Caray, Caray!

The Cheese Fair! It's so exciting! Everybody is happy and Fer is the belle of the ball! The cheese looks delicious. So does Fer, especially to Fr/Ed. They are making googly eyes at each other - she on the podium being congratulated for all her hard work, he looking dashing in the crowd - but Err dashes up and drapes herself over him and Fer is downcast and Fr/Ed is abashed.

Santi is standing at the door of the convent. The nuns ask Aurora if she wants to see him and she's all happy and says, "Yes, oh yes, if he's here it's because he understands, and Barbara explained everything to him and we're copacetic." "Are you sure you trust Barbara?" "I trust Santi!" Uh-oh, anvil time.

They ask if she'll tell him he's gonna be a daddy and she says yes. You know right then and there that no, she isn't gonna tell. It's telenovela logic.

They fetch him. She's sweet and smiley and offers him water, he gets right down to business: "Who was that guy Barbara caught you in bed with? Say it's a nauseating lie!"

Now I can understand Aurora being flummoxed by that question and needing a moment to collect her thoughts. But she just whimpers and looks stupid until Santi says: "Your silence proves it's true." Now he's the idiot.

And he gets angrier and even shakes her and yells, "Who's the guy?" and then [OH WRITERS HOW CAN YOU PALM THIS OFF ON US?? -- Ed.] she says, "I didn't know him."

What? What?

And now Santi's convinced Barbara was right because that's what SHE reported: that Aurora was having sex in Santi's bed with some guy she didn't even know.

Santi accuses Aurora of being a whore. "When you were out there on the highway, you weren't looking for your mother, you were soliciting Johns. I should never have fallen in love with you, that was my error, I should just -- have had congress with you instead."

He stalks out and goes and sinks against a column and blubbers in a most ridiculous fashion. He spends more time looking at a pink rosebud and crying than he did listening to Aurora. Aurora collapses on her bed, the nuns flock around, she says she wants to die.

I know there are those among you who are thinking: "Go right ahead!"

Totally off-topic as far as I can see: somebody asks Jacinto how it feels to be married to somebody so, was it chipocluda? He says: I feel like a peacock. Nu?

Errorika's dad wants Fr/Ed to eat cheese. Errorika's mother warns her daughter: "Don't keep praising Fer to your fiance, you should be tooting your own horn." Err says (correctly) that would be pretentious. "I don't know, dear, he spends an awful lot of time with her..."

Back at the hacienda, Barb tells Daffy she wasn't surprised to hear that Lili's taped message was not coerced. Daffy is impressed: "How did you know?" "Because after all these years I understand your kids, they're like my own." "But they ARE my own and I don't understand them at all!" he moans. "I must have been a bad parent, why else wouldn't she want to come back? It's so sad and absurd. Lili wants to stay with her kidnapper?"

"She's not normal, my dear, you can't expect reason from her. I'm beginning to wonder if she hasn't fallen in love with Obregon and has colluded with him to do this, to extract your fortune from you."

He goes on a tangent, "But I'm even sadder about you. I called and called and called and you didn't answer! I was dying! Why is my life becoming ruined and solitary? I knew my kids would be leaving, but I'm terrified of losing you, you are the elixir of life! With you, I feel like a whole man - without you, I am just a moribund duffer." They kiss and kiss.

Cad is still turning the puzzle over in his pea brain. Loafly wants to elope. But dear daffy daddy, living font of the folding green, wants Cad to wait till Lili is found. But what if Lili isn't found? If Dad gives so much of his money to Barb, then Loafly's wad looks even more attractive. But if she ticks off her Uncle Steve, maybe HER wad will be endangered. Anyball is not too interested in this conversation.

At the hacienda Daffy continues to turn Barb's theory over in his pinhead. "What? Lili was an autosecuestrada? (A self-kidnapper.)

Barb keeps laying it on till he says: "Well then! All the more reason to hustle ahead and put my money in your name, imagine if Lili married Obregon and then he would get my pile! You need to get what you deserve, not only as my wife but as a vital part of Grupo Lactos!" She strokes his hairy paw.

Fer brings Flor home, they are all "we belong to a mutual admiration society" and laughing together until Fer asks, "Hey, what about that mystery guy at the office the other day?" Flor, remembering Barb's threat to fire her if she blabs about that guy, stammers and stutters and bolts for home.

Uh-oh, Damian is all dressed up nice (he looks good I have to admit) and he spritzes on some cologne and has a bouquet of roses and jumps up when the door opens but it's just Prisila, who says Fer will be along presently and "by the way, I've had enough of spying for you. There's nothing between Fer and Franco, the whole day Err was draped around his neck. And I don't recommend a private detective, you'll just be tossing your money in the garbage."

Fer comes into the bedroom, smells the cologne, sees the flowers - and Damian - and she gets tense, he says: "At last you've come! I'm so sorry, shorty, I was stupid, forgive me." [What did he do this time? I missed it. -Ed.]

She takes the flowers, looks away, tries to leave to put them in water (what an excuse). "You don't need to do that, Tomasa is coming with a vase, and also champagne, to celebrate." "What are we celebrating?" "The success of your cheese fair." "Like you care! You didn't even bother to come. It just proved you don't give a damn. You're an egotist."

"Oh, are we going to begin now?" "No, we're going to end." "What?" "I'm tired." "I'm tired too," he starts to raise his voice, "you think this farce of a marriage is easy for me? That Man is taking what's MINE!" "No, I'm not yours, we haven't had congress. And I won't go on with this."

"When you said there wasn't another man, you lied!" "Even if Franco didn't exist... it was a mistake to marry you." "You said it would be forever." "I tried 20,000 ways, but it's no good." And he finishes with the classic line: "I will never give you a divorce." Readers, you know this means he has to die. Too bad he doesn't realize it. He limps out.

Fr/Ed comes home to find Esteve packing to leave. Esteve has snapped. He knows Loafly is going to Cad's apartment and intends to marry him. Fr/Ed: "But she knows perfectly well he's a worm! Why would she do it?"

[I have to say that, much as I love to look at our hero, his acting in this novela, and this scene as a particular example, is feeble. --Ed.]

"She's not doing it for money, or for love, she's doing it because she's disgusted with me." "She loves you, why are you running away?" "I can't let her be in love with me! What can I offer her? My heart is stone. It was broken once and I spent years picking up the pieces. I can't love. Call me cowardly!"

"Friend, your heart may be stone, but Venus is softening it." "Yes, she's special. How she's suffered! She'll forget this cowardly gringo." "Talk to her!"

Martina rushes in to report what Esteve has already told us - that Loafly is off to Cad's apartment to elope.

And it's true. He's all dressed up. Venus goes straight for the booze and sucks one down in ten seconds flat. He looks surprised. She pours another one. She tries to tell him something but loses her nerve.

At the office, Fer gnaws away at Flor about "the guy the other day." She asks and asks and says, "Flor, we don't just work together, we're friends." (This could be called inappropriate pressure.)

To make a long story short, Flor buckles and admits she heard a guy say: "tell Fer her husband is a swindler, Rubiel Villasana says so!" Then Barb made her shuttle the guy to Barb's office. "And she forbade me to tell." Fer promises Barb won't fire her.

Barb comes in and shoots daggers at Flor. "YOU'RE here!" "Yes, what's it to you?" asks Fer with acid. Barb chews her cheeks.

Tomorrow: Margarita begs Fr/Ed to come clean to Fer.

Labels: manana

Iñaki collapses. Across town, Paloma slips off to sleep and dreams of a romantic time with Iñaki. She wakes up from her dream and goes to talk to her parents picture. She hopes for their blessing in her upcoming marriage. She hugs her wedding dress and apparently slips back to sleep.

The next day, Iñaki is convulsing on the floor, unable to call out when his mother nears his room to wake him. She decides to let him sleep a little longer and she heads out to the beauty salon.

Macarena wakes Paloma up. They talk about the wedding day and Pal decides she’d like to take some flowers to her parents’ graves/family vault (panteón). Mac likes the idea and Carlota overhears and invites herself along. Cruelota wants to spend the entire day with Pal. Pal is a little reluctant, but unwilling to mar the goodness of the day says the more the merrier. Mac is visibly bothered by it and Cruelota’s words. After this is settled, Cruelota takes a peek at her watch……the poison should have taken affect by now, when will she learn that she can add another kill to her resume.

Emiliano has a conversation with the maid…apparently his mother did not sleep in her bed the evening before (not something that you really want to be discussing with the hired help, IMHO). Before he can get too upset about it, both parents arrive home. Rafael tells his son that Diana came and found him at the hotel and they’ve reconciled. No wink, wink, nudge, nudge needed....E knows what this means and is happy to hear it.

Orlando bumps into Camila as she’s opening her shop. They discuss that they are both going to a wedding later in the day, come to find out it is la misma boda. Lando learns that Cami is Romina’s mother and Cami learns that Lando is E’s boss. She never put it together. Lando compliments her on her blouse and looks forward to seeing her at the wedding later in the day.

At the cemetery, Pal places the flowers on her parents’ grave. She wishes that they would be there to share her day. Mac thinks that Javier and Sagario helped guide Iñaki and Paloma to each other. Cruelota thinks that everything she’s done has been to keep Paloma at her side, just as Javier would have wanted it.

Germán asks Liliana to give them another chance. She’s suspicious and thinks he is only interested because Emiliano and Romy have gotten back together. Germie assures Lili it is because they were good together. She doesn’t want to be hurt again. He tells her he doesn’t want to be hurt either. He begs her for another chance.

La casa de los Espinoza de los Monteros is busy with wedding preparations. Cruelota worries that there hasn’t been any news about Iñaki’s untimely death, she's just itching to get her resume updated. Macarena admires Paloma’s dress and thinks about the wedding that she never had. Cruelota tells her that it didn’t happen and that it was for the best. Mac isn’t so sure. Pal walks in on this conversation and wonders who they are speaking about. Cruelota says they are talking about an acquaintance. The phone finally rings and Cruelota has a cruel smile on her face…finally some news (fingers crossed, fingers crossed). Nope, it is just Ines wondering about the time of the service. Cruelota informs her that it may be customary to start the wedding mass ½ hour later than what is stated on the invitation, but today’s wedding will be precisely at the time given. No exceptions.

Carmen discovers Iñaki on the floor of his room. He appears to be alive. She rubs his hair....is there an equivalent of 911 in Mexico? Surely there is some medical help she can call.

Mac and Pal have a little heart to heart as Pal gets into her dress. Mac says that most girls dream of the fancy wedding, living happily ever after, well Paloma is living the dream and it is a beautiful reality. Pal tells Mac that she thinks of her almost as a mother and Mac tells Pal she thinks of her as a daughter. The women hug and Mac puts on the finishing touch, her necklace.

