Caray, Caray!

We open with a replay of the airport scene where Paula tells Cesar Luis it is entirely his decision to stay or go. He doesn't even have to think, he will stay. She warns wait a minute, this isn't so easy. Were talking about commitment, true commitment here. He innocently asks if there are conditions? [...idiota...] We can marry tomorrow. She reminds him, he was a married man but he got involved with her anyway. She doesn't want him to go. He tells her she closed the doors, she says they still aren't open [yeah, it is so hard to write this straight faced] If he has the least hope that they can be together it is enough for him. She has a lucid second while she says she feels she is making a worse error than before. He rushes in with This time it's not going to be like that, I guarantee... Paula doesn't want guarantees she wants responsibility, commitment and love, love. CL pledges his word that he is going to live for only one thing, to restore her confidence in him. She picks up the thread, Is the proposal of marriage serious? Absolutely! And if I were to accept?? CL would be the happiest man in the world. She questions if he is capable of making this commitment with all that it implies. You have put this world in my head, you have taught me what love really means and now I know I don't ever want to lose you. She says I am the new Paula Davila. However we can assume that the old Cesar Luis now asks her to marry him. Yes she will. Fade into face eating and te amos all around...

At the breakfast table Marely and the three men are enjoying the filet and omelet that Juan prepared. Kike in bib wonders if CL is really on the plane by now. Marely is sure he is. Alirio chimes in that this ill mannered guy didn't even make a personal call to say goodbye to his true friends. Kiki is just grateful that the big boss gave him a job and wonders how life will be under the cute little gal, Señora Monica? Marely looks slyly at Juan and wants to know if CL did well to leave. Juan stutters a bit that CL finished a cycle here and can go on to new horizons. He doesn't want to speak ill of anyone but CL would do well to stay over there... Juan abruptly starts asking everyone if the breakfast isn't just rich and delicious.

CL and Paula kiss while waiting for an elevator. Meanwhile Pastor is talking to Ivonne who is in clean clothes finally. She is telling Pastor that she would have preferred that he stay with her so she could have rubbed it in the face of all his lovers [but who's counting]. Pastor urges her to be careful what she wishes for, one may get it. She was accustomed to always being in the shadow as the second or third on the list but now she is just nobody. Pastor advises her to keep her feet on the ground. She blurts out that she slept with CL last night. Pastor wonders how she can lose her dignity like that [lose what dignity]. What CL can do with women is a strange power he has. Pastor agrees that he usually gets what he wants except with Paula Davila... Oh, who knows returns Ivonne, this morning SHE picked him up to take him to the airport. IMPACTA

The car pulls up to a building and CL questions what are they doing there? Paula wants to to make things right as they should be and they need to talk to someone very important in her life. [you guessed it] MAMA. Ana at her desk receives Paula who says I have some news for you. CL and I are back together! Is this a joke? No joke.[just a big joker in the wings]. CL steps in and tells Ana he understands her surprise. She says he should be traveling right now, Right, but the woman I love stopped me in time. Paula and I have passed through difficult times but our love triumphed. Now we are going to be married. MARRIED! He tells her he is now a free man and nothing can impede them. Ana flusters with her papers and says I'm really busy here. I have to make calls and finish this information. Paula looks disappointed that MA didn't break into song and adds, this may not be the best time but I wanted you to know right away. We'll talk later. Ana says yeah, a very long conversation... As CL goes out first Ana can't help but add, Paula this is madness and the worst one yet.

Juan is driving Monica on their first day together. Monica asks if she can ask a really personal question.... Like he has a choice, but he sweetly says sure. Well, now that CL has gone what's going to happen between you and Paula. Are you going to get close to her again? He returns, no way, we are finished. Now we are just excellent friends. Monica digs in, but where there was a fire.... Juan asserts NO, the firemen put that out. She pokes the sore more, but you are injured?? Well yes, I have some third degree burns, the kind that leave scars and pain in the soul, but that's it. The fire is out. She doesn't want me and I don't want her. Monica presses on, this doesn't feel convincing. You seemed like a very attractive couple... He thought bubbles. What is this woman getting at, she's not attracted to me, but actually I have been wondering the same thing myself about Paula and me. BREAK for a moment of Pasión.

Back to CL and Paula leaving, Did you see how she received us? CL says, we have to understand her, until a short time ago she thought of me as the six headed monster. Paula says, try a thousand heads. He asserts, From today I am going to be the man of your (her) dreams and we will marry later. Later, little by little her annoyance will pass and she will understand. I will convince her of what a naturally enchanting character I am. Paula says wryly, I wouldn't bet my two-weeks wages on it (quincena). He adds, we better prepare ourselves for this type of reaction from others. You know how people are. She says, People? You mean Monica. He wants to keep the cozy moment and says we ought to celebrate, dissolve into more kissykissy.

Juan and Monica arrives, she disappears upstairs and Fern wants to know how it went. Oh, so-so but how did it go with you and Paula? Fern has to tell him that he was to take CL to the airport but Paula showed up first to take him. Upstairs, Monica asks Marely if Paula is in? No not yet. Well tell her to see me as soon as she comes in.

While CL and Paula kiss and hug their way into his apartment her cell phone rings incessantly. She thinks it is her Mom and wants to keep her affable so answers but it is Marely asking if she isn't going to come to work and Monica is looking for her. For what? Business stuff I imagine. Okay, I am coming in now, see you later. CL says don't go, don't go. He really wants to stay and make love but Paula is determined that she has to face Monica now. CL says well I am coming with you. Paula oh is so pleased.

Juan is pain thinking in his car. Did she convince him to not go? Now I'll have to see them together every day. This will be too much for me. Just then CL is driving Paula in her car and pulls over. You must be nervous. No I'm not nervous. You don't have to hide your real feeling (disimular) with me, love. She goes on, it is thought you have left the country, that everything between us is finished and buried. Now we arrive like any other day, together. Do you care what they say? No, but I don't want to be the little comedy for the whole world. We need to explain to them. He says, only one last explanation and then its done! Convince yourself we are not doing anything bad. We don't owe anybody anything. We have to be tranquil and sure of what we are doing. It's all going to be fine.

Juan on the phone not getting an answer at Paula's house. Fern tries to assure him but Juan says, I'm going up to see if Marely knows anything....errr what's up, Marely. Oh, I'm doing my work here. How did things go with Monica? He says, well, she needled me a little but it was okay. Is she continuing to ask questions? Yeah, a heap (granel) of them but I didn't confide in her. Marely warns, well don't, she's the big boss now. He asks his real question: do you know anything about Paula. Yes, she's on her way in right now. Errr I need to ask her a little question. I'll just wait down at my station for her arrival. He kisses hands and greets the lounge lizards. The garage boys are shooting the breeze and they are facing Paula car arriving with CL and Paula while Juan can't see yet. Juan's jaw drops lower than the garage floor when he finally sees CL help Paula out of her car.
BREAK
He continues to hold her hand but she can't even hold her head up as she passes Juan and the boys. CL makes jolly then kisses her hand. Juan pain thinks: This can't be happening, it's a bad dream. Tell me he is on the plane to Spain and he didn't just take her hand but she arrived alone. Wake me up from this nightmare. Don't torture me Wake me up.

Nidia and Yadira are eating again and Yadie sidles up to Nidia to say did you throw off the clown about seeing Gladys? No, I am going to see a little friend, she gives herself that little bra lift. Yadi on the scent says, do tell, are you going to have a little detallin (like tryst?) One day are you going to flee with him. Oh no, daughter, who do you think I am. Yadira is not to be put off. When you confide in me, tell me the truth about what you are doing. Like you advise me. Don't try to kid me, you're too old for that.

In the elevator CL kisses Paula and says he can't wait to see the faces when they walk in together. She looks startled and he says, joke, joke. I bet those three are talking about us. Well down in the garage they certainly are talking about it. Kiki, something is suspicious [so bright] Fern thinks CL changed his mind at the last minute. Kiki joins with, maybe he arrived late and missed the flight and has to take another one. She caused him to stay?? I don't get the picture.

Lizard Lobby: CL and Monica exit the elevator hand in hand and he stops to kiss her right in the middle. Impactada gasps from Ivonne to Marely and all around the room. They go into their respective offices and as he enters his, Monica says what are you doing here, did you forget something? Marely asks Paula to explain in the other office. Back to CL saying he was just thinking last night. Monica cuts him off saying this was the result of his plan but did he need to make such a spectacle. I refer to all the threats and goodbyes. It would have been much easier from the beginning if he had just thrown himself at Paula's feet and begged forgiveness. You're wrong, Monica, I didn't beg for anything. Smirk. Monica goes on, I imagine your ego didn't do this for nothing but did you have to be so extreme to create this farce (montaje) of a journey. I'm not so crazy, he beams, I'm just a man in love. Monica jabs, with whom, yourself. No with Paula. She continues, you are only in love with yourself. But you fought and you won and now Paula is just where you wanted her. He says, your analysis is very interesting. She goes on, this is the completion of your plan. But it is also the end of your interest in Paula, I feel sorry for her, you have proof that you met the challenge. Well, I am going to marry Paula.

Parallel explanations, Paula insists she just went to say goodbye and ended up accepting to be his wife. It's the most important decision of my life. I couldn't do anything else...

Monica the psychologist goes on, this relationship won't work, because unlike her, Paula knows who he is. She knows he is a traitor, liar, and trickster, you can't change and your life is going to be an inferno. In the other room sweet sensible Marely is telling the silly Paula about seriousness, commitment of marriage and advising Paula not to rush.

Monica wants to know what will happen to Farrel, Inc. with this change? Nothing, he says, we will marry, have a long, long honeymoon and well, you are in charge of the company. When we return we will live in the house. You mean the one where you and I lived together for so many years?? He quickly retreats, Oh, I don't know maybe we will travel indefinitely, then find the perfect place to live our love. Well you are a box of surprises she says.
Paula goes on telling Marely her pack of dreams and that she still trembles when she sees him....gush. Marely sagely says if someday this all fails, I will be there to help you out. They hug and bond.

The garage diagnostic goes on with Kiki thinking he came back because he missed his plane. Juan begs him to stop the foolish talk and go upstairs to find out what is going on. You mean me be a SPY?? not nice, not nice. GO, do me this favor.

Ivonne rants to Pastor that, He kissed her so everyone could see. Pastor beams as you are in front of a genius, a modern day Machiavellian Prince. WHO? asks the clueless one.. Oh, never mind. You shouldn't be surprised at what you saw... Basically he lays claim to the whole scheme but adds Paula didn't cave until the absolute last minute. Ivonne wonders how the old girl fell for it so easily? Gaitan [to my disappointment but not surprise] says, SHE'S a Woman, and you are all the same when in love so much ting-a-ling hour by hour. It's only the hormones at work. I know about these things. Ivonne grimaces, take me out of this group. He insists she should be grateful that he kept her from intervening. Ivonne still says even though Paula isn't Monica (like smart) she isn't naive. Pastor says even if he changes wives, if that happens, he isn't trying to change lovers. He is a hunting animal a predator. I don't think he will change his habits for Paula. He starts: a tree that grows crooked... and Ivonne finishes, never straightens its branches.

