Caray, Caray!

Labels: heridas

Edgar stands silently in the dark doorway with a candle and Joselyn screams, ‘Go away, you’re dead!’ over and over eventually rousing the rest of the house. Miriam comes down but of course Edgar is gone and there is just hysterical Joselyn screaming that Edgar is coming for her. Miriam doesn’t believe her. Suddenly, there is someone standing in the doorway with a candle and at that moment, the lights come back on. It is Rosa, the maid. Joselyn freaks out again and Miriam asks if she has been drinking while taking her medicine. Joselyn swears that she hasn’t and that Edgar was really there. [Joselyn’s eye makeup does not run when she cries].

A lot of hugging and congratulations about Paulina’s pregnancy with Gabriel, MA, Leo, JC and Paulina.

Tiberio finds Belen in the street and roughs her up and tells her not to mess with him.

Tiberio returns to the house and locks the door of the room and fools around with some papers while listening to classical music and hyperventilating.

Meanwhile, Simona tells Belen that she confronted Tiberio about his treatment of her.

Demian is talking to himself saying that tomorrow is his wedding anniversary with Regina. He has something planned that will convince her that no one loves her as much as he does.

MA sits in the waiting room of the Cruz Rojo remembering Gabriel telling her that he withdrew his demand for a divorce in order to see Luisito. ‘What are you thinking?’ MA says to herself. Then she is called to see Clemente.

Gabriel tells himself what wonderful news it is that JC and Paulina are expecting but he doesn’t have anyone to share it with.

Clemente appears to recognize MA as his daughter but he claims not to know who Miriam & Joselyn are.

Demian, Regina and Tiberio wonder where Dolores is.

Edgar recalls the attack on the boat and wonders who ordered his murder?

JC and Paulina give Demian, Regina, Tiberio & Simona their good news. More hugging.

Joselyn has convinced herself that seeing Edgar was just her imagination. Miriam gives her a sleeping pill. Miriam returns to her room saying that she doesn’t understand this new craziness of Joselyn. The phone rings. Miriam answers it, ‘Hi Miriam, do you recognize my voice?’ the caller asks. ‘Edgar?’ says Miriam. Edgar hangs up and the lights go out again. ‘No puede ser!’ says Miriam over and over.

Dolores and Nicolas tell Edgar that they will continue with their plan tomorrow and they bid him goodnight. Edgar asks himself if it really could have been Joselyn and Miriam who ordered his murder. [I guess he didn’t know them very well.]

Coyote acts like a lout with Elsa.

Tiberio goes to the table-dancing club and meets up with Rogelio. Rogelio says that he went and saw Diana and told her that if she messed with his life, she would be ‘sustituto’ substituted or replaced? I guess that makes sense. Rogelio and Tiberio laugh uproariously.

Meanwhile, Otilia is dragging Diana into the club with Ingrid. Diana and Ingrid don’t think this is a good plan but Otilia gives a long speech about how deceived wives need to get revenge. [It is fortunate that I had the subtitles in this scene since the music from the club drowned out most of what Otilia was saying.]

Demian and Regina have some champagne to celebrate JC & Paulina’s good news. Demian mentions that tomorrow is their wedding anniversary. Regina tells Demian that he has changed and she isn’t afraid to be around him anymore. Demian is pleased.

Gabriel is also toasting JC and Paulina’s news but he is alone. He thinks about MA and we see her at the Cruz Roja on a split screen.

At the club, Otilia tells the proprietor that tonight is his lucky night. An international star will dance for him tonight, drive the men crazy and not cost him a cent.

Gabriel goes to the Cruz Roja to see MA. He tells her that he didn’t have anyone with whom to celebrate the good news and he thought of her and returned to the clinic. MA says that she is very happy she is there.

Back at the club, Otilia, dressed in a wig and a glittery mask introduces a masked dancer. Diana comes out in a platinum wig and a mask. Rogelio thinks that the announcer’s voice is familiar but he can’t remember from where. Diana starts to dance and Rogelio is rapt.

Gabriel tells MA some platitudes like, ‘to be born is part of the eternal circle of life and is why, in the final analysis life is worth the pain of living.’

No one recognizes the masked Diana and her performance is a big success. Rogelio and Tiberio want to know how to contact her but she, Otila and Ingrid have left the club.

So profound is Gabriel’s philosophy of life that MA relives the whole scene in her memory.

At breakfast, Miriam tells Joselyn about the phone call. They can’t figure out what is going on when the phone rings. It’s Dolores and she wants to meet Miriam & Joselyn.
Demian brings Regina breakfast in bed. He tells her that he wants this day to be unforgettable for her. He has dedicated this day pleasing her.

MA and Clemente tell each other how happy they are to have the other as father/daughter.

Miriam and Joselyn have been stood up by Dolores. They are about to leave the restaurant when Edgar appears. They are impactadas. Joselyn says, ‘You are dead,’ several times. Edgar tells her and Miriam that he isn’t dead and has come back to clear up what happened to him and to be near his daughter. Joselyn keeps repeating, ‘You’re dead, you’re dead,’ and leaves. Miriam tells him to stay away from them.

Leo comes into Clemente’s room at the clinic and tells MA that Clemente is going to be released. MA is happy that she will have the opportunity to take care of him. Gabriel comes in and is told the good news.

Clemente doesn’t remember who Gabriel is. Leo tells Clemente that they are going to take off the bandages over his eyes. Clemente says that he hopes he will be able to see well. Everybody looks uncomfortable. Apparently no one has told him that the blindness is permanent. In a whispered conversation on the other side of the room, Leo tells MA and Gabriel that the doctors don’t know if Clemente will recover his memory.

Edgar, Dolores and Nicolas drop in on Miriam and Joselyn. Nicolas explains how Edgar survived the attempt on his life and where he has been for the last 20 years.

Demian tells his reflection in the mirror that he has changed inside and out.

Edgar tells Miriam and Joselyn that the circumstances point to their being involved in the attack on him. Miriam rented the boat and Joselyn knew where they were going. Miriam and Joselyn protest their innocence. Miriam asks Edgar et al to leave since Joselyn is having difficulty dealing with his sudden appearance. Edgar refuses to leave until he speaks to his daughter.

Tomorrow: Karen comes face to face with her father and Joselyn and MA slap each other.

Labels: mundo

Ok! Finally!!!! Well, this took forever, but I tried to put in as much detail as possible because there was so much important language. Man I hope they don’t have anymore of these meetings that I have to recap!!! Enjoy!!!

Thank heavens Lety put in THE LETTER to finally make it clear to all what’s been going on, and why what happens next happens. Finally, Fer is out of the dark!!!! Except, well, his dark days are actually just beginning. Oh well….

Humberto is impactado upon looking at his folder. Humb–Just a minute! What does this first page mean? Fer is now beyond impactado and he gets up climbs over Lety and runs over to tell his Papa not to read it, Don’t read it! H- Why not? F-Look what really happened is…. But, he sees THE LETTER isn’t there. He runs around to his mother,who asks him what’s wrong, he looks at Marcia’s and then Ariel’s folders and when he sees no one else has THE LETTER in their folders he recovers by asking if everyone is sure that they don’t want anything else to drink some more coffee or a refreshment?

Fer calms down and returns to his seat, again walking in front of Lety rolling her back a little (he doesn’t cross behind her chair, I thought this was hysterical and very rude, almost as if she isn’t even there, but she still sits very stonefaced through all of this). Lety now interjects very matter of factly and tells Don Humb that the first page is the layout of the general balance. Omar realizes to himself that THE LETTER was only placed in his and Fernando’s portfolio. But wait…it’s not over yet!!

Now Don Humb still looking at the balance sheet asks Lety what are these liabilities that represent almost 45 million dollars? He pounds on the desk. Now the cat is out of the bag. Fer realizes Lety gave Don Humb the real figures of the actual balance sheet! Oh sh**!

Fer gets up again and says excuse me this isn’t the material that was supposed to be presented at this meeting. I’m sorry but I’ll have to cancel this meeting now, because you have the wrong material. Omar also gets up to give back his portfolio. Ariel of course interrupts and says I’ll explain it to you Don Humberto - sit down Carvajal. These liabilities must be there because Filmo Imagen has secured Conceptos into debt. Yes, Filmo Imagen is the real proprietor of our firm Conceptos. And the piano plays on….

Outside the cuartel hears the yelling and is impactado too. They mumble among themselves, wondering what’s going on.

Teresa recalls that FI is Lety’s company. Fer starts to say that he won’t permit…Ariel interrupts, that’s enough lies!! Here is the credit bureau report, and this evidences that Conceptos is in attachment to and is secured by FI. He hands the report to Humberto. Ariel continues with a shame on you speech (like he is so high and mighty, blech) A- What happened to our inheritance, our family business? The inheritance that my parents established, and your parents established, who are my parents too! You lost Fernando! Aghhh! Nothing exists! Fernando now chimes in, the business exists, I have the business protected Ariel! Ariel says yeah right, don’t be stupid Fernando, Conceptos is embargado!!!

Right on inopportune cue the waiters are now here and Alicia marches in with them as if they were the most important part of the meeting. She is met with at least four people all at once telling them to get out!!! Marcia speaks up and tells her to get them out of here and not to let anyone else come in. Nobody! Abitchia now yells at the waiters to leave and remarks how imprudent of them. She excuses herself. (I’m surprised she didn’t try to hang out!)

Fer starts back up and says that he won’t permit Ariel to call him stupid. Ariels asks well then what will you have me call you? Pathetic? Hysterical? Loser? Humb – SILENCE!! SIT DOWN! Luigi is impressed. L- Bravo! Finally a real man to shut up these two thugs that look like vegetable vendors(also means foul mouthed) fighting over the last kilo of chilis and tomatoes!! And the piano plays on…

Humberto now asks Fernando what all this is about. Ariel interjects to Marcia that he thinks for the first time in our lives, and everyone else’s here, we are going to finally hear Fer speak the truth.

We flash to outside the conference room where the cuartel is trying to listen to what is happening. Albitchita yells at them and asks them what they are doing. A- I want you far away from that door. Sara tells her listen sweetie, you aren’t here to give us orders! They already heard her get yelled at and kicked out of the meeting. Albitchia says well what are the committee members going to think when I tell them you are spying on them! The cuartel isn’t scared and they tell Sara to go back and not let her to the door. Albitchita says she will scream if Sara doesn’t get away from there. They dare her to scream and Roller Derby Chick busts out again. She says if you scream I will take your neck and wring it like a chicken! Like this, and she makes the motions of a chicken cackling! Yikes! They stare each other down, but the bell saves someone again and Abitchia runs to answer her cell phone.

