Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Sortilegio Monday Nov 30
The board meeting breaks up and Katia watches as Raquel and Roberto stalk out. She comments almost gleefully to Mari about how upset they seem. Before Mari can answer Katia notices Bruno leaving and skips after him calling his name. Bruno ignores her, but Mari gives her a what-exactly-is-going-on look, which Katia answers with a pout.
Raquel and Roberto are walking around the lake and clever Roberto tells Raquel why he doesn’t like what is going on: If Bruno contests the will everything will change and Raquel will no longer get her monthly payment from Alex. Greedy Raquel, who doesn’t seem to think further ahead than a four year old, says that it won’t matter because she will have her share of the stock. Roberto gives a kind of scornful laugh at that and points out that the stock can fall for a variety of reasons: the scandal surrounding the will, the scandal surrounding her mother’s past, and Bruno’s general status as a good for nothing who could ruin the company. Raquel is astounded and asks quietly “do you think so?” Her civil demeanor doesn’t last for long, though, and she follows it up by asking Roberto accusingly why he didn’t tell her that earlier, and then stomps off yet again.
Victoria and Ezequiel meet just inside the house; he is carrying a large bouquet of roses for MariaJose. He’s not sure who they are from but is pretty sure they must be from Alex. Vicki checks the card and instructs Ezequiel to throw them out and not to tell anyone that they were delivered. Felipa approaches Victoria and, seeing her face, says it doesn’t look like things went well (she must be referring to the board meeting); Vicki brushes her off and asks her to bring her some tea. Felipa tries to pump Ezequiel for more information but he is delighted to refuse her any per his orders from The Senora.
Paula is helping MariaJose, who is tired of being in bed, to get up and walk to a chair. Paula points out that MariaJose needs someone like her around to help her out – not just a servant, but someone she trusts and who loves her. MariaJose knows her little sister and so asks her what she’s up to; it turns out Paula doesn’t want to go back to San Pedro. MariaJose explains that she doesn’t want her father to be alone and that he, too, needs someone around who loves him. Paula lays her head on MariaJose’s lap and says please, please, but MariaJose won’t budge. Paula has a true conniption fit (one of my old dad’s favorite expressions) and says that the real problem is that MariaJose can’t forgive her for having the accident, that she thinks Paula is always getting into fights and is a disaster that MariaJose is ashamed of now that MariaJose has joined high society. MariaJose responds that she could never be ashamed of her family but wants to make a life with her husband and the child they are expecting. As Paula stomps out in a fury she shouts to MariaJose to call one of the servants to help her get back to the bed from the chair, because she, Paula, is not her maid.
As annoying as Paula is I think she does a really good job at playing the frustrated younger sister who has lived a pretty hard life of poverty and unfulfilled hope. For a moment it looked like she has everything she wants almost within her grasp and now it’s all being snatched away. I might pitch a fit myself in those circumstances.
Victoria is in her studio musing over an old saying of her father’s: ‘raise your children up right or endure them’ (a little stronger in Spanish - edúquelos o padécelos). She recognizes that she has not done a good job raising them. Felipa brings her tea and asks why she ordered the flowers to be thrown out. Victoria shows her the card signed “Mario” that came with the flowers and explains that she doesn’t want Alex to have any more to worry about, and that she doesn’t think Mario Aguirre is the one who sent the flowers. Felipa asks who, then, and Victoria says she doesn’t know who but thinks its someone who wants to harm MariaJose and Alex. She taps the card against her chin in deep cogitation: hmmmm- who could it be, who could it be? Felipa pipes up with, “Bruno, of course” (she actually says ‘pues Bruno” but her tone is one of “duh.”) and then immediately covers her mouth and says sorry. Victoria claims if he did send the card it was out of pure evilness and that she thinks he demanded the presidency from Alex in payment for having donated his blood to save MariaJose.
Fer is telling Alex that if he were Alex he would neither give up the presidency nor divorce MariaJose, and that having given his word to Bruno doesn’t really count because Bruno is a criminal. Alex points out that they have not yet been able to prove that one way or the other. Fer, who is annoying as a devil’s advocate, is turning out to be a pretty good sleuth. He’s tracked down the judge who performed MariaJose’s wedding and sent him a message through his photo safari website. (His screen name is Cyclops, though I don’t know why they devote so much time to this detail – will it be important later maybe?) He hasn’t received a response yet, but he’s massaged the judge’s ego by telling him what a good photographer he is and letting him know he’d like to go with him on the next photo safari. Now he’s just waiting for a response.
Alex is depressed because his father put him in charge of the family, especially Victoria, the love of his life, and he’s letting him down. Fer reminds him that he’s not a superhero, and reassures him that Bruno also must have an Achilles heel. (Maybe the Cyclops emphasis above was just to make this a Greek-themed conversation? Maybe I’m trying to find a connection where none exists?)
Near the lake, Erik is confirming to Bruno that he ordered the flowers and included the message card, and says that the flowers must have arrived by now. Erik asks him if it’s OK to go see his cousin Gregorio and Bruno, in a foul mood, tells him to go do whatever he wants but make sure he’s available in case Bruno needs him.
Back at Lombard Construction, Mari, in a burst of optimism, asks Katia to deliver some folders. Just at that moment Katia receives a phone call from Bruno. Katia requests that Mari take the folders herself so that she can answer her phone and then arranges with Bruno to meet at the same hotel as before. Mari is watching her as she talks but it’s hard to tell if she can hear the conversation or not. (In telenovelandia, if character A surreptitiously views character B in conversation with character C, does it always mean that character A also overhears the conversation? Can we assume that Mari can hear Katia arrange this meeting because she can see her?)
As they walk out of Lombard Construction Fer is asking Alex if he doesn’t think it’s quite a coincidence that the person Paula hit with the car lives so close to Gregorio Díaz. Alex doesn’t appear to be listening at first but then is then drawn into Fer’s description of what happened when he went to the neighborhood where Gregorio lives: He saw an ambulance bringing Gabriel home and overheard someone mention Alex’s name and comment that Alex was paying for all the hospital expenses. Fer explains that this Gregorio is a semi driver and Alex points out to Fer that he was hit by a semi!!!!
Back at the White Palace, Maura is ranting that just when she had an open field with Alex that damn hypocrite MariaJose goes and gets pregnant. That scheming little tramp – getting preggers by her own husband! Lisette suggests that maybe the baby is Bruno’s but Maura doesn’t think so because the reason for Bruno’s fury was his inability to make any time at all with MariaJose. Maura is desperate at the thought of never getting that beggar MJ out of the picture and Lisette suggests that they call on their old friend Mario Aguirre again to make Alex suspicious about MJ’s pregnancy. The usually-clever Maura says they can’t because they don’t know where Mateo is, but Lisette rightly points out that anyone could pretend to be Mario Aguirre. Maura wants to think about it a little more and damns her bad luck at MJ getting pregnant.
Alex is jogging up the steps of the Lombardo family mansion and goes to find MariaJose in their suite. She’s is sitting on a love seat in the dining room/sitting area and Alex doesn’t immediately see her. However, in a sign that the marriage is maturing, he doesn’t get that semi-alarmed look he always had when he didn’t immediately find her in the bedroom, as if he was afraid she had escaped. This is a good sign in a relationship, I think, when one partner feels confident on a day-to-day basis that the other partner hasn’t run away.
He joins her on the love seat and they exchange confidences and kisses and declarations of love. He reassures her (again) that whatever happens he will never be separated from her, which are, of course absolutely fatal words in a telenovela and you’d think Alex would know better than to utter them. What fury from the gods is he drawing on their heads by saying that he will never be separated from her? She asks him why he says that and he gives her that gorgeous smile of his and says it’s just a manner of speaking, but we see him rest his head pensively on MariaJose’s as the scene cuts out.
Chucho come to Don Pedro’s apartment with some “rebuenas” sandwiches for both of them. Don Pedro, clutching a figure of an angel, tells him in a pitiful little voice that he’s not hungry and starts his I’m-valiantly-struggling-to-be-strong whine that makes me want to eat ground glass (or feed it to him). As is only natural, he explains, he’s lost his daughter MariaJose, who she has moved on to make her own life. But still – he’s so sad. Fortunately, Chucho gives an impatient click of his tongue and reminds him that there’s a way he can be close to his daughter in Mérida, and that is the business that he proposed they start together. Don Pedro perks right up and stops whining and they agree to take the bus to Mérida the next day to surprise MJ with the good news. I love Chucho, not just because of his enthusiasm for food and drink and good times, but because he can snap DP right out of his whining. Don Pedro regains his appetite and they sit down to eat their sandwiches.
Alex gives MariaJose a kiss and says he’s going to take a shower (I can’t wait) before the lawyers arrive. MariaJose tells him that her father has asked her to ask Alex if Alex could help out a friend of his (Don Pedro’s). Alex wonders if Don Pedro, sly dog that he is, might be courting, but she explains that it’s only to help the woman who tried to help him out the night he and Chucho were busted in the bar, and who subsequently lost her job because of it. Her name is Meche and she has a brother who isn’t well, but if Alex doesn’t want to it’s totally OK. Alex assures her he’s happy to help, and she gives him a slip of paper with Meche’s address on it. When Alex sees it his face gets tight, but when MariaJose asks if anything is wrong he says no and goes to take a shower.
Now Alex is getting out of the shower all gleaming wet and sculpted muscles. He slings a towel low on his hips and muses about the address he read on the slip of paper: “That’s the same boy that Paula ran down, and the old man knew him.” DUM da DUM (special musical effect).
Vicky and Fer are discussing the court case. Victoria knows it’s not going to be easy and acknowledges how hard it has been to accept the kind of person her son is. Fer is worried about her and wants to see her that night but she refuses because she has a date with Hernán. Fer pitches a jealous fit (not a conniption, though) and asks her to please not get any crazy ideas like accepting Hernán’s attentions just to hide the true nature of their relationship from the children. Victoria’s face shows pretty clearly that she thinks the crazy idea is going out with one of her son’s friends, but she doesn’t say it and then she has to go because the lawyers have arrived.
Gregorio accuses Erik of having kept the money instead of returning it. Is there no honor among thieves? Erik tries to laugh it off but Gregorio knows his cousin (si te conozco mosco) and insists. Erik finally admits he kept it but says it was only fair because he acted as the middleman and put Meche in touch with Bruno. Gregorio says he played a part – something to do with Gabriel that I couldn’t catch - and he WANTS HIS SHARE! Erik agrees to give him half but warns him that his boss can’t know about it or he’ll cut both of their heads off. Gregorio thinks they should somehow get some benefit out of the information they have about Bruno and brushes off Erik’s worries about what Bruno might do, telling him it wouldn’t be that easy to kill off all three of them (i.e. Gregorio, his wife and Erik). In the background Gregorio’s wife looks alarmed at the very thought, but Erik agrees that it would be hard to knock off the three of them. He adds that, besides, he can’t stand the bastard (me cae bien gordo ese desgraciado), who treats him worse than a dog. They laugh.
Back at the compound, Raquel overhears that Alex and Victoria are meeting with the lawyers. She’s upset that she’s been left out and crashes the meeting. Victoria says she can stay, and they all go back to talking about the scandal that is about to break loose. Raquel is working herself up into hysteria, but Alex tells her to be quiet and sit down. For a moment it seems like she will, but in the next scene she’s again loudly and insistently trying to convince her mother not to expose them all to public humiliation. Victoria wastes her breath trying to explain: it’s what your father wanted, Bruno’s not the right man to run company, etc. Alex chimes in to agree with Raquel about the scandal, but Victoria stands firm. She asks the lawyers what Bruno’s chances of winning are if he contests the will. Not good, says one of the lawyers. Even though DNA tests may prove they are all his children, unless there is a competent, trusted witness who knew Samuel and who will testify that he was not in his right mind when he made the will, Bruno probably won’t be successful. Victoria, satisfied, says that Hernán will never do it.
While Raquel is crashing the meeting Bruno runs upstairs to talk to MariaJose. Paula and MJ (who have made up, apparently, but we didn’t see it) are talking about MariaJose’s condition when there is a knock on the door. Didn’t those girls ever read Little Red Riding Hood? They open the door right up and it’s Bruno, of course. He brushes past Paula and comments that MariaJose’s husband didn’t even send her any flowers. MJ thanks him for donating blood and tries to get him out, but Bruno is Bruno and won’t be budged. He snuggles up against her neck and asks when she’s getting a divorce, but MariaJose denies that she and Alex will divorce. Half lustful and half menacing, Bruno says that Alex has told him they will be getting a divorce. MJ cringes away but can’t get far – she’s stuck on the divan thingy at the end of their bed - and Paula creeps up behind him with a candle (?) ready to brain him. Just in time he backs off and saunters out. MJ says he’s just trying to be annoying, and that’s why she hopes she and Alex can find a house and move out quickly. Paula is surprised that they are moving.
Bruno is lambasting Erik because there were no flowers in MariaJoses’s room. Erik doesn’t understand what happened – he paid for them himself – and Bruno tells him to go find out what happened. As Erik is going to check out what happened, Raquel approaches Bruno insisting that he abandon his attempt to contest the will. He shrugs, gets into his car and slowly begins to drive away. She puts a hand on the car, haranguing him as he speeds up until she’s finally forced to drop back and let him go or be dragged along by the car. A bit further down the drive Erik stops the car to tell Bruno what happened with the flowers. He’s explaining that they were delivered when Raquel sees the car slow down and starts after Bruno again, shrieking. Bruno, in a rush to get away, tells him to go talk to Ezequiel and speeds off, Raquel now screeching and running after him in the background. He gets away, though.
Ezequiel is telling Erik that no flowers were ever delivered, but Erik insists: Tomás says they were. Ezequiel asks him why he cares anyway, and Erik makes up a feeble story about having made a bet with Tomás about who sent them. Ezequiel shakes his head in disgust at Erik’s idiocy: “Que respuesta tan estúpida” and tells him to get back to work before he reports him to Alex. Erik scurries off.
Victoria is preparing for her date with Hernán and Felipa, who was in the kitchen when Erik came to ask what happened to the flowers, is reporting the conversation to her. Victoria wonders what Erik has to do with it. Felipa points out that Erik is Bruno’s “alcahuete”, which is a go-between but with very strong negative overtones – it can also be a pimp. Victoria says this proves that Bruno was the one who sent the flowers to create problems between Alex and MariaJose and that nothing he does can surprise her. She wonders if he does these things because he’s in love with MariaJose. Felipa says maybe, or maybe it’s because he just wants to bother them, or maybe even because he had MariaJose first and now thinks she still belongs to him. Victoria gasps and covers her hand with her month – do you really think they had sex? Felipa says MJ doesn’t seem like that kind of a girl, but who can tell with the young people today? Victoria wonders who the baby’s father is, and Felipa says that Alex must know if MJ was a virgin or not – Victoria should ask him. Victoria doesn’t want to ask him such a personal question, or plant any doubts in his mind, and Felipa throws up her hands, seemingly at the idea of figuring out who the baby’s father is.
Erik is reporting to Bruno on the phone that Tomás says Ezequiel got the flowers even though Ezequiel denies it, and he thinks they must have thrown them away but don’t want to admit it. Bruno speculates that it must have been his mother who had them thrown away, since she got home before Alex. They’re not sure what their next step should be and hang up with the issue unresolved. Bruno’s cell rings again immediately, and it’s Katia, who’s just calling him to tell him she’s on her way and she loves him. Fer walks in as Katia is leaving and offers to drop her off at her friend’s (where she says she is going) but she insists on going by taxi. Fer looks a little perplexed but not suspicious.
Chucho and Don Pedro are discussing their move to Mérida. They need an apartment with two bedrooms, one for the two of them and one for Paula. In a really sweet exchange, Don Pedro asks Chucho if he has enough money for all this, because he, DP surely doesn’t. Chucho reminds him that Alex gave him some money, and even told him to let him know if he found a market stall. DP wonders why and Chucho thinks it’s because Alex must know the manager of the market and can ask him for a little discount on the rent they will pay for the stall. Don Pedro agrees that that’s probably it. When he’s not whining he makes me laugh:) They agree to bring the furniture – the sofa, the television, the fridge, the beds – so that Paula has someplace decent to live after the mansion she’s been living in. Don Pedro starts to think better of the move but just as Chucho is telling him not to back out MJ calls and asks if Paula can stay with her a couple more days. Don Pedro is OK with it as long as Alex is, but the conversation seems to have gotten him back on track with the idea of moving to Merida.
Alex is sitting pensively in his darkened office when Fer calls. Fer is feeling blue because Victoria is out with Hernán and he asks if he can go talk with Alex. “Claro, hombre.”
Victoria and Hernán are in the restaurant discussing the upcoming trial. Hernán proposes a way to stop the gossip: they can say they are engaged, and his good name and reputation will lessen the impact of her past. He is so presuntuoso! When Victoria refuses he asks if it’s because of Fernando, but Vicki says that Fer is just a dear friend and always has been. Hernán flat out declares himself and Victoria pats him on the hand. Hernán proposes that they spend more time together and get to know each other in a different way, even though he is aware that she doesn’t feel the same about him as he does about her. She says, “of course” but without much enthusiasm. He asks her to give him the opportunity to convince her, and she pats him on the hand again. If I were him I’d be worried about that non-committal smile and those tepid little pats. This is not the stuff of passion, here.
Alex and Fer are having a drink in the Lombardo mansion. Alex tells Fer about Don Pedro recommending the waitress who worked in the bar that Don Pedro and Chucho were arrested in. It turns out that the waitress is Meche, the sister of the man Paula ran over and a friend of Gregorio, the semi driver. They wonder if Don Pedro is part of the whole plot to kill Alex but just don’t know. Fer asks Alex if he thinks MariaJose is involved but he doesn’t, otherwise she wouldn’t have asked him for this favor for her father. Fer wonders why Don Pedro would help the woman and Alex wonders if maybe she’s blackmailing him. Fer doesn’t believe it – if that were the case she would ask for money and not a job. Fer recommends that Alex hire her so as to keep the enemy close at hand and under scrutiny.
Hernán drives Victoria home and notices that Fer’s car is in the drive. Victoria says he must be visiting Alex, but also tells Hernán not to bother seeing her to the door. She tries to sneak into the house but is discovered by Alex and Fer, who are in the living room having their drink. She avoids talking to them and goes up to her room, where she refuses to talk about it to Felipa. Alone in front of her mirror she smoothes out her wrinkles and says to her reflection that Hernan is a much better man for her.
Raquel and Roberto are walking around the lake and clever Roberto tells Raquel why he doesn’t like what is going on: If Bruno contests the will everything will change and Raquel will no longer get her monthly payment from Alex. Greedy Raquel, who doesn’t seem to think further ahead than a four year old, says that it won’t matter because she will have her share of the stock. Roberto gives a kind of scornful laugh at that and points out that the stock can fall for a variety of reasons: the scandal surrounding the will, the scandal surrounding her mother’s past, and Bruno’s general status as a good for nothing who could ruin the company. Raquel is astounded and asks quietly “do you think so?” Her civil demeanor doesn’t last for long, though, and she follows it up by asking Roberto accusingly why he didn’t tell her that earlier, and then stomps off yet again.
Victoria and Ezequiel meet just inside the house; he is carrying a large bouquet of roses for MariaJose. He’s not sure who they are from but is pretty sure they must be from Alex. Vicki checks the card and instructs Ezequiel to throw them out and not to tell anyone that they were delivered. Felipa approaches Victoria and, seeing her face, says it doesn’t look like things went well (she must be referring to the board meeting); Vicki brushes her off and asks her to bring her some tea. Felipa tries to pump Ezequiel for more information but he is delighted to refuse her any per his orders from The Senora.
