Summaries for months 5 and 6 on Telemundo / resumenes por meses 5 y 6 on Telemundo
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We have integrated summaries from several sources (English and Spanish): diane@telenovela-world.com, telenovelas-internet.com ( now telenovela-world.com), La Opinion, http://www.laciudad.com/entretenimiento/telenovelas. You may share them, but you may not sell them or include them in anything you sell. In addition, you must give credit to all the sources, especially the authors, and to Telenovela-World (for the collection).
Estabamos integrado resumenes de algunos fuentes (en ingés o español): diane@telenovela-world.com, www.telenovelas-internet.com ( ahora telenovela-world.com), La Opinion, http://www.laciudad.com/entretenimiento/telenovelas. Puede compartirlos, pero no puede venderlos o incluirlos en cualquier cosa que vende. Tambien, tenga que dar crédito a todas las fuentes, especialmente a los autores, y a Telenovela-World (por la colección).
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www.telenovela-world.com e incluir todas as fontes.
Please send additions, changes, corrections to diane@telenovela-world.com/ Por favor, envia adiciónes, cambios o correcciónes a diane@telenovela-world.com
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USA 12/4-10/00. After the exposition, Betty and Armando make love. She tells him about Miguel, the boy in the neighborhood who romanced her, made love to her and how she found out that he did it as a bet because she was ugly. Armando is moved and tells Mario how guilty he feels. Aura Maria and Freddy make up. Cecilia Bolocco visits the company to see Hugo. Everybody is thrilled. She comforts Betty who can't believe that a woman so beautiful could understand a woman who has always been ugly. But Cecilia tells her that beautiful women never know when they are liked for themselves or their looks. Marcie asks Betty out to try to find out about the woman that Armando is seeing. She tells Betty how much she loves Armando. The "giraffe" finds a package on Mario's desk for Armando and gives it to Betty. She opens it and finds Mario's instructions to Armando on how to romance Betty, with gifts, etc. She can't believe it and puts the package back. But then she listens when Mario calls Armando and sees him reading the instructions. When he asks to take her home, she says no. Afterwards, she destroys all the little gifts he has given her and breaks down crying. Catalina finds her and tries to comfort her. Betty tells her that she wants to resign.
La Opinion. 12/10/00. Solo telenovelas. Laura M. López Betty la fea KVEA Canal 52, lunes a viernes, 8:00 p.m. Armando se ha dado cuenta del terrible daño que le está causando a Betty con sus actos. El se siente terriblemente mal después que Betty le contó como fue su primera experiencia sexual y porqué lloró tanto cuando descubrió la verdad. En el trayecto a su departamento, Armando se dio cuenta que era igual a ese tipo que usó a Betty en una apuesta, la cual ganó por supuesto, cuando contó a todo el barrio lo sucedido con ella. Armando estaba dispuesto a terminar de una vez por todas con ese plan pero tan pronto se encontraba con Mario y éste le hacía ver que podía perder Eco Moda, comenzaba a dudar. También estaba de por medio Marcela, aunque ya no estaba tan seguro de sus sentimientos, a tal grado que no podía hacer el amor con ella y esto le provocaba a la muchacha una ira tremenda y sentía que ahora sí definitivamente lo perdía para siempre. Armando ahora ya no necesitaba de embellecedores para besar a Betty ni para hacerle el amor. Todo se miraba tan normal, como si de verdad estuviera enamorado de ella y fueran una pareja de lo más feliz. Pero tarde o temprano el plan de Mario y Armando se descubriría... y así fue. Mario tuvo que viajar a Miami para un asunto de la empresa, pero no se fue sin antes dejarle a Armando una lista de instrucciones de lo que debería hacer con Betty. Sandra le da a Betty la bolsa de regalo dirigida a Armando y pudo más la curiosidad de la joven que su discreción. Pero esto le costó el segundo dolor más grande en su vida... todo estaba muy claro... ¡Armando también la estaba usando!
http://www.laciudad.com/entretenimiento/telenovelas: Lunes 24 de julio. Betty le entrega a Armando el informe sobre los costos de la nueva colección, pero se niega a hablar de cosas personales con él. Mario presionaa Armando para que busque a Betty. Berta le reclama a Aura María por querer dejar solo a su hijo para irse de rumba. Armando sale para la exposición. Marcela le pide ayuda a Patricia para desenmascarar a Armando.Martes 25 de julio. Catalina hace una explicación de la exposición que parece aludir a todo el grupo de Ecomoda. Patricia y Marcela llegan al museo. Berta le avisa a Armando que Marcela lo anda buscando. Armando se las ingenia para hacer quedar mal a Marcela por su visita inesperada al museo. Armando le da undiscurso a Betty y la deja convencida de que ella es la mujer más importante en su vida.Miércoles 26 de julio. Patricia hace el oso al querer opinar sobre la exposición de Picasso. Aura María y Freddy hablan en público de sus respectivas rumbas, buscandoprovocar los celos del otro. El Cuartel les ayuda y logra hacerlos salir juntos. El portero del edificio de Mario hace quedar mal a Armando ante Betty. Hermes se molesta pues Betty no aparece. Betty le insiste a Armando en que ella no es la mujer para él.Jueves 27 de julio. Aura María y Freddy se reconcilian. Armando y Betty tienen un nuevo acercamiento y Armando se siente extraño, pues le costó menos trabajo que la primera vez. Armando le pide a Betty que le cuente quien fue el primer hombre en su vida. Martes 08 de agosto. Cecilia Bolocco le dice a Betty que ella tambien fue alguna vez el patito feo y que ser una mujer bonita no garantiza la felicidad. Sandra le pregunta a Betty por el contenido del sobre que dejo Mario. USA 12/8/00. Miércoles 09 de agosto. Mientras Catalina consuela a Betty, ella le dice que va a renunciar a su cargo en Ecomoda. Aura María esta feliz, pues piensa que Freddy es el único hombre bueno que queda sobre el planeta.
Subject: Summary Monday Night 12/4/00. MOSTLY HERE Author: Gea (209.2.60.2) Date: 12-05-2000 12:42 STILL HAVING COMPUTER PROBLEMS - - Myu computer wouldn't let me save properly, and I couldn't keep retyping scenes. but this is most everything and a lot of the interaction between Armando and Betty. Betty and Armando are on the second floor. He keeps telling her that they need to go somewhere and discuss what happened, and she says no, there is nothing to discuss, it was clear, and besides, they can't be seen leaving together. Marcela and Patsy show up at the museum looking for Armando, and half-pretend to the Cuartel and Cata that they are there for the show. Marcela asks if anyone has seen Armando, and Sandy says he was with Betty. Berta has left the group and gone up to the second floor, and is looking at a painting of an orange. She begins to discuss with herself the beauty of the painting, and of course, is obsessing about the orange itself. She is clearly very hungry. Berta comes up to the second floor and calls out to Armando that Marcela is looking for him. At first he is shaken, but then he tells Berta to tell Marce that she hasn't seen him or Betty. Berta walks away and Betty says to Armando that they can't do this, that Marce is going to have a fit, and he says she won't because she is not going to see them. He then pulls Betty toward a different entrance from the one where they came in. Berta is heading back downstairs before running into another painting of food, which enchants her completely. She is fascinated by the beauty of a banana, how wonderful everything looks, etc. When she reaches the next level, she runs into Marce and Patsy, and Marce asks if she has seen Armando. Berta looks agitated and a little off/dizzy, and says no, and then they ask about Betty, and she says, no, not her either. Patsy asks if she has eaten, and she says no, no I haven't, and then wanders away. Marcela says she doesn't trust any of the cuartel, so she'll have to go see for herself. Betty and Armando have made their "escape" to the car, and both get in. Armando and Betty are driving to someplace as of yet undetermined when Marce calls him on the cell phone. Armando tells Marce that he's with Betty, that some work came up that they can't take care of tomorrow because they are leaving town, and that they will be doing that for a short while. When she questions him, he tells her that he did what he said earlier, that he was at the museum, and that he's not doing anything wrong, so she shouldn't be mad at him. They are shouting back and forth and Betty puts her hand on her chest to calm him. She is clearly very upset by the interaction.
Betty tells Armando he should give Marcy another chance, that they should end this. He and marce are going to Palm Beach and they should give it a chance there. All of this is making her feel very very bad. He asks her if that is what she really wants, look in his eyes and tell him that is what she wants. She keeps avoiding his eyes, and then he stops the car to talk to her. Is this really what you want? She keeps saying how bad this is making her feel, how wrong she feels, and then he shifts approach and informs her that if she wants to go home, he will take her home! He came all this way, to the museum, he risked everything for her, everything to show her how important she is to him, that she is more important than any other woman, but she is asking him to take her home. Well, if that's what she's asking him to do so he will do it! He will take her home. She backs off and says no, no, that's not what she wants. He responds that he wants to be with her, that she is important to him. He tells her that they will be leaving town tomorrow, and he is going to miss her very much. Her face softens and warms to him, and she tells him that it will be very difficult to be without him. "Betty", he says "Mi Betty", he says. And then they share several tender kisses. The phone rings again and Betty looks completely panicked. "If that is Marcela I don't want to hear it," she says, "please let me out over there." "No, no, don't worry, it's Calderon," He answers and he and Mario have a mostly one-sided conversation during which he fills Mario in on what has been going on. Mario asks "are you working on that project?" He says "ah huh", Mario asks, "is it going well", he responds "more or less." He then tells Mario that Marcela followed him to the museum. Mario responds that he can't go out in public then, it would be too risky. Mario suggests a more clandestine place, a more private place, HIS PLACE. Armando agrees that ist ois a good idea, and then pretends to be telling Mario that he is taking Betty home, and that shortly thereafter he will meet Mario at some event. He hangs up, and then tells Betty that they can't stay there, because Marce is looking for them, but that they should go someplace quiet. He suggests Mario's place, and when she blanches, he says that they could go to his place, he could take her home, but that would be the first place Marce would look. She agrees, and then share another kiss. Hugo is telling Cata about how there are two great art occurrences in the twentieth century, that of fashion happening at EcoModa, and that of Picasso.
At Mario's apartment building, Armando and Betty enter and the doorman has the keys ready for Armando. He asks if they will be staying all night, and makes those guy "I know what you're up to" faces, and Armando says they will be there a while. Betty is clearly disconcerted by the ease of the response of the doorman, and his familiarity with Armando in this interaction. They enter the apartment and Betty says "you have been here alone before many times. Well, not exactly alone, but very well accompanied, without Calderon." He says "I have been, but not recently." She responds, "you have brought many women here." He repeats "not recently." He then asks her if she wants something to drink, she asks for blackberry juice, he says I'll see what I can find. He brings her what looks like orange juice (I didn't catch the type) and offers to add something to it, but she says she doesn't want any alcohol. He tells her "I am having a whisky, but this is my first and my last today." She asks if she can borrow the phone, she needs to call her father. He responds of course, it's right over there. She picks up the phone to call home. Don Hermes and Dona Julia are sitting in their bedroom, and he is expressing concern since he hasn't heard Betty. Betty calls and tells him where she is, which upsets him greatly. He says she told him she was going to the museum, but not to some man's apartment. She tells him it is a work meeting, that things came up at the museum that they can't take care of tomorrow, and besides, Armando is there too, not just Mario, so she isn't alone. When he asks about how she will get home, she tells him not to worry, Armando will bring her. The entire time they are talking, Dona Julia is making faces about Don Hermes' demands of Betty.
Somewhere in here, cut to the next scene at the museum. Patsy, Marcey, Hugo, Cata and the Cuartel are still at the museum, looking at paintings and discussing the life of Picasso when Patsy announces that she really enjoys the work of Picasso. She says this with intense, dramatic enthusiasm. She wants to know when he is going to do more work so that there will be another show. Cata calmly informs her that there will be no more new works since Picasso is dead, while Marce laughs on Hugo's shoulder, who pats Marce's back sympathetically for having to suffer such a friend. Betty tells Armando "I had to lie to him, I had to pretend that Mario was here too, or he would be very worried." He responds " you don't have to explain yourself " They are both clearly very uncomfortable. Betty crosses the room to sit in a chair far from Armando, who is still nursing his whisky. "He protects me so carefully, as if I were a beauty queen, but you look at me with different eyes." Armando starts to interrupt and say no, you are, but she cuts him off. "Don't try to tell me that I am special, or loyal, or other things you had to force out the other night to explain yourself. We both know how you are, and the situation with Adriana Aboleda shows it. You have a weakness for beautiful women, you always have." Armando is looking increasingly agitated as he hears her talk about him through her eyes. "What are you going to say to Mario when he asks you who you brought here tonight?" "He won't ask." "Of course he will. We both know how he is." "He won't ask the name." "But he won't need to. If I were like the other women you brought here, beautiful, tall, 90-70-90, then I would blend in, like all the women you have in the computer at work. But you haven't brought any other ugly women here. If you describe me, he will know exactly who you are talking about. " She is getting more and more upset, talking to him, but he is facing us on the couch, while she stands behind the couch facing a side wall, leaning on a barre something like a dancer's barre. "This is all so difficult for me", she says. "I am just a parenthesis in your life. I am the first and the last ugly woman in your life. I came into your life by accident. This is happening now, but we both know that sooner or later you will go back to your life as before, another beautiful woman." "No one dreams about an ugly woman. No one thinks about making their dreams come true with an ugly woman. You could never be with me. Your family would never allow it. There would be an awful scandal, and you could lose EcoModa." She continues with this kind of talk until Armando jumps up from the couch and pulls off his glasses in frustration, interrupting, saying "No, that isn't true."
Somewhere in here we cut to Patsy, Hugo, Marcey and Cata talking about Picasso. They are looking at a painting, and Marcey asks if this was his last model. Cata says no, other women sat for him, but she was his last companion. Marcey asked what happened to her. Cata replied that she killed herself. Picasso was a very difficult man, and the women in his life had a hard time, the obsessive nature of the relationships was very painful and difficult. Patsy said "oh Marcey!" Marcey said "What" irritated (it appeared that Patsy was thinking that Marcey's relationship with Armando was this way, but Patsy's response was only, "que tragico." Betty can't take feeling this bad anymore, so she decides to leave. "I don't want to be here, I don't want to be Mario's apartment where you have been with so many other women". She heads toward the door and he steps in front of her and softly says "No" as he pulls her to him. "You should go be with Marcela, she is waiting. Don't worry about me, I will take a taxi" "No one as special as you" "No one as ugly as me" "No one as special" he kisses her on the forehead, "No one as sweet" he kisses her on the cheek, "no one as good", he cups her chin and gives her a soft kiss on the mouth, "No one who awakens me. You awaken me" He kisses her forehead again and is holding her close. "This is terrible for me" she says. "Why?" "Because I love you, Doctor, I love you" she kisses his mouth, the side of his face, embracing him. "I am afraid. I am afraid of what will happen, I am afraid I will suffer, I am afraid. But I am also afraid to continue without you." He cups her chin with both hands and tells her "you have nothing to fear." He then continues kissing her, and they both become more aggressive, dropping clothes on the floor and slowly moving towards the couch, until he lowers her onto the couch under him and they continue kissing. (Freezframe) NOTE - -the interaction this time was still sweet, but more aggressively passionate than last time. Next time: Armando learns the truth about Betty's first time, and something she tells him makes him say "I'm not the man you think I am."
Subject: ***SUMMARY, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2000*** Author: Becky A (63.38.185.193) Date: 12-05-2000 23:29 Mario's Coach Betty and Armando are HEAVILY making out. Outside Club Freddy and Aura Maria arrive. Freddy asks if this is the place that she frequents. She thanks him for the ride. He thanks her for letting him bring her. She tries to give him a kiss on the cheek, but he turns his face. She tells him that he is going to have fun on his date. He says that she will be doing the same. She tells him that she doesn't know if her date as has arrived. She tells him that at least Wilson is waiting for him with their girls. She tells him to leave. He tells her to go inside. He informs her that he was given the mission to make sure that she arrived safely so he will not be leaving until she enters the club. Aura Maria goes to enter the club, she stops, turns around and asks that he take her to Sophia's. She confuses that there is no date. "Oh yes, you can't take me because you have a date" she says. She says goodbye. He tells her no, that it is his responsiblity to make sure that she is safe and he will take her to wherever she wants to go. He confuses that there is no one waiting for him. Aura Maria admits that she only did all of this to be with him. His desire in life is to be with her. They kiss. In Patricia's Car In front of Marcela's apartment Patricia is telling her that she doesn't see Armando's car. Marcela tells her that she doesn't have to ruin her evening. Mario will be coming. Patricia says that of course he will, after he leaves the other one. Patricia tells her that she believes everything that he tells her. Marcela disagrees and states that she will be able to tell if he was with Betty of the other woman.
Mario's Apartment Betty and Armando have finished making love and Betty is in the process of putting on a robe. They smile at each other and kiss again. Betty tells him that it was very nice. He says that he knows that it was "very nice, very nice". They kiss again for quite awhile. Betty finally puts a stop to it and tells him that it is best that they leave since others are waiting on them. Armando begins to kiss her again. Armando says that all night Betty has been asking about his other women and he would like to know about her first time. Betty pulls away and asks if it is important for him to know. He answers yes. He claims that Betty knows quite abit about his past and he would love to know about hers. He says, of course, if she wants to tell him. She agrees. She warns him that it is not a nice story. It doesn't matter to Armando. She tells him how a few years back a new boy, arrived to the neighborhood. He became friends with the others, they introduced her and he kissed her hand. He began to visit her at home, bringing gifts - flowers, cards and chocolates. (Her father did not care for him, obviously.) He was the first man to pay attention to her and she accepted to be his girlfriend. (She holds up two pictures of the guy.) She fell in love. She lived for him, his gifts and his affection. She was experiencing something that she had never felt before. One afternoon he asked her to make love. She agreed. It was the first time that she had ever been in love with someone, with heart and soul. (Armando is sitting on the couch with his arm to his side listening. Betty is staring into space.) She continues her story and says that after that afternoon it was a long time before she ever knew anything about him. She never came by or did she receive a telephone call. He didn't bother to tell her that it had ended. Armando asks if didn't he live in the neighborhood. Yes, he did and she went looking for him at his house and she was told that he was not in and never to bother coming back. She ran into one of the girl's of the neighborhood and asked about him. The girl told her not to bother with him. She tells her that she was used and that she should not have gone to bed with him. Betty tries to deny it. The girl tells her that everyone knows and that she was used for money. Armando asks how for money, did she not know. She found out a few days later. Coming home from the university she ran into the crowd that Armando had the fight. Miquel was with them and she confronted him. He told her that they had nothing to talk about. She told him that she didn't like what he was saying. She wants to know what is going on. They tell her how it was a bet.
Armando and Betty are now sitting on the steps. Armando wants to know how she was used as a bet. (Armando is shaking his head in disbelief.) She tells him that Miquel used her, to go to bed with "La Fea del Barrio" to win some money. He tells her not to say that. She tells him not to worry that she is used to it because that is what she has always been called. Shes goes on to say that Miquel accepted the bet and took his time to conquer her and later to seduce her. (Armando is staring and is remembering when Mario brought all the gifts that would be used on Betty.) Betty is saying that they played with her and she didn't notice it. (Armando is still staring into space and continues to remember the gifts.) Betty is continuing her story by saying that they were arguing how much to bet and she never noticed it. (Armando has a frown on his face. His eyebrows are almost meeting in the middle.) Betty tells him that they destroyed her. She says that it almost killed her. Armando puts his arms around her and asks how there can be such miserable people. Betty tells him that she doesn't like to remember it because it was the most painful thing that has ever happened to her. (Armando caresses her cheek.) He tells her that they are not worth the pain. She goes on to say that the first person that showed an interest in her was deceiving her. She tells him how she wouldn't leave her room and had not interest in going to the university. Her mother was well aware of what had occurred and she is the one that stayed by her. Her father knew that something had happened and almost ran Miquel from the neighborhood. This is why her father is so protective of her. Armando wants to know where Nicolas was during all of this. Did he know? Was he a part of it? Betty assures him that Nicolas had no idea of what was occuring. He is incapable of doing harm. Next to her parents and Armando he is the closet thing she has. He knew that she was in love and was not in agreement. He stayed by her side during the most difficult times. (Armando is making a face as though he is jealous that Nicolas was at her side.) From that moment Betty felt that she would never love again. She would never be able to forget and go on. Until Armando arrived. She puts her head on his shoulder and tells him how much he means to her. Armando returned her illusions and faith. (Armando is looking guilty.) She tells him that this is the reason why she is afraid to love him. She doesn't want to live that nightmare again. Armando is feeling guilty and tells her that she has every reason to feel that way and he tries to tell her that he is not the person that she thinks he is. She stops him and tells him that he is a grand man and that he would be incapable of doing anything like that. She puts her head on his chest and he puts his hand on her face. She tells him that he is honest, mature and from a good family. He tries to tell her no. She tells him that they must go. She goes to kiss him and pulls her close. She stops kissing him and he continues.
After she leaves to change he becomes very upset with himself. His cell phone rings and its Marcela. He tells her that he is preparing his suitcase. She tells him that she will wait for him. Betty comes back and mentions that she heard his telephone ring. He tells her that it was Marcela. She tells him to go on and that she will get a taxi. He says no. She insists and he says no angrily and orders that he will take her home. They kiss again. At the Club Freddy and Aura Maria are dancing and kissing. (The club is trying to close.) Freddy tells her that he always knew she was the woman for him. They talk about how if they had no one else. They kiss. The waiter brings the bill - apparently high. Freddy tells her that their night is over. She can't believe that he plans on taking her home. They continue kissing and leave. In Front of Betty's House Betty thanks him for everything and tells him that it was a nice evening. He says it was nice for him. She doesn't want her story to change the imagine he has of her. He tells her no. They kiss goodnight and then hug. She tells him that she is going to dream about him all night. He says that he plans on doing the same. He smiles and waves at her while she enteres her house. After she enters, he begins to shake his head no. He asks himself why he has to do this to her. In Betty's Bedroom Betty is writing in her book that she wanted to demonstrate to him that she was the most important woman for him. The one that he loves. (Armando is shown in Marcela's apartment.) Betty continues to write that he showed her that she was above the rest. Marcela's Apartment Marcela kisses his cheek. He is cold. She tells him that she is going to relieve his stress. He says that it is not important. She wants to make love. He's not interested. He tells her that he has alot on his mind due to the trip and the new collection. She wants to know how long he plans on using that excuse. She tells him to go find another. Armando becomes angry and tells her not to start. She tells him to demonstrate to her that he was not with her. She tells him not to worry that she is not going to obligate him to make love. She realizes that he can't because of her (Marcela). It would also make her sick his making love to her after he has been with the other woman.
Betty's Bedroom Betty continues to write about how Armando's reaction to her story was beautiful. It seemed to affect him the way it had affected her. He listened to her as though he were taking every step in her tragedy. He hugged. She thanks God for putting him on her road. She thanks God for letting her love, to be love and returning her faith. She thanks him for men like Armando, honest and being able to love above prejudices. At the Office Marcela asks for Aura Maria. Patricia wants to know what happened. Marcela tells him that he arrived early and that everything was the same. He had been with the other woman. Patricia follows her to her office where she begins to cry and tells her that she has lost him. Patricia wants to know how could she allow him to stay in her bed after he had been with another woman. Marcela answers that she wasn't strong enough to throw him out. Patricia tells her that she needs to go on this trip alone. Marcela tells her that she needs him to go in order to try to get him back. Armando's Office Armando calls out for Betty. She enters all happy. He smiles. He wants to know what is happening with the bank and the providers. Betty tells him that the bank will only lend them 50% of what they need. Betty suggests that they speak to the providers to get credit. Armando asks Betty to get Freddy. He needs him to go and pack a suitcase for him since he lied to Marcela and told him that he already had packed. Betty informs him that he hasn't arrived. Armando says that since Aura Maria is not in they must be together. (Betty starts laughing and moving her head side to side.) Armando doesn't get upset and tells her to send Freddy in when he arrives.
Mario enters and wants to know what happened. Armando tells him that they are pigs of the third kind. Mario disagrees. He tells him that what they are doing has no name. He wants to end it. Mario says its his guilt. Armando tells him that all he is doing is causing Betty's the greatest tradegy of her life. They move into the conference room and Mario wants to know if they made love. Armando says yes, once and without any pictures to look at. Armando tells him that Betty loves him and that there is something special between them. Mario tells him that an ugly woman makes love like it is the first and last time. Besides he awakend Betty's desires. Armando gives him a look that says no. Mario wants to know who it was. He tells him that story of Betty's first time. He tells him how Miquel brought gifts, like Mario's, card's like his until she gave in. Mario tells him that he is not going to be the one that disappears. It will be Betty. They will send her on a vacation to Indonesia. Armando gets angry. Armando tells him that if she finds out it will kill her.
Subject: *** Summary: Wed 12/6/2000 *** Author: Robin N (63.208.66.196) Date: 12-06-2000 22:21 Yesterday: Armando knows the magnitude of his guilt and how Betty's heart is truly in jeopardy… Today: If Betty discovers what they (Armando and Mario) are doing (repeating virtually the horrible experience of her first betrayal); it will be horrible for Betty, says Armando. "but what should we do?, asks Mario. "Listen to me!" demands Armando frantically. "I'm finishing a woman who loves me! …A woman who has waited all her life for someone like me! Wake up!" Mario tells him to calm down. "Let me say something. You're not destroying her, you're making her happy," he tries to persuade Armando. "You're helping her realize her dreams…" "Calderón, you know perfectly well when all this is over this will destroy her." Mario's solution is to send Betty on a trip far away; he feels that with time and distance she'll forget all about them when she's away on a dream vacation. He wants Armando to give her another card and detalle. Armando, however, finds this difficult. He doesn't want something meaningless, he needs something from Mario that truly expresses something genuine, something sweet. Mario flippantly tells him, "Okay, Señor Presidente, as you order it! I'll go find my muse in the bathroom!" The elevator opens to reveal Freddy and Aura Maria kissing passionately (her hair is still wet). Sandra and Mariana ask where they've been and Patricia can't resist walking up and sarcastically commenting on their late arrival, "…and would you like some morning coffee?" Freddy, wittily replies, "Sure, with 2 sugars, and you can bring it dancing!" Patricia mocks them for having wet hair and Aura Maria is not fazed by this; she brags about enjoying the jacuzzi with her novio, implying that this would be foreign territory for Patricia. Patricia, however, replies that she's been in many jacuzzis with many men, only to be overheard by Mario. He mocks her for revealing what they've always suspected (that she's a floozy) and she is left embarrassed once again. Mariana and Sandra tell Aura Maria that Marcela is annoyed and wants to see her, sending her into a panic. Freddy takes her hand and assures her that they'll face the music together. In Marcela's office, Aura Maria and Freddy enter hand-in-hand and shamefacedly, to face a stony-faced Marcela. Aura Maria starts to apologize and take the blame for the late arrival and Freddy stops her and starts to take the blame on his shoulders. Marcela asks him cynically who he's acting as: Aura Maria's lawyer? Freddy says that he'd never thought he'd say this, but he's there as Aura Maria's boyfriend. Marcela unenthusiastically says, "Imagine that… so I should forgive you for this?" Aura Maria begins again to explain and take the blame, but Freddy interrupts again and apologizes by explaining that they were enjoying their new relationship too much perhaps. Aura Maria won't let him take the blame and they see-saw back and forth over who will be the one at fault. He tells her that he will because if he's fired it's only he that's hurt, if she's fired she has her son to think of… Marcela watches this display of romantic solidarity with a combination heavy heart/jealousy/amusement. The two decide that they'll share the blame and face the consequences together. Marcela stops them and cynically asks Aura Maria if this is something serious or something for only one night and Aura Maria assures her that it's definitely the real thing. Freddy tells her that she can call them husband and wife, because he'll marry Aura Maria as soon as she agrees. Marcela is sadly/sweetly happy for their happiness and advises them to appreciate what they have. They leave her office, hand-in-hand and share a passionate kiss in front of Sandra and Mariana. They what to know what happened and Aura Maria tells them that Marcela is good people, not like some… Hugo comes up and is angry that Aura Maria isn't down in reception because he's got an important guest coming and he doesn't want that idiot Wilson greeting her. When Aura Maria doesn't run fast enough to suit him he tells her to, "Fly, Pechugin!"
Patricia asks who's coming and he tells her that it's Cecilia Bolocco, the former Miss Universe, Chilean television presenter and novia of former president of Argentina, Carlos Menem. Freddy is about to head down to reception with Aura Maria and Mariana calls him back to see Armando immediately. Mario recites his latest romantic effort to Armando, but he is not moved; he wants something better. "Hey, I'm the VP of Commerce, not a poet," counters Mario. "Look at these caramels, she's sure to like these." Armando doesn't want the usual for Betty, and Mario is a little annoyed, "Listen, young Romeo, I've got to leave for Palm Beach in 2 hours: what do you want me to do? My job or write poems?" Armando will give it some thought himself; Mario leaves. Freddy enters hesitantly and Armando gives him a hard time about his late arrival, then sends him off to his apartment to run the errand about his suitcase. "Don't tell anyone!" he tells Freddy. "Fly!" Freddy responds by pretending to extend his wings, "Flaps!" In the hallway, Marcela asks Mariana when their airport driver is expected; she's basically ready to go. Patricia notes her expression and asks if she's leaving and Marcela indicates that she is. Freddy flaps past, making them stare. Armando reviews the note that Mario started to write for him and shakes his head; he rethinks it and is about to write something else (with a happy "thinking of Betty" smile on his face) when Marcela enters the office. He quickly pushes it under his blotter and her face immediately assumes a suspicious look. She asks when he'll be ready to leave with her and he tells her that it depends on what Betty tells him. He calls for Betty and she enters all happy; her face falls when she sees Marcela in the office too. He asks her about the tickets and vendor status. The tickets are there but bad news with the vendors… they don't want to deal with her, she says smugly. He's the one that signed the contract and they only want to deal with him. Marcela's face darkens and Armando's face looks hopeful, as if he has an out for the trip. He asks Betty what she's telling him he out to do and she tells him that she thinks he shouldn't go to Palm Beach or they'll be unable to start production on the collection. Marcela can't believe her ears; she blows her top and accuses him of planning this. Armando is furious at this and denies this. "I'm not inventing this… didn't you hear Betty?" "Oh, I heard her…" "Mi amor…" he pleads. "Don't call mi amor!" She goes on and on about how this is a trap they've planned and he responds angrily to her accusations by telling her that he's not lying. She rushes out and he follows, leaving Betty looking a little anxious, but pleased at the turn of events.
Cecilia Bolocco has arrived and Aura Maria has brought her upstairs to escort her to Hugo's salon. Patricia rushes up to grab control and a tug of war ensues over the right to take her. Cecilia looks bemused by this. Marcela storms past angrily shouting that there will be no wedding and Armando chases after shouting just as angrily, and Cecilia Bolocco is very shocked. She wonders if she's arrived at a bad moment, maybe she should leave. Patricia naively explains who Marcela and Armando are and goes to take her off to see Hugo. In Marcela's office, Armando shouts that he didn't ask Betty to make up this excuse but she tells him that it's some strange coincidence. "Forget about it! I'm traveling to Palm Beach alone! Forget about me!" Armando tells her impulsively that he's not going to cancel his plans for the trip, come what may. He's going to go to please her regardless of what this means to the collection. Marcela fumes. Hugo is fitting the models and Patricia stops in the doorway to announce Cecilia Bolocco, "Huuuugiiiiitooo!!! Look who's here!!! Ceeeciiii!" Cecilia enters and Hugo greets her in his usual effusive way. He helps her take off her fur (which he promptly puts on!) and has her take a pirouette. They schmooze and flatter each other and Patricia has to barge in on the action. She explains to Cecilia Bolocco that she understands the pressures of being a beauty queen. Cecilia asks her if she was one too and Patricia tells her that she was, but of her high school. She manages to work in that she studied finance. Cecilia asks her if she is then a financier, but Patricia explains, no, that she got married. "Oh, so then you have children?" "No, well then I separated…" replies the oblivious Patricia. Cecilia doesn't know what to make of her, but Hugo tells Patricia to take herself off. He then shows off his collection.