Back in the conference room, Humberto tells Ariel he doesn’t want any more aggression and he will now preside over the meeting. He asks Fer if he lost the firm? Fer says no I haven’t lost it. Ariel says well let’s ask Licenciada Lety, you are a known professional, if Conceptos is in debt to FI for almost 45 million dollars, what do you think? In your opinion is this business is lost? Lety sits stonefaced and still says nothing. Fernando interjects that the business is in Lety’s name. That was all Marcia need to hear to take her turn at bashing him. M-What? It’s in her name? What did you do Fer, gift it over to her? She turns to Lety and asks how did she get it what did you do with him?” Don Humb tells her to calm down.

Humb asks Fer to explain how we arrived at this place. Fer explains that he did it to prevent the banks from taking Conceptos instead. M- the banks? F- I first went into debt purchasing the two soundstages and afterward I lost a lot of money because I was the victim of smugglers.
A- Now we are delinquents besides! Lety takes a hard turn to look at Omar, who is staying out of this completely, but he had something to do with that decision, way back when. We also lost money with the video that failed and Conceptos didn’t get any work for a couple of months. Ariel starts in again. Now it’s clear, so then how is it that you have been reporting positive balances all this time, including a profit? It wouldn’t be that you made those up would it? Humb freak outs more…you made up the balance sheet?

A says, please Don Humb don’t go looking for an answer because there aren’t any! This situation is clear. These two fellows, Fer & Omar accompanied by their assistant Lety, have deceived the committee, have deceived our colleagues, and not only did they deceive us , but they did it right under our noses! M- And you gave over our business to Lety! Hum - Fer how come you didn’t tell us what was going on? Mom is smarter though, she bets it’s because of Fer's proposal that he submitted to win the presidency, isn’t it. Fer says yes, that’s true, to try and meet my goals I put us in debt and I made some grave mistakes. And the piano plays on….

Bitchita is on the phone, it was her Papi who called. She said she is happy to talk to him it’s just that she thought it was Tommy calling, no he hasn’t given her the money yet.

The cuartel says now they can’t hear anything, now is when we need Marta’s good hearing! A- asks them where they left off. Sara says with the chickens and the earthworms. Abicia says oh yeah, and the spiders! Than the phone rings and she hopes again for Tommy. The cuartel returns to the door.

Back inside the conference room Fer continues to explain that’s when he ordered Lety to created FI. H -A business on paper only! F- No, it’s a real business, legally constructed, and I contributed some capital, no less. A- Sure 90 million dollars Fer – shut up Ariel! We created FI to support Conceptos in case it failed to get financing on it’s own and it couldn’t. We couldn’t get it anywhere! So I asked Lety to guarantee us with a loan in exchange for the financing FI could get from the banks. That was to protect Conceptos. H -And how much was the debt? Fer- about half a million dollars. The entire room is impactado. This arrangement was my only option to avoid losing Conceptos. We were going to lose it, and that would have been a huge blow to all of us, to lose this! Hum thinks this situation is worse of a blow.

Lety would like to explain something, but Humb silences her. H- Quiet Lety, we’ll talk with you later. H- How could you resort to using illegal methods to deceive the banks? Fer says no, everything is legal, that’s why the banks couldn’t put liens on us. Hum – But that’s trickery! How could you hide this from us! Again Mom T with the voice of reason…well of course it’s back to the same thing again, he would have had to hold a special meeting and admit to us that he screwed up and that he would have to give Ariel the presidency. He couldn’t bring himself to do that. Isn’t that right, Fer? He doesn’t answer but Luigi now tells everyone to “estop” he doesn’t understand. L – So you are telling me that the business belonging to this hornito orrinco has secured Conceptos for it’s whole value? Does this mean that she is really the head of the company? Ariel says to shut up and that legally Fer gave Lety the whole company! Luigi says how horrible, he wants to die, he really needs his valerian root now!


This time the phone call was the lawyer telling Alicia she only has until two tomorrow to pay for her car. She tells them they can’t impose a deadline on her, but they have already hung up. She recalls she has the FI card from Tomas somewhere, so she looks for it to call him because she knows Lety has his cell.

Back in the conference room Marcia starts in that she doesn’t understand why her, she now wants to know why he gave our business to her? F- because she handles the finances, she carries relationships with the banks, the bills, the suppliers, I thought she was the proper person. That doesn’t answer my question, why would you hand over our inheritance, that of both families to a stranger? F- Because I trusted Lety. M- Why didn’t you trust me? I’m your girlfriend, your colleague, you were ready to spend your life with me. But you traded me for her? F- Says and if I told you my plan would you have supported me? She admits of course not, I’d never support something so foolish. And the piano plays on….

Luigi wonders about that guy with the glasses that goes around in the sports car, that you said was your boyfriend-he’s the head of your company? He actually calls her Dona Lety (the politest term) Ariel says oh come on, he’s part of the sham; the fraudulent theatrics so that we wouldn’t suspect anything was a miss. The theatrics of a pair of white collar rats! Oh, they are so professional. L wonders what Tomas has to do with it all? Lety says she hired him to be the manager for FI. L says, in that case he’s not rich in anyway! She confirms he’s not rich. Luigi says and all the women at Conceptos were disillusioned with that guy thinking he was a millionaire! And besides he’s pathetic!

Back at Casa Padilla, Tomas packs up the computer and tells Julieta he has to take it back along with everything of FI to Lety. He laments having to take the micro to carry it and asks if she might have change for a taxi for him. Of course she says no. He is really going to miss the squigglemobile. I’m without a cell, disconnected from the world. He complains about riding in the micros again after having had his sweet car. Ah, he has to return to his life of being just a poor devil again.

Fer – Like the balance sheet evidences we have actually almost finished with the debt payments, with the interest included! H- But how have you paid so many expenses of the business? F- Through FI ! Lety’s business lent me money and helped me get credit and pay all the bills. A- In that case each day we are more in debt to her! Fer said well in one way yes, but it’s still working! Please, since we won the award in Cannes, many doors have opened for us and there are many companies that want to hire Conceptos for their new productions. Pretty soon we’ll reach our point of equilibrium.

A-What point of equilibrium. What we are going to do is liquidate Conceptos. We’ll sell our shares and split up what little we have left!

Lety’s says that won’t be necessary, Mr. Villaroel. Lety explains that on page 4 you’ll see the charts that demonstrate how well Conceptos has recovered in the last few periods. If it keeps up this way, in six months Conceptos will have paid off all debts and be profitable again.
Ariel says six months! That’s just wonderful! Look Don H, I want to sell my shares I’m getting involved in another business and I need that capital. It’s time to get my money out of the business. If I can’t put in the capital, I’ll lose everything I have! He wants to know what Lety expects of them in order to give them back their business.

Lety very calmly says, "absolutely nothing." I only want you to have a clear sense of the true financial condition of Conceptos. In the portfolio you’ll find the payment receipts and all the lien papers for FI. I also put in an authorization that your lawyers need to begin the process to give you back your business. There is also the balance sheet for FI and a report of all of the expenses and the capital of FI. I’m going to dissolve the business. Also, the squiggle mobile is in Conceptos’ parking lot. And finally, besides all this, I am giving my resignation letter to Marcia. And the piano plays on…


Julieta tells Tomas that a luxury car can’t make him a better person.[Man I’d sure feel better though if I had that car.] He says everything of FI has to go, but this can stay, and he holds up the Oxi’s picture. Just then the phone rings and it’s her calling. Julieta answers and tells her he is not there per his request. Abitchia tells “the secretary” to tell him she’s waiting for his call at her office and that he should stop hiding from her and being a coward and he needs to look her in the face. Julieta is impactado and wants to know what he did to her.


A- You are an accomplice in this fraud. You think you can wash your hands of this with a resignation letter? L- No that’s not my intention. But it's obvious that I have to go. Before I go, I ask H & T’s pardon. I’m sorry to have seen you so deceived.

T - Of course we accept your resignation Lety. [Not we accept your apology - interesting....] H- No this meeting is finished yet, you stay. What can I say after all of this pain. I left you a business without debts and now it’s full of debts, and what’s more it’s completely out of your control. A- Well I would thank him for ruining 30 years of a great business tradition. What we need to do is get the lawyers on the liquidation right away.

F- No we aren’t liquidating. Lety told you we’d be ok in six months. I oppose liquidating Conceptos. A- Oh please behave like a gentleman. You lost your right to oppose anything in this meeting.

Humb says that they won’t liquidate. Conc. will pay it’s debts. Ariel is mad he wants to sell his shares. H- The articles of incorporation say that only a colleague can buy you out. Humb asks if anyone wants to buy him out. No one dares to raise a hand! Sorry Ari, too bad, so sad, you have to stay our colleague. [I’d rather get rid of him, frankly.]

F- Great, lets talk about the projections. H- No, we aren’t going to talk about the projections, we’ll talk about you. I can’t believe this. I put you in charge of Conceptos. Without a doubt this was a disaster. Not only were you at the point of becoming a financier you were at the point of being ethical. I don’t think I’ll ever forgive you! You know the articles give this committee the power to deprive you. It gives me great pity to do this. I can’t believe you did this to your mother, to Marcia and the others that care about you. Son, I think the moral thing to do is for you to give me your resignation as President of this business. And the piano plays on…


Back at Casa Padilla, Tomas draws on the FI sign, “RIP” He has also written “Closed forever” on the status sign. Julieta tells him he should talk face to face to the poor girl and tell her what’s going on. She wants to know what the girl wants and why he hides from her. Tomas tells her that the Oxi wants him. But he hides because he drove her crazy and now he doesn’t know how to get rid of her. He talks to her picture patronizingly that she needs to get over him.


F - Senores, from this moment forward I renounce my presidency. I beg your pardon for all the pain I’ve caused, for having hid information, and for having defrauded you so much. I’ll put this in writing tomorrow. He gives his badge to his pa. And the piano…

Ariel is ecstatic, and makes fun of the crocodile tears of Fer.

