Caray, Caray!

Romina spots Emiliano and drags Paloma toward him. She’s decided a good pick up line would be to ask to bum a cigarette. There is one flaw in her plan, and she quickly finds it out when Emiliano tells her that he doesn’t smoke. “Pity” she replies. He answers with a “see you” when she and Paloma head off. Emiliano goes back to what he was doing, which was purchasing some red roses. The flower vendor gives him the price and Romy turns and asks if the flowers are for a girlfriend. Emiliano smiles and gets back to his transaction. Paloma is shocked at how bold Romy was with E. Romy thinks that spending time with her aunts has made Pal behave like a nun. Pal realizes that she’s late for dinner and she’s going to get scolded by Carlota (Cruelota). E is ready to leave and he hands each girl a flower and says “good-bye”. Romy practically swoons over his gesture.

At home, Cruelota is unwilling to stall dinner because of Paloma’s being late. Cruelota launches into a diatribe about how Pal knows to head home right away after school. This is another reason why she needs to be vigilant with Pal. That girl is so much like Macarena, this isn’t intended to be a compliment to either Mac or Pal. Cruelota is called away from the kitchen by the arrival of Ines. She’s there to make plans for the parish charity fair (la kermesse de la parroquia). Ines would love to have Paloma help out. Cruelota is happy to pledge Paloma’s time and talent to the fair on Sunday. Pal comes home and learns that she’s been promised to help at the kermesse. She tries to tell her aunt that there is a test for which she needs to prepare. Cruelota will hear nothing of this. Pal heads up to her room to change. Mac follows her and Pal complains about Cruelota not asking her before she commits her to something. Pal questions why her father chose Cruelota as her guardian (la tutora), as it is obvious to her and the rest of us that her other aunt would have been the better choice. Mac says that she’ll talk to Cruelota about the kermesse. Mac notices the rose that Pal brought home and she asks questions. Pal says she got it from some young man. This interests Mac and Pal tells her that she’ll never see him again, but he was good looking. Pal switches subjects and asks Mac if it would be possible to study at Romy’s that evening. Mac reminds her that Cruelota wouldn’t like it. Pal tells her that her homework is impeded by them not having internet access. Mac agrees to let her go.

Emiliano makes it home and gives his mother the flowers. She’s delighted at his thoughtfulness and happy he’s home from Monterrey (apparently he’s not made it back all these years). Rafael, E’s father, is also happy to see his son, but he’s quickly assigned the job of bringing in the luggage.

Meanwhile, Romy is discussing her classes with her mother, she’s at risk of flunking (tronar – to flunk :colloq. in Mexico). Camila is urging her daughter to put a little more effort into school. Romy tells her that Pal might be coming over tonight to help her study if the witches (las brujas) let her leave the house.

Across the street, Pal is discussing her courses with her aunts. She really likes her art history and restoration class. Mac says she’d have liked to take those classes too. She really likes antiques (las antigüedades). They discuss how Pal can help Camila with her business. Cruelota insults Camila and both Mac and Pal defend her. They discuss how many women now need to be self-sufficient (autosuficiente). Pal talks about getting a job and going to college. Cruelota questions how she’ll afford school. Pal says that money from a job and possibly a scholarship (la beca). Cruelota’s face scrunches up more than usual at the turn of this conversation, I think this means she's displeased.

Back across the street, Camila is telling Romy that it is important for her to learn some domestic skills. She’ll probably live on her own someday, and she should know how to do things around the house. I say that this conversation should have taken place earlier in Romy’s life, perhaps about three episodes ago, when she was 9. Camila tells Romy it is very important to be able to take care of yourself, to not have to depend on another person. Romy wonders if her mother not needing her father might be one reason he left. Ouch.

Diana is so happy to have Emiliano back home. She wants to know if he plans to stay. That’s his plan. She pushes Rafa into helping E get a job at the factory.

Cruelota questions where Pal went after dinner. Mac tells her she went to study at Romy’s. Cruelota is not pleased. Mac gives the internet story. Cruelota says with a house full of books that isn’t an excuse. She launches into everyone wanting the easy way out of things….kids today would rather look it up on the internet than search for it in a book.

Diana is looking at a painting that Camila has for sale. She’s got to have it; it will look fantastic in her living room. Cam and Di talk about Emiliano’s return home. Cam tells her that Romy is thinking about going away to school and Cam doesn’t know what she’ll do when her daughter leaves. Di urges Cam to take back her life, find a man, find someone to pamper her (apapachador). Di comments that it must be horrible to get old and be alone. Ouch again.

Rafa is at work and talks to Joel, a co-worker, about how they are losing customers. There has got to be a reason why this is happening. Joel suggests that they need some new ideas. Figuratively a light bulb goes off (encendió la bombilla), Rafa says they should develop a new line of ceramics.

Upstairs, Pal is doing all the school work while Romy talks about Emiliano. He’s sooo good looking and she wonders what it would be like to kiss him.

Meanwhile, Emiliano goes to meet a friend, Germán. Now here is a bombón, Germán is quite the looker. The friends share a tequila, to toast E’s return home. E tells his friend how he’d like to open his own business. They talk about how bad Rafa’s boss is, apparently quite a tyrant. Germán knows someone named Orlando who could be able to help E. He’ll see what he can do. E’s happy to hear this. The men talk about women and E kind of mentions that he saw some good looking girls earlier that day.

Mac, working on some sort of sewing project, talks to Ines about having Paloma work at the kermesse. She tells Ines that Pal has a test coming up and won’t be able to help out. Ines is ticked and she leaves. Mac talks to anther woman, and this woman shows her a dress: very good price and the latest style (última moda). Mac thinks she should buy it for Paloma, but then worries that Cruelota won’t like it. She decides to get it for Pal anyway.

Yvonne is visiting Natalie. Yvonne questions if Natalie has gotten over Cristobal. It was a very passionate love, but quite different from what she feels for Alonso. So, I take it to mean that Natalie’s moved on? Yvonne wonders if Natalie ever saw Cristobal again, no never she answers.

We are now taken to Cristobal, he’s become a priest and ministering to the drunks. While making coffee to help sober them up, he preaches about walking down a similar road himself.

Emiliano goes to pick his mother up from Camila’s house. Romy answers the door and she’s shocked to see the boy from earlier on her doorstep. He comes in and Di introduces him to Camila and Romy. They all comment on how everyone’s changed through the years and how they’d have never recognized each other (proven earlier for Romy and E).
Pal returns home and Cruelota scolds her about going to Romy’s and not using the library in the house. She reminds Pal that all permission in the house is to be granted by her and only her, so Pal shouldn’t be asking Mac for anything. In addition, Cruelota adds, that Pal will be working the kermesse on Sunday. She warns Pal not to go against her. Pal tells her that she has no right to make decisions for her. Cruelota says au contraire, you will work the kermesse. Mac arrives home and tries to intervene. Cruelota warns her if she doesn’t want problems then she should be quiet. Mac tells her sister she’s too hard on Paloma.

Romy and Camila discuss E and how she used to be afraid of him when she was little and that she really didn’t like him.

Mac goes to see Pal in her room and gives her the dress.

Romy takes a peek into her mother’s address book and gets Di’s phone number.

Pal tries on the dress and thinks it might be too short. It is a dress more suited for Romy, Pal says. She then compares her home life to Romy’s. Mac makes excuses, perhaps they are a little more conservative, but one day Pal will be free and the ruler of her own destiny, she’ll be happy. Cruelota darkens the door and lets it be known she hates the dress, it is too short and there is no way in Hades that Paloma will be allowed out of the house in it until it is altered.

Emiliano brings Di home and they talk about the goings on in town. Some jazz musicians are playing (?). E heads off to bed and Rafa tries to tell Di about the new line of ceramics. Di isn’t interested in that, she just wants to brow beat Rafa for not securing a job for E at the factory. She wants her son to become the head of a company. She belittles Rafa, calling him a little man who is unwilling to take risks. She comments that Pablo gets rich, while Rafa remains mediocre. Rafa defends himself, he may not have the ambition that Di wishes he would have, but he is hardworking and honest. She lambastes him for keeping her there for twenty-five years, all the while keeping her dreams unfulfilled.

At the school there is a new teacher. She’ll be teaching psychology and college prep courses. She’s happy to be there. The girls get a break and Romy pulls out a cell phone. Pal is nervous, they could get in trouble with a cell at school. Romy convinces Pal to call Emiliano’s house, she’s afraid to do it because Di might recognize her voice. Di answers and Pal asks for E. Di wants to know who’s calling and Pal says “una amiga.” She quickly gives the phone to Romy, who talks to Emiliano. She tells him that since he’s been out of town awhile, perhaps she can show him some of the new hot spots. She gets him to agree to go out with her that very evening. When E gets off the phone, Di pushes to find more information, but E isn’t very forthcoming.

Romy tells Camila about her date with E. She wants a new outfit and her mother tells her she’s got a closet bursting with clothes. Romy says she’s lacking the right outfit, and does her mother want her to look like a “pueblerina”/ so provincial? Camila agrees, on the condition that Romy study harder.

Pal watches from her window when Emiliano comes to pick Romy up for their date. Mac catches her at the window and they talk about Romy’s date. Mac wonders if Pal is interested in Emiliano. Pal assures her “no”, but she’d like to meet someone like him. What’s the use, she adds, there is no way Cruelota would let her have a boyfriend.

Romy and E exchange the proper getting to know you info. They talk about his former schooling and what he want for a job. They talk about her school and her plans for the future. He tells her that he promised her mother she’d be home by 11, so they’ve got to go.

Di and Rafa discuss E’s date. She wants to know who he went out with….what if it isn’t the right kind of girl. Rafa looks disgusted with how much of a snob his wife is. Di tells Rafa she’s going to need some money to buy the painting from Camila. Rafa reminds her that money is a little tight. Di doesn’t care, it is an investment, she wants the painting and she’ll have it.

