Caray, Caray!

This is going to be a very brief recap; I encourage any loyal viewers to fill in the nuances.

GCSSD is at Azul's apartment and gets introduced to Emilia. He gives her "the look." Emilia and GCSSD swap flatteries and mutual admirations.

Morticia is reading Diego's tarot cards. Things heat up and they end up in bed. As they're basking in the afterglow, Morticia actually smiles and laughs. I didn't know she could.

Inez is in bed when GCSSD walks in. He tells her he's met Azul's advisor, Emilia, and how enchanting he's found her to be. Inez wants to know if Emilia is married; GCSSD says he didn't ask. He then accuses Inez of being jealous. Inez denies it. GCSSD starts getting frisky and tickles Inez.

Lidia is getting dolled up; she's on the telephone and is frantic. She can't wait until tomorrow. She needs to meet the person in the office immediately.

Gloria comes home and discovers Morticia and Diego asleep in bed. She closes the door and walks away. Spectral music plays.

Mo is telling Andres why Diego should join the enterprise. Andres isn't sure it's such a good idea. Mo tells him why it is. "Don't be jealous, Andres. You'll always be my confidence man." Is that the beginning of a smile tugging at the corners of Andres' lips? I bet he's cute when he smiles.

Lidia tells Piero she thinks she's pregnant. Piero isn't happy. Lidia, who is clutching her EPT box, goes into the restroom to find out. Suspenseful music. Commercial.

Gloria tells Clemencia she just saw Morticia and Diego together. "Together, together?" asks Clemencia. "Sure enough!" exhalts Gloria excitedly.

Lydia walks out of the restroom glum, then starts laughing. Piero wants to know the results. "You've been punk'd! I just wanted to see the look on your face!" They end up swallowing each others' faces.

Andres is whining to Leo over dinner that Mo wants to hire Diego. Leo tells him not to fret. At least they didn't look like they were about to make out this time.

Piero brings Lidia home and they look like they're about to get it on in the hallway when Papa shows up and demands to know what the heck is going on. Papa throws Piero out and starts reading Lidia the riot act. He says, "Abuelo was right about you!" She says she doesn't want to be like Papa and Clemencia, to which Papa slaps her. He's yelling at her when Clemencia shows up to see what the fuss is all about. Papa storms off. When Clemencia asks Lidia, Lidia stomps off in tears. Clemencia is confused.

Clemencia goes into Lidia's room to get answers. Lidia lies about what happened. Clemencia points out she's not stupid, "What the heck is going on?" Lidia tells Clemencia to leave her alone. Clemencia leaves and Lidia cries.

Diego walks in and sees Clemencia at the kitchen table. Clemencia tells him something happened between Papa and Lidia and no one will tell her what it is. Diego volunteers to ask, but Clemencia thinks it's better to leave well enough alone. She then asks about Morticia; she smells Morticia's perfume on his hands. EEEWWW! Diego wants to know if it's intuition or if a little bird told her. He looks like he's about to say something when he suddenly gets up with a smile and tells Clemencia he's going to bed.

Gloria has fixed breakfast for Morticia. Morticia is still walking around with the high-pro glow. Gloria is thrilled! Gloria admits she saw Morticia asleep with Diego.

Diego also has the high-pro glow. Clemencia asks about the mother of his kids. "That's over. It's dead!"

Papa wants to know what Lidia is doing with a married man. Lidia replies he's not happy with his wife. P-- "Then why doesn't he divorce her?" L--"Because he has a little girl."

Mo is talking to Andres about the business when Azul walks in. "Do you two still think we don't need Diego in the business?" Spectral music.

Piero is comforting Lidia when Papa shows up. Papa wants a word alone with Piero.

Diego and Morticia are having a pleasant walk when Azul shows up and wrecks everything. Morticia excuses herself and goes inside. Azul begs Diego to not accept the job with Mo; "I know Mo and you'll not be able to do the things he wants done." Diego is mad; she has no confidence in his (Diego's) abilities. Azul is in tears pleading with him. They stand one millimeter apart and look like they are going to kiss. Diego accuses Azul of still feeling something for him, after all, she's trembling. This goes on for awhile as Morticia is staring glumly out the window.

Papa asks Piero his intentions with Lidia. "Is it true you are separated from your wife?" Piero says things aren't great with wifey, but they aren’t separated. He has no big plans for Lidia. Papa basically tells Piero to stay away from Lidia or there will be unpleasant consequences.

The teary reunion between Diego and Azul continues. He says she can leave if she's said everything she's come to say. She thanks him for saving Mo's life and leaves. Glycerine tears of true dolor course down Diego's cheeks.

Piero yells at Lidia. He does not want a repeat of her father's visit.

Azul tries to set up Inez with Andres. GCSSD is in the room and drops a glass when he hears this. As Azul runs to clean up the mess, GCSSD says he wants to talk to Inez alone in the bedroom.

Morticia is arguing about Diego's talk with Azul. She's jealous. Diego says Azul only came by to beg Diego not to accept Mo's job offer. Some how the conversation goes downhill, because they start talking about him not wanting her to get pregnant because he's afraid their kid would be crazy like her. There's probably more to the conversation than this, so anyone is more than welcome to weigh in.

Clemencia is splayed out on the bed clutching her chest. Papa comes in babbling about whatever. Clemencia says she's not feeling particularly good and gets up to get a glass of water. She collapses and Papa is frantic. "I can't breathe!"

Inez and GCSSD are fighting. Azul walks in and wants to know what the fight is about. Inez tells GCSSD that it's about time Azul learned the truth. GCSSD is furious. He asks what does she want him to say? That he and Inez have been lovers for over 15 years? Before Azul's mother died? Azul is muy impactada!

Morticia and Diego are walking along the street. Papa calls and says Clemencia is not doing really well. He stutters a bit and Lidia picks up the phone. She gets right to the point. Clemencia is in the hospital; she's dying!!

Azul is hysterical. Arnie comes in and wants to know what the ruckus is about. Azul tells him that Inez and GCSSD have been lovers for over fifteen years. Arnie does the math and isn't happy. Azul tries to slap Inez. Inez and GCSSD leave and Azul sobs uncontrollably in Arnie's arms.

Diego, Morticia, Papa, and Lidia are hanging out in the hospital waiting room. Clemencia needs heart surgery. Papa doesn't know what to do; they have no money. He'll have to sell the house. Diego tells him not to worry, Diego will come up with the money some how. Perhaps by making a deal with the devil.

Lidia is either begging Piero for money or for time off. Whatever it is, he's blowing her off saying Clemencia is strong. She'll be fine!

Inez and GCSSD are back at Inez' house. What are they going to do now? Nothing is going to be the same. GCSSD lights a cigarette and says he's going for a walk. He needs fresh air.

Azul is whining to Mo about Inez and GCSSD. The lies they have told. Azul says she doesn't want to be like them. Mo asks if she's lied to him about something. Azul admits she has.

Credits roll.

Labels: amar

I always set my recordings to start a couple minutes early and end a couple minutes late, that ensures that I don’t ever miss the beginning or ending to an episode. This really helps when I like to record episodes of “The King of Queens” that play in syndication. What that means for Amar is that I catch the end of Yo Amo a Juan Querendon everyday. At first that just meant that I got to watch a minute or two of whoever is that amazingly hot dark-haired acress on that show. Usually she’s wearing some kind of dress or suit, but still manages to show off her body. So, I’m good with that. Today, however, I got a little shock – Juan Q cut off his ridiculous hair! I was too blinded by his horrible tie to get a good look, but as far as I could tell he looks waay more normal. He’s still sporting the hubcap sized belt buckle and questionable wardrobe, but he’s headed in the right direction.

As I write this on Sunday afternoon, there isn’t a recap up for Thursday’s episode yet. So, to briefly go over what happened that day – Emilia (ha I actually reflexively wrote Emiliaaa – my Duelo readers will get that) and GSD make googly eyes at each other. Later GSD tells Ines what a great fantastical smart hottie she is, which is a really stupid thing to say to your girlfriend, and naturally Ines gets jealous. The next day at Azul’s place, the four of them (Arnaldo, Azul, GSD, Ines) are going to have dinner and the truth of the GSD/Ines relationship comes out – including the fact that the relationship started before Azul’s mother died! Needless to say Azul is super pissed, she even punches Ines in the face.

We left off Wednesday with Silvana telling Diego to do her good – he proceeded to do so. Gloria comes home and barges into Morticia’s room to find her and Diego asleep post-coitus. Unlike every other mother who would be horrified to find their daughter fornicating, she runs over to Diego’s mother and tells her, they have a little happy dance. “Yay! Our kids are screwing each other!” Later Azul shows up to tell Diego not to accept the job so she doesn’t have to see him any more. Diego figures out that she doesn’t want to see him so that she doesn’t have to confront her feelings for him, they go on about this for some time.

Lidia plays a bad joke on Piero, she calls him and demands that he meet her at the office (it’s late) where she pretends to be late for her period and takes a pregnancy test. Before telling him the results, she reveals that it was a joke. WTF? For some reason this doesn’t cause Piero to run for the hills. Dude, this chick is crazy. Run. Piero takes her home and follows her inside, where they start fooling around in the exact same spot that they got busted by Abuelo last time. How stupid are they? So, of course, someone comes in – it’s Manuel, who tells Piero to get the hell out after seeing him feeling up his daughter. Later Manuel confronts Piero in his office, Piero confesses that while his marriage isn’t great, he has a kid and won’t leave his wife. Manuel says to leave Lidia alone or he’ll regret it.

I think that covers the important events of Thursday. OH – one more thing – Clemencia has chest pain and is taken to the hospital, they say she needs an angioplasty but it costs 500,000 pesos, Diego says he’ll get the money. I was wondering how they would write him into needing the job with Mauricio, now we know.

After hearing the news of GSD and Ines, Azul tells Morris that she can’t live in a relationship that has any lies. Morris asks if she has lied to him, she says yes she has lied. He looks kind of pissed and curious at the same time. Notice how when she said that, he automatically assumed it was HER that had lied, even though he apparently lies constantly? Anyway. She says her lie was that she almost broke up with him and that she still has a little of that feeling. They talk a little and apparently decide everything is fine and hug each other.

