Provócame

Episode 25

MARISOL AND PEDRO HAVE RETURNED HOME FROM THEIR WALK. AT THE TABLE NOW ARE SEATED VICTORIA, MERCEDES, JULIETA AND PEDRO. THEY ARE KEEPING JULIETA ENTERTAINED AND ARE HELPING HER WITH A JIGSAW PUZZLE. JULIETA IS STILL WEARING A NECK BRACE AFTER HER FALL FROM THE TREE HOUSE-

JULIETA: You may help me, if you want.
PEDRO: Yes.

-MARISOL ENTERS THE KITCHEN AND WALKS TOWARDS THE SINK-

MARISOL: You’ll have to clear the table in a little while; we’ll be having dinner soon.
JULIETA: No, mom; give us a little more time!
MARISOL: No, no more time. Look at the mess you have there.

-MARISOL OPENS THE REFRIGERATOR-

VICTORIA: Don’t spoil the party! The child is recovering from her illness! Can’t you see we’re keeping her entertained?
MARISOL: Fine. I’ll prepare dinner. Would you like some ravioli, that are not home mad, but taste just as good?

-PEDRO AND JULIETA LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND SMILE, AND LIKE TWO MISCHIEVOUS CHILDREN, SHOUT THEIR RESPONSE IN UNISON-

PEDRO: Yes!
JULIETA: Yes!
MARISOL: What clowns!

-VICTORIA LEAVES HER CHAIR AND JOINS MARISOL AT THE KITCHEN SINK-

VICTORIA: But the three of you are very good together, aren’t you?
MARISOL: Yes, we are.

-PEDRO RAISES HIS HEAD AT THAT MOMENT AND, SMILING, LOOKS AT VICTORIA AND MARISOL, AS IF WONDERING WHAT THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT-

VICTORIA: I say that perhaps he’s thinking the same thing; what do you say?

-MARISOL ONLY SMILES-

MERCEDES: Well, my love, grandmother is tired. I’m tired; I can’t go on. Let Pedro help you. I’ll continue tomorrow.

-MERCEDES GETS UP FROM THE TABLE-

MARISOL: Aren’t you staying for dinner?
MERCEDES: No, we’ll have something at Vicky’s.
VICTORIA: Yes, we had already decided to do that. Don’t be sad, but your mom comes with me to Buenos Aires.

MERCEDES: Pedrito….

-PEDRO STANDS UP AND KISSES MERCEDES-

PEDRO: Ciao!

-VICTORIA WALKS BACK TO HER CHAIR AND PICKS UP HER JACKET AND HER PURSE, AND KISSES MARISOL GOODBYE-

VICTORIA: Ciao, querida.

-MERCEDES THEN KISSES JULIETA AND WALKS OVER AND HUGS MARISOL-

MERCEDES: Ciao!

-VICTORIA WAVES TO PEDRO-

VICTORIA: Have a good night.
PEDRO: Thank you.

-VICTORIA AND MERCEDES EXIT THE HOUSE-

…………
-IN THE LIVING ROOM, MARIANO AND ALVARO ARE SITTING ACROSS FROM EACH OTHER. THEY STAND UP WHEN THEY SEE IGNACIO ENTER THE ROOM, FOLLOWED BY RICARDO, PATRICIA AND MATIAS. IGNACIO INTRODUCES RICARDO TO MARIANO AND ALVARO-

IGNACIO: This is Ricardo, Patricia’s cousin.

-RICARDO SHAKES HANDS WITH ALVARO AND THEN MARIANO-

RICARDO: How are you?

-IGNACIO THEN OFFERS RICARDO A DRINK AND THE GROUP MOVES TO THE SIDE, LEAVING MARIANO AND ALVARO TO TALK BY THEMSELVES AGAIN-

MARIANO: I don’t think Ana will want to accompany me.
ALVARO: You must make sure she does. It’s all about appearances. These people pay close attention to details, to high morals. If they buy the figorífico from us, it’ll be to our advantage.

-PATRICIA AND RICARDO ARE LISTENING TO THEIR CONVERSATION-

MARIANO: But we’re going to need Ignacio’s signature.
ALVARO: That’s not a problem; don’t worry. Ignacio is in the hole, and I can assure you he’ll be willing to sell his soul to the devil for two cents.
MARIANO: Fine, I will try to convince Ana.
ALVARO: You will not try to convince her; she’s your wife, you will go and demand that she accompanies you.

-CECILIA ENTERS THE ROOM AT THIS MOMENT-

PATRICIA: Cecilia, this is my cousin, Ricardo.
RICARDO: Nice to meet you, ma’am.
PATRICIA: He’ll be joining us for dinner.
IGNACIO: You’ll have to come back again at a more relaxed time, Ricardo. We won’t be able to linger for after dinner conversation tonight. We have to get up very early tomorrow.
CECILIA: Whatever for?
IGNACIO: We have to appear before the judge in the morning.
ALVARO: You have to appear before the judge. I’m not planning on going.
IGNACIO: Because I don’t plan to appear and that’s all. Since when do I have to give you an explanation, Ignacio?

…………
MARISOL, JULIETA AND PEDRO ARE JUST FINISHING DINNER-

PEDRO: This was truly delicious. And I know this is not in good manners but I can’t help myself.

-HE WIPES HIS PLATE CLEAN WITH THE REST OF THE BREAD AND PUTS THE PORTION IN HIS MOUTH-

PEDRO: There! I’m done!
MARISOL: I’m glad you liked it! And we’re missing dessert.
PEDRO: Dessert! If my mother were here, she’s make tembleque.
JULIETA: She’d make what?
PEDRO: Tembleque! Don’t tell me you don’t know what tembleque is!
JULIETA: No, here a tembleque is this…….

-JULIETA BEGINS SHAKING HER ENTIRE BODY AS IF SHE WERE HAVING CONVULSIONS-

PEDRO: No! No! In Puerto Rico, tembleque is a dessert. They make it with coconut milk, sugar, a pinch of salt, and when it’s almost done, you add a little cinnamon. It tastes divine! Divine! My mother is the queen of tembleque!
MARISOL: You don’t talk about your mother much.
PEDRO: I don’t talk about mami much because I miss her very much. That’s why. She’s simple, sweet.
JULIETA: And what about your dad?
PEDRO: My dad? I don’t know him. I never learned anything about him.
JULIETA: Well, then, you’re in the same situation I am. Isn’t awful not knowing anything about your dad?

-THE PHONE RINGS AT THIS MOMENT. MARISOL ADDRESSES PEDRO WHILE GETTING UP FROM THE TABLE TO ANSWER THE PHONE-

MARISOL: If you show me how, I can make tembleque for you.
PEDRO: It’s very easy.

MARISOL: Hello…..Estéban!…...Yes…..Yes…..No! All right, we’ll do that. Ciao!

-SHE HANGS UP THE PHONE AND RETURNS TO THE TABLE-

PEDRO: What’s the matter?
MARISOL: Nothing.
JULIETA: Go on, continue telling me about your dad.
MARISOL: Juli, he already told you he doesn’t know anything about him.
JULIETA: Fine, then, let’s talk about mine. Mom, can you tell me what really happened with my dad?

…………
-IGNACIO, PATRICIA, RICARDO AND MATIAS ARE STANDING IN THE LIVING ROOM AFTER HAVING DINNER. RICARDO IS HUGGING MATIAS AND KISSES HIM ON TOP OF THE HEAD. IGNACIO SHAKES RICARDO’S HAND-

IGNACIO: Well, it was pleasure having you here. The doors to this house are always open for you. Come back anytime you like.
RICARDO: Your husband is phenomenal, Patricia.
IGNACIO: I also think you’re a nice person.
RICARDO: Thank you very much.
IGNACIO: If you now excuse me.

-IGNACIO AND MATIAS LEAVE THE ROOM-

RICARDO: What a beautiful family!
PATRICIA: It’s a beautiful family that I would like to preserve. I don’t want to see you ever again, Ricardo.
RICARDO: As long as you don’t interfere in my happiness, I won’t interfere in yours.
PATRICIA: And how much is your happiness worth?
RICARDO: Take it easy. You will soon find out…..at the proper time.

