Provócame

Episode 9

-MARIANO INTRODUCES FEDERICO MENDIBULO AS CHOCOLATE’S NEW TRAINER, TO JULIETA, TOTI AND PEDRO. PEDRO SEEMS STUNNED BY THE INTRODUCTION-

PEDRO: The trainer?
MARIANO: Ahum, and he’s the best!
FEDERICO: Mariano, please!

-ANA LAURA APPEARS SUDDENLY AND IS VERY PLEASED TO SEE FEDERICO. SHE CALLS OUT HIS NAME AND FEDERICO PICKS HER UP IN A BIG EMBRACE. MARIANO LOOKS TOWARDS PEDRO TO SEE HIS REACTION TO THIS MOMENT SHARED BY ANA LAURA AND FEDERICO. PEDRO, OF COURSE, DOESN’T LOOK TOO HAPPY-

ANA LAURA: Fede!
FEDERICO: Ana, what are you up to?
ANA LAURA: How are you? It’s been so long!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IN THE KITCHEN, ROSA IS MIXING SOME BATTER IN A BOWL. MAGDA IS FOLDING A NAPKIN, AND LISA IS MOPPING THE FLOOR-

MAGDA: He didn’t tell you anything?
ROSA: No, he didn’t say anything! These days, Francisco doesn’t even want to talk to me!
MAGDA: And then, we have her here, who’s also refusing to talk! -MAGDA IS REFERRING TO HER NIECE, LISA-
LISA: I already told you, I don’t know anything!
MAGDA: Much help you are!
ROSA: No, let her be! Don’t press her if she doesn’t want to say anything!

-GUNTHER COMES IN THE KITCHEN. MAGDA AND ROSA REACT WITH EXASPERATION-

GUNTHER: I have a question!
ROSA: If you’re asking for strudel you’re out of luck, because there won’t be any today, tomorrow, nor ever again, Gunther, so stop bothering me!
GUNTHER: I said I have a question, so here it is!

-GUNTHER PROCEEDS TO TELL THEM A RIDDLE THAT IS IN VERY BAD TASTE AND IS FUNNY ONLY TO HIM. THE THREE WOMEN LOOK AT HIM AS IF HE’S LOST HIS MIND. THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND THIS IS HIS WAY OF PROVING TO THEM HE’S NOT SUCH A BAD PERSON AFTER ALL, AND THAT HE’S A FUN-LOVING AND AMIABLE GUY-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-BACK TO THE STABLES. PEDRO ADDRESSES MARIANO-

PEDRO: Well, if he’s going to be the horse’s trainer, I’d like to give him a few details about the animal.
MARIANO: That’s not necessary, Pedro. If Fede ever needs anything, I’m sure he’ll ask you for it. And you, Ana, did you want to talk to me?
ANA LAURA: Yes, but I can wait, it’s not a problem.
MARIANO: No, if you come with me for a walk, we’ll talk now.
ANA LAURA: All right, we’ll talk now. Federico, we’ll chat later?
FEDERICO: Yes, we have plenty of time, no problem, ciao!

-MARIANO GIVES PEDRO A SLY LOOK AND WALKS AWAY WITH ANA LAURA. PEDRO LOOKS AFTER THEM. ONCE THEY LEAVE, PEDRO ADDRESSES FEDERICO-

PEDRO: If you’d like my opinion, I…..
FEDERICO: No, not at this time, thank you. I have my own methods, but just the same, if I were to ever need anything, I’ll ask you P…Pedro, right?
PEDRO: Yes, Pedro. Balmaceda!
FEDERICO: Balmaceda, yes, well, what I need from you is to lend special attention to the animal’s care. Do you understand? His feeding, his hygiene…
PEDRO: Yes, yes, but Chocolate needs more than that. He’s a very special animal, do you see?
FEDERICO: Please, man, a horse is a horse!

-MATIAS ARRIVES EXCITEDLY, TO TALK TO FEDERICO-

MATIAS: Hello, my mother told me you were here! Shall we get started?
FEDERICO: Yes, yes, of course! Do you have the desire to begin?
MATIAS: Yes! I’ll see you at the track!
FEDERICO: Yes, yes!

-MATIAS RUNS OFF AND FEDERICO POINTS AT PEDRO AND SNAPS HIS FINGERS AT HIM-

FEDERICO: Would you get the horse ready?
PEDRO: I don’t think it’s the appropriate thing to do….
FEDERICO: Now, please! All right?

-FEDERICO SMILES AND WINKS AT PEDRO, TOTI AND JULIETA, AND WALKS AWAY. TOTI IS NOT VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE TRAINER EITHER, AND MAKES A FEW GESTURES IMITATING FEDERICO’S DEMEANOR-

TOTI: “Now, please.” This trainer is very pleasant, isn’t he?
PEDRO: Yes, Toti, very pleasant!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IN THE LIBRARY, ALVARO IS SITTING AT THE DESK. MOLINA IS SITTING ACROSS FROM HIM-

MOLINA: The buyers gave us an ultimatum. We have less than a month to decide whether we’ll sell them the lands, or they’ll go looking somewhere else!
ALVARO: Victoria’s arrival is ruining everything for us!
MOLINA: What do I tell them?
ALVARO: Tell them the transaction will take place under the terms agreed upon! The only thing we need is Ana’s signature, and we’ll get it somehow!
MOLINA: It’s not going to be so easy!
ALVARO: I know that, that’s why I’m telling you to always keep at hand the papers that compromise her father. Who knows, we might have to start everything all over again!
MOLINA: We’ll end up killing him with all these shocks!
ALVARO: What’s the matter? Are you afraid you’ll end up without a boss?
MOLINA: I’m very clear on who my boss is!
ALVARO: You did a very good job, Molina! Very good! But to achieve perfection, the final thrust is necessary!

-AT THIS MOMENT, PATRICIA IS IN THE HALLWAY, APPROACHING THE LIBRARY-

MOLINA: That final thrust won’t be easy!
ALVARO: Ignacio knows he doesn’t have a way out, and I can assure you, he won’t want to rot in prison!
MOLINA: Do you want me to talk to him, try to convince him?
ALVARO: To tell you the truth, you are probably the only person that can convince him, because he trusts you, and we have to play our last card!

-PATRICIA IS SHOCK TO HEAR WHAT ALVARO AND MOLINA ARE DISCUSSING-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CECILIA IS IN THE WAITING AREA OF THE INSANE ASYLUM WHERE HER SISTER MERCEDES (MARISOL’S MOTHER) IS CONFINED. CECILIA IS PACING THE FLOOR, WAITING FOR MERCEDES TO APPEAR. ONE OF THE FEMALE PATIENTS APPROACHES CECILIA AND ASKS FOR A LIGHT. CECILIA FLICKS THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND THE WOMAN RUNS AWAY SCARED WHEN SHE SEES THE FLAME-

CECILIA: What a place! Anyone can go crazy here!

