Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Gancho Tuesday Nov. 10, '09 Where Is Aldo And What Have You Done With Him?

Well tonight was full of surprises...and they weren't good ones. Monita was looking cute of course. Quite fetching in glasses and Christmas colors--green sweater and red shoes. And Estrella Falcón actriz got to do another accent number. Sounded to me like Miami Cuban but I could be wrong. Jarocha? Anyone? And our aromatic Beto proved irresistible to our prison matron. But to no avail. Our Aldo has been so brainwashed he actually ratted out the rescuers and his two sisters, and the courageous caper ended with Luisa in solitary at the internado and Estrella and Monita in jail! Holy Moley...what a crap episode!

Enough complaining. Let's start at the beginning. Loriloca is in the coffee room musing about how to torture and kill Gabriela, and scaring the bejesus out of Paula in the process. Paula, as usual, can't get anyone (in this case, Gaby) to listen to her. And thinking she's escaping trouble, Gaby heads for the elevator, only to find herself joined by Lorenza and trapped! Lori castigates her for being a "traidora, promiscua, ofrecida" and a few other epithets and Gaby wisely screams for HELP!!!!

We leave our two ladies in the elevator and listen to Estrella's rescue plan. It involves disguises. Great!

Back to the girls. Lorenza tells Gaby to quit playing the victim. She's nothing but a husband-stealer after all. Gaby tries to explain how it all happened, while hyperventilating. See, screeches Lori, just thinking about him leaves you breathless. There's some vigorous quibbling about whether or not Gaby actually slept with Sal but then suddenly Lorenza changes gears. I don't care. You're just a single woman picking up the leftovers of others. Want him? You can have him. Punto. Gaby is stunned. And a little let down. That's all? she asks. Exit Lori.

Back at the internado, Estrella's in full swing as a rich lady looking to place her child. A somewhat intellectual-looking Monita is her personal assistant and Beto, Man in Black, is her bodyguard in charge of checking out security. A LOOK and a hand kiss and Prison Matron is ready to have him check her out. More to come.

Back at the office, Sal is blinking, twitching, peering through venetian blinds and warning Mau that if he signs this prenup, he's signing his death sentence. Mau, looking dopey and disheveled, after noting that Sal needs to see a doctor, resigns himself to signing the document. What other option does he have?

We break for an ad and when we come back, Matron is showing our trio the classrooms and vaunting the educational aspects of the boarding school. But what about security? they want to know. And where are the kids? Seems Beto (who introduced himself as Mauricio will be given a personal security tour). Can't wait.

Back to the office. Sal, in full twitch mode, assures Mau he'll be back to normal as soon as his divorce is final. He's told Lorenza everything and it's just a matter of time. Suddenly Nieves and Alicia burst into the office with the news that Monita has escaped from the hospital. Mau looks dazed and confused. Sal twitches double-time. Serious business.

Mientras tanto, Monita has found the girls in the dormitory and there are hugs and tears as little Dany confesses that she was afraid her daddy had stopped loving her. And Luisa's worried about him marrying that witch! But Monita has always saved them! Three cheers.

Not so fast. Estrella has found Aldo, dutifully working some algebra problems on the blackboard and smothers him with some passionate kisses. She can't decide if she wants more hugs and kisses or just to whisk him outta there pronto, but he seems hesitant and confused. What's up? He gives her some BS about waiting and meeting up with him in the back patio of the school and we know something is verrrry verrrry wrong. Oh no. Our cachorrito has been brain-washed. He's in worse shape than Sal! Evidently evil Connie has scared him even more than Matron. If he rebels one more time, Constanza will see to it that the kids are locked up there for two or three more years. He can't risk it, poor baby. He has to protect his sisters. (For that alone, I'm ready to string up Constanza. Sorry Carlos.)

So, back to the office again. Nieves is torn between blaming Alicia for Monita's escape (You smothered her! You came on too strong!) and flirting with Salvador (you poor thing, you're all thin and hollow-eyed. Isn't that wife of yours taking care of you!?) This two-way stretch is interrupted by Paula who says she's just talked to Christian and the police have patrols out looking for Monita. Interesting use of police personnel. Must not be much crime in Mexico City. Hah!

Ugh. Excuse me while I grind my teeth a little. Constanza is lounging around Mau's bedroom, criticizing Teresa's handling of her duds. If you mess up my clothing, I'm going to take it out of your salary, she coos. Teresa's unfazed. Go ahead. Dock my salary. It's one thing to harm clothing. QUITE ANOTHER TO HARM PEOPLE...TO HARM SOULS. Connie snaps that she'd better respect her. There are those who deserve my respect, and others who don't, retorts Teresa. Constanza starts to protest but Teresa cuts her off. What are you going to do? Fire me? "Disappear me" like you did the kids? Fine, sez Connie. Go ahead. Drop the mask. Tell me what you really think. I won't fire you....YET. And with that, we break for another ad.

Alright. The only fun number of the episode. Matron has fallen sway to Beto's potent charm. There's some security sex talk with double-entendres about locks and locksmiths (cerrajeros) and whether or not one little push would open a door if someone had the skill (maña). Then a coupe of bent over the desk kisses until finally, overcome by menopausal lust, Matron throws Beto into a chair, jumps on his lap, flings her arms around him....and thereafter, we draw a veil, children. This is the 7 pm hour, after all.

Well, if things are getting rough at the boarding school, it's even rougher at Mau's house. Teresa's taking on Connie, telling her she's "despota, grosera, soberbia and altanera". Her "egoismo" is leading her to destroy others just to get what she wants. Connie looks temporarily sad and discouraged but then snaps back by saying Well, at least I won't end up like some grubby cook. But you're condemning Mauricio to perpetual misery, replies Teresa. And the children. And yourself as well. No one loves you here. No one will ever love you here.

Again, Constanza has a moment of looking regretful, lonely and sad. Then she reloads. I'm marrying him and that's that. Stuff your tears. (Well, as little Sylvia pointed out, the Devil is persistant. And so is our Connie.)

Back at boarding school, the jig is up. Aldo has informed on his rescuers and his sisters. The goons have grabbed Estrella and Monita, a disheveled partly- unbuttoned Matron comes running to the scene, and the girls scream at Aldo that they hate him. Have they fried your brain?! yells Estrella. Look, he says dejectedly....I did this for my sisters. I spent 6 months enduring punishments. I don't want the same thing to happen to them. Monita and Estrella are still struggling and castigating their captors as "Pocos hombres" while Beto, ever the coward, runs off rather than rescue them. Bad Beto!

And Bad Connie. She's tightening the screws on Mauricio. Sign the prenup. You've had enough time. Alright, you can have my money, my property, all I want is custody of the children. Nonononono...you're not going to divorce me double-quick and get anything. If you do, I'll keep the children and you'll never see them again. And while you're at it, you have to fire Teresa. But she's always worked for the family. She has no one else. Not my problem. (Theoretically, I'm against violence...but I just wish Mauricio would slap the crap out of Constanza right now. Take that cool confidence down a notch or two.)

Well, Estrella and Monita are cooling their heels in jail and Luisa's been sent to solitary for her part in the escape attempt. Christian, ever righteous, is reading them the riot act. Aldo is being congratulated by Matron for his change in attitude and the goons are counseled not to let Constanza know about the little dust up at the school. Hmmm. Where will this lead?

Well, we know where Beto was led. Straight to Mau's house. He, Mau and Teresa are in the kitchen while he gives them word of the kids. No, they don't look malnourished, he assures Tere...but why are we whispering?

Because Constanza's in the house! Beto looks elated, then shifty-eyed, as he assures Mau he can help. Plan 1) get Estrella and Monita out of jail Plan 2) Have Teresa waylay Constanza.

The scene switches to a restaurant where Sal and Lorenza have met to talk over their divorce in a civilized manner. Alas, this involves some more doctoring of Sal's coffee "just the way he likes it". However, Lorenza assures him she won't make his life hell. On the contrary, she's ready to sign the divorce document and put an end to this relationship. Watch out Sal!

Back at Mau's, Connie's objecting to being waylaid. Are you spying on me? she snaps. Not my style, sez Tere, but I have a few more things to say to you.
T- You'll never get a man the way you're behaving.
C- Oh yeah, and how many men have YOU had!?
T- There's no better teacher than Life and I've known Mauricio all my life and what he needs, you don't have. He needs the children and he needs real love.

Back in the kitchen, Beto and Mauricio are skirmishing about why he's willing to help and what's with the "tutear" business. Seems Mauricio objecting to it because Beto only tuteared him when he was insulting him. Hmmm. Not sure it really happened that way, but they seem to be working out their differences. As to why Beto really wants to help? Well, he saw how sad Monita was when she decided she had to give up Mauricio. And so "me fajo los pantalones" (I hitched up my pants) and decided to do the right thing. Flee with her and the kids, Mauricio. Keep her happy. But disappear. Do it man!

And there we end. Nothing of note in the preview that I could see other than a shot of Mauricio driving off with the kids. Will it really happen? We'll find out tomorrow.

Vocabulary:
se te botaba la canica = Paula said this to Lorenza. Anyone have a clue? Sylvia has suggested "you lost your marbles, you've got a screw loose". Works for me.
clamar = protest
ojeras = rings under the eyes
cerrajero= locksmith
maña= knack, skill
servir de escarmiento = serve as a lesson (Christian speaking to Estrella and Monita in jail)
sin decir agua = without so much as a by your leave
me quedé corto= I stopped short (Teresa speaking to Constanza)
me fajó los pantalones = hitched up my pants

Dicho of the Day

Defenderse hasta con los dientes; defenderse come gato boca arriba. = To fight tooth and nail. (What Mauricio and Monita will have to do to save the kids and their love.)

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Amor Monday, November 9, 2009: Paloma says sorry, she reckons she’s run out right of cheeks and is not going to turn another one

Friday: Carlota tells Paloma okay, Rufi can stay, but no more talk about your daddy is permitted. Paloma informs Rufi she can stay. Orlando takes Em to a BMW dealership and says pick out one. Em runs around the cars like a kid on Christmas day. Carlota finds out Chris may leave Real del Monte. Paloma tells Aron it’s best they don’t see each other anymore so he doesn’t get the wrong idea. Aron gets a wrong idea, gets all weird and crazy-eyed and grabs her like a rapist.

