Provócame

Episode 12

-PEDRO HAS COME TO ANA LAURA'S ROOM WITH THE INTENTION OF WARNING HER ABOUT MARIANO, BUT ANA LAURA IS UPSET BECAUSE SHE BELIEVES PEDRO'S ACTION IS PUTTING THEM BOTH IN DANGER. SHE TAKES MARIANO'S THREATS VERY SERIOUSLY AND IS VERY NERVOUS BECAUSE AT THIS EXACT MOMENT, MARIANO IS CALLING OUT TO HER FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR, NEVER IMAGINING THAT PEDRO IS IN THE ROOM WITH HER. SHE ANSWERS MARIANO THROUGH THE CLOSED DOOR-

ANA LAURA: Mariano, is that you?
MARIANO: Come on, Ana, get up! It's late!
ANA LAURA: Yes, yes! I'm coming! Wait for me! I'll get dressed immediately and I'll come down to the living room! Five minutes is all I need!
MARIANO: All right, don't be late!
ANA LAURA: No, no!

-MARIANO LEAVES AND ANA LAURA TURNS TO PEDRO. SHE'S VERY ANGRY-

PEDRO: Thank you for helping me!
ANA LAURA: Thank you for helping me? If you didn't act so foolishly, there wouldn't be any need for me to help you!
PEDRO: I act foolishly?
ANA LAURA: Yes, you! I don't understand! What are you doing here?
PEDRO: I need to talk to you! That's why I'm here!
ANA LAURA: But…are we all crazy? You can't just come into my bedroom! What were you thinking?
PEDRO: I…I didn't want anyone to know; that's the reason I came in through the window!
ANA LAURA: No, no, no! You're leaving! You're leaving now, because if Mariano finds out you're here, we're both going to be in big trouble!

-ANA LAURA TAKES PEDRO BY THE ARM AND PUSHES HIM TOWARDS THE WINDOW. PEDRO TRIES TO EXPLAIN TO HER HIS REASONS FOR BEING IN THE ROOM, BUT SHE'S TOO UPSET TO LISTEN-

PEDRO: We don't need Mariano seeing us, to be in trouble! Something terrible has happened, and I must tell you about it!
ANA LAURA: Please, leave!

-AT THIS MOMENT, PEDRO NOTICES THAT ANA LAURA IS ONLY WEARING A BLACK CAMISOLE AND PANTIES-

PEDRO: Yes, yes, I'm leaving!

ANA LAURA REALIZES SUDDENLY SHE'S IN HER UNDERWEAR, AND GRABS A ROBE FROM A NEARBY CHAIR-

ANA LAURA: I can't believe it! Why didn't you tell me I'm like this!
PEDRO: But I ….I…
ANA LAURA: You're such a rogue!
PEDRO: No, no, Ana!
ANA LAURA: Leave, please!
PEDRO: Ana! Ana! I need to talk to you!
ANA LAURA: I'm asking you to leave, please!
PEDRO: You're in danger, Ana!
ANA LAURA: The only who's in danger here, is you!
PEDRO: No! You are in danger! Mariano is capable of doing anything to you, Ana!
ANA LAURA: You're the one who doesn't know what Mariano is capable of doing, so I'm asking you to leave, please!

-ANA LAURA PUSHES PEDRO TO THE WINDOW AND DOESN'T WANT TO LISTEN TO ANYTHING HE HAS TO SAY-

ANA LAURA: Go on, please! Leave! Leave, and make sure no one sees you, all right?

-PEDRO ALLOWS HER TO PUSH HIM TOWARDS THE WINDOW. HE TURNS AROUND AND LOOKS AT HER ONE MORE TIME, WISHING HE'D BEEN ABLE TO CONVINCE HER TO LISTEN TO HIM, BUT HE LEAVES WITHOUT SAYING A WORD-

ANA LAURA: Go on!
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-MARISOL IS IN THE LIBRARY SITTING AT HER DESK, WRITING. SHE CONTINUES TO WORK FOR MARIANO, ALTHOUGH UNWILLINGLY. MARIANO WALKS IN AND CLOSES THE DOOR. MARISOL IMMEDIATELY BECOMES TENSE AND SETS THE PEN DOWN ON THE DESK. MARIANO STANDS BY HER DESK-

MARIANO: Marisol, Marisol, Marisol! I want to congratulate you!
MARISOL: Leave me alone!
MARIANO: I like intelligent women! Especially the ones who know what's good for them!
MARISOL: More so if they're being threatened!
MARIANO: No! I didn't threaten you! I just don't like to be disobeyed, that's all!
MARISOL: All right! I did what you wanted! I didn't say anything, now leave me alone!

-MARISOL STANDS UP FROM HER CHAIR AND TRIES TO WALK TO THE DOOR, BUT MARIANO GRABS HER ARM AND PULLS HER TOWARDS HIM-

MARIANO: Come here, come here! I like it when you react that way! Continue!
MARISOL: Stop! Mariano, don't torture me anymore!

-MARISOL TRIES ONE MORE TIME TO LEAVE, BUT MARIANO AGAIN PULLS HER TO HIM-

MARIANO: This is not torture! To the contrary, I'm trying to make you happy! I'm trying to make you very happy!

-HE PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND HER AND TRIES TO KISS HER. MARISOL STRUGGLES WITH HIM-

MARISOL: Let me go! Don't touch me! Don't touch me!
MARIANO: Why not? Why can't I touch you?
MARISOL: Let go! Don't touch me, again! Don't touch me!

-SUDDENLY, THE DOOR TO THE LIBRARY OPENS, AND VICTORIA COMES IN. MARIANO INSTANTLY RELEASES MARISOL. MARISOL TAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RUN OUT OF THE ROOM. VICTORIA STARES AFTER MARISOL. MARIANO, VERY AGITATED STILL, TRIES TO MAKE LIGHT OF THE SITUATION-

MARIANO: Ah, Victoria! Victoria!

-HE WALKS AROUND THE DESK, TRYING TO GAIN TIME TO COMPOSE HIMSELF-

VICTORIA: How are you?
MARIANO: Fine! Fine! Just fine! There's so much work to do! This visit, is it due to something in particular?

-HE STANDS AND LEANS OVER THE DESK, ADDRESSING VICTORIA-

VICTORIA: Yes. Do you if I left a set of keys around here?

-VICTORIA SETS HER PURSE ON THE DESK AND DRAPES HER JACKET OVER A CHAIR-

MARIANO: No, no. I really haven't seen them.
VICTORIA: What was wrong with Marisol?
MARIANO: Nothing! She was…..nothing! We're working very well together! Very well, really! But, you know how she is! She's a little stubborn! She doesn't want to accept that she must learn certain things! That's all there is!

-VICTORIA LOOKS AT MARIANO BUT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING-
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VICTORIA'S HOUSE IN THE CITY- CECILIA AND CARMEN LET THEMSELVES IN THE HOUSE, USING THE SET OF KEYS CARMEN TOOK FROM VICTORIA'S PURSE. CECILIA INSTRUCTS CARMEN TO LOCK THE DOOR BEHIND THEM-

CECILIA: Where could she have put these letters? Let's search the entire house! We don't have a minute to waste!
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-ERICA IS IN THE KITCHEN, POURING HERSELF A DRINK. FRANCISCO IS ALSO THERE. HE'S LEANING AGAINST THE BACK OF A CHAIR, AND HE'S VERY QUIET-

ERICA: What's wrong?
FRANCISCO: What?
ERICA: What's wrong?
FRANCISCO: Oh, nothing! I've been thinking about getting a job!
ERICA: Seriously?
FRANCISCO: Yes, but I have to get some type of training! These days, if you don't know something about computers, no one wants to hire you!
ERICA: Yes, that's true. But wait! If you want, I can teach you the basics! Are you interested?
FRANCISCO: You would really do that?
ERICA: Yes, really! We can start with the classes anytime you want!
FRANCISCO: Great! We can start right away, then! Thanks!
ERICA: No problem!

-ERICA WALKS OUT AND AT THE SAME TIME, LISA COMES IN THE ROOM-

LISA: What were you talking about?
FRANCISCO: Nothing that concerns you! All right?

-FRANCISCO LEAVES, LEAVING LISA ALONE IN THE KITCHEN-
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-BACK TO VICTORIA'S HOUSE- THE HOUSEKEEPER, PRESUMABLY BACK FROM THE SUPERMARKET, WALKS IN THE HOUSE. ONCE THE HOUSEKEEPER IS OUT OF VIEW, CARMEN AND CECILIA EXIT ONE OF THE ADJACENT ROOMS. CARMEN IS VERY NERVOUS AND IS TRYING TO CONVINCE CECILIA TO LEAVE-

CARMEN: Let's go, señora!
CECILIA: The letters!
CARMEN: It's now or never! Let's go!