-MERCEDES COMES INTO THE ROOM, ACCOMPANIED BY A FEMALE NURSE. THE NURSE LEAVES MERCEDES ALONE WITH CECILIA. MERCEDES LOOKS CONFUSED-

NURSE: Here she is, but only for a moment.
CECILIA: Merceditas, you’re blossoming! Aren’t you going to give me a kiss?
MERCEDES: Who are you?
CECILIA: I’m Cecilia!
MERCEDES: I don’t anyone by that name!
CECILIA: I’m your sister! I haven’t been able to come and see you lately because of Marianito’s wedding….
MERCEDES: I don’t know who Marianito is!
CECILIA: How is that possible! Marianito, Mariano, your nephew!
MERCEDES: I don’t have any family, so I believe you are confusing me with……

-CECILIA LOSES HER PATIENCE AND GRABS MERCEDES BY THE ARM. SHE BEGINS TALKING ANGRILY TO MERCEDES IN A LOW VOICE, MAKING SURE SHE DOES NOT ATTRACT ANYONE’S ATTENTION-

CECILIA: Don’t make anything more difficult! You know what I’m talking about! You remember everything!

-CECILIA RELEASES MERCEDES. SHE LOOKS AROUND TO MAKE SURE NO ONE SAW THE WAY SHE WAS TREATING MERCEDES. SEEING THAT SHE’S NOT GETTING THE RESULTS SHE WANTS FROM MERCEDES, CECILIA DECIDES TO CHANGE HER TACTICS-

CECILIA: We always remember you!
MERCEDES: Really?
CECILIA: Yes! Every time we meet with Victoria, we remember the old times. We talk about you, about Leonora, about how close all of us were! Speaking of Victoria, she told me to ask you about the letters!
MERCEDES: Victoria wants the letters!
CECILIA: Yes, the ones she used to send you when she was living abroad!
MERCEDES: What letters? Were they letters of recommendation?
CECILIA: You know what letters I’m talking about!
MERCEDES: No, I don’t! I don’t like letters! I never liked letters! I don’t like letters!

-MERCEDES BECOMES AGITATED AND WALKS AWAY, LEAVING CECILIA VERY FRUSTRATED-

CECILIA: Mercedes! Meche! Meche! Imbecile!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-LETICIA IS CHECKING ON CHOCOLATE. PEDRO IS STANDING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF CHOCOLATE HOLDING THE REINS-

LETICIA: You didn’t like him either!
PEDRO: I didn’t like him at all! You already knew him?
LETICIA: Yes, he’s been a friend of Ana’s for years.
PEDRO: Ha! Yes, I saw how they greeted each other!
LETICIA: He’s always been disgusting! Well, Chocolate looks fine. The hair looks good, his legs, also. His condition is good, very good!

-ANA LAURA ARRIVES AND JOINS PEDRO AND LETICIA. SINCE SHE TOLD PEDRO SHE WAS HIS NEW BOSS, SHE WANTS TO IMPRESS HIM BY SHOWING HIM SHE KNOWS PLENTY ABOUT HORSES AND BEGINS USING TERMINOLOGY RELATED TO THE ANIMAL. HER ATTITUDE TAKES LETICIA BY SURPRISE AND AMUSES PEDRO. PEDRO DECIDES TO HAVE A LITTLE FUN AT HER EXPENSE. HE REQUESTS FROM ANA LAURA SEVERAL ARTICLES PERTAINING TO THE HORSE. ANA LAURA, OF COURSE, KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT HORSES AND DOESN’T KNOW THE ITEMS PEDRO IS ASKING FOR. LETICIA TRIES TO HELP HER AND GIVES HER SOME HINTS-

ANA LAURA: Well, well! How’s Picolino?
LETICIA: Fine, fine.
ANA LAURA: Fine?
LETICIA: Yes!
ANA LAURA: He’s a great equine, isn’t he?
LETICIA: Equine?
ANA LAURA: Equine, horse! They’re synonyms!

-PEDRO IS CARESSING CHOCOLATE AND IS BY THIS TIME SMILING TO HIMSELF AFTER LISTENING TO ANA LAURA-

PEDRO: Great vocabulary! Since you’re there, could you please hand me the headgear?
ANA LAURA: Sure!

-PEDRO LOOKS OVER CHOCOLATE’S SHOULDER TO SEE ANA LAURA REACHING FOR THE SADDLE. PEDRO IS REALLY ENJOYING HIMSELF. LETICIA POINTS TO HER OWN HEAD, TRYING TO HELP ANA LAURA-

LETICIA: The headgear, Anita! The head! The harness!

-ANA LAURA LOOKS AROUND BUT DOESN’T KNOW WHAT LETICIA IS TALKING ABOUT-

ANA LAURA: Well, Pedro, you get it! That’s your job, after all!
PEDRO: Very well!

-PEDRO HANDS LETICIA THE REINS, AND WALKS OVER TO GET THE HARNESS. HE THEN ASKS ANA LAURA ANOTHER QUESTION. HE CROSSES HIS ARMS AND WITH A WIDE SMILE ON HIS FACE, WAITS PATIENTLY FOR ANA LAURA’S RESPONSE-

PEDRO: Since you’re here, could you give us your opinion on something?
ANA LAURA: Yes.
PEDRO: What do you think of his crest?

-ANA LAURA LOOKS TOWARS CHOCOLATE’S CHIN-

ANA LAURA: It’s divine! I think it’s great!

-LETICIA TRIES TO COME TO ANA LAURA’S RECUE ONE MORE TIME BY POINTING TO THE HORSE’S HAIR-

LETICIA: Crest! The crest!
ANA LAURA: Oh, it looks good! I swear, I love it! The locks are….

-BY NOW, LETICIA AND PEDRO CAN NO LONGER HOLD BACK AND THEY OPENLY LAUGH AT ANA LAURA’S COMMENTS. ANA LAURA BECOMES ENRAGED BY THEIR LAUGHTER-

ANA LAURA: What’s the matter? Why are you laughing? We are supposed to be working here! It’s not the proper time to be laughing! In that case, instead of working, why do we all just have fun? Is that clear?
PEDRO: It’s clear! Very, very clear!

-ANA LAURA WALKS AWAY ANGRY. PEDRO AND LETICIA LAUGH IN EARNEST NOW-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PATRICIA AND IGNACIO ARE IN THEIR BEDROOM. PATRICIA IS SITTING ON THE BED, IGNACIO IS STANDING-

IGNACIO: What’s wrong with you?
PATRICIA: I’m tired! That’s what’s wrong with me! I’m tired of all this!
IGNACIO: Why?
PATRICIA: Because I feel completely unprotected before this situation!
IGNACIO: That again, Patricia!
PATRICIA: Yes, this again! Again! What happens to Matías and myself if you go to prison? Can you tell me what happens then?
IGNACIO: I’m not going to prison! Stop being so negative, please!

-THEY’RE INTERRUPTED BY A KNOCK ON THE DOOR-

IGNACIO: Come in!

-GUNTHER COMES IN CARRYING A TRAY. PATRICIA IS EXTREMELY ANNOYED-

GUNTHER: It’s time! It’s time for a little snack!
IGNACIO: Just set it somewhere!
GUNTHER: Yes, and the flowers are for Frau Patri! All natural and freshly-cut!
PATRICIA: I don’t want flowers, Gunther! I don’t understand why you are always doing things no one asks you to do!
GUNTER: Yes, Frau! Herr Igna! It’s time for your medication!
IGNACIO: My medications have been changed, Gunther, and please don’t play the doctor with me, all right?
GUNTHER: I just wanted to….
PATRICIA: Don’t say anything more, Gunther! Take your flowers and leave! Please!
GUNTHER: Yes!

