Provócame

Episode 21

-MARISOL LETS ANA LAURA IN THE HOUSE-

MARISOL: Come in, we were just talking about your dad's situation.
ANA LAURA: That's why I'm here.

-ANA LAURA ENTERS THE ROOM AND FACES VICTORIA AND MERCEDES-

ANA LAURA: I'm very surprised you're doing this to my dad, when all of you know the kind of person he is.
MARISOL: It's not our intention to hurt him, we just want what belongs to us.
ANA LAURA: I hate being in this position and I dislike even more having to beg for anything. I really didn't expect anything like this from the three of you. And especially you, Marisol, when he protected you and gave you a place in the estancia. I believe you ought to show a little more consideration!
VICTORIA: Yes, but when it comes to the Linares, it's difficult to be considerate.
ANA LAURA: But my dad is not a Linares!
MERCEDES: We know that, but in this situation, it's as if he were. They're all the same.

-ANA LAURA BEGINS CRYING-

ANA LAURA: This is so unfair! My father is going to die from all this aggravation!
MARISOL: No one wants to hurt him!

-ANA LAURA IS DESPERATE. SHE LOSES ALL CONTROL AND BEGINS SCREAMING AND CRYING-

ANA LAURA: No! It's true! You do want to hurt him because you're relying on the judicial system! With all the problems he had, this will hurt him even more! This is one more problem for him!
VICTORIA: We have no other alternative, Anita!
ANA LAURA: I honestly don't understand you, Victoria. On one hand, you get him a lawyer to help him, and on the other hand, you want to send him to prison! What kind of friend were you to my mother?
VICTORIA: Just a minute! You're mixing everything! You're being unfair!

-ANA LAURA IS HEARTBROKEN. SHE'S OPENLY CRYING NOW-

ANA LAURA: I'm being unfair? All of you are being unfair because you want my father to pay for something he didn't do! Tell me, right now, what are you going to do with my dad? I want to know!
VICTORIA: We don't really want to hurt your dad, but we need reparation for all the harm they've done to us!
ANA LAURA: All I know is that you care only about your personal things! Isn't that so? Tell me what you're going to do! Tell me!

-THE THREE WOMAN REMAIN SILENT-

ANA LAURA: Fine! Don't answer me!

-DEVASTATED, ANA LAURA RUNS OUT OF THE HOUSE-

MERCEDES: Anita!

-MERCEDES FEELS BAD THAT ANA LAURA IS SO UPSET-

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-CECILIA WALKS UP TO MEET MARIANO SOMEWHERE OUTDOORS-

CECILIA: Mariano! What's wrong? You look so pale!
MARIANO: I don't know what's wrong with me, mom. I've been feeling sick all day.
CECILIA: They poisoned us!
MARIANO: No, don't start!
CECILIA: Fine! I'll keep quiet if you want, but I wanted to tell you something that might be of great interest to you.
MARIANO: Don't act so mysterious. Tell me.
CECILIA: Do you really want to know?
MARIANO: Yes! Tell me, mom!
CECILIA: Ana Laura and Marisol had words.
MARIANO: Don't tell me they had a fight! How nice! Do you know the reason?
CECILIA: I don't know, but when the trouble started, Pedro was also there.
MARIANO: Pedro! Pedro is everywhere! My God! I have a feeling that when all this is over, Marisol and Ana will end up in the street! And Pedro will be left without either one of them.

-MARIANO SUDDENLY DOUBLES UP IN PAIN-

CECILIA: Are you all right?
MARIANO: Yes! Yes! I'm fine, mom!

-HE WALKS RAPIDLY TOWARDS THE HOUSE-

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-IN THE MAIN HOUSE, LETICIA OPENS THE DOOR. VICTORIA WALKS IN-

LETICIA: I'm sorry, Victoria, but Ana is not feeling well.
VICTORIA: I need to talk to her about something very important, querida. Please call her.

-ANA LAURA ENTERS THE ROOM-

ANA LAURA: Victoria.
VICTORIA: Hello, Ana! I'd like for us to talk without interruptions.
ANA LAURA: I know I was wrong earlier and…..
VICTORIA: We are all a little upset and nervous, but we should try to talk more calmly, don't you think?
ANA LAURA: Yes, but not here. I'd prefer to do it in my bedroom. It's not because of you, Leti…
LETICIA: No, it's fine, go ahead. It's not a problem.
VICTORIA: Thank you. Thank you.

-VICTORIA AND ANA LAURA LEAVE THE ROOM, JUST AS ALVARO IS ENTERING THE HOUSE. ALVARO ADDRESSES LETICIA-

ALVARO: What is Victoria doing here?
LETICIA: I have no idea.
ALVARO: Come on, Leticia, don't pretend you don't know; tell me.
LETICIA: Ask her! I don't know anything!

-LETICIA LEAVES THE ROOM-

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-CECILIA IS IN THE KITCHEN, QUESTIONING THE SERVICE PERSONNEL. SHE'S STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GROUP. TO HER RIGHT STAND CARMEN, LISA AND ROSA, WHILE MAGDA, TOTI AND CHAPA STAND TO HER LEFT-

CECILIA: How is it possible that all of us are feeling ill, except you! Did you taste the food before serving it?
CHAPA: The food was perfect, señora.
CECILIA: I doubt it!
ROSA: Señora, the food was perfect! I prepared it myself! It was a home-made meal with fresh ingredients! It couldn't have gone bad!
CECILIA: Did you eat the same thing we did?

-EVERYONE ANSWERS NO-

CECILIA: Ah! Yes, of course! There it is! This was a plot to poison us! That's why you ate something different!
MAGDA: Yes, we had a different dish because it's strictly forbidden to eat what our employers eat!
CECILIA: And who gave that ridiculous order?
CARMEN: You did, señora.
CECILIA: Chapa, this is all your fault! You didn't take care of your obligations, and that caused us to almost die poisoned! It's a lack of hygiene!
TOTI: No! No! Chapa's very clean! He's always washing his hands!
CECILIA: Be quiet, idiot! Who asked you anything! Are you happy with what you did? You must have had a lot of fun with this, right? Well, since no one wants to admit to anything, someone is going to pay for this disaster! And we all know who that is! Isn't that so, Chapa?

-CECILIA AND CARMEN EXIT THE KITCHEN-

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-MARIANO IS LEANING ON THE FENCE, WATCHING MATIAS JUMP. PATRICIA SLOWLY ARRIVES AND STANDS NEXT TO MARIANO-

MARIANO: Good, Mati, good!

-MATIAS, ON CHOCOLATE, APPROACHES THEM. HE'S VERY HAPPY TO SEE PATRICIA-

MATIAS: Mom! You came!

-PATRICIA BLOWS A KISS TOWARDS MATIAS-

MARIANO: Just in time to see him jump!
MATIAS: You told me you weren't able to come!
PATRICIA: But I'm here, my love.
MATIAS: Good! I'm going to do something difficult, so you can see how much I've improved!

-MATIAS RIDES AWAY-

PATRICIA: You're very pale!
MARIANO: Yes, and so are you. It's only because we're feeling this way, otherwise…..
PATRICIA: Otherwise….what?