E escorts Romy to her door. Pal is back watching out the window. E and Romy exchange phone numbers (she does the very modern thing and calls his cell phone to give him her number). Romy notices Pal watching and decides to give her friend a good show. She kisses Emiliano and he kisses her back.

Mac takes a peek at the stuff in her mystery box. Looking at the photograph, she comments that “after so many years, I can’t forget you. Your memory hurts me.”

The next day at school, Romy wants to tell Pal about the kiss and the girls get in trouble for talking.

Germán calls E and tells him that they are going to have a party that night in honor of his return to town.

E goes to meet Romy after school (he figured out which school was hers, based upon her uniform---good powers of observation). He tells Romy about the party and invites her and Pal to join in on the fun. Romy agrees right away, and she wonders if Pal would ever get permission from the aunts. Pal doesn’t answer. Romy kisses E and says to Pal, “come to the party with me and mi novio.” To Emiliano, she says “we are novios, right? You don’t think I kiss everyone that I go out with?” All of this is being observed by the new teacher and she doesn’t look too happy. END OF EPISODE.

Labels: amor

Back at Grupo Lactos, Vladi is in his office hyperventilating over the “Pris and Flo predicament,” which has now become the “Pris, Flo and Fer predicament,” as Damian comes in to see what’s up. Vlad complains that their Flor problem has gotten more complicated. He explains how Fernanda came to his office to complain about his hiding Damn in his apartment while he was a wanted man and she caught him in the office talking to Priscilla. Fer asked Pris to go with her to Prolasa and Pris left with Fer. Vladi, holding his aching head in his hands, says he thinks that things are under control after speaking a couple of times with that guy, Correa, who hopefully won’t stick his foot in his mouth and wreck everything. Damn, losing patience, throws Vlad unceremoniously back into his chair and tells him to calm down. “If Pris went with Nanda then she’ll have our backs!”

Over at Prolasa, Fer has Rolando bring in Jaime for a little Q&A. She asks Jaime the particulars around how long ago he and Flor got together and then became an item. He lies and says they met at a party she and some of his friends gave him a year ago and that they’ve been romantically involved for a few months. She asks his age (we’re not sure why) and he answers he’s 24 and gonna turn 25 the coming month. (Definitely still a babe in the proverbial woods and at least 10 years Flor’s junior.) Nanda gets permission from Rolando to take him back to Grupo with her in pursuit of the truth.

At Las Animas Estev, aka, Dewey, is laughing about Venus’ having a date that night with Camilo Elizalde. Ed is lost in his own thoughts and doesn’t hear a thing. He has this goofy grin on his face so Estev asks what’s going on. Ed is smiling crazily. (Note to producer: shoot either the director or FC's acting coach! Galan's aren't supposed to look that dufus.) He replies that what’s going on is he’s got a young woman under his control that everyone thinks is kidnapped; then he’s got someone close by who is watching him and knows all his secrets but he hasn’t any idea who that is; then he has Don Elizalde’s car hidden on his place that supposedly was stolen from the man’s wife; and there is a woman in the past named Ana Gregoria Bravo, Artemio Bravo’s mother, who is the key to all his misfortunes since childhood. The last is something that Estev’s really going to love: he’s getting married. Estev is drop-jaw impactado. “Say what?”

Eduardo, whose emotional life is in the crapper, says that he’s decided to get married to Fernanda’s best friend, Errorika (who’s definitely batting 0 for 3 at this point). Apparently, Eduardo figures there’s no better way to forget, since he cannot forgive. (Viewerville agrees a Dr. Phil sized intervention is needed here and Dewey might not be up to the task.) There is an evil glint in Ed’s eyes. (Maybe Dr. Sotomayor offers two-fer specials.) The set of Ed’s jaw spells trouble for somebody.

Pris, still at Grupo, sees Fer arrive with Jaime. Fernanda puts Jaime in an empty office and lets him sweat for a while.

Back at Las Animas, Denia stands in the doorway with a tray of coffee and watches as Estev tells the dementedly smiling Eddie that he’s lost it [de ramate = utterly]. Ed replies he’s “as crazy as anybody who gets married.” Dewey doesn’t disagree, but says there are some people who are crazier than others and Ed has begun to exceed his limits [rebasar de limite]. “You aren’t in love!” Denia silently gasps with horror in the background. “It’s obvious that you don’t know Errika well enough to get married! Come on!” Denia secretly sides with Estev.

Ed argues that being in love and knowing someone well doesn’t necessarily guarantee happiness in a marriage. Dewey agrees, but says people avoid getting married if they can if they don’t love the other person. Ed counters and justifies with boring facts about cultures in which loveless marriages continually take place and says their suicide rates aren’t any greater than those that presume love and romance are the essence of marital bliss. (Yawn.) “Haven’t you heard of cultivating love like a plant?” (Yeah, that was that romantic psychobabble hopelessly hopeful Errorika was just dishing out, wasn’t it?) Estev says fine, Mr. Encyclopedia, there’s just one other little itty-bitty question he wants to ask. “Shuh-uht!” (I believe that’s “Shoot!”) answers our smug Eddie. (Note to director: tell FC to stick with Spanish or get a better English coach. It’s hard for a recapper from the States to keep from rolling on the floor in spasms of teary-eyed laughter, especially this late at night.) “What about Fernanda?” Ed’s arrogant smirk melts away. The clench of his jaw reveals the hurt and misery he feels beneath.

Meanwhile, Nanda argues Flor’s case with her papi. Gonzo reminds her that Jaime had stolen documents on his desk and swore that Flor tried selling them. Nanda reminds Gonzo that the guy is a stranger so he shouldn’t take his word over Florecita’s. She convinces him she has a way to show that Jaime’s lying.

Dewey reminds Ed that Nanda represents something special to him. Ed says yeah, but it’s useless being in love with her. (That’s the sanest thing Eddie’s said yet.)

Fer goes back into the office where Jaime’s now ready to climb the walls. He says he’s got things to do back at Prolasa. She says she understands but it will only take a minute or so to resolve this situation.

Ed admits to Estev that he’s come to adore Fernanda and laments it’s all been a waste.

Denia, meanwhile, has returned to her bedroom to complain to the diosito that her lifelong love for and devotion to Eduardo has been just as much of a waste. “All this time loving and waiting for him has been worth no more than a beach umbrella in the desert, right? From the day they sent him away I knew he and Señorita Fernanda wouldn’t end up together. She’s rich and the rich never marry the poor. That’s why I’ve waited such a long time for him. How did I know the sly thing was going to come back with such rich man airs? Well, all is fair in love and war and Errika better aim somewhere else, because I’m going to bait the trap for that wedding! Anyway, she can get another hunky guy somewhere else in no time and leave me my Eduardo, ‘cause I’ve been waiting for him for 15 years.”

Pris is now in Vlad’s office arguing with him and Damn. Vlad wonders woefully if Jaime’s going to give them away. Damn’s mad Pris didn’t stick like glue to Fer to prevent it. Pris is disgusted with this whole turn of events and yells back they shouldn’t expect her to pull their chestnuts out of the fire for them. Damn yells back Pris is up to her neck in this right along with them. She says she’s worried because the last thing she wants is for her brother, Rolando, to learn she’s involved in this fraud. Vlad wants to know why Fer would bring Correa over to Grupo. Damn answers it’s obviously to interrogate him, but Jaime won’t be able to say anything so it won’t matter. Vlad gets angry thinking that his son’s future is in the hands of a complete stranger. Damian tells him to shut the heck up so he can think their way out of this jam.

Fernanda brings a dozen secretaries into the room with Jaime and demands he identify Florecita. Jaime swallows hard.

Denia takes a trip into town and gets something she’s written printed off at what passes for a Kinko’s in Villa Madera. The clerk asks if she’s trying to frighten her boyfriend or what. She says, “Yeah, pretty much.”

Jaime breaks under pressure and asks if he can have a minute alone to speak with Fernanda.

Meanwhile, Bitch Barbie gives Tomasa the rest of the day off and tells her not to come back till next morning. Santiago and Aurora come walking in all kissy-face and smiles. Babs tells them what a pleasure it is to see them like that. The two lovebirds walk off; BB thinks evilly, “Enjoy it while you can because very soon your happiness comes to an end.”

Fer brings Jaime into Gonzo’s office to confess he really doesn’t know who Flor Campillo is. Gonzo self-righteously reams him for trying to save his job at the expense of their exemplary employee. Fer seconds that opinion. Gonzo want’s to know who gave him Flor’s name and got him involved in telling such a whopper. Jaime’s just about to spill the beans when Babs rushes in needing to speak to Gonzo about Dr. Obregon and Lili. Jaime is shown the door and told to wait. Babs begins with part two of her own tall tale.

At the same time, Eduardo has gone to Miraflores to get Adofina to tell him where he can find Dr. Oh! She tries to change the subject but he screams at her in frustration that it’s urgent. Addled, Adolfina finally tells him what little she knows.

Babs must “explain” to Fer how Obregon didn’t give them a deadline for the money, only a warning that if they ever wanted to see Lili again they’d have to come up with the ransom before hanging up. Fer wants Babs’ cell to trace it, but Babs says that’s impossible because it came up “unknown.” Fer mentions how strange a kidnapping this seems. Babs quickly covers and suggests she wouldn’t call it a kidnapping because she doesn’t think he’s kept Lili by force. “Considering Obregon was the person Lili knew best these past fifteen years it would make sense she’d join him voluntarily. It’s not like he’s trying to keep her hidden.” Fer says, “Then according to that theory, what would happen if we simply don’t pay the ransom?”

