Caray, Caray!

The boys at Empresas Ferrer wax nostalgic when Albi tells Lucas and Enrique he’s run into Jade and her husband here in Miami. And Lucas, when your name came up, says Albi, her husband looked like a very jealous man (me parece un hombre muy celoso). Lucas allows himself a small smile.

“Tengo mucho miedo” (I’m very scared) Jade tells Latifa; Said is “muy vengativo”. On our wedding night, he vowed to kill Lucas if he ever crossed his path again, says Jade. And now every time he looks at me, it’s like he’s searching for Lucas in my gaze. Do you still feel something for him? Latifa wants to know.
Jade: “Hay amores que no se puede vivir, hay que guardarlos en el corazón” (There are loves that can’t be lived, you have to keep them in your heart)

And as for the ladies who lunch. And shop…a lot:
“Oh. my. god. You really told Natalia that Lucas has a lover?” Lucia may be the queen of obsessive marital jealousy, but even she is aghast when Marisa tells her she involved poor fragile Naty in her marital mishigas. Oh he’s gonna pay for humiliating me, vows Marisa…

Alejandro’s not doing any shopping. He is broke (quebrado), realizes that his career as a fighter is in the toilet: “Necesito trabajar en lo que sea” (I need a job, doesn’t matter what it is) he tells his friend/manager, Pablo. All he needs is a little money and he’ll be able to win the lovely Karla back. Pablo promises to set him up with a security company that provides drivers for rich folks.

Oddly enough, in a slightly more elegant part of town, Natalia is saying to her abuelo Leo: ¿Un chofer para mi??? Well yeah, says Leo, this is a dangerous city, there are all these crazy drunken tourists, you are an inexperienced driver…

Enter Alej looking miserable in his short-sleeved white shirt with narrow tie. He is presented to Natalia as her new driver and security guard.

Natalia tells Andrea afterwards that she couldn’t stand Alej (“Me cayó como una patada ese chofer”). Alej describes Naty to his buddy Pablo as “una mocosa malcriada” (a spoiled snot). [Anyone want to bet on how long it takes for these two to fall for each other?]

And back at la casa Mohamed: Prince Amin hasn’t quite achieved the coordination to ogle girls and ride a bike at the same time. He bumps into something, and falls down, giving his sister and cousin a good laugh. Then suddenly Zamira looks alarmed. She runs into the house without saying anything, and locks herself in the bathroom. Oh man, it’s her first period. “No quería que mi sangre bajara nunca” (I didn’t want to get a period, ever!) thinks Zamira. She knows her parents will make her wear a veil in public when they find out, so she decides to try to hide it from them.

Jadiya meanwhile is thinking “No veo la hora que mi sangre baje” (I can’t wait to get my first period!) Tía Nazira has shown her many nifty ways to wear the veil.

Jade and Said are alone and Jade is remembering how Said chased after Lucas with that scary curved knife of his years ago. She decides that the only way to keep Lucas safe is to warn him of Said’s murderous jealousy.

Cristina and her friends are at the apartment. Dora’s ma is coming for Christmas and she wants to find a little place to live before then. Will there be room for Osvaldo? asks Vicki. Dora’s not so sure she still loves him or wants him. “Que rehaga su vida con otra mujer.” (Let him remake his life with another woman)

Alas it is not to be. Or at least not tonight. When Osvaldo offers Karla with a K her big chance – “¡Te conseguí un trabajo como promotora en un supermarket aquí en la playa..” (I got you a job promoting stuff in a supermarket here on the beach) – instead of covering her ‘chocolatito’ with grateful kisses, she gives him a big fat cachetada (slap) and starts screaming ‘¡auxilio! The cops come and haul him away for “acoso sexual”. His friend Miguel, much amused, bails him out.

Now let’s catch up on Alicia Who Claims to be Luisa’s Niece but we all Know she is up to No Good:
Luisa wants to buy a new dress for her niece to wear to Leo’s wedding. Alicia refuses so sweetly, tells Luisa how lovely she is, suggests a little change in hair style might get Albieri’s motor humming. What a gal, that Alicia.

You almost feel sorry for creepy old Albi in the next room when he mutters that as nice as she seems, “hay algo en ella que no me gusta, que me asusta.” (there’s something about her that I don’t like, that scares me)

At Casa Escobar, Clara notices Escobar’s papers are neat, no food crumbs (no food crumbs???). Yeah, he says, Luisa’s niece Alicia was there to “echarnos una mano” (give/throw us a hand).
Clara: “A ti te echó dos manos, verdad?” (she gave you two hands, right?) Before this fight can go further, Fernando comes in asking for money so he can go out. Escobar takes his opportunity to escape.

Alicia sweet as pie brings coffee to Albi and Julio – “Esa niña es un encanto, es un sol!” (That girl is charming, she’s a lovely person) gushes Julio. “Eso parece” mutters Albi (so it seems).

Alicia goes to Luisa, now in bed, and tenderly kisses her good-night, then hidden to Luisa, executes a perfect Telenovela Eye Roll.

Lucas asks Marisa why she had to poison Naty against him and she says she was just telling the truth. The customary vitriolic banter ensues.

And in faraway Fez, Tío Ali is saying farewell to Zoraida, telling her to look after everything while he’s away. When he leaves, Nazira lets loose with a howl. Poor Zoraida.

Said is taking Jadiya to Mohamed’s house and will come back to pick up Jade. Jade seizes the moment to phone Lucas. He has just picked up – Hola. ¿Eres tú? – when Said comes back unexpectedly and she has to hang up. When she leaves the room, Said checks redial: “Empresa Ferrer” chirps the secretary. Oh no no no….

Ramón knocks on Latifa’s door asking for Prince Amin. Latifa of course won’t open the door to a man, she gets all ‘es un haram’ on him. He goes across the street and tells Gloria who marches up to Mohamed and tells him they are a bunch of “groseros”. At first he is polite, but soon he is telling her to go back to her “negocio de haram” (sinful business) and promising that she will burn in “el mármol del infierno” (marble, here, oven of hell). All told, not a good moment for intercultural understanding.

Cris is Ravishing in Red. She and Vicki go to the piano bar where she and Leo used to hang out. Leo and the Antichris, ie Sofia, are there, of course. She is Boring in Blue. When Sofia steps away, Cris seizes the moment. She reclaims her man with a big fat smooch. Press cameras flash and Sofia fumes. “Se canceló la boda!” (The wedding’s cancelled) she declares and throws his ring back at him.
Leo: “¿A dónde quieres llegar con todo esto?” (Where are you going with all this?)
Cris: “Por lo pronto a la cama en un hotel de 5 estrellas...contigo.” (For now to bed in a 5 star hotel...with you.)

Natalia is chatting on line. No one feels worse than I do, she writes. And her unidentified interlocutor replies: I felt like that and then I used a drug (alucinante, literally hallucinogen) that helped me with my feelings… [Whoa. This is very bad.]. Mama Rosa comes in and Nat asks her about her parents’ marriage. Is it true my father never loved my mother? He loved her, says Rosa, but not as much as he loved that foreigner… [All these years and the damn woman, cane and all, still can’t keep her mouth shut!]

Luisa tells Albieri that Ali’s nephew called to say that Ali is in Miami and they want us to come to a party. Albi looks pleased, well, you know, relatively.

Carolina is giving Enrique the cold shoulder. He shows her a newspaper with the CrisLeo smooch. See, she’s Leo’s old flame, not mine!

They’re looking at the photo at the Ferrer home too. Everyone seems pretty happy about the idea of Cris and Leo getting back together except Marisa: “A los hombres de esta casa les encanta lo barato.”
(The men in this house love what is cheap.)

Then Alejandro shows up for his first day of work. If this guy is taking care of Naty during the day, who’s going to drive her around and watch over her in the evening? I can do it, says Alej. Great, agrees, Leo. You can be Naty’s ‘angel de la guardia’. Naty looks pained but overpowered. And Alej is thinking about what a nightmare it’s going to be to be saddled with this spoiled brat day and night.

Of course Fernando mocks Naty and her chauffeur when they show up at school, but Andrea just thinks he’s hot. (una cosota rica)

Ali arrives at Latifa’s house and is greeted joyfully by all. Zoraida phones, the conversation turns to Nazira’s suitor (pretendiente) and Nazira hears Zoraida say: “El pretendiente de Nazira vive circa de la casa.” (The suitor lives near the house.) Then the line cuts off. That’s enough for big-eared Nazira, who has been hanging on Zoraida’s every word. She’s set to pack her bags and head off to Miami in search of her one true love, Osvaldo.

Cris complains to Vicki that Leo won’t take her calls now. She calls Lucas instead. He agrees to meet her after work.

Said tells Jade that they will be dining at the Ferrer’s tomorrow. Maybe you want to buy something new for the occasion? Why should I ? asks Jade. Women always seem to do things you don’t expect, answers Said omenously.

Lucas sees Cris waiting for him, as arranged, in a lounge somewhere. She is wearing…The Necklace!!!

Labels: clon

Corazón Salvaje, 4/28/10 -- "The Treasure of the Fiera Madre"

In the finca office, Leonarda broods over some possible connection
between the old Juan San Roman and the new one; surely what Clemencia
denied must be the truth. But in fact, she thinks, only María del
Rosario can rid her of her suspicions. Meanwhile, Clemencia visits
the beach shack, and she and the boyz fret and stew again about what
kind of trouble Juan is going to instigate and who will get hurt.

Out on the plantation road, a carriage halts, and Noel alights --
turning to warmly greet Juan, bringing up the rear on horseback.
Renato has been showing Juan the estate, but the thing that most
impressed Juan was the fair treatment of his workers. When Juan
thanks Noel for backing him on his new job, Noel claps Juan on the
shoulder and declares he always tries to be fair with people, although
sometimes he has failed.

Noel continues to explain about the boy he let down some time ago, a
boy who was the victim of a foul injustice. Juan evinces unease,
turns and puts a few steps between them. Noel sounds as though it
preys on his conscience, Juan says.

