Provócame

Episode 8

-ANA LAURA IS SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM. MARIANO IS KNEELING IN FRONT OF HER. ANA LAURA HAS THE LOOK OF SKEPTICISM AND DISDAIN SHE ALWAYS ASSUMES WHEN TALKING TO MARIANO-

MARIANO: We decided to leave your father alone.
ANA LAURA: Seriously?
MARIANO: Yes. It was a difficult decision to make, but I thought about us, and then I spoke to my father…
ANA LAURA: And what did he say?
MARIANO: Well, it took me a while to convince him, but he finally agreed. We’re giving Ignacio a reprieve.
ANA LAURA: Isn’t that nice! That really is good news. What I don’t understand, is what made you change your mind.
MARIANO: Us. Honestly, I’m doing this in order to save our relationship.
ANA LAURA: Is that so?
MARIANO: Yes.
ANA LAURA: I believe that’s impossible.
MARIANO: Please, please! Don’t say that! I had a hard time making this decision and talking to my father! I’m doing this to save our love!

-CECILIA COMES IN THE ROOM AND LISTENS TO WHAT MARIANO IS TELLING ANA LAURA-

ANA LAURA: The most important thing for me right now, is to give my father the good news, because you don’t know how relieved he will be about this.

-ANA LAURA GETS UP FROM THE SOFA AND LEAVES THE ROOM. CECILIA APPROACHES MARIANO-

CECILIA: I heard what you said, Mariano. Do you care to explain what made you change your minds?
MARIANO: I don’t really know, but if you’re so interested, go ask dad.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-VICTORIA GOES TO VISIT MARISOL. SHE HUGS MARISOL AND THEY SIT AT THE TABLE-

VICTORIA: Tell me, how was your first day of work?
MARISOL: Horrible! It won’t work!
VICTORIA: Come on, don’t be so touchy! You already know Mariano’s temper! He’s got a terrible temper, to put it mildly!
MARISOL: And I don’t have to put up with it! I’m not going back!
VICTORIA: What do you mean?
MARISOL: Yes, I already decided, I’m not going back!
VICTORIA: You can’t do that!
MARISOL: Of course I can, no one can force me!
VICTORIA: No, but I’m asking! Listen, little one, you can’t leave that job, because….well, I can’t tell you anything more, right now, but you must continue working there! Listen to me! I know what I’m saying!

-MARISOL DOESN’T RESPOND, BUT HAS A LOOK OF RESIGNATION ON HER FACE-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ALVARO IS THE BEDROOM GOING THROUGH THE DRESSER DRAWERS. CECILIA WALKS IN. SHE DOESN’T WANT HIM NEAR THE DRESSER. SHE’S AFRAID HE’LL FIND THE LETTERS SHE HAS HIDDEN IN THE DRAWER-

CECILIA: What are you mixing up in there?
ALVARO: I’m not mixing anything up, I’m looking for a handkerchief.
CECILIA: You know I don’t like disorder. Especially in my drawers.
ALVARO: Why this attitude?
CECILIA: I don’t like the fact that I’m always the last one to find out of your decisions! What is this I heard, that you’re forgiving Ignacio!
ALVARO: It’s a mere change in plans. I’ve been thinking, and I don’t think it’s very convenient that he go to prison.
CECILIA: And what is the new plan?
ALVARO: None. I want to try to keep a low profile.

-CECILIA LAUGHS SARCASTICALLY-

CECILIA: Low profile! Please, you…keeping a low profile? Just out of curiosity, are you sure Victoria is not the one dictating this change in plans?
ALVARO: Victoria has nothing to do with this! And I’m old enough to know what I can and cannot do!

-ALVARO LEAVES THE ROOM AND CECILIA GOES DIRECTLY TO THE DRAWER WHERE SHE KEEPS THE LETTERS. SHE’S RELIVED TO FIND THEM STILL THERE-

CECILIA: I have to find a better place for them!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IN THE KITCHEN, TOTI IS STILL SITTING AT THE TABLE, WAITING. GUNTHER IS STANDING IN FRONT OF HIM. MAGDA AND LISA ARE STANDING A FEW FEET AWAY. ROSA HAS PREPARED TOTI A CUP OF TEA. GUNTHER IS NOT ALLOWING ROSA TO SERVE TOTI THE TEA-

ROSA: Drink this tea, it’ll do you good!
GUNTHER: Only bread and water for this criminal!
MAGDA: Really? If this young man is entitled to only bread and water, then tonight, your dinner will be prepared by me, with a special dedication!
GUNTHER: All right, give him the tea, after all, tea is only dirty water, so Gunther has no problem with that!

-ROSA HANDS TOTI THE CUP, AND IT’S AT THIS MOMENT, THAT ANA LAURA WALKS IN THE KITCHEN. AS SOON AS THEY SEE ANA LAURA COMING IN, MAGDA AND EVERYONE ELSE, WITH EXCEPTION OF TOTI, BEGIN TALKING AT ONCE. ANA LAURA HAS TO SCREAM IN ORDER TO BE HEARD, AND SHE FINALLY MANAGES TO GET GUNTHER’S ATTENTION-

ANA LAURA: Gunther! Gunther! I’m sorry, do you have something to do in this kitchen?
GUNTHER: No, no, Frau!
ANA LAURA: Why don’t you leave, then?
GUNTHER: Yes, Frau!

-TOTI LAUGHS. GUNTHER GETS ANGRY AND TOTI, GRABS TOTI’S CAP FROM HIS HEAD, DROPS IT TO THE FLOOR, AND WALKS OUT-

ROSA: That’s what you get for meddling!
ANA LAURA: Girls, you too, please. I’d like to talk to Toti alone.
MAGDA: All right, come on, girls, let’s go!

