Caray, Caray!

Wow. Where to start? This was one hot episode. Lots of action and near action and promise of things to come. Good stuff.

First, the obligatory rehash: Monita and Paula chase off bosomy Anastacia. Only Monita brings Mau his coffee, thank you very much! And in Mau's office, a proud Aldo tells him he passed the entrance exam, while a wily Connie horns in on the hug and the celebration....just in time for Moni to enter and have her romantic hopes dashed again. Both Mau and Moni look stricken but Connie doesn't release her death grip on his arm.

Now the new: Fetching codependant Estrella is trying to save Moni by searching out the incriminating letter from Mau. Nieves, lurking in the shadows says "Looking for this?" Whoops.

Connie, playing her trump card, says she'll arrange a celebration dinner at the house for Aldo. Mau has that "close your eyes and think of England" grimace on his face à la MEPS and Fernando. And Connie, like her counterpart Errika, either doesn't notice or doesn't care.

A distraught Moni runs into the new Italian client, Señor Vichy, with the coffee and spills it all over his well-filled jacket. She's apologetic and wants to get some stain remover. He's intrigued and is hardly giving her enough room to breathe, much less do any dry cleaning. Mau meanwhile is fuming with jealousy. Great! let's ratchet up the testosterone right here right now. Food fight!

And speaking of food, Connie is lamenting that Moni is like badly medicated salmonella poisoning...she leaves, she comes back, she leaves, she reappears. Cozying up to those kids is driving her crazy. Crazzzzeeeeee! she adds when Jeri remonstrates that she shouldn't let her neurosis interfere with long-term strategy. Poor Connie.

Our lovable Beto (can't help it) wanders in to work late, after sleeping off his drunk. Grumbles a bit about the task Gabi assigns him till she reminds him that's why they pay him a salary. And you, Moni...run off 80 copies both sides of this, Gabi adds.

Alright. A still prickly Mauricio, with Sal's help, is attempting to hold a civilized meeting with hunkalicious Vichy. But our sexy Italian excuses himself right in the middle of the meeting to "make a phone call". Mau isn't fooled. Sure 'nough, the hound heads straight for the coffee room and is trying to ask Moni out for dinner and who knows what else! Mau knows. And he doesn't like it. There's some bickering back and forth and Moni pulls another flounce out. Mau just shakes his head and wonders why she didn't come with an instruction manual...'cause he sure doesn't understand her. Beto, who just came in the room, thinks this is a stitch.

A brief scene in Jeri's office where we learn, yet again, that Anastacia has Sal eating out of her hand and is ready to move in for the kill, per Oscar's oily instructions. Jeri barges in with Vichy, who appears to momentarily stumble over Anastacia's projectiles, and then the three men sit down to discuss business.

And Estrella...whew, she's all business too. In fact she's been haggling with Nieves for three hours to get the letter back. We hear her final arguments. Yes, Moni is fond of Beto. That's why she's having such a hard time breaking up with him. BUT SHE DOESN'T LOVE HIM! You can't make somebody love another person. And do you want Beto to be unhappy the rest of his life, married to someone who's not in love with him? The argument hits home. Slowly, Nieves tears up the letter. (Actually, anyone else wondering whether or not Beto can actually read said letter? ..... I'm figuring him for a happy illiterate.)

After the ads, Oscar has come up with a ploy to get Moni involved with Vichy and leave the Mau field open to Connie. Vichy has left but now Gaby needs to send Moni to his hotel with the contract for him to sign. Dum de dum dum. Oscar figures while he's there, he might as well hit on Gaby, but she's not having any. Good girl.

A morose Mau arrives home, none too happy to find Connie there once again. He's had a short but tough day at the office. Well, don't forget, I'm organizing a celebration dinner for Aldo, she shrieks. Just then, our favorite device...phone call from Gaby. She's sent Moni to Vichy's hotel with the contract. Mau's outta there. Can't wait to see how this plays out.

But we DO have to wait. Because now we see Beto on the phone with Conni, insisting they get together. She resists, then folds, promising to meet him tomorrow at the boutique. He's so inspired by the thought he's slurping his tongue all over the phone. She's so inspired, she's rubbing her scarlet cellphone sensuously all over her body. Quite a scene. And Aldo was listening in to it all.

Things are equally hot at the office. Anastacia is all ears and all bosom, listening to Sal's tale of woe. She plants a big kiss on his lips just as Gabi enters in the room. Busted.

Quick. Back to home base. Aldo's telling Ivan that Connie has a lover. Then Connie finds out that Mau has left and is pitching a hissy fit. Aldo doesn't care but clearly our frustrated vamp does.

Now back to the interesting action at the pool. Moni has asked Vichy for his "poderosa" (signature) on the contract but he's more interested in getting her up to his room. Mau arrives in high dudgeon. There's some nice antler-bashing and in the midst of all this Moni falls in the pool and manages to drown in record time. Our galanes battle for who will save her and Mau wins, executing a very nice, fully clothed dive in, frantic rescue, really bad CPR...too many mouth to mouths..(.in fact Red Cross says you can't skip that part completely) and then he pressed on her throat instead of her sternum for God's sake...lucky he didn't kill her...Vichy watches all this shaking his head and so do we. But clearly, he sees how things are. Moni and Mau are crazy for each other. And all wet and shivery to boot. Hmmm...where will this lead?

Back at the office, female equivalent of antler bashing. Gaby's warning Anastacia to quit circling around Sal like a cat in heat (gata en celo) 'cause you don' wanna see Gabi's bad side! And you will if you keep this up. A somewhat penitent Sal arrives (It was JUST a kiss!) and wants to know if Gaby's still seeing Oscar. No...but after all, Oscar offered marriage. What are you offering me? Love. Yeah, love shared with your wife, your lover and.....me. Don't want to be no. 2 much less no. 3.

This endless wrangle is interrupted by Constanza wanting to know where Mau is. Not here. Try his cell. It's off (turns out the water ruined it). If you're lying to me, there'll be trouble threatens Conni. His kids are in trouble and he has to be informed. Gabi's unimpressed but she and Sal head out for the hotel, figuring that's where Mau went. And they're right.

Moni and Mau have gone to a room to warm up, dry off and who knows what else.... Moni's charmed with the little fridge, the chocolates, the bed big enough for 10 and next thing you know she's invited Mau into a jumping contest and all-out pillow fight. Foreplay for sure. Whoops, she's too rough and has bounced him off the bed. That's it. Take off your clothes. What!? I'm not a sexual object!!!! Noo...not what I meant. We have to get rid of these wet chilled clothes and warm up in the shower. More double entendres. He tells her to wait for him in bed while he showers. Oh yeah? All warm and naked, you mean? DID I SAY THAT!? Okay, towel wrapped around his waist, he finally limps to the shower. Not sure if it was the injury of falling off the bed or just general amorous enthusiasm. But it was a nice, realistic touch. She smiles. I think she knows what brought on that limp.

Of course all this is interrupted by more ads. But I'm not going anywhere! And neither is Connie. She's lamenting all the time spent helping Aldo study and Jeri's doing his darnedest to capitalize on the situation, listening and groping and leading the spying Ivan and Aldo to think that Jeronimo is the secret lover.

Back at the hotel room. Hubba hubba...Mauricio has tiptoed near the shower to listen to Moni singing away. Then the sweet, poignant piano version of the Gancho theme song plays in the background. Music to melt by. When she comes out, he lifts her into his arms (alright, I admit I was waiting for his towel to drop while he carried her. The dang thing must be stapled on!) and together they fall onto the bed, wrapped in each other's arms, enraptured by each other's kisses and tender embraces and....and....where was I.?..blast and double blast! Moni remembers Beto's sweet proposal and whimpers...no I can't, I can't. And she doesn't.

Pooh. She dashes out in her robe and takes the elevator down. Mauricio then dashes out in his towel and runs into a shocked Gabi and Sal in the elevator. Gaby's so impressed with Mau's manly chest she stammers and feels obligated to "tutearlo" seeing as how he's half-naked and all. But here's the message. Connie says you need to get home to your kids. There's a problem.

Our final scene is pretty anticlimactic, even though it involves our adorable Xime. She's hanging with Pau and Estrella, still lamenting her breakup with Rolu. The girls are trying to get her to fill that empty brain with something besides romantic mush. Like maybe work? Heavens no! Well, anyway, think of yourself. Forget Rolu.

Moni arrives in her robe. Xime is entranced with the new "look" but then backtracks. Nope, gonna rise above mere fashion sense. Take a good look at me, she adds. This is the last time you'll see the old Xime. From now on I'm gonna change. (Please Xime, not too much. We love you just the way you are.)