-HE TRIES TO KISS HER ON THE CHEEK. SHE PULLS AWAY FROM HIM. HE SMILES AND WALKS OUT THE DOOR-

…………
MARISOL: I already told you everything I had to say about your father.
JULIETA: Mom, you always go around in circles and never tell me anything.
PEDRO: Perhaps your mami doesn’t have a lot to say.
JULIETA: Wouldn’t you like to know who your father is?
PEDRO: Yes, yes. But if he doesn’t care if I exist or not…..
JULIETA: Yes, that’s true. He was never really interested in me. He never looked for me, isn’t that so, mom?
MARISOL: Well, you already know that…..
PEDRO: Look, one never gains anything by going over and over some things…..and it’s very painful. Besides, you have other problems to worry about. You have to train with Lunita, and you’ll soon be able to do it. Doesn’t that make you happy?
JULIETA: Yes, but I don’t want to talk about that. I want to talk about my dad and since my mom doesn’t want to, I better go to bed. Ciao.
PEDRO: Ciao!

-JULIETA LEAVES THE ROOM-

MARISOL: I don’t know! I don’t know what to do to stop her. She wasn’t even satisfied with what you had to say to her.
PEDRO: Do you want to know what I think? I think it’s better that she hears the truth coming from you than from somewhere else.

…………
-ANA LAURA IS IN THE KITCHEN, SITTING AT THE TABLE. LISA WALKS IN CARRYING A TRAY, WHICH SHE SETS ON THE COUNTER-

ANA LAURA: Lisa, I didn’t think you were working.
LISA: No, I’m doing very little, really. I don’t feel well.
ANA LAURA: Come; come here, Lisa. Sit down for a minute.

-LISA SITS AT THE TABLE ACROSS FROM ANA LAURA-

ANA LAURA: I talked to Magda. She told me you were pregnant.
LISA: Yes, actually, I asked to her to talk to you. I’m embarrassed but, you are so kind. I’m very worried.
ANA LAURA: But, why? Why are you worried?
LISA: Because I don’t know what’s going to happen to me.
ANA LAURA: Nothing! What could happen to you?
LISA: You know how Señora Cecilia is! I don’t know how she’s going to react once she finds out.
ANA LAURA: Excuse me! Excuse me! Lisa, you are talking to me; this is also my house and I make decisions, so, nothing is going to happen to you. No one is throwing you out!
LISA: Good, thank you. May I say something to you?
ANA LAURA: Yes.
LISA: Try to keep Erica away from Francisco. He doesn’t really love her.
ANA LAURA: Why do you say that?
LISA: Because I care about you and because I don’t want anything to happen to your sister. Erica will suffer greatly if she doesn’t stay away from him. Excuse me.

-LISA STANDS UP AND TRIES TO LEAVE-

ANA LAURA: Lisa, wait! Wait, wait! Tell me the truth. Is Francisco the father of your baby?
LISA: Eh….I already told you everything I had to say. If you want to know more, you need to do your own investigations. Excuse me.

-LISA WALKS OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

…………
-ERICA AND FRANCISCO ARE SITTING OUTDOORS-

ERICA: Did you do all the work?
FRANCISCO: I did everything my teacher instructed me to do.
ERICA: Good. If you continue that way, you won’t need me anymore.
FRANCISCO: I will need you my entire life.
ERICA: Don’t exaggerate!
FRANCISCO: No, I swear I’m not exaggerating.
ERICA: You’re not?
FRANCISCO: No.

-HE REACHES OUT AND KISSES HER ON THE LIPS-

ERICA: Stop! Francisco, stop! Someone could see us here!
FRANCISCO: Forgive me! It’s madness for the cook’s son to be kissing the owner of the house, right!
ERICA: Don’t say that! You know I don’t care about those things!
FRANCISCO: Ah….you don’t?
ERICA: No! Really, I never lie!
FRANCISCO: Well, it’s good to know! At least, you’re not like other people!
ERICA: Whom are you talking about?
FRANCISCO: Lisa! You don’t know how many problems that girl is giving me.
ERICA: You mean, she lies?
FRANCISCO: She’s an expert at lying! She’s terrible! Lisa is capable of saying anything, of making up stories just to have her way!

…………
-AT THE STABLES, LETICIA AND CHAPA ARE TALKING WHILE TENDING TO ONE OF THE HORSES. THEY’RE INCLUDING ANA LAURA IN THEIR CONVERSATION BUT ANA LAURA, STANDING A FEW FEET AWAY, SEEMS DISTRACTED AND IS LOOKING WITH LONGING AT PEDRO, WHO JUST ARRIVED ON A HORSE-

LETICIA: You have to pay close attention to the wound, because sometimes it so small that you tend to miss it and…..

-LETICIA REALIZES THAT ANA LAURA IS HARDLY PAYING ATTENTION TO THEM-

LETICIA: What’s the matter, Anita?
ANA LAURA: What....what were you saying about the scar ointment……how many times a day…..because I don’t know…..
CHAPA: It’s impressive….all the knowledge we have, right Ana?
ANA LAURA: Yes, I also like horses very much!

-PEDRO DISMOUNTS AND DIRECTS THE HORSE TO ENTER THE CORRAL. HE THEN CLOSES THE GATE AND THAT MOMENT, MARISOL APPROACHES CARRYING TWO GLASSES OF LEMONADE. SHE HANDS PEDRO ONE OF THE GLASSES AND SHE TAKES A SIP OF HER GLASS. THEY BOTH LEAN ON THE WOOD FENCE AND BEGIN TALKING AND LAUGHING. ANA LAURA IS WATCHING THE SCENE FROM THE STABLES. LETICIA NOTICES, AND BECOMES ANNOYED, THAT ANA LAURA IS STARING AT PEDRO AND MARISOL-

LETICIA: All set, Chapa?
CHAPA: Yes, I’ll go ahead and release him in the pasture field.

-HE WALKS AWAY WITH THE HORSE. ANA LAURA IS SADLY LOOKING AT PEDRO AND MARISOL TOGETHER. LETICIA CONFRONTS ANA LAURA-

LETICIA: You are hopeless! What business do you have staring at them?
ANA LAURA: Leave me alone, please!

-ANA LAURA IS SAVED FROM LETICIA’S FURTHER QUESTIONING BECAUSE AT THAT MOMENT, SHE SEES FRANCISCO EXITING ANOTHER ROOM IN THE STABLES AND SHE CALLS OUT TO HIM-

ANA LAURA: Ah! Francisco! Wait!

-SHE WALKS AWAY WITH FRANCISCO, LEAVING LETICIA ALONE-

LETICIA: Ha! And she acts the fool on top of that!

…………
-CECILIA IS SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM, TALKING TO ROBERTO, WHO’S SITTING ACROSS FROM HER. CARMEN IS STANDING NEXT TO ROBERTO’S CHAIR-

ROBERTO: It’s just a legal strategy, Cecilia.
CECILIA: I don’t want them coming and looking for me in a patrol car; I’m not a delinquent! Besides, I have nothing to hide!
CARMEN: No one is going to come looking for you, señora, don’t worry.
ROBERTO: If your husband and son decided none of you should show up, they must have their reasons.
CECILIA: I’m an idiot for listening to them.
ROBERTO: That is not true, Cecilia. It’s not true!
CECILIA: Don’t contradict me, Roberto! I have a bad feeling about this! Not showing up in front of the judge is a mistake the Linares will pay for dearly! They’ll end up locking me up, also!

