Caray, Caray!

• Alejandra thanked Ricardo for his assistance with Virginia's case. She talked about how great it was that the judge understood the reason for Virginia marrying Fermín. They left the courthouse.
  
  
• Juan was about to leave for the jail to see his client and he was a little nervous. His mother was sure he would be successful but he explained that if the missing necklace isn't found it would be very difficult to prove his client's innocence. He will be facing Roberto in the case as well. Susanna told him to believe in himself and gave the standard maternal blessing before he left.
• Carmen stopped by Olivia's office and heard about Olivia's new venture into Match.com. Olivia did get a message from a handsome man who said he was a doctor, but she wasn't getting her hopes up because of the stories of people who use fake profile photos. [Isn't it a relief that she is facing reality?]
• Roberto and Leonardo talked about getting a court date for Carlos. Roberto was hoping to get evidence not already known to the police. Roberto then got a call regarding the pearl necklace. It had not been found and Roberto thought it might not be. He had the feeling that Silvia was not the thief in view of her fifteen years of employment in Jimena's house. Leonardo agreed. Case closed.
• Milena drank a shot of tequila as she uploaded the sex video to the internet, talking to an absent Gustavo about how she was going to show the whole world what sort of person he was. For bad measure she also e-mailed it to Isabel with a taunting cover note.
• Alejandra went into Alonso's office to fill him in about Virginia's case. He was pleased. The next step was to prove that Virginia's children acted in bad faith and that Virginia was in control of her mental faculties. He congratulated her, saying that this solution was both original and effective...if a little extreme. She admitted that but said that this called for it. She promised to update him further and excused herself to address Señor Perez' custody case.
• Juan visited Silvia and told her this would not be easy. He asked her when she last saw the necklace. She described how her boss kept her jewelry under lock and key in a box kept in her dressser. As for who else could have seen it the only person she knew of was Anita, the boss's daughter, who was not a bad girl. [Are you so sure of that, Silvia?]
• The Three Musketeers were in Leonardo's office when Ricardo announced Alejandra's successful first case in the firm. Roberto then brought up Carlos and that he still seems to think that Alejandra is helping him and that he will marry Alejandra. [???] Ricardo didn't understand that message.
• Silvia told Juan that she was sure Anita didn't take the necklace and that she wouldn't let her take the rap for it. He told her not to be so sure about what other people would do and asked for the girl's full name. After making a note of it he asked when Silvia last saw the necklace and she said it was when Jimena wore it to a party about fifteen days before. She begged him to get her out of there. He said he would do everything possible. The women in the opposite cell definitely noticed him.
• Isabel picked up her tablet and looked into her e-mail. The poison pill missive from Milena came up. Isabel read the cover note which taunted her into watching the attached. Then she saw part of the video. She sat down on the bed and looked like a migraine was coming on.
• Ricardo and Alejandra talked about Alonso's reactions and he suggested they celebrate. She said if she finally wins she will pay. Ricardo invited her to his place for pasta, which he will prepare. She told her she liked the idea and they made a dinner date for the next evening.
• Susanna prayed and finished just as Juan returned. He told her he needed Fernanda's help him with some internet searches because he suspected that Jimena's daughter took the necklace. She made the call.
• Jimena and Anita arrived at Roberto's office and he asked whether the necklace had appeared. Jimena seemed offended, saying that she was sure that Silvia had stolen it. Roberto then told her that Silvia was being detained. The necklace had not been found and Roberto was sure that Silvia didn't have it. Jimena said “Of course she has it” in that tone of voice that indicated that she thought Silvia was the scum of the earth. He asked her if she was sure the necklace wasn't somewhere in the house and she said she had looked everywhere. Roberto said that since Silvia was in custody he would push to get the case heard as quickly as possible. Jimena said “Good. We will be there.”
  “Why do I have to be there?” protested Anita.
  “Because you are my witness,” said Jimena.
  Roberto watched this carefully.
  “Thank you, Roberto,” said Jimena. “Silvia has to go to prison.”
• Isabel went to Victoria for help. She wanted a divorce. She had loved Gustavo more than anything or anyone but now had no respect for him after this adultery. Victoria told her that this reaction was normal but that she needed to calm down. Isabel's heart was broken as she showed her cell phone to Victoria and told her she had proof. Videos and photos. Victoria saw some of it. She looked like she was getting a little sick watching them.
