Tuesday, June 06, 2017

La Candidata Martes, 6/6/17 Chapter 5: Mario is Kidnapped


Sometimes a person gets a major taste of his own medicine and that can be a good thing. It's too bad justice isn't always that on target.
  • D.D.

Chapter Five: Mario is Kidnapped

Mario was dragged into a building by two goons who had placed a black pillow sham over his head so he would not see where he was taken. His hands were tied behind his back, which did not prevent him kicking the metal desk behind him as he protested this treatment, one he would not hesitate to use on others.


Magda went into Alonso's office and he knew something was bothering her. She had been working for him long enough that he thought of her as family. She didn't want to trouble him with her issues, but he tried to get her to talk. She had protected him from the voracious press eager to pounce on anything rotten they could find. You don't let someone like that go.

Gerardo had a conversation with Morales who wanted to make sure that no dirt could be seen on him. He had to make sure he had his party's trust. Gerardo told him he wanted to do things in a civilized manner, with discussion. He wanted to present proposals that would gain votes and the people's trust. He felt that mudslinging was a thing of the past.
I'm going to do things my way. If you can't help me, it doesn't matter.”
Do you think I'm deaf?” Morales said, getting up. “Do you think you don't need the party's help?”
I work for the people, Morales, not for the party. Now I ask you, whom do you work for: For the party or for the people?”

Did you get him?” Omar asked his henchmen.
Yes. He's very nervous. He knows he's lost.”
Surely he knows I'm behind all this.”
Yes, Sir. I think he knows everything.”
Keep him under guard until I say otherwise.” Omar's cell phone rang and he answered it immediately. He spoke briefly with Alonso, approving an idea he had and saying they would talk later.
One thing more, Sir. Javier's colleague went to see your wife. He threatened to go to the press.”
I'll take care of that. You keep busy with Mario; that's the priority.”
Yes, Sir.”
He left Omar's car.

Cecelia went home in a good mood only to have it interrupted at finding Isela in her living room.
What are you doing here, Mama?”
You didn't know when you'd see me.”
Well, yes, I'm surprised.”
You didn't know it would be at your place.”
Yes; I didn't expect to see you here; that's all.”
Who were you expecting, your father?” She tossed the magazine she had been reading on the coffee table. “What's going on? You've made up with him, you don't need me...”
Oh, Mother,” she said as she went up the stairs. “Don't say that.”
Isela got up and followed her daughter.
Tell me what's going on. For a few days you were scared and now... what happened? What did that disgraceful man promise you?”
Mother, it's not like that. You don't know what's going on.”
What I know is this.” Isela held up a packet of powder. “You are weak. That's what I know.”
Cecelia took it back from her. “That's all over. Things are different now. Today is a happy day for me because something happened that will change my whole life.”
You've changed your look but if you go on with this foolishness, Cecelia.... Don't you realize that your father has manipulated you all your life?”
That's over. I was with the governor and what do you think? Tomorrow I start working with him. Mother, at last I'm going to work in my profession. I'm going to work with the governor and thanks to whom? My father. He promised me this and came through.”
She hugged her mother but did not see in her face that she had grave doubts about this.

Regina presented a list of concerns about the women's shelter and other matters to the secretary of health. He pointed out that the nationwide crises affected every sector. Regina wasn't satisfied with this. She wanted full reports and accounting and was accepting no excuses. “If you don't present these, you are corrupt,” she said. He was offended. She told him she did not know who was really guilty, but had been given reason to suspect enterprise corruption and cronyism. She was going to demand resignation of his entire department if this turned out to be fact.
He rose to his feet, saying he won't stand for being threatened. He threatened to report her to the governor. She stood up and looked him directly in the eyes.
I will not permit you or anyone robbing babies of cradles or allowing thousands of people to go without medication for lack of supply. You receive a salary to guarantee that no one goes without healthcare, not for you or your friends to become millionaires.”
Shamed, he started protesting. She dismissed him with “Thank you for your visit” and he left.

Noemi brought a tray to Emiliano's room, but he said he wasn't hungry. She found him sitting on the floor with his back to the wall. He didn't want any food. She was concerned that he had not gone to school. He just stared into space, not wanting to do anything. She sat on the floor next to him, explaining that while she wasn't the best grandmother in the world she adored him. He would not look at her. She kissed him and leaned against him. He began to cry.

