Provócame

Episode 24

-PEDRO AND LETICIA ARE IN THE STABLES. PEDRO IS PUTTING ON THE HARNESS ON CHOCOLATE WHILE TALKING TO LETICIA-

LETICIA: I always say animals are like people; the more affection you show towards them, the more they become attached to you.
PEDRO: And if they feel unappreciated, they back away.
LETICIA: That’s just what Ana and I were talking about yesterday, just before she left for Buenos Aires.
PEDRO: How interesting.
LETICIA: You knew she left, right?
PEDRO: It’s her life; she can do with it what she pleases.
LETICIA: No, I’m just saying because perhaps it bothers you that she left, I don’t know…..
PEDRO: Ha! Please! Ha! I feel very relieved about that!
LETICIA: I thought you were friends!
PEDRO: Friends don’t treat each other badly all the time, Leti.
LETICIA: I have to call her soon, would you like me to give her a message?
PEDRO: No. Nothing. Thank you. Come on, Choco!

-PEDRO WALKS OUT OF THE STALL, TAKING CHOCOLATE WITH HIM. CHAPA ARRIVES AT THE SAME MOMENT TO REFILL CHOCOLATE’S BOX WITH ALFALFA-

CHAPA: Hello, Pedrito!

-LETICIA IS STILL IN THE STALL-

LETICIA: Hello, Chapa! Were you looking for me?
CHAPA: Eh….no. I just came to bring this.

-HE FILLS CHOCOLATE’S BOX WITH ALFALFA. LETICIA IS DISAPPOINTED-

LETICIA: Yes, he needed some, I guess.
CHAPA: Aha.
LETICIA: Listen, I’d like to ask you something.
CHAPA: Yes?
LETICIA: Have you noticed lately if Pedro has been looking a little sad?
CHAPA: No, not at all; on the contrary, Pedro seems happy, with a lot of energy. In fact, he’s acting as if a load has been removed from his shoulders. Why do you ask?
LETICIA: No, for no reason. No reason.
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-PATRICIA HAD NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE THAN TO RECEIVE RICARDO AS A GUEST. MARIANO HAS JOINED THEM AND THE THREE OF THEM HAVE BEEN SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM TALKING. MARIANO IS ABSOLUTELY BORED WITH THE CONVERSATION AND EXCUSES HIMSELF-

MARIANO: This chat is very interesting, but I have things to do. Patricia, you should invite your cousin one of these weekends so that we may continue with this wonderful chat! Excuse me.
RICARDO: So long!

-MARIANO WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM-

RICARDO: You have a nice friend!
PATRICIA: How many times do I have to ask you to leave me alone? What’s going to happen if Matías sees you?
RICARDO: What do you think it’s going to happen? He’s my son, isn’t he?
PATRICIA: What are you after, Ricardo?
RICARDO: Become part of this family! Participate in your business, Patricia! And you don’t help me, I’m going to do it my way!

-FLORIA ENTERS THE ROOM AT THIS MOMENT-

FLORIA: Who is this gentleman? Aren’t you going to introduce us, querida?

-RICARDO STANDS UP TO GREET FLORIA-

PATRICIA: Yes, this is Ricardo, my cousin.
RICARDO: It’s a pleasure meeting you, ma’am.
FLORIA: Nice meeting you.
PATRICIA: This is my mother-in-law.
FLORIA: No! Mother-in-law sounds so ugly! My name is Floria! Patricia, aren’t you going to ask him to stay for lunch?
PATRICIA: No! No! He was just leaving! Ricardo, I’ll walk you to the door!

-RICARDO SHAKES FLORIA’S HAND-

RICARDO: Until next time!
FLORIA: It’s been a pleasure.
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL AND MOLINA ARE STILL TALKING IN THE CAFETERIA-

MARISOL: What happens if Mariano finds out?
MOLINA: He won’t find out.
MARISOL: I don’t know….all this scares me a little.
MOLINA: Marisol, nothing is going to happen. The priorities have changed. Just think that if Mariano establishes his paternity, your life will become a living hell.

-MARISOL TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO RESPOND-

MARISOL: Yes, I have no other options. Fine, I accept your proposition. I hope what we’re doing doesn’t backfire.
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-SAMANTHA AND ANA LAURA ARE IN THE APARTMENT IN THE CITY-

SAMANTHA: Let’s put work aside for the moment, and let’s talk like good friends.
ANA LAURA: All right. What do you want to talk about?
SAMANTHA: What is happening with you?
ANA LAURA: Pedro is what’s happening to me; and Pedro is also not happening to me, because he’s a neurotic who doesn’t understand anything!
SAMANTHA: And what is it that Pedro doesn’t understand?
ANA LAURA: Me! Me! He thinks I’m playing games but it is not so! He’ll realize that it’s not so!

-SAMANTHA LOOKS AT ANA LAURA BUT DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING-

ANA LAURA: I’m sorry, Sami, but I can’t stand it anymore! Excuse me!

-ANA LAURA SUDDENLY BECOMES DESPERATE AND PICKS UP THE PHONE-

ANA LAURA: Leti? Yes! How are you? Any news?
LETICIA: No, everything is fine around here.
ANA LAURA: Have you seen Pedro? You have? And what did he say?
LETICIA: He said he’s relieved.
ANA LAURA: Oh, really? He’s relieved! And can you explain to me exactly what he said?
LETICIA: Nothing! He said you can’t spend all of your lives fighting. And don’t be angry about what I’m about to tell you but he said that…..that he’s very happy you’re gone.

-ANA LAURA IS SPEECHLESS. LETICIA CAN BE HEARD ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TELEPHONE-

LETICIA: Ana, can you hear me? Ana! Ana!

-ANA LAURA ANGRILY HANGS UP THE PHONE-
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-MARISOL IS SITTING AT THE KITCHEN TABLE. PEDRO ARRIVES-

PEDRO: Hello, how are you?
MARISOL: Would you like anything to drink?
PEDRO: No, I just stopped by for a minute. Anything new?
MARISOL: About what?
PEDRO: About the business with Mariano.
MARISOL: No, there’s nothing new.
PEDRO: What’s the matter? I have the feeling you’re hiding something from me.

-MARISOL AVOIDS ANSWERING PEDRO’S QUESTION AND CHANGES THE CONVERSATION-

MARISOL: Were you able to talk to Ana Laura?

-PEDRO IS ACTING VERY NONCHALANT WHEN TALKING ABOUT ANA LAURA-

PEDRO: Fortunately, she left for Buenos Aires.
MARISOL: Is she going to reside there now?
PEDRO: I don’t know. I think so.
MARISOL: And you’re not going to go looking for her?
PEDRO: No, please! Not at all! The more distance, the better! Well, I better go, I have a lot of things to do! Ciao!
MARISOL: I’ll see you later.

-PEDRO LEAVES AND MERCEDES COMES OUT OF THE BEDROOM AND SITS AT THE TABLE ACROSS FROM MARISOL-

MERCEDES: He’s always looking for an excuse to come to see you.
MARISOL: Were you eavesdropping, mom?
MERCEDES: Even the tone of your voice changes when you’re talking to him.
MARISOL: Don’t start!
MERCEDES: I will start and I will continue! Ana Laura left and is now out of the way, you must now take advantage of that; don’t you think?
MARISOL: No! No! No! I won’t take advantage of anything! If Pedro truly loves me, he knows where to find me.

MERCEDES: Yes, but you could give him a little help!
MARISOL: Mom, please.
MERCEDES: You can’t let an opportunity like this go to waste, my love!

-MARISOL GIVES MERCEDES A MEANINFUL LOOK-

MERCEDES: Fine! Fine! I’ll be quiet, but not because I think I’m wrong!
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA HAS CONTINUED TO NERVOUSLY WORK ON HER SCULPTURES. SAMANTHA HAS MADE TEA FOR THEM, AND SETS THE TWO CUPS ON THE TABLE-

ANA LAURA: Do you have a cigarette?
SAMANTHA: What are you talking about? You don’t smoke!
ANA LAURA: No, but you can never say never and I can start anytime!