-MAGDA, ROSA AND LISA WALK OUT. ANA LAURA APPROACHES TOTI-

ANA LAURA: What happened, Toti?
TOTI: I swear to you….
ANA LAURA: No, no! Please, you don’t have to swear to anything! I know you since we were kids, and I know you don’t lie! Do you remember when we went to the Montero’s estancia? Do you remember when we all stole some figs? Do you remember what happened when they asked who did it? You told on us!
TOTI: Yes, I’m sorry!
ANA LAURA: What’s happening?
TOTI: I will tell you! I gave Lisa a small black velvet bag with a little chain I bought for her, then….
ANA LAURA: Do you know how the necklace ended up in the bag?
TOTI: I have no idea! Do you believe me?
ANA LAURA: Yes, I believe you, go to work, and don’t let anyone tell you anything!
TOTI: Yes, Anita, I’ll pick up my hat! Well, I thank you, and if you ever, ever, need anything from me, I’ll be here for you, although I don’t know what you could ever need from me, but…
ANA LAURA: Toti, after grandmother and Erica, you’d be the one person I would go to, if I ever needed help! Believe me, okay?
TOTI: Yes. May I give you a hug?
ANA LAURA: Yes!

-ANA LAURA LAUGHS AND HUGS HIM-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS IN ANA LAURA’S ROOM, GETTING DRESSED IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR. THERE’S A KNOCK ON THE DOOR, AND PATRICIA APPEARS-

PATRICIA: May I come in?
MARIANO: You are always welcome!
PATRICIA: Are you alone?
MARIANO: Alone like a dog!
PATRICIA: I just wanted to thank you for what you did for Ignacio,
MARIANO: No, you don’t have to thank me.
PATRICIA: You surprise me with some of the things you do out of love for Ana Laura, although she doesn’t deserve them, really!
MARIANO: Excuse me?
PATRICIA: No, I’m mean, I think it’s great that you did this out of love for Ana Laura!
MARIANO: Patricia, look at me, do you really think I’m capable of doing something for love?
PATRICIA: No, not really.
MARIANO: No. Well, I can see you know me very well.
PATRICIA: Yes, we are very similar in that respect.
MARIANO: We are both ambitious, we don’t like to have limits.
PATRICIA: No, we don’t like limits!
MARIANO: Then, explain to me, what are you still doing with Ignacio?
PATRICIA: Hm! Who knows! Try to figure it out! It’s not very difficult!

-PATRICIA TRIES TO WALK AWAY, BUT MARIANO GRABS HER ARM AND PULLS HER TO HIM-

MARIANO: Come here, come here! Don’t leave yet! Come here!

-HE TOUCHES HER CHEEK AND TRIES TO KISS HER, BUT SHE STOPS HIM-

PATRICIA: This is going to have to end right now, because it could have terrible results! Now is not the right moment!
MARIANO: No?
PATRICIA: No!

-SHE CARESSES HIS CHEEK AND WALKS AWAY, LEAVING MARIANO IN THE ROOM, SMILING-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-LISA IS IN THE KITCHEN CRYING. FRANCISCO WALKS IN-

FRANCISCO: Why are you crying?
LISA: For what I did to Toti.
FRANCISCO: I can’t believe you’re crying for that idiot.
LISA: No, it’s that it affected me! I didn’t want to turn him in, like I did! Poor Toti, he’s so good to me!
FRANCISCO: Do you realize what you’re saying, who you’re crying for?

-ERICA WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT-

ERICA: I was looking for you!
LISA: Me?
ERICA: No, Francisco.
FRANCISCO: I believe you’re chasing me.
LISA: Excuse me, do you want me to leave?
ERICA: No, stay. Francisco, this is your last chance. Confess you stole the necklace, or I will accuse you, myself!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA AND MARISOL ENTER THE LIBRARY. ANA LAURA CLOSES THE DOOR BEHIND THEM. THEY ARE BOTH ANGRY AND BEGIN TO ARGUE. MARISOL STANDS WITH HER BACK TO THE DESK, AND FACES ANA LAURA-

ANA LAURA: Don’t play the innocent! It doesn’t suit you and I don’t believe you!
MARISOL: I’m not playing the innocent! If I have something to say, I say it!
ANA LAURA: Well, then, tell me! What do you have to say to me!
MARISOL: With all this you’re doing, you could do Pedro a lot of harm!
ANA LAURA: Please, don’t pretend to be Pedro’s good little friend! The only thing that bothers you is that I’m near him, because you’re dying of love for him! Isn’t that true?
MARISOL: You’re the one who’s dying for him! And with this little game you’re playing, you could really hurt him!
ANA LAURA: Be quiet! You’d do anything for me to disappear from the map, isn’t that so?
MARISOL: You don’t understand! You don’t understand anything! The last thing I want is for anyone to get hurt!
ANA LAURA: Don’t lie!

-MARIANO OPENS THE DOOR AT THIS EXACT MOMENT, AND LISTENS TO THE ARGUMENT THEY ARE SO DEEPLY INTO THE ARGUMENT THAT THEY DON’T REALIZE HE’S STANDING AT THE DOOR-

MARISOL: Do you know what I really don’t understand? If you’re so interested in Pedro, why don’t you have the nerve to admit it and take a chance?

-MARIANO WALKS IN-

MARIANO: Well! Ana, what’s the matter? Aren’t you going to answer?

-ANA LAURA AND MARISOL ARE STUNNED INTO SILENCE-

MARIANO: What are you waiting for?

-PEDRO APPEARS AT THE DOOR. MARIANO SEES HIM AND ASKS HIM TO COME IN-

MARIANO: Pedro! Pedro! Come in, please, come in! We were actually just talking about you!

-PEDRO COMES IN AND STANDS AT THE FOOT OF THE DESK. HE LOOKS FROM MARIANO, TO ANA LAURA, TO MARISOL AND WAITS EXPECTANTLY. MARIANO SEEMS TO BE ENJOYING HIMSELF IMMENSELY-

MARIANO: Come, Ana, we’re waiting for an answer!
ANA LAURA: No, no! Marisol is a little confused, that’s all!

-ANA LAURA AND MARISOL LOOK ABSOLUTELY MORTIFIED-

MARISOL: Yes, that’s possible! It’s best that we leave things as they are!
MARIANO: No, no, no! We can’t leave things this way! I think the answer might be of interest to the friend here!
PEDRO: The answer to what?
MARISOL: Don’t be ridiculous, Mariano!
MARIANO: When something is creating friction, the best thing to do is to clear the air, don’t you think?
ANA LAURA: No! Marisol is full of fantasies, and whatever she’s experiencing, she’s trying to place them on me!

