Provócame

Episode 22

-PEDRO WALKS INTO HIS ROOM AND FINDS GUNTHER ANGRILY UNPACKING HIS SUITCASE ON HIS BED-

PEDRO: What are you doing, brother? That’s my bed!
GUNTHER: Not anymore! Now it’s mine!

-GUNTHER SITS ON THE BED-

PEDRO: Listen, whether you like it or not, that is my bed and you’re not going to get away with this!

-PEDRO SUDDENLY GRABS HIM AND PULLS HIM OFF THE BED-

PEDRO: Get off my bed! Get off my bed!

-GUNTHER BEGINS SHOUTING AT PEDRO AND TRIES TO SHOW OFF HIS SKILLS IN KARATE BY ASSUMING A KARATE POSITION AND WITH HIS ARMS RAISED, CONFRONTS PEDRO. PEDRO IS UNIMPRESSED BY GUNTHER’S STANCE-

PEDRO: You won’t gain anything by trying to use brute force!

-GUNTHER SEES THAT PEDRO IS NOT INTIMADATED BY HIS TACTICS AND DECIDES TO TRY A NEW APPROACH-

-GUNTHER: I’m a very sensitive and delicate person and I can’t sleep on the floor! I’m asking for mercy, Señor Pedro!

-AT THIS MOMENT, THE DOOR OPENS AND MARISOL WALKS IN-

MARISOL: What’s going on?
PEDRO: There are three beds and three men and this coward!
MARISOL: I don’t understand anything.
PEDRO: He’s got his suitcase there and that’s my bed. He wants to sleep on my bed, but where am I supposed to sleep?
MARISOL: Well, come home.

-PEDRO SEEMS SURPRISED BY MARISOL’S OFFER. HE SMILES-

-PEDRO: That’s not a good idea.
GUNTHER: It’s a brilliant idea!
PEDRO: Don’t get involved! Marisol, if I go stay with you, it could bring you problems.
MARISOL: I have so many problems already that one more won’t make a difference. Come on, Julieta and I extend you an invitation!

-PEDRO SMILES-

PEDRO: Thank you, Marisol. I’ll think about it.

-MARISOL SMILES AND LEAVES THE ROOM-
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-MERCEDES AND VICTORIA ARE SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM, READING, IN VICTORIA’S HOUSE. MERCEDES HANDS VICTORIA A MAGAZINE-

MERCEDES: Look how beautiful this wallpaper is. It’d be perfect for the dining room. Do you remember the one I had in my house?

-VICTORIA TAKES THE MAGAZINE AND LOOKS AT THE IMAGES-

VICTORIA: Of course I remember. Oh, look at all the light in the room.

-THE DOORBELL RINGS-

VICTORIA: Who could be calling at this hour?

-WHILE THE HOUSEKEEPER ANSWERS THE DOORBELL, VICTORIA AND MERCEDES CONTINUE WITH THEIR CONVERSATION-

MERCEDES: Do you like it?
VICTORIA: Yes, it’s beautiful.

-MERCEDES STANDS UP WHEN SHE SEES ALVARO COMING INTO THE LIVING ROOM-

VICTORIA: Alvaro! What are you doing here?
ALVARO: I’m here to talk.
VICTORIA: If you’re here to try to convince us to back down….
ALVARO: No, I’m not trying to do such thing. I want to talk to you about something else. I need to talk to you alone. Do you mind, Mercedes?
MERCEDES: No problem.

-MERCEDES LEAVES THE ROOM-

ALVARO: I’d like to talk about what happened between us. Is that possible?
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-GUNTHER’S IN THE LIVING ROOM STANDING BY AND KEEPING GUARD OVER THE TELEPHONE IN THE LIVING ROOM. PATRICIA WALKS IN AND IN A LOW VOICE, ADDRESSES GUNTHER-

PATRICIA: Has he called again?
GUNTHER: No, Frau. You can rest assured that Gunt’s presence deters any unwanted calls and untimely visits.
PATRICIA: You have to be on guard, Gunther. Ricardo has no limits. He’s capable of doing anything. He could show up here at any minute!
GUNTHER: That’s why Gunther is here. His keen vision and survival instinct are the personification of a fast mind!
PATRICIA: Gunther! Gunther! You have to be very alert, Gunther!
GUNTHER: Don’t worry, Frau! Don’t worry! Gunther is going to defend you against everything and everyone!

-IGNACIO WALKS IN THE ROOM AT THIS MOMENT AND LISTENS TO GUNTHER’S COMMENT-

IGNACIO: Who does he have to defend you from, Patricia?

-PATRICIA HAD BEEN STANDING WITH HER BACK TO IGNACIO, SO SHE DIDN’T SEE HIM COME IN. SHE NOW SLOWLY TURNS AROUND AND LOOKS AT HIM WITHOUT ANSWERING HIS QUESTION-
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-MARISOL IS BRUSHING JULIETA’S HAIR-

MARISOL: All right, you’re all set. Now, go brush your teeth and go to bed.

-MARISOL KISSES JULIETA ON THE CHEEK. AT THIS EXACT MOMENT, PEDRO OPENS THE DOOR AND COMES IN-

PEDRO: Excuse me.
JULIETA: Hello, Pedrín!

-SHE HUGS HIM-

PEDRO: I see you’re ready to go to bed.
JULIETA: Yes, but if you’re staying a while I’ll go and change back into my clothes.
PEDRO: No, that’s not necessary.
MARISOL: Did you think about my offer?
PEDRO: Yes.
JULIETA: What offer?
PEDRO: I’ll be staying with you for a little while.
JULIETA: Seriously?
PEDRO: Yes.

-JULIETA JUMPS INTO PEDRO’S ARMS AND HE SWIRLS HER AROUND AND THEN SETS HER DOWN. JULIETA THEN WRAPS HER LEFT ARM AROUND MARISOL’S WAIST-

JULIETA: I love you, mom!

-JULIETA THEN WRAPS HER OTHER ARM AROUND PEDRO’S WAIST SO THAT SHE’S STANDING BETWEEN THEM AND IN DOING SO, BRINGS PEDRO AND MARISOL CLOSER TO EACH OTHER-

JULIETA: And I love you too, Pedro!
PEDRO: And I love you, Juli.

-JULIETA LOOKS FROM PEDRO TO MARISOL AND SMILES-

JULIETA: The three of us could become the best family in the world!

-PEDRO AND MARISOL LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND SMILE-
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-ANA LAURA IS STILL LISTENING IN THE HALLWAY TO MARIANO AND CECILIA’S CONVERSATION-

MARIANO: Do you actually think I don’t know what I’m doing? Why do you think I want to recognize Julieta as my daughter?
CECILIA: I don’t know! I don’t know! I don’t have the faintest idea!
MARIANO: You never have the faintest idea, mom!
CECILIA: And you do? Don’t you realize how embarrassing this will be for your father and myself?
MARIANO: You and dad would be embarrassed? Please, mom, don’t make me laugh!
CECILIA: Just a minute! Don’t be disrespectful! Are you aware of all the sacrifices we have made in order to keep the Linares name in good standing?
MARIANO: I’m tired of you always throwing your sacrifices in my face!
CECILIA: I’ve never done that! Mariano, you’re completely crazy!
MARIANO: Mom! Mom! You ought to see a psychologist, really! You’re seeing madness everywhere. Perhaps you are the one who’s crazy.
CECILIA: You’re disrespectful! You’re insolent!
MARIANO: Stop this, mom! Stop! Leave me alone!

