Refugio Para el Amor #116 Wed 9/19/12 Oh, No, Vio, How Could You; Oh, Dear, the Cauldron is on the Back Burner, but Simmering; Ho Hum, Gagme is Steppin’ Out on Her Man; Oy Vey, El Nferno is going to El Infierno (a non-denominational location)

Recap by Anita

Las Oficinas de los Torreslanda

Lo de ayer – Rod confronts Max with the truth (according to Roselena) about his affair and hasn’t found the right time nor the right words to bring it up until now.  Rod knows who it is, the daughter of Don Jeronimo.  He isn’t going to judge, but he wants Max to think about what it will do to Janna once RE comes out with it and they both know that won’t be long in coming.  Janna is his adored daughter and Rodrigo can’t stand around and let her be harmed.  Max tries to protest that this matter is strictly personal, something between me and your mother, he says and asks Rod to stay out of it (but we can tell he’s preoccupied by the possible, nay probable scenario with RE and the fall out).

Lo de hoy – In Luciana’s office, Selena is teaching her some basic computer skills.  She’s commended on what a quick learner she is.  Papá Claudio comes in.  Selena leaves, telling her to practice, practice, practice.  CL wants to know how things are going.  OK, but she’d rather be making sketches.  CL wants to know about having lunch together.  She’s hungry and ready.  Where would you like to go?  Don’t know, you choose.  I know just the place, says papá.  Rod stops them in the hall—looks like a pretext to me, after the warning he got from Luci yesterday, to keep their meetings strictly about business.  Linares says they are going to lunch.  Rod has a report to show Linares—later, of course.  Have a good lunch—and wishing longingly it could be he sitting across the table from Luciana.

In the TL Master’s Bedroom

Conny is being begged by Roselena to forgive her atrocious behavior from earlier when she tried to shame Conny about her deepening relationship with Oscar and her two wild animals/children (by that she means they aren’t being properly controlled).  Surely she can understand that all this has been hard on her and then this betrayal by Max.  Somehow she manages to turn “all this” around on Conny—You don’t support me the way you should.  Conny says I don’t know what you want, I’m here, that’s a sign of support.  RE begs her to stay.  Conny agrees, but only until the medical tests are completed.  After that, she’s seriously considering Oscar’s proposition.  The look on RE’s face is clear—she doesn’t like the thought of Conny being happy with Oscar, while she’s not.

Lunching at the Oficina

Oscar and Max are eating lunch al fresco under the same umbrellas where Claudio and co. lunched yesterday; fresh flowers on the table and everything.  He tells Max about asking Conny to move in with him.  There’s not much for Max to say—except you’d better not hurt her, she is, after all, my SIL and I care for her very much.  Os assures him that he’s very serious.  He begins to list her attributes, agreeable, pretty, sexy, we get along well, wha, don’t you think I could make her happy?  It’s not that, Max just thinks that daily routines can put an end to love (I think he means the carnal kind).  Os asks is that’s what happened to your marriage—did you tire of it?  No, Roselena is still the most attractive and desireable woman for him, he adds kinda lamely.  Salud.  (And end of conversation.)

Lunching at the Tacos de Canasta on the Corner, Inc.

Claudio and Luci eat lunch al fresco, too.  Everyone is having a good time, easygoing banter, while Fabian explains that they would like to have a storefront, but the cost is excessive.  Then Aldo appears out of nowhere.  He tries to show off that he’s the head capitalista and (main) associate in this taco enterprise.  Fabian doesn’t look too happy with the interruption.  Aldo is anxious to get a storefront.  Lu doesn’t think it’s necessary to start off with a big splash, take things slowly.  CL suggests replacing the old bici with a new one before getting a storefront.  Luci thinks it’s a good idea and also they could sell on different corners.  Aldo is feeling a little left out.  CL says he’ll stake them to the new bici or two, or even three, but Lorenzo and Fabian don’t want a gift.  CL, recovering quickly says, who’s talking about a gift?  Call it a loan and you can pay me back as the business improves.  Aldo steps in to welcome Claudio as a new associate and pumps his hand while Lorenzo and Luci look on quizzically.

