Caray, Caray!

This is dedicated to Erika and the fine professional stance she has take not rendering this down to a cheap rating seeking Soap Opera..

A pretty face don't make no pretty heart
I learned that, buddy, from the start
You think I'm cute, a little bit shy
Momma, I ain't that kind of guy

Doctor, doctor, give me the news
I got a bad case of lovin' you
No pill's gonna cure my ill
I got a bad case of lovin' you
Whooaaa

I know you like it, you like it on top
Tell me, momma, are you gonna stop?

You had me down, 21 to zip
Smile of Judas on your lip
Shake my fist, knock on wood
I've got it bad, and I've got it good

(I do have to confess that for all these decades I thougth the lyrics were "you had me down in 21 positions." Who knew? Well I live for the day I can do “Blinded by the Light” and misunderstood lyrics.

First we start off with the usual rehash of the prior episodes... muy impacted moments, prior misunderstanding and the taunting glimpses of more stupidity to come.

Where oh where can Rod be? Why that is him driving down the streets of Mexico City mumbling to himself as he hits himself on the top of the head. Dani is calling all the cool chicks that Rod has in his “Class Planner”. No, no one knows where Rod is. Although as we will see this indeed gives Gavi a reason to stay up all night and Erika a reason to chill all night. What a wicked world…what a wicked world.

Frankie, Isa and NotRod’sBaby are checking into a pretty swank Hotel, Dude and Dudess, seriously you could have gone to the Capri in Mexico DF for like 190 pesos a night, right on the main drag... clean rooms, sealed garages... plus and just wait for this, a KFC within walking distance and a gas station where you could pick up chips, beer and so on, did I mention 100 channels of cable? Some people. Anyway, DumbAss de la Vega asks for the presidental suite, for a week. He inquires about the men’s spa. Isa is forced to drag out her soon to be cut off credit card. You can tell the hotel guy knows a ManWhore when he sees one.

Rod of course shows up a Erika’s... he spills the whole story. His heart is broken, not cause Isa was double dealing, cause in this case she was only single dealing as Rod never cast a card in her direction. Anyhow he is more than upset that BigHeadGiantNotRod’sBaby isn’t well, Rod’s baby. Even though the kid is not of his blood, it is his son. He loved the child so much. Yeah Rod we noticed, aren’t there any old pawnshops in Mexico DF, with trophies, surely he could get another. (Okay I know I seem a bit callus here, and he wasn’t a bad father, he just wasn’t much of a father. What with all the psycho breakdown, the month in Europe, when he had to run straight over to Erika’s, rather than go see his kid first, yes Rod I am totally feeling your pain. I actually felt the same way when I finally bought something to go with my lil beaded black sweater and then realized I think I gave it away like three years ago… alas they paved paradise and put up a parking lot)

Rod is crying yet again, Jeez I gotta say, get a frickin grip, this guy has cried more than first runner up at the Prom. Yeh, I felt sorry for him the first two thousand times, now he just gets a big STFU from me. Erika tears up, not enough to make her mascara run, but enough to let us know she is in full empathy mode. This leads to a hug, the normal back patting that transcends all cultures as a sign of comfort. Erika, pulls the old friendship thing... how she is there in his time of need... helping him through difficult times. Rod asks her to take a trip with him. He need help to “Remake his life”. Rod feels good when she is at his side. Erika doesn’t want to talk about it now. He is sorry for the difficult time, but she has helped him so much. Yes Rod cause you were one sick mental bastard, now basing a relationship on that foundation is not encouraged.

Next thing we know: Rod is eating her face and guess what he seems to have found a reason to live.

Now, then the three mujers of the star-crossed family Montalvo sit around concerned about Big Rod’s whereabouts. Pilar and Sofie prod Dani to call Erika again. Come to think of it... how is it that Dani has Erika’s home phone number? Does she have a special phonebook, labeled “Chicks my 45 year old brother might someday work up the courage to do?” Sofie & Pilar, don’t have the inside clue to the fact that Rod might be going all romantic with Erika & Dani defers for the time being.

Meanwhile, back at Erika’s Rod now has her under him on the “Couch of crushed Cushions”, note to self... the next time I go to Erika’s sit on a dining room chair, but check under the cushions if she leaves the room. Hey he could of lost a valuable out of his pockets over there, cause there was certainly enough horizontal movement. Think heavy breathing... panting... Erika straining her much scented neck towards the heavens. If this was ESPN, I would say he had rounded second and was well on his way to third, no one was guarding home plate and he had every intention of sliding in.

Ring…Ring…Ring…Damn don’t you just hate when the phone rings interrupting hawt couch sex? Erika jumps up and answers. It is Dani, “Hi is my brother there?” “Yes”, answers Erika,”Oh and don’t mind my panting... we were just working out to my new ZUMBA video... Zumba baby”. Okay Rod is fine, no he doesn’t want to talk... Blah, Blah, Blah. Erika hangs up. Rod is all okay... this close... this close. While in a vertical position he once again proceeds to eat her face. “Oh No big fella, you need time”, Erika breathlessly states. Yeah like two minutes and one and half of those would be involved in the clean up.

Rod, scared he has offended yet another girlfriend and it is getting close to Prom time, apologizes hoping he hasn’t offended Erika. As if she had somehow slipped, fell on the couch and he landed on her. Oh yes we don’t want to lose our friendship... Of course Rod doesn’t want to return to the departmento of “Sexual Misdeeds”, yeah the place he paid rent on and can’t claim a single one, nor does he want to go to Granny Pilars. Rod is going to stay at his new best friend’s apartment on the couch. Personally after watching a bizillion EDF commercials, I realize that in cases where the “arousal state last longer than four hours”, medical care should be sought. So I think it was quite prudent for Dr. Erika to suggest he spend the evening there. Erika says they must control their impulses; I take this to heart and defer from throwing the remote through the screen of the television.

Now over to Gavi. Cymbals of doom crash. Gavi is beside herself, where can Rod be? Is he all right? Gavi throws down another shooter of Tequila, this forces me to join her. Gavi looks out the window with the same expression as the people of Pompeii, each day as they gazed up at Mt. Vesuvius. Yeah it’s all smoke, no fire, no need to worry. Well I got news Gavi, the volcano is just ready to erupt. She is upset, crying, feeling the temors, yet doesn’t move. Clarita comes out and gives her the ol “Don’t worry, if it was bad news they’d call”. Yeah maybe to say Rod died in a fiery car crash, but not to say hey Rod is getting ready to erupt and Erika is going to be encased for posterity in the molten lava.

Over in the Presidental Suite... Isa is on the phone filling her Ma in on the details of she and her child’s “Lifetime Movie” story of fleeing her husband with the man she so loves. She tells Ma not to tell her father. Well, odds are he couldn’t hear the phone ring over the noise of the Casino, but whatever.

Isa is disgusted that Frankie is chowing down on a huge plate of filet mignon. How can he eat? Ah mon cherie, food is the best therapy for depression. He tries to get her to drink a glass of wine, but Isa is too upset. Frankie tries to turn on the charm but Isa blows him off and goes to bed…alone. Frankie has that look on his face... the anvil look. Nope fatherhood & supporting a family is not going to sit well with him.

Over at Pilars: Sofie is telling Dani that truthfully the dew was off the rose shortly after her marriage and while that hurt, the real hurt comes from the fact that Isa screwed her over. Oh Sofie I am in total agreement with you, however that does not excuse your bad fashion choices, the betrayal of Isa was far more painful than the betrayal of Frankie. Sofie realizes she will never be one of the A-Team girls and it was a bad choice as a goal. I guess there must be a shortage of Teen Angst movies in Mexico or Sofie would have been hip to this knowledge.

Finally the Next day…
Rod is on the phone with Dani (I think it was Dani... giving instructions about picking up some clothes for him and meeting him at the company headquarters)
Erika floats in. Yes Rod slept badly on the couch. But hey it is another day.