How charming is Real del Monte! Its picturesque little streets, its sleepy plaza, its sweet church tower, the sun bathing everything in a warm golden glow. Little would the casual visitor suspect the volcanic swirl of passions and deceits that roil and broil behinds its antique walls. The camera is our peephole… let’s press our eye to it:

Paloma screams and carries on, grabs a piece of garden pottery and breaks it over Aron’s head, then tips the big bird cage on him. Finally Rufi materializes. Aron desperately apologies and swears he meant her no harm. Rufi grabs a big stick and chases him out.

Carlota sees him slam out the door and comes into the little garden where Paloma is hysterically hanging onto Rufi. They tell Carlota what happened and Carlota says see what happens when you get a loose reputation? He must know you’re going with the guy who knocked up Romina. She stomps off and Paloma suddenly is worried about the birds.

Carlota huffs off to her car, cursing Aron for being so stupid. Just what I need, she grumbles, right when I’m tying to focus on figuring out how to keep Chris here. She has a little temper fit, but remembers to buckle up.

German comes by Dr B’s office. He wants to strike a deal – he’ll show Dr B the will in return for…

Diana has come to Rafa’s apartment. (When did he have the time to get it stylishly furnished and decorated, and appointed with flourishing arty plants? I’m surprised he has the time to water them even.) She smiles hesitantly and wants to talk. Rafa’s not keen. She tells him she’s not that bad a person – there were reasons she did what she did. But she swears that in one thing she never lied, she always loved him and Emiliano. She gets weepy and says please just listen.

Rufi is sweeping up the pottery shards, and Paloma calls Angie on her cell and says something bad happened and can they talk? Angie agrees to meet her in a café. Rufi says it’s good she has Angie to talk to because she doesn’t know what to say in a situation like this. Paloma tells Rufi how important to have her with her, that she doesn’t want her to leave her ever, ever, ever. Rufi says I’ll always be here.

Uh oh, those are the kind of fateful words that make an anvil slowly levitate.

Whammo! Carlota slaps Aron a good one – she’s at his house, handing out frontier justice. She tells him that he’s a flaming idiot. She welcomed him into her house and supported him and look what he did. He’s blown all his chances. Aron says I just got frustrated, I really really want to apologize. Tell me what to do – I’ve become obsessed and I just couldn’t stop myself.

Camila comes home and Romina is all slant-eyed smiley happiness. She shows her mother the orchid bouquet and says guess what? They’re from my papa to you! She reads the note: Camila, I still love you. Samuel. She flutters her eyelids. Camila looks stunned – not the happy kind of stunned.

Aron is still begging Carlota to tell him what to do. Carlota informs him that he’s a loser – he couldn’t even get Paloma to forget about Emiliano. She says she might need him though, so if she sees any possibility, she’ll call him. Aron says he was afraid she might have him thrown in jail. Carlota says and drag my family’s name in the dirt? She is all tight lipped mad and says you and your stupid passions – there’s no end to the sins people will commit En Nombre Del Amor.

On her way out, Carlota spies some keys hanging on a hook on the wall by the door. She flashes back to a time she saw Inez loan the keys to the priests’ residence to someone to do an errand. She grabs the keys just before Inez comes in. Carlota says I didn’t come to see you – ask your prize of a nephew why I was here. She sails out.

Romina is surprised that Camila isn’t thrilled. Quite the opposite says Camila. Romina says but he could come back and live with us. Camila says I don’t think that’s what he wants, plus I don’t love him. It would be wonderful if you could see him and talk to him, but that’s it. Romina says you’re just thinking about yourself.

That’s right says Camila, and high time. I revolved around him like he was the sun and he took off anyway. He didn’t care what happened to me. You were just a child and I took care of you. But now it’s my time.

Romina says maybe, but it’s best you two are together. Plus if there were a proper father in this house, Emiliano would behave more responsibly. Camila says we don’t need a man to stick up for us.

Romina says please stop ruining my life. It seems to me the least you could do for me is to give him a tiny chance. She flounces out.

Paloma and Angie are in a coffee shop and Paloma tells her what happened with Aron. Angie is astonished he’d do that. Paloma says she feels humiliated – she swears she didn’t do anything to lead him on, and she doesn’t want to ever see him again, or to let him do that to anyone else. Angie says the best thing would be to report him to the police.

Diana boo-hoos to Rafa that she was a victim of Ignacio – he stole the money and wanted to lay the blame on her. She had to flee. She had to think of her child! Rafa says why didn’t you just tell me the truth? Diana says I was afraid you would reject me. You don’t know what Orlando is capable of! Rafa says I’m starting to get the feeling that he isn’t as bad as you made out. Diana says you saw that he was willing to tell Em all that stuff without caring about the hurt it would cause him.

Rafa says I’m not defending him – I don’t like the guy. But I do kind of see his point. Diana wails Orlando is vengeful! Aggressive! He hit me! Oh, I can’t tell you everything – it’s too painful. Rafa says you mean he raped you? Diana says we have to join forces – we can’t let him turn Emiliano against us.

Camila has sought out Romina in her room and says let’s not fight. Let’s imagine if German was the father of your child – would you marry him? Yes, I would, proclaims Romina, for the good of my child. Camila says things like that don’t work without love. Sooner or later it all ends up in resentment.

Camila says she’s decided what to do – she loves Rafa. Romina is horrified – he’s going to be my father-in-law! Please, think of me! At least wait until I get married. Camila starts to say something, but Romina says talk to the hand.

Padre B is trying to talk Chris into accepting the Bishop position. Chris just wants to serve right where he is, but Padre B says you could spread a wider net of service. Having Mac die resolved your need to be in Real del Monte.

Carlota is furious that Paloma isn’t home and squeezes out of Rufi where she went. She’s livid to find out that Paloma is telling Angie what happened. You useless thing, she spits at Rufi. Dirty laundry gets washed at home. Rufi says don’t you even care how Paloma feels? Carlota says no backtalk! I told you you could stay only if you stopped contradicting me.

At Paloma’s door Angie, who has walked her home, gives her a pep talk, telling her that she’s strong and how much she respects her. Paloma goes in and there’s Carlota sizzling with fury. She tells Paloma she took care of things by dealing with Aron, that he wants to come apologize. Paloma says she never wants to see him again. Carlota says that it’s best to forgive others for their mistakes. Just turn the other cheek. Paloma says what happened to me shouldn’t happen to anyone, and she runs up the stairs.

It’s the next day and Paloma is in her school outfit, having breakfast and talking to Rufi who tells her she’s very brave, that most women wouldn’t say anything, even if it was something much worse. Paloma says that’s why she wants to speak up, and Angie is going with her. She didn’t want Carlota to know. She gets ready to run off and Carlota comes in, so she gives her a quick cheek peck and escapes. Carlota tries to get out of Rufi what Paloma said, but Rufi fibs that they were talking about tonight’s dinner.

Angelica tells Orlando she needs to take a bit of time that morning to go help a friend with a problem. He’s worried it’s Camila, so she says actually Paloma. Em overhears, and as she’s about to leave stops her and insists on knowing what’s happened to Paloma.

At breakfast, Inez tells Aron she couldn’t sleep all night, she was so upset by what he did. It could blow her long friendship with Carlota, plus the whole town will be talking. Aron says Carlota is going to get Paloma to forgive him. Inez says that better work, because if it doesn’t, you have to leave Real del Monte.

Paloma is waiting outside the police station and has a flashback of Aron’s attack. Angie arrives, and just a second later here comes a lawyer she called, Nestor (that would be Roja’s law partner) who she introduces as the husband of Vero who took temporary leave from the plateria. Small town, indeed! Paloma says she can’t afford a lawyer, but he says he heard what happened and he’ll defend her pro bono.

Aron is walking along a leafy lane, head hung low in appropriate shame, when up behind him comes Emiliano who grabs his shoulder, and decks him. Nobody touches Paloma, understand? Understand? he rages over Aron. Aron jumps up at him and they get in a realistic-looking fistfight. Two policemen on the beat spot them and go pull them apart and drag them off to the police station.

Paloma makes her report at the police desk. German for some reason happens to be in the background, listening.

Camila comes into the shop and asks Monica if Rafa has called. Nope. Monica gives her a boring pep talk that ends with her telling Camila to follow her heart. No wonder Monica’s storyline seems to have been dropped. Yawn.

Rafa is at his desk at work and is talking to Joel about Orlando’s ultimatum. If he doesn’t accept, Orlando will tell Em himself, in his way. Rafa says for the first time in his life, he doesn’t know what to do. He doesn’t want Em to pay for the sins of his mother. Joel says you shouldn’t have to pay for them either. Rafa says but Em is going through really rough times right now, and if he finds out the truth about his mother, it’ll blow him out of the water. He’s strong, but we all have our breaking points.

I’d rather give up Camila than have Emiliano destroyed. Joel says Orlando is taking advantage of your love for Emiliano. Rafa says I’d give my life to keep my son sane and on track.

Paloma and Angie and the lawyer emerge from the station. He compliments Paloma on her courage and says if everyone were so brave, the country would be a better place. The lawyer leaves and Paloma says she feels a little bit bad for Aron. Angie says he asked for it.

The cop car pulls up at the station with Aron and Emiliano in the back. Em spots Angie and Paloma and he calls out, but Paloma doesn’t hear him and walks off down the street with Angie.

Orlando looks up from his desk and does a double-take. Gudelia, ¿Qué haces aquí? Diana says please, don’t tell Orlando the truth about me. Because of course Diana didn’t close the door behind her, Angelica outside unwittingly overhears, wide-eyed. Well, she does everything wide-eyed, but she’s even more wide-eyed than usual. Diana says you’ll ruin our son’s life. Orlando says so now you say “our son.” Angie’s eye bug some more.

Orlando says I left it to Rafa to tell him, but if he doesn’t within a reasonable timeframe, then I will.

Diana tries a different tack – she slinks around his desk, slithers onto his lap and starts kissing his face. (Ewwww. Yuck! Patooee.) What if I drive you crazy like I used to? Orlando pushes her off and says you never loved me, you just used me. I can’t believe I used to love you. You should leave now, don’t make me throw you out.

Diana shoves him back in his chair and snarls at him Whatever you do, Em will never love you like he loves Rafa, even if your blood runs in his veins. She leaves, not seeing Angie, who is pressed to a wall like a firing squad target.

Angie walks slowly into Orlando’s office and looks at him goggle-eyed. He stares at her. Did you hear? She nods. He does some heavy breathing.

The MS calls Carlota wondering why Paloma doesn’t show up at school. It’s Carlota’s turn to bug her eyes. She says she’ll go find out where that girl is. Rufina! Rufina is in the kitchen stirring the beans and tells her Paloma went to the police about Aron.