• Juan told Fernanda he needed photos or videos from the last fifteen days. She picked up his laptop and began for Ana Torres Beristein and got multiple results from multiple social media sites. There was a photo of her wearing the necklace.
• Federico and Natalia requested permission from Elena to call Ricardo. She tried to tell them he was probably working... or with Alejandra. Undaunted, Natalia wanted to call anyway and asked if she could. Surprisingly Elena gave permission and Natalia called Ricardo, saying she and Federico wanted to see him. He said anytime and asked what they wanted to do. She paused to ask Federico and Elena took the phone. She told him he see them up at her place. As he ended the call he said he didn't know what made her change her mind but he would see his kids later. Alejandra said she was pleased, but it was also obvious she was suspicious.
• Juan looked at the photo details and said that the dates coincide. It was taken at a bar called Boutique. He took notes and asked her to print/send the photo, then thanked her with a little too much excitement, even hugging her. She seemed to like this quite a bit. He then told her that he needed to go to the bar and find witnesses to prove that Ana had been there. He asked if she would like to go there with him and she accepted, telling him she would need to change first. She thought this would be enjoyable. He told her that the law is very complicated.
• Later that day, after everyone else had left, Victoria entered Gustavo's office where he was looking at a family photo he kept there. She told him that Isabel had come to see her and that she had wanted a divorce. Gustavo said this could not be and he refused to lose her. Victoria showed him her cell phone, telling him that Milena had sent the video to Isabel, who then sent it to her.
• Alejandra and Paula ate dinner in the kitchen while Alejandra told her about Virginia's case. The whole thing about how Virginia could trust her nurse more than her children was awful and sad. Especially since it was all about money. Alejandra told her about how Ricardo helped her and how she was starting to feel something for him. Yet she felt guilty because things weren't officially over with Carlos. Paula told her that this was nonsense, and ot was time for her to move on and be happy.
• Gustavo was angry at Milena's actions and Victoria asked him what he wanted to do next. He said he wanted to bring charges, which she agreed with. He begged her to talk to Isabel because he didn't want a divorce. She said she would try but Isabel was very badly hurt by this. She was not sure she could convince her to drop the suit. Gustavo became upset and almost cried.
• Ricardo sat on the couch with the kids watching television or a movie. They all were having a good time. He turned it off and Elena plopped herself down on the couch right next to him. She told the kids it was bedtime because tomorrow was school. Ricardo played with them on the couch, covering them and she climbed on top of him. This does not bode well.
• Juan and Fernanda entered the bar. He was dressed more casually and she wore a red top with a glittering collar. She commented that it was quiet and he said that it was early. They decided to focus on their mission. He looked around for a waiter.
• Ricardo helped tuck the kids in bed. Elena leaned against the door like a street hooker leaning against a lamppost. He kissed Natalia, who asked him whether Alejandra was only a friend. He looked back at Elena with a warning note in his gaze, then told the child “Yes, nothing more.”
  “Really?”
  “We talked about this. What are you worried about?”
  “That you won't be our father anymore.”
  “That will not happen. Your brother and you are whom I love most in the world. You believe that, don't you?”
  “Yes. So therefore you won't stop loving us?”
  “Of course no. Never. You are the most important ones in my heart. I won't stop loving you or taking care of you until the day you love someone else. You are the first in my heart.”
  “You're the best, Dad.”
  He kissed her forehead and got up. He looked at Elena and subtly shook his head.
• Juan showed the photo on his cell phone to the waiter and asked if he was sure the photo had been taken there. The waiter answered that it was and pointed to the exact location. Fernanda pointed to Anita and asked whether he recognized her and he answered that she always came in with her friends. Juan then asked for his help so that an innocent woman would not be sent to prison. He explained that Silvia earned less money than the necklace was worth and that it would not be right for her to end up in prison. He finally gave the waiter his business card and crossed his fingers.
• Same-old, same-old attempt on Elena's part to gaslight Ricardo into believing that he is the toxic parent because of Alejandra. Ricardo had explained things to the children and saw no problem. She denied this, saying that the children wanted things to be as beautiful as before. [Before what, The Fall?] He looked like he had her number.
• Fernanda wanted to hang out a while but Juan said he needed to get home and prepare for work. She looked disappointed, but he said that they'd be back to dance and have a good time.