Emiliano spots Pal leaving her house in her wedding dress when he's across the street picking up Romy. He is enthralled at the sight of her. She does look quite beautiful. Romy meets him out front and fishes for a compliment. He doesn't bite, so she fills in the blanks for him. She (Romy) looks guapa.

Outside the church a crowd is gathering. Paloma’s car arrives and everyone wonders why Iñaki hasn’t arrived yet. Emiliano must be a speed racer, because he is there and opens the car door for Pal. Everyone urges Pal to go to the back of the church, to await Iñaki’s arrival. Here in the front of the church, the couples mingle. Romy clings to E to send a message to Germie. Germie is all lovey-dovey with Lili. Cami introduces Lando to Mac and the good doctor. Emiliano decides that someone should call Iñaki. Natalia is in another part of the crowd and she’s thinking the same thing. She gets a busy signal. That’s because E has gotten through and finds out from Carmen that Iñaki is in a grave state.

Mac goes to find Pal. She assures her that she’s not worried about Iñaki not being there, yet. Everything will be okay. Mac leaves Pal and E comes from the other direction. He tells Pal that Iñaki won’t be able to come to the church today.

The next scene we see is Paloma running out of the front of the church, with Emiliano chasing after her. The guests are stunned, but E doesn’t stop to give an explanation, he’s too busy giving chase. Romy is upset to see her boyfriend going after her best friend. Cruelota “wonders” what could be going on. Natalia has finally gotten through to Carmen and she shares the news with Mac and Cruelota. Cruelota asks Cami to tell the guests the wedding is a no go. Mac and Cruelota are heading to Iñaki’s with Natalia. Germie and Romy decide they should head to Iñaki’s house, too.

E catches Paloma, who is hysterical. He tells her they should go to Iñaki’s.

When they arrive, the doctor is already there. Iñaki is laying in his bed. No one has thought to take him to a hospital? Paloma rushes into the room and falls on top of Iñaki. She begs him to wake up. He does. He looks at her, says her name, and says “te amo”. She tells him she loves him too and he smiles….and then he dies. Paloma goes into hysterics again. She begs him to not die. Emiliano and Carmen both are crying. Paloma tells Iñaki that soon she’ll be with him again.

Natalia and the aunts arrive. The doctor tells them it is too late, Iñaki is gone, he died of cardiac arrest (paro cardiaco). Apparently there are no defibrillators in this part of the country. That’s right, the doctors make house calls, but have no emergency equipment. The doctor wonders if Iñaki has been under any great stress lately? Natalia says he has and that seems to solve the whole mystery of why such a young man died. Mac says she needs to be with Paloma. She leaves. The doctor talks to Cruelota and tells her that there will be an autopsy. Cruelota is disturbed to hear this.

Paloma runs to Mac and tells her that Iñaki is gone. Mac comforts her niece. Pal wonders why everyone she loves leaves her.

Natalia calls her hubby. After Alfonso scolds Natalia for being at the wedding, he is upset to learn that his son has died...so upset he bites the phone.

Cruelota places a call. She wants someone to help her family. They’ve suffered so much and to have Iñaki’s body undergo an autopsy would be just too much for them. The licenciado agrees to help her out.

Mac and Carmen decide they need to get Pal out of Iñaki’s room, because they'll need to prepare the body for removal. Pal doesn’t want to go and E helps to get her out. Pal faints and they take her to another room. They are able to revive Pal. She questions Mac, was it all some terrible nightmare? Mac tells her, unfortunately, it is real. Back to the hysterics.

Germie, Emiliano and Romy are downstairs. They discuss the untimely demise of Iñaki. It is hard to lose a friend. Natalia tells them that Alfie is on his way, once he gets there they can begin discussing what to do as far as funeral arrangements.

Rufi is at Iñaki’s house, she’s trying to comfort Carmen. Cruelota shoes Rufi away. She plays all sympathetic to the grieving mother. She urges Carmen to get Iñaki back to Spain, this means no autopsy and a quick cremation. Carmen thinks she should consult Alfie. Cruelota presses a bit more and seems to speak the magic words (Jedi mind tricks, I wonder?). Carmen thinks it would be best to get Iñaki back to Spain, Alfie’s wishes be damned. Carmen goes and tells Natalia she’s made her mind up and since Alfie wasn’t much of a father, no need to consult him. END OF EPISODE.

Labels: amor

Lili is playing chess with Ciro as Bravo walks into the room to check on her. (What? Is that a bit of softening around the old bastardo’s crinklin’ eyes?)

The glum and gloomy Gonzo is now in the library of the hacienda consoling himself by knockin’ back a shot or three of some Gran Patrón Platinum when Camilo knocks on the door to introduce him to his betrothed, the lovely Loafly Norton, now dressed in shiny blue mini-chic and spiked ankle boots –not exactly the version of the girl next door Cad’s papi probably had in mind. From the way Gonzo strains to keep that upside-down frown from doing a 180 on his face, it’s pretty obvious that this idealized female stereotype was a bit more than our unhappy papi should have expected from his mental midget of a middle son, Cad. (Oh well, she is supposed to be Norton’s niece and that’s got to be a plus at least.) Gonzo asks them to hold off on the wedding till the situation with Lili is settled, but of course, Cad needs it spelled out for him. Gonzo hisses in his face. “That means your wedding is subject to Lili finally returning home again!” (Duh!) Cad takes an extra minute for the neurons to fire up and the words to process. This was not exactly the response he’d hoped to get from dear ol’ dotin’ Daddy.

In town at the convent meanwhile, Aurora fills in the mother superior on her conversation with la Sra. Barbara. Naïvely, Rory feels la Sra.’s strange reaction to her story and to her pregnancy was because she was angry that Rory and Santiago had been having sex without the benefit of marriage. (Ha! That’s a good one!) The very cloistered mother superior can only sympathize.

Barbara of the bad seed drives towards Bravo’s and continues sniveling over Bravo’s trickery and deceit. She swears that nothing and no one, not even the Elizalde’s, will snatch her daughter or her grandchild away from her now.

Outside the hacienda, Cad apologizes to Loafly, aka Venus, for the way his father acted. He thinks it’s ridiculous to make them wait until his crazy sister returns home since that very likely will never happen. Venus chides him for speaking so rudely about his sister. (Two points for that one, Venus.) She deftly turns the conversation back to the two of them and starts wheedling and cajoling Cad to get him to agree to elope. To Cad’s credit, he seems uncertain about going against his daddy’s wishes.

Across the way at Lili’s ex-abode, Estev asks Martina for help in trying to make Venus see the error of her ways. “Doesn’t she understand she can’t marry Camilo Elizalde?” Martina agrees they have to try to make Venus see reason, but her friend is as stubborn as a mule, she says. Martina is not sure what she can do to stop it, but she’s determined to try.

Back at the hacienda Cad tells “Loafly” that she is not the same little frightened girl he thought he knew. Venus improvises and tells Cad he helped her change by helping her see the truth about her “uncle” not really loving anybody more than he loves himself and she is desperate to be free of him. Cad says he’s now the one who is afraid, but adds that he also feels her uncle appears to really be worried for her. Venus tearfully tells him that it isn’t love, but the fact that she’s only a creation of “her uncle’s”. Her “uncle” is proud of what he’s succeeded in making her, which is something she really is not. It’s unclear if the wheels are actually turning in that tiny blob of Elizalde gray-matter or if it’s just that breakfast didn’t settle well.

Martina finally explains to Estev that Venus’ problem is she fell in love with him and is only marrying Camilo Elizalde out of spite. Estev (gawd knows why) struggles with this.

At Las Animas, the FBI analyst assures Eduardo that the results of the tests he did with the recording from Lili show that she was relaxed and did not make the recording under duress. Nobody forced her to say what she did. This puts a new wrinkle into things for Eddie.

Barb arrives back at Artemio Bravo’s manse. She finds it a bit interesting that Lili is actually managing to get along pretty well with Bravo. He says Lili is doing fine there and is actually pleased with himself over it. He remarks that it’s strange to think that Lili would be the first to know the truth about the Elizalde’s and then informs her that he’s decided he is going to keep Lili with him. Barbara, who wants no part of her, is surprised he actually wants to look after Gonzalo Elizalde’s daughter and says as much. Bravo answers that since God didn’t see fit to give him children he’s going to gladly accept his niece as a gift from the Devil.

Barbara changes the subject to tell him that they’ve got something else they need to do right away. She explains that Franco Santoro has turned into a valuable ally and has helped them keep the Elizalde’s right where they need them. Bravo is intrigued by this. She says it’s because Santoro is ambitious. “We need to keep him on our side. Santoro, apart from winning over Fernanda Elizalde, also gained Gonzalo Elizalde’s trust and managed to convince the old fool not to bring the police in on Lili’s disappearance.” She lies to Bravo and tells him that as a condition to continue his alliance with them that Santoro has made the demand to see Lili. This immediately throws Bravo for a loop.

Venus finally returns home to Lili’s and tells Martina she’s still determined to marry Cad. Martina says she cannot understand why Venus insists on getting married “to such a louse.” Even if Venus wants to, Martina reminds her, she’d need to have documents proving she was really Lovely Norton and she doesn’t. Once Camilo caught her in the lie all Hell would break loose. Venus admits she hadn’t thought about that but says it doesn’t matter. She’s going to marry him anyway and tell him the truth, all of it, down to the very last detail. Martina knows that nothin’ good’s gonna come from that kind of idiocy but Venus refuses to listen any further.

On the drive back to the hacienda Barbara calls Fr/Ed to let him know about the meeting she set up for him with the man who has Lili; she admits she did it because she wants Fr/Ed to meet her enemy and says no, the man didn’t raise a single objection. “When do I meet him?” “—Very soon. I will tell you when you must go to meet Artemio Bravo.” Eduardo is breath-sucking impactado to hear that name because, as we all know, he has wanted this for so long he can taste it. He licks his lips in anticipation. (Note to director: This anticipatory lip-licking seems a bit bizarre. Next time maybe consider a little macho fist-balling and knuckle-cracking, huh?)

When Barb finally returns to the hacienda, Santi runs out to get the rundown on the meet between her and Aurora. Viewerville shares a collective skin crawl as Babs oh-so-sympathetically grabs Santiago’s hand and they walk out back to discuss it privately. (Ugh! A firm hand on the arm would have done nicely, thank you very much!)

A bit later, Martina tells Venus she has the feeling that one day Lili will finally return to the house. Venus says hopefully Martina’s hunch is right. Martina can’t stand it any longer and tries to make Venus see the forest in those trees. She warns her friend that if she opens up with the truth to Camilo Elizalde she’ll be hanging herself. Venus says the only way she’s going to be able to marry him is if she tells him the truth. Martina says he’s expecting to marry “Loafly Norton”, the American millionaire’s niece, not Venus (as in the manhandled merchandise of multitudinous muddied male inebriates). Martina tries to make her see that the minute Camilo Elizalde learns the truth he’s going to look at her like she’s a piece of trash (and with the buzzsaw that Viewerville assumes will come after—being called trash will be the least of it). Venus is defiantly adamant. “You wanna bet?”