Babs answers that’s a risk she prefers not to run because she knows Obregon’s a killer and has the means to force them. Gullible Grizzled ol’ Gonzo gripes that cancelling the police search was a mistake but Babs reminds him about Obregon’s “threat on Lili’s life” if they told the police. Gonzo yells back in frustration that they can’t just sit there doing nothing [con los brazos cruzados]. Babs says they have no choice but to wait for his next call and get ready to come through with the ransom when he asks. Fer fights the urge to tell Barbara to stop all the B.S. Babs does stop long enough to realize she’s interrupted something and asks who the young man was. Gonzo explains he’s the guy scheming up stories [tejer patrañas = weaving tales] about Flo spying.

Vlad takes off with Jaime, meantime, and drives the two of them back to meet Damn at the apartment. Damian is talking on the phone to Priscilla. She informs him Jaime didn’t have a chance to say anything and that Vlad’s driving back there with him. Damn starts to tell her what she’s got to do next but Pris tells him she doesn’t care; that it’s his mess and he can clean it up himself. Damian warns her she’s as deep in doodoo as the rest of them and to pray to her favorite saint that her brother doesn’t find out her lover, Vladimir, was the one who threw Flor’s name out there as a company spy. Pris tells Damian to stop threatening her because he was the one who dreamed this up so to figure it out himself; and if he doesn’t cool his jets and fast, he can forget her helping him any further. Click!

When Fernanda goes back to Reception looking for Jaime he can’t be found. She tells Gonzo he’s run off. Gonzo says no biggie since they now know Flor wasn’t a spy after all. Fer, staring straight at Babs, says true but they didn’t learn who instructed him to point out Flor as a traitor in the first place.

In the car, Vlad warns Jaime nobody can ever know what’s gone on. Poor, miserable Jaime whines about his being left without a job or references. He’s got expenses and needs his job. He insists Vlad take him back to Prolasa to tell Sr. Alvear the truth. Vlad says Jaime can’t possibly think that Alvear would ever believe him after all the lies he’s told. Jaime wonders how in the world he’s going to handle this problem then. Vlad says he’s got no idea, but he will not leave Jaime stranded. (Vlad, for all his irritating idiosyncrasies, is still a mensch!)

Back at Grupo, Babs very innocently asks Fer, “Who would want to harm Flor that way?” “--The same person who’s been trying to harm the family.” Babs asks if she really thinks somebody has been trying to harm them. Fer answers “Absolutely.” Babs asks her what proof she has. Fer keeps her powder dry thinking back to Fr/Ed telling her that they weren’t strong enough yet to confront either Barbara or the malevolent person who controls and directs her actions; and that it was better for now to leave Lili in a safe place out of Barbara Greco’s reach. “--No, no proof, but so many unfortunate things have happened to the family recently, there has to be somebody behind it intentionally trying to harm us.” Wheels in the Barbot’s head start turning.

Speaking of Eeevil, Artemio Bravo is seated at his desk at that same moment handing over a photo of Lili to Borja, one of his assistants. “She’s Liliana Elizalde; she escaped from Miraflores psychiatric clinic and needs to be found immediately.” Borja asks how he should proceed. “Bring her here. The Elizalde’s are never ever to see her again. They are going to cry tears of blood.” (Well, maybe a couple of them might.)

Fer tells Gonzo that unless Obregon shows himself there’s no reason to pay the ransom. Babs says she thinks he will call soon because the amount of money he’s asking is so steep. Gonzo nearly blows a gasket. “It doesn’t matter the amount! I would give everything I have provided that my daughter is returned safe and sound!” Ruh-roh! Fer is eyes-open-wide-impactada cuz she knows this means the poor-house for everyone; and if it isn’t Obregon behind this, then it’s bye-bye Babs cuz she’ll probably make off with every dime of it.

Back at Miraflores, Adolfina explains to Eduardo that Dr. Oh! never told her where he would be --just that if Barbie died, then she was to let him know. Eduardo asks if that happens how she is supposed to get word to Obregon if she doesn’t know his whereabouts. Adolfina hands Eddie a note with some newspaper’s name on it. She was supposed to put an announcement in the obituaries in that paper, “The Messenger.” “--It’s some paper in the southeast somewhere and I think that was where Dr. Oh! headed.”

At Vlad’s apartment, Jaime tells Damn he’s got no other option because Rolando Alvear will never believe him. He asks who was behind this whole thing, anyway. Damn screams at him. “What does it matter? You’re finished at Prolasa!” Jaime paces. “—why did you all have to do this to me? My mother is sick. I’m almost done paying off the note to my car and I am paying for my apartment!” Damn tells him to calm down and assures him they’ll help him out. He’ll need to disappear from Prolasa, though. Jaime asks how he’s going to survive. Damn swears the problem’s solved.

Denia gets back to Las Animas all smiles. She pulls out a big envelope addressed in big print to “EDUARDO JUAREZ.” Suddenly Fernanda appears, looking for Fr/Ed. Denia makes a big show of going inside to look for him, but actually stalls a couple minutes in the kitchen laughing to herself. She puts the envelope in a drawer for safekeeping and then runs back out to say she can’t find him. However, Eddie returns home just then and sees Fer standing there. Fer explains it’s urgent and they go inside to talk. Denia’s stuck making coffee …uh-gain.

In the meantime from the bedroom, Damian tries sweet-talking Pris into giving him the money to buy Jaime’s silence. Prissy screams in frustration. “Where am I going to find that kind of money?” Easier for her than for him, he says. She spits back she’s never understood, either, why Damn got Flor involved in some dopey story about industrial espionage to begin with because all it did was make Flor more powerful in the end since she was proved innocent. Damn sidesteps saying that was to be expected with Fernanda and her connections. “She’s the enemy. She’s not the saint we all took her for!” Pris scoffs at him. “Well, being Santoro’s lover does make her pretty powerful, doesn’t it?” “—Sure, as long as their secret is kept, but we are going to expose them!” Pris seems uncomfortable with where this is going.

In the living room Vlad continues pacing. “Where is Damian going to get the money necessary to make it up to this dude?” he asks himself. Damn eventually comes out of the bedroom and laughs. “Tomorrow, Jaimito, you will have the agreed on amount deposited into your bank account.” Smiles all ‘round. Damn tells Vlad to take the Jaime wherever he wants. The two leave. Vlad returns to ask where in the world Damn got the money. Damn pushes Jaime back out into the hall then lies that it came from Barbara’s account. Vlad is pacified and takes off with Jaime. Damn shuts the apartment door again and breathes a sigh of relief.

At Las Animas, Fer tells Fr/Ed that she’s embarrassed to show up like this without calling first, but she couldn’t risk calling him on the phone. She explains about Barbara’s claim that Obregon was demanding a lot of money to hand over her sister. Fr/Ed smirks. His phone rings. It’s Gonzo asking him to come to Grupo for an urgent meeting of the Board of Directors. Fer gets a call as well. They figure it’s got to be because Barbara and Gonzo have decided to go ahead with the ransom payment.

Back at Grupo, Babs tells Gonzo she doesn’t mind the board meeting, but she’s not happy about having an interloper like Santoro there. Gonzo wakes from his senile haze and, in a rare flash of businessmen’s acumen, reminds her that the money Obregon’s asking is going to have to come from the funds Powhere Meelk authorized them. As the representative of that company, Santoro will have to endorse the payment. Babs looks about as thrilled as a matty-furred cat caught in the middle of a monsoon.

Back at Las Animas again, Estev interrupts Fer and Fr/Eddie over something about the leasing agency coming for Fr/Ed’s car. He loans Fr/Ed his own, says hello to Fer, and winks at Eddie on the way out. Fer starts to leave but Fr/Ed grabs her by the arm. (Viewerville vicariously shares the electrical shock now racing up Fer’s arm. Yowza!) He has something else to tell her. (Viewerville swoons in vain hopes that it’s an attempt to kiss and make up.) Ed says he spoke with Adofina at Miraflores today and now has a way to locate Obregon. He insists that Fernanda must delay the ransom payment at all cost until he can verify whether Obregon is Barbara’s accomplice in this extortion attempt on her daddy.

Labels: manana

Permalink posted by Jardinera654 @ 1:36 PM 112 comments

Alternate Title: Jeronimo! No, not THAT brave!

Tonight’s action-packed episode starts out with Moni thanking Teresa for helping with the pink dress she wore to the embassy, saying it may have to be cleaned, since Moni sweated a bit, having been quite nervous. Unaware that Connie already found her out, she goes back into the living room to say goodnight to Mau, only to be greeted by Connie’s setup – Con and Mau are liplocked. She thinks better of saying anything to Mau, and discreetly asks Teresa to call a taxi.

Over at Grupo Sermeño, it’s the next morning. Salvador has the tape to prove Jeronimo’s guilt. Gabi and he are happy they’ve finally caught the rat. Sal says he’ll squash that cockroach, it’s their day of triumph. Okay, adds Gabi, so lets, uh, celebrate, as she sashays her body close to his, talking about a bottle of wine, but Mau shows up to ruin the moment. Gabi gives Mau some school supplies kits (útiles escolares) for the kids, and before Sal can get a word in about Jerry, Mau walks off.

He enters the coffee room, where Paula and Moni are starting the day. Pau leaves to start her cleaning, and after Moni explains why she left last night without saying goodbye (didn’t want to interrupt), Mau gives her the school supplies to take to the niños (and she should also check Danny, who has a little cough). But their magic seems diminished, since Moni saw Mau kissing Connie last night.

At school, Katia’s boyfriend Héctor is upset that she’s talking to Aldo. Héctor calls Aldo an idiot, Aldo punches, Héctor punches harder, Aldo goes down, Katia’s mad, but macho Héctor drags her off to class anyway. Aldo watches them leave (Ivan is observing in the background) with a bloodied face and a scowl.