-CARMEN HURRIES CECILIA OUT THE DOOR. THEY LEAVE EMPTY HANDED-
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-THE ESTANCIA- FLORIA IS SERVING AS A LOOK OUT FOR ANA LAURA. ANA LAURA HAS PACKED HER BAGS AND IS TRYING, ONCE AGAIN, TO LEAVE FOR BUENOS AIRES. SHE'S TRYING TO LEAVE WITHOUT BEING SEEN BY MARIANO-

FLORIA: Hurry up! Hurry up! There's no one around!

-ANA LAURA KISSES HER GRANDMOTHER AND TRIES TO LEAVE. FLORIA DETAINS HER BRIEFLY, AND ASKS ANA LAURA TO CALL WHEN SHE GETS TO THE CITY-

ANA LAURA: Yes, yes! I'll call you!

-ANA LAURA IS ABOUT TO LEAVE, BUT THIS TIME IS DETAINED BY IGNACIO AND PATRICIA, WHO, HAND IN HAND, WALK INTO THE ROOM AT THAT MOMENT-

IGNACIO: Where are you going, Ana?
ANA LAURA: I'm going to spend a couple of days at the apartment in Buenos Aires!
IGNACIO: You are?
FLORIA: Ignacio, please! Your little girl is old enough!
PATRICIA: What a convenient time to take a vacation!

-ANA LAURA LOOKS AT PATRICIA, BUT DOESN'T RESPOND TO HER COMMENT-

IGNACIO: Patricia, would you please, leave us alone for a second?
PATRICIA: All right!

-PATRICIA WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM-

ANA LAURA: Dad, I need to take a couple of days off! That's all!
FLORIA: Of course! She needs to do get away, because in this house, there's a lack of oxygen!
IGNACIO: But you were leaving without saying anything to me!
FLORIA: She'd asked me to let you know!
IGNACIO: Isn't this going to create problems for you with…….
ANA LAURA: No, no! Don't worry about that! I know what I'm doing! I won't have any problems!

-ANA LAURA GIVES FLORIA ANOTHER KISS-

FLORIA: Call me!
ANA LAURA: Yes, yes! I will call you! Grandmother, please take care of what we discussed!
FLORIA: Don't worry! Mariano won't go looking for you; I assure you, or my name is not Floria Villalobos!

-ANA LAURA SMILES. SHE THEN GIVES IGNACIO A HUG AND A KISS-

IGNACIO: Take care of yourself!

-ANA LAURA WAVES TO FLORIA AND SHE WALKS OUT THE DOOR-
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-TOTI AND CHAPA ARE SITTING AROUND A SMALL TABLE, OUTSIDE THE STABLES. FEDERICO ARRIVES-

FEDERICO: Where's Balmaceda?
CHAPA: I don't know! Oh, there he is!

-PEDRO IS WALKING TOWARDS THEM. FEDERICO WALKS UP TO MEET HIM-

FEDERICO: Too much time is being wasted, and not enough work is getting done!

-PEDRO IS WALKING PURPOSELY, AND FEDERICO HAS TO KEEP UP WITH HIM, WHILE TALKING-

PEDRO: Is there a problem?
FEDERICO: Yes! Why isn't Chocolate on the track?
PEDRO: He's not on the track, because he's not ready!
FEDERICO: When I arrive, that horse has to be ready!

-PEDRO SALUTES FEDERICO AND HE SARCASTICALLY EXPLAINS TO HIM THE REASONS WHY CHOCOLATE IS NOT READY-

PEDRO: I understand, Mr. Trainer! But, do you see; the horse was taking care of his necessities! I told him to stop, but the scoundrel, didn't listen to me!
FEDERICO: Don't be impertinent, Balmaceda! We already know you're incompetent and insolent! The only thing I want, is for you to follow my instructions!
PEDRO: I'll get the horse to the track right away. How long are you planning to train, today?
FEDERICO: Why do you ask?
PEDRO: I need the field.
FEDERICO: What for?
PEDRO: To train Luna.
FEDERICO: Ha, ha! That's the funniest thing I've heard in my life!
PEDRO: You can laugh all you want, but you need to clear the field for me. Ana Laura authorized it. She wants me to train the mare for the national championship!

-PEDRO GIVES FEDERICO A FIRM LOOK, AND THEN WALKS AWAY-
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-FLORIA IS WORKING ON A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER ARRANGEMENT IN THE LIVING ROOM. MARIANO COMES INTO THE HOUSE AND IS CALLING OUT FOR ANA LAURA-

MARIANO: Ana!

-FLORIA COMMENTS TO HERSELF-

FLORIA: The moment has arrived, Floria!

FLORIA: Anita left for Buenos Aires!
MARIANO: What do you mean, she left for Buenos Aires! I told her not to go! My God, I hate it when they don't listen to me! I really hate it!
FLORIA: Please! Let her have some time to herself! She'll be able to rest! It'll be good for her! I'm going to the kitchen, would you like a little tea?
MARIANO: No, I don't want any tea! Thank you, Floria!

-FLORIA LEAVES AND MARIANO TALKS TO HIMSELF-

MARIANO: I have a bad feeling about this!

-AT THIS MOMENT, PEDRO WALKS IN THE HOUSE-

PEDRO: Excuse me!
MARIANO: You're supposed to knock!
PEDRO: The door is open.
MARIANO: What do you want?
PEDRO: I'm looking for Marisol.
MARIANO: She's working. What do you want her for?
PEDRO: I want to talk to her!
MARIANO: That's not going to happen!
PEDRO: And why not?
MARIANO: Because I say so! Get out of here!
PEDRO: Where is she?

-MARISOL WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT WITH SOME PAPERS FOR MARIANO-

MARISOL: Mariano, here's the file…..
PEDRO: Marisol, please! Where have you been? I've been worried about you!
MARISOL: I've been here, working!

-MARIANO ADDRESSES MARISOL-

MARIANO: I want to remind you that these are your working hours, so leave the therapy session for another time, all right?
MARISOL: Just give me two minutes, all right?
MARIANO: How much longer are you going to allow this guy to fill your head with ideas?
PEDRO: What kind of filth, are you? How can you look at this woman in the face, after what you've done to her?
MARISOL: That's enough Pedro, please!
MARIANO: How many times do I have to repeat this! Please, didn't you explain to him that I didn't do anything to you the other night?
PEDRO: I'm not talking about the other night! I'm talking about what you did to her ten years ago!

-MARISOL LOOKS VERY SCARED AS SHE LOOKS AT MARIANO. MARIANO GIVES HER A MEANINFUL LOOK, AND THEN HE ADDRESSES PEDRO-

MARIANO: You're completely crazy!
PEDRO: You're disgusting! You're nothing but filth!
MARIANO: Get out of my house!

-MARIANO GOES TO PUSH PEDRO. THEY BEGIN SCREAMING AT EACH OTHER. PEDRO TRIES TO PUSH MARIANO BACK AND THEY'RE ABOUT TO START FIGHTING, BUT CECILIA AND CARMEN WALK IN THE ROOM. CECILIA GETS IN THE MIDDLE OF MARIANO AND PEDRO. MARISOL HOLDS PEDRO BACK-

MARIANO: Get out of my house!
PEDRO: You are filth!
MARISOL: Stop! That's enough!

-CECILIA SHOUTS AT PEDRO-

CECILIA: What did you do now?
PEDRO: Tell them, that you're nothing but filth!
MARIANO: Get out of my house, right now! You'd say anything just to get closer to Ana! What did you tell her? What did you tell her?
PEDRO: You're disgusting!
CECILIA: Please! Please, Mariano!

-VICTORIA WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT-

VICTORIA: What's going on here!
PEDRO: I'm not going to be like you! Next time I see Ana Laura, I'm going to tell her the truth! That's what I'm going to do!
VICTORIA: Pedro, please! Leave!
MARIANO: If you talk to Ana, I'm going to….
PEDRO: What, what? Are you threatening me also? Is that it?
VICTORIA: Pedro, go now! Leave!

-PEDRO LOOKS AT MARISOL AND THEN WALKS AWAY. CECILIA ANGRILY ADDRESSES VICTORIA-

CECILIA: This is all your fault! You brought misfortune to this house!
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-LETICIA IS LEANING ON A FENCE LOCATED NEXT TO THE STABLES. PEDRO ARRIVES AND BEGINS TALKING TO HER. HE'S EXTREMELY ANGRY STILL, AFTER THE LATEST CONFRONTATION WITH MARIANO-

PEDRO: How are you, Leticia?
LETICIA: Fine, how about you?
PEDRO: I rather not say!
LETICIA: This place has that effect on people.
PEDRO: What do you mean?
LETICIA: Well, you're so upset and Ana had to escape to Buenos Aires!
PEDRO: She's gone? I wanted to talk to her!
LETICIA: No, don't even think of going after her! She doesn't want anyone……on second thought, if I were in your place, I'd go after her!
PEDRO: No, things are not going well!
LETICIA: Why? What's the matter?

