Provócame

Episode 17

-ANA LAURA AND PEDRO REMAIN SILENT. MARIANO CONTINUES-

MARIANO: If you're working, please continue, I don't want to interrupt you!

-ANA LAURA IGNORES MARIANO. TO AVOID ANY PROBLEMS, SHE PRETENDS TO HAVE BEEN TALKING TO PEDRO ABOUT WORK RELATED MATTERS. PEDRO FOLLOWS HER CUE-

ANA LAURA: Pedro, do you have anything else to tell me?
PEDRO: No, no! I'll check the vaccination records and I'll talk to Leticia about the vitamins. Don't worry.
ANA LAURA: All right, I'll be home; if there's anything you need, call me.
PEDRO: Yes, of course.
MARIANO: A brief question, Ana!

-ANA LAURA GIVES MARIANO A LOOK OF CONTEMPT, AND WITHOUT SAYING A WORD, WALKS AWAY. MARIANO GIVES PEDRO AN ANGRY LOOK AND THEN, HE ALSO WALKS AWAY-
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-GUNTHER IS SHOWING JULIETA HOW TO FEED THE PUPPIES. HE'S HOLDING A BOTTLE WITH MILK IN HIS HAND. AT THIS POINT, HE FEELS HE CAN'T TRUST JUST ANYONE WITH THE ANIMALS. HE'S NOT ABLE TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH THEM BECAUSE OF HIS DUTIES AT THE HOUSE-

GUNTHER: You must do it very slow, so they won't choke.
JULIETA: All right, Gunther, give me the bottle.
GUNTHER: Will you be able to care for them?
JULIETA: Yes, for a little while, but then, I'm going to have to leave. Why don't you ask Toti to keep an eye on them while he works?
GUNTHER: I won't ask anything from that infectious worm!
JULIETA: You'll have no choice, because I won't be able to take care of them at night! I can't leave my house, and you have to tend to the house!
GUNTHER: I want him away from my dogs!
JULIETA: It gets very cold in this place, and the puppies could get sick. The little one already has a fever and he might get worse!
GUNTHER: It's just that I had words with that worm! He's not going to want to help me!
JULIETA: There's no other way, so you better begin by apologizing to him!
GUNTHER: What? Me, apologize to that worm? Never!
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-ROSA IS IN THE KITCHEN PREPARING A FRUIT SALAD. PEDRO COMES IN-

ROSA: Pedro, hello!
PEDRO: Hello. That looks delicious!
ROSA: Fruit is always good for the digestion.
PEDRO: Ahum!
ROSA: Are you hungry?
PEDRO: No, no! My throat is a little sore. Do you have a little honey, by any chance?
ROSA: Honey? I think I have some in the pantry. Can you wait for a second while I go and look for it?
PEDRO: Yes, of course.
ROSA: Why don't you get the water going, I'll prepare you a little tea when I get back.
PEDRO: All right, thank you.

-PEDRO WALKS UP TO THE COUNTER AND PICKS UP A SMALL PIECE OF THE ORANGE ROSA WAS SLICING FOR THE SALAD. WITH ROSA SAFELY OUT OF THE WAY, PEDRO CAREFULLY MAKES HIS WAY INTO THE HOUSE AND GOES IN SEARCH OF ANA LAURA-
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-VICTORIA AND MERCEDES ARE ON THEIR WAY OUT. THEY'RE PREPARED TO LEAVE, AND ARE SURPRISED TO SEE CECILIA AND CARMEN AT THE DOOR-

MERCEDES: Cecilia!
VICTORIA: What are you doing here?
CECILIA: What am I doing here? What is my sister doing here?
VICTORIA: Meche is my guest! How did you find out she was with me?
CECILIA: It wasn't very difficult. I came looking for her!
VICTORIA: No, you don't understand! Meche is my guest and she's very comfortable in my house!
CECILIA: But she's my sister, and her place is in La Esperanza, with her family!
MERCEDES: You're wrong, Cecilia! I feel fine, and I want to stay here!
CECILIA: I'm not going to allow my sister to live on charity!
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-PEDRO CAREFULLY ENTERS ANA LAURA'S BEDROOM. HE CLOSES THE DOOR AND QUIETLY, MAKES HIS WAY TOWARDS THE BED. ANA LAURA IS LYING ON THE BED, RESTING, WITH HER BACK TO HIM. HE KNEELS ON THE BED AND TOUCHES HER SIDE LIGHTLY, WAKING HER UP. SHE'S STARTLED AND ALMOST SCREAMS IN FEAR. SHE SITS ON BED, VERY SURPRISED TO FIND PEDRO IN HER ROOM-

PEDRO: Sh! Sh! Sh!
ANA LAURA: What are you doing here?
PEDRO: It's all right! No one saw me! There's no danger!
ANA LAURA: No! No! Leave! I'm beginning you, please!
PEDRO: But, didn't you say you wanted to talk to me?
ANA LAURA: Yes! But not here, Pedro! Not here, in my bedroom!

-ANA LAURA GETS UP SLOWLY FROM THE BED. PEDRO ALSO LEAVES THE BED AND FACES ANA LAURA-

PEDRO: I'm not leaving until you tell me what happened with your father!
ANA LAURA: No, no! Everything is fine! Don't worry! Don't worry! I'm asking you, please, leave!

ANA LAURA NERVOUSLY WALKS TOWARDS THE DOOR AND TRIES TO CONVINCE PEDRO TO LEAVE BEFORE THEY'RE DISCOVERED. PEDRO STOPS HER BEFORE SHE REACHES THE DOOR-

PEDRO: No, no, just a minute! This has to do with me, right? This is Mariano's revenge because you gave me a job here in la estancia.
ANA LAURA: No, it doesn't matter, Pedro! Don't worry about it!
PEDRO: Ana, I'm not going anywhere! I'm not leaving you alone under these circumstances!

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-TOTI AND GUNTHER ARE ARGUING, WHILE JULIETA CARESSES THE PUPPIES-

TOTI: Now I understand! I see it very clearly! You apologized to me because you needed a favor! Isn't that so!
JULIETA: Actually, Toti; it's more than just one favor!
TOTI: But, what are you saying? Do you think I'm going to do any favors for him?
JULIETA: Not even for these puppies?

-JULIETA SHOWS TOTI ONE OF THE PUPPIES. TOTI IMMEDIATELY BECOMES ENCHANTED WITH THEM-

TOTI: Ah! Look at that! Look at that little piece of chocolate!

-TOTI LEANS OVER JULIETA'S SHOULDER TO CARESS THE PUPPY. GUNTHER COMES OVER AND LEANS OVER TOTI'S SHOULDER. TOTI MOVES TO JULIETA'S OTHER SHOULDER, SO THAT NOW TOTI AND GUNTHER ARE EACH ON JULIETA'S SHOULDERS, CARESSING THE PUPPY-

TOTI: What a nice little thing!
GUNTHER: Isn't he cute?

-GUNTHER VERY SUBTLY PUSHES TOTI'S HANDS AWAY FROM THE PUPPY-
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PEDRO: There has to be a solution! We can't leave your father in prison!
ANA LAURA: I know, and have thought about all the possibilities.
PEDRO: If the Linares made accusations against him, we must confront them!
ANA LAURA: Are you crazy? You and I are already involved in enough complications!
PEDRO: That's exactly why we should end this once and for all!

-ANA LAURA TRIES TO GET PEDRO TO LOWER HIS VOICE. SHE OPENS THE DOOR AND, AGAIN, ASKS HIM TO LEAVE-

ANA LAURA: Look, Pedro; this is neither the way nor the time to do this! I'm going to ask you to please leave!
PEDRO: Can't you see that if you continue this way, they'll know you're afraid of them?
ANA LAURA: But of course I'm afraid of them! They're capable of doing anything!
PEDRO: Well, for that reason, let me help you, Ana!
ANA LAURA: No, no! It's all right, don't help me! Stop! I'm very grateful! You help everyone! You help Marisol! You help Julieta! Now you want to help me! No! Not me!
PEDRO: All right, all right! Whom do you want me to help?
ANA LAURA: What? I don't understand!
PEDRO: What do you mean, you don't understand! It's very simple! What do you want from me?
ANA LAURA: I….I want you to leave! That's what I want!

