Provócame

Episode 19

-MARIANO EXITS THE HOUSE AND BEGINS WALKING THE GROUNDS. ANA LAURA COMES RUNNING AFTER HIM. THEY CONTINUE WALKING AT A FAST PACE-

ANA LAURA: You won't get away with this!
MARIANO: Oh, no? And what are you planning on doing?
ANA LAURA: File for divorce, of course.
MARIANO: Too bad, I love being married to you.
ANA LAURA: I really don't understand! Why do you want to stay married to me?
MARIANO: Why?

-HE TRAVELS ANA LAURA'S BODY WITH AN INSOLENT LOOK-

ANA LAURA: Yes, what for?
MARIANO: I don't know! You look very good as a decorative object!

-ANA LAURA WAS GOING TO SLAP HIM BUT MARIANO IS ABLE TO BLOCK HER ARM-

MARIANO: Too bad you don't have any manners!
ANA LAURA: You're an idiot!
MARIANO: Why am I an idiot? Because I don't let you go around kissing the peons?
ANA LAURA: Stop talking nonsense! Tell me what's going to happen to my dad!
MARIANO: Your dad will be set free. Isn't that what we agreed on?
ANA LAURA: Who can believe you?
MARIANO: Bah!
ANA LAURA: I hate you!
MARIANO: You told me already.

-ANA LAURA STOPS WALKING AND TURNS BACK TOWARDS THE HOUSE-
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-GUNTHER IS IN THE ROOM TRYING ON A BELT. THE BELT IS TOO SMALL. HE THROWS IT DOWN ON THE BED IN FRUSTRATION. HE THEN TRIES TO BUTTON UP HIS PANTS. THEY DON'T FIT EITHER. HE'S BACK TO WEARING CLOTHES APPROPRIATE FOR WORKING OUTDOORS-

GUNTHER: The belt doesn't fit! The pants don't fit! I'm going to have to complain to the laundry service because Gunt continues to have his youthful physique, but these pants don't fit!

-THERE'S A KNOCK ON THE DOOR-

GUNTHER: Come in!

-PATRICIA WALKS IN THE ROOM. GUNTHER IMMEDIATELY CROSSES HIS HANDS IN FRONT OF HIM, TRYING TO PREVENT PATRICIA FROM NOTICING HIS PANTS ARE TOO SMALL-

PATRICIA: Gunther!
GUNTHER: Frau!
PATRICIA: I've been looking for you all over the house and here you are wasting time! What's going on?
GUNTHER: Let me explain…..
PATRICIA: Of course you will explain! Why aren't you at the house?
GUNTHER: That's is something too painful to talk about! I was at the house…..
PATRICIA: Gunther! Please take off those ridiculous clothes! I can't talk to you otherwise!
GUNTHER: I can't, Frau!
PATRICIA: Gunther! That's an order!
GUNTHER: Frau, this is my new uniform. I was demoted! I don't even remember how to milk a cow!
PATRICIA: Who demoted you, Gunther?
GUNTHER: Frau Ceci! I told you she was out to get me, but you didn't do anything to help me! You didn't listen to me! Please, Frau! Please, help me!

-GUNTHER GETS DOWN ON HIS KNEES AND BEGS PATRICIA TO HELP HIM-

GUNTHER: Please help this poor servant! Please have pity on me!
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-ANA LAURA IS DISCONSOLATELY SITTING ON A BENCH IN A WOODED AREA OF THE ESTANCIA. SHE'S LOOKS ABSOLUTELY DISHEARTENED. VICTORIA APPROACHES THE BENCH AND HAPPILY GREETS ANA LAURA-

VICTORIA: Hello, Anita!

-ANA LAURA DOESN'T RESPOND. VICTORIA SITS ON THE BENCH NEXT TO ANA LAURA AND SHOWS CONCERN-

VICTORIA: Ana! What's the matter? Is there something wrong?
ANA LAURA: No. It's just that…..
VICTORIA: What?
ANA LAURA: Mariano promised me that if I signed the contract ceding him the rights to my lands, he would give me the divorce.
VICTORIA: And he backed down!
ANA LAURA: No, I redacted a contract and he tore it up.

-PEDRO IS SEEN SLOWLY APPROACHING-

VICTORIA: He tore it up? I can't believe it, dear God! What about your father?
ANA LAURA: I don't know. He says that is still in effect.
VICTORIA: Well, if he's doing that, don't worry, things can't continue this way. In time, everything will be better, you'll see!
ANA LAURA: Yes, but how much time? How much longer do I have to be married to him?
VICTORIA: Ana, please, don't let this get you down.

-VICTORIA DOESN'T NOTICE THAT PEDRO HAS ARRIVED BECAUSE SHE'S SITTING WITH HER BACK TO HIM, BUT ANA LAURA SEES PEDRO AND LOOKS UP. VICTORIA TURNS AROUND AND SEES PEDRO-

PEDRO: Is there something wrong?
ANA LAURA: No, nothing's wrong.
VICTORIA: Problems.
PEDRO: May I be of any help?

-PEDRO IS ABOUT TO SIT ON THE BENCH NEXT TO VICTORIA, BUT ANA LAURA ABRUPTLY STANDS UP. PEDRO, SURPRISED BY ANA LAURA'S REACTION, REMAINS STANDING-

ANA LAURA: No! You can't be of any help!

-ANA LAURA WALKS AWAY WITHOUT SAYING ANOTHER WORD-

PEDRO: Why does she look so bad?

-PEDRO NOW SITS NEXT TO VICTORIA-

VICTORIA: Personal problems. Did you want to speak with me, Pedro?
PEDRO: Yes, yes. There have been a lot of things going on lately and I wanted to talk to you.
VICTORIA: All right, no problem.
PEDRO: It's just that….I have some doubts. I wanted to ask you something. Why did you bring me to Argentina?
VICTORIA: Ha! Because of Chocolate!
PEDRO: Yes, yes, but I don't think that's the only reason. What is your plan?
VICTORIA: My God, Pedro! What plan are you talking about?
PEDRO: I don't know, but I don't think it was by chance that you made me come to this finca.
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-IN THE DINING ROOM, PATRICIA AND CECILIA ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE, TALIKING. CARMEN IS STANDING BY-

PATRICIA: You could have consulted with me, don't you think?
CECILIA: About what?
PATRICIA: What do you mean, about what? Gunther! He's my trusted employee. I think I have a right to…..
CECILIA: Rights? Ha! Tell her, Carmen! I believe Patricia is not aware of anything!

-CARMEN IS ONLY TOO HAPPY TO GIVE PATRICIA THE LATEST-

CARMEN: Señora Ana Laura ceded her lands to Mariano.

-PATRICIA, STUNNED BY THE NEWS, STARES AT CECILIA IN SILENCE-

CECILIA: Ahum! So that means that from this moment on, you don't have a say on what goes on in this house!
PATRICIA: Eh… is Ignacio aware of this?
CECILIA: What does it matter?
PATRICIA: Yes, of course! What does it matter! I don't know, it seems I'm just invisible in this house; no one tells me anything!