…………
-ANA LAURA AND FRANCISCO ARE SITTING ON A BENCH-

ANA LAURA: Did you know Lisa is pregnant?
FRANCISCO: What? No, not at all! I had no idea!
ANA LAURA: It’s odd that you don’t know, because I was told you had something to do with that.
FRANCISCO: Is that what they told you?
ANA LAURA: Yes.
FRANCISCO: Incredible! The things people make up!
ANA LAURA: Look, Francisco; if it’s true, I’d like for you to admit it.
FRANCISCO: I’m telling you the truth! There are many people around here who are envious of me!
ANA LAURA: Envious? Why would anyone be envious of you?
FRANCISCO: Yes, it bothers them that I want to better myself, so what do they do? They invent something to cause trouble for me!
ANA LAURA: All right! Fine! Stop talking nonsense and tell me the truth! That’s all I care about!
FRANCISCO: I’m telling you the truth! Take it or leave it!

-HE GETS UP FROM THE BENCH AND WALKS AWAY-

…………
-IGNACIO VISITS VICTORIA IN THE CITY-

VICTORIA: Querido, how wonderful! You gave your statements already?
IGNACIO: Yes.
VICTORIA: And…..?
IGNACIO: And I took the opportunity to get rid of the filth accumulated by the Linares.
VICTORIA: And what did you say?
IGNACIO: I told them everything in detail. The way they obtained Mercedes’ signature; how they utilized my signature; everything. Now it’s up to the legal system.
VICTORIA: What you did is wonderful. Yes, because you are incriminating yourself.
IGNACIO: I didn’t think about me.
VICTORIA: You are a hero.
IGNACIO: No, I’m just stubborn and remorseful.
VICTORIA: And what did the Linares say?
IGNACIO: No, they didn’t show up.
VICTORIA: They didn’t show up? I don’t like this. We have to be very careful because they have a lot of friends in the court system.
IGNACIO: Listen, I did my part, and I’m satisfied. If I had reacted this way, years ago, everything would be very different now!
VICTORIA: It’s great, great! I’m making coffee; will you stay?
IGNACIO: Yes, I will, before returning to that hell. It’s been a while since I left the house and spent time somewhere peaceful. That place has become unbearable; except for my mother and my daughters, of course; and Pedro. Pedro is a good person, isn’t he?
VICTORIA: He’s a great young man. Adorable.
IGNACIO: You really care a lot about him.
VICTORIA: Yes.
IGNACIO: What is your connection to him?
VICTORIA: A very profound feeling. It’s a long story that I might tell you one day.

…………
-JULIETA IS AT HOME, WORKING ON THE JIGSAW PUZZLE. SHE’S STILL WEARING THE NECK BRACE. MATIAS COMES OVER AND SITS AT THE TABLE, NEXT TO JULIETA-

MATIAS: I heard you had a fall. I wanted to know how you were.
JULIETA: This is how I am.
MATIAS: That’s too bad.
JULIETA: Yes. I hope I get better. I’m afraid to not be able to ride again.
MATIAS: Why wouldn’t you be able to ride again? You’ll be fine soon.
JULIETA: I hope so. But anyway, there are other things that are bothering me much more right now.
MATIAS: What things?
JULIETA: I want to know once and for all, who my real father is.
MATIAS: You don’t have a dad.
JULIETA: Yes, I have one; I just never met him.
MATIAS: Well, I also have problems about that subject.
JULIETA: What is your problem?
MATIAS: It’s difficult to explain, and there are some things I can’t talk about. I better leave.
JULIETA: No, stay a little longer if you want.
MATIAS: No, I can’t stay. But I promise I’ll stop by some other time.

-MATIAS LEAVES-

JULIETA: It’s the first time since I’ve known him that he treats me this nice. And I liked it.

…………
-ANA LAURA WALKS INTO THE LIVING ROOM. SHE SEES MARIANO SITTING ON THE SOFA AND TRIES TO WALK AWAY. MARIANO STOPS HER-

ANA LAURA: Ah! I apologize! I didn’t know you were here!
MARIANO: Stay! I need to talk to you!
ANA LAURA: Really?
MARIANO: Yes.
ANA LAURA: And what do you want to tell me?
MARIANO: I have to attend a dinner tonight in reference to the sale of the figorífico, and these people know I’m married. You know how these things work, don’t you?
ANA LAURA: And that means that you’d like me to go with you?
MARIANO: Exactly.
ANA LAURA: You are horrible! I’d have to be crazy!
MARIANO: Why?
ANA LAURA: Because I won’t support your hypocrisy.
MARIANO: Don’t start with your insults. This is also advantageous for you.
ANA LAURA: Oh, really? And why is this advantageous for me?
MARIANO: Because from the sale of the figorífico, your daddy also receives a large percentage, and things being as they are, it’s to your advantage that you swallow your pride.
ANA LAURA: I can’t believe it! You have it all figured out!
MARIANO: Just like you! Just like everyone in this house!

-HE TRIES TO TOUCH HER-

MARIANO: We are going to make a lot of money!
ANA LAURA: Stop! Don’t touch me!
MARIANO: I will touch you anytime I want!
ANA LAURA: Stop or I swear I will scream! Mariano, stop!

-ANA LAURA IS STRUGGLING WITH HIM. THEY ARE BOTH SCREAMING AT EACH OTHER, WHEN PEDRO WALKS IN AND YELLS AT MARIANO TO RELEASE HER-

PEDRO: Leave Ana Laura alone!
MARIANO: Don’t you know how to knock?
PEDRO: And don’t you know how to treat a woman?
ANA LAURA: What are you doing here, Pedro? Who called you? This is a matter between Mariano and me! You have no business being here!

…………
-JULIETA IS RESTING ON A LONG CHAIR, TAKING IN THE FRESH AIR. GUNTHER IS SITTING NEXT TO HER. HE’S HOLDING A LARGE BOX-

JULIETA: A gift for me?
GUNTHER: Yes, a gift for you! Look, I promised you a puppy!

-JULIETA TAKES A CUTE LITTLE BROWN PUPPY OUT OF THE BOX-

JULIETA: A puppy! He’s so beautiful! Thank you!
GUNTHER: He’s getting out of the box! Isn’t it beautiful? I promised you a puppy and I’m bringing it to you now to help you during these hours of loneliness. Marisol will not be angry, will she?
JULIETA: No! Leave it to me, Gunther! You are divine!
GUNTHER: Thank you. I already knew that! What else?
JULIETA: Thank you!

…………
-VICTORIA AND MERCEDES ARE SITTING IN THE KITCHEN OF MARISOL’S HOUSE. MARISOL IS AT THE STOVE-

VICTORIA: Ignacio did all he could do. Now we have to wait and see what the Linares do.
MERCEDES: If they didn’t appear in court to give their statements, they must be planning something ugly.
VICTORIA: They didn’t show up because they are cowards.
MARISOL: I think they’re up to something.
VICTORIA: Yes, but, why worry needlessly. We must be on the alert and wait.
MARISOL: I don’t believe Mariano was involved because he’s busy with other things.
MERCEDES: My love, Alvaro’s involvement is more than enough.
VICTORIA: And how are you doing with your business?
MARISOL: Everything’s fine.
VICTORIA: Is everything fine, really?
MARISOL: Yes, I’m not worried. I feel this time Mariano will not get his way.

…………
-ANA LAURA AND LETICIA ARE SITTING ON ANA LAURA’S BED, LEANING ON THE HEADBOARD. SAMANTHA IS SITTING ON A CHAIR NEXT TO BED, FACING THEM-

ANA LAURA: Everytime Pedro and Mariano come close to each other, they’re ready to pounce on each other.
LETICIA: That happens because Pedro is always trying to defend you.
ANA LAURA: Well, he shouldn’t try to defend me.
LETICIA: Yes, you’re right, because you always end up doing what Mariano wants, anyway!
ANA LAURA: Stop, querida! What’s the matter with you? Why don’t you give a break?
LETICIA: Well, excuse me! Forgive me! Weren’t you the one who told me you were going to accompany Mariano to meet with some people who wanted to buy the figorífico?
ANA LAURA: Excuse me! Excuse me! I did not say whether I was going or not! Don’t change things around!
LETICIA: Can you imagine how Pedro will react if he finds out?
ANA LAURA: How do you think he will react? He’s too busy, worrying about Marisol and her problems! I can be as indifferent as he is, my love!
SAMANTHA: Good for you! Ease up a little! You have to give him the opportunity to miss you a little.
LETICIA: What do you mean, ease up a little! If she does that, she’ll be handing him over to Marisol!
ANA LAURA: Forgive me! Forgive me! If I ease up, I lose! And if I don’t, I lose anyway! Do you know something? He’ll be sorry and then it will be too late!