In Armando's office, Mario doesn't like the latest turn of events. He feels that Armando is crazy to go to Palm Beach in light of what it means for the collection. He offers to intercede with Marcela. As he leaves, Betty enters and apologizes for what happened. Armando asks her if she manipulated the situation and she responds, "Noooo… How could I? You could check with the vendors…" She tells him that the vendors want to know if he'll keep his appointments with them and he distractedly admits that he doesn't know. She notes this preoccupation and offers to bring him an herbal tea. He looks at her and realizes that she's trying to help and agrees gratefully. Sofia and Berta have heard about Cecilia Bolocco being there and want to meet her. Betty comes out and asks what's up and when they tell her that they want to go (Aura Maria will introduce them), Betty tells them that it's not a good idea, you know how Hugo is… Just then, Hugo approaches with Cecilia; he warns her about the feas. Berta gushes that they've had many beauty queens at Eco Moda before, but never a Miss Universe! Hugo enumerates Cecilia's many credentials, then introduces the group, assigning them all mocking beauty queen titles…Sandra is Miss Nevada (snow-capped mountain), Mariana is Miss brownie, Aura Maria is Miss Pechugin… but his nastiest comment is for Betty. Cecilia, to her credit, is very nice to them all, but especially to Betty. They continue down the hall. Mario is trying to smooth things over with Marcela but doesn't really want to be involved in her fight with Armando. He suggests that he can handle the Palm beach trip instead of Armando. Cata gets off the elevator and greets them with the good news that she's managed to make many good arrangements with the press, etc., for the collection premiere. Mario tells her what a shame that her work was for nothing and she tells him not to joke with her. "No, it's not a joke," he replies, "because they're now not going to make their production date." Cata looks to them for an explanation but Marcela has noticed Cecilia Bolocco with Hugo and asks who that model is with Hugo. Patricia is only too happy to rush up and tell her it's Cecilia Bolocco and offers to introduce her. before Marcela can say "boo", Patricia has rushed off to Cecilia Bolocco, "Ceeeciiiii…!" She grabs Cecilia Bolocco and pulls her off running to meet Marcela who's looking more than a little embarrassed. Patricia introduces Marcela and Cata, then turns to Mario and makes a face. He steps forward and introduces himself suavely. Armando comes up bellowing for Betty and asks if they've seen her.
Marcela and all look at him oddly and she fake-sweetly tells him that she's off to her apartment now, "mi amor." He notes sarcastically, "Oh, so now I'm mi amor!" Marcela tries to calm him down and she introduces Cecilia Bolocco. Armando continues his rant for a second and then the name sinks in and he's a little embarrassed. "Why didn't you tell me Cecilia was here?" "Well, we tried to…" Marcela tells Cecilia that she and Armando were just having a stupid fight, but it's all over now. (big fake smile) This is news to Armando. She tells him that she's going with Mario and all is settled and she bids Cecilia good-bye. Hugo takes Cecilia off with Cata. Armando tells Patricia to leave, "Puff!" He and Mario look admiringly after Cecilia. Mario teases Armando that now he can stay with Betty (mock Betty laugh). He asks about leaving some detalles and Armando tells him to lower his voice. Mario offers to leave a supply of detalles for him to give her daily. "Thanks, organizer!" says Armando, sarcastically as he leaves.
Betty has returned to Armando's office with his herbal tea and notes the latest "detalles" on his desk as she straightens up but when he enters, pretends to not have seen anything (she is, however, smiling). He notes her reaction and is a little embarrassed. He hands her the caramels and the card and tells her that he'd planned to leave it on her desk like the others, but wasn't sure. He hopes that she'll like them. Betty delightedly accepts them and assures him that she will. Inside her closet, she tears open the card and reads the note in which "he" explains that he feels closer to her than ever, knowing about her story. She rushes back out and shyly smiles at him. He nervously looks at her and she teasingly reminds him of his lunch date at the club. She then thanks him for what he wrote in the card, "You've returned me to life! What I read was the most beautiful thing I've ever read!" She hugs him tightly and he tells her that she doesn't have to thank him. The door to his office opens and it's Marcela (fortunately, she entered backing in!) and they burst apart, startled. She asks about lunch and he tells her that he has a club date and he asks her to call him when she gets to her hotel. "Why?" she responds cynically. He insists and he leaves for his lunch. In the hall, he turns expectantly to look at Betty and tells her that he'll see her this afternoon. He looks again, as if to say something, and walks away. The cuartel comes up and asks Betty if she's ready for lunch. She tells them she only needs to get her things, but Marcela tells her that she's not going to lunch with the cuartel, she's inviting Betty to lunch with her at l'Noir. "Hurry, I only have an hour."
Betty looks like she's going to an execution but the cuartel is impressed by the invitation. Patricia is shocked by this invite, but Marcela feels that she must confront the situation. Marcela and Betty enter the elevator together, each with a determined step. Mario is choosing a daily supply of details to leave for Armando. Armando enters and asks if he wants to get lunch, but Mario tells him he can't — it's not easy picking these out. Armando leaves him to his task. Mario finishes up his goodies and ties up the bag. He has put a label on it for Sr. Armando Mendoza. In the restaurant, the two women are seated. Betty stumbles on her way to the chair. Marcela asks her if she wants wine and is disgusted when Betty only asks for a juice. It's time for business. Marcela turns to Betty and tells her that it's time to lay the cards on the table! Tomorrow: Sandra gives the bag of detalles to Betty and we see her opening it!!!
Subject: SUMMARY FOR 12/7 - BETTY FINDS OUT Author: Rosemarie (207.141.159.85) Date: 12-08-2000 13:36 Sorry it took so long to get the summary done, I forgot I volunteered to help. I've never written a summary before so I hope it helps. I tried to be as detailed as possible. Hope you like it. Betty and Marcela are having lunch and Marcela confesses her fear of losing Armando. Marcela asks for Betty's help and advice. Marcela seemed really sincere. Betty was noticeably uncomfortable. She tried to avoid saying anything, probably from guilt. Marcela told Betty that she knew she was on Armando's side, Betty told her that she was on his side because she was his assistant and that if she were her assistant she would probably be on her side. Marcela nodded in agreement. Marcela finally realized that Betty wasn't going to reveal any personal information and stood from the table to leave. Betty felt bad and told her that maybe Armando was acting different because of all the fights they have had lately and all the problems with the company and that they were both very stressed. And that if they fell in love it was because they saw something in each other that made them fall in love. Betty suggested they spend some time together to rediscover their love. Marcela tells Betty that that was what she planned for the trip to West Palm Beach, but that now she's going alone and he is staying here…..and she doesn't know what she will be coming back to. Betty said nothing and they both leave. Betty arrives at Ecomoda and Sandra and Marianna immediately started to ask her what happened at lunch with Marcela. Betty tells them to forget about it because she isn't going to say a word. Sandra gives Betty the blue bag she found on Mario's desk with Armando's name on it. She tells Betty she doesn't know what it is. Betty takes the bag to put it in Armando's office.
Betty is in Armando's office when he calls her. He tells her how embarrassed he is that Ceclia witnessed the fight between Marcela and him. He asks Betty to tell Hugo that he wants to meet with her in his office. Betty calls Hugo and relays the message. Betty is straightening Armando's desk when Sandra walks in. Sandra asks Betty if she has opened the blue bag. Betty says no and that she will wait for Armando to arrive. Sandra can't believe the curiosity isn't killing Betty. Sandra asks if she will open it, she offers to stay and help her. Betty says no and Sandra leaves. Betty heads for her office and takes one last look at the bag. Her curiosity gets the better of her and she goes back to Armando's desk and sticks her hand in the bag. She pulls out a small toy, Betty laughs, and unties the bag. She begins to pull out chocolates, cards, and toys, all the while smiling (I'm assuming she thought these where things Armando bought for her). Then Betty pulls out an envelope. She opens it and begins to read the letter that Mario left for Armando. (Wait while I grab a box of tissues) Mario letter says a mouthful I will summarize the letter and sometimes I'll just write exactly what he wrote….he opens the letter by saying that the items in the bag are what Armando will need to continue to romance the monster. He instructs Armando on what cards to give her and when to give them to her. He says that Armando will most likely make love (horror) to Betty the day of Adrianna's party and instructs him on what gifts to give her. He tells Armando that this time he has written very generic cards, since he doesn't inform him on what Betty and him do like he used to he can't write specifics. Remember to leave them on her desk as I have been doing. You can't forget, these little things is what drives her crazy. He goes on to say that Armando broke his record by bringing Betty to his apartment, more that broke it he torn it to shreds. The doorman made fun of how ugly Betty was. While reading this letter Betty looks like she is in shock she stops reading it very sentence or so, it's like the words are physically hurting her. She sits down. When she reads the part about the doorman she bursts into tears. Mario's letter goes on to say that Armando can't abandon Betty this weekend, especially since she will probably expect to be with him a lot since Marcela isn't here. He will have to have sex with her, so have a few drinks so that she will look more beautiful. But be careful because Patty may follow you. You can't ruin the wedding with Marcela, that has to take place no matter what, Mario wrote. Remember that Nicolas is behind Betty and you don't want to lose the company to her and him. Remember that with every kiss you give Betty and every time you have sex with her you are saving Ecomoda. Don't forget you need Betty to manipulate the report for the meeting. You need to keep her happy so I'm sorry to say you will have to have sex with her again. Nothing makes an ugly woman more happy than having sex. I know I know you are probably making disgusting faces right now but you must stay focused. Don't worry Mr. President you soon will be happy again surrounded by beautiful woman and this horrible thing will be behind you. Head up Mr. President Sincerely, Mario Calderon
Betty drops the letter and starts sobbing. (I did too) Cecilia walks into Armando's office and finds Betty laying back in Armando's chair. Betty looks like someone just ran over her. Cecilia asks Betty if she's okay, Betty barely realizes she there. Betty snaps to and quickly gets up and starts putting all the stuff, including the letter back into the blue bag. Cecilia asks again if she is okay. Betty yells at her and says that a woman like her could never understand, she tells her to wait for Armando. Betty storms into her office crying. Cecilia comes in behind her and asks what she meant about her comment. Betty is annoyed and asks to be left alone. Cecilia insists. Betty gets angry and tells her that a woman like her could never understand what she's going through or what she's been through. Cecilia asked if she was in love. Betty responds that what does it matter if I love when no one loves me in return. Men fantasize about being with a woman like you, you are the ideal, your Ms. Universe. Men make fun of me, use me, push me away. Cecilia tells Betty not to be prejudiced about this kind of pain. Beautiful woman do get hurt. She confesses to her that she wasn't always pretty, she used to be an ugly duckling and people made fun of her just like Hugo does to Betty. Betty tells her that now she's pretty and she can feel better about herself now. Betty says that there are a lot of woman who are ugly and through make-overs or surgery they become beautiful, but that would never happen to her, she was born ugly and would always be ugly. Cecilia tells her that she got her heart broken once and she thought she was going to dye. Pretty has nothing to do with feeling better, it's how you feel about yourself. Cecilia tells Betty that she got her heart broken when she was beautiful not when she was ugly. She said that beautiful woman don't have it made, we never know if a man truly loves us or if he wants a trophy on his arm. It's hard to find someone who will truly love you. Cecilia at this point is in tears, Betty is listening closely. Cecilia tells Betty a phrase that originates from China, it's something that helped her feel better when she was in her shape. She said that when you are sad and new chance for you to be happy is born. Cecilia stands up and hold Betty's hands and tells her she hopes Betty will find happiness again. Cecilia leaves.
Hugo asks Catalina to go check on Cecilia. He's worried Armando is hitting on her. Catalina goes to Armando's office. Betty is in her office reading the cards that Mario had place in the bag. Each card had a little note attached from Mario with further instructions. One of the notes Mario wrote was attached to a pretty card, Mario's note read, you should give this card to Betty the day after Adriana's party, I'm assuming you had sex with her that night. The card reads that he (Armando) realized after making love last night that he wants to make love to her for the rest of his life. Betty starts crying. Catalina walks into Betty's office and asks where Cecilia went. Betty straightens herself up and dries her tears and tells Catalina that Armando didn't show up and Cecilia couldn't wait anymore and left. Catalina notices Betty is crying and asks if she is okay, Betty tells her she's fine and that she has a cold. Catalina says she isn't surprised because of the office she's in. Catalina asks Betty if she is sure that is all she has, Betty laughs, fakely and says that it is just a cold. Catalina leaves, but knows something is wrong. Betty continues to read some of the notes and starts remembering her last night with Armando. She remembers how he kissed her and how she told him it was beautiful and how he agreed. Betty snapped out of it and decided that this must be some sort of joke from Mario. She starts putting everything in the bag again, all the while repeating to herself that this must be a joke (she seemed like she really wanted to believe it). Betty leaves the office and Berta and Sofia ask her what happened during lunch. Betty seems very distant and asks what lunch? Bertha says your lunch with Marcela. Betty says oh, that doesn't matter. Betty walks away. Betty goes to Sandra's desk. Sandra asks her why she is holding the blue bag, she asks if she wants her to take it from her. Betty says no not yet. End….. Tomorrow: Betty is crying as she is watching Armando opening the blue bag and reading the card. She confirms the letter is not a joke from Mario. Betty is shown ripping the picture she had of Armando into pieces. Catalina asks Betty if she is leaving Ecomoda.
Subject: *****SUMMARY, FRIDAY, 12/08/00***** Author: Tuly (12.78.2.226) Date: 12-11-2000 11:41 *****SUMMARY, FRIDAY, 12/08/00***** Betty takes the blue bag past Mariana and Sandra, who notice that Betty is acting strangely as if her thoughts are elsewhere. Betty has taken the bag to the copier room and makes a copy of Mario's letter of instruction ... she puts the original back in the envelope. Armando arrives at Eco Moda asking after Cecilia Bolocco and is furious to hear that she's already left. Patricia tells him that maybe she left because Betty's company was too boring and Armando says to himself, "I'm going to kill Betty!" and heads off to his office. Patricia answers to his departing back that he would be doing them all a favor (by killing her). Mariana and Sandra look on astounded and, just then, Betty walks back by with the blue bag. Mariana tells her that Don Armando has arrived, neurotic as always, and he's looking for her. Betty asks if he asked about the bag, but Sandra responds that he just asked about Cecilia Bolocco. Betty gives the bag back to Sandra and asks her to put it back in Mario's office as it must have Don Armando's name by mistake. Sandra and Mariana are very curious about the bag and ask if Betty looked inside, but Betty said that she didn't, she just assumes that it must not be Don Armando's if he hasn't asked for it. Patricia interrupts and tells Betty that she better get over to Presidencia because Armando is looking for her and is probably going to strangle her for letting Cecilia Bolocco go. Betty walks away and doesn't even bother answering Patricia's nasty digs. After Betty leaves, Sandra tells Patricia that she should just limit herself to breathing. :o) Sandra places the package back on Mario's desk, is tempted to look in it, but instead she just waves goodbye to it.
Betty comes into Armando's office looking like a zombie. Armando asks her what happened with Cecilia Bolocco and Betty responds that she couldn't wait for him any longer and she had to leave. Armando then wants to know if anything else has happened in his absence and Betty, still with that 'back from the dead' look on her face, hesitates and tells him that Cata is looking for him. Since Betty is behaving so strangely and just staring at him, Armando asks if anything's the matter, but Betty gives him a faint smile, shakes her head and tells him that nothing is wrong. From her office, Betty calls Hugo's taller and tells Inesita that Don Armando is back and he would like to see Cata in Presidencia. After she hangs up, she tells herself, while the tears start to flow again, that the letter has to be a lie, a mistake ... it can't be true. Freddy walks onto the second floor and hands Patricia her monthly bills. Patricia is distraught, tells him that she doesn't want to see them and asks him to take them away. Freddy retorts that he's only the messenger and heads over to Sandra and Mariana to hand them their correspondence. Betty walks back out and asks Sandra if Mario has called yet and mentioned the package. Mariana notices how pale Betty is and they both ask her if something is wrong. Betty once again tells them that nothing is the matter and asks if Don Armando has asked about the package. Sandra tells her that he hasn't and adds that she should go home, she doesn't look good. Betty nervously asks Sandra to let her know if she hears any news on the package ... Sandra assures her that she will. In the background we hear whines ... they belong to Patricia as she is opening up her correspondence. Sandra retorts that this month's serenade has already started. :o) Freddy keeps distributing the mail and hands some envelopes to Sofía and Bertha. Sofía is surprised that the envelope that Freddy gives her is addressed to her personally and is even more surprised when she begins to read the letter that's inside.
Betty walks past them and into Presidencia, where Armando is meeting with Cata and looking over the estimates for the launching of the new collection. As previously, Betty just stands near the door staring at Armando ... as if willing the nightmare to be over. Cata tells Armando that the catering estimate is missing, but she'll add that and bring it back. Armando tells her to just give everything to Betty and Cata walks over to her and gives her the existing estimates and tells her that one is missing but she'll bring that by shortly. Like an automaton, Betty takes the paperwork from Cata but doesn't answer her, so Cata asks her if she heard her. Betty blandly responds that she did and walks into her office, leaving Armando and Cata looking after her questioningly. Sofía calls El Cheque and heatedly asks him if he's hired a lawyer to send her letters. Efraín asks her to calm down, but Sofía tells him she will not because the letter she received talks about dividing their assets ... what assets??? Efraín tries to cut her short but Sofía tells him to be a man and answer her question ... what assets? Efraín tells her that the lawyer said that they have to split their assets. Sofía tells him that the only thing they can split is the car because it's the only asset of the marriage. Efraín advises her that the lawyer is studying other options and, once again, tries to hang up, but Sofía is persistent. Just then, Efraín's cell phone rings and he answers it while he's still on the phone with Sofía (he's got one phone to each ear) ... he says "mi amor ...". Sofía, thinking that he is talking to her, tells him not to be two-faced and start calling her "mi amor". Efraín tells his cell phone that he will be heading over to Eco Moda and will be there in 20 minutes. Sofía, still under the impression he is talking to her, smiles and asks Efraín if he is in fact coming over in 20 minutes. Efraín confirms to the cell phone that he'll be there in that amount of time. At that precise moment, Jenny walks by Sofía's desk talking on her cell phone and saying, "¿20 minutos, mi pupuchurro?" When Sofía realizes that Efraín was talking to Jenny and not to her, she totally loses her cool. She tells Efraín that if the lawyer's letter is referring to the car, well that's all well and good but he shouldn't aspire to anything else. Efraín tells her to talk to the lawyer. Sofía wises up and demands to know if he's after the house ... Jenny interrupts on the cell phone again and tells him he can't keep talking to Sofía because he'll never make it to pick her up. Sofía tells her to shut up and Jenny tells Efraín that Sofía is getting aggressive again. Efraín tells Sofía not to be aggressive to Jenny and Sofía reminds him that the house is an inheritance she received from her family and he has no right to it. Efraín once again tells her to discuss this with his attorney and Sofía finally hangs up. Sofía turns to Jenny and warns her that if they mess with her house, she will be more than happy to take them flowers to their cemetery. :o) Jenny, who is still on the cell phone, tells Efraín to hurry up because Sofía is getting out of hand again with those hot flashes she gets due to her age. Sofía starts to go after Jenny, but Bertha restrains Sofía reminding her that she could get admonished once again. Sofía listens to Bertha but tells her in a choked-up voice, "But they're going after my house ..."
Meawhile, Armando is on the phone with his father giving him the details of the launching of the new collection. Betty listens on from her office. Armando tells his father that they are preparing for the board meeting and everything is under control. The phone rings at Betty's office ... it's Mario from Miami. Betty's voice breaks on answering it and she tells him that Armando is on the other line with his father. Mario tells her to please convey the fact that he's already arrived in Miami and that he would like him to call him tonight. But Armando hangs up with his father just then and, since he obviously heard the phone ring in Betty's office, asks Betty if it's Mario. When Betty answers that it is, Armando asks her to transfer the call on line 2. Betty does so. Armando takes Mario's call ... the first thing that Mario asks is if he picked up the package with the 'detalles' and the instructions. Armando told him that he hasn't ... where did he leave it? Mario tells him that he left it on top of his desk and orders him to go pick it up now, it's late already. As Betty puts her hands to her face in horror, Armando leaves to go get the package. Betty stares at the phone Armando left on his desk and is tempted to pick it up, but Armando comes back just then with the blue bag in hand. Betty puts the phone back down, closes her office door and gets really close behind it so that she can listen to the conversation.
Armando -- I already have the package. Mario -- Good ... make sure it hasn't been opened. Armando (looking at the knot on top of the bag) -- No, it hasn't been opened. Mario -- Okay, open it because I want to explain some things to you. (Betty's heart sinks more and more upon hearing the words ... she looks as if she's ready to start crying again). Armando (untying the bag) -- Let me see ... okay it's opened. Mario -- You're going to find an envelope containing some generic instructions, read them. Armando -- An envelope? I've got it in my hands. Mario -- Is Betty with you? Is she in the office? Armando -- Don't worry, Betty is in her office working. Anyway, she doesn't know what we're talking about. (Betty becomes sadder by the minute as this conversation confirms her suspicions). Mario -- Okay, read the instructions and destroy them. Put away the package in a drawer under lock and key, a drawer to which Betty has no access. Armando (opening the envelope) -- Don't worry, I'll put everything in my desk. Mario -- Follow every instruction to the letter. Please don't forget, okay? Armando -- Don't worry, Calderón, I'll follow all of the instructions to the letter. (He hangs up the phone). Armando takes the letter, sits behind his desk and begins to read it. Betty opens her door just a tiny bit and starts to look out through the opening on the side of the door that has the hinges. To her horror and disgust, she sees Armando shaking his head as he reads the letter, while wearing a silly grin. Tears have now begun to stream down Betty's face ... Armando tears up the letter. Betty closes the door, all broken down by now, and walks in the general direction of her desk.
Cata walks into Armando's office with the catering estimate. After giving the estimate a cursory look, Armando tells Cata to give it to Betty so that she can annex them to the other estimates related to the collection. Cata takes the estimate back and walks into Betty's office to find her broken down in tears, outright crying by now and even shaking. Cata immediately notices that something is very wrong and tells Betty that she's got to get out of there. Betty tells her that she doesn't want anyone to see her like this, least of all Don Armando. Cata tells her not to worry and tells Betty she's got to come with her to the bathroom, she can't stay here. Cata takes Betty's arm and propels her forward, walking next to her and covering her up with her body so that Armando will not see the state she's in. As they pass Armando's desk, Cata tells Armando, "Don't worry, I'll bring her right back, I'm just going to show her something," and out they go with Armando being none the wiser. All of the members of the Cuartel are standing at Sofía's desk, right outside Armando's office, but none of them notice Cata and Betty come out because they are all discussing Sofía's problem ... well, no one except Bertha that is. She looks at Cata and Betty and follows them with her eyes to the bathroom. But Sofía begins to cry again and Bertha's attention is redirected to her friend. Patricia is apparently talking to Marcela on the phone and telling her that she hasn't heard anything about Armando having any plans for tonight. She also notices Cata and Betty going into the bathroom and looks suspiciously after them.
When Cata and Betty reach the bathroom, Cata leads Betty over to the little couch and tells her that she's going to get her some coffee to bring her blood pressure up a bit. Betty sits down, but the shaking has gotten worse. When Cata leaves, Betty leans back against the wall, hugs herself and pulls herself up in a fetal position, as if to guard herself from all of this pain that's assaulting her ... and sobs even harder. Out in the hallway, Cata asks Patricia where the cafeteria is at. Patricia asks her what she needs because it's probably closed by now, but Cata tells her she only needs a cup of coffee and walks away. Freddy walks by again just as El Cuartel is getting ready to leave, with a crying Sofía in tow. Sandra tells everyone that all men are good-for-nothing's. Freddy responds that she should not generalize and turns to Aura María to inform her that his bike is ready to take her home ... where is she spending the night? Aura María tells him that tonight she gets to stay at Sofía's house and she's a mess. Inesita pipes in that it's a good thing that Sofía won't be alone tonight. Freddy tells Aura María to let him know when she is ready to leave and he'll drop her off. Aura María smiles, calls him "divino" and pinches his butt as he's about to get in the elevator. :o) Aura María tells El Cuartel that there aren't many men like Freddy left and Sandra adds that maybe it's because he's not as manly as he appears. Freddy takes exception to that comment and tells Sandra that he has witnesses (referring to Aura María) who can give testimony as to his manhood. But Sandra replies that his responses are either a show for Aura María's benefit or he's gay. In order to prove her wrong, Freddy asks them if they've ever seen him bringing up the mail "Hugo-fashion" and proceeds to put on a parody of Hugo's behavior (including the zzzzzz sound) which leaves everyone in stitches (including me ... I needed the comic relief!). In one of his many turns and twirls, Freddy finds himself face-to-face with ... Hugo, a very displeased Hugo. As El Cuartel and Patricia start to laugh even more, Hugo tells Freddy that he lacks too much class to be considered gay, and if mother nature had given him the gift of being gay, he would have been a cheap queen. And, Hugo adds (with his arms up in the air), it's not 'hus-hus', it's zzzzzzz.
When Hugo walks away, Sofía breaks down into tears again and tells everyone else that she just wants to get out of here. However, they're missing Betty and no one knows where she is. Bertha tells them that she saw her going into the bathroom with Cata and Patricia confirms that she's still there. Inesita tells them that she will stay behind with Sofía while they go in search of Betty. Freddy tells Aura María that he will be waiting downstairs for her. Aura María, Sandra, Mariana and Bertha walk into the bathroom to find Betty rocking herself on the couch, leaning against the wall and crying disconsolately. Everyone one wants to help, but Betty tells them that she wants to be alone. Mariana tells her that they're not going to leave her alone, she can't go home alone and especially in the state she's in. Cata comes back with a cup of coffee and tells them that her blood pressure dropped, that's all. Betty tells her friends to go, she'll be okay. Though they are still worried, they decide that it's best that they leave her alone ... they accede and ask Cata to tell them later what the matter is and how they can help because she is their friend. Cata absently nods and sits down next to Betty ... she tries to get her to drink the coffee. Betty attempts it but can't and gives the cup back to Cata, while her shaking gets worse. Cata asks her what's wrong, one doesn't cry because one's blood pressure drops or because one's got the chills. Cata -- What's wrong? You are dying ... Betty -- They killed me, Doña Catalina, they killed me. Cata is intrigued at these words, but tells Betty to go ahead and cry and pulls her back so she can recline against her and cry in her arms. El Cuartel heads over the elevator discussing Betty's situation and the fact that she doesn't want to tell them what's wrong ... at least Sofía let them help her. Inesita wonders if maybe Betty lost her boyfriend, and Sandra says that maybe she didn't lose him, someone took him from her. Mariana reminds them that Cata is taking care of Betty and they all pile into the elevator. Patricia has listened to their every word and is now more suspicious than ever.
In the bathroom, Betty apologizes to Cata for her behavior. Cata tells her that it's okay and advises her to cry until she calms down. In walks Patsy-Pat with her makeup and ironically says that she's obviously interrupting a 'crying session'. Cata advises her not to be aggressive now, but Patricia responds that it's just that she's really worried (yeah, right!) ... did Betty's boyfriend break up with her, did Armando get mad at her? Betty jumps up at our her chair and takes all of her anger out on Patricia. She defiantly tells her that she will not let her feed off of her tragedy, she can read those trashy newspapers for that, that she's a vulture that enjoys watching those that die on the highway, yes, that's what she is ... a vulture because she feeds off of everyone's unhappiness, but she hasn't figured out that her own life is a dump. Patricia appeals to Cata for help but Cata is not sympathetic and tells her that she asked for it and to please leave them alone. When Patricia leaves, Cata asks Betty to sit down again, but Betty tells her she doesn't want to cry any more and she doesn't want any more pity. Cata leads her over to the sink, opens the faucet, and puts Betty's hands under the running water. Betty chants over and over that she just wants to go home and Cata tells her that when she's calmer she can. Betty assures her that she's calmer now, Cata hands her a towel to dry her hands and tells her that she must go get her things from her office and then she'll take her home. Betty says she'll take a taxi and Cata threatens that if she does then she'll have to tell Armando the condition she's in. As Cata's threat sinks in, Betty immediately says that Don Armando can't find out the state she's in. Cata then tells her again that she's got to go into her office and pick up her things, but Betty says that she can't, she doesn't want to see his face. Cata asks her to breathe deeply and calm down, she's got to go for her things herself otherwise it will seem suspicious. Betty does as she is told and walks out of the bathroom like a robot.
The phone rings at Presidencia and Armando calls on Betty to answer it ... but Betty is not there. Armando picks up the phone himself -- it's Marcela. As he begins to converse with her, Betty walks in ... to overhear him telling Marcela that he's going to his apartment and that he doesn't lie. Armando continues to appease Marcela by telling her that he'll go to her apartment instead so that she can keep track of him and of the time he gets home. Betty finally walks past him to her office ... a few seconds later Armando hangs up. Betty picks up Mario's letter of instruction from her desk and begins to read it again ... the part about Marcela keeping tabs on Armando while she's away ... driving the stake even deeper into her heart. Armando walks into Betty's office and offers to take her home. Betty looks sadly at him as he explains that he can only take her home, they can't spend any time together because Marcela will be checking up on him. But, he offers, tomorrow they can do something together, go to Adriana Arboleda's event, stay for a few minutes and then leave to be alone together (exactly what Mario suggested in the letter). Betty continues to look at him sadly and tells him not to worry, she's got a ride home ... her father is coming to pick her up. Armando apparently notices that Betty is acting a little strange, or maybe he notices her sadness, because he asks her if something is wrong. Betty tells him nothing is wrong and Armando leans over, kisses her on the cheek and tells her he'll see her tomorrow. Betty moves her face away and once again Armando asks what's wrong. Betty reminds him that someone can see them. Armando, always with a quick answer, tells her that he forgets and, with a smile, tells her again that he'll see her tomorrow and wishes her a restful night. Betty fakes a smile as he leaves, puts her hand to her cheek and wipes away the kiss while she slowly starts to cry again ... but I guess that's not enough because she takes out that red dustcloth Armando gave her a long time ago and rubs her cheek with it, then throws it to the ground and begins pulling 'detalles' out of her drawers which she also throws on the ground. She finds the small picture of Armando she always used to stare at and angrily breaks it into little pieces (just like Armando did to her heart, it made me think) and throws that onto the ground as well. Then she angrily says to herself, "Armando Mendoza is a pig, he's a pig!" And dissolves into racking sobs once again.
As Armando heads to the elevator, Patricia stops him and asks him if he's leaving. Armando impatiently informs her that he just talked to Marcela and told her that he was going home and then to her apartment ... would he like to go with her? Patricia asks him why he's talking to her in that fashion. Armando ironically asks her to prove to him that her virgin brain (ROTFL!) has at least one neuron that she can use ... could it be that it's because he's noticed that she has an unusual interest in his movements? Could it be hat she's Marcela's spy and she stays at the office this late so that she can inform Marcela as to his plans? Patricia acts very offended at Armando's words and fakes ignorance by asking, "Me???", and Armando responds, "Yes, you, Patsy-Pat, why don't you pick up your things and come with me in my car and I will save you the trouble of having to spy on me." Once again Patricia acts offended and tells Armando that she's not interested in his private life or what he does with Marcela, she only comes here to work. Armando comes back with, "Yes, to work, making gossip because it's the only thing you know how to do. And stop looking at me like a seal because I look exactly the same if you look at me with your mouth closed. And you know what? Go home." Armando turns around to go back to the elevator, Patricia makes hand motions at him but he turns to look at her one more time and she turns her hand motions into waving motions and wishes him a good night ... Armando growls in response. When he leaves, Patricia goes all out holding her hands to either side of her mouth and making silly motions at him. :o) Cata catches Patricia in her shenanigans [which makes Patricia cease and desist immediately :o)] and asks her if Betty's come out of Presidencia yet. Patricia tells Cata that she won't answer that question, she's tired of everyone at Eco Moda thinking she's a gossip monger, she doesn't want to expose herself to another insult, she studied 6 semesters of finance at the San Marino for everyone to mop the floor with her. Cata, not expecting to be hit by that litany, calmly tells Patricia that it was only a question. :o) Cata walks into Betty's office to find her picking up the things from the floor and Betty tells her that she wants to take some stuff out of her office, she doesn't know if she'll come back tomorrow. A worried Cata approaches her and asks her if she's going to quit and Betty sadly tells her that she doesn't want to be here anymore. Cata takes her hand, tells her she's confused and urges her to come with her out of here. On her way out, Betty stares at Armando's desk sadly, shaking her head. In the parking garage, Betty tries to talk Cata out of taking her home again, but Cata insists and asks once more what the matter is. She promises that she doesn't want to get involved in her private life and she won't interrogate her. Betty gets in the car and Cata reminds her that if she's thinking of giving her notice, then that's a decision that involves her. Betty tells her that she doesn't want to come back and Cata tells her she's got too many obligations to leave just like that. It's easier that Armando, Marcela or Mario quit, but not Betty ... she's the last person that can leave Eco Moda. In tears again, Betty responds that they better look for someone else, it's their company, they should leave her alone. Cata asks what they did to her, she can can try to mediate, this seems too serious to her -- FREEZE! TO BE CONTINUED ...
