Caray, Caray!

Cesar Luis and Monica are unhappily non-communicating about what is not happening now between them. The quick review, Monica is tortured and wants to get as far away from the miserable situation as possible and rejects CL's suggestion that she stay with the company but move to a branch to manage. CL, which conveniently starts off the word CLueless, actually does not have a clue here about Monica's heartbroken feelings and desire to leave the country.

We again see Juan and Juanito visiting in the living room at Casa Cachón when Alirio answers the door to let in his "client" (our romance waiting to happen) Professor Topete. After Yadi and Kike bring Juan quickly up to date on Alirio's ejection from Farell and his newly launched law practice in the house, Yadi and Topete share amazement of ending up in the same house, Juan learns that Yadira is in school.

At Farell, CL continues to be obtuse about Monica's discomfort and hopes she doesn't run into anyone else like him. Laura wants Monica to go home since she clearly can't concentrate but Monica resists since she has so much work to finish. Marely and Fernando return from lunch, passing Monica running toward the ladies' room, in seconds, followed by Paula sauntering in dressed in alluring turquoise von Furstenberg jersey wrap dress clinging to her divine form. [Ed note: I looked twice for the shoes but they carefully block them by shooting from just below the knee or putting furniture in the way]. Paula greets Marely and notices Laura sitting in her old office. She is told that Laura is a very good friend of Monica's and visits from time to time, what a coincidence, Paula thinks she knows her. (Excuse the lapse but I may have been in Mexico when they met before) anyway, in short order Paula and Laura are having a very unpleasant renewal of acquaintance while Monica berates herself for her stupidity in the bathroom mirror. Back to Paula accusing Laura of being a spy and of tricking her by not revealing her relationship to Monica the ex wife of Paula's current husband in their previous dealings. Monica steps back into the office asking Paula what she is doing here. Paula is outraged and asks if they think she was stupid enough to fall for their ruse. (Can we all vote now?)

Enrique has the look a bull get just before he charges the matador while Alirio and "Nacho" reveal their former great friendship from Alirio's law school days. In his inimicable style Alirio rubs in that he can see why Yadira had such admiration for her new Profe. Yadi back pedals that she is just so excited about returning to University... and then Enrique gets a sudden jealous surge when he gets a real clear signal about Topete's motives. Well, Yadi asked for it by not explaining who Enrique is. He coughs for attention as he introduces he is the HUSBAND. Alirio actually does everyone a service here by sweeping Nacho/Profe off to take care of their urgent business in their meeting in his office. But Profe is asking about Yadira's true status and who is this crude person (tosco). Alirio waxes as usual bringing in Juan being an interloper in the house but of the same crude type as Enrique so go figure. While Nacho makes a crack about the intellectual characteristics (perfil) he wants to know about Juanito, the kid/brat (escuincle - Hairless dog of ancient Mexico) Nacho asks too about Yadira's family situation, Alirio says he really doesn't know but quickly turns to the real subject of Nacho's visit. No surprise, it turns out to be his problems with his wife. Yadira and Juan coo about her University career while Kike begins to complain and Yadi and he launch into their eternal argument about her leaving him with the baby all the time. She accuses him of jealousy since he hasn't finished high school. Juan thought processes the unintelligible carping between the couple comparing it rather accurately to the Israeli-Arab classic conflict. He ends up protecting Juanito's eyes and ears and finally picks him up to remove him from the pathway of the word flames Yadi and Kike throw at each other.

Monica recovered from her bathroom breakdown, returns to ask Paula what she is doing in her office. Shouting and shoving ensue between CL's darlings as Laura watches, while Ivonne marches into CL's office to warn him of the fireworks. He snaps at her about knowing how to knock, clearly forgetting that she used to be one of the main reason he wouldn't want just anyone entering his office without permission. As the two lovelies hurl insulting epithets at each other. CL enters and has to physically separate them before there is blood or ripped out hanks of hair. The round ends with ads instead of a bell but next Laura pulls Monica out of the office and CL shouts about this scandal in the office and gruffly tells Paula, let's go to my office, loudly barks at the lounge lizards to get back to work which is what they are paid for and finally growls at Ivonne, what are you laughing at?

Enrique whines to Juan and Juanito that he and Yadira fight all day (pasar pleitos), over the University,who's activities are more important, care of the baby, on and on and he has to carry the baby to the market. Maybe Yadira is really studying but for her the infant just doesn't exist then he has to listen to the praises of Profe Topete whom he has now met who is arrogant, unpleasant (antipatico), etc., Juan tries to raise his buddy's spirits that he has nothing to envy about the Profe who may be very learned (letrado) but he is shouting to the bushes, what a heart of gold Enrique has.

CL tries to calm Paula's ranting with the assurance that Monica wants out in fact just told him this afternoon that she's going to Europe. Paula isn't buying it, she accuses Monica of planting a spy in her house and playing the victim while she tries to manipulate them.She rants a bit more about being sick of being shut up (encerrada) in the house after CL suddenly asks her what she is doing in the office in the first place. Off in a cafe, Monica assures Laura that if Paula want war, war she will get. Monica now rants about Paula's insulting her in her own office. She vows to stay around to make Paula and CL's life as bitter as possible.

Back to the Topete Alirio conversation building out to reveal that Nacho wants a divorce and is worried that his wife won't sign the papers for a peaceful split. Alirio spouts off about a mutual separation, he can help with this and says something weird about this being the year of the soup? (el año del caldo). Nacho becomes anxious that Alirio not discuss this case with anyone in his family, especially Yadira. Alirio, working to be named lawyer of the year, asks why the confidentiality issue??? Nacho says that since Yadira is his student, he has an image to maintain. Alirio assures him that he knows all about legal issues he has hundreds, hundreds of cases landing on his desk every day. They make silly remarks about Nacho being able to find his way out the door and seeing each other soon. Profe Nacho goes looking for Yadi, they flirt about his being late or she thinks perhaps he was rushing off because he doesn't value his student, he lets her know that he cares so much about his students, and that the offer for her to be his assistant still stands. She is his idea of an ideal student. She accepts the post, he wants to kiss her goodbye but they don't quite make this contact. He leaves on his motorbike while his wife appears out of the treas, She appears at Alirio's door he assumes she must be Margo Gomez. Inside she reveals that she is the wife of Ignacio Topete to Alirio's shock. She demands to know what why her husband just came to see him. Alirio bites his knuckles. We switch to Nidia and Gaytan coming together to discuss Angarita's health. Gaytan flatters her helpfulness, Gaytan begins to carry on about how awful Angarita had looked, she demures but he has something important to say.

Margo continues to push for information which Alirio surprisingly withholds inspite of her indignation. She gets up to leave apologizing for wasting his time. He counters with it being an occupational hazard or risk (gajes del oficio). She storms out, while we switch to Gaytan telling NIdia he would like it if Nidia and Angarita could be together. She protests that she is a married woman but he insists that her love is not placed with her husband but with his brother. Is that not true? They compare notes about the value of having loved so much, Gaytan urges her that sometimes two people have to continue to fight when they have a love with such intensity. She protests in her life there are complications, walls, she just can't get around them (no puedo zafar). Gaytan pledges to give a hand to Nidia and his brother so they can succeed in being together.

Shift to the anthurium beauty contenstants finishing stuffing themselves at the restaurant. When the bill arrives they begin to reveal that none of them has any money. Lorena tries to maintain that she was invited! NOT. The others are worried about what they will do.

The crowd, consisting of the Juans, Kike, Gaytan and Nidia, is sitting around Anga's living room discussing what he needs to change or maintain to regain his health. Nidia proclaims that nature and figure last until the grave (genio y figura hasta la sepultura) like saying a leopard can't change its spots. Gaytan pays attention to Juanito while he adjusts his wig. Juanito is clearly afraid of him, in a kind of homophobic way. Juan covers with saying he is a bit shy, but Gaytan says he seems to have plenty of self-confidence (desparpaju). Juan moves toward the door to get back to his business at hand, NIdia asks him to wait so she can tell them goodbye.

Back at the restaurant, the lovelies are confronting the manager with the fact they cannot pay the check. They offer that Juan will come and pay them, the manager cannot believe they could eat so much and have the nerve to be there without money but he suddenly says he has another way for them to PAY...

Paula is questioning Marely about Laura but Marely cautions her not to get her nerves in a knot to do damage to the baby. Paula begins to question Marely about Juan's activities, Marely joins that she is surprised about Juan's son. Paula presses Marely to be sure Juan does not call the house when CL is there. Marely realizes Juan must not know what is happening with Paula.

Juan goes in to tell Angarita goodbye. He asks Juan about the beauty contest which Anga is worried he is paying for all of. Anga asks Juan if he came to the city only to find patrons for the contest. Juan tells him how well, how fantastic things are going between Paula and him. Anga tells him it is his hour for something good.

The hour for something good is approaching in the restaurant with aroused men beginning to vie for position while the lovely contestants worry that they will be expected to do something indecent. The manager approaches to see if they have made up their mind what they will do to "sing for their supper" so to speak. If not, he says he will call the police. Delfina seems to be taking the lead as the others whine. Switch scenes to an illegal crush of the Juans, Nidia and Kike in the truck, Nidia wants to know what the men are planning, which is an outing with just the big boys and Fernando, Juanito has an appointment to be cared for by Marely and Nidia assures him they will have a great time while the men go out to dance. Juan arrives in the lobby, calls the ladies room but no answer. The desk clerk tells him they left at noon and haven't come back. Switch to Delfina doing a sexy chair dance, driving all the men wild while the young ones get to wash dishes in the kitchen. They surmise about Delfina's bravery, or wildness, Lorena, always quick with the insults says she is an enchanter but of snakes. The other two defend Delfina who is actually saving their hides.

Fernando and Marely are discussing the boys night out, she doesn't mind him going but she finally lays on him that he will have to tell Juan about Paula's pregnancy... His oops they got me look is priceless. After the break they continue discussing that Paula can't be counted on to do or say the right thing to let Juan know and it isn't right to let Juan go on building castles in the air. Fer hopes that Marely and he won't have these many problems in their relationship. Marely mocks him that only when he starts with his jealousy. He says he can't avoid it but he loves her, his princess. The only happy couple laughing moment in the entire program so far tonight.

