Provócame

Episode 15

ANA LAURA: Oh! Hide! Hide!

-PEDRO DROPS FROM THE BED TO THE FLOOR AND HIDES BEHIND THE LOW WALL THAT SERVES AS A PARTITION BETWEEN THE BEDROOM AND THE LIVING ROOM. ANA LAURA SLIDES TO THE END OF THE BED AND PRETENDS TO BE RESTING-

MARIANO: Ana! Ana!

-ANA LAURA TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO CATCH HER BREATH, BEFORE ANSWERING MARIANO. SHE GETS UP FROM THE BED AND WALKS TOWARDS THE LIVING ROOM, PREVENTING MARIANO FROM WALKING FURTHER INTO THE BEDROOM. SHE BENDS DOWN TO PICK UP HER OVERCOAT FROM THE FLOOR, WHICH HAD BEEN DISCARDED WHEN SHE AND PEDRO BEGAN THEIR PASSIONATE ENCOUNTER-

ANA LAURA: Mariano! What are you doing here?
MARIANO: Did I surprise you?
ANA LAURA: Yes! I wasn't expecting you!
MARIANO: I really didn't expect to find you here. I thought you'd be at the show.
ANA LAURA: What show?
MARIANO: Samantha's art show! Isn't that the reason you came here?
ANA LAURA: Ah, yes! But you know how Samantha is! She's always so disorganized! We couldn't do anything at the end, because the gallery wasn't ready!
MARIANO: It's better that way! Why don't we stay and sleep here tonight?
ANA LAURA: Stay here?
MARIANO: Yes, here! Come on!

-MARIANO IS ABOUT TO WALK IN THE BEDROOM, BUT ANA LAURA GRABS HIS ARM AND DETAINS HIM-

ANA LAURA: No, no, Mariano, stop! We can't stay here! Not here!
MARIANO: Why not?
ANA LAURA: Because….this place is really getting to me! It's so….I don't know….so cold and dark….
MARIANO: What are you saying! You've always loved this place!
ANA LAURA: Well, yes, but it's not the same to wake up here in the morning than to wake up in La Esperanza, to the sound of the birds and all that fresh air! Don't you think? Shall we go?

-MARIANO DOESN'T UNDERSTAND ANA LAURA'S ATTITUDE, BUT HE AGREES TO LEAVE-

MARIANO: Yes, we will go, but you don't cease to surprise me!
ANA LAURA: Why do you say that?
MARIANO: You're up to something! Tell me what's going on!
ANA LAURA: No! There's nothing going on!
MARIANO: Come on, tell me!

-THEY EXIT THE APARTMENT. PEDRO BREATHS A SIGH OF RELIEF WHEN HE HEARS THE DOOR CLOSE-
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-BACK TO MARISOL AND MERCEDES AT THE ASYLUM-

MARISOL: Your best friend? Where did you get these clothes?
MERCEDES: I already told you! They're a gift from my best friend. She gave them to me to wear on special occasions.
MARISOL: How did these clothes get here?
MERCEDES: I've had them for a while!
MARISOL: Mom, I've never seen them before!
MERCEDES: That's because I guard them, I guard them like a treasure! Don't take them away from me!
MARISOL: No, mom! I wouldn't do that!
MERCEDES: Do you really like them!
MARISOL: Yes! They look beautiful on you!

-MARISOL SADLY LOOKS AT HER MOTHER, AS MERCEDES PROUDLY SHOWS OFF LEONORA'S CLOTHES-
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-CECILIA IS CRYING AND SHOUTING HYSTERICALLY IN HER BEDROOM-

CECILIA: They're trying to drive me crazy!
ALVARO: Who'd want to do that?
CECILIA: They're doing this deliberately, can't you see?
ALVARO: Fine, stop for a minute!
CECILIA: But, why are trying to do this to me, why? Why?

-CARMEN ENTERS THE ROOM-

CARMEN: Señora, what's wrong?
CECILIA: What's wrong? Take a look at this!

-CECILIA SHOWS CARMEN THE NECKLACE. CARMEN SHOWS FEAR-

CARMEN: That necklace…..that necklace belonged to Señora Leonora!
CECILIA: Yes! And I found it with my clothes! Don't make that face, that it gets on my nerves!

-CARMEN IS SO AFFECTED BY THE APPARITION OF THIS NECKLACE, THAT SHE SEEMS TO BE IN A TRANCE-

CARMEN: What would you like me to do, señora?
ALVARO: Prepare a good strong tea for her! Get them to prepare the tea right now! I can't stand her anymore!
CARMEN: I'm going to have to do it myself, because there's no one in the kitchen!
ALVARO: What do you mean? Where’s the service personnel of this house?
CARMEN: I don't know, señor!
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-GUNTHER, AS USUAL, IS YELLING AT THE STAFF-

GUNTHER: This gathering is illegal, and for that reason, all of you will be punished!
ANTONIO: That's enough! I'm sick of you! We are having a chat! There's nothing wrong with that!
ROSA: I knew it! These things always bring problems!
LISA: Don't help him!
GUNTHER: Unfortunately, you leave me no other option! I'm going to have to inform the authorities of this house! I'm very sorry!
TOTI: You're not sorry! You're not sorry at all!
CHAPA: Why can't you show a little more solidarity! As you can see, we aren't doing anything wrong!
GUNTHER: And all of you should act a little less like conspirators; I'm going to accuse all of you!

-GUNTHER LEAVES. EVERYONE REMAINS SILENT-
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-MARIANO IS IN THE LIBRARY, TALKING ON THE PHONE-

MARIANO: What do you mean, Balmaceda didn't arrive in Miami! That's impossible! I'm telling you, that's impossible! Yes! Yes! I'm also very sorry! I'm very sorry I got involved with a bunch of imbeciles like you!

-HE ANGRILY HANGS UP THE PHONE AND EXITS THE OFFICE. HE FINDS MARISOL IN THE LIVING ROOM, WALKING WITH A FILE IN HER HAND. HE GRABS HER ARM AND QUESTIONS HER-

MARIANO: Come here! Where is he?
MARISOL: Who are you talking about!
MARIANO: Don't be an imbecile! Where is Pedro?
MARISOL: Let me go! I don't know anything! You're hurting me!
MARIANO: Yes, you do know! You do know! You were near my desk going through everything! You know exactly what's going on!
MARISOL: I don't know what you're talking about!
MARIANO: Don't try taking me for a fool!
MARISOL: The last thing I heard about Pedro, is that he left the estancia! I don't know anything!
MARIANO: Marisol, I'm not playing! This is very serious!
MARISOL: I want to leave!
MARIANO: Go ahead, leave! But I better not find out you know something, because if I do….

-MARISOL STARTS TO RUN. IN HASTE, SHE TRIES TO SET THE FILE SHE WAS CARRYING, ON THE ENTRANCE TABLE, BUT IT FALLS TO THE FLOOR. MARIANO IS FURIOUS-
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-FLORIA WENT TO VISIT VICTORIA IN BUENOS AIRES. THEY'RE SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM, DRINKING COFFEE-

VICTORIA: So, Leonora's ghost won't leave Cecilia alone?
FLORIA: You should see how she's carrying on!
VICTORIA: There's nothing she can do, Floria! In this life, what goes around, comes around!
FLORIA: There's something I don't understand! How is it possible that those clothes ended up in Mercedes' hands, when I gave them to Julieta?
VICTORIA: That is odd!
FLORIA: You talk to Mercedes; why don't you ask her?
VICTORIA: Because she's not going to say anything to me!
FLORIA: Is she really that bad?
VICTORIA: No, to the contrary. She's much better than I expected. That's why she won't say anything!
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-ANA LAURA IS IN HER BEDROOM. SHE'S SITTING ON THE BED READING THE NEWSPAPER AND SHE HAS A BREAKFAST TRAY IN FRONT OF HER. MARIANO COMES IN THE ROOM WITHOUT KNOCKING ON THE DOOR-

MARIANO: I was coming to ask you if you wanted us to breakfast together, but I see I'm too late.
ANA LAURA: Yes, I got up early.