Kike's belly enters the room way before he does and he hops over to the desk. He gives the old que pasa to the woman (he went to someone's wedding with her). She says she wants nothing to do with him now that he has married Yadira. He returns that this sin has its own penance. As he is trying to get information. Gaitan steps behind him and says, the winds of reconciliation are blowing.... then Kike slinks back down stairs and says he has nothing to say but then reveals the reconciliation and the kiss in the lobby. BREAK. Then, how do you know all this so fast. In another five minutes you would know the name of their first son. You asked me to confirm and Don Pastor himself is my source. Juan thinks sad faced once more, I'll forget everything and wonders if she will think even one little bit for me. I will bear this with dignity.

Angarita and Nidia meet on the street. She is ultra-glam and he says, did you come to scold me about Juan and Enrique seeing us?? No, not at all she simpers. No, I have an indecent proposal. He hesitates, are we talking about business. Not exactly, and I have a dry throat. We see Gutie spying with his camera...

Ivonne tries to engage Marely about the scandal but Marely tells her to stop the bad comments.

Cesar Luis back in Pastor's office is congratulating him on his sublime, spectacular plan. You are a genius Señor Pastor, I regret doubting your intelligent strategy. You deserve an increase in your salary, but wait, I'm not the president anymore. I'm going to devote myself to Paula, this is the happiest I have been in my life. Ivonne interrupts to whine about losing him. He says sometimes you win sometimes you lose. She starts in about details of their affair. He says don't you dare say these things in front of Gaitan. She says, oh save the threats, I already know you are going to marry Paula!

In the cafe, Nidia confides that her marriage is over but when Angarita asks how Alirio took it she has to admit that he actually doesn't know yet.. We see the camera again.. Nidia says she can't separate from Alirio yet, but this gives us an opportunity to have a little intermediate thingy. Angarita counters with this walking up in the branches doesn't work with me.

CL and Ivonne are still squaring off in Gaitan's office but Gaitan has wisely left the room. She shrieks, how may years have we been together and how many times have you asked me to marry you. He sputters and lamely says, but you will be invited to my wedding. Ivonne threatens, how would she act if she new when she was slitting her wrists you were in bed with me. I have nothing to lose. Cesar Luis grabs her arm shoves her in threatening anger.
Just outside Gaitan is pacing in the lobby and Paula approaches looking for Cesar Luis..... FIN

Labels: Juan

Well fans of Destilando…this is going to be short and fast. I have to be at the airport at 6:00am, so feel free to add any fun facts I may skip over.

The show begins with a replay of Sofie’s mia culpa..Jose & Isa getting the news that Frankie is dead.

Now in a moment of family bonding that would make Dr. Phil “Family First”, wipe a tear from his eye; Isa & Jose join together to go retrieve the charred remains of Frankie and give him a fine decent Christian burial. Isa isn’t doing it for the RatBastard Sperm donor, but for the Grandmother of lil BigHeadedNotRod’sBaby. The cynic in me says..yeah and for the rent free living quarters. I am sure that is just me as the show is ending soon and we don’t have time for Isa to pull anything at this point, so I guess we will just go with Isa now realizes there is more to life than jewelry, servants, fast cars and hawt boytoys. A lesson I will be certain to keep in mind should I win the lottery…. or not.

Dani & Elvis are sitting on the floor of Pilar’s house. Dani laments the bad luck the family is having. Elvis is the man with the plan, he tells Dani come on, Elvis is going to help them. Awesome I think to myself, maybe he is gonna go all 70’s James Brown Gangster on Aaron’s Ass.

Minnie is at home talking to Fredra.
I must insert here that I have noticed Fredra has been dressing all English, ruffles and jackets as of late, Que the Hell? She has really gone all Camilla Bowles. Minnie tells Fedra that Isa played hide the salami with Aaron. Fedra does her usual fake look of surprise. Minnie is all, don’t pull that with me, I know you know everything Aaron does. Fedra tries to look innocent. Minnie goes on to bring up the whole Pammy incident. Minnie tells Fedra, “I will tell you exactly what I told Aaron, one more indiscretion and I will take this little Varron I’m packing and its off to Spain. The kid will come back to be the rightful owner to the entire fortune.” Fedra is Muy Impacted.
----Minnie is unaware that the fortune is now down to some bad Tequila and some Agave putrefying in the warm sun of Jalisco.

Aaron & Bruno are having ugly words over the Rod situation, Bruno says the only reason Rod is in jail is cause he tried to protect Gavi, but Bruno isn’t accusing Gavi he is just telling Aaron that he isn’t going with Aaron’s whole story.

Aaron has one of his snorting coke fits. Aaron yells at Margarita, he wants Quintana to have the financial records by 11:00. Aaron is acting all crackwhore in front of newchick, I think she is the new secretary who will replace Margarita. This newchick looks like she wants to rethink her employment options.

Pilar & Videgaray are having a sit down with Av*, they fill him in on the whole “Rod confesses to anything and everything”, this was done to protect MariAnne Franco (Gavi), I can see Av’s jaw clench. For the love of Gawd, he must gnash his teeth and pull at his remaining hair every time her name is mentioned. Well Gavi can’t know that Rod is in jail or why. Shhh it is a big secret, she will return. Rod is going to work this out, soon, real soon. Av* says he will do everything he can to keep her in England, but if the authorities want to talk to her, she will return to England. Pilar continues with the not that I really love Rod more, but Aaron seems to be the RatBastard behind the whole thing.

Now flash to merry ol England. Gavi and her newboss are talking about Tequila, Gavi spouts some brown-nosing Tequila fun facts. Newboss has that glazed eye expression, we have all known and come to love. It is the El KaBong look, if this was a cartoon the men would have *’s instead of eyes meaning they were totally overwhelmed by Gavi’s Gaviness. However, even though he has * eyes, alas he does not have time to act this as the show is ending.

Now flash to Rod, he is sitting in the prison playground. Behind Rod we see other prisoners doing that scene from the 'Código Postal' commercial where all the cool kids play volleyball, only these guys are wearing prison khakis instead of thongs. Rod always the loner is sitting with a tear running down his cheek thinking of Gavi. OMG can you believe it? Gavi is sitting at her new job thinking of Rod, with teary eyes.

Back at Pilar’s it appears there is an exorcism going on. This is so Naco, as if Pilar would allow bad spirits in her house; that is just so common. The guy is Elvis’s uncle and he has the smoking incense, the herbs and so on. He is singing a song that the words “Baba Lu” are often repeated. Here is a link to the whole BabaLu thing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babalu

Personally I think the James Brown Gangster treatment would have gotten better results. Pilar comes home and the three (Tio, Elvis and Dani) are walking around casting out evil. Pilar starts to put up a protest, but I think she is loosing the will to berate underlings.

Over at LaCoca central, Aaron comes out of his office, it is 11:00 and where the hell is Quintana? Quintana comes running up with two big 3inch binders. Aaron jerks one out his hands and walks off. Quintana gives the other to Margarita, it is the copy of the financial records that Dani requested.

Aaron & Soto are looking over his records. Soto says they are clean. He asks Aaron if anyone else could have any knowledge of Aaron’s illegal dealings? No no one. Aaron says Fedra & Minnie don’t know. Then he remembers Pammie and the USB theft. Aaron does one of his trying to swallow a huge fur ball fits. Aaron has NewChick call Pammie. Pammie is lying on the couch, Pammie’s Ma comes in. The phone is ringing and ringing. Poor Ma thinks Pammie is having another episode. No, Pammie is just lying on the couch in the same position she has been in for the past two years. Move on. Finally Pammie answers the phone. She tells NewChick that Pammie is on a vacation and won't be back for a month. She hangs up and tells her mother. Pammie knows Aaron is worried about the USB, she knows it is a result of her father going to the CRT about Aaron’s business dealings.

Dani & Vigaray to see Rod in jail. Geez he has been in the slammer like two days and it doesn’t seem to me he is doing much to pay his debt to society. I mean I know he is innocent, but dude did cop a plea. Anyway, Av* calls Videgaray and he steps away to take the call. Dani finds out the romance killing lies that Rod told Gavi. Once again, Dani laments Rod’s stupidity. Hey it will be okay cause they are going to prove his innocence then it will be all sunshine and smooth pavement back to Gavi.

Pammies Pa is talking to Av*, the talk is about Pammie testifying to Aaron’s bad business dealings. Alas laments Pa, if only we knew the password.

Pammie is playing with the USB, she gets a text mail from Aaron. He signs it Biche. The light goes on. She plugs in the USB and types in Biche…No Access, she types in Bichito and the files part in an act of heavenly retribution that hasn’t been seen since Moses parted the Red Seas. Bichito, can you believe it? I would have bet my life on the Spanish version of “Big Swinging D*ck”, this was the big term used during all the 80’s insider trading. Anyway of course it is now a shout out to Elton John & Cosmic Justice with a few lines from..

The Bitch is Back

I was justified when I was five
Raising cane, I spit in your eye
Times are changing, now the poor get fat
But the fevers gonna catch you when the bitch gets back

Feeling warm Aaron? Cause the fever is coming

Meanwhile, we get a couple of outside shots of downtown Madrid, it is night and there really aren’t many cars on the road.
---Readers, I recently heard on NPR that Spain has the highest consumption of cocaine per capita of any country in the world, and even without the cocaine, Madrid is like a bustling metropolis. Now that Dr Blando has arrived, well things just seem a bit depressed, people just sit around with the drapes drawn contemplating the emptiness of existence. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
Av* has called Blando and tells him he needs to go to London. Blando guarding his heart, queries “Is Rod with Gavi?” “No”, Av* answers, “Gavi is alone”. Blando has that same look on his face that “The Beaver” used to get every time Miss Landers was nice to him. Av* hangs up and shakes his head while thing of people and their illusions.

Now over in Tequila, the rapidly expanding SanWanna runs into Carmelo on the street. She is looking quite pregnant. Carmelo offers to marry her and give the baby a father. SanWanna hugs him and thanks him and gives him the generic, it’s me not you and someday you’ll meet a wonderful girl who deserves you and have awesome kids. Crispin watches from across the street and writes it all down. I am amazed, not that the old gossip is eavesdropping, but that he is sober enough to write.

Sofie is talking to Ofelia, she tells her that she believes Hil is the father of the kid and after all Ofelia and Roman are the grandparents and how you can’t turn your back. Ofelia goes to make Tamales. I guess we are supposed to “Like” Sofie now that she is reformed. I say bah to that. Sofies little ray of sunshine is soon banished as here come the bankers, they are wanting to see the records. I am not sure, but I’m thinking liquidation of all things Hacienda may soon be in order.

Now back to England. NewBoss is on the phone with Av*, he talks to Gavi. Av* tells her that he has heard great things about her work. (seriously, this just makes me feel my own position in life of a “Source of Constant Disappointment”, that much more deeply). Gavi has been on the job like one day and already she is the shining star. Gavi with out coming out and asking is like, so how’s thing in Mexico? Meaning has Rod been looking for me? Av* answers nothing new, everything is fine, but he is very unconvincing.

On over to Gavi’s new digs. Clarita & Gavi are chatting it up when there is a knock at the door. Clarita answers the door and all she can say is yes to any question. Gavi comes over and the man introduces himself as Thomas. He is the hotel guy that will help them and keep an eye on things. Clarita is kinda flirting with him, then Gavi has to translate. Gavi does a fine job, being that she has that quickie course taught by the nuns those four long years ago. Thomas promises to keep an eye on Clarita. Gavi teases Clarita about Thomas and clearly Clarita is feeling feelings she hasn’t felt since she sucked in dust trailing after Don Amador as she walked while he rode a fine horse back in the salad days on the Hacienda.