Alirio comes into Yadira's room where she is heavily involved in studying while the baby sleeps. He comes right to the point of wanting to know what flute Yadi is playing with Topete! As she acts offended he drives on about the nature of their ACADEMIC relationship. He claims to understand her deep reverence about the intellectual capacities of Topete but she was trying to exempt or excuse her personal feelings. Aliria always ready to push too far reminds her that even her beloved professor Nacho could have inappropriate feelings for his students. Yadi threatens to scar his face with her book. Alirio is smart but never wise.

The lovelies are released from their payments schemes and are arguing about the way home. Not one of them can remember the name or the location of their hotel so they eventually get on a double decker bus with tickets that one grateful patron had given them. They drive past all the familiar Mexico City sites again trying to get a clue about where they are. Juan asks people along the way to the restaurant if they have scene the beauty contestants until he arrives at the restaurant and hears about the escapades of the lovelies especially that Delfina was the star. Finally the bus approaches Juan but the ladies are on the other side and Juan turns his back as they approach him for our final coincidence with reality.

Labels: Juan

The show has some spill over from the last episode: Andrea is trying to cover her butt and tells Val and Al that Luci is imagining all kinds of twisted relationships between the people in the Belmonte household. She’s really helping Damien and Constancio’s gas lighting plan. Luci arrives, obviously sauced. Then Connie comes down the stairs and tells the kids they better be prepared, because they might just have to lock momma up.

Al decides to go see his mother, who has now retired to her room. Val goes along with him. The kids ask why she’s drinking again and Luci tells them how she’s unhappy, empty, and feels like she can’t escape. Luci tries to tell Al that Andrea is betraying him with Connie. Val tries to placate her, with a “we believe you”, but Luci can see they really don’t. Al is very sweet with his mother and she mumbles that she never should have left Paris with him. Al takes this as some of her crazy mumbling---however it is a clue to those of us who’ve been speculating at the age difference between Mili and Al.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Padre Manuel has come for a visit to the house. Connie gives him a little run down on Luci’s crazy antics. PM has come to return the check Connie gave the orphanage, now that Mili’s returned to the mansion it isn’t right for the nuns to keep the money. Connie insists that they keep the money, after all they took care of Mili all these years. PM pulls out the picture that Mili left at the altar and wants Connie to return it to Mili. He asks the priest how Mili reacted to the picture. PM urges Connie to tell Mili that she is his daughter, but Connie’s not willing to go public with it. He takes the picture and places it in his desk drawer, but forgets to lock it. Connie and PM leave the office to go see to Luci.

Hugo and Damien do a little rehash of the accident that killed Hugo’s mother and Carmen. Hugo laments that in one stupid second, his life was changed forever and that all he had then were his memories of Carmen. Now they are tainted because he knows that something was going on between Al and Carmen. Hugo gets angry and wants to know why Al always tries to snatch away what is his. Damien tells Hugo he needs to forget about all of this and Hugo says no way, he’s going to make sure that Al pays for what he’s done. Damien tries to tell Hugo that he lied. Hugo is skeptical. Damien insists it was a lie, that he did it to pay Hugo back for making him suffer thinking his son was stuck in a wheelchair. Hugo tells Damien to get out!!

Luci tells PM that she’s not crazy. Then starts in on a rant about PM knowing who Connie’s bastard child is. She demands that he tell her the identity of the child. He says he can’t reveal the identity. She says she has a right to know because this person is going to mess up her children’s inheritance. PM says the kid has rights too.

Lina and Mili enter Connie’s office and a Lina is tempted by the unlocked drawer. She finds Rosario’s picture and Mili is confused as to why there the picture of her mother is there. Lina speculates that Connie is really Mili’s papa. Connie returns and hears this last bit. He’s upset that the girls went through his personal stuff, but settles down a bit. He tells Mili that PM brought the picture back for her and that he intended to help her by finding out more information about her mother. Mili is moved by Connie’s offer and gives him a hug.

Damien goes to see Al and tells him that he knows what happened in the garden between Al and Carmen the day she died. We are treated to a bit of a flashback showing Al and some girl making out as Damien plays peeping Tom. Al tries to explain, but Damien tells him that he doesn’t want to listen, but that Hugo found out and Damien has lied to him to have him not believe it is true. Damien says that although he’s lied to Hugo, he and Al really know the truth (is this another set up for the man to make a little blackmail money?).

Mili is in the bunkhouse and she’s talking to Lina about her mother’s picture. She reconfirms to the general viewing public that she still blames her father for breaking her mother’s heart and therefore being the cause of her mother’s early demise.

Andrea comes to visit Regina (who’s got her hair down and looks fabulous). Regina asks how she’s doing and comments on the overdose. She tells Andrea that no man is worth it and that you only get one life, so don’t waste it. Andrea assures her that it won’t happen again, but what she’s really there for is to find out more about Connie’s bastard kid. Regina confirms that the child exists and that she’s been searching for years to find him/her. Andrea wants to know specifics, like is the kid older than Al. Regina says no, Al is older. So, Andrea says, Connie was unfaithful to Luci (this is a surprise to her?). Regina says no, he was unfaithful to himself (or that’s at least what I think she said---correct me if I’m wrong). Regina fills Andrea in on the medallion and gives her a little description (the engraved initials) and tells her that Rosario is the name of the baby-mama. She then asks Andrea to not repeat any of this conversation because Al only just found out about his half sibling and Luci gets upset. Andrea tells her that she wouldn’t think of talking about it to anyone…..the look on her face tells the audience that she means the exact opposite, because this kind of gossip just can’t be contained!!!

At the breakfast table, Luci comments to the family that she feels better since talking to Padre Manuel and since last night she hasn’t taken a drop of alcohol (that’s right, celebrate your successes). Connie mutters about her making promises before. Hugo joins the family for breakfast. He tells Damien that he doesn’t believe him about his lying. Hugo then asks Al if he’s got something to tell the family. A-what that you dress up like a bum and ran around town when we all thought you couldn’t walk. H-I did that only to visit my mother and Carmen’s graves. Have you visited Carmen’s grave? Damien realizes the vagabond he saw lurking around the graves was Hugo. Hugo asks how Luci’s been and she tells him better and she’s not crazy, like everyone in the house thinks she is. Of course, the fact that she has to keep reassuring people she’s not crazy, really makes her sound like she is indeed crazy. Val changes the subject and asks Damien about Roxana. He tells the family it is over and Connie gives him some snarky comments. Damien reminds his brother, that after all, he really likes them younger (eww, I can only assume this is a reference to Mili).

Later, Connie tells Luci that he won’t let her ruin his chances of getting appointed deputy. She tells him that she doesn’t want to walk around with a plastic smile, she’s sick of it all. She doesn’t care if he were to become president. Connie threatens her and tells her that she’s got two choices: 1- give the image of being a good wife and he’ll portray the image of a good husband or 2- he’ll get her locked up for being crazy and then everyone will take pity on the poor widower with the crazy wife. Connie tells her that she can start tonight, they will be having dinner together. He then waves a bottle in her direction and tells her she can always seek solace in it.

Al finds Mili cleaning his room. They kiss and have a cute exchange about him dreaming of her. She fills him in on her plans to make some money. He wants to know more about her business idea, but really why does she want to make so much money (umm, that’s a question only someone with money could ask). She says she wants to use it to find her father. Al assumes so they can be reunited and she gets riled up and says no, she needs to let him know how she really feels about him. Al is surprised to see such emotion and he tells Mili that these feelings aren’t for her. Just then they get busted by Andrea, who enters the room (without knocking I might add). She demands to know what Mili is doing there. Mili quickly covers, telling Al if he can’t ask her directly, then he can clean his own room next time (or, again, that’s what I think she said). Mili leaves, and Andrea demands to know why Al allows the servant to speak to him in such a manner. He tells her that Mili is protected by his grandma, so there is nothing he can do about it. Andrea then tries to make Al feel guilty about her “suicide attempt.” She’s tired and unsure of their relationship, blah, blah, blah. Al seems to fall for it because he should just tell her where to stick it, but he doesn't. What a manipulator the skank is!!!

Connie runs into Claudio, the kid who stole Mili’s necklace. He tells Connie he’s there for the messenger job. Connie hires him and gives him his first assignment.

Mili and Lina are in the Belmonte kitchen and are packing up their sandwiches. They take off to the job site to make a little lana.

Andrea comes into the office and Connie tells her that some guy named Claudio will be coming in and he'll need to be sent down to personnel because he's the new messenger. Connie then gets personal and tells Andrea he knows she's playing with fire, dangling Al along and going out to lunches with Sergio. He tells her she's perversa and he loves it. She drives him crazy.

Luci comes into the office and asks to speak to Andrea alone. She also calls Andrea perversa, but some how I don't think she means that as a compliment like Connie did. Luci knows that Andrea and Connie have got something going on and she tells the skank to quit the "I have no idea what you are talking about" act. Luci lets her know that she saw Connie and Andrea with her own eyes--Andrea is the amante del padre and novia del hijo. She wants to know how much money it will cost her to make it end with Al. Andrea acts shocked and asks how could Luci suggest such a thing. With her pay off plan not working, Luci tells Andrea that she intends to unmask her in front of everyone. She's declared war.

Bobby and Al are riding in the car and Bobby fills Al in on what happened on New Years Eve. Al urges Bobby to be upfront with Val and his come back is -"Yeah, just like you're being up front with Andrea."

Mili and Lina sell their sandwiches to the construction crew. Mili gives one poor man a sandwich (I'm sure she's thinking of future sales--way to lure them in). Al arrives and there is another cute exchange between our star crossed couple. Al finds out that Lina knows about Mili and his relationship, and Lina assures her boss that she'll keep their secret. Lina asks about Bobby and Al tells her she should take him a sandwich. Which she promptly does. Bobby and Lina watch as Al and Mili snuggle.

Luci goes and tells Connie the same old song and dance. She lets him know that she saw him with the skank. She then tells him that she heard him talking about how he found out the identity of his bastard child and she demands to know who it is. Connie reminds her that he's not the only one who has a bastard child (ouch!!, but she does need a reality check on this one). He also tells Luci that Al's been left out of his will.