-ANA LAURA BITES ON A SMALL PIECE OF TOAST, AND CONTINUES READING THE NEWSPAPER-

-MARIANO: Look, I'm going to be very honest with you. I'm tired of sleeping everywhere else in the house, except in here. This is my place, all right?
ANA LAURA: Mariano, I don't feel like arguing.
MARIANO: No, I'm not going to argue! I came so that we may clear things up!
ANA LAURA: But, what's happening? Do you have a problem, did something happen to you, are you nervous? Why are you acting this way?
MARIANO: Why would I have a problem?
ANA LAURA: I don't know, I'm just asking.
MARIANO: You don't know? Did you know that Balmaceda didn't arrive in Miami?
ANA LAURA: How is that possible?
MARIANO: How? I don't know! I thought perhaps you could tell me!
ANA LAURA: This is incredible! What does everyone think? That I'm Pedro's accomplice, until proven innocent?
MARIANO: There must be a reason they think that!
ANA LAURA: Come on, that's enough nonsense!
MARIANO: Where is Pedro, Ana?
ANA LAURA: I told you I don't know! I don't know where Pedro is, Mariano! I don't know!
MARIANO: Fine, fine! I will ask Marisol, then!
ANA LAURA: And why Marisol?
MARIANO: Because I don't know what's happening to that girl, lately! She's always defending him! I don't really know why! I'd have to find out!
ANA LAURA: Why do you torment her so? Why don't you leave her alone?
MARIANO: No, she's the one who's torments me! She invents any excuse to make me look bad! She said I raped her! She said I ruined her life!

-MARIANO LOOKS AT ANA LAURA'S FACE, TRYING TO SEE HER REACTION TO HIS WORDS. ANA LAURA'S FACE REMAINS IMPASSIVE-

MARIANO: Fortunately you know me. You know I would never do such a thing.
ANA LAURA: The only thing I know is that we reap what we sow!
MARIANO: That's exactly how I feel!
ANA LAURA: Hm!
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-IGNACIO AND PATRICIA ARE IN THE BEDROOM. GUNTHER IS PROUDLY INFORMING THEM OF ONE OF MARIANO'S DECISIONS-

GUNTHER: Herr Mariano said that any peon who is not loyal to the Linares, will pay the consequences!
PATRICIA: You did well in coming to tell us this, Gunther.
GUNTHER: It was my duty, Frau!
IGNACIO: What kind of people are they? They think that by terrorizing the employees they'll obtain their loyalty! What ignorance!
PATRICIA: They may be ignorant, but at least they defend each other!

-GUNTHER NODS IN AGREEMENT WITH PATRICIA AND LOOKS AT IGNACIO-

PATRICIA: More than one person, ought to learn from the Linares!
IGNACIO: The maffia does exactly the same thing!

-GUNTHER NOW AGREES WITH IGNACIO AND SILENTLY LOOKS AT PATRICIA-

PATRICIA: That's such an inappropriate comparison, Ignacio!

-GUNTHER HAS A SMIRK ON HIS FACE WHEN LOOKING AT IGNACIO THIS TIME-

IGNACIO: Are you sure?
PATRICIA: Yes, I'm sure! We're talking about how a household should be run, not about the mafia!
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-ANA LAURA WENT TO SEE PEDRO AT THE APARTMENT. SHE'S VISIBLY WORRIED-

ANA LAURA: Mariano found out you never arrived in Miami!
PEDRO: He did?
ANA LAURA: Yes! And since I know him very well, I'd prefer you keep a low profile, because I know he's capable of anything and he'll trace you down like a dog!
PEDRO: I'm not afraid of him!
ANA LAURA: Pedro! We have to be very careful! We have to think clearly, all right?
PEDRO: All right.

-ANA LAURA COMES CLOSE TO PEDRO AND KISSES HIM ON THE CHEEK. THEY LOOK AT EACH OTHER FOR A SECOND AND THEN PEDRO TAKES HER IN HIS ARMS AND KISSES HER FIRMLY ON THE LIPS. SHE PULLS AWAY-

ANA LAURA: All right!

-SHE LOOKS INTO HIS EYES ONE MORE TIME, AND THEN WALKS OUT OF THE APARTMENT-
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-JULIETA IS WALKING TO SCHOOL. MARIANO DRIVES UP NEXT TO HER AND BEGINS TALKING TO HER-

MARIANO: How are you, Julieta?
JULIETA: I'm fine.
MARIANO: Are you on your way to school?
JULIETA: Yes.
MARIANO: Do you want me to drop you off?
JULIETA: No, that's not necessary.
MARIANO: I'm going in the same direction, I can take you.
JULIETA: No, thank you.
MARIANO: What's wrong? Are you afraid of me?
JULIETA: No, it's not that.
MARIANO: Well, then, come on, get in!

-JULIETA GETS IN THE CAR. MARIANO HAS A SMIRK ON HIS FACE-
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-PEDRO IS IN THE APARTMENT, SITTING ON THE SOFA. HE'S HOLDING ANA LAURA'S CHILDHOOD DIARY. HE BEGINS TO READ-

PEDRO: "The girl sitting next to me at school, told me that now that my mom has died, I'm an orphan. Tomorrow is my 12th birthday, but I don't want a party. I'm going to stay in my bedroom all day so I don't have to look at that horrible horse that killed my mother. Why did I ask her to jump? Why? I miss my mom very much. Ana Laura. March 12, 1986."

-PEDRO IS VERY MOVED BY THIS ENTRY IN ANA LAURA'S DIARY-
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-ANA LAURA IS IN THE LIBRARY WITH VICTORIA. ANA LAURA IS SITTING AT THE DESK. VICTORIA IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HER-

VICTORIA: If you were to hire Pedro, Mariano couldn't override your decision!
ANA LAURA: You want me to hire Pedro?
VICTORIA: Yes! You're the owner of this estancia, right?
ANA LAURA: No, Victoria, it's not that easy! It would mean a confrontation with Mariano! This would be war!
VICTORIA: Yes! Yes!
ANA LAURA: This is very delicate! Do not ask me to do this, Victoria!
VICTORIA: There comes a time when one must make serious decisions, querida!
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-CHAPA AND TOTI ARE TALKING IN THE BARN. CHAPA IS STANDING AT THE OPEN DOOR OF THE SECOND STORY. TOTI IS TALKING TO HIM FROM THE GROUND-

TOTI: I'll tell you one thing, if Pedro decides to stop by the house…..you know who I'm talking about, right? Well, he won't be very happy…..

-AT THIS MOMENT, MARISOL COMES RUNNING AND INTERRUPTS THEM-

MARISOL: Have you seen Julieta?
TOTI: No.
CHAPA: No, we haven't seen her at all. Why, Marisol?
TOTI: No, the last time I saw her, she was walking to school.
MARISOL: No, I talked to the principal and she told me Julieta never went to school.
TOTI: But I saw her. She was wearing her uniform!
MARISOL: Please, help me look for her! I must find her immediately! Please!
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-CECILIA AND PATRICIA ARE SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM, DRINKING TEA-

PATRICIA: Can you believe it? Even the service is declaring war against us!
CECILIA: They're imbeciles! What can they do?
PATRICIA: I don't know, but Gunther said they're uniting against us! Doesn't that worry you?

-ANA LAURA ENTERS THE ROOM. SHE'S DRESSED TO GO OUT-

CECILIA: You're leaving? You really have quite a few engagements in Buenos Aires! Little one, you're going to go crazy!
ANA LAURA: I can go crazy here!

-MARISOL RUNS IN THE HOUSE AT THIS MOMENT-

MARISOL: My daughter has disappeared!
ANA LAURA: She disappeared?
CECILIA: Don't exaggerate! She probably stayed with a friend after school!
MARISOL: No, I can't find her anywhere!

-GUNTHER COMES IN THE ROOM CARRYING A BOWL OF SUGAR. MARISOL TURNS TOWARDS HIM-

MARISOL: This is probably your doing!
GUNTHER: What?
MARISOL: Where's my daughter? What did you do to her?