Erika asks Rod why he never told her that Gavi was AKA MariAnne Franco. Rod is all like hey it never occurred to me, damn we aren't even going steady and already she is all up in my prior business, Erika explains that Beni ItalianLovedGaviGuy had introduced them. Rod asks what was up with that and of course Erika; professional that she is can’t really tell. Rod the never curious, just goes with it. This guy is just such a total dumbass. Anyway Erika pulls the you and Gavi crap and of course Rod is all, well she is in my past... you hawt mama are my present. In other words, I done it under the tree, but the couch is as of yet an unplowed furrow.

Okay... now on to Pilars... Sofie and Dani are talking.. .Sofie is wearing a black dress from the “Donna Karen, Death to a Marriage, Collection”, Gavi calls. Dani really doesn’t want to talk to Gavi. Sofie says the longer she doesn’t know the truth (meaning her brother the volcano/tractor plowing fields) is out and about the more it is gonna hurt. Sofie leaves the room. Gavi wants details, ohhhhh is Rod okay did he go back to Isa? Dani says no, but she can’t go into it now. She will stop by later.

Sofie comes back in and asks if Dani told Gavi that Rod is getting his night terrors taken care of by Dr. Ericka? Dani says No, she didn’t tell. Sofie like everyone who has recently suffered heartbreak is very unemotional and straightforward. Tell her she says, the sooner she realizes Rod is “Gone Daddy Gone’ the better, she deserves to know and will suffer less in the end. Dani looks guilty over this.

Elvis comes in and he is unaware anything has happened. He greets Sofie and says Frankie must have fixed some awesome orange juice. Sofie starts crying and Dani hugs her and Dani and Elvis leave.

Meanwhile Blondie, crap and I thought I was gonna get through this without a DeadMan Walking sighting, is like all hello to Gavi and notices she isn’t herself, he thinks it is over her big decision she stay or should she go (shout out to the Clash here), oh and by the by does she have her decision yet? The should I just pick up and run off to London decision. Damn Gavi just gives him a look and tells him she thought she had 48 hours for this. Blondie just tries to play it off. (Readers, some of you maybe unaware of this, but I hate this guy... he is just so there, just there), maybe at this point Gavi no longer thinks the Marachi serenade was such a cute idea, seriously she gives him a STFU look.

Rod is over in his office all chipper and thinking everyone can tell he was this close to nailing it. He has that self-assured look. He tells Margarita that he has some meetings with the banker guy and someone else, he wants Dr Erika in on these. I guess he needs a clean mental health certification. See money really can buy anything.

Videgaray comes in to meet with Rod, of course he has all the details of the big shakedown from the night before. Rod say he is sure Bruno, Fedra, Aaron and everyone else in the world know the Isa/Frankie/Not Rod’sBaby details. Videgaray is working on the annulment. Rod says Isa will get Nada (the bitch), nothing from his Ardiente Passion Tequila, he wants to take care of NotRod’sBaby but that is it and he wants RicardoIsa’sDaddy in prison. Videgaray says, this will give Rod a chance for a future with Gavi.

Rod smirks a “As If”, Gavi is my past…I AM INVENTING MY FUTURE…Oh Rod it is hard for me to stiffle my hatred for you here.

Meanwhile during all this filler, Bruno the Good has been chatting it up with Aaron the Evil. Sidebar here... Aaron once again was wearing stripes, yes the jacket, the shirt and the tie, but for some reason... I thought he was totally hawt. Maybe I realized, while Aaron is an AssHat and would probably throw 200 pesos down as he was walking out... he would never try to take the moral high ground which is starting to really annoy me with these other people. Yeah Aaron, you are kinda hawt. Anyway Bruno and Aaron are discussing the NotRod’sBaby dilemma, actually Aaron is smirking through the whole conversation and I am right there with you. Aaron never one to mince words wants the family name taken off the little “Bastard”, Bruno does the can’t we all be friends thing.

Dani & Elvis go to see Gavi, Dani goes in Gavi’s office and Elvis is forced to babysit Blondie. Dani finally tells Gavi that Rod won’t even allow Gavi’s name to be mentioned. Dani then tells Gavi that Frankie is the father of the NotRod’sBaby, Gavi is el muy Impacted….

Elvis, dude you totally won me over, I so have a Mrs. Robinson/Benjamin crush on you. Elvis really seriously jerked the chain of Blondie, he let it slip, the big family secret that Rod and Isa split up. He was so playing Blondie... he’d let just a little slip out, the Blondie would beg for more. Yes, Rod’s wife ran off with the father of her child, Frankie…Blondie gets the semi muy impacted face... ewwww Rod is officially back on the market.

Meanwhile at Pilars, Sofie is on the phone with James of sturdy shoulder to cry on. She is telling him the story of woe. He will support her in everyway…(ooooopsss, what was that shadow I saw flit by? Could it be the soul of the never heard from again Acacia? Oh Acacia I still think of you.) James has to hang up as Roman comes to shout out the news the Agave plague is spreading like a STD in “Abstinence Only Convention”.

Pilar comes in and laments the pain she has brought upon her poor grandchildren. How she loved Frankie and his phoney ways and words, she laments how she pushed Rod to stay in his loveless marriage. This was pretty awesome to see; she did have actual physical contact with Sofie and they did a fairly decent job of fake tears. Give her credit here cause at no point did she blink.

Okay that is it… Discuss amongst yourselves, the question is Rod lusted in his heart. Had Erika not put up a front would Rod have given in? Therefore did he betray Gavi by default? Was it truly a betrayal as he thinks she has left him? Are these people too stupid to be allowed to live, much less gawd forbid breed?

Now tomorrow
Dani finally tells Gavi that Rod’s doctor is hawt and refined..damn the whole refined thing..Gavi you could take her.

Gavi in her rather not refined hot pink mini walks up to dumbass (Rod) and Erika in a restaurant. Rod looks smitten.

Frankie walks out on Isa, he is going to get a drink cause he doesn’t like the kid crying.

Rod gets the news that Agave is infected.

Labels: Destilando

From yesterday – Ivan sits down by a tree and dies.

Anibal gets Chucho and Efrain’s phone numbers from Silvana so he can see what happened with the botched attempt to stop the wedding. Silvana worries what Mo will do if he catches them. Isela joins them. Silvana and Anibal are going to run off to do whatever, Isela tells them what the hell, tell me what’s going on! Anibal and Silvana sit there like they have to tell her that her dog died or something. What’s the big deal? Just tell her that your dreamboat Diego went to try and claim the woman that he REALLY loves.

Diego tries to shake and nose wrinkle Ivan back to life. He finds Ivan’s cell phone. He nose wrinkles more in impotent fury.

Azul cries now that she realizes she is stuck with that loser Mo. Cecilia tries to make her feel better, but the best Azul can do is “well I’ll try my best, I used to love him way back when.” Wow what a beautiful wedding. Azul completely breaks down and bawls her eyes out. Where is Mo to see this, how ‘happy’ his bride is? Or Katy/Caty/Cathy/whatever the captions call her today? Shouldn’t she be throwing her wet blanket all over this?

New scenes finally - Efrain, Gaspar, and Chucho leave some police building that looks like it belongs in Baghdad. It is all torn up, looks like it survived a war. I guess they tried to turn somebody in for something but not enough time has passed. Missing persons, maybe, for Diego, but he hasn’t been gone long enough. They are all grumpy and snipe at each other. Efrain’s phone rings, it’s Diego, they all try and talk to him at the same time. These guys are the three stooges.

Arnaldo and Julio discuss Burgay and his intentions behind putting Diego into the boutique, what Eva had to do with it, etc. Arnaldo tries to reproach him and asks why he took the money, Julio says he needed for his collection and to help pay for Ines hospital bill, which shuts Arnaldo right up.

Mo tells some security guy to take care of something. Mo then tells Burgay that he saw him talking with Arnaldo and he knows Burgay isn’t gay, but he HAS turned to the other side. Burgay, since he is stupid, doesn’t get it. Mo goes on to explain how he knows Burgay has turned against him. Mo says that now HE (Mo) is the superior and Burgay takes orders from him.

