Caray, Caray!

• Marcia saw the dead body of her husband in a pool of blood after his suicide by gunshot. She became nearly hysterical with grief and needed to be held back by Roberto and Ricardo. Roberto got her out of the room, leaving Ricardo there. He knelt on the floor and moved toward the body of the godfather who had been a second father to him where he cried out in grief.
  
  
  
  
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• The grieving lawyer was not aware that at the same moment his Machiavellian ex-wife was up to her usual tricks using her children as bait.
  
• Elena and Natalia had returned from Natalia's dance recital and Elena buttered up her daughter with praise, leading up to instructing her on how to get more attention from Ricardo because – in the Gospel According to Elena – Ricardo might otherwise find another woman and therefore forget her once he had children with a new wife. Natalia answered that she would tell him how much she loved and missed him. Elena praised her and Natalia then talked about then asking to go out for ice cream.
  
• In family court, the judge handed down his final decision in the Tejeda case. After reviewing all the depositions and other documentation he ruled that Augustín Tejeda was to have custody of his son and the requested child support was to be paid by his ex-wife, Lorenza. She had been seething through the judge's statement and began to protest when the judge ruled that her salary would be garnished for this money.
  
• Could Mexico now be following Germany's example so that there are no deadbeat parents? Is this social progress or evidence of a societal ill?
  
• The judge adjourned the case and Lorenza exploded in a most declassé manner. She charged over to the plaintiff's table and slammed her purse on it, screaming that she was robbed of her son, that this was unjust.
  
  Her lawyer failed to control her and she had to be removed from the courtroom by police. Augustín thanked Gustavo.
  
• Roberto went back into the room to find Ricardo grieving. He told Ricardo that the coroner's office would be picking up the body shortly, before rigor mortis would set in. Ricardo asked him how Marcia was and Roberto answered that she was a little calmer. Ricardo was feeling guilty about what he thought he did or did not do that led to this. Roberto assured him that he was not responsible, then told him he would take care of the legal aspects of this situation while Ricardo took care of Marcia. Ricardo thanked him.
  
• Outside the courtroom Augustín shook Gustavo's hand again. He had previously been concerned about the outcome of the case but Gustavo assured him that at his firm the rights of the child are first priority. Lorenza came out with insult after insult, including casting aspersions on Augustín's abilities as a lover. Her lawyer tried to restrain her, but she waved him off with another insult and then threatened Augustín with going after him again in court and taking every cent he had. She hated being compared to his mother! He told her she was being selfish and was no longer the woman he had married. She accused him of selfishness and said that was alright because now she wouldn't ever have to look at his face. She pushed past her lawyer, who was obviously embarrassed at her behavior.
  
• Victoria and Olivia had been talking about the result of her television interview about The Rat With No Name, the thief who had stolen from her. Victoria was happy for her, saying that she could now concentrate on herself and her work Olivia had gotten over the fear from the attack, but was plagued by a new fear, that of ending up alone. She talked about her dream of having a family. Victoria said she would, in time. Olivia was sure she would not meet a man with the same life-plan, but Victoria told her that science provides the means for her to have a family without a man. Her cell phone then rang. It was Roberto with the tragic news about Joel.
  
• The wheels of justice took a detour as Fanny went to Carlos' office regarding the developments in her case. He knew she wanted the sentence appealed. She told him that she wanted to see Alberto spend many years in prison. He pointed out that there was evidence of motive and that Alberto had perjured himself in his deposition. And that he wasn't smart enough to have committed the perfect crime.
  
• The coroner zipped up the body bag as Marcia watched. She began crying. Ricardo embraced her as they talked about how Joel had always loved him like a son and how much they would both miss him.
• Fanny told Carlos that Alberto didn't know that she had all the information in Ramón's computer; Carlos told her to e-mail everything to him. As he handed her his business card she explained that the business arrangements regarding the company ownership were being handled by Gustavo. She was still absorbing the idea that such betrayal could happen between partners and friends. Carlos made ironic comments on this. He told her that her case would be expensive but that his office had the best lawyers and would succeed in the case.
  