-THEY BEGIN WALKING TOGETHER AND MARIANO'S ANSWER CAN'T BE HEARD BECAUSE HE WHISPERS IT IN PATRICIA'S EAR. SHE LAUGHS. THEY WALK PAST ANTONIO AND GUNTHER, WHO ARE STANDING UNDER THE SHADE OF A NEARBY TREE-

ANTONIO: Gunther, there's definitely something going on between those two! No one escapes Señora Patricia!
GUNTHER: You must not open your mouth to talk that way about Frau Patri!
ANTONIO: Why defend her! It's so obvious!
GUNTHER: Don't go on with this! You'll meet Gunt's ire!
ANTONIO: Sh! It was a joke! It was a joke!
GUNTHER: Well, it was a joke done in very bad taste!

-ANTONIO TRIES TO GET GUNTHER TO STOP SHOUTING AND HE PUTS HIS HAND OVER GUNTHER'S MOUTH. GUNTHER MOVES IT OUT OF THE WAY-

GUNTHER: Remove your hand immediately! I'm going to tell the bosses what you are saying! They'll throw you out like a dog!
ANTONIO: No, wait! Come back!

-GUNTHER IGNORES HIM AND WALKS AWAY-

ANTONIO: Why do I bother talking to this idiot?

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

-PEDRO AND MOLINA ARE WALKING IN A WOODED AREA OF THE ESTANCIA-

PEDRO: I wanted to know if there is anything that can be done for Ignacio.
MOLINA: And why do you care?
PEDRO: Excuse me, I come in peace!
MOLINA: Really? You haven't stopped creating problems since you got here!
PEDRO: Ah! I see they have influenced your opinion of me!
MOLINA: No, no one has influenced me! I simply observe things! First, you involve yourself with Ana Laura and now with Marisol!
PEDRO: Just a minute! I haven't involved myself with anyone!
MOLINA: Oh, no? What you're doing is very risky! You may end up in serious trouble!
PEDRO: Really?
MOLINA: You have no idea what it is to get involved with the two women of Mariano Linares!

-MOLINA ANGRILY WALKS AWAY FROM PEDRO. HE PASSES BY WHERE MARISOL IS STANDING AND CURTLY GREETS MARISOL BUT CONTINUES WALKING-

MARISOL: Hello.
MOLINA: Hello, Marisol, how are you! Fine?

-PEDRO IS NOW VERY ANGRY AT MOLINA-

PEDRO: What filth! Who does he think he is! Does he think Mariano is God?
MARISOL: Why do you say that? What did he say?
PEDRO: Nothing concrete, but I'm sure Mariano is plotting something against us!
MARISOL: What? What can it be?
PEDRO: I don't know. I don't know, but it can't be anything good.

-HE TENDERLY TOUCHES MARISOL ON THE ARM-

PEDRO: We must be prepared for anything.

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-ANA LAURA IS SADLY SITTING ON THE EDGE OF HER BED, HOLDING A PILLOW ON HER LAP. VICTORIA IS SITTING ON A CHAIR, ACROSS FROM HER-

VICTORIA: I want you to be at peace. I will never leave your father without protection.
ANA LAURA: But a trial is a trial. And I honestly don't think my father would be able to stand it. It would be very difficult for him.
VICTORIA: Yes, yes and it pains us to have come to this step, but you must understand that Mercedes' situation can't go on like this.
ANA LAURA: I know, but you also need to understand me.
VICTORIA: Of course I understand you; you're in the same situation.
ANA LAURA: Yes. I feel that when I come to the end of all this, when all this is over, I will lose everything. Including Pedro, who is what I love most in my life.

-VICTORIA IS SPEECHLESS FOR A FEW SECONDS. SHE'S STUNNED BY ANA LAURA'S CONFESSION-

VICTORIA: Oh! Do you care that much for Pedro?

-ANA LAURA BEGINS TO CRY-

ANA LAURA: Yes. Yes. I can't stop thinking about him. I wish I could hate him. But I can't. I love him too much.
VICTORIA: I understand. A great love, an impossible love always leaves you full of pain.
ANA LAURA: You sound as if it has happened to you.

-VICTORIA REMAINS SILENT-

ANA LAURA: It did happen to you.

-VICTORIA ONLY NODS IN ASSENT-

ANA LAURA: With Alvaro.
VICTORIA: How do you know that?
ANA LAURA: Because I've seen you. I've seen the way you look at him. What did he do to you?
VICTORIA: Things…..things that……things that happen in life.
ANA LAURA: But if you hate him so much, it's because you once loved him. What did Alvaro do to you?

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

-ALVARO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK. ROBERTO GETS UP FROM THE CHAIR HE'D BEEN SITTING ON-

ROBERTO: I have everything; the checks, I will put in the orders.

-ROBERTO IS ABOUT TO LEAVE, BUT ALVARO DETAINS HIM-

ALVARO: Roberto, may I ask you a question? How much time went by from the time Victoria left Buenos Aires and the time you saw her again?
ROBERTO: Why the question? You're not going to start stirring up the past?
ALVARO: I don't know yet, but answer my question.
ROBERTO: Er….approximately…..five years. Why?
ALVARO: Was she alone; or did she have someone in her life?
ROBERTO: When I saw her, she was by herself. If she had someone, I never found out.
ALVARO: No, you couldn’t have found out because she was always very careful at hiding things.
ROBERTO: Perhaps she was all alone!
ALVARO: If that's the case, tell me who helped make all that fortune she now possesses!
ROBERTO: She was already wealthy when she left.
ALVARO: Not as much as she is now. Someone must have helped her.

-ROBERTO REFUSES TO CONTINUE WITH THE CONVERSATION. HE'S ABOUT TO WALK OUT AGAIN, BUT ALVARO STOPS HIM ONCE MORE-

ALVARO: Wait! Why don't you try to find out for me?
ROBERTO: What's the matter, Don Alvaro? What is it that you want to know?
ALVARO: I want to know how she got by all these years without me.

-ROBERTO DOESN'T RESPOND. ALVARO CONTINUES-

ALVARO: You know she was the only woman in my life! And that is very difficult to forget, Roberto. Can I count on you?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

-VICTORIA IS NOW IN TEARS AND IS TELLING ANA LAURA SOME THINGS ABOUT HER PAST-

VICTORIA: When Alvaro left me, I thought I was going to die.

-ANA LAURA IS PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION-

VICTORIA: And your mother and Mercedes helped me so much! So much!
ANA LAURA: That's why Cecilia hated her!
VICTORIA: Yes, poor things. They did what they could. It's just that, later on, things happened and….
ANA LAURA: What happened?
VICTORIA: Certain things….it's a long story. Can we leave it for another time, please? What I want right now is that you understand very clearly that I will never allow any harm to come to your father. If I have to confront Alvaro, I will do it! Believe me, my heart hardened so long ago anyway!
ANA LAURA: Thank you.
VICTORIA: No, I do what needs to be done. And another thing, please don't blame any of this on Pedro. The only one who is to blame here, is Alvaro Linares.

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-FRANCISCO IS IN THE LIVING ROOM. MARIANO WALKS IN CARRYING A LARGE ENVELOPE IN HIS HANDS-

MARIANO: Francisco!
FRANCISCO: Yes?
MARIANO: Take this to Marisol's house.
FRANCISCO: Yes, right away.
MARIANO: By the way, take good care of your teacher.
FRANCISCO: I don't understand.
MARIANO: Never mind. Tell them this envelope is from Dr. Molina.
FRANCISCO: Okay. Anything else?
MARIANO: No, nothing else. Oh, yes! You're doing a great job!
FRANCISCO: Thank you.
MARIANO: You're welcome.

