Provócame

Episode 4

-PEDRO’S ROOM. HE’S ASLEEP IN HIS BED. HE’S BARED-CHESTED AND HIS BANDAGES ARE VISIBLE. ANA LAURA COMES IN. SHE’S LIMPING SLIGHTLY. SHE HURT HER ANKLE, AFTER HAVING JUMPED FROM HER BEDROOM WINDOW, ESCAPING FROM MARIANO’S SCRUTINY, IN ORDER TO COME AND SEE PEDRO. SHE SITS ON THE BED NEXT TO HIM. SHE WATCHES HIM. HE LOOKS VERY PEACEFUL IN HIS SLEEP. HE’S LYING IN BED WITH HIS LEFT ARM RESTING ON THE PILLOW. SHE REACHES OUT WITH HER LEFT HAND AND SOFTLY CARESSES HIS CHEEK. SHE CAN’T RESIST THE IMPULSE TO COME NEAR HIM, AND SO SHE BRINGS HER FACE CLOSE TO HIS. SHE TOUCHES HER NOSE TO HIS FACE, AND IS ABOUT TO KISS HIM SOFTLY ON THE LIPS, WHEN HE OPENS HIS EYES. SHE IMMEDIATELY BECOMES EMBARRASSED AND MOVES AWAY FROM HIS FACE-

ANA LAURA; I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to wake you up.
PEDRO: It’s all right. Continue with what you were doing.
ANA LAURA: No! No. How are you?
PEDRO: I’m fine, fine. How are you?
ANA LAURA: I’m fine.

PEDRO RAISES HIMSELF UP ON THE BED, AND GIVES ANA LAURA A REPROACHING LOOK. HE FEELS HURT THAT SHE DIDN’T COME AND SEE HIM SOON AFTER HE WAS SHOT. HE CAN’T HELP SOUNDING SARCASTIC WHEN TALKING TO HER-

PEDRO: You’re looking well!

ANA LAURA WASN’T EXPECTING THIS REACTION FROM HIM-

ANA LAURA: Please, no irony! I come in good faith.
PEDRO: After not hearing from you for an entire day!
ANA LAURA: But you don’t know everything that happened to me before coming over! It hasn’t been an easy day for me! I hurt my foot! I fell!
PEDRO: You could have sent a message, or something! I could have died, and you weren’t even aware of it!
ANA LAURA: Don’t you understand what I’m saying? It wasn’t an easy day for me! Oh, I’m so stupid!

-ANA LAURA FEELS DISCOURAGED BY HIS TREATMENT OF HER. SHE TRIES TO GET UP FROM THE BED AND LEAVE, BUT PEDRO GRABS HER ARM AND KEEPS HER DOWN ON THE BED-

PEDRO: Where are you going? Do you see, how you don’t care!
ANA LAURA: That’s not true! If I came it’s for a reason!
PEDRO: Then, tell me what it is!
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-VICTORIA AND MARIANO ARE TALKING IN HER LIVING ROOM-

VICTORIA: It doesn’t make sense to talk about the past!
MARIANO: Of course it makes sense, señora! I need to know what happened!
VICTORIA: Let’s not talk about something so trivial when we have business to discuss!
MARIANO: This is not trivial!
VICTORIA: If we want the tournament to be given to us, concentrate on that! We need to get started right away, querido!
MARIANO: Yes, yes. You’re right. I’m sorry. I just wanted…..never mind! I think Marisol would be a great assistant; what do you think?
VICTORIA: I think that’s a great idea! And I think Pedro will be great as Chocolate’s trainer!
MARIANO: That’s impossible! I already told you I want Pedro out of all this!
VICTORIA: Absolutely not!
MARIANO: Señora, this is how I feel, and I’m not backing down!
VICTORIA: What do we do, then? Do we end our partnership here and now?
MARIANO: No, but who is to train Chocolate, will be my decision!

-VICTORIA GIVES MARIANO A CHALLANGING LOOK AND SMILES, BUT DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING
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-ANA LAURA: I came because….because you are important to me.

-MARISOL IS IN THE HALLWAY AND IS LISTENING TO WHAT ANA LAURA IS SAYING TO PEDRO-

-ANA LAURA: Because….since I met you, I can’t get you out of my mind. Because, as the days go by and I get to know you better, I care about you more and more. I care about you more than I care about anybody else! Is that what you wanted to hear?

-PEDRO IS VISIBLY MOVED BY HER WORDS AND LOVINGLY CARESSES HER FACE WHILE SHE TALKS. SHE SMILES SHYLY AND SEEMS OVERCOME WITH EMOTION. HE SMILES, REACHES OUT AND BRINGS HER CLOSER TO HIM AND TENDERLY EMBRACES HER. ANA LAURA CLOSES HER EYES AND, VISIBLY SHAKEN BY HER CONFESSION, ABANDONS HERSELF IN PEDRO’S ARMS. MARISOL, STILL IN THE HALLWAY, SEEMS SADDENED BY THE SCENE SHE JUST WITNESSED-
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-ERICA AND FRANCISCO ARE IN THE KITCHEN-

ERICA: Things are not like before. This house now belongs to the Linares.
FRANCISCO: Why should I care about that? I don’t work here!
ERICA: Well, then, think about the people who do work here, because all you do, is bother them!
FRANCISCO: And all you do is follow me!
ERICA: What’s the matter with you?
FRANCISCO: What’s the matter with me? You haven’t stopped following me since you saw me with Lisa. What’s wrong, are you jealous?
ERICA: Jealous? Please!
FRANCISCO: Yes, jealous! It’s clear that you feel the way I do!
ERICA: Don’t come near me!
FRANCISCO: Don’t complicate things anymore!
ERICA: No! You already have enough complications on your own!
FRANCISCO: Really?
ERICA: Yes! One of the guests at the wedding called looking for her brooch!
FRANCISCO: What brooch?
ERICA: The one you stole the day of the wedding, Francisco!
FRANCISCO: Me?
ERICA: Yes, you! And if you don’t return it, I’m going be forced to accuse you! Consider yourself warned! You know what you have to do!

-ERICA ANGRILY WALKS OUT OF THE KITCHEN-
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-MARISOL IS EXTEMELY UPSET AND RUNS AWAY AFTER LISTENING TO THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN PEDRO AND ANA LAURA-

PEDRO: You don’t know how good I feel every time I see you. I like you very much, Ana!

