Caray, Caray!

At Casa Silencioso, Mercedes bullies Esme into eating some breakfast.  Despite the huge table, there are only, what, six? places set.  And Esme's saying "What, are we feeding the entire colonia this morning?"  Even the arrival of Fela doesn't snap Esme out of her grouchy mood.  Fela is convinced Fernando will be able to spring Pablo.

The cops apparently called Rita to testify.  Why?  Fernando asks why she wants to hurt Pablo.  Rita told the cops that Pablo has "ojeriza" (dislike) for Meatball.  Rita whines about her achy joints when Fernando says his lawyers will be calling her to "rectificar" (fix , clarify …not take it back) her testimony.  While Fernando thinks Pablo has screwed up royally, whatever Esme wants, Esme gets!  And it would do Rita well to remember that she's not dealing with the old Don Fernando, but El Silencioso.  And El Sil does not forgive.



Esme visits Pabs at the prison.  I'm surprised by two things…1. That they don't have a visiting room and the visitors are just ambling about the yard. And 2. That Esme isn't surrounded by a crowd of dudes.  And I have time to ponder this because all conversation ceases while Esme and Pablo smooch.

Ines is sick of Casimiro's way of running their little crime empire.  She's also nervous about hiding everything they stole at Rita's.  And Garabato's whiny excuses about waiting don't impress her.

For once, Esme calls the kids "theirs" and says they need Pablo.  All he wants to talk about is "us," and not any pesky legal stuff.  He's happy that Silencioso is on the side of their luuuuuuuurve.  Esme doesn't want to talk about past mistakes.  Flashback to fun times on the hill.  Smoochies.

Mariano tells Lorenza that he did visit Pablo and that Pablo claims his innocence.  Too bad, though, says Mariano, the "evidence" (excuse me while I bust a gut laughing) is against him.  Lorenza isn't happy that Mariano hasn't been able to do much, including not being able to get Pablo to break up with Esme, and she supposes Gisela might be able to do more.  Maybe when Gisela visits Pablo at the prison, she'll be able to put Pablo on alert against La Gata.  Yes, really, that's what she said.  The only sense I can make of this is that since Lorenza thinks everything bad that happens is Gata's fault, if Pablo is in prison that must be her fault too, and therefore SOMEONE has to break them up, and if Mariano can't do it, then it's Gisela's turn to try.  And presumably when they break up, Pablo will somehow be freed.

Pablo makes the mistake of asking Esme to leave at just about the time that Gisela shows up and says she'll be visiting him every day while he's there.

Lorenza tells Mariano that Gisela is in luuuuuurve with Pablo and she's already started seeing her as a daughter.  As for Virginia, she's thrown her lot in with those dump-dwelling miscreants.  She probably told the thieves how to get into the house.  Lorenza sees Fela brushing Virginia's hair across the way and tells Mariano to turn around and look.

Virginia and Fela bond over the experience of having their men in prison, asking them not to visit.  She sees Lorenza and tells Virginia that she's a nice kid, even if her parents are evil…like the evil woman who took her roses and stuff.  Virginia tearfully explains that the evil woman is her mother and she's responsible for Carlos being behind bars.

Gisela wants Pablo to get out of jail and change his life.  He's offended, as if he's lived a terrible life in some way.  She agrees--he hasn't lived up to his family name.  Well, his family is now ruined and discredited, so….  And in one of those conversational segues that makes no sense whatsoever, Gisela tells him that he's always going to be "desdichado" (unlucky, miserable) if he spends his life with "that woman."

Jarocha gives Esme props for trusting Pablo enough to leave him alone in prison with Gisela.  Esme starts to ponder who else could have shot Meatball in an effort to protect her--Silencioso, Damian, Mercedes, Jarocha.  Jarocha thinks that's a silly list and when the real culprit is found, Pablo will be released.  Esme asks Jarocha to leave her alone with Rita so she can pump her for information.

Gisela's logic is that Gata divides his family like a corrosive cancer and it's her fault that he abandoned his parents and humiliated Monica.  Pablo says his love for her justifies all.  Gisela thinks he actually shot meatball, but, whatevs…Pablo's such a bon-bon that he'll have no problem finding another woman to love him.  Pablo tells her that his family screwed up Esme's life and he can't wait to get out of there and be with her and his kids.  The guard announces the end of visiting hours.

Esme stews in her jealousy until Rita arrives.  She brushes off the issue of Rita's testimony to the cops and asks how Ines is doing.  Rita can't wait to tell Esme about the sack of ill-gotten-goods and how defensive Ines was about it.  They go snoop and Esme recognizes Lorenza's 50%off Target clearance jewels.

