Provócame
Episode 11
-MERCEDES IS IN HER ROOM. THE NURSE IS MAKING THE BED AND IS TALKING TO MERCEDES. AS PER CECILIA'S INSTRUCTIONS, THE NURSE IS TRYING TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM MERCEDES, AND IS SUBTLY ASKING QUESTIONS-
NURSE: A lady with your social status must have a lot of friends!
MERCEDES: Some.
NURSE: And do you remember any of them?
MERCDES: Yes. I remember
.Lydia, Rosario, Victoria.
-AT THE MENTION OF VICTORIA'S NAME, THE NURSE PAYS CLOSE ATTENTION TO MERCEDES-
MERCEDES: Victoria and I used to write to each other all the time!
NURSE: And what did you do with the letters? Did you throw them away?
MERCEDES: No, I have them with me always.
NURSE: Where? Do you keep them in this room?
MERCEDES: No! I carry them right here! -MERCEDES POINTS TO HER
HEART- I never part with them!
-THE NURSE GIVES MERCEDES AN ANGRY LOOK-
-THE ESTANCIA. LISA LETS VICTORIA INTO THE LIVING ROOM-
LISA: Come in, please. I let someone know you're here.
VICTORIA: Thank you.
-AT THIS MOMENT, CECILIA WALKS IN THE ROOM. LISA, SEEING THAT CECILIA WILL ATTEND TO VICTORIA, LEAVES THE ROOM-
CECILIA: You again! My God! What are you doing here!
VICTORIA: How depressing! Such a wonderful day, and I have to spend it arguing
with you!
CECILIA: The best day for me is when I don't have to look at your face!
VICTORIA: Just pretend you don't see me!
CECILIA: That would be the best thing that could happen to me!
VICTORIA: It's incredible! So many years have gone by, and you haven't changed
at all!
CECILIA: And what would I need to change?
VICTORIA: All the venom you're carrying inside!
CECILIA: You mean, the one you injected into me when you got involved with my
husband?
VICTORIA: I didn't get involved with him! He got involved with me! Don't you
remember, how he went about saying how I drove him crazy and so many other things!
CECILIA: If you had a little bit of dignity, you wouldn't go around saying those
things!
VICTORIA: You can't talk about dignity!
CECILIA: But you can? How dignified is to steal a friend's husband!
VICTORIA: You stole him from me first! Have you forgotten how the story goes?
-ALVARO WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT AND ADDRESSES VICTORIA-
ALVARO: How are you?
CECILIA: Visiting like royalty! As if she were part of the family, like before!
VICTORIA: No, better than before, because this time, I have nothing to hide!
CECILIA: Are you sure?
VICTORIA: I believe Alvaro would be the one to better answer that question!
ALVARO: Don't put me in the middle of all this!
VICTORIA: You put yourself in the middle, many years ago! Now, I'd like to know,
how are you going to manage to come out of this, unharmed!
ALVARO: Why don't you end this once and for all, Victoria?
VICTORIA: You'd like that, right? Well, what goes around, comes around, good
and bad! Especially the bad! Ciao!
-VICTORIA WALKS OUT, LEAVING ALVARO AND CECILIA LOOKING AFTER
HER-
-FEDERICO IS ONCE AGAIN SCREAMING AT MATIAS TO TAKE CONTROL OF CHOCOLATE. LETICIA HAS BEEN WATCHING THE TRAINING SESSION, AND IS VERY ANGRY AT FEDERICO'S TACTICS. LETICIA SPOTS PEDRO AND SHE WALKS OVER TO WHERE HE'S SITTING, WATCHING MATIAS TRAIN-
LETICIA: I can't stand him! He thinks he's so knowledgeable and in truth, he
doesn't even know how to begin!
PEDRO: Yes, but he's in there training one of the best horses there is, and
I'm on the other side of the fence!
-LETICIA TAKES ANA LAURA'S NOTE FROM HER POCKET, AND HANDS IT TO PEDRO-
LETICIA: Here, maybe this will cheer you up! It's from Ana Laura.
PEDRO: What is this?
LETICIA: I don't know, she didn't say. When it comes to you, lately, my friend
has been acting in a very mysterious way!
-GUNTHER AND JULIETA ARE WALKING THROUGH THE ESTANCIA. GUNTHER IS UPSET THAT HIS PLAN TO BECOME A NICER PERSON, IS NOT WORKING OUT-
GUNTHER: Julieta, I'm not going to pay you if your plan is not working!
JULIETA: It's not my fault that you can't get positive results, and besides,
you owe me a week's pay!
GUNTHER: Trying to be a good person is much more difficult than I thought!
JULIETA: What you need is to learn how to conduct yourself. You need more discipline.
GUNTHER: I know how to conduct myself! I don't need more discipline!
JULIETA: You doing things half way! If you can't give it your all, I'm going
to have to stop helping you!
GUNTHER: You're being unfair! I'm working very hard for people to like me! But
you must not forget that being nice goes against my nature!
JULIETA: That's true! Being mean comes straight from your soul!
GUNTHER: You see? Do you see how Gunther needs more time than a regular student?
But don't worry that I'm going to
..
-PATRICIA HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR GUNTHER AND SHE ARRIVES AND INTERRUPTS THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN JULIETA AND GUNTHER-
PATRICIA: Gunther!
GUNTHER: Yes, Frau! I'll be right with you!
-HE THEN PROCEEDS TO WINK AT JULIETA AND HE BEGINS SCREAMING AT HER, FOR PATRICIA'S BENEFIT-
GUNTHER: Out, sabandija! Get out of here!
-JULIETA RUNS AWAY. GUNTHER HURRIES TO MEET PATRICIA-
GUNTHER: Yes, Frau! At your service!
PATRICIA: At my service! I don't know in which way you can be of service to
me! You've failed at everything I've asked you to do, Gunther!
GUNTHER: What did Gunther fail to do?
PATRICIA: Do you know what is going on around here?
GUNTHER: Yes, Rosa is baking a wonderful quince pie, Magda is cleaning
..
PATRICIA: Gunther! Mariano and Ana Laura! Does that sound familiar?
GUNTHER: Yes! Yes! It sounds familiar! I will take care of that!
PATRICIA: You better take care of that, because if you don't
GUNTHER: I will, I will!
