MONDAYS EPISODE ON WHAT LIFE TOOK FROM ME Captain Robledo tells Joaquín Arechiga that José Luis is innocent and that Arechigas daughter Angélica is in love with him and plans to marry him. • Graciela goes to church to ask the priest to intercede on Dims behalf with Lauro and learns that Monserrat has a new problem. • Graciela brings Montserrat grim tidings from Father Tobias: Alejandro has asked him to begin annulment proceedings. Lo de esta noche Hacienda Almonte, where the only one smiling is María . As Macario looks on soberly, she gushes about her pretty new dresses. Where can she wear them all? Shell get plenty of wear out of them when they travel together, answers Alejandro, barely moving a muscle in his face when he speaks. (Has he been studying elocution with Pedro?) She barks at the workers carrying her new purchases to move it. She has to change for dinner because the clothes she has on got dirty in her recent skirmish with Montserrat. Once she is out of the room, Macario approaches his old friend, now looking decidedly sullen, and dares to tell him he is making a mistake. That María is a... Alejandro cuts him off. If he wants to keep his job, Macario must respect María as the lady of the house. Mac agrees to hold his tongue about María but the boss has made a big mistake (has metido las cuatro; meter las cuatro is like meter la pata, to put your foot in it), as much as it may hurt him to hear the truth. Alejandros face is a clenched fist. Casa Mendoza: Lies, Damn Lies, and...well...more Damn Lies. How could you hit her with news like that? asks Carlota indignantly. Graciela, who has set aside her tablecloth couture and is wearing her dresses shorter and tighter these days, accessorized with ever more terrifying necklaces, bristles at Carlotas reproach. In case Carlota has forgotten, Gracie has also had a frightful day. Poor Dimitrio had to spend a night in a jail cell. Montserrat isnt the only one with problems. And if Carlota thinks it doesnt affect her to see her daughter like that... Well frankly... begins Carlota. This earns her some sharp jabs to the temple. Of course it hurts me, says Graciela. It breaks her heart, she says, but crying wont accomplish anything. Even so, Carlota thinks her sister-in- law could... --Lauro appears at the doorway, about to enter. He stops to listen to this intriguing conversation-- ... be a bit more affectionate and understanding with her daughter. Graciela says she has to find a way for Alejandro to forgive Montserrat so they can get back together. Carlota isnt sure that is still possible. Then Graciela raises the big question -- and Carlota had better answer truthfully -- Esa criatura -- ¿de quién es? Who is the father? Her husband or that damn marinero ? The women are startled when Lauro shuffles into the room and roars: For Gods sake, who are you talking about? He heard Alejandros name. Whats this about forgiving their daughter? And why does Carlota say it is impossible? And dont tell him he misunderstood. HE HEARD THEM PERFECTLY WELL! He is Montserrats father and he has a right to know what is going on! Graciela tries to distract him. His daughter is fine. Besides, she is already asleep. Its been a difficult day. The person Lauro should be worrying about is his son and how he turned his back on him! But Lauro wont take the bait. Dimitrio committed a crime and has to take responsibility for his acts. But they arent talking about him right now. What about Montserrat? Graciela manages to convince Lauro not to disturb Montserrat. It is agreed. Hell talk to his daughter as soon as she wakes up in the morning. When Lauro at last shuffles out of the room, Carlota and Graciela sigh and retreat to the kitchen. Graciela orders Carlota to warn Montserrat: Lauro cant be told the truth. And when it becomes obvious that Montserrat isnt going back to the hacienda, they can tell Lauro that the health of his golden girl ( su niña de oro ) is too delicate for the country. But never mind that -- Carlota still hasnt answered Gracielas question: ¿De quién es esa criatura? Whose baby is it? What a question! says Carlota. It is Alejandros, of course! If Alejandro doesnt think so, it is because he is mad with jealousy ( ¡está loco! ¡enfermo de celos! ), but she trusts her niece completely: Yo, por Montserrat, me meto las manos al fuego. (Id put my hands in the fire for her/ Id trust her with my life.) Graciela thinks Carlotas trust in Montse is ill- founded. She growls dyspeptically: Pues no te vayas a quemar, Carlota. (Watch out that you dont get burned.) Does Carlota think theres a chance the couple will kiss and make up? Who knows? Carlota tried to talk to Alejandro and he wouldnt listen. Poor Montserrat is a wreck. And the worst of it is that Alejandro has already put another woman in his house -- this María person -- an unscrupulous little no-class nothing (peladita sin escrúpulos ) who has always been in love with him and is taking advantage of their separation to steal Montses husband... ...Not just the husband, also the money! interrupts Graciela, rubbing her fingers in the air as she imagines the Almonte fortune diverted from her own coffers. That climber ( trepadora) has to be stopped, whatever it takes! (a como de lugar ) Hacienda Almonte The climber, however, is ascendant. She flounces around for Alejandro in another flowery dress. Does he like it? Yes, he says with a Pedro-like smile. It looks good on her. She thanks him with a peck on the lips. When are they going on their trip together? If it were Marías choice, theyd leave the next day. How about next week? asks Alejandro. María is thrilled. For how long? Until they get bored. She nuzzles him like a horse looking for a sugar cube. She promises to do what she