And now, the smokin' hot previews:

Mauricio's figured out why Moni can't....Her promise was the promise to arrive at the altar a virgin.
Estrella busts into Moni's room and finds Beto and Constanza going at it hot and heavy....and in Moni's bed! How dare you!
And crazy Lorenza's on the phone, appearing to be threatening to "off" people one by one while a horrified Mauricio listens.

Vocabulary:

"sipi" = "si" (yes), Xime's valley girl talk
maldita chancluda = damned wretch (chancludo, chancluda adj. meaning wretched, sloppy)
no me chupo el dedo - I wasn't born yesterday (Gabi's line)
desplantes = rudeness...Conni complaining about Mauricio's behavior
la poderosa = signature
le clavo las garras = I'll get my claws into him...Anastacia bragging that she has Sal spellbound
eché un buche = I tied one on, got drunk (Beto)
no repeles= don't resist (Gabi, remonstrating with Beto who didn't want to do his assigned chores) from "repeler" resist, repulse, repel. una tela que repele el agua....a waterproof fabric
cuando le pintamos la rayita al zorrillito? (lit. when are we going to paint the stripes on the little skunk (thanks Carlos).....or, as we would say When are we going to get it on!!!??? or...when are we going to tear off a strip?

Dicho of the Day:

El burro hablando de orejas. The pot calling the kettle black. Gabi's critique of Salvador. We've had this dicho before (and will again, no doubt) but it never hurts to "review and learn new". Right?

Labels: gancho

Wait, that’s not right. I’m looking on the wrong page of my Telenovela Cliché Handbook.

Flip. Flip. Here it is: Girl who gets pregnant by the wrong guy cuddles up naked in bed with drunk/drugged nice guy and the next morning tells him how wonderful it was.

Okay, so Amor Monday, August 31, 2009: Romina (stop me if you’ve heard this one)…

Enough of that. On with our story.

But first we back up a few feet into Friday’s story: Paloma meets up with Camila and Mac and is thrilled that Mac’s necklace brought such a good price. Paloma announces that she wants to study out of town. She’ll take a part-time job to make ends meet.

Grind those gears and it’s full speed ahead into Monday: Emilano at the office is getting ready for a meeting with Orlando, but Orlando is hanging with his old pal Chris and calls and says he’ll meet with Emiliano tomorrow, and that Emiliano should take the rest of the day off.

Orlando ribs Chris about hanging out with the Catholic Ladies’ League group and Chris says he usually likes those things, but this time… there are some things in life he wishes he could get out of.

Orlando jokes that he’s glad Chris isn’t competition any more. Used to be when they went out together, all the pretty women went for Chris. Isn’t it odd to have to be chaste now? he asks. Chris says he made a decision, and God provides him with whatever he needs.

Chris lets him know he goes by Padre Juan, not Padre Chris. Orlando slaps him on the shoulder and says he’s going to go buy the uniforms for the church soccer team. Good luck with the Ladies’ League.

Orlando heads off down the street and Chris looks up at the church and wryly tells God that of all the places, he had to land up here, having to go to the home of the Espinoza de los Monteros. Thy will be done.

Carlota is setting an elaborate table and crankily wondering why Mac had to head off to the pharmacy right when there is so much to do.

Mac and Paloma come in and Mac is telling Paloma she shouldn’t make such a rash decision. Paloma says I’ve been thinking about it for some time now. There are many memories here. Haven’t you ever wanted to get out of here, Tia? Mac says is this about Emiliano in some way?

Carlota comes up to them and upbraids Mac for not helping. Mac reminds her she did the cooking. Carlota says she doesn’t want any more events at their house after this. You’re the boss says Mac sarcastically.

Paloma tells Carlota that she has enough money to pay her tuition now because Mac sold her necklace. Carlota says great, give it to me. Paloma says that’s okay, I’ll take it in tomorrow and pay the sisters. And when you sell my ring, I’ll have enough for the first couple of semesters at college. Carlota says even though you lost the scholarship? Paloma says that’s right. I’m going to go help Mac now. Carlota is left with her eyes bugging out.

Romina is in the bathroom, looking through drawers while her mother is in her room sorting through clothes. Camila says Angelica asked her to come in. Romina says Angelica’s full of hot air. Romina finds a dark bottle with a rubber stopper and slips it into her jeans. She fake flushes the toilet and comes into her mother’s room.

Romina holds up different outfits to go out in and Camila says I don’t like you going out on school nights. Camila says but I’ve been so miserable – this’ll be a chance to cheer up a little. Camila says okay, just come back early. She leaves the room and Romina puts a few drops from the bottle in Camila’s bedside water pitcher.

Emiliano goes into a bar and starts slamming back tequilas. He calls German who’s about to leave work and asks him to join him.

The Ladies League is filing into the house. Inez twitters to Carlota about how hospitable she is. Carlota says she really liked Padre Jacinto. Inez says wait’ll you see the dishy new priest!

Chris is just about to leave for the dreaded lunch when an altar boy runs in and tells him to come quick. One of the flock is dying and needs last rites. Chris says I was just waiting for Padre Mateo so we could go to this luncheon. Tell him when he gets here that I had to go. He smiles. Whew!

The ladies are waiting for Chris. Inez tells Mac there’s something familiar about him, but she’s not sure what. Apparently he lived here at one time. Mac says what’s his last name? Inez doesn’t know, but she thinks he’s way too handsome to have become a priest.

Paloma is fretting in her room. Rufi brings her a giant sunflower from Aron and hands her the phone because he’s called. He apologies to her for messing things up with Emiliano. He was trying to help her, but it looks like he’s made her mad. She says I just don’t want you telling him untruths about us being in love. Aron says it’s not a lie to say I like you a lot.

Thank you for the flower, she dodges. She figures out he’s outside on the street and tells him she can’t invite him in because his aunts are having a do. They hang up and she wonders why she couldn’t have fallen in love with him. Her aunt even approves.

Emiliano is really drunk and the actor (Sebastian Zurita) indulges in some extravagant overacting. Where’s his acting coach? Probably off having a smoke and checking out the girl actresses in their Catholic school uniforms that are supposed to be chaste but actually are short and conform to every curve and have kind of a French maid vibe. Emiliano’s with German and says he knows that Paloma loves him. German asks if it he can’t have Paloma, will he go back with Romina? Emiliano slurs No way.

So this is what Romina is doing tonight! She’s arrived at Diana’s in the cute dress she picked out. It’s a setup apparently. Diana is going to go play cards with her friends and leave Romina alone with Emiliano. Here’s the plan. Diana will tell Emiliano she forgot to tell him that she had planned an evening with Romina. Romina can’t wait to see his face when he sees her.

Camila is at home remembering the touch of Rafa’s hands and That Moment. She’s also taking her nightly meds with the spiked water. The Rafa song starts up. In his apartment, apparently he’s thinking of her too. He picks up the phone then chickens out and puts it back down again.

Chris hasn’t shown up yet and everyone is waiting. Carlota is asking Padre Mateo when he’s coming. Padre M says he has to confess someone who’s drawing his last breaths. Carlota says well that’s not very polite, considering he knew this party is in his honor. Padre M says I hope nothing terrible has happened to him or to the dying man. He crosses himself. I hope that’s it says Carlota, because I’ve never known a priest to behave like this.

That comment really puts the eeeee in egregious. Fill in your own diatribe.

The ladies says let’s wait, it’s no trouble. Carlota says for me it is, let’s serve dinner. Why are all the ladies bundled up in heavy coats and scarves? Didn’t they put the heat on for the poor guests? Or is it just that arctic blast coming from Carlota?

Sure enough, the poor man is dying. His family weeps in the background while Chris looks appropriately compassionate.

German half carries rubber-legged Emiliano home and schleps him into the dark house. Anybody home? Romina hides under the dining room table and thinks drat.

Carlota is in the kitchen nagging Rufi and having a temper fit. Mac comes in and says don’t be that way, it’s nothing personal. Carlota says of course it’s personal! She starts grabbing platters to take to the dining room.

German leaves Emiliano’s house. Romina goes up and finds Emiliano passed out on top of the bed. She sneaks his cell out of his pocket and calls her own cell. She gets on the bed with him and starts kissing him. It’s me, she says, and I love you. He doesn’t seem to notice.

Looks like Chris never showed. The ladies all leave and Padre Mateo thanks Mac for being so understanding. Carlota stands around looking petulant. After everyone has left, Mac says you could have at least pretended to understand. Carlota says and be a hypocrite? Mac says she was a little disappointed, and Carlota says you are such a weakling.

Mac says it must have been something important that kept him away. And she adds a bit tentatively We’re not all put on the planet just to make you happy, you know. They go in.

Chris walks up just then. He notices the house is quiet, and then sees the lights being turned off.

And thus ends another fun-filled day at Casa de las Espinoza de los Monteros.

