Provócame

Episode 13

-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-
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-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 your 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-
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-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!
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-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!
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-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!
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-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!

MERCEDES IS DRESSED TO GO OUT. SHE'S WALKING PURPOSELY DOWN THE HALLWAY OF THE ASYLUM, AND MOMENTARILY STOPS WHEN SHE SEES ONE OF THE MALE CARE GIVERS, WALKING HER WAY. SHE APPROACHES HIM, DETERMINED TO EXIT THE FACILITY-

MERCEDES: Good morning, Panchito!
PANCHITO: Good morning, Señora Mercedes.
MERCEDES: It's a beautiful day, isn't? A beautiful day for a walk.
PANCHITO: A walk in the garden, which is very beautiful.
MERCEDES: But perhaps I could take a walk for a couple of hours, after all, who'd notice!
PANCHITO: That's impossible, señora.
MERCEDES: There is no such thing as the impossible! It doesn't exist!

-MERCEDES PRESENTS THE MAN WITH A COUPLE OF BILLS. THE MAN LOOKS AROUND THE AREA, MAKING SURE NO ONE IS WATCHING-

PANCHITO: Put that money away, señora, I can't allow you to leave!

-MERCEDES PUTS THE MONEY IN HIS HANDS-

MERCEDES: Panchito, just take the money, and you can decide later what to do, all right?
PANCHITO: You said only a couple of hours, right?
MERCEDES: That's all! Why would I need more time?

-MERCEDES PATS THE MAN ON THE CHEEK AND WALKS OUT-

MERCEDES: Thank you, Panchito! You're a real gentleman!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE LIBRARY. VICTORIA HAS WALKED IN AND MARIANO GAVE HER AN ULTIMATUM. EITHER PEDRO LEAVES THE ESTANCIA VOLUNTARILY, OR THE CONTACT THEY SIGNED, BECOMES OBSOLETE-

VICTORIA: Well, we must see, we must see if what you say it's true.

-PEDRO IS OUTRAGED THAT VICTORIA MIGHT EVEN CONSIDER HE'S DONE ANY HARM TO CHOCOLATE-

PEDRO: Of course is not true! How can you even think I could hurt Chocolate!
MARIANO: My God, how cynical!
VICTORIA: Pedro, it'll be best if we clear everything up!
MARIANO: I feel the same way!
PEDRO: What's going on here? Did the two of you set this up? I didn't even feed Chocolate!
MARIANO: Do you see what I mean? He doesn't even tend to the animal's nourishment!
VICTORIA: How can that be? That's part of your duties!
PEDRO: Yes, I know, but I had something to do…..
MARIANO: Something to do! Something to do! This man, because of his social life, neglects his job! He can't be trusted!
VICTORIA: Just a minute, Pedro! You can't delegate your duties!
PEDRO: Yes, I understand that, but I had something to tend to and…..
MARIANO: Negligence! Let's call things as we see them, Pedro!
VICTORIA: But, even if it's for the last time, the two of you ought to try to come to an agreement, please!
MARIANO: You're asking the impossible, Victoria! It's very difficult to agree on anything with him!
PEDRO: This is not a matter of coming to an agreement, this is a matter of justice!
VICTORIA: Exactly! We're going to do justice here!
MARIANO: Very well, Victoria! Very well! Did you listen, Pedro? Goodbye!

-PEDRO LOOKS AT THEM, AND WITOUT SAYING A WORD, LEAVES THE ROOM-

VICTORIA: I hope that from now on, we will no longer have any problems.
MARIANO: I assure you that if Balmaceda leaves, all the problems will disappear!
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-LETICIA GOES TO TALK TO TOTI. SHE IS IN THE ROOM SHARED BY THE MEN, TALKING TO TOTI AND CHAPA-

CHAPA: How are you, doctor?
LETICIA: Fine, fine! Toti, I want to ask you something, was it you, who fed Chocolate?
TOTI: Yes, I gave him some alfalfa and I left him eating.
LETICIA: Then I'm certain they put something in the alfalfa. But who could have done it?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO AND MARISOL ARE TAKING A WALK AROUND THE ESTANCIA WITH CHOCOLATE IN TOW. PEDRO IS HOLDING ON TO CHOCOLATE'S REIN-

MARISOL: I don't understand, I don't understand Mariano! Actually, I do understand! He's an animal! He's capable of anything! Do you really think Mariano is going to get away with this?
PEDRO: I don't know! I don't know what to think anymore!

-AT THIS MOMENT, VICTORIA APPROACHES-

VICTORIA: Pedro!
PEDRO: Yes?
VICTORIA: May I have a word with you?
PEDRO: Yes, of course.
MARISOL: I'll leave you two alone.
PEDRO: No, you don't have to leave, stay. Yes, Victoria?
VICTORIA: I want to explain to you the reason for the decision I made. It's because nothing must interfere with my plans. I must fulfill those plans.
PEDRO: And the fulfillment of those plans is the only thing you care about, isn't it?
VICTORIA: No, it's not the only thing, but it matters to me!
PEDRO: You don't care what happens to me!
MARISOL: Regardless of the cost! The end justifies the means!
PEDRO: I didn't think you were so cold, Señora Victoria!
VICTORIA: Well, if that's what you think….there's nothing more to say.
PEDRO: Yes, that's exactly what I think!