• Victoria and Olivia told Leonardo and Juan the tragic news. Leonardo got up from his desk and put on his jacket. Juan told the ladies he could help expedite the process by talking to people he knew in the coroner's office. He took his briefcase and they all left.
  
• Ricardo was with Marcia, who was talking about not wanting to go on living. He got her to calm down a little and they talked about Joel's wishes with regard to his death. He wanted to be cremated and his ashes interred with those of his parents. She was concerned with what his children would say and Ricardo told her he would take care of that. She didn't want any more problems. He said he would help and she thanked him for not leaving her alone.
  
• Of course, there are also people who use death as an opportunity to further their own ends, even if they don't stand to inherit anything.
  
• Elena called Ricardo as he was initiating the funeral process. She asked about Joel and was shocked at the news of his suicide. She obviously knew him and what he had meant to Ricardo. She offered her help, which he declined. He asked her to explain his absence to Natalia and she asked when the funeral was being held. He replied that it would depend on when the body was released and he would let her know.
  
  When she ended the call she knew what her next move was going to be. Ricardo put the documents on the back of the couch and knelt before the cross in the chapel.
  
• Alejandra returned to the office and received the tragic news from Carmen. Everyone else had gone to Ricardo's aid. Carmen told her that Ricardo was at the funeral home and where it was.
  
• Juan went to the pathologist's office, but this time was not in his usual mode as Detective Columbo. He asked – as a personal favor – if he would prioritize the release of Joel Muníz's body, as the family was devastated. The pathologist told him that everything takes its own time and he had to comply with appropriate legal procedures. As the deceased was a senior citizen there could be things to look for. Juan promised not to harass him any more if he did that. He told him that he would do everything possible.
  
• There are also those who use such opportunities to humiliate others.
  
• Carlos handed Fanny's file to Alan to handle the case. He told him that she had been referred to him by Roberto, who had been a fool who had fallen into a trap in the original case and got a murderer off scot free. He told him that this was an appeal of the original case. Alan had been under the impression that El Ciego was their only client but Carlos told him that his career and his firm couldn't depend solely on anyone.
  
• Elena and Leticia spoke about Ricardo. Leticia was the only one at the office at that moment as she had too much work and there was nothing she could do to help. She did tell Elena to console Ricardo because she would know how.
  
• Alejandra went to the funeral home and found Ricardo crying in the chapel. He looked up at the sound of her voice and they embraced. Ricardo appeared to be in the second stage of grief, his pain was that great. Alejandra told him she would be there for him.
  
• Juan came running out of the courthouse to tell the others that the body had been released; all he had to do was ask. The others were grateful, emphasizing what this meant to Ricardo. Roberto called Ricardo to tell him and when he was off the phone they all left for the funeral home.
• Alejandra brought Ricardo a cup of tea and told him that later they would give him the time of the cremation. Roberto had just called him. Ricardo did not want to see Joel's children or even talk to them, he was that angry. He asked Alejandra to call Marcia. She agreed, and embraced him again.
  
• Later that evening Carlos was still at the office, complaining to Alan that Alejandra had not called him. He tried to call but it went straight to her voicemail. Alan speculated that she might be busy at work or maybe there had been an emergency. Carlos decided to call Paula but Alan told him to wait. He excused himself so he could get back to work and Carlos tried calling again.
  
• Even when indoors, death can bring vultures.
  
• The mourners gathered at the funeral home. Alejandra assured Ricardo that Marcia was a bit better and he was not to worry. An older gentleman expressed his condolences to Ricardo.
  
  Elena arrived at that moment in a form-fitting black dress more suitable for a party than a funeral. She made a beeline for Ricardo and embraced him deliberately in front of Alejandra, bringing up her left hand to show that she still wore her wedding ring.
  