In Pato’s TL office

Pato is getting his therapy during lunch.  He can just hold his forearm and wrist up in control for a few seconds before it drops.  Rod comes in and watches and is happy for him.  Pato gets a bro-hug.  Patricio doesn’t want anyone to know what he can do, yet.  He wants it to be a surprise to the family.  That smile of Pato’s could melt a girl’s heart.

At the Het Het Funeraria y luego luego a la Sastreria

Procopio is on the phone with the family of a probable impending customer.  With this news he’s elated and tells Theofilo that the business is ready to expand.  Another call comes in, but it’s Don A, calling from the tailor, Don Perfecto and wants him ASAP.  Theofilo stays to watch the office, but opts for a nap.  We watch as Don A is getting measured for his wedding outfit.  He tells the tailor that’s enough.  He adds that he wants a hat that will complement the color of his suit, sky blue, like the sky above SFdA.  Don Perfecto says it will make him look younger.  That’s good since my bride is quite young (una chamacona).  Either sincerely or because he wants a chisme, Don P asks about the novia age.  Don A mumbles and stumbles and it sounds as though he’s saying 33 (but actually she’s nearer 23), no more than that.  Hmm, replies Don P—she could be your daughter.  Don A replies—and you could be dead!

Coffee hour at the TL Household

It’s déjà vu all over again.  Roselena is entertaining Gala and Julie and the subject at hand is Luci and the bebé.  Frankly as much as I detest Roselena, I wish she would keep these two at arms length.  You know what they say about mob mentality.  It’s easier to commit acts of violence when there is a supportive crowd egging you on.  On the other hand, we know Roselena can work alone, if need be.

Gala speaks, hoping what she says won’t bother RE, but she’s surprised by her complacency… Julie steps in to explain…about Luci and her pregnancy.  If she’s two months along, there’s very little time left to take any “action.”  RE says obviously you don’t know me, I’m not wasting any time.  Her strategy is to catch the fly with honey (with only a little of the acid she can’t help spitting).  [Just take a look at her behavior with Luci yesterday cozying up with that fake smile, while unable to hide those steely eyes.]  Ni modo, she’s finding ways to gain her confidence, in order to get close to her and her child.  Gagame, meanwhile, is vocalizing her constant obsession that La Domestica will bring forth the first born son, while she ends up having a girl (forgive her that much, she’s living in a machista culture, after all).

Again in Het Het

Procopio arrives (don’t know why, though, Don A is done at the tailors).  The two talk about his potranca (filly) and her…ancas (haunches, usually on a horse)…just as Paz & Magda emerge from a store next door.  They get into the conversation.  He wants to know if they’ve heard about his upcoming nuptials.  Of course, says Paz, the word has been spreading like wildfire (un regero de pólvora).  It’s obvious that Magda is still P.O.d at Don A after 23 yrs. 9 mos.  Certainly it has to be someone from outside the pueblo since everyone here knows him.  She wants to know where Aquiles met *her.*  He starts to tell her then stops.  [Ed. note:  I’m sorry I’m not any better at translating the colloquialisms they use in Het Het, especially Magda’s and Don Aquile’s.  They always sound so good.  Magda says Perro de fuera—does she mean an outside dog or does it mean something else?]     

Claudio’s TL Office

Pato comes rolling in to visit Claudio.  He asks about Luciana and learns she’s already left.  No, he didn’t need her for anything, he just wanted to say good-bye to her.  He’s going home—therapy tires him out.  Claudio inquires about the number of operations he’s had.  Only one, but depending on his progress, there may be more.  Right now his recuperation depends on Patience and Faith.  If you don’t lose faith, Patricio, you’ll achieve it, urges Claudio.

En el Barrio

The girls are excited about Luci’s baby.  They have arrived at Estelita’s with the bassinet and are anxious to get started making the colchoncito, sabanitas, cobijita and Estelita will make el fondo (mattress, sheets, blankets and underskirt).  Serena wants to use her ma’s wedding dress and veil for the encaje (the flounce around the outside, I think).  Vio et al. want to know if Luci has chosen any names yet.  Well, not for a girl.  But if it’s a boy?  She’s slightly embarrassed to say it’ll be Rodrigo.  A hush, but not a pall falls over the group.  Luci is probably wondering if this was the right name or the right time to mention it.