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USA 12/11-15/00. Betty tells Nicolas all that happened with Armando, another touching scene. Her mother worries about her, she hasn't seen her like this since Miguel. Nicolas tells Betty to take revenge. She writes in her diary and recalls all the people who had hurt her since she was a child. Catalina tries to help her. Claudia and two Vps arrive to discuss the collection. Patricia tries to take over but then her car is repossessed (a really funny series of scences). Armando gives Betty one of Mario's gifts and cards. Betty starts to act rather odd toward him and has visions of vengeance. Listening to Aura Maria give advice to Sofia, she decides to make Armando jealous. She gets an invitation for Nicolas to Adriana's reception. Gisela gives Betty advice: what is within matters most, search for somebody who knows a bit more about clothes than you do. Patricia introduces herself to Nicolas. Betty tells Nicolas that Terra Moda is stuck with Eco Moda because the debt is in her name. It will take a long time to work their way out of it. At the reception, Gisela tells Betty that one must open up inside to open up outside, that she once dressed wrong for herself and learned to rely on another's opinion. Armando is furious when Betty decides to leave with Nicolas rather than him. He goes home to an empty apartment. Patricia finally meets Nicolas and presses him for a date. Betty listens to Armando and Mario talking about her and Nicolas. Patricia tells Marcie about the reception, about Nicolas's manner of dressing, Armando, etc. Nicolas convinces Betty to buy a Mercedes.
Solo telenovelas Laura M. López [summary of previous week] Betty la fea KVEA Canal 52, lunes a viernes, 8:00 p.m. Betty volvió a llorar su pena, sin embargo, en esta ocasión en el hombro que tuvo a su lado, nada menos que el de su amigo Nicolás. El estaba furioso y como siempre dispuesto a ayudarla como fuera. La oportunidad se presentó muy pronto. El desfile de modas que tendría Adriana Arboleda... Y de acuerdo a la nota que encontró de Mario, Armando debía invitarla esa noche a pasarla con él después de la reunión, así es que Betty hizo su plan. Para esto, durante todo el día Betty estaba de un humor negro, que ni siquiera a las del cuartel les hablaba como normalmente lo hacía y esto les extraño mucho, pero Betty no quiso contarles nada de la frustración que traía dentro. Armando también la notó un poco extraña pero no le puso mucha atención, asumiendo que podía ser cuestión del trabajo, pues los costos de la próxima colección eran sumamente excesivos y Eco Moda no tenía como cubrirlos. Patricia por su parte, pasaba la más terrible de las experiencias... su querido auto Mercedes fue embargado por el banco por falta de pago. Ni sus ruegos ni sus lloriqueos ablandaron el corazón de Armando para que le hiciera otro préstamo. El plan de Betty dio resultado y Nicolás hizo acto de presencia en el desfile, tal como acordaron. Esto provocó los celos de Armando y un gran revuelo con Patricia, quien creyó que Nicolás era el hombre rico y poderoso que estaba esperando y quien la sacaría de esa mala situación económica. A pesar de todo Betty seguiría con Eco Moda, pues de ella dependía que ni los Valencia ni los Mendoza se enteraran que la empresa estaba en manos de Terra Moda.
Jueves 10 de agosto. Catalina lleva a Betty a su casa y le pide que le de a Armando una explicación de porque quiere renunciar. Betty empieza a recordar los momentos vividos con don Armando mientras le cuenta a Nicolás que la engañaron nuevamente.Viernes 11 de agosto. Mientras están en la habitación de Betty, Nicolás le dice que fue muy ingenua al pensar que una persona como Armando Mendoza podía enamorarse de una mujer como ella. Lunes 14 de agosto. Betty le cuenta a Nicolas desde el principio toda su historia con don Armando y a medida que narra el romance recuerda cada momento que vivió junto a él. Martes 15 de agosto. Betty continúa contándole a Nicolás sobre el plan que Mario y Armando tenían para enamorarla y evitar perder la empresa. En su relato Betty dice que vivió muchas noches felices y que alcanzó a ilusionarse para un futuro con don Armando.Miércoles 16 de agosto. Claudia Helena Vásquez llega a Ecomoda para concretar el negocio de las telas que le venderán a la empresa. Armando le regala a Betty la tarjeta correspondiente a ese día según las instrucciones de Mario. USA 12/13/00. Jueves 17 de agosto. En medio de la reunión en presidencia, el portero le informa a Patricia que están embargando su carro y ella sufre una crisis emocional. Claudia Helena le dice a Armando que si no existe una manera de ayudar a Patricia. Viernes 18 de agosto. Sofía le dice a Bertha que Efraín puede exigirle el 50 por ciento de la casa. Armando le confirma a Mario que va a ir con la fea al evento de Adriana Arboleda. Betty le propone a don Armando ir al apartamento de Mario después del desfile. Martes 22 de agosto. Nicolás llega al evento de Adriana Arboleda en busca de Betty. Beatriz le pide a su novio que la acompañe y disfrute del show principal de la noche. Armando se enfurece cuando descubre que Patricia está en el lanzamiento del producto. Miércoles 23 de agosto. Nicolás se convierte en la sensación del evento de Adriana Arboleda. Patricia no logra disimular su interés por conocer al famoso novio de Betty. La actitud de Beatriz confunde a Armando Mendoza. Jueves 24 de agosto. Hoy no se transmite Yo soy Betty, la fea. Emisión de la Copa Mustang: Santa Fe Vs. Nacional. Viernes 25 de agosto. Armando le pide a Betty una explicación sobre su extraña actitud, ella le dice a su jefe que el amor que está sintiendo fue lo que la hizo olvidar la cita que tenían. Catalina le expresa su amistad a Betty, al verla tan mal, ella le aconseja que hable con alguien sobre su pena. Patricia está que se enloquece, la Fernández desesperadamente llama a su padre para que la ayude a recuperar su carro. Armando sigue al pie de la letra las instrucciones de su amigo Calderón. Lunes 28 de agosto. Betty se pone una cita con Nicolas para ir a mirar el carro al concesionario. Mario le da a Armando la tarjeta que le debe entregar a Betty de acuerdo con lo que paso después del evento. Marcela va a la oficina de Armando, intenta seducirlo y le entrega un regalo por haberse portado bien durante su ausencia.
12/11/00. Hindsight is 20/20. Cata & Betty in the Car Cat: what happened. Whatever Armando did, you at least owe him an explanation. Betty: It is something intimate. It has nothing to do with the business. I want to disappear off the face of the earth. Cata: If its personal, why don't you want to tell your friends? Betty just shakes her head. Cata: Look,.whatever happened, whatever deep emotional thing, don't react with the deep emtions. Betty: I have no stregnth for any reaction. Cata: You said they killed you. Betty: Yes, I am dying. Cata: just remember the saying of Nitche - -that which doesn't kill me will make me stronger. Nico/Julia/Hermes at Dinner at Betty's house. Nico is going on and on about how wonderful dinner is, and Julia is very pleased. Betty comes in looking down and very quiet, and Hermes is shocked to see her so early. — My Betty is home for dinner. I am so happy, tell me it is not a dream? Nico Jumps out of his seat, approaching Betty, and says — No, definitely it is Betty, there is only one like her in the world (I don't remember the exact language, but it is said in a negative way) Betty is upset even more, and runs up to her room Hermes says she has something special at the bottom. Nico says you don't look at the bottom Her father says: well, she's not exactly pretty, but don't you think she has an exotic beauty, or something? Nico responds: frankly, no. Hermes: you are offending us. Nico apologizes. Betty in her room, rereading the letter that Mario wrote and crying to herself, when Nico comes up to mend fences. Betty: please leave Nico: Come on, its betty the fea and Nico the Horrible/terrible (can't remember which one), a team, economists together. This sends betty into deeper and deeper tears. Nico continues to try to distract her, but to no avail, and then ends up patting her on the back. She turns into his arms and begins to cry harder. He says that she can count on him, that he is practically her brother. She crys harder. Don Julia/Don Hermes open the door to see what is going on. Hermes is full of bluster as usual, saying that they can't leave them in there like that, they can't leave la nina asi, but Dona Julia says that they are resolving their problems and pulls the door closed. After the door is closed, Betty tells Nico that it was bad enough to have been La Fea del barrio, the topic of all conversation, but to repeat the same story. Nico says with who, and Betty says, Don Armando, he used me, and made me fall in love with him. nicolas, is, of course, shocked. nico asks why, and betty replies, because of you. Mario and Armando were afraid of you. Nico says of what, I wouldn't steal a dime. Look at me, as poor as always. He pulls out his pockets and shows a peso. Betty responds, they weren't afraid that you would steal money from them, they were afraid that you and I would keep the business. Betty begins to tell Nico about how their fears were raised, beginning with the first time his name came up, when they were handling the embargo. We flash back to the scene where Mario and Armando confront Betty about the fact that instead of what they had agreed to – - the three of them being the only ones who knew about the transfer of the business into her name, there is a fourth person, Nicolas. Betty had explained that she had needed to tell someone and for someone to go with her to the attorneys, but she hadn't told Armando, because he was so paranoid and neurotic about the whole thing.
Talking to nicolas in the present, Betty says.- -this was the beginning of my trajectory in this direction . She then remembers how Berta had said that Nicolas, her love, her boyfriend had called in front of Armando. And how she hadn't thought it needed explanation, because it wasn't important, but then at the showing, when Nicolas showed up to pick her up and sent a card forward with him listed as "Gerente General" and referred to himself as her boyfriend, Armando and Mario had been made very uncomfortable, and were concerned. After that, she could see how the seduction had been planned. She looked back on the night of the first kiss, which she thought had been circumstancial, but she could see the deliberateness behind Armando and Mario's action. "I couldn't believe it. I was an imbecile, an imbecile, but I wanted to believe, and I had had so little experience with men. After what happened before, I had resigned myself to a life alone, to living as a nun, to maybe committing myself to a convent." Somwhere in here Nico points out that it wasn't too difficult, because she had already been half in love with her boss already. Betty responded: For me it was a dream. Like one out of a movie. But then, that night he confirmed that he was the man I dreamed of. They flash back to the night of the "dry stick", when Armando had to kiss Betty without alcohol to demonstrate his real interest. They showed Armando's long speech about how he had come to appreciate her, and how he was having the kinds of feelings that they talk about in movies, and how he sees her. (he does much of this with his eyes closed), and then he kissed her. And then there were more kisses (we se a series of the kisses over the last month) and every day another note, another gift to demonstrate how much he cared. During all of this, Betty's face is filled with a glow of hope, and love, like a young teenager. "And I had begun to believe in the possibility of a future together" Nico responded, "but he has a fiancee, and you know he would never leave her" "I know, nicolas, I know, but he told me, and I believed him." They flashed back to the night last week when Armando told betty that he could not leave marcela right now because of the business and Daniel's threat to it, but he would break it off before the wedding. Scenes for tomorrow: Betty is still upset, and Nico points out that Betty has the means to get him back. We see betty back at work with a look of determination on her face.
Subject: ***SUMMARY - December 12, 2000*** Author: Becky A. (63.36.63.9) Date: 12-13-2000 12:35 ?Betty's Bedroom Nicolas, (sits by Betty and puts his arms around her) asks her why she didn't notice that they were playing. Betty answers that when a person is in love they do not see reality. He tells her that he is not the most appropriate person to be speaking about love, but he would like to know if a person doesn't realize it when someone likes them. He gives a small laugh and states how would she know if no one has ever loved her. (He lays her head against his chest and gently pats her face.) Betty comments how Armando seemed so sincere. (She is rembering the night they spent together at Mario's.) She tells him that she felt that he truly loved her. She felt it on her skin, in her stomach and in her heart. She goes on to say that she doesn't know what it is to be loved, but she truly felt it. She found herself up in the clouds until she woke up and noticed that she was having a nightmare. Betty begins to walk around and tells Nicolas that Mario had to travel to Palm Beach. She recounts the story about the package that was left behind for Armando and the letter that she found. Nicolas asks if it was Mario who managed Armando. Betty has pulled out the letter to read to Nicolas. Nicolas, like a gentleman, pulls out a chair for Betty to sit down. Betty begins to read the letter. Nicolas sits down and is looking sad. He asks Betty to show him the letter, but she doesn't want him to read all the details about her and Armando. She tells him how they stole her dignity. Nicolas wants to know how she has the letter, did she hide the envelope. Betty explains how she made a copy of the original letter. She tells him how she put everything back and continues to tell him about Mario's telephone call, Armando reading the letter and tearing it up. Nicolas tells Betty that Armando was jealous of him. Betty explains to him that it was jealousy. Instead they were afraid that Nicolas and Betty were going to play dirty and take the company away. Nicolas wants to know how long Armando intended to keep her in love, "until they returned the company" he asks. Betty believes that it was to end when there were no longer any doubts. She says that she does not know what they planned to do with her afterwards. It is clear that he planned on marrying Marcela and keeping Betty in order to adjust the reports and keep the relationship between the company and the Bank of Montreal. Nicolas wants to know what Betty intends to do. Betty answers that she does not know. All that she wants to do is to leave, hide and never come out. Nicolas answers, "Yes, yes, take off running". He gets up from his chair now seeming to be a little bit impatient and tells her that Armando needs to pay dearly for what he has done to her.
He says that Armando has caused many errors: (1) not having confidence in them, (2) making Betty fall in love, (3) Mario's envelope and (4) turning the company over to her. He reminds her that she is the owner of the company, the Mendozas and the Valencias. He tells her that she has Armando in her hands. He asks what does she want to do. He wants to know if she wants Armando on his knees. She says that she does not know. She asks if they can continue discussing it tomorrow. He tells her that she can count on him for support. (He takes her hand into his, rubs it gently and kisses it.) Betty tells him that he is the only one that she confide in. (She pats his face. He hugs her and lets her rest her head on his chest.) Nicolas reminds her that he is her boyfriend, that is why she is paying him. He tells her that she has gone through this before and that she was able to come out of and that she can do it again. Once again, he tells her that she has his support. They are both crying. He tells her that his chest is there for to cry on. She rests her head on his chest and at that moment her mother enters her room. Nicolas hurriedly separates from her. Dona Julia wants to know how everything is going. Nicolas tells her that everything has been straightened out and that Betty was very understanding. Nicolas turns to Betty and tells her that he will see her tomorrow and they will continue to discuss business. (He winks.) (Betty lays down on her bed and her mother sits on the edge.) Dona Julia asks if everything is fine, because she noticed that Betty had come home upset. Betty tells her that it is the same problems with the personnel at work. Dona Julia tells her that she looks like she did when they went through the Miquel episode. She asks if it is happening again. Betty assures her that it is not. As Dona Julia gets up to leave she tells Betty that she hopes that she is not hiding anything from her.
Betty writes in her journal that the person writing are the left over pieces that was a woman. She realizes that her life is nothing more than a cycle of tragedy that in some manner is more cruel each time. She writes that she has not learned from her previous pain and that she no longer has the will to survive. It is not due because that man that she loves has condemned her to pain and solitude, not only because of what happened with Miquel or Armando deceiving her to retain his company, but this has been her story since she was born. She remembers being out on the playground with the other children circling her and repeating "Betty is very ugly". She remembers asking a fellow student to borrow an eraser and he tells her not to touch his supplies. The teacher asks what is occurring, the student tells her that Betty is bothering him and wants to take his supplies. The teacher reprimands her and the class makes faces at her and throws paper wads at her. She remembers being outside where children are playing hopscotch and she wants to take a turn. One of the boys stops her and she tells him that she wants to play with them, but he answers that they have enough children. Betty's father witnesses the scene and tells her that she needs to go home. He tells her that she is not suppose to go out to the street. When she tells him that she wants to play he answers that she has many toys at home. She remembers going to her room and getting a stuffed animal and a doll and sitting on her bed. Betty gets up and goes and hugs her younger version. She says that it was a hard childhood but her parents love and her hopes that life would change helped her survive. (Betty and the younger Betty are dressed almost identical. They are wearing the same cut of dress, pattern is very similar and the color if the same.)
She remembers her 15th birthday party which was held at her home. The decorations are all in pink and Betty is sitting in a chair as though she is the guest of honor. Her father states that it is time for the waltz. He asks who will be first to dance with Betty, but none of the boys approach. He says that he should be the first. Dona Julia has Nicolas dance with Betty. When no one else will dance with her Don Hermes dances again and at the same time tells Nicolas to go and change the music. Betty goes and hides in a corner. At the end of the party her parents escort her to her room. She tells them that she is going to sleep happy. (Her father is tipsy.) She thanks them for everything and tells her mother that it was beautiful. When her parents leave she runs to her bed and cries. Betty, present, says that things have not changed. She is now remembering attending college and approaching a group of students and asks if she is in the right place for an economic class. They answer her, but when she tells them that it is a pleasure meeting them and that she will be in their class they take off without speaking to her. It is her turn to introduce herself to the class and the students laugh, whistle at her, and throw paper at her. The instructor seems upset. Betty, present, states that things have not changed. She remembers her confrontation with Miquel and the rest of gang of the barrio when they tell her it was nothing but a bet. She remembers the first time they made love and he told her that he loved her. She writes that what kind of desires can one have, what strength can you have start the day when each time you dream you wake up in the hell. She continues to write that Nicolas has advised her how she has the power to get even. She writes that she wants to flee and she hopes that tomorrow something will occur to give her light as to which road she is suppose to take.
At the Office As Betty is arriving she is saying to herself that she has the illusion that all of this is a nightmare. The first person she encounters is Patricia who gives her hard time for arriving late. Betty tells her to leave her alone because she is not in the mood to deal with her. Patricia asks if she has realized that she will be an old maid. Sandra chimes in for her to leave Betty alone. Patricia goes on to call Sandra the biggest old maid that there can be. Sandra tells Patricia that she is not only going to end up alone, but poor. Patricia says that she will not. Betty tells her that she prefers to be alone all of her life than to carry a failed marriage. Patricia walks off. Sandra and Mariana asks her what is happening to her. Sandra tells her to look at the face that she has and Betty tells her that it is the only one that she has and was born with it. She asks that they leave her alone. (Betty is a bit rude to Sandra and Mariana and they look shocked as she walks away.) Sophia is speaking to a lawyer in regards to the situation with her ex-husband and her house. Berta and Sophia ask her what is happening to her. Betty answers if she herself only knew. She walks through Armando's office and looks at all the pictures before entering her office.
Betty's Office Betty sits down and picks up the red handkerchief that Armando gave (his first gift) on their return trip from The Club. She had been crying after he had told her that he was going to name her his assistant. When he offers his handkerchief she refuses to take it and he makes her take it. After remembering, she calls him a wretch. She puts all the gifts that Armando has given her on top of her desk. She calls housekeeping to bring her a trash bag. Cata walks in and asks how she is feeling. When Betty answers fine Cata answers that she does not look it. She wants to know how her evening went. Betty tells her that a person cannot sleep with so much pain. A man comes in with the trash bag and Betty asks Cata to pardon her but that she needs to clean the trash and take it out of her office. Cata comments that it does not look like trash. Rather it looks like details and remembrances. Betty says that there were, but that know it is nothing but trash. Cata advises her that she yes it is a good exorcism but it is that bad part is that the memories stay inside you and throwing them away doesn't help. Cata asks her if she is sure of what she is doing. She tells her that when a person decides to throw away the remembrances it means that they have decided to break with what they loved. She tells her that it is evident that what is occurring to her is a great tragedy. She says that she is telling her this because once she throws them away she won't be able to get them back. Betty says that she knows what she is doing. Cata asks if he knows what she is doing, because unless she is mistaken Betty is the way she is because of man. Cata wants to know if he knows what she is feeling. (Betty shakes her head no.) Betty says that it doesn't affect him. She is not important to him. She is nothing but a piece of meat with glasses that he can just throw away. Cata tells her to remember that love is nothing but a game of traps, jealousy and pride. She tells that people react because of jealousy, pride or whatever. She advises her to talk to this man, but says that she doesn't want to. Cata says that he must have an explanation to give her. They hear Armando say good morning. Cata gets up to leave and asks Betty to give him an opportunity to give her an explanation. Armando's Office Cata greets Armando and tells him what she needs for the show. Armando calls Betty into his office and asks if they have meetings with the textile companies. Betty begins to enter her office. Armando calls her back and asks if she encountered a green package with his name and a letter inside with instructions from Mario and he imagines that she read it. She answers yes and Armando begins to laugh. Betty asks what is happening. He tells her that she fell into the trap. He tells her that he wrote it. He said that he wrote it because he knew that she was reading his correspondence and he wanted to catch her. She begins to laugh and asks if it was a lie. He answers, of course, and takes her in his arms. He tells her that it was a lie, because he loves her like no one else. He kisses her. Betty says "what a relief". She tells him that she was dying and he has returned her will to live. He says how can she think that he would do such a thing to her. (Betty wakes up from her dream.) Armando is speaking to her and telling her to hurry up because they have a lot of work. He asks her if something is happening to her. She tells him nothing and walks into her office. Armando has a concerned look. Betty tells herself that there are no explanations and that everything is now clear and that Armando was the one that started the dirty games. In the Hallway Claudia Elena, the model, arrives and Patricia informs Betty. Housekeeping shows up to take the trash but Betty changes her mind. She tells him that one never knows when it can be of use to them. Betty informs Armando that Claudia Elena has arrived. He tells Betty to show her to the conference room and to go ask Hugo to join them. When she leaves he takes out the bag that Mario left and takes the appropriate card and chocolates to her office. As he puts the items on her desk he says, "My Betty, My Betty". Claudia Elena asks Betty how she is doing and Betty tells her not as well as her. Claudia Elena asks where Armando is and if he is very busy. Betty gives a short laugh and says that he must be making himself believe that he is. She tells him that Armando enjoys her coming to the office. Patricia interrupts and tells Betty that she will be in charge of the guests. Betty tells her how nice she is and Patricia looks at her strangely. Patricia takes the guest to the conference room. She calls Sandra and tells her to come to the conference room immediately. Patricia introduces herself to the two gentlemen who have occupied Claudia Elena. She tells them that she manages the President's area, is in charge of protocol, the imagine and all of public relations. (While she is introducing herself she is swing herself back and forth with her legs wide apart so that you can tell see her tight short skirt. She is doing her usual swinging of her hair.) Claudia Elena introduces the gentlemen and Patricia reaches over the conference table to give them a kiss on the cheek. When Claudia Elena also states their titles and one being in finance Patricia of course has to tell him that she has six semesters of finance from La San Marina. He says really and that he knows many people who studied there. Patricia is taken aback. She answers that she only got to do six semesters because she married and asks that they must know her husband, which neither do. Sandra arrives and gives her the drink order and Sandra is surprised. Patricia apologizes for Sandra's behavior and comments on the staff. Sandra is telling Mariana what has occurred. Mariana wants to know what she is going to do. Sandra says nothing and sits down.
Patricia is still complaining about the staff. She tells them that they are resentful and are envious of her. She asks if they have seen her convertible Mercedes. They shake their heads no. (As this conversation is occurring, Patricia's car is in the process of being towed.) Wilson wants to know what is happening. He tells them that he needs to advise Patricia of what is occurring. In the Showroom Hugo is talking on the telephone (supposedly to Giselle, not sure if this is suppose to be the singer) and Betty is waiting for him to get office. When he realizes that she is there he asks Giselle to wait and makes an ugly comment to Betty. After Betty delivers her message and begins to leave she sees Marcela's wedding dress. Hugo tells her not to get any ideas in her head because she will never wear one. Armando's Office Betty informs Armando that his guests are in the conference room and that Hugo is on his way. Armando tells her to get her things and that he will wait for her in the conference room. As she walks away he has a grin on his face. Betty enters her office and finds the card and candy. After reading the card, Armando enters and asks her if she is ready to go.
Subject: *** Summary: Wed 12/13/2000 *** Author: Robin N (63.215.118.245) Date: 12-13-2000 22:44 Yesterday: Betty decides to make Armando pay and say "bye-bye" to the Benz, Peliteñida! Today: Armando enters Betty's office to walk with her to the meeting with Claudia Elena, her eyes are heavy-lidded and brimming with hidden emotions. He asks if she's been crying, but she tells him it was because of his card, that the note was very sweet—he wrote it well. There's a definite edge to her voice. Armando is pleased with this and tells her that the truth is that he wished he'd written something better, that she deserves more. She cynically tells him that it was "perfect, just perfect". He smiles attentively and she hauls off and gives him a knuckle sandwich, landing him on the coat rack and then the floor. "Betty!!!" he cries. She snaps out of her fantasy as he asks her if she's ready to go. She tells him that she's coming and after he leaves, picks up his latest card and candy and adds them to the others in the trash bag. He enters the meeting room and greets Claudia Elena; she reintroduces the two executives. He notes how Patricia has made herself very much at home in one of the chairs, and asks if they've been offered coffee or water. Patricia volunteers that she ordered it but there's no sign of it yet. He suggests that she take care of this and she calls Sandra to ask. We see Sandra walking by the conference room shouting, "Why don't you bring it yourself, peliteñida!" Armando is shocked and embarrassed by this demonstration, but he's also annoyed with Patricia. Betty enters the room and Patricia opens her mouth to ask her to get the coffee but before two words can leave her mouth, Armando tells her not to even think about it, then he asks Betty to take a seat by him. Wilson enters then to fetch Patricia to attend to the impounders. When he explains the interruption, shocked expressions circulate around the table, even more so when Patricia starts wailing like a fishwife and chasing off to see what can be done. Claudia Elena asks why this is happening and Wilson explains that Patricia doesn't pay her bills. Armando asks Wilson to see about the coffee and apologizes for the crazy employees. Hugo enters and makes a beeline for the two male execs and starts to flirt with them. He moves one to sit next to Betty (the better to see him?) and is all over the other one.
Outside, the Benz is up on a flatbed truck. Patricia rushes up and demands that they put her car back; they can't take the car. Freddy tries to intercede on her behalf (ever the gentleman) but the 2 officials there for the impounding aren't moved. Patricia demands that Freddy help her and he asks the head official to explain himself. The doctor obliges and recounts the civil code chapter and verse as to how and why he can and will impound the car. Freddy realizes when he's licked and tells Patricia that there's nothing he can do. He looks for her and she's gotten in the car on the flatbed. She shrieks that they're not taking that car; they'd have to take her too and they can't… this is abuse against her image… she's had 6 semestres de finanzas etc.… This car is a part of my life! I'm not a nobody! "Just a second," counters the doctor. "You knew darn well that this impound was coming; we've been in contact with you for over 6 months about your late payments. You've shouted at me over the phone, you've hung up on me!" Patricia plays stupid (quite the stretch), "I don't remember that!" She begs for them to try and reach an accord with her. "Fine, pay us the 5 million pesos in cash or president's check and we can reach an accord," says the doctor. "I don't have that kind of money!" wails Patricia. Then they have no other recourse, and the car is settled in place. Patricia shrieks to Freddy to help her and he places his arm under the tire of the Benz (as if that would stop anything!). In the meeting room, Hugo is very satisfied with the fabrics presented and Armando moves ahead to have Betty explain the financial arrangements. Patricia bursts in and wails that Armando has to help her. He explodes, "Can't you see that we're meeting!" She's totally self-obsessed (as always) and continues shrieking that they're taking her car and she hasn't the cash and she needs a check for 5 million pesos from the president. He basically pushes her out of the room and tells her that he's not moved by her tears and when she continues to moan, he tells her that she should have sold the car and paid off her debts when they told her to do so before. He demands that she leave, without tears, without noise. She leaves and he yells after her, "Patricia!" She runs back, thinking he's relented, but no, he just wants her to shut the door. Claudia Elena asks if there's nothing to be done, but Armando explains that they've tried to help her, given her loans that she doesn't pay back… She's irresponsible.
Outside again, Freddy is still trying to prevent them taking the car when Patricia runs back out (like a lunatic) and tells them that they'll lend her the money, but not today (a lie), but it's too late. The 2 officials take a seat in the Benz and the truck pulls away. Patricia is so beside herself that she forgets herself enough to lean her head on Freddy's sympathetic shoulder. He tries to calm her and tells her that he'd have lent her the money if he weren't rolled up himself, stroking her hair. Patricia comes to and realizes where she's at and tells him to get his hands off her. She stalks off. The meeting is over and Armando and Betty are escorting Claudia Elena and the execs to the elevator. Armando is super pleased with the deal and hopes that the fabric can be delivered quickly. Claudia Elena assures him it will, when the paperwork is done. Betty explains that it will be done today. Hugo continues flirting with the execs and forgets himself enough to try to kiss them good-bye. The elevator opens and reveals a tear-streaked, bawling Patricia. Everyone exchanges glances and shrugs and she cries her way to her desk. In her office, Betty looks morose. Armando enters jubilant; he tells her that he's happy, that the fabric is terrific and best of all, they accepted her brilliant payment plan. He continues enthusiastically and tells her, in a quiet, confidential tone, that they're going to have to celebrate this in a big way. He'll take her to the Adriana Arboleda affair. She doesn't react the way he expects; in fact she doesn't react at all. He continues and he begs her to call home and clear things with her family. We are going to celebrate! She sits there, like a statue, recalling the blow she felt reading Mario's instruction note to Armando that came with the card and then the insincere message written on the card… "I feel your skin, your lips, etc. It confirms that I want to go on making love to you for the rest of our lives…" Patricia is on the phone with daddy and tearfully explaining her plight. Sofia exits the elevator, also bawling like a baby and Sandra and Mariana rush to aid her. Patricia yells at her to stop crying, she can't hear herself. Hugo and Inez walk up and he comments on the need for hankies. Inez offers a kind word, setting off more wails from Sofia and making Hugo waspishly comment that they need a translator for crybabies. Mariana and Sandra take Sofia off to the bathroom, leaving Patricia to continue her wailing to daddy. Hugo asks her where her boyfriend is to help out: she replies that she could get a boyfriend like that (snap), but a car, no. They exchange barbs and Hugo hustles Inez off back to work. Patricia continues her lamentations, "Paaaaaaapiiiiii!!!"
Sofia sits on the sink counter and sobs that things didn't go well with the lawyer: it looks like Efraín and the bandida will get half. Berta asks if she signed anything (no) and Mariana wants to know if there's anything they can do. Nothing, sobs Sofia. Sandra's suggestion is that they kill Efraín, but Sofia tells them to forget that because he's still the father of her children. Betty asks if he's paying the support like he should (not really) and that would be an avenue to pursue; Berta agrees. Aura Maria's answer is that she should find herself a new man. Sofia doesn't see how she can suggest this, but Aura Maria continues that she should stop talking about how she's been abandoned, how poor she is, etc., and instead show them that no man can walk over her. She continues on in this vein and Betty is listening with something else on her mind. What Aura Maria is saying is sinking in. Back in her office, Betty answers the phone. It's Mario from Palm Beach. She can hardly speak to him, her voice wobbles. He asks how things are going there and she replies with a tone of loathing, "muy, muy bien." He asks for Armando and she transfers the call. Armando is still very pleased with himself and answers in a very upbeat tone. He is even happier when he hears that things are going well in Palm Beach. He responds to something Mario asks him (no doubt about the courtship) and he tells him that he's taking Betty to the Adriana Arboleda affair. Betty is listening to this call and she recalls him telling her that although he and Mario are like brothers, some things are sacred, and his relationship with her is one of those things. He would never tell Mario about them. She's frozen in place. She recalls the shame of being in Mario's apartment and she rushes to her desk and pulls out the photocopied letter and rereads the portion where Mario jokes about the porter's comment on the fea that Armando brought by. Armando finishes the call and calls out to Betty.
He enters her doorway and says that he'd just like to freshen up and then they can leave. Betty asks in a slightly aggressive, cynical tone if they'll go to Mario's apartment. Armando is surprised by this, he thought that she didn't like going there, but if that's what she wants… okay. She asks if he knew that they were there but Armando denies this, "How could that occur to you?" He tells her that he just told Mario that they were going to the Adriana Arboleda do, that's all. Betty pursues the topic and suggests further that maybe they should take advantage of this trip. Armando remarks on her strange mood and she doesn't really respond to this. Besides, she offers, it's a discreet place. Armando takes a more romantic approach, "Yes, it's discreet, but for me it's a place I appreciate more for other reasons. Ever since we were there, together, it's become a very special place to me…" he says, softly, dreamily (dare I say it, sincerely?). "I'll go fix myself and we'll go, picarona." She tells him she still has to call home. He leaves, thinking everything's hunky dory. Doesn't he notice that her eyes are burning holes in his back? He enters the bathroom and slaps on the cologne. "I've never seen her like this," he's pleased by this seemingly aggressive Betty. In her office, Betty recalls Aura Maria's words about not letting a man walk over a woman. then she recalls hearing Mario warn Armando about Nícolas and the scene when Armando confronted her angrily about Nícolas's involvement in Terra Moda. She remembers the slow, burningly suspicious look from Armando as Berta enthused about her novio, Nícolas, calling her, and later the business card scene. She thinks again about the scene in the bar, shortly before Armando kissed her for the first time, when he explained that when he first heard that she had a novio, that he felt jealousy. Jealousy? Ah hah! She seizes on this. She also recalls how he made her swear that she was his and only his… So! Let's just see how jealous you are, Don Armando! Patricia is whining again on the phone, now to Marcela. Apparently, she's not too sympathetic, but Patricia warns her not to criticize her too much, it affects her too. She reminds Marcela that now she has no car to follow Armando in, to spy on him for her. And tonite he's going to that Adriana Arboleda affair, and there will be models, it's a situation ripe for Armando to slip up. Marcela agrees to lend her car to Patricia and Patricia asks for the location of the invite. She promises to be discreet and ends begging Marcela for her continued assistance.