-SAMANTHA TAKES A CIGARETTE FROM HER PURSE, LIGHTS IT AND THEN HANDS IT TO ANA LAURA-

SAMANTHA: Well, well! It looks as if what you feel for this young man, Pedro, is uncontrollable!
ANA LAURA: I’ll get it under control!

-ANA LAURA INHALES THE SMOKE FROM THE CIGARETTE AND BEGINS TO COUGH-

SAMANTHA: Instead of repressing what you feel and running away, why don’t you get closer to him?
ANA LAURA: I’m not running away! What makes me furious, really, is that he said he’s very relieved that I’m not around! Do you understand? I think he’s very cruel and very conceited!
SAMANTHA: He hit you hard; this young man! You can’t even think straight!
ANA LAURA: No! No! I just don’t like being mistreated! That’s all! What am I supposed to think?
SAMANTHA: You have to think that perhaps what he said is not what he feels, just like someone I know!

-ANA LAURA WAS GOING TO CONTINUE TALKING BUT AT THIS MOMENT THE DOORBELL RINGS. SHE LOOKS AT SAMANTHA AND IMMEDIATELY STOPS ALL PRETENSE-

ANA LAURA: It’s him! It’s him! I swear to you, it’s him!

-SHE QUICKLY HANDS BACK THE CIGARETTE TO SAMANTHA. SHE TAKES OFF HER JACKET AND RAPIDLY FIXES HER HAIR. SHE RUNS TO THE DOOR, OPENS IT AND FINDS MARIANO STANDING THERE-

MARIANO: Hello.

-MARIANO COMES IN-

MARIANO: Hello, Samantha, how are you? Can you leave us alone for a minute?

-ANA LAURA, STANDING BEHIND MARIANO, SHAKES HER HEAD AT SAMANTHA-

MARIANO: I need to talk to my wife.
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-ALVARO, IGNACIO AND CECILIA ARE SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM. ALVARO AND CECILIA ARE HOLDING A SUMMONS THEY RECEIVED TO APPEAR IN COURT REGARDING THE CASE OF MERCEDES’ LANDS-

ALVARO: It looks as if everyone will be parading through the courtroom. Mercedes didn’t stop at anything.
CECILIA: This is shameful! The Linares being treated as if we were delinquents!

-FLORIA IS SITTING A FEW FEET AWAY FROM THE OTHERS. MAGDA HAS JUST SERVED HER A CUP OF TEA, AND WHISPERS TO FLORIA-

MAGDA: If the judge asks for their criminal records, not one of them will be set free!
FLORIA: Show a little more respect, Magda!
MAGDA: What’s the matter? Nothing I say or do is right!

CECILIA: I can’t believe this! My own sister summons me to appear in front of the lawyers! But, what am I going to say! I don’t know anything!
IGNACIO: I could say the same thing.
ALVARO: Don’t worry, that all the paperwork is in order.
CECILIA: And why didn’t they summon Ignacio?
IGNACIO: I received the summons before everyone else, but I didn’t create such a scandal.
ALVARO: Why would you create a scandal? You’re so used to being in prison!
CECILIA: We could go to prison?
ALVARO: How are you going to get out of this one, Ignacito?
IGNACIO: I have nothing to lose; I’ll be able to tell the truth.
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-ANA LAURA AND MARIANO ARE ALONE IN THE APARTMENT-

ANA LAURA: Are you here to keep control over me?
MARIANO: No, I’m here to ask you something. Am I to take your action as if you abandoned our home?
ANA LAURA: You may take it anyway you like, but all I need to do is to find myself again, find my own space, my own life.
MARIANO: In that case, let’s separate legally, that way you can find again everything you just mentioned, and what’s more, with any luck, you’ll be able to reorganize your life. Let me give some advice, Ana…..
ANA LAURA: Yes, please! Your advice has always been very helpful to me! Very, very helpful! Tell me!
MARIANO: Well, let’s get a divorce!
ANA LAURA: No! Tsk! Tsk! I don’t plan to give you a divorce!
MARIANO: Ah! Why? It was what you most wanted in this world! What are you waiting for, Ana?
ANA LAURA: Nothing! I can’t expect anything from you! Nothing!
MARIANO: You want to confront me? Fine! Fine! But be ready to take the consequences! It’s going to get very ugly for you! Very ugly, Anita!

-HE WALKS OUT OF THE APARTMENT-
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-LISA IS IN HER ROOM PACKING AN OVERNIGHT BAG. TOTI IS STANDING NEXT TO THE BED WHERE LISA IS PACKING THE BAG. HE’S GOT A VERY SERIOUS LOOK ON HIS FACE-

TOTI: What are you doing?
LISA: I have things to do.
TOTI: Why are you packing?
LISA: That is my business, Toti; don’t get involved.
TOTI: All right. Perfect. I’ll come with you so you can do those things you have to do. Although I have no idea what they are, I’m coming with you.
LISA: What’s the matter with you, little boy?
TOTI: I’m telling you that you are not getting out of here alone! I’m coming with you! Is that clear?

-LISA LOOKS AT TOTI WITHOUT SAYING ANOTHER WORD-

TOTI: You were thinking of doing something crazy, weren’t you?
……………………………………………………………………………………….

ANA LAURA AND SAMANTHA ARE IN THE APARTMENT. ANA LAURA CONTINUES WORKING WITH HER SCULPTURES-

SAMANTHA: Come on, Ana, give in.
ANA LAURA: No! He can call me if he wants. I’m not going to humiliate myself!
SAMANTHA: So, if he never calls you again, you will not call him ever again?
ANA LAURA: Never again! I will never call him!
SAMANTHA: Fine! If that’s how you feel!
ANA LAURA: That’s exactly how I feel; I’m absolutely sure!

-ANA LAURA LOOKS AT SAMANTHA AND LOSES ALL COMPOSURE-

ANA LAURA: Well….to be honest, I’m not completely sure. I’m dying to call him!

-SHE LOOKS AT SAMANTHA ONCE AGAIN AND STOPS HER WORK TO PICK UP THE TELEPHONE. ONCE SHE MADE UP HER MIND TO CALL, SHE SMILES AND ANXIOUSLY DIALS THE NUMBER-

ANA LAURA: Hello!

-PEDRO ANSWERS THE TELEPHONE AT THE EMPLOYEES’ HOUSE-

PEDRO: Ana Laura! What a surprise!
ANA LAURA: Pedro….I wanted to tell you that I miss you very much, that…..what’s the matter? Why are you laughing? No, it’s true! I’m dying to see you, really!
PEDRO: I understand, but I think we better leave things as they are.
ANA LAURA: But….don’t you miss me at least a little? Not at all?
PEDRO: That’s not the point; I just don’t want to have any more problems.
ANA LAURA: Fine. All right; if you don’t want to have any more problems, ciao.
PEDRO: Wait!
ANA LAURA: What’s the matter?
PEDRO: Where and when?

-THAT IS ALL ANA LAURA NEEDED TO HEAR. SHE SMILES AND IMMEDIATELY BEGINS TO TELL PEDRO IN RAPID SUCCESSION HOW ANXIOUS SHE IS TO SEE HIM-

ANA LAURA: In my apartment! I’ll be waiting for you in my apartment! Please, don’t take long! I’ll wait for you in my apartment! I’m asking you, please! I won’t move from here! All right?
PEDRO: Don’t worry! I don’t forget my appointments, unlike some people!
ANA LAURA: Pedro, stop! I don’t want to argue! I miss you too much to argue with you! I send you a kiss!
PEDRO: And I send you a kiss!

-PEDRO HANGS UP THE PHONE-

PEDRO: This woman is a box full of surprises!
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-MARIANO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK. MARISOL IS STANDING ACROSS FROM HIM-

MARIANO: Go ahead, Marisol, I’m listening.
MARISOL: I came to tell you that I made a decision regarding the DNA test.
MARIANO: You have?
MARISOL: Yes. You win; I’ll give my authorization for the test.
MARIANO: Seriously?

-MARISOL NODS HER HEAD. MARIANO IS VERY SURPRISED-

MARISOL: What made you change your mind?
MARISOL: That’s not important. I’ll give my authorization, that’s all that matters.

