Provócame

Episode 20

JULIETA: No. That's impossible.
MARIANO: Nothing is impossible when you really want something.
JULIETA: Do you really think so?
MARIANO: Yes, I'm sure. And I think I can help you.
JULIETA: How?
MARIANO: I don't know yet. But I'll think of something to find your dad.

-JULIETA SEEMS VERY HAPPY. TOTI COMES BY AND STANDS A FEW FEET AWAY-

JULIETA: Toti, do you want to come and play?
TOTI: No. No. I don't play girl games. I play with little soldiers!
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-MOLINA GOES TO SEE MARISOL. SHE LETS HIM IN THE HOUSE. HE'S EXTREMELY UPSET AND IS VISIBLY SHAKEN-

MARISOL: Estéban. What's the matter? You look terrible!
MOLINA: I feel terrible! I'm very disappointed, Marisol! I can't believe you've deceived me all this time!
MARISOL: Deceived you about what?
MOLINA: About that secret you've kept so zealously!
MARISOL: I don't understand!
MOLINA: Why did you lie to me? And to think that I fell in love with you because I thought you were noble, transparent!
MARISOL: What are you talking about?
MOLINA: You know what I'm talking about, Marisol! Let's stop this farce! Why didn't you tell me that Mariano was Julieta's father? Why didn't you tell me?

-MARISOL IS TOO SHOCKED TO ANSWER HIM-
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-IGNACIO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK IN THE LIBRARY, TALKING WITH VICTORIA-

IGNACIO: I don't know. I'm worried.
VICTORIA: Everything will be fine. Once Mercedes' problem is solved, things will fall into place. Sooner or later, the truth comes to light.
IGNACIO: That is exactly what has me worried.
VICTORIA: What are you trying to say?
IGNACIO: That I'm also involved in the issue with Mercedes.
VICTORIA: I don't understand
IGNACIO: Those papers show that she sold her lands to me.
VICTORIA: What?
IGNACIO: In that instant, Alvaro convinced me to do it.
VICTORIA: You signed in their favor?
IGNACIO: Yes. It was a mistake, I know. It's done. What do I do now, Victoria? What do I do?
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-MOLINA IS SHOUTING AT MARISOL-

MOLINA: Is that all you care about? To know how I found this out?
MARISOL: Lower your voice! My mother's sleeping!
MOLINA: I feel like an idiot!
MARISOL: This has taken me by surprise!
MOLINA: Why are you surprised? Why didn't you tell me the truth?
MARISOL: Who told you this?
MOLINA: That's not important! You'll do better worrying about what you're going to tell your daughter the day she finds out!
MARISOL: There's no reason for my daughter to find out anything!
MOLINA: I wouldn't be so sure!

-MOLINA WALKS OUT OF THE HOUSE-

MARISOL: But….where did he get this information? Where?

-MARISOL THEN REMEMBERS SEEING PEDRO TALKING TO MOLINA-

MARISOL: Pedro!
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-CECILIA AND CARMEN ENTER THE DINING ROOM. CHAPA IS STANDING BY, WAITING TO TALK TO CECILIA-

CHAPA: Mrs. Linares!
CECILIA: Can't you see I'm busy? What do you want?
CHAPA: Don't worry. What I have to say will take only a few seconds. I resign!
CECILIA: What?
CHAPA: Just as you heard ma'am! I categorically resign!
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-IN THE KITCHEN, FRANCISCO'S STANDING IN FRONT OF THE REGRIGERATOR, POURING A GLASS OF ORANGE JUICE FOR ERICA-

FRANCISCO: I swear I'm a different person! Since we're together, everything is turning out great for me! It truly is incredible!

-ERICA TAKES THE GLASS FROM HIS HAND-

ERICA: I'm very happy about that.
FRANCISCO: I must confess something to you. I don't know why, but I can't stop thinking about you.
ERICA: I'm also experiencing certain things.
FRANCISCO: What type of things?
ERICA: New things. Things I'd never felt with other boys. And you, how do you feel about me?
FRANCISCO: I have fallen in love like I've never loved in my life before. I've fallen hard, princess. And, to be honest, since I met you, I'm not interested in any other women. I only think of you.

-FRANCISCO IS ABOUT TO KISS ERICA, WHEN LISA ENTERS THE KITCHEN AND INTERRUPTS THEM-

LISA: That's a lie! Don't believe a word he says! Francisco is the worst liar I have ever met in my life!

-FRANCISCO GIVES LISA A MURDEROUS LOOK-
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-MARISOL IS DEVASTATED. SHE'S LEANING AGAINST THE KITCHEN COUNTER CRYING. PEDRO IS TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY SHE'S SO UPSET-

PEDRO: Marisol, please, look at me! Tell me what's wrong! I can't stand to see you like this!
MARISOL: Leave me alone, Pedro!
PEDRO: What's wrong? Tell me already! You're going to drive me crazy!
MARISOL: Do you want to know why I'm so upset? Because I can't believe you betrayed me!
PEDRO: What are you saying?
MARISOL: Why did you tell Molina our secret?
PEDRO: What secret?
MARISOL: Why did you tell him? Especially him! Especially him! That Mariano is Julieta's father.

-PEDRO IS STUNNED TO FIND OUT THAT MARISOL BELIEVES HE BETRAYED HER-
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-ANA LAURA IS IN HER BEDROOM. MARIANO WALKS IN-

MARIANO: Ana!
ANA LAURA: What's the matter?
MARIANO: I'm bringing you a gift.
ANA LAURA: A gift for me?
MARIANO: Ahum. Is this.

-HE HANDS HER A DOCUMENT-

MARIANO: If you sign it, we can begin with the divorce process; by mutual agreement of course.

-ANA LAURA LOOKS SUSPICIOUSLY AT MARIANO-

ANA LAURA: And why now and not before?
MARIANO: People change. You taught me that.
ANA LAURA: This is very strange, coming from you.
MARIANO: No, it’s not strange; not at all. It's just that perhaps I'm not as mean as you think I am. If you don't want to be with me, I'm not going to force you. Go on, sign!
ANA LAURA: What are you plotting? Why did you change your mind? What are you after? I don't understand!

-MARIANO BECOMES ANGRY-

MARIANO: There is no plot, Ana! Isn't this what you wanted? Why do you distrust me?
ANA LAURA: I have no other option.
MARIANO: No other option? You wanted a divorce? Here's the divorce! Sign!