Nícolas is daydreaming over Patricia's photo when the phone rings. It's Betty and she responds to his question that nothing has happened… yet. She needs him. He promises to hit this guy whenever she wants. She tells him she wants him tonite, that there's an important affair that she needs him at. He's alarmed—he hasn't been invited. Betty is all business, "Don't worry about that, I'll take care of everything. All I need is for you to be there in your best suit and tie, with good shoes." He tells her that he'll borrow his father's best and asks if this is an Eco Moda event and she tells him that yes and Armando will be there. "Am I there as the general manager of Terra Moda or your novio?" "Both." Betty gives him the directions and tells him she'll see him there. As they're talking, Armando enters and she pretends to be speaking to her father, "Ciao, papa," and hangs up on a slightly confused Nícolas. She tells Armando that she was getting permission, but she hasn't had a chance to fix herself up. She'll understand if he doesn't want to go with her. He tells her that to him, she looks perfect. "Really? Perfect?" She asks him in a rising tone. She grabs the glasses off his face and tells him that they're not serving him well, apparently, as she grinds them underfoot. She grabs his tie and starts to choke him. "Take a good look at me; really see me without your glasses, you swine!" This is the face you've mocked with Mario so often, this is the face that revolts you! You don't have to look at it any more!" She releases the tie and he gasps for air… "Betty… let's go," Armando prods her out of her daydream. He smiles fondly at her as she passes ahead of him out the door. On the way to the elevator, Armando is on his cell phone talking to Marcela. He tells her that he's going to the Adriana Arboleda affair and that he's taking Betty and afterwards he'll be at her apartment. After he hangs up, he makes a face and excuses to Betty. "That woman is a pain." Betty asks him why he told Marcela that he was taking her to the event. Armando replies that she won't be suspicious of her and Betty replies bitterly, "Of course, she won't suspect anything of me." As they get on the elevator, we see Patricia spying on them. In the garage, Armando unlocks and opens the car door for Betty and walks around to his side. She stands there for a moment and remembers another evening when she agreed that they shouldn't kiss in the car, Wilson could see them. He calls to her to get in the car and she does. He notes her strange expression and asks her tenderly what's the matter. She tells him that nothing is wrong but he says that he can see that something is wrong, that she doesn't seem to have the same enthusiasm as when they've gone out other nights. Don't you want to go out with me, my princesa? He tries to recall how he may have offended her. He didn't flirt with Claudia Elena, he hasn't done anything that he can think of. She tells him that he's behaved very well. "What then?" "Nada," says Betty, very seriously. He pleads gently with her, "Mi Betty…, Betty… My princess…" he moves closer to kiss her. She harshly reminds him that it's best that he not kiss her there, Wilson could see them, let's not commit una locura. He does a little double-take at this, he'd forgotten himself in his impulse to make her respond to him. He shakes his head and says that he feels like he's been there before somehow, somewhere. "Perhaps in a past life," says Betty with a strange, mocking smile. He drives off and Wilson opens the gate.
Patricia sneaks up to Marcela's car and gets in, however she leaves her invite on the roof of the car and it blows off as she heads out. Betty and Armando arrive at the event and Adriana Arboleda greets them warmly. She asks after Marcela and Armando says that he's 'unarmed' this evening, he's just carrying his 'licensiada controlada'. He realizes that he left his cell phone in the car and Marcela would kill him if he didn't answer. Betty offers to go get it because, "she wouldn't want a dead president, at least, not yet." He gives her a little look at this sly quip, but is immediately turning back to Adriana Arboleda and business. She asks a hostess to make sure Betty can find them later and escorts Armando back to the staging room for the event so that Armando can meet the models (who might be considered for the showing of his next collection.) Patricia enters and realizes she's lost the invitation. She tries to impress the hostess with her being the personal assistant of Armando Mendoza of Eco Moda, but to no avail. She sees two men enter and pretends to know one of them. She pleads with him to let her enter with him as his wife. He (and his male "partner" ?) graciously accede. In the staging room, Hugo's busily at work. He waspishly asks Armando what he's doing there and Armando tells him that he was invited. Adriana Arboleda tries to smooth it over by explaining that she wanted to introduce him to some of her model friends. Several are introduced and Hugo tells one and all that this mercachifle is soon to be married. One of the models congratulates him and asks Armando about the wedding details. This is NOT what Armando wants to talk about in a room surrounded by beautiful women, so he starts laying on the charm.
Betty enters to hear this paean to women. Hugo suggests that he do single women a favor and get married and protect the other ninnies out there from falling for someone like him. This sets Betty to thinking about Aura Maria's words. Hugo then notices her and starts in his usual vituperative attack, "What are you doing here? When are you going to learn that you have no place alongside these beauties? When are you going to stop persecuting me…? When, Armando, are you going to keep her under lock and key…" Armando looks uncomfortable and Adriana Arboleda tells Hugo to stop. Betty hands Armando his cell phone and tells him smugly that Marcela hasn't called yet. He grudgingly turns to the group and introduces Betty as his assistant. She looks defiantly at the group and says, "I'm not just his personal assistant, I'm his lover!" (pause here for Al Gore's speech…) She goes on to warn the models that he's capable of the worst kind of betrayal. He's capable of making love to a fea!" Armando pleads, "Betty, por favor!" and she slaps him and tells him to shut up. "This man is a trickster, he's fooled me!" The models and Hugo look at Armando in horror. "He can fool any of you! And I'm NEVER going to return your business!" "Betty?" prods Armando. She rejoins the living and tells them it's a pleasure to meet them. "Continue with your meeting in "paradise"," she remarks cynically. Armando looks a little surprised by this. Betty asks Adriana if she can ask a favor: she needs a ticket for someone else, Nícolas. He's the general manager of Terra Moda and… her novio. Adriana is happy to oblige. "Gracias!" says Betty with a big sinister grin. Tomorrow: Nícolas is introduced and Armando is furious ("What's more important, being with Nícolas Mora or me?") and Patricia makes her move.
Subject: *****SUMMARY, FRIDAY, 12/15/00***** Author: Tuly (12.78.1.159) Date: 12-19-2000 20:23 *****SUMMARY, FRIDAY, 12/15/00***** Armando goes into Betty's office and asks her what happened the night of Adriana Arboleda's event. Betty answers that Nicolás came to pick her up and they went out to dinner. Armando is not too happy to hear this, sits down, and continues the interrogation ... did she forget she had a date with him? Betty looks straight at him and apologizes, telling Armando that she doesn't know how she could have forgotten ... it must be love that's making her so forgetful she adds. Armando tells her he doesn't understand and Betty promises him that it won't happen again. Armando emphatically tells Betty that last night was their night, he had planned everything so they could be together because Marcela returns today. Betty is non-plussed and just replies that they'll have to put it off until next week because he's only got one day a week for her. Armando is floored by this nonchalant answer and demands to know what is wrong with Betty. He asks her to stop playing with him, she forgot their date last night and it doesn't bother her ... what's wrong? Doesn't she care that they'll have to wait until next week? Betty keeps the smile on her face and reminds Armando that he set the rules, not her. As Armando is getting ready to tell Betty that he cares, Cata interrupts with some proposals. Armando leaves Betty's office with the proposals. Cata tells Betty she sees she's doing much better, but she can tell she's not 100%. She offers to bring her a white candle for her office. When Cata leaves, Betty finally lets her true feelings show ... the pain is written all over her face. Patricia tells her father on the phone that she misses "him", that she dreamt about "him" last night, about all of the hours they spent together and the so many places that they went together. She breaks into tears as she tells her father that her lawyer won't even let her seem "him" ... not unless she pays the 6 million pesos which she owes, LOL! It's obviously her car and not a man she's talking about. :o) Freddy walks up with a box of chocolates, opens it up and shows Patricia the selection. When Freddy leaves, Patricia starts to munch on the chocolates and continues to cry on the phone to her father. Sofía and Bertha walk by and can't help but notice the show Patricia is making with her loud crying ... actually, Bertha stares at the chocolates rather than at Patricia. :o) Patricia finally hangs up and sees Bertha and Sofía staring ... she asks them what they're looking at and Sofía avoids an answer by steering Bertha to the bathroom and away from the chocolates. Freddy comes into Betty's office and hands her an envelope from Banco Montreal. He assures her that he didn't ask any questions about it, just as she instructed. Freddy breaks into a tango as he leaves the office and Betty thanks him. When she's alone, Betty opens the envelope and takes out the documents which it contains. A few seconds later, Betty goes into Armando's office and asks him to sign another promissory note in favor of Terra Moda. When Armando questions it, she tells him that it's a requirement by the bank in order to extend credit to them for the collection ... they need it as a guarantee. Armando tells Betty that he's worried because all of these promissory notes add up to more than Eco Moda is worth. Betty reassures him by saying that she retains the original promissory notes, not the bank. Armando is still not convinced, so Betty takes away the promissory notes, which makes Armando remark that he would never distrust her. He takes the notes back and signs them. In response to his signature, Betty smiles and Armando tells her that he's missed her smiles ... her recent behavior appears strange to him. Betty remarks that Armando's behavior is even stranger because she hasn't received a card today or the 'detalle' she's become accustomed to. Armando tells her that he's been pressed for time but the 'detalle' will be on her desk later. Betty smiles again and goes back to her office.
Once in her office, Betty peeks through the door crack and catches Armando going through the bag and reading the supposed card for today. Unfortunately, it doesn't fit the circumstances because they didn't spend the night together. Armando angrily throws the card down onto the desk because it's no good and he has to come up with another one. He seems to be at a total loss. A crafty Betty walks out of her office with the notes again and catches Armando with the card on his desk. Armando tries to cover it up, but it's too late ... Betty has seen it. Betty asks Armando if that is her card and Armando says that it is but he's not satisified with it, she deserves something more profound. Betty wants to know what's wrong with the card, and Armando continues to stammer that he wants to write something better, more "elevated" because he ... and Betty interrupts and asks him to leave the card as is and just give it to her. Armando holds on to the card and tells her that he can't, his feelings are just too profound for the current contents of the card ... but she shouldn't worry, she'll get her card today (this is added with a thoroughly fake smile, it looked like it was pasted on). As Betty finally desists and leaves, Armando sinks down in his chair sighing with relief. Marcela and Mario have arrived back in Bogotá. Patricia immediately runs over to greet Marce and give her a huge hug while complimenting her on her clothes. Mario wants to know what's happened in his absence and Sandra tells him she'll be in his office in a minute. As Mario walks away, Marcela asks Patricia to accompany her into her office to discuss the trip and Patricia goes over to her desk to hide the box of chocolates first (from Bertha of course), making sure to leave one chocolate sitting on top of an upside-down pencil holder ... as temptation for Bertha. Once Patricia is gone, Bertha and Sofía walk back out and Bertha's gaze is drawn directly to the chocolate on Patricia's desk. She tells Sofía she'll catch up with her in a minute and goes over to Patricia's desk and takes the chocolate, while cooing to it as if it were a baby. :o) She runs off into the bathroom with it.
Mario walks into Presidencia while Armando is fussing with what to put on Betty's card. Armando tells Mario he's glad he's back because something didn't work out ... the card (he shows him the card for today) will not work. Betty's ears have perked up upon hearing Mario's voice and she's now listening from her office. Armando whispers to Mario that they should go into the boardroom and he'll explain everything. When they walk away, Betty comes out of her office and leans her ear right against the door of the boardroom. In the boardroom: Mario -- What happened? Why did the program fail? Armando -- I don't know what went wrong. Last night we went to Adriana Arboleda's event and Betty left early ... she disappeared. Mario -- I don't understand. You took her to the event and she disappeared. Sooooo (making rubbing motions with his hands) last night nothing happened. Armando -- No, nothing happened last night, Calderón, absolutely nothing (we see Betty lean even closer to the door). That's why this card is no good. (Holding up the card) It indicates that last night something happened and we have to change the card as soon as possible, Calderón ... she's waiting for her card. Mario -- I'll change it in a few seconds, but give me the details first, tell me what happened for God's sakes. What do you mean she disappeared? Armando -- Nicolás Mora went to pick her up last night. Do you understand, Calderón? They left together. Mario -- What?!?!? Meanwhile, in Marcela's office, Mariana reads Marcela all of her messages, while Patricia looks through some clothes that Marcela brought back from Palm Beach. When Mariana leaves, Marcela asks Patricia to tell her what happened and Patricia responds that they repo'd her car because she couldn't pay it any more. Marcela is not sympathetic and reminds Patricia that she was warned a bunch of times and it happened because she's hard-headed ... in any event, she doesn't want to talk about the car, she wants to know about Armando. Patricia tells her that he behaved well; she even surprised him at Adriana Arboleda's event and she saw him talk to the models but no one in particular. Then, as always, he yelled at her and insulted her. But the weird thing, Patricia adds, is that Armando kept asking where Betty was. And, she adds, she doesn't know what was wrong with Betty because, unlike other times, she didn't want to sit next to Armando. Patricia also tells Marcela that Betty left with her boyfriend and that she met him at last ... he's an idiot that was badly dressed. Marcela is astounded to hear this ... isn't he supposed to be the general manager of a company and have millions upon millions upon millions of dollars? Patricia tells her that that part is true, he's just nouveau riche. Marcela remarks that now that she met him she's surely given up on pursuing that idea (referring to Patricia taking Betty's boyfriend away from her). Patricia offhandedly agrees [only Marcela believed her, I think! :o)] and continues to tell Marcela about Betty's crying episode in the bathroom. Marcela wants to know how that affects Patricia, but Patricia changes the subject and asks Marcela if she brought her anything, at least a perfume.
Back in the boardroom: Mario -- So you finally met the famous Nicolás Mora. [He breaks off into a famous song: "¿Y cómo es él? ¿En qué lugar se enamoró de tí? :o)] Armando -- Stop it. How would you like him to be? He's a dummy, a nerd (Betty's face pales) ... a badly- dressed guy. But the worst part was that I had to see them together. Mario -- Wait, there's something that I don't understand. You and Betty had plans to go to Adriana Arboleda's event and then you would leave together. Armando -- Actually, she had asked me to take her to your apartment. Mario -- To my apartment again?!?!? Armando -- Sssshhhhhhhhhhh!!! (Betty looks angry now on the other side of the door) Mario -- But wait a minute, it's one thing to take her to my apartment one time and that it looked like an accident, but twice is a public disgrace. (Betty looks like she's about to throw up). Well, at least you saved my apartment, my integrity and my honor (geeez, Mario!!!). Okay, then what happened? When did the plans change? Armando -- During the event, during the event. Why? I don't know. The fact is that she started to disappear and get lost at every opportunity. Then when the fashion show ended she came up to me and told me she had to leave because Nicolás Mora had come to pick her up to take her to dinner. Mario -- To dinner? She exchanged a night with you for a meal? Armando -- Yes. Calderón, Betty's behaving really strangely ... I had never seen her acting this way. It almost seems like it didn't bother her that we weren't together last night and it's fine with her to leave it until next week. (Mario's eyes are wide open in astonishment). Like nothing ... Mario -- Ay, Mr. President, it seems that the little monster is taking the luxury of turning you down sexually. I don't want you to go into 'Orange Alert Mode', but if Betty prefers to spend an evening with that nerd, Nicolás Mora, instead of having a night of passion, sex and romance with you, to me that's a bad sign. I wouldn't wait one whole week to make the little vampire happy. You know what? I think that she's testing you. Armando (totally befuddled) -- I don' know, Calderón, I don't know what I did. In any case, we have to change the card. Write another one. She's already asking for the card of the day and I can't come up with just any stupid thing. Write, write ... Mario (taking the card from Armando) – We can fix that in a second. Outside the boardroom doors, Betty really looks sick to her stomach after listening to this entire exchange. She somehow pulls herself together and goes into her office to call Nicolás. She tells him that he can go ahead and make the payments ... she's already had Don Armando sign another promissory note. She doesn't trust those two idiots (Mario and Armando) and they can get them into trouble; she has to make sure that they won't leave them out on the street. Betty then asks Nicolás where he's at and Nicolás tells her he's out looking at cars and would like her to approve the model he's chosen. As Nicolás leans against a spanking new black Mercedes Benz, he tells Betty that he's found the car that they need. Betty asks for the address of the dealership and tells Nicolás she'll meet him there at 1:00 p.m. Back in the boardroom, Mario suggests a few new cards to Armando, none of which seem to be to his liking. Mario tells him to hurry up because they have to get to work on decorating the Palm Beach stores, but Armando just waves him away with one of the cards. After Mario leaves, Armando reads one of the cards and is more dissatisfied than ever ... the message seems too redundant to him. He calls Mario a dunce and picks a card which he starts to dedicate on his own. Patricia comes back to her desk and notices that the chocolate she left on her desk is now gone. Both Mariana and Sandra tell her she can accuse someone else because they are on a diet. Meanwhile, Bertha is in the bathroom still admiring her 'prey' (LOL!) and talking to it sweetly. She finally takes a bite into it and enjoys it immensely. Back out in the hallway, the exchange between Patricia, Sandra and Mariana continues when Patricia notices Bertha coming out of the bathroom. Patricia smiles slyly after Bertha's passing form and takes out another chocolate from her box.
Armando walks out of the boardroom with the card he's composed and is stuffing it in its envelope, right outside Betty's door, when Marcela walks in. As Marcela says hello, Armando turns around and gives her a thoroughly "I was almost caught in the act smile" and walks over to her, kisses her, and asks her how she's doing. Betty has heard Marcela's voice and is just behind her door, listening to the exchange. Marcela hands Armando what looks like a tie box and tells him she's very happy because she found him still here ... she didn't think she would. She notices the envelope which Armando is still holding, takes it out of his hand, and throws it down on his chair. She then leans over, kisses him, and they fall back onto his desk. Armando asks Marcela to be careful because Betty is in her office. Marcela tells Armando that she's going to have to get used to the idea that wherever Armando is, Betty is right by his side. They were also together at Adriana Arboleda's event last night, right? In any event, Marcela adds, that's a good thing because if he's with Betty he can't be with the 'other one'. And he shouldn't think that she's acting in jealousy when she talks of Beatriz, that makes her feel ridiculous. As Armando looks at her uncomfortably, Marcela continues her monologue and tells Armando that she knows that he also met Betty's boyfriend. Armando immediately guesses that the gossip comes courtesy of 'The Voice of Ecomoda' ... Patricia Fernandez. Marcela asks Armando not to get mad and comments that she also heard that he's the masculine version of of Beatriz ... he wears glasses, he's a nerd, and he dresses poorly. Armando rolls his eyes and tells her that he really didn't pay attention. Just then, Cata comes in with some paperwork, greets Marcela and says that it looks like she's interrupting something, but Marcela tells her that she was just leaving. Actually, Armando looks grateful for the interruption. Before leaving, Marcela picks up the envelope and returns it to Armando. Armando smiles that artificial smile again and asks Cata to give the estimates to Betty.
Cata walks into Betty's office and gives her the new estimates for her to input into the system. Betty assures her that she'll get to it right away. Cata also hands Betty the white candle she had promised and advises her to keep it lit. Betty thanks her sadly and Cata asks her if she's concentrating ... her love life is not in good shape and it's going to ultimately affect her work. Betty responds that she doesn't know where her love life ends and her professional one begins ... they seem to be one and the same and she wants to leave. Cata wisely tells Betty that she's going to have to separate the one from the other, otherwise she will sink. She points to the candle and tells Betty to go ahead and light it. Betty nods her head sadly and Cata leaves. When Cata passes Armando's desk, Armando gets up, picks up the card, straightens his tie and gets ready to face Betty. Armando walks into Betty's office with a smile, the card and a little present. Betty thanks him seriously and, when Armando leaves, puts the present right in the black garbage bag with all of the other presents and cards. Curiosity gets the best of her, though, and she opens the card. It says: "I'm feeling you very distant and so strange. I still can't believe that you are so indifferent to losing our night when for me it was like losing another marvelous instant (we see Armando staring pensively at Betty's door). I desire you; my body misses you. I won't be able to wait until next week to recuperate the night we lost. A kiss, Armando." Betty reacts by calling Armando 'desgraciado' and stuffing the card into the garbage bag. She gets up from her chair, as if a woman on a mission, and goes to tell Armando that she's leaving for lunch. As an afterthought, Betty thanks him for the card and tells him that it confirmed that he writes very well. Armando nods his head and smiles. As Betty turns around to leave, Mario comes in charging through the door, almost running Betty over (he obviously didn't notice her), and asks Armando where they're going for lunch. Betty interrupts by saying, "excuse me ..." and, when Mario turns around to greet her, she gives him a kick right where it counts! Way to go Betty!!!! Mario falls to his knees holding the family jewels while Betty smirks at him. Then she hears a voice asking her, "Betty, Betty, how are you?", and this snaps her out of her fantasy. It's Mario, of course, and Betty just says "how are you?" right back at him and leaves. After she leaves, Mario turns to Armando and comments that Betty is acting a little strange and Armando once again says that she's acting a lot strange. Betty makes it to the hallway to find El Cuartel waiting on her to go to lunch. Betty tells them that she won't be able to go with them and, noticing that Mario and Armando are right behind her, says in a louder tone that her boyfriend has asked her out to lunch because he has a surprise for her. As Mario and Armando look on and listen very interested, Bertha suggests that maybe Nicolás is going to ask for her hand in marriage. Betty tells them she'll give them the details later and walks away. El Cuartel follows. When Mario and Armando are alone, Armando angrily crumples the paper he was looking at and Mario comments, "A surprise from the boyfriend? What do you think it's all about?" Armando tells Mario he has no idea. Mario advises Armando not to waste any time, after all there's been a night of love that Betty's turned down and now there's a lunch with the boyfriend ... did he give her the card? Armando tells Mario that he did but that he had to re-write it because he's a dunce. Mario drily retorts that there's nothing like writing with the heart.:o) As Armando rolls his eyes, Armando tells Mario that Betty congratulated him on the card and Mario quips that the Nobel Prize can't be far away and laughs. Armando imitates Mario's laughter (with no feeling in it whatsoever) while Mario tells him that he's lifted a big load off his shoulders because he'd never written so much to a 'fea' ... from now on, Armando will be in charge of writing his own cards -- what did he write, after all? Armando responds that he didn't write anything special, he just continued in the romantic vein that Mario started. He had told him not to let things cool down and that's what he suggested in the card, that he didn't want to wait a whole week until they were together again. Mario tells him that the most important thing is that he go through with everything that he promised in the card. Armando says that it will be very difficult for him now that Marcela's back in town. Armando sighs and adds that he had never seen Betty act this way ... he had authorized her to talk about her boyfriend but not to boast about him so. With a smile on his face, Mario asks Armando if he's jealous. Armando just shakes his head and walks away leaving Mario calling after him to wait up. Betty pulls up in a taxi outside a Mercedes Benz dealership, but she can't believe that this is the right place. The taxi driver assures her this is the address he gave her, Betty exits the taxi and walks inside. Almost as soon as she walks in, Nicolás calls her from inside a black Mercdes and asks her how he looks in it. Betty gives the car a once over while Nicolás insists on asking her how he looks in the car and, after still receiving no answer, he pulls out his cell phone so he can fully look the part. Nicolás exits the car and Betty tells him he looked incredible because this car is not for them. Nicolás tells her that the car is the appropriate car for the image of the general manager of Terra Moda and its owner, but Betty insists it's not because the car has more image than the two of them put together. Since Nicolás is so persistent, Betty asks the price of the car and Nicolás tells her it's about $45,000. Betty tells him that Terra Moda can't afford to buy a $45,000 car ... he's out of his mind! Nicolás pulls out a folder and tells Betty that they can sure afford it and she's got the right to buy the car anyway, three of them if she wants, a mansion in Bogotá, another one in Miami, another one in Spain, an apartment in London, and even a yacht. Betty tells him that she will not take money from Eco Moda to buy the car and Nicolás tells her that they can finance most of the cost of the car, they need only put $10,000 down. After doing the calculations in her head, Betty tells Nicolás that that would leave them with a monthly payment of 2 and ½ million pesos ... it's too high. Nicolás points to all of his projections and asks Betty to look at them, they can make the payment. Betty agrees that they can make the payment but she doesn't know if they deserve this luxury. Nicolás adopts a cynical tone of voice and tells Betty that of course they don't deserve it, they can just continue being the couple of poor nerds that they've always been and that don't deserve anything in life. Betty starts to looks remorseful and Nicolás opens the passenger door for her and makes her get in. When they are both in the car, Nicolás asks in jest whether they should head to the club and then asks her again how they look in the car. Betty answers that between the two of them they look wonderful in the car but no one is going to believe that they bought it, they're going to think they won it in a raffle ... it's better to forget the whole thing. Nicolás doesn't let the matter drop and tells Betty that rather than investing the money in a plastic surgery (which he knows she's been thinking about), they should invest it in this car ... how do they look? -- FREEZE! TO BE CONTINUED ...
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USA 12/18-22/00. Armando continues to be baffled by Betty's strange behavior (she's become much more decisive). Betty arrives at work in her new Mercedes. Armando follows Betty and Nicolas home, calls on the cell phone and is told she isn't home. Betty's father objects to her expensive car, accuses her of taking advantage of her boss Armando. She denies it but, secretly, knows that he is right. Armando questions Betty about the car. She assures him that it was bought with Terra Moda's investments, not with Eco Moda's, and that the gerente of the company, Nicolas, can't take buses everywhere. Daniel arrives and questions Betty about the car. She asks him if he believes that ugly women like her don't deserve such a car, etc. but assures him that the Terra Moda's money has the same providence as Eco Moda's. Berta discovers that she is 5 months pregnant. Betty takes the cuartel to an expensive restaurant for lunch, the same place that Mario and Armando are dining. Daniel tells Marcie that at the next board meeting, he will announce that he wants to withdraw his funds from Eco Moda; he needs the money for another investment. Mario suggests to Armando that Betty must have found out the truth; Armando is sure she couldn't have or she would have killed them both. Mario asks Sandra if anybody, especially Betty, was in the office where the package was. Sandra lies and assures him that nobody was. So Mario assures Armando that Betty doesn't know. Armando is convinced that Nicolas is responsible for the change. Armando gives her another card and little gift. She reads the card and tosses them in her garbage bag.
La Opinion. 12/24/00. Solo telenovelas [summary of previous week] Laura M. López Betty la fea KVEA Canal 52, lunes a viernes, 8:00 p.m. Armando no termina de salir de su sorpresa... Betty ya no es la misma. Ahora ella prefiere la compañía de Nicolás, su supuesto novio y parece que a Armando esta situación le provoca unos celos terribles, aunque no quiere aceptarlo. Cuando Mario regresó de Miami, también encontró que las cosas andaban mal entre su amigo y Betty, pues notó en ella una actitud seria, más que la de costumbre. Aunque a la hora de hablar de Nicolás como que su rostro se iluminaba y sobre, todo, lo hacía en voz alta, cuando estaba con el cuartel y él y Armando podían escuchar. Los detalles y las tarjetas que antes le provocaban una gran felicidad, ahora eran como puñales clavándose en su corazón. Mario comienza a sospechar y le dice a Armando que tal vez Berta encontró el paquete donde le dejaba las instrucciones a seguir. Mientras tanto, Nicolás pudo convencer a Betty que ellos tenían derecho a comprarse el Mercedes, pues Terra Moda ha dado para eso y mucho más. Además, en tono de broma, comenta que con ese auto, su fealdad pasaría a segundo grado. Betty también le dijo a Nicolás que se comprara ropa fina, pues si iba a seguir recogiéndola y acompañarla a eventos relacionados con Eco Moda, tenía que ir bien presentable, como debe ser para un gerente general de una empresa tan exitosa como es Terra Moda. Sin embargo, como siempre cuando menos se espera, Daniel aparece en escena, pero la inteligencia de Betty puede más que la simple sospecha y le dice que Terra Moda es tan seria como Eco Moda. Marcela trata de permanecer serena ante Armando, pero sigue dudando de su fidelidad pues no logra despertar la pasión en él que antes estallaba con sólo tenerla cerca. Y lo peor de todo es que la fecha de la boda, que coincide con el lanzamiento de la colección está a sólo unas semanas. Patricia por su parte, no quita el dedo del renglón para lograr que Nicolás la invite a salir. A ella no le interesa que sea el novio de Betty ni que él esté feo. Patricia sólo ve en Nicolás la tabla de salvación de su crisis económica. El coche que maneja Nicolás, es ahora la sensación de Eco Moda, sobre todo si Betty es quien llega en él. Las muchachas del cuartel se sintieron soñadas cuando su amiga las invitó a almorzar justo en el mismo restaurante que Armando y Mario comían con un cliente. Por otro lado, todos notaban que Berta, a pesar de no comer tanto como antes seguía aumentando de peso. No fue hasta que ella finalmente descubrió que tenía un embarazo de cinco meses. Sofía en cambio estaba desesperaba porque Enfrían, su ex marido comenzó a pelear la mitad de las pertenencias, incluyendo la casa. Las visitas al abogado se repetían con más frecuencia para evitar que tanto él como Jenny se salieran con la suya.
Martes 29 de agosto. Patricia, Marcela y el cuartel se sorprenden cuando ven a Betty bajarse del lujoso carro de Nicolás. Bertha y Sofía le dicen a Betty que tiene que cuidar a su novio de las bandidas peliteñidas. Aura María le pide disculpas a Fredy por su comentario sobre el carro y novio de Betty. Julia le dice a Hermes que ya es hora de cambiar el carro porque está molestando mucho.Miércoles 30 de agosto. Marcela le cuenta a Armando que ya no tiene que llevar a Betty a su casa porque su novio la lleva y la trae en carro. Marcela le dice a Patricia que no va a madrugar todos los días para recogerla. Cuando va a recoger a Bety, Nicolás se encuentra con la impulsadora y le entrega su tarjeta. Sofia le dice a Efrain que está loco si piensa que ella va a vender la casa para darle la mitad.
Miércoles 06 de septiembre - Betty invita a almorzar al cuartel y llegan al restaurante donde están Armando y Mario, al verlas Armando se desconcierta y les pregunta si lo necesitan. Betty le dice al cuartel que no se limite pues la cuenta la paga Terramoda. Daniel le pregunta a Marcela sobre el novio de Betty y le dice que está muy preocupado con tanto despliegue que se ha hecho sobre él y su carro. Bertha siente cargo de conciencia porque piensa que la langosta que se va a comer estaba feliz en el mar con sus hijos.Jueves 07 de septiembre - Armando empieza a pensar que Betty está vengándose de él y Mario le dice que probablemente la fea los escucho hablar algo o leyó el sobre con las instrucciones. Inesita le dice a Betty que le de gracias a Nicolás en nombre del cuartel por la invitación. Patricia se queja con Marcela de no haber almorzado y ella accede a salir para comer algo. Al llegar a ECOMODA Hugo le dice a Betty que entre rápido, porque donde alguien de la Mercedes la vea en ese carro la demanda por destrucción de la imagen. USA 12/22 &26/00. Viernes 08 de septiembre - Armando le propone a Betty llevarla a su casa pero ella le dice que tiene un compromiso con sus compañeras de trabajo. Marcela le exige a Patricia que le cuente quien la invito a cenar y ella le dice que fue Nicolás Mora. Sofía le cuenta a Sandra que el abogado le dijo que hay una forma de demostrar que la casa está por fuera de la sociedad conyugal. Betty le dice a Aura María que su relación con Nicolás es muy amplia, abierta y moderna.
12/18/00. Subject: SUMMARY - - Here you go Author: GEA (206.189.127.215) Date: 12-19-2000 10:48 Monday Night Summary: Betty and Nicholas are in the car dealership, sitting in the Mercedes, and Nicholas is in love with the car. He keeps trying to talk Betty in to buying it, and she keeps saying that they should get something more reasonable. "Don't we look rich/grand in this car" Nicholas says. He pretends to wave at people on the street and chat with them, a living fantasy of what it would be like to have this car. Betty watches him in his happiness, and begins to remember all of the times they have spent together. She remembers her birthday party when he was the only one who danced with her, and times in the barrio when they laughed together, or he helped her onto the bus, and how he comforted her when she found out about Don Armando. And she agrees to get the car if they can get the financing. He says, oh, they can get it, they can get it. Most definitely! He is very excited, and she looks at him with lots of affection.