-PEDRO HUGS ANA LAURA ONCE AGAIN-

ANA LAURA: Be careful! Be careful with your wound! Be careful!
PEDRO: I’m fine. Come…

-HE MAKES AN EFFORT TO GET OUT OF BED, AND ACCIDENTLY TOUCHES ANA LAURA’S SPRAINED LEG. ANA LAURA WINCES IN PAIN AND HE BECOMES CONCERNED-

PEDRO: What’s the matter?
ANA LAURA: My leg hurts! I sprained it!
PEDRO: Does it really hurt?
ANA LAURA: Yes, it’s my ankle!

-SUDDENLY, PEDRO AND ANA LAURA HEAR TOTI SINGING AND APPROACHING THE ROOM-

ANA LAURA: Toti’s coming!
PEDRO: Yes, it’s Toti!
ANA LAURA: No, he can’t see me here!
PEDRO: You must hide!

-PEDRO GETS UP FROM THE BED AND QUICKLY DIRECTS ANA LAURA TOWARDS TOTI’S BED. ANA LAURA IS SERIOUSLY LIMPING NOW. PEDRO RAISES THE BED AND INSTRUCTS ANA LAURA TO HIDE UNDER IT. ANA LAURA SLIDES UNDER THE BED JUST IN TIME. TOTI COMES IN THE ROOM, SINGING-

TOTI: Brother, how are you feeling?
PEDRO: Fine.
TOTI: What are you doing?
PEDRO: I’m doing a little exercise.
TOTI: Good, good. Excuse me, my feet hurt! It must be gout that’s giving me problems. I’m going to lie down for a little while.

-TO PEDRO AND ANA LAURA’S CONSTERNATION, TOTI LIES DOWN FLAT ON THE BED ANA LAURA IS HIDING UNDER-
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-CECILIA IS IN HER BEDROOM. SHE’S GOING THROUGH THE LETTERS SHE TOOK FROM THE ATTIC. THOSE LETTERS WERE ADDRESSED TO LEONORA, ANA LAURA’S LATE MOTHER, AND WERE WRITTEN BY VICTORIA, AFTER SHE LEFT THE ESTANCIA MANY YEARS AGO. THE FIRST LETTER CECILIA READS, DEALS WITH ISSUES CONCERNING THE HARVEST FOR THAT YEAR. THAT IS NOT WHAT CECILIA IS LOOKING FOR, SO SHE MOVES ON TO THE NEXT LETTER. THIS SECOND LETTER MENTIONS ALVARO’S NAME, BUT CECILIA IS PREVENTED FROM READING FURTHER, BECAUSE MAGDA UNEXPECTEDLY WALKS IN THE ROOM. CECILIA HAS ONLY ENOUGH TIME TO HIDE THE LETTERS UNDER THE BED-

MAGDA: Excuse me, señora, forgive me….
CECILIA: But, where are your manners! I’ve told you a thousand time this is not the way to enter a room!
MAGDA: This is an emergency, señora!
CECILIA: What’s the emergency?
MAGDA: Rosa sent me. She says the only wine available, doesn’t go with the sauce.
CECILIA: That again!
MAGDA: She says the wine doesn’t taste quite right, and she’d like your opinion, because she doesn’t want to be responsible if things go wrong.
CECILIA: Is it possible that you can’t do anything on your own?

-CECILIA WALKS ANGRILY OUT OF THE ROOM. MAGDA WALKS OUT AFTER HER, BUT SHE DOESN’T FAIL TO NOTICE THE LETTERS CECILIA HID UNDER THE BED-
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-PEDRO’S ROOM. CHAPA COMES LOOKING FOR TOTI. TOTI BY THIS TIME, IS SITTING UP ON THE BED AND IS TRYING TO ENTERTAIN PEDRO BY SHOWING HIM SOME CARD TRICKS. PEDRO IS STILL STANDING NEXT TO THE BED, WAITING FOR TOTI TO LEAVE, SO HE’S RELIEVED TO SEE CHAPA COMING FOR TOTI-

CHAPA: Toti! Could you please come and help me unload the truck, querido, please?
TOTI: No, later, because I’m teaching Pedro a few tricks.
CHAPA: You can show him tricks, or anything you like, later on. Right now, come with me, come on, come on!

-TOTI GETS UP FROM THE BED AND IN SAYING GOODBYE TO PEDRO, HE CARELESSLY TAPS PEDRO ON THE WOUND. PEDRO SCREAMS IN PAIN. TOTI NOTICES AND FEELS BAD, BUT JUST WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM. AS SOON AS CHAPA AND TOTI ARE OUT OF THE WAY, PEDRO BENDS DOWN AND LIFTS THE BED TO FREE ANA LAURA-

PEDRO: You can come out now!
ANA LAURA: It’s your fault, that I always find myself in trouble!
PEDRO: My fault?

-PEDRO IS IN PAIN. SO IS ANA LAURA, WHO’S HAVING TROUBLE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE BED, DUE TO HER PAINFUL ANKLE. SHE ASKS PEDRO TO HELP HER UP-

ANA LAURA: Can you help me up, please?

-IN TRYING TO HELP HER, PEDRO INADVERTENTLY TOUCHES HER BUTTOCK. ANA LAURA BECOMES ENRAGED, THINKKING HE DID IT INTENTIONALLY-

ANA LAURA: My leg, my leg! What are you doing? What are you doing?
PEDRO: What to you mean, what am I doing? I’m helping you up! Didn’t you ask for my help?
ANA LAURA: Do not take advantage!
PEDRO: I…I’m not taking advantage of anything!
ANA LAURA: Don’t make that stupid face as if you don’t know what I’m talking about!

-PEDRO IS ANGRY NOW, THAT SHE’S ACUSING HIM OF GRABBING HER-

PEDRO: You get crazier a little more each day! My God, how do I get myself into these situations?
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-MARISOL IS IN A VERY IRRITABLE MOOD. SHE’S TRYING TO COMB JULIETA’S HAIR BUT CAN’T CONCENTRATE ON THE TASK. SHE KEEPS ON PULLING JULIETA’S HAIR. JULIETA SENSES SOMETHING IS BOTHERING HER MOTHER-

JULIETA: Mom, what’s the matter with you?
MARISOL: Nothing!
JULIETA: I don’t want to wear the green band on my hair. I said I wanted the red one, mom!

-MARISOL THROWS THE HAIR BANDS ON THE TABLE-

MARISOL: Julieta, I’m tired of this! Don’t wear any if you don’t want! Leave your hair the way it is!
JULIETA: You’re sad because you had an argument with Pedro, right?
MARISOL: No, I didn’t fight with anyone! I’m not sad!

-THERE’S A KNOCK ON THE DOOR-

JULIETA: There he is!