-THIS COMMENT BY ANA LAURA, ANGERS MARISOL AND SHE ABANDONS HER INTENTION TO APPEASE THE TENSION-

MARISOL: No, I’m not trying to place anything on you, and I don’t have any fantasies!
PEDRO: Wait a minute!
ANA LAURA: Don’t you get involved!
PEDRO: Why not, if you’re talking about me?
MARIANO: Excuse me, excuse me! All this yelling! Ana, it’s very simple, give us an answer!

-ANA LAURA LOOKS AT PEDRO. AFTER SEEING SHE DOESN’T HAVE A WAY OUT, SHE ANSWERS-

ANA LAURA: All right! I’m going to answer! I have no interest in Pedro! There’s nothing there! Is that what you wanted to know?

-PEDRO SEEMS SURPRISED BY ANA LAURA’S COMMENT. MARIANO SMILES AND SHRUGS. ANA LAURA LOOKS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-BACK TO THE KITCHEN WITH ERICA, FRANCISCO AND LISA. ERICA IS STILL AFTER FRANCISCO TO GET HIM TO ADMIT TO THE THEFT OF THE NECKLACE-

ERICA: Are you going to confess to stealing the necklace, or am I going to have to accuse you, myself?
LISA: I did it!
ERICA: Lisa, please!
LISA: No, seriously! I didn’t mean to steal it! I saw it, and I like how it looked, I was going to try it on and then put it back, but then things got a little complicated, and I….
ERICA: I’ve never heard anything more stupid in my life! Francisco, are you going to let her take the blame? Do you love her so little, to allow her to do this?
LISA: No, Francisco didn’t know anything! He’s as surprised as you are!
FRANCISCO: Yes, very surprised!
LISA: Listen, señorita, I already confessed, so if you’d like to accuse me, you have all the right!
ERICA: I don’t understand where you want to go with all this!
LISA: Well, if you want me leave, I’ll leave!
ERICA: No, I prefer to leave things as they are.
FRANCISCO: Well, I believe you owe me an apology, don’t you think?
ERICA: You’re shameless!

-ERICA WALKS OUT OF THE KITCHEN. FRANCISCO HAPPILY RUNS TO HUG LISA-

FRANCISCO: That’s my beautiful negrita….
LISA: Let go of me! Don’t you ever touch me again, did you hear me? Never again!

-FRANCISCO WALKS ANGRILY OUT OF THE KITCHEN-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL’S HOUSE. MARISOL IS ANGRILY WHIPPING SOME EGGS. PEDRO IS STANDING NEXT TO HER, HANDING THE EGGS TO HER. MARISOL IS TELLING HIM THE DETAILS OF THE ARGUMENT SHE HAD WITH ANA LAURA-

MARISOL: I don’t know, she just went crazy! She insulted me! She called me a liar and I don’t know how many other things!
PEDRO: But, why, what happened?
MARISOL: How do I know! She’s jealous! That’s it! It’s evident that she’s jealous!
PEDRO: But, why would she be jealous?
MARISOL: Well….because you and I are friends, or because I work with Mariano, I don’t know! I don’t know what’s bothering her!
PEDRO: In any event, she doesn’t have to treat you that way!
MARISOL: After all we’ve done to help her!
PEDRO: She probably hates accepting help from anyone! That’s the reason! That’s what the problem is!
MARISOL: No! That is not the problem!
PEDRO: Then, what is it?
MARISOL: You have to come to your own conclusions!

-PEDRO ONLY LOOKS AT MARISOL-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO AND ALVARO ARE IN THE LIBRARY. ALVARO HANDS MARIANO A DRINK AND SITS BEHIND THE DESK-

MARIANO: You consider the national tournament and horse breeding to be of minimal importance?
ALVARO: Mariano, of minimal importance only in comparison to the objective we’ve had for ourselves for some years!
MARIANO: Yes, and that objective won’t be realized because of you! You forgave Ignacio!
ALVARO: Well, that’s over. What we need to do now is to convince Ana Laura to sell us the lands.
MARIANO: That’s impossible.
ALVARO: Impossible because she doesn’t know everything we could gain with that offer! We could all live off the rental income from those lands, for the rest of our lives!
MARIANO: Yes, that’s true!
ALVARO: That’s why I’m telling you to stop involving yourself in foolish businesses that you don’t know how they will end!
MARIANO: You are making me think about that!
ALVARO: I feel much better that you’re reconsidering that business!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CECILIA IS TALKING TO CARMEN. CECILIA HAS BEGAN TO GO THROUGH THE LETTERS VICTORIA WROTE TO LEONORA-

CARMEN: I don’t understand.
CECILIA: That is how Victoria, Leonora and Mercedes wrote to each other, so I wouldn’t understand in case one of their letters happened to fall into my hands! See, it’s impossible to know who Victoria is talking about! Now, Mercedes did write who it was, but she didn’t say what!
CARMEN: Yes, and then Leonora would tie all the lose ends!
CECILIA: Exactly!
CARMEN: It’s very clever, señora! Because unless you had the other letters…
CECILIA: The letters are not dated, how are we going to know which letter belongs where? Who are they were talking about this time?
CARMEN: It’s like a puzzle!
CECILIA: A labyrinth!

-CECILIA, READING FROM ONE OF VICTORIA’S LETTERS TO LEONORA-

CECILIA: “If I were certain that he already knows, I would act accordingly. I would ask him to make a decision.” Who is he, and what is he supposed to decide?
CARMEN: It’s an ideal method for keeping secrets!
CECILIA: In any event, these secrets will fall into my hands! Even if it takes me a lifetime to figure them out!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS EXCERCISING CHOCOLATE INSIDE A CIRCLED FENCE. ANA LAURA ARRIVES AND BEGINS TALKING TO PEDRO FROM OUTSIDE THE FENCE-

ANA LAURA: I thought you were out on the fields, Pedro.
PEDRO: As you can see, I’m right here.
ANA LAURA: Have you seen Antonio? I….I need him to bring me something from Buenos Aires.
PEDRO: He’s not here.

-PEDRO CONTINUES WITH CHOCOLATE AND IGNORES ANA LAURA COMPLETELY-

ANA LAURA: I’d like to know why you are treating me that way. What have I done to you?
PEDRO: You don’t know?
ANA LAURA: No, I don’t know. I’d like you to tell me.