Minutes later they are driving up to Eco Moda, just in time to see the cuartel coming back from lunch. The cuartel is already engaged in a little tiff with Marcy and Patsy, who are also coming back from lunch, so they all see Betty getting out of the car. The cuartel ooohs and ahhs over it. Nicholas stands up in the car to blow Betty big, dramatic kisses, which she returns with gusto, before he drives away. As Nicholas leaves, Patsy and Marcy look on. Then Marcy goes into Eco Moda. Patsy makes a crack about Nicolas and Betty (I missed this), and Betty returns with: at least he can afford the car that he has, and won't have to worry about leaving it by the side of the road because it is out of gas or having someone come take it away because he can't afford the payments. The cuartel laugh openly, while Wilson has the "decency" to cover his mouth (but of course, he is laughing too). Patsy tries to make a come back, but can't think of anything at all, and so stomps into Ecomoda. The cuartel asks Betty what the surprise was, and she says it was the car. What about the car? She says that it and he will be at her disposal, to pick her up, and take her places, and bring her home, etc. Berta then says that the cuartel now has a mercedes, because what belongs to Betty belongs to the cuartel. Inesita responds that no, not at all, it is for Betty's use only. Betty says nothing. Patricia putting out more chocolate to tempt and catch Berta, and Berta is eyeing it with longing, walking slowly in the lounge, staring. Somewhere in here Sandy makes a crack about Patsy, saying she should get a picture of her car so she can remember it, because it is lost to her, and she will never get it back. Patsy replies that she will, she will get it back, no, a car even better than that one, and when they say how, she just smiles smugly to herself. She then goes to her purse to pull out Nicholas' card.
Nicholas is driving along, enjoying the car, and then turns on the radio, all the while talking to a picture of Patsy propped up in the seat next to him. He hears a ringing sound, and he doesn't recognize it. "What is that? What could that be?" "It sounds like a cell phone? Yes, a cell phone? What cell phone?" "Oh, I guess it could be mine !" He then begins to look for his cell phone, patting himself down to find it, and when he reaches it, he says, "I wonder who could be calling me?" He answers the phone and it is Patricia. He is thrilled to be hearing from her and is falling all over himself while driving, due to his extreme happiness. Patsy and Nicholas flirt back and forth, and she manipulates him into promising to take her out later this week, and into coming to pick her up at her apartment. They agree that Betty shouldn't know anything about it. Betty comes back late from lunch, and Armando is none to happy about it. He points out that she was gone a long time, and they have a lot of work to do. She responds that she is sorry, she didn't mean to be gone so long. He asks if it was a special occasion, if they were celebrating something; she responds that he took her out because he has been neglecting her as a friend lately, with work and all. He then asks when the projections will be done. She says she should have them for tomorrow. She turns to walk into her office, and he rapidly gets up and intercepts her - - with aggression in his face, and intensity, he reminds her about the numbers they need for the next board meeting, and how they have to be "fixed." She nods in his direction(I don't remember if she said anything) and then goes into her office and closes the door, making a face and sticking her tongue out at him. She then seats herself at her desk and pulls out the letter from Marion, reviewing the part where he mentioned how Armando needs her not only to keep the company but also to keep fixing the numbers for the next board meetings, until they get the company back. She sheds a few tears, then lights a candle on her desk (for focus, for inspiration? Unclear), and then goes to work.
Sofia has to go off to meet with the lawyers about the divorce, and Patsy questions her about getting permission from Gutierrez. Sofia says that Betty is her boss, and if Patsy has any problem with that, she should take it up with Betty. Scene with Betty's parents - - Dona Julia and Don Hermes, working on his old car out in front of the house, trying to get it in running order, and Hermes blustering as usual. Nicholas drives up, beeping the horn, and shows off the car. Hermes asks why Don Armando needs such as showy car, and how he feels about it, Nicholas responds that the car is for the exclusive use of the employees of Terra Moda, which are Nicolas and Betty. He then drives off. Berta gives in and snitches the chocolate from Patsy's desk, and it is slowly headed for her mouth, when Patsy says "Berta, Berta have you been stealing my chocolates!!!" Berta is thrown for a minute, but then says, she really needs it. Sandy and the other one come up to take it from her, and she says no, no she really needs this chocolate - -they are holding her hand to prevent her from eating it, and she is fighting to get it into her mouth. They all get louder and louder, and the Marcy comes out and asks what is going on. At this point Berta begins to sag/half-faint, and almost falls down, with Sandy and _____ holding her up, and Marcy saying that someone should call a doctor. Marcy then pulls Patsy aside and says that she has a smug look on her face, and asks, "have you been fighting with the cuartel?" Patsy responds that no, she hasn't, they have bee fighting with her. Marcy asks why she looks that way then, and Patsy says she has another reason. Armando is talking to Mario, who asks how things are going with Betty. He responds okay. Mario asks what the lunch was about, and Armando says "because he's been neglecting his friend" And Mario responds, that's weird. They are both talking quietly, while Betty stands close to the door to listen in. Mario asks about her, and Armando says she is working hard on the next set of projections, and at least appears to agree to "the markup" (fixing the numbers). Mario says that he should spend time with her tonight, but Armando says he can't, Marcela is expecting him. Mario then says he should take her home at least, get a few kisses in. Armando agrees, looking a little irritated about the whole thing (frustrated, too). Armando goes into Betty's office and asks how the report is going. She responds that she is almost done. He then says that he will take her home, but she says, that's ok, someone is picking me up. He asks who, she says Nicholas. She looks very smug and he looks very thrown/upset. He asks why, and she says, because he hasn't been such a good friend. He requests that she not make such a big deal about having a boyfriend, and she says, but he told her to. And besides, things are going so well with he and Marcela now. He responds that this is because he "was good" while she was away.
Marcy calls Armando's name from the corridor, asking for a moment with him. He goes back out to talk to Marcy, who asks when he will be leaving, he responds a little while, and agrees (upon her invitation) to come back over to her place later. She then says that he won't need to take betty home anymore, because her boyfriend has a car. He says what car? She says THE CAR, the top of the line of mrecedes. He is shocked. Marcy says that he is a "pobre rico" I think, or some other expression about him having money only, not "class", and Betty is listening in. She then pulls her things together and walks out of the office while they are talking, handing him the report, and says good night to them both with a big smile on her face. Armando calls after her, but she doesn't stop. Marcy asks why, and he says he was only going to ask a question. Marcy says she will see him later. Armando says to himself, in a very tight, intense voice "Mercedes Benz!" Yenny is on the phone talking to her pupichurro in the babytalk voice about when he is coming to pick her up, when Nicholas drives up in the car to pick up Betty. Yenny begins to flirt with Nicholas,(really, with Nicholas' car) and asks who he is waiting for. He says Betty. She asks if he is a friend of Betty's and he says he is more than a friend, he is her boyfriend. Yenny says that she didn't know that Betty had such an attractive boyfriend, one who was so "well-heeled" as the english version of the expression goes (I believe this expression comes from expensive shoes in America, for the non-American heritage people). As she says this she is drooling and slithering all over the car. Nicholas replies that he and Betty aren't "so close", it isn't such a settled relationship. The cuartel is heading out of the office, and Marcy offers to take Patsy home, who says "she owes her one" and Marcy responds, you owe me 90. They all get in the elevator, but Betty steps back, and says she'll take the next one. She seems to be waiting for someone or something. Somewhere in here (I have the order wrong, I think, but it's in the middle of this exchange), Nicholas uses his cell phone to call Betty, but she has already left the office. Armando hears the phone ring on his way out of the office, but says, "That they call tomorrow". He is very irritated and upset. On his way down the hall toward the elevator, he requests that one of the assistants do something, and when she is moderate in response, he attacks her, insisting that it be taken care of right away and didn't she hear him. After that he is walking to the elevator calling Mario's name, who responds. As he passes by the area around what I think is the women's restroom, Betty reappears, but out of his view- - she has been waiting to make sure she runs into him, I think. Yenny flirts more with Nicholas, asking about the car, which leads him to offer to let her get inside of it. She sits in the driver's seat, and as she does, her skirt rides up and Nicholas is staring at her legs. Nicholas and Yenny are still flirting as the cuartel come outside. Sofia is crying about how Efrain is trying to take half of the house her parents gave her, and if he manages to get it she will have to sell. She is clearly in tears. The cuartel see Yenny flirting with Nicholas, and ask what she is doing. They become angry, when Efrain pulls up to pick up Jenny. Sofia shouts that they are going to talk about what he is trying to do, and as Yenny is getting into the car, he says they will talk about it later, that he and Yenny have to go. She says no, they will talk about it now, and she begins to pull on the car door. The rest of the cuartel attack the car and Sandy manages to grab Efrain and pull him out of the car as Nicholas looks on with HORROR!!! Tomorrow: Armando is following Betty in his car, asks Dona Julia to speak with Betty, who says that Betty is not there (and she is standing right there) Betty tells Nicholas that he needs him to be well-dressed while she will stay the same, and Armando has a nightmare.
Subject: ***SUMMARY, Tuesday, 12/19/00*** Author: Becky A. (63.46.223.204) Date: 12-20-2000 00:47 OUTSIDE ECO MODA The fight between Sophia and Efrain is still going strong with the Cuartel, Wilson and Nicolas watching. Sophia is shouting that he shouldn't even dream that she is going to sell the house and give him half of the money. Efrain remarks that he has to sell his car and give half of what he receives. Sophia makes remarks as to the state of his car and how it is not worth anything. She tells him that a real car is like that one, motioning to the Mercedes Benz. Nicolas has his hand on the outside mirror and smiles and waves at Efrain. INSIDE ECO MODA Betty is standing in a hallway where she can't be seen but can here Armando and Mario discussing Betty's not wanting Armando to take her home.
BACK TO THE FIGHT Sophia informs Efrain that he is not going to leave her and his children without a house. He tells her that she doesn't have to move out. She can purchase his half from him. She has him by his suit coat, shaking him and calling him a "desgraciado". By this point, Sophia is very upset and crying. Sandra comes over to calm her down and pulls her away. She approaches Efrain, removes his glasses and asks him to hold them. Of course, he does. All of sudden Sandra grabs him by his coat and tells him "this is for being a desgraciado" and butts heads with him. She knocks him down, everyone is screaming and Jenny comes running to help him up. Sandra opens his car door while Jenny assists him in the car. Sandra tells him that this is not the end of it. Efrain and Jenny take off. Betty comes out of the building breathing heavily. She asks Nicolas what is occurring. He tells her that they are killing a man that was in a blue car. Nicolas wants to know why she is out of breath and she tells him that she had to come down the stairs. Betty tells him that she is going to go see what is happening, but he tells her that it is best to stay away. He says that he is ready to go, but she says that she needs to wait for someone to come out. Betty goes and offers Sophia a ride home. Sophia apologizes for Nicolas having to witness the fight. The Cuartel wants to know if Betty is going to introduce Nicolas, but Betty tells him that he is timid. They don't believe that he is timid. Mariana tells her that she needs to be careful with him because they saw him talking to Jenny. They let her know that Jenny was in the car, flirting and has probably programmed her telephone number into his cellular telephone. Sandra reminds her how they caught Patricia talking to Nicolas. Betty bids them goodnight. Inesita tells the rest of the Cuartel that she will not be able to join them for lunch tomorrow due to her lack of funds. A man by the name of Santiago owes her money and has not repaid what he borrowed. Betty is standing in front of the Mercedes with a hand on her waist. She has a mad look on her face and asks Nicolas to hand over the telephone. Nicolas asks if she needs to make a telephone call. Betty finds Jenny's cellular number and gets upset. Nicolas says that he can explain. They don't have the opportunity to continue their conversation because Armando and Mario come out of the building. Betty hurriedly tells Nicolas to open the car door for her, which he does. As he is opening the door she turns her head uptowards him and smiles as though she is in love with him. He returns the smile. Armando and Mario watch the entire scene. Betty and Nicolas drive off. Armando and Mario are discussing if the car actually belongs to Nicolas or a friend. Mario reminds him that Betty said that he had money. Armando wants to know where he got that kind of money. They make comments on how he has a very expensive car, but not an expensive house. Armando wants to know why he is showing off the car at this moment. Why is he all of a sudden inviting her to lunch. Armando states that a person needs a lot of money to purchase that type of car. They state the capital of Eco Moda and Terra Moda. Mario suggests that they go home to sleep and ask Betty in the morning. Armando says that he is going to ask her tonight.
IN FRONT OF BETTY'S HOUSE As they are driving up Nicolas is explaining how Jenny was very nice to him. "What was he suppose to do", he asks, "tell her no, no don't touch my telephone, don't program your number". Betty is angry and tells him that he wants to go out with all the women at Eco Moda and that he was raised to be a flirt. Nicolas tells her not to blame him that he is going through a good moment and is having success with the women. Betty tells him not to get illusioned that the one having success is the car. Betty tells him that Jenny is bad news and to stay away from her. She tells him how she stole Sophia's husband from her. She also warns him to stay away from Patricia. She says that since Patricia saw that car she has not been able to get it our of her mind. Nicolas tells her to let them dream about him, don't they have that right. Betty says yes, but not to the point where they make fun of her. Betty asks if it is too much to ask him to be faithful to her when it comes to the women at Eco Moda. Nicolas tells her not to worry. He says that being her boyfriend doesn't let him breath. Betty tells him that he is well-compensated. She asks what girlfriend is going to give him a job, make him manager and give a car. He says ok that he will have to love her and respect her until death do they part. He tells her that he will be faithful and as Betty walks into her house he begins to sing "Novia mia vas a ser muy mujer". He then remembers his telephone conversation with Patricia where they made their plans for the next evening. Betty awakes him from his dreaming and they go into the house. As they are entering, Armando is parked to the side watching them.
INSIDE BETTY'S HOUSE Betty's parents are having dinner. Don Hermes won't greet them. Dona Julia informs them that he is upset with the purchase of the car. Don Hermes wants to know how they were able to afford to purchase that car, by using Armando's money. He asks if Armando knows how it was purchased. Betty tells him that he will tell him tomorrow and that she has the authority to make the purchase. Betty gets upset and leaves the dining room. Betty tells Nicolas that she wants them to go to her room. Nicolas wants to eat and says that he is not upset with Don Hermes. He wants to know why his stomach has to pay for her being upset. Armando calls and ask for Betty. Dona Julia, at Betty's request, tells him that she is not home. Armando knowing that this is a lie asks when she will be home. Dona Julia answers that she does not know. Armando becomes upset that Betty will not take his call. Dona Julia wants to know why she didn't wish to speak to Armando and wants to know what is going on. BETTY'S BEDROOM Nicolas is telling Betty that they are going to have problems with her father. Betty tells him not to worry that she will take care of it. He comments that he knows that she is planning something because he noticed that she made sure that Armando saw them leave in the car. He wants to know what she is going to tell him. Betty says that she will tell Armando that they purchased the car with Terra Mora's money. Nicolas says that Armando will have a heart attack. Nicolas asks what she thinks that Armando will say. Betty doesn't know, but will find out tomorrow. Nicolas is worried that he will take the car away from therm. Betty says, "he wouldn't dare". Nicolas is then worried that Armando will ask for Nicolas not to drive the car. Betty says that she will not let that happen. Betty changes the subject to Nicolas' clothes. See tells him to get money out of petty cash and to purchase new clothes. Nicolas wants to know what is wrong with the way he dresses. Betty tells him that he is dressed to informal for the manager of Eco Moda. Nicolas says that he needs to dress elegant, but casual. He tells her that he has done well this past week with the clothes that he has. Betty tells him that they don't have the imagine that goes with a car like the Mercedes. Nicolas tells her that they are above that. She agrees, but states that people aren't. She informs him that he will be dropping her off and picking her up at work and attending events that he needs to be dressed more like a manager. He says that if it is for the image of Terra Mora, he will do it. Not only that, that is what he is being paid to do. She reminds him that he is also getting paid for being her boyfriend. Nicolas tells her that it is not enough for her to have a boyfriend who is a manager of a business, attractive, intelligent and with an expensive car - now she wants him to dress well. He asks about his imagine. She wants to know what he means. He tells her that he needs to have a beautiful girlfriend. Betty looks a little upset. He tells her that it was a joke and that she can deduct a day's pay. He does tell her that she needs new equipment and demonstrates one of her shoes whose sole is coming off. Betty tells him that he will change, but she will remain the same. Her reasoning is that Armando did everything to her when she was ugly. She wants to see how he plans to take his company away from La Fea. He will have to put up with her being ugly. Nicolas tells her that she is going crazy. They think about what to do with the car for the night. Nicolas tells her that he is not about to ask Don Hermes to take his car out of his garage to put the Mercedes away. Betty tells him to take it home and put it in his mother's warehouse and to pay her a little something for her trouble. As he is leaving, he tells her to tell her mother that he forgives her for this evenings meal. The car has turned him to a mere mortal.
OUTSIDE BETTY'S HOUSE Nicolas plays with the automatic trunk opener and lights. Armando is watching this entire scenes. When Nicolas gets into the car he puts the radio on full blast. Marcela calls and wants to know where he is at. Betty is writing in her manual that she does not feel bad for the way that she is acting. She does not believe that she needs to give explanations, rather receive them from Armando
MARCELA'S APARTMENT Upon arriving, Armando fixes a stiff drink. Marcela is excited that he is home. Smelling the liquor on his breath she wants to know where he has been. He explains that he just had drink before entering. He explains that he is tense due to work. Marcela is complaining that he spends all his time thinking about the company and not the wedding. She tells him that his priorities cannot be all Eco Moda, but he needs to spend time thinking about where they will live once they are married. Marcela says that she will take care of everything. He says "perfect", not really meaning it. Marcela begins to kiss him and all Armando can think about is Betty telling him that Nicolas will pick her up, Patricia introducing him to Nicolas, and the events of that evening. He remembers his conversation with Bertha telling him about Betty's boyfriend. When he doesn't respond to Marcela she claims that he can't forget the other woman. He says that it is work that has him like this. Marcela continues to believe that it is another woman. She says that she understands that she has to give him time, but that she won't marry a man who has another woman in his soul. Betty is writing in her book that she doesn't want to be there the day he waits for Marcela at the alter. She says that she has to understand that he was never for her nor will he ever be. She hopes that she will someday be able to get him out of her heart, but doubts that it will happen. She hopes that someday her heart will understand. (We are now seeing Armando checking to see if Marcela is asleep.) Betty continues with her writing and writes that it is like Nicolas said, "The only way a man like Armando could notice someone like Betty would be due to witchcraft". Armando has fallen asleep and is dreaming that he is in the parking garage of Eco Moda. He is walking towards the parked Mercedes and picks inside. In the back seat he finds Nicolas and Betty kissing. He yells, "Betty". Nicolas and Betty look at him and continue to kiss. Armando asks, "What are you doing"? "Are you in love with this guy, Nicolas Mora or me". Betty and Nicolas ignore him. He wakes up yelling her name. Marcela wants to know what happened to Betty. He tells her that he had a nightmare. He makes up a story that he was dreaming that Eco Moda was taken away from him. Marcela wants to know if something is happening with Eco Moda. He hurriedly answers no. He once again tells her that he is this way because of the stress of the job. Marcela has a look that says that she doesn't believe him. When she continues to stare he asks if she thinks that he was dreaming of Betty because something is happening between them. She tells him not to be ridiculous.
IN FRONT OF BETTY'S HOUSE Nicolas is standing in front of the car and two girls pass by him and greet him. Betty comes out and tells him that she will be driving. Nicolas is not happy about it. Roman and his gang appear and accuse them of stealing the car. Nicolas informs them that the car is the property of Terra Moda, with the owner being Betty. Betty tries to stop Nicolas. Roman tries to get into the car and even calls Betty "bonita". Betty doesn't let him get in. Nicolas doesn't want Betty to drive because Roman and his gang will laugh even more. Nicolas has to change gears for Betty and she is driving slower than a turtle walking. Her father is working on his car and he refuses any help from them. He is still upset about the purchase of the Mercedes. Betty and Nicolas drive off. Betty drops Nicolas off at a clothing store. She tells him that she will be driving herself to work so that she can tell people at Eco Moda that her boyfriend let her borrow the car. Nicolas says that the manager of Terra Mora cannot leave the store with packages and wait for the bus. Betty wants to know how he did it before he had a car. He tells her that he is psychologically conditioned not to have a car. Betty tells him that no one is going to see him and if he does see someone that he knows, he should hide. Nicolas is worried about Betty arriving home late and wants her to get home early. He says that someone could try to do something to her with that car. He says that if a burglar approaches her that he will end up being the one that gets scarred. After Nicolas gets out and Betty drives off he ways and says (Betty of course doesn't hear) "Tragic is ugly and now with you on the road it is going to be very ugly". TO BE CONTINUED.
Subject: *** Summary: Wed 12/20/2000 *** Author: Robin N (63.208.71.226) Date: 12-20-2000 22:24 Yesterday: Showing off the new car and Armando has a nightmare! Today: Nícolas, outside the clothing store, admires his photo of Patricia and advises her of his changing appearance. Outside Ecomoda, Jenny and Efraín drive up and she's whining about him getting more money (from the divided proceeds of Sofia's house). She's apparently got plans for that money. He pleads with her to stop the discussion but she continues to pout. She had hoped that they'd use the money for a house of their own, or a new car. A new car? This shocks Efraín to the core because he's apparently quite sentimental about the car. "What's wrong with it?" "It's ugly." He freaks. "This car is good!" He loves it so. She gets out of the car, continuing her harangue and slamming the car door. "You're always thinking of her!"
Across the street, Sandra, Mariana, and Inez watch this latest scene and enjoy a chuckle at Jenny and Efrain's expense. Jenny warns them not to make fun of her pupuchurro and Inez tells her off. Aura Maria and Freddy drive up happy as clams on his scooter and Jenny looks sourly at them. Next to arrive is Patricia in a taxi, much to the cuartel's amusement. It looks like she's unable to pay the driver and he's not leaving without his fare. A car honks… it's Betty in the Benz. The cuartel rushes up to greet her and admire the car. She honks again and the taxi driver says that the lady in the Benz will have to wait until he gets paid. Betty asks Wilson to see that the taxi moves and he rushes to oblige her with a "Si, Doctora!" which inflames Patricia. Patricia asks Wilson to loan her the fare but he refuses, as she's not repaid him the last loan he made her. She applies to Freddy, and he steps forward, even though Aura Maria encourages him not to. He opens his wallet and the few necessary coins fall out. The driver looks at them with scorn and leaves. Wilson tells Betty to pull up, "Come on Doctora!" Patricia is furious at this and wonders aloud how come she never got this treatment with her Benz, how come he never called her Doctora. Wilson is quite the comic, "Because you only completed 6 semestres, etc." She's only a "media-doctora". Betty steps out of the car and locks it (beep beep!) and the cuartel rave about the car. "How is it you have it?" asks Mariana. Betty explains that her novio loaned it to her today, that he didn't need it and she had errands to run. She goes on, to their delight, to explain that he doesn't like her to have to take taxis. ("But, she'd surely have the money with which to pay them," digs Sandra with a sly look at Patricia.) Mariana tells Patricia to console herself by looking at Betty's car because she'll never have the like again. Patricia reacts strongly that she will. "Sure you will… in photos!" mocks Sandra. Patricia responds angrily and stalks off with the usual hair swish. They note Jenny hanging around and turn on her. She leaves too with the vigorous hair swish. Inez turns the topic back to the car and says, "I didn't know you could drive, Betty." "Neither did I," jokes Betty. She goes on to explain that she's driven before, but only her father's cars. She goes on to say that this one is very easy to drive because it's an automatic. Aura Maria starts cooking up ideas as to how they could take the car and go out on the town at night and find good-looking men, but Inez chides her for thinking such a thing and encouraging Betty to abuse the generosity of her novio. Betty just laughs and says that she's happy because her boyfriend has loaned her the car and she wants to treat the group to lunch. Inez is happy because she didn't have money for lunch and the group is delighted at the news of the surprise treat. They head happily into the office. Staring at the car, Freddy asks Wilson if he's noticed that Betty is looking more attractive these days. Wilson agrees.
Inside, the elevator opens and the women exit. Sandra asks if Betty will have the car every day. "No, then it would be a gift," replies Betty with a grin. Inez cautions against encouraging greedy behavior. "Don't worry," says Betty. "Nícolas is generous!" Patricia looks like she's been sucking on lemons. At their desks, Sandra and Mariana continue chatting. Mariana mentions that Nícolas isn't the handsomest of men, isn't it odd how the most fea of the group… Sandra, however, thinks he looks divine, especially the way he behaves towards Betty. She speaks loudly enough for Patricia to overhear and comments on how some women rely on men to solve their problems… there's this peliteñida she knows… Nícolas is busy trying on a new suit. He asks the sales woman if this is or is not what top executives are wearing, very pleased with himself. She concurs. He tries ties on and chooses a colorful one. Betty enters Armando's office and sadly raps his empty desk. She enters her office and sits down, her face down-turned in loss and resignation. She lights the white candle and focuses on the glowing flame. She's the picture of sadness.
Outside Ecomoda, Armando and Marcela drive up in his car. Wilson is polishing the Benz. Armando exits the car and narrows his eyes as he looks at the car, tossing his keys to Wilson with the order to park his car. Marcela asks who's car it is and Wilson tells her that it's Betty's. She crows, "I told you it was a fabulous car!" to Armando who's sour face grows even more sour. "Did Betty drive it?" Wilson comments that she drove it, but not exactly well. Her novio loaned it to her, he adds. "He must be very rich to have loaned a car like this to Betty, he must have others just like it!" Marcela scores more points, "After all, neither you, nor I, nor any of our stockholders drive a car like this!" Armando looks incredibly pissed off. "What a car… what a car!" enthuses Wilson. When he notes Armando's face he adds, "Your's too, Doctor!" Mario is asking Sandra to work up some figures for him when the elevator opens and Armando exits. Armando is clearly hot under the collar and it looks like he's picked a shirt with said collar a bit snug that morning. Mario asks him if he's seen the car outside and they head into his office. Armando snidely remarks that they all have seen the car. he goes on to recount how he called Betty from outside her house, after he'd seen her arrive home, and her mother denied that she was home! Then, he saw Nícolas leave in the car. "Ah, so it's his car," says Mario. "So, what happened?" Armando is about to find out. Mario encourages him to calm down first. "Breathe? You breathe!" counters Armando angrily.
Betty is entering data and she hears the door to Armando's office slide open and twitches slightly. She doesn't look up when he enters her office, hesitantly, not until he greets her. She maintains a cool appearance and casually returns his greeting. He tells her that he tried to call her last night, but that her mother told her that she hadn't returned home yet. She tells him that she got home late, sorry, and she figured that it wouldn't be a good idea to call him on his cell phone as he would no doubt be with Doña Marcela. She has a "don't give a damn" kind of smile on her face… very passive/aggressive. He can only agree that he was with Marcela, she's right. He goes one, treading lightly. "Can I ask something, simply out of curiosity?" "Sure," says Betty. He asks her where her friend Nícolas got the car; did he borrow it or rent it? "Oh no," says Betty, very smugly, "I bought it!" This ignites Armando's fuse. "With what money?" She tells him that Terra Moda bought it. "If you bought it with Terra Moda money, then you bought it with Ecomoda money," he starts, but she counters right away. "No, it was bought with money made by Terra Moda and financed totally by Terra Moda." "Why didn't you consult with me, tell me that you were going to buy such an expensive car?!?" She slyly tells him, "You told me from the beginning that you trusted me to make all decisions for the business…" He's trapped by this. "Why in the devil did you have to buy such an expensive car? She's ready for this with her rationale that the general manager of Terra Moda must maintain his image. This adds fuel to the flames of Armando's jealous rage. "You bought this car for Nícolas Mora?!?" She calmly counters that Dr. Mora is the general manager of Terra Moda but that the car belongs to Terra Moda, not Dr. Mora. She goes on to explain that they've made some impact and it's just not appropriate for him to go about in a bus. It could be very dangerous for Terra Moda to not appear to be the type of business it is considered to be, she adds. "Then the car is the exclusive use of this man?" asks Armando. "The general manager of Terra Moda," corrects Betty, "Who in this case is Nícolas Mora. Don't worry, it stays safely in the garage of my house." Armando angrily remembers the scene of last night, Nícolas jubilantly playing with the features of the car and then driving off—clearly NOT parking it in Betty's garage. She continues, "As you can see, I drove it in today. I hope you don't mind," she adds sweetly. "You did tell me that I should buy a car." Armando's pulled up by this, "I remember that we talked about you buying a car, but not a car like this…" "Why?" asks Betty, very sharply. "Does it seem like too much car for me? "No…" "Anyway, since you are the one who suggested that Nícolas play my boyfriend, I thought it would alleviate suspicions if I said that it was his car…" Armando turns, his face grim.
Outside, Daniel drives up and Wilson opens his door. He looks over the Benz and asks who's car it is. Wilson tells him it's Doctora Beatriz' but Daniel doesn't know who that is. "Why, the assistant of the president," says Wilson. Daniel comments that he didn't know people in her position earned enough to have a car like this. "Well, it's not her car, really, it's her rich boyfriends," says Wilson. He gossips a little as to what he's heard Patricia say. Daniel walks away with an unheard insult, "If the manufacturers of this car only knew who was driving it… tsk, tsk…" In her office, Betty continues her discussion with Armando. Betty continues, "I understand that many people would find it strange that someone with my physical characteristics (self-mocking grimace) would dare to be seen in a car like this… that I wouldn't deserve it." "No, it's not that," says Armando softly, slightly shamed. "You deserve it…" "What then; aren't you satisfied with my explanation?" counters Betty, aggressively. "It's not this, I don't like what's happening with you. Why do you have to spend so much time with him. Why are you rejecting me? Buying cars without asking me? Tell me…" Betty looks startled. "Well, if you don't trust me, then I'll return it, and I'll return the business. If you're upset about this…" "No, I'm not upset about this!" shouts Armando. He gathers himself and softly apologizes, "Forgive me. I don't distrust you. I'm not talking about the business, I'm speaking about the two of us; I feel that you're distancing yourself from me and growing closer to him… I'm speaking of the two of us…" he pleads with her. Betty looks at him calmly and dismisses him, "We'll speak of this next week then, when you have time for me…" "Nooo!" roars Armando. "We need to talk now!" Betty immediately counters that it's not possible because he has a lunch date. Armando is losing his composure totally. Marcela enters Armando's office and we see her in the background. She calls to him, "Mi amor…" Armando bellows, "What!" at the interruption but immediately retracts this and starts towards her with an apologetic "mi amor". Betty looks bitterly after him, but she's happy to be done with this conversation for now.
Armando apologizes and tells Marcela that he was discussing things with Betty concerning money. "Don't worry about it, it's nothing," he reassures her. "Oh really, you're speaking of the company where I work, where I'm a stockholder?" comments Marcela cynically. He continues to reassure her and asks her what she needed. "Oh, just some stupidities, things to do with our wedding…" She turns on her heel and leaves and he chases after her. When he catches up with her he asks her what she had for him and she hands him a list of addresses of potential houses and apartments. He peruses it briefly with a fake smile and hands it too her saying that it looks great. This makes her even more annoyed, but he tries to calm her by saying that she should know that he trusts her taste even more than he trusts it himself. Marcela changes the subject, "So, did you find out where Betty's novio got the money for the car?" "Yes," says Armando cautiously, "I know the company where he works (hah! of course he does!). It's not a problem." "So, she has a legally rich novio," comments Marcela mockingly. "Hmmph!" She walks away and Armando heads into Mario's office. He shuts the door and slumps into a chair. Mario asks if he spoke with Betty and he nods his head. "What did she say?" Armando tells him that the car isn't Nícolas Mora's, it isn't a rental, Betty bought it. "What!" Mario jumps up. Armando explains that she bought it with proceeds of Terra Moda. Mario notes that technically the money is hers and Armando tells him that Betty challenged him with not trusting her and how she said that she'd return the car and the company. "Don't be stupid," advises Mario, "The creditors would descend on us!" Armando tells him he won't be stupid. What concerns him more though is how she seems changed; now he doesn't know how to manage her.
Daniel exits the elevator an is greeted surprisingly well by Patricia. He asks her if she's responding to his proposal but she furiously counters that she won't be his lover, nor for any of his friends. Daniel wastes no time mocking her for the loss of her car; it's all over Bogota. How awful… He continues his put-downs; how her legs, hair, breasts are all for nought; as is her 6 semesters of… Mariana and Sandra in passing chime in with the "de finanzas in San Marino!" She tries to counter and talks about finding a man. He leaves by telling her that she should introduce him to her when she finds him. After he leaves Patricia swears that no one is going to humiliate me; especially not that four-eyes! Daniel enters Armando's office and when he finds him not there continues into Betty's. He issues a cautious, cold, "Good day, Doctora," and she returns the greeting in kind, "Good day, Doctor." She mentions that Armando isn't in now and suggests that he sit and wait for him. This is a frightful idea to Daniel, he'd rather sit and bug Betty. He does so. He pointedly asks how things are going for the next board meeting and she tells him with a very pleased smile that she's working on it right now. He asks even more directly whether they'll have a full report this time, unlike the last board meeting. She replies that the last meeting was unusual, they'll have the full balances this time. He says, "I hope so, and I hope that they'll be real." Betty looks downright gleeful, "Oh they'll be real, very real!" Daniel remarks on her mood, "You know, you look different to me for some reason." Betty reacts to this boldly, "Really? That's funny. My mirror this morning told me that I was the same woman as always, with the same problems and same preocupations, the same fea as always…" Daniel tells her that it's not that, it's more a matter of attitude. He feels that he's speaking to a woman who's more secure; perhaps it's because of the car. He implies that she should get to used to it; the car isn't hers, it's her boyfriend's." Betty replies in a mock-joking fashion, "With total respect, Doctor, what a gossip you are!" He responds by telling her that the car doesn't suit her; she should search out a car that does. He inquires about her novio, who is he? She tells him his name. "Nícolas Mora? I don't know him… Who is he?" Betty replies cagily, "He's the general manager of a investment firm." "What business does he work for?" Betty asks him what his interest is in her personal life. Daniel speaks frankly. He knows more than almost anyone the power Betty exercises in Ecomoda and he worries who might be influencing her. She sees through him. She speaks equally frankly and accuses him (politely) of wondering if her novio's investing dirty money. "I couldn't have said it better," replies Daniel. "I see, I'm such an ugly woman to have a boyfriend like that. In other words, someone ugly, badly dressed is suspicious behind the wheel of a Mercedes Benz." Daniel's attitude is that if he doesn't know Nícolas, if he's not part of his circle of people, then he must be a crook of some sort. Betty lets him have it with both barrels. She explains tersely that it may amaze him that someone who doesn't move in his circles, go to his clubs couldn't possibly manage clean capital. She's sorry for him, but she's here to tell him that there are many, many more people out there than those who move in his circle produce more money than your type ever do. That cars like that aren't just for your type of people, but for those who work, and oh… the president of the company where my novio works is equal to the head of Ecomoda! (They're actually one and the same person!) Tomorrow: Armando's nightmare grows increasingly real and the cuartel enjoys a deluxe lunch!
