Sunday, October 14, 2007

October 12, 2007 Yo Amo a Juan Q – In which Juan Has a Day at the Park and Yadi’s No Cargadora

We open to find ourselves in the Dávila living room, and Juan is talking earnestly with Paula. Since I didn’t see last night’s episode, thank you, Sylvia, for preparing me for Juan’s outfit. It wasn’t entirely real until I was confronted with it, but I was ready.

Juan and Paula discuss her mother’s departure for Monterey. He tries to give her a piece of advice, and thought bubbles that he feels like he’s 20 again, he’s so awkward. Juan has a brainstorm—he’ll speed things up a bit; he tells Paula he’ll ask her mother for her hand in marriage. Paula, looking both touched by his naïveté and dismayed by it, points out her mother isn’t going forever, this is a bit of a rush. He declares that he knows his feelings; he’s totally committed. He wants her mother to know it. She wants to think about this with more deliberation. Juan wants to know what there is to think about. He knew the first time he saw her, and he wants her to be the mother of his children. He wants her to be his support, when he gets old, and everything [Ed. Note: Huy, there’s a phrase guaranteed to send a woman off into hibernation. Juan, listen up. YOU’re supposed to be the one taking care of her when SHE gets old.] He describes the scene he imagines; looking at the family albums (with 50 grandchildren, all as lovely as she is). Juan wants to know what’s her dream of their future? Is it like his? [Ed. Note: Juan is no judge of facial expression and body language. He’d be sunk in the deaf community. Paula’s sent him every possible nonverbal signal of aversion here.] She’s just speechless with dismay.

Yadi has Kike cornered on a sofa in the Casa Cachón living room. He’s actually dressed up, with a lovely black leather jacket that looks ultra soft. Nice. Yadi, of course, is dressed to the nines in a provocative hot pink spangled thing. Kike tells Yadi he’ll just wait for Juanito outside and stands up. He gets unceremoniously dragged back down to the sofa. Is he so upset to see her, Yadi wants to know. Kike can’t look her in the eye. Probably because he’s looking at her hemline. He tells her they should just let it go. She wants to explain about that Gutierrez. He holds up his hands and frowns—that’s your stuff, he tells her. She whines masterfully. She tells him that she did it because she wanted to make him jealous. The person she has a big beef with is Alirio.

Speaking of the king of Rome, he’s in his striped jammies sitting up in bed, while Nidia, dressed to the nines (must run in the family) is fussing at him. Is he going to stay in bed and sulk all night? He peers around her and tries to work the remote at the television on the dresser behind her. We hear the actors….Nidia runs to grab the remote and turn down the sound. She tells him he has to come down to dinner with them. [Ed. Note: we all sincerely hope he doesn’t go down in his jammies. The shorts were bad enough.] He tells her to do him a favor and turn up the sound. She wants an answer: is he coming or not? [Ed. Note: apparently, this is not a simple yes/no question.] He tells her in the first place, differently from all y’all, who appear to be a group of party (farras) animals, I have nothing to celebrate. In the second place, I would get no pleasure in sitting at a table in your company, much less party with that degenerate Juan Dominguez. That’d be the last straw! What would that degenerate tell me? That jerk (conchudo) would proclaim himself king of the house, and I? I would be the one to pay for his ascension to the throne. [Ed. Note: not to put too fine a point on it, but since when have you brought home a salary, Alirio? It’s only your first week of work. Ever.] He tells her it’d be the last straw (sería el colmo, it would be the last straw). Nidia tells him then it seems he won’t be with them. She’s clearly upset. NOT.

Yadi is still working on Kike in the living room. She tells him she is a freeeeee woman, leaning far over at him while he attempts to draw back. He tells her it’s just a matter of time before she finds a new beau. She whines some more and wants to know if he’s so enamored of that Julia chick. He looks at her somberly and informs her that’s over. For real? She scoots closer to Kike, “then, you and I…..” He scoots further away and laughs nervously. “I pass,” Kike scoffs. He’s not interested. He scoots again. Yadi matches him one for one. “Well, we’ll see if you laugh like that when I give you the little surprise I have for you.” “What surprise?” Kike’s getting nervous. She tells him he’ll know it when the time is right. He wants a heads up, but moves over some more and Yadi follows suit. [Ed. Note: this sofa must be 12 feet at least.] She tells him if what she thinks is true, they’ll see who gets the last laugh---and shakes her finger at him provocatively. She past him on the knee and informs him she’ll just leave him to wait for his friend. Yadi gets up and sashays off to the stairs. Kike stares, impactado, at her departing derriere. His eyes track and his head swivels all the way around behind him while she swishes up the stairs, strategically hold the fabric of her dress taut across her okole. [Ed. Note: I hope that didn’t cost her much. They really shorted her on fabric. She’d be kicked right off of Southwest Airlines.] Kike’s tongue has found its way out of his mouth as he contemplates this scene. One hopes the sofa is stain resistant, because he’s drooling.

Juan is still trying to convince Paula it’s a good time to talk to her mother. She stands and paces a little. She reminds him she’s told him this is all too new for her. He reminds her that when they talked in the afternoon, she was very sure. (Well, of course she was, with CL standing there listening.) She protests that this is such an important decision…. Juan smiles and kisses the back of her hand lovingly. [Ed. Note: even his brilliant smile can’t dull the impact of the coat, tie, and shirt. The total picture is truly….how should we say…..indescribable?] He thought bubbles to himself and puts his hand up to stroke Paula’s cheek. She deftly removes his hand. He doesn’t register that this might not be a Good Thing, and thought bubbles that each day gives new reasons for joy. Paula, frowning, tells him he has to take this seriously. She tells him to give her time, and let them take it little by little. Not everyone operates on impulse [Ed. Note: except where César Luís is concerned, right, Paula?] Juan, totally oblivious to her impulse comment, leans over and grabs her in a hug. He lets go and tells her she’s totally right. He wants to know when her mother will go. Paula tells him that Ana will leave at 9:00 the next morning. He wants to go with them to the airport. She agrees, her mother will probably be delighted that he’s going with them. Well, Juan tells her, then he’ll see her in the morning. Paula’s smiling again and agreeing now that she has what she wants. He kisses her cheek and tells her goodbye until tomorrow. She responds. Juan walks toward the door but turns back, faces her as she looks at him, puzzled, and he grabs her for a deep kiss. “Ay, Amor” plays for us. The kiss goes on. And on. He breaks away and does the happy dance all the way to the door while Paula smiles and runs her fingers in her hair. The smile fades as he’s out the door.

Queen Nidia, complete with her in-home dining tiara, presides at the table. Kike regales the ladies Cachón with the tale of their new transport work. Marely wants to know if Juan is a really great worker, or is he the PR guy for the partnership? Kike assures her Juan is a pack mule getting the goods into and out of the truck. They worked like slaves, but the results they saw! Yadi praises Kike, how wonderful it’s going well, because he deserves it! Kike clears his throat and tells them this is only the beginning. They’re going to ride the wave (okay, I loosely translated using the Hawaii concept of success—get on that wave and surf a long way, because Kike did say they’d be “arriba la espuma” above the foam). Nidia is pleased. When he talks this way, he looks like Samuel to her. She reminisces about those days—Samuel had so many dreams, so many accomplishments. “What times those were!” She sighs with pleasure at the memory.

The door slams and they look at each other. Juan is back, without Paula. Yadi is, of course, the only one nosy enough to ask. Oh, Juan says, my girlfriend wasn’t able to come. [Duh.] Marely looks at him worriedly. He’s putting a good face on it, but clearly disappointed. They all look around again and Nidia looks toward Marely, nodding. She told them so.

Ana is lying in her bed telling Paula that Paula knows how much Ana loves her. But she’s concerned about Paula’s relationship with Juan. Paula had the opportunity to resolve things with Juan, what happened? Well, Juan didn’t give her a chance, Paula counters. Ana isn’t buying it. She overheard Juan, and knows he plans to ask for Paula’s hand. Paula shakes her head, smiling a little at Juan’s naïveté. Ana thinks she should have just done it. Paula says she was tempted at that moment, but….the flesh was weak (me falto valor, I lack the courage). Paula says she doesn’t want to hurt him; Ana thinks she’ll hurt him more by her silence now. What’s she waiting for, Ana wants to know? Until they have children and then she’ll tell him she never felt anything for him? Paula laughs and tells her about Juan’s dream of 50 grandchildren, but no! She just wants the night to make a decision. Ana looks doubtful. Paula assures Ana that after they take her to the airport she’ll explain to him with calm. “Are you sure?” “Yes.”

Dinner is an uncomfortable affair at the Cachón villa. He tells the family and Kike that his mother-in-law has to spend a few days in Monterrey for work, and Paula is home with her tonight. But she begged him to go with them to the airport. He smiles broadly and the silence is so deafening we can hear the crickets again. He starts again; what a shame that they prepared such a tasty dinner and went to so much trouble….he thanks Nidia. She says she did it gladly, for him. Juan just can’t let the awkward silence interfere; he proposes a toast. It’s to his dear mother-in-law, her trip, and that we here will be well. They tap glasses and toast. Marely is as silent as a stone, but Nidia babbles on. What’s this? Kike is actually making eye contact with Yadi while they toast!

Juan has that religious card in his hand as he prepares to go to sleep. He looks so cute in his yellow jammie shorts and sleeveless t-shirt—and white socks. He thought bubbles as he gets onto his knees, putting the card under his pillow. He’s worried about his beloved Palomita without her Mami for so many days. But, he’s going to resolve to take care of her - it’s in those moments of sadness that true love is shown. Apparently, his prayers can be said on the fly, and he swings back up into bed.

Pastor is fussing at his Mami, because he always goes with her to Mass but she wants to go alone. What if she begins to feel bad? The saints are at the church, and she can get a cure. He tells her if he didn’t know what a big joker she was, he’d be really upset. He tells her he could leave her at the church and then go get what they need for dinner. She wants to say a complete Rosary, and he should take his time, she tells him, as they leave together.

Juan is going by taxi to Paula’s and telling Kike why he can’t go right to work with Kike at this moment. He’ll meet Kike at the market where they’ll load the cargo. Kike wants to know if he’ll show up for sure. Juan is irritated. The same refrain again! Kike is worried, but Juan takes off in the taxi. Yadi trots up in her mini-falda (another one where they cheated her on the fabric) that has ruffles on the derriere. The tank top, at least, covers the territory and is actually quite fetching. Her dangly earrings match the lime green top, and the big white-framed dark glasses complete the look. Whoops, no, there’s more. She’s got botitas, too—or heels and flowered knee socks. Hard to tell with the captions on. Kike can’t believe she’s up this early, and on a Sunday, too, fully dressed! What’s up with that? Nope, she tells him, I’m going to work with you. She simpers a little. Kike is appalled—“what?? You work?” “Well sure, I didn’t have anything planned for today, so I decided to help you.” Kike is seriously doubtful. “Doing what?” “I dunno, whatever. Don’t tell me you don’t need an assistant!” (Yadi’s word was “chalana,” which according to my new Barron’s “Dictionary of Spanish Slang” is a bricklayer’s assistant). She postures with her hands on her hips, pouting. They fuss a little. He says she can’t do that, and much less like she is. Well, she’ll change if he wants her to, she says. [Ed. Note: Kike, be careful what you ask for.] He tells her that there is NO way he is going to take her. She pouts and cajoles and tries to give him a kiss—“why not?” She just wants to help him, so why is he so upset? Because in her whole life she’s never helped him with anything, and lately she has given up chasing him for some good amount of time. He tells her “see ya later” and gets into his truck. She whines, pouts and protests that he’ll see; he’s going to be sorry. She might even have stomped her little booted foot. Kike just tells her “Adios” and goes.