Your father is a manipulator. He is capable of selling you a desert of salt. He's using you, Cecelia.”
I'm telling you that he made good on his promise. I'm going to work with the governor.”
Yes, as a prostitute.”
As a journalist.”
Yeah, we'll see about that.”
Mother, this is very important.”
And that's what he made up for you. Your father gets you a job with the governor, but doesn't yet recognize you. You are a bastard, Cecelia. He denied you his name. Look at you! He will use you until he's tired of you.”
Why do you have to ruin everything?” Cecelia shouted at her. “I was so happy.”
Enough of that, daughter. I say this for your good. Open your eyes. He's looking to use you. Use this opportunity to manage your father.”
Manage him how?”
You're going to work for the governor. Demonstrate to him that you are just as deserving of the same name as that senator. From this moment show your worth.”
It was a worth she had never allowed Cecelia to feel.

As usual, Regina was almost the last to leave her office in the Senate building. She stopped outside Gerardo's door for a moment. It was closed and his back was to it. She paused briefly, then continued out. A few moments later he came out of his office and went to hers only to see that she was already gone for the day.

Emiliano's cell phone signaled a message. He looked at it and texted “Coward, meet me on Skype. Why are you not answering if you're sending messages? Are you afraid of the truth, killer?” He sent those and dropped the phone on the carpeted floor.

Magda told someone on the phone that she had good news, that she had spoken to the governor. There was still some conflict. As she passed an office where someone was working late she didn't notice that the woman looked up at her and watched as she passed her office.

Gerardo went to the casino. The boss was waiting for him. He explained that he could not get all the money together and was negotiating interest on a loan. The man shocked him with the surprise that the debt had been paid in full.
It was paid in full. Must have been friends who were worried about you. Friends in power, you know.”
Who paid?”
He didn't tell me his name. I only just accepted the money. Be happy, man; you have no debt with the casino.”
Very well,” said Gerardo. “Thanks.”
He shook the man's hand and left his office. He took out his cell and called Regina on his way out.
Regina was in the back seat of her limo when she answered.
At last! You had me very worried.”
I'm sorry for ignoring your messages. Neither could I pay the debt.”
I don't know what you're referring to.”
It wasn't you?”
I don't know what you're talking about and I didn't pay anything. What is it?”
As Gerardo descended the stairs he saw Omar and two other men.
You sound a bit confused and a bit worried.” He looked at Omar, who also looked at him as the other two men departed. “You know what? I'll call you back later.” He ended the call.
It was you, wasn't it?” he asked Omar.
No. It was the governor. He asked me the solution to your problem. Let's say we decided to be an instrument.”
Why did you do it, or better, for what? What do you want in exchange?”
Don't ask so many questions. Why don't we have coffee and talk calmly?”
Gerardo stared at him for a moment. He felt like Faust looking at Mephistopheles.
At the same moment Regina was thinking about Gerardo on the way home. He was telling her he had always loved her. She smiled as she took out her cell and tried to call her father. She got his voicemail and left the message that he needed to call her; it was urgent.

A Señor Rosa, one of Alonso's minions, reported back to him with his latest information about the death of Florencia Oscura. He suspected Mario, whom they had dropped off in front of the establishment where he had called “your wife.” Alonso wasn't believing this. “My wife is totally outside this business,” he said. The man said it was an odd coincidence to be threatened by the father who informs the daughter. Alonso was sure Regina knew nothing of all this and then didn't believe him. He seemed ready to believe nothing. The man told him to get his wife to call off her dogs or there would be a very ugly problem. “I thought you had this under control.” he said.
No, not for a while. My wife acted in good faith. I'm in charge of everything. One more thing. What happened with the money you were to deposit at the door I specified?”
The money was given. Worry about your wife.”
Mauro entered just as Rosa was leaving. He waited until the door was closed before he asked, He did not have good news.