-PATRICIA GETS UP FROM HER CHAIR AND DEFENDS GUNTHER-

PATRICIA: Just a minute! Have you gone crazy? You have no right to treat Gunther in that way!
MARISOL: You've always had problems with Julieta! Where is she?
ANA LAURA: Gunther, do you know where the baby is? Did you see her anywhere?
GUNTHER: No! I haven't seen her! Why?
ANA LAURA: Because she's disappeared!
GUNTHER: What do you mean she disappeared? Sabandija has disappeared? We must look for her immediately!

-GUNTHER DROPS THE BOWL, SPILLING THE SUGAR ON THE FLOOR, AND RUNS OUT OF THE HOUSE TO LOOK FOR JULIETA-

PATRICIA: Do you see now that he's not involved in this?

-PATRICIA LEAVES THE ROOM-

ANA LAURA: Do you know if Julieta could be at the house of a little friend, somewhere?

-CECILIA GETS UP FROM THE SOFA-

CECILIA: This is what happens when kids don't have a decent mother!

-MARISOL BECOMES FURIOUS BY CECILIA'S COMMENT AND RUNS AFTER HER BUT ANA LAURA HOLDS HER BACK-

ANA LAURA: No, no! Please, let her go! She's an animal! There's nothing you can do!
MARISOL: I hope it's not what I'm thinking!
ANA LAURA: What is it?

-MARISOL LOOKS AT ANA LAURA BUT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING. ANA LAURA UNDERSTANS WHAT MARISOL IS THINKING-

ANA LAURA: Don't tell me you believe Mariano is involved in all this?

-MARISOL ONLY NODS IN ASSENT-
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-GUNTHER IS TALKING TO HIS DOGS-

GUNTHER: I want you to pay special attention! And do you know why? Because I love sabandija very much! She's my friend, and I want you to look for her! So, here!

-HE'S HOLDING IN HIS HANDS A SWEATER BELONGING TO JULIETA. HE HOLDS THE SWEATER UP TO THEIR NOSE AND COMMANDS THEM TO GO SEARCHING FOR JULIETA-

GUNTHER: Smell! Smell! And now, go look for her! Go look for her!

-THE DOGS DON'T EVEN STIR-

GUNTHER: If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself!

-GUNTHER THEN SMELLS JULIETA'S SWEATER AND THEN SNIFFS THE AIR-
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-PEDRO IS AT VICTORIA'S HOUSE. HE'S SITTING ON THE SOFA AND PICKS UP THE TELEPHONE-

PEDRO: Hello. Hello, Toti! What are you doing at Marisol's house?
TOTI: Ah…..nothing, nothing! I stopped by to see how everything's going. How are you?
PEDRO: I'm fine, but I miss the finca very much. How is everything over there?
TOTI: Fine, fine!
PEDRO: What's the matter? You sound strange! Is something wrong?
TOTI: No, nothing!
PEDRO: All right. Toti, please do me a favor. Tell Ana Laura that I'm not at her apartment anymore. Tell her I'm at Victoria's house.
TOTI: All right. I'll find her and tell her. Don't worry. You are at Victoria's house.
PEDRO: Yes, I'm at Victoria's house. And Toti, please don't say anything to anybody! Do you understand?
TOTI: Yes, yes, I understand. Take care, all right?
PEDRO: Very well.

-PEDRO HANGS UP THE PHONE. THE DOORBELL RINGS AT THIS MOMENT. THE HOUSEKEEPER ANSWERS THE DOOR. AT THE DOOR STANDS AN ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN AND SHE ASKS FOR PEDRO-

YOUNG WOMAN: Hello! Is Mr. Pedro Balmaceda here?
HOUSEKEEPER: Who should I say is calling?
YOUNG WOMAN: Margarita Pineda, his girlfriend!

-PEDRO HAS THE MOST HORRIFIED LOOK ON HIS FACE. HE SLOWLY GETS UP FROM THE SOFA WHEN HE SEES HER-

PEDRO: Mar….ga….garita!

-MARGARITA SEES HIM AND SCREAMS IN DELIGHT. SHE RUNS TO HIM. HE STRETCHES OUT HIS ARMS TO FEND HER OFF. SHE JUMPS IN HIS ARMS-

MARGARITA: Petercito! Ay! Petercito! My love, I didn't think I was going to find you so easily!
PEDRO: I didn't know you were looking for me! What are you doing here!

-MARGARITA CARESSES HIS FACE AND EMBRACES HIM. PEDRO LOOKS OVERWHELMED BY HER PRESENCE-

MARGARITA: Ay, my love, I came looking for you, papacito! I missed you so much! I can't live without you, sweetheart!

-SHE KISSES HIM ON THE LIPS. PEDRO TRIES TO RESIST HER AND TRIES TO GET HER TO STOP, BUT SHE'S VERY DETERMINED-

MARGARITA: I'm not letting you breath, my love? I miss you so much! You kiss like no one else, papacito!
PEDRO: Wait just a minute! Wait just a minute!
MARGARITA: Wait for what? Why wait?

-MARGARITA DOESN'T WANT TO WASTE ANY TIME. SHE QUICKLY REMOVES PEDRO'S JACKET AND TRIES TO REMOVE HIS SHIRT, BUT HE MANAGES TO PULL IT DOWN-

PEDRO: Leave that alone! Leave that alone!
MARGARITA: I can't wait another second, my love!
PEDRO: Listen to me! This is not my house! This is not my house! You can't be here!
MARGARITA: The place doesn't matter!

-MARGARITA CONTINUES TO HUG HIM AND KISS HIM. HE CONTINUES TO FEND HER OFF-

PEDRO: Calm down, Margarita! Calm down! First of all, tell me, how did you get here!

-SHE FINALLY STOPS STRUGGLING WITH HIM AND SLOWS DOWN LONG ENOUGH TO ANSWER HIS QUESTIONS-

MARGARITA: Your mom finally gave me the address! I really had a hard time convincing her!
PEDRO: Well, the, I'm sure she also told you that this is not my house, and that you can't stay here!
MARGARITA: Sweetheart, then, let's go to your house!

-SHE COMES NEAR HIM AGAIN, AND HUGS HIM-

PEDRO: Margarita, my love, listen! I've gone through some difficult moments! In fact, right now, I'm going through some problems!
MARGARITA: Ay, my little sweetheart! Don't you know I'm here to give you a reprieve from your problems! I'm here to give you little caresses, to heal your wounds!

-SHE KISSES HIM AGAIN-

PEDRO: Yes, yes, but not here! Not here!

-SHE FINALLY GETS THE MESSAGE, BUT SHE BECOMES ANNOYED BY HIS CONSTANT REJECTION-

MARGARITA: All right! All right! At least, allow me to freshen up. Just look at me! I look a mess after the long trip!

-PEDRO IS FINALLY ABLE TO BREATHE-

PEDRO: Of course, all right!
MARGARITA: Ay, my sweetheart!

-SHE WRAPS HER ARMS AROUND HIM ONCE AGAIN. HE'S STILL A LITTLE DAZED AFTER THE ENCOUNTER. ALL HE MANAGES TO DO IS SMILE-
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-MARISOL IS VERY UPSET BY NOW. SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN OF THE BIG HOUSE, TALKING WITH ROSA. ROSA IS PREPARING A CUP OF TEA FOR HER-

MARISOL: A call, a note! What could have happened to her?
ROSA: Nothing has happened, Marisol! Calm down! If anything had happened to her, we would have heard by now!
MARISOL: I don't know what to do! Do I call the police?
ROSA: Why call the police? Wait a little while! Here, why don't you drink this tea?
MARISOL: I don't want anything! I want Julieta back! Did you see Mariano today?
ROSA: No, now that you mention it, I haven't seen him all day. But, what does Mariano have to do with this?
MARISOL: If only Pedro were here! I wouldn't feel so alone, so lost!
ROSA: Marisol, girl! How you need a companion, ché!
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-MARGARITA IS TAKING TOO LONG IN THE BATHROOM. PEDRO IS DESPERATE TO GET HER OUT OF THE HOUSE BEFORE VICTORIA ARRIVES. HE TALKS TO HER THROUGH THE DOOR-

PEDRO: Margarita! What are you doing, woman?
MARGARITA: I'm coming!
PEDRO: Hurry up!
MARGARITA: I'm getting ready for you, my love!

