Caray, Caray!

• Roberto and Victoria stood at the water's edge and kissed as though they were in a movie. Victoria then looked at him and walked away.
  
• El Ciego met with Jacinto Durantes in a parking garage where the two devils made a deal. Durantes got El Ciego to agree not to disturb the people or the police of San Benito. El Ciego paid Durantes up front and Durantes told him he needed a favor: He needed someone to disappear. El Ciego told him that this would not be complicated and asked him to name the date. The identity of the victim was not heard.
  
• The following morning El Ciego woke up Benjamín to talk business, as he would need to move a lot of cash. Benjamín went out to the balcony to continue the conversation, then tried to establish boundaries by telling him not to call at such hours because of the risk. El Ciego laughed, telling him that his business was 24/7 and he will have to expect calls at all hours. After El Ciego ended the call, Benjamín called him a “naco” before going back to the novelty of being in bed with Leticia, who rolled over to go back to sleep. However, Bejamin had other plans for the morning.
  
• Carlos obviously never warned Benjamín that this would happen. He must also have been hoping that the sudden phone calls and surprise appearances would then become Benjamín's problem and stop being his own.
  
• Carlos signed himself out of the hotel, asking the clerk whether any of the Vega lawyers had checked out. The clerk said No, but as Carlos walked away Alejandra and Ricardo came out, closely followed by Susanna whose presence interrupted some awkwardness between them. As Ricardo went out to the cab, Jaime arrived to talk to Alejandra, who was hoping that things between her father and her boss had gotten better. However, when Alonso passed by she saw that it had not. Roberto, Victoria, Benjamín, and Leticia followed Alonso and all were on their way back to Mexico City and their daily grind.
  
• Gustavo got to the office and told Carmen that he had to see Alonso as soon as he arrived. He had urgent information for him. He also had her contact Fausto for a meeting or for lunch. He emphasized that this all was urgent.
  
• Carlos was not happy to see Alan sitting in his office at his desk when he go into the office. He shooed him out of his chair, handed him his jacket, and Alan started talking about taking care of business in his absence. He had arranged a meeting with Carolina that day. He asked about the conference and Carlos told him that the status was still quo except that he had punched Ricardo a couple of times because “He wouldn't leave Alejandra alone.” This had caused Alejandra to distance herself from both of them. His last comment was “Bustamante will be sorry.” Alan looked amused, although Carlos was looking at his documents and most likely didn't notice.
  
• Benjamín's cell rang that morning and he did not recognize the calling number. When he answered it was the Fat Man – none other than Ramiro Durantes – referred by El Ciego. The brothers Durantes were about to become his new clients.
  
• Alan asked Carlos whether he saw Olivia. Without looking up, Carlos told him he had. When Alan asked whther she had been keeping company with Leonardo and Roberto Carlos got irritated, telling Alan he had other things to do rather than watch his girlfriend. He finally signed some documents, put them in a file, and handed them to Alan, telling him to bring that file to Marta so he could meet with Carolina. He had to prepare for court.
  
  Alan exited and Carolina entered and sat down to talk. Carlos told her to be calm and to deny any knowledge of the existence of Adela's child. She looked a little surprised and slightly uncomfortable.
  
• Not even scheming people like Carolina anticipate that a lawyer would advise them to lie in court. She may, however, not have realized that someone in the hospital could have overheard their argument.
  
• Gustavo went over his fraud case with Alonso. It turned out that there was a similar case in St Benito with the same construction company, which was owned by Ramiro Durantes, the brother of Jacinto Durantes, the mayor who had authorized construction.
  
• Adela was nervous and Ricardo tried to calm her down. That Armando didn't write out a will was not a good thing, but it had nothing to do with DNA. She told Ricardo that Carolina had been aware all along about the child. Ricardo asked what else she knew about Armando's relationship with his wife. She told him that Armando had a track record of getting involved with actresses in his films but that he said that Carolina preferred to know about such a relationship but would not give up the lifestyle he was able to give her. Adela knew nothing else about this, but said that when he was with her they were a family. Ricardo told her that the important thing was to get her son the financial support he needed. She told him she was going to look for work just to be prepared for anything. She asked if they had a chance. He explained that Carlos will manipulate whatever he thinks he can, but told her they did have a chance at winning.
  
• Any judge worthy of that title should be very suspicious of Carolina's refusal to permit a DNA test on her husband's body. If she allows a test between Adela's son and her daughter, could that be because her daughter is not the deceased's child?
  