Cut to the tape of Jeronimo asking for a kickback, being played by Sal in Maury’s office. Mauricio is impactado, asks Sal how he got the tape, Sal says it was a trap, since he’s suspected Jerry for months. Mau buzzes Gabi to summon Jerry. Jerry enters full of compliments, big smile, but Mau’s face is hard as a diamond. Sal leaves to let the axe fall. Why, Jerry, why are you robbing the company? Well, I’ve got debts, you know, is the response. With whom, besides me? Well, my sister. This enrages Mau further, he’s had it with Jerry. Jerry’s out of comebacks, just says okay, you’re right, I’ll leave, and he walks out. He passes Salvador and Gabi, both sarcastically saying “what a shame”. After Jerry leaves, Mau comes out, and Sal asks what steps Mau will take against Jerry. Gabi adds that Jerry was involved with the theft of her gold chain, too. But Mau says he’s not taking any steps, in fact, the topic is closed. He goes back into his office, as Sal remarks, he’s really hurt.

In the kitchen of the mansion, Aldo’s putting ice on his bruised face, as Ivan arrives to joke with him playfully. But Aldo’s in no mood for this.

Moni arrives with the school supplies. Danny greets her happily. Moni asks about Danny’s cough (while kissing her, hmmm), says Danny got the cough from drinking cold things (I’m not so sure of this medical advice), but anyway, they’re off to take the kits to Aldo and Luisa.

Ximena, wearing a red and white diamond print, off the shoulder barebacked shift, is walking in the park, talking on the cell with Jerry, telling him to quit screaming, she wants to talk, too. Guess who she just ran into? Ximena Portillo, the one who climbed all over you (te gateaba), the one who accused you of sexual assault? Her smile changes though, as she finally recognizes the desperation in Jerry’s voice. You’re WHERE, brother? the anguish rising in her voice.

Luisa and Danny tell Moni about the kitten incident, where Connie wouldn’t let Danny keep it, pulled Danny by the ear, and the kitten got scared and ran away. Moni is outraged.

Mau’s phone rings, its Ximmy, he thinks it’s her usual foolishness, but she’s upset. He has to come right away. Jerry is threatening to throw himself (arrojarse) off the ledge of his building!

After the commercial, we see a shot of a tall building, followed by a shot from high above of a crowd gathering, including Ximena, some neighbors, and of course, a news camera. Mau screeches in, jumps out of his convertible, and he and Ximmy look up to see Jerry sitting on a ledge, about 5 stories up. Mau asks why no one went into Jerry’s apartment to rescue him, but Ximmy says Jerry set it up so all the doors were blocked (atrancadas). Also, Jerry has threatened to jump if the police or firemen break down the doors. Ximmy grabs a megaphone. Life is beautiful, brother, with flowers and birds. Not for me, yells back Jerry, looking desperate, as this is no joke. I’m going to jump (aventarse, pretty much same as arrojarse). Mauricio tries to talk sense into him, forget the money. Jerry is still distraught, saying it’s not only the money, but the shame. A man with no money and no honor is nothing. He puts his hands together as if he’s about to dive.

Back at the house, Ivan says he can teach Aldo to defend himself, since he knows Tai Kwan Do. Luisa thinks it’s a good idea, and Ivan puts his hands in the “catana” position, but it must not be the best defense, since Aldo easily pushes him onto the bed. Too bad no one really knows about self defense in this group. But wait, the door opens, and our Boxette Moni enters, SHE’ll teach ‘em. She shows Aldo how to have an open stance, how to protect with your shoulder. But how do you know all this, they ask. Ummm, well, I downloaded it from the internet (hah!).

Back at Jump Central, Jerry yells that he has no reason to live. What about your sister? That doesn’t help. Ximmy says they just opened a new nightclub, and you can’t miss that, right? She asks the crowd, he has to go to the new Gonza nightclub, right? The crowd answers NOOOO! Jerry says the only thing that might stop me is if Mauricio comes up next to me and we talk man to man. But the doors are blocked! Figure it out, Maury, you’re so smart, and don’t try to break down those doors, or I’ll jump. And come alone. Ximmy grabs the megaphone and leads the crowd in a chant, “Go up cousin, go up! Go up, cousin, go up! (Sube primuchis, sube). Maury’s going to try. The firefighter rigs some ropes for him to go up the side of the building.

Boxing 101 continues. Moni has Ivan get into position, put up his hands, and teaches jab with the left, finish (remates) with the right. Now Aldo gets a chance. Ivan still isn’t convinced a girl can teach boxing. Oh really, challenges Moni, let’s see if you can fight me. They start sparring. A few rooms away, Connie’s walking along, yelling for Teresa, clapping her hands impatiently. Teresa arrives, Connie wants to know where her dress is. Well, at the cleaners (la tintorería). Why? It smelled like cigarettes. Connie doesn’t buy this, why would it smell like cigarettes? Teresa says SHE wore it to go dancing, but Connie doesn’t like this joke. She hears a lot of commotion from the other room. Teresa says oh, that’s just Monita, which gets Connie mad. She marches into the room, just in time to be accidentally PUNCHED by Monita! Ooops, everyone is open-mouthed.

Connie is furious at being hit. She accuses Moni and the kids of hating her, and says Moni hit her on purpose. No way, replies Moni, I was teaching the kids self-defense. Luisa says they all could see it was just an accident. Connie thinks they’re all plotting against her. She dismisses the kids, wants to talk alone to Moni. They leave, and Connie lays into her. Get out of my way, and leave Mauricio in peace! I know your game. Mauricio is handsome, he’s a millionaire, obviously you want him. Moni can’t believe this. What does it matter if someone’s a millionaire? Oh, I see now, she says. Money is important to YOU. But it’s not to me. I happen to have a boyfriend, he’s not that handsome, and he’s not rich, but I’m faithful to him, and can you say that? (remember, Paula heard Ximena tell Jerry that Connie had a lover, and told Moni – although of course, it’s not true, Beto’s not her amante, but who knows what the future holds :) Connie asks her if she swears there’s nothing between her and Mau, and Moni does swear. There’s nothing between her and Mauricio, and if she swears something, you can count on it. And by the way, don’t you lay a finger on those kids!

Okay, it’s hero time. Mauricio has reached the balcony, but Jerry tells him not to come any closer. Mau has a rope hooked onto him. Jerry’s afraid, his fingers are stiff (engarrotados), he’s on the edge, both legs are on the outside of the barrier, he’s slipping! Maury calmy tells him to put one leg over, then the other. He even puts HIS legs over, sits right next to Jerry. Jerry won’t listen, even if he comes back, he’s going to jail, right? No, replies Mau, I won’t do that to you. Then I can come back to the company? Well, what you did was very grave. Either I come back to the company, or I jump. Oh, heck, let’s just end it all for both of us, he adds, and starts trying to pull Maury off the ledge with him! Maury tells him okay, he can come back to the company, then helps painfully pull him back from the precipice. Ximena yells that Mau is her hero, her superhero (starts laughing, I think since there’s a song saying wish I were a superhero), and the two guys hug.

Back down on the ground, Ximmy tells Jerry not to do it again. Jerry says he won’t, from now on he’ll be good, and he can come back to the company, right, Mau? Right. But only as a messenger boy. Also, you have to go into therapy. (wonder if he’ll get one of those hot lady shrinks!) They leave, Tano tries to ask Ximmy out, but pain in the butt Rolando shows up and Tano comes up empty mano (not correct Spanish, but it rhymes).

Rah, rah, rah, sis, boom, bah, Paula and Gabi have pompoms and are cheering our superhero. The girls want to open a bottle of wine, and Mau agrees. His phone rings, and of course it’s Connie, whose problem is WAY more important than anything Mau might have done today. Off he goes to put out another fire.

Back home (with Ivan listening in), Connie tells Mau that Moni was giving the kids boxing lessons. Okay, Mau will talk to Moni, this violence has to stop. Connie reminds Mau they really know very little about Moni, why are they trusting her so much? (this actually is true – Moni’s lied about everything. But she’s so pretty and sweet, let’s give her a pass). Mau promises he’ll set Moni straight, but now he’s going to take a bath.

Ivan fills in Aldo and Luisa, and they decide that Connie’s a gossip. They’ll talk to Moni first, and then talk to Mauricio.

Well, Mau’s ready for his bath (or maybe he already took it), and you ladies get to see him clad just in a towel. You ladies are lucky tonight. After Connie complains that he’s changed, he starts being nice to her, reminding her of how destroyed he was when his wife died, and how she filled that void with patience and affection. And now he has the children. They’re a blessing. Yes, replies Connie. The children and I are a blessing (lol). She gives him a kiss, leaves to let him get dressed. He thinks to himself, yes Monita (!) and the kids have changed my life.

Said Monita is asking Beto what Don Cesar said about the fight. Well, her opponent will be la Guerrera Hija (warrior daughter). Moni doesn’t like her. Beto says wait ‘til you hear this, she’s going around saying she’s going to rip your head off. Moni spits out her “right back at ya” response, although I really couldn’t understand much of the slang she used. Don Cesar shows up in a purple suit with a blue open-necked shirt, tells Beto to stop getting Moni so worked up. He tells Moni to have a cool head. Hate your opponent, but keep a cool head. Moni says she’s gonna kick that girl’s butt. At this point, “that girl” shows up, namely the Guerrera Hija, a tough looking broad in an orange tank top that says “love” on the front. The girls start getting angry, Don Cesar says save it for the ring, when Moni takes a swing at la Guerrera. She ducks, and Moni knocks out Beto!

