BLF final episode .PART 26, 10th PAGE . - Page 4

It's morning and Betty has continued writing in her diary. "Today begins a new day for me in Eco Moda. The first of thirty days without him. I hope that every day that passes the desires to see him diminish. I only beg that when he returns things have changed, that I will cease wishing to see him and he'll have stopped trying to convince me that he loves me. I hope that when I see him again, I see him as something that happened (in the past) and that died, and his proximity doesn't trouble me any more."

Her thoughts are interrupted as Ncolas enters her office and plops down on the sofa (much the way Mario used to). He asks for the loan of her car because he has errands to run and a taxi is just not a fitting image. She hands over the keys and he notes her attitude and attributes it to the correct source: Don Armando Mendoza. He suggests that she quit and leave the trouble behind, but then rethinks this because he likes being the vice-president of Finance! He asks her to ask him for a card and makes much a show of handing her his new cards. Shades of the old days! They share a chuckle and he heads off, reminding her that he's her friend, and if that big-head Armando makes her cry, he's got a shoulder for her to cry in. He even gets in the name of his band (Golpe de Alas), LOL.

Patricia is getting off the elevator and she darts back in to finish her usual call of lamentation to her father (hates those buses, etc.), hiding from the spying eyes of Aura Maria and Sandra. Ncolas greets her as he gets on the elevator and notes her using the phone. He asks if she's enjoying it and encourages her to do so, "you have 100 free minutes!" he assures her. "Only 100?" she asks incredulously. Not wanting to appear gauche, Ncolas assures her that any extras go on his bill, not to worry. (Sucker!) She thanks him and he heads out. Aura Maria and Sandra tell her Marcela's been there a while and has been waiting for her. Patty knows she's late and hustles in there, leaving the two to wonder what fool lent her the phone.

Patricia tells Marcela that she's been there all along but the brujas neglected to tell her that she was needed. Marcela is a determined woman. She doesn't have time for this: she wants her to book her trip to Miami immediately. Patricia wonders whether she and Armando have quarreled again, but Marce denies this and states simply that as he's not there she may as well go too. She hints darkly though that she's got to get her life in order because when he returns her life, as she knows it, may change for ever and she has to be prepared.

A somber Marcela informs Patty that she's going to Miami to try to put her life in perspective. Patty immediately envisions herself the livin' la vida loca in South Beach with Marcela and tries to convince Marce that she should take her along. Disgusted, Marce says no. Patty immediately switches to plan B and asks to borrow Marce's car for the duration. Marce totally ignores this last Pattyism and bluntly tells her to make the travel reservations because that's what she's paid to do. Patty beats a hasty retreat to her desk, talking all the while to Daddy on Nicolas' cell phone. She tells her father to let everyone know the number to "her" new cell phone.

A artsy looking European lady arrives. Hugo greets her effusively. It's Elizabeth Cookler (?). Hugo informs everyone that she's here to take on the titanic job of helping him make over the cuartel. He tells her to make sure to Eco Moda charge big time, because her neurons will be shot by the time she's done. At this point pushy Patty buts in an introduces herself. Hugo caustically remarks that Patty needs a make-over too, but an economic one! Hugo proceeds to mention the hideousness of the cuartel, and points to Aura Maria. Elizabeth looks perpplexed, and says that Aura Maria is quite lovely.

Hugo drags Elizabeth to his studio, pointing out Eco Moda's contagious viruses (Bertha and Sofia) . He introduces Elizabeth to Ines, explaining that Elizabeth is a color expert and is here to help him in the monumental task of dressing the cuartel.

Meanwhile, Betty is in her office trying to track down Nicolas. She calls Aura Maria and asks her to get Nicolas' cell number.

Sofia and Bertha are called in to Hugo's studio. Elizabeth looks them over in a business-like way and tells Bertha she has a lovely face, but she should always wear make-up. She informs Sofia that she needs a new 'do and should never wear yellow – she should wear pink and pearls instead.

Aura Maria, trying to locate Nicolas for Betty, calls his cell phone. Patty answers and hangs up when she hears Aura Maria's voice. Sandra goes over to Aura Maria and whispers that she thinks it was Patty who hung up on Aura Maria. Aura Maria proceeds to inform Betty of their suspicions.

Marce stalks out of her office and orders Patty to arrange her travel advance, tickets and airport transportation. Bewildered, Patty whines that she doesn't how. Marce won't put up with her whining and tells her to just take care of it.

Back in Hugo's studio, it's Aura Maria and Mariana's turn. Elizabeth makes suggestions as Ines madly writes everything down. Elizabeth even suggests a color and fabric for Ines. For once, Hugo agrees and gives Inesita a hug and kiss.

Betty calls Nicolas' phone. When Patty answers, she walks out and confronts her. At this point, Marce impatiently asks when the finance manager is due back, because she needs her advance and tickets ASAP. She asks why he can't be reached on his cell phone. Betty looks at Patty and asks her to give Marcela and explanation as to why Nicolas doesn't have a cell phone and returns to her office.

Marcela is seething. Patty comments that Marcela also was a bit uppity towards Betty.
"Fine, defend your ex, your lover!" Marcela snaps.
"He's not my ex! I hate him" Patty objects.
"Then why did you accept his cell phone?"

While this interchange is taking place, Sandra's eyebrows shoot up when she hears the lover part. She rushes over and informs the cuartel that Nicolas and Patty had an affair, then goes into Hugo's studio.

In the studio, Elizabeth tells Sandra she has potential and that she has the perfect little number for her. She seems a little less sure about Gutierrez's possibilities, but still manages to be diplomatic.

Back in the lobby, Nicolas exits the elevator. Patty immediately warns him that Betty knows about the cell phone and tries to return it. Nicolas tells her not to worry about it – to keep it because he can get another one.

Marcela has barged into Betty's office demanding money for her trip. Betty says there is nothing she can do until Nicolas returns. She also informs Marcela that she has no right barging into her office like that. "If you can't stand me, then why don't you do whatever it takes to get rid of me?" Marcela asks facetiously. "That way you have the path clear to go after Armando". Betty is at the end of her rope. Barely containing her rage, her eyes shoot daggers at Marcela "I demand that you respect me and my position. I don't have to take this anymore! You stay here. I'm the one that's leaving!" Marcela smirks……

ECOMODA

BETTY'S OFFICE (she is wearing a Blue Suit with a white undershirt).

(last night's ending)
Marcela is planning to take a trip for a month to Miami. She is yelling at Betty, because Nicolas can't be located. Marcela has accused Betty that this is all a plot against her, and that she (Betty) is a very resentful person, who is filled with vengeance, and who is filled with the hope of staying with Armando. Betty is shocked at the accusations and tells Marcela, that she can't stand her behavior anymore. That she has respected their agreement and has no interest in chasing after Armando. She then added, (very upset) that there is no need for her to leave because the one who is going to quit is her (Betty grabs her purse ready to walk out).

Today's Episode (3-23-01)

Nicolas, who was standing at the doorway hearing most of the exchange between Betty and Marcela, walks in.

Nicolas: Hello Betty, excuse me, what's going on?
Betty: (upset) Where have you been, Nicolas?
Nicolas: (in his nervous manner) I went to the bank and to the Minister of External Affairs Office, just as I had told you.
Betty: (still with an upset voice) You needed to be at the bank before noon! (stressing the last two words).
Nicolas: (looking at both Betty and Marcela as he explains) Yes, yes, I went before noon, and signed the papers and did the transfer of funds, What's going on, Betty?
Betty: That the "Mrs" has to travel to Miami and since you were not here to sign and authorize the airline ticket and the money for the expenses, she thinks that it is a plot against her.
Nicolas:(looking at Marcela, who is just standing there with a sour look on her face)-"Que pena Seora" but you didn't tell me you were planning to travel today.
Marcela-(snapping at Nicolas) I don't have to be giving you details about my life!. You should have all these things ready, (sorry for my personal comment, but Marcela is being very irrational here) or weren't you both the ones who invented things this way?
Nicolas-(In a calm manner) There is no problem, if you want, right now I can go to my office and I can call the travel agency so that they can have your tickets ready for you at the airport, and I can transfer the money for your expenses to your personal account. (he then looks at Betty and adds) Well, none of that about quitting; the new collection is about to be launched and this is the time to be united so that everything will come out alright, just as we agreed at the meeting.
Marcela-Yes, the convenient thing would be for everything to come out all right, so that we can get out of this HELL! (then looking at Betty she adds), "you say that you can have this company back on track in three months..."
Betty-(interrupts) and if I can sooner, even better!
Marcela-...well, for now we will not have to see each other for one month, which means we'll still have two more months to share, let me tell you something Beatriz, I hope that by my return either you or I have come up with something so that we won't have to share the same roof for two more months! (she turns around and starts to leave.
Betty-You can be sure that it will be like that!

(Marcela closes Betty's doors)
Betty-(exasperated, exhales her frustration, puts her purse down on her desk, and sits as she angrily says) Nicolas, why in the devil did you decide to give your cell phone to la peliteida! Huh?., had you had it, because after all that was the purpose of buying it, you would have avoided me all those problems with that Mrs..
Nicolas-(who had been scratching his head, as Betty was yelling at him) Ay, Betty, look, what happened is that Patty's cell phone was cut off! (Betty looks to the side exhaling and showing an expression of disbelief on her face)
Nicolas...because in a way, what happened to her is my fault, therefore, until they re-activate her cell phone, I am going to have her use mine. Betty-(her eyes are wide and she is looking straight at Nicolas) how long are you going to carry that guilt, Nicolas? How far are you going to go with that woman?, Huh?, Do you know how much that account is going to cost?, (and now even angrier) Do me a favor, go and get your cell phone back!
Nicolas-(stretching both arms forward motioning Betty) Calm down, look don't force me to do that, look, I will take care of all the costs.
Betty_(in shock, eyes getting wide again) Whaaaat?
Nicolas-yes, calm down, calm down, worry instead about what we need to do here at the company; in what's coming up (he is exiting as he is talking) and about the upcoming collection!, Good-bye! (he shuts both doors) Betty rubs her temples with frustration on her face and then she throws the big metal jack (paperweight) that is on her desk to the floor.