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-IGNACIO IS SITTING AT THE TABLE IN THE DINING ROOM. HE'S READING THROUGH A DOCUMENT AND LOOKS VERY WORRIED. ANA LAURA COMES IN AND ALSO SITS AT THE TABLE-

ANA LAURA: Dad, how are you?
IGNACIO: I've had better days.

-HE HANDS ANA LAURA THE DOCUMENT HE WAS READING-

ANA LAURA: What is this? A summons to appear in court!
IGNACIO: Yes. I have to testify on Mercedes' case.

-ANA LAURA BECOMES ANGRY-

ANA LAURA: They don't waste any time, dad! We haven't even had the time to find an attorney!
IGNACIO: Don't worry. I'll go and tell the truth and then, we'll see what happens.
ANA LAURA: No! We can't leave things like this! I have to fix this! We can't just do nothing!
IGNACIO: What can you do, Ana?
ANA LAURA: I have to do something! I have to stop this madness!

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-IN THE KITCHEN, ROSA, TOTI AND MAGDA ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE-

MAGDA: Toti, are you sure?
TOTI: No, I'm not very sure, but one notices things and I think fatso is enjoying himself very much with all this.
MAGDA: Really?

-GUNTHER COMES IN AT THAT MOMENT-

GUNTHER: Hello.
MAGDA: It was you!
GUNTHER: What are you talking about, maid?
ROSA: How could you be capable of poisoning my food, Gunther?
GUNTHER: Are you accusing Gunther of trying to poison someone? What falsehood is this?
MAGDA: Confess, Gunther!
GUNTHER: Gunther has nothing to confess! Even if you apply a hot iron on Gunther's sensitive feet; even if you peel off his skin, you will never be able to get Gunther to confess to anything! You traitors!
TOTI: You're the traitor! You're the only traitor!
GUNTHER: Gunther's concience is as clean as Mother Teresa's! You'll never be able smear Gunther's name!
ROSA: And you'll never be able to smear my kitchen! Do you hear me?
MAGDA: If I see you around here again, I hold be hold responsible for my actions! I don't want to see you anywhere here, because I will go and tell the bosses what you did! Do you understand me?
GUNTHER: Go ahead and tell on Gunther! Gunther has strong shoulders! But I want to say something to all of you! You will carry this on your concience forever! Think about that!

-GUNTHER VERY DRAMATICALLY EXITS THE KITCHEN-

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-MATIAS ANSWERED THE TELEPHONE IN THE LIVING ROOM-

MATIAS: Mom, telephone for you! Mom!

-PATRICIA ENTERS THE ROOM-

PATRICIA: I'm coming! I'm coming! Don't shout, my love! I have a headache! Who is it?
MATIAS: I don't know.

-SHE TAKES THE PHONE FROM MATIAS-

PATRICIA: Hello.
MAN: Pato? How are you?
PATRICIA: Who is this?
MAN: You don't recognize my voice anymore?

-PATRICIA IS STUNNED WHEN SHE RECOGNIZES THE MAN CALLING HER. SHE TAKES THE PHONE AWAY FROM HER EAR AND COMMENTS TO HERSELF-

PATRICIA: It's not possible! It's not possible!

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-PEDRO AND JULIETA ARE WALKING WITH LUNITA INSIDE THE TRACK-

PEDRO: You did great, Juli. I think it’s enough for today. There's no doubt, you'll soon be at Matias' level.
JULIETA: Well, I want to better than he is.
PEDRO: What matters is, that you enjoy everything you learn.
JULIETA: I love doing this. The only thing I need is Chocolate.
PEDRO: Don't underestimate Lunita, she has her own merits, besides you're working together very well.
JULIETA: Well, thanks to you, because before you came, no one believed I could ride.
PEDRO: Well, now you have someone.
JULIETA: Do you know, if I had a dad, I'd be an expert now.
PEDRO: Life is not perfect, my love.
JULIETA: It's almost perfect.
PEDRO: It is?
JULIETA: Yes because you're almost like a father to me.
PEDRO: I'm glad you feel that way.
JULIETA: And until Mariano finds my real father, you'll take his place.

-PEDRO IS SHOCKED TO HEAR JULIETA'S COMMENT-

PEDRO: Mariano is looking for your father?
JULIETA: Yes, he told me he would. Isn't wonderful?

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-MARIANO IS IN THE LIBRARY, SITTING AT THE DESK. ANA LAURA ANGRILY ENTERS THE ROOM AND SETS THE DOCUMENT IN FRONT OF MARIANO-

ANA LAURA: You're going to have to resolve this.

-MARIANO TAKES A LOOK AT THE DOCUMENT AND HANDS IT BACK TO ANA LAURA-

MARIANO: No. I have nothing to do with all this.

-ANA LAURA BEGINS SHOUTING AT MARIANO-

ANA LAURA: You involved my father in this lie, now you have to get him out of it! Do you understand me?

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-MARISOL WALKS IN HER HOUSE, CARRYING SEVERAL BAGS WITH GROCERIES. SHE DEPOSITS THE BAG ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER. MERCEDES ENTERS THE KITCHEN, FROM THE BEDROOM -

MERCEDES: Hello, my love, do you need help?
MARISOL: No, mami, thank you.

-WHILE MARISOL TAKES OFF HER JACKET, MERCEDES PICKS UP THE LARGE ENVELOPE FROM THE TABLE AND THEN HANDS IT TO MARISOL-

MERCEDES: They delivered this for you.
MARISOL: It doesn't have a return address.
MERCEDES: No, there's nothing.

-MERCEDES OPENS THE ENVELOPE AND PULLS OUT A DOCUMENT. SHE'S ABSOLUTELY STUNNED BY THE INFORMATION SHE'S READING-

MARISOL: What?
MERCEDES: What is it, daughter, you're scaring me.
MARISOL: It's a demand for a DNA test.
MERCEDES: What?
MARISOL: DNA, mom. It's a demand for a DNA test to prove the father's identity!
MERCEDES: Whose father?
MARISOL: Julieta's! Julieta's father, mom!

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

MARIANO: We didn't hold a gun to his head; he knew what he was signing.
ANA LAURA: You took advantage of him!
MARIANO: That's nonsense, please!
ANA LAURA: I really can't believe this! You know my father is not well, and you don't care! He's very ill! He won't be able to stand something like this!
MARIANO: I'm really sorry.
ANA LAURA: You're sorry? How cynical you are! You know you're the only one who can resolve this. Only you! Everything rests in your hands.
MARIANO: Do you want to know something, Ana? I don't understand what gives you the right to come and ask me, precisely, for help! You! You, who continues to humiliate me in front of the whole world!
ANA LAURA: And you deserve it!

-MARIANO IS FURIOUS. HE LEAVES HIS SEAT AND WALKS AROUND THE DESK TO STAND IN FRONT OF ANA LAURA. THEY BEGIN SCREAMING AT EACH OTHER-

MARIANO: I deserve it? Well, then, accept the consequences! Accept the consequences with the dignity fit for a queen!
ANA LAURA: Not only will I accept the consequences, but I will fight and take this to the bitter end!
MARIANO: Well done! Well done!

-MARIANO SARCASTICALLY APPLAUDS AFTER ANA LAURA'S COMMENT. IGNACIO, AFTER HEARING THEIR ARGUMENT, SUDDENLY ENTERS THE ROOM-

IGNACIO: What's the matter? Why are you yelling?
ANA LAURA: Nothing! Nothing, dad! There's nothing new going on!
MARIANO: Yes! There's something going on! I'm sick of both of you! That's what’s going on!
IGNACIO: This has to end!
MARIANO: Yes! Of course, it will end!
ANA LAURA: I swear to you….I swear to you that it will be worse than anything you ever imagine! I can't stand you! I can't stand you!