-MARISOL AND ESTEBAN ARE WALKING OUTDOORS-

MOLINA: I’ve taken care of all the arrangements with the lab technician.
MARISOL: So it’s a sure thing.
MOLINA: I could almost say yes.
MARISOL: What do you mean “almost?”
MOLINA: Well, there’s always a small percentage of risk involved, but everything will be fine.
MARISOL: I’m troubled by what you’re saying!
MOLINA: No, don’t listen to me! I’m being a pessimist. It’s a job hazard! I’m doing everything I can for this matter to turn out well. There won’t be any mistakes.
MARISOL: I’m grateful for everything you’re doing for me.
MOLINA: It pleases me to do this for you.

-MOLINA PUTS HIS ARM AROUND MARISOL’S SHOULDER AND THEY CONTINUE WALKING. AT THIS EXACT MOMENT, ANA LAURA, LETICIA AND SAMANTHA ARE EXITING THE HOUSE. THEY’RE VERY SURPRISED TO SEE MOLINA AND MARISOL TOGETHER-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MERCEDES IS AT MARISOL’S HOUSE. SHE ANSWERS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR. ALVARO COMES IN-

MERCEDES: What are you doing here?
ALVARO: I’m looking for your daughter.
MERCEDES: My daughter’s not home.
ALVARO: Well, would you tell her I’m looking for her? Don’t forget.
MERCEDES: I heard perfectly well what you said.
ALVARO: Yes, but sometimes sick people like you hear some things and they turn around and say something else. Remember when you used to say you heard voices?

-MERCEDES IS BECOMING A LITTLE DISTURBED BY ALVARO’S PRESENCE-

MERCEDES: What voices?
ALVARO: What voices? You don’t remember now? That’s because your brain is destroyed!

-MERCEDES IS VERY UPSET NOW AND ORDERS ALVARO OUT OF THE HOUSE-

MERCEDES: Leave, Alvaro! Leave, now!

-ALVARO TAKES ADVANTAGE OF MERCEDES’ STATE OF MIND AND SHOUTS AT HER-

ALVARO: You forgot everything we’ve done for you! You’re very ungrateful, Mercedes!
MERCEDES: And all of you are a bunch of degenerates who tried to make me appear as crazy!
ALVARO: No! You are crazy! There is a difference!
MERCEDES: You’re heartless monsters who tried to steal everything that belongs to me! But I will get everything back!
ALVARO: You will get nothing back! We placed you in the insane asylum permanently and we don’t understand how or why you got out of there and came back here!
MERCEDES: I came back to witness your downfall!
ALVARO: Our downfall?
MERCEDES: Yes! To witness your downfall!
ALVARO: Well, you won’t get the chance, because you’re going straight to the cemetery from here!

-MERCDES LOSES CONTROL AND CHARGES ALVARO-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS IN THE LIBRARY. MARISOL ENTERS THE ROOM AND APPROACHES HIS DESK-

MARIANO: How punctual.
MARISOL: Where’s Estéban?
MARIANO: He should be here soon. I’ve been thinking….how wonderful it will be when Juli calls me “Dad” for the first time.
MARISOL: Let’s wait for the results.
MARIANO: Yes, let’s wait. And when everything is confirmed, we’re going to have to talk about us, don’t you think?

-HE LEAVES HIS CHAIR AND WALKS AROUND THE DESK TO STAND IN FRONT OF MARISOL. HE’S STANDING VERY CLOSE TO HER. HE INSOLENTLY TRAVELS HER BODY WITH HIS GAZE. SHE’S VERY NERVOUS AND DOES NOT ANSWER HIM-

MARIANO: I’m certain that you still yearn to be mine! I can sense it! I can sense it! You still tremble when we are this close. Come on, come on; don’t deny it! I know you do! And I’ll tell you something else…..what you feel for me, you’ll never be able to feel for anyone else! So, take advantage of the moment, all right?

-MARISOL IS PREVENTED FROM ANSWERING HIM BECAUSE AT THIS MOMENT, MOLINA SUDDENLY OPENS THE DOOR AND INTERRUPTS THEM. MARIANO BACKS AWAY FROM MARISOL AND QUESTIONS MOLINA-

MARIANO: Did you bring the results?
MOLINA: Yes.
MARIANO: Ahum.

-MOLINA RETRIEVES AN ENVELOPE FROM THE INSIDE POCKET OF HIS JACKET-

MOLINA: Do I open it, or would you like to do it yourself?

-MARIANO, CYNICALLY, FEIGNS EMOTION AND RESPONDS-

MARIANO: Please! Please….allow me! Let me open it! I wouldn’t miss this pleasure
for anything in the world!

-HE LOOKS FIRMLY AT MARISOL-

MARIANO: The moment has arrived, my love!

-MARISOL ANXIOUSLY WAITS FOR MARIANO TO OPEN THE ENVELOPE AND READ THE RESULTS OF THE DNA TEST-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-RICARDO WALKS IN THE HOUSE AFTER GUNTHER HAS ANSWERED THE DOOR-

GUNTHER: Out! What are you doing here, you despicable garbage?
RICARDO: I’m here to see my little cousin. Is she home?
GUNTHER: Frau Patri is not able nor wishes to see you! You have no business here in La Esperanza!
RICARDO: Why don’t you speak correctly? I don’t talk with the monkeys! Go call the circus ringmaster!
GUNTHER: Gunther is not a monkey and this house is not a circus, gentleman! If you don’t leave, I’ll be forced make use of my brutality!

-RICARDO HAS HAD ENOUGH. HE GRABS GUNTHER BY HIS LAPEL AND THREATENS HIM-

RICARDO: Listen to me, fatso! Without your dogs, you’re worthless! So don’t waste my time nor make me lose my patience! Go find my little cousin!
GUNTHER: You’re nobody’s cousin! Cousin my foot!

-FLORIA HAS WALKED IN THE ROOM AND LISTENS TO GUNTHER’S LAST COMMENT-

FLORIA: What do you mean, he’s nobody’s cousin? Isn’t this gentleman Patricia’s cousin?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MERCEDES IS PHYSICALLY STRUGGLING WITH ALVARO. HE PUSHES HER AND SHE SLAMS INTO THE KITCHEN COUNTER. IN DESPERATION, SHE SUDDENLY PICKS UP A KNIFE AND LAUNCHES AT ALVARO. HE REACTS QUICKLY AND GRABS HER ARMS TO PREVENT HER FROM STABBING HIM-

ALVARO: What are you doing?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS IN THE STABLES. ANA LAURA ARRIVES-

ANA LAURA: Is everything all right?
PEDRO: More or less.
ANA LAURA: Why?
PEDRO: Because I don’t understand your game, Anita!
ANA LAURA: What game are you talking about?
PEDRO: You humiliated me in front of Mariano!
ANA LAURA: Because you were out of line, that’s why!
PEDRO: It’s because I hate that you’re by his side!
ANA LAURA: Why? Do you care about me?
PEDRO: More than you know. That’s why I want you away from him!
ANA LAURA: Ah, it’s easier said than done!
PEDRO: Well, if you hate him as much as you say you do….!
ANA LAURA: Of course I hate him!
PEDRO: Then, why don’t you listen to me? Get away from him! Is that so hard to do?
ANA LAURA: It’s so easy to ask! What if I ask you the same thing?
PEDRO: What?
ANA LAURA: What if I asked you to stay away from Marisol to be with me….what would you do?
PEDRO: One thing has nothing to do with the other!

