Provócame

Episode 10

-MARIANO OPENS THE RESTROOM DOOR AT THIS TIME, BUT STANDS FOR A SECOND LOOKING OUT IN THE DIRECTION OF THEIR TABLE BECAUSE HE NOTICES THAT ANA LAURA IS NOT THERE. THIS DELAY ALLOWS PEDRO AND ANA LAURA TO RUN AND HIDE FROM HIM. THERE’S NO OTHER PLACE FOR ANA LAURA TO HIDE EXCEPT IN ONE OF THE URINALS, WITH PEDRO STANDING IN FRONT OF HER. MARIANO THEN COMES AND STANDS IN FRONT OF THE STALL NEXT TO PEDRO, SO THAT THEY ARE STANDING SIDE BY SIDE. MARIANO, OF COURSE, NEVER IMAGINING ANA LAURA IS ALSO IN THERE. PEDRO AND MARIANO LOOK AT EACH OTHER BUT DON’T TALK. MARIANO THEN TAKES CARE OF HIS BUSINESS AND LEAVES-

ANA LAURA: Did he leave, yet?
PEDRO: No.

-MARIANO CAN BE HEARD WASHING HIS HANDS AND THEN EXITING THE RESTROOM-

PEDRO: What do we do now, princess?
ANA LAURA: Were you uncomfortable?
PEDRO: No! I was very comfortable!

-ANA LAURA IS ANGRY AND PUSHES PEDRO OUT OF THE WAY TO GET OUT OF THE STALL-

ANA LAURA: I can’t believe this is happening to me!
PEDRO: And I can’t believe you’re here with your little husband! And on top of that, you enclose me in the ! How about that!
ANA LAURA: I enclosed you in the restroom? Why are you talking to me that way? What are you saying?
PEDRO: At least I don’t have to hide in order to talk to you! I’m not afraid to talk to you when there're people around! And besides, you humiliated me in front of the trainer!
ANA LAURA: I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to humiliate you! I made a decision, there’s a difference!
PEDRO: Well, it was a bad decision!
ANA LAURA: I can’t believe I find you here with Marisol in the exact same place I came to talk to Mariano! What’s the matter? Isn’t there another place in the entire planet?
PEDRO: And what about you? You said you were angry at Mariano and here you are with him having a spectacular, intimate dinner! How divine!
ANA LAURA: This is work on part!
PEDRO: Fine! On my part, it’s for pleasure!
ANA LAURA: I never knew you were such a hateful man!

-ANA LAURA IS ABOUT TO WALK OUT OF THE RESTROOM, WHEN PEDRO MAKES HIS NEXT COMMENT-

PEDRO: And I never knew you were such a spoiled brat!

-SHE COMES BACK TO WHERE PEDRO IS STANDING-

ANA LAURA: Spoiled brat?
PEDRO: Yes! Spoiled brat!

-PEDRO WALKS OUT OF THE RESTROOM AND LEAVES ANA LAURA STANDING ALONE AND TALKING TO HERSELF-

ANA LAURA: I better not say anything more!

ANA LAURA IS ABOUT TO WALK OUT AGAIN, WHEN A YOUNG MAN WALKS IN TO USE THE RESTROOM, BUT STOPS IN HIS TRACKS WHEN HE SEES ANA LAURA INSIDE. HE BECOMES EMBARRASSED AND DOESN’T KNOW IF HE SHOULD COME IN OR WALK OUT. ANA LAURA TELLS HIM TO COME IN, BUT HE DECIDES TO LEAVE AFTER ALL. ANA LAURA STORMS OUT OF THE RESTROOM-

-VICTORIA’S HOUSE. VICTORIA IS VERY AMUSED TO KNOW THAT CECILIA FOUND THE LETTERS SHE WROTE TO LEONORA-

VICTORIA: I can just imagine how frustrated Cecilia must be reading these letters!
FLORIA: I don’t understand!
VICTORIA: These letters by themselves are useless! They don’t explain anything! These letters are part of a puzzle that’s missing half the pieces!
FLORIA: Well, now I really need a drink to help me understand things better!
VICTORIA: You’re right!

-VICTORIA POURS FLORIA A DRINK-

VICTORIA: Listen, I would write to Leonora and Mercedes, telling them part of the events, but to each of them, I would give only half of the information!
FLORIA: Very clever!
VICTORIA: There was no other way, because if Cecilia found out what was really happening…..
FLORIA: There would have been a catastrophe!
VICTORIA: Absolutely!
FLORIA: But now that Cecilia found these two sets, she must be desperately looking for the third part of these letters!
VICTORIA: Yes, I’m sure! Well, we must allow her to continue and enjoy, for the time being, her small triumph. Here, please put them back! Where did you get them from? Put them back in the same place!
FLORIA: You like to play the cat and mouse game!
VICTORIA: I love it! Meow!
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-THE RESTAURANT. PEDRO AND MARISOL’S TABLE. THE EVENING’S FUN HAS COME TO AN END. PEDRO LOOKS TOTALLY DEFLATED. MARISOL IS NOT ABLE TO HIDE HER DISAPPOINTMENT AT SEEING HIM THIS WAY. SHE IS COMPLETELY DISHEARTENED-

MARISOL: Are you all right?
PEDRO: Yes, I’m a little bit tired, but I’m fine.
MARISOL: I’m a little tired, also. Shall we leave?
PEDRO: Leave? But, don’t you like the place?
MARISOL: Yes, but Julieta doesn’t fall asleep until I get home, and it’s late.
PEDRO: All right, we’ll have some coffee and then we’ll leave.
MARISOL: Seriously, Pedro. I have to get up early tomorrow.
PEDRO: All right.

-PEDRO ASKS THE WAITER FOR THE BILL. IN THE MEANTIME, AT MARIANO AND ANA LAURA’S TABLE, THEY DON’T SEEM TO BE IN VERY GOOD SPIRITS EITHER. ANA LAURA IS LOOKING SAD, AND MARIANO VERY TENSE-

MARIANO: Something’s wrong with you!
ANA LAURA: No. Why do you say that?
MARIANO: You wanted to talk to me, and you haven’t said a word.
ANA LAURA: Ah, yes, I wanted to talk to you about my dad. You know very well what I wanted to ask you. But I don’t think now is the right time.
MARIANO: Yes, you’re right, it’s not the right moment.

-MARIANO LOOKS TOWARDS THE TABLE SHARED BY PEDRO AND MARISOL, WITH A CYNICAL LOOK ON HIS FACE--

MARIANO: They make a cute little couple, don’t you think?

-ANA LAURA TAKES A QUICK GLANCE IN THEIR DIRECTION AND NODS, BUT DOES NOT COMMENT-

ANA LAURA: Well, shall we go?