Orlando apparently has just finished up telling Angie everything. He never thought when he came to Real del Monte that he’d find Gudelia and his son, right under his nose. Angie says nothing happens by chance. Orlando says Rafa is supposed to tell him. Angie says it’ll take him time to absorb the information, but he’s a steady young man. Orlando says you’re a psychologist, maybe you can help me know how to handle this. I’d be glad to, says Angie, with a starry-eyed smile.

Orlando goes to her and puts his arms around her shoulders from behind and kisses the top of her head. You can be a big help, he says.

Romina runs into Paloma on the street and is surprised that she’s not in school. Paloma hesitantly tells her that she reported Aron for attempted rape.

At the police station, we see Em with a mild black eye. The policeman behind the counter tells him that violence is never a solution. Then they call Aron, who looks much the worse for wear. He cops a little attitude. The police ask him to step into a separate room.

German comes out of the woodwork and asks Em what he’s doing at the station. Em wants to know what Paloma was doing there. German tells Em that she registered a complaint. Em is pleased and says that’s why he bloodied Aron. German offers to help get Em out, but Em says his father already said he’d come pay the fine.

German says Aron’s the one in big trouble; Paloma’s a minor. Em hopes he gets locked up. G: You still love her don’t you? E: I always will. G: And if Romina’s child is yours, then what will you do? E: Destroy my life.

Orlando calls Camila at her shop and wants to talk, to explain some things. Camila says that’s okay, it’s not necessary and Orlando says but for me it is. She says okay, she’ll go to dinner with him, just as friends. Orlando says did you like the orchids? Camila is surprised that they were from him, but she fakes that they came without a card. But you know what? It’s not appropriate if we’re just friends.

Rafa has sprung Em from the police and tells him that violence is never good, but what the heck, in Em’s place he would have done the same thing. Em thanks Rafa for paying the fine, and Rafa says you know I’m always here for you. He puts his arm around Em’s shoulder and they walk off down the street, happy.

Carlota is telling Paloma off big time for going to the police. Paloma says she’s tired of secrets. Carlota says don’t you know that you could wreck your reputation? Paloma says so what? My mother did so much to save hers and it made her miserable. Carlota says do you realize what class of woman your mother was? No, says Paloma. Because even though you and that “father” told me things, something inside of me tells me they’re not true. And I’ve had it with people abusing me.

Avances: Romina is going to succeed in tricking Em into marrying her. She sees Em kissing Paloma. Carlota uses a key to get into Chris’s room while he’s asleep. He awakes, shocked, and reaches for the bedside lamp. OMG! It looks like she’s disrobing! Chris is trapped like a rat.

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Monday, November 09, 2009

Sortilegio #24, November 9, 2009: Embarazadaaa

Eric tells Bruno that last night Paula had her first driving lesson. Bruno threatens Eric with jail unless he obeys his commands. Eric agrees and wants to know what he has to do. Bruno tells him to find a stuntman on the internet. Eric asks him if something bad will happen to Paula. Bruno reminds him that his a—is his from his brain to his bones. Bruno tells him to be ready at the house at 2:00 p.m. He also said something about going to the airport and that he’ll let Eric know where they are going.

Mary Jo tells Paula about all her problems. Meanwhile Ezekiel arrives and gives them each a cell phone which makes Paula very happy.

At the office, Alex arrives in his Buster Brown outfit, you know, the two-tone grey number with the nipped in at the waist vest, which of course emphasizes his bulging biceps and other beautiful physical attributes. He asks Marie if there are any calls. The most important is about a meeting at 1:00 p.m. with Bruno’s lawyer (Archundo). Alex tells her to call his mother. Fernono arrives and tells Alex that there is no news about Mario Aguirre. Alex tells a shocked Ferno that Mario sent Mary Jo a bouquet of flowers. And, Mary Jo keeps denying that she knows him. He avoids answering whether he believes her or not.

Alex tells Ferno about the 1:00 p.m. meeting and that he has asked Victoria to attend. Ferno doesn’t think that’s such a good idea, but Alex needs her. Ferno says it will put Victoria in a very uncomfortable position. Alex tells him that she’s already in it. The boys talk about the fix their in and the nerve of Bruno having impersonated Alex. Dimwit Fernono says how do you know it’s him. Because, says Alex, he knows me like a book and can fake my signature.

Ferno then tells Alex that he cannot accept the job as vice-president at Lombardo. Ferno has already spoken to Victoria about it and now, in his most constipated way, tells Alex the same thing and that he has nothing more to say.

Alex calls MJ on her cell. It is all love and “mi cielo”. Paula interrupts to put her two centavos in about how grateful she is about receiving the phone. Alex boyishly giggles that there is nothing to thank him for. He tells her about the meeting with the lawyers. She says you must be worried and that she hopes it all goes well. Alex then gives us a “please hug me” look. Cut over to Chucho and Pedro.

After short discussion, Chucho takes on the task of getting Mechita out of jail. Merry mariachi music plays in the background so we know something silly is about to happen. Paula shows Pedro her cell. Pedro wants to know why Mary Jo seems so sad, like are you having problems with Alex. Paula interrupts with her hi-pitched chatter and demands that Mary Jo give them the low down. Mary Jo swears them to complete secrecy and then lets them know that it looks like Bruno and Raquel are Alex’s half-siblings. Pedro is shocked when Mary Jo tells them that they all have the same father and that both Victoria and Antonio were married to other people when Victoria became pregnant with the twins from Hell. Well, says Paula, how dare they talk about us.

Both Pedro and Mary Jo jump all over Paula when she gets her motor mouth running about how could this happen. But, Mary Jo is not finished yet. There is more. Bruno is going to sue Alex to get half the Lombardo fortune.

Bruno thanks a man (papparazo) for a newspaper and some articles that have been published. The man asks for more and Bruno will let him know.

Raquel gives the new driver hell and lays down the law to him about how things have to be done. Nobody around her is allowed to talk. She notices there is no car. She notices a taxi parked in the garage and the driver tells her it will just be for a little while. She checks it out for dust or something. Raquel tells him that he’ll only have to work for her husband when he is drunk and can’t drive. She shouts out orders for him to get going.

Chucho is sitting with Julia who is wearing an orange shirt and is soaking her feet in a pan of water. He tells her about Mechita who is in jail and that she has to help get her out. He tells her the story about getting robbed. She doesn’t believe him at first. Well, he says, have you seen Mechita around here? Finally she gives in and goes with him.

Ulises and Roberto are out for a run on the beach. They talk about the Mary Jo situation and that Bruno is still interested in her and that maybe she had another accomplice, and they say that Bruno is very clever. At this point they are both wearing shirts, but, your editor hopes they will take them off and go for a swim. They toast to Mary Jo and Robo tells Uli that Mary Jo is married and that any man who sends flowers to her is crazy. Yeah! Off come the shirts and they go into the water.

A silver Rolls pulls up to Lombardo properties and Vickie gets out. Marie is on the phone when Mau comes in and just happens to overhear Marie talking on the phone about Mario Aguirre. Mau takes a breath and tells Marie that she’s there to see Alex. Marie tells Mau that Alex is very busy at the moment but, if she’d like to wait, she’s welcome to do so. Anyway, has anybody ever had an ex-novia just drop in at your office for a chat? So, Mau says it would be better if she just called him. She leaves.

Meanwhile, Vickie, Hernan, Ferno and Alex discuss the Bruno situation and that this is his way of getting vengeance. Alex calls him a coward and Hernan tells him that they have to talk things over and come to an agreement before a complaint is filed and the matter becomes public. Vickie for once says that Alex is free to express his opinion. Ferno, who wants to protect Vickie’s image at any cost, says they need to come to an agreement. Hernan agrees with him. Of course, one of the pillars of telenovelaland comes up, a DNA test.

Marie buzzes Alex to tell him the lawyers have arrived. Ferno goes to Vickie and tells her not to get upset. She says I’m fine. Hernan tells Ferno that he doesn’t have to worry, because he’ll be there at her side. You know what I think? I think Ferno and Victoria will be condemned to Purgatory and that Ferno and Victoria will be connected to each other by a blood pressure machine which Ferno will have to monitor for at least two eternities.

There is a short conversation between Alex and Ferno that I couldn’t quite get because I couldn’t hear it. Fill in, please. Ferno tells Alex that this all doesn’t concern him because he’s not a member of the family, but that he’ll be in his office if he’s needed.

Raquel’s “taxi” pulls up to Uli’s apartment. She yells “stop” to the driver. Mau just happened to be in the neighborhood so she thought she’d drop in. That girl sure gets around in one day. Raquel plays coy, while the driver leans across the front seat in an attempt to overhear their conversation. Mau assures Raq that she’s only interested in one man, Alex. The driver shouts out much to Raq’s disgust who gets in the car and tells him to just go.

The lawyers begin the pissing contests. Alex’s lawyer says that Sr. Antonio with all his faculties intact chose to leave the majority of his wealth to Alex. Bruno’s lawyer says that his client claims that Antonio was not lucid. Vickie interrupts and says no way, my husband was completely normal. Now they want to hear from Hernan who knew Antonio for many years. Hernan says that Antonio was his friend and was in complete control of his mental faculties until the moment he died. He merely broke a leg, but his blood pressure and mental capacity were perfect. Vickie relates that Bruno did not apply himself at school and did not complete his studies, and didn’t get along with anyone. That was one reason why her husband left Alex everything.

One of the lawyers asks her if Antonio didn’t name Alex because he was Antonio’s legitimate son, child of his first wife. Hernan says that had nothing to do with it. Antonio loved Bruno and Raquel, too. Further, Bruno alleges that Sra. Victoria had an extramarital affair with Sr. Lombardo and that union produced Bruno and Raquel. The shyster in white says that everything that is said in that room will remain confidential, but even if Bruno has little chance of winning, he holds a powerful weapon – that Alex doesn’t want his stepmother “prejudiced”, or that is to say, have her name dragged through the mud. So, if they can’t come to some agreement, everything will be made public. Everyone in Merida will know that things aren’t as they appear.

Alex steps up and calls them all a bunch of “sinverguenzas” (shameless SOB’s) and that that they are exploiting his mother for that “infeliz” (rotten, miserable person). Bruno just wants power and money and he can have it. No, says Victoria, your father was a just and fair man and he made a decision based on Bruno’s behavior that Bruno was not worthy to occupy the position he now demands. She takes her leave. Alex tells Hernan to go with her.