Flash to Rod in prison shirtless and doing push ups, Rod is not suffering from the high carb prison diet. As he does his pushups you can see a half shoe on the upper bunk on the right side. That is either his new bunk buddy or the case of his missing Zappatos has just been solved.

Another knock at the door..Gavi answers and who is standing at the threshold? None other than Dr Blandie. Gavi is almost as Muy Impacted as I am.

Kids let this be a lesson to you…like an STD, Dr Blandie comes back. Take all that medication and stamp it out in the beginning, don’t let yourself be surprised by a knock on the door.

Looks like there were previews for tommorrow nite…
Seems like Clarita is trying to get Thomas drunk on Tequila. Now all she needs is a big tree.
Like daughter like mother.

Labels: Destilando

Mo tells Azul that she is infected with the deadly virus as well, she fails to look sufficiently impactada for hearing that she is going to die. She looks more like “oh no you didn’t.” She calls him a liar. She thinks he is trying to manipulate her. She’s right, but not about the not being infected part. He tells her to talk to her father about it, he’ll confirm it. Maybe, or maybe GSD is too busy celebrating that Arny slept with a woman. Mo calls GSD on his cell phone, GSD just about swerves off the road as he pulls over to take the call. Mo acts all serious and tells GSD that Azul knows that she is also infected. GSD is pissed, Mo just hands the phone to Azul. He won’t tell her yes or no, he says he’ll come over and explain. Finally he says yes it’s true, Azul (whose cleavage is admirable today, I know it may not be appropriate to be checking that out as she is about to die, but finally they sexed her up a bit. The new hair, more cleavage, the whole package still has a ‘good girl trying to look hot’ vibe, but a definite improvement) drops the phone and falls to the floor, now she is dramatically impactada to make up for not reacting when Mo first told her she was infected.

Andres is nagging Ceci. He is trying to get info about the whole Diego/Azul situation from her. He tells her that there was a conflict between Mo and Azul earlier that day, Ceci goes to call Azul to see how she is, over Andres’s objections.

Diego bangs on the gate of Mo’s new estate, Frack (I can’t ever remember his real name) opens the door and tells him that’s not how to knock. Diego pushes him aside and says he needs to see Azul and Mo. Frack tries to threaten Diego by flashing his gun, but Diego just says whatever, go get them for me!

Azul is in a room with Mo, she is on the phone talking to Ceci, she tells her she’s ok. Yes, I like this new Azul better. She has a tight button-down shirt on, with very few buttons actually being used for their intended purpose. She tells Ceci she’ll talk to her later and hangs up, in time for the maid to come in and say Diego is there to see the both of them. Jacinto, that’s Frack’s real name. Mo says to tell Jacinto that Azul will be leaving with Diego and he should let them go. He tells Azul she can go die by Diego’s side and he won’t stop her.

First they are seeing a doctor I guess, who is waiting in the other room. Ah, this is Katy’s doctor. He said he drugged her up to put her to sleep. She had an anxiety attack. He says if they are having trouble with their marriage, they can’t discuss it in front of the child. Azul promises.

Manuel asks Lidia how Clemencia is doing. Lidia says she’s doing bad and tells him what happened that day. Manuel storms upstairs to tell her she can’t work anymore, to find her passed out on the bed.

GSD shows up at Mo’s house to find Diego waiting, they start bickering at each other. GSD grabs Diego by the collar and chews him out for the trip to the beach. Diego says he won’t offer GSD any explanation. He says he won’t leave Azul and he loves her. Mo and Azul show up in time to break up the fight before it happens. Diego yells at Mo to explain whatever he told Clemencia. Azul gets between Diego and Mo. She begs Diego to leave and says she’ll come find him later. He doesn’t want to, she says it can all wait until later, she promises to come find him. Diego puffs his chest out at Mo as he leaves.

Pasion ad. This better live up to our expectations or we will be one sad bunch of viewers.

Asi es la Vida ad – I love those ads. The show should be called ‘Asi es la Ropa Interior.’

Lidia is on the phone to 911 (or whatever they call in Mexico) then she hangs up and begs Clemi to live.

Gloria is sneaking around her apartment in the dark, she starts to set Isela’s flowers on fire but just then the door opens, she grabs a spray bottle and sprays the flowers with water instead, jabbering away to try and look innocent. I guess she insulted the quality of flowers as well, because Isela says she prefers flowers that aren’t so fancy but are at least from a REAL admirer. Burn! Hmmm – looks like Silvana has gotten a bit sexed up as well. She isn’t wearing old lady clothes like she usually does, tight dress works better for her. The doorbell rings, it’s Ivan. Gloria greets him a little too warmly, making him uncomfortable. He wants to talk to Silvana, Gloria continues to fawn over him.

GSD, Azul, and Mo go into Mo’s office. GSD wants to know what Diego was referring to, about Mo being at his house. Mo says never mind, now we need to talk about Azul being sick. Azul asks to be alone with GSD, Mo leaves. Azul starts crying and gets all over GSD for not telling her. She’s very pissed, obviously. GSD says he didn’t want her to suffer. She wants to know how long he has known. GSD says it doesn’t matter, she says it does.

Ceci is laying in bed, Andres is next to her and tries to kiss up on her, she screams at him to stop, saying she’s not in the mood. Yeah right, she’s ALWAYS in the mood, even if you’re gay. She is obviously still unsure about Andres, what with his being a murderer and all. He gets grumpy about being shut down. She says she’s worried about Azul. Andres defends Mo, Ceci says she understands that he is his friend, but Azul is her friend. She asks him to leave, she’s tired. He grumpily agrees and leaves.

Ivan tells Silvana thanks for everything, but I’m going back to Prague. She says wait, weren’t you going to stay and help Diego find evidence against Mo? Speaking of evidence, they should get Gus Grissom and the CSI gang around here, they’d have everything sorted out in an hour.

GSD says Azul is fighting the illness ok now, but… He slowly explains how the illness works. He actually has the nerve to tell HER to not make it any more difficult. He paints an ugly picture of what awaits her. He finally says that eventually it could make her violent and insane. She wants to know how she could have contracted the disease. He begs her not to badger him, she demands an answer. GSD tells her that Burgay infected her, on orders of Eva Santoro. She says she did that so Diego and I couldn’t be together? (or something like that) GSD nods yes. She says that’s why Eva told her one time that her love with Diego won’t survive. GSD begs forgiveness. She says it isn’t his fault and hugs him. Now she wants to know how long Mo has known.

Ivan says that the reason he is going to Prague is to find evidence against Mo, since Boris has been put in jail. He says also that he is giving all his money to an orphanage. Ivan says he wants to make up for his past misdeeds by helping others and helping honorable people like Diego, thus proving our theory that Ivan will be rehabilitated. The way Silvana is looking at him, he’s going to get some ‘rehabilitation’ from her too, if you know what I’m saying, and I’m sure you do. She asks if it is dangerous for him to go to Prague, he says he can take care of himself. Of course he can. He shows her the briefcase full of money from Eva that Diego refused. Silvana said she would refuse as well. Ivan asks her to keep it, Diego needs resources to put Mo away. She says no. He says fine, then just keep it until all this is over, then give it to a worthy cause. I suggest the ‘pay Chris Ferro’s mortgage’ fund.

Mo tells Andres about his argument with Azul and that Azul now knows that she is infected.

Azul cries and whines about what it feels like to know she could die any minute. She is remembering moments in her life that she regrets. GSD says he would take her place if he could. She goes on and on about how awful it will all be for her. GSD swears tha the whole family, and Emilia too, will be with her. I notice he didn’t include Julio. Shouldn’t he be telling her about how he’s going to find a cure? Has he given up completely on that? Also, I haven’t seen him smoke today, what’s up with that? Oh wait finally he says something about finding a cure. She asks him why he hasn’t found a cure yet, he says he’s missing something or other, Azul doesn’t understand either and asks him what that means. He tries to explain, she doesn’t get it. Eventually she does, but I don’t. He explains that this case is more difficult than AIDS. She wants to know how long she’ll live if he doesn’t find a cure. He begs her not to think of that. Have faith. Um, dude, I’d want to know too. She says she needs to know so she knows what to do with her remaining time. He swears that he’ll find a cure and begs God for help. She asks him again, how long? He says her case is different than Mo, different blood type, he says she has about 6 months to live. Ah crap. That’s too long. That gives too much more time to drag this all out. It needs to be like three weeks or something so that this will move along.

Silvana wishes Ivan good luck. He looks forward to starting a new, clean life. He says that she is the reason he has turned over a new leaf. He says that he understands how Eva was so in love with Diego for being such a good person, because he now admires Silvana so much as well. She is his inspiration. Etc, etc. They compliment each other a bit more. Silvana says everyone deserves a second chance. He says he wants to thank Gloria and Isela as well, Silvana says she’ll go get them. Immediately Gloria, who was obviously eavesdropping, rushes in to say how upset she is that he is leaving. She flirts with Ivan, who just looks at Silvana, who says “ay, Dios!” I agree.

Azul and GSD have calmed down, Azul found a tissue somewhere to start cleaning up after the crying fit. I have to give it to Azul, she didn’t resort to the ugly crying like Alina back in Duelo. She can actually cry without looking like she is passing a bowling ball. She wants to know how long Mo has known. He says at the wedding GSD had to tell everyone, in regards for her health. And Emilia too of course. She says the victim is always the last to know. He gets on his knees and gets all whiny and begs forgiveness again. He says something about Mo wanting Azul to not know before the wedding as she might change her mind, she says of course! She says she only married him for Katy anyway. GSD tries to convince Azul that Mo’s main concern has always been for Azul’s health. Well, GSD has drunk the Mo kool-aid. He bought the whole thing hook, line, and sinker. Azul doesn’t want to believe him, but it looks like she does a bit. Great, now she’ll fight with Diego some more. GSD says she can’t doubt Mo’s love for her. She tells him whatever, change the subject. GSD wants to know if Diego has turned her against Mo, she won’t talk about it. GSD wants to tell Diego that she is dying so he’ll leave her alone, they argue and Azul says she will be the one to tell him.

Diego shows up at Silvana’s place. He is looking for sympathy about his mom I guess, because he gets plenty from Silvana. Then Silvana lets her inner wet blanket out to say that she hopes nothing bad happens to Clemencia before she and Diego sort things out.

GSD and Azul have gone outside to meet with Mo again. They agree that it’s good that Eva never got around to infecting Katy. Mo swears that he and GSD are committed to finding a cure. Azul says he can experiment on her directly with whatever he cooks up, she’s going to die anyway and she can help save other lives. Not really, I guess she doesn’t realize, since she and Mo are the only ones who have this particular disease.

Diego curses Mo for making trouble with his mom, since he can’t be completely honest with her about everything. He tells her that Mo knows that he and Azul are sneaking around together. He says he has to get her out of that house, she agrees. She tells Diego that Ivan went to Prague, Diego had no idea.

Azul sweet talks to Katy while Katy sleeps. She asks forgiveness for what she is going to do.