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-PEDRO IS VERY HURT THAT MARISOL THINKS HE'S CAPABLE OF BETRAYING HER-

PEDRO: How can you accuse me of doing such a thing? Look at me, Marisol! Do I look like a traitor?
MARISOL: I saw you talking with Estéban and then he came over and he talked to me about that!
PEDRO: But how can you think I would tell him something like that?
MARISOL: Because you're the only one that knows that Mariano is Julieta's father?
PEDRO: I don't know what happened, but I didn't say anything, I swear! I would never violate one of our secrets!
MARISOL: I don't understand! I don't understand! How did he find out? I don't understand!
PEDRO: I don't know.
MARISOL: I have to leave, Pedro! I have to leave before all this explodes!
PEDRO: Where would you go?
MARISOL: Far away! Far away! Far away, where Julieta never finds out!
PEDRO: You can't run from the truth, Marisol! Sooner or later, Julieta will find out!
MARISOL: No! No! Julieta must not find out!
PEDRO: You can't keep something like this hidden for long!
MARISOL: No! I can't allow that to happen! My daughter doesn't deserve something like this!
PEDRO: That's true, but…..
MARISOL: Mariano is demented, Pedro! He's a pervert! Do you realize how serious it would be for Julieta to find out he's her father?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

MARIANO: I don't understand you!
ANA LAURA: It's very simple. I put up with you all this time, now it's your turn to put up with me!
That's all! See you later!

-ANA LAURA TRIES TO LEAVE-

MARIANO: No! Come back here! You're not going anywhere! Let's get this straight!
ANA LAURA: Yes.
MARIANO: We are married.
ANA LAURA: Of course.
MARIANO: And when I say we're married….we are married, in every sense of the word! Husband and wife! With all that implies! Is that clear?

-ANA LAURA DOESN'T RESPOND. SHE WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM-
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VICTORIA: Ignacio, I can't believe you allowed Alvaro to use you this way.
IGNACIO: But it is so.
VICTORIA: It's hard for me to comprehend.
IGNACIO: I've always been terrible at business, and when Leonora died, I did a lot of things I shouldn't have.
VICTORIA: Yes, but now we have to see how you're going to get out of this situation.
IGNACIO: I don't know what to do. La Esperanza for me is like a swamp; I'm sinking more and more each day. I'm desperate.
VICTORIA: No, don't despair. I'm going to help you.
IGNACIO: How are you going to help me.
VICTORIA: Do you trust me?
IGNACIO: Yes, of course I trust you. I always admired you. How could I have been so stupid! How could I have lent myself to do something like this!
VICTORIA: It's doesn't help to live in the past. We now have to find a way to resolve this.
IGNACIO: Do you really think this can be resolved?
VICTORIA: Without a doubt!
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LISA: Francisco always makes promises he can't keep. I'm talking from experience!
FRANCISCO: Be quiet! What's the matter with you? Are you envious? Do you see Erica, she hates that I want to better myself; that I want to do something with my life! Besides, Lisa, it's a bad habit to listen to people's conversation behind the doors!
ERICA: Yes, he's right! That's terrible!
LISA: I was not listening behind the door! I was just coming in and I…..
FRANCISCO: Don't lie! Don't lie! You're always doing that! You're always gossiping! You have no class, Lisa!
LISA: I have no class?
FRANCISCO: Yes, but this time not only were you disrespectful to me, but also to your superiors! You're pay dearly for this! Go away! I don't even want to look at you! Go! Go!

-LISA IS VERY HURT BY FRANCISCO'S ATTITUDE, AND ALMOST IN TEARS, LEAVES THE KITCHEN. FRANCISCO IS EXTEMELY ANGRY AT LISA, AND SEEING THAT THIS INCIDENT HAS GREATLY UPSET ERICA, HE TRIES TO MAKE EXCUSES FOR LISA'S BEHAVIOR-

FRANCISCO: I don't know what's wrong with this girl! She's sick! I don't know what her problem is!
ERICA: I do! There's something going on between you two!
FRANCISCO: There's nothing going on! That's absurd! No! What can be happening?
ERICA: I don't know Francisco, but we better leave things as they are!
-ERICA LEAVES THE ROOM-
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CECILIA: And who gave you permission to resign?
CHAPA: No one! You don't need anyone's permission to resign! Giving notice ought to be sufficient!
CECILIA: And what are you going to do without a job? You need to make a living somehow!
CHAPA: Of course! I can return my old job as a peon. The position of majordomo will be open again, but this job is not for me, ma'am. You know that. I know that. Carmen knows that. So, let's do this! I go back to my peon's little house and things go back to the way they were!
CARMEN: That's what you think, Chapa!
CHAPA: Why? Is there a problem?
CECILIA: Yes! No one in this house resigns without my consent! Hell will need to freeze over before any employee can give me orders! Not only are you going to continue working as majordomo, but you're going to perform your duties as brilliantly as possible! Otherwise, I'll throw you out on the street!
CHAPA: But, I wasn't born for this, señora!
CECILIA: You were born to work! You'll spend your life working! And you'll die working! And in the post I choose! If you agree, fine! If not……

-CARMEN MAKES A GESTURE, PASSING HER HAND ACROSS HER NECK, LETTING CHAPA KNOW THAT THE OTHER OPTION IS THAT HE LOSES HIS HEAD-

CHAPA: All right!
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-MARISOL AND JULIETA ARE HOME, SITTING IN THE KITCHEN. PEDRO IS ALSO IN THE ROOM. HE'S ANGRILY PACING THE FLOOR BECAUSE MARIANO HAS FIRED HIM-**

(**The scene where Mariano fires Pedro is not included in the tape. It is probably one of the many scenes the network decided to cut.)

PEDRO: He fired me! And this time there's no one to stop him!
JULIETA: But you can't leave! Didn't you explain to him that we have to train?
PEDRO: You can't explain anything to someone like Mariano, my love!
MARISOL: Mariano has always wanted you out of the way, and now that he has the power to throw you out, did you really think he was going to waste the opportunity to do so?
PEDRO: Yes, but this time, he won't have it so easy. I will talk with whom ever I need to!
MARISOL: Well! You better be careful whom you talk to. You might just make a mistake again!
PEDRO: I didn't make a mistake! I didn't say anything! Do you still think I was the one who…..
JULIETA: What are you talking about?
MARISOL: Nothing, Juli. Nothing. I'm sorry. Forget it! Let's just leave things as they are.
PEDRO: No, we're not! Because I'm not a traitor! I'm incapable of doing something like that to a friend! Marisol, please, how can you say that?
JULIETA: What did you do, and to whom?
MARISOL: Nothing! What are you talking about? I didn't do anything! I'm sorry, Pedro, I don't want to continue talking about this.
PEDRO: You're right.

-PEDRO IS VERY HURT THAT MARISOL STILL THINKS HE BETRAYED HER. HE LEAVES WITHOUT SAYING ANOTHER WORD. MARISOL FEELS BAD ABOUT WHAT JUST TOOK PLACE. JULIETA LOOKS VERY SAD-

MARISOL: What's wrong with you?
JULIETA: I feel sad when people fight. You fight with Mariano! Mariano fights with Pedro! You're now fighting with Pedro! Why do you always have to fight? Can you ever agree on anything?
MARISOL: It's not that easy, Julieta. I don't want you to react this way. I don't want you to be sad.
JULIETA: If you don't want to me to be sad, then stop fighting with the people I love, all right?

