Provócame

Episode 14

MOLINA: This guy has a work visa, doesn't he?
MARIANO: Yes.
MOLINA: Well, if he doesn't have a job, he has to leave the country!
MARIANO: And that would take care of the problem!
MOLINA: We just have to make sure Victoria doesn't enforce the contract.
MARIANO: No, no! Forget about Victoria! I signed a contract with her, but I will not accept a guy who has a criminal record! I will not accept him!

-MARIANO PICKS UP THE TELEPHONE-

MOLINA: What are you doing?
MARIANO: I'm calling Victoria right now!

-AT THIS MOMENT, THEY'RE INTERRUPTED BY A HORRIFIED SCREAM FROM CECILIA. SHE'S CONVINCED SHE'S SEEN LEONORA'S GHOST. MARIANO AND MOLINA RUN OUT OF THE LIBRARY-
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-IN THE STABLE, PEDRO AND ANA LAURA HAVE GIVEN IN TO THEIR DESIRE FOR EACH OTHER. THEY HAVE ABANDONED ALL CAUTION AND HAVE LET PASSION TAKE CONTROL. UNFORTUNATELY FOR THEM, ROSA, THE COOK, CHOSE THIS MOMENT TO USE THE STABLE AS A STORAGE FACILITY. SHE COMES IN CARRYING A LARGE KITCHEN POT. ROSA, EXPECTING THE PLACE TO BE EMPTY, IS STARTLED TO SEE PEDRO AND ANA LAURA IN A PASSIONATE EXCHANGE. SHE ACCIDENTLY DROPS THE POT AND SHE FALLS TO THE FLOOR. THE NOISE AND COMMOTION TAKE PEDRO AND ANA LAURA BY SURPRISE. THEY IMMEDIATELY SIT UP AND LOOK AT ROSA IN CHAGRIN-

ANA LAURA: Ay!
PEDRO: Ahem!
ROSA: I'm sorry!
ANA LAURA: No!
ROSA: Pedro! Ana!
ANA LAURA: Rosa!

-PEDRO GET HIS SHIRT BACK ON HIS SHOULDERS AND BEGINS WIPING PIECES OF STRAW OFF ANA LAURA'S SHIRT. ANA LAURA AND PEDRO, EMBARRASSED, LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND LAUGH NERVOUSLY-

ROSA: I'm sorry! I came to store this cooking pot here in the stable because there was no room at the house!
ANA LAURA: Go ahead, Rosa! Go ahead!

-PEDRO AT THIS MOMENT FINDS ONE OF ANA LAURA'S EARRINGS AND VERY CONVENIENTLY TRIES TO MAKE IT THEIR REASON FOR BEING THERE-

PEDRO: Look what I found! The earring! I found the earring!
ANA LAURA: The earring!
PEDRO: Yes, the earring! Hello, Rosa!
ANA LAURA: You found the earring!
ROSA: Ah, the earring! She had lost an earring!
PEDRO: Yes! She'd lost an earring, but I told her I had eyes like an eagle and that I would find it for her, and there it is!
ROSA: Luckily, you found it!
PEDRO: Yes! Oh!

-PEDRO REALIZES HIS CHEST IS STILL EXPOSED AND HE BEGINS TO BUTTON HIS SHIRT. ANA LAURA, IN THE MEANTIME, PUTS HER EARRING BACK ON-

ROSA: Well, I'll go back the house. I apologize for the interruption…..
ANA LAURA: No, no! You didn't interrupt anything! No!
PEDRO: No, no! There was no interruption! No! Don't worry! Don't worry!
ANA LAURA: Everything is fine!
ROSA: I'll leave then!
ANA LAURA: Yes, leave!
PEDRO: Yes! Perfect! Great! Yes!
ROSA: Well, then…..

-ROSA, CARRYING THE COOKING POT ONCE AGAIN, TAKES A STEP BUT SINCE SHE'S STILL LOOKING THEIR WAY, SHE RUNS INTO THE WALL-

ANA LAURA: Rosa, be careful!

-ROSA LEAVES, BUT NOT BEFORE RUNNING ONCE MORE INTO A WALL SOMEWHERE BECAUSE THE POT CAN BE HEARD FALLING TO THE GROUND AGAIN. PEDRO WIPES HIS HANDS OVER HIS PANTS AND IS READY TO RESUME WHAT THEY WERE DOING BEFORE THE INTERRUPTION. ANA LAURA, HOWEVER, THINKS DIFFERENTLY. SHE'S MORTIFIED THAT THEY WERE DISCOVERED BY ROSA. SHE LOOKS AT PEDRO AND TELLS HIM HOW SHE FEELS-

PEDRO: Ahh!
ANA LAURA: I want to die!
PEDRO: Oh, yeah? Come, die along with me!

-HE PULLS HER BACK DOWN WITH HIM ONTO THE HAY. ANA LAURA IMMEDIATELY SITS BACK UP AND ANGRILY HITS HIM ON THE CHEST-

ANA LAURA: No, no! Pedro! Stop! Stop! Are you crazy? You're a degenerate!
PEDRO: Ay!

-HE GIVES HER A BEWILDERED LOOK, NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY SHE'S SO ANGRY-
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-CECILIA IS IN HER ROOM CRYING HYSTERICALLY. ALVARO COMES IN AND SHE RUNS TO HIM-

ALVARO: What's the matter? What happened?
CECILIA: No, no! I saw her! I saw her!
ALVARO: Anyone can have a bad dream! Calm down!
CECILIA: No, no! This wasn't a dream! I saw her!

-MARIANO AND MOLINA ENTER THE ROOM-

MARIANO: What happened?
ALVARO: She had a nightmare!
CECILIA: It was Leonora! She was here! It was Leonora!
ALVARO: No, no! We are all crazy!
CECILIA: You think I'm crazy, but I'm not! You'll see, Alvaro! My God, why do these things happen to me? Why, why?

-MARIANO IS SURPRISED TO SEE HIS MOTHER IN THAT CONDITION. HE LOOKS AT HIS FATHER IN SILENCE. MOLINA LOOKS ON, BUT ALSO REMAINS SILENT-
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-JULIETA IS PULLING ON GUNTHER'S LEG, TRYING TO HELP HIM GET UNSTUCK FROM UNDER HER BED-

JULIETA: One! Two! Three!
GUNTHER: Ouch! Ouch! There! I'm out!
JULIETA: Do you mind telling me what you were doing?
GUNTHER: You want to know what I'm doing here? I was…….Sabandija wants to know what I was doing here? Ha! Sabandija doesn't ask questions! Only Gunther asks questions! Is that clear? Are you trying to teach good manners to Gunther? You have no manners! Didn't they teach you that you must knock on the door before entering a room, ill-bred!
JULIETA: Yes, I learned some manners! But in this case, you're the one who's ill-bred, because this is my room and this is my house! And don't pretend to be a mean ogre! You don't fool me!
GUNTHER: Gunther came because…..because lost the little ball that belongs to his puppies and……

-JULIETA LOOKS AT HIM AND LETS HIM KNOW SHE'S NOT BELIEVING A WORD HE'S SAYING-

GUNTHER: Julieta is going to give me away?
JULIETA: No, I won't tell anyone!
GUNTHER: Not even Marisol?
JULIETA: No one!
GUNTHER: You better not say anything, sabandija, because you'll release Gunther's fury if you don't keep the secret!
JULIETA: Look, if I don't say anything it won't be because you are threatening me, but because I'm a good person!