-ANA LAURA ANGRILY LEAVES THE ROOM-

MARIANO: Ciao, Ana!
IGNACIO: You're unbearable!

-IGNACIO ALSO WALKS ANGRILY OUT OF THE ROOM-

MARIANO: And you're pathetic, Ignacio. You're pathetic.

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-MARISOL IS DEVASTATED WITH THE NEWS SHE JUST RECEIVED IN THE ENVELOPE ABOUT THE DNA TEST-

MARISOL: He's sick! How can he do this to me, mom? I hate him! I hate him!

-MERCEDES IS AT A LOSS ABOUT MARISOL'S REACTION TO THIS NEWS. SHE HAS NEVER QUESTIONED MARISOL ABOUT THE IDENTITY OF JULIETA'S FATHER. WHEN THESE EVENTS HAPPENED, MERCEDES HAD BEEN ALREADY CONFINED TO THE CLINIC-

MERCEDES: Marisol….
MARISOL: My little one! My daughter!
MERCEDES: Marisol, who are you talking about?
MARISOL: Mariano, mom! Mariano! Mariano is Julieta's father! I hate him!

-MERCEDES IS SHOCKED BY THIS ADMISSION FROM MARISOL-

MERCEDES: Mariano….your cousin?
MARISOL: Yes, my cousin, mom! My cousin! He raped me! He raped me when I was fifteen years-old, mom!
MERCEDES: No! Not that also! Not that! No!
MARISOL: My little daughter!
MERCEDES: I will kill him! I will kill him! I must kill him! I must kill him!

-MARISOL BECOMES WORRIED WHEN SHE SEES HOW DISTURBED MERCEDES LOOKS. MARISOL EMBRACES MERCEDES AND TRIES TO CALM HER DOWN-

MARISOL: No, mamita, please! Please, calm down!
MERCEDES: I must kill him!
MARISOL: No! Calm down! I love you very much, mami!
MERCEDES: I must kill him! I must kill him! How could he do this? How could he?

-JULIETA AND PEDRO WALK IN AT THIS MOMENT AND JULIETA WORRIES WHEN SHE SEES HOW UPSET MARISOL AND MERCEDES ARE-

JULIETA: Mom! What's wrong?

-MARISOL WHISPERS TO MERCEDES-

MARISOL: Help me, mom! Help me!

-BOTH WOMEN ARE TRYING VERY HARD TO REGAIN THEIR COMPOSURE. JULIETA AND PEDRO AWAIT IN STUNNED SILENCE-

MERCEDES: Nothing, my love! Nothing's wrong!
MARISOL: Mami…..would you go outside with Julieta for a little while?
MERCEDES: Yes! I need a little fresh air! Would you come with me, Julieta?
JULIETA: Yes, I'll come with you!
MERCEDES: Yes, come with me! Pedro!

-MERCEDES LIGHTLY TOUCHES PEDRO'S ARM IN PASSING. SHE AND JULIETA LEAVE THE HOUSE. PEDRO SLOWLY APPROACHES MARISOL-

PEDRO: What's wrong?
MARISOL: Nothing! Nothing's wrong!
PEDRO: Don't tell me nothing's wrong! I know you and I know something's wrong!

-MARISOL RUNS CRYING INTO PEDRO'S ARMS-

PEDRO: What's wrong?

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

-PATRICIA NERVOUSLY CONTINUES WITH THE TELEPHONE CONVERSATION-

PATRICIA: What do you want from me?
MAN: Hey! Why the hurry?
PATRICIA: Would you…..would you tell me what you want?
MAN: Everything at its proper time! For now, I'm happy to have made contact with you. You don't know how much I've missed you.
PATRICIA: I'm asking you…..I'm asking you to please never call me again at this number! Did you hear? Never again!
MAN: Why not, little one? Why not?

-PATRICIA HANGS UP THE PHONE WHEN SHE SEES CECILIA WALKING IN THE ROOM WITH SOME FLOWERS. MATIAS IS STILL IN THE ROOM-

CECILIA: Whom were you talking to?
PATRICIA: No one! It was a wrong number.

CECILIA, AFTER SETTING THE FLOWERS ON A NEARBY TABLE, COMES CLOSER TO PATRICIA-

CECILIA: Are you all right, querida?
PATRICIA: Yes! Yes, I'm fine! Why?
CECILIA: I don't know. You look as if you've seen a ghost!

-CECILIA LOOKS AT PATRICIA AND THEN AT MATIAS, AND LEAVES THE ROOM WITHOUT SAYING ANOTHER WORD-

MATIAS: Why did you lie to her?
PATRICIA: How did I lie? I didn't lie!
MATIAS: It was dad, wasn't it? Was it him?

-PATRICIA REMAINS SILENT-

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

-PEDRO AND MARISOL ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE-

MARISOL: That's why Estéban knew who the father was; Mariano told him. But how did Mariano find out?
PEDRO: Perhaps it's something he always suspected.
MARISOL: Yes, it’s not too difficult to imagine. I'm very scared, Pedro!

-PEDRO REACHES OUT AND BRIEFLY RESTS HIS HAND ON MARISOL'S ARM-

PEDRO: Don't worry!
MARISOL: No, but it's just that if Julieta finds out…I would die! I don't know how she would react!
PEDRO: We must be prepared for anything.
MARISOL: What do you mean?
PEDRO: Mariano told Julieta he would find her father.
MARISOL: He's sick! How can he play with a little girl's feelings that way? What is he after?
PEDRO: Perhaps he did it to stop you; to keep a hold on your lands.
MARISOL: Doesn't he care if Julieta suffers?
PEDRO: Mariano doesn't care for anyone! Mariano doesn't care! Mariano is capable of doing anything!

-MARISOL SEEMS VERY PENSIVE FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN PANICS-

MARISOL: Yes! Yes, of course! He could even try to take her away from me! No! I won't allow that!

-MARISOL SUDDENLY PICKS UP THE DOCUMENT FROM THE TABLE AND TRIES TO WALK OUT OF THE HOUSE. PEDRO GRABS HER ARM AND TRIES TO STOP HER-

PEDRO: Where are you going?
MARISOL: You'll find out later, Pedro!
PEDRO: But, wait!
MARISOL: No! No! No! Don't get involved this time!

-MARISOL WALKS OUT OF THE HOUSE. PEDRO REMAINS BEHIND-

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

-GUNTHER IS SITTING ON ONE OF THE BEDS IN THE ROOM HE SHARES WITH THE OTHER WORKERS. HIS TWO DOGS ARE AT HIS FEET. THERE'S A KNOCK ON THE DOOR. GUNTHER IS SUDDENLY NERVOUS-

GUNTHER: Who….who is it?
PATRICIA: It's me Gunther. May I come in?
GUNTHER: Yes! Yes! Yes, Frau! Yes!

-HE RUNS TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR PATRICIA. SHE HURRIEDLY ENTERS THE ROOM-

PATRICIA: Are you alone, Gunther?
GUNTHER: I'm here with my puppies.
PATRICIA: What about the other peons?
GUNTHER: They're out working in the fields.

-PATRICIA REMOVES HER COAT AND NERVOUSLY THROWS IT ON THE BED-

PATRICIA: I need your support, Gunther!
GUNTHER: You need my support?
PATRICIA: I need your support!