Paula is helping MariaJose, who is tired of being in bed, to get up and walk to a chair. Paula points out that MariaJose needs someone like her around to help her out – not just a servant, but someone she trusts and who loves her. MariaJose knows her little sister and so asks her what she’s up to; it turns out Paula doesn’t want to go back to San Pedro. MariaJose explains that she doesn’t want her father to be alone and that he, too, needs someone around who loves him. Paula lays her head on MariaJose’s lap and says please, please, but MariaJose won’t budge. Paula has a true conniption fit (one of my old dad’s favorite expressions) and says that the real problem is that MariaJose can’t forgive her for having the accident, that she thinks Paula is always getting into fights and is a disaster that MariaJose is ashamed of now that MariaJose has joined high society. MariaJose responds that she could never be ashamed of her family but wants to make a life with her husband and the child they are expecting. As Paula stomps out in a fury she shouts to MariaJose to call one of the servants to help her get back to the bed from the chair, because she, Paula, is not her maid.
As annoying as Paula is I think she does a really good job at playing the frustrated younger sister who has lived a pretty hard life of poverty and unfulfilled hope. For a moment it looked like she has everything she wants almost within her grasp and now it’s all being snatched away. I might pitch a fit myself in those circumstances.
Victoria is in her studio musing over an old saying of her father’s: ‘raise your children up right or endure them’ (a little stronger in Spanish - edúquelos o padécelos). She recognizes that she has not done a good job raising them. Felipa brings her tea and asks why she ordered the flowers to be thrown out. Victoria shows her the card signed “Mario” that came with the flowers and explains that she doesn’t want Alex to have any more to worry about, and that she doesn’t think Mario Aguirre is the one who sent the flowers. Felipa asks who, then, and Victoria says she doesn’t know who but thinks its someone who wants to harm MariaJose and Alex. She taps the card against her chin in deep cogitation: hmmmm- who could it be, who could it be? Felipa pipes up with, “Bruno, of course” (she actually says ‘pues Bruno” but her tone is one of “duh.”) and then immediately covers her mouth and says sorry. Victoria claims if he did send the card it was out of pure evilness and that she thinks he demanded the presidency from Alex in payment for having donated his blood to save MariaJose.
Fer is telling Alex that if he were Alex he would neither give up the presidency nor divorce MariaJose, and that having given his word to Bruno doesn’t really count because Bruno is a criminal. Alex points out that they have not yet been able to prove that one way or the other. Fer, who is annoying as a devil’s advocate, is turning out to be a pretty good sleuth. He’s tracked down the judge who performed MariaJose’s wedding and sent him a message through his photo safari website. (His screen name is Cyclops, though I don’t know why they devote so much time to this detail – will it be important later maybe?) He hasn’t received a response yet, but he’s massaged the judge’s ego by telling him what a good photographer he is and letting him know he’d like to go with him on the next photo safari. Now he’s just waiting for a response.
Alex is depressed because his father put him in charge of the family, especially Victoria, the love of his life, and he’s letting him down. Fer reminds him that he’s not a superhero, and reassures him that Bruno also must have an Achilles heel. (Maybe the Cyclops emphasis above was just to make this a Greek-themed conversation? Maybe I’m trying to find a connection where none exists?)
Near the lake, Erik is confirming to Bruno that he ordered the flowers and included the message card, and says that the flowers must have arrived by now. Erik asks him if it’s OK to go see his cousin Gregorio and Bruno, in a foul mood, tells him to go do whatever he wants but make sure he’s available in case Bruno needs him.
Back at Lombard Construction, Mari, in a burst of optimism, asks Katia to deliver some folders. Just at that moment Katia receives a phone call from Bruno. Katia requests that Mari take the folders herself so that she can answer her phone and then arranges with Bruno to meet at the same hotel as before. Mari is watching her as she talks but it’s hard to tell if she can hear the conversation or not. (In telenovelandia, if character A surreptitiously views character B in conversation with character C, does it always mean that character A also overhears the conversation? Can we assume that Mari can hear Katia arrange this meeting because she can see her?)
As they walk out of Lombard Construction Fer is asking Alex if he doesn’t think it’s quite a coincidence that the person Paula hit with the car lives so close to Gregorio Díaz. Alex doesn’t appear to be listening at first but then is then drawn into Fer’s description of what happened when he went to the neighborhood where Gregorio lives: He saw an ambulance bringing Gabriel home and overheard someone mention Alex’s name and comment that Alex was paying for all the hospital expenses. Fer explains that this Gregorio is a semi driver and Alex points out to Fer that he was hit by a semi!!!!
Back at the White Palace, Maura is ranting that just when she had an open field with Alex that damn hypocrite MariaJose goes and gets pregnant. That scheming little tramp – getting preggers by her own husband! Lisette suggests that maybe the baby is Bruno’s but Maura doesn’t think so because the reason for Bruno’s fury was his inability to make any time at all with MariaJose. Maura is desperate at the thought of never getting that beggar MJ out of the picture and Lisette suggests that they call on their old friend Mario Aguirre again to make Alex suspicious about MJ’s pregnancy. The usually-clever Maura says they can’t because they don’t know where Mateo is, but Lisette rightly points out that anyone could pretend to be Mario Aguirre. Maura wants to think about it a little more and damns her bad luck at MJ getting pregnant.
Alex is jogging up the steps of the Lombardo family mansion and goes to find MariaJose in their suite. She’s is sitting on a love seat in the dining room/sitting area and Alex doesn’t immediately see her. However, in a sign that the marriage is maturing, he doesn’t get that semi-alarmed look he always had when he didn’t immediately find her in the bedroom, as if he was afraid she had escaped. This is a good sign in a relationship, I think, when one partner feels confident on a day-to-day basis that the other partner hasn’t run away.
He joins her on the love seat and they exchange confidences and kisses and declarations of love. He reassures her (again) that whatever happens he will never be separated from her, which are, of course absolutely fatal words in a telenovela and you’d think Alex would know better than to utter them. What fury from the gods is he drawing on their heads by saying that he will never be separated from her? She asks him why he says that and he gives her that gorgeous smile of his and says it’s just a manner of speaking, but we see him rest his head pensively on MariaJose’s as the scene cuts out.
Chucho come to Don Pedro’s apartment with some “rebuenas” sandwiches for both of them. Don Pedro, clutching a figure of an angel, tells him in a pitiful little voice that he’s not hungry and starts his I’m-valiantly-struggling-to-be-strong whine that makes me want to eat ground glass (or feed it to him). As is only natural, he explains, he’s lost his daughter MariaJose, who she has moved on to make her own life. But still – he’s so sad. Fortunately, Chucho gives an impatient click of his tongue and reminds him that there’s a way he can be close to his daughter in Mérida, and that is the business that he proposed they start together. Don Pedro perks right up and stops whining and they agree to take the bus to Mérida the next day to surprise MJ with the good news. I love Chucho, not just because of his enthusiasm for food and drink and good times, but because he can snap DP right out of his whining. Don Pedro regains his appetite and they sit down to eat their sandwiches.
Alex gives MariaJose a kiss and says he’s going to take a shower (I can’t wait) before the lawyers arrive. MariaJose tells him that her father has asked her to ask Alex if Alex could help out a friend of his (Don Pedro’s). Alex wonders if Don Pedro, sly dog that he is, might be courting, but she explains that it’s only to help the woman who tried to help him out the night he and Chucho were busted in the bar, and who subsequently lost her job because of it. Her name is Meche and she has a brother who isn’t well, but if Alex doesn’t want to it’s totally OK. Alex assures her he’s happy to help, and she gives him a slip of paper with Meche’s address on it. When Alex sees it his face gets tight, but when MariaJose asks if anything is wrong he says no and goes to take a shower.
Now Alex is getting out of the shower all gleaming wet and sculpted muscles. He slings a towel low on his hips and muses about the address he read on the slip of paper: “That’s the same boy that Paula ran down, and the old man knew him.” DUM da DUM (special musical effect).
Vicky and Fer are discussing the court case. Victoria knows it’s not going to be easy and acknowledges how hard it has been to accept the kind of person her son is. Fer is worried about her and wants to see her that night but she refuses because she has a date with Hernán. Fer pitches a jealous fit (not a conniption, though) and asks her to please not get any crazy ideas like accepting Hernán’s attentions just to hide the true nature of their relationship from the children. Victoria’s face shows pretty clearly that she thinks the crazy idea is going out with one of her son’s friends, but she doesn’t say it and then she has to go because the lawyers have arrived.
Gregorio accuses Erik of having kept the money instead of returning it. Is there no honor among thieves? Erik tries to laugh it off but Gregorio knows his cousin (si te conozco mosco) and insists. Erik finally admits he kept it but says it was only fair because he acted as the middleman and put Meche in touch with Bruno. Gregorio says he played a part – something to do with Gabriel that I couldn’t catch - and he WANTS HIS SHARE! Erik agrees to give him half but warns him that his boss can’t know about it or he’ll cut both of their heads off. Gregorio thinks they should somehow get some benefit out of the information they have about Bruno and brushes off Erik’s worries about what Bruno might do, telling him it wouldn’t be that easy to kill off all three of them (i.e. Gregorio, his wife and Erik). In the background Gregorio’s wife looks alarmed at the very thought, but Erik agrees that it would be hard to knock off the three of them. He adds that, besides, he can’t stand the bastard (me cae bien gordo ese desgraciado), who treats him worse than a dog. They laugh.
Back at the compound, Raquel overhears that Alex and Victoria are meeting with the lawyers. She’s upset that she’s been left out and crashes the meeting. Victoria says she can stay, and they all go back to talking about the scandal that is about to break loose. Raquel is working herself up into hysteria, but Alex tells her to be quiet and sit down. For a moment it seems like she will, but in the next scene she’s again loudly and insistently trying to convince her mother not to expose them all to public humiliation. Victoria wastes her breath trying to explain: it’s what your father wanted, Bruno’s not the right man to run company, etc. Alex chimes in to agree with Raquel about the scandal, but Victoria stands firm. She asks the lawyers what Bruno’s chances of winning are if he contests the will. Not good, says one of the lawyers. Even though DNA tests may prove they are all his children, unless there is a competent, trusted witness who knew Samuel and who will testify that he was not in his right mind when he made the will, Bruno probably won’t be successful. Victoria, satisfied, says that Hernán will never do it.
While Raquel is crashing the meeting Bruno runs upstairs to talk to MariaJose. Paula and MJ (who have made up, apparently, but we didn’t see it) are talking about MariaJose’s condition when there is a knock on the door. Didn’t those girls ever read Little Red Riding Hood? They open the door right up and it’s Bruno, of course. He brushes past Paula and comments that MariaJose’s husband didn’t even send her any flowers. MJ thanks him for donating blood and tries to get him out, but Bruno is Bruno and won’t be budged. He snuggles up against her neck and asks when she’s getting a divorce, but MariaJose denies that she and Alex will divorce. Half lustful and half menacing, Bruno says that Alex has told him they will be getting a divorce. MJ cringes away but can’t get far – she’s stuck on the divan thingy at the end of their bed - and Paula creeps up behind him with a candle (?) ready to brain him. Just in time he backs off and saunters out. MJ says he’s just trying to be annoying, and that’s why she hopes she and Alex can find a house and move out quickly. Paula is surprised that they are moving.
Bruno is lambasting Erik because there were no flowers in MariaJoses’s room. Erik doesn’t understand what happened – he paid for them himself – and Bruno tells him to go find out what happened. As Erik is going to check out what happened, Raquel approaches Bruno insisting that he abandon his attempt to contest the will. He shrugs, gets into his car and slowly begins to drive away. She puts a hand on the car, haranguing him as he speeds up until she’s finally forced to drop back and let him go or be dragged along by the car. A bit further down the drive Erik stops the car to tell Bruno what happened with the flowers. He’s explaining that they were delivered when Raquel sees the car slow down and starts after Bruno again, shrieking. Bruno, in a rush to get away, tells him to go talk to Ezequiel and speeds off, Raquel now screeching and running after him in the background. He gets away, though.
Ezequiel is telling Erik that no flowers were ever delivered, but Erik insists: Tomás says they were. Ezequiel asks him why he cares anyway, and Erik makes up a feeble story about having made a bet with Tomás about who sent them. Ezequiel shakes his head in disgust at Erik’s idiocy: “Que respuesta tan estúpida” and tells him to get back to work before he reports him to Alex. Erik scurries off.
Victoria is preparing for her date with Hernán and Felipa, who was in the kitchen when Erik came to ask what happened to the flowers, is reporting the conversation to her. Victoria wonders what Erik has to do with it. Felipa points out that Erik is Bruno’s “alcahuete”, which is a go-between but with very strong negative overtones – it can also be a pimp. Victoria says this proves that Bruno was the one who sent the flowers to create problems between Alex and MariaJose and that nothing he does can surprise her. She wonders if he does these things because he’s in love with MariaJose. Felipa says maybe, or maybe it’s because he just wants to bother them, or maybe even because he had MariaJose first and now thinks she still belongs to him. Victoria gasps and covers her hand with her month – do you really think they had sex? Felipa says MJ doesn’t seem like that kind of a girl, but who can tell with the young people today? Victoria wonders who the baby’s father is, and Felipa says that Alex must know if MJ was a virgin or not – Victoria should ask him. Victoria doesn’t want to ask him such a personal question, or plant any doubts in his mind, and Felipa throws up her hands, seemingly at the idea of figuring out who the baby’s father is.
Erik is reporting to Bruno on the phone that Tomás says Ezequiel got the flowers even though Ezequiel denies it, and he thinks they must have thrown them away but don’t want to admit it. Bruno speculates that it must have been his mother who had them thrown away, since she got home before Alex. They’re not sure what their next step should be and hang up with the issue unresolved. Bruno’s cell rings again immediately, and it’s Katia, who’s just calling him to tell him she’s on her way and she loves him. Fer walks in as Katia is leaving and offers to drop her off at her friend’s (where she says she is going) but she insists on going by taxi. Fer looks a little perplexed but not suspicious.
Chucho and Don Pedro are discussing their move to Mérida. They need an apartment with two bedrooms, one for the two of them and one for Paula. In a really sweet exchange, Don Pedro asks Chucho if he has enough money for all this, because he, DP surely doesn’t. Chucho reminds him that Alex gave him some money, and even told him to let him know if he found a market stall. DP wonders why and Chucho thinks it’s because Alex must know the manager of the market and can ask him for a little discount on the rent they will pay for the stall. Don Pedro agrees that that’s probably it. When he’s not whining he makes me laugh:) They agree to bring the furniture – the sofa, the television, the fridge, the beds – so that Paula has someplace decent to live after the mansion she’s been living in. Don Pedro starts to think better of the move but just as Chucho is telling him not to back out MJ calls and asks if Paula can stay with her a couple more days. Don Pedro is OK with it as long as Alex is, but the conversation seems to have gotten him back on track with the idea of moving to Merida.
Alex is sitting pensively in his darkened office when Fer calls. Fer is feeling blue because Victoria is out with Hernán and he asks if he can go talk with Alex. “Claro, hombre.”
Victoria and Hernán are in the restaurant discussing the upcoming trial. Hernán proposes a way to stop the gossip: they can say they are engaged, and his good name and reputation will lessen the impact of her past. He is so presuntuoso! When Victoria refuses he asks if it’s because of Fernando, but Vicki says that Fer is just a dear friend and always has been. Hernán flat out declares himself and Victoria pats him on the hand. Hernán proposes that they spend more time together and get to know each other in a different way, even though he is aware that she doesn’t feel the same about him as he does about her. She says, “of course” but without much enthusiasm. He asks her to give him the opportunity to convince her, and she pats him on the hand again. If I were him I’d be worried about that non-committal smile and those tepid little pats. This is not the stuff of passion, here.
Alex and Fer are having a drink in the Lombardo mansion. Alex tells Fer about Don Pedro recommending the waitress who worked in the bar that Don Pedro and Chucho were arrested in. It turns out that the waitress is Meche, the sister of the man Paula ran over and a friend of Gregorio, the semi driver. They wonder if Don Pedro is part of the whole plot to kill Alex but just don’t know. Fer asks Alex if he thinks MariaJose is involved but he doesn’t, otherwise she wouldn’t have asked him for this favor for her father. Fer wonders why Don Pedro would help the woman and Alex wonders if maybe she’s blackmailing him. Fer doesn’t believe it – if that were the case she would ask for money and not a job. Fer recommends that Alex hire her so as to keep the enemy close at hand and under scrutiny.
Hernán drives Victoria home and notices that Fer’s car is in the drive. Victoria says he must be visiting Alex, but also tells Hernán not to bother seeing her to the door. She tries to sneak into the house but is discovered by Alex and Fer, who are in the living room having their drink. She avoids talking to them and goes up to her room, where she refuses to talk about it to Felipa. Alone in front of her mirror she smoothes out her wrinkles and says to her reflection that Hernan is a much better man for her.
Labels: sortilegio
Amor Monday, November 30, 2009: You want fries to go with that whopper?
Friday: Chris has coffee with Orlando and they both wonder if Paloma is his child, and if she knows or not. Mr Sensitivity says to Chris Hey, maybe there was another guy after you. Chris says no, the timing is just right. Camila is trying to get the golfa (stronger than “tramp” but this is family-friendly site) graffiti off her shop gate. She says Diana must’ve done it because she (Camila) is in love with Rafael. He is just coming up and overhears and says Thank you! I love you too!
We know his joy will be short-lived because hey, this is Real del Monte where the spirits of angry Aztecs avenge themselves by breaking the hearts of schoolgirls and middle-aged ceramics makers alike. Let’s see what happens next.
Paloma bodily shoves Rufi though Carlota’s office door so Rufi will ask for time off to go see Edmundo on his deathbed. Outside the door, Paloma thinks about how without Rufi she’ll be alone at Em’s wedding.
Inside Camila’s shop, she’s telling Rafa it won’t work out between them. He says Diana is going to give him his divorce, and he explains to her the promise he made to Orlando to stay away from her if Orlando wouldn’t tell Em the truth about Diana. But all that is out in the open now, so he’s back courtin’.
Camila says but with Em marrying Romina, she and Diana are going to be in-laws, it’s all so much to think about, so she’s just going to think about right now. Rafa says And Orlando is right now? Yes, says Camila. Rafa says tell me: Do you love him as much as you love me? Ba BUMMM says the music.
Romina has gone to Em’s office and shows him the invitations she’d like to have printed up. Whatever, he says. She says I know you’re not happy about this wedding, but I’m going to dedicate myself to being the best wife in the whole world. Just give me one little tiny chance. I love you so much. She strokes his face.
Em shoots up out of his chair. Look, he says, the heart doesn’t take orders. I wish I could tell you that I’m happy, and we could make a life, but I can’t. I’m marrying in order to be close to my son, to be as good a father as Rafa was to me. Tearfully Romina says I’ll be thinking of the baby, but I’ll also be thinking of you.
Carlota wants to know how it was that Rufi had a marriage offer and she never knew about it. Rufi says that Mac and Paloma knew, but she hadn’t made up her mind. If she’d decided to marry Edmundo, that’s when she was going to tell Carlota.
German asks Lili to come into his office. He says she looks great and could they maybe have a coffee? Lili says if you want to have it with my novio. The novio (Mi amor! says Lili) comes in, hands German some papers, and he and Lili leave. German has struck out again.
Romina is on the phone with her daddy, wondering why he isn’t around more. He says that he doesn’t want to have Camila chasing him out of the house again. Romina says she wants him involved in all the wedding stuff. He won’t run away again will he? Because she won’t look for him again. No no no, he says, rolling his eyes.
Rafa is still trying to talk Camila into sticking with him. Why won’t she? She says she used to think love was everything, could overcome any obstacle, but she doesn’t believe that any more.
He tries to kiss her, but she says she just can’t. She doesn’t want to destroy the lives of everyone around them. Yes, she loves him, but that doesn’t make him the guy she should be with. He’s not free. She leaves, apparently forgetting that it’s her shop and she needs to stay there.
German gets the papers we’ve all been waiting for. He can’t help himself and starts undoing the envelope which contains the great, life-altering, top-secret tampered-with will to take a peek. He doesn’t even have to steam it because it’s not glued down, he just undoes the string.
Padre Chris calls Paloma’s house and asks for Rufi. Paloma says she’s left for the frontera and is liable to be gone a number of days. Rats, says Chris.
Chris is having flashbacks. He remembers Mac pleading with him not to talk to Carlota in front of Paloma. He remembers Carlota calling him to Mac’s deathbed, telling him Mac just wanted to have him and Paloma there and surely Mac must have something to tell him.
