Caray, Caray!

Some scenes are combined

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From last time
                We revisit Octavio and MariCruz at the shack following Miguel’s cruel words.  She’s shouting and accusing him, saying she doesn’t want to see him, he’s a liar who doesn’t love her and never did, she means nothing to him. He should just leave!   He gives up, says he’s leaving, and walks out the door.  A disconsolate MC is left with her grandpa Ramiro for comfort. 
                At the ranch, Jose Antonio explains to the country club set that MC jumped in the river and almost drowned.  They agree to send food, brandy and medicine to the hut, while Miguel says he will call the doctor.  Of course, Lucia discourages these efforts.

The end of a long, no good, very bad day
                Ewwsebio and Awfelia are on the road in the jeep, arguing as they go.  She accuses him of cheating on her with Solita; he informs her that “the mute” is attractive and younger.  Viewerville cackles at Awfe’s discomfort.   In the ranch kitchen, Maria and Santa chat and work.  Maria explains that Ramiro made her a basket and she is embroidering him a gift in return.  The bright flowers and large monogrammed “R” are sure to enhance the hut’s décor.  Sly hints of romance to come and singing finish the scene.
                Octavio walks up driveway in the twilight, musing over his dilemma. Maybe this is his chance to leave and he’ll take it, but he won’t abandon MC without protection.  Miguel is pacing in the salon, bemoaning another scandal and asking Lucia what MC did to provoke such hatred?

Tomorrow is another day
                While Solita is gathering wood on the hill above the hut, Ramiro and MariCruz discuss her situation.  She’s still a married woman and shouldn’t be just wandering all over the fields and woods.  She doesn’t know any other way to cope.   Near the cattle corral, Miguel and Octavio are having their own heart to heart.  Octavio says he has decided to sign over some land to MC.  Miguel objects, angry words follow, Octavio shouts.  Miguel promises to care for MC when Tav leaves, but Octavio insists that he’ll make things legal first.
                Many miles away, at the cruise ship dock, Teobaldo/Quasimodo is talking to his new protégé, Araceli ,as he tends his roses.  (Not to make fun of a gentle soul with a disability, but the hump on Teo’s back appears to be all stuffing in his shirt, not an actual back malformation.)  She needs to get stronger, then find a job.  He appreciates her company.  While she goes to fix lunch, he muses that she’s a dream come true—a rose with no thorns.  (Dream on, Teo.)
                Back on the hillside, Maria is visiting.  Abue Ramiro is sad over MC’s problems, wants to talk some sense into her because she’s capable of anything.  Maria says something about great-grandchildren, >FF.  The cow’s head is between our geriatric couple much of the time, but no bovine opinion is heard.

MariCruz takes her pain on the road
                MC and Jose Antonio are on a jungle road, arguing about her endless walking.  People are saying she’s crazy.  She tells him she likes being this way and to leave her alone.  Moving is the only way she can bear the pain.  Don Octavio told him to watch over her, but he can’t keep up with her.  So leave, already!
                Later, MC is seated on ground near the hut, with Moctavio playing in background.  She is still bemoaning the pain of her lost love.  She strings seeds on a strand of natural fiber to create a necklace for herself, recalling Lucia and Ester’s pretty jewelry.  No one ever gave her jewelry, she’s a dirty mess and she wants to stay a dirty mess so no one will ever look at her again.  (She’s doing a pity party the best she knows and lacks the resources to lie in bed or on the couch, surrounded by crumpled tissues and magazines, the TV on in the background and an empty ice cream carton on the floor.  At least she has a monkey for company.)