-GUNTHER IS ABSOLUTELY AWED JUST THINKING THAT PATRICIA IS ASKING FOR HIS HELP-

GUNTHER: No problem! If you need support……I….I….my answer is very easily a yes, Frau!

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

-CECILIA IS SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM, READING A MAGAZINE. MARISOL WALKS IN THE HOUSE WITHOUT BOTHERING TO KNOCK FIRST-

MARISOL: Where's Mariano?
CECILIA: Querida, one asks for permission!
MARISOL: Is he in his office?
CECILIAL Yes, he's working. What do you need?
MARISOL: I need to talk to him immediately!
CECILIA: No, I'm afraid that's not possible. You're going to have to wait until later because he asks me to make sure no one bothered him.

-MARIANO APPEARS AT THIS MOMENT-

MARIANO: I can make an exception with Marisol. What do you need?
MARISOL: I want to talk to you alone!
MARIANO: How nice! Well…..

-HE MOTIONS TO MARISOL TO ACCOMPANY INTO HIS OFFICE-

CECILIA: Mariano, you told me you didn't want to be bothered by anyone!
MARIANO: It's all relative, mom!

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

-PATRICIA IS NOW PLAYING THE DAMSEL IN DISTRESS. SHE'S SITTING ON THE BED NEXT TO GUNTHER AND IS DRAMATICALLY RELATING TO GUNTHER HER REASONS FOR BEING SO UPSET-

PATRICIA: It is precisely now, at the worse time, that Ricardo reappears in my life!
GUNTHER: Ricardo! He's back?

-PATRICIA REACHES OUT AND TOUCHES GUNTHER'S THIGH-

PATRICIA: You must help me, Gunther!

-GUNTHER REACTS WITH ABSOLUTE FRIGHT AND BEGINS SHOUTING-

GUNTHER: But that man is horrible! He's like the plague! He's the reincarnation of Judas! What are we going to do now?
PATRICIA: Calm down, Gunther! Calm down! You're making me more nervous than what I already am, please!
GUNTHER: But that man is not going to stop until he destroys you, Frau Patri! He's a vile man!
PATRICIA: You are not helping me this way, Gunther!
GUNTHER: I do what I can, Frau; but these are terrible news!
PATRICIA: I'm an idiot! I should have known this was going to be too much for you to handle!

-PATRICIA PICKS UP HER COAT AND GETS UP FROM THE BED. GUNTHER THEN TRIES TO ACT VERY BRAVE. HE ALSO GETS UP FROM THE BED AND ADDRESSES PATRICIA IN A DEEP VOICE-

GUNTHER: No! Nothing is too much for Gunther, Frau! It was just a manner of speaking! A way to release all the tension! I will protect you! You can count on me! If you want me to take care of you, you can count on me, Frau!

-PATRICIA HAS A LOOK OF EXPECTANCY ON HER FACE-

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-MARIANO IS NOW SITTING AT HIS DESK. MARISOL IS STANDING ACROSS FROM HIM, HOLDING THE DOCUMENT-

MARISOL: Do you see this?

-SHE RIPS OFF THE DOCUMENT IN SEVERAL PIECES AND THROWS IT ON THE FLOOR-

MARISOL: Here's your demand for the DNA test! You will never give my daughter any kind of test without my authorization!

-MARIANO CYNICALLY SNEERS AT MARISOL, AND VERY CALMLY RESPONDS-

MARIANO: Are you sure about that?
MARISOL: Yes! You will never do anything to her! Nothing at all!
MARIANO: You know very well that when I want to do something, I do it!

-MARISOL IS DESPERATE. SHE NOW BEGINS CRYING ANEW-

MARISOL: Please! I'm asking you to leave me alone! I don't know….you can do anything you want to me but please don't interfere with my daughter! Please!
MARIANO: Anything?

-MARISOL READILY ASSENTS. MARIANO SLOWLY GETS UP FROM HIS CHAIR AND COMES CLOSER TO MARISOL ACROSS THE DESK-

MARIANO: I want you, Marisol!

-MARISOL, HER EYES FULL OF TEARS, NEVER LOOKED MORE VULNERABLE-

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

-LISA IS IN THE KITCHEN CLEANING THE SILVERWARE. SHE'S SITTING AT THE TABLE, WHILE MAGDA STANDS AT THE COUNTER DRYING THE DISHES-

LISA: Francisco is not behaving right with me, Erica nor any one else. He's going hurt her.
MAGDA: Why don't you talk to Ana Laura about this?
LISA: What for? So Rosa can then say I did it out of resentment?
MAGDA: I would tell her if I were you.

-ANA LAURA WALKS IN THE KITCHEN-

ANA LAURA: Magda, may I have a little tea?
MAGDA: Of course, querida. Would you like me to take it to your room?
ANA LAURA: No, I'll drink it right here.

-ANA LAURA SITS AT THE TABLE ACROSS FROM LISA-

MAGDA: All right, and since you're here, Lisa has something to tell you.

-LISA FEELS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE-

LISA: Aunt!….I don't have anything to say to her.
MAGDA: What do you mean, querida! Tell her what you were saying about Erica!

-ANA LAURA IS CURIOUS NOW. SHE LOOKS FROM MAGDA TO LISA-

ANA LAURA: What's the matter with Erica?
LISA: Well, it's about Francisco. They're seeing each other and I know he's not being honest with your sister.
ANA LAURA: Why do you say that?
MAGDA: Because he is not an innocent and poor Erica is so young and inexperienced that perhaps she will suffer with all this. Why don't you try to do something?
ANA LAURA: Me? With all the problems I already have, Magda? I can't take on another problem. But I know just the right person to help me.

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

-MARIANO IS NOW STANDING ACROSS FROM MARISOL. SHE'S WITH HER BACK TO THE DESK-

MARISOL: You're crazy!
MARIANO: Yes! I'm crazy! I'm crazy for you!

-HE REACHES OUT AND TRIES TO TOUCH HER FACE. SHE PUSHES HIS HAND AWAY-

MARISOL: Don't touch me ever again!
MARIANO: Don't say "ever again." You told me the same thing about Julieta! "Don't look at her ever again." Well, I did; I looked at her and nothing happened!
MARISOL: That's over!
MARIANO: Yes! It's over!

-HE TRIES TO TOUCH HER AGAIN-

MARISOL: Don't touch me because I'll scream!
MARIANO: You always liked to scream! Always! You don't know how glad I am that I chose you as a mother for Julieta!
MARISOL: You're filth!
MARIANO: And when I have you near me, I yearn even more to be the girl's father!
MARISOL: You won't be able to! You won't be able to be her father!

-MARISOL RUNS OUT OF THE OFFICE. MARIANO CONTINUES TALKING ALTHOUGH SHE'S GONE-

MARIANO: Yes, I will! I will! It doesn't matter how many papers you tear up! I will; you will see!

-FRUSTRATED THAT MARISOL RAN AWAY ONE ONCE AGAIN, HE THROWS TO THE FLOOR A PIECE OF THE TORN DOCUMENT HE WAS HOLDING IN HIS HAND-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-A FRUSTRATED MATIAS HANDS TOTI THE REINS TO CHOCOLATE. HE FEELS CHOCOLATE IS NOT RESPONDING TO HIS COMMANDS-

TOTI: You’re not making contact with the horse! You’re miles apart!
MATIAS: I can’t continue training this way! Mariano doesn’t always show up and…..
TOTI: “Mariano doesn’t always show up.” Mariano is not in training!