-ANA LAURA HAS HEARD ENOUGH. SHE WALKS AWAY DISGUSTED-
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-JULIETA IS STILL HOLDING ON TO PEDRO AND MARISOL-

JULIETA: I don’t like to be alone.
MARISOL: What do you mean you’re alone? You have me!
JULIETA: Well, yes, mom; it’s just a manner of speaking! But now the three of us are going to be together. You’re going to be only ours all the time, right?
PEDRO: Well, my love, as for all the time…..
MARISOL: He can’t be at your disposal at all times!
JULIETA: Well, but if he and I are willing….you shouldn’t get involved!
MARISOL: Can you believe her? She’s terrible! Well, Pedro, shall we go take a look at the room in the back?
PEDRO: Oh, I get to have the back room?
MARISOL: Well, yes Pedro, but don’t get too happy; it’s a very old room.
PEDRO: Yes, my old dolls sleep in there!
MARISOL: Everything that is old sleeps in there! Let me go ahead and clean it up a little….
PEDRO: No, let’s go together; I’m dying to see it.
MARISOL: All right, as you wish. Let’s go in a line!

-THEY LAUGH AND THE THREE OF THEM BEGIN MARCHING OUT OF THE ROOM-
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IGNACIO: What danger is Gunther supposed to protect you from?

-PATRICIA TRIES TO GAIN TIME AND PRETENDS TO BE ANNOYED BY IGNACIO’S QUESTIONING-

PATRICIA: Oh, my God! My God! Go ahead, Gunther; tell him, because it seems that if you don’t explain things clearly, he doesn’t understand!

-GUNTHER IS STUNNED. HE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY-

GUNTHER: Eh….there are plenty of dangers, Herr Igna! There are many difficult moments in the world for a helpless woman like Frau!
IGNACIO: Ha! Patricia…..helpless?
GUNTHER: Yes! Frau Patri is a woman in the prime of her life! Healthy and beautiful like a blooming flower that grows in the pampas (VAST PLAIN OF SOUTH AMERICA.) I have to protect her from the wild impetus of degenerate peons!
IGNACIO: What nonsense! Leave, Gunther!
GUNTHER: If Frau doesn’t require my services!
IGNACIO: Leave, I said!

-GUNTHER DRAMATICALLY BOWS IN REVERENCE AT IGNACIO AND LEAVES THE ROOM-

IGNACIO: Don’t try to pretend, you’re a terrible actress. I want you to tell me what’s behind all this farce.
PATRICIA: Hum?
IGNACIO: I’m too old and too tired to follow all this stupidity.
PATRICIA: Of course! Of course! For you, everything about me is a stupidity!
IGNACIO: You said it! Well, without preambles, I want to know what are you up to.
PATRICIA: Why should I bother to tell you? You wouldn’t be able to help me anyway.
IGNACIO: No one can help you. You’re so devious. And don’t play the victim with me because I don’t believe you.
PATRICIA: I’m not surprised. We stopped trusting each other long time ago, Ignacio. And it is so sad! So sad! How did we come to this? What happened to us, Ignacio? What happened to us?

-SHE MAKES A DRAMATIC EXIT-
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-ALVARO IS COMFORTABLY SITTING IN VICTORIA’S LIVING ROOM, SMOKING A CIGAR AND REMINISCING ABOUT OLD TIMES-

ALVARO: The things we did to be together! God, what beautiful madness we experienced!
VICTORIA: Hum. Do you remember when you pretended to be the family’s priest?
ALVARO: When you had your appendix removed? I was able to enter your hospital room at any time.
VICTORIA: Yes, we were very happy together. Happy….in a very odd way. But happy nonetheless.
ALVARO: I suffered terribly, Vicky. Terribly. And although you don’t believe me, I cried very much for you.
VICTORIA: Well, everything has its moment.
ALVARO: But I didn’t have any other option. Cecilia was pregnant with Mariano and I was forced to choose between a family or…..
VICTORIA: Love. You did the right thing.
ALVARO: I still love you, Vicky.
VICTORIA: Oh, no, please!
ALVARO: If not for Mariano, I would have never left you.

-VICTORIA BECOMES ANGRY NOW. SHE FEELS SHE LEFT HER GUARD DOWN LONG ENOUGH AND SEEMS TO REGAIN HER SENSES-

VICTORIA: Wait just a minute! Why did you really come here?
ALVARO: I came to see you. I needed to talk to you.
VICTORIA: Please! We talked! We already talked! I believe we talked more than enough! So, now….good night!

-SHE POINTS TOWARDS THE DOOR-
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-MARISOL, JULIETA AND PEDRO ENTER THE ROOM WHERE PEDRO WILL BE STAYING. IT CONTAINS A FEW PIECES OF OLD FURNITURE AND ON THE BED REST SEVERAL DOLLS BELONGING TO JULIETA-

MARISOL: Well, this is the room. The only problem is that it opens into the patio and sometimes when it rains, it gets a little cold.
PEDRO: It’s all right, no problem.
JULIETA: Let me turn on this lamp. Juli will you go and bring some sheets?
JULIETA: Yes, mom.

-JULIETA LEAVES THE ROOM-

PEDRO: What about this doll collection?
MARISOL: Julieta inherited them from me and my mother.

-MARISOL HAS DIFFICULTY TURNING ON THE LAMP-

MARISOL: It doesn’t seem to work.
PEDRO: Let me try it.

-MARISOL MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AND ALLOWS PEDRO TO GO NEAR THE TABLE HOLDING THE LAMP. AT THE FIRST TRY, THE LAMP WORKS INSTANTLY-

PEDRO: There! The light bulb just needed turning.

-PEDRO LOOKS AROUND THE ROOM-

PEDRO: It’s a nice place.
MARISOL: Well, it’s not exactly nice.
PEDRO: We’ll fix it up. I want to thank you for always helping me and for taking risks for me.
MARISOL: You also take risks for me.
PEDRO: So many things have happened to me since I arrived at this place. I can’t believe it.
MARISOL: Your arrival has been a blessing for me.
PEDRO: And for me, meeting you also.

-THEY SMILE AT EACH OTHER. JULIETA WALKS IN WITH THE SHEETS. SHE HANDS THEM TO MARISOL-

JULIETA: Here are the sheets, mom.
MARISOL: Thank you very much and now, off to bed.

-MARISOL PUTS SETS THE SHEETS ON THE BED-

JULIETA: Ciao, Pedro. Ciao, mom. Good night.

-JULIETA LEAVES AND CLOSES THE DOOR BEHIND HER-

PEDRO: I don’t know how Mariano is going to react when he finds out I’m staying here. He’ll do the impossible to make me leave.
MARISOL: I would prefer not to ask him for anything, but if you’d like, in this case, I could talk to him.
PEDRO: No, no. Leave it. Don’t tell him anything. We’ll try to make sure he doesn’t find out.
MARISOL: I think he’ll find out anyway. We should come up with a plan so he won’t find us unprepared.
PEDRO: Yes, but let’s not worry about that right now. The bed looks divine. I’m here with the two of you. Tonight, we don’t have any problems.
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-ANA LAURA IS IN HER BEDROOM TALKING WITH LETICIA. THEY ARE BOTH SITTING ON THE BED-