Emiliano and Romina are asleep in bed, under the covers, and naked. Whoo hoo! Emiliano wakes up and looks at Romina’s sleeping form, startled. And (true, I swear!) he says ¿Qué haces aquí?

She wakes up and says what do you mean? Last night you begged me to come to you and you told me you loved me and we spent the night together.

He looks at her, taken aback, and says (I’m not making this up) No puede ser! My first time, she lies. Don’t you remember? Emiliano says did I call you? Romina says if you don’t believe me, check your cell. He does. She says you’ve made me happiest woman on earth. It was amazing. Oops, look at the time, she says. If my mother finds out I’ve stayed out, she’ll kill me. Gotta run!

Chris tells Padre M about the dying man, and coming too late to the house. Padre M says you did the right thing, but Carlota is very unhappy. You should apologize. Chris says please explain to her, but Padre M says it would be best if you went to her house and apologized in person.

At breakfast, Rufi tells Paloma, who apparently wasn’t invited yesterday, what happened and didn’t happen at the welcome party. Rufi says Carlota way overdid the preparations, like she was expecting the King of Spain.

Romina is at home in her school uniform, loading up her backpack when Camila comes down and demands to know where she was. Her bed is untouched. Romina says I came home around midnight and you were sound asleep. I made my bed this morning as a thanks for you letting me go out tonight.

Camila falls for it. She says she wants to go with Romina because she has to talk to Angelica.

From his bedroom, Emiliano calls German who tells him boy, did you tie one on. Emiliano mentions Romina’s name and German says you must’ve had a nightmare. Ha ha ha! I’ll call you later.

The ad chopped off the very start of the next scene. We’re in front of the school with Romina and Camila and Paloma. Romina is talking about a birthday party and Camila assumes Paloma was there, but Paloma says she had no idea. Romina says nobody invites Paloma because her aunt won’t let her out. Camila says the aunt is much better. Romina says nobody wastes time asking Paloma. Paloma looks stunned.

Mac gets a call, probably from Padre M. Chris is going to come by to apologize in person. Mac asks Carlota to receive him cordially and not to throw a scene. Carlota says she’ll receive him, but he better show respect.

Angelica tells Camila that Romina has to pull 8s in order to pass and this is her last chance. Camila says I’ll hire a tutor. Angelica says I have to tell you something else. That scholarship that Paloma lost? She lost it because of Romina. Angelica says she asked the girls who witnessed it and they told her what really came down. Paloma did it to keep Romina from being expelled. Angelica says and the thing that really concerns me is that Romina couldn’t be bothered to lift a pinky to set things right.

Camila has tears standing in her eyes. Angelica says you haven’t set that example, so there must be something making Romina act like that. She really needs counseling, or she’s going to keep up with the lying.

Orlando bounces into Emiliano’s office, bags of uniforms in hand. He says he’s helping Chris too. Emiliano says Chris? Orlando says Chris, Juan, whatever. We were friends in college!

And how are you, partner? Orlando gets up from his desk and looks all darkly troubled and Hamlety and says lousy. I got drunk last night and woke up with Romina beside me. Orlando says that’s very bad. Emiliano says yes. Romina lost her virginity in my bed last night and I don’t remember a thing.

Jeez, Emiliano. Gentlemen protect women’s reputations. To his credit, Orlando doesn’t look like lucky you. Instead he looks stricken.

Camila is standing outside the school gate, crying. Rafa happens to drive by and sees her. He leaps out and wants to find out what’s wrong. He talks her into going for coffee. Nothing like coffee to settle the nerves.

Romina leaves a voice message on Diana’s phone thanking her and telling her it went perfectly. I hope she left that message on Diana’s cell –what if Emiliano checks home messages later?

Paloma tells the Mother Superior that she’s paid up her tuition. The MS asks if she’d like to talk about that incident – it was too bad to lose the scholarship. Paloma says no, that’s the consequence of my actions and I accept that. The MS says you have such strong values. You probably got them from your aunts. Angelica had stuck up for you and I was about to relent, but your aunt Carlota said you should face the consequences.

Paloma is stunned.

Carlota writes her lawyer a check. He can cash it for cash in Mexico City. Maybe she’s doing something fishy with the money, I couldn’t tell. She tells him where to find her in Mexico City.

At a picturesque outdoor café, Camila wonders to Rafa where she went wrong with Romina. Rafa says you try to raise ‘em up right and then good luck what happens after that. Camila can’t believe Romina’s values are so wonky. Rafa figures Romina was afraid of getting in trouble but Camila says the bad part is letting Paloma take the fall. And her aunt sold her pearls to pay her tuition. I can’t stand that Romina has gotten off scot free. What would you do?

I’d make my son responsible for his actions, says Rafa. Too late, says Camila. Rafa says take some money you were going to give to her and give it to Romina for her studies. Thank you says Camila, and she lays her hands on his. There goes their song again!

Romina comes into the girls’ bathroom and tough luck, runs into Liliana who says I saw Emiliano kissing a girl in the rain. I didn’t see who it was, but she had art supplies and probably takes classes from Olga.

Mac is staring at the big photo she has in her box of memories. She says it kills me to let go of you. It was hard to give up the necklace, but a part of me feels freed. Maybe I’ll feel the same way about the photo. She slowly rips it up. Why do I still miss you so much? Of course this scene involves plenty of tears and dramatic music.

Romina comes up to Paloma who says I was waiting for you to walk together. Romina demands Are you taking art classes again? Yes, why? says Paloma and Romina slaps her hard. Paloma holds her cheek and looks at her in astonishment. Why did you hit me?

Romina says you’re the worst friend in the world. I don’t want to see you again – ever! She stomps off leaving Paloma calling after her What did I do? Liliana shows up. Paloma says Romina wanted to know if I was taking art classes and then she slapped me. Liliana says you mean it was you? We see a black and white flashback of Liliana seeing the kiss from a distance, but she just sees Emiliano’s back. How she sees the art supplies is a mystery best left uncontemplated.

I never would have said a word! I saw Emiliano kissing somebody who was carrying art supplies. Paloma says he kissed me by force! I’m not going with him! I would never do that to Romina! Liliana hugs her.

Chris is praying. He has to see Carlota and maybe God planned it so they could meet without others around. He hopes he can deal with it.

Romina slams into her house. Camila confronts her right away. Romina bawls that Paloma is the traitor, she’s taken Emiliano. Camila says you broke up and he has a right to be with whomever he wants. No he doesn’t says Romina. He’s my joy. Nobody can have him but me. Camila says Paloma lost her scholarship because she didn’t want you expelled. And now you’re going to give her money to help her pay for her studies.

Not a chance, says Romina. Yes, you are, says Camila. I’m taking some of your inheritance money and giving it to her for her studies. I hate you! says Romina and runs up the stairs, all her bridges in flames.

Tearful Paloma arrives home just as Chris is about to knock. She introduces herself and he says why so sad? Can I help? She says nobody can. Chris says God can. Can you tell Carlota that Padre Juan is here to see her?

Avances: Chris is waiting at the door, but here comes Carlota down the street under full sail. Romina gives Emiliano a big kiss in front of her door and checks to make sure Paloma sees her from the window.

Labels: amor

I have to say again, young Fer and young Eduardo were the cutest thing ever. I wish there'd been more of them, and I hope to see them in future shows...

• Previouslies: Barb is planning to get Aurora, hide her away, and then finish off Artemio.
  
  Daffy Duddy grabs Fer and shakes her shouting, "Barbara gave everything, her youth, she gave her all for our family, she took care of you! You're just proving I'm doing right by protecting her interests!"
  
  Fer almost has an infarct from holding back all the secrets she knows. Duddy has a little heart problem but doesn't die. I sure hope he lives to see who Barb really is.
  
  Fer quits her job at Lactos.
  
  Esteve gets Fr/Ed a fake birth certificate. Fr/Ed rehashes his conversation with Barb: to prove he's her ally, he must convince Fer to convince Duddy to sign over all that money to Barb immediatemente. And it's torture to be around Fer, to smell her aroma, yadda yadda.
  
  
• Fer tells gloomy Gus, formerly known as Santi, via telephone, how great Fr/Ed is and she'd marry him in a heartbeat if he'd quit this plan to marry Errika, and how she trusts him as if she'd known him forever, yadda yadda. Santi is supportive, then hesitantly asks if she's heard anything about Aurora? No, but she's at the nunnery, maybe she wants to be a nun? "Maybe."
  
  
• Now while Esteve and Fr/Ed are chatting, Errika bursts in, uninvited and without knocking, in a very hyper state of giggling and spouting off about thousands of flowers in the church for the wedding, and she's being interviewed as a vunder-bride by Glamour Magazine, etc...
  