-CECILIA IS IN THE HALLWAY, LISTENING TO THEIR CONVERSATION BEHIND THE DOOR. SHE COMMENTS TO HERSELF-

CECILIA: I wonder what this wretched girl is plotting now!
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-IN THE APARTMENT, ANA LAURA HAS SET A ROMANTIC SCENE IN THE LIVING ROOM. SHE PLACED A WHITE TABLECLOTH ON THE COFFEE TABLE, WITH SETTINGS FOR TWO. SHE’S PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES TO THE TABLE. SAMANTHA SEES HOW EXCITED SHE IS AND TEASES HER-

SAMANTHA: You really go all out, don’t you?
ANA LAURA: You’re going to be giving me a hard time until I’m eighty, right?
SAMANTHA: Absolutely!
ANA LAURA: That’s all right; I can take it.

-ANA LAURA SUDDENLY REALIZES THERE’S SMOKE COMING FROM THE KITCHEN. SHE RUSHES TO THE OVEN-

ANA LAURA: The chicken! I forgot the chicken!
SAMANTHA: You’re pathetic!

-ANA LAURA TURNS OFF THE OVEN AND PULLS OUT THE TRAY WITH THE BURNT CHICKEN-

ANA LAURA: I can’t believe it!
SAMANTHA: You’re pathetic!
ANA LAURA: He’s going to think I’m stupid! That I don’t know how to cook!
SAMANTHA: I don’t think this young man is after you for your cooking!
ANA LAURA: My God, what am I going to do now?

SAMANTHA PULLS OUT A BUSINESS CARD FROM HER PURSE-

SAMANTHA: Delivery!
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-PEDRO IS DRESSED UP AND IS ON HIS WAY TO MEET ANA LAURA. HE’S WALKING BY A TREE HOUSE WHERE JULIETA HAS BEEN PLAYING. SHE’S STANDING ON A TREE BRANCH-

PEDRO: Hello, Juli.
JULIETA: Hello, Pedro.
PEDRO: Why don’t you go home, now? You’ve been up there all afternoon.
JULIETA: No, let me stay here and play a little longer.
PEDRO: All right.
JULIETA: Do you want to play with me?
PEDRO: No, my love, I can’t. I have to go, I have an appointment.
JULIETA: Come on, Pedro, please!

-JULIETA IS TALKING TO HIM, WHILE PEDRO CONTINUES WALKING. SHE MAKES HER WAY AROUND THE TREE BRANCHES. AFTER WALKING A FEW FEET, PEDRO SUDDENLY HEARS JULIETA SCREAM AND HE TURNS AROUND TO SEE HER FALL TO THE GROUND. HE RUNS BACK TO HER AND SEES SHE’S LOST CONSCIOUSNESS-

PEDRO: Julieta! Julieta! Julieta! My love, please! My God! Julieta! Juli! Juli!
………………………………………………………………………………………………

MARIANO: So you are now willing to authorize the DNA test.
MARISOL: Yes.
MARIANO: You first say one thing and then another.
MARISOL: I already made the decision.
MARIANO: Yes, I realize that, but I’d like to know why you changed your mind; it’s very strange.
MARISOL: Isn’t that what you wanted? I thought you’d be glad about the news.
MARIANO: I am glad, but I’m also intrigued, I have to admit. It seems very strange.

-CECILIA IS STILL LISTENING AT THE DOOR-

MARISOL: Is not that strange. I’m interested in knowing the truth and I assume you are too.
MARIANO: The truth is that I am Julieta’s father!
MARISOL: Why are so sure?
MARIANO: Because both of us know very well that I was your first.
MARISOL: Yes, but you don’t know what I did later on, in desperation.

-THIS ANGERS MARIANO-

MARIANO: Julieta is my daughter.
MARISOL: You never tried to acknowledge her. Perhaps your intuition didn’t fail you; perhaps you never wanted to accept her because she’s not your daughter.

-CECILIA, BEHIND THE DOOR, WHISPERS TO HERSELF-

CECILIA: Let’s hope to God that’s true, querida! Let’s hope that’s true!
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PEDRO: Talk to me, my love! Juli!

-CHAPA AND ANTONIO COME RUNNING-

CHAPA: Julieta! Julieta!
ANTONIO: What happened?
CHAPA: What’s wrong with her, Pedro?
PEDRO: She fell from the tree house! It was an accident!
CHAPA: We have to take her to the doctor!

-CHAPA TRIES TO PICK HER UP. PEDRO AND ANTONIO IMMEDIATELY SHOUT AT HIM-

PEDRO: No! No! Don’t move her! Don’t move her! Go get a board! Antonio, get the truck and tell Marisol!

-CHAPA AND ANTONIO RUN TO DO WHAT PEDRO REQUESTED. PEDRO CONTINUES TALKING TO JULIETA, WHO STILL UNCONSCIOUS-

PEDRO: Juli, don’t worry, we’re going to help you!

-ANA LAURA IS ANGRILY PACING THE FLOOR IN HER APARTMENT. IT’S LATE AND PEDRO NEVER SHOWED UP-

ANA LAURA: Balmaceda! How did I fall for this? Men! Men! I’m so stupid! So stupid! So stupid!

-SHE PICKS UP THE TELEPHONE AND DIALS-

-ANA LAURA: Hello, Leti. You don’t know what happened to me! He stood me up! What do you mean who? Pedro! Pedro, stupid! He didn’t show up! No! No! I called him earlier and he was supposed to come over! Do you know where he is?
LETICIA: No, Ana, I have no idea where he is.
ANA LAURA: I don’t understand! You always encourage me to continue with this guy but do you see now that I’m right about him? Is everything I do useless?
LETICIA: Well, you stood him up the last time!
ANA LAURA: No! No! We had discussed that already and I thought everything was fine but evidently he didn’t think so and he used this opportunity to take revenge! He’s so immature, my love! He is!
LETICIA: You’re not any better!
ANA LAURA: Excuse me, are you my friend or his? I’m the one who’s always trying! Can’t you see Pedro is unbearable?
LETICIA: You’re right, Ana; Pedro is unbearable!

-LETICIA MOVES THE PHONE AWAY FROM HER EAR WHILE ANA LAURA RANTS AND RAVES-
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-ROSA AND ANTONIO ARE IN THE KITCHEN-

ROSA: What do you mean she fainted! Antonio, what are you saying?
ANTONIO: Yes, she’s hurt. We’re taking her to the hospital right now to find out what’s wrong with her.
ROSA: Poor Julietita! No!
ANTONIO: Yes, you’re going to have to tell Marisol.
ROSA: No, no! I can’t tell Marisol that! No! I can’t tell her, Antonio!
ANTONIO: You have to! I’m not good at those things.
ROSA: No, listen….

-MARISOL WALKS IN THE KITCHEN AT THIS MOMENT-

MARISOL: Hello. Have you seen Julieta?

-MARISOL NOTICES THAT ROSA AND ANTONIO ARE VERY NERVOUS-

MARISOL: What’s wrong? Where’s Julieta?
ANTONIO: Rosa!

-ROSA KEEPS SILENT, FORCING ANTONIO TO GIVE MARISOL THE NEWS-

ANTONIO: Julieta had an accident.
MARISOL: What do you mean, she had an accident? Rosa, please! What happened?
ROSA: No, Marisol, calm down! Antonio said Julieta was playing in the tree house and she fell to the ground and it looks as though she lost consciousness!
MARISOL: No! Please! No!

-MARISOL RUNS OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

ROSA: They’re taking her to the hospital! Marisol!
ANTONIO: Marisol!
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MERCEDES AND VICTORIA ARE AT MARISOL’S HOUSE. CECILIA COMES OVER AND MERCEDES LETS HER IN THE HOUSE-

CECILIA: Is Marisol home?
MERCEDES: No, she’s not home.
CECILIA: Do you know where I can find her?
MERCEDES: No, I don’t know. Anything else?
CECILIA: No, thank you.