RECEPTION AREA 2nd FLOOR

Patricia is talking to an aunt on Nicolas' cell phone during working hours. She is announcing to her aunt that she is inviting herself to her house this evening, and even invites herself to dinner. Sandra in the background mocks her, as Patricia is acting innocently with her aunt regarding the dinner invitation. Patricia sees Marcela approaching, so she quickly tells her aunt that she has to hang up.

Patricia- (talks before Marcela reaches her desk pretending to be a hard worker) Marceeeeeeee, Nicolas Mora has arrived.
Marcela-(still with a serious look on her face) Yes, I know, I am leaving for Miami now.
Patricia-(in desperation) and where are your car keys?
Marcela fixes her sweater as she looks to the side in silence, ignoring Patricia's question.
Patricia-Ay Marceee!, what difference will it make to you, besides, I have a dinner invitation tonight.
Marcela exhaling pulls out the car keys from her pockets and as she hands them to Patricia
Patricia-Ay thank you Marcee! (big smile which quickly disappears as Marcela pulls back her hand before giving her the keys)
Marcela-With one condition! (Marcela then moves closer to Patricia as she whispers) that you maintain me informed of all that Beatriz does while I am away, especially if she takes any trips.
Patricia-(whispering back) Marce, do you think she is going to prepare something to go meet Armando somewhere?
Marcela (still whispering) I don't know, but if that's the case, I want to be prepared!
Patricia-Marce, you know very well that even if you don't let me borrow your car I am very good at keeping you informed. (Marcela smiles and hands her the keys)
Patricia (smiling again) Marcee, thank you, and have a very good trip! Marcela (still smiling) Thank you (and she walks away).

Patricia picks up Nicolas' cell phone and holding it with one hand, she begins to talk to herself outloud) (Sandra-who has been sitting by Aura Maria- and Aura Maria look at her smiling)

Patricia- "Patricia Fernandez, you have again become the person I knew, you have become a person again! (she then does the sign of the cross and she gazes at the ceiling as she prays outloud) My Lord, don't allow for me to be poor again, don't allow it! Dios mio, no PERRRRRRRRMITAAS que yo vuelva a ser pobre, no PERRRRRRMITAAS!

commercial break (oops, sorry, I forgot this is a commercial free summary)

ECOMODA

BETTY'S OFFICE

Betty is sitting at her desk working with papers and her calculator. The double doors open and it is Nicolas again. (Betty keeps working without looking up, she does not seem angry just very focused on her numbers). Nicolas: (who is STILL wearing his coat) Betty, I don't aspire anything with her, I am like you here, trying to get this company back on it's feet and then leave!
Betty puts a small smile on her lips but she keeps doing her calculations.
Nicolas-...it's just that as soon as Ecomoda pays all it's debts, you and I are not going to be wanted here anymore, right?; they are going to kick us out of here.
Betty-(she stops writing for a moment) Yes, Nicolas, in three months the company gets back on track, and you end up totally ruined!, because that woman only needs ONE MONTH! (she also shows "one" with her index finger) ...to get rid of all your capital!
Nicolas (approaches her desk and sits in front of her as he adds) no no no, don't believe that, I know very well what I am doing. In one month I'm going to be intact, but you, on the other hand, wont!
(Betty is seen working again, but listening to every word he says)
Nicolas...because that "Mrs" (meaning Marcela) embittered and all, put things very difficult for you!
Betty-You know what Nicolas, I'm not going to loose my head over that! Her ill feelings are due to Don Armando. The one who is going to have to solve all this is him, in one month when he arrives. He is going to have to solve his life and hers.
Nicolas (nodding in agreement, and pointing a finger at Betty adds) and yours too, Betty! (he gets up to leave as she quickly replies)
Betty-I don't expect anything from him!
Nicolas-(looking back at her as he is leaving) ah no no no, it could be that other people think that I am an idiot, but you don't!...
(Betty stops working to look up at him again)
Nicolas...I bet that in a month, you are going to faint, when you see him! (he exits and closes her doors, as she remains with at little smile of sadness on her face shaking her head in disagreement)

TRANSITION OF TRANSPARENCY CHANGE THE SCENE FROM BETTY AT HER DESK TO EL CUARTEL WALKING OUTSIDE ECOMODA AS THEY ARRIVE ONE THE MORNING.

(THE LETTERS)
Un Mes Despues
A MONTH LATER
ARE SEEN ON THE SCREEN.

El Cuartel
Berta: Do you think that Betty is going to invite us to the launch of the new collection tonight?
Aura Maria: Yessss of course, they are not going to bother making us look like triple mamitas, just to send us home!
The others laugh, as they are reaching the front door, where Wilson is eating a huge baguette.
Sofia: Besides, it would be the top, that if now that one of us has been crowned president, she would leave us out of the company's events, don't you think?
El Cuartel Ah Yesssssssssss
Sofia: Oh look, Betty has arrived!
They all get excited and happy. Aura Maria screams of joy, and they all run together to meet Betty at her car.
Aura Maria-(goes and opens the car door for Betty)-Welcome Doctora. Beatriz Pinzon Solano!
Betty (getting out of her car with a big smile. Wearing Gray Suit with the gray skirt white undershirt). Thank You! (and then looking at the others she adds) Good Morning!
They all greet her-Hola Betty!
(Wilson does it with his hand because his mouth is full of bread).
Mariana-Listen Betty, what happened to Dr.Nicolas Mora, hah?
Betty-(still with a big smile) Ah, he went to pick up a car that he bought!
El Cuartel- Ohhhhh
Sandra-And are you ready for the big night tonight?
Betty-I think so!
Today, is the most important day for me as President of this company!
Inesita-Well, Betty, we are all doing everything that we can to make sure things go well for you, besides we are always praying to the lord so that things always go well for you!
Betty-(Big smile on Betty's face) Thank you!
(the rest smile too)
Berta-Of course, we could be of more help to you if you would, for example, invite us tonight!
El Cuartel-Beeertaaa!
Betty-Of course you are invited tonight. (El Cuartel begins to jump and clap with joy)... it's not going to be an easy day for me, so I need to count on all your support! and well, Don Hugo promised to bring your new clothes today, therefore, tonight, you are all going to have a new look!
El Cuartel continue to express joy
Berta: Didn't I tell you that we were going to be invited?
Sandra-and today Don Mario and Don Armando arrive!

DDDDDDDDDDAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNN (dramatic music!)
BETTY'S EYES WIDEN AS HER SMILE DISAPPEARS!

Betty-Did they confirm?
Sandra-Yes, Betty, Don Armando called me last night to ask how things were going and to confirm about the launching of the Collection tonight!
Betty-and Doa Marcela?
Aura Maria- Ah!, that you'll have to ask La Peliteida.

(a car honks several times-it is Nicolas waving -arriving in PATRICIA'S MERCEDES!)

They all walk towards him. Betty stands in front of the group with her hands on her waist and her face is very serious.
Aura Maria-Hey, isn't that La Peliteida's car?
Berta-and isn't that Nicolas Mora? What is he doing driving that car?
Nicolas-(gets out of the convertible) Hola Hola, he waves at everyone as he walks very quickly in front of the group.

Betty-NICOLAS!!!
(her strong voice makes him stop!, Aura Maria looks scared)
Betty: Where did you get that car?
Nicolas:(trying to sound casual) ah from a garage, it was looking horrible and it had been embargoed, ok?
Betty-(very very angry) Don't tell me that you were such an IDIOT!
(el Cuartel moves away from her side showing fear on their face)
Betty-...TO HAVE PAID THE DEBT FOR LA PELITEIDA AND TAKEN OUT THAT CAR!!!!!
Nicolas-Calm down, Betty, calm down!. Yes, I paid the debts to the attorneys, and I paid for the car, but it's for me, not for her.
(he attempts to leave but she blocks him with her body, still showing a very angry expression on her face)
Nicolas-Beeetyy!, I warned you that I was going to get a car that was embargoed, and I got it at a good price, do you like it or not?
Betty: NOOO, I DON'T! I DON'T LIKE IT!
Nicolas: (walking away) Ohhh, well, it's prettier than your car, and I am the one who is going to drive it not you.
Betty-(still angry) THAT'S WHAT I HOPE, NICOLAS! (he goes into Ecomoda (she shakes her head in disbelief as El Cuartel comes towards her again
Aura Maria-Let's see mi hija, let us guess, your virtual ex-boyfriend got this car to give it back to La Peliteida
Mariana-Humm
Aura Maria...and he also gave her his cellular phone!
Mariana-How do you like that?
Betty- He swore to me that he bought it for him.
Mariana-Humm(expressing disbelieve) (El Cuartel also show skepticism on their faces),
Sandra-we now need to see if it's true
Mariana-La peliteida is going to die when she sees it!