Regina arrived home to find Noemi waiting for her. She was agitated about Mario but said she didn't want to talk about him and his infidelities. Noemi told her that she didn't want her to think she was crazy. Regina told her she never thought that and Noemi said they had a more important matter at hand, telling her that Emiliano was ill.

Cecelia sat in her bed, thinking of her latest conversation with her own mother. She took out a vial of cocaine and its tiny spoon.

Gerardo and Omar were at an outdoor table at a place unlikely to have been very visible. They played a verbal chess game about the money Omar paid out. When Gerardo asked what he wanted in exchange he said “Nothing” and went on about concern for the governor's wife and son. Gerardo concluded that this was meant to keep him away from Regina. He told Omar he was going to pay back the money and reminded him that Regina was a lady before getting up and leaving.

Regina explained to her mother that she had tried calling all day and Emiliano didn't answer. She also had told her about her day and confided that she didn't know how to deal with corruption or with gangsters. She was confounded by her ability to make decisions in Parliament while being equally unable to communicate with her son. She speculated that perhaps Emiliano should talk to a psychologist. Noemi then told her she had overheard him talking to Hugo and thought that their friendship ended over the sex video. Regina's cell phone rang just as she was taking this in and she got up and excused herself when she saw the caller's name.
Can't you explain what happened? Don't leave me in suspense.”
I don't know your husband's story.”
What story? It should be clear I don't understand.”
Your husband paid my debt. You exposed me, Regina. You didn't think this through. You didn't have to do this. Excuse me, but I have to go.” He ended the call immediately.
Regina was confused about this. She returned her phone to her handbag and told Noemi she had to go out. Noemi followed her to the door where Regina told the guard she was not to be followed.

Isela found Cecelia with the cocaine and a mostly empty bottle of liquor, which brought on an I-told-you-so conversation that was mostly one-sided. When Cecelia declined to say anything Isela reminded her that she was being presented with the opportunity of her life...backed up with the usual reproaches.
Look at you! Look at nothing else. What are you?”
Stop trying to hurt me,” she said.
Trying to hurt you?” Isela asked, sarcastically. “Now I'm going. I don't know why you called me.” She got up.
Don't go.”
Then, clean yourself up. Get up, take a bath, and fix your bed. Should I go for your pills so you can sleep?”
Yes. Can you stay with me a bit?”
Ah, the servant takes care of the governor's next mistress.” She paused for a second, then extended her hand to help Cecelia get up.

Alonso went to his parents' home. Natalia was expecting him. He greeted the maid politely then noticed that all was not right with Natalia. He asked about the bruise, but she did not answer.
I need to ask you a favor but I don't want your father to know.”
Who did that to you, Mother?”
I don't want to talk about that,” she said, avoiding his eyes. “I want to talk about a friend who is in danger.”
A friend in danger? Why?”
Because he was my lover. Your father found us together.”
From the look on Alonso's face one would think she had told him she was pregnant.

Ximena had overheard at least part of Gerardo's conversation and she asked about it. She didn't believe that it was a business call, which was what he told her. She figured out that he had been talking to a woman and specifically the one Teresa accused him of wanting.
The governor's wife?” she asked.
Gerardo stood for a moment, not knowing what to tell her.

Magda arrived home to find her living room a mess. The furniture had been overturned or tossed around. She called for Julian, who claimed to have heard nothing. He speculated that Israel was in some way responsible. Magda opened to the door to Mauro, who told her the police had called him after talking to her. She didn't have to press charges or say anymore. He was there because the governor was worried about her. He didn't know about this yet but would soon. He told her not to worry, that they would recover her property. She had trusted someone she shouldn't have. She demanded to know where he was.

Isela brushed Cecelia's hair as she tried giving her a pep talk that Xaviera Hollander must have delivered many times. “Get as much as you can out of them, all the money you can.”
Yes, mother,” she said, mechanically.

Ximena wouldn't leave it at that. She kept asking her father whether he and Regina had ever been lovers or anything. He didn't want to talk about it but she persisted, citing that since they lived together and her mother was in the sanitarium she needed to know. He told her to sit down.
Regina was my friend, yes. We were friends many years ago at the same university. Now we just sit in Parliament.”
So nothing else happened between you?”
This woman was the love of my life.”

