Caray, Caray!

Las Brujas y El Zorro

Matidle and Lila meet JL at swanky restaurant.  The ladies order drinks, but JL responsibly orders mineral water, cuz well, you know why. 

Casa de Paloma

Ricky and Ori discuss Marilu’s sudden change of heart (as Ori precariously navigates the stairs).  Ricky worries that the social worker may not give a good report to the judge who could keep Alina away from Ori.  She doesn’t want that to happen, she wants custody back now.  She’s really afraid of JL.  Ricky says this could mean another fight.  Ori is tired of arguing and resorts to her oft-repeated suggestion that maybe they just need to stop seeing each other – again.  Ricky tells her Mari-coo-coo can’t keep him from visiting his madrina who happens to be the major investor.  Ori worries this will put a bee in her bonnet and then she’ll go blab to the judge that the marriage is a sham and Ricky and Ori are having relations.  Ricky tells her to calm down and take one step at a time.  First, she must go to the judge to request custody of Alina.  That’s a given.  Now if JL protests, they’ll have to figure out how to defend themselves.  She is now Ines Valdivia   Egads – copy/paste time.  You know the drill:  If JL admits he’s Falcon, he’s cooked and as Francisco Castro, they never married.  He reminds her they agreed they’d be in this fight together to the bitter end and asks her not to give up now.   They’re smooching as Ruben shows up to visit Cesar.  He doesn’t say much but they stop smooching as Ruben heads upstairs.  Ricky assures Ori everything will turn out ok.  He tells her about Leo’s godfather’s suicide. 

Upstairs, Cesar and Ruben visit.  Cesar is excited about his designs for this season’s jeans.  Ruben is glad to see him so happy.  Cesar tells him Fabi has decided to go back to school after all and he thinks the distraction will be good for her.  Ruben gets down to more serious business.  Aside from very likely being HIV positive, Raquel may be preggers.  Although everyone knows Raquel’s slept around, Ruben comes straight out and asks Cesar if it’s possible the child could be his.  Cesar only says that he’ll assume his responsibility if it turns out the child is his.

Swanky Restaurant

JL again refuses wine.  He admits he’s ill but it’s only a “scratch in his throat”.  He gets down to business, explaining that a new venture will be opening up in a few weeks.  He says it would be possible for them to invest, after he’s talked to the other investors, of course.  Unfortunately, he’s not the owner but he does have the authority to offer shares to those interested in the company.  Lila hopes the offer is a good one because in order for them to invest in the new company, she and Matilde would have to sell their shares in Aresti Breton.  And those shares aren’t chump change.  Ah, he explains it wouldn’t be necessary for them to sell their Aresti Breton shares.  They could convert them to capital for the new business (did I get that right?).  He also says they would have the added benefit of participating and making suggestions, not to mention their good taste as women.  Matilde gets giddy at this.  “Gracias,” she almost shyly whispers to him.  tee-hee.

Ricardo’s House

The following morning, Alina asks if Ricardo will be taking her to school.  She’s happy to hear that he will cuz lately, Mari-coo-coo has been in a bad mood.  He assures her Mari-coo-coo isn’t mad at her.  She’s just going through a rough patch.  Alina hopes so because she really liked her before. 

Clinic

Raquel and Lucina wait anxiously for the results.  The envelope please:  Raquel is not HIV positive!  YAY!!!  The nurse confirms this means the baby isn’t infected either.  Raquel swears she is the happiest woman in the world right now.  Lucina is happy too, because Raquel is like a sister to her.  “But a younger sister, right?” jokes Raquel.  “Not that much – just a few years difference,” jokes back Lucina.  They share a happy sisterly hug.

Homero’s Spy Cave

Manolo reports there was no CD at Raquel’s depa.  He deduces that either JL never gave it to her or maybe she took it with her.  Duh! Homer wonders exactly how much importance does that CD carry?  Obviously it’s very important to JL, says Manolo.  Homer does some deducing of his own.  Possibly the CD just has general info on the running of the operation.  He can’t imagine there’s anything on there that would incriminate JL and he only has it as protection from Joaquin.  Manolo informs him Raquel has returned to the hotel if he wants him to go into her room and search.  Leo returns for a change of clothes.  He’s headed back to the cemetery in a few hours.  He plans to bury the godfather next to the godmother.  Godfather’s daughter should be arriving soon.  Once Leo is out of the room, Manolo comments that JL is also responsible for this tragedy.  They raised up Trejo’s hopes and then took it all away. 

When the going gets tough, the desichadas go shopping!