  ... and she doesn't notice Fr/Ed has a long face like somebody just ran over his favorite pet turtle. She gets more manic, blabbing about mariachis dressed in white and gold, and some tenor singing Ave Maria. "Tenor?" Fr/Ed repeats weakly, I guess to prove he's listening.
  
  "Err, I was thinking of something small and intimate..." "Hah, that's a laugh, the guest list is 1,200, and speaking of which, where's your list?" "I dunno: Esteve, Margarita, Jacinto, maybe ten." "Family? Friends from the U.S.?" "Uh, no, they can't come." She asks for the birth certificate, she snatches it with a huge grin. Don't you love the way they shoot her with big, big vases in the foreground?
  
  Then she asks for one more paper: a baptismal certificate. "Surely you didn't forget?" "Uh, when my parents died everything was lost." She sez no matter, she knows a great priest, he'll help: it's father Bosco!
  
  Fr/Ed remembers Bosco begging him: "Let this be the last time we ever see each other." Oh well, no sacred promise to a priest can stand before Errika's inexorable demands. Fr/Ed says ok. "Then we'll go see Father Bosco tomorrow."
  
  Esteve goes out to get more coffee. Err gets close to Fr/Ed and says, "I swear you'll fall in love with me - and I'll be the most passionate wife ever. Do you like me?" "Yeah, I guess so." She kisses his reluctant closed lips. He thinks of England. She leaves. Esteve: "Just get married, my friend, move far away with Err, and try to forget this nightmare."
  
  Fr/Ed sez he can't - he has to take care of Fer and Lili. "Do you really think you can free Lili?"
  
  Fr/Ed says Barb has been different lately, tense. It's odd that she's in such a tearing hurry for the money when she's been patient so many years. He thinks she has a new plan, a new agenda, not about the money, not related to Artemio...
  
  
• Damian hasn't buttoned his shirt for weeks. I guess since he's unemployed he can dress like a gigolo if he wants. He meets Anibal in a parking lot, they trade insults, Anibal takes him off to some wall somewhere saying: "In future if you have to contact me, we'll meet here."
  
  To get straight to it, Anibal wants Damian to find a "specialist" to knock off Vladimir, who endangers Anibal's future cash - after all, mini-Vlad will inherit a big wad of Duddy's cash but only if he's an Elizalde.
  
  Damian, think! After Vlad is gone, who would be next, I wonder?
  
  Oh well, Dam accepts the future wad of cash (for eliminating Vlad) as surely as my donkey grabs a banana peel I dangle in front of his nose. Anibal: "Take care of this matter. I know nothing about it."
  
  
• Duddy tells Barb about his unpleasant meeting with Fer. As usual he says: "I didn't want to destroy the family this way, but I didn't want you out on the street."
  
  
• Ripoff! That whole by-the-ocean preview, it was just a dream! Fer dreams of being in Fr/Ed's arms by the water. For about fifteen minutes - then cut to commercial.
  
  It was odd seeing them trying to look happy and carefree when they've been so tense and irritable through the whole run of the novela so far.
  
  
• Fr/Ed tells Martina she should have her Doctor Boyfriend look at her dad - Fr/Ed thinks Silvestre needs a heart operation and is happy to pay for it, "I owe him so much." Oops, update: It was lazy of me not to go back and watch this part again when I couldn't read my scribbled notes. Novelera corrected me: it was an opthalmologist and cataract operation Silvestre needs. Thanks, Novelera.
  
  Martina and Loafly are about to go shopping for the big engagement party.
  
  
• Barb meets Damian at his hotel. He doesn't think it's a very nice hotel. She waves money at him and gives him his marching orders: snatch Aurora from the nunnery, don't touch a hair on her head or say one wrong word, take her to the Elizalde country place.
  
  "Then?" "Then, promise I'll never see you again," she says, "I used you, but I don't need you now. For the first time, I have a reason to live."
  
  
• Priscila cancels her escape to Toronto and throws her torn-up ticket in the trash, so of course we know Anibal will come along and find it and he does. They have a cold little exchange whereupon it's clear to each of them that the only prudent, wealth-increasing course is to stay together. Pris asks, "but what about Vladimir?" "Don't ask me about that again! Convince yourself he never existed ..."
  
  
• Dam meets with his cousin Jacobo; they review the Aurora-snatching plan. Then Damian asks if Jacobo knows any "specialists" - that would be, I wager, cement overcoat specialists.
  
  
• Fer calls Fr/Ed and asks him if they can meet at an obscure restaurant - she needs to talk about having quit her job at Lactos.
  
  They meet. He tells her he thinks Barb has some new scheme of her own and that for some reason he, Fr/Ed, is indispensable in its execution. He reveals: "There's no limit to her evil - now, my job is to convince you to get Duddy to give over all the loot right this minute!"

Tomorrow: in that out-of-the-way little restaurant where Fer and Fr/Ed are having their cozy tete-a-tete, three gossipy friends of Errikas see them - and take cellphone pictures. Oh frabjous day!

Labels: manana

Labels: gancho

about how she TOTALLY kissed him back, whatever she may say to the contrary? Because she totally did; we all saw it.

Or whatever else happened?

Labels: amor

Capítulo 138

First a little redux: In her office at the Elizalde Den of Iniquities [antro de perdición], aka, Grupo, Barbara threatens Fr/Eduardo that if he does not keep Bravo’s existence to himself the two Elizalde sisters will meet a horrific end. Flor informs Fernanda, meanwhile, that Fr/Ed came looking for her but La Sra. Barbara snatched him up and dragged him into her office before Flor had a chance to let Fer know he was there.

At the same time, the Giggle Girls, both Sr. and Jr., --yep, Dolly and Errika-- are picking the church they want for the botch job of the century: the wedding with Mr. Wonderful, Franco Sexy Santoro, Mexican Man of Mystery, the Phenom of Pheremones. They are told that Err will need to get Franco’s baptismal records if the two plan to get married in that church. Err mistakenly (we could say cognomenally) thinks that will be a snap.

Once again at D.O.I. Central, Fer interrupts Fr/Ed and Babs. Fer lies that her papi urgently needs to see Babs. Fr/Ed lies also and says he was there to speak with Fer since she’d…er…supposedly asked him to meet her there. Fer catches his drift and exits. Before Bitch Barbie heads off for her doddering doofus of dote’s office, she warns Fr/Ed again to stay mum.

When Babs enters Gonzo’s office, she immediately realizes that Fer lied to her about her hubby’s needing to see her. Gonzo takes advantage of the supposed miscommunication and tells La Barbie [Argentine slang for trophy wife --ed.] that he’s made some changes to his will.

Fer explains that she lied to Barbara about Daddy because she had the feeling that she needed to get Fr/Ed out of La Hiena’s office. Fr/Ed said he’s glad that she did. He explains that he also fibbed about Fer asking to see him and says now Barbara thinks Fer is “interested” in him. Fer is like, “Ok? --And?” So the reason was that he needed to tell her that he saw Lili again and managed to finish all but a few pages of Ana Gregoria’s diary. He says he understands more now about where Artemio Bravo’s hatred for the Elizalde’s originated.

Adoring Babs is insistent that she never asked Gonzalo to include her in his will, nor does she want a single peso. Babs is upset and offended that he might think she’s only interested in his money. (Gonzo, say it ain’t so! Somebody buy this guy a vowel.) Now his children will throw it back in her face that they were disinherited all because of her. No, no. She doesn’t want a single peso. Gonzo once again appears confused at Babs’ unexpected response (–and nobody does confused better than Gonzo).

In another part of D. of I., Anibal tells Priscila that he just found out his dopey Daddy has decided to give 60% of his fortune to La Barbie and the remaining 40% to his supposed grandson once he is born. The only thing they and the others will get is the hacienda, thank you very much (not). Essentially he’s pretty much disinherited his children and made her bastard child a millionario. The worst of it, he says, is that if they end up divorcing, the whole thing goes to Barbara.

Before Babs leaves Gonzo’s office she gets a call from Damian telling her that he’s got the perfect plan to get Aurora out of the convent and everything is set to go as planned. Dam warns her that if she wants it done right that she’s going to have to pay the people doing the job whatever they demand. She smiles and says that’s just fine with her. Gonzo sees the big smile on her face and wonders who she was talking to. BB lies and says it was the dress designer. Gonzo is duped a-gain.

Meanwhile, Fr/Ed finishes telling Fer how her grandmother, Altagracia, took advantage of her grandfather, Don Jeronimo’s, being away on a trip to throw Ana Gregoria out of the hacienda once her bastard baby was born. Fer starts to put the pieces of the puzzle together and concludes Soledad and Eduardo were eventually separated to keep Sole from revealing Bravo’s secret. “So then, that was the reason Bravo sent Barbara to the hacienda, to keep my nana far away from the hacienda.” Fr/Ed nods. She asks him if he might be able to get the diary out of there but Fr/Ed reminds her that something like the diary disappearing could cost Lili her life. She wonders then if her father knows about Bravo. Fr/Ed says no; that Bravo’s power is based solely on the fact that her father has been totally unaware that from childhood he’s had a mortal enemy who's been stalking him his entire life.