Just then Padre B comes in and says why so serious? Chris says there is something on my mind, but I need more information before I talk about it. He tells Padre B that Carlota is still after him, but she’s sneaky and does stuff when others aren’t looking. Padre B tells him the bishop is coming to town and he’s wanting to know who’s naughty and nice.
Chris says this might not be the best time for me to make my decision. Did you tell him what’s going on here? Yes, says Padre B. Chris says then maybe it won’t be me making the decision. Padre B says huh? Chris says never mind me.
German leafs through the papers, bored, then stops, astonished. Paloma is rich!
Carlota is having to get her own tea in the kitchen. She thinks maybe she shouldn’t have let Rufi take those days off. Her thoughts lightly turn to Samuel. Should she go out with him? He’s good looking, interesting. Oh, but it’s nothing like what she feels about Chris, she says steamily. Closeup of her looking lustful. Brrr, those eyelashes gummed together into points are enough to terrify anyone, even a man of God who is used to looking Satan right in the eye.
Romina is lying on her bed, a tiara daintily perched on top of her golden locks. Em knocks, comes in, and smiles and says I’ve been thinking and I realize I’ve been stupid to even think about Paloma. You’re really what I’ve always dreamed about. I don’t even care if the child is mine or not. He kisses her neck. Romina smiles with relief and happiness. I’ll never leave you, says Em. I’m not like your daddy. I’ll always stay with you.
She turns to stroke her wedding dress, which is spread out on the bed, turns to talk to him, realizes it’s just dead air. She sits on the bed and starts to cry. I know you’ll come to love me.
In actuality Em is at his desk, looking at the elaborate invitation and thinking that if he were marrying Paloma he’d be the happiest guy on the planet. What can he do to make it so he can be with her?
Chris is just finishing up serving mass and Carlota, who as we know has season tickets to the front pew, is of course there. Everyone files out but her and he starts to leave, then turns and comes back to talk to her. She gives a happy sigh. He asks if he can talk to her a moment. She says he can ask her anything he wants.
Crinkle crinkle. Excuse me for a second while I affix my Aluminum Beanie© because Chris has decided the best place to talk to this panting stalker is in a private side room. Not only that, but in the course of the conversation, he begins to remove his priestly outer garments in a sort of slow strip.
He says he wants to ask her something and he wants her to promise to tell the truth. She says she will, and she will swear on what she loves most, namely him.
He says Paloma is Mac’s daughter, yes? Carlota says I didn’t know you knew. So is Paloma mine? he asks.
It’s evening and said Paloma is coming home. Romina comes up to her and kisses her affectionately. Where’ve you been lately? Paloma says Rufi’s gone, so I’ve had to do everything. Bummer! Says Romina. You’re my maid of honor and I’d like you to be involved in all my wedding stuff.
Paloma says have you set a date? Romina says I talked to Emiliano and he said he wants to get married as soon as possible, so it’s Saturday! Saturday? says Paloma, shaken.
Of course, it’s just a civil marriage for now says Romina. The church one we’ll need more time to plan. We may do it before the baby comes, or after. Paloma casts her eyes down. Romina says What’s wrong?
Paloma says I thought you were going to do both at once. Romina says we’ll enjoy both of them. Who would have thought we would both marry so young? Well, it didn’t work out with Inaki, but sometimes things don’t go as we planned. She grabs Paloma’s hand and says come see my wedding dress!
Chris is taking off his first layer and Carlota is stalling.
Ca: How did you find out she was Mac’s daughter?
Ch: Never mind about that, I just want to know if she’s mine.
Ca (seductively, stepping closer): What will you give me in return for telling?
Ch (shoving her off): This isn’t some game!
Ca: I’m helping you!
Ch: You know what it would mean if I’m her father?
Ca: Yes, and that’s why I don’t know whether to tell you what you want to know.
Ch: Tell me.
Ca: Even if it will affect you so that you’ll never forget? Even if it will change your feelings? Even if it will change everything you’ve come to believe so far?
Ch: Yes. Tell me.
Ca: Mac is Paloma’s mother. I told her you had the right to know who the father was and she didn’t want to tell you.
Ch (hopeful): Why? Because I’m the father and now I’m a priest?
Ca: No no no no no. That’s not why. She didn’t want to tell you because she knew she was nothing like what you thought - pure, sainted.
Ch: I don’t get it.
Ca: Mac got pregnant. But the child is not yours.
Ch: gulp.
Camila is walking along the street, flashing back on Rafa kissing her. Next she flashes back on Orlando kissing her. What do do?
Yuck… Samuel comes up, leaving a slime train on the sidewalk. He says I know you – what’s bothering you? It’ll be a good place to start. Start? says Camila. You don’t know how often I had dreamed that you’d want to start again. Samuel says See? I knew you couldn’t be indifferent to me. Camila says I’m not indifferent, in fact, a part of me hates you. Sam says How can you say that? Your love was so strong, it couldn’t just stop.
It didn’t stop says Camila. It’s just not for you. I’m in love with someone who values me a thousand times more than you ever did. She walks off.
Okay, back to Chris and Carlota:
Ca: If you don’t believe me, why even ask? I wasn’t the one who came chasing after you to tell you this stuff. You asked me.
Ch: It’s just that you’ve told so many lies in your life, I don’t know when to believe you.
Ca: We all tell lies time to time, even you. Macarena was no exception. Why are we even talking about it if you’ve created this whole reality in your head? If you want to believe that Paloma is your daughter, help yourself.
Ch: It’s not that I want her to be my child. It’s just that the timing all adds up. If I’m her father, I have to be responsible, plus I have to postpone my plans.
Ca: Okay, I’ll tell you what happened. But if you don’t believe me, it’s your own lookout.
Ch: I’m listening.
Ca: Macarena was going out with a young man who was at our level in society, nothing serious. She came up pregnant, and when she found out, she took up with you, pretending it was her first time. Because she knew you’d take responsibility.
Ch: It can’t be true!
Ca: Oh, for heaven’s sake.
Ch: Go ahead.
Ca: When I found out, I tried to keep her from going with you, from deceiving you into thinking the child was yours. When our father found out what she was trying to do, he had a heart attack. It was better to give the child to Sagrario to avoid a scandal.
Ch: That’s not the Macarena I knew and loved.
Ca: Love makes us idealize people. But we all have our dark side. You just never wanted to see Macarena’s. If Paloma had been your daughter, Mac wouldn’t have taken the secret to her grave, not even telling you just before she died.
Romina has Paloma, who is protesting that she needs to go cook dinner, up in her room to see he wedding dress. She whips a dustcover off it and says See? It cost a bunch! Feel it. Paloma, looking like she’s seen a ghost, sees a ghost – namely the ghost of weddings past. She sees herself in her wedding gown, sobbing, fleeing the church, arriving at Inaki’s deathbed. She sees herself kissing Emiliano.
She faints dead away.
Chris and Carlota again. She’s about to leave.
Ch: One more thing.
Ca: Anything.
Ch: If you hadn’t told me that Mac had killed herself, I would have married her and helped raise Paloma.
Ca: Yes. I did it because I loved you. I didn’t want you stuck raising a child that wasn’t yours. Maybe I didn’t do the right thing, but I had the best of intentions.
Ch: And the father? Is he still alive?
Ca: Yes. His name is Juan Carmona. He’s a loser who lives in Pachuca.
Ch: Does Paloma know?
Ca: Not only does she know, she’s met with him.
Ch: Really?
Ca: If you don’t believe me, ask her. He was such a disappointment she didn’t want anything more to do with him.
Carlota leaves, but not before throwing him a small smile.
Rafa tells Diana they need to go see the judge next week. Diana says why aren’t you honest with me? Me? He says, livid. After all the stuff you’ve done? After setting Orlando up to look like he’d hit you? And you question MY honesty?
Diana sulks that Em talks to Rafa, but not to her. Rafa says stop thinking about yourself. Do you realize that the things you do affect others? Diana says look at your own self. I did it to protect my son. My family is the most important thing in the world to me! Rafa rolls his eyes.
Unlike you, says Diana. You’ve been deceiving me. You’re worse than I am. I’d like to talk about it, but I have an important appointment with my dear, dear friend Camila. How lucky I am to have her as a future in-law, aren’t I? Diana gets her purse and marches out triumphantly, her high heels clicking on the tiles.
Paloma has come to and is sitting in a chair in Romina’s bedroom. She tells Romina suddenly the room started spinning. Romina laughs you’re not pregnant are you? Oh, I forgot! You’re all pure and virginal. Good thing you didn’t sleep with Inaki before your wedding. Can you imagine? Paloma gets up and leaves. Romina calls after her to take care – she’s got to be feeling good for Romina’s wedding day. Romina smiles to herself like she’s got the world on a string.
German wants to hang onto the will a bit longer – he doesn’t want to take it to Carlota just like that. It occurs to him to have some certified copies made.
Paloma returns to her room and cries about Em’s upcoming wedding.
At work, Orlando tells Em he needs to start looking at apartments. Orlando says he hopes now that he’ll be related to her, maybe Romina will look on his interest in Camila more kindly. Em smiles half-heartedly. Orlando say See you tomorrow, son, and leaves.
Em flashes back on kissing Paloma.
Diana comes fluttering into Camila’s. She says she’s thrilled her son is going to marry the daughter of her best friend. She tells Romina that she’s always thought Camila was an exemplar of honesty, integrity, high standards. She’ll make a wonderful grandmother! Camila pops her eyebrows. Diana hugs Camila and says they’re going to form one big family. Group hug! She says. We women have to stick together. All for one and one for all!
Carlota is getting into bed, gloating over how well it all went. Even Rufi being gone was perfect timing. She hopes she’ll never come back, so Chris can’t ask her any questions.
Chris in his jammies says his prayers. Afterwards, he reflects that he had thought for a minute there that Paloma was his daughter. It would have made sense – they seem to have such an affinity for one another. Why didn’t Mac tell me? I find it hard to believe what Carlota said. I’m going to find out. Rufi’s not around, but I can ask Camila or Natalia. I’m not going to let happen to me what happened 19 years ago.
The sun comes up over Real del Monte.
Romina comes down to breakfast and finds Orlando waiting in the living room. He says he wants to talk about wedding presents. Romina says I have a hard time seeing you as Em’s father. Orlando says you’ve never gotten used to my being with your mother and now I’m going to be your father-in-law. Romina says it’s not that I don’t like you, it’s just that I’ve always had the fantasy that my father would come back.
Orlando asks how she likes having him back. It’s nice, she says. I like the idea he’s around, though he’s kinda stayed on the sidelines, which is probably a good idea. My mother doesn’t like close relationships where they’re all tangled up in each other. She needs her space and he’s giving it to her.
Orlando is absorbing all this. You think it’s a strategy? Romina says I’d say so. And now that I’m getting married my mother has to decide who she’s going to be with. It would be a hoot if she chooses you, since it would unite me more firmly with Emiliano.
It would! says Orlando. In the background, Camila is coming down the stairs. Romina says you were talking about wedding presents? Orlando says he was thinking of giving them a house or an apartment. Romina hugs him and Camila sees, surprised. Romina says I had been thinking of living in a furnished place like Rafa has, but I’ll go looking at houses and apartments today. I’ll have two fathers-in-law, but I like you the best.
Romina! says Camila. Romina plants a kiss on Orlando’s cheek and leaves.
At the plateria, which doubles as a group therapy facility, Angelica asks Em what he’s feeling. He tells her feels like something inside of him has broken. He feels so alone without a mother, without Paloma. Angelica tells him he’s a good guy for not having run away. He says he doesn’t feel like a good guy - he’s paying for his mistakes and for his parents’ mistakes. He doesn’t want the baby to have to pay for his as well. I’m going to be the best father there ever was, and I’m going to give that child all the love that I can’t give to Paloma. He leaves.
At his office, Rafa tells Joel that Orlando was right, Diana’s not going to give him a divorce. And he really needs it, as things with Camila are at the breaking point – she doesn’t want to fight for their love. But all’s fair in love and war. You’re scaring me smiles Joel. Rafa says I’m going to tell Camila we three have to go to a convention. He waves a brochure around.
Joel wants to know if he can ask Monica. Rafa says who’s going to watch the shop? Well, do whatever you want, but Camila needs to go with me to that convention.
Camila tells Orlando that maybe it’s better if Romina and Em get a place Em can afford. Orlando gets down to business: He tells her that Rafa came by and told him he was back in the game. I need to know how you feel. Either you decide to go ahead and marry me, or I’ll turn you loose to marry Rafa or Samuel or whoever.
Avances: Em asks German what really happened between him and Romina. Paloma tells Romina she can’t take part in her wedding because she’s in love with Emiliano.
We know his joy will be short-lived because hey, this is Real del Monte where the spirits of angry Aztecs avenge themselves by breaking the hearts of schoolgirls and middle-aged ceramics makers alike. Let’s see what happens next.
Paloma bodily shoves Rufi though Carlota’s office door so Rufi will ask for time off to go see Edmundo on his deathbed. Outside the door, Paloma thinks about how without Rufi she’ll be alone at Em’s wedding.
Inside Camila’s shop, she’s telling Rafa it won’t work out between them. He says Diana is going to give him his divorce, and he explains to her the promise he made to Orlando to stay away from her if Orlando wouldn’t tell Em the truth about Diana. But all that is out in the open now, so he’s back courtin’.
Camila says but with Em marrying Romina, she and Diana are going to be in-laws, it’s all so much to think about, so she’s just going to think about right now. Rafa says And Orlando is right now? Yes, says Camila. Rafa says tell me: Do you love him as much as you love me? Ba BUMMM says the music.
Romina has gone to Em’s office and shows him the invitations she’d like to have printed up. Whatever, he says. She says I know you’re not happy about this wedding, but I’m going to dedicate myself to being the best wife in the whole world. Just give me one little tiny chance. I love you so much. She strokes his face.
Em shoots up out of his chair. Look, he says, the heart doesn’t take orders. I wish I could tell you that I’m happy, and we could make a life, but I can’t. I’m marrying in order to be close to my son, to be as good a father as Rafa was to me. Tearfully Romina says I’ll be thinking of the baby, but I’ll also be thinking of you.
Carlota wants to know how it was that Rufi had a marriage offer and she never knew about it. Rufi says that Mac and Paloma knew, but she hadn’t made up her mind. If she’d decided to marry Edmundo, that’s when she was going to tell Carlota.
German asks Lili to come into his office. He says she looks great and could they maybe have a coffee? Lili says if you want to have it with my novio. The novio (Mi amor! says Lili) comes in, hands German some papers, and he and Lili leave. German has struck out again.
Romina is on the phone with her daddy, wondering why he isn’t around more. He says that he doesn’t want to have Camila chasing him out of the house again. Romina says she wants him involved in all the wedding stuff. He won’t run away again will he? Because she won’t look for him again. No no no, he says, rolling his eyes.
Rafa is still trying to talk Camila into sticking with him. Why won’t she? She says she used to think love was everything, could overcome any obstacle, but she doesn’t believe that any more.
He tries to kiss her, but she says she just can’t. She doesn’t want to destroy the lives of everyone around them. Yes, she loves him, but that doesn’t make him the guy she should be with. He’s not free. She leaves, apparently forgetting that it’s her shop and she needs to stay there.
German gets the papers we’ve all been waiting for. He can’t help himself and starts undoing the envelope which contains the great, life-altering, top-secret tampered-with will to take a peek. He doesn’t even have to steam it because it’s not glued down, he just undoes the string.
Padre Chris calls Paloma’s house and asks for Rufi. Paloma says she’s left for the frontera and is liable to be gone a number of days. Rats, says Chris.
Chris is having flashbacks. He remembers Mac pleading with him not to talk to Carlota in front of Paloma. He remembers Carlota calling him to Mac’s deathbed, telling him Mac just wanted to have him and Paloma there and surely Mac must have something to tell him.
Just then Padre B comes in and says why so serious? Chris says there is something on my mind, but I need more information before I talk about it. He tells Padre B that Carlota is still after him, but she’s sneaky and does stuff when others aren’t looking. Padre B tells him the bishop is coming to town and he’s wanting to know who’s naughty and nice.
Chris says this might not be the best time for me to make my decision. Did you tell him what’s going on here? Yes, says Padre B. Chris says then maybe it won’t be me making the decision. Padre B says huh? Chris says never mind me.
German leafs through the papers, bored, then stops, astonished. Paloma is rich!
Carlota is having to get her own tea in the kitchen. She thinks maybe she shouldn’t have let Rufi take those days off. Her thoughts lightly turn to Samuel. Should she go out with him? He’s good looking, interesting. Oh, but it’s nothing like what she feels about Chris, she says steamily. Closeup of her looking lustful. Brrr, those eyelashes gummed together into points are enough to terrify anyone, even a man of God who is used to looking Satan right in the eye.
Romina is lying on her bed, a tiara daintily perched on top of her golden locks. Em knocks, comes in, and smiles and says I’ve been thinking and I realize I’ve been stupid to even think about Paloma. You’re really what I’ve always dreamed about. I don’t even care if the child is mine or not. He kisses her neck. Romina smiles with relief and happiness. I’ll never leave you, says Em. I’m not like your daddy. I’ll always stay with you.
She turns to stroke her wedding dress, which is spread out on the bed, turns to talk to him, realizes it’s just dead air. She sits on the bed and starts to cry. I know you’ll come to love me.
In actuality Em is at his desk, looking at the elaborate invitation and thinking that if he were marrying Paloma he’d be the happiest guy on the planet. What can he do to make it so he can be with her?
Chris is just finishing up serving mass and Carlota, who as we know has season tickets to the front pew, is of course there. Everyone files out but her and he starts to leave, then turns and comes back to talk to her. She gives a happy sigh. He asks if he can talk to her a moment. She says he can ask her anything he wants.
Crinkle crinkle. Excuse me for a second while I affix my Aluminum Beanie© because Chris has decided the best place to talk to this panting stalker is in a private side room. Not only that, but in the course of the conversation, he begins to remove his priestly outer garments in a sort of slow strip.
He says he wants to ask her something and he wants her to promise to tell the truth. She says she will, and she will swear on what she loves most, namely him.
He says Paloma is Mac’s daughter, yes? Carlota says I didn’t know you knew. So is Paloma mine? he asks.
It’s evening and said Paloma is coming home. Romina comes up to her and kisses her affectionately. Where’ve you been lately? Paloma says Rufi’s gone, so I’ve had to do everything. Bummer! Says Romina. You’re my maid of honor and I’d like you to be involved in all my wedding stuff.
Paloma says have you set a date? Romina says I talked to Emiliano and he said he wants to get married as soon as possible, so it’s Saturday! Saturday? says Paloma, shaken.
Of course, it’s just a civil marriage for now says Romina. The church one we’ll need more time to plan. We may do it before the baby comes, or after. Paloma casts her eyes down. Romina says What’s wrong?
Paloma says I thought you were going to do both at once. Romina says we’ll enjoy both of them. Who would have thought we would both marry so young? Well, it didn’t work out with Inaki, but sometimes things don’t go as we planned. She grabs Paloma’s hand and says come see my wedding dress!
Chris is taking off his first layer and Carlota is stalling.
Ca: How did you find out she was Mac’s daughter?
Ch: Never mind about that, I just want to know if she’s mine.
Ca (seductively, stepping closer): What will you give me in return for telling?
Ch (shoving her off): This isn’t some game!
Ca: I’m helping you!
Ch: You know what it would mean if I’m her father?
Ca: Yes, and that’s why I don’t know whether to tell you what you want to know.
Ch: Tell me.
Ca: Even if it will affect you so that you’ll never forget? Even if it will change your feelings? Even if it will change everything you’ve come to believe so far?
Ch: Yes. Tell me.
Ca: Mac is Paloma’s mother. I told her you had the right to know who the father was and she didn’t want to tell you.
Ch (hopeful): Why? Because I’m the father and now I’m a priest?
Ca: No no no no no. That’s not why. She didn’t want to tell you because she knew she was nothing like what you thought - pure, sainted.