-HE SUDDENLY TURNS HIS BACK ON HER. ANA LAURA ANGRILY GRABS HIS ARM AND TURNS HIM AROUND TO FACE HER-

ANA LAURA: Pedro! What would you do if I asked you to stay away from Marisol?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MERCEDES IS TRYING VERY HARD TO STAB ALVARO. HE’S STRUGGLING JUST AS HARD TO KEEP HER FROM DOING IT-

MERCDES: I hate you! I hate you!
ALVARO: Put the knife down!

-JULIETA ENTERS THE HOUSE AT THAT MOMENT AND RUNS TOWARDS THEM-

JULIETA: Leave her alone! Let go of my grandmother!
ALVARO: I can’t let go! Don’t you see the state she’s in?

-JULIETA RUNS OUT OF THE HOUSE TO ASK FOR HELP. ALVARO MANAGES TO GRAB THE KNIFE OUT OF MERCEDES’ HANDS. ANTONIO RUNS INTO THE ROOM AT THAT MOMENT, FOLLOWED BY JULIETA. ANTONIO STANDS BETWEEN THEM. ALVARO IS HOLDING THE KNIFE IN HIS HAND-

ANTONIO: Please, stop! What is this?
ALVARO: She tried to kill me!
MERCEDES: No! He tried to kill me! Look at him! He tried to kill me! He tried to kill me!

-MERCEDES IS VERY UPSET. ALVARO THROWS THE KNIFE DOWN ON THE COUNTER-

ALVARO: I’m going to call the insane asylum this minute so they can come for her!

-HE WALKS ANGRILY OUT OF THE HOUSE, LEAVING ANTONIO TO DEAL WITH MERCEDES-

MERCEDES: No! No! Not that place! Not that place!

-JULIETA TRIES TO CALM HER DOWN, PUTTING HER ARMS AROUND HER-

JULIETA: Grandmother! Grandmother!
ANTONIO: Please! Please!
JULIETA: Calm down! Calm down! Nothing is going to happen to you!

-JULIETA PICKS UP THE PHONE AND BEGINS TO DIAL-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO’S SNEERING AT MARISOL WHILE OPENING THE ENVELOPE. HE READS THE RESULTS AND HIS DEMEANOR CHANGES IMMEDIATELY-

MARIANO: This can’t be!
MARISOL: What’s the matter? What do the results of the test show?

-HE’S SUDDENLY ANGRY. HE LOOKS FROM MARISOL TO MOLINA WITH AN INCREDULOUS LOOK ON HIS FACE-

MARIANO: It’s says it’s negative and that’s impossible!
MOLINA: Well, if the test shows…….
MARIANO: I don’t give a @#%& about the test! I’m the only man Marisol has been with!
MARISOL: How can you make an assertion about something you know nothing about?
MARIANO: Because I have a good memory, and during that time, you only made love with me!
MARISOL: I didn’t make love with you! You know very well how everything happened!
MARIANO: Call it what you wish! But you’re not going to deceive me!
MARISOL: No one is deceiving you, Mariano! But sometimes, not everything turns out the way you want. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, Mariano!

-SHE WALKS OUT OF THE LIBRARY, LEAVING A STUNNED MARIANO HOLDING THE RESULTS IN HIS HAND. MOLINA SILENTLY REMAINS IN THE ROOM-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-A MUCH CALMER MERCEDES IS NOW SITTING AT THE TABLE IN MARISOL’S HOUSE, TALKING WITH VICTORIA. JULIETA IS WITH THEM. VICTORIA IS GIVING MERCERDES HER MEDICATION-

VICTORIA: One more, Meche, one more. Juli, I know you were afraid, but you were also very brave. You acted very courageously.
JULIETA: I didn’t like what happened. It was all so ugly.
MERCEDES: I would have preferred you didn’t see me that way, ever, my love.
VICTORIA: Well, it happened and it’s now over. We must leave now, because, surely, Alvaro has called the clinic already.
MERCEDES: Not the clinic, please! Not the clinic!
VICTORIA: You’re not going back to the clinic! You’re not! Juli, let your mother know we’ll be home.
JULIETA: Yes, don’t worry, I’ll tell her. Ciao, grandma. Cia, Victoria.
VICTORIA: Ciao!

-JULIETA EXITS THE HOUSE-

MERCEDES: She’s a sweetheart!
VICTORIA: She is a sweetheart.
MERCEDES: Victoria, promise me you won’t allow them to send me back to the clinic!
VICTORIA: No! I won’t allow that to happen. No!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

PROVOCAME – EPISODE 25 – PART III

-ALVARO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK IN THE LIBRARY. CECILIA AND ROBERTO ARE STANDING ACROSS THE DESK-

CECILIA: My sister running losoe is a danger! She could have killed you!
ALVARO: She’s the same she was during her worse times. If hadn’t stopped her, she would have murdered me.
CECILIA: My God, Alvaro! Don’t even say it! This is all Victoria’s fault! She took her out of the clinic!
ROBERTO: They’re losing their grasp of this situation.
ALVARO: We won’t allow that to happen to us. We must stop this now.
CECILIA: We must return it to the clinic!
ROBERTO: Or find a permanent solution.
ALVARO: Not at this time, Roberto. We’re better off using this to our advantage. Can you imagine Mercedes testifying in court in this mental state?
ROBERTO: Yes, but if she continues this way, she may not even be able to appear in court.
ALVARO: Do you know you’re very ingenious, Roberto?
…………
-MARISOL IS OUTSIDE WORKING A SMALL PATCH OF GARDEN. SHE’S HOLDING A RAKE IN HER HANDS. MARIANO APPEARS AND ANGRILY GRABS HER ARM, STARTLING HER-

MARIANO: Listen to me, Marisol! Don’t think for a minute I believe what happened with the DNA test!
MARISOL: First of all, let go of me! And second, that subject is closed!
MARIANO: It is not closed! It seems you don’t me very well! Look at me when I’m talking to you! Julieta is my daughter and those results are wrong!

-MARISOL STRUGGLES WITH HIM AND YELLS AT HIM TO RELEASE HER-

MARISOL: Let go of me! You’re hurting me!

-PEDRO ARRIVES AT THAT MOMENT AND ANGRILY CONFRONTS MARIANO. MARIANO IS STILL ANGRILY HOLDING ON TO MARISOL’S ARM-

PEDRO: What’s going on here?
MARIANO: Nothing you should concern yourself with!
MARISOL: You’re hurting me!

-PEDRO TAKES MARISOL’S OTHER ARM AND PULLS HER AWAY FROM MARIANO-

PEDRO: Don’t you ever lay a hand on her again!

-MARIANO CHARGES PEDRO-

MARIANO: I’m going to kill you!

-AS MARIANO REACHES OUT TO HIT PEDRO BUT PEDRO IS VERY ANGRY AND HITS MARIANO FIRST-
…………
-ANA LAURA IS TALKING TO HER FATHER IN HIS BEDROOM. THEY’RE SITTING ON THE BED-

ANA LAURA: Poor Mercedes.
IGNACIO: Yes, with all the problems she’s had to face because of these people.
ANA LAURA: The Linares don’t waste time with small stuff.
IGNACIO: Perhaps we are going at this the wrong way; perhaps we’re being too confrontational.
ANA LAURA: We do what needs to be done.
IGNACIO: Yes, Ana, but don’t forget we have a trial to face; that we have to live in the same house with them for now. It’d be better if we didn’t try to make things worse.
ANA LAURA: It’s about doing what’s right, dad.
IGNACIO: I understand, Ana, but I’m just asking you to be a little more diplomatic.
ANA LAURA: Why?
IGNACIO: Listen, if the figorífico is sold to the British clients, we’re going to benefit from that also. It’ll be better if you don’t aggravate Mariano, that way, it won’t be so easy for them to push us aside.
ANA LAURA: You’re asking me to be on Mariano’s side.
IGNACIO: I’m asking you listen; to be aware of what’s going on. It would be to our advantage if you did that.