ANA LAURA: I still can’t believe it. I can’t believe that Julieta is Mariano’s daughter.
LETICIA: Do you really think it’s true?
ANA LAURA: Well, he said it with a lot of conviction.
LETICIA: Poor Marisol. I can’t believe it.
ANA LAURA: Yes, but I don’t understand; she confesses to me something so private, so horrendous that Mariano did to her, but she doesn’t tell me that Julieta, who’s a darling, is his daughter. Why didn’t she tell me that?
LETICIA: It’s only logical. She was protecting her daughter. I think she did the right thing.
ANA LAURA: I agree, but I’m very angry with him.
LETICIA: Mariano?
ANA LAURA: No, Pedro.
LETICIA: But, we were talking about Mariano.
ANA LAURA: It’s the same thing.
LETICIA: Mariano is not the same as the divine Pedro!
ANA LAURA: Pedro, divine? He’s a liar! He’s known all along that Julieta was Mariano’s daughter and he didn’t say anything to me. That is what’s making me sick. I can’t stand it. Why didn’t he tell me she was his daughter? Who knows what other secrets they tell each other when they’re all alone and so close together!
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-GUNTHER IS LYING ON THE BED THAT USED TO BELONG TO PEDRO. CHAPA AND TOTI ARE RESTING ON THEIR RESPECTIVE BEDS ACROSS FROM GUNTHER. TOTI IS LISTENING TO THE RADIO, WHILE CHAPA IS READING THE NEWSPAPER-

GUNTHER: Turn off the radio!
TOTI: I’ll lower the volume.
GUNTHER: Don’t lower it. Turn it off , I said.
CHAPA: Ché, ché, papito! Come down from your high horse! We are all equal right here! So, if you want Toti to lower the radio, you have to ask him nicely.
GUNTHER: I can talk to him any way I want!

-CHAPA BECOMES ANGRY. HE LEAVES HIS BED AND BEGINS TO YELL AT GUNTHER-

CHAPA: Listen! You better change that attitude of yours fast! This is a democracy! Who wants to listen to the radio?
TOTI: I do!
CHAPA: I do! Do you see, Gunther? Two against one! The radio stays on! If you like it, fine; if not, leave!

-GUNTHER, VERY NONCHALANT, BEGINS TO SING IN A LOUD VOICE, AN OLD SCHOOL RHYME. THIS IRRITATES CHAPA AND HE TELLS GUNTHER TO BE QUIET-

CHAPA: Stop yelling!

-GUNTHER BEGINS TO SING EVEN LAUDER. CHAPA SCREAMS AT HIM-

CHAPA: Are you trying to make fools of us?
GUNTHER: I thought this was a democracy! I can sing without anyone telling me to shut up! The air is free! I’m free! I will sing and who ever is not happy with that, well….

-TOTI IS NOW ANGRY ALSO. HE LEAVES HIS BED AND BEGINS YELLING AT GUNTHER-

TOTI: That’s right! I don’t like it! I will make you stop!
GUNTHER: Ha! You, and who else?
TOTI: Me…..and Chapita! Although I really don’t approve of violence!
GUNTHER: Ah, you don’t approve of violence! Gunther loves it!

-GUNTHER THROWS A PILLOW AT THEM-

CHAPA: We are going to kill you! We are going to kill you!

-CHAPA AND TOTI CHARGE GUNTHER. THEY FALL ON TOP OF HIM ON THE BED, AND THE BED CRUSHES TO THE FLOOR WITH THE THREE OF THEM ON IT. THEY ARE ALL SURPRISED THAT THE BED BROKE TO PIECES-

GUNTHER: And now, where is Gunther going to sleep?

-CHAPA AND TOTI FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR BREAKING GUNTHER’S BED. THEY PUT CHAPA AND TOTI’S BEDS TOGETHER AND THE THREE OF THEM LIE DOWN TO SLEEP. CHAPA AND TOTI ARE LYING ON THE TWO ENDS, WHILE GUNTHER, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE GUILT CHAPA AND TOTI FEEL, IS SLEEPING COMFORTABLY IN THE MIDDLE AND HOARDING ALL THE BLANKETS, CAUSING AND CHAPA AND TOTI TO SHIVER IN THE COLD ROOM-
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-CARMEN IS IN THE KITCHEN GIVING RIGOROUS INTRUCTIONS TO ROSA, MAGDA AND LISA-

CARMEN: You need the toast for Señora Cecilia and the diet marmalade for Señora Patricia. Their trays must be ready in 15 minutes. I’m warning you that I’ll be keeping track of the time.

-CARMEN WALKS OUT-

MAGDA: The household service feels like a war council full of chiefs and without a single Indian on sight!

-ROSA, REFERRING TO CARMEN-

ROSA: Yes. They should put a few of those chiefs to work. Lisa, my love, come and strain the milk, but don’t let any of the custard slip through because Señora Cecilia hates it.

LISA: Fine, but get Alvaro and Mariano’s trays ready for me. I’ll take it to them.
ROSA: All right.

-LISA HAD BEEN STANDING BY THE TABLE, POURING THE TEA IN THE POT. SHE NOW APPOACHES THE STOVE TO TEND TO THE BOILING MILK. SHE REMOVES THE LID FROM THE POT AND SHE IMMEDIATELY FEELS SICK TO HER STOMACH. SHE REPLACES THE LID ON THE POT, AND RUNS OUT OF THE KITCHEN, LEAVING MAGDA AND ROSA LOOKING AT EACH OTHER IN SURPRISE –

MAGDA: What’s wrong with this girl?

-ROSA SHRUGS IN RESPONSE-
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-MARISOL AND JULIETA ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE, HAVING BREAKFAST-

MARISOL: Hurry up, Julieta.
JULIETA: Mom, why didn’t you tell Pedro to wait for me so we could have breakfast together?
MARISOL: I didn’t tell you but, Pedro will be taking you to school on Lunita.
JULIETA: Seriously? He’s a genius!
MARISOL: Yes! Yes! Everything Pedro does is wonderful, divine and perfect! But, will you please hurry up?

-THERE’S A KNOCK ON THE DOOR-

MARISOL: Do you see? He’s already here! And look at you! You’re not even half done!

-MARISOL GOES TO ANSWER THE DOOR. ANA LAURA APPEARS-

MARISOL: Hello. What are you doing here?
ANA LAURA: I need to talk to you.

-MARISOL LOOKS TOWARDS JULIETA. ANA LAURA FOLLOWS HER GAZE-
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-IN THE DINING ROOM, FLORIA IS SITTING AT THE HEAD OF THE TABLE FOR BREAKFAST. CECILIA SITS TO HER RIGHT, AND PATRICIA AND ERICA ARE SITTING TO HER LEFT. CARMEN AND GUNTHER ARE STANDING A FEW FEET AWAY. ERICA IS TALKING ON A CORDLESS PHONE-

ERICA: All right. I’ll stop by this afternoon. Ciao!

-ERICA HANGS UP THE PHONE AND SETS IT ON THE TABLE. SHE ADDRESSES CARMEN-

ERICA: Is there any butter?

-CARMEN REACHES ACROSS THE TABLE AND HANDS ERICA THE BUTTER TRAY-

CARMEN: Here it is, miss.
GUNTHER: If the butter can’t be found, it means the table was not set right this morning.
CARMEN: The breakfast table was set perfectly, Gunther. Miss Erica couldn’t see the butter because is in its proper container; not in any little plate that some people use!
FLORIA: Yes, it’s true. Gunther used to serve the butter in just a little plate.
CARMEN: Do you see? Gunther is the one who doesn’t know how to serve.
PATRICIA: Yes, but, if you make an effort to work together, the service in this house would be better.
GUNTHER: I’m willing to do my part, but Carmen…..ha!
CECILIA: That’s enough! No one speaks at the table, but the ladies of this house!

-FLORIA ADDRESSES ERICA-

FLORIA: In that case, we’ll have no choice but to talk among the two of us only, querida!