-JULIETA GOES TO ANSWER THE DOOR. IT’S MARIANO-

MARIANO: Hello, is your mother home?
MARISOL: What are you doing here?
MARIANO: I want to talk to you. It’s regarding the job.

-MARISOL SENDS JULIETA OUT OF THE ROOM-

MARISOL: My love, go comb your hair inside.
JULIETA: Why can’t I stay and listen?
MARISOL: Inside!

-JULIETA LEAVES-

MARIANO: Are you ready to begin?
MARISOL: I’m ready.
MARIANO: Good, you’ll like it.
MARISOL: I’m doing this out of necessity.
MARIANO: Yes. I need you.

-MARISOL AVERTS HER EYES AND DOESN’T ANSWER HIM-

MARIANO: Pedro?
MARISOL: He’s not here.
MARIANO: Yes, I see that. I meant if you know where he is.
MARISOL: I assume he’s home. If you need him, I’m sure you’ll find him there.
MARIANO: What happened? Problems in paradise?

-MARISOL GETS ANGRY AND IS ABOUT TO SAY SOMETHING BUT MARIANO STOPS HER-

MARIANO: No, no! It’s all right! I’ll be waiting for you tomorrow.

-MARIANO WALKS OUT, LEAVING MARISOL ANGRY-
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ANA LAURA: Wait a second. Did you or didn’t you touch me?
PEDRO: Well, I didn’t notice!
ANA LAURA: No, don’t tell me you didn’t notice because that makes me even angrier!
PEDRO: I’m telling you the truth!
ANA LAURA: The truth is that I came to see you, and you can’t just take advantage and try to do whatever you want to me.

-PEDRO LOOKS SERIOUSLY INTO ANA LAURA’S EYES AND ANSWERS HER-

PEDRO: I would never do something like that!
ANA LAURA: Come on! I swear, I regret coming over!
PEDRO: This is really incredible!

-ANA LAURA IS ANGRILY TALKING TO PEDRO AND WALKING TOWARDS THE DOOR AT THE SAME TIME. SHE THEN OPENS THE DOOR AND FINISHES HER STATEMENT

ANA LAURA: No, what’s incredible is that you think I’m crazy, but open up your big ears, my love, and listen to me, because I’m going to tell you something very important! I, and only I, decide who touches me!

-SHE TURNS AROUND AND COMES FACE TO FACE WITH MARIANO. SHE LOOKS AT PEDRO, WHO SEEMS AS SURPRISED AS SHE IS, TO SEE MARIANO AT THE DOOR-

ANA LAURA: I came to thank Pedro for everything he did for you! He saved your life!

-MARIANO SMILES SARCASTICALLY AND ADDRESSES PEDRO-

MARIANO: This is what I like most about my wife, her gratitude!
ANA LAURA: If not for him….
MARIANO: If not for him, everything that happened, wouldn’t have happened! But well, what a happy coincidence, we finally agree on something! I also came over to thank Pedro for everything he did for me, and to apologize for my outburst!
PEDRO: I accept your apology.
MARIANO: Are you feeling better?
PEDRO: Yes, much better. I think I’ll be able to go back to work tomorrow.
MARIANO: I’m glad. I’m very glad. Well, my love, shall we go? Pedro needs to rest.
ANA LAURA: Yes, let’s go. Eh, again, thank you! Thank you for what you did!

-PEDRO LOOKS AT ANA LAURA AND NODS, BUT DOESN’T SAY A WORD-
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-CHAPA, PEDRO AND TOTI ARE SITTING AT THE KITCHEN TABLE OF THE STAFF HOUSE. TOTI IS UPSET THAT FRANCISCO IS AFTER LISA-

TOTI: If Francisco gave her jewelry, I know what I have to do! I’m going to give her something better! Just wait and see!
PEDRO: Toti! Toti! Toti!
CHAPA: You’re going to give her jewelry? That’s not going to work, you fool!

-CHAPA LAUGHS AND MAKES FUN OF TOTI, TOTI DOESN’T WANT TO LISTEN TO WHAT CHAPA HAS TO SAY, SO HE COVERS HIS EARS AND STARTS WHISTLING AND MAKING NOISE. PEDRO IS TRYING TO TALK TO HIM, BUT HE’S HAVING A HARD TIME BEING HEARD-

PEDRO: Toti! Toti! Toti! He’s right! A girl ought to like you for who you are, not for what you have! You can’t be buying her gifts all the time!
CHAPA: How do you think he’ll be buying her gifts? This guy doesn’t have a cent!
TOTI: Don’t get involved in my business! What do you know? Stay out of it!
PEDRO: Toti! He just wants to help you!
TOTI: Yes, but every time he tries to help me, he insults me! Leave me alone! I don’t need advice from anyone!
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-ANA LAURA IS IN BED. SHE HAS TAKEN A SEDATIVE TO BE ABLE TO SLEEP. MARIANO WALKS IN. HE STANDS BY THE BED AND WATCHES HER SLEEP. HE CALLS OUT HER NAME BUT IN A WHISPER, MAKING SURE SHE’S ASLEEP-

MARIANO: Ana! Anita!

-MARIANO THEN TAKES OFF HIS ROBE. HE PICKS UP THE COVERS, AND GETS IN BED NEXT TO HER. TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE FACT THAT ANA LAURA IS OUT FOR THE NIGHT, HE LIES NEXT TO HER, WRAPS HIS ARMS AROUND HER AND BEGINS CARESSING AND KISSING HER SHOULDERS AND HER NECK. ANA LAURA IS SOUND ASLEEP-
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-PEDRO AND JULIETA ARE IN THE STABLE WITH CHOCOLATE. PEDRO IS FEEDING HIM APPLES.

JULIETA: He loves them!
PEDRO: Yes, they’re like candy for him! He’s like a child when it comes to eating apples!
JULIETA: Do you have any more?
PEDRO: No, but it’s not good for him to eat so much!
JULIETA: Can I ride him for a little while?
PEDRO: No, it’s late, and besides, he needs to rest, he’s had some very difficult days, lately.

-PEDRO AND JULIETA TAKE A FEW STEPS AND SIT DOWN ON SOME HAYSTACKS. TOTI JOINS THEM. HE’S VERY EXCITED ABOUT SOMETHING-

TOTI: I’ll show him!

-TOTI SHOWS PEDRO AND JULIETA A SMALL JEWELRY SACK-

PEDRO: Is that the gift?

-TOTI NODS AND PEDRO LAUGHS AND PATS HIM ON THE LEG, CONGRATULATING HIM-

JULIETA: Who is it for?
TOTI: It’s for Lisa, who else?
JULIETA: May I see it?