Marely and her mother are still at the breakfast table; it’s the weekend, after all. Marely accuses her mother of knowing something she hasn’t shared. Nidia denies it—nothing special. Only that she knows more about Juan’s relationship with Paula than they imagine. Marely wants to know how Nidia knows so much. Nidia makes her swear not to tell anyone. Marely points out that Nidia will tell her in the long run, so out with it, already. It comes out that Ana told Nidia some things….Paula is involved with CL, and he told her pure lies about his relationship. Marely is suspicious—Doña Ana told you all that? Yep, and what’s more, to get back at him Paula is using Juan. Marely looks disgusted; she tells her mother that he’s the only one who doesn’t know. Nidia is impactada; she knew it already? Marely’s pained look tells it all.

Juan kisses Ana’s hand and wishes her a good trip. Ana smiles and reminds him she’s only going for a short time, he’s exaggerating. Paula protests that they’ll miss her as if it’s a thousand. Juan assures Ana that he’ll take care of Paula, protect her [Ed. Note: you’ll protect her from CL? We think not.] He strokes her hair. They seem to have gotten the same memo and both wore orange tops today. They both have considerable cleavage, too. Juan’s, oddly enough, is not annoying. Ana tells him that more than taking care of Paula he ought to look out for himself. He thought bubbles that he didn’t understand it. But, he grabs Ana and hugs her. As he breaks away, Paula hugs her mother and Juan strokes them a little, looking anxious.

Marely confesses that Paula has told her all, about her relationship with Farell, his deceptions, the sadness, her “engagement” with Juan. She looks terribly sad. Her Mami, showing a rare moment of parenting skill, asks if Paula couldn’t see her suffering? Marely replies that Paula doesn’t know how she feels about Juan. Really, she shouldn’t be feeling anything. Paula just thinks she’s asking about Juan because she worries for him, nothing more. Nidia wants to know what they’re saying in the office. [Ed. Note: how did she know they’d be saying stuff?] Marely tells her it’s a hotbed (hervidero). They’re all craving the info about Juan and Paula, and then about this unfinished business with CL. Nidia exclaims about what a rogue Paula is. Marely says it’s not true, she’s really a good person. Nidia doesn’t think so, because what’s she doing with Juanito? This boy doesn’t’ deserve to be treated in this manner. Marely is close to tears, but keeps her composure. She doesn’t dare tell him. Nidia wants to know if she loves him or not. “What difference does it make now?” Nidia scoffs. It’s important. She’s always been a fighter, and in love, there is no such thing as giving up. She gives Marely a piece of advice. When Paula is through with him, Marely will be there for him. She’ll comfort him, and he’ll fall crazy in love with her—it never fails. Marely is incensed. She’s not going to take someone else’s leftovers. She’s not second best. If he loves her, fine. She’s not going to beg and offer herself as a consolation prize. She’s not going to pick up the pieces of a man who loves someone else.

Paula and Juan are back at her home, and she wants to have a serious discussion with him. He helps her be seated, gentleman that he is. He thought bubbles—is it just him, or does it seem like this could be really serious? He puts his jacket on the back of his chair and makes himself comfortable. She wants to tell him something she’s not sure how he’ll take. He tells her to go ahead in good faith because he’s all ears. She stutters around while he smiles encouragingly. It’s much more difficult than she thought. She thinks she’d like to put it off to another time when they have longer to give the subject.

Pastora is at the loading dock where Juan and Kike were working the day before. She gets into a taxi that is conveniently waiting for her at the cargo loading dock. What a charmed life she leads! Always a taxi there for her…..next to the taxi, Kike gets out of his truck. He rushes around toward the loading dock and notices Pastora leaving in the cab. He rubs his eyes---no, it can’t be Doña Pastora, can it? He’s seeing things!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch….er, the church, Pastor is watching the people leave, but no Mami among them. He asks a couple if they have seen Doña Pastora—do they know her? Apparently, they haven’t, and don’t. He looks muy worried and peers into the church.

Juan is encouraging Paula to talk to him. She looks tired, and probably just cannot find the words she wants to say. [Ed. Note: gee, what a teddy bear he is.] Nope, she tells him, it’s something else. He’s going to get her a cup of tea. She stops him. He tells her he’s going to propose something else. He’s inviting her to the fair. There’s one nearby and it’s enormous. It’s very amusing, so let’s go. She looks doubtful. [Ed. Note: it’s her second-best look, right after the fake smile when she’s using Juan to make CL jealous.] She thanks him but she’s not in the mood, especially for a fair. He wants to tell her a story about when he was a child. Every year, he waited eagerly for the fair to come to town. It was the National Fiesta, and you can imagine, my love, when it arrived those enormous mechanical games (rides?) were impressive! And a voice rang out in the town, “the fair has come! The fair is here! And we ran from our homes, and sat ourselves down, like this, out in the open field (portrero), and we watched how they put together ever one of those rides. It was impressive discipline, watching on the little grassy field. And after they were done, we got onto the games, under the games, on top, to the sides, they shook us up (nos zangloteaban). My love, the question was, I swear to you that when we got off of those rides, we forgot the world existed. The most serious problem in the world- was gone. That’s why it’s called an amusement park.” Juan’s enthusiasm is infectious; Paula is smiling in spite of herself. “You can forget all your sadness, all the problems, all the grief you have in your soul.” He takes her chin and strokes it, then her hand. “Surely Juan, but in this case it’s different. If I don’t talk with you, I’ll never be calm.” He thinks she would be diverted for at least a little while, and it would clear up her mind. Those words will leave like they have little wings. He’s not taking no for an answer, and stands, taking her hand. Let’s go! He’s going to get her a cotton candy (algodón de azúcar), a little ear of corn (elotito?). She finally gives in, and they’ll go “for as long as you want,” he tells her, and they won’t fight about it. He kisses her, grabs his coat and they get ready to go.

Kike is hanging out at the loading dock when Don Angarita comes out of his warehouse. “And your partner?” Kike makes excuses for Juan. He’s been detained….problems with…he almost says “faldas” – skirts, or woman problems. Instead he catches himself and stutters, then says “familiares,” family problems. Anything serious? No. Nothing that can’t be resolved. Kike nervously smiles—Juan will be along soon. Don A hopes so, because there’s a lot of work to be done. He doesn’t’ think Kike can do it alone. Kike tells him Don A doesn’t know him, look at the muscles (fiber). He pounds his triceps and grins. Don A recommends that Kike find a couple of dockworkers to help (cargadores). Kike says he’ll get right on it, and not to worry. This will be all cleaned up in two loads (patadas, another definition). Don A says in that case, he’ll leave Kike to it. Kike thanks him cheerfully and goes to unlock the truck. The thugs from their last visit to the bodega (warehouse, storeroom) move into a menacing circle around the dock in front of Kike. He eyes them warily.

Nidia bursts into Marely’s room. She can’t find Yadi. She’s worried; Marely suggests several places, including maybe Yadi’s gone to the store to buy something. Nidia says Yadi never told her, so she doesn’t think so. She’s been looking for Yadi a while and she hasn’t come back. Nidia goes into histrionics, her stock in trade. Where is that girl?? Marely just shrugs.

At the loading dock, we find out where Yadi has gone—there’s a chorus of wolf whistles. Kike isn’t whistling. She changed her clothes, and is wearing the mini-est bright red jump suit, sleeveless, with a long zipper, that was ever designed. She has a pink bandana over her hair, and high-top black and white sneakers with bright laces. They might even be high-heeled sneakers. She’s carrying a cute little purse. [Ed. Note: if you’ve ever been to Waikiki, she looks like the gals who come out after 9:00 p.m. when most families have taken the kiddies back to the hotel to bed. Especially the purse is reminiscent of those ladies….that’s the trademark style]. Yadi minces up to Kike, looking a little askance at the thugs. Kike was lifting a heavy bag of rice or beans, which drops abruptly on the ground. He flings his arms out, but if he thinks it’s going to save Yadi, he’s got another think coming. He stares at her and runs toward her. She jumps toward his arms while the leader jeers out harassing comments at her. (How much is that kilo of fruit?) Kike gets her a little way off from the tipos, and she fusses at him that she’s been looking for him and almost didn’t find him. He wants to know qué the heck she’s doing here? She wants to help. “How can you help me?” He yells at her and she fusses at him not to yell at her. [Ed. Note: the pink scarf just doesn’t cut it with the red jump suit. Or maybe it’s orange. Anyway, she needs to ditch the scarf.] She pouts and flirts and kisses him. Great, that’s guaranteed to make him look real macho in front of the gang here. “The only thing you need to do is go home RIGHT NOW,” he stage whispers at her. He tries to close up some of her cleavage. The tipos are really enjoying this show. It’s the best entertainment they’ve had in weeks. She pouts again and whines for him to let her help. He should take advantage that she’s there. He fusses some more at her and tells her to take it or leave it (didn’t catch it all). The tipos hop down from where they’ve been sitting on the dock, and join the leader to walk toward Kike and Yadi. The leader so you’ve brought reinforcements, our dear friend. Yadi cowers behind Kike, grasping him around the waist. “Whew, what reinforcements,” another one comments. “Just a moment, just a moment,” Kike tells them. “Respect this lady!” The leader grabs him and calls him a fool, and threatens him since Juan isn’t here. They look like they’re going to go for Yadi while the leader chuckles evilly and the tipos smile. Yadi stays glued to Kike’s back while we cut to commercial.

“Palomita” plays cheerfully at the fair. Oh, what a lovely sight it is! Juan is an overgrown puppy, bouncing around and yelling with joy at the fun. He points at a roller coaster, “it’s going up my love, and it’s going to come down, whoa!” Our eyes follow the roller coaster and our stomachs lurch. Thank goodness it’s only digital television and not IMAX. “The monumental Russian Mountain!” He puts his hands over his mouth and stares in shock and awe. Paula murmurs an agreement. He tells her he feels like he’s in a buffet and grabs her hand to drag her to a ride. Like Pacman, they’re off the screen. Like Pacman, they’re suddenly back on, going the other direction, “you know what, my love, we’re going to the toboggan.” Paula is laughing now at his excitement. She wants a plan. He apologizes for being a little barmy (chiflado – nutcase, crazy, barmy). He is so excited! She tells him to calm down and they’ll enjoy it all. He agrees, but he’s still bouncing up and down as he talks, hands askew as he gestures. He lists all the rides they’ll go on, ending up on the Russian Mountain. Paula tells him okay, let’s go. He kisses her hand before he drags her on again. [Ed. Note: She’s more covered up than usual, with jeans and boots. But, the jeans are so tight I’d have a backache trying to move in them.] Off they go to the rides, Juan spinning her around on the way.