The Monochrome-hued apartment

Rod arrives home.  Gala is waiting for him.  He tries to be civil.  She tries to be civil.  How about going to the movies, she asks, I invite you.  No, I’m too tired.  Then he heads immediately into to his Man Cave gym (saved for now) to let off some steam while Gagame is left to stew.  She sees Rod’s cell phone on the table. 

Violeta’s apartment en El Barrio

Luci and Vio enter her apartment.  What started out as harmonious chatter over baby things and showers, ends up being a big argument over Vio’s decision to marry el viejo.  Luci thinks she’ll be sorry for the rest of her life.  Vio finally admits it’s Don A.

The Luci-Violeta Conversation

V-I’m so emotional over the thought of a baby

L-You could have one of your own

V-No, Luciana, I’m not going to be a mamá

L-Don’t say that.  Of course you are—just think of having children with the man you love

V-I don’t believe in love

L-Vio, I know you.  You can’t discard your illusions of love over one deception.  Tell me you’ve gotten rid of the idea of marrying that old man.

V-I’m going to marry him

L-You may regret it the rest of your life

V-No, I don’t believe that.  He’s going to give me everything I want (and she names them—a house, a pool, servants, a cook, a car and lots of trips) and he says he’ll give them all to me if I marry him

L-For Shame! Do you realize it’s like selling yourself?

V-It’s not important.  I’m marrying because I’m marrying

L-Are you going to tell me who it is?

V-Yes; it’s Don Aquiles

L-Don Aquiles, from the pueblo?

V-Yes; I’m going to marry Don Aquiles Trueba Taconar

L-(Luci is speechless) 

Cara de impactada doesn’t cover it.  Luci is furious with Vio and launches into all of Don A’s defects, detractions, disingenuousnesses, disconfidences (not a word, but I was on a roll) and just plain a bad person.  You left when you were very young and you didn’t see all the things he did.  Isn’t the harm he did to me and my family enough for you.  Are you just going to forget all that for your filthy (cochino) dinero?  Vio says people can change and he’s been good to her.  Luci doesn’t think so in his case.  Luci can’t convince her that she’s being selfish, not thinking of the shame it will bring Magda.  Vio is just as adamant that one has to think of oneself.  And no, she doesn’t love him.

Luci tries again.  She can’t believe in marrying without love.  Well Vio does and as for her mother, being the MIL of Don A will bring Magda many good things (oh, boy, just you wait, Ms. Violeta—a pre-nup iron skillet from Don A’s own almacén is at the top of the list).  Luci thinks Vio is young and attractive can still find love with a man, but Vio wants to know where---that’s a storybook ending that only exists on tv.  She looks at her career prospects and working at the Nferno is not her idea of a good life.  But, but, Don Aquiles?  Yes, Don Aquiles.  Remember when you first arrived in DF trying to get away from him, I advised you to go ahead and marry the old guy.  He’d give you a good life and treat you well?  Well, I’m taking my own advice.

A cell phone rings.  It’s Luci’s papá calling.  He’s downstairs to take her back to the hotel.  She’ll be right down.  Vio tells Luci she’s quitting her job and NO, she’s not going to tell her mamá ahead of time.  Luci thinks it’s the least she could do, Magda has been very worried about her.  Vio will take care of things after Don A arrives.  They’ll go to the pueblo together and tell her before they get married so it won’t be a complete surprise.

The Monochrome-hued apartment

Rod is still letting off steam.  In fact, Rod-Not-Redeemed-To-Me-Yet is steaming hot and glistenny all over.  Car-grill teeth (thanks, daisynjay) breaks my spell.  What can I fix for dinner, my love, she coos hopefully.  [Excuse me?  Would she really rustle up a Boef Bourguignon if he asked, dressed in her white scuffs and shorty lavender sleeper and robe?]  Whew, Rod only wants a glass of milk.  A big argument ensues.  It’s the same one we’ve heard before about not treating her like his woman, not living like husband and wife and she’s not going to take the humiliation any more and can she open her mouth any wider for Rod to put his boxing glove down her throat, please?  She flounces out before he can take a crack at her and takes it out on the poor punching bag.