GSD is smoking again, finally, yelling at Mo for telling Azul she was sick. He yells at him for a while about that. Then they argue about the beach, Mo says he knows that somehow Diego won her over, GSD still believes that ridiculous excuse that she let Diego off the hook because of his mom. GSD says whatever, you’re still an ass for telling Azul she was sick. Mo says she needs to know so she can take care of herself.

Shot of a hotel lobby. Whoa – we get a foot to head shot of Azul getting ready for something, she is wearing a tight red dress and wearing it very well. She must have gotten a room at the hotel. A knock on the door, I think we all know who that will be. Yes, it’s Diego. I guess Azul has decided that she needs to screw as much as possible in her short time she has left. Diego comes in and Azul attacks him, we get to hear the ‘Amar sin Limites’ song that has the exact same melody as “I can’t fight this feeling any more” by REO Speedwagon. Maybe they weren’t big in Mexico so nobody will notice. Diego says he was afraid Mo would do something to Azul, then they continue to make out. Azul says she doesn’t want to talk about any of that, she just wants to live this moment as if it were their last, and get busy and stay busy all night. She says if she could she would change everything so they had never been apart. She continues to yell about how much she loves him. They start making out some more. Since this is basic cable we won’t see them do the deed, but on cinemax they’d already be humping away.

Monday – Emilia is afraid GSD will do something stupid, Diego and Azul go to the hospital together to see his mom, Manuel and Lidia get snippy at them for it.

Labels: amar

Following in the wake of Captain Jennie (aka Schoolmarm)'s stunning double header isn't a job for sissies, but here comes the Friday recap...
As always, the beginning of one night is a repeat of the end of the previous episode. I'll repeat them briefly or check Thursday, hour two for a complete translation by Cap'n Jennie.

The scene opens with Monica speaking in Pastor's office. As of this moment, Juan will be the chauffeur(driver) of the presidency, Fernando will become the driver for the vice president of commerce. Is there some problem with that? "Noooo, certainly not, as you command," says Pastor. Good, I'm glad that's clear.

Repeat of Ivonne's plea to Monica that she doesn't deserve to be fired and Monica's response that she is a lying, tricking etc., had an affair with her ex-husband that everyone in the office knows about and betrayed Monica who went to bat to save her (Ivonne's) job when CL fired her. Her reward was that Ivonne carried on with CL. Monica's only regret was that she defended her. Monica finishes her retribution with ordering Ivonne to call the employment agency for candidates to replace her sorry self.

In the garage, Juan leans against the wall with his now painted on hang-dog expression. [ed.- and am I imagining it or does he wear shorter ties when he is depressed?] Juan, thinking that just when you think things cannot get any worse, they do. He must be psychic because just then Monica rounds the corner with news that he is to be her driver from now on. "What about Fernando?', asks Juan, always looking out for others. "He will be the driver for the VP of Commerce, do you have a problem with that?" Juan thinks, yeah about five hundred of them. But, I doubt that they are too important to you. But he wisely says, "No, no none at all, Sra. Monica. She says "good, then come for me at 11:00 A.M., here is my address. I am sure we will get along very well, Juan. Well, maybe not as well as you get on with Lic. Paula. But, who knows." As she walks away with a little I'm-the-executive-now bounce, Juan thinks, "What my Licenciada said to me when she said she never wanted to see me again in her life, she was serious, buddies."

Alirio and Gutie in Alirio's office are circling each other like a couple of boxers squaring off. Alirio says "This is way too much (el colmo). (the spying on NIdia incident) What did you do? How did it occur to you to do this without consulting me?" Guti, ever ready to sneer, says "you were thinking of doing this yourself!" Alirio, answers "one thing is what I say, and the other is what I do. Above all you have the nerve to burden or cause my death (always the understatement with this calm man) "Doesn't this have any value for you?"
Gutie sneers again, "ya, ya, you're the same as your wife, this is no more than a tantrum."
"You don't know what a tantrum is with that woman. You don't know." Alirio shrieks.
Gutie puffs his cigar, swaggers in his spy costume with camera and advises Alirio that he should be thanking him for this favor. "Now Doña Nidia knows she can't play games with you."
Alirio, melodramatically hisses, "oh, she really left here trembling in fear!" Gutie, retorts, "Scream all you want, I still think the same way. Later you can get a lot of money in a divorce suit. Even if it is true that she does not have a lover, we can find a volunteer."
Alirio is nearly losing it (nothing new), "NO WAY, Gutierrez, don't make a move on this, leave it alone.
Gutie continues, "I am pushing this because I suspect something hidden here. It's necessary to verify this and BAM (Zas) we have her."
Alirio is more shrill as he says, "I strictly forbid you to act on this theory of yours. I forbid you to even get near my wife or my house! Is that clear?"

Pastor and Ivonne are in his office. He hands her a box of tissues. She snivels, "This is not right. Are you saying it's all lost?" He answers, "maybe some of it was true."(Monica's accusations) She sniffles, "with friends like you, who needs enemies." He returns, " You did have an affair with her ex-husband. What were you expecting, Ivonne?" Ivonne whines, " but she didn't know for a scientific certainty." If Ivonne is incapable of irony, certainly Pastor is not, he adds "But, surely you didn't have the audacity to say it right to her, true?" Ivonne says, "No, but she saw it..." and then, "I hate this woman, I hate her!"
Changing the subject slightly, Pastor hands her a folder and says, "Here is your letter of resignation, you need to sign it. It may not be much consolation but the settlement is very good. Meantime, cash the check and avoid annoying Señora Monica. Are you feeling like being sensible?" She snaps back, "I'll do what I want! I am going to Spain and on the same flight as that fool. I am going to do it!" [the phrase parar de pestañas, stop at the eyelashes, does this mean not blink like not budge?, anyone know...]

Back in the garage, Fern and Juan polish their cars. Fern opines, "It's all the same to me if I am the driver for either Señora Monica or Lic. Paula." Juan, getting ruffled says, "Fer, there is much more at play here than driving a simple car."
Fern answers, "Look my buddy, the story of your love with the Licenciada is finished. She doesn't want you near her."
Juan, snaps his towel, " Why this helpfulness? I think there is the possibility that we can at least be friends." Fernando reasons, "You are never going to be just friends with her, Juan, you are in love with her. This is the bad detail."
Now Juan really snaps both his towel and his temper, "They can't play with us like this!" Fern seems faintly amused by this rancor so suggests that Juan "check it out, see if you can't be with Paula and if not, well, you could always resign!"
Juan starts to walk away in anger, "Where are you going?" "To dot the i's They can't make all these decisions without consulting anyone. That's the least , papa, the least (they can do)!"

Cesar Luis is in his apartment packing while talking to Pastor by phone, "I just left the office a few hours ago, are you missing me already?" Pastor confides that he has something important that CL should know. " CL says, "the woman reacted?" "No, it's about Ivonne, She says she is going to Spain on the same flight as you. " "Has she gone crazy?" Pastor returns, "She seems very determined." CL muses that he will be followed all over the world by this crazed woman. I hope your brilliant mind has thought of a solution for this!"

Ivonne tearfully packs her things in a box and carries it to the elevator while the oh so busy staff perpetually in the lobby gazes on. Marely runs into Paula's office where they silently mime the news of Ivonne's departure. Marely asks if CL fired Ivonne. Paula says, "I doubt it. This was Monica's idea, she must have discovered the "friendship" with CL."
Paula, turns, "Such is life, we have to take it as it is." Marely, smiles "I think you are putting up a shield so you don't collapse."
Paula turns to her papers and says, "I want to get these figures done before I leave today..."

Juan in Pastor's office, "I've totally lost her." Pastor, earning his keep as kind counselor today, "Put your energy into your work, try to think of other things." Juan daydreams, "After today my contact with my little dove will be reduced to an occasional passing by each other. Oh, Pastor is right, I have to stop these things.
Pastor claps, "Juan, Juan, did you hear what I was saying?" "Yes, I'm going to do it." Pastor, cajoles, "Try to be positive about the situation. Give us a little smile."
Juan steps out into the lobby and thinks, " This seems like a normal work day, like the boss didn't just leave and I didn't just have my heart destroyed. I'm not going to be destroyed by my pain, oh pain. I've got to get a hold of myself and keep walking. Oh, farewell my cinnamon flower, my rose with thorns". He enters the elevator, "This door closing is end of this tragic history! But no, there is one little piece lacking in this final closure, this end to my bunch of disgraces. Oh Santo Niño de Atocha, why does a clean soul suffer so?"

Break to Pasión preview!

Marely and Paula finish up some figures, but Paula wants to stay to finish the work. She lets Marely leave for the day. But asks "What time does that fool's plane leave tomorrow?" "On the earliest flight."

Ivonne enters CL's apartment. He complains, "Where have you been, I've been calling all over for you." "Oh did you want to tell me goodbye??" No, Gaitan called and said you are going to Spain with me, this cannot be. I've said a million times, this is absurd, it's stupid and you have nothing to do there. She returns with, "I have no work so it could be that I want to see the world touring." "Well, go to Miami, go to Patagonia, Aruba, Alaska, you have a thousand options." She waves a folder in front of him, and says, "It's too late, I have bought my ticket. We are going on the same flight."

Back at the garage, Fern smiles at Juan, "So you went to yell upstairs, did you achieve something?" Juan, "Simply to create a precedent so the people above no that we are not just counting pieces for them to take or put at their whim." Sure, says Fern.

Marely enters, "hello Juan, hello Fernando. Juan, are you going home?" She doesn't have the car and he has no one to drive so she wants to go and keep him company on the train. As they start off, Fernando pulls Juan aside and counsels, "Open your eyes. This girl can be the answer to your problems. Like Paula, she is pretty, a good person, intelligent and single and above all she is interested in you. She took the trouble to come down here looking for you so you could leave together. Take advantage, don't be slow to catch on go to the train with her." Juan does some air hugs (kind of like playing air guitar) while Marely looks at him oddly. He takes her hand and they leave together saying so long to Fern. He has on his first smile of the day.

CL and Ivonne continue. "Why don't we do something. I will go on to get settled and when the tide goes out, you can arrive later." Ivonne is having none of it, "Do you think I will swallow that, no Señor, I don't believe a word. CL sits down with an exaperated sigh. She goes on, "Don't be so alarmed, as much as I would like to, I can't go with you yet. I haven't cashed my settlement check from Ferrell and I am not going to lose it just to go with you. You didn't look closely but this is just a promotion pamphlet on Spain, not a real ticket." He huffs, "Why did you do that?" She continues, " I just wanted to get your reaction. If your reaction had been different, I would have given up everything to go with you. But I can see that I mean less to you than a zero to the left (not even a whole number) She heads toward the door and he stops her with "Why don't you stay the night..."

Marely and Juan walking, he says Aren't you going to the University? No, I don't have any classes today. Do you know that I will be the driver for Monica?--Yes, congratulations on your ascension (upgrade). He goes on, don't talk nonsense. I don't like this woman, she's insincere, she's a hypocrite.." " Oh, you mean she's not Paula." "Well, yes everthing between Paula and me was enchanting. Marely rallies with "You have lost your head with her. You have to get a hold of yourself and get out of this hole." He smirks, "and if the same thing happens with Monica? It's a joke, it's a joke." Marely continues, " take advantage of this situation to get Paula out of your heart. This love has only brought you pain and suffering. Be smart, Juan." She strokes his arm lovingly. He has heard this same story/advice before but he can't just pluck the little dove out of his heart, It's a love etched with an indelible ink. But he can stroke Marely's cheek ever so gently...