The thug tells Kike and Yadi he’ll count to three, and they better take themselves far away. Kike tells him to calm down, folks understand discussion. Yadi is still clinging to Kike, her arms wrapped around his belly. Both she and Kike watch the group warily. They are surrounded. Kike wonders if they couldn’t come to some resolution (arreglo). The leader says the only thing he wants is to rearrange Kike’s face (arreglar la cara). Kike chuckles nervously and touches his face in horror. Yadi mirrors his horror behind his shoulder. She tries to talk, and Kike tries to shush her. “Oh, what fear! Kike knows karate and judo!” He makes chops in the air to punctuate her defiant words thrown at the leader---still from behind Kike. “This little porker is going to hit me? Oh, what fear, boys!” The leader clasps his hands, points at Kike, looks around at his buddies and laughs scoffingly. They all laugh. Kike is impactado as the guy reaches for his collar and threatens him insultingly again. Kike tells him the one thing he asks is that the guy calms down. Yadi yells behind him. “Leave him in peace, leave him!” The tipo tells his buddies that at least this guy with the face of a prickly pear (nopal) has her to defend him. He threatens both Kike and Yadi and acts like he’s coming behind Kike to grab Yadi. She makes an attempt to hide. [Ed. Note: the head thug was the pageant director guy in La Fea Más Bella. I liked him way better there.] Don A comes out of the warehouse door and intervenes. For as mild mannered as he looks, he sure does get their attention. A dockworker is with him. “You’re not giving any lessons to anyone,” he advises the tipos. The head tipo is annoyed but stops dead in his tracks; Yadi and Kike are impactados.

On a street somewhere in the D. F., some feds are pushing Gutis out of a blue shack. There’s a broken down 1970s VW bug (or thereabouts, I had one, the bumper is the same), it’s that kind of neighborhood. Gutis is yelling that he doesn’t know that guy. The feds yell back at him that he’s the guy’s lawyer, right? Anything you want to say, you can say to the public minister.” They keep yelling at each other and the feds wrestle a resisting Gutis to a police car. Agent Alirio, complete with dark glasses and fancy suit and tie on a Sunday morning, peers from behind a bushy area. The car takes off. Alirio is impactado!

Don A tells the thug leader and his tipos that Kike and his partner are working for Don A. “Is that a problem?” “No, Don Angarita. We didn’t know.” Don A tells him to listen up: leave these folks in peace or you’ll deal with me. “Understood?” Chaflán, the tipo, tells him it’s understood. Yadi looks smug behind Kike as Don Angarita speaks. Don A tells him to do the favor of leaving and let it be the last time. Chaflán nods tersely, agrees, and whistles to his wolf pack. They go, leaving a stunned Kike and Yadi there. “Is all well?” Don A asks Kike, who stutters around in affirmation and thanks him, apologizing for the trouble. He introduces Yadira, who flirts a little with Don A (who is much older). Kike calls her his “friend.” She bats at him as he pushes her to greet Don Angarita. Don A leans over and kneels on the dock to greet Yadi. He’s Angarita Calvo to serve her. She pleasantly greets him. Don A thinks he’s met her, but she says she doesn’t think so. He’s sure of it. She’s not. He’s seen her somewhere else, before. She doesn’t think so. For all the guys watching, we get a shot of her okole from below, looking up at him on the dock from behind her. Where is Ferro when we need him? Don A tells Kike there is much to do, and Kike says he’s on it and thanks Don A a thousand times. Don A gives Yadi one last long look and excuses himself.

Pastora has found her way back to the church, where Pastor has actually found his way inside to pray. She scolds him for not waiting outside. He tells her he looked all over for her and couldn’t find her, and that worried him. He was afraid something had happened to her like the other day. She scolds him that he’s always exaggerating and she was in the sacristy. He says that’s the one place he failed to think about looking. She fusses at him and calls him foolish. She wonders about him seeming very nervous through this weekend. He tells her there are problems at work. “That you will be able to resolve, I suppose.” He assures her he can, sadly. He takes her arm to walk out.

Juan and Paula enjoy ride after ride; she watches him with amusement while he savors each one. “Ay, Amor” plays for us in the background as we watch them enjoy life. Paula actually looks like she’s having fun. However, I am reminded that any similarity to real life is pure coincidence. Ooops, not time for that yet. They go on the carousel, the bumper cars, everything. Paula actually throws back her head and laughs. Finally, we see Juan coming off a ride with his arm draped over Paula’s shoulder. He thought bubbles that he learned that day that the youth from Chichipico shouldn’t be climbing onto rides that were made for astronauts. He’s green, but Paula’s doing well. Juan holds his hand over his mouth; we expect him to go running for the baño any second. Paula asks if he’s all right. He says he’s just fine. He thought bubbles that Juan Dominguez Coral may be dying of fear, but not in front of the woman he loves. Juan stretches to show his strength and fortitude, and smiles at Paula.

Delirio is home again, and Nidia is doing her quasi pushups against the bedroom wall in her honeybee workout suit. He slams the door and she asks him what’s up with coming into a room like that; does he want to give her a heart attack? He tells her to listen up, he has something huge to tell her (Agárrate, listen to this!). She turns around – “Okay, so what is it?” “They’ve arrested Ramón Gutierrez!” Nidia is muy impactada. “They arrested him? Who?” He plops onto the bed and tells her the police, of course. They took him off to the tank. “And that, why?” Well, some deal (implied drug deal – transa, also written tranza in Mexico) he got mixed up in. But to get to this extreme! Nidia notes that at least they’re rid of his bore’s harassment. She goes back to her pushups and he notices her okole, getting up with his hands outstretched to touch, but thinks better of it and backs off. “He’s going to have the canary syndrome, we’re fried!” Nidia wants to know what that is. He condescendingly informs her they sing when they’re locked up. With all this man knows about me…..he sits back on the bed, his head on his hand. “He could sing a complete Verdi opera!” We hear Verdi in the background as Nidia laughs. “You are always so optimistic,” she rolls her eyes. She scolds him and tells him he’s neurotic. He protests that he’s just letting her know the situation. She thanks him sarcastically and asks if she is permitted to continue her routine. Without waiting for a response she turns around and he gets a good shot of her okole, drooling over it anxiously. Her yellow waist gizmo says “Follow the Beast” in English. We see the okole moving back and forth toward the wall and hear Delirio panting.

Paula is chuckling at Juan and trying to get him to admit to dying of fear. He denies it. They play the game, her touching his chin and him turning so he doesn’t have to make eye contact, then facing her and thought bubbling about being ready to keep up that lie, but looking into her eyes, they penetrated his soul, and it was impossible. “Okay, okay, I accept it! Only a little, though.” She laughs and asks why he didn’t tell her the truth and they could have gone to a movie. He gives her a long explanation, points out that she’s laughing and at least he’s seeing her with color in her cheeks (his goal). She laughs again and shouts as if to the world, Juan Dominguez admitted he’s afraid! He shushes her. Okay, a little nothing more, he asserts. They flirt and tease. She thanks him and tells him the outing was a very good idea. She asks what she’s going to do with him. He says nothing more, Licenciada, than to care for him as he cares for her. They kiss tenderly as “Ay, Amor” plays.

Back at her house, she’s still smiling and lighthearted. He’s smiling at her joy. What did he tell her? She agrees, he was right. She asks if they’ll see each other the next day, a rhetorical question since it will be Monday and he’ll need to pick her up for work. He asks what she had been going to tell him before they left. She hedges; it wasn’t so important. He runs off to the kitchen, telling her she hasn’t eaten a thing. She laughs and protests. He’s going to serve whatever it is that was conveniently cooking on the stove. She says she hopes he won’t take this wrong, she needs to be alone for a while. He takes the pan back, tells her to eat something, please, and she thanks him as he kisses her. He leaves and she gets a very contemplative look, touched by a little smile.

Ana and Paula touch bases by phone. Paula assures her mother she took down all the information, and Ana says she needs to go. Paula thanks her for calling. Ana wants to know if she spoke with Juan. Paula hesitates a split second and tells her mother she did speak a long time. [Ed. Note: technically, she spoke with him for hours. It just wasn’t the subject Ana thinks was covered.] Ana is pleased and sends her a kiss; they’ll talk by phone later again. Paula tells her Mami to take care of herself. She hangs up and contemplates…..

A dockworker pushes Juan on a loading cart “right to my entrance!” Juan, now without his orange shirt but still wearing his good slacks and a tank t-shirt, jumps off, all smiles. Kike and Yadi are hanging out waiting. Kike is rubbing his aching back and Yadi is sitting on the dock reading a magazine and looking fresh as a daisy, which she probably is. Another dockworker takes something Juan throws into the truck at him. There’s not a lot of cargo in the truck; one hopes that Kike is on the second load. Kike looks at his watch “a lovely time to arrive!” Juan protests that something unforeseen popped up (I had an unexpected, tuve un imprevisto). Kike gives him a hard time about the Virgin appearing to him. [Ed. Note: the Virgin? No chance, it was Paula, and that wouldn’t be her, given the circumstances.] Kike notes his wide smile. Juan tells him this was his day. Kike throws him an apron, and tells him that happened to him while Kike was being a pack mule. Juan tells him not to get sour. He puts on his lifting belt. His heart is going several hundred miles an hour. Kike chuckles at him. Juan wants to know what happened there? Only a tropical hurricane, Kike tells him. Hurricane Yadira, Category 20. Juan wants to know the forecast? What’s the damage? They wave at Yadi, who waves back with a sarcastic look. They continue to exchange chitchat; Kike says he’s the tired one.

Hours later….back at Juan’s room in Casa Cachón, Kike regales Juan with the story of the thugs. If not for Don Angarita arriving when he did, Kike would have been smashed to bits, and Yadira, we’d best not say. Juan wants to know what’s up with her, she seemed to half sun struck. (?? Asoleadon). He confesses to Juan that deep down, he could….he talks about his feelings about Yadira. (But it was really full of Kike-isms, I think. I didn’t get it. Maybe I was just tired). Juan tells him to be patient, and wait and see what might happen. Kike asks what happened with Juan’s girlfriend. Juan tells him it was like a movie. Kike thinks it must have been heaven. Juan tells him about the Russian Mountain; Kike wonders if he was afraid. Juan denies that he was afraid. He brags about his bravery like the macho he wants Kike to think he is, and Kike obligingly admires.

The next morning…..CL, still in bed in his PJs, wants to know why Monica is up so early. She’s had a shower and washed her hair, and is still drying it. She informs him she’s going to the office. From today, the excuses are done and she’s going to work at Farell Industries. He tells her qué good, but his face says “qué the heck??” She says the idea is to work on Paula’s team. Paula will be in the national market, and Moni will be in the international market. “For better penetration.” CL gets a bemused and muy impactado look. “Better penetration?” One can only imagine what he’s really thinking. “Sure, a marketing policy that’s very aggressive, and coordinated on all fronts” CL rubs his face. He’s not used to thinking in innuendos with Moni, apparently. Both fronts? Yep. She’s not planning to invade Paula’s space, though. CL murmurs. Mmm. [Ed. Note: Ah, Moni, if only you knew.] She asks what he thinks. He tells her that if they’re going to go for a more aggressive commercial policy, it seems perfect. He sighs and gets up. She looks at him, puzzled.

The doorbell rings at the Dávila casa and Paula runs down to open it wide – in her bathrobe. Juan has come with pastries for breakfast. He is cheerful; the day has dawned better than ever. She wants to know what’s up here. He’s confused. She points out it’s pretty early and she’s not ready. He tells her he knew his Licenciada was alone and he’s gone to the bakery (Sylvia taught me that word, panadería). He’s offering some humble rolls. He puts the bag to her nose for her to smell them. Just out of the oven. He wants to know if he’s okay, or should go. She smiles, slightly at a loss for words.