Mari-coo-coo is going shopping.  She tells Fidelia she’s not planning on picking up Alina at school.  Nope, let Ricky or her mother pick her up.  Fidelia is shocked at her attitude.  She’s either coo-coo, or all that niceness was just an act.  Maybe, says Marilu.  Fidelia thinks she’s shameful for saying that.  Marilu thinks they’re the shameful ones for involving her in this mess.  Fidelia reminds her she was fully away of what was going on.  Well, Marilu has decided she no longer likes it.  She doesn’t want to discuss it any further.  Fidelia tells her this is her house and Marilu will stay there and discuss it! Marilu reminds her, “This is my husband’s house; therefore the outsider here is you!”  She flounces off.  Fidelia is appalled! 

Judge’s Chambers

Paloma and Ori talk with the judge regarding the custody issue.  She had originally given up custody while she recuperated (from the accident) and tried to mend the relationship with her husband.  Sadly, this didn’t work out, she’s discovered she can’t live with her husband.  Paloma chimes in that with his bipolar disorder, that man is impossible to deal with.  Oriana wonders that now that she is healthy again, can she regain custody?  As far as he’s concerned, he doesn’t see any problem; however, the adoptive parents would have to agree.  Both of them.  If one doesn’t agree, they’d have to present their reasons and he’d then make a decision based on their argument. 

Kiddy Therapy

Child therapist works with Alina, using teddy bears.  Given a choice, Alina chooses to play the part of the papa bear because he reminds her of when her father was kind and liked to play with her.  So she wants the papa bear to be just like him.  She misses him, or, she misses him the way he used to be.  But she still doesn’t want to see him.  She tells the therapist of the time he shook her mother and tried to kill Tito.  Therapist asks her to consider maybe dad was tired from work.  Sometimes adults have problems (yeah, so they can come home and beat on their family and pets?).  She tries to compare this to Alina maybe sometimes having a disagreement with her schoolmates. Sometimes adults get angry and yell.  Alina tells her he hurt Tito and broke his leg.  Therapist is sure he didn’t do it on purpose and it might be good for her to forgive him now.  (I don’t like this therapist)  Children shouldn’t be angry with their parents.  It’s not right.  Alina remembers he gave her a bike on her birthday.  Therapist thinks that was grand and Alina should make peace with dad.  Alina insists she doesn’t want to return to his house.  She’s afraid of him.  I think numbskull therapist might finally be getting it. 

Judges Chambers

Paloma explains to the judge that Marilu might not exactly present things as they are.  She may be worried that if Alina is returned to Oriana, she might lose her husband.  Oriana cautions abuela to stop.  Judge is intrigued.  Paloma thinks there may be ulterior motives to opposing Oriana’s regaining custody: anger, jealousy.  Judge insists he must hear them out.  If they do not wish to give up custody, he wants to hear their reasons.

Outside his chambers, Oriana questions the wisdom of Paloma bringing all that up.  She’s afraid Marilu will spit out that Ori and Ricky are lovers.  Paloma thinks they would just have to deny it and that’s that! 

The judge is speaking with Dr. Veronese about JL’s treatment.  Actually, he would prefer it if the doctor would go visit JL at his home. 

Mesón del Sabor

Lucina is adamant that Raquel not return to JL.  “But he’s handsome!” (that’s always a good argument). “And rich. (ok, better argument) And he’s gonna make me president of the company.”  She wants to marry him, period.  Lucina reminds her he’s already married.  Raquel reminds her that’s when they both had other names!  Raquel brings up the CD.  She has it and apparently it’s muy importante to him.  She knows he’ll eventually ask her for it but she won’t turn it over until they’re married.  AND, she plans on giving him a fake one – after the baby is born.  She already tried to open the CD but found that it is encrypted.  What she needs is a hacker who can imitate the same encryptions on the original.  Lucina worries he’ll kill her when he finds it’s a phony.  Nope, says Raqueloca.  Because she’ll have the original with all the info.  Lucina’s worried.  This guy is no small time crook.  He belongs to a powerful international crime organization.  That’s precisely why Raquel feels she needs to protect herself.  She needs to have him eating out of her hand like a pigeon.  She repeats she doesn’t want an abortion.  “What if it’s not his baby?” worries Lucina. Raquel: “Oh, no matter what, this is his baby.  Come on, you know people.  Even if we have to go elsewhere, you have to know someone who can help me.” 