• Lourdes happily told Paula and Alicia that she had a dinner date with Alonso. They want all the details. Lourdes left in her sexy red dress as Jaime arrived to see Paula. He wanted to talk about his problem with Alonso.
  
• Juan told Roberto about the court date for Giselle and the other women. Roberto assigned the case to him. He was surprised, despite having done this before when he worked in the public defender's office. Roberto told him that he had every confidence in him. He was a little too effusive in expressing his gratitude. The conversation turned to the Ibarra case when Juan reported that Pedro had gotten a copy of the forensic report. They wer still no better off because they had no proof against any of their suspects, including Tatiana. Leonardo still believed that Alan was the killer while Juan believed it was Pedro.
  
• Paula knew her ex-husband well and his best friend. Both were passionate about their work and both had always been able to keep work and friendship separate. She told him she would be there for him if he needed her.
  
• Fausto met with Alonso and Gustavo, who showed him his findings. El Gato was watching from outside the restaurant.
  
• Flowers and chocolates awaited Olivia in her office. Victoria and Alejandra were very impressed and very surprised at the news that they were from Leonardo. Olivia, however, wasn't ready to break up with Alan. He then appeared and noticed the flowers.
  
• Speak of the devil and he appears. It seems that Alan picked up a new tactic from Carlos.
  
• Alonso explained that Gustavo specialized in contract law. Gustavo told Fausto that government funds were being diverted and that Jacinto's brother was robbing people. Fausto asked if they wanted to continue because these people were very dangerous. Fausto warned that Durantes would not take this lying down. Gustavo did not want to stop. Alonso then explained the issue with Jaime, who had been convinced that Jacinto wasn't guilty. Fausto asked whether Jaime was good and Alonso said he was an excellent lawyer. However, “We have the truth on our side.”
  
• Victoria and Alejandra teased Alan with comments about the flowers and chocolates, then decided to leave them alone. Olivia and Alan kissed.
  
• El Gato called his boss to tell him about the meeting. El Ciego told him to follow them.
  
• At the staff meeting Alonso mentioned a meeting with upper eschelons and the others reported on their cases. Alejandra mentioned a child support case, Olivia a visitation agreement, Leonardo and Roberto gave a non-update on the Ibarra case, and Alonso requested full profiles on the suspects.
  He then said to Benjamín “Tell all of us since when you are working for Carlos Ibarra.”
  Benjamín tried to get out of this by saying that he was just helping with some of the financials on the foundation. However, Alonso told him that if he wanted to take work outside the firm
  he was to say something first. Victoria said that she, Olivia, and Alejandra helped wth the foundation from the beginning, but they talked to Alonso first. Benjamín put his tail between his legs and said that if it was that serious it won't happen again. Alonso said that his case was in order thanks to Gustavo.
  
• Elena handed a page back to Natalia because there was a mistake. She then left the room slowly enough to hear the children talking.They had been annoyed wth her but agreed that they wanted her to be happy. Elena went back into the living room and Natalia told her that they wanted her to be happy, like before. Elena hugged her.
  
• Benjamín had a tantrum in his office, as though Alonso had no right to expect loyalty and due diligence from him. He decided it was time to leave and asked Leticia if she would accompany him; he would make her a partner. She said Yes.
  
• Olivia visited Leonardo in his office to ask him not to send anything else to her. She was dating Alan and wanted to avoid more awkwardness in the office. He declared his love for her yet again, then agreed. She walked out of his office smirking.
  
• Roberto went into Victoria's office to suggest they dine and have drinks after work. She turned him down. He dangled the prospect of one of the top three restaurants in the city. She said that Cancun was only a dream... although a better one than she thought it would be.
  
• Elena had the children setting the table, the better not to mess up her wine-colored velvet dress. She talked about them meeeting Miguel officially and asked them to behave. Miguel arrived with a bunch of expensive lollipops, Elena made the introductions.
  
  He said “Your mother told me all about you” and Natalia said “Good, then I don't have to talk to you.” She and Federico left them alone.
  
• Which almost looked like Elena wanted it that way as she began to get a little jiggy with Miguel.
  
• Alejandra found Carlos at her mother's house and asked him what he was doing there. He said he had to talk to her. She was not in the mood and indicated so. He said he knew he made a mistake following her to Cancun but he couldn't stand her being in their special place with Ricardo. He reminded her that he had proposed to her there, etc. She told him she wanted to be alone and didn't want to be some trophy that he and Ricardo were fighting over. He said he understood that “...but you don't know Ricardo.” She told him that she had great memories of their relationship but it was all over. He said he wanted to get back together with her and she should forget Ricardo because she wasn't important to him. However “for me, you are everything.” Alejandra looked irritated.
  