Hernan invites her into his office for a rest, but she says she wants to go home. Out of no where Ferno appears and Vickie asks him to take her home. So, what happened to the silver Rolls?

Back in the conference room, Alex gives the seated legal-beagle array, the “she is more than my mother speech.” She was always loving to me but she had a jealous and vengeful son. Alex tells them that he is disposed to make a settlement (arreglo). Alex’s lawyer tells Alex and the other lawyers that it will take a few days to draw up an agreement. Bruno’s lawyers agree that they, too, want to avoid a scandal.

At their cabana, Roberto reads the newspaper “Merida Hoy” and notes to Raquel that Alex is in the public eye again. Raquel says, “right” and Roberto asks her if it isn’t important to her. She says, of course, they are always worried about bad press. Roberto just doesn’t understand how all this can be happening and how Bruno is threatening to contest Antonio’s will. Roberto asks her if she’s spoken to Bruno. She says, no. How about Alex? Nope. Do it, says Roberto. Raquel then parks her butt on Roberto’s lap and asks him if he thinks there is something between Maura and Ulises. Roberto becomes a little pissed over that and explains to her that Ulises can do as he pleases, he’s a man who lives off the world and he knows him well. He dumps Raq and she grabs the paper.

At Mau’s mansion, Mau tells Uli, who is wearing orange trousers and is standing in front of a pink sofa, that he did good because Alex is looking for Mario Aguire in every hotel. Uli tells her that Roberto thinks that Bruno hired Mario. Uli tells Mau that this is going to be hard to keep up. She says that’s why I’ve paid you. They now realize that they are in over their heads. I think they came to an agreement that they are going to have to come up with somebody else somehow.

Bruno, Eric and a friend (the stuntman?) are having a drink at a bar. They discuss the place where something is to happen and Bruno hands the man an envelope for which the man is thankful. Eric looks uncomfortable and may be having second thoughts. Bruno asks him what’s up, you’re not sorry now, are you. Eric says OK.

Alex arrives at the Lombardo mansion and asks Felipa, who always looks pleasant because that expression has been surgically planted on her face, where is mother? She’s in her room resting. Maria Jose? He asks hopefully. She’s with her sister eating with Pedro. Bruno? She hasn’t seen him. She wants to know if he’s eaten. He says, yes, in the office. Felipa lectures him about that and warns him that if he keeps that up he’ll get skinny and sick. Alex sighs and heads up the stairs.

In the city, Eric and Paula have a little before school chat. He wants to know why she looks like she’s having a problem and wants to know if she and her sister had a fight. No, she says. He doesn’t like to see her like this. Tell me, he says. She says she can’t say anything and has to go to class. OK, says Eric who has clearly fallen for Paula. He’ll be there waiting for her.

At casa Lombardo, Alex tells Maria Jose about his miserable day and about the threats against Victoria. Alex tells her that he wants to solve the problem immediately, but Victoria doesn’t want it to happen. There is something about this Alex doesn’t understand. Victoria feels betrayed. All this has been going on for over thirty years, etc. He doesn’t want to hurt Victoria. How many times are we going to have to hear that? They talk about the “Lombardo” name – like maybe Bruno would have to give it up because then everyone would know something is up. Alex reminds her that Bruno is out for vengeance and he just can’t understand why Bruno throws it all back on his own mother.

Mary Jo flashes back to a conversation she had with Bruno in which he said that in addition to one half of the Lombardo wealth, he also wants her to divorce Alex. Alex asks her if she’s OK. She says, yes, takes her hand and says let’s go to the bedroom. Always the spoilsport, Mary Jo picks up papers that relate to her father’s apartment. Alex gives her the same speech – do you think this money is important to me? She’s grateful, but it’s important to her. Alex tells her that they are husband and wife, etc., and he’ll look at the papers later. He wants to eat now.

At the police station, Chucho and Julia complete the paperwork to get Mechita out of jail. Well, Julia signs and they go ahead. I don’t think Chucho is able to write his name. Mechita is so grateful to them and that she will pay back “hasta el ultimo peso.”

Eric and Paula are driving in the dark. He tries to get information out of her. All she says is that Bruno is trying to hurt Alex, and that hurts her. Then she has a very bright idea – let me drive. Eric stops and let’s her take the wheel. Somebody is waiting in the shadows. A smiling Paula drives on when she hits someone whose face she can see on the windshield. She screams and loses total control. Eric gets out and pulls the man she supposedly hit over to the side of the road. None other than Chucho happens to be at the exact spot where the accident occurred and is witness to the whole dirty deed. Paula keeps screaming, “Is he dead, is he dead?” Eric takes off. Paula is hysterical.

Chucho goes over to the “dead” man who, of course, is not dead. We know that because the man gets up and runs away. Chucho thinks some kind of miracle has happened and starts praying.

When Eric and Paula arrive at casa Lombardo, Paula is still distraught, and Eric tries to tell her that nothing happened. “How can you say that,” she asks? Eric tells her that he’ll take care of everything. He checks the car out. As Paula enters, Zeke comes out of the shadows and greets her with a “Buenos noches, senorita, has something happened to you?” For some reason he is holding a lit candle below his face even though there are dim lights on in the room. Maybe this is just to intensify the suspense. He tells her that Mary Jo is in Alex’s room. She heads up the magic staircase.

A shirtless Bruno is on the phone with Eric who tells him that everything went well and that Paula is out of it. He’s OK says Eric. The body disappeared, says Eric. Eric tells him that something is going on between Paula and Mary Jo. Bruno is happy with the report.

Chucho blesses himself and knocks on Pedro’s door. He asks Pedro for a beer and tells him something happened, but he needs a beer for courage. The beer does wonders for Chucho. He tells Pedro about the accident and about dead man on the highway who suddenly got up and ran away and that it scared him to death. Their little joke: Pedro: “ What did the man say to you?” Chucho: “Nothing. Dead men can’t talk.” Pedro says nothing happened. Chucho thinks the man flew away. Isn’t this just like a conversation between Einstein and Edison?

At home, Mechita, who was in jail, talks to a man who is in bed and appears to be disabled. His name is Gabriel and she tells him not to worry. Julia told him what happened and he was very worried. She tells him she’s in trouble and probably won’t have work. He wants to go somewhere, but she tells him he has to wait. She wants to get enough money together for him to see a doctor to look at his legs. He’s crying because he can’t work.

Zeke and Raq’s driver discuss the day. Paula arrived scared and crying. Zeke corrects the driver’s diction. Anyway the driver tells Zeke that Raq had him drive to a house and that he is not to tell anyone the address. Zeke says that he knows everything that goes on in this house. They didn’t go anyplace special, just here and there.

In the morning, Paula goes to see Eric in her pajamas. He tells her not to worry, nobody knows anything. She’s still very worried. But, there’s nothing in the newspaper. He says it was an accident and that the man was a drunk. Sh-t happens he tells her.

Alex wakes up with Mary Jo in his arms. He rolls her over and snuggles her before getting up. Cut to Vic’s room.

Felipa tells Vic she should stay in bed, but Vic feels well enough to get up and get dressed. Felipa tells Vic that Alex wants to speak to her.

Alex tells Mary Jo he has to go to the office and that they’ll eat together later. He hands her an envelope with money for her personal needs and that of her sister and father. He doesn’t want his wife to go out without “a quinto”. She says, no, no, but he insists and kisses her goodbye.

Alex runs into Felipa in the hallway. He asks about his mother and Felipa tells him she’s waiting in her room. Obsessive/compulsive Felipa straightens out a picture on the wall.

Mary Jo is vomiting into the toilet. We know what that means. But, does it dawn on her? Looks like it’s a yes. She says she has to hide this. Later she goes to Pedro’s cabana where she finds a weeping Paula who tells her that Pedro probably left with Chucho. What’s the matter, asks Mary Jo? “I killed a man” cries Paula. “Are you crazy?” asks Mary Jo. “I killed him, I killed him last night. It was an automobile accident.” “How could this happen?” asks Mary Jo. She was with Eric. Paula gets up, runs out of the cabana followed by Mary Jo. Mary Jo wants to know why Paula was with him – he can’t be trusted. Paula yells back, you’re always criticizing me for something. Anyway, what the H—l is she wearing? It looks like it should be at the top of the Clothes that Hurt List.

Bruno of course appears in the background and tells Mary Jo to let her go. But she’s desperate says Mary Jo. He knows Paula hit a man. In Fernando Escandon* fashion, Bruno slithers around Mary Jo like an insane snake. I know she hit a man and killed him and now you (plural) cannot be saved, he whispers in Mary Jo’s ear.

Avances: More of the same.

*The Devil Incarnate in Fuego en la Sangre.

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un Gancho al Corazón Mon 11/9/9 Valentina Has Left the Building


Monita, looking well but still in the hospital, learns that Mauricio was tricked by Coni once more. The kids were not at her place as promised, and once again she has warned Mao that the only way he'll get to see them is to marry her. Mao is set to wed the Mumi in a week since that is the only way he can be reunited with them. They both have defeated looks of resignation as they lovingly clasp hands.

Coni is sipping her morning cup of green tea. She does not have that radiant post-congressional glow one would expect after a glorious night of bumping the little cars with that hunk of varonility, Jero. Instead she looks as though she's taken a bite of a not quite ripe persimmon. On the other hand Jero, who wanders in wearing his shirt and boxers as well as dark socks, is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning. A night of good lovin' looks good on him. He's ebullient, she... not so much. In fact the thought of last night nauseates her. He's the worst lover she's ever had He inquires, "What's with the suitcases in the bedroom?" She informs him that she is moving in with Mao. They are getting married in a week. Jero has no problem with this as the doorbell chimes. Jero, still only partially clad hurries to answer it over Coni's protestations. It's Beto.

Beto demands to know what he's doing here. Does he think maybe Jero dropped by to read the meter? Dispelling Beto's doubts, Jero tells him,"We spent the night together... and what a night!" Beto's stunned and speechless. Somehow Coni manages to look guilty, sad, and defiant at the same time.
M&M are still whining at one another about Mao's upcoming nuptials. Come on guys, show a little initiative and creativity, for heaven's sake. Mao promises to fix things once he's married and has the kids back. Oh yes, that sounds like a well thought out plan.

Beto is not coping well with Coni's betrayal. How could she trade in a wild bull for a sewer rat? She tries to send him on his way, but instead he goes after Jero with a vengeance. He chases him, lands a pretty good kick to Jero's buttockal area and then starts hurling some of Coni's fruit and decorative knick-knacks at him. She finally gets him slowed and Jero is then stunned to learn that the two of them were a couple in New York. Beto likewise is stunned to learn that Coni's marrying Mao soon and considers him an inconvenience.