12/21/00. Subject: **Summary** Thurs, DEC 21 2000*** Author: elizabeth (208.60.255.143) Date: 12-22-2000 03:43 Greetings to all, With the holidays its been a little crazy and I havent been able to post but I couldnt forget to do my summary :P So here goes: In todays episode Armando and Mario talk about Bettys strange behavior. Armando is shocked of the attitude that betty is dishing him. He is jealous!! of Nicolas and the new car that Betty bought. He even makes fun of Nicolas and the way that he talks (itwas to die for when he was imitating nico!!) Mario tells Armando that Betty is putting her neck out too & that she really has not asked for anything in return even thought that she is risking everything too. He reminds our dear doctor mendoza that he had promised betty to help her buy a car and that he never followed through. Mario explains that she deserves the car but armando is upset at the idea and doesnt understand what is going on he confides to Mario that he can not handle this new Betty! And also that what really bothers him is that he knows that betty bought the car not for herself but for nicolas. Meanwhile betty is in her office talking with Daniel. He finally shows up after a few episodes of not coming to bug armando and betty. Betty assures daniel that he will get his detailed report of the general balance of the company not to worry. Armando walks in and listens in on their conversation. Daniel walks out and tells Armando that he hears that Bettys boyfriends car is better than armandos. Armando simply replies that it is also better than Daniels car and to this Daniel says: "what matters is not the car but the content!" and leaves. Armando walks in to Bettys Vampiricave and tells her that she needs to get started in making up the fake financial report and Betty says that they have no time to talk because he is going to be late to his lunch date and that she needs to leave to and with that she walks away. She seems more confident and it is driving armando nuts..... ~: >( (armanie)
Betty meets the cuartel (today she is inviting them out to lunch and taking them in her new nave of a car) Berta walks in from the elevator and the girls question her about what the doctors told her, was she ok?? To this Berta responds that what was wrong is that she is carrying un gordito de cinco meses that she is pregnant!!! What a surprise to all,that explains all the weight she gained and that uncontrollable urge to eat everything on site!! Sofia can not join them because she has to meet with her lawyers. The cuartel leave,armanie tells calderon that Daniel was snooping around for info and that betty told daniel not to worry that she would have a detailed financial report with the general balance of the company with full detais ready for the upcoming board meeting. Armando is sweating this he is confused as to what it could all mean. Meanwhile in another part of town, Nicolas walks in to Bettys house with lots of packages(but he is walking). Roman and his gang are waiting for him and ask him where the car is Nico tells them that he is having it washed and he is picking it up later. Roman tells him that Rosaura is interested in going out with him and Nico says that he can not take her out tonight because he already has a date but to leave it for another night. Back in ecomoda auramaria tells freddye that she is going to lunch with just the girls and that he is not invited because it is a girls only, he doesnt like it but offers to take her in his motorcycle where ever she is going but she tells him that they will be going in bettys car. Armando and Mario walk out and listen in the background. Betty sees them and tells the girls to go already. Bettys car In the road with Betty!!!! .......`......~......~~~~-------_____--------______-----___------ It was pretty shacky and I wasnt in the car. But she managed to drive it, Berta and Mariana were petrified and were screaming to betty to please concentrate and drive, Auramaria was going crazy with the music touching all the buttons and popping out of the window screaming to all the papis out on the road. Armando and Mario drive next to them and Auramaria screams at them from the sunroof of the car.
Armando and Mario get to the restaurant and Armando is upset he is jealous and frustrated if you know what I mean!! Mario comments on how good auramaria is and how he is missing that. Armando feels that Betty is over reacting with everything and its his money that they used ti buy the car. They meet their client and talk business, the client asks for betty but Mario tells him that Betty is strange then corrects himself before armando does and says that she is great at finances but publicaffairs is another thing that is not her thing.. Just then Betty and the whole cuartel short sofia walk in to the same restaurant. They are at "le noir" the retaurant that Marce took betty before she left to palm beach you guys remember. Anyways Armando is like "what are they doing here??" ~:>( ????? Mario says that maybe they came to give them a message from ecomoda or something of the sort. Armando walks over and asks them what is wrong. Auramaria says that there is nothing wrong that Betty invited them to lunch and they sit down to their table. Betty informs armando that they are there to have lunch and not to worry of the check that terramoda is paying and armando says that he is not worried because of that but to please go to his table and say hello to their client who was asking about her. Beatriz por que no me cuenta de que se trata todo este juego? De que juego doctor? que es lo que le mortifica tanto? nada , solo quiero que vaya a saludar al cliente. Betty returns to her table and asks the waiter for the best champagne, the best of everything. The girls are enjoying every minute. Armando and Mario can not belave their ears when they hear the order for bettys table. Betty orders lobster for all of them only the best of everything and no less.. Auramaria is acting so loud that Inesita threatens to leave if she doesn;t behave. The waiter serves Betty the champagne and she tries it and says that it is delicious...... with that she turns back and sees Don armando and raises her cup at him and does it with such pleasure because she knows that he is suffering every minute. Auramaria offers to raise a toast for someone who has taken care of them real well to Nico!!! End of episode............... In tomorrows episode armando and mario conclude that betty is acting out as if revenge was her motive to her weird attitude. and armando feels that she must know something. Mario asks Sandra if anyone opened the blue package, she says no and then he asks her if maybe betty got to it?? She ofcourse says no. What do you guys think?????? Let me know..... I cant wait til we get to the episodes where they are making up because it hurts me to see them apart now that armando is falling in love with her. HMMmmmmmmm............................. I will try to post the summary in spanish tomorrow... :O) ely
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USA, 12/25-29/00. no episode on the 25th. Armando asks Betty to tell him to his face what is going on. She doesn't. Betty and Armando go to a ritzy place where Betty purposely embarasses him by greeting everybody, getting drunk on vodka, and being affectionate in public with him. Meanwhile Patricia and Nicolas have a hilarious date at a fancy restaurant where he makes a complete fool of himself over the menu, food, tip, and paying with cash. Betty refuses to go to a hotel for the night with Armando and leaves in a taxi. Armando and Mario again discuss what is going on. Armando writes another card and gives it to Betty. Patricia tells Marcie about the humiliating date with Nicolas, but she plans to go out with him again to get back at Betty and the cuartel, and to get her Mercedes back. Marcela is worried. The wedding invitations arrive. Armando swears to Betty that he will cancel the wedding after the annual meeting but he needs her to fix the books for him. She tells him she has to do the right books first before she can do the fixing. Betty is worried about Nicolas's taking the company checkbook and petty cash; he suggests that they should have a corporate credit card. She is not so sure
La Opinion, 12/31/00. Solo telenovelas[summary of last week] Laura M. López BETTY LA FEA KVEA Canal 52, lunes a viernes, 8:00 p.m. Mario temía que Betty hubiese visto el contenido de la bolsa que dejó para Armando antes de viajar a Miami. Si fue así, estaban perdidos y con ellos también Eco Moda. Sin embargo para salir de la duda, le preguntó a Sandra. La pobre secretaria tuvo que mentir para salvar a su amiga. Sandra le jura a su jefe que Betty nunca tuvo el paquete en su poder por lo que Mario se queda más tranquilo. Armando en cambio no entiende qué sucede con Betty. La muchacha no ha querido salir con él en los últimos días y eso a él lo tiene muy desconcertado. Siempre le pone excusas, pero la que más le desespera es cuando le dice que Nicolás pasará a recogerla. Con la presión que Mario le pone, los celos de Marcela y la negativa de Betty de no querer verlo a solas, Armando está pasando por unos momentos terribles tanto en su vida profesional como personal. Pero él cree que es tiempo de ponerle un hasta aquí a la actitud de Betty, o le dice si es que quiere terminar su relación para andar con Nicolás o definitivamente le dice cuál es el problema. Esa noche Betty había quedado de salir con las muchachas del cuartel a sabiendas que Armando quería hablar con ella. Betty por más que quiso evitar la salida con su jefe, se vio obligada a cancelar la reunión con sus amigas. Armando se puso de un humor, que Betty temió lo peor por eso aceptó, sin embargo ella eligió el lugar a donde irían. Armando quería que la tierra se lo tragara cuando ella le mencionó el sitio. Sin embargo tuvo que aceptar pues a él le interesaba hablar con Betty. Una vez en el restaurante, todo mundo, sobre todo las mujeres, se acercaban a saludar a Armando y él la presentaba como su asistente. Betty tomó unas copas de licor para darse valor y poner en marcha su plan... intentar besar a Armando en un lugar donde todo mundo lo conocía y ver la reacción de él. Y como era de suponerse, Armando evitaba el contacto. Pero para esto, ya era demasiado tarde... más de uno los miró y no faltó quien tomara nota para informarle a Marcela. Betty salió molesta del sitio para irse a su casa, pero antes, por más que quiso, no pudo resistirse a los besos que Armando le dio por la fuerza. Sin embargo reacciona y toma un taxi dejando a Armando más confundido aún. Mientras tanto, Nicolás realizaba el sueño de su vida... estar cerca de Patricia, su amor platónico. El la pasó a recoger a su departamento para llevarla al restaurante francés donde cenarían. Patricia pasaba pena tras pena con el comportamiento de Nicolás, sin embargo tuvo que soportarlo ya que estaba completamente segura que él la sacaría de esa precaria situación económica.
Lunes 11 de septiembre - Marcela le pregunta a Armando si averiguó por el novio de Betty y le dice que tiene dos apartamentos para qsue los vayan a ver. Mario le dice a Armando que esa es la noche justa para recuperar a Betty. Nicolás cambia su apariencia y le dice a los padres de Betty que ella se llevó el carro para la oficina. Armando lleva a Betty al Mesón de San Diego. Miércoles 13 de septiembre - Armando le reclama a Betty por apartarlo de su lado y ella trata de demostrarle en público lo que siente por él y no por Nicolás. Armando descubre que Betty llamó a Nicolás desde su celular. Nicolás se ve en apuros al invitar a Patricia a un costoso restaurante. Armando le hace varios reclamos a Betty quien reacciona violentamente. Jueves 14 de septiembre - Armando no logra controlarse y besa desesperadamente a Betty, quien siente que está a punto de ceder ante las solicitudes de su jefe. Patricia le hace creer a Nicolás que realmente está interesada en él. El mesero que los atiende se sorprende con una sugerencia gastronómica de Nicolás. Hermes le reclama a Betty por permitir que Nicolás "juegue" con los intereses de Terramoda. Armando se siente confundido por la actitud de Betty. Patricia invita a Nicolás a su apartamento. Viernes 15 de septiembre - Betty descubre que falta dinero en la caja menor de Terramoda, así como la chequera de la empresa. Hermes le llama la atención a Nicolás por aparentar con los bienes de la empresa. Betty le dice a Nicolás que gastó dinero invitando a sus amigas a un restaurante muy costoso. Nicolás le propone a Betty sacar una tarjeta de crédito a nombre de Terramoda.
Lunes 18 de septiembre - Patricia le cuenta a Marcela la vergüenza que le hizo pasar Nicolás en el restaurante. Armando le reclama a Betty por haberlo dejado botado la noche anterior. Patricia hace alarde de su cita ante el cuartel. Betty le pregunta a Armando si en realidad cancelará su matrimonio.
Subject: ***SUMMARY - Tuesday - 12/26/2000*** Author: Becky A. (63.44.237.236) Date: 12-27-2000 01:04 AT THE OFFICE Due to Sandra's crying, Mariana puts out a 911 call to Betty. Sandra notices Mario approaching and quickly gets up out of her chair and acts as though she is looking for something on Mariana desks. Mario notices that she has been crying and inquiries to the reason. Sandra informs him that she is ill with the flu. This answer seems to satifsy Mario as he turns his attention to the approaching Armando. Mario wants to know about Betty's reaction to the card and if Armando was able to speak to her. Armando answers that Betty's reaction to the card was that it was "nice" and she informed him that he could not take her home because she has plans with her friends. Mario asks if she is taking the car and could it possibly be that she has plans with Nicolas. Armando says no. Betty asked him if he had a problem taking El Cuartel in the Mercedes and if he did, she and El Cuartel could take the bus. Mario tells Armando that he needs to take Betty out that evening. Armando would like to know how he thinks that is possible since Marcela is home. "It is too risky", he says. He states that he doesn't have an excuse to give her. At this point the elevator opens and inside is Patricia and Marcela. Armando and Mario hurriedly begin a conversation in regards to a cocktail that Armando does not want to attend with Mario. Marcela asks if Armando has a commitment with Mario. Armando answers that he does but that he does not want to attend. Marcela is happy because she and Armando need to speak. Armando says fine and that once he returns from a client's he will go to her so that they can speak. Marcela tells Patricia that she can tell that Armando has plans for that evening. Patricia asks if she plans on ruining them. Marcela does not know. She tells her about Daniel invitation to the cocktail launching his new project. Patricia asks if she plans on inviting Armando. Marcela asks if Patricia will attend the event if Armando refuses. "Me!", Patricia answers. She tells Marcela that she wouldn't attend even if she were dead. Marcela begs her. Patricia tells her that she has been invited to dinner and she does not plan to cancel. Marcela wants to know who invited her. Patricia does not want to answers and has a big smile on her face. Marcela begs for her to answer her question. At that moment, Betty passes by on her way to Sandra's desk. Patricia tells Marcela that the invitation is from Nicolas Mora. Right away the look on Marcela's face changes and it is obvious that she is not happy with the news. Marcela wants to know what she is talking about. Patricia tells her that she plans on taking Betty's boyfriend away from her. Marcela graps Patricia by the hand and takes her to her office.
AT SANDRA'S DESK Betty wants to know what is occurring. Sandra tells her about her conversation with Mario. Betty tells her not to worry that she could not keep promises to both of them. She thanks her for keeping her promise to her. Mariana wants to know what was in the package that Mario is so worried that she might have seen it. Betty says that she does not know, but it must have very important and that is why she returned it. Betty says the subject is closed. Mariana tells Sandra that her intuition tells her that Betty knows what was in the package.
IN FRONT OF ARMANDO'S OFFICE Jenny is speaking Efrain and is telling him that she is upset with him and that she is going to have to shut off her cellular telephone. Sophia, Aura Maria (wearing sunglasses, Sandra and Mariana approch where Jenny is standing. Jenny tells Efrain to hold and greets Sophia. She tells Efrian that she greeted Sophia because she knows decency and that she is calm. Sophia is excited because theere is a possibility that she may get to keep her house. She is even more excited because Efrain has not bothered to pay another dollar of support. She tells El Cuartel that la pupuchurra may be looking for Efrain's pajamas that have strips. Since he has not paid support there is a possiblity that he could be put in jail. El Cuartel is filled with excitement. Aura Maria gets excited and starts her regular screaming and says that they will have to go and celebrate and that Betty can take them in the Mercedes. As Aura Maria is telling her plans, jumping up and down, Freddy approaches from behind without Aura Maria noticing him. Bertha tries to warn her but she does not pay attention. Freddy wants to know if she plans on going out and in Betty's car. She tells him that they are just going out so that Mariana can read their cards. She puts her arms around him and he takes them off and walks away. She follows him and wants to know why he is upset. He tells her that she is going crazy over Betty's car. She says that she is not. Freddy tells Aura Maria that now that she has a friend that has Mercedes she is ashamed of having a boyfriend that is a messenger. She tells him that it is not so and for him not to make things up. She tells him that some of the girls are having problems and that Mariana is just going to read their cards. He tells her that when she arrived he was surrounded by three models, however, he left them to give her an official kiss as her boyfriend. He tells her to have Mariana read her cards well because he is sure that there will be no Freddy in those cards. He tells her that she is hiding something behind the dark glasses. Aura Maria jumps in Betty's office and wants to know what time they will be leaving. Betty stares. Aura Maria asks if she has forgotten about the card readings. Betty tells her that they will leave around 6:00. Aura Maria asks if she as advised her boyfriend of her plans. Betty says no. Aura Maria asks if he might not give permission and if he gets jealous. Betty says no and that she and Nicolas have a modern relationship. Aura Maria gives Betty her version of the plans for the evening. After the card readings, they will drop off Sofia and Inesita at their respective homes. Afterwards, with the car that they have they will be able to pick up any guy that they want. Betty tells her that she had not of that. Betty looks worried. Aura Maria tells her that she is charge of driving and to leave the rest to her.
IN MARCELA'S OFFICE Patricia is telling Marcela that Nicolas kept calling and insisting that she go out with him until she could no longer turn him down. Marcela says that she cannot go out with him because he is Betty's boyfriend. Patricia says that she is not going to let that group of witches make fun of her. She tells her that she is not the one the one that they make fun of and throw it in her face about his wealth, his having a business and cars. Marcela tells her that they may be witches but she is stupid. She tells her that the only reason that she is going out with him is so that he can solve her financial problems. Patricia looks shooked. She tells her that her suggestion makes her ill. She tells her that she shouldn't answer her and it's if Marcela doesn't know her. Marcela tells her that she does know her. Patricia tells her that they are just going out to dinner and all that she plans on doing is to flirt, put him down on her feet and then goodbye. She says that she has to do it to show El Cuartel that they cannot make fun of her. Marcela tells her that she does not like what she is planning. Patricia tells her that she doesn't care that she is going to go out with him. Patricia wants to know why is on Betty's side if Betty is her worst enemy. Marcela answers that what she is doing is not right. Marcela asks what time they plan on going out. Patricia gets all excited and starts swinging her hair when she tells her of their plans. She says that she is going to look "divina". She then asks Marcela to lend her one of the outfits that she brought back from Palm Beach.
BETTY'S OFFICE Nicolas calls and wants to know when Betty is coming home. Betty tells him that she will be leaving soon. He lies to her and tells her that he will go and pick up the car at her house in order to put it in his mother's store room. Betty tells him that she will not be going straight home. Nicolas gets excited and wants to know why. Betty tells him that she is going out with her friends. He tells her that she can't do that. Betty wants to know why. He tells her that she cannot drive well willand that her father will be upset with her. (As he is telling Betty this he is looking at Patricia's picture and caressing it with a brush.) Betty tells him that she can always leave the car in the company's parking garage. Nicolas says no that it won't be safe. Betty asks how would he know. Betty wants to know what is going on. Nicolas tells her that he is worried about her. Betty adds, "and the car". Nicolas tells her that is not so. Betty tells him that if she arrives home early she will call him. Nicolas turns to Patricia's picture and tells her that they have serious problems. He tells the picture that he doesn't think that she would ride a bus. He tells it not to worry that he will come up with something and that he does not plan on not making the date. He takes her picture to the mirror and kisses it.
BY SANDRA AND MARIANA'S DESKS Marcela comes by and asks for Armando. Mariana answers that he is stillin product. Patricia is getting ready to go home. She tells Marcela that she plans on taking a taxi and borrows money from Marcela to pay for it. As Marcela is giving it to her she tells her to be careful with what she does. Armando and Mario arrive and Marcela tells him that Daniel invited them to a cocktail party. Armando wants to know if he was invited. Marcela says that she would like for him to go with her. Armando tells her to go ahead and they will meet up later. After Marcela leaves Mario tells Armando that this is his opporunity to take Betty out.
BETTY'S OFFICE Betty is talking to Aura Maria and is telling her that she will be leaving shortly. As she is talking Armando walks in and after Betty hangs up he tells her to break her commitment with her friends. Betty asks, "What?" She reminds him that she had told him about her previous engagement and that she has a car so there is no need for him to drive her home. He tells her to cancel it that they are leaving. She tells him that it would be best if they left it for next week. Armando approaches her desk and sits down. He tells her that he knows that she has a car, but that they need to talk. She begins to interrupt him and he gets upset and starts yelling. He tells her that they need to talk and that they will find a place to ptalk. He tells her that she needs to make him her priority, not Nicolas or her friends. He says that if she no longer wants anything to do with him that she needs to tell him so to his face. He tells her that she has to have respect for what they have. While Armando speaks, Betty just stares. She tells him that he is going to have problems with Marcela. He answers that Marcela will be HIS problem and that he has already made arrangements with her. He tells her that he will not accept any excuse and that he has been trying to speak to her for a long time. Betty won't look at him. He tells her that if she wants to stay quite, that is fine. He will take that as a signal that she no longer wants anything to do with him and that they will both go their own ways. She can do whatever she likes. Betty begins to talk with a firmer voice. She asks him if it bothers him that she may keep his company and spend his money. He tells her that he will not respond and tells her that they need to go somewhere else to talk. Betty gets out of her chair and tells him that she will return his company. She tells him that she will call Nicolas and tell him to bring all the books. Armando wants to know if he will now have to discuss their relationship with Nicolas. He says to call him. He is sure that Betty has told him everything that is going on between them and broken her promises to him. Betty turns around and says, "Oh, I am the one who has broken all the promises. I'm the one deceiving you". Armando and Betty stare at each other. Armando wants to know what he is suppose to think with everything that she is doing to him. He asks once more that they go somewhere to talk. Betty tells him that she will cancel her commitment and that they will leave. Armando very upset gets up and leaves. After he turns around Betty sticks out her tongue at him and then focuses on her candle.
IN ARMANDO'S OFFICE Marcela comes in to say goodbye. Marcela wants to know if he found out anything about Betty's boyfriend because Daniel was worried about the Mercedes. Armando tells him that he has already checked him out and for her and Daniel to calm down because everything is fine. (Betty is listening to all of this in her office.) Marcela wants him to go look at some apartments the next day. She kisses him goodbye and he does not return the kiss. Marcela tells him that he does not have much longer to get the other woman out of his system or her.
BETTY'S OFFICE Armando walks in and asks if she is ready to leave. Betty tells him to go ahead and leave and that she will be leaving soon. He looks puzzled. She tells him that he has his car and she has hers. He asks if she means that they will be leaving in separate cars. She says yes. He tells her that they will be leaving together in his car. Armando leaves her no choice. Betty tells him that she needs to make a call. Mario comes in and asks to speak to Armando. They go to the conference room. Betty hangs up and goes to listen to the conversation.
CONFERENCE ROOM Armando informs Mario that he has convinced Betty to go out with him. Mario is excited and tells him that this is the night to get Betty back. He tells him to take her out to eat, dance, make love to her. Do what is necessary. Spend any amount of money that is necessary. Make whatever sacrifice is necessary, but the monster needs to arrive at work tomorrow in love with the President. He tells him that they are running out of time and Betty needs to fix the report. Armando says that he is totally aware, but he doesn't know where to take her. Mario suggests a place that is out of the way and dark. He says that to the monster this place will seem "divino". Betty hears the whole conversation and walks off furious.
AT BETTY'S HOUSE Nicolas arrives in his new suit. He turns around so that her parents can get a good look at him. He wants to know if Betty has called and what time she plans on arriving home. Dona Julia says that they have not heard. Nicolas says that she had plans on going out with her friends. Her mother says that she would not go without advising them. Don Hermes says that she does what she wants. He says that he is able to go pick her up but that she rather be in the Mercedes. Dona Julia asks where the car is, has it be stolen. Nicolas says no, that it is worse. Betty took it to work. Don Hermes wants to know how irresponsible can he be. Betty calls home to let her parents know that she will be late. Nicolas wants to know what time she will be home. He asks that she come home soon. Betty tells her mother that she will be attending a dinner with Armando. She tells them that Armando will be bringing her home and that she will leave the car in the parking garage. Nicolas rushes to speak to her and to tell her that he will pick it up. Armando comes for Betty. Nicolas is upset that Betty has decided to put the car in the garage. He finally convinces her to let him pick it up. Armando wants to know if there is a problem. She says no that Nicolas was worried about where she planned on leaving the car. Betty wants to ask Armando for one favor. He asks what it is and she says that she wants to pick the place. He says fine and when she mentions El Meson de San Diego he refuses. He tells her that it is a restuarant where his class of people go to, people that are his friends, people that know both him and Marcela. She asks what is the problem, won't they just go to talk. He says yes, but that he wants something more intimate. She tells him that she doesn't care to go to one of those dark dance clubs that he always picks. Besides, she had plans to go out to a nice place with her friends. She tells him that it would be best if they wait until next week when she is in a better mood. She tells him that she understands how uncomfortable and embarrassing it must be for him to go to a place like that with someone like her. He agrees to go to the restaurant.
IN THE LOBBY El Cuartel is waiting for Betty. Aura Maria is ready to go. Betty tells her that she needs to accompany Armando to a meeting. Aura Maria is upset that Betty will leave them all dressed and no where to go. Armando is just staring at Aura Maria. Inesita says that she thinks it is best. She did not like the idea of going in that car at night. Aura Maria wants to know what car Betty will be going in. Betty says Armando's. Aura Maria gets excited and asks to borrow the car. El Cuartel starts in on Aura Maria. Sophia tells her to start walking because she has her son at home. Freddy comes out of the elevator and wants to know what is going on. Aura Maria rushes to his side and tells him that she told El Cuartel that they should go out some other evening because she wanted to be with him. Freddy falls for the story.
AT BETTY'S HOUSE Nicolas is very impatient adn is pounding the table. Dona Julia offers him something to eat. He tells her no because he has a good dinner waiting for him. SHe notices what he said and tells him that he has dinner waiting at home for him. After Betty's parents leave the room he takes out Patricia's picture and kisses it and gets some money.
IN PATRICIA'S BATHROOM Patricia is talking to her father about her date. She's wearing a short, tight, black leather top and skirt combing her hair. She tells him that he works for a solid company and that he has money.
Subject: *** Summary: Wed. 12/27/2000 *** Author: Robin N (157.198.3.49) Date: 12-28-2000 17:36 It's big date night for Nícolas and he's off to Ecomoda to collect the Benz. He approaches the building and Wilson looks him over. Nícolas first shows off with a fake phone call and then introduces himself and his purpose, but Wilson makes him prove that he is who he says he is. Nícolas shows him his ID, noting that the photo is from when he was "poor". He shows off his watch and Wilson asks if it's a toy. However, Wilson is impressed with the Benz's remote control—though Nícolas only manages to open the trunk! He asks Wilson to shut it and he hops to it. Nícolas tells him that he Betty will give him a tip tomorrow and enters the car and is off to dreamland, coattail dragging out the door! Armando and Betty pull up in front of the nightclub — he with his long-suffering look and her noting it quite clearly — he notes that the place is crawling with "his kind of people" and he tries to put her off. She tells him to trust in her good luck. Some goofy mime in sparkly whiteface and zebra-topped hat opens the door for her. Armando gets out and scarcely waits for her to join him before he enters the outside terrace of the club. He's greeted left and right and he pretends as if he's alone, not introducing Betty. She gets fed up with this after the first 4 or 5 people and shows him up by introducing herself. Armando cringes — he doesn't even have the grace to look shamed by his behavior… yet.
Inside, they're seated at a nice table. It's bright, well lit, and a trio of men are singing/playing a light rock/pop type song. Armando takes a seat and doesn't pull out the chair for Betty. She looks at him, disapprovingly. "Sit down, please," he tells her abruptly, and she pauses, "Betty, sit down…" chides Armando. Before she does — the waiter has pulled out the chair for her — she asks Armando if he'll loan her his cell phone. He looks annoyed at the request, "Why do you want it? What now, Beatriz?" "I need to call home," she responds. He looks suspiciously at her as he pulls it from his back pocket and hands it over. She leaves and he orders a whisky, for now. Nícolas, meanwhile, has pulled up in front of Patricia's apartment building and is calling her to let her know he's arrived. While he's waiting for her, he does a quick check of his "date-worthiness." He sniffs his pits and dusts them with some talcum powder he handily has in the glove box of the car; and then dusts his shoes liberally also. Next is some cologne, which he dabs on with his fingers. He checks his breath and finds that he could use a mint, but with no mints at hand, he takes a swig of the cologne. It's nasty, but he persists and decides he needs more freshening so he takes a bigger swig and spits out the excess out the car door. The cell phone rings, startling him, and it's Betty. She is in full panic mode and pleads with him to come to the club to pick her up. "What?!?" he exclaims. "Why?" "Nícolas, come and take me away from her, I don't know what to say to you…" "Wait, Betty, who are you with, where are you?" "With Don Armando," she tells him. "He asked that we go out tonight to speak about us," she continues. She tells Nícolas how Armando proposed that they go to one of the usual out of the way places and how she told him that she didn't want to do that — she wanted to make him suffer — and she asked him to bring her to this exclusive club. "But since we've entered he's been greeted by all these people and he hasn't introduced me to anyone," she complains, clearly upset by Armando's behavior. Nícolas sees things clearly, "Sorry, but you're being very stupid. Think of all the things he's done to humiliate you. Remember what the letter said, how he's suffered. No, what are you thinking?" Betty is near tears, "I only wanted to make him uncomfortable a bit, but to also respect me… It's to speak of business and what's happening between us, but I wanted to do it in a nice place. But I was wrong… Take me away from here, Nícolas! I want to go! If you won't come for me, I'll take a taxi!" He encourages her to wait a minute. He stretches out in the Benz and elaborates. "It seems like an interesting plan." He reminds her that they're together and this is an opportunity to make Armando suffer her company as a fea. "Remember?" "Yes," says a tearful Betty. He continues and tells her Laying it on thick — that he's gotten home, he's putting on his pajamas (yawn) and he's going to bed. She tells him that she'll call him later at home, knowing she's really stuck with going ahead with her plan, but he tells her to use the cell phone — so as to not disturb mama. She pulls herself together and heads out to Armando.
Back to Nícolas' date preparations. He takes a Q-tip from his breast pocket and swabs out the ears, and then (brace yourselves) he puts the used swab back in his pocket! Finally, he blows his nose and checks the nostrils to make sure that no boogers lurk, then tucks the tissue up his sleeve. He's just finished up when he sees Patricia standing outside the building. He's struck dumb by how great she looks — better than in his photo. He hops out of the car and greets her. She puts on full vamp mode and when he offers his hand to shake she steps forward and plants a kiss on his cheek. He'll never wash his face again! He opens the door and she gets in. Inside the car, she asks if she was late and he says no. She holds her fingers to her nose because of his cologne-breath. He tells her that he gave his chauffeur the night off because he likes to drive and they're so indiscreet. She asks where they will go and he tells her he can't decide because he's so demanding. She suggests Ile l'Noir and he concurs, but needs to ask her how to get there. She looks at him peculiarly. Back at the club, Betty returns to the table and hands Armando his phone. He asks how it went and she says, "Good, you know how my father is." He asks her to sit and she thanks him again and apologizes for the delay. The waiter asks her what she'd like to drink and Armando begins to order her usual jugo de mora, but Betty interrupts and tells the waiter she'd like a vodka, straight up. This surprises Armando and he notes the order. "Vodka? I didn't think you drank? Why vodka?" "Well, Doctor, as I've never been to a place like this before, it seems to me a good occasion to have a vodka. Isn't that so?" (Slightly evil grin on her face). He replies, a pained look on his face, "Yes… of course…"
Patricia is instructing Nícolas on how to get to Ile l'Noir. He puts on some music ("Andiamo" from "la Boheme") at full blast. He asks if she likes it, but it's too loud. She asks him to turn it down. She next asks him what Betty thinks about him being out. He tells her that he told her that he had a business meeting, besides, she's involved in something for Ecomoda. Armando starts to broach the topics in front of him: he wants to know what crime he's committed for her to treat him with such distance. She stares at him with a fixed smile. It's given him such fear and he hopes that they'll leave, "Pues… bien," he says, with a shy smile. He offers up a toast, for business and for their night. She lifts her glass and drains it, to his amazement, then orders another. "Betty! What are you doing?" "I was toasting us… for our night together… (haw haw)!" He wants to begin to speak about the car and Terra Moda and them, but a woman comes up behind him and greets him effusively. She kisses him and flirts, "Don't tell me you're married yet?" He says that he nearly is and she tells him to drop his fiancée and marry her instead. He looks awkwardly at Betty and Betty looks daggers with her eyes and polite smile on her lips at the two. He introduces Betty as his assistant and the woman dismissively says, "a pleasure" and turns back to Armando. Betty, takes things further and replies with the unanticipated, "It's a pleasure... We're delighted to have you here!" making her point that she's actually sitting at the table with Armando. The flirt teases him and tells him to call her before he marries and Betty takes action by calling for the waiter. "Am I interrupting something?" asks the flirt. Armando explains that he and his assistant were speaking of work. The flirt finds this a horrible topic for a night out but new NAI (New and Improved) Betty puts forth her opinion, "But we enjoy it (talking about business) so much!" The flirt graciously gets the hint and takes her leave. Betty, however, gets the last word, "Hasta luego. Fue un placer para conocerte... Qué te vuelvas..." Armando looks troubled/Betty looks grim. "What shame..." remarks Betty, pointedly, "Do you want to go to a more discreet place?" Armando hastily remarks — and he looks a little as if he means it for a change; "No, there's no need for that. We're fine here." The waiter brings her next vodka and she knocks this one back too. He's concerned that she's drinking so fast, but she just explains that it's just because she's so happy to be with him, that, "At last we're having our night!" He chuckles low and awkwardly, "Me too, I'm content too." They listen to the lead singer. "I have a world of my own, I'm going to share it... This is my world... my world..." Betty asks if he's listening to the music (but are you hearing the words?) and he apologetically confesses that he was a bit.
