Caray, Caray!

• Ricardo and Alejandra talked briefly about Virginia's case and she asked if he would like to dine with her to celebrate how good working together will be. She is noticeably happier and more comfortable now that she knows he is divorced.
  
  
• Elena hung up from gossiping on the phone and tried to get Federico to stop playing his video games. He didn't. She picked up the TV remote and shut off the monitor. When she tried to lay down the (parental) law he told her why she didn't just hang out with her friends and let Dad come over to be with him. He accused her of not being interested in him and having no patience.
• Alejandra and Ricardo talked about dinner as they went to the elevator. Leticia approached from the perpendicular corridor and heard part of this. As soon as they got on the elevator Leticia took out her cell phone from her highly inappropriate red bare-shoulder tight dress. Of course we know whom she is calling. Elena was having a drink as she answered, then telling Leticia that “My children are unbearable and it's all Ricardo's fault!” Leticia then told her she had something to say about him. Elena was all ears.
• Olivia knocked before entering Leonardo's office. She asked him about the injunction regarding the abusive father and he handed her the papers. She tried to persuade him to come out to eat and he told her he had too much work, mentioning the Carlos Ibarra case. She was shocked that he was handling this in view that all the evidence was against him. Leonardo pointed out that Carlos had just met the prostitute that night and was going to marry Alejandra the next day. He therefore had no motive and murder has to have a motive.
• We didn't get to hear any of Leticia's conversation with Elena. She went to Benjamín's office to tell him that Ricardo went out to lunch with Alejandra, implying that Ricardo wanted her in the firm because of personal interest in her. Benjamín told her not to worry because she has himself in her corner. Of course, she gave him the dig that what good was that if he couldn't do anything for her. He told her to be patient, that it would happen as soon as he was made partner. She doubted that would happen. He went on about being the one who generated the most income for the firm. Will you show us the evidence, Counselor?
• Roberto went to lunch with Victoria and told her that he and Leonardo made up. He then tried to invite her out for the weekend to the beach “so we can get to know each other better.” She told him he was a cad and used her favorite word (“never”). He isn't giving up. He managed to draw her attention to Ricardo and Alejandra, who walked right by them without noticing. He pointed out that this isn't purely a business lunch; he could see that Ricardo's interest in Alejandra isn't purely professional. Victoria wasn't so sure... yet.
• Ricardo ordered some cabernet and began asking Aleejandra why she became a lawyer. She gave some credit to her father which provoked compliments on his legal and teaching talents from Ricardo. She then talked about the satisfaction of making things better for people and of seeing justice done. She asked him, but his phone rang. Naturally it was Elena, complaining that Federico is out of control and wants to go and live with him. She then went into her customary Spoiled Brat Rant, asking “How could you do this to me? Taking away my children's love? Please stop destroying this family!” Unfortunately he fell for it insofar as when she demanded that he come back to the apartment he ended the call and told Alejandra that they would have to continue their conversation another time because he had to go. She was obviously disappointed.
• Alan came to Leonardo's office to discuss Carlos' case. He brought out some papers and Leonardo immediately began asking questions such as whether he was at the party and did he arrange for the hookers dancers to be there. When Alan admitted to both Leonardo asked why he hadn't said so before. Alan gave the excuse of lack of opportunity. He said that he had hired the dancers from an agency whose phone number he found on a web page. Leonardo told him to tell him everything and reminded him that even the tiniest detail could be important enough to crack the investigation.
• Ricardo explained to Alejandra that his situation was very complicated. That his ex had never allowed him to give his name to her children – who are from her previous marriage – and that there were issues about visitation. She told him not to worry, that she was used to eating alone. Before he got up to leave Roberto and Victoria came to the table. He invited them to sit down and explained that an issue with Elena and Federico came up and he had to go. Roberto told him he didn't mind being left to dine with two beauties.
• Alan told Leonardo that he could count on him for any help with Carlos' case. Leonardo said he would, but his expression (which Alan should have noticed) said that he had reservations about that. Then Alan excused himself and got up to leave. As they shook hands Leonardo told him to not forget the information about the dancers. Alan looked a little discomfited as they shook hands. As he walked out it looked as though Leonardo had gotten a very bad vibe.
• Alejandra, Victoria, and Roberto returned to the office and Carmen told Alejandra that her client, Mr Perez, was in her office. She thanked Carmen, then the others, saying she had a good time. Roberto said he was always at her disposal and to Victoria he said he was more than that. She went back to her own office without a word.
• In her usual way, Elena greeted Ricardo with “Are you going to admit the damage you caused that Federico now prefers you to me?” Ricardo asked to talk to the boy and she refused to allow it. She didn't want him talking to the children at all; he was at Ground Zero again. He – most likely correctly – assumed that all this was because she didn't pay enough attention to the children. “How can you say that? I'm not a bad mother!” “Well, I'm their father.” “No you're not.” [Do we really need to relive that one again?] She then declared that this was all over.
• Mr Perez explained the backstory to Alejandra and that he was now to assume custory of his son. However when he tried to get him she told him that the boy couldn't go because he had varicella and that he was not to try to see him. He didn't understand.
• Elena and Ricardo went at Round 100 of a 15-round fight that hadn't been settled with a knock-out. He told her point blank to leave the children out of their problems. She told him not to worry and to stop worrying about them. [If we had a dollar for every time she said he wasn't their father we'd be able to buy enough tickets to win the Powerball]. He said to stop hurting them and she said that they will have to learn that this is life. She then told him to leave. He was never to see her children again. He left without another word and she spilled an ocean of tears over this latest blow to her ego.