Noel admits it's tormented him his entire life, and he's never lost
hope he could restore all that belonged to the boy. And one day he'll
do it, Noel vows, looking Juan in the eye. Juan is truly
uncomfortable now and begs off to get back to work.

Rodrigo returns to the townhouse to live, and close on his heels
enters Federico. They commiserate on the infuriating state of Juan
installed as estate manager, and Rodrigo won't return until he's
gone. Suddenly, Ruffina the maid bursts into the room, horrified.

Someone broke into the house last night; nothing is stolen but the men
rush upstairs to the scene of the crime and are incensed and baffled
at the carnage. Thus, Federico for some reason viewed the damage Juan
wrought, as well as did Rodrigo. Aimee's room is turned inside out
and upside down, the mirror smashed; but Rodrigo's main quandary is
who in the world would do this.

At the beach cave, Juan has departed; but Aimee remains -- torturing
herself with memories of Juan berating and insulting her. Of all
things, Regina then appears, shouting and startling Aimee, who goes on
attack. It's her business if she's there -- and Regina is sounding
like a jealous rival! Well, if Regina thinks Juan's presence will
bring Aimee down, she's dead wrong!

She'll fight for what she has left, and she's not going to lose
Renato! He's hers! Hers! Regina is completely confused as Aimee
exits, having enough. Regina wonders what could have possibly
happened. Glancing around at the mats and signs of habitation, Regina
realizes this was their meeting place. And then it dawns on her with
amazement that Juan did come here and talk to Aimee -- and rebuffed her!

Back at the finca, Arcadio drums up another argument with Leonarda in
a hallway including the usual suspects of his loss of status and
threats; she's not afraid of him at all and doesn't help with her
woeful tale of missing Rodrigo so terribly. This enrages Arcadio who
grabs her, whereupon Renato discovers them in flagrante and shouts
out. Arcadio and Leonarda agree to the lame explanation that she
fell, which Renato doesn't believe, but lets pass after raking Arcadio
over the coals again. The purpose of this scene becomes more apparent
at a later moment.

In the girls' bedroom at the casino, the "sisters" solicitously tend
to Lulu, who lies on the bed. They await the doctor, and presently
Dr. Pablo enters. After a couple of questions and a look or two, Pablo
determines Lulu hasn't been eating properly and is anemic. The doctor
writes out a prescription, and as he's leaving, Fifi invites him to
come visit them sometime.

Dr. Pablo demures but reminds them any time he's needed, he'll be at
their service. Great guy. If Lulu is not pregnant, then the reason I
can see for this scene is introducing the doctor to the girls. The
third girl does need a fellow. Pablo'd never visit there otherwise;
Lulu laments after he exits that his type of gentlemen unfortunately
never sets his sights on girls like them.

At the gypsy camp, Griselda and Servando complain they're short of
cash and wonder if the gypsy kidnapping scare has subsided in town.
Jimena enters and relates how, oddly enough, no one wanted her to read
their palm; so she came home broke. Well, that's their answer; and
Griselda and Servando head off to raise some dough after Griselda
first ordering Jimena to the river to slave over the laundry.

Several long scenes ensue during the rest of the episode in the
environs of the river, involving Jimena, water, dancing, bare skin,
eventually Gabriel and a horse, lots of fun, music, splashing,
horseback riding and swimming clothed. Jimena and Gabriel have a fine
time doing the laundry. At the end of the last such scene, Gabriel is
overcome with Jimena's beauty and tells her so. But no kiss on the
lips.

In a scene that probably has more to do with tomorrow (according to
the previews), in her cell, María del Rosario entertains and delights
her companion, friend and caretaker, Mirta, with stories of wonderful
moments she and Juan de Dios stole from under the noses of Leonarda
and Rodrigo. María del Rosario appreciates Mirta very much and
promises to tell Juan de Dios how good Mirta has been to her when he
comes for her. Then he does so once again, in the guise of a dove.

A pleasant scene, in contrast to the hellish one developing down the
hall, brought on by the intolerable events of Arcadio's previous
scene. He is now full of fury; and in an alcohol-fueled rage, begins
tearing up the place and turning over furniture -- where he finds the
keepsake chest belonging to the twins' mother.

On the excuse of a shopping trip, Leonarda visits Rodrigo at the town
house and begins to relate to him her suspicions about the various
Juans San Roman. It makes her feel a little uneasy she says, and
doesn't Rodrigo think the two men resemble each other? Rodrigo thinks
back to the night he had a gun to Juan de Dios's forehead in the
bedroom -- and decides not. No, no. They don't resemble each other,
he decides.

But Rodrigo generously grants it's ok that Leonarda asked; she's only
worried about him, he understands. Then onto business. Won't
Leonarda please convince Aimee to put all her inheritance she received
upon her wedding into the lumber investment, Rodrigo asks. Of course,
Leonarda will do anything Rodrigo asks. Not to worry. Later the
scene continues; and as the two take tea, Leonarda calmly assures
Rodrigo she'll make Juan's life miserable; and failing that, she'll
offer him money to leave -- all so that Rodrigo can return home to her.

Back in the catacombs, drunken Arcadio rifles through the keepsake
chest of the twins' mother and pulls out the precious note the mother
left for her girls. Huh, what's this... Arcadio drops down onto an
old bedstead and reads it. We can hear in the woman's own voice how
she indicts Leonarda for her death, that Leonarda slowly poisoned
her. Even drunk, Arcadio is gleeful that he has ammunition to really
make Leonarda do what he wants now. Either she does his bidding or she
goes to prison.

When Clemencia finally makes a visit to Magda at the casino, it's not
a happy occasion. Magda is already in tears, as usual; but she is
truly startled by the urgency in Clemencia's demeanor. What in heaven
could be wrong with Rosenda! Tell her! Clemencia is loathe to say
it, but Rosenda has become mixed up with Don Rodrigo.

Finally, after a long day hand feeding and watering the troops, Juan
and Remigio pause at a refreshing stream, where Juan lays out his
plans for the workers, including no women or children working -- and
if the elders want to work, only light duty. Juan doesn't think he'll
have any trouble pushing his agenda, since he's the boss now. Remigio
reminds him he's also technically an owner, as well. All this is
Juan's fortune, too, as a Montes de Oca. But Juan is unmoved; when
he's finished, this fortune will all be turned to dust.

The previews look interesting. Harkening back to the scene with María
del Rosario, Remigio relates to Juan that a woman with a veil is
Arcadio's wife. Juan is fascinated. In another preview, Aimee is
shown agreeing to follow her dad's investment advice; so they'll both
go down in flames. And in another, the fisher folks are calling the
cops on Servando and Griselda. In the last one, Jimena effuses to
Regina what a good man Juan is. Try him, you'll like him!

Jeri

Labels: salvaje

Alternate title #1: Where in the world is Valentina? (Thanks JeffMN!)

Alternate title #2: All the air comes out of the balloon. Can we put it back in? (Thanks Hombre!)

Kris is traveling today and the rest of the week so cannot do tonight's recap. You are all invited to drop by with your opinions and feelings on tonight's episode. If you wish to share your rendition of your favorite scene or scenes by all means feel free. I may combine recaplets into one recap, or just do a quickie if the spirit moves me. If several of us are moved then so much the better. The more the merrier I always say.

Tonight's title courtesy of JudyB. She's right, our characters just want to be loved. Don't we all?


From Carlos: Tano's call, informing him that Lobo is wanted in Chicago for spousal abuse and attempted murder was very well-timed, snapping Mao out of his grumpy pity party just as our new and improved Coni along with Beto deliver Wolfboy all bagged up in a net ready for delivery. Love Coni's little extra kicks to a helpless wolf. Nice hasn't completely dampened her enthusiasm for a little taste here and there of well-directed aggression. Her revelation of Isabel's thwarted attempt to poison Moni during the fight gives an urgency to find Moni and Isabel before Snakelady succeeds in fulfilling her malicious mission.

Meanwhile, a conflicted and very dramatic Ximy expels the Klunders, choosing to dress in the black raiment of a grieving widow, instead of the inflammatory scarlet she had originally planned to wear. Interestingly she invited her true soul mate Lalo over for consultation. Too bad that he nixes the strawberry daiquiris.

Taking the rejuvenated Sal's motorcycle to the vecindad to apologize to Moni, Mao finds the apartment abandoned. Oh no!

Thus begins tonight's rather fun episode. Next!

Sylvia pipes up: Sal and Gabi had their first "argument", she didn't want to ride on the new motorcycle that Sal just purchased that morning. However Mauricio, who had just exited the building, did. He needed it to ride over to Valentina's. If you know anything at all about how boys feels about their motorcycles then you'll know that Sal is a VERY good friend for loaning Mau his wheels.

JudyB's turn: Oh, and our alternate universe pixie DID tell Lalu that the reason she couldn't choose between the two bros was because she'd like to keep 'em both. So we're ready for our next telenovela!


Back to Carlos: As Mao is leaving on the moto Cristian and his retinue of cops arrive to take charge of Lobo. Hearing of Issy's plan to off Moni, Cristian has the others pile into his patrol car to accompany him to the 'hood to arrest the murderous reptile. Sal wants to drive. "Negativo."

The Puppy meets with his Cougar over soft drinks to tell her of his plan to study abroad as soon as he finishes high school. She has mixed emotions about this.

Iván makes it clear to the predatory Alejandra that he only has eyes for the screechy Luisa.

Sylvia again: Carlos is too modest to tell you himself that his beloved Coni, possibly basking in the good will generated by her role in protecting her new sister from El Lobo, reveals to Beto, Nieves and Marcos that Isa had planned to murder her own daughter during the fight. What was in the bottle that Beto swapped out wasn't water but...POISON! Caras impactadas all around.

And our dashing Man of Mystery completes it for us: As he walks outside, all the other characters arrive, and are impactados to hear that Moni and her Mom have left, taking everything. There’s no note, no clue, as to where they went. Estre’s not home, so they decide to ask the neighbors if anyone knows anything. Coni, holding her father’s hand, sadly tells Mau that Isabel is very dangerous, and she won’t stop until she’s achieved her goal. And her goal, says Marcos, is to kill Valentina. Mau is really shocked now.