Diego talks to his mother, he lies and tells her everything and everybody everywhere are just fine, doing great, don’t worry about anything.

Morris leaves Azul at her place, she wants to rest. Arnaldo comes out of the back dressed to go out, Azul can’t believe he’s going to go have fun after the day they had. He says he doesn’t want to just stay home and be sad. Azul won’t say what is bothering her and Arnaldo says she has to face it sooner or later. She snaps at him but then apologizes.

Abuelo, Lidia, Paco, Morticia, and Abuelo are in the kitchen. Abuelo kicks in some money for the operation. Diego says with all the money from everyone, they have 28,000 pesos. Considering they need 500k, it is nothing. Lidia says they need to sell the house. Paco asks about Diego’s severance and he gets mad and goes outside. Morticia follows him and suggests that now is the time for Morris to repay the debt he owes Diego for saving his life – money for mom’s operation. In the morning, Diego calls Morris and agrees to go to his house and meet with him. He gets up and leaves without his cell phone, which starts ringing. Nosy metiche Morticia grabs the phone and listens to the voicemail. It is Morris, saying that he had an emergency and has to now meet him downtown. Of course, Diego is already gone. Silvana looks impactado, though this is a very minor thing to get impactado about.

Azul talks to GSD, GSD tries to explain everything. He says he loved Azul’s mother but they never worked right as a couple. He talks some more but it doesn’t seem to mean anything.

Diego arrives at Morris’s house and Leo welcomes him in while simultaneously giving him the cold shoulder. She brings back Andres, who says Morris had an emergency and left Diego a message, didn’t he get it? Diego says he forgot his phone, will Morris be long? Andres just stands there like a palace guard and doesn’t answer. Sometime these scene cuts don’t work – they have something like this, where a person stands there looking mean or angry or whatever when all they are doing is answering a yes or no question. It’s weird.

Morris arrives at Diego’s house, Morticia is cleaning in the kitchen and gets a little freaked out at the sound of his voice. Manuel had opened the door and invites Morris in while he checks if Diego is home. Morticia rushes away so Morris doesn’t see her. Morticia is in Diego’s room when Manuel checks. She begs Manuel to just tell Morris that Diego isn’t home, she’ll explain later why she doesn’t want to see him. Manuel says fine, but damn calm down! She’s all hyperventilating and everything. Morris is just getting off the phone, turns out Diego is at his house, Three’s Company continues. I can only imagine that this whole deal was to get Manuel to know what the deal is with Morris and Morticia. Otherwise it makes no sense. Or, something is about to happen with Diego at Morris’s house. Let’s see.

Andres tells Diego that Morris is on the way. Just then Azul sees Diego and starts a fight with him. She thinks he is here to take the job, he says jeez woman the whole world doesn’t revolve around you. He is here for something else, nothing for her to concern herself with. She sees that something is wrong and starts being nice. Andres looks in on them suspiciously but Azul sends him away. Instead of telling her what’s up, he starts giving her a hard time about her relationship with Morris. She says whatever she knows he isn’t alone either, Diego asks her if she is jealous. Cripes I’ve had enough of these two as of right now. How can every show make it so we don’t even care if the main characters get together? Even Luis and Hipolita in Alborada – she was so stupid so many times I just wanted her to get in a carriage with her impotent/potentially gay husband and leave. Heridas, Duelo, every show makes the main couple look so pitiful, why should we care if they end up together? Bah.

Piero counts out some cash and gives it to Lidia, it is only 10k pesos. He says that’s all his wife would let him give. She tries to make him feel like less of a man for having to let his woman decide everything. She makes an interesting comment – “I comply with everything you ask, things your wife won’t do, and you humiliate me like this?” Hmmm – are we getting a hint at the kinky unseen antics of these two? Their relationship has been a bit strange, he keeps fondling her in her own house so they can keep getting caught, they aggravate each other on purpose, the whole thing is weird. I guess we’re seeing why it is worth it for him, he gets to do things with her that his wife won’t do. I guess she was hoping for money or presents for providing those services. Piero’s wife walks in on the conversation and wants to know what’s going on.

Diego says that at least fighting with Azul distracts him, she says she’s glad to be good for something. He says she is good for more than she can imagine, I tried to figure out what exactly he meant by that, but it was just one of Diego’s grand sweeping statements, he is full of them. Morris arrives. Bleah his smile is so fake, it drives me nuts. Diego asks to speak in private.

Lidia continues to say that it isn’t enough money, Mrs. Piero says it’s 10,000 pesos! She’ll have to work forever just to pay that back! She finally says tough luck Lidia, that’s all we have to give. Lidia storms out, Piero tries to explain that her mother is dying.

Diego tells Morris what is going on. He tells Morris that this is his last option. Morris thinks he should have been an earlier option, he told Diego before to come to him for anything. Diego says he’ll sell the house and pay it all back. Morris says they’ll discuss that later, besides he owes Diego his life and that is worth more than 500,000 pesos. Morris says he wants to help but his money is all tied up. He’ll make some calls and let him know what he can do. Azul knocks and enters, even though nobody told her to come in. She looks like she opened up her sweater and adjusted her bra to make sure she is showing as much boob as possible, perhaps to make Diego jealous. Diego looks upset but says fine, thanks. He leaves. Azul wants to know what’s up and Morris tells her. She says you’re going to help, right? Morris the ass says he doesn’t know, he asked for a lot. We are seeing his true colors here, perhaps so is Azul.

The doctor tells Diego that they can’t wait any longer. Tomorrow the family will have to authorize some other operation that is much riskier, since they can’t afford the angioplasty. Morticia arrives and Diego tells her they have to do the other thing. She says it will all be fine. Lidia shows up with her 10k pesos. He tells her too that they are doing the other operation.

Morris asks Azul if he should help, she says of course. He says he thought she didn’t like Diego, she says it doesn’t matter, his mom is dying! He says it’s a lot of money, she reminds him that Diego saved his life. Morris says he doesn’t understand why Diego is suddenly so important to her, she says just help him and you won’t owe him anything any more.

Back in Diego’s little room, he is complaining to Morticia that after all the times Morris kept asking how he could help, now he won’t. Morticia says yeah, now you see he’s evil, and oh, uh, did you see Azul? He says yes. She is jealously fishing for info, but there’s nothing to tell. Lidia comes in and says Manuel wants to speak with all of them. Manuel says he got a loan for 450,000 pesos from the bank, it will just take a few days for the paperwork. Diego says there isn’t time to wait, she’ll die. Abuelo says he understands that Manuel is doing the right thing, but there isn’t time. Manuel goes on a little rant that he won’t permit her to die, because her death is his death! He’ll kill, rob, whatever, to get the money. But still, there isn’t time, even if he robs and kills for the money. Manuel starts feeling sorry for himself, for not having the money.

I guess GSD and Ines have the whole world against them, so they might as well be with each other. We see them lying in be, both looking shocked at the recent events. GSD is smoking in bed, no no no! You’ll catch something on fire! GSD tries to blame everything on her, she wanted to tell everyone. He treats her like shit. He basically tells her how stupid she is, puff puff, so naïve, puff puff, I don’t want to hear any more. He leaves. She begs him not to leave. Maybe he decided that the middle aged thesis advisor with a body 20 years younger is a better option.

Manuel is up in bed asleep, downstairs Abuelo comments that he never realized how much he loved Clemencia, what a time to find out, huh?

Arnaldo and Azul discuss the GSD/Ines deal. Azul says she isn’t ever going to forgive them, what upsets her most is that it started before her mother’s death. Which reminds me – why did GSD admit that part? Why didn’t he just say they got together after his wife died? What an idiot. Another thing – what is with Arnaldo’s poor excuse for a beard? Does he trim it with his eyes closed? That thing is so patchy, it looks horrible. Well, to me at least. I understand why the prevailing opinion of this guy is ‘muy guapo’, going back to his Duelo days, but damn that beard is the worst. Anyway, Azul swears to never speak to them again. Arnaldo says so then what, we’ll just stay here alone with nobody? She says if she can’t have that family, it’s time to start a new one with Mauricio. Arnaldo says, what then of me? Huh? HUH? They cry together.

The family, plus Morticia (who has somehow infiltrated this family in a way a CIA operative could never pull off), is gathered around Clemencia the next morning at the hospital, all looking at her like she’s going to die. The doctor says it’s time to get her ready. Clemencia tells Manuel that she won’t leave him. They all cry and act like she’s already dead anyway. She and Diego have a tearful goodbye. Abuelo finally drags Diego out of the room. After they are gone, Clemencia finally breaks down and cries. The screen goes fuzzy, not sure if that means that she already died, or what.

Ines shows up at Azul’s apartment. Azul doesn’t let her speak, she just goes on a long rant. Ines tries to tell her to understand, Azul doesn’t want to hear it. Arnaldo shows up and tells Ines that she should leave. Finally they slam the door on her.

Diego goes to look in on his mother, he sees Morris sitting by her bed. Morris tells Diego that he got the money together to get the angioplasty for Clemencia. Diego is ecstatic. Is this some kind of dream sequence? In the hall, Diego thanks him. He swears to repay every cent. Morris tells Diego to give his thanks to Azul, she is the one who said he should help.

Now that Ines is gone, Azul snaps at Arnaldo instead. She confesses that part of her bad mood is knowing Diego’s mom is sick and how he must feel.

Morris is talking to some guy and saying he needs money, for an angioplasty and for the best doctor in the country to do it. So – he promised everything to Diego without first having lined it up. I smell a disaster coming. Morris tells the guy to ‘haz un esfuerzo’, which I guess means “do me a solid.” The guy wants to know how to justify that much cash for an operation, Morris says whatever, just do it, and hints at their less than legal/moral business that they have together, just a reminder I guess. The guy says he’ll see what he can do.

Manuel is concerned with paying the money back, Diego says they’ll worry about it later. The doctor says that whoever this Senor Duarte is, when he calls, people jump and start working!

Azul is trying to find where Clemencia is being treated and how she is.