-PEDRO COMMANDS CHOCOLATE TO RELAX. PEDRO, STILL HOLDING ON TO CHOCOLATE’S REIN, APPROACHES ANA LAURA FROM INSIDE THE FENCE-

PEDRO: I don’t like to be lied to.
ANA LAURA: And why are you saying I lied to you?
PEDRO: You know very well why I’m saying that.
ANA LAURA: Ah, I understand, I know what you’re talking about. I really would like to know what you would have done in my place?
PEDRO: I would have put everything on the line, like I always do!
ANA LAURA: It was Marisol who created all this mess, not me!
PEDRO: You never have anything to do with anything, right?
ANA LAURA: Don’t you understand that there are some things you can’t just come out and….say them?
PEDRO: Perhaps not in you world, but in mine, it is done!
ANA LAURA: I can be honest, but not bold.
PEDRO: I can honestly say it suits you very well to be such a hypocrite.
ANA LAURA: I don’t like when you talk to me that way! You have no right!
PEDRO: It’s true, I don’t have a right! I don’t know what I’m doing! I’m just a simple peon!
ANA LAURA: Stop!
PEDRO: Besides, I don’t know why I talk to you! I shouldn’t even talk to you!
ANA LAURA: Don’t exaggerate!
PEDRO: I’m not exaggerating! Do you know what we ought to do? You should go your way, and I’ll go mine!
ANA LAURA: Is that so?
PEDRO: Yes! Let’s end this story once and for all!
ANA LAURA: And…do you think you’ll be able to do it, just like that?
PEDRO: Do you know, when I say I’ll do something, I do it!

-ANA LAURA SEEMS HURT BY WHAT PEDRO JUST SAID. SHE LOOKS AT HIM, AND, AS SHE WALKS AWAY, SHE WHISPERS-

ANA LAURA: Okay!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-GUNTHER IS STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF A FIELD, TRYING TO TEACH HIS DOGS TO GO AFTER A SMALL TREE BRANCH. HE’S GIVING THEM INSTRUCTIONS BUT THE DOGS ARE IMMOVABLE. GUNTHER, SEEING THAT THE DOGS ARE NOT OBEYING HIS ORDERS, SHOWS THEM STEP BY STEP, HOW TO RETRIEVE THE TREE BRANCH-

GUNTHER: Good, now, both of you go! See which one gets there first! It’s easy! All you have to do is bring the little branch to me! Am I going to have to show you one more time? This is the last time I show you, okay? It’s such a simple thing! You come over here…

–GUNTHER GETS DOWN ON HIS KNEES, CRAWLS TO WHERE THE TREE BRANCH IS LYING, PICKS IT UP WITH HIS MOUTH, TURNS AROUND TO FACE THE DOGS, SHAKES HIS BEHIND TOWARDS THE CAMERA, AND THEN PUTS THE TREE BRANCH BACK ON ITS PLACE. HE THEN GETS UP FROM THE GROUND AND WALKS BACK TO WHERE THE DOGS ARE WAITING FOR HIM-

GUNTHER: Go look for tree branch!

-THE DOGS, OF COURSE, DO NOT MOVE-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

-JULIETA IS RIDING LUNITA. PEDRO IS PULLING THE REIN, WALKING IN FRONT OF THE MARE, AND GIVING JULIETA SOME INSTRUCTIONS-

PEDRO: Let yourself fall as if you came straight from heaven!
JULIETA: Like an angel riding a horse!
PEDRO: Yes, like an angel on a horse, and keep your head up, proudly! Eso!

-CHAPA COMES OVER AND TALKS TO JULIETA, AND THEN TO PEDRO-

CHAPA: How is this rider doing?
JULIETA: I’m not a rider! I’m an angel!
CHAPA: An angel?
PEDRO: Yes, something like that! Listen, do you have news of Toti? I didn’t see him this morning!
CHAPA: No, but I have very good news! They didn’t throw him out!
PEDRO: They didn’t throw him out?
CHAPA: No! And do you know why? Señorita Ana Laura saved him!
PEDRO: She did?
CHAPA: Yes, sir! She defended Toti! She’s a wonderful woman! She’s number one in my book! And we still don’t know who stole the jewels!
JULIETA: Come on, Pedro! I’m getting bored!
PEDRO: Yes, yes! I’m coming! So, we don’t know what happened with the jewelry?
CHAPA: It’s a mystery! But Toti is free of any accusation, and all thanks to Ana Laura! She’s wonderful!

-CHAPA WALKS AWAY. PEDRO SEEMS IMPRESSED BY WHAT CHAPA SAID ABOUT ANA LAURA-

PEDRO: Good news! Very good news!

-PEDRO CARESSES LUNITA AND ADDRESSES JULIETA-

PEDRO: Do you like it?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO VISITS VICTORIA IN BUENOS AIRES-

VICTORIA: Get comfortable. I have everything ready. The contract specifies everything we agreed on. Read it, take your time.

-VICTORIA TRIES TO HAND OVER THE CONTRACT TO MARIANO. MARIANO DOES NOT TAKE IT-

VICTORIA: Is something wrong?
MARIANO: I’m not sure I want to sign that contract, Victoria.
VICTORIA: What’s the matter? You don’t agree with your share…..
MARIANO: No, no, it’s not that! I’ve been thinking, and those fields are too valuable to be used in the breeding of horses.
VICTORIA: Those lands are not even yours!
MARIANO: Of course, they’re not mine, they belong to my wife.
VICTORIA: I could lease them, if that will make you more comfortable.
MARIANO: No, no! What I need is time.
VICTORIA: There’s no time! There’s no time! The date of the first competition is very near, we don’t have any time, we need to get to work!
MARIANO: Well, I’m not going to sign any contract, unless I’m very sure!
VICTORIA: All right, take some time, think about it! I can assure you, I will do everything, everything in my power, so that you won’t make any mistakes!

-MARIANO SMILES-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-GUNTHER IS PRUNNING THE ROSE BUSHES AND IS TALKING TO THE FLOWERS. JULIETA APPROACHES AND STARTLES HIM. HE BEGINS SCREAMING AT HER-

JULIETA: Gunther! I wanted to talk to you!
GUNTHER: Little sabandija, you know you can’t be wandering around the estancia!
JULIETA: Yes, and you should stop pretending you’re mean!
GUNTHER: Gunther demands discipline! But no one understands Gunther!
JULIETA: I understand you! Deep down, you’re a good person! But you pretend to be mean, in order to command respect! And it works to perfection, because with the bald head, fat, ugly and making that mean face, no one likes you!
GUNTHER: Gunther doesn’t need anybody to like him!