Cut to a white Mercedes, tooling along the highway, Hissy at the wheel, Moni looking at cows. They stop at some town for a bite to eat, entering a rough looking cantina. We see a bald bruiser in a wife beater undershirt. Moni wants Hissy to take her vitamins, but Hissy says the topic of her illness is off limits, they’re just to enjoy themselves and forget about Hissy’s health until the final time comes. We’ll travel and leave behind all those people who hurt us. Moni’s sad, but she’ll try to be happy if Isabel stops talking about those people. Deal. Moni’s also worried about money, they got very little from the sale of the furniture. Hissy says she has money in the bank, and saw a branch (sucursal) in the town square. Moni should order some food, she'll go to the bank branch and make a withdrawal. She goes, Moni calls the waiter over.

Xime’s in mourning, black dress, black shades, as she solemnly descends the spiral staircase. She tells the boys her final three things. Una, we’re not talking about this again, the decision has been made. Dos, really Rolu, Arnie, I don’t want you guys living here anymore, and Tres, I really like this black dress, and I’m not changing it! Arnie is the first to say adiós. He’s sorry he fell in love with his brother’s wife, but he couldn’t help it. There was no way to stop what he felt. He leaves. Rolu won’t go so easily. He begs her (te lo ruego), give me another chance, give us another chance. Xime walks to the base of the staircase, dramatically turns, and tells him no. Their matri didn’t work, doesn’t function, he has to accept it, it’s over. Rolu’s getting tearful, and when his pleading doesn’t work, he decides to tell her HIS three things. Una, I’m not giving up, Dos, I’m going to stay very close to you, and Tres, I swear I won’t rest until I reconquer you, OK? Xime firmly pushes him out the door. She walks back to the stairs, turns, and says to herself “How difficult it is to be a woman loved too much by two men.”

Mau, having heard the truth, thanks Coni for saving Moni’s life the day of the fight. Coni remarks that Moni’s not her favorite person, but she’d never want to KILL her. They wonder how they could track down Moni. Beto suggests Alicia’s house in Moroleón, but Mau thinks that’s too obvious. Coni agrees, Isabel had this well planned, she never makes false steps, calculates everything coldly. Beto says Marcos and Nieves went to see if Cesar knows anything, and Paula and Cris are filing the police report. Coni promises she will help Mauricio find Valentina. Mau still isn’t sure he trusts Coni, though. Coni insists she will show she’s not the same as she used to be, that she’s very repentant for all she’s done. Only time will tell, says Mau. Aldo and Estrella walk in to hear the news.

Back in the cantina the bald bruiser is having an arm wrestling match with another big punk. Moni asks the waiter about them. He tells her those guys always bet, and the bald guy’s the town champ. And sure enough, he slams his opponent’s arm to the table. His name might be El Trucho (the trout). Hissabel returns, not looking too happy. She reports she didn’t have much money in the bank, and has to wait 6 months to withdraw what she has (glad I don’t use THAT bank). What are they to do? No money. The wheels start turning in Moni’s head, as she eyes El Trucho.

Back in the vecindad, everyone’s gathered to discuss the situation, which doesn’t look good. Cris tells everyone that tomorrow an alert will go out to police departments all over the area, that could work. He and Paula did call to Moroleón, and the apartment there is empty. Beto says no one knows Moni’s new cell number, and Hissy’s phone is off. Coni urges calm.

Lalu can’t believe Xime threw out both guys. He’d die just to have one. But what will you do now? Well, Xime’s been reading a book called “How to overcome a breakup.” Lalu wants two copies. Xime’s been stuck all day in Chapter One, but apparently it advises taking advantage of your new freedom to get to know yourself better. So she looked in the mirror, said Hello, and was amazed, the girl in the mirror was just like her. Her favorite color was pink just like mine, it was maraviguau!

Arnie’s cleaning, Rolu arrives, what are you doing in my place? I always lived here when I was single. Turns out they both own this house, in fact they grew up here. They both cross their arms, they’ll both live here, and they can each watch each others’ movements, because neither one is giving up.

Chapter One wasn’t getting Xime too far, so she tried Chapter Two, which said to reconnect with friends, and that’s why she’s talking to Lalu, her best “amiga”. Lalu thinks she shouldn’t have left Chapter One. She does have to understand herself. He thinks she actually loves one of the those Klunder boys, but has to figure out which. She disagrees, she has feelings for both, and can’t stand them fighting. She just wants to escape, have a daiquiri.

Arnie says if you’re gonna live here, you have to help clean, I’m not your maid. Rolu’s response? He starts slamming the broom into the sofa, knocking things over, causing Arnie to quickly don his blue surgical mask, horrified. They fight over a photo of Xime until it goes flying, crashing to the floor, the glass shattering.

Mau is moping in Moni’s barren abode. He remembers his last word, stay with your mother, you deserve each other. What have I done? he laments.

Moni and Ma have found a cheap motel room for the night. At least it’s clean. Hissy’s sad about the money, what are they going to do? But for her, returning is not an option. Moni promises she’ll get money, she has an idea. How much do you have left, Mamá? Three thousand meager pesos ($240.00). Moni takes the money, tells Hissy to rest, she’s going out. Isabel’s worried, Moni tells her Trust me, and walks out. Hissy has a bit of a headache, and when she looks in the mirror she looks very sick, very haggard. The sick Isa taunts her with Marcos’s words “Soon you’ll die, Isabel, your life has been useless.” Shut up! she tells her reflection. I think she’s actually losing it.

In the cantina, Trucho is winning it (another arm wrestling match), when Moni walks in, flashing her bills. I challenge you, she says. Trucho thinks a little girl like her shouldn't be out alone. But if she’s serious who’s her fighter, where is he? It’s me, says Moni, causing the whole place to break out laughing. Trucho thinks she couldn’t dream of beating him. Moni says in a boxing match, I believe I could. Tune in tomorrow for Trucho Talks Trash, but Can Moni Match his Muscles? ¡Ojalá!

Thanks y'all, these group efforts are fun. Guess what? I learned a dicho today that is perfect for us and also for Ximena, heh heh.

Dicho of the day:
Donde come uno, come dos (o tres) = the more the merrier (Lit. where there’s food for one, there’s food for two [or three])

Labels: gancho

Albi walks into his office and sees nosy Alicia reading his cloning diary, the one she pulled out of his desk drawer. He throws a rod, and she uses tears to soften his heart. Which is like using a buggy whip to get your car’s horses to start running. She runs out of the room and uses her tears on a more receptive audience, Escobar and Luisa. Luisa marches into Albi’s office and chews him out for being so harsh to poor little Alicia. Albi is surprised that Luisa is standing up to him like this, but Luisa explains that hurting her niece is like hurting Luisa herself. If that’s the case, Luisa should be sitting quietly, afraid to say anything. In Luisa’s office, Alicia says that she was just straightening magazines on Albi’s desk, and Luisa is angry that he made such a scene over something so inconsequential. She must not have watched the scene where Albi told Luisa that Alicia was looking at client records.

At breakfast, Lucas gets a call that he wants to take privately. He tells the caller that they will talk at the “office.” He tells Marisa that it was Roberto. So after he leaves for “work,” she calls her “therapist” to make an appointment for today. She tells Rosa that her therapist, David, is the only one who knows how to make her feel better.

At the gym, somebody introduces Alejandro to Victor the Hawk Nose. Alex challenges, Victor accepts. Today.

Leo admits to Enrique that Cristina is looking better than ever. Ric asks if he’s having second thoughts about the wedding. No way. He needs a wife who doesn’t look and act like a fifty-cent hooker. Though Leo might have said it more delicately than I did. Just then the AntiCris walks in (love that moniker, Jean!). She brings Ric the article about men who are attracted to low-class women.

Cris tries to waltz into Leo’s office, but Carolina secretary stops her and calls Leo to announce her first. Leo sticks with Sofia to avoid talking to Cris. Ric goes out to greet Cris and trade flattery. Carolina looks on, jealously. Ric explains, aw, shucks, Leo just left for New York this morning. Did you ever notice, in telenovelaworld, there are only three cities in the US? Miami, New York, and LA. Nobody ever goes on business trips to Dayton or Des Moines.

At Little Morocco, Latifa asks if Jade still wants to go find Lucas. Jade explains that she‘d like to, but the last time, Said tried to find Lucas to kill him. Jade made an oath that if Allah saved Lucas, she‘d never look for him again.

The primas are talking girl talk. Jadiya can‘t wait to get her period so she can wear a beautiful veil. Zamira says that she doesn‘t want to wear a veil. She wants to wear short skirts and expose her belly button. She doesn‘t want a husband. She wants a career and independence instead. Haley Mills and Haley Mills decide to trade places, trick their parents, and get the forbidden life they dream of. Not really, but while we wait for the clone to show up, I decided to insert some plot into the plot.

Natalia is on campus and hears Fernando‘s friends teasing him about kissing the nerd. She runs off. He follows and apologizes. She says it‘s true, she is the nerd. He pours on the flattery.

Lucas stops at home to get some papers. Rosa tells him that Marisa is at therapy, which comes as a surprise to Lucas. Natalia comes home early. Lucas asks why and she has your typical teen girl hissy fit. Nobody cares about meeeeeeee! Marisa arrives home and Lucas blames her for Natalia’s problems because she’s never home taking care of her family, and she’s always spending loads of money. He asks her, “What? Are you maintaining someone? What is it you’re busy with? Or who?” She just smiles. She says Lucas has betrayed her with a whole parade of amantes. Lucas tries to talk to Natalia. I love you, you’re important to me, etc. Y’know, they really do look a lot alike. They have a cry together.

Roberto gets home from work. When he goes upstairs for a shower, his wife checks the calls on his cell phone. She teaches her daughter to spy on her husband at least once a day. Andrea warns that he who seeks finds.