-GUNTHER LEAVES THE ROOM-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MATIAS IS RIDING CHOCOLATE. MATIAS LOOKS TENSE. FEDERICO IS PUSHING HIM TOO HARD, AND GIVING HIM INSTRUCTIONS THAT PEDRO, WATCHING FROM AFAR, DOES NOT AGREE WITH-

FEDERICO: You have to ride in unison, Matías, please! You and the horse must do the same thing! Who’s in charge, you or the horse?
MATIAS: I don’t know what’s wrong! I mark the pace but he’s not obeying me!
FEDERICO: The animal is not supposed to do what it wants! You have to give the orders! You’re supposed to be in charge!

-PEDRO CONTINUES WATCHING AND IS CLEARLY UPSET BY WHAT HE’S SEEING-

FEDERICO: You have to ride it with authority, Matías! This way, it will be impossible to do achieve anything!
MATIAS: I don’t know what’s wrong! He won’t listen to me!

-MATIAS DISMOUNTS AND FEDERICO GRABS CHOCOLATE’S REIN, PULLING THE HORSE TOWARDS HIM-

FEDERICO: So, this is how it is! They bragged so much about you, and you can’t even do a simple trot! Do you know what this horse needs!

-FEDERICO RAISES HIS WHIP AS IF TO STRIKE CHOCOLATE AND PEDRO IMMEDIATELY JUMPS THE FENCE AND COMES RUNNING AND SCREAMING AT FEDERICO-

PEDRO: Are you crazy?
FEDERICO: What are you doing here, can’t you see I’m working?
PEDRO: What you’re doing is not work, it’s brutality!
FEDERICO: That’s not your problem!
PEDRO: Of course it is! Chocolate doesn’t know the rider, that’s why he’s reacting that way!
FEDERICO: Ah! You’re the expert! I see! Please, Balmaceda, leave immediately! I’m the one who gives the orders around here! Leave! I said, leave! Out!
PEDRO: I want you to understand I've known Chocolate since he was a colt!
FEDERICO: I see, now I know who’s to blame for the horse’s unfitness! Look, Balmaceda, by the end of the day, there won’t be one order this horse cannot respond to!

-MARIANO IS MAKING HIS WAY SLOWLY, TOWARDS THEM-

PEDRO: That’s not the way to do things!
FEDERICO: Ah, that’s not the way! I decide what the proper way is, and I won’t accept any interference!
PEDRO: I’m trying to help you and Matías!
FEDERICO: And since when does the monkey knows more than the circus owner!
PEDRO: In this circus, I see only clowns, but there’s no one who knows how to treat Chocolate!
FEDERICO: What insolence!

-MARIANO IS AT THIS POINT, STANDING IN FRONT OF THEM-

MARIANO: What’s happening, now?
FEDERICO: What happens is that one cannot work with this guy around!
MARIANO: What’s wrong with you, Pedro? Why do you like to cause so much trouble?
FEDERICO: He’s hanging around, getting the horse more nervous than he already is! We couldn’t even get started with the jumps!
PEDRO: You’re planning on making him jump today?
FEDERICO: Do you see this, Mariano?
MARIANO: Federico’s right. Everything has its limits, Pedro.
PEDRO: I’m trying to help!
MARIANO: Don’t help anymore! Please, I’m begging you, don’t help anymore! And leave, because if you don’t, I’m going to have to throw you out of here myself!
PEDRO: I just hope it’s not too late and you come to regret things!

-PEDRO WALKS AWAY, AND MARIANO SMILES AND PATS FEDERICO ON THE BACK-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-ANA LAURA IS LYING IN BED, RESTING AFTER HER “FIRST DAY OF WORK.” VICTORIA WALKS IN-

VICTORIA: What’s the matter? Are you dead?
ANA LAURA: I’m exhausted! I can’t believe it, and this is only the beginning!

-ANA LAURA SITS UP STRAIGHT AND REMOVES HER BOOTS. VICTORIA SITS ON THE BED. ANA LAURA THEN SLIDES TO THE FLOOR AND KNEELS BY THE EDGE OF THE BED, FACING VICTORIA, AND RESTING HER ELBOWS ON THE BED-

VICTORIA: That’s right! We have so many things to do! First, we must prepare the budget. Then, we must decide what breeds we’re going to register, we have to prepare the national championship! We have a lot of work to do!
ANA LAURA: Victoria, please, talk to me slowly about all this because I’m not used to any of it, and my head can only deal with so much!
VICTORIA: That’s because dealing with horses is a life-time commitment, querida!
ANA LAURA: And it can also take you to your death!
VICTORIA: No, don’t say that, please! Don’t say that. I’m sure your mother is very proud of you for making this decision! Besides, you don’t need a lot of training. I’m sure you’ll learn everything necessary in just a short time!
ANA LAURA: Oh, really! I wish I had as much confidence in myself, as you have.
VICTORIA: You don’t want to make mistakes, right?
ANA LAURA: Right.
VICTORIA: Then, you shouldn’t become an enemy to certain people, for example!
ANA LAURA: Enemies! Who are you referring to?
VICTORIA: Marisol! I’ve been told that things aren’t going well between the two of you.
ANA LAURA: Well, they lied to you, because we had a few words but it wasn’t anything serious, it was only some foolishness!
VICTORIA: I don’t know what the problem is, but you shouldn’t have any confrontations with her, not with her!
ANA LAURA: Well, we’ve never really been great friends, either!
VICTORIA: You should try to be, because there are some common interests between you!
ANA LAURA: Victoria, I don’t associate with people for what I may get from them!
VICTORIA: Little one, sometimes there’s power in numbers! Don’t ever forget that!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO ARRIVES AT MARISOL’S HOUSE. SHE INVITED HIM TO DINNER AND HE ARRIVED A LITTLE EARLY. SHE’S WEARING A ROBE AND HASN’T FINISHED GETTING DRESSED. HE SURPRISES HER BY GIVING HER A SMALL BOUQUET OF FLOWERS HE’D BEEN HIDING BEHIND HIS BACK-

MARISOL: Thank you! They’re beautiful! Well, you’re a little early. As you can see, I’m not quite ready yet.
PEDRO: No, it’s all right, stay the way you are. You look wonderful!
MARISOL: You’re going to make me blush! Why don’t you pour yourself something to drink! I’ll finish getting dressed!
PEDRO: All right!

-MARISOL LEAVES THE ROOM. PEDRO TURNS ON THE MUSIC AND APPROACHES THE STOVE. HE BEGINS TALKING TO MARISOL, LOUD ENOUGH FOR HER TO HEAR HIM FROM THE OTHER ROOM-

PEDRO: It smells wonderful in here! This is going to be great! Do you want me to pour you a drink?

-HE WALKS TO THE TABLE AND BEGINS POURING THE DRINKS. MARISOL CAN BE HEARD TALKING TO HIM, STILL FROM THE OTHER ROOM-

MARISOL: Pedro, can you smell something burning?
PEDRO: No, everything’s fine here!
MARISOL: Please, stir the pot on the stove!

-PEDRO WALKS BACK TO THE STOVE AND DOESN’T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE MEAL-

PEDRO: Which pot? There’s nothing burning here!

HE DOESN’T REALIZE THAT MARISOL HAS WALKED BACK INSIDE THE ROOM AND IS STANDING RIGHT BEHIND HIM. HE CALLS OUT HER NAME-

PEDRO: Marisol!

-HE TURNS AROUND AND FINDS MARISOL NEXT TO HIM-

PEDRO: Oh!
MARISOL: You don’t have to scream, I’m right here!
PEDRO: It’s fine!
MARISOL: Does everything look all right?
PEDRO: Yes, everything is wonderful.