In the office, Gabi and Sal are doing their usual dance, she flirting, he trying to resist. She wants to celebrate their putting Jerry in his place, even though they’re both a little disappointed that he didn’t jump. Sal says someone had to stop Jerry from taking advantage. Gabi says the two of them should take advantage of each other (aprovecharse, related to buen provecho, which a waiter says when you start your meal, like bon apetit, or enjoy). She puts her arm around him. Don’t start, he says. Let’s start, she says. She moves in closer. No, he says, Yes, she says, gives him a little kiss, that wasn’t so bad, was it? Grabs his tie, another kiss, when the elevator opens, and his dominatrix wife Lorenza, dressed in black, sees it all. They don’t see her, and Sal keeps trying to escape, rushing off to make a copy or something.

Don Cesar and Moni try to revive Beto, as Guerrera laughs in the background. Don Cesar shoos away Guerrera, and they concentrate on Beto. He’s delirious, turn off the alarm clock, wash my underpants. Yes, bread with onions. (Makes more sense than what he usually says).

Jerry’s in the hospital for “observation”. The only thing that hurts is his “soul”. Maury and Connie are not too sympathetic, and they wonder what the doctors found, but Jerry says nothing. They must be hiding something. He thinks he must have internal injuries, or maybe he’s losing his hearing. Oh be quiet, say Mau, and goes to talk to the doctors. Jerry beckons Connie closer. Closer. A little closer, as he grabs her and kisses her! Gee, I guess he’s not that sick after all. Same old Jerry. Connie grabs her purse and lurches away as fast as her fashionable boots can carry her.

Aldo calls the office, asks for Moni. Gabi answers, Moni’s not at work at the moment (is she ever?), but she gives Aldo Moni’s home address.

Okay, it’s whack a mole time again. Maury asks the nurse at the front desk where the doctor (Doctor Quiroz) is, and she directs him to the consultorio. Two seconds later, Moni and Cesar wheel Beto out of the elevator, same hospital, same floor. Beto’s still babbling (he thinks he’s in Las Vegas). Moni says no, you’re in the rich people’s hospital. Apparently Don Cesar has good insurance coverage. Moni asks the nurse if Beto is going to be stupid forever (I think we all know the answer to that one). The nurse goes to find Doctor Ordonez.

At this point, even though Beto is completely incoherent, Cesar goes for coffee and Moni goes for a doctor, leaving crazy Beto unattended, sitting in a wheelchair. He even thinks he can now speak English, starts saying “hello” to everyone (most of the women cringe).

Aldo and Ivan (what happened to Luisa?) have come to the barrio to find Moni. They run into Estrella. Does she know where Monita is? Well, ummm, the thing is, ummm…..

Apparently Beto is actually being checked by the doctor. In the waiting room, Moni is worried about him, and hugs Don Cesar for moral support. Just then, Maury pops out seeing the hug from behind Cesar (whom he can’t see), of course thinks it’s Moni’s novio, gets jealous, ducks back into his rabbit hole.

One door closes, another opens, as Nieves comes out of the elevator. She, too is worried that Beto will be a blockhead (tarugo) the rest of his life (yes, he will). At this point, Beto is wheeled out, licking on a lollipop, doesn’t recognize his Mom at all (but he seems happy, so what’s the harm?). Beto’s wheeled back in for more tests, and Cesar and Nieves go for tea. This leaves Moni standing alone, and she prays to the Virgencita. Maury comes out, sees her from twenty feet away, and calls her cellphone. She’s facing away, answers the phone, and here’s what they say:

Moni: Hi, Mauricio, how are the kids?
Mau: Fine, and where are you now?
Moni: Well, I’m at my cousin’s son’s birthday party.
Mau: Gee, I don’t hear any party sounds.
Moni: Well, my cousin is deaf. Her kid is, too. It’s inherited, you know.
Mau: Sure. And is your boyfriend with you?
Moni: What’s it to you? Why don’t you just hire a detective to spy on me?
Mau: No, no, I just want to know if…
Moni: Know if what? They’re calling me to blow out the candles, so bye.
Mau: Wait, wait, how’s your brother?
Moni: He’s fine, Goodbye.

She hangs up. He hangs up, walks over to her from behind, circles around, looks her in the eye and says “Why did you lie to me, Monita?”

Next time: The fight’s approaching and Lorenza goes psycho with a butcher knife!

Vocabulario:

Útiles Escolares – school supplies
Gatear – to climb or crawl
Arrojarse – to hurl oneself
Atrancada – blocked
Aventarse – to throw oneself
Rematar – round off, finish off
La Tintorería – the dry cleaners
Engarrotado – stiff, agarrotado means the same thing
Aprovecharse – take advantage of
Tarugo – a blockhead

Labels: gancho

Damian speaks to Vlad and tells him he better get to the apartment. It’s very important and it’s about his love, his chosen one.

Fer continues arguing with Gonzalo. She reminds him that Flor is like family; she’s worked for them for 16 years. He tells her Jaime Correa confessed that Flor passed secrets to Prolasa. Fer says, so who is he while Flor is like a member of the family.

Meanwhile Dr. Fashion Faux Pas (plaid jacket, white skirt, black dominatrix stilettos and fake Chanel bag) continues interviewing Lili. Lili tells her that Barbara Greco killed her mother. The doc morphs into Barb in Lili’s mind, and Lili attacks the doctor and calls her a murderer. The doctora is able to calm Lili down. She knows how Lili feels and doesn’t want to do more harm.

Barb converses with Cam. She convinces him to jump in and help defend the family against Aurora. He actually has a single thought that Barb may be exaggerating a little. But, since he’s a smiling sociopath in residence, gives in and promises to do as Bar demands. Tonight, she says. But he has an important date tonight.

Venus is all over the place with Fred and Martina when the good doctora enters and asks Martina and Venus to leave. The doctora tells Ed about Lili’s psychotic episode. She says Lili’s actions are authentic. She prescribes some medicine. Ed wants to know if Lili can be cured. The doc says yes with therapy and support. Ed is relieved.

Cam says that Aurora has always appeared genuine to him. Barb wants proof that the mustia is bad for Santiago. She removes her little bottle of magic and hands it to Cam. She tells him it’s an accelerant so that the show can get on the road. Smarmy Cam says “aye, aye, captain.”

Venus is getting ready to go out and tells Martina how wonderful everything is. Uncle Steve has been taking care of her. Steve told her that if she didn’t pay attention, her glorious prince would turn into a frog. Steve and Franco have warned her that Camilo is a person she shouldn’t trust. Martina warns her of the most important thing, don’t fall in love. But, Martina is very in love with Carlos.

Ed says that Fernanda doesn’t have the least idea of his identity. He and Steve are trying to figure out who might have left the letters. Padre Bosco, Jacinto, Margarita, Gardenia, Don Silvestre, Steve all know his identity. Well, readers, that’s about half the cast, maybe even more than half the cast. Steve reminds Ed of Padre Bosco’s words that the enemy is within. Ed says it can’t be any of the above. Steve says it’s somebody here who knows your secrets and that it signifies that he is in danger. Enter Gardenia with a bad attitude announcing the arrival of Erika.

Fer continues arguing with Gonzo. She asks for 24 hours to prove her case. Gonzo gives her the 24 hours and not a minute more.

At Las Animas Erika inflicts another teeny bopper scene upon us. She refuses to accept that Ed is just that not into her. Anyway, Erika converses with Ed and tells him about Damian. He appreciates her interest in his business. She’s such a good friend of Fer. She wants to help. It seems to her that Damian is not convenient to Fer. He wants to know if Fer said that. It seems to her that things are worse since Fer saw Damian. Why, he asks. But she says to everyone Fernanda is still in love with Damian, but even the most intelligent make mistakes. He says that Fer made a mistake by loving Damian. You haven’t forgotten the woman with the broken heart at your party??

Fer reviews Flor’s letter declaring her innocence.

Ed says this “mystery woman” is not important. She wants to dig it out of him. He wants to know where she’s going with this. She wants to know who broke his heart. He’s gotten rid of her and it’s not important. She’s beside herself and he says that’s past and is not now important. Erika wants to get him to the altar. She loves him. He knows that and he reminds her that he’s not in any condition to return the sentiment.

Vlad drools over Pris. Pris asks him to do something and he says just ask even if it’s impossible. Her disgust is visible when he kneels in front of her. The future of her baby is in danger.

Erika says that’s not important. Even if he doesn’t love her what she feels is enough. He says both should be in love. He repeats that you’d marry me even if I didn’t love you. She says love can be planted and grown. Ed says she’s very honest and what she is proposing is very romantic – grow love. He thanks her for the idea.

What is Pris talking about. She tells him that Damian is using them to hide crimes and is pulling them into his web. She wants him to do something, not for her, but for her baby. Vlad says the most important thing for him is the baby’s well being. He is very grateful that she needs him. She looks like she’s going to throw up. He wants to look at her some more before she leaves, and he wants just one little kiss. Pris kisses Vlad in the same way somebody would kiss a salamander or a pig. You know, I’ll kiss a pig if you’ll give me a million dollars.

Damian enters Barb’s study in his own inimitable way. He grabs Barb and shoves her across the room. He accuses Barb of sending him to the cabana knowing full well that Fer was there with Franco. She accuses him of acting like a jealous husband. He says he’s a cuckold. She says that their romance (Fer and Ed) began the day of his wedding to Fernanda.

Fer is knocking at Vlad’s office door. He says he’ll handle it and puts Pris in a corner. He steps outside the office and Vlad tells her that he has to deliver a report. Fer plunges right into his office and says emphatically, “Priscila”.

Barb asks Damian if he ever suspected anything. He repeats that Soledad’s death ruined the party. Barb tells him that she discovered Fer talking with her lover. Damian leaves in a huff. Referring to Franco, Barb thought bubbles that Franco is stupid for falling in love with Fer. She exudes the scent of jealousy.