Fer wonders how Barb came to be Bravo’s “instrument of vengeance”, but Fr/Ed says he doesn’t know. It will take time for them to find out. Fer agrees, especially now that Barb doesn’t trust him since she lied to Barbara to get him alone long enough so they could talk. Fr/Ed admits that it bothers him because Barbara controls so much of what happens with Lili and if Barb suspects he betrayed her to Fer, Lili will be lost to them forever. Fernanda says they’ll have to do something that will be sure to make her continue to trust him.

Back in AnyBalls’ office, Pris is scandalized by her hubby’s “diabolical” plans. AB says he refuses to be disinherited on account of Barbara or to let the family fortune or the company go to the woman. Pris asks if he really is willing to still stay married to her knowing that her baby isn’t his. AB says with what the kid stands to inherit, it more than makes up for the boredom and annoyance they both feel over it. Pris wonders what he’s going to do then about Vladimir. AB says the guy’s a hindrance that they’ll have to get out of the way. [hacerse a otro lado]

Fer has a solution to the problem with Barbara but Fr/Ed objects. He doesn’t want to put Fernanda’s reputation in doubt. [en entredicho] Fer says it doesn’t matter to her what they think of her as long as Barbara believes he’s still her unconditional ally. (Antennae now go up across the whole of Viewerville in anticipation the two of them finally throwing caution to the wind –and it’s about damn time, too!) Flor calls at that point to let Fer know La Sra. BOW is on her way over to Fer’s office. Fer cracks the door ajar and immediately hops onto Fr/Eddie’s lap, then lays a major liplock on the dude just as BB walks in sans the appropriate knock. Fer pretends to be embarrassed at being “discovered” in flagrante delicto. BB is appropriately scandalized by what she sees. Fr/Eddie seems distressed that Fernanda has finally allowed herself to be dishonored this way. (Viewerville, however, is on the edge of its seat demanding more.) Uni teases with video advances of the romantic possibilities as we head into and return from the crass commercial break…..

Back in Reception, Flor warns Denia to stay at the desk with her until she tells her otherwise --or else!

Barb appears to be definitely flustered and excuses herself. She tells Fer she was supposedly looking for Florecita and quickly shuts the door to give Fer and Fr/Ed their “privacy”, but not before throwing a nasty look at Fr/Eddie. Outside in the hallway BB thinks to herself that all right, it might be cheap of Fer, but it’s not such a bad idea having Franco get all hot and bothered over Ms. Goodie Two-Shoes that way.

Back inside Fer’s office, Fer and Fr/Ed try to pretend that what just happened was all in the line of duty. After all, the idea was to make sure Barbara doesn’t doubt his loyalty and believes he’s manipulating Fer by taking advantage of her affections, right? Those were BB’s intentions, he says. Of course, now she’ll be asking him loads of questions. Fer tells him to just tell Barbara that she simply took the bait [mordir el anzuelo = bit the hook], that being so distraught with her breakup with Damian, she just naturally threw herself at him looking for a bit of consolation in his arms. Fr/Eddie reluctantly agrees, even though, he says, it bothers him that it’s costing Fer her reputation.

Fer repeats that it doesn’t matter what her family thinks of her now, least of all what Barbara thinks of her--provided that whatever happens between them is done to free Lili. (Who are we kidding here?) Fr/Ed promises dutifully that he will free Lili if it’s the last thing he ever does. Both though, are obviously dying to admit to one another that this bogus beso in hopes of convincing Barb of his loyalty till Lili’s freedom is a done deal was really not a shameful sham at all.

Across the hall in his office, AnyBalls is now telling Pris that the only thing keeping Vlad from causing a scandal is that Vlad is convinced he is in control of the situation. She wants to know how he can be so sure of that, and what sort of agreement the two of them made. AB says what’s important is that they maintain her son’s inheritance. Pris insists on knowing what the agreement was first. He finally gives in and tells her he agreed to “hand over the bastard” to him. He would divorce her and then leave the way open for Vlad to try to win her over. Pris is spit-in-his-face impactada with this crude and most rude explanation.

Barb returns to her office and starts screaming through the speaker at Flor to get to her office immediately. (Hmmm. Maybe Barbie, with doofus Damian out of the way, was hoping for a little of this Franco action herself.) Flor races off and leaves her post at Reception.

Fernanda now tells Fr/Ed that she’s fine with continuing the farce, but she wants to know what’s to keep him from trying to manipulate her emotionally. She’s embarrassed to admit that she does feel something special for him, but….. Fr/Eddie considers his response. “Time, Fernanda. In time I’ll show you that I’m a man of my word.” “--Your word? You’re cheating on my best friend and harassing Gardenia, and now I’m forced by circumstances to pretend that we’re having an affair solely to save the life of my sister. So tell me. If you were in my place would you feel cool and collected? Would you feel assured?” Fr/Ed looks her in the eye and measures his words carefully. (Viewerville shares a collective swoon.) “—No, Fernanda.” “—Well then? What do you suggest I do?” “—I would like to give you sufficient reason to make you believe in me…..” Fer says that she can’t because she hasn’t any reason to trust him; however, for some unaccountable reason there’s something that tells her she should.

Fr/Eduardo thinks to himself, “Perhaps it might be because your heart senses that I’m Eduardo Juarez, the man who will love you till he dies.” He takes Fer’s hand gently in his and looks soulfully into her eyes. “I love you, Fernanda. That’s the honest truth.” (Viewerville lets out a collective sigh.) She wants to know if he will really marry Errika. He says he will. She pulls her hand away. How can he marry Errika if he doesn’t love her??? He straightens his back. He gave his word, he says. She gets angry and yells back in frustration. “All the same, you’re deceiving her!!” No, he tells her, he is not. Errika knows he’s in love with another woman; what she doesn’t know, he explains, is that Fernanda is that woman. They look into each other’s eyes with longing and share a bittersweet moment of self-denial. (Viewerville sniffles and tearfully searches for a hanky while…) Fer tries to deal.

We beam back to AnyBalls’ office. Pris is trying to get her head around why her hubby would possibly recognize her son as his. He obviously needs her son to get what he wants, she says. “I see you understand.” “—And what if I refuse?” “—You can’t refuse your son’s being born a millionaire. It only remains for us to finalize the details. You will need to put a price on it.” (Ya gotta admit the guy’s a born businessman for all his failed attempts so far.) “--There’s no doubt about that, Anibal! First, both of us will decide what happens with Vladimir Piñeiro.” He asks if what happens to the guy is that important to her. She says her contempt for Piñeiro is only surpassed by the contempt she holds for him. She only wants to know where Piñeiro is because she never ever wants to cross paths with the man again. Fine. AB wants to know if there’s anything else.

Pris says yes, there is. Her child is to be hers alone and AB’s role is to play the doting father because it’s in his best interest to do so, or otherwise…. “—or otherwise what???” “--Or otherwise I swear on my son’s soul that I myself will shout for the whole world to know [gritar a los cuatro vientos] that Vladimir Piñeiro is his real father, even if it means that Don Gonzalo or my own father disinherits him! --But you, I will leave you destitute. So now, what will it be, Anibal?” AB’s mental calculator starts assessing the diminishing returns of that losing proposition.

Across the hall, BOW starts giving Flor the third degree about why she couldn’t be found at her desk and where Santoro was now. Flor tells her he’s still with Fer. The bad-ass bitch barks to Flor to send him to her office the minute he leaves Fernanda’s.

Pris and AB come to some sort of agreement. Pris wants to know what he plans to do to erase Vladimir from their lives. He’ll have to think that one over carefully. She says fine, but to do it quick and BTW, the kid is NOT going to be called Vladimir. (10 points, Team Priscila!) It’ll be Anibal, just like his father is!! (Scratch that ten. They’re both rotten choices.)

Fer now is trying to understand Fr/Eduardo’s strange idea that love and marriage don’t necessarily go together. “--Oh really? So what happens with happiness? Or do you believe a couple can live happily together without love?” He says it just seems to him that love doesn’t ensure happiness for people who get married. (He knows this because? Both Viewerville and Fer try to get their heads around that one.) Love is just something the two can only hope for, he says. (Dude, you are in definite need of a deflowering yourself and fast! Is there a Mexican Dr. Laura to verbally shock some sense into this lost little lamb?) Fer says they’ll have to agree to disagree about that and she’s darned lucky he’s with Errika if she’s really okay with this arrangement, cuz no way Fer would ever consider accepting a man under those circumstances. (Dude, take a freekin’ hint. You’re acting like such a major loser here.) After all, she’d actually hoped to be happy and in love with Dam, she admits. It was a big mistake, of course, but then, who is she to judge, she says.