Claudio comes in and Andrea notices right away the medallion he's wearing. She comments on it and finds out that it has the initials on the back. She's about to call him Connie's son when Damien shows up. Andrea sends Claudio down to personnel and then she gets to gossiping with Damien (took her less than an episode to break her promise to Regina). She tells Damien the whole story and that she's sure that Connie knows this guy is his kid. Damien says he'll find out for sure what's going on with Claudio and what Connie's plans are for the kid. However, he's sure that Connie won't claim the kid publicly. That's where my notes end.....

Labels: guapos

As they leave Jesus makes some remark about El Antillano being (I think) able to charm the pants off a woman quicker than anything. Pablo tells him Antillano has never been that way, but Jesus insists he’s just like any other man. (So much for spying on caravans tonight.)

Ricardo and Jime arrive at Cami’s townhouse. Jimena struggles to keep her balance getting off the horse and can’t open the door, so Ric does it. Jime plans to enter alone and to have Ric knock at the door afterward. “So, Cami didn’t send you to get me.” “—No….but nothing’s wrong! Just she wants to reconcile, but won’t dare to make the first move.” (Oh, Ricardo. ¡Qué humillante! What humiliation you endure. You have got it bad, don’t ya, hon?) He stands there on pins and needles waiting to make his move, but Cami sees Jimena come in looking like the pet cat who just ate the family canary and still has yellow feathers stuck in it’s whiskers.

Jimena says that she just came back from taking a walk. Cami doesn’t believe her for an instant. “--This late at night? Who is out there? “ “--It’s me.” Ric pushes on in. Cami snubs him. Jimena fibs about him running into her and that he was walking her back home. Ric plays along, “And since I’m here, you and I need to talk.” “—We have nothing talk about!” Jime breaks in and grabs her by the arm and reminds her about their conversation that afternoon and how she had told her that her father was so happy to see his children married should he die tomorrow and how he wanted a celebration. “This is no time for you to get on your high horse," she hisses," ‘cause if you do, then don’t come crying to me afterward.” Jime leaves (Sleep well tonight, girlfriend! You've earned it.) Ric adds, “Apart from what Jimena has told you, we really need to talk things over. Now get your robe on, the night air is chilly. I’ll wait for you in the living room.” She does. He smiles because it feels so right.

In the living room Ric tells Cami that he ran into Vasco and he told him that Santi is Jorge’s son. She comments that she doesn’t know if Jorge will recognize him, she says she can imagine Ofelia’s shame, especially when Santi found out. Ric supposes that he raped Ofelia too, as part of his first night rights, and that Ofelia’s husband found out and accepted the boy as his own. She says nobody confronts the likes of Don Jorge. “I will, even though you have doubts.” He assures her that he does not fear Jorge and that he can be just as irreverent and treacherous as Mancera. “As long as a there’s a breath of life in me I will defend you, whatever the consequences.” Cami melts into Ric's arms (as I melt into my couch) and they kiss passionately. They agree “like a couple of comrades before a battle” to plan their strategy together. (Raise the flag, cuz like Mario, I am sooooo ready!) They kiss again for as Thoreau once wrote, ‘True love does not quarrel for slight reasons.’

Across town Ofelia is finishing up some chores when GRita walks in and asks after her and Santi. She brings the conversation around to whether Don Jorge plans to recognize him. Ofelia says Jorge hasn’t bothered to mention it, but she’s only worried about Santi’s well-being right now. GRita insists again that Santi has the right to be recognized and if offered, he should accept for all their sakes, and especially now that he has a child to think of. Ofelia warns her not to get her hopes up, it may not be all that she expects.

GRita then changes the subject. Out of the blue she asks Ofelia, “What was it like? You know, being ‘deflowered’ by Don Jorge? (Talk about your lurid curiosity, girl!) "He demanded first night rights, the same as he did with Cami, right?” Ofelia lets GRita have it right between the eyes. “Who do you think you are to ask me such questions? Don’t come at me with ‘I’m only interested because Santiago is my husband', either! It’s only your sick curiosity and it’s offensive to me!”

Back at the townhouse Ric offers to go ahead with their wedding celebration that Justo wants, but Cami refuses. They talk about his great respect for Ric and that he seems his avenging angel, but Ric says he’s more like the Devil. Cami hugs him and says not at all. She understands completely his reasons for everything that’s happened. It is just that despite her humble beginnings, she is a girl who was raised to believe that lovin’ goes with marriage as opposed to without. As it is she feels like his mistress.

Ric shows his frustration. “Why should you give relevance to laws men make when those laws have condemned me for a crime I didn’t commit and because of it my life should be a disgrace? God’s law unites a man and a woman, not two last names!” he argues. Cami agrees, but says they live in a world which has rules and customs which are very important to her. He says alright, then they can go back to Monto Carmelo and get married using his real name (Works for me!) but she refuses because she says this would be too dangerous for him. He insists that he’s only using the other name while undercover for the crown, till he wins his pardon. When that happens he swears they are going to get married as God demands. “No. No,” he corrects himself. “As man’s law commands, because for God you are already my wife forever and always.”

Ric then asks Cami how does she want to work it. Cami says living apart would raise suspicions. He agrees to start over and for now, at least, to do what Cami feels is the only acceptable way in light of the situation. Yes, Ric offers to forgo sex if she agrees to return to his place and if it will quiet her conscience, even though he admits it is asking too much of him. The effort he is making and his restraint of his urges in order to have Cami return is plain as day on his face as he explains to her what a sacrifice this will be for him. “When a man lives with a woman he intends to have a full relationship. Making love with you is not just some way to vent, but to reiterate what we feel for one another. But, if that’s what you want, then I…agree.” The love in Cami’s eyes is just as evident. (Is it just me or did you all just turn to jello, too?)

Meanwhile, Vasco, Ascanio and Ines are eating dinner. Vasco says he feels for Santi not to accept whatever Don Jorge offers him would be stupid. He asks Ascanio if he were in Santi’s shoes what would he do. Ascanio says he isn’t in his shoes, and it is pretty disgusting to know that not only did the guy rape his mother but his fiancee as well. In the end, if it were him he’d have killed the man. Vasco says killing doesn’t resolve a thing. Ascanio says that’s true, but at times like that a person simply doesn’t think straight. Vasco adds that a man with a good heart like Santi would be a blessing for the town. There would be an end to arbitrary decisions and all sorts of abuses.

Ascanio says, well Lord Governors are not good hearted men and this one is, like most, surrounded by a group of men who though “gentlemen”, are actually just thugs. Vasco and Ines wonder what he means by thugs. Ascanio knows he’s said too much again.

The next morning Ric is at breakfast with his aunt and Lis. They ask him where Mario is and he says he’s on an errand for him. Fran asks what sort, robbery or murder. Ric warns her not to mess with him because if it weren’t for her and his uncle he wouldn’t be having to live the life he’s leading now. She says she had nothing to do with that. He ignores her and asks what their motive was, greed or pure hatred for his father. She insists she’s blameless and if he doesn’t believe her well she’s sorry. He gets angry and says she’d better start to feel sorry and to become worried because –and he stabs his knife into the table for emphasis—there may come a day when he loses all patience. “And speaking of patience, Cami is coming back in a while." Clotilde comes in then all ears. Ric yells at her over his shoulder, “Get out!!” and she drops a dish of food on the floor from fright, but to buy time as she listens she takes her time about picking the food off the floor. “Get out!!” Clothile gets up then and rushes out.

Ric lowers his voice. “Legally married or not it doesn’t matter. She is my wife and the lady of this house and as such she will be treated.” They politely say, “Certainly.” He tells them he has their number and he knows because they’ve made it very plain how they abhor her. “Don’t you try to gossip or plot against her; just leave things well enough alone! She knows who and what I am and it doesn’t matter. Enjoy your meal! Excuse me.” He leaves and Lis and Fran realize that that means Cami knows he’s Ricardo de Salamanca and doesn’t care. Lis gets upset because she says that without Alberto’s finding the ED letter she won’t be able to recover her father’s fortune and they’ll be forced out with nowhere else to go. Fran says then accept his marriage proposal. Lis screams back “Never!” So Fran says get used to putting up with the whore and her snubbing them and walks out.

Clotilde comes back in looking for information and sees Lis crying. Lis tells her to take her to town for a walk. She doesn’t want to go with her aunt and that’s that.

Outside Ric orders Pablo to go into town and try to find out if anyone robbed the caravan the night before then to attend to getting his wife’s things picked up and brought back there. Over at the townhouse Jimena makes Cami promise not to let a man as sincere and special as Ric go for any reason, especially because she might be afraid of what others are thinking. Cami promises but again explains that even though others don’t suspect they’re not married the thought of it, for her, still fills her with a sense of shame.

Back across town Sofia comes to see how Ofelia’s doing and how Santi took the news. Ofelia, furious with Sofia, blames her for everything tragic that is happening to her and her family. Sofia feels sympathy for her and tries to explain that she had several reasons to do what she did. Sofia explains that mainly she feels Santi is the only decent member of the Mancera family and that is what helped to motivate her. Ofelia says that her son is not a part of that family, and doesn’t she realize what it’s cost her son to learn this.

Sofia insists that Santi carries Mancera blood in his veins. There are other reasons that eventually she may tell Ofelia in due time, but either way, he has more rights than her daughter to the title and he deserves this opportunity. Ofelia thinks it will bring worse tragedy, but Sofia says it may bring him his fortune. Sofia warns her off and says not to dare try to influence him not to accept and that Ofelia better not go against her in this. Santiago has obligations to fulfill and he will comply.

In town on the plaza, Chip and Dale are still bugging Ascanio for information about Santi. He tells them again to ask him themselves when he gets back. Manuela and Agata pass by the forge and Manuela looks directly at Ascanio and gives him a big smile. Ascanio returns the favor. “Marcel and Dali” run into each other. They both wonder if Gonzo was stupid enough to try to rob the caravan the night before. Just then Foreman and Hernan’s coach arrives in San Fernando. They get out and Foreman says the town is nice, but not very affluent. They look over and see the Mancera Palace and figure out that it is the home of the Lord Governor of the region. Uriel gets distracted when he sees Alberto arriving and calls out his name. Alberto nods at him but when he turns his head he is surprised to see Foreman standing there. Uriel walks off. Foreman says he’s just as surprised and he never figured that the first person he’d see when he arrived would be LaFont. Pablo is watching all of this from behind a pillar a few yards off.