Babs finally admits to Santiago that she lied about Aurora leaving the hacienda with an older man, and that she lied about that in order to protect him. (Uh…yeah. Riiiight. Viewerville straps in.)

Fr/Ed, meanwhile, arrives at Grupo Lactos with the results of the analysis of Lili’s recording. Speaking of buzzsaws, he runs into Gardenia at Reception and asks if Fer’s in. Denia makes a big to do saying that Fer just got back from eating and is now in her office with her husband before putting a call through to Fer to let her know he’s there. Fer takes the call and Damian gets extremely testy when she explains that Santoro needs to speak with her. He limps out of the office in a big jealous huff. In the reception area testosterone fills the air. Like a couple of Siamese fighting fish Dam glares at Fr/Ed and Fr/Ed, standing his ground, glares right back at Dam, though he does seem to be a bit puzzled at the suddenly open hostility. (I thought BB was supposed to take care of that male ego of Dam’s. The gal is definitely slippin'.)

Back at the hacienda Babs helps steel Santiago’s jumbled nerves with a shot or two of the Gran Patrón before she lets him have it between the eyes.

In Fernanda’s office Fr/Ed gives Fer the results of the analysis. He tells her it shows Lili was not forced to say what she did on the tape. “There was no coercion. It was spontaneous. ” Fernanda is shattered. “—Then, she hates us. She really hates us. She really doesn’t want to see us again.” Fer immediately blames herself. (It’s just her nature I guess.) Fr/Eduardo runs over to comfort her but she cringes and screams at him not to touch her. Whoa!! Fr/ed cannot understand the change in her and asks what’s going on. Fernanda blows off at Fr/Ed and spouts something like proving Lili can’t stand them any longer is apparently no big deal for him but it certainly is to her. He says that he can understand, but he wonders why she’s so angry with him.

Like any jealous, smarting, self-respecting female, Nanda side-steps the truth and pretends she doesn’t know what Fr/Ed’s talking about just so she can egg him on into stumbling over his…er… oversized appendage before beating him over the head with it over what she assumes happened and allowing him to tumble into the abyss of sexual consequence. Fr/Ed is totally clueless and ventures dangerously close to the edge. “I may be wrong, but since the last time I saw you I have the distinct impression that something happened and that you’re really upset with me.” (Why are these alpha-males so slow on the uptake when female hormones are involved?) Fernanda just stares at that third eye in the middle of his forehead and fumes.

Once Santiago has downed enough tequila, Barb tells him that she found Rory in bed with another man. Santi is heart-in-his-mouth-impactado. Silent rage begins to eat at him.

Back in Fer’s office, she circles around Fr/Ed and tells him she’s incensed at his lack of tact. She admonishes him for the sly way he’s taking liberties with her (she wishes) with these little meetings of his just because Damian’s walked out of the office for a bit. He takes two steps further forward “to clarify that “these little meetings” of theirs in no way were meant to harm her marriage. This just gets Fernanda even angrier. He clams up. (Dunno. Maybe Fr/Ed’s sense of survival in the business world in the era of harassment law-suits probably kicked in.) Fer goes into this lengthy explanation of how these meetings can’t help but make the problems she’s having with her marriage even worse.

Now it’s Fr/Ed’s turn to get snippy and he sarcastically tells Fernanda that she doesn’t know how sorry that makes him because like it or not, they’ll have to continue meeting with one another until her sister’s rescued and they decide to make public everything that they’ve been keeping secret up to now. Fer says she understands that perfectly. Fr/Ed says great, and if it’s all the same to her, he’ll just head for her daddy’s and give him the results of the recording himself. (Of course, the two of them would really rather be going at it like a couple of minks right then and there and the Devil take the hindmost.) He leaves. She throws the chair at the door in utter frustration and then paces a few times while cursing him –if not her own suffocating and hopeless situation with that albatross, Damian --under her breath.

Meanwhile, Santiago demands the name of the man Babs caught Rory with in bed. Babs toys with him and refuses to say. She claims she won’t say because she wants to protect Santi. Santi loses his temper (finally!) and sneers that this is just another one of the shady things she’s cooked up to separate him from Aurora. He’s sure Barbara took advantage of his being out of the house to run Rory off and says that’s why Rory took refuge at the convent. (Trust your instincts, Santi Boy!) Babs sweetly says he’s got it all wrong. He counters that he knows her better than that and he knows what she’s capable of. That face of the understanding stepmother she’s wearing is not going to work this time on him. “They call you La Hiena for a reason!!” Babs acts hurt. She replies ever so meekly. “—This is the way you repay me for all I’ve done for you?” “--You’re not going to continue to manipulate me! I’m not like my father or my brothers who believe all your tricks!”

Bitch Barbie has had enough. She slams her fist on the table and tries to string him along with another pack of lies. (Really makes you wonder if the woman simply cannot help herself or just refuses to take the blame. Probably a bit of both.) “Enough insults! If I don’t tell you his name it’s because I don’t know it and neither does Aurora. He was some farmer she met in the town square. She took advantage of the hacienda being empty and brought him back.” He screams at her now that he’s had enough! “—No Santiago! Now you’re going to listen to me! It’s not right for you to continue suffering for a woman who was shameless enough to cheat on you in our own house. (Arghh! Now it’s Viewerville’s turn at screaming “Enough!” Cats and dogs everywhere go scampering for the nearest chair or table to hide under.) --That’s why I myself threw her out!” Santiago yells back that he doesn’t believe her because it’s the third story she’s given him about Aurora and each time it’s different! BB says then the only solution is to go ask Rory himself and he obviously knows where to find her! He races off to take her up on it. She tells herself that whatever it takes she’s going to get Santiago Elizalde out of the picture.

Fer gets ready to leave Grupo. Dam asks her what happened with Santoro. She tells him he left for the hacienda to take the results of the recording’s analysis to her father. She didn’t go with him because she’s going to the cheese fair. Dam asks if he can go with her to the fair and she, rather impressed and surprised, says sure. He lies and ingratiatingly offers that he didn’t want to let her go alone when this event was so important for her.

Meanwhile, Anyballs (whom we now know really doesn’t have any to speak of, thanks to a boyhood mishap consisting of an unfortunate encounter with a log) shows up at Vlad’s apartment and demands to know everything about the affair in detail. (Lordy, is this guy the kind who only gets his kicks vicariously?) Vlad asks if Prissy said anything about it to him or if AB complained to her about it at all. AB says no so Vlad asks why he wants to bother with details then. Anyballs says he wants to have a reason to kill the both of them. (Viewerville sucks in its breath.) Vlad doesn’t quite know whether to take that threat literally or not.

Back at the Elizalde’s, Santi peels out of the driveway in his jeep just as Fr/Ed shows up with the results of the voice analysis. BB makes a snide remark about it and then tells Fr/Ed she’s supposes that Lili no doubt turned out sounding very happy. Fr/Ed says warily, “Not happy, but they definitely did not force her.” She tells him he can find Gonzo in the library. “You know the way.” She walks off.

Back at Vlad’s, Anyballs starts peppering poor Vladi with questions. “When did you meet Priscila? --How many times did you see each other? --Didn’t it matter that she was married? --When did you suggest that you sleep together? --Where did you do it? Here? “ Vlad hardly has time to answer and he refuses to give AB the intimate details of their relationship. (Two points, Vladi.) Anyballs grabs Vlad by the collar then and demands to know how Vlad is so sure Pris’s kid is his. Vlad explains about the fertility clinic test results Pris dropped on the floor the first time she was there. Anibal tries to buy him off but Vlad says he loves Pris, who is the most marvelous woman he’s ever known, and vows that neither his love for her nor his son are for sale. (Sentiments and notions totally alien to the likes of Anyballs who is nothing more than a neutered dog in a manger at this point, but isn’t bright enough to have figure that out yet, perhaps.)

Fr/Ed hands Don Gonzo the results just as Fer and Dam enter the house. Gonzo says they show that Lili’s message wasn’t forced. Dam tries to get into a pissin’ contest over the results with Fr/Ed and challenges the ex-FBI agent Fr/Ed used. Dam wonders how sure they can be of his results. Fr/Ed tells him there is only a 3% margin of error. Gonzo is upset with the results and leaves, a broken man. Fr/Ed tells Fer if she needs anything else she can count on him and then leaves the two of them alone. Dam tries to get Fer to get another opinion using one of his own contacts in the state police. Fer refuses and says it’s up to her father to decide what to do with the results. Dam snarls that Gonzo now only listens to Santoro but that Santoro doesn’t give a flip about her sister. (Like we all know Damian really does….) He insists that he wants to call his friend but again Fer refuses. Dam loses his temper at her and screams back at her that the only one the family listens to for advice anymore seems to be Franco Santoro! He starts to limp off, his male ego battered, bleeding and soaked in piss. Fer calls him back, saying that they need to talk. He looks over his shoulder at her like he’d rather use that cane on her than talk to her.

Back at the apartment again, Anibal gets into his own macho match with Vlad and claims they can’t be sure Pris didn’t go to bed with somebody else besides him. Vlad struggles a moment with self-doubt, then recovers and says he doesn’t believe that for an instant. AB says she was only interested in getting what she wanted and it didn’t matter who the father was. All Pris wanted was for the bastard to have the Elizalde family name. Vlad isn’t quite sure what to believe at this point. Anibal smiles. (This guy has learned to machinate from years observing a master. Guess she taught him pretty well, but then Moansie’s boys would sort o' be naturals, wouldn’t they?)

Back in the living room of the hacienda Fer tries reasoning with Dam. He’s tired of trying to be understanding. He’s also tired of being married to a woman who’s refused to let him touch her since the day they got married. (Whoa!! Hubby’s showing a little male solidarity here. It’s the principle of the thing, of course.) “What? Do you think I should ask Santoro if it’s okay with him if we make love?” His sarcastic remark hits a bulls-eye. Fernanda reacts like a disappointing goody two-shoes. “—Damian, we aren’t going to have a relationship this way.” Dam loses it again. “—Of course we aren’t going to have a relationship!! It’s not possible for a solution if a wife refuses a husband the right to live as man and wife!” She says she’s not suggesting a “solution” (huh?) but he insists that he is. “—And I assure you that I’m going to assert my rights!” He turns his back on her and walks away. (Fish or cut bait, Fernanda. This situation is gettin’ out of hand and you’re on the losing end.) Fer looks queezy after this heated little exchange.