JULIETA IS CURIOUS AND GRABS THE SMALL BAG FROM TOTI. TOTI SEEMS ANXIOUS THAT JULIETA IS HOLDING THE BAG, BUT ALLOWS HER TO OPEN IT-

TOTI: It’s not much,, but it’s the thought that counts!
PEDRO: Absolutely! It’s the thought that counts!

-JULIETA TAKES A SMALL PENDANT OUT OF THE BAG AND ADMIRES IT-

JULIETA: It’s beautiful!
TOTI: Do you think she’ll like it?

-JULIETA RETURNS THE PENDANT BACK TO THE SMALL BAG-

JULIETA: Of course she’ll like it! I wish someone would give me a gift like this!

-TOTI PATS JULIETA ON THE HEAD AND LAUGHS-

PEDRO: Do you want gifts like this? One day, you’ll receive gifts like this! Many more than you can imagine!
JULIETA: I would settle for a lot less!

-SHE GIVES TOTI BACK, THE SMALL BAG WITH THE PENDANT-

TOTI: Now, I need to figure out how to give this to her. I’m a little shy. Well, courage, my friend! This gentleman now retires for the night!

-TOTI IS TALKING AND TAKES A FEW STEPS BACK, AND DOESN’T NOTICE THE HAYSTACK BEHIND HIM. PEDRO TRIES TO WARN HIM, BUT TOTI CONTINUES TALKING EXCITEDLY, AND HE TRIPS OVER THE HAYSTACK AND FALLS TO THE GROUND-

PEDRO: Toti! Are you all right?
TOTI: Yes, I’m fine!

-TOTI WALKS AWAY AND PEDRO AND JULIETA REMAIN BEHIND, LAUGHING-
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-NEXT MORNING. THE MAIN HOUSE. MARISOL IS IN THE HALLWAY. SHE’S CARRYING SOME PAPERS AND IS ABOUT TO WALK INTO THE LIBRARY, WHEN SHE HEARS MARIANO TALKING TO ANA LAURA-

MARIANO: Thank you for making me so very happy!
ANA LAURA: What are you trying to say?
MARIANO: Yesterday, you allowed me to have the best night of my life!

-MARISOL CONTINUES TO LISTEN IN THE HALLWAY. MARIANO HAD BEEN SITTING AT THE DESK. HE STANDS AND FACES ANA LAURA, WHO’S STANDING ACROSS FROM HIM-

ANA LAURA: What are you talking about?
MARIANO: We spent the night together!
ANA LAURA: Are you telling me you went in my bed, taking advantage that I was sleeping?

-MARIANO WALKS AROUND THE DESK AND IS NOW STANDING IN FRONT OF ANA LAURA-

MARIANO: Yes, yes, yes! And I felt you were mine! What’s wrong with that?

-ANA LAURA IS OUTRAGED-

ANA LAURA: I already told you I’m not yours!
MARIANO: Well, for a little while, I felt you were mine!

-MARIANO TRIES TO PUT HIS HAND ON ANA LAURA’S SHOULDER-

ANA LAURA: Don’t touch me! You disgust me!

-ANA LAURA LEAVES THE ROOM-

-MARIANO, TALKING TO HIMSELF-

MARIANO: You’ll get tired of fighting me! I can wait!
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-PEDRO AND FLORIA ARE SITTING ON A BENCH, TALKING-

PEDRO: Ana Laura is….how can I put it….a little….
FLORIA: Yes, stubborn, obstinate, capricious, difficult!
PEDRO: A little of all those!
FLORIA: She was much worse before! Fortunately, she has a better disposition. She’s enthusiastic about things!
PEDRO: She has a better disposition?
FLORIA: Well, I must confess something to you. My granddaughter has suffered greatly. And when she needs people the most, she becomes more hostile.
PEDRO: You really believe that?
FLORIA: And I’ll tell you something else, at this moment, you are the only one who can save her from this nightmare she’s living!
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-MARISOL AND ROSA ARE IN THE KITCHEN TALKING-

ROSA: I feel sorry for what Ana Laura is going through. Poor girl! She’s so sweet and innocent!

-MARISOL, STILL RESENTFUL ABOUT THE TENDER SCENE SHE WITNESSED BETWEEN PEDRO AND ANA LAURA, IS NOW FEELING A LITTLE LESS GENEROUS TOWARDS ANA LAURA, ESPECIALLY AFTER HEARING THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN HER AND MARIANO-

MARISOL: Innocent! A lot of times people are not what they represent!
ROSA: Why do you say that?

-MARISOL LOOKS AROUND AND IS CAREFUL THAT NO ONE ELSE IS LISTENING-

MARISOL: Last night, I heard her tell Pedro how much she cared for him!
ROSA: Pedro?
MARISOL: Yes! Pedro! And then she goes and spends the night with the husband! Isn’t that a little strange?
ROSA: And how do you know all this?
MARISOL: Well, because I heard it!

-ROSA HAS A QUESTIONING LOOK ON HER FACE. SHE DOESN’T WANT TO BELIEVE WHAT MARISOL IS TELLING HER-

,MARISOL: Yes! They slept together! They were together!
ROSA: No, Marisol!
MARISOL: Yes! Well, after all, they’re husband and wife, let them do what they want!
ROSA: No! It can’t be true! Ana Laura can’t stand Mariano!
MARISOL: Well, maybe she sacrificed herself to save her father!
ROSA: Do you really think she would do something like that?
MARISOL: I don’t know. I wouldn’t have thought that before, but….. now, even if we don’t agree, things have changed, and Ana Laura is capable of anything!
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-ANA LAURA IS WITH IGNACIO AND PATRICIA IN THEIR BEDROOM. ANA LAURA IS ADDRESSING PATRICIA-

ANA LAURA: You don’t understand how serious this is. This is not a whim.
PATRICIA: He can do whatever he likes.
IGNACIO: Anita, to certain point, Patricia is right.
ANA LAURA: I’m sorry, dad, but this is not a question of being right! It’s very clear what the intentions of the Linares are! You’re in danger, dad!
PATRICIA: I have no evidence of that! Besides, to escape in that way! My God, how humiliating!
ANA LAURA: That’s the only thing you care about, isn’t it? I honestly don’t understand you! You’re clearly not in your right mind!
PATRICIA: Be careful how you talk to me!
IGNACIO: Please, girls! Ana, don’t argue!
ANA LAURA: Dad, what are you saying? This woman makes me sick! After all you’ve done for her and her son!
PATRICIA: I knew it! I knew one day you were going to throw that in my face! See, Ignacio! There, she said it! You’re unforgivable!
ANA LAURA: And you’re unfeeling!
PATRICIA: I’m unfeeling?
ANA LAURA: Yes, because if you really cared for my father, just a little, you’d realize he really needs your help! Stand by his side, right now!
PATRICIA: Ignacio, I really don’t have to put up with this type of situations! Excuse me!