-PEDRO AND MARISOL ARE WAITING FOR THE ELEVATOR. PEDRO LOOKS AT MARISOL FOR A BRIEF SECOND, BUT DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING TO HER. THEY BOTH GET IN THE ELEVATOR AND RIDE DOWN IN COMPLETE SILENCE, EACH OF THEM PREOCUPIED WITH THEIR OWN THOUGHTS. AS SOON AS THEIR ELEVATOR DISAPPEARS FROM VIEW, MARIANO AND ANA LAURA ARE SEEN WAITING TO TAKE THE ELEVATOR NEXT-
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-NEXT MORNING. MARISOL IS IN THE LIBRARY WORKINH AT HER DESK. MARIANO WALKS IN-

MARIANO: You’re here! How punctual you are!
MARISOL: This is the schedule we agreed on.
MARIANO: Very well, beautiful, very well! Where were we?
MARISOL: Here are the prepared budgets you requested.
MARIANO: My goodness, how efficient! It seems being out all night did you some good! Tell me something, how did it go with Pedrito?
MARISOL: I don’t have to tell you about my intimacy.
MARIANO: Ah, well, that’s telling! So you are intimate with him! My God, how I envy this little peon! You are so good on that subject, in that topic!
MARISOL: I can’t stand it when you talk to me that way, I can’t stand it!

-MARIANO HAD BEEN STANDING NEXT TO MARISOL’S CHAIR. HE NOW BENDS OVER HER AND BRINGS HIS FACE NEXT TO HER-

MARIANO: And how else do you want me to talk to you, if it’s the truth? You’re beautiful! You have a beautiful mouth! When you make love you look a certain way……

-MARISOL LOWERS HER HEAD AND COVERS HER EARS WITH HER HANDS TO AVOID LISTENING TO MARIANO’S INSULTING COMMENTS. SHE’S PREVENTED FROM ANSWERING HIM, BY CECILIA, WHO WALKS IN ROOM AT THAT MOMENT-

CECILIA: Mariano!
MARIANO: Yes, mom.
CECILIA: I need to talk to you!
MARIANO: Very well.
CECILIA: Now!
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-PEDRO AND JULIETA ARE WALKING WITH LUNITA AND THEY APPROACH THE ENCIRCLED FENCE WHERE CHOCOLATE IS RESTING-

JULIETA: Poor Choco is jealous!
PEDRO: Really?

-PEDRO TIES LUNITA TO THE FENCE AND HE AND JULIETA STAND NEXT TO CHOCOLATE AND THEY BEGIN CARESSING THE ANIMAL-

JULIETA: Ahum! Let’s see! He says that I’ve abandoned him! That I only ride Lunita nowadays and that I’ve forgotten about him!
PEDRO: Yes? Well, give him a carrot, he really like them.
JULIETA: Let’s see. No, he says he doesn’t want a carrot. He says he wants Julieta to ride him.
PEDRO: Is that what he’s saying? But you know I can’t do that, Juli.
JULIETA: Come on, please! It’ll be good for both of us!
PEDRO: My goodness! Did the two of you come to an agreement?
JULIETA: No, no, I explained it to him, but he looks at me with those little eyes and it’s hard for me to tell him no!

-PEDRO LOOKS AROUND TO MAKE SURE NO ONE IS WATCHING-

PEDRO: This has to remain a secret between the three of us, because you know I’ll be in big trouble if anyone finds out. And you….. –TO CHOCOLATE-…..it’s the last time I spoil you!

-PEDRO HELPS JULIETA UP AND DEPOSITS HER ON CHOCOLATE-

PEDRO: Come on! Eso!
JULIETA: He’s beautiful!
PEDRO: Yes, he’s beautiful! And stubborn as a mule! The two of you!
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-FLORIA AND MAGDA ARE ONCE AGAIN, IN CECILIA’S BEDROOM. THIS TIME, TO RETURN THE LETTERS TO THE PLACE WHERE CECILIA HAD BEEN HIDING THEM. WHILE FLORIA PUTS THE LETTERS BACK IN THE DRAWER, MAGDA IS STANDING AROUND, FRETTING ABOUT BEING DISCOVERED-

MAGDA: If they find me here, they’ll throw me onto the street like a dog!
FLORIA: There! Everything is perfect! It’s as if nothing ever happened!
MAGDA: If I’d known you were going to end up returning those letters, I would have never helped you!
FLORIA: But the only way to find out what Cecilia plans to do with those letters, is to return them!
MAGDA: But how are we going to find what she’s thinking of doing?
FLORIA: Because we’re going to follow her night and day! Common sense, querida, common sense!
MAGDA: Since you have so much common sense, why don’t we leave now! Do you want them to find us here?
FLORIA: We’re leaving, we’re leaving! But you’re going to concentrate on Cecilia’s every move!
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-MY FRIENDS, THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT SCENE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE TAPE BEGINS WITH THE DIALOGUE I’LL BE STARTING WITH. BUT I ASSUME FEDERICO SHOWS UP AND FINDS JULIETA RIDING CHOCOLATE AND HE, OF COURSE, BECOMES ANGRY, BLAMES PEDRO, AND THEY BEGIN ARGUING. JULIETA IS STANDING IN FRONT OF PEDRO. PEDRO IS RESTING HIS HANDS ON HER SHOULDERS, AND IS TALKING TO FEDERICO-

-PEDRO: There are some things you’ll never understand!
FEDERICO: Yes, you’re one of them!
PEDRO: And horses is another!
FEDERICO: What did you say you wretched…..
JULIETA: Stop! Stop! It’s my fault! I asked him to let me ride him!

-MARIANO ARRIVES AT THIS MOMENT-

MARIANO: What’s going on, Balmaceda? More problems? I told you I wanted you to stay away from Chocolate.
PEDRO: That’s not what the contract specifies.
MARIANO: You know what I think about the contract. From now on you’ll be working with the rest of the peons.
PEDRO: But you don’t even know what happened!
MARIANO: And I don’t want to know! I’m not interested! The only thing I needed was an excuse to get you out of the way, and you have just handed it to me on a tray! I don’t even want you looking at Chocolate, is that clear?
PEDRO: That’s very unfair, Mariano!
FEDERICO: Life is unfair, Balmaceda!

-FEDERICO WALKS AWAY-

MARIANO: Yes, and much more to those in your class, don’t you know?

-MARIANO SNEERS, LOOKS AT JULIETA AND PEDRO, AND WALKS AWAY-

JULIETA: This is all my fault!
PEDRO: No, my love, don’t worry! Those people lead miserable lives!
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-ROSA AND LISA ARE IN THE KITCHEN. LISA IS TALKING WHILE ROSA PREPARES A MEAL-

LISA: Do you think Erica is interested in your son?
ROSA: No, please, of course not!
LISA: But he’s pursuing her all the time and he won’t stop! You know how he is!
ROSA: Yes, when Francisco decides to do something, no one can’t get him to change his mind.
LISA: Yes, but things could get a little complicated for him, because Erica believes he’s the one who stole the necklace.
ROSA: She does?
LISA: Yes.
ROSA: Why does she think that? Did she see something?
LISA: No, but she’s saying it was him, and if she wants to, she can accuse him and that would create big problems for him.
ROSA: Listen, young lady, if his hands are clean, then he has nothing to worry about! Do you understand?
LISA: Yes, but if his hands are dirty, you and your husband could also end up in trouble. I don’t want to alarm you, Rosa, but this could bring you some serious problems.
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-ERICA IS SITTING OUT IN THE PATIO, DOING HOMEWORK. FRANCISCO APPROACHES HER-