Break

Monica calls CL to suggest she come to see him to say goodbye. She asks if he needs a ride to the airport and they could talk. You can tell he registers all this with Ivonne lurking in the background and takes on a slight look of horror. He says everything has already been said between them and he wants to avoid unnecessary dramas. If that's how you want it... Yes, that's what I want. Well then she wishes him good luck and take care.

When Monica hangs up Laura chides her on her motives, what was that all about. Monica, looks pained and says it's about my suffering.

Marely and Juan enter the house and sit on the stairs. Juan says, "Remember when we used to go out a lot to eat. You know we have been so distant from each other." Marely, sweetly says she remembers and then he and Fernando got so busy and climbed so high with their executives." Juan laughs, "yeah so high, but really I remember such lovely times between us."
Smart little Marely says, "So make a plan, and we will see each other." She gracefully rises and climbs the stairs.

Juan still musing is interrupted by Alirio rushing through the front door saying, "When did you leave work, Juan, I came to find you to seek counsel... I had a little misunderstanding with the Missus that ended up throwing sparks from a rudeness that Gutierrez committed." Juan chastises him, "You are hanging with very bad company."
Alirio sails on, "Since I didn't find you I took a risk and bought these roses and..." Juan is staring in disbelief at the and part.. "What do you think, Juan?" Juan stumbles, "wait, wait you have roses and this little...er... roasted chicken??"
Proudly, Alirio announces, " My father, bless his soul was accustomed to calming my mother with this and afterward they would disappear for several days.."
Juan, diplomatically says, " I hope Doña Nidia has the same tastes as your mother." "May God hear you, Juan. Later I'll tell you how it went." Juan says, "good luck, tiger, you're on your own, alone." They wink and signal while Alirio ascends the stairs. Juan's entire face does a WHAT??

Alirio timidly comes into the bedroom where Nidia files her nails with a petulant eye rolling of her own. He begins, "How are you my love, my little dear heart. I am so ashamed to face you, Nidia, I don't know what Gutierrez had in his big head. I swear my the memory of my mother, I had no idea what was happening. My life, my heart, don't continue with this attitude, it is breaking my soul, dear heart Nidia. Here are red roses, and.... a little chicken. She looks at the chicken as though a large dead cockroach had been laid on her bed.

Back to the fun at CL's apt. he is quietly calling Pastor from the bedroom phone. "Nothing has happened. I am leaving at 6:00 AM and there is still no sign from Paula." Pastor answers dryly, "To be frank, I don't think she's going to give one now." They go back and forth. CL is ready to drop everything go to her house, get on his knees, fall at her feet and.. Pastor says, The decision is yours but I don't recommend it. Pastor repeats soothing words about relaxing and what the orientals say about... CL is sputtering. Pastor says one has to keep a cool head and remain themselves. CL says, Go counsel your grandmother!" and throws the phone on the bed [has he been talking to Aaron over at Destilando perchance?] Ivonne comes in to announce dinner is ready, and CL heads toward the dining room saying he is hungry. She eyes the phone suspiciously while he shouts from the other room, "Come serve me!"

Paula and Ana are at their dinner table. Paula tells Ana that CL is leaving for Spain tomorrow. He said goodbye to all the employees today. Ana says so soon and then adds This is for the best. Now you can regain your tranquility. CL will only be a bad experience in your life by God's grace. Paula gets up and says she will put on her pj's and wash the dishes. Ana says, she looks tired, just go on to bed. They kiss goodnight.

CL and Yvonne at the dinner table neither one of them getting much of what they want.

Nidia's table is teeming with all six inhabitants looking at the little roast chicken now on the dinner table. Alirio tries to encourage some sweetness in Nidia, asks her how she likes it. Would she like another little wing? She ignores him and asks Juan to pass her a piece of breast meat. Aliro grabs it and offers it to her before Juan can move. She then asks Juan again if he will pass him a leg as she moves the breast piece back on to Alirio's plate without looking at him. Then she says, Thanks, What a pity this is such a measley little chicken. Who knows where they take them from. Frankly, these chickens ought to be dead, but from hunger. Everyone laughs except you know who.

Later Kiki is preparing his bed on the sofa when Yadira appears and wheedles him about coming upstairs. She is so feisty that he finally says, not nice, not nice in English. Can't you talk to me anyway but in a threatening way? She then simpers that he'll be cold down here doesn't he want to go uppy the stairs, (yeah baby talk, her only other tone). Then orders him come on come on.

Back to Nidia with Alirio pleading that she change her attitude with him. She says "don't touch me, not even a hair or you will be sleeping in the garden. Clear?" He meekly crawls under the covers.

Sleeping scenes: Juan in his shortest shorts yet (egad what pretty legs) gets up to push his hand weights. Paula tosses and tries to thumb through a book. CL ponders while Yvonne beside him sleeps the only good sleep anyone is getting.

Next morning, CL prepares to leave for the airport and Yvonne offers again to take him. When he refuses she leaves and what seems like seconds later the bell rings. CL thinks it is Yvonne back but WOW it is Paula. Now she has come to take him to the airport.

Alirio slinks into Juan's room to beg for his help again. This woman is psychologically torturing him, oh the agony, and he doesn't know what to do anymore. Juan thinks, Nidia has this poor man by the nape of the neck. Why do they all come to me when I have my own lost causes to worry over.

Paula and CL go down just as Fernando pulls up because he thought he was taking CL to the airport. CL pulls him aside and asks that he not tell anyone that Paula took him to the airport. CL and Paula pull off in her car as Yvonne steps out from the curb across the street with an unhappy look.

Nidia and Juan sit talking. NIdia says, "But, what am I going to do, Papi rico. Everyday I can bear him less and less. Juan says, "you should respect your husband, he is a good sort. It's not his fault that his liver has fallen {idiom help}
Nidia, says yeah, poor guy. Wait I have a good idea! Let's get him a girlfriend to distract him, someone from the office.
Juan grimaces, "Doña Nidia, be serious, I can't stand it." Nidia says, "It's very complicated. You have to understand, since a little while ago, I thought I could fight the situation (but get on, I think) with Alirio but then Angarito appeared and that shook my foundation. He's just the love of my life I keep feeling sooo.... wiggles and gives little squeals. What do I do??
Juan, astounded says, "Get rid of your bad thoughts. Have you been faithful or not?" She pauses, "well in my head yes I swear, but in my heart. blabla. Juan reasons, "then why not tell Sr. Perafan and let him down from the clouds in stead of hanging on the roof like a gargoyle. She promises to try.

Outside the door Alirio is hovering wanting to know how it went. Juan says, " I convinced her that you are a man who deserves much consideration. Alirio can't resist adding, " and affection and respect, ahh Juan, what did she say?"
He advises, " She promised to think about it. You need to not pressure her and have a lot of patience. Alirio, "then do you think she will come around this year or next year, when?? He promises to promote Alirio's image as a prince but thought bubbles "Poor Fool."

Juan announces that as he has new boss he doesn't have to go to work until 11:00 AM. Everyone but Nidia descends to the table where Marely and Yadira are talking over breakfast. Poor silly Kike asks Yadira to serve him his breakfast which unleashes another volley of shrieking that she is not his domestic servant, etc. Juan to preserve the peace jumps up and offers to make everyone his special delicious omelet.

At the airport. Paula and CL approach a security point and Paula begins her goodbyes. Do you have nothing more to say to me asks CL. Well yes, good luck. That's all? Why did you want to bring me to the airport? She says, well since you will never return, I wanted to be sure to tell you that you WERE an important person in my life. He is impactada, I WAS. She backs off and says softly, well perhaps you still are. What do you want me to say? Do you want me to beg you not to go?
He says, yes! So she hesitates then says, "Don't go".
He asks if she is serious or just trying to wound him more. She answers that she is trying to close and heal all the wounds for both of them. He again presses, you don't want me to go? She says it is entirely your decision, do you stay or do you go?
FIN.

Labels: Juan

Delirio is still trying to get answers out of Nidia. He demands to know where she was and tells her Gladys said Nidia wasn’t with her. Nidia jerks open the bathroom door and acknowledges she wasn’t with Gladys at all; she went looking for her lover. She rubs up and down against the doorjamb as she tells the truth for once in her life. She describes how they spent the day together and had some beers in the evening. Delirio scoffs at the story. He’s serious. He thinks she wants to make him jealous and embarrass him. But, she won’t get away with it. He goes back to his place in bed and tells her he’s not going to fight. What does she think of that? She tells him it’s marvelous, and minces back into the bathroom, shutting the door and looking oh, so worried again and breathing deeply.

Kike and Yadi are at it—and it’s not good for Kike. Yadi is trying to get him to rat on Mami and he’s doing his best to avoid it like the plague. Kike plays dumb and Yadi tries to nail him into spilling the beans. He spins a yarn about how they ran into her. They had a couple of beers and chatted, how nice. But he’s so tired. He flops onto the bed to show how tired he is. Yadi hits him with a pillow and yells. She’s not sleeping with a drunk like him. Kike jumps up and screams back at her…four sets of little feet patter down the hall to glue their ears to the door (okay, so Juan’s feet aren’t so little). Nidia asks the rest what it’s about in there. More screaming—it’s Kike. The eavesdropping audience members argue about what’s up, are they arguing or what in there? Then they listen to Yadi scream that everyone is hearing them argue. [Ya think?]. Delirio points out they’re fighting like an old married couple even though recently married. The audience continues to analyze the fight, taking sides as needed. The fight continues and the eavesdropping continues, and suddenly Kike emerges while the audience works hard to look like they’ve been dusting the hall lights and other chores. Kike remarks on the heat in the room. He thinks it’ll be cooler in the living room. The audience disappears into its respective places…and Kike ends up in Juan’s room, too.

Kike is still lamenting his spoiled honeymoon at Yadi’s hands. He’s throwing in the towel. He’s going to the US and never come back. Juan can’t believe it. Why should he stay, Kike wonders? To listen to Yadi screeching every day? Juan lectures him about Kike’s child growing up without a father. He reminds Kike that he has too good a heart to let that happen. Kike argues that’s why he married Yadi, for his child and because she’s the love of his life but he’s not putting up with this. Juan argues that it’s not going to be easy, of course. Kike thinks the dream is lovely, but it’s not the reality. Juan lectures more about staying at Yadi’s side, regardless, and making a family. Kike’s eyes fill with tears as he contemplates the future. Juan’s hand pats Kike’s cheek fondly.

Yadi and Nidia are in Yadi’s room having a heart to heart, with Yadi complaining about Kike. He better respect her or this marriage is over right now. Nidia tries to give her good advice about thinking before she acts, because she is depending on a good marriage, and Yadi scoffs that Nidia gives advice but does the opposite. Nidia denies it—she never set a bad example for her daughters, and Yadi wonders where she was all day. Nidia gives the line about being with Gladys. Yadi scoffs and Nidia says her suppositions are wrong. They argue a little and Yadi tells her Mami NOT to meddle in Yadi’s life. Nidia is impactada.

Juan is working off some nervous energy with 25-lb weights in each hand. [I know this because they are the same ones my hubby uses. It’s just that Juan moves them quicker than my 71-year old hubby.] He thought bubbles about how things are in Casa Cachón, all the scenes, etc. It’s never boring.