-PATRICIA WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM AND LEAVES IGNACIO AND ANA LAURA IN SILENCE-
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-FRANCISCO IS IN THE ROOM SHARED BY PEDRO, TOTI AND CHAPA. HE’S SITTING ON TOTI’S BED AND IS GOING THROUGH A NIGHTSTAND CONTAINING TOTI’S BELONGINGS. HE OPENS A DRAWER AND COMES ACROSS THE SMALL JEWELRY BAG HOLDING THE PENDANT TOTI HAS PURCHASE FOR LISA. FRANCISCO PULLS A BRACELET FROM HIS JEANS POCKET, AND PUTS IT IN THE SMALL JEWELRY BAG. HE REPLACES THE BAG IN THE DRAWER-

FRANCISCO: Perfect! This idiot never knows what’s going on around him!

-HE LEAVES THE ROOM-
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-IN THE STABLES, PEDRO IS BRUSHING DOWN CHOCOLATE. CHAPA IS IN THE NEXT STALL, DOING THE SAME THING WITH LUNITA. ANTONIO COMES OVER AND TALKS TO PEDRO-

ANTONIO: Pedro, take it easy, that horse already shines so much, he’s going to catch on fire!
PEDRO: He likes it this way, Antonio, it’s not a problem.
ANTONIO: Well, if you say so.

-PEDRO CONTINUES BRUSHING CHOCOLATE AND ANTONIO MOVES DOWN TO TALK TO CHAPA. PEDRO CAN’T HELP LISTENING TO WHAT ANTONIO IS SAYING TO CHAPA-

ANTONIO: Chapa, I guess what Marisol told Rosita is true!
CHAPA: What did she say?
ANTONIO: That Anita gave in to Mariano.
CHAPA: Well, they’re married! It had to happen sooner or later!

-WHEN PEDRO HEARS ANTONIO SAY THIS, HE MOMENTARILY STOPS BRUSHING CHOCOLATE. HE THEN CONTINUES, BUT HE LOOKS ABSOLUTELY STUNNED-

ANTONIO: Well, then, let’s hope Mariano’s moods improve. Love always changes people.
CHAPA: Yes.

-ANTONIO LEAVES, AND CHAPA COMES OVER TO TALK TO PEDRO. CHAPA NOTICED PEDRO’S REACTION-

CHAPA: Pedro, what’s wrong with you? It looks like the news affected you like a pail of cold water!
PEDRO: No, no! .I just didn’t think they got along so well!
CHAPA: Sometimes things are not what they appear to be.
PEDRO: That’s true. To each his own!
CHAPA: Humm! Ana Laura had a direct impact on you, right here!

-CHAPA POINTS TO HIS OWN HEART-

PEDRO: No, not at all! It’s just the she confuses me.
CHAPA: She confuses you! Well, try to come out of that confusion immediately, because if you want to remain in this place, I don’t think is a good idea that you try to steal the boss’ wife!
PEDRO: Chapa, there are some things that cannot be decide with the mind.
CHAPA: Yes, that’s all good, but, just an advice; if you don’t want to lose your job, look the other way. I know what I’m talking about!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PATRICIA IS SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM. GUNTHER IS KNEELING IN FRONT OF HER, BEGGING FOR FORGIVENESS-

PATRICIA: I gave you all my trust, and you didn’t appreciate it!
GUNTHER: Tell me what you want me to do! Anything, I’ll do it!
PATRICIA: Well, if you could take care of…no! You won’t be able to do it!
GUNTHER: If you can think it, imagine it, Gunther can do it!
PATRICIA: All right, I’d be very grateful to you if you could find out what is really happening between Mariano and Ana Laura.
GUNTHER: And…why is that information useful?
PATRICIA: That’s not your business! Can you do this?

-GUNTHER STANDS UP. HE’S A LITTLE CONFUSED-

GUNTHER: Well, Gunther’s duty….
PATRICIA: Gunther’s duty is to obey orders without giving his opinion! Do you want to be thrown out of this house?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IGNACIO IS PACKING SOME OF HIS BELONGINGS. HE’S GETTING READY TO ESCAPE FROM THE LINARES’ THREATS OF SENDING HIM TO PRISON. ANA LAURA AND ERICA ARE IN THE ROOM WITH HIM. ERICA IS EXTEMELY UPSET-

ERICA: I don’t understand how Patricia is letting you leave by yourself, dad!
IGNACIO: That’s not important, right now.

-FLORIA WALKS IN THE ROOM-

FLORIA: What’s happening? Where are you going?
ANA LAURA: Dad is going away, he’s in danger, grandmother.
FLORIA: You leave, like a delinquent!
IGNACIO: I have no altenative, mother.
FLORIA: The Linares are capable of anything, but this is the limit!
ANA LAURA: We have to gain time, grandmother!
IGNACIO: Take care of the little ones for me.
FLORIA: The little ones take better care of themselves than you do!
IGNACIO: Take care of the just the same!

-IGNACIO HUGS HIS MOTHER AND THEN EACH OF HIS TWO DAUGHTERS-

IGNACIO: Let’s not make a big drama out of this! I’m not going very far, I don’t have that much money!
ANA LAURA: Take mom’s jewelry!
IGNACIO: No, Ana! Those jewels belong to you!
ANA LAURA: No, dad, if you don’t have any money, take them and pawn them! We will manage somehow!
ERICA: No, Ana!
FLORIA: Erica, let you sister decide! She knows what she’s doing!
IGNACIO: I can’t do that, Ana.
ANA LAURA: They’re in my drawer. Take them! I won’t accept any arguments!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS IN THE LIBRARY, TRYING TO TEACH MARISOL HOW TO WORK THE COMPUTER. MARISOL IS HAVING A HARD TIME CONCENTRATING BECAUSE MARIANO IS STANDING OVER HER. HE’S NOT BEING VERY PATIENT AND MARISOL IS BECOMING VERY NERVOUS-

MARIANO: Press that button.
MARISOL: This one?
MARIANO: No, no, no! Pay attention, Marisol, please!
MARISOL: You told me to press that one!
MARIANO: Oh, so it’s my fault? Marisol, never contradict your boss! That’s rule number one!