-PEDRO IS ANXIOUSLY PACING THE FLOOR. THE DOORBELL RINGS-

PEDRO: Victoria!

-HE RUNS TO ANSWER THE DOOR. HE SHOUTS TO THE HOUSEKEEPER THAT HE'S GETTING THE DOOR. HE OPENS THE DOOR, EXPECTING TO SEE VICTORIA. INSTEAD, ANA LAURA WALKS IN, TAKING HIM BY SURPRISE-

PEDRO: Ana, what are you doing here?
ANA LAURA: I needed to see you.

-SHE KISSES HIM ON THE LIPS AND WALKS INTO THE ROOM-

PEDRO: Yes, yes, I'm glad you're here. I thought I'd be better off here than in your apartment!
ANA LAURA: Yes, I was searching everywhere for you!

-PEDRO CAN'T HELP FEELING ANXIOUS AND HE NERVOUSLY LOOKS TOWARDS THE BATHROOM DOOR-

PEDRO: I'm sorry!

ANA LAURA: Listen, with everything that's going on, we have to remain calm. I was talking to Victoria and she came up with a great idea to keep you here in Buenos Aires.
PEDRO: Yes?
ANA LAURA: Yes! I'm going to hire you as my employee! What do you think?
PEDRO: What? As your employee? But…..
ANA LAURA: As my employee!
PEDRO: But Mariano is not going to allow that!
ANA LAURA: I don't care what Mariano thinks! I'm going to do it anyway!
PEDRO: All right!
ANA LAURA: Can I tell you something else?
PEDRO: Yes, go ahead.
ANA LAURA: Julieta disappeared!
PEDRO: What do you mean, Julieta disappeared!
ANA LAURA: Yes, we can't find her anywhere! She didn't call! She never came home from school! We don't know if she's at a friend's house! We don't know anything!

-PEDRO IS READY TO WALK OUT THE DOOR AND GO LOOKING FOR JULIETA-

PEDRO: I'm going to look for her!
ANA LAURA: No! No! You're not going anywhere! You're staying right here! You're not moving from here!

-PEDRO REMEMBERS MARGARITA AND HE READILY AGREES WITH ANA LAURA-

PEDRO: Yes, you're right! I won't move! I'll stay right here!
ANA LAURA: What's the matter with you? You're acting strange! You're agreeing with me without an argument? You're acting strange!
PEDRO: Eh…It's because of Julieta! Where could she have gone?
ANA LAURA: Don't worry, I'll take care of that! But, promise me you'll stay right here!
PEDRO: Yes! I promise you I'll stay right here!

-THEY KISS AND ANA LAURA WALKS TO THE DOOR-

ANA LAURA: Take care of yourself!
PEDRO: Yes!

-ANA LAURA LEAVES AND PEDRO FEELS RELIEVED. HE CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT'S HAPPENING TO HIM. HE'S STANDING FACING THE FRONT DOOR, WITH HIS BACK TO THE BATHROOM. HE COVERS HIS FACE WITH HIS HANDS IN DESPERATION AND IT'S AT THIS MOMENT THAT MARGARITA COMES OUT OF THE BATHROOM AND WRAPS HER ARMS AROUND HIM-

MARGARITA: Ay, my love! Now, back to our own thing!

-PEDRO TURNS AROUND TO FACE MARGARITA AND REMOVES HER HANDS FROM HIS BODY-

PEDRO: Margarita! Stop! This is not the right time! It's not the right time!

-SHE PULLS HIM BACK INTO HER ARMS AND TRIES TO REMOVE HIS SHIRT-

MARGARITA: Any time is the right time for love!

-HE ONCE AGAIN, REMOVES HER HANDS FROM HIS SHIRT AND HE MOVES AWAY FROM HER-

PEDRO: I can't believe, I can't believe you don't understand!
MARGARITA: Understand what? You're the one who doesn't understand! What's the matter with you?
You're not the same as before!
PEDRO: What we had is over! There's absolutely nothing left between us!
MARGARITA: But, sweetheart, that can be fixed very fast! My love, all we need is the willingness to do it!
PEDRO: Enough, Margarita, enough! This house belongs to Señora Victoria. You can't be here!
MARGARITA: And what do you pretend? To leave me stranded on the street?
PEDRO: No! No! No! Just cross the plaza and you'll find a fine hotel!
MARGARITA: A hotel?
PEDRO: Yes!
MARGARITA: Hotel! What hotel? I came here expecting to stay with you!
PEDRO: I can't offer you lodgings!
MARGARITA: What about your apartment?
PEDRO: I don't have one, Margarita, don't you understand?

-PEDRO PICKS UP HER LUGGAGE AND DIRECTS TOWARDS THE DOOR-

PEDRO: Look! Cross the plaza and check into the hotel. As soon as I have an opportunity, I'll stop by and pay you a visit, all right?

-PEDRO OPENS THE DOOR AND HE STANDS HOLDING HER LUGGAGE. SHE FINALLY AGREES TO LEAVE-

MARGARITA: I hope so! I hope so, Pedro! You really owe me an explanation!

-SHE TAKES HER LUGGAGE FROM PEDRO'S HANDS-

MARGARITA: I never imagined I'd be facing this lack of consideration!
PEDRO: Yes, yes! There's the hotel!

-SHE ANGRILY LEAVES THE HOUSE. PEDRO CLOSES THE DOOR BEHIND HER. HE LEANS ON THE DOOR WITH RELIEF-

PEDRO: Oh, My God!

-PEDRO NEXT CAN BE SEEN LEAVING THE BUILDING AND GETTING INTO A CAB. MARGARITA IS INSIDE ANOTHER CAB AND DIRECTS THE DRIVER TO FOLLOW THE CAB PEDRO JUST TOOK-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

MERCEDES: Have you seen Cecilia lately?
VICTORIA: How odd that you ask about your sister!
MERCEDES: It's just that I dreamt about her! Is she all right?
VICTORIA: More or less! She said she had a strange occurrence!
MERCEDES: What strange occurrence?
VICTORIA: Well, she said she saw Leonora's ghost.
MERCEDES: Leonora's ghost! Oh, please! Leonora's ghost!
VICTORIA: Meche!
MERCEDES: My God! Please!
VICTORIA: Meche! What's your involvement in all this?

-MERCEDES LOOKS AT VICTORIA BUT DOESN'T SAY A WORD-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL IS AT HOME. SHE'S SITTTING AT THE TABLE, CRYING. PEDRO RUSHES IN AND RUNS TO HER SIDE. HE KNEELS IN FRONT OF HER-

MARISOL: Pedro! What are you doing here?
PEDRO: Did they find her?
MARISOL: No! They haven't found her! I'm desperate! I don't know where she is!
PEDRO: Do you suspect anyone?
MARISOL: Yes! I'm positive this is Mariano's doing!

-SHE RISES FROM THE CHAIR. PEDRO STANDS WITH HER-

PEDRO: Mariano?
MARISOL: Yes, because he believes I helped you stay here and he threatened to do something to Julieta! I'm very scared! I need you so much! Please help me, Pedro! Please!

-SHE RUNS INTO HIS ARMS. PEDRO HOLDS HER AND AT THIS EXACT MOMENT, JULIETA AND MARIANO CALMLY WALK IN THE HOUSE. THEY'RE CARRYING SEVERAL PACKAGES WITH ITEMS MARIANO BOUGHT FOR JULIETA. MARISOL, STILL CRYING IN PEDRO'S ARMS, IS WITH HER BACK TO THEM, SO SHE DOESN'T SEE THEM COME IN. PEDRO GIVES MARIANO A MURDEROUS LOOK-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

MERCEDES: What do I have to do with my sister's madness?
VICTORIA: I don't know. Just for a moment I thought……
MERCEDES: That's ridiculous! And besides, this bothers me! It bothers me because she's not letting Leonora's spirit rest! And I'll tell you something else; Cecilia is the one who's crazy! She's been crazy for a long time!
VICTORIA: Don’t be angry, please! I was just making a comment!
MERCEDES: Yes, but a very sensitive comment!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL IS CHECKING EVERY BONE IN JULIETA'S BODY, MAKING SURE SHE'S ALL RIGHT. PEDRO IS VERY ANGRY WITH MARIANO BUT IS TRYING TO KEEP HIS TEMPER UNDER CONTROL-

MARISOL: I was very scared, my love, are you all right?
JULIETA: But, why were you scared?
MARISOL: Julieta, you left without saying anything! What were you thinking?
JULIETA: It's just that….Mariano invited me to come with him and…..