-MAGDA GETS THE DOOR AND WELCOMES VICTORIA INTO THE LIVING ROOM. FLORIA IS SITTING ON THE FLOOR, WEARING ATHLETIC CLOTHES. SHE'S BEEN DOING HER DANCING EXCERCISES, ONCE AGAIN-
MAGDA: I'm glad you've arrived! She's been driving me crazy!
FLORIA: Magda, prepare jasmine tea for us.
MAGDA: Yes, señora.
-MAGDA LEAVES FOR THE KITCHEN. FLORIA, WITH A LITTLE TROUBLE, GETS UP FROM THE FLOOR AND GREETS VICTORIA-
FLORIA: I have to admit it's becoming a little difficult getting up from the
floor!
VICTORIA: You're really taking care of yourself!
FLORIA: This is the least I can do! We have to try anything in order to survive
the atmosphere in this house!
VICTORIA: I don't doubt it for one minute!
FLORIA: I returned Leonora's letters to their original place.
VICTORIA: You returned them to Cecilia's room?
FLORIA: Sh! Sh! You can't talk out aloud around here! In this house, even the
flowerpots have ears!
-CARMEN IS STANDING AROUND THE CORNER AND WAS ABLE TO HEAR THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN FLORIA AND VICTORIA-
CARMEN: So, it was the old lady who took the letters!
-ANA LAURA IS WAITING FOR PEDRO AT THE SECLUDED PLACE SHE INDICATED IN HER NOTE. IT IS ANOTHER PART OF THE STABLES, WHERE LUNITA IS BEING KEPT. PEDRO ARRIVES AND STANDS IN FRONT OF ANA LAURA-
ANA LAURA: Hello. I'm glad you were able to come.
PEDRO: It wasn't easy, but here I am. What do you want?
ANA LAURA: I've been thinking about what you said, that you'd like to be a trainer.
PEDRO: Very well.
ANA LAURA: An idea came to me. Lunita is a good mare, right?
PEDRO: Yes, she is very good.
ANA LAURA: And do you think she could qualify in the competition being held
here?
PEDRO: Yes, with good preparation and with someone who trains her well. Why
are you asking this?
ANA LAURA: Does Julieta ride, can she jump?
PEDRO: Eh
..yes, she does it very well and this would be something very
special for her, but you can't get yourself involved in this kind of a problem!
ANA LAURA: No, it's all right! Don't worry about me! Well, that was all! You
think you can do it?
PEDRO: Of course I can!
ANA LAURA: Okay!
PEDRO: Is there something else?
ANA LAURA: No, no! That was all!
-ANA LAURA TRIES TO WALK AWAY, BUT PEDRO GRABS HER ARM AND STOPS HER FROM LEAVING. HE BRINGS HER BACK TO FACE HIM AND HE STANDS VERY CLOSE TO HER-
PEDRO: Ana Laura!
ANA LAURA: What?
PEDRO: Why are you doing this for me?
ANA LAURA: Because
.I want your dreams to come true.
PEDRO: That's not my only dream!
-PEDRO LOOKS INTO HER EYES FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN FIRMLY
BEGINS TO KISS HER. HE HOLDS HER HEAD IN HIS HANDS AND CONTINUES TO KISS HER
PASSIONATELY, WRAPPING HIS ARMS SOFTLY AROUND HER SHOULDERS-
-CHAPA AND ANTONIO ARE STACKING UP BALES OF HAY. MARIANO ARRIVES AND ANGRILY ASKS THEM IF THEY'VE SEEN PEDRO-
ANTONIO: Hello, boss.
MARIANO: I've been looking for Balmaceda for over an hour!
ANTONIO: He's not around here.
MARIANO: Where is that imbecile?
CHAPA: Would you like me to go looking for him?
MARIANO: No, no! I want to find him myself!
CHAPA: All right.
MARIANO: My wife! Where's my wife!
ANTONIO: We haven't seen her.
CHAPA: Not at all, we have no idea where she could be, sir.
ANTONIO: Excuse us, Don Mariano. We have things to do.
-ANTONIO AND CHAPA LEAVE. MARIANO STAYS BEHIND, ANGRILY TALKING TO HIMSELF-
MARIANO: Pedro! Pedro! I better not find you with Ana, because if I do, I will kill you! I hate you! I hate you!
-MARIANO WALKS AWAY. THE DOOR TO THE BARN SLOWLY OPENS AND JULIETA AND GUNTHER APPEAR. THEY'VE BEEN HIDING INSIDE THE BARN, AND THEY HEARD MARIANO TALKING, FIRST TO ANTONIO AND CHAPA, AND THEN TO HIMSELF-
GUNTHER: I believe this man is crazy!
-PEDRO AND ANA LAURA ARE STILL KISSING PASSIONATELY. SHE THEN PULLS AWAY FROM HIM AND, BREATHLESSLY, BEGINS TALKING TO HIM-
ANA LAURA: I better leave!
PEDRO: What's the matter?
ANA LAURA: Nothing! You confuse me! That's what's the matter!
PEDRO: Really?
ANA LAURA: Yes! You are truly complicating my life!
-SHE BEGINS WALKING AWAY, BUT COMES BACK AND CONTINUES TALKING TO HIM-
ANA LAURA: Do you know something? I'm going to ask you for a favor! Do not touch me ever again! All right? Let's not do this again!
-SHE LOOKS AT HIM. PEDRO LOOKS AS IF HE'S GOING TO KISS HER
ONE MORE TIME. SHE THEN BACKS AWAY FROM HIM, AND STORMS OUT OF THE STABLE. PEDRO
STARES AFTER HER. HE THEN SMILES-
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-THE ESTANCIA- GUNTHER AND PATRICIA ARE STANDING IN THE HALLWAY LEADING TO THE BEDROOMS. HE'S GIVING PATRICIA INFORMATION HE'S BEEN ABLE TO OBTAIN REGARDING MARIANO AND ANA LAURA'S MARRIAGE-
PATRICIA: And what else?
GUNTHER: Herr Mariano is very angry with Frau Ana. He thinks there's something
going on between Frau Ana and Pedro.
PATRICIA: Well, well! Who'd have believed this of Ana, with that little innocent
face!
GUNTHER: This information I brought to you, was it of service to you?
PATRICIA: Much more than you can imagine, Gunthercito! Thank you!