-PEDRO CAN BE SEEN IN THE BACKGROUND, HE WAS WALKING TOWARDS THE HOUSE, BUT STOPS WHEN HE SEES JULIETA ARGUING WITH GUNTHER-

JULIETA: Ah, well, then continue the way you’re going! The women make fun of you, the peons hate you!
GUNTHER: Get out! Little sabandija!
JULIETA: Not even the bosses like you!
GUNTHER: I said get out!

-PEDRO IS ABOUT TO APPROACH THEM WHEN HE HEARS GUNTHER YELLING AT JULIETA, BUT ANA LAURA SHOWS UP AT THAT MOMENT AND PEDRO STAYS AWAY. HE WATCHES THE SCENE FROM AFAR-

ANA LAURA: What’s happening? Why are you yelling at her that way?
JULIETA: I was talking to him in a nice way!
GUNTHER: Little sabandija always provokes me!
ANA LAURA: Be quiet! Be quiet! Julieta, please, tell me what happened?
JULIETA: I was telling him that I know deep down he’s…..
GUNTHER: I don’t need advice from anybody!
ANA LAURA: Stop yelling!
GUNTHER: I stop yelling! Frau Cecilia specifically banned this little sabandija, this creature, from the estancia! I’m just doing my job!
ANA LAURA: She can walk anywhere she wants in the estancia! This is my house, and I give the orders around here!
GUNTHER: Oh, really? Since when?
ANA LAURA: Since always, Gunther! Apologize to her!
GUNTHER: But, Frau….
ANA LAURA: Apologize to her!
GUNTHER: Please, forgive me.
ANA LAURA: Very well! You may go!

-GUNTHER GOES AWAY MUMBLING-

ANA LAURA: Julieta, let’s go!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA IS WALKING THROUGH THE ESTANCIA. PEDRO CHASES AFTER HER AND BEGINS WALKING ALONGSIDE HER-

PEDRO: Hello! How are you? May I talk to you?
ANA LAURA: It’s odd that you want to talk to me, because you said you weren’t going to talk to me anymore!
PEDRO: Well, there are a couple of nice gestures on your part that really impressed me, and I wanted to tell you that!
ANA LAURA: Ah, well, thank you very much!
PEDRO: Do you know what I’m talking about?
ANA LAURA: No, not really, because since I’m in my world, and you are in yours, it’s impossible for me to know!
PEDRO: I heard what you did for Toti!
ANA LAURA: Yes, well, but Toti is innocent!
PEDRO: I also saw when you helped Julieta!
ANA LAURA: Julieta is a young child, it’s obvious that I’m going to help her!

-THEY HAVE BEEN STEADILY WALKING ALL ALONG. PEDRO SUDDENLY STOPS AND DETAINS ANA LAURA BY THE ARM-

PEDRO: Fine, but, since I witnessed all that, and I like to say things face to face, that’s the reason I’m telling you this. You are not as mean as you pretend to be!
ANA LAURA: Ah, well, good! I’m much more at peace, now! Is there something else?
PEDRO: No, that’s all. I just wanted to apologize, and well, do you forgive me?
ANA LAURA: May I say something?
PEDRO: Of course!
ANA LAURA: I don’t know how you say in your country that you may go to the devil!

-PEDRO’S SMILE DISAPPEARS FROM HIS FACE WHEN HE HEARS THIS. ANA LAURA WALKS ANGRILY AWAY. PEDRO IS LEFT WITH A LOOK IN HIS FACE THAT ALMOST RESEMBLES THAT OF A CHASTISED CHILD-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE MAIN HOUSE. FLORIA HAS THE MUSIC ON AND IS DANCING IN THE LIVING ROOM. MAGDA COMES AND USES THE REMOTE CONTROL TO TURN THE VOLUME DOWN. FLORIA GRABS THE REMOTE CONTROL FROM MAGDA-

FLORIA: Who told you to lower it?
MAGDA: Acting this way at your age!
FLORIA: Listen, querida, at the wedding, the morochito* came and asked me to dance! I may be a little along in years, but I’m the envy of more than one!
MAGDA: Don’t complain later on if you start having palpitations!
FLORIA: Palpitations! That’s exactly what I need! I don’t want death to come and find me enveloped in spider webs!

-FLORIA CONTINUES DANCING, TO MAGDA’S AMAZEMENT-

*MOROCHO - Morochito is the diminutive form of Morocho. The word is used to describe a tall, dark, strong (and handsome) male specimen.

-JULIETA IS SITTING AT THE TABLE, DOING HOMEWORK. SHE WANTS MARISOL TO HELP HER, BUT MARISOL IS RUNNING LATE FOR WORK-

JULIETA: Mom, I don’t understand anything.
MARISOL: Julieta, I’m in a hurry! I can’t help you! What don’t you understand?

-MARISOL TAKES A LOOK AT JULIETA’S WORK-

MARISOL: My love, you just have to think a little, that’s so easy!
JULIETA: Mom, why don’t you write me a little note saying you were ill and I couldn’t study?
MARISOL: No, young lady! That’s not done! It’s wrong!

-PEDRO COMES IN THE HOUSE-

PEDRO: May I come in?
MARISOL: Yes, Pedro, come in.
PEDRO: How are you?
MARISOL: I’m in a hurry and she doesn’t want to do her homework!
PEDRO: I can help her, if you’d like?
MARISOL: You will?
PEDRO: Yes, of course!
MARISOL: Well, don’t give Pedro a hard time!
JULIETA: No, with Pedro, even homework is enjoyable!
MARISOL: Well, I’m leaving, ciao!
PEDRO: Ciao!

