Caray, Caray!

Where were we? Oh right, Mad Marta, cleverly disguised in a forehead-braid to pass as her impetuous sister, visits Chucho at Avon. He is momentarily startled, but then accepts her as Marcia. (Someone with a more suspicious nature might question whether the real Marcia would wear her forehead-braid so crooked, but Chucho is a trusting soul.) She tells him Marta's doing better lately, but she still feels terribly guilty about what happened. Chucho says tell her to forget about it, because luckily nothing bad happened. But that's not enough! Fake-Marcia says that Marta needs his forgiveness. Chucho says, in that case, tell her I forgive her.

Fake-Marcia then presses her luck, saying she'd like to see Valentina again. Chucho says, "I told you I'd let you know." Well, she also wanted to meet Alma. He says she's pregnant at home. Fake-Marcia gets a weird gleam in her eye. Why doesn't he give her their address, and she'll visit them at home? Then she realizes she's overdoing it, backpedals, and gives Chucho her phone number so he can call her instead.

The real Marcia, cleverly disguised in a hospital gown to pass as her crazy sister, accidentally calls the doctor "Doctor" instead of his first name. After their session, which we don't get to see, she asks herself why it didn't occur to her before that Marta could go bananas without her medication.

As Fake-Marcia leaves the office, we hear her telling Chucho that she'd love to have dinner with him and Alma. (It's not clear if he invited her in between scenes, or if she's just hoping.) She introduces herself to Susana, Jessica, Marisela, and Ricardo, who don't seem to think she's any saner than her sister.

Paty is still amazed that Rogue said he loves her. (Sebastian scoffs.) Alma reminds Paty that Rogue is a professional liar, and not to make any hasty decisions.

Ricardo wants to talk to Marisela privately and it's almost time for lunch, but before they can leave, Susana tells Marisela that Chatita took Pánfilo to have his eyes examined. (If Chatita forgets the way to the doctor's office, they'll both be in big trouble!)

Fernando is preparing a surprise for Xochi - so what else is new. Chucho thanks Fernando for donating blood to save his life. "I owe you one," Chucho says, and Fernando reminds him of the time Chucho kept him from jumping off the roof. But Chucho needs an additional favor: help Chucho deal with Rogelio.

Paty is wondering if she really heard Rogue say he loves her. Maybe it was a dream or hallucination. Rogelio records a frenzied declaration of love on his phone and sends it to her. She, Remegio, and the other guard go ga-ga over it.

The doctor says Pánfilo will lose his right eye if they don't do something right away. (Mari and Ric arrive.) He will need costly surgery. Mari says Alma will surely lend them the money. Pánfilo whines: he doesn't want to miss work. Too bad - he's to report to the surgeon at 7 in the morning.

Fernando goes to talk to Rogelio about Chucho, but Rogue wants to talk about Vero's baby. The timing couldn't be worse: he's trying to prove to Paty that he's changed. And he's too angry to talk about Chucho.

Cínthia asks Vero if she didn't get knocked up on purpose. Vero insists that it was an accident, but Cínthia says the person she needs to convince is not her, but Rogelio. Vero realizes that this baby could keep her in kinky overpriced designer shoes for many, many years.

It's time for lunch. Ric suggests tacos, but Mari makes a face and they end up at the Pollo Loco (as she tells Jess later). What did he want to tell her privately? He totally, totally forgives her. They kiss over a tasty-looking chicken drumstick.

Aida prepares to eat lunch with Chucho in his office. Chucho says, what, you thought one of these salads was for you? Nope, they're both for me. Go eat lunch with Julio - that's an order. He takes both salads home to have lunch with Alma, who was just about to read a book to her belly ("I'll read loudly so you can hear me.") She's glad to see Chucho, but she's also weepy and she misses work.

Julio and Aida are dining outdoors. They have frozen slushy fruity drinks - my favorite. Aida asks if he's still hurting over Xochi. Julio says no - he's over her. He's met someone else. He's been getting to know this new woman and he really likes her. Who is she, Aida asks. "It's you," Julio replies nervously. They sip their drinks self-consciously. He runs out of slush and the straw makes a slurping noise. Life's too short to be afraid, so they kiss. Woooo! She says she hasn't kissed a man since high school - I guess that's when she was married. And he never kissed Xochi like that. But why are they talking about the people in their past? Aida says, "We can be together here and now."

In the same spirit, Rogelio rushes into the lobby and plants a big kiss on Paty. She really seems to be getting into it, but then she shoves him away and slugs him. He laughs: he knows she liked the kiss, and that deep down she still loves him. He tells their audience - Fernando and the two security guys - that it didn't hurt at all and anyway, he's a masochist.

Alma is not used to lazing about. She's worrying about Avon and the employees and all the things she can't take care of while she's stuck in bed. She feels like she's being treated like a child. But she's also afraid of losing the baby. Chucho says she'll have to trust him to take care of things around the office.

Chucho tells Alma about the visit from "Marcia." Alma thinks she sounds okay and says to invite her for dinner even though Alma won't be able to join them at the table. Chucho is about to question this when the doorbell rings and we go to the front door with Minerva, so we don't hear the rest of the conversation.

At the door, it's Chatita with Pánfilo. Chatita tells Minerva that she and Pánfilo are "friends with possibilities." Hmm.

Back at Avon, Paty is very distracted. Jessica gives her a colorful card that plays music. It's an invitation to her Celia Cruz-themed wedding. (Does she really describes Cardenas as her little deodorant roll-on ball? That's... original.)

Fernando tells Rogelio he'll forgive him for framing Discua, but on just one condition: he has to give up the illegal business. He can live on just his very generous Avon salary. It will prove to Paty that he's worthy of her love, too. Rogue protests; Paty doesn't even have to know about the money laundering. Fernando says "I guess your change isn't for real, then. I don't forgive you!" Rogue relents. He'll give up his life of crime! Fernando forgives him.

Alma says of course Pánfilo can have the money for laser surgery to save his eye.

After lunch...

Someone is waiting for Ricardo when he comes back from lunch. This man wants Ric to sign a receipt for a package of Important Papers. Is it a notice of intent to seize all of his belongings? A subpoena? The paper-serving guy doesn't know.

Cantú doesn't know why Rogue wants to meet with Nick Donovan tonight, but he sets an appointment for 9 pm. Chucho gets tired of waiting for Rogue to agree to see him, and bursts into Rogue's office. "You're acting like a spoiled brat and we have work to do," Chucho announces. They argue loudly, and people outside can hear them. Rogue keeps calling Chucho "secretario." Chucho reminds him that the PRESIDENT of Avon made him SUBDIRECTOR. Rogue gets angry. "If you don't like it, why don't you quit?" Chucho asks.

There's a call from Mr. Wilson, the über-president of Avon International in NY. He's sending Tracey Rodriguez to Monterrey tomorrow to supervise them! Rogue is flustered. Chucho wants to help. Rogue says he'll handle everything.

Evening...

Alma tells Chucho that Tracey is very strict. Surely Rogue will screw everything up because he doesn't know a thing about the business. Paty shows up and tells them about Rogelio's kiss. And the doorbell rings again... heeeeere's Fake Marcia!

Rogue and Cantú go to Nick Donovan's place, which is filled with smoke as usual. (Rogue quips that it's like a quinceañera in there. Lotta smokers at those sweet-15 parties?) Rogue declines Nick's offer a drink and blurts: "I'm getting out of the business." Nick's face is as unreadable as a comic-book character's, but Cantú sits down heavily in shock.

Next time:
Mad Martha is on the loose, and Valentina cries. Are these two things related, or is it an editing trick?

Labels: Manda