-JULIETA WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM-
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-ALVARO, CECILIA, IGNACIO AND MARIANO ARE SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM, TALKING-

CECILIA: She doesn't want a divorce now? Please, Ignacio, who can understand your daughter?
IGNACIO: Perhaps she's a little confused. So much has happened lately.
ALVARO: Confused? We're doing the impossible to accommodate you, and your daughter doesn't want to cooperate!
CECILIA: She's very capricious! She's always been!
IGNACIO: She's an adult. I can give her advice, but that's all.
ALVARO: You are aware that you're in the middle of all this!
MARIANO: No, dad, he thinks this is all a game. And precisely now we have Ana Laura against us! Precisely now, that this issue with Tía Mercedes' lands is about to explode!
IGNACIO: Please, let's not mix things.
MARIANO: Everything is already mixed, Ignacio!

-ANA LAURA SUDDENLY APPEARS AROUND THE CORNER AND, OUT OF SIGHT, BEGINS TO LISTEN TO THEIR CONVERSATION-

MARIANO: You are as involved as we are, in taking over my tía's lands! If one has to face the music, all of us will!

-ANA LAURA ENTERS THE ROOM-

ANA LAURA: What do you have to do with her lands, dad?

-EVERYONE IS SURPRISED TO SEE ANA LAURA-

MARIANO: Well, your daughter asked you a question, Ignacio. Aren't you going to tell her the truth?
ANA LAURA: What's going on? Tell me, please!

-IGNACIO REMAINS SILENT-

ALVARO: Fine. I'll tell her. Ignacio attested and signed the documents to strip Mercedes of her lands.
ANA LAURA: No, dad! Don't tell me you were part of all that!
IGNACIO: Yes, daughter. Unfortunately, it's true.
ANA LAURA: But, why? Why? Why would you do that to Mercedes?
CECILIA: Yes! My poor sister!
IGNACIO: I thought it was best for everyone.
ANA LAURA: Better for whom? That's fraud!
IGNACIO: Not on my part.

-IGNACIO IS RELUCTANT TO CONTINUE TALKING IN FRONT OF THE LINARES. HE LEAVES HIS CHAIR AND APPROACHES ANA LAURA-

IGNACIO: We'll talk later. When we're alone.

-HE LEAVES THE ROOM-
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-PEDRO AND JULIETA ARE OUTSIDE THE BARN, SITTING ON THE GROUND. PEDRO IS SITTING WITH HIS BACK AGAINST THE WALL. JULIETA IS SITTING SIDEWAYS, WITH HER BACK TO PEDRO, LEANING ON HIM AND RESTING HER HEAD ON HIS SHOULDER. BOTH LOOK VERY DEPRESSED-

JULIETA: If all of you are constantly fighting; what example are you setting for me? Do you ever think about that?
PEDRO: Of course we do, but sometimes things become complicated.
JULIETA: But I don't want you to fight.
PEDRO: All right, but don't look so sad. Come on.
JULIETA: It's not only that. I was going to leave, and now that I'm staying, you're leaving!
PEDRO: Unfortunately, things went that far this time.
JULIETA: Why does Mariano want to throw you out? You're a good person. You work hard. You train me. It’s so unfair!
PEDRO: He's not firing me because of the job, but because we don't get along, Juli.
JULIETA: Do you know why he doesn't like you? Because he thinks you're flirting with Ana Laura.
PEDRO: Where did you get that idea?
JULIETA: Well, if you'd stop trying to be her boyfriend……
PEDRO: Who told you that is the reason Mariano and I have problems? Juli, tell me, who told you that?
JULIETA: It doesn't matter. What matters is, if you want to stay here or not.
PEDRO: Of course I want to stay! But only a miracle would prevent me from leaving the finca!
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-MERCEDES AND MARISOL ARE SITTING ON A BENCH IN A SHADED AREA OF THE ESTANCIA-

MERCEDES: I'm ready for a move.
MARISOL: We can move whenever you want.
MERCEDES: Yes, but I want to move into the main house; but for that to be possible, the lawyers would have to intervene.

-VICTORIA ARRIVES AND TAKES A SEAT ON THE BENCH, NEXT TO MARISOL-

MERCEDES: Victoria, why the long face?
VICTORIA: Because I have bad news.
MERCEDES: What bad news?
VICTORIA: Ignacio signed the paperwork.
MERCEDES: What paperwork?
VICTORIA: Ignacio signed all the documents, Meche.
MERCEDES: No, it can't be true. Ignacio couldn't have done something like that.
MARISOL: Mom, knowing how the Linares operate, I'm certain they deceived him. But, I want to clarify something; what happens if we go to trial, could Ignacio go to prison?

-VICTORIA NODS HER HEAD IN ASSENT. MERCEDES BECOMES VERY UPSET-

MERCEDES: I never expected this! I never expected this!
VICTORIA: Meche calm down! We're going to find a solution to all this!
MARISOL: Yes, mom, please, don't worry! Victoria and I will take care of everything!
MERCEDES: I only know that, no matter what, we must recover what belongs to us.
VICTORIA: Good. Good.
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-GUNTHER IS SITTING ON A BENCH JUST OUTSIDE THE MAIN HOUSE BACK STEPS. HE'S HOLDING ONE OF THE PUPPIES ON HIS ARMS-

GUNTHER: You are the only family I have in this world! What would become of Gunther without your gang?

-MAGDA IS SEEING COMING DOWN THE STEPS AND APPROACHING GUNTHER-

MAGDA: What would happen to you without your gang? You could join the circus! Why don't you join the circus with your dogs and travel through the towns as performing number? You could use a ring of fire and the puppy could pass the hat around!
GUNTHER: Go away, maid! Who gave you permission to open your mouth?
MAGDA: Should I remind you that you're only a peon now? You no longer have power over me! You now have to answer to me! Did you hear me?

-MAGDA LAUGHS AT HIM AND PATS HIS BALD HEAD. SHE THEN WALKS BACK INSIDE THE HOUSE-

GUNTHER: Enjoy this moment, evil maid! Go ahead and take advantage of this power until Gunther returns to his job! It's all right, my dear puppy; when Gunther puts into action his "Operation Revenge," Chapa and the Linares will be sorry for throwing him out! And Frau Magda will pay dearly for all her wickedness!
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-MOLINA IS WALKING TOWARDS HIS CAR. MARISOL RUNS AND CATCHES UP WITH HIM-

MARISOL: Estéban!
MOLINA: Hello, Marisol.
MARISOL: I'm worried about something.
MOLINA: What are you worried about?
MARISOL: I need to know who told you that Mariano is Julieta's father.
MOLINA: I can't tell you that.
MARISOL: Estéban, please. If you ever felt anything for me, tell me who told you. Please.
MOLINA: Marisol, I did and still feel something for you, but what you're asking for it's impossible.

-MARIANO SUDDENLY APPEARS AND PATS BOTH ON THE SHOULDER-

MARIANO: Hello! Hello, my little friends! Are you discussing something important?

-MARISOL SHAKES MARIANO'S HAND OFF HER SHOULDER AND ADDRESSES MOLINA-

MARISOL: We'll talk later.