Ch: I don’t get it.
Ca: Mac got pregnant. But the child is not yours.
Ch: gulp.
Camila is walking along the street, flashing back on Rafa kissing her. Next she flashes back on Orlando kissing her. What do do?
Yuck… Samuel comes up, leaving a slime train on the sidewalk. He says I know you – what’s bothering you? It’ll be a good place to start. Start? says Camila. You don’t know how often I had dreamed that you’d want to start again. Samuel says See? I knew you couldn’t be indifferent to me. Camila says I’m not indifferent, in fact, a part of me hates you. Sam says How can you say that? Your love was so strong, it couldn’t just stop.
It didn’t stop says Camila. It’s just not for you. I’m in love with someone who values me a thousand times more than you ever did. She walks off.
Okay, back to Chris and Carlota:
Ca: If you don’t believe me, why even ask? I wasn’t the one who came chasing after you to tell you this stuff. You asked me.
Ch: It’s just that you’ve told so many lies in your life, I don’t know when to believe you.
Ca: We all tell lies time to time, even you. Macarena was no exception. Why are we even talking about it if you’ve created this whole reality in your head? If you want to believe that Paloma is your daughter, help yourself.
Ch: It’s not that I want her to be my child. It’s just that the timing all adds up. If I’m her father, I have to be responsible, plus I have to postpone my plans.
Ca: Okay, I’ll tell you what happened. But if you don’t believe me, it’s your own lookout.
Ch: I’m listening.
Ca: Macarena was going out with a young man who was at our level in society, nothing serious. She came up pregnant, and when she found out, she took up with you, pretending it was her first time. Because she knew you’d take responsibility.
Ch: It can’t be true!
Ca: Oh, for heaven’s sake.
Ch: Go ahead.
Ca: When I found out, I tried to keep her from going with you, from deceiving you into thinking the child was yours. When our father found out what she was trying to do, he had a heart attack. It was better to give the child to Sagrario to avoid a scandal.
Ch: That’s not the Macarena I knew and loved.
Ca: Love makes us idealize people. But we all have our dark side. You just never wanted to see Macarena’s. If Paloma had been your daughter, Mac wouldn’t have taken the secret to her grave, not even telling you just before she died.
Romina has Paloma, who is protesting that she needs to go cook dinner, up in her room to see he wedding dress. She whips a dustcover off it and says See? It cost a bunch! Feel it. Paloma, looking like she’s seen a ghost, sees a ghost – namely the ghost of weddings past. She sees herself in her wedding gown, sobbing, fleeing the church, arriving at Inaki’s deathbed. She sees herself kissing Emiliano.
She faints dead away.
Chris and Carlota again. She’s about to leave.
Ch: One more thing.
Ca: Anything.
Ch: If you hadn’t told me that Mac had killed herself, I would have married her and helped raise Paloma.
Ca: Yes. I did it because I loved you. I didn’t want you stuck raising a child that wasn’t yours. Maybe I didn’t do the right thing, but I had the best of intentions.
Ch: And the father? Is he still alive?
Ca: Yes. His name is Juan Carmona. He’s a loser who lives in Pachuca.
Ch: Does Paloma know?
Ca: Not only does she know, she’s met with him.
Ch: Really?
Ca: If you don’t believe me, ask her. He was such a disappointment she didn’t want anything more to do with him.
Carlota leaves, but not before throwing him a small smile.
Rafa tells Diana they need to go see the judge next week. Diana says why aren’t you honest with me? Me? He says, livid. After all the stuff you’ve done? After setting Orlando up to look like he’d hit you? And you question MY honesty?
Diana sulks that Em talks to Rafa, but not to her. Rafa says stop thinking about yourself. Do you realize that the things you do affect others? Diana says look at your own self. I did it to protect my son. My family is the most important thing in the world to me! Rafa rolls his eyes.
Unlike you, says Diana. You’ve been deceiving me. You’re worse than I am. I’d like to talk about it, but I have an important appointment with my dear, dear friend Camila. How lucky I am to have her as a future in-law, aren’t I? Diana gets her purse and marches out triumphantly, her high heels clicking on the tiles.
Paloma has come to and is sitting in a chair in Romina’s bedroom. She tells Romina suddenly the room started spinning. Romina laughs you’re not pregnant are you? Oh, I forgot! You’re all pure and virginal. Good thing you didn’t sleep with Inaki before your wedding. Can you imagine? Paloma gets up and leaves. Romina calls after her to take care – she’s got to be feeling good for Romina’s wedding day. Romina smiles to herself like she’s got the world on a string.
German wants to hang onto the will a bit longer – he doesn’t want to take it to Carlota just like that. It occurs to him to have some certified copies made.
Paloma returns to her room and cries about Em’s upcoming wedding.
At work, Orlando tells Em he needs to start looking at apartments. Orlando says he hopes now that he’ll be related to her, maybe Romina will look on his interest in Camila more kindly. Em smiles half-heartedly. Orlando say See you tomorrow, son, and leaves.
Em flashes back on kissing Paloma.
Diana comes fluttering into Camila’s. She says she’s thrilled her son is going to marry the daughter of her best friend. She tells Romina that she’s always thought Camila was an exemplar of honesty, integrity, high standards. She’ll make a wonderful grandmother! Camila pops her eyebrows. Diana hugs Camila and says they’re going to form one big family. Group hug! She says. We women have to stick together. All for one and one for all!
Carlota is getting into bed, gloating over how well it all went. Even Rufi being gone was perfect timing. She hopes she’ll never come back, so Chris can’t ask her any questions.
Chris in his jammies says his prayers. Afterwards, he reflects that he had thought for a minute there that Paloma was his daughter. It would have made sense – they seem to have such an affinity for one another. Why didn’t Mac tell me? I find it hard to believe what Carlota said. I’m going to find out. Rufi’s not around, but I can ask Camila or Natalia. I’m not going to let happen to me what happened 19 years ago.
The sun comes up over Real del Monte.
Romina comes down to breakfast and finds Orlando waiting in the living room. He says he wants to talk about wedding presents. Romina says I have a hard time seeing you as Em’s father. Orlando says you’ve never gotten used to my being with your mother and now I’m going to be your father-in-law. Romina says it’s not that I don’t like you, it’s just that I’ve always had the fantasy that my father would come back.
Orlando asks how she likes having him back. It’s nice, she says. I like the idea he’s around, though he’s kinda stayed on the sidelines, which is probably a good idea. My mother doesn’t like close relationships where they’re all tangled up in each other. She needs her space and he’s giving it to her.
Orlando is absorbing all this. You think it’s a strategy? Romina says I’d say so. And now that I’m getting married my mother has to decide who she’s going to be with. It would be a hoot if she chooses you, since it would unite me more firmly with Emiliano.
It would! says Orlando. In the background, Camila is coming down the stairs. Romina says you were talking about wedding presents? Orlando says he was thinking of giving them a house or an apartment. Romina hugs him and Camila sees, surprised. Romina says I had been thinking of living in a furnished place like Rafa has, but I’ll go looking at houses and apartments today. I’ll have two fathers-in-law, but I like you the best.
Romina! says Camila. Romina plants a kiss on Orlando’s cheek and leaves.
At the plateria, which doubles as a group therapy facility, Angelica asks Em what he’s feeling. He tells her feels like something inside of him has broken. He feels so alone without a mother, without Paloma. Angelica tells him he’s a good guy for not having run away. He says he doesn’t feel like a good guy - he’s paying for his mistakes and for his parents’ mistakes. He doesn’t want the baby to have to pay for his as well. I’m going to be the best father there ever was, and I’m going to give that child all the love that I can’t give to Paloma. He leaves.
At his office, Rafa tells Joel that Orlando was right, Diana’s not going to give him a divorce. And he really needs it, as things with Camila are at the breaking point – she doesn’t want to fight for their love. But all’s fair in love and war. You’re scaring me smiles Joel. Rafa says I’m going to tell Camila we three have to go to a convention. He waves a brochure around.
Joel wants to know if he can ask Monica. Rafa says who’s going to watch the shop? Well, do whatever you want, but Camila needs to go with me to that convention.
Camila tells Orlando that maybe it’s better if Romina and Em get a place Em can afford. Orlando gets down to business: He tells her that Rafa came by and told him he was back in the game. I need to know how you feel. Either you decide to go ahead and marry me, or I’ll turn you loose to marry Rafa or Samuel or whoever.
Avances: Em asks German what really happened between him and Romina. Paloma tells Romina she can’t take part in her wedding because she’s in love with Emiliano.
Labels: amor
Monday, November 30, 2009
un Gancho al Corazón Mon.11/30/9 Who's Your Daddy?
Tonight's frivolity begins strangely with Coni reliving a flashback of Jero literally carrying her off to ravish her. It dawns on her that Jerónimo is also in the running for Father of the Year.Oh no! Oh yes! Oh crap!
Jacky finds Beto alone in the coffee room sniffing his right shoe. Even he is repelled. She and he share a frank conversation concerning Beto's feelings and true intentions toward Coni. He tries to convince her that Coni is not just an exotic hobby. He is truly in love with her, but she has chosen to wed Mauricio. She responds with, "What's done is done, but the fact of the matter is that she is hopelessly in love with you." She ends the little chat by declaring that he is, "garbage...a poor devil," (harsh but...), "I'm wasting my time with you." As she's leaving, like Columbo, she remembers one more thing, "Ah, por cierto, Beto, Constanza is expecting your child." He is elated by this news. He celebrates by jumping gleefully up and down, shouting, "¡Voy a tener un Betito! ¡Órale!" He hugs his futura suegra. She has mixed emotions. He is, after all, a stinky naco, but this pregnancy changes everything. She urges him to fight for her, and his naquito. He beams with fatherly pride. "¡Un Betito!" Aren't we all a little proud right along with him?
Ximena has just put Rolu, who still is a bit grumpy, but softening toward Ximy, to bed. She, on the other hand, is feeling frisky as a filly colt. She offers to arrange some cushions (cojines). He declines, " Do you mind if I take a bath? I'm feeling nasty (sucio)." What a coincidence, she is feeling nasty as well... "Very, very nasty!" She suggests a bath together. Give her five minutes to get rid of Coni who is waiting in the parlor. She will wash him, scrub (tallar) his back... and do little things to him ( hacerte cositas). The idea thrills her. Rolu? Not so much. She ignores his apparent lack of enthusiasm as she gushes about getting together as... "you understand?... man and wife and even making a BABY!" Using English to embellish her waxing lustiness, she muses, while waltzing around with the (as of yet) imaginary "Baby Rolu," about their future becoming, "Mommy and Daddy!"
Oh Wow!" Her growing excitement is contagious. He must have been vaccinated. He is immune. She exits with guttural primal feline growls, clawing at the air between her and Rolu for emphasis. Another triumphant scene for Ximena. My words really can't do it justice.
A conflicted Coni, looking ravishing in a simple short black knit dress, ivory knee-high boots with matching, is waiting in the parlor to confer with her one true friend. Ximena is still bubbling about her rapturous marriage to the insatiable Rolu. Just imagine what a truly committed participant-spouse would do for her. Coni is distracted... just as well. She has come seeking Ximy's assistance in determining a date of conception. Now, I'm in love with and admire all things Ximena, but she is not the first one I'd look to for help with a math problem. The Dr. says that she is six weeks along. "Well," calculates our lithe, dark-tressed numerical savant, "Must have been in Nuevo York, Roberto!" This seems to bring a little bit of relief to our Coni. Coni admonishes Ximy that no one must find out about her situation. Ximy is a tomb, and to demonstrate, she looks the vault and tosses the key. She and Rolu aren't expecting... yet, since they haven't been... you know... juntos... yet. Coni's in a hurry. Coni leaves and Ximena's thoughts return to..."¡♫♥ Rolu, ahí te voy ♫♥!" She gives a playful turn on the pole of the spiral staircase and then dashes up the stairs.
Now we turn to a happy domestic scene in the 'hood. Don Cesar, with his flair for fashion and style is wearing a striking mustard(French's not Grey Poupon)-yellow suit with color-coordinated apron.
The effect is...umm... breath-taking. Nieves is miffed because Cesar allowed her littlr Beto to get beaten in such a way. He counters that he tried to warn the little showoff (fanfarrón). Besides it was a good lesson for the boy. "You need to quit treating him like a baby." This display of domestic bliss is intruded upon by Estrella, who, you will recall, is like a daughter to Nieves. they trade insults regarding Beto, but Estrella is more interested in pumping Cesar for details surrounding the MF (Masked Fury). As she picks up his hand (Estrella is very tactile), Nieves growls,"He's mine!" Estrella presses on. "Monita and I are intrigued by your new fighter, la Furia Enmascarada." "First tell me which of you is interested, you or Monita?" He tells her that he believes that he's single. This thrills Estre. As she rushes off, Nieves scolds Cesar, vowing that she'd like to pop the MF in his mouth (clavar el diente). She hit's Cesar in the face with her dish towel, then gently and lovingly wipes it clean. Awww!
A battered (physically and emotionally) Beto seeks out Moni at her place. She needles him a bit about the MF, but he wants to talk seriously. He broaches the subject then backs away. He tells her that he loves her. "No you love la momia." He admits that he loves Coni. Monita warns that Coni will destroy his life. He then says that he actually loves them both. "I have a big heart!" "Well the only person I love is Mauricio." "What a tiny little heart you have," he replies.
Ximena arranges Rolu in his bed. are sporting plush, white, terrycloth robes. Did someone filch these from the Four Seasons Hotel? He seems a bit touchy and complaining. Well heck, after two falls, either of which would have polished off the normal person, I guess he's entitled. Now, she has plans for the evening and starts to move in for the kill (in a manner of speaking). He balks, she insists that she just wants him to love her, even though un poquis. He finally launches an insult which strikes home. He calls her selfish (egoista). Ouch, that hurts. Now he reveals his intent. He needs a nurse to see to his needs. Well don't we all. Ximy is devastated...well... as devastated as Xmmena is capable of being. He coninues, "Tomorrow I'm going to hire a nurse to bathe me, attend to me, dress me..." Rolu, mi amor,I love you..." She won't hear of him hiring a nurse. He, however is adamant. Rolu, just when I was starting to like you a little better. Of course he is doing this as much for her as for him. Um hmm.
Meintras Tanto, back in the barrio, Nieves interrupts Moni's and Beto's philosophical chat, "¿Puedo pasar?" "Of course!" Now, Should I have skipped the Sazerac or does Nieves look unusually appealing in that pink top revealing a chaste amount of cronish cleavage? Beto is not looking for consolation and let's Nieves know. "Well, wash your hands an come over for dinner." "Be right there," Moni agrees. As Nieves waddles off, Moni chastises Beto for not showing more respect for his mom. Moni remember the reunion with her own mom, the love (oh yeah!), the forgiveness...Beto pleads with her not to cry. She notes, "My mother loved me." He smiles a sweet smile. Off they go to dine.
Strolling accross the courtyard he remembers a bet (apuesta) that he had with Costeño, a bet on football...yeah, that's it, a bet on football. He needs to make a phone call. "You,go on ahead."
The happy Sermaño family is breaking bread. "So how was school today?" Mauricio asks solicitously, "¡Muy bién, Papá!" answers Luisa, sucking up. (I wonder what it is she wants.) Aldo adds that things are going well for him as well, "When can I get off probation?" Coni responds by launching into a verbal assault on Aldo for past crimes that warrant being on probation for the rest of his life. Mao reproaches, "Constanza, por favor." Jacky strolls in, "I won't be joining you for dinner, important things to do... Coni, I want to talk to you when I get back."
Hey PETA! She's looking awfully cozy wearing about a zillion dead weasels.
Coni's phone rings. It's Beto. "Not right now, Ximena, I'm having dinner with my husband and the kids. Not in a mood for games, he reminds her that she is carrying his kid. He wants to talk to her right now. Turns out that tomorrow isn't good either. Well since he puts it that way, how about noon tomorrow at the boutique? "Agreed! But you know me, Constancia, don't provoke me, you know me." Alas, she does. She glare at Jacky as she snaps the cell phone shut. Jacky brazens ahead. She likes Ximena. Be nice if she were to get pregnant with Rolu. For the moment...advantage... Jacky.
It's also dinnertime at the Ochoas'. Moni has joined Nieves Cesar and Beto for the evening meal.They're having chicken-fried steak and cream gravy, mashed potatoes, and turnip greens with peppered vinegar...oh, wait... that's what we're having... sorry. Whatever they are having looks tasty and everyone is digging in. Cesar praises her cooking skills. Beto wants two more Milaneses. So does Cesar. Sorry guys,just one left. Beto and Cesar exchange insults. It is fun to watch beta males go at each other. Lots of sparks...no fire. Beto finally says, "This is my house, my mom, your Milanese is mine, therefore, que se friega maldita puerco espín." Now , this doesn't make sense to me, ( May you bust you porcupine pig? Help!), but apparently it does to both Moni and Nieves, "¡Beto!" Moni whacks him with her napkin. Nieves serves Beto the remaining cutlet, but he's changed his mind, "No me quiero, no me quiero," he complains as he does the unthinkable. He licks the piece of meat from top to bottom, drops it on the floor, and stomps on it for good measure. "¡Beto!" Moni rebuffs. Nieves reminds him of the starving children in China...sort of. Beto accuses Cesar of trying to bump him off with this new fighter, well, he's going to find his buddy (cuate) and go out for a drink. He leaves in a huff. Moni says, "Be patient, he'll be back with his tail between his legs." Don Cesar agrees... "Besides, this is part of the trust (confidencia) in a large family," he opines.
At the mansion Jacky and Coni are having a mother/daughter talk. Coni is frustrated with Jacky's meddling by informing Beto of the pregnancy, "Are you trying to convert my life into a living Hell?" Jacky accurately points out that Coni has already done a masterful job of doing that. "Then let me burn in my own flames!" Good one, Coni. Jacky is just trying to help. Coni's best option would be to arrange for Mao to cheat with Moni, divorce his butt, take everything that he has while dumping the adoptees, and run off with Beto. Sounds like a plan to me. Coni clings to her false hopes. Tomorrow she has a hospital appointment; by noon... problem solved. Jacky gives her a maternal peck on the cheek. Coni accuses her of joining with Beto in opposition. "No, actually you are your own worst enemy." Coni"s expression indicates that she knows this.
Mauricio sits on the bed in his room and pines. He conjures up memories of his soggy first encounter with Monita that rainy day so long ago. He watches as their significant moments together unreel on the flat screen of his mind. He mopes, then strolls to the mirror, strikes the Masked Fury pose, clears his throat and dropping his voice about half an octave, rehearses his opening lines to use on Monita ... hmmm, better work on that a little more, masked man. Next!
Jacky has joined Jero in an exclusive restaurant. For dessert he has big plans for the evening back at his place, but right now she has pressing business elsewhere, with... Roberto Ochoa. Jero suggests that she wait to see him at the office but when she insists that it must be right awayhe offers to take her there. It's a rough neighborhood. No thanks, she just needs the address. As he tries to persuade her to allow him to escort her the waiter returns with disturbing news. Jero's gold card is tarnished, it's been rejected. He utters a favorite line of telenovela fans, "¡No puede ser!" Unfortunately, sí puede. Jacky tries not to notice, then says, "Well these things happen. Embarrassed, he gives her the address and urges her on her way. As she gets up to leave. He, like the caballero he is, stands and helps her don the assemblage of roadkill. She leaves. The waiter returns his gold card with a smug smirk. Jero instructs him to hang on to it, he's not leaving just yet. He dials Oscar. He tells Oscar that his plans to spend the evening with Jacky have changed and invites Oscar to dine with him in this nice restaurant. There are some things they need to discuss.
Cesar tells Nieves not to worry about Beto. "Hey, why don't we put on our pajamas and go to bed early? I've got to get an early start." Beto appears at the door. He's home early. Couldn't find his friends and since he doesn't have any money... well... could she check the cow? This is too much for Cesar is is going out for a walk and doesn't want to see this person here when he returns, so give him some money. Nieves turns to her Bossie Bolsa and retrieves a few bills for her boy. As she is tendering the cash a new shadow looms at the door. It's Jacky. "I need to speak to Roberto,,, alone. Nieves sizes her up then looks accusingly at Beto, "Another?" Beto reassures her and tells her to go on out. Nieves reluctantly agrees but first she puts on her short jacket with jaguar spots. Don't Jaguars eat mink? She gives a semi-playful kittenish clawing gesture at Jacky's eyes and slinks out.