-GUNTHER SEEMS GRATEFUL THAT JULIETA WILL KEEP QUIET-
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-IN THE STABLE, ANA LAURA IS WEARING HER JACKET ONCE AGAIN. PEDRO IS BUTTONING HIS SHIRT. ANA LAURA IS ANGRILY RECREMINATING PEDRO-

ANA LAURA: She saw you! Rosa saw you!
PEDRO: Wait just a minute! She saw us, querida!
ANA LAURA: Well, fine, she saw us! But it's your fault she saw us! Because you shouldn't have been here! That's why she saw us!
PEDRO: But, there's no problem! We weren't doing anything!
ANA LAURA: Oh! So, what we were doing meant nothing to you!
PEDRO: Well, no! It's not that it didn't mean anything to me, but we were having a nice time, right?
ANA LAURA: So, you don't care about what we were doing!
PEDRO: It's not that I don't care…..

-PEDRO COMES CLOSER AND TRIES TO KISS HER, BUT SHE WALKS ANGRILY AWAY FROM HIM-

ANA LAURA: I'm so stupid! Why did I believe in you? I can't believe this!

-PEDRO CLOSES HIS EYES IN FRUSTRATION AND TRIES TO MAKE HER SEE HIS POINT OF VIEW-

PEDRO: That's not what I meant! What I meant is…..
ANA LAURA: No! It's all right! It's all right, Pedro! Don't say anything! You're just like every other man!
PEDRO: What do you mean by that?
ANA LAURA: That the only thing you care about is that! That's what I mean!
PEDRO: And what is that?
ANA LAURA: That! That! That is that! What we were doing! That's what that is!
PEDRO: Well, a while ago, that didn't displease you!
ANA LAURA: Ah! Are you implying I'm crazy?
PEDRO: No! You're the one who brought me here! Don't you remember the volcano….the heart beating…..
ANA LAURA: Stop! Stop! What's the matter? Are you blaming me?

-ANA LAURA ANGRILY HITS HIM ON THE ARM-

PEDRO: No! No! No! No! I'm also to blame! I agreed!
ANA LAURA: That's enough, Pedro! Enough! Do you want to know something? I think you just don't understand anything! That's what I think!

-UP UNTIL THIS POINT, HE HAD STILL HOPED TO APPEASE HER. HE COMES CLOSER, TRYING TO KISS HER ONE MORE TIME, BUT SHE WALKS AWAY, LEAVING HIM FRUSTRATED AND LOOKING AS IF HE CAN'T BELIEVE HIS LUCK-
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-CECILIA IS IN HER BEDROOM, PACING THE FLOOR. CARMEN IS IN THE ROOM WITH HER-

CECILIA: I saw her! I saw her!
CARMEN: I believe you, señora.
CECILIA: But, how did this happen?
CARMEN: When their souls are not able to rest, they come back.
CECILIA: After all this time?
CARMEN: The spirits don't measure time the same way we do, señora. And some of them are restless.
CECILIA: Fine! But get her to leave me alone as soon as possible!
CARMEN: No, señora! There's nothing I can do! What can I do?
CECILIA: I don't know exactly what you need to do, but whatever it is, do it now! Do you understand?

-CECILIA'S FEAR OF GHOSTS IS VERY REAL. SHE'S VERY NERVOUS AND JUMPY, SO WHEN GUNTHER ENTERS THE ROOM AT THIS MOMENT, WITHOUT KNOCKING ON THE DOOR, SHE SCREAMS IN FEAR-

GUNTHER: Frau Ceci!
CECILIA: Aaaay!
GUNTHER: What's wrong? It's not as if you're seeing a ghost!
CECILIA: I just saw one!
GUNTHER: What? Where?
CARMEN: She means that you can be as bothersome as a ghost, Gunther!
GUNTHER: Ah!
CECILIA: Do you have what I asked you to bring?
GUNTHER: Gunther searched Fraulin Marisol's entire house, and he didn't find anything!
CECILIA: I knew you were an imbecile, but I didn't imagine to what degree! You are useless and incompetent!
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-MARIANO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK. VICTORIA IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HIM-

MARIANO: Did you know Balmaceda has a criminal record?
VICTORIA: What do you mean he has a criminal record?
MARIANO: Just as I thought! You have no idea who that guy is!
VICTORIA: I find it hard to believe what you just said!
MARIANO: I don't! And I'm going to be honest with you; I don't want criminals in La Esperanza.
VICTORIA: Pedro is not a criminal!
MARIANO: My God! How naïve you are! But I'm not! And I'm going to ask you to please get him out of here, immediately!
VICTORIA: I don't have any reasons to fire Pedro!
MARIANO: Fine, then our agreement ends right here.
VICTORIA: Are you sure?
MARIANO: Yes, of course I'm sure! If the only way I have to get rid of Balmaceda, is to renounce to the horse, the tournament, and anything necessary, I'm willing to do it!
VICTORIA: Don't you think that's too extreme?
MARIANO: No, no! I don't think it's too extreme! I want him off my lands! Out of my country! In other words, out of my life!
VICTORIA: I regret to tell you that won't be possible because there's a contract and you're going to have to fulfill it, querido!

-MARIANO OPENS THE DESK DRAWER AND PULLS OUT THE CONTRACT-

MARIANO: Victoria, this is the contract. I want you to see what I do with this contract!

-MARIANO RIPS THE CONTRACT IN SEVERAL PIECES-

MARIANO: The contract has ended! It's over, Victoria!
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-MERCEDES IS IN HER ROOM AT THE ASYLUM. SHE'S WEARING HER ROBE AND SLIPPERS. THE NURSE COMES IN-

MERCEDES: If my dressmaker is here, tell him I don't want to see him! I don't want to see anyone today! No one!
NURSE: No! That's not why I'm here! I want to congratulate you for your good behavior!
MERCEDES: Ah! But that's because of the pills you give me!
NURSE: Those pills! I think we might have to change them. You sleep too much.
MERCEDES: It's better this way! Have you notice how I don't bother you as much during the night?
NURSE: Yes.
MERCEDES: What a beautiful day for a walk! It's perfect for an outing! Could you take me out sometime?
NURSE: I'd be happy to do that.
MERCEDES: On a boat! Do you like the water?
NURSE: I…I don't think that would be a problem! If you'd like, I could go find out!
MERCEDES: Yes, go find out! Go ahead, go find out!