We bounce back to Vladimir’s apartment in media res. Vlad’s telling Anyballs he’s got to be demented to ask him what he’s asking him to do. “Just go home.” AB smiles evilly and say Vlad doesn’t have a choice and suggests that they keep this little visit between the two of them till he has a chance to figure things out in detail and comes back with something specific that would allow the both of them to come out benefitting. “I repeat that the success or failure of this deal is based on keeping Prisicila out of it.” Vlad tells AB that the only thing he wants is to get Pris back and to give his child a happy home. With that same crazy gleam in his eyes, AB tells him to consider it done.

Back at the hacienda, BB now looks on from the doorway to the library as Gonzo stares wretchedly out the window. She allows herself a smug smile before the mask goes back on. “Vida, do you want to talk?” Babs is dripping with sappy sympathy. He wants to know where she’s been. She answers she went for a drive to get her thoughts in order and then spent forever in the chapel praying. (What a layup.) Gonzo responds on cue. “Forgive me my love. I’ve been going through hell because of your coldness.” “--No. You must forgive me.” She hugs him and coolly thinks to herself, “Very shortly I’m going to be free of your revolting soppiness, you doddering old man!”

A bit later everybody who is anybody in Villa Madero is at the local cheese producers’ fair. Eddie and Estev explain to Martina and Venus (in a painfully obvious PSA) the value of supporting the small local producers who otherwise cannot afford to compete with the larger brands. Dr. Carlos and Silvestre show up and join them. Martina introduces Carlos to everyone as her fiancé. Silvestre notes the change in Venus. (Yawn.) FF>>

Ed then looks around and notices Fernanda as she excitedly prepares for her presentation to the crowd. He is obviously mesmerized by her. She looks up and smiles back broadly, apparently happy to be the apple of his eye again. Suddenly she sees Errika and her parents walking up behind Fr/Ed. She watches as Err grabs Fr/Ed by surprise and they kiss “hello.” Fernanda’s smile fades and the magic of the moment is lost.

Labels: manana

Permalink posted by Jardinera654 @ 3:16 PM 37 comments

In the continuing game of cat and mouse between our two strong-willed heroes, Moni had gotten the idea (not dispelled at all by Mauricio) that Mauricio really likes submissive women, such as geishas, who speak quietly and are totally subservient to their men. Moni was offended, of course, so she somehow dressed up as a geisha to spice up Mau’s meeting with the Japanese investors. She ended up teaching the other geishas some ghetto moves, and the investors liked her so much, now they want to take her back to Japan. Moni protests, but Mau starts toying with Moni, to pay her back for her stunt. He tells the investors they can have Moni as a souvenir, tells Moni she could learn to be a sumo wrestler, and don’t forget to send postcards. Moni’s distraught, it was only a joke, and you, Mau always take everything I say so seriously, would you really send me to Japan, don’t you care about me? Mau reassures her that she knows how much he cares about her, and they again move close for a possible kiss. Moni says she’s shaking, and Mau thinks it’s his charm, but it’s actually his cell, in Moni’s pocket, set on vibrate! It’s Doctor Perales, Mau has to go for the results of his exam, so he leaves, and Moni and Sal also skeedaddle, leaving the befuddled investors muy confundidos.

Jerry’s counting his millions, but Oscar counsels caution, saying “No te me aloques que te necesito cuerdo” (Don’t make yourself crazy when I need you sane), which his father used to say when he locked him in his room. Seems Oscar’s father was quite strict, and Oscar says he was a good man, at least he never touched Oscar when he was sober (!! ) - so here we get an insight into the roots of Oscar’s evil). He then hints that if Jerry’s in such a rush for his money, well, brakes have been known to fail, and Mau likes to drive, hint, hint. Jerry’s a little shocked, he doesn’t want to kill Mau, he’s family, just take away his company, his girlfriend, his money, his house, his desk….Oh, is that all? asks Oscar. Oscar says he was just joking about the killing, you get it, right, buddy? He playfully slaps Jero on the arm, but Jero’s not laughing anymore.

Remember how Ximena’s in hiding from the baddies, since she knows the truth about Moni/Beto, but doesn’t want to betray her amigas? Tano took her to his Mom’s house, and Ximmy’s appreciative. She asked Tano’s Mom for a bulletproof vest (un chaleco antibalas), and the Mom lent her a nice plaid overcoat. Tano wants to keep guarding her, and invites her to lunch, when Ximmy’s phone rings, and she remarks it’s just like a telenovela! Which it is, as Rolu’s calling, and Ximmy, without thinking, tells HIM she has a secret. Of course, Rolu will now help protect her, leaving Tano out in the cold again.

Connie has secured some school uniforms for the kids, and they don’t like them one bit. Luisa has to wear a gray pleated Heidi-type dress over a white, short-sleeved puffed blouse, white knee socks and plain black flats, and it looks very childish. Also, the shoes are too tight. Connie says tough, that’s your uniform. Aldo comes in, and his white shirt and gray pants are three sizes too big. Not only does he hate the outfit, but he doesn’t want to go to the new school, and might not even get in, due to the exam. Connie hints that the kids are already admitted (she has pull) and says the clothes look great. Okay, you like them, take them, says Aldo, and he strips off his shirt and pants, leaving him in his boxers. Of course Mauricio shows up on cue, so that when Aldo goes to his room, Connie says Aldo’s crazy, they’ll have to get a specialist. Speaking of doctors, Mau says his doctor wants to see him personally.

Cut to the coffee room, as Beto is forcing Paula to list all the people whose names start with “M”, in an attempt to track down whomever wrote the letter to Moni. Jerry enters, remarks that Beto and Moni, if they’re siblings, they sure don’t resemble each other, and boy, is that Monita hot! This immediately infuriates Beto, who grabs Jerry by the hair and twists his arm behind his back. Paula rushes out to tell Gabi, who says call security. Paula reminds her that Beto IS security. Well, of course Moni shows up, and immediately separates the boys (without even having to knock them out this time!).

At Mauricio’s house, Doctor Perales has arrived to give Mau the results personally. Connie’s at Mau’s side, and Teresa is secretly eavesdropping. The results are a little discouraging (desalentador). Señor Sermeño, you have very little time left to live! Impactados all around.

Beto explains that he was upset about Moni’s “crime”. He holds up the letter, taped together, with the mysterious letter “M”. Who sent it? Well, Gabriela, of course, says Paula. Beto’s no dummy. He knows Gabriela begins with a “J”. Paula saves the day, explaining that Gabi’s real name is Marcela, she just doesn’t like that name. Right, adds Moni, it was just a party for the receptionists, and look how you overreacted, Beto. Beto starts to protest as to why Paula was making the list of people with the names starting with “M” when Salvador comes in. Beto’s mistreatment of the company Vice-President is not going to cost him his job. However, he’s back to cleaning crew, scratchy suit and all.

The doctor confirms Mau’s problem (never defined, I guess it’s some kind of tumor), and they’re going to do more studies, but it doesn’t look good.

Rolu and Ximmy, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g. Well, actually, they’re in his car, and the music is smokin’, too. She breathlessly starts to tell her secret, bringing up Moni and Beto, but before she actually spills the beans, she flashes 38 spy movies, realizes that Rolu is allied with Connie and Jerry, and she wanted their relationship to be transparent, clear like the waters off Cancun, but his dirty dealings are muddying the waters, so she can’t tell, and Adiós! she’s gone. Yes, Rolu has just received the Ximena treatment.

Gabi and Paula have some words, basically a power play, after which we see some feet approaching Gabi’s desk. In high heels. Topped by a red dress, big gold necklaces, and a shocking red wig, it’s Lorenza, with her new look! She’s quite scary, and Gabi is indeed scared, stutters that Sal’s out at the moment. But Lorenza came to see Gabi! Uh oh.

Ximmy’s on the run again, arriving at the vecindad she begs Estrella to hide her. It’s just like a movie, she tells Estre. The pretty heroine knows this big “Top Secret” information, and the whole world is after her, wanting to kill her. And then she’s kissing her handsome boyfriend, when she realizes, he wants to kill her, too! Yes, Ximmy is living her own movie, and we’re enjoying every minute of it. Estre stashes her in her apartment. Rolu arrives two seconds later, but our clever actress bats her eyes, figuring Rolu will be putty in her hands.

Lorenza smelled perfume on Salvador’s clothes the other night, he must have a lover! And she must work in this office. Well, says Gabi, everyone here already has a lover, I do, Paula does, etc. Fine, but you’ll have to be my eyes and ears and find out who Sal’s lover is. We’ll be working together, okay? Sure, fine, assures Gabi weakly, ushering our loca roja into the elevator, then reminding herself to change perfumes pronto.

Well, Rolu’s not really putty, in fact he’s throwing a few zingers of his own, trying to charm Estrella. When she says he’s moving too fast, he says he’s a race driver, and he likes curves. After she denies knowing any Ximena, he says to call if Ximena does show up, and he’ll arrive without brake fluid, so nothing will stop him. He leaves, but we see that Estrella’s pheremones have once again been activated, and when Ximena comes out, Estre admits that Rolu was tempting her more than a little, which amuses Ximmy.

Why is this happening to ME? These are the kind words by which caring Connie comforts morose Mauricio. She’s frantic, he’s quiet. She wants to wake up from this nightmare. And what about the kids, just when they’re starting to behave (could she be any worse?). Mau’s not paying attention, but when she mentions the niños, he says, right, I HAVE to adopt them, right away. Our sensitive lady says don’t think about them now, but by the way, if you want it, I’m ready to get married to you whenever you say the word. And there’s no time to lose. HUH? says Mau, looking at Connie as if she’s from another planeta (maybe Urananus, is that how you spell it? :). She runs out, a little flustered as to how poorly she’s handling this.

Teresa is muy triste, and Luisa asks what’s wrong. Terry says don’t worry, it’s grown-up things, and Luisa goes to check on lunch. Mauricio sees Terry crying. She admits that she heard everything, and he comforts her, asking her to keep the matter quiet. He wants to be alone, to think. He goes back to his room, and she clasps her hands in silent prayer.

After the commercial, it’s Beto time! He’s back to the cleaning uniform which matches Paula’s, but the pants itch so much that they’re down around his ankles, and we get to admire his blue and white boxers. When he complains to Paula, she says he should be happy he doesn’t have to clean the bathroom of the accountants, because then they’d be “counting” on him, and he couldn’t hide and slack off, as he’s able to do here. His job now is to clean Mauricio’s office, and Paula warns him not to touch anything. He goes grumbling off, as Pau hopes he won’t cost her to lose her business career.

Mauricio is walking along in a random park in Mexico City, deep in contemplation. Monita is also walking along in some park, and surprise, it’s the same one, she sees him, and they hug. Coincidence? I think not.