-PATRICIA GIVES HIM A KISS ON THE CHEEK. THIS ACTION FROM PATRICIA SENDS GUNTHER INTO A TRANCE. HE CLOSES HIS EYES AND RELISHES THE MOMENT AND SEEMS TO HAVE STOPPED LISTENING TO HER. PATRICIA, HOWEVER, IS ELATED WITH THE INFORMATION SHE JUST RECEIVED AND IS ALREADY CONSIDERING HER NEXT MOVE-
PATRICIA: That marriage won't last! It's just a matter of waiting!
-PATRICIA, VERY SATISFIED, SMILES AND WALKS AWAY. GUNTHER OPENS
HIS EYES AND REALIZES SHE'S LEFT AND, LITERALLY, GOES SNIFFING AFTER HER. IT
IS THEN, THAT IGNACIO APPEARS FROM THE DOOR OF HIS BEDROOM. HE WAS LISTENING
TO THEIR CONVERSATION-
-MARIANO AND ANA LAURA ARE IN THE LIBRARY-
MARIANO: Don't lie to me!
ANA LAURA: I'm not lying to you!
MARIANO: I came looking for you and you weren't here! Where did you go? Where
were you, Ana?
ANA LAURA: I'm really sick of you following me around! Stop chasing me!
MARIANO: I'm your husband!
ANA LAURA: No! You're my jailer! Leave me in peace! I'm begging you, please!
MARIANO: There is no peace, there's no peace for me either! Since Pedro arrived
in this house, my life has become a living hell!
ANA LAURA: You're creating your own hell out of nothing, please!
MARIANO: I'm not stupid, Ana!
ANA LAURA: No, don't worry! You're not in the least stupid!
MARIANO: I worry! I worry about you!
ANA LAURA: Ah, you worry about me! And why didn't you look after me before?
Now it's too late!
-ANA LAURA WALKS ANGRILY AWAY-
-GUNTHER IS FLUFFING THE PILLOWS IN THE LIVING ROOM. IGNACIO ARRIVES AND STARTLES HIM-
IGNACIO: Gunther!
GUNTHER: Herr Igna! If you wish to utilize living room it's at you disposal,
and you wish to utilize Gunther, he's also at your disposal!
IGNACIO: I'm glad you so readily available!
GUNTHER: It's a joy for me to be of service morning, noon and night! Would you
like a whiskey, cognac? Just ask, Gunther will bring!
IGNACIO: I'm going to ask you for something else, since I saw you talking with
Patricia.
GUNTHER: I always talk with Frau Patri! I'm her favorite! I carry her packages!
I also
..
IGNACIO: Stop chattering, Gunther. I'm talking about something completely different.
GUNTHER: What is that something else?
IGNACIO: I want to know why Patricia is so interested in what happens between
Mariano and my daughter!
-GUNTHER IS SURPRISED BY IGNACIO'S QUESTION-
-THE ASYLUM- MERCEDES IS IN BED. THE NURSE APPROACHES HER BED TO MAKE SURE SHE'S ASLEEP, AND THEN LEAVES THE ROOM. MERCEDES THEN GETS UP FROM THE BED AND WALKS TO THE CLOSET. SHE PULLS OUT THE COAT AND HAT VICTORIA HAD GIVEN HER AND PUTS THEM ON-
MERCEDES: It's now or never!
-SHE CAREFULLY EXITS THE ROOM-
PEDRO AND MARISOL SIT AT THE KITCHEN TABLE. MARISOL IS STILL ACTING VERY DESPONDENT. PEDRO IS TALKING TO HER IN A VERY SOOTHING MANNER. HE SEES HOW VULNERABLE SHE IS AND HE DOESN'T WANT TO UPSET HER ANYMORE THAN WHAT SHE ALREADY IS-
PEDRO: Would you answer a question for me?
-MARISOL DOES NOT LOOK AT PEDRO AND STAYS VERY QUIET. SHE'S SILENTLY CRYING. PEDRO CONTINUES-
PEDRO: Mariano .did he do something awful to you?
-MARISOL, STILL NOT LOOKING AT HIM, NODS HER HEAD IN ASSENT-
PEDRO: And this wasn't the first time?
-MARISOL, STILL SILENT, SHAKES HER HEAD NO-
PEDRO: This incident that happened
..was it long ago?
MARISOL: Ten years.
PEDRO: Did he hurt you?
MARISOL: Worse than that.
PEDRO: What happened?
MARISOL: No, I can't! I can't say it!
-ANA LAURA IS IN HER BEDROOM. SHE'S JUST CHANGED INTO HER NIGHT CLOTHES. MARIANO WALKS IN THE ROOM WITHOUT KNOCKING-
ANA LAURA: Mariano, what do you want now?
-MARIANO DOES NOT ANSWER. INSTEAD, HE LOCKS THE DOOR BEHIND HIM-
ANA LAURA: What are you doing? Unlock the door, please! Unlock it! Why are you doing this? Do you mind telling me what you want now?
-MARIANO GRABS ANA LAURA AND BRINGS HER CLOSE TO HIM-
MARIANO: I want you to be mine! And you will be! Willingly or not!
-ANA LAURA IS MOMENTARILY STUNNED INTO SILENCE-
MARISOL: Don't ask me anymore, Pedro. It's horrible!
PEDRO: Mariano took advantage of you
..is that it?
-MARISOL TAKES A COUPLE OF SECONDS TO ANSWER PEDRO. STILL NOT LOOKING DIRECTLY AT HIM, SHE RELATES THE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED TEN YEARS AGO-
MARISOL: I was telling him to stop, but he didn't want to stop. He didn't stop! He'd tell me horrible things, and he'd threat me while he touched me, and I was afraid! Do you understand? I was very afraid!
-PEDRO IS TRYING TO CONTROL HIS ANGER. MARISOL IS BY NOW OPENLY CRYING AND PEDRO TRIES TO CONSOLE HER WITH SOOTHING WORDS, ENCOURAGING HER TO TALK AND HELP HER RELEASE ALL THE PAIN SHE'S BEEN KEEPING INSIDE HER ALL THESE YEARS-
PEDRO: It's all right! Tell me everything. That's what you have to do. To openly talk about it.
-MARISOL TAKES COURAGE FROM PEDRO'S WORDS AND FINALLY ADMITS TO THE TRUTH-
MARISOL: He raped me!