Jacky is in a hurry. She wants to spend as little time as possible in this sty (pocilga). She informs Beto of Coni's plan and hospital appointment. She urges him to stop it. Beto is fit to be tied. He biites his hand and paces,"¡No manches!¡No manches!"
It's morning in the hood and...Wow! Get a load of this! Estrella appears at Monita's door in a stunningly skanky little number complete with jaguar spots, spike heels (por supuesto!) and fishnet stockings.
Somehow she manages to make it appear almost wholesome. She is definitely in her feline stalking mode. I'll bet she smells like Jungle Gardenia and has swapped the Juicy Fruit for a stick of Blackjack. Monita is delighted. Don't tell me that they gave you the role (papel) that will launch (lanzar) your career." "I wish, but no, I'm dressed to accompany my best friend to the gymnasium for her morning workout." "Ay, you want to see the..." Estrella excitedly describes her projected encounter with this mysterious masked stranger, the caresses, the embraces, the covering her with kisses...Wow. She is overcome by her own imagination. "And when you wake up , Costeño will be on top of you," Moni jokes.
A very subdued Coni knocks on Mau's bedroom door. She wants to get some idea of his plans for the day. He tells her more or less the usual, take the kids to school, go to the office... She tells him that she'll be late getting home. So will he. What's this? No shouting? No Rancor? No suspicious accusations. Who are these two and what did they do with Coni and Mao?
It's time to choose a nurse. An enthusiastic Jero, an interested Rolu, and a dejected looking Ximy are looking over the lineup of nurses. There are six of them, varying heights, hair, and hemlines, but we can tell by the matching caps that they are all graduates of Our Lady of Lovely Legs School of Nursing. Curiously, the are all wearing spike heels. None of your sensible nurses shoes for these girls. "¡No Señor!"
These ladies have all read the updated version of Dress for Success. Ximena doesn't think that a nurse has to be so beautiful. Jero and Oscar disagree. They vote. Jero votes for the strikingly gorgeous blond on the end. Rolu goes along. Ximy casts her vote for the longest dress, straightest hair, and least makeup, nevertheless still a stunner in her own right. "Two to one. Thanks ladies," Jero offers to escort them out. Rolu bonds with his new nurse. Ximena pouts.
In the garage Coni has accompanied Mao and the kiddos to his car. She sees them safely on their way and then turns to encounter... Beto. He pounces on her from his hiding place, "I won't allow you to dispose of my child!" Uuuh!
Jero has joined Jacky for breakfast. She is trying to convey to him her concern for Coni's happiness saying that in spite of the difference in money that Coni would be happier with Beto. Jero cannot grasp the concept of happiness without money."You mean if I didn't have money that you'd still be interested in me?" "Of course. Tú eres un divino," she replies as she pinches his chin. She notices that he is only eating the complementary bread. He's not hungry, but, "The bread here is wonderful." She calls for the waiter to pick up her plate; Jero rapidly starts forking down her leftovers. Waste not, want not. The thoughtless waiter removes the plate anyway. She asks about his credit card (tarjeta de credito). It's all straightened out he assures her. Good, 'cause since she's downtown, she'd like to do some shopping." He winces, "Shopping?" He swallows hard.
The Seremeño bunch are on the way to school. Mao is driving. LIttle Dani has a problem. She forgot her backpack (mochila). Not to worry, Mao will just turn around and go back. Aldo calls her a nerd under his breath. Hey Cheech, watch it. We're still frosted about your walk on the dumb side.
Beto is struggling with Coni. He will not let her get rid of his little Betito. "You can't!" "Of course I can!" Let's say it with her, "¡Sueltame!" He threatens to tell Mauricio the whole truth.
Oops, he may not have to. Here are Mauricio and the kidlets now.
Carlos
Labels: gancho
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Sortilegio, 11/27/09 - Paying the Devil His Due; Victoria’s Blinders Come Off
Capítulo 42
The redux in brief: At the hospital Alex tells Dr. Hernan that he’s thinking of getting another house for him and Mary Jo to live in once they get back to Merida. Hernan agrees that would be the most sensible thing to do. Back at Casota de Lobos y Locos, aka, the lunatic Lombardos’ Estate, in a most satisfying “Shut up, Raquel!” moment which Viewerville pauses to savor, Felipa informs Raquel that if she continues harassing Victoria about her adulterous affair with Antonio, she will have to tell Vicky that her daughter is screwing around on hubby Roberto with Ulises. (Ah, Felipa! God has blessed you in your old age. You are now sage rather than senile. We are not worthy.) Felipa walks off and leaves the rankling Raquel simmering in sh!t stew.
Fernando, for once looking buff in a beefcake-enhancing tee-shirt, is undercover on his intelligence-gathering mission for Alex. (Note the expensive shades.) He arrives at Meche’s barrio just as she is returning from the hospital in an ambulance to the cheers of the neighbors with smiling brother, Gabriel. Nando listens as Meche tells Juliana that a Sr. Lombardo was footing the bill for Gabe’s operation. Nando stops one of the men in the crowd to ask if he knows Gregorio Diaz (Erick’s cousin). The man, sporting a Ché beret, says he does and points out the house. Nando gives the guy a line about owning a carpenter shop and looking for a good cabinet-maker. He finds out that Diaz drives an 18-wheeler for a living [a “trailero”]. Duhn-duhn-duhn-duhnnn! Nando’s nose crinkles up as if a chunk of grey matter might actually be firing up a few deduction receptor sites. (We can only hope.) The neighbor says if Nando wants to, he can check with Diaz’s wife, the best friend of Meche who is also the sister of the young man who was run over. (I suspect this may be a bit too much information for Nando to process all at once.) Fernando says thanks, but he can’t use him and then leaves right after.
Once Gabe and Meche are settled back in their little place, Juliana asks her what they did with the envelope of money. Gabe tells her they gave it back. Juliana starts fishing for more details. Meche tells her that they didn’t need the money since the other man was paying for everything and the girl turned herself in. Juliana wonders if the man who left it was mad, but Meche couldn’t say because she gave the money to Erick to give back.
That night at home, Juliana asks her husband if he thought Erick actually returned the money. He says more likely the puny wuss [canijo] pocketed the money for himself and the other guy doesn’t even realize it. He is ready to give Erick a piece of his mind for not sharing a bit of it with them since they were the ones who told him about Gabe.
Meanwhile, Alex heads back to the hospital to tell MJ that she’s going to be released the next morning and that he’s taking her and her family back to Merida with him. MJ objects and says she’d rather stay in Saqui and that her family can take care of her till she’s well enough to work. Alex refuses to hear of it since she’s pregnant and, as the wife of a rich man, namely him, there’s no reason for her to return to work. He also insists that as his wife her place is under the same roof with him. She can’t stand the thought of dealing with all the gossip and the intrigues again and rolls her eyes.
Alex reminds MJ that he promised to get her a new house to live in apart from his family, though she was probably too out of it at the time to remember. He adds he’ll find Pedro a job at Lombardo Construction in his former line of work as an accountant and will see that Paula returns to school. Mary Jo wonders if he’s still going through with the divorce. Alex asks her if that’s what she really wants; she says she’d rather not. He says then it’s settled and they won’t bring it up again. She tells him she is still scared to go back home with him. He promises it will only be for a few weeks. His Mama calls just then. He tells her all is fine and that he and MJ will be coming back the next day. She asks if the rest of the family will be coming back with them.
By Alex’s tone, it’s obvious to Mary Jo that Victoria really doesn’t want either her or her family there again; and she doesn’t know how she’s going to deal with it all. She insists her upbringing is so different from his. Alex tells her that love will conquer all.
Back at the manse, Felipa tells Vicki it’s pretty obvious she doesn’t want MJ back there again. Vicki says Alex would rather turn a blind eye [hacerse la vista gorda] because he’s in love, but she can’t forget the girl had arranged a rendezvous with another man and that she lied so viciously about Bruno. Vicki doesn’t trust her as far as she can throw her, so no, she’d rather not have her return with Alex.
Across town, Katia comes to visit Lisset. Lis tricks Katia into admitting she went to bed with Bruno and giving her all the juicy details while she secretly records their conversation on her cell phone; but when Maura gets back later and has a chance to listen, she screams at Lis because Bruno’s name isn’t mentioned once during the whole recording, so it’s useless to them. Maura angrily tells LIs she’ll just have to do the thing herself.
MJ tells her father and sister that she’s agreed to go back to Merida with Alex. Pedro tells MJ once Pau leaves the room that he’s decided they’re too much of a hassle for her so they will stay back in Saqui. MJ, he says, will have her child and her husband to worry about now. MJ would rather not leave him like that, but he convinces her that it’s for the best. They share a good cry together.
In the hospital cafeteria, Alex and Hernan discuss Vicki’s less than enthusiastic response to the news that he intends to bring Mary Jo and her family back to Merida with him. Hernan says Alex needs to understand that Vicki is probably upset because of all the turmoil in the family since MJ entered the picture. Alex tells him that the family will have to understand that they love each other and are expecting his child. They will just have to get used to it and that’s that. Hernan changes the subject to his romantic interest in Victoria and his hopes that Alex has no objection. Alex tells him it’s totally up to Vicki to decide. Alex artfully sidesteps the mention of Fernando as possible competition when Hernan brings it up, saying Fernando’s his best friend, a great colleague, and that he’s like a brother to him. Hernan is quick to add that that being so, Fernando is also young enough to be Victoria’s son. (Bingo!) Alex says he refuses to interfere with his mother’s decisions in her personal life and matters of the heart. He’s fine with Hernan or whoever else she chooses. (Hubby and I share a snicker and wonder if Pedro and Chucho would be included in that “whoever.” Fat chance.)
Chucho returns to the hospital waiting room. Pedro’s looking down in the mouth and explains MJ is going back to Merida with Alex but he’s chosen to stay because he can’t deal with having to depend on his SIL for everything the rest of his life. It’s not dignified. Chucho doesn’t think it matters to Alex, who’s oozing with money, and feels it shouldn’t matter to Pedro then either. Pedro and he return to the apartment so Pedro can rest up a bit. Chucho tells Pedro he has something in mind. Chucho can make pottery, so with the money Alex has given him he wants to start a little business in Merida. He says he could use Pedro as a bookkeeper. Pedro would be able to be close to Mary Jo without feeling he’s in the way. Pedro says thanks, but no thanks. Chucho warns Pedro that the only thing he is going to earn carrying other people’s heavy bags is a broken back.
In her hospital room, meanwhile, Mary Jo explains to Alex about her father’s decision to stay in Saqui with Paula. Alex doesn’t see how the old man can make it on his own and says the real issue is that the two families don’t get along. Mary Jo says it was her father’s choice and if he’s more comfortable in Saqui they should respect his decision. Alex gives in against his better judgment and says the door’s open anytime they change their minds and decide they want to come back to Merida.
Paula throws a tantrum when she finds out that she and Pedro are not going back to Merida to live with Mary Jo and Alex. She has a fit because now MJ gets to live in the mansion while they can barely get along with the few centavos they’re able to bring in. Pedro tells her to get her feet on the ground, to realize that is the life they’ve got. Aside from all the jams they’ve been in while living with Alex’s family, he says, he refuses out of principle to scrounge off Mary Jo and her husband any longer. (Well, now we know where MJ gets it from.) Chucho mentions the little pottery business he had in mind to Paula, but that just makes it worse as far as she’s concerned. “Selling trinkets on street corners while my sister lives in a mansion?” (Maybe Pete feels like wearing a hair shirt and crawling on his knees on some pilgrimage to the Vatican to assuage his sense of guilt, but why drag Pau along?) Material Sis is in revolt. “What a freekin’ come-down!” (Amen to that!) She races out of the room in a rant.
That night Bobo, Uli, and Meowra get together for drinks at their favorite watering hole. Mau is griping to the others that Lis botched the recording of Katia telling her about sleeping with Bruno because she never once got Katia to actually mention Bruno’s name. Uli says at least they got the details and that should be enough to pressure him with. Bobo disagrees. He says Bruno’s too smart for that. As soon as they try to threaten him with it he’ll call Katia and convince her to deny everything. Uli takes a call on his cell just then. Bobo seems a bit suspicious as he watches Uli walk away to speak in private.
It’s Raquel giving Uli hell for not answering his phone or bothering to check his list of missed calls. Uli lies about being too short of minutes to call her back. She gives him the third degree about being gone all day, and says that it seems strange for somebody so short of cash to be out and about the whole time. He says he’s been trying to negotiate a bit of business. She gets to the problem at hand and tells him they’ve got to talk ASAP. He asks what’s going on. She tells him that Felipa said she saw her going in and out of his apartment a couple of times and is now suspicious.
Mau returns to their discussion about the predicament with Bruno and asks Bobo what he thinks they should do. Should they accost Bruno and tell him everything they know all at once? Bobo believes they should let Bruno take the first step since he hasn’t told Alex about them up to now. Mau’s still anxious about the whole thing and figures he’ll do it sooner or later, anyway. Bobo says to relax because perhaps Bruno’s got other things in mind right now. He asks if she knew that Bruno gave blood to save Mary Jo and her baby’s life. Mau smiles and her eyes sparkle in anticipation. She wants to know who the proud papa is. Mau drops her drink when Bobo tells her that presumably it’s Alex’s. (Viewerville watches as the camera focuses in on the smashed glass at her feet and immediately wonders if it would be asking too much for a few shards to have made their way into a couple of those unsuspecting bare toes of hers.) “Great. Now that woman is having his kid?” Mau is green-with-envy impactada.
The next morning Pedro returns for a farewell visit with MJ before she returns with Alex to Merida. He reminds her about the woman at the bar who lost her job because of the fracas he caused there. He asks her as a special favor to see if Alex could give her a job in the casota. The woman has a sick brother she’s taking care of. She’s good people and he feels guilty about her losing her job.
Meanwhile, in the visitors’ lounge at the hospital, Chucho is asking Alex what he thinks of his business proposition. Alex tells him to work things out with the head of the city market in Merida and he’ll back his pottery venture financially. Chucho calls Alex his rabbit’s foot. He says it’s important to get Pedro working again in a secure job. Now, thanks to Alex, they can be certain he will. “Old men need to prove to themselves that they’re still useful and can make their own way in life. Otherwise, life isn’t worth living.” Alex tells Chucho he’d rather Pedro do something else, but whatever, it’s fine with him. He understands.
MJ is ready to leave. Pedro and Mary Jo say their good-byes. The attendants put her on the stretcher and she, Hernan, Paula and Alex take the helicopter back to Merida.
Uli, Bobo, Raqui and Bruno watch as the copter lands. Bruno races back inside the house to complain to his mother about Alex bringing Mary Jo back there again. Vicki says they’re married so it’s to be expected. Bruno feigns being angry. He whines about all the lies that Mary Jo has spread about him. “I have a right to be upset, don’t you think?” Vicki asks him if Alex was supposed to abandon her, especially now she’s pregnant. “--And what makes you think it’s Alejandro’s child?” Vicki asks if perhaps then it’s his. Bruno says it could be his, Aguirre’s or anybody’s. (Don’t you wish about now that Bruno could be hit by stray lightening and wake up dead in Hell without his asbestos suit?) Vicki magnanimously replies, “Well, that can be determined easily enough. If it’s my grandchild and one of you is the father, then the child will be treated as such.” (Sort of makes you wonder if it weren’t if she’d put it to work in the scullery like Cinderella.)
Bruno changes the subject and asks if anyone told her there was another meeting with the lawyers that afternoon. Vicki says no. Bruno starts in with that irritating cluck of his. Vicki asks why they couldn’t have waited for Alex to get back. Bruno says well, he’s back now, right? He clucks some more. (Damn! I’d love to pull that tongue of his out of his mouth and wrap it around his obnoxious throat!) He tries a little intimidation. “—That meeting is the final one because I’m not willing to wait any longer.” Vicki looks over at Felipa who’s been observing this whole scene, quiet as a church mouse, and warns her not to say a word to anybody. (Don’t worry. Cuko may be bright, but he still can’t do more than bark.)
Mary Jo is brought in to the house (trussed up like some sort of injured football player). She looks pitiful as all get out. Vicki fusses “charitably” over her. Alex has her taken up to his room. Then Vicki fusses over Paula’s bandaged boo-boo and graciously tells her she can have her old bedroom back. Once everyone’s left, Vicki asks Hernan where Pedro is. Hernan explains that he chose to stay in Saqui and that Pau’s only there for a day to sign in at the police station (per her bail requirements) and will be returning to Saqui in the morning. She asks if that was Alex’s decision, but Hernan informs her it was their decision to stay, not his. Vicki accepts Hernan’s invitation to dinner the next evening then asks him if he was aware there was another meeting with the attorneys.
Alex comes down while finishing a call on his cell and tells them that there’s another meeting that afternoon with their lawyers. This time, though, the partners are going to be there as well. Nobody can figure out why the partners have been invited.
That afternoon while the family is getting ready to go, Bruno is at a private lunch with all the partners but we aren’t privy to what’s being discussed.
Alex checks on Mary Jo and tells her he’s got an important meeting at the office he’s got to go to. (What's up with the sling Felipa put on her? She didn't break her arm. She got stabbed in the back, for cripes sake!) In between kisses he swears to her that he adores her. He tells her there is nothing in the world that he wouldn’t do for her. MJ thinks that sounds ominous. He brushes away her fears with another kiss and tells her nothing bad is going to happen to them, then picks up his briefcase and heads out the door.
Bruno drives up to the door of Lombardo, Inc. in his sports car. Oddly enough, Erick is in the passenger seat. He asks Erick if he knows what he’s supposed to do. Erick answers in the affirmative. Bruno gets out and tells Erick to park the car and then take a taxi. He goes inside and up to the meeting as Erick drives off.
Katia runs into Mari in the reception area and finds out about the meeting. She’s practically jumping out of her skin when she finds out that Bruno will be at the meeting. She plops down on one of the couches and decides to wait for him there.
Inside the meeting room, the proceedings have started. Alex’s attorney tells the group that they’ve come to an agreement. They are dissolving the current partnership as it will now be divided into equal parts. The shares will be divided equally among Victoria, Bruno, Raquel, Alex and his wife. The other partners’ percentage of the remaining shares will stay the same. Everyone votes to agree. Alex stays out of it and simply observes. (Yawn.) Before the meeting adjourns, though, one of the partners who was at the private lunch proposes Bruno as the new president for the new partnership. (Viewerville suddenly snaps out of its post-prandial stupor.) Raqui and Bruno smile conspiratorially at each other. Bruno’s attorney suggests as this was what Sr. Bruno had requested as part of the agreement earlier, all they’ve agreed upon there will be repeated formally in front of a Notary. They take a vote on the presidency. Victoria is suddenly stone-faced. Vicki and Hernan vote against. There are then two votes for and two votes against Bruno. Alex must give the deciding vote. He votes in favor of Bruno and starts for the door.
Vicki has her epiphany. She suddenly lets out with what she’s been thinking. “This is what Bruno asked you for in exchange for giving his blood to Mary Jo!!!???” Alex looks at her and then at the floor. He exits the room. She gets up from her seat and walks over towards Bruno to accuse him. “You are a monster! A MONSTER!! Now I believe that everything Mary Jo has said about you is true, because one who profits with the life of another human being is a despicably mean, stingy, petty wretch!!” [un miserable = a word that encompasses this whole list of adjectives, and in this case, they’re all rolled into one] She turns to the group and tells them she refuses to accept anything that has gone on there during the meeting.