-PEDRO DOESN'T GET ACHANCE TO ANSWER LETICIA BECAUSE VICTORIA CALLS OUT HIS NAME. SHE'S MAKING HER WAY TOWARDS THEM, AND SHE'S VERY UPSET ABOUT THE INCIDENT THAT JUST OCCURRED BETWEEN PEDRO AND MARIANO-

VICTORIA: Pedro! You behaved atrociously in there! I cannot help you now!
PEDRO: What Mariano has done and continues doing, is despicable!

-MARISOL ARRIVES AND CONFRONTS PEDRO-

MARISOL: Why did you get involved? I ask you not to do it! Now Julieta is in danger!
PEDRO: Leticia, stay with Marisol. I'll be back!
LETICIA: Where are you going?
PEDRO: I'm going to do something I should have done long time ago!

-PEDRO WALKS AWAY-

MARISOL: Pedro, what are you going to do?
VICTORIA: Pedro, come back!

-VICTORIA TRIES TO GO AFTER HIM, BUT LETICIA HOLDS HER BACK-

LETICIA: Let him go! Calm down!
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-MARIANO COMES INTO THE LIVING ROOM. HE'S WEARING A LONG OVERCOAT AND IS HOLDING THE TWO SIDES OF THE OVERCOAT TOGETHER, CONCEALING A WEAPON. HE'S VERY ANGRY AND IS TALKING TO HIMSELF. HE'S MAKING HIS WAY OUT THE DOOR-

MARIANO: I'm sick of them! I'm sick of them!

-CECILIA WALKS IN THE ROOM AND SEES HOW UPSET MARIANO IS AND SHE TRIES TO DETAIN HIM-

CECILIA: What happened?
MARIANO: I'm going to show them they can't mess with me!
CECILIA: Mariano, I don't want you to do something crazy!
MARIANO: There's a limit to everything, mother! Everything!
CECILIA: Mariano!
MARIANO: I'm going to put an end to all this, once and for all!

-HE STORMS OUT OF THE HOUSE, LEAVING CECILIA IN A STATE OF WORRY-
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-GUNTHER HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR HIS DOGS. HE ARRIVES TO AN AREA IN THE STABLES WHERE HE FINDS THE DOGS CHEWING ON A SADDLE. HE BEGINS SCREAMING AT THEM AND WHEN THEY SEE HIM, THE DOGS RUN AWAY. HE CALLS THEM BACK, BUT AS USUAL, THE DOGS IGNORE HIM-

GUNTHER: What are you doing here? Are you trying to drive me crazy? How could you destroy this saddle? Come here! Come here! Come here! All right, if you don't want to obey me, then we're going to do things my way!

-GUNTHER PICKS UP A STRAP THAT WAS PART OF THE SADDLE AND IS ABOUT TO GO AFTER THE DOGS, WHEN FLORIA SHOWS UP, STARTLING HIM. HE TRIES TO HIDE THE STRAP BEHIND HIM, BUT FLORIA NOTICES IT, ANYWAY-

FLORIA: Gunther! What are you doing with that?
GUNTHER: Nothing! I was playing with my dogs! I throw them a stick, and they retrieve it for me! I adore these creatures and I teach them rectitude and kindness!
FLORIA: Gunther! Who'd have believed it! Tai-Chi is really changing you for the better!
GUNTHER: Yes! Much better! Look! Breath deeply and exercise!

-GUNTHER ACTUALLY DOES A LITTLE BIT OF EXERCISE FOR FLORIA'S BENEFIT-

FLORIA: I like to see you so content! Well, I'll be waiting for you, so we may continue with Tai-Chi disciplines!
GUNTHER: Yes, Frau!

-FLORIA PATS GUNTHER'S SHOULDER AND WALKS AWAY. GUNTHER TALKS TO HIMSELF-

GUNTHER: That's what I must put up with, trying to be nice!

-HE REALIZES HE'S STILL HOLDING ON TO THE SADDLE STRAP HE WAS HIDING FROM FLORIA-

GUNTHER: These dogs tore up everything! Now, what am I going to do with this?

-HE TOSSES THE TORN PIECES OF THE SADDLE ON THE FLOOR, AND TELLS THE HORSE IN THE NEXT STALL TO KEEP ITS MOUTH SHUT, AND HE WALKS AWAY-
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-CECILIA AND ALVARO ARE IN THEIR BEDROOM. CECILIA IS PACING THE FLOOR AND TELLING ALVARO ABOUT MARIANO'S BEHAVIOR-

CECILIA: He left the house like a madman, screaming!
ALVARO: Well, you already know how he is!
CECILIA: We both know how he is! And we know that Mariano loses his head about certain things!
ALVARO: I don't think he'll be repeating previous mistakes!
CECILIA: I'm not so sure! He's been a wreck since the wedding!
ALVARO: You should have listened to me! From the beginning I told you I didn't agree with the deal with the horse and that guy! He has no business being here!
CECILIA: Please! The horse has nothing to do with this! It's all Victoria's fault! She tries to come to this house with any excuse, to cause chaos among us!
ALVARO: I tried my best to stop Mariano from having any dealings with Victoria!
CECILIA: You could have stopped her!
ALVARO: Do you mind telling me, what right do I have to do that?
CECILIA: The same right you had to give her so many other things!
ALVARO: I'm fed up with you, Cecilia! Fed up!
CECILIA: You're fed up? I'm the one who's fed up with you! You're to blame for everything that's happening to me!

-ALVARO, VERY ANGRY AT CECILIA, STORMS OUT OF THE ROOM-
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-CARMEN IS SEEN ENTERING THE LIBRARY IN HASTE. SHE GOES STRAIGHT TO THE DESK WHERE VICTORIA'S PURSE IS LAYING. SHE OPENS THE PURSE AND RETURNS THE KEYS, BUT, EXACTLY AT THIS MOMENT, VICTORIA OPENS THE DOOR AND SURPRISES CARMEN-

VICTORIA: Did you need anything, querida?

-CARMEN IS STILL HOLDING ON TO THE PURSE BUT ALL SHE MANAGES TO DO, IS STARE AT VICTORIA IN SURPRISE. VICTORIA GRABS THE PURSE FROM CARMEN'S HANDS-

VICTORIA: I asked you a question! What were you looking for in my purse?

-CARMEN REMAINS SILENT-
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-PEDRO ARRIVES TO ANA LAURA'S APARTMENT IN THE CITY. ANA LAURA IS NOT TOO HAPPY TO SEE PEDRO. PEDRO IS DETERMINED TO TALK TO ANA LAURA, SO HE'S NOT DETERRED BY HER ATTITUDE-

ANA LAURA: Do you mind telling me what you're doing here?
PEDRO: You must know what kind of man your husband really is!
ANA LAURA: Enough! What's happening with with Mariano, now?
PEDRO: What happened with Marisol!
ANA LAURA: But, what happened with Marisol? Marisol said she was confused!
PEDRO: No! She wasn't confused, Ana Laura! Mariano threatened if she said anything!
ANA LAURA: He threatened her? How? Why?
PEDRO: Do you want to know why? Mariano raped her!
ANA LAURA: What?
PEDRO: Yes! A few years ago, Mariano abused her!
ANA LAURA: No! Stop, stop! Tell me it's not true! Tell me that what you're saying is not true!
PEDRO: Unfortunately, it's true!
ANA LAURA: My God! Leave! Pedro, please leave! This is very dangerous!

-ANA LAURA BECOMES VERY UPSET AFTER HEARING THIS. SHE GRABS PEDRO'S ARM AND TRIES TO GET HIM TO LEAVE, BUT PEDRO CONTINUES TALKING TO HER-

PEDRO: Yes, this is very dangerous! That's the reason I'm here! I don't want you to go back to the finca!
ANA LAURA: I don't plan to go back!

PEDRO LOOKS INTO ANA LAURA'S EYES-

PEDRO: Promise me!
ANA LAURA: I promise you! Take care of yourself! Please, take care of yourself!