ERICA: It is you!
FRANCISCO: What about me?
ERICA: You’re spying on me!
FRANCISCO: I’m not spying on you, I was looking for you!
ERICA: Well, you’ve found me, what do you want?
FRANCISCO: I wanted to know if you’ve thought about what I said the other day, but if you’re busy, I’ll leave.
ERICA: No, I’m not busy, stay. Yes, I’ve been thinking. You know that I work at a youth help center.
FRANCISCO: Help? I don’t need any help, I’m not sick!
ERICA: This center is not for the sick! It provides guidance to young people, it gives them the opportunity to see what’s out there for them and make the right decisions. There’s a lot to chose from.
FRANCISCO: Like what?
ERICA: Why don’t you come and see for yourself? You might end up liking it! Let me give you the address.
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-PEDRO AND VICTORIA ARE SITTING ON CHAIRS IN AN AREA NEXT TO THE STABLES-

PEDRO: If it weren’t for the fact that I feel obligated to you and other people, I’d have left this place long ago!
VICTORIA: What other people?
PEDRO: Oh…Marisol, Julieta, the arrangement with Chocolate!

-THEY RISE FROM THEIR CHAIRS-

PEDRO: This place is filled with injustice!
VICTORIA: Do you see? You and I are alike in that! I hate injustice, but I confront it, Pedro!
PEDRO: I do, too! I do! And if I’ve put up with Mariano until now, I can put up with anything!

-ANA LAURA ARRIVES AT THIS MOMENT AND HEARS WHAT PEDRO IS TELLING VICTORIA-
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-CECILIA AND CARMEN ARE IN CECILIA’S BEDROOM. CARMEN DECIDES TO LOOK FOR THE LETTERS ONE MORE TIME. SHE GOES THROUGH THE DRAWER AGAIN AND THIS TIME, SHE FINDS THEM-

CARMEN: Sometimes the items we look for are so light that they slide to the back of the drawer. Here they are!
CECILIA: It’s impossible!
CARMEN: It’s them, isn’t? It looks like they’re all there!

-CECILIA LOOKS SUSPICIOUSLY AT CARMEN-

CECILIA: You didn’t move them yourself, did you?
CARMEN: Señora, please! How can you think I would do something like that?
CECILIA: When I checked this morning, the letters were not there! Are you trying to drive me crazy?
CARMEN: I would never do that!
CECILIA: Then, someone took them from the drawer and then replaced them! But, who could have done it?
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-PEDRO IS SEEN WALKING TOWARDS THE STALLS. ANA LAURA STAYS AND BEGINS TALKING TO VICTORIA-

ANA LAURA: What’s the matter with him, now?
VICTORIA: He feels completely destroyed with Mariano’s decision.
ANA LAURA: I’m partly to blame for that! But I didn’t know he….well, that his only dream was to be a horse trainer!

-ANA LAURA AND VICTORIA SIT IN THE SAME CHAIRS OCCUPIED EARLIER BY PEDRO AND VICTORIA. ANA LAURA FEELS BAD THAT PEDRO IS SO UPSET-

VICTORIA: It’s the biggest dream of his life! But, he’ll have to wait a while longer to show everyone what he knows!
ANA LAURA: Is he really that good?
VICTORIA: He’s better than anyone can imagine! And, what about you? How are things with Mariano?
ANA LAURA: They’re going from bad to worse, but that’s how it is!
VICTORIA: He still feels the same about your lands, right?
ANA LAURA: He wants to destroy me. That’s his only objective! The only one!
VICTORIA: And what is your objective?
ANA LAURA: Not to give an inch!
VICTORIA: I admire you for that!
ANA LAURA: And what is yours?
VICTORIA: Justice! Only justice!
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-THE LIBRARY. MARIANO IS AT HIS DESK. MARISOL IS SITTING AT HER SMALL DESK-

MARIANO: Yesterday, you asked me if you could be a little late, today you’re asking if you can leave a little early, what’s all this activity?

-MARISOL DOES NOT ANSWER HIM. MARIANO GETS UP FROM HIS CHAIR AND WALKS TOWARDS MARISOL AND LEANS ON THE CORNER OF HER DESK-

MARIANO: Marisol, please, it’s only logical that I ask you. You’re asking me for a favor, I’m asking you to please give me a reason why.
MARISOL: I need to go see my mother.
MARIANO: Is that the true reason?
MARISOL: Yes! I need to see my mother!
MARIANO: All right, calm down! You’ll see your mother, but under one condition! You’re going to have to come and work tonight!
MARISOL: You know I have to take care of Julieta!
MARIANO: Well, someone else can watch her!
MARISOL: I have to do it myself!
MARIANO: Well, go ahead then, but you don’t get to see your mother!

-MARIANO WALKS BACK TO HIS DESK. MARISOL LEAVES HER CHAIR AND STANDS ACROSS FROM MARIANO-

MARISOL: And what are you going to do, force me to stay here?
MARIANO: Don’t complicate things! You’re asking me for a favor and I’m trying to accommodate you! Why can’t you see that?
MARISOL: All right! I’ll work tonight!
MARIANO: That’s better!
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-FEDERICO IS TRAINING MATIAS. HE’S SHOUTING HIS INSTRUCTIONS AND THIS IS UPSETTING PEDRO, WHO IS SITTING, ALONG WITH JULIETA, JUST OUTSID THE FENCE WATCHING MATIAS TRAIN-

FEDERICO: Measure the distance, and once you do that, make him listen and take charge! Remember, with authority!
JULIETA: At least he was able to jump this time. Matías is riding as bad as always, but at least he jumped!
PEDRO: Poor Chocolate!
JULIETA: Don’t take things so personally!
PEDRO: It’s not that, but it enrages me to see him in the hands of that inept! Poor thing! Both, Chocolate and Matías!
JULIETA: Forgive me! It’s my fault that they took you away from Chocolate! He’s like a little brother to you!
PEDRO: No, my love, it wasn’t your fault.
JULIETA: I can’t believe he can’t jump that short obstacle, even I can do it!
PEDRO: No, it’s not that, Julie. Do you see how there’s no rhythm? Each of them is going at a different pace. There has to be rhythm or else, it doesn’t work.

-MARIANO ARRIVES AT THIS MOMENT AND ADDRESSES PEDRO-

MARIANO: Balmaceda, what are you doing here? I just passed by the stalls, and they’re a disaster.
PEDRO: Yes, I’m on my way.
MARIANO: Do it now! Now!
JULIETA: It’s my fault that he’s here!
MARIANO: Little girl, little girl, you don’t have any business here, either, so get out of here!
PEDRO: Come with me, Juli.

-PEDRO AND JULIETA WALK AWAY. MARIANO STAYS TO WATCH MATIAS TRAIN-
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-ROSA AND FRANCISCO ARE SITTING AT THE KITCHEN TABLE. ANTONIO IS STANDING BETWEEN THEM-

ROSA: Tell him, Antonio! This boy can’t see he’s playing with fire when it comes to Erica! Tell him something, ché!