At Tobim, Ozzie and Miguel have their usual conversation about Ozzie’s new hottie, Karla, vs. his old hottie, Dora.

At Torim, Said and Jade see Albieri. Said invites him to the opening of his new Miami hotel, for the sake of his old friendship with Ali. Said discovers that Lucas is Albi’s godson. When Albi leaves, Said asks Jade how she felt when she heard Lucas’s name. Jade asks why he brought her to Miami when she didn’t want to come? Why does he remind her of things she doesn’t want to remember? He says she’s never forgotten him, and she says he has never let her forget. Up in the room, he tells her that he’s desperate to know that Lucas is really out of her heart. He says all this, right next to Jadiya sleeping on the bed. I sure hope the kid is a sound sleeper!

Leo comes home and finds Diego looking for answers in the bottom of a bottle. He says that he was never as good as Diego, and Leo consoles and encourages his son by telling him he’s drunk. Lucas charges that Leo would’ve preferred if he was the dead one, even though Leo has denied it thousands of times. Funny, I never remember any of those times. Lucas is on a roll. He says he doesn’t love his wife, his wife doesn’t love him, and his daughter thinks he’s a bad father. Now Marisa knows that he’s had amantes, plural. Leo tells him to stop destroying his family; Marisa is a wonderful girl. (Lucas bad. Marisa good.) Lucas says his problems all started when he lost Jade because he was too weak, and because he listened to everyone else instead of listening to himself. Because of his weakness, he lost his only chance at love. Leo runs out of bad advice and simply hugs his son.

Alejandro has his big fight with Hawk Nose. He gets hammered, brutally and quickly. Mama comes running into the cage to save her baby. Back at the bar that looks more like a café, Alex says that his mother has ruined his career, and no one will fight him after what she did. She says it’s better that, than to have his body broken in two. She tells him no more fighting, and no more talk of fighting in her house. Alex goes to find Karla. He wants to get a job and earn some money so he can propose to Karla. But Karla has a date. With Hawk Nose. Who looks about 30 years older than her.

Marisa goes to talk to Natalia. She explains that Papa has lovers. Not one, but many. Further, Marisa says that the only reason they have stayed together is for Natalia. In other words, she is the cause of all this friction. Natalia tells Mommy Dearest to separate if she wants to, and Natalia is on her side. The good news is, in novelas, the worser they are, the worser they die. And Florida’s got alligators!

Hilda congratulates her daughter for snagging a great catch like Hawk Nose, considering that he bought her an expensive dinner. As they approach Gloria’s establishment, Gloria comes out and starts screaming at them like Cuban trailer trash. Latifa is scandalized as usual.

Ali calls Zoraida down to be his chaperone, just before Nariza arrives. He informs Nariza that he is leaving for Miami as soon as possible, but Said wants her to stay in Morocco to take care of things at the house. He wishes he had a transporter beam so he could get out of there even faster. Nariza does not share his enthusiasm.

Natalia comes down to breakfast and informs Lucas that he doesn’t have the right to make her mother suffer for Natalia’s culpa. She says, “You’re both suffering. Nobody’s happy. And it’s all my fault.” Have a good day, Dad.

At the office, Enrique tries to talk to Carolina but she slips out. Enrique points out to Leo and Lucas that there is a news story about someone who claims to have cloned a human. Lucas doubts it’s true. They ask Albi when he arrives, and he says no scientist would announce such a thing. Then he tells Lucas that he saw Jade in Torim.

Labels: clon

Especially from Mr. I-Juan-Revenge!

Reggie and Juan have words in the hallway. Reggie knows he just wants to be near Aimee. Juan realizes that Reggie has a thing for Renato--who always gets everything that should belong to Juan, including Aimee. Reggie wants to have a nice chat, but Juan says it's Aimee who has to explain to him why she married another man. Reggie suggests he talk to her and then get lost. She challenges him to tell her whether Renato has ever done anything bad to him. Juan has to admit that he hasn't. Reggie reminds him that none of this is Ren's fault. Juan twitches a cheek muscle in response.

Frenchy and Jimena agree to team up to write a letter to Gabe. Jimena sees the basket of goodies for grandma, I mean, Rosenda. She offers to hand over the basket without anyone else seeing. She and Frenchie get to work. Jime wants a particularly romantic letter…"Beloved Gabriel…."

Leo and Noel argue about Ren hiring Juan. Leo is agin' it. Noel tells her he saw her kissing Rod.

Rod and Reggie argue about Reggie staying. Reggie suggests she stay to keep an eye on Aimee and just visit Rod in town. Reggie begs him, saying Aimee really needs her.

Juan and Renato start talking about Juan's job. Renato's horse likes to kick its legs out to the side while it walks. It's very distracting. Oh, yes, the hot men are talking, let me rewind…Renato says they've got to get rid of Arcadio. He's been there for years and he's very cruel, but Leo keeps defending him. Reggie has been Renato's only friend. In fact, he thought of her as the ideal woman once. She's always been a very sweet woman, but now she's harder and more serious. But he ended up falling in love with Aimee. Renato says he's happy and wants his workers to be happy and to see Aimee as the reason for their good fortune--since it's thanks to her that he's feeling so generous.

Aimee is ticked off that Juan will be working at the finca. Although, if he's there, that means he couldn't forget her. The ego on that girl.

Renato has noticed that Juan's thoughts are elsewhere. He wonders if Juan has a love, too, but he also supposes…Juan interrupts him and says he'd rather not speak her name.

Rosenda sees Rod getting ready to leave.

Leo comes running downstairs, all in a dither, with Noel hot on her heels.

Rosenda asks Rod if he's leaving her to her fate. He says he was planning to send for her as soon as possible. He asks her to visit him at the house whenever she's in town. He gives her some coins and asks her to take care of herself. The carriage drives away.

Leo swears she just gave him a kiss on the cheek, that's all. Noel says he's not trying to make her look bad in front of Ren, he just wants her to tell the truth. He knows about her feelings for Rod, which Rod doesn't return. Leo just wants him to leave her alone. She wishes he were gone instead of Rod. She hints it's never too late to correct old mistakes, but Noel says there's no fixing her mistakes. He leaves and she says she'd really like to get rid of him.

Jimena and Rosenda run into each other in town. Jimena gives Rosie the basket of gifts, from someone who loves her a lot, but she won't say who. Rosenda snottily takes the basket and tells Jimena to get lost. Jimena kind of laughs at her snottiness and says she's going to visit friends and doesn't need Rosie's permission to do it. Rosie starts opening up her presents.

Fed has come to visit Regina. She had already agreed to let Fed come to visit, so she's not going to go back on it. Fed kisses Reggie on the hand just as Juan and Renato come in. Ren doesn't think Juan likes seeing Fed with Reggie. Ren introduces Juan as his new administrator. Fed leaves like they've got the plague, although Juan says they're not contagious. Ren goes to see Aimee, leaving Juan and Regina alone. Juan ribs Regina about always having "God" on her lips, although He has nothing to do with any of this. Juan tells her that Ren is happy as a clam to have married the most wonderful woman in the world. Reggie begs him to leave. She tells him they'll all suffer if he stays. She asks him to please understand and forgive. Juan says he won't forgive. He was prepared to do anything for her, but she betrayed him.

Leo has moved on to blaming Renato for bringing Juan to the finca. Clemencia comes in to see if Leo needs anything. Leo dismisses her, but then asks for the name of the new administrator. Clem says he's Juan Sanroman.

Aimee is in her room crying. She tells Renato she's ashamed because she thought bad about Regina. She knows Reggie is nuts, but she loves her. Ren tells her to calm down. Aimee is just soooo upset about Regina's relationship with that man. Renato says they have no proof, although, he did see Juan's reaction to Reggie's hand being kissed by Fed. Aimee ain't happy to hear that!

Reggie begs for pity, but who had any for Juan. Juan tells her to lay off the whining. He's not like Renato. He's the complete opposite and he hates everyone! Including Reggie. So he wants her to get it into her head that he hasn't given up on vengeance.

Leo is upset to hear the name, but Clem tells her he has nothing to do with the one she's thinking of. Leo thinks they're awfully alike, though. Clem says it's just the name, Leo only saw the previous Juan the one time and he was not in the best condition, they're nothing alike.

Juan rides along, thinking "Aimee!" (drink)

Aimee wants Renato to fire Juan, she's afraid for Reggie. Renato tells her Juan isn't going to live there, he's going to stay at the house of his former employer. Renato asks her what she has against Juan. Aimee says he doesn't know how to work on land, he's a seafaring man. Renato gets suspicious since he never told her that, so how would she know? Aimee says she heard it from Juan, when they were on the boat. Whatever. Renato's sure that Juan will do good work for them. Renato is still suspicious about her attitude. Clemencia comes in to summon Renato on behalf of mommy. Renato wants Clem to stay with Aimee, but she says she just wants a nap. Clemencia gives Aimee quite the curled lip before she leaves. Aimee has a heaving bosoms moment over Juan and decides to go find him.

Juan rides along the coast.

Leo tells Arcadio that Juan has been hired as administrator. Renato and Arcadio get into a shouting match. Arcadio finally says he'll leave, but he has a few things to say first. Leo shuts him up, but Renato wants to know what he has to say. Leo tells him to leave while she talks to her son and she'll talk to him later. Arcadio agrees. Leo tells Renato that Arcadio has been excessive, but only because he's trying to do his job well. Leo tells Renato that he needs someone running the place who really knows it, and also that she really has a high opinion of Arcadio and doesn't want him to leave.

Juan hangs out in the love cave, heaving his man-bosoms over Aimee. She comes running in. She tells him to kill her. Yes, please! Yeah, that's so not going to happen. Too bad.

Leo tells Renato that Arcadio needs the job because of his crazy wife who lost her mind when she lost her child. She says Arcadio has been caring for her since then. Renato can't believe it. Leo begs him not to leave Arcadio without a job, but also to be discreet and not let on that Leo has told him Arcadio's secret. Ren doesn't know what to think.