Casa de Ricky

Ricky asks Alina about her therapy session.  Alina tells him Gaby, the quack therapist, says she needs to make peace with her dad because adults sometimes get angry but this doesn’t mean they’re bad.  She’s still afraid of him but she remembers when he was nice.  Maybe he’ll be nice again!  Ricky grudgingly agrees then sends her off with the maid.  He’s worried.

Bungalo Azul

Sebastian is telling Berniece he wants to leave.  He knows Fidelia is sickened by him and the only one who pays any attention to him is Alina.  Ricky arrives and Berniece and  Celio leave them to talk.  Sebastian notices Ricky looks tired.  Ricky explains he was out late at Leo’s godfather’s wake but he also has other problems, personal problems that he doesn’t want to talk about.  Sebastian tells him he’s decided to move back to his apartment.  Ricky understands but doesn’t want him to live alone.  Sebastian assures him he won’t go back to his partying ways.  He’s been scared straight and doesn’t want to die young.  He’s even planning to return to school!  Güau!  He no longers needs Berniece but he plans on remaining friends with her.  He likes her.  He tell Ricky not to worry about him.  He’ll continue his checkups and therapy for the HIV and will continue to see Dr. Veronese re: his epilepsy.  Ricky’s sad to see him go and offers to speak with Fidelia.  Seba says that won’t be necessary.  He tells Ricky about his encounter with JL at the hospital and that he was threatened.  He reminds Ricky he worked for JL and tells him that Antonio told him the company was only a front for money laundering.  Seba, of course, was willing to jump in but left before any transactions took place.  This isn’t news to Ricky. He knew that man was only here to launder money.  Sebas realizes now it was a good thing Ricky didn’t allow JL to become an investor at Aresti Breton. Ricky wishes Seba luck.  They promise to visit each other.  Ricky offers him cash but Seba refuses.  He still has plenty from Ricky’s parents. “Our parents,” Ricky corrects him.  Ricky insists, saying medication costs can be really high.  Again Seba refuses, saying he might even get a part time job!  Seba asks Ricky to say goodbye to everyone for him.  They share a heartfelt brotherly embrace. Güau, has Seba met his anvil.  If so, it sure is a fuzzy wuzzy one. 

Back at the big house, Fidelia frets Seba is leaving because of her.  Ricky assures her he’s leaving because he’s young and wants to make his own way through life.  Mari-coo-coo has returned from her day of shopping, sporting a new “look”.  She announces she plans to take on a lover, since her husband has one.  Oh, and by the way, would Ricky be so kind as to put more money on her credit cards?  The account is zeroed out.  She has really gone coo-coo!  She shouts for the help to take her bags up to her room.  Fidelia turns to Ricky and suggests he do something about her.  Ricky feels they should just let her be.  If she takes a lover, it’ll be that much easier to divorce her.  “But she’s your wife,” scolds Fidelia.  Ricky reminds her that Marilu never was and never will be his wife.  He heads upstairs to help Alina with her homework. 

El Zorro y El Traidor

The new company will be named Inmobiliaria Paraíso and Lila and Matilde will be partners.  Zorro confirms they will allocate their Aresti Breton shares for this investment.  Antonio thinks this may be risky when Ricky finds out.  JL thinks this will serve to involve Ricky in their scheme as well.  JL jumps up to check on his meds.  Antonio wonders if JL is considering following the judge’s orders by treating his bipolar disorder.  JL angrily tells him to mind his own beeswax and tells him he wants the whole Inmobiliaria Paraíso be ready ASAP.  No problem – Tony is going over to the notario and he’ll ask him to rush on the partners’ signatures.  Tony suggests they speak to the construction guy, so they can bribe him to falsify the invoices for materials.  JL sends him out to get the ladies’ paperwork and notary work completed and keep him informed.  Antonio tells him to get well, and then leaves.

Dr. Veronese walks in as Antonio is leaving.  He asks if JL has continued to drink since he saw JL standing at the bar when he walked him.  JL assures him he hasn’t been drinking and has been taking his meds.  Dr. V is happy to hear this and asks about his work, everything ok there?  Fine, says JL, and offers him something, anything, to drink? Oh great, the doc agrees to a tequila-he’s had a bad day.  Viewerville collectively snickers and tsk-tsks the doc’s bad example to his patient.  JL wonders if this is just a trap to see if he’ll be tempted to have one too.  Doc says it’s ok to admit he’s tempted, but can resist.  JL asks if he really needs to avoid all drinks; not even a glass of wine, social drinking?  Doc explains the meds will gradually be reduced and then he’ll be able to have a glass of wine, but only one.  (hmmm, maybe doc just wants to take JL’s bottle of tequila with him) He asks the doc a favor.  Ask the judge to lift the visitation restriction so he can see his daughter at least once a week.  He really misses her.  The doc sees that JL is doing well and he’ll make the recommendation.  JL is pleased, to say the least.

