Provócame

Episode 3

-ANA LAURA LOOKS INTENTLY INTO PEDRO’S EYES AND DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING FOR A FEW SECONDS. SHE THEN SEEMS TO TAKE CONTROL OF HER EMOTIONS AND TERSELY RESPONDS-

ANA LAURA: My marriage is something that has been decided. I rather not talk about that!

-PEDRO BECOMES DEFENSIVE AGAIN, BY HER ATTITUDE-

PEDRO: Perhaps I was out of line, I’m sorry. But that’s how I feel!
ANA LAURA: Why don’t you think about fixing your own problems? You seem to have a few!
PEDRO: I was just trying to be amiable.
ANA LAURA: You tried, but you don’t know how to be amiable. That’s not being amiable.

-LETICIA WALKS IN AND INTERRUPTS THEM-

LETICIA: Pedro, I find you, at last!
PEDRO: Yes! May we talk somewhere else?
ANA LAURA: Don’t worry! I’m leaving!
LETICIA: Was she angry, or am I seeing things?
PEDRO: I don’t know! Why don’t you ask her? You know that with her, one never knows what to expect!
LETICIA: Yes, well, let’s talk about what concerns us. I saw Chocolate. He responded well. He’s adapting very well, but he’s got his own temperament!
PEDRO: Yes, I know. What worries me is, who is going to be his trainer? Do you know who he is?
LETICIA: I have no idea! But I feel the way you do. He’s got to be someone who needs to take his time getting to know the horse.
PEDRO: I’d love to be the one, of course! I know him since he was born! I’d love to be his trainer!
LETICIA: But, do you have any experience in that field? -JUMPING-
PEDRO: There’s always a first time! I know I can do it. I just need an opportunity. Could you help me?
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-RIGHT OUTSIDE THE MAIN HOUSE, TOTI AND CHAPA ARE TALKING. IN THE BACKGROUND, GUNTHER CAN BE SEEN GIVING LISA A LECTURE. TOTI IS UPSET THAT GUNTHER IS SCOLDING LISA-

TOTI: Do you see that?
CHAPA: Of course I see it!
TOTI: Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t like it when he treats her that way. What ever happened to the chubby, friendly guy? Remember how we used to have our barbecues together, every Friday?
CHAPA: But of course I remember, Totito! You’re going to have to get used to it, because this is how things are now and they’re staying this way, Totito!
TOTI: Toti, Toti.
CHAPA: All right, Toti.
TOTI: I can’t get used to this. He’s completely a different person. I wish he’d be a little more affectionate.
CHAPA: It was always very clear. He’s always wanted to be majordomo.
TOTI: Yes, he’s always wanted to be majordomo.
CHAPA: Now, he’s acting like Perkins.
TOTI: Who?
CHAPA: The butler in the movie….

-TOTI AND CHAPA CONTINUE TALKING, WITHOUT REALIZING THAT GUNTHER HAS FINISHED TALKING TO LISA AND HE’S NOW MAKING HIS WAY, SLOWLY, TOWARDS THEM-

GUNTHER: What are you doing here, idly standing when there’s so much work to do?
CHAPA: We’re talking.
TOTI: None of your business!
GUNTHER: What did you say? What did you say? Be careful how you answer me! Do not make a mistake!

-CHAPA TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE FACT THAT PATRICIA CALLS GUNTHER AND HE GOES TO TALK TO HER, CHAPA DRAGS TOTI WITH HIM AND THEY DISAPPEAR, NOT BEFORE CHAPA ASKS TOTI IF HE’S GONE DEAF-

PATRICIA: Gunther, I need a favor. I need you, without being noticed, to go in the library and find for me, a blue folder that Mariano put away in the drawer. Find it and bring it to me.
GUNTHER: Frau Patri, you know I don’t do those things. Please don’t ask me to do that.
PATRICIA: Gunther, Gunthercito, do you love me?
GUNTHER: Yes, what a question!
PATRICIA: Good, then, do as I ask. Please.

-GUNTHER NODS IN AGREEMENT-
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-PEDRO AND JULIETA ARE WITH CHOCOLATE. ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE HORSE-

PEDRO: Why don’t you give him a little sugar to let him know you appreciate his efforts. And then, you come around this side, come, love.

-PEDRO LIFTS JULIETA AND SITS HER ON CHOCOLATE-

PEDRO: Up you go! There! (ESO!)
JULIETA: It feels great!
PEDRO: Yes. He likes to be caressed, then with your heels, you tap him lightly, and Chocolate will walk.
JULIETA: Can you imagine if Matías could see us doing this?
PEDRO: He doesn’t have to know.
JULIETA: Don’t worry, he won’t know! Have you noticed how many secrets you and I share?
PEDRO: Yes.
JULIETA: We don’t have to tell anyone we are doing this. We don’t have to tell anyone you’re sleeping at home.

-AT THIS MOMENT, MATIAS, STILL OUT OF SIGHT, CALLS OUT FOR PEDRO AND IS APPROACHING THE STABLES. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, WHEN PEDRO AND JULIETA HEAR MATIAS APPROACHING, JULIETA VERY SWIFTLY, JUMPS INTO PEDRO’S ARMS AND THEY STAND THERE, PEDRO HOLDING JULIETA IN HIS ARMS, CARESSING THE HORSE-

PEDRO: Yes!
MATIAS: What are you doing?
PEDRO: Nothing, we were here, just talking while Chocolate ate.

-PEDRO SETS JULIETA DOWN-

-PEDRO: Well, children, I’ll leave you two alone.

-PEDRO GIVES JULIETA A KISS, WINKS AT HER, AND WALKS AWAY-

MATIAS: What were you talking about?
JULIETA: Our things! Secrets! Do you get that?

-JULIETA GIVES MATIAS AN ANGRY LOOK, AND WALKS AWAY-
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-ANA LAURA IS IN HER BEDROOM WITH LETICIA AND ERICA. ANA LAURA IS HOLDING HER WEDDING DRESS. LETICIA AND ANA LAURA ARE STANDING ON ONE SIDE OF THE BED, WHILE ERICA IS STANDING ACROSS FROM THEM, CRYING-

ANA LAURA: I never thought I’d be using this dress to marry the wrong person.
LETICIA: You don’t have to do it.
ANA LAURA: I don’t have any other alternative.

-ANA LAURA THROWS THE DRESS DOWN ON THE BED-

ERICA: Did you talk with the lawyer?
ANA LAURA: Yes, but he didn’t give me any hope.
ERICA: Dad will die if he goes to jail!

-ANA LAURA, SEEING HOW UPSET ERICA IS, WALKS AROUND TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BED AND HUGS HER-

ANA LAURA: No, no! Please, Erica! Dad is not going to jail! Don’t worry!
LETICIA: This is madness!
ANA LAURA: My God, why, when I escaped, didn’t I just disappeared from this place?
LETICIA: Escaping with Pedro is not a bad idea!
ANA LAURA: What does Pedro have to do with all this?
LETICIA: Didn’t you escape with him?
ANA LAURA: He helped me, that’s all!
LETICIA: Because he’s interested in you!
ANA LAURA: I could never be interested in him! He’s a good guy, but that’s all!
LETICIA: Do not clarify, that it obscures things!
ANA LAURA: Why do things have to be changing so fast?
LETICIA: Well, maybe it’s a blessing in disguise!
ANA LAURA: Mariano hurt me terribly, but he’ll be sorry for all this!