LaFont tells Foreman he got his letter but didn’t expect him this soon. They shake hands, looking pretty chummy to Pablo. Foreman tells LaFont what his alias will be while he’s there and that he’ll only be around a few days. He asks who lives in the palace and Buffy gives him the 411 on the town. Clotilde tells Lis that she sees Don Alberto nearby and Lis goes over to greet him. Foreman gets introduced and realizes she’s Ric’s blind cousin. He leaves to get cleaned up after the long journey but first asks to see her again. Lis says she’d be delighted.

After he’s gone Lis asks LaFont if he has the ED letter. Alberto says yes, but best not to discuss it there in the street and takes her to his house with Clotilde following a few feet behind. Pablo has seen enough for now and returns to Ric’s to give him the low-down.

Across the plaza, Agata warns Manuela not to go to the blacksmith shop. She is sure Mannie's asking about Santi’s problems are not the main reason she’s going, either. Manuela doesn't listen and goes to greet Ascanio. She asks him to walk with her to the pier for a chat, but he’d rather not, since he knows that would be rather compromising for her to be seen with somebody like him. She insists so he walks with her there. Chip tells Dale that if Don Alberto finds out he’ll cut Ascanio’s essentials off. Dale says it looks more like Manuela is the one who’s after him. Chip says makes no difference.

Ascanio tells Mannie that he really doesn’t feel that they know each other well enough for him to discuss things that are not his place to tell her. Besides, he says, it’s not wise for them to be having chats like this with people watching and such. He is not the type of person for her to be keeping company with and her father wouldn’t approve. She says she doesn’t care whether a person is rich or not, it’s what is inside him that’s important. She fights back tears telling him she needs some kind of friendship, but nobody is ever considered good enough for her. Anyway, she’s used to her father’s fits of anger and his punishments. This upsets Ascanio. “What? Does he beat you?” “—No. No.” Mannie suggests they might meet somewhere else, then apologizes and is embarrassed to have said that. He tells her thanks for the nice sentiment, but in reality, things just aren’t that way. She thanks him for his time and leaves. Mannie seems to definitely have rocked Ascanio’s world.

LaFont informs Lis that he has the ED letter from the doctor, but he doesn’t want to hand it over to Jorge, since he could give it to Cami in exchange for her favors. She wonders if DJ will get angry if he finds out, but Buffy says no. He knows how to smooth things over for her. He asks her if her aunt spoke to her about his feelings. Lis asks if his taking care of the letter is dependant upon her accepting his proposal. He says no. He tells her he truly loves her and wants to protect and care for her. He tries some silly poetic phrase out on her but when she doesn’t respond he rolls his eyes. So LaFont tries kissing her hands in another skin-crawl worthy scene. Just then daughter Mannie walks in and surprises daddy LaFont in mid hand-kiss. He jumps out of his chair like a perv caught with his hand up some little girl’s skirt. She is red-faced impactada by what she sees she has interrupted and quickly walks through and out the other side of the room. Lis is embarrassed to think what Manuela must think of her now but LaFont doesn’t consider that important and gets back to the business at hand, so to speak, with Lis. He tells her not to worry for Mannie. As for Lis, he understands, he says, her discomfort in living together with Ric and her father’s widow. She says it doesn’t matter because if she recovers her money—LaFont says, no she is going to get it back because once he sets his mind to something he gets it done. Lis asks for more time to think over his marriage proposal. He says to take all the time she wants. Lis agrees then to have him hand the ED letter over to Judge de la Orca.

At the inn in his room Foreman talks over the situation between LaFont and Lis de Salamanca, the one whose inheritance Ric came to help recover, with Hernan and Lorencillo. They figure LaFont must know what’s going on and that’s why he’s become so chummy with Lis. They also figure Ric will know that Foreman's in town because Mario is certain to tell him. Foreman is going to tell Antillano something other than the real reason he came to town, but he knows that Ric is no fool. He says he doesn’t underestimate anybody, particularly Antillano, as even the biggest idiot can always be dangerous. Antillano, though is as smart as a fox and deadlier than any cobra.

Lorencillo asks Foreman why he doesn’t just tell Antillano, being part of the Brotherhood, what his business with LaFont is. Foreman says first because there is no reason to and secondly because he suspects that being the godson of an influential priest, he could just as easily be persuaded to side with the Spanish to get himself a pardon. Lorencillo says that would be a betrayal of the brotherhood. Foreman says well, who wouldn’t accept a pardon, to be able to live without the fear of being hanged? He’d do the same himself to save his skin.

Cami is putting her things back in the bedroom while Fran complains to Ric that Lis has gone out on her own without her and she’s worried because she’s never done something like that before. Ric promises to go out looking for her shortly and Fran leaves.

Cami is worried that Lis might have gone to report him to the police, but he says he highly doubts it and if she does, he’ll think of something to save his skin. He would probably have to flee but only death in the end would prevent him from returning to her. In the meantime she should deny knowing anything about his true identity. She doesn’t want to talk about him dying. He says Death always lies in wait for us though we never know when, it comes eventually for everyone. Therefore, they cannot waste their time and he starts kissing her passionately.

Pablo arrives about then with urgent news and interrupts them. Ric says just as well because he’d have broken his pact with her. He tells Pablo that he can speak in front of “his wife.” Pablo tells Ric then that he didn’t hear anything about the caravan but Foreman just arrived in town and was chummy with LaFont and is staying at the King’s Inn. Then he says that Lis came along and started talking to LaFont just as chummy-like and ended up going with LaFont to his house. Ric is not a happy camper now.

Back in her room Mannie tells Agate that she suspects something is up between Lis and her father. Agata says he’s been a widower long enough and it is only natural for him to want to get married again. She says fine, but he’ll be a rotten husband. Agata says all men are bad husbands. Mannie says there are good men, like Ric and Santi and even Ascanio. She admits she’s got feelings for him and Agata tries to talk her out of it. He’s an outsider and not of her social standing. Besides, if her father finds out he’ll skin both of them alive probably.

Back at Ric’s, Fran and Lis discuss the fact that LaFont has the ED letter and is giving it to Judge de la Orca, but also has expressed his desire to marry her. Lis thinks he really loves her and is willing to give her time to get used to the idea. Fran says great because even though he is older he’s a good match considering her disabilities. This angers Lis because it’s like saying Lis has to settle for whatever she can get in a man. Fran apologizes when Lis tells her she’s tired of the woman constantly jamming the fact she’s blind down her throat and she knows what she is doing here.

Cami asks Ric if he believes that Foreman went to see Alberto and Jorge. He says that he is sure he probably is buying the stolen money from them. She comments that if that is so, then he should report them to his godfather and obtain his pardon. Ric still doesn’t have any proof, since nobody wants to go against the Lord Governor. He figures that they’ll have to wait for someone to implicate them all and then it dawns on him that that someone just might be Lis.

Labels: Pasion

Permalink posted by Jardinera654 @ 4:13 AM 29 comments

The studio audience at Televisa is lively and excited to see Juan and the Bellezas on stage, talking about the beauty pageant. The talk show hostesses ask the girls – minus Delfi, who got waylaid – to take a turn for the folks. The schoolmarm does hers flatfooted, of course, and with shy giggles. Juan has to take a turn, too.

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Consuelo is telling Paula about all the healthful choices she has in the frig for the Seña so she can keep her little belly getting all it needs. Paula’s immediately suspicious about who told Chelo she was expecting. Um, it was Don CL, of course. Chelo has a great “huh?” face. And by the way, congrats--what can I fix for you?

Blurry faces in the Televisa studio audience smile and the crowd claps for Juan and the chicas. We note that Juan has dressed in one of his Farell business suits, with a yellow shirt and a Very Short red tie. Life in the D. F. is almost back to normal. One of the stars asks Juan to tell them about the anthurium, so he declares it’s a proudly Mexican flower! Wild cheering greets that assertion. He asserts that the ONLY place they grow it is his birthplace, Achichipico. [Ed. Note: as they say in the South, he ain’t went much.] Juan cues the audience to cheer wildly again and they cheerfully comply. The Achichipiquenses grow ‘em and export ‘em to all over the world! Wild cheering. The other star wants to know what these lovely ladies he’s brought have to do with the flower. Juan tells the audience and the interviewer about the beauty pageant, which will be shown all over on television! He thought bubbles about what Paula’s reaction will be when she sees him on the air. She’ll know what class of man he is! The beautiful hostess in a red evening gown (taping early in the morning??) tells the audience that before they began the show, Juan had mentioned that in addition to being a great impresario, the thing he likes most in the world is to dance. She convinces Juan to get up and do his famous Cachibombo. Juan is always so obliging—he can’t disappoint the lady so he cuts a rug on the teeny stage and gets everyone up to shake it with him. The chicas have varying degrees of expertise…..and Juan finishes with a splash, of course, in a very …..nice……pose. For anyone who wants to know how to do it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMKMRw2-KHg

At Anga’s house, the doctor gives Pastor the news: Anga’s had a mild heart attack (conato de infarto, slight heart attack). Not the first, either. Pastor wonders how the doctor knows—Anga told him. He doesn’t need to go to a hospital but he needs tests ASAP. Is Pastor family? Yes, his half brother. Pastor offers his hand for kissing. The doctor gives Pastor a look and shakes it limply. Anga needs total rest, and to be as calm as possible. Someone needs to watch him 24 hours a day.

Our waylaid Delfina is trying to get Juanito out of the john and exhorting him to get a move on. He protests that he’s giving it his best shot, so to speak. Juanito sits in the stall on the toilet faking it all the way. He’s definitely his father’s son. He moans and groans. Delfi is taken aback.

Pastor calls Kike, who greets him warmly. Pastor gives Kike the news that Anga is out of commission for a while. Kike is impactado when he hears it’s a mild heart attack. Pastor tells Kike he’s in charge of the business, and Kike tells him of course…except I have a lunch date because Juan’s in town. Pastor is ecstatic to hear about Juan and wants to know where he is, which prompts Kike to ask if Pastor needs Juan. [Ed. Note: Silly question, Kike.] Pastor denies it’s urgent but he’d like to see Juan. His brother’s health comes first, of course.

Delfi runs up to the door of the set at Televisa with Juanito, but they can’t go in. She begs and cajoles, but the guard at the door is adamant; no one goes in. Delfi calls out that she’s missing it/they’re missing her.