Fer says that she has something very brief to say to Vlad. She tells him that she knows that Damian had been staying at his apartment when he was missing. Fer lets him have it and won’t accept any excuse. Fer wants Pris to accompany her to Prolasa. Fer asks about Jaime Correa – Fer tells Pris that she’ll tell her the story on the way. The girls leave. Vlad calls Correa on the phone. He warns Correa that Fer is on her way over there. Correa is listening while Vlad warns him that one false word will sink the ship.

Barb tells Damian to get a grip. Damian is in a huff that Fer dared to make fun of him. He isn’t going to waste more time talking to Barb. Barb tells him about taking advantage of the opportunities presented here. He must be on good behavior, loving, etc. She says he must do as she says and that Fer’s infidelity will be fatal. He will act as a husband blind with jealousy. So you want to turn her into a martyr. He doesn’t give a damn about the Elizaldes beginning with Fer. He’s so bad that even Barb won’t believe what he can do. Once Dam discovers his wife’s infidelity, everything changes. It’s just the two of them, Dam and Barb. Dam will be a victim and Fer will be repudiated. Dam says Fer doesn’t want him to touch her. Bar says that will change. Then Barb sends him off to work at the company. He’ll be seen in the office as a devoted husband. Damian finishes his drink, and I need one, too, at this point.

Fer and Pris go to the car. Fer reminds Pris that she threatened to miscarry and should take it easy. Pris reminds Fer that Vlad is a long time friend. They discuss why Damian was in Vlad’s apartment. Pris asks about Franco. Fer says their projects are moving forward. Vlad calls Pris who pretends she’s talking to her doctor. Vlad reminds her not to open her mouth because it could be a disaster for them. Vlad sends kisses through the phone. At the last minute Pris bows out of the trip to Prolasa because she claims she has a doctor’s appointment. Fer goes on without her. Did I mention that Fer is still wearing the yellow sundress?

Flor is crying out her story to Jacinto and Margarita. She wants to know if even they believe her. They tell her she has to speak with Fer. It was Gonzo himself who put her out. Flor has to speak with Fer. They try to stop her. She tells them that Vlad is involved. She’s not lying. Margarita tells Flor not to open her mouth about any of those people. Flor cries.

Erika hasn’t left Las Animas yet. She’s in a philosophical discussion about love with Ed. He says marriage without love is a bit cold. In some places in the world marriage is not complicated by love. To him love is important. She asks if the mystery woman was his fiancée. He says it was a long time ago. He says what she’s saying is crazy. He’s melting a little. It’s unusual and he’s listening. He finally agrees and says that she can help get the memory of that woman out of his head. He looks like he’s in pain as he embraces her.

Rolando greets Fernanda at Prolasa and tells him that Pris was coming with her, but she had a last minute doctor’s appointment. Rolando tells her about the documents because the theft amounts to industrial espionage. She wants to speak to Jaime Correa and Rolando says he’ll send for him. Meanwhile Vlad is warning Jaime that he can’t say anything. Jaime is worried about his own hide. Rolando’s secretary calls Jaime in. Don’t you think this dog is going to say how high when the boss says jump?

At last Erika is about to leave and tells Ed how important the conversation was to her. Ed says he’s not a prince and she leans toward him a for a kiss. Gardenia’s blood pressure rises as she spies on them from behind some bushes. This turns out to be a real kiss. Score one for Erika.

Avances: Gardenia prays to God for help in getting rid of Erika. The rest of it looked like what just happened above.

And, I forgot to ask: Someone please post this to the sidebar for me. Thanks.

Labels: manana

Somebody posted big fat ugly spoilers on the MEPS page last night. I've erased them but this is a reminder to all - you are NOT allowed to tell what's happening after the episode that's currently running. Speculation is ok but no wrecking the surprise for other people. So you looked ahead on YouTube - this does NOT make you special or entitle you to spill the beans.

And, bloggers - since I'll be away for three weeks you need to be especially vigilant about deleting any offending comments on your own posts. If you find there's a problem that needs my attention, please send me a direct email as I won't be able to monitor the computer regularly.

Thanks all! Enjoy the rest of July!

Labels: announcements, manana

Tonight's show was postponed 2 hours due to the futbol game between Mexico and Panama. I saw the last 10 minutes or so and tuned in just in time to see players drop like flies and fans throw crap onto the field at them. Must have been some game, 1-1 when I tuned in and now three more minutes left as they go into injury time. Final score....it's a tie! This could be a late night for some of our recappers if the 8:00 and 9:00 TNs are postponed.

And now, on with the show...

Beto insists he'll kill the person who's bugging Consti, he wants to split that mandarin into pieces. He says he's Consti's slave and she likes the sound of that. She thinks he's dangerous and interesting. She calls him Roberto and they have excellent chemistry.

When Sal gets to work Gabi (looking very fetching today in her black and white ensemble, dressing for success) asks him en serio, is she the cause of his separation? His answer makes her do the happy dance, yeah baby yeah!

Jerry can see right through his sis and knows she's hiding something. Xime, in the wiggliest way possible, tells Jerry that Consti...has a lover!

Gabi goes into Sal's office and throws herself at his feet, she always knew they were destined to be together. He tries to save her but man she just won't shut it. When he gets a word in Sal sets her straight, she was the cause of his separation but it was all a mistake. He tells her how he really feels about her, she is an excellent secretary. Gabi is mortified, POed, doesn't want him to look at her, and announces that he has just lost a great secretary and gained an implacable enemy, harrrumph!

Nieves waits for Beto in the Barrio. She is upset that he's late to take her to the Dr., she has the test results (she thinks) and keeps waving the envelope (Moni and Mau's pic, not the results) in front of Beto's face. He grabs them but luckily babbles tonterías and doesn't look in the envelope. Just in the nick of time Moni shows up with her envelope and swaps them, whew! By the way, Ana Martin looks great in this scene.

In the next scene they are coming home all hangdog. Nieves doesn't have the money for her important tests and Beto suggests she go on a diet. Thanks pal. Monita saves the day, she will accept the fight that Don Cesar has arranged.

Back at the office she and Mau have words because she is always disappearing from the office to see her sick aunt. He asks can't her bro help out? She asks can't you mind your own business? (I wonder what would happen if I split from work and then told my boss to mind his own business?) She mollifies him by giving him the romance pic. Consti the terminal wet blanket breaks up the gaga fest because she needs to talk to HER boyfriend.

Jerry bursts into Mau's office and Mau stupidly slips the pic into an agenda book. Jerry wastes no time in finding it and showing it to Consti. She absolutely explodes, kicks out Moni, tears up the pic and storms out in hissy fit hurricane.

Jerry slithers up and requests a word with her.

Sal comes out and tries to ask Gabi to do tasks but she answers every question with a "no" "no" "no" before he can even get his questions out. Sal wonders how there can be two Lorenzas. Ouch. Sal and Mau agree not to discuss their confusing love lives because it makes them cranky.

Pau happily eavesdrops and hears Jerry tell Consti she has a nerve being pissed at Mau when she herself is putting the horns on him (betraying him). Slimeball sez he'll keep quiet if she shuts him up with a little kiss. She totally calls his bluff and says fine let's tell Mau everything you know, now go to hell. Doh, back to the drawing board.

Pau wastes no time in sharing her scoop with Moni. However their little confab is interrupted by Beto strolling into the lobby. Mau thinks he's there to see his sis but Beto tells him "Sis? What? I'm here to see my girlfriend." Moni dashes off and Pau pushes Beto into the breakroom and tells Mau that Moni's bro is the owner of her paychecks (el dueño de mis quincenas), i.e. her boyfriend, and sorry he showed up hehehe.

Moni and Pau promptly scold Beto for coming to her work. This a serious workplace and he can't keep showing up. Just as they try to sneak him out Jerry walks by and Beto recognizes his cuate (pal). He's the guy who sold him the necklace he gave Moni. Moni and Pau get big "O" mouths.

Our next minuet of near-misses involves Beto and Consti. While Gabi gleefully tells Consti she has a rash Consti nearly runs into her love slave Beto. She hides behind Mau while Beto, who usually sticks his nose in everyone's biz, strolls by not even looking at the little crowd. Feh, I don't believe it. Anyway, he leaves without seeing Consti, another whew!

Consti is at Mau's house hiding under a blankie. This is a perfect time for her to gain his sympathy, does he have to go back to work with that monkey boo hoo? He reminds her they have a social obligation at the embassy that evening; she wants him to cancel because she needs him to scratch her itch.

Gabi gives Moni a folder and says she must take it to Mau immediately. What's Gabi up to? Is she playing cupid or just trying to piss Consti off?

The nice maid Teresa tries to get Moni to go with Mau to the embassy but Mau is worried that you-know-who will get mad. Rashy gets up to use the head and Teresa sneaks in and steals one of her outfits.

Gabi bitches out Pau because her naco boyfriend who looked mafioso showed up at work. Pau is all, oh yeah, well the mafioso is already here because Geronimo is the guy who sold your necklace to the naco. Gabi and Sal are muy impactados.

Now Mau's mouth goes into the big "O" when he sees Monita's extreme hotness in hot pink. Va va voom Moni fills out Consti's dress quite well. Dani and Luisa aren't surprised because they helped her get dressed.

Gabi's talking on the phone to some annoying guy who insists he must talk to someone at Sermeño right now. Gabi tries to give the call to Sal but Jerry grabs the phone because he's the friggin' vicepresidente. It's some shady guy who has a proposition that can't wait. Jerry agrees to see this obvious con guy and tells Gabi that when the fulanito (little guy) arrives show him to JERRY's office. Thanks to Jerry Sal and Gabi are on the same side once again.