I’ve just realized that I’ve been using the word library instead of office. It is the same room. I’m sorry if that caused some confusion. Thanks!

-MARISOL’S HOUSE. PEDRO IS SITTING AT THE TABLE. HE SEEMS TENSE. MARISOL SITS DOWN AND POURS COFFEE FOR THE TWO OF THEM-

PEDRO: She is going to make the biggest mistake of her life! She doesn’t want to open her eyes!
MARISOL: What would you do in Ana’s place?
PEDRO: I would risk everything! Including my father’s freedom! There has to be justice, don’t you think?
MARISOL: A lot of times there isn’t.
PEDRO: Yes, but…I would face anything, nevertheless! Those people try to get everything by force, and that has to stop!
MARISOL: I can see that Ana Laura’s plight is really affecting you!
PEDRO: I’d react the same way if they did that with you.
MARISOL: They already have.
PEDRO: What do you mean? What did they do?
MARISOL: They want me to leave. Especially Mariano’s mother.
PEDRO: Why?
MARISOL: Because they hate me. And now that they want to take over the property, I’m a bigger nuisance, still.
PEDRO: That means that if they find out I’m living here with you, I could create more problems for you.
MARISOL: Perhaps, but I don’t care! I don’t care! I don’t want you leave!

-ON THE TABLE, MARISOL’S HAND IS RESTING ON PEDRO’S HAND-

MARISOL: Lately, I’ve been feeling a little scared. Your presence here puts me at ease.
PEDRO: But, that could bring you a lot of difficulties.
MARISOL: If we keep it a secret, I won’t have any problems.
PEDRO: I also feel very comfortable here.

-PEDRO RESTS HIS OTHER HAND ON MARISOL’S. THEY LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND SMILE-
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-MARIANO IS IN THE LIBRARY. ANA LAURA COMES IN. MARIANO HAD BEEN STANDING BEHIND THE DESK. WHEN ANA LAURA WALKS IN, HE WALKS AROUND THE DESK AND STANDS BY HER-

ANA LAURA: You needed an answer. Well, I have one for you.
MARIANO: Before you say anything, I have something important to tell you.
ANA LAURA: Tell me.
MARIANO: Of course, what I’m going to tell you doesn’t change the turn of events….
ANA LAURA: Come on, Mariano, say what you have to say.
MARIANO: I want you to guarantee me the sale of the lands before our wedding.
ANA LAURA: What?
MARIANO: I think it’s the only way this will work.
ANA LAURA: You are trash!
MARIANO: No, no, no! Don’t say that, Ana. –MARIANO PUTS HIS HAND ON HER ARM-
ANA LAURA: Don’t touch me!
MARIANO: Please don’t treat me this way. We love each other.
ANA LAURA: No, no. Get your hands off me!
MARIANO: You’re going to be mine, soon enough.
ANA LAURA: I will be your wife, but I will never be yours!
MARIANO: What do you mean by that?
ANA LAURA: That you will never touch me again! That’s what I mean!

-ANA LAURA LOOKS AT MARIANO, AND THEN WALKS OUT-
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-VICTORIA’S HOUSE IN BUENOS AIRES. ALVARO COMES OVER TO SEE HER-

VICTORIA: I knew you’d come.
ALVARO: This is not a courtesy call.
VICTORIA: Oh, please! I never expected otherwise! Your wife sends you, right?
ALVARO: My wife is very upset, and with valid reasons. What are you trying to accomplish with all this, Victoria?
VICTORIA: What do you mean by “all this.”
ALVARO: This maneuver you are doing, selling my son that horse, thrusting that guy into the estancia. What are you after?
VICTORIA: Ah, well!
ALVARO: I’m listening!
VICTORIA: Do you really believe that if I were plotting something, I would tell you about it?

-ALVARO TAKES A FEW STEPS CLOSER-

ALVARO: Why did you really come back, Victoria? To take revenge on something that happened over 25 years ago?
VICTORIA: Not revenge, Alvaro, justice! The time for justice between us two, has finally arrived!
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-THE ESTANCIA. GUNTHER WALKS CAREFULLY INTO THE LIBRARY AND BEGINS SEARCHING EVERYWHERE FOR THE BLUE FOLDER. HE’S LOOKING THROUGH SOME PAPERS, WHEN HE HEARS MAGDA SINGING AND APPROACHING THE LIBRARY. HE RAPIDLY DROPS TO THE FLOOR AND HIDES UNDER THE DESK. MAGDA ENTERS THE LIBRARY WITH A DUSTER IN HER HAND, AND BEGINS SINGING OPERA VERY LOUDLY. GUNTHER REMAINS STILL-
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-CECILIA AND MARIANO ENTER THE LIVING THE ROOM-

CECILIA: Did you finally set a date for the wedding?
MARIANO: No, mother. Ana Laura is acting crazy.
CECILIA: And what are you doing?
MARIANO: Nothing. The minute I say something, she explodes.
CECILIA: Nevertheless, she’ll have to marry you.
MARIANO: No. I will not get married under these circumstances!
CECILIA: Well, then you must get her to change her mind. But you have to be very astute!
MARIANO: It’s not going to be easy. Ana Laura lost all trust in me.
CECILIA: All is not lost. With a little intelligence on your part, you’ll convince Ana Laura to give you much more than her trust.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL ANSWERS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR. IT’S ANA LAURA-

ANA LAURA: Hello. May I come in?
MARISOL: Yes, come in. I’m sorry about the mess. I’ve been ironing and I haven’t had time to do much else.

-PEDRO’S FOLDED CLOTHES ARE ON THE TABLE-

ANA LAURA: Don’t worry. It’s just that I haven’t had a chance to thank you for what you did for me.
MARISOL: No, it was nothing. I just did what I thought was right.
ANA LAURA: No, you’re wrong. You did me a great favor and I would really like to repay you in some way.
MARISOL: It’s not necessary. What matters is that everything turned out well.
ANA LAURA: No, everything did not turn out well. I assume Pedro told you.
MARISOL: Pedro….yes, yes he said something.
ANA LAURA: He also helped me a lot.
MARISOL: Yes, he seems like a nice person.
ANA LAURA: Do you know where he’s living at this moment? Do you…it’s just that I’d like to know. I’d like to thank him also.

-MARISOL DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. SHE’S ABOUT TO ANSWER WHEN ANA LAURA CONTINUES-

ANA LAURA: Well, it’s all right. Don’t worry, I only wanted…..

-AT THIS MOMENT, PEDRO WALKS IN THE ROOM, FRESH OUT OF THE SHOWER, WEARING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BUT A WHITE TOWEL WRAPPED AROUND HIS HIPS (HE LOOKS YUMMY!!)-

PEDRO: Have you seen my shirt?

-ANA LOOKS COMPLETELY STUNNED. PEDRO IS ALSO VERY SURPRISED TO SEE HER, WHILE MARISOL REMAINS QUIET-

PEDRO: Ana! What are you doing here?
ANA LAURA: I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing here?