Pastor has apparently had a brainstorm; he calls to let Nidia know that Anga is sick. Nidia scoffs, so what? She didn’t think the Sr. had human weaknesses. Pastor clarifies that they had a little “discussion” in the morning and he went ape-sh** [Ed. Note: see the sidebar, “se puso como energúmeno”—I think that’s thanks to Ferro who would generally know such things]. That gets Nidia’s attention. She’s sure nothing bugs Anga (he’s always in a good mood). Pastor reports it’s a miracle he’s alive, and that Anga had a mild heart attack. Now Pastor’s really got Nidia’s attention.

CL has Marely on the coals, grilling her about her lunch with Paula at his house. He pushes on what the topics were: Paula’s trip …..Marely tries to give out minimal information, but CL presses and tells her he’s going to be very frank with her. He wants to know EXACTLY what they discussed. Marely swallows hard.

Outside the Televisa studio, Juan tries to put the ladies into a cab, consoling Delfi for her missed opportunity to be on television. He assures her that the next time she definitely will go with him for an interview. That excites our naïve Delfina. Juanito takes it all in; the Maestra and the other chica chat animatedly while Lorena just crosses her arms, irritated that she’s not the Center of the Universe for a few seconds of her life. Delfi is thrilled, she’ll go by herself with him? Yep. But for the moment, he’s going to the Cachón house to eat and taking Juanito. He tells Delfi she’s coming, but she tells him she’s depressed and so Juan decides, he’s sending them all back to the hotel. Three go with the program, but Lorena isn’t buying it. She’s a Queen, not his employee. Juan feigns impactado at one of the others, and all three are astonished at her arrogance. Lorena informs Juan she doesn’t have to follow his orders. Juan sees himself losing control here, and gives her a fine set down to remind her she’s not a queen yet, just aspiring like everyone else. [Ed. Note: Like that’s gonna hold this chick back?] He quotes the rules to her and the three ladies back him up, with Juanito giving her the “what’s up with you, of course he’s right” look. Lorena protests being closed up in four walls, and he retorts, so she tells him she’s “so afraid” NOT. She refuses to get in the cab and Juan thought bubbles about what he can do about this chica. She even threatened him and everything. The other three go toward the cab, and he finally gets his bearings and points out that her threats are going to count against her. He cites the rule about how he has to treat them all equally and not show any favoritism. Lorena makes a snotty remark about those cats, who overhear her, get incensed and rush back to confront Lorena the Pill—“Who are you calling a cat?” Juan tells them to leave her to him. He fusses at her about her lack of respect. No one has a crown yet. Somehow Juan convinces Lorena the Pill to go with the ladies.

Marely continues to tap dance around CL’s questions. They talked about her mother, etc., etc. Nothing more? Did she tell you about her pregnancy? Marely “remembers” that Paula did mention being pregnant, and by the way, congrats. He wants to know how Paula felt about all that. Fine. Fine? Yep, a little nervous. He’s happy about it. So, is Paula happy? Marely gives him a totally ingenuous look—of course.

Delirio has taken over the Cachón office, and stuffs a newspaper away in a drawer as he hears Nidia fussing with Yadi in the hall. He stands up, picks up the phone as the arguing gets closer by the second, and pretends to be on an Important Call. The ladies Cachón enter with Nidia fussing at Yadi about trying to control Nidia’s comings and goings, while Delirio talks to the phone. He yells at them. They get silent for about a second, so he can tell them about his Important Call and they should shut the heck up. Nidia doesn’t give a rip, she’s not in the mood. Yadi wants to go out with her Mami. [Ed. Note: Where the heck is the baby? She’s not with Kike. She’s already a latchkey kid? You’re leaving her home with Delirio? She’s out getting her hair done? She’s cruising the mall with her daycare buddies?] Nidia emphatically tells Yadi she’s not invited. Delirio protests her going out alone. He wants to know what’s up. Nidia retorts that to Him It’s Not Important. She flips a look over her shoulder at them as she stalks mincingly out. Yadi and Delirio are left to wonder and fuss with each other about what just happened. We hear the cuckoos as Delirio worriedly asks Yadi if Nidia could possibly be off the deep end again. Yadi is impactada; he shouldn’t even say that as a joke!

Juan and Juanito have gotten away from the ladies, and as they ride in the cab to the Cachón Casa (with Juanito NOT belted in, let alone in a car seat), Juan gives Juanito a crash course in etiquette. What a thought. He tells Juanito about the greetings to everyone when they arrive, and how there might be little kisses with the ladies, and a hug or whatever, and if he’s suddenly thirsty and asks for water and gets it, he needs to thank them, etc., etc. Juanito listens avidly to his Papi. ¿Estamos? (Agreed? Got it? Literally “Are we?” as in “Are we clear? Are we in agreement?”) Yes, Papa. He’s not supposed to let on that he already knows Doña Nidia. It’s their secret. Right, Pop.

Even with the possibility of Ivonne and all the LLs overhearing the conversation, Marely tells Fern about Monica’s and CL’s interrogations and investigations. They both want the scoop on Paula. Fern points out she’s between fiery crosses. Marely agrees, and she’s going to end up crucified. Fern says maybe nothing bad will happen out of it. Marely’s tried to make sure nothing happened, but they are after all her bosses. For obvious reasons she can’t entirely evade their question as easily as she’d like to. Fern looks at his watch—oops, it’s late! Marely wants to know why and he reminds her they’re eating at her house for lunch today. Marely tries to beg off and he nails her—is it because she doesn’t want to see Juan? Is she so afraid to have him close by? She assures Fern that Juan’s in the past and it’s thanks to Fern himself. He’s the one in her heart now. She pulls him down to her from his vast height, and gives him a little kiss [Ed. Note: this despite the Farell non-fraternization policy we heard so much about last summer]. She smiles and tells Fern okay, they’ll go to her house and he’ll see that Juan has no effect on her.

Anga wants to know if Pastor is trying to torture a sick man, he’ll never get better like this. Pastor says he’s just taking care of Anga, serving this tray of food in bed. Pastor tells Anga he shouldn’t think Pastor’s going to let him eat that greasy food (comidas grasientas) he’s used to, because Pastor’s never going to serve it to him. AND, when he’s better, Anga’s going to exercise so he really gets fit. That’s because the life he’s living is the Cause of All His Ills. Pastor shakes his finger at his bro. Anga remarks that whoever might overhear Pastor would think he’s an Adonis or something. But there’s nothing Adonis-like about him! [Ed. Note: ooh, good one.] Whatever, Pastor retorts fondly, but at least I care about you. Not only will we get you all better, but improve your appearance. Anga groans and mutters about why should he improve his appearance if there’s no one to look at him. Pastor’s not so sure about that, and what? The doorbell rings. Anga gives him a suspicious look. Who’s Pastor expecting? Pastor is expecting that Anga’s going to be surprised. He trots off to answer the door. Anga grumbles to himself as Kike bursts through the door and rushes to give Anga a half hug that’s hampered by the tray—Anga cautions him about it (caldo – soup). Kike wants to know how he’s doing and Anga wonders if this was his surprise? Pastor shakes his head.

CL’s disembodied voice asks Moni if she’s going to eat. What does it matter to him? Well, they’re business associates—they have to live together, get along. Moni keeps facing away from the door he’s just come in. She tells him it should be a little as possible. He tells her his situation has changed and she has to accept it, but Moni cuts him off. No need to talk about it. She can’t be happy about it, either. Seems that he’s forgotten his wife’s infidelity with the coming baby. She’s been off with her lover….and Moni plants the seed that she wonders if the baby he’s expecting with such excitement (ilusión) is even CL’s. CL is momentarily speechless and Moni gets up to curtly say goodbye and stalk out, no purse, nada. CL follows her out of her office, calling her. She stops in the middle of the lobby, much to the surprise of everyone, and bitterly calls out to anybody who’s listening that she’s sure they haven’t heard the news yet, but congratulations to our President CL, who’s going to be a Papa. She gives a couple of sharp claps and spins to continue her angry walk to the elevator. Some of the LLs note her distress, while the Really Stupid one smiles and claps, fixating on CL. He half-smiles awkwardly to acknowledge them clapping. Ivonne claps but can’t really smile a whole lot. CL slinks back to his office, holding the “talk to the hand” hand up at them and making no more eye contact as he disappears. Ivonne looks hurt and puzzled.

Yadi’s school file has all the info anyone could want about her—especially her photo and phone number. Profe Nacho (short for Ignacio) Topete (gee, this is from a verb that means to butt or bump, bump into-topetar. Hm.) takes a pencil and copies the info into his little black book under the wary and totally suspicious eye of his Profa wife, who’s wearing another of those schoolmarm outfits. Could be the same outfit, really. She probably buys multiples of the same thing so her students recognize her everyday. She gets up from the desk and keeps her eye trained on hubby while she goes to the sofa in the office and picks up another file. The Profe goes around the desk and dials the number. He gets….Perafán Rocha de Francisco and Associates. Oh, in the world’s eighth largest city of more than 8,235,000 people, the Profe finds out what a Small World it is. Perafán knows him from the Profe’s own school days! How can it be? They talk about how long it’s been, and Delirio wonders how he got the phone number. Topete, who has a sneaky streak we are coming to recognize and apparently one that his wife also recognizes, says a former colleague gave it to him. They are both so excited about the prospect of getting together! Topete asks for Delirio’s address. It’s #69 Colina Street. (That wasn’t in Yadi’s record, at least not the part we could see, but her father’s name was so Topete can’t really know that Delirio is her stepfather). Delirio lovingly fondles a blindfolded statue of justice with her scales. The Profa watches her shifty spouse writing. Topete bids Delirio goodbye, and they’ll see each other shortly. He’s got a plan and grinning ear to ear about it. Topete has the good sense to wipe the goofy smile off his face and hangs up, going to the Profa to apologize because he has to go out. He’s getting a reunion of former students organized [Ed. Note: Thinks on his feet well.] He can’t go eat with her. She assures him she’ll be fine, he should go see his friend without another thought (tranquilo, calm). She smiles stiffly as he leaves. Topete looks uncannily (and sounds uncannily) like CL bidding his “amor” goodbye cheerfully when he’s going off to cheat. He kisses her forehead and tells her not to worry about him. She asks him “me worry?” with a pointed look and he tells her it’s just a saying and tells her “ciao” for the second time in a minute. Her smile gets tighter while his gets goofier. She slaps down the folder she was holding, and takes her polyester-clad okole over to the desk [Ed. Note: I see it now—the Profa has to go get a makeover so she can get her hubby back out of Yadi’s sphere. She’s going to have to see Laura for a wardrobe consultation at Skanks ‘r ‘Us. The first step will be getting rid of that panty line in the poly pants. Come to think of it, these folks don’t portray schoolmarms in the best light, do they? They need to be watching the TLC show “What Not to Wear” with Stacy and Clinton.] The Profa stalks over to the desk and hits redial—coming up with Perafán Rocha de Francisco and Associates. She realizes it’s an attorney firm. Delirio affirms and asks how he can help her. She thinks as quickly as Topete does. She needs a consultation. Delirio is delighted to help, and says he’ll take the information down. She’d rather talk to him personally—can she have his address?