-THE NURSE LEAVES THE ROOM. MERCEDES THEN MAKES A COMMENT TO HERSELF-

MERCEDES: Go and find out! You don't know what awaits you!
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-PEDRO AND VICTORIA ARE TALKING IN THE KITCHEN OF THE HOUSE BELONGING TO THE WORKERS. PEDRO IS STANDING AND LEANING AGAINST THE KITCHEN COUNTER. VICTORIA IS ANGRILY PACING THE FLOOR-

VICTORIA: You should have told me something like that, Pedro!
PEDRO: Victoria, you're talking about something that happened long time ago! There was a mistake! I didn't know the car was stolen!
VICTORIA: But this is just what Mariano was looking for! This, plus the scandal you caused here….you are ruining my plans, Pedro!
PEDRO: That was not my intention, señora! That was not my intention! Believe me, from now on, I’ll act more prudently! I will be more careful, honestly!
VICTORIA: Now is too late!
PEDRO: Too late for what?
VICTORIA: For you to remain here! Pedro, I want you to resign!
PEDRO: I…I'm not going to do that! I'm not going to resign, señora!
VICTORIA: Well, if you don't resign, you leave me no alternative! I'm very sorry, Pedro! You are fired!

-PEDRO IS STUNNED INTO SILENCE-
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-PEDRO IS WALKING ALONG THE ESTANCIA. ANA LAURA IS LEANING ON A TREE, WAITING FOR HIM TO COME BY. HE APPROACHES AND SHE STOPS HIM-

ANA LAURA: Pedro, please, I need to talk to you.
PEDRO: There's no need, everything's been said.
ANA LAURA: I don't feel that way/
PEDRO: What do you want to say?
ANA LAURA: No, you go first.
PEDRO: Mariano won.
ANA LAURA: What are you talking about?
PEDRO: Victoria fired me.
ANA LAURA: What?
PEDRO: You heard right.
ANA LAURA: And, what are you're going to do? Are you leaving that easily?
PEDRO: No, I intent to fight, with all I've got. That's what I'm going to do!
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-VICTORIA WENT TO VISIT MERCEDES. SHE'S VERY EMOTIONAL WHEN TALKING TO MERCEDES ABOUT PEDRO-

VICTORIA: Pedro is a young man who I love very much.
MERCEDES: Victoria! You're in love again! You're incorrigible!
VICTORIA: No, no! I love him very much but in a different way. He's good, he's kind.
MERCEDES: Hum, kind!
VICTORIA: He's generous and he hates injustice and…it pains me to have hurt him, but I had no other choice.
MERCEDES: Tell me something Victoria. Why is Pedro so important to you?

-VICTORIA LOOKS AWAY AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO MERCEDES' QUESTION-
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-ANA LAURA IS IN HER BEDROOM TALKING TO LETICIA. SHE'S VERY UPSET-

ANA LAURA: I will die if he leaves!
LETICIA: You'll die if he leaves? Who understands you? When he comes near you, you run! When he leaves, you want to die!
ANA LAURA: What's the matter with you, girl? I can't go by what I feel! I can't just do whatever I want! Can't you understand that?
LETICIA: Please!
ANA LAURA: I have to stay in my reality, even if he's what I love most in this world!

-THEY SUDDENLY HEAR MARIANO AND PEDRO SCREAMING IN THE LIVING ROOM-

MARIANO: In how many ways do I have to explain to you that I don't want to see you around here?
PEDRO: I don't care!
MARIANO: I don't want to talk to you anymore!
PEDRO: I don’t care if you don't want to talk to me, you owe me an explanation!
MARIANO: No! I don't owe you anything! Don't you understand anything?
PEDRO: Are you crazy? Do you really think I'm just going quietly take this and do nothing about it?
MARIANO: Can't you understand, you wretch, can't you understand? Just go away!

-MARISOL COMES INTO THE ROOM-

PEDRO: I have a contract Mariano!
MARIANO: The contract no longer exists!

-ANA LAURA WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT-

ANA LAURA: Enough! Enough! I could hear your screams all the way in my bedroom!
MARIANO: My love, did you know Pedro will no longer work here in the estancia? It's a pity because it really is very hard to find good peons nowadays!
MARISOL: And you're enjoying this, besides!
MARIANO: I told you not to get involved, you wretch!

-MARIANO TRIES TO WALK TOWARDS MARISOL BUT PEDRO BECOMES EVEN ANGRIER AFTER MARIANO ADDRESSES MARISOL IN THAT MANNER. HE WRAPS HIS HANDS AROUND MARIANO'S NECK AND BEGINS CHOKING HIM-

PEDRO: Apologize to her!
MARIANO: Let me go!
PEDRO: I told you to apologize to her, Mariano!
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-GUNTHER IS IN THE KITCHEN, STEALING A , AS ALWAYS. TOTI COMES IN AND STARTLES HIM-

TOTI: Gunther! What are you doing?
GUNTHER: I came in to do an inspection because everything is always so dirty. If I didn't keep an eye on things, this kitchen would fall apart! And you, infectious worm, what are you doing here?
TOTI: Ah….I came to see you! I was looking for you!
GUNTHER: For what reason?
TOTI: I saw you! I saw you sniffing around Marisol's house with your dogs! Do you mind telling me what you were doing?
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-PEDRO IS STILL CHOKING MARIANO. MARISOL AND ANA LAURA ARE TRYING TO SEPARATE THEM-

PEDRO: I told you to apologize to Marisol! Apologize to her!
ANA LAURA: Stop, Pedro! Let him go! This is not the way to do things!
MARIANO: Let me go! You'll regret this!
PEDRO: You're the one who's going to regret this, you rapist!

-PEDRO RELEASES MARIANO AND PUSHES HIM AWAY FROM HIM. MARIANO FALLS TO THE FLOOR. AT THIS EXACT MOMENT, IGNACIO, CECILIA, ALVARO AND ROBERTO, WALK IN THE ROOM. THEY HEAR THE COMMENT PEDRO MADE-

IGNACIO: Rapist?
CECILIA: Shut up, you animal!
PEDRO: No, señora! He's the animal! He's a pervert! That's what he is!
ALVARO: Roberto! Get him out of here!

-ROBERTO GRABS PEDRO'S ARMS AND HE PUSHES HIM TOWARDS THE DOOR-

CECILIA: He's gone crazy! He's crazy!
PEDRO: No, señora! He's the one who's crazy! This is not over, Mariano! You keep that in mind!