Anibal tries to calm Clemencia. Anibal tells her something about people always getting a second chance to fall in love. Sappy music starts playing, to make sure we understand that something is happening with these two. OK WE GET IT.

Silvana shows up at Diego’s apartment and prays out loud for him. Chucho lets her in, they tell her he’s fine, she wants to know if he did something to try and stop the wedding.

Efrain is driving Diego and Ivan to a hospital. I guess Ivan isn’t completely dead after all. Diego and Efrain argue about why Diego just didn’t leave him to die. Diego is too noble, of course, is what it comes down to.

Clemencia tells Lidia and that ass Manuel what happened with Diego.

Amazingly, the wedding party is still going on. Mo tells Azul that they are now a family. Katy says “Now I have my mommy” Mo tells her to take a hike to be alone with Azul. Azul couldn’t look any less pleased to be dancing with her husband. She has a flashback of dancing with Diego. Back in the present, she tells Mo she needs help. He says for what, to forget Diego? He says that’s the most cruel thing a man can hear. Well duh you idiot, this is no surprise. Mo says if she stays with him, he’ll help her forget Diego. He kisses her and she pretends to kiss him back.

Diego shows up at his apartment with Ivan. I guess they weren’t going to a hospital at all. Silvana says they should take him to a hospital, but Diego says no way, a bullet wound would be public information (or something) and he doesn’t want Mo to know who is alive and who is dead. Diego says they need to hide Ivan while he recovers. WTF? He’s going to recover from a bullet in the stomach by resting at somebody’s house? Cripes. Silvana says to take him to her house since Diego’s house is the first place Mo will look. I guess Gloria came home just in time, now she’ll have two extra people living there to complain about. Diego says he has to talk to Silvana, she says she knows that he tried to take Azul away from her wedding. She looks all pissed off. Didn’t she know that was his plan all along?

Lidia is yelling at her mother in her bedroom, holding that same pillow with hearts all over it that she had before. Ah, turns out Clemencia told Lidia that she saw Piero and Lucia making out at the wedding. She wants Lidia to divorce him.

Diego finishes his story to Silvana. Silvana says she understands the love Eva had for Diego. Whatever. She is obsessed with Diego, I’m not sure love is the right word. Maybe ‘stalker’ is better. Diego wrinkles his nose some more and apologizes for hurting her. Some guy is in the apartment looking at Ivan’s wound.

Later that night, Diego and Efrain take a cab and get out next to a limo with flowers on the hood and a sleeping driver. I guess the wedding party is STILL going on. Efrain punches the driver out, they take him out of the car.

There is a toast inside the party, everyone takes a sip except for Azul, who drains her glass. Mo says it’s time for he and Azul to be alone, she’s freaking out about it. Azul looks like she is walking the Green Mile. They go outside to get in the limo, Diego is there in the drivers uniform with his back to them. He opens the door and lets Azul in, then turns and punches out Mo. I guess that boxing training has paid off. The other guests come outside and are surprised to see the car screaming off in a hurry. I guess Efrain is driving because Diego is in the back seat telling Azul that it is he, the one who you love and the one who has come for you. How poetic. Back at the reception hall, Andres goes to help Mo. GSD and Katy start freaking out. Inside the car, Azul isn’t very happy about what happened. Diego says he’s taking her where they can be alone, she slaps him in the face and says he has made a big mistake. She starts screaming for help, he puts his hand on her mouth, she bites him. He finally says he didn’t want to, but she leaves him no choice, and he ties up her hands. This qualifies as a full on kidnapping, I would say. He even gags her with a scarf.

Mo is awake and angry. He orders his flunkies to get after the car. I guess they are crappy flunkies, since they just sat there until he told them to go.

The doctor looking at Ivan says any more bleeding or an infection could be deadly, it was risky to move him to Silvana’s house. He leaves his number in case of emergency. He tells her that if Ivan needs a hospital, he washes his hands of the whole deal and won’t hide anything from the police.

Andres is driving Mo, who is screaming into his cell phone. I guess it’s his security guy Frick, he’s yelling about Eva and Ivan’s bodies at him, threatening to turn him over to Boris, something or other like that. Mo is freaking out, yelling at Andres to hurry up.

Back at the reception hall, GSD tells a cop what happened. The others work on calming down Katy. Another cop shows up with the original driver, who tells how he got knocked out. Arnaldo shows up and wants to know what’s going on. GSD tells him, while still managing to be patronizing.

Mo and Andres think they have spotted the car. How? Didn’t they have like a five minute head start and Efrain was driving like a bat out of hell? How can they just stumble upon them like that?

Gloria comes home, Silvana looks appropriately nervous. She lies and says everything is fine. Gloria knows she has something in her room, she finds Ivan. Gloria sees a man in her bed, ignoring anything else.

Diego tells Azul to stop crying and kisses her, while she still has the gag. Weird.

Mo and Andres follow. Azul makes to open her door, Diego stops her. Diego tells Efrain to go around a turn and kill the lights. I would think that with the inside of the car all lit up they’d be easy to see, but Mo and Andres can’t find them. Mo, of course, blames it all on Andres.

More calming of Katy. Arnaldo and GSD comfort each other, Julio sees it and smiles. They figure that Diego has something to do with it.

Elsewhere, Efrain and Diego carry Azul like a side of beef to another car. She is struggling and trying to cry out, Diego asks her ‘are you comfortable?’ Ha. Efrain is worried about taking part in this, Diego says not to worry, it’s all on him. Yeah right. Cops don’t see things that way. Diego gives Efrain money, Efrain gives Diego some map. They hug and Diego drives off with Azul. I guess this car is a piece of crap, because Efrain has to push it for Diego to start it.

Isela and Anibal return from a date and get kissy. Gloria comes out and yells at Isela that she’s taking great care of Silvana, now she’s an alcoholic and has strange men in her bed! Anibal looks muy confused, I don’t blame him.

Manuel sleeps while Clemencia paces. She wakes him up to complain that she can’t find Diego. Manuel says he’ll show up soon enough fresh as lettuce. I guess that’s some dicho.

Gloria continues to whine. Wow we have Duelo-level scene switching today, 10 second scenes. Isela calls Gloria out as a hypocrite, asking why she is so mad about a man in the house after all of her sex hotline work. Anibal says to call him if they need any help and he leaves. The phone rings and it’s Clemencia saying that Diego is fine.

GSD gets the news that Mo saw the car but lost it. The cops found the car that Diego abandoned too.

Arnaldo tells Mo that he’ll go to his house with him, Mo says he’s not going home, he’s going to go see someone who will know what Diego is up to. I’m guessing Silvana.

Emilia is looking in on Katy, who is talking in her sleep. Metiche Emilia listens, perhaps some truth from ‘the accident’ will come out.

Silvana takes care of Ivan and tells Isela what’s going on. Gloria comes in saying someone is here for her. It’s Mo. He demands to know where Diego is with his wife.

Arnaldo and Julio show up together where GSD, Cecilia, and Ines are. They all talk about where they will sleep, etc. Julio says something to Arny about GSD not saying hello to him, but he doesn’t care because he’ll be wherever Arny needs him.

Silvana makes excuses. She plays dumb. Wait, she really is dumb. She didn’t know what Diego did, she starts whimpering and crying about it. She says she feels the same way as Mo right now, the one she loves has run off with someone else. Mo looks surprised. She says she wishes that Diego was done with Azul forever too. Finally she tells Mo that she has a sick cousin in the house so uh sorry, later.

GS helps Ines get undressed for bed. Emilia enters and wants to know if they are leaving or staying. GSD says he was helping Ines get ready for bed, Emilia says she’ll do it. GS hangs around. Emilia says “uh, helloooo, get out.”

Silvana tells Mo again to go find Diego and Azul, she has a sick cousin. She opens the door for him to leave. He asks her to tell him if she finds out anything. He tells her about Katy being so upset, just to twist the knife. Silvana begs Mo to let her see Katy. He says fine, but only if she tells him everything she knows about Diego.