Back to the uncomfortable topics... He starts again and another woman kisses him hello. He starts again on the topic of her salary. He wants to give her the raise that he'd promised her commensurate with her responsibilities but she so rightly tells him that Ecomoda can't afford to pay her what she's worth: Ecomoda can't pay her for what she does with Terra Moda. Ecomoda can't pay her create illegal figures. He's startled by this frankness and looks at her, head tilted to one side, and tries another tack. "Yes, but you could draw a salary from Terra Moda." "That would be unjust," she responds. "I really don't do anything with Terra Moda. The one who does is Nícolas Mora, who works full time for Terra Moda and I've already arranged a salary for him." Armando is clearly uncomfortable but trying not to start anything, "Oh, you've fixed one (a salary for Nícolas), good." He suggests that perhaps she should receive a commission if not a salary but she tells him not to think of it. This topic's at a dead-end so he starts in on the car. He tells her that he knows he promised to get her a car and he's sorry that he didn't before. She tells him that she's more than happy with the Benz, "If you're not satisfied that I stick with the Mercedes, I could..." Armando sees a slippery slope ahead and starts retracting, "Nooo... It's perfect for you to have this car. " Betty has a strange, fixed expression on her face. He goes on to tell her that he's in accord with her expenditures, such as for the luncheon she hosted with the cuartel. He'd perhaps like to suggest a figure for these types of expenses. She tells him not to worry, she and Nícolas have already calculated how much they have available for these types of expenses. "However, if you'd like to discuss them, or have us lower this monthly expense..." Betty suggests, very passive/aggressive in tone. He can do nothing but agree. They listen again to the music again for a bit. Armando speaks again, "You make a good team with Nícolas" "Yes, yes," smiles Betty. Armando hesitantly puts forth that he's glad that Nícolas didn't come pick her up this night, that she would make him a gift of this night together. Betty smiles and tells him not to worry about Nícolas, he should be in bed by now. "Health, to the two of us!" She drinks down her third vodka, to Armando's chagrin.
Nícolas and Patricia are close to the restaurant and now he pretends to recall where he is. He drives up and gets out, shaking off the excess powder. He calls to the doorman to hurry up and open her door. She exits as slinkily as possible and Nícolas follows her up the steps as geeky as they come. At the top, he tries to lock the car with his remote but only starts the alarm. He succeeds with the next try. He tells the doorman to keep an eye on the car and wait for the tip. Inside, the maitre d' greets her and tells Patricia he hasn't seen her in a while. She pretends that the work has kept her too busy to come. The maitre'd mentions that some of her company was there for lunch. Patricia looks a little sour and Nícolas a little surprised. She wonders if he knows that Betty said that he was paying and he expansively that he's very generous with her. The maitre'd asks if they have a reservation and when they don't, Nícolas acts like a jerk implying that he's an important person, whipping out his card, that they should have a table for him, and Patricia just looks pleadingly at him. For her, he leads the odd couple to a table. Nícolas sits right down (shades of Armando!) while Patricia stands waiting, surprised at his ill manners. Nícolas tells the maitre'd to pull out her chair and hurry up. He asks Nícolas if he can take his trench coat, but Nícolas tells him he'll leave it on. The waiter asks if they'd like something to drink. Nícolas wants to impress her and tells her to order whatever... champagne. "No, it seems too extravagant... " she purrs. She counters with cognac and Nícolas says that he was thinking the same thing. "We're of identical minds," he says gleefully, "Joven, bring us a bottle of your best cognac... oh and two glasses!" Startled, the maitre d' can only comply. "Venga, venga, venga... ¡y rapidito!" calls Nícolas. Patricia looks embarrassed, but it's clear that she's thinking this is going to be easy, hooking a yokel like Nícolas.
Back at the club... They're pensive, listening to the music. Armando says that he doesn't want their dealings with Terra Moda and Ecomoda to compromise their relationship. "I've been very worried by what's been going on lately, Beatriz." She stares fixedly at the musicians, swaying lightly to the music . "It's not just that, during these days, I haven't been able to sleep." Someone passes behind him and he's momentarily distracted. Betty chuckles, perhaps at the idea of a sleepless Armando. He wants to clarify things between them, they have to talk. All the other stuff — the car, the expense, etc. — that's all clear between them, right. Betty nods her head goofily, the drink clearly affecting her. "Clear, Doctor, very clear!" Armando wants to proceed. "What is happened between the two of us?" He gestures with his hands and she says, "Naaaadaaaa, Doctooor...," and reaches out to caress his wrist affectionately. "We're very well..." She caresses his hands further and he looks at her hand on his and tries to move his hand away without appearing to. He pulls back to rub his chin, "I don't think we're that well (tucks his hands under his arms), because things have been very difficult, you've been very strange with me (she fixes a knowing smile on him). Besides, you've wanted to be more with Nícolas Mora than with me..." he complains. "What's happened?" He gestures again with his hands and she playfully reaches out to caress his hand again, grinning broadly. "Where did you get that idea, Doctor?" she laughs. He extricates his hands and says, "Don't play, Beatriz! Don't play!" He insists that she explain what's going on with her and Nícolas Mora. "Naadaaa, Doctor! How could you think so?" Haw haw. He fixes her with a look. He starts to make a point, bringing his hands forward, but catches himself and tucks them back under his arms so that she can't play with his fingers again. "You remember that once you told me that you loved me... do you remember?" He pauses, "Have you forgotten it?" Betty hangs her head, chin in her hand, eyes down. He looks at her with a slightly hurt look, "Do you not love me now?" She looks away. "Tell me, because I need to know, Beatriz." He oozes sincerity — dare we believe him? She thinks for several long seconds, then turns resolutely to look him in the face, "No, Doctor, I still love you (laugh)." He looks down, as if to hide his relief, "You're going to have to forgive me, but I don't believe you," he continues. Oh, the look in her eyes...! "Ah no?" she asks him. He pulls his head up proudly and looks away. She gets up from her chair opposite and takes the seat next to him, pulling up closely. She runs her fingers up his arm and starts to pull closer. "What are you doing, Beatriz?" he asks in mild alarm. "I'm going to show you that I love you, Doctor." She pulls in for a kiss. "Nooo..." he pulls back, voice rising in denial. Betty responds in frustration, "But how do you want me to show you that I love you? You act so evasive with me!" Laugh, laugh. He looks a little startled at this, worried that the people behind them may have noticed them, "Look," he begins and another girl kisses him hello and dashes off. He starts again, "Look, we're in a place were people know me; we can't do anything here and you know it!" She laughs drunkenly, "I forgot! I forgot that you can only be affectionate with me in hidden little getaways, in dark corners..." She laughs again. "It's not for you, Beatriz, it's for Marcela," he says, teeth clenched. "Of course it's for Doña Marcela... but, you've been with many other women in places like this one and it never mattered to you before." Armando tells her that that was different. "Very different," responds Betty with alacrity, "because you had been there with very beautiful women. And this isn't prestigious, this doesn't damage your record. On the contrary, the people applaud you. On the other hand, with me you run all the risk with Do–a Marcela," Betty is mocking and he looks hurt by what she's saying. She continues to say that what really troubles him isn't Marcela knowing he's affectionate with her, but that the people there see them. THAT would hurt his image." He impulsively responds, "Don't say that, it's not true." (Is this the Armando who comforted Betty in Mario's apartment and made love truly?) Betty replies, cynically, "No? In truth?" she grabs his neck and he flinches. She pulls back. "Isn't you that's behaving strangely in all this, Doctor?" He starts to panic and begs that she stop playing, let him take her home, to some other place, so that they can discuss this. She won't let him off the hook and continues to mock herself and him; she notes that the places he always takes her are dark, "Of course that's better for him because he doesn't have to see whom he's kissing!" He's really startled by this and her drunken, self-deprecating laugh. Armando tells her that they'd agreed on meeting in dark places, but she's right back at him by reminding him that when he finishes with Marcela they wouldn't hide anymore. He quickly replies that that's true but he's not finished with Marcela and he sees her every day in the light. "Sure, Doctor! In the light of my office!" mocks Betty. He gives her a quick look to interpret this latest comment. He reminds her that he's offered her another office several times but she's turned him down. She seizes on this, "Yes, to stay closer to you!" "Look, Beatriz, you can punish me for the darkness, not for neglect." He tells her that the dark is for her benefit, she laughs and he tells her that she can laugh if she wishes, for when it's dark, he feels her most, in his heart. She stops laughing, "This love of ours, Doctor, is going to turn into vampire love! (laugh) Because it ceases with the sun..." She continues be agreeing that the darkness is inherent to the nature of their relationship, she understands well enough, don't worry. Armando responds with hurt in his voice that he doesn't feel that they're resolving things. He presses on that the clandestine nature of their relationship doesn't alter how he feels, what he loves... that he loves her, he pauses for effect. "That I love you... But I feel that there's something else separating us!" "Then," responds Betty, "What is it?" "Everything you've done, all of your moods towards me has a name: Nícolas Mora." "Nícolas?" laughs Betty incredulously. "Yes. Why are you laughing? Just when you changed towards me he appeared." He recounts the many recent occasions when Nícolas has intruded between them, particularly getting angry when he mentions the changing of dates with him. Betty is enjoying this. She leans back and with a big grin says, "So, you insist that I have something going with Nícolas?" Armando tells her that he does and she laughs quietly. "Do you believe that what I feel for Nícolas is more important that what I feel for you?" He stares at her penetratingly. She leans over and draws close to him, pulling him to her lips. "Will you help me prove that that's not so?" she asks. "How can I do that?" he responds furtively. "Kiss me, kiss me a lot," she says. He resists with his eyes only, rolling them the way he did when he first kissed her. Before they can hit full liplock mode, his cell phone rings. "Damn it!" he says, in relief. "It's Marcela." He excuses himself to answer it in the bathroom.
In the bathroom, he speaks faux-sweetly to Marcela, telling her where he is, how long he'll be, asking where she is, etc., and signs off, "Besos!" Then he gets the idea to check whether or not Betty actually called home. He reviews the numbers dialed on his phone and discovers that her call wasn't to her home number...!
Subject: Summary For Thursday Night, 12/28/00 Author: Gea (206.25.182.191) Date: 12-29-2000 11:29 Summary for Thursday December 28, 2000 Niki and Patty are seated in the expensive restaurant, chatting. He still has his overcoat on. Patty asks Niki what TerraModa does, and he responds that they do investments over the internet. She says that she is very interested in anything involving the market, (of course, anything involving money would be interesting to her.) She asks what kind of food he likes, and he turns the question on her. She talks about all sorts of foreign food, Italian, Japanese, especially the wok, and goes on and on. He says he likes all of those too, see, they have so much in common. Then a phone rings. He says it must be hers, and she says no, it must be his. He tries to ignore it, but it continues to ring, so he excuses himself awkwardly from the table and goes to the restroom to answer it. He looks at the numbers, recognizing them as Armando's phone and says, oh, no, it must be Betty, and prepares to pretend that he is home, practicing yawning, etc., before answering. Armando speaks in a high pitched voice, saying "I think I have the wrong number, who is this?" "Nicholas Mora, who is this?" Armando hangs up and gets very upset, talking to himself in the mirror. "Nicholas Mora, Nicholas Mora, - -oh, so we know what you have been doing. You want to play, okay, we'll play" The waiter comes to the table and asks if Patty and Nicholas are ready to eat, Patty says that she doesn't have much "Fam", but if he is ready, and he responds that he is starving, and can't wait to eat. They look at the menus together, and it is clear that Nicholas doesn't recognize anything. Patty asks what dishes he likes, and Nicholas says, oh, all of them, as he flips through the pages, hurriedly, looking for something familiar. She suggests some dishes, including oysters or scallops on the ½ shell. Then the waiter asks about the wine, and Nicholas has no idea what should go with anything, so Patty steps in and suggests white wine, and he goes along with that.
He heads back to the table and Betty is turned away from his direction, listening to the band with her chin in her hand. He sits down, but still she doesn't notice him, so he clears his throat. She asks him if he has to go, and he says no, why? She responds that he was gone so long she thought he had a problem with Marcela. He said that she was gone longer, and she said no, she didn't think so, but maybe it seemed like it because she missed him so much. He repeated no, and asked her to remind him of where they were. She says that she was going to show him how much she loves him, that she feels nothing for Nicholas, wraps one arm around his neck and leans in very close. He doesn't move away, instead looks directly at her and says really, she doesn't feel anything for Nicholas? Then why did she lie to him and say she was calling her house when she was calling Nicholas instead, huh? What is that about! She is deceiving him. She pulls away and says for him not to shout at her. He responds that she is acting shamelessly. " I am shameless?" she questions. She says that he has offended her and she is not going to take it, and she gets up to leave. He grabs her arm, and pulls her close to him, saying that she will stay, but she responds that he is making a scene, that these are his people, his group, that she doesn't care what they think of her, but he cares what they think of him. She then pushes past her, and he follows after her, saying "Beatriz", one of his associates sees him on the way out, so he says hello without slowing down. She is moving at a rapid clip down the street when he catches up to her and says that she has to talk to him, she can't leave. They can go back in and sit down and work everything out. She says, back in there, why? So he can reject and humiliate and ignore her again, because he is ashamed to be seen with her? He says that she shouldn't say that, it isn't true, she insists that it is. He insists that she is behaving disgracefully, and she says, how, because I am going around with two guys? He says, so then its over, we're finished? She says, unless you are willing to share me, because I am inclined to share myself. That's just the kind of woman I am. He backs off and says, okay, so I made a mistake, I made a mistake, but this situation is making me crazy. You were teasing me in there, teasing and tempting me to kiss you, I need to kiss you. He grabs her and tries to kiss her, and she pulls away, and says no. He says I am dying to kiss you, dying, and he reaches for her again, stealing a brief kiss. No, she says, are you crazy. Yes, he responds, crazy for you, and I am going to kiss you. She says no, don't do it, and turns her head away. He grasps her chin and pulls her face towards his, firmly, and kisses her. She resists a little at first, then gives in. When they break, she pulls away and he tells her that he will make her forget Nicholas, he deserves her more because he loves and desires her, and kisses her again, but this time she doesn't respond. He pulls away and asks what is wrong, and she replies that she has to go. He says where? She says home. She turns and runs to catch a taxi, and waves goodbye - -Goodnight Doctor. Beatriz, wait, and he is standing next to her and shutting the door to prevent her from getting in, and he leans into her space. Don't get in, stay with me, we can go somewhere, somewhere where we can be alone, where I can show you how much I love and desire you. Where we can spend the night, the whole night together. She says that she has to go. He says, didn't you hear what I said? She responds, yes, Doctor, I heard you, and looking him directly in the eye, adds, but I don't want to be with you, I don't desire you. He releases her and she gets in the taxi and leaves. Patty and Nicholas are receiving various plates of food, and as each one comes, Nicholas asks what it is, and the waiter says, it is what they ordered. The first plate (either oysters or scallops on the ½ shell, I forget which), floors him, and Patricia holds one of the ½ shells up for him to take. She is reaching for a fork, when he slups it directly out of the shell. This is the beginning of the end. Then the rest of the meal comes, I forget what it was, but Nicholas doesn't recognize this either, and asks what it is. Then, when he realizes that this is the main course, and is dismayed because, on par with most expensive restaurants, there is not much food on the plate, and he is hungry. He then proceeds to order lots of more filling dishes, including fried potatoes(I think). Patty is trying not to laugh at him, while feeling horrified at the same time. And he keeps referring to the waiter as joven, even though the waiter is probably older than he is. He also snaps his fingers and waves his hand around a lot in an affected, in charge manner. Nicholas asks Patty if she lives with her mother, her father, a friend, or (gulp of discomfort) her boyfriend. She responds that she lives alone. She turns the question on him, and he responds that he too lives alone, but we see his squirm of discomfort, and we are reminded that he lives with his mother. Patty then asks if Niki and Betty are going to get married, and he responds no, gosh no. She says that they seem very attached, and he responds no, not at all, it is a very independent relationship. She says that they must be very much in love, though, because he is so attentive and calls her all the time, gives her detalles, and lends her his car. He responds that a man doesn't have to be in love to do that, and she says no? (You can see the calculator working in her brain). She tries to finagle the car, but Niki says he couldn't possibly, because he promised it to Betty. Patty then tries to secure his help in getting her car out of lockup, going on and on about how the embargo was a matter of bad luck. Niki alludes to being able to help her with that without promising anything. "I'm sure I can find a way to help." Patty - - Really, oh, how nice, I am so glad I met you. A toast to us! Betty comes in the door, trying to tiptoe in, and is ambushed by her father in the blanket. He gives her the usual questions about how she got home, she says in taxi but accompanied. He asks if she talked to Armando about the car, and she replies yes, and that he is fine with everything. Armando has returned to the bar/club where they were. When the waiter asks if he wants the bill, he says no, a whisky. The musicians are singing "te amo" The bill comes, and Nicholas pulls out a big wad of bills, and begins to count them - - he doesn't know how much he has, but it isn't going to be enough. He then pulls out the Terra Moda Checkbook, and starts writing, after a big show about the risks of taking checks, and toying with the waiter by pulling it back and forth out of his reach. Patty asks why he doesn't use credit, and he says, no credit is very bad - - the bills. Patty makes faces (we know she was hoping for access). They come out of the restaurant and Niki tells the attendant to open the door for her, and that his tip is inside with the check he wrote to the restaurant. Betty is in her room, writing in her diary. She can't believe she let Nicholas talk her into staying, she thought to get revenge, but it was a disaster, a disaster. Armando is sitting in the bar, drinking alone, listening to another song, the band is singing "I miss you, I want that you had stayed with me." Betty is talking in the voiceover about how painful it is to know that he finds her repulsive, and he is touching his mouth, as if it were marked. Betty says he must be hurting for fear of his company the way she is hurting from his deception. He takes another sip, then jabs his fingers at his hair in frustration. She talks about how by now, he must be erasing all feeling of her, all memory of her with Marcela, and how she must avoid the temptation of being with him. Marcela calls, and asks what he is doing, and he replies that he is having a drink with a friend (male) and he will go back to his apartment after they are done. A friend says good night, and there are beautiful women everywhere, but he continues to drink alone. It was only her anger with him, at his reference to Nicholas being less, having less worth than he, that allowed her to pull back, and from now on she will have to keep her distance, because his skin, his kisses tempt her. She will have to keep her distance, until she can distance herself forever. When Nicholas and Patty arrive at her home, she invites him up. You can tell he is tempted, but hesitates, and she says, oh, no, of course, and goes on and on about his relationship with Betty and how she respects that. She then hops out of the car (he looks like she hit him over the head) and gives a little wave. He calls after her, wait, wait, but she continues to walk away, and then turns back for another wave. After she is out of sight, he fawns all over the seat she sat in, touching it, even smelling it (the bottom of the seat no less!!!!) It is morning and Don Hermes is complaining about not all of the skin being off of the papaya, and Dona Julia is rolling her eyes. Betty comes down, and Hermes starts in again about the car, and how even if Armando said it was okay, they shouldn't get too caught up, and Nicholas is turning into an idiot over the car and the clothes, and they shouldn't be confused about who they really were. Betty then opens the cupboard and shock! The checkbook and $$ from TerraModa are missing! She then thinks, ok, Niki probably moved them. Niki then shows up, after making lots of noise, and sits down at the table , giving Dona Julia "his usual order" and making lots of show. Hermes says that this is exactly what he was talking about, that they are both getting very caught up in all of this, and it needs to stop! Tonight: Mario is laughing at Armando for being beat out by Nicholas One of Marcy's friends tells her that Betty was very affection
Subject: SUMMARY 12/29/00 Last summary of the Year Author: sandy (63.23.69.31) Date: 12-30-2000 01:07 At Bettys HOuse Heremes tells Julia to stop being an "alcagueta" and tells her that if breakfast is in process. She says yes and they both are out of the dining room. Betty aks Nico if he has the cheks and the money of hte minor box. And he says he has been carring around with him just in case. She tells him that he should not do that. Nico tells her that they should get a credit card and he convinces her to ask for to the MOntreal bank.They both go out tot he car because Nico will take Betty to work. *** Armando is writing the "detalle" of the day . Mario comes in and asks that if "we" are ok with Betty( i noticed mario always does that we thing) Armando aswers that better than before . Mario asks id he tok her to the plaace he told him to. He says no that he took her to "el meso de san diego"Mario rreacts shocked. And Armando tells that not only was he with her ut that EVERYONE was there and he mentions a lot of names one of th4em Monica G. *** Marcela is talking in the cel phone with MONICA G. And Marcela is repeating everything se says because we so not here Monica. And she sas that Armando was with another wemoan . Apparently she describes Betty and she sayd she was really "cariñosa"(sorry bad englsh)with Armando. Marce says good bye and hangs up. *** Armando explaning with a lot of details what hapend at "el Meson" And tha Betty wanted him to kiss him A LOT . Mario asks him if he did and he says no and mario reacts happy that Armando still had some sense .They also talk about how he tried to raise her salary and that they had to only use a certain amount of money per month. He also told them that el Muelon (that is how he called Nico)and Betty had already had everythng planned. ***
Patty and Marce talk in taht momnet el cuartel comes in and Patty knows taht so she talks to talk loudly and saying that she went out to the le noir and that they did not order champagne like people who want to get notices or they were not all cracy because they had eranes a few bucks to go there and she tells her what they ate. Marce tells her that how cold she had done something like that infront of them and to go with her to her office. *** Berta starts sayng taht she would had done the same if someone had done what they did of showing of with bettys boyfriend and going to lunch to the le noir.But el cuartel says that now how are they going to put up to patty now. They decide to make a meeting of the cuartel to find out if patty is telling the truth. *** Mario is saying that Betty is trying to "probarlo" for what he is doing to her . armando corrects him and says "what we are doing"Armando tells him about the call to Nicolas and Betty telling him to kiss him after and Mario tells him that if he kissed her and he sayd yes and that he felt she loved him but that she did not want to sleep with him that she told him that she didnot want him .Mario went crazy he said that ow could she done that , he would have strangled , killed kicked her out , then he said no not that we need her. And Mario tells him that if he has the Detalle of the day he shows him . mario reads the card and he makes like 4 ahhs and then said why didn't you go to the writers meeting of something(not shure). HE is going out when he says maybe nicolas made you a favor maybe nicolas id more "dotado" tan you . Armando almost hit him. **
Betty just got to comoda and el cuartel and tells her that they have ameeting at their meeeting place. ** Patty talks acout how they went in the Mercedes and that Betty probably walkes , Marce said no that Armando took care of her by taking her to el Meso de San Diego. Patty is speechless. Marce tells patty how Monica told her that Betty was really cariñosa to Armando.Fredy comes in gives them the wedding invitations. Patty is telling Marce what a embarasing night she had at the le noir . SHe told her about the food the checks and the stamps everything stupid he did. *** Betty cpmes in to Armando s office and she ys sorry she did not know he will be in Ecomoda that early. He says its ok and that if she slept well she sayd yes and comes in to her office . SHe reads Armanndos letter and armando come in he tells her keep on reading and then when she is done he expects an answer. She says its beatiful like always tank you. He syas that he is not here for her to thank her ut to het to explain why she left yesterday and that if htey are back again ike before. The phone rings and Armando would not answer ituntil Betty told him. Betty says yes like before and she answers . Its roberto Armando talks to him and when they start talink anvout the wedding Betty coes out of her office. **This scenes where back and forth but I will just put them in one. ** Marce tlls Patty why did he took him to the le noir if he has no clas . That they knew that anyone that coukd date Betty had to have something wrong. SHe says that she knows but she was not going to go out to an ugly place . Marce says that not to lie that the only realson patty went out to the le noir is to get back at the cuartel. Daniel calls and says that he is coming to Ecomoda and Patty leaves. **
El cuartel talks about how they can find out id Patty really went tothe le noir and they decide to call the le noir and ask. Betty does not agree but the end she did say anyhting. El cuartel tells Berta todo it. **Patty calls Nico and tells him to call her in 2 minutes. ***** armando is talking to her mom and he says that Marcela and him are only marrying through the civil. ** armanmdo tells Betty that now that they are ok that she should work on the reprt. That she has to maquillarlo very well. She says yes but taht if he is really going to cancel his wedding he says yes after the meeting. SHe agrees to maquillar the repor t aand then armandos is going to walk out and returns and tells her that he loves her and she says it back. They look that they are ot convin=ced of one another. Betty lights up the candle. Freeze frame In the advance. el cuartel calls the le noir and they tell them that Patty was was with nicolas mora.
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USA 1/1-5/00. no episode on the 1st. The wedding invitations go out. Betty yells at Nicolas because of his date with Paty. He resigns. Armando questions Betty about her argument with Nicolas (he overheard the telecon). She says it was about business. Paty asks Hugo for work and he refuses. Hugo tells Jenny she won't model for him again. Upset, she goes to Gutierrez and in the middle of a tantrum takes off her top. Freddy gives her a covering. Efraim is arrested for nonpayment of alimony. Armando follows Betty and Nicolas to a restaurant. Betty and Nicolas make up, she tries to explain about Patricia. When she sees Armando in the back of the restaurant, she becomes very "loving" with Nicolas. Armando follows them home and confronts Betty. She tells him that she and Nicolas have a long-standing friendship, that she kissed him only on the cheek. Patricia invites Nicolas into her apartment, gets a call about her car (how convenient), but rejects his offer of money, kisses him then apologizes because she knows he is engaged to Betty and makes an excuse for him to leave. Afterwards, Betty makes him tell her everything and she tries, unsuccessfully, to warn him that Paty only wants his money. Armando tells Mario everything and also that he doesn't want to marry Marcela. Betty tells her father to put together a complete accounting of Terra Moda. Daniel still hasn't been able to get information on Terra Moda.
La Opinion, 1/7/01. [summary of previous week] Solo telenovelas Laura López Betty la fea KVEA Canal 52, lunes a viernes, 8:00 p.m. Los sentimientos de Betty estaban muy confundidos. En su mente, el deseo de vengarse de Armando le daba muchas vueltas y sentía que debía hacerlo. Sin embargo, en su corazón el amor le gritaba que se olvidara de todo. Con la ayuda de Nicolás, su plan estaba saliendo a la perfección y Armando se moría de celos cada vez que Betty lo mencionaba o que él pasaba a recogerla a Eco Moda para ir supuestamente a cenar a algún lado. Las muchachas del cuartel se dieron cuenta que Patricia había salido a cenar con Nicolás y al enterarse de eso, es como si el hombre las hubiera traicionado a todas. Como siempre, Bertha fue quien se encargó de hacer la investigación, llamó al restaurante y confirmó que, efectivamente, Patricia y Nicolás estuvieron cenando en el restaurante francés. Betty estaba muy molesta con Nicolás... primero, porque se gastó el dinero de la caja menor y usó el Mercedes y, segundo, porque llevó nada menos que a Patricia, quien se encargó de que todos en Eco Moda se enteraran que había salido con un hombre rico e importante. Incluso, hasta el mismo Mario se incomodó, pero no con Patricia, sino con la pobre de Betty, porque le estaban quitando al supuesto novio. Aunque a Mario y a Armando no les desagradaría nada la idea de quitar a Nicolás de en medio. Por otro lado, Marcela comenzó a repartir las invitaciones para la boda y hacerse cargo de todo lo relacionado, pues Armando no tenía cabeza más que para preparar la junta que en dos días se llevaría a cabo y todo tenía que estar listo, pues de eso dependía seguir siendo el presidente de la empresa. Otra cosa que tenía nervioso a Armando era que a Daniel se le ocurrió vender la parte de sus acciones de Eco Moda e invertir el dinero en otro negocio. Si Daniel insistía en eso, la situación se pondría peor ya que se descubriría todo. Marcela le pide a Daniel que investigue el historial de Terra Moda y su gerente general, pues últimamente se menciona muy seguido en Eco Moda. A propósito, Nicolás sentía que le había fallado a Betty, por eso decidió presentar su renuncia y, según él, nada lo haría cambiar de opinión, aunque estuviera de por medio lo que sentía por Patricia. Pero Betty ni siquiera le dejó terminar el día, no habían pasado un par de horas, cuando Nicolás estaba de nuevo al servicio de su gran amiga, quien lo necesitaba para continuar con su plan y terminar de matar de celos a Armando. Para convencerlo de que le ayudara, Betty le prometió que esa noche le prestaría el Mercedes para que saliera otra vez con Patricia. El corazón de Nicolás comenzó a latir con más fuerza que nunca. Armando llegó hasta el restaurante donde sabía que irían Betty y Nicolás. Armando quería matarlos cuando los vio muy juntos y tomarse de las manos, como si de verdad fueran novios en plan de reconciliación. Betty sentía la mirada fulminante de Armando, aunque ella a él no podía verlo. Armando también los siguió hasta la casa de Betty y presenció el gran beso de despedida. Sin embargo, antes de que Betty entrara a su casa, Armando la detuvo, porque esa noche necesitaba hablar con ella y, de una vez por todas, aclarar la situación.
Martes 19 de septiembre - Daniel le cuenta a Marcela que piensa retirar su capital de Ecomoda. Patricia se molesta con Daniel quien le pide una foto para ofrecerla entre sus amigos. Marcela le reclama a Armando por haberse mostrado con Betty en público y de manera cariñosa. Marcela le pide a Betty que reparta sus tarjetas de matrimonio. Miércoles 20 de septiembre - Aura María confirma que la persona con la que estuvo Patricia en el restaurantes es Nicolás Mora y le cuenta la noticia al cuartel. Betty se entera que su supuesto novio salió con la peliteñida y lo llama inmediatamente para hacerle el reclamo. Nicolás le presenta la carta de renuncia a Betty por manejos inescrupulosos en la empresa.
Lunes 25 de septiembre - Betty invita a Nicolás al Le Noir y le advierte que cuidado se atreve a cumplir la cita que tiene con Patricia. Patricia le propone a Hugo que la ayude a convertirse en la imagen de la nueva colección. Efraín se niega a darle nuevamente la mesada a Sofía, quien entonces toma medidas más drásticas. Catalina le advierte a Hugo que Inesita tiene sobrecarga de trabajo. Jenny se enfrenta a Sofía y Gutiérrez debe intervenir. Martes 26 de septiembre - Mario y Armando relacionan a la peliteñida que salió con Nicolás con Patricia Fernández. Catalina le reprocha a Armando por dejar a Marcela sola con los preparativos del matrimonio. Mario se le escabulle a Patricia cuando ella le pide que la lleve a su casa. Patricia se entera que Nicolás saldrá con Betty. Hugo presiona a Inesita para que trabaje al mismo ritmo de las modelos. Miércoles 27 de septiembre - Armando sigue a Betty y a Nicolás hasta el Le Noir y se las ingenia para entrar sin ser visto. Por un error Betty lo descubre y empieza a hacer una verdadera escena de amor con Nicolás. Armando decide enfrentarse a Betty y a Nicolás. Betty convence a Nicolás de no renunciar a la gerencia de Terramoda. Jueves 28 de septiembre - Armando, perdiendo el control y muerto de los celos, decide dejar el restaurante y seguir el mercedes de Betty y Nicolás, para saber exactamente hacia donde se dirigen. Se lleva una gran sorpresa cuando los ve entrar a un sitio clandestino.