-THERE IS FEAR IN ANA LAURA'S EYES. PEDRO LOOKS AT HER AND WALKS OUT WITHOUT SAYING ANOTHER WORD. ONCE PEDRO IS OUT OF THE ROOM, ANA LAURA BEGINS CRYING IN EARNEST. PEDRO IS THEN SEEN EXITING THE BUILDING. HE BEGINS WALKING DOWN THE SIDEWALK. HE SEEMS VERY PREOCUPIED WITH WHAT JUST HAPPENED IN ANA LAURA'S APARTMENT, AND HE DOESN'T NOTICE MARIANO SITTING IN A PARKED CAR, OUTSIDE THE APARTMENT.BUILDING. MARIANO SEES PEDRO WALK BY, AND HE TALKS TO HIMSELF-

MARIANO: It seems you don't want to listen, Pedro Balmaceda!

-MARIANO THEN RAISES A REVOLVER HE'S BEEN CARRYING WITH HIM-
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THE ESTANCIA. BACK TO THE LIBRARY. VICTORIA IS STILL QUESTIONING CARMEN-

VICTORIA: I'm listening! What were you looking for?

-CARMEN TAKES VICTORIA'S COAT AT THIS POINT. VICTORIA IS HOLDING ON TO HER PURSE, AFTER GRABBING IT FROM CARMEN'S HANDS EARLIER-

CARMEN: No! I wasn't looking for anything, señora! I was going to simply take your jacket and you purse to the coat rack, because that's the norm in this house!

-VICTORIA THEN ALSO GRABS HER COAT FROM CARMEN'S HANDS-

VICTORIA: Is it also the norm in this house to search through the guests' belongings?
CARMEN: I swear, señora, I wasn't…..
VICTORIA: What? What were you hoping to find?
CARMEN: No, señora, how can you think that of me?
VICTORIA: Always the same! You're always with your secretive attitude!
CARMEN: No, señora, I'm not that way! But, you have changed greatly!
VICTORIA: Yes, it's true, I've changed! Roberto talked about me extensively, I see!
CARMEN: No, no, Roberto didn't say much!
VICTORIA: But just enough to know I'm not the same person
CARMEN: Señora, I work for Señora Cecilia and I really don't get involved with what goes on in the lives of my superiors!
VICTORIA: Ah! A loyal employee!
CARMEN: Like very few!
VICTORIA: Well, then, you ought to be very well informed about Cecilia's comings and goings!
CARMEN: No, no! I don't know anything!
VICTORIA: No, of course not! Well, just remember that everything you do in this life, has consequences, querida! Everything!

-VICTORIA WALKS OUT OF THE LIBRARY-
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-MARIANO IS SITTING IN THE CAR, WITH THE REVOLVER READY-

MARIANO: This is it!

-MARIANO OPENS THE DOOR AND IS ABOUT TO GO AFTER PEDRO WITH THE GUN, WHEN ALVARO APPEARS AND STOPS HIM. ALVARO GETS IN THE CAR AND TAKES THE GUN AWAY FROM MARIANO-

ALVARO: Mariano, give me that! Are you crazy?
MARIANO: Dad, what are you doing here?
ALVARO: Your mother told me where you came here! This is not the way, Mariano!
MARIANO: This is exactly the way!
ALVARO: You've already made a lot of mistakes in your life! Stop!

-MARIANO IS LOSING CONTROL-

MARIANO: It's not a mistake! Can't you see this guy is trying to ruin our lives?
ALVARO: Fine! But we're smarter and more astute than he is! We have to find another way of getting rid of him!
MARIANO: Kill him! That's the only way! Kill him!
ALVARO: No! No!
MARIANO: Dad, please!
ALVARO: No, we must not be linked to anything like this! Come on son, let's go! Let's go home!

-MARIANO IS EXTREMELY AGITATED BUT HE LISTENS TO ALVARO AND STARTS THE CAR-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE ESTANCIA. CECILIA CONFRONTS CARMEN IN THE LIVING ROOM-

CECILIA: What's the matter?
CARMEN: Victoria saw me returning the keys to her purse!
CECILIA: What do you mean, she saw you! You're an idiot!
CARMEN: No, she didn't exactly see what I was doing! But we must keep her away from this house!
CECILIA: You're not telling me anything new!
CARMEN: She knows some things!
CECILIA: Really? And what does she know?
CARMEN: Things that could harm us! And she's willing to use that information against us! She'll do anything in her power to hurt us!
CECILIA: She won't be able to do anything! I'll stop her, one way or another!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL'S HOUSE- MARISOL AND PEDRO ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE, DRINKING COFFEE-

MARISOL: I feel so ashamed, Pedro! I couldn't go through with it, I'm sorry!
PEDRO: You don't have to apologize.
MARISOL: Yes, you tried to convince me to talk, but Mariano threatened me. You know that's what he does best!
PEDRO: I'm the one who put you in that situation.
MARISOL: You were just trying to defend me.
PEDRO: Yes, of course! It makes my blood boil just seeing how he treats you!
MARISOL: You're very sweet and don't like to see anyone suffering.
PEDRO: No, I don't, and especially you! That's why I must to help you.
MARISOL: It's not worth risking our lives for something that happened long ago.
PEDRO: But it's something that's weighing you down. You can't resign yourself to that!
MARISOL: But I have no alternative! As long as my daughter is in danger, I can't do anything!
PEDRO: You daughter won't be in any danger, I can assure you!
MARISOL: No, Pedro. You don't know what Mariano is capable of doing.
PEDRO: Yes, I do. Mariano is capable of doing anything, and that's why I'll continue with this battle until the end!
MARISOL: Why do you put yourself in so much risk?
PEDRO: Because I want to help you. Because it's not fair that you go through the things you're going through!

-MARISOL SUDDENLY GIVES PEDRO A HUG-

MARISOL: I'm so lucky to have you near, Pedro!
PEDRO: Don't worry, I will always be with you!

-MARISOL SMILES, SAFELY, IN PEDRO'S ARMS-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ALVARO AND MARIANO ARE IN THE LIBRARY. ALVARO IS SITTING AT THE DESK. MARIANO IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HIM. ALVARO IS HOLDING IN HIS HANDS, THE CONTRACT SIGNED BY VICTORIA AND MARIANO, PERTAINING TO THE SALE OF THE HORSE-

ALVARO: If we want to get rid of Balmaceda, the only thing we need to do, is to rely on this clause in the contract, clause 13. Here, read it!

-ALVARO HANDS MARIANO THE CONTRACT. MARIANO READS ALOUD, THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CLAUSE THIRTEEEN-

MARIANO: "If due to negligence, the horse were to suffer any type of injury, the sole responsibility will fall on the caretaker, Mr. Pedro Balmaceda, whose dismissal will be immediate, without formal procedures being necessary, once the probable cause of the injury has been established."
ALVARO: Do you see? The smallest mistake on his part, and he's out!
MARIANO: Yes, dad, but it won't be possible. Pedro is very careful with that horse, very careful!
ALVARO: He's careful when he's near the horse, only then!
MARIANO: I don't understand!
ALVARO: Pedro is a stupid man, who never stays still in one place! He's always training Marisol's girl, and Chocolate is always left alone. Do you understand now?
MARIANO: What you're saying is that the horse could suffer a serious upset!
ALVARO: That's exactly the way of taking care of things! If it can't be done willingly, it must be done unwillingly! Oh, but one thing; it must be done with class! He'll receive a good kick in the rear, but it will be done with class!

-MARIANO SNEERS, AGREEING WITH ALVARO-
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

-ALVARO IS ONCE AGAIN IN THE LIBRARY. THIS TIME, ROBERTO SITS ACROSS FROM HIM-

ALVARO: Do you understand clearly, Roberto?
ROBERTO: Yes, perfectly, but we'd have to find the way to do it.
ALVARO: Why do you think I called you? You know about the different medications and you know a lot about horses. But remember, we must not seriously harm him. Let's not forget he's a very expensive animal, Roberto!
ROBERTO: No, of course not! It has be something that would weaken the horse!
ALVARO: It has to leave the horse in bad shape, so the blame can rest on Pedro! We have to make sure of that!
ROBERTO: Consider it done!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-BUENOS AIRES- ANA LAURA HAS PREPARED HERSELF A CUP OF COFFEE. SHE SETS THE TRAY WITH THE COFFEEE CUP ON THE COFFE TABLE, AND SITS ON THE SOFA. THE DOORBELL RINGS AT THIS MOMENT, PREVENTING HER FROM TAKING A FIRST SIP. ANNOYED BY THE INTERRUPTION, SHE GETS UP FROM THE SOFA AND GOES TO ANSWER THE DOOR-

ANA LAURA: Who is it?
MARIANO: It's me! Open the door!

-ANA LAURA BECOMES VERY NERVOUS AND HESITATES IN OPENING THE DOOR. NEVERTHELESS, SHE OPENS IT, AND LETS MARIANO IN-

MARIANO: Are you alone?
ANA LAURA: Yes, I'm alone. Who would I be with?
MARIANO: Coming from you, anything can be expected!