-PEDRO EXITS THE ROOM. MARIANO LOOKS AT MARISOL AND THEN TAKES A STEP BACK. HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY-
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-GUNTHER IS YELLING AT TOTI IN THE KITCHEN. LISA WALKS IN-

GUNTHER: You, infectious worm, have to wash your mouth before speaking of my puppies!
LISA: Speaking of your puppies! They came inside the house again!
GUNTHER: That's a lie!
LISA: Look, Gunthercito, their prints are all over the rug in the living room! Who's going to tell Señora Cecilia? Do you want to tell her yourself, do you want me to tell her, or do you want Toti to do it?
GUNTHER: I don't see the need to tell anyone anything!
LISA: And Lisa doesn't see the need to be yelling at Toti!
GUNTHER: All right! One thing washes out the other! There's really no need to say anything and everything remains the same, all right?
LISA: In that case, go look after your puppies!
GUNTHER: Yes, thank you!

-GUNTHER LEAVES THE KITCHEN, BUT NOT BEFORE STEALING TWO COOKIES FROM THE TRAY ON THE COUNTER-

TOTI: Thank you!
LISA: You're welcome, bombón!

-LISA LEAVES THE ROOM-

TOTI: She called me bombón!
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-JULIETA IS IN THE ATTIC. SHE'S SITTING QUIETLY ON THE FLOOR. CECILIA WALKS IN AND CLOSES THE DOOR. JULIETA MAKES A NOISE. CECILIA HEARS THE NOISE AND GETS STARTLED-

CECILIA: Who's there? What was that noise? Is that you, Leonora?

-CECILIA TAKES A FEW STEPS AROUND THE ROOM AND DISCOVERS JULIETA-

CECILIA: What are you doing here? Who sent you to scare me?
JULIETA: I didn't come to scare you!
CECILIA: You were stealing! Answer me! You were stealing!
JULIETA: No! I didn't touch anything!
CECILIA: You were going through my things! Meddlesome brat!
JULIETA: I didn't do anything, Cecilia!

-JULIETA RUNS OUT OF THE ROOM-

CECILIA: Come here! Come here! You're not going to get off that easily!
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-IN THE LIBRARY, MARIANO IS SITTING AT THE DESK. IGNACIO IS STANDING ACROSS FROM HIM. ANA LAURA IS STANDING BETWEEN THE TWO. IGNACIO ADDRESSES ANA LAURA-

IGNACIO: Has Mariano ever done anything to you?
MARIANO: What are you getting at, Ignacio?
IGNACIO: The truth!
MARIANO: Speak, Ana! Speak! Tell your father how well I've been treating you lately!

-ANA LAURA LOOKS AT MARIANO FOR A FEW SECONDS BUT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING. MARIANO SCREAMS AT HER-

MARIANO: Speak! Don't remain silent! Ignacio, I don't understand how you can listen to that imbecile, Pedro!
IGNACIO: I don't believe Pedro is an imbecile!
ANA LAURA: I don't believe that either!
MARIANO: You don't?
ANA LAURA: No!
MARIANO: So what he said is true, then?
ANA LAURA: I didn't mean that!
MARIANO: What did you mean, Ana?
ANA LAURA: That….that nothing ever happened, dad. He never acted improperly with me.
Everything is fine, don't worry.
IGNACIO: If your answer had been different, you'd have been left without a husband.

-IGNACIO WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM-
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JULIETA IS STILL RUNNING, BUT CECILIA CATCHES UP WITH HER IN THE HALLWAY. SHE GRABS JULIETA'S ARM. JULIETA BEGINS STRUGGLING WITH HER-

CECILIA: I told you to come here! I'm going to show you!
JULIETA: Stop! I told you I didn't do anything!
CECILIA: I'm not letting you go until you tell me what you were doing in the attic!
JULIETA: Stop! You're hurting me!
CECILIA: You're an ill-bred brat, but you're going to learn how to behave! I'm going to show you how things stand around here!

-AT THIS MOMENT, MARISOL COMES OUT OF ONE THE ROOMS-

MARISOL: Let her go! What about you, aunt, do you know how things stand around here?
CECILIA: What are you talking about?
MARISOL: I'm talking about Julieta! Do you know how things stand? Do you know who you are mistreating?
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-PEDRO IS STRUGGLING WITH TWO MEN WHO HAVE GRABBED HIM AND ARE PUSHING HIM TOWARDS A WHITE VAN. A THIRD MAN IS HOLDING OPEN THE DOOR TO THE VAN-

PEDRO: What are you doing? Let go of me! I have my rights!

-THE MEN PUSHES PEDRO INTO THE VAN AND HE ENTERS THE VAN WITH HIM-

MAN ONE: Calm down, brother! Calm down, you're going home!

-ROBERTO APPEARS WITH PEDRO'S BAGS AND THROWS THEM INTO THE VAN-

MARIANO: The man is acting a little difficult, isn't he?
PEDRO: You're a coward!

-PEDRO TRIES TO EXIT THE VAN, BUT THE MAN INSIDE THE VAN WITH HIM, PULLS OUT A GUN AND POINTS IT AT PEDRO. MARIANO APPROACHES PEDRO AND PATS HIM ON THE SHOULDER-

MARIANO: Ciao, Pedrito! Ciao! No one will miss you around here!

-MARIANO CLOSES THE DOOR TO THE VAN. THE VAN PULLS AWAY. ANA LAURA COMES RUNNING AND SEES THE VAN CARRY PEDRO AWAY FROM THE ESTANCIA-

ANA LAURA: What have you done?
MARIANO: Justice! I've done justice!

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-MARISOL HAS CONFRONTED CECILIA IN THE HALLWAY-

CECILIA: Who is this brat?

-MARISOL IS SILENT FOR A FEW SECONDS-

CECILIA: Go on, tell me!
MARISOL: She's my daughter! I'm tired of the way you and your family treat her!
CECILIA: No! That's not what you were going to say!
MARISOL: Yes, it is! My daughter deserves respect!
CECILIA: Respect must be earned, querida! Answer my question! What are you hiding from me?
MARISOL: That's my business! I will only say that you better stay away from her! Don't touch her ever again!
CECILIA: Then tell her not to come around. It makes me sick to see the house full of strangers!
MARISOL: What has you feeling sick are your ugly thoughts!

-CECILIA WALKS AWAY AND ENTERS ONE OF THE ROOMS. MARISOL AND JULIETA WALK TOWARDS THE FRONT ROOM. ANA LAURA AND LETICIA WALK IN THE HOUSE AT THIS MOMENT-

ANA LAURA: We have to find a way to help him.
MARISOL: What happened?
ANA LAURA: They took Pedro away!
JULIETA: Who took him away?
MARISOL: Wait, Julieta, calm down! What do you mean, they took him away?
ANA LAURA: Yes, some people from immigration came and took him away!
MARISOL: Immigration? They took him away without giving him a chance to say goodbye?
LETICIA: We all know who's behind all this!
JULIETA: Who, mother, who?
MARISOL: This is an adult conversation. We'll take care of this!
ANA LAURA: Yes, we'll take care of this, but what exactly are we going to do?
LETICIA: We'll think of something!
JULIETA: Mom, we have to help him!
MARISOL: Julieta, go home, lock the door, and don't let anyone in!
JULIETA: But, mom….
MARISOL: If you want us to help Pedro, listen and do what I say! Go home, right now!