Clemencia comes into the kitchen with towels. Jimena comes running in, wanting to see Regina. She helps herself to some cheese. Clem says she's glad Jimena is there, maybe she can distract Regina. The other maid thinks Jimena looks like a good girl. She's never known a gypsy before, but this girl has a good vibe. Clem goes to see how Aimee is doing.

Renato says he won't fire him, but he has to behave himself. One more bout of abusive behavior and he's outta there.

Reggie runs around looking for Aimee. Oh, bows on the butt. That's so 80's. She can't find Aimee and supposes she went off in search of sex. I mean, Juan. Reggie needs to find her before Renato finds out the truth…walk a little slower, Reggie!

Juan won't kill her, she belongs to another. He thinks it BS that she's not happy being married to Renato. She kisses him. Juan isn't going to betray a man who's been good to him. He wants Aimee to get away from him. He's crazy jealous, but not enough that he doesn't realize that Renato truly loves Aimee. She's lucky to have him, so what more does she want? Aimee wants him, but he says he's not up for grabs. She tells him he only took the job to get close to her. Juan says that's right--so he could kill her! But she owes her life to Regina now, because Regina convinced him not to kill her.

Jimena desperately needs to talk to Reggie, but she wants to go find Aimee. Jimena begs and begs, so they sit down and talk. Jimena explains that she lied to Gabe about Estrella being sick, because she's sooo in love with him and she's sure he would never love a gypsy like her.

Aimee is tired of being blamed. If Juan blames her, then he needs to kill her. Juan won't. Renato thinks he married an angel, but Aimee is just a ho. Juan doesn't care if Aimee tells everybody what happened between them. If Renato does come after him, then he'll fight him.

Gabe is waiting to see Estrella again, but Juan told her to tell the truth. She met Juan on the boat. Regina seems jealous that Jimena also gets love advice from Juan. Juan has told her that deception is the same as cheating. Reggie agrees that Jimena shouldn't keep deceiving him. Reggie says she really needs to go before some irreparable damage happens. Jimena says to herself that she shouldn't give Gabe the latest letter.

Aimee and Juan keep arguing. He chokes her, but then lets her go. She still think her hotness gives her power over him, but Juan keeps pushing her away. Aimee cries that she's having a hard time getting over him, so she knows he's having a hard time getting over her. Juan tells her to just shut up already and quit lying. "If you really loved me…." Aimee tells him she only married Renato because Juan said she was his enemy, so she did it out of spite. Juan doesn't want to hear it. He grew up in a world of lies, so he knows one when he sees one. She had him blinded for a while, but now he knows the truth. She tries to threaten him with committing suicide, but he doesn't believe she'd hurt herself. He says that if she stayed with him it would be so he can drive her crazy, hurting her night and day, until her life turned into a living hell and she'd paid him back for everything. He leaves and she cries on the floor of the love/hate cave. Aimee cries that she's dying, dying, oh, the horrors!

Rosenda comes home and flaunts her presents in front of the other maid. She also flaunts the coins, and the other maid says she's a thief just like her mother. Rosie says that Rod gave her the money before he left. She flounces out and Clem comes in. The other maid thinks Rosie will end up pregnant soon ("she'll give us a little surprise").

The hos are worried about Madame. They don't like the way Rosenda treated her. Madame says Rosenda has every right to look down on her. She tells them that she sees them as daughters and trusts them, but what's happening is that Rosenda is her daughter, the one she abandoned when she was a girl. The hos look concerned and the brunette feels faint and has to sit down. She just felt dizzy all of a sudden. Madame sends Brigitte running for the doctor and Fifi goes to get water.

Juan sees Reggie in the garden looking for Aimee. He's confused that Aimee isn't with her husband. He tries to joke with her about no "bad" being able to come from Santa Regina. In all their banter, she trips and he grabs her around the middle to keep her from falling. He finally lets her go and she ends up falling. Instead of taking his hand to help her up, she yanks him onto the ground with her. She tells him to quit his joking--she's not like the other women he knows! He agrees, she's very different and that's what he admires about her. He keeps laughing and it bugs her. She finally lets him help her up, bringing her lips within kissing distance. Don't get your hopes up though, it's so not gonna happen.

Tomorrow: Gabe and Jimena keep being stupid; Juan and Reggie make googly eyes at each other.

Labels: salvaje

Ale defends Rafa's position as top salesman; she makes Marino clean the horns and moustache off the framed photo of Medina and put it back on the wall. She is crying a little.

Marco feels murderous as he uncovers Ale's hotel prevarications: he calls the fleabag love hotel and tricks the front desk man into admitting there was no single guy staying there ("Why would a single person stay at a hotel 'de pajaritos'?") Marco has the first of several splendid temper tantrums and, can it be, he throws his cellphone! Hurrah! He gets the last hotel to send him a fax saying that no pocketbook was found in the room of Rafael Medina and his wife Alejandra ... proof! He call Chavez and says he wants to kill Medina. Chavez recommends again that he hold his fire until after he's married and come into his fortune!

Ale accepts the resignation letter ghost-written by Susana for Rafa - without reading it - and says, you and I go to the beauty parlor tomorrow. Susana tries to get Ale to admit she doesn't love Marco and doesn't want to get married.

Rafa and his co-workers make very somber goodbyes. The general: you mustn't become an arrogant bourgeouis. Ramirez: you were an excellent student. Marino: It wasn't a pleasure to know you.

Ale picks up Rafa for their last meeting with Refri, and the salesforce plans to go celebrate her anticipated wedding-related absence.

Dandy goes to pick up Susana - she says, let's leave in a few minutes when nobody will see us.

Ale coaches Rafa: "This is just a normal business meeting, we will get out as soon as possible, 10-15 minutes tops, no hand-holding or embracing." He reminds her about their embraces and kisses. "Can I say 'my love'?" Rafa asks. "OK, but not gordita." They are so tender together. She would have let him drive her to the meeting, but he says because he had a couple drinks saying goodbye to the team, she should probably drive.

They arrive at the lovely restaurant where the Refri guys and wives are very happy to see them. The contract is quickly signed, there is a champagne toast, and the Refris have ordered dinner so Ale says they can stay till after the food.

Meanwhile, Marco has stomped off to the wrong restaurant, the one to which he was misdirected by Susana. He calls Ale and she claims she's at the very restaurant where he is currently standing. (At the same time but on a separate line, VVV is yelling at Rafa, who promises her he'll be home early.)

When these awkward calls end and they are heading back to the dining room, Ale reassures Rafa they're safe - Marco respects her work and would never interrupt business.

The romantic vibe our sweet pair gives off makes those Refris just melt. They get the restaurant to pipe "Amarte a la Antigua" through the sound system, and there is a slow dance for all. Ale and Rafa dance so close. But...

... Marco bursts in the restaurant, runs up the stairs, and makes a huge scene. How did he find them? He called Claudia, she called Dandy (who was doing OMM meditation with Susana at her apartment), Dandy told Claudia, and Claudia told Marco ...

Marco grabs Ali, shouts, spills the beans to everybody at full decibel level. Refri boss is incensed. Ale, pushed to her limit, shouts she had to make up this lie because one of the Refri guys was putting the moves on her. This causes all the wives to start hitting their husbands while Rafa and Marco try to hit each other. Very entertaining.

The boss tears up the recently signed contracts and all the Refris leave shouting. Ale sobs, Rafa picks up the shreds of contract off the floor. "How can I show my face?" Ale asks. "We can start over together, I love you like crazy." No no no, she begs, don't say it, I'm promised to Marco, he took care of my father. "You're wrong about him, I saw him with another woman." She barely hears and finally: "You have a girlfriend waiting for you at home, go to her."

Marco goes back to his apartment, drinks and throws things around. Auntie calls him, he yells he won't marry Ale because she betrayed him with the disgusting imbecile assassin. Auntie cries and conceals it from Dad, though he kind of thinks she's lying.

A bedraggled desperate Ale arrives at Marco's door and begs that he hear her out, but her case is weak and he doesn't listen, just yells and chucks her out. She cries in her car and then calls Susana...

... who's in bed with Nelson. Ale wants to come over and she's about a minute away. Susana wakes Dandy; he jumps up in terror at hearing the boss is coming. Susana throws him out on the balcony and I guess he falls over the edge (she's on the first floor).

... meanwhile Rafa shows up at the usual bar where Jaime has taken up smoking (to deal with the stress of getting macked by crazy VVV). Julieta had previously shown up, accusing Jaime of being strange and maybe having a new girl. He denied it but lit up two cigarettes at once. Julieta sneaks out. Rafa tells Jaime about the terrible night, and that he, Rafa, can't marry VVV because he's in love with Ale.

... Ale tells Susana the night's story.

Susana thinks Rafa should keep working at Siglo since he's back in the hole now that the deal has fallen through. Ale says, impossible - "The way he looks at me? He told me he loves me." "What did you say?" "I can't say that." "You were marrying Marco for gratitude, not love. It's Rafa who gets your hormones surging." "I could never present him to my family." "Give it time." "I can't go home." "You can't hide." "Please help me cancel everything, you've already done it once before, you know how."

Ale drags home where Rosario is lying in wait and is horrified that Marco called and spilled the whole story. She goes to her room and cries. Rafa drags himself home and cries. The two crooked cops harrass the taco guy.

Rafa dreams he gets a call from Ale saying she will go away with him, they can live somewhere near the ocean... but he wakes to a dreary day and has to tell his mom and sister the deal fell through and he doesn't have a job any more either, and not a penny.

Phone rings for real at Ale's place, it's Susana ready to cancel everything but checking one more time... she's happy to hear the wedding is still off. Beltran dances through, $$$ song, Ale says she'll come in and give him the bad news herself. On her way down the stairs she overhears her dad chatting happily about today's wedding with his buddy.

She and auntie review the current state of affairs while dad eavesdrops above. He clutched his heart, I thought he would have a heart attack and topple down the stairway of death, but no.