-PEDRO'S FACE CONTRACTS WITH ANGER, BUT HE REMAINS CALM-
PEDRO: Have you told anyone about this?
MARISOL: No, because he threatened me and said that if I said anything, he'd
be capable of doing anything to me! And I have Julieta, and I love her very
much, and I didn't say anything because Julieta is my daughter and I'm afraid!
PEDRO: Of course, but how long do you plan to keep this inside you?
MARISOL: My entire life! My entire life!
PEDRO: Do you know how harmful that is? Remaining silent is the worst thing
you can do.
MARISOL: I won't talk! And don't make regret having said anything to you!
PEDRO: You know you can trust me. That savage deserves the worst!
MARISOL: Pedro, promise me you won't say or do anything! Promise me, please!
Promise me!
PEDRO: Only because you're asking me!
-MARISOL NODS IN AGREEMENT-
-ANA LAURA IS STRUGGLING WITH MARIANO-
MARIANO: You are going to be mine!
ANA LAURA: No, I told you before not to touch me!
-ANA LAURA TRIES TO WALK TO THE DOOR, BUT MARIANO PULLS HER BACK AND THROWS HER DOWN ON THE BED-
-MARIANO: Come here, come here!
ANA LAURA: Stop, stop! Mariano, no, please!
-HE REMOVES HIS SWEATER. ANA LAURA TRIES TO GET UP FROM THE BED BUT HE PUSHES HER BACK AND BEGINS TO KISS HER. ANA LAURA IS VERY UPSET AND CRYING AT THIS POINT AND IS TRYING TO APPEASE HIM, BY TALKING TO HIM-
MARIANO: You're always provoking me, Ana! You're always provoking me!
ANA LAURA: No, no, Mariano! Stop! We're husband and wife!
MARIANO: No, no! It doesn't seem that way!
ANA LAURA: Mariano, please! Just when I was beginning to trust you! I was beginning
to trust you!
-THIS COMMENT BY ANA LAURA SEEMS TO REGISTER IN MARIANO'S HEAD AND HE SUDDENLY STOPS KISSING HER AND LOOKS AT HER. ANA LAURA, VERY AGITATED STILL, CONTINUES TALKING TO HIM-
ANA LAURA: Mariano, please, we don't deserve this!
MARIANO: Ana! Ana! I can't stand the fact that you don't want to be with me!
Understand me, please! Understand me!
ANA LAURA: But, that is not the case! I swear to you, that is not the case!
Trust me, please! Let's not hurt each other this way! All right?
-THESE WORDS SEEM TO HAVE A CALMING EFFECT ON MARIANO. ANA LAURA THEN BEGINS TO SIT UP STRAIGHT ON THE BED, MANAGING TO GET MARIANO AWAY FROM HER. MARIANO, STILL LEANING VERY CLOSE TO HER FACE, BEGINS TALKING TO HER-
MARIANO: What are you saying? Are you telling me I can trust you? I can trust that our marriage is going to work? Is that so?
-ANA LAURA NODS IN AGREEMENT AND LOOKS STRAIGHT AT HIM-
ANA LAURA: It's up to you!
-MARIANO CARESSES HER FACE AND HOLDS HER IN A TIGHT EMBRACE-
MARIANO: Forgive me! Forgive me! I didn't mean to hurt you! I didn't mean to hurt you, Ana!
-MARIANO LOOKS VERY TROUBLED. ANA LAURA ALLOWS HIM TO EMBRACE
HER. SHE CLOSES HER EYES AND SEEMS VERY RELIEVED THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO APPEASE
HIM-
-JULIETA IS IN HER BEDROOM, ASLEEP. THE WINDOW NEXT TO HER
BED OPENS SLOWLY. THE WINDOW IS LOW ENOUGH TO ALLOW MERCEDES TO CLIMB DOWN INTO
THE ROOM. MERCEDES PROCEEDS TO SIT ON THE BED NEXT TO JULIETA AND SHE TENDERLY
CARESSES JULIETA'S HAIR. JULIETA IS SOUND ASLEEP AND DOESN'T FEEL MERCEDES'
PRESENCE IN THE ROOM-
-NEXT MORNING- ANA LAURA COMES OUT OF HER BEDROOM. MARIANO MEETS HER IN THE HALLWAY-
MARIANO: Hello, my love.
ANA LAURA: Hello. Excuse me.
-ANA LAURA TRIES TO CONTINUE WALKING, BUT MARIANO DETAINS HER-
MARIANO: Come with me, I need to talk to you.
ANA LAURA: No, I just got up and I didn't sleep well.
MARIANO: I also didn't sleep well. I slept alone!
ANA LAURA: And what do you expect, after what you did to me, last night.
MARIANO: You're driving me to do that, Ana! You're my wife, and if you don't
want to accept that, you will at least pretend.
ANA LAURA: And what does that mean?
MARIANO: It means that from now on, we are not sleeping apart, ever again!
ANA LAURA: But we are not going to sleep together, either! That is, if you really
want the marriage to work!
MARIANO: Yes, I certainly want that! Yes, of course!
ANA LAURA: Please, I need time! I need you to respect me! I need time to assimilate
all this!
MARIANO: All right, all right! You'll have time! But I want something to be
very clear! Your time alone is one thing, and keeping the appearances is something
else!
ANA LAURA: I do what I can.
MARIANO: It's not enough! If you don't change your attitude, you'll force me
to take action against your father, and I wouldn't like to do that!
-MARIANO WALKS AWAY-
-JULIETA HAD BEEN TRAINING WITH LUNITA, BUT SHE DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THE SESSION WENT VERY WELL. PEDRO AND TOTI ARE NOW TALKING TO HER-
JULIETA: I did terrible!
TOTI: What's the matter? You did great yesterday! What happened to you today?
JULIETA: I don't know! My stomach hurts.
-PEDRO HELPS HER DOWN FROM THE MARE-
PEDRO: Your stomach hurts! What else ails you, the soul?
TOTI TAKES CARE OF LUNITA. PEDRO AND JULIETA BEGIN WALKING-
JULIETA: I don't know. I didn't like the way mom looked last night. Did you
notice how sad she was?
PEDRO: No, she wasn't sad. That's the way adults behave sometimes, but all we
have to do is think about certain things a little, and then everything seems
right again. Don't worry.
JULIETA: But my mom is always a little sad.