-PATRICIA STANDS UP AND WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM-

CARMEN: She was stunned! She didn't know where to run!
CECILIA: Don't be fooled. She's not stupid. I'm sure she has a plan; and a thorough one at that.
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-MARIANO AND ALVARO ARE WALKING ON THE GROUNDS OF THE ESTANCIA-

MARIANO: If I were you, I would dissolve the contract and not sell the anything.
ALVARO: I'd never do that, son. An opportunity like this one doesn't come up twice in a lifetime.
MARIANO: What are you talking about, dad? Anyone would be happy to snatch this property from you in a second.

-MARIANO SPOTS PEDRO AND VICTORIA SITTING ON THE BENCH-

MARIANO: Ah, look at that. Balmaceda and Victoria. Victoria!

VICTORIA: Yes?
MARIANO: How are you? I'd like to talk to you. Would you join me in my office?
VICTORIA: Yes, of course.

-VICTORIA PATS PEDRO ON HIS ARM, TELLING HIM EVERYTHING IS FINE. SHE THEN PROCEEDS TO LEAVE WITH MARIANO. PEDRO LEAVES THE BENCH AND IS ABOUT TO WALK AWAY, WHEN ALVARO DETAINS HIM-

ALVARO: Just a minute, Pedro; don't leave yet. I assume you knew it was coming; the Linares are in charge of everything, and we don't want you in La Esperanza. So, gather your things and leave.
PEDRO: I only take orders from Ana Laura.

-PEDRO TRIES AGAIN TO LEAVE, BUT ALVARO DETAINS HIM ONE MORE TIME-

ALVARO: Do you know something? I'm fed up with you! I defended you against my son! I defended against my wife! And you're always so arrogant! You deserve anyone's consideration!
PEDRO: Is that all?
ALVARO: You may leave.
PEDRO: How odd. You forgot to threaten me this time.

-PEDRO WALKS AWAY-
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-FLORIA, ERICA AND ANA LAURA ARE SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM-

FLORIA: I'm afraid the Linares might have pulled another one of their tricks, and at the last minute, your father will not be released.
ANA LAURA: Look, grandmother, if that is that case, I swear I will not take this lightly!

-AT THIS EXACT MOMENT, THE DOOR OPENS AND IGNACIO WALKS IN THE HOUSE. ERICA AND ANA LAURA RUN TO MEET HIM. FLORIA STANDS FROM HER CHAIR AND WAITS-

ERICA: Dad!
ANA LAURA: Hello, dad! I can't believe it! Are you all right?
IGNACIO: Yes, I'm fine. I can't believe I'm finally home.
FLORIA: Son! Are you all right?
IGNACIO: Mom!

-IGNACIO WALKS TO FLORIA AND EMBRACES HER-

IGNACIO: Are you all right? I was afraid this would affect your health.
FLORIA: No, no! I'm fantastic! Your daughters are made of steel!
IGNACIO: I know, mom, I know. They're wonderful.

-HE EMBRACES ERICA AND ANA LAURA-

ANA LAURA: Dad, you must rest now, please.
FLORIA: Your daughters are Villalobos, no doubt!
IGNACIO: No, I don't have time to rest. I have to make sure you are protected. You are the only thing I have in this life.

-PATRICIA AND MATIAS WALK IN AT THIS MOMENT AND LISTEN TO IGNACIO'S LAST COMMENT-

PATRICIA: Thank you; it's good to know, Ignacio.
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-MARISOL IS IN HER KITCHEN, LEANING AGAINST THE COUNTER. SHE HAS JUST POURED HERSELF SOME MATE. PEDRO WALKS IN-

PEDRO: I was delayed because I was talking to Victoria. I've known her all my life, but sometimes she seems like a complete stranger.
MARISOL: She's a very mysterious woman. Would you like some?

-MARISOL HANDS PEDRO THE CONTAINER WITH MATE. HE TAKES A SIP-

PEDRO: Yes, thank you.
MARISOL: My mom says Victoria is that way because they hurt her very much.
PEDRO: I don't understand her very well; but, to each his own.

-PEDRO HANDS BACK THE MATE CONTAINER TO MARISOL-

PEDRO: Well, what are your plans now for the finca? Excuse me, with your finca!
MARISOL: I'm going to fight to get it back.
PEDRO: Really?
MARISOL: Yes.
PEDRO: I knew I couldn't expect less from you. Although, I'm a little surprised.
MARISOL: Well, I decided to do this because I know I can count on you, otherwise, I wouldn’t have had the courage.

-PEDRO SEEMS TOUCHED AND GIVES MARISOL A HUG-

PEDRO: You know you can always count on me.

-SHE SMILES AND RESTS SAFELY IN HIS ARMS-
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-IGNACIO GREETS PATRICIA WITH A HUG AND A KISS ON THE CHEEK-

IGNACIO: Patricia, querida, how are you?
PATRICIA: I'm a little uneasy. I found out by accident that you were being released today.
IGNACIO: What happened to me was very hard to take.
PATRICIA: Yes, I know it was hard for you, but it's even harder to know that we've lost everything, Ignacio.

-IGNACIO TURNS AROUND AND ASKS ANA LAURA-

IGNACIO: What is she talking about?

-ANA LAURA SEEMS UPSET THAT PATRICIA BROUGHT THE ISSUE OF THE LANDS INTO THE CONVERSATION, SINCE IGNACIO HAS JUST PRACTICALLY WALKED IN THE HOUSE-

ANA LAURA: I think this is a time to celebrate; not to make reproaches.
PATRICIA: Yes, yes, of course! Go ahead and celebrate with your family, then. If you don't mind, Matías would like to greet you.
IGNACIO: Yes, of course. How are you, champion?

-IGNACIO KISSES MATIAS ON THE CHEEK-

PATRICIA: At least, he can still continue with his activities. Come on, Matías.

-PATRICIA AND MATIAS LEAVE THE ROOM-

FLORIA: Not only is she selfish, she didn't even bother to……
IGNACIO: Mom, don't start, please! Don't start!
FLORIA: I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
IGNACIO: What did we have to cede in order to obtain my freedom? I want to know everything.
ANA LAURA: I had to sign a contract, ceding my lands for ten years, so they can exploit them.
ERICA: But we are still able to live here, dad!
IGNACIO: It's our house and we have to live on charity! Why did I do everything so wrong?

-VICTORIA RUNS IN THE ROOM AND HAPPILY GREETS IGNACIO-

VICTORIA: You're home again!

FLORIA: It's incredible! Everyone is very happy to see him, except his own wife!
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-LISA IS IN ERICA'S ROOM, MAKING THE BED. FRANCISCO OPENS THE DOOR AND COMES IN THE ROOM-

LISA: Erica is not here.
FRANCISCO: I'm not looking for Erica, I was looking for you.
LISA: Look, I'm working, little boy.
FRANCISCO: Why are you acting so loving with that wretch, Toti?
LISA: Toti is not a wretch! He asked me out to dinner and everything got ruined because of you.
FRANCISCO: I saved your life, you mean.
LISA: What?
FRANCISCO: You were bored.
LISA: Bored? You are crazy! Toti is a real gentleman; and besides, he's a lot of fun.
FRANCISCO: A lot of fun? You don't even believe that yourself!
LISA: Think what you want, but it's true.
FRANCISCO: I know you're doing all this to make me jealous, all right? And it worked.