-ERICA SMILES. THE PHONE RINGS AT THIS MOMENT. CARMEN AND GUNTHER REACH OUT FOR THE PHONE AT THE SAME TIME. CARMEN GETS TO THE PHONE BEFORE GUNTHER DOES. SHE ANSWERS-

CARMEN: Linares residence; good morning. May I ask who’s calling? Just a minute. Señora Patricia, the call is for you.
PATRICIA: Tell them I’m not here!
CARMEN: Madam says she’s not home.

-GUNTHER GRABS THE PHONE FROM CARMEN’S HAND-

GUNTHER: Excuse me. Who is this? No! No! Frau is traveling out of the country and we don’t know when she’s planning to return! Good day!

-GUNTHER HANGS UP THE PHONE-

FLORIA: May I ask whose calls are you always refusing to take?
GUNTHER: It’s a group trying to collect for the needy! Frau Patri already contributed, but they are very insistent! They keep calling!
ERICA: You should have let me talk to them. I would have certainly contributed.
GUNTHER: Eh…..it’s not a worth the bother! They won’t leave you alone!
FLORIA: If you could only see yourself, Patricia. You’re very pale. It seems the call from those needy people really affected you!

-PATRICIA ONLY SMILES-
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-ANA LAURA ENTERS MARISOL’S HOUSE AND GREETS JULIETA, WHO’S JUST FINISHING HER BREAKFAST-

JULIETA: Hello, Anita.
ANA LAURA: Hello, Juli. How are you?
JULIETA: Fine.
MARISOL: Did you finish?
JULIETA: Yes.
MARISOL: In that case, go ahead that Pedro is waiting.

-JULIETA PICKS UP HER JACKET AND HER SCHOOL BAG AND LEAVES-

JULIETA: Ciao!
ANA LAURA: Ciao!
MARISOL: Ciao, my love!

-ONCE JULIETA IS OUT OF THE HOUSE, MARISO GOES STRAIGHT TO THE POINT-

MARISOL: Well, are you here about you father again?
ANA LAURA: No, no. I would like that for this conversation, we forget about the lands and Pedro for a moment. Do you remember that not long ago, you talked to me about the horrible experience you had with Mariano?
MARISOL: Yes.
ANA LAURA: I’d like to know if after that……I want to know if you became pregnant from that assault.

-MARISOL IS TAKEN ABACK BY ANA LAURA’S QUESTION-

MARISOL: No!
ANA LAURA: Marisol, please! It is very important that you tell me the truth! Is Julieta Mariano’s daughter?

-MARISOL REMAINS SILENT-

ANA LAURA: Marisol!

-MARISOL SITS DOWN AND SIGHS IN RESIGNATION-

MARISOL: It’s just horrible that all this is coming to light!
ANA LAURA: No, no! Listen to me! It is very important for me that you tell me. Please!
MARISOL: That demented doesn’t deserve a daughter like Julieta! He doesn’t deserve anything at all!
ANA LAURA: I know. Does Juli know?
MARISOL: No! No! No! No! She doesn’t even suspect anything. I was always very careful. How do I tell her what happened? How do I tell her what that animal did to me? How do I tell her that her father is my cousin? No. It’s very shameful. It’s very humiliating. Do you understand?
ANA LAURA: Yes. I understand.
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-JULIETA AND PEDRO ARE RIDING LUNITA. PEDRO IS HOLDING THE REINS AND JULIETA IS RIDING IN FRONT OF HIM-

JULIETA: Can we do this always?
PEDRO: Whenever I can.
JULIETA: I like it that we are like a family.
PEDRO: Juli, I ‘m not trying to make you feel bad, but I don’t want you to confuse things.
JULIETA: I’m not confusing anything.
PEDRO: I love you very much and I love Marisol, but doesn’t mean that we are going to be a couple.
JULIETA: I know that. I realized long time ago how things stand.
PEDRO: Oh, really?
JULIETA: Yes. I know you like Ana Laura, but you are making a mistake when it comes to her.
PEDRO: And why do you say that?
JULIETA: Because she’s not the right woman for you. You would end up fighting right away. Do you know that she came to talk to my mom this morning? I think she came to talk about you.
PEDRO: Was she at your house when I came to pick you up?
JULIETA: Yes, but I don’t think she was there for anything bad.
PEDRO: No, of course not. Why would it have to be anything bad?

-THEY RIDE IN SILENCE FOR A FEW SECONDS. PEDRO THEN HANDS JULIETA THE REINS TO THE MARE-

PEDRO: Here, you take her.
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ANA LAURA: I listened to an argument between Mariano and Cecilia.
MARISOL: Yes, I’m sure Cecilia doesn’t agree with this. But not because she has any compassion for me or Julieta; but because it’s embarrassing for her.
ANA LAURA: What I don’t understand is, what is Mariano trying to accomplish with all this?
MARISOL: I don’t know.
ANA LAURA: Perhaps he’s trying to pressure you into ceding your lands to him. Is that it?
MARISOL: I don’t know, Ana. You know that from Mariano, one can always expect the worse.
ANA LAURA: Yes, I know. Mariano is capable of anything; it’s true.
MARISOL: I don’t know if I did the right thing by hiding the truth.
ANA LAURA: No, no! You did the right thing. I think I would have done the same thing. Protect my daughter. Marisol, all I can say is that I’m going to help you. We may have our fights and disagree about a lot of things, but for me, at this moment, Julieta is what matters the most.

-MARISOL IS ALMOST IN TEARS WHEN SHE LOOKS AT ANA LAURA-

ANA LAURA: No matter what, I’m going to help you.
MARISOL: I know. Thank you.
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ALVARO AND ROBERTO ARE HAVING COFFEE IN THE LIBRARY. ALVARO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK. ROBERTO SITS ACROSS FROM HIM-

ALVARO: Don’t say anything about this, Roberto.
ROBERTO: No, of course not; this is a delicate subject. So many years have gone by, and you have never…..
ALVARO: Never! I could never forget her. Victoria has always been the most important woman in my life.
ROBERTO: Yes, I can attest to that. I’m referring of course to the old days. I don’t know about now.
ALVARO: What are you trying to say?
ROBERTO: Well, with all the current problems about the lands and the trial; don’t take offense, Don Alvaro, but I think…..
ALVARO: Nothing has changed, Roberto. She’s still the most important woman in my life.

-CECILIA SUDDENLY OPENS THE DOOR AND ADDRESSES ALVARO-

CECILIA: Alvaro! I need to talk to you!
ALVARO: What’s the matter?

-ROBERTO STANDS UP-

ROBERTO: Excuse me, I’ll leave you alone.
ALVARO: Go ahead, Roberto.

-ROBERTO EXITS THE ROOM. CECILIA WAITS UNTIL HE CLOSES THE DOOR BEHIND HIM, BEFORE TALKING TO ALVARO-

CECILIA: Alvaro! Your son is completely out of line! You don’t know how awful he treated me, and all the things he said about you and me! He showed complete disrespect!
ALVARO: Cecilia, I’m tired of the arguments between you and Mariano. It’s always the same.
CECILIA: No! It’s not always the same! This time is different! Do you know what brilliant idea Mariano just had?
ALVARO: No.
CECILIA: He says that little girl, Marisol’s girl, is his daughter.

-ALVARO STARES AT CECILIA IN STUNNED SILENCE-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MATIAS AND MARIANO ARE SITTING JUST OUTSIDE THE BARN-

MATIAS: Julieta is going to crush me.
MARIANO: Why do you say that?
MATIAS: Because I’m very slow!
MARIANO: But you’ll improve soon. You’ll pick up speed! You should be happy, because you’re doing a great job.