Bruno gets up to defend himself. “In the first place none of what you’re thinking is true. And in any case, this was an official meeting and the majority was in favor!” Vicki screams back that it doesn’t matter. She still refuses to accept any of it! Bruno is just as adamant. “Then we’re going to court!” Vicki spits back at him that that he can do whatever he wants. Seething with anger, she turns around and storms out of the meeting. Bobo sits there with his mouth open, watching Raqui’s fleeting fortune evaporate from his money-grubbing mits into thin air. Raqui jumps up in disbelieving horror. Even she can’t believe Bruno would have done such a scurrilous thing –and that’s going some. She asks if what Mama just said is true. Bruno, shall we say, is characteristically economical with the truth. “Of course it isn’t! Either she’s gone crazy or Alex has brain-washed her with that lie.” (Methinks that perhaps Bruno has cried wolf a time or two too many.) Raqui looks around the room as if the whole crowd is now sitting in judgment of her and her family. (Pobrecita! Viewerville pauses to shed a crocodile tear.)
Outside in reception Mari is asking Katia to help clean up after the meeting. (Time is money. Why does this woman waste her breath?) Katia starts to object when Vicki suddenly appears at Mari’s desk all in a tizzy, demanding to know where Alex went. Mari tells her he’s in Fernando’s office. Vicki rushes away. Katia (always eager to share with the Mexitrash Twins whatever huff-n-puff-worthy tidbits she can scrounge) gasps at a how angry Vicki seemed to be. (Like Mari is really going to give that brat the scoop.)
Nando and Alex are discussing what went on at the meeting. Nando says he’s not about to judge Alex because anybody would have done the same. (No, a savvy businessman worth his salt would have gone back on that idiotic “promise” and voted against Bruno, giving the rotten bastard a taste of his own medicine. A savvy businessman would have seen that either way the problem was bound to be decided in a courtroom because Victoria would never have allowed him to chuck what Antonio left him. Alex, hogtied by principle, couldn’t see that far ahead.) Alex finishes telling Fernando about Bruno’s demanding he divorce Mary Jo as part of the same agreement just as Vicki storms into the office.
Vicki tells Alex that she’s never been so humiliated in her life. “My adultery doesn’t even begin to compare with what your brother just did!” She screams at him and demands he tell her the truth. Alex sulks and asks what difference it makes now. Vicki is ready to shake and strangle him. (Viewerville wouldn’t mind a turn at him, either, at this point.) “--It makes a lot of difference! Somebody who would demand something like that is capable of anything! It means that Mary Jo was telling the truth: that your brother did pass himself off as you [suplantar] and he wanted to kill you!!” Fernando sticks his oar in and tells her to calm down. (Shut up, Fernando!) She screams at him that she doesn’t want to calm down. Alex lies and says Bruno did no such thing. Vicki yells back then why when Bruno originally suggested it, did he tell Bruno he’d kill him first?
Alex lies that he thought better about it. He becomes agitated. He yells back and repeats that he thought better about it. Now, he says, he only wants to live in peace with his wife and child! Vicki scoffs at him and says she doesn’t believe a word he’s saying. She turns around and asks angrily if even Fernando won’t tell her the truth. Fernando excuses himself and says the matter is not his concern [incumbencia]. She stomps her foot and tells him then he just gave her his answer because the two of them tell each other everything. “--Let me be very clear. I refuse to accept this --any of this! Like I told them all in there, I prefer to go to court!” She starts to leave but Alex grabs her by the arm and tells her to think of what that will mean. “Think of the scandal! Your past with my dad will be exposed to everyone!” “—It doesn’t matter to me!!” She chokes back tears of shame. “Bruno is depraved. He deceived me in the most brazen of ways and I, like a fool, believed all of it! But not any longer! I’m fed up!!!!” [hartar] Victoria takes a second to compose herself. “Tell the attorneys that I’ll be expecting them this evening at my house.” (Hot diggity damn! Viewerville is jumping on couches and standing on chairs in anticipation of the long overdue knock-down, drag-out that’s sure to follow.) Vicki wipes her eyes and slams the door behind her.
Alex bangs the door in frustration. Fernando asks what they’re supposed to do now. Alex has no idea. “I think somehow Bruno bribed Rojas and Alvarez because they made the motion and then voted for him.” Nando doesn’t doubt that’s exactly the way it went down. Alex plops down in a chair. “I don’t want Victoria to have to be faced with a scandal. Her health is bad.” Fernando disagrees. “Let her. Let her. Perhaps this could be her deliverance.”
Back inside the meeting it’s Hernan’s turn to criticize Bruno. “Alex led me to believe you might have asked something in return, but of course I never imagined it would be the presidency!” Bruno slams his hand down on the table and denies it again. Raqui jumps up and immediately demands to know what’s going to happen with her share of the company now. Politic Bobo informs her that the meeting was only informal and is meaningless. The attorney confirms that and says for anything to become official there has to be another meeting held with a notary present. “Yes, but my mother said she isn’t going to agree to that.” She turns to Bruno. “You see, you idiot! All because of your obsession to be president! And for what? So you could carry us all into bankruptcy? Because we all know you’re a useless good-for-nothing!” Bruno yells at her to shut her pie hole. “Be quiet, you fool!” Hernan tells Bruno to calm down. Bobo gets up and says they’d best go. Raqui says fine, they’ll go. She walks over to Bruno first to give him a final piece of her mind. “The only idiot here is you! And our mother is going to take us to court where all the family’s filthy rubbish will come out and it will be all your fault! Yours!” Bruno screams back as she’s leaving that he could care less. The meeting is adjourned for now.
The redux in brief: At the hospital Alex tells Dr. Hernan that he’s thinking of getting another house for him and Mary Jo to live in once they get back to Merida. Hernan agrees that would be the most sensible thing to do. Back at Casota de Lobos y Locos, aka, the lunatic Lombardos’ Estate, in a most satisfying “Shut up, Raquel!” moment which Viewerville pauses to savor, Felipa informs Raquel that if she continues harassing Victoria about her adulterous affair with Antonio, she will have to tell Vicky that her daughter is screwing around on hubby Roberto with Ulises. (Ah, Felipa! God has blessed you in your old age. You are now sage rather than senile. We are not worthy.) Felipa walks off and leaves the rankling Raquel simmering in sh!t stew.
Fernando, for once looking buff in a beefcake-enhancing tee-shirt, is undercover on his intelligence-gathering mission for Alex. (Note the expensive shades.) He arrives at Meche’s barrio just as she is returning from the hospital in an ambulance to the cheers of the neighbors with smiling brother, Gabriel. Nando listens as Meche tells Juliana that a Sr. Lombardo was footing the bill for Gabe’s operation. Nando stops one of the men in the crowd to ask if he knows Gregorio Diaz (Erick’s cousin). The man, sporting a Ché beret, says he does and points out the house. Nando gives the guy a line about owning a carpenter shop and looking for a good cabinet-maker. He finds out that Diaz drives an 18-wheeler for a living [a “trailero”]. Duhn-duhn-duhn-duhnnn! Nando’s nose crinkles up as if a chunk of grey matter might actually be firing up a few deduction receptor sites. (We can only hope.) The neighbor says if Nando wants to, he can check with Diaz’s wife, the best friend of Meche who is also the sister of the young man who was run over. (I suspect this may be a bit too much information for Nando to process all at once.) Fernando says thanks, but he can’t use him and then leaves right after.
Once Gabe and Meche are settled back in their little place, Juliana asks her what they did with the envelope of money. Gabe tells her they gave it back. Juliana starts fishing for more details. Meche tells her that they didn’t need the money since the other man was paying for everything and the girl turned herself in. Juliana wonders if the man who left it was mad, but Meche couldn’t say because she gave the money to Erick to give back.
That night at home, Juliana asks her husband if he thought Erick actually returned the money. He says more likely the puny wuss [canijo] pocketed the money for himself and the other guy doesn’t even realize it. He is ready to give Erick a piece of his mind for not sharing a bit of it with them since they were the ones who told him about Gabe.
Meanwhile, Alex heads back to the hospital to tell MJ that she’s going to be released the next morning and that he’s taking her and her family back to Merida with him. MJ objects and says she’d rather stay in Saqui and that her family can take care of her till she’s well enough to work. Alex refuses to hear of it since she’s pregnant and, as the wife of a rich man, namely him, there’s no reason for her to return to work. He also insists that as his wife her place is under the same roof with him. She can’t stand the thought of dealing with all the gossip and the intrigues again and rolls her eyes.
Alex reminds MJ that he promised to get her a new house to live in apart from his family, though she was probably too out of it at the time to remember. He adds he’ll find Pedro a job at Lombardo Construction in his former line of work as an accountant and will see that Paula returns to school. Mary Jo wonders if he’s still going through with the divorce. Alex asks her if that’s what she really wants; she says she’d rather not. He says then it’s settled and they won’t bring it up again. She tells him she is still scared to go back home with him. He promises it will only be for a few weeks. His Mama calls just then. He tells her all is fine and that he and MJ will be coming back the next day. She asks if the rest of the family will be coming back with them.
By Alex’s tone, it’s obvious to Mary Jo that Victoria really doesn’t want either her or her family there again; and she doesn’t know how she’s going to deal with it all. She insists her upbringing is so different from his. Alex tells her that love will conquer all.
Back at the manse, Felipa tells Vicki it’s pretty obvious she doesn’t want MJ back there again. Vicki says Alex would rather turn a blind eye [hacerse la vista gorda] because he’s in love, but she can’t forget the girl had arranged a rendezvous with another man and that she lied so viciously about Bruno. Vicki doesn’t trust her as far as she can throw her, so no, she’d rather not have her return with Alex.
Across town, Katia comes to visit Lisset. Lis tricks Katia into admitting she went to bed with Bruno and giving her all the juicy details while she secretly records their conversation on her cell phone; but when Maura gets back later and has a chance to listen, she screams at Lis because Bruno’s name isn’t mentioned once during the whole recording, so it’s useless to them. Maura angrily tells LIs she’ll just have to do the thing herself.
MJ tells her father and sister that she’s agreed to go back to Merida with Alex. Pedro tells MJ once Pau leaves the room that he’s decided they’re too much of a hassle for her so they will stay back in Saqui. MJ, he says, will have her child and her husband to worry about now. MJ would rather not leave him like that, but he convinces her that it’s for the best. They share a good cry together.
In the hospital cafeteria, Alex and Hernan discuss Vicki’s less than enthusiastic response to the news that he intends to bring Mary Jo and her family back to Merida with him. Hernan says Alex needs to understand that Vicki is probably upset because of all the turmoil in the family since MJ entered the picture. Alex tells him that the family will have to understand that they love each other and are expecting his child. They will just have to get used to it and that’s that. Hernan changes the subject to his romantic interest in Victoria and his hopes that Alex has no objection. Alex tells him it’s totally up to Vicki to decide. Alex artfully sidesteps the mention of Fernando as possible competition when Hernan brings it up, saying Fernando’s his best friend, a great colleague, and that he’s like a brother to him. Hernan is quick to add that that being so, Fernando is also young enough to be Victoria’s son. (Bingo!) Alex says he refuses to interfere with his mother’s decisions in her personal life and matters of the heart. He’s fine with Hernan or whoever else she chooses. (Hubby and I share a snicker and wonder if Pedro and Chucho would be included in that “whoever.” Fat chance.)
Chucho returns to the hospital waiting room. Pedro’s looking down in the mouth and explains MJ is going back to Merida with Alex but he’s chosen to stay because he can’t deal with having to depend on his SIL for everything the rest of his life. It’s not dignified. Chucho doesn’t think it matters to Alex, who’s oozing with money, and feels it shouldn’t matter to Pedro then either. Pedro and he return to the apartment so Pedro can rest up a bit. Chucho tells Pedro he has something in mind. Chucho can make pottery, so with the money Alex has given him he wants to start a little business in Merida. He says he could use Pedro as a bookkeeper. Pedro would be able to be close to Mary Jo without feeling he’s in the way. Pedro says thanks, but no thanks. Chucho warns Pedro that the only thing he is going to earn carrying other people’s heavy bags is a broken back.
In her hospital room, meanwhile, Mary Jo explains to Alex about her father’s decision to stay in Saqui with Paula. Alex doesn’t see how the old man can make it on his own and says the real issue is that the two families don’t get along. Mary Jo says it was her father’s choice and if he’s more comfortable in Saqui they should respect his decision. Alex gives in against his better judgment and says the door’s open anytime they change their minds and decide they want to come back to Merida.
Paula throws a tantrum when she finds out that she and Pedro are not going back to Merida to live with Mary Jo and Alex. She has a fit because now MJ gets to live in the mansion while they can barely get along with the few centavos they’re able to bring in. Pedro tells her to get her feet on the ground, to realize that is the life they’ve got. Aside from all the jams they’ve been in while living with Alex’s family, he says, he refuses out of principle to scrounge off Mary Jo and her husband any longer. (Well, now we know where MJ gets it from.) Chucho mentions the little pottery business he had in mind to Paula, but that just makes it worse as far as she’s concerned. “Selling trinkets on street corners while my sister lives in a mansion?” (Maybe Pete feels like wearing a hair shirt and crawling on his knees on some pilgrimage to the Vatican to assuage his sense of guilt, but why drag Pau along?) Material Sis is in revolt. “What a freekin’ come-down!” (Amen to that!) She races out of the room in a rant.
That night Bobo, Uli, and Meowra get together for drinks at their favorite watering hole. Mau is griping to the others that Lis botched the recording of Katia telling her about sleeping with Bruno because she never once got Katia to actually mention Bruno’s name. Uli says at least they got the details and that should be enough to pressure him with. Bobo disagrees. He says Bruno’s too smart for that. As soon as they try to threaten him with it he’ll call Katia and convince her to deny everything. Uli takes a call on his cell just then. Bobo seems a bit suspicious as he watches Uli walk away to speak in private.
It’s Raquel giving Uli hell for not answering his phone or bothering to check his list of missed calls. Uli lies about being too short of minutes to call her back. She gives him the third degree about being gone all day, and says that it seems strange for somebody so short of cash to be out and about the whole time. He says he’s been trying to negotiate a bit of business. She gets to the problem at hand and tells him they’ve got to talk ASAP. He asks what’s going on. She tells him that Felipa said she saw her going in and out of his apartment a couple of times and is now suspicious.
Mau returns to their discussion about the predicament with Bruno and asks Bobo what he thinks they should do. Should they accost Bruno and tell him everything they know all at once? Bobo believes they should let Bruno take the first step since he hasn’t told Alex about them up to now. Mau’s still anxious about the whole thing and figures he’ll do it sooner or later, anyway. Bobo says to relax because perhaps Bruno’s got other things in mind right now. He asks if she knew that Bruno gave blood to save Mary Jo and her baby’s life. Mau smiles and her eyes sparkle in anticipation. She wants to know who the proud papa is. Mau drops her drink when Bobo tells her that presumably it’s Alex’s. (Viewerville watches as the camera focuses in on the smashed glass at her feet and immediately wonders if it would be asking too much for a few shards to have made their way into a couple of those unsuspecting bare toes of hers.) “Great. Now that woman is having his kid?” Mau is green-with-envy impactada.
The next morning Pedro returns for a farewell visit with MJ before she returns with Alex to Merida. He reminds her about the woman at the bar who lost her job because of the fracas he caused there. He asks her as a special favor to see if Alex could give her a job in the casota. The woman has a sick brother she’s taking care of. She’s good people and he feels guilty about her losing her job.
Meanwhile, in the visitors’ lounge at the hospital, Chucho is asking Alex what he thinks of his business proposition. Alex tells him to work things out with the head of the city market in Merida and he’ll back his pottery venture financially. Chucho calls Alex his rabbit’s foot. He says it’s important to get Pedro working again in a secure job. Now, thanks to Alex, they can be certain he will. “Old men need to prove to themselves that they’re still useful and can make their own way in life. Otherwise, life isn’t worth living.” Alex tells Chucho he’d rather Pedro do something else, but whatever, it’s fine with him. He understands.
MJ is ready to leave. Pedro and Mary Jo say their good-byes. The attendants put her on the stretcher and she, Hernan, Paula and Alex take the helicopter back to Merida.
Uli, Bobo, Raqui and Bruno watch as the copter lands. Bruno races back inside the house to complain to his mother about Alex bringing Mary Jo back there again. Vicki says they’re married so it’s to be expected. Bruno feigns being angry. He whines about all the lies that Mary Jo has spread about him. “I have a right to be upset, don’t you think?” Vicki asks him if Alex was supposed to abandon her, especially now she’s pregnant. “--And what makes you think it’s Alejandro’s child?” Vicki asks if perhaps then it’s his. Bruno says it could be his, Aguirre’s or anybody’s. (Don’t you wish about now that Bruno could be hit by stray lightening and wake up dead in Hell without his asbestos suit?) Vicki magnanimously replies, “Well, that can be determined easily enough. If it’s my grandchild and one of you is the father, then the child will be treated as such.” (Sort of makes you wonder if it weren’t if she’d put it to work in the scullery like Cinderella.)
Bruno changes the subject and asks if anyone told her there was another meeting with the lawyers that afternoon. Vicki says no. Bruno starts in with that irritating cluck of his. Vicki asks why they couldn’t have waited for Alex to get back. Bruno says well, he’s back now, right? He clucks some more. (Damn! I’d love to pull that tongue of his out of his mouth and wrap it around his obnoxious throat!) He tries a little intimidation. “—That meeting is the final one because I’m not willing to wait any longer.” Vicki looks over at Felipa who’s been observing this whole scene, quiet as a church mouse, and warns her not to say a word to anybody. (Don’t worry. Cuko may be bright, but he still can’t do more than bark.)
Mary Jo is brought in to the house (trussed up like some sort of injured football player). She looks pitiful as all get out. Vicki fusses “charitably” over her. Alex has her taken up to his room. Then Vicki fusses over Paula’s bandaged boo-boo and graciously tells her she can have her old bedroom back. Once everyone’s left, Vicki asks Hernan where Pedro is. Hernan explains that he chose to stay in Saqui and that Pau’s only there for a day to sign in at the police station (per her bail requirements) and will be returning to Saqui in the morning. She asks if that was Alex’s decision, but Hernan informs her it was their decision to stay, not his. Vicki accepts Hernan’s invitation to dinner the next evening then asks him if he was aware there was another meeting with the attorneys.
Alex comes down while finishing a call on his cell and tells them that there’s another meeting that afternoon with their lawyers. This time, though, the partners are going to be there as well. Nobody can figure out why the partners have been invited.
That afternoon while the family is getting ready to go, Bruno is at a private lunch with all the partners but we aren’t privy to what’s being discussed.
Alex checks on Mary Jo and tells her he’s got an important meeting at the office he’s got to go to. (What's up with the sling Felipa put on her? She didn't break her arm. She got stabbed in the back, for cripes sake!) In between kisses he swears to her that he adores her. He tells her there is nothing in the world that he wouldn’t do for her. MJ thinks that sounds ominous. He brushes away her fears with another kiss and tells her nothing bad is going to happen to them, then picks up his briefcase and heads out the door.
Bruno drives up to the door of Lombardo, Inc. in his sports car. Oddly enough, Erick is in the passenger seat. He asks Erick if he knows what he’s supposed to do. Erick answers in the affirmative. Bruno gets out and tells Erick to park the car and then take a taxi. He goes inside and up to the meeting as Erick drives off.
Katia runs into Mari in the reception area and finds out about the meeting. She’s practically jumping out of her skin when she finds out that Bruno will be at the meeting. She plops down on one of the couches and decides to wait for him there.
Inside the meeting room, the proceedings have started. Alex’s attorney tells the group that they’ve come to an agreement. They are dissolving the current partnership as it will now be divided into equal parts. The shares will be divided equally among Victoria, Bruno, Raquel, Alex and his wife. The other partners’ percentage of the remaining shares will stay the same. Everyone votes to agree. Alex stays out of it and simply observes. (Yawn.) Before the meeting adjourns, though, one of the partners who was at the private lunch proposes Bruno as the new president for the new partnership. (Viewerville suddenly snaps out of its post-prandial stupor.) Raqui and Bruno smile conspiratorially at each other. Bruno’s attorney suggests as this was what Sr. Bruno had requested as part of the agreement earlier, all they’ve agreed upon there will be repeated formally in front of a Notary. They take a vote on the presidency. Victoria is suddenly stone-faced. Vicki and Hernan vote against. There are then two votes for and two votes against Bruno. Alex must give the deciding vote. He votes in favor of Bruno and starts for the door.