Moni and CL walk out to the waiting car and Fernando. She tells CL she wants to talk to Paula first, if that’s okay with him. CL is hesitant, but tells her it’s all right. [Ed. Note: not like he has too many choices here.] She says that because he’s the big boss, if he wants to talk about her presence in the company before she does, that’s okay. He tells her it’s a special case (well, there’s an understatement). He tells her to do what she considers best. She says she prefers that because she doesn’t want it to seem imposed on his part. He tells her to go ahead. He looks over her shoulder at Fern, knowing full well that Fern is taking it all in. CL tells Moni to do whatever suits her. She’s his partner. He smiles. She smiles and touches his cheek and thanks him, getting into the car. [Ed. Note: she’s really a doll, what the heck is wrong with CL???] Fern looks at him, with disapproval. CL smiles awkwardly and gets into the car.

Paula has changed into a slightly longer dress than usual, with a pattern that would make any deaf person cross-eyed if she was the interpreter. Juan is singing loudly in the kitchen as he cooks. He gives her an expansive compliment, and she thanks him awkwardly. He tells her breakfast is ready, and she thanks him, but no. The bread and a bit of coffee will be fine. He insists on pouring chocolate for her. She worries he’s going to burn himself as they sit down and he pours. She tells him to stop, because she wants to talk. He tells her he’s listening, but he’s not. He just keeps pouring. She thanks him for all he’s done for her. She wants to repay him for all these nice little things he’s done for her. He says no, it’s all my pleasure and touches her chin. Yes, but it makes me uncomfortable, she tells him. Uncomfortable? She points out she lived many years alone in the U.S., she is used to doing things alone, talking to herself, and not depending on anyone. It’s not as bad as people paint it, on the contrary, at times it can be healthy and one can enjoy it. He asks if that would mean, in other words, that he’s making a pest of himself? She rubs her forehead and tries to regroup. His intentions are the best, she knows, but he shouldn’t be worried for her. He realizes that she needs her personal space. He’s looking very awkward and like she just slapped him. Well, she replies, a little, yes. She’s feeling very pressured and hasn’t had a moment alone. She takes his hand and looks into his eyes earnestly. He begs her pardon. He only wanted her to be all right. He understands…..He’ll wait outside. Juan gets up from the table and goes out, a little sad. Paula sighs and sits back at the table.

Moni and CL get out of the car in the garage at Farell Industries. Kike rises to greet them and Fernando. Fernando wants to know if Juan has arrived yet. No, Kike tells him. Why? Oh, nothing, Fern says. Kike wants to know what the wife of the big boss is doing here. Fern just laughs. Whooo! If I could tell you! Kike wants him to tell it, if nothing else, to kill time before he gets his orders for the day. Fern sits on the desk and tells Kike that from what he heard, after today, Sra. Monica will be working here. That’s going to complicate our friend Juan’s life. Kike is impactado. But, why? Well, Fern tells him, because she’s going to work in the same department as the Licenciada Paula. For real? Fern nods. “Tell me, Kike, how are things between the Licenciada and Juan, ultimately?” Kike tells Fern it’s going super and elaborates with a smile. Fern tells him that the worst is on the way, though. “Don’t tell me!” Fern tells him that the harsh reality is that Juan is in for it. [Ed. Note: I am incensed that the writers left me with a difficult dicho for the last line of the show! ¡No es justo!] Here it is, folks; I hope someone can translate this one: “Le están haciendo del chivo los tamales al Juan.” They will make Juan the scapegoat? It must be pretty bad, because Kike is max impactado.

We are reminded that any similarity to real life is pure coincidence.

Monday: Is Juan going to deck César Luis?

Vocabulary:

Farras – party-goers (which I loosely translated as party animals)
Conchudo – jerk
Sería el colmo - it would be the last straw
Me falto valor - I lack the courage
Chalana – assistant, bricklayer’s assistant – also chalán
Hervidero – hotbed (of gossip, in this case)
Portrero – open field, grassland
Zangloteaban - shook
Algodón de azúcar – cotton candy
Cargadores – dockworkers
Chiflado – nutcase, crazy, barmy
¡Agárrate! - listen to this!

Jeanne

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Saturday, October 13, 2007

La Fea Más Bella #39-42 Missing Recaps 21-24, by Kim P.

Missing Recap 21: Panama is famous for hats - not cameras
Once again everyone's talking in Fern's office. Then it's "days later" again and they get the good news that the commercial's a hit.

Lola and Jazmin once again get into it.

Back to the meeting, Luigi is stroking the dead animal on his shoulder (ok, it's an animal skin wrap, but que the hell, looks like a dead animal to me!). Ricky Armstrong from Bella Life again says they're very happy with the commercial Luigi did and they want Conceptos to produce their entire international line. Fern is happy! Lety comes in and Fern tells her they need to get B.L. signed to a contract right away. Ricky continues to sing Conceptos' praises. He kisses Lety's hand goodbye and leaves. Once he's gone, Fernando crawls across the table to hug Luigi and dances with him. They stop as Ricky comes back in for Luigi. When they both leave, Fern slides back across the table to hug Marcia. Ok, I think Jaime Camil was having just a little too much fun with the table sliding thing ;o). Now we get a Fern/Omar sandwich with both Lety and Marcia as the filling, and I'm hating both actresses at the moment (yes, jealousy is an ugly thing). Marcia leaves and Lety jumps and squeals and Fern claps his hands and tells her to comport herself seriously.

Lola is on the phone to Saimon, asking him to join them at a cuartel meeting. She hangs up and calls the cuartel to a meeting in the usual place.

Back in Fern's office, Lety is working a calculator and based on her face it's not good. I'm guessing she's figuring out that the commercials will help, but not completely pull Conceptos out of its debt.

Back in the bathroom, the cuartel have come up with a trap for Jazmin and are trying to suck Saimon into their evil plot. They ask him to try to get Jaz interested in him. He says something really stupid like "but Jaz is practically married to El Cheque", which naturally puts Lola into full-on Psycho Mamma mode. I ignore most of it, sorry. Alicia walks in and wants to know what Saimon's doing in the Ladies' Room. They give her some smartassed answer and she leaves.

Back in Fern's office, Lety is explaining things. Marcia's making faces as Lety talks and decides she doesn't want to hear it any more. She asks Fern if he's coming to her house tonight and he makes some excuse, not telling her about his deal with Luigi. They kiss and she leaves, leaving just Fern, Omar and Lety to chat. They discuss the situation more and Lety crunches more numbers.

Back in Reception, the cuartel are still trying to drag Saimon down to their level. As always, he says something stupid to piss PM off with jealousy (remember, this is the same woman who was busted for trying to screw Omar in his office. I know, I know... I have to let it go, sorry). PM hits Saimon as she leaves.

They're still talking really fast in Fern's office about costs. Fern has been juggling metal balls and he and Omar start to cutely toss them back and forth to each other. Sorry, it was so cute I was distracted from the conversation. I still think they're trying to figure out how to make the Bella Life contract work to fix their situation. Lety continues to crunch numbers like a true accountant (former accountant here, so I know).

Saimon is practicing what he'll say to Jazmin, using his hairbrush as her. She comes in and sees him. They talk and he asks her out that night, or at least he asks her boobs out because that's where he's looking. I'm not sure what all he's saying but she likes hearing it. In the end, though, she tells him it's impossible to go out with him. He asks why as a car begins honking in the background. She says she'll see him tomorrow and they give gooey goodbyes.

I guess Lety came up with figures that Fern liked because he's happy happy joy joy dancing in his office. She comes in from her office and teases him and starts dancing too, and he gets impatient with her. As Fern starts to walk out he asks how Filmo Imagen is doing. She tells him fine and offers to show him some paperwork on it, but he says no he'll just leave it in her hands. He leaves and she gets that lovey look again where you KNOW she's thinking "tan divino" even if she isn't saying it out loud.

Erasmo and Tomas are talking at home about computers and phones, all stuff they bought and are setting up for F.I. Pop says something that makes Tomas nervous, still questioning the whole set up of F.I. The dvd skips and suddenly Lety's at home talking to her dad. He's still wondering what the connection is between F.I. and Conceptos and she tries to give an explanation. He then wants to know about the company's capital and Lety and Tomas give nervous laughs. Lety escapes the room by saying she's going to help her mom in the kitchen. There's some mushy conversation between mother and daughter. Mom then calls everyone into the kitchen to eat. Robopop tries to block Tomas from entering the kitchen, but you can't keep that man away from Julieta's cooking and he manages to get in anyway. Lety pulls him back out, however, to ask why her dad is asking so many questions. She then tells him about the Bella Life contract and how much it's for. I think she's telling Tomas it's an improvement but still not enough to fully save Conceptos.

Now we're at Marcia's where Fern and she are eating. She tells him she's proud that he's starting to act more responsibly (little does she know, huh?). They talk about the commercials and I'm not sure what else.

Tomas tells Lety that she's crazy for getting involved in all this (I think) and they talk more about the Bella Life contract and Conceptos's problems. Lety also tells him about Ariel and the trouble he's causing. Tomas then mentions Alicia and starts drooling all over her picture (ok, I know Chris was freaked by the fact that Tomas had laminated Ali's picture, but he HAD to. Can you imaging the shape it would be in with all that drool if he hadn't???). Lety gets pissed because she's continually asked him to not get hung up on that woman, so she tells her mom that Tomas isn't hungry and is leaving. Tomas protests but she tells him "mole or Alicia". Now, there's only one thing stronger than Little Tomas, and that's Big Tomas' stomach, so he chooses the mole for the time being.

Speaking of Alicia, she's home crying about the dress (and talking to it) that Marta copied. After the humiliation she received, she has no choice but to throw the dress away. Ariel calls just then and tells her she has to continue giving him information on Conceptos. She actually stands up to him for a minute and tells him she won't do it any more because she doesn't want to get fired and be unemployed, unless he can give her a job. He tells her he'll pay her to be his part-time lover. (Ok, don't you wonder what their backstory is? Was he in love with her before she got married and was convinced she only married the guy for money and now calls her whore all the time? Or is he just a creep? Talk amongst yourselves...). I believe he threatens her with the usual "you broke Lety's computer" crap.

Lola the Ever-Psycho catches Cheque and Jazmin kissing down in Reception and goes postal and Marta and PM have to hold her back (personally I say let her cut loose, what the heck!). Jaz says hi to everyone, ostentatiously kisses Cheque and leaves. Lola continues the psycho tirade on Cheque and demands that he pay more money to her for the kids. He remains calm, gives some lame excuse and leaves.

Fernando and Lety are in the conference room with Ricky and his accountant (or partner?) to verify the contract. They discuss Latin America and Europe. They reach and agreement and shake on it.

In the lobby, Saimon is drooling on Jazmin. She almost kisses him, but not quite, then leaves by the stairs as Lola, Marta and PM come off the elevator. I get the idea he still doesn't want to join their evil empire, because they all hit him.

