Caray, Caray!

Casa Ripoll

Alexa pouts over her sisters ganging up on her because of her mishandling of La Empresa.

Operaciones Renzi

Renzi is getting the low down there’s nothing medically wrong with Irma.  He assumes, rightly so, the the hubby must be fed up right about now. 

Casa Ripoll

Irkme and the kitchen maid are gossiping about Chocolate Ripoll when Miguelina and Fausto give them a dressing down.  We must support Chocolate Ripoll – never mind what the papers say and nary a word to Greta – are we clear?

Operaciones Renzi

Chava is openly sneaking around the lobby area when a janitor, er, building maintenance worker comes around.   Chava offers cash for his help to spy on that guy with the year-round tan.  Guy knows exactly who he’s talking about, referring to Renzi as a womanizing tacaño (stingy).  Chava leaves him some cash as an incentive.

Hospital

Armie is wheeling around Irma, encouraging her to see that doctora if she wants to get better. Irma will do nothing of the kind.  She accuses him of wanting to show her up as a liar!  Well, Armie’s had it and says everything points to her not wanting to get better just to keep him tied to her.  Well, he’s fed up.  Renzi’s spy is hanging around listening to the whole argument. 

Casa Ripoll

Irkme brings Dani an energy drink (Viewerville collectively gasps: DON’T DRINK THE KOOL-AID!)  She does, kisses him on the cheek, and rushes out, leaving Irkme in her bedroom! eeeeewww He stalks, touching her stuff, smelling her hairbrush (?) and ends up pocketing a lipstick after he’s caressed it.  eeeeew…..major creepiness

Empresa Ripoll – whoosh, whoosh, whoosh

Phones are ringing off the hook when Sofia arrives at her office trailed by Silvana and Patricio, complaining about all the calls.  Matias comes in to report all the machinery has been sterilized and ready to make good on their deliveries, and prove all the naysayers wrong.  Sofia gets on the phone with Noemi to get her in touch with the newspapers AND every single customer.  She wants to talk to each one and it doesn’t matter how long it will take.  Matias looks on proudly as Patricio and Sylvana eyeball each other.

Rehab Center

Ollie is checking on his mum’s “progress”.  He thought her therapy was working but mummy has taken up the bottle again.  Doctor gives him the bad news that he has no patient under the name Isadora.  ruh-roh.  Back at the Peralta luxury apartment in the sky, Morgana is reporting to Mr. Peralta how she arranged for Ollie to find the empty bottle in mum’s room and even went so far as to recommend Ollie check in with Isadora’s doctor.  Peralta is pleased to hear his son will finally realize what a borrachin (boozer) his mum really is. 

Empresa Ripoll

Sofia is on the horn with the papers, arguing they’ve defamed her business without getting the whole story.  It’s true there was some contamination and she’d like to explain what happened.  She agrees to answer questions with a reporter and threatens to sue if they don’t retract their story.  Chava arrives as she hangs up.  He tells her he’s sure this was an inside job.  “You don’t mean Patricio?” she asks, “Why just yesterday I saw him as worried as everyone else!”  Chava offers to stay and help out.  She tells him everything has been cleaned up and is under control.  For now she needs to speak with Silvetti and see if he’ll agree to a payment plan for the gazillion pesos he’s demanded as compensation.  Well, ok, seeing as she’s so busy, Chava agrees to leave but not before getting in some smoochies for the road. 

Noemi interrupts them saying Mr. Garza, a distributer from El Norte, is on the phone.  Smoochie, Smoochie, and Chava finally leaves.  Now that the factory is up and running again, the blinds behind Sofia’s desk are open again.  Guess they didn’t have any footage from when the factory is down – is it a 24-hour plant?

Psyhotic Siblings

Sylvana and Christian/Irkme are on the phone.  He’s got the placebo pills and is ready to switch them.  They discuss the newspaper story.  She credits Pato for this and says there’s no doubt he is a man full of surprises.  Irkme says they’re under orders not to let Greta find out about the story but he’ll make sure she finds out, hoping she’ll go over the edge.  Sylvana thinks it would be best if they wait until she’s sufficiently weak after taking the placebo.  Then, when she hears the bad news, BAM! no more Greta. 