-TOTI CONTINUES TALKING TO MATIAS WHILE HE MOUNTS CHOCOLATE-

TOTI: You and the horse have to be like a spermatozoid and the ova! Do you understand? You must be as one! Be one! A team! Pay attention! Watch me! Watch me! Here I go!

-TOTI EXPERTLY TAKES OFF ON CHOCOLATE. HE INSTRUCTS MATIAS AS HE GETS READY TO JUMP-

TOTI: I guide him! I guide him and when I’m approaching the bar, I ease the pressure a little before I jump! Do you understand? Here I go! Here I go!

-TOTI IS ABLE TO JUMP OVER THE OBSTACLE WITH EASE. MATIAS IS ELATED TO SEE HOW WELL TOTI WAS ABLE TO GUIDE THE HORSE-

MATIAS: Where did you learn to jump like this?
TOTI: ….and the horse sometimes kicks too hard; Chocolate doesn’t do it because he’s a good horse. But anyway, this is what you have to do!
MATIAS: Where did you learn to jump like this?
TOTI: What do you mean, where did I learn to jump? I didn’t jump! The horse did! What happens is that the horse and I understand each other. You become sort of….I don’t know, we are one.
MATIAS: Would you like me to talk to Mariano about you?
TOTI: What for?
MATIAS: What do you mean, what for! So we can work together!
TOTI: Are you crazy? What’s the matter with you? No! Let me be! I’m fine right where I am!

-TOTI GIVES CHOCOLATE A KISS-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CECILIA IS IN THE LIBRARY. THE DOOR IS OPEN AND PATRICIA WALKS IN-

PATRICIA: Cecilia. Do you have a minute?
CECILIA: Yes, what’s the matter?
PATRICIA: I’d like to talk to you about the domestic help.
CECILIA: Right now?
PATRICIA: Yes, right now. Gunther is indispensable in his post.

-CECILIA LAUGHS-

CECILIA: Gunther has never been indispensable in any post!
PATRICIA: He is now! Just think about it, Cecilia! Since Gunther left and Chapa took over, this house is a disaster!
CECILIA: Things were not that different when Gunther was here.
PATRICIA: Well, yes, but the bedrooms were always in order; the meals were always on time and we never got food poisoning.
CECILIA: Yes, I agree on that point, but as to the rest…..
PATRICIA: I’ll admit that Gunther has his faults, but he’s the only one that can run this house. Think about it, Cecilia. We need a professional in the house.
…………………………………………………………………………………………

-GUNTHER AND PEDRO ARE OUTSIDE THE BARN. PEDRO IS HELPING GUNTHER AIR OUT AND FOLD AN OLD BLANKET-

GUNTHER: Just look at this old rag! Look at all the filth that surrounds me! I’m not used to these conditions!
PEDRO: This is what’s available, Gunther.
GUNTHER: My days in this filth are coming to an end! I will soon return to my quarters in the main house!
PEDRO: And we all wish you the best, Gunther.

-PEDRO HANDS GUNTHER THE FOLDED BLANKET-

GUNTHER: Gunther doesn’t need anyone’s good wishes to return to the place that’s rightfully his!
PEDRO: How can you be so sure?
GUNTHER: Because I have great intuition! Ha! People of my class do not mix with certain types!

-GUNTHER SNEERS AT PEDRO WHEN HE MAKES THIS COMMENT. PEDRO THEN, IN A MENACING MANNER, COMES CLOSER TO GUNTHER’S FACE AND QUESTIONS HIM-

PEDRO: Are you referring to Toti and me, Gunther?

-GUNTHER BACKS AWAY, INTIMIDATED BY PEDRO’S ATTITUDE-

GUNTHER: No, not at all, Peter! You adorn this estancia with your presence!

-GUNTHER IS RELIEVED BY ANA LAURA’S ARRIVAL AT THIS MOMENT-

GUNTHER: Frau Anita! It’s so good to see you!

-ANA LAURA AND PEDRO LOOK AT EACH OTHER. ANA LAURA THEN ADDRESSES GUNTHER, COMPLETELY IGNORING PEDRO-

ANA LAURA: Excuse me, have you seen Toti?

-WHILE ANA LAURA IS TALKING TO GUNTHER, PEDRO COMES VERY CLOSE TO HER AND SEEMS TO RELISH HER PROXIMITY. ANA LAURA SENSES PEDRO CLOSENESS AND TURNS TO FACE HIM. PEDRO IMMEDIATELY BACKS AWAY-

PEDRO: No! No! Uh, uh!

-ANA LAURA, STILL IGNORING PEDRO, ADDRESSES GUNTHER ONCE AGAIN-

ANA LAURA: Would you tell Toti I’m looking for him? Thank you.

-SHE TURNS TO LEAVE, BUT PEDRO DETAINS HER-

PEDRO: Ana! Don’t you want to talk to me?
ANA LAURA: No, Pedro, thank you.
PEDRO: Don’t leave! Don’t leave!

-THEY’RE STANDING VERY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER, WHILE GUNTHER STANDS A FEW FEET AWAY, WATCHING THEM-

………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CECILIA WALKS IN HER BEDROOM. SHE FINDS IT IN COMPLETE DISARRAY-

CECILIA: What is this? It looks as if a tornado went through this room!

-SHE IMMEDIATELY YELLS FOR CHAPA-

CECILIA: Gutiérrez! Gutiérrez!

-CHAPA WALKS IN-

CHAPA: You called, ma’am?
CECILIA: No! I didn’t call! I screamed! What is the meaning of this?
CHAPA: I don’t understand, ma’am! I checked this room twenty minutes ago, and everything was in perfect order! I don’t understand!
CECILIA: You are a disgrace! You’re useless! You’re useless!

-ROSA, MAGDA AND LISA COME RUNNING IN-

ROSA: What’s the matter?
CECILIA: That’s exactly my question! What’s going on here?
LISA: I cleaned this room myself this morning, señora and it was immaculate!
CECILIA: Ah! You called this immaculate?
MAGDA: I’m sorry, ma’am, but I think someone is playing a joke!
CECILIA: Yes! The domestic staff! But this is not going to end right here! You want to be treated with a heavy hand? That’s exactly what you’ll get!

-SHE WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM-

CHAPA: When I find that fatso, I will hang him from the barn!
MAGDA: You won’t be the only one! There will be a long line!

-CECILIA CAN BE HEARD IN THE HALLWAY, YELLING AT THEM-

CECILIA: Stop talking and get to work!
MAGDA: Yes! We’ll get to work! We’ll get to work at getting even with Gunther!

………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA AND PEDRO ARE STANDING FACING EACH OTHER. GUNTHER IS WATCHING THEIR EVERY MOVE. HE’S STANDING SO CLOSE TO THEM, THAT HE’S ALMOST IN BETWEEN THEM-

GUNTHER: Is there a problem, Frau?
ANA LAURA: No, there’s no problem. I can take care of myself.
PEDRO: How long are you going to continue acting this way?
ANA LAURA: It’s not up to me.
PEDRO: I’m not the one who pulls away.
ANA LAURA: Oh, really? And you…..

-ANA LAURA REALIZES GUNTHER IS STANDING BY, LISTENING TO THEIR CONVERSATION-

ANA LAURA: You may go, Gunther.
GUNTHER: Yes. Frau; if you don’t need me…..
ANA LAURA: No, I don’t need you.