-MARIANO ANGRILY ADDRESSES PEDRO-

MARIANO: What are you doing here? How is it possible that you didn't leave?
PEDRO: I did, but I'm back!
MARIANO: You're sick; do you know that?

-MARISOL SHOUTS AT MARIANO-

MARISOL: Who gave you the right to take my daughter?
MARIANO: Marisol, I took her with me because this girls never goes anywhere! I thought a little diversion would be good for her! Besides, we had a lot of fun! Julieta, didn't we have a lot of fun?
JULIETA: Yes, like Pedro says, it was chévere!

-MARIANO BECOMES ANGRY THAT JULIETA MENTIONED PEDRO'S NAME-

MARIANO: Pedro! Pedro! Pedro, everywhere!
PEDRO: Why did you take her, Mariano?
MARIANO: You stay out of this, or things are going to end up worse than you can imagine!
MARISOL: How could you take her without telling me anything?
MARIANO: You're right, I'm sorry! We were going to call you, but we were having so much fun, we just forgot! Let's not make a big deal out of this!

-JULIETA TURNS TO MARIANO-

JULIETA: You didn't let her know?
PEDRO: You're enjoying all this, aren't you?
MARIANO: How did you get back?
PEDRO: It doesn't matter! I'm back!
MARIANO: You're like the garbage that's thrown into the ocean! You come back; you always come back!
PEDRO: Look, Mariano!

-PEDRO'S HAD ENOUGH. HE LAUNCHES TOWARDS MARIANO BUT MARISOL DETAINS HIM-

MARISOL: That's enough!
JULIETA: I don't want them to fight!
MARISOL: No, my love, no!
PEDRO: Why don't we go outside and talk about this?
MARIANO: No! I'm won't go down to your level; not with someone like you! But this is not over! Keep that in mind! Ciao, Juli!

-MARIANO TRIES TO TOUCH JULIETA BUT MARISOL PUSHES HIS HAND AWAY-

MARIANO: Hey! Fine, fine!

-MARIANO LEAVES. PEDRO IS FURIOUS. HE'S NOT SATISFIED WITH THE WAY THINGS ENDED-

PEDRO: Someone has to stop this guy! I'm going to stop this guy!
MARISOL: No! That's enough! Enough!
JULIETA: No, Pedro, please! Don't go!
PEDRO: No! This is not right!

-PEDRO GOES AFTER MARIANO-

PEDRO: Mariano!

-MARISOL EMBRACES JULIETA-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

MERCEDES: What I'm going to tell you has nothing to do with what we were talking about, but what I'm going to ask you is very important to me!
VICTORIA: Well, tell me; we'll see if I can do it!
MERCEDES: Can you help me get out of this place?
VICTORIA: Ah, querida! There's nothing in this world that I'd like more, but, if you're here…..
MERCEDES: I'm not crazy! Although everyone says I'm crazy, I am not crazy!
VICTORIA: No, I don't believe you're crazy, but the way things stand at this moment…..
MERCEDES: Victoria, I'm asking you, please….help me get out of here! I'm not crazy, I swear! Will you help me?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO ENTERS THE HOUSE. PEDRO IS RIGHT BEHIND HIM-

PEDRO: Mariano, don't run away!
MARIANO: I'm not running away! I'm trying to avoid a disaster!
PEDRO: Is that why you took the child without notifying the mother?
MARIANO: Stop! Stop! This is none of your business! I already threw you out like a dog, and I can do it again!
PEDRO: And as you can see, I'm right here! Don't you dare mess with Julieta again, Mariano!
MARIANO: I can mess with whom ever I want! This is my house and I can do what I want!
PEDRO: You better not touch Julieta!
MARIANO: Are you going to tell me you came back because of her?
PEDRO: Think whatever you want!
MARIANO: I'd like to know who helped you come back!
PEDRO: I can do things by myself! I'm not like others! I don't need anyone to help me!
MARIANO: No! Someone helped you!
PEDRO: Think whatever you want, but leave the child alone, Mariano!

-ANA LAURA AND LETICIA WALK IN THE HOUSE. ANA LAURA IS STUNNED TO SEE PEDRO STANDING IN THE LIVING ROOM, WHEN HE PROMISED HER HE WAS GOING TO REMAIN IN BUENOS AIRES-

ANA LAURA: Pedro! I thought…..
MARIANO: Yes! I also thought he'd left, but someone helped him come back! Are you sure it wasn't you
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-JULIETA IS IN BED. MARISOL IS SITTING NEXT TO HER-

MARISOL: Julieta, I've asked you to never go with anyone, without asking for my permission!
JULIETA: I know, mom!
MARISOL: Julieta, you don't understand! If anything….if anything were to happen to you…..I don't know…..I don't even want to think about it!

-MARISOL BEGINS TO CRY-

JULIETA: Mom, I don't want you to feel bad! I didn't think we were going to be back so late and besides, I liked being invited out!
MARISOL: But, Mariano? Mariano of all people!
JULIETA: What's the matter with him? There's nothing wrong about that! Maybe he's right!
MARISOL: Right about what?
JULIETA: He told me we haven't been able to know each other better because you wouldn't allow it.
MARISOL: He has no right to say anything to you!
JULIETA: Mom, it's no big deal!
MARISOL: There are some things you're too young to understand! Just because a person is nice for one day, doesn’t mean that person is really a good person! Do you understand?
JULIETA: I don't think he's that bad!
MARISOL: Listen, Julieta! Mariano is capable of doing anything!
JULIETA: But, what did he do to you?
MARISOL: What he did to me, doesn't matter! Promise me you won't accept anything else from him! Promise me! Julieta, please! Please, my love, please!

-JULIETA AGREES. MARISOL TAKES HER IN HER ARMS-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE KITCHEN. THE EMPLOYEES ARE SITTING AROUND THE TABLE. MAGDA IS AT ONE END OF THE TABLE, FOLLOWED BY ROSA, TOTI, ANTONIO, LISA AND CHAPA, AT THE OTHER END-

MAGDA: The wretched man! To take the child without notifying the mother first!
CHAPA: But that was exactly his plan! If he told her, he wouldn't achieve his purpose, which was to see Marisol suffer!
ROSA: And he was successful in his plan! I had a sensation going from my heart to my stomach!
LISA: I think he's the one who was surprised!
TOTI: Why was he surprised?
LISA: How he hated to see Pedro back here!
TOTI: Yes, and do you know; he's going to have a more difficult time getting rid of Pedrito again!
MAGDA: I'd love to see his face at this moment!
ANTONIO: I wouldn't! I wouldn't want to be present when they confront each other!
TOTI: It's better this way; much better! Let everything explode once and for all! Let everything out in the open! One cannot be hiding garbage forever!

-GUNTHER WALKS IN THE ROOM-

GUNTHER: What are all of you doing, secluded in here?
MAGDA: Speaking of garbage!
GUNTHER: Little sabandija is lost in the darkness of night; in the hands of strangers, and all of you here, wasting time in this idiotic chat!
TOTI: What's ailing you now, piñata!
GUNTHER: Nothing ails me! You should be looking for Julieta!
ROSA: How odd, Gunther! You still haven't heard?
GUNTHER: Yes, I heard! That's why I'm having my dogs looking for Julieta all night! I put a lantern around their heads so they wouldn't crash into the trees!
LISA: Gunther! Julieta is back! She's home, safe and sound!
GUNTHER: Julieta?
LISA: Yes!
GUNTHER: She's home?
LISA: Yes!
GUNTHER: Is that true?
ANTONIO: Yes, it's true! She's fine and in one piece!
MAGDA: You'll be the one not ending in one piece, if you continue being a tattletale!
GUNTHER: Don't threat Gunther! Is that clear? I'm not going to argue with you! And, now, if you excuse me!