CL drinks, the lobby lizards visible beyond the not-so-blinds. Ivonne comes in and wonders if he needs anything more, because she’s leaving. He’s leaving, too. She wishes him luck with the coming baby. He’s going to need it. CL is left to think.

Yadi must not have school today, since she’s reading a magazine in the living room. Juan’s charcoal portrait is behind her on the wall over the bar. Delirio comes out of the office exulting about his appointments—two important clients in one single day! Don’t tell me. Yadi doesn’t even look up and her tone is total boredom. [Ed. Note: Important? One is a former student, that’s it. The other….] Delirio babbles on about being a bit late in achieving success, and not having his own office, but for brilliant minds like his, independence is a good thing. Yadi sarcastically congratulates him and suggests at this stage, he’ll surely want his own office and leave theirs to them. As he replies, there’s a knock. Yadi runs off and leaves him talking to himself. Guess WHO? Juan and….who’s that little shadow—Yadi gives Juanito a very curious look. They both greet Juan warmly and Juan introduces his son.—Junior! [Ed. Note: You could be a Southern Redneck if you are related to anyone called Junior or Bubba. I qualify on the latter. My hubby is still Junior to some of this relatives, despite a doctorate and full professorship for almost 20 years]. Yadi and Delirio are impactado. Juanito is a little shy about these folks who clearly love his Papa. Wait till he sees the drawing of Papi’s gloriously naked self behind them.

Anga appreciates Kike coming, but it makes him feel worse. Kike scolds him to not be rude. Anga points out if Kike’s here, the business has been abandoned. Pastor scolds Anga not to get upset and tenser than ever. Kike assures Anga it’s all super good with Remolacho charged to take care of it. Then he lays it on them—he has a commitment, and guess who’s coming to the house to eat? Juan! Anga wants Juan to come see him. Kike promises to tell him and excuses himself. Anga swears Kike to tell Nidia NOTHING of his illness. Pastor rolls his eyes and squirms. They leave Anga’s room, Pastor thanks Kike and opens the door, and in runs Nidia. She wants to know where he is, has he seen the doc, what’s up? Kike and Pastor try to prevent her finding Anga’s room but Nidia’s on a mission and bursts into the room. Anga is impactado. She calls him all kinds of endearments and runs to sit on the side of the bed, hugging him. Nidia babbles about finding him here this way, and what she can do. Pastor and Kike come in to see if they can do something about this while Nidia babbles and hugs, hugs and babbles. She would never have God’s forgiveness if he died, it’s really her fault. [No, Nidia, it’s not really about you.] Anga is visibly moved by her affectionate outburst.

The Achichipico Bellezas are bored. Juan has left them to their own devices, which is probably not a Good Thing where Lorena is concerned. The chica in blue thinks they’re all dressed up and no place to go, so good-looking, why stay cooped up in the hotel. They should just find a restaurant and party a little. They’re in the central business district, so surely there will be plenty down there. Lorena hops up to attention; she thinks it’s a great idea. The chica in blue informs her that the invite Did Not Include Lorena. Lorena sneers. Delfi tells the chica in blue forget the “Doña” already, you’re making me feel old and Lorena butts in to tell Delfi at her age, why not call her that. Delfi gives Lorena the stink eye and tells Lorena not to mess with her. Lorena tells Delfi to watch herself or she’ll bring on a dizzy spell (provocar un patatús). Delfi tries to go after her but the others hold her back. Delfi threatens her to chill or Delfi will make her life impossible. Lorena sarcastically tells Delfi she’s shaking with fear. The chica in blue defends Delfi and tells Lorena to just go home already—to her OWN town. Lorena says she’s staying, and warns them to watch themselves because if there’s one thing she knows, it’s how to defend herself. [No doubt.] Schoolmarm Teresa says she’s tired and will stay back with Delfi, but Delfi’s not having it and exhorts her amigas to come out with her and enjoy the city. They exit stage left, leaving a petulant Lorena alone. We break to Lorena’s crafty smile before commercials.

If Nidia had had any idea Anga would end up like this, she never would have been ugly with him (said those awful things). The last thing she wants in this life is that anything bad should happen to him. She holds Anga’s hand and they coo at each other a little. He gently brings her over to hug her and tell her to calm down, but she pops right back up, because there’s always something more to say. No, she’s not getting calmed until the doc tells her he’s out of danger. She’s going to be his nurse, Nidia declares, his slave, his guardian angel. She has to fix the great harm she’s done to him. Anga smiles his delightful smile and chuckles in that lovely voice. He pulls her back for a hug as Pastor comes in, and Anga tells Nidia she’s to stop feeling guilty right now. She’s not done a thing to him, but he guilty one is Sr. Pastor Gaitán. The brothers glare at each other. Nidia thinks its’ lovely that he can do this, feeling so bad, and invent whatever reason so she won’t feel so bad. She caresses his cheek and he caresses hers. Pastor tells Nidia his brother is telling the truth. The crisis happened in the middle of a quarrel they were having. Nidia says she’s guilty, too, because if she had been a little more supportive (solidaria) and a little less combative (peleonara), none of this would have happened to him. She’ll make it up to him, she coos and caresses. She’s not leaving here until he’s able to get up out of bed. Pastor grabs his chance; since Anga is in such good hands, Pastor’s going to take advantage of the opportunity to take care of some unfinished business. [Which no doubt has a 6-year old as part of it.] Nidia urges him to go, because she’s not abandoning Anga while she still lives. Nidia and Anga hug, bill and coo while Pastor trots off as fast as his little legs can pump.

Delfi leads the way into a downtown restaurant that is populated by male types, so one wonders if there are ANY female executives in the D. F. She gets the once over from various tables and even a whistle or two before the younger chicas follow, and they get their fair share of attention. If they weren’t whistling, we’d wonder at an all-male restaurant crowd…..the chicas find a table amid many wolf whistles. Suddenly, Lorena has joined them and there are even more whistles, plus some crossed arms at the one table of females. In a surprising turn of events, the ever-kind Schoolmarm Teresa sarcastically remarks on what the cat brought in….er, Lorena joining them. Lorena retorts that she wasn’t staying alone, all dressed up and bored. The chicas apparently are going with Lorena’s program….there may be just the slightest sense that if something Awful Happens they can always push her out in front. Delfi cranes her neck at all the men and gets a few nods and acknowledgements. Not a bad gig for being on vacation, amigas. [Ed. Note: Sorry, amigos who read this blog, there are so few of you and you appear rarely, I am taking liberties here.] Delfi regales the chicas on the great looking guys here, even better than in Achichipico. Lorena reminds them of Juan. Delfi cuts her off and the waiter comes with menus. Lunch should be interesting and it’s possible no one’s going to remember what they ate.

Paula hugs her Juan-bear and looks despondent. She rubs her tummy and talks to her little one, telling the baby that he has a mommy who is very confused and a little nuts. She begs the baby not to think she doesn’t love him. She simply didn’t expect him, especially after she talked to Juan. How is she going to tell Juan she’s expecting CL’s child? She rubs the bear and squeezes it, its sewed-in smile broadening with the pressure.

Delirio is being his usual obnoxious self, remarking on Juanito’s bad luck at inheriting none of his mother’s looks since he’s the spittin’ image of Juan. Juan, however, is pleased—you think so? Juanito is being manhandled by Papi. Yadi comments positively, but Delirio continues his litany of insults and even Yadi looks embarrassed and annoyed. How come Juanito isn’t talking? Cat got his tongue (not literally). He shakes Juanito, who is beginning to Dislike This Creep. Yadi reminds Delirio if he can’t say something nice, say nothing at all. Or close enough to that. Juan defends his boy, who is well-mannered. Delirio says Juanito’s a country boy, but leave him in the city a month—he’ll sharpen up….Juan thinks his boy’s bright enough, the Lic just doesn’t know Juanito yet. Delirio says Juanito doesn’t appear to be. [Ed. Note: I can’t stand it. What an IDIOT, making such stupid remarks about a child in front of him. So there.]. Juan tries to get Juanito to strut his stuff, but they’re interrupted. Fern and Marely are here! Hugs and greetings around, and Marely is impactada about Juanito. Delirio tells her this criatura/child is the newest joke (la última gracia) of Sr. Dominguez, [Ed. Note: Hold me back, gentle readers, before I BELT Alirio one.], who never leaves off surprising us each time he appears, right? Juan timidly tells Marely that Juanito is his son. She is muy, pero muy, impactada.

Nidia is spoon-feeding Anga—soup. She’s also brought good old green Jello, just like my Mami fed me years ago when I was sick. She’s brought him a tray of chicken, bread, juice and the green Jello. She’s got all the spices and herbs and chicken giblets in the dish [Ed. Note: she was doing just great up till the giblets. Ew.] He tells her it’s way better than what Pastor was giving him. Sock soup. (That’s what he said folks, agua de calcetín – water of sock). Nidia chuckles. He tells her there’s nothing like the flavor of female. She replies in kind, and tells him she has nothing against his brother, though. Anga wants to know if this idiot (Pastor) told her the gossip about Anga. She says Pastor was worried about Anga and keeps feeding him.