-MARISOL ONLY NODS HER HEAD-

MARIANO: You’re a very intelligent girl, but a little rebellious, and I don’t like it when people try my patience, is that clear?

-MARIANO IS LEANING VERY CLOSE TO MARISOL AND IS TOUCHING A STRAND OF HER HAIR. MARISOL IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE-

MARISOL: I’m not trying anything, please, Mariano.
MARIANO: Mariano, no! Señor Mariano! That’s rule number two!
MARISOL: What’s the matter with you?
MARIANO: What happens is that if you’re going to be my personal assistant, you’re going to have to call me Señor Mariano, among many other things!

-MARIANO HAS BEEN TOUCHING MARISOL HAIR, AND HE NOW TRIES TO PUT HIS ARM AROUND HER AND CARESS HER FACE. MARISOL CANNOT STAND TO BE NEAR HIM AND SHE ANGRILY GETS UP FROM HER CHAIR AND SCREAMS AT HIM-

MARISOL: Enough, enough! Stop touching me!
MARIANO: Hey, why do you react that way? Why do you jump? It was a simple caress, there’s nothing wrong with that!
MARISOL: You are sick!

-MARISOL RUNS OUT OF THE LIBRARY-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IGNACIO ENTERS ANA LAURA'S ROOM. HE GOES STRAIGHT TO THE NIGHSTAND AND OPENS THE TOP DRAWER AND TAKES OUT THE CASE CONTAINING THE JEWELRY. HE REALIZES THE CASE FEELS A LITTLE LIGHTER THAN USUAL. HE OPENS IT AND REALIZES THE NECKLACE* IS MISSING-

IGNACIO: The necklace is missing! It’s not possible!

*NECKLACE- In the previous pages, when Francisco placed a piece of jewelry in Toti’s drawer, the piece of jewelry looked like a bracelet. Apparently, it was a necklace. That’s an oversight on my part! Sorry!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-LISA IS IN THE KITCHEN FOLDING LAUNDRY. TOTI IS STANDING NEXT TO HER. HE’S ACTING VERY SHY AND NERVOUS AND IS TRYING TO CONVINCE LISA TO ACCEPT THE SMALL GIFT HE BOUGHT FOR HER-

TOTI: I brought you a small gift!
LISA: I don’t want anything. Keep your little gift.
TOTI: Why not?
LISA: I’m not interested.
TOTI: I bought it especially for you. Please, accept it. If you don’t like it, you can give it to someone else.
LISA: I can’t do something like that!
TOTI: Then, does that mean you’re going to accept it?
LISA: Give it to me!

-TOTI IS VERY HAPPY THAT LISA IS GOING TO ACCEP THE GIFT. HE HANDS HER THE SMALL JEWELRY BAG-

LISA: May I ask you something? Don’t buy anything for me, anymore! Is that clear?
TOTI: Yes, yes.

-LISA SETS THE SMALL BAG ON TOP OF THE LAUNDRY BASKET, AND SHE WALKS OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

TOTI: Well, now, there’s nothing else to do but wait!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ALVARO GOES TO SEE VICTORIA IN BUENOS AIRES. VICTORIA IS VERY ANGRY WITH HIM-

VICTORIA: I never expected to take you away so easily, from your family obligations!
ALVARO: If it makes you happy, yes, I’m worried.
VICTORIA: You’re worried? But, why? You should be very happy with what you did! Too bad it didn’t work out as well as you expected!
ALVARO: I don’t know what you’re talking about!
VICTORIA: You know perfectly well, what I’m talking about! The one who shouldn’t find out, is Mariano!
ALVARO: I still don’t know what you’re talking about!
VICTORIA: I don’t think Mariano would be very happy if he knew what you did.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CECILIA IS TALKING TO FLORIA IN THE LIVING ROOM. MAGDA IS STANDING NEXT TO THEM-

CECILIA: I’m always aware of everything that goes on in this house! I’m pretty sure the thief is here, among us!
FLORIA: I agree with you in that, Cecilia! The thief is in this house! And you, better than anyone else, should know that!

-ANA LAURA COMES INSIDE THE HOUSE, AT THIS MOMENT. SHE’S STILL LIMPING FROM THE FALL. MAGDA WALKS UP TO HER TO HELP HER DOWN THE STEPS-

MAGDA: It’s awful! You must feel terrible!
ANA LAURA: What? Did something happen to dad?
CECILIA: Is she ever aware of anything?
FLORIA: There are two things that could be happening! Either Anita is very absentminded, or there’s someone in this house who’s very good at hiding things!
CECILIA: Your grandmother is impossible!
ANA LAURA: Excuse, is anyone going to tell me what happened?
MAGDA: You’re mother’s necklace has been stolen!
ANA LAURA: Mother’s necklace?
CECILIA: Yes, your father noticed its disappearance first. But don’t worry, little one, we’ll move heaven and earth, until it’s found!
MAGDA: First, the brooch disappeared during the party, and now this!
ANA LAURA: No, whoever took the necklace is probably now in Buenos Aires, trying to sell it!
CECILIA: No, I’m sure the person who took the necklace, is still here! We’ll see! We’ll search room by room! Peon by peon! Who ever took that necklace, will pay dearly for it! Come on, Magda!

-CECILIA AND MAGDA LEAVE THE ROOM-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-VICTORIA; It’s just a matter of talking to Mariano so he can figure out who hired those men that almost killed him!
ALVARO: Perhaps it won’t be necessary to go that far.
VICTORIA: Ah, we agree, then. We’ll leave Mariano out of all this. Very well..
ALVARO: All right. I just want to put an end to all the problems in the estancia. Since you sold that him that horse, all the problems started!
VICTORIA: Alvaro, in your house, problems have existed for a long time!
ALVARO: Why did you call me?
VICTORIA: How much is it worth to you, that I don’t tell Mariano of your brilliant idea?

-ALVARO LAUGHS-

ALVARO: Nothing! Mariano wouldn’t believe you!

-VICTORIA DOESN’T SAY A WORD, BUT GIVES ALVARO A SIGNIFICANT LOOK-

ALVARO: What do you want?
VICTORIA: I want you to prevent Ignacio from going to prison.
ALVARO: The business between Ignacio and myself, are of no concern of yours!
VICTORIA: They are very much my concern! Leave Ignacio alone! Unless, you are prepared to tell Mariano why you want me out of the way.
ALVARO: Well, since Ignacio’s problem really interests you, I can assure you, I will think about it!