-THE THREE OF THEM LOOK AT ONE ANOTHER FOR A FEW SECONDS, WITHOUT SAYING A WORD-
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-BACK TO VICTORIA’S HOUSE-

ALVARO: Justice? Please, Victoria, at this stage in my life, the last thing you….
VICTORIA: This is just the beginning, Alvaro.
ALVARO: I thought it was all over!
VICTORIA: Over? There are too many wounds!
ALVARO: Yes, the same wounds that have caused me so much suffering during all these years!
VICTORIA: Are you serious?
ALVARO: Do you think it was easy for me to get over what we had?
VICTORIA: I’d love to believe you, but I can’t.
ALVARO: Whether you believe me or not, it doesn’t matter to me. I just want to know what justice entails for you.
VICTORIA: I believe this conversation really upset you and it’s not worth….
ALVARO: No! Please!

-ALVARO SUDDENLY TAKES VICTORIA’S HAND AND KISSES IT-

ALVARO: Just tell me if there’s anything I can do to remedy all the harm I did to you!
VICTORIA: Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Excuse me!
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-MARISOL’S HOUSE-

PEDRO: I’ll get dressed and I’ll be with you in just a minute!
ANA LAURA: No! No, don’t worry! It’s okay. I was just leaving!
MARISOL: Didn’t you say you needed to talk to him?
ANA LAURA: I really just wanted to say thank you! That was all!
PEDRO: But, don’t leave like this!
ANA LAURA: I have a lot of things to do!
PEDRO: All right, all right! But don’t be angry!
ANA LAURA: No! I’m not angry! I have to go! I’ll see you later! -SHE WALKS OUT-
MARISOL: You were right, she is acting a little strange.
PEDRO: To each his own!
MARISOL: Do you think she’ll tell anyone she saw you here?
PEDRO: No, of course not! She won’t say anything!

-MARISOL GIVES PEDRO A QUESTIONING LOOK-

PEDRO: Well, at least, I hope she doesn’t!
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-MAGDA, IN THE LIBRARY, CONTINUES TO DUST THE FURNITURE AND IS TALKING TO HERSELF-

MAGDA: I’m the only who works around here all day. This house is so big, and with no one but me cleaning up the mess!

-IN TRYING TO ARRANGE THE DESK, SOME DOCUMENTS FALL OUT OF A FOLDER AND DROP TO THE FLOOR. MAGDA IS PICKING UP THE DOCUMENTS, WHEN LISA WALKS IN-

LISA: Magda, Señora Cecilia is looking for you.
MAGDA: She can wait! She’s not my boss!
LISA: She could be, pretty soon. If I were you, I’d go immediately.
MAGDA: Hmm! Let’s go.

-GUNTHER COMES OUT FROM UNDER THE DESK AND DECIDES TO WAIT UNTIL LATER TO CONTINUE WITH THE SEARCH. HE IS EXITING THE LIBRARY WHEN PATRICIA APPROACHES HIM-

PATRICIA: Did you find the documents?
GUNTHER: No, Frau Patricia, I tried, but I couldn’t find them.
PATRICIA: Excuses, Gunther!
GUNTHER: They’re not excuses. I almost had them but Magda entered the library and….
PATRICIA: I’m an idiot! I shouldn’t trust you!
GUNTHER: Don’t say that, please!
PATRICIA: I gave you an order and you didn’t comply! You are useless, Gunther, completely useless!!

-GUNTHER WAS ABOUT TO GO BACK INTO THE LIBRARY TO CONTINUE THE SEARCH, BUT LISA APPEARS AND PREVENTS HIM FROM GOING IN. HE PRETENDS TO BE INSPECTING THE FURNITURE AND COMPLAINS THAT THE HOUSE IS VERY DIRTY AND SHE SHOULDN’T WASTING TIME TALKING, WHEN THERE’S SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE-
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-MARISOL’S HOUSE. PEDRO IS STANDING BY THE STOVE. HE’S JUST FINISHED REPAIRING ONE OF THE BURNERS, AND HE LOOKS VERY SATISFIED WITH HIMSELF. HE CALLS OUT FOR MARISOL-

MARISOL: You are a genius! How did you do it? Do you how long that burner has been out of order?
PEDRO: One has to know a little of everything in life!

-THERE’S A KNOCK AT THE DOOR. MARISOL ASKS PEDRO TO HIDE. HE RUNS OUT OF THE ROOM. MARISOL OPENS THE DOOR AND CECILIA WALKS IN-

CECILIA: Don’t worry, my visit will be very short. Did you think about what I said the other day? I imagine you are looking for employment and another place to live?
MARISOL: I haven’t talked with Ignacio. When I do, we’ll see what happens.
CECILIA: You have nothing to say to him.
MARISOL: I’m not leaving this place until I speak with someone from the Villalobos family!
CECILIA: You’re just like your mother. Stubborn and rebellious!

-CECILIA NOTICES THE TOOL THAT PEDRO HAD BEEN USING TO FIX THE STOVE. SHE PICKS IT UP AND QUESTIONS MARISOL-

CECILIA: What is this? Who does it belong to?
MARISOL: I borrowed it to fix the stove.
CECILIA: That’s hard work for a woman! Are you still by yourself, or do you have a lover?
MARISOL: My private life is none of your business!
CECILIA: Yes, yes, you’re right. I could care less about your life. That’s why I want you far away. Very far from all of us. If I were you, I’d start making decisions.

-CECILIA LEAVES. PEDRO WALKS IN BACK INTO THE ROOM-

MARISOL: Do you see? Do you see how much they hate me?
PEDRO: Why?
MARISOL: I don’t know. She doesn’t even know why!
PEDRO: My presence here is going to do you more harm than I though. It’ll be better if I left.
MARISOL: No, that is not going to change things. They’ll throw me out either way!
PEDRO: Do you think Ana Laura said anything?
MARISOL: I don’t know.
PEDRO: I’ll find out. It’s better to know who’s on your side. –HE LEAVES-
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-ANA LAURA IS IN HER BEDROOM TALKING WITH LETICIA. SHE’S ANGRILY EXPLAINING TO LETICIA WHAT HAPPENED AT MARISOL’ HOUSE-

ANA LAURA: He recently arrived in the estancia and he’s already walking about as if he were the great lord of the manor!
LETICIA: I don’t think he has that attitude.
ANA LAURA: That’s because you didn’t see him the way I saw him! Half- naked, coming out of Marisol’s bathroom!
LETICIA: Well, he has a right to take a shower! Don’t you think?
ANA LAURA: You know very well I’m not referring to that!
LETICIA: And what are you referring to?
ANA LAURA: I’m referring to….he knows! He knows what he’s doing! He acts like the latin lover with the first woman that crosses his path! Very sure of himself, with a little towel around the waist, showing his little ravioli! (YES! THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT SHE SAID! RAVIOLITOS!)-