PEDRO: No, I don't think she's sad. I think that's just the way she is. But
don't worry that everything is going to be all right, okay? ,
JULIETA: I don't know how you do it, but you always see the positive side of
things!
PEDRO: I try, my love, but it doesn't always work.
JULIETA: It always works with me, because every time something is bothering
me, I talk to you about it, and you always make me feel better.
PEDRO: You're so sweet! I'd like to have more time to spend with you, but you
know how it is, I'm busy with work and you're busy with school.
JULIETA: And also with the competition. Today, I did awful, but I don't plan
to give up on my training.
PEDRO: Of course not!
-AT THIS MOMENT, MATIAS AND FEDERICO ARRIVE WITH CHOCOLATE-
FEDERICO: Clear the track, please! We're going to begin training!
JULIETA: We are also
.
-JULIETA IS ABOUT TO TELL FEDERICO AND MATIAS THAT SHE WAS
ALSO TRAINING WITH LUNITA, BUT PEDRO STOPS HER FROM TALKING, BY PUTTING HIS
HAND OVER HER MOUTH-
-ANA LAURA IS WITH LETICIA OUTSIDE THE STABLES. SHE'S CRYING AND TELLING LETICIA ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED WITH MARIANO, THE NIGHT BEFORE-
ANA LAURA: He tried to rape me!
-LETICIA IS SHOCKED TO HEAR WHAT ANA LAURA JUST TOLD HER-
LETICIA: He's so vile! You have to leave him immediately!
ANA LAURA: I can't, I can't leave him because I know the first thing he would
do is hurt my father!
LETICIA: Don't worry about you father now! Someone has to stop this man!
-PEDRO ARRIVES AT THIS MOMENT AND SEES HOW UPSET ANA LAURA IS. LETICIA IS GLAD TO SEE HIM-
LETICIA: Pedro! I'm glad you're here!
PEDRO: What's wrong?
-ANA LAURA GIVES LETICIA A MEANINGFUL LOOK, PREVENTING HER FROM SAYING ANYTHING TO PEDRO-
PEDRO: Why are you crying?
ANA LAURA: No, I'm not crying!
LETICIA: Ana! Tell him, please! You can't continue covering for Mariano!
ANA LAURA: Be quiet!
PEDRO: Mariano! What did he do to you?
ANA LAURA: Nothing! He didn't do anything!
LETICIA: Tell him! He can help you, Ana!
-ANA LAURA MOVES A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY AND HYSTERICALLY YELLS AT LETICIA-
ANA LAURA: Be quiet!
-PEDRO WALKS UP TO ANA LAURA. SHE'S WITH HER BACK TO HIM, CRYING. HE TURNS HER AROUND AND TRIES TO CONVINCE HER TO TELL HIM WHAT HAPPENED-
PEDRO: Calm down. Come, tell me what happened to you.
...
-GUNTHER IS CLEARING THE TABLE IN THE DINING ROOM. HE'S HOLDING A TRAY WITH THE BREAKFAST ITEMS AND IS CONCENTRATING ON HIS TASK. HE DOESN'T NOTICE IGNACIO WALKING IN AT THIS MOMENT. IGNACIO GREETS HIM AND GUNTHER, STARTLED, DROPS THE TRAY WITH ALL ITS CONTENTS, TO THE FLOOR-
IGNACIO: What's the matter?
GUNTHER: Forgive me, forgive me Herr Igna! I will clean everything up!
IGNACIO: It's not a problem, but a majordomo is supposed to be more careful,
right?
GUNTHER: Yes, you're right!
IGNACIO: And a majordomo is also not supposed to hide anything from his boss,
isn't that true, Gunther? If there is anything you'd like to tell me, I'll be
in my office.
-GUNTHER IS SPEECHLESS AS IGNACIO WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM-
-ANA LAURA FEELS UNCOMFORTABLE TALKING TO PEDRO ABOUT HER SITUATION WITH MARIANO. SHE BECOMES VERY DEFENSIVE WITH PEDRO'S QUESTIONIONG, AND REACTS ANGRILY TOWARDS HIM-
ANA LAURA: Stop! That's enough! He didn't do anything to me! Don't get involved
in my business, please! This is ridiculous! I wasn't crying and he did absolutely
nothing to me, all right?
PEDRO: Don't you think is time you stop covering for Mariano?
ANA LAURA: I'm going to tell you what I think! Go on with your life! Let me
lead my own life! I have my business, my own problems! Worry about your problems,
that they're more serious than mine, okay?
PEDRO: You're totally wrong! Don't you see that?
ANA LAURA: Yes! Yes, I'm wrong! I love being wrong! All right? I really, really
love being wrong!
-ANA LAURA IS VERY ANGRY NOW AND AS SHE TRIES TO LEAVE, SHE TRIPS AND FALLS ON A BALE OF HAY. SHE PICKS HERSELF UP, WIPES HER HANDS CLEAN, AND WALKS OVER THE HAY. SHE THEN COMES BACK AND ANGRILY KICKS THE BALE OF HAY-
ANA LAURA: Who left this piece of @#%& here?
ALL THIS HAPPENS SO RAPIDLY THAT PEDRO DOESN'T HAVE A CHANCE
TO SAY ANYTHING. HE MERELY LOOKS AT HER IN SURPRISE AND CROSSES HIS ARMS IN
FRONT OF HIM, AS SHE WALKS ANGRILY AWAY-
-MARISOL IS SPOONING FRUIT MARMELADE INTO SOME JARS. PEDRO IS SITTING AT THE TABLE-
PEDRO: No one is talking around here. It seems like everyone has something
to hide.
MARISOL: Yes, that's true, but if a couple of secrets began to unravel, you'd
see then all that would come afloat! That's why no one wants to talk.
-PEDRO LEAVES HIS SEAT AND COMES TO STAND NEXT TO MARISOL-
PEDRO: You could talk! You have nothing to hide!
MARISOL: Pedro, it's been too many years! They're old wounds, besides, what
purpose would it serve?
PEDRO: What do you mean, for what purpose! So everyone can find out the kind
of person Mariano is! I can help you!
MARISOL: If I were by myself, I would do it. But I have Julieta, and Mariano
is capable of anything!
PEDRO: Do you actually believe Mariano would be capable of harming Julieta?
MARISOL: I don't know, I imagine he would. Mariano doesn't stop at anything,
and if he wants to hurt you, he really goes after what you love the most.