-JULIETA RELUCTANTLY GOES HOME-

ANA LAURA: I think we should ask the workers. They might have seen something!

-MARISOL DOESN'T HAVE TIME TO ANSWER ANA LAURA BECAUSE MARIANO WALKS IN THE ROOM AT THIS MOMENT-

MARIANO: How nice! The women of the house gathered together! Is everything all right, girls?

-HE CONTINUES WALKING TOWARDS THE KITCHEN. MARISOL, ANA LAURA AND LETICIA LOOK AT ONE ANOTHER BUT DON'T SAY A WORD-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-IN THE KITCHEN, ALL THE WORKERS (ROSA, LISA, MAGDA, GUNTHER, ANTONIO, TOTI AND CHAPA) ARE STANDING AROUND THE TABLE. THEY'VE JUST FOUND OUT PEDRO IS GONE-

ROSA: And it looks like they took him by force!
MAGDA: That's the usual way these people operate! That poor boy!

-MARIANO WALKS IN THE ROOM-

MARIANO: I can see you've heard the news! Well, it's better this way!
GUNTHER: I didn't say anything, Herr Mariano! This reunion was the maids' idea!
ROSA: We were just commenting on……
MARIANO: You don't have to comment on anything in the hallways of this house! Balmaceda's exit should serve as an example to all of you!
TOTI: Do you know where they took him, Señor Mariano?
MARIANO: That's not your problem! From this moment on, your only concern should be keeping your jobs!
MAGDA: We are working as usual, señor. I don't know exactly what you're referring to!
MARIANO: I'm referring to the fact that I don't want disloyal employees in La Esperanza.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL CAUTIOUSLY ENTERS THE LIBRARY. HE SEES MARIANO'S AGENDA ON THE DESK AND BEGINS TO SCAN THE PAGES-

MARISOL: I have to find a note or something!

-MARIANO OPENS THE DOOR AT THIS MOMENT AND FINDS HER GOING THROUGH THE BOOK-

MARIANO: What are you doing?
MARISOL: No, nothing! I was looking for some telephone numbers!
MARIANO: What telephone numbers?
MARISOL: The ones I need to arrange the employees' health benefits!
MARIANO: Ah!

-MARISOL, CARRYING THE AGENDA, WALKS AROUND MARIANO'S DESK AND APPROACHES HER OWN DESK. MARIANO WALKS TOWARDS HER-

MARIANO: Well, leave that alone, leave everything! There's a celebration going on! Since Pedro left the estancia, we are celebrating!
MARISOL: Yes, yes, it's obvious you didn't want him here, so how could he stay?

-MARIANO OGLES MARISOL AND SPEAKS TO HER IN A LOW VOICE-

MARIANO: My God! I like you so much! So much! You're so intelligent! And do you know what I like most about this situation? You and I will be able to spend time alone! Alone with our love!
MARISOL: What love are you talking about, you're sick!
MARIANO: I'm talking about our love, beautiful! Come here, come here!
MARISOL: Stop! I have to go!
MARIANO: Come here! You aren't going anywhere!

-HE CARESSES HER FACE AND TAKES HER IN HIS ARMS. MARISOL STRUGGLES WITH HIM. THE PHONE RINGS AT THIS MOMENT AND MARIANO RELEASES HER. MARISOL RUNS TO ANSWER THE PHONE BUT MARIANO GRABS IT BEFORE SHE HAS A CHANCE TO PICK IT UP-

MARIANO: Hello! Yes, boys! Just a minute! Marisol, we'll talk later, all right?

-MARIANO ASSUMES MARISOL WILL LEAVE THE ROOM AND HE CONTINUES WITH THE TELEPHONE CONVERSATION-

MARIANO: Yes! What? Why not?

-MARIANO REALIZES MARISOL IS STILL IN THE ROOM-

MARIANO: Marisol! This is private, please!
MARISOL: All right!

-MARISOL HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO LEAVE THE ROOM. SHE WANTED TO STAY AROUND AND LISTEN FOR ANY INFORMATION REGARDING PEDRO. SHE EXITS THE ROOM, BUT REMAINS LISTENING BY THE DOOR-

MARIANO: All right, we're clear! Why the delay?

-THE MEN WHO TOOK PEDRO ARE NOW IN A LOCAL AIRPORT. ONE OF THE MEN IS STANDING A FEW FEET AWAY FROM THE VAN AND IS TALKING TO MARIANO ON THE CELLULAR PHONE. THE OTHER TWO MEN ARE STANDING BY THE VAN, GUARDING PEDRO-

MAN: We don't know, we don't know! They say it could be due to the fog.
MARIANO: Fog? Can this be possible? These idiots!

-ONE OF THE MEN BY THE VAN IS TEMPORARILY DISTRACTED LIGHTING A CIGARETTE. PEDRO TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THIS DISTRACTION AND HITS THE MAN WITH THE CIGARETTE FIRST AND THEN THE OTHER. HE FIGURES HE CAN ESCAPE FROM THEM AND HE RUNS TOWARDS A SMALL PLANE, BUT THE MEN CHASE AFTER HIM AND FIRE THEIR GUNS AT HIM. HE TAKES COVER UNDER THE AIRPLANE'S WING, BUT THEY OVERTAKE HIM. THEY POINT THEIR GUNS AT HIS HEAD AND HE TRIES TO APPEASE THEM-

PEDRO: Yes, yes, you're right! Don't take things to heart!
MAN: Don't try to be smart, brother!

-THE THIRD MAN, WHO WAS ON THE PHONE WITH MARIANO, PUNCHES PEDRO IN THE STOMACH. PEDRO SCREAMS IN PAIN, AND THE TWO MEN DRAG HIM BACK TO THE VAN. THE THIRD MAN'S PHONE RINGS. IT'S MARIANO-

MAN: Hello!
MARIANO: What happened? Why did you hang up so suddenly?
MAN: No, it's all right! We had a small incident.
MARIANO: What small incident?

-MARISOL'S IN THE LIVING ROOM, LISTENING TO THE CONVERSATION ON THE OTHER EXTENSION-

MAN: It was our guest, but everything is under control.
MARIANO: What's happening with the airplane? Did you give the pilot the exact location?
MAN: Yes, yes, he knows. He should be here any minute.
MARIANO: Does he know you're in Escobar?
MAN: Yes! I explained everything to them personally. They'll be here shortly.
MARIANO: All right, all right, I'll wait patiently. But keep me informed of everything that goes on. Take good care of our man. So long!

-MARISOL CAREFULLY PUTS THE RECEIVER DOWN AND RUNS TO TELL ANA LAURA WHAT SHE JUST HEARD. ANA LAURA IS IN HER BEDROOM, PACING THE FLOOR. LETICIA IS WITH HER-

ANA LAURA: I don't understand! I don't understand how they can do this to Pedro! Because Mariano can throw him out of the estancia, but he can't throw him out of the country! He's not in charge!
LETICIA: But where could they have taken him, then?
ANA LAURA: I don't know, but I'm not going to wait idly while Mariano does whatever he wants!