-MARISOL RUNS OUT OF THE HOUSE. PEDRO SITS AT THE TABLE AND BEGINS HELPING JULIETA WITH HER HOMEWORK-

PEDRO: Well, what are we studying?
JULIETA: No, nothing right now. Let’s go ride Lunita instead!
PEDRO: What do you mean, let’s go riding! Your mami said you had to study!
JULIETA: Yes, but mom is not here right now.
PEDRO: It doesn’t matter. First the school work, and then everything else.
JULIETA: Come on, Pedro!
PEDRO: No, we’re not going anywhere! Let’s do this. Let’s make a deal! First, you do your assignations, as we say in my homeland, homework; and then I’ll teach you how to ride. Do you agree?
JULIETA: I agree!
PEDRO: Open the book, then!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-VICTORIA AND ANA LAURA WALK IN ANA LAURA’S BEDROOM. VICTORIA IS IN A PANIC BECAUSE MARIANO IS HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT THEIR PARTNERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION IN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, AND IS REFUSING TO SIGN THE CONTRACT-

VICTORIA: It’s a miracle! A pure miracle that I was able to get here and not be seen!
ANA LAURA: But, why didn’t you tell me, I could have gone to your house!
VICTORIA: Because there’s no time! Because…..
ANA LAURA: What’s the matter?
VICTORIA: Mariano is about to undo the business he had going with me! That’s what the problem is!
ANA LAURA: No! Why?
VICTORIA: Because I’m certain the Alvaro and Cecilia convinced him that it’s better to sell the land that to work it!
ANA LAURA: I can’t believe this! They continue disposing of my things without consulting me! I swear to you, I don’t know what to do! Besides, I’m wondering why they desisted of sending my father to prison! I don’t understand!
VICTORIA: I took care of that! I put pressure on Alvaro!
ANA LAURA: It was you!
VICTORIA: Of course!
ANA LAURA: I see it, now! It was something I couldn’t understand! I’m very grateful Victoria, for everything you’re doing! This gives me a chance to make sure they don’t sell my lands.
VICTORIA: I need your help!
ANA LAURA: How can I help you?
VICTORIA: You must convince Mariano not to cancel his business with me! Make sure he doesn’t agree to Alvaro’s alleged propositions!
ANA LAURA: Victoria, they don’t listen to me! My opinions don’t count!
VICTORIA: But they won’t have any other option, but to accept your decisions!
ANA LAURA: You can count on me!
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-PEDRO ARRIVES AT THE STABLES. CHAPA IS THERE-

PEDRO: Did Mariano authorize the training?
CHAPA: No, not yet, but he did request is that you prepare a written report about Chocolate.
PEDRO: A report? A report about what?
CHAPA: It’s very easy, I’ll explain it to you later! It won’t take you long!
PEDRO: What am I doing in this place!!!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CECILIA IS IN HER BEDROOM READING ONE OF THE LETTERS BELONGING TO LEONORA, THAT WERE WRITTEN BY VICTORIA-

CECILIA: “I know my decision causes you a lot of pain…..” “I grieves me also to do this, but I’m leaving the country because I see no other way out. The situation is unbearable, because Alvaro doesn’t want to assume his responsibility.” -WHAT RESPONSIBILITY?- “I have no other choice, but to leave. Mercedes will tell you in detail, about Alvaro’s response. She has the rest of the information. Hugs. Victoria.”

-CECILIA REMOVES HER READING GLASSES AND IS LEFT WITH MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS, AFTER READING THE LETTER-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL IS IN THE LIBRARY, GOING THROUG SOME FILES. SHE’S SITTING AT A SMALL DESK THAT IS TO THE SIDE OF THE LARGER DESK. PEDRO KNOCKS ON THE DOOR AND COMES IN, BRINGING THE REPORT ON CHOCOLATE THAT MARIANO REQUESTED-

PEDRO: Hello.
MARISOL: What are you doing here?
PEDRO: I’m bringing a report on Chocolate for Mariano. Would you please give it to him?
MARISOL: Yes, of course.

-MARISOL GETS UP FROM HER CHAIR, TAKES THE REPORT FROM PEDRO, AND SETS IT MARIANO’S DESK. SHE LEANS ON MARIANO’S DESK, AND BEGINS TALKING TO PEDRO, WHO’S STANDING IN FRONT OF HER-

MARISOL: Are you coming from helping Julieta?
PEDRO: Yes. That little girl is a rascal! She didn’t want to do her homework.
MARISOL: Oh, we’ll have to do it tonight!
PEDRO: No, no! It’s done! I made a deal with her, that if she didn’t do her homework, there would be no lessons with Lunita!
MARISOL: And she agreed?
PEDRO: Of course she agreed! She’s no dummy! She knows more than the teacher! She did it all in one minute!
MARISOL: You are so patient with her! I don’t know what I’m going to do when you leave.
PEDRO: Neither do I. Julieta is very special to me.
MARISOL: And you’re very special to her. Well, to me also. It’s just that…we’re so alone!
PEDRO: Marisol, what about your parents?
MARISOL: My dad died when I was very young, and my mother…I have her but it’s as if I didn’t, really.
PEDRO: Why is that?
MARISOL: Mental problems. I don’t know, I don’t understand what happened. She was a wonderful woman, and suddenly, she became ill and we had to confine her to an institution. But…I don’t want to talk about that!

-PEDRO GIVES MARISOL A LOOK FULL OF COMPASSION-

PEDRO: You poor thing!

-SUDDENLY, MARISOL COMES CLOSER TO PEDRO AND KISSES HIM ON THE CHEEK. PEDRO IS SURPRISED BY HER ACTION-

PEDRO: Why did you do that?
MARISOL: To thank you.

-PEDRO LOOKS DEEPLY INTO HER EYES. HE COMES CLOSER AND BEGINS TO TENDERLY KISS MARISOL. AT THIS MOMENT, ANA LAURA IS ABOUT TO ENTER THE ROOM AND STOPS AT THE DOOR WHEN SHE SEES PEDRO AND MARISOL KISSING. ANA LAURA SEEMS VERY AFFECTED BY WHAT SHE’S SEEING AND REMAINS FIXED AT THE DOOR. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OF SHOCK, SHE BEGINS BACKING AWAY FROM THE DOOR, AND INADVERTENTLY CRASHES ONTO A TABLE IN THE HALLWAY, SENDING SOME ITEMS TO THE FLOOR. ANA LAURA THEN RUNS FROM THE SCENE BEFORE SHE’S DISCOVERED BY THEM. THE KISS BETWEEN PEDRO AND MARISOL HAD CONTINUED, BUT AFTER HEARING THE NOISE COMING FROM THE HALLWAY, MARISOL BECOMES NERVOUS AND PULLS AWAY FROM PEDRO, INTERRUPTING THE KISS-

MARISOL: Did you hear that?
PEDRO: Bells ringing? -HE SMILES-
MARISOL: No! A noise coming from the hallway! Did you hear it?
PEDRO: No, I didn’t hear anything. But, it’s all right, I’ll leave. I don’t want to bother you anymore.