-FRANCISCO ARRIVES-

FRANCISCO: I’m on my way to the cleaners. Do you need anything?
MARIANO: No, I don’t need anything.
FRANCISCO: Okay.

-FRANCISCO STARTS TO WALK AWAY, BUT MARIANO STOPS HIM-

MARIANO: Wait! Yes, yes. Tell Pedro I need to talk to him.
FRANCISCO: All right. I’ll do it right now.

-FRANCISCO GOES TO CALL PEDRO, BUT MARIANO STOPS HIM ONCE AGAIN WHEN HE SEES FRANCISCO WALKING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE PEON’S ROOM-

MARIANO: Francisco! Where are you going?
FRANCISCO: To Marisol’s house, to get Pedro.
MATIAS: Pedro is living there.

-MARIANO IS STUNNED TO HEAR THIS NEWS-

MARIANO: He’s living with Marisol?
FRANCISCO: Yes. You didn’t know?
MARIANO: No, no. I’ll go over there myself.
MATIAS: Wait, Mariano! Aren’t we going to train?
MARIANO: Eh…..go ahead and start. I’ll be there soon.

-MARIANO IS ABOUT TO WALK TO MARISOL’S HOUSE, WHEN ALVARO ARRIVES-

ALVARO: Mariano!

--MARIANO’S EXASPERATION IS EVIDENT-

MARIANO: What’s the matter, dad?
ALVARO: I need to talk urgently with you.
MARIANO: I can’t right now. I have something to do.
ALVARO: I said it was urgent! Didn’t you hear me?
MARIANO: All right! All right! Francisco, please, go tell Pedro I need to talk to him!
FRANCISCO: Yes.

-ALVARO TAKES MARIANO’S ARM AND BEGINS WALKING WITH HIM-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PATRICIA DRAGS GUNTHER INSIDE THE KITCHEN OF THE EMPLOYEE’S HOUSE. SHE QUESTIONS HIM ABOUT THE CALL SHE RECEIVED DURING BREAKFAST-

PATRICIA: What did he sound like? Was he calm, or did he yell like a madman?
GUNTHER: He was calm. He was very calm.
PATRICIA: He was calm? Oh! When he’s calm, it means he’s about to create a disaster!
GUNTHER: Well, he wasn’t really that calm. I detected in his voice a little irritation.
PATRICIA: He sounded angry but was pretending to be calm?
GUNTHER: Yes! He was pretending!
PATRICIA: I wonder if he was in a public place! Perhaps he’s close by, Gunther! Perhaps he’s lurking by! Waiting for the right moment to attack, Gunther!

-GUNTHER TRIES TO EASE PATRICIA’S FEARS-

GUNTHER: No! No! He’s not anywhere nearby! In fact, he sounded very, very far away!
PATRICIA: That’s means he was calling from somewhere nearby, Gunther, because the phone calls we get from the city sound perfect and the phone service in this area is terrible! That’s why he sounded so terrible! He’s close by, Gunther!
GUNTHER: Don’t worry, Frau! As long as Gunther keeps watch, that miserable man won’t harm you!
PATRICIA: Gunther! Everyone at home is suspicious! Floria will discover the truth any minute soon! What am I going to do? What am I going to do?
GUNTHER: First of all, you need to remain calm. All right?

-HE BRINGS PATRICIA’S HEAD TO REST ON HIS CHEST AND PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND HER AND SOFTLY CARESSES HER HAIR. PATRICIA ALLOWS HERSELF TO BE COMFORTED BY HIM-

GUNTHER: Calm down. And you must allow Gunther to come back and stay in the main house. The closer Gunther is to you, the better Gunther will be able to take care of you. All right?

-GUNTHER CLOSES HIS EYES AND SAVORS EVERY SECOND OF HER PROXIMITY-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO AND ALVARO ARE TALKING IN THE LIVING ROOM. THEY ARE SPEAKING IN LOW TONES TO AVOID BEING HEARD-

ALVARO: I can’t believe you are such an idiot!
MARIANO: Don’t call an idiot!
ALVARO: You are an idiot; because no one can go around having kids everywhere without being an idiot! Haven’t you learned anything!
MARIANO: And what was I supposed to have learned?
ALVARO: I had my fun, Mariano! I had women, I did everything, but you’ll never find anyone who can say I had kids everywhere!
MARIANO: All right! All right! Calm down!
ALVARO: No! I can’t calm down! Don’t you realize this problem with Marisol will bring us new problems?
MARIANO: No, that is not the case, dad!
ALVARO: You don’t know what you’re saying, Mariano!
MARIANO: Stop!
ALVARO: I can’t trust you anymore!
MARIANO: Do you really think I’m an idiot? I know what I’m doing!
ALVARO: Oh, really? And what are you doing exactly?

-THE DOORBELL RINGS. ALVARO AND MARIANO CONTINUE TALKING WHILE CARMEN ANSWERS THE DOOR-

MARIANO: When Marisol finds out that Julieta knows who her father is, it will be a big tragedy for her!
ALVARO: And?
MARIANO: What do you mean, “and?” We will be able to achieve many things in exchange for my silence.
ALVARO: You’re playing with fire; do you realize that?
MARIANO: Perhaps, but I assure you I won’t get burned!

-THEY STOP TALKING BECAUSE PEDRO ARRIVES AT THIS MOMENT. CARMEN ANNOUNCES HIS ARRIVAL AND LEAVES-

CARMEN: Mr. Pedro Balmaceda is here.

-PEDRO APPROACHES THE MEN AND ADDRESSES MARIANO-

PEDRO: I was told you were looking for me?
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MERCEDES AND VICTORIA ARE IN MARISOL’S HOUSE. THEY’RE HAVING FUN TRYING ON SEVERAL HATS-

VICTORIA: Alvaro didn’t want to talk about the lands or any other type of business. Instead, he only wanted to talk about the past. That completely caught me off guard.
MERCEDES: Yes, Alvaro has always been very astute.
VICTORIA: What do you mean by that?
MERCEDES: That perhaps this was part of his plans.
VICTORIA: You mean that this was part of his strategy?
MERCEDES: His life is strategy, Victoria.
VICTORIA: I know! I know! But for one moment I believed him and I felt he was being sincere with me and……no, Meche, not that hat!

-MERCEDES LOOKS AT HERSELF IN A HAND-HELD MIRROR-

MERCEDES: I like it! What’s wrong with it?
VICTORIA: Meche!
MERCEDES: I’m going to give you my opinion. I don’t pretend to always know the truth, but….I think Alvaro was trying to seduce you. Perhaps he was trying to relive that passion of your youth!
VICTORIA: He sometimes causes me to doubt myself! Alvaro causes me to doubt myself! I loved him so much! So much! How crazy is all this!
MERCEDES: Very much so! Listen, sometimes, I understand my former roommates at the clinic better than the people that are out here running lose!

-THEY BOTH SMILE-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MOLINA IS WALKING THE GROUNDS OF THE ESTANCIA. ANA LAURA COMES RUNNING AFTER HIM-

ANA LAURA: Estéban!
MOLINA: Ana Laura.