In the morning, Marely and Juan eat breakfast and Marely tells Juan that Paula mentioned his chat with CL. He tries to defend himself. Was she very angry? Marely tries to tell him and Juan interrupts that he has to know. Well, she felt betrayed and offended. [Marely is wearing a VERY off-the-shoulder top, worthy of a night at the opera in the US or a day at work in the D. F.] Juan keeps trying to defend himself. She tells him he acted in good faith and she’ll have to understand sooner or later. Juan laments that all his good deeds turn out bad. Marely takes his hand and tells him if it makes him feel better, she’s very proud of him. He beams and sits up straighter. Really? Yes, a man who is capable of doing so much for love is worth the trouble, Juan. Marely looks lovingly at him. [Marely, honey, you’ll have to hit this guy with a 2 by 4 to get his attention, no matter what top you wear to work.] That is, guys like you are few and far between. Juan smiles fondly at Marely, gratitude oozing from every pore of his face. [Ed. Note: Qué the h*** is the matter with you, blockhead? Grab this woman!] She tells him he’s one of a kind, really. Juan kisses Marely’s hand and thanks her sincerely. She smiles lovingly at Juan.

CL is already at work with Pastor planning today’s schemes. CL is not sure qué the heck is going on with Paula. Pastor offers his take on it. Paula is very proud, and she has all the reasons in the world to be offended. Whatever. What CL needs now is to know qué the heck to do? Pastor thinks he just needs to go to Spain already, but CL protests that’s exactly what he wants to avoid doing. Pastor says if the woman in question reacts, just go already. [Ed. Note: the logic here escapes us, but Pastor claims to know women’s minds.] Go for a week, a month. They argue about it, and Pastor urges CL to just go to Spain as fast as possible. That’ll show her he’s serious. CL shakes his head and evaluates the proposal.

Gee, we haven’t seen Julia and the other lobby lizard chatting at Ivonne’s desk for a while, but here they are. Julia can’t imagine the Licenciada Paula cutting her veins. [Oh, great. Everyone has a take on this situation. How revolting.] Ivonne, the bearer of all the news, elaborates. They wonder how she knows all this. Pure coincidence. [Uh-huh, you just happened to be in CL’s bedroom when Juan showed up to spill it.] As she continues gossiping, Marely is coming off the elevator and approaching Ivonne’s desk. Marely registers that Ivonne is talking about things she shouldn’t be, and Marely’s stink eye is just as good as Nidia’s. She trains that eye right onto Ivonne as we hear Ivonne babble on about how sorry she is to hear about Marely’s boss and how much she’s missed. Marely looks at Ivonne, disgusted, and turns to her desk as Ivonne and her chismosa buddies smirk.

Juan and Fern greet each other in the garage. Fern is worried and expresses his concern about Juan’s absence the day before. The usually talkative Juan, with a pained expression, tells him there’s really nothing to say. Fern looks a bit stunned as Juan walks away.

Nidia gets into a taxi and gives directions, while close behind Gutis directs another taxi driver to follow, hurry! Gutis has his spywear on; a hat over the bald spot and dark glasses. They all zoom off to a commercial for Pasión, which I can’t watch until this recap is done, drat. Gotta fast forward for the cause.

Fern and the boys lament their life situations. They’re all sad and forlorn. Kike reminds him that they warned him about his situation with Nidia while Juan nods his agreement [Big Help, Kike]. He says the interest with this woman is past. Nothing has him nailed down now. Juan jumps up and warns him not to speak ill of the woman he loves like his own mother. He warns Kike to be respectful of his mother-in-law. Kike denies any disrespect, they all have reasons to love Nidia. At least one more than the others. Fern makes a grunt at him. Kike keeps babbling, and Juan comes over to put his arm on Kike’s shoulder and caution him to shut the heck up. Kike, never one to take a broad hint, keeps talking, but changes the topic to the Lic Paula. Fern looks around the corner and “speaking of the Queen of Rome….” Juan asks “What? What’s she doing here?” And we see Paula drive into the garage. Kike asks Juan what, you didn’t know she works here? Juan walks toward where Paula is pulling her car in, impactado.

Nidia, resplendent with little dead animals on her shoulder, senses something wrong over that shoulder and looks back. She tells the taxi driver “young man, at the next corner take a left.” She’s worried. He retorts that she told him to take her to the central market, and that won’t get us there. She tells him she’s changed her mind. They argue about the route, and she tells him she’s sorry to spoil his plan, but a higher force has taken over. Finally, she tells him someone is following them and he makes a big deal of looking in the mirror. She fusses at him to be discreet. He wonders what’s up, and she says she’s a married woman, decent, and victim of a jealous husband. He makes a crack and she retorts that lots of women in this world suffer. He asks her pardon and wonders what they should do now. She tells him to lose them and he chuckles and moves out. Behind, Gutis leans out the window with his camera. He struggles back in, losing the funky hat and glasses in the process. The driver tells him he thinks they’ve been noticed. Why? Gutis wants to know. The driver can’t say why, so Gutis goes back out the window. The two cabs turn a corner tightly together. Not exactly your high speed chase, here.

Juan sits on the hood of the car, stopping Paula on her way by, asking her to pardon him, but what’s she doing her? She came to work. He asks if she isn’t supposed to be at home resting? She acknowledges she’s supposed to but she’s fine. He wonders if it’s a good idea to disobey the doc. She snarls at him. Stop worrying, you’ve done enough for me. He protests and she cuts him off—she knows very well the consequences of him worrying. She wants him to maintain his distance. Does he understand? She stalks off and he looks like she just slapped him hard. Well, she did.

The taxi driver wants to know if Nidia’s hubby is very distrustful of her. She asks if he’s married. He sighs contentedly—he’s happily married. She points out then he knows how difficult it might be. He says she doesn’t have to tell him; he spends all day on the streets, without knowing what his wife is up to. They talk about life at home. She tells him about Samuel working all day, and he’d arrive home and scarcely greet them. Nidia goes into her Nidia-esque hot flash hoisting mode, telling the driver how women need (fan-fan-fan, huy!) attention and caring. She wonders how long he’s been married. Fifteen years, he tells her, they’ve gone as fast a water. She chuckles companionably. Gutis and company are still tailing them. Nidia talks on…..

Paula stalks off the elevator followed by the lobby lizard while other lobby lizards stare. They must be intrigued by her emerald green dress with the disco décolletage, ya reckon? The lobby lizard waves at Julia and gestures at Paula, who makes a beeline for her office. All the lobby lizards rotate to keep their eyes trained Paula. Paula greets Marely and realizes she’s being scrutinized from all sides. Marely greets her back. Paula says what’s up? They act like they’ve never seen me. Ivonne and the lobby lizard chick stare at her retreating back as she beckons Marely into the office. Ivonne, always helpful, runs to inform CL that his Veep is back. “I have news!” “They’ve fired you already.” “No.” She gives him a disgusted look and tells him the dead fly has arrived. “Who?” The Licenciada. She urges him to run over there. He tells her not to be absurd. “What, you’re not going to give her welcome to the land of the living?” Nope, not interested. Ivonne heard him but doesn’t believe him. He informs her that Paula is no longer one of his interests. Ivonne scoffs. He advises her what she needs to do is get out of his office, sit at her desk like a good secretary, and get on the line with an airline. He wants a ticket to Spain. One ticket, one-way (de ida—one-way. Round trip would be de ida y vuelta), to Madrid, first thing tomorrow morning. Ivonne is impactada. He asks if she’s clear, or will he have to draw her a picture (explain with blocks, my best guess)?

As is usually the case when Paula comes in to work, Marely is hearing her gripes about the world, first thing. It comes before the day’s to do list and everything. Looks like the world knows all the gossip. Marely confirms it, and the worst thing is that they got the suicide version. Paula yells about Juan. [Remind me, why DOES Marely put up with all this bellyaching?] She never thought he’d do something like this. Marely tells her it wasn’t Juan; someone else got this gossip going. Who else, Paula wants to know. Marely points out that it could have been her. Paula thinks she wouldn’t have the capacity to do that. Well, much less Juan, Marely asserts. Paula says she’ll quit defending Marely. Marely fusses back at her, defending Juan—what about CL? Marely reports overhearing Ivonne and her buddies. Paula just can’t believe CL talked about it. Paula is so angry she gets up to go out into the office and deal with it. Marely makes her stop—it’s not worth the trouble. Why doesn’t Paula just go home? Nope, not and have them still talking behind my back. [Ed. Note: not that I’m a good judge, or anything, but this green dress does nothing for her hips except outline them so it looks like saddlebags. And while I’m at it, Marely’s top looks like she could lose it in a strong breeze or with too forceful a gesture.] Marely tells her she’s stubborn and Paula says she has to distract herself. Fine, Marely takes her by the wrist and aims Paula back to her chair—TO WORK! Only to work! Someone is peeping in the door as Marely comes back around the desk to her seat. Oh, what do you know! It’s Monica, here to welcome Paula back warmly, and how does she feel? Marely high-tails it out. Moni tells Paula it’s a relief that she’s recovering so fast, given the circumstances. Paula asks her “what circumstances?” Moni tells her everyone knows she tried to kill herself. She doesn’t know if she should admire Paula or feel sorry for her. Neither, because the supposed suicide attempt was a bit of fiction (mentira, another definition). Moni smiles and chuckles snidely.

Moni sits herself down in Paula’s office. She doesn’t have to deny this, it won’t serve anything to fool herself. It’s better to recognize our weaknesses. Paula says it is worth it to be sure the world isn’t believing fiction. She didn’t try to kill herself and she doesn’t need to give any more explanations. Moni presses and Paula tells her again she doesn’t want to discuss it more. Moni says she just wants to help, and Paula doesn’t want her help. She has work to do, if that’s all right with Moni. Oh-kay. As you like it, Moni singsongs, throws up her hands with a shrug, and bounces out the door. She turns back and gives a little smile as she closes the door and mouths some farewell. [Ed. Note: for someone so nice at the beginning of the novela, she’s a world-class witch now. Whew.] Paula mouths something nasty at the door behind Moni, mocking.

CL is making clear for the millionth time that Ivonne is NOT going to Spain with him (okay, I exaggerated about the millionth thing). He says please, I NEED this reservation NOW, and I want an appointment with the employees at 11:00 so I can say goodbye to them. Ivonne’s face has fallen. Really, do you think leaving is going to solve your problems, she asks him. He reminds her that he had already told her it was over between them [talk about mixed messages, since after that you slept with her at least two more time, you creep.] Ivonne wants to know what will happen to her. He tells her to live her life, find a guy who’ll love her, marry, have kids, I don’t know. It’s your life, LIVE it. She argues back; she’s being dumped like so much garbage with nothing to go to. They continue to argue about it and she tells him she’s not going to let him go. He asks how she’s going to prevent it, and what she plans to use to threaten him now; it’s already all lost. He tells her the only thing that she can try to do is save her work and he can’t help her with that. If she hopes to do that, she’d better talk with Monica, because after today, she’s in charge. Ivonne strikes back; he’s a wretch, the worst human being she’s known in her life.

Nidia and the taxi driver are jubilant; they seem to have lost Gutis. The driver feels like he’s James Bond-007, like in the movies. He knows those streets inside out. Nidia checks around again, then they celebrate and then decide where to next.