-LETICIA LAUGHS HYSTERICALLY. ANA LAURA BECOMES EVEN MORE ENRAGED-

ANA LAURA: No! Don’t laugh! It’s not funny! It bothers me!
LETICIA: It amuses me to see you like this! I haven’t seen this nervous in a long time!
ANA LAURA: I’m not nervous! It bothers me that he pretends to be friends with me and then he acts like a pretty boy with Marisol! That’s what it is! That’s all! I don’t know if you understand what I’m trying to say!
LETICIA: Yes! I understand! I understand you’re a little jealous! A little too much, I’d say!
ANA LAURA: Jealous! I’m not jealous! Don’t start to diagnose me like you do with you little animals, at which you are never correct, my love!
LETICIA: Let’s say that when one feels attraction for someone, one starts to act in a way pretty much the same as those “little animals,” all right?
ANA LAURA: This is not the case! What bothers me is that he lies to me! I could care less what he does with Marisol!
LETICIA: If you say so!
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-GUNTHER IS PACING IN THE KITCHEN. HE’S STILL UPSET ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO PLEASE PATRICIA. ROSA AND MAGDA ENTER THE KITCHEN. THEY START ARGUING. GUNTHER PICKS UP A TRAY CONTAINING A MEAL THAT ROSA PREPARED, AND WANTS TO THROW IT OUT. MAGDA TELLS HIM THE HOUSE IS HER DOMAIN, THAT HE SHOULD WORRY ONLY ABOUT THE WORKERS IN THE FIELDS. LISA WALKS IN AND TAKES THE TRAY FROM GUNTHER. . GUNTHER STARTS YELLING AT LISA. TOTI WALKS IN AND DEFENDS LISA. TOTI AND GUNTHER START ARGUING. GUNTHER TRIES TO INCITE TOTI INTO FIGHTING. ALVARO WALKS IN THE KITCHEN AND BEGINS YELLING AT ALL OF THEM-

ALVARO: Be quiet! You should be ashamed! Not another word! Each of you, go to your stations! And understand very well what I’m about to say! Things are going to change around here very soon. Remember that, if you want to keep your jobs!

-AFTER ALVARO LEAVES, GUNTHER TELLS EVERYBODY THAT HE HAS A GOOD MEMORY AND HE WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT HAPPENED. GUNTHER LEAVES THE KITCHEN. LISA TELLS TOTI HE WAS WONDERFUL AND GIVES HIM A KISS ON THE CHEEK, THANKING HIM FOR DEFENDING HER-
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-ANA LAURA IS LEAVING THE HOUSE THROUGH THE FRONT STEPS. SHE ABOUT TO GET IN THE TRUCK, WHEN PEDRO COMES RUNNING TOWARDS HER-

PEDRO: Ana, Ana! May I talk to you for one minute?
ANA LAURA: No, Pedro. Now is not a good time. It’s not a good time.
PEDRO: It’s only for a moment. I just want to ask you not to tell anyone that I’m staying at Marisol’s house.
ANA LAURA: Why? Are you living with her?
PEDRO: Well, you could say she offered me a place in her house.
ANA LAURA: All right, all right! I don’t care where you live. I don’t care if it’s on top of a tree or under the earth! I don’t care! Don’t give me any explanations, please!
PEDRO: Well, all right. I…
ANA LAURA: You don’t have to tell me anything! You don’t have to tell me anything! Now, if you want to keep your relationship a secret, it’s fine with me! Don’t worry, that’s not my problem!
PEDRO: No! Wait a second! I don’t have any type of relationship with her!
ANA LAURA: Ah, yes, Pedro. I was born yesterday!
PEDRO: I don’t know when you were born! It probably was a very difficult day. One of those occasions when there’s a terrible planetary combustion that occur only so often!
ANA LAURA: Very funny! And what do you mean by that?
PEDRO: No, nothing. It’s that sometimes your reactions are very unpredictable!
ANA LAURA: I’m unpredictable? Yes, of course because you are such an easy person! Actually, yes, you are a little easy, because you just arrived in the estancia and you are already living with a woman! Wow!
PEDRO: I think you are a little confused!
ANA LAURA: I’m confused! Fine! What you want is for me not to tell anyone that you’re living in Marisol’s house! Don’t worry! I won’t say anything! And do you know why? Because I don’t care! I don’t care!
PEDRO: Are you sure?
ANA LAURA: Very sure!

-PEDRO SMILES-

ANA LAURA: Am I sure about what?
PEDRO: You’re jealous!

-PEDRO STARTS LAUGHING. ANA LAURA IS OBVIOUSLY ANGRY AT THIS POINT. SHE LAUGHS, NERVOUSLY-

ANA LAURA: What did you say?
PEDRO: Jealous! Yes, yes! You are a little jealous!

-ANA LAURA SLAPS HIM. PEDRO SEEMS SHOCKED THAT SHE SLAPPED HIM-

ANA LAURA: Can you repeat what you said?

-CHAPA AND TOTI ARE BY THE STABLES, SITTING DOWN DRINKING MATE (ARGENTINE TEA, DRUNK IN SPECIAL CONTAINERS WITH A STRAW.) TOTI IS STILL ANGRY ABOUT THE INCIDENT WITH GUNTHER-

TOTI: What’s wrong with that fat guy? What’s wrong with him? That Gunther, yelling at me! I still remember the day he got here! He was a mere peon, just like us!
CHAPA: All right! Enough, Toti! Don’t go on about Gunther!
TOTI: He doesn’t have to pretend with me! Does he think he’s better than us?

-JULIETA ARRIVES-

JULIETA: What’s the matter, Toti?
TOTI: I argued with Gunther and he made me angry. And I’m still angry, miss! And when I’m angry….
CHAPA: You are a disaster!
TOTI: Why are you always picking on me?

-MATIAS ARRIVES WITH CHOCOLATE-

CHAPA: Hey, there, young man! How did you do?
MATIAS: Fine. I just need to know him a little better. But I don’t think he’ll be able to jump.
CHAPA: Well, without a trainer, jumping looks a little difficult!
JULIETA: I think Pedro would make the perfect trainer. No one knows that horse better than him.
MATIAS: Thank you, Julieta, but we didn’t ask for your opinion! -MATIAS WALKS AWAY-
JULIETA: I just wanted to help!
TOTI: Chocolate can’t ask for your opinion!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO, ANGRY THAT ANA LAURA SLAPPED HIM, IS RUBBING HIS CHEEK-

PEDRO: Have you gone crazy?
ANA LAURA: I’m waiting for your apology!
PEDRO: My apology?
ANA LAURA: Yes, your apology. Please, don’t dare talk to me like that, again!
PEDRO: Me?
ANA LAURA: Yes, you! You!
PEDRO: Let’s talk about something else! Are you going to help me keep this a secret or not?
ANA LAURA: Yes, I will keep this a secret, I already told you yes, all right? But if Mariano finds outs, you and Marisol will be in big trouble.
PEDRO: Thank you very much for the advice!
ANA LAURA: It’s not advice. It’s a warning.
PEDRO: Are you saying that if Mariano pressures you, you will tell him I’m staying in Marisol’s house?

-ANA LAURA SEEMS HURT BY HIS QUESTION-

ANA LAURA: I’m not a traitor.
PEDRO: I’m not saying you are, but since you are warning me…
ANA LAURA: Look, I won’t say anything, but by the same token, I won’t be an accomplice to something I don’t approve of.
PEDRO: You don’t approve of me living in Marisol’s house?
ANA LAURA: I already told you, I don’t care!
PEDRO: You, honestly, you...you confuse me!