• Apparently Mr Perez' son had been kept inside for fifteen days; he was sure that the mother (Marcela) was lying about him being ill and was just trying to keep him away from his son (who had his name). Alejandra said that this was outside the norm but was sure that the judge would rule in his favor. Right after he left Ricardo called from his car to apologize again about leaving lunch. He explained that he needed to talk to his son, but that Elena didn't let him. He asked if there was anything pending at work and she told him she had met with her client and that was all. He wasn't coming back to the office because he was going to make this up to his son. He promised to make this up to her and she said not to worry.
• Elena seemed to have slept on the comfy chair; is that all she does all day long? Federico came home and asked for his father. Elena told him that he left because he had to. Federico didn't quite buy that and Elena finally let loose and told him that he and his sister would never see Ricardo until they respect and obey her. The boy told her she was being unfair. She obviously didn't give a damn. He threatened to tell Ricardo and she almost dared him to. It was obvious that he was fed up with her. He went to his room.
• That evening Gustavo went to Milena's place with the words nobody wants to hear: “We have to talk.” After the standard preamble he said that it would be best if they ended their relationship. She would not.
• Alejandra arrived home to a dinner prepared by Paula and her friends as an apology for everything they had just put her through.
• Gustavo told Milena he couldn't go on like this anymore, going between her and his wife. She told him he was the love of her life. She accused him of being selfish. He said he was doing this for her and she finally got angry, slapped him very hard, and told him to leave. He did. She doubled over and started crying.
• Alejandra told Paula that Ricardo was divorced. Paula looked as though she wanted to open champagne. Alejandra told her it was a little more complicated than that, but all three cougars looked happy nontheless.
• Ricardo told his two besties about what happened with Elena. He was sure that she was going out with her girlfriends in order to meet men so she could find another stepfather for her children and lock him out altogether from their lives. Leonardo told him not to worry, as the children didn't know another father. As true as that was, Ricardo pointed out that he was not their father.
• Alejandra went to see Virginia who had decided that the solution for her situation would be to marry Fermin. She thought this would be the only way to protect him. Alejandra did not think this was a good idea or even a necessary action. Virginia said that while her MS was alright now she would eventually become incapacitated. She did not want to see him dismissed and herself stuck in a nursing home and forgotten. Alejandra pointed out that her children would object. Virginia didn't care. She told her that if one lived one's life only thinking of what others thought, that wasn't living. “Do what you want to do with your life.” She said that Fermin took care of her, which her children were not doing. She wanted to live with dignity for however much time she had left. She also didn't want her children squandering the money left by their father. She wasn't going to disinherit them or be stingy with them. Alejandra understood perfectly and said she would do what was necessary.
• Ricardo told Gustavo what happened with Elena, including that she would not let him bring the children to Luis' birthday party. Gustavo was sad because his son was looking forward to it. Ricardo said that every day he understood Elena less and less.* Gustavo suggested that he have his wife call Elena to invite her to bring them. Could he tolerate her being there? Ricardo was alright with that. Gustavo was sure that Elena was just blowing smoke because she was angry and This Too Shall Pass. [It doesn't sound like he knows Elena very well.] Ricardo hated that Elena was using the children as a weapon. He commented that they give advice to clients in this sitation all the time but when it happens to them they don't know what to do. All Ricardo wanted was to see his children.
• Leonardo and Roberto discussed Carlos' case. After talking with him, Leonardo was convinced Carlos was innocent and that was good enough for Roberto. Leo asked Rob's assistance because there were many irregularities in the case. He reasoned that if they didn't have much the state didn't either [Sorry, writers; criminal law doesn't work like that]. They would need to review everything they could get and Roberto was sure they could get Carlos out of prison.
• Mariana slithered by to see Ricardo, coming up behind him while he was working at his desk. When he saw her she went on about how sexy he looked when he was concentrating on his work. She continued flirting gradually until she got to the Let's Remember Old Times and then she put her hands on his shoulders and started talking about getting back together. He said “There's something I have to tell you” but she shushed him and moved in for the kiss...
• A woman named Jimena Beristain arrived to see Roberto. She was not only not in a good mood, she was accompanied by \her daughter. She also didn't have an appointment. Carmen told her that people without appointments would have to wait but this lady wasn't having it. Carmen said she would see what she could do. Jimena and her daughter sat down. Anita (the daughter) did not want to be there, but Jimena said they were not leaving. “I want Sylvia out of the house for stealing.”
• Mariana talked about how much more time she would have for him after the divorce. When he hesitated she asked if he was seeing someone or interested in someone. He said yes, but wasn't sure that the feelings were mutual. She said she wasn't jealous and said she liked this. [We can speculate on what that means.] She said she would see him soon, more flirting, and one more kiss later she was out the door.
• Silvia, the unfortunate domestic spoken of previously, went to Juan for help. She was being accused of having stolen an expensive pearl necklace and Jimena threatened her with police action. She had already fired her.
• Jimena and Anita entered Roberto's office. She is a friend of his aunt and they regularly play canasta together. Roberto took notes as he asked questions. Sylvia had worked for her for fifteen years. No previous issues. She was the only outsider in the house during the time the necklace disappeared. Jimena was sure she had not dropped it because she was very careful with her things. She wanted ro report it all to the police and get Sylvia arrested. Roberto reminded her that this would not get her necklace back, but Jimena didn't care as she was determined to make Sylvia pay.
• Sylvia swore to Susanna and Juan that she did not steal the necklace. He asked whether her boss lived alone and Sylvia said that there was also the boss's daughter. Juan promised to help her. [We already know what he is thinking, don't we?]
• At the staff meeting Alonso formally welcomed Alejandra and explained that this is a weekly meeting. Leonardo started by announcing that he will be defending Carlos Ibarra. Leticia and Benjamín had already decided that Carlos was guilty and they started rubbing Alejandra's nose in it.

Labels: ley

Permalink posted by Urban Anthropologist @ 11:00 PM