Alicia has dropped in on Moni. She reports that she has taken flowers to her mothers crypt and tells Moni that her mom is watching out for her from up above. Mao squirms. She notices the somber mood and inquires. They prefer to not discuss it.Mao excuses himself, and Alicia presses Moni to confide in her.

Beto now is trying to appeal to Coni's sentimentality and is making some headway judging by Coni's nervous clutching at her neck. She is clearly affected by his recounting of the good times in New York. The lovemaking under the bridge, the bath on Broadway. Jero is disgusted and appalled. "You mated (aparear) in central park?" He asks, horrified. After more shocking details are revealed of the goings on in New York, Jero reconsiders and suggests a little threeway bonding. He could get used to the odor, sort of like eating Roquefort cheese. Now it's Beto's and Coni's turn at disgust. Coni then confirms Beto's fear that he has lost her and is sorry that Monita has died leaving him with no one. "What are you talking about. Monita's not dead." Oops. Coni's eyes fleetingly launch a shower of sparks at Jero. Beto's done. He leaves and Coni wheels and focuses her unfettered wrath on Jero. He's mystified. After all, he viewed the corpse. She slaps him with such force that he tumbles back onto the sofa, his eyes filled with equal measures of shock and fear. He gamely tries to regroup but Coni's anger and outrage intensify. She kicks his incompetent sorry butt out, still wearing only his shirt boxers and dark socks. Her disgust, anger, and revulsion crescendo. Realization sets in... she was violated... by Jerónimo... again.

Outside Coni's apartment Jero seeks assistance from an unlikely source. Beto liners on the walk, pouting. He has no desire to render aid to Jero, instead threatening to kill him. They both go off their separate ways. Jero fleeing, Beto ruminating.

At home, Nieves, wearing a white satin quilted jacket (conserving energy, reducing that carbon footprint... or did she not pay the heating bill?) is busying herself sweeping when the current spousal-temp, Cesar, arrives, nattily decked out in white polyester. It looks like that demented dog groomer is on the loose again. Nieves has opted for an elegant but understated Shih Tsu tuft, while Cesarin has chosen an always fashionable Chinese Crested casual unkempt look.
More senseless hair-crimes. Where is Cristian when you need him? She asks about his day, flatters him, and replaces a lock of hair that has strayed out of place. He is worried about his uneasy relationship with his temporary stepson. She tells him not to worry, before long Beto will be calling him papá. He notes that Beto seems a bit clingy to his mom for a boy that age and suggests that it might be nice for the two of them to go off on their own. The gentle Snow bristles at this, threatening to become a Blizzard. She lashes out with her broom.

Hmm, Beto hasn't left Coni's after all. He's lurking outside her apartment moping. Hey, what's this? It's Coni followed the doorman pulling two ginormous bags. This looks like the way the lovely Linda packs for a weekend in Waco. These are loaded in her miniSUV and off she drives. Beto leaps out of the shadows and hails a taxi, "Follow that car!" The driver is amused but follow that car he does bringing Beto face to face with the Doors of Doom, the infamous Board-A-Brat, current residence of Aldo and the Femsibs. Coni is welcomed in by the attractive but icy wardeness.

In the office, a relentlessly deteriorating Sal is struggling to maintain balance and relevance. He is not doing well. Loriloca mocks him by cooing babytalk at him. He is not bolstered by the elevator disgorging a semi-nude Jero who, with hands clasped protectively fronting his nethers, scurries off to his office. Sal complains to Gabi about the deteriorating decorum in the office. She astutely diagnosis his affliction... senile dementia.

Beto is wavering at the Portal de Pobrecitos. He consults his inner Fantasma Vengador and knocks. The knock is answered by an attractive, pleasant (how'd she get this job?) dwarf (OK, petite matron). After initially fumbling his words, he's selling cosmetics, they don't need any, Beto learns that this is a storage facility for children with disciplinary problems. I believe Beto, normally not exactly a math wiz, actually puts two and two together right ther on the spot. !Hijole!

Inside the internado (reformatory) a cheerful but chilly Shirley Partridge lookalike has gathered the less than enthusiastic kids and leaves our little family group to reunite and bond with their recently acquired new mommy. She is so glad to see them. She's missed them something awful. She's been informed that Aldo is adjusting nicely but that Luisa has room for improvement. Luisa takes the opportunity to vent calling Coni a witch who only adopted them to jack Mauricio around and ordering her to get out. Aldo cautions Luisa to cool it. Jeez, what have they done to our Aldo? Dani wants to see Mauricio and Moni. Coni professes her love for them even though they might have doubts (well I think maybe we all do) and takes the opportunity to announce the good news. Soon they'll all be one big loving family. She and Mao are getting married in a week. The kids manage to contain their joy.

In Jero's office, Jero, once again wearing pants (he keeps a spare suit at the office just for such emergencies), is lamenting the unfortunate turn of fortune. Monita is very much alive, "But we viewed the corpse!" protests Oscar. Worse, Jero had filled Coni's vacant amante position, and now she wants nothing to do with him. A skeptical Oscar calls the hospital. Yep, Moni lives and thrives. She's out of her coma. Not wanting to hear anymore of Jero's mewling over spilled milk, Oscar leaves Jero to mope.

Back in Warden Shirley's office, the rocky reunion proceeds. Coni is shocked that the kids aren't more enthusiastic. Dani, who never wastes words calls her a witch punctuating her opinion with a quick display of her little tongue.
Body language everybody understands. Luisa grabs her little hand and escorts her out leaving Aldo alone with his mom. By the way, the children are all wearing coffee colored sweaters over white shits with grey skirts and white kneehigh socks for the girls and grey slacks for the Aldo. Coni has somehow managed to look fashionable in a grey and black tanktop, black tight tarty pedalpushers and red spiked heels. Incredibly, she's able to pull it off without looking like a skank. She confers with Aldo lamenting that Luisa is not the same sweet girl and then tells him their fate is in their own hands. Cooperate and soon they will be free, or instead, perhaps a couple of years here will do them good. "You understand me?" She kisses his cheek, a sweet touch. "Sí." he mumbles resignedly. As she leaves he roughly tries to wipe the venom from his jowl.

Alicia is still visiting Moni in the hospital. She offers encouragement, platitudes, and obvious observations about Moni and Mao and Coni and the kids... Next!

A twitchy Sal seems to have made a decision to quit pussy-footing around and lay his cards on the table. First he asks Gabi in and startles her with a rough kiss which I suppose was meant to be passionate and declaratory. Gabi seems bewildered. What if Lorenza catches them? Next he invites Loriloca in announces that he is hopelessly in love with Gabi emphasizing the point with another clumsy roughly administered kiss. Lori stands there dumbfounded with mouth agape.

Coni has arrived at Mao's place and makes a triumphant entrance pulling one of he suitcases behind. She wants Ivan toput her bags away, Mao wants to know, "Where are the kids?" Hey Guapo, she's had a busy tiring day and needs to rest. "Can't we talk about this later?" Well, no. Mao is losing patience. "Where are they?" Coni takes a quick peak at her cards and confirming that she has all the trumps defiantly tells him that he'll get to see them once they are married. This little confrontation is interrupted by Oscar. Mao greets him with aline that every TN fan recognizes, "¿Qué haces aquí?" Coni explains, "I hired him to draw up a little prenup for you to sign." "Qué?" Just a little agreement that Monita is banished forever more from his life. Hey, he can't agree to that. "OK, no prenup, no wedding. No wedding, no kids. Let's go, Oscar." Wait! So what happens if Mao breaks the prenup? Oscar explains, "Coni gets all your money as well as the kids." OK, sounds fair to me.

There's a knock at the door. Moni has another visitor. "¡Adelante!" Hey, wait a second, it's Beto. Since when does he knock? He asks Moni why she is crying. Mao's gonna marry Coni. Beto's not happy about that either...umm... because it makes Moni sad. Yeah, that's it. He tells her how much he loves her and wants her to be happy. He knows that she's in love with Mao and it breaks his heart. But if that's what will make her happy, he can help. Turns out he knows where the kids are. "¡¿Qué?!" "¡Te lo juro!" He makes the little cross with his fingers and kisses it.
He promises that Mao and Coni will not marry. "¡Nunca!" Can we see a little forgiveness for our Beto out there? Gracias.

Meintras tanto, Loriloca is not terribly surprised that Gabi is the usurper of Sal's affection. Gabi, sensing real danger in this development and tries to back things up a bit by pointing out that Sal has been acting strangely lately, but it's too late. The die is cast. the horse has left the barn. The toothpaste is out of the tube, the soup has been spilled, so she goes with the flow. Lori gives notice that she won't let this happen. She leaves... huffily. They kiss... passionately.
So how does Beto know where the kids are? He explains that he followed Coni to the school and found out that it is more or less a reformatory and figured that it must be the place where Coni stashed the kids. At this point, Moni decides to check this gift horse's teeth. "Why were you following the Mumi? she quizzes. He stammers, stutters, hems and haws, turns out he was just looking out for her interests. Good enough for Moni, "Let's go!" You're supposed to be resting Sweetie. Oh well, I guess six months of a coma is plenty of rest, besides I'm weary of this place and your boring visitors. What are we waiting for?

Mauricio, meanwhile is still arguing with Coni. Why is she doing this. It's for the good of the family. Oscar backs her, they make this type of agreement all the time in the USA. Huh? Mauricio once again refuses and once again Coni stands firm. No reason to split the pot if you know you have the winning hand. Well, OK, but not right this minute, he needs to look the papers over. She cautions him not to delay too long. I know she doesn't enjoy a lot of fans out there right now, but isn't it bracing to see such a delicate woman standing firmly for what she wants? Anyone?

Beto, wearing a surgical mask checks the hallway nods politely to a couple of nurses, then wheels Moni out, swaddled from head to toe in bandages so as not to attract attention, a clutch of Mylar balloons affixed to the back of her wheelchair, and a pack of plush toys in her lap. Valentina has left the building.

In her apartment (I guess that she and Rolu share this with Jero) Ximy skips down the spiral stairway looking gorgeous in black. "Is that the best you can come up with?" Apparently Rolu is being hypercritical. She has tried other more colorful outfits, but the black goes with everything. He finally relents. "It's passable." After all, he is Rolando Klunder. May I tell you three things? "¡No!" Rolu doesn't want to hear thee things, nor does he want to hear two things nor any of Ximena's things! (I think it must be way past time for Rolu's pill.) He changes his mind, maybe the lime colored blouse. Unruffled she sprints up the stairs to change. Woohoo!