• Carmen entered Alonso's office to tell him she had made the restaurant reservation for the next day. He thanked her. As she was about to leave his office Jacinto Durantes and four henchmen came in, having pushed past another secretary. He demanded to know how Alonso ha the nerve to call him a thief in public. Alonso said he had proof and Durantes demanded to know what it was. Carmen asked Alonso if he wanted her to call security and he told her not to, it was alright for her to go. She left the office and Durantes said “You have no idea whom you're dealing with.”

• Durantes said that Alonso's information was false. Alonso said it was not and told them that he had dealt with people like him who think that power is forever, which is not a good viewpoint. Durantes brought up the issue of “respect”, which always comes up from criminals who think they are above the law. Durantes declared himself an enemy and Alonso told him to leave his office. Durantes looked back at one of his henchmen, who revealed his shoulder-holstered pistol.
• Alejandra told Carlos she wanted to be on her own and he would not take no for an answer. He went on about creating new memories, etc., and she cut him off. He finally had the sense to retreat and be on his way.
  
• However, we don't think he's done, do we? Carlos has been like a dog chasing after the same bone and refusing to let go all along.
• Natalia and Federico came back to the dining area to check out Miguel, who seemed to make a good-faith effort to get to know them. They were amiable enough during dessert, after which one said he wanted to go to bed. Elena told them to brush their teeth and they left. Miguel considered this a success and Elena told him that it could have been so much worse.
• Gustavo told Isabel about the Durantes case and she told him to be careful that nothing happens to him because they needed him. They kissed and he left to go home.
• Alejandra told Paula about the latest encounter with Carlos, who had still managed to convince her that she is unimportant to him compared to her children. Paula told her “Well, so says Carlos.”
• Carmen was concerned about what had just happened, but Alonso tried to tell her that this was a desperate act by a man who knew he was being cornered. He went on about being a mayor doesn't put a man above the law, but Carmen pointed out that this is the first such incident in all the years she had worked for the firm. She asked if he wanted her to advise the other lawyers and he said no. If he had backed down at every death threat his career would have been over.
• Susanna tried to tell Juan that trying this case would not be any different from what he had done in the past. He was concerned now because he worked for Vega. He was still nervous, then she told him she saw Fernanda and they talked about him. She tried to persuade him to seek out Fernanda and talk to her. Juan went to his room to practice his opening statement.
• Ramiro waited in the parking garage for Benjamín, where he recorded their encounter. He stayed off camera through it, but obviously made certain to capture a shot of the briefcase full of money.
• Roberto and Victoria talked on the phone from their apartments. He wanted to see her and she finally consented. He did want to know how often she thought about him and she said “constantly.”
• Ramiro closed the briefcase with a comment about nothing bad happening. Benjamín told him not to worry. Ramiro asked when he could get his money and Benjamín told him about two weeks. He quoted a fee of ten percent. They parted company. Ramiro pulled his cell phone out of his shirt pocket and stopped the recording.
  
• Benjamín never knew he was being recorded. However, he should have known that criminals also take precautions, whether for blackmail or other motives. He is a man who can't see past his own greed.
• The next morning Elena served breakfast to her children and reproached them for their behavior toward Miguel the night before. Her tone was non-aggressive because she clearly knew that they were resisting the idea of her having another man in her life. She asked them to give him one more chance and she would end the relationship if that didn't work.
  