-ANA LAURA SEEMS DISAPPOINTED THAT IGNACIO IS ASKING HER TO PRETEND IN FRONT OF THE CLIENTS, THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE WITH HER MARRIAGE TO MARIANO-

AN LAURA: Fine, dad.
IGNACIO: Ana, I know I’m asking too much; that I’m asking you to take a big risk, but I don’t see another alternative, do you understand?
ANA LAURA: No, no, it’s all right! It’s all right, dad! If you say this is what’s convenient for us, don’t worry! I’ll do it!
…………
-PEDRO AND MARIANO HAVE CONTINUED TO FIGHT VIOLENTLY. MARISOL IS TRYING TO BREAK THEM UP. SHE YELLS FOR SOMEONE TO COME AND HELP-

MARISOL: Stop! Pedro! Please! Help! Please, someone help! Pedro, that’s enough!

-TOTI AND CHAPA COME RUNNING AND SEPARATE PEDRO AND MARIANO. TOTI HOLDS ON TO PEDRO, WHILE CHAPA HOLDS MARIANO BACK-

PEDRO: I’m going to kill you!
MARIANO: You’re going to kill me?

-MARIANO SCREAMS AT CHAPA TO RELEASE HIM-

MARIANO: Get your hands off of me!

-CHAPA RELEASES HIM. MARIANO THEN SCREAMS AT PEDRO-

MARIANO: This is not over! You can be sure; this is not over!
PEDRO: Yes, yes! I’ll be waiting! I will be right here waiting for you!
MARISOL: Stop, Pedro!

-MARIANO WALKS AWAY. TOTI AND CHAPA HOLD PEDRO BACK TO PREVENT HIM FROM GOING AFTER MARIANO-
…………
-MATIAS IS TALKING TO RICARDO IN THE LIVING ROOM-

MATIAS: At first, I couldn’t even jump an obstacle, but now, no one can stop me!
RICARDO: You’re the Lone Ranger! You’re phenomenal, my love!
MATIAS: It would have been good to have you here. I’ve learned a lot during this time, but you were not here.
RICARDO: I know I wasn’t here, my love, but I would have loved being here for you.
MATIAS: Well, it doesn’t matter! You’re here now, but I don’t like it that we have to pretend we’re cousins.
RICARDO: I know you don’t like it, but that is what your mother requested.

-PATRICIA WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT. SHE WHISPERS TO THEM, TO AVOID BEING HEARD-

PATRICIA: What are you two doing here?
MATIAS: We’re just talking mom; what’s wrong with that?
PATRICIA: Ricardo, I thought I told you to be careful!

-MATIAS IS UPSET. HE GETS UP FROM THE SOFA AND LEAVES-

MATIAS: I’m leaving! I got to train!
RICARDO: No, stay!
PATRICIA: Mati!

-MATIAS RUNS OUT OF THE HOUSE, LEAVING PATRICIA AND RICARDO ALONE-

RICARDO: Do you see what you’re doing to him?
PATRICIA: I want to resolve this situation once and for all! Tell me what you want!
RICARDO: Fine! From what I’ve seen since I arrived here, you have a lot of secrets! Your betrayal of Ignacio; not to mention your love for Mariano! Well!
PATRICIA: So what!
RICARDO: So what? Do you want to know what my silence is worth?
PATRICIA: You’ve gone completely crazy!
RICARDO: Sh! Sh! Don’t answer me right now! Think about it! But think about real well!

-RICARDO EXITS THE HOUSE-
…………
-MARIANO AND ROBERTO ARE WALKING AROUND THE ESTANCIA. MARIANO IS ANGRILY TELLING ROBERTO ABOUT THE FIGHT HE HAD WITH PEDRO-

ROBERTO: You’re letting him get to you.
MARIANO: No, it’s his fault! He’s always getting involved in my life!
ROBERTO: Just ignore him.
MARIANO: I can’t! I can’t! I’d love to do that, but I can’t! I hate him! I hate him! And it’s no just recently; it’s since always! Always!
ROBERTO: You pay too much attention to him.
MARIANO: What did I just tell you? What did I just tell you? Don’t you see? It’s this hate I have for him! This hate that comes from within! I don’t know; it’s as if I’ve hated him all my life!
ROBERTO: I don’t understand you.
MARIANO: It doesn’t matter! It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand me. I have more important business to worry about. For example, the issue with the DNA.
ROBERTO: Did you mention it to your father?
MARIANO: No. No. I want to resolve this on my own. With your help, as a matter of fact.
ROBERTO: If it’s within my reach.
MARIANO: It is. It is. Look, here’s the address of the lab. I want your boys to go there; and to find out everything there is to know, do you understand? I don’t want anyone deceiving me.
…………
-PEDRO AND MARISOL ARE AT HER HOUSE. PEDRO IS SITTING AT THE TABLE WHILE MARISOL TENDS TO HIS INJURIES. NOTHING IS SERIOUS, BUT HE’S GOT A CUT LIP AND AN ABRASION ON HIS LEFT CHEEK. MARISOL HAS A FIRST AID KIT ON THE KITCHEN TABLE-

PEDRO: Marisol, you’re exaggerating with all that.
MARISOL: Am I? Here, I’m going to put on a little disinfectant. It’s going to burn, I warn you.
PEDRO: Yes, yes.

-THE MINUTE SHE TOUCHES HIS FACE WITH A PIECE OF COTTON, HE SCREAMS IN PAIN-

PEDRO: Ay! Ay! Don’t do that, please!
MARISOL: I told you!
PEDRO: It burns!
MARISOL: It’s all right! It’s all right! There! I told you it would burn. All set. Now, who’s exaggerating? And all this is my fault.
PEDRO: What do you mean, it’s your fault?
MARISOL: Yes, because you did this to defend me.
PEDRO: And I would do it a hundred times more.

-SHE’S STILL LEANING OVER HIM, TOUCHING HIS CHEEK WITH THE COTTON-

MARISOL: I’m almost done. I just need to add a little antiseptic. I’m going to have to get new supplies for my first aid kit.
PEDRO: What do I have here? I feel something here.

-HE POINTS TO THE CUT ON HIS LIP-

MARISOL: Yes, let me see.

-SHE KNEELS DOWN AND COMES VERY CLOSE TO HIS FACE TO CLEAN THE INJURY. THEY BOTH SUDDENLY LOOK AT EACH OTHER, SURPRISED BY THEIR PROXIMITY. HE SLOWLY TURNS HIS HEAD TOWARDS HER AND IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THEY ARE ABOUT TO KISS, BUT JULIETA WALKS IN THE HOUSE AT THAT PRECISE MOMENT AND INTURRUPTS THEM-

JULIETA: Mom, where have you been?

-MARISOL, HEARING JULIETA COME IN, MOVES AWAY FROM PEDRO, BUT REMAINS KNEELING NEXT TO HIM. SHE STILL SEEMS A LITTLE STARTLED BY WHAT ALMOST HAPPENED BETWEEN THEM-

MARISOL: I’ve been here.

-JULIETA NOTICES PEDRO’S INJURIES-

JULIETA: What happened to you?
PEDRO: It was just a little fight, my love.
JULIETA: Just look at your face! What a day! Today everyone is fighting with everyone.
MARISOL: Why do you say that? What happened?
JULIETA: It was horrible! Alvaro came over and he started arguing with grandmother, and grandmother picked up a knife……
MARISOL: What?
JULIETA: Yes, and then I went and called Antonio because I wasn’t going to be able to stop them.
MARISOL: Where is grandmother now?
JULIETA: Victoria took her home to prevent the Linares from taking her back to the clinic.
MARISOL: No! No one is taking her anywhere!
PEDRO: We must go over there.
MARISOL: No! I’ll take care of this! I’ll take care of this!

-MARISOL RUNS OUT OF THE HOUSE. JULIETA LOOKS A LITTLE UPSET. PEDRO CALLS HER TO HIM-

PEDRO: Come here.

-JULIETA APPROACHES PEDRO AND SITS ON HIS LEG. HE PUTS HIS ARM AROUND HER-

JULIETA: The things that have been happening around here lately make me feel very bad.
PEDRO: You mustn’t feel bad. Everything will be all right. Okay! Hum? Hum?