Connie’s having second thoughts. Remember how she was reluctant to go along with the fake pregnancy? Well, she’s reluctant about the fake doctor’s report, too, and calls Jerry to lament as to how sad it’s making Maury. This farce has gone beyond (superado) what she wanted, she feels like a bitch. You ARE a bitch, but a pretty one, replies Jerry, handing the phone to Oscar. Oscar tells her to shut up and do her job, or they’ll tell Mau. This makes her indignant, she’ll tell him first, and we’ll see who comes out worse. She calls out “Mauricio”, not knowing that he’s not home, having gone to a random park, and randomly having run into La Monita.

Okay, it wasn’t all THAT random. Teresa told Moni that when Mau gets sad, he goes to this park, so…..okay, I’ll buy it. By the way, Moni’s wearing pants today, wonder if there’s a reason. Mau says his Dad took him here as a kid, and this place calms him down. But he doesn’t want to die. Moni’s optimistic, don’t listen to those doctors, one guy in her neighborhood was told by doctors he had three months left to live, and you know what? Next day, he went out in the street and was hit by a bus! This brings a smile to Mau’s face. However, what really worries him is what will happen to the kids. Just adopt them, says Moni. But I’d have to get married. Then get married. Mau looks her in the eyes, says “Monita, marry me”. Her hands come to her face as she looks at him with a mixture of surprise, hope and love, and his warm gaze returns the love, and gets all our hearts a thumpin’.

So, does she say yes? Well, of course, before she can say a word, Mau’s cell rings, and he thinks Moni has a deal with the cell phone companies. It’s Salvador, Terry told him the news, and he advises Mau to get a second opinion (which to me, is a telenovela first, I mean what’s that gonna do to all the hardworking corrupt doctors? Speaking of which, it’s amazing how badly novelas portray doctors. In my first novela, Destilando Amor, a doc agreed to tell the hero his wife was pregnant by artificial insemination, when really, she’d had an affair. Then we had Matasanos in FELS, ready with any diagnosis requested by the evil Crabiela, all for the right price, of course. And over on MEPS, Dr. Obregon had no problem consigning a young girl to the manicomio, although he’s a little repentent now. And when the doctors aren’t corrupt, they’re inept. But they can learn fast, such as Alonso on Querida Enemiga (gastric bypass learned in Canada in a few months) or Juan Miguel on Cuidado con el Angel, who learned eye surgery pretty fast (for a psychiatrist!).

Anyway, Salvador insists that Mau see Doctor Camarena, and has already made the appointment, get over there NOW. Mau tells Moni, and she’s totally in agreement, get a second opinion, some lady in her neighborhood was told by a doctor she was in bad shape, and a “healer” cured her the next day! (Hmmm. See my rant above). They’re off to his appointment.

Connie sees Salvador talking to Teresa, and demands to know where Mauricio is. They’re not telling, and Connie wants to know why he’s against her. He’s not against her, he’s FOR Mauricio, and will be ‘til the end. Terry smiles, and when Connie questions this, she says she’s glad Mauricio is now surrounded by people who REALLY care for him.

In the GOOD doctor’s office, he says they’ll do a lab study (estudio de gabinete, literally “cabinet”, but it means laboratory in this instance), and we have a montage, accompanied by “hopeful” sounding piano chords, with them taking blood, Mau on the table with a lot of electrodes attached for an EKG, Sal and Moni concerned, arms around each other in support, Mau’s dressed now, back in the office, as the doc must be giving him the results, and his face breaks out in a smile – everything’s okay!

And just like that, they’re back in Mau’s office, and another problem is solved in one episode. He tells Sal and Moni there’s not one thing wrong with him. Sal wants to pursue why Perales was such an alarmist, something doesn’t add up, but Mau is sort of grateful, he now feels rejuvenated, and wants to remake his life. He starts to tell Moni how he feels, but she interrupts, says she knows what he said in the park doesn’t count now, things have changed, and he doesn’t quite get the chance to clear this up, as she says he should call Terry to relieve her anguish, which he does. After Terry is reassured, Moni, Mau and Sal again wonder how such a renowned doctor as Perales could have been so wrong, and Sal thinks it was no accident. He has his suspicions, and again, thinks it has something to do with the adoption.

In Jerry’s office, Oscar is holding up the earphone receiver, and he and Jerry, listening to every word from Mau’s office, realize the jig is up. Jerry wants to flee, but Oscar wants to hear more. They listen in, and hear Mau say he has a pending appointment with Dr. Perales, he’ll go, see what Perales says, and confront him. Sal wants to call the police, but Moni goes with Mau’s plan, and she’ll go with him, who needs police, she’ll handle the Doctor herself. Jerry tries to call Perales to warn him, but he doesn’t answer, so the race is on – who’ll get to Perales first?

The bad guys, of course, as we cut to the parking lot of a medical center, said Perales walks up the steps toward his office, and is met by Jerry and Oscar, who tell him Mauricio is on to him, he’d better come with them. Perales says he knew this was crazy, now he wants double. You’ll get a double kick in the rear if you don’t come with us now, says Jero. No way, says the Doc, as he headbutts both Jerry and Oscar, and rushes back to the parking lot. Mau and Moni zoom into the lot in Mau’s car, screeching to a stop to avoid hitting a pedestrian, but it’s the Doc! They jump out of the car, as Mau yells Run, Moni, Run! The chase is on, and now I see why Moni wore pants today.

Meanwhile, back at the office, we hear an uncensored fart, as Beto exits the bathroom (of Mau’s office), complaining why can’t he read his wrestling mag in peace, and Paula says he’s stinking up (apestando) the whole office. It took her a year to be allowed to clean this office, so he shouldn’t complain, now get this office clean and shiny. She leaves, and he diligently cleans the entire office….NOT. He drops the mop, drops the mag, and drops himself down into Mauricio’s chair. With his sneaker-clad feet on the desk, he dreams of being a bigwig, presses the intercom, says “take a memo, double the salary of Roberto Ochoa. Make that triple! Or better yet, what comes after triple?” He’s rudely interrupted by Gabi’s voice, remove your hands from that apparatus, or I’ll cut off your fingers with my fingernail clippers! Beto looks around, where’d that voice come from?

Estrella is warning Ximmy about Rolu. He doesn’t play clean. You mean he doesn’t bathe? asks our hiding heroine. No, he’s a vivales (someone only looking out for himself), or at least he looks (pinta) like one. Ximmy thinks he looks like a hunk (un cuero – literally a piece of leather), and has some cool, dark secrets, one of which she proceeds to whisper in Estre’s ear. Estre really wants Ximmy to think twice about Rolu, Ximmy can’t keep running forever. But for now, go back to the apartment, watch TV, try on some clothes, whatever, we’ll figure this out. Ximmy hugs her amiguita.

Speaking of running forever, Doctor Perales, who’s a big guy, is running through a park (same one they used for the Mau-Moni scene?), hiding behind some little trees, as the keystone cop music plays. Okay, now what’s wrong with this scene? Perales is going pretty fast, Moni’s zipping along in pursuit, and Mauricio (there’s nothing wrong with him, remember?), a tall young man in excellent shape, is the one who’s out of breath. Anyway, Perales ducks behind a tree, Moni runs right past (we also see she’s not wearing heels today, how convenient), but Mau catches up with the Doc, and demands to know who paid him. Talk!

Meanwhile back in the office, Gabi answers the phone, and it’s Lorenza. Again. She’s been calling every 15 minutes to find out who Sal’s seeing, and Gabi’s fed up. She tells Sal to do something. She tells Lorzena she can’t talk now, the lazy bum (zanguango) is here, and hangs up. Sal wonders, who’s the zanguango? It’s you, your wife said to use that code name for you, so as not to arouse suspicions. But you have to do something. Sal says they changed Lorenza’s meds, now she’s less psychotic, but more paranoid, which do you think is better? Why not just lock her up? replies Gabi.

Connie arrives, where’s Mau? They’re not telling, so she’ll wait in the office. She enters, and there’s Beto asleep in the chair, feet on the desk. She scolds him, but he wakes up, and immediately turns the tables. When she asks what’s with the uniform he’s wearing, he says he hopes she’ll take it off him, he stands up, pulls her close, starts stroking her hips. She pushes him away, don’t start. He can’t resist, you start me up, kisses her neck, lifts her off her feet, putting her down on the desk on her back, and starts kissing her neck again, going lower and lower! You’re like an octopus, she moans, please, no! He starts licking her neck, you say no, but your body says YES! The door opens, it’s Gabi and Sal, and this time, Connie and Beto are caught in flagrante delicto!

Previews: Lorenza’s back to her old hairstyle, demands Jerry tell her who’s the hussy. La Monita, he answers, and we see Lor’s car bearing down on an unsuspecting Moni. Look out!

Vocabulario:

No te me aloques que te necesito cuerdo – Don’t make yourself crazy when I need you sane
Un chaleco antibalas – a bulletproof vest
Desalentador – discouraging, disheartening
Superar – to go beyond, exceed something
Estudio de gabinete – laboratory study, gabinete can mean cabinet, office or laboratory
Vivales- someone who’s only looking out for himself
Un cuero – slang word for a hunk, also means leather
Zanguango – a lazy bum
BTW, when I couldn’t find some of these terms in the big Oxford dictionary, I was able to find them in El Pequeño Larousse Ilustrado, a Spanish-Spanish dictionary/encyclopedia, with lots of pictures, which I highly recommend.

Labels: gancho

A smiling Franco tells Fer that it will be no inconvenience if Gardenia leaves.

Aurora asks Barbara why she didn’t tell the truth to Santi. Bar says she isn’t capable of telling Santi what happened that night. Aurora wants an explanation, and asks Bar point blank, “What do want of me?” Aurora wants the truth.

Franco sends Bar a text telling her that Gonzo asked him to analyze the Lili tape. Gonzo wants the truth.

Bar tells Aurora that she felt very bad about what happened that night. It affected her so much that she can’t explain anything. Are you serious, says Aurora. Yes, says Bar, that’s why I’m here, to ask your pardon. Tears fall from their four eyes. I’m as shocked as Aurora. Suspenseful music plays.

Anibal calls somebody while Pris gets a massage. No answer, he must have been calling her. Is he looking for some kind of truth, too?

Flor, the doormat, enters and tells Ani that he has a meeting with the accountants. He tells her to cancel it.

Artemio and Lili are in the garden. He tells her he grew up in an orphanage, it was the place he received the diary, and he was taught the catechism and the bible, but the only story for him was his mother’s diary. Even though you are crazy, he tells her, you will understand the infamy. And that’s his truth.

Your grandmother didn’t want Ana Gregoria to be able to go anywhere on earth. She made Ana do whatever she asked and caused Ana terror and anguish. Ana kept all her secrets in the diary and all went well until Altagracia found out about the diary and that Ana Gregoria was pregnant. We see Ana Gregoria looking very pregnant and crying. Altagracia enters Ana’s room and snatches the diary. Ana cries and grabs her belly. Altagracia reads the diary. That’s how she found out about the bastard that was about to be born, that all the servants knew, and even who would be the child’s godmother. But, Altagracia had very different plans for Ana.