-GUNTHER BACKS AWAY SLOWLY. ANA LAURA CONTINUES-

ANA LAURA: What about you closeness to Marisol? Isn’t that a way of pulling away from me?

-GUNTHER HAD BEEN WALKING BACKWARDS AND WAS SO INTENT ON LISTENING TO THEIR CONVERSATION, THAT HE ACCIDENTLY FALLS TO THE GROUND. PEDRO AND ANA LAURA CONTINUE WITH THEIR DISCUSSION WITHOUT BOTHERING TO TAKE NOTICE OF GUNTHER-

PEDRO: I….for Marisol I don’t feel….

-ANA LAURA ANGRILY INTERRUPTS PEDRO-

ANA LAURA: Don’t say that! You’re dying of love for Marisol! It’s very obvious; otherwise, you wouldn’t defend her so!
PEDRO: Ana, Ana, I swear…I swear to you that it’s because of Julieta! To try to give her my support!

-GUNTHER, IN THE DISTANCE, PICKS HIMSELF UP AND WALKS AWAY-

ANA LAURA: Don’t put Julieta in the middle of this, because she has nothing to do with this! You’re deceiving yourself, Pedro, you’re not deceiving me!

-ANA LAURA BEGINS TO WALK AWAY. PEDRO FOLLOWS HER-

PEDRO: Anita! Anita! Anita! Anita! When you have a better idea of what I’m doing, when you understand it…..
ANA LAURA: What?
PEDRO: You’ll come and apologize to me.
ANA LAURA: Oh, really? I’m going to apologize to you?
PEDRO: Ahum!
ANA LAURA: I believe you’re the one who needs to apologize to me!
PEDRO: Why do you always try to change things around?
ANA LAURA: I do that?
PEDRO: Yes, yes! You make me feel bad!

-ANA LAURA SARCASTICALLY ANSWERS-

ANA LAURA: Pedro, I swear; it’s not my intention to make you feel bad, so I think better leave, this way, you’ll begin to feel much, much better! All right?

-SHE WALKS AWAY-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MATIAS IS RETURNING CHOCOLATE TO HIS STALL AFTER TRAINING. MARIANO ARRIVES-

MARIANO: Matías, you’re doing much better, right?
MATIAS: More or less. Toti has been helping me but….
MARIANO: Toti?
MATIAS: Yes, Toti. He’s very good with the horses. I thought perhaps he could help me when you’re not around.
MARIANO: How can you think Toti can help you! Haven’t you noticed he’s a little slow?
MATIAS: Well, he may be so, but he has a good rapport with the horses.
MARIANO: I see, he has a good rapport with the horses.

-JULIETA ARRIVES IN TIME TO LISTEN TO MARIANO’S COMMENT-

JULIETA: Who has good rapport with the horses?
MARIANO: Toti. According to Matías, Toti has a good rapport with the horses, but I don’t believe it.
JULIETA: Yes, he’s excellent at jumping. Haven’t you ever seen him jump?
MARIANO: No. No. Is he really good enough to train Matías?
JULIETA: Yes.
MARIANO: Fine. We’ll try it then, and see what happens.
MATIAS: Oh! I tell you and you don’t believe me; and now when this dummy tells you….
JULIETA: You’re the dummy, little boy!
MARIANO: No, no, stop! Neither one of you is a dummy! All right?
JULIETA: May I see Matías train sometimes?

-MARIANO LOOKS AT MATIAS-

MARIANO: I don’t have a problem with that, but he’s the one to decide.

-MATIAS SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS-

MARIANO: Come on, let’s go home.

-MARIANO WALKS BETWEEN JULIETA AND MATIAS, WRAPPING HIS ARMS AROUND THEIR SHOULDERS-

JULIETA: We could hold a competition between us. He will then see that I’m not dumb.
MATIAS: I’d like that very much, that way you can keep your mouth shut, once and for all. Let’s compete then.
MARIANO: It’s a good idea. But we have to plan it very well.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

-VICTORIA IS VISITING MARISOL. THEY ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE. MARISOL LOOKS VERY TROUBLED STILL-

VICTORIA: I can’t believe what you’re telling me. No one took charge of anything?

-MARISOL SHAKES HER HEAD-

MARISOL: When you became pregnant….did the Linares refuse to accept any responsibility?
MARISOL: I never told them Julieta was Mariano’s daughter.
VICTORIA: But Mariano had to have thought about it.
MARISOL: It’s just that….nothing was ever said about that. I never wanted Julieta to find out and I was very afraid of her reaction once she found out.

-PEDRO ENTERS THE HOUSE AT THIS MOMENT-

VICTORIA: Hello.
PEDRO: Hello.

-HE ADDRESSES MARISOL. HE WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE LAST TIME HE SAW MARISOL, SHE HAD RAN OUT OF THE HOUSE IN SEARCH OF MARIANO-

PEDRO: You’re back.
MARISOL: You can talk freely, Victoria is aware of everything.

-PEDRO PULLS OUT A CHAIR AND JOINS THEM AT THE TABLE-

PEDRO: Fine. How did it go with Mariano.
MARISOL: Not good. He pretends to have me as a hostage.
PEDRO: Is that so?
MARISOL: Yes. He’s willing to use the baby. He’ll do anything to have me.
PEDRO: Mariano is certainly his mother’s son. He ought to be killed!
VICTORIA: No! No! We have to resolve this in another way, please.
MARISOL: Look, Pedro, the last thing I need right now is for you to provoke him. I need to protect and take care of Julieta. We need to pay close attention to her.
VICTORIA: Today is not a good day for anyone.
MARISOL: Why do you say that?
VICTORIA: Because your old house in the estancia is still in the Linares’ name so you can’t move into it. We’re going to have to ask Mariano to let you stay in this house.
PEDRO: We have to ask precisely Mariano.
MARISOL: No! I won’t ask anything else from Mariano!
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ERICA’S BEDROOM - ANA LAURA AND ERICA ARE SITTING ON ERICA’S BED TALKING-

ANA LAURA: Erica, Francisco is a boy with a lot of problems.
ERICA: You never used to prejudge people; who filled your head so you could come and talk to me?
ANA LAURA: No one filled my head! I just want to protect you. That’s all.
ERICA: Protect me? Protect me from what? Francisco is not a criminal! He’s just a boy who has some problems but since I’ve been helping him, he’s doing much better. Don’t you see?
ANA LAURA: Stop! Stop! When I was your age I also thought I could save the world, but it didn’t work out that way!
ERICA: It didn’t work for you! That’s your own experience, not mine!
ANA LAURA: Listen, I don’t want to fight with you. I just want to protect you.
ERICA: Well, don’t protect me. I’m all right!
ANA LAURA: Fine! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! What do I know!

-ANA LAURA TRIES TO GET UP FROM THE BED, BUT ERICA DETAINS HER-

ERICA: Really, I’m fine. Don’t worry.
ANA LAURA: All right.
ERICA: You are sad, aren’t you?
ANA LAURA: Yes.
ERICA: May I ask why?
ANA LAURA: Because until recently, I thought I had a reason to be happy, but I don’t have it anymore.
ERICA: You’re referring to Pedro.
ANA LAURA: Yes. Everything is so complicated between us.
ERICA: I don’t know what to say.
ANA LAURA: Nothing. Nothing.
ERICA: I love you very much.
ANA LAURA: I love you, too. I love you very much.