Fr/Ed bends over towards Fer and starts to say something else just as Denia enters with the coffee that neither of them asked for. The two of them pull away, guiltily, as Denia shoots daggers at Fr/Eddie and he scowls back at her. Fer looks a bit awkward as she remembers the whopper Denia told her about Fr/Ed’s supposed unwarranted approaches.

Alone in his office now, AnyBalls is mentally churning through the last couple of untied ends concerning Dam and Vlad. “One will take me to the other: the discretion of that cretin, Gallardo; and Vladmir’s silence.” At the same time, it seems Pris is taking care of Vlad her own way. She’s on the phone with him. Vlad’s telling her not to worry about her husband because he promised he wouldn’t harm her. She acts glad to hear it. He says he’s thrilled to think that soon the two of them will be together along with their baby. Pris rolls her eyes at the dummy’s mushy chatter. (Anybody else figure this poor shlub took the short bus when he was in short pants?) She asks him to be patient about things since it’s been so-o-o difficult for Anibal to accept their situation. He promises he will and, of course, if she needs anything, all she has to do is call him and he’ll be there (♪♪). He sends his love and millions of kisses, which he noisily demonstrates on the phone “swak, swak, swak, swak, swak.” (Viewerville admits to sharing an irrepressibly nauseating moment here in solidarity with the prickly Pris. Blech! Double blech!)

Denia comes back to the reception desk and gives her cousin, Flor, Hell for trying to be too cute by half. Flor is in a rush getting the guest list ready for BOW. Denia accuses her of pimping for Eduardo. [alcahuete = intermediator/procurer for lovers] Flor has no clue what she’s talking about. Denia accuses her of covering up for Ed and Fernanda so that they could be alone together to do …whatever comes naturally. Flor loses her patience and asks what does it matter what the two of them do together. After all, Flor has warned her off Eduardo. Denia says of course it matters to her and a lot. She’s really fed up and if she finds out the two of them are having an affair together, who knows what she’s capable of? Denia then storms off mumbling to herself to deliver her coffee orders. Flor is impactadissima that her fatally attracted and fickle cousin might be ready to spill the holy frijoles and put everyone involved in danger.

Fernanda has one last request, now that it’s uncertain how things are going to shake out. [desencadenar] Fr/Ed says ask away. Whatever she wants. What she wants is to meet Artemio Bravo. She knows it will be difficult but she wants to look into the eyes of the man who has done so much harm to her and to her family. Fr/Eddie-Boy takes a deep breath. “One more thing. I want to read Ana Gregoria’s diary.” (The gal doesn’t ask much, does she?) He says he’ll do whatever he can to make it so. She thanks him. He says he thanks her. The two share another soulful stare into each other’s eyes. He caresses her cheek and then leaves. Fer turns away from the door. “¡Ay! Franco, Franco, my love. My secret love…my forbidden love.” Violins play sorrowfully in the background. She sighs. We sigh…...

Flor catches Fr/Eduardo on the way out and sends him back to La Sra. Barbara’s office. She thinks to herself that it’s got to be a real burden on his shoulders. To make matters worse, Denia hasn’t helped by lying to Fernanda about him, either.

Back in BB’s, Fr/Ed is forced to give in detail a rundown of what she just saw happen between him and Fernanda.

Flor takes the opportunity to pay a visit to Fer and give her the dirt on Denia. “There’s something you need to know about my cousin, Gardenia. It’s a secret of hers, but when that secret is a lie that causes pain and embitters, you need to probably say so.” Fernanda is all ears. “Don Franco didn’t kiss Gardenia. She was the stalker.” [la lanzada = workplace slang for being loose with or hitting on your boss or co-worker.] Fer is now eyes-opened-wide impactada. “Truthfully?” “—Yes.” “—Why? Why would she do that?” “--Well, since there were no witnesses, when she found out you saw her she thought it was easier just to put the blame on Don Franco.” Fernanda is floored. Flor explains in a rush that she shouldn’t think Flor is one to gossip like this, but she doesn’t think that a man who’s a perfect gentleman should be wronged, either. “Especially because he is never, never going to be interested in [echarle la cabeza] my cousin, ever.”

Meanwhile, Fr/Ed tries to get Barbara to take the bait. He laughs at the way Fernanda’s distress over her failed marriage has made her emotionally vulnerable and easy prey for them. Barb isn’t buying it. This isn’t the step-daughter she knows. Besides, she’s wondering where his reluctance to get involved with her suddenly went. “Barbara, they say in these parts that spite and disillusioned love don’t make the best counselors, although in our case they are working to our advantage, don’t you agree?” She thinks he looks a little too self-satisfied. He asks how could he not be, since Fernanda is in such need of consolation; and that is exactly what she wanted –to keep her under her control—while the two of them allow all the pieces of their plan to fall into place like they agreed.

BB says she’s not convinced and she thinks his loyalty towards her is questionable. “Frankly, I’ve lost confidence in you, Sr. Santoro.” He asks what he has to do to regain it. She tells him that if he really has Fernanda wrapped around his little finger, then he must get her to convince her father to change his will giving 100% of his fortune to Barbara without waiting for his grandson’s birth. (No big deal, right?)

At the same time, Anibal tells Fer that their father has decided to divide his will up while he’s still alive. Everything will go to either Babs or his grandson and there’s no changing his mind. She can understand wanting to provide for his grandson, but what is totally absurd is that he thinks he needs to give the rest of it to Barbara because of some worry that she’ll be left unprotected. “And what about Camilo, you, me or Liliana--the most helpless of us all-- being abandoned? No, I’ll have to talk to him about this.” AB says he already tried and failed. Nanda says, well, through Powhere Meelk, she’s got a career to carry her through, and she has no complaints about what his son receives, but what sticks in her craw is his leaving every bit of the rest in Barbara’s name. “It’s totally absurd!” No argument there. She leaves to see Papi. AB smiles to himself in anticipation, knowing that Fernanda has the magic touch where Daddy Gonzo is concerned.

La Barbie tells Fr/Ed that he has got to convince Fernanda as soon as possible. She wants the money and Powhere Meelk wants control of Grupo. It’s in both their interest for him to get this transfer done immediately. He asks if there’s some underlying reason for this urgency she’s possibly not told him? Barb says only time. She wants to distance herself from this place yesterday. He says he feels the same way. “Well, then, you know now what you have to do.”

Fer sits down with Gonzo and tells him that Anibal has explained what he plans to do with his will. She can’t understand why he’s decided to do it this way. He gets defensive and says he’s got the right to make sure the two weakest people in his life are protected once he’s dead and gone. He is not going to risk Barbara falling on hard times. Fer is incredulous. “You think Barbara is weak and defenseless? What about the rest of us? What about poor Lili? You think she isn’t weak and defenseless?” Hackles go up on Gonzo’s hoary backside. “Naturally Barbara is going to watch over her!” Fer snarks back. “—Barbara?!!”

“—Why are you surprised since she hasn’t done a single thing other than to care for you all since she arrived at our home?” Gonzo points an accusatory finger at her. Fer asks if Barbara really promised him that she was going to take care of Lili. Gonzo stands up and says discussion over. There’s no reason to say anything more since he trusts his wife fully to look after Lili for the rest of her life. (Well if it’s the rest of Lili’s life we’re talking about here, she isn’t long for this world, ¿no crees?) Fer asks if this means he doesn’t trust his children now or what. He looks defiantly back at her and says nothing, and of course, that says it all. “I’m sorry to have lost you all, but trust is like crystal and when it breaks nothing can repair it.” Fer cannot believe what she’s hearing. “—So you don’t trust me?”

Daddy Dearest looks down his nose at Fer and says he’s sorry, because he knows this has got to be very painful (not as painful as it’s going to get for you, but hey….) but he’s not changing his mind and that’s that! Fer stands up to challenge him. “Not even if I were to tell you, Dad, that Barbara is a shrewish hellcat?” Blood starts gorging Gonzo’s brain. His eyes go wide as his blood pressure rises from the anger he feels at Fer getting in the last word on his beloved Barbie (and boy, did she ever!)

Said bitch is now searching real estate sites on the net to find a house to hide Aurora. It’s got to be sufficiently discrete to make sure that neither the Elizaldes nor Artemio Bravo can ever find her. She says to herself, she’ll sign the papers as soon as she’s settled the score [ajustar cuentas] with the devil who ruined her life.