Vicki has her epiphany. She suddenly lets out with what she’s been thinking. “This is what Bruno asked you for in exchange for giving his blood to Mary Jo!!!???” Alex looks at her and then at the floor. He exits the room. She gets up from her seat and walks over towards Bruno to accuse him. “You are a monster! A MONSTER!! Now I believe that everything Mary Jo has said about you is true, because one who profits with the life of another human being is a despicably mean, stingy, petty wretch!!” [un miserable = a word that encompasses this whole list of adjectives, and in this case, they’re all rolled into one] She turns to the group and tells them she refuses to accept anything that has gone on there during the meeting.
Bruno gets up to defend himself. “In the first place none of what you’re thinking is true. And in any case, this was an official meeting and the majority was in favor!” Vicki screams back that it doesn’t matter. She still refuses to accept any of it! Bruno is just as adamant. “Then we’re going to court!” Vicki spits back at him that that he can do whatever he wants. Seething with anger, she turns around and storms out of the meeting. Bobo sits there with his mouth open, watching Raqui’s fleeting fortune evaporate from his money-grubbing mits into thin air. Raqui jumps up in disbelieving horror. Even she can’t believe Bruno would have done such a scurrilous thing –and that’s going some. She asks if what Mama just said is true. Bruno, shall we say, is characteristically economical with the truth. “Of course it isn’t! Either she’s gone crazy or Alex has brain-washed her with that lie.” (Methinks that perhaps Bruno has cried wolf a time or two too many.) Raqui looks around the room as if the whole crowd is now sitting in judgment of her and her family. (Pobrecita! Viewerville pauses to shed a crocodile tear.)
Outside in reception Mari is asking Katia to help clean up after the meeting. (Time is money. Why does this woman waste her breath?) Katia starts to object when Vicki suddenly appears at Mari’s desk all in a tizzy, demanding to know where Alex went. Mari tells her he’s in Fernando’s office. Vicki rushes away. Katia (always eager to share with the Mexitrash Twins whatever huff-n-puff-worthy tidbits she can scrounge) gasps at a how angry Vicki seemed to be. (Like Mari is really going to give that brat the scoop.)
Nando and Alex are discussing what went on at the meeting. Nando says he’s not about to judge Alex because anybody would have done the same. (No, a savvy businessman worth his salt would have gone back on that idiotic “promise” and voted against Bruno, giving the rotten bastard a taste of his own medicine. A savvy businessman would have seen that either way the problem was bound to be decided in a courtroom because Victoria would never have allowed him to chuck what Antonio left him. Alex, hogtied by principle, couldn’t see that far ahead.) Alex finishes telling Fernando about Bruno’s demanding he divorce Mary Jo as part of the same agreement just as Vicki storms into the office.
Vicki tells Alex that she’s never been so humiliated in her life. “My adultery doesn’t even begin to compare with what your brother just did!” She screams at him and demands he tell her the truth. Alex sulks and asks what difference it makes now. Vicki is ready to shake and strangle him. (Viewerville wouldn’t mind a turn at him, either, at this point.) “--It makes a lot of difference! Somebody who would demand something like that is capable of anything! It means that Mary Jo was telling the truth: that your brother did pass himself off as you [suplantar] and he wanted to kill you!!” Fernando sticks his oar in and tells her to calm down. (Shut up, Fernando!) She screams at him that she doesn’t want to calm down. Alex lies and says Bruno did no such thing. Vicki yells back then why when Bruno originally suggested it, did he tell Bruno he’d kill him first?
Alex lies that he thought better about it. He becomes agitated. He yells back and repeats that he thought better about it. Now, he says, he only wants to live in peace with his wife and child! Vicki scoffs at him and says she doesn’t believe a word he’s saying. She turns around and asks angrily if even Fernando won’t tell her the truth. Fernando excuses himself and says the matter is not his concern [incumbencia]. She stomps her foot and tells him then he just gave her his answer because the two of them tell each other everything. “--Let me be very clear. I refuse to accept this --any of this! Like I told them all in there, I prefer to go to court!” She starts to leave but Alex grabs her by the arm and tells her to think of what that will mean. “Think of the scandal! Your past with my dad will be exposed to everyone!” “—It doesn’t matter to me!!” She chokes back tears of shame. “Bruno is depraved. He deceived me in the most brazen of ways and I, like a fool, believed all of it! But not any longer! I’m fed up!!!!” [hartar] Victoria takes a second to compose herself. “Tell the attorneys that I’ll be expecting them this evening at my house.” (Hot diggity damn! Viewerville is jumping on couches and standing on chairs in anticipation of the long overdue knock-down, drag-out that’s sure to follow.) Vicki wipes her eyes and slams the door behind her.
Alex bangs the door in frustration. Fernando asks what they’re supposed to do now. Alex has no idea. “I think somehow Bruno bribed Rojas and Alvarez because they made the motion and then voted for him.” Nando doesn’t doubt that’s exactly the way it went down. Alex plops down in a chair. “I don’t want Victoria to have to be faced with a scandal. Her health is bad.” Fernando disagrees. “Let her. Let her. Perhaps this could be her deliverance.”
Back inside the meeting it’s Hernan’s turn to criticize Bruno. “Alex led me to believe you might have asked something in return, but of course I never imagined it would be the presidency!” Bruno slams his hand down on the table and denies it again. Raqui jumps up and immediately demands to know what’s going to happen with her share of the company now. Politic Bobo informs her that the meeting was only informal and is meaningless. The attorney confirms that and says for anything to become official there has to be another meeting held with a notary present. “Yes, but my mother said she isn’t going to agree to that.” She turns to Bruno. “You see, you idiot! All because of your obsession to be president! And for what? So you could carry us all into bankruptcy? Because we all know you’re a useless good-for-nothing!” Bruno yells at her to shut her pie hole. “Be quiet, you fool!” Hernan tells Bruno to calm down. Bobo gets up and says they’d best go. Raqui says fine, they’ll go. She walks over to Bruno first to give him a final piece of her mind. “The only idiot here is you! And our mother is going to take us to court where all the family’s filthy rubbish will come out and it will be all your fault! Yours!” Bruno screams back as she’s leaving that he could care less. The meeting is adjourned for now.
Labels: sortilegio
Gancho Friday November 27th. The Momia doesn’t want to be a Mommy-a
Con-ella de Ville has a problem. Now a fully grown bruja, she’s embarrassed to find that she’s embarazada. What’s worse, the fruit of her (shapely) loins has apparently been sown by that brutish (but cute-ish) naco, Beto. She’d like to press delete, or maybe rewind (how about reset), and make her “inconvenient truth” go away, without anyone’s finding out. But that won’t be easy. Why? This is a telenovela. It’s just about impossible to keep a secret in one (let alone have an abortion). The writers are able to pull out all the tricks they want. They can have chance meetings where two characters show up at the same place at the same time. They can have characters conveniently hide behind walls, hearing just the wrong words at the worst possible time. They could have the hospital go on strike. They could put her in a coma, so she won’t be able to remind the doctor of her appointment (okay, I know that last one’s not too likely – we’ve already had two comas). Let’s face it, Connie doesn’t have a chance. But this gives US a chance to enjoy her twisting in the wind. I can’t wait.
At the gym, La Furia Enmascarada (Mau) has done well in his wrestling training. Costeño has been instrumental in this, so of course, he wants a raise. He and Don Cesar go off to discuss it, as The Masked Fury (I’ll just call him Mr. Fury for short) climbs out of the ring. Moni’s waiting there to congratulate him for a job well done. Turns out she really doesn’t recognize him (yet). She notes that they’re both sweaty (sudado), and sees that he’s really out of breath. She asks if he’ll unlace her boxing gloves – she can remove his mask in return. As he silently helps her, she remarks that his eyes remind her of someone. She tells him that people say you can tell a lot from someone’s eyes, and his eyes inspire confidence in her.
She shyly introduces herself – you’ve heard I’m called La Monita, but of course that’s not my name. I’m Valentina Lopez. And what’s your name? Mr. Fury clears his throat a little, doesn’t talk, and Moni guesses he has a sore throat (after first joking “Cat got your tongue?”, which is Te comieron la lengua los ratones?, literally, Did the mice eat your tongue?). And he even beat Beto, despite having that sore throat. Good going. Okay, she’ll help take his mask off now. Don’t think so, as he jumps up to escape, leaving with a little wave, and crashes right into Estrella! Mau falls on top of Estre, and she’s instantly attracted to the blue-clad luchador.
In a restaurant, Momia’s Mom, wacky Jacky, just can’t understand why her hija is staying with Mauricio, who hates her, won’t touch her, and why she has adopted three orphans that she despises. She could understand if Mau were 80 – then she could wait for him to die and get all his money. That’s what SHE’s done in two of her last three marriages, and now she has all the money she needs. She can do as she pleases. Connie reminds her she got nothing from Jean-Claude. Yeah, well he had to go drown on me before I could get him to change the will. But you, Connie, why did you force someone to marry you, when he’s young, strong and hates you? Jacky offers to help. Connie says no thanks, you just complicate things. No, YOU complicated things when you got pregnant by that coarse, primitive man. Jacky says the only thing Connie did right was that prenup. And all she’ll ever get from Mau is his money, if he happens to be unfaithful. Open your eyes, daughter. Put your feet on the ground and accept it.
Back at the gym, Estrella’s on the ground, not minding it one bit, as she wraps her arms around the hombre misterioso (wish it was me), remarking that candy does fall from heaven, and she could stay in this position forever. She starts feeling his arms, his legs, his pompis, thinks he’s a little thin for a wrestler, but what muscles! Mau leaves, saying goodbye in a low voice, and Monita smiles at Estrella’s exuberance. Estre wants to know everything about this guy, he’s hard all over his body (!) and she’s digging it. Moni knows he’s the new wrestler, he beat Beto, but she doesn’t know anything else about him. Estre wants to know everything, when he was on top of her, it was like an electric charge shooting through her body, and now she’s sweating, here, here and here (underarms, neck, back of legs, wants Moni to feel).
Moni thinks she’s beyond help (in a good way).
At Grupo Sermeño, Paula’s back to her old job as cleaning lady. She remarks that at least Gabi’s happy, and we can see that Gabi is. Sal’s back (one would think it’d take him a few days to get better, but didn’t they have that wrestling match this morning? Oh well, beanie time). There were no lasting traces of the poison in his system, he went through detox (desintoxicación) in the hospital, and he was just released. Paula still can’t get over how she’s back to cleaning, when she had jumped into that higher job of receptionist. Gabi opines that maybe Paula didn’t exactly earn that job (I can’t remember how she got it – maybe it was one of Lorenza’s threats), but if Paula will take a course in English, she could get the post legitimately. Paula says she’ll do it, and proudly thrusts out her chest. Good, says Gabi, that’s the attitude I like. Now get rid of that dust, and by the way, we need a few cappuccinos. She spanks Paula’s butt to get her moving.
Jacky continues to advise Connie to forget about Mauricio, but Connie doesn’t want to give up. Jacky thinks Connie’s being arrogant, prideful and capricious, but has lost her dignity and sense of self worth. Then what should I do? asks a tearful (but quite beautiful) Connie. Simple. Make Mau be unfaithful with La Monita, and get your divorce and his money. Never, replies Connie.
Gabi enters Sal’s office, ready to re-ignite their romance. She jokes that she put some toloache powder (a narcotic plant from Mexico) in his coffee to win him back, but he’s not in the mood for jokes. He really suffered from that paranoia, it was so real. Gabi points out it’s all in the past now, he’s fine, and Lorenza’s back in the psycho ward, from which she’ll never get out. She asks if Sal wants to visit Lore, and he doesn’t. But Sal had a lot of time to think about things, and he wants to be alone, without entanglements, for a bit. He still loves Gabi. But he feels completely disoriented (desubicado), and he needs to regain some balance before they resume their relationship. Gabi understands, and when Sal’s ready, she’ll be waiting with open arms.
Connie and Jackie are STILL discussing the same old thing. Get divorced, and get rid of those kids, who are like a noose around your neck (she says costal de piedras, literally, a sack of stones). Travel the world with your lover. Connie thinks that even if Mau lost his money, he’d happily live in the barrio with Moni, baking tortillas and frijoles, and she couldn’t stand that. But it’s just not worth your time (no vale la pena) to worry about that, says Jacky. Connie doesn’t care, she’s not letting go of Mau until that ridiculous love affair of his is over for good.
Oscar’s meeting with Jerry. Apparently Lori got so upset, she was literally bouncing off the walls, sticking out her tongue, so out of touch with reality she didn’t even recognize Oscar. Jerry points out how convenient that is, since Oscar was her accomplice, and he also knows Oscar loves to see people suffer. Yeah, says Oscar, but I’m not stingy (mezquino) – I even paid for her electroshock therapy (how kind of him).
Speaking of craziness, Jerry says he’s going crazy with love for Jacqueline! Oscar (wearing all black btw, black suit, black shirt, black tie) tells Jerry that it’s been scientifically proven that the sensation of love is no different from eating a box of fine chocolates (some of us may agree with this one). But they could use Jacky to get Connie to divorce Mau (and then they’d get the money somehow). Jerry wants out of this part, he really likes Jacky. But Oscar thinks she’d sell her soul to the devil for dinero.
Back in the restaurant, it’s Jacky’s lines, Connie’s lines. After a while of this, Connie demands that Jacky not breathe a word of her pregnancy. Because tomorrow, that nightmare will be over. She leaves.
Beto arrives late to the office, still wearing his misspelled tee-shirt, and Paula reams him out, but it turns out Gabi gave him permission to train first, then come in. Besides, you’re nobody, he tells Pau for the umpteenth time. As she covers her face with a handkerchief to stop the smell, Pau notes that Beto seems to be in a little pain (he is, from the fight). Gabi tells him to get to work on cleaning the floor of the reception area.
Cut to the OB GYN’s office, with a nervous Connie seated between two ladies much farther along in their pregnancies. She watches one woman rub her belly, and thinks back to when a drunk Beto said he loved her.
The doctor will see her now, and guess who it is? Donato, the kind but somewhat bumbling servant from Tontas No Van. She sadly tells him she’s pregnant, and he smiles, why that’s GOOD news. No, she says, it’s an unwanted pregnancy, and I want to terminate it tomorrow.
Beto’s aching from his wrestling match, as he sweeps the trash under the rug. Paula thinks he should apply himself more to this job, the way SHE does. Beto tells Gabi about the new wrestler, he didn’t like the guy, and there was a challenge (reto). At first Beto was dominating, had him eating out of his hand, applied the killing blow, had the guy crying (he’s acting all this out with his broom). So did you win? Well no, I always fight clean, but La Furia hit me in my “partecitas nobles”. Paula knows this is pure bull (jarabe de pico, literally syrup in the beak).
Walking home from the gym, Estrella is complaining about how Katia wouldn’t let her visit Aldo. But’s it’s your own fault, says Moni, and contact with Aldo could cause problems with Mau. Estre corrects her, YOU can’t visit, but with me, it’s a different kettle of fish (harina de otro costal, literally flour from a different sack, and we have the word costal twice in one episode). She’s worried about Aldo, and she’s just dying to see him. But you’re playing with fire, Estrella. And YOU broke up with HIM. Estre can’t get over him, it hurts, he’s so tender, kind….Forget about him, says Moni firmly. Fine, then you have to help me get something started with The Masked Fury. Can’t you even get his phone number? Moni agrees, but then thinks back to the guy’s eyes. It’s crazy, but for a minute, those eyes reminded her of Mauricio.
And here comes Mauricio, tooling along on his Harley, stopping at a red light to rip off the mask and put on the helmet.
He pulls up in front of his mansion (no one’s there at this time), goes inside, and starts stripping off his suit (they cut before we see that famous cuerpo, though).
Estre’s funny. If Moni wants Mr. Fury, she can have first dibs on him. She doesn’t want everyone saying she stole anyone’s novio, the way they always do. For the fifth time, he doesn’t interest me, says Moni. Yeah, but you said his eyes reminded you of Mau. Moni promises to let Estre have Mr. Fury, she loves only Mau, and no one will ever take his place. Okay, you said it (conste) points out Estre.
The kind doctor doesn’t want Connie to make a hasty decision, and has her in the chair, doing an ultrasound. The stated purpose is to find out how far along Connie is, but I think he also wants to show her the baby so she won’t want an abortion. He tells her they can’t do the operation after 12 weeks, it would be illegal. Connie says don’t worry, it’s less than a month. Ah, there he is, look at him, says the doc with a smile. Connie refuses to look, just do what you have to do to get it over with. Turns out she’s six weeks along. Fine, says Connie, let’s do it. The doc tries to dissuade her a little more, says there are papers to fill out, and he’s all booked for the next few days. But Connie begs, and he agrees to move some appointments and do it tomorrow. As he leaves to make arrangements, Connie sits up, tells herself, yes, she’s going to do it (but we know better, right?)
In Moni’s apartment, she’s despondent with longing to see Mau. Every morning she misses him, and every night when she goes to bed, same thing. Estre tries to cheer her up, she’s overcome a lot of adversity in the ring. Right, says Moni, I’ll try to be strong, and I promised him I’d wait for him. Estre wonders if Moni believes what Connie said, that she slept with him. No way, says Moni, I trust Mau. Right, says Estre, giving her a hug. That Momia tells nothing but lies.
Okay, enough of this earnest stuff, it’s Ximena time! Looking sleek as usual in a gray and blue top over tight black jeans and short fringed boots, she breezes into the same doctor’s office as Connie, showing off her wedding ring to the receptionista, Pao. She’s happy she got here for her gynecological appointment on time, it wasn’t easy with Rolu wanting to be with her all the time, he’s so possessive, but of course, she couldn’t bring him here! Pao tells her she has to wait a bit, Doctor Santa Cruz is a bit behind because he’s doing a special favor for a patient. What, is it a delicate matter? No, just a pregnancy, he just finished the ultrasound, but you’ll have to wait because there are two patients ahead of you. Ximmy’s so enchanted with the idea of having a baby, she can just imagine it growing in her belly, and for that reason, as soon as the expectant mother comes out, she’ll congratulate her. Well here she comes now, says Pao, as out walks Connie, and Ximmy is muy impactada. Consti! Consti tries to deny it, but Ximmy is like a force of nature, jumping up and down, screaming with joy, telling the whole office how wonderful it is, giving a mortified Connie a great big hug.
No lo puedo creer (I can’t believe it), stingy Jero has bought Jacky a fur coat, and is smoothing it out, as Oscar voices his displeasure. How’d you pay for it? With my credit card. Oscar feels unloved, Jerry won’t even pay for a soft drink for HIM. Oh, relax, says Jerry. I heard Jacky say she wanted one, and I’m going to surprise her. And you know how she’ll repay me? Like a wild kitten! Oscar looks at the label, this is pretty expensive. Jerry reminds him he’s half owner of the company, his earnings from that should cover it. But Oscar reminds HIM that Oscar gets half of Jerry’s half, Jerry signed a power of attorney, and he’s going to have to repay Oscar. Jerry promises he will, he’s just a little dry right now. Well, cold and dry is what you’ll be if you go against me, threatens Oscar. Jerry gulps.
Mr. Fury is back to his secret identity as meek, mild, Mau and sits down in his office to work. Sal enters, and neither wants to talk about personal matters, so they start to talk business when in walks Beto without knocking, pushing his cleaning cart. Mau remarks that Beto seems to be in pain, and Beto answers that you know how those minibuses (peseros) are, well one of those morons (cafres) crashed into me, that’s the reason. Paula comes in, yells at Beto for coming into Mau’s office, but Mau defends him, he had an accident. Sure, says Pau, more likely some luchador gave him a beating (una paliza). Ahah, jokes Mau, rather than a fall with the bus, you took a fall on the canvas (lona). Well, that fighter must have been pretty good, no? No way, says Beto, I showed that wall lizard (lagartija) who was boss. Mau doesn’t know, he smilingly observes that Beto looks pretty beaten up, why not take the rest of the day off, and his Mommy can rub some ointment (pomada) on him. Well thanks, Boss, but I think I’ll have La Monita spread (untar) that ointment on me. She’s REALLY GOOD at it, spreading here, spreading there, as Paula tells him to shut up, pushes him out the door, and Mau’s smile turns into a scowl.