Silvana isn’t pleased that Morris is helping, but she’s glad Clemencia will be ok. Clemencia is wheeled down the hall, they all fuss over her again. Lidia and Abuelo take Manuel off for some coffee, he looks like he’ll pass out. Diego stays behind to be pensive, who approaches but Azul. She wants to know how mom is, and apologize for being mean to him lately. He accepts. She says she came to be with him in this difficult time. He thanks her for convincing Morris to cough up the money. She is surprised, she didn’t realize Morris had come. Just then, Morris walks up to the nurse’s station, in view, Diego tries whispers to Azul that he’s right there! She just freezes and looks impactado. Yeah, I can imagine what he’ll think if he sees them together!

Monday: Diego accepts work with Mauricio, Azul tells him “No you can’t!”

Labels: amar

We open with a reprise of Max and Marfil's endless argument.

Also, we're back at Granny DS's bedside. Octy is insisting the Granny go to a nursing home, and Diana insists that Max would never allow it. Oops! Iggy did not know about Max.

Chucky is leering evilly at a photo of Fedora. She hatches a plan that makes about as much sense as any of the plans in this show. Kike has seen Fedora visiting Pancho at the warehouse. If he tells Roddy about it, it will be the end of Fedora. "Papito" will think that Fed is cheating with Pancho. What fun it is to make them break up. But isn't she worried about alienating Kike herself with her new attachment to Larry? I hope Kike gets violent with her eventually.


Gaby calls Chucky a "higadito," or little liver? I suppose it's some kind of insult to call someone a liver. In response, Chucky says she is filled with bilis, or bile. Chucky accuses Gaby of jealousy, and then she begins her usual singsong taunt: Larry's coming over, and he wants to see me, and I'm going to kiss him. Then she tells Gaby "don't mess with me, cretin, or you'll find out who I am." Gaby says she already knows. Pobre de Gaby.

Back to Granny's bedside. Diana recovers by saying she meant to say Larry would never allow it. Just then Larry comes in. He tells Iggy not to butt in. Octy calls Diana a marginal, which appears to mean marginal, but must have a more negative connotation, e.g., a muerta de hambre. Granny tells Octy where she could go.

Diana is in some office and Marfil comes in. They continue their endless boring dialog about Max. Just then, wouldn't you know it, but Diana feels dizzy. Wow, big surprise. The one-sex-act-leads-to-pregnancy gods are working double time in her case. Doctor V comes in. I guess he's no longer going to rely on the emotional fever diagnosis. He wants to do blood tests, but she won't allow it. She's just tired.

Lala and Fedora are waxing rhapsodic over the ugly plant that Roddy brought. It still has that ugly foil wrapper on the outside, and they don't bother to remove it. Isn't it wonderful that she is falling in love with Roddy and forgetting Paco. Chucky observes from outside the door.

Maricela and godmother have another one of their boring conversations about Max. Maricela describes what he looks like. This long scene is broken into by literally just a flash of Pancholon talking about a bank robbery he is planning. Godmother points out that Max has a big love that is very strong. She advises that Maricela still marry Dr. V.

Gaby goes to the bar to hang out with her friends Silvita and the trannies. They cheer her up by doing a Miss Venezuela spoof, complete with a rendition of the great Broadway anthem "A Wonderful Day Like Today" sung in Spanish. I love the trannies, and I love the way Silvia turned into a nice girl who has two good friends in Gaby and Diana despite her quirks. Gaby thanks them for making her smile and forget her troubles.

Mariposa and the girls fantasize about throwing Sharon out on her ass using karate, but Sharon wins. Back to the drawing board.

Sharon is whining at Larry that he must come to the mansion. He doesn't want to because of all the reasons we know. He reluctantly agrees.

Shirtless man alert! Max and Larry jogging together on the beach, both sin camisas!
They rehash as usual. Sharon will help Larry forget Gaby.

Fedora is now comforting DS at the hospital. Don't worry, DS, you'll be able to come home to the mansion, she says. Good thing, says DS, because her dolls miss her.

Diego speaks to a photo of Diana. He wants to get her off his chest (?) (arrancarte de mi pecho)
(Arrancar is pull up, as by the roots.) He loves and hates her. He can't love another. He wanted to love Marfil, but he couldn't. He has a grand and sick love for Diana! No kidding!

Iggy and Camila are sitting on the beach. She is wearing an itsy bitsy teeny weeny black and white polka dot bikini and a red cowboy hat. Why doesn't Octy have him on a short leash? He is too tall for his sand chair and sits with his knees perched awkwardly in the air. He's still trying to figure out the Max/Alejandro situation. He gets the numbskull award now. Suddenly, he sees Fiona and Max/Alejandro kissing nearby. Why would Max kiss Fiona? Camila gets on the cellhorn to Marfil immediately. Marfil in turn calls Diego to inquire why he hasn't killed Fiona yet. She is tired of waiting. He claims that the situation has not been right yet--it has to be exactly right. She will report him to the authorities for his other killings if he doesn't do this one fast!

Fiona meanwhile thought bubbles about her need for a fake pregnancy certificate.

Silvia and Caramelo go to the bank to cash Silvia's first paycheck. She is very excited that she has received her first payment as a performer. In honor of the occasion, she has donned her orange fiberoptic cable wig. You don't have to be a genius to know that Pancho's about to rob this bank! Yes, he comes in in a Tootsie version of a burka. He is wearing a Muslim headdress with eyeliner and a dress with large fake boobs underneath. No matter: Caramelo would recognize her true love anywhere. Pancholon, she cries! He and his accomplice (in full burnoose) call out for everyone to freeze, etc. Maybe they should yell "Attica! Attica!" But I digress.

Over at the Munsters' house, Larry has arrived for the infamous lunch. Sharon is exulting in exaggerated phony way about how happy she is with him. She is learning all about the world of the "farandula," or theater, stage, entertainment. Gee, she could have asked Silva and the trannies! Lal and Granny M roll their eyes. Fedora looks uncomfortable. Mr. and Mrs. Kick-me come in. Kick-me holds Gaby in the usual stranglehold he uses when they appear together as a couple.

Max calls Maricela to ask her to eat lunch on the beach.

Silvia is upset that the robbers are going to take her first sueldo (paycheck).

Kick-me asks Larry if Larry and Sharon are more than just friends. Yes, he says. He asks Roddy if she can be his novia. I don't get the meaning of novia/novio. Sometimes it means boyfriend/girlfriend. Sometimes fiance. Sometimes bride and groom. It's in the early stages of relationships that I am sometimes fooled on these shows.

Maricela and Max talk about his strong love for Diana.

Yolanda pushes Diana to take Max back again. You never know with men, she says. If Diana rejects him, he'll go to another. Diana says she doesn't care. Yolanda says she is lying to herself.

At the beach, Max asks Marcela if she has had any boyfriends. She tells him about Dr. V. She hasn't had any others, because she was working 15 hours a day as a hairdresser. Her godmother wants her to marry Dr. V. Max advises her not to do it if she doesn't love him. I know the hell of a loveless marriage, he says. Would you like to be with Diana? she asks. Yes, he replies.

Back at the bank, the guards shoot Pancho, but he escapes.

Mucosa is laying it on thick about their delicious lunch, and how Larry can come over anytime.
Kiki says that he not only can come for lunch but to use the gym and the pool. What fun the two young couples will have, Sharon whoops with enthusiasm.

Max continues his weird platonic wooing of Maricela. He invites her to play golf and tennis or some such.

Diana thought bubbles Yolanda's last warning: Max could love another! Orchestra of doom/or Diana/Max love theme.

Larry thanks Kiki and Sharon for the invite. SFedora gives her a piece of jewelry from Fedora's own mother. Sharon is just like one of her daughters. haron thanks everyone effusively. She is so phony it's nauseating. I have a cousin who always does this at family outings, and my mother and I always follow with the international symbol for gagging me with a spoon. I do the same here.

Paco and Lorenzo are conveniently discussing Caramelo and Pancho. Looks like she has forgotten him finally! Just in time for Caramelo to rush in and announce the robbery. She clearly wants to go after Pancho or something like that. No, says her father.

Marfil is lounging by the pool in her gypsy bikini getup. Diego rings in with a plan to kill Fiona.

Sharon continues to taunt Gaby. Then Larry plans to go visit Granny DS at the hospital. Saccharine Sharon begs to go along.

Max comes to the hospital to see Diana. They give glassy-eyed stares at each other as the credits roll.

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A continuation of the kiss between Mucks and Marcela. Godmum walks into the room and asks if Marcela is there. She and Pedro have been waiting in the dining room. Mucks excuses himself and Godmum wants to know if something is going on between Marcela and Alejandro. Marcela reminds Godmum that Alejandro's real name is Mucks, and Mucks is totally in love with Dimwit. Godmum says Mucks in nothing but trouble and thinks Marcela should marry Doc V. I think Marcela really believes Mucks' feelings for Dimwit can be changed.

Emili-Oh tells Dimwit it must have been hard seeing Mucks at the hospital. Dimwit admits it was.

Pedro wants to know how things went at the hospital when Mucks was face to face with Dimwit. Mucks says things were very tense. He continues whining about how tormented he has been for raping Dimwit. Pedro counsels Max to continue begging for forgiveness.

Lunkhead is chastising Octopus for agreeing to marry Iggy. He storms out and says if he ever sees Iggy at the house, he'll punch Iggy's lights out. Octopus says he'll do no such thing. The Big Doormat is also aghast that Octopus has agreed to marry the man who tried to kill Mucks. "Don't worry, hermana," says Octopus, "I have my own plans for Iggy. I'm going to kill him like I killed my hubby Horacio all those years ago." Orchestra of Doom.

We have the Addams family sitting around in the living room; Granny M, Little Doormat, Mocosa, Fidiota, and Roddy. Mocosa says she's totally in love with Lunkhead. When they hang out at the beach, she's the envy of all the girls. She'd really like to have Lunkhead visit her at Psycho Mansion. Roddy jumps in and begs Fidiota to allow it. Meanwhile, Mocosa tells everyone how virtuous she is. Fidiota caves; Mocosa gloats; Roddy beams; and Little Doormat's big doe eyes water as her lip quivers. Mocosa runs off to give Lunkhead the good news.

Mocosa is sitting at the desk with her gold CFM boots propped up. She calls Lunkhead to give him the good news. Lunkhead says he could use some good news after his dinner. He suggests they go out, but Mocosa convinces him decent guys would come to her house. Lunkhead finally agrees.