-ANTONIO TAKES A CHAIR AND TALKS TO FRANCISCO-

ANTONIO: Your mother is right. She’s the boss’ daughter! You can’t believe you can actually have anything to do with her! That’s crazy!
FRANCISCO: You’re the ones who are crazy for listening to anyone bringing you gossip!
ROSA: Don’t talk to us that way! We are you parents!
FRANCISCO: Who told you this tale now?
ANTONIO: It doesn’t matter!
FRANCISCO: It doesn’t matter? Of course it matters! Because someone wants to cause trouble for me!
ROSA: You’re wrong about that! The only thing Lisa wants, is to help you, just like us!
FRANCISCO: So, it was Lisa!
ROSA: She’s worried about you, Francisco! Very worried, Francisco!
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-MARISOL WENT TO SEE MERCEDES AT THE ASYLUM. THEY’VE BEEN WALKING IN THE GARDEN AND NOW THEY SIT ON A BENCH-

MARISOL: I wasn’t sure if you still liked my visits.
MERCEDES: I do! I like them very much!
MARISOL: I think I’ll bring Julieta to see you.
MERCEDES: No, my love, don’t bring Julieta to this place. Don’t worry, you’ll see how I’ll soon go visit her. Tell me about Pedro.

-MARISOL SMILES-

MERCEDES: You mentioned a little while ago, that you went out to dinner with him.
MARISOL: Mom, you don’t miss anything!
MERCEDES: Is he your boyfriend?
MARISOL: No, he’s not my boyfriend. Julieta and I love him very much. He’s like an angel for us.
MERCEDES: And, are you going to invite me to the wedding?
MARISOL: No, mom, there is no wedding!
MERCEDES: All right, all right! Tell me, did the sunflowers grow very big this year?
MARISOL: Yes, but I haven’t had the time to admire them. I’ve been occupied with other things.
MERCEDES: Cecilia, for example. She’s been bothering you?

-THE NURSE HAS VERY QUIETLY APPROACH THEM AND IS STANDING BEHIND THEM, HOLDING A SMALL TRAY WITH MERCEDES MEDICATIONS, AND PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO WHAT MERCEDES AND MARISOL ARE TALKING ABOUT-

MARISOL: Cecilia, Mariano. You know the Linares don’t like us very much.
MERCEDES: Because they are bad people, very bad people!

-MERCEDES REALIZES THE NURSE IS LISTENING TO THEIR CONVERSATION-

MERCEDES: I don’t like to talk around this place. Everybody listens to everything being said!
NURSE: It’s time for her medication!

-MERCEDES TAKES THE SMALL TRAY CARRYING THE MEDICATION AND A GLASS OF WATER-

MERCEDES: I’ll take it after my daughter leaves!
NURSE: No, you’ll forget to take it later on!
MARISOL: I’ll make remind her before I leave.
NURSE: All right!

-THE NURSE WALKS AWAY-

MARISOL: What an attitude!
MERCEDES: Yes, she’s also a bad person!

-MARISOL, PROTECTIVELY, PUTS HER ARM AROUND HER MOTHER’S SHOULDERS-
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-PEDRO IS WORKING, STACKING BALES OF HAY. ANA LAURA ARRIVES. HE’S STILL VERY CROSSED WITH HER AND HIS ANSWERS TO HER ARE VERY CURT-

ANA LAURA: Hello, may I interrupt you for a minute?
PEDRO: Not now, I want to avoid any problems.
ANA LAURA: But, you’re wrong, I didn’t come to create any problems for you. I came to make you a proposition.
PEDRO: A proposition, from you!
ANA LAURA: Yes.
PEDRO: What kind of proposition?
ANA LAURA: I can’t tell you here, but I’ll be in the city tonight, and I’d like for us to meet.
PEDRO: I don’t know!
ANA LAURA: Please, say yes!
PEDRO: Perhaps!

-ANA LAURA HANDS HIM A PIECE OF PAPER-

ANA LAURA: Here’s the address. Do not fail me.

-ANA LAURA LEAVES. PEDRO LOOKS AT THE PIECE OF PAPER SHE GAVE HIM, AND REMAINS STARING AT HER. HE SIGHS-

PEDRO: She’s stronger than I am!

-HE SMILES-
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-PEDRO HAS CONTINUED WORKING, STACKING BALES OF HAY. MARISOL ARRIVES. SHE JUST GOT BACK FROM SEEING HER MOTHER-

MARISOL: Hello.
PEDRO: Hello. Are you done with your work?
MARISOL: Not quite, I have to work tonight.
PEDRO: That animal is going to make you work tonight?
MARISOL: It’s only for a little while. But I don’t want to leave Julieta alone. Do you think you could stop by and watch her for me?
PEDRO: I’d love to, but tonight I can’t.
MARISOL: You can’t? Well, it’s all right. It doesn’t matter.
PEDRO: It’s just that I have to go to Buenos Aires…..
MARISOL: No, you don’t have to explain yourself.
PEDRO: No, I can explain, if you’d like, it’s really not a problem!
MARISOL: No, everything is fine, good luck.

-MARISOL IS ABOUT TO WALK AWAY, BUT PEDRO DETAINS HER. HE REALLY FEELS BAD THAT HE’S NOT ABLE TO HELP HER THIS TIME-

PEDRO: Marisol, I’m really sorry I can’t help you!
MARISOL: It’s all right! I’ll ask Toti or someone else, don’t worry!
PEDRO: Can’t you leave the work for tomorrow? I don’t know, change the schedule?
MARISOL: I wish I could, but no, I have to be there.

-MARISOL WALKS AWAY-
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-LISA AND FRANCISCO ARE TAKING A WALK. FRANCISCO IS VERY ANGRY WITH HER-

LISA: I didn’t say anything.
FRANCISCO: Do you think I’m stupid? Why don’t you think before you open your mouth?
LISA: Watch how you talk to me, calm down.
FRANCISCO: Calm down? You’re an idiot! Do you know how much trouble this caused me?
LISA: You’re the one who’s bringing me problems! Besides, do you think the rich little girl is going to pay attention to you?
FRANCISCO: That’s none of your business!
LISA: It is my business! And if you don’t stop all this, I’m going to tell everybody about the jewelry!
FRANCISCO: What are you going to say?
LISA: The truth! Because it was you who stole them!

-FRANCISCO LOSES CONTROL AND SLAPS HER VERY HARD. LISA IS STUNNED-

FRANCISCO: Shut up!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO AND PATRICIA ARE IN THE LIBRARY. MARIANO IS TRYING DESPERATELY TO KISS HER BUT SHE IS BEING VERY CRAFTY AT AVOIDING HIM, WITHOUT ACTUALLY GETTING HIM ANGRY-

PATRICIA: Stop! Stop! Mariano, this is not why I came!
MARIANO: Then, tell me why did you come?
PATRICIA: I came so you could tell me how serious is Ignacio’s situation!
MARIANO: No, no, please! Are you really worried about that?
PATRICIA: Not because of him, but I’m worried about my future.
MARIANO: Ah! In that case, you have nothing to worry about, because I’ll take care of you. I’m going to give you everything you deserve! Everything!