Well, well, La Gagalala is steppin’ out on her man.  She’s changed into something short and tight and kind of cute.  If he won’t accompany her, she’ll go out by herself, grab a coppa, whatevva.  He says she’s crazy, it’s late and she’s pregnant.  Gala doesn’t listen.  Maybe she’ll even find a man who isn’t as boring as he is.  Before she leaves, she decides she has a little unfinished business and talks to herself about the Maldita Luciana.

The Phone Call

Luci goes back to the hotel.  She wonders if she should tell Magda about Vio’s plans.  She decides she can’t betray Vio.  She gets a phone call from Rod’s cell phone number, but it’s Gala.  She’s making her hate call to Luciana.  She’s telling her the same thing she told Rod earlier—but this time with an especially virulent type of venom—you stole Rod away from me, you ruined my life, you have no idea how much I hate you.  I’m warning you, you will be the only one to blame if anything happens to me or this baby, you, you, Infeliz, Criada del Pueblo (this rates three shots of tequila, I would think).  Luci calls the number back.  Rodrigo answers but there’s no one there.  He knows it’s Luci.  She finally answers and tells him what just happened.  He searches the apartment for Gala, but she isn’t there.  She tells him to look for her.  He will.

Sleepytime at the TL House

Aldo gets Max out of bed, but finally gets Max to listen.  It’s bad enough for him to lose sleep over RE outing Max to Janna about his lover, but now Aldo tells him that they’re after him for his involvement with the Nferno.  Aldo tells him a policeman has been sniffing around, pretending to be a client and he found out because that tipo thought he was just a client, too.  He says they have evidence that it is a lavadero de dinero (money laundering operation).  He’s willing to do anything Tio orders.

Sleepytime in Het Het

It’s late, but Luci calls Paz.  Her mamá knows she’s been crying and she tells Paz she just wants to come home.  She doesn’t tell her the real reason.  Instead she tells Paz how much she misses them and it looks like she’ll have to stay in the DF longer, so she and Pato won’t be coming to Het Het soon.  She wanted Namurachi to meet Pato.  She’ll talk to Claudio and maybe Namurachi can come to the DF to meet Pato.  Paz says she’ll give her the message tomorrow and see is she is disposed to travel.  After hanging up, Gala’s words come back to Luci, but she hopes Gala doesn’t do anything foolish.

A Different Phone Call

Rod has returned to the apartment from looking for Gaga and calls Julie.  Yep, she’s there—my poor daughter is deshecha (undone), or so they want him to think.  He wants to talk to her.  Julie makes sure he hears clearly through the phone that she doesn’t want to talk to him.  Gala puts on quite a floor show.  Julie will try to calm her down and she’ll stay there for the night.  Rod says he’ll come by for her in the morning.  After Julie hangs up, Gala muses to her that all the rabia (rage) she has she’ll desquitar (get revenge, retaliate) on the child.  She is seen eating an apple, but no Snow White is she.

Miscellaneous Locations

In Het Het, Don A is getting ready to return to DF to collect his prize..er bride.  He doesn’t want anyone to know and tells Procopio that should anyone ask, he’s out collecting rent at one of the faraway ranchos.

En el Barrio, Violeta is telling Estelita & Ofelia that she’s made up her mind and she’s going to marry ese viejo.  Estelita wants her to think about it.  What if he doesn’t fulfill all his promises?  Easy, she’ll just pick up her stuff and come back to the city.  In fact, she’s going to go give Lastra her notice today.

At School, Janna is still mad at Boris for what happened the day before with Lorenzo.  Lula wonders when she’ll be able to forgive him, ‘cause he’s really sorry.  She can’t, or won’t.  Lula, half teasing, half accusing can’t believe that she’s really into Lorenzo.  Think of her family, her mother would never accept him as a boyfriend.  Janna says she’s not going out with Lorenzo.  Just look at what happened to Rodrigo and Luciana, continues Lula.  Or, what her father would think of his little princess falling for a taquero.