-MARISOL WALKS AWAY. MARIANO WRAPS HIS ARM ON MOLINA'S SHOULDER-

MARIANO: Get over here! I suppose you didn't say anything, right?
MOLINA: I never discuss my client cases. That is privileged information.
MARIANO: Very well, that's better. Tell me, did you find out anything about the DNA test.
MOLINA: Yes, I got all the information. I just need to know which way you want to proceed.

-ALVARO ARRIVES AT HIS MOMENT-

ALVARO: Estéban, I was looking for you. I want you to start working on Mercedes' case.
MOLINA: How do you want me to handle this.
ALVARO: We need to show once again that she's still very unstable.
MARIANO: That she as crazy as ever.
MOLINA: All right, let me think about what would be the best strategy.
ALVARO: In the meantime. I'll have Cecilia do her part.
MARIANO: Is that necessary, dad?
ALVARO: Yes, of course, because whenever Victoria is behind something, it's best to be prepared.
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-MARISOL IS ABOUT TO ENTER THE BARN, WHEN SHE SEES ANA LAURA EXITING THE PLACE-

ANA LAURA: Ah!
MARISOL: How are you. I didn't know you were here.
ANA LAURA: I was looking for Victoria. How are you.
MARISOL: I've been a little busy, but fine for the most part.
ANA LAURA: You've been busy with your mom's business.
MARISOL: Yes, the lands. And worrying about Pedro, now that he has to leave.
ANA LAURA: He's leaving?
MARISOL: You didn't know Mariano fired him?
ANA LAURA: No! I didn't know!
MARISOL: It was obvious this was going to happen, now that Mariano is in charge of everything.
ANA LAURA: Well, perhaps it'll be better for him if he leaves.
MARISOL: I don't believe Pedro feels that way.
ANA LAURA: Well, either way, there's nothing I can do because things are very difficult for me right now.
MARISOL: I don't understand; if you're in a position to leave, why don't you separate from Mariano and move away.
ANA LAURA: Because it's not that simple for me to do that.
MARISOL: Doesn't it bother you that you won't be seeing Pedro anymore?
ANA LAURA: I don't think only about myself; I'm also thinking about him, and I think that right now, the best thing will be that he leaves this place.
MARISOL: I don't feel that way and I know that I'm going to miss him very much.
ANA LAURA: We each see things differently.

-ANA LAURA LEAVES-
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-MATIAS IS WITH CHOCOLATE IN THE RINK. MARIANO ARRIVES-

MARIANO: Champion, how is the training coming along?
MATIAS: Fine, but it would be a little better if you'd dedicate more time to me, don't you think?
MARIANO: I'm sorry. I've been busy trying to take care of a couple of things. Do you forgive me?
MATIAS: Yes. Fine.
MARIANO: Good.

-THEY'RE READY TO BEGIN TRAINING, BUT JULIETA ARRIVES AND CALLS OUT TO MARIANO-

JULIETA: Mariano!
MARIANO: Yes?
JULIETA: Do you have a second?

-MARIANO INSTRUCTS MATIAS TO BEGIN WITHOUT HIM-

MARIANO: Go ahead, Matías. I'll be right there.

-MATIAS LEAVES-

MARIANO: What's the matter, Juli?
JULIETA: If I can't train, I won't be able to participate in the competition.
MARIANO: Ah, yes, but Pedro has been fired.
JULIETA: Yes, but, didn't you say you wanted me to be your friend?
MARIANO: Yes, I want you to be my friend; but what does one thing have to do with the other?
JULIETA: If I can't jump, I will be very sad; and you don't want me to be sad, right?
MARIANO: No, I don't want you to be sad, of course not. But I can't do anything about Pedro.
JULIETA: Yes, you can. I know you are the only who can do something.
MARIANO: No, I'm telling the truth, believe me.
JULIETA: No, I don't believe you. But don't say anything right now. Just promise me you'll think about it. All right?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO COMES OUT OF CHOCOLATE'S STALL, FOLLOWED BY ANA LAURA, WHO'S COME TO TALK TO HIM. THEY ARE BOTH ANGRY. PEDRO WALKS TOWARDS A STACK OF BALES OF HAY AND PICKS ONE BALE AND CARRIES IT BACK TO THE STALL. ANA LAURA IS FOLLOWING PEDRO AROUND WHILE HE WORKS-

ANA LAURA: Don't say that, Pedro. You don't know anything!
PEDRO: If you don't want to give him a divorce, it must be that something ties you to him still.
ANA LAURA: You know very well that is the only thing I want! I hate him!
PEDRO: Then why don't you divorce him?
ANA LAURA: Because I have a plan! I have a plan and I want to carry it out!

-PEDRO COMES BACK FOR ANOTHER BALE OF HAY. THERE'S A SADDLE RESTING ON TOP OF THE HAY. TO GET THE SADDLE OUT OF THE WAY, PEDRO PICKS IT UP AND TRIES TO HAND IT TO ANA LAURA, BUT ANA LAURA PUTS IT BACK IN PEDRO'S HANDS. HE AGAIN TRIES TO HAND HER THE SADDLE, BUT SHE ONCE AGAIN GIVES IT BACK TO HIM-

PEDRO: Oh, really? And what is that plan?
ANA LAURA: Well, don't concern yourself with that plan!
PEDRO: You're willing to risk everything for anyone except me! Isn't that true?
ANA LAURA: Why do you say that?
PEDRO: Because it's the truth!
ANA LAURA: No, it's not true! What's the matter? Has Marisol been filling you head with ideas?
PEDRO: No one fills my head with anything!
ANA LAURA: I'm not so sure about that!
PEDRO: I have my own way of thinking! My own ideas, and if I have an opinion…..
ANA LAURA: You know what you can do with your opinion!
PEDRO: Yes, of course! You don't care! You don't care if I suffer!
ANA LAURA: And you don't think I suffer?
PEDRO: Sometimes you seem to be made of stone!
ANA LAURA: I would have liked it if you'd never come here!
PEDRO: Me too!
ANA LAURA: I wish I'd never met you!

-SHE WALKS AWAY. PEDRO IS LEFT HOLDING THE SADDLE IN HIS HANDS-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-GUNTHER IS IN THE KITCHEN OF THE EMPLOYEE'S HOUSE. HE'S AT THE STOVE, MIXING SEVERAL INGREDIENTS FOR A POTION HE'LL BE USING TO TAKE REVENGE ON THE LINARES. TOTI COMES IN. GUNTER HIDES THE CONTAINER WITH THE POTION, OUT OF TOTI'S VIEW-

TOTI: What are you preparing that smells so good?
GUNTHER: Nothing! It's just a home remedy to give my puppies more energy!
TOTI: Your puppies have enough energy! They just don't listen to you!
GUNTHER: They just need a little more training, and this remedy will help them be more alert! My dogs will be more intelligent than any miserable worm!
TOTI: Ha! Your dogs just realized that you're nothing but a simple peon without any authority and that's why they don't listen to you!
GUNTHER: There will be a price to pay! One way or another!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA IS IN HER BEDROOM, TALKING TO LETICIA. SHE'S EXTREMELY UPSET AND PACING THE FLOOR-

ANA LAURA: He doesn't stop! He never stops questioning me! And we always end up fighting!
LETICIA: I think Pedro realized you lost a wonderful opportunity to be together.
ANA LAURA: I'm sorry! I'm very patient with him, but he exasperates me!