-PEDRO THEN NOTICES THAT MARISOL HAS ACCIDENTLY LEFT THE TOP BUTTON OF HER BLOUSE UNDONE. HE BRIEFLY LOOKS DOWN AND THEN LOOKS INTO HER EYES-

PEDRO: Very tempting!

-MARISOL REALIZES WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT AND REACTS WITH EMBARRASSMENT-

MARISOL: Oh, I’m sorry!

-THEY BOTH LAUGH NERVOUSLY, AND AT THIS MOMENT, JULIETA ENTERS THE ROOM AND RUNS TO PEDRO’S ARMS-

JULIETA: Pedro! You made it!
PEDRO: Hello! Are you ready?

-PEDRO AND JULIETA ARE ABOUT TO START DANCING. MARISOL IS AT THE STOVE NOW, STIRRING THE POTS. SHE TURNS AROUND AND ADDRESSES JULIETA-

MARISOL: No! You have to take a shower! You spent all day with the horses! You won’t sit at the table until you do!
JULIETA: Mom, wait a second! Come, Pedro, let’s dance to this song, I love it!
MARISOL: Julieta!
PEDRO: Did you finish all your assignations, I mean, homework?
JULIETA: Yes! And I learned all my time tables!
PEDRO: Really? What’s 4x8?
JULIETA: Forty-eight!
PEDRO: Very well! Then we can dance!

-PEDRO AND JULIETA BEGIN DANCING. MARISOL CONTINUES WITH DINNER AND SMILES HAPPILY WHEN SHE SEES PEDRO AND JULIETA DANCING-

PEDRO: Julieta, step back! Remember to move your shoulders! Ay! Now, a turn! Perfect! Now, a step back! You must always follow the steps and move! Now a kiss!

-PEDRO AND JULIETA CONTINUE DANCING-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MERCEDES IS IN HER ROOM AT THE ASYLUM. CECILIA’S VISIT HAS LEFT HER VERY UPSET. SHE’S IN TEARS. THE NURSE IS WITH HER AND IS NOT BEING VERY PATIENT WITH HER-

NURSE: To bed! We must turn off the light!
MERCEDES: No, don’t turn the lights off!

-MERCEDES GETS INTO HER BED-

NURSE: Calm down and go to sleep!
MERCEDES: But don’t turn the lights off!
NURSE: And don’t insist on ringing the bell, because I will disconnect it!
MERCEDES: No, don’t disconnect it!

-THE NURSE LEAVES THE ROOM. MERCEDES CONTINUES CRYING. SHE PICKS UP A PHOTOGRAPH OF MARISOL AND HUGS IT TO HER CHEST-

MERCEDES: I miss you so much, my little girl! So much, so much!

-SHE CARESSES THE PHOTOGRAPH-
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-PEDRO AND JULIETA ARE STILL DANCING. PEDRO PICKS UP JULIETA IN HIS ARMS AND DOES SEVERAL TURNS-

PEDRO: Marisol, come and joins us!
JULIETA: Come on, mom! Don’t stand there!
MARISOL: No, dinner is going to get cold!
JULIETA: I’ll go wash my hands!

-PEDRO AND MARISOL BEGIN DANCING-

MARISOL: Shall we sit down to dinner?
PEDRO: And stop in the middle of a song? That’s not what I was taught at home!

-THEY CONTINUE DANCING AND LAUGHING. OUTSIDE THE DOOR, ANA LAURA WAS ABOUT TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR, WHEN SHE HEARS THE MUSIC PLAYING. SHE STOPS AND LISTENS FOR A FEW SECONDS LONGER. SHE THEN MOVES TO THE WINDOW AND SEES PEDRO AND MARISOL DANCING. ANA LAURA REMAINS AT THE WINDOW, WATCHING PEDRO AND MARISOL ENJOYING THEMSELVES. SHE HAS A WISTFUL LOOK ON HER FACE-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-JULIETA AND TOTI ARE SITTING DOWN ON THE GRASS PLAYING SOMETHING SIMILAR TO A GAME OF JACKS, EXCEPT THEY’RE PLAYING IT WITH ROCKS. IT’S TOTI’S TURN. HE THROWS ONE OF THE SMALL ROCKS UP IN THE AIR, AND IT HITS HIM ON THE FACE-

JULIETA: Stop! You lose!
TOTI: No, what do you mean I lose! I always pretend I don’t see when you lose…..
JULIETA: You lose!
TOTI: I know! I know!

-GUNTHER JOINS THEM ON THE GRASS AND WANTS TO PLAY WITH THEM-

GUNTHER: Do you need another player? I have my own rocks, but I can lend them to you!

-NEITHER JULIETA NOT TOTI GIVE HIM AN ANSWER-

GUNTHER: You don’t need any? Fine, I’ll wait until one of you loses!

-TOTI IS ANGRY AT GUNTHER AND DOESN’T WANT TO EVEN TALK TO HIM-

TOTI: Listen, I don’t need anything from you! Nothing! Is that clear? Ciao!

-TOTI RAISES HIMSELF UP FROM THE GRASS AND LEAVES-

JULIETA: Gunther, every time you arrive, you mess up everything!
GUNTHER: Yes, I know, that’s why I came. I need you to help me!
JULIETA: You need my help?
GUNTHER: Yes, I want you to help me be a better person so everyone will like me!
JULIETA: Gunther, I can’t do miracles!
GUNTHER: Please!
JULIETA: What?
GUNTHER: Please!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-FEDERICO IS PUSHING MATIAS AND CHOCOLATE AT THE TRACK. THE HORSE TRIES TO JUMP BUT KNOCKS DOWN ONE OF THE BARS-

FEDERICO: Toti, please, pick it up and put it back where it belongs!

-PEDRO APPROACHES FEDERICO. HE’S ANGRY-

PEDRO: He needs to rest!
FEDERICO: I decide if the horse is tired!
PEDRO: It’s a big risk and you know it! You can’t demand so much of him!

-MARIANO AND ANA LAURA ARE SEEN IN THE BACKGROUND. MARIANO SEES PEDRO AND FEDERICO ARGUING AGAIN, AND APPROACHES THEM. ANA LAURA IS RIGHT BEHIND HIM, AS WELL AS MARISOL AND CHAPA-

FEDERICO: Balmaceda, get out of here, please! How many times do I have to tell you that!
PEDRO: As many times as it’s necessary! I am not leaving! You must be stopped!
FEDERICO: You’re the one who needs to be stopped, and my me!
PEDRO: All right, brother, here I am!
MARIANO: Federico, what’s the problem?
FEDERICO: The problem is that if you don’t get this guy out of my sight, I will no longer train this horse!

-PEDRO ADDRESSES MARIANO-

PEDRO: He doesn’t know of our agreement!
FEDERICO: I’ve had it! Either he leaves or I do! You decide!
MARIANO: No, fortunately, I don’t have anything to say in that matter. Ana is the one who decides.

-MARIANO PUSHES ANA LAURA BETWEEN PEDRO AND FEDERICO-

MARIANO: What do we do, Anita? You decide! Who stays, Pedro or Federico?

-ANA LAURA LOOKS NERVOUSLY FROM PEDRO TO FEDERICO. SHE IS SURPRISED TO FIND HERSELF IN THAT UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MAGDA IS IN THE KITCHEN PREPARING A CUP OF TEA, AND TALKING TO HERSELF-

MAGDA: By following that old woman around, I will get myself in a lot of trouble one of these days!