Fernanda tries to get her father to see the light. “Open your eyes, Dad. The woman is robbing you of your self-will.” Gonzo yells back that he can’t believe she would talk this way about his wife. He reaches over and grabs her arm and shoves her down in her seat like a sassy child. “--the woman who pledged her life, her youth, her strength to you in supporting this home and holding this family together! You’re words confirm my decision is the right one. You’ve just given me a demonstration of how you’re going to confront Barbara when I’m no longer here!!” Fernanda can only stare in disbelief as he rants on. “—And you know what hurts my heart so deeply is that it is you precisely who will destroy a person that you owe so much to!! Ever since your mother died she worried herself with you, brought you up, and thought to send you out of the country to protect you from the pain of continuing to live in the house where your mother died!”

Fer tries to say something but before she can, Gonzo nearly suffers The Big One. She gets him water and he takes his nitro-g tabs. She asks him to forgive her because she didn’t mean for him to get this way. He stands up and screams at her again that he knows this is very difficult and painful for her, but she is going to have to understand that he is not going to change his mind!! Fer tries to get him to calm down. She measures her words. “I understand, but also you must comprehend the position you are leaving me in, Dad. The fact is I cannot remain at Lactos. As of this moment I resign. I’m sorry.” Gonzo stares angrily at this final betrayal from Fernanda.

Labels: manana

Alternate Title: Never say Never Again
Second alternate: Winefest, or Whinefest

In solidarity with La Monita, she and Paula (and Beto) are now sin chamba (out of work), and Moni, Paula and Estrella are debating what to do. Moni thinks she can support everybody with her boxing, but no one’s buying that. Paula’s concerned about losing her business career, all for just one kiss of La Mómia (Connie). But Estrella has gotten them all a job, at an event, and the salary is good. Mau knocks on the door, and Moni tells him what they had is over forever (para siempre, which typically mean just the opposite in novelas). She slams the door in his face, and comes back inside crying.

Connie’s on the couch playing with her hair, as Ximmy opens the door for Jerry. He can’t understand why Con’s not in Mau’s bed, still playing the nutcase (which really wasn’t such a stretch for her). Because it didn’t work, like all your plans, she hisses back. Not to worry, announces Jerry. I’ve just gotten rid of the whole gang of bums (runfla de balagardos). This cheers Connie WAY up, and she hugs Jerry, who disgustingly “comforts” her a little too long.

As Paula and Estre try to comfort Moni, there’s another knock on the door, and they think Mau’s back. But this time it’s Beto, who wants to talk to Moni in private. He assures her that “Even though we ain’t got money, I’m still in love with you honey”. He actually says even if they just have animal crackers and lettuce at the wedding, they’ll get married, because those expensive things don’t matter. For their honeymoon, they can go for a day in the country, or walk along the coastline. His Mom can make them a picnic basket. The important thing is that he loves her, and he gives her a reassuring hug.

Connie has a new plan. She tells Jerry to check Mau’s appointment book. She wants to know everything he’s going to do (to tell you the truth, I don’t think Mau knows what he’s going to do from one minute to the next, and I’ve never once seen him consult any appointment book, but let’s not quibble). Jerry loves it when Connie gives him orders, and kneels down to kiss her feet.

We see some clouds, and boom! It’s the next day. We’re at a high class event, some sort of wine and cheese exposition, and our three girls are dressed as Greek goddesses, with white, one-shouldered togas and headbands (all worn differently). They actually look like little angels. Paula complains she always gets the worst uniform, and hers doesn’t fit, as she adjusts the bust. Estre says not to complain, the pay’s good, all they have to do is smile and serve some wine. If fact, there are several bottles of wine in front of them at their little serving station, and Estre thinks they should practice pouring. Moni fills the glass almost to the brim, and Estre reminds her that these people just drink to savor the wine, not to get drunk, so just put a little in the cup. Well, Paula doesn’t want it to go to waste (and she’s still mad at Moni about losing her job), so she chugs down the entire glass.

Meanwhile, Salvador tells Mau that Mau has to go to a wine exposition (gee, wonder which one?). Gabi (looking really pretty in a red, white and black top, with a single strand of pearls) is bored, she misses Moni, Paula and Beto, this place isn’t the same without them. She wants Sal to think of something they can do, and asks Sal to think, think with that wonderful mind you have, handsome (guapetón), which perks Sal right up. He comes around behind her, hugs her, and she pulls away, this has to stop, or she’ll go to Human Resources, and charge him with sexual harassment. His response? Kiss me, kiss me, and he pulls her in for a kiss, just as who should enter? Oscar, bouquet in hand, back from his trip. Am I interrupting anything?

Estrella wants Moni to hurry and open more bottles, they’re asking her for several glasses of “capitán sabanón”. Moni corrects her, it’s caparne souvon (yeah, right). She knows, because once they made her repeat it ten times at some other event. Estrella goes to check on Paula, and our little muse is sitting on the floor, hair in face, bottle in hand, sandaled leg extended langorously, feeling no pain.

Oscar realizes his bouquet won’t win Gabi’s heart, and she reminds him, it was his own actions which drove her into the arms of another man.

Mauricio arrives at the winefest, and who’s right behind him, but Connie (having gotten the info from his appointment book). She pretends to be surprised to see him there, stating she came with friends. Moni sees them immediately, but they don’t see her. They clink glasses in a toast, and Moni needs a drink herself, which she gulps down, and it awakens her brain, as she says to herself Cabernet Sauvignon, the actual name of the wine! But a glass isn’t enough, so she starts swigging directly from the bottle. Drunk Paula joins her, and the two are getting sloshed, as Estrella finally shows up, aghast that Moni’s drinking, why? Moni just points to Mau and Connie on the other side of the room. Moni needs to forget.

Connie gets a call from Beto, but she says she’s moved on, don’t call her again (we’ll see about that). Meanwhile, Moni and Paula are fighting over the booze, Estrella’s complaining that they’ll look incompetent, and could mess up the uniforms, so Paula starts to take hers off. Moni wants to beat up Connie, but Estre holds her back. But not for long. As Mau and Connie start to leave, Moni runs into the corridor, bottle in hand, aiming to hit someone! The other girls stop her, but she screams that Mau and Connie mistreat poor people, and that she used to be happy until Mau came into her life. Connie remarks about how pitiful she is, the low-class alcoholic. Mau, though, urges her to calm down, they’ll talk when she’s sober, and he leaves, as she sobs, the other two little angels trying to comfort her – she’s lost her wings.

After the commercial, blam! El Colmillos, the scary moneylender, claps his hands to awaken Beto from his usual stupor. He wants his money. He wants it tomorrow. And does Beto know what happens if he doesn’t pay? Right, broken legs. And if he doesn’t pay the next day? Broken arms. Beto wants to work something out. His Mom could cook for Colmillos, wash his clothes, whatever. No dice, Colmillos has three dames catering to his every need. So get the money by tomorrow or else.

Back in the barrio, Estrella is leading our two drunkettes back to casa. As she helps Paula into her place, Moni is despondent, saying don’t leave me, don’t abandon me, my Mamá abandoned me, she sadly squeals. But from behind, tall, handsome, calm Mauricio approaches, he’ll never abandon her. She turns to face him, as romantic strings play their song of love.

In the office, it sounds as if the cavalry has arrived, but in reality, it’s Beto, Costeño, some wrestlers, and pretty much the entire barrio, all sporting huge drums, pounding madly on them. What’s going on? asks Salvador. Can’t you see? It’s a strike (un paro laboral). Sal reminds Beto he doesn’t work there, how can he go on strike? Beto doesn’t care, if they don’t pay Moni, Paula and him what is due, nobody’s getting into the elevator. The drumming resumes.

Moni sniffles into Mau’s hanky, starts apologizing, slurring her words, he’s so good to her, and she knows she’s been saying terrible things to him, telling lie after lie. Don’t worry, says Mau, you just need to get some rest, and we can talk tomorrow. No, she’s through with the lying, never again will she lie, and she wants to tell him the truth, right now. She gives him the keys, he unlocks the door, and, swaying drunkenly, she proceeds. Beto and I…..hic! Are you sure you want to tell me now? asks Mau. Moni puts her arms around him for support. Beto and I are… are…and she passes out in his arms, and starts snoring (as our galán has to fight back laughter). He kicks open the door and carries her in.

Back at Drumline, barrio version, Sal asks them to stop right now with this commotion (zafarrancho), and leave…now! Nope, you pay, or we stay. The drumming starts again, and Gabi’s really digging it now, smiling and dancing a little.

Mauricio tucks our sleeping beauty into bed, and eyes closed, she says she loves him too. Then why lie? She’s afraid. Afraid he’ll stop loving her. He says that wouldn’t happen, but she says it would. She puckers up, asks him to kiss her goodnight, but as he leans in, she falls back to sleep, and he kisses her cheek, saying sleep well.