-LETICIA CAN'T BELIEVE HER EARS-

LETICIA: Did you just say you're very patient with him?
ANA LAURA: Is there any doubt? You don't know what a temper he has, my love! It's terrible!
LETICIA: You are constantly pushing him away! You're always fighting with him!
ANA LAURA: I have my reasons!
LETICIA: Nothing justifies that you're still with Mariano!
ANA LAURA: Oh, really? How about to defend my father! To defend my property!! To defend my family! Aren't those reasons enough justification?
LETICIA: Why don't you defend in the same way what you feel for Pedro?
ANA LAURA: I can't! I can't do everything at once! I can't!
LETICIA: Do you want to know something? You are handing him over to Marisol on a silver platter!
ANA LAURA: I'm not handing him over to anyone!
LETICIA: Call it any way you want! Just don't say I didn't warn you!

-LETICIA, VERY ANGRY, WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM. ANA LAURA, ALONE IN THE ROOM, LOOKS UPSET-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL IS SLICING VEGETABLES ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER. PEDRO IS STANDING NEXT TO HER-

PEDRO: If Ana Laura says so!
MARISOL: Perhaps she's right and it's impossible at this moment for her to do anything to prevent them from throwing you out.
PEDRO: True. But I won't make it easy for them. I'm not leaving that easily. And thank you very much for trying to help me.**
MARISOL: I wish I'd been able to do something else. I want to say something to you.
PEDRO: Tell me.
MARISOL: I made a mistake to distrust you. Will you forgive me?
PEDRO: Yes. But it hurt me very much. I would never do anything like that.
MARISOL: I know. I just don't understand how Estéban found out that information.
PEDRO: It truly is a mystery.
MARISOL: Yes, and it worries me very much.
PEDRO: It worries me too. But don't worry, sooner or later, the truth will come out.
MARISOL: I'm afraid, Pedro. I'm very afraid.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-JULIETA IS TALKING TO CHOCOLATE. MARIANO IS SEEN WALKING TOWARDS HER-

JULIETA: Adults always fight with each other, Choqui. For example, take the case with my mother and Pedro. It's like you and Lunita. Why do they fight with Mariano so much? Why do they hate him? He's very nice to me. Is it possible that a person can be really nice to some people and really mean to others?
MARIANO: I doubt that very much.
JULIETA: Ah, Mariano. I was just talking to Chocolate about you.

-MARIANO KNEELS IN FRONT OF JULIETA AND BEGINS TALKING TO HER-

MARIANO: And what was he telling you?
JULIETA: That he doesn't like it when people fight either.
MARIANO: I'd like to see you a little happier. I've been thinking about what you asked me. I think it can be arranged.
JULIETA: Seriously?
MARIANO: Ahum!
JULIETA: Pedro will be able to be my trainer?
MARIANO: Yes, he will.
JULIETA: Thank you! That's great!
MARIANO: But we have to wait and see what he says. You've seen how he's been treating me lately.
JULIETA: If you leave this in my hands, you will not fight anymore.
MARIANO: In that case, I'll leave this in your hands.
JULIETA: If I do well in the tournament, you will be very proud of me!
MARIANO: Yes. Of course I'll be proud of you.

-MARIANO HUGS JULIETA. SHE DOESN'T SEE THE LOOK OF SATISFACTION ON HIS FACE-

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

-THE KITCHEN IN THE MAIN HOUSE IS EMPTY. GUNTHER SLOWLY OPENS THE DOOR AND COMES IN. HE COMES CLOSER TO THE STOVE WHERE THERE IS A POT OF STEW ON THE FIRE. HE TAKES A SMALL CONTAINER FROM HIS PANTS POCKET AND IS PREPARING TO POUR THE CONTENTS INTO THE POT WITH THE STEW, WHEN ROSA ENTERS THE KITCHEN-

ROSA: Gunther! What are you doing in my kitchen?
GUNTHER: I was just doing some quality control.
ROSA: You don't need to do any quality control! That's my job!

-ROSA TASTES THE FOOD-

ROSA: It needs pepper.

-SHE WALKS OVER TO THE PANTRY TO GET THE PEPPER. AS SOON AS SHE TURNS HER BACK TO GUNTHER, HE EMPTIES OUT THE CONTAINER INTO THE POT. ROSA RETURNS AND ADDS PEPPER TO THE STEW-

ROSA: What are you still doing here, bothering me?
GUNTHER: I always like to bother people a little, but I'll leave now!
ROSA: Go away.

-ROSA TASTES THE STEW ONCE AGAIN, AND IS SATISFIED WITH THE TASTE-

ROSA: Ah, tonight, everything will be perfect!

-GUNTHER IS STILL STANDING BY THE DOOR. HE COMMENTS TO HIMSELF-

GUNTHER: Yes! All of you will be sorry for everything you've done to Gunther!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS IN THE LIBRARY. PATRICIA COMES IN. SHE'S EXTREMELY UPSET-

PATRICIA: I'm glad to find you here! You don't know what happened!
MARIANO: What happened?
PATRICIA: Ignacio wants to throw me out of the estancia!
MARIANO: What?

-SHE BEGINS CRYING-

PATRICIA: Yes! He told me he didn't need me anymore! He treated me like a piece of garbage! Can you imagine? I feel so alone! So helpless!
MARIANO: No! No!
PATRICIA: I don't want to leave, Mariano! I don't want to leave! I'm willing to do anything to be able to stay! Anything!
MARIANO: Anything?
PATRICIA: Yes, anything!
MARIANO: Anything!
PATRICIA: Anything!

-MARIANO KISSES HER DESPERATELY. HE CLEARS THE TOP OF THE SMALL DESK, WHERE HE PUSHES PATRICIA AND BEGINS TO REMOVE HER SWEATER-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO AND MARISOL ENTER THE MAIN HOUSE. ANA LAURA APPEARS AND MEETS THEM IN THE LIVING ROOM. MARISOL IS FACING ANA LAURA. PEDRO STANDS BETWEEN THE TWO WOMEN-

ANA LAURA: What are you two doing here?
MARISOL: We're here to talk to your dad.
ANA LAURA: May I ask what this is in regards?
MARISOL: I want to ask him why he took what belonged to us.
ANA LAURA: He's resting at this moment, but whatever you need to say to him, you can tell me. It's exactly the same.
MARISOL: No, it's not the same, because you have nothing to do with this.
ANA LAURA: If you're accusing him, it's as if you were accusing me, so tell me. What happened?

-PEDRO LOOKS FROM ANA LAURA TO MARISOL, WITHOUT SAYING A WORD-

MARISOL: Why do you continue to defend him? Don't you realize everything he did to us?
ANA LAURA: He didn't do anything.
MARISOL: The proof is very clear. He's a swindler!
PEDRO: Enough, Marisol. There's no need to fight.
ANA LAURA: Yes! There is a need to fight, because my father is not a swindler!
PEDRO: We already know that.
MARISOL: No! We don't know that! Because he signed so they could take everything from us!
ANA LAURA: He thought it was best!
MARISOL: For whom? For him? How naïve you are!