Back in Fern's office, he and Lety are discussing the contract and are happy about it. Omar comes in with a brochure on 35 mm cameras and mentions how expensive they are. Lety and Fernando both say they can't afford that much. Omar then says he knows of a cheaper supplier, and comes up with a rather shady proposal to buy the stuff in Panama. Lety is convinced it's not a good idea because the stuff could be contraband merchandise. Fernando lets himself be swayed by the low price and tells Omar to go to Panama and see to the deal. Lety is really unhappy with this decision and tries to talk Fern out of it, but he just gives her his usual "tranquila", it'll all be fine.

Omar goes out into the lobby and says hi to Alicia. Based on the look on her face, I'd say she insults him. He just walks away, and she then gives crap to the cuartel while Marta eats. Nothing new here, move along people, nothing to see.

Lety looks over the camera catalogs and discusses them with Fernando. Omar comes back in with information on the Panamanian merchandise and hands it to Lety. Fern tries to take it from her but she refuses to let go of it, so he finally practically falls over trying to pry it from her unhappy hands. Side note, is it illegal to import stuff from Panama? Or is it just the cameras that are illegal? I'm totally confused as to what the problem is with this stuff. Anyway, Omar is still taking about his idea, Fern seems to like it, Lety is still an unhappy camper and totally not on board with the plot. The rest of the conversation is Fern and Omar trying to talk her into it. She goes back to her office as Fern and Omar continue to discuss.

Marcia walks into the lobby to talk to Alicia, who's not feeling well. I'm not positive of the conversation, but I think she tells Marcia she threw away her dress because of Marta. Marcia leaves to talk to Lola about something. Alicia then follows Marcia to her office, whining the whole way, about not having any money and her financial situation is grave. I THINK Alicia asks to be given a better paying job than Secretary to the President, after all she has six semesters blah blah. Marcia grabs her head like Alicia's giving her a headache. Whatever it is Alicia's asking for, she lays the guilt foundation by saying hey, you're supposed to be my friend, you're a woman, you're a professional, give me this chance. It sounds like Marcia uses Fernando as her excuse for why she can't. Luigi walks in and Marcia tells Alicia to go back to work.

Lety brings some information out to Fernando, I'm not sure what it is or what they talk about, but he gives it back to her. She mentions something about 4 million dollars and he replies with something about Ariel and the presidency. It sounds like they're worrying about the creditors and talking about the negotiations, and Lety's once again saying she doesn't much care for Omar's idea. Fernando tells Omar not to tell anyone what he's doing or where he's going, especially Marcia or Luigi. To cover the fact that it's not quite legit, they decide to tell everyone Omar's going to New York, not Panama. Fernando continues to talk to Lety, but she just continues to look worried.

Luigi is in Marcia's office and they talk about Bella Life and how much money the contract is for.

Omar and Fernando are still talking in Fern's office. Lety comes out and tells them something about Ricky Armstrong's contract and the bank. The rest of the conversation is something along the lines of how Omar needs to get back with Alicia, and "matrimonio" is mentioned. They're teasing Omar, and he doesn't look happy. He leaves and Fernando asks Lety what's up with the bank. She's worried, and he tells her not to be. Luigi and Marcia come in and Luigi does his usual crap when he sees Lety. Fernando tells them that Ricky will be coming in to sign the contract and they all clap. He takes them into the conference room, not really sure why because he just kisses Marcia, Luigi makes some smart comment, he and Fernando say something, Marcia and Fernando kiss again, and she leaves. No business done so why didn't they just stay in his office? Anyroad, Luigi tries to kiss Fernando and he pulls away. Luigi says he can't help it, he's excited because the Fiesta of the Queen of the Night is tonight. Fern tries to get out of it or get it postponed but Luigi is firm.



Missing Recap 22: Saimon's excellent lunch hour
Omar, Fernando and Lety are again talking about not telling anyone about Panama and how Omar should marry Alicia. Marcia and Luigi come in and clap about the contract again, and kiss in the conference room again. Luigi reminds Fernando that the party is tonight and he has to dress up as the Queen of the Night. Fern wants it postponed but Luigi squeals as only a gay tv stereotype can and remains firm. Fern says fine, what do I have to do? Luigi tells him nothing except... he has to wear a fuchsia dress, feather headgear, makeup, everything pink. Fern argues and I think he complains he'll look ridiculous, and Luigi says he'll be discreet and not tell anyone, and goes on to tell Fern how great he'll look.

Omar goes out and talks to Alicia, and whatever he's selling, she's not buying. He gives her one of his so-not-sexy snorts and she pretty much tells him to take a long walk off a short pier. He's laying it on thick and says they have to get together when he gets back from New York. As he leaves she gets a look on her face like she's not sure whether to believe him or not.

Saimon gets off the elevator and runs into Marta and Lola. He dances with Marta while Lola asks him how his fake romance with Jazmin is going. They discuss that it needs to be a secret.
Luigi, surrounded by models, is on the phone to Rulli making arrangements for Fernando's big evening. Saimon comes in and asks to talk to Jaz for just a minute. Luigi says no but then gets called to a meeting so they talk anyway. Saimon asks her out to lunch and I guess she agrees. He says he'll meet her in Reception.

Next Saimon's in the lobby talking to Lola, Marta and Sara. He tells them he's meeting Jaz in Reception. I think he claims he's broke so Lola gives him money to take her out.

Fernando, Lety, Luigi and Marcia are in the conference room with Ricky and his associate. Ricky signs the contract and Luigi claps. Everyone's happy.

Back in the lobby Lola, Marta and Sara are talking. Lola wants Marta to call Cheque and tell him about Jaz and Saimon's lunch date. Marta and Sara don't care for the idea, and personally I'm getting really sick of this Lola Psycho storyline and wish it would end. She finally talks Marta into it.

Cheque is in his office when Marta calls, disguising her voice, and tells him that Jaz is out with another man and what restaurant they're at. The cuartel are listening and start laughing maniacally into the phone before she hangs up. Cheque is immediately insanely jealous and wants to find out who she's stepping out with.

Lety gives a check to Fernando for his signature and they talk about the bank. Lola comes in and asks if Lety can go to lunch, and she tells her she can't go. When Lola leaves Fernando tells her she can go if she wants, heck they can even eat in his office. There's a tv so she can watch movies with her friend. Clueless Lety says "really Don Fernando?" and he says no and something along the lines of "get real!" Marcia and Luigi come in, Luigi doing his little happy dance. Marcia leaves and Luigi teases Fernando about the fiesta. He also leaves and Fernando tells Lety to order them some food so they can keep working.

In reception, PM is jealous and giving Saimon hell. The cuartel come in and chat and Irma is not happy with their plot. Sara threatens Saimon to get it right or else and PM hits him in the stomach, then they leave. Jazmin comes out of the elevator talking to Cheque on the phone. She's telling him she's having lunch with some of the other models. He wants to know where, but she doesn't answer him, just says he sounds funny, what's wrong? He says nothing as he's balling up all his papers in anger. He tells her he'll be eating in his office. She hangs up and Saimon drools and tries to eat his tie. The cuartel head over to the restaurant and wait so they can watch Efren catching Jazmin with Saimon.

The waiter brings lunch into the conference room where Lety has set the table with flowers, candles and champagne. The waiter leaves and Fernando comes in and says how romantic the table looks. He snaps his fingers and music plays, then he snaps again and they get nice mood lighting. He hands her a white tulip, saying "a pretty flower for a pretty woman". He holds her chair for her as she sits, and he's happy to see the champagne. They talk romantically, then toast with the champagne and drink. He puts his arm around her and pulls her tight and they both pucker up hideously for a kiss. He fades out because the real Fernando is telling her to snap out of it.

C'mon, y'all knew it was a fantasy, but it was a good one. She's leaning in for the non-existent kiss and almost falls out of her chair. Fern grabs her to keep her from falling and she tells him she got him his lunch. He points to the second lunch and asks who it's for. She says her, she thought she'd eat with him. She then apologizes and excuses herself, saying she'll eat in her office, but he tells her to stay and keep him company. But then he immediately orders her to go and get a file or something and while she's gone he starts picking disgustedly at the food she ordered him (while I hate the sushi he normally eats, I have to agree with him that this stuff looks pretty nasty). When she gets back he pushes his food away, so she pushes hers away too and he winds up telling her to just get rid of it.

Outside the restaurant, the cuartel (sans Irma) are cackling about their evil plot. We cut to Saimon and Jazmin, who are at a different restaurant altogether. Back to the cuartel who don't understand why Saimon and Jaz aren't there. Meanwhile, they see Cheque arrive and try to hide. They try to tell Lola to go talk to him, but she refuses. He comes out and sees them, though, and realizes it was all a trick to cause problems between him and Jaz. He yells and leaves. Back to Saimon and Jaz, I don't try to translate. They flirt, he falls off his chair, she laughs, I'm done.

The cuartel get back to Reception and talk smack about Saimon. PM gives a beating to his motorcycle helmet that's sitting there. Cheque is back at work and his phone rings. It's Lola, back at her desk, wanting more money from him. He tells her he can't afford it and hangs up on her, and of course she freaks as only Lola the Psycho Drama Queen from Hell can. Lety comes out and hands Lola some information.

In Reception, PM watches Saimon and Jazmin come in, Saimon is dropping rose petals in her path. PM freaks. Jaz gets on the elevator and PM freaks even more which makes Jazmin laugh. Saimon falls over while drooling over Jaz and she helps pick him up. She gets on the elevator and leaves and PM gives Saimon all manner of holy hell.

Up in the lobby Jazmin is asking Lola for her check. Lola tells her she can't have her check because Efren hasn't yet paid the kids' tuition (boy the cuartel sure have a lot of power getting to decide who gets their paychecks and who doesn't). She, Sara and Juana yell at her to leave, and Marta joins in. She calls Cheque, whining, but Lola just takes the phone and starts giving him hell. Jaz then runs off to complain to Lopez.

Lety hands a folder to Fernando. The phone rings, Lety answers, it's Omar. Lety's tone gets very chilly. She hands the phone to Fernando, who shakes his head at her attitude. Fernando is apparently happy with the terms of the deal Omar has made. Lety makes ugly faces while Fern tells her about it. He asks her what's wrong and she starts giving him a list, so he tells her yeah, yeah, tranquila, Omar's a smart man, and professional (how long have you known this guy Fern? Sounds to me like you don't know him at all). She says "yeah" and leaves.

Jaz is whining to Lopez. Alicia is giving Lola crap about Jaz's check, and I'm actually full-on with Alicia on this one. Fernando and Lety come out and Alicia tries to tell Fern what's going on, but he just tells her to answer the phones. He and Lety leave and Lopez and Jazmin come up. He tells Lola to give Jaz her check, but Lola refuses. Ok, I have to know what this woman has over Lopez that she can pull something like that and not get fired!) They argue back and forth as Luigi and Marcia come up and Jazmin fake-cries. Alicia tells them what's going on and Luigi says something about the cuartel being fea and Jazmin being bella and that's the difference. Marcia tells Lola she wants to talk to her in her office and Luigi tells Jazmin to quit crying and go to work (Jaz works???).