As Ana gives birth, Altagracia looks on coldly. Finally, the child is born. It was raining. That same night, Ana Gregoria was kicked out of the Elizalde Hacienda. Don Jeronimo wasn’t there because he was in Europe visiting his son. With her baby and a few things, Ana Gregoria just about died from the weather. Un arriero (a mule driver) found them almost dead. The man gave them a place to stay for a few days and helped them survive. The baby was baptized Artemio a few days later. Lili, “I am your uncle.” Lili shrinks and stares at him.

Bar begs Aurora’s pardon and says she jumped to conclusions. She asks Aurora if she will forgive her. Aurora asks that if she tells all, will Bar help her explain it to Santi. Yes, she says. Bar wants to know about Aurora’s life – from the beginning. BTW, she was on her knees and is now sitting in a chair. (Bar wants to hear it all, the truth, that is to say.)

Fer enters Lactos with Gardenia and tells Flor that from today on (a partir de hoy) Gardenia will be working with her. She will be doing general work until they figure out where she will work. Fer also tells Flor to get a uniform for Gardenia. Flor wants to talk to Fer, but once again Fer is too busy.

Meanwhile, back at the clinic, Ani is there to get the results of his sperm test. The receptionist orders the report from the file room and sends Anibal to an office down the hall. He remembers his conversation with Pris, who told him she had the results and they were fine (that he was un vigoroso semantal). The doctor enters and gives Ani a folder and asks the doc to interpret. The doctor tells Ani that the results of the test indicate that he is infertile. Ani says, that means I cannot have children (procrear). That cat is now out of the bag.

Vlad calls a limping Damian who is no doubt up to more mischief at the plant. Vlad tells Damian not to worry about him. But, he warns Damian that he is going to fix the accounts in his own way and not bother Damian again.

The doctor explains to Ani that his condition could be hereditary or that it could have resulted from an accident. Ani tells the doc that when he was ten, he had a bad fall off a horse.

Flor tells Gardenia how to make coffee, but Gardenia knows already. Flor wants to know why Gardenia is at Lactos because she thought Gardenia was happy at Las Animas. Flor tells Gardenia that Franco is a complete gentleman (todo un caballero). Gardenia is going to work hard, but she tells Flor that things aren’t always the way they seem and that at casa Santorito strange things happen. The phone rings and Flor leaves to answer it before Gardenia can let Flor in on a secret or two. Gardenia talks to herself and tells herself to shut her mouth. Zip it up, she says.

Marg and Jacinto talk as they walk to Las Animas and Jacinto says that Gardenia is an ingrate. Marg is all excited about the projects she has going with Fer. A man comes up, sucking on a lollipop, and asks if this is Franco Santoro’s house. The man tells them to advise Franco that Yako is here. Somehow I get the feeling that this is not one of Franco’s classmates from Harvard.

Bar tells Aurora not to cry and that she believes her. She’s ashamed of Camilo and that she finds it difficult to believe that Camilo drugged Aurora. Liar, liar. Is that why you treated me like a bad woman. Bar says she’s sorry and asks for forgiveness. She was blinded by what pain she thought Santi would feel. Bar says something about the trouble between the brothers and the pain suffered by her and Gonzo.

Barb urges Aurora on. She wants to hear more from Aurora. She wants to know about how the romance between Aurora and Santi began. Aurora had escaped from the house where she lived and was looking for her mother. She tells how Santi picked her up at the toll booth (caseto de pago) and gave her a ride. Flashback to the day they met. She then went to Mexico where she thought she would find her mother.

Marg says she can hardly believe that Gardenia left in this manner. Marg tells Franco that he can count on her. Strange things happen at Las Animas. Marg tells him, for example that a man called Yako is there to see him. Franco tells her to send him in. Franco takes the envelope with the tape out of his desk.

Fer remembers that Franco told her that a man came into the office and said that Damian Gallardo is an estafador (swindler, cheat). Enter Damian right on cue. He’s ready for love again. Enter Gardenia with a cup of coffee. Damian sends daggers to Gardenia and tells her to knock before entering. Fer looks happy and tells Gardenia to get Damian a coffee. A knock on the door – Gardenia wants to know how he wants his coffee. He says, you have a short memory. But Gardenia remembers the night she saw Bar and Damian in the act in that little car. Fer says that Gardenia will work at Lactos until she goes to school. Dear Damian says then she can work at the plant. Fer fields that curve. Damian wants to know why Gardenia left Santoro, and Fer says she doesn’t know.

Franco tells Yako that he has complete confidence in him because he worked for the FBI. Yes, says Yako, ten years. Franco wants to know about the circumstances surrounding the tape and Yako assures Franco he has his complete loyalty. We hear the Lili tape. Yako takes the tape and tells Franco that he will have results today.

Aurora tells Bar that Santi passed her off as his fiancée at Fer’s wedding. About her mother, Aurora didn’t even know her name. Santi was helping her find out her parents names. She found out the name of her mother. Bar begins to shake and Aurora says Rebeca Sanchez. Nobody knows anything about this except Santi. She tells Bar about Dominga and her drunken rages, and that Dominga said something about her father having paid. Bar wants to know if Dominga told her anything else. Only that her mother was bad and had been bad since she was a child because she burned her house down and killed her parents. A tear falls from Bar’s eye.

Editor: But, we don’t know if this is the truth yet. Could Barb have been the only survivor of a bad fire and is she the victim of Artemio’s evil ways. Or, did she intentionally start the fire? I don’t know. She did seem to enjoy snuffing out Montserrat and didn’t hesitate to push Macario down the ravine.

At Lactos Gardenia tells Flor that Fer still doesn’t know about Damian and that she can’t stand it. Flor tells her that they need to mind their own business even though they know what’s going on and that Fer doesn’t. Pris gets off the elevator and is greeted by Ani who wants to talk to her. He looks like a man with a bad case of controlled rage.

Aurora comforts Bar. Bar says she is very moved and wants Aurora to continue. Dominga said terrible things about my mother, scaring me to death and that she slept out on the patio. She had nightmares. Aurora tells Bar about the terrible things that Dominga said. Aurora didn’t know what to believe. But now thinks it must have been true. Aurora says she is confident that a mother is capable of doing anything to protect her child. Why do you say this, asks Bar. Because I’m pregnant, says Aurora.

Ani questions Pris with a little cat and mouse game. She wants to know why he’s interested in her pregnancy. He says it’s because she’s been all alone up to now. He says they are going to spend their days together. She is shocked. He says that from today on (a partir de hoy) he is going to behave like a loving husband who is awaiting the birth of his child. OK, he had me from hello, because I thought he was going to hit her with the news that he knew he wasn’t the father of the child she is carrying.

Aurora wants to know what Bar thinks about what she has just said. Her child is Santi’s. Bar doesn’t know and asks permission to leave, thus confusing and already confused Aurora.

At Lactos again Ani writes something on his calendar while Pris looks on. He’s going to cancel his appointments so that he can go to classes with her. Oh, BTW, Vladimir Pineiro wanted to talk to me. Do you know why?

Gardenia relates to Flor that when she saw Damian, she remembered that fateful night when she saw Bar and Dam in the car. Also they talk about Pris’ infidelity (poniendo la cuerno) with a man who was working here.

Pris asks Ani why would Vlad be important to her. She tells Ani that if Vlad calls again, tell Florecita to tell him that your’re not in. Ani asks her what plans she has for the rest of the day. He smiles as she leaves then he looks crazy. He goes back to his calendar, makes a phone call. Vlad’s phone rings. It’s Anibal who says he has to talk to him. Anibal has to talk to Vlad right away. Vlad will determine the place and the time. Well, Ani, the truth may set you free, but it also hurts.

Editor: Anyone want to wager about the conversation between Ani and Vlad. I say that Ani will want Vlad to keep his mouth shut to protect the Elizalde family name.

Bar laments that if she had known Aurora were hers all the abuse wouldn’t have happened. She blames it all on Artemio Bravo, the liar, who made her believe that Aurora was his lover. Artemio just happens to call her. She tells him that the family is sure that the voice is Lili’s. He tells her that Lili is OK. He’s happy to hear that Gonzo is having the voice analyzed because that’s all Gonzo will get of his beloved Lili for the rest of his life. Bar says the only good thing that happened to her was the birth of her child and that that Artemio will pay for the damage he has done.

Avances: Artemio will pay for all the damage done to her. She tells Franco she found her child. Does she mean Lili or Aurora? Damian yells at Fer. So what’s new?

Labels: manana

Repeat of Carlota smiling smugly as she finishes making her witches’ brew.

Paloma is on the phone with Inaki explaining that Carlota wants Inaki and his parents to come over for dinner and that he officially ask for Paloma’s hand. Inaki says that he doesn’t think his dad will want to come. Paloma asks Inaki to try to convince him, and he agrees to try, but can’t promise anything. After he hangs up, Carmen says she has no desire to socialize with Carlota but understands that for Paloma’s family this dinner is important, so she’ll talk to his dad. She inquires about the investigation of Paloma’s inheritance--he responds that later he’ll show her what the investigator gave him and she’ll see what people are capable of doing for money. He’s going to tell Paloma about it, but not until after they’re married and she’s 18, so she can request a copy of the will. Carmen also asks what Paloma said about coming to live in her house, and Inaki reports that she was happy about but embarrassed/shy. But why? you’re my only son and I’m going back to Spain, and the house is at your disposal.

Romina’s listening to music in her room when Camilia enters to tell her that the teacher she hired has arrived (this is a loose interpretation but I guess the teacher is there to help Romina make up the classes she’s failed); it was the condition the school put so that she doesn’t have to lose the whole year. Romina doesn’t want a teacher, she thinks she can study on her own. They argue, with Romina pulling out the “I’m 18 and you can’t make me do anything” card and Camila using “as long as you’re living here you have to” card. Romina says fine, if you want I’ll leave whenever you want.

Joel presents Rafa with a budget (presupuesto) for a new ceramics line and informs Rafael that they have a new investor whose only condition was anonymity. Rafael can’t believe it—this couldn’t have come at a better time.

Camila calls Emiliano and asks him to help her--Romina doesn’t want to study and he’s the only one who can convince her to do it.

Diana is talking with Ines about the separation. Ines says that Diana and Rafael were the ones she least expected this of. Then Diana announces that she’s not going to Paloma’s wedding because she’s a hypocrite. Ines agrees and recounts how Paloma ran off with her boyfriend and got into an accident, and Carlota had no choice but to organize a quickie wedding. Diana says that has nothing to do with my situation with Rafael (is she referring to when she married Rafael, or to the separation? I didn’t quite get this scene). Ines is glad Diana cleared that up, because that’s what the gossip is making it out to be. She then advises that Diana try to reconcile with Rafael--you’re not going to find another man like him. Men don’t know how to be alone and Rafa can seek consolation in some woman.

