the godawful surprise party.

Upstairs at the Mansion

Vikki hears a commotion inside Nikki's room and begs to be let in.  Nikki opens the door and allows her mother to hold her back against the chaos.  Then she sinks down helplessly on her bed, her defenses and denials exhausted.  ¡No puedo más!  She's sick and she needs help.  She has bulimia!  Vikki is bewildered but she answers her daughter with a warm and comforting embrace.

Outside the Mansion, Guzmán explains to Arriaga how Nikki tricked him into thinking she was seeing a therapist for her problem.  Only the therapist turned out to be Dr. Kendra!  Kendra!  Arriaga says Kendra offered Cris a job.  Guzmán doesn't like to meddle in other people's lives but La señora Ferretti me da muy mala espina. (I have a bad feeling about her.)  Arriaga admits he's not a Kendra fanboy himself but his code of silence keeps him from telling Cris what he knows.  As for Nikki's problem, after the party, Guzmán is going to tell Vikki about it.  They both gaze up at her lighted window.

Vikki doesn't believe it at first.  Didn't the nutritionist say she was just anemic and needed vitamins and a balanced diet?  "I lied to her," Nikki confesses miserably.  She is so disgusting; she feels so rejected; she hates what she sees when she looks in the mirror; she looks híper gorda no matter how much she exercises.  Here Vikki interjects:  ¡Más delgada no puedes estar! (You couldn't be any more slender!)  But Nikki denies that.

Vikki will take her daughter to a doctor.  They are in this thing together and they will get help and move past it.  Nikki needs to stop worrying about what other people think: "We love you for who you are, not because you're fat or skinny." 

A mini-axis of Evil -- O-K?

Downstairs at the party, Odette approaches Kendra, who is in a neo-flapper get-up.  [In a certain light, the bauble on her forehead looks like a bare light bulb you might see hanging from the ceiling in the bathroom of a railroad flat.]  Odette needles Kendra about her failure to trap Furry.  She thinks hiring Arriaga's wife was idiotic since she's bound to figure out that Kendra is boinking Nelson:

No cabe duda -- tu belleza es directamente proporcional a tu torpeza.

(No doubt about it -- your beauty is directly proportional to your ineptitude.  Which, when you think about it, is as close as Odette ever comes to a compliment.)

Kendra repeats her evil logic (Rube Goldberg meets Machiavelli) but Odette isn't interested.  She wants results in one month. Or else!

Odette walks away, smiling smugly.  Kendra takes a few steps up what appears to be a perfectly serviceable Potential Staircase of Doom and surveys the crowd.  "We'll see who has the last laugh, maldita bruja!"

When every mirror is a fun-house mirror...

Nikki and Vikki continue talking about the gravity of bulimia and the importance of acknowledging her illness.  Nikki isn't exactly sure how it started; but she tells her mother what she told Guzmán earlier -- how she was hurt by whispers that she was fat and that she only got work as a model because of her mother.  Vikki is quick to point out that Nikki has everything it takes to be a great model: her height, the way she carries herself, her beautifully proportioned body, her lovely face.   Nikki doesn't see it that way.  She is a cow!  She's horrible! No one finds her attractive -- she's a big blob of fat.

Vikki realizes that her daughter's self-image is distorted, likely a part of her illness.  With help, she knows her daughter will get well and discover the beauty and the goodness that lie within her.  She is sure that Nikki will overcome her illness.

PaulaToo's Apartment

Beatriz is pacing and her face betrays her anguish.  No one answers her calls at Leonardo's mother's house.  She has to know if Guillo is with her.  She can't just wait idly, she tells Paula.  She grabs her purse and heads for the door.  Tengo que  encontrar a mi tesoro.  (I have to find my treasure.) 

[Wow.  How does Susana González keep a straight face when referring to that Guillo kid as her "treasure"?  Patio folks want to know.]

The party may be a bust but at least some musicians are getting work.

Per Nelson Brizz's orders, Salsero hires a restaurant guitar trio to play a serenata for Vikki.  They won't be free to go for another hour.  That's fine with Salsero who uses the time to dream of his beloved Beatriz.

More mother-daughter bonding

Vikki is brushing Nikki's hair.  Nikki feels bad about ruining the party but Vikki thinks the trust her daughter is showing her is the best birthday gift possible. 

Guzmán appears at the bedroom door.   Nelson sent him to bring the women back to the party.  They fill him in on what has happened -- mom knows everything now.  Vikki agrees to go downstairs to say goodnight to the guests, asking Guzmán to stay with Nikki.

Has anyone seen the birthday girl?

Downstairs, Kendra and Nelson exchange sly looks.  Aníbal steps between them while the Godfather (thanks, Mads!) looks on sternly.  Jocelyn drapes herself on Aníbal's shoulder.  Everyone is wondering where Vikki is.  Then someone points to the Potential Staircase of Doom -- and yes, Victoria Balvanera is making her way down the stairs very carefully, high heels, long dress and all.  She is greeted with applause and cheers and mostly smiles. [No smile on Kendra.  She thinks no one on the Patio is watching.  Hah.]