-HE COMES CLOSER AND TAKES HER FACE IN HER HANDS-

FRANCISCO: I didn't like seeing you with that guy.

-HE KISSES HER LIPS-

LISA: Let me go.
FRANCISCO: Tsk! Tsk! It's been too long since we've been together.
LISA: Yes, but….
FRANCISCO: But…..
LISA: But that's your fault, not mine.

-FRANCISCO KISSES FIRMLY ON THE LIPS, BUT LISA TRIES TO STOP HIM-

LISA: No, no, stop! Not here! I don't want to have any problems!
FRANCISCO: Sh! Nothing will happen!

-HE KISSES HER AGAIN AND SHE RESPONDS TO HIM. HE THEN PUSHES HER DOWN ON ERICA'S BED AND THEY CONTINUE-
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-ANA LAURA IS WALKING PAST AN OLD BRICK BUILDING IN SOME PART OF THE ESTANCIA. PEDRO SEES HER AND FOLLOWERS HER-

PEDRO: Ana! What are you doing here?
ANA LAURA: Oh, Pedro! Nothing. I was looking for Leticia but don't worry, I'll leave now.
PEDRO: No, it's all right, you don't have to leave.
ANA LAURA: Pedro, things didn't turn out the way I planned.
PEDRO: I told you! I told you! But you refused to listen to me!
ANA LAURA: Fine, but don't preach to me now! It’s done! I did it!
PEDRO: Did you sign?
ANA LAURA: Yes, I signed. I ceded my lands to be worked, in exchange for my freedom; and my dad's freedom. I asked him for a divorce.
PEDRO: You asked him for a divorce?
ANA LAURA: Yes, but he refused to give it to me.
PEDRO: Then?
ANA LAURA: Then, I continue being Mrs. Linares.
PEDRO: You mean that between you and I…….
ANA LAURA: There can't be nothing.
PEDRO: Ana, please, don't ask me to leave.
ANA LAURA: That would be the last thing I'd do.
PEDRO: I want to continue being by your side.

-HE COMES CLOSER-

ANA LAURA: I don't want to hurt you.
PEDRO: You're not going to hurt me.

-HE WRAPS HIS ARMS AROUND HER AND KISSES HER WITH TENDERNESS MIXED WITH LONGING. NEITHER ONE NOTICES CARMEN SPYING ON THEM-
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-VICTORIA IS WALKING DOWN THE FRONT STEPS. MARIANO RUNS AFTER HER-

MARIANO: Victoria!
VICTORIA: Yes?
MARIANO: You're still around here.
VICTORIA: Yes, I stayed to chat with Ignacio.
MARIANO: It's good to have him back.
VICTORIA: Yes, thank God!
MARIANO: We're going through some rough times around here, but we, the Linares, when we set our minds to it, can perform miracles.
VICTORIA: You, the Linares are…incredible people! Now, all is left to do, is to look forward.
MARIANO: Speaking of looking forward, we decided to participate in the tournament.
VICTORIA: You're giving me great news. Honestly, Mariano, it would have been terrible for me if you had decided not to participate.
MARIANO: There is one condition. Don't get involved in things that don't concern you.
VICTORIA: I've never gotten involved in things that don't concern me!
MARIANO: Good; in that case, the tournament will take place. Otherwise, you already know…..

-VICTORIA ONLY SMILES-
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-PEDRO IS STILL HOLDING ANA LAURA IN HIS ARMS-

PEDRO: You're beautiful. How I'd love to take you away from here.
ANA LAURA: Really?
PEDRO: Yes.
ANA LAURA: I would love that, too.
PEDRO: Yes. To be able to kiss you, and do everything I desire. Without being afraid of what they'd say! If someone's looking or not looking! Why don't we leave? Let's leave! Yes! Let's leave! Now, this minute, let's leave!
ANA LAURA: You're crazy! Where would we go?
PEDRO: I'm not crazy. It's an impulse that comes from the inside.
ANA LAURA: Yes, but, we can't always do what we feel. We can't be driven by impulse.
PEDRO: But, you're impulsive, aren't you?
ANA LAURA: No! I'm not always impulsive.
PEDRO: No! Either you're always impulsive, or not at all.
ANA LAURA: I'm not always impulsive! Here, the only one who's impulsive is you! You're the one who provokes! You're the one doesn't reflect on things! You're the one who doesn't think!
PEDRO: Me! Me!
ANA LAURA: Yes, you! But, let's stop this! Don't do this to me, because I really don't feel like arguing, Pedro! Really!
PEDRO: But…you're the one who provokes me!

-SHE RESTS HER HANDS ON HIS CHEST AND BEGINS TO PLAY WITH SOME LOOSE THREADS IN HIS SWEATER-

ANA LAURA: Forgive me, I don't mean to provoke you. I'm really not well.
PEDRO: I know. I know. But I'm here to take care of you. Hum?

-HE WRAPS HIS ARMS AROUND HER AND HOLDS HER IN A TIGHT EMBRACE. SHE LOOKS UP TO HIM AND, SMILING, TOUCHES HER NOSE TO HIS-

ANA LAURA: Oh, yeah? You'll take care of me?
PEDRO: Yes.
ANA LAURA: Me? You'll take care of me?
PEDRO: Yes, of course I'll take care of you!
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-PATRICIA IS SITTING AT A SMALL TABLE IN CECILIA'S ROOM. CECILIA BRINGS OUT A BOTTLE OF LIQUOR AND TWO GLASSES FROM THE NIGHTSTAND. SHE POURS A DRINK FOR HERSELF, AND ONE FOR PATRICIA-

PATRICIA: And that's how it is.
CECILIA: No, I can't believe it.
PATRICIA: Yes, and to get her way, Victoria is capable of paying off the lawyers and who knows of what else!
CECILIA: As if she hasn't done enough! If it weren't because Mariano insists on doing business with her…..
PATRICIA: I would like to know why you hate her so much, Cecilia.
CECILIA: Didn't Ignacio tell you that she and my husband were lovers?
PATRICIA: No.
CECILIA: Yes. When we were very young, she was Alvaro's girfriend, and then I met Alvaro, and we ended up getting married.
PATRICIA: Hm! So she took revenge.
CECILIA: Yes, but what I don't understand is, what does she want now?
PATRICIA: Don't worry. I'll try to find out through Ignacio.
CECILIA: I'll be forever grateful.
PATRICIA: Cecilia, I'd like to say something to you. This has nothing to do with what we've been talking about, but I feel it's important that you know.
CECILIA: Tell me, querida, what is it?
PATRICIA: I've fallen in love with Mariano.
CECILIA: What?
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-CECILIA AND CARMEN ARE IN THE LIVING ROOM. CARMEN IS TRYING TO POUR A DRINK FOR CECILIA, BUT SHE'S ACTING A LITTLE NERVOUS. CECILIA NOTICES THIS, AND SHE GRABS THE BOTTLE FROM CARMEN AND POURS THE DRINK HERSELF-

CECILIA: Let me do that, Carmen! What's the matter with you today?
CARMEN: No, nothing, ma'am.
CECILIA: You're acting strange.