-ANA LAURA TRIES TO WALK TO THE DOOR, BUT PEDRO DETAINS HER ONCE AGAIN. HE HOLDS HER BY THE ARMS-

PEDRO: And if I don't leave, will you scream?
ANA LAURA: You know I won't.
PEDRO: You won't?
ANA LAURA: Stop this! Don't play the part of coy lover with me! You're mistaken!
PEDRO: I'm not playing at anything! I'm the same Pedro Balmaceda of always! I just want to know, what is it that you want from me!
ANA LAURA: What I really want, Pedro, is for you to leave!
PEDRO: Your words say one thing, but your eyes are saying something else! And I'm going to stay with your eyes!
ANA LAURA: Oh, really? My eyes are saying something else! Well, and what are my eyes saying?
PEDRO: This is what they're saying!

-HE TAKES HER IN HIS ARMS AND BEGINS TO KISS HER WITH CERTAIN HUNGER AND DETERMINATION. SHE READILY RESPONDS TO HIM, WRAPPING HER ARMS AROUND HIS WAIST, ABANDONING ALL CAUTION. THEY CLING TO EACH OTHER, OBLIVIOUS TO THEIR SURROUNDINGS. THEY ARE NOT AWARE THAT MARISOL IS PASSING BY IN THE HALLWAY AND STANDS BRIEFLY BY THE OPENED DOOR, AND WITNESSES THEIR PASSIONATE EXCHANGE. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, ANA LAURA PULLS RELUCTANTLY AWAY FROM PEDRO'S HEATED KISSES-

PEDRO: I know! I know! You are now going to start yelling at me, and telling me to leave!
ANA LAURA: No! No! No! You're wrong! You're completely wrong!
PEDRO: I'm wrong?
ANA LAURA: Yes! Completely!
PEDRO: Well! It's incredible, then, if I'm wrong!
ANA LAURA: I just want to know….why did you do it?
PEDRO: Because I like kissing you!
ANA LAURA: I know!
PEDRO: And you like it too!
ANA LAURA: Yes, but, do you know what I don't like? I don't like that you act like a canchero!
PEDRO: A canchero? A canchero? What's a canchero?
ANA LAURA: A canchero is someone who believes he can have every woman at his feet; that he can do whatever he wants with them!
PEDRO: I don't believe that of myself, Ana, my God!
ANA LAURA: You don't? Come on, Pedro!
PEDRO: Come on, what? Are you going to start that again? No, you better not start, because if you continue along those lines, I know how it ends, and you'll get lost, and then you'll want me to…..
ANA LAURA: What? What am I going to want?
PEDRO: You'll want me to leave!
ANA LAURA: Really?

-THEY BEGIN KISSING ANEW. MORE PASSIONATELY THAN BEFORE-
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-MARIANO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK IN THE LIBRARY, WITH MOLINA SITTING ACROSS FROM HIM. PATRICIA IS STANDING OUTSIDE THE DOOR, LISTENING TO THEIR CONVERSATION-

MOLINA: I don't know exactly what it is you want to know.
MARIANO: It's very simple. I need to know if a certain boy or girl is a child of mine, that's all!
MOLINA: It seems strange for a man to make such a request.
MARIANO: Why is it so strange?
MOLINA: Because it's usually the woman who makes the claim. The man either leaves or prefers not to know.
MARIANO: That's not my case, at all.
MOLINA: I didn't mean to imply that. You're not that type of man, I know, and neither am I. Tell me, is this recent?
MARIANO: Why do you care? Please, Estéban, remove my doubts; don't ask questions!
MOLINA: All right, but if you want my advice, unless is due to affection or guilt, something very personal, I mean, don't get involved. That only creates problems.
MARIANO: Thank you for the advice. I have to see what I'll do.

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MERCEDES: I'm not leaving this house!
CECILIA: That's not for you to decide!
MERCEDES: Oh, no? And who gets to decide, Cecilia?
VICTORIA: You still don't understand, Cecilia! Meche is here because…..
CECILIA: Because you took her out of the clinic under suspicious circumstances!
VICTORIA: They are no suspicious circumstances!
CECILIA: Please! The only person authorized to remove her from the clinic, is me!
VICTORIA: You are wrong! Her daughter is her closest relative!
CECILIA: Marisol had something to do with this?
VICTORIA: Yes, of course! And we decided she was to stay in this house!
CECILIA: No, no! Not "we." You decided! You organized all this because you're a (female dog.)
VICTORIA: If you're going to start with your insults, you'll leave this house immediately!
CECILIA: They are not insults! I'm telling you the truth! And stop meddling in my life! You first got involved with my husband! You then got involved with my son! And now, you….
MERCEDES: That's enough, Cecilia! I'm not in the mood to listen to arguments! Leave this house immediately!
CECILIA: All right! I'll leave for now! You always get away with doing everything you want! But not with my sister, Victoria! Not with my sister!

-CECILIA AND CARMEN LEAVE THE HOUSE-
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-MARISOL IS NERVOUSLY WAITING IN THE LIVING ROOM FOR PEDRO. SHE'S WORRIED THAT MARIANO IS GOING TO FIND HIM WITH ANA LAURA. AND PRECISELY AT THIS MOMENT, PEDRO IS MAKING HIS WAY TOWARDS THE FRONT DOOR, AFTER LEAVING ANA LAURA'S ROOM. MARISOL SEES MARIANO COMING TOWARDS THE LIVING ROOM FROM THE OTHER DIRECTION OF THE HOUSE, AND CALLS OUT HIS NAME, GIVING PEDRO THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIDE IN ONE OF THE ADJACENT ROOMS-

MARISOL: Mariano!
MARIANO: What's the matter?
MARISOL: I need to talk to you.
MARIANO: Oh, really? I thought you wanted nothing to do with me!
MARISOL: Well, can we talk?
MARIANO: Yes! Of course we can! We can do whatever you want!
MARISOL: What I want is to make there's nothing pending between us!
MARIANO: I'm listening!

-MARISOL LOOKS BACK TOWARDS THE HALLWAY. SHE WANTS TO MAKE SURE PEDRO IS NOT WITHIN VIEW OF MARIANO-

MARIANO: What's wrong?
MARISOL: Nothing! Nothing's wrong!
MARIANO: Well, let's go to my office. We'll talk undisturbed. Come on! Let's go!

-THEY BEGIN WALKING TOWARDS THE LIBRARY. MARIANO TRIES TO REST HIS ARM ACROSS HER SHOULDER, BUT MARISOL PULLS AWAY. THEY ENTER THE LIBRARY AND CLOSE THE DOOR. PEDRO THEN EXITS THE ROOM HE'S BEEN HIDING IN, AND WALKS TOWARDS THE FRONT DOOR-
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-JULIETA IS TRYING TO MAKE PEACE BETWEEN TOTI AND GUNTHER. SHE'S TRYING TO CONVINCE TOTI THAT GUNTHER IS REALLY A NICE PERSON, THUS CONVINCING TOTI TO AGREE TO CARE FOR THE PUPPIES WHILE GUNTHER IS BUSY WITH HIS CHORES AT THE HOUSE-

JULIETA: Look, Gunther is smiling!

-GUNTHER FORCES HIMSELF TO SHOW TOTI A SMILE-

JULIETA: And he can say please!

-THIS TIME, JULIETA HAS TO PROMPT GUNTHER TO SAY PLEASE. SHE HITS HIM OVER THE HEAD WITH HER HAND. GUNTHER MUMBLES-

TOTI: What? I didn't hear you! What?
GUNTHER: Please!
TOTI: I don't believe him! I won't help him in anything! I won't help him! He's bluffing!
JULIETA: Then, if you won't do it for him, will you do it for me?
TOTI: Yes! For you, I'll do anything, Juli! I'll take care of them!