-SHE LINKS HER ARMS WITH HIS AND BEGINS WALKING ALONG SIDE HIM-

ANA LAURA: May I talk to you?
MOLINA: Yes, of course. How can I help you?
ANA LAURA: I want us to talk about Julieta.
MOLINA: I’m afraid I can’t talk about that.
ANA LAURA: Ah! Estéban! What happened? Why did you switch sides, when you were always our friend?
MOLINA: Don’t get me wrong, Ana, but that’s just the way my job is.
ANA LAURA: No, that’s not true! You sold yourself and accepted the better deal.
MOLINA: Don’t judge me. Each one of us does only what we can.
ANA LAURA: Except for the Linares. They always do whatever they want.
MOLINA: That’s their problem.
ANA LAURA: And it is your problem also, because your’re their attorney. Listen, I only want to know what Mariano is after. I want to know if his intention is to destroy Marisol.
MOLINA: I can’t answer that, Ana. I’m not responsible for their actions.
ANA LAURA: Estéban, please! You are closer to Mariano! You are in a position to dissuade him! Please, do it for Julieta!
MOLINA: If I’m able to do something, I will. But I can’t promise you anything.

-LETICIA APPROACHES THEM. MOLINA SEES HER AND WALKS AWAY-

MOLINA: Ciao!

-ANA LAURA FEELS HELPLESS. SHE BECOMES VERY ANGRY-

LETICIA: What happened?
ANA LAURA: Nothing! Nothing happened!
LETICIA: But, tell me what he said!
ANA LAURA: No! I still can’t believe it! This business with Julieta really bothers me and on top of that, Pedro kept quiet about it!
LETICIA: But calm down! Everything will be fine! All right?
ANA LAURA: Yes, everything will be fine!
LETICIA: Agreed!
ANA LAURA: Yes! Agreed! But I’m still going to say something to him.
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK. PEDRO, WITH HIS ARMS CROSSED, IS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE DESK-

MARIANO: Evidently, we don’t understand each other. I thought I made it very clear I didn’t want you to stay around here.
PEDRO: Yes, but you later on told me different.
MARIANO: And what did I say?
PEDRO: You told me to train Julieta!
MARIANO: And what does one thing have to do with the other?
PEDRO: If I train Julieta, I have to be here!
MARIANO: No, it doesn’t work that way. Don’t mix things! You stayed here to keep an eye on the girls. What’s more, you are now very busy with Marisol, aren’t you?
PEDRO: I think what you’re doing to her and Julieta is despicable!

-MARIANO SLOWLY STANDS UP FROM HIS CHAIR-

MARIANO: Ah! There he is! The prince valiant appears! Do you know something? I don’t have to put up with you coming over here and telling me what to do! So, get out of here! Leave this minute!
PEDRO: I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s going to happen with the DNA test! Do you plan to continue with that?
MARIANO: Are you really worried?
PEDRO: Yes! I’m worried!
MARIANO: And what is so bothering?
PEDRO: I’m worried that something might happen to Julieta! That’s what worries me! Because I love her very much!
MARIANO: I also love her very much.
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-LISA IS COMING OUT OF ONE THE ROOMS, CARRYING A SERVICE TRAY. FRANCISCO APPEARS AROUND THE CORNER AND BEGINS TALKING TO HER-

FRANCISCO: Lisa, I want to talk to you for just a second.
LISA: If it’s about what happened the other day……
FRANCISCO: No, it’s not just about the other day, but also about all the other times. Things can’t continue they are, Lisa. I wanted to tell you that everything is going to change.
LISA: Good! At last! You’re going to end everything with Erica?
FRANCISCO: No, I’m going to end everything I had with you.
LISA: What? You’re telling me this in the middle of the hallway? You couldn’t have found a better way to do this?
FRANCISCO: I’m doing what I can Lisa. I’m only asking you to please not make any type of a scandal!
LISA: Of course! No scandals! That’s all you care about! What would your little friend think? What happened Francisco? You never used to be this way!
FRANCISCO: I was a nobody without a future, who was destined to end like my old man and my mother! Being a servant all my life! I got tired of that, Lisa! I want the best in life and I intent to get it!
LISA: I’m also a servant, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that!
FRANCISCO: But there’s nothing good about it either! Do you expect applause for being a maid? Besides, we are very different, Lisa. You are satisfied to have a little. I’m not! We have nothing that can keep us together. I’m sorry, but I can’t go on this way.

-HE WALKS AWAY, LEAVING LISA STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HALLWAY-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS IN THE STABLE, TALKING TO CHOCOLATE-

PEDRO: How complicated things are, Chocolate. I came here to keep you company and take care of you, and it wasn’t possible to do so. So many things have happened in such a short time, my friend. So many complications……

-ANA LAURA ARRIVES AT THIS MOMENT-

ANA LAURA: Are you talking with the horse?
PEDRO: Yes, because there’s no one around with more sense that I can talk to.
ANA LAURA: Why didn’t you tell me the truth?
PEDRO: The truth about what?
ANA LAURA: Why didn’t you tell me that Mariano was Julieta’s father?
……………………………………………………………………………………………..

-MARISOL IS HOME. MARIANO COMES IN THE HOUSE-

MARIANO: Why did you involve Pedro in our business?
MARISOL: “Our” business? What are you talking about?
MARIANO: He’s living here! He knows all about our secrets!
MARISOL: We don’t have any secrets! And besides, I have the right to talk with whom ever I want about my problems and things! If it bothers you…..
MARIANO: Yes! It bothers me! I feel very jealous! Very jealous!
MARISOL: Let’s end this stupid talk, please!
MARIANO: Don’t repress what you feel, Marisol, please!
MARISOL: Leave, Mariano! Leave! Leave!
MARIANO: You’re throwing me out but you let him sleep here! I want him out of this house immediately! Do you understand? He has to leave!

-JULIETA WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT-

JULIETA: Are you arguing?
MARISOL: No. No.
MARIANO: No, honestly.
JULIETA: Yes, you’re arguing. And I think I know why.
MARIANO: You do? And why do you think it is?
JULIETA: Because you don’t want Pedro to stay here with us.
MARIANO: Yes, that’s part of it.
JULIETA: Let him stay, please! Be good! Look, we are here by ourselves, and he keeps us company.
MARISOL: Julieta, go to your room.
MARIANO: No, let her stay. Let her stay. I’ll leave.

-HE CARESSES JULIETA’S CHEEK AND, AFTER PICKING UP HIS JACKET, WALKS OUT OF THE HOUSE. JULIETA STARES AT MARISOL WITHOUT SAYING A WORD-

MARISOL: What is it? Why are you looking at me in that way?

-JULIETA ANGRILY RESPONDS-

JULIETA: Because your problems with Mariano are going to be the reason that Pedro has to leave this house! Isn’t this ever going to end?

-JULIETA WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

PEDRO: I didn’t tell you about it because it’s something that’s very complicated.
ANA LAURA: You didn’t tell me about it because you don’t trust me and you decided to leave me out!
PEDRO: It’s not that! What I did was to respect Marisol’s privacy! That’s all!
ANA LAURA: Ah! You’re very respectful of Marisol!
PEDRO: I’d do the same for you if you ever told me a secret.
ANA LAURA: You’re lying! I did tell you a secret and you told her! In fact, you tell Marisol everything!
PEDRO: Ana Laura, please! Stop mixing everything up, all right? I didn’t tell you because it wasn’t my place!
ANA LAURA: Ha! You make me laugh! So you decide what is your place, according to what’s convenient for you!
PEDRO: What’s convenient for me? What are you talking about? That business has nothing to do with me!
ANA LAURA: But it does have to do with me! You should have told me!

-ANA LAURA HAS BECOME VERY AGITATED AND IS SHOUTING. PEDRO SEES CHAPA AND TOTI ARRIVE AT THIS MOMENT TO FEED THE HORSES. ANA LAURA IS WITH HER BACK TO THEM, SO SHE DOES NOT SEE THEM. PEDRO TRIES TO GET ANA LAURA TO CALM DOWN-

PEDRO: Ana Laura, please!
ANA LAURA: You obviously don’t trust me!
PEDRO: We are being watched! Calm down!