-ANA LAURA SITS ON THE SOFA AND PICKS UP HER CUP OF COFFEE. SHE'S TRYING TO REMAIN UNAFFECTED BY MARIANO'S PRESENCE IN THE APARTMENT-

MARIANO: Besides, with everything that's going on at La Esperanza….
ANA LAURA: That's the reason I left! I wanted to be away from all that!

-MARIANO REMOVES HIS JACKET AND GIVES ANA LAURA A SARDONIC LOOK-

MARIANO: And did you get away from Pedro? I mean, are his comments wandering around in your head?
ANA LAURA: I haven't even seen Pedro!
MARIANO: Hum! He wanted to talk to you.
ANA LAURA: Really? I haven't seen him!
MARIANO: Are you sure?
ANA LAURA: Very sure! Why? Do you know what he wanted to tell me?
MARIANO: No, but since he's my enemy, he can say anything, and that scares me.

-ANA LAURA PUTS THE COFFEE CUP BACK ON THE TABLE, AND STANDS IN FRONT OF MARIANO-

ANA LAURA: Excuse me! Pedro scares you? You, afraid?
MARIANO: I'm afraid of what you might think of me! After what happened the other night, between us!
ANA LAURA: Hum!
MARIANO: I'm very sorry, really!
ANA LAURA: It's all right. It was a bad moment.
MARIANO: No, no! That's never happened before! I've never been violent towards a woman! Do you believe me?
ANA LAURA: Yes! Of course I believe you!
MARIANO: Good! Thank you!

-MARIANO, USING HIS RIGHT HAND, CARESSES ANA LAURA'S CHEEK AND NECK. HE COMES CLOSER AND TRIES TO KISS HER-

MARIANO: Thank you very much, Ana Laura. That gives me confidence! I feel you still love me, is that so?
ANA LAURA: Stop, Mariano, please!

-THE DOORBELL RINGS AT THIS MOMENT, TAKING THEM BOTH BY SURPRISE-

MARIANO: Are you waiting for someone?
ANA LAURA: No!
MARIANO: The doorbell rang!
ANA LAURA: I have no idea who could be ringing!
MARIANO: To find out, you must answer!
ANA LAURA: I don't feel like answering!
MARIANO: Ana! Someone's ringing!

-ANA LAURA HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO WALK TO THE KITCHEN AND PICK UP THE SPEAKER PHONE CONNECTED TO THE DOORBELL DOWNSTAIRS-

ANA LAURA: Hello!
PEDRO: Ana! It's Pedro! Let me in! I need to talk to you! Can you let me in?

-ANA LAURA IS UTTERLY STUNNED. MARIANO WATCHES HER REACTION WITH INTEREST-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IN THE STABLES, ROBERTO IS SEEN IN CHOCOLATE'S STALL, SPRAYING A SUBSTANCE ON THE FOOD THE ANIMAL IS ABOUT TO EAT-

ROBERTO: Eat! Come on, Chocolate, eat! Eat! Don't let me look bad in front of my boss!

-CHOCOLATE STARTS EATING FROM THE POISONED FOOD-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-BACK TO ANA LAURA'S APARTMENT-

PEDRO: It's important!
ANA LAURA: No, sir, thank you very much, but we don't need anything!
PEDRO: Listen! I know that Mariano came to Buenos Aires, and I'm very worried!
ANA LAURA: No, really! I don't need anything!

-MARIANO COMES CLOSER TO ANA LAURA AND QUESTIONS HER-

MARIANO: Ana, what's going on, who is it?
ANA LAURA: Nothing, nothing's going on!

PEDRO: He's there with you! Is that it?
ANA LAURA: Yes! Yes! Another time, perhaps! Goodbye!

-ANA LAURA HANGS UP THE PHONE-

ANA LAURA: My God, why won't they leave me alone!

-ANA LAURA SITS DOWN ON THE SOFA AGAIN. MARIANO FOLLOWS HER-

MARIANO: For one second, I thought it could be…..
ANA LAURA: What did you think, Marianito, what did you think?

-ANA LAURA FINISHES HER COFFEE-

MARIANO: Nothing! Nothing! It doesn't matter! What matters is what I'm thinking now! I'd like it very much if we left for La Esperanza. What do you say?
ANA LAURA: I say I don't want to go!
MARIANO: You have nothing to do here!
ANA LAURA: I disagree! This is my place! I'd like for you to accept that!
MARIANO: I do, Ana! I do! I'm asking you in a nice way, Ana! I'm asking in a nice way!
ANA LAURA: You don't always ask in a nice way!
MARIANO: Please, let's not argue!
ANA LAURA: It's too late! We already argued about something!
MARIANO: Well, I promise you that all the differences we've had will disappear!
ANA LAURA: All right, I'll go on one condition! I want to be able to come to Buenos Aires anytime I want!
MARIANO: That's fine! There's no reason to change that!
ANA LAURA: All right, I'll get my bags ready!

-MARIANO SMILES AND, ONCE AGAIN, CARESSES ANA LAURA'S CHEEK-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-FLORIA AND JULIETA ARE IN THE ATTIC. THEY'RE GOING THROUGH SOME OLD ITEMS. JULIETA FINDS A COUPLE OF OLD PHOTOGRAPHS OF A BABY AND A YOUNG BOY-

JULIETA: How ugly! Who is he?
FLORIA: Be careful how you express yourself about my husband, he was a beautiful young man!
JULIETA: Your husband?
FLORIA: What a beautiful keepsake of his youth!

-JULIETA MOVES ON AND FINDS AN OLD TRUNK. SHE ASKS FLORIA TO HELP HER OPEN IT-

JULIETA: Let's see! Floria, help me open this trunk!
FLORIA: Let's me see!

-THEY OPEN THE LID AND FIND SEVERAL ITEMS OF CLOTHING-

FLORIA: Leonora's clothes!
JULIETA: May I have it?
FLORIA: I don't know, because if Cecilia sees this, we'll have serious problems in our hands!
JULIETA: Come on, Floria, please! We'll make sure no one sees us!
FLORIA: Well, why not? After all, no one else is going to wear this!
JULIETA: Thank you, Floria! You're wonderful!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CHAPA AND TOTI ARE IN THE STABLES. THEY NOTICE THAT CHOCOLATE IS NOT WELL-

CHAPA: Don't you think this horse looks a little strange? Look at his eyes!
TOTI: Let me see!

-TOTI CHECKS CHOCOLATE'S EYES AND HIS MOUTH. TOTI THEN GOES OVER AND LISTENS TO CHOCOLATE'S STOMACH-

CHAPA: The pupils look a little odd! What are you doing? What are you doing?
TOTI: It's gas! How odd!
CHAPA: Let me see!

-CHAPA ALSO LISTENS TO CHOCOLATE'S STOMACH-

CHAPA: Querido, this sounds like Travinsky's number one concerto!
TOTI: Who?
CHAPA: The composer from Moscow!
TOTI: Oh! Ché, we have to tell someone! I don't like how Chocolate looks!

-TOTI AND CHAPA BEGIN CARESSING CHOCOLATE-

TOTI: Choqui, what's wrong? Choqui!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE LIBRARY- MARISOL IS SITTING AT HER DESK, TYPING IN THE COMPUTER. JULIETA IS SITTING AT THE END OF HER DESK, COLORING A BOOK. MARIANO IS DICTATING A LETTER TO MARISOL. AT THIS MOMENT, JULIETA GETS UP AND TELLS MARISOL SHE NEEDS TO USE THE BATHROOM. AS SOON AS JULIETA IS OUT OF THE ROOM, MARIANO STOPS TALKING AND APPROACHES MARISOL-

MARISOL: We were working on the registration files. Can we continue?
MARIANO: Did you know that Pedro went to talk to Ana? What if he said anything to her about our subject?
MARISOL: I already told you I regret telling him anything!
MARIANO: It's too late for regrets! It doesn't help me!
MARISOL: Well, I don't know what else to do!
MARIANO: I want you to behave, and do what I say!
MARISOL: Fine, what do you want me to do?
MARIANO: I don't want to see Pedro near your house! I don't want you to be with him! Is that clear?
MARISOL: You're crazy! You can't ask me that!
MARIANO: Oh, no? What do you prefer? Do you want me to carry out my threats against Julieta?
MARISOL: You'd be capable of doing something to her?
MARIANO: I don't know! If I were in your place, I wouldn't take the risk!

-JULIETA WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT. HE LAYS HIS HAND ON TOP OF JULIETA'S HEAD-

MARIANO: My love, what happened? Did you change your mind?
JULIETA: That's my business!