Nelson lights the orchid-decorated cake, a string quartet plays Las mañanitas, and while everyone is singing, Nikki (back in her party dress) and Guzmancito come downstairs too.

Vikki tolerates Nelson's peck on the cheek and allows him to hug her and congratulate her after she blows out the candle.  When Kendra kisses Victoria, Arriaga, who is standing apart and watching, looks as if he could use some Pepto Bismal.  He moves forward to join the line of well-wishers, but Nelson steps in front of him and cuts him off.  Then Vikki eludes Nelson by walking around him and climbs midway up the stairs.  She turns and thanks them all.  She's not feeling well -- with all the excitement, her blood pressure is a bit low, she tells her guests -- so she's going to lie down.

The Furry Failure tries to keep a lid on his fury but he is clearly annoyed.  Too bad, Furry.  Vikki asks her daughter to come with her and the two go up together leaving sour Nelson in the dust.

Odette urges Kendra to move in on the Fornicator -- take advantage of the situation!

Arriaga leans against a stone column; Guzmancito stands as if he were a stone column.  Tomasina walks between them and wants to know what's going on.  They play dumb.  Well she'll find out herself!  When she walks away, Guz tells the Angel that Nikki had the courage to tell her mother the truth.  Our hunky bodyguards exchange a look of moral satisfaction.

Upstairs, Nelson intrudes grotesquely on a sweet mother-daughter scene.  Vikki has just tucked Nikki into bed and promised to pamper her tonight.  Nelson sweeps in on a wave of pique and grievance: Vikki was rude to their guests! the low blood pressure thing was a lie!

Vikki explains that it is Nikki who is not well.  He wants to know what is wrong. Nikki can't quite say it out loud.

Meanwhile, Tomasina has taken up a post outside the door and listens in...

Victoria explains:

Nikki tiene problemas alimentarios; padece bulimia.

(Nikki has an eating disorder; she suffers from bulimia.)

Nelson listens, seems to do a rapid mental search and finds no suitable response in his behavioral repertoire.  Finally he spits out:  How do you know?  Vikki explains that they will be seeing a doctor but that the symptoms have been present for a long time.  Nelson's not buying it: Nikki is just trying to call attention to herself.

[They are beside themselves at the Nikki table: "That may be true, you Furry Freak, but that doesn't mean she isn't sick!"]

She needs to do something useful (de provecho) for a change.  Meanwhile, she should go to sleep; in the morning she'll realize it's all just a bunch of nonsense (una sarta de tonterías) she made up.

Vikki tries again, explaining that bulimia is a serious illness.  Nelson refuses to see it as anything but the usual manipulative behavior.  He doesn't soften, even when Nikki tearfully pleads with him:  Papá, te juro que estoy enferma.  (I swear I'm sick.)

Tomi steals away from the door. 

Nelson leaves -- really, he is booted out -- convinced Nikki is faking and his wife is a fool for believing her.  Nikki whispers softly to his retreating figure:  Papá ...

[To those cynics on the Patio who are whispering about The Boy who Cried Wolf -- Oh yeah?  You wanna make something of it?]

A Fool and His Daughter's Money

In another part of the city, Felipe sits at a card table and rakes in a sizeable pile of chips.  He's on a lucky streak -- and he needs to be. He has to win enough to pay for his daughter's divorce and buy her a nice apartment ...

Abuela Aïda doesn't answer the door.

Beatriz rattles the outer gate leading to Leo's mother's place.  Soggy Paula stands uselessly behind her. [4" stilettos? I mean really?]  Guillo!  Tesoro!  They've been there over half an hour and clearly no one is home.  Bea rejects Paula's surprisingly sensible suggestion that they report Guillo's disappearance to the police.  She's afraid if she does that, she'll never see Guillo again.

Not to worry, Beatriz.  Granny Aïda has just treated Guillo to a horror movie and is now filling his head with junk food and lies:  His mother said if she didn't call, Guillo should spend the night with abuelita. [Yeah. Right.]  Who's taking him to school tomorrow?  School shmool.  Have some chocolate churros, kid.

Aníbal comes to check on his girls.  Vikki tells him she's okay, she just had a little headache.  The thing is, she's not really into parties.  And Nikki is fine, just exhausted from too much exercise.  Aníbal scolds Vikki for snubbing her guests; she retorts that Nelson shouldn't have thrown a party, given the sorry state of their relationship.

Now Guzmán arrives and Vikki has a chance to ask him why he didn't tell her about Nikki's bulimia.  He wasn't sure at first, he explains; later, Nikki said she would take responsibility for herself and she would see a psychologist.

Vikki brightens at hearing this: So she is getting therapy?

That's what Guzmancito thought.  He would drive her to the appointment but had to wait outside the building.  One day she was taking longer than usual so he went inside to check on her.  That's when he discovered she was spending her supposed therapy time in Kendra Ferretti's apartment.