Lety says she has to go now. Marcia says wait, you better not ever come back here. L- I promised you I wouldn’t, so I won’t. Ari tells her not to even think to put Conceptos as a reference on her resume, because if anyone asks, they will find out about her lack of scruples. She’s been a real calamity for this business. F tells him to shut up because she was only following his orders. He doesn’t buy it, he says she made up balances, and so forth, he asks her if she was held at gunpoint or threatened in anyway by Fer. She admits that she did it of her own volition. A- So it’s all clear. She didn’t do it just because she was following orders. Marcia said and anyway this person that you trusted so much gave you up at this committee meeting. Lety says she believes that Don Fer can probably explain very well why I did this. Piano…

And she walks out.

The cuartel is outside. They want to know what happened, she says she's not feeling well, so PM wonders if they should take her to the Red Cross (Hospital). L- I have to go, I just resigned. They are impactado.

Humb says they need to choose a new president. Bam! Ana Leticia shows up, completely clueless about balance sheets and congratulates Fer on a fine job with the business. AL - We are changing presidents? She wants to know what that means because she just bought something and she has to pay her credit card. Fer excuses himself.

He goes out to where the cuartel is. F -Where is Lety? Irma asks -Did she really resign? F -Where is Lety. PM- In her office. Thank you.

Lety is in her office putting the last of her things into her trash bag. Fer walks in and wants to know why she didn’t tell him she found the damned letter. She asks him, "you tell me why you played this horrible game with me. You knew I would give my life for you and you didn’t even think one second about the pain you were causing me." You planned until the last second to send me far away. He says he needs her to listen to him, she tells him it’s too late today. She hoped for a long time that he would explain it to her, or that he would abandon his plan with Omar the imbecile, but he didn’t, he stayed the course until the last second. He says things changed along the way, you have to listen to me. She says he doesn’t have to lie to her any more she heard them talking this morning about sending her away. He tells her that was to protect her. He begs her to stay that he adores her and he goes to hug her.

While they are hugging, Marcia walks in. She is impactado and wants to know what is happening. He says they are having a discussion, that nothing is going on. She says a discussion in each others arms?

Then his mother comes in and those two look like twins asking what’s going on. Marcia says that everyone is waiting for him to choose a new president and he doesn’t want to come to the conference room. Mom T wants to know: Fer now what are you trying to do? He screams, then, sorry Mom, I’ll be there in a minute. [He still hasn’t learned yet!!] He begs Lety to wait for him. Yeah right….

Caro calls at just the right minute, she asks if Lety put in her resignation. Lety says to the whole committee. How do you feel? She says really bad. But Caro wants to know if Lety is still going with her. Lety says of course she is. Perfect we are going to Acapulco, and will try to go this afternoon. You’ll be my assistant right? Lety assures her that she will and asks what she should do. Caro tells her to go home and pack and she’ll call in a half an hour.

She takes her trash bag and walks out of her closet, bawling the whole way through Fer’s office. And the piano plays on….

The cuartel is outside wondering what happened. She tells them she can’t tell them anything right now. They wonder why she’s leaving in this manner without saying anything. They are worried if they did something to her. She says no she wants to go now and they (in the conference room)want her to go now. PM wants to at least throw her a good bye party maybe tonight? No thanks, I’m going on a trip, anyway. Then at least let's go into the bathroom for one final session.

Humb says everyone write a name and we’ll vote. T thinks Ari should be president. Ari says smart comments that he would have prevented this disaster if it were he in the first place. He says if I become president I’m going to liquidate. Marcia thinks that Humb should be president at least temporarily until they can get a clearer picture of the future.

In the bathroom, L -I can’t tell you anything because they are confidential affairs of the business, but I’m not the Lety you thought I was. I did things that you wouldn’t even think I could and now I have to go. Irma things everything can be worked out. Lety promises them she will tell them everything later, she just can’t right now.

Luigi agrees, that is the only thing that has made sense in this meeting. So everyone agrees with MArcia and Humb says fine, I’ll do it until I’ve met two objectives, paid off the debts and legally recovered Conceptos in our own hands. Well, now that we have a president, now let’s see in what state Fer has left us the business. Luigi says deplorable, it appears. Fer stares off into space…..


Oh my gosh…you think tonight was the bombero, wait until we see tomorrow’s show….from the previews, man, the Carvajalmarks are making a comeback in a huge way!!! Yikes!!! They are just stuffing it to us one, after the other, after the other, this week!!! I love this show!!!

Labels: fea

EPISODES 1 & 2:
Pedro Montez sneaks in very late at night - his mom, Dona Reina, catches him and scolds him for worrying her half-to-death. He presents Angelita and Rodito to her and convinces her to let them stay for the night. He will notify his boss, Don Gregorio, about the truck in the morning.

Jose Luis returns home tired and hungry - his wife, Veronica, wakes up from her sleep on the sofa to be commanded to get him his breakfast and coffee. He vaguely tells her how awful his night was with the car accident. When she brings the meal, he insults and scolds her for her lack of cooking ability and then demands she bring him his coffee.

The next day, Pedro has breakfast with his mom, Angelita and Rodito. They discuss Angelita's dad and if there is someone to notify that they can stay with. No other relatives - Pedro sits with the kids as mama goes to the other room. Angelita touchs Pedro's heart - he convinces his mom to let them stay there for the holidays. Pedro gets a blessing from his mom, then rushes out the door for work - so fast that he forgets his jacket (but not his hat).

On the road to town, Jose Luis scolds Veronica over cb radio. Felipe tries to write up a ticket to orphanage director in car for speeding - director tries to debate his way out of the ticket - when he tries to bribe Felipe. He is pulled out of the car, cuffed and arrested. Jose Luis comes over to find out what happened when Pedro pulls up in his truck. The cops recognize the vehicle as the one that was reported stolen. Felipe approaches Pedro and asks for ID and papers - Pedro tries to explain his situation and that he doesn't have his papers with him. The cops don't buy the explanation - pull him out of the truck and arrest him also.

The director and Pedro are taken to the police station and put in side by side holding cells. Pedro explains to the police chief and the two cops that he didn't steal anything; he inadvertently left his papers at home, along with the two orphans he found on the roadside last night. The chief is half-way convinced and has the cops start to investigate Pedro's story.

Meanwhile, the director is released from the holding cell. Jose Luis works with the director on a plot to get Angelita and Rodito to his orphanage before Christmas. The director goes to Pedro's house and convinces Dona Reina he is there on Pedro's behalf - Dona Reina believes him and gives him the papers, but not the children. The director hands the papers over to Jose Luis on the rural stretch of road - Jose Luis rips up the papers and throws them in the air as they discuss the plan to get the orphans.

Jose Luis escorts the Department of Child Services lady to Pedro's house. Dona Reina explains that she gave the papers to another man who just left. Jose Luis acts understanding. He and the lady convince Dona Reina to let the children go with them. The kids voluntarily leave. Jose Luis makes Dona Reina promise to lie and say she doesn't know anything about any papers or kids.

The lady takes Angelita and Rodito to her house. She is rather nasty and rude to them; her sons are no better. Angelita gets them back after they drop hot dogs on the floor - she apologizes for being hungry and for her and Rodito not be worthy of sharing their table with them.

Jose Luis informs the police chief he found no papers nor children at Pedro's house. The police chief scolds Pedro for lying and making up stories to him. He is angry and will take on this case personally. Pedro, dejected, sits in his cell and prays.

Dona Reina goes to the station to find out about Pedro - he is innocent, she says. She explains to Felipe that she doesn't have the papers; he asks about the orphans, she lies and asks what orphans? Felipe thinks she is telling the truth and that Pedro must be lying. He advises her to get a good lawyer - and that she can return with food and blankets for Pedro.

Don Gregorio, Pedro's boss, is having problems with his girlfriend. She is upset that he lied about Pedro to the police. The only way he can redeem himself in her eyes is to recant his accusation and tell the truth (and set Pedro free).

Dona Reina returns to the police station with the stuff for Pedro. As she waits for Felipe, Veronica enters and asks where her husband is. Felipe doesn't know, but will give him the message that she was there looking for him. Dona Reina gives Felipe the stuff, as well as says her son is innocent.

Felipe takes the stuff back to Pedro - Pedro is hurt that no one believes him and doesn't understand why his mom is lying - he wants to talk with her but the chief won't allow it. Pedro takes the stuff out of the bag - he finds the card of the Virgin of Guadalupe - he makes a prayer to her about Angelita and Rodito and his story to the card and then he leans it on the table and wall. Felipe listens to the prayers and is curious as to the validity.

The next morning, Felipe wakes Pedro up and talks to him about the prayer and how to prove his story is true.


EPISODE 3:
Felipe stops by the apartment to talk with Dona Reina - he believes Pedro is telling the truth, after overhearing his prayers last night. Felipe convinces Dona Reina to tell him the truth about the papers and the orphans.

Angelita and Rodito are out wandering the dark streets, thinking they are lost. Rodito is getting sleepy also. As they find the house and look in at Dona Reina talking with Felipe, Jose Luis sneaks up on them and pulls them down the street.

Jose Luis takes the two to his house close by. Veronica asks questions, Jose Luis is bothered by all the questions and has no patience to answer. He leaves for the other room; Veronica is kind-hearted and polite to Angelita and Rodito. Angelita asks for her help.

Felipe talks with Pedro in the cell. The children are fine, they are with Jose Luis and the child welfare agency and will be well-taken care of. This just doesn't sit right with Pedro. Pedro is happy that the truth is out, but he's still worried about the kids.

Veronica brings the food and water out to Angelita and Rodito to eat at the table. As she tries to return to the kitchen, Angelita asks her not to leave. She assures them. Then she goes to Jose Luis and asks for basic information about the two kids. Jose Luis gives her the basics, but no specific details. He gets very annoyed and angry when Veronica tries to give her opinion about his duties and the kids. He slaps her; she starts to shake and cry; he leaves. Angelita and Rodito console her in the living room.

Jose Luis pays the lady a visit in her home. They discuss Angelita and Rodito, their business deal as well as their personal relationship.

Veronica and Angelita have a sweet heart-to-heart conversation about Jose Luis - there are two personalities: one is sweet and tender, the other is violent and nasty.

Francisco "Poncho" and the other drivers are voluntarily turning themselves in to police; for the same charges as Pedro. Felipe has to explain the situation to the chief.