-TOTI KISSES ONE OF THE PUPPIES. GUNTHER HAS TO RESTRAIN HIMSELF. HE DOESN'T LIKE THE LIBERTIES TOTI IS TAKING WITH THE PUPPIES, BUT GUNTHER HAS NO CHOICE, BUT TO ACCEPT TOTI'S HELP-
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-IN THE LIBRARY, MARIANO IS STANDING AROUND, WAITING, WHILE MARISOL GATHERS SOME ITEMS TO TAKE WITH HER-

MARISOL: I'm taking this notebook and some envelopes I bought.
MARIANO: Is this what you consider making sure we leave nothing pending between us?
MARISOL: Yes.
MARIANO: No! No! Come on! Admit! Admit it to my face! Tell me! You were dying to see me, right?
MARISOL: Don't get out of line!
MARIANO: I'm not getting out of line! I don't believe you! I can't believe you were in such a hurry to come and get this little notebook!
MARISOL: Yes, I didn't want to let another day go by!
MARIANO: Without seeing me!
MARISOL: You always mix everything up!

-MARIANO GRABS HER AND TRIES TO KISS HER-

MARIANO: No! I'm not mixing anything up! I like you! You're the only woman in my life and I need you! How many times do I have to tell you!
MARISOL: Leave me alone!

-MARISOL RUNS OUT OF THE LIBRARY, LEAVING MARIANO FRUSTRATED AND TALKING TO HIMSELF-

MARIANO: How you love playing this little game, Marisol! You'll come crawling at my feet!
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-PEDRO IS IN THE STABLES TALKING TO LUNITA. JULIETA WAS SUPPOSED TO BE TRAINING BUT SHE HASN'T SHOWN UP-

PEDRO: It looks like your rider has stood us up, today!

-JULIETA ARRIVES AT THIS MOMENT-

PEDRO: We thought you weren't coming!
JULIETA: I almost didn't make it!
PEDRO: Why? You don't feel like training today?
JULIETA: Yes, I do, but…..
PEDRO: Are you sure? That yes sounded more like a no!
JULIETA: But, if we're not going to live here anymore, why should I continue training?
PEDRO: What do you mean, you won't live here anymore, love?
JULIETA: It's something my mom said.
PEDRO: Something? What? Juli, please, you know you can trust me! I don't like seeing you so sad!
JULIETA: My mom said that if we move from here, we'd be happier!
PEDRO: That's crazy!
JULIETA: Yes, I know that's crazy! I don't plan, for anything in the world, to leave Lunita, you, or Toti!
PEDRO: No, I'm sure she didn't mean to say that!
JULIETA: Yes! I heard her perfectly well! We're moving somewhere else!

-MARISOL ARRIVES AT THIS MOMENT-

PEDRO: Is that true, Marisol?
MARISOL: Is what true?
PEDRO: That you plan to move from here!
MARISOL: I don't want to talk about that! And you, when I tell you something, do you have to tell the whole world?
PEDRO: I'm the whole world for you?
JULIETA: I told Pedro because I don't want to leave! I can't leave!
PEDRO: Marisol, please! This is crazy! Where are you moving? Where are you going?
MARISOL: Please, I said I don't want to talk about that!
PEDRO: But this is very serious! Honestly, tell me what's wrong! Let me help you!
MARISOL: I don't need you to help me! You're already very busy helping others!
PEDRO: Please, I think I have a right to know!
MARISOL: And I have a right to not want to talk about it! So, please have some respect!
PEDRO: I do respect you, Marisol! But I don't understand you!
JULIETA: Neither do I! Why everything, so suddenly!
MARISOL: Look! You're already very busy with other things! You don't need me adding one more problem!
PEDRO: Let me help you, Marisol!
MARISOL: The same way you help Ana Laura?
PEDRO: Ana Laura? What does she have to do with all this?
MARISOL: She's going through some difficult times with her father, so she probably needs you very much!
PEDRO: But, one thing has nothing to do with the other!
MARISOL: Yes, it does, Pedro!
PEDRO: I don't understand you! I really don't understand you!
MARISOL: I don't care if you don't understand me! I don't want to talk about this anymore!

-MARISOL WALKS AWAY-

JULIETA: Do you see? I told you she was acting strange!
PEDRO: Yes, my love! She's acting very strange!
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-MERCEDES IS STANDING BY A BOOKCASE, GOING THROUGH SOME OF THE BOOKS VICTORIA KEEPS IN THE LIVING ROOM. AT THIS MOMENT, SHE'S LOOKING AT A LARGE BOOK-

MERCEDES: Victoria and her horses! Race horses! Ponies!

-MERCEDES PUTS THAT BOOK DOWN AND TAKES ANOTHER BOOK FROM THE SHELF-

MERCEDES: Ah, she's always liked this author!

-SOMETHING FALLS OUT OF THE BOOK AND DROPS TO THE FLOOR. MERCEDES PICKS UP THE ITEM. IT'S THE PHOTOGRAPH OF A BABY-

MERCEDES: Who is this baby?

-VICTORIA CAN BE HEARD FROM THE NEXT ROOM-

VICTORIA: Did you find anything, Meche?

-MERCEDES IMMEDIATELY HIDES THE PHOTOGRAPH IN HER COAT POCKET. VICTORIA WALKS IN THE ROOM-

VICTORIA: Here my love, here are some towels, in case you'd like to take a bath. Are you all right? Is there something wrong?
MERCEDES: No! There's nothing's wrong! Thank you!
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-JULIETA IS WALKING ABOUT THE ESTANCIA. MARIANO ARRIVES AND GREETS HER BY GIVING HER A KISS ON TOP OF HER HEAD-

MARIANO: Hey!
JULIETA: Hello!
MARIANO: What are you doing, Juli? Look at what I brought with me!
JULIETA: The doll house!
MARIANO: I know you like it.
JULIETA: I love it!
MARIANO: I know. And I really like playing with you, but I don't really know when we'll have a chance to do it again!
JULIETA: I don't know. My mom doesn't want me to see you.
MARIANO: Yes, that's what I mean. But, tell me the truth; do you tell your mother everything?
JULIETA: Well, not everything!
MARIANO: Then, we'll be able to see each other. What do you think? Take it! It's yours!
JULIETA: If my mom doesn't even want me to talk to you, she's not going to let me accept a gift from you.
MARIANO: Yes, but this place is enormous! You can hide it!
JULIETA: You won't tell anyone?
MARIANO: No one! This is a pact between friends! All right?

-HE KISSES JULIETA'S HEAD ONCE AGAIN-

JULIETA: Ahum!
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-CECILIA GOES TO TALK TO MARISOL-

CECILIA: You're to blame for everything that's going on! You should have thought of the consequences!
MARISOL: What are you talking about?
CECILIA: You know very well what I'm talking about! Your mother! How did you dare authorized her release?
MARISOL: That's what's making you so nervous? My mother doesn't need to be confined!
CECILIA: Your mother is sick! And she'll never be taken care of as well as she was there!
MARISOL: My mother is not sick!
CECILIA: Oh, really? And why was she in there for all those years?
MARISOL: Because you made everyone believe that she was crazy! But that's over!
CECILIA: At the end, it's hard to tell who's crazier! You or your mother!
MARISOL: Neither one of us, aunt! The only crazy person around here, is you!
CECILIA: This is very funny! You're accusing me of being crazy and refuse to see the truth!
MARISOL: We'll never come to an agreement, so you better leave!

-PEDRO COMES IN AND INTERRUPTS THEM. HE WASN'T EXPECTING MARISOL TO HAVE COMPANY-

PEDRO: I'm sorry, I didn't…..
MARISOL: It's not a problem, Pedro. Cecilia was just leaving!
CECILIA: Go ahead and continue to show alliance to the wrong people! You'll see the results!