INSIDE A CROWDED MOVING CITY BUS

Patricia is standing on the isle surrounded by other passengers, as she carries a conversation on Nicolas' cell phone with her father. She is saying to her father that now that if something should happen to her, at least now he has the license plate of the bus and the description of all the people who are surrounding her. (the people around her give her "a look" when she says that about them). As the bus approaches Ecomoda, she notices that her car is parked in front of it. She gets nervous and tells her father,

Patricia: Papi, papi, I'll call you back, because I think I'm having a hallucination! This is urgent! She hangs up on him as she begins pushing people our of her way so she can move towards the back of the bus.
Patricia: MOVE, MOVE, YOU FAAT WOMAN!, MOVE MAN!
(She reaches the back door and she begins to yell at the bus driver) HEY, HEY, STOP HERE DESGRAAAAAAACIADOOOO, I TELL YOU TO STOOOOP!
(the bus driver stops and the door opens as we continue to see Patricia yelling at him, but this time our angle is from the outside of the bus) Patricia: ...WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO, ALLOW FOR ME TO BE SWEPT OVER!, YOU MOVE THIS BUS BEFORE I GET OFF, AND I'M GOING TO SUE YOU!!!!!!
El Cuartel, Betty and Wilson are still standing in front of the Mercedes looking at the scene.
Berta: Hey look, it's la Peliteida getting off that bus!
(they show Patricia, still struggling to get off, she is half hanging out of the bus, but her big bag seems to be stuck to something or someone)
Sofia-It can't be!, It must be a double!
Aura Maria-Double nothing, it's that stupid one!
Patricia finally gets off right in front of her car, and she runs towards it and begins to hug it and kiss it (even the antenna, lol lol)
Patricia: My car! My car!
Sandra approaches her as Patricia gets inside the car.
Sandra-What do you mean your car?, this is Dr. Nicolas Mora's car!
Patricia-This is my car, I can identify the smell! (she is very joyous), by it's taste!, (she rubs it with her finger licking it afterwards), (the rest are looking at her in amazement!)
Patricia-This is definitely my car, even the license plate matches! Who brought it? Who brought my car?
Sofia-Is it that you don't understand?, this car is no longer yours, it was brought by Nicolas Mora!
Patricia (still smiling widely and inspecting every inch of her car) It was brought by Nicolas! (she widens her smile)
Betty-Yes!, but he brought if for him!
Patricia doesn't seem to be listening, she is still caressing the inside of her car, and smiling
Sandra-And what were you doing riding a bus? Where did you leave Doa Marcela's car?
Patricia-Oh, that is none of your concern!
Aura Maria-But it is the concern of Doa Marcela, you probably pawned her car to use the money to pay your debts.
Patricia-Nooo, it's well put away.
Sofia-And what were you doing riding the bus?
Patricia-Sofia, you seem to forget that I did Six Semesters of Finances
El Cuartel-EN LA SAN MARINOOOOOO!
Betty looks at them with a little smile on her face
Patricia-Ok, girls, ok, you see it was time for me to experiment how you, the poor, transport yourselves. (then talking to her car)Well my love we'll see each other soon! (talking to Sofia who is leaning against the car) Move away, stop touching it, you are going to scratch it!, and don't breathe near it, because it's going to think that it is in a stable!, Wilson, Wilson, take care of it for me!!!!! (and she runs inside the building)

Mariana (talking to all but facing Betty)-girls, it seems that La Peliteida doesn't;t understand that Nicolas Mora bought that car for him!
Betty-(as they all start to walk towards Ecomoda) It's not that she doesn't understand, it's just that she doesn't want to understand Mariana! (as all of them walk inside, we see the Mercedes parked, Wilson sitting on it still eating the French bread!)

ECOMODA RECEPTION AREA 2nd FLOOR

Elevator door opens, a woman is in front of Patricia, but Patricia pushes her to the side a litlle so she can run out of the elevator. She then goes towards her desk, leaves her purse and makes a u-turn, still running, she bumps into the same woman, and she tells her to get out of the way! Patricia is running towards Nicolas' office.

NICOLAS' OFFICE

Nicolas is sitting at his desk, pretending he is driving with his hands moving as if he was making a big turn with the imaginary steering wheel, and then as he pretends he stops the car, he looks to his side smiling and says outloud. "Patty, you want to go for a ride?" at that instant his office door really opens, Patricia walks in with a big smile and says:
Patricia: Good morning Nicolas
Nicolas-(getting up with surprise on his face, and moving from the front of his chair taking little steps to stand behind it) Good morning Patty, how are you this morning?
Patricia-Very well, Very well, Nicolas!, I almost died for my good luck, when I saw my car outside!
Nicolas (smiling), Yes, I know, it is pretty, isn't it?
Patricia-It is just as I left it!, and what agreement did you have to reach so that the attorneys would hand you the car?

(Nicolas not knowing what to do with his hands, he leans with one arm against the wall, and as he does, his hand rests on the upper part of a picture that's hanging on the wall. He takes it off the wall and continues talking while he is holding the picture, which he then looks for a moment, and hangs it right back on the wall)

Nicolas-Oh, Patty, look, since they were having difficulty selling the car, I offered them some money, gave them a check, financed the rest, and so they handed it to me today!
Patricia-Ahhh how fine!(closes the door of the office) ... and so, Nicolas, how are we going to negotiate?( at this moment she sits crossing her legs, showing most of it because of course she is wearing a mini, mini skirt)
Nicolas-(stuttering) Negotiate what Patty?
Patricia-The money that you had to give the attorneys for my car.Well, I don't know, I was thinking that I could make you monthly payments, of course those monthly payments have to be very flexible, Nicolas!
Nicolas-No, Patty, don't worry, you don't have to pay me anything.
Patricia-(crossing the other leg and showing amazement she adds) Oh noo, Nicolas, I don't aspire to receive the car, without giving you anything back in return, I don't know... you could accept a little money at least!, of course I can't pay you anything today, because with what I'm being paid today, I have to pay some of my other debts, and I can barely pay those, but I was thinking maybe in a month I could make you a payment, what do you think? Do you want me to sign anything?
Nicolas-(motioning with both arms a lot as he adds) No Patty, no, I insist; you don't have to pay me anything, nor do you owe me anything!
Patricia-(still sitting, shows amazement in her face) Ay Nicolas! you are going to give me the car just like that?
Nicolas-No, no Patty, I can't give you the car... you see, I bought it for me!
Patricia (closes her eyes as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown on her- then slowly gets up from the chair) What?
Nicolas-Yes, yes, like I was telling you, I made a good deal, and I congratulate you, because you had a good car.
Patricia-(pointing a finger at Nicolas) Nicolas, you are playing with me, right? you are playing with me?
Nicolas-(calmly) No, Patty, why would I?
Patricia-(getting excited) What do you mean, why?, because you promised me to give me the money so I could pay for the car, so I wouldn't loose it, instead what you did was allow me to loose it, so that you could then buy it from my attorneys at a cheaper price!
Nicolas-No, Patty, you are mistaken, you are mistaken, this was just an opportunity!, I am a businessman!
Patricia-(very upset) WHAT DO YOU MEAN A BUSINESSMAN, WHAT BUSINESSMAN, WHAT YOU ARE IS A DESGRRRRRRRRRACIADO NICOLAS MORA, BECAUSE THAT CAR IS MINE!, I GOT THAT CAR WITH MY SWEAT!, AND MY EX-HUSBAND'S SWEAT, NICOLAS, AND YOU HAVE TAKEN IT AWAY FROM ME!
Nicolas-(moving closer to her) Calm down, Patty, calm down, if you want we could go out, do you want to go for ice cream?
Patricia - NOO!, WITH YOU I AM NOT EVEN GOING TO GO TO THE CORNER, NICOLAS! ( and she SLAPS him hard making his whole body turn)
(Patricia takes out his cell phone and starts dialing a number while Nicolas adds)
Nicolas-Patty, please, don't damage our relationship, which was going so well!
Patricia-Hello Papa? Papi, I've been cheated AGAIN!, do you have time to talk? PERFECT because this conversation is going to be A LONG ONE! ( she exits his office flipping her hair on Nicolas' face and shutting the door on his face)
Nicolas-Don't over do it with my cellular phone, Patty! (by this time he is alone and he sits at his desk in despair) ay, again, oh my God, and I had had several days that Patty hadn't slapped me! (he touches his face where she slapped him, looks up to the ceiling and continues talking to God outloud) Huh?, why, why?

RECEPTION AREA 2nd FLOOR

Patricia is walking and talking on the cell phone.
Patricia-(whining) Yes papi, he is the same man who was going to lend me the money, he is the same one, and now he has bought it cheaper (she reaches her desk)
(The elevator doors open and it is the whole Cuartel along with Betty. They all stop in the center of the area, and notice that Patricia is sulking at her desk, with her hair all over her face)
Betty-Patricia, did you notify Mrs.Marcela that the launching of the new collection is tonight?
Patricia-(still hiding her face behind her hair, and looking down, talking very softly with a voice of disappointment)-Yes, she was going to be catching a flight, so she could arrive today.
(El Cuartel disperses, each going to their desk, and as Betty, Sofia, Inesita and Berta walk towards their respective areas, Berta adds)
Berta-(kind of whispering) It seems that she got the bad news.
(Sofia laughs, as Inesita and Betty look kind of serious)

NICOLAS' OFFICE

Nicolas is still sitting at his desk, he seems sad and he is trying to open an envelope. Betty walks in, and sits in front of his desk.