Casa Bonita

Lucina on the phone with Martinez, from the old town.  A little social chit-chat and Lucina asks a favor in behalf of Raquel.  They need a hacker, aka piratas informáticos – someone of complete  confidence.  Martinez promises to get someone reliable and she thanks him, saying she’ll be grateful for the rest of her life. 

Casa de Paloma

Dr. Veronese visits with Paloma and Oriana.  Paloma wants to know whose side he’s on.  He’s not on anyone’s side.  He’s obliged to tell the truth.  He found JL to be calm and serene.  This means he’s on his meds.  Paloma doesn’t think this means anything.  Tomorrow, he’ll stop his meds, go on a drinking binge (guarapeta) and they’re back to square one.  Dr. V thinks they need to give him the benefit of the doubt.  Maybe JL is ready to change his life for his daughter and his wife.  He begs Paloma’s forgiveness but he’ll have to inform the judge of JL’s improvement.  Doc asks about Alina’s therapy.  Oriana explains she hasn’t been able to see her based on the social worker’s recommendation. Besides, there are problems now between Ricky and his wife and this is complicating everything.  She has a right to get her daughter back but his wife is opposed to that because she feels this would cause Ricky to want a divorce.   copy/paste: if one of the two don’t agree, the judge won’t return custody of Alina to Oriana.  Paloma accuses the Doc of putting salt on the wound.  Really, Doc.  Doc is impactado. Clearly, he hadn’t considered this side of the story.

Universidad de Lurve

Fabi meets Leo at the Uni.  She consoles him about his godfather.  He regrets not having visited him more often.  His loneliness killed him.  Fabi reaches out to him, touching his face as she comments he’s  alone now and she feels his pain.  Her mother and father have both left the house indefinitely.  Cesar is really busy with his work and Paloma  is busy with all of Ines’ drama.  So, she decided to return to the Uni because she felt so alone.  But at least she has her baby.  Leo takes both her hands in his.  “I only see  your carita that is like the sun.”  THEY  KISS!!!!  YAY!!!  Leo is a Guillermo Shakespeare, I swoon.

There’s No Place Like Home

Celio is pleased as punch to have Ricky back in el Bungalo Azul.  All his stuff is back in his room.  Seba was well-behaved but a bit disorganized.  Ricky gets a call from Ori and he brings her up to date on the new living arrangements.  She tells him about their visit to the judge to ask for custody but Ricky and Mari-coo-coo need to be in agreement so the judge will make an appointment with them.  She asks about the pre-nup and then says she wants to speak with Marilu tomorrow.  Ricky doesn’t think that will work – Marilu isn’t the same.  She’s no longer interested in Alina.  Her only concern is staying married.  He doesn’t understand why, since he doesn’t really pay her any attention. 

Bar Bolo, our old stompin’ grounds

ruh-roh, Marilu is having a grand ol’ time with some guy….and she’s clearly been drinking.  Piero happens to be standing at the bar.  He walks over and she introduces him to Fede (Federico).  It’s a small world, Marilu and Fede know each other from the U.S. and he’s here on business. He’s in the public relations business.  (hmmmmm looks like he’s working on getting some private relations going. wink/wink nudge/nudge) Piero asks for her husband and Marilu tells Piero she’s here alone.  Fede knows when he’s not wanted and makes himself scarce after giving her a peck on the lips.  Piero teases her about her emancipation.  She explains she’s bored with taking care of someone else’s child and with her aunt’s conversation.  Besides, if Ricky has a lover, why can’t she?  We’re modern people, no?  Piero says Ricky has no lovers.  Oh, yeah?  What about Ines?  She calls for another drink.  She tells Piero that it’s insulting that Ricky hasn’t slept with her once in all these months of marriage.  Piero reminds her about their arrangement.  “To hell with that arrangement,” she says.  “After helping Ines, Oriana, or whatever her name is, this is how she repays me?  I don’t care if she takes back her child, but she’s not taking my husband. I won’t allow it.”  Piero wonders if getting drunk in a bar is the way to keep Ricky.  “Possibly not,” she says, “but imagine how he’ll react when he hears I was seen in a bar.  How will he feel then?”  Piero doesn’t answer and just laughs, nervously. 