-CECILIA WALKS OUT OF THE HOUSE, LEAVING MARISOL VERY ANGRY-

MARISOL: Do you see? Do you now see why I want to move from here?
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-CHAPA AND TOTI ARE IN THE KITCHEN OF THE HOUSE THEY SHARE WITH THE OTHER EMPLOYEES. CHAPA IS NOT HAPPY THAT TOTI IS HELPING GUNTHER WITH THE DOGS IN THEIR OWN HOUSE-

CHAPA: What do you pretend by doing this? Do you want them to throw us all onto the street?
TOTI: No! I don't want that! But, if we helped each other a little, I think…..
CHAPA: Ah! You want to help someone! Help me, then! Help yourself! But don't help that go-between, Gunther! Why him, especially?
TOTI: Don't you know that we're supposed to help anyone in need, whether they deserve it or not!
CHAPA: And without thinking about the consequences either! Tell me, what are you going to do when the puppies start crying? Because we won't be able to sleep a wink all night!
TOTI: You're mean! You have a stingy heart! You're greedy!
CHAPA: I may be greedy, but you're a sucker!
TOTI: If you're worried about having to get up in the middle of the night to clean after them; don't worry! I'll do it! I'll get up! I swear!
CHAPA: And the smell? What are you going to do about the smell? Because when they're this small, they go every two minutes!

-JULIETA INTERRUPTS THEM. SHE COMES IN THE HOUSE, CARRYING THE DOLL HOUSE MARIANO RETURNED TO HER-

JULIETA: Hello, boys!
TOTI: Hello, Juli!
CHAPA: Excuse me. What is that?
JULIETA: It's a doll house. I'm leaving it here because I can't have it at my house. I'll leave the little doll inside. I better go home before my mom comes looking for me! Take care of it!
TOTI: Yes.
CHAPA: Mother of God! Is there something else? Let them bring something else!

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MERCEDES: You're sort of a d'Artagnan with a sword! "Here I am to help the needy." Right?
VICTORIA: Justice and revenge! That's what I want!
MERCEDES: And why shouldn't you seek revenge, if they snatch away the love of your life.
VICTORIA: Yes, but I'm to blame in that respect, because I shouldn't have fallen so deeply in love with Alvaro. And he left such enormous prints in my life.
MERCEDES: Do you want to know what I've been thinking about? The letters you used to write to me when you were pregnant.
VICTORIA: It doesn't seem possible, but that was the worst moment of my life.
MERCEDES: How was it that you lost that baby, Victoria?
VICTORIA: I don't know! I lost him! That's all! I lost him!
MERCEDES: But I want to know! What happened?
VICTORIA: Meche, I don't want to discuss that subject! I really don't!

-VICTORIA RISES FROM THE SOFA AND LEAVES THE ROOM-
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-MARIANO AND FRANCISCO ARE IN THE LIBRARY-

MARIANO: Here, mail these letters for me. And with this money, buy a pair of riding boots for me.
FRANCISCO: What size?
MARIANO: Thirty-five.
FRANCISCO: Ah! Very small! They're the size of a……
MARIANO: Riding boots, size thirty-five. Find the best.
FRANCISCO: All right.

-FRANCISCO OPENS THE DOOR JUST AS ERICA WAS GETTING READY TO OPEN IT AND COME IN. SHE GREETS FRANCISCO-

ERICA: Hello.
FRANCISCO: Hello.

-ERICA WALKS IN AND SETS A LARGE ENVELOPE ON THE DESK, IN FRONT OF MARIANO-

ERICA: Here, this arrived for you.
MARIANO: Thank you, little sister-in-law, thank you.
ERICA: You're welcome.

-SHE WALKS AWAY FROM THE DESK AND ADDRESSES FRANCISCO-

ERICA: Are you all right?
FRANCISCO: Yes, yes, I'm fine. What about you?
ERICA: I'm fine.

-MARIANO WATCHES WITH AMUSEMENT THIS EXCHANGE BETWEEN ERICA AND FRANCISCO-

FRANCISCO: Well, I have to go.
ERICA: Where are you going?
FRANCISCO: I'm going into town.
ERICA: I'm also going there, do you want to ride with me?
FRANCISCO: Yes, if it's not a problem.
ERICA: Not at all.
FRANCISCO: All right.

-FRANCISCO CLOSES THE DOOR BEHIND THEM-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA WENT TO VISIT HER FATHER IN PRISON-

ANA LAURA: Do you know when they will be taking your deposition?
IGNACIO: That depends on how long it takes them to schedule the interview with Bermúdez.
ANA LAURA: Does this have anything to do with the frigorífico?
IGNACIO: Unfortunately yes.
ANA LAURA: Dad, there's something I don't understand. The frigorífico closed down.
IGNACIO: This happened before it closed. I never wanted to tell you Ana, because I didn't want to upset you. One morning, they found the inspector locked in the freezer.
ANA LAURA: Dead?
IGNACIO: Much worse than that. He had spent over 12 hours locked inside. He went into a profound coma. To this day, he's still in a vegetative state.
ANA LAURA: Dad, what you're telling me is horrendous. I can't believe someone was capable of doing something so awful.

-ANA LAURA SEEMS VERY DISTURBED BY THESE EVENTS IGNACIO JUST RELATED TO HER-

IGNACIO: I'm confident that once Bermúdez testifies of what he knows, everything will be resolved. I regret the day I allowed the Linares to come in and manage the business. Everything began then. That's why this incident happened.
ANA LAURA: Do you have any idea who was involved in this?
IGNACIO: No, I don't know. I can assure you I had nothing to do with this. I swear on your mother's memory, that I had nothing to do with this, Ana!

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

-MOLINA IS WALKING AROUND THE ESTANCIA WITH MARIANO AND ALVARO. THEY'RE DISCUSSING IGNACIO'S SITUATION-

MOLINA: The interrogation of Bermúdez will be essential.
ALVARO: There must not be any doubt that Ignacio is responsible for everything that happened.
MOLINA: Yes, but it won't be easy. Bermúdez has to be very precise and look self-assured so that the judge will believe him, because if he really didn't see anything…..
MARIANO: That's where you come in.
MOLINA: But it won't be easy, Mariano.
ALVARO: You mean that if Bermúdez backs down, we'll have to deal with the fact that Ignacio will be set free, and we'll end up looking like idiots!
MARIANO: Estéban! Estéban, we can't afford any mistakes. Everyone has a price.
MOLINA: Do you want me to confront the guy?
MARIANO: That's why you're our attorney, right? We must have Bermúdez on our side, one way or another!

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

-CHAPA AND TOTI ARE IN THE ROOM THEY SHARE WITH PEDRO. CHAPA IS SITTING ON PEDRO'S BED. TOTI IS LOOKING ALL OVER THE ROOM FOR ONE OF THE PUPPIES-

CHAPA: That's it! I'm tired of looking! You lost your puppy, you look for it!

-THEY SUDDENLY HEAR THE PUPPY CRYING-

TOTI: Did you hear that? I'd say that's a dog!
CHAPA: No! It's my grandmother! It's obviously a dog! The one we've been looking for the last three hours!

-TOTI GETS DOWN ON HIS KNEES AND BEGS CHAPA TO HELP HIM FIND THE PUPPY-

TOTI: Please! He's just a little thing! A little creature! Don't be so heartless! Help me, please!

-CHAPA, ALTHOUGH VERY ANNOYED AND COMPLAINING, GETS UP FROM THE BED AND SEARCHES FOR THE PUPPY-

CHAPA: Five hours! We've been searching for five hours! More than a dog, he seems to be a bionic cockroach! A little rat!

-CHAPA SPOTS THE PUPPY UNDER PEDRO'S BED-

CHAPA: There it is! The little rat! The little degenerate!
TOTI: Don't call him degenerate! His name is Chiquito!

