Caray, Caray!

We rejoin the party scene at Rogue’s palatial home with Rogue snearing at the carne asada.  An inappropriate it seems guest, Fermin, reveals that he was invited by Chucho, much to Rogue’s disgusto he shows the guard his name on the list of invited guests.  But he further hovers around the roast beast, which turns out to be javelina.  The lip smacker further advises Rogue that he should have some better party food to go along with the javelina like chicharonnes and guacamole.  Another housewife in sweater type approaches Rogue who starts to ask who she, but then shrugs, don’t tell me, must be another Chucho invitee.

Chatita contends with Veronica who has to be told several times who she is, this is a good foil since Vero gives up trying to pry info out of her about who Alma the girlfriend is.

The real Alma shows up to be ushered into the party with a nervous Rogue.  What is the nature of this party, it isn’t her birthday and she has a frightful headache, she would much rather go home bed to rest.

Turns out the list of the “best friends” from Alma’s address book are her plumber, hairdresser, etc. Poor Alma only has service people and idiot boyfriends in her life.  Rogue freaks out at the sight of the Turquoise  which doesln’t look at all like the BIG DIAMOND he demanded.  He attacks Doña Susana but the noble Chucho takes complete responsibility and tries to explain the turquoise significance as the stone of those born under the sign of Aquarius.

A quick sweet moment with Elias and Valentina playing fairy princess and adoring subject when Veronica calls, he motions Valentina to silences and assures worried Vronica that Valentina is certainly asleep since it is past 8, while Veronica wants him to be stunned by what she is snooping out about Chucho and his big bra secret life…  Meanwhile I am thrilled that Elias and Valentina have a secret life of fantasy in costumes.

Pati wants to leave with unknown pains too but Alma is drawn toward Rogue’s screaming berating of Chucho.  Alma is of course totally charmed by the turq and wonders how Rogue knew.  Behind her back, Chucho sign language and gestures the appropriate meanings of Turq and how it symbolizes the honesty and beauty and loyalty of his Alma.  He sighs a relief as she hugs him for his deep thoughtfulness then turns the moment into a public announcement that it is time to deepen the association since she is his partner in everything he is proposing marriage.  The crowd drops JAW especially Paticake immediately tears up, Chucho looks like someone kicked him in the stomach and Alma herself looks like she is about to faint.  After a stunned silence the crowd sort of applauds at least the foppish Fernando does.  Pati grabs for a quick and large drink, Chucho tells himself, I don’t think Licenciada said yes, I’m sure she didn’t answer yes.

Alone at an outdoor café table, Xóchi has waited for so long for Chucho without luck,   that she at last tearfully asks to pay her bill.

Veronica shows up sniffing out salt and spice on Elias while frenziedly presents her great discovery that Chucho is apparently enamored of Alma who is actually the ancient Chatita who is old enough to be his mother, isn’t he amazed? HE assures her that he is amazed that she seems to be jealous if he didn’t know better and why is she nosing into Chucho’s private big Bra or big whatever life.

We see poor Paticake in her cups (not bra cups, sorry guys) with her real tears are ruining her mascara as she replays the infamous public proposal over and over.

Veronica plays the cups (not scotch cups, sorry) routine saying he isn’t going to believe who Chucho’s girlfriend is.  She thought with those big boobies, she must be a magazine model (what magazines does she read anyway?)  Elias gets more irritated with her snooping and gossiping, while she and Elias start to argue over a deeper problem that she is concerned with his apparent obsession with cups (yes, bra cups thank you).  She flounces out of the room asking if he isn’t ready right now to go to bed.  He demurs that he will follow her shortly.  She pretends it doesn’t matter.  With Lady Macbeth out of the room, Elias grabs his chips out of the planter and starts to munch the forbidden munchies and to think Veronica’s jealousy must be for real.

A sad Chucho is about to get into his cups (not… oh you get it) at the bar when the real Alma comes in.  They do a polite embrace which she really enjoys as he wants to compliment her about her supposedly happy moment and wonderful match.  She confesses to total shock about this development as she feels like she is in a dream and maybe it is more like a pesadilla (nightmare) although neither of them admit their deep feelings.  Chucho can’t fake being elated for her impending wedding so leaves the room for a moment asking where the bathroom is before he says more inappropriate things.  (Does anyone else notice how impersonal this lovely house is?)

He immediately runs into the bathroom where Pati is crying and swaying dangerously.  He hears her talk about feeling so alone now that her best friend Alma is on the verge of marrying Rogue and she has no one in her life.  Chucho keeps suggesting he go get Alma to come help her but she says no while she pours out her loneliness while Chucho kindly points out that she is beautiful, a good person and must have a pack of interested men dying to be around her.  Sure, she says but the man she loves doesn’t love her.  Chucho gets the bottle of tequila out of her hand, suggest she straighten up her makeup and get out gracefully. 