Finally, Chavez shows up at Marco's apartment. He hopes the hurricane/earthquake he sees there, and the empty bottles, are evidence of a bachelor party, but no. Marco tells him the wedding is off because Ale slept with Medina.

Labels: dinero

Alternate Title: ISABEL IS SUCH AN ASP (thanks to Emilia)

This was a no good very bad day. Nope, the episode wasn't that bad, but the dialogue was fast and furious and I relaxed on my note-taking, knowing I could go back and recheck. And then guess what!? My recorder wasn't working. Grrrrrrrrr.

Okay, now that I've got that kvetch off my modest chest, let's get started. We get a brief replay of a drunken Lobo coming on to Monita and then the scene switches to a smarmy Andres coming on to Luisa. Fortunately a cranky papa Mauricio arrives, throws the punk out, sends a screeching Luisa to her room and that's that. If Marcos had arrived and dispatched Lobo, we would have had a perfect parallel.

Hissy has slithered out into the patio, sees Nieves and hisses that she's left Monita with Lobo so they can get it on together and move past this silly Mauricio romance. Nieves is horrified.

Aldo pops out after Luisa has stormed off and wants to talk to Pops about his marriage proposal. Mauricio sides with Estrella and tells him he has to graduate from high school, move on with his education and career. And THEN, if their love is real and he still wants to be with Estrella, they can get together. Aldo correctly points out the flaw in this reasoning: What about the baby? Then the discussion moves on to the upper-caste greaser Andres. He's a buddy of those creeps who tried to force themselves on Estrella. More reasons to keep Luisa locked in her room.

Phone rings and it's Nieves wanting Mauricio to come over lickety-split to save Monita. Isabel is coiled in the shadows listening. Evidently having Mauricio see the drunken lovefest is part of her plan.

Lovefest is not going well. Monita keeps pushing Lobo away (as Isabel told him she would) and he keeps pushing back saying he knows she wants him (as Isabel told him she does) and that she needs a macho man to take hold and dominate her. (this reminds me of a Frenchman I knew who told me the same thing. Fortunately he wasn't drunk at the time and I tried real hard not to laugh and hurt his feelings.)

Well, heck, let's pull away from this charming scene and see what Estrella and Ximena's most excellent joke is going to be. Estrella charges in, grabs onto a scrumptious Rolu (wow, fun joke from Estrella's point of view) rassles him to the couch and covers him with kisses; which, God bless 'im, he rejects and valiantly murmurs "I'm in love with my wife". Hey, I just want a quick romp ("titirito" =shiver, tremble) and Ximena doesn't need to know, answers Estrella.

Ugh. Back with Lobo. He likes a little sass ("rejega") but now to business. He knocks Monita out, jumps on top and proceeds to slobber all over her. (Hope you're not trying to have dinner while you watch this.)

Back to Laverne and Shirley, Mexicali style. Ximena arrives while Rolu swears he did nothing. Ximene plays the game well, castigating him for fooling around and in his own house. For shame. She looks blank for a moment, Estrella signals her to ramp it up a bit and she sputters on a little longer about how she KNOWS Rolu is unfaithful. Ah c'mon, jumps in Estella, it was just "calentura"....nothing serious. Well then I'm due a little "calentura" myself, chirps Ximena, grabbing Arny and telling him to whip her off to a room and "make me yours". Arny looks dazed, confused and eager, all at the same time.

That's enough for Rolu. Don't you dare touch my wife, he yelps. I'm incapable of betraying the woman I love! Nyah nyah time for the gals now. They're laughing and jumping up and down. Those guys...they fell for it hook line and sinker! Rolu and Arny both sulk. Which delights the girls even more.

Back at the barrio, Mau has arrived, looks in and sees Lobo licking around Monita's face, and doesn't realize she's unconscious. Double ugh. Hizzy slithers back, throws both Mau and Lobo out and the fun begins. Mau thinks Monita was drunk and takes a punch at Lobo. Beto joins in. Punches and counter-punches, a real melee until Christian arrives and puts a stop to it. Dang.

More glee. More sulking. Ximena wants to give Estrella an Oscar. Estrella recognizes her own fine actress skills. Further sulking.

Further acting as well. Isabel is in full loving mother mode comforting a dazed Monita and reassuring her that she threw those nasty men out and now everything is okay. Pounding at the door. Mom doesn't want Monita to answer it but she does. And encounters a huffy Mau who accuses her of rushing to replace him. And off he goes.

Back at the apartment, Rolu's recovered enough to start marking his territory again. The only one whipping Ximena off to a room is me. Even our Estrella blushes at that. Off they go, leaving a deflated Arny alone with our star. She's figured out that something's up with Arny but he won't tell. Not yet anyway.

Ah, another faithless lover. Ivan arrives at Mau's apartment to meet an outraged Tere. No he can't come in. How could he break Luisa's heart like that? Her first love, her first dream!...and now the disillusionment. Leave. Luisa overhears the conversation and we see her crying. Reconciliation just around the corner no doubt.

After the ads, a bloody but unbowed Lobo is pounding on the door again, while Hissy repeats her classic sermonette. Men are no good. Can't trust 'em, don't need 'em, they're all the same. How could Lobo assault you and Mauricio not trust you? Poor baby.

Our disconsolate Lab is at the cantina with Beto. Barrio soul brother reassures him that coffee is no good at a time like this. Accelerates the heart rate. Makes heartache worse. Drown it with tequila, man. Mau's bummed because he thinks it was a planned romance rather than an assault. He saw a bottle of wine and two glasses on the table. Beto, ever the smarter one here, points out that something fishy was certainly cooked up by Isabel. Just like she did with Mau and Estrella. Ya think? Let Monita explain. No, pouts our Lab. I won't go on insisting, begging. If she trusts her mom more than me, I'm taking my marbles and going home. (Lord, I'm tired of these spats, aren't you?)

Oh, nice comic break. Thanks, writers. Connie, looking like an exhausted Sophia Loren in Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, is slaving over a hot stove and turning an egg dish into pig slop, while Nieves sneers and Beto complains about being hungry. Some bickering back and forth but somehow Beto and Constanza manage to turn this into a love scene, gazing tenderly at each other in spite of the jibes. He's endeavoring to get her help patching up things between the ever-battling Mau and Moni. Will it work? Stay tuned.

Estrella is back and at the wash basin along with Monita. The former is chirping on about the great joke she and Xime played when she finally realizes how glum Monita is. A sobered up Lobo comes out (is it the next day?) apologizing for his boorish drunken behavior. Estrella reminds him that he just dropped by to say good-bye to Monita. Our little monkey says Fine, git! And Lobo exits to a song with the lyrics "Quiero que te marchas lejos...no te vuelvo ver". Indeed.

Beto and Constanza are still sparring. He's actually lost his appetite (no puede ser!) and keeps cajoling her to help put our humpty-dumpty couple back together again. After all, they're happy (d'ya think I'm happy cooking eggs when you don't eat! snaps Connie). "Me niego a mover un dedo para aydar a Monita". (I refuse to move a finger to help Monita.) But I suspect Beto will convince her.

Yes, it must be the next day because Rolu is crowing about the passionate incredible thousand and one nights packed into one hot romp that he had with Ximena last night. Sure hope Arny finds a woman he can love like that, big bro' adds with a sly smile. Xime fires back with three things: 1) you're talking about how romantic it was, would sure like to find out what happened 2) how come you say it was so good for us, when I wasn't even informed and 3) what did I miss? Arnie smiles. And the beat goes on. (thanks for the help Hombre)


Oh my. Back to our moody Lab. We see his profile (He IS good-looking. Gotta give him that) and he's remembering Tano's unfortunate chat about all the things Monita and Lobo have in common. Dany bounces down the stairs, finds out Mau and Monita are on the outs again and sets her daddy straight. SIT DOWN. LISTEN. WORK IT OUT. TALK IT OVER. WHEN YOU DO, I'LL GET YOU A LOLLIPOP.

Wow, we need more counselors like that. I love lollipops.

Of course, our nefarious counselor, Ms. Asp, is also at work with Monita. Love isn't real....not from men anyway. Only a mother's love is authentic, trustworthy. But you know, everything has a beginning and an end. And my end is near. So let's just forget the whole world and treasure our time together, my little one. Monita sadly agrees and Toxic Mom quietly gloats.

Back at the office, Marcos is offering Sal the vice-presidency and Sal's turning it down. He's worked his whole life. Now he's going to marry Gabriela, travel and enjoy life to the max. Marcos looks delighted. Clearly he's a sucker for romance, even if it costs him a fine vice-president.

Plan B: Constanza approaches Lobo (who STILL hasn't left town), rubs up against him, says she regrets that they were interrupted at the cantina, and while he's perplexed and befuddled, Beto slips a net over him, Connie gets in a few gratuitous kicks, and they haul him off to 'fess up about the assault on Monita to Mauricio.

And while that's going on, our little Arny is attempting to set the story straight with Ximena as well. He tries to tell her what he's been feeling. Those love letters were written by me. I love you madly, crazily.

Shoot! Now we're back with Mau and Monita again. Sorry, but I'm just sick and tired of their endless spats. I still say their marriage is going to be one long deaf and dumb dispute. However she does bring up a chronic gripe of mine. How many times can you hear someone say "perdoname" before you just want to puke? Otherwise it's the usual and she pretends she's actually replacing him with Lobo. Yawn. After the ads, the yada yada goes on. He fires back that she and Isabel deserve each other. I'm almost ready to agree with him. Hasta nunca Monita. Hasta nunca Mauricio. Ojala!

Arny's in full flow now. I know you're the wife of my brother but I can't keep quiet any longer. I love you, I love you. I wrote all those letters that he claimed as his. Xime is charmed. You mean " my mischievous glance, my tender gaze, my smiles that make your soul sweetly merge and melt with mine" are all YOUR words, Arny? Indeed. Double indeed.