• Elena may not realize this but her children are clever enough to have set a trap for her to fall into. She may have underestimated them, especially her daughter.
• Ricardo said in his opening statement that his client's child had the right to financial support. He had a petition for a DNA test. Carlos went on about the obligation of the law to protect marriage and the family. He also said in his opening that his client never knew about the existence of this child. Adela spoke out of turn, saying that was a lie and that Carolina knew all along. The judge demanded order and Carlos continued, claiming that his client is the only one with the right to administer her dead husband's estate or to authorize his exhumation for a DNA test and that Ricardo's client had her child's “inheritance” prior to this and had no right to any more money that belonged to her lover's “legitimate family.” Adela tried to protest and the judge warned her that he could request her removal from the courtroom. Carolina looked at her coldly and her makeup made her look ten years older than when we last saw her in Carlos' office. Looks of hatred and contempt were exchanged between the two women and between their lawyers.
• Olivia arrived at the office and Leonardo presented her with a cappuccino. She is playing hard to get and making the excuse of how their relatinship would look. Leonardo told her to stop worrying about what other people say and just be happy.
• Ricardo brought up the situation of Armando Ruiz having died intestate and how that does not exclude the possibility of inheritance of parties other than the widow and her children. He brought up the apartment purchased for the child and his mother and how they were evicted from it when its ownership passed to the man's widow. Carlos got up, protesting that she had the right to do this because it was now her property. They went head to head vebally until the judge shut them down and demanded closing arguments.
  Ricardo said that the law recognized hijos naturales in matters of inheritance and by extension the mothers of those children. He was looking for 50% of the deceased's estate for his client and her son. Carlos told the judge he didn't have to see this as a business deal, as Ricardo did. The judge called for a recess so he could make a decision.
• Juan won his case and Roberto said they had to celebrate that weekend. Roberto told him he had a great future and that he was happy to have him on the team.
• Carmen brought a new client to Alejandra... Karina Acosta, the wife of Benjamín, who brought her nanny in to get help with her divorce. Her husband was not in agreement. It appeared as though he had cheated on her.
• The judge ruled that Carolina had to surrender 40% of her husband's estate to Adela and her son. Court was ajourned. Carlos said he would appeal. Ricardo recognized his right to, but said that the judge's ruling was in accordance with law. Carolina began screaming that she would not hand over one centavo. She tried to physically attack Adela , but Adela did not fight back and the two men pulled them apart. Carolina became insulting and Adela accused her of marrying Armando for his money. Carlos told his client they would have alternatives and escorted her out.
  
• Carlos is just as angry as his client. This is not going to do him any good when a clear head should prevail.
• Julieta, the nanny, explained to Alejandra that she is from another country and married her husband in Mexico. There had been no problems until she caught him with his pants down. The problem was that she still loved him.
• Gustavo went to Alonso with the news that Fausto was found dead. Alonso then said they needed to keep up the case against Durantes. He was determined to see los Durantes in prison.
  
• Leticia was waiting for Benjamín when he got to his office.
  
  When she got up from the chair he unzipped her dress, revealing her wine-red lace lingerie. He did not hear his wife's voice from the other side of the door.
  
  She walked in.
  
  He and Leticia jumped apart. Benjamín pulled the “you don't know what you saw” routine, but Karina wasn't falling for it.
  
  She slapped him and called him out as a cad.
  
  She picked up Leticia's dress from the floor and slapped her with it, then with her hand She called her husband out on this, demanding to know how long this had been going on. “At least have the decency to admit that you are lovers.”
  
  Benjamín backed up between the two women and said that Leticia was nothing to him, which also earned her anger. She shoved him toward Karina.
  
  Victoria and Olivia came running and Karina cried that she had caught them together.
  
  Victoria got between her and Leticia and told her to calm down.
  
  
  
• They were finally busted. Their long-standing illicit affair embarrassingly exposed. No more desks will be desecrated in the Vega offices or conference rooms. And... there will be consequences for this that neither Benjamin nor Leticia have ever thought about.
• Alonso told Gustavo about Jacinto Durantes' visit. Gustavo pointed out that with Fausto dead their case will be more difficult to prove. Alonso, however, was no less determined. They had to find a way to link Durantes to Fausto's death. Alonso then put on his jacket, saying he would need to see to a decent burial for Fausto, who had no family. Gustavo went with him.
  
• Benjamín sniveled to keep their child out of this.
  
  Karina said “Of course not!”
  
  He tried to grab her, then Alejandra entered the fray in Benjamín's office and made him back off. Karina yelled at him that this will cost him big. Also, that his son will know what a piece of garbage he is.
  
  Alejandra looked embarrassed
  
  while Leticia hung back, covering herself as best she could with her arms.
  
• Carlos was still angry when he got back to his office and had to admit to Alan what happened in the courtroom. Aaron was also there, asking about Elena. Carlos then told him to advise Elena to take her children far away so that Ricardo will never see them again. He refused to accept that he had lost the case. Alan seemed to take a little pleasure in this.
  
• The commotion in the desecrated office caught Alonso's attention on his way out. He and Gustavo entered the office. Gustavo put Benjamín's acket on Leticia.
  
  Karina told Alonso that Benjamín and Leticia were lovers and asked him whether he knew. He told her he did not.
  
  Benjamín tried to say that this had nothing to do with his work, but Alonso wasn't having it. He told Karina to calm down and that she can get help from any of the lawyers in his office.
  
  He told Benjamín off and left. Alejandra found Leticia's dress and handed it to her as Victoria put her arm around Karina's shoulders in support.
  
  

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Permalink posted by Urban Anthropologist @ 11:00 PM