Party time in Pedro's cell - Poncho and the others gather inside Pedro's cell; Poncho starts to play the guitar and sing.

Jose Luis calls in; Chief needs him there; Jose Luis says Veronica is sick and he has to take her to the hospital. He will be there later. Chief and Jose Luis discuss any leads on Pedro's case and the orphans.

Jose Luis hangs up and orders Angelita and Rodito to get their coats on, they are leaving immediately. Veronica is startled by the orders; Angelita tells her that he must be the second one (the nasty one). As they leave, Veronica hands Rodito his teddy bear, Gabriel. Angelita thanks her for her kindness. Jose Luis pull the two kids out the door.

Poncho interrupts the conversation between chief and Felipe - he wants to get some chips and beer - Chief orders him back to the cell; this isn't a bar after all.

Don Gregorio and his girlfriend appear at the desk. Don Gregorio wants to recant his charges against Pedro - he lied with the false report; to prove it, he pulls out enough cash from his pocket to bail all the drivers out of jail.

In the car, Jose Luis and lady discuss the plan for the kids - Angelita and Rodito start to ask questions - lady is shocked; Jose Luis is irritated and frustrated and answers vaguely.

A driver runs back to the cell and announces that Don Gregorio recanted and everyone especially Pedro is free - Everyone Celebrates! The chief comes back and says Pedro will be released first. Pedro and Poncho scold Don Gregorio at the front desk for lying on the report; they lead the drivers on a strike against Don Gregorio. Chief tells Don Gregorio he won't be pressing charges on filing a false report.

In the office, Chief and Felipe discuss Jose Luis taking his wife, Veronica, to the hospital. Felipe is stunned.

Jose Luis, lady and kids in the car in the countryside.

Felipe calls Veronica at home and asks her about her health; Jose Luis called and said he took her to the hospital. Veronica is stunned by the story, but does her best to cover.

Poncho and others are with Pedro and Dona Reina at the house. Poncho gets everyone excited to have a huge posada at the house with pinatas, mariachi and everything. Dona Reina is also excited to host the posada. Pedro isn't as thrilled and thinks Reina is ill. Reina pulls Pedro into her bedroom. She wants to tell him something important - he is only interested in where Angelita and Rodito are - she says with Jose Luis and the social worker lady. He says that isn't possible; he thinks that they kidnapped the kids - he has to know for sure and will investigate himself to find the answers. Before he leaves, she blesses him; he tells her to help the guys with the posada arrangements.

Chief and Felipe are talking about Jose Luis; Felipe checked out the Veronica story and thinks that Jose Luis is becoming corrupt, and could be involved in kidnapping. During the discussion, Pedro bursts in and demands by force that the chief tell him where his children are (Angelita and Rodito).

Jose Luis and lady have arrived with Angelita and Rodito at the orphanage. Angelita fights with Jose Luis about going inside. They don't want to stay; Jose Luis gives them no choice and picks them up and hauls them inside. Director and lady accompany them.

Poncho, Reina and others are busy preparing the pinatas and decorations and food for the posada. One man asks if Pedro has a girlfriend. Poncho and Reina say no he has no girlfriend. Don Gregorio stops by to talk with Pedro - Poncho takes over as man of the house and pushes Gregorio outside and slams the door in his nose.

Pedro meanwhile is back in lock-up to cool off (seems fighting the chief of police is a huge no-no even in Mexico). As Felipe talks with Pedro and opens the cell door, Pedro makes a break for it. Felipe aims his gun at Pedro to stop him from leaving. Pedro dares him to use it; he is determined to leave and find Angelita and Rodito. Chief, Felipe and other officer chase after Pedro, he's desperate and could do anything.

At the director's office, the director asks Angelita and Rodito some questions. Angelita tells him that they do have a father and he will come for them. Rodito is hungry and then mentions Pedro. The three adults are stunned. During the discussion, Angelita makes a prayer for Jose Luis and the lady; she also pleas to the lady to help them, not make them stay. This starts a brief argument between the lady and Jose Luis.

Chief sits Pedro down in his office. They talk as Felipe enters with the report about the car accident. Apparently the German guy driving the car isn't Angelita and Rodito's father after all. (Puzzle)

Director pays off Jose Luis and the lady for bringing Angelita and Rodito to his orphanage. They leave. Director laughs as he looks at the two kids. He states that he will be very rich now that they are there.


CASTING NOTES: Pedro - Fernando Colunga; Francisco "Poncho" - Jorge Muniz; Jose Luis - Eduardo Rivera; Police Chief (Comandante) - the actor who plays Don Clemente in "Mundo"; social worker lady - Alejandra Procuna.

Labels: navidad

Fabricio and Luis Alberto have rendezvoused at the bar. Fab tells LA that he is his only hope to find kidnapped Enrique, ( heir to the Luque fortune). LA, not wanting to get involved says, "Dude go ask your brother Cesar about this" but Fab doesn't want to because he knows Cesar won't tell him anything. (Oh yeah, and Cesar let Fab get kidnapped, beat up, tortured and almost killed. Nice brother.)

LA tries to change the subject, "By the way, how is your wife?" "Bad, she's dying," sobs Fab. Oops, now LA feels guilty so he throws a bone Fab's way. LA says that the night Enrique was kidnapped he arrived at the house in time to see Nuria jump in a truck with a baby and behind her ran a man with a suitcase and the guy had a deformed hand. Fab gasps,"That's El Guapo! That means Bertha has my son. That guy not only kidnapped me but he killed my father-in-law Gonzalo!" Fab is frantic. LA says he tried to follow them but he lost them. He thinks Cesar has something to do with all this, "Your brother is not what he seems."

Bertha, Charo and Cesar file into Bertha's room. Cesar fondles Charo's braid. She tries to leave but Cesar stops her and, I kid you not, checks her teeth. Charo tells him hands off, stop treating her like a horse. As she leaves Cesar tugs her apron tie and hoots. Bertha tells Cesar to leave Charo alone, she's not good enough for him.

Bertha tells Cesar she's recovered from her morning funk. Of course Cesar feels better too and we know why. He wants to show Bertha something that will make her feel MUCH better. "Look what Miranda received in her email today," he holds up his phone and shows Bertha the pic of Al kissing Liliana. Oh yes, it's the real deal, live and in color, not a fake. Yep, Berta's pretty happy; Cesar delivered as promised.

Fernanda plans to leave in the morning to visit Miranda and Juan will arrive to care for Flor. Renata hems and haws and finally admits that she doesn't want Juan to stay at the house. "Why not, hija?" asks mom. "Because I don't want the life that Juan can offer me, he's boinking the neighbor, and it will be really weird with him here," sniffs Renata. Fern feels guilty, she should be able to do something for her unhappy and miserable daughters. She suggests that perhaps it would be better if she went away for good. Lady, it's that attitude that got you in this mess in the first place. Renata cries, "Mama, forgive me for every terrible thing I ever said to you. Please let's start over and try to regain the time we lost."

Alejandro and Juan are in a restaurant drowning their sorrows with tequila shots. Al tells Juan that he kissed Liliana on an impulse, he doesn't know why, well...OK, he was just seeing if he felt anything for her. "And what did you learn?" asks Juan. "That I'm an imbecile," sputters Al. No sh*t.

Al says he's going to tell Miranda what happened, even though it will hurt her he must be honest. She has to hear that Al feels nothing, nothing do you hear me, nothing for Liliana. Now they are really starting to get drunk. Al wants Juan, buddy old pal, to go with him to Tabasco but Juan says he has to stay so that he can tell Renata that he loathes her with all his soul. Al sucks his lime and looks unconvinced. Juan admits it would be easier to die than to forget Renata.

Al is doing that thing that drunks do...getting loud. He says he loves Miranda, MIRANDA, MIRANDA (turns around to shout to other patrons), "I said Miranda, NOT Liliana, MIRANDA is the only woman I love." The other patrons are mildly amused. His cellular rings and he answers, "My love, my love, forgive me!" But it's not MIRANDA, it's Liliana. She asks, "have you been drinking?" He gets belligerent. She asks where he is. He tells her the name of the restaurant but when she asks the address he giggles and hangs up. Al and Juan laugh hilariously at the prospect of Lil coming to retrieve Al.

The Mariachis are making the rounds and approach our hero's table. Juan decides to sing with them and Al congratulates that decision with another shot. Juan sings like a lovesick drunk and, as he sings, continues to pour shots for Al and for himself. These guys are doing a great job of acting like drunks. Really. I'm convinced. As Juan sings (badly I might add) we see flashbacks of happier times with Miranda and Renata.

Naty soothes our heartsick heroine with a cup of cocoa. Miranda says Al is in love with another woman and her daughter and there's nada she can do about it. Naty goes all cocolbosh and tells Miranda she will be a mother, she is fertile and her children will be big and strong. Miranda says Al doesn't want kids but Naty says nothing can get in the way of nature, "they will come, nobody will be able to avoid it, nobody, not Jade Eyes nor Serpent's Tongue. Those two are bad, they come from the bowels of hell."

Miranda tells Naty of her pain and Naty tells her to drink more chocolate, drink, drink. Arcadia and Gabino bust in, upset because Naty got away from them. They ask her how she got from the harvest house to the hacienda. I guess it's far away because the magical Naty music plays, Naty shrugs and gives a wide, rather hallucinogenic grin like she's got some big secret. I stand by my theory that she laces the cocoa with peyote or magic mushrooms or something.

Luciano and Pamela are talking wedding plans. Things go fine until Luc suggests inviting Vicente and...Liliana. Pam scowls. Luc asks,"What, I don't even get to choose the only two guests I'm allowed?" "Not That Woman," says Pamela. Luc tries to look innocent, "Every time I mention her name we get in a fight." Dumbass, meet Bridezilla.

LA tells Fab that Nuria was so in love with Cesar she would do whatever he asked her to do at SRI. Fab figures out that basically LA and Nuria did everything Cesar told them to do in regards to ruining Gonzalo's business. He tells LA that if it hits the fan Cesar will blame LA for everything. LA knows and he doesn't want to give Cesar the satisfaction, he doesn't know where Nuria is (Casa de SOS, Casa de SOS!!) but there might be someone who does if they can only find him. Fab looks hopeful.