-CHAPA GRABS THE PUPPY AND HANDS IT TO TOTI-

TOTI: Handle him with more affection!
CHAPA: Toti! Let's forget about these animals before we all get in trouble!
TOTI: But I promised Julieta I'd take care of them!
CHAPA: I don't care what you promised Julieta! That's your problem! Don't you understand we are taking a big risk?
TOTI: Tsk!

-PEDRO ENTERS THE ROOM-

PEDRO: Guys, have you seen Julieta?
CHAPA: She went to Buenos Aires with Marisol.
PEDRO: Yes, but do you exactly where they went?
TOTI: She didn't say anything, but it had to be someplace nice because they were wearing their Sunday best!

-GUNTHER ARRIVES. CHAPA'S STILL ANGRY ABOUT THE DOGS AND HE LETS GUNTHER KNOW-

GUNTHER: How are the most beautiful puppies in the estancia?
CHAPA: Get out of here! I don't want to see you here! Get out!
GUNTHER: You dare talk to Gunther in that tone of voice?
CHAPA: Yes!
TOTI: Gunther, you can't come here now! You have to come at night to see the puppies! It's too risky! You can't show up here in the daytime!
GUNTHER: What do you know about taking risks?
CHAPA: Gunther! You have no business being here! Get out of here before I give you a good kick on the behind!
GUNTHER: You wouldn't dare!
PEDRO: Come on, Gunther, let's go!
GUNTHER: I just wanted to see my puppies!
PEDRO: I'm looking for Marisol and Julieta. Have you seen them?
GUNTHER: No, I didn't see anyone!
PEDRO: Where can they be?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL AND JULIETA WENT TO VISIT WITH MERCEDES AND VICTORIA. THE FOUR OF THEM ARE NOW SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM HAVING TEA AND SOME CAKE. JULIETA IS SITTING NEXT TO MERCEDES ON THE SOFA, WHILE VICTORIA AND MARISOL ARE SITTING ACROSS FROM EACH OTHER-

JULIETA: Did you bake this cake?
MERCEDES: No.
MARISOL: Grandmother can make the best lemon cake!
MERCEDES: You remember that?
MARISOL: Mom, of course I remember!
MERCEDES: What a wonderful visit I received today!

-MERCEDES KISSES THE TOP OF JULIETA'S HEAD-

JULIETA: We escaped to the city to surprise you!
MARISOL: We were dying to see you, so this was a sudden decision!
VICTORIA: You know that you are welcome to come over anytime!
JULIETA: Where are you going to sleep?
MERCEDES: Right here! Victoria prepared the guest room for me!
VICTORIA: And tomorrow, we are going shopping! We have to renew this lady's wardrobe!
JULIETA: Of course, because you can't continue wearing all those old clothes!
VICTORIA: I offered to lend her some of my clothes.
MERCEDES: They don't fit me! They're too small! Victoria, I was thinking; will be all right if I show Julieta your porcelain doll?
VICTORIA: Yes, of course!
JULIETA: I love it! I love it!
MERCEDES: Come on! We'll be back!

-MERCEDES TAKES JULIETA BY THE HAND, AND THEY WALK OUT OF THE ROOM-

VICTORIA: They get along well. Very well.
MARISOL: Yes, I was a little worried about their meeting, but it seems that Julieta understands her better than anyone.
VICTORIA: And it looks as if everything is working out fine.
MARISOL: Victoria, I need your help.
VICTORIA: Hm?
MARISOL: I need you to help me move from the estancia.
VICTORIA: Leave the estancia?
MARISOL: Yes, I can't stand Cecilia and Mariano any longer. It's getting to be too much! I know you have contacts! I can get a job somewhere else! Something!
VICTORIA: No, no! I wouldn't be helping you! Your presence in the estancia is very important! There are still many things to be resolved!
MARISOL: What things?
VICTORIA: You will see! You will see!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS WORKING IN THE STABLES. ANA LAURA ARRIVES. SHE'S VERY UPSET. THE VISIT WITH HER FATHER LEFT HER VERY DISTRESSED-

ANA LAURA: Pedro!
PEDRO: Ana Laura! What are you doing here?

-ANA LAURA RUSHES TO HIS ARMS-

ANA LAURA: Hug me!
PEDRO: What's wrong?
ANA LAURA: I just came from seeing my dad!
PEDRO: Don Ignacio! How is he?
ANA LAURA: He's not doing well! He's not well! And I can't stand to see him that way!
PEDRO: Those people are unforgivable! If only you'd let me help you!
ANA LAURA: No. Just having you hold me is enough! You really help me that way! I feel so protected!

-PEDRO LOOKS INTO HER EYES AND SMILES, BUT AT THAT MOMENT, TOTI IS MAKING HIS WAY INTO THE STABLES. PEDRO SEES HIM AND PUSHES ANA LAURA DOWN FROM VIEW-

PEDRO: Wait just a moment! I don't want them to see you! Just one minute! Toti!

-PEDRO WALKS TOWARDS TOTI AND TURNS HIM AROUND SO THAT HE'S STANDING WITH HIS BACK TO ANA LAURA-

PEDRO: Hello! How are you? Is everything all right?
TOTI: Yes!
PEDRO: Good! Listen, is Julieta back?
TOTI: No, I haven't seen her.
PEDRO: Ah, you haven't seen her! All right, I'll see you later, then!
TOTI: Yes, ciao. Ciao, Anita!

-ANA LAURA STANDS UP. SHE'S LIVID. SHE ANGRILY WALKS UP TO PEDRO-

ANA LAURA: You're the most inconsiderate person I've met in my life!
PEDRO: What did I do now?
ANA LAURA: What did you do? I'm telling you my problems and you don't care!
PEDRO: Of course I care!
ANA LAURA: No, you don't care! Because if you did, you wouldn't have been talking to with Toti about stupid things!
PEDRO: But it was only for one second!

ANA LAURA: It is not the amount of time, it's the quality!

-SHE BEGINS CRYING-

PEDRO: Ana, please! I'm listening to you!

-PEDRO TRIES TO PUT HIS ARMS AROUND HER, BUT SHE PUSHES HIM AWAY. SHE'S CRYING IN EARNEST NOW-

ANA LAURA: No! You're not listening! I need you and you don't care!
PEDRO: I'm right here with you! This is incredible, Ana!
ANA LAURA: No, it's not incredible! I'm not telling you anything anymore!

-SHE BEGINS WALKING AWAY, BUT SHE COMES BACK AND HITS HIM ON THE CHEST. HER TEARS HAVE GIVEN WAY TO ANGER-

ANA LAURA: Stupid!

-SHE WALKS AWAY, STILL CRYING. PEDRO IS VERY SURPRISED BY HER REACTION. HE DOESN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND WHAT JUST HAPPENED-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-ROSA IS IN THE KITCHEN, SLICING FRUIT. ERICA WALKS IN-

ERICA: Rosa.
ROSA: Erica, hello.
ERICA: How are you.
ROSA: I'm fine.
ERICA: Are you very busy?
ROSA: No, I'm preparing dessert. Look at all that squash I have. Why?
ERICA: No, it's just that I wanted to talk to you for a bit.
ROSA: You want to talk to me?
ERICA: Yes, I want to discuss Francisco.

-ROSA IMMEDIATELY BECOMES ALARMED-

ERICA: Have you noticed how much he's changed?
ROSA: Ha! Yes! He's doing much better, that boy! Luckily!
ERICA: Yes! I see him so happy! He's really trying to better himself! Did you know he started working for Mariano!
ROSA: Yes, yes. Do you really think this will be good for him?
ERICA: Yes, of course it'll be good for him!

-LISA OPENS THE DOOR AND LISTENS TO THE END OF THEIR CONVERSATION-

ROSA: I hope to God that's true! And I wanted to thank you, because you're really the one who's brought all these changes in him!
ERICA: Yes, but he really has a lot of determination!

-LISA APPROACHES THEM-

LISA: Whom are you talking about?
ERICA: Francisco! Well, Rosa, that was all! And don't worry, that everything's fine!