-ANA LAURA TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO ANSWER. SHE BREATHS DEEPLY AND LOOKS INTO HIS EYES-

ANA LAURA: You confuse me, also. You do.

-SHE GETS IN THE TRUCK AND LEAVES-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA IS WITH IGNACIO IN HIS HOSPITAL ROOM. HE’S SITTING UP, LEANING AGAINST THE BED. ANA LAURA HANDS HIM A GLASS OF WATER AND SITS NEXT TO HIM ON THE BED-

IGNACIO: Thank you, daughter. How is everything?
ANA LAURA: Everything is fine.
IGNACIO: I doubt everything is fine.
ANA LAURA: It’s not going to be easy to fix the situation with Mariano, but, well…
IGNACIO: We’ve made a lot of mistakes. Especially me.
ANA LAURA: It’s all right. Don’t think about that, right now.
IGNACIO: You are wonderful. Even after all I did to you, you’re still trying to make sure I don’t feel guilty.
ANA LAURA: Papi, I’d like to talk about something else.
IGNACIO: All right.
ANA LAURA: I want to know about Marisol’s situation.
IGNACIO: Why do you ask?
ANA LAURA: I’d like to guarantee a place for her in the estancia.
IGNACIO: That seems a little odd, you never worried about that before.
ANA LAURA: Well, it’s just that Marisol and Pedro were the two people who helped me, when I escaped. She kept the secret.
IGNACIO: What are you worried about? That someone will throw them out?
ANA LAURA: Yes, you know Cecilia could decide to do that. She doesn’t like Marisol.

- ANA LAURA GETS UP FROM THE BED TO PUT THE EMPTY WATER GLASS ON A TRAY. PATRICIA IS SHOWN OUT IN THE HALLWAY. SHE’S BEEN LISTENING TO THEIR CONVERSATION, BY THE DOOR. ANA LAURA DOES NOT SEE HER. ANA LAURA GOES BACK TO SIT BY IGNACIO-

IGNACIO: She’s a wonderful young lady, with a small little girl to raise. Don’t worry, as long as I live, no one will touch her. Don’t worry.

-THE DOCTOR APPROACHES THE DOOR AND PATRICIA IS FORCED TO MAKE AN APPEARANCE AND PRETEND SHE’S JUST ARRIVED-

DOCTOR: How are you feeling? I have great news!
PATRICIA: Are you releasing him, doctor?
DOCTOR: Tomorrow, and Ignacio already knows my instructions.
ANA LAURA: Don’t worry. I am personally going to make sure he follows all of your recommendations.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

THE ESTANCIA. THERE’S A SEPARATE HOUSE WITHIN THE ESTANCIA THAT SERVES AS HEADQUARTERS TO ALL THE FINCA’S EMPLOYEES. THE KITCHEN IS THE CENTRAL POINT WHERE ALL THE WORKERS SHARE THEIR MEALS. THE BUILDING CONTAINS SEPARATE SLEEPING QUARTERS FOR ALL THE EMPLOYEES. IN THIS SCENE, ANTONIO, CHAPA AND TOTI, ARE SITTING AROUND THE KITCHEN TABLE, WHEN ROSA (ANTONIO’S WIFE) WALKS IN WITH A PREPARED DINNER FOR THEM-

ROSA: Here’s dinner.
ANTONIO: Are you done?
ROSA: No, I’m not done! There’s still so much to do! I just brought you dinner, but I won’t be eating with you, tonight. The climate over there is so bad, I don’t want to leave Magda and Lisa by themselves.
CHAPA: Are things really that bad?
ROSA: Yes! Everyone is so tense, you could cut the air with a knife! There are all the problems with the wedding, Don Ignacio’s illness, the situation with Pedro, and now the situation with Gunther! We better not take any chances. So you better watch out!

-TO ANTONIO, SHE SAYS: “ CIAO, MY LOVE,” AND SHE WALKS OUT-

CHAPA: Do you see Toti? Do you see what you created trying to be a hero?
ANTONIO: Chapa is right! We could all end up in the street! Do not provoke them!
TOTI: I didn’t provoke anybody! I just defended Lisa. If defending someone is reason enough to be thrown into the street, well… I was just trying to be nice!
ANTONIO: You can be nice and defend everybody, but you know how those people are, and now, after the wedding takes place, things are only going to get worse!
CHAPA: That’s if the wedding really takes place!
ANTONIO: You don’t think is going to happen?
CHAPA: I don’t know!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE MAIN HOUSE. THE DINING ROOM. AT THE TABLE, EVERYONE IS SITTING DOWN TO
DINNER. FLORIA IS SITTING AT THE HEAD OF THE TABLE. TO HER RIGHT, IS ALVARO, CECILIA AND MARIANO. TO HER LEFT, SITS MATIAS, PATRICIA AND ANA LAURA. GUNTHER IS STANDING BY. MAGDA AND LISA ARE SERVING-

PATRICIA: Gunther, they didn’t bring any butter.
GUNTHER: I’ll have them bring it immediately, Frau!

-GUNTHER PULLS LISA BY THE ARM AND ORDERS HER TO BRING SOME BUTTER. MAGDA TELLS GUNTHER TO CALM DOWN. NO ONE HAS EVER DIED FOR LACK OF BUTTER. MARIANO DECIDES AT THIS MOMENT TO MAKE A TOAST. HE RAISES HIS GLASS. ANA LAURA LOOKS STRAIGHT INTO HIS EYES AND SITS STILL, NOT LIFTING HER GLASS-

MARIANO: I’d like to make a toast to Ignacio. May he be back with us real soon! And also to Ana Laura’s return, which means so much to us! What’s wrong, my love, aren’t you joining us?
ANA LAURA: No. I’m really not in the mood for a toast.
ALVARO: Anita, please! Let’s leave resentments for another occasion.
FLORIA: If she doesn’t feel like it, she doesn’t feel like it!
CECILIA: Well, if you don’t do it for us, do it for you father.
ANA LAURA: For my father, I do other things, don’t I?
CECILIA: I can’t believe that after everything you’ve done to us, you are the one who’s angry!
ANA LAURA: Everything I’ve done to you? What about what you have done to me?
FLORIA: Relax, Anita.
MARIANO: We are relaxed, Floria. We are chatting, clarifying some things, that’s all.
CECILIA: Yes, of course! For example, why don’t you tell us where you went, when you left the estancia?
ALVARO: Please, I don’t think this is the moment to discuss that subject.
CECILIA: Someone had to help her leave the finca. Where did you go in Buenos Aires? Were you alone?