Aldo is driving Max to work and reminds him of the Nferno problem.  Max calls Lastra.  Lastra gets his instructions.  We are not privy to them. 

At the TL Office, Pato and Luci are chatting.  She tells him about having to stay here longer than she wanted.  He’s pleased because he can have her with him longer.  Luci doesn’t pick up on his pick-up line.  She had been wanting him to meet Namurachi.  He’d be delighted.  Why don’t they have her come here?  He’ll send the corporate jet after her and maybe Paz, Magda and Ariche would come, too.  Rod interrupts just by coming in the office because Luci jumps up and makes a quick exit.  Dumbrod wonders if she left because he walked in.  Smartpat’s face tells him the answer.

At the TL House Kitchen, Frigida and Mati are having a funny conversation over plastic-looking vegetables which Mati insists are nutritious and delicious before Conny comes in wanting to know where RE is.  She’s at Gala’s apartment.  Conny of course can’t believe it since she had an appointment for one of her medical tests.  Frigida fills in.  Julie called to let her know that Gala isn’t feeling well (se puso mal).  With her own creative imagination at work, she infers (correctly) that it must have something to do with the way Rodrigo treated her.  (I can't wait to read her novel.)

At Gagala’s loft, she’s on the phone with her office, while RE waits—sort of patiently disdainful.  I’m still very weak, my baby runs a risk.  Call me, I’ll be at my loft if you need anything.  I’ll try to make it in tomorrow, but it all depends on what the doctor says.  (If this show is for RE’s benefit, I don’t think she believes a word of it.)

The Julie-Gala-Roselena Conversation

J-I don’t understand.  Is this why you got married, so at the first sign of an ailment you show up here for me to take care of you instead of your husband in your own home? (Yep, these two brujas scripted this.)

G-Don’t mention him.  His family means little to him. (Of course she means herself mainly; the esquincle is secondary.)

J-It’s amazing, Roselena, all you did for your children to maintain your family together (more like bound, gagged and blindfolded) and look what Rodrigo has been capable of doing for his family.

RE-(She finally speaks and directs her comment to Ga-trala-trala) If you think that pulling this ailing stunt will make Rodrigo sympathetic to you, you are wasting your time.  He’s not going to come and take you in his arms and carry you off as long as Luciana is close to him, ensconced in the corporate offices.

G-What do you want me to do?

RE-Wars are won on the battlefield (el campo de guerra) and not hiding under your mother’s skirts.

A call from Conny breaks up RE’s directives.  She’s waiting downstairs to take RE to her latest dr. appt.

RE-I have better things to do than stand around and watch you lick your wounds (lames tus heridas).  [Ed. note—apologies again, RE and Gala cross words right at the end, but all I could understand came from RE…Luciana...that’s simple no?….]

Do we see a bruja split coming?

Poor, poor Rodrigo, the dumb maligned galán

Patricio and Rodrigo are still in the office after Luci up and left and Pato is actually answering his question.  Well, how do you think Luci’s going to act after what Gala did to her (the phone call).  I wonder how long this is going to last, thinks Rod.  Wise old Patricio says, this is only the beginning.  Can you imagine how Gala is going to react with the birth of Luciana’s baby?  Imagine how she’s going to react if it is a boy? (Me thinks this is the Oracle of Delphi speaking through Pato.)

Rod dreamily repeats, a boy—my child with Luciana.

Vocabulario

Una chamacona = a play on the word chamaco, a child

Potranca = filly

Ancas = haunches, usually on a horse

Un regero de pólvora = spread like wildfire or lightning (lit. regero=hose; pólvora=dust)

Cochino = a male pig; in this case your filthy, nasty, dirty money

Deshecho/a = undone

Desquitar = get revenge, to retaliate

Ponerse mal = get sick, not feel well; any of those (it’s a reflexive verb - lit. put her/himself bad)

Campo de guerra or could be campo de batalla = battlefield

Lamar = to lick (RE said mientras tu lames tus heridas)

Avances:

Luci tells Magda (who apparently has come to DF) that the man Vio is getting ready to marry is Don A. Gala tries another tactic- a crisis with her pregnancy.

-Anita