-VICTORIA WALKS AWAY WITHOUT SAYING ANOTHER WORD-
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-MARIANO AND FEDERICO ARE WALKING THE TRACK-

MARIANO: Do you think this incident could bring any problems for Chocolate?
FEDERICO: But this was nothing!
MARIANO: No, don't say that!
FEDERICO: Why not?
MARIANO: Because this has to look as if it's something serious! It's convenient that we make this look very serious!
FEDERICO: Why?
MARIANO: What do you mean why? So that we can get Balmaceda out of the way! What do you think?
FEDERICO: I think it's an excellent idea!
MARIANO: Well, if you like the idea, you need to help me.
FEDERICO: Tell me what you need!
MARIANO: Find the alfalfa from which Chocolate ate last. I'll take care of the rest.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS IN THE STABLES, SADLY TALKING TO CHOCOLATE-

PEDRO: I can't believe what's happening! What's going on here? Do you know what I think? It's this place. Since we got here, we've had nothing but ugly things happen to us!

-ANA LAURA ARRIVES AT THIS MOMENT AND LISTENS TO WHAT PEDRO JUST SAID-

ANA LAURA: Really? Does that include me?

-PEDRO TURNS AROUND AND THEN WALKS TO STAND IN FRONT OF ANA LAURA-

PEDRO: What are you doing here?
ANA LAURA: Nothing, I wanted to talk. I wanted to talk to you.
PEDRO: Why don't you leave? I don't want to cause you any problems, nor do I want you to cause me problems.
ANA LAURA: I'm causing you problems? Well, how odd, because it crossed my mind that perhaps you could be needing me!
PEDRO: Of course I need you! You know that, right?
ANA LAURA: Yes!
PEDRO: Do you realize now what kind of man Mariano is?
ANA LAURA: Yes, I noticed. Don't worry, I finally opened my eyes. I have to admit that it was a little painful at first, but then I realized there are some people who truly matter.
PEDRO: Who?
ANA LAURA: You! You! You're a good person.
PEDRO: Do you really think I'm good?
ANA LAURA: I think you're divine!

-PEDRO PUTS HIS HANDS ON HER ARMS AND LOOKS INTO HER EYES-

PEDRO: What are you thinking, princess?
ANA LAURA: That I don't want you to leave!
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-JULIETA IS AT HOME, PLAYING WITH THE CLOTHES FLORIA ALLOWED HER TO TAKE FROM THE ATTIC, AND THAT BELONGED TO LEONORA. SHE'S TRYING ON A LAVENDER LIGHT JACKET. SHE LOOKS TOWARDS THE KITCHEN WINDOW AND SEES MERCEDES LOOKING IN-

JULIETA: Is that you?

-JULIETA FIRST LOOKS THROUGH THE WINDOW AND THEN GOES AND OPENS THE DOOR FOR MERCEDES-

JULIETA: It is you!
MERCEDES: Are you alone?
JULIETA: Yes, come in, I don't think anyone will come right now.

-MERCEDES COMES IN. JULIETA CLOSES THE DOOR-

JULIETA: I was just thinking about you. I have something to show you.
MERCEDES: What is it?
JULIETA: These things. They belonged to a lady who used to live here.

-THE REST OF LEONORA'S CLOTHES ARE LYING ON THE KITCHEN TABLE. MERCEDES SEES THE ITEMS AND INSTANTLY RECOGNIZES THEM. SHE PICKS UP A BLOUSE AND SMELLS HER PERFUME-

MERCEDES: This belonged to Leonora!
JULIETA: Yes. How do you know that?
MERCEDES: I told you I knew everybody, remember?
JULIETA: Yes, but you didn't tell me how.
MERCEDES: You'll soon find out.
JULIETA: Well, do you want to sit down?
MERCEDES: Yes.
JULIETA: What do you want to do, do you want to play?
MERCEDES: Do you know what I'd like to do? Do you have any photographs of yourself, the family, a photo album?
JULIETA: Yes, if you wait right here, I'll go find it.
MERCEDES: Yes.
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-PEDRO IS IN THE ROOM HE SHARES WITH TOTI AND CHAPA. HE'S PACKING HIS BAGS. HE'S TALKING TO HIMSELF AND IS BECOMING ANGRIER BY THE MINUTE. HE PICKS UP A SHIRT AND THROWS IT DOWN ON THE BED-

PEDRO: So, I'm supposed to pack up my bags and leave! Well, I won't give them the satisfaction!

-THERE'S A KNOCK ON THE DOOR-

PEDRO: Yes?

-IGNACIO COMES IN-

IGNACIO: Balmaceda!
PEDRO: Don Ignacio, come in.