As he is taking the tequila/scotch up the stairs he runs into Doña Susana who is swaying almost as dangerously on the stairs and they chat about what is happening. She is so amazed in her semi drunken state how well the reception of the ring went over with Alma.  She is amazed at this gentlemanly ways. Somehow that reminds Chucho of Xochi’s name just as he finally remembers that he has stood up said Xóchi.  He tries to call her but Xóchi is so mad when she sees his number on her phone that she refuses to think he is better late than never.

Chucho goes back up to the bar where Alma is still standing.  She has a fierce headache but refuses analgesic.  They decide he must remember to come back to get her furniture to take to his apartment so they agree it might as well be tomorrow oh no why not tonight since you are already here.  She goes to a key cabinet and takes out the keys to the rooms downstairs and she insists he take her SUV.  They find that reason enough to hug warmly again.

Rogue and Fernando talk about all the unknown inappropriate people at the party and now in his house.  Fern reminds him that he better guard all that money.  Rogue smartly assures him that he has it well hidden in a box inside a bureau drawer in Alma’s furniture in the cabana in the garden so there is absolutely no chance that it is in danger.  We see Fernando carrying the very bureau down the stairs then leaving with the mattress and other furniture tied to the top of Alma’s car while Doña Susana sleeps in the front seat waiting for him.  Before sleeping he sets up the new furniture then sniffs the sheets and bed he has gained from Alma as he falls into lovely dreams about Valentina.

Alma foists off Rogue’s amorous kisses insisting she still has a terrible headache and wants to go home to sleep.

Chucho and Chatita catch up over a good breakfast big enough for ten to feel overfed at Chatita’s table.  She pulls out a note with a last name which reminds her to tell him of Veronica’s visit (snoopery) from last night.  and they both laugh that Veronica now thinks that his “Alma” is Chatita.  Jesus rightly worries that Veronica is looking for any reason to deny him visitation rights to his precious Valentina so he is trying so hard to keep her off guard.  Smarter than anyone thinks, Chatita assures him she did not reveal that her apartment is not Chucho’s. 

At another breakfast, Rogue from his regal patio calls a mussy-Paticake with obvious hangover.  She asks how his night was with his fiancé and he assures her that Alma did NOT spend the night.  Pati’s hope springs upward, she has enough high spirits and fantasy dreams to raise the Titanic from the depths of the Atlantic.

Chatita questions Chucho about his blue mood as he washes her breakfast dishes showing us his muscles in a well fitted t-shirt, oops , where was I?  Since there is nothing he admits to, Chatita wonders if everything went well why does he look like he is going to a funeral.  He tries to assure her that it is just and normal that his Alma is going to marry Rogue.  She has to go off She tells him to be alert to day that the illogical will be logical , the ordered will be in disorder.  I missed the connection of her saying but she is so sweet to Jesus.

Veronica finally talks a beleaguered Elias into going to Avon to try to uncover if the delinquent Jesus is indeed a financial executive at Avon like he claims.  We can light a candle to her flirting with Elias until he gives in.  Let’s hope it keeps her out of Avon for a bit.

Pati fakes phone connection problems while she snorts about her small victory.  You mean that the future Señora Rivadeneira didn’t spend the night with him as she should have.  And then why is he calling she asks with great innocence and he just wants to be sure that “lo nuestro” is the same as always.  She freaks out.  Get out imbecile she says gruffly into the phone.  Up the drive comes Chucho in Alma’s car, while over at Pati’s it is the solicitous and willing Fernando simultaneously showing up sniffing around with perhaps the expectation that he could console…. the grieving amante…. She shoves him off with appropriate disdain.

Back at Rogue’s house Chucho bounces in to pick up Alma to give her a ride.  He finds out that she did NOT spend the night there.  Rogue is not happy admitting his failure to perform you might say.  He is further not happy that Alma had Chucho take her car last night since it doesn’t make sense.  Before he can explain further, right then Alma calls to tell Chucho where she is and he leaves with a spring in his step since he clearly has no reason to be here.  Now it is Rogue who demands a coffee and looks like the big headache has passed into his brain. They arrive at her gym or afterwards when Alma gets a chance to voice her strong doubt that her perfect turquoise ring was hand chosen by Rogue since he has always had trouble remembering her birthday let alone her birthstone and what it signifies.  She wiggles her turquoised finger in his face while he continues to deny that it was his thoughtful act and not the roguish Rogelio’s