Alexa’s Office

Irais tells Armie the bad news that Alexa is not expected today.  She assumes she’s with Elizondo.  He checks out a yummy picture of Paolo Elizondo in a mag that he snatched from Irais’ hands.  Armie’s a little worried.  That’s ok Armie, there’s a blogger of a certain age that is ready to comfort you, papi.

Alexa never told him Paolo was so…..guapo.

Casa de Elizondo – whoosh, whoosh, whoosh

Alexa meets with Paolo to discuss their roles.  Following Victorian mourning protocol, she has switched from a black tutu to a lavender one.  He offers her tea, coffee, galletitas, croissants, whatever she wants.

Casa de Chava

Paco brings Lupe a little gift of jams.   She tells him Javier hasn’t been around for her to return the bracelet.  She even called Cuco to see if he showed up to sing as he said he would – no sign of him.  Paco offers to return the bracelet himself so she doesn’t have to deal with him.  Lupe explains she hasn’t had time to even think of that thankless drunk since she’s heard the news about Ripoll.  Paco hadn’t heard and she shows him the newspaper. 

Casa de Paco

Pedro pays Aracely a call before he leaves town.  He shows her the paper.  Apparently, Ripoll doesn’t need her lawsuit to bring them down.  If Aracely wanted to make Sofia suffer, well now she doesn’t have to lift a finger.  Aracely considers destiny may have caught up with Sofia.  Call it destiny or not, Pedro doesn’t agree with Aracely’s plan to sue Ripoll.  As things stand now no one will ever buy another Chocolate Ripoll, ever.  Aracely has a wide Cheshire Cat smile on her face.  Pedro is saddened to see how happy she is at someone else’s pain.  He insists this isn’t like her.  She agrees she wasn’t, but then they made her that way.  He can only hope she finds a way to rid her heart of all that bitterness, all the disillusionment.  He kisses her hand and tells her she knows where to find him. 

Casa de Chava

Paco can’t believe what he’s reading.  Lupe assures him it has to be a false story.  Why, Chava himself has told her many times how strict they are about sanitation.  She tells him about Chava’s suspicion Manjarrez may have had a hand in this  and thinks someone may have paid him to sabotage the chocolate.  Paco knows Sofia and Greta must be taking this very hard.  Lupe wonders if Greta has been told, considering her heart condition.  This could be the end of Greta.  When Paco tells her not to joke about that, Lupe asks if he would be upset if something were to happen to that woman.  Paco agrees Greta deceived him, and hurt him badly.  But he’s never wished for her death.  Paco reflects on the many times he wished Octavio’s luck would run out.  He dreamed one day that the Ripoll factory would fail, that Octavio would experience disgrace and ruin en carne propia (first-hand).  As it turns out, Octavio isn’t here and his family is the one devastated.  Would that he had never wished this, never.  Lupe understands.  She recalls how Chava ran outta here this morning to see Sofia.  As it turns out Sofia is the one who’s going to take the catorrazos (punch/blow).  Paco is confident Sofia is capable of bring Ripoll out from this catastrophe.  She’ll overcome any obstacle, come what may.

Casa Ripoll

Irkme switches the pills.  tan-tan-TAN.  Fausto almost busts him when he arrives looking for the pills. He doesn’t see the real pills in the sink.  Irkme quickly gives him the bottle with the fake pills and Fausto rushes off to give Madame her medication.  This reminds me of……the pellet with the poison’s in the vessel with the pestle, the chalice from the palace is the brew that is true. 

Fausto delivers the pills to her highness on bended knee – HA! She mentions how these pills have worked so well.  She asks after her daughters and frets that they are ignoring her.  She’s going to call Pato so he can tell her what’s what at Empresa Ripoll.  Fausto strongly discourages her.  He makes up a story that they’re busy working on a special order and changes the subject to breakfast and what would Madame want this morning?

Chava’s Chamba

Don Manuel tells him Z-man has called looking for him!

Empresa Ripoll

Dani tells Armie that she’s sure Sofia will be able to convince the clients that the newspaper story is all lies since Chocolate Ripoll has an impeccable reputation, neta!  She confirms Alexa is aware of everything that is happening.  Armie can’t believe she didn’t show up today.  Oh no, he’s turning into Chava.  Dani explains Sofia told Alexa not to bother coming in.  Sofia is taking charge of fixing everything. 