-IGNACIO SEES PEDRO'S BAGS ON THE BED-

IGNACIO: Don't tell me you're throwing in the towel!
PEDRO: No, not at all!
IGNACIO: Good. I would have been disappointed if you had. I heard what happened and I just wanted to tell you that I'm on your side.
PEDRO: Thank you very much.
IGNACIO: These are very bad people. Very bad!
PEDRO: Yes, they're desperate to get rid of me, but they're not going to get away with it.
IGNACIO: Yes, they're experts at that. I'm in a similar situation, or perhaps even worse.
PEDRO: What's the problem?
IGNACIO: It's something very complicated, and the worse part is that Ana Laura is being dragged into all this.
PEDRO: Ana Laura said that your freedom and even your life depend on what happens between she and Mariano. Is that true?
IGNACIO: Yes, unfortunately that's true, and that is something very difficult to take.
PEDRO: I can imagine.
IGNACIO: I'm very grateful to you for everything you do for Ana.
PEDRO: Don Ignacio, I do what needs to be done.
IGNACIO: Yes, but Mariano is very cruel and is capable of hurting her. Protect her, Pedro. Ana is a person with a big heart, don't allow him to hurt her.
PEDRO: Don't worry, Don Ignacio. As long as I'm here, no one will do anything to her. You can be certain of that.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-LETICIA IS IN THE STABLES, EXAMINING CHOCOLATE. MARIANO ARRIVES AND HANDS HER A BAG WITH WHAT IS LEFT OF THE ALFALFA THAT CHOCOLATE ATE-

MARIANO: Here. This is what Chocolate ate last. I want you to send it to the lab for testing.
LETICIA: Do you really want me to do that?
MARIANO: Yes, I do. I want to know what made him sick.
LETICIA: But the horse is fine now. I don't think it's necessary to do that.
MARIANO: You may not think it's necessary, but I do.
LETICIA: But those tests are very complicated and we have to….
MARIANO: I want to make sure everything is cleared up, all right?

-MARIANO WALKS AWAY-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-JULIETA AND MERCEDES ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE, LOOKING AT PHOTOGRAPHS IN A PHOTO ALBUM, WHEN SOMEONE KNOCKS ON THE DOOR. JULIETA IS ABOUT TO GO AND ANSWER THE DOOR, BUT MERCEDES DETAINS HER-

MERCEDES: No! Don't answer!
JULIETA: Come here, then!

-JULIETA PICKS UP THE BAG CONTAINING LEONORA'S CLOTHES AND TELLS MERCEDES TO FOLLOW HER TO THE BEDROOM. MERCEDES PICKS UP THE PHOTO ALBUM AND FOLLOWS JULIETA OUT OF THE ROOM. CECILIA AND CARMEN ARE THEN SEEN WALKING IN THE HOUSE-

CECILIA: Come on, there's no one home.

-CARMEN COMES IN AND STANDS BY CECILIA-

CECILIA: Don't just stand there! Start searching!

-CARMEN BEGINS RUMMAGING THROUGH THE KITCHEN DRAWERS. MERCEDES AND JULIETA ARE IN THE BEDROOM, LISTENING AT THE DOOR-

CECILIA: I'm positive the letters are here!
CARMEN: We must be careful! They might notice the place has been searched!
CECILIA: Don't worry about that and keep looking! There's nothing but papers here!
CARMEN: No, no, this is not what we want.
CECILIA: Let's search the girl's room!

-AFTER HEARING THIS, MERCEDES INSTRUCTS JULIETA TO COME OUT AND CONFRONT THE TWO WOMEN-

MERCEDES: Don't let them come in here! Throw them out!

-JULIETA WALKS OUT OF THE BEDROOM AND FACES CECILIA AND CARMEN-

JULIETA: What are you two doing here? How did you get in?

-CECILIA AND CARMEN ARE VERY SURPRISED TO SEE JULIETA. CECILIA TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO ANSWER JULIETA-

CECILIA: I…I came in because the door was open!
JULIETA: That's a lie! I closed the door!
CECILIA: I don't have to give you any explanations, you insolent brat!
JULIETA: Why were you going through the drawers? What were you looking for?
CARMEN: We were looking for an iron!
JULIETA: Why would the two of you need an iron? What were you doing?

-CARMEN NERVOUSLY CONTINUES TO FIDGET WITH JULIETA'S NOTEBOOKS ON THE TABLE. JULIETA SHOUTS AT CARMEN-

JULIETA: Would you stop messing with my things!
CECILIA: Don't yell at her!
JULIETA: Fine! I'll tell my mom you came in here without permission!
CECILIA: I don't need anyone's permission to enter any place in this finca! Is that clear, brat? Let's go, Carmen!

-CECILIA AND CARMEN LEAVE. JULIETA MAKES FACES AT THEM AS THEY EXIT THE HOUSE-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ERICA AND FRANCISCO ARE IN HER BEDROOM TALKING-

FRANCISCO: I can't wait until our next class!
ERICA: Well, anytime you want, I can teach you! Besides, I like helping you! You're a fast learner and you try really hard!
FRANCISCO: Too bad I can't practice more!
ERICA: Don't worry about that! I'm going to try to get a computer for you so you can practice at home.
FRANCISCO: Seriously?
ERICA: Yes!
FRANCISCO: Thank you! Thank you!