Ivonne has come to cry on Pastor’s shoulder, figuratively. Without CL, she is going to die. Pastor tells her it’s her opportunity to begin to live. She can’t believe that Pastor is saying exactly what CL told her. Pastor tells her it’s not the same, since CL told her with cruelty and he is telling her with great caring. [Judy B., I think you mentioned this scene in the first part of the recap; it was indeed lovely. Pastor is a good guy to have at your back.] She’s not had love at CL’s side, but slavery. Now she has her opportunity to find a genuine love. She protests, but he points out this guy has avoided having something permanent with her. Pastor encourages her to go find love. It’s scary but she doesn’t have a choice. Ivonne thinks if she speaks with Paula and asks for acceptance and pardon, CL won’t leave. Pastor fondly tells her she’s crazy. She just loves him, she says. He goes around to put his arms around her and comfort her (blinds open as usual, but now no one’s paying attention).

Tomorrow? Moni is mildly impactada. Yes, tomorrow, that’s what you wanted, right? CL furrows his brow and looks her in the eye as they sit in his office. Moni points out he had told her a week. Yes, I know, CL responds. But you were in such a rush for me to get out of the company, I changed my plans. Moni tries to talk him back into taking a week. He points out with his departure there’ll be plenty of happy folks. Paula, for example? Moni is annoyed. But she is also a little concerned, and she tells him she didn’t really think he’d be able to leave. He wishes her luck. It’s not easy, but with her abilities, all will go well.

Fern answers the phone in the garage. Someone is summoning, and he assures the person they’ll be right up. The three boys exchange chitchat as they head upstairs.

Marely answers the phone in Paula’s office. She thanks the person, and hangs up. Marely tells Paula that CL wants to see all the employees. Paula smirks that he’s going to assure us he’s not going, according to what she’s been hearing. Marely says she was told they better not miss it. They finish up a column of numbers.

Pastor claps his hands up on the mezzanine to get the employees’ attention and calls to them. CL, Monica and Pastor stand on the mezzanine catwalk just over the elevators, looking down at all the Farell employees. It puts us in mind of Juan’s fantasy of CL leaving and putting Juan in charge, but the reality it’s Moni who will be in charge. Pastor asks for silence so CL can say a few words. He clears his throat. “Unfortunately for me but lucky for you, people come and go, but companies stay.” He wants to wish them farewell, and thank them for being such loyal, passionate workers and great colleagues. That will stay with him as a good memory. He wants them to have the same attitude of service with Monica, who will be taking over. (In the crowd we see Juan, Fern, Kike, Alirio, Julia, the lobby lizards, Ivonne – with arms crossed and a scowl). They applaud and Juan thought bubbles eloquently about how there is no doubt now that CL is going. For some reason I can’t fathom, Paula smiles up a little at CL and smiles back a little at her.

The boys are on their way back to the garage, and Fern is wondering why the big boss is in such a rush. Kike says that’s the least of it; what’s going to happen to all of them? Juan, whose tie has gotten shorter in the last couple of weeks, is silent. Fern protests that everything’s going to stay the same. And for some of them it’ll even get better—he smiles a little in Juan’s direction and adds a crack. Juan doesn’t like it much and fusses at Fern. Fern tries to make light of it; he wasn’t analyzing the relationship. Juan tells him it’s a question of sensitivity. Juan thinks he should know that there are many folks who will be roughed up by all this. Fern points out that now he will have a free road with the Licenciada and could win her heart back. Juan tells Fern he knows absolutely nothing about this topic. It would have been much better if the boss had stayed. Much better. Both Kike and Fern look puzzled as Juan stalks off. Fern tells Kike he understands even less now. What’s up with Juan? Kike explains to Fern that finally, Juan accepted that the Licenciada was not for him. The one who trips her trigger is CL. Fern’s jaw drops.

Delirio is excited by something as he opens the door to his…um…office. Oh, it’s a miracle, or an illusion! Nidia sits with her arms crossed behind the desk, glaring at him. He tells her sweet nothings, calls her his life and his love, and either doesn’t care that he’s about to get chewed out or doesn’t register it. She asks him what hours he works. All day, of course, he tells her. But I was upstairs to hear the farewell speech CL gave. Farewell? He’s going to live in Spain. Nidia is impactada, and she begs him for the gossip. Delirio tells her he doesn’t know it, and she scolds him for not paying attention. He says he doesn’t have the head for gossip, hablablabla and she sits back, skeptical as Gutis in funky hat, trench coat and dark glasses comes in the door. Well, look who is here, she sneers. What a surprise, right? Gutis actually looks busted.

Moni is working on investment numbers with Paula in Moni’s office. Paula refers to CL’s strategies—it’s complicating things, and Moni advises her they’re changing strategies. They’re done for the day and Paula gets ready to leave the office, when Moni has one more thing….Moni wonders if it’s important to Paula that they change chauffeurs. What? Yep, Paula can have Fern and Moni will take Juan. Paula is impactada.

In the garage, speaking of the King and Prince of Rome, Juan and Fern aren’t speaking. Well, Fern is trying, but Juan is just walking past him. Kike tries to get Juan to calm himself. It was just a comment, Kike tells him, Fern doesn’t know how the story went. Juan fusses about Fern and one of these days he’s going to plant one in his nose. Juan makes a fist to demonstrate his intentions. Kike tries to get him to settle down again. Don’t tell me that you’re taking it hard that the big boss is going? Juan says it’s not, but he just didn’t expect it. Kike tells Juan not to get mad with him, but Fern might be right, if CL goes he can…..Juan interrupts. I can what? Be the second plate? No! Juan Dominguez Coral de Chichipico is not served for dessert! Kike says it’s the opportunity he’s waited for. Juan won’t hear it. Nothing’s changing just because CL is going. Everyone will head back to their own places, clearly.

Moni explains to Paula that Fern has always been more than a chauffeur to CL. She alludes to the things he knew about CL’s activities that she doesn’t want to be reminded of. What’s more, she thinks she and Juan will get along well and he inspires confidence in her. Paula stands with a blank look but smiles a little and says Juan knows how to give caring. Moni also thinks the interchange will be better for both Paula and her, since it won’t be easy for her to have Juan around after all this. It’ll be Paula’s opportunity for some distance. Fine, Paula replies. You sure? Moni presses her. Yep. Perfect, Moni thinks.

Nidia is in full swing—nobody in her life has humiliated her in such a despicable, contemptible manner. Gutis looks embarrassed and Delirio tries to look puzzled. She chides them for this infantile plan. Delirio begs her, he swears….she cuts him off. What? You’re going to swear to me? Or are you going to tell me that your friend Gutierrez spies on his friends wives just to pass the time? She yells at them and Delirio tries to get her to calm down, he’ll explain. He turns to Gutis, demanding that Gutis tell her that Delirio knew nothing! Gutis won’t do it; he tells Delirio you wanted to know where your wife was going! Nidia looks stricken and puts her hand to her chest. Delirio begs again; he never said a word, it was all Gutis’ idea! They yell simultaneously and Nidia yells that she doesn’t care who had the idea. Gutis yells at Delirio that he told Delirio it wouldn’t work. She warns Delirio—Don Perdador Roncho de Fantoche (using words that sound like Perafán etc.) – loser – that if he doesn’t shape up she will kick him out of her house and her life forever. She snaps her fingers at him for emphasis. He’s impactado.

The elevator opens and an impactada Nidia looks up from the inside to see a VERY tall figure stalking onto it with her. Fern, arms crossed and facing Nidia, greets her—what a miracle! He’s glad to be able to greet an old friend, he says with some sarcasm. Nidia isn’t in the mood and tells him not to begin with her, this isn’t the time or place. He wants to know what’s happening. Is this a way to treat your lover? She tells him that even if they have had something, he has no right to demand explanations, much less raise his voice to her. He tells her to save the drama for her hubby. He’s not just anyone that she can give him a cheap excuse. All Nidia can say is that he’s raising his voice again. He wants an answer. Why is she avoiding him? The elevator opens and in comes Ivonne. She looks at their faces and sweetly asks if she’s interrupting something. They both scowl. No, Fern spits out. Nidia doesn’t speak, and Ivonne studies her face.

CL is packing his office up, complaining to Gaitán that this is the most ridiculous thing he’s done in his life, going to live in Spain. Qué the heck is he going to do in Spain? Pastor points out that a little vacation never hurt anyone. Oh, no, brilliant. He’s risking his business, women (plural!), his life is changing, for what? A vacation in Spain? Pastor struggles to come up with something pithy----well, you’re risking it all….for love! What love? What those two women would love is to burn me with green wood! Pastor begs his forgiveness for contradicting him, but reminds him this is purely for display. The three women, counting Ivonne, are all dying for him. CL leans forward with his sardonic sneer—oh, really? The two principal ones, Monica and Paula, won’t dare to show it but deep down it’s eating them alive. Well, when is Paula going to dare to take the step, CL wants to know. Will it be in this millennium or the next? Pastor blusters that CL has conquered all her resistance. CL can only say “oh, sure.” Pastor continues that she’s weakening and the thread’s about to break! CL asks if it isn’t the case, what am I waiting for? Pastor assures him that he knows human nature and Paula and CL will end up together much sooner than he thinks. CL says it better work out that way, because if it doesn’t and he’s wrong, he’s going to come back and skin Pastor alive. Is Pastor clear on that, CL asks with a smile. Pastor gulps loudly and nods.

CL walks out of his office into the lobby, a box in his hands with his briefcase on top. Ivonne looks up as Pastor follows CL out. CL, always so sure of himself, sighs and turns to Ivonne slightly, then walks by her as Pastor shuts the door and follows him to the elevator. Lobby lizards look on with interest. CL meets Marely coming off the elevator. She asks if he is going now. He replies that he is, and Marely wishes him luck and a good trip. He thanks her and awkwardly asks her to give his farewell to her boss. She tells him she will and excuses herself. The little voice on his shoulder – oops, it’s Pastor – tells him “well done.” CL walks the green mile onto the elevator with his jaw set, nods to Pastor, and the elevator closes.

In the garage, CL has made good time getting off the elevator and coming around by the boys’ station. Garage lizards are shining shoes and reading. Fern jumps up at CL’s “let’s go.” He takes CL’s box and runs to open the trunk. Juan sees CL approaching and thought bubbles that at the end, his sacrifice didn’t serve for anything. CL is really going forever. He and CL face off. Juan is definitely left without the Licenciada. CL comes by him and looks Juan over derisively and Juan continues to thought bubble about where all this has brought them. He’d like to punch the guy, and hard. He wonders what’s going through Paula’s head now. Who will comfort her? Who will sing to that guitar?

Pastor is briefing Moni, Juan’s portrait in its full splendor behind them. He just lacks a few details to the paperwork to liquidate Ivonne. Moni is going to leave him to finish the matter, and not one day more can pass with that woman in this office. He tells her yes, and he’ll see her to the door. Moni tells him not to bother. Oh, yes, there’s one more little change she’d forgotten to tell him. From this moment, Juan is the President’s chauffeur and Fern is the Veep’s. Pastor is impactado and starts to speak….but Moni continues. Is there any problem with it? No, of course not, whatever you require. She sneers a little as she tells him how good it is that he’s clear.