It’s still tomorrow, still another day and a long one
                Octavio approaches from behind and puts his hands over her eyes.  She swats them away, thinking it’s Jose Antonio.  Octavio presents his plan to give her land. She wants nothing from him!  She shows her necklace, she made it, she needs nothing from him! Her hair’s a mess and she likes it that way!  He asks forgiveness and offers to build her a house.  She doesn’t want it!  Nada!  Octavio makes a pouty mouth and tries for sad eyes, but can’t quite reach Jorge Salinas’ level of puppy-doggery.
                While Octavio is failing at diplomacy, Miguel is visiting Simona.  He tells her to please not loan Octavio any money, explaining his bro’s plan to set up MC for lifetime security.
                MariCruz repeats that her heinous hubby should leave, get away!  She grasps her hair and says she won’t listen.  He reaches for her arm, she refuses again.  Then Octavio drops a bombshell—he’s planning to leave.  MC closes her mouth, opens her eyes wide in disbelief:  “You’re leaving?”  “Yes,” he says, “forever!”
                Octavio tries to explain—she going to have her own house and no one will bother her.  MC starts up again—she wants nothing to do with him, he should leave and never return. MC runs to Abue for comfort, with Solita in the background.  Octavio turns to leave, while Moctavio watches from his perch on a tree trunk, apparently indifferent to the drama.
                Octavio climbs the hill, wondering if he should really leave, and why did he do something so stupid?   He bangs on the hood of the jeep, saying “Estupido!” again.  He parks the jeep at the ranch entrance, heaving a heavy sigh as he steps onto the drive.  A voice calls his name and a beautiful smile breaks over his face as he hurries to greet his friend.

The day just got better for Octavio—new guy arrives.   And for Maricruz—old guy stays
                Hombre de fuego/hawt guy alert!!  OK, ladies, you’ve been waiting for EDUARDO!  And he’s here.  In a sporty little red car.  The two old buddies catch up.  Ed had a hard time finding Tav since he left the airline, but figured he might be down on the farm recovering.  Ed knows about a great airline job, with good pay and pretty women. As they sit down in the salon for a brew and more chat, Ed thinks life must be quiet here.   Tav confides that he’s committed the worst folly ever and his heart hurts so much.
                Downhill, in MC’s world, she’s still blubbering with her head on Ramiro’s knee. “He’s leaving!  I want to die!  I’ll never see him again!  Hold him, keep him from going!”  Solita strokes MC’s shoulder and back from the other side, soothing the suffering she can’t hear.  (Some viewers may wish for the same condition.)
                MC wants to be with her mother (dead).  She continues to lament so loudly  that Ramiro moves from consolation to counsel.  She wipes her nose on his pants leg, with no damage to the pants.  Grandpa thinks MC should laugh, take a bath, put flowers in her hair—put on a good front.  She should hide her sadness, which people don’t want to see.  Find some joy, make those snooty people think you’re happy and tell them to go to hell!
                Octavio continues to confide his problems to his new life coach. Tav would like to go after the new job, but he has to consider MC.  Ed says his old buddy should present him to his wife.   Tav isn’t sure—she’s something of a savage, but appealing.    She’s natural and spontaneous, like clear water,  with her laughter coming as quickly as her blows!   “What?  She hits people?” asks Eduardo.  “Yes, if she’s angry,” Tav replies.   Ed suggests divorce as the best thing.
                Octavio confirms that he’ll set MC up with a house, lands, etc.   Ed says do it!  He has two weeks’ vacation and will help Tav get it all done. 
                Grandpa continues to push the power of positive thinking.  He says she could also leave, could use her brain.  She’s better than anyone and she has a father richer and more powerful than the Narvaez.  She asks where he is and how could she get clothing and shoes?  Ramiro says even with the hurt, she doesn’t want to die, she should live!  Live!
                MC is convinced—from now on, she wants to smile. She’s going to take a bath this moment and put on a clean dress (Uhh—which one is that, now?)  MC says no more tears and anger.  No one will tame her.  A look of steely determination spreads over her face, as she declares she’ll have “un Corazon indomable! “ (That should be worth a salud!)

What? It’s night time? Sorry, I think I dozed off…
                MC is mending by candlelight and making plans (we won’t discuss why she is only now mending her clothing—maybe in preparation for the outside world.)  She would enjoy a horse ride and Octavio said the horse was hers once she learned to ride.  Problem solved—she’ll just pick up the horse.
                Another dinner hour has come to hacienda, but it’s calm with no MC at table.  Ester is eyeing Ed as Tav is explaining that if anything happens to him, MC will inherit his share.