-FRANCISCO TAKES ERICA'S FACE IN HIS HANDS, AND HE GIVES HER A KISS ON THE CHEEK-

ERICA: You can thank me once you have the computer!
FRANCISCO: No one has ever done anything like this for me before!
ERICA: That's because no one knows what a good pupil you are!

-FRANCISCO THEN KISSES ERICA ON THE LIPS. LISA HAS BEEN STANDING JUST OUTSIDE THE DOOR AND SHE WITNESSES THE KISS-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-JULIETA AND MERCEDES ARE IN JULIETA'S ROOM, LOOKING AT THE PHOTO ALBUM. MERCEDES IS SITTING ON A CHAIR. JULIETA IS KNEELING IN FRONT OF HER-

JULIETA: Why do you look so sad? What's wrong with the pictures?
MERCEDES: No, there's nothing wrong with the pictures. Don't you notice anything strange about this photo?
JULIETA: No, there's nothing strange about it! It's my mom with my grandmother!
MERCEDES: Yes, but look at your grandmother very carefully!
JULIETA: Wow! She looks like you! My grandmother looks like you but only younger!
MERCEDES: That's because I'm your grandmother, Julietita! I'm the lady who's holding your mom in her arms. I'm your grandmother Mercedes!

-JULIETA LOOKS AT MERCEDES IN SURPRISE-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE LIBRARY- ALVARO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK. MARIANO IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HIM. LETICIA KNOCKS ON THE DOOR AND COMES IN-

LETICIA: I have the preliminary results of the tests done on the samples.
ALVARO: Yes?
LETICIA: Someone poisoned the horse's food.

-ALVARO FEIGNS SURPRISE. (AT THIS POINT, IT'S NOT CLEAR IF MARIANO IS AWARE THAT IT WAS ALVARO WHO GAVE ROBERTO INSTRUCTIONS TO POISON CHOCOLATE'S FOOD, BUT THE INCIDENT IS OF GREAT VALUE TO MARIANO, NEVERTHELESS)-

ALVARO: What an atrocity!

-MARIANO SHOWS GREAT CONCERN-

MARIANO: How can that be?
ALVARO: How can there be people who do these things to defenseless animals? It's hard to comprehend, really! I don't know what to say!

-MARISOL WALKS IN THE LIBRARY AT THIS MOMENT AND HEARS THEIR COMMENTS-

MARISOL: I'm sorry, what happened?
MARIANO: Nothing. Nothing that concerns you, anyway!
ALVARO: Well, this guy doesn't leave us another option!
LETICIA: I'd like to do additional tests.
MARIANO: That's not necessary, Leticia. That little peon should have never set foot in this house! And now, with this information, Balmaceda is history!

-LETICIA AND MARISOL EXCHANGE LOOKS-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-JULIETA SMILES. SHE LIKES THE IDEA OF HAVING MERCEDES AS HER GRANDMOTHER. JULIETA HAPPILY EMBRACES MERCEDES-

JULIETA: You came back, grandma!
MERCEDES: Yes, my love, but no one must know! No one!
JULIETA: I can't even tell my mom?
MERCEDES: No! You can't tell your mother or any one else. This is a secret between us. Our first secret!

-MERCEDES STANDS UP-

JULIETA: Are you leaving now?
MERCEDES: Yes, I have to go.
JULIETA: All right.
MERCEDES: Please take care of yourself, Julietita!

-MERCEDES KISSES THE TIP OF JULIETA'S NOSE-

MERCEDES: Take good care, and don't worry, that I'll be back! Many, many times!

-MERCEDES LEAVES-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-PEDRO IS IN HIS ROOM. MARIANO AND ROBERTO WALK IN WITHOUT KNOCKING-

PEDRO: Good evening! Yes, of course you may come in! Come in, please! May I offer you a little coffee, tea, something!
MARIANO: Don't try to be funny. It doesn't suit you, brother!
PEDRO: They instilled good manners in me!
MARIANO: Ha! Good manners! We'll see what you do with your good manners once you hear the news!
PEDRO: What news?
MARIANO: Roberto, do you want to tell him or should I?
ROBERTO: The results of the tests came back from the lab and they showed that Chocolate was poisoned.
PEDRO: What are you saying! That's impossible!
MARIANO: No, it's not impossible. Fortunately, we caught it on time!
PEDRO: You both know I'm not capable of doing anything of that sort!
MARIANO: Too bad! I'm very sorry, Pedro!
PEDRO: Yes, I can imagine! Don't be a hypocrite, Mariano! I'm positive you're very happy about this!
MARIANO: But how can I be happy about this? I pay you a salary to take care of the animal! Just be glad that we didn't make a formal accusation!
PEDRO: A formal accusation? But if everyone knows this is a fraud, just like all the other garbage inside your rotten mind!
ROBERTO: Pedro, please, calm down. Don't start with…..
PEDRO: Don't start with what? If all this is a plot! I'm certain this is a plot! Where's the proof? Who did the tests? Tell me!
ROBERTO: Leticia did the tests and they're legitimate! Unfortunately, there's nothing else you can do!
MARIANO: Yes, there is something you can do! You can pack your bags, because you're out of here!
PEDRO: Roberto, please!
ROBERTO: I'm sorry, Pedro. I'm sorry!
MARIANO: Victoria is already aware of this! Now, if you excuse us!