-ERICA TAKES ROSA'S HANDS IN HERS-

ROSA: My hands are dirty!
ERICA: It doesn't matter! Don’t worry!
ROSA: Ciao, baby! Thank you!

-ERICA LEAVES THE KITCHEN-

LISA: You like talking with your little daughter-in-law!
ROSA: No, Lisa! Erica is a good girl! Don't you start!
LISA: Yes, I also used to think she was nice, but now I think she's just a little rich girl that wants the thrill of going out with a poor boy.
ROSA: She's not like that, at all! You, on the other hand, have been acting too resentful lately! You'll get nowhere acting that way!

-ROSA WALKS ANGRILY AWAY-

LISA: We'll see!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-JULIETA IS IN THE STABLES, TALKING TO LUNITA-

JULIETA: Do you know something? You did very well today. I love you very much.

-MARIANO ARRIVES, CARRYING THE BOX WITH THE PAIR OF BOOTS THAT HE ASKED FRANCISCO TO PURCHASE-

MARIANO: Hello! Hello!
JULIETA: Hello.
MARIANO: How are you?
JULIETA: Fine.
MARIANO: This is for you.
JULIETA: For me?
MARIANO: Yes. If a girl wants to jump, she needs a good pair of boots.
JULIETA: They're beautiful! But you know I can't accept any gifts from you.
MARIANO: What do you mean? Wait, wait! We talked about this, and we agreed we could keep secrets between us, didn't we?
JULIETA: Yes.
MARIANO: So, please, I want you to keep them. I bought them for you. We're going to keep them in here. No one will know they're here. Only you and I will know.

-MARIANO OPENS THE LID OF A LARGE TRUNK THAT IS JUST OUTSIDE LUNITA'S BOX. WHEN MARIANO CLOSES THE LID, PEDRO'S STANDING RIGHT BEHIND THEM-

PEDRO: What are you doing here with Julieta?

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

-MERCEDES, CAREFUL NOT TO BE SEEN BY VICTORIA, TAKES THE PHOTOGRAPH SHE FOUND EARLIER, FROM HER COAT POCKET. SHE SITS DOWN AND IS LOOKING AT THE PHOTOGRAPH STILL WHEN VICTORIA WALKS IN THE ROOM. MERCEDES IMMEDIATELY PUTS THE PHOTOGRAPH BACK IN HER POCKET, BUT VICTORIA MANAGES TO SEE THIS GESTURE BY MERCEDES AND QUESTIONS HER-

VICTORIA: What were you looking at?
MERCEDES: Nothing!
VICTORIA: What do you mean, nothing? What did you put away in your pocket?
MERCEDES: Nothing! Really, it was nothing!
VICTORIA: Is it something you don't want me to see?
MERCEDES: No!
VICTORIA: Show it to me, then!

-MERCEDES HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO SHOW VICTORIA THE PHOTOGRAPH SHE FOUND-

MERCEDES: Who is that baby?

-VICTORIA LOOKS AT THE PHOTOGRAPH BUT DOESN'T ANSWER MERCEDES' QUESTION-

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

PEDRO: It seems to me, you haven't understood very well what Marisol has told you.
MARIANO: You are correct. I don't like to be ordered around.
PEDRO: In this case, you'll have to listen. The order is very clear, do not come near the child.
MARIANO: Don't play the tough guy with me, or you'll regret it.
JULIETA: Please, don't fight!
PEDRO: No, don't worry, Julietita. Whether you like it or not, that's how things stand!
MARIANO: I own this property, thus I'm the one who gives the orders!
PEDRO: Yes, you said it, in your property! Not in Ana Laura's! She gives the orders there, and I work for her, not for you!
MARIANO: Hm! Her time here is very limited! The entire family is running out of time!
PEDRO: Yes, because you've made it your business to make life miserable for them!
MARIANO: Please! What do you know? If you arrived two days ago! What do you know?
JULIETA: Please! You're scaring me! I don't want you to fight!
MARIANO: I'm sorry, Julieta. I'm sorry! It's just this poor people get on my nerves! That's all!
PEDRO: You're a coward, Mariano!
MARIANO: Do you see what I mean?

-MARIANO WALKS AWAY-

PEDRO: Don't walk away, Mariano!
JULIETA: Come, Pedro! Come here! Don't pay attention to him. Stay here.

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

-ALVARO IS ON THE PHONE IN THE LIBRARY-

ALVARO: Time! All I need is time! A couple of more weeks! It doesn't make sense to annul the sale! This a closed deal! I gave you my word, and I'm going to keep it!

-CECILIA AND ROBERTO WALK IN-

CECILIA: I'll get the envelopes for you.

-ALVARO, STILL ON THE PHONE-

ALVARO: I'll call you back in one hour. One hour I said!

-HE HANGS UP THE PHONE-

CECILIA: Whom were you talking to?
ALVARO: Molina.
CECILIA: Are you sure it was Molina?
ALVARO: Yes, Cecilia. If I tell you I was talking with Molina, I was talking with Molina!
CECILIA: Lately, everything I say bothers you! Please!

-SHE HANDS ROBERTO THE ENVELOPES AND EXITS THE LIBRARY-

ALVARO: Sit down, Roberto.
ROBERTO: Yes.
ALVARO: I was talking to the people interested in buying the lands. They say they can't wait any longer and they want their advance back. And I don't have the money any longer.
ROBERTO: Really? And what are you going to do?
ALVARO: I don't know, Roberto. I have no idea what to do. But I better get that money somehow, or the one who'll end up like Ignacio, will be me!

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

-IN THE DINING ROOM, MATIAS IS STANDING WITH GUNTHER, TOTI AND JULIETA-

GUNTHER: Herr Mati, did you summon all of us here?
MATIAS: Yes, but I want to wait until everyone is present.
TOTI: Who's everyone?

-CECILIA WALKS IN THE ROOM. GUNTHER IS BEGINNING TO WORRY-

CECILIA: Matías, you were looking for me? What's happening?
MATIAS: What is happening, is that in this house, everyone does whatever they want! You give an order, and everyone ignores it!
GUNTHER: Mischievous child! Whatever you did, I'm sure wasn't serious! There was no need to call Frau Ceci! Frau Ceci's time is very valuable!
MATIAS: I didn't do anything!
CECILIA: He didn't do anything! These children make something trivial, sound like a major disaster! Go ahead, Frau Ceci, I'll take care of everything!
MATIAS: It's them! They're hiding some puppies here in the estancia!
CECILIA: What are you saying, Matías?
MATIAS: Yes! They're dangerous dogs!
CECILIA: I demand an explanation!
MATIAS: I told them that when you found out, you'd be angry; but they wouldn't listen to me!

-GUNTHER IS ANGRILY MUMBLING UNDER HIS BREATH, AND JULIETA IS GIVING MATIAS A MURDEROUS LOOK-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS WALKING DOWN THE HALLWAY, TOWARDS HIS BEDROOM. HE OPENS HIS DOOR, BUT BEFORE HE CAN ENTER HIS ROOM, PATRICIA COMES OUT OF HER BEDROOM AND CALLS OUT HIS NAME. SHE APPEARS ON THE DOORWAY WEARING VERY PROVOCATIVE AND REVEALING NIGHT CLOTHES-

PATRICIA: Oh, Mariano! It's you!
MARIANO: What are you still doing up?
PATRICIA: I have a slight headache. I think I'll have to take something for it.
MARIANO: If you'd like, I could go get you something.
PATRICIA: No, don't bother!
MARIANO: It's no bother! Now, if I have to be honest; I think you're in need of something entirely different!

-HE TAKES HER FACE IN HIS HANDS AND TRIES TO KISS HER-

PATRICIA: Hey! Hey!
MARIANO: Hey, what?
PATRICIA: Someone could see us, Mariano!
MARIANO: Sh! Sh! Come, come here!
PATRICIA: Mariano! Mariano!