-ANA LAURA TURNS TO PEDRO-

ANA LAURA: Do you feel the way she does?
MARISOL: Yes, he does! Don't you?

-PEDRO WORRIEDLY LOOKS AT BOTH OF THEM BUT DOES NOT RESPOND-

MARISOL: Well, who cares what Pedro thinks!
ANA LAURA: I care!
MARISOL: Well, Pedro, tell her! Go on! Speak for yourself!
PEDRO: Please! There…..there's no need for you to react this way!
ANA LAURA: I believe there is. I want to know whose side are you on!

-PEDRO REMAINS SILENT FOR A FEW SECONDS-

MARISOL: Go ahead, Pedro. You're free to say what you please.
PEDRO: Well, I believe Marisol is fighting for what's rightfully hers. And if your father is somehow responsible…..
ANA LAURA: You still haven't answered my question!
PEDRO: Yes, but concerns me it's something else. If your father is involved in this business, I don't think…..
ANA LAURA: Fine! It's obvious you're on Marisol's side and that you think as she does; that my father is a poor swindler. Isn’t that true?
PEDRO: No! I didn't say that!
ANA LAURA: No, you didn't say it, but it's what you think!
MARISOL: Why don't you let him talk?
ANA LAURA: Don't get involved!
PEDRO: Yes, do what Marisol said! Let me talk! What I wanted to say…..
ANA LAURA: Look! What you wanted to say or what you think, doesn't matter to me! I'm asking both of you to leave my house now!
MARISOL: Can't you see that we're just trying to clear things up so this matter doesn't end up in a trial?
ANA LAURA: Don't threaten me! Take this trial if you want! But I know very well that my father is innocent! All right?
MARISOL: I hope I'm wrong.
ANA LAURA: I hope so too!
MARISOL: Come on, Pedro, let's go; this is useless.

-MARISOL LEAVES-

ANA LAURA: Go ahead! Go ahead, Pedro! Go ahead! Your owner is calling you! Go! Go!
PEDRO: Don't take it this way!
ANA LAURA: Oh, no? All I have to say to you is that I don't want to see you again! Don't come by house ever again!
PEDRO: Yes! Like always! Like always! You always have to have the last word!

-PEDRO IS VERY ANGRY. HE EXITS THE HOUSE-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IN THE LIBRARY, PATRICIA AND MARIANO RE-ARRANGE THEIR CLOTHES, AFTER A PASSIONATE SESSION TOGETHER-

MARIANO: You're incredible! You're incredible! I like it when you…..

-PATRICIA KISSES HIM-

PATRICIA: It’s you! It's you! You arouse all this in me!
MARIANO: Come here! Don't leave! Don't leave! Stay here with me!
PATRICIA: No! No! It's enough for now! If I stay in this house, we'll have plenty of opportunity to be together!
MARIANO: You will stay! You will stay because I'm going to do the impossible for you to stay here!

-MARIANO HOLDS HER IN HIS ARMS AND DOESN'T WANT TO LET GO-

PATRICIA: You will?
MARIANO: Yes!
PATRICIA: You will protect me?
MARIANO: It depends on how well you behave! If you behave the way you just did…….
PATRICIA: Better!
MARIANO: Better?
PATRICIA: I will behave a lot better! I promise!

-SHE KISSES HIM AGAIN-

MARIANO: You ought to know I'm insatiable!
PATRICIA: So am I!
MARIANO: You drive me crazy! Crazy! Crazy!

-THEY KISS ONCE AGAIN-

MARIANO: It must be time for dinner! I'll go first. You can follow me then.
PATRICIA: Yes.
MARIANO: All right?
PATRICIA: Ahum!

-MARIANO KISSES HER ONE LAST TIME AND THEN EXITS THE ROOM. PATRICIA COMMENTS TO HERSELF-

PATRICIA: Marianito Linares, you will be very useful to me!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IN THE DINING ROOM, FLORIA IS SITTING ALONE AT THE TABLE. DINNER IS SERVED AND SHE'S ABOUT TO PICK SOMETHING FROM A DISH WITH A FORK, WHEN MAGDA ENTERS THE ROOM CARRYING A TRAY-

MAGDA: Remember your cholesterol!
FLORIA: But, I'm starving! Isn't anyone coming?
MAGDA: They'll be here soon. If you're hungry, here's your dinner!

-MAGDA SETS THE TRAY ON THE TABLE AND UNCOVERS THE DISH SHE BROUGHT ESPECIALLY FOR FLORIA-

FLORIA: I rather wait than to eat this!

-IGNACIO APPEARS-

IGNACIO: Magda, may I have my dinner served in my room, please.
MAGDA: Yes, sir.

-ANA LAURA ENTERS THE ROOM NEXT-

ANA LAURA: And you may remove my setting.
FLORIA: You're not eating, querida?
ANA LAURA: No, I'm not hungry. My stomach hurts.
IGNACIO: Is there a problem?

-ANA LAURA IS SILENT FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN WHISPERS IN IGNACIO'S EAR-

ANA LAURA: No! I'm on a diet! But if I tell her that, she'll never leave me alone!
IGNACIO: Take care. You're too thin.
ANA LAURA: You take care also, dad; good night.

-IGNACIO KISSES ANA LAURA AND LEAVES THE ROOM. ANA LAURA THEN KISSES FLORIA-

ANA LAURA: Ciao, grandmother.
FLORIA: Good night, querida.
ANA LAURA: Good night. Ciao, Magda.

-ANA LAURA TURNS TO LEAVE. MARIANO ENTERS THE ROOM, FOLLOWED BY ALVARO AND CECILIA-

MARIANO: Excuse me, your father won't be dining with us?
ANA LAURA: No, and neither am I.
MARIANO: This means I'm going to be dining alone again!
ANA LAURA: No! You'll be dining with your family!

-ANA LAURA LEAVES-

CECILIA: Gutiérrez!
FLORIA: Don't shout, please!

-CHAPA APPEARS-

CHAPA: You called, ma'am?
CECILIA: Yes. You may serve.
CHAPA: Very well.

-CHAPA RETURNS TO THE KITCHEN-

CECILIA: You have to be after him for everything!

-PATRICIA ENTERS THE ROOM-

PATRICIA: Where is Ignacio?
MARIANO: Ignacio is in his room. It seems he's not feeling well.

-MARIANO REACHES UNDER THE TABLE AND TOUCHES PATRICIA'S THIGH. ALVARO NOTICES THIS GESTURE. ROSA COMES IN TO SERVE DINNER-

CECILIA: Where is Lisa?
ROSA: Lisa is in her room. She's not feeling well, señora. That's why I'm here, helping, if it's all right with you.
CECILIA: Gutiérrez, did you taste the food?
CHAPA: Yes. Yes, señora. It's perfect.