Roddy thanks Fidiota for agreeing to allow Lunkhead's visit. Fidiota says she's only doing it for his and Mocosa's sake, so Mocosa will feel she belongs. Roddy says it seems Fidiota appears to be falling in love with him finally. Fidiota agrees. Roddy is glad Fidiota is finally forgetting. . .

Princess Fi is telling Caramel and Pasta about the showdown with Marfil. Caramel warns Princess Fi to be careful; Marfil is capable of anything. Princess Fi says she's not afraid. She's as much a fiera as Marfil; she's not a spineless wimp like Dimwit. She's willing to fight tooth and nail for Mucks.

Emili-Oh is trying to counsel Dimwit about Max. Dimwit is still conflicted.

Pasta once again warns Princess Fi to be careful.

Dimwit and Granny DS are having a heart-warming talk. Every time Granny DS wakes up, Dimwit is with her. Because of Dimwit's care she's getting better. The hospital room door opens and in walks Mucks with a bunch of yellow roses. He tries to hide behind them. No surprise. Dimwit tries to leave but Mucks begs her to stay. They need to talk.

Beefcake shot! Lunkhead is in a very tight bathing suit on the dock. Marfil is lounging there as well. He asks if Marfil believes Princess Fi is pregnant. Marfil says it's something that can be found out easily enough, but Princess Fi will never have Mucks. Lunkhead then talks about Iggy and Diablo getting their just rewards from Mucks. Marfil thinks to herself she could care less about Iggy and Diablo, as long as Diablo kills Princess Fi first.

Mucks follows Dimwit out of the room and grabs her arm. They fight as usual. He begs for forgiveness; she calls him a sleazebag womanizer. He then drags her into an office and she asks him if he plans to rape her again. He says something about the irony not being lost on him. "No, I just want to talk!" She tries to leave and he blocks the door and continues to grab her arms. More fighting as he grovels for forgiveness, how he can't live with himself for what he's done. He then grabs and holds her, while he forcefully kisses her. Dimwit stops fighting and kisses him back!!! I'm speechless!!! I'm aghast!!! This show is disgusting!!! I want to throw the remote through the TV screen.

Kick Me brings Mocosa to Perfumes 'R Us. He tells Mocosa about seeing Fidiota at an abandoned building. Mocosa doesn't care; she only wants to split up Fidiota and Roddy. Kick Me leaves and Beatriz tells Mocosa Fidiota is in her office with Roddy. He's just brought Fidiota a beautiful plant. Mocosa sneers.

Mocosa walks in on Roddy and Fidiota kissing. Fidiota gushes about the beautiful plant. Roddy suggests they grab some food at the cafeteria. After they leave, Mocosa spies Fidiota's purse. She figures she can help herself to some checks and forge Fidiota's name. She's clutching the checkbook when Fidiota suddenly walks back in and catches her. Fidiota demands, "What are you doing with my purse?" Mocosa is impactada.

Iggy and Camila are discussing Iggy's plans to marry Octopus. If they're married, she won't be able to testify against him. Camila thinks to herself that Iggy is cruising for a bruising. Iggy asks if Camila thinks Alejandro will evict him if he doesn't pay.

Dimwit finally breaks free from Mucks and leaves the room, with Mucks in hot pursuit. Who should show up but Marfil. She wants to know what the heck is going on and why her hubby is running after THAT nurse. Mucks tries to explain Dimwit is the mother of his kid. Marfil then yells at him that apparently so is Princess Fi! Is he one of those macho Latinos that beds every woman that crosses his path? Lunkhead shows up and tries to quiet them down; after all, they're in a hospital. Finally Mucks tells Marfil he doesn't owe her any explanations and stomps off. Orchestra of Doom.

Mocosa talks her way out of getting caught with Fidiota's check book. Fidiota promises not to tell Roddy; it would hurt him, but she wants to know why Mocosa needs more money when she has a perfectly good job. Mocosa turns on the waterworks telling Fidiota how wonderful a person she is. As creepy as Fidiota has been in the past, it's kind of fun watching Mocosa manipulate her the way Fidiota has manipulated everyone else around her. One word; Karma!

Mucks is laying on the hospital bed with Granny DS. Marcela walks in and suggests they eat breakfast. Breakfast is one of the most important meals and Mucks needs to keep his strength up. She then apologizes for the kiss the evening before. It was just an impulse. Mucks tells her she's the best and kindest woman he's ever known; she says she's just returning the kindness he's shown for her and Godmum.

Now Mocosa is telling Fidiota that Puncho made her do it. Puncho made her steal the purse so he could forge Fidiota's name and cash the checks. Mocosa is afraid of Puncho! Lots of drama, but it works. Fidiota believes Mocosa's lies.

Lunkhead tells Marfil the family is NOT going to move Granny DS to another hospital just because Marfil is jealous of Dimwit.

Mocosa continues to work her story. Fidiota says there's no reason to steal; Mocosa just needs to ask her for money. "Now don't do it again!" Mocosa sniffles and says Fidiota is the best. Fidiota then suggests Mocosa take the rest of the day off. As Mocosa is leaving, behind Fidiota's back, she grins and pumps her arm, "Yesssss!" In the elevator she snarls, "Fidiota, you're an idiot!"

Octopus is thinking about her plans to kill Iggy when her phone rings. It's Iggy. He's telling her how excited he is about marrying her. She wants to go to the hospital to see Granny DS. Iggy agrees to pick her up. He holds the phone back and looks at it in disgust. He then swallows hard and says, "I love you!" "I love you, too!" chokes Octopus. Now this is a match made in heaven.

Mucks tells Lunkhead he "stole a kiss" from Dimwit. Lunkhead said that was a bad choice. Mucks is convinced one day Dimwit will forgive him.

Granny M is telling Dimwit to forgive Mucks for the rape. "It's obvious he loves you and is repentant." I missed the rest of the conversation because I was too busy throwing up.

Fidiota is talking to Gaby about the purse incident. Fidiota doesn't completely believe Mocosa's story. Mocosa is a horror and is going to wreck her marriage with Roddy.

Marfil and Mucks are standing in the lobby when Octopus and Iggy show up. Iggy wants to know why "Alejandro" is there with Mucks' widow. Orchestra of Doom.

Mucks says he and Marfil are just friends. He's not there to see Granny DS either. He just happens to be at the hospital to get the exam results of Godmum. Octopus plays along with Mucks and suggests she and Iggy go see Granny DS.

Dimwit tells Granny M she'll never forgive Mucks' brutality. We then see a flashback of the rape scene.

Marfil points out Iggy is either stoned or stupid if he doesn't realize Alejandro is truly Mucks.

Gaby wants Fidiota to tell Roddy how evil Mocosa is. Fidiota says Roddy will never believe her. True to form, Fidiota's Narcissism appears. She was happy with Pasta until Octopus ruined everything. Now she is just starting to love Roddy and Mocosa appears, ruining everything.

Mocosa and Kick Me are gloating about Mocosa's diabolical actions. Kick Me wonders why Fidiota was at the abandoned warehouse. All is well in their little worlds.

Granny DS is telling Octopus that she (Octopus) is a bad person. Granny DS doesn't remember Iggy, but if Iggy is with Octopus, he must be bad too. Suddenly Dimwit walks in with Granny M in tow. Granny DS is thrilled to see Granny M.

Marfil and Mucks are fighting about Dimwit. Marfil wants Mucks back. He wants her to quit nagging him.

Octopus wants to put Granny DS in a nursing home, but Granny DS doesn't want to go. Dimwit says "Don't worry, Mucks will never allow it!" "Mucks?" asks Iggy, "I thought Mucks was dead!" Orchestra of Doom!

Credits roll.

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Granny DS is in the hospital and doesn't want to die without seeing Dimwit with her rapist grandson. Dimwit and Mucks are standing side by side; Dimwit has tears streaming down her face. They don't want her to die. Their love theme plays.

Marfil is trying to talk Diablo into killing Princess Fi. Diablo claims he's not a killer. Marfil points out that just because he hasn't succeeded yet doesn't mean he isn't capable. After all, he kidnapped Mucks and stabbed Emili-Oh. They fight about it and Marfil struts off, "Just do it or I'll tell everyone about the fire!"

Fidiota tells Granny M she has an appointment and swears Granny M to secrecy. No one can know where she's going, especially her daughters and Roddy. Granny M swears to take it to her grave, but is concerned for Fidiota's safety. Kick Me overhears the conversation and wonders where Fidiota is off to. He's bound and determined to find out.

Sylvie, in one of her more normal-looking wigs, stumbles across Roddy. Roddy is out for a run on the beach. Sylvie is flirting up a storm. As if. Roddy asks Sylvie to befriend his daughter. Mocosa needs a friend to help her through the trauma of losing her mom. Sylvie agrees to help.

Dimwit is telling Mucks to leave Granny DS' room. Just as he's ready to walk out the door, Dimwit tells him to wait. Mucks is all excited that perhaps Dimwit has forgiven his raping her. Dimwit wants to know who burned down the manicomio.

Princess Fi is telling her hairdresser that yes, she (Princess Fi) is pregnant by Mucks. The hairdresser points out Marfil and Octopus are also clients and she finds it hard to believe. Right on cue, Marfil and Octopus show up. Princess Fi says, "Hello future mother-in-law!" Octopus and Marfil scowl.

Roddy meets Mocosa at the beach. She tells him she doesn't want to cause problems, but…she still feels like an outsider. She continues to weave her little web around Roddy until he says how good and wonderful she is. They hug and Mocosa cocks an eyebrow at the camera. Roddy is such a dupe.

Mucks fills Dimwit in about the night of the fire and how Iggy and Diablo are involved. He knows because he unmasked them. Dimwit wants them to pay, but Mucks stops her. She tells him Diablo is a psychopath. Mucks points out, "Aha! You're worried about me!" Dimwit says she isn't. After his brutality THAT night, her feelings for him died. Mucks shuffles out dejectedly.

Insults continue to be exchanged between Marfil and Princess Fi. Mayra, the beautician, tries to get them to calm down. Marfil wants Mayra to kick Princess Fi out.