-HE PUSHES HER BACK INSIDE HER BEDROOM AND CLOSES THE DOOR-

MARIANO: Can I tell you something? You drive me crazy!
PATRICIA: Really?
MARIANO: You drive me crazy!

-HE LOSES ALL CONTROL AND BEGINS TO KISS HER IN A DESPERATE WAY. SHE RESPONDS TO HIM-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL IS TALKING TO PEDRO IN THE ROOM HE SHARES WITH TOTI AND CHAPA-

PEDRO: You can't leave the finca!
MARISOL: Are you trying to drive me crazy? How many times have you told me I should have left before?
PEDRO: I don't understand you! If you didn't leave before, why do it now?
MARISOL: Because things are different now! There's my mother, Victoria! I can't take this oppressive climate! It's killing me!
PEDRO: I think you're making a mistake!
MARISOL: No! It would be a mistake if I stay; specially after all Mariano is doing to Julieta! I'm not comfortable in this place, anymore!
PEDRO: But I'm here to take care of her!
MARISOL: You can't be watching after Julieta twenty-four hours a day! It's done! I already decided! There's nothing to tie me to La Esperanza!
PEDRO: What are you talking about? Your world is here! There are thousands of things tying you to this place! Please! Your past! Your future!
MARISOL: What future are you talking about, Pedro, if I live off the charity Ignacio offers me!
PEDRO: What about Julieta? What can you tell me about her?
MARISOL: So, that's it! You want me to stay here because of Julieta!
PEDRO: It's not just because of Julieta!
MARISOL: Don't lie to me!
PEDRO: I'm telling you, it's not just because of Julieta!
MARISOL: Then, what is it?
PEDRO: You matter to me, Marisol! Very much so!

-ANA LAURA HAS ENTERED THE HOUSE IN TIME TO HEAR PEDRO'S LAST COMMENT-

-CECILIA IS ADMONISHING GUNTHER REGARDING THE DOGS' PRESENCE IN THE ESTANCIA-

CECILIA: You're to blame for this, Gunther.
GUNTHER: It's not Gunther's fault they don't respect authority, Frau.
CECILIA: I see! And who's always around those dogs?
GUNTHER: The dogs are authorized to be here, unlike the puppies; that's why I gave them away!
CECILIA: To whom?
GUNTHER: Them!

-GUNTHER POINTS TOWARDS TOTI AND JULIETA-

JULIETA: We have nothing to do with this!
GUNTHER: Don't believe sabandija, Frau! I gave away the puppies because they're ugly and dirty!
TOTI: What a big traitor you are! We go out of our way to help you, and this is how you repay us!
CECILIA: Silence! That's enough!
TOTI: I'm sorry.
CECILIA: When I discover who's responsible for this offense, I'll be taking the necessary action!
MATIAS: What will you do?
CECILIA: I'll be taking very drastic measures!

-CECILIA WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM-

MATIAS: At last!
JULIETA: Shut your mouth, little boy!
TOTI: Do you see how clever he is? He doesn't have to say a word!
JULIETA: Yes, and he looks so stupid!
MATIAS: Don't take it out on me, Gunther's the one who pinned all this on you.
JULIETA: I will deal with him later, but first…..
TOTI: First we have to make sure he (GUNTHER) doesn't escape! He's already getting away!
JULIETA: Come back here!

-TOTI AND JULIETA RUN ANGRILY AFTER GUNTHER-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PATRICIA'S PLOY ABOUT SEDUCING MARIANO WORKED. MARIANO HAS CLEARLY LOST ALL CONTROL-

MARIANO: Come here! You drive me absolutely crazy!

-MARIANO PUSHES HER DOWN ONTO THE BED-

PATRICIA: Mariano, wait! Someone might hear us!
MARIANO: No! Who's going to hear us? No one is going to hear us. Relax!
PATRICIA: Hey! What's the matter? Aren't you going too fast with the lessons, my love?
MARIANO: No! I'm sure you already do everything well, very well!
PATRICIA: Do you really think so?
MARIANO: Yes! Yes! You must be a good student! A very good student!
PATRICIA: I'm the best! And you can't imagine the things I'm able to do with you, my love!
MARIANO: Show me!

-ALVARO IS WALKING BY IN THE HALLWAY AND HEARS VOICES COMING FROM PATRICIA'S BEDROOM. HE APPROACHES THE DOOR AND LISTENS TO MARIANO AND PATRICIA. HE OPENS THE DOOR AND COMES INTO THE ROOM, INTERRUPTING THEM-

ALVARO: What is this? Have you gone crazy, Mariano?
MARIANO: Dad, what are you doing in here?
PATRICIA: Alvaro, this is….
ALVARO: This is disgusting!
MARIANO: No! Respect, dad! Respect!
ALVARO: You're crazy! Did you measure the consequences?

-ALVARO WALKS OUT INTO THE HALLWAY AND CALLS OUT TO MARIANO-

ALVARO: Mariano! Mariano!

-MARIANO APPEASES PATRICIA AND ANGRILY FOLLOWS ALVARO FROM THE ROOM-

MARIANO: What's the matter, dad? What's the matter?
ALVARO: Don't you know Ana Laura is home? Anyone could have seen you! Do you realize you can ruin all of our plans?
MARIANO: Don't meddle in my life anymore! All right?

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

-VICTORIA IS HOLDING THE PICTURE THAT MERCEDES SHOWED HER-

VICTORIA: This baby is my godson.
MERCEDES: Your godson?
VICTORIA: Yes, he's the son of a friend of mine.
MERCEDES: Which friend?
VICTORIA: Ah! All these questions! You haven't changed! It's incredible! You don't know her.

-MERCEDES SMILES-

VICTORIA: You should go to bed. The psychiatrist is coming over in the morning and you'll have to get up early.
MERCEDES: I like him.
VICTORIA: I'm glad, because we're really going to need him.

-VICTORIA TRIES TO WALK AWAY, BUT MERCEDES DETAINS HER-

MERCEDES: Victoria, one more question.
VICTORIA: Another question?
MERCEDES: Just one. If you hadn't lost the baby, would you have had the courage to tell everyone the truth?
VICTORIA: I don't know. It never occurred to me to think about that. I don't know.

-THIS TIME, VICTORIA DOES WALK AWAY-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-LETICIA IS FINISHING CHECKING ON CHOCOLATE. ANA LAURA IS SITTING AT A NEARBY TABLE, DRINKING MATE. LETICIA JOINS HER AT THE TABLE-

ANA LAURA: I'm very angry with Pedro.
LETICIA: Why? What did he do now?
ANA LAURA: He's vile!
LETICIA: In what sense?
ANA LAURA: In what sense? Do you know he likes to play both ends?
LETICIA: With that innocent little face? I don't believe it.
ANA LAURA: Yes, with that pretty little face, he promises different women the same thing. Would you believe it?
LETICIA: No! Tell me, what happened?
ANA LAURA: I still can't believe it. But the blindfold had been removed from my eyes. Why did I bring him back to the finca? Why do I complicate my life even more, after all the problems I already have?

-PEDRO IS SLOWLY APPROACHING. ANA LAURA IS SITTING WITH HER BACK TO HIM, SO SHE DOESN'T SEE THAT HE'S STANDING RIGHT BEHIND HER. LETICIA SEES PEDRO AND TRIES TO APPEASE ANA LAURA-

ANA LAURA: There are a lot of problems associated with the estancia. There's the problems with the horses…..
ANA LAURA: What horses! What horses! I'm going to kill him! I'm going to tell him how I feel! I'm going to tell him right to his face! I swear! To his face, I'm going to tell him he's nothing but filth!
PEDRO: Go ahead, Ana Laura. I'm all ears.

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-GUNTHER IS NERVOUSLY WAITING IN THE KITCHEN FOR CECILIA. HE'S TRYING TO COME UP WITH A VALID EXPLANATION ABOUT THE PUPPIES-

GUNTHER: Gunther can't take care of the puppies……

-CECILIA WALKS IN-

CECILIA: Did you get the list from Carmen?