-MARIANO AND ROBERTO EXIT THE ROOM-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE STABLES- CHAPA IS SERVING AS A LOOKOUT FOR LETICIA. SHE'S TAKING A BLOOD SAMPLE FROM CHOCOLATE TO RUN ADDITIONAL TESTS. THE PREVIOUS TESTS WERE DONE ONLY TO THE ALFALFA THAT WAS LEFT AFTER CHOCOLATE HAD ITS MEAL. THE BLOOD WORK FROM THE HORSE WILL SHOW THE DIRECT EFFECT THE POISON HAD ON THE ANIMAL-

CHAPA: I'm sorry to bother you with this, but maybe we should hurry up a little!
LETICIA: All right, I'm coming! I can't rush this procedure!
CHAPA: I understand that, but if we get caught, they'll dissect us like frogs! They'll drown us together in the water tank! They'll hang us from the windmill!
LETICIA: All right, all right! It's not such a big deal!
CHAPA: It is a big deal! When Mariano goes crazy and looks for his next victim, it's best not to be in his path!

-LETICIA FINISHES TAKING BLOOD FROM CHOCOLATE. SHE THEN TRANSFERS THE SAMPLE FROM THE SYRINGE TO A COUPLE OF TEST TUBES-

LETICIA: Stop, Chapa. I'm done. This is ready, all I have to do now is send it to the lab for an emergency test.
CHAPA: Let's just hope you don't find yourself in trouble when all this comes to light.
LETICIA: I don't mind taking risks if it's for a good cause, and especially when you're here, helping me!

-CHAPA SMILES-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-GUNTHER IS IN THE KITCHEN. THERE'S A TRAY ON THE COUNTER CONTAINING THIN SANDWHICHES. HE'S JUST TAKEN A BITE FROM A SANDWICH, WHEN PATRICIA WALKS IN AND STARTLES HIM. HE DROPS THE SANDWICH BACK ON THE TRAY-

PATRICIA: Gunther!
GUNTHER: Ah!
PATRICIA: I find you at last!
GUNTHER: Frau!
PATRICIA: What are you up to, these days? You're acting very mysterious!
GUNTHER: Mysterious? No, no! It's just that Frau Cecilia assigned me an urgent task!
PATRICIA: Hum! What task!
GUNTHER: I…I…
PATRICIA: Don't play the innocent with me!
GUNTHER: I have to look for some letters in Marisol's house!
PATRICIA: What letters?
GUNTHER: Some very important letters! That's why she asked Gunther to do this job!
PATRICIA: Perfect! Then, once you find those letters, before you show them to Cecilia, I want you to show them to me!
GUNTHER: I can't do that! She gave me other instructions!
PATRICIA: But we've known each other for years, Gunther! Tell me, where's your loyalty? With Cecilia, or with me?
GUNTHER: Frau Patri, you know I'm your slave, always!

-PATRICIA SLOWLY CARESSES GUNTHER'S CHIN WITH HER FINGER. GUNTHER IS IN ECSTACY-

PATRICIA: That's what I like! You work for me! You're my instrument, Gunther! Don't ever forget that!

-PATRICIA WALKS OUT, LEAVING GUNTHER TALKING TO HIMSELF-

GUNTHER: No, Frau! I'll never forget! How am I going to forget if I'm her instrument! I want her to interpret instrument because it is already in tune!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS IN THE KITCHEN OF THE HOUSE HE SHARES WITH THE REST OF THE WORKERS. HE'S STANDING BY THE STOVE AND IS ABOUT TO PREPARE WATER FOR SOME TEA. JULIETA ARRIVES. SHE'S VERY UPSET-

JULIETA: Pedro! Is it true? Is it true, what I heard?
PEDRO: Calm down, my little one! What did you hear?
JULIETA: I heard you're leaving! Is true?
PEDRO: Well, that's what they want!
JULIETA: Pedro, please, don't leave!
PEDRO: No, my love! Calm down! Come here! Calm down, please!

-PEDRO PICKS UP JULIETA AND SITS HER DOWN ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER-

JULIETA: I had Lunita, I had the best trainer in the world! What's more, I was doing better in school! Why now?
PEDRO: No, but don't worry, everything will turn out all right! You have to remain calm!
JULIETA: But who's going to train me now? And besides, I won't stand being without you, I won't stand it!

-JULIETA WRAPS HER ARMS AROUND PEDRO. HE FEELS VERY MOVED BY HER REACTION AND FEELS COMPELLED TO SING TO HER A SWEET, SOOTHING MELODY, TRYING TO CALM HER DOWN-

PEDRO: "My beautiful little doll, with the golden hair, pearly white teeth, and ruby colored lips/I love you very, very much/beautiful little doll, you are the reason for my existence."

-MARISOL OPENS THE DOOR AND LISTENS TO PEDRO SING TO JULIETA. PEDRO FINISHES THE SONG AND KISSES THE TOP OF JULIETA'S HEAD-

PEDRO: Do you feel better now?
JULIETA: Do you want to know something, Pedro?
PEDRO: What, my love?
JULIETA: You're the father I would have always loved to have!
PEDRO: And you're the daughter I would have always loved to have!