-FLORIA TAPS HER ON THE SHOULDER AND STARTLES HER-

MAGDA: Oh, you almost scared me to death!
FLORIA: Come on, we need to go somewhere! Come on!
MAGDA: What?
FLORIA: You need to accompany me!
MAGDA: Where are we going?
FLORIA: You’re going to be my look-out!
MAGDA: No, no, señora, I’m not good at doing that! I get very nervous!
FLORIA: Come on, we must go now!
MAGDA: First, tell me what are you going to do?
FLORIA: I can’t waste another minute! I have to resolve a very important matter!
MAGDA: What important matter?
FLORIA: God doesn’t ask as many questions, and He still forgives us! Come on!

-FLORIA LEAVES THE KITCHEN IN A HURRY, FOLLOWED BY MAGDA-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-JULIETA IS TALKING TO GUNTHER. SHE’S GOING TO TRY TO HELP HIM-

JULIETA: We have to start with this! My name. I have a name, and you know it perfectly! Let’s see, repeat after me! Julieta!
GUNTHER: Julieten! Julieten!
JULIETA: Very good!
GUNTHER: Are you going to help me?
JULIETA: Yes, yes. Well, I have to think about it, first!

-GUNTHER BEGINS SCREAMING AT HER-

GUNTHER: Why do you have to think about it! You must help me! Why do you have to think about something so easy!
JULIETA: Do you see! Do you see! Right away, you turn into this mean guy! I think it’s going be a little hard to get people to like you, Gunther. So, first, let me think about this, and I’ll let you know what I decide.

-JULIETA RUNS AWAY. GUNTHER CONTINUES PRACTICING JULIETA’S NAME-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-AT THE TRACK, EVERYONE IS WAITING FOR ANA LAURA’S ANSWER. MARIANO IS RESTING HIS HANDS ON HER SHOULDERS-

MARIANO: Come on, my love!
ANA LAURA: Federico stays.

-ANA LAURA LEAVES RIGHT AWAY. MARIANO IS SMILING-

FEDERICO: Very well! But I want to make it very clear, I’m staying with certain conditions! Pedro is to do his job and nothing else!
MARISOL: I’m sorry, but I think that’s very unfair! Pedro can contribute a lot to help Federico!
MARIANO: Excuse me, Marisol. When we need your opinion, we’ll make sure to ask you for it, all right?
FEDERICO: Yes, this girl is confused! I don’t want anyone interfering with my work! He’s a peon, let him continue being a peon!
MARISOL: Pedro is much more than a peon!
PEDRO: Don’t worry, Marisol!

-PEDRO TAKES MARISOL BY THE ARM AND WALKS AWAY WITH HER-

MARISOL: You’re much more than a peon! Why do they treat you that way?

-ANA LAURA IS STANDING TO THE SIDE AND DETAINS PEDRO, BY PUTTING HER HAND ON HIS ARM-

ANA LAURA: Each person has to concentrate on their field of expertise!
PEDRO: Excuse me!

-PEDRO AND MARISOL LOOK AT HER. PEDRO IS VERY ANGRY AND AS HE AND MARISOL WALK AWAY, HE PUSHES ANA LAURA OUT OF THE WAY WITH HIS SHOULDER-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS IN THE STALL WITH CHOCOLATE. HE’S STILL VERY ANGRY AND HATES THE WAY THEY’RE ABUSING THE ANIMAL. HE’S CARESSING AND TALKING TO THE HORSE. ANA LAURA ARRIVES. THERE ARE SEVERAL DIVISIONS IN THE STABLE AND EACH ONE OF THEM CONTAINS A HORSE. PEDRO BEGINS MOVING FROM STALL TO STALL FEEDING THE ANIMALS, WHEN ANA LAURA ARRIVES AND BEGINS TALKING TO HIM-

PEDRO: You ran a lot! Look how tired you are! They’re treating you terribly!
ANA LAURA: Do you mind explaining to me why you left the way you did when we were talking with Federico?
PEDRO: If you didn’t care before, why do you care now?
ANA LAURA: I do care, I care very much! But Federico is the trainer! It’s only right!
PEDRO: He can be the trainer or whatever he wants! That doesn’t mean he’s going to treat Chocolate right! He’s going to ruin my work with Chocolate!
ANA LAURA: Why do you say that?
PEDRO: I say that because I know Chocolate from the day he was born! It would have been only fair that I train him! That’s the fair thing to do! It’s all I wanted to do!
ANA LAURA: But I didn’t know that!
PEDRO: Well, now you know it! And little do you care!
ANA LAURA: If only I’d known, Pedro, I swear…..
PEDRO: Look! Let’s leave it at that, okay? Let me be! Leave me alone, please!

-PEDRO TRIES TO LEAVE, BUT ANA LAURA STOPS HIM-

ANA LAURA: No, no. no! Why won’t you allow me to be nice to you?
PEDRO: You’re not being nice!
ANA LAURA: Yes, I’m being nice!
PEDRO: I know when you’re being nice!
ANA LAURA: If you’re talking about Mariano, I prefer you be quiet!
PEDRO: I’m not talking about him! I’m talking about myself! Did you forget?

-PEDRO WALKS INTO THE LAST STALL AND ANA LAURA FOLLOWS HIM. THEY ARE STANDING VERY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER-

ANA LAURA: No, no! But I think we’re talking about two different things!
PEDRO: Yes! We’re talking about two different things! I absolutely believe that!
ANA LAURA: Why do you say that?
PEDRO: Every time we talk, we put more distance between us!
ANA LAURA: If we really tried, it could be very different!
PEDRO: I don’t think that’s possible!
ANA LAURA: And why not?

-PEDRO TAKES HER IN HIS ARMS AND BRINGS HIS FACE CLOSE TO HERS-

PEDRO: Do you want me to explain it to you?

-JULIETA COMES AND SEES PEDRO AND ANA LAURA TALKING VERY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER-

ANA LAURA: No, I’d rather you….
PEDRO: What do you want? A kiss?

-THEY ARE ABOUT TO KISS, WHEN THEY HEAR FEDERICO APPROACHING THE STALLS. PEDRO RELEASES ANA LAURA AND SHE MOVES AWAY FROM HIM-

-PEDRO AND ANA LAURA ARE IN THE STABLE. UNKNOWN TO THEM, JULIETA HAS ARRIVED AND SEES PEDRO HOLDING ANA LAURA IN HIS ARMS. SHE HEARS PEDRO ASKING ANA LAURA IF SHE WANTS TO BE KISSED. JULIETA WALKS ANGRILY AWAY. PEDRO AND ANA LAURA ARE ABOUT TO KISS, WHEN THEY HEAR FEDERICO APPROACHING AND YELLING AT THE DOGS. PEDRO IMMEDIATELY RELEASES ANA LAURA. SHE MOVES AWAY FROM HIM. FEDERICO WALKS IN THE STALL AND STANDS NEXT TO ANA LAURA. PEDRO STANDS TO THE SIDE AND WHILE ANA LAURA AND FEDERICO TALK, HE USES THE TIME TO COMPOSE HIMSELF. ANA LAURA IS A LITTLE ANNOYED AT FEDERICO FOR INTURRUPTING THEM-

ANA LAURA: Fede, it’s all right! They’re Gunther’s dogs! They’re harmless!
FEDERICO: Yes, well, I just came to say hello!
ANA LAURA: Good, I came to see Chocolate, the poor thing!
FEDERICO: Yes, he had an exhausting day!