Diego brings Azul to some old shack, one wall is made of bamboo, maybe it’s the same place Hipolita was being held by the pirates back in Alborada. Diego keeps talking to her all nice, not like he kidnapped her. He lets her loose and she slaps him again. She tries to leave. He tells her she can’t escape. He calls her ‘mi amor’ and she says not to call her that. He says “esta bien, mi amor.” Slightly funny. He says they are far from the car, road, cell phone signal, etc. He says now she has to listen to him.

Julio, Arny, and Cecilia chit chat before bed.

Silvana sits on the bed next to Ivan and explains to Isela why Mo can’t know that Ivan is here. Silvana says Mo is handsome and charming, but not to be trusted. They decide to give Ivan a cold bath to bring down his temperature, but there’s one problem – Gloria is sleeping in the bathroom. She won’t sleep in the living room because there are too many night visitors.

Cecilia finds blankets for Arny and Julio. She gives Julio a horrible looking pink blanket that he calls ‘espantoso’ – horrible. Julio gets nosy and looks in the closet, I guess they are in Leo’s room, and Julio says the clothes look familiar. Ceci says no duh, she bought all that stuff at Julio’s boutique. Julio said “Didn’t you tell me she went on vacation?” Ceci says yes. Julio says it’s strange that she went on vacation but left all her nice new clothes at home. Dum dum DUMMMM. Arny says yeah, and she left all her makeup, perfume, etc.

Diego tells Azul that he told her before that he wouldn’t let her go with Mo. She tries again to leave, he picks her up to stop her. He rambles on about loving her and whatever. He says again that she needs to listen to him. She finally realizes that it was him that tried to get her on the way to the wedding. Wow she’s a smart one, what took her so long? She says he can’t do anything because now she is Mo’s woman. Diego yells no, she is and will always be his (Diego’s). Wow I have to tell you that while this is supposed to be romantic or whatever, in reality it is completely psycho. Completely. Usually this exact situation starts a movie where some poor woman has to find a way to escape from her crazed stalker, who has her hidden away in a shack by the ocean. Diego goes on about how she is his woman. He starts to tell her about the bomb. He starts showing her his scars, Lethal Weapon style.

Ceci wants to know what Julio and Arny are trying to say. They say nothing, but it would take a lot of money to replace all that on a trip.

Diego goes on about the explosion. He tells Azul that Eva died. She doesn’t react. I’m sure she really wants to say “GOOD.”

Monday – Mo continues to fret, Diego and Azul continue to argue, finally Diego says that Mo had Paco and Abuelo killed. There will also be walks on the beach in a wedding dress, and surely lots of alternating making out/arguing.

Labels: amar

Disclaimer: I take full responsibility for typos and translation errors. Help is always welcome! ;-)

We revisit CL, on his knees in his office, reassuring a seated Paula that things will calm down, they won’t be beaten by whatever setbacks (contratiempos) occur, and they have to accept whatever comes. Monica’s sarcasm, offensive (hiriente) comments, whatever fury (rabia) she’s feeling. He’s not guilty for what Monica is doing. Paula, who hates being inconvenienced and prefers to feel comfy all the time, whines at him in her best nasal whine. She doesn’t like that psychological warfare. Apparently, I was not the only one who thought Monica’s praise for her dress was a subtle commentary on appropriate office wear. Paula only wants peace. He tries to hug her and she pushes him away. She whines a little more and he kisses her hands.

In the garage, Juan is taking a stand with the boys on resigning. Kike asks what the Doña wanted. She wanted him not to resign, Juan retorts. The boys look at him in disbelief. Juan wonders what’s with the two of them, he’s always told them the truth. The looks get more intense. Fern tries to say something and Juan holds his hands out: at the moment, he’s not into games. Kike hands him the resignation letter. Juan signs it while Kike asks about Monica trying to get Juan not to resign. Juan blathers on rapidly and says he’s going because he’s going. He asserts that he’s good for his word. Excuuuuse me. He puts his jacket on, grasps The Letter in his right hand using his best pincer grip, and stalks off with the print facing any oncoming folks. The boys scoff and chuckle.

Juan walks through the lobby where all the world’s a stage, carrying his letter so anyone who walks by can see it clearly on the fly. His jaw is set, his shoulders back, his posture ramrod straight. He’s a man on a mission. He makes a 90 degree turn toward Pastor’s office. Reminds me of all those years in the marching band in high school. Paula has come out of CL’s office and speaks across the lobby to ensure that Juan and everyone else can hear her ask him to stop a second because they need to talk. He looks over his shoulder and hears Nidia’s voice echoing in her head, telling him to get tough (amarrárte los calzones - hitch up his trousers), never give up (because of) the pain love causes, and look his enemy in the eye. He makes a sharp military turn back to her, and asks her to excuse him but he’s on his way to give Pastor his resignation letter, after that, he’ll be pleased to talk to her. Paula tells him that’s exactly what she wants to discuss, that letter. She walks him a few steps across the lobby, like that’ll muffle the conversation. He tells her there is nothing to discuss. She stops him, with Ivonne looking on raptly from behind them. He wants to know what she wants. She wants him to listen before he talks to Pastor. They fuss a little and she tells him that she doesn’t want him to make a decision under such pressure. He tells her it’s better for everyone, especially her. She tells him no. Ivonne’s blurry face reminds us that she’s recording this conversation for posterity. Paula finally tells him she doesn’t want him to go, she needs him here. He asks her to please let him do what he has to do. Leave things where they stand (de este tamaño, of this size, “where they stand” is my best guess at interpretation). He excuses himself and the lobby potatoes all watch him move slowly toward Pastor’s office, no military precision involved. Paula’s extreme profile moves toward her office, almost in a trance, while Marely frowns at the scene. Ivonne smiles like the cat with the canary but catches herself and pastes on a judgmental glare toward Marely.

A knock at the door sends Pastor into a frenzy of putting his make-up kit away, cleverly disguised as a book. Juan comes in with his letter still gripped tightly in the first two fingers and thumb of his right hand. Pastor wants to know how he can help, and Juan shows his letter of resignation. Pastor sighs and tells him to quit with the jokes already. Juan tells him it’s no joke, it’s for real. “What does it mean?” “What it looks like! My resignation.” Juan tells Pastor he’s leaving Farell Industries, and it’s ire…..irre…. Pastor helps out – irrevocable. Yep, that’s it. That’s what it is. Juan sets his jaw and Pastor shakes his head, impactado and frustrated. [Ed. Note: oh, heck, Pastor, you’ve been frustrated since you first laid eyes on the boy.] Juan’s letter falls onto the desk so we can almost read it.

Marely brings Paula a bottle of water (green office not) from the cupboard and tells Paula she has to do something to calm herself because everyone has noticed and is talking. Paula says I don't care two hoots (me importa un pepino) about what they think. Marely says excuse me, but these scenes in front of all the employees are causing you to lose respect [Ed. Note: that could be a mild understatement]. Paula wants to know what she’s supposed to do? She’s desperate, feeling she’s mistaken all the time. Marely wants to know if this is about Juan. Paula tells her Juan’s taken his resignation letter to Pastor. Marely tells Paula she knows Paula doesn’t want Juan to go—is it a feeling of guilt? Yes, Paula affirms, and lots more. Marely is worried and wants to know what that means. She tries to convince Paula that she should let him go, because it would be better for him, for CL, for Paula herself. Paula turns, her hands on hips, with way more décolletage than the law allows at work, and retorts that it may be so for them, but definitely not good for her. She’s accustomed to his presence, seeing him every day, his conversation, his little gestures, that smile. Marely protest softly that Paula had promised her…..Paula retorts that she doesn’t want to have something with him, but she doesn’t want to see him go because he means something to her. (El es algo in mi vida – he is something in my life). A brother, a cousin, Paula doesn’t know. Marely looks muy worried about the doesn’t know part.