Betty-(shaking her head a little bit) How did it go with La peliteida? Nicolas-With Patty?
Betty-With Patricia. Did she not come to talk to you about your car? (turning his chair so that he is no longer facing Betty-the melancholic music begins to play)
Nicolas-Yes, yes, she came to talk to me all kind of things about that car, asking how had I negotiated it, and what had I had to do to get it.
Betty-Only that?, She didn't ask you whether you had gotten it as a gift for her?
Nicolas-(still facing away)No no no, she thought I had negotiated it for her, and that she was going to be making payments to me.
Betty-in other words, she thought you were going to give it as a gift, and it seems she didn't like the news, no? (Nicolas turns to face Betty in silence)
Betty-(her voice is kinder now) Nicolas, why did you have to buy precisely that car?, huh? and don't tell me that it's because it's a good deal.
(Nicolas begins writting or doodling but remains silent)
Betty-Nicolas, you knew that she was going to react this way. What were you pretending? (still silence from Nicolas) ...of course you are so taken with her, that you are probably going to give her the car.
Nicolas-No, Betty, it's not like that, I am still not that rich to be able to give it to her, although that's what I wish I could do, but..no, what I wanted was for her to notice me, that's all.
(Betty looks at him tenderly as he continues)
Nicolas-...I just wanted to get her attention, and share the car with her, that's all, but she didn't like the idea at all.
Betty-Nicolas, understand something!, that woman is not satisfied with just anything, and if you don't give her the car as a gift, you are not going to reach anywhere with her...and to give her the car would be the worse business deal in your life!
Nicholas-Yes, yes, yes, I know.(he says sadly, as the melancholic music continues playing) and what about you?
(Betty just looks at him with a little smile)
Huh?, you are a little nervous, huh? You are nervous because that guy arrives today...
(Nicolas gets up)
(Betty shakes her head a little and looks to a corner with sadness on her face),
Nicolas-...and here you were, setting me straight, when you are obviously dying for that guy.
Betty-(looks him in the eyes and gets up) The difference is that I learned the lesson, while you are still after a lost cause, Nicolas. (she exits and Nicolas stays looking sad standing by his office window) Nicolas slowly goes back to his desk as we hear Betty's voice along with the melancholic music.
Betty's Voice Over- Yes, I am dying to see him, although I clearly know that it is a lost cause!
We now see Betty walking into her office as we still just hear her voice
Betty's Voice over- It makes me restless just to wonder if he is going to complete the sentence that he "cried to me" the last night we saw each other, where he said he would change towards me forever, and that he would return a changed man. (Betty sits at her desk, pulls out her diary from one of her desk drawers, and begins to write:)
Betty's Voice Over- I have anxiety!, a permanent "tickle" in my stomach, just to know that soon I will see him!

(Elevator doors open ARMANDO IS BACK!) (He pulls out a sheet of paper from his briefcase, begins to read it as he exits the elevator, he then looks around him and says "Good Mornig" he continues reading the sheet of paper as Sandra and Aura Maria greet him respectfully and joyously, while Patricia just looks at him but ignores his hello.

(as Armando walks towards his office while he is reading)
Betty's Voice Over-... and I also have anxiety just to find out...
(Armando stops in the middle of the hall with a smile on his face as he is still reading the piece of paper)
Betty's Voice Over-...how he will solve his life!

PART 14

(The serious music begins to play.) Betty walks out hesitantly and the audience begins to applaud. That is, everyone but dona Margarita. Betty's mother gives Betty a blessing. Betty nervously takes her place at the microphone and leans into it to begin speaking. She greets everyone and thanks them for being there. (Betty gives one of her funny laughs.) She announces the name of the new collection, "Renovation". She informs the audience that the collection was so named due to the new strategy that the Company is taking. (Daniel won't look at her. Instead he looks at the ceiling. Dona Margarita looks bored.) After she introduces Hugo, Armando, along with the rest of the audience, applauds. Armando closes his eyes and nods his head in approval. As Betty approaches him, Daniel rises.

Hugo, the showoff, comes out and takes the microphone. He walks down the walkway to speak about his collection. He tells the audience that this new collection is also due to the aggressive new strategy that has been put in place by the president. He asks the audience to applaud for her. He ends by telling them that there will be a surprise at the end, which will show what the new president has in mind.

Marcela and Patricia arrive. Marcela comments that the show is over. Patricia asks what she expected since she took so long to get dressed. Marcela wants to know what she expected, that she go with the same clothes that she had when she arrived from the airport. Patricia catches eye of Armando and Alejandra and points them out to Marcela. Upon seeing them, Marcela's eyes almost pop out. Patricia wants to make the move and remove "that Venezuelan". Marcela tells her to hold on. She tells her that unlike herself, she has class and dignity and that she will not make a fool of herself. Patricia then suggests that they find two chairs where they can be seen by Armando and Alexandra, and torment them. Marcela again refuses and decides to drink. She does not want anyone to know that she is there.

Armando leans over to whisper in Alejandra's ear. Patricia immediately informs Marcela who turns around to witness it. She asks Patricia to tell her what he is saying. However, due to the music it is difficult for her to hear. (Even if there was no music, they are not close enough to hear.) "Then", asks Marcela, "why are you tormenting me"?

Hugo is back in the showroom where he demonstrates a skirt to Inesita and Jenny. He tells her that it is the latest in New York. A designer made it for him in order to close the show. He orders Inesita to summon the Cuartel. She wants to know why. He tells her that all she needs to do is call them. She tells him that she will do it after the show. He threatens to throw a rock, that is supposedly in his pocket, at her. He asks her how long have they worked together. He asks if when he says "now" does that mean in six months. Inesita goes out to summon the Cuartel.

The show has ended and Hugo comes out and takes his bow. He walks down the aisle to show off his outfit. He informs the audience that he will now leave them with the surprise. The true "Renovation".

"The cuartel can't figure out why Hugo's summoned them backstage. Jenny assures them it will be a surprise and calls them witches, wondering where they left their brooms. "Or perhaps you'll turn into pumpkins," she suggests nastily. The women respond to her jibes with catcalls and she flounces off, flaunting her figure. Hugo enters, complimenting the models for their success. He sends them off to change and he'll see them later. He turns to the cuartel, "Now we turn to the harsh reality."

Berta asks if he needed them for something and he tells them that he wants them to model for him. They join in a chorus of surprised, "What's!?" He notes that they consider themselves so transformed and beautified… what, don't they want to show off? He asks "Naomi Campbell" Mariana if she doesn't want to strut her stuff.

"Don Hugo, are you speaking seriously?" asks Mariana.

"What? Do you think I'm a politician or what? Your president charged me with the task that you look better. Don't you think that the press and the people in attendance would like to see the results of my work?"

"Noooo!" they cry in unison.

He claps his hands and tells them that they're going to do the catwalk. INES protests and tells him that he's gone crazy. How can the women model? He tells her that they won't be alone out there; she's going with them!

"No! You've gone insane!" she says emphatically.

"What is the problem?" asks Hugo. "They're not expecting models out there. They're expecting a demonstration of the strategy of our president. Go model!"

Jenny's protesting as much as the cuartel, but for entirely different reasons. The women are in a state of mild panic and each proclaims her concerns simultaneously with the others. It's like the Tower of Babel!

A reporter is trying to find a good spot to view the show and surprises Gutierrez primping in his seat. He offers her his seat and takes the one next to her. Armando grimaces at this little display and Catalina greets the reporter. (Can it be the same Andrea from Cartagena?) Next to Armando, Alejandra leans over to him and asks what's going to happen. He replies that that's what they'd all like to know.

"Catalina, do you know what this surprise is that Hugo has for us?" asks Armando, but she can only respond that she has no clue. He leans over towards Betty and asks her if she knows anything, but she has no idea either. At that moment, out comes Hugo.

"My esteemed public, for me the parade of models is one of the things I most love in the world, that I most respect. This catwalk is the altar of the esthetic, where art and creation join hands." He embellishes on the topic, but goes on to say that tonight there will be something else. He tells them that he had to commit sacrilege, under orders. Betty looks nervous, Catalina looks grim. He tells them that he'd like them to meet the new directors of Eco Moda, his Eco Moda. He would also like to take this opportunity to tell them that the collection that they've just seen is the last collection of Hugo Lombardi. Betty looks anxious. Mario looks more than a little anxious too. Hugo takes a bow and bids them good night. He introduces the last part of the show, "the sacrilege". Armando asks Catalina if the cretin is quitting, but she shushes him.

Backstage, Hugo orders the cuartel to get out there and show themselves, but now! They hang back, refusing.

"Prove to them that you're not children!" he demands. He tries to bully them into going but they shake their heads no. Ins pleads with him, asking him why he's asking them to make themselves look ridiculous. He tells her to ask her president. After all, she's the one who was so confident that her idea was so wonderful. "Well show them!" he orders.

Armando's disgusted by Hugo. "What's that desgraciado trying to do?!" The crowd waits for something to happen. Betty decides to act. "I'm not going to let him! I'm not going to let him!" She gets up from her seat and walks down the stage to the backstage area.

Backstage, she encourages Mariana to go out. "Let's go, Mariana! Come on! You can!" Mariana takes one hesitant step out on center stage. She pauses, then finds her natural rhythm and takes to the catwalk like the Naomi Campbell Hugo called her. Applause builds: she owns that crowd! Next up is Aura Maria. Betty squeezes her hand in encouragement. "Let's go! You're beautiful; show them!" cries Betty. She gets her nerve and goes and moves with a confident, energetic step, a huge smile on her lovely face. Betty dashes across the stage to where Sandra's panicking. It's her turn for the 20-second pep talk. "Sandra! Stand up straight! You're two meters closer to the stars!" A startled Sandra takes the leap and heads out. She hears the applause and it works on her nerves like a tonic.

Backstage, Sofia's next and she's really panic-stricken. Betty's trying her best to coax her out but she's resisting. Betty hits on just the right thing to manipulate her into going out there, "Do you know how the puppichurra is going to die with jealousy seeing you out there?!" This is just the dose of confidence Sofia needed. She heads out with a mission! At the end of the runway she takes off her jacket with purpose and the audience applauds louder.

Jenny could not possibly pout her lips any more than she does at that moment. "It can't be!" she protests. She turns in a whirl of hair; she can't bear to watch any longer. She heads back into the dressing room where Hugo sits in a chair like a statue. She wails to him that Sofia is parading and they're applauding and she is about to throw a tantrum when he shrieks at her. "Stop! Can't you see that I'm not in the mood to put up with you?! Leave me alone!" She rushes off in tears to the doorway for another look. It's just worse and worse for her. "No! What a failure!" She stomps back to Hugo, tears streaming down her face. "React!" she screams at him. He slaps her on the fanny and she squeals louder and takes off into the dressing rooms. Hugo just sits and listens to the applause.