Mocosa complains to Roddy that Fidiota won't let Mocosa's boyfriend, Lunkhead, come to the house to visit her. Roddy says he'll talk to Fidiota. Mocosa is all smiles and chants that Roddy is the best daddy in the whole wide world! Ugh!

Fidiota has come to visit Puncho at the warehouse. Kick Me has followed Fidiota and wants to know what she's doing at that place. Meanwhile, Puncho invites her to sit so they can chat in a civilized manner. I find it hard to believe Puncho knows anything about civilized manners.

Sylvie and Gaby are at the hospital when Lunkhead comes out. Sure enough Mocosa shows up and zeros in for a kiss with Lunkhead. Clueless Lunkhead goes along. Mocosa nasally drones on about how she came as soon as she could. She needs to be there to support him. Etc. Lunkhead suggests they go down to the cafeteria for a drink. After Mocosa and Lunkhead leave, Sylvie wants to know what up. Gaby tells Sylvie that Lunkhead is in love with "Chucky." "The devil doll?" asks Sylvie. Sylvie says they need to devise a plan to get rid of Mocosa. She talks about a war with grenades, but Gaby envisions Mocosa winning. We get to see this little comic sketch with Sylvie and Gaby in war paint, shooting at Mocosa with toy machine guns. Mocosa is firing back. They throw a grenade at Mocosa, who throws it back. Gaby and Sylvie get "blown up" and we see their hair all frazzled. Gaby decides a war won't work.

More insults are exchanged between Marfil and Princess Fi, until Mayra evicts Princess Fi from the salon. Princess Fi isn't happy.

Pedro is telling Marcela about how he passed Mucks off as his grandson. Marcela and her blind Godmum are in the garden. Pedro tells Marcela that Mucks really needs her; perhaps she can go to the hospital to support Mucks. "Don't worry; I'll take care of Godmum!" says Pedro.

Mucks is telling Tia Yo that he forced himself on Dimwit out of rage and jealousy; now Dimwit wants nothing to do with him. Tia Yo says no woman should be attacked like that. "Now you're going to have to really work hard at begging for forgiveness!"

Godmum is trying to warn Marcela. She doesn't want to see Marcela hurt by Mucks. Mucks is apparently tormented and loves Dimwit. Mucks and Dimwit even have a child together. Godmum is probably one of the smarter characters on this show. She tries to get Marcela to forget about Mucks, but Marcela won't listen. The only pain Marcela feels is for Godmum's suffering.

More of a showdown between Puncho and Fidiota. If Fidiota doesn't pay him, Puncho is going to tell Roddy Mocosa is a jewelry smuggler. Why does Fidiota care? Mocosa is nasty to Little Doormat, yet Fidiota wants to defend Mocosa? It's not like Fidiota even loves Roddy. But that would make sense and the writers are capable of anything BUT that.

Princess Fi storms into Pasta's Palace and tells him about the scene Marfil created in front of everyone at the salon. Pasta wonders if Princess Fi is sure she's pregnant. "Of course I am!"

Marfil is whining to Octopus about Princess Fi. She's tired of Mucks having kids with everyone but her. After Octopus leaves, Marfil calls Diablo. "When are you going to eliminate Princess Fi?" Diablo tells Marfil to quit bugging him. Marfil points out that Diablo's freedom is in her hands; if he doesn't kill Princess Fi, she'll turn Diablo over to the police.

Dimwit is still standing next to Granny DS's bed. The kindly older doctor suggests that Dimwit go home and get rest; her shift ended two hours ago. Dimwit would stay all night if it wasn't for her son. Reluctantly Dimwit leaves.

Lunkhead is lurking in the lobby. He tries to get Dimwit to give Mucks another chance. For now she's holding out. No second chances for Mucks.

Marcela is telling Mucks he can count on her to help with his plans of vengeance. He takes her hand to thank her and Dimwit walks in.

It's late and Fidiota is nowhere to be found. Roddy tries to get answers from Granny M, but Granny M is vague. Roddy makes Granny M promise to let him know when Fidiota arrives.

Kick Me doesn't want Lunkhead coming to the house. Mocosa points out the only reason she invited her "boyfriend" Lunkhead over is to make Little Doormat jealous. Suddenly Kick Me thinks Mocosa is wonderfully evil, which turns him on. They start making out.

Lunkhead tells the camera he hopes Mocosa can help him forget Little Doormat.

More conversation between Marcela and Mucks. After all the kindness he has shown her and Godmum, she'll do anything to help him. Mucks can count on her help, friendship, and love. "You're a dang fine woman!" says Mucks. I'm about ready to hack up a fur ball.

Mocosa is lying in bed next to Kick Me. I couldn't catch if she thinks he's good in bed, or if she's just using him to further her diabolical plans. Either is possible. She can't wait to get Lunkhead to marry her; Little Doormat will just turn gray with jealousy. She starts laughing to herself, which wakes up Kick Me. She tells Kick Me he'd better leave before they get caught together. Kick Me sneaks out of the room, but Gaby (who is hiding around the corner) catches him. She walks into Mocosa's room and insults are exchanged. Gaby calls Mocosa a tramp. Mocosa gloats that Lunkhead's going to be coming over to visit and she hopes Gaby and the witch Fidiota squirm. She loves making Gaby jealous. Gaby calls Mocosa "Chuky" and stomps out. This apparently gets to Mocosa and she throws something in anger at the door as it closes. It appears Mocosa is jealous of "Saint Doormat."

Princess Fi is correcting Pedro, "His name is Mucks; not Alejandro!" Mucks shows up with Marcela clutching his arm. Princess Fi runs up and plants a big wet sloppy one on him. Marcela doesn't seem too happy with this. Before Marcela can say anything, Pedro says Godmum is asking for her. Mucks wants to know if Princess Fi has received the paternity test results yet.

Fidiota shows up at Emili-Oh's and Dimwit answers the door. Fidiota has a white seagull pin strategically placed on her chest. It doesn't even closely match her red and black outfit. Fidiota wonders if Dimwit is still worried about Granny DS. Dimwit than breaks the news. Mucks is alive! The Orchestra of Impactada strikes an ominous chord.

Mucks is still pressing Princess Fi for the test results. She changes the subject and says how much she loves him. "Do you love Mucks or Alejandro?" Princess Fi claims she's known he's Mucks all along and has loved him for years. Her marriage was a mistake. Whatever. Mucks still presses her for the paternity test results. She wants to know if he's going to marry her. "Show me the test results then we'll talk."

Fidiota asks if it's true that Iggy and Diablo set the fire at the asylum. Dimwit assures her it is. "Pobre Lala, her sons are delinquents!" Dimwit begs Fidiota to not say a word to Lala; it will hurt her terribly!

Kick Me and Mocosa continue to torment Little Doormat. Mocosa laughs evilly.

Fidiota arrives home and Granny M says Roddy is waiting for her. Roddy then appears in the room. "Where have you been? I've been worried," says Roddy. "Are you checking up on me? I've been visiting Dimwit." Roddy says she should have told him, he'd have gone with her. He just loves spending as much time as possible with his beautiful wife!"

We see Lunkhead, Yo, Octopus, and Iggy having dinner together. Yo and Lunkhead have dour expressions. Iggy is going on about how wonderful it is to join them for dinner. Octopus flashes back to when she poisoned her hubby during dinner after stealing everything from Fidiota. Iggy is gushing. Lunkhead insults him. Finally Iggy drops the bomb. Octopus has agreed to marry him. Yo and Lunkhead are impactados! The Orchestra of Doom plays.

Dimwit is in her room as her and Mucks' love theme plays. Dimwit flashes back to seeing Mucks with Marcela. "Are you going to knock her up too?" asks Dimwit to herself.

Marcela walks into the living room, where Mucks is clutching his cocktail. Marcela says she needs to tell him something. She then proceeds to profess her love for him and starts kissing him passionately. Yuck, yuck, and triple yuck!!

Credits roll.

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We open to see Juan and Fernando in the garage, and find Juan telling Fernando he’s been waiting for Fern. Fern looks at Juan warily, sensing he’s going to be hit up for another favor. He’s right. “I don’t have any money!” Juan begs, and Fern tells him he knows the answer. Nope. Nothing doing. Juan begs some more, he has in his hands the opportunity of his life. If Fern doesn’t help, all will be lost. Fern grumbles another no at him and Juan turns to the ceiling to beg the Blessed Child of Atocha to tell him why the Child brought him to this cold city! To be humiliated by all these people? Why Blessed Child? He tears up compellingly and turns away behind Fernando. Fern looks disgusted and asks when he needs the money. “Tonight!” Fern wants to know how much they’re talking about, and Juan tells him 2,000 pesos ($184.55 US). Fern is impactado and put out! He yells at Juan; is Juan drunk? Juan begs Fernando not to let him die alone! Fern thinks he has a screw loose. Juan tries to explain that this is going to be his big night. Why, Fern wants to know. Because, Juan explains, tonight I’m going to declare myself to Licenciada Paula. Now Fernando is beyond impactado, he’s gaping like a fish, speechless.

In Paula’s office, Ana is coming in. Paula is pleased to see her Mami and wants to know how it went. Ana tells her good and bad; she went to see the lady she was supposed to see the day before, and she wasn’t there, but on the other hand, she’s been hired at another job! Paula thinks it’s strange that she was not able to the woman at all, and Ana tells her that it’s going to be fine, though that work would have been good for her. Paula wants to know when Ana will start. This afternoon! Paula is very pleased, and remarks that who would have thought they’d soon become such important executives? Ana says she can’t believe it! Paula agrees and tells her mother they have an invitation to go to dinner, with Juan. Ana is a bit surprised; she guessed it was with CL. Paula tells Ana she has accepted for both of them. Ana smiles dubiously and nods.

In the garage, Fernando asks Juan, “you’re going to tell her WHAT?” Juan dances around, smugly advising Fern that he’s just going to spill the beans and tell her everything that’s in his heart. In the nights, he remembers her voice, her beautiful image, etc. He’s dreamily describing all he’ll tell her. Fern scoffs. Juan is really nuts. He tells Juan that if some day he pays back this money, he should really spend it on a good psychiatric treatment instead. Juan begs him not to be so insensitive. He says Fern is clearly not into poetry. “Who loves ya?” He asks and pulls Fernando’s ears out. Fern shakes him off. Juan asks if he’s going to help or not? Juan thought bubbles that Fernando is going to let go of the cattle (cash) while we see Fern biting his lip in thought about if he should make this loan. Juan’s smile will seal the deal. Who can resist this guy?