-THEY ARE ABOUT TO KISS, WHEN THERE’S A KNOCK ON THE DOOR. THEY IMMEDIATELY SEPARATE, BUT NOT FAST ENOUGH, AND IGNACIO WALKS IN THE LIBRARY AND SURPRISES THEM. MARIANO LEANS BACK AND SITS ON A CORNER OF THE DESK. PATRICIA STAYS ROOTED TO THE FLOOR, BUT LOOKS VERY NERVOUS-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CECILIA IS IN HER BEDROOM, ACCOMPANIED BY CARMEN. CECILIA IS READING FROM ONE OF THE LETTERS VICTORIA SENT LEONORA. CARMEN IS LOOKING VERY WORRIED AND ADVISES CECILIA NOT TO CONTINUE READING-

CECILIA: “I don’t understand how Alvaro could do this to me. It is precisely at this moment, that I find out that Cecilia is pregnant. With everything we have going right now, how could he, how could he? After all the promises he made to me.” This is sickening!
CARMEN: There’s no need for you to continue with this, señora!

-CECILIA IGNORES CARMEN AND CONTINUES READING-

CECILIA: “The reason I’ve decided to leave the country, is not easy to explain. To find out the reason, you’ll need to see Meche (Mercedes). Roberto will take my letter to her, like always.” Roberto!
She’s referring to your husband!
CARMEN: No, I don’t know! I need to leave, I’m not feeling well. This is disgusting! This is immoral, señora! Excuse me!

-CARMEN WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM, AND CECILIA, FOR ONCE, IS SPEECHLESS-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

-MARIANO IS NERVOUSLY EXPLAINING TO IGNACIO WHY PATRICIA IS IN THE LIBRARY WITH HIM. PATRICIA AND HIM ARE NOT SURE HOW MUCH IGNACIO WAS ABLE TO SEE WHEN HE WALKED IN-

MARIANO: She came to talk to me about precisely about your situation!
IGNACIO: I see. And did you come to a solution?
MARIANO: No, no. Yes! I was explaining to her that we’re having a few problems.
PATRICIA: Yes, I came to tell Mariano that we need something more specific to assure your safety.
IGNACIO: Yes, of course. A document where it specifies that we all are responsible for everything. When I say everything, I’m referring to everything that happened. Don’t you agree?
MARIANO: Yes, yes, of course! That would be the ideal thing, right? That way, we would all be held accountable!
IGNACIO: That would be the fair thing to do!
MARIANO: Yes, of course! But you know very well I do not decide these things! Why don’t we leave this for another moment? Excuse me!

-MARIANO WALKS OUT, LEAVING PATRICIA TO FACE IGNACIO ALONE. SHE WALKS UP TO IGNACIO AND GIVES HIM A SMALL HUG-

PATRICIA: Do you see my love, we’ll soon have everything we need!
IGNACIO: Yes, it looks that way.

-PATRICIA IS CARESSING HIS HAIR AND IS WORRIED THAT HE MIGHT SAY SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN HER AND MARIANO. IGNACIO IS VERY QUIET-

PATRICIA: Is something wrong?
IGNACIO: No. What could be wrong?
PATRICIA: No, nothing! What could be wrong? I hope everything comes out all right, my love.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE ASYLUM- MERCEDES IS ASLEEP. VICTORIA IS IN THE ROOM AND CARESSES MERCEDES’ HAIR SLOWLY, TO WAKE HER UP WITHOUT SCARING HER. MERCEDES WAKES UP AND IS STARTLED TO SEE SOMEONE IN THE ROOM WITH HER-

VICTORIA: Sh! Sh! Mechita! Mechita, it’s me! Victoria!

-MERCEDES IS VERY HAPPY TO SEE HER. SHE SITS UP IN AND EMBRACES VICTORIA-

MERCEDES: Vicky! Vicky! Vicky!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

THE LIBRARY. MARISOL HAD TO COME IN TO WORK THAT NIGHT BECAUSE SHE TOOK TIME OFF EARLY DURING THE DAY, TO GO SEE HER MOTHER. SHE’S NOW SITTING AT HER DESK. MARIANO IS STANDING BEHIND HER AND IS DICTATING TO HER FROM A DOCUMENT-

MARIANO: “The national championship that will take place at the estancia belonging to the Villalobos family…..”
MARISOL: Mariano, could you please go a little slower, please?
MARIANO: Are you tired?
MARISOL: A little. I need you to please read a little slower.
MARIANO: No, we’re going to leave things for now. After all, there’s no hurry. We’ll continue tomorrow. Is that all right?
MARISOL: As you wish.

-MARIANO PUTS THE DOCUMENT DOWN ON MARISOL’S DESK. HE THEN STANDS BEHIND HER CHAIR. MARISOL TRIES TO STAND UP, BUT MARIANO PUTS HIS HANDS ON HER SHOULDERS AND STARTS CARESSING HER-

MARIANO: You’re very tense!
MARISOL: Yes. I will take something for it at home. If you need me anymore I’ll leave now!

-MARISOL ONCE AGAIN, TRIES TO STAND UP AND LEAVE, BUT MARIANO FORCIBLY KEEPS HER DOWN ON THE CHAIR-

MARIANO: No, no! Come here! Stay! Sit down! Relax, come on!
MARISOL: I’m relaxed! I have to leave!

-MARISOL STANDS AND TRIES TO LEAVE, BUT MARIANO GRABS HER BY THE ARMS AND TRIES TO KISS HER-

MARIANO: No, you’re not relaxed, but I know you like this!
MARISOL: No, I don’t like it!

-MARISOL STARTS STRUGGLING WITH HIM AND SHE MANAGES TO PUSH HIM AWAY FROM HER. MARIANO FALLS TO THE FLOOR. MARISOL THEN RUNS OUT OF THE LIBRARY, LEAVING MARIANO ON THE FLOOR, ANGRY THAT HE HURT HIS HAND WHILE FALLING. HE YELLS-

MARIANO: Where are you going!

-HE RUNS OUT OF THE LIBRARY AND CHASES AFTER HER-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA IS IN HER APARTMENT IN THE CITY. HER FRIEND SAMANTHA, THE ARTIST, IS WITH HER-

SAMANTHA: We have to chose two of them, and send them to Germany.
ANA LAURA: Excuse me. Are you telling me you want to exhibit two of my works in Germany?
SAMANTHA: Of course! That’s the reason I asked for them! We send them, we find out what happens! We don’t lose anything by trying!
ANA LAURA: No, no, Sami! You don’t have to feel obligated to send my work to Germany, really!
SAMANTHA: I know I don’t have to! But I trust completely in your talent, and I want to see what the outside response is!
ANA LAURA: Well, all right, Sami, thank you! It was stupid to think I could ever stay away from all this!