Betty has dashed back across the stage to Berta. She pumps her up with a surefire hit, "Imagine the fantastic gossip tomorrow! You, in a Hugo Lombardi fashion show!" Berta rises to the bait and strides out in an exaggerated supermodel fashion. Every step is like Berta: larger than life. You can see Armando in the audience, cracking up with laughter. He turns to gage the reaction of someone behind him. Berta goes wild and so does the audience.

Finally, it's Inesita's turn. Betty dashes back to her and pleads with her not to let Hugo spoil this, not to let him win. She needs her to help her. Ins wipes away a tear and responds. She steps out center stage and pauses majestically to catch her breath. The audience calls out their cheers. She tosses the scarf over her shoulder and takes to the stage. Backstage, Betty is tearful with emotion and relief. As Ins walks downstage, the audience rises to their feet, applauding her. A gentleman at the end of the stage hands her a pink rose. She heads back upstage and when she approaches Armando she stops and offers him her arm. He steps forward and takes it, escorting her back downstage with great pleasure, a broad smile plastered on his face. They turn and walk back upstage. When they approach his seat they stop. He turns to her and kisses her tenderly. The audience is clamoring, "Bravo! Bravo!" He resumes his seat and Ins struts the rest of the way upstage, trailing her scarf like Amber Valletta. The women take to the stage again for another pass: Aura Maria and Mariana leading the way, side-by-side.

At the back of the room, Patricia is still peering through the railings; Marcela can't bear to look. "Give me your hand, Marce! I can't believe it!" cries Patricia in disbelief. "What! What is happening?" asks Marcela. "The cuartel is modeling!!!" "What!?!" Marcela turns in shock to look. They can only stare in amazement as the crowd continues to applaud. Next we have Sandra the tall and Sofia the short pair up, followed by Berta and Ins.

Backstage, Betty is overwhelmed by her emotions and cries tears of joy and no doubt nervous relief. The cuartel surround her and tell her not to cry, and wipe away her tears. "Don't cry! It was a total success!" They pull her out on stage and the audience continues to applaud. Nicolas comes up on stage and envelops her in a bearhug embrace. Betty takes a few hesitant steps forward. The first she sees is Daniel who applauds her and nods a, "You surprised me, good job" kind of acknowledgement. Next, Margarita, who she salutes with a polite kiss to the cheek. The ice queen actually looks like she's pleased! Next is a hug from her proud papa, followed by a warm embrace from Catalina. "What a triumph!" Catalina proclaims. Betty thanks her for everything. Armando should be next in line, but Alejandra exuberantly steps forward. "I just have to congratulate you!" she says emotionally, very pleased for Betty's success. "It's the most exciting show I've ever seen in my life and I liked it so much!" she enthuses. Betty beams. "I don't need any more demonstrations," Alejandra tells her, mirroring Betty's smile. "Our business is sealed. Tomorrow we sign our contract for the franchise with Eco Moda." The two women shake on this. Betty tells her that for them it will be a pleasure and she means it. Armando looks on, his eyes only on Betty, clapping all the while. He steps forward, both nervous and hesitant because he's clearly brimming with emotion. He shakes her hand and says, "Congratulations, Betty," with a voice that's a little shaky too. The handholding goes on a second a little long, Betty looks a little anxious/emotional/overwhelmed too. She feels it, you know she does! She thanks him and they separate. Alejandra comments that it's a shame that their designer is quitting and Armando is not so sorry.

"What he tried to do was shameful," says Armando. "I'm going to kill him!" He is about to head backstage but Betty reaches out to stop him.

"Please," she begs. "This is a problem between him and me. I'll go resolve it." She excuses herself to go do just that and Armando turns to watch her go. His eyes follow her, but ultimately his attention must return to his guest.

The cuartel is enjoying the attentions of the reporter, Andrea, who has begun to interview them. She asks them how it felt to be models and Aura Maria enthusiastically proclaims that it was "super good". She gushes that Mariana was just like Naomi Campbell. Andrea asks Mariana what specifically they did to revise her looks and she tells her that they gave her a more classic hairstyle and proposed a color of clothing more suited to her skin type. Sofia adds a few comments too. Andrea turns her attention to Ins and compliments her. Ins thanks her and tells her that the public makes her nervous and hearing so much applause makes her feel like crying. She gets a little "verklempt" and does get misty, making the others laugh and hug her. Andrea asks Sandra, the most imposing of the group, how she managed to get through it. She tells her that Mariana gave them a little lesson and she made herself do it because her desire is to find a boyfriend in the audience. The group chuckles at this. Andrea asks how this modeling will change them and Aura Maria enthuses that they're going to have to make Mariana a regular model. Andrea turns to Berta to ask her reaction to the modeling. Berta confesses that she was a little nervous because her Gordo doesn't know yet that they changed her and he faints when she surprises him. She tells Andrea that they cut her hair, did her makeup, dressed her in black because she's a woman of winter Mariana tells Andrea to ask Sofia what they did for her. Andrea asks her just that and directs her to turn to the camera. Sofia tells her that they put her hair up — they wanted to cut it but she didn't want to-and they put her in a dress with the short jacket — a look she's never tried. They enjoy the interview.

Freddy, dressed in suit and overcoat, tries to enter the show but a security guard detains him. He tries to bluff his way in, claiming to be an Eco Moda executive but the guard asks for some ID. He shows him the badge on his jacket but the guard knows that he's not Armando Mendoza. Busted, he hands over his own card. Too bad the guard reads it and sees that he's just a messenger! Sure, he may be a messenger, but tonight he's in charge of the refreshments. "Has the caviar arrived?" he asks. The guard relents and lets him pass, but to the service area and escorts him to the proper area.

Marcela and Patricia have watched this all in amazement. Patricia wonders if Marcela's going to let them take away her boyfriend. No, Marcela has decided to take action. She grabs a whiskey for a little Dutch courage and heads off to confront Armando.

Inesita tells Hugo how upset she is about his plan to have el cuartel model just to humiliate them. She says that she didn't know he was capable of doing something like that. And, she's very upset about his resignation. He justifies his
behavior by saying he is tired and needs time to deal with many things in
his life, including his Argentinean beau (the one who's apparently been
cheating on him worse than Armando on Marcela!). He says he wants to leave, but she tells him he can't. He then tells her that she should retire and take care of herself after working so hard all her life. Hugo tells her that no matter what happens in
the future they will always be "girlfriends" for life, in this lifetime and any lifetimes to come. A reporter, Pilar Castao, comes in to interview Hugo and he immediately tells Inesita to stop with the hugging because he doesn't want anyone to think he's "cursi."
Pilar congratulates him about the fashion show, is surprised about his leaving, and interviews him on camera for her show Moda, Estilo, y Pasarela (Fashion, Style, and Catwalk). He says that he needs his independence, to stretch his wings, that he can't deal with the whole art and marketing stress at EcoModa. He knows he's got it in him to be just like John Galiano, and that he's done all he could at EcoModa. She invites Hugo to participate in the Fashion Color de Bogot show. Betty comes in to talk to Hugo, but he's very evasive and tells her that he has nothing to say to her. He also introduces Betty to Pilar, who very discreetly excuses herself, but not before she invites them to "Fashion Color de Bogot" (this was a fashion show that took place a couple of weeks ago in Bogot, to showcase Colombian designers to the world). Pilar invites Betty to the fashion show. Pilar congratulates Betty and Betty says that EcoModa is obviously having problems due to Hugo wanting to leave. Pilar asks Betty not to let Hugo, and leaves. Betty also asks Inesita to leave her and Hugo to talk alone. Hugo, who is just so subtle and kind, tells Inesita not to dare leave him alone with "that woman." Inesita just waves him off and leaves.

I wonder how many takes it took to do this scene, it flowed so seamlessly and was truly very well acted. After having read the summary a couple of weeks ago in the Colombia forum, I really wanted to see how it was acted out. It was great, I think! You can see Betty's genuine kindness and how Hugo's "mask" just starts to melt away, in spite of himself!

Hugo: well, don't you start to lecture me, because if what you want me to
do is to admit I made a mistake, then yes, I made a mistake, I was the bad
guy, and if you want me to congratulate you for your idea, then
congratulations! You won! The cuartel de feas modeled. Happy!?

Betty: and they modeled your designs, don Hugo. You did me a great favor!

Hugo: stop driving me crazy, you won, what else do you want?

Betty: don Hugo, no one lost here. We all won! You showed your
incredible designs, coordinated a fantastic show, and helped me to bring to
fruition my theory that EcoModa doesn't only dress beautiful women, we dress
all women well.

Hugo: Fine. Why don't you go enjoy your big triumph somewhere else?

Betty: I'd like to enjoy it with you.

Hugo: Yeah, right. How do you want us to celebrate? Hugging? Holding
hands? Kissing? All those disgusting things…

Betty: don Hugo, you and I have never had a good relationship and I doubt
that we'll ever have it…

Hugo: look here, the only relationship that you and I could ever have is a "relacin de gastos" — I have no idea what he meant to say with this…

Betty: definitely we make a great team, don Hugo. Despite all your hurtful
comments and the many misunderstandings, I can't deny you're a great
designer and that you are EcoModa's "star."

Hugo: a shooting star…

Betty: Please, don Hugo, don't leave.

Hugo: you're asking me not to leave… Look, not even if you gave me a blank check,
not even if I saw you climbing Mount Serrat on your knees (this is a famous
pilgrimage site where Catholics go to thank God for answered prayers)… Over
my dead body would I stay here. Understand?! And I recognize that I did
something horrible with those ugly women from el cuartel.

Betty: you did something wonderful! And I want you to keep doing those
monstrosities (Betty laugh). I understand that you are tired, don Hugo,
and that we don't have a good relationship, but I want to make you an
offer….

Hugo: look, you can make any proposals you want, whatever, except that we go
out together anywhere in public!