In Marcia's office Lola tries to justify what she did, telling her how Cheque isn't helping to fund the kids. She says Marcia should understand how Lola feels since women are always trying to steal Fernando from her. Macia says she understands more than anyone what Lola is going through, but that shouldn't make her stoop to Jaz's level, and they need to all try to get along at the office. I get the feeling Marcia doesn't like Jaz either. Lola agrees and goes back to her desk and gives the check to Jaz. Alicia gives the cuartel hell, then follows Marcia back to her office and wants to know what she said that made Lola give the check to Jaz. Marcia yells at her for butting in. Alicia defends herself saying she knows what it's like to need money. Marcia is not sympathetic and says something about being more responsible, or being less irresponsible, I'm not sure. She tells Alicia that she wants back all the money she owes her, and tells her she can go to a store where Conceptos has credit and buy some new dresses. Alicia thinks she's going to get this stuff as a present, but Marcia sets her straight and tells her she's going to deduct the cost from her monthly paychecks. She then kicks Alicia out of her office.

The cuartel are in the lobby and Saimon comes in. Lola's pissed because she gave him money and he went to the wrong restaurant. As always, the clueless dancing machine appears to be totally surprised that they're pissed by this.

Lety and Fernando are at the bank talking to someone, asking for a loan. The guy doesn't want to give it to them without a guarantee, which Fernando can't or won't give. (Julie says: Just a wild guess, but they are probably asking Conceptos to put up some collateral to secure the loand, because their credit is shaky.) Fern threatens to take his business to another bank but Lety talks to the guy and is able to convince him to float the loan.

That night, in reception, the cuartel are hanging around when Rulli comes in. Stuff gets said that I don't get, then he asks Irma where Luigi is. She tells him and he leaves.

Lety and Fernando are discussing what the plans are for tomorrow. He gives her his two cell phones and tells her to put her home numbers into them, which she does. Luigi comes in doing his little patented dance of happiness. Marcia comes in as well and talks about getting Isabella del Conde for the Bella Life commercial. Luigi and Fernando both agree she's beautiful and perfect for it. Marcia wants Fernando to go with her tonight to talk to Isabella, but Luigi says he can't because he's doing something with him. Marcia wants to know what's going on and Luigi starts to tell her but Fernando shuts him up. Luigi tells her there won't be any other women, he guarantees it (as he turns his back and smirks). Fern gives him a dirty look as she says fine, kisses Fernando, and leaves. Lety makes a rude face (honestly, it's no wonder Fernando lost his company, he's so damned clueless he can't even tell his assistant is in love with him despite her evil looks to other women and scary-dreamy faces she gives him. What a dolt! Adorable gorgeous dolt, but still a dolt. Anyroad...). Luigi also jokingly leans in for a kiss but Fern just ignores him. Lety butts in to hand his phones back and says good night. Luigi says good night and tells her to be careful going home. Fern wants to know why he's so concerned and Luigi makes some rude crack about her that I don't get, so we miss out on the punchline, sorry. Luigi drags Fernando off to his studio.

In the studio, Rulli, Luigi and two women are swooning over the fuchsia dress Fernando has to wear. Fern comes in and says hi and Rulli and Luigi hold up the dress while one of the girls holds up the boots. Fern says for me? Don't be ridiculous! He says something that shocks everyone and Luigi tells Rulli he's having a mimiski. Rulli explains that the outfit is for him, and I think he tells him the color will look good on him (I love this actor but he's very hard for me to understand). They finally make Fernando live up to his part of the bargain and he takes the costume and shoes. Luigi tells the two ladies, Selene and Lorena, to get Fernando made up. Fern doesn't want makeup but Rulli and Luigi tell him he needs it to complete the outfit. They go back and forth about it but finally Fern gives in and says something about the women. One goes and hugs him and Fern says something like this isn't so bad. Rulli laughs and Luigi tells Fern to be careful, he might be in for a surprise. Fern looks at the "women", impactada, and I shake my head and repeat that he's a dolt. Those are two of the fugliest "women" I've ever seen and it should have been obvious even to our dear clueless hero that they were transsexuals. Fernando screams as they all laugh.



Missing Recap 23: Fernando, Queen of the Night
This opening sequence went really far back! Once again Marcia tells Alicia to pay her back and tells her she has no dignity and will never know what good credit is. Alicia tells Marcia that Marcia has a lot of money while she's just a poor woman disguised (?) as rich. Marcia gets pissed and says she doesn't have enough money to take care of irresponsible friends and boots her out of her office again. Saimon's with the cuartel again, complaining to them that they're using him like "tube meat" (what??? Boy could I take that the wrong way if I wanted to! Hee hee!) just to get back at Cheque. Fern and Lety again convince the bank to give them a loan with just a promissory note instead of a guarantee. Rulli talks to the cuartel again.

New shot of Marcia on the phone, setting up a meeting with Isabella Del Conde (I'm guessing on the spelling). Alicia comes in and gives her a check, I guess to pay her back the money she borrowed. They start talking and Lola comes in to get a folder. I don't get any of the conversation, except Alicia mentions her "boyfriend" Omar. Alicia then finally leaves.

The cuartel are talking more stuff about Alicia and there is more evil cackling. Not sure, but it's possible they're talking about where Alicia will be buying her clothes and Marta is deciding to buy more from there too.

Fern's very happy they got the money from the bank. He and Lety talk about the embargo to F.I. and the loans. She's worried about it all and he's not. Omar calls, which earns more worried faces from Lety. Fernando tells Omar to pay in full for the equipment and Lety REALLY doesn't like this. She yells her objections, hoping Omar will also hear her, but Fern tells her to shut it and he's going to do it anyway.

Marcia tells Alicia she's leaving to go see Isabella. Alicia tries to convince Marcia to let her be the model for the commercial, and once again drops her 6-semesters bomb and says she's very photogenic. Lety, waiting for the elevator, makes faces in the background. Marcia tells Alicia to talk to Fernando about it. Alicia doesn't want to, knowing what Fernando will say. She whines about being a secretary for the rest of her life and Marcia breaks down and says she can come with her as her "assistant" to meet Isabella. Alicia is happy and they both leave with Lety. The cuartel are in the lobby and grab Lety when she comes by. They sit her down and talk to her stuff I don't get, but I think they're filling her in on their evil dress plot, or their evil Saimon/Jazmin plot, I'm not sure.

Now we're finally back to the final scene from last night, where Luigi and Rulli give Fernando the clothes he's to change into. They turn him over to Luigi's makeup artists, who Fern thinks are girls, and once again Fern is surprised by the revelation that they aren't. Luigi tells them to make Fernando look "guapissima" and gives Fernando directions to the party. He mentions "a bet is a bet" so I think he's making sure Fern won't run off and will be there as promised. He and Rulli leave as the women start working on Fernando. Fern looks very nervous.

The cuartel are still chatting in the lobby, not sure what about. Rulli and Luigi come off the elevator and Luigi says something rude. Lety gets a surprised look on her face, I'm not sure why unless it's because she though Fernando was going to be with Luigi. Anyway, the cuartel mention they're getting a taxi and Rulli offers to give them a ride. Luigi nixes the idea and Rulli makes a "stop being a jerk" face at him. Luigi says "I should introduce you to the cuartel of feas of Conceptos" and Rulli says "no, not feas, bellas". Luigi tells him he'll give him a mimiski. (If you're watching this on DVD, you HAVE to pause this when it shows the cuartel's reaction to Rulli's compliment. Lety's face is unreal! I guess she's supposed to be impactada at his kindness but instead she looks like she's done way too many drugs in the 60's, or she's been shot with an overdose of thorazine, with her vacant gaze and gawping mouth. I was just waiting for a little stream of drool to come stringing out. It's hilarious! Anyway...) Luigi says something else rude and Rulli says something else nice and Luigi laughs and says "lets go". The cuartel, who if you'll remember were mad at Rulli from the first time they met and he didn't tell them who he was and they were all over him, have decided that he's not so bad after all, and Lety points out that he's very handsome. I agree and think it's a shame they had to bring some stranger in at the end of the show instead of this guy. He must have moved on to bigger and better things by then. Oh well.

The ladies have gotten Fernando all dressed and made up. He's facing way from the mirror, and he does NOT look good, IMHO. He's in a pink pageboy wig and has very heavy tranny makeup on, as well as the pink clothes. He closes his eyes and turns to face the mirror while the ladies put the feathered headdress on him. It's actually not a headdress, it's a very large feathered collar, think Elizabeth the First but with feathers instead of lace. Once it's on they tell him to open his eyes. He does and screams in horror. The girls get upset that he doesn't like it. He thanks them angrily and slowly tries to leave, wobbling on the high heels. He enters his office to grab his cell phone and has trouble reaching across his desk because of the tight dress. He tries to slip the phone into a pocket that's not there and it falls to the floor. Funny moments ensue as he tries to bend down to get it. He winds up hiking the dress really high to show some SERIOUSLY hairy legs (but very cute!! Have I mentioned I'm prejudiced?) and struggles to get the phone. Finally, success, and it occurs to him to put the phone in his purse. He makes it to the lobby, still almost falling over on the heels. Suddenly Celso comes in and sees him and calls him Senorita. Fern runs onto the elevator and the door closes before Celso can catch him. Celso heads for the stairs. Fernando is now outside trying to make it to his car, still wobbly. Celso comes up from behind and when Fern turns to face him, doesn't recognize him and asks what he's doing there. Fern gives a high, falsetto giggle, then decides he can't carry it off and just tells Celso it's him. Celso's shocked and says something I don't get, at first using the female version, then changing it to the male. He says something else I don't understand but it makes Fern mad and he hits Celso several times with his purse, then tells him he's going to a party and not to say anything to anyone. He then hikes up his skirt and gets in his car and drives away.

At some photo shoot, Isabella the famous model (who happens to be none other than our own dear Jaime's sister Isabella Camil) is working. Marcia and Alicia walk up and talk to Isabella's representative. Marcia introduces Alicia as her assistant and Alicia immediately begins to make an ass of herself. Just as she starts to mention her six semesters, Marcia cuts her off (thank you Marcia!). Marcia says she wants to watch the photo shoot so the rep leaves and Marcia pretty much tells Alicia to keep her trap shut and sit.

Lety gets home and talks to Tomas. As usual she tells him everything she's been sworn by Fernando not to tell, including the Panama stuff. Tomas tells Lety he's worried that this business Fern is about to enter into (I think he means the cameras, but he could mean the embargo, I'm not sure) could involve them in legal problems. He also teases her about being in love with Fernando.

Speaking of, Fern gets to the club and asks around for Luigi and runs into Francis. I guess she's some kind of famous transvestite or tv personality or something, but sorry, I don't know who she is.

Isabella finishes her shoot and the rep brings her over to meet Marcia. Alicia practically attacks her before the intros are finished. Isabella asks about the internationally famous president Fernando Mendiola and Marcia gives her some answer I don't get. The rep starts to tell Isabella about what Conceptos is doing for Bella Life. Alicia starts talking her usual Alicia crap, but Marcia interrupts her, I think to ask Isabella to join them for dinner. Isa excuses herself to change and remove her makeup and Marcia's looking like she's pissed she ever brought Alicia. Alicia begins posing on the couch Isa had been posing on and I think she's probably saying something like "anything she can do I can do better". Marcia grabs her and tells her not to talk any more. Alicia says ok, sorry Marcia, but then goes back to posing. Marcia walks away in disgust.