-CARMEN DOESN'T RESPOND. CECILIA LOOKS AT HER-

CECILIA: Did you see something? What did you see?
CARMEN: I don't know if I should….
CECILIA: Tell me now.
CARMEN: I saw Pedro and Ana Laura together. You can't imagine how they were.
CECILIA: How dare she do this to my son! And with that trash of a man, no less! She'll be sorry! I swear to you, she'll be sorry!

-ALVARO COMES IN THE HOUSE AT THAT MOMENT-

ALVARO: Cecilia!
CECILIA: Give me my pills!
ALVARO: What happened? Why are you like this?

-CARMEN HANDS CECILIA SOME PILLS AND WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM. CECILIA THEN SWALLOWS THE PILLS AND TAKES A SIP OF HER DRINK-

ALVARO: I don't like what I'm seeing.
CECILIA: There are so many things I see that I don't like!
ALVARO: You had such a hard time putting this behind you; you can't throw it all away! Especially now that we have so much to celebrate!
CECILIA: Do you really think so?
ALVARO: Not only do I think so, I know so! Our life-long dream came true! We kept everything! We own everything, Cecilia!
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-MARISOL IS AT THE KITCHEN COUNTER, SLICING VEGETABLES AND PREPARING DINNER. MERCEDES, JULIETA AND PEDRO ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE-

JULIETA: Grandmother, ask Pedro. I'm jumping better every day, right?
PEDRO: And how! She's amazing! You ought to see her, she's beautiful!

-THERE'S A KNOCK ON THE DOOR-

MARISOL: Get that, Juli.
JULIETA: It's always Juli!

-JULIETA OPENS THE DOOR. VICTORIA, VERY EXCITED, WALKS IN THE HOUSE-

VICTORIA: Hello! Hello! Hello! You better pay attention because I bring you the news!
MARISOL: Good or bad?
VICTORIA: The best news you've heard lately! I just came from checking the records, and the fields are still in Mercedes' name!
JULIETA: What does that mean?
MERCEDES: That means that we still own part of this estancia. It means that La Esperanza, is still ours!
VICTORIA: For some reason, they weren't able to change the name in the deed, but they continued to work the lands without proper authorization. Therefore, the lands still belong to Mercedes and her heirs.

-MERCEDES SMILES WITH SATISFACTION. PEDRO ADDRESSES MARISOL-

PEDRO: And all this time you thought you were living on charity!
JULIETA: So we'll now be able to stay here?
PEDRO: Of course you can stay!
MARISOL: Wait! Wait! Are there any mortgages, or embargo of any kind?
VICTORIA: As far as I know, no.
PEDRO: Aren't you going to say anything? You just found out these lands belong to you and you're very quiet!
MARISOL: It's just that….I don't know! It's so…..so…..
PEDRO: So…..
MARISOL: So happy! I'm very happy!

-MARISOL RUNS TOWARDS PEDRO AND JUMPS INTO HIS ARMS. HE HOLDS HER AND SPINS HER AROUND. VICTORIA AND MERCEDES, AFTER SEEING HOW HAPPY MARISOL LOOKS IN PEDRO'S ARMS, MAKE A COMMENT-

VICTORIA: Where is all this going to end?
MERCEDES: Well, there are some things that I believe I know where they will end.

-MARISOL IS HAPPILY STANDING NEXT TO PEDRO-
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-MARIANO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK. MOLINA IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HIM. MOLINA HANDS MARIANO A FOLDER-

MOLINA: Here's the original document, an authorized duplicate, and two photocopies. Everything is signed and stamped. Keep it in a safe place.
MARIANO: Yes, don't worry. Well, congratulations. You did a great job today.
MOLINA: Thank you.
MARIANO: I must go get ready for dinner but I wanted to ask you if you had a chance to find out anything about the business we talked about.
MOLINA: Yes, I was able to get information. What you need to do is obtain a DNA test, provided that the mother agrees.
MARIANO: I'm not sure about that.
MOLINA: May I ask who it is?
MARIANO: No, not at this time.
MOLINA: You don't trust me?
MARIANO: Is not that, Estéban. It's just that this is a very delicate situation, and for that reason, I can’t put my trust in anyone.
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-ANA LAURA IS IN HER BEDROOM, REFUSING TO JOIN THE OTHERS FOR DINNER-

LETICIA: Are you staying in here?
ANA LAURA: Yes, I'm staying right here because I don't feel like looking at those animals that cheated me. I hate them and they make me sick to my stomach!
LETICIA: Did you talk to Pedro?
ANA LAURA: Yes, I talked to him.
LETICIA: Do you know what the two of you need to do? Go far away from here.
ANA LAURA: He suggested that, but I think it's crazy.
LETICIA: Listen to him querida! You won't regret it!
ANA LAURA: I will regret it when Mariano explodes and takes it out on my entire family.
LETICIA: And when are you going to think about yourself?
ANA LAURA: Oh, stop! Never! I'll never think about myself!
LETICIA: Listen, you won't solve anything staying locked in this room. Don't give them the satisfaction of seeing you defeated. Why don't you change and come down to dinner?
ANA LAURA: You're right. Only for that reason I would do it. Only for that reason.
LETICIA: It's a very good reason.
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-EVERYONE IS GATHERED AT THE TABLE. FLORIA IS SITTING AT THE HEAD OF THE TABLE. SITTING TO HER RIGHT, IS ALVARO, FOLLOWED BY CECILIA AND THEN MARIANO. SITTING AT FLORIA'S LEFT SIT IGNACIO, PATRICIA, MATIAS AND ERICA.
CHAPA, IN HIS NEW ROLE OF MAJORDOMO, IS STANDING BEHIND CECILIA. MAGDA AND LISA ARE STANDING A COUPLE OF STEPS BEHIND IGNACIO-

ALVARO: I organized this dinner as a welcome to you, Ignacio, and because we have a lot to celebrate.
CECILIA: A wonderful welcome party! You can't complain!

-IGNACIO IS TRYING VERY HARD TO REMAIN CALM-

MARIANO: Now that the Linares are going to be managing these lands, I hope you don't feel you're being left out.
IGNACIO: How can I feel otherwise? You did leave me out.
PATRICIA: Querido, listen to what they have to say, please.
IGNACIO: I've heard enough.

-LETICIA WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENTS AND TAKES A SEAT NEXT TO MARIANO-

LETICIA: Ana Laura will be down in a minute. She wouldn't miss this dinner for anything in the world!

-LETICIA INSTRUCTS CHAPA TO SERVE HER WHITE WINE. MAGDA AND LISA ARE WATCHING CHAPA'S EVERY MOVE. THEY'RE WORRIED THAT HE'LL MAKE A MISTAKE-

MAGDA: He'll spill everything in a minute!
LISA: Poor thing! He seems more lost than Adam on mother's day!

MARIANO: Of course, the tournament will continue as planned.
ALVARO: It doesn't matter who's running the lands.
FLORIA: If it doesn't matter who's running the lands, you should have left them in Anita's hands.
CECILIA: Anita can't be trusted! Today, she says one thing, and tomorrow she'll do something else.