-MARISOL'S STILL SILENTLY STANDING AT THE DOOR. SHE HAS TEARS IN EYES-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE ESTANCIA- A MEETING IS BEING HELD IN THE LIVING ROOM. ANA LAURA AND MOLINA, THE ATTORNEY, ARE SITTING ACROSS FROM EACH OTHER. VICTORIA IS SITTING NEXT TO MOLINA. MARIANO, PEDRO AND MARISOL, ARE STANDING-

ANA LAURA: It's impossible to think Pedro meant to poison the animal!
MARIANO: Doctor, doctor, am I wrong?
MOLINA: The proof is very sound.
PEDRO: Someone planned all this to harm me!
ANA LAURA: Mariano, why don't you reconsider and let's take time to investigate the matter further?
MARIANO: What do you suggest my love? That we call the FBI to investigate a simple peon?
Enough already! We can get another peon! It's all the same!
MARISOL: No! It's not the same! Chocolate is very attached to Pedro!
MARIANO: Chocolate is an animal! An insignificant creature that has brought us enough problems!
PEDRO: I don't plan on leaving him alone! I'm not leaving him alone!
MOLINA: There's no room for arguments! Balmaceda's actions represent serious irregularities when it comes to the contract. That's irrefutable!
VICTORIA: It's a shame that it has come to this!
MARIANO: I warned you about this, Victoria!
PEDRO: I'm not leaving Chocolate here alone!
MARIANO: Stop! It's enough! This is very funny! He believes he owns the animal!
ANA LAURA: He loves that animal!
VICTORIA: Yes, he loves that animal, but there's contact we need to follow!
MARIANO: Well, I think we had enough talk, everything is very clear! Let's drink our tea and let's end all this!

-LETICIA WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT AND INTERRUPTS THE MEETING-

LETICIA: I wouldn't be so sure! In fact, this is just the beginning!

-LETICIA HOLDS UP A DOCUMENT FOR EVERYONE TO SEE-

LETICIA: These are the results of tests done of blood samples from the horse! There's absolutely no trace of any poison! Absolutely none!
MARIANO: What are you talking about?
PEDRO: She means that Chocolate didn't take any poison! This document speaks of my innocence, right?

-MARIANO IS COMPLETELY STUNNED AND LOOKS TOWARDS MOLINA FOR ANY KIND OF REBUTTAL, BUT MOLINA SHAKES HIS HEAD. HE KNOWS THAT LEGALLY, PEDRO HAS WON-

-ANA LAURA GETS UP FROM HER CHAIR AND SHAKES LETICIA'S HAND-

ANA LAURA: Excellent, Leticia. I don't know how you did it, but……good job, my friend!
MARIANO: Enough, enough! I don't believe any of this! We have solid proof!
ANA LAURA: I believe her! She's my best friend! I'd put my hands over the fire for her!
MARIANO: Well, I don't! I don't! Victoria!
VICTORIA: I believe the investigation has to come to an end. Evidently, there's been a mistake! If the horse didn't eat any poison, it's obvious this is all a mistake, don't you think, Mariano?

-MARIANO IS LIVID, BUT DOESN'T SAY A WORD. ANA LAURA LOOKS AT HIM AND SMILES. MARISOL ALSO SMILES-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MERCEDES IS SEEN IN HER ROOM AT THE ASYLUM, PUTTING ON A HAT AND A LONG OVERCOAT THAT BELONGED TO LEONORA. SHE CAREFULLY OPENS THE DOOR AND WALKS OUT-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CHAPA, PEDRO, TOTI AND ANTONIO ARE STANDING BY THE STABLES. THEY ARE VERY HAPPY THAT PEDRO GETS TO STAY IN THE ESTANCIA. TOTI OPENS A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE AND BEGINS POURING IT IN GLASSES FOR ALL-

TOTI: What do we make a toast to?
ANTONIO: To Chocolate!
TOTI: To Chocolate and to justice!
PEDRO: Yes! To justice and the truth!
CHAPA: A lie has always short legs!* Isn't that how the saying goes? Cheers!

-*MEANING PERHAPS THAT IT DOESN'T GET VERY FAR? IN ANY EVENT, PEDRO LOOKS AT CHAPA NOT QUITE UNDERSTANDING WHAT HE SAID, BUT HAPPY, NEVERTHELESS, TO HAVE SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE-

CHAPA: Toti! This champagne is flat!
TOTI: Perhaps I should get something else!
PEDRO: No, no! It's all right! Chapa, I want to thank you and Leticia for taking a chance! Thank you very much!
CHAPA: You're welcome, Pedro!
TOTI: What a moment, Chapa! Weren't you scared?
CHAPA: Scared? Me? No!

-JULIETA COMES RUNNING AND JUMPS IN PEDRO'S ARMS-

JULIETA: Pedro, are you staying?
PEDRO: Yes, unless you decide otherwise!
JULIETA: No, you fool!
PEDRO: Just listen to that vocabulary! Did you hear that?
ANTONIO: Listen, Pedro. You have to be careful around here!
PEDRO: Yes, thank you. I now know where I stand!
ANTONIO: Good, good!