At the hospital, the monkey has escaped, but two alpha bitches come face to face outside her room. As is customary in faceoffs of this nature, they appear to be of near-comparable weights, I'm sure that both have recently been bathed, or at least have bathed. However, we are missing the handlers and ring judge. The squeamish of you out there may want to avert your eyes, this could get ugly.

Nieves, the grumpy Shih Tsu, toting a MEPS-cow-commerative purse makes the first move, she assumes a classic stance with her body extended to it's maximum height, her ample breasts thrust forward, her head straining for superiority over her opponent. "Get out (largate)! Hey, I'm going....oh, she wasn't talking to me.

Alicia, more of a Wheaton Terrier, on the other had maintains a calm but defiant stance. She doesn't involuntarily urinate or cower or even flinch. She doesn't want to fight... but will. (Gee, she reminds me of my little Bonnie Belle.)

Well, after a promising beginning (now this is a difference between cats and dogs) instead of launching into full-scale battle, after a little pushing, shoving, tugging, and bumping, they enter Monis room arm in arm, only to find it empty. Those of you panty-waists who are looking away may resume viewing. No blood is shed. Now this they got right. That is exactly the way a room would look after a patient's discharged... or dies. Nieves and Alicia agree. This is a scene that is as good without sound.

A taxi, looks like Beto's customary taxi, pulls up in front of the Refuge for Wayward Waifs, of course it's B&M (still doesn't quite have the same charm, does it?). Moni 's been in a coma for the last six months. She isn't toting ningun dinero. Beto must pay for the taxi. Keep the change. Moni thinks the place resembles a prison. Beto almost says, "Well, duh!" She demands his phone card. He grouses. Dressed in a cute little spaghetti-strapped black dress with an emerald bow at the waist and matching sweater, she strides to the pay phone,inserts the card and makes her call. Her call is anwered, "Estrella Falcón, Actriz." ""Estrella, hola. Soy yo, Valentina." She asks Estrella for her help in rescuing Aldo and the Femsibs. The game is afoot.

Carlos



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Saturday, November 07, 2009

Sortilegio #23, Nov. 6, 2009: Getting Mired with Secret and Not So Secret Admirers

Capítulo 28
First the 2-minute replay: Mary Jo scolds our Sunshine Boys, Papi Pedro and Chucho, for causing such an embarrassing scandal for Alex and his family; Maura, having heard about the bar fight on the radio, calls Raquel to give her the juicy details. On her way back to the main house, Mary Jo has a run-in with Bruno. She asks what it will take for him to leave her and Alex in peace. He pretty much tells her he wants the money and the girl: he wants her to divorce Alex. She objects and starts after him but trips. The two fall to the ground in a most compromising position.

Bruno grabs Mary Jo by the arms and keeps hold of her. Mary Jo doesn’t care and doesn’t miss the chance to continue her little “critique” of this creep. She says he’s going to get half the money and wonders what else it could be other than revenge. Bruno says that’s right, but there’s something else he wants as well: her. He emphasizes this desire with continual attempts to kiss her. In between his failing efforts at seduction, he explains that his plans didn’t include her ending up with Alex. She resists and continues fighting him off --and telling him off. “Your plans failed and you turned me into his wife. You handed me over to him!” “—I don’t want him to have you!” She tells him he’s crazy; that he manipulated her but he can’’t make decisions in her life for her now. He tells her to listen up. He loves her and says he will have as much money as Alex. (--And your point is?)

Mary Jo isn’t the naïve impressionable little Mexican maiden she was before, though. “First of all [antes que nada], I don’t believe you love me; and secondly, it has nothing to do with money.” “—So then, it’s because he’s more handsome!” (I would offer a bit of “handsome is as handsome" does here, but that might be a bit too complex for El Bruto.) She says it’s neither. It’s because he deceived her and took her for a fool. “[Alex], on the other hand, did nothing but help me; he supported me in every sense of the word.” Bruno knows what that means. “—You fell in love!” “—So what if I did?!!” Bruno says he can accept the deal Alex offers him but if she doesn’t agree to do what he says then he’s going to force her [por las malas]. Mary Jo wants it spelled out for her. Bruno obliges. “Everybody is going to find out that I am Antonio Lombardo’s son and that my mother fooled around on her [first] husband!”

Mary Jo pushes him off her. “Get away from me!” She counters his threats with her own. “—And if I tell that you impersonated your brother, that you forged his signature on the marriage certificate, and that you planned his death and made an attempt on his life?” “—I’ll deny it. Hmmm. After all, there’s a guy you’re talking about, right? Somebody named…uh…Mario Aguirre?” She says she doesn’t know him and tries to walk away from Bruno. He grabs her by the arms again and stops her. His devious brain just keeps puttin’ out. “Who knows? Perhaps while I was deceiving you, you came to an agreement with him to send me packing so you could get end up with all of it.” “—That’s ridiculous!” He looks her up and down with pent up lust. “--Lot’s of people believe that foolishness.” He plants an impudent kiss on her cheek and walks away. “See ya.” MJ’s left with a new set of problems to mull over now.

Inside the main house, meanwhile, Victoria gets a call from her oedipal admirer, the tentative tempter, Fernando. He talks her into coming with him to see the archeological site that morning by saying it will help her out of her funk. She tells him he’s a dear and hangs up. He hangs up the phone and says to himself, “Yes, and God willing, you have told the truth, Victoria.” Felipa notices Vicki smiling afterwards and says it’s time Vicki had a boyfriend. Vicki doesn’t think so at her age. Felipa mentions Dr. Hernan as a possibility but Vicki swears he’s way too boring. Felipa suggests Nando as the other option. Vicki shakes her head and properly suggests the obvious disqualifier: that Nando could be her son. Matchmaker Felipa immediately points out that he isn’t her son, though, and then reminds Vicki that she is a single, attractive, widow, even if she did pass mile-marker 21 a couple of decades and a half or so ago. “That’s all I need --a relationship, and with the way my kids have branded me an adulteress now. Anyway, what gives you the idea that he’s interested in me?” Felipa says you’d have to be blind not to recognize it. Vicki forbids her to discuss it any further, but she can’t help smiling a bit to herself about it once Felipa leaves. Forbidden fresh fruit ripe off the tree. She tries shaking off the feeling by throwing herself into her work.

On the other side of the house, Zeke is dressing down Chucho for getting drunk the night before. Chucho admits he overdid it last night. MJ walks in on them as Zeke is leaving. Chucho takes the opportunity of his second apology to mention the woman, Mechita, who was defending them at the bar and who got put in jail along with them. “Didn’t your father tell you about her?” “—No.” Chucho wants permission to go back to the jail and talk with her. She says it isn’t her place to say, but he says she’s married to the big man and Chucho is her employee. She says fine, as long as he lets somebody know when he goes. He thanks her and says the saints should bless her with a child.

Outside on the grounds somewhere, Bruno is giving Erick a wad of cash. (Man! Whoever taught this guy to dress had to be both cross-eyed and color blind!) Bruno tells him to buy the biggest and best arrangement of flowers he can find to send to Mary Jo. “Have it say they’re from ‘Mario Aguirre’.” He changes his mind and says to have his cousin do it instead. Erick mentions that in the afternoon he is taking Paula to school and afterwards is going to give her a driving lesson. Bruno, no doubt devising another devious deceit, takes a few seconds to process and says it's
perfect and then walks off.

In the kitchen, Zeke is voicing his displeasure at Chucho for letting him know he’s got permission from Sra. Mary Jo to see the woman at the jail. Zeke says if it were up to him he wouldn’t be going anywhere after the drunk he put on the night before. Felipa intercedes and says the man is only going to see what he can do for the poor girl who probably hasn’t got anyone else in the world to look out for her. Zeke figures if it’s a woman who went to a dive like that, she has got to be a whore. Chucho refuses to hear anything nasty about a woman who, he says, works in whatever way she can to support a sick brother. He knows this because she told him so before the row started. Zeke pretty much says that’s what they all say. “It’s a great excuse when they get caught messing around in ratty bars like that.” Felipa tells him not to be so cold-hearted. Women don’t work in places like that because they like it; they do it out of necessity. The phone rings at that point. It’s Zeke’s cousin come to interview for the new chauffeur’s job.

Over at Papi Pete’s bungalow, meanwhile, Paula is telling him that the drunk he pulled the night before was a major social faux-pas. They are members of the Lombardo family now and it can’t happen again or Alex will lose patience with them and throw them out onto the street. As far as she’s concerned it would be best if he’d stop pal-ling around with the likes of Chucho, too, since he’s only a servant there. “You don’t see Alex out partying with Ezequiel, now do you?” He insists they are different. She says no, they’re part of the Lombardo clan and should behave that way. She then proceeds, in her designer duds, to crudely slurp juice out of the grapefruit half she’s just cut for herself. (That’s class, Pau.)

Outside in the driveway, Zeke is giving his cousin lessons in diction and proper Spanish grammar. No slang allowed from a cousin of his! The cousin wants to know what Sra. Raquel is like. “She’s difficult to deal with, but you’ll have to put up with it if you want to keep your job.” The cousin isn’t exactly enthused. (It’s a job, dude. At least you’ll have one.)

Inside the chalet, Raquel and Roberto are playing cards. She brings up the gossip Mau told her about MJ’s daddy. Raqui is dying from shame at the thought of what the papers are saying about it all. Bobo tells her not to exaggerate. The two old guys were just trying to have a good time is all. Raqui says he would excuse any twisted thing. He suggests it’s a matter of being tolerant with others so that they might be as tolerant with you. She jumps on that and says, so that means he could absolve [justificar] her having a lover then? Bobo draws in close and wonders if she’s never actually had one. She denies without denying. “How dare you!!” Bobo asks how should he know, since he doesn’t really know much about her comings and goings anymore. She says she doesn’t know much about what he does, either. He kids about keeping it mysterious then because it makes for more interesting sexual relationships. (Viewerville wonders if this is a hint of possibly re-igniting something between the two of them, perhaps? Guess we’ll have to wait to find out.) There’s suddenly a knock at the door. It’s Zeke with the new chauffeur.