-ANA LAURA SUDDENLY TAKES SAMANTHA’S ARM AND CHECKS THE TIME ON SAMANTHA’S WATCH-

SAMANTHA: Is it my imagination, or you’re acting a little anxious!
ANA LAURA: Yes, I’m a little anxious! Pedro and I had agreed to meet here, but….
SAMANTHA: So it is Pedro!
ANA LAURA: Yes, he was supposed to be here, but he seems to be running a little late!
SAMANTHA: Perhaps something came up!
ANA LAURA: But we agreed on the time, he should be here already!
SAMANTHA: This man really got to you! I can see that in a very short time he’s come to mean something to you!
ANA LAURA: Yes! Yes! Yes! You noticed! But, I swear to you, if he doesn’t show up, I’ll kill him!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL, AFTER RUNNING FROM THE LIBRARY, REACHES THE BARN. MARIANO HAS BEEN CHASING AFTER HER AND HE CATCHES UP WITH HER AND FOLLOWS HER INTO THE BARN. HE GRABS HER AND PUSHES HER AGAINST THE WALL. MARISOL IS SCREAMING FOR HIM TO RELEASE HER. SHE’S VERY SCARED AND CONTINUES SCREAMING. MARIANO THEN COVERS HER MOUTH WITH HIS HAND TO PREVENT ANYONE FROM HEARING MARISOL’S SCREAMS-

MARIANO: Come here, come here!
MARISOL: No! Let me go! Let me go! No! No!
MARIANO: Be quiet! You know you like me!
MARISOL: No! No!
MARIANO: Yes! Yes! You like me and I like you! You’re going to be quiet and we’re going to do things the way they have to be done! Don’t talk! Don’t talk!

-MARIANO REMOVES HIS HAND FROM HER MOUTH AND MARISOL TAKES THIS MOMENT TO SCREAM LOUDLY ONCE AGAIN. MARIANO BECOMES VERY ANGRY-

MARIANO: Be quiet or I’m going to kill you! I will kill you!

-AT THIS VERY MOMENT, PEDRO COMES INTO THE BARN. MARIANO SEES HIM AND RELEASES MARISOL. HE ANGRILY WALKS TOWARDS PEDRO.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

MERCEDES: Things have changed a lot since you left. Leonora died, and I…..everything is lost, Victoria!
VICTORIA: Who brought you here?
MERCEDES: I don’t know!
VICTORIA: You don’t remember?
MERCEDES: No. Things get mixed up in my head. It’s like the little music box mom had, do you remember it? I don’t know what happened to it!
VICTORIA: You don’t remember who brought you to this place?
MERCEDES: I remember it was made of ceramic, it was painted in different colors, and that I never saw it again! Just like the puppets! I wonder what happened! They disappeared!
VICTORIA: But the letters! Remember the letters I used to send you? Did they also disappear?
MERCEDES: I don’t remember any letters. Forgive me, please, I’m a little lost! I realize I’m a little lost!
VICTORIA: Don’t worry! It doesn’t matter! It’s not important!
MERCEDES: You look beautiful! You always looked beautiful and very elegant! Beautiful hat, beautiful coat! Just look at the material this coat is made of!
VICTORIA: Do you like the coat?
MERCEDES: It’s beautiful!
VICTORIA: It’s yours! Do you like the hat? It’s also yours! Here, take them!
MERCEDES: Don’t put the hat on me!
VICTORIA: But it looks wonderful on you!

-VICTORIA TRIES THE HAT ON MERCEDES AND TELLS HER IT LOOKS GREAT ON HER-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

MARIANO: Get out of here!
PEDRO: I’m living, but Marisol is coming with me!
MARIANO: No, no! Marisol is staying right here! We’re discussing work!
PEDRO: Is that true, Marisol?

-MARISOL DOESN’T SAY A WORD, BUT SHAKES HER HEAD TO LET PEDRO KNOW IS NOT TRUE WHAT MARIANO IS SAYING. MARIANO TURNS AROUND JUST IN TIME TO SEE MARISOL SHAKING HER HEAD NO. HE BECOMES ANGRY AND STARTS YELLING AT MARISOL-

MARIANO: Yes! It’s true! It’s true! I don’t like women who lie!

-PEDRO SEES HOW UPSET MARISOL IS AND DOESN’T WANT TO MAKE THINGS WORSE, BUT HE’S HAD ENOUGH AND YELLS AT MARIANO:

PEDRO: Enough, Mariano!

-MARIANO ANGRILY LEAVES THE BARN. PEDRO SLOWLY APPROACHES MARISOL AND TALKS TO HER IN SOFT TONES-

PEDRO: Did he hurt you?

-MARISOL IS TOO TRAUMATIZED TO TALK. SHE BEGINS CRYING AND DOESN’T ANSWER PEDRO’S QUESTION. PEDRO COMES CLOSER AND ASKS HER AGAIN IF MARIANO HARMED HER-

PEDRO: Marisol! Did he hurt you?

-MARISOL IS SOBBING LOUDLY AND BACKS AWAY FROM PEDRO-

MARISOL: Don’t touch me! Don’t touch me! Don’t anybody touch me! Please! Don’t anybody touch me!

-MARISOL CONTINUES BACKING AWAY FROM PEDRO UNTIL SHE REACHES THE WALL. SHE THEN SLIDES DOWN TO THE FLOOR CRYING, AND HOLDING HER HEAD IN HER HANDS. PEDRO KNEELS DOWN IN FRONT OF HER AND TRIES TO CONSOLE HER-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-FLORIA IS SERENELY SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM DRINKING COFFEE. MARIANO IS STANDING IN FRONT OF HER, VERY UPSET-

MARIANO: Your granddaughter is fantastic and I’m a monster. Is that what you’re trying to say?

-CECILIA WALKS IN THE HOUSE AT THAT MOMENT-

CECILIA: Querido, what’s wrong? Are you arguing with Floria?
MARIANO: Mother, mother, of course I’m not arguing with Floria! It’s impossible to argue with her!
FLORIA: He got angry when I told him Anita would be staying in her Buenos Aires apartment!
CECILIA: Well, she probably wanted to stay and spend time with her girlfriend, that’s normal. MARIANO: I don’t care! She should be sleeping at home with her husband!

-GUNTHER COMES IN THE ROOM AND ADDRESSES PATRICIA-

GUNTHER: Frau called?
CECILIA: Yes, I want you to bring in some packages I left in the car.
GUNTHER: Frau went shopping!
CECILIA: Since when do I have to give any explanation!
GUNTHER: No, no! Everyone in this house comes and goes as they please without giving any explanation!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ALVARO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK IN THE LIBRARY. ROBERTO IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HIM-

ALVARO: Roberto, I want to have everything ready just in case it’s necessary to do something about Ignacio.
ROBERTO: No problem.
ALVARO: And regarding the documents I asked for, have them ready, and if anything else comes up, let me know tomorrow.
ROBERTO: All right.

-ALVARO GETS UP FROM HIS CHAIR AND IS LEAVING THE LIBRARY. HE OPENS THE DOOR AND FINDS CARMEN STANDING IN THE HALLWAY, READY TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR-

CARMEN: Excuse me, sir. I need to talk to Roberto.
ALVARO: Is something wrong?
CARMEN: No! Nothing is wrong!