Ana asks to use Paula’s phone to talk to the lady she missed this morning and yesterday afternoon. She’s going to thank her and make sure no doors are closed. Paula’s cell phone rings at the same time, and she steps out to take the call, thus totally missing Ana asking for Monica Berrocal. [Ed. note: How very convenient! Ana and Paula still can’t put two and two together about CL’s interference! Paula would have recognized that name for sure.] Monica answers and they chat; Monica remarks that they have finally connected. She was sure they would never get to talk. Ana tells her they’ve actually lost the battle; she’s been offered and accepted other work. Ana tells Monica she has appreciated her graciousness (gentileza-gentility). Monica says there’s no remedy and she wishes Ana good luck. Ana thanks her, and lets her know that if the opportunity arises another time, she’d like Monica to keep her in mind. Paula comes back in the door. Monica assures her the door will be open. Ana thanks her again and they say goodbye and hang up. Paula comments on the lady’s kindness, knowing nothing of who it was. [Ed. Note: Paula is so right. Monica is waaaay too nice a lady for such a scumbag as CL]. Ana agrees and says what a shame it is (that she can’t work with her).

Fernando wants to give Juan advice, as friends. He tells Juan to come down off his cloud. Juan understands his worry; Fernando surely thinks the Licenciada is an unattainable trophy, he knows. He supposes Fern thinks he’s setting his sights too high, if he were Fern, he’d think the same, he knows. Fern wants to know “well, then, if you know that why do you keep fooling yourself?” Juan says that between him and the Licenciada there’s a lot of chemistry. He’s sure that she feels the same. Fern understands what he feels for her, but how is Juan so sure that she feels the same? Juan recounts several incidents where there were sparks (from his perspective), like the night he brought the musicians for her mother’s birthday, and when she intervened so he wouldn’t be fired. Fern says, okay, so? Juan says the most important detail is that when he had no place to go, she got him settled in her house, in the room and the bed that had been hers. He’s sure that’s the place she had the best dreams of her life. Is that insignificant? Fern tells him kindly that this means she esteems him and she’s good people, nothing more. Juan protests that in the end this is his problem and if he wants to fools himself, that’s his business. He’s not asking permission, just for a loan. Yes or no? Fernando is not going to make the loan. Juan tells him not to be bad folks, they’re friends, right? Fernando agrees they are, because they are friends, he’s not going to sponsor the huge blow/thump Juan wants to give himself. He tells Juan to open his eyes. Juan is going to do what he planned to. While we see Juan continuing to “lecture” Fernando about his plans and Fern walking away and finally turning to watch Juan, we hear Juan thought bubbling how he wishes he had paid attention to Fen’s words, because he would have avoided so much suffering. Fern wasn’t telling him at this time all he knew about Don Cesár Luis. But to be truthful, if he had told Juan at that moment, he wouldn’t have been listening to anyone. Juan continues to thought bubble that he was so emotional, thinking about the night with his little caramel-mouth, that he wouldn’t have heard anything at all.

In Pastor’s office, he’s telling Ivonne that supposedly, then, CL is in Monterey. Ivonne confirms it, saying that CL asked her to use much discretion. Pastor chuckles. He says he knows the word so well. She warns him about talking. He assures her he’s a tomb; among other things, he needs to remain the right hand of the big boss. They need to forget this, and remain like a sepulcher. Ivonne nods in agreement.

Juan is opening the door of the car to let Paula out. Talking with the speed of light, he tells he’ll leave her here, and tells her to go rest, he’ll come and get her, they’ll get her mother, they’ll all go to eat and be happy and content. She smiles and chuckles at his agitation, and tells him she’ll be waiting then. He opens the back door again and she comes back to him, thanking him for everything. He says she has nothing to thank him for, and they’ll go eat very tasty food [Ed. Note: is it just me, or does Juan become a complete imbecile most of the time when she’s around? He doesn’t do that with Marely. Looks more like heroine worship to me.] As he watches her going into the building, Juan happily thought bubbles about they will live their love all their days, and how she enchants his eyes. Palomita music plays and he whips his jacket around.

Kike is waiting for Juan on the street, standing in front of his new transport truck. He’s got a lively lime green shirt on, probably one of the best colors we’ve seen on Kike yet. Juan sees him and whips the car in front of the truck, jumping out to greet his friend. They greet each other; Juan wants a favor. [Ed. Note: Enrique should be way nervous right now; the favors Juan wants usually leave him broke for weeks.] Warily, he asks what type of favor they’re talking about now. Juan tells him not to get like that, it’s not of the other world. Enrique knows that the favors Juan asks will grind one down. Juan says this one will fill his heart and soul. He puts his arm around Enrique’s shoulder and kisses him on the head. Kike has a questioning look…..Juan says it’s the one way Kike can lend a hand. Kike laughs at him, and tells him to quit grinding. He loves Juan, too, but don’t work on him that way. It took everything he had to buy that truck. [Ed. Note: Aha! Kike has the nature of the favor figured out!] It left him broke. Juan begins to moan. He doesn’t know what he’s going to do, because the appointment he has is so vital to him…..the scene pops and we hear a “boing” sound repeatedly and we know that Juan continues to work Kike over about the favor he wants. Kike has his back to Juan and keeps saying, “no, no.” We see scene after scene with Juan begging. He looks sooo pitiful! Then he begins to rap “my Kike is with me, always with me” dancing with the rap. Kike is beginning to chuckle in spite of himself. Who can resist this guy?

The next thing we know, Juan is trying on expensive jackets in that men’s store. Kike wonders how he can convince Juan, knowing how he is. He looks resigned. Juan puts his arm around Kike and assures him he’ll return all that he has borrowed. Kike looks up at him dubiously. (We get a great shot of Juan’s chest, because his shirt is open to the waist and the shark’s tooth is prominent.) Kike says he can only hope so. Juan asks when he’s told him an untruth, or been crooked with Kike? Kike says what about what happened with Yadira? Juan asks when he hasn’t been honest? Kike acknowledges that he’s right. Juan says they’re soul brothers, until death, and he’ll make Kike feel proud. He asks Kike to help him find a great suit. It has to be tonight. Kike is concerned about the money Juan wants. Juan reassures him it’ll be all right.

Fernando is leaving CL outside Paula’s apartment building. CL won’t need him later. He’s staying. Fernando tells him to rest.

Juan tries on a white shirt and a gold and black tie with a trendy pattern. Kike thinks the only thing this will cause is smiles. He thinks the jacket Juan has him holding is eccentric (it’s light gray with white lapels. Kike is on to something here). Juan assures him it’s stylish, the color, fabric and texture. He calls the sales person. He wants five centimeters taken up on the slacks. The salesperson doesn’t like the idea, it’ll spoil where the pants break. Juan wants his boots to show. He’s the customer. They guy reluctantly agrees and goes off to take care of it. Juan explains about how his boots should be showing to Kike, who also looks dubious. (For all Kike’s lack of fashion expertise, he apparently registers that the shorter pants are NOT good form.)

We find Paula answering the bell in her robe. [Ed. Note: Geez, Louise, this is a lovely apartment!] She is pleasantly surprised. CL says that here he is, a well-behaved boy, as she can see, and he knocked first. He comes in with his little suitcase and briefcase. She asks about the suitcase. He tells her [duh] it’s a suitcase. She knows, but why? They flirt a little, and he finally tells her he’s staying (after he lays some mildly guilt-inducing groundwork about her worrying). They’re going to spend the night together, alone. She repeats this as a question…..and he says, “but if you don’t think it’s a good idea” and pretends to take his suitcase out the door. She grabs him back playfully. [Ed. Note. Blech]. They kiss. And kiss. [Ed. Note: Double Blech.]

In the mall, Kike and Juan walk away from the store. Juan is dressed in the new jacket and slacks (fast altering job, you think?) His tie is still tied too high above his buckle. What’s up with that? Kike tells him he’s keeping notes about how much Juan owes. Juan tells him he’s good for it. He’s Juan Dominguez. He walks away and Kike sees some girls ogle Juan and make a u-turn to follow them. Kike grins and comments on his new followers. Juan tells him to forget it, for him there is only one woman. From now on, pay attention here, Kike, Juan Dominguez is a faithful man! He throws back his head to punctuate this announcement. Kike smiles and chuckles. So, who’s the victim? He’s dying of curiosity. Well, it’s a formidable woman. Kike wants to know if he knows her? Is it Marely? Juan is slightly impactado. No, it’s not Marely. It’s his Licenciada, his boss. Kike is impactado. She is a major bombon. Juan does a twirl and they chuckle together.

CL is telling Paula about how they’ll be together all night. They can maximize the time. They flirt disgustingly. [Okay, okay, that should have been an Ed. Note. It was totally judgmental.] It’s his proposal. It depends on her. On me? Yep. She flirtingly reminds him she’s a decent woman. [Ed. Note: you could have fooled us, Paula.] He responds he’s a man of proposals. [Ed. Note: okay, at least he’s somewhat honest.] How about if they eat, dance, who knows what? She tells him “sorry, I have another commitment.” What??? Let me get this straight…..we are supposed to be together and what??? She explains about the dinner with Juan. CL is annoyed impactado.

Juan and Kike are sitting at a table, and Juan is telling Kike that things began as all great love stories begin. He can’t deny that his marble goddess, from the first day, began throwing him to the dogs (making him crazy?) Just imagine, here he was, a country boy in the capital, confused, and he didn’t realize. Kike notes that he falls for the women. Juan coughs and comments on it……He tells Kike this evolved over time, chatting in the car, while they were in traffic, at the stoplights, and romance surged, clearly, between them. [Ed. Note: I hate to see Juan doing this to himself. What planet has he been on?] And the moment arrived when he realized…..Kike asks if the Licenciada has said something to him. Well, no, she doesn’t need to say it, he can tell. Kike isn’t so sure. Kike points out that unfortunately, one never really can understand women. [Ed. Note: pay attention, Juan, Kike is more savvy than you think.] Juan says he and Paula are at another level. He goes on about how they arrived at the place where their hearts collided. Kike wants to know if they’ve done the deed. Juan is offended! Not yet! It’s in her heart and mine. Kike asks about the invitation to eat, what’s up with that? Juan explains (as if Kike were a small child who had to have everything explained very clearly), it’s to bare their hearts to each other, and accept that they must be for each other. He sings some thumping sounds like heartbeats for Kike.