Vikki is shocked.  She can't believe Kendra would lend herself to such a scheme.  Guzmán says nothing.  Well Vikki is going to have to have a serious talk with Kendra.

Finally Vikki leaves and Guzmán looks down on the sleeping face of his beloved Nikki.  He strokes her hair and sits beside her and murmurs:

Eres tan frágil, tan indefensa.  Lo que yo daría ser el hombre de tu vida -- para cuidarte, protegerte, y amarte.

(You're so fragile, so defenseless.  What I wouldn't give to be the love of your life -- to care for you, protect you, and love you.)

There is less sentimentalism downstairs.

Salsero leads the serenading guitar trio into the great room where grumpy Nelson Brizz stands alone.  "Shut up!  Shut up!  Shut up!" he screams.  "Get them out of my house!"

Nelson sits on the bottom step and drinks.  Vikki, now more sure-footed in flats and jeans, joins him downstairs.  He is still aggrieved because she didn't appreciate his party.  She doesn't want to hear it.  They need to talk about their daughter -- Nikki's illness is serious; it can even be fatal.  Nelson blows her off -- as usual, she's exaggerating.  It's normal for girls to do crazy stuff to be slender. 

But if she does have an eating disorder, it's because of Vikki's neglect.  Nikki is a sensitive girl; of course she is affected by Victoria's mood swings (altibajos emocionales).  And instead of taking care of her family, Victoria spends all of her time yucking it up with Arriaga. 

"Arriaga has nothing to do with this!"  They are talking about their daughter's life!  All he wants to do is take advantage of the situation!

Now Vikki runs up the Potential Stairway of Doom with Furry Fury at her heels.  He says:  "If Nikki dies, you'll be the one to blame!"

¡Cállate! screams Vikki, appalled.  She slaps him hard and repeats: ¡Cállate!  Slap!!!  Slap!!!  His reflexes must be dulled by the booze because she gets three good cracks in before he grabs her wrist.  They struggle and lean over the Potential Railing of Doom.  Nelson drops his whiskey glass and it shatters. (More work for the staff.) 

"You're crazy!" screams Nelson.  Vikki agrees, "Crazy with despair at the thought of Nikki not ... "  "Oh don't exaggerate," says Nelson.  He just said it because he's an anal orifice.  He didn't mean it.  Besides, Victoria is the one who is responsible for Nikki's problems.  She's the one who introduced her to the world of modeling.  A mother should lend support to her children.  But she, as a mother is a total failure!

Now Nelson escapes, murdered neither by the staircase, the railing, his wife, nor the Patio crowd.  [There will be time enough. Aribeth tells us there will be 200 episodes.]  Vikki collapses but then pulls herself together:  She has to be strong for her daughter.  The spooky sopranos sound in the background. woooo wooooo.

Outside the Mansion, Salsero asks Jean Marie why the party ended early.  JM gives him the official story and Polita babbles commentary in counterpoint.  Salsero picks out one thing in the stream of words:  Kendra Ferretti was at the party!

Inside, Tomasina tends to Nelson's binge of destruction: she sweeps up the shards of glass and she tells Victoria she is the best mother in the world.

Victoria needs some alone time.  She heads down to her studio.

It wasn't me, Puchis!

Salsero calls Kendra.  Was she the one who ruined the party?  Nah.  Vikki pretended not to feel well and left Nelson looking like a fool.  And guess what?  Now Kendra is there to console him!  Not only that, Nikki is her ally and she's going to collect payback very soon for a big favor she's doing her.  Salsero tells her not to be so sure of herself; but Kendra's not listening.  She tells him to go amuse himself with his colorless Beatriz .  She'll let him know when she needs him.

Mexican Chicken Soup for the Soul

Vikki sits alone in her studio, then gets up and paces.  She reaches up to a shelf and takes down a framed photo of Nikki and a volume of poetry.  Hijita mia, hijita mia, she sighs, putting on her glasses.  She reads aloud:

Todo amor nuevo que aparece           Every new love that is

nos ilumina la existencia,                    lights up our existence,

Jose Angel enters silently and walks down the stairs.  Vikki continues reading:

nos la perfuma y enflorece.                 lends it fragrance and makes it flower.

 

En la más densa oscuridad ...             In the most impenetrable darkness ...

Now Vikki removes her glasses, closes her eyes and sighs.  Arriaga's voice supplies the next line of the poem, reciting from memory: 

Toda mujer es refulgencia                  Every woman is a shining

y todo amor es claridad.                     and every love is light.

Vikki turns around, stands and faces him.  He continues:

Para curar la pertinaz                        To heal the unyielding pain

pena, en las almas escondida,            hidden in the soul,

un nuevo amor es eficaz;*                  a new love is the remedy;

*From El amor nuevo in Poemas de amor de Amado Nervo.

                                                             

His mother used to say that Amado Nervo's poetry was like a caress for the soul, he tells her.  His mother was right, agrees Vikki: When someone is depressed, it's good to have someone to caress one's soul.

Heavy, dude.

Avances:  A montage.  Hard to say if there was anything new.  Is that a good thing?