Ines tries to tell Casimiro they have to move the loot, but he, being a crappy crime boss, refuses to listen.  Ines says she'll sell them herself and divide the money and Casimiro won't be getting a share.  She storms out and Casimiro threatens to kill her if Garabato doesn't keep her in line.

Esme explains that this is Lorenza's cheap crap and nobody believed it was really stolen--they just thought she'd faked a robbery to avoid giving it up.  Esme wants to give it back to keep Ines out of trouble.  Ines comes in and she and Esme play tug-of-war with the bag.  Which I'd like to note is brown burlap for future reference.  Esme refuses to let Ines keep going down the road to crime and tries to find out where the cash is.  She screams at Ines that Ines needs to learn to be responsible for her actions.  Error!  Error!  Does not compute!  Let her go to prison, then.  Rita laments that she didn't have the same "mano dura" (heavy hand) with Ines that she did with Esme.  And now it's too late.

Damian returns to the house after a long wait at the judge's office.  They won't let Pablo out on bail because for once, his last name is working against him.  The courts know about the judgment against the Martinez Negretes.

Because we haven't had our daily dose of child abuse, Virginia goes to visit her dad.  Because she missed him.  In addition to Lorenza, now Augie disowns her.  He sends her back to Fernando with the message that he's going to outlive him.  Those two heartless assholes don't deserve such a sweet daughter.

Esme comes into Fernando's office with a small black bag, explaining that Ines pumped Virginia for info and robbed the Martinez Negrete mansion.  She's going to go return it all without explaining anything, because if she accused Ines that would kill Rita.  Show of hands--who thinks that sounds like a win-win?

Esme makes good on her words.  Lorenza blames Esme for the theft and then yells at Mariano for defending Esme.  She starts putting her jewelry back on and kissing it "hello" while Mariano just stares at her.

Fernando hopes Mariano keeps Lorenza from accusing Esme.  He says what Esme did gave the MN's a blank check.  He breaks it to her that Pablo was denied bail and Damian lies to her that it's because Meatball isn't in any condition to testify.  He's still in serious condition.  As for the "investigations" the cops have discarded the idea that someone other than Pablo could have fired the gun.  Even though the gunpowder residue tests on Pablo came out negative and nobody has found the gun.  It's all about Meatball's testimony and, as Damian rightfully says, Meatball has proved that he's "más que ruin" (beyond despicable) and a man who's "despechado" (full of anger/spite), so he'll be acting on his most negative instincts.  If he dies…well, Damian doesn't even want to answer that question.   Fernando stacks his sad puppy face just over Esme's shoulder as she makes a sad puppy face of her own (gata-ness notwithstanding) and Esme begs Damian to help Pablo.

(n.b., Pablo, Esme, and Meatball could all potentially have had gunpowder residue on their hands/clothes if the gun was close enough when fired.  The presence of it just means they were nearby when a gun was fired. The absence of it really doesn't prove or disprove anything.  Nor does the amount of gunpowder residue point to who would have fired the gun.)

The "actuario" (court clerk) arrives with some helpers and Damian to start seizing the Martinez Negretes' assets.

Esme is in a better mood this morning and sits down to breakfast with Fela.  She's all dolled up so she can visit Pablo.  In one of those moments that makes you wonder if someone's been spying on our comments, even though that would involve time travel, Fela says, "I really admire Virginia and Centavito's love because they've known how to fight for it against everything.  They've suffered…almost the same as you and Pablo…and they've won all their battles.  You and Pablo should learn from them because what you have is something that's worth fighting for.  Don't be defeated!  Be like them!  They don't just love each other despite all obstacles, but are grateful for them, because thanks to those obstacles, they love each other more."  Esme just stares at Fela for a while and then just says she loves her.

Augie is offended that Damian is there and refuses to look at the official notice.  He gives us such gems as "You think you're a lawyer like me?"  No, dude, better.  "You'll never be like me!"  No, dude, we hope not.  The clerk's assistants start doing an inventory.  The clerk tells Lorenza and Augie that even if their son were there, all he'd be able to do is help them get their inventory done faster.  He says everything they own is subject to seizure…the house, everything in it, bank accounts, jewels.  "But my jewels were stolen!"  Editing error, or is Lo trying to pull a fast one?  Damian doesn't react as thought he knows this is a lie and only takes issue with Lorenza saying that "maldita Gata" must have been the one to take them.  He says the Martinez Negretes are the only thieves here.