-THE DOORBELL CAN BE HEARD IN THE BACKGROUND-

FLORIA: Be careful how you express yourself about my granddaughter!
ALVARO: Please, let's have dinner in peace! All of us here have something to celebrate! The Linares for one reason, Ignacio and his family for another; but everything is a celebration.

-ALVARO IS INTERRUPTED AT THIS TIME, BY THE ENTRANCE IN THE ROOM, OF MERCEDES, WHO IS ACCOMPANIED BY VICTORIA, MARISOL AND PEDRO. ALVARO STANDS UP WHEN HE SEES THEM ARRIVE-

CECILIA: What are you doing here?
ALVARO: What are you doing here, Victoria?
VICTORIA: Ask your sister in-law.
MERCEDES: I'm here to take back what belongs to me.
MARIANO: What is this woman talking about?
MERCEDES: I'm talking about the lands that were stolen from me when they declared me insane! They belong to me and my family, and I'm ready to get them back one way or another!

-CECILIA ANGRILY STANDS UP AND SCREAMS AT MERCEDES-

CECILIA: No one stole anything from you! You're delirious!
MERCEDES: You and your family stole everything from me!
CECILIA: Be quiet, you're crazy! You're sick!
PEDRO: Watch what you say, señora, please!
MARIANO: Don't get involved! This is a family matter!
MERCEDES: My lands…..
CECILIA: This woman doesn't know what she's saying! She's delirious, the poor thing!
MERCEDES: Poor me?
ALVARO: That's enough! Mercedes, you should have never left the clinic!
MERCEDES: Of course I should have! And do you know why? For these lands!

-ANA LAURA ARRIVES AT THIS MOMENT-

ANA LAURA: What's going on, please!
PEDRO: Mercedes is here to regain her lands.
CECILIA: You signed those papers!
MERCEDES: Yes, but I signed them under duress!
CECILIA: That's a lie! You're crazy! You're lying! You're a coward!
MARISOL: Don't insult my mother!
FLORIA: Don't listen to them! Matías, come with me! Come!

-FLORIA TAKES MATIAS OUT OF THE ROOM-

MERCEDES: You will pay dearly for this!
VICTORIA: Please, can we talk in a more civilized manner?
PATRICIA: What is this all about, Ignacio?
IGNACIO: This is worse than what I imagined.
CECILIA: You're crazy! You're insane!
MERCEDES: You're crazier than I am, even you're running free!

-GUNTHER AND TOTI HAVE BEEN WATCHING FROM AFAR. THEY BECOME NERVOUS AND RUN OUT OF THE ROOM. MAGDA INSTRUCTS LISA TO FOLLOW HER OUT OF THE ROOM ALSO-

MARIANO: Mom, we don't have to continue with the argument. These papers say absolutely nothing.
Only a sick mind is able to think otherwise.
ANA LAURA: You don't have a right to insult her.
MARIANO: And she doesn't have the right to come here with this lie.
MARISOL: This is not a lie! The documents verify everything!
MARIANO: You're going to have to eat those documents.
PEDRO: He's resorting to threats out of fear; that's all.
MARIANO: What threats, imbecile?
PEDRO: Why don't you be quiet, brother?
MARIANO: Brother?

-MARIANO RUNS TO FIGHT PEDRO. BOTH OF THEM BEGINS SCREAMING AT EACH OTHER, BUT ARE PREVENTED FROM FIGHTING BY ALVARO, WHO RESTRAINS MARIANO, AND THE OTHERS, WHO HOLD PEDRO BACK-

MARIANO: You'll pay for this!
PEDRO: Yes, I will!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MAGDA AND LISA ARE IN THE KITCHEN TALKING TO ROSA-

ROSA: Explain it to me, then. Marisol owns the lands?
MAGDA: No, not Marisol; Mercedes!
LISA: No, it's both of them! Mother and daughter! I heard it!
ROSA: Being stuck in this kitchen all day, I always miss out on everything, ché!

-GUNTHER AND TOTI ENTER THE KITCHEN. TOTI IS DRAGGING GUNTHER BY THE ARM-

GUNTHER: Let go of me, infectious worm!
TOTI: This is not the right time, Gunther! Can't you see everything is a mess out there?

-ANTONIO COMES IN RUNNING-

ANTONIO: They're going to kill each other!
ROSA: Who? Señoras Cecilia and Mercedes? What's happening?
ANTONIO: No! Everything in the dinning room is ready to explode! And this being Chapa first day on the job! Poor guy!
GUNTHER: When I was majordomo, none of this took place!
ANTONIO: And why are they taking place now, tell me!
GUNTHER: That's what happens when they hire a mere peon to do the work of a professional!
MAGDA: Don't blame Chapa, please! He's not to be blamed for all this mess!
ROSA: Poor thing! He was just beginning to get comfortable on the job!

-CHAPA SLAMS THE DOOR OPEN AND COMES RUNNING IN-

ROSA: Chapa! What are you doing here? Who's minding the table out there?
CHAPA: No one! But the minute things got ugly, I took off!
ANTONIO: What if they need something?
CHAPA: I'm sorry! I don't know! I just have a question! Why did this have to happen on my first day on the job?
GUNTHER: Because this is arduous work. Your are not made to do this kind of work. You are more suitable to work the fields, to be in the open air. A sensitive person is to fit to do this kind of work.
CHAPA: Fatso is right! This suit and these stupid gloves are too much!
MAGDA: Don't pay attention to him! You were doing great!
GUNTHER: Great? He was awful! Now they'll realize what a good majordomo Gunther really was!
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO AND MARIANO HAVE CONTINUED ARGUING. EVERYONE IS TALKING AT ONCE, TRYING TO BRING THE SITUATION UNDER CONTROL-

MARIANO: Get out of here!
PEDRO: Why don't you make me?
ANA LAURA: Stop! Stop! Mariano, this is not the way to resolve things!
MARIANO: Tell that to this imbecile!
PEDRO: You're the imbecile and a thief!
IGNACIO: That's enough, Pedro! Enough! Everyone here is right in some way.
MERCEDES: You're a criminal! A swindler!
VICTORIA: Calm down, Mercedes, you'll get sick, please!
ALVARO: This is your fault! This is your fault because you got her out of the clinic!
VICTORIA: And it will be my fault that you'll lose this business!

-ANA LAURA QUESTIONS PEDRO-

ANA LAURA: Do you mind telling me how this got started?
PEDRO: Don't get involved?
ANA LAURA: Don't get involved? Don't tell me what to do!
MARIANO: It looks like you two don't waste any opportunity!
IGNACIO: Kids, please, we won't get anywhere this way! Mercedes already said what she came to say!
MARIANO: Yes, idiocies! And you….get out of here! Now!
PEDRO: Make me! Make me!
MARIANO: Of course I will!