-HE WALKS TOWARDS THE DOOR. BUT BEFORE HE LEAVES, HE TURNS AROUND AND YELLS AT THEM FOR GOOD MEASURE-

GUNTHER: One more thing! Don't just sit there, looking at each other! Get to work!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ANA LAURA: How can you think I'd do something like that?
MARIANO: It wouldn't be the first time you did something just to oppose me!
PEDRO: Ana Laura had nothing to do with it; nor anyone else!
MARIANO: I don't believe you! I want to talk to you alone, Ana!

-IGNACIO ENTERS THE ROOM AT THIS MOMENT-

IGNACIO: What's going on?
LETICIA: Nothing! It's just Mariano, putting on this classical show!
MARIANO: Don't get involved, Leticia! This is none of your business!

-HE GRABS ANA LAURA'S ARM AND TRIES TO PULL HER WITH HIM-

IGNACIO: I don't believe that's the way to ask for something, Mariano!
PEDRO: And, since when does he know to ask for anything?
MARIANO: Ha, ha! How funny you are, little peon! I'm so tired of you! Come, Ana! Come with me!
ANA LAURA: No! No! No! I have other things to do! I can't, right now!
MARIANO: Very well! Go ahead and do what you want! You'll all be sorry!

-MARIANO LEAVES THE ROOM-

IGNACIO: This worm continues threatening her!
LETICIA: Don't let him get to you, Ignacio.
ANA LAURA: Don't worry, dad. Leticia is right.

-LETICIA ASKS IGNACIO TO ACCOMPANY HER, GIVING ANA LAURA AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO PEDRO ALONE-

LETICIA: Why don't we go rest a little? It'll do you some good!
IGNACIO: Take care, my daughter! Pedro, so long! I'm glad you didn't leave!
PEDRO: Thank you very much. I'm at your service!

-LETICIA AND IGNACIO EXIT THE ROOM. ANA LAURA TURNS TO PEDRO. THEY SPEAK IN A LOW VOICE, BEING CAREFUL NOT TO LET ANYONE HEAR THEIR CONVERSATION-

ANA LAURA: Why did you do this? We had an agreement!
PEDRO: I had no alternative!
ANA LAURA: Are you crazy? Can't you see what you're doing?
PEDRO: Ana, we must talk. This will bring consequences and we must be prepared!
ANA LAURA: If you hadn't come, nothing would have happen!
PEDRO: We have to talk, Ana. Can you come to Marisol's house tonight?
ANA LAURA: No, no! This is sufficient for me!
PEDRO: I'll wait for you, after dinner. We'll be there.
ANA LAURA: I'm not going!

-PEDRO WALKS OUT OF THE HOUSE WITHOUT SAYING ANOTHER WORD-

-GUNTHER'S STANDING AT THE DOOR OF MARISOL'S HOUSE. HE'S ASKING FOR PERMISSION TO COME IN AND SEE JULIETA-

GUNTHER: I won't harm her in any way. But, since the child was lost, I…..it'll be for only a minute! May I come in?

-MARISOL TAKES A FEW SECONDS BEFORE DECIDING TO ALLOW GUNTHER TO SEE JULIETA. SHE DOESN'T ANSWER GUNTHER DIRECTLY, BUT ADDRESSES JULIETA INSTEAD-

MARISOL: Julieta, you have company! I'll be here in case you need anything!

-GUNTHER HAPPILY RUNS INSIDE THE HOUSE AND ENTERS JULIETA'S ROOM. HE'S VERY EMOTIONAL-

GUNTHER: Julieta! Sabandija, are you all right? Did anyone hurt you?
JULIETA: Why does everyone ask me that?
GUNTHER: Because we were all worried! I sent my puppies looking for you, with lanterns on their heads!

-JULIETA SMILES-

GUNTHER: What is it that you find so funny?
JULIETA: I like seeing you like this!
GUNTHER: Like this, how? Is there something wrong with Gunther?
JULIETA: No, you were worried about me!

-GUNTHER REVERSES TO HIS SEVERE DEMEANOR-

GUNTHER: Well, that's my duty! As chief of personnel, I have to give you an official welcome!
JULIETA: Come on, Gunther! Admit you love me, even if just a little!
GUNTHER: I don't know, perhaps, maybe. A little affection, perhaps! But I'm not a softy, all right? Be careful, don't be confused!
JULIETA: No, I won't be confused, Gunther! But I like it that you were worried about me. Besides, I also have a little affection for you!

-THIS MAKES GUNTHERS VERY HAPPY-

JULIETA: Thank you!
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-ALVARO IS SITTING AT THE DESK. MARIANO IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HIM-

MARIANO: He's pushing my buttons! He's constantly provoking me!
ALVARO: He made a move that paid off, that's all!
MARIANO: No, dad, there's someone here helping him! Someone is helping him! How is it possible we can't get rid of him?
ALVARO: Don't get all upset, because things never, ever, work out for you when you act this way!
MARIANO: And how do you expect me to act, when I have this imbecile all over me? Please, I have to get him out of the way, at any cost!
ALVARO: What do you mean, at any cost?
MARIANO: It means that your white glove approach didn't work! Now, we're going to do things my way!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO AND MARISOL ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE, TALKING-

MARISOL: It's my fault that he found out you never left.
PEDRO: I did what I had to do, and I don't regret anything! Aren't you glad to see me back?
MARISOL: Yes, it's not that!
PEDRO: Then?
MARISOL: But you should leave before Mariano has a chance to react!
PEDRO: There's no way I'm leaving you alone!

-ANA LAURA KNOCKS ON THE DOOR AND COMES IN-

ANA LAURA: Hello.
PEDRO: Hello. Good, come and sit down. Now that the three of us are here, we must talk.

-ANA LAURA SITS DOWN-

ANA LAURA: Oh, yeah?
PEDRO: Ahum!
ANA LAURA: What are we going to talk about? The only thing I can say, is that I asked you to stay away, and you came straight to face the wolf.
MARISOL: He did it for Julieta, but now Mariano is furious and anything can happen.
ANA LAURA: That's true.
PEDRO: Yes, anything can happen. Are the two of you willing to join me in this battle?

-MARISOL AND ANA LAURA LOOK AT EACH OTHER BUT REMAIN SILENT-

PEDRO: Is it so difficult for you to confront him, after all he's done? What else do you need?
MARISOL: What are you thinking?
PEDRO: That we shouldn't let him run our lives anyway he sees fit!
ANA LAURA: And what would you like us to do?
PEDRO: For starters, we must be united. We have to come to an agreement, and take it from there.
MARISOL: Fine, I'd be willing to try, but I don't know how far this union can take us.
PEDRO: It's going to take us to where at least Mariano won't be able to abuse any of us, any longer! What do you think?
MARISOL: We can try it!

-ANA LAURA HAS REMAINED SILENT. SHE SEEMS RELUCTANT TO JOIN THEM. PEDRO LOOKS TOWARDS HER-

PEDRO: What about you, Ana?

-ANA SHAKES HER HEAD NO-

PEDRO: No? No what?
ANA LAURA: No, I can't declare war against Mariano, so openly! I'll be putting my family at risk!
PEDRO: I don't think your family is an issue here anymore, Ana. There must be another reason why you aren't willing to do this!
ANA LAURA: None! What reason would that be?
PEDRO: I don’t know….personal interests?
ANA LAURA: No! I'm considering everyone's welfare.
MARISOL: It's not fair that you continue at Mariano's side! He'll treat you worse every time!
PEDRO: If you're not willing to do this, you must have a personal reason!

-ANA LAURA IS VERY HURT THAT PEDRO MADE THIS COMMENT. SHE LOOKS STRAIGHT AT HIM-

ANA LAURA: You're being very unfair! I did everything to help you, and now you treat me this way!
Do you realize how you don't understand anything?
PEDRO: Ana, you always stop in the middle of the road!