MC has a new attitude
                It's morning, and MC is hanging laundry on the line, sporting several flowers in her hair and a carefree attitude.   Jose Antonio rides up and comments she’s changed, she looks happy.  She replies that she’ll look for another suitor, since she has a rich father.  She could go to the ranch, but she doesn’t need to.  JA describes the visitor, a target for Ester’s flirtations.  They’re planning to go riding early the next day.  MC asks for details on the time and emphasizes that she won’t die from love.              

               When Jose Antonio returns to the hacienda, he reports to Octavio that MC is all cleaned up and pretty. She’s so cheerful she’s almost crazy.  Octavio wonders what’s going on and tells JA to keep an eye on her.
                Ramiro, Maria, and Solita have gone to the village.  Solita is at a shop, where she completes her purchase and leaves.  Outside, she runs into Awfelia (actual collision), who takes offense.   Awf knocks the purchases from Solita’s arms, pushes her against a post, and says Ewwsebio belongs to her.  She adds a string of insults, that Solita is a slut just like her sister, plus she’s “challenged.”  Satisfied at tormenting someone who can’t fight back, she leaves, leaving a shaken Solita behind.  
                A >FF scene with the three strolling through the village.  A newly married couple emerges from a building with their guests—cheers and applause follow.  Music and dancing commence.  Ramiro refuses to dance, so Maria dances like the young folks, demonstrating “Gangham Style” in a patented India Maria moment.  Yeah, you kinda had to be there.
                Dark of night and mischief’s afoot.  Maricruz sneaks into the stable to do a moonlight flit with her horse.  She speaks to the horse,  then hears Ewwsebio call out for JA.  She crouches down behind her saddle stacked on a hay bale in an effort to hide.  Eww seems to be influenced by the contents of the bottle he’s holding and he turns around and leaves.  The horse, conveniently wearing a halter with a lead rope, as well as bridle and reins, is easily led from the stall. 
                Maricruz throws the saddle a bit clumsily over the horse’s back, waiting to fasten it outside.  In the next view, the horse is fully saddled and ready for action (equine equipment details may be inaccurate).   She tells the horse they’ll wait there quietly until morning, when they can ride better than Ester.
                In the morning, Jose Antonio opens the door on an empty stall.  He runs to rouse Ewwsebio and fingers MariCruz as the thief.  Ewwsebio, still feeling the effects of his nocturnal binge, rushes to tell the breakfasting brothers about the missing horse.  They listen and run from table to stable, where Miguel decides to call the police.
                Maricruz is back at the hut, in a lively discussion with Grandpa on the ethics of horse confiscation as part of “happy MC.”   She carries the saddle behind the hut, where Solita is brushing the horse.  Jose Antonio arrives shouting, accusing MC of horse stealing.  She heaves the saddle on horse’s back, showing a defiant face to her friend.  Jose Antonio’s efforts at persuasion hit a brick wall, as MC argues her rights and says Ester can ride a broom.  JA gives up and returns to the ranch.  Maria arrives, says Octavio has gone riding.  She learns MC has the missing horse.
                The two handsome single guys are mounted on handsome horses as they enjoy some idle chatter.  MC gallops by on her horse, calling out “Adios Octavio!”  Octavio does a double take and tells Eduardo “That’s MariCruz!”  Eduardo watches with bemusement as MC turns and rides back in front of them.  Octavio, sure that MC will be hurt, heads out in pursuit of his errant wife and his errant horse. They race madly, her face expressing joy and his showing grim intention.  

Tomorrow’s previews :
 MC, as she dismounts, throws Octavio the reins and stalks away, switching her abbreviated skirt with each step.  (Take that, Estupido!)
Don Alejandro  walks with a cane from his limo to the gambling ship moored at the dock.
The police come to the hut to take Calamity MC into custody.