-THEY SMILE AT EACH OTHER AND EMBRACE-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PATRICIA AND CECILIA ARE SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM. CARMEN IS STANDING A FEW FEET AWAY-

CECILIA: This is incredible! It’s impossible to live with this uncertainty!
CARMEN: At least Chapa made the effort.
PATRICIA: Yes, but that’s not enough, Carmen. The one who knows every detail and every move in this house, is Gunther.
CECILIA: Gunther has made plenty of mistakes.
CARMEN: That man is always meddling in everything.
PATRICIA: Yes, but he’s trustworthy.
CECILIA: I don’t know….
PATRICIA: Cecilia….listen to me. Gunther must be in the house in any capacity. As a servant, a majordomo….anything.
CARMEN: What about Chapa?
CECILIA: It’s been decided! He’ll go back to his old job. He should feel grateful I don’t leave him jobless! And, if Gunther comes back as a majordomo, Carmen can take the position of housekeeper! Although I’m still not very convinced about Gunther!
PATRICIA: Cecilia, didn’t we agree that we would decide everything together?
CECILIA: Fine! Speak to Gunther! And you, Carmen, speak to Chapa. Are you satisfied?
PATRICIA: I’m satisfied!

………………………………………………………………………………………………

-VICTORIA IS IN THE DINING ROOM, TALKING TO IGNACIO-

VICTORIA: The only way to prevent Mercedes from losing her lands, is to prove she was forced to sign those documents.
IGNACIO: I see.
VICTORIA: And there is one way to show just that. I’m going to ask you something….Ignacio, I’m going to ask you to testify in her favor.
IGNACIO: Yes, of course!
VICTORIA: You agreed so easily! Wonderful! There’s the Ignacio I know and love!
IGNACIO: I feel much better just knowing you’re on my side.
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CHAPA IS TALKING WITH LETICIA JUST OUTSIDE THE STABLES. HE’S STILL VERY UPSET ABOUT THE INCIDENT WITH CECILIA’S MESSY BEDROOM-

CHAPA: One thing is to be honest and admit to something you did wrong, but it’s all together different to be blamed for something the fatso is responsible for.
LETICIA: Well, Chapi, don’t be so upset! I think this is a transition you had to go through in order to return to your terrestrial space, which you should have never left!

-CHAPA IS ELATED TO HEAR LETICIA SPEAK OF TERRESTRIAL SPACES. HE’S A FIRM BELIEVER OF UFO’S AND OTHER BEINGS. LETICIA IS DESPERATE TO GET CLOSE TO HIM AND SHE FEELS THAT BY HUMORING HIM ABOUT THIS SUBJECT, IT WILL GIVE HER THE ADVANTAGE SHE NEEDS TO GET HIS ATTENTION -

CHAPA: Are you trying to tell me that “they” instigated all this?
LETICIA: Yes, because with you inside the main house, it was impossible to connect with them!
CHAPA: You surprise me! You’re very smart about these things! I’m a little slow in believing! I always have doubts, many doubts!
LETICIA: I, on the other hand, have absolutely no doubts! None at all!
CHAPA: It’s amazing how much time it takes to really get to know someone. I mean, at first, I wasn’t very fond of you.
LETICIA: And now?
CHAPA: Now? It’s excellent; because I feel....we’re in the same frequency!
LETICIA: Really?
CHAPA: Yes.

-SHE APPROACHES AND SITS ACROSS FROM HIM, BRINGING HER FACE VERY CLOSE TO HIS-

LETICIA: Do you know something, Chapa?
CHAPA: Yes?
LETICIA: I think we should get to know each other better. I don’t know….go places together.

-HE BECOMES VERY NERVOUS-

CHAPA: What…..what places?
LETICIA: I don’t know….special places.
CHAPA: I….I….Leti…..you…..you may take me anywhere you want!
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-IN THE LIVING ROMM, CECILIA IS QUESTIONING MOLINA-

CECILIA: I asked you what is bothering Mariano!
MOLINA: I don’t know. I think the tournament has him a little worried.
CECILIA: I’m not an idiot! What’s happening with Marisol? What does she want from my son, now?
MOLINA: She doesn’t want anything. He’s the one who…..
CECILIA: What? Answer me Estéban! You are also my attorney!
MOLINA: He….he wants to run some tests to see if he’s Julieta’s father.
CECILIA: What did you say?
MOLINA: I don’t know how he got that idea in his head.
CECILIA: Is he absolutely crazy? This is all I needed to hear!
MOLINA: I think you can do something to stop him, right?
CECILIA: But, of course I’m going to so something to stop him! If he wants to bother Marisol he’s going to have find another way!
MOLINA: Yes, and besides, if anyone were to find out, it would be scandalous.
CECILIA: No one will find out anything because nothing ever happened between him and Marisol! And besides, they’re cousins!
MOLINA: Yes, that’s why this is so horrendous! I don’t know why Mariano is acting this way.
CECILIA: I don’t know! I don’t know! But I will put and end to this madness!

-SHE WALKS AWAY, LEAVING MOLINA ALONE IN THE LIVING ROOM-
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-NOW THAT GUNTHER HAS BEEN RETURNED TO HIS FORMER POST OF MAJORDOMO, HE FEELS HE HAS THE ADVANTAGE ONCE AGAIN OVER THE REST OF THE EMPLOYEES. AT THIS MOMENT, HE’S IN THE KITCHEN SHOUTING INSTRUCTIONS TO MAGDA, ROSA AND LISA-

GUNTHER: Hurry up, maids! Suffer! Gunther is back!

-HE’S GLOATING AND LAUGHING AT SEEING THE WOMEN HURRIEDLY DO THEIR CHORES. SUDDENLY, THE DOOR TO THE KITCHEN OPENS AND CARMEN WALKS IN-

CARMEN: Not so fast!
GUNTHER: You dare confront me, maid?
CARMEN: Housekeeper! I’m the new housekeeper and you are now to obey my orders!
GUNTHER: That’s a lie! You’re making this up!
CARMEN: Go ahead and ask the boss! From now on, all of you are under my charge and you will keep to your own post!
GUNTHER: And what is my post?
CARMEN: General overseer.

-ROSA MAKES A SARCASTIC COMMENT-

ROSA: The official buffoon!
CARMEN: And one more thing, Gunther. Don’t even think of sleeping in this house!
GUNTHER: But, where will I sleep?
CARMEN: You’ll continue sleeping in the same room as the peons.
GUNTHER: Wait! Wait!

-CARMEN EXITS THE KITCHEN. MAGDA, ROSA AND LISA SNEER AT GUNTHER. HE HAS A SHEEPISH LOOK ON HIS FACE BUT DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING-
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-CECILIA IS IN HER BEDROOM, ARGUING WITH MARIANO-

CECILIA: This is madness! You’re giving them more reasons to destroy you! They’ll be able to do with you whatever the please!
MARIANO: That’s enough, mom!

-ANA LAURA IS AT THIS MOMENT COMING OUT OF THE ROOM AND WALKING IN THE HALLWAY. AS SHE PASSES BY CECILIA’S BEDROOM, SHE OVERHEARS THEIR RAISED VOICES. SHE STOPS BY THE DOOR AND LISTENS TO THEIR ARGUMENT-

MARIANO: Can’t you see that I don’t care about anything you have to say?
CECILIA: I will not stop until I make you understand! If you admit that Julieta is your daughter, it will be your downfall!

-OUT IN THE HALLWAY, ANA LAURA IS SHOCKED TO HEAR CECILIA’S LAST COMMENT-

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