PEDRO: May I ask you something? It's something I've been thinking about these
last few days. Mariano, is he Julieta's father?
-MARISOL LOOKS STUNNED BY PEDRO'S QUESTION-
-CECILIA WENT TO VISIT MERCEDES AGAIN. THEY'RE IN MERCEDES' ROOM. MERCEDES SITS ON A SMALL CHAIR. CECILIA IS STANDING BY THE BED-
CECILIA: You look more serene, more relaxed since the last time I saw you!
You do remember I came to see you, right?
MERCEDES: Yes. I remember so well, that I've been thinking about those letters.
CECILIA: Is your memory coming back?
-CECILIA PULLS A CHAIR AND SITS NEXT TO MERCEDES-
MERCEDES: Why are you so interested in those letters?
-CECILIA TRIES TO SHOW INDIFFERENCE-
CECILIA: No, no, it's not that I'm very interested in them, it's simply that
they are a part of our past, when Victoria, Leonora and you and I were always
together!
MERCEDES: Too much time has gone by, there's a lot of water under the bridge!
CECILIA: Yes, that's true! Do you remember how much fun we used to have?
MERCEDES: Especially with Victoria! She was always the funny one, always the
leader!
CECILIA: You remember!
MERCEDES: Not as much as I'd like, Cecilia. There are some things I don't remember.
I don't even remember how I got here!
CECILIA: Well, if you want to get better, you must not think about sad things.
Why don't we read those letters together?
MERCEDES: What letters?
CECILIA: We were just talking about them! Victoria's letters! Where are they?
MERCEDES: No, no! I don't have them!
CECILIA: What do you mean?
MERCEDES: No, they were private, very private! I gave them back to Victoria!
CECILIA: Victoria!
-PATRICIA AND IGNACIO ARE IN THEIR BEDROOM TALKING-
PATRICIA: It's obvious, my love. What's bringing you down is this business
with the Linares! Once you talk with Ana Laura
.
IGNACIO: Ana Laura has nothing to do with what goes on with us.
PATRICIA: Yes, she does, she does! But the problem is that Ana is so selfish
that she doesn't care about what goes on around her.
IGNACIO: Ana is not selfish! Patricia, this matter is between you and I.
PATRICIA: No, you must talk to Ana Laura! She has to stop Mariano! Can't you
see they're playing with your future!
IGNACIO: She does what she can! She's under a lot of pressure!
PATRICIA: We are also under pressure, my love! Look at our situation! Come on,
Nachito! Do it for us, so that we may be right again! You must talk to Ana Laura,
my love! All right?
-PATRICIA COMES CLOSER TO IGNACIO AND KISSES HIM ON THE CHEEK,
TRYING TO CONVINCE HIM. IGNACIO REMAINS SILENT-
-PEDRO IS WALKING WITH LUNITA TOWARDS THE TRACK. ANA LAURA COMES RUNNING AND BEGINS TALKING TO HIM-
ANA LAURA: Hello. How is Lunita? How is the training coming along?
PEDRO: Fine. In this place, a lot of time is wasted in things that have nothing
to do with work.
-PEDRO PUTS LUNITA INSIDE THE FENCE. HE THEN TURNS AROUND AND LEANING ON THE GATE, CONTINUES TALKING TO ANA LAURA-
ANA LAURA: Yes, that's true. There's a lot of impertinence.
PEDRO: I don't see you very relaxed, either.
ANA LAURA: I have more than enough reasons.
PEDRO: And are you planning on doing something about it?
ANA LAURA: Yes. I'm leaving for Buenos Aires.
PEDRO: You're leaving?
ANA LAURA: Yes.
PEDRO: Exactly at this moment when we need you the most?
ANA LAURA: Who needs me?
-PEDRO TAKES A STEP CLOSER AND IS STANDING VERY CLOSE TO HER-
PEDRO: Ana, please! Everyone! Myself! I like it when we're together!
-PEDRO KEEPS COMING CLOSER TO ANA LAURA BUT AT THIS PRECISE MOMENT, MARIANO ARRIVES AND INTERRUPTS THEM-
MARIANO: Excuse me! A meeting between friends?
PEDRO: I was just leaving.
MARIANO: Yes, leave!
-PEDRO LEAVES AND MARIANO ANGRILY QUESTIONS ANA LAURA-
MARIANO: What were you doing with him?
ANA LAURA: We were talking about work.
MARIANO: To the devil with that story! I don't want to see you near this guy,
is that clear?
ANA LAURA: I'm sick and tired of you always telling me what I can or cannot
do!
-ANA LAURA TRIES TO WALK AWAY, BUT MARIANO GRABS HER ARM AND DETAINS HER-
MARIANO: If I see you near Pedro again, and is not due to anything related
to work, I'll kill him!
Is that clear? I will kill him!
--ANA LAURA HAS A VERY SERIOUS LOOK ON HER FACE, CONVINCED
THAT MARIANO MEANS EVERY WORD HE SAYS-
-PEDRO AND MARISOL ARE TALKING BY THE STABLES-
MARISOL: Since I told you everything about Mariano, I cant's stop thinking
about it.
PEDRO: After everything that degenerate has done, things cannot be left as they
are! We have to do something.
MARISOL: No, I didn't tell you everything so you can do something about it.
We already talked about that!
PEDRO: You know I won't do anything you don't want me to do.
MARISOL: I only told you so that you could understand me a little and also to
be able to rid myself of some of the anguish I carry inside me.
PEDRO: Yes, I know, but there has to be another way to resolve this, Marisol.
You can't leave things this way.
MARISOL: But, I don't know how!
PEDRO: Say something! Take the load off your shoulders! Talk to him face to
face!
MARISOL: You want me to confront Mariano?
PEDRO: Yes, bring everything to light!
MARISOL: No, no! I won't have the courage to do it!
PEDRO: You have to do it for yourself and for Julieta. You must find the courage
to do it.
MARISOL: Do you know all the consequences that would bring?
PEDRO: Yes, I know. It could bring you a lot of problems, but I'm with you,
and you have to trust yourself. You have to do it, Marisol.
-IGNACIO IS IN THE LIBRARY, SITTING AT HIS DESK. FLORIA AND VICTORIA WALK IN-
FLORIA: Come in Victoria, close the door.