-FEDERICO THEN REALIZES PEDRO IS THERE AND APPROACHES HIM-

FEDERICO: Ah, Balmaceda!
PEDRO: Hum?
FEDERICO: Look, tomorrow afternoon, Matias will be training with Antonio. I already left instructions for them, all right?
PEDRO: Yes.
ANA LAURA: Don’t you want Pedro to do it?
FEDERICO: Anita, didn’t we agree to do things my way?

-AT THIS COMMENT BY FEDERICO, PEDRO ROLLS HIS EYES. FEDERICO THEN PROCEEDS TO AFFECTIONATELY TAKE ANA LAURA’S CHEEKS IN HIS HANDS AND TO MAKE COOING SOUNDS. ANA LAURA LOOKS TO SEE PEDRO’S REACTION. PEDRO SEEMS SURPRISED BY FEDERICO’S ACTION AND THEN MAKES A MOCKING GESTURE AS FEDERICO DEPARTS-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-FLORIA HAS BEEN SEARCHING CECILIA AND ALVARO’S BEDROOM. SHE’S LOOKING FOR THE LETTERS CECILIA HAS BEEN READING, AND THAT WERE WRITTEN BY VICTORIA TO LEONORA, ANA LAURA’S MOTHER. FLORIA ISN’T BEING VERY CAREFUL IN HER SEARCH THROGHOUT THE ROOM. THE DRAWERS ARE OPEN AND ITEMS ARE SPILLING OUT FROM THEM, THE BED’S BLANKETS AND BEDSPREAD ARE A MESS, AND THE COMPLETE ROOM IS IN DISARRAY. MAGDA HAS BEEN STANDING IN THE HALLWAY SERVING AS FLORIA’S LOOK-OUT. SHE SEES ALVARO APPROACHING THE BEDROOM AND BEGINS TO WHISTLE LOUDLY, TO WARN FLORIA THAT SOMEONE’S COMING. FLORIA HEARS MAGDA AND SHE RUNS TO HIDE INSIDE THE CLOSET. ALVARO BECOMES ANNOYED WITH MAGDA’S WHISTLING AND TELLS HER TO STOP. MAGDA IS VERY NERVOUS AND FOLLOWS ALVARO INTO THE BEDROOM BUT IS RELIEVED TO SEE THAT FLORIA FOUND A PLACE TO HIDE-

ALVARO: Whatever it is you’re doing, leave it for later, Magda! Stop whistling that you’re giving me a headache!
MAGDA: No, no, it’s just that the room is not……
ALVARO: What’s wrong with the room?
MAGDA: The room is perfect, sir! Perfect!

-MAGDA STEPS BACK AND LEAVES THE ROOM. ALVARO LOOKS AROUND THE BEDROOM AND SEES THE DISORDER THAT FLORIA LEFT-

ALVARO: Perfect? Cecilia is right! The service around here is depressing! Absolutely depressing!

-HE THEN GOES DIRECTLY TO THE CLOSET TO RETRIEVE A SHIRT. HE GETS THE SHIRT AND CLOSES THE CLOSET DOOR. HE SITS ON THE BED AND PICKS UP THE TELEPHONE-

ALVARO: Lisa, this is Alvaro. Do you know why my bedroom hasn’t been cleaned? If I’m telling you it hasn’t been cleaned, it hasn’t been cleaned! I want you to come up and fix this immediately! This is a complete disaster!

-ALVARO PICKS UP THE SHIRT FROM THE BED AND GOES INTO THE RESTROOM TO CHANGE. FLORIA THEN EXITS THE CLOSET AND CAREFULLY MAKES HER WAY OUT OF THE BEDROOM-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MERCEDES IS IN THE ASYLUM. MARISOL IS SITTING NEXT TO HER ON THE BED-

MERCEDES: My enchanted princess! How did I leave you with those wolves? How could I?

-MERCEDES CARESSES MARISOL CHEEK. MARISOL IS CRYING-

MARISOL: I’m fine, mami, but I worry about you!
MERCEDES: Then take me away from here, my love, take me away from here because no one loves me in this place, no one!
MARISOL: Mami, I can’t take you with me right now. I swear to you, I can’t do it! Forgive me!

-MERCEDES LOOKS SAD AND CONFUSSED
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

-PEDRO IS ONCE AGAIN HELPING JULIETA WITH HER HOMEWORK. THEY’RE SITTING AT THE KITCHEN TABLE. JULIETA LOOKS SAD AND DOESN’T SEEM TOO INTERESTED IN HOMEWORK-

PEDRO: Third problem. Underline the nouns you find in the text!
JULIETA: I already did.
PEDRO: No, my love, those are the verbs, the action, do you remember……
JULIETA: Pedro!
PEDRO: Yes?
JULIETA: Do you like Ana Laura?

-PEDRO IS TAKEN ABACK BY JULIETA’S QUESTION-

PEDRO: Why are you asking me that?
JULIETA: I saw you kissing her!
PEDRO: I wasn’t kissing her!
JULIETA: Yes, Pedro. I saw you when I was passing by the stalls.
PEDRO: You need to go to the doctor and get a prescription for glasses because I was only talking to her!
JULIETA: Yes, but you were very close to her! What were you talking about?
PEDRO: Grown-up things!
JULIETA: Pedro, who do you like more, my mother or Ana Laura?

-PEDRO IS VERY SURPRISED BY HER QUESTION AND HE TAKES A SECOND TO ANSWER HER. HE REALLY IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TALKING TO JULIETA ABOUT THIS SUBJECT-

PEDRO: Julieta, you know Ana Laura is a married woman!
JULIETA: So what! You can still like her!
PEDRO: Well, let’s continue with the homework! It’s what matters right now, because you already know that if you don’t finish it…..
JULIETA: I won’t be able to train with Lunita!
PEDRO: Exactly, you won’t be able to train with Lunita! So, then let’s continue underlining the verbs…..was it the verbs or the nouns…..what were we doing?…..Come, come on, let’s continue, please, and underline the nouns!

-JULIETA SIGHS AND SMILES, AND GIVES PEDRO A LOOK AS IF SAYING TO HIM: “YOU DON’T FOOL ME, I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING.” PEDRO JUST LOOKS RELIEVED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO APPEASE HER AND DROPS THE SUBJECT, FOR NOW-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL IS NOW IN THE LOBBY OF THE ASYLUM AND IS ASKING ONE THE PATIENTS A QUESTION-

MARISOL: Excuse me, could you tell me where I can find a nurse?
PATIENT: Nurses make people sick!

