Caray, Caray!

• The next day Alejandra thanked Ricardo for bringing her home the night before. He looked at her cheek to see that the swelling had gone down. She then left his office and when alone he said to himself, “Alejandra, how much I need you!”
  
  
• Gustavo went to see Isabel, who told him she had seen a psychologist about how to help Luis. She yelled at Gustavo that “He is not responsible for your mistakes!” and Gustavo asked how she thought she would talk to him about this. She still did not know, saying she had to get her thoughts together. Gustavo said he would pick Luis up at school and take him out to eat. Isabel said not to say anything to him yet. He told her he wouldn't in the hope that they could still work this out and she would give him a second chance. [Good luck with that one.]
• Augustín and Lalo sat at their dining table. Augustín guided Lalo's hands over Playdoh that had been molded into standard shapes to make sure he could identify and perfect them. The doorbell rang and it was Lorenza, Augustín's wife, who had received his petition for divorce. She tried to force her way inside but he guided her outside. She was indignant that he would try to get support money out of her on the grounds that he should be the sole support of their son. She implied that he was less than a man for that. She went on about how she had spent so much time taking care of Lalo before and was entitled. She then went on about how her lawyer was better than his because of the sex video scandal. He had no idea what she was talking about. A friend of hers had seen the video online.
• Gustavo and Isabel continued to argue again about his attempt to make up with her. She finally said that the only thing she was conceding to is that their son needed him. He finally left, no better off than when he arrived. [Are we now to regard flamenco music as a bad omen?]
• Cinthia sat in Roberto's office explaining that her daughter had inadequate representation. Thanks to this stupid lawyer she had been sentenced to six years in prison. Roberto asked if she had a recording of the hearing. She handed it to him, explaining what happened and how bad the defense was. Roberto asked the lawyer's name and she told him. He looked very pensive.
• Alejandra paced around her office, then sat down. Olivia entered with Rosita, who felt guilty for her injury. Alejandra told her it had been an accident. Since the threat had been made against her (Rosita) she would have to be the one to bring charges against her husband. Rosita agreed.
• Roberto tried to reassure Cinthia that her information was sufficient and he would provide the best possible defense for Nora.
• Gustavo took Luis for burgers and fries but he was not very receptive. He wanted the truth. Gustavo told him that he had made a big mistake and that everyone must own up to their mistakes and take responsibility. The boy wasn't able to sleep and said that his mother cried all the time and why didn't he apologise. Gustavo tried explaining that such things take time. Luis wanted his father at home, not away like the fathers of his friends. Gustavo hugged Luis and told him that although he wasn't living at the house he would always be there for him. Luis did not look convinced.
• 
  Alejandra tried getting some work done when Carlos barged in uninvited again, saying that he was gaslighting very worried about her. He didn't want anything to happen to her. She persisted in saying that what had happened was an accident. He then said he wanted to take care of her in all things. He then had the cojones to say he wanted her to resign from Vega and come to work at his firm. He needed her to rebuild his firm. He became insistant.
  “Are you serious?” she asked.
  He said he needed her specialty and said she would be a partner. She gave him a firm No. She had earned the position at Vega on her own merit. He insisted that not only did he love her he respected her legal talent. She said she was grateful for that but still insisted that they should not work together. He moved in for the kill, trying to caress her face, and she dodged it, saying she had lots of work to do and can't do it. He asked her to reconsider and she said she would see what was possible. She did not look him in the eyes. He took her hand, saying that anytime she wanted his firm was open to her. She looked like she wished he would leave. She finally said “I want you to understand me. I am not going to work with you and I will not go everywhere with you.”
  “How can I be calm when you're here and these things happen?”
  “This will not happen again.”
  “How can yo be so sure? I know you. You see danger and you want to help.”
  “Understand this, please. What happened was an accident.”
  Carlos made a gesture of defeat. “Very well.”
  “Besides, I need my space. To be honest you're doing this on the pretext of solving in a a few days everything that's happened. No.”
  “You're completely right,” he said, hanging his head, then looking away from her. “I want to see you because I'm [???]” He paused for a moment. “I'm sorry, forgive me. I want to see you and just tell you that I love you.” She looked away. “Now I realize that you are [???].”
  
  He turned away and touched his eyes. “Excuse me.” He walked out. She looked both annoyed and guilty.
  
• Gustavo brought Luis home and the boy was crying. He told Isabel he had forgiven his father. Gustavo kissed him before he went to his room. Isabel immediately went on the offensive asking what this was about and Gustavo said he told Luis he had made a mistake. She jumped to the conclusion that Gustavo had told him everything. He told her that children are not fools and eventually he would hear everything. Isabel didn't waste any more time; she ordered him to leave. He asked why they had ton remain separated, but she turned away. He left.
  
  
  
• The next day Olivia's cell phone rang while she was at work. Arturo called. He had been waiting for her to call him but she explained that she had a difficult case involving an abusive husband and young children who needed to be protected. He said he had the perfect solution, which was to go out and have some good food, wine, and maybe dance...and she agreed.
  
  They agreed to meet in the same place. He said he'd have something special for her.
  
  They ended the call.
  