Cesar is gloating in his victory over Al and Bertha congratulates him. They are eating a plate of cookies that Charo brought. Everything is going just the way Bertha wanted it to; now that Al and Miranda are apart the important thing is to keep them from getting back together. Cesar tells her not to worry, he has something up his sleeve, and by the way these cookies are absolutely pukey. (Hmmm...Bertha and Cesar abuse, slap, insult and harass Charo, Charo brings them a plate of cookies, the cookies taste pukey, hmmm...)

Cesar says they have to do something definitive to separate that damned pair of Mongols that have always despised them, sooner or later they will reconcile. Bertha agrees, but definitive how...kill them? Cesar's not sure, but in the meantime he decides to call Miranda. When she answers he admits that he was in the office, saw Al and Lil kissing and took the picture. When he confronted them Al defended Lil "with cloak and sword." Cesar tells Miranda he wants to visit her but she says no, she'll call him later. Cesar tells Bertha that Miranda's pain is so immense he can almost see it. Now all that's missing is Alejandro's. They snicker.

Juan and Al are drunker, sloppier, and sagging lower onto the table. Juan says Renata will never change but Al tells him to fight for her, just like he intends to fight for Miranda. "Do you hear that everybody?!?", (Al turns around and yells at the other patrons), "Miranda, she is my woman! Hey, what are you laughing at you big jerk? (Grabs innocent patron.)" Pushing ensues, guy calls Al a drunk, Liliana arrives in time to break it up. Juan, always the gentleman, tries to give her a shot of tequila in the midst of all this. She pushes it away, Al snatches it and kills it in one gulp as Juan pours another.

Raul has a surprise for Amparo he has put all her recipes on the computer they wonder where Juan is he's never out this late last they heard he was going out with Alejandro Luque. If they only knew.

Bertha has left the room and Cesar is talking with Lucas. What is it about this dog, was he a psychoanalyst in another life? Cesar tells Lucas that he has an ugly dog face (well duh), and without a doubt he looks just like his master Bertha. Heh heh. Lucas lays down, satisfied.

Renata enters and wants to know what Cesar is doing in Bertha's room. Uh oh, he kisses her and bites her lip. Renata immediately slaps him and tells him not to bite. Cesar says, all together now, "If it doesn't hurt it isn't love." Renata scoffs and says he would have made a perfect match for Lisania. She has a flashback to when Lisania told her about her sadistic mystery man, she said Renata knew him but Lisania wouldn't reveal his identity. Renata gives Cesar a funny look and asks if he remembers Lisania. Cesar says no he doesn't remember and, oh yeah, he needs to go to Paris on business. Renata asks, "are you telling me or inviting me?" "Both," he says and pats her rear. Run like a bunny Renata, before he takes his glasses off!

The tequila bottle is almost empty and Lil is trying to reason with Drunk and Drunker. Al and Juan bicker with her, stalling for time so they can guzzle the bottle. They finally agree to let her drive them home and they stagger out leaning on her as the other patrons jeer at them.

LA tells Fab he's sure this guy, Ramon Alvarez, will ask for lots of money but will be able to help them. Ramon agrees to meet them in 15 minutes in a nearby park. LA thought bubbles "When we find Nuria, with or without Florencia's son, I will take her far away from here where nobody will find her."

Dumbass and Bridezilla have made up and all is well until you-know-who calls. Lil tells Luciano that Al is drunk and she's driving him home but they get cut off before she can complete the call. Pam wonders what in the hell Al is doing with That Woman. They decide to go to Al's house.

At her place Lil has made Al a coffe and he is miraculously sober. She tells him that his case is very complicated and any little thing he does wrong will cause his conditional freedom to be revoked. Their conversation is impossibly long, boring and predictable so I will try to summarize. Lil shares responsibility for The Kiss, she could have stopped it but didn't, he went where he was allowed to go. Al asks, what does she mean "allowed?" Lil can't deny her feelings for him. He asks, huh,when did she start to feel that way? (What kind of a stupid question is that?) It began when she realized Al's wife was so very distant with him. Oh dear, what a misunderstanding, it was he, Al, who asked that Miranda not visit him in jail, can they fix things and go back to how they were? Lil says it will be easy for him but not so easy for her, you can fix "things" but not feelings. Al says well thanks very much for everything and I'll be going now. Alone, a tear falls down her cheek and she says "this can't be happening to me." Yawn.

It's sunrise in Tabasco and Miranda is meeting with her young neighbors. She's offering them a great opportunity to sell their chocolate for export and production. She has arranged everything with the banks, all she needs is their signatures. They drag their heels, they don't want to have to come back to the farm every 15 days to check on their pesky harvests. Miranda volunteers Gabino to supervise their harvests and process their cacao. Bet he'll love that. They decide to accept her offer so that they don't have to feel guilty about trashing everything their parents worked so hard to build. They shake hands and sign the papers. Miranda smiles, proud of her achievement.

Labels: heridas

I'm just filling in for Amanda tonight while she studies for final exams. Thanks for letting me do this one, Amanda, and good luck!

After hearing Fern and Omar (mostly Omar) plotting to send Lety to Africa during the wedding, Lety returns to her office to remind herself why she's felt so torn lately: she reads The Letter again. She realizes that nothing has changed; Fernando was just following Omar's instructions, step by step. He never had any intention of canceling the wedding.

Lety sticks The Letter in a drawer and stews.

Final meeting preparations

Marcia interrupts Lety's stewing to ask where Fern is. Then, spying the folders on Lety's desk, she asks again about the report for the Big Meeting. Lety says she needs to make copies and will be ready in ten minutes. Marcia says it's time now and everyone is waiting except Ariel and Ana Leticia. Marcia ironically offers to reschedule the meeting for Lety's convenience. Lety snaps that she will be ready in TEN MINUTES. Marcia is outraged by Lety's arrogance and says she's stupid to take such a tone with her. She's not in the mood. Lety is equally outraged by Marcia's attitude and replies in kind!

Why fight with your unfaithful fiance who hates you when you can pick on an underling, right?

Marcia says it's obvious that they can't stand each other, and someone will have to go. Lety agrees, saying that after the meeting, she's going away and never coming back. Then they'll be through with one another. (I am not doing this scene justice - you really have to see the determination on Lety's face and the ice in her voice!)

Marcia starts grabbing at the folders and wants Lety to sign something. Lety stops her. Marcia seems to thinks this is some sort of trick on Lety's part. She thinks Lety will tell Fern that Marcia made her quit. However, she (Marcia) is ready for anything.

Lety says the only thing Marcia needs to prepare for is Lety's resignation. Marcia dares her to quit because she doesn't want to see her any more after the meeting. She will throw Lety out, otherwise. Or else she will leave Conceptos herself. (Remind me again why it would be bad if Marcia left Conceptos?) Marcia stomps out.

"Poor woman," Lety mutters to herself. She picks a few pages out of each folder and throws them away. She pulls some other pages out of her drawer. Then she starts typing her resignation. (Amazing... I would have finished mine days ago!)

Meanwhile, despite her waitress dress, Alicia is desperate not to serve the coffee at the meeting. She tries ordering PM, Lola, Sara, and Juana around. She claims that she could tell Humberto that they refused to help her, and then they'd be fired just like that. (She snaps her fingers imperiously.) PM laughs at Alicia for forgetting to make arrangements with a caterer.

As Marcia enters the executive lobby, Alicia shares with the cuartel her flimsy theory that her boss outranks their bosses, and therefore she outranks them. Seeing Marcia, who is standing behind Alicia and listening with interest, Sara and Lola nod with polite amusement as Alicia tells them that Lola's boss (Marcia) is merely a simple production executive, and therefore Alicia outranks the secretary of the dumb so-called production executive.

Marcia claps sarcastically and asks Alicia for an explanation. Alicia whines "Aaaaay, Marcia," and says that none of them would get Humberto's coffee. Marcia asks where are the waiters. Alicia admits that she hasn't called them yet. Marcia asks whose responsibility it is. Alicia admits it is hers.

"So who's gonna serve the coffee?" Marcia asks. Alicia points in the general direction of the cuartel. (The Socratic method doesn't work on everyone.)

Marcia hollers at her to serve the coffee! Alicia is shocked. "I am going to have to serve coffee?" she asks in horror. "What, should I do it?" Marcia answers. Alicia says it would pain her to see it, but if Marcia really wants to do it... "Go and serve the coffee to Humberto, Alicia," Marcia replies firmly. She snaps her fingers at Alicia!

Humiliated, Alicia whines "Marrrrcia" again, and says she could have asked in a nicer way. Marcia smugly replies, "The dumb production executive manager outranks the president's secretary." She orders the cuartel back to work.

In Omar's office, Fern struggles with the Card of the Day. He says he's in love with Lety. What is he supposed to write in that card? He's going to marry someone else! Omar says come on, this is the last time you'll ever have to do this. It's our last chance to convincer her.

Marcia interrupts to remind them to come to the meeting. After she leaves, Fernando mutters, "I cannot stand her. I was just standing here, and you know what I felt? Repugnance. I don't want to be with her because I cannot stand her." Omar says that's no way to talk about the woman you're going to marry!

Marcia tries to get Luigi into the boardroom. He protests, not wanting to go to a meeting full of horrible numbers.

Alicia passes by with one (one!) cup of coffee. Luigi teasingly asks if she took a 3-week intensive course for ["famulla," not in my dictionary] service professionals. She is full of surprises. She's Alicia in Wonderland. (I don't get a lot of the discussion after that. I think the idea is that the people in the cafeteria will only give her one cup at a time because they don't like her. Heh, go figure.)

More last-minute preparations

Alicia brings Humberto his coffee. She passes the cup right under Teresita's nose! She tells Humberto that the people in the cafeteria are very busy. (Marcia and Luigi enter.) Alicia says it's no problem - she likes to help out when other people won't. She says they know she's not lazy or spiteful.

Teresita asks when the waiters are coming and asks for a cup of tea. Lopez asks for some coffee. Luigi asks for some tamarind juice and donuts. He thinks donuts will cure his discomfort because talking about numbers makes him feel lousy. Lopez adds that he wants his coffee without sugar.

Alicia slinks out of the boardroom. Marcia follows and asks why she hasn't called the caterers yet. Flustered, Alicia says she didn't get around to it because she was overwhelmed with the Cannes event and having Tomas at her place last night. She has problems. Tomas has disappeared.