Pastor wants to know why this decision? Juan whirls around to face him at his desk and retorts that he has nothing more to do there. Pastor points out he can better himself, and study, etc. Juan says he’s going out to better himself and return when the time is right. Pastor gets to the point; does this have something to do with the Licenciada Paula and Don CL? Juan admits it does, he can’t lie. Pastor tells him it’s a bad idea, and he wants to give him some advice. Now is the time when he should least want to throw in the towel. Now is when Juan should fight. What? Fight? It was lost as soon as it started, Juan retorts. Pastor points out if he leaves, he’s leaving the woman he loves in the arms of someone who doesn’t suit her, who isn’t worthy of her. If he really wants to do something for her, the best thing he can do is stay. He can defend her from Don CL, who is going to give her pain! Juan thinks it’s out of his hands. Pastor says it’s not. Juan won’t know a moment of tranquility knowing that he could have saved her from the clutches (garras) of the wolf and he didn’t. Pastor tells Juan he’ll never forgive himself. He points out that even if the Licenciada isn’t for him, not to leave her with someone who doesn’t deserve her. Juan’s unhappiness will be his biggest setback. Juan is impactado and pensive.

Ivonne, always the bearer of glad tidings, is making sure that CL is fully informed of the office grapevine’s activity. She wants to make sure that CL knows how Paula begged Juan not to go in full view of all the lobby potatoes (Lobby lizards? Lobbyists?). She was d*** near on her knees. Everyone saw it. CL tells her “Ivonne, I’m not interested.” She tells him he should be, because this scene was beyond work-related. “You think?” “No, I don’t think, I KNOW.” She tells him his adored Paula is capable of wiping the floor to make sure that Juan stays, and CL hasn’t realized it. He chuckles but there’s no smile. He points out she’s lacking one small detail. The idea for Juan to stay in the company was CL’s, not Paula’s. It was CL who tried to convince Juan to stay. [Ed. Note: ¡MentirOso!] Ivonne scoffs. CL makes a cutting retort and tells her if she doesn’t have anything else to impart, he’d deeply appreciate her leaving him alone, because she gives him grief. She turns, disgusted. He keeps working on his papers.

Pastor isn’t accepting Juan’s letter. He hands it back. Juan yells that he can’t keep torturing himself. Pastor yells back that one only has to pay attention to what the heart says, and Juan’s heart is yelling at him to stay. Juan says he’s not paying any attention to that yell from his heart. Pastor tells him to pay attention to his feelings. He tells Juan to consult with his pillow (sleep on it) and delay the decision. Juan retorts through gritted teeth that he knows exactly what he will do tomorrow. Pastor tells him if that’s right, he won’t insist more, but give it just one more day. Juan takes The Letter back.

We find Marely in the ladies’ room, waiting until the others clear out (one apparently walked out of the stall and passed by the sinks, so her hands are still dirty. Blech.) Marely tells herself that “she loves him. Say what she will, Paula loves him.” She looks like she could hyperventilate, pobrecita.

Juan leaves Pastor’s office with The Letter still grasped in the pincer grip. Could it be that he thinks it’s poison and doesn’t want to hold it too tightly? He thought bubbles that Pastor is right. He thought bubbles on and I don’t understand, folks. But Ivonne interrupts his flow of thought, and lets him know that Don CL wants Juan in his office. Juan grits and grinds his teeth, this guy is so inconvenient! He greets Ivonne “bombon” and goes in….awkwardly opening the door with his left hand since his right still carries The Letter like a flag in front of him. At your orders, Patron, he tells CL. CL gives him the “hail fellow, well met” smile and greeting. CL wants to know if Juan wants a drink. Juan declines and sits. CL tells Juan he’s just found out that Juan wants to leave Farell. Is that right? CL grins ear to ear. Juan affirms it, and thrusts The Letter forward. CL puts it on the desk, he’s going to be direct. Juan tells him he’s listening. CL pastes on his biggest fake smile and tells Juan he doesn’t want Juan to leave. Better stated, CL isn’t going to accept The Letter. Juan looks up, muy confused. Then wary. Then commercial.

CL asks him what he thinks. He points out that Juan needs to think about how difficult it is to find work. Here he has a secure salary, and what’s more, if he stays, he’s going to move up. There’ll be a raise, and more favorable conditions. How does being the assistant to Licenciado Perafán sound? Juan is muy impactado. He thought bubbles about how strange this is. The big boss is begging him not to go? Juan tells himself he’s not such a blockhead. There’s definitely something fishy going on here (a cat trapped). It has to be Licenciada Paula intervened. But Juan wants to stay far from his “ex.” He hears Pastor’s voice exhorting him that Juan shouldn’t leave Paula in the wolf’s clutches. He’ll never forgive himself. He sees the scene in his head. He tells CL, okay, I’ll stay, but there is one condition. CL laughs and pastes on the fake smile again. Sure, whatever Juan wants, CL is here to serve. Juan thanks him, and tells CL the condition is that he remains the chauffeur for the Licenciada Paula. CL is muy, but muy, impactado.

Nidia is sitting on the desk, her phone at her ear. She asks Paula if she can see her at Paula’s house at 8:00 p.m.? Paula isn’t so sure. What’s it about? Nidia is coy; she doesn’t want to discuss it by phone. They’ll see each other in person. Paula tries to beg off; her Mami just got home and she doesn’t want….Nidia interrupts. They’ll just have a little cup of coffee….Yadi comes in behind Nidia, suspicious of this call. Nidia wants her to be on time; she doesn’t want to be kept waiting. They hang up, and Yadi, arms crossed, wants to know what she is doing with Paula Dávila. Nidia says it’s private. She tells Yadi not to be a busybody because that’s just ugly. Yadi is incensed. They face off with glares.

CL has recovered slightly from his impactado state. He stands and buttons his jacket, a sure sign of exerting power, In My Experience. CL’s surprised that Juan would want to remain a…..chauffeur, when he has the possibility of moving up in this company. He raises his eyebrows so Juan will know it’s a Bad Choice. Juan passionately tells CL that as much as he wants to accept this wonderful post that CL is offering, and move up in the company….CL asks “well?” Juan continues that he doesn’t yet feel capable of taking on such a great charge, he wants to keep studying, improving his skills and take it easy (pian)….CL interrupts and tells him it’s the main reason why he should be becoming familiar with all the activities of the business, get this experience. Juan gets up, and tells CL he doesn’t know how much Juan appreciates this opportunity, and he would never want to get on CL’s bad side, who believes so much in Juan……CL asks if that’s his final answer. Juan says it is. He asks CL to excuse his insolence, but he’s staying a chauffeur. If not, he’s leaving. CL is NOT a happy camper.

Kike is giving Delirio a lesson in pugilism. Apparently, Delirio has asked for help, and Kike’s just the man. He tells Delirio he’ll teach him. Kike batters at Delirio and exhorts him, explaining how it’s done: kicks and headbutts (cabezazos). Rocky-like music plays in the garage. Delirio is ecstatic. He tells Kike that he wants Kike to be his personal trainer. Both wave their arms around and talk about how it’s going to be. Delirio says in this life one has to learn everything, and if Kike is an expert, he’s going to put himself into Kike’s blessed hands. Delirio is so pleased he’s got someone to teach him, and Kike does a 180 and tells him “nope.” Delirio is impactado; he thought it was all sewn up. Kike tells Delirio he’s a peaceful guy (cuate). He doesn’t like rows (brawls) [Disclaimer: the next part is translated but not likely to be an accurate interpretation into English!!!] and when he has fought, they split his cheese up well. He’s a very bad (remalo) spinning top (Soy remalo para el trompo). Slang notwithstanding, the bottom line is he’s not teaching Delirio to box. Delirio wants to know who can help him learn; he has such an urgency (premura) to learn. Kike doesn’t know anyone, but he wants to know what’s up, why so much haste? Delirio tells him case closed and filed. Since you’re not the one who’s going to teach me, I’m out of here. He bids Kike farewell and takes off. Kike speculates on who might be the target. He’s got it figured out—it must be Juan.