• Augustín and Lalo came to Gustavo's office for their appointment. Gustavo told his client that the case was going well because they had a judge who was up to date on such things. However, Augustín said he needed to discuss a delicate matter. He asked if Gustavo was good at his work and whether he could be effective in view of his current problem. Gustavo explained that he was dedicated to his case and that his own problem is in the hands of another lawyer at his firm. This was because he wouldn't handle his own case objectively. He told Augustín he had nothing to worry about. Augustín told him that his wife's lawyer had told her about this, saying that Gustavo would not be able to present his case well under the circumstances, and that a judge would not believe him. Gustavo told him that judges care about proof, not lawyers. He asked his client to believe in him because he has the (more than usual) will to win.
• Joel visited Ricardo in his office. He had not yet vacated the house he had foolishly deeded to his children and was waiting to be evicted. He was also holding out hope that his children would help him at the last minute. Alejandra entered in the middle of their conversation and Ricardo introduced them. She knew who Joel was and Joel told her that Ricardo spoke of her frequently.
• Olivia told Victoria that she would be going out later with Arturo. She sang his praises like a bookish high school girl who was asked out by the class president. Victoria was pleased to see her focus on someone other than Leonardo, but told her not to get her hopes up. She advised against making one's happiness dependent on a man. Olivia told her not to worry. “With Arturo I'll be in the best hands in the world.”
• Joel told Alejandra that she was much more beautiful than Ricardo said. A few more compliments later he told her to take good care of him.
  
  
  
• Victoria told Olivia one more time not to get her hopes too high because she would rebound if things didn't go well. Olivia talked about how despite the little time she had spent with Arturo she thought she could spend the rest of her life with him. She was so sure nothing bad would happen. [How many times have we said Famous Last Words?] Victoria told her to be careful.
• Joel took his leave of Ricardo and Alejandra.
• Leonardo stopped by Olivia's office on his way out to ask if he could pick her up the next morning on the way to court. He was helping her with Rosita's case. This was fine because she was not going to be driving that evening because she had a date. He was happy for her as he left.
• Alejandra explained the latest development – that she knew of – regarding Isabel's divorce. He was happy to hear this and commented on Gustavo's likely reaction. She cautioned him not to say anything to Gustavo until she hears from Isabel. Talk of couples and their past, etc., ending with Alejandra hoping only that they will be happy.
• Later Gustavo went to see Victoria to talk about the insinuation that his court case was interfereing with his court case. Victoria was confident in him. He brought up Leticia's intent to have Isabel testify. Victoria thought as a lawyer that this was a good strategy but as a woman she didn't like it. He knew that everything was at stake... and didn't know what to do about it.
• Señor Perez came to Alejandra's office to tell her that his ex had taken his son and disappeared. He had gone to the house and got no answer to his knock. The neighbors said they had seen them leave with everything packed up.
  
  
  
• Olivia arrived at the same club to find Arturo with a red rose and a bottle of red wine waiting for them. He asked how her day was and she said it was better now that she was with him. She talked a little about Rosita's case without mentioning names and he talked about how women were to be loved, respected, etc. and how he loved how she liked to help people.
  
  The kiss looked fabulous.
  
• Alejandra told her client about an amber alert and asked if he could remember any friends or relatives that would help his ex hide. He could not.
  
  
  
• Possibly an hour or more later there was still significant PDA going on in the bar when the waiter came over to ask if they wanted anything more. Arturo looked at Olivia, who said “No” so he turned to the waiter to ask for the check. The waiter cleared the table as Arturo told Olivia he wanted to be with her. She asked if he would like to see her apartment. He took out his wallet and put some money (most likely half of what he owed) on the table. They left.
• Señor Perez provided a photo. When Alejandra sent it she told him that he would have to file charges against his ex.
• The criminal case team discussed Nora's case. Alan's incompetence in that case made Leonardo suspect that Alan did this deliberately to degrade the firm. Roberto was taking the case and anticipated that Alan's actions constituted malpractice. He now regarded Alan as the prime suspect in the murder of the prostitute.
  
  
  
• Olivia and Arturo went to her apartment and she forgot that the 70s were long over.
  
  They disrobed en route to the bedroom and engaged in what looked like romance-novel sex.
  
• Carlos called Alejandra's cell just as she arrived home.
  
  As he descended his own staircase of doom he apologised for pressuring her then asked if he could come over and see her.
  
  She told him she was tired and it would be better to see each other another day. He conceded and then went on about how he thought of her every minute he was in jail and how he would be with her every night when he got out. He clearly was not paying attention to the tone of her voice up to when she wished him good night and goodbye as she went up the stairs.
  
  
  
• Olivia had clearly enjoyed what had just transpired and it looked like they were going to go for seconds. She said it had been a long time since she last felt this way. He got out of bed.
  “I want this night to be unforgettable,” he said.
  “What do you want to do?” she asked.
  “Something perfect,” he said, leaning in for another kiss.
  “What?”
  
  He removed something from her dresser drawer.
  “I'm going to play. To love you. Trust me.”
  
  Olivia protested weakly, then not at all as he tied one of her garments around her wriwrist and then her wrist to the bedpost. He kissed the tied hand, then removed another scarf from her drawer.
  “What are you doing? What kind of game is this?”
  “It's a special game,” he said. “When people love each other it's a love game.” He kissed her again before tying her other wrist to the bedpost before backing up and putting his trousers on.
  
  “And now, precious, busness is business.”
  “What are you talking about?”
  “Where is the money and the valuables?”
  “You're playing, aren't you?” She was still smiling.
  “If you don't want to get hurt, where is the money?” he shouted in her face, like a psychopath.
  
  Then, just as the smile faded, he hit her. She screamed for help.
  “Shut up, shut up! Where is the money? Where is the money?”
  

Labels: ley

Permalink posted by Urban Anthropologist @ 11:00 PM