-HE TRIES TO MAKE HER LAUGH AND TAPS HIS FINGER ON THE NECK BRACE SHE’S WEARING. JULIETA SMILES-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS SITTING AT HIS DESK. ANA LAURA IS STANDING WITH HER ARMS CROSSED IN FRONT OF HER, FACING HIM-

MARIANO: Listen, if you’re here to create one of your scenes, I’m going to ask you to please leave it for another day. I had enough for today.
ANA LAURA: What…..what happened to you there?

-SHE POINTS TO THE BRUISE ON HIS CHEEK-

MARIANO: Ah! Your little friend, Balmaceda…..my God, I go to talk to my cousin, and he goes crazy! He became jealous!
ANA LAURA: Ah! He got jealous because of Marisol?
MARIANO: Aha!
ANA LAURA: Well, he hit you.
MARIANO: We hit each other!
ANA LAURA: Ha! Ha! I think he hit you!
MARIANO: Fine! Laugh all you want! But your little friend is a savage! Well, let’s end this! Why are you here?
ANA LAURA: I want to tell you something important.
MARIANO: Take a seat.

-SHE SITS ACROSS FROM HIM-

MARIANO: What is this in regard?
ANA LAURA: It’s in regards to what you asked me to do.
MARIANO: Don’t tell me you will be accompanying me.
ANA LAURA: Yes, I will accompany.
MARIANO: That is great news! Great news, really! But, tell me, why did you change your mind?
ANA LAURA: Well, I talked to my dad.

-MARIANO LEAVES HIS CHAIR AND WALKS AROUND THE DESK. ANA LAURA ALSO STANDS UP AND TURNS AROUND TO FACE MARIANO-

MARIANO: Dad! Dad Ignacio! How nice! Ignacio knows what he’s doing. He knows you’ll end up with a lot of money!
ANA LAURA: And you’re not? You’ll also receive a lot of money.
MARIANO: I can see money talks!

-HE REACHES OUT AND TOUCHES HER FACE. SHE PUSHES HIS HAND AWAY FROM HER-

ANA LAURA: No! No! Stop! Don’t get confused! I’m simply accompanying you. That’s all!
MARIANO: This will be so much fun! So much fun! We’re going to have to show our marriage is working out well; very well! Won’t that be a lot of fun?
ANA LAURA: Yes, yes. It’ll be a lot fun!

CARMEN AND ROBERTO ARE IN THE KITCHEN. HE’S TELLING HER ABOUT MARIANO’S INTENTION TO GET A NEW DNA TEST ON JULIETA-

ROBERTO: He insists on a new DNA test.
CARMEN: I really don’t understand. Why is it necessary to bring this matter out into the open? They’re cousins! Señora Cecilia is very upset.
ROBERTO: It’s hard to tell what’s going through Mariano’s head.
CARMEN: He fought with Pedro today; do you know why?
ROBERTO: Why do you think? They can’t stand each other. They look at each other and their hair stands on end. If they only knew…..
CARMEN: Incredible, isn’t it? But there’s nothing to be done. Sooner or later, these things always come to the surface on their own.

-FRANCISCO ENTERS THE KITCHEN AT THAT MOMENT, INTERRUPTING THEM-

FRANCISCO: Roberto, the boys are asking for you; should I tell them to wait?
ROBERTO: No, I’m coming.

-ROBERTO LEAVES AND ROSA ENTERS THE ROOM-

ROSA: Francisco, did you need anything?
FRANCISCO: No.

-MAGDA ALSO ENTERS THE ROOM AT THAT MOMENT-

MAGDA: Ah, it’s you!
FRANCISCO: Yes, it’s me!
MAGDA: What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you whispering sweet nothings to Erica?
FRANCISCO: That’s my business!

-FRANCISCO ANGRILY EXITS THE ROOM. MAGDA IS VERY UPSET THAT HE’S REFUSING TO ASSUME THE PATERNITY OF LISA’S BABY-

ROSA: Look, Magda, if you continue provoking my son in that manner, you’re going to end up making an enemy!
MAGDA: And if you continue to let that boy doing anything he wants, you’re going to end up having the enemy in your own house!
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL HAS GONE TO THE CITY TO SEE VICTORIA-

MARISOL: I’m worried about my mother. It’s not fair that she has to deal with these problems after all she’s gone through.
VICTORIA: She’ll be all right.
MARISOL: Under no circumstances must we return her to the clinic!
VICTORIA: No, of course not!

-THEY’RE INTERRUPTED BY MERCEDES, WHO ENTERS THE ROOM AT THAT MOMENT-

MERCEDES: Daughter!
MARISOL: Mami.

-MARISOL STANDS UP. SHE AND MERCEDES KISS-

MERCEDES: You heard what happened? I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have reacted that way in front of the baby.
MARISOL: Don’t worry. Julieta understands the situation, and so do we.
MERCEDES: I’m going to freshen up. I must look terrible.
VICTORIA: Go ahead.

-MERCDES LEAVES THE ROOM-

MARISOL: I should have never left her alone.
VICTORIA: It’s over, querida. It’s over. We now have to wait and see what happens in the courts.
MARISOL: Do you believe they’ll take advantage of this episode?
VICTORIA: Yes. The Linares will like nothing better than to prove your mother is not well mentally.
……………………………………………………………………………………………..

-ALVARO AND ANTONIO ARE WALKING THE GROUNDS-

ALVARO: Antonio, I’m not asking you for a favor, this is an order. If I need you, you’ll have to tell everything you saw.
ANTONIO: Don Alvaro, when I arrived, everything had already happened.
ALVARO: No, Mercedes was threatening me with a knife. Is it agreed?
ANTONIO: No, forgive me, when I entered the house, the knife…..
ALVARO: The knife was in Mercedes’ hands! Do we understand each other?
ANTONIO: Yes, Don Alvaro.
ALVARO: Well, now you know what you have to do, correct?
ANTONIO: Yes, you can count on me.
ALVARO: Of course I can count on you!

-ALVARO WALKS AWAY. ANTONIO WALKS A FEW STEPS AND JOINS TOTI AND CHAPA, WHO ARE STANDING NEARBY-

CHAPA: What did the boss say?
ANTONIO: He wants me to tell his version of how things happened.
TOTI: And what are you going to do?

-ANTONIO SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS-

ANTONIO: I’m going to do what I can.
CHAPA: Antonio, you can’t do what he says.
ANTONIO: I’m going to do…..
TOTI: Be careful! Be careful with what you say! Do you hear me?

-LETICIA JOINS THE GROUP-

LETICIA: Chapa, do you know why Pedro and Mariano got into a fight?
CHAPA: Of course I know! We are the ones who pulled them apart! It seems Mariano was mistreating Marisol and Pedro arrived and defended her.
TOTI: Pedro! Pedro! He’s always in the right place! Exactly where he’s needed!
ANTONIO: And you are always where you shouldn’t be! You are supposed to be working! Come on; get to work!
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MOLINA ENTERS THE LIBRARY ACCOMPANIED BY THE BUSINESSMAN WHO’S INTERESTED IN BUYING THE FIGORIFICO (A BUSINESS DEALING WITH THE EXPORT/IMPORT OF FROZEN MEAT AND SEAFOOD PRODUCTS.)

BUSINESSMAN: I’m very impressed with the figorífico. It’s very well equipped.
MOLINA: Yes, all the machinery is very efficient. It’s imported from the United States.
BUSINESSMAN: Interesting. And how is the sale going to take place, because I understand that it belongs to two different families.
MOLINA: No, that won’t be a problem, because the two families came together by the marriage of……

-MARIANO AND ANA LAURA ENTER THE LIBRARY-

MOLINA: …..these two, precisely.

-MARIANO GREETS THE BUSINESSMAN AND THEN PUTS HIS ARM AROUND ANA LAURA’S SHOULDERS-

MARIANO: Mr. Clemmenson, this is my dear wife, Ana Laura Villalobos.