-JULIETA SITS DOWN AGAIN AND CONTINUES COLORING. MARISOL LOOKS AT HER, BUT DOESN'T SAY A WORD-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA IS IN THE KITCHEN, POURING HERSELF A GLASS OF ORANGE JUICE. PEDRO COMES IN AND STANDS BEHIND HER. HE TALKS TO HER-

PEDRO: I want some, too!

-ANA LAURA JUMPS, STARTLED, AND SETS THE GLASS DOWN ON THE COUNTER-

ANA LAURA: Oh! Where did you come from?

-PEDRO HAS A IMPISH GRIN ON HIS FACE AND CROSSES HIS ARMS IN FRONT OF HIM, LIKE A CHASTISED CHILD-

PEDRO: I came down straight from heaven!
ANA LAURA: Don't try to be funny! Don't scare me like that! I don't like it!
PEDRO: That was not my intention!
ANA LAURA: Yes, that's never your intention, but you always make me tremble when you appear!
PEDRO: You always make me tremble, too!
ANA LAURA: Stop! I'm not in the mood for jokes!
PEDRO: Neither am I! And then when I went to Buenos Aires, you wouldn't open the door! I went crazy, shouting into the intercom!
ANA LAURA: Are you a little slow? You asked me if Mariano was there, and I told you, yes! Yes, he was there!
PEDRO: Yes, I know! After I realized he was there, you can imagine how I felt! Did he do anything to you?
ANA LAURA: No, no! He didn't do anything! But, he wanted me to come home, and to avoid any problems, I agreed, and here I am!
PEDRO: You have to stand up to that man, once and for all, Ana Laura, please!
ANA LAURA: Only someone as illogical as you, would say something like that!

-PEDRO COMES CLOSER TO HER-

PEDRO: Or someone who's trying to help you, so you can finally be free of him! You can't spend the rest of you life living in fear!
ANA LAURA: I have no alternative, what do you want me to do? Don't you see we are in danger? Both of us?

-PEDRO COMES EVEN CLOSER TO ANA LAURA. ANA LAURA IS STANDING WITH HER BACK AGAINST THE KITCHEN COUNTER. PEDRO LEANS OVER HER. HIS FACE IS VERY CLOSE TO HERS. HIS ARMS ON EACH SIDE OF HER, ENCLOSING HER-

PEDRO: Do you really care that much about what can happen to us? I like it when you think of us! There are so many coincidences!
ANA LAURA: Don't be silly!

-ANA LAURA SMILES, ALMOST SHYLY-

PEDRO: Do you feel the tremor again?

-ANA LAURA, SMILING AND ALMOST WHISPERING-

ANA LAURA: Stop, please, stop! You're going to make me blush!

-ANA LAURA PUSHES HIM OUT OF THE WAY, AND WALKS OUT OF THE KITCHEN, SMILING. PEDRO SMILES AND LEANS ON THE COUNTER, LOOKING AFTER HER. NEITHER ONE OF THEM NOTICED CECILIA STANDING BY THE KITCHEN DOOR. SHE WITNESSED THE TENDER SCENE HE AND ANA LAURA JUST SHARED-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-FEDERICO AND TOTI ARE STANDING OUTSIDE CHOCOLATE'S BOX-

FEDERICO: Take the horse out to the track!
TOTI: No, Chocolate has a serious problem!
FEDERICO: Stop laughing! What do you mean he has a problem! What's wrong with him?
TOTI: The pupils of his eyes look larger than normal, and I think he has a problem with gas. If you listen closely to his stomach, you'll see there's something wrong with him!
FEDERICO: He looks fine to me! I'm taking him out!
TOTI: No! No! Really, you don't understand! The horse is not well!
FEDERICO: I didn't ask you if the horse was well! You don't know anything about horses! Move out of the way!
TOTI: But Leticia said…..Leticia is the veterinarian and she said….…
FEDERICO: Come on, Chocolate!
TOTI: I don't think it's the right decision, sir!

-FEDERICO IGNORES HIM AND TAKES CHOCOLATE TO THE TRACK-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ALVARO AND IGNACIO ARE IN THE DINING ROOM. THEY ARE ARGUING-

IGNACIO: When are you going to free me of all the accusations?
ALVARO: Forget about the accusations! That's not the problem, and you know it, perfectly well! That is not the problem! What we want is for you not to go against us! No one is interested in seeing you behind bars!
IGNACIO: You know I had nothing to do with the accident! You know that very well!
ALVARO: Of course I do, and that's why I'm trying to protect you! But the one person who doesn't know it, is the judge! And that accident, as you called it, left a man in a vegetative state, in case you've forgotten!
IGNACIO: But Mariano was in charge of the frigorífico* at that time! He was the manager!
ALVARO: Don't you ever mention my son in all this again! Never again! You're the one legally responsible for everything! All the documents were signed by you!
IGNACIO: Yes, but I wasn't the one who tried to kill that poor man!
ALVARO: But you were the one responsible for everything! You were in charge of the land, the staff! The only thing I'm asking now, Ignacio, is that you allow us to put this house in order!
IGNACIO: No, Alvaro, no! I've always been in charge of La Esperanza! I've always managed my land! I'm still standing! This is my land!
ALVARO: Fine, if that's how you see things!

-ALVARO BEGINS TO LEAVE. HE TAKES A FEW STEPS AND ACCIDENTLY STEPS ON THE DROPPINGS THAT ONE OF GUNTHER'S DOGS HAS LEFT BEHIND. ALVARO, VERY ANGRY, ADDRESSES IGNACIO, ONCE AGAIN-

ALVARO: This land may be yours, but I can assure you that without our help, it's not worth more than this dog's s---!

-ALVARO STORMS OUT OF THE ROOM-

*FRIGORIFICO/FIGORIFICO: It's a firm or business dedicated to the sale, transport, import and export of frozen products. Specifically meats of different varieties and/or sea food.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-VICTORIA CAME TO VISIT MERCEDES AT THE ASYLUM. SHE BROUGHT A BOX OF CHOCOLATES FOR MERCEDES. MERCEDES IS ENJOYING THE CANDY-

MERCEDES: These chocolates are delicious! Very delicious! When Cecilia visits me, she comes empty-handed.
VICTORIA: Does she visit you often?
MERCEDES: Lately, she's been coming very often. I've noticed she's acting very nervous!
VICTORIA: Really? Do you know what she did?
MERCEDES: No.
VITORIA: She broke into my home, trying to steal the letters! She looked for them, but she didn't find them, because they're being kept in a safe place. And I imagine yours are also put away?
MERCEDES: Yes, mine are in a safe place. Do you know why Cecilia is very nervous?
VICTORIA: No!
MERCEDES: Because she's done a lot of harm to a lot of people.
VICTORIA: Yes, I know. Why are you bringing this up now?
MERCEDES: Because in my case, she's dug her own grave! She drove me crazy, but she'll end up suffering the same fate!

-VICTORIA DOESN'T ANSWER. SHE'S WONDERING WHAT MERCEDES MEANT BY THAT COMMENT-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE LIBRARY. IGNACIO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK. PEDRO IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HIM-

IGNACIO: I thought I was the only one being threatened!
PEDRO: No, we all are being threatened. But the situation between Mariano and Ana Laura is unbearable.
IGNACIO: Yes, I feel sick about that! Ana Laura deserves a better fate, but I don't know what to do, it's as if everything came down at once!
PEDRO: Yes, I understand, I understand. The same thing happened to me.
IGNACIO: There's a lot at stake here. A lot of money, assets, the family! I don't advise you to get involved in all this!
PEDRO: No, I already am! Believe me, Don Ignacio. We have a lot of things in common.
IGNACIO: Why are you doing this, Pedro? I assume it's not only about the horse, right?
PEDRO: No, it's not only that. I care very much about your family, and I'm very bothered by everything that's happening.
IGNACIO: I'm very grateful to you, but I don't see how we can stop these people!
PEDRO: By coming together. Together, we can fight. United, we can fight the same battle. Are you willing to accept my help?

-PEDRO OFFERS HIS HAND TO IGNACIO IN SOLIDARITY. IGNACIO TAKES IT-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-BACK TO MERCEDES AND VICTORIA-

VICTORIA: Are you telling me you're planning to take revenge on your sister?

-MERCEDES LOOKS AT VICTORIA AS IF SHE'S SEEING HER FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT DAY. MERCEDES' MIND WANDERS. SHE COMES IN AND OUT OF A STATE OF COHERENCY-

MERCEDES: What sister?
VICTORIA: Cecilia! We were talking about Cecilia!
MERCEDES: Cecilia!