• Elena went on about not understanding “How could you give up all this for... Alejandra?” When Ricardo reminded her that Alejandra had nothing to do with this she accused him of being more distant since she appeared. He told her no, that he was there. At her perpetual “I know you” he told her that he was always there for the children but “Anything between us was over long before the divorce.”
  “Very well, but Alejandra can't make you as happy as you used to be with me.”
  He told her to leave Alejandra out of this and left. [When is he going to finally tell her off?]
• Alejandra went to the appropriate official to see about getting a writ allowing Señor Perez to see his son. She explained the game the child's mother was playing and the official agreed that this was plenty of time for the child to get better. She sat down and began the paperwork.
• Roberto was the next to see the sex video on the cell phone. It looked like the video had been uploaded to a porn site. He asked Gustavo whether there was more material of this kind and he answered that there was. That was why he wanted to bring charges. Roberto agreed to do it, saying that the first thing would be to get this one taken down. However, he reminded Gustavo that this could be difficult because some people download these things. He threatened to kill Milena but Roberto told him to stop saying such things. He promised they would all help him but he had to be calm and Milena would pay for this.
• Juan had breakfast with his mother and told her he was worried about the case. Anita wore the necklace to the bar but he couldn't be sure it went home with her. Susanna was sure that Silvia had never touched it. Juan's cell rang and whatever he was told caused him to hurry out.
• Gustavo was still agitated when he left Roberto's office. Leonardo came in and Roberto explained the problem, starting with showing him the website. Leonardo didn't want to believe this but the other part of the problem was that these sites were not regulated. He explained that the worst of this was that Milena had sent the video to Isabel. They would need to deal with this as soon as the matter of the necklace was resolved. Leonardo was concerned because it looked like Milena was capable of anything. So Roberto said the classic line that is the title of this chapter.
• Alejandra and Ricardo discussed the Perez case and Carmen came in to tell her that Virginia's children's lawyer called.
• Roberto and Leonardo talked about their caseload and Leonardo said they should talk to Alonso about taking on another lawyer with criminal experience. He didn't want them to be in a position where they'd be rushing through things and getting slipshod. Roberto finally agreed and picked up the file he needed for court. Leonardo wished him luck as he left.
• Alejandra got off the phone with the lawyer for Virginia's children and told Ricardo that they had decided to drop their suit. They said that their cousin had ulterior motives for trying to declare their mother incapable of handling her affairs. Ricardo said that they should get this in writing to avoid trouble in the future. Alejandra agreed and said she would go to see her. She was astonished at how the “children” in this case didn't seem to give a thought as to how it would hurt their mother. Then Ricardo reminded her of their dinner date.
• Roberto and Juan gave their opening statements, both referencing the long period of Silvia's employment. Durng Roberto's opening the waiter from the club entered, handed something to Juan, and took his seat. Then Juan asked to call his first witness. The judge said that he had not submitted a witness list, but Juan didn't have one until that moment. He called Anita, who stood up before the judge. The clerk informed her of the truth requirement and she acknowledged it. Juan asked if she knew the necklace in question. She said yes, it's made of pearls. He asked whether she had ever worn it and she answered that she had, on loan. He asked whether she had seen it in the previous fifteen days. Roberto tried to object but the judge allowed the question. Anita said se didn't remember. Juan submitted the club photo as evidence. Roberto tried to object but Juan said that it demonstrated that the last person to wear the necklace was the daughter of its owner.
• Alejandra visited Virginia to tell her that her children had dropped the suit and were in agreement with her. She would continue to live in her home and Fermín would remain in her employ. Virginia asked Alejandra whether she thought her children did this out of love and Alejandra did not sugar-coat this, saying she didn't think so. She said she thought they did this to avoid legal problems due to falsified evidence and perjury. They and their cousin could end up in prison. Virginia told her she didn't want that. She just wanted everything in writing. She asked Fermín to help her up so she could hug Alejandra. She thanked her for worrying about her.
• Juan told the court that Anita had gone out fifteen days earlier wearing the necklace. Jimena got up, trying to deny this. Roberto told her to calm down and got her to sit down. He tried to say that this was irrelevant because the necklace is still missing. Juan said he had one more piece of evidence. He took a green plastic bag out of his pocket and then revealed the necklace, asking Roberto and his client if this was the necklace in question.

Labels: ley

Permalink posted by Urban Anthropologist @ 11:00 PM