Israel is leading a double life, Magda. It's because he's very ill and doesn't have the money to pay for the treatment. That's why he's with you and why he deceived you.”
No. He didn't deceive me.” She did not look at him while she spoke.
Excuse me? Do you know if he has family?”
Yes, he has a daughter. But at my age a woman needs a little affection.”
But he was using you, Magda. You don't need that.”
Can I ask you a favor? Get him out of jail. We're going to help him. I promise you I will never see him again. But I don't want to leave him alone in this world.”
Mauro stared for a moment. He was unsure whether she was saintly or insane.

Noemi opened the door to Hugo's parents. They wanted to talk to either Regina or Alonso. Noemi explained that they were both out, but she was expecting Alonso shortly and thus invited them in.
We're very worried,” said the mother. “Hugo and Emiliano were always inseparable. They fought and now, frankly, Hugo is very sick about it.”
We've never seen him like this,” said the father.
Emiliano also feels very bad,” Noemi told them.
Señora, Emiliano threatened my son,” said the father. “It's torturing him. Hugo is very sick. We're afraid that –”
We need to talk to Emiliano. This can't go on like this. Hugo is going crazy.”
The father got up and showed Noemi something on his cell phone.

I know everything I'm saying must hurt you a lot but it's the truth.”
She was the love of your life, Dad?”
She's the governor's wife, my love. Our relationship is now political. It has nothing to do with our separation. There were a lot of reasons for my separating from your mother. Many reasons. Her illness, the bills she ran up. I never deceived her.”
Dad, can I ask a favor? Don't leave Mother. I won't ask you to love her because I know that's impossible but please help me take care of her. Please.”
She joined him on the couch and he embraced her in a protective manner.
I'm sorry, but I'm so afraid.”
It's a heavy burden and you're my baby,” he said, kissing her again. “You're my little girl. You're whom I most love in this world. Don't be afraid. I won't leave you alone.”
He kissed her again and stared into space. His expression was one of doom.

I understand that my grandson's messages are not good, but I suppose you know that your son is responsible for the dissemination of that video all over the place. I suppose you also know what a scandal this caused,” said the mother.
Truthfully, we can't believe that Hugo had bad intentions in doing this.”
We are in charge of Emiliano. And we will also talk to him to take care of his aggressive actions. But you have to control your son. We are dealing with a woman getting murdered.”
The couple rose to leave.
Look, all that we want is to end all this. I don't want any kind of relationship with your family. I also will make sure that my son stays far away from your grandson. Please, I ask you that whatever happens, this is what has to be. Good night.”
Noemi got up, the ice tinkling in her glass. “I don't know what you're talking about regarding relations with our family, but we as a family promise to talk to Emiliano. We hope that you will take responsibility for your son.”
I think it's time we leave,” said the mother. “Good night.”
They did not wait to be shown out. After they left and Noemi made sure the door was secure she turned around and saw her grandson, who had listened to the entire conversation.
What are we going to do with you, Emiliano?” she asked. “What are we going to do?”

Almirón stopped his car right in the path of Regina's. He got out and approached her, telling her to be calm.
It's urgent that I talk with you. It's about your father.”
My father?”

Alonso was incredulous.
How could my father catch you with your lover? That can't be, Mother!”
Why? Why is that strange to you? Your father and I stopped being a couple years ago.”
That isn't sufficient reason to have a lover!”
Oh, such shenanigans! Please, I've always known your father had women on the side. Of course, I took a lot of crap from that man. And what about me? Don't I have the same rights as he?”
This is a conversation I don't want to have with you, Mother.”
Alonso stepped away, but Natalia pulled him back.
Well, you will have to. Your father threw him out. And he will kill him.”
Kill him? What are you saying, Mother?”
I know perfectly well what you're father is capable of. And I'm asking you to help. I don't want Omar to kill him.”

Regina remained calm despite her anger.
You must have kidnapped him. You ordered the murder of that girl. I want him freed.”
Señora, it's not true. The guilty one is in prison. I'm out for lack of evidence. Besides I didn't come here to talk about this. I'm here to talk about your father. They took him. He has him.”
How did that happen? Who did it?”
They have him, Señora. He did it.”
Who is 'he?' Almirón? Who are you talking about and where is my father?”