-MARISOL WALKS IN THE ROOM-

MARISOL: I got it! I know where Pedro is!
LETICIA: Where?
MARISOL: In Escobar! Mariano was talking with one of the men!
ANA LAURA: Why would they take him to Escobar?
MARISOL: To get him out of the country! They talked about plane being delayed, or something to that effect!
ANA LAURA: An airplane! All right, let's go!
LETICIA: Are you two crazy? Where are you going?
MARISOL: To the airport! To do what's necessary!
LETICIA: Do you think the two of you can disappear at the same time without Mariano finding out?
ANA LAURA: You're right! Marisol, you stay here!
MARISOL: But I want to go! I must go!
LETICIA: That could bring us more problems!
ANA LAURA: Yes! You did what you had to do, now please leave everything to me! All right, Marisol?
MARISOL: Fine! Are you going alone?
LETICIA: No, I'll go with her!
MARISOL: But what can you do? These guys are gangsters!
ANA LAURA: You're right! I think I have an idea!
MARISOL: What's your idea?
ANA LAURA: No, it doesn't matter! What you need to do, is keep your fingers crossed, and pray! That's all! Come on, Leticia, let's go!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK IN THE LIBRARY. FEDERICO IS PETULANTLY STANDING ACROSS FROM HIM. MATIAS IS TALKING TO MARIANO ABOUT HIS TRAINING WITH CHOCOLATE-

MATIAS: I don't want to train with Federico any longer!
MARIANO: Why not?
MATIAS: Because!
FEDERICO: That's not a good answer, Matías, please! Learning how to jump is not an easy task, and to be honest, you're a little lazy!
MATIAS: I'm not lazy!
MARIANO: Don't pressure him, Federico! Let him talk!
MATIAS: You knew the horse was sick, but you made me jump anyway!
FEDERICO: Matías, please! Can't you understand that the horse is not the problem?
MARIANO: Your job, to be exact, is to make sure he understands!
FEDERICO: Mariano, please, that's not my responsibility!
MARIANO: Do you know, you're right! That's not your responsibility! You may go!
FEDERICO: What did you say?

-MARIANO RISES FROM HIS CHAIR AND LOOKS AT FEDERICO STRAIGHT ON THE FACE-

MARIANO: You're fired!
FEDERICO: Mariano, please! This boy is very lazy! He's always……
MARIANO: Federico, don't make things more difficult! It was very hard for me to make this decision; please!

-FEDERICO DOESN'T AGREE WITH MARIANO'S DECISION, BUT HE LEAVES THE ROOM WITHOUT SAYING ANOTHER WORD-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-AT THE AIRPORT, THE CROOKS, WITH THEIR GUNS DRAWN, ARE ABOUT TO FORCE PEDRO INSIDE THE PLANE-

MAN: Relax, my friend, you're going home!

-BEFORE THEY CAN SET FOOT ON THE STEPS LEADING INTO THE PLANE, THEY HEAR A FEMALE VOICE BEHIND THEM-

FEMALE VOICE: Stop!

PEDRO AND THE MEN TURN AROUND AND FACE A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE APPROACHING THEM. PEDRO HAS THE MOST INCREDULOUS LOOK ON HIS FACE. HE SEES ANA LAURA, LETICIA, TOTI AND CHAPA, WEARING SUNGLASSES AND DRESSED IN VERY COLORFUL AND ECCENTRIC CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES, AND SPEAKING WITH A PUERTO RICAN ACCENT. THEY'RE WALKING WITH ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE AND EVERYONE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ANA LAURA, IS HOLDING A CIGARETTE IN THEIR HANDS. PEDRO STARES IN STUNNED SILENCE-

LETICIA: My blessed child, stop!
MAN: Who are you?
ANA LAURA: We're from the Puerto Rican Embassy, chico!
MAN: The Puerto Rican Embassy?
ANA LAURA: That's correct!

-ANA LAURA PURPOSELY WAKS TOWARDS THEM AND TAKES PEDRO'S ARM-

ANA LAURA: And this young man is not going anywhere! No way!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-GUNTHER IS IN THE KITCHEN WITH HIS DOGS. JULIETA, LOOKING VERY SAD, WALKS IN-

GUNTHER: What is little sabandija doing here? You know perfectly well, you're not supposed to enter this house!
JULIETA: Please, Gunther, don't yell at me today, I had a bad day!
GUNTHER: I don't care! Gunther is very strict and…….

-HE SEES THAT JULIETA IS TRULY FEELING SAD AND HE MOMENTARILY STOPS HIS BAD-GUY ACT-

GUNTHER: What's the matter, little sabandija?
JULIETA: Nothing. You wouldn't understand.
GUNTHER: Talk to me about your problem. You'll feel better.
JULIETA: No, you wouldn't be interested.
GUNTHER: Ah, Gunther understands a lot! Speak!
JULIETA: All right. I'm sad because I don't know anything about my dad.
GUNTHER: Your dad! Father, yes of course!
JULIETA: Of course, what? I'm feeling sad because I don't know anything about my past. You don't know how awful it is to not know what your father was like! Did your dad play with you when you were little?

-GUNTHER IS TAKEN ABACK BY JULIETA'S QUESTION-

GUNTHER: No, my father was very strict, very strict.
JULIETA: Yes, but you at least got to know him. Has it been long since you last saw him?
GUNTHER: Ahem! Well, little sabandija, you were right! I'm not interested in anything you had to say, therefore, I don't want to listen to any of this silly sensibility you are talking about!
JULIETA: Do you see! I knew I shouldn't have said anything to you!

-JULIETA, DISHEARTENED, LEAVES THE KITCHEN. GUNTHER IS VERY MOVED BY THE CONVERSATION HE HAD WITH JULIETA-

GUNTHER: Father! Who cares about father!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ANA LAURA: This man leaves immediately for our embassy!
MAN: No embassy! This man will board this plane right now!
CHAPA: No, gentlemen! Absolutely not! You can't deprive this citizen of his freedom! It'll be best if you don't look for any trouble! All right?
MAN: Just one second! No one is leaving!
ANA LAURA: What do you mean, no one's leaving? We are all leaving! We're all getting in the car and we're leaving! Come on, my friends!
CHAPA: Let's go!
TOTI: So long!

-THEY GRAB PEDRO AND THEY WALK RAPIDLY AWAY, BEFORE THE MEN HAVE A CHANCE TO REACT. THE GROUP IS LATER SEEN WALKING TOWARDS THE CAR. THEY ARE LAUGHING, AND STILL AMAZED THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO RESCUE PEDRO-

CHAPA: Toti, instead of Central Américan, you look like a gallego*!
TOTI: That's because I've been exposed to it since I was little, so the influence is there!
LETICIA: The two of you acted divinely!
ANA LAURA: It's really a miracle that we were able to get away!
PEDRO: I have to admit you surprised me very much!