-CECILIA IS ABOUT TO WALK OUT BUT VICTORIA DETAINS HER-

VICTORIA: Did you receive the legal summons?
CECILIA: Yes!
VICTORIA: That’s great! Are you nervous?
CECILIA: No!
MERCEDES: I wouldn’t feel so confident, if I were you!
CECILIA: Ha! It’s incredible that you, my own sister, is taking me to court! You’re very ungrateful! But, it doesn’t matter, each person will have to deal with their own conscience!
MERCEDES: That’s exactly how I feel! I often wonder how my own sister is able to move on so carefree with life, carrying her own conscience!

-CECILIA BECOMES VEY ANGRY NOW AND BEGINS SCREAMING AT MERCEDES-

CECILIA: I didn’t take anything from you! Stop making up stories, you crazy @#%&!

-MERCEDES AND VICTORIA MOCK CECILIA AFTER LISTENING TO HER FOUL LANGUAGE-

MERCEDES: You’re becoming very nervous, Cecilia!
CECILIA: Yes! You make me lose my patience! You’re insane!
VICTORIA: This is the beginning of your end. Cecilia! I hope you are ready for it!
CECILIA: I’m ready! I’m not so sure about you! Both of you are pathetic! I feel sorry for you! Very sorry!
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO AND CHAPA ARE KNEELING NEXT TO JULIETA, WHO’S STILL UNCONSCIOUS-

PEDRO: We have to get a board to transport her to the hospital!
CHAPA: My love! I will buy you an ice cream cone topped with chocolate! Juli!

-THEY NOTICE SOME REACTION FROM JULIETA. SHE’S BEGINNING TO RESPOND TO THEIR VOICES-

PEDRO: She moved her eyes!
CHAPA: Yes! She’s responding!

-JULIETA REGAINS CONSCIOUSNESS-

JULIETA: What happened? Wasn’t I up in the tree house?
PEDRO: Yes! Yes, my love! Don’t move! Don’t move!
CHAPA: Juli, you fell from the tree house and hit your head. Let’s see, Juli; who am I?
JULIETA: Chapa, silly!

-MARISOL AND ANTONIO ARRIVE IN THE TRUCK. MARISOL COMES RUNNING TOWARDS JULIETA-

MARISOL: Julieta!
PEDRO: Don’t move, my love, don’t move!
MARISOL: Daughter! Daughter! What happened?
PEDRO: She slipped and fell from the tree.
MARISOL: What hurts?
JULIETA: My head, a little, but Pedro told me not to move.
PEDRO: Yes, so we can prevent any possible injuries!
MARISOL: Do you feel like vomiting?
JULIETA: No.
MARISOL: Does your back hurt?
JULIETA: No.
MARISOL: Can you feel your legs?
JULIETA: A little. I think they went numb.

-MARISOL WORRIES AND LOOKS AT PEDRO-

PEDRO: No! No! Calm down! Chapa, help me here.

-CHAPA AND PEDRO CAREFULLY LOAD JULIETA ONTO A WOODEN BOARD, WHILE ANTONIO WALKS BACK TO THE TRUCK-

PEDRO: Slowly, Chapa. Make sure her knees don’t bend. It’ll be all right my love!
MARISOL: Are you all right, my love?

-PEDRO AND CHAPA LIFT THE BOARD. MARIANO ARRIVES AT THIS MOMENT-

MARIANO: How did this happen? How did you fall? Julieta, tell me, how did you fall?
JULIETA: I was playing in the tree house and I slipped and fell.

-PEDRO AND CHAPA DEPOSIT JULIETA ON THE BED OF THE PICK-UP TRUCK-

MARIANO: Antonio, hurry up! We’ll take her to a private clinic!
MARISOL: No! She’ll be well cared for at the hospital!
MARIANO: No hospital! No hospital! I want the best doctors to tend to her!
MARISOL: There’s no need for you to come along; Pedro is here!
MARIANO: What are you saying! I’m coming!
PEDRO: You heard Marisol! I’ll be the one going with her!
MARIANO: Who do you think you are? Why do you get involved?
PEDRO: And why are you here? What are you doing here?

-MARISOL GETS ON THE TRUCK AND SITS NEXT TO JULIETA-

MARIANO: Why don’t we take her to my clinic, with my people?
MARISOL: Let’s not complicate things anymore!
PEDRO: Julieta is not well! This is not the time for whims!

-PEDRO CLOSES THE BED OF THE TRUCK AND JOINS MARISOL AND JULIETA-

JULIETA: Where are you taking me?
PEDRO: To a place where they’ll take very good care of you, my love.
MARIANO: Listen, Marisol, I’m staying behind just so I won’t get my daughter nervous; but you know I’m entitled!
MARISOL: At the moment you’re not entitled to anything!

-PEDRO KNOCKS ON THE WINDOW TO INDICATE TO ANTONIO THEY’RE READY TO LEAVE-

MARIANO: Don’t worry, my love, all right?

-THE TRUCK PULLS AWAY AND MARIANO LEAVES. CHAPA STAYS BEHIND, VERY WORRIED ABOUT JULIETA. LETICIA COMES RUNNING AND QUESTIONS CHAPA-

LETICIA: What happened?
CHAPA: The little girl fell from the tree and we don’t know what’s wrong with her!
LETICIA: Is it bad?
CHAPA: I don’t know! I don’t know! They’re taking her to the hospital! I swear I feel something in my chest! Pobre Julieta! I’ve been so preoccupied with my things lately! I should have paid more attention to her!

-CHAPA TURNS TOWARDS LETICIA AND BEGINS TO CRY ON HER SHOULDER. SHE’S ONLY TOO HAPPY TO CONSOLE HIM IN HER ARMS-

LETICIA: Yes! She’ll be all right!
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-TOTI AND LISA ARE IN THE KITCHEN OF THE EMPLOYEES’ HOUSE. TOTI IS STANDING BY THE STOVE PREPARING MATE FOR THEM, WHILE LISA IS SITTING AT THE TABLE. TOTI CARRIES THE MATE WITH HIM AND SITS AT THE TABLE ACROSS FROM LISA-

TOTI: We should try to find a solution to this situation.
LISA: The only solution I see is to go home and I don’t like that at all. My father is going to beat me senseless!
TOTI: You can’t count on Francisco.
LISA: No, and I can’t count on Magda, and on Rosa, even less!
TOTI: Me! You can count on me!
LISA: Yes.
TOTI: Listen, I don’t earn a lot of money and let’s suppose, knock on wood, that they fire you, I can help you with a little money; I don’t have any expenses here. You won’t go hungry!
LISA: Yes, Toti, but that really doesn’t help me.

-TOTI HANDS LISA SOME MATE-

TOTI: Why don’t we talk to Anita!
LISA: Anita? What for? She doesn’t have any authority here anymore!
TOTI: No, but remember what happened when the jewels got stolen? Do you remember? I would be in prison right now if she hadn’t defended me!
LISA: Yes, but that was different. Besides, Anita has a lot of problems right now, the poor thing. There’s nothing she can do.
TOTI: No, let’s talk to her. She’s the only one that can help us. We must talk to her. She’ll help you. And I will help you also.
LISA: Fine, I’ll talk to her and if it doesn’t work, I will have nothing else.
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO AND CECILIA ARE IN THE LIVING ROOM. MARIANO IS POURING A DRINK FOR HIMSELF-

MARIANO: No, mom, I’m not going to talk to you about Marisol or anything else right now; can’t you see I’m worried?
CECILIA: Yes, I see it but this situation can’t continue this way.

-THE FRONT DOOR OPENS AT THIS MOMENT AND ANA LAURA AND SAMANTHA WALK IN-

MARIANO: Well! Well! Your rebelliousness didn’t last long!
ANA LAURA: Don’t worry; I just came to pick up some things I forgot.
MARIANO: Do you want to know something, Ana? If you listened to me a little, you’d be avoiding a lot of problems!
ANA LAURA: Ah! Right…..