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Comments:
Please note the following:  

Due to the subject matter of this novela there will be strict moderation of the comments. Anything about current or past real-world political situations will be removed.  Discussion will be limited to the story, the production values, and the actors' performances.  Also, episode discussions will be closed once the next episode's recap is posted.
 

Thank you, Urban, for another great recap.

Gerardo really did not have to tell Ximena that Regina was the love of his life. Whatever he said after that to qualify it I am sure she did not hear. Gerardo is not too smart.

Regina was not too smart rushing out to set Gerardo straight in spite of the fact that Noemí had told her that Emiliano was not doing well at all. Regina's frustration was no excuse for not staying to try to work with Emiliano. I felt sorry for Hugo's parents left to deal with grandma Noemí because of course no parent of Emiliano was there.

I like Isela. She speaks the truth as ugly as it might be.
 

UA: Can you post pictures from the episode if you can ?
 

Steve, I don't post screen shots anymore because of how much space they take up in my Photobucket account. Most of the ones I put into VEA were found online and they might disappear eventually. It takes time to do screen grabs and store them. I'd rather just provide quality text.

Jarifa, I agree that telling Ximena that was TMI no matter how Ximena feels about her real mother. She seems very immature for her age but based what we've seen of Teresa, this isn't a surprise. She needs very firm guidance that Teresa was incapable of giving.

As does Emiliano, who is reacting the opposite way to that need. He is pushing his parents and grandparents away. The dynamic between him and Alonso is particularly toxic because Alonso is very controlling. Neither he nor Teresa has any concept of appropriate parent/child boundaries despite their vast difference in parenting style.

Regina probably should not have bolted out. She may have felt she hit the wall with Emiliano and it's time for a shrink. I agree with that. He would probably not have talked with her any more than he did with Noemi. The reason she should not be leaving the house is the danger it puts her in if she is seen with Gerardo. I'm sure it's known in political circles that they attended the same university and that he is separated from Teresa.

The kidnapping of Mario -- which is unknown to most people -- presents unique dangers.

I disagree about Isela. She has reinforced Cecelia's feelings of being damaged goods rather than encouraging her through her youth to developing a life different from what Fate had dealt her.
 

Urban--I'll read the recap a little later, knowing how comprehensive it will be. Thank you.

Alfredo--You are not only our most prolific recapper, but now you are Caray's resident scholar and professor. Thank you for the overview of the Mexican legislative system. If anyone missed it, please read his short lesson on it at the end of Chapter #4.

I'm still mystified, though, on how loss of confidence in a senator because of his stand on certain legislation could lead to his being forced to resign. Aren't the deputies and senators elected by votes of people? Shouldn't his fate be in the hands of the people who elected him? OR, on the darker side, the Party chooses the candidate and it's a foregone conclusion he/she will be elected.

Could it be that he just has to resign from the leadership circle and not the whole Senate?
 

Excellent and thorough recap, Urban, with just enough perceptive, evaluative comments. I wonder how the Magda/Israel situation will fit into the larger plot. Also, what have all these complications done to Alonso's and Regina's date night? I agree that Cecelia's mother is as bad and destructive in her own way as Mario. No wonder Cecilia is kind of a mess. OTOH, it makes her the kind of somewhat sympathetic kind of villainess that Erika de la Rosa was in Bajo el mismo cielo. Your "It was a worth she had never allowed Cecelia to feel was absolutely right on. Evidently the health system corruption is even deeper than it had seemed in the last episode. As you say, Jarifa, Emiliano does need counseling and Regina should have followed through on that rather than rushing out.
 

Anita, some percentage of deputies and senators are elected by their own party, not for the people (plurinominales); but even if Gerardo is a "senador plurinominal" I don´t understand if they wanted him out the party, the senate or the leadership; but I guess, in order to show more drama, the producers and writers just put more intensity in the pression the party is doing in Gerardo, without real reasons to expel him.
 

Welcome, Tquir. Always happy to see newcomers.

This series makes me very happy to not be a politician or anyone in their orbit.