*GALLEGO (Galician) is someone who comes specifically from Galicia, Spain; but the term is generally used by non-Spaniards, to refer to anyone who is a native of Spain. It is a term used in the same way the term borícua is used to describe someone from Puerto Rico.

-THEY GET IN THE CAR. ANA LAURA GETS BEHIND THE WHEEL AND PEDRO SITS NEXT TO HER IN THE FRONT SEAT. CHAPA, TOTI AND LETICIA SIT IN THE BACK-

TOTI: You weren't expecting us to come and get you!
PEDRO: No, I would be in the airplane by now.
LETICIA: This was all Anita's idea!
PEDRO: Oh, she was the mastermind behind this! So, then, what's the plan?
ANA LAURA: What plan? There is no plan!
PEDRO: What do you mean, there is no plan?
ANA LAURA: There is no plan! It’s enough that I came, don't you think?
PEDRO: And what are your intentions towards me?
ANA LAURA: Why don't you come up with something, since you're the one who is in a bind, my love?
PEDRO: I was just kidding!
ANA LAURA: This is not the right moment for jokes!
PEDRO: Yes, but since we are all here together and happy, I thought…..
ANA LAURA: Well, you thought wrong!
PEDRO: All right! I better be quiet!
ANA LAURA: Yes, you better.
TOTI: Let's all sing!

-THEY DRIVE AWAY-
………………………………………………………………………………………

-FLORIA CAME TO VISIT JULIETA. THEY ARE IN THE KITCHEN-

FLORIA: Julieta, what do you mean, what trunk? Don't you remember the trunk were we found Leonora's clothes and you dressed up in them?
JULIETA: Ah…yes, the trunk! There's a problem!
FLORIA: What problem?
JULIETA: Well, as you know, we left it where we found it, and after all this happened with Pedro, I never saw it again!
FLORIA: Oh, really!
JULIETA: No! Perhaps someone took it!
FLORIA: How odd! Oh, well! What else can we do?
JULIETA: Yes, if it's lost, it lost!
FLORIA: Of course, of course! This is truly a mystery, don't you think?

-JULIETA ONLY NODS HER HEAD-

FLORIA: What could have happened to the trunk and all of Leonora's clothes?

-JULIETA SHRUGS HER SHOULDERS, BUT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL IS IN THE LIBRARY, STANDING BEHIND MARIANO'S DESK. TOTI CAREFULLY OPENS THE DOOR AND COMES IN, CLOSING THE DOOR BEHIND HIM-

TOTI: Marisol! It's done!
MARISOL: Did you find him?
TOTI: Of course! He safe and sound! We rescued him!
MARISOL: Where is he? Where did you take him?
TOTI: I don't know! I can't tell you where he is! But don't worry, Anita will do a good job hiding him!
MARISOL: Oh, Ana is going to hide him! Well, in that case, yes, I feel much better!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA AND MARIANO ARE IN THE LIVING ROOM. MARIANO IS POURING HIMSELF A DRINK-

MARIANO: My God, I feel great! I feel great! Since Pedro left this house, I feel everything is running smoothly.
ANA LAURA: If you say so!
MARIANO: Ahum! I say so! Would you like a drink?
ANA LAURA: No.

-ANA LAURA SITS ON THE LARGE SOFA. MARIANO SITS ON A CHAIR FACING ANA LAURA-

MARIANO: We'll now be able to talk comfortably without any interference. We'll be able to listen to each other.
ANA LAURA: Only if we agree on certain things.
MARIANO: That's what I meant.
ANA LAURA: Yes, we both have to give in a little. For example, I promised Samantha I was going to help her set up her art show. I have to go to Buenos Aires again.
MARIANO: What do you mean you have to go back! You just came from there!
ANA LAURA: Yes, but I came home to let you know, so you won't say that I always do what I want.
MARIANO: What happens if I don't let you go?
ANA LAURA: If you don't let me go, we're going to start having problems again, and this time, you can't blame anyone, since there's no one here to blame!
MARIANO: All right, all right! But I really wanted you to stay here with me.
ANA LAURA: Mariano, let's not start this again, please!
MARIANO: No, you're right. Let's not argue!
ANA LAURA: No, I don't want to argue.
MARIANO: Excuse me.

-LETICIA WALKS IN THE HOUSE. MARIANO STANDS UP AND LEAVES THE ROOM-

LETICIA: Did anything happen?
ANA LAURA: Nothing, nothing! He's happy! Now that Pedro is not here, he's celebrating.
LETICIA: Hm! And what happened to you know who?
ANA LAURA: I have him in my apartment!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL GETS HOME FROM WORK, THAT EVENING. SHE CALLS OUT TO JULIETA-

MARISOL: Juli!

-JULIETA WALKS IN THE ROOM, LOOKING VERY SAD ABOUT PEDRO'S DEPARTURE-

MARISOL: I'll prepare something to eat. Did you get your things ready for school?
JULIETA: No, I didn't do my homework.
MARISOL: My love, don't take it so hard!
JULIETA: Without Pedro, I don't feel like doing anything! Don't you miss him? Don't you feel like everything is very sad?
MARISOL: Yes, of course I do!
JULIETA: He wasn't just anybody! He was our friend, mom; and now, without him, everything will change!
MARISOL: But you don't have to be so sad! Who knows, maybe Pedro will come back!
JULIETA: Come back? Why do you say that?
MARISOL: I don't know! Intuition! Don't you trust my intuition?
JULIETA: It's not that, but I'm going to tell you one thing! If he does come back, don't even think about letting him go! Do you understand?

-MARISOL DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING, BUT SHE SMILES AT JULIETA-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS IN ANA LAURA'S APARTMENT IN BUENOS AIRES. AT THE MOMENT, HE'S SITTING ON THE SOFA, READING A MAGAZINE. HE HEARS THE DOOR BEING UNLOCKED. ANA LAURA COMES IN WITH GROCERIES-

ANA LAURA: Excuse me.
PEDRO: Yes, come in.
ANA LAURA: I came to bring you some food.

-SHE WALKS STRAIGHT TO THE KITCHEN WHERE SHE DEPOSITS THE GROCERIES ON THE COUNTER-

PEDRO: I knew you'd come back!

-ANA LAURA DECIDES TO IGNORE PEDRO'S COMMENT-

ANA LAURA: I brought you instant pudding, some pasta……
PEDRO: Did you hear me?
ANA LAURA: No, I didn't hear you. I don't know if you like mayonnaise……

HE GETS UP FROM THE SOFA AND WALKS UP TO HER-

PEDRO: Yes, I like it. I was positive you'd be back.
ANA LAURA: Oh, really? And why were you so sure I'd be back?
PEDRO: Because…..I don't know….because you like me?
ANA LAURA: Ha! How conceited! You're terrible, little boy, what's the matter with you?
PEDRO: No, no! It's just that I was hoping you'd come! That's all!
ANA LAURA: Oh, yeah?
PEDRO: I'd been thinking about you all afternoon, Ana!