Zeke introduces Arturo and the only thing Raquel can manage to do is gripe about the guy’s age. Zeke, ever the salesman, turns this objection into an advantage. “He’s a mature man, yes, but that only means that he is more experienced. (Here, here!!) He’s totally trustworthy.” She says she prefers Erick. Zeke explains that Erick will be occupied taking Mary Jo’s sister, Paula, back and forth to school in the afternoons now. Raquel has a fit. How in the world, she exclaims indignantly, could Alex be giving “that menial” the use of a chauffeur, especially with her souse of a father who’ll go into any shepherd’s hut [tugurio] for his jollies and at the expense of dragging her family’s good name through the mud? Bobo, definitely the mannered one of this disgusting duo, intercedes and says it’s not something they need to discuss right now. He thanks Zeke for introducing them to Erick’s replacement and lets them leave. He turns to her in disgust. “You’re so frighteningly rude you could make anybody’s hair turn.” He grabs her, throws her down onto the couch, and leaves her to sulk. (Bobo does have his finer points at times.)

At the office, Fernando gives Alex’s secretary, Mari, a list of hotels to call with instructions to see if there’s a Mario Aguirre registered. He tells her it’s a private matter and to be kept confidential. He goes into to speak with Alex who is discussing the situation of the will with his attorneys, Guerra and Quiñones. They discuss the options when the bastard son of a man wants to contest the man’s will. They explain that it will be very difficult for someone to win a challenge to a will, even with a DNA match, unless they can prove the person to be mentally unstable at the time, or that the person was under pressure and somehow forced into it. On the other hand, it could be a very long and unpleasant process if the complainant is determined to make problems. He could try to harass them with all sorts of allegations until the they finally give in. Alex thinks the only way to stop it would be to threaten the complainant with jail, proving that he committed a crime. The lawyer asks if the man actually committed a crime and Alex says he has his suspicions, but there’s no proof yet.

Back at the manse, Ulises catches up with Mary Jo on her way to visit her father. He tries to get chummy saying she looks a little lost and lonely around there. He asks about her family and where she’s from, yada, yada. She says her mother’s dead and there’s nobody left back where she hails from. He tells her they have something in common, that he’s also a long way from home. (Uh, yeah. That’s a great line.) He makes small talk about taking her back to her hometown sometime so that she can show him the sights. He smiles charmingly and adds that from now on she should consider him a friend. MJ says thanks and scurries into her father’s bungalow. Uli drops the slimy smile and walks over to visit Bobo.

Bobo tells Uli that Raquel is having another tantrum in her bedroom because of the scandal MJ’s daddy caused the night before at some bar. “It’s pretty hilarious the way the old guy was gettin' down with the girls, dancing and drinking and then somehow managed to get hauled out by the police and put in jail.” Bobo thinks it’s a hoot but Raquel’s given herself a migraine over it. Uli invites them to eat with him at Fogon that evening then remarks about the trouble Alex seems to have with his in-laws. Bobo shakes his head and says, “Nacos!” [Stupid trash.]

Mary Jo is too quiet around her father and he tries to get at what’s bothering her if it’s not her still being upset with him for what happened the night before. She refuses to open up with him. “Nothing’s wrong, so stop already.”

Back at the office, Mari, Alex’s secretary, tells him she came up with nothing from the jewelers regarding the engagement ring. “It’s got no distinctive marks or brand and they said there are thousands like those.” Alex calls the house looking for MJ. Zeke tells him she’s visiting her father but he can’t transfer the call because he had the phones taken out. Alex tells him to have the phone company set it back up immediately. (Guess money talks and bull sh!t walks in Mexico. No way we Americans could get phone service re-installed that quick!) He leaves word he’s too busy to come back for lunch.

A bit later the bouquet comes for Mary Jo. Raqui nosily rushes in to see who sent them and grabs the card. “Mario Aguirre?? Who’s that?” Zeke discretely says has he wouldn’t know. She rushes off to gripe about it to Mama. “Mary Jo is a married woman!” Vicki says the man could be simply a friend of hers and a gift doesn’t mean anything. Raquel is fit to be tied. Vicki turns the conversation to herself and the recriminations from her kids. After complaining that what her mother did doesn’t justify spit, she reminds her that she didn’t come to talk about her or that. She came about Mary Jo and the shameful way her family carries on around them. Vicki says it’s Alex’s wife and his business. Raquel mentions that Bruno told her they were getting a divorce soon. Vicki is icy-veined impactada.

MJ returns to the house and Zeke gives her the bouquet. When she reads the card she tears it up immediately and tells him to throw them out. She runs upstairs to her room and begins to pace. “There’s some conspiracy here [conjura]. Somebody is setting a trap for me. It can’t be. It can’t be!!” (Query 1: Now if she can reason that much out, what amount of brain matter does it take for her to guess who that somebody is? Query 2: If her hubby has been this great rock of support, why not come out with it and keep on his good side this time? Viewerville can only sigh in frustration cuz once again it looks like MJ has come down with a case of the slowfias.)

Downstairs Alex finally comes back from another day of slogging through more of his personal problems. His solution? Gifts for MJ and Pau. MJ greets him and smiles. Ohh! Gifts! Thank you! He smiles and tells her he had Zeke set up the phone in her daddy’s digs cuz then when he calls he can find her. (Hmm. Maybe he got them cell phones instead of perfume?) She tells him he shouldn’t have. (I say especially if it ain’t candy or perfume.) He notes that she seems a bit distant (male code for being an icy b!tch, I’m sure). He asks why she’s so formal. (Oh, Alex. How soon we forget those little things, like the nasty asides about Mario Aquirre and the interrogation of her papi in the back of the hummer the day before. Why should she be anything but after that?) She says nothing’s the matter and then asks if he spoke to the lawyers. Before he can answer Raquel rushes into the living room from Vicki’s. The first thing out of her mouth after “Hi, little bro’ ” is a sly question to MJ about the bouquet of roses. Of course Alex asks about them and Raqui is eager to explain. “Oh, somebody sent Mary Jo a bouquet…uh…somebody named…Mario Aguirre?” Bingo! Alex takes the bait and MJ is scared-speechless impactada that Raquel should mention that of all things. He frowns at her accusingly.


The next thing we see is Alex dragging MJ into their room for an accusatory consult. “I don’t have any reason to lie to you! I don’t know that man!” “—So why did you throw the flowers away?” “—I told you! Because it means nothing to me!” “—And if Raquel hadn’t said anything, you would have kept quiet about it?” MJ defends herself. “Of course I would! I am fed up with your distrust! I am fed up with everything that’s going on around here! (How about a good “Maybe Raquel needs to mind her own beeswax!” thrown in for good measure?) Your family hates me! Mine only causes you problems, and I just want to leave here already!!” Alex yells back that the problem is she doesn’t trust and she never is direct about anything. (He’s got a point there.) “You never tell the truth!” “—Of course that’s right. I don’t want to continue living in this hell and I would rather that you’d have handed me over to the police!” His motor’s racing in overdrive, too, about now. “I would have done it—“ “—Yes, and I’d have been less bothered!” “—Yeah, and what about the child we’re going to have?” (Excuse me, but you aren’t “having” it, buddy boy. She’s the one who gains the weight, pukes her guts out, screams in pain when the water breaks and the little critter takes its sweet time sliding down and out into the big wide world.)

Mary Jo tells Alex there is no baby. She was only a little late. He says he doesn’t believe her. She says she could care. He threatens to take her to a doctor. MJ says she’s not going to any doctor’s, and BTW, since he promised to take over her dad’s apartment and sell it, hurry up and do it so she can take what money’s left and leave to start a new life. She throws his gifts in his face and leaves for her room. Felipa runs into her in the hallway. She tells MJ that Sra. Victoria is waiting to speak with her. (That’s all she needs now, right?) They leave Alex standing in the doorway with smoke curling out of every visible orifice. Alex slams the wall with his hand in a last fit of anger and goes back inside as Uni breaks for the pause that refreshes. (Viewerville takes a much needed breather.)

As we return to an episodio that just keeps on giving, Raqui is giving Mau the 411 on the bouquet from said “Mario Aguirre” and the scene it (she, actually) caused. Mau is intrigued. Raqui says Alex looked as pale as death. Mau wants to know what MJ said. “What’s she going to say? As far as I’m concerned, with that class of people, knowing the tricks they pull, she’s up to no good. If she weren’t she’d have told him about it, don’t you think?” Mau agrees and massages the story along. “—Don’t doubt it’s a lover of hers.” “—You think so?” They agree to get the gang together for dinner to figure out a way to find the guy. Mau hangs up and immediately calls Uli to congratulate him on being so artfully clever in sending Mary Jo the flowers from “Mario.” Uli, though, swears that it wasn’t him who sent the flowers. Mau is confused and wonders who did if it wasn’t him. Red flags are popping up for Uli. He tells Mau he has no idea, but this game of theirs is starting to bug him.

Back at the manse, Victoria is trying to get to the bottom of the “Mario Aguirre” problem with Mary Jo. “So you don’t know him?” MJ says that’s exactly what she’s saying. Vicki asks isn’t it a little odd that this Sr. Aguirro would go to the trouble of calling and then sending flowers to a perfect stranger? Mary Jo agrees that it doesn’t make sense, but she swears that it’s just as she explained it. Vicki tells her there’s no reason to be frightened, that MJ can be sincere with her about this. “If there’s anything you want to tell me, you can.” MJ says it would be better for Vicki to tell her what she thinks because MJ’s told her everything she knows already. Vicki says, well, from the first time they met, she had the impression that Mary Jo was a fine girl and totally incapable of concocting a scheme about marrying Alex, unless somebody had forced her and is now threatening her. “Could it be this Mario Aguirre?” Mary Jo is indignantly impactada. “You think that guy and I are accomplices?”

Vicki admits she thinks that Mary Jo is protecting Aguirre out of fear and that perhaps Alex thinks the same. Mary Jo tells her that they are both mistaken then. “I continue telling the truth but if none of you wants to believe me, the only thing I could do is leave.” Vicki’s ears prick up. “Leave?” “—Yes. I’ve been nothing but a nuisance for all of you. My family and I are uncomfortable here and the best thing is for me to go back to my hometown. I’ve already decided to.” “--What does Alex say?” “—We only just spoke about it.” “—And you told him what you wanted?” MJ says she did. She wants to go and thinks perhaps [por lo mismo] it’s better she should leave in order not to be such a problem. Vicki tries to convince her to stay. “—But there are problems in any marriage.” MJ agrees, but says not as many as in this one. (Viewerville might tend to agree.) “Ones like these…well, I think there’s some conspiracy against me.” Vicki finds that hard to believe and asks who would be conspiring against her. Mary Jo says she’d prefer not to answer that. Vicki loses her patience and says just tell her already. “--Bruno.” This is not what Vicki wanted to hear. (I say why ask if you don’t want the truth?) Vicki ignores that answer and says give her a bit to explain things to Alex and get him to agree to let her leave.