-ANA LAURA IS VERY UPSET AND COMPLETELY IGNORES HIS WARNING. SHE CONTINUES SHOUTING. PEDRO IS ALSO ANGRY NOW-
-
ANA LAURA: What did you think? That I wasn’t going to keep the secret? Is that so? That I was going to tell everyone? That I’m stupid?
PEDRO: It’s not that! It’s not that!
ANA LAURA: You thought I was going to betray you?
PEDRO: Calm down! Calm down! You are not the only person in this world! All right? Stop behaving like a capricious child!

-THIS ANGERS ANA LAURA EVEN MORE-

ANA LAURA: Ah! I’m a capricious child? I’m a capricious child? Fine!

-ANA LAURA TURNS AROUND AND SEES THAT CHAPA AND TOTI, ALTHOUGH WORKING, HAVE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO THEIR ARGUMENT. ANA LAURA YELLS AT THEM-

ANA LAURA: What’s the matter? What are you two looking at? Don’t you have anything better to do?

-CHAPA AND TOTI HURRIEDLY GO INSIDE ONE OF THE STALLS. ANA LAURA FEELS BAD THAT SHE YELLED AT CHAPA AND TOTI. SHE TURNS AROUND AND FACES PEDRO AGAIN. SHE COMES NEAR HIM AND WHISPERS IN HIS EAR-

ANA LAURA: You humiliated me in front of my workers! You made me look like a fool! It’s very clear that wherever you go, you always create problems for me! Isn’t that so?

-SHE WALKS AWAY WITHOUT SAYING ANOTHER WORD-

-PATRICIA IS SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM, RESTLESSLY BROWSING THROUGH A MAGAZINE, AND KEEPING VIGIL BY THE TELEPHONE. GUNTHER IS PASSING BY AND SHE DETAINS HIM-

PATRICIA: Tsk! Gunther!
GUNTHER: Yes, Frau?
PATRICIA: Any news?
GUNTHER: None.
PATRICIA: Has he called again?
GUNTHER: No calls and no contact whatsoever. It’s very clear that my German ire and rigor made that ruffian desist from following through with his evil plans!
PATRICIA: I don’t think so, Gunther. I don’t think so; not when it comes to Ricardo.
GUNTHER: No man can resist Gunther’s ire, Frau!
PATRICIA: Don’t let your guard down, anyway. Ricardo is not the type to give up on the first try.
GUNTHER: Yes, Frau.
PATRICIA: I want you to continue with your watch.
GUNTHER: Gunther will stand firm like the statue of Erodes. He’ll shine brighter than the beacon of Alexandria! Frau Patri, you have an employee who’s the eighth wonder of the world!
PATRICIA: I’ll be satisfied if you keep Ricardo away from here!
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK. JULIETA IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HIM-

JULIETA: I came to pay you a visit, but I had to do it secretly. I don’t want to create anymore problems.
MARIANO: Why secretly? You are welcome to come here whenever you like, without hiding from anyone!
JULIETA: It’s all right, let’s keep it this way; besides, it’ll be better if no one sees me, I don’t want my mom to find out.
MARIANO: Fine, if that’s what you really want. I bet I know why you’re here!
JULIETA: Let’see!
MARIANO: You want to talk to me about Pedro.
JULIETA: How did you guess?

-MARIANO SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS-

JULIETA: It makes me very sad that he has to leave.
MARIANO: Are you really very sad?
JULIETA: Yes, could you let him stay? He’s been behaving really well!

-MARIANO STANDS UP, WALKS AROUND THE DESK AND STANDS IN FRONT OF JULIETA-

MARIANO: Listen, if you give me a kiss, I promise you I’ll think about it.

-JULIETA HAPPILY STANDS AND HUGS AND KISSES MARIANO ON THE CHEEK-

JULIETA: Well? Will you let him stay?
MARIANO: Yes, I’ll let him stay, but I’m only doing it for you.
JULIETA: Thank you!

-MARIANO CARESSES HER CHEEK. SHE LOOKS UP TO HIM WITH A BIG SMILE ON HER FACE-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-GUNTHER IS RAIDING THE REFRIGERATOR. HE PUTS AN ITEM IN HIS POCKET AND TAKES A BITE FROM WHAT LOOKS LIKE A SLICE OF PIZZA. ROSA WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT AND DISCOVERS HIM-

ROSA: What are you doing in my kitchen?

-GUNTHER SLAMS THE DOOR SHUT, PUTTING BACK IN THE REFRIGERATOR THE HALF-EATEN SLICE OF PIZZA. HE ANSWERS ROSA, HOPING SHE DOESN’T NOTICE HE HAS HIS MOUTH FULL-

GUNTHER: I’m doing an inspection!
ROSA: Inspection! Inspection! You’re stealing food from the refrigerator, Gunther!
GUNTHER: One of the duties of a general overseer is to control the quality of the food.
ROSA: Do you really think I’m going to believe that story? You are stealing food from the refrigerator and I’m going to tell Carmen!
GUNTHET: That maid does not have to know anything about Gunther’s intelligence work! I still need to inspect the dessert section.

-ROSA ANGRILY PICKS UP AN EMPTY FRYING PAN FROM THE STOVE AND THREATENS TO HIT GUNTHER WITH IT-

ROSA: You’ll get out of my kitchen right now!

-CHAPA WALKS IN-

CHAPA: What’s going on here?
ROSA: He’s stealing food from the refrigerator!

-CHAPA GRABS GUNTHER FROM THE FRONT OF HIS SHIRT-

CHAPA: What do you think you’re doing?
GUNTHER: You worthless peon! You have no jurisdiction over Gunther inside this house!
CHAPA: Oh, really? Let’s go outside then; or are afraid I will knock all your teeth out?
GUNTHER: Afraid? Ha! Gunther doesn’t know the meaning of the word! My sponsors will be happy to notify you of the day and time of our duel!
CHAPA: Forget about setting up a date! The day is today and time is now!
……………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS IN THE LIBRARY, SITTING AT HIS DESK. MOLINA SITS ACROSS FROM HIM-

MARIANO: Not only are you delaying the process, but you went and tattled to my mother! What are you doing, Estéban?
MOLINA: I simply thought it’d be appropriate that your parents were made aware of the issue.
MARIANO: Why?
MOLINA: Because I think you’re making a mistake.
MARIANO: I think you better stop thinking and concentrate on what you have to do, or you will have serious problems. All right?
MOLINA: I just did what I thought was best.
MARIANO: You concentrate on your duties. I want the DNA test done immediately!
MOLINA: Yes, but we’re going to find a few obstacles. I don’t think Marisol will cooperate.
MARIANO: Leave that up to me. Marisol will cooperate.
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS SEEN WALKING PURPOSELY IN AN AREA OF THE ESTANCIA. ANA LAURA CATCHES UP WITH HIM. HE SEES HER BUT CONTINUES WALKING. ANA LAURA IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE WAY THEIR EARLIER CONVERSATION ENDED-

PEDRO: Ay! You again?
ANA LAURA: What’s the matter? Am I bothering you?
PEDRO: No, not at all!
ANA LAURA: You know why I’m here, right?
PEDRO: To see me?
ANA LAURA: No! I’m not here to see you! I’m here to tell you that it angers me very much what you’re doing and I don’t like it!
PEDRO: Ana, I already explained to you…..
ANA LAURA: No! You didn’t explain anything! All you did was treat me like an idiot in front of Chapa and Toti!
PEDRO: I didn’t do anything to you!
ANA LAURA: Oh, no? Who treated me like an idiot then, montoto?
PEDRO: Look, I don’t know who that is or why you’re bringing that person into the conversation!
ANA LAURA: Montoto is like saying no one! That’s what I meant!
PEDRO: Ah, you’re saying we are both at fault!
ANA LAURA: No, that’s not what I mean! You don’t understand anything!