-THE PATIENT WALKS AWAY AND MARISOL IS LEFT FEELING POWERLESS. SHE’S ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR SOMEONE FROM THE STAFF TO SHOW UP, WHEN CECILIA WALKS INTO THE ROOM. BOTH OF THEM SEEM SURPRISED TO SEE ONE ANOTHER IN THAT PLACE-

MARISOL: Aunt, what are you doing here?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IGNACIO IS IN HIS BEDROOM. HE’S SITTING ON THE BED, RESTING HIS BACK AGAINST THE HEADBOARD. ANA LAURA KNOCKS ON THE DOOR AND COMES IN-

ANA LAURA: How are you? What did the doctor say?
IGNACIO: He said I’m fine, but I don’t feel well.
ANA LAURA: Why, what are you feeling?
IGNACIO: I feel pressure on my chest.
ANA LAURA: That’s just anguish, dad!
IGNACIO: Perhaps.
ANA LAURA: What’s worrying you now?
IGNACIO: My situation. I don’t think it’s been resolved yet.
ANA LAURA: No, everything is under control, relax!
IGNACIO: Are you sure everything is under control?
ANA LAURA: Mariano promised me!
IGNACIO: I don’t trust the Linares! I’m afraid! They could stab me on the back at any time!
ANA LAURA: What would it take for you to feel safe?
IGNACIO: I don’t know! Perhaps something in writing that would guarantee my freedom!
ANA LAURA: All right, I will make sure I get something in writing!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-FLORIA AND MAGDA ARE ONCE AGAIN IN CECILIA’S BEDROOM-

FLORIA: Let’s hope this time you do better!
MAGDA: But why did you ask me to whistle to Fígaro? Why not chose something easier?
FLORIA: Yes, the cry of a screech owl! That’s you!
MAGDA: You’re now going to blame me?
FLORIA: Well, it’s not my fault either, so stop!
MAGDA: Fine, what tune do you want me to whistle to, now?
FLORIA: No, you’re not going to whistle this time. You’re going to say what Ricardo Montalbán’s little man in Fantasy Island did, do you remember? The plane, the plane!
MAGDA: All right, but I think they’re going to notice what we’re up to!
FLORIA: Do me a favor and go do what you have to do!
MAGDA: Yes.

-MAGDA LEAVES THE ROOM-

FLORIA: The woman is so useless! She’s not even a good spy!

-FLORIA SEARCHES THROUGH A DRESSER DRAWER. SHE FINDS THE LETTERS TIED WITH A PINK RIBBON-

FLORIA: Leonora’s letters! What is Cecilia planning to do with these letters?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO IS SITTING AT THE DESK IN THE LIBRARY. ANA LAURA COMES IN-

ANA LAURA: Marisol is not here?
MARIANO: No, she said she’d be a little late.
ANA LAURA: Good, because I need to talk to you.
MARIANO: What about?
ANA LAURA: My father.

-MARIANO LEAVES HIS CHAIR AND WALKS AROUND THE DESK AND STANDS IN FRONT OF ANA LAURA-

MARIANO: I feel that’s a delicate subject and I don’t think this is the appropriate place to discuss it. I sometimes think the walls can hear us!
ANA LAURA: Where do you want to discuss the subject, then?
MARIANO: Why don’t we go out to dinner tonight? We can talk with no interruptions then.

-ANA LAURA IS NOT VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THAT SUGGESTION-

ANA LAURA: I don’t know.
MARIANO: Come on, please, don’t say no. We haven’t done this in a long time! You choose the place!
ANA LAURA: All right, but promise me you’ll listen!
MARIANO: Yes, I love listening to you!

-MARIANO COMES CLOSER AND HOLDS HER FACE IN HIS HANDS AND INTENDS TO KISS HER. ANA LAURA STOPS HIM-

ANA LAURA: No, no, stop! Please do not insist on that, Mariano. It’s useless.

-SHE WALKS OUT-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL’S HOUSE. PEDRO AND MARISOL ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE. MARISOL IS VERY UPSET AFTER VISITING MERCEDES, HER MOTHER, AND IS CRYING-

MARISOL: I felt terrible seeing her that way. I can’t. It’s too much for me!

-PEDRO REACHES OUT AND RESTS HIS HAND ON HER SHOULDER-

PEDRO: It must be very difficult for you. I understand.
MARISOL: It’s horrible!

-JULIETA WALKS IN THE HOUSE AT THAT MOMENT AND SEES MARISOL CRYING-

JULIETA: Hello, Pedro. Hello, mom. Mom, what’s wrong?
MARISOL: Nothing, my love, nothing!

-MARISOL GETS UP FROM HER CHAIR AND LEAVES THE ROOM. JULIETA SITS NEXT TO PEDRO-

JULIETA: She’s crying, isn’t she?
PEDRO: Yes, love, but sometimes it’s good to cry.
JULIETA: And she’s very sad!
PEDRO: Yes, a little. But, what’s so nice about this, is that she has you, and that makes her life a little more pleasant.
JULIETA: Well, you could also help a little with that!
PEDRO: I try, but sometimes…..
JULIETA: Why don’t you ask her out?
PEDRO: What?
JULIETA: Yes, she loves to go out!
PEDRO: Ah, yes, I would but……

-MARISOL RETURNS TO THE ROOM AT THIS MOMENT-

JULIETA: Well, I’ll go watch a little tv, all right?

JULIETA GETS UP FROM HER CHAIR, PATS PEDRO SOFTLY ON THE BACK, AND LEAVES THE ROOM. MARISOL IS SITTING NEXT TO PEDRO, AGAIN-

MARISOL: What’s the matter with her?
PEDRO: I don’t know!
MARISOL: Pedro, I’m sorry about my behavior earlier. You have enough problems of you own!
PEDRO: No, please, to the contrary….ahum, why don’t we go out somewhere?
MARISOL: I don’t know what Julieta will say about that!
PEDRO: Julieta will agree with me, you’ll see!
MARISOL: Where will we go?
PEDRO: It’ll be a very nice surprise!

-MARISOL SMILES AND POUTS. PEDRO LAUGHS AT HER GESTURE-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CECILIA IS SITTING IN THE LOBBY OF THE ASYLUM, WAITING FOR THE NURSE IN CHARGE OF MERCEDES. THE NURSE WALKS BY AND CECILIA DETAINS HER-

CECILIA: Where have you been?
NURSE: Señora, I thought you’d left!
CECILIA: I never leave anything undone!
NURSE: We can’t continue with this! At any moment now, someone could find out what we’re doing with your sister!
CECILIA: We must continue! But I now need you to do something else!
NURSE: If it’s something within my reach!
CECILIA: Of course it is!

-CECILIA OFFERS MONEY TO THE NURSE. THE WOMAN LOOKS AROUND THE ROOM, TAKES THE MONEY, AND PUTS IT IN HER UNIFORM POCKET-

CECILIA: You have to do me a big favor, but you must be very careful.
NURSE: Tell me.
CECILIA: My sister keeps some letters hidden like a valuable treasure, and I’m sure she keeps them here with her!
NURSE: I can search through everything!
CECILIA: Yes! And if you find them, the reward will be worth it!

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

-PEDRO AND MARISOL ARE SITTING AT A TABLE IN AN EXPENSIVE AND ELEGANT RESTAURANT. SHE’S WEARING A BEAUTIFUL SLEEVELESS LAVENDER DRESS WITH A HIGH NECK AND HER HAIR IS UP IN LOOSE CURLS. PEDRO IS POURING WINE (RED) INTO THEIR GLASSES. THEY ARE RELAXED AND SEEM TO BE HAVING A GOOD TIME-

PEDRO: Do you like this place?
MARISOL: I love it!
PEDRO: Shall we make a toast?
MARISOL: Yes, of course!
PEDRO: You go first, wish for anything!
MARISOL: Here’s to…...

-AT THAT MOMENT, MARISOL NOTICES ANA LAURA AND MARIANO WALKING IN THE RESTAURANT AND SITTING AT A TABLE PARALLEL TO THEIR TABLE-

PEDRO: Well, then, what do we make a toast to?
MARISOL: Ana Laura!
PEDRO: Ana Laura?