-IGNACIO GETS UP FROM HIS CHAIR AND GOES TO GREET VICTORIA WITH A HUG AND A KISS. HE RETURNS TO HIS SEAT AND FLORIA AND VICTORIA SIT ACROSS THE DESK FROM HIM-
FLORIA: Victoria has a lot of news to tell you.
IGNACIO: Really? Is it regarding the competition?
VICTORIA: No, it's about your personal situation. I promised to help you, didn't
I? Well, I consulted with my attorneys!
FLORIA: Is there anything that can be done?
VICTORIA: Of course something can be done!
FLORIA: Ignacio, didn't I tell you your lawyers were incompetent?
IGNACIO: Sometimes things have to be handled in certain ways, mother.
VICTORIA: The problem here is the amount needed for bail, it's very high. We're
talking about a lot of money!
FLORIA: You leave that in my hands. My name still carries some weight and the
money, I believe I can raise it.
VICTORIA: I hadn't spoken to Ana Laura because I didn't want to give her false
hope, but if you agree with all this
.
FLORIA: But of course he agrees! The sooner we resolve this legal problem, the
sooner we'll be able to free Anita from that horrible suffering she's experiencing,
my God! Excuse me for a minute, Victoria! I'm very nervous! And you, Ignacio,
stop looking so somber!
-FLORIA EXITS THE ROOM, LEAVING VICTORIA AND IGNACIO ALONE IN THE LIBRARY TO TALK-
VICTORIA: What do you have to say?
IGNACIO: It doesn't change anything!
VICTORIA: What are you talking about! You could stay out of prison! Isn't that
enough?
IGNACIO: The reason I could end up in jail is one entirely different. There's
something much more serious!
VICTORIA: More serious? I don't understand!
-IN THE LIVING ROOM, CECILIA IS STANDING GUARD, WHILE CARMEN SEARCHES THROUGH VICTORIA'S COAT AND PURSE THAT SHE REMOVED AND LEFT BEHIND WHEN SHE WENT TO TALK TO IGNACIO. CECILIA WANTS CARMEN TO FIND THE KEYS TO VICTORIA'S HOUSE, SO THEY CAN EVENTUALLY GO IN SEARCH OF THE MISSING LETTERS-
CECILIA: Hurry up!
CARMEN: I can't find them anywhere!
CECILIA: Look in her purse! Look in the inner pocket! Where else do you keep
the keys!
CARMEN: I keep them in my side pocket of my coat!
CECILIA: Be quiet and keep searching!
CARMEN: I'm trying, señora.
CECILIA: Hurry up, they're going to see us!
-CARMEN FINDS A SET OF KEYS AND GIVES THEM TO CECILIA-
CARMEN: Do you think these are the ones?
CECILIA: They have to be!
-CECILIA GRABS THE KEYS FROM CARMEN, AND THEY BOTH LEAVE THE
ROOM-
-JULIETA IS IN THE STABLES TALKING TO LUNITA-
JULIETA: I did terrible today, it was a disaster, but don't be angry with me. I just wasn't myself today, but you must trust me just like I trust you, all right? We'll win the competition, you'll see!
-JULIETA STARTS BACKING AWAY AND WAVES TO LUNITA, WHEN SHE RUNS INTO MERCEDES. JULIETA'S STARTLED TO SEE A STRANGER IN THE ESTANCIA-
JULIETA: Who are you?
MERCEDES: Don't be afraid, little one!
JULIETA: No, I'm not afraid! I was just surprised!
MERCEDES: I'm also very surprised!
JULIETA: Who are you?
MERCEDES: It doesn't matter who I am, or where I come from. What matters is
that I'm back!
-ANA LAURA IS IN THE HALLWAY, CARRYING HER LUGGAGE, WHEN MARIANO COMES OUT FROM ONE OF THE ROOMS AND STOPS HER-
MARIANO: My love, where are you going?
ANA LAURA: Please, I'm leaving for Buenos Aires, Mariano!
MARIANO: You didn't say anything!
ANA LAURA: I don't have to tell you anything.
MARIANO: Yes, you do! How many times do I have to remind you, you are my wife!
ANA LAURA: Well, all right. I'm leaving! Excuse me!
-ANA LAURA TRIES TO WALK AWAY BUT MARIANO GRABS HER ARM-
MARIANO: You're not going anywhere!
ANA LAURA: Let me go, Mariano, please!
-PEDRO AND MARISOL WALK IN AT THIS MOMENT-
MARIANO: What are you two doing here? Why don't you knock on the door?
PEDRO: We're here to talk to you about something very important!
MARIANO: Well, I can't! I'm very busy!
ANA LAURA: Can you explain what's going on?
PEDRO: Marisol has something to say to Mariano!
MARIANO: Marisol has something to say to me? Well, all right! I'm listening!
What do you have to tell me?
-MARIANO GIVES MARISOL AN ANGRY AND THREATENING LOOK. MARISOL TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO THINK, AND CHANGES HER MIND-
,MARISOL: Nothing, it's not important.
PEDRO: What? Speak, Marisol, please!
MARIANO: Nothing! It's not important! She has nothing to say!
ANA LAURA: I'm sorry, will someone explain to me what's going on?
PEDRO: This has to do with what happened between Mariano and Marisol!
MARISOL: Nothing happened between us!
PEDRO: Don't be afraid! Say it! Tell him what you wanted to say!
ANA LAURA: Afraid of what, tell me!
MARIANO: Nothing, nothing! Pedro, please! She said nothing happened! She made
a mistake! She has absolutely nothing to tell me! This entire conversation is
stupid!
PEDRO: This is not stupid!
MARISOL: Yes, forgive me, Ana! This is nothing but stupidity!
-MARISOL RUNS OUT OF THE HOUSE, LEAVING PEDRO SPEECHLESS AND VERY ANGRY. ANA LAURA IS VERY CONFUSED AND ADDRESSES MARIANO-
ANA LAURA: What happened? Did you argue about work?
-MARIANO WANTS PEDRO OUT OF THE HOUSE, BEFORE ANSWERING ANA LAURA'S QUESTION. HE ADDRESSES PEDRO:
MARIANO: Your little friend just left, why don't you do the same?
-PEDRO GIVES MARIANO A MURDEROUS LOOK AND WALKS OUT-
MARIANO: My God, these peons!
ANA LAURA: I honestly didn't understand anything. I'm leaving!