Ivonne is asking Moni why she wants to fire her. Ivonne tells Moni she’s a good secretary and she doesn’t think she’s given any reason to her or CL that she would deserve this. Really, do you want to know why, Ivonne? Yes. It’s simple, Moni tells her. Monica doesn’t want to have a woman who betrays, lies, and then has the nerve to ask not to be fired. Ivonne protests and Moni informs her that she’s aware Ivonne was the lover of CL. Ivonne protests that this is pure office gossip. Moni reminds her that Ivonne came and begged for Moni to not allow CL to fire her, but she could have told Moni then. She just wanted to keep her position and stay close to CL. Moni regrets having served as her advocate. Ivonne tries again and Moni cuts her off. There’s nothing more to say. Oh, yes, there is one more thing. She tells Ivonne to call the employment agency they usually use and send a few candidates to replace her. Ivonne is impactada.

Juan continues to muse that just when he thought nothing worse could happen, it did. We see Moni coming into the garage. She calls him and he snaps up at her orders. She gives him the good news that from now on, Juan is Monica’s chauffeur. He is muy impactado. And we are reminded that any similarity to real life is purely a coincidence.

Vocabulary

Pasaje de ida – one way ticket (round trip would be de ida y vuelta)

Schoolmarm Jeanne

Labels: Juan

[My VCR recorded only black static last night, so I have only this from memory and a bit of esmas to go by for now, till I double check my daughter's Tivo. Hope I didn't lose much.]

We begin when the daring and defiant Daniela arrives back at the manse with the loyal and ever-regal, legal eagle, Videgaray, just in time to have Elvis come out scolding them for allowing Grammie P to become frightened by their secrecy and the call that she just received from Avellaneda. Pilar comes out then and demands to know what has happened to Rod. She wants the truth and nothin' but!!

Meanwhile, Francisco and Priscilla, both mentally patting themselves on the back for the con they're playing so successfully on each other, start heavy smooching at 80 mph on a narrow two-lane. Frankie doesn't notice the one semi truck passing the other and which are both coming from the opposite direction until it's too late. Darwin's principle of natural selection takes over and two sets of stupid genes are abruptly scrubbed from the gene pool. (We can assume here that little Ricky got the recessive intelligence and the nurturing benevolence genes from Jose's side of the family.)

Priscilla dies immediately, but Frankie hangs on long enough to make it to the hospital. He has been literally boiled in motor oil and regains consciousness only long enough to realize he's dying and mutilated beyond all recognition. In the throws of his agony he mumbles to his mother to forgive him, rolls his one remaining lidless eye, then dies as his half-melted fingers clutch spasmodically at the air in one last, torturous tremor. (Now that, folks, is cosmic justice writ large!)
=============

Across town Dani explains to Pilar that Rod took the blame for everything to ensure that Mariana Franco would not lose her prestigious position with the CRT.

Rod is suffering a bit of claustrophobia in his cell. Later on he starts to breathe deeply as he remembers his and Gavi's little "marriage ritual" by the waterfall. Somewhere along the way he says to himself, as he clings to the bars, that when he finally gets free he'll look for Gavi and explain everything to her. At the same time Gavi is awake on the plane thinking that she never really knew this guy at all and blames herself for having gone looking for him at the airport and then allowing him to sweet-talk her into going off with him for another weekend tryst. She just cannot understand why he played with her feelings like that and says as much to Clarita. Clarita's spot on reply is essentially, "Well, if you'd have made that little call like I told you to, you'd know by now."

Back on terra firma at Montalvo Corporate Offices Aaron demands that Lluvia tell the authorities in her statement that the employees in shipping abused her trust and she merely signed the shipping documents without reading through them. Lluvia defiantly defends the people in shipping and says that would have been an impossibility because of the strict measures that are always taken. Aaron spits and spazzes in frustration 'cuz of course he knows all this and simply doesn't need or want to hear it from a no-account, smart-mouthed, ex-sexratary like her. He warns her that if she doesn't follow the lawyer's and his advice she'll end up in jail.
===============

Isa calls Pilar's from some coffee shop, looking for Rod. Dani answers and doesn't fall for the old-disguise-your-voice-with-a-handkerchief trick. (Damn! The A-team must have been back outside tokin' again, cuz even I couldn't believe they'd resort to a plot device that hackneyed.) Dani recognizes who it is after asking a couple times for the name of the caller.

Daniela tells Isa outright that her brother is otherwise occupied and in jail, paying for a crime he didn't commit, and that she would have loved to tell her future ex-SIL that Rod hadn't backed up her daddy's debt (to get and to keep his sorry rear out of jail) and that it was all a bad dream that Frankie the Fraud hadn't sold their copper sulfate to black marketeers leaving the whole plantation infested with bugs and worms; but it is, in fact, their reality now. So since Rod is totally ruined because of her and that louse of a lover of hers, she can forget asking for anything more from any of them.

Isa confesses then that Frankie left her for one of his lovers, stole her car and took most all her remaining cash, that then she had to sneak out of the hotel without paying the bill and now has nothing for the baby, not even a place to stay. Dani softens up when she hears this and agrees to deposit the monthly stipend Rod arranged for Ricky.

This isn't enough for Isa and she insists she needs the hotel billed paid, too (obviously to keep the cops from throwing her in the calaboose along with Rod). Dani says there isn't enough cash to cover that. Isa will have to make do and solve that problem herself. Isa agrees to call the next day with an account number for the deposit and hangs up.

Jose comes in looking for Isa and the baby and offers to put her up at her place. Isa is amazed that the woman would offer to help a perfect stranger like this but she accepts.

Everyone there in the city except for Patricio (and the incarcerated Rod) comes to Pilar's for the family meeting. Aaron assures his once gullible Grammie that Rod and Mariana Franco are the only ones guilty of criminally doctoring tequila and illicitly shipping it off to foreign ports. He also suggests that either of them probably also knew where to hide their dirty money in order to use it later on when it becomes necessary. Pilar asks Aaron if Mariana had access to that kind of money, how come when he fired her, she was out on the street and practically starving months later. Greed outweighs Minnie's hurt pride and despite the fact she's grimacing next to her adored Aaron, she backs his story.

Pilar tells Aaron that at least, if Rod is guilty, she will recognize that he had the dignity to accept it. She is emphatic in warning Aaron that if she finds out it was actually he who conspired to devise such scandalous and illicit activities now destroying the family, she will never pardon him for it. Minnie stands up for Aaron against Pilar's "partiality". Fedra chimes in with another complaint that Rod's the grandson Pilar's always spoiled and says she's heard enough and is leaving. As they get up to go, Pilar asks Bruno to get to the bottom of this as soon as he can.

Once they are gone, Nestor tells Pilar that he believes Bruno was not privy to any of this. Daniela remarks that Patricio wasn't there and complains that he is just a puppet of Aaron's.

Back at Pat's place, he is explaining to Lluvia that he couldn't face Pilar without breaking down and confessing everything, so he simply stayed away. Lluvia is worried about Rod and Gavi taking the fall for Aaron's rotten schemes and complains to Patricio for always confiding in and counting on Aaron. She tells him she's frightened of having to lie when she gives her statement.

Aaron tells Minnie that as soon as they sentence Rod they'll leave the country since Rod can very easily break at the thought of facing a 20 year jail sentence.

Jose arrives home with Isa and Ricky in her apartment. She offers her the bedroom for the two of them to sleep in and suggests they could stay and live with her. They get to talking and Isa wonders about Jose's family. Jose tells her that she has a son named Pancho but that he comes around very little to see her. She lives there alone. Sure she had some good friends, but they have just recently moved far away.

Later, in Jose's bedroom, Isa thinks about the helping hand Jose has given her, and that she of all people never expected to end up living in the "vecindad" (a barrio, aka, the inner-city).

In London, capital of England, Olavaria hands over the keys of their new, prestigiously posh pad, to Gavi. Clarita practically swoons at the surrounding luxury that was once unimaginable for either of them. Gavi, though, is oblivious to it all and walks out onto her balcony. Staring out at the city she remembers her first trip to London. She says to herself that four years ago she came to London looking for Rodrigo Montalvo, and now that she's back this time around in this city she'll learn to forget him.

Back in Mexico City at the corporate offices, Aaron unceremoniously informs Margarita that he's decided she's done working at the corporation as of that day and must leave at 2 PM sharp. Before he goes back into his office, though, Quintana comes out to tell him he's working on the financial reports for Turquoise Agave that his lawyer and Aaron have asked for. Aaron says he wants them on his desk at 11 AM on the dot and goes back inside his office.

Margarita has obviously learned a thing or two working for the Montalvos and shrewdly asks Quintana for a copy of those financial statements he's working on, saying she needs them as a file copy. He says they're confidential but she persuades him by saying that she better than anybody understands the need for confidentiality with someone like Aaron in charge, and so he agrees to make her a copy for the files.

Across town at the prison Vid tells Rod that Dani gave Aaron the message about his retracting his confession if anything at all happens to Mariana Franco. He is certain that Aaron will not try anything since it doesn't suit his purpose. Rod confesses to Nestor he regrets that he was so cruel to Gavi when breaking off with her, but he had to make sure she would go to London like she had planned. Nestor commiserates and then walks over to open the door and brings in Pilar to speak with him.

Rod is moved to tears and, being in a jail, is compelled to wipe his face and nose on his sleeve like the other hardened criminals there. Pilar just continues to stare with that signature smile of hers frozen in place, not once (to my eternal chagrin) thinking to offer him her hanky. Rod assures Pilar that this was all a trap Aaron had set for him, and he swears that sooner or later he will prove his innocence. He asks her when she goes to speak with Avellaneda to tell him the whole truth concerning Gaviota and him, as it would be unfair to make her come back from London. It would make his sacrifice useless.

At Montalveña James tells Sofia that he will have to settle up with the workers and let them all go since everything is probably lost. She refuses this idea and tells him that the two of them together will fight to come out ahead with the hacienda and what they can save of the agave crop. James can no longer contain himself and he kisses Sofia and she kisses back. He confesses that he still loves her and now feels only a brotherly love towards Acacia. He's worried she still feels something for her ex, but Sofia admits that she has no feelings for Frankie and tells him that "that curse is now Isa's problem."

Sofia, who has had an epiphany somewhere during this tragedy, says she's very happy together with James, working side by side at the hacienda with him. They remember the old days in London when they were short for cash a lot of the time and the silly things they did to get by.

Back in the barrio, Isa explains to Jose that a smooth-talking playboy stole her car and she is planning to make a complaint to the police. It seems that Jose apparently took care of the hotel bill for Isa somewhere along the line. Jose agrees that this man should be punished for what he's done to Isa. Isa is moved and says that once the police get her car back she'll sell it and repay everything.

Just then Isa gets a call on her cell from the police asking about her car's license plate numbers. When she says those are her car's they ask her if she knows a Francisco de la Vega. Isa tells the caller that of course she knows the name Francisco de la Vega then she, impactada, tells Jose that the father of her child is dead.

Isa explains to Jose that Francisco de la Vega is the father of her child and there was a car accident, that his lover died at the site of the accident and that he died a bit later at the Red Cross. Jose chokes out a scream of horror at the news and her eyes fill with tears. Isa gets confused at Jose's extreme reaction, and is wide-eyed impactada when Jose, trembling from the shock of this news, screams in a shrill, piercing voice that Francisco de la Vega is her son.

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