Marcia emphatically says she doesn't care. She doesn't whine, even though her problems are much bigger than Alicia's. She advises Alicia to work out her problems with the cafeteria. Alicia wants Marcia to order the cafeteria workers around. Marcia says she can't order people just to demean them.

Meanwhile, in the Fea-Cave, Lety signs her letter of resignation, gathers the reports, and gets up. "Ready," she says. "Don Fernando, Doña Marcia... they don't know the surprise that awaits them," she mutters in self-satisfaction. She takes a deep breath and goes into Fern's office. She looks at the Golden Lion on Fern's desk and again remembers Psychic Guy's prediction that all the things that have sustained her will disappear, and then her fight for survival will begin.

Lety's ready - let's get started!

Marcia goes back into the boardroom, where people are getting impatient. Marcia says they can't start without Ariel and Ana-Leticia. Humberto asks where is Lety. Marcia picks up the phone.

Passing through the lobby, Omar considerately re-re-rehashes why Fern needs to make up with Marcia. Fern leans in between Lola and Sara curiously. "I'm finishing something," Lola says. "I've already finished," Sara adds.

Lety comes out of Fern's office clutching the reports. Fern asks if they're ready. With ethereal serenity, Lety says she needs to make up some special binders and is missing some photocopies. Fern urges her to hurry. Everyone is waiting. She says she needs ten more minutes (apparently a different ten minutes than the ones she told Marcia about). She assures them that soon they will finish everything. (Neither man detects anything odd about her manner.) She drifts away to the copy room. Omar tries to lift Fern's spirits and reminds him to breathe.

In the boardroom, Luigi tells the senior Mendiolas of all the job offers he's been receiving lately, in LA and Miami. With a perfectly straight face, Humberto slaps him on the shoulder and asks when he'll be leaving! Luigi looks hurt. "Luigi, you cannot abandon us," Teresita protests. "No way!"

They are all startled by Fern and Omar's arrival. Fern greets everyone loudly and kisses Teresita, Luigi (who looks offended again), and Humberto. He makes a big show of hugging and kissing Marcia, and tries to ignore her cold, suspicious look.

Humberto asks why the meeting is starting so late. Fern says Ariel and Ana-Leticia haven't arrived yet. He complains about how disrespectful they are. Humberto wants to look at the report right away. Fern and Omar cheerfully say that Lety is bringing them, and everything is perfect. "Perfect," Omar echoes. "Perfect," Lopez repeats. "Super-perfect," Marcia adds
sarcastically. Fern kisses her cheek. Marcia rolls her eyes. At Teresita's behest, they all sit down.

Luigi asks why they are so cheerful. Fern takes Marcia’s hands and kisses them. He restates his commitment to marry her this weekend, and tells them to smile. Teresita said she never doubted it. Humberto says he never would have forgiven him otherwise. (Gulp!)

Nervously, Fern announces, "Pencils for everyone!" and starts throwing pencils around.

Impatience sets in

The cuartel interrogate Lety as to why she is going back to the copy room. Lety says she needed to correct an error. (And the award for the 2006 Telenovela Understatement of the Year goes to... Lety!) PM says it's not like Lety to wait till the last minute. Lety says that when it comes to correcting mistakes, better late than never. Lola hints that Lety could be run out of there (fired?) if she doesn't hurry up. Lety says no problem - she'll run herself off.

Ariel steps off the elevator with the look of a snake who thinks he's found a nest full of eggs. Lety tells him she's just fixing up some folders. He tells her he's looking forward to seeing the report. She pats his arm (!!!) and assures him that he'll love it. She continues on her merry way, and Ariel brushes his arm. (Reminds me of the time Fern brushed off his chair after Ariel sat in it, or the time Lety brushed off her chair after Fern sat in it!)

Just as Ariel is about to enter the boardroom, Alicia comes in holding a tray. She loudly complains that she has to do everything. Ariel is amused that she is now serving coffee. She says Conceptos is full of useless people, and she has a great sense of responsibility.

She asks the cuartel if she's had any calls (no doubt thinking of Tomas). They say no. Ariel is even more amused. He asks if her boyfriend has reported to her yet. He asks if she got the 500,000 pesos for her car. She says she did. He says she could have gotten more since she can also do waitressing. (She claims that the outfit is just a coincidence.) He says she'd be a sexy waitress and could put on one of those maid outfits like you see in pornos. Listening to Ariel humiliating Alicia, it is hard to believe that this actor will soon have his own talk show. He must be really good! He teases her some more about his alleged "friends" who would surely pay her to serve them.

Alicia maintains a neutral expression and asks Ariel to open the boardroom door for her. He agrees, then stares fixedly at her butt with a juvenile smirk as he follows her to the door.

And now the meeting starts

In the boardroom, Fern is asking when is Ariel going to grace them with his presence, when Ariel suddenly graces them with his presence. Luigi gets up and makes a big point of moving to the opposite end of the table! Ariel and Fern taunt one another sarcastically. Fern insists this will be a great day, and Ariel insinuates that it won't.

Humberto interrupts, asking them not to fight or make sarcastic comments. He adds, "Ariel, at least say hello." Ariel apologizes and says "hi, how are you... PAPA. Teresita, precious as always... MAMI."

Teresita is charmed. Humberto doesn't react. Omar makes a "can you believe this guy?" face. Fern is outraged! He asks Alicia where are the waiters? And why did she only serve a few people? He tells her to bring coffee for himself, Omar, and Ariel... and also an antacid for Ariel. Ariel laughs mirthlessly and suggests tranquilizers and a doctor for everyone else. Alicia whines that she's tired. Teresita says "just bring coffee for everyone." Luigi is not happy with the stuff she brought him - he wanted donuts, not calorie-laden cake (I must have translated the foods wrong - donuts are way worse than cake) and he asked for tamarind water, not soda which gives him gas. Lopez tastes his coffee and makes one of his incredible faces. He says he didn't want sugar. (At least Luigi adds, "please, your highness.")

Fern fidgets uncomfortably.

Alicia leaves the room, whines to herself that it must be Friday the 13th, and then recounts everything that I have just told you, but not as thoroughly or as delightfully. She asks Lola, Sara, and PM if her phone has rung. "NO," they chorus. "Tomas, you're never going to show up with my money," she thought-bubbles. That's right - she said "MY money." You just gotta love Alicia. Well... someone's just gotta love her. Somewhere...

Okay, maybe the meeting starts now?

Don't be silly. It's only 8:42. We've got at least ten more minutes before anything interesting can happen.

As Celso plays mournful harmonica music, Tomas pulls up in the Swigglemobile. He says, "hey kid, do me a favor. Call Lety and tell her that Tomas is here." Celso scrambles to comply. Tomas pompously tells Celso to hurry up, because he's a very important person. His voice trails off a little at the end as he realizes that he won't be getting VIP treatment much longer.

Inside, Lety returns from the copy room, and Lola and Sara advise her to hurry. Lety says she needs to get some things in her office. PM offers to hand out the reports for her while Lety does that, but Lety says she'll be real quick. Really. The cuartel worry.

Celso calls and Sara answers. She is surprised to hear that Lety's boyfriend is looking for her. They all wonder what's going on and worry about her odd behavior.

Lety takes the call in her office. Celso passes the phone to Tomas and says it's Lety. Tomas says, "that's licenciada Leticia Padilla Solis, to you!" Tomas asks if he needs to pay to use the phone. Celso tells him that it's free. "It should be, since I had to wait," Tomas grumbles. Celso wonders aloud why a guy who drives a convertible would worry about the cost of a phone call. Tomas retorts that rich people are careful about how they spend their money!

Tomas reports that the car is as clean as new. Lety says that he can't come up now because the meeting is about to start. Tomas says he's not interested in going up there anyway, since he's got some unfinished business... did Alicia ask about him? Exasperated, Lety says she wouldn't know. She tells Tomas to give all of the paperwork and car stuff to Celso, then go to her house and wait for her there.

Tomas asks if she feels badly. She says yes. He asks what happened. She says nothing yet, but it will be the end of everything. He says whatever happens, call him and he'll come for her, he'll take a taxi or a bus, whatever, and he will be there for her. She's not his boss any more, but she is his friend, his very best friend.

Tomas throws the phone at Celso. Celso misses, and the phone falls apart. Celso calls Tomas a joker.

It's 8:47 - it'd be okay with me if the meeting started now

Alicia passes through the lobby with another trayload of coffee. She overhears Lola, Sara, and PM gossiping about Lety and her boyfriend. Alicia asks if the mustached corncake's boyfriend is around. (Wow, she's not even trying to be sneaky about it now!) Sara says yes he is, is that a problem? Alicia says it doesn't matter to her.

Just then, Irma joins them. Everyone rushes to greet her and tell her there's no work for her today because of the Big Meeting. Irma points to the ceiling. Everyone looks up, and Irma sneaks away to work! They chase after her. Left alone in the lobby, Alicia tells herself that Tomas is going to pay her.

Meanwhile, in the boardroom, Luigi is telling his captive audience that he partied until 4 that morning and was such a mess that Ruli (his boyfriend) had to carry him to bed. Just then, Marcia gets off the phone and says they might as well start. Ana-Leticia is only just now getting up. I think Luigi says it's a good thing because the rest of his story is too private to share.

Just then, Lety enters with the reports. She greets them all in a solemn tone. Fern and Ariel stare at one another with smug satisfaction, each thinking he knows something the other doesn't.

YES!! Let the meeting BEGIN!!

Tomas says goodbye to the car. His farewell reminds me of Alicia's loving words to her old car from the Bolsa Roja day; but, while Alicia felt that she and her car were twins separated at birth, Tomas tells the Swigglemobile that they are from two different worlds. He laments that he, Alicia, and the car cannot be together as a dynamic trio. He pretends to take his wife Alicia to a nice restaurant and ask for a special table. (He is doing this out loud, in broad daylight.)

"CELSO? CELSO!!" Alicia's screeches float across pavement. Tomas hurriedly hides behind the car. Celso says he was just there. Tomas scurries around back as Alicia comes around to his side. Celso mentions that Tomas was there to leave the papers for the car with him. Alicia asks if Tomas asked for her. Celso doesn't know why Lety's boyfriend would ask for Alicia. She says forget it. Alicia unleashes a string of epithets, some of them negative and directed at Tomas, some of the positive and directed at the car. Huddling against a rear tire, Tomas listens in confusion and clutches the checkbook in sheer terror! (I'm not sure why he has this - wasn't Lety going to turn it over today?) As Alicia runs back into the building, whining "no puede ser," he stands up to watch her retreating figure.