After the commercial, it’s time for some intergenerational loving. Jacky enters Jerry’s office, and they greet each other with a kiss. He surprises her with the fur coat, and it’s just the one she wanted. Put it on me (ponmelo) she requests, and he does, she running her fingers through the plushness. They start to make out, but are rudely interrupted by Oscar, saying he and Jerry are worried about Connie, right Jerry? Jerry? Oh, yeah, sure, he says as he continues to paw Jacky.
Oscar asks what was up with the fainting, what did the doctor say? Oh, it was nothing, and she already feels much better. Well then, did you raise the topic of divorce with your daughter? Sure, but she’s stubborn. Jerry wonders why they don’t just tell Mau that his wife was doing the nasty with that lowlife. Oscar doesn’t think that’ll change anything, and Jacky agrees. But leave the matter to her, she has the weapons to control her daughter.
Said daughter is begging her amiga Xime please don’t say anything. Do it for our friendship. Or because of your threats, points out Xime. That too, says Connie, you know what I’m capable of. Fine, says Xime, I’ll stay mum, if nothing more than I feel sorry for that face you have of a doggie that was run over. Just for the doggie, nothing more, okay? Connie’s grateful, this takes a big weight off me, and Ximmy lowers her voice. Listen, girlfriend, since Rolu can’t hear, can I tell you three things? Whatever you want, three, twenty, bring it on. Okay, one, that big weight’s not coming off you, because of what’s in your belly now; two, you’re going to get bigger and bigger, and three, I’m super disappointed in you, poor Mau doesn’t deserve this. By the way, how many weeks are you along? Six. Well, are you sure it’ll be a little Fantasma Vengador, or were you with anyone else? Because I know how insatiable you are. No, of course I wasn’t with anyone else, says Connie. Rolu yells for Ximmy, who goes off to see what the bundle wants, and Connie thinks back. Her eyes grow large with a frightening realization as she says to herself, “Jerónimo”.
In the coffee room, Beto is being his usual gross self as Jacky enters, sporting her new fur, and greets him. She wants to know one thing. Is her daughter just a fling for him, or does he really care about her? She’s asking because she’s sure her daughter is hopelessly in love with Beto. Well then why did she marry that doll-hair guy? We can’t change the past, but we can solve the future, replies Jacky, and if you love her, I want you to help me get her out of that useless marriage. But I don’t have any money, and you know that’s what she truly values. True, says Jacky, you’re a piece of trash, maybe I’m wasting my time with you. She starts to walk out, turns, lifts a finger and says “Oh, by the way, Roberto. Constanza is expecting your child”. Boom! the episode ends.
Previews: Beto tells Connie he knows, Estrella primps for the “new guy”, and Jacky tells Beto that Connie’s going to the hospital to terminate the pregnancy. Only you, Beto, can stop her!
Vocabulario:
¿Te comieron la lengua las ratones? – Cat got your tongue? Literally, did the mice eat your tongue?
Desintoxicación – detoxification
Desubicado – disoriented
Un costal de piedras – a noose around the neck, literally a sack of stones
Jarabe de pico – a fish story, a bunch of bull, literally syrup of the mouth or beak
Harina de otro costal – a different kettle of fish, literally flour from another sack
Conste – You said it, or it’s on the record
Pesero – minibus
Cafre – a moron
Una paliza – a beating
Untar pomada – to spread ointment
At the gym, La Furia Enmascarada (Mau) has done well in his wrestling training. Costeño has been instrumental in this, so of course, he wants a raise. He and Don Cesar go off to discuss it, as The Masked Fury (I’ll just call him Mr. Fury for short) climbs out of the ring. Moni’s waiting there to congratulate him for a job well done. Turns out she really doesn’t recognize him (yet). She notes that they’re both sweaty (sudado), and sees that he’s really out of breath. She asks if he’ll unlace her boxing gloves – she can remove his mask in return. As he silently helps her, she remarks that his eyes remind her of someone. She tells him that people say you can tell a lot from someone’s eyes, and his eyes inspire confidence in her.
She shyly introduces herself – you’ve heard I’m called La Monita, but of course that’s not my name. I’m Valentina Lopez. And what’s your name? Mr. Fury clears his throat a little, doesn’t talk, and Moni guesses he has a sore throat (after first joking “Cat got your tongue?”, which is Te comieron la lengua los ratones?, literally, Did the mice eat your tongue?). And he even beat Beto, despite having that sore throat. Good going. Okay, she’ll help take his mask off now. Don’t think so, as he jumps up to escape, leaving with a little wave, and crashes right into Estrella! Mau falls on top of Estre, and she’s instantly attracted to the blue-clad luchador.
In a restaurant, Momia’s Mom, wacky Jacky, just can’t understand why her hija is staying with Mauricio, who hates her, won’t touch her, and why she has adopted three orphans that she despises. She could understand if Mau were 80 – then she could wait for him to die and get all his money. That’s what SHE’s done in two of her last three marriages, and now she has all the money she needs. She can do as she pleases. Connie reminds her she got nothing from Jean-Claude. Yeah, well he had to go drown on me before I could get him to change the will. But you, Connie, why did you force someone to marry you, when he’s young, strong and hates you? Jacky offers to help. Connie says no thanks, you just complicate things. No, YOU complicated things when you got pregnant by that coarse, primitive man. Jacky says the only thing Connie did right was that prenup. And all she’ll ever get from Mau is his money, if he happens to be unfaithful. Open your eyes, daughter. Put your feet on the ground and accept it.
Back at the gym, Estrella’s on the ground, not minding it one bit, as she wraps her arms around the hombre misterioso (wish it was me), remarking that candy does fall from heaven, and she could stay in this position forever. She starts feeling his arms, his legs, his pompis, thinks he’s a little thin for a wrestler, but what muscles! Mau leaves, saying goodbye in a low voice, and Monita smiles at Estrella’s exuberance. Estre wants to know everything about this guy, he’s hard all over his body (!) and she’s digging it. Moni knows he’s the new wrestler, he beat Beto, but she doesn’t know anything else about him. Estre wants to know everything, when he was on top of her, it was like an electric charge shooting through her body, and now she’s sweating, here, here and here (underarms, neck, back of legs, wants Moni to feel).
Moni thinks she’s beyond help (in a good way).
At Grupo Sermeño, Paula’s back to her old job as cleaning lady. She remarks that at least Gabi’s happy, and we can see that Gabi is. Sal’s back (one would think it’d take him a few days to get better, but didn’t they have that wrestling match this morning? Oh well, beanie time). There were no lasting traces of the poison in his system, he went through detox (desintoxicación) in the hospital, and he was just released. Paula still can’t get over how she’s back to cleaning, when she had jumped into that higher job of receptionist. Gabi opines that maybe Paula didn’t exactly earn that job (I can’t remember how she got it – maybe it was one of Lorenza’s threats), but if Paula will take a course in English, she could get the post legitimately. Paula says she’ll do it, and proudly thrusts out her chest. Good, says Gabi, that’s the attitude I like. Now get rid of that dust, and by the way, we need a few cappuccinos. She spanks Paula’s butt to get her moving.
Jacky continues to advise Connie to forget about Mauricio, but Connie doesn’t want to give up. Jacky thinks Connie’s being arrogant, prideful and capricious, but has lost her dignity and sense of self worth. Then what should I do? asks a tearful (but quite beautiful) Connie. Simple. Make Mau be unfaithful with La Monita, and get your divorce and his money. Never, replies Connie.
Gabi enters Sal’s office, ready to re-ignite their romance. She jokes that she put some toloache powder (a narcotic plant from Mexico) in his coffee to win him back, but he’s not in the mood for jokes. He really suffered from that paranoia, it was so real. Gabi points out it’s all in the past now, he’s fine, and Lorenza’s back in the psycho ward, from which she’ll never get out. She asks if Sal wants to visit Lore, and he doesn’t. But Sal had a lot of time to think about things, and he wants to be alone, without entanglements, for a bit. He still loves Gabi. But he feels completely disoriented (desubicado), and he needs to regain some balance before they resume their relationship. Gabi understands, and when Sal’s ready, she’ll be waiting with open arms.
Connie and Jackie are STILL discussing the same old thing. Get divorced, and get rid of those kids, who are like a noose around your neck (she says costal de piedras, literally, a sack of stones). Travel the world with your lover. Connie thinks that even if Mau lost his money, he’d happily live in the barrio with Moni, baking tortillas and frijoles, and she couldn’t stand that. But it’s just not worth your time (no vale la pena) to worry about that, says Jacky. Connie doesn’t care, she’s not letting go of Mau until that ridiculous love affair of his is over for good.
Oscar’s meeting with Jerry. Apparently Lori got so upset, she was literally bouncing off the walls, sticking out her tongue, so out of touch with reality she didn’t even recognize Oscar. Jerry points out how convenient that is, since Oscar was her accomplice, and he also knows Oscar loves to see people suffer. Yeah, says Oscar, but I’m not stingy (mezquino) – I even paid for her electroshock therapy (how kind of him).
Speaking of craziness, Jerry says he’s going crazy with love for Jacqueline! Oscar (wearing all black btw, black suit, black shirt, black tie) tells Jerry that it’s been scientifically proven that the sensation of love is no different from eating a box of fine chocolates (some of us may agree with this one). But they could use Jacky to get Connie to divorce Mau (and then they’d get the money somehow). Jerry wants out of this part, he really likes Jacky. But Oscar thinks she’d sell her soul to the devil for dinero.
Back in the restaurant, it’s Jacky’s lines, Connie’s lines. After a while of this, Connie demands that Jacky not breathe a word of her pregnancy. Because tomorrow, that nightmare will be over. She leaves.
Beto arrives late to the office, still wearing his misspelled tee-shirt, and Paula reams him out, but it turns out Gabi gave him permission to train first, then come in. Besides, you’re nobody, he tells Pau for the umpteenth time. As she covers her face with a handkerchief to stop the smell, Pau notes that Beto seems to be in a little pain (he is, from the fight). Gabi tells him to get to work on cleaning the floor of the reception area.
Cut to the OB GYN’s office, with a nervous Connie seated between two ladies much farther along in their pregnancies. She watches one woman rub her belly, and thinks back to when a drunk Beto said he loved her.
The doctor will see her now, and guess who it is? Donato, the kind but somewhat bumbling servant from Tontas No Van. She sadly tells him she’s pregnant, and he smiles, why that’s GOOD news. No, she says, it’s an unwanted pregnancy, and I want to terminate it tomorrow.
Beto’s aching from his wrestling match, as he sweeps the trash under the rug. Paula thinks he should apply himself more to this job, the way SHE does. Beto tells Gabi about the new wrestler, he didn’t like the guy, and there was a challenge (reto). At first Beto was dominating, had him eating out of his hand, applied the killing blow, had the guy crying (he’s acting all this out with his broom). So did you win? Well no, I always fight clean, but La Furia hit me in my “partecitas nobles”. Paula knows this is pure bull (jarabe de pico, literally syrup in the beak).
Walking home from the gym, Estrella is complaining about how Katia wouldn’t let her visit Aldo. But’s it’s your own fault, says Moni, and contact with Aldo could cause problems with Mau. Estre corrects her, YOU can’t visit, but with me, it’s a different kettle of fish (harina de otro costal, literally flour from a different sack, and we have the word costal twice in one episode). She’s worried about Aldo, and she’s just dying to see him. But you’re playing with fire, Estrella. And YOU broke up with HIM. Estre can’t get over him, it hurts, he’s so tender, kind….Forget about him, says Moni firmly. Fine, then you have to help me get something started with The Masked Fury. Can’t you even get his phone number? Moni agrees, but then thinks back to the guy’s eyes. It’s crazy, but for a minute, those eyes reminded her of Mauricio.
And here comes Mauricio, tooling along on his Harley, stopping at a red light to rip off the mask and put on the helmet.
He pulls up in front of his mansion (no one’s there at this time), goes inside, and starts stripping off his suit (they cut before we see that famous cuerpo, though).
Estre’s funny. If Moni wants Mr. Fury, she can have first dibs on him. She doesn’t want everyone saying she stole anyone’s novio, the way they always do. For the fifth time, he doesn’t interest me, says Moni. Yeah, but you said his eyes reminded you of Mau. Moni promises to let Estre have Mr. Fury, she loves only Mau, and no one will ever take his place. Okay, you said it (conste) points out Estre.
The kind doctor doesn’t want Connie to make a hasty decision, and has her in the chair, doing an ultrasound. The stated purpose is to find out how far along Connie is, but I think he also wants to show her the baby so she won’t want an abortion. He tells her they can’t do the operation after 12 weeks, it would be illegal. Connie says don’t worry, it’s less than a month. Ah, there he is, look at him, says the doc with a smile. Connie refuses to look, just do what you have to do to get it over with. Turns out she’s six weeks along. Fine, says Connie, let’s do it. The doc tries to dissuade her a little more, says there are papers to fill out, and he’s all booked for the next few days. But Connie begs, and he agrees to move some appointments and do it tomorrow. As he leaves to make arrangements, Connie sits up, tells herself, yes, she’s going to do it (but we know better, right?)
In Moni’s apartment, she’s despondent with longing to see Mau. Every morning she misses him, and every night when she goes to bed, same thing. Estre tries to cheer her up, she’s overcome a lot of adversity in the ring. Right, says Moni, I’ll try to be strong, and I promised him I’d wait for him. Estre wonders if Moni believes what Connie said, that she slept with him. No way, says Moni, I trust Mau. Right, says Estre, giving her a hug. That Momia tells nothing but lies.
Okay, enough of this earnest stuff, it’s Ximena time! Looking sleek as usual in a gray and blue top over tight black jeans and short fringed boots, she breezes into the same doctor’s office as Connie, showing off her wedding ring to the receptionista, Pao. She’s happy she got here for her gynecological appointment on time, it wasn’t easy with Rolu wanting to be with her all the time, he’s so possessive, but of course, she couldn’t bring him here! Pao tells her she has to wait a bit, Doctor Santa Cruz is a bit behind because he’s doing a special favor for a patient. What, is it a delicate matter? No, just a pregnancy, he just finished the ultrasound, but you’ll have to wait because there are two patients ahead of you. Ximmy’s so enchanted with the idea of having a baby, she can just imagine it growing in her belly, and for that reason, as soon as the expectant mother comes out, she’ll congratulate her. Well here she comes now, says Pao, as out walks Connie, and Ximmy is muy impactada. Consti! Consti tries to deny it, but Ximmy is like a force of nature, jumping up and down, screaming with joy, telling the whole office how wonderful it is, giving a mortified Connie a great big hug.
No lo puedo creer (I can’t believe it), stingy Jero has bought Jacky a fur coat, and is smoothing it out, as Oscar voices his displeasure. How’d you pay for it? With my credit card. Oscar feels unloved, Jerry won’t even pay for a soft drink for HIM. Oh, relax, says Jerry. I heard Jacky say she wanted one, and I’m going to surprise her. And you know how she’ll repay me? Like a wild kitten! Oscar looks at the label, this is pretty expensive. Jerry reminds him he’s half owner of the company, his earnings from that should cover it. But Oscar reminds HIM that Oscar gets half of Jerry’s half, Jerry signed a power of attorney, and he’s going to have to repay Oscar. Jerry promises he will, he’s just a little dry right now. Well, cold and dry is what you’ll be if you go against me, threatens Oscar. Jerry gulps.
Mr. Fury is back to his secret identity as meek, mild, Mau and sits down in his office to work. Sal enters, and neither wants to talk about personal matters, so they start to talk business when in walks Beto without knocking, pushing his cleaning cart. Mau remarks that Beto seems to be in pain, and Beto answers that you know how those minibuses (peseros) are, well one of those morons (cafres) crashed into me, that’s the reason. Paula comes in, yells at Beto for coming into Mau’s office, but Mau defends him, he had an accident. Sure, says Pau, more likely some luchador gave him a beating (una paliza). Ahah, jokes Mau, rather than a fall with the bus, you took a fall on the canvas (lona). Well, that fighter must have been pretty good, no? No way, says Beto, I showed that wall lizard (lagartija) who was boss. Mau doesn’t know, he smilingly observes that Beto looks pretty beaten up, why not take the rest of the day off, and his Mommy can rub some ointment (pomada) on him. Well thanks, Boss, but I think I’ll have La Monita spread (untar) that ointment on me. She’s REALLY GOOD at it, spreading here, spreading there, as Paula tells him to shut up, pushes him out the door, and Mau’s smile turns into a scowl.
After the commercial, it’s time for some intergenerational loving. Jacky enters Jerry’s office, and they greet each other with a kiss. He surprises her with the fur coat, and it’s just the one she wanted. Put it on me (ponmelo) she requests, and he does, she running her fingers through the plushness. They start to make out, but are rudely interrupted by Oscar, saying he and Jerry are worried about Connie, right Jerry? Jerry? Oh, yeah, sure, he says as he continues to paw Jacky.
Oscar asks what was up with the fainting, what did the doctor say? Oh, it was nothing, and she already feels much better. Well then, did you raise the topic of divorce with your daughter? Sure, but she’s stubborn. Jerry wonders why they don’t just tell Mau that his wife was doing the nasty with that lowlife. Oscar doesn’t think that’ll change anything, and Jacky agrees. But leave the matter to her, she has the weapons to control her daughter.
Said daughter is begging her amiga Xime please don’t say anything. Do it for our friendship. Or because of your threats, points out Xime. That too, says Connie, you know what I’m capable of. Fine, says Xime, I’ll stay mum, if nothing more than I feel sorry for that face you have of a doggie that was run over. Just for the doggie, nothing more, okay? Connie’s grateful, this takes a big weight off me, and Ximmy lowers her voice. Listen, girlfriend, since Rolu can’t hear, can I tell you three things? Whatever you want, three, twenty, bring it on. Okay, one, that big weight’s not coming off you, because of what’s in your belly now; two, you’re going to get bigger and bigger, and three, I’m super disappointed in you, poor Mau doesn’t deserve this. By the way, how many weeks are you along? Six. Well, are you sure it’ll be a little Fantasma Vengador, or were you with anyone else? Because I know how insatiable you are. No, of course I wasn’t with anyone else, says Connie. Rolu yells for Ximmy, who goes off to see what the bundle wants, and Connie thinks back. Her eyes grow large with a frightening realization as she says to herself, “Jerónimo”.
In the coffee room, Beto is being his usual gross self as Jacky enters, sporting her new fur, and greets him. She wants to know one thing. Is her daughter just a fling for him, or does he really care about her? She’s asking because she’s sure her daughter is hopelessly in love with Beto. Well then why did she marry that doll-hair guy? We can’t change the past, but we can solve the future, replies Jacky, and if you love her, I want you to help me get her out of that useless marriage. But I don’t have any money, and you know that’s what she truly values. True, says Jacky, you’re a piece of trash, maybe I’m wasting my time with you. She starts to walk out, turns, lifts a finger and says “Oh, by the way, Roberto. Constanza is expecting your child”. Boom! the episode ends.
Previews: Beto tells Connie he knows, Estrella primps for the “new guy”, and Jacky tells Beto that Connie’s going to the hospital to terminate the pregnancy. Only you, Beto, can stop her!
Vocabulario:
¿Te comieron la lengua las ratones? – Cat got your tongue? Literally, did the mice eat your tongue?
Desintoxicación – detoxification
Desubicado – disoriented
Un costal de piedras – a noose around the neck, literally a sack of stones
Jarabe de pico – a fish story, a bunch of bull, literally syrup of the mouth or beak
Harina de otro costal – a different kettle of fish, literally flour from another sack
Conste – You said it, or it’s on the record
Pesero – minibus
Cafre – a moron
Una paliza – a beating
Untar pomada – to spread ointment
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