-MERCEDES THEN STARTS SAYING A PRAYER TO ST. CECILIA THAT SHE REMEMBERS FROM HER CHILDHOOD. SHE LAUGHS WHEN SHE'S DONE PRAYING-

VICTORIA: How I'd love to see you the way you were before!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA GOES TO SEE MARISOL-

ANA LAURA: I'm not here to fight with you, Marisol. May I sit down?
MARISOL: Yes.

-ANA LAURA AND MARISOL SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE. MARISOL REMAINS SILENT, WAITING FOR ANA LAURA TO SPEAK FIRST-

ANA LAURA: It's not easy for me to say what I came to say to you.
MARISOL: Go ahead, Ana! We've known each other all our lives! Speak!
ANA LAURA: The other night, I was in my bedroom, getting ready for bed. Mariano came in acting in a very strange way. I'd never seen that side of him. And….he tried to force himself on me!

-MARISOL IS SHOCKED BY THIS STATEMENT FROM ANA LAURA. ANA LAURA CONTINUES-

ANA LAURA: He was acting in a very brutal and uncontrolled way.

-MARISOL PUTS HER HEAD DOWN, AVERTING ANA LAURA'S GAZE-

ANA LAURA: And I know that you went through something similar.

-MARISOL IS SILENT FOR A MOMENT-

MARISOL: I don't want to talk about that.
ANA LAURA: Listen to me!
MARISOL: No! I don't want to talk about that, Ana!
ANA LAURA: Please, Marisol! This is important! It's important to both of us!

-MARISOL IS STILL RELUCTANT TO TALK. SHE'S REMEMBERING MARIANO'S THREATS OF HURTING JULIETA IF SHE TALKED ANYMORE ABOUT THAT SUBJECT-

ANA LAURA: What Pedro told me…..is it the truth?

-MARISOL PUTS HER HEAD DOWN ONCE AGAIN AND REMAINS SILENT-

ANA LAURA: It's true!

-ANA LAURA IS VERY AFFECTED BY MARISOL'S SILENT ADMISSION OF THE FACTS-

ANA LAURA: Forgive me! I just wanted to know the truth!

-MARISOL IS SITTING WITH HER ARMS FOLDED AGAINST HER BODY. SHE NODS HER HEAD, BUT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING. ANA LAURA THEN LEAVES HER CHAIR AND COMES NEAR MARISOL AND KNEELS IN FRONT OF HER-

ANA LAURA: I'm truly sorry!

-MARISOL DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING BUT SHE REACHES OUT TO ANA LAURA IN A SAD EMBRACE-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO AND FEDERICO ARE STANDING INSIDE THE TRACK. MATIAS APPROACHES ON CHOCOLATE-

FEDERICO: Very good, Matías. Let's do one more turn!
MATIAS: Federico, I think the horse is tired.
FEDERICO: That's impossible! We just started! Go on, Matías!

-PATRICIA ARRIVES AT THIS MOMENT-

PATRICIA: What's wrong, Mati?
MATIAS: He's too slow! He's not listening to me!
MARIANO: Come on, Matías! This horse is very tricky, come on, show us you're a man!

-AT THIS POINT, PEDRO JUMPS THE FENCE AND COMES RUNNING TOWARDS THEM-

PEDRO: The animal can't jump in this condition!
FEDERICO: Balmaceda, get out of here!
PEDRO: Don't make him jump like this!
FEDERICO: Balmaceda, you're making the horse nervous! Leave!
PEDRO: He won't be able to jump! He's not well!
MARIANO: Let us work in peace, already!
PATRICIA: What's going on here?
FEDERICO: Stupidity on the part of this wretch!

-MATIAS THEN URGES CHOCOLATE ONWARD AND CONTINUES WITH THE TRAINING. EVERYONE IS PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION AS MATIAS PREPARES TO JUMP. PEDRO SEEMS VERY WORRIED. HE KNOWS CHOCOLATE IS NOT WELL. MARIANO AND PATRICIA STAND ASIDE, WATING FOR MATIAS TO JUMP. PEDRO IS VERY TENSE, WATCHING THE HORSE AND MATIAS CAREFULLY. FEDERICO IS STANDING A FEW STEPS BEHIND PEDRO, ALSO WAITING. MATIAS APPROACHES THE OBSTACLE COURSE BUT WHEN IT CAME TIME TO JUMP, CHOCOLATE STOPS SUDDENLY, SENDING MATIAS FLYING OVER THE RAIL. MATIAS LANDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RAIL. PATRICIA SCREAMS. PEDRO TRIES TO RUN AND GO TO MATIAS' SIDE, BUT FEDERICO GRABS HIM, PREVENTING HIM FROM REACHING THE INJURED MATIAS-

PEDRO: Matías!
FEDERICO: It's all your fault, Balmaceda! It's your fault!

-PATRICIA THEN REACHES MATIAS. HE'S UNCONSCIOUS, AND THERE'S BLOOD RUNNING FROM HIS NOSE AND HIS MOUTH. PEDRO LOOKS IN COMPLETE SHOCK-

-PATRICIA IS DESPERATELY TENDING TO MATIAS. HE'S STILL UNCONSCIOUS. MARIANO RUNS TO THEIR SIDE-

PATRICIA: Matías, please!
MARIANO: Roberto, call the doctor!

-PEDRO COMES RUNNING, TRYING TO HELP-

PEDRO: Don't move him! Don't let anyone move him!

-MARIANO ANGRILY YELLS AT PEDRO TO STOP AND PREVENTS HIM FROM COMING ANY CLOSER TO THEM-

MARIANO: Stop right there! Don't come any closer! Federico, get him out of here! Get him out of here!
FEDERICO: Come on, Balmaceda!
MARIANO: Look what you've done! If anything happens to him, I will kill you! Did you hear me? I will kill you!
PATRICIA: Stop arguing and do something, please!

-JULIETA HAS WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT AND IS STANDING TO THE SIDE, LETICIA ARRIVES AND ASKS HER WHAT'S GOING ON-

LETICIA: What happened?
JULIETA: Matías fell off the horse!

-LETICIA RUNS TO PROVIDE HELP. JULIETA RUNS HOME TO TELL MARISOL-

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-MAGDA IS IN THE KITCHEN SETTING UP A TEA TRAY. SHE'S AT THE MOMENT DRYING A CUP WITH A HAND TOWEL. GUNTHER COMES IN AND SILENTLY APPROACHES MAGDA. HE STANDS RIGHT BEHIND HER AND SCREAMS IN HER EAR, STARTLING HER-

GUNTHER: Maid!

-MAGDA SCREAMS AND DROPS THE CUP TO THE FLOOR, BREAKING IT-

MAGDA: Ay! You idiot! Look at what you made me do!
GUNTHER: Don't blame Gunther for you mistakes, maid!
MAGDA: Maid! I'm not a maid! I'm Señora Floria's companion!
GUNTHER: You're not a companion! You're bad company!
MAGDA: The only bad company here is you! Traitor!
GUNTHER: Your insolence will not be tolerated! I'm going to make sure you're demoted! Do you know what will happen to you, Frau Magda? You'll be a simple maid once again!
MAGDA: Demoted? I may be demoted, but you….! That can't happen to you, because you can't get any lower!

-GUNTHER IS HOLDING A NOTE PAD AND PEN IN HIS HANDS AND BEGINS TAKING NOTES OF HOW MAGDA IS FAILING TO DO HER JOB IN KEEPING THE KITCHEN CLEAN-

GUNTHER: All the dishes are dirty! Everything is dirty! Let's see, let me smell that glass! Phew! It smells like rotten eggs!
MAGDA: Give me that glass! The only thing rotten in this kitchen, is you!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL AND ANA LAURA HAD JUST HAD A HEART TO HEART TALK REGARDING MARIANO'S UNSPEAKABLE BEHAVIOR-

MARISOL: We're uniting in fear! That doesn't lead us anywhere!
ANA LAURA: Together we'll be able to do something!

-AT THIS MOMENT, JULETA RUNS IN THE HOUSE TO TELL MARISOL WHAT HAPPENED TO MATIAS-

JULIETA: Mom! Something big happened!
MARISOL: Julieta, Ana Laura and I are talking!
JULIETA: Matías had an accident!
ANA LAURA: What? What happened to him?
MARISOL: Where is Matías?
JULIETA: I don't know! They won't let me see anything! What's more, Pedro is being blamed for everything!
MARISOL: That's impossible!
ANA LAURA: Let's go! Let's go over there!

-ANA LAURA STANDS AND RUNS TO THE DOOR. MARISOL IS RIGHT BEHIND HER. JULIETA WANTS TO FOLLOW THEM, BUT MARISOL PREVENTS HER FROM DOING SO-

MARISOL: No! You're staying right here!