Tomas counts the change in his pocket, complains about his poverty, and catches a bus.

Meanwhile, inside, the cuartel have caught up with Irma and try to get her to go home. Irma says if there isn't any work for her to do, she'll make something up. She goes back to Luigi's lair and Sara, Lola, and PM wonder what's so awful at her house that she doesn't want to be there.

They notice the abandoned coffee tray and joke about the coffee's hotness. Alicia comes back and they laugh at her.

Less than five minutes left

Tomas is already at Lety's house. (Apparently, the buses in Mexico City are not only cheap, but can travel at warp speed.) He is disassembling Filmo-Imagen's computer. He explains to Julieta that he will to take it to Conceptos and asks if she has money for a taxi. (The answer is no.) He complains about being without a car, poor; before and after; without a cell phone, disconnected from the world. Lety touches his cheek sympathetically.

All hope is lost; stop reading now

Lety hands out the folders. Before anyone can open them, Alicia bursts through the door with the tray. They all watch her struggle, but no one offers to help. :-)

Humberto says, "I imagine that you will stay for the meeting." Alicia answers "yes, of course!" Fernando says that his father was referring to Lety. He says Lety will certainly stay; it's her balance sheet. Ariel says he's looking forward to what the licenciada has to say.

Fernando tells Alicia that the coffee is cold. He tells her to get some ice cubes. It'd be better iced than medium-tepid. Omar says it's not completely horrible. Fernando asks where are the waiters. She acts surprised that they haven't arrived yet. He tells her to take everything away. She gathers everything up and struggles out the door with the tray - again, no one helps her.

Humberto tells Lety to sit down. She takes a seat at the head of the table, between Fern and Marcia. Marcia's body language is pretty plain as she turns her body towards Humberto, away from Lety and Fern.

Humberto says that before anyone opens their folders, he wants to go over some rules. First, they will review the report and they will make their comments. Does everyone agree?

Ariel says he has no problem with that. He's not in a hurry, and he's very interested in what they have to say. (This is at least the third time he's said that tonight.) Teresita adds that they mustn't convert this meeting into a battle. When she and Humberto left London, it wasn't just for a reunion or a wedding. They also want to have a nice meeting. (Luigi looks worried. Lopez looks bored.) Whatever problems Fern and Ariel have, should be handled as a family, with affection. Humberto adds similar thoughts about being respectful, etc. and says "okay, start."

Luigi makes a flippant remark about the folders being cute and having their names in them. He sees notepads and thinks they should pass notes like in school. Everyone else opens their folders quietly.

Fern opens his folder and as he reads silently, we hear Omar's voice in Fern's head. "My esteemed president, here are your instructions..."

It is The Letter.

Fern looks up in shock, to meet Omar's terror-stricken eyes. He continues reading:

"...to continue your horrible campaign with Lety."

Wouldn't that be awful? It's like those greeting cards where you open them up and they play music. But this would be a talking Carvajallmark.

Fern looks at Lety. Lety just stares into space.

"I've told you the cards that you should put on your monster's desk each morning. Don't forget because I am not going to be here to remind you. (Omar giggles.) If you're sufficiently motivated, go to bed with her."

---

Mañana
The Big Meeting is underway. Will the waiters ever arrive? Hungry people can be very grumpy...

Labels: fea

EPISODE 51 - December 12, 2006:
* at the cemetery, MA finds Clemente crying and laying at Aurora's grave. They hug (oh, happy, tearful reunion!)

* Delores and Nicolas walk through the little fishing village in the Xochimilco forest. They are searching for the mystery man who ran away from Delores. As they are talking, the man appears - Delores shouts Edgar! He's Alive! Delores runs over to hug her brother (another tearful reunion). Edgar is surprised and stands there bewildered. Nicolas excuses himself and leaves. Delores wants to talk, but Edgar wants her to leave him in peace.

* kneeling beside Aurora's grave, Clemente and MA apologize to each other. They realize the most important thing is that they are together, as father and daughter. More hugs.

* Delores wants Edgar to return to Cuencas with her - He won't go back - She doesn't understand why not? - they discuss her charges in his murder.

* Still at the cemetery, MA asks Clemente why he left the palace. Clemente holds his head and talks about his severe headaches and that he can't remember anything. MA helps him up and will take him to her home to rest. As they stand up, Clemente gets another severe headache and gets dizzy - He can't see anything!

* In the palace office, Gabriel presents Jossie with the papers rescinding the divorce, as she requested. So, now, Gabriel is holding Jossie to her promise of letting him see Luisito.

* Delores and Edgar realize that they need to talk, about who tried to kill him. He's scared and paranoid of everyone. She swears on her knees that she had nothing to do with it - she is innocent, completely innocent. He's still angry. She says what is important is that she is there with him; she has found her son and wants to find out the truth of his murder attempt. She stands up and starts to walk away - Edgar pauses and then calls to her. He apologizes and forgives her. They hug.

* At the palace, Gabriel visits Luisito in his bedroom. Gabriel says that he and Jossie have worked out the problems so he can visit everyday. Luisito doesn't understand why he can't leave the room - he feels like he's in prison, and no one can visit, especially not MA. Gabriel tries to vaguely explain.

* MA is at the Red Cross hospital phone. She calls Leo and tells him that she found Clemente and where they are now. Leo hangs up, tells Candy the news and quickly rushes out of the apartment.

* Gabriel stops Rogelio at the foot of the stairs in the living room. They have a serious father-son discussion about Rogelio's attitude and lifestyle. Gabriel shocks Rogelio by suggesting they live at the apartment together. Their talk is interrupted briefly when Candy calls to notify Gabriel that MA and Clemente are at the Red Cross hospital.

* At Edgar's cabin, Delores tells him who Nicolas is and they can trust him. Delores explains that they think Miriam and Jossie had something to do with the murder attempt. Edgar and Delores discuss the possible motive - Miriam's secret. Delores convinces Edgar to return to Cuencas to see his daughter Karen and she tells him of her son, his nephew.

* Belen and friend are talking at the street-side park cafe about Sylvester. Sylvester approaches with the good news - MA found Clemente.

* Leo is hugging and consoling MA at the Red Cross hospital waiting room. Gabriel enters and listens to the conversation before interrupting to find out about Clemente. Leo tells him the preliminary diagnosis (Clemente is blind and disoriented).

* Rogelio meets with Miriam and Jossie in the living room and tells them that Gabriel fired him from the firm. Miriam is shocked and gives him support. Then Rogelio informs them that Gabriel wants him to move to the apartment now. Jossie wonders where Gabriel is, and Rogelio tells her about Candy's call - that MA is at the Red Cross hospital with Clemente.

* In the waiting area, Gabriel talks with MA.

* Rogelio and Karen are on their jog around the lake. They discuss Rogelio being co-owners with Tiberio in the strip club - Rogelio thinks it is ironic and has an idea of getting revenge on his wife Di, who he tells Karen is an ex-stripper.

* Otilia, Soraya and Di are at the store office discussing Di's former employment as a table dancer and stripper.

* Miriam and Jossie rush into Clemente's room at the hospital and act shocked and horrified that he is there. Gabriel explains briefly. Clemente wakes up. Jossie and Miriam go to his bedside and start talking to him - he is confused and doesn't know them - he is scared. (Hmm, just like Aurora?)

* Tiberio sneaks into JC's office and takes a look at the project on JC's computer. Tiberio stands up and then acts innocent as JC enters. As Tiberio leaves, he thinks about a way to get the upper hand against JC.

* Pau enters the hospital and passes Leo at the nurse's station. Pau faints and Leo grabs her before she collapses. Leo gets her in to see a doctor immediately.

* Rogelio storms into Soraya's apartment - he confronts Di. She defends herself and tells him to leave and not return - he makes a threat before leaving.

* Simona stops Tiberio in the front hall - she wants to talk with him about Belen right now.

* In the hospital waiting area, Jossie goes for coffee. Miriam stays behind. Candy enters, sees Miriam and starts to confront Miriam about why she's there. Leo enters and says hello to his mom and Miriam. He wonders what the two were discussing. Candy evades the question and rubs Miriam's face in the fact that Leo is her loving, precious son now.

* Simona confronts Tiberio about using and discarding Belen the way he did. Tiberio is cold, and turns it around as being Belen and her problem, not his. He leaves for the office. Simona is fuming.

* In the office, Tiberio has a private tantrum about Belen and vows to get revenge on her. He turns on the symphonic music and takes off his tie.

* Regina comes home and finds Simona sitting in the alcove crying. Regina wonders why - Simona says it is nothing. They hear the music - Tiberio is in the office.

* Leo gives MA and everyone the bad news about Clemente's sight and memory loss. It may be permanent. Jossie blames MA for everything. Gabe, Leo and Candy defend MA - MA claims not to need it, she can defend herself. Miriam asks Leo to keep them informed about Clemente, Leo agrees, and Miriam escorts Jossie out of the hospital. MA then breaks down in Leo's arms.

* Edgar is in a bathroom, giving himself a haircut and a shave and taking a bath - he is getting ready for his return to Cuencas.

* It is getting late, JC has finally finished his work for the night and shuts down the computer. He leaves to go find Pau.

* Tiberio sneaks into JC's office and opens the computer. He laughs to himself about the big surprise JC will receive when he presents the project tomorrow.

* At the palace, Miriam assures Jossie that all will be fine. Miriam goes up to bed. Jossie gets some brandy and as she starts to hum to herself, she thinks she sees something breeze past. She returns to dancing, drinking and humming. The mystery man runs passed the door in the shadows. As she sits down on the sofa, he snaps the breaker and the house goes dark. She gets up and finds some matches to light the candles on the table. As she sits back down with her brandy, the mystery man rushes passed the door again - she is getting spooked.

* Gabriel is talking with MA in the waiting room. Leo and Pau enter - Pau hugs her dad - Leo explains why he is late returning, Pau's exam. Gabriel is curious - Pau hesitates in answering. JC joins the group - Pau smiles, hugs JC and exclaims that she's PREGNANT! (HUGS GALORE!)

* KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! on the front door. Jossie answers it. She looks at the person in the shadows - the person doesn't say anything - she passes her candle up to his face and he says "Remember me, Jocelyn?" Jossie screams and takes a step backwards, "NO! NO! YOU'RE DEAD! YOU'RE DEAD!"

ADVANCE for Episode 52: The good news - JC and Pau are expecting their first baby! The bad news - Edgar has returned and wants revenge.

Labels: mundo

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Cesar takes a picture of Lovely Liliana and Alejandro in a magnificent liplock. Then he says “Hello!” Oops! Liliana breaks away and the blush on her cheeks matches the bright red of her blouse, and then some. Among other snide asides, Cesar tells them he came right on in out of habit from the good old days and anyway, Alejandro, don’t you believe in closing the door, imbecile? (For once, I find myself agreeing with.... Cesar?) He is grinning from ear to ear. He taunts Alejandro and Liliana, about what Miranda will think when she finds this lovely photo on her computer because, now that Liliana is supposedly being so rude, he is going to e-mail it to her. Cesar has one heck of a good thrill rubbing the “high and mighty” lawyer lady’s nose in her shame at being caught in her moment of abandon.....and asks how this is going to look from an ethical standpoint, being the lover of her client. “What a shame. Poor Miranda! Just what do you think she will have to say when she finds out? She is the only one who still believes in being faithful to her mate.” Alejandro threatens to kill him if he says anything to his wife. (Uh, sorry, Alejandro. The horse is out of the barn. That train has left the station. It is spilt milk.........) Liliiana says something lame to defend herself and but well, he’s already sending the photo to Miranda. Alejandro lunges for him and stops as Liliana warns him off. Cesar says one word from him and he goes back to the slammer if he even touches him. She accuses him of having the judge in his pocket. Then Liliana tries to warn Alejandro off again but too late. He punches Cesar in the mouth. (Yeah, Cesar deserved it, but Alejandro just sucks when it comes to an instinctive sense of self-preservation.)

Nuria is wondering if she can climb over a high wall there at the nutty nunnery, in order to escape when one of the nasty nuns forces her to take her pill without any water. “Just use your saliva.” Nuria complains it is choking her, but the nutty nasty nun just laughs at her and leaves. Nuria is one step ahead of this sister of Satan and pulls out the pill from inside her cheeks and pockets it. “I am not crazy and I don’t need this medicine.”

Back at Fernanda’s newly reclaimed manse, people are wondering where Bertha is. Apparently, she hasn’t bothered to come down or to walk the dog. Fernanda is determined to get everyone out of her clutches by finally kicking her out of the house. Fabricio says not before he has his son back, safe and sound. Bertha might do anything to that baby. He and Florencia then ask Charo if Nuria ever confided in anybody and possibly this might let them know where she could likely have gone. Charo says Louis Alberto or Santiago are the only two she ever spoke of. So Fabricio eventually calls LA to ask him to meet him to give him any information about Nuria. LA says he’ll call back with a place and a time. Afterward, Florencia tells her husband that she wants only to see her child returned before she dies. She says that she knows her end is close because every day she can look in the mirror, her eyes are more circled, and she is weaker. At least she has the consolation that Nuria is with Enrique and will not let anything happen to him. Fabricio is having a hard time handling this.

Still nobody has heard from Miranda and the family figures she might have rested over night somewhere along the way. Miranda, on the other hand, is selfishly keeping her whereabouts from them all. (Hiding from Alejandro I can understand, but why hide from her immediate family? This character should wear a sign on her back that says: "Kick me. I deserve it.")

Renata gets a visit from Erica and Veronica and Raul. They compliment Veronica on her talk about AIDS. Vero definitely has her head on straight now. The conversation turns to Juan’s proposition and Renata admits she thinks it is idiotic. Anyway, now the lawyer is in the middle of getting the papers for the divorce put together. If he will not give her one willingly, then she will go to court.

Miranda is getting everything organized at the chocolate plantation ("I am woman, hear me roar"). She still selfishly refuses to let anybody know she is there or when she arrived or anything. Gabino tells her he is a bit worried about Naty’s crazy-lady predictions. He tells her that Naty is sure her father’s dead ghost will come “to reclaim his steps.” He adds that she has predicted Bertha will return there soon and will bring death and dishonor with her. Alone, a bit later, Miranda recalls the night in bed shortly after Alejandro's return from jail when he called her “Liliana”. Again, the painful memory racks her.

At San Llorente Enterprises, or what passes for it now, Alejandro apologizes to Liliana the minute Cesar leaves. He says he’ll take full responsibility for what just happened there. (--Just what does that mean? Besides, Liliana was just as involved in that passionate saliva swap as he was.) Liliana gripes at him for having taken advantage of her. (Not so much from where I sat!) She is upset because Miranda will attack her for wrecking their marriage. (Well, aren’t you?) She also wants to know just why he kissed her. (Wasn’t it obvious, lady? That is your natural-born daughter, isn't it?) He explains that he wanted to know exactly what he feels for her, and that she is an ideal woman that any man would love to have for a wife. (What a stinking load of fresh cow pie!) She asks, “What about you? What about you?” Alejandro, scum bucket that he apparently is, refuses to answer her. He simply says it is only for him to know, but no one else. That is too much for her. She runs out of the room flustered and angry. .--(Weren’t we all about then?) She still needs a job too, we know.

Veronica finds Fabricio and gives him back the money she blackmailed him to get. She apologizes and explains how rotten she was feeling back then. He says he knows that he was just as nasty and in a weak moment tried taking advantage of her as well. He asks her forgiveness.

Miranda is on the phone with one of the neighbors who has sent her an e-mail. She opens the wrong one and it is (ruh-roh!) a ringside seat view of the lascivious lip lock, courtesy of Cesar. She is very impactada and closes herself up in her library for the remainder of the day, refusing either to leave or to eat. Gabino eventually comes in to check on her and becomes worried.

Bertha calls Italy in order to inform her attorney there about there being an heir now to Alfredo Luque’s fortune. She gives him the information about Florencia and Enrique, his first-born grandson.

Florencia assures Fernanda that she knows she’s dying and that she is ready for this. She only wants to see her son return before she dies. She tells her mother that she appreciates what she has done for her. Fernanda says she is sorry, that she tried to get her the transplant, but she was unable to. Florencia says let the heart go to somebody else who needs it more. Bertha sneaks behind the door and listens as they talk. She thinks to herself how she warned Fernanda that she would personally see to her suffering through the pain and suffering of her daughters. Bertha says to herself, “Florencia’s end is the first of a long list of things that will happen to you, Fernanda; and Florencia is dying because I, Bertha, have wanted and caused it to happen.”

Miranda cries out in her heartache that if Naty is right about Gonzalo returning then she says he needs to pick up the pieces of what her life now is.

Carola comes to visit Juan’s family and she and Francisco have a heart to heart about her relationship with Juan. She assures him that they will not be going to sleep together. She is anxious for the divorce though. Francisco asks her what she will do if Juan never gets divorced or if he and Renata reconciles. (Hmm. Hard question. Let her think about that one.)

Raul and Amparo come in. She leaves to help Raul set the table. Amparo and Francisco then discuss Carola and Juan. She says she wants to have a talk with Renata but hasn’t found the opportunity. He says forget it because it will only make things worse.

Renata tells Fernanda that Gabino called to let them know that Miranda is at the plantation house, and in fact arrived there the day before. He is worried because she has not eaten nor come out of the library all day. Fernanda believes she has become depressed with everything that has happened over the past few months. (Do ya’ think so? Miranda should probably be on valium so much has happened. The fact she isn’t must mean she is Superwoman, just like she has always thought she was). Fernanda tells Renata she plans to leave the following day to check on her other daughter. Renata worries about Florencia being left alone. Fernanda says she will have Juan come stay with her and besides she has Fabricio there to help too. Renata hesitates and asks if it might not be better to put her back into the hospital. Fernanda says no, this is better. (We all know Renata is trying to avoid having Juan so uncomfortably close by, and watching every guilty step she takes, but she won’t be able to wriggle out of it apparently.) First, though, Fernanda has to tell Renata: Florencia is very close to the end and knows it now. Renata stares at her mother.

Labels: heridas

... as promised.

Omar: "Is it so horrible to have to marry Marcia?" Fern: "Yes, because I don't love her." "Well we've known that for a long time and nonetheless until now you've been inclined to go through with it, what's changed?" "We fight all day, we don't have sex, she's been calling me, persecuting me, hassling me. I don't want to make this useless sacrifice, Omar. I can't drag Marcia into a hellish life neither of us deserves."

Omar: "Why are you so determined to cancel?" "Because I LOVE LETY." Omar starts to laugh and mock, and Fern roars: "This is exactly why I never told you. Listen carefully. I LOVE Letitia Padilla Solis with all my strength, Carvajal - that woman loves me. I'm special to her. That little game of seduction - kiss her, make love to her - I fell into my own snare, I fell in love. Carvajal, I've known it for a long time now and guess what? I don't regret it in the slightest. On the contrary - she makes me happy. I want to start all over from zero with her, have a clean beginning. Understand? Can you understand? I can't spend the rest of my life having a hidden relationship with Lety, the woman I love."

Carvajal says Marcia hates Lety, Ariel abhors her and vomit is mentioned. There would be no worse insult than to dump Marcia for Lety. "They'll pulverize us, they'll decapitate us, is that what you want?"

Fern: "You're my best friend, what do you think? Should I sacrifice my entire life? How about my happiness, doesn't it matter?"

Labels: fea

Hello friends,

In my "other life," when I am not writing for y'all, I am a professional musician, and I wanted you to know I just got my latest cd back from the printers yesterday. It is "more-or-less traditional music from the British Isles and beyond." There is even a Mexican song on it ("Toda Una Vida").

So, the UPS guys dumped 1,000 copies of it on my front porch last night. Jeesh, can I live long enough to sell all these cds?

I tell you what - they're for sale at my record label's website, Skylark Productions for VERY CHEAP as a special HOLIDAYS bargain. Every cd on that page is $11.99 and shipping is a flat $3.00 (domestic) no matter how many you order. And I promise to pop them in the mail first class right away.

There are sound samples at the Skylark page.

Be excellent to your friends and give them wonderful more-or-less traditional music from the British Isles and beyond for the holidays!

Labels: announcements