Paula is asking Marely if she knows what Nidia wants. Marely has no idea and Paula thinks it’s pretty strange. They can’t figure it out, and CL bursts in with Juan, who is STILL hauling around his letter grasped in two fingers and thumb. CL explains that Juan is staying with them. Paula beams and stands. She tells Juan how happy that makes her. He scowls as CL describes how he offered a promotion, a raise, and Juan was insistent; he turned it all down. He wants to stay her chauffeur and there is no human power to convince change his mind. Paula bites her lip and smiles a little. “Ay, amor” plays in the background as we see The Letter.

Turns out, The Letter is actually with Juan in Pastor’s office. Since Juan’s right hand is full of The Letter, and Pastor is pumping Juan’s left hand with both of his own, congratulating Juan on this decision. Juan wonders if he really had another option. Pastor wonders if his words struck a chord. Juan tells him more than Pastor probably realized. He couldn’t leave the Licenciada Paula at this time, even if she never is his. Pastor is glad he did it in time to save her, and to save himself. Juan scoffs—save himself? He doubts it. But, he’ll see what he can do. Pastor tells Juan to count on him and Juan thanks him.

Juan goes down the stairs to the garage, and as he enters the area where Kike and Fern are hanging out (do they ever work?), Juan tears up The Letter. Kike, who probably spent forever typing the blessed thing, wonders qué the heck Juan is doing. Juan drops pieces into the waste can. Juan says he’s pitching The Letter of resignation. Kike asks if that means he’s not going, and Juan confirms it. The Patron begged him to stay. Oh, sure, Fern tells him. Juan says it’s true! CL told him he’s an indispensable part of this company! It they don’t’ believe him they only have to go upstairs and ask. It’s the gossip of the day! Fern and Kike look at each other. They think this must mean he got a raise at the very least. Juan explains that CL offered him and executive position, but Juan’s not an opportunist, and he’s going to be what he’s always been (at least since June), a chauffeur. That’s what it takes to make him happy, to be a chauffeur. Kike rubs his neck. Juan excuses himself and the boys stare after him dubiously. They look at each other and make that scoffing noise they do so well in harmony.

CL wants to know if Juan’s attitude doesn’t seem pretty weird to Paula. She says it doesn’t, it’s pretty normal. [Ed. Note: Right.] They argue about what’s going on with Juan. CL thinks it’s stupid, and Paula thinks Juan just wants to be more prepared for a promotion. CL tells her no one’s buying this. (Eso cuento no se lo come nadie, no one is eating this story). He tells her Juan just accepted this because he wants to stay close to her. She scoffs but smiles.

Kike tells Juan he should have accepted the raise and promotion that CL offered. Juan denies this. He didn’t stay for the money. He stayed to fight for Paula. Here we go again, Kike tells him. Juan says this is the final battle.

Paula and CL are still going to it; she wants to know what he’s always making these absurd conjectures. CL asserts that Juan wants revenge. He doesn’t want to lose. Paula points out that now CL is the paranoid one. She doesn’t think those are Juan’s intentions at all. CL wants to know why she thinks that. But of course, everything that Juan does, Paula will see as up front, transparent. Paula tells him to drop the jealousy. CL tells her he sees it, Juan is her hero. She retorts that’s not true. He says it sure is, and this cretin is still feeding his hopes and you’re helping. She tells CL that’s enough. He dives across her desk at her, and grabs her hand to kiss it. He begs her to marry him. Just about the time we think he could actually be sincere, he gets the wolf grin on his face. Paula looks at him warily, yet there’s a little triumph in her eyes.

Juan and Kike walk around the garage, Juan’s arm on Kike’s shoulder. Kike tells Juan he won’t be insistent because once Juan has an idea in his head, no one can convince Juan otherwise. Kike changes the subject to tell Juan about someone who came to see him. “He asked me to teach him to fight, to box….” “Who?” Juan’s inquiring mind wants to know. Kike tells him it was Licenciado Perafán. He wants to come after you. Juan is impactado. That’s what he told you? Kike denies it, the truth is he didn’t say exactly that. He indicates that’s what it must mean, though. Juan says that’s all he needed to make the picture of tragedies complete. Kike says it’s Juan’s brawl now, but suggests he talks with the Lic to avoid problems. Juan agrees he would have to do that. He makes a gunslinger move.

Paula wonders if CL is feeling all right. Doesn’t he realize what he’s proposing? He says he does. Paula tells him matrimony isn’t a game. It’s not something you just decide to do one day to the next. Why not? CL wants to know. Well, because those are heavy words, it’s a tremendous commitment. [Ed. Note: Well, we all knew that Paula hasn’t been paying much attention or she’d know that CL has never viewed marriage as a tremendous commitment.] She yells at him some more and tells him not to pressure her. He tries to persuade her, and she yells some more about him not pressuring her. He grabs her hands again, and tells her he only needs to be sure of one thing: love. The love he feels for her. She takes her hand back and turns away, muttering to herself. He follows her around the desk and puts his arms around her, trying to turn her head back toward him, telling Paula he adores her. He’s loved her since the first second he saw her. When he lost her, he almost died. He’s never been so sure of anything except that he loves her. Etc., Etc., Etc. Paula says she’s afraid; he’s so jealous. There not an adequate reason to marry him. Plus he’s STILL married to Monica. They argue more. He wants to know if they don’t deserve to be happy.

There’s a knock at Pastor’s door, and an unsmiling Moni is ushered in. Pastor tries his best to make her welcome, toady that he is when it suits him. Pastor wonders how he can help her, why did she come? Two things: to congratulate him on resolving everything with CL, and she appreciates his intentions to find out if everyone in the company knew except her. Her tone of voice suggests she doesn’t believe for a minute that he intended to find out for her. Moni says she’s referring to the “adventures” of the big boss. Pastor stops toadying and has the good grace to look guilty. However, he swears he knew nothing. Moni isn’t buying it. She points out that no one in the company moves a paper without him knowing it. She likes that. She relaxes a little and Pastor warily tells her he admires the maturity and dignity with which she’s handling things. Moni tells him she’s not going to fool him. She’s not so mature as he thinks. That’s all she had to say to him, and she excuses herself. Pastor is left looking after her warily.

Juan is taking Paula home. He thought bubbles that he wonders what his Licenciada is thinking about so seriously, because she hasn’t said a word since they left the office. He wonders if she’s thinking about him, and all the blunders (regadas) she’s made with him, and that’s why she’s feeling like a shoe (???). She wants to know why he didn’t accept the position CL offered. He thought bubbles that he didn’t want to tell her the truth, and then he tells her he wants to study, prepare himself, before he accepts a position of such responsibility. She wants to know if that’s it, or is there anything more. He tells her that’s it. Why? She fumbles around and tells him it might have been for her. Juan thought bubbles that if she wants him to say that he stayed because he adores her forever and forever, she’s very wrong. He basically tells her that was then and this is now, and he knows perfectly well the difference between the work relationship and a personal one. She protests she didn’t mean that. He tells her he learned his lesson very well. Moreover, he’s going to handle his emotions perfectly well. What’s more, she will have no kind of conflict with Juan Dominguez Coral. She smiles a little and tells him it’s very good to know that, and sighs deeply.

At Paula’s, Juan lets her out of the car and she says she’ll see him on Monday. He doesn’t make eye contact as she goes to her gate. She calls him as he walks around the car; she just wants him to know that having him near her calms her, and she thanks him for staying. He thought bubbles to his saint that these tests confuse him more.

CL has his customary drink as the dark overtakes the D. F. The bell rings and he welcomes Moni to the apartment. He thanks her for coming; she thinks she had no other option. CL acknowledges that. She’s dressed for a cocktail party; good thing, he’s got one ready. She tells him “what kindness.” He cheerily asks if she wants a drink. She says no and takes off her coat; we note that she has a little black dress in her wardrobe, and it suits her way better than the Mrs. Claus suit. He asks her to sit and Moni responds that she supposes this isn’t exactly a social visit, right? They chitchat, and she asks if this is the time when he’ll ask her to come back. No. CL says that since their lawyers have communicated, here’s the divorce paperwork for them to sign. She looks a little disgusted.