-MARISOL LOOKS AT HIM AND SMILES-

MARISOL: No, you don’t bother me!

-THEY BOTH SMILE AND LOOK AWKWARDLY AT EACH OTHER. MARIANO ENTERS THE ROOM AT THIS POINT, AND MARISOL NERVOUSLY ADDRESSES HIM-

MARISOL: Eh…Pedro brought you the report on Chocolate!

-PEDRO, UNCOMFORTABLY, POINTS TO THE DESK A COUPLE OF TIMES-

MARIANO: Ah, good, that’s good!

PEDRO: Yes, excuse me!

-PEDRO, POINTING TO THE DESK A THIRD TIME, WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM. MARIANO IS CURIOUSLY LOOKING AT MARISOL-

MARISOL: What’s the matter?
MARIANO: You make a beautiful couple! Congratulations!
MARISOL: I’m working. I don’t have time for foolishness!
MARIANO: Yes, I see that.

-MARISOL GOES BACK TO HER DESK-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-ANA LAURA IS IN HER BEDROOM WITH LETICIA-

ANA LAURA: Marisol aggravates me to no end!
LETICIA: Seriously? I hadn’t noticed!
ANA LAURA: Haven’t you noticed how she plays the innocent victim in order to have Pedro at her feet!
LETICIA: In that sense, she’s smarter than you are, because you act like a wild beast and you scare him away!
ANA LAURA: All right, I’m sorry, that’s the way I am! I can’t act any other way!
LETICIA: Big mistake! Because in her own meek and quiet ways, she invites him to her house, using the little girl as excuse, and she sees him any time she wants!
ANA LAURA: And I don’t know what to come up with! I don’t understand why everything I do, turns upside down!
LETICIA: Because you don’t think!
ANA LAURA: And what am I supposed to think about! Tell me!
LETICIA: I don’t know! Be a little clever, querida! Listen, you have to come up with an idea to be near him!
ANA LAURA: What?
LETICIA: How do I know! You have to come up with something!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CECILIA IS IN HER BERDROOM. CARMEN IS WITH HER-

CECILIA: I’ll never be able to decipher anything this way!
CARMEN: When it comes to Victoria, I doubt she wrote anything untrue!
CECILIA: Alvaro doesn’t want to tell me why Victoria left the country! So I have no other choice than to go to the source!
CARMEN: The source?
CECILIA: Yes! The only other possibility, is to find the letters that are missing!
CARMEN: Señora, are you going to see Mercedes?

-CECILIA DOESN’T ANSWER-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS IN THE LIBRARY. ANA LAURA COMES IN TO TALK TO HIM-

MARIANO: Did you need something, my love?
ANA LAURA: Yes, I wanted to talk you. I’ve been thinking about these tournaments you’re organizing.
MARIANO: Yes. What do you think?
ANA LAURA: I love them. I’m very interested!
MARIANO: What do you mean, you’re interested? You don’t like horses!
ANA LAURA: Well, one thing is the horses, and something entirely different is the business side of that, the competitions you’re arranging, the people involved!
MARIANO: And?
ANA LAURA: And, since they’re going to be held in my lands, I’d like to participate!
MARIANO: You’d like to participate?
ANA LAURA: Yes.
MARIANO: How?
ANA LAURA: I don’t know yet, but for now, I’d like to be part of the membership. It’s only appropriate that I become involved, don’t you think?
MARIANO: Yes, yes, it’s very appropriate that you become involved, but I’m really not sure how!
ANA LAURA: Why?
MARIANO: Well, I don’t mean to offend you, but you know absolutely nothing about the business, and I really don’t know how you’re going to learn in such a short time!
ANA LAURA: You don’t need to worry about that! I will surprise you!

-ANA LAURA LAUGHS. MARIANO LOOKS AT HER WITH A FAKE SMILE ON HIS FACE-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-BACK TO CECILIA AND CARMEN-

CARMEN: Mercedes is dangerous woman!
CECILIA: She’s crazy! You don’t need to be so afraid of her!
CARMEN: She’s like a caged animal, just waiting for the right moment to be on the attack!
CECILIA: That’s enough! I already made my decision!
CARMEN: It’s a bad decision!
CECILIA: Stop with your bad omens! I just want to have a few words with her! I want to talk to her about the letters Victoria sent her.
CARMEN: At least, allow me to accompany you, señora, because I won’t be comfortable knowing you went by yourself to that place!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ALVARO AND MARIANO ARE IN THE LIBRARY. ALVARO IS SITTING AT THE DESK. MARIANO IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HIM-

ALVARO: Mariano, I’ve made some notes about the sale of the lands, and we must not waste this opportunity. We must take advantage of the great interest the company is showing in the purchase of these lands!
MARIANO: Dad, the sale of the lands is going to have to wait.
ALVARO: What did you say?
MARIANO: I’ve been thinking, and I believe it’ll better for my marriage, and also for us, if I accept Victoria’s offer. We’ll go on with the deal.
ALVARO: It’s the worst decision you could make in your life, Mariano!
MARIANO: Because I’m not doing what’s convenient for you?
ALVARO: It’s a terrible mistake!
MARIANO: Perhaps, perhaps. But, ultimately, it’s my mistake!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS THE STABLES, CLEANING A SADDLE. ANA LAURA ARRIVES TO TALK TO HIM-

ANA LAURA: Hello.

-PEDRO LOOKS HER WAY, BUT CONTINUES WITH WHAT’S HE DOING. HE DOESN’T SEEM TOO HAPPY TO SEE HER-

PEDRO: Ah, hello.
ANA LAURA: I came to tell you something important.
PEDRO: Me?
ANA LAURA: Yes.
PEDRO: I’m surprised! Didn’t you tell me to go who knows where, the last time?
ANA LAURA: Ah, yes, but I’m over that!
PEDRO: Good, but I’m not!
ANA LAURA: Pedro, that doesn’t matter anymore!
PEDRO: It may not matter to you, but it does to me! Why don’t we do what we said? You go your way, and I’ll go mine!