-ANA LAURA ARRIVES AT THIS MOMENT-

ANA LAURA: Hello. Pedro, may I talk to you?
PEDRO: Yes, yes, of course! Toti, pour some for her!
ANA LAURA: No, no, thank you! I'd like to talk to you alone, please!
TOTI: Yes! Juli, we have to go to the supermarket!
JULIETA: To the supermarket?
TOTI: Yes!
CHAPA: Yes, Juli, we need to buy shredded cheese, crackers……

-CHAPA TAKES JULIETA FROM PEDRO'S ARMS AND ALL OF THEM WALK AWAY, GIVING PEDRO AND ANA LAURA A CHANCE TO BE ALONE-

PEDRO: Go ahead, here I am!
ANA LAURA: No, no, not like this!
PEDRO: Are you being difficult again?
ANA LAURA: No, no! What I meant is that I need to talk to you and I'd like to know if you can come to the stable, tonight. Can you make it?
PEDRO: Yes, of course. If you so, I'll be there.
ANA LAURA: You will come?
PEDRO: Yes.
ANA LAURA: All right.

-SHE WALKS AWAY-

-MARIANO: I need you to investigate everything about Balmaceda!
MOLINA: Everything in regards to what?
MARIANO: Everything! Everything! How he got here! His birthplace! If he has a criminal record in the United States! Everything!
MOLINA: Well, Victoria has known him for years!
MARIANO: Estéban…..tell me something I don't know!
MOLINA: It takes a lot of work, Mariano. I'd have to hire people from abroad, for example!
MARIANO: The subject is not open to discussion! I'm telling you to do it!
MOLINA: And I'll do it, Mariano. It's just that this is not the norm.
MARIANO: Spend all the money you need! There's simply no one in this earth, not one single person, who hasn’t done something that they later regret!
MOLINA: This guy doesn't seem to be a criminal, it won't be easy!
MARIANO: I don't care how difficult or easy it is! I'm telling you I want him out of the way! I'm not going to stop until then!

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

-ANA LAURA AND LETICIA ARE IN ANA LAURA'S BEDROOM. ANA LAURA HUGS LETICIA AND KISSES HER CHEEK SEVERAL TIMES-

ANA LAURA: You're a genius! A genius!

-LETICIA WIPES HER CHEEK-

ANA LAURA: Don't wipe off my kisses!
LETICIA: You got me full of drivel! It's gross!
ANA LAURA: You're a genius! I can't believe it! You're so brave! You went and took blood from the horse! You're incredible! You weren't afraid!
LETICIA: Of course I was afraid! I was shaking! If it wasn't that Marisol insisted, I swear, I wouldn't have done anything!
ANA LAURA: Ah, Marisol! Yes, of course, she was worried about Pedro, right?
LETICIA: Are you jealous?
ANA LAURA: No, not at all. I also thought it was very unfair what they were trying to do to that poor young man!
LETICIA: Poor young man? What are you trying to do, pretend with me? If you're dying for him!

-ANA LAURA LOOKS AT LETICIA AND SMILES-

ANA LAURA: Can you tell? Yes, of course you can! Of course you can! I don't know what's happening to me! I swear, every time I see him I feel these little bubbles rising in my blood! I'm boiling! Do you understand?
LETICIA: Hum, if you're at the stage with the bubbles, I think you're in serious trouble!

-ANA LAURA CANNOT CONTAIN HER GLEE. SHE COVERS HER FACE WITH HER HANDS IN EMBARRASSMENT AND LAUGHS AT LETICIA'S COMMENT-

ANA LAURA: What stage? No, no, don’t be stupid!

-SHE LOOKS AT LETICIA AND THEY BOTH SMILE-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MERCEDES IS IN THE ESTANCIA. SHE CAREFULLY ENTERS THE LIVING ROOM. SHE SUDDENLY HEARS VOICES APPROACHING AND SHE HIDES BEHIND THE DOORS OF AN ADJACENT ROOM. ALVARO AND ROBERTO COME INTO THE LIVING ROOM-

ALVARO: But who authorized Leticia to get involved?
ROBERTO: She's the estancia's veterinarian!
ALVARO: But why run those blood tests without the proper authorization?
ROBERTO: Pedro has the support of a lot of people in the estancia.
ALVARO: Then now is the right time to have a major overhaul in La Esperanza!