• Carlos became increasingly impatient at Alejandra's not answering her phone.
• Alejandra excused herself and went into the next room. Elena made a show of sympathy and said she could not understand why this happened. Ricardo said that Joel had to have been upset about the house but he was still trying to understand it. Elena decided to play The Sympathetic Wife, saying that he wasn't alone, he had her and the kids, and that “together” they would get through this. He asked about Natie and she told him she had explained his absence from the recital and Natie was understanding. She then went on about all of them going to the movies and other Family Things and he yessed her, then asked where the children were. She told him they were with the nanny and he was not happy about this. He didn't want them left with a nanny for extended periods of time. They started to sound like they were still married. She said she just wantedd to know how he was. Same line about being there for him. Alejandra saw her hug Ricardo and he realized she had seen this.
  
  Carlos called and she answered this time. He asked what was going on and she told him. He asked if she wanted him there and she told him she didn't. She said they would see each other another day. He gave up and ended the call.
  Alejandra looked back at Ricardo and Elena, who embraced him once more before approaching Marcia to express her condolences.
  
  A brief moment later she rose to leave just as Leticia arrived. Elena told her Ricardo didn't like the kids being away from her too long so she was going home. All of Ricardo's friends were there but what disturbed her was that Alejandra was alone, as in Carlos Is Not With Her. Leticia told her not to worry about this, that he was likely to show up soon. “After all, only you know how to console him,” she reminded her.
  
• There may have once been lots of fun at Finnegan's Wake, but this funeral would be no recreation of that.
  
• She then began escorting her out, right past Joel's two sons. They marched right in and loudly greeted Ricardo...not in the right spirit. They publicly demanded to know why Ricardo had brought the body here and why he didn't tell them.
  
  Ricardo answered that after what they had said and done why did it matter to them? One said to him that they were taking charge from that moment on. They had a cemetary plot for Joel. Ricardo told them that this was not going to happen, that Marcia had the right to make this decision. She said that this was Joel's wish. The older of the two sons said he would not permit “this golddigger” to do this. Those were fighting words to Ricardo, who raised his fist, saying that he would not permit him to talk this way to Marcia. This led to the son shoving Ricardo and this might have become a brawl like the one in the bar except for Alejandra, who held Ricardo back and the younger son who did the same with his brother.
  
• Leticia ran into Benjamin and Karina on her way out and exchanged the usual fake greetings. Benjamin commented on “what a tragedy” in a manner that indicated his contempt for people with feelings. This was followed by the usual comments in this situation until Leticia apologized for being in a rush because she had a date.
  
  Karina got curious about it and Leticia said she was just about to meet someone. Karina graciously said this was good news because she was attractive and deserved a lover. She asked Benjamin if he agreed. Benjamin said that Leticia was beautiful. Leticia made a gracious comment and went inside to pay her respects to Ricardo.
  
• Joel's sons tried to go after Ricardo again, but Leonardo got in between to hold them off. Roberto told them that this was all their fault and they started to charge the Vega men.
  
  Victoria – who must be Wonder Woman in disguise – got between the brothers and Leonardo and told them off. “You two will either calm down or you will have to leave.” They said that Joel was their godfather and they had the right to be there. Ricardo looked shocked.
  
• Fernanda dropped in on Susanna, looking for Juan. She was disappointed that he was not at home but Susanna told her that she was the first girl he thought of more than work.
  
• Marcia could not understand what was happening because Joel had always been a good father. Juan – like Detective Columbo – kept a careful eye on the happenings without comment.
  
  Alonso arrived to pay his respects. He told Ricardo that he was Joel's greatest pride and that when he felt he would want to talk to Joel to come to him, as he felt the same way about him. They were very close to the sons – or godsons – of Joel.
  
• Later Ricardo told Marcia that Joel's body would be taken for cremation. She went to look at him one last time.
  
  Once more Ricardo had to face the brother thugs, who were still refusing permission they could not grant. He told them off for abandoning their father and evicting him from his home. Finally he said not to make things any more complicated.
  

Labels: ley

Permalink posted by Urban Anthropologist @ 11:00 PM