-ANA LAURA COMES CLOSER TO PEDRO, AND STANDS NEXT TO HIM-

ANA LAURA: Well, that will be impossible, now.
PEDRO: Who says so?
ANA LAURA: I do.
PEDRO: And who are you, to decide about my things?
ANA LAURA: Your boss!

-PEDRO, WHO HAD CONTINUED CLEANING THE SADDLE WHILE TALKING TO ANA LAURA, COMPLETELY STOPS NOW AND LOOKS SURPRISED. ANA LAURA IS STANDING VERY CLOSE TO HIM-

ANA LAURA: From this moment on, I’m your boss!

-PEDRO TURNS TO LOOK AT HER. SHE SMILES-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS IN THE LIVING ROOM. CECILIA AND CARMEN ENTER THE ROOM. MARIANO SEES THEY ARE DRESSED TO GO OUT-

MARIANO: Are you going out?
CECILIA: Us? Yes, we have a few things to do in the city.

-MARISOL COMES IN AND INTERRUPTS THEM-

MARISOL: I finished everything, Mariano.
MARIANO: You did? Ah, well, you’re a big success in this job!
MARISOL: I have to go.
MARIANO: Do you know, she's an expert at the computer now. At first she didn’t even know how to turn it on!
CECILIA: How nice! With all this work, you must not have any time for your things.
MARISOL: I manage.
CECILIA: For example, when was the last time you saw your mother?
MARISOL: Since when are you so interested in my mother?

-MARISOL WALKS OUT ANGRILY-

CARMEN: It’s getting late, señora!
MARIANO: Do you want me drop you off somewhere?
CECILIA: No, no….

-MAGDA COMES IN AT THAT MOMENT TO TELL MARIANO THE NEW TRAINER HAS ARRIVED-

MAGDA: Señor Mariano, Mr. Federico Mendibulo is waiting for you.
MARIANO: Ask him to wait for me in the library.
MAGDA: Right away!
CECILIA: Attend to him, don’t worry about me!
MARIANO: Mom, how mysterious you are today!

-CECILIA SMILES, BLOWS MARIANO A KISS, AND WALKS OUT, FOLLOWED BY CARMEN-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-BACK TO PEDRO AND ANA LAURA AT THE STABLES. PEDRO IS HAVING A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING ANA LAURA’S COMMENT-

PEDRO: My what? My boss of what?
ANA LAURA: Well, it’s a new project related to the tournament, and I’m your new boss!
PEDRO: But, what does your husband say?
ANA LAURA: My husband is happy about this and besides, I don’t have to discuss it with you.

-PEDRO LOOKS AT ANA LAURA AND LAUGHS. HE DROPS THE SADDLE ON THE FLOOR, WALKS TOWARDS CHOCOLATE AND SETS A PAD ON THE HORSE, HE THEN COMES BACK FOR A BLANKET, SETS IT ALSO ON CHOCOLATE, AND COMES BACK TO WHERE ANA LAURA IS STANDING. ALL ALONG, HE’S BEEN TALKING TO ANA LAURA AND SMILING TO HIMSELF-

ANA LAURA: I don’t understand what you’re laughing at!
PEDRO: You don’t like horses! You’re actually afraid of them!
ANA LAURA: No, it’s not that I don’t like horses, I have a lot of respect for them, which is very different! What’s more, I love horses! And just so you know, my mother was a champion in jumping!

-ANA LAURA IS FOLLOWING PEDRO WHILE HE DOES ALL THESE ACTIVITIES, BUT AT ONE POINT, SHE’S ABOUT TO COME NEAR THE HORSE BUT BACKS AWAY, NERVOUSLY-

PEDRO: Is that true?
ANA LAURA: Yes, that’s true! And she was excellent in her field!
PEDRO: I didn’t know!
ANA LAURA: Well, now you know! As you can see, I didn’t just get involved in all this yesterday!
PEDRO: You could be involved for a lifetime, but if you don’t like animals, you won’t be able to do anything!
ANA LAURA: But that’s not my case, querido, that’s not my case!
PEDRO: In other words, you know a lot!
ANA LAURA: A lot! I know a lot! What’s more, I am now going to give you my first order! I don’t want you talking to me in that disrespectful manner! Okay?

-PEDRO LOOKS AT HER BUT DOESN’T RESPOND. ANA LAURA BEGINS TO WALK AWAY ANGRILY AND WITHOUT REALIZING IT, GOES STRAIGHT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE HORSE.. SHE’S STARTLED TO SEE SHE ALMOST RAN INTO CHOCOLATE, AND GOES AROUND AND AWAY FROM THE HORSE. PEDRO NOTICES THIS AND LAUGHS-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MAGDA IS PASSING THROUGH THE LIVING ROOM, ON HER WAY TO THE KITCHEN. GUNTHER IS IN THE ROOM AND DETAINS HER-

GUNTHER: Stop!
MAGDA: Don’t start with your orders, because today, I’m not in the mood to put up with them!
GUNTHER: No, it’s only a question. What do you think, is Gunther mean -HE MAKES A GRIMACE- or is Gunther nice –HE SMILES-
MAGDA: He’s very mean!
GUNTHER: No, no, no! Not mean! He’s nice! He only looks mean!
MAGDA: Then, if you know the answer, why do you bother asking?

-MAGDA PUSHES HIM OUT OF THE WAY, AND LEAVES THE ROOM. GUNTHER TALKS TO HIMSELF-

GUNTHER: Gunther is going to show them he’s not wicked! He’ll show them!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO ARRIVES AT THE STABLES ACCOMPANIED BY THE NEW TRAINER. HE’S COME TO MAKE THE INTRODUCTIONS AND HE SEEMS VERY PLEASED WITH HIMSELF WHEN HE INTRODUCES HIM TO PEDRO-

MARIANO: I’ll introduce you to everyone. Julieta; he’s Toti, a peon; and this is Pedro, Chocolate’s care taker.

-PEDRO SMILES AND NODS HIS HEAD-

MARIANO: This is Federico Mendibulo, Chocolate’s new trainer!
PEDRO: The trainer?
MARIANO: Ahum!

-PEDRO LOOKS SURPRISED-