-ANA LAURA GETS UP AND LEAVES THE TABLE, SAYING SHE WON’T BE RESPONDING TO THEIR INTERROGATION. FLORIA GOES AFTER ANA LAURA-

ALVARO: You were really out of line!
CECILIA: Out of line? Why?
MARIANO: We have to know what happened, father.
CECILIA: No, my love, what happens is that your father also has things to hide. That’s the reason why he doesn’t want to touch the subject.
MARIANO: What things?
ALVARO: Why don’t you stop talking nonsense? -

-ALVARO THROWS HIS NAPKIN ON THE TABLE AND WALKS AWAY. PATRICIA LOOKS AT MARIANO AND CECILIA, AND CONTINUES EATING-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL’S HOUSE. PEDRO, MARISOL, AND JULIETA ARE ALSO SITTING AT THE TABLE, HAVING DINNER-

PEDRO: I assume Ana Laura won’t say anything, but I still don’t understand her reaction.
MARISOL: Perhaps she’s upset that you didn’t do what Mariano wanted you to do.
PEDRO: That means that she’s standing by him.
MARISOL: If that’s the case, what are we supposed to do?
PEDRO: Wait. The only thing that worries me is that I might cause more problems for you by staying here.
MARISOL: I already told you, nothing is going to happen with that. Besides, if Mariano wants to throw us out, he will, for whatever reason.
JULIETA: They are throwing us out of here, mami?

-MARISOL REALIZES WHAT SHE SAID AND LOOKS IN SURPRISE AT JULIETA, AND THEN AT PEDRO-

JULIETA: I don’t want to leave! Where are we going? I don’t want to leave Chocolate!
PEDRO: No, my love, what your mami is saying is just an assumption. Come on eat, eat.
JULIETA: Pedro, if they throw us out, will you come with us?

-PEDRO, STARTLED, LOOKS AT MARISOL-

PEDRO: That’s not going to happen!
MARISOL: That’s if Ana Laura doesn’t say anything, because if she does…
PEDRO: First thing tomorrow morning, I will speak with Mariano. We’ll clear everything up.
MARISOL: What if he reacts badly?
PEDRO: Don’t worry. I’m going to make sure nothing happens to the two of you.

-JULIETA GETS UP FROM HER CHAIR AND HUGS PEDRO. SHE’S ALMOST IN TEARS-

JULIETA: I don’t want you to leave, Pedro! I don’t want you to leave!

-PEDRO DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING AND LOOKS AT MARISOL-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IN THE LIBRARY, MARIANO IS SITTING AT THE DESK. CECILIA IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HIM-

CECILIA: It’s hard to keep a lie. Sooner or later, the truth always comes to the surface.
MARIANO: I need to know the truth immediately.

-THERE’S A KNOCK AT THE DOOR. IT’S PATRICIA-

CECILIA: Come in.
PATRICIA: Excuse me. I need to tell you something important.
MARIANO: Come in, get comfortable.
PATRICIA: I wasn’t sure if I should tell you this because I don’t like to get involved, but, after what happened at the table…Ana Laura told Ignacio that Marisol and Pedro were the ones who helped her escape from here.
MARIANO: Are you sure of what you’re saying?
PATRICIA: Yes.
CECILIA: What can you expect from those people? And I’m going to tell you something else! Do you know who’s behind all this? Victoria Duncan!
PATRICIA: Yes, she also mentioned her! (LIAR)
MARIANO: No, I don’t believe Victoria would get involved in anything like this.
CECILIA: You’ll see how the facts will show you differently.
PATRICIA: I hope you don’t think I like gossip by telling you all this. But I saw how upset you were.
MARIANO: No, of course not! And I thank you very much, Pato.*
PATRICIA: You’re welcome. Excuse me. –PATRICIA LEAVES-
CECILIA: What are you going to do?
MARIANO: I’m going to have a little fun!
CECILIA: This is a very serious matter for you to be taking it so lightly!
MARIANO: I’m going to do it my way, mother. They tried to take me for a fool, well, they will regret it!

*PATO. IT’S A NICKNAME FOR THE NAME PATRICIA. IT SUITS HER. IT MEANS DUCK-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-TOTI IS IN A PART OF THE STABLES WHERE GUNTHER KEEPS HIS DOGS. HE’S TRYING TO GET THE DOGS TO OBEY HIM. THE DOGS, AS THEY DO WITH EVERYONE, ARE IGNORING HIM. JULIETA ARRIVES SUDDENLY AND STARTLES TOTI-

JULIETA: What are you doing, Toti?
TOTI: Do you want to give me a heart attack, Julieta?
JULIETA: Well, what are you doing?
TOTI: I’m going to take revenge on fat Gunther. I’m trying to get his dogs to follow me, but they won’t budge. I’ve been calling out to them but….
JULIETA: That’s not how you do it, Toti. Look…

-SHE STARTS THOWING A BALL UP IN THE AIR AND CALLING OUT TO THE DOGS. THE DOGS LOOK HER WAY AND WHEN JULIETA TOSSES THE BALL TO THE SIDE, THE DOGS GET UP AND RUN AFTER IT. TOTI SMILES-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL’S HOUSE. SHE’S PACING THE FLOOR WORRIEDLY. PEDRO WALKS IN-

PEDRO: Chocolate is taken care of for the morning. Now I need to take care of Mariano.
MARISOL: He just called. He wants to see us both in one hour. We’re to go to the house.
PEDRO: The two of us together?
MARISOL: Are you thinking what I’m thinking?
PEDRO: Probably.
MARISOL: Ana Laura said something, Pedro. She must have told him everything!
PEDRO: That could mean trouble for us, right?

-MARISOL DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING, BUT NODS HER HEAD. PEDRO COMES CLOSER TO HER. HE EXTENDS HIS LEFT ARM AND TENDERLY CARESSES HER CHEEK WITH HIS HAND, AND LOOKS INTENTLY INTO HER EYES-

PEDRO: Don’t worry. Everything will turn out right.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-GUNTHER GOES LOOKING FOR HIS DOGS. THEY ARE NOT IN THEIR USUAL SPOT. HE BEGINS SCREAMING WHEN HE REALIZES THEY’RE GONE. WITH HIS HANDS UP IN THE AIR, HE RUNS OUT, ASKING WHERE HIS DOGS ARE-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE MAIN HOUSE. IGNACIO IS HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL. ANA LAURA IS HELPING HIM INSIDE THE HOUSE. PATRICIA IS RIGHT BEHIND THEM-

ANA LAURA: Be careful, dad.
IGNACIO: I’m fine, I’m fine.
PATRICIA: You have to take it slow.

-MAGDA COMES IN THE ROOM AND TELL IGNACIO HIS ROOM IS READY AND ASKS HIM IF HE’D LIKE TO GO UP NOW-

IGNACIO: No, thank you. I’d like to stay down here for a little while.
ANA LAURA: No, no, dad. You know very well what the doctor said. Go lie down.
MAGDA: Listen to your daughter.
ANA LAURA: Yes, please, take him up.
PATRICIA: I’ll help him, Magda.

-MAGDA STAYS BEHIND AND TELLS ANA LAURA SHE’S NEEDED IN THE LIBRARY-

ANA LAURA: Who needs me?
MAGDA: Mariano, and he’s not alone.

-THE LIBRARY. MARIANO IS SITTING AT THE DESK. PEDRO AND MARISOL ARE STANDING ACROSS FROM HIM. ANA LAURA COMES IN AT THE SAME TIME PEDRO IS ADDRESSING MARIANO-

PEDRO: Mariano, please, let’s you and I have this conversation alone.
MARIANO: Ah, here she is. Now we are all here. My love, come in, please. Sit down, get comfortable.
ANA LAURA: What’s going on? Why are we all here?
MARIANO: Because I think it’s time we clarify everything you told me last night!