-VICTORIA SMILES-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS IN HIS ROOM WITH CHAPA AND TOTI. PEDRO JUST FINISHED DRINKING MATE (TEA) AND RETURNS THE SMALL CONTAINER TO CHAPA-

PEDRO: Very good mate.
CHAPA: Thank you.
PEDRO: Well, I’ll go visit Marisol.
CHAPA: Hey! You spend a lot time with the flaquita (skinny girl)!
PEDRO: We’ve become very good friends, is that so wrong?
TOTI: No, of course not! Why should it be wrong! But be careful, because women always….

-TOTI DOESN’T HAVE TIME TO FINISH HIS STATEMENT, AND PEDRO IS PREVENTED FROM LEAVING THE ROOM, BECAUSE AT THAT MOMENT, GUNTHER WITH HIS DOGS, AND ACCOMPANIED BY MARIANO AND ROBERTO, BARGE IN THE ROOM-

GUNTHER: Everybody against the wall, and you hands behind your head!
PEDRO: Don’t you know how to knock?
GUNTHER: Ha! Don’t we know how to knock?
TOTI: No! He doesn’t know how to knock. He has no manners, this fat piñata!
MARIANO: Ana Laura’s necklace disappeared. We have to look everywhere in the house.
GUNTHER: Yes, this is a search. We have to go over everything.
PEDRO: What are you doing? Are you crazy?
MARIANO: Don’t fret, Balmaceda, Gunther is doing his job!
PEDRO: And we’re doing ours! I won’t allow you to search this place!
MARIANO: We’re going to search, brother!
PEDRO: My belongings are not part of your finca!
MARIANO: Yes, yes, perhaps! Unless, Ana Laura’s necklace is among your belongings.
PEDRO: Are you calling me a thief?
ROBERTO: Pedro, if you have nothing to hide, why the objection?
PEDRO: I don’t like abuse! That’s the objection!
GUNTHER: Herr Mariano ordered every room in the estancia be searched, every room!
PEDRO: That’s so outrageous!
MARIANO: If this is so outrageous to you, why don’t you leave?
PEDRO: I’m not leaving!
MARIANO: Yes, I know, you won’t leave until Señora Victoria orders you to do so!
PEDRO: No, I’m not leaving, because I don’t want to leave! Nothing in the world will make me leave this place!

-PEDRO AND MARIANO STARE AT EACH OTHER-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ROSA AND ANTONIO ARE IN THEIR OWN KITCHEN. THEY ARE VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS RELARED TO THE THEFT OF THE NECKLACE-

ROSA: Listen to me, I have a bad feeling about all this, viejo*!
ANTONIO: Stop worrying so much.

*VIEJO – OLD MAN - This is a term of endearment used by a wife or a husband (VIEJA) to address their respective spouse. It is sometimes, also used by a child when referring to his/her father or mother.

-FRANCISCO WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT. HE’S WEARING A HEAD SET, SO AT FIRST, HE DOESN’T HEAR WHAT ROSA SAID TO HIM-

FRANCISCO: Hello.
ROSA: Where have you been? Can you get rid of that equipment?
FRANCISCO: What’s wrong? One can’t even listen to music around here?
ROSA: Look, Francisco, with all the problems around here, you should worry about something else other than music!
FRANCISCO: What happened now?
ANTONIO: What do you mean, don’t you know? The necklace Ignacio gave Anita, has disappeared. That’s the reason your mother is so worried.
FRANCISCO: It’s not as if the necklace belonged to you!
ROSA: Francisco, do you have anything to do with the disappearance of the necklace?
FRANCISCO: Are you crazy! What’s wrong with you? What are you saying?
ANTONIO: Be careful! Don’t call her crazy! Respect your mother!
FRANCISCO: I’m tired of both of you! You’re always doubting me and getting involved in my things! Can’t you see I’ve had enough of you?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IN THE KITCHEN, CECILIA IS STANDING BY WHILE CARMEN, MAGDA AND LISA ARE SEARCHING THROUGH THE DRAWERS AND A CHINA CABINET THAT SITS AGAINST THE WALL-

MAGDA: There’s nothing here.
CARMEN: There’s nothing in the drawers either.
LISA: And I didn’t find anything in the pantry!

-MAGDA OPENS ONE OF THE DRAWERS IN THE CHINA CABINET, AND FINDS THE SMALL BAG WITH THE JEWELRY THAT TOTI GAVE LISA-

MAGDA: What is this?
LISA: No, leave that alone, that’s mine.
CECILIA: What is it?
LISA: It’s just a small gift I received.
MAGDA: What did they give you?
LISA: I don’t know, I didn’t open it, but it must be nothing valuable. What else can a peon offer me?
MAGDA: Well, if you didn’t see what it was, maybe is not something valuable, but it could be something pretty.
CECILIA: We’re going to see right now, what it is.

-CECILIA TILTS THE BAG, AND ANA LAURA’S NECKLACE FALLS IN HER HAND-

CARMEN: Where did you get this? Who gave it to you?
CECILIA: We’re listening, girl. Speak at once!

-LISA LOOKS VERY SURPRISED, BUT DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ALVARO AND MARIANO HAVE BEEN WALKING AROUND THE ESTANCIA AND ARE NOW MAKING THEIR WAY INTO THE HOUSE-

ALVARO: I’ve been thinking about Ignacio’s situation. I had time to think about it and I came to a decision..
MARIANO: I thought Ignacio’s situation was a done deal.
ALVARO: Yes, but I changed my mind and I called Molina so he could stop the process.
MARIANO: Well, now you’re trying to drive me crazy, dad.
ALVARO: Why do you say that?
MARIANO: You wanted to send Ignacio to prison in order to put pressure on Ana Laura and convince her to sign those papers, or am I wrong?
ALVARO: Yes, but Anita didn’t sign them and when a tactic does not work, one has to change it and try something else.
MARIANO: I see, you want to play good cop, bad cop, is that it?
ALVARO: Well, more or less. When things don’t turn out well, by forcing the situation, then one has to try to do things the right way.
MARIANO: Well, all right, as long as Ana signs those papers, I’m willing to try anything.

-ALVARO SMILES, PATS MARIANO ON THE SHOULDER, AND WALKS INSIDE THE HOUSE, CONVINCED THAT MARIANO IS TRULY SATISFIED WITH THE EXPLANATION HE JUST GAVE HIM. MARIANO TALKS TO HIMSELF-

MARIANO: And you don’t know how well that sits with me, dad.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-JULIETA IS PLAYING IN THE HAY, NEAR THE STABLES. TOTI IS WITH HER. GUNTHER AND ROBERTO APPEAR. GUNTHER RUNS AND GRABS TOTI-

GUNTHER: There he is! Don’t let him escape!
JULIETA: What’s you problem now, fatso!
GUNTHER: My problem is that I have the thief in my power!