Emiliano visits Romina and asks about the search for her dad (she doesn’t have any news) and then if she’s ready for her exams. No, she doesn’t feel like doing anything. Emiliano says she has to finish what she started, but she wonders what for or for whom, when she’s so alone. Emiliano tells her she can’t depend on others to be happy, she has to have something that motivates her. Romina replies that if he loved her and came back to her she’d be happy, it’d be a motive for her to do things well. She asks him a couple more times to come back and kisses him, and he gives in.

Alonso is on the phone with Carmen, refusing to go to the wedding, much less ask for that girl’s hand. Carmen tells him that Inaki is going to marry with or without his consent--if you don’t come to the dinner don’t complain to me later when you regret it. Natalia is eavesdropping and when he finishes the call says she’s going to the wedding and that this would please Paloma’s mother. He warns that if she goes she’ll be going against him, and that could have serious consequences, and she kind of looks like “oh well, whatever.”

German and Inaki are at a bar and German thinks he should have a bachelor’s party. Emiliano joins them and when he announces that he’s back together with Romina, German looks upset.

Romina tells Paloma about how she’s back with Emiliano and how he (allegedly) said he missed her and couldn’t live without her. Romina somehow manages to talk about something other than herself and mentions the wedding, and asks if Inaki is really the man of Paloma’s life. Paloma answers that she has no doubt he is.

Musical montage of Paloma getting her dress fitted, Inaki showing Em and Orlando the rings, Romina with her tutor (but not really studying) and preparations for the big ask-for-Paloma’s-hand shindig.

Paloma is in her room getting ready when Mac comes in-—she has brought a pearl necklace for Paloma, who flashes back to when she was younger and saw the necklace in Mac’s box o’ memories.

Inaki and Carmen arrive for the dinner and Carlota is all nice and smiley-—she made a special drink for the occasion and goes off to get it. In the kitchen, Rufi has already poured a few drinks, so Carlota tells her to take them in to the living room, and she’ll bring in her and Inaki’s drinks. The drink or cocktail looks like red wine to me, and after Rufi leaves Carlota takes out a bottle hidden on a bottom shelf and pours some in Inaki’s glass, all the while ominous music plays and she grins evilly. I guess that means that it’s not so much a family dinner as it is a very exclusive tasting of Chateau Bruja’s finest wine, La Belladona. She gives Inaki his drink, saying “especially for you,” and then offers a toast to the novios’ happiness.

Inaki thanks the tias but Carlota says there’s nothing to thank them for, as everything they do is because Paloma is the most important thing. Inaki assures them they he’s going to dedicate himself to making her happy. Inaki would have liked his father to be there, and Carmen says that since he’s not, she doesn’t think there will be any objection to her asking on Inaki’s behalf for Paloma’s hand. Carlota says oh no, of course there is no objection, we’re here to support the kids.

To everyone’s surprise, Camila, Romina, and Emiliano arrive--turns out that Carlota invited them because she wanted it to be very special night for Paloma. Geez, she’s laying it on pretty thick tonight, but nobody seems overly concerned. Mac mentions to Camila that she doesn’t understand--she thinks Paloma/Inaki changed her sister and sighs about how different their life would have been if Carlota had always been like she is tonight.

Natalia is packing her bags to go to the wedding and Alonso comes in and says more of the same stuff, how she’s going despite him not agreeing with it. Natalia thinks they should have been at tonight’s dinner and regrets that she didn’t go, so she’s not going to miss the wedding. Alonso says fine, but you’re not taking Sagrario. He threatens to limit her expenses and she tells him to do whatever he wants, she’s going to get a job to earn her own money.

Romina comments to Paloma that she couldn’t believe when Carlota called her, she thought it was a joke. Paloma laughs and says she’s so happy Romina is there. Emiliano is standing in the corner and Inaki notes that he’s looking serious, but Emiliano says it’s nothing, he’s just glad that everything has worked out. Paloma credits him with having a lot to do with that and says he’s like their “hado padrino” (fairy godfather). Then she goes off to get Inaki another drink.

Carlota notices Paloma’s pearl necklace--she explains that Mac gave it to her. Carlota has a flashback of someone putting the necklace on Mac while Carlota looks on from behind the trees. Carmen comments that in some cultures pearls are a symbol for tears...in this case they’ll be a sign of tears, but tears of happiness. Then, when Carlota learns that Paloma was on her way to get Inaki another drink, she takes the glass and offers to get it.

Romina sees Paloma & Inaki laughing and talking and glares at them, and when she notices Emiliano watching them rather forlornly she snaps at him and orders him to smile.

Carlota delivers the drink to Inaki. Then Carmen starts talking about how they’re there to officially ask for Paloma’s hand. Inaki is my only son, the love of my life and the reason for everything I do. Inaki & Paloma’s relationship was full of obstacles and the fact that they’ve overcome them is a sign for me that they were made for each other. Carmen also thanks the tias for accepting Inaki as a part of Paloma’s life.

Carlota agrees to the request for Paloma’s hand, but first scares everyone by making it sound like she’s going to wreck the party--Inaki wasn’t what I had in mind for my niece--but the two of them have given me a huge lesson and shown me that love conquers all, etc.

As we go to commercial, Inaki starts to look like he’s dizzy.

Diana goes to Rafael’s office and finds Joel there-—she’s surprised to find him so happy, she thought everyone would be in mourning since the company is closing. He tells her that they have a new investor, which surprises and interests Diana a great deal. Yeah, I guess that Rafa isn't such a loser after all. Joel is sure that the new project will be a success and that they will earn more with than they have with previous projects.

Emiliano calls Orlando for advice again, as he thinks he shouldn’t have come to the dinner party. Orlando thinks it’s a way for Emiliano to accept that Paloma can’t be for him. Maybe you’re right, replies Emiliano. As of tomorrow--SIGHHHHH--she will be completely forbidden to me.

Paloma and Romina go up to her room and Romina comments how strange it is that Carlota has changed so much. Paloma brushes it off with something like “whatever the reason, I’m happy,” then shows Romina her dress. Romina never thought Paloma would get married before her, and Paloma admits that if Carlota had always been like she is now, she wouldn’t be getting married so quickly. They chit-chat about married life and how the wedding night will be Paloma’s first time, and Romina is surprised that nothing happened the time the two lovebirds left town together.

Inaki (still drinking his wine) finds Emiliano outside on the patio and asks again what’s up, as he seems a bit strange tonight; Emiliano answers that it’s just work stuff, he’s fine. He mentions how Inaki “te echaste a la tia a la bolsa” (I think roughly this means he won Carlota over, or got her wrapped her around his little finger) but Inaki says he doesn’t trust Carlota, she’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing and she’s only interested in money. Whose money? asks Emiliano. Just then Carlota comes to tell them dinner is ready. Before going in, Inaki gets dizzy again, and attributes it to his drinking Carlota’s drinks too fast.

Paloma and Romina are still in her room--Romina doesn’t know how she and Inaki could resist sleeping together that night in the hotel. She thinks Emiliano wouldn’t have been able to, he’s so passionate. She reveals that her first time was with Emiliano, it was incredible. She plays coy when Paloma asks her to tell all.

Diana shows up at Rafael’s hotel room; she asks if he really prefers to live there than at home. He says there was no other option. She asks him to come back home, she misses him. She claims she doesn’t know what came over her when she said all those mean things before, he’s the perfect man for her. She kisses him and they’re off to the races. That puts tonight's score at: Money-grubbing harpies, 2; the Saenz men, 0.

At the dinner table Rufi gets weepy about how she’ll miss Paloma a lot. Carlota says let’s not get all sentimental, it’s a wedding, not a funeral (well, not yet, anyway).

After dinner Carmen takes happy pictures of everyone while Carlota goes to get the coffee and puts more of her special concoction into just one cup, complete with more scary music and an evil glare. When she brings it out to Inaki he offers it to his mom, but luckily for Carlota she declines and Carlota laughs nervously.

Ines and Aron are discussing Paloma’s wedding--she didn’t think Paloma would marry so young and to someone so different from her family. Aron says that anyone would want to marry Paloma and Ines looks surprised...you too? Aron wonders why that’s strange, wasn’t she trying to fix him and Paloma up? Ines says she gave in to Carlota’s request, but isn’t sure about wanting to marry into the Espinosa family--she thinks they are like "aves de mal aguero" (birds of ill omen), they’ve been surrounded by pain, and she prefers a different class of woman for him.

Paloma and Inaki bid each other good night--Inaki promises that as of tomorrow they’re going to be together forever, have a couple of kids, and they’re going to be very happy.

Rafael and Diana are in bed, and he wonders if she’s sure that this is what she wants. He doesn’t want to return and have everything continue like it was before, the separation was very painful for him. For me too, lies Diana. She assures Rafa that everything will be different between them. He tells her about the new investor. If everything goes as expected, I’m sure that you’re going to be proud of me...I’m going to be able to give you everything you’ve dreamed of.

Back at his house Inaki gets dizzy again. He thinks he drank too much so Carmen tells him he should go to bed. Before he leaves he thanks his mom for being at the dinner tonight. She has been the best mother, and he’ll never forget her support and love. She says that a son like him is a blessing in life. They hug and tell each other they love each other.

Paloma is praying, thanking the Virgin for everything, she’s so happy to have Inaki with her. She only would have liked that her parents be there but in some way she feels like they are there.

Poor Inaki is in the bathroom, sick and breathing heavily while clutching his stomach--did they really need to show the barfing? I think we get the picture, after all the close-up shots of him drinking Carlota’s beverages all night, that it’s not looking good for him. Anyway, the episode ends w/him lying on the floor in pain.

The avances show Emiliano learning that his parents have reconciled, Camila telling Orlando that Romina is her daughter, Carlota asking Rufi if anyone has called the house, Carmen going up to Inaki’s bedroom door about to knock but deciding to let him sleep in some more, and Paloma arriving at the church in her wedding dress but Inaki hasn’t arrived yet.

Labels: amor

We find things where we left them last night, Mau on the point of becoming like soft gooey candy or a hard brittle one depending upon his cracking state. Thankfully Nancy Drew and a Hardy Boy are on the case.

Over at Sermeño Group Xime and Tano are feeling each other's hearts gallop like wild horses. She thinks it's tachycardia but he says it's the joy of seeing her and he is at her service. She wants him to be her bodyguard (guardaespaldas). This is a dream come true for him and he'll guard her back and anything else she likes. He suggests he take her home and guard her but she's afraid her sex appeal is too strong (and she's right!) so she suggests a more neutral place. If we're hoping to see more of Xime tonight we're outta luck, that's it for her in this capítulo.