At the embassy party some old dude comments on Mau's charming companion and practically swallows Moni's hand giving it a kiss. Mau tells her it's the custom. When the next poor guy comes along she jabs her hand toward him and he's all, uh, OK, I guess I'll kiss it. She wipes it on her dress.

Back at the Barrio Beto presses Pau for info on where Monita is. Pau can keep a secret when she needs to.

Mr. Treviño the con guy tells Sal and Jerry he can help them put down roots in Europe. Sal says thanks but no thanks, they already have European contacts, he's outta there. Jerry is always good at sniffing out a shady deal so he's all ears. After Sal leaves he agrees to arrange a contract as long as he gets a kickback.

Back at the embassy Moni is dying to leave because she feels like a fish out of water plus she's hungry. She's impressed, however, when Mau gives her a tiny appetizer torta. It's about the size of a quarter but she still wants to share it with him. Sweet.

Over at the office Gabi and Sal try to figure out what to do about that abusive Jerry. Sal asks what can he do, Jerry is Mau's cousin and the vicepresidente, while he Sal is only... "Parsley!" answers Gabi.

Ximena has shown up to comfort her gal pal Consti. She tells Consti she should really look in the mirror to get a better idea of how truly repugnant she is to look at, she's horrible, she's filth. Consti calls Xime a stupid head for telling Jerry she has a lover, and now she's going to make herself beautiful for Mau. She goes into the closet and discovers her beautiful pink dress is missing. Uh oh.

More blah blah blah at the embassy when Moni livens thinks up by telling some arrogant bitch-wife of a senator what does she care about political economics when millions of children are dying of hunger, eh? Moni is embarrassed but Mau tells her not to let that pedantic prig upset her. How about some tacos al pastor to improve the evening?

Darn, it looks like the pedantic prig may have the last word. She calls Consti and lets it slip that Mau is there with someone called the little chimp (changuito), or is it the little monkey?

Monita comes out of the bathroom with toilet paper on her shoe and Mau thinks she's charming and natural. He thinks she's the most marvelous person he's ever met in his life. They almost kiss. Note to self, if I ever see Sebastian Rulli must put TP on my shoe and pucker up.

As Gabi leaves for the night she runs into Mr. Treviño. She (and I) are surprised when Sal comes out of the elevator and greets Treviño with a hug and a handshake. It looks like their little act worked. Treviño hands over a tape and we hear Jerry clearly negotiating his kickback. Sal tells Gabi that's how parsley rolls.

Mau and Monita get back to his house yucking it up and having a great time. (How utterly dumb is that?) Surprise, Consti is waiting like a scorpion and as soon as Moni leaves the room (presumably to change out of Consti's dress) Consti advances toward her prey. She lures Mau into telling lie after lie about his evening as she "sweetly" tells him how great he looks.

In the kitchen Moni gives Teresa a kiss and thanks her for helping her out with the dress, it's a perfect night.

Make that was, as Moni opens the kitchen door she gets an eyeful of Mau and Consti making out in front of the window.

Tomorrow: Mau asks Jerry how could he betray him? Xime cries that Jerry is about to jump off a building. Monita is boxing with Aldo (or Ivan) and accidentally punches the mummy (Consti). Will Jerry jump and take Mauricio with him?

Labels: gancho

Tonight's episode was dark, but not as bad as the first two introductory episodes.

We start with Macarena's discovering the letter from Paloma. Carlota grabs it and reads. She sputters that it's all Macarena's fault and hits Macarena. Carlota calls Paloma a spoiled brat (mal criada esquincla).

(Esquincle/esquincla doesn't always mean brat, but that's how Carlota uses it. Sometimes it just means "kid.")

Macarena says that if anything happens to her little girl, she'll die. She can't take any more pain. Carlota just tells her to be quiet and start looking for her. And for good measure she adds that Macarena's is "cierra del mundo para todo." I suppose this means something like empty headed?

Paloma is crying and clutching the corpse of the puppy. (Okay, it's wrapped in a blanket, so at least we can't see that it's a puppy.) She meets little Romina, who gives her condolences about her parents. Romina asks Pal to come to her birthday party, but Paloma conveys the sad news that she must bury her dog, which was a gift for HER birthday--her parents' last gift to her. Paloma enlists Romina in the pitiful task of burying the puppy in her parents' yard and they troop off to the mansion. Little Romina reminds me a bit of the actress who played Mayita in Cuidado. I could swear I saw her in some other show, but I can't find any reference. Maybe she was on Rosa de Guadalupe, which I watch sometimes.

Cristobal gets drunk.

Time for another sisterly talk. This kind of family makes me glad I'm an only child. Carlota blames Macarena for everything, including the death of their father, who Carlota calls "my father." Macarena is worried that Paloma was kidnapped--it's a horrible tragedy. No, says Carlota, the only tragedy is the death of Javier. She tells Macarena that was her fault too.

Cristobal buys two bottles of cheap tequila and tells the storekeeper that he doesn't need a bag. In fact he starts drinking right away. And BTW, did I mention, he gets drunk.

The little girls bury the puppy. I never thought I'd write out a line like that.
Then Paloma goes in the house and sees happy memories in every room. First she sees her parents tickling her--they all laugh. Then they sit on the couch and eat popcorn while watching a movie.

Time for Cristobal to have more drinks.

Paloma sits in a hammock with stuffed bear. She remembers her parents some more.

Romina is back home, and her mom, Camila, prepares for the little girl's long-postponed birthday party. My predictometer tells me that Dad is not going to make it.

Macarena and Carlota search the streets for Paloma. Once, Macarena calls out to a girl who looks like Paloma, but when she turns we see it was not their niece. Meanwhile, Paloma is still in the house. The sisters decide to go look for her in the old mansion, and Paloma hides in a broom closet when she hears them come in. Carlota calls her a maldita esquincla, or damned brat.

A detective is canvassing the neighborhood. He asks Carmina if they know anything about Paloma. Carmina says she and her daughter know about Paloma but they haven't seen her. The detective learns that Romina is nine years old and asks to speak to her, suspecting she might know something.

Carlota and Macarena continue to look for Paloma.

The policeman "interrogates" Romina. She says she has never spoken to Paloma but she knows her aunt is bad. How do you know that, asks the cop, if you haven't spoken to her. Er, er, well, everyone knows that witches are bad. Mom says she shouldn't talk that way about the neighbors. He asks that they call if they hear anything.

Paloma continues to reminisce about mom and pop. More hysterical crying as she kisses their picture.

Over at the birthday party, Romina gets a present from Mom, and then the doorbell rings. It's a private messenger from Dad bearing a gift and the unsurprising news that Dad can't make it. Romina tosses the package aside and runs up the stairs in tears. The messenger calls Samuel to let him know that the package was delivered. We see Samuel sprawling in a king-size bed. Cue the sexy music as a girl comes in and they kiss.

Rufina reassures Macarena that all will be well and encourages her to pray to the Virgencita. She prays for the return of Paloma. She can't have a child, and she lost one, and she can't take the loss of another. Hmmm . . .

Camila cries over her husband's picture then smashes it to bits. She calls him, but her call goes straight to voice mail hell. She shrieks into the phone that he's a coward who's broken the heart of the little girl who is his blood. She then collapses near the ruins of the cake.

An older priest says goodbye to a little girl and then sees a commotion. It's two guys trying to mug a drunken Cristobal. They hit him on the head and wrap him in a blanket. The Padre scares them away and helps Cristobal get up. We see that Cristobal now has about three days of beard growth.

Romina comes downstairs the next morning and sees the leftover cake. Lightbulb moment--take some cake over to Paloma, who hasn't had anything to eat. Romina would not make a very good secret agent. As soon as she arrives, she is greeted by the two aunts, who suspect she must know something. Carlota interrogates her harshly, and Macarena cautions her for being too intimidating. Macarena tries a gentler technique, saying that Paloma misses her parents.

Cristobal wakes up the next morning and says he feels awful. He doesn't know what happened to his car or cell phone. The Padre wants to talk and give him something to eat. While he's supposed to be getting ready, Cristobal is searching under the sink and everywhere for some alcohol.

Inside the house, the girls have some cake and a brief happy moment, but Romina reveals the sad news that her daddy did not show up for the party. Too soon, the aunts come in, and Carlota pounces, threatening Romina with prison for her lies. Romina leaves, and Carlota lays into Paloma. She announces that Paloma is hers until the girl turns 18, and she can have it the good way or the bad way.

Cristobal goes into a bar with a bag of junk from the Padre's house and tries to trade it for booze.

Macarena hugs Paloma. Carlota orders Rufi to prepare a bath for the girl, but Macarena just wants to have her sit nearby and relax. Carlota says she has to go out and take care of an "important matter."

Carlota goes to Camila's house and threatens her and Romina for their part in concealing Paloma. She accuses Romina of coming up with the whole idea of running away. Camila defends Romina. She says that Romina is not responsible--Carlota is. Carlota sneers that it's no wonder Camila's husband left. She tells her to keep Romina away from Paloma.

Back at the haunted house, evil music plays. Carlota pretends to be nice and talks about how Paloma's parents left her in charge of her education and everything else. She doesn't want anything to happen to Paloma. Macarena has diabetes and they have to watch out for her. (It's not clear but maybe this is her implication of why they wouldn't leave Macarena in charge if her health is at risk?) They will start all over and forget everything and be one big happy family. They say a prayer at the bedside.

Macarena and Paloma Macarena and Paloma are cleaning a lot of birdcages while Paloma caresses a paloma (dove). (I'm surprised Carlota allows birds in the house when she wouldn't allow the puppy. Maybe in a Hitchcock moment the birds will escape and peck Carlota to death.) Anyway, the gals discuss how the caged birds do or don't want to be free while beating us over the head with the metaphor about how the gals are caged birds too.