-FLORIA GESTURES TO ROSA TO SERVE HER FROM THE PLATTER SHE JUST BROUGHT IN FROM THE KITCHEN-

MAGDA: No! As if I didn't know you already! If you're hungry, here are the vegetables I prepared especially for you!
FLORIA: All this care! All this care; but you'll end up killing me from anguish! To live without eating well, is to not live!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE NEXT MORNING, GUNTHER IS HAPPILY SINGING TO HIMSELF WHILE RAKING HAY. PEDRO AND TOTI ARRIVE AND WATCH AS GUNTHER SPRINTS HAPPILY OUT OF SIGHT-

TOTI: Just look at him! Who understands him? Yesterday, he was so sad and today he seems happier than a clam!
PEDRO: At least, there's someone happy around here!

-MARIANO APPROACHES THEM-

MARIANO: Balmaceda!
PEDRO: I was just leaving. I came to get my things.
MARIANO: No, don't take anything. You will stay to train Julieta.
PEDRO: What did you say?
MARIANO: Exactly what you heard. I want you off the fields and training Julieta exclusively. She must win, do you understand?
PEDRO: Yes! Yes, but I don't understand why…….

-GUNTHER IS STANDING TO THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING, LISTENING TO THEIR CONVERSATION. MARIANO IS LOOKING QUITE UNCOMFORTABLE-

MARIANO: Toti! Are the rest rooms in this area in good working conditions?
TOTI: Yes, sir. Yes, sir, they are.

-GUNTHER LAUGHS WHEN HE HEARS MARIANO ASKING TOTI THIS QUESTION-

MARIANO: Excuse me.

-GUNTHER RAPIDLY WALKS AWAY WHEN HE SEES MARIANO WALKING IN HIS DIRECTION. TOTI THEN LEAVES, LEAVING PEDRO STANDING ALONE, STILL STUNNED BY MARIANO'S DECISION. MARISOL ARRIVES-

MARISOL: Hello.
PEDRO: Hello! You're not going to believe what Mariano just did! He asked me to stay!
MARISOL: What?
PEDRO: Yes! He said I'm to dedicate my time exclusively to train Julieta!

-MARISOL SEEMS SURPRISED-

PEDRO: Do you think Ana Laura had something to do with this?
MARISOL: After seeing the way you stood by me? I doubt it. By the way, I owe you one.
PEDRO: No, please, you don't owe me anything.
MARISOL: Yes, I do. If not for you, I wouldn't have been able to confront her. Did you see the way she reacted?
PEDRO: Yes. She doesn't usually act so strange. There's something wrong. Something must be bothering her that made her react the way she did.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA IS STILL IN BED, WHEN FLORIA ENTERS HER BEDROOM-

FLORIA: Ah! You're still in bed? What's the matter? You don't plan to get up all day?
ANA LAURA: This is just a silly way I have to avoid facing my problems for a little while. But I can't stop thinking about them.
FLORIA: And did you find a solution?
ANA LAURA: Now that Victoria is helping Mercedes, I think we were left without an attorney for dad. We now have to find one and that is going to be very expensive.
FLORIA: Why spend all that money when things can be resolved another way?
ANA LAURA: What way?
FLORIA: If your father made a mistake, he should admit to it and try to come to a peaceful agreement. He's responsible for any damage that might have occurred.
ANA LAURA: Grandmother, are you taking Marisol's side in all this? She doesn't need you! She already has Pedro! Don't worry!
FLORIA: Pedro is always on the side of justice!
ANA LAURA: What justice? Does he know how my father has suffered for everything the Linares have done to him? All the pressure he's been under? Does he know? No, grandmother, he doesn't care! The only thing he cares about is to be near Marisol! That's all!
FLORIA: It seems to me you are mixing everything up.
ANA LAURA: No! I'm not mixing anything up. I see everything very clear!
FLORIA: Tell me….do you want me to talk to Mercedes to see if we can resolve all this?
ANA LAURA: No, grandmother, I'm not going to beg! If Marisol wants to take revenge on us, I swear, I'm ready to confront her!
FLORIA: What? You're willing to confront each other over the lands? Are you sure that is the real reason?
ANA LAURA: Of course it is! What other reason could there be?
FLORIA: You ought to know!

-ERICA IS IN THE KITCHEN, SITTING AT THE TABLE FOR BREAKFAST. SHE'S ADDING SUGAR TO HER COFFEE. FRANCISCO WALKS IN THE ROOM-

FRANCISCO: What a nice surprise!

-HE BENDS DOWN AND TRIES TO KISS HER-

FRANCISCO: Hello, my love! How are you?

-ERICA TURNS THE OTHER WAY, AVOIDING HIM-

FRANCISCO: Hey! What's wrong with you?
ERICA: Nothing. But what Lisa said, left me thinking.
FRANCISCO: Don't you understand that you can't believe what that idiot says?
ERICA: I still didn't like what happened. What is your relationship with her?
FRANCISCO: There is none. Well, yes. There was something, yes. But it's over. Besides, it wasn't that important.
ERICA: And why didn't you tell me? It bothers me.
FRANCISCO: Well, don't make a big deal out of this, all right?.
ERICA: It's not just that. I think we ought to take some time off.
FRANCISCO: What? No! I need you! You mean everything to me, Erica! No, princess! No!
ERICA: Yes! We ought to keep our distances! I need time to think!

-SHE WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM. FRANCISCO IS STUNNED INTO SILENCE. ROSA COMES IN THE ROOM-

ROSA: She didn't finish! She left her coffee!
FRANCISCO: It looks that way. Have you seen Lisa?
ROSA: No, Lisa has spent all day in bed. It seems she's not feeling well. Why? Do you need her for something?
FRANCISCO: Not at all.

-HE STANDS UP FROM HIS CHAIR AND EXITS THE KITCHEN-

ROSA: Francisco!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ALVARO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK. MOLINA IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HIM, WHILE MARIANO IS STANDING BEHIND MOLINA, LOOKING, STILL, VERY UNCOMFORTABLE-

MOLINA: We must act with a lot of determination.
ALVARO: That goes without saying, Estéban, but what are the steps we must follow?
MOLINA: To begin with, we must show that Mercedes is not fully recovered, therefore, her claim is not valid.
MARIANO: That shouldn't proof too difficult, right? Mercedes continues to act a little off!
ALVARO: What about the documents Villalobos signed?
MOLINA: I was getting to that. We must somehow acknowledge the document Ignacio signed.
ALVARO: Fine, we'll do that, but right now, you must excuse me, I'm having problems with my stomach.
MARIANO: You too? It must be something we ate.
ALVARO: It could also be the contaminated air of La Esperanza. I'm sorry, you have to excuse me.

-ALVARO LEAVES THE ROOM-

MOLINA: What do you think it is?
MARIANO: I don't know. In an ordinary day, I'm able to eat even rocks and nothing happens, but today, I really don't know what's happening. Listen, did you bring what I asked for?
MOLINA: Yes, here it is. The process to establish your paternity has begun.