I don't know whom Regina could have contacted at those hours to connect with a shrink for her son. Since I'm not a parent I don't know whether contacting his school would have been productive or not.

Alonso is useless here and Emiliano will freak upon learning how Florencia was connected to him. Just as Alonso freaked at learning that his mother was getting her freak on with a younger man.
 

At the very least Regina could have discussed the possibility of counseling with Emiliano and shown her sympathy about the end of his friendship with Hugo. She also leaves without talking with Emi to determine how close to some kind of breaking point he is. I could understand Emiliano being left with the idea that to Regina politics are more important than he is.
 

SpanProf, my feelings exactly. In spite of Regina crying on her mother's shoulder, to me there was just something lacking when she left in search of Gerardo instead of seeing her son's welfare as her first priority. It iis my guess, that Emiliano has had to just "suck it up" from an early age due to his parents' work schedule.
 

Thanks Urban, just got to this one. And as always love the insight.

I agree that Regina should have Emi be his priority regardless of her political career, love life, or any other distractions.

We have a recurring them here with the parents being the cause of the child's inabilities to behave in a mature, ethical, responsible and/or decent manner.

The Israel/Magda story line seems peripheral at the moment, hope there is a purpose for it.

Sandie
 

Just back. Indeed, Urban, another quality recap. The conversations were so necessary to continue the story for many of us. Thank you for taking the time to listen and write them all down.

Tquir--Thank YOU for amplifying the inner workings of the Mexican legislature. Even with Urban sort of answering it in the recap, your explanation helped a great deal.

We have to keep our eyes on Mario and Omar. They aren't acting solely to protect their respective families, but themselves. We know Mario, from what Cecelia has told us, is into some sex business. Omar is into his own businesses although it certainly rubbed off on Alonso, who is seen taking kick-backs from the guy I thought Omar turned in to Regina anonymously for keeping Omar out of the "business." [I'll have to rewatch it tonight before the new episode starts.]
 

I think that one of the themes of this series is that children are sacrificed on the altars of their parents' careers, especially politics or what gets connected to it.

Omar was a control freak and now Alonso is also one. The only difference is that he's in politics. How much non-disciplinary contact did they have when he was young? What about Mario and Regina? Neither of these sets of parents was exactly a positive role model.

Regina and Alonso aren't an emotionally-together couple and they have a major fundamental difference in their parenting styles. Didn't they ever have a nanny for Emiliano? If so why isn't she still employed in some other capacity and therefore available in this situation?

Isela exposed her daughter to the seamy side of sex and relations between men and women.

None of the wives mentioned so far can trust their husbands. And now there is Magda, who trusted Israel who robbed her.

Teresa's mental illness -- which likely includes narcissism -- and her gambling addiction has made her a very poor mother and a bad wife. Gerardo should have divorced her years ago. No woman who marries a politician should have any illusions about what that means. I see her as possibly gambling away an entire family fortune, like Humberto in PyP. She also has no boundaries, which is monumentally unhealthy for all involved. I have the feeling that her parents are dead since they haven't been mentioned yet so unless we are flies on the wall for her therapy (which I am predicting will fail) we won't know anything about them (and might not anyway, since I don't think she has a good relationship with the truth).
 

First of all, thanks Alfredo for your fine informative recap yesterday. Sorry I didn't get around to commenting in a timely fashion but you labor of love is greatly appreciated.

UA, thanks for another of your lavish informative presentations. For a long time I've admired and appreciated your most generous and tireless efforts. I'm late to the discussion and as yet still don't have a confident grasp of all the characters but I will offer this observation: the ostensibly secret furtive romance between Regina and Gerardo seems to be rather ill-concealed and is something that they'll be forced to deal with publicly sooner rather than later.

It's been clear from the get go that Emliano is way out of his depth, is deeply troubled and requires immediate attention.

I'm still puzzling over that mysterious STD. With the scanty information we've been presented with, my guess is chlamydia but that is by no means certain.

Carlos
 

Carlos: The lengths on how far people will go in getting to Los Pinos.
 

Carlos, I think you are probably right. If it were one of the original 2 all it would take is one injection of penicillin.

Emiliano definitely needs a shrink but I'm going to bet he will resist the idea for a while.
 





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