-ANA LAURA LOOKS STUNNED BY WHAT MARIANO SAID. SHE LOOKS AT PEDRO. PEDRO LOOKS ANGRY-

ANA LAURA: What I told you last night?
MARIANO: Yes. That’s why I summoned Pedro and Marisol.
ANA LAURA: No, no! That’s not true! I didn’t say anything!
PEDRO: It’s okay, Ana!
ANA LAURA: No! It’s not true!
PEDRO: It’s all right! You don’t need to explain. If Mariano wants explanations, we’ll be happy to oblige him.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-GUNTHER IS RUNNING EVERYWHERE LOOKING FOR HIS DOGS. HE’S VERY ANGRY. JULIETA AND TOTI ARE HIDING BEHIND A HAYSTACK, LAUGHING-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-BACK TO THE LIBRARY-

MARIANO: Very well, since Pedro is dying to talk, he can begin by explaining what he’s doing living in Marisol’s house.
MARISOL: I can explain.
PEDRO: I didn’t want to be far away from Chocolate, so I decided to accept Marisol’s hospitality, that’s all.
MARIANO: Hospitality? I see. It’s very easy to be hospitable with something that doesn’t belong to you.
PEDRO: The mistake was mine. She allowed me to stay in her home and I accepted.
MARIANO: What great solidarity! And if I’m not mistaken -ADDRESSING ANA LAURA- she showed the same solidarity with you.
ANA LAURA: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
MARIANO: Our wedding day! I understand she helped you escape from here.
ANA LAURA: That’s not true! I made that decision on my own.
PEDRO: I’m the one who helped Ana Laura. She was desperate.
MARIANO: And where did you two meet?
PEDRO: Nowhere. I just helped her because I thought it was the right thing to do!
MARIANO: The right thing would be to for you to take care of your job!
ANA LAURA: I forced him to help me. He has nothing to do with this!
PEDRO: That’s not true! She has nothing to do with this! I’m the only person responsible for everything!
MARIANO: Well done! Well done! A hero taking care of his women! Well done!
MARISOL: This is crazy! Tell us when we must leave the estancia and get it over with!
ANA LAURA: That wouldn’t be fair!
MARIANO: I haven’t thought about it yet. I have to a lot of things to take into consideration.
PEDRO: Anytime you need an explanation, let me know!
MARIANO: Once I know what I’m going to do with you, you’ll know it. Right now, you may leave.

-MARISOL LOOKS AT PEDRO, THEN AT ANA LAURA, AND LEAVES. PEDRO TAKES A LAST LOOK AT ANA LAURA AND ALSO EXITS THE LIBRARY. ANA LAURA IS ABOUT TO FOLLOW, BUT MARIANO STOPS HER-

MARIANO: We are not done yet!
ANA LAURA: Why don’t you leave me alone?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-BACK TO JULIETA AND TOTI. THEY ARE STILL HIDING BEHIND THE HAYSTACK, LAUGHING AT GUNTHER-

JULIETA: Aren’t you going to go look for them?
TOTI: No.
JULIETA: I don’t know if they’ll come back on their own. Those dogs are a little dumb.
TOTI: Well, they’ll come back once they get hungry! -THEY START LAUGHING, AGAIN-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-FLORIA IS SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM. ANA LAURA IS LAYING ON THE SOFA NEXT TO HER. ANA LAURA IS RESTING HER HEAD ON HER GRANDMOTHER’S LAP. FLORIA IS SOFTLY CARESSING ANA LAURA’S HAIR-

FLORIA: How can it be that getting married is such an ordeal?
ANA LAURA: My dream of getting married was a completely different one.
FLORIA: Anita querida, my love. All you have to do is do exactly what your heart tells you to do. I’m always going to be on your side, no matter what you decide to do.

-ANA LAURA SITS UP-

ANA LAURA: Grandmother, do you know what the problem is? What my heart is telling me at this moment, is impossible.
FLORIA: If you’re not sure, you must leave for good.
ANA LAURA: But…
FLORIA: Yes, yes. Leave. I’d do it at your age. Well, at my age also!
ANA LAURA: I don’t have any doubts about that!
FLORIA: It doesn’t make sense to do things you will later regret.
ANA LAURA: I don’t know how you do it, grandmother, but every time we talk, I feel much better. You really help me.
FLORIA: I love you very much!
ANA LAURA: Don’t forget I love you!
FLORIA: And don’t forget I love you, too!

-ANA LAURA RISES FROM THE SOFA, AND AS SHE LEAVES, SHE CALLS BACK TO FLORIA-

ANA LAURA: Don’t forget!

-MAGDA WALKS IN THE ROOM AS ANA LAURA IS LEAVING-

MAGDA: You don’t listen! You don’t understand!
FLORIA: What is what I don’t understand?
MAGDA: You have to take care of yourself! One of these days, you’re going to explode like a toad!
FLORIA: Bite your tongue!
MAGDA: Here, here, take this little pill, just in case!
FLORIA: I don’t want to take anything!
MAGDA: Come on!
FLORIA: I won’t take anything! I don’t want to take anything!
MAGDA: Don’t complain later on! I’m the one who has to put up with you!
FLORIA: I don’t ask you to put up with me! And do me a favor, get out of my life!
MAGDA: You will come looking for me! You will!
FLORIA: Leave me alone! -MAGDA WALKS AWAY- I hate that she treats me like an old lady!

-THE DOOR BELL RINGS. LISA ANSWERS. IT’S VICTORIA. WHEN FLORIA SEES HER, SHE WALKS UP TO GREET HER-

FLORIA: Querida! How are you? It’s been so long!
VICTORIA: I’m so happy to see you!
FLORIA: I’m so very happy to see you, too! You look wonderful! What brings you here, querida?
VICTORIA: I’m here to see Ignacio. I was very sad to hear what happened.

-BEFORE FLORIA CAN COMPLETELY ANSWER, CECILIA WALKS SLOWLY INTO THE ROOM-

VICTORIA: Hello, good morning.
CECILIA: You didn’t understand what I said to you the last time? I don’t want to see you again in this house!
FLORIA: What did you say?
CECILIA: She has no business being here!
FLORIA: Calm down! Wait just a minute! Victoria is an old friend of the Villalobos and she’s welcome to come over anytime she feels like it!
VICTORIA: So I may see Ignacio?
FLORIA: But of course, querida! I’ll go with you. He’ll be thrilled to see you! Come, come with me!

-VICTORIA, SMILING, WALKS RIGHT PAST CECILIA-

VICTORIA: Excuse me!

-CECILIA ANGRILY REMAINS BEHIND-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL’S HOUSE. PEDRO AND MARISOL ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE, DRINKING COFFEE. PEDRO LOOKS ANGRY STILL-

MARISOL: If it was Ana who told Mariano, I don’t think she had bad intentions.
PEDRO: I don’t know what her intentions were, but she never ceases to amaze me! We asked her not to say anything.
MARISOL: Maybe she didn’t have any other alternative.
PEDRO: Even so, she shouldn’t have said anything! She has given Mariano the right arguments to do whatever he wants!
MARISOL: Well, from him, you can’t expect anything good.