-TOTI BEGINS STRUGGLING WITH GUNTHER-

TOTI: Have you gone crazy? What are you talking about!
ROBERTO: That’s enough Toti! They’re waiting for you at the house!
TOTI: Why?
JULIETA: He didn’t do anything! He’s been here playing with me!
GUNTHER: You keep quiet, or else you’ll go to jail, too!
JULIETA: To jail?
TOTI: Why am I going to jail? What did I do?
GUNTHER: You’re a thief! A thief! You’ll get what you deserve!

-PEDRO ARRIVES-

PEDRO: What’s going on?
ROBERTO: Pedro, don’t get involved, this is serious!
TOTI: Serious? Why is it serious?
PEDRO: What is he being accused of doing?
GUNTHER: Stealing jewelry!
ROBERTO: You stole the necklace, Toti! So, now you have to come with us to the house!

-GUNTHER DRAGS TOTI WITH HIM. TOTI CALLS OUT TO PEDRO WHEN WALKING AWAY WITH GUNTHER AND ROBERTO-

TOTI: Peter! Peter! Pedro! Help me!
JULIETA: Toti is not a thief. He didn’t do anything!
PEDRO: Don’t worry, my love, you’ll see how this is going to turn out fine.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL IS AT HOME. THERE’S A KNOCK ON THE DOOR-

MARISOL: This was the only place left for them to check! Come in!

-ANA LAURA WALKS IN-

ANA LAURA: Excuse me, may we talk for just a minute?
MARISOL: Yes, if you’re here about the necklace, you’re welcome to check !
ANA LAURA: No, I’m not here for that reason!

-ANA LAURA IS VERY ANGRY-

ANA LAURA: I’m here to talk about Pedro.

-MARISOL LOOKS STEADILY AT ANA LAURA-

ANA LAURA: It seems someone got a little confused, and said things that aren’t true!
MARISOL: Things that aren’t true?
ANA LAURA: Yes, unfortunately, once I added things up, I believe it was you!
MARISOL: Me?
ANA LAURA: Yes, since you now are working in the house, perhaps you listened to something and you went with the tale….
MARISOL: And you think that I come and tell Pedro some gossip! You are very wrong!
ANA LAURA: I don’t think anything! I only know that if you want to win him, you need to things differently!
MARISOL: Have you gone crazy? I don’t even know what you’re saying! What are you talking about?
ANA LAURA: You know very well what I’m talking about! Someone told Pedro that everything is fine between Mariano and myself!
MARISOL: And what’s wrong with that! After all, you’re husband and wife!
ANA LAURA: Yes, I know very well what we are! But, do you know something, I don’t want anyone getting involved in my life! And I know what I’m doing!
MARISOL: Fine, then make sure that what you do, doesn’t harm other people!
ANA LAURA: It seems that you’re very concerned about Pedro!
MARISOL: Yes, I’m very concerned! You have no right to hurt him! No right what so ever!

-THERE’S SOMEONE AT THE DOOR. IT’S ESTEBAN MOLINA-

MARISOL: Come in!
ANA LAURA: Molina! Were you looking for me?
MOLINA: No, I’m here to see Marisol. If it’s convenient, of course.

-ANA LAURA ANSWERS MOLINA BUT SHE LOOKS AT MARISOL-

ANA LAURA: Yes, I was just leaving, We have something pending.
MARISOL: Yes.

-ANA LAURA WALKS OUT-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IN THE KITCHEN, TOTI IS SITTING ON A CHAIR. GUNTHER IS PACING THE FLOOR, LECTURING HIM-

GUNTHER: Decency, discipline, delicacy!
TOTI: Delicatessen! I don’t know what that is!
GUNTHERL I didn’t say delicatessen! I said delicacy! An employee who doesn’t possess these traits, will be punished!
TOTI: What do you mean punished?
GUNTHER: Don’t you understand what I’m saying? Are you deaf, you thief!

-LISA WALKS IN CARRYING A SERVICE TRAY. WHEN SHE SEES TOTI, SHE SETS THE TRAY ON THE TABLE AND APPROACHES TOTI-

LISA: Toti, I’m sorry! I didn’t want to get you in trouble! Seriously, I was forced to talk!
TOTI: No, I didn’t do anything! Lisa, you know me! Tell him…Gunther, you know me!
GUNTHER: Gunther doesn’t know delinquent!
TOTI: I didn’t steal anything!
GUNTHER: There is proof against you! Criminal!

-ERICA WALKS IN THE KITCHEN-

ERICA: Gunther!
GUNTHER: Yes, Frau Erica. Did you need anything?
ERICA: Stop yelling! And don’t torture him! We still don’t know what really happened!
GUNTHER: What happened is this miserable man stole! Thief!
ERICA: We still don’t know anything!

-FRANCISCO ENTERS THE KITCHEN-

FRANCISCO: Hello! Hello! How is everything going?

-ERICA LOOKS AT FRANCISCO BUT DOESN’T RESPOND-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS WALKING CHOCOLATE BACK TO HIS STALL. VICTORIA IS WALKING WITH HIM-

PEDRO: What a surprise seeing you around here! Chocolate is doing much better!
VICTORIA: Chocolate is not the problem right now, but your presence in this house. Mariano is against you being here!
PEDRO: We’ll never get along!
VICTORIA: Yes, but all the hate between you two puts my business with him in jeopardy!
PEDRO: No, if you want me to, I can leave anytime you decide!
VICTORIA: No, no, to the contrary! Your presence here is essential!
PEDRO: Essential? Why? Is there something else, besides the horse?
VICTORIA: Perhaps, because there’s always something more!

-PEDRO GOES INSIDE CHOCOLATE’S STALL AND VICTORIA FOLLOWS HIM. THEY DO NOT REALIZE THAT ANA LAURA HAS JUST ARRIVED AND LISTENS TO THE LAST PART OF THEIR CONVERSATION-

VICTORIA: Do you remember the conversation we had regarding Ana Laura?
PEDRO: If this is about Ana Laura, don’t worry. Everything is fine in that respect.
VICTORIA: Everything is fine?
PEDRO: Yes, I understand perfectly how things stand with Ana Laura. If at one time, I thought I was interested in her, it was nothing more than confusion on my part.
VICTORIA: Then I can put my mind at ease?
PEDRO: Yes, absolutely. I have no interest, what so ever, in Ana Laura.

-ANA LAURA REMAINS STILL-

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