Ugh. Back to Toxic Twosome. Monita and Mom. She needs a hug. She's blue. She told Maurico just what Mom told her to, word for word, and Mom was right. Nasty old guy doubted her. Same way he doubted me, sighs mama. Well, we don't need him. I'm ready to do all you ask, Mom, murmurs Monita. More quiet gloating along with pseudo-hug while Isabel reassures her that she will soon be over it. (well, yes, if Hissy kills her, she certainly will be)

Back to True Confessions. We're now talking about that wonderful bubbly feeling Arny gets when he looks at his cuñada-- like when you throw one of those fizzy pills into a glass of water. Like a mini-jacuzzi! chortles Xime. Well, I have a confession too, she continues. I wrote those letters that Lalu sent you, the ones that made you sigh with longing. So "estamos a mano" (we're even).

What do you mean by "estamos a mano" presses Arny. Are you feeling the same thing I am? Well that depends. Do you feel like biting into this apple....and do you have an itch in your left ear? answers Xime. Whoops. Wrong answer. Arny deflates again and Xime heads up the stairs. Where oh where is this going?

Our final scene is at the office. Sal is leaving in high spirits. Mau is dragging in, lowdown and blue. He's in full sulk, refusing all calls. Paula's in full gear, not taking any of that. When he refuses to answer the phone in Spanish, she re-enters and gives him the message in English, and some whatfor in Spanish and he finally answers. It's Tano from Chicago with scary news. Lobo left Chicago because he's wanted by the police for attempting to beat his ex-wife to death.
Gosh, do you suppose this means that Mauricio will ride to the rescue once again?

Previews:
We hear Constanza's voice saying that Isabel is a very dangerous woman who won't stop until she reaches her objectives. (Mau overhears)

Vocabulary:

prevalecer = prevail (what Aldo's love will do if it's real)
pantalones bien puestos = a guy who rules the roost; what Lobo purports to be while he assaults Monita
titirito = a sexy romp, a quickie...from the verb "titiritar" to shiver, tremble
rejega = mouthy, cheeky (what Lobo calls Monita when she resists his advances)
calentura = the "hots"
ya no aguantan nada = you guys can't take it (Xime and Estrella laughing at the brothers and their sulking)
el apodo lleva la penitencia = lit. the nickname carries the punishment. Isabel noting that Lobo has lived up to his savage nickname (after the drunken attack)
me das alas = you encourage me, you turn me on...Lobo accusing Monita of coming on to him and then pushing him away
"dees es urhent" = this is urgent, Paula's charming English

Dicho of the Day

El que con lobos anda, a aullar se enseña. You learn how to howl when you keep company with wolves.

Labels: gancho

Beltran continues on, saying regardless of the wedding in the morning, in which Rafa gives Ale a pained look; he tells Ale to bring the signed contracts in before the wedding. They both stand to Beltran humming the wedding march. He says husband and wife "you have my wedding blessing, until tomorrow when the money from this contract separates you". Then he points to Ale and says until you marry for real.

As they leave Ale asks for a pill for her headache and takes the contract from Beltran, who is still singing Money money money. Outside the office Rafa remarks how he has never seen anyone so content over such a lie before. Ales’ phone rings and it is the Refri people reminding them about tonight.

They inquire about Ales’ husband and she tells them he is right beside her. Rafa takes the phone and assures them there will not be any lobsters at the restaurant tonight. He tells them he will see them tonight. He hands the phone to Ale and says it looks like we both will be going tonight. Ale reluctantly agrees. Rafa tells Ale he will get started on his resignation.

We have a handshake and a fleeting moment of tender looks and smiles with Ale about to tell Rafa something. This is abruptly interrupted when someone walks between them. And the moment is gone. Rafa leaves with Ale about to say something and decides against it. She looks sadly after him.

There is more Siglo gossip going on with Rosario remarking about the wedding reception not even being held in the largest hall. She seems concerned that the poor couple must be going through some rough times. Claudia is offended that none of them are invited.

Dandy spies Rafa and remarks the prodigal son has returned. He goes to get the scoop from him. He wants to know if Beltran is going to put up a monument for him. Ramiro wants to know what’s going on. He points out that Rafa doesn’t seem very happy for someone that just made such a great sale. The General is certain it is because Ale busted his balloon like she always does. Rafa assures her that is not the case.

He tells her he is just tired, and Claudia chirps up it obviously has to do with what happened at Playa Estrella. Rafa is ticked off at this remark. He assures everyone they were working the whole time. Bow-tie guy inquires about the nights. Rafa is offended by all of this. Dandy wants to know why he is so upset, since everyone is just teasing him. Rafa still offended goes on to explain that the first night Ale stayed by herself in a hotel up to her standards.

We see Claudia in the background with her little brain spinning, silently taking in all of Rafas‘ words. Rafa continues with telling them the second night the Refri people put them up at a luxury hotel. And he explains the last night they were at Playa Bonita as guests at the private property of Refri. In separate rooms.

He is saved by Susana, who wants to talk with him for a minute. He leaves very upset with their questions and attitudes. Bebe chews everyone out for being such jerks. Susana tells Rafa he has to turn his resignation in on paper.

Marino with his ill-gotten expense account in hand rallies the troops to get to the bottom of things. He wants to know why there is not a single reference to Ale being registered on the 23 at any hotel. He wants to know what’s up with that. Marino gives Dandy the paper and tells him to analyze it.

The conclusion is that they stayed at a hotel that rents rooms by the hour. Claudia agrees not for experience mind you (ha ha) but that’s just what she heard. She is put out by Ales’ hypocrisy towards her tardiness. Marino takes the expense report from Dandy telling everyone he told them something was up, and throws it in the trash.

Bow-tie guy approaches Marino and confirms that Marino is going to use all this information to get Rafa and Ale fired. He still needs more information, but at least has a start and invites a reluctant bow-tie guy to lunch. This gives Claudia time to fish out the expense report from the garbage. She is caught by Rafa wanting to know what she is doing. Unfortunately not in time, as she hides the report from Rafa and lies about what she was doing. Claudia leaves with paper in hand leaving Rafa to look on suspiciously at the trash can.

W are in Ales’ office now. Susana is blaming Ale for her hangover. She tells Ale she has a call from Marco. Ale wants Susana to make reservations for tonight for a party of eight. Ale talks to Marco . He wants to celebrate their last night of being single together. He wants to know what time he should pick her up. She tells him the signing won’t be at Siglo and lies to him about what restaurant they will be at. Susana looks at Ale quite surprised by this lie. Ale explains to her that she can’t risk Marco showing up in front of the Refri people.

Claudia calls Marco and tells him she has some important information for him. Marco tries to dismiss her telling her what they had was just a night of impulse. He doesn’t want any problems from her. Claudia tells him she understands but has information about the weekend Ale and Rafa spent together. Marco is listening intently and agrees to meeting Claudia at his apartment. Claudia leaves and lies to Susana telling her she is going to go see a client.

Rafa has retreated to his place of solace (a bar) and starts to work on his resignation. The bartender offers Rafa some food and Rafa tells him he doesn’t need food, he needs a tequila. One that has a good kick to it and make it a double. Rafa is contemplating how to even begin his resignation paper.

We are at Marcos‘ apartment. Claudia remarks how lovely his apartment looks in the daytime. He is asking Claudia what was so important. Claudia shares the notorious expense account with Marco and points out the night in question. The entire time she is doing this she is biting on an apple. (I couldn‘t help but think of Eve in the garden of Eden tempting Adam with the forbidden fruit).

She asks Marco not to tell Ale where he got the information. After all she does not want to get into any trouble with Ale. She leaves a very distraught and angry Marco to come to his own conclusion about the weekend in question.

We are left with a very angry Marco. He starts cursing Rafa and his shirt. He screams he is going to kill Rafa.

Rafa is still working on his resignation and is deep in thought. We hear our beloved theme music and Rafa asks the bartender to turn up the music, as Rafa hums the tune out loud. He asks for one more tequila as he finishes his resignation. Rafa invites the bartender to sit with him as he talks about life and destiny. We are reminded that Rafa is a man of honor and pays his debts. Rafa has finished his resignation and leaves for Siglo to turn it in.

Ale is in her office and Marco has called again. He is fishing for information from Ale. He is one cool devious cucumber. He lies telling her Urdiales is going to P.V. and wants the name of the hotel she stayed at. Ale tells him the name of the hotel that Refri put them up at. Marco says that hotel will be booked for sure and wants the name of the hotel she stayed at the first night. Ale is flustered and gives him a false name. He writes this down and tells her to call him when she is finished with her meeting. Ale hangs up and looks nervously at the phone.

Rafa has entered Ales’ office to give her his letter of resignation. He apologizes for it being handwritten. As Ale bends down to retrieve it she gets a whiff of Rafas’ boozy breath, She tells him to blow at her. He is busted. Rafa assures her he is not drunk he just needed a couple of drinks to get up the strength to write down everything he needed to tell her.

She gives one last chewing out to Rafa and he protests, telling her he has had enough of this to last a life time. He reminds her after all he is leaving. Ale sarcastically agrees not to dwell on things that have no importance and tells him he can leave and to collect his things. Rafa sadly leaves Ales’ office.

Ale is left alone clutching her chest feeling the pain of Rafas’ absence as she begins to read his letter. It starts out with my very dear and precious respected Ale. The day has finally arrived when I say goodbye to auto Siglo.

As she continues to read his letter we see flashbacks of the events that have occurred that have intertwined their destinies. What started out as a curse had turned into a blessing. He talks about how the angry screaming Ale had turned into one of the most special, intelligent, smart and sweet woman he has ever known in his life. He owes her much. He has learned much from her, about sales, about life. The Rafa who entered the doors of Siglo left a different Rafa. As Ale continues to read with tears streaming down her face we go back and forth from Ale to Rafa both quite affected by Rafas’ departure. He ends the letter with “yours, Rafa Medina”. Ale is left drained emotionally and crying.