Juanito displays his best manners in greeting Marely. He calls her Sra., and Juan says he’s an innocent, it’s Srta. Everyone except Marely chuckles. She looks at Juan—he never told her he had a son. Juan nervously tells her—and everyone-it’s a long story. But now you’ve met him and by the way, where is YOUR Mami? Delirio butts in and complains about how she’s flown the coop again with no explanation. She probably didn’t leave us any lunch, either. Delirio tells Juan and Juanito how nice it has been to see them, and…..Yadi sees where he’s going and interrupts. Nope, they’re STAYING for lunch. Delirio thinks they surely must need to go shopping in the city. He makes Juanito do a spin for him. He babbles and sounds totally incoherent to me, but maybe Maricruz can tell us qué the heck he’s talking about, someone in Guatemala. Juan is looking distinctly uncomfortable and the others are annoyed. Delirio laughs at his own wit, which apparently only he understands. Yadi tells him he’s an expert in being tedious. He’s hateful! [Amen!] She leans over and assures Juanito that he shouldn’t pay attention to this bitter old man, because Juanito is in His House. [Hoorah, Yadira!] Marely jumps up to help save the day—neither Juan, nor Juanito are going anywhere. Delirio is quiet for a change, beaten by popular consent. Fern grins broadly. How gorgeous this guy is when he grins!

Anga tells Nidia it’s very curious, she’s caring for him just as if she were his wife. Nidia gives him an enchanting smile at that. Then he finishes the thought—the wife she never was to be for him. He wants to know if she was so caring with Samuel. She evades his question a bit, but tells him it was like that with Samuel only in the beginning. After the resentment between them got too big, that changed. She worried about him, of course, about his things…but…..maybe she didn’t show him this much caring. You know? Why not? Why are you asking me these questions? Can’t you see they hurt? Anga tells her that he often thought of her and wondered how her life was at Samuel’s side. He was envious thinking of Samuel enjoying her company, her attention. She tells Anga not to think that…her life with Samuel wasn’t a bed of roses. Anga says he didn’t know how to appreciate her like Anga does. Anga would have given everything for the privilege of seeing her. He clears the drinks off the tray and moves it away from him. He wanted to feel her heat, eat at her table. He would have loved to change places with Samuel, get the scraps of her love [I might have that wrong, but the thought is right.] Nidia points out that life with her wasn’t anything easy. Anga thinks he would have been happy at her side, not the bitter old man he is now. She starts to protest, but Anga won’t let her take this idea from his head. He makes her come and sit near him. They’re happy now. Nidia can smile again. He tells her that idea in his head was the only thing that kept him alive much of the time. If she takes it from him, he won’t have anything left inside. They smile lovingly at each other and hug.

Kike’s home for lunch, and sees Juan and Juanito, so there are another round of hugs and greetings. Kike does remember to kiss his wife first. Juan pats on Kike’s belly before Kike sees Juanito. Juan tells Juanito this guy is like his soul-brother. Kike demands a hug and Juanito happily gives it. Kike feels like he’s known Juanito forever. He tells Juan how nicely Juanito’s turned out.

Lunch at the Casa Cachón is a lively affair with Fern, Marely, Delirio, Yadi, Kike, Juan and Juanito all home to enjoy it. Juanito has Nidia’s place, because she’s MIA. Marely tells them she doesn’t have her mother’s flair (sazón – flavor, ripeness, but in this context flair made more sense), but she let her fingers do the walking (has a finger for asking for dinner for the home-- she ordered out? I’ve very loosely interpreted here). They make dinner chitchat, with Delirio being his usual annoying self. Kike asks Juan how the organizing for the beauty pageant is going and tells the family about how Juan’s involved with that. Juan tells them he was down at Televisa taping this morning. Marely doesn’t believe him, but Juan assures her if they watch, they’ll be able to see the program in the coming week. Kike tells him they’ll even record it. Juan thought bubbles that Fern and Marely make a cute couple, one has to recognize that, but it makes his chest constrict (gave his chest a blow) to see his rose garden grow lovelier every day. [Hm.]

CL tentatively comes in to Moni’s office and greets her, but she can’t be bothered to look up. What can she do for him, she tersely asks. CL tells her that he doesn’t want to lose the friendship they’ve achieved. Friendship? Moni sneers. Well, it seemed like that before you knew Paula is pregnant. Moni retorts that she wants him to leave her in peace. He’s taken aback that she’s answering him that way. Then, don’t come to me with your stupidity. He tries to tell her he’s worried for her, and she interrupts—just leave me in PEACE! Understand that I don’t want to see you, I want to be alone. Okay, he replies, and throws up his hands in surrender. I’m going, goodbye. He slinks out the door, muttering to himself--what a temper she’s in! Laura strides across the lobby in her artiste clothing—not so skanky as usual, and greets CL warmly. She asks how he is—he tells her bad and indicates Moni’s door. Why is Laura here? Well, she was just passing by and thought she’d check in with Moni. CL says fine, she’s in her office, but I recommend you go in with a whip and a chair because she could bite. Laura points out she has reasons, doesn’t he think? CL flatly denies it. If Laura can calm her down, he’d appreciate it. He stalks off across the lobby to his office. Laura just shakes her head at his cluelessness.

Juan tells Fern and Marely not to be like that, why are they leaving so early? They stand at the door, where Fern and Marely are ready to go back to work. Juan knows how things are at Farell, Marely tells them. It’s the price of success, Fern adds. They have to pay it. Delirio yells a sarcastic remark from the other room. [Anyone have a roll of duct tape?] Yadi, hanging all over Kike lovingly, asks if anyone is hearing a buzzing fly around there. What a nuisance! That puzzles Juanito as Juan gestures to Marely and Fern. They’re going to have to fumigate the vermin out of the house! Marely, Juan, Kike and Fern chuckle. Juan, Marely and Fern say their goodbyes [Ed. Note: at this point, as always happens at some point with my DVR, the captions really got garbled for about a minute. Usually I can just listen and get it, but not this time. I heard it and played it back repeatedly, but couldn’t get what Juan was telling them. If anyone heard anything important in this leave-taking, please add it! Thanks!] Kike asks Juan why he won’t come and stay at the house. Juan says he can’t leave his son alone at the hotel. Kike says bring him along to the house, the girls can take care of him, right? Marely gets all excited at the prospect. She’d love it. They’ll get a movie, popcorn (palomitas!!!!). Her eyes get big as she leans down to tell Juanito all about their fun, [and Juanito will surely fall in love again]. Does that sound good to him? Juanito pumps Marely’s hand and thanks her very nicely. She kisses him, tells Juanito goodbye and tells him to behave himself, and kisses Juan. Juan calls her back hesitantly to ask a favor. She sighs—okay, what does he want her to tell his Licenciada? Well, um, that he needs to see her and talk to her. Marely says she’ll tell Paula when she sees her. They try the goodbye again [honestly, and I thought the Deaf Goodbye was long!] Kike asks Juan what he thought about all the billing and cooing (Tortolitos, from tortoleo, billing and cooing). Juan thinks it’s good, lots of affection there. Kike says that Marely is so lovely, and what a shame he let that one get away because she could have been the love of his life….Juan tries to shush him, and so does Yadi. Kike makes a remark to Juanito about Juan making all the girls crazy about him. Juan swats at Kike and says the most important thing is that she’s happy, please, in love with a good man. Juan thought bubbles that this was the whole truth. If anyone in this world deserved to be happy, ti was Marely. Fern and Marely stroll to the car talking about Juan’s success. Too bad it’s just in business. Fern wonders if she’s referring to Paula’s pregnancy. Yes. Fern thinks that some day Juan will realize that the relationship’s not going anywhere, some other woman will be as good, and he’ll forget his Licenciada. Marely doesn’t think so; it’ll never happen. Paula is the love of his life. Well, Fern wonders, what happens if it just can’t be? Marely responds that he’ll be like Fern, and find another woman. But for Juan, he’ll never love her like he does Paula. But, that’s his problem, right? Fern agrees.

Moni is unloading on Laura. She’s tired of it all, of César Luis Farell, of this work, of Licenciada Paula Dávila. Moni wants to leave the country and go where she’ll never again hear of those despicable people. Laura says she’s in no condition to make a decision, especially in a mood like this. Why not? Because she could be mistaken. Besides, if she can’t just leave all this because those two have resolved their problems [little do you know]. This is her business, too. Moni doesn’t care. She’ll leave them with all of it. Let CL take care of it the rest of his life. And the two of them deserve each other. Laura is sad to see Moni like this, bitter and full of rancor. Moni tells her cousin not to feel sorry for her, because she feels like she’s finally seeing it all clearly. Moni’s going to do what she should have done from the beginning, and which Laura advised her to do, right? Laura agrees, she did advise that, but circumstances were different. Now Laura is advising Moni to calm down and not make any bad decision. Moni declares that she cannot do this any more, and her decision—she’s not going to change her mind. She’s resigning from Farell, and what’s more, right this minute she’s going to make CL aware of it. Moni strides to the door, and Laura tries to call her back. Calm down and think about it, please!

CL looks irritated. Resign, why, Monica? She tells him it’s because the situation has gotten out of hand and she wants to salvage a shred of dignity. CL replies he knows it’s been difficult for her, but it’s still her company and she doesn’t have to go. She says she just has to. For all her efforts, all she has tried, she just can’t stay near him and his ….woman. And she’s not prepared to keep living with this torture. CL suggests she gets some distance. For example, manage one of the branch offices. Moni isn’t interested. She’s leaving the company, and get some distance, but real distance. She’s leaving the country, and that’s that.

The smaller family group is gathered in the living room at Casa Cachón, laughing about some joke that makes Juan tell Kike he’s a goofball (bruto-fool, rough, gross, idiot). The doorbell rings and Delirio jumps up to get it; that’ll be his client. Juan lowers his voice and asks Kike what Delirio did that they let him go? Well, it seems he proved his innocence. But they won’t accept him back (admitir-accept) at Farell. And now what do you think? He put his office here in the house! Really? Yadi chimes in that Juan can just imagine how happy that makes them all [not] and suddenly calls out with surprise to see Profe Topete. [Imagine that.] The Profe expresses his amazement—Yadira Cachón, what are you doing here?? Well, I live here, she tells him as he walks past Delirio into the living room. Really? What a coincidence! Yadi stutters a little—yes. Delirio is impactada, Yadi is uneasy, and Topete gets a cat-that-ate-a-canary smile.