Garabato comes looking for the jewelry since Casimiro got off his lazy ass for once and found a buyer.  Ines and Rita explain that Gata returned all the stolen jewels.  And now, Garabato declares his enmity for Gata, saying she's earned it "y a grapa" (grapa is "staple" so I guess he's saying that she's never going to be rid of him?)

Lorenza complains that the court clerk is committing a crime against her and her poor infirm husband.  She tries to throw them out, but even Augie tells her there's nothing to be done.  He tells her to get the hell out of there if she's not capable of preserving a little dignity.  "Ohhhhhhh Dios!  This is the eeeeeeeeeeend!  Our woooooooorld is cruuuuuuumbling!  Our liiiiiiiiiife!"  Way to be dignified, Lorenza.  Gisela shows up so Lorenza can complain that the cold-blooded killer of Augie's ex-partner is now trying to kill them, too.  "Can't anything be done?"  Augie says it can only be done on orders from the "demandante" (complainant, petitioner…Fernando).

Garabato and Ines go to tell Casimiro that the jewels are gone.  He thinks Ines is making it up.  I hate seeing her grovel to him.  I like it better when she demands to know how she's supposed to pay for the stolen…uh, recovered…stuff.  Garabato gets in the way when Casimiro blatantly telegraphs an incoming right hook to Ines' head.

Everything has been seized, including the house.  As for the other properties, they'll be seized by paperwork sent to the "registro de la propiedad" ("registry of property," registry of deeds, county clerk, city register).  Having delivered this news, Damian sticks around to smirk a bit while Lorenza screams at them to get out.  "How is it possible we've come to this?" whines Lorenza.  "This is worse than dying.  Dying means not seeing or feeling antyhing!" Augie chimes in.  Gisela vows to go talk to Pablo…as if he can do anything…because they can't stay "cruzados de brazos" ("with arms crossed", not doing anything).  "What have all the lies been worth?  All the machinations?  Your experience?"  Augie says they had nothing when they married and they made up the story of coming from money and stole the money.  He was never content with being "mediocre."  Lorenza says "time" always remembered their actions.  "You agreed to what we're being condemned for.  Soon we'll have to leave this house with nothing more than what we have on."  No worries, Augie, she'll wear all her jewelry at once if she has to.  Even if it clashes.  "No…no…I don't want to be poor!  Don't you realize?  I don't want to be pooooooooooooor!"  Augie says too bad, it's happening, but he says Fernando will still see.  As he rolls out into the foyer, he looks up and asks Lorenza QTH she's doing.  Lorenza has started putting on all the jewelry Esme returned and screaming that they won't take it, she won't let them.  Ok, I was only joking when I said that earlier, but now I'm dissolving into hysterical laughter and Mr. 5ft is only making it worse as he asks if she's trying to pull a Mr. T "I pity the fool who tries to steal my ill-gotten gains!"  Omigosh, I hope the rest of Lo's downfall is this much fun!  Augie gets out of the chair and tells her not to be absurd.  QTH indeed!  She comes downstairs in shock as Augie says Sil has won the battle, but not the war.  She hugs him and he looks surprised as he realizes he's standing.

Casimiro breaks a bottle to attack Garabato with it. Ines is in the background screaming at him to hit Casimiro already.  Garabato gets in a kick that knocks Casimiro over.  He hits his head on…who the hell can tell what in that place…and appears to be dead.

Damian tells Silencioso that everything has been seized, down to the last chair.  Silencioso says that Damian is now the "depositario" (trustee) and it's his job to make sure that it's all present and accounted for when the judge asks him for it.  Fernando knows what Augie is like and he's wondering if it would be possible to empty out the house and have everything stored off-site, out of Augie's reach.  Damian says it's possible and Damian has the authority to do it.  "Then find a place that will work for storage and move everything that's been seized into it and guard the house."  Damian says that will leave them practically naked.  "They left me with less."  Damian thought, since this was an "embargo precautorio" (preventive  seizing) that would be enough of a warning.  "You've seen how much there is of value in that house.   How do we know they won't make it disappear?"  Damian says both Augie and Mariano are lawyers and they know they'll go to jail if they defy a judge's order.  Silencioso says Mariano's a good kid, and he's sorry for him, but Augie can't be trusted.  "Pack it all up.  Use however may trucks you have to.  But leave them a couple of chairs.  They didn't even leave me that much."

Tomorrow: Gisela smarms; movers arrive; Pablo fights.
Previous: Episode 52
Next: Episode 54

Labels: gata