-PEDRO AND MARIANO ARE ABOUT TO START ARGUING AGAIN, BUT FLORIA COMES BACK INTO THE ROOM-

FLORIA: Please! Don't you have any shame? You don't have any respect for the young nor the elderly! And what's worse; you don't have any self-respect!
MARISOL: Let's go! Let's go, Pedro! Let's go, mom!
PEDRO: Yes, let's go! It'll be best! Have a good night!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA IS IN BED. MARIANO COMES INTO HER BEDROOM WITHOUT KNOCKING ON THE DOOR-

ANA LAURA: What's the matter? They didn't teach you to knock first, when you were little?
MARIANO: Tell me something. You must be very happy about what happened last night during dinner. You were very much aware of the show my aunt and her entourage were going to present.
ANA LAURA: To be honest, I didn't know a thing.
MARIANO: Come on, Ana. You spent all afternoon with Pedro; he had to have said something.
ANA LAURA: You are wrong, as always.
MARIANO: Is that so? I thought lovers told each other everything.
ANA LAURA: You are completely crazy!
MARIANO: Are you going to deny what the entire world knows?
ANA LAURA: If you are a swindler, accept the consequences.
MARIANO: And you better accept the consequences if Pedro stays in the estancia one more second, because I'm kicking him out of here!
ANA LAURA: Let me tell you something; if Pedro leaves, I'll leave.
MARIANO: Hm!
ANA LAURA: Yes.
MARIANO: You're leaving with him?
ANA LAURA: Well, that is my business.
MARIANO: Fine, leave, do whatever you want. But keep this in mind, if you leave, you are leaving as a married woman who's abandoning her home, because I will never give you a divorce!
ANA LAURA: Ah! Well, it's all right. I don't care. Those papers are not important to me anymore.
MARIANO: How you've changed, Ana! Where is the woman I fell in love with?
ANA LAURA: She's dead. Unfortunately, she's dead, and you killed her.
MARIANO: In that case, you don't need a divorce. I'm a widower, and you….you are dead. Ha!

-MARIANO WALKS OUT OF THE BEDROOM. ANA LAURA, WITH TEARS IN HER EYES, HAS NEVER LOOKED SO VULNERABLE. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL, VICTORIA AND MERCEDES ARE AT MARISOL HOUSE, SITTING AT THE TABLE, DRINKING COFFEE-

VICTORIA: My attorneys insist that it's very important that you stay in the estancia.
MARISOL: The Linares will never allow us to stay.
MERCEDES: I'm not asking the Linares for permission to stay!
VICTORIA: They know a lot about running this place.
MERCEDES: I don't care. I'm staying and that's the end of it.
MARISOL: There are two of us against all of them.
VICTORIA: Three!
MERCEDES: Yes, three; three women against all of them.
VICTORIA: I'm not afraid of them. Now, it would be good to find a man who would be willing to confront them.
MERCEDES: Yes, it has to be a very strong man.
VICTORIA: Someone who's not afraid of them.

-PEDRO WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT-

PEDRO: Excuse me.

-THE THREE WOMEN TURNED AROUND AND LOOK AT PEDRO IN SILENCE-

PEDRO: It was open!
MERCEDES: He will. He will be our man!

-MERCEDES LOOKS AT MARISOL. MARISOL LOOKS AT PEDRO. PEDRO LOOKS AT THE THREE WOMEN-

PEDRO: I'm sorry, what are you talking about?
MARISOL: Don't listen to her.
VICTORIA: It's a wonderful idea! Pedro, we need you to complete our resistance team against the Linares!
PEDRO: Ah! It will be my pleasure!
MERCEDES: Bravo, Pedro! Bravo! Bravo! With a man like him, no one will be able to touch us!
MARISOL: Calm down, mom, don't overwhelm him.
PEDRO: No, don't worry! I join the house, totally!
VICTORIA: Excellent! We'll take you up on it!

-VICTORIA STANDS UP-

VICTORIA: Meche, let's go home. It's late.
MERCEDES: Yes, it's late.

-VICTORIA KISSES MARISOL ON THE CHEEK-

VICTORIA: Ciao, little one.
MARISOL: Ciao.

-MERCEDES STANDS UP AND ALSO KISSES MARISOL ON THE CHEEK, WHILE VICTORIA KISSES PEDRO-

MERCEDES: My love, I'm so happy. Take care of yourself. Ciao.

-MERCEDES THEN THANKS PEDRO FOR HIS OFFERED HELP, KISSES HIM ON THE CHEEK, AND SHE AND VICTORIA LEAVE THE HOUSE. PEDRO SITS AT THE TABLE, NEXT TO MARISOL-

MARISOL: Tell me something, Pedro. Why are you doing this?
PEDRO: Because I want to, and because no one can do this better than I can. And I say that very humbly!
MARISOL: Is that the only reason?
PEDRO: No, I'm doing it for Julieta and also for you.
MARISOL: Thank you. I think you're very brave.
PEDRO: No, I'm not doing this for bravery. I'm doing it because I love you both very much.

-MARISOL HAS BIG SMILE ON HER FACE. PEDRO ALSO SMILES-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IN THE LIBRARY, ALVARO SITS AT THE DESK. MARIANO AND MOLINA SIT ACROSS FROM HIM-

ALVARO: I don't understand how they were able to get their hands on those papers!
MOLINA: The papers alone don't say much.
ALVARO: Yes, but they complicate our plans to sell the land.
MARIANO: Tell me Estéban, that document that we have giving us rights to Mercedes' property, is it null?
MOLINA: Yes, and they have a legal claim, although I still think there's something we can do.
MARIANO: Well, do it then! Let's sell immediately! Before they're able to stop us!

-IGNACIO COMES IN THE ROOM-

IGNACIO: Good afternoon.

-THEY DON'T BOTHER TO ANSWER HIM-

IGNACIO: If you're talking about Mercedes, I'm also very worried about those papers.
MARIANO: We aren't worried at all. That is solely your problem. Excuse me.

-MARIANO LEAVES THE ROOM-

IGNACIO: Estéban, can we talk?
MOLINA: Eh….I have things to do at the moment, Ignacio. Let's leave this for later.

-MOLINA PICKS UP HIS BRIEFCASE AND ALSO LEAVES THE ROOM. IGNACIO SITS DOWN AND ADDRESSES ALVARO-

IGNACIO: Mercedes' return puts me in a delicate situation.
ALVARO: How odd, Ignacito! You're always in the middle of every problem!
IGNACIO: You mean, in the middle of all the dirty tricks you always involve me in!
ALVARO: Do you really think you're blameless? Aren't you ever going to take responsibility for anything you do?
IGNACIO: Listen, when I signed those papers, I didn't know you were going to do what you did with Mercedes! Of course, who will believe that now, right?

-ALVARO STANDS UP AND WALKS AROUND THE DESK. HE THEN PATS IGNACIO ON THE SHOULDER-

ALVARO: That is your problem! Deal with it, old man!

-ALVARO WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-GUNTHER IS HAVING A LOT OF FUN, JUMPING ON A TRAMPOLINE-

GUNTHER: Ah! This wonderful fresh air! I love Matías' wonderful toy! It's wonderful to be a mere peon these days! Unlike before, when Gunther was majordomo! This is fun! This is wonderful!