Nidia has arrived at Ana’s home, and is drinking a cup of coffee. She asks Paula if Paula is sure she wouldn’t like to go out to a café. Paula says no, her mother called to say she’d be late, and they really wants to see her. Nidia asks for Paula’s pardon for meddling in her life, but lamentably, she can’t keep her mouth shut. Juan is Nidia’s friend. No, he’s more like a son, really, and she can’t stand to see him suffer. He’s changed into a sad man, distressed (acongojado). He’s like a ghost, wandering about the house without rhyme or reason (sin ton ni son). Nidia’s soul aches because he’s carrying a very deep pain in his heart. Paula gives her a guilty look. The love this man feels for you, Nidia continues, is killing him. Ana is slipping in the door behind them, and overhears Nidia’s voice. Paula tries to interrupt, but Nidia continues that Paula says that CL is the man who interests her, but when a woman accepts sharing the bed with a man, it’s for something. Ana stops and listens a second, and decides to move back into the shadows and listen more. Nidia tells Paula she’s sure she’s one of those women who gives in on account of love. Nidia looks at her hopefully and Paula won’t make eye contact. Ana has her customary frown as she holds herself against the wall just inside the door.

Moni looks at the divorce papers and tells CL there are several things she wants her attorney to see. CL agrees, but as quickly as possible, please. Why such a rush, CL? CL can’t make eye contact and admits he wants to marry Paula as soon as possible. Moni bitterly tells him this marriage won’t work. CL tells her he’s going to run that risk. She reminds him that what begins badly, ends badly. If Paula was his lover, they were in agreement with their infidelity; it could happen again. He tells her perhaps, she’s right, but he’s only going to discover by living and fully committing. He’s not going to live with speculation and fear. He could be defeated, but he has to do it. Moni tells him that the ghost of his first marriage will always be there, and Paula will never live calmly, thinking that history could repeat itself (the same thing that you did to me, could happen again). He chuckles without humor; is she condemning before it even begins? She accuses him of playing the adolescent, looking for passion, love, ideals that don’t exist. He’s losing what he’s built—what they’ve built together –with such strength. Just to begin from square zero with a woman he barely knows. CL tells Moni “I love her. I love her. For me that’s more than enough.” Moni knows she’s lost the war. She slaps the papers down on the table, and stands to announce that everything in life ends. He agrees, and says unfortunately their relationship is at an end, which he regrets. The last thing he wants in this world is to give her pain. But, this is something he has to do. She says she supposes that he’s not going to recognize his mistakes until he crashes with the consequences. Moni tells CL if he’s worried she’s going to deny him the divorce, don’t worry. He can count on it from this moment. She wishes him much luck, because she knows he’s going to need it. She stalks to her coat, and he tries to call her back. She can’t go like this. She tells him to have his lawyer send her the papers; she’ll sign them, and be well. He tries to call her back again, half heartedly and sighing, while she stalks out.

Nidia asks Paula if that was it—love? Paula says she understands Nidia’s worry, but her feelings for Juan are very complicated. Why? Because at times it’s not easy to define how one feels. Nidia tells her “you care about him.” Paula admits she cares about him a lot, or better said, she admires him, esteems him. Ana shakes her head in dismay. Paula says she can’t see him as her boyfriend, the man for her life. Nidia says she’s going to tell Paula a story, so she’ll realize that at times we women are blockheads and don’t think clearly (think with our legs). Paula smiles. When she was young, (not a long time ago, of course) she had gobs of suitors…she describes the long list white, black, tall, short….. there was one insignificant fellow who was hopelessly in love with her. But she wasn’t so much in love with him. Ana is listening raptly back in her corner, too. Nidia loved to play hard to get (me chiqueaba), and he put up with her whims, gave her gifts, told her she was lovely. But, this man wasn’t worth her trouble because he was poor. Then, when she married Samuel (Ana looks startled), Nidia realized that a love like this man had for her, she would never have again in this life. And because she had aimed at something “more lofty” she let the happiness of love escape her. She chuckles a little sadly and asks Paula what she thinks, now Nidia is rich and powerful. Paula smiles gently and tells her it’s a shame, and wipes a tear away. Ana looks a bit sad, too. Nidia tells Paula the same might happen to her. True, most men aren’t worth the trouble, but she shouldn’t be turning her back on Nidia’s Juanito. He’s worth gold. Paula smiles and responds she knows full well he’s worth a lot, but she’s in love with César Luis Farell. Nidia fusses at her that with this man, she’s going to suffer the rest of her days. She tells Paula she knows what she’s talking about.

Juan comes into the dining room to find Alirio, and greets him warmly. Juan’s so glad to see him because they have to talk seriously. About what? How did it occur to you to ask Enrique to teach you to fight? Do you think that blows are going to resolve differences? You’re a learned man, a lawyer, don’t you feel ashamed? Alirio protests—“okay, but when I can’t see another way, blows!” Juan interrupts and they fuss at each other, with Juan demonstrating his muscle strength until Alirio finally realizes Juan thinks Alirio wants to fight with him. What? This matter has nothing to do with you, Juanito! No? No! The person Alirio wants to give a good lesson about strength is NOT Juan. But it is someone from the office. Alirio doesn’t want to be humiliated by those despicable people, that’s why he needs an instructor. Juan says, permit me. He runs to close the door. Alirio should have told him this before. Alirio is excited; here’s his help. He gets up from the table, and Juan shows him how it’s like a dance. They choreograph feet and hands. [Ed. Note: I hope Alirio isn’t considering Bailando por La Boda; he’s not ready.] Juan gives him a pep talk and coaches the moves. “That’s it!” Alirio asks “you would do this for me?” “Yes, because I don’t like injustices.” He chuckles about Alirio’s moves and tells him he’d just better sit and finish dinner. He’ll teach Alirio the theory tonight and tomorrow they’ll practice. Juan wants to know whose the subject in question. Alirio won’t tell, it’s not important, his lips are sealed. Juan says that’s not important, but he just needs to be ready for the world title…..in…..featherweight. (pescuezo pluma, feather neck, my best guess). He touches Alirio’s tummy and tells him to eat the chicken, it’s protein.

Nidia remarks that it should suit her that Paula’s ended up in CL’s arms. Paula asks why she’s saying this. Well, she dares to say it because she cares so much about Juan. And about Paula. A horn sounds, and Nidia says it’s her taxi. She picks up her purse and thanks Paula for the coffee, while Ana scrambles off through a door near the front. Nidia asks Paula to think about it; it’s easy for Nidia to give her advice that she forget Juan exists, but that boy loves you so well! Nidia minces away and turns back, wagging her finger at Paula. “And you, you’re not indifferent!” And there’s nothing you can do against it! Paula smiles uncomfortably and tells Nidia she’ll walk her out. Nidia asks her to give regards to Ana, and they exchange parting chitchat. Nidia tells her to think about it well. Paula smiles, sighs, and closes the door as Nidia goes to the taxi. Somehow, Ana zips out of her hiding place after Paula is out of sight, and catches Nidia. Nidia is impactada and Ana says she heard part of it. If Nidia doesn’t want her anxiety to mount, she needs to tell Ana qué the heck is going on. Nidia drags her into the cab and the viejas go off to a café for a chat.

Ana wants to know why Nidia didn’t call her to let her know about all this. Nidia says it was because she thought Ana knew about Juan’s and Paula’s “engagement.” Ana says the only thing she knew is that this girl promised to talk to Juan. And she ended up more involved with him. Nidia adds that she’s destroying his heart when it wasn’t necessary. Now that CL is getting a divorce, her Juanito is going to be the leftover (sobrando). Ana had no idea. She shakes her head sadly. Nidia wonders why Samuel left them both with such willful daughters, such obstinate ones. Well, yes, Ana agrees. She tells Nidia she knows CL won’t make Paula happy. She knows it, can just feel it. And there’s nothing she can do to prevent it from continuing. Nidia agrees, and trying to chase after the girls is much worse. Just look at Yadira, thanks be to God she’s going to get married. Ana’s frown deepens and they mournfully stir their coffee.