Casa Bonita – the next day

Martinez comes through – he calls Lucina to tell her he’s found her a hacker!  And guess what? He lives right there in Hermosillo! He’s reliable but one never knows.  He strongly recommends that she stand right there with him as he’s doing the work, lest he make a copy of the original.  Lucina admits she’s not a computer geek.  What should she watch for?

Inside, Manolo and Ruben share a cup of coffee.  Ruben explains he has a few days off while the new contract is negotiated.  He doesn’t know who the inmobiliaria owners are.  He only knows that they’ve given them the contract for all the remodeling, although he did see Tony meeting with the owner of the construction company.  He recognized him from Aresti Breton.  He was Ricky’s lawyer  (See how this is all tying in, kids?)  Manolo feigns amazement at the coincidence but we know his Sherlock Holmes wheels are turning.  AHA!

Casa de Ricky

Fidelia snitches to Ricky that Mari-coo-coo arrived very late, and very drunk.  He has to do something, anything.  She’s still his wife and she’s ruining his good name all over town.  Alina bounces in and she and Ricky leave for her school.  Left alone Fidelia thinks aloud, “Ay Dios mío, and here I thought Sebastian was going to be the problem.  I think Mari-coo-coo is possessed (demoniada)!”

Casa Bonita

Lucina and Raquel are trying to rush out to meet their hacker when they meet up with Manolo.  He doesn’t have anything to do today so he offers to drive them around.  Thanks but no thanks, they tell him and send him on his way.  Lucina and Raquel are clearly very nervous.

Judges Chambers

Dr. V and the judge meet.  Hizzoner received the social worker’s report.  Alina seems happy and well cared for even though she misses her mother.  There does appear to be problems between the adoptive parents.  It could be something minor be he still wants to talk to them because Ines Valdivia wants to regain custody.  Dr. V offers to speak with Ricky and see what’s at the bottom of this.  He also reports on his visit with JL.  He’s doing very well, taking his meds and appears to have stopped drinking.  Judge is happy to hear this.  Dr. V reminds him that people with this disorder (trastorno) can relapse quickly if they stop taking their meds.  Dr. V now tells him JL is asking that the visitation restrictions be lifted. He misses his daughter very much and would like to see her at least once a week.  Dr. V hasn’t talked to the daughter but he understands she’s been seen by the school psychologist (quack) to help her overcome the fear (try terror) she has of her father.  Judge simply nods his head.

Santo Domingo

Samuel skypes with JL, telling him he’s sending someone, John, to watch over him.  JL, of  course, furiously opposes this idea.  Besides, he can turn out to be another double agent like Mike, which of course they were aware.  Samuel snickers that this guy is cool.  JL continues his rant, “I don’t want to.” “Well, I do – so there!” responds Samuel.  JL angrily accuses Sammy of doing the same thing his brother did.  That is, sending someone to keep an eye on him.  “What did you expect, Zorro? I’ve invested a lot of money in this venture and I need to be sure.”  He asks  JL about the paperwork.  JL angrily tells him everything is going fine and will be ready at any moment. 

In his despacho, JL heads straight for the bar and pours himself a stiff one (uh-oh) but stops and asks himself, “What am I doing?”  He smashes the glass to the floor. 

Casa Bonita

The girls, Raquel and Lucina, head out, followed closely by our  trusty Mayberry cop, Manolo.   He follows them to their destination, a large house on a busy street.  The door is opened by a scary bald dude with a fu-manchu goatee bwahaha.  She asks for Bonifacio.  Raquel is really scared.  They’re shown in to a room with a young man (gasp, dead ringer for Sebastian) at a computer.  He tells them this is going to cost them – 10,000.  Lucina balks but Raquel says they’ll pay.  He tells them it’ll take awhile and to wait outside.  Lucina tells  him they’re fine where they are, thank you.  Good girl!  Bonifacio starts his work.  Raquel gets a call from JL and Lucina tells her to hang up on him.

Casa de Ricky

Oriana arrives to see Mari-coo-coo.  Fidelia snitches again, saying she’s not sure she’s up yet because she arrived very late, and very drunk.  (I love Fidelia – she’s sooo like all my metiche tías!).  Oriana insists on speaking with her.  She must return Alina!  Mari-coo-coo slithers in and tells Oriana that if she begs on her knees and swears she’ll stay away from her husband, well, maaaayyybe she’ll consider it.  Death rays from Oriana.

Avances

Ricky warns Marilu to consider her threat very carefully because according to the prenup, she could end up without anything (en la miseria). 

Marilu apparently makes good on her threat and tells the judge the marriage is a farce!