-MARISOL RUNS OUT OF THE HOUSE-

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

-MATIAS IS NOW SITTING ON A CHAIR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK. PATRICIA AND MARIANO ARE KNEELING RESPECTIVELY ON EACH SIDE OF MATIAS. LETICIA IS GIVING THEM INSTRUCTIONS. PATRICIA IS WIPING THE BLOOD OFF HIS FACE WITH A TISSUE-

PATRICIA: My love, my love, are you feeling better?
LETICIA: The best thing for him right now is to rest. But, let's see….can you stand up?

-ANA LAURA COMES RUNNING TO THEIR SIDE-

ANA LAURA: What happened?

-FEDERICO AND PEDRO ARE STANDING A FEW FEET AWAY. MARISOL ARRIVES AND STANDS NEXT TO PEDRO. FEDERICO IS LOOKING WORRIED, TRYING HARD TO BLAME PEDRO SO THAT THE BLAME WON'T BE PUT ON HIM-

FEDERICO: Ask this guy!
ANA LAURA: What happened, Pedro?
PEDRO: The foreseen! The horse is not well!
MARIANO: Don't make any excuses! You know you're done!
PEDRO: I'm only stating the truth! Chocolate is sick!
FEDERICO: This is incredible! You starting yelling like a maniac, the horse got nervous and the boy fell!
MARISOL: That's impossible!
PEDRO: They didn't understand that Chocolate couldn't jump!
MARIANO: And you knew that better than anyone, isn't that so?
PEDRO: What are you implying?
ANA LAURA: Mariano, please stop!
MARIANO: Do you want to know what I'm implying? I'm implying that you're a little resentful that you can't train Chocolate, so you're capable of anything just to get him out of the way!

PEDRO ANGRILY BEGINS TO WALK TOWARS MARIANO-

PEDRO: What are you saying, Mariano?
FEDERICO: That you'd do anything to win the tournament!

-PEDRO TURNS AROUND AND GRABS FEDERICO BY THE FRONT OF HIS SHIRT AND IS ABOUT TO HIT HIM, BUT MARIANO GETS IN BETWEEN THE TWO MEN AND PUSHES PEDRO BACK-

MARIANO: Hey, hey! Stop, stop! We're going to go to my office and we're going to talk like civilized people, all right?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

MERCEDES IS IN HER ROOM AT THE ASYLUM. SHE'S SITTING ON A SMALL SETTEE. THE NURSE IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HER, READING FROM A BOOK-

NURSE: "I can see clearly, that not only from the enemies, but also from friends, one must take by force, anything desired."

-MERCEDES LAUGHS AT THESE LINES READ BY THE NURSE-

NURSE: What's the matter?
MERCEDES: Nothing. I was laughing about what you just read.
NURSE: I don't see what's funny about this.
MERCEDES: I'm also beginning to feel bored.
NURSE: I didn't say I was bored!
MERCEDES: Today is a nice day to be sitting in the room, don't you think?
NURSE: Let's go to the garden.
MERCEDES: A nice day to talk…. I want to tell you something. I want to tell you a secret. It's one of those secrets one only tells a real friend!
NURSE: I'm very good at keeping secrets!
MERCEDES: Yes. It's about the letters.
NURSE: The letters your sister was looking for?
MERCEDES: She will never find them.
NURSE: And why not?

-MERCEDES SHRUGS-

NURSE: Well, if you don't want to tell me…..
MERCEDES: I burnt them!
NURSE: What do you mean you burnt them?
MERCEDES: Yes! The letters from my friend Victoria! I burnt them!
NURSE: Why did you do that?
MERCEDES: Because…..with those letters, I also burned my memories. I burnt them!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK. PEDRO, WITH HIS ARMS CROSSED IN FRONT OF HIS CHEST, IS STANDING ACROSS FROM THE DESK-

PEDRO: You want to take advantage of what happened to destroy me, but I'm not going to give you the satisfaction!
MARIANO: You're sunk and buried, Pedro.
PEDRO: You're capable of doing anything to get what you want, aren't you?
MARIANO: And you're not? In trying to have your way, you almost killed Chocolate and Matías!
PEDRO: Are you crazy?
MARIANO: No! The only crazy person around here, is you!

-PEDRO GETS AN INTENSE, ANGRY LOOK IN HIS FACE AND LOOKS DIRECTLY AT MARIANO-

PEDRO: I don't rape women!

-MARIANO IS LIVID AFTER HEARING THIS. HE GETS UP FROM HIS CHAIR-

MARIANO: Do you want me to break your head open?
PEDRO: Come on then! Here I am! Come on!

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

-IN THE LIVING ROOM, ANA LAURA IS TALKING ON THE PHONE. LETICIA AND MARISOL ARE ALSO IN THE ROOM. CECILIA WALKS IN-

CECILIA: Why all the screaming? Who is Mariano arguing with?
LETICIA: Pedro!

-CECILIA TURNS TOWARDS MARISOL-

CECILIA: Are they fighting over you, again?
MARISOL: What are you talking about? This has nothing to do with me!
LETICIA: Matías fell off the horse!
CECILIA: Matías? It was surely Pedro's fault! And you, Ana, who are you rooting for? I imagine you want your husband to win, right?

-ANA DOESN'T RESPOND-

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO WALKS AROUND THE DESK AND STANDS A FEW FEET AWAY, FACING PEDRO-

MARIANO: You're just trying to push my buttons!
PEDRO: What, are you regretting it now?
MARIANO: No, I don't regret anything, but I know very well that I won't gain anything by fighting. I'm not an animal!
PEDRO: Neither am I, Mariano!
MARIANO: Well, then, let's talk like civilized people!
PEDRO: What I don't understand, is how you can think that I'm going to hurt my own horse!
MARIANO: You're capable of anything!
PEDRO: You're wrong!
MARIANO: Your objectives are very clear!
PEDRO: I wouldn't hurt Chocolate for any reason! I don't have your cold blood!
MARIANO: No! Of course you don't have my blood, but you'd really like to!
PEDRO: Please!
MARIANO: You won't get out of this one so easily, Pedro!
PEDRO: You won't have it so easy, either!
MARIANO: Are you defying me?
PEDRO: Think what you want!

-PEDRO TRIES TO WALK AWAY, BUT MARIANO GRABS HIS ARM. PEDRO PULLS AWAY-

MARIANO: No, no! You're not going anywhere until we resolve this!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-GUNTHER IS SCREAMING AT HIS DOGS IN A SHADED AREA A FEW FEET AWAY FROM THE MAIN HOUSE. HE'S UPSET BECAUSE THE DOGS HAD AN ACCIDENT INSIDE THE HOUSE EARLIER-

GUNTHER: What has Gunther taught you? Tell me! Now, all the dogs are punished! No more treats! No more toys to play with! No more happy hour! All the dogs are now punished! Now, Gunther has question for you! What do you think the area behind the trees is for? For you to take care of your necessities! You cannot use just any place! Gunther is always trying to teach you, and you don't learn anything!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS ONCE AGAIN STANDING BEHIND THE DESK. HE'S READING TO PEDRO, THE CLAUSE IN THE CONTRACT THAT SPECIFIES THE REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING CHOCOLATE'S CARE-

MARIANO: "If due to negligence, the horse were to incur damages…."
PEDRO: You don't have the elements to accuse me of negligence, Mariano!
MARIANO: Yes, I do! I do! And it's going to be very easy to prove it!

-VICTORIA WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT. SHE'S VERY UPSET-

VICTORIA: May I ask what's going on?
MARIANO: Victoria! Victoria! I'm glad you're here! We're having problems with Balmaceda!
PEDRO: Chocolate is sick!
MARIANO: Yes, it looks like this man is not fulfilling the contract!
PEDRO: That's not true, Victoria! I tried to intervene and…..
MARIANO: Pedro! Pedro! Pedro! Please! He didn't tell us the horse was sick! And he almost caused a big tragedy!

-PEDRO IS ABOUT TO RESPOND TO THAT COMMENT, BUT MARIANO CONTINUES-

MARIANO: Yes, yes! He made the animal nervous and Matías…..Matías, by some miracle, didn't suffer major injuries!
VICTORIA: Pedro! How is that possible?
PEDRO: He's lying, Victoria! He's always…..
MARIANO: Clause thirteen is very clear! Well, it protects us!
VICTORIA: I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean by that!
MARIANO: It's very simple, Victoria! Very simple! If we follow the contract, we can dispense with Balmaceda's services!
PEDRO: That's not fair!
MARIANO: Either Balmaceda agrees to leave on his own, or this contract will be annulled! The decision is in your hands!