Casa de Elizondo

Paolo goes to check on something when Alexa gets the call from the now insecure Armie wondering where she is.  He doesn’t hide his jealousy, saying he saw Paolo’s yummy photo.  Alexa does her best to tone down the yumminess that is Paolo.  They discuss the problem at the factory.  Armando suggests she should be with her sister but when Alexa says Sofia doesn’t want her there, he agrees Alexa is probably better off where she is, going after her own interests.  They’re interrupted by Paolo calling out, “Hermosa! Come and taste my galletas!” (tee-hee)  Alexa hurriedly rings off, leaving Armie to wonder, QTH, Hermosa?

Chamba de Chava

Chava asks Z-man for his help in bringing Patotas up to speed for the next race.  Unfortunately, Z-man is not in a position to help at this time.  But he does have some friends who might be able to help……..

He’ll ask Macario Brito to see if he can help and gives Chava his number.

Empresa Ripoll

Sofia is on the phone with Mr. Alvarez, pleading her situation.  Yes, she’s already brought charges against the hoodlum who sabotaged.  Mr. Alvarez will think about it.  She will send him their new catalog.  A call from another client, Mr. Rodriguez.  She assures him they’ve sanitized and cleaned and corrected everything and Mr. Rodriguez’ shipment was not impacted.  Sounds like Mr. Rodriguez was convinced and Sofia is very grateful.

Chamba de Chava

Sr. Brito on the phone says Z-man already called him and he’d like to see Chava right away.  Don Manuel tells him to get on his way. 

Empresa Ripoll

Sofia is on the phone with Silvetti who assures her he hasn’t said anything to the press.  He doesn’t want to cause her any problems especially now that they’ve come to an agreement.   Pato walks in as she hangs up the phone.  She turns on him and makes it known in no uncertain terms that in the future, if he wishes to see her, he must knock before entering her office!  Calm as can be, he assumes she won’t come to an agreement with Silvetti.  She explains she plans to present her settlement later.   Pato is sure Silveti won’t sign it.  She coldly suggests he let her handle this.  Pato suggests that if she insists on having her novio help in this, they should just start looking for an attorney to handle the lawsuit that is surely coming from Silveti, not to mention the cases from all the other clients that are sure to come.  She asks him to save the catty remarks because not all their clients were taken in by that story in the paper.  Despite what he thinks, the clients still believe in them.  Pato can only hope this loyalty continues even if after it turns out they’re unable to meet their orders.  Well, Matias is doubling the output, says Sofia, so even if they have to work day and night, they will complete their shipping orders.  Pato just won’t let it go.  He knows Cruz is putting ideas in her head.  But she must believe him when he says his first priority to lift Ripoll out this mess.  He swears to it.  He finally leaves and Sofia seems to be considering his words.

Dani’s Office

Dani is telling Ollie about all the Chocolate Ripoll woes.  She admits Grrreta still has no idea.  Ollie compares this to the lies his own mother has told him and says one cannot keep telling lies forever.  His mother hasn’t been to one therapy session and has continued drinking.  He explains how he found a bottle in her room and that the doctor who was supposedly treating her doesn’t even know who she is.  Poor, poor Ollie.  Dani tries to console him but he doesn’t understand why she would lie to her own son.  Dani has come to realize that parents are far from perfect, neta.  It would be best if he confronted her with the truth, that he knows all about her drinking and he is still willing to help her.  Ollie’s not sure and wonders where she was going if not to therapy.  Dani suggests she ask him.  He sees how easy it is to face problems with a girlfriend as wonderful as her.  C’mon, Dani, how can you like scruffy Lucas over Ollie! Smoochies

Casa de Chava

Javier finally shows up dressed in his mariachi ensemble.  Lupe’s still mad at him.  She informs him she’s caught him at his lies and knows he wasn’t at Cuco’s.  mumble, mumble, well, I had a sore throat –cough, cough.  Lupe’s not buying it.  She knows he doesn’t want to work.  He can’t understand why she doesn’t it but thinks it’s wonderful that she went looking for him.  Yeah, well, she only went looking for him to return that stupid bracelet.  She now knows how expensive it is so it would be best to return it to the rightful owner.  He repeats he found it.  She mockingly replies, “Yes, you found it, or you won it at the fair, or you STOLE IT!  I could care less!  I don’t want it!  And I don’t want more lies or gifts!  And while I’m at it, be advised that intend on following through with divorce proceedings.  Whether or not you get your act together, I want to be a free woman!”  All through her speech, he continues to try and sweet talk her.  So, this is how she wants it?  Fine, he will take his bracelet and leave!  She’s astonished that he has the nerve to go away angry.