-HE CONTINUES JUMPING AND WHEN HE TURNS AROUND, CECILIA AND CARMEN ARE STANDING A FEW FEET AWAY. CECILIA BEGINS SCREAMING AT HIM, BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BOTHER HIM. HE CONTINUES JUMPING WHILE ANSWERING CECILIA'S QUESTIONS-

CECILIA: Gunther! What are you doing?
GUNTHER: I'm having fun, Frau! I already stacked up bales of hay! I exercised the mare! Now I'm having fun!
CECILIA: I need to know where the majordomo is!
GUNTHER: That is a good question! Rule number one! Know where majordomo is at all times! Gunther is here! Gunther was a good majordomo!
CARMEN: Gunther, Señora Cecilia asked you where Chapa was! Can you limit your conversation to answering her questions?
GUNTHER: Ha! I'm just simple peon! I don't know where any one is, other than myself!
CECILIA: Forget it, Carmen! This idiot doesn't know anything!

-CECILIA WALKS AWAY-

CARMEN: Gunther! If you want to score points with the señora, don't contradict her!

-CARMEN ALSO LEAVES. GUNTHER STOPS JUMPING THEN. HE TIREDLY THOWS HIMSELF DOWN ON THE TRAMPOLINE-

GUNTHER: I will score points now! "Operation Return" is on! Ah! What a nice Matías has here!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PATRICIA IS LYING ACROSS THE BED, READING THE NEWSPAPER. THERE'S A BREAKFAST TRAY ON THE BED. IGNACIO WALKS IN THE BEDROOM-

IGNACIO: It's terrifying what they did and what they're thinking of doing!
PATRICIA: I assume you're talking about Mariano and his family.
IGNACIO: It's sickening to live with these vultures!
PATRICIA: Querido! Why do you let it affect you this way, if you already lost everything! Are you now going to worry about other people's losses?

-IGNACIO SITS ON A CHAIR ACROSS FROM THE BED-

IGNACIO: No, it's not only that. There's something else.
PATRICIA: Something else? What is it now? What new problem do we have?

-IGNACIO IS PREVENTED FROM ANSWERING BY A KNOCK ON THE DOOR-

PATRICIA: Come in.

-ERICA COMES IN THE ROOM-

ERICA: Dad, I wanted to talk to you.

-PATRICIA GETS UP FROM THE BED-

PATRICIA: There he is! Feeling regretful about who knows what!

-PATRICIA EXITS THE ROOM-

ERICA: Did I come at a bad time?

-SHE SITS ON THE THE BED RAIL, FACING IGNACIO'S CHAIR-

IGNACIO: No, no, what's going on, my love?
ERICA: Nothing, I wanted to chat with you for a little while about things that are happening to me.
IGNACIO: Are they good things? Nice things?
ERICA: I think they are.

-SHE WALKS AND SITS ON IGNACIO'S LAP-

ERICA: Something is happening to me with Francisco.
IGNACIO: You like him?
ERICA: Yes. But I'm also afraid.
IGNACIO: He's not an easy young man, and on top of that, he's now working for Mariano.
ERICA: No, but he's there because he wanted to keep busy, and besides, that was the only opportunity that came his way.
IGNACIO: Well, the only thing that matters is that you are happy together. Everything else….
ERICA: Then, you are in agreement with this?

-IGNACIO SMILES AND NODS HIS HEAD. ERICA IS VERY HAPPY WITH HIS ANSWER. SHE HUGS HIM AND GIVES HIM A KISS ON THE CHEEK-

ERICA: Dad, I'm so relieved! Thank you!
IGNACIO: What matters to me is that you are well. I want you to be happy.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS WORKING IN THE STABLES. AT THE MOMENT, HE'S CARRYING A SADDLE AND IS WALKING TOWARDS THE BARN. ANA LAURA ARRIVES-

ANA LAURA: Pedro.
PEDRO: Hm?
ANA LAURA: Hello.
PEDRO: Hello.
ANA LAURA: I came to congratulate you for what you did. To thank you for your unconditional assistance.
PEDRO: I did only what’s fair.
ANA LAURA: Yes, I'm sure, but now I won't be able to help you when they try to throw you out.
PEDRO: Don't worry. It won't be so easy for them to throw me out.
ANA LAURA: Was this Victoria's idea?
PEDRO: Yes.
ANA LAURA: I think is a good idea. It's better this way; don't you think?
PEDRO: Ahum. What are you going to do?
ANA LAURA: I'm leaving. Even if Mariano doesn't give me the divorce, I'm still leaving.
PEDRO: But what of your dad, your sister?
ANA LAURA: I'll see what I can do about that.
PEDRO: If you need me in any way, Ana….
ANA LAURA: No, no, it's all right. You're very busy with Marisol, don't worry. Besides, you now have to be more united than before, right?
PEDRO: Yes, we are united by affection, by solidarity.
ANA LAURA: Yes, yes, I'm sure. The only thing is that now Mariano is going to be brutal.
PEDRO: Do you really think so?
ANA LAURA: I'm sure.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS TALKING TO MOLINA IN THE LIVING ROOM-

MARIANO: Estéban, you have to move fast.
MOLINA: I'm doing just that, Mariano. I already talked to Alvaro and we're going to hurry things before they have time to act.
MARIANO: No, no. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about what I mentioned to you before; my alleged paternity.
MOLINA: I already explained to you that I need to know at least, the identity of the mother of your son.
MARIANO: No…it's not a son, it's a daughter.
MOLINA: When was she born?
MARIANO: A while back.
MOLINA: Do I know the mother?
MARIANO: Don't ask me those questions, Estéban, please.
MOLINA: In order to continue with all this, I need to know who the mother is.

-MARIANO REMAINS SILENT-

MOLINA: Come on, tell me who it is.
MARIANO: Marisol. The mother of my child is Marisol.

-MOLINA SEEMS VERY AFFECTED BY THIS STATEMENT FROM MARIANO-

MOLINA: You and Marisol!
MARIANO: Yes, Marisol and I…..what's the matter?
MOLINA: I never…..I never imagined! How did it happen?
MARIANO: That's a silly question! How do you think it happened?
MOLINA: What I meant was…how? Where? When?
MARIANO: That's none of your business!
MOLINA: I need to know! If we file a paternity case, I need to know!
MARIANO: That will come later. What I need to know right now is if Julieta is my daugher. That's all!
MOLINA: Do you plan to provide support; to acknowledge her?
MARIANO: I don't know. The only thing I'm certain about is that I'm going to use her as a weapon against Marisol.
MOLINA: What do you mean, a weapon?

-CECILIA WALKS IN THE ROOM, INTERRUPTING THEIR CONVERSATION-

MARIANO: Yes, we'll continue with this later. Mami.
CECILIA: Did I interrupt something?
MARIANO: No, I was chatting with Estéban but it was only nonsense!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-LISA IS WALKING BY AN OLD SHED, CARRYING A BASKET OF LAUNDRY. SHE'S SINGING TO HERSELF. FRANCISCO RUNS AFTER HER AND APPROACHES HER-

FRANCISCO: How romantic you sound today!
LISA: Francisco, go away, please.
FRANCISCO: What's wrong? Are you having a bad day?
LISA: No, I'm not having a bad day. To be honest, I'm tired of these secret encounters. I don't know, I wish we could be together more often, in another way.
FRANCISCO: But my love, you know how things are around here, that's not possible.

-ROSA ARRIVES AT THIS MOMENT-

FRANCISCO: Just in time! I'll see you later!