-GUNTHER SHAKES HIS HEAD NO-

CECILIA: You really are useless!
GUNTHER: Did Frau decide what to do with the puppies?
CECILIA: Yes, but you'll know when I feel it's convenient.

-SHE WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM. GUNTHER IS ALMOST IN TEARS-

GUNTHER: My puppies!

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

PEDRO: Go on, Ana Laura, I'm listening. I thought you said you weren't going to keep anything inside.

-LETICIA IS ANXIOUSLY LOOKING ON-

ANA LAURA: No, it's all right, forget it.
LETICIA: Well, I'll be leaving because all this makes me very nervous. So long!

-LETICIA WALKS AWAY-

ANA LAURA: No, it's all right, I decided not to say anything.
PEDRO: You decided not to say anything. No, no, no, tell me. Tell me what you had to say. Or you don't have the courage, you don't have the courage, is that it?
ANA LAURA: Do you really care what I have to say?
PEDRO: Yes, I care.
ANA LAURA: You care about what happens to me?
PEDRO: Yes, very much!
ANA LAURA: Ah, you care about everything!
PEDRO: Yes, everything!
ANA LAURA: You're a liar!
PEDRO: Why?
ANA LAURA: You're a liar because you say the same thing to all the women!
PEDRO: What do you mean, is this an insinuation?
ANA LAURA: No! No! It’s not an insinuation, it's a fact! And don't play the pretty boy with me, because it'll get you nowhere!
PEDRO: It'll get me nowhere! A pretty boy! What are you talking about, Ana?
ANA LAURA: You know perfectly well what I'm talking about! What you said to Marisol! "Marisol, I love you, very much so!"

-PEDRO SMILES-

PEDRO: Ah! Now I understand!
ANA LAURA: Do you remember?
PEDRO: Yes, yes, I remember! But there's nothing wrong with that! You're confused! It's just that Marisol wants to leave the finca and I don't believe she should!

-ANA LAURA IS SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS-

ANA LAURA: Ah!
PEDRO: Yes.
ANA LAURA: She wants to leave the finca?
PEDRO: Yes, because she can't stand Mariano anymore.
ANA LAURA: No, but I think it's a good idea that she wants to leave. There's nothing for her here.
PEDRO: There a lot people here who love her. Chapa, Toti, Roberto, Rosa!
ANA LAURA: And you! And you love her! Include yourself, querido! Include yourself! Have the courage to say it, all right?
PEDRO: Yes! Yes! Yes! What's wrong? I also love her!
ANA LAURA: Do you see? You don't want her to leave either! Oh, but if I were to leave, it wouldn't bother you!
PEDRO: Of course it would! It would bother me, very much!
ANA LAURA: Very much? I don't believe you!
PEDRO: But, what's wrong? I really don't understand you! Why are you so hysterical for no reason?

-THIS COMMENT ANGERS ANA LAURA. SHE PRETENDS TO LAUGH-

ANA LAURA: Hysterical? You haven't seen me hysterical! You don't know how I act when I'm hysterical! Ah, my love, take care!

-SHE PATS PEDRO ON THE CHEEK TWICE, AND WALKS AWAY, LEAVING HIM VERY CONFUSED-
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-JULIETA, MATIAS AND TOTI ARE WALKING ALONG THE ESTANCIA-

JULIETA: Although I have problems with Gunther, it doesn't justify what you did to him.
MATIAS: He deserves it. That fat guy is up to no good.
JULIETA: You talk about him that way, when you're his favorite?
MATIAS: I'm not interested in being his favorite. I can't stand Gunther.
TOTI: Just listen to yourself! Gunther goes out of his way to cater to all your whims, and you talk that way about him! The fatso doesn't deserve this from you!
JULIETA: Do you know something? I'm going to tell him! I'm going to let him know how ungrateful you are!
MATIAS: Go ahead and tell him. You'll be doing me a favor. I don't know what else to do to get him off my case. I don't understand how my mother can trust people like him.
JULIETA: Fine. Continue the way you're going. You'll never have friends acting this way. You're going to be all alone.
MATIAS: Friends like Gunther I don't need. You ought to keep away from him. Look what happened the minute things got bad, he tried to blame you.

-THEY WERE WAKING BY AN OLD BUILDING AND DIDN'T REALIZE THAT GUNTHER WAS INSIDE AND HE LISTENED TO THEIR CONVERSATION-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS BY THE STABLES, TALKING TO FLORIA-

PEDRO: Are you're worried about Ignacio?
FLORIA: Yes. Fortunately, Victoria will get in touch with her attorney to see what can be done.
PEDRO: Doesn't he already have one?
FLORIA: Yes, but Molina is useless. I've said that long ago, but they don't want to listen to me.
PEDRO: Yes, Ana Laura also has her doubts about him.
FLORIA: My poor granddaughter. After all she's going through, she's still has to face this alone.
PEDRO: No, she's not alone. She has me.
FLORIA: I know, querido, and I thank you for that.
PEDRO: You don't have to thank me.

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-ANA LAURA IS VISITING VICTORIA IN BUENOS AIRES-

VICTORIA: You know that Pedro is very capable; not only with the horses. He's an excellent administrator, if I were in your place, I'd give him more space.
ANA LAURA: Victoria, things are a little complicated with Pedro.
VICTORIA: Complicated?
ANA LAURA: Yes, it seems to me that he doesn't understand me. We don't understand each other very well.
VICTORIA: Really?
ANA LAURA: You've known him a long time, right?
VICTORIA: Yes, yes, since he was a little boy. It was around the time I went to live in Miami.
ANA LAURA: What was he like, as a young boy?
VICTORIA: Divine! Always, divine! Nice! Sweet! Happy!
ANA LAURA: And a womanizer! I mean, now, as an adult, he's a little too fund of women.
VITORIA: I wouldn't know. I don't get involved in his private life, so I don't know.
ANA LAURA: Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

-MERCEDES WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT-

MERCEDES: I can't believe what I'm seeing! Anita! Ana Laura!

-ANA LAURA STANDS UP AND GREETS MERCEDES-

ANA LAURA: Mechita!
ANA LAURA: Meche, I can't believe it!
MERCEDES: Hello, beautiful!
ANA LAURA: How long has it been since I've seen you?

-THEY EMBRACE-

MERCEDES: She looks so much like Leonora!

-THE DOORBELL RINGS-

VICTORIA: I'll get it.
MERCEDES: I see you and I see your mother.
ANA LAURA: How are you?
MERCEDES: I'm fine, but you're so grown up, so tall, so beautiful!

-THEY EMBRACE AGAIN, AND IT’S THEN THAT MARISOL COMES IN-

MERCEDES: My daughter! Marisol, come in, we're here with Ana Laura. Would you like some tea?
MARISOL: No, no, thank you. I just came to see you. Ana, I didn't know you were here.
VICTORIA: She came to talk to me about Ignacio's plight.
MERCEDES: Give me your hand, daughter. You too, Ana Laura. The two of you, two little princesses, must remain very united.

-ANA LAURA AND MARISOL REMAIN SILENT-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ALVARO, CECILIA AND MARIANO ARE IN THE LIBRARY-

ALVARO: I apologize. Forgive me.
MARIANO: I accept. You must also forgive me.
CECILIA: Well! Now that everything is settled, I'll leave you to work together, as always.

-SHE CARESSES MARIANO'S CHEEK, AND WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM-

ALVARO: Sit down, Mariano. Sit down.

-MARIANO SITS ACROSS FROM ALVARO-

ALVARO: We can't continue arguing about stupid matters, on top of all the problems we already have.
MARIANO: What problems?
ALVARO: The people who want to buy the lands, are tired with all the delays. They want us to return the advance they gave us.
MARIANO: What needs to be done?
ALVARO: Ana Laura must immediately authorize the sale of the lands, or, in less than forty-eight hours, we'll be ruined.
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