Betty: please don't resign yet, take a sabbatical, get some rest, EcoModa
will cover all your expenses, including taking your boyfriend with you so
you can solve your problems, so you can think about your future at EcoModa.
If after that you still decide that you don't want to come back, you call me
and let me know. But if you decide to stay, I want you to come back rested
so you can keep fighting me…

Hugo: look here, if EcoModa is going to pay for my vacation, I have several
specifications that must be agreed to. The first class airline tickets, best five-star hotel, champagne in my hotel suite, seafood, to be able to spoil mi checito su merced
(boyfriend). This is going to be very expensive and if I still resign, can
you imagine how it's going to be after all the money you will have spent? You're going to have to jump out of EcoModa's window!

Betty: I'm happy with your decision. Enjoy your trip!

Betty gets ready to leave.

Hugo: Made-over ugly thing (moscorrofio transformado)! Congratulations!

Betty thanks Hugo and he looks at himself in the mirror and says: I didn't hear anything, nothing happened here…

Betty works a miracle! She breaks through with Hugo, although he'll be damned if he's going to admit it. Well, well, well – this was an incredible scene. Not only because of the way the characters dealt with each other (who'd have thought this would ever
happen in our novela-watching lifetimes), but because we all know the
"behind-the-scenes" story of AMO and Julian Arango. I think they both did a
wonderful job and I was very glad to see that Gaitn let Hugo and Betty sort
of make up. I understand that this was Hugo's/Julian's last scene on BLF.
I'll miss him, especially now that I think it would have been a hoot to
watch him and Betty interact in this new phase of their relationship. Okay,
back to our story…

Mario Duarte (aka Nicolas Duarte) is huffing and puffing looking for Nicolas
Mora who still hasn't paid him for his work at the launching. He describes
Nicolas as a "very obnoxious" person, and says he and his band can't play until they get paid. He tells Betty that she knows that Nicolas is her friend, but he's very unpleasant. Betty tells him that she'll take care of the money situation and pay him after the performance. Mario Duarte is a great actor, IMHO! He totally transforms himself as Nicolas! He stood tall when "playing" himself, different voice, etc. It was neat since I'd never seen him as anything but our bumbling VP Nico.

We see Alejandra, Armando, Mario, Margarita and Daniel talking about the success of the show and the soon to be finalized franchise agreement with Alejandra. Daniel in his usual way, manages to congratulate Alejandra on the agreement and be very disagreeable by asking whether the celebration will be consummated at EcoModa, a restaurant, or somewhere more intimate. Armando reacts and tells Daniel to stop it. And to add to this already spicy and volatile situation, who should show up but Marcela and Patricia. Margarita and Daniel give her a kiss and tell her how great to have her home. Marcela, looking at Armando says something to the effect that not everyone is happy to see her. And, in her usual no-prisoners taken way confronts Armando
about pretty much blowing her off and showing so little concern for her
whereabouts and well-being (well, honey – the deck chairs on the Titanic are
going down with the ship, the band has stopped playing, and you're still
waiting for room service! 'tis OVER NOW!!). El bello-bobo tells her that
he didn't know what was going on with her and that he'd been very busy with
the details for the launch (yeah, and a tad distracted with Alejandra and
Betty – poor baby), and to add salt to Marcela's festering and open wound (sorry, that sounds gross) he introduces Alejandra and Marcela. Talk about throwing the Christians to the lions at the Coliseum. Marcela congratulates Alejandra on the
franchise agreement, saying that she must be very happy (again, looking at Armando) to have something so wonderful within her grasp. Alejandra tells Armando that's she's had a busy day and would like to go to her hotel. When she asks him to help her get a taxi (yeah, right — he's gonna let you go in a taxi), he says he'll take her himself. Marcela adds her commentary — yes, you take her (cut that tension with an axe). Armando excuses himself and Marcela (but not after telling Patty to get the heck out of the way) and they have one of their now famous conversations. Armando tells Marcela that he knows what she's thinking and doing, but that she's wrong. Marcela is upset that he never called her while they were traveling. He tells her that he's not doing anything wrong (yeah, for once buddy – but those thoughts you've been having about Betty DO count!!). I actually felt sorry for Marcela here, because this is such a lose-lose situation for her. It's very sad, because she knows what's coming but is just not able to admit it to herself. She tells Armando that she'll never forgive him for doing this to her. Parading this woman in front of everyone, when people still think that he is her fianc, or are they not engaged anymore. Armando reminds her that they had agreed to have this conversation after they returned from their trips. He tells her again that he has done nothing wrong, that Alejandra is a very important business contact and a special friend (yes, you just LOVE to hear your intended describe another woman — especially a knockout like Alejandra — as a special friend!). And that he's just being a good host… Marcela actually says that she'll buy this explanation (which for once is true, but again — Marcela it's over, please stop torturing yourself!). Armando says that they will discuss this at her apartment, but Marcela says they're going to talk about it here and now. Armando tells her this is neither the place nor the time. They'll talk about it after he drops Alejandra off at her hotel — at the entrance to the hotel, he specifies a couple of times — like the good host he is. And, he chastises her for being so rude to Alejandra. And again says there's nothing going on. Marcela tells him again that she won't forgive him for doing this to her.

While this serious conversation is going on, Gutierrez is floating around in the background (like a gnat) saying some nonsense…

Alejandra, who's very smart, is feeling just a tad uncomfortable and asks for Cata's help to get outta dodge. Cata tells her she'll find her a limo. Armando and Marcela come back and Armando tells her that he's ready to take her to her hotel. Alejandra tells him she doesn't want to cause him any trouble. Armando tells her not to worry about it, that this is an old problem, more serious than she can imagine, and that he's taking care of it (could it be, has he finally found his spine???) after he drops her off at her hotel.

Betty talks to Andrea Serna and Adriana Arboleda, who start asking her about the gorgeous French guy from Cartagena. They ask her what's going on with that, and Betty explains that she last saw him in Cartagena, but knows that he's asked Catalina about her. Andrea tells Betty that if Michel comes to Bogot the group from Cartagena needs to get together . Of course, because this is Betty la fea, while Betty is talking about Michel, Armando and Alejandra approach her to say good night. Armando was not a happy camper to hear Betty's light and happy talk about Michel. Pobrecito bello-bobo. Alejandra says good night, and Armando (with his best lost puppy face) also says good night, shakes her hand, and congratulates her again.

Adriana asks Betty if Armando and Marcela are still dating, because knowing Marcela's character, she's not going to like what's going on. Betty agrees, but says Marcela isn't there. Adriana says au contraire, she's right there. And, like a bad magician's trick, here's Marce and her trusty sidekick Patricia — who's telling Marcela that she just handed Armando to Alejandra on a silver platter. And Marcela, GOD I want to wring her neck for being so bad to herself, actually says that if Armando is doing something with Alejandra at least it means he's forgotten Betty and that's a point in her own favor. Please, get this woman to a self-esteem therapist STAT.

Marcela congratulates Betty on the success of the fashion show (you can tell she really means this!! NOT). Patricia flips her hair and also congratulates Betty, "especially for the cuartel's contribution." Marcela tells Betty to enjoy the success because the rest of the night won't be this good — and tells her that she hopes she can sleep tonight. Andrea asks Betty what Marcela meant and Betty responds that she and Marcela have both lost something tonight!

Alejandra apologizes to Armando because she believes she is responsible for the nasty and aggressive way Marcela is behaving, but Armando tells her to forget it … the one that needs to apologize is him. Alejandra tries to talk Armando out of taking her to the hotel as this would make matters worse, but Armando insists and they leave the launching together … while Betty watches with a somber look on her face.

Cata announces the entertainment for tonight: Mario Duarte and his latest hit, "Golpe de Ala". As Mario comes onstage dressed in a raggy t-shirt and jeans, we see Nicols talking to himself about what a horrible singer Mario Duarte is and how someone who dresses like he does should not be allowed in an EcoModa event. :o) Betty walks over and questions Nicols on why he didn't pay Mario Duarte the advance payment that they had agreed on and basically accuses Nicols of discrimination against Duarte because of personal dislike. Nicols doesn't refute Betty's statement and just adds that the reason she's so worked up is because it seems that she really likes this singer. Cata interrupts this exchange and informs Betty that Laura Flores of Televisa is in the dressing room waiting to interview her. Nicols doesn't miss the opportunity of once again reproaching Cata her taste in singers and her hiring of Duarte as tonight's entertainment. Cata just rolls her eyes in response. :o)

Back behind the flowers, Patricia continues her needling of Marcela with her comments about Armando's new Venezuelan conquest. Marcela tries to appear like the comments don't bother her (but her defensive attitude gives her away) and she assures Patricia that if Armando cheats on her one more time, the relationship will be over. As Marcela grabs another drink, Patricia points out that if she gets drunk she will not be able to confront Armando, but Marcela tells her not to worry, she will.

In the dressing room, Laura Flores congratulates Betty on the fashion show and starts the interview. Betty explains that women have a very important role in the Colombia's national picture and the feminine force is very determinant in the country's development. After Betty finishes the interview, Laura takes the opportunity to give Betty her latest CD which contains songs by Marco Antonio Sols. As Betty takes the CD, she drops it and tells Laura that she's just nervous, she's not used to this kind of stuff (meaning the interviews). :o)

El Cuartel is gathered trying to cheer up Inesita who is very sad and depressed over Hugo's resignation and imminent departure from EcoModa. Up walk two journalists from Channel 13 of Chile and tell the members of El Cuartel that they would like to interview them. Though at first they are taken aback, El Cuartel immediately starts to enjoy the moment and Bertha even tells them that they are "very good friends" with Cecilia Bolocco (an exaggeration, don't you think?). Aura Mara, as always, starts to flirt with the journalists.