CL doesn’t get it about Monica, because he thought she had gotten over their separation. [Sheesh.] She bitterly asks what happened to him. Has he been able to erase his head of all they lived through together the last few days? CL sighs. What happened? Moni shouts at him to not be cynical. She doesn’t hop in the sack with every guy who offers. All those days he was looking for her (hitting on her), until that finally happened. Moni’s composure cracks and she gets close to tears. CL says he’s truly sorry and hopes she believes him. She retorts that she is sorrier and it’s the worst thing she’s done in her life. CL tries to reach for her but thinks better of it—he doesn’t know what to say to her. He feels bad, and guilty. She tells him to save his apologies. They’re not going to change a thing. She’s not going to waste more of her life. Moni gets up to leave, but adds a parting shot. Goodbye, CL, I hope you never find someone in your path like yourself. Although now that I think about it well, I believe you already have. CL looks ashamed, irritated, and at a loss for words.

Moni’s gone back to her office, and Laura is urging her to come along home. No, Moni tells Laura, she has too many unfinished tasks. Laura points out that Moni doesn’t have a head for it. Moni storms out of the office, sees Marely with Fern, and tells Marely to bring her a tea, please. She’ll be right back to the office. Fern and Marely are impactados; Fern wonders what now and gives Marely a quick kiss [so much for the non-fraternization policy again. It seems the lobby is the place for PDAs now.] He goes off and Marely puts her purse up, when the elevator opens and Paula strides off. She certainly isn’t looking pregnant. Marely looks up to see her half-sister—and this? What are you doing in these parts? They smile at each other fondly. Paula has come to see CL and she’ll talk to Marely later. Paula notices that Laura is sitting in her old office—which she’s swapped with Monica, who has the office while Paula has CL. [If you ask me, the office is the better bet and I’d swap back.] Paula wants to know what that woman is doing here? Marely wonders if Paula knows her. Marely reports that the woman’s a friend of Monica’s and has been up several times to visit her. She looks bemused as Paula stalks into Moni’s office to confront Laura. Paula quietly says “good afternoon, ma’am” and closes the door. Laura looks…busted. And we realize yet again that any similarity to reality is purely coincidental.

Monday: Will Paula tell Juan her news? How will Juan take the news? Will there be an all-out three-way catfight in the Vice President’s office?

Vocabulary

Conato de infarto - slight heart attack
¿Estamos? - Agreed? Got it? (Literally “Are we?” as in “Are we clear? Are we in agreement?”)
Comidas grasientas - greasy food (ew)
Caldo – soup
Va a provocar un patatús - she’ll bring on a dizzy spell
La última gracia - the latest/newest joke
Solidaria – supportive
Peleonara - combative
Palomitas - popcorn
Tortolitos, from tortoleo – sweet nothings, billing and cooing
Sazón – flavor, ripeness, but in this context “flair” made more sense
Bruto – goofball, fool, rough, gross, idiot
Admitir - accept

Jeanne

Labels: Juan

We start off with Mili being left alone in charge of the house. As we already know, Damien has locked Regina in her room so he can attack Mili. This scene goes on way longer than I can stomach, and I will not recap the dialog. Fortunately, Connie comes in and saves the day. He punches Damien (yay!) and hugs Mili. He says "don't worry, hija (daughter)--nothing will happen to you." He also calls her "mi vida," or my life. At this point, Mili and Damien must think he is using the word hija figuratively.

Andrea is over at the construction site looking for Alex. One of the workers who obviously was not enlisted in keeping up the fiction that Andrea is still engaged to Alex tells her that Alex was just there with his girlfriend. Andrea is mystified/peeved.

Granny is trying to get out of the room. Mili comes in, and is upset and wearing a torn dress. At first, she will not reveal all to Granny.

Connie tells Damien off, but obviously leaves out the real reason. He says Damien should stay away from Mili because she's young. Damien counters with "since when do you care? You've always liked the young ones." Connie tells him that he won't tolerate this behavior in his house--or Damien will get it in the back, like the coward he is. Damien reminds Connie that Connie wants to be a "diputado," or whatever that office is he's running for. He accuses him of wanting to avoid scandal for political reasons. Damien is right, but that still doesn't make him any less of a creep. So far he's number one in the creepstakes for this show, with Andrea a close second.

Hugo and Karla are in the cemetery. Hugo is crying at his dead girlfriend's (or mother's) grave. Karla is preening in the background. He thanks Karla for coming with him, then tells her that they can't continue their relationship. She was just a quickie because he was without a woman for so long. What a guy. Karla seems to take this in stride. As best as I can tell, she congratulates him on not being fixated on seducing the servants the way his rapscallion of a father is.

Horacio, Socorro and Lina are out for a day of fun. I don't know what's funnier here--Horacio's Farmer Greenjeans getup or Socorro's gigantic burrito on a stick. She's eating a container of fruit while trying to hold on to the giant burrito. Lina spots a street fortune teller and sits down for a reading. He tells her that she likes a guy who is very shy, and she'll have to make the first move.

Mili has now spilled the beans to Granny about Damien. The best thing, she reminds Regina, is that her son rescued her.

Val and Morgan come to the office for some reason, and they find Luciana there, riproaring drunk. The manage to get her to leave and they will drive her home.

Granny goes right to Connie to read him the riot act. He has to rein in his brother-in-law. Connie says he's got it under control. Now Connie asks Granny what she feels for Mili. Granny says she makes her feel so good--like she's always known her. Connie says he understands. Granny adds that she's like the granddaughter I never had. But what about Val? Connie asks. (You mean that empty-headed Valley-girl?) Well, she's altanera (can't find a definition), says Granny. She's your wife's daughter. She's all right--but Mili is different. Connie agrees. Regina reminds him again that he must curb his brother-in-law, because the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. But Damien controls a fifth of the company, so that is a problem.

Alex and Mili now grin foolishly at each other in the kitchen while pretending not to be novios.
Andrea interrupts their little tete a tete, wanting to know who that construction guy was talking about this morning. Alex tries to cover up, but Andrea is having none of it. Is it this little barbacara (also can't find a definition, but it must be a little like igualada, chamagusa, or any of those other insults we've heard before).

Mili now catches Karla and Hugo together. She tells Hugo that Karla can't be trusted. He says, no the one you can't trust is Alex.

Andrea and Alex have a drink. She wants to start planning the wedding. Braulio comes in with Luciana and Val. Luciana is really plastered. She kisses her baby Alex and says she's drinking so much in preparation for being the first lady. Braulio says he's taking her upstairs for her own good.

In the kitchen, everyone rehashes.

Valley Girl tells Andrea and Alex that she likes this guy who thinks she is the secretary. Who is it--Bobby? They laugh at how boring he is --more boring than reading the dictionary. Well, says, Val, at least he's not as boring as reading the phone directory. Val goes up to bed, and Andrea wants to continue having one of those talks with Alex.

Back in the kitchen, Alex fake scolds Mili about how this is the last time he will iron one of his own "calzoncillo" (anyone?). Karla joins in, telling Mili that she has to iron in this house if she wants to survive.

Karla tells Hugo that Mili is with Alex. Hugo furiously gets his Pandroso disguise ready.

Braulio is taking Luciana to the office. Valley girl is there, preparing to go out with Sergio.

Alex and Mili are out in the yard, when Pandroso confronts them and punches Alex in the side, right where he had that "severe" wound the other day. Ouch! Alex punches back, and miraculously strikes Pandroso is just the right way, so as to remove his fake beard! Everyone is impactados. Hugo tells Alex that it's really Alex's fault that Carmen died.

Meanwhile, Connie is threatening Andrea that if she marries Alex she'll get nothing, because he'll leave the money to Val and his other bastard child. Luciana is overhearing this conversation. Why don't you come back to me, he offers--you'll have your apartment and everything. You know you make me crazy, he adds. They kiss. Luciana storms in!

Luciana chews out her husband. Connie just lets loose with one of his evil laughs.

Socorro now prays to one of her collectible Virgen cards: she wants Horacio to find his daughter. Rocky comes in, and I tune out. No, actually, he picks up the card and prays for a nudo marinero (which means either sailor suit or knot). I'm guessing he wants a knot, or a match, of his own. But on the other hand, I wouldn't put it past Rorgan to want a sailor suit . . . Valley girl will swoon.

Lina is now trying to get Bobby to make a pass. She pretends to be tutoring him to woo another girl. Repeat after me, she says--I am clavado with you. (or stuck on you--clavado literally means nailed in).

Mili is now trying to find out why Hugo hates Alex. I still don't understand this--does anyone understand how Alex is connected with these deaths? Or are we still in the dark.

Luciano is in a bar pouring liquor straight from a bottle while Braulio tries to get her to go home. She makes a drunken spectacle of herself before finally leaving.

After lunch, Damien brings Sergio to see Connie. Sergio tells Connie what a great time he had with Connie's secretary. Connie is mystified--and suspicious.

Meanwhile, Val is prancing around the reception desk, prattling on and on about her great date with that guapisimo Sergio--who thinks she's the secretary. Val tosses her head so vigorously, you think it might fly off.

Andrea is quickly trying to come up with an idea to get out of the trouble she's in with Luciana. She decides to make a preemptive strike. She'll tell everyone how drunk Andrea is that she's going around saying crazy stuff--not only is she saying that Andrea is sleeping with Connie, she's telling everyone that Damien is sleeping with the cook. And you know what she's saying about you? she asks Val. She saying you're sleeping with the chauffeur . . . AND the gardener. Val is outraged.

Mili and Alex are now talking about why Hugo hates Alex. She wants Alex to forgive his cousin. She doesn't want the same thing to happen to Hugo that happened with the grena (Andrea), meaning a suicide attempt. Alex says she should do him a favor and not talk about Hugo.

Connie now comes into the bedroom, where Luciana is ready to drink some more. Oh, you're here with "Jacqueca," he says, brandishing the bottle. Is that another name for "Jack Daniels"?

She calls him a disgrace--I never thought you'd fall so low--with your son's girlfriend. MY son? No, he's YOUR son. I have no son, Connie says: I have only one daughter. The bastard is yours.
He taunts her with the one solution: a drink. She stares.

Val now reports on the crazy things their mother is saying. She's even saying that Braulio is spying on her in the bath. Braulio denies it. Alex is upset. Connie comes downstairs and says it's all the hallucinations of a sick woman. He's going to hospitalize her for her own good.

Tomorrow: Luciana tells Andrea that she's too ambitious. She has an offer: how much money will Andrea take to get away from Alex?

Lina and Mili put the torn picture back together: it looks like Mili will learn Connie is her father!

Labels: guapos