His phone then rings, and Sal fills him in on the demonstration. Mauricio says to tell Beto that he, Paula and Moni have their jobs back, and tomorrow, he’ll apologize. Sal does, the mob exults in victory, and Gabi says “now that’s divine justice” (and I think she’s hinting at how divine she thinks Mau is).

Señor Divino is writing a note to Moni. He signs with a flourish, neatly folds the paper, and places it in the hands of sleeping Moni. He tells her he loves her, she’s his life, and he kisses her on the lips. He turns off the lights, leaves smiling, but in the shadows, Nieves sees him! She enters Moni’s apartment, sees the note, snatches it from Moni’s grip, and reads it in the moonlight. Muy impactada, she says to herself “I knew it. Those two are lovers!” She tucks the note in her blouse and walks out with a very serious look on her face.

So now it’s morning, Moni can’t quite get out of bed, although Paula doesn’t look too bad, and Beto looks energetic in his green tee-shirt, which reads something like “Will trade mother-in-law for snake. I’ll pay the difference”. He tells her it’s time to go back to work, he got their jobs back, now they can pretty much run the place. Moni won’t return to that place full of shrews, no way. Paula ask what’s wrong, when apparently SHE lets out a little fart, and Beto says what a stink (qué tufo), you too?

Paula gets to work, and Gabi immediately asks where Beto is. She replies that she can’t do the cleaning (aseo) and be his nanny (andar de pilmana) at the same time. Gabi has an envelope for Beto to deliver to Ximena, who is presently at Connie’s place, and here’s the address. (Hmmm. I love how they always have these envelopes as plot devices, and of course this supposedly multi-million dollar Sermeño Group would never dream of using commercial messenger services. I also wonder how all our messengers get around – we never see Moni or Beto take a bus or a taxi to get to Mau’s house, they just pop in a few seconds later. Works for me.) Mau arrives, asks Paula to remind Moni to bring his coffee, but is told Moni’s not comin’ back to the place full of shrews.

Moni can’t believe she drank so much, she doesn’t even like wine, when Nieves enters without knocking, big chip on shoulder. She throws the note at Moni (I’m glad, I sort of thought she’d destroy it). Moni reads it, surprised, where did it come from? Nieves, furious, tells her Mau left it in Moni’s bed last night, how could Moni do this to her Betito? She reads the note to Moni. “I can’t live without you. That kiss you saw between Constanza and me was not a true kiss. I love you. Mauricio”. Nieves snarls this last part, a scornful expression on her lips. Moni wants the note, but Nieves snatches it away, she’ll keep it. She warns Moni not to betray Beto, or else. Moni’s cell rings, and Nieves says it’s him, answer it. With shaking hand, she picks up. Mau asks if she got the note. She says yes, tears streaming down her face, as Nieves glares at her. There’s silence, and Mau asks doesn’t she have anything to tell him? I do. It’s over, Mauricio.

After the commercial, Beto, now wearing his cleaning crew outfit which matches Paula’s, shows up magically at Connie’s door, envelope in hand. He’s surprised to see her (doesn’t realize this is her place), has an envelope for Ximena. Connie affirms Ximmy “was” here, takes the envelope, tells Beto to scoot. He’s taken aback, she shouldn’t treat him like a dog, but she says things have changed. It’s over between them (maybe I should be counting how many times in this episode people have said it’s over). He accuses her of exchanging him for Aldo. She picks up the phone, and he wonders if she’s calling another young boy, but she’s actually calling the cops. No need for that, he’ll leave, but he wants a favor he says, starting to breathe deeper, she’s also heating up. But it’s not a kiss, he wants a loan, and she kicks him out, flinging open the door, as Ximena tumbles in. Beto gives her the envelope and leaves.

Ximmy opens it, it’s her monthly allowance, her cousin Mau never forgets her. She has three words for Connie. “You’re in trouble” (paraphrased, but I made it 3 words). She heard through the door Beto asking for a loan, thinks he’s blackmailing Connie, threatening to tell about their relationship. Connie has one thing to tell Ximmy, who says “Oh, so now you’re copying me?”

In the office, Mau’s at his wit’s end. Sal counsels calm, he should think about something else, like WORK, for example? Gabi bursts in, the place is in chaos (again), Paula left, Beto’s out, Moni hasn’t shown up. How can she fill the vacancy (vacante)? Hire a replacement, says Mau, to Gabi’s surprise. Yes, that’s an order. Sal asks Mau if he’s sure, and he replies that Moni left, he didn’t fire her, if that’s what she wants, fine.

But I don’t know if that’s what Moni wants, as she’s crying in bed as Estre (looking a lot classier than usual) drops by. What happened, Moni, did Beto find out? No, it was Nieves. Moni continues, she has to break up with Mauricio. She’s too cowardly to do otherwise. She played at being a princess, but she’s really a boxer. And she’s been Beto’s novia for ever. She resigns herself to fate, asking Estrella not to leave her alone.

That night, in Jerry’s apartment, it’s time for another plan with Oscar. They’ve heard that Mau wants to hire a replacement for Moni, and Oscar has just the gal to keep them informed, from the inside – Anastasia!

Estrella has come to the office to talk to Mauricio. How could he give up on Moni so fast? He says she gave up on him. Estre tells Mau how that note he sent was found by someone, she won’t say who, and that caused tons of problems, because Moni’s crazy about you! Really, says Mau, smiling again, Estrella, you’re are so cute. Estre knows it, thinks Mau can’t resist her beauty, like all the others, closes her eyes, puckers up for his kiss, and he does kiss her, but on the cheek, as she fans herself, needs a cold shower. Whew!

The elevator door opens, and the heat rises even more, as a brunette bombshell, wearing a low cut, short halter dress pauses for a little wardrobe adjustment, causing three guys’ eyes to bug out of their heads. Chest thrust out, high heels clicking, she strides into the oficina, says hi to all, tells Gabi she’s here for the job. Gabi gives her a form to fill out, she sits down, and we see Salvador enter, only to be immediately drawn to the sight of her lovely crossed legs like a bee to honey. He tells Gabi he wants to interview this señorita personally, which intrigues Gabi, but Sal says strangely, this is the only young lady who has shown up. Gabi’s not surprised, must be the rumor floating around. What rumor? Well, that in this company, there’s a dirty old man who’s harassing all the ladies (hint, hint). Paula confirms it, as they look at Sal accusingly.

Outside the main entrance to the building, we see what’s going on, as another young lady shows up, only to be intercepted by Jerry. He tells her there’s a problem in the building, but if she gives her telephone number, maybe they can go out tonight, he’s got another job for her. She’s grossed out and leaves, as Oscar tells Jerry they’re supposed to turn away the applicants, not try to pick them up. Jerry doesn’t want to let such good “material” go to waste. Oscar thinks he's wasting his time (both use the word desperdiciar) with this fool, leaves Jerry to take care of things. Another young lady approaches, is she here for the job? No, but Jerry tries to pick her up anyway, as she passes by him, disgusted.

Moni, in gym clothes, enters Estrella’s apartment. Estre says she should go back to work, they’re going to replace her. Moni already knows, Paula told her, but how does Estre know? Estre tells her how she went to Mau’s office, and how Mau’s eyes lit up when she told him that Moni was dying for him (was hasta las mañanitas for him, which might translate to being up all night for him). Estre thought Mau might search for Moni, but Moni says she waited around, and no Mau. Estre says Moni should talk to Mau, but Moni says she deserves what’s happening, for being a liar. She hates herself for what she’s doing to Beto, and she hates herself even more for what she’s doing to Mauricio.

At the gym, Don Cesar is shouting encouragement to some fighters when Mauricio enters, looking serious. He tells Don Cesar he’s in love with Moni, and he will not allow Don Cesar, a man who’s married and is way older than Moni, to be Moni’s boyfriend. Don Cesar is tired of this whole thing. Between him and La Monita there’s nothing, they’re not novios, not lovers, not anything. It’s all a huge lie that Moni has been telling Mauricio. Mauricio’s mouth opens wide. Finally a secret has come out!

Two seconds later, he’s at Moni’s place, he has something to say. He’s just been at Don Cesar’s, he now knows that Don Cesar is not her novio. The lies are over. She’ll tell him right now. Who is her novio? In walks Nieves, hands on hips. Tell him, Monita. Tell the gentlemen, who is your novio! Moni looks like a deer in the headlights, and the episode ends.

And once again, Monday looks incredible (love those previews), with Nieves apparently showing Beto Mau’s love note to Moni, Colmillo’s henchmen gunning for Beto, and Mau saying to Moni, wanna go steady?

Vocabulario:

Runfla de balagardos – gang of bums
Un paro laboral – a strike, literally, a work stoppage
Zafarrancho – commotion, or chaos
Qué tufo – what a stink
Pilmana – a nanny
Vacante – a job vacancy
Desperdiciar – to waste

Labels: gancho