-ANA LAURA CAN NO LONGER TOLERATE PEDRO'S HURTFUL COMMENTS. SHE GETS UP FROM HER CHAIR AND EXITS THE HOUSE WITHOUT SAYING ANOTHER WORD. PEDRO IS ANGRY-

MARISOL: Poor Ana!
PEDRO: Poor Ana? She doesn't want to get out of the hole she's in!
MARISOL: It's not easy! For her or anyone else!
PEDRO: I know it’s not easy! But if she's not willing to risk it all now, we can't count on her!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CECILIA IS IN HER ROOM, SITTING ON A CHAIR. CARMEN IS WITH HER AND HAS BROUGHT HER A GLASS OF WATER-

CARMEN: Is a very mild sedative, señora. It will help you sleep.
CECILIA: No, I don't want it. The only thing I want, is to stop seeing Leonora!
CARMEN: Señora, please!
CECILIA: How is it possible that no one believes me?
CARMEN: I believe you, señora; but this is just a joke done in very bad taste! There's someone in this house that doesn't like you!
CECILIA: Someone? No one likes me! They envy us!
CARMEN: Señora Floria, for starters!
CECILIA: Do you really believe Floria could have pretended to be Leonora?
CARMEN: I don't know who it was, señora, but let's hope it's just a joke! Because if Señora Leonora's spirit is really among us, you're going to have to leave this house!
CECILIA: Don't even think about it! After all the trouble we went through getting our hands on this house, I'm not leaving it for any reason!
CARMEN: This house doesn't belong to you only, señora, one part of it belongs to the Villalobos!
CECILIA: Yes, but only for a short time, because even if Leonora's spirit doesn't leave me alone, La Esperanza will be completely ours!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-JULIETA IS IN BED. PEDRO COMES IN TO SAY GOODNIGHT-

PEDRO: Am I interrupting?
JULIETA: No, you never interrupt, Pedrín!

-PEDRO SITS IN A CHAIR NEXT TO JULIETA'S BED-

PEDRO: I came to say goodbye.
JULIETA: What? You won't be spending the night here?
PEDRO: No, but I'll be back tomorrow.
JULIETA: Are you sure you'll be back?
PEDRO: Of course I will!
JULIETA: Pedro, is a good thing you didn't go to Miami; because then you wouldn't have been able to give me my goodnight kiss!
PEDRO: No, and that would have hurt me very much.
JULIETA: And I can't even tell you how much it would have hurt me! Do you know something? When Mariano asked me about you, I told him that I loved you as if you were my father!
PEDRO: Ouch! Isn't that too much?
JULIETA: No, why? Does it bother you?
PEDRO: No, to the contrary! Of course not! I'll tell you something, even if I'm not your papi, I'll never abandon you!
JULIETA: Do you promise?
PEDRO: Absolutely!

-PEDRO RISES FROM HIS CHAIR AND SITS NEXT TO JULIETA ON THE BED. HE LEANS ON THE HEADBOARD AND PUTS HIS ARM AROUND HER-

-PEDRO: Do you know, that is one of the most serious….the most serious promise I've ever made to a girl!
JULIETA: I love you very much, Pedro! And after my mom, you're the person I love most in this world!
PEDRO: I come after your mami?

-THEY LAUGH AND JULIETA RESTS SAFELY IN HIS ARMS-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA WENT TO SEE VICTORIA IN THE CITY. THEY'RE SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM, DRINKING TEA. ANA LAURA POURS SUGAR IN VICTORIA'S CUP-

VICTORIA: That's fine. Well, what is this urgency that brings you here?
ANA LAURA: It's just that, since Pedro came back to La Esperanza, things are getting a little complicated. A little more each day.
VICTORIA: In that case, I don't understand why you made him come back!
ANA LAURA: No, no! I didn't make him come back! I simply prevented them from throwing him out of the country, that's all! He came back on his own!
VICTORIA: Do you know why he came back? Because he hates injustice!
ANA LAURA: Yes, I know. And I love that about him, but I really must be very careful, because my father is in the middle of all this.
VICTORIA: This is very odd. What is really behind this problem you father has?
ANA LAURA: The only thing the Linares are after, is to destroy him. They decided to use his financial problems to their advantage.
VICTORIA: I don't believe it's just the financial problems they're holding against him. I'm positive there's something else.
ANA LAURA: Something else? What?
VICTORIA: There has to be something else!
ANA LAURA: What else?
VICTORIA: I really don't know! Ana Laura, if Pedro offered to help you, don't let this opportunity go by!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IN THE KITCHEN, MAGDA, GUNTHER, ANTONIO AND ROSA ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE. MAGDA IS POURING COFFEE FOR ANTONIO, WHILE ROSA OFFERS HIM A SLICE OF BUTTERED TOAST-

MAGDA: More coffee, Antonio?
ANTONIO: Yes, please.
ROSA: Do you want buttered toast or sweet bread?
GUNTHER: Buttered bread!
ANTONIO: Sweet bread, my love, sweet bread, thank you.
ROSA: Magda!
MAGDA: Thank you.

-GUNTHER HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET COFFEE AND NOW A SLICE OF BREAD, BUT THEY'VE BEEN IGNORING HIM. HE NOW TRIES TO GET A PIECE OF SWEET BREAD, BUT MAGDA SLAPS HIS HAND DOWN-

MAGDA: There's no toast for tattletales! They get only firewood! Don't touch!
GUNTHER: I…a tattletale?
ANTONIO: Gunther, querido, you earned the reputation! How are you going to change all that? You have to earn a lot of merits to rid yourself of that reputation and change the opinion that people have of you!
ROSA: Yes, yes, it's going to be very difficult to lose that reputation.
GUNTHER: But what reputation are you talking about? Gunther respects all the employees of this house! But, don't push me too far, all right?
MAGDA: Do you see, how you raise anyone's blood pressure? I don't want to share my table with you!

-MAGDA HITS HIM ON THE ARM. GUNTHER RISES FROM THE TABLE AND BEGINS SCREAMING AT HER-

GUNTHER: Neither do I! Gunther can't stand all this plotting and rebellious attitude! You will regret this!
ANTONIO: What, are you running to be a tattletale to the bosses?
GUNTHER: No! I'm not going to say anything to anyone! I'm going to go and have breakfast with my dogs! They're better than this resentful maid!
MAGDA: Be quiet! Be quiet! You'll come crawling back to us! You will needs us one day, and when you do…..
ROSA: We won't be sharing any food with you!
GUNTHER: Gunther won't be needing you or anyone else! And do you know why? Because Gunther can take care of himself!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK, GOING THROUGH A FILE. HE'S STILL VERY UPSET AND CAN'T CONCENTRATE ON BUSINESS. HE CLOSES THE FILE IN EXASPERATION AND COVERS HIS FACE WITH HIS HANDS. MARISOL COMES IN THE LIBRARY AT THIS MOMENT-

MARIANO: Well! I'm glad you came back!
MARISOL: It's not easy to resist your pressure!
MARIANO: For whatever reason! I like women who know what's convenient for them!
MARISOL: What's convenient for me, is to do what I feel.
MARIANO: Well, go ahead! Don't be shy! Are you here to apologize to me? I accept your apology! There's no need to humiliate yourself!
MARISOL: No, you're right! You won't humiliate me anymore! You can be sure of that!
MARIANO: And why do you say that?
MARISOL: Because I'm here to resign.
MARIANO: You're resigning?
MARISOL: Yes! I definitively don't want to continue working here anymore!

-MARIANO LAUGHS. HE LEAVES HIS CHAIR AND WALKS AROUND THE DESK AND STANDS IN FRONT OF MARISOL-

MARIANO: You come up with the silliest things! Tell me, who's been filling your head with ideas?
MARISOL: No one!
MARIANO: Come on!
MARISOL: I don't need anyone filling my head, to want to stay away from you!
MARIANO: Pedro! My God! This guy is now trying to complicate your life! Do you know what the worst part of all this is? That when things really get complicated, he won't be here to help you!
MARISOL: He won't?
MARIANO: No, he certainly will not! Tell me something; you love Pedro very much, don't you?

-MARISOL AVOIDS LOOKING AT MARIANO AND DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING-

MARIANO: Yes! You love him! Well, then… go tell him….that so far, he's won the battle, but the war is going to be a long one! Very long! And, now, I'm going to give you some advice! Don't become Pedro's ally, because you could be making a very big mistake!