-ONCE AGAIN, ANA LAURA TRIES TO LEAVE, BUT MARIANO DETAINS HER-
MARIANO: You're not going anywhere! You're staying right here!
-THE STABLES- JULIETA IS NOW VERY COMFORTABLY SITTING DOWN ON A BALE OF HAY, TALKING WITH MERCEDES. LUNITA IS IN THE STALL BEHIND THEM-
JULIETA: This is Lunita. Lunita, this is my friend who comes from another planet!
MERCEDES: Hello, Lunita!
JULIETA: Do you like horses?
MERCEDES: I like them very much.
JULIETA: Do you own any?
MERCEDES: No, there are no horses where I live.
JULIETA: And where do you live?
MERCEDES: I live far away. Very far from here. And now, I must leave.
-MERCEDES CARESSES JULIETA'S HAIR, AND STANDS UP-
MERCEDES: And you should go also, because Marisol is going to worry.
JULIETA: Do you know my mother?
MERCEDES: Yes, I know your mother and I know a lot of other people.
JULIETA: Are we going to see each other again?
-MERCEDES CARESSES JULIETA'S CHEEK-
MERCEDES: Yes, I promise. From now on, every time you need me, you'll be able to count on me. Go on, go on!
-JULIETA LEAVES. MERCEDES WAVES TO HER-
-PEDRO AND MARISOL ENTER MARISOL'S HOUSE. PEDRO IS VERY UPSET THAT MARISOL DECIDED TO KEEP QUIET-
MARISOL: I'm sorry, Pedro, but I couldn't do anything else!
PEDRO: What do you mean you couldn't do anything else, Marisol, please! Explain
it to me!
MARISOL: I can't explain it! Don't question me anymore! I can't say anything!
PEDRO: Why not?
MARISOL: Because of Julieta! If I accuse him, Mariano's capable of doing something
to her, and I would die! Don't you understand that if anything happens to Julieta
I would simply die?
PEDRO: You're not protecting your daughter by covering up for someone as sick
as Mariano! To the contrary!
MARISOL: I'm afraid of him, Pedro! Can't you understand I'm afraid of him?
PEDRO: Don't be afraid! How much more are you going to put up with?
MARISOL: I'll put up with anything! I have to protect Julieta, and for that
reason, I'll put up with anything!
PEDRO: Merely putting up with things is not enough!
MARISOL: I do what I can!
PEDRO: I'd love for everyone to find out the things that scoundrel does!
MARISOL: Look, Pedro, I'm not going to say anything to anybody, and I'm asking
you please, to forget everything I told you! Do it for me, and for Julieta!
PEDRO: All right.
-PEDRO IS STILL VERY ANGRY AND DOESN'T AGREE WITH MARISOL'S
DECISION, BUT HE WALKS OUT OF THE HOUSE WITHOUT SAYING ANOTHER WORD, LEAVING
MARISOL FEELING HELPLESS-
..
-FLORIA IS SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM READING. VICTORIA ARRIVES AND GREETS HER-
FLORIA: Victoria, you're here so early! How are you?
VICTORIA: Hello, Floria! I'm fine!
FLORIA: Sit down, querida!
-VICTORIA REMOVES HER JACKET AND DROPS IT ON THE SOFA, ALONG WITH HER PURSE-
VICTORIA: I'm here to see Mariano, if it's at all possible.
FLORIA: He's around somewhere. I think he woke up very early today.
VICTORIA: Something happened to me! I lost the keys to my house!
-CECILIA AND CARMEN APPEAR AT THE END OF HALLWAY AND BEGIN TO LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN FLORIA AND VICTORIA-
VICTORIA: I looked everywhere for them, but I didn't find them!
FLORIA: How were you able to get in?
VICTORIA: The housekeeper let me in, but I'm very worried about that. I've been
thinking that perhaps I left them here, somewhere!
FLORIA: I don't know, but why don't we ask Magda!
-FLORIA AND VICTORIA RISE FROM THE SOFA. VICTORIA PICKS UP HER JACKET AND HER PURSE, AND THEY BOTH LEAVE THE ROOM. THEY DIDN'T NOTICE CECILIA AND CARMEN HIDING-
CECILIA: She's going to be here a while.
CARMEN: Señora, why don't we leave things alone?
CECILIA: No! This is our only chance! Let's go!
CARMEN: But, señora
..
CECILIA: Let's go!
-CECILIA AND CARMEN EXIT THE HOUSE. THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY TO
VICTORIA'S HOUSE IN BUENOS AIRES-
-PEDRO AND TOTI ARE SITTING BY THE STABLES, TALKING. PEDRO, VERY NONCHALANT, IS TRYING TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM TOTI-
PEDRO: Toti, did you stop by the big house this morning?
TOTI: Yes, I stop by every morning, to see Lisa! She was
PEDRO: Listen, listen, did you happen to see Ana Laura somewhere?
TOTI: No! Anita is asleep at that hour! It's too early for her!
PEDRO: Do you by any chance know which room is hers?
TOTI: Of course I know! I know that house since I was little! Its the
middle window!
PEDRO: I see.
TOTI: Why? Why?
PEDRO: No reason!
-TOTI BEGINS TO TEASE PEDRO. PEDRO ONLY SMILES. TOTI CONTINUES
TO JEER AT PEDRO AND WHEN DOING THIS, TOTI FALLS OFF THE BALE OF HAY THEY'VE
BEEN SITTING ON-
-ANA LAURA'S ROOM. THE ROOM IS EMPTY. PEDRO IS SEEN CLIMBING IN THROUGH THE WINDOW. HE'S WALKING SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY THROUGH THE ROOM WHEN SUDDENLY, THE DOOR TO THE BATHROOM OPENS AND ANA LAURA COMES OUT, STARTLING HIM. ANA LAURA CLEARLY WASN'T EXPECTING ANYONE TO BE IN THE ROOM AND SHE'S ABOUT TO SCREAM IN ALARM, BUT PEDRO SWIFTLY TAKES HER IN HIS ARMS AND COVERS HER MOUTH WITH HIS HAND, PREVENTING HER FROM SCREAMING. MARIANO CAN BE HEARD THROUGH THE DOOR, CALLING OUT TO ANA LAURA-
MARIANO: Ana! Anita!
-PEDRO AND ANA LAURA LOOK AT EACH OTHER IN SURPRISE-