-MOLINA HANDS MARIANO THE DOCUMENT-

MOLINA: If one day you decide to follow through……
MARIANO: I already decided! You may begin!
MOLINA: Are you sure?
MARIANO: Do it now, Estéban!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-LETICIA IS IN THE STABLES, CAREFULLY ROLLING UP BANDAGES. ANA LAURA IS STANDING NEXT TO HER-

LETICIA: Are you really not going to talk to him ever again?
ANA LAURA: Well, it's useless. He already chose Marisol. Now I have to put up with that.
LETICIA: Yes, and I have to put up with you, querida!
ANA LAURA: But, you're my friend, are you not?
LETICIA: I feel I don't know you sometimes. Do you really love this man?
ANA LAURA: With all my heart!
LETICIA: But you're willing to renounce him because of all this?

-PEDRO ARRIVES AT THIS MOMENT AND LISTENS TO THEIR CONVERSATION-

ANA LAURA: If it affects my family, yes.
LETICIA: In that case, you don't love him as much as you think you do.
PEDRO: I feel the same way.

-ANA LAURA AND LETICIA ARE SURPRISED TO FIND PEDRO THERE-

PEDRO: Are you sure it's not just one of your whims, Ana Laura?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-LISA IS LYING IN BED. FRANCISCO ENTERS HER ROOM-

FRANCISCO: Hello!

-SHE SITS UP ON THE BED, AND LEANS AGAINST THE HEADBOARD-

LISA: Don't even think about coming closer!
FRANCISCO: What's the matter? After I come to pay a visit! I see you don't understand anything!
LISA: What is it that I have to understand? That you play the ladies man with Erica and then you come looking for me?
FRANCISCO: You don't understand anything! You'll never amount to anything, this way!
LISA: I don't need to understand anything!
FRANCISCO: Can't you see I'm doing all this for us?
LISA: You are shameless! You are shameless! You don't have to do anything on my account! Get out of here! Get of out of here, now! I don't ever want to see you again, little boy!
FRANCISCO: Fine! It's your loss! I'm sick of you, Lisa! It's over!

-HE WALKS TO THE DOOR. AS FRANCISCO OPENS THE DOOR, HE COMES FACE TO FACE WITH TOTI, WHO WAS ABOUT TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR. FRANCISCO LEAVES AND TOTI, CARRYING SOME FLOWERS FOR LISA, ENTERS THE ROOM-

TOTI: I came at a bad moment!

-LISA IS CRYING AND TOTI SITS AT THE END OF THE BED-

LISA: I just have one thing to say to you. Don't even think about saying you told me so!

TOTI: I wasn't going to say anything like that.

-LISA REACHES OUT TO HIM AND TOTI TAKES HER IN HIS ARMS. SHE CONTINUES CRYING. TOTI HOLDS HER IN A TENDER EMBRACE-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CECILIA IS SITTING ON HER BED, STILL WEARING HER NIGHTCLOTHES. ALVARO IS SITTING ON A CHAIR NEXT TO THE BED PUTTING ON HIS SHOES-

CECILIA: I don't know what's worse; your stomach problems or my headache!
ALVARO: Mariano is experiencing the same symptoms! It's perhaps something we ate.
CECILIA: Yes, perhaps.
ALVARO: Perhaps some food that had expired and we ate it without paying attention.
CECILIA: Do you think they tried to poison us? They're very capable of doing something of that nature!
ALVARO: Don't start, Cecilia!
CECILIA: Perhaps some type of witchcraft!
ALVARO: Please, don’t start with all that stupid nonsense!
CECILIA: Oh! Don't shout!
ALVARO: I'm not shouting! I honestly hate it when you start with all that nonsense!

-ALVARO ANGRILY WALKS TOWARDS THE DOOR-

CECILIA: Are you leaving?
ALVARO: Yes, I'm leaving! You make me nervous with all your screaming!
CECILIA: If you see Carmen, tell her I need her.

-ALVARO LEAVES-

CECILIA: I want to know immediately what is happening.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS WALKING CHOCOLATE BACK TO ITS STALL-

PEDRO: You don't look good at all, my friend. Are they taking care of you the way your Pedro used to do it?

-JULIETA COMES RUNNING AND TAKES PEDRO'S LEFT HAND-

PEDRO: He's fine. He's doing well. And so will you, when you hear the news I have to give you.

-PEDRO DEPOSITS CHOCOLATE IN HIS BOX AND THEN FACES JULIETA-

PEDRO: Mariano asked to stay so I can train you!

-JULIETA IS VERY HAPPY. SHE JUMPS ON PEDRO'S BACK. WITH JULIETA ON HIS BACK, PEDRO WALKS TOWARDS A STACK OF BALES OF HAY. HE SETS JULIETA DOWN AND THEN TAKES A SEAT NEXT TO HER-

JULIETA: Do you see? He's not as mean as you think he is!
PEDRO: Nor as nice as you believe he is! But, that's another story. So, what do you have to say? Are you happy?
JULIETA: Yes. I don't why, but everything is turning out great for me! You're staying; grandmother is staying! The only thing I would need now is that you marry my mom.

-PEDRO IS SURPRISED BY JULIETA'S COMMENT-

PEDRO: Juli, you know that I don't……
JULIETA: No, don't worry! It was a joke!
PEDRO: Ah! A joke! A joke!

-JULIETA SUDDENLY RUNS A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY FROM PEDRO AND SAYS-

JULIETA: No! It wasn't a joke! I really would love it if you were to marry my mom! Think about it! Ciao!
PEDRO: Ciao!

-JULIETA LEAVES-

PEDRO: This little girl doesn't ask for small things!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL IS TRYING TO CHEER MERCEDES UP. THEY HAVE THEIR ARM AROUND EACH OTHER AND ARE WALKING INTO THE KITCHEN, FROM THE BEDROOM-

MARISOL: Come on, mom! Let's go for a walk; take in the fresh air!
MERCEDES: No, I really don't feel like it, little one.
MARISOL: Don't you realize it doesn't do you any good to be thinking about your problems over and over?

-VICTORIA WALKS IN THE HOUSE AT THIS MOMENT-

VICTORIA: Hello! This is just for my dearest friend! Candy!

-VICTORIA HANDS MERCEDES A BOX OF CHOCOLATES. MERCEDES TAKES THE BOX AND KISSES VICTORIA ON THE CHEEK-

MERCEDES: Thank you! You know me so well!
VICTORIA: Do you like them?
MERCEDES: Ahum! Mm!

-MERCEDES OFFERS MARISOL AND VICTORIA SOME OF THE CANDY. THEY BOTH DECLINE-

VICTORIA: Marisol, you need to see my attorney regarding the trial.
MARISOL: You talked to him already?
VICTORIA: Yes, I did; I did.

-THERE'S A KNOCK ON THE DOOR. MARISOL GOES TO ANSWER. ANA LAURA IS AT THE DOOR WITH A SERIOUS LOOK ON HER FACE. SHE TAKES IN THE SCENE, NOTICING VICTORIA IS ALSO THERE-