-PEDRO PUT HIS HAND ON MARISOL’S-

PEDRO: My only regret is that you may have to pay for something that is my fault.
MARISOL: It’s not your fault. They’ve been wanting to throw me out for a long time.
PEDRO: No matter what happens, I will not leave you and Julieta by yourselves.
MARISOL: I won’t leave you by yourself, either. It’s good to know I have someone I can trust.

-MARISOL SMILES, LEANS HER HEAD ON PEDRO’S ARM, AND WRAPS HER ARMS AROUND HIS ARM. PEDRO LOOKS DOWN AT HER, BRINGS HIS HEAD DOWN TO HER FACE. MARISOL IS LOOKING UP EXPECTANTLY. PEDRO IS ABOUT TO KISS HER IN THE LIPS, BUT THINKS BETTER OF IT, AND KISSES HER FOREHEAD INSTEAD. MARISOL LOOKS DISAPPOINTED. SHE MOVES AWAY FROM PEDRO AND SHYLY SMILES AT HIM. PEDRO SMILES AT HER WITHOUT SAYING A WORD-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IGNACIO’S BEDROOM. HE’S RESTING, SITTING UP IN BED, UNDER THE COVERS. PATRICIA IS LAYING DOWN ACROSS THE BED, TALKING AND HOLDING HIS HAND-

PATRICIA: My love, I know you don’t like me to get involved in your business, but I’m very worried.
IGNACIO: Patricia, please. You don’t have to feel that way.
PATRICIA: Why don’t you tell me the truth?
IGNACIO: My love, I’m telling you the truth. Once I resolve a few small problems, everything will be all right.
PATRICIA: What are those small problems?

-IGNACIO DOESN’T ANSWER-

PATRICIA: Nachito,* what are those papers Alvaro wants you to sign?
IGNACIO: Nothing. Nothing important.
PATRICIA: Are you sure?
IGNACIO: I’m sure.
PATRICIA: I can relax, then?
IGNACIO: Completely.

-FLORIA KNOCKS ON THE DOOR AND BRINGS VICTORIA IN THE ROOM-

FLORIA: Look at the surprise I’m bringing you!
IGNACIO: Victoria!
PATRICIA: Victoria, hello.
VICTORIA: Hello. May I come in?
PATRICIA: Yes, yes. I’ll leave you alone. Excuse me. -PATRICIA LEAVES THE ROOM-
IGNACIO: I’m very happy to see you.
VICTORIA: I found out you were home and I decided to see you.
IGNACIO: I’m glad you came.
FLORIA: I said the same thing, but the one who went crazy, was Cecilia.
VICTORIA: To be honest, she gets a little nervous with my presence in this house.
FLORIA: Well, I assume you two have a lot to talk about. I’ll prepare some tea.
VICTORIA: Thank you. –FLORIA LEAVES-
IGNACIO: You don’t know how much I thought of you.
VICTORIA: I did too.
IGNACIO: I’m going through some bad times, at the moment.
VICTORIA: I know. That’s why I’m here, Ignacio. I’m going to help you.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IN THE KITCHEN, GUNTHER IS VERY UPSET THAT HIS DOGS HAVE DISAPPEARED. HE’S PACING THE FLOOR AND TALKING TO ANTONIO, ROSA, LISA AND MAGDA-

GUNTHER: I can’t believe this!
MAGDA: We haven’t seen them anywhere! With everything we have to do around here, do you think we’re going to have time to deal with your dogs?
GUNTHER: Someone did this! Someone who hates Gunther!
LISA: No, Gunther, no one hates you! Right?
GUNTHER: Enough! I know nobody likes Gunther, but it doesn’t matter. You’re still going to help me look for my dogs!
ANTONIO: Just what we needed! Looking for dogs!
GUNTHER: No excuses! Help me look for my dogs! Right away!

GUNTHER LEAVES THE KITCHEN. LISA LAUGHS-

ANTONIO: This man has a problem! A serious one!
LISA: Chapa believes he’s an alien. Someone who came from another planet.
MAGDA: Well, if he is, I’m sure they threw him out, because a man like him, is unbearable in any planet!
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-PEDRO IS LOADING HAY ONTO A TRUCK. ANA LAURA ARRIVES AT THE STABLE WHERE PEDRO IS WORKING. HE’S STILL VERY ANGRY WITH HER BECAUSE HE BELIEVES SHE’S THE ONE WHO TOLD MARIANO HE WAS LIVING IN MARISOL’S HOUSE-

PEDRO: Did you follow me?
ANA LAURA: No, what a question!
PEDRO: Then, what are you doing here?
ANA LAURA: I could ask you the same thing! This is my place!
PEDRO: Well, I’ sorry! I didn’t know! (HE ROLLS HIS EYES)
ANA LAURA: Well, now you do! Every time I’m feeling bad, I come to this place.
PEDRO: And why are you feeling bad?
ANA LAURA: What do you care, why I’m feeling bad?

-PEDRO, WHO HAS BEEN HOLDING ON TO A BALE OF HAY, SHOWS CONCERN WHEN ANA LAURA MENTIONS SHE’S FEELING BAD. WHEN SHE ANSWERS HIM IN THIS MANNER, HE WALKS AROUND HER AND CONTINUES LOADING THE TRUCK. ANA LAURA THEN FOLLOWS HIM AROUND WHILE HE WORKS-

ANA LAURA; You must think I’m a traitor!
PEDRO: It doesn’t matter what I think!
ANA LAURA: I care what you think, and I care what Marisol thinks! You don’t believe me?
PEDRO: No. Besides, people say one thing, but do something completely different.
ANA LAURA: That’s not the case here! I swear I absolutely didn’t tell Mariano anything!
PEDRO: All right! Perfect! I understand!
ANA LAURA: You understand, but you are not convinced, right? Well then, why should I be convinced that there’s nothing going on between you and Marisol?

-PEDRO STOPS WALKING AND ANA LAURA STANDS VERY CLOSE TO HIS FACE-

PEDRO: And, so, what if there is something going on? What about it?
ANA LAURA: So, there is something going on!
PEDRO: What about you and Mariano?
ANA LAURA: I asked you first!
PEDRO: I asked you second! I don’t intend to answer you!
ANA LAURA: I won’t either!
PEDRO: There’s no need!
ANA LAURA: Because you don’t care!
PEDRO: It’s not that I don’t care! But you and I never agree on anything!
ANA LAURA: That is so true! So true! We never agree! But do you know something, so that it’ll go in that big head of yours, I’m going to tell you! There is nothing going on between Mariano and myself! Do you get it?
PEDRO: Yes! I got it! And I’m very happy for you! Very happy!

-HE COMES VERY, VERY CLOSE TO HER FACE AND IT LOOKS LIKE HE’S ABOUT TO KISS HER, BUT INSTEAD, HE WALKS ANGRILY AWAY, AND LEAVES ANA LAURA STANDING THERE, LOOKING CONFUSED-