Back at the drag party, there's a floor show going on up on a stage and that's where Fern finally finds Luigi. While Fern's trying very hard to get his attention, Luigi introduces tonight's special guests: First is Francis the #1 transvestite in Mexico, and she waves to everyone. He then introduces the newest transvestite, "Lilly". The lights turn onto Fern and everyone starts cheering for him and calling him "Lilly, the queen gay." Fern wants to run but Luigi tells him if he does he'll tell everyone he's Fernando Mendiola, president of Conceptos, so Fern agrees and Luigi pulls him up on stage. Fern tries to leave and everyone boo's. I'm not positive, but I think the rest of the conversation is that Fern says the bet says he has to wear the clothes and makeup to be Queen of the Night, but it doesn't say he has to be made a fool of on stage, and he leaves. People still boo and jeer him.

Isabella is having dinner with Marcia and Alicia at a restaurant while Marcia talks about the B.L. project. Isabella answers but looks bored. Marcia tells her she'll get to meet Fernando later.

Back to the party, Fern's still trying to leave and smacking people in the face with his feathers. He chats with Francis again. She wants a hug and Fern looks uncomfortable and sneaks past her. He's still edging toward the door when the phone rings. It's Marcia wanting to know where he is. He says he's out with Luigi, where is she? She says she's with Isabella. They arrange to all meet at his house later, I think he says "in an hour" but I'm not sure. He finally gets outside but he's unable to leave because several cars have blocked the exit. He asks the doorman to move the cars but he says he can't and Fern has to talk to the owners. Fern doesn't want to go back in there but the doorman refuses so Fern unhappily gives up and goes back in to find the owners.

Meanwhile, Ana Lety calls Marcia and invites herself and Ariel over to join the party at Fern's house. Ariel doesn't want to go but A.L. tries to talk him into it, mentioning the famous model.

Back at the party, Luigi is talking at a table and Fern sneaks up and tries to quietly get his attention, but of course Luigi makes a big production out of it. Fern tells him about the car problem and Luigi wants him to stay. Fern tells him about the meeting at his house and Luigi invites everyone at the table back to Fern's, but Fern tells them it's a work meeting so they decide they don't want to go. He tells Luigi about Isabella and how they have to get her to sign before she goes to Europe, but Luigi doesn't care and won't help. Fern then locates one of the owners, Bugambilia, and tries to get her to move her car but she doesn't want to and Fern nearly gets into a fight with her. Luigi comes and breaks it up but still no one will move their cars.

Marcia gets on the phone and also tries to get Ariel to come to Fern's house, but says he and Fern will have to get along tonight. Ariel agrees after she pouts and drops Isabella's name. Ana Lety says she's glad he's going and instead of heading to the front door, heads toward the bedroom. Ariel straightens her out, haha, non-funny blonde moment.

Back at the party, Fern is still trying to leave and runs into Francis one more time. For someone so famous she must not be liked very much because no one's ever talking to her, she's just drinking at the bar alone. Fern decides he'll move the cars out of the way himself, but the valet tells him if he tries it he'll call the cops, so poor Fernie winds up having to walk.

At Fernando's house, Marcia lets herself in along with Isabella and Alicia. She calls for Fernando, but of course he's not there yet. She offers Isa something to drink and tries calling Fern again.

He's walking down the street, bitching because he can't get a cab. He tries to flag one down, but they take one look at him and take off. A man walks by and Fernando tries to stop him, but the man runs away. His phone rings and natch it's Marcia wanting to know where he is and that they're at his house. He tells her something about Conceptos and a problem with Luigi and something about his car. She asks him to hold while she answers the door and he hears that it's A.L. and Ariel. He yells at Marcia about Ariel being there but she just has him wait as she introduces the two to Isabella. Ariel turns on what's supposed to be charm and surprisingly she isn't sickened by it. Marcia tells the group Fernando's car died and he's having trouble getting a taxi. Ariel suggests Marcia go and get him, but Fernando (rather nastily, I guess he's pissed she invited Ariel) turns her down and says he'll be there shortly, and hangs up on her.

He's still walking the streets as some men come up and chase him, laughing at him. They keep trying to touch him. Another man comes up and tells the others to leave him alone and chases them away. Fern walks toward him trying to explain what's happening, but the man gets frightened that Fern's trying to attack him and runs away. Next he hears a police siren and a cop car drives up, lights flashing.



Missing Recap 24: Whiskered corncake rescues damsel in distress
Once again Marcia and posse enter Fern's abode. Fern is still scaring away cabs and passersby, while he talks to Marcia again. A.L. and Ariel show up again , Fern's attacked again and scares away his savior again. The cops drive up again and Fernando hides behind a tree. The cops don't see him and drive off. What a night, he's bitching.

Fernando calls Lety and asks her to help him. He asks her to pick him up because otherwise he might wind up in jail. She offers to have his dad pick him up but he asks her to come, alone, in a cab because he isn't presentable.

Meanwhile back at Fernando's crib, Isabella is looking bored and Ariel is making his usual mean little mermaid digs. Nothing new here so I'll move on.

Lety tells Mom Fern's in trouble and needs her. Lety gets out quietly and gets a taxi to pick him up. When the taxi stops at the address Fern gave her, he runs up to the cab laughing with relief and she screams, not recognizing him. He finally tells her to recognize his voice and convinces her it's him. He tells her about the bet with Luigi and the crazy night he's had. Then he tells her about Isabella and how he has to get home. She finally opens the door to let him in and he has a lot of trouble because of the feathered collar. Don't ask why he didn't just take it off, you'd miss a lot of small car/big feather contraption humor if he did. He finally manages to squeeze in while the cab driver laughs.

Back at Fern's, Ariel is flirting with Isabella. She's not repulsed and is actually flirting back (ew!). More blonde humor from Ana Lety, who can't tell her own sister from Alicia. Fern calls and tells Marcia he's at Conceptos. She asks if they should leave and he tells her no, he'll be there in 20 minutes.

Lety and Fern are trying to get in through the gate but it's locked and they can't find Celso. While Lety's off looking for him, cops arrive and try to arrest Fern because he can't prove who he is. Lety shows up at the last minute, explains everything, shows her ID, and saves his hide.

Back at Casa Padilla, Robo's talking in his sleep while mom looks at the clock. In the cab, Lety & Fern are headed to her house so he can clean up and change into some of her dad's clothes. She asks him to be quiet, so of course his huge feathered collar hits stuff and makes a lot of noise. Lety FINALLY offers to remove the darned thing for him. He goes into the bathroom and she hides the collar in the kitchen and heads upstairs to get him some clothes. She talks to mom, who will get the clothes for him. Lety is trying to remove Fern's makeup with hand cream (I guess on her duty statement this falls under "other duties as required") as mom comes down with the clothes. She drops the clothes in shock (and let's face it, horror as well; Fern is one fugly woman!) when she sees him, but Lety and Fern offer some kind of explanation and she calms down.

Pop comes down and they tell Fern to hide because Pop will never understand if he see's Fern dressed like that. Instead of sending him into the kitchen or bathroom, for some reason mom tells him to hide under this very tiny coffee table. It's only about 4 foot long and Fern's 6 foot, so it's funny to see him try to scrunch up under there and obviously Pop's eyes are blinded by sleep if he can't see the horrible pink apparition sprawled under the furniture, but he doesn't. Fern hears Robo asking Lety if her boss still mistreats her and complaining about his bugging her this late, but she answers that her relationship with her boss is just fine. Just then, of course, Marcia calls but Fern can't answer and she gets pissed. Everyone's at his house waiting for him. Pop hears the phone and wants to know what it is, but Mom and Lety convince him it's just the tv upstairs, so he and Mom go back up to bed. With the hand cream not working, Lety finally smears avocado all over his face (she saw the idea on tv). Pop comes down again and Fern hides in the bathroom but once again pop goes clueless back up to bed.

Fern is dressed in Erasmo's clothes which are way too small for him, and he vaguely and strangely rather resembles Tomas except without the Mini-Me tie. He asks Lety if he can borrow some money for a taxi and promises to pay her back and return the clothes tomorrow. He worries about what her dad thinks of him as a boss, and promises not to shout at her any more. He leaves and Lety gets all dreamy and gives us a Don Fernando Tan Divino. She carries all his costume stuff up to her room and starts writing in her diary but Fern shouts at her from the street and she goes back downstairs and opens the door to him. He comes in and I don't get the whole conversation but basically he's telling her he loves her. They hug and just as they're about to kiss we hear pop calling her. As you've probably already figured out, it's another Fantasy Moment. Pop comes into her room proving my theory that he's blind because he doesn't even notice all this pink feathery stuff lying about. He tells her to go to bed and when he leaves, she gets all dreamy-faced again.

Fern finally gets home and surprises everyone being dressed the way he is. They're all just staring at him and he's nervously trying to act like everything's normal, and he even hugs Ariel in his nervousness and Ariel's reaction is pretty funny. He's making excuses, and rather than pass through Ana Lety and Isabella, who are blocking the stairs, he tries to climb over the railing and you can hear his pants rip. I don't know if that was on purpose or not, but seeing the look on Patty Navidad's face, there's a good chance it wasn't. Either way it's pretty funny as Fern finally manages to get upstairs.

Marcia follows him and wants to know the truth of what was going on. He tells her all about his night and the things he had to do because of Luigi. They go back downstairs and chat for a bit, but mostly Isabella says she's tired and doesn't want to talk about work. They agree to continue the conversation tomorrow and everyone gets ready to leave. Fernando is talking to Marcia and lets slip something about imports that will be arriving, and Ariel's ears immediately prick up. He tells Alicia to investigate further and to keep him informed, then he goes off with Isabella. Back upstairs, Marcia is upset because Fern called Lety for help instead of her.

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Destilando Amor, 10/12/07: Counterpoint Confidential



We are once again at the retreat to treat Rod. This is the point of this weekend and we find that he and Erika are heavily into discussing the specific traits of Gavi's which have made her so attractive to him, and why other woman don't seem to possess them (I think). Bottom line, all those things rolled into one and wrapped with a bow, she's a babe-magnet for guys and he can't get enough of her. It gets him at the gut level like no other woman ever has and brings out the caveman.

Back in the D.F., Alonso is picking up Gavi for a day of Galloping Gourmet. He, as Rod's suave and savvy nemesis, shows us all how it's supposed to be done: instead of sniffing and snorting all over Gavi's upper torso like a panting pet mastiff to declare there's something inebriating in her scent, Alonso smoothly comments to Gavi about her delicious perfume. Hoh-boy!

It is tame so far and Dr. Erika has managed to remain professionally detached and to keep her cool despite Rod's odd responses and actions. They discuss his lack of a relationship with Isadora and how any friendship they initially had fell apart early on, little by little. She draws out that he's never had a female as an actual friend before, except perhaps his sister, Dani. Rod say he feels that despite the professional barrier there is between him and Dr. Erika, he considers her his first true female friend. They agree to meet back in the garden in the middle of the afternoon since she has other sessions and professional meetings to attend till then. Before they go their separate ways he embarrasses her when he says that it's her female scent that is like perfume to him.......uhhh-huh.
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Minnie, Fedra and Isa are in the penthouse waiting for their gossipy guests to arrive. Minnie mentions to Isa in a side conversation what a shock to see her with a couple of drinks in her the night before get so flirty with those two "gentle little lambs" so obviously looking to get racked. Isa plays dumb and apologizes for any inappropriate behavior. Minnie asks her then if she thinks Rod's really having a weekend away with Gaviota, but Isa says he called specially to check in and says he is there with the lady psychologist with every intention of forgetting Gaviota forever, and more power to her if she gets the job done!