-MARIANO WALKS AWAY, NOT BOTHERING TO LISTEN TO ANA LAURA’S RESPONSE. CECILIA IS ABOUT TO FOLLOW MARIANO BUT ANA LAURA BEGINS TALKING TO HER-

ANA LAURA: Do you really want to know why I came back?
CECILIA: No! You don’t have to give me any explanations! You don’t bother giving your husband an explanation for your actions, why should you bother giving it to me!

-CECILIA WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM. ANA LAURA TURNS TO SAMANTHA-

ANA LAURA: I can’t believe it! Do you see now what I was talking about?
SAMANTHA: These people are unbearable!

-LETICIA ENTERS THE HOUSE AT THIS MOMENT-

LETICIA: I’m glad you came. I’ve been calling you but I never got an answer. Listen, Julieta fell and Pedro took her to the hospital.
ANA LAURA: Julieta fell? Where did she fall from?
LETICIA: Don’t worry, I’ll tell you all about it later.
ANA LAURA: What happened to her?
LETICIA: That’s the reason Pedro didn’t go see you! Do you understand, silly? I’m certain you had one of your tantrums!
SAMANTHA: Yes, she thought Pedro stood her up!
ANA LAURA: Be quiet! These walls have ears!
SAMANTHA: This estancia is a living hell!
LETICIA: A living hell? That’s an understatement, my love!
……………………………………………………………………………………………...

-JULIETA IS IN A HOSPITAL ROOM AND MARISOL IS STANDING BY HER BED, GIVING JULIETA A SIP OF WATER. JULIETA IS WEARING A NECK BRACE AND SITTING UPRIGHT ON THE BED. PEDRO IS SITTING ON THE BED NEXT TO JULIETA’S-

MARISOL: Does it hurt?

-JULIETA SHAKES HER HEAD-

MARISOL: Don’t move your head.
JULIETA: Have Pedro sit here next to me then.

-PEDRO LEAVES THE OTHER BED AND SITS ON JULIETA’S BED. HE COMES VERY CLOSE TO JULIETA’S FACE-

PEDRO: Here I am. Here I am. Do you see me?
JULIETA: Yes, I see you. Am I going to be able to train like this?
PEDRO: You want to ride a horse in this condition?
MARISOL: We have to wait and see what the doctor says.
JULIETA: I can’t stop training! What about the competition? When are they taking this thing off?
PEDRO: I’m sure it’ll come off in a few days, be patient.
JULIETA: It wasn’t a big deal.
MARISOL: Ah! You think it wasn’t a big deal! A tragedy almost occurred and you all you can think about is jumping in the competition!
JULIETA: A tragedy? Ah, mom! You exaggerate!
MARISOL: Yes, I suffer needlessly! I always exaggerate!
PEDRO: Calm down, girls! Calm down!
JULIETA: If I’m feeling better tomorrow, I will train!
PEDRO: Marisol, can you leave us alone for a few minutes to discuss some things?
MARISOL: Fine, but I won’t agree to any nonsense!

-MARISOL LEAVES THE ROOM-

JULIETA: My mom always exaggerates.
PEDRO: No, she does it because she loves you very much. She really worried about what happened to you. We’re going to continue training, but this is not the place nor the time to talk about this.
JULIETA: Am I going to be able to compete?
PEDRO: Hm....trust me!

-JULIETA HAS BEEN HOLDING A BOX OF CHOCOLATES. PEDRO TRIES TO GET ONE OF THE CHOCOLATES, BUT JULIETA PULLS THE BOX OUT OF HIS REACH-

JULIETA: No! Of course I’ll trust you.
PEDRO: Good. We agree then, we agree. I’m going to help your mom with some formalities about your stay here and I’ll be back later.
JULIETA: All right.

-PEDRO KISSES JULIETA ON THE CHEEK AND GETS UP FROM THE BED-

JULIETA: Here! Here! Take one piece of chocolate!
PEDRO: Ah! You’re going to give me one after all? Thank you!
JULIETA: You’re welcome.

-PEDRO TAKES ONE PIECE OF CANDY. HE PICKS UP HIS JACKET FROM ONE OF THE CHAIRS, AND LEAVES THE ROOM-

PEDRO: Ciao, princess.
JULIETA: Ciao!

-MARISOL IS IN THE HALLWAY TALKING TO ONE OF THE NURSES CARRYING A SMALL LAB TRAY CONTAINING BLOOD SAMPLES-

MARISOL: I’m Julieta’s mother; the little girl you just took some blood from.
NURSE: Yes, what do you need, ma’am?
MARISOL: I need a sample because I’d like to run other tests.
NURSE: But the lab already closed, and besides, you need the doctor’s authorization for that.

-PEDRO CAN BE SEEN AT THE END OF THE HALLWAY, EXITING JULIETA’S ROOM AND APPROACHING MARISOL AND THE NURSE-

MARISOL: The doctor already gave me the authorization! Well, he told me to talk to the head nurse and I did and she gave me the order but I left it in my little girl’s room, but if you give the the tube…..
NURSE: All right, if you say you have the authorization…..
MARISOL: Yes!

-PEDRO ARRIVES JUST WHEN THE NURSE IS ABOUT TO HAND MARISOL THE TUBE WITH JULIETA’S BLOOD SAMPLE-

PEDRO: What are you planning on doing with that, Marisol?
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-RICARDO IS WALKING THROUGH A WOODED AREA OF THE ESTANCIA. GUNTHER, HOLDING A LEASHED DOG IN EACH HAND, CALLS OUT TO HIM-

GUNTHER: Just a minute, gentleman! Where do you think you’re going?
RICARDO: I’m going to see Patricia. I’m her cousin….aren’t you the same fatso who was at the bar with the trinket?
GUNTHER: Ha! It wasn’t a trinket, gentleman! It was a fine pen! And this is private property! You can’t be here!
RICARDO: Fatso, get out of here before I beat you up again!
GUNTHER: Ha! Not so fast, gentleman! I’m not alone this time! I have these two wild beasts ready to kill!

-RICARDO CARESSES THE HEAD OF ONE OF THE DOGS-

RICARDO: They seem very tame to me.
GUNTHER: Tame? Ha!

-GUNTHER TAKES A FEW STEPS-

GUNTHER: That’s because I haven’t given them the order to kill! When I use my whistle……

-GUNTHER FEELS IN HIS SHIRT POCKETS FOR THE WHISTLE, BUT HE DOESN’T HAVE IT WITH HIM-

GUNTHER: ……and I give two long….and two short…….when I say kill, those two wild beasts, will begin to work their steel jaws and they will rip apart your flesh…...your bones…..your cartilage…..

-RICARDO, SHAKING HIS HEAD IN DISBELIEF, APPROACHES GUNTHER-

RICARDO: You’re a fat liar!
GUNTHER: You want to put it to the test?
RICARDO: Do something for me; tell Patricia that she’s not getting rid of me so easily. She’ll see me willingly or unwillingly.
GUNTHER: She’ll do no such thing! Leave this estancia immediately!
RICARDO: As you wish, fatso. But don’t forget to give her the message.

-RICARDO TAPS GUNTHER ON THE CHEEK AND WALKS AWAY-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

MARISOL: Nothing! Now that they took some blood from her, I’ll take the opportunity and run other tests.
PEDRO: Ah! I thought it was something else.
MARISOL: No, what else could it be?
PEDRO: No, it doesn’t matter.
MARISOL: Could you go ahead to the admission’s office and take care of Julieta’s paperwork? It’s important.
PEDRO: Yes, I’ll see you later.

-PEDRO WALKS AWAY-

MARISOL: Well, can you give me the tube, or else I’m going to need to talk to the doctor again and…..
NURSE: No, no, here it is.

-THE NURSE GIVES MARISOL THE TUBE WITH JULIETA’S BLOOD*-

MARISOL: Thank you.

-THE NURSE WALKS AWAY. MARISOL HOLDS THE TUBE IN HER HANDS AND SIGHS IN RELIEF-

* I don’t know if it’s common practice in Argentina to release blood specimens this easily to patients or if this was done just for the benefit of the telenovela.
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-LISA IS IN HER ROOM CRYING. SHE’S LYING ON TOP OF THE BED. MAGDA ENTERS THE ROOM-

MAGDA: Lisa, please! You’re crying again? Tell me, what’s the matter, querida? What’s wrong?