-HE WALKS OUT OF THE LIBRARY, LEAVING MARISOL VERY WORRIED-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS WALKING THROUGH THE ESTANCIA. ANA LAURA WALKS DOWN THE BACK STEPS AND CALLS OUT HIS NAME-

ANA LAURA: Pedro!

-PEDRO CONTINUES WALKING AND ANA LAURA RUNS TO CATCH UP WITH HIM. SHE BEGINS WALKING ALONG SIDE HIM-

ANA LAURA: How are you?
PEDRO: Fine, and you?
ANA LAURA: What's the matter? Are you angry with me?
PEDRO: It's very hard for me to know that precisely at this moment, you're not by my side.
ANA LAURA: It's not easy, Pedro! You don't understand me!
PEDRO: I understand you, Ana. Don't fill me with words!
ANA LAURA: This is very difficult for me!
PEDRO: You're not willing to take a chance!
ANA LAURA: I would, I swear it! But I need time!
PEDRO: There is no time! It's either now, or never!
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-GUNTHER WALKS IN THE BARN, HOLDING ON TO THE LEASH OF ONE OF HIS DOGS. HE'S SEARCHING FOR THE OTHER DOG-

GUNTHER: Where is Gunther's favorite girl?

-HE RELEASES THE DOG AND COMMANDS HIM TO SEARCH. GUNTHER WALKS A FEW STEPS AND SEES THE OTHER DOG, LYING ON THE HAY-

GUNTHER: Ah! Perfect! I knew Gunther's discipline was going to get results sooner or later! Very good! Very good!

-GUNTHER APPROACHES THE DOG AND IS SURPRISED TO SEE HER SURROUNDED BY NEWLY BORN PUPPIES-

GUNTHER: Ahh! Very bad! How can you do this to me? Why did you hide your pregnancy from Gunther?

-THE DOG RESPONDS BY MAKING A NOISE TOWARDS GUNTHER AS HE APPROACHES-

GUNTHER: You have the nerve to be angry! You unwed mother! Why do you go…."grrrr." Be quiet! Don't act that way with me! I want to know who the father is! Who is the father? And, now, what am I going to do with these puppies? What am I going to tell people? Everybody is going to talk about Gunther's dogs! What am I going to do with these puppies? The family has grown!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CHAPA AND TOTI ARE SITTING DOWN BY THE STABLES, TAKING TURNS AT THROWING ROCKS INTO A CONTAINER-

TOTI: We ought to call the boy who cleans the straw. This place is a mess.
CHAPA: Pay attention to what you're doing.

-JULIETA ARRIVES AND COVERS TOTI'S EYES WITH HER HANDS-

JULIETA: Hello, boys! Did you take good care of Lunita, without me?
TOTI: Juli! I was so worried about you! You should have sent us a message!

-TOTI HUGS JULIETA. CHAPA HAPPILY RUBS JULIETA'S BACK-

JULIETA: Hello, my princess! Come here, come here!

-CHAPA GRABS HER AND SITS HER DOWN ON THE GROUND IN FRONT OF HIM. HE KISSES HER HAIR-

CHAPA: You had us very worried!
JULIETA: Ah, it was no big deal!
CHAPA: What do you mean, it wasn't a big deal? We thought something bad had happened to you! Why did you leave without saying anything?
JULIETA: Because I didn't know I was going anywhere!
TOTI: Next time, let us know! Don't do this again! Oh, I can't believe you're all right!

-BOTH CHAPA AND TOTI ARE EXTREMELY HAPPY TO SEE JULIETA BACK. THEY'RE SHOWING HER A LOT OF AFFECTION AND IT'S AT THIS MOMENT THAT MATIAS ARRIVES-

MATIAS: Ahem!

-CHAPA AND TOTI STAND UP AT ONCE. JULIETA STANDS NEXT TO CHAPA-

MATIAS: Chapa!
CHAPA: Yes!
MATIAS: Prepare everything because I begin training tomorrow again.
CHAPA: Everything is ready, Matías, only the rider was missing.
JULIETA: Matías, can we train together?

-TOTI OFFERS MATIAS SOME TEA-

TOTI: Would you like a little tea?
MATIAS: No, thank you.

-MATIAS THEN ANSWERS JULIETA-

MATIAS: How can you think I could ride with you, little girl?
JULIETA: Why not?
MATIAS: Because you don't know how!

-MATIAS WALKS AWAY. TOTI CALLS AFTER HIM-

TOTI: Then, would you like to play with us?

-TOTI POINTS OUT TO THE ROCKS HE AND CHAPA WERE THROWING INTO THE CONTAINER. MATIAS IGNORES HIM-

JULIETA: This little boy is always mean to me!
TOTI: Because he's a little insect!
CHAPA: Do you know what he is? He's Mariano's little pigeon, that boy!
JULIETA: He thinks he's smart, but when Pedro gets here, a lot of things will become very clear!
CHAPA: Pedro is coming back to the track?
JULIETA: I'm sure he is!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ERICA AND FRANCISCO ARE SITTING AT THE COMPUTER IN THE LIBRARY. SHE'S SHOWING HIM HOW TO USE IT-

ERICA: You click on the line, and you're in!
FRANCISCO: I don't know! This seems a little too advanced! I don't know if I can do it!
ERICA: Listen, would you like something to drink?
FRANCISCO: All right, thank you.
ERICA: I'll be back. Continue practicing.
FRANCISCO: Thank you.
ERICA: You're welcome.

-ERICA LEAVES TO GET SOMETHING TO DRINK FOR THEM. AS SOON AS SHE'S OUT THE DOOR, FRANCISCO LEAVES HIS CHAIR AND BEGINS SEARCHING THE LIBRARY. HE QUICKLY SCANS THE SHELVES, AND THEN STANDS BEHIND THE DESK AND GOES THROUGH THE FILE MARIANO WAS LOOKING AT EARLIER. FRANCISCO THEN OPENS THE DESK DRAWER. AT THIS MOMENT, MARIANO OPENS THE LIBRARY DOOR AND SEES FRANCISCO SEARCHING THROUGH THE DESK-

MARIANO: What are you doing here?

-FRANCISCO STARES AT MARIANO IN SILENCE-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO WALKS IN MARISOL'S HOUSE. HE TAKES OFF THE SCARF HE WAS WEARING AND SETS IT ON THE COUNTER. HE OPENS THE REFRIGERATOR AND POURS HIMSELF A GLASS OF JUICE. HE PICKS UP THE SCARF AND THROWS IT ON THE TABLE. CARRYING THE GLASS OF ORANGE JUICE, HE WALKS TO THE END OF THE COUNTER AND TURNS AROUND WHEN HE HEARS THE DOOR OPEN AND SLAM CLOSED. HE'S SHOCKED TO SEE MARGARITA COMING TOWARDS HIM-

MARGARITA: If I'd left it up to you, I would still be waiting for you at the hotel!
PEDRO: Margarita, what are you doing here? How did you get here?
MARGARITA: It wasn't easy! But not impossible, either!

-PEDRO SETS THE GLASS DOWN ON THE COUNTER-

PEDRO: But you can't just show up here, like this!
MARGARITA: And why not?
PEDRO: Because I don't own this place! I'm just an employee, Margarita!
MARGARITA: And so what, Petercito? You're not doing anything wrong! You're simply very well accompanied, that's all!

-SHE COMES NEAR HIM-

PEDRO: You don't understand! You don't understand! Things are very bad around here, and they're only getting worse! Margarita, if they see you here…..I don't even want to think about it!
MARGARITA: Who's going to see us here, in the middle of nowhere! Hum? I suppose you haven't forgotten all the nice times we used to have?

-SHE WRAPS HER ARMS AROUND HIS SHOULDERS AND SHE KISSES HIM FULLY ON THE LIPS. MARISOL WALKS IN AT THIS VERY MOMENT-

MARISOL: Pedro!

-PEDRO BRINGS MARGARITA'S ARMS DOWN FROM AROUND HIS NECK. MARGARITA TURNS AROUND AND STILL WITH THEIR ARMS AROUND EACH OTHER, PEDRO AND MARGARITA STAND NEXT TO EACH OTHER, LEANING ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER, AND SMILING AT MARISOL-