-ANA LAURA WALKS AWAY FROM HIM. SHE MOVES FROM THE KITCHEN AND INTO THE LIVING ROOM. PEDRO FOLLOWS HER-

ANA LAURA: Well….well, I really don't have time for words, and besides, I don't feel the way you do, Pedro.
PEDRO: Really?
ANA LAURA: Yes!

-PEDRO STANDS VERY CLOSE TO HER-

PEDRO: Why don't you look at me and tell me that again?

-ANA LAURA AVOIDS LOOKING INTO HIS EYES. SHE BEGINS TO SAY SOMETHING, BUT PEDRO INTERRUPTS HER WITH A KISS-

ANA LAURA: I don't feel…..

-PEDRO KISSES HER. HE BEGINS SLOWLY, WITH SMALL, SOFT KISSES, BUT GROWS MORE PASSIONATE AS HE FEELS HER RESPONSE. HE HOLDS HER FACE IN HIS HANDS, HE THEN SOFTLY LOWERS HIS HANDS TO CARESS HER NECK-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-FLORIA AND MAGDA ARE IN THE ATTIC. FLORIA IS RUMMAGING THROUGH SOME OLD CLOTHES-

FLORIA: I'm looking for some of Leonora's old clothes to scare Cecilia, but I can't find anything!
MAGDA: Ah, no, no, no! I don't like to play those games! Don't think I'm going to help you in this!
FLORIA: You're staying right here! I need you to serve as my look-out!
MAGDA: No, I'm leaving!
FLORIA: And may I ask where you're going?
MAGDA: I'm leaving! I have things to do! Please, señora! You're playing games like a young girl!
FLORIA: I'm not playing at anything!

-FLORIA THEN DISCOVERS SOME JEWELRY THAT LEONORA USED TO WEAR-

FLORIA: Look! Look what I found!

-MAGDA COMES NEAR FLORIA AND TAKES A LOOK-

MAGDA: Custom jewelry! It belonged to Leonora?
FLORIA: Yes, it belonged to Leonora! She would wear them once in a while to amuse us! Look at this necklace! I like it! We're going to have a lot of fun with this one!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MERCEDES IS IN HER ROOM AT THE ASYLUM. MARISOL COMES TO VISIT HER. MERCEDES IS TRYING ON SOME OF LEONORA'S CLOTHES-

MARISOL: Mom!
MERCEDES: Ah, my little one!

-MERCEDES HUGS AND KISSES MARISOL ON BOTH CHEEKS-

MERCEDES: Hello, my love!
MARISOL: Mami, what are you doing with these clothes?
MERCEDES: These clothes are a gift from….my best friend!

-MARISOL DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT MERCEDES IS TRYING TO SAY-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE ESTANCIA EMPLOYEES HAVE GATHERED IN THE KITCHEN OF THE HOUSE BELONGING TO THEM. SITTING AT THE LONG TABLE ARE CHAPA, ROSA, ANTONIO, TOTI AND LISA-

CHAPA: Where is Magda? She's the one who arranged this meeting and at the end, she doesn't show up!
LISA: Ché, she'll be here, don't be so impatient!
ANTONIO: All we need is to get caught plotting this reunion, and she'll be clear of everything!
TOTI: Who's going to discover us? We haven't even started anything! Don't panic!
ROSA: That's easy for you to say because you don't have any children!
LISA: Listen, ché, don't use your son as an excuse; he's not a little boy!
CHAPA: Please, I'd like someone to explain to me what we'll be deciding, because I still don't understand…..

-MAGDA COMES IN AT THIS MOMENT-

CHAPA: Finally, woman!
MAGDA: I'm sorry I'm late! Are we all here?
LISA: Yes.

-MAGDA JOINS THEM AT THE TABLE-

ROSA: Carmen is not here. Did someone mention anything to her?
MAGDA: What?
ROSA: Yes, this is a democracy, ché. Shouldn't she know?
CHAPA: No! She shouldn't! Magda, do you mind explaining what this conspiracy is all about?
MAGDA: This is not a conspiracy! We need to decide whose side we're on! Are we siding with the Linares, who are horrible; or are we siding with the Villalobos, who have been our employers for life?
ROSA: Do you need to ask? Our hearts are with the Villalobos!
ANTONIO: Yes, but the Linares are now in charge!
MAGDA: But we can't be on both sides! Are we with God or with the devil? We must choose a path!

-GUNTHER WALKS IN. HE WAS ABLE TO HEAR MAGDA'S LAST COMMENT-

GUNTHER: What path are you choosing, miserable peons! Have you all gone deaf? Aren't you going to answer Gunther?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CECILIA IS IN HER BEDROOM. SHE'S STANDING IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR, FIXING HER CLOTHES. SHE OPENS ONE OF THE DRAWERS AND SCREAMS IN FEAR WHEN SHE SEES LEONORA'S NECKLACE-

CECILIA: Ay! This can't be happening! It can't be!

ALVARO HEARS HER SCREAMS AND COMES IN THE ROOM TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED-

ALVARO: Cecilia, what’s wrong?

CECILIA: Do you see now that I'm not crazy? This necklace belonged to Leonora! How did it get here?

-SHE HOLDS THE NECKLACE IN HER HAND AND SHOWS IT TO ALVARO-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-WHAT BEGAN WITH SOFT KISSES BETWEEN PEDRO AND ANA LAURA, HAS GROWN INTO SOMETHING MORE PASSIONATE. PEDRO IS CLEARLY WILLING TO CONTINUE. ANA LAURA DECIDES THEY SHOULD STOP BEFORE THINGS GO TOO FAR-

PEDRO: Ana, let's finish this….
ANA LAURA: That's enough, enough, Pedro, enough, really! It's enough!

-PEDRO STOPS AND BACKS AWAY A SHORT DISTANCE. STILL BREATHLESS AFTER THE PASSIONATE MOMENTS THEY'VE SHARED, PEDRO SAYS TO ANA LAURA:

PEDRO: Look…..look at me! Ana…..look at me!
ANA LAURA: What….
PEDRO: Don't you……don't you feel sorry for me?
ANA LAURA: No, not really! The last thing you arouse in me is pity!
PEDRO: Really?
ANA LAURA: Yes!
PEDRO: And what is it that I arouse in you?

-HE COMES NEAR HER ONCE AGAIN. ANA LAURA LOOKS AT HIM, STILL WITH DESIRE IN HER EYES, BUT SHE TRIES, NOT TOO CONVINCINGLY, TO DETER HIM-

ANA LAURA: No! Let's not start this again!

-BUT OF COURSE THEY BEGIN ANEW; AND THIS TIME, PEDRO IS MORE DETERMINED AND PASSIONATE THAN BEFORE-