Time for the Gaviota gossip fest Fedra had planned in Minnie's penthouse pad. Nobody shows. They note the time and since nobody has arrived yet Minnie flies off into another rage saying Mariana Franco has managed to make them the laughing stock of the entire association. It galls her that they're being humiliated by a woman who should be the CRT's cleaning lady instead of their Assistant Director of Public Relations.

Fedra says she hoped to gain the support of the executives' wives with this little luncheon, but it seems she's thrown a party and nobody's come. So Fedra calls Sra. Urbano to see where she'd gotten to. Dorita tells her she pretty much believes her husband's version and has decided she's got better things to do with her time. Fedra is shocked she told her husband when Fedra had asked her to keep it just between "us girls".

Dorita says there was no way she could do that to her husband. Just then Demetrio takes hold of the receiver and tells Fedra flat out that she'd better stop scandalizing the CRT continually with stories about Mariana Franco because the CRT and everyone who works there hold Mariana in the highest regard. They don't appreciate the Montalvo women's constant attempts at wrecking her reputation with insinuations that are both base as well as baseless. CLICK!
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From here on out it is all point, counterpoint as we switch back and forth between the two couples. Alonso and Gavi arrive at his place and she sees the photo that Meinsdrucken took of her, Rod, and Alonso as the third wheel that day of the tour. Nervously, Gavi says she'd rather forget that day ever happened. Just then Nancy, practically in tears, calls Alonso's to say she's down with a bad cold and can't come over to join them and was too sick to even get over to the university.

Qué awkward for Gav. She can't hide that she's a bit uncomfortable being stuck there alone with her boss in his bachelor pad. Alonso, seeing that Gavi is a bit up tight, gallantly offers to take her home. She is a trooper and swallows hard before saying this is her job and no reason to stay couped up in her apartment all day, so let's get started. He insists that while she's at his home she call him Alonso and they drink to the gourmet dishes they are going to prepare.

Back at the retreat and treat, the mechanic calls Erika to tell her that the car won't be ready until the following day because they had to call a second auto parts place further away for the part. It'll take a day to get there to him. Rod heads for the reading room to look for an encyclopedia. He wants to look into the differences between aroma, essence, smell and perfume and some other gibberish about making the connection between these words and their sensations.

Casandra informs Hilario that she's hired on San Juana and not to get shocked if he comes by and finds her there. Hilario says he will never step foot in her place again then.

In a kitchen fit for an amateur Emeril Lagazza, Gavi laughs at seeing Alonso use his chef's hat and apron while he cooks. He pulls out an extra hat he just happens to have for her to use. He plumps it over her perm and as he adjusts it on her head he looks wistfully at her. Then the two begin to chat and it's a relief to hear it is in Spanish rather than Swedish, and my competing Muppet flashbacks of Miss Piggy and the gang quickly fade away as he of the piercing baby blues --or maybe it's actually haunting hazels--mentions the house will be so much nicer the day a woman he loves starts living there, which truly does bring a whole new meaning to the phrase "cookin' with gas"......

Alonso and Gavi put together the various ingredients for the dishes he's going to prepare and gives her a mini lesson on cooking them. She starts crying as she chops the onions and he tenderly dries her tears with a napkin and says he's glad this time it's only the onions causing her tears and begins racking up points against the away team. A bit later she calls Clarita to ask if "you know who" has called and Clarita says she hasn't gotten a one. Alonso listens in frustration to the conversation and politely pretends to ignore it.

Meanwhile, Erika suggests to Rod that Gavi is his obsession because perhaps he has a fear of failing sexually with other women. She asks him to define the difference he sees between Gavi and other women. He cannot express it in words, becomes agitated and walks off repeating the mantra that she is his ideal just because she is.
==============

It's time to try the first set of gourmet dishes they've prepared and Alonso and Gavi finally sit down at the table. He opens the wine and begins to play 20 questions. He tells her that although he has never asked her before and understands there's a deep love that she and Rod share together, he must admit he is interested in her past.

Gavi ends up explaining that Rod's marriage is only one of convenience, that Raging Rod is not as randy as other guys and why it seems he cannot go out and play with the other girls the same way he does with her. Alonso is impactado and more than a bit confused. "There were no other women in his life?" She explains then, rather uncomfortably, that Rod is obsessed with her because she is the only woman who he has been able to love. (Dunno, but I think the last thing Rod would appreciate is her telling his rival about his "little problem".) She confides that Rodrigo Montalvo has been the only man in her life and says they've lived through things together that have marked them forever.

Rod insists to Erika that aside from the great sex with Gavi, he actually loves her and would never worry about failing with her. He's happy and complete when she's together with him. That's why she's his ideal love, and lover, because he doesn't need to wonder about doing the deed with other women then. To him that is what love, true love, is all about. (Too bad Gavi isn't a gadfly in that garden right then. I'm sure she'd appreciate this reaffirmation of his feelings for her. 'Course, it still remains to be seen if Erika may have her own agenda prejudicing her approach to his therapy.) Rod assures Erika that Gavi is the ideal lover for him and becomes agitated when he tells her that that they will not be able to be together while he works through his economic problems because of this.

Erika wonders why Gaviota isn't there for him now and he explains her inability to live with the thought of being the cause of his separation from his family. Gavi is telling Alonso at the same time pretty much the same thing: she feels guilty knowing that if she'd never inserted herself back into his life, Rod and his wife and child would be living happily together ever after. (WRONG!)

Rod takes the blame for committing mistake after mistake after mistake with Gaviota in their relationship. Erika has him to consider whether she is honestly helping him at this point. He explains that Gavi feels very guilty about the breakup of his marriage with Isadora. Erika realizes that he's been unreasonable with Gaviota. (Uhhh, okay.) He continues that sure he'd love to have her there with him, supporting him during all this financial and family upset, but it just isn't possible and he/she cannot deal with it anymore. He's looking to Erika to help him avoid going crazy during the remaining period of time he cannot see her while his problems are being resolved.

Meanwhile, Alonso is on his 3rd(?) glass of wine and asking Gavi if she is certain Rod is the one man she wants to spend the rest of her life with. She doesn't hesitate. "Yes." Gavi has to admit though, that Rod's aggressiveness, his obsessive jealousy and outbursts as well as the many sudden changes in their plans have tired her out, so she doesn't know if she can put up with much more.

Gavi continues to explain that they'd agreed not to see each other while he worked out his problems without a lot of added pressure. She couldn't stand the thought of Rod doing something crazy simply on account of his extreme urge to be with her. He might do something he would regret later on.

Erika asks if Rod trusts Gavi working with his rival. He replies that he trusts her, but not that little doctor guy of a boss of hers. That's the reason, he says, he begged her to quit working for the CRT, and now that he's there, away from her he fears he might lose her to him at any moment. Erika says, "Then why don't you just put shackles on her and place her under a bell jar? Where's the trust?" "--Whose side are you on, huh? Hers or mine? She would have left the CRT, too, if I hadn't had to eat my words. You'd think she would have at least thought to change departments, but no! She stayed right there! Right there! Together with that little doctor guy of hers!" ''--And where's the trust? The trust in her?"

At the same time Gavi is explaining her version to Alonso who is still all ears. She says she was ready to leave the CRT in hopes that it would settle things down, but then came the delay and they agreed not to see each other again till he was separated from Isadora. She isn't about to become his..... mistress. He asks her how long she will wait. She answers that she thought it would be a month or so, maybe, but then who knows now with this trip of his it's hard to know. She admits she doesn't know with all that's occurred what is going to happen and cannot say.

Now Erika tries to make Rod see how unreasonable and unrealistic it is to ask Gaviota to give up her lifestyle and future career just to demonstrate how much she loves him while he searches for a magical resolution to all his problems. That is not an idyllic love, just an impossible one.

Alonso asks Gavi if she still loves Rod as much as at the beginning. She answers that she feels hurt. She's suffered a lot because of him, what with his family, his tantrums, and obsessive jealousy, then the change in plans, and now the trip of his. "I don't know what I feel. I am very tired. I can't say I don't love him, but neither can I say how much, or if I can put up with much more."

Erika suggests that Gavi, the "ideal woman" is not with Rod now because she doesn't want to be bothered with his problems; although he wishes that she would not continue working there, next to the man who causes him enormous jealousy, she thinks of her own economic well-being and future career. He is the "poor victim" in this. (Patience, folks. Dear Dr. Erika has obviously never been left to sleep out on the street hungry and without a peso in her pocket, nor had to shlepp around hawking obsolete encyclopedias for a piddling draw against an even piddlier commission all the while worrying she'd be thrown into jail for defaulting on her debts because she couldn't get a decent paying job.) He gets upset and asks if Erika is mocking him again, but she insists she's not and wants him to understand. "Well, maybe you're right. If she loved me like she claims to, then she'd be with me now, right?"

Erika tries to clarify a bit, though for Rod (as well as for me) it's about as clear as mud about now. She tells him not to jump to conclusions yet, but he should try to be more realistic. She doesn't mean that their relationship is meaningless, but perhaps if he thinks about it a bit, analyzes it and tries to deal with the immense love he feels perhaps he'll discover the root of his problem. (Pardon me while I try to untwist myself from my undies here as I have a WTF??? moment of my own while trying to ponder the prior presented possibilities of existentially perfect people-pairing.)

Dr. Erika doesn't realize the literal-minded lunkhead she's just finished theorizing to. Despite her admonitions, Rod is left thinking to himself still that if Gavi truly loved him like she says, then why isn't she there with him now, conveniently forgetting the obnoxious way he shut her down earlier with that nasty e-mail of his the day before.

Gavi tells Alonso that love alone isn't enough. Too many other things separate them like his wife and child, his whole family, as well as the way he behaves. He tells her she's fortunate to have plenty of time to make any decisions about her future. They make another toast and there is a definite difference in the look they share with each other this time around.
==============

In the Caymans, Oñate shows Aaron the earnings statement from the sale of his new ersatz tequila and the huge order some fool importer just placed with him. Aaron is most positively impactado at the amount and says he'll be able to buy out his cousin real soon with sales like this. Then Rod will learn fast that he's only an apprentice at this game.
==========

Isa leaves and Fedra comments to Minnie about what a long-suffering wife she is with a husband like her nephew. Minnie declines a glass of sherry, pretending it's due to her pregnancy and still unaware that Fedra knows it's all bunk. Fedra thinks to herself again that she'll never forgive either her son or this woman for not giving her a grandchild with her family's blood in its veins.

Rod, more depressed and frustrated than before after his therapy sessions, leaves for town and a good stiff drink of tequila.

Alonso and Gavi are cooking round two when he answers his phone again. It's Casandra, who complains that he stood her up for the jazz concert. He excuses himself but cuts the call short after explaining he's in the middle of choosing dishes to cook for the upcoming Gourmet exposition. After hanging up he tells Gavi how much he appreciates her being there at the house with him.

Erika gets word from Eloina that Rod left the hotel very upset. She becomes alarmed and has the chauffeur take her to town to go looking for him.

Gavi calls home again to see if Rod called her yet.

Rod ends up at an outdoor bar, takes a table and orders a shot of tequila, Gavi-style.

Back at Alonso's, he's opening up a bottle of champagne to down with the last set of gourmet goodies he's cooked up. Gavi wonders what he's doing with the champagne. He stops and looks at her very seriously. He says he's going to ask her a question and wants her answer: Can she live without Rodrigo Montalvo?

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