-MAGDA SITS ON THE BED AND HOLDS LISA’S HAND IN HERS-

LISA: Nothing, tía; I don’t feel well.
MAGDA: What do you mean you don’t feel well? What’s wrong? Talk to me; I’m your aunt! Talk to me! Tell me the truth!

-LISA SITS UP STRAIGHT ON THE BED-

LISA: I’m going to tell you because I can’t hold this in any longer. I’m pregnant.
MAGDA: No, please!
LISA: I’m pregnant and I don’t know what to do. Francisco doesn’t want to take any responsibility.
MAGDA: Ah, Francisco! What can you expect from him? Eh…..it’s all right. It’s all right. What do you plan to do?
LISA: I don’t know. Do you think it’s a good idea if I talk to Ana Laura and tell her?
MAGDA: No, no. Let’s wait a while. Wait until I let them know, and then we’ll see what happens. All right?
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PATRICIA AND MARIANO EXIT THE HOUSE USING THE FRONT DOOR. THEY ARE WALKING DOWN THE STEPS WHEN GUNTHER COMES OUT OF THE HOUSE AFTER PATRICIA-

GUNTHER: Frau Patri!
PATRICIA: Not now, Gunther! Can’t you see I’m busy?
GUNTHER: Where are you going, Frau?
PATRICIA: It’s none of your business, Gunther!
GUNTHER: It’s just that I have to give you a very important message!
MARIANO: I’ll get the car. I’ll be right back.

-MARIANO LEAVES PATRICIA ALONE WITH GUNTHER-

PATRICIA: You can give me the message another time, Gunther!
GUNTHER: It’s about the creep! He came to La Esperanza! I was able to stop him because I told him I was going to let the dogs loose on him!
PATRICIA: Again? Again?
GUNTHER: Don’t worry, that as long as Gunther looks out for you, he’ll stay away!
PATRICIA: Gunther! You must be on the alert! You have to keep a close watch on Matías! If Ricardo shows up again, Matías will recognize him and everyone will find out my secret, Gunther!
GUNTHER: You can count on me! You can count on me!
PATRICIA: I’m pleading, Gunther! Make sure Matías does not realize what is happening! You must be very subtle.
GUNTHER: Subtlety is my second name!

-MARIANO ARRIVES WITH THE CAR. PATRICIA IS SO PREOCCUPIED WITH TALKING TO GUNTHER THAT SHE DOESN’T SEE MARIANO UNTIL HE SOUNDS THE HORN OF THE CAR-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-JULIETA HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL, BUT SHE’S STILL WEARING THE NECK BRACE.. SHE’S NOW IN HER ROOM, RESTING IN BED, WITH MARISOL LYING NEXT TO HER. MERCEDES IS SITTING IN A CHAIR NEXT TO THE BED-

JULIETA: Mom, I’m bored! Why can’t I get out of bed?
MARISOL: Don’t you understand you had a serious accident?
MERCEDES: Marisol, your aunt Cecilia was looking for you.
JULIETA: Come on, mom; let me get out of bed!

-PEDRO WALKS IN THE ROOM, CARRYING A SMALL GIFT FOR JULIETA-

PEDRO: Hello.
MERCEDES: Hello.
PEDRO: Look what I brought the most beautiful girl in the world!

-PEDRO SITS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BED, LEAVING JULIETA RESTING IN THE MIDDLE, BETWEEN HIM AND MARISOL. JULIETA OPENS THE GIFT AND FINDS SEVERAL RIBBONS AND HAIR CLIPS-

JULIETA: Thank you. Let’s see; let me open it. Oh, they’re beautiful! Are you staying a while?
PEDRO: No, my love, I can’t. I have a lot of work and I’m running behind.
JULIETA: Well, then, are you coming tonight?
MERCEDES: My goodness; don’t be so pushy!
JULIETA: Come on, and you can spend the night!
PEDRO: We’ll see. We’ll see.
MARISOL: Don’t impose; let him do what he wants.
JULIETA: But I’m very sick!
PEDRO: Fine, you win.

-JULIETA IS VERY HAPPY THAT SHE CONVINCED PEDRO TO VISIT HER THAT NIGHT-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ALVARO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK. MOLINA IS IN THE LIBRARY WITH HIM AND IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HIM-

MOLINA: Let’s allow your son to have his way. He wants to acknowledge the child? Fine, let him show he’s the father!
ALVARO: Do you know what you’re saying? It’s an aberration! They’re related! This business must not come to light, Estéban!
MOLINA: I’m taking care of it!
ALVARO: You are?
MOLINA: As always! As we have always done….with justice; with contracts; with signatures! I’ll fix it!

-MARISOL ENTERS THE LIBRARY AT THIS MOMENT-

MARISOL: I’m sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt, but I was told Dr. Molina was here.
ALVARO: No, you’re not interrupting. Dr. Molina is right here; I’ll leave you alone to talk.

-ALVARO RISES FROM HIS CHAIR AND EXITS THE ROOM, CLOSING THE DOOR BEHIND HIM. ONCE ALVARO IS OUT OF THE ROOM, MOLINA STANDS UP AND FACES MARISOL-

MOLINA: What happened?
MARISOL: I got it.

-SHE HANDS MOLINA THE TUBE WITH JULIETA’S BLOOD SAMPLE-

MOLINA: It has the seal from the clinic and the patient’s name; very good!
MARISOL: Yes, but I don’t think it’ll be so easy to deceive Mariano.
MOLINA: Mariano trusts me and he’ll trust this sample. Everything seems legal; everything will be fine.
MARISOL: I hope so. I would have never authorized the test if it didn’t involve you.
MOLINA: It’s the only way to end this nightmare, Marisol.
MARISOL: Yes, but I still don’t understand how you have the courage to betray Mariano.
MOLINA: Because you still don’t believe how much I care about you.
MARISOL: I’m grateful.
MOLINA: The best way to show me your gratitude will be for you to trust me again.
MARISOL: Yes, you don’t have to doubt it. I’ll never forget what you’re doing for me.

-SHE KISSES HIM ON THE CHEEK. MOLINA SMILES AND HANDS THE TUBE BACK TO HER. MARISOL WALKS OUT OF THE LIBRARY-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS BRUSHING CHOCOLATE AND TALKING ALOUD TO HIM-

PEDRO: It was scary. Fortunately it didn’t go beyond that.

-ANA LAURA ARRIVES-

ANA LAURA: Fortunately.
PEDRO: Ana! I was just about to call you.
ANA LAURA: And what happened? You ran out of coins? How’s Julieta?
PEDRO: She’s fine. She’s fine.
ANA LAURA: How lucky. I’m glad.
PEDRO: I wanted to call you to apologize for not coming to our meeting.
ANA LAURA: Oh, you didn’t show up? I didn’t notice!
PEDRO: Ana, please don’t mock me! I can’t help what happened!
ANA LAURA: Look, Pedro…..I think what you did was perfect, but you could have at least called me. Do you think we can see each other tonight?
PEDRO: I can’t. Julieta needs me.
ANA LAURA: Excuse me, doesn’t Julieta have a mother?
PEDRO: Don’t mix one thing with another, Ana!
ANA LAURA: Ah! Perfect! Perfect! That how it is! It’s Marisol, isn’t it? Julieta’s mother!
PEDRO: What are you insinuating?
ANA LAURA: Look, I’m going to ask you for a favor; don’t complicate things. If you really feel something for Marisol, tell me! Be honest and that’s it!
PEDRO: Ana, please; be a little more considerate!
ANA LAURA: More considerate? More considerate? You’re always avoiding me!
PEDRO: I don’t avoid you!
ANA LAURA: Yes, you do!
PEDRO: That’s not true, Ana! That’s not true!
ANA LAURA: Enough! Enough! If you have feelings for Marisol, tell me now!
PEDRO: Ana, you know you’re very important to me!
ANA LAURA: If I’m important to you, show me! I’ve had enough of your words! You make promises over and over again and never keep them!