-PEDRO DIDN’T SEE ANA LAURA AND MARIANO WALK IN, SO HE’S VERY SURPRISED AND THINKS THAT MARISOL IS MAKING A TOAST TO ANA LAURA. MARISOL THEN VERY SUBTLY POINTS IN ANA LAURA AND MARIANO’S DIRECTION. PEDRO FOLLOWS MARISOL GAZE AND SEES ANA LAURA AND MARIANO SITTING AT THEIR TABLE. ANA LAURA LOWERS HER EYES AND AVOIDS LOOKING THEIR WAY. MARIANO IS REMOVING HIS JACKET AND SMILING AT THEM. MARISOL LOOKS UNCOMFORTABLE AND PEDRO LOOKS ABSOLUTELY STUNNED-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-CECILIA, IN HER BEDROOM AND ACCOMPANIED BY CARMEN, IS UPSET TO FIND OUT THE LETTERS HAVE DISAPPEARED FROM THE DRAWER-

CECILIA: It can’t be! The letters are gone! Did you touch anything? Did you move things around?
CARMEN: No, I didn’t, señora!
CECILIA: Well, the letters are not there! They’ve disappeared!

-CECILIA DOESN’T REALIZE ALVARO HAS WALKED IN THE ROOM AND HAS HEARD WHAT SHE JUST SAID-

ALVARO: What letters are you talking about?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-BACK TO THE RESTAURANT-

-ANA LAURA: I want us to talk about my father.
MARIANO: Yes, I know that.

-ANA LAURA LOOKS TOWARDS PEDRO AND MARISOL-

ANA LAURA: Yes, but it’s just that I don’t like this place!
MARIANO: You chose it!

-THE RELAXING ATMOSPHERE PEDRO AND MARISOL HAD BEEN ENJOYING BEFORE ANA LAURA AND MARIANO’S ARRIVAL, IS ALL BUT GONE, NOW. PEDRO IS DISTRACTED AND MARISOL HAS NOTICED IT-

MARISOL: Is something bothering you, or am I imagining things?
PEDRO: No, no, it’s just that I’m not too convinced about this place!
MARISOL: You chose it!
PEDRO: Yes, yes, I know! Will you please excuse me? Ask for some desert, if you’d like!

-PEDRO RISES FROM HIS CHAIR AND LEAVES FOR THE RESTROOM. MARISOL IS CLEARLY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT PEDRO’S BEHAVIOR AND ABOUT HOW THE NIGHT IS TURNING OUT-

MARIANO: I really don’t know how Pedro is going to do it to pay the bill! This place is very expensive!

-PEDRO PASSES BY THEIR TABLE AND LOOKS AT ANA LAURA. ANA LAURA FOLLOWS PEDRO WITH HER EYES. PEDRO GOES INTO THE RESTROOM. AND LAURA, INTENT ON PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT PEDRO IS DOING, DOESN’T HEAR MARIANO TALKING TO HER-

MARIANO: My love! My love!
ANA LAURA: What…..what were you saying?

-MARIANO REALIZES THAN ANA LAURA IS PREOCUPIED WITH PEDRO, AND HE’S CLEARLY FRUSTRATED BY HER REACTION-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

-FLORIA HAS GONE TO VISIT VICTORIA IN THE CITY. THEY’RE BOTH SITTING IN VICTORIA’S LIVING ROOM-

FLORIA: If I came without calling first, it’s because I found something I think is going to be of interest to you.
VICTORIA: What is it?

-FLORIA HANDS VICTORIA THE LETTERS SHE TOOK FROM CECILIA’S ROOM-

FLORIA: The letters you wrote to Leonora!
VICTORIA: No! How wonderful of Leonora! She saved them all! But you don’t have to leave them with me, I have a copy of them!
FLORIA: The important part is not that I found the letters, but where I found them!
VICTORIA: And where did you find them?
FLORIA: Cecilia’s bedroom!

-VICTORIA SEEMS SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE RESTAURANT. MARIANO SEES AN IMPORTANT ACQUAINTANCE SITTING AT A TABLE NEXT TO THEM, AND HE FEELS OBLIGATED TO GO UP TO THE MAN AND GREET HIM-

MARIANO: Dr, Webb! I must go say hello!

-MARIANO LEAVES AT THIS MOMENT TO TALK TO THE MAN. ANA LAURA TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY AND GOES TO WAIT FOR PEDRO TO COME OUT OF THE RESTROOM SO SHE CAN TALK TO HIM. SHE’S STANDING, OUT OF VIEW, OUTSIDE THE RESTROOM, WHEN SHE SEES PEDRO COMING OUT-

ANA LAURA: Tsk, tsk!

-PEDRO TURNS AROUND AND SEES ANA LAURA. THEY STAND TALKING RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO THE RESTROOM. THEY ARE BOTH ON EDGE-

ANA LAURA: What a coincidence!
PEDRO: Yes, I say the same thing!
ANA LAURA: This looks intentional!
PEDRO: That’s exactly what I was thinking!
ANA LAURA: What! This is my fault?
PEDRO: You said it! Not me!

-ANA LAURA IS TRYING TO MAKE SURE MARIANO DOESN’T SEE HER TALKING TO PEDRO. SHE THEN TAKES PEDRO BY SURPRISE AND PUSHES HIM INSIDE THE MEN’S RESTROOM AND WALKS RIGHT IN WITH HIM-

ANA LAURA: Let’s go in, because I really don’t feel like shouting!
PEDRO: Yes, please, don’t shout!
ANA LAURA: No, I won’t shout. I’m here with Mariano because I have important things to discuss with him and…
PEDRO: I’m not asking you for any explanations. I’m having a fantastic time and I hope you don’t ruin the night for me!
ANA LAURA: Oh, really?
PEDRO: Yes!
ANA LAURA: You’re having a good time?
PEDRO: Yes!
ANA LAURA: Poor Marisol! You’re using her!
PEDRO: I didn’t mean that! And I forbid you to talk about her that way!
ANA LAURA: Are you defending her?
PEDRO: Yes. I’m defending her!
ANA LAURA: Well, then, I won’t tell you what I had to tell you!
PEDRO: With someone as capricious as you, who doesn’t know what she wants, the less she talks, the better!
ANA LAURA: But I do know very well what I want! You’re wrong!
PEDRO: Yes?
ANA LAURA: Yes!
PEDRO: And what do you want?

-MARIANO OPENS THE RESTROOM DOOR AT THIS TIME, BUT STANDS FOR A SECOND LOOKING OUT IN THE DIRECTION OF THEIR TABLE BECAUSE HE NOTICES THAT ANA LAURA IS NOT THERE. THIS DELAY ALLOWS PEDRO AND ANA LAURA TO RUN AND HIDE FROM HIM. THERE’S NO OTHER PLACE FOR ANA LAURA TO HIDE EXCEPT IN ONE OF THE URINALS, WITH PEDRO STANDING IN FRONT OF HER. MARIANO THEN COMES AND STANDS IN FRONT OF THE STALL NEXT TO PEDRO, SO THAT THEY ARE STANDING SIDE BY SIDE. MARIANO, OF COURSE, NEVER IMAGINING ANA LAURA IS ALSO IN THERE. PEDRO AND MARIANO LOOK AT EACH OTHER BUT DON’T TALK. MARIANO THEN TAKES CARE OF HIS BUSINESS AND LEAVES-