Meanwhile, Margarita and Daniel find themselves alone discussing Armando and his Venezuelan conquest. Daniel nastily tells Margarita that he will not permit Armando to hurt Marcela one more time. A worried Margarita assures Daniel that she will take matters into her own hands if need be. Just then, Betty walks by, and Daniel stops her:

Daniel – Beatriz …

Betty – How are you, doctor?

Daniel (in a tone dripping with sarcasm) – I don't know if what I saw tonight was a ridicule or a success.

Betty – If one is to judge by the applause, it seems that it wasn't a ridicule.

Daniel – People also applaud clowns in a circus.

Betty – True, but only if the clowns are good, because there's nothing worse than a bad clown.

Daniel – Beatriz, if your intention was to cause a big commotion, I congratulate you. You did a great job.

Betty (now the one that has turned on the sarcasm) – I would prefer that you congratulate me when you see the first sales report.

Daniel – One last question … why didn't you model with your friends … the ones they call 'El Cuartel de las Feas'?

Betty – Because I am the president and it wouldn't have looked good.

Daniel – I thought it was because you didn't feel ugly anymore.

Betty – I've never stopped believing that.

Daniel (now seemingly flirting) – Well you should …

Betty (more than a little uncomfortable) – Excuse me. (Betty walks away).

Daniel (to Margarita) – You didn't congratulate her.

Margarita – I've already congratulated her enough. Listen, Daniel, am I under the wrong impression or were you flirting with Betty?

Daniel – If I told you that I was doing it to receive my advance payment, would you believe me?

Margarita – Ay Daniel!! That's really in bad taste. You're never going to get anywhere with her … I know why I'm telling you.

Margarita and Daniel reach over for a drink from a waiter and, when the waiter turns around, lo and behold! … it's Freddy!!! Margarita is surprised to see him and Freddy immediately explains that he's trying to help out in all areas of EcoModa (yeah, right!) and gets away from this pair as quickly as he can. Margarita and Daniel are obviously not convinced by Freddy's explanation by the looks they exchange.

In another side of the room, El Cuartel is still enjoying the interview being conducted by the Chilean journalists. Aura Mara, with a big smile, assures the journalists that she is single and has no commitments … and also that she is at their disposal! Our 'waiter' Freddy chooses that moment to walk by and overhears Aura Mara's comments and immediately reproaches her actions in that wordy way of his. As a matter of fact, he is so wordy that he scares the Chilean journalists away. :o) After Aura Mara reproaches his behavior and Freddy walks away, El Cuartel looks over to Betty, who is standing by Cata, and comment on the stressful look on their president's face. Mariana ventures that this must be due to Don Armando's Venezuelan conquest … she's sure that she's the woman that she saw in the tarot card reading because she never fails to interpret them correctly.

Cata, as watchful as a hawk, also notices Betty's look of stress and concludes that the reason is obvious: Armando Mendoza.

SUMMARY 16

At the event Betty and Cata talk:

Betty: Doa Catalina, I 'm confused, he's very different, he's changed a lot, he's treating me too good, I don't understand.
Cata: But he had promised to change and it seems that he did or no?
Betty: Yes, he's definitely changed a lot, he gave me his word that he would not tell me the things he would tell me before and now he behaves like a friend.
Cata: What is tormenting you Betty, you were not confused when you had a romance with him and he slept every night with Marcela, why does it torment you that he left with her?
Betty: Because I thought I knew what he felt for Marcela, but now I'm not sure what he feels for Alejandra, It's as if he was giving himself a second opportunity in life and she was helping him to get out of that crisis, there's no doubt that she's a wonderful woman and even though nothing has happened between them yet, I know there is a big attraction.
Cata: You can notice in the eyes, hers.

Armando drives up to the hotel where Alejandra is staying and they start talking about him and Marcela. He tells her he's made a decision. Alejandra tells him that Marce is in love with him and explains how she must have felt having seen him leave with another woman. Armi tells her that he doesn't want to continue being a manipulated man and he has to make definite decision, which he hadn't done before due to his mixed feelings and her unconditional love for him. Armi tells Alejandra that he's hurt Marcela too many times, he tells her how Marce voted for him for presidency and how he called off the wedding. Alejandra tells him to be careful when he talks to her, she wishes him good luck. Armando tells Alejandra how happy he feels to have her by his side in these moments and she tells him she's happy to be there for him.

Marcela's apartment:

When Armando arrives at Marcela's apartment he calls her and she doesn't respond until he finally sees her drinking in the bar.
Marce: Good evening Armando Mendoza
Armi: Hi
Marce: Are you going to drink something?
Armi: No, I don't want to drink anything and I think you shouldn't drink too much
Marce: I have to celebrate something, there was a bet that you wouldn't get home tonight.
Armi: I told you I would leave Alejandra at the hotel and that was exactly what I did and I did it as soon as possible to avoid any suspicions.
Marce: How considerate, avoid suspicions with me but not in public, and what did you tell the Venezuelan, that you would finish with this and then return.
Armi: I didn't give explanations to Alejandra because I don't have anything with her. Marcela I simply came to speak with you and afterwards I have no dates with Alejandra or anyone else.
Marce: Well then I'll be taking your time, look if you came to end this, perfect. Do me the favor to pick up all of this, the cards, your bag, your bag which did nothing else than perpetuate your presence in this house, pick up the gifts, take everything and get out, I don't want to see you again, not here not ever. You're free to be with whomever you like, do what ever you want and what you prefer but tomorrow you will not see me in EM.
Armi: Please Marcela this is not easy, is not precisely the conversation I want to have with you.
Marce:If you're going to end our relationship, I'm saving you all the time in the world, I'm preventing you from having to tell me things, I'm simplifying things for you.
Armi: Marcela, I didn't come here to make a decision on my own, on the contrary, I would like to talk to you, end this the best possible way, I don't want to end on bad terms.
Marce: What!! What Armando!!! You are telling me that you pretend to end our relationship and nothing will happen, or better yet will kiss and tomorrow everything will remain the same. Please, you can't think that I will agree to end our relationship and throw away four years of my life to the garbage.
Armi: Why to the garbage, I don't see why
Marce:Off course it's to the garbage!!! I'm not going to let you take away four years of my life, I have fought for you unconditionally, I haven't even looked at another man when you have been with thousands of women.
Armi: I have no doubts about you Marcela, your behavior towards me has been impeccable.
Marce: You have nothing to complain about, I have proved it to you one and a thousand times, I fought with my family, with my brother so that you could become president of EM, I put my hand over fire so that you could destroy the company, we lost it, but I was there supporting you.
Armi: I'm not saying I don't recognize that
Marce:Off course you are!! You are not recognizing that and many other things!! I have forgiven all of your infidelities, all your jokes, didn't I forgive you for canceling our wedding, I forgave you when you made me look like a fool in front of the society. I have forgiven everything and I was always there, I had to swallow when you told me you were in love with Beatriz, when I saw how she tore your life into pieces, I was there also supporting you, giving you an opportunity.
Armi: I think we tried, really
Marce: Tell me what I did to deserve all of this, what was my sin, you have to explain it because I don't understand.
Armi: I think we both know what happened and I think we've never confronted it, Marcela, this finished a long time ago.
Marce: That it finished a long time ago!! When did I stop feeling anything for you, that I haven't noticed, what finished, I don't know.
Armi: Maybe what you feel for me hasn't changed but what I feel for you has, the love I felt for you ended, and if we try to find out when, it could be when I told you I was in love with Betty.
Marce: That's not like that because you fell in love with her before that.
Armi: Marcela I can tell you that I fell out of love for you when I fell in love with Betty but it would be a lie, when I started feeling what I FEEL for Betty, I noticed you were out of my heart, so she didn't come to take your place.
Marce: Why were you playing with me?
Armi: No, I have never played with you, look I loved you, I really did and I tried to live a life with you together, but at a certain time that ended, and it happened before Betty came.
Marce: When Armando?
Armi: I don't know, I couldn't tell at which moment, I have images in my head, I have memories that might explain something. Your jealousy, your constant reproaches, your mistrust, how you calculated how long it would take me get from a certain place to your apartment, your constant calls to my cellular, your interrogations with every movement I made. You surrounded me so much, so much Marcela that I was living in asphyxia of even giving you explanations of my own dreams. At a certain time I didn't know if I loved you or feared you, I learned that I feared you, that our relationship was based on fear, fear of a scandal and even then I thought I could live with you.
Marce: You're telling me it's my fault.
Armi: No, No, I didn't come to blame you for anything, or to wash my hands, I came to talk both of us and together try to find that moment, that place in our story in which we got lost.
Marce: Why didn't you say it from the beginning, why didn't you speak when you were falling out of love for me, why did you let this advance.
Armi: Because I didn't know when the love finished and the compromise began.
Marce: You were with me out of compromise? You know what Armando Mendoza, you didn't come to finish our relationship, you came to finish me. How much longer are you going to humiliate me?
Armi: Marcela I didn't come here to humiliate you...... In the bedroom.... Marcela…..
Marce: I don't want to hear you, I don't deserve it.
Armi: That has been exactly our biggest error the silence, is my fault more than yours, but we can't afford that right now because what you're going to listen to is not a string of humiliations how you think, you're going to listen to the love story that happened many years ago when a man met a woman and fell in love with her. He saw her grow up, grow up beside him and fell for her adorable intelligence, her marvelous smile, her sensuality, you don't know how crazy I was about you and how much I loved you. Look, the most important thing for me will always be the day you first told me you loved me and accepted me, I will always cherish that day in my heart as the most sacred thing, and I will cherish it for as long as I live, that's precisely what I don't want to break.
Marce: You're breaking it.
Armi: No, I'm trying to put everything in place Marcela, that you understand that this is not a game, it's not a lie, to recover the sacred moments, the happy moments, I'm telling you that I loved you very much and that at a certain time in our lives that love was not enough to rescue us from the everyday life and our defects. I know you are woman with a great capability of loving, that you love a lot and more than me possibly, the problem is that you fell in love with an illusion, a man full of defects, a neurotic, irresponsible man. Marcela, I have never deserved you. You are a beautiful woman, very beautiful, that is capable of being faithful in everyway, a woman that deserves someone better than me.
Marce: That is not your problem, I know who I fell in love with because I gave him the best days of my life and I also suffered and I still loved you.
Armi: And you kept hurting yourself, Marcela I appreciate that you loved me the way you did, but also know that in many moments of your life you had to realize that I was a lost case. In fact when I told you I was in love with another woman you let me in again, you never give up!!
Marce: Because you always came back to me. You told me you loved Betty but look at what you did tonight, you left the event with that woman. You'll come back to me when you leave her just as you left Beatriz and I'll be waiting.
Armi: I never stopped loving Betty.