-SHE WALKS AWAY ANGRY. PEDRO CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED-

PEDRO: Here we go again!
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-GUNTHER IS KEPING GUARD OUTSIDE MATIAS’ BEDROOM. HE HAS PLACED A CHAIR IN THE HALLWAY AND IS NOW ASLEEP ON IT. HE HAS HIS RIGHT LEG RAISED AND RESTING ON A HALL TABLE, TO BLOCK ANYONE’S WAY. CECILIA ARRIVES AND WAKES HIM UP-

CECILIA: Gunther!

-GUNTHER’S STARTLED BY CECILIA’S SCREAM. HE IMMEDIATELY STANDS UP-

GUNTHER: Frau….Ceci!
CECILIA: No! No, it’s all right! Don’t bother! Are you comfortable? Would you like me to order you some coffee?
GUNTHER: Cocoa would be better!
CECILIA: Gladly! No problem! Carmen!

-CARMEN ARRIVES. GUNTHER IS ALL SMILES, STILL NOT REALIZING CECILIA IS BEING SARCASTIC-

CECILIA: Yes, ma’am.
CECILIA: Some cocoa for Gunther, and make sure they serve it to him with his termination notice!
GUNTHER: Termination notice?
CECILIA: You’re a bum! Incompetent! Useless! If it weren’t for Patricia, you’d find yourself living in the pig sty! Carmen, take care of this! I can’t stand looking at this idiot’s face!

-CECILIA WALKS AWAY. MATIAS HAS LISTENED TO THE COMMOTION IN THE HALLWAY AND COMES OUT FROM ONE OF THE BEDROOMS-

MATIAS: What’s going on?
CARMEN: It’s impossible to maintain discipline in this house!
GUNTHER: Discipline is my favorite word!
CARMEN: If it’s your favorite word, then put it into practice by setting an example!

-MATIAS IS NOT INTERESTED IN LISTENING TO THEIR ARGUMENT AND WALKS AWAY-

GUNTHER: I have a lot to say to you, but I must take care of the little boss!

-GUNTHER TRIES TO FOLLOW MATIAS, BUT CARMEN DETAINS HIM-

CARMEN: You’re staying right here! And get ready, Gunther, because you are now going to listen to me!

-GUNTHER STAYS BUT HE’S ANXIOUS TO GO AFTER MATIAS-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA IS IN THE KITCHEN WIPING THE COUNTER. SHE’S UPSET. MAGDA WALKS IN-

MAGDA: Ana Laura, what are you doing? What happened?
ANA LAURA: Nothing! Nothing! I was trying to pour water from the kettle into this thermos and like a stupid, I burned my hand!
MAGDA: But, baby…..
ANA LAURA: No, no, I’m fine. What’s wrong, Magda? You look worried.
MAGDA: I have a problem…well, actually, Lisa has a serious problem….
ANA LAURA: What’s the matter? We continue with domestic problems in this house?
MAGDA: No! It’s not work related; it’s a personal problem.
ANA LAURA: Why? What’s wrong with her?
MAGDA: She’s pregnant! Can you believe it?
ANA LAURA: I…I don’t know what to say! But…does she have a boyfriend? Is she seeing someone?
MAGDA: No!
ANA LAURA: Who is the baby’s father?

-MAGDA REFUSES TO MENTION FRANCISCO’S NAME TO ANA LAURA-

MAGDA: Who knows! Lisa is a good girl, but you know how she is; she’s not going to tell me the truth. What a tragedy! What a problem!
ANA LAURA: Magda, please, don’t worry! We’ll resolve this! I don’t know, I’ll think of something!
MAGDA: I wanted to ask you, if things get a little difficult here in the house for her once they find out; please put a stop to it before it turns into a mess!
ANA LAURA: Yes, don’t worry. If I can help you in any way, I promise I’ll do it. You can count on me.

-ANA LAURA TAKES MAGDA IN HER ARMS AND KISSES THE TOP OF HER HEAD-

ANA LAURA: But Lisa needs you now. You have to remain calm, all right?
MAGDA: Yes.
ANA LAURA: Do you promise me?
MAGDA: Yes.
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK. MOLINA AND MARISOL WALK IN THE LIBRARY-

MOLINA: Marisol has the blood sample. I wanted to witness this so both of you can be assured of the test accuracy.
MARIANO: Ah! The evidence of the crime!
MARISOL: You ought to show more consideration! You’re talking about Julieta!
MARIANO: Exactcly! There’s something I don’t understand! How were you able to resolve all this so fast?
MOLINA: Well, the fall was a misfortune with some luck.
MARISOL: Yes, because of Julieta’s accident, they had to draw some blood, so I asked for a sample without Julieta finding out.

-MOLINA HANDS MARIANO THE TUBE WITH JULIETA’S BLOOD SAMPLE-

MOLINA: Here it is. It’s been sealed by the clinic and it has the patient’s name. Everything is in order Mariano.
MARIANO: Hum. If you say so.

-MARIANO SEEMS SKEPTICAL. HE LOOKS FROM MOLINA TO MARISOL. HE ADDRESSES MARISOL-

MARIANO: Tell me something. Why are you so calm?
MARISOL: Because I’m sure of the results; and the sooner we’re done with this, the better.

-SHE WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM-

MOLINA: Mariano, she’s going through a difficult moment, stop harassing her. Concentrate on this instead. The moment of truth has arrived.
MARIANO: And it’s about time!
MOLINA: What’s the matter? Is something bothering you?
MARIANO: I told you, something doesn’t feel right. I don’t know, it’s just something I sense. But, fine; don’t mind me. I’m always imagining things.

-MOLINA SMILES NERVOUSLY-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IT’S NIGHT TIME. SAMANTHA IS LEAVING THE ESTANCIA. ANA LAURA AND LETICIA WALK OUTSIDE WITH HER AND WALK HER TO HER CAR-

SAMANTHA: Let’s keep in touch. And continue working, because it’s the only way you’ll be able to keep your sanity!
ANA LAURA: I’ll try.
SAMANTHA: Leticia, watch out for her.
LETICIA: Yes.

-SAMANTHA KISSES BOTH ON THE CHEEK AND GETS IN HER CAR-

SAMANTHA: Ciao!
ANA LAURA: Ciao! Take care.
LETICIA: And now……
ANA LAURA: And now I’m going to bed, because my day was………

-ANA LAURA GETS DISTRACTED BY SOMETHING SHE SEES-

LETICIA: What’s the matter?

-LETICIA LOOKS TOWARDS THE SPOT ANA LAURA POINTS TO AND SHE SEES PEDRO AND MARISOL TALKING AND WALKING IN THE NIGHT’S COOL AIR-

ANA LAURA: They’re always together.
LETICIA: Well, let them do what they please; after all, you already forgot all about him…..you’re over him.
ANA LAURA: Yes, completely over him…..

-ANA LAURA INTENDS TO WALK OVER TO PEDRO AND MARISOL, BUT LETICIA STOPS HER-

LETICIA: What’s the matter with you? Where are you going? You said you weren’t going to get involved anymore!
ANA LAURA: No! No! I’m not going to get involved!

-THIS TIME, ANA LAURA WALKS TOWARDS PEDRO AND MARISOL BEFORE LETICIA HAS A CHANCE TO STOP HER-

LETICIA: Where are you going?
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PATRICIA ENTERS HER DARKENED BEDROOM AND TURNS ON THE LIGHT. SHE CLOSES THE DOOR AND REMOVES HER JACKET AND WALKS AROUND TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BED. SHE THROWS HER JACKET DOWN ON THE BED AND IS ABOUT TO PICK UP THE TELEPHONE, WHEN SUDDENLY RICARDO APPEARS FROM BEHIND THE DRAPES AT THE END OF THE BEDROOM AND STARTLES HER. HE GRABS HER ARMS AND WARNS HER NOT TO SCREAM-

RICARDO: Don’t scream! It’s useless! Don’t scream!
PATRICIA: What are you doing here? Are you crazy?
RICARDO: What are you afraid of? That your husband might see us, or your lover?
PATRICIA: What are you talking about?
RICARDO: What am I talking about? That you haven’t changed at all, Pato! You’re married to a millionaire and you wallow with just about anyone! Tell me, what is your relationship with Mariano?
PATRICIA: You’re a……

-RICARDO ANGRILY PULLS HER HAIR AND PATRICIA WINCES IN PAIN-

RICARDO: I am what? What am I? Do you think your better than me?
PATRICIA: Please! Ricardo, please! What do I have to do for you to leave me in peace?