CL wants to know how Paula prefers eating with her chauffeur. She shouldn’t be choosing the chauffeur over him! She tells him she just can’t tell him no. He mocks her— “oh, what a bother, you’re his BOSS!” She protests that it’s a question of politeness, and he lives with her mother. Okay, but why does it have to be exactly today?? She tells him to put himself in Juan’s place. He showed a lot of fortitude to make this invitation and she’s not going to cancel. CL wants to know if they couldn’t pick another day? He goes on the offensive; he accuses her of exaggerating. He says he’s gotten jealous. Of Juan? Yes, of Juan, who are we talking about? She chuckles and tells him he’s exaggerating. [Ed. Note: I can’t get past him keeping his wedding ring firmly on his hand and gesturing often with it flashing at the camera. Why isn’t she picking up on this??? Or, is it not a wedding ring? Do they wear weddings rings on the right hand like the Europeans, so this isn’t one? I’m just saying….] CL backs down a little. He puts his hand on her cheek. What he wants is to be with her. Could they come to a neutral point? He has the perfect solution; he’ll go eat with them.

Kike and Juan are walking out of the mall. Kike asks him what he’s getting mixed up in here. Juan tells him it was going to happen sooner or later. Kike is concerned about what he’s going to do, but Juan says it’s a sacrifice he’s prepared to make for love. It turns out what Kike is trying to argue him out of doing is…..CUT HIS HAIR! Juan is determined to get it cut more in a current style. [Ed. Note: Kike, leave the man alone. It’s time he cut it.] Kike tries to convince him it’s part of him, his personality. Juan says where there is love, there is grief. He’s doing this. He appreciates Kike’s good intentions. Kike wants him to take five minutes to think it over. Juan agrees. Five minutes, no more.

Paula and CL are still discussing him going with them to dinner with Juan. She doesn’t think it’s a good idea and he doesn’t see why. Well, because she thinks she should ask Juan first. CL thinks Juan will be charmed with the idea. [Ed. Note: baloney]. Well, she tells him, the plan was more for a family thing. He’ll inhibit it. He goes on the offensive again, telling her he gets the impression that she doesn’t want him along. Or, does she have some problem about Juan finding out about them? She sighs and tells him that’s not it. She’s the one who’s interested in having what’s between them as open as possible. Well, since that’s the case, he tells her, then this person so important to you, so close, such as Juan, should find out about us right now. She tries to explain, and he cuts her off, telling her not to worry so much. She says they’re back to the same place, it’s just not the correct thing to do. “I want to say something. Correct or no, Paula, I am not prepared, for anything in the world, to be apart from you. Not even for a second.” [Ed. Note: at least for the next twelve hours or so.] He charms her annoyance away with kisses.

Yadi and Marely are talking together in their living room. Marely wants to know what Yadi knows about Cesár Luis Farell. Yadi senses some gossip here and wants to know that now she wants to spite Juan with this Papi Rico? Marely is offended. She says she’s looking for a boyfriend, like others (but implies he’s not it). Yadi turns back to CL and sings his praises, especially his wealth. He’s almost perfect. Except for one tiny detail. Marely wants to know what that is. Yadi tells her that according to Mami, he shoots at anything that moves. Marely wants to know how Mami knows these things about him. Well, Yadi replies, according to Mami, he had her in his sights at one time. And you know our Mami….Marely cuts her off, yelling. It’s TMI. Don’t be vulgar, we’re talking about Mami here. Yadi says, what else? It’s in my genes. She goes back to flipping her magazine. Marely points out he’s married, or what? Yadi replies he’s VERY married. Marely asks if she sure, and Yadira replies that she was there with Mami when she called the wife personally and invited them to the wedding. Marely is impactada and says, for real? Yadi nods, yep, yep. We hear Nidia prancing in on the wood floor before we see her. Well, we actually only see her legs, with her hands carrying a large poster covered with brown paper wrapping, and she’s behind it. They greet each other. The package slides down and Nidia is beaming over the top of it at them. Yadi wants to know why this joyful face? Nidia’s brought them a little surprise.

Juan and Kike are still sitting in the mall at the table. Juan notices time is flying and he’s going to be late. Kike is still working on him, reminding him to pay attention to how Kike has ended up with Yadira. (He implies that he loves her and she is on another planet). Juan says his thing with Paula is different. Kike presses him; did she say something in concrete? Of course not! Juan is miffed. Kike wants to know how he can be so sure. Juan says one can feel these things in the soul, the skin. It’s a great attraction like the moon feels for the earth, and neither of them can deny it. How could they resist such a pull? Okay, Kike says, if you cut the mop of hair, and then….they give you a hit (as in baseball)…..Juan says that would be a work/an act of God. One of two things will happen; they’ll have to unglue him from the floor with a spatula or off the morfera? But one thing is for sure, I’d split myself for what I feel for her, now and always (it’s a guess, folks “Yo me la rifo”). Kike wonders if he hasn’t thought maybe his boss likes him with his hair like that? Juan says again that he wants to be stylish so he’s cutting it, and adapt himself as the women like. In the world of bald men, the hairy ones are ?? Trenzudo? Mocked? Kike hopes it all his dreams come true with all this effort. He’ll be Kike’s total idol, Kike tells Juan. Juan hears a cuckoo clock (in his head), taps his watch, and Kike looks at his. It’s getting late and time to get that mop of hair cut and listen to the rhythm of the sax. Juan dances in place.

Yadi tells her mother not to keep them waiting, what’s the great surprise? The girls stand, waiting, with arms crossed and backs to us. Nidia tells them not to get ancy, they’re going to adore it. Marely and Yadi exchange irritated looks and Marely asks if they can turn around yet. Nidia says they can turn around, and she’s got a large picture up on the kitchen wall, but is standing in front of it, covering the best parts so it’s not fully visible. Yadi whines a little about Mami messing with them. Mami moves aside with a trumpet sound and flourish of hands—it’s Juan, nude and framed beautifully on canvas. Yadi and Marely have never, ever been so impactada in their lives. El Rey de Tiburon plays in the background as the camera pans up and down the picture of Juan’s elegant frame. Marely puts her hand to her mouth, her eyes big a saucers. Yadi makes a large “o” with her mouth, and then abruptly closes it. Nidia grins impishly. [Ed. Note: one wonders how Alirio will take this, gentle readers.]

Juan is in the same salon at the mall where Pastor had taken him when Pastor was trying to change Juan. The stylist, Pastor’s friend, says, “look who we have here, the rebel without a cause.” He mocks. Have you finally decided to cut that hair? Juan grabs his hand in a friendly shake. How’s it going? The stylist tells him fine. He peers around Juan to give Kike a judgmental once-over. Has Juan abandoned Pastor for this? Kike fusses. Juan calms them. He tells Kike he looks very good. Juan tells the guy Pastor is his boss, period, nothing more, and this is his brother. [Ed. Note: not to put too fine a point on it, but you two look nothing alike, Juan.] The stylist tells Juan not to infuriate him. He tells the fellow to cut his hair. The stylist says with much pleasure he will arrange these locks, for Juan, he always has time. He turns and glides happily to the chair. Juan turns to the scowling Kike and hands him the new jacket, telling him not to wrinkle it. Kike gets the shopping bag, too. Juan goes to the chair. The stylist puts a cape on Juan, walks away, then turns and gives him an intense look before he goes to the back to get his cutting tools. Kike leans over and stage whispers to Juan that they really better go, and he’ll take Juan to see Kike’s stylist, who’s very macho. Juan shushes Kike. In this day and age fellows like Juan and Kike do go to stylists like this one, what’s Kike talking about? The stylist is on the way back, behind Kike, who is gesturing widely at Juan. The stylist pushes Kike away and speaks to Juan. He asks what Juan would like. Juan tells him cut it, cut it, it’s your hair, whatever you like. The stylist beams! He wants to put highlights in it, and the whole nine yards. He grins devilishly. It’s a joke. [Ed. Note: what a lovely floral pattern on his black silk long-sleeved shirt, and how nice with that white vest. How come I can never find outfits like that? ;-) ] Juan sets his jaw. He’s prepared for the worst. The beaming stylist spins Juan around so he can watch the devastation in the mirror.

Back at Casa Cachón, Yadi and Marely are frozen in time and space with open mouths. Marely speaks first. “It looks grotesque to me, Mamá!” Why? Nidia wants to know. Give me reasons. Reasons??? Yadi is incensed. The man is naked right in the middle of a room of our house! Nidia says exactly, now they going to be able to have Juan present in body in the house, at least in their imaginations. She babbles sweet nothings at the portrait. What a body, my Lord! Oh, yeah, divine, Yadi tells her. All we need is to light a candle and pray to him, as if he were a cherub. [Ed. Note: Yadi does sarcasm so well]. Nidia tells her not to be such a lowbrow, this is art! She says there’s nothing vulgar about it, it is the purest expression of the beauty of the male figure. We hear well-known classical music playing in the background. Marely says no, Yadira is right, it’s frightful. Frightful? Look at it well, Nidia tells her, it’s like Rafael’s David. Marely analyzes, that would be Michelangelo. Nidia says whatever. Our Juan, has his skin…..Nidia strokes her fingers along the portrait’s body and the girls are in shock. If they keep their mouths open that wide much longer they may not be able to get them closed again. Nidia says, “so bronzed, so tan!” The girls are gasping and gaping. Nidia turns back to them and points out that those marble statues are so white! Yadira, perhaps at a loss for words, says, well, it seems you know a lot about art. Marely says perhaps a female would be better, more delicate, and more feminine. Nidia says, well, excuse me, I like this one. Yadi tells her okay, okay, if you like it, put it into your room but not here where the whole world can see it! Marely agrees. You have to take it out! No, no, Nidia says she’s not taking it out. It’s good there. Not only the model, but also the work itself is good. The person who painted it has an artistic sensitivity. (She hoists and clasps her fists in emphasis.) And since she’s in charge of the house, she is ordering that this picture stays put. She huffs off, mincing and hoisting, complaining that they know nothing about nudes. Yadi stares at her Mami while Marely goes to the kitchen bar and drapes her elbows on it, head on hands, to stare at the picture. Yadi joins her. They sigh, and Marely says, “no way. Well, he has good body.” Yadi agrees, very good. She wonders aloud who could have painted it. [Ed. Note: won’t THAT make for an excellent scene?] They sigh, stare and purr at the painting as the camera turns back to it. We hear Juan’s voice, “here I was. Like Cuauhtémoc , [Ed Note: Tortured to reveal his treasure, Cuauhtémoc replied that it lay at the bottom of the lake–where the Spaniards had perished with it in their flight from Tenochtitlán on the noche triste [sad night]. ] The camera slides slowly to Juan in the chair getting his hair cut.