-PEDRO HAS BEEN WALKING VERY FAST AND ANA LAURA HAS BEEN TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH HIM. HE NOW STOPS FOR A MOMENT AND TALKS TO HER-

PEDRO: Listen, perhaps I acted a little impulsive; perhaps I was a little out of line, but…..
ANA LAURA: Do you see! Do you see! That’s what bothers me about you! Every time you don’t know what to say, you try to get rid of me by any means!

-PEDRO FINALLY LOSES HIS PATIENCE-

PEDRO: Why don’t you let me work in peace? Please!
ANA LAURA: No! Before I let you go back to work, we have to clear some things up, do you hear me?

-HE STARTS WALKING AGAIN AND SHE FOLLOWS HIM STILL-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE LIVING ROOM IN THE MAIN HOUSE IS EMPTY. THE DOORBELL RINGS. PATRICIA ENTERS THE ROOM AND CALLS OUT FOR THE HELP TO ANSWER THE DOOR-

PATRICIA: Carmen! Gunther!

-PATRICIA, SEEING NO RESPONSE FROM ANYONE, WALKS TO ANSWER THE DOOR HERSELF-

PATRICIA: My goodness! What are we going to do with this people!

-SHE OPENS THE DOOR AND LOOKS HORRIFIED TO SEE A MAN STANDING THERE-

PATRICIA: Ricardo! What are you doing here?

-THE MAN COMES IN THE HOUSE AND LOOKS AROUND WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING FOR A FEW SECONDS-

RICARDO: How well you’ve done for yourself, my love! I’m impressed! Does all this belong to you?
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-LISSA’S ROOM IS EMPTY. TOTI CAN BE HEARD FROM THE OUTSIDE, KNOCKING ON THE DOOR AND CALLING OUT FOR HER-

TOTI: Lisa! It’s Toti! Lisita! May I come in? May I come in?

-WHEN HE HEARS NO RESPONSE, HE OPENS THE DOOR AND ENTERS THE ROOM-

TOTI: Lisa! It’s me, Toti! How odd!

-THE BATHROOM DOOR OPENS AND LISA COMES IN THE ROOM-

TOTI: What’s wrong? Are you ill?
LISA: Yes, I feel a little sick to my stomach. I just vomited.
TOTI: Sit down! Sit down! Slowly, carefully!

-HE DIRECTS LISA TO THE END OF THE BED-

TOTI: Do you want me to call the doctor?
LISA: No, I don’t think that’s necessary.

-TOTI KNEELS DOWN IN FRONT OF HER-

TOTI: Lisa, you haven’t been looking well the last couple of days. There’s something wrong with you. I’m positive there’s something wrong. Shouldn’t we go see a doctor? I think it’ll be better if you do!
LISA: I think I already know what’s wrong with me.

-TOTI LOOKS AT LISA UNDERSTANDING WHAT SHE’S TRYING TO TELL HIM, BUT HE NONETHELESS, TRIES TO DELAY THE MOMENT OF TRUTH-

TOTI: Yes, I know when one has problems with the stomach; the symptoms of gastritis, an ulcer…..

-LISA SHAKES HER HEAD-

TOTI: The liver?
LISA: No.
TOTI: No?
LISA: I think I’m pregnant, Toti!
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO ENTERS A UTILITY SHED WITH THE INTENTION OF CARRYING HAY TO THE HORSES. ANA LAURA ENTERS THE SHED AND CONTINUES ARGUING WITH HIM. SHE’S BECOMING IRRATIONAL. HE’S ALSO LOSING HIS TEMPER-

ANA LAURA: I know you’re an adult and you can do whatever you want but…..
PEDRO: I can’t stand to see a friend suffer and not do anything, Ana!
ANA LAURA: I understand that! I understand that! But Mariano is going to take it out on you if you help her!
PEDRO: That’s the way I am! What do you want me to do? And excuse me, I have work to do!

-HE TRIES TO PICK UP A BALE OF HAY, BUT SHE SCREAMS AT HIM AND BLOCKS HIM FROM PICKING UP THE HAY-

ANA LAURA: No! No! No! You’re not leaving!

-HE PUTS HIS HEAD DOWN IN EXASPERATION AND MAKES AN IMPATIENT SOUND-

ANA LAURA: And don’t snort at me like the horses! All right?

-SHE TURNS AROUND AND SLAMS THE DOOR SHUT TO PREVENT HIM FROM LEAVING-

PEDRO: No! No!
ANA LAURA: No what?
PEDRO: There’s no latch on this side Ana! Please! You closed the door!
ANA LAURA: I closed the door?
PEDRO: Yes! You closed the door!
ANA LAURA: I closed the door? Stupid! Don’t tell me I’m always to blame for everything!
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-RICARDO COMES INTO THE LIVING ROOM, LEAVING PATRICIA AT THE DOOR. SHE FOLLOWS HIM INTO THE ROOM. SHE LOOKS AROUND TO MAKE SURE NO ONE IS AROUND-

PATRICIA: Ricardo, please, don’t do anything wrong! Everyone in this house is……
RICARDO: Calm down! Calm down! Do you really think this is the proper way to greet me after all the trouble I had finding you?
PATRICIA: Ricardo, please! We’ll talk any other time, anywhere you like, but not here and not now, please!
RICARDO: You really don’t waste anytime, my love! This is first class all the way!

-IGNACIO CAN BE HEARD AT THIS MOMENT CALLING OUT FOR PATRICIA FROM ANOTHER ROOM-

IGNACIO: Patricia!

-SHE ANSWERS IGNACIO-

PATRICIA: Yes? What is it?
IGNACIO: My gray suit; is it at the cleaners?
PATRICIA: Yes, they’ll bring it this afternoon!

-TO RICARDO SHE WHISPERS-

PATRICIA: Come with me, please!

-SHE GRABS HIS ARM AND TRIES TO CONVINCE HIM TO FOLLOW HER INTO ANOTHER ROOM. HE LOOKS DOWN AT HER HAND ON HIS SLEEVE AND SHE RELEASES HIM-

PATRICIA: Come with me, please! He could appear at any moment!
RICARDO: Who is he?
PATRICIA: My husband!

-THIS TIME, RICARDO GRABS HER ARM AND BRINGS HER CLOSER TO HIM-

RICARDO: As far as I’m concerned, I’m the only husband you have!
PATRICIA: Please! Come in here, please!

-SHE OPENS A DOOR AND THEY DISAPPEAR FROM VIEW-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO WENT TO SEE MARISOL. JULIETA IS SITTING AT THE TABLE-

MARIANO: I came to tell you that Pedro may stay here.

-JULIETA PRETENDS TO BE SURPRISED-

JULIETA: Seriously? That’s great!
MARISOL: Is there something else?
MARIANO: Yes. I want to say that I’m doing this for Julieta. I want her to be happy. I realized a man is needed in this house. I also realized Julieta needs a father.
MARISOL: Yes, perhaps. Well…..

-MARISOL TRIES TO DISMISS MARIANO BEFORE HE GOES FURTHER WITH THE SUBJECT IN FRONT OF JULIETA-

MARIANO: No, no. I have something else to say. Juli, I’ve been thinking a lot about your father, and I think your mom and I will can help you find out who he is. Isn’t that so, Marisol?