Motores Chester

Chava is there to meet with Sr. Brito.  He prays for divine intervention for himself and his guerita del alma.  Back at Empressa Ripoll, Sofia is saying a similar prayer for her company and for Salvador. 

Empressa Ripoll

Armie is actually working!  Don’t think I’ve ever seen him actually at work.  He’s thinking back to the doctor’s words saying there is no sign of atrophy or inflammation on Irma’s spine or brain.   Then he thinks of Alexa praising the simpatico Paolo.  Even a “Que te lo dogo yo!”  Does it count if it’s in a thoughtbubble?  He also remember Irais unconvincingly saying Paolo isn’t that guapo, really.  His last thought is hearing Paolo calling her to taste his galletas (jaja).  That does it!  He calls the attorney to proceed with the divorce and seek custody of Nandito.

Motores Chester

Brito says Z-man is very grateful to Chava for saving his life.  Chava insists he only did what was in his heart, etc. etc.  He explains what he needs to repair Patotas, starting with a new motor.  More importantly they need a sponsor.  Brito accepts.  High five, fist bump!  Chava is a happy guy.   Brito will help him with the motor and with whatever else is necessary to get Patotas running again.  He asks Chava to put together a proposal and an estimate on what he needs.  Chava is so happy he says he’ll put the Motores Chester logo on everything, including his shorts if need be.  Brito chuckles and says that won’t be necessary but tells him to make sure to get everything going and they’ll discuss sponsorship details later.  Even though Chava didn’t with the PanAmerican race, everyone remembers his name because of everything he did.  Chava is ready for anything and reminds him that Armando comes with the package as his mechanic.  Brito is impressed Chava remembers his friends now that his future is looking bright.  Chava assures him this fantastic duo will not let him down.

Empresa Ripoll

Armie reminds the attorney that although Nandito is not his biological son, he still loves him as though he were.  Irma had told him Nandito was his and he’s raised him since his birth.  Nandito’s  his son and always will be.  Irma told him the truth recently and that deception was one of the reasons for their separation.  The biological father is now deceased and although Armie is registered as Nandito’s father, the baby daddy did nothing to change that.  The attorney explains Armie has all legal claim to Nandito as his father and as the registered father he has the right to claim custody.  Armie is determined to see this through. 

Motores Chester

Chava calls Don Manuel and tell him the good news.  Don Manuel asks him to get a part for him on his way back.

Casa de Paco

Paco recalls Lupe’s words about Greta and how deadly the bad news about Chocolate Ripoll could be.  He gets on the phone to Casa Ripoll and speaks with Miguelina and asks for la familia.  She tells him Fausto ordered them not to speak of it to Greta.  She goes on to tell him about Greta’s bouts with hallucinations and vertigo but the new medication has made everything better.  So they won’t say anything until Sofia tells her.  Paco agrees this is best. 

Empresa Ripoll

Sofia continues with her damage control calls.  Patricio knocks, then enters and asks for an assessment of what clients are saying.  She explains about half of the clients have been understanding, some are undecided, and the remaining customers are scared off by the stories.  She’s done what she can to change their minds, even making them offers they can’t refuse (insert Godfather joke here).  Noemi interrupts to say Chava is there and Sofia slyly responds she need not announce him.  ouch Pato gets the message loud and clear.  You get the feeling he wants to say more, but instead excuses himself so she can be with her novio. 

First things first:  smoochies.  She’s had a bad day.  She doesn’t want to let on in front of Pato but she is plenty worried, not to mention the pending anvil that is Silvetti.  She’s reviewed all the finances, including expenses and payroll, but can’t see how she can meet even half of Silveti’s demands.  She’s afraid if she doesn’t meet his demands, Ripoll is finished.  How will she be able to tell Silveti she can’t pay him?  boo-hoo.