THE BUSINESSMAN AND ANA LAURA SHAKE HANDS-

BUSINESSMAN: Nice to meet you.
ANA LAURA: My pleasure.
BUSINESSMAN: Now I understand.

-MOLINA ADDRESSES MARIANO AND ANA LAURA-

MOLINA: Mr. Clemmenson was a little worried. He didn’t know if everyone would be in agreement to sell the figorífico.
ANA LAURA: No, that it’s not a problem. It’s an important deal, and really, both families get along well. Isn’t that so, my love?

-MARIANO STILL HAS HIS ARM AROUND ANA LAURA. THEY SMILE LOVINGLY AT EACH OTHER, PRETENDING FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BUSINESSMAN-

MARIANO: Yes, of course. Both, the Linares and the Villalobos are really one big happy family. Right?
ANA LAURA: Yes.

-MOLINA LOOKS FROM MARIANO TO ANA LAURA WITHOUT SAYING A WORD. ANA LAURA ADDRESSES THE BUSINESSMAN-

ANA LAURA: I understand you made a generous offer. What is that number, Mariano?
MOLINA: Ahem! An offer hasn’t been made yet, Ana.
ANA LAURA: Oh! I’m sorry! How silly of me!
BUSINESSMAN: No, there’s no problem. I have a figure in my head….
MARIANO: No! No, please! Don’t say it! There will be time for that! Molina, did you show him around the estancia?
MOLINA: No, there wasn’t an opportunity to do so.
MARIANO: Well, I think this is a great opportunity. I wouldn’t like you to leave without seeing our stables. We’re very proud of them.
ANA LAURA: Hm! My husband dedicates his life to the horses!
MARIANO: Shall we go?
BUSINESSMAN: Yes, of course, but before we leave, I’d like to congratulate you. You have a very beautiful wife.
MARIANO: Yes, she’s very beautiful.
ANA LAURA: Thank you.

-MARIANO TURNS TOWARDS ANA LAURA AND IS ABOUT TO KISS HER ON THE LIPS, BUT SHE TURNS HER FACE AWAY AND MARIANO’S KISS LANDS ON HER CHEEK-

MARIANO: Ah! Yes, well, shall we go? Please, go ahead!

-ANA LAURA AND THE BUSINESSMAN WALK AHEAD OF MOLINA AND MARIANO. MARIANO IS FRUSTRATED WITH ANA LAURA AND GIVES MOLINA AN ANGRY LOOK, BEFORE EXITING THE LIBRARY-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO AND JULIETA ARE SITTING BY THE STABLES, TALKING. JULIETA IS STILL WEARING THE NECK BRACE AND IS ANXIOUS TO GET BACK TO RIDING-

PEDRO: Be patient. It won’t be much longer.
JULIETA: Yes, but I get bored when I don’t ride.
PEDRO: What do you mean; you get bored? You have everyone keeping you company! Your mom, your grandmother…..
JULIETA: Well, I have my grandmother for now.
PEDRO: Why do you say that?
JULIETA: Because she’s not well.
PEDRO: Well, perhaps she’s not doing too well now, but that doesn’t mean…..
JULIETA: Do you think she’s a little pirucha?
PEDRO: Pi…what?
JULIETA: Pirucha! A little off on the head.
PEDRO: Ah! In that case, everyone in this finca is a little pirucho!
JULIETA: Do you really think so?
PEDRO: Yes…..if you don’t believe me, just look at that!

-PEDRO POINTS TO ANA LAURA, MARIANO, MOLINA AND THE BUSINESSMAN WALKING TOWARDS THE STABLES. MARIANO IS GIVING MR. CLEMMENSON A TOUR. ANA LAURA SEES PEDRO AND JULIETA AND APPROACHES THEM, BUT SHE COMPLETELY IGNORES PEDRO AND ADDRESSES ONLY JULIETA. MARIANO, MOLINA AND MR. CLEMMENSON MOVE ON, WHILE ANA LAURA STAYS BEHIND TO TALK TO JULIETA-

ANA LAURA: Hello. How are you, Juli?
JULIETA: I’m much better.
ANA LAURA: I’m glad.

-MARIANO COMES BACK AND LOVINGLY PUTS HIS HANDS ON ANA LAURA’S SHOULDERS-

MARIANO: My love, Mr. Clemmenson has a few questions for you. Are you coming?
ANA LAURA: Yes, excuse me.

-MARIANO KISSES ANA LAURA ON THE CHEEK. HE THEN MOCKINGLY, WINKS AT PEDRO WHILE PULLING ANA LAURA WITH HIM; HIS ARM STILL AROUND HER SHOULDER. PEDRO DOESN’T SAY A WORD BUT STARES AFTER THEM WITH A MURDEROUS LOOK ON HIS FACE-
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ERICA AND FRANCISCO ARE TAKING A WALK-

FRANCISCO: Erica, how long are we going to continue playing hide and seek?
ERICA: I don’t know.
FRANCISCO: Don’t you like me?
ERICA: Yes.
FRANCISCO: Good. I like you too; very much. So, what is the problem? Why do we have to hide?

-HE KISSES HER FIRMILY ON THE LIPS. SHE STOPS HIM AFTER A FEW SECONDS-

ERICA: Stop. Why don’t we wait a little while?
FRANCISCO: Fine, fine. As you wish.
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA IS IN HER BEDROOM TALKING WITH SAMANTHA. THEY’RE SITTING ON THE BED. THEY’RE DISCUSSING PEDRO-

ANA LAURA: No! No! All I did was to set a limit for him.
SAMANTHA: I think what you did was to set up a wall!

-LETICIA EXCITEDLY ENTERS THE ROOM AND KNEELS ON THE FLOOR NEXT TO THE BED-

LETICIA: I have big news! Do you know about the fight between Pedro and Mariano?
ANA LAURA: Yes.
LETICIA: The fight was over Marisol. It seems she was arguing with Mariano and Pedro got involved.
SAMANTHA: Pedro got involved? Why?
ANA LAURA: To defend her, stupid! Can’t you see? And what happened?
LETICIA: Do you want me to find out all the details?
ANA LAURA: No! I don’t want you to find out anything! I’m not interested in that boy, so don’t bother!
SAMANTHA: You say you’re not interested?
ANA LAURA: No, I’m not interested!
LETICIA: Not even a little?
ANA LAURA: Zero!

-LETICIA AND SAMANTHA LAUGH AT ANA LAURA. SHE BECOMES EVEN ANGRIER-

ANA LAURA: Stop acting stupid! It’s not funny!
………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS VISITING VICTORIA IN THE CITY. THEY ARE SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM-

PEDRO: Marisol is such a good person.
VICTORIA: She’s so like her mother. They’re good people. They’ve suffered a lot, but haven’t lost their kindness.
PEDRO: I feel that….that she….this finca, have changed my life.
VICTORIA: Well, that’s not surprising. This is a place with a history.
PEDRO: What history? What does all this have to do with me? Why do I feel like….like I belong in this finca?
VICTORIA: Well, if you feel that way, there must be a reason.
PEDRO: Why were you so insistent that I came here? Is there a special reason?
VICTORIA: Only time will answer that, Pedro.
PEDRO: The time is now, Señora Victoria. It’s time. What’s happening to me here, it’s something I’d never experienced before. It’s like an awakening.
VICTORIA: What do you mean?
PEDRO: I don’t know, I don’t know. It’s an odd sensation. It’s like a commitment I had never felt about anything or anyone. For example, Ana Laura…..Ana Laura provokes in me something…..something special. And with Marisol, I feel like if she’s been my partner my entire life.
VICTORIA: Are you trying to tell me that you feel you have a commitment with both of them?
PEDRO: A commitment or…..I don’t know the right word.
VICTORIA: Pedro, you must be careful, because they are wonderful women.

-PEDRO SEEMS UNCERTAIN-

VICTORIA: Although I feel that you may have a better understanding with Marisol. I mean, because of the pureness of your hearts, your kindness.
PEDRO: I don’t know. I don’t know. Nothing seems clear to me, Victoria.