can to make sure he never regrets what he has done. Kitchen at the Casa Mendoza: Its all your fault! Graciela frets about her familys reputation. Aguazul is already abuzz with the story of Dimitrio and Josefina. Imagine what they will say about Montserrat. How could she have been so stupid? Carlota reminds her that Montserrat kept silent out of fear that her husband would kill José Luis. Graciela wishes he had. It would have been better than this! And then observes nastily: ¿Y la niña de oro se portó como una retrógrada mental, ¿verdad? (And the golden girl behaved like a retard, didnt she?) Carlota points out that Graciela herself started the whole mess. Graciela is offended. She set her daughter free from José Luis and got her a millionaire. And if she had been smart, he would have treated her like a queen. Thats not how Carlota sees it. Graciela set up a marriage based on lies and deceit. It was predictable that Alejandro would begin to distrust his wife when he learned the truth. Well if they are talking blame, Montserrat herself behaved irresponsibly. And Carlota will have to help Graciela get the couple back together, the sooner the better. After all, theres a lot of money at stake. (Hay mucho dinero de por medio.) Carlota will help, but not because of the money (which is all her sister-in-law cares about). She wants Alejandro to recognize that he is the father of Montserrats baby. Montserrat is wide awake in her bedroom Graciela tells her daughter what Lauro overheard and warns her not to tell him the truth: his health could not bear it. Montserrat is reluctant to deceive her father any further. The lie is flimsy anyway. Thats not important. When Lauro comes to talk to Montse, she is going to watch her mouth... The holding cell in city hall, the one with the revolving door No, its all your fault! Apparently Lauro has taken Gracielas words to heart. He has decided to visit his son in jail and listen to his side of the story. But when he realizes that a lawyer has been working with Dim, he wants to know who is paying the fees -- he hopes it isnt Josefina. Isnt Dim ashamed of taking advantage of that woman? Apparently not. But he is offended by his fathers visit and seizes the opportunity to blame him for the present problem as well as everything that has gone wrong in his life: when did Dimitrios life ever matter to him? When did he ever pick up a toy to play with him? He only had eyes for Montserrat, his perfect child. He never loved Dimitrio! Lauro says that is not so. But Dimitrio doesnt believe him. He got used to the absence of his affection. First he learned not to love his father; and now he hates him. Lauro shakes his head. Dimitrio doesnt know what hes saying. On the contrary, it is Lauro who doesnt know things. Maybe Dim is a disappointment to him. But he should really ask his darling Montserrat why her husband told her to go to hell. Her husband kicked her out! Shes fooling you again! (¡Una vez más, te está viendo la cara! ) Joaquín confronts José Luis at the Fairy godmothers seaside estate in Mérida Joaquín bursts in on Angélica and José Luis, who have been sitting serenely on the couch together talking about the future. [He wont be earning all that much as a lieutenant in the navy (so Captain Robledo came through!) but he is still unwilling to touch her family money.] The nearly apoplectic Arechiga barks at the infeliz malnacido -- the miserable swine -- to get away from his daughter. Angélica is to pack her things; they are leaving right now. JL blocks Joaquíns approach. Dont touch your daughter! he warns the man. Joaquín turns to his wife and asks her to take Angélica out of the room and leave him alone with JL. Angie allows herself to be led away but says firmly that she intends to marry José Luis, no matter what. A Dimmed Lauro returns home He orders Graciela and Carlota to leave so he can talk to his daughter alone. Montserrat faces her father and listens gravely. He knows he is old and sick, but when they hide things from him, it makes him feel useless. He heard her mother and her aunt talking; then Dimitrio told him that Alejandro had thrown her out of the hacienda. She needs to tell him the truth. Montserrat admits that she and her husband had a big fight. She hugs her father. It is painful to talk about -- but Alejandro thinks she has been unfaithful to him. Why does he think that? Joaquín waves a blank check in JLs face . He will pay him handsomely to disappear. JL tears up the check. Joaquín continues to posture: JL will marry his daughter over his dead body! But godmother Prudencia enters and reminds everyone that she has the last word here. The Truth. But Not the Whole Truth . Montserrat repeats to Carlota the story she has told her father: Alejandro is jealous and possessive and he went nuts when he saw her talking to the foreman of the hacienda. Both women know that the half-truth is just buying time. Carlota tries to be optimistic -- Montse and Alejandro really do love each other. But Montserrat says that it is hopeless, especially now that Alejandro has brought that woman into his house. He has humiliated her, treated her like dirt and shell never expose herself to that abuse again. Meanwhile Lauro is puzzled. How has a simple marital spat led to Alejandros boorish behavior? How can he doubt Montserrats word? Graciela warns him not to meddle... Prudencia turns the tables on Joaquín Joaquín rants that JL must know about his daughters inheritance. He tore up the check because he is holding out for a much bigger prize. Pru reminds him that his daughters happiness is at stake. She certainly doesnt need Angies money -- and neither does he. And she also reminds him that when he courted Amelia, her family was suspicious of