Back at Mau's house Oscar lays it on thick by telling Mau and the mummy they are a beautiful couple. Bleh. Coni tells Mau it's their 4th anniversary and she wants to go eat at the restaurant of their first date. Without kids. If he agrees to this bogus plan he has serious brain damage.

Aldo overhears this and reports back to Nancy Drew and the other Hardy Boy. What to do? Aldo has an idea that involves pen and paper...

Moni and Estrella are gossiping in the communal place where they live when Aldo shows up with his envelope. Estrella scolds him for visiting her, then she scolds again when she finds out he's not there to see her after all. He tells here nothing's up between him and Moni, he's just there to deliver a message from Mau. For once a TN character asks the obvious, why didn't Mau just call her on the phone? Estrella thinks a letter is mucho mas romántico, open it !!

Meanwhile Nancy Drew sneaks around the house, finds Mau's phone and texts someone.

Consti and Rolando Klunder stroll under the trees, she's trying to solicit his help in her little plot of trying to discover the secret surrounding Beto, Monita's brother. He says sure, as long as he gets something in return. He's thinking a night in his apartment; he's not talking anything romantic, just business. (Gee Romeo, who could resist that invitation?) However he's all hot to trot and Consti looks bored as heck. She says yeah sure fine, get the info I need and I'll think about it. Oh dear, she's interrupted by a text from Mau. They can't get a reservation at the restaurant so they'll meet at the same time somewhere else.

In contrast, Monita is so excited by Mau's letter she kisses it. Dinner out with her prince, how thrilling! The girls do a happy dance until Beto shows up and wonders why the party? He tells her that he spoke to that damn meatball Andy and they are to meet at the cantina at 9:00. He leaves to get a longaniza (pork sausage) taco and tells her to get ready.

Moni thinks she should call Mau and cancel but Estrella asks is she crazy? She'll go with them to the cantina and figure out a way for Moni to leave. Moni swears that tonight she will tell Mau the truth about everything. Do we believe her? Julia wondered how many days it would take for Moni to fess up; I'm thinking months here.

The beautiful song plays, the moon rises, and our lively trio goes to the cantina. Beto tries to be romantic but the girls whack him. The girls are alone briefly and Moni says she feels terrible about tricking Beto. Estrella thinks he's a jerk so that justifies things. It's 9:05 and still no sign of Andy. They fretfully surmise that Moni's poor prince is probably smelling great and already waiting for her.

Over at the office Salvador succumbs to desire; he grabs Gabi and plants a big kiss on her kisser. She's shocked, and reminds him she's no longer a free woman. He swears his love will free her, then he recites something dramatic but can't remember the end. No matter, Gabi gets the idea. "Oscar, forgive me," she sighs, before diving into Salvador's embrace.

Meatball Andy has finally arrived with his guardaespaldas. Don Cesar is there too and they are heavily into negotiations. They accuse Andy of playing dirty because he destroyed Monita's house and nearly caused Nieves to have a heart attack. The Meatball says enough talk, let's choose a date for the fight because people are saying La Monita is afraid of La Guerrera. Speak of the king of Rome, La Guerrera shows up and provokes Moni. Cesar is all "cool off you're too high class to fight in a bar". La Guerrera says when she's done with Moni not even her mother will recognize her, but wait that doesn't make sense because Moni's mom abandoned her when she was just a little brat. OK that does it. Moni cold cocks La Guerrera not once but twice and it's Estrella's chance to drag Moni out of there while Beto and the Meatball battle it out Keystone cop style.

Shoot, Mau is at the restaurant but he's talking to Consti on the phone and wondering where she is. Big confusion because they are at different restaurants but Consti figures it out, those damn brats.

Thank goodness someone is getting some action. Sal's got Gabi pinned against the wall. What he lacks in finesse he makes up for in enthusiasm. Back to the wall pinning and who should walk in but odious Oscar. He yells, he searches. Sal tells Gabi it's now or never.

Double shoot, Consti has found Mau at the restaurant. He's glum but she's digging the martinis and decides to give him a kiss...

...just as Monita walks in. Shoot shoot and triple shoot! Mau wipes off the kiss and sees Moni standing there. She starts to run but instead strides toward him. "What are you doing here?" he asks. "Did you invite me here to kiss her in front of my face?" she retorts. She shows him the letter and he says he'll kill that Aldo. She cries that he swore he would never lie to her, but he lied, he lied! (Look at the donkey talking about big ears.)

Moni leaves in a huff just as Consti shows up. Mau looks absolutely tortured. She tries to talk about tomorrow but he shuts her down, tomorrow is very complicated because he has to go get a physical (required of drivers). (Do we hear the anvils lining up? At least he's not going in for an IQ test.) Coni gives him about two seconds of sympathy, "I'll be fine", and then demands a martini.

Sal hides under the desk while Gabi fans herself and pretends to be straightening up his desk. Oscar finds his little kitty and asks her why she's in the office of that old decrepit. Wouldn't it be fun to do it on Sal's desk? Uh no, Gabi's hungry and convinces him to go out for a bite. Sal crawls out of his hidey hole and is incensed. Old? Decrepit? Grandpa?

Mau confronts Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and the others totally throw Aldo under the bus. This is the last time they agree to any of his stupid plans. Wow, whatever happened to all for one? The Three Musketeers they ain't. Mau scolds Aldo and tells him he has to go over and straighten this mess out with Monita first thing in the morning. Aldo tells Mau he's not stupid, he knows what's going on with the judge and all. Mau kindly reassures Aldo that nobody's going to make him do something he doesn't want to do.

The next morning Moni cries to Estrella about the dirty trick that Mau played on her. They are interrupted by the annoying Beto, himself annoyed because he's going to work and Moni is calling in sick. They finally get rid of him, however he spies Aldo going into Moni's house and is very inerested.

Aldo fesses up to Moni about his stunt from the night before.

When Sal gets to work he asks Gabi about her date with Oscar, how did he take it when she broke up with him? In response Gabi asks Sal how is his wife Lorenza? Gabi informs Sal that she said nothing to Oscar, she'll not be the second dish, not her thank you very much. Go Gabi, way to work it! Sal is vexed.

Mau arrives and tells Pau he wants Moni to serve him his coffee and toast. Not gonna happen, sez Pau, Moni is indisposed because she came home last night absolutely sick about something. Now Mau is vexed. When Sal reminds him the Japanese are arriving Mau just leaves the room. Gabi comments the way the day is going it will surely rain.

Moni tells Aldo when will he get it through his head that Mau has a girlfriend. Beto sneaks up and listens outside the door. He hears them talking about the letter that she'll destroy and throw in the trash and nobody will see. The second Moni and Aldo leave Beto dashes in and pulls the pieces of paper out of the trash.

I guess Moni decided to go to work after all and today she's wearing pants, not her usual shorty skirt. She blabs to Pau in their little room but it's Mau who walks up behind her. Moni says Aldo told her everything and it's Mau's fault that the kid is so confused, in fact Mau has confused half the world. She wants to get it straight, she is his employee and nothing else. "Then come with me," he orders.

Next scene has Mau, Moni and Sal in a Japanese tea garden. Mau has brought her there to train her in the ways of the Japanese. As his assistant she has to do everything he says, massage, whatever. "You don't say, even help you with your bath?" she asks. OK, not everything. She spies a Geisha and asks why the poor thing is so pale and disguised. Mau explains she's a Geisha and is educated and trained to tend to men's needs. He means, for example, unlike some people she speaks in a low voice and brings coffee when she's asked to. Moni points out that she is spontaneous, that's why she's not a Geisha. It's time for the guys to go and Moni says to herself, "So he likes Geishas eh, why not?"

Over at Coni's pad she and Jero are plotting. They don't know where Xime is and Coni complains that last night was a bust, all Mau could talk about was his physical and the Japanese, blah blah blah. Jero tells her when she needs a night of passion she can call him. Just then Oscar shows up pleased as punch with himself. Guess where he just came from? From the doctor of the Driver's Association where he had a little transaction (bicoca). All he can say is that Coni better be with Mau tomorrow when he gets the bad news, bwahahahahaaaa!

At lunch with the Japanese Sal is eating wasabi like it was guacamole and he's paying the price. His eyes are watering and his nasal passages are in an uproar. The Japanese customers are highly amused.

A gong sounds and the Geishas enter, the Geisha at the end is slightly more animated and monkey-like than the others. Mau mutters he's going to kill her.

Beto has taped the letter together and is trying to figure out who "M" is. I's not "S" for Zorro or "Z" for Superman so who is "M"? He tells Nieves it's proof of Moni's betrayal. Beto says "M" stands for coward because he didn't sign his own name. Nieves figures it out, it's the guapo Mauricio! Beto refuses to believe it. He's going to find out who would dare send such a letter to his Moni and grab him by the neck hairs!

The Japanese love the Geishas while Mau does a slow burn and tortures his chopsticks. Sal points out their customers love it so chill out. Moni starts doing the Monkey (Coincidence? I think not.) and tells the other Geishas to follow her lead, which they do. "Uh, Mexican dance," explains Sal. The customers give the Geishas a standing ovation and Sal has to hold Mau back, promising to help him kill Moni later. She blows kisses to the customers while Mau fumes.

The dancing is over and now the Geisha Monita brings Mau his tea. With a crappy accent she asks the Señol if he would like more alloz. Ouch, that made my head hurt. Mau also has a headache. He tells her to cut it out immediately and she starts to disrobe. No wait wait wait, not in the restaurant! Oh this is just too silly, let's FF to the end. Moni asks the Señol would he like some te de tila to calm down. He orders poison for two and don't bother waiting for him.

Beto has got the other security guard named Marquitos trapped in the room and is accusing him of coming on to Moni. Pau rescues Marqui and says it was her, her name is Maria Paula. He tries to frisk her but she'll have none of that. She warns him to cut it out or she'll put his nightstick where the sun don't shine. They both look like they are about to crack up in this scene.

Lots of silent bowing between the customers and team Mau. It looks like Monita has made too big of an impression because they want to take Moni home to Japan. Uh oh, now what's she to do? She thanks them very much but she is a Geisha exclusive to the Sermeño Group. Mau corrects her, it's not necessarily true and he would be honored to offer up the prize of his collection to go to Japan. Would Mr. Miyaki like her gift-wrapped or sent by boat? The customers are intrigued and delighted. Sal and Moni are impactados.


Mañana: Mau is told he only has a short time to live. Lorenza shows up with bright pink hair. Mau asks Moni to marry him, but have they kissed yet?

Dicho of the Day:

Mira el burro hablando de orejas = That's the pot calling the kettle black (Lit. Look at the donkey talking about ears)

Labels: gancho