Paula sits on her bed, haunted by Nidia’s voice. With this man, you’ll suffer for the rest of your days. I know what I’m talking about. Paula bites her lip and thinks. She hears her mother saying that she’ll never believe in this man; anyone who lies once always lies.

In the morning Ana is getting ready to go out when Paula comes down from bed. Paula wants to go with her mother, but Ana prefers to go alone. They give each other a kiss and Paula goes off to the kitchen while Ana goes to the front door. She opens it and CL walks right in. Ana glares at him. CL greets her and apologizes for showing up without an invite. Paula turns at his voice—she’s got her fetching shorty robe on, so maybe Ana is going to stay home? CL tells Ana it’s necessary for him to speak with her. Ana purses her lips. Whatever. Paula looks distinctly nervous. CL tells Ana that above all, he loves her daughter. Paula looks irritated. CL continues that he’s not going to commit the errors of the past again. Ana asks if he’s sure. CL says he wants to marry Paula. Everyone faces off and we are reminded that any similarity to real life is purely coincidental.

Monday: Will Paula say yes? Will Juan haunt her? Will Marely’s heart be dashed to bits again?

Vocabulary

Contratiempo – setback
Hiriente – offensive, wounding
Amarrárte los calzones – hitch up your trousers, get tough
Me importa un pepino – I don’t care two hoots (also on our list that Sylvia posted on 11-3-7)
Garras – clutches, paw, bite
Consultar con la almohada – sleep on it (consult with the pillow)
Pian - take it easy
Cabezazos – headbutts
Entrenador – coach, trainer
Cuate – guy
Premura – urgency
Eso cuenta no se lo come nadie - no one is buying this story (no one is eating this story)
Regadas - blunders
Acongojado – distressed
Sin ton ni son - without rhyme or reason
Me chiqueaba - to play hard to get
Pescuezo pluma – featherweight boxer (feather neck, my best guess is featherweight)
Sobrando – leftover

Jeanne

Labels: Juan

Labels: Destilando

Here are some fun and interesting phrases that have popped up in our telenovelas over the past few months. They are mostly new but there might be one or two repeats. A huge shout out to Maricruz for holding our hands through many of these translations, and to Judy B. and other beloved commenters for your input and assist with the vocabulary.

Caray, Caray recappers...a big high five to you all for making these telenovelas fun and...ahem...dare I say educational? Enjoy!

ahogarse en un vaso de agua = to make a mountain out of a molehill (Lit. to drown oneself in a glass of water)

“Al quirófano y al matrimonio no hay que meterse sin anesthesia” = to the operating room and to marriage you can’t enter without anesthesia.

Blanco es, gallina lo pone, y frito con pan se come. = This is a Mexican riddle and is trying to make the point that the answer was obvious. The riddle would be; it is white, a hen lays it, you fry it and eat it with bread.

Chinches bravas! = How annoying! Shoot! (At first we thought this meant “brave bedbugs”, but MariCruz set us straight: 'I just realized yesterday why Juan keeps on saying chinches bravas! He is using the word "chinches" in stead of the offensive word "chin", like somebody would use shoot in stead of sh*t, (you know what I mean). The word “chin” is not that offensive per say, but depending on how you use it could mean f***. For example the worst offense that somebody could tell you is "Ve a c***gar a tu madre" [I'm blushing here] you get the idea. No wonder Juan changed it to chinches bravas.')


como agua para chocolate = hopping mad, fizzing, about to explode (Lit. like water to chocolate, referring to [I think] if you put water in a pot of melted chocolate it will fizzle and make the entire pot of chocolate seize up into an unmovable mess)

dar alguien una sopa de su propio chocolate = give someone a taste of their own medicine (Lit. give someone a soup of their own chocolate)

dar el ancho = to be up to the challenge. (Lit. to give it wide or big?) “No se si des el ancho para dirigir la compañía”. I’m not sure if you are up to the challenge to be the new company director.

estar hecho polvo – to be really down, shattered (Lit. to be made into dust)

Estoy tan perdido como un volante sin un poste = I’m as lost as a flyer without a pole. (referring to “Los Voladores de Papantla”)

hablando del rey de roma = speaking of the devil (lit. speaking of the king of Rome)

hacer la barba = to suck up to (Lit. to give the beard “El nuevo empleado es un barbero, le hizo la barba al jefe" The new employee is a suck up, he sucked up to the boss”

hacer la vista gorda = to turn a blind eye (Lit. to give the fat look)

hacer de tripas corazón = to pluck up one's courage (Lit. make heart from tripe)

irse de nachas al piso = fall on one’s sword, fall down butt first (Lit. to put one’s butt on the floor)

jugar el todo por el todo = to bet everything, be all in (Lit. to play everything for everything)

“ladron que roba a ladron, cien años de perdon” = a thief who robs from a thief gets a hundred years of forgiveness

Ley de Hielo = To give someone the silent treatment (Lit: the Law of Ice)

mandar a la goma = tell someone to get lost (Lit. send them to the rubber)

El martillo implacable del destino cuelga sobre mí = The implacable hammer of destiny hangs over me, i.e. the Acme anvil, the sword of Damocles

matar la víbora en Viernes = to get lucky (Lit. to kill the snake on Friday)

me devuelve el alma al cuerpo = I’m relieved (Lit. my soul has returned to my body)

me importa un pepino = I couldn't care less (pepino = cucumber)

me salio el tiro por la culata = my plan backfired on me (Lit. I got shot in the butt?)

meterse en camisa de once varas = to complicate things unnecessarily, to bite off more than one can chew. (Lit. to get into a shirt of eleven sticks?)

mucho tilin tilin y nada de patas = all talk and no action (Lit. a lot of ringy-dingy but no legs)

multiplicarme por cero = make myself scarce (Lit. multiply myself by zero)

no alborotes el gallinero = don’t make things worse (Lit. don’t frighten the henhouse)

no hay peor ciego que el que no quiere ver = there are none so blind as those who will not see.

no te pongas tus moños = don’t be picky, don’t give yourself airs (Lit. don’t put your hair in a bun)

no tiene ni vela en este entierro = somebody innocent (Lit. somebody without a candle in this funeral)

un ojo de hormiga = someone so far out of mind they are as small as an ant’s eye, out of sight out of mind (Lit. an ant’s eye)

otra vez la burra al trigo = he/she’s back to her old tricks (Lit. the female donkey is going again to the wheat)

ponerse las pilas = get one's act together (Lit. put on the batteries)

¿Que desayunamos alacranes? = Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed? (Lit. Did we breakfast with the scorpions?)

qué la importa un comino = she doesn’t give a d**n (Lit. a grain of cumin isn’t important to her)

rascarse la barriga = to twiddle one's thumbs, laze around (lit. to scratch one's belly)

Se me fue el santo al cielo = time flew by and I did not realize it (Lit. the saint left me and went to heaven) I know it doesn’t make much sense, but I think this expression was used to denote that time flew by because when you are watching a heavenly vision you lose the sense of time.

ser un cero a la izquierda = to be worthless, no good (Lit. one zero to the left)

sin dinero no baila el perro = he/she needs money (Lit. without money the dog doesn’t dance)

¿Soltaste la sopa? = Did you spill the beans? (Lit. Did you let the soup out?)

tener mala leche = to be a complete jerk (Lit. to have bad milk)

¿Todavía andas derrapando por Yadira?— Are you still crazy about Yadira?” (Lit. Are you still skidding along for Yadira?)

usted dice rana y yo salto = I’m ready for whatever you need (Lit. You call frog and I jump)

vete a ver si ya puso la marrana = get lost, go fly a kite, don’t just stand there, do something (Lit. go see if the sow laid an egg)

(By the way, please feel free to correct or improve upon any of these if I have missed the boat so to say.)

Labels: amar, Destilando, Juan, Vocabulary