And now, the end is near…

We rejoin Armando and Marcela to continue their conversation…

Marcela: Are you breaking up with me so you can to back…

Armando: Marcela, I'm not here because of that and you should know it better than anyone else, you know very well that Beatriz will not give me a second chance after everything I did to her. I'm not here because of that; I'm here to save myself, to cleanse my life, to atone for my sins and to never hurt anyone else. That's why I'm here, to tell you that I'll never hurt you again, Marcela.

Marcela: Do you think that by leaving me you're not hurting me?

Armando: Right now, I know that I'm hurting you very much. But this hurt is nothing compared to how much I could hurt you by staying with you.

Marcela: Let ME deal with that. You say that I've had lucid moments – that's why I'm fighting for you. I know you, better than you know yourself, I know you better than ALL those women that have been with you. (she holds his face). I am not begging you to stay with me, I'm just asking you to think about it, analyze what you're doing, your life is still out of synch, please…

Armando: I've already thought about it. I know what I want out of life, I know what I have to do.

Marcela: I've been so patient, waiting for you to get out of this trance.

Armando: Marcela, and it is that patience that has turned into your own dagger, your own dagger. Marcela, don't you understand that we're going nowhere fast? And you, you can think that I'm doing this to humiliate you, that to share this with me is to humiliate you, but it will be an even bigger humiliation if you don't understand that you are living and sleeping with a corpse (YEAH, BUT WHAT A CORPSE, NO??!) by your side, with a man who doesn't feel anything for you, who doesn't want to caress you (OUCH, OUCH, OUCH) ever again, who doesn't have another woman waiting, please, understand me!

Marcela: I know we're going to get through this, I know it…

Armando: No, no, it would be like you're wasting away your life. This is not going to solve anything, it's absurd. You can find someone who really deserves you.

Marcela: I've fought for you, I deserve you, I know I will have you. I don't want (HEY, THAT'S THE MAGIC WORD – WANT!, not LOVE) anyone else.

Armando: No, no, stop it Marcela! Please don't force me to stay with you because of guilty feelings. That has been my main mistake throughout our relationship, because I have tried to pay you back for everything that you've done for me, and all I've ended up doing is mistreating you, hurting you, killing you.

Marcela: No, no, Armando, please!!!

Armando: Marcela, stop it. Marcela, I know that tonight you won't understand it, but you have to think about it, and after you've reflected on it, you're going to hate me more than ever. But, suddenly, you will realize that you've been released from the most disastrous relationship of your life. That you've freed your self from a man like me, a flawed man, and you will thank me for finally confronting you. You will see that you will be able to sleep peacefully, you will be able to rest, you will realize that there will be newer and better mornings in your life. To try to reminisce about our relationship, because you will no longer see me as the man who destroyed you. Because two people like you and me, who loved each other deeply, will have to realize that the only way to think of each other will be through the beautiful memories, but not the love.

ARMANDO LEAVES MARCELA'S ROOM AND WALKS DOWN THE HALL. HE TOUCHES MARCELA'S WEDDING DRESS AND TAKES THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE TWO OF THEM FROM THE MANTLE.

Armando: I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. This happiness [THE PICTURE] was real, it was important, and it was sacred in my life (WAS, WAS, WAS!!). HE KISSES THE PHOTO.

HE GOES TO THE DINNING ROOM TABLE AND FINISHES PACKING HIS SUITCASE (YES, YES, YES!). HE GOES TO THE ELEVATOR…

Armando: Goodbye (AND GOOD RIDDANCE, YEAH!).

MARCELA WALKS DOWN THE HALL AND ALSO TAKES THE PHOTO FROM THE MANTLE AND LOOKS AT IT LONGINGLY AND SADLY. SHE WALKS TO THE DINING ROOM AND REALIZES ARMANDO HAS TAKEN THE SUITCASE.

Marcela: He took it, he took it. No, no, no…

THE NEXT MORNING, BETTY IS IN HER OFFICE WRITING IN HER DIARY…

Betty: What a long and disturbing night. I don't know where morning greeted him, whether next to Alejandra Zingg (IN HER DREAMS, BABY!) or if he ended up next to doa Marcela. I would prefer the latter, because at least it would fit the pattern of his love affairs, because if he was with Alejandra it will be the clearest sign that don Armando's life has taken a new path that will definitely distance him from me, and it hurts me. Even though I know that I shouldn't hold out any hope, it's just that he, with his demeanor brings forth all these hopes that I want to keep dormant…

THE CUARTEL ARRIVES AND DISCUSSES HOW COME BETTY IS IN THE OFFICE SO EARLY. THEY START GOSSIPING ABOUT ARMANDO'S WHEREABOUTS THE NIGHT BEFORE, AND SAY THAT THERE WILL DEFINITELY BE A WRESTLING MATCH WITH MARCELA IF HE DIDN'T GO HOME TO HER THE NIGHT BEFORE. INES COMMENTS THAT ARMANDO HAS BECOME A NEW AND CHANGED MAN…

BETTY CONTINUES WRITING IN HER DIARY…

Betty: Undoubtedly, the Armando Mendoza who came back is a different man, a man who confuses me more than the one who left… he is a different man with doa Marcela, and a different man with me. Last night , with doa Marcela insinuated that the two of us had "lost something." The truth is that she has lost more than me, because he has been eerily (OH, HOW ROMANTIC AND SPIRITUAL!) close to me, with his words of encouragement, motivating me, acknowledging my accomplishments. I was so conflicted, I started to think that he felt something for me. But, I can't make this mistake again, that affectionate man, that man who seems to radiate something for me (IT'S LOVE BABY!!), is the same man who destroyed my life, the same one who wearing a faade of tenderness could have a knife hidden to hurt me again…

THE CUARTEL IS TALKING ABOUT ARMANDO'S BEHAVIOR WITH BETTY AT THE LANZAMIENTO, HOW HE PRETTY MUCH BLEW OFF ALEJANDRA AND CAN'T BELIEVE THAT HE DOESN'T HAVE FEELINGS FOR HER. PATRICIA ARRIVES AND IS (SURPRISE, SURPRISE) ON HER CELL PHONE, TELLING HER DADDY ABOUT HOW HARD SHE WORKED AT THE LANZAMIENTO, AND TELLING HIM HOW TIRED SHE IS. THE CUARTEL MOCKS HER, AND PATRICIA SAYS THAT HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LANZAMIENTO WERE OF THE "INTELLECTUAL" PERSUASSION! THE CUARTEL STARTS STRUTTING ITS STUFF ABOUT THEIR NEW MODELING CAREERS, AND BERTHA DOES ONE OF HER DEAD ON PATRICIA IMITATIONS. ARMANDO ARRIVES – LOOKING CALM, COOL, COLLECTED, RESTED, AND NOT A SCRATCH ON HIS FACE.

Armando: Good morning…

Bertha (THIS TAKES GUTS!): Did you have a good morning?

Armando: Good, very good, thank you…

Bertha: Of course you did…

THE CUARTEL COMMENTS ON HOW ARMANDO LOOKS NO WORSE THAN THE NIGHT BEFORE, AND THEY SPECULATE THAT HE HAD A "CARACAZO" (MEANING HE AND ALEJANDRA GOT TOGETHER IN THE "BIBLICAL SENSE," CARACAZO REFERRING TO HER BEING FROM CARACAS). IMMEDIATELY THEY GO TO BETTY'S OFFICE TO SAY HELLO, BUT OF COURSE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IS GOSSIP ABOUT ARMANDO AND ALEJANDRA. BETTY TELLS THEM THAT SHE DOESN'T CARE (YEAH, RIGHT!) AND CHANGES THE SUBJECT, ASKING INES WHY SHE ISN'T ON VACATION LIKE HUGO. INES SAYS THAT SHE'S GOING TO WAIT UNTIL THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS SO SHE CAN SPEND TIME WITH HER KIDS AND GRANDKIDS. BETTY REMINDS THEM THAT THEY NEED TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR NEW LOOK AND INES REMARKS THAT HUGO LEFT A LOT OF CLOTHES FOR THEM.

MARCELA ARRIVES. PATRICIA IMMEDIATELY GOES ON THE ATTACK, ASKING WHAT HAPPENED WITH ARMANDO. MARCELA GETS UPSET AFTER HEARING THE CUARTEL COMMENTING ABOUT BETTY'S REACTION TO THEIR CONVERSATION ABOUT ARMANDO, ALEJANDRA, AND MARCELA. MARCELA GOES BALLISTIC AND STARTS TELLING THEM TO GO TO WORK, ESPECIALLY MARIANA THAT NEEDS TO BE IN RECEPTION. MARECELA AND PATRICIA GO TO MARCELA'S OFFICE, WHERE THE DOOR IS AJAR (HOW CONVENIENT, NO?). THE CUARTEL IMMEDIATELY RECRUITS BERTHA TO GO ON A RECOGNIZANCE MISSION SO THEY CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON…

Mata (Hari) Berta's called upon once more. Her mission: to discover what transpired between Marcela and Armando the previous evening. How? To eavesdrop on Marcela and Patricia.

PART 17