He’s handing over his treasured hair. It’s torture. We see the scissors snip the tangled locks into the stylist’s waiting hand. If the emperor could give himself up to the fire, he can go to the bother of giving up his hair for the Licenciada. He thinks that the sacrifice will allow him to break the hard shell of his oriental pearl and he can cherish the pearl in his hands finally. He glances in resignation at the pile of hair on the floor.

Paula is still in her robe and CL is still working on her. He tells her she looks divine in a robe. She tells him to enjoy it now because she has to go get ready. CL wants to take advantage of the moment in time they have now. He pulls her down onto the sofa deftly and kisses her.

The stylist declares it’s ready and he’s a genius! Juan had his eyes closed, and is turned around to Kike, whose opinion he wants. You’re asking me?? Come on! Is it good or bad? Kike tries to respond. Well, like a sheared lion-that was a lot of hair you were carrying around! [Ed. Note: I think he looks great! Okay, okay, the mullet was endearing, but this is classy.] The stylist says “permit me to disagree, it looks divine to me.” He leans over and talks to Juan about ten inches from his face. Juan is uneasy with this. He’s left Juan an Adonis. Really? Uh-huh. Kike interrupts and says “what Adonis? This is Juan Dominguez.” The stylist pats Juan on the shoulder and makes a snide comment about Kike, who retorts back. Juan gets up and calms Kike. The stylist wonders if Kike is jealous or what? Juan calms them some more. He asks for the bill so he can pay it, and how about the clippings in a plastic bag? The stylist gasps in horror. Juan wants him to hurry. While the stylist picks the clippings off the floor and glares over his shoulder at Juan, Juan puts his jacket on and asks Kike’s opinion. Kike just scowls at him.

Kike, counting the change, comes out of the shop where Juan is waiting for him in the mall. He’s hoping this serves well to solidify Juan’s happiness, because here’s all Kike has left. Juan grabs at it, but Kike’s too fast. Finally, Juan gets the cash. What? You’re sure there’s no more? [Ed. Note: with friends like Kike, who needs an ATM?] Kike is irritated. This should get him dinner and pay the tip. Juan explains he’s not sure, because he wanted to make it really special down to the last detail for his little dove, that’s all. Kike is surprised, won’t that fill his belly sufficiently? Juan puts the cash in his pocket and mumbles a little that he wanted to be able to buy her a little gift. Something that would help her never to forget this evening, for example, a little ring. Kike is impactado. Oh, a ring and everything! Well, when have you not seen a hand with a ring?

Prominent on the screen is a black velvet box with a shiny, big diamond in it, held in a masculine hand with well-buffed nails. We hear Paula exclaiming in awe, “it’s for me?” “For who else?” CL asks as the camera shows his face, all earnest, as he offers it to her. She can’t believe it and he tells her to take it, it’s a way for him to show how much he loves her. She takes the box. She remarks that it’s precious and must have cost a fortune. He replies it’s nothing she doesn’t deserve. She tells him she adores him, and he replies not as much as he loves her---between the sloshy kisses.

Kike is still mocking at the idea of Juan spending Kike’s money on a ring for his love. Juan remarks about them seeing his mother-in-law, and Kike wonders if he’s already asked for the lady’s hand. Juan says he hasn’t yet. Kike thinks he’s moving pretty fast! Juan scolds him on his pessimism, though. Kike says it’s one thing to be confident, and another to be defective, with all respect. Juan scolds him again. What kind of friend is he? Kike responds he’s the kind who’ll work 18 hours a day so he can give his lunatic friend the money to do all this for an old woman. Juan asks if he’s going to help him buy the ring or not? Well, why not? Can’t send you into the war without a weapon (fusil=rifle, gun). Juan beams at him. [Ed. Note: could it be that Kike is living his dreams out vicariously through Juan?] He hugs Kike from the side and gives him a kiss on the head. They mutter at each other. Juan tells him to come here and moves him back toward the stores.

Juan is looking through the center of a ring, close-up. He thought bubbles it’s like he told Kike, the prices are like from another planet. Kike shakes his head and says nothing. Juan leans over the counter with the rings, behind which stands a saleslady. He hands her the ring and says confidentially “very pretty, but do you have something more….economical?” She smiles and takes it back; she’ll show them to him right away. Kike whispers “it costs more than….” Juan waves him off while the saleslady comes back with more to show him. Juan is thought bubbling to himself how he realizes he’s near the stars, he wants to buy the best for his little caramel mouth, and little by little as they go down in price, he’s realizing the truth. They get the last tray, with tiny stones in the rings. “And this one, how much?” He holds one up. “150 pesos.” Kike tells them it’s precious. Juan says this one will charm her, he’s getting this one. Kike pats him on the shoulder and they comment on how precious it is and how pretty.

Outside Ana’s home, it’s dark. Juan enters. Ana is sitting at the table, having a cup of tea. Juan comes to parade his new clothes and see if she’ll notice, greeting her warmly. He asks how she likes his new look as she seems muy impactada. He whips off the jacket to show the white shirt, tie, etc. She tells him very good, it suits him well. He tells her to touch the jacket, it’s pure English cashmere [Ed. Note: Caray! Expensive for Kike!] Ana obligingly touches it. She tells him she meant his hair. Oh, my ex-mop! He’s a little embarrassed. But how about the clothes? Pretty, huh? She agrees, very lovely. Very appropriate for the occasion. Ana doesn’t know what else to say. (After all he left this morning a country boy in a suit, and now he’s a meterosexual…..or would be, if his tie didn’t end midway up his chest). He tells her she’s elegant herself and twirls her around, dances with her, and tells her she’s so good-looking, nice, and look, she’s in blue, and he’s bluish. [Ed. Note: huh, Juan??] The tease back and forth, and Ana says, well, shall we go? Yes, he replies, it’s time to get the Licenciada, my dear lady. She goes for her purse. Juan thought bubbles that with a mother-in-law it’s better to have a friend than an enemy. It’s no work to do that with Doña Ana. She’s a total lady. They leave together.

Alirio comes in and says “lovely Yadi,” he thought no one was home. It almost sounds suggestive, or ooky, depending on one’s perspective of this viejo. He sort of gives her a once over. (Me, I’m shuddering). She retorts that for a moment, she thought it must be someone else. She tells him to come in, sit down, she’ll tell her mother he’s here. He hopes he didn’t interrupt supper. Sarcastically she tells him not to worry, the freeloader arrived at the right moment. He says she always comes up with witty remarks. She looks irritated and puts her forehead on her elbow, which is resting on the banister. Unfortunately, he’s not to blame if he happened to show up to visit exactly when they chose to eat. [Ed. Note: timing is everything, Alirio, isn’t it?] Yadi says really, what a coincidence. (She’s a pro at sarcasm.) He avidly watches her retreating derriere swaying up the stairs in her minifalda and smiles to himself. [Ed. Note: she’s going to be your step-DAUGHTER, Alirio!] He goes to get a drink, and notices the PICTURE. Thunder booms as the music gets darker and darker. Alirio is muy, pero muy, impactado!

Yadi runs into Nidia’s room, breathless. Mama, Mama, your enamored is looking for you and you better go downstairs before he sees the picture…..we hear a bellow from below. Niiiiidia! Yadi looks at her mother—“he’s already seen it.” They look at each other ruefully. Alirio is having a mimisqui, ala Luigi from La Fea Más Bella. He gasps for air. He looks again. We see the magnificent portrait.

Paula is wearing a lovely red confection, and hanging after telling someone they’ll be right down. She tells CL Juan has arrived. CL says, oh, a punctual gentleman. He puts on his jacket, making a comment about Juan. Paula tells him not to make fun. CL brushes it off. She tells him she doesn’t like that kind of commentary. Why can’t he let people express themselves as they want? Not everyone can be the same as you. He backs down and pacifies her. He says he was just playing; he knows perfectly well how to behave according to the occasion and the guests. He tells her not to worry, and she says she hopes so. Juan is good with her and her mother, and there’s no need to make fun of him. CL takes her face in his hands. He promises and what’s more, this evening he’s going to make Juan feel like a king. They leave.

Juan and Ana are waiting downstairs, chatting. Ana is thanking him for the lovely gesture of inviting them to eat. He assures her it’s nothing, and they deserve much more. He wants to confess to her that because they have been so supportive and have trusted him, this dinner is to thank them really for all they have done for him, but this isn’t the whole reason for the invitation. Ana asks, well, what then, Juan? He thought bubbles to himself “Here I go, Papa God, give me a hand.” He sets his shoulders and screws up his courage as Ana watches curiously. He takes her hand and tells her he wants to take this occasion to express (in the background we hear the elevator ding as Ana looks a bit concerned at something behind Juan)……He turns to look, still holding her hand. Here come Paula and CL off the elevator smiling broadly. The four look at each other and then Juan looks down; Juan is impactado-unhappy and Ana is impactada-irritated. Juan looks back up at the pair with shock and hurt in his face. We are reminded that any similarity to real life is purely a coincidence. [Ed. Note: thank heaven]

Jeanne

Labels: Juan