the way he seemed to have made his money overnight. To this day, his own wife isnt quite sure what Joaquín does for a living. Just because no one has caught him in a crime doesnt mean he is innocent. Prudencia could still have Joaquín investigated. Does he really want to have her as a dangerous enemy? Or will he give her the pleasure of seeing Angélica happily married? Back in Aguazul, we learn that sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can kill you. Graciela is waiting for their driver to take her to see Dim. The maid, Manuela, informs her that their man Porfirio isnt available -- he has taken Don Lauro somewhere. Carlota shrugs. She didnt even know her brother had gone out. In fact Lauro has gone to Alejandros hacienda to confront him about the shabby way he is treating his beloved daughter. The admiral is received politely by Macario. Alejandro is out riding, but he wont be long. And indeed, Lauro doesnt have long to wait. Alejandro and María enter the house together. She won the race, she boasts, and she claims her prize: a kiss. Lauro sees María kissing Alejandro. (Is he kissing her back? Who knows.) Alejandro, he calls out, appalled. Whats the meaning of this? Alejandro turns to face him. Who is that man? asks the new lady of the house. He is Montserrats father, explains Alejandro. Lauro is aghast. He is waiting for an explanation. I dont have to talk to you, says Alejandro quietly. I am asking you as politely as possible -- please leave. No! Lauro came there to straighten things out between Alejandro and Montserrat and he isnt leaving until they have talked about what is going on. Alejandro stares at him stonily while María lashes out at the old admiral: Dont stick your nose into other peoples business, sir! Instead of trying to fix someone elses marriage, maybe you should pay more attention to your own. María! Your wife Graciela was Don Benjamín Almontes lover as long as I can remember. María! Ask anyone on the hacienda and theyll tell you -- she was his querida ! Tell him, Alejandro. Lauro turns to Alejandro. He gasps out: Is that true? I want to hear it from your lips. That has to be a lie! Unfortunately, it is true, he says. Lauro begins to weep. He leans heavily on his cane. It must be a lie. But that is not enough to Shut Up María (not that Alejandro is really trying). She continues to lash out: The liars are your wife and your daughter Basta María! No, dont tell me to shut up. Just as your wife was unfaithful to you, your daughter was unfaithful to her husband! What are you trying to do, María? No, says Lauro pitiably. His daughter was never unfaithful. She explained their quarrel. Alejandro is confusing things. But Alejandro affirms what María has said. Lauros daughter had her lover living in his hacienda, passing as another person. They deceived him, they made a fool of him... What are you saying? Have you gone mad? Yes, says Alejandro angrily, mad with jealousy when I realized the kind of woman I had married! -- Lauro is looking very ill, as if he is on the verge of collapse, but Alejandro presses on, shouting, paying no attention to the man who was always so kind to him, the man who is Montserrats beloved father... Your daughter had a lover before we married and then brought him to live here in my hacienda as my capataz . He -- José Luis Álvarez -- is the father of your daughters baby. Lauro falls against the couch and then rolls to the floor. Alejandro kneels down. Almirante ! He feels for a pulse. His face reflects the horror of what has just happened. María looks on, her own face a hard unfeeling mask. Everything is settled, Prudencia smilingly informs José Luis and Angélica. JL thanks Joaquín. Joaquín chokes on his rage. Josefina hand-delivers a wedding invitation to Montserrat . Her wedding has been postponed for two months. Gracielas lawyer has arranged for Dimitrios release from jail. Will Montse be in town very long? At first, Montse tells Josefina that everything is fine, but then admits that she is very unhappy. She worries how her father is going to react when... Graciela visits her Dim child, who is still behind bars . He is miffed that he had to spend the night in jail. His mother assures him that he will be able to come home with her. And his father? Not to worry -- she will handle the Lauro problem. Montserrat ends up confiding in Josefina She tells her that Alejandro ran her off the hacienda. But he is such a violent man -- if she had told him the truth about JL, he would have killed him. She swore a thousand times that she had never been unfaithful to him. But he has humiliated her completely. Fina points out that Montserrat shares some blame here. She was in love with JL when she married Alejandro; and she tried to run away with him more than once. That was in the past, protests Montserrat. She told Alejandro she loved only him and he promised not to doubt her, no matter what might happen. She is a woman with values! Fina thinks that someone who knows her well might understand that she is a woman of honor. But anyone who judged her only on her behavior would be bound to think the worst of her. Lauro lies lifeless on the hacienda floor . Is he dead? asks María. Sí whispers Alejandro. Did the admiral come alone? he asks Macario. The admirals driver is waiting outside. Have him come in, but dont tell him what happened. I have to make a call first. María, left alone with the body of this good man, curses him: Maldito viejo, tenía que venir a morir precisamente aquí. (Damned old man, you had to come to this precise place to die.) Avances: An explosion of grief and rage at Lauros death.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 08:57:13 +0000
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