-ALVARO GESTURES TO CARMEN TO COME INTO THE LIBRARY, AND HE LEAVES. CARMEN APPROACHES ROBERTO, WHO IS NOW STANDING IN FRONT OF THE DESK. ONCE CARMEN MAKES SURE THE DOOR TO THE LIBRARY IS CLOSED, SHE BEGINS TALKING-

CARMEN: I’m very worried, Roberto.
ROBERTO: What happened?
CARMEN: Cecilia is going to find out the truth at any moment now! She found the letters Victoria wrote to Leonora!
ROBERTO: I can’t believe it!
CARMEN: I’m liking this situation less and less each time!
ROBERTO: And Pedro being here!
CARMEN: I knew that boy was going to bring bad luck to this house!

-ALVARO IS STANDING BY THE DOOR IN THE HALLWAY, LISTENING TO THEIR CONVERSATION-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IN THE KITCHEN, ERICA TAKES A PITCHER OF ORANGE JUICE FROM THE FRIDGE, AND POURS SOME IN A GLASS FOR HERSELF. FRANCISCO COMES IN THE ROOM-

ERICA: What we are trying to convey at the center is that, if a person really wants to change, it can be done!
FRANCISCO: That’s true!
ERICA: Would you like some juice?
FRANCISCO: No, no, thank you.
ERICA: And that’s why we put great emphasis on learning. That’s most important.
FRANCISCO: That makes sense.
ERICA: And if one is able to understand that, everything else falls into place. Don’t you agree?
FRANCISCO: Ahum!
ERICA: Well, I better leave! Once I start talking, I can’t seem to stop!

-ERICA IS ABOUT TO WALK AWAY, BUT FRANCISCO STOPS HER AND HOLDS HER HAND-

FRANCISCO: Wait! Wait! Thank you for looking after me.
ERICA: You’re welcome! You may go again, any time you’d like. Ciao!
FRANCISCO: Ciao!

-THEY KISS EACH OTHER ON THE CHEEK, AND ERICA WALKS OUT. FRANCISCO TALKS TO HIMSELF-

FRANCISCO: I take care of you, you take care of me! I get closer to you, you get closer to me! I like that!

-LISA WALKS IN THE KITCHEM. FRANCISCO IS NOT HAPPY TO SEE HER-

LISA: I’m glad you’re back because…..
FRANCISCO: Just pretend I’m not here, all right? I still can’t believe you did that to me!
LISA: Francisco, I’m sorry! I said something because I thought it was best for you! Don’t you see all I want is for things to work out between us?
FRANCISCO: It’ll never work between us if you continue with your gossip!
LISA: What if I apologize to you?
FRANCISCO: I don’t know! It depends…..
LISA: It depends? Do you want to go to my room?

-SHE COMES CLOSER TO HIM AND KISSES HIM-

FRANCISCO: Maybe!

-SHE KISSES HIM AGAIN-

FRANCISCO: That’s better!
LISA: We can go whenever you like!
FRANCISCO: Now!
LISA: Now!
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

-BUENOS AIRES – ANA LAURA IS BY NOW VERY UPSET THAT PEDRO HASN’T SHOWN UP. SHE’S PACING THE FLOOR AND SAMANTHA IS AMUSED TO SEE HER SO ANXIOUS OVER PEDRO-

ANA LAURA: If he’s not here now, I doubt…..
SAMANTHA: Wait a little longer!
ANA LAURA: No, no! I’m very angry! Why didn’t he just tell me he wasn’t coming?

-THE DOORBELL RINGS. ANA LAURA RUNS TO THE DOOR. SHE STOPS FOR A SECOND TO COMPOSE HERSELF, BEFORE OPENING THE DOOR. SHE OPENS IT. MARIANO’S STANDING THERE-

MARIANO: Hello. Were you waiting for me?

-ANA LAURA TURNS AROUND AND LOOKS AT SAMANTHA, WHO’S ALSO VERY SURPRISED TO SEE MARIANO AT THE DOOR-

SAMANTHA: Mariano! Come in! Come in!
MARIANO: Who were you waiting for, then?
ANA LAURA: No, I was just talking to Samantha. She was telling me…..I mean, I was telling her about a new art exhibition……
SAMANTHA: I will explain, it’s about…….

-THE DOORBELL RINGS ONCE AGAIN. ANA LAURA TURNS AROUND AND IS ABOUT TO WALK OVER TO OPEN IT, BUT MARIANO DETAINS HER AND GOES TO GET THE DOOR HIMSELF. ANA LAURA AND SAMANTHA LOOK AT EACH OTHER IN STUNNED SILENCE. MARIANO OPENS THE DOOR. PEDRO IS STANDING AT THE DOOR. IT’S OBVIOUS HE WASN’T EXPECTING MARIANO TO ANSWER THE DOOR. HE LOOKS AT MARIANO AND THEN AT THE TWO WOMEN-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CECILIA IS IN HER BEDROOM, SITTING ON HER BED. ALVARO WALKS IN-

ALVARO: You’re still up?
CECILIA: Yes, I was…..
ALVARO: What were you doing?

-CECILIA RISES FROM THE BED AND STANDS IN FRONT OF ALVARO-

CECILIA: Nothing!
ALVARO: What’s going on? What are you hiding from me? You’ve been acting very strange lately!
CECILIA: I’m not hiding anything from you!
ALVARO: Come on, tell me the truth!
CECILIA: I am telling you the truth!
ALVARO: You’re looking for some letters, isn’t that true?
CECILIA: What?
ALVARO: I heard somewhere that you’re looking for some letters!
CECILIA: Where did you hear that?
ALVARO: It doesn’t matter where I heard it!

-CECILIA LAUGHS AND TRIES TO MAKE LIGHT OF THE SITUATION. SHE PUTS HER ARMS AROUND ALVARO’S SHOULDERS AND COMES VERY CLOSE TO HIS FACE-

CECILIA: I have a new boyfriend who writes me love letters and sends them to me, here! It’s fantastic!

-CECILIA LAUGHS AND KISSES HIM ON THE CHEEK-

CECILIA: Oh, after all these years of being together, I love that you’re reacting this way! You’re jealous! You’re jealous!

-ALVARO LOOKS AT HER AND PULLS AWAY FROM HER-

ALVARO: I’m not jealous! Stop making stupid comments, please!

-HE WALKS ANGRILY OUT OF THE ROOM, LEAVING CECILIA WITH A SURPRISED LOOK ON HER FACE-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO, AFTER RECOVERING FROM THE SHOCK OF SEEING MARIANO AT THE DOOR, WALKS IN. SAMANTHA TAKES CONTROL OF THE SITUATION. PEDRO WALKS UP TO HER AND SHAKES HER HAND-

SAMANTHA: I’m Samantha, Ana Laura’s friend…..
PEDRO: Nice meeting you.
MARIANO: Can you explain to me what Pedro is doing here?

-ALL THREE TRY TO ANSWER MARIANO’S QUESTION AT THE SAME TIME-

ANA LAURA: He came because…..
PEDRO: I just stopped by to meet Samantha….
SAMANTHA: Thank you Ana for asking Pedro to stop by! Pedro, I need information….
PEDRO: Yes, yes, of course!
ANA LAURA: Oh, yes, that’s right! Since he travels so much to Miami, Samantha is preparing a show for Miami and then……didn’t I tell you about this before?
MARIANO: No, you didn’t say anything! Samantha, congratulations!
PEDRO: Yes, Miami is fantastic! It’s the perfect spot for art exhibitions!