Mary Jo says Alex isn’t going to want to. Vicki wonders if he’s that in love with her. Mary Jo says it isn’t that. It’s that he thinks she’s pregnant. Vicki freezes. MJ immediately adds that she’s not, though. Her period came. Vicki continues to stare icily at Mary Jo.

That night Chucho stops by the jail to visit with Mechita. She cries and tells him she’d thought he’d forgotten all about her. He says not to worry her poor self. He came as soon as he could. He offers to get her whatever she needs. She only needs to get out of there. Chucho tells her that’s a tall order for a guy who’s flat bust broke like he is, especially since all his money was stolen. She sobs and says that’s all right, but perhaps he could go see her comadre, Julia, for her so that she could lend them the bail money. (Did she say “us”? As in Chucho and her? Methinks I smell a ratera.) She will give him the address if he’ll go for her. The two are practically sisters, she says. They’re such good friends. Chucho says he’ll go the next morning for her since he can’t stay any longer.

Somewhere, across town, Pau and Erick are driving back home on a semi-deserted street. She’s talking up a storm. He offers to give her a driving lesson. She’s up for it. They exchange seats and he tells her how to use the pedals. She turns on the engine and it’s a mass of fits and starts. The two of them both end up giggling over it.

Chucho and Pedro mull over what Mechita told Chucho. Now Pedro seems to be a part of the “us” and says he hopes that her friend Julia will be kind enough to lend “us” the bail money for Meche. He says really, he hasn’t a cent to his name, either. Chucho says not to worry himself about it because after all, it was all his fault. He’ll handle the debt. Pedro shows off his new phone that big-hearted Alex put in there just for him. Chucho chuckles at the way Alex continues to spoil “Pedrito” despite being angry at the two of them. Pedro mentions then that he has gotten really fond of Alex and hopes nothing bad comes between Alex and Mary Jo. We in Viewerville assume that something will, if for no other reason than old Chucho talks about the need to ward off the Devil after bringing up such bad thoughts.

Pau and Erick arrive home, no worse for wear after her fantabulous day at school and her even more fantabulous driving lesson. She gives him a peck on the cheek and skips away (granted, it’s a bit rough in those 6” platforms, but she manages all the same.) Ruh-Roh! Erick is smitten. (I can only imagine the sweet dreams he’s gonna have tonight! On second thought, thinking back to all those dirty girlie posters in his room, I’d rather not.) He stands there with his mouth ready to oblige the next unwitting fire-fly.

At the same time, the gang is finishing supper together at the restaurant. Bobo grabs Raqui and says it’s time to go. Uli complains that they’re leaving before they’ve told them what Alex said to Mary Jo when he found out about the flowers “that guy” sent her. Raqui says she would but they didn’t say anything in front of her. Bobo gives her a yank and once they’re outside the restaurant walking home he gives her what for. She yells at him for dragging her like that. He yells back that she knows how much it bothers him when she runs her mouth off with whatever she knows about the family and tells the whole world about it. Raqui says they are just anybody. Uli, Lis and Mau are their friends and they always tell them everything. Bobo tells her not to think that when Alex and Victoria find out that it won’t go over like a lead balloon. She says once Bruno gets their part of the inheritance they won’t need either Alex or her mother. Bobo tells her not to count her chickens before they’re hatched. [No canta victoria.] “What your brother intends to do is not going to be so easy and I don’t think he’ll be able to get it.” “—Oh, so you’re a lawyer now?” “—No dear, but I am neither ignorant nor stupid.”

A little bit behind them Uli, Lis and Mau are walking back from the restaurant together. Uli says he can’t figure out who could have sent Mary Jo those flowers and known enough to use the name, Mario Aguirre. He asks Mau if Raquel knows the man is her invention. She says no and Roberto would be less likely to. Uli wonders then if it was Bruno. They don’t know how he found out, but, Lis says, if Bruno was the one who sent them then that means that he didn’t try to kill Alex. “He knows then that Mary Jo had an accomplice and did it to pressure her into telling the truth!” Mau says he couldn’t have known because the name is something they made up. Uli remembers then that Bruno was there the last time he called up Mary Jo pretending to be Aguirre. “Bruno probably sent the flowers to cause problems between Alex and Mary Jo.” The two sisters agree that it makes sense. Uli says he’d like to know why Bruno is so interested in Mary Jo.

That night Felipa is helping Vicki get ready for bed. Vicki brushes her hair and says she knows that Mary Jo’s has had it rough living there with them, but it’s not their fault. “She should have realized what she was getting into with this farce of a marriage.” Felipa defends MJ and says she still doesn’t think the girl had anything to do with what happened. Vicki says, of course not, it was undoubtedly that Mario Aguirre person. Felipa says still, the whole business with that Aguirre doesn’t square. Vicki says she’s wondered herself about it and can only come up with one answer: MJ and Aguirre planned the whole thing together and then when things didn’t turn out as she’d hoped, she fell in love with Alex and saw a way to attach herself to a good family and decided to stay, forgetting about her accomplice. Felipa says it just doesn’t fit though. This guy would be pretty stupid to show up now that the deception was discovered; she’d think he’d rather hide and not show his face in order to avoid being found out and thrown in jail. Vicki says, then yes, he’s a real dolt for sure.

Felipa doesn’t stop the clock there. “Well, a dolt wouldn’t have been able to think up something like that.” Vicki asks what she’s insinuating. Felipa says, “I’m only saying…..” Vicki doesn’t want to hear it. “My son might be anything you say, but he is NOT a murderer.” “—Whatever you say.” Felipa goes out to get her some tea. Vicki, still in denial, prays to the diosito for it not to be her Bruno. “If it is him, if he were really capable of such a thing, then I am to blame. Only me. No God, no!”

In another part of the house, Alex and MJ take another shower–separately. Viewerville gets to ogle their Adonis as he tends to his nightly ablutions. M-M-MM!!! Definitely worth a few rewinds in slow-mo…..REW...REW... REW

Afterwards Bruno catches Alex in the hall walking to MJ’s room. “Oh, so you’ve tired of your wife so quickly that now she’s got to sleep in another bedroom? Or, did she get tired of you?” Alex walks up to him. “I spoke with my attorneys.” “—Oh really? Great.” Alex asks him if it doesn’t pain him to shame his mother this way, letting the whole world know that she got pregnant from a man who wasn’t her husband; that you both were born? Doesn’t her shame or her pain matter to you?” Bruno clucks. “That’s just the way it is. I am not going to continue being the only one who’s screwed here, either.Alex can’t believe what a ‘wicked brute’ the guy is. Bruno laughs in his face and says it’s all because of that old man and his mother. “Tomorrow I’m sending over my lawyers.” He turns on his heel and exits stage right.

Alex walks over to Mary Jo’s bedroom and knocks. She tells him to come in. He tells her that he doesn’t like their being angry with each other. MJ says she doesn’t either, but it’s not working out for the two of them, and anyway, he’s got so many problems to deal with. He says he knows that and that’s why he needs her the way he does. He thinks they can manage though. “If we stick together it’s much easier to sort out the problems.” She begins to cry. “Apart from yours, there are mine and it’s just not fair.” He caresses her face and says hers are nothing compared to what’s hanging over his family. She asks if he doesn’t think Bruno will let it out about her, too. “—that we were never married, that I tricked you, that my father sold pirated and stolen goods?”

Mary Jo likes the kisses but says she can’t accept Alex doing that for her. (Say what? Are you made of stone, girl?) Alex begs her to understand and say yes. “We love each other and it isn’t fair for you and me to give it all up because of some resentful man whose rage has driven him mad. “—And your mother?” “--Forget her. Forget all of them. Think only about us.” He continues kissing her. (Living rooms all through Viewerville are catching fire about now. Damn!) He tells her he doesn’t want to sleep alone but this isn’t his bedroom. He misses her; he needs her. (Go for it, girl!! He’s not only hot; he’s hot to trot. Don’t tell me after kisses like those that you’re not! –If this scene doesn’t end soon, I’m gonna need an ice bath. ¡Hijole!) Just then Pau raps on the door and breaks the mood. “Are you in there? I want to tell you something!”

Alex asks Mary Jo to tell Pau to go. She yells at Pau to give her a minute, then hints to Alex that she’s got her period. “Oh, right. You told me it’s your time of the month. It’s normal. We aren’t going to do anything; just so we can sleep together is all.” Mary Jo, though, would rather sleep alone. (What a major let-down.) He gives in, though rather reluctantly, and tells her he’ll see her in the morning. Pau is gone. Alex leaves. Mary Jo cries herself to sleep.

The next morning Vicki and Felipa have to eat breakfast alone. Everybody in the family is upset and avoiding Vicki. Felipa says they’ll eventually get over it. Alex comes by to say he’s off to work and can’t stay for breakfast. He explains that he has to be there early because Bruno is sending over his attorneys and didn’t bother to tell him what time they’re supposed to be there. Vicki sighs. “So he’s determined to.” Alex says he really wants to consult with her beforehand. She tells him she trusts him to do whatever his conscience tells him to do. He still wants to have her there when the attorneys show up. He says he’ll call her when they do. She says fine. He leaves.

Felipa can’t believe the brew-ha-ha Bruno’s about to start. Vicki still thinks Bruno will come to his senses and come to some agreement in order to avoid a public scandal, if not for her, then for his sister or his father at least. (Think again, my dear.) Felipa says Bruno is way too angry.

Speaking of rabid, wicked loco’s, Bruto is outside with Erick. Erick is laughing about Pau’s first driving lesson from the night before. Bruno figures she’s too stupid to learn to drive. Erick says she’s not stupid at all. Bruno jumps on him. “What’s the matter with you? Don’t tell me you set your sights on that girl! Besides, you’re way too old for her.” Bruto just had to burst the old dude’s bubble. “No, it’s just that I like her.” Bruno changes the subject. He tells Erick to try to get hold of a stunt man for him. Erick wonders what’s up. Bruno says he’s got a little job for the guy while Pau is out whizzing around in the car that night. Suddenly Erick doesn’t like licking Bruno’s boots (or his butt) much anymore. “You’re not going to harm Paula are you?” Bruno tells him either he’s true to him to the core [hasta el médula] and does what he says, or Erick will end up in the slammer [tambo]. “You got that?” Erick has no choice. “Tell me what I need to do.”

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