-HE RELEASES HER HAIR BUT GRABS HER ARMS-

RICARDO: It’s very easy, so pay attention! I want a little bit of your fortune! Just a little! I’ll be happy with a little!
PATRICIA: I don’t have anything!
RICARDO: Don’t lie to me!
PATRICIA: I swear……

-SHE’S STRUGGLING WITH HIM WHEN MATIAS SUDDENLY OPENS THE DOOR-

MATIAS: Dad!
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO AND MARISOL ARE NOW SITTING ON A BENCH. THEY HAD BEEN WALKING, ENJOYING THE NIGHT’S FRESH AIR-

MARISOL: Don’t worry; everything is going to be all right!
PEDRO: What do you mean by that?
MARISOL: Pedro, don’t ask me anything more! When the right moment arrives, I’ll tell you everything!
PEDROL: I’m very concerned about Julieta. She’s very special to me.
MARISOL: Juli says you’d be her ideal father.
PEDRO: She says that about me?

-MARISOL NODS IN ASSENT-

PEDRO: And what do you say to her?
MARISOL: I tell her she’s right.

-PEDRO LAUGHS-

MARISOL: It’s just that everything has changed since you arrived.
PEDRO: It is also wonderful for me to have met you. I was alone in Miami. What’s more, I don’t believe it was by chance that I came here. It was meant to happen.
MARISOL: I feel the same way.

-ANA LAURA CAN BE SEEN SNEAKING AROUND, TRYING TO GET CLOSER TO THEM TO LISTEN TO THEIR CONVERSATION-

MARISOL: It feels good having you near me; to know you’re here for me.

-PEDRO RESTS HIS HAND ON HIS HEART, IN A GESTURE OF SOLIDARITY AND SMILES-

PEDRO: I am here for you.

-MARISOL IMPULSIVELY REACHES OUT AND BEGINS KISSING HIM ON THE LIPS. PEDRO IS TAKEN ABACK BY HER ACTION. HE STAYS STILL. SHE CONTINUES KISSING HIM, AND ALTHOUGH HE DOESN’T REJECT HER, HE DOES NOT RESPOND TO HER KISSES. HE INSTINCTIVELY RAISES HIS HAND AS IF TO STOP HER. ANA LAURA IS WATCHING FROM AFAR-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-LISA IS IN BED RESTING. TOTI IS SITTING AT THE END OF THE BED-

TOTI: What do you think of me as a father?
LISA: Fine, fine. I think you’d make a good father…..
TOTI: Good, everything is settled then! If we register the baby in my name, I think the bosses will give us a little place so the three of us can live together.
LISA: The three of us together?
TOTI: Yes.
LISA: No, no! I can’t accept your offer!
TOTI: Lisita, listen, I love you! I love you very much, and I will love the baby with all my heart! I swear!
LISA: Stop! I’m asking you please; don’t continue. I can’t accept.
TOTI: All right.
LISA: I don’t want to hurt you, Toti, but……
TOTI: But what?
LISA: But I’m not in love with you.
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MATIAS RUNS TO RICARDO’S ARMS-

MATIAS: Dad! You came back!

-RICARDO PICKS HIM UP IN HIS ARMS-

RICARDO: I was dying to see you! You’ve grown so much! Hello, my love!

-THIS ENCOUNTER IS PRECISELY WHAT PATRICIA HAD BEEN TRYING TO AVOID-

MATIAS: Mom didn’t tell me you were coming!
RICARDO: She didn’t know! We wanted to surprise you!
MATIAS: Why didn’t you ever call me?
RICARDO: Forgive me son; you’re right, but I had a lot of problems. But let’s not talk about that right now. I’ll tell you all about it later.
PATRICIA: Eh….Ricardo! Why don’t you call me tomorrow and we make arrangements to meet somewhere more quiet!
MATIAS: Mom, I don’t want him to leave! I haven’t seen him in a long time!
PATRICIA: My love! My love! Let’s not complicate things, please! Your father must not be here; we could have some problems!
MATIAS: What problems? Everyone knows I have a father! Besides, we shouldn’t have to hide!

-RICARDO EMBRACES MATIAS-

RICARDO: He’s right, Patricia. Matías is right. Stop being so foolish. We can continue talking here; we have nothing to hide! Isn’t that so, my love?

-STILL HOLDING ON TO MATIAS, RICARDO SNEERS AT PATRICIA OVER MATIAS’ HEAD-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL HAS CONTINUED TO KISS PEDRO. SHE STOPS WHEN SHE REALIZES PEDRO IS NOT RESPONDING TO HER KISSES. SHE’S MORTIFIED-

MARISOL: Forgive me! Forget I did that! Oh, I’m so embarrassed!

-PEDRO IMMEDIATELY TRIES TO GRACIOUSLY MAKE MARISOL FEEL BETTER-

PEDRO: No! Don’t worry! Don’t worry! It’s all right!
MARISOL: Do you mean that?
PEDRO: Yes, yes. It’s all right. It was….it was a kiss between friends. Forget all about it. All right?

-ANA LAURA CONTINUES TO WATCH FROM A DISTANCE. MARISOL HAS BEGUN TO CRY-

MARISOL: I don’t know why these things happen to me. When we are together, I stop seeing you as a friend and I have the fantasy that….that we are a couple.
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-RICARDO AND MATIAS ARE SITTING ON THE BED TALKING. PATRICIA IS NERVOUSLY PACING THE FLOOR. SHE APPROACHES RICARDO-

PATRICIA: Ricardo! That’s enough! It’s late and Mati has to get up early tomorrow…..
MATIAS: Come on, mom! I always go to bed late! Besides, we haven’t had dinner yet!

-THE DOOR OPENS AT THIS MOMENT AND IGNACIO WALKS IN. RICARDO AND MATIAS STAND UP-

IGNACIO: Hello.
MATIAS: Ignacio, I’d like you to meet…….
PATRICIA: My cousin! My cousin! Ricardo, my husband, Ignacio!

-IGNACIO AND RICARDO SHAKE HANDS-

RICARDO: It’s nice meeting you.
IGNACIO: How are you? Patricia, you never told me you a cousin.
PATRICIA: No, because we hadn’t seen each other in a long time!
RICARDO: I’ve been working out of country for many years, that’s the reason we have seen each other very little.
IGNACIO: Well, I came to tell you dinner is ready. Will you join us?
RICARDO: I’d be honored!
PATRICIA: No! Didn’t you say you had a very important reunion?
RICARDO: Yes, but I can postpone it! Right, Mati? Really, thank for inviting me.
IGNACIO: Patricia, it seems odd that you hadn’t asked him to dinner.

-MATIAS RUNS AND EMBRACES RICARDO-

MATIAS: I’m so happy cousin Ricardo is staying for dinner!
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL BEGINS TO CRYING IN EARNEST NOW-

MARISOL: I’m such a fool!

-AFTER A FEW SECONDS, PEDRO TENDERLY RESPONDS-

PEDRO: No, it’s only natural. The same thing happens to me. I don’t want us to hurt each other. We have to understand that….that we are friends; that’s all. Do you understand what I’m saying?

-ANA LAURA LISTENS TO PEDRO’S COMMENT-

MARISOL: Yes, I understand. Everything is very clear.

-PEDRO DOESN’T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY-

MARISOL: Shall we go?
PEDRO: Yes, let’s go. It’s cold.

-THEY GET UP FROM THE BENCH AND BEGIN WALKING. PEDRO TENDERLY PUTS HIS ARM AROUND MARISOL’S SHOULDER. ANA LAURA CLOSES HER EYES IT SEEMS, IN SYMPATHY FOR MARISOL-