Rosaura spies Rafa packing his stuff and wants to know what is going on. Rafa tells them he is leaving. Rosaura informs everyone that Ale fired Rafa. Rafa corrects this and said he wasn’t fired he quit. Nobody saw this coming. The general says he is leaving because of how badly Ale had treated him. Rafa says that isn’t why he is leaving. He says it is for personal reasons. He tells them he wants to get back to his own business adventure. Marino does not buy this. Bow-tie gives his little speech. Dandy wants to go out drinking. Marino wants no part of that.

Susana has entered Ales’ office to find her crying. Ale blames it on the hangover and gives Susana the letter to read. Susana is crying as well. She tells Ale that it isn’t a letter of resignation but a love letter. They both decide the best thing to do is the same thing they did with his job application. Forge it and type up their own version. Susana remembers Rafas’ application as the sweetest job application she has ever seen. She tells Ale she at least has to keep the letter. Susana tells Ale that Rafas’ presence at Siglo was very important and it caused many things and people to change. Ale is back to business as usual and starts typing up Rafas’ official resignation. She is barely able to start and gets up to leave the office.

She is met by a distraught General who wants to know if she really is going to let Rafa leave. Ale says’ she doesn’t like the idea but she has to respect Rafas’ decision. Dandy suggests they all sing the beloved hymn in honor of Rafa. As they all sadly sing, in wanders the devil himself, Marino. He is holding a defaced picture of Rafa.(The salesman of the month picture). Ale rips Marino a new one and tells him to clean up the picture and put it back where it belongs. Then she turns to Rafa and tells him goodbye.


Our final scene is of Marco doing some investigation of his own. He is on the phone to the hotel where Ale said she had stayed the first night. He lies about who he is and tells them he is Ales’ assistant. He is inquiring about a purse she might have left behind. He is pacing back and forth working himself up into a fit of anger. Once he finds out Ale was never there he throws his glass against the wall. Cursing both Ale and Rafa. That is where we are left.

Labels: dinero

EPISODE 47:

* Clemencia talks with Aimee about being stuck in the bedroom as well as welcome her and Renato back home. Clemencia leaves. Aimee looks out the window - she’s searching for someone.

* Renato and Regina share a warm hug in the front entryway. She’s surprised he’s returned so soon after the wedding. He tries to tell her about his honeymoon but she’s uncomfortable. He changes the subject and tells her he has hired a new administrator. He won’t tell her the man’s name - it’s a surprise for tomorrow.

* Two ladies pass each other in the street in the dark. Tarzan wanders up to the mansion and climbs the wall like Spiderman.

* Aimee dreams about Tarzan as Renato sneaks up behind her and picks her up in his arms. She giggles like a schoolgirl. He is jealous about her daydreams. She flirts and plays innocent. He’s captivated by the mystery. She claims he is the only one she thinks and dreams about, then asks what took him so long to return to her. He explains he met with his mother then Regina, but he is there with her now. They kiss.

* Tarzan wanders into the front room and ponders where or where is the little traitor tonight? He leaps up the stairs and to the right.

* Tarzan enters a bedroom and stands at the door with knife in hand, grumbling about making the little traitor and her family pay mightly for tricking him. He lunges for the bed and destroys the mattress then goes about destroying everything else not nailed down. (Clearly it is an empty bedroom.) He smashes the long mirror in the corner then looks at his broken up reflection and mutters his “Juan del Diablo” vow to himself again.

* Aimee and Renato discuss his past dreams about the land and the workers and how he now wants to sacrifice those dreams for new ones with her. He thinks about letting Regina handle more of the ranch duties for him. Aimee acts jealous. Renato is enchanted, just like he remembers she acted as a child. They kiss. He wonders if she’s jealous. She says no.

* Tarzan has successfully left the mansion without being spotted by anyone (or waking anyone up). The narrator tells us that he won’t be reappearing there again. Tarzan mutters a promise to “Jaime”(?).

* Aimee confronts Rosie for interrupting her and Renato on their first night back from the honeymoon. Renato defends his wife and scolds Rosie for entering the bedroom without knocking and tells her that between him and his wife there are no secrets. Rosie swallows her pride, apologizes and leaves. Aimee is so very thankful that Renato defended her. They kiss.

* Rosie is crying a river in the patio hallway. Arcadio walks by - he’s in an impossible horrible mood himself. He yells his disgust over everything and everyone at the ranch. He gets no respect at all. He stops his ranting to see she’s still crying. She finally opens up and confides in him how her she is that Renato is treating her like a common servant. (Hello, you are a upper class handmaid!)

* Leona, Noel, Regina, and Rodrigo have a welcome home dinner for the newlyweds. Rodrigo proposes a toast to Renato and Aimee. Leona continues with the toasting and gives her wishful blessing for Renato and Aimee’s future family.

* Rosie continues to cry on Arcadio’s shoulder about Aimee and her lies to Renato. Arcadio reminds Rosie that Aimee is now the lady of the house. Rosie declares that title is Leona’s and only Leona’s. Arcadio scolds her and reminds her that Aimee is Renato’s wife an as such she is the new lady of the house. He leaves.

* Felipe is at the casino stage, introducing the new production for the night. Bridget is alone on stage to do the silent film saloon show.

* Rod informs Leona and the family that he isn’t hungry because Rosie served him his soup earlier in his room. Leona rolls her eyes and breaths deeply. Rod then talks with Renato and Aimee about the ranch and another investment idea for Aimee’s money.

* More from Bridget and her silent film saloon act at the casino.

* Noel argues with Rod about the investment idea and tells Aimee she doesn’t have to go along with it. Aimee says that now isn’t the time to discuss those matters and tells her dad when she needs his advice about investments, she will ask him. Rod tells her not to take too long; this investment won’t be available forever. Renato changes the subject and makes a toast, then announces to everyone that he plans on making some major changes to the operation of the ranch. Everyone’s curious. Renato will reveal the plans tomorrow. Noel congratulations his son (he is one very proud papa).

* Meanwhile in Veracruz:
Gabriel is visiting Jimena at the gypsy circus camp. Jimena is trying to get the courage to tell Gabriel the truth about her being Estrella - she remembers Juan’s advice to tell him the truth - she starts to find the words to tell Gabe everything but Auntie Griselda interrupts. Jimena gets cold feet and tells Gabe that she and Estrella are best friends and she will definitely give her the letter. Gabe is frustrated but accepts the story and leaves. Auntie G wants to know about the letter - Jimena has a cover story for her about love. Auntie G tells her that gypsies don’t fall in love - it isn’t part of the gypsy way of life.

* Man and wife discuss their regrets and frustrations over losing their daughter so many years ago. Flashback to Lady (Mariela) and daughter (Angela) at a garden party. Mariela sits down and watches Angela run off to play. Angela runs too close to the trees and bushes - Servando and Griselda snag her and kidnap her. Mariela looks around and screams for Angela. Man and wife discuss Mariela’s heartbreak over losing Angela and never finding her or seeing her again.

* The silent film saloon performance continues on the casino stage as our fearless threesome tonight (Raul, Fulgencio and Federico) sit and discuss business and gossip over drinks. Federico tells them that Regina has officially let him try and court her now. Raul is happy for him. They then discuss Juan and Sr. Aldama. Fulgencio thinks it may be good to do business with Juan - Raul doesn’t like the idea. Fulgencio doesn’t care and is willing to go for it. Raul leaves. Fulgencio and Federico wonder what his problem is with Juan.

* Rod sits in his dark bedroom - he thinks about turning on a light but doesn’t. Rosie pops up behind him on the bed and starts to seduce and make love with him. (UGH!)

* At breakfast, Renato announces to the family he has hired a new administrator. Rod and Leona are aghast. Renato then goes to the door and introduces Juan San Roman to the family as the new administrator. Rod goes ballistic - he will not tolerate this! He wants to leave the ranch for town and never return as long as Juan is there! He stomps out of the room. Leona runs after him. Noel is proud of his son’s decision. Juan excuses himself from the room. Renato turns to Regina for some support but she just stares at him, and then asks Aimee for her opinion. Aimee says she wasn’t consulted. Renato stands by his decision. Noel applauds him and supports the decision then leaves. Regina tells Renato that he is in charge so she will have to accept the decision then asks to speak with her sister in private. Renato obliges and leaves.

* Renato finds Juan in the front entry and tells Juan not to worry, he still has the position.

* In the bedroom, Rod is still miffed and starts to try to pack up. Leona fights and tries to convince him to change his mind and stay. Noel barges in and Leona and Rod separate quickly. Noel tries to convince Rod that Juan is only a hired employee to help run the ranch, that is all. Nothing has to change. Rod is firm in his beliefs and won’t change his mind about leaving or about Juan.

* Regina and Aimee argue about Renato hiring Juan at the ranch. Regina thinks Aimee should say something to Renato about it. Aimee won’t do that. Regina reminds her about all the sacrifices she’s made for Aimee and wants Aimee to now sacrifice something for her. Ha! Aimee laughs at the thought. Regina grows upset and frustrated with her sister’s holier-than-everyone-else attitude. Aimee reminds Regina that she is now married to Renato for life and the ranch is her home; if she doesn’t like it she can leave with Daddy. Regina vows never to leave and to become Aimee’s shadow and conscience and won’t stop until Aimee has Renato’s child. Just at that moment, Renato enters and asks Regina to explain what she means about being someone’s conscience. He wants to know if she is accusing his wife of something. Regina stops and thinks before coming up with a cover story to deflect suspicion. Renato accepts the cover story, and asks about her support for Juan as the administrator. Regina excuses herself and leaves. Aimee turns to Renato and tells him, ‘see! what did I tell you? my sister is so totally interested in Juan!’

* Juan stops Santa Regina in the front hallway. Regina hates that nickname. Juan tells her that he has always liked her since they first met on the ship. Regina wonders what he wants. He says to get Aimee to explain her deception scheme to him. She wonders why did he have Renato hire him as the new administrator? Juan comments. She wants him to do what he has to do and disappear.

ADVANCE: Juan on horseback riding through the finca brush, grumbling about Aimee’s flirtatious deception.

Labels: salvaje