Camila and Romina go over the story of how Romina came to help conceal Paloma. Romina says that Paloma had asked her not to tell anyone because Carlota is an evil witch. Knowing this is true, Camila is reluctant to punish her daughter. She asks why Romina just didn't tell her about it in the first place. The two make up, and they say that each is the most important thing to each other.

Paloma comes into Macarena's room and spots a box that has "SECRETS" written all over it metaphorically speaking. Let's see what's inside. Macarena comes in and shouts that Paloma has no right to go through her things. Paloma runs from the room.

Meanwhile, Cristobal is getting drunker, if that's possible. He's at a bar where a girl tries to pick him up. He pushes her away and falls on the floor, hitting his head.

Paloma cries over a picture of her parents again. Macarena comes into the room and apologizes to Paloma for her harsh tone. She says that it's just that sometimes there are adult things that one doesn't want to share.

Cristobal is in a hospital bed on oxygen. The Padre comes to see him and offers to help. He could have a new life. Yes, he's lost his material things, but he could have spiritual things.

The next day, the sisters take Paloma to her new school, where a kindly nun welcomes her. Carlota warns Paloma to behave well. As luck would have it, Romina is in the same class. The girls later enjoy lunch together and vow to be friends forever, notwithstanding Carlota's intent to stand between them.

Cut to a scene where some young boy, Emilio, who looks a bit older than the girls, is preparing to leave for study on a special scholarship in the U.S. His godfather is paying and his parents will build a factory in Monterrey for when he gets back (or something like that).

After school, the girls come out together. Paloma points out her aunts, who have come to pick her up. Romina is none too happy to see Carlota, and the feeling is mutual. Paloma happily tells Macarena that she has made a friend. Carlota excuses herself for an errand.

Camila goes to Mexico City to see her husband and storms into his office unannounced. She tells him she's seen her lawyer and filed papers for a divorce--their marriage will be dissolved in one year. He doesn't want this. She says his actions speak louder than words. He will be made to live up to his responsibilities. (I'm not really clear on what the legalities are here.)

Carlota slithers over to the Mother Superior with a special request. In her best Eddie Haskell voice, she thanks MS for taking such good care of Paloma in this sad time. But she is very concerned about her niece and doesn't want her to be subjected to bad influences. Couldn't the school get rid of Romina, who incited Paloma to run away. The MS says she can't do anything about events that didn't happen on school grounds. Well, then, can't they expel Romina? As the child of divorced parents she has no place in their school. The nun harrumphs at her pretension--times have changed, lady. We have long overcome those antiquated notions. To be a child of divorce is no sin or shame nowadays. If you'll excuse me, I have things to do. Score one for our side.

Now the girls begin spinning around in a gleeful circle, and they spin, and spin, and . . . turn into Allison Lozz and Altair Jarabo, still in their school uniforms! Yay! I'm so happy to see these two actress back together again. (These actresses play comedy so well, so maybe we will have some lighter moments.)

They stop spinning, and we see their teenage personalities. Romina, the flirtatious imp, is wearing her tie open, while Paloma has hers closed. Romina spies a really cute guy by a nearby flower vendor. (This is same Emilio from previous scene but now he's a new actor too.) She wants to meet him and asks for a cigarette. Paloma reminds her that she doesn't smoke. Who cares? She flounces over.

What follows is a beautiful piece of acting, as a flirtatious glance passes between Romina and Emilio then he looks toward Paloma and a different sort of true connection is made.

Labels: amor

We open with the race car driver all of a sudden deciding he wants to take boxing lessons and showing up at precisely the training center where Moni trains (because of course in this huge city there is no other place he could have gone and we all know this one simply must be near his million dollar home and equally close to the pueblo where our poor barrio folks train…and it ..oh never mind). Moni sees him and ducks behind Don Cesar prompting him to wonder why she is so affectionate.

Gabi approaches Sal about the red floss, she yells at him first saying this changes everything, but she likes the change and tells him he has free range to do with her what she will. Of course just then wifey dearest comes in and wonders que the hell. She ends up insulting Gabi and asking for a divorce before she wanders out and thanks Jero on his way in for opening her eyes to them being lovers.

The next scene is at the new school where it looks like Aldo and Conni’s sis Katia will get to see each other all the time because she goes there to. Conni tells them, ok they are signed up, but Dani is missing. Luisa comes back with her and she has the cutest little kitty cat. I hope she’s not squeezing it tooo tight, poor little thing. She wants to take it home but Conni says she’s allergic and can’t stand for the thing to be around and pulls (ha, pun) the old pulling of the ear trick to make her drop it. Luisa of course doesn’t like this physicality one bit and yells at Conni.

OK this woman can never redeem herself in my eyes. Anyone who dislikes a cute little kitten like that bleeds ice. She is first on my horrible death list for this novela. Gouge her eyes out I say…


Moni tells Estre Mau showed up.

Turns out Mau shows up to find her. She says he can’t come unannounced. The end result is he sees her with a raspberry and thinks she’s being smacked around by her boyfriend. He demands to know if it was the guy he saw her with and she swears Beto is her brother. That makes possible abuse much better indeed. Of course on cue said bro knocks.

Sal and Gabi argue about the “incident”

Beto shows up and comments on her hair and asks for money for the boss. Mona hides Mau who hears everything and thinks it’s strange that a brother cares about his sis’s hair.

Back at the house Mau hears Aldo laying into Conni and wants to know what happened. He learns what Conni did to Dani, but he sends the kids off for dinner and pretty much lets her off easy by telling her the kids don’t hate her she just needs a little patience. She smells him and wonders where he was. He says he with with Tano and on the weekend they’ll go like a family to the Kartodromo.

At said Kartodromo Mau tells Tano of his concern that Mona is being beat. The abominable snowman, club version, shows up with Rolu nemesis and sours the scene a bit. Later Mau wants to know why she brought him and she tells him he’ll have to get used to him because one day she’s going to marry him. Mau tells her the only reason he’s with her is to annoy him, she’s blind. She gets all offended and upset that he thinks she can’t get a guy to like her for who she is. They end up agreeing that he’ll tolerate the hellman if she’ll be careful with him. She loves her primoguchis.

Cesar tells Mona he’s arranged her first fight. Beto is all excited because this means he won’t have ot go to work like she just asked of him. She’s not sure she’s ready and thinks she wants to wait for some more training. Beto keeps interrupting and Cesar tells him to stuff it and only she can say when to fight.

Club music as we watch everyone zip around the course at molasses speed. Whooo hooo!

Estre shows up to the gym and sucking out all their testosterone and spilling it all over the floor.

She ends up listening in to Don C’s call to Mau telling him he’s got someone ot teach him boxing classes. And so she finds out why he was there.

Back at the track, Everyone is hungry but Danni is begging for another lap. He takes her then Rolu comes up fast behind them and stops short in front scaring her. This almost leads to a fist fight. Mau gets one punch in before everyone freaks out and Rolu backs off. Tano takes his chance to yell at Xime too that Rolu is using her. She says who are you to me, we are nothing. He says yeah, but you still matter. Rolu says his course is nice, too bad his cars are toys.

Back at the gym Estre tells her of the boxing lessons, and pitches that if she doesn’t love Beto she should give Mau a chance.

At mau’s home he puts the kids to baths and fends off Con who wants to hang with him for a little bit. He tells her to go, he’s tired and wants to go to bed. She says ok, if that’s what you want. No sooner does she exit stage left then he is calling Mona who is in her pjs to go eat dinner.

WE then get a montage of him singing in Garibaldi square very much off key “si nos Dejan” and they eat taquitos and all. He’s not a singer, but I suppose I can cut him some slack, it might be a bit much to ask an Argentino to sing mariachi. Oh well. Clearly they have a great humble time together.

Uh oh, ice veins Coni calls and hears from Tere he’s gone. She gets mad at Tere and can’t believe he’s not home. They fight about respecting each other.

We see Mona and he eating esquites con tuetano (essentially corn and cheese and toppings) wandering on the street. He wonders if her bf likes these things.

Coni makes a pact with the devil Jero to get rid of Mona. He just wants payment of the flesh, she doesn’t go for it though and leaves.

On their walk home they talk about the rich and the poor and who doesn’t like who and he tells her he’s going to learn boxing, where her brother does, but she knows nothing about it. They kiss each other on the cheek…so cute.

Moni is looking at a photo from their outing and Estr runs up and wonders where the hell she’s been because they had to take Nieves to the doc.

In the other house who’s waiting for Mau but ice veins when he gets home. He says he had an emergency. For some reason that satisfies her and she has absolutely no interest in knowing what it was. He cares for her of course. They kiss and she thinks he was eating esquites. Alright this I'm starting side with Conni, but not really because she hates kitties....

Back at the barrio the chicas are off to work. Beto checks out Paula just a little too much.

Conni and Xime are going somewhere and Consti is trying to get out of a parking space. They argue about what she is going to do to get the monkey off her back. She says she’s going to see someone who can take care of it for her. Xime tries to talk her out of it, that she is Jero but with a skirt and these things always turn out bad. Just then it looks like they almost run over Beto. He says hello and Conni gets a scary smile.

Mau goes to the barrio. He’s not looking for Mona, he seeks Este to get intelligence on Mona . She has to go to an audition, but he wants to know if the boyfriend hits her. Ester tells him no way. Later Estre calls and tells Moni what happened.

Moni all angry goes into Mau’s office and busts him why is he following her. He denies everything. She leaves him the envelope with the picture of them. He opens and wonders what she is doing with tests. She realizes she took the wrong envelope.

Xime and Con are having lunch and Xime knows that guy was the avenger. She starts teasing her. Just then said avenger shows up. Conni asks for him to do a big favor. She notes that he is a fighter used to punches. She tells him there’s someone annoying her. He asks who does he have to kill? Kill she says? And that’s it for tonight…

Labels: gancho