-MARIANO ADDRESSES ANA LAURA-

MARIANO: And what are you doing here?
ANA LAURA: I came to introduce them!
MARIANO: I think you’re taking me for an idiot!
ANA LAURA: No, don’t say that!
MARIANO: Get your things! We’re going home!
PEDRO: I just came to say hello to Samantha. I was going to leave it for another day, but Floria told me Ana Laura was already here and…..
MARIANO: And you decided to kill two birds with one stone!
ANA LAURA: No, I’m here because I had to make the introductions. I asked them to come here because….
MARIANO: Because Pedro is so shy! Well, all right! Go ahead! Talk! Talk! I’ll wait!
ANA LAURA: No! There’s no need to wait! We’ll leave! There! I already introduce them! Let’s go!

-ANA LAURA PICKS UP HER JACKET AND PUTS IT ON. WHEN PEDRO SEES THAT SHE’S GETTING READY TO LEAVE, HE TRIES TO STOP HER-

PEDRO: Ana, I wanted…..
ANA LAURA: No, nothing, it’s all right! I’ll appreciate it if you give my friend a little help….
MARIANO: Ana, where are your manners? He wanted to say something! I’m listening, go ahead!

-PEDRO CROSSES HIS ARMS OVER HIS CHEST AND LOOKS AT ANA LAURA. ANA LAURA GIVES PEDRO A MEANINFUL LOOK AND NERVOUSLY CONTINUES TALKING-

ANA LAURA: No, he didn’t want to say anything! Well, I know what you wanted! I know! You want Samantha to tell you how to get back to the finca, is that it? Well, don’t worry! Samantha will give you the right directions! All right! Ciao, guys! I’ll see you later! Come on, my love!

-ANA LAURA WAVES AT PEDRO AND SAMANTHA FROM THE DOOR, AND SHE MARIANO WALK OUT. PEDRO AND SAMANTHA LOOK AT EACH OTHER IN WONDER AT ANA LAURA’S RAPID DISCHARGE OF WORDS AND NERVOUS BEHAVIOR-

-THE ESTANCIA - ANA LAURA'S BEDROOM - LETICIA IS SITTING ON THE BED. ANA LAURA IS NERVOUSLY PACING THE FLOOR, AND RELATING TO LETICIA THE EVENTS OF THE PREVIOUS NIGHT, AT HER APARTMENT IN THE CITY-

LETICIA: Both of them in the apartment at the same time?
ANA LAURA: Sh! Yes!
LETICIA: What a moment!
ANA LAURA: What a moment is right! I swear, I wanted to kill myself! I couldn't believe what was happening! I wanted to hide underneath the earth!
LETICIA: I don't know if you've realized it yet, but you're completely losing control!
ANA LAURA: The worse is, that I don't know how I'm going to do it to see Pedro, because now Mariano knows and he's going to follow me everywhere!
LETICIA: If I were Mariano, I'd do exactly the same thing, Ana!
ANA LAURA: But if all I did was to go to my apartment!
LETICIA: But that's the first place anyone will go looking for you! You have to stop this, now!
ANA LAURA: No, I can't! There are too many things I have to clear up with Pedro!
LETICIA: Yes, I can imagine what things!
ANA LAURA: No, please! Don't make fun of me!
LETICIA: Ana! Not even when we were in school, did you ever act this way about a guy!
ANA LAURA: It's just that…..I don't know what's happening to me! I swear, I can't stop thinking about him! Besides, I don't know how I'm going to be able to see him! Do you know something?
LETICIA: What are you going to do?

-ANA LAURA WALKS TO HER DESK, PICKS UP A WRITING PAD AND SCRIBBLES DOWN A BRIEF MESSAGE-

ANA LAURA: You're going to do something for me! I'll write this note, and you'll give it to Pedro, all right?
LETICIA: What are you telling him?
ANA LAURA: You just take it to him!

-LETICIA DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING, BUT GIVES ANA LAURA A WORRIED LOOK-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-JULIETA IS PREPARING A TRAY WITH BREAKFAST ITEMS. PEDRO KNOCKS ON THE DOOR AND WALKS IN-

PEDRO: May I come in?
JULIETA: Yes, come in.

JULIETA SHOWS PEDRO THE TRAY SHE WITH THE BREAKFAST SHE JUST PREPARED-

JULIETA: Look, do you like it?
PEDRO: Yes, it looks delicious!

PEDRO IS ABOUT TO GRAB A PIECE OF TOAST, BUT JULIETA STOPS HIM-

JULIETA: No, it's for my mom, she's still in bed!
PEDRO: Is she sleeping late?
JULIETA: No, no, she's not well. But I'm sure she'll feel much better when she sees this. Do you want to take it to her?
PEDRO: Do you think that's a good idea?
JULIETA: Yes, that way, I can go see Lunita.
PEDRO: You'll go see Lunita? Shouldn't you be getting ready for school?
JULIETA: No…there's no school today! It's a day of freedom!
PEDRO: For whom? The students or the teachers?

-THEY BOTH LAUGH AND JULIETA RUNS OUT OF THE HOUSE-

JULIETA: Tell my mom I left!

-PEDRO PICKS UP THE TRAY AND WALKS TOWARDS MARISOL BEDROOM. MARISOL IS IN BED CRYING. SHE'S STILL VERY UPSET ABOUT THE EVENTS OF THE NIGHT BEFORE. PEDRO KNOCKS ON THE DOOR AND COMES INTO THE ROOM. HE SETS THE TRAY DOWN AND HE SITS AT THE END OF THE BED-

PEDRO: Good morning, good morning! Don't you think is about time you get up, sleepy head!
MARISOL: I don't feel like it!
PEDRO: Oh, just look at those eyes!
MARISOL: I have a cold.
PEDRO: Did you spend the entire night crying?

-MARISOL SITS UP IN BED. SHE'S SERIOUSLY DEPRESSED. SHE PICKS UP THE CUP AND TAKES A SIP OF THE COFFEE JULIETA PREPARED FOR HER. SHE GRIMACES AND PEDRO SMILES-

MARISOL: Julieta prepared this!
PEDRO: She wants you to be fine, and so do I. Look how delicious this is! Toast, marmalade!
MARISOL: I don't want to eat, Pedro.
PEDRO: You can't continue that way.
MARISOL: I'm fine.
PEDRO: No, you're not, and you know it. You can't continue with this situation, Marisol.
MARISOL: I can't help feeling this way! I can't do anything about it!
PEDRO: What about me?
MARISOL: There is something you can do! Talk to Victoria! Tell her I don't want to continue working at the house!
PEDRO: What does Victoria have to do with all this?
MARISOL: She thought it'd be a good idea, but I don't want to go back to that house! I don't want to go back!

-MARISOL STARTS CRYING IN EARNEST-

PEDRO: All right, all right! I'll talk to Victoria, but I'm also going to get a hold of Mariano.
MARISOL: No, Pedro! Just do what I ask! Do not complicate my life anymore, please!

-PEDRO LOOKS AT MARISOL, BUT DOES NOT SAY A WORD-

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