-THEY WALK OUT OF THE ROOM AND MERCEDES COMES OUT OF HIDING AND GOES WALKING ABOUT THE HOUSE-
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-CECILIA AND CARMEN ARE IN THE KITCHEN. CECILIA IS SITTING AT THE TABLE. CARMEN HAS JUST PREPARED A SMALL TRAY WITH TEA ITEMS AND PLACES IT IN FRONT OF CECILIA-

CECILIA: How much time has it been since he left?
CARMEN: It's been a while, señora.
CECILIA: And to think I have to wait here with this headache that's killing me!
CARMEN: Drink your tea, señora. Gunther is slow but he has to come back soon.
CECILIA: How long does it take to search through that shack!
CARMEN: In any case, Marisol will be working late today.
CECILIA: I hope those letters appear soon, so that we may be done with this entire business!
CARMEN: Why don't you go lie down, señora?
CECILIA: Yes, I think I'll do that. Let me know as soon as Gunther comes in.
CARMEN: Yes, señora, but don't expect too much. If the letters don't show up soon, you're going to have to resign yourself to move on.
CECILIA: Never! I won't stop until I find out the truth!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-GUNTHER IS SEEN ENTERING JULIETA'S DARKENED ROOM. HE'S CARRYING A FLASHLIGHT AND GETS DOWN ON THE FLOOR TO CHECK UNDER JULIETA'S BED. HE GETS STUCK UNDER THE BED AND IS TRYING TO GET HIMSELF LOSE WHEN JULIETA COMES IN THE HOUSE. SHE TURNS ON THE BEDROOM LIGHT AND SEES GUNTHER HIDING HALF WAY UNDER HER BED-

JULIETA: What are you doing here?
GUNTHER: Little sabandija!
JULIETA: Could you stop playing around and explain what you were doing?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-CECILIA IS IN BED WITH THE LIGHTS OUT. MERCEDES ENTERS THE ROOM AND SLOWLY APPROACHES THE BED. SHE SUDDENLY SHAKES CECILIA, WAKING HER UP, AND WITHOUT SAYING A WORD, STANDS IN FRONT OF THE BED. CECILIA IS PANIC STRIKEN, BELIEVING SHE'S SEEING LEONORA'S GHOST-

CECILIA: Leonora! You're Leonora!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK. MOLINA COMES IN AND HANDS HIM A FOLDER AND THEN SITS ACROSS FROM MARIANO-

MOLINA: Enjoy this! It was easier than I thought!
MARIANO: Did you find anything interesting?
MOLINA: The guy has a record. That's what you wanted to find out, right? I couldn't have done it any sooner!

-MARIANO LOOKS THROUGH THE PAPERS-

MARIANO: Where is it? Where does it say that?
MOLINA: Right there, right there! It has the seal of the Miami Police Department. What do you think?
MARIANO: Very good, very good! With this information, we'll be able to get him out of the estancia and even out of the country if we want!
MOLINA: I knew you'd be happy!
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE STABLE- PEDRO HAS MET ANA LAURA THERE. IT IS DARK. THEY ARE STANDING VERY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER AND ANA LAURA IS NERVOUSLY TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO PEDRO HOW SHE FEELS ABOUT HIM. PEDRO SEEMS TO BE RELISHING HER PROXIMITY. WITH HIS FACE NEXT TO HERS, HE TAKES IN HER SCENT AND BEGINS A SERIES OF LIGHT KISSES AROUND HER FACE AND HER NECK-

ANA LAURA: What I feel for you is something that I've never felt in my life before. It feels like a……
PEDRO: …like a volcano…..

-HE SOFTLY KISSES THE SIDE OF HER MOUTH-

ANA LAURA: Yes, like a volcano… like a volcano full of….
PEDRO: …full of lava…..
ANA LAURA: Yes….

-HE KISSES HER CHEEK AND NIBBLES AT THE SIDE OF HER LIP-

PEDRO: …that runs and it roars….

-HE KISSES HER MOUTH-

ANA LAURA: …yes, that….what you just said…..and I feel that my heart…..

-HE KISSES THE TIP OF HER NOSE-

PEDRO: ….beats and it wants to explode from your chest….
ANA LAURA: Yes….and everything seems……
PEDRO: ….and everything seems wonderful but sad at the same time…..

-HE MOVES DOWN FROM HER LIPS TO HER NECK. SHE ALLOWS HIM-

ANA LAURA: Yes, like you said, but I said it first……
PEDRO: …yes, and I heard you….I heard you…but now what you need to say….is that even though you feel this way, you're still not willing to take a risk….

-HE NIBBLES ON HER LIPS-

ANA LAURA: No….I'm not going to talk anymore….I'm only going to ask one question….

-HE TENDERLY MOVES HER HAIR AWAY FROM HER CHEEK-

PEDRO: Yes…..what……

-HE KISSES HER TOP LIP AND MOVES TO HER CHEEK-

ANA LAURA: What are we going to do with all this…….
PEDRO: I don't know….
ANA LAURA: I don't understand why I like you so much if I don't even know you….
PEDRO: I don't know……

-SHE KISSES HIS BOTTOM LIP-

PEDRO: I don't know…..
ANA LAURA: What are we're going to do…..
PEDRO: You would look for me…..I would look for you…..it was that……but I don't know what we're going to do…..

-SHE NIBBLES ON HIS BOTTOM LIP-

PEDRO: ….you tell me…..there's fire when I'm at you side…..when I'm with you…..
ANA LAURA: ….be quiet…..

-THAT'S ALL THE INVITATION PEDRO NEEDS. HE IMMEDIATELY BEGINS TO KISS HER PASSIONATELY AND SHE RESPONDS TO HIM IN THE SAME DESPERATE AND PASSIONATE WAY-