-HE WALKS AWAY. ROSA ANGRILY APPROACHES LISA-

ROSA: Lisa! When are you going to leave Francisco alone!
LISA: Me? What did I do now?
ROSA: Come on! You know perfectly well what I'm talking about!
LISA: No. I really don't.

-LISA WALKS AWAY-

ROSA: This girl is trying to take me for a fool!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CHAPA, CARRYING A TRAY WITH TEA SERVING, IS CAREFULLY MAKING HIS WAY INTO THE KITCHEN. HE TRIPS OVER A CHAIR AND FALLS ON HIS KNEES, DROPPING THE TRAY AND ITS CONTENTS ON THE FLOOR. TOTI WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT-

TOTI: How are things?
CHAPA: Terrible! Terrible! Totino! They're going from bad to worse!
TOTI: Oh, come on! It's just a matter of practice! If Gunther was able to function as a majordomo, anyone can do it!
CHAPA: Do you want to know what the problem is? Gunther is devious at heart! He loves and functions well in this business of servitude! I don't!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS IN THE LIBRARY, POURING HIMSELF A DRINK. CECILIA WALKS IN-

CECILIA: Call the attorney! Do something, for God's sake!
MARIANO: Calm down, mom, please. What can they do? Even if they recover everything, the lands are linked together, aren't they?
CECILIA: I'm sure Victoria is behind all this, and she knows how to figure out if this is a fraudulent operation; our signatures are there!
MARIANO: This was not a fraudulent operation; only a business that went wrong! Besides, Ignacio's signature is there as well. We're not alone in this!
CECILIA: And what about Ana Laura? You don't plan to do anything about that?
MARIANO: What's going on with Ana Laura now?
CECILIA: What do you mean, what's going on with Ana Laura? Her affair with that little peon!

-ALVARO ENTERS THE ROOM-

CECILIA: How long are you going to let them take you for a fool? Don't you have any dignity?
MARIANO: Don’t get involved in my business.
ALVARO: Your mother is right, Mariano.
MARIANO: Are you going to start also?
ALVARO: We don't need her anymore. If you want a divorce, go ahead. Get a divorce.
MARIANO: She's my wife.
ALVARO: If you don't do it for yourself, do it for your mother and for me. We don't like to see you in that sad situation you find yourself in.
CECILIA: Let's go, Alvaro. He won't see reason!

-ALVARO AND CECILIA WALK OUT OF THE ROOM. MARIANO REMAINS IN HIS CHAIR, LOOKING PENSIVE-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-VICTORIA AND ANA LAURA ARE WALKING ABOUT THE ESTANCIA-

VICTORIA: How can you make it so easy for them, and leave this way?
ANA LAURA: Because I really can't take it anymore!
VICTORIA: But you have to try!
ANA LAURA: I can't!
VICTORIA: Yes, you can! You can! You fought so hard, so hard, querida! How can you lose everything so easily?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS TALKING TO MOLINA NEAR THE STABLES. HE WANTS TO CLEAR A FEW THINGS WITH THE ATTORNEY-

PEDRO: You knew how things were being handled, didn't you?
MOLINA: I don't know what you're referring to.
PEDRO: I'm referring to the papers related to Mercedes' lands.
MOLINA: You should talk to Ignacio about that.
PEDRO: Weren't you his lawyer at that time?
MOLINA: Yes, but that subject is confidential.
PEDRO: At that time, perhaps, but now, things have changed. Who signed those documents?
MOLINA: I repeat, that subject is confidential.
PEDRO: Are you suddenly worried about ethics, doctor?
MOLINA: I won't allow you to…..
PEDRO: You don't have the moral authority to say anything.

-PRECISELY AT THIS MOMENT, MARISOL TURNS THE CORNER OF THE BUILDING WHERE PEDRO AND MOLINA ARE STANDING, TALKING. SHE REMAINS A FEW FEET AWAY, WHILE PEDRO AND MOLINA CONTINUE WITH THEIR CONVERSATION-

MOLINA: I always complied with my professional duty!
PEDRO: And with your bank account; or are you going to tell me that your professional duty didn't cost the Linares anything?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CECILIA IS CONFRONTING MERCEDES AND VICTORIA. THEY'RE STANDING IN MARISOL'S KITCHEN-

CECILIA: How could you do something like that to your own sister?
VICTORIA: You have the nerve to ask such a question?
CECILIA: Who took care of her all these years? You? Of course not! The lady was in Miami, enjoying the good life! The only person who would visit the clinic, was me!
VICTORIA: You have a very strange concept of the meaning of care!
CECILIA: Whatever! Only I know what I went through with Mercedes!

-CECILIA ADDRESSES MERCEDES-

CECILIA: And you now pay me this way!
VICTORIA: Even if there was anything to pay, you gained enough exploiting her lands. So should be satisfied!
MERCEDES: Forget it, Victoria. Let's not argue with her anymore! It’s useless! It’s useless!
CECILIA: I never expected this from you!
MERCEDES: I want to get back what is mine! That's all!
CECILIA: Yes, of course! And you don't care if you destroy your sister in the process!

-MERCEDES IS VERY EMOTIONAL AT THIS POINT. SHE'S ALMOST IN TEARS-

MERCEDES: I don't want to destroy you! I want what belongs to me! I don't feel well! This affects me very much!
CECILIA: Tell that to your friend! She's the one who took you out of the clinic!

-CECILIA ADDRESSES VICTORIA-

CECILIA: Do you see what you've done? You can't have two words with her without her falling apart!
VICTORIA: Don't take away any merits, Cecilia! Anyone who talks with you, falls apart!
CECILIA: You don't care about my sister's well being! The only thing you care about is to take revenge on me!
VICTORIA: I'm only interested in repairing all the damage you caused her! Only someone as demented as you are, is capable of confining someone who is sane!
CECILIA: You are nothing but trash! Repeat what you said! Repeat it!

-MARISOL WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT-

MARISOL: I won't allow you to insult Victoria! Get out of my house! Leave, Cecilia! Didn't you hear me?
CECILIA: Yes, I'm leaving, because this is a rat's nest! You deserve each other!
MARISOL: Leave now!

-CECILIA WALKS OUT-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-JULIETA IS PLAYING OUTDOORS WITH THE DOLLHOUSE MARIANO BOUGHT FOR HER-

JULIETA: Let's see! Let's get the fire started to make a delicious tea!

-MARIANO SHOWS UP AND SITS NEXT TO JULIETA-

MARIANO: What is this I hear? A delicious tea? Is there some left for me?
JULIETA: Yes, I'm making tea with eucalyptus leaves.
MARIANO: I'll pass then. I wanted regular tea.
JULIETA: In that case, I'll make you regular tea. In this house, you're able to find everything.
MARIANO: Ah, there's everything in this house! Just like in your real life!
JULIETA: Well, in real life….I don't have everything.
MARIANO: Ah! Tell me something. What would you like to have? What do you wish for most in this world?
JULIETA: To know who my father is.
MARIANO: Of course! To know your daddy, yes. Do you know, I believe your wish can come true.

-JULIETA LOOKS AT MARIANO IN SURPRISE-