Lunes 02 de octubre Patricia finge recibir una llamada donde le dicen que le van a rematar el carro. Nicolás se ofrece para ayudarle a conseguir el dinero. Marcela le muestra a Armando las invitaciones para el matrimonio y los pasajes de la luna de miel. Betty le pide a su papá y a Nicolás la contabilidad y un balance general de Terramoda. Betty le cuenta al cuartel que no terminó con Nicolás y lo perdonó por su debilidad con Patricia. Marcela llega feliz a Ecomoda con la noticia de su apartamento. Martes 03 de octubre Armando empieza a replantearse la idea de casarce con Marcela, luego de firmar la promesa de compra venta del apartamento. Catalina le propone a Betty que se de un tiempo para pensar en ella y en su futuro. Patricia le cuenta a Marcela que su beso con Nicolás fue solo un accidente y le niega que está saliendo con él para solucionar sus problemas económicos. Yenny habla con el cheque para avisarle que apenas pueda va a la Fiscalía para llevarle las cosas que necesita. Miércoles 04 de octubre Armando le hace una broma a Patricia sobre el servicio de taxis para hacerla quedar mal delante de Margarita. Patricia llama a Nicolás para decirle que está muy avergonzada pro todo lo que pasó en su apartamento. Nicolás le propone a Don Hermes que hagan unas inversiones en Colombia con las ganancias de Terramoda. Sofía se escapa del trabajo y visita a Efrain en la cárcel para llevarle una cobija y comida.
Subject: ***SUMMARY - Tuesday - 01/02/01*** Author: Becky A. (63.46.224.82) Date: 01-02-2001 23:21 SECRETARIAL AREA Daniel steps out of the elevator, walks over to Patricia and asks if she has a photograph of herself, a full view. He has a couple of friends that he would like for them to view it. He believes that this would be better than him describing her. He states that after they see her picture there will be no more words needed and she will be kept busy. Immediately, Patricia rises from her chair and tells him that she no longer has to put up with his humilitating her, because her life has changed. He asks if she has won the lottery. She says that it is something a lot better than the lottery. Her cellular telephone rings. Nicolas is calling and Patricia gets excited (for Daniel's benefit) and starts calling Nicolas "My Love" and "My Life". Nicolas, not believing that she is speaking to him turns around (his at Betty's house) to make sure that she is talking to him. Sandra and Mariana's ears perk when they realize that she is speaking to Nicolas. Daniel has the same look that he always has, but it kind of reads as though he doesn't quite believe her. Patricia makes plans with Nicolas for him to come to pick up at her place, but first, they will have drinks. Nicolas doesn't catch on that something could be occurring so he is excited when Patricia is asking him out and readily accepts her invitation. After she has finished speaking to Nicolas, Daniel just shakes his head and walks off. Patricia notices that Sandra and Mariana are staring at her and she gives them one of her famous flinging of hair.
AT BETTY'S HOUSE Nicolas is jumping up and down for joy. He gathers Patricia's picture is his hand, kisses it and tells it that he is driving her crazy. He calls himself a champ. He then wonders where he is going to get the money for this evenings date.
MARCELA'S OFFICE Daniel enters and greets Marcela. He informs her that Roberto called to see how the business was doing. He tells him that he doesn't know and he will also have to wait until the meeting. He goes on to tell Marcela that he will be speaking to Roberto after selling his portion of the company and he would like her to inform Armando of his plans. Marcela is not happy about his decision. However, Daniel goes on to tell her that this is what he wants, he doesn't expect roses or fighting. He expects Armando to be happy about the news. He asks Marcela if she has information in regards to the company where Betty's boyfriend works and she tells him that the name is Terra Moda. He says the name as though he has heard of it. Marcela informs him that Armando has told her that it is a good company. He says that of course Armando would make that statement. He tells her not to worry that he will personally find out information about Terra Moda. As Daniel approches the elevator to leave he tells Patricia to mail him her photograph. She walks over to him and tells him to forget it. She tells him that she does not need him or any of his friends. He makes a comment stating that any guy that she will date is poor and that she will have to sell herself in order to live. He tells her to take advantage of the opportunity because in two days she will be fired. She tells him that it will never happen. He once again tells her to mail a picture of her entire body wearing only undergarments. Hugo and two of his models arrive at the same time as Marcela. Hugo tells her that he needs her to come by his office in order to do her last fitting. She tells that she is too busy and cannot do it today. He tells her that he is too busy with the new collection. He won't hear of her not trying it on and people making comments about the dress at the wedding. He tells her that he doesn't want people to get confused and think that Armando is not marrying Marcela, but instead someone that looks like Betty. While Sophia is on the look out, Bertha is calling the restuarant to find out who was Patricia's date. Unfortunately, Marcela walks by and Bertha has to hang up before she can even ask her question. ARMANDO'S OFFICE Marcela enters and starts questionning about his night out. After playing twenty questions she tells Armando that she knows that he is lying and that the man that he claims he was meeting was not even there. Armando asks who told her and wants to know what else she was told. He tells him how he was seen with Betty and that she was being very affectionate. Armando tells her not to start. She tells him not to tell her not to get jealous and she goes on to say that she is not jealous of that fool. He tells her to quite down because Betty is in her office. She tells him that she could care less. He tells her that she was lied to. He tells her that Betty acted respectful. Marcela tells him that she does not have a problem for Betty to accompany him to business events, but he doesn't have any reason to take her to the places where they and their friends frequent. She tells him to put her in her place. Armando refuses to accept her claims and tells her why don't they begin to fight like cats and dogs right when they are getting to launch the new collection and with the executive meeting a few days away. He tells her that his parents are arriving the next day. Marcela tells him that she knows that his parents are arriving and admits that Daniel gave her the news. She goes on to tell him that Daniel plans to sell his part of the company. Armando becomes angry and says that he cannot sell. He reminds of their agreement not to split the company so that the two families will not lose control. Marcela tells him that he can sell and that does not mean that they will lose control of the company. Marcela tells him that this would be best for him. There would be no more fights and he could be president for as long as he wants. Armando believes that Daniel is planning something, but she assures him that he needs the money for a new project that he is launching. Marcela then goes into the discussion about the wedding. She hands him an invitation, which he glances at quickly. She tells him that she understands that he does not have the time to worry about the wedding. She tells him that she will handle everything but with the new collection there will be a delay. She asks that he least accompany her to sign the contract for the new apartment, which he agrees to do so. She then tells him that she needs someone to deliver the invitations for her. She looks at her as though it's a bother. She says fine that she will get someone else to do it for her. She gathers the invitations and walks into Betty's office and ask that she hand them over to Freddy. Armando tells Marcela to leave Betty alone because she is busy working on the report for the meeting. Betty tells him that it is no trouble. As Marcela is leaving, Armando stops her and wants to know why Betty when she has Mariana and many others who can help. Marcela says that it's to refresh Betty's memory that her boss is engaged and that she can't be affectionate with him in public. After Marcela leaves, Armando tells Betty that she doesn't have to do it. Betty tells him that it is no bother. He tells her he knows what she must be thinking. On her way out, Betty tells him that he has no idea as to what she is thinking. BETTY'S HOUSE Patricia calls Nicolas and acts as though she is embarrassed about her earlier call. He tells her that she has no reason to feel that way. Betty passes her and Patricia tells him that she is feeling guilty, again, he tells her that he is not feeling builty so there is no need for her to feel that way. Mario approaches and when she sees him she begins to talk louder, sweeter and confirms their plans for the evening. Mario passes her without making a comment.
ARMANDO'S OFFICE Mario walks in and is excited when he hears that news that Betty is working on the report. Armando tells him that it doesn't matter if she fixes the report because they have alot more serious problems. He tells him about Daniel wanting to sell his portion of the company. Mario states that they don't have the money to buy him out. He tells Armando to consult with Betty as to what they should do. Armando tells him that a more serious problem is his promise to Betty to cancel the wedding. Mario wants to know if she believed him. Armando tells him the story of Marcela turning over the invitations to Betty.
SECRETARIAL AREA Betty is giving Freddy instructions on delivering the invitations. Freddy notices that none of them have been invited. Mariana says that it is the best thing since it would be difficult to come up with the money for a gift. They notice that Betty is not on the list. Betty says that the only list she is on is Marcela's enemy list. As she walks away, she tells them that they cannot count on her being at that wedding.
ARMANDO'S OFFICE Mario tells Armando that the most important thing is for Betty to believe that he plans on canceling the wedding in order for her to fix the report. Armando has a strange look on his face and Mario wants to know what is wrong. Armando admits that he can't come to terms that he is getting married. Mario gets upset and tells him that he can't cancel the wedding. Canceling the wedding would be the biggest mistake that he could make. Betty walks in and tells Armando that she has given the invitations to Freddy. Armando apologizes and tells her how bad he feels. Betty replys that it was a pleasure to help him and walks into her office. Armando has a very anguished look on his face. Mario invites him out to lunch. Armando walks over to Betty's office and tells her that he is going out to lunch. He tells her that he will see her later in the afternoon. She answers yes. He gives her a little smile and leaves. Betty says, with no one listening, that she hopes that he is happy in his marriage.
BY BERTHA'S DESK Sandra, Mariana and Aura Maria come running around the corner almost bumping into Mario and Armando. They ask if Bertha has had an opportunity to call the restaurant to find out who dined with Patricia. Bertha calls and finds out that she did dine at the restaurant, but forgets to ask the name of the guy. Aura Maria takes the telephone away and tries to obtain the information. The gentleman certainly remembers Nicolas, but not his name. He goes to pull the check and tells Aura Maria that it was Nicolas. Aura Maria is in shock and cannot tell the rest of the Cuartel who it was. As the Cuartel is screaming at her, Patricia yells at them to tone it down. Aura Maria finally tells them that it was Nicolas. Inesita joins the group and they tell her what they have discovered. Sandra is ready to kill Patricia. Inesita wants to know if they have told Betty. Not one of them has the heart to tell her. They would reather take care of Patricia themselves. Mariana reminds them that Betty has seemed depressed and she fears that this would kill her. Inesita tells them that they have to tell her because this is a matter between Betty and Nicolas. The Cuartel decides that Sophia should be the one to give Betty the news. When Sophia wants to know why her, Sandra tells her that it is because she is the one that can say the most cruel things.
BETTY'S OFFICE The Cuartel enters and when Betty says hello they turn around to leave. Sandra and Aura Maria stop them. Bertha asks if she is busy. Betty says yes, again they turn around to leave. Again, Sandra and Aura Maria stop them. Betty asks Sophia what is happening. Sophia asks Betty if she knows where boyfriend was last night. Betty says yes, at home. Sophia asks if she is sure. The Cuartel shakes their heads no. Betty answers yes. When she spoke to him he was under the blankets. Aura Maria says yes under the blankets, but with who. Bertha tells her to take what they are about to tell her calmly. Sophia spurts out that he was with Patricia. They explain to her how they know. Betty gets very angry. Betty asks that they not say anything to Patricia until she has an opportunity to speak to him. Aura Maria asks that Betty not dump him, because with him goes the money and the Mercedes. The Cuartel worry that if they leave her alone she will commit suicide. Betty tells them not to worry.
BETTY'S HOUSE Don Hermes and Nicolas are discussing the money that Nicolas has just made by investing the petty cash. Betty calls to speak to Nicolas. Nicolas tells her to congratulate him because of the money that he made. Betty then says, "Tell me my boyfriend, where did you spend the money from petty cash". Nicolas immediately begins to give explanations that they were items for the company. She wants to know if he is still carrying the checkbook. Betty wants to know if he has a receipt from the restuarant. Nicolas wants to know what is wrong with her, has she drunk something. Betty tells him that she knows that he went out with Patricia. (Armando and Mario walk in. They hear her yelling at Nicolas.) Betty tells him that she warned him to stay away from Patricia and now the whole company knows. He tells her that he is still being faithful to her that their date was something insignificant. Betty tells him that she knows that he took her in the Mercedes and that he paid with a check from Terra Moda. She tells him that they are going to have a serious talk that evening. The only thing that Nicolas asks is that he not have a fight with Patricia. He tells her that he will pay all the consequences. Betty tells him not to tell her what to do and she hangs up the phone. Dona Julia wants to know what is wrong. Don Hermes wants to know if he lost money. He answers yes. Don Hermes says that Nicolas just said that he had made alot of money. Nicolas answers that what he did was last night and that it was bad. He turns in his resignation as manager of Terra Moda. Betty's parents, espcially Don Hermes, think that it is a joke. Don Hermes says that at least the rrefrigerator is saved. They realize that this is not a joke.
ARMANDO'S OFFICE Armando and Mario are discussing what they just heard. Armando is upset because Betty had told him that there was nothing between them. Betty walks out without realizing that they had returned. Armando asks if something is wrong and she answers no. After she leaves he gets upset because she answered that nothing was wrong. Mario tells him that he will need to speak to her. Maria tells him that he needs to be nice to her until she finishes the report.
Subject: *** Summary: Wed 1/3/2001 Author: Robin N (166.90.87.181) Date: 01-03-2001 22:20 Yesterday: Nícolas surrenders his resignation when Betty berates him for going out with the Peliteñida. Armando is in full panic mode overhearing her chewing Nícolas out on the phone. Today: Betty tells the cuartel that she spoke with Nícolas. She tells them that he admitted going out with the Peliteñida. Mario exits Armando's office in a slinky fashion, seeing the women gossiping and overhearing the tenor of the conversation and tries to overhear even more. The women advise Betty to punish Nícolas for his transgression—Aura Maria's advise is that she demand the car and dump him. Betty and the others tell her to forget that. They discuss her plans for the evening and that the Peliteñida had made a date with him for tonight. Armando too quietly emerges from his office and notes the huddled women chattering away and gives them the evil eye. He asks Betty to come into his office and she tells him she's coming. He continues to look at the other women for a second, arms crossed, and they pretend to be immediately very busy. In his office, Armando tells Betty that, sorry, he couldn't help but overhear her conversation with Nícolas, it wasn't his intention. "It seemed like quite an argument you were having." Betty tries to minimize the importance but he continues, telling her that it seemed like she was quite angry. Betty apologizes, "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were back." He notes that and presses her further, "What was going on?" "We had a disagreement, a misunderstanding, that's all," says Betty. "You were furious, you were angry because he had gone out with Terra Moda money, in the car, with a woman…" "It was a misunderstanding, that's all. If you're concerned about the car, I'll have it fetched here." He tells her that it looked like more than that; it looked like she was jealous of Nícolas Mora. "Oh, it seemed so?" asked Betty pointedly. Her face is rigid with anger and trying hard not to reveal it. "No, it was just a matter of the money," she tells him. "Now, I have to go arrange a payment with Banco Montreal." She leaves and enters her office. She makes a face at him and makes a call home. She discovers, after speaking with her mother, that Nícolas has resigned. She asks if he has his cell phone (he does, apparently) and she tells her mother that she'll try him later. Nícolas is sadly wandering along a riverbank in a park. He's talking to a photo of Pat tucked inside his overcoat. "Ah, mi amor, it was the most perfect night of my life… The clothes, the Mercedes Benz, my watch… and you by my side…" His cell phone rings and he hopes that it's Pat but no, it's Bet. He tells her to relax, that he's left the car at her parents and he'll repay her for everything he spent. She doesn't have time for that now. She asks him how he could resign and he tells her that he knows that she needs an ethical manager—she can have his head if she wants it… She interrupts him and proceeds with her plan. Knowing Armando is next door listening in, she demands that Nícolas come pick her up that evening at 6, and he can forget about his other date that evening. "Tonight," she says loudly, "We'll speak with our hearts in our hands about this." We see Armando looking grim in the next room, reading everything into it that she'd hoped. She proposes that they go out to dinner at Ile l'Noir, making sure that Armando hears every word. He sure does! Pat is on the phone once again whinging to her papa about the money she needs to ransom her car. She's oblivious to Sandra and Mariana as they return to their desks; they even walk behind her and mock-punch her. She hangs up and notices them back at their desks looking disgustedly at her. She snottily asks them what their problem is. Sandra mocks her perfume and Pat responds in kind. The elevator opens and Hugo and Cata and a bevy of models exit. Hugo is expounding on his concerns for the show and Cata is reassuring him that all will go well. Pat greets Hugo effusively and asks to speak with him. He comes closer, his forearms crossed (as if against a witch?). She starts, "I know that you haven't chosen the last model for the show yet; how about me?" She touts herself as a model and poses. We see her as Hugo would looking at her from her feet up. He laughs wheezily. "Yes, me!" she insists. He tells her to forget about it. She continues, because, as she figures it, she'd be worth at least 5,000. "First," he tells her, "I don't discuss money with my models. Second, I've hired a model who's classy and beautiful and best of all she's only 20." Pat is offended and tries to persuade him that a woman of a more mature beauty would credit the show. "Sure, If it were a funeral show!" he laughs. He tells her too look elsewhere for her accursed 5,000 and suggests she pray, if she knows how. Maybe to the saint of money? "Hmmm…," she ponders, "Saint Nícolas… Mora?"
Sofia calls Efraín and pleasantly asks him if he remembers her. He snappily tells her not to joke, of course he does, and what does she want. "Why, the same as always." She's looking for her child support payment. He grumbles that she knows how the financial situation is and until they have the situation resolved about the house he's not budging. She sweetly signs off mentioning that she hopes he's taken his blood pressure medication. She tells Berta that she'd not going to stand by and give up half her house and money belonging to her children. She's dialing her lawyer. "Hello?" She tells him that her ex has denied her her support again and she gives him permission to process the claim against him. In his studio Hugo demands that all be ready for his rehearsal and hounds Inez over and over. She walks away telling him, "All will be ready Don Ego, er… I mean Don Hugo!" Cata chides Hugo for being so hard on Inez but he says that she can handle it; she's like a truck, a 4x4 — or considering her size, an 8x8. He notes Jenny hanging around and suggests occupy herself. Jenny never learns; she asks him if she's right that he won't put her in this show. He sarcastically applauds her astuteness. She begs and whines for another try, because she's taken classes on modeling and she doesn't want to be a size model forever. He laughingly tells her that she should find a lawyer and have him sue the modeling schools for her money back. She whines further about how he's taking away her dreams, that she wanted a career at Ecomoda. He more harshly tells her that she can have a career: she can replace Inez. He goes on about how no one is entitled to a job; they have to earn it, etc., and suggests she get onto el cheque for money. He leaves and she pouts further. "I'm going to call mi pupi and tell him how mean they are to me here!" A short-skirted secretary enters Efraín's office and he looks her over flirtatiously and calls her his "papachurritita". She tells him that two men from the fiscal department are looking for him. They enter his office and one tells him that he's 3 months behind in his support payments in accordance with the decision in family court. Efraín blusters and says he can work this out, can he make a call? He starts dialing in a panic. He calls Sofia and she sweetly asks what he wants. He's practically wetting his pants and he tells her that they want to arrest him. "My hands are tied," she tells him. "The only option is to pay me the 3 months support you owe us." He whines that he doesn't have the money to hand. He adds that if they find out that he's been arrested they'll fire him from his job and then he'll definitely have no way to pay her. Sofia blithely suggests that it doesn't matter whether he's in jail or on the job because she doesn't see money from him either way. How about calling that bandita? "Sofia! I'm the father of your children!" She wishes him well and hangs up, telling Berta that he has indeed been arrested. The two officials want him to come with him. He stalls, brushing off his coat and telling his secretary that it's just a little matter and he'll be in tomorrow. (Humph! you can hear her thinking…) As they're heading out, the phone rings and it's Jenny. He grabs the phone and before he can start his own sad tale of woe, Jenny starts her crybaby act, telling him that she's bored and she wants to quit. He practically shrieks at her that she can't do this. He explains that Sofia has had him arrested and they need her money. She starts to moan and wail and they're both a picture of whining complaints. She promises to be by his side. The official pull him away before he can finish saying goodbye and he asks his secretary to do so. Humph! she just hangs up. Jenny, on the other end, is being called by Hugo but she rushes off—she has a problem to resolve.
Sofia is telling Mariana, Sandra, Berta and Aura Maria the details of the arrest when a hysterical Jenny rushes up and starts screaming at Sofia. She's clad only in slacks, a scarf and a taped on strapless, backless, shelf bra. The women suggest that she leave Sofia alone but there's no stopping this tirade. Freddy wanders up and asks what's going on. Sandra says nothing and tries to shoo him away. He asks Jenny if she's well and she screams full voice, "NOOO, I'm NOT!" Gutierrez exits his office to see what the clamor is all about. He immediately asks Sofia what she's doing to Jenny but Sofia tells him that he has it all wrong: it's Jenny who's causing all the trouble. Jenny's hysteria rises as she rants on and on about Efraín's arrest and Sofia and in a moment of ultimate hysteria she whips of the scarf and throws it at Gutierrez. He warns her that he may have to caution her but she continues to say nasty things to Sofia. Aura Maria rushes to Sofia's defense and says that for what Jenny is saying she should be sanctioned. Jenny turns on Aura Maria; Freddy turns on Jenny to defend Aura Maria. Gutierrez tells them all to calm down. Jenny shrieks at Sofia that she's a bitter old woman, "I have my dignity!" With that Gutierrez has no choice but to caution her. She rips off the bra in her fury and continues her rant. "No, how could you? You're going to leave me in the street!" Freddy steps forward to hand her her bra and scarf but Aura Maria tells him to forget about it. Gutierrez steps forward to hand them to her. She drapes the scarf over herself again, but she's not stopping, and certainly not repentant. Hugo calls for her and asks if she's going to continue her strip tease or if she's going to get back to work. "I have a problem," she tells him. "Just one?" he mockingly comments. "You'll have a bigger one if you're not here immediately." She turns to whine to Gutierrez once again, "Please, I'm all alone in the world… Do what you can for me?" She throws off the scarf again and stands naked to the world. She notes their expressions and says she's not stripping, she's a professional model. Gutierrez assures her he'll revoke the caution and she stalks off with a toss of her hair and boobs. "Very pretty!" comments Sofia. "If we did a strip, would you revoke our cautions?" "We have to be humble and forgiving," says the mealy-mouthed Gutierrez, ducking back into his office. Aura Maria tells Freddy to close his mouth and stop drooling. He dreamily heads in the direction Jenny left in but Aura Maria pulls him back and sends him on his way. "Men! Fresco!" the women exchange shocked comments. Its raining and Nícolas pulls up to pick up be. He calls to Wilson; he ask how he can help. Nícolas asks him to tell be that her novio is out front. "And hurry, it's raining!"
Armando is packing up for the night. Mario sidles into the office and cautiously asks if he can pose a question. "And how are the figures for the budget?" Armando tells him that Betty is working on them now. "And what about that argument with Nícolas Mora? Did you clear that up?" Armando explains what Betty told him: that it was a misunderstanding, but it's clear by his face he doesn't believe it. "And imagine, they're going to go out tonight to dinner, to Ile l'Noir, to have a heart-to-heart talk about their problems!" Mario doesn't want Armando to let this happend; invite her out or something, he suggests. Armando tells him to forget it and Mario eggs him on by implying all the bad things that will happen if Armando spends the night with his arms crossed in his apartment. Armando tells him forcefully that he's not going to stay with his arms crossed, "I'm not going home to my apartment. I'm going to finish this game. I'm tired of this and once and for all I'm going to clear all of this up!" They hear the phone ring in Betty's office. She answers. It's Wilson telling her Nícolas is downstairs. She responds so that the two men can overhear her. Mario broaches another topic. He wants to know whether Betty is jealous of Nícolas and the other woman. "And I heard her refer to her as the Peliteñida… could it be our Peliteñida?" Armando wonders if it could be too, but no, what are the odds that their Peliteñida would have anything to do with a type like Nícolas Mora?
Cata enters the office and Mario starts to flirt with her. He kisses the back of her neck several times, much affected by her perfume. "It's not perfume," she tells him. "It's an essential oil that I use when I want to maintain good relations with an animal." Mario leaves and Cata wants to give some paperwork to Armando. He doesn't want to deal with it and wants to give it to Marcela but she's so busy with the wedding plans. Cata acknowledges the truth of this: she's handling so many details she sympathizes with her. She pointedly mentions that marriage is something entered into by two and with all Marcela is doing by herself it doesn't seem that way. She enters Betty's office and asks her to resolve a few important issues by tomorrow. Betty promises that she will tomorrow, but tonight she has a date with her novio. She has a big smile on her face for Armando's benefit who's entered the office doorway behind Cata. He wishes Betty a good evening and leaves. Cata looks at Betty and smiles. She notes, "I see that you're using the white candle for relaxing; it appears to be working. It seems like you're leaving on a luna de miel with your novio!" Betty tells her that when she stares at the flames she does indeed see things more clearly; after the crisis come better things. Cata warns her that it's only looking at the white candle that brings relaxation: when you focus on the flame, the anger persists. She wishes Betty a good evening and leaves. Betty blows out the candle. (See, our Betty is security conscious after all! And, it appears that the candle is going down as well.) Pat is on the phone with Marcela trying to beg for a ride home but to no avail. Mario heads to the elevator but steps back to ask Sandra a delicate question, "Who is the Peliteñida?" Sandra points to Pat. Noting Mario by the elevator, Pat sees a ride home on the hoof and dashes up to him as sexily as she can. With a toss of her hair she asks if he could give her a ride home to her apartment. He coldly tells her he has an appointment that will take her the opposite direction. She pleads that she'll have to go find a bank and get some money to take a taxi and he wouldn't want her to run into any danger, would he? He's not falling into this ploy. He pulls some "emergency" money out of his wallet and hands it to her. She pretends to be offended that he would give her money, but he tells her that it's not a gift, it's a loan so she shouldn't be offended. She asks why he's so cold to her, "Can you forget what was between us?" He laughs this off, "What was between us was so perfect…" He doesn't want to spoil the memory by picking up where they left off. Armando calls out to him, "Still here, Calderón?" They head to the elevator together and Mario tells him that the Peliteñida is the name for Patricia, but they still aren't sure it's one and the same as was out with Nícolas. Aura Maria exits the elevator and Mario looks after her admiringly. Pat takes the money and calls Wilson and has him get her a taxi. Sofia is telling Betty about how Efraín was arrested. She tells her and the others that it hurt her to have to do it: he is after all the father of her children. They remind Betty that Nícolas is waiting for her and Aura Maria chides her for going out on a date looking the way she does. Betty says, "Well, this is the way I am." However, the cuartel members aren't having this. She's got to "arreglar" herself for her date so that he won't have eyes for any other beau-stealing woman. Pat hears this last comment from Sandra and is alarmed to think that Nícolas could be going out on a date with Betty when he has a date with her for the same evening. She wonders if he's cheating on her. Tomorrow: Armando spies on Betty and Nícolas at dinner.
Subject: **SUMMARY**Thursday01/04/01 Author: elizabeth (209.214.10.5) Date: 01-07-2001 01:48 Greetings to all, First of I would like to apologize for the late summary, I got confused with the schedule and I have been sick this past week. But not sick enough to miss my betty la fea episodes. So here goes; In todays episode Nicolas is waiting for his girlfriend Betty to come down. But at the same time Betty and Patty arrive Its the funnniest thing Nicolas scrunges down into the seat hiding from both of his ladies not wanting for them to see him. He says to himself that if they see him they are going to eat him alive. In the meantime Betty asks Wilson where her boyfriend is at, because she sees the car but not the driver and Wilson explains that he was there a minute ago and at the same time gets close to the car and spots nicolas and screams "Here he is!!" Nicolas is like "oh hi betty hi patty!!" Patty is waiting for a taxi and wilson tells her that the taxi is waiting for her in the corner and she scrreams " why in the corner, go call him to come here!!" poor wilson he has to put up with so much :P Betty and Nicolas are heading to Le Noir and are not aware that they are being followed by Don Armando Mendoza. He will stop at nothing.
They arrive at le noir and nicolas opens the door for betty and asks the valet guy to park his car and that he will leave the tip with the waiter inside. The valet guy says that he remembers him and that last time he didn't leave him a tip. Nicolas is like the waiter inside didn't give it to you? But I think the guy knew better. Nicolas is talking to himself saying how it could be that he was going to go in with betty. That his reputation would be ruined, one day going in to le noir with patty and the next with betty. :( betty is telling him to hurry up and he says go ahead ill be right there and she notices why he is hesitating and tells him off that she cann't beleave that he is ashamed to go in with her to hurry up and stop acting silly. nicolas is very comical coming in and kind of slouching down as if trying to hide in his own clothes( like if he were the catch of the day!! to be acting that way around Betty!!) Anyways when they finally arrive inside the waiter asks them if they have a resevation and nicolas is like we dont need a reservation dont you know who i am i am Nicolas Mora gerente de terramoda and whips out one of his business cards and the waiter ofcourse remembers him and says that he already has a card fromlast time ( who can remeber the funny episode of nicolas asking for los dos huevitos :P ) Betty jumps in and tell the waiter that she is the personal assistance of the president of ecomoda and then finnaly he gives them a table thanks to betty. Outisde Le Noir: armando arrives and asks the valet guy to park his car by the curve but somewhere where they can see him because he doesn't want anyone to see that he is there. he goes in and asks for a whiskey and sits by the bar and the show begins. He also requested for no one to know he was there. betty is talking to nicolas trying to find out what has happened where he spnet the money on and why he did it. She tells Nicolas that he can not give his resignation that if he leaves the company she will never forgive him, because she needs him to help her and that is he leaves it might be worse than what she felt when she found out the truth about her love affair with armando or the same. Betty spots Don Armando across the bar but is not sure if it is him. She excuses herself and walks out to the front of the restaurant. Armando is trying to hide from her and bends down trying to hide as she passes by where he was sitting at, and reaches the waiter and she asks him if Don Armando Mendoza was there that she thought she saw him. Armando is sweating it hoping the waiter wont give him in and then the waiter says that no he is not there. But Betty being as smart as she is she walks out and asks the valet car where don armandos car is and the valet guy is like ah ah and betty is like dont worry I know that he is here we are together but he asksed me to get some papers from the car. the valet guy tells her that his car is by the curve and that he just didn't want anybody to see him there. She is like "I know but the car is to far away I will just tell him to come get them himself" with that she goes back inside ready to play her part in the romantic velada with her boyfriend nicolas. HEHEHE
She goes inside and tells nicolas that her boss is there and nicolas was just about to turn when she grabs his face and kind of carreses it telling him not to turn hise head because she didn't know specifically where armando was. Betty starts telling nicolas that he must promise her that he wont leave that she needs him that terra moda needs him and with that she says whispering " deme sus manos" Nicolas is like what?? que me de las manos idiota!! ( give me your hands idiot!" He does and she expresses to him how happy she is that he wont leave her and then she catches on with the game the make your boss jealous with your boyfriend game. Betty asks nico to give her a hug he is like right here right now and she is give me a hug boyfriend of mine. armando in the meantime is spying on them and is dying of jealousy from what he is witnessing. Betty and Nicolas toast and interwhine their hands while they drink the wine. Betty pretend to be a little tipsy and friendly with nicolas all for armandos eyes to see. and she tells nicolas that they need to go nico- where?? Betty- where couples go when they make up and they can be alone?? with that they ask for the check and they get up betty asks nicolas to walk with her together in a very couple manner. They walk out and again Nicolas lies to the valet guy and tells him that he left him the tip witht he waiter inside. They are driving on and betty wants to know what is going on between him and patty. betty doesn' t understand why nicolas is interested in a woman who is only interesed for the material things that he seems to have. Nicolas admits that he knows that patty is only with him because she thinks he has a money and that even then he still enjoys being with a woman like her becasuse she is pretty and all. and to remember that when will he have another chance to go out with some one like her NEVER! She tells him that she doesn't want for him toget hurt and he says that it is impossible because he knows the real reasons that he is also using her. betty understands him and tells him to take her to her house so that he could go out with patsy pat. Then Nocolas notices that armando is following them, betty asks for nicolas to open the door and walk side by side when they arrive in fornt of her house. She knows that armando is watching closely. Betty makes nicolas promise that he will never keep anything from her again. he promises and is happy that his girlfriend is giving him permission to date the other woman. Betty and Nico KISS but no not in the mouth ofcourse armando who is watching from the corner can not tell where the kisses are landing and he is furious...... nicoals leaves and then comes armando screeching his tires and screaming: BEATRIZ PINZON SOLANO pare ahi asi la queria agarrar!!!!!" Betty is like " Don Armando que ase aqui????" Wow i love these latest episodes especially the one on friday where he gets told off by Don Hermes!!!! hehe Guys sorry about the delay and I hope you enjoy the summary!! Love ely :O)
Subject: *****SUMMARY – FRIDAY, 01/05/01***** Author: Tuly (166.72.126.217) Date: 01-06-2001 13:24 *****SUMMARY – FRIDAY, 01/05/01***** Armando exits his car in front of Betty's house ... he is extremely angry. Armando -- I came to see with my own eyes what I've suspected for a long time, Beatriz! Betty (playing dumb) -- What did you see, don Armando? Armando (striding angrily up to where Betty is standing, by her front door) -- Everything! I saw everything, damn it!!! I saw you together at Le Noir, drinking wine happily, holding hands, you were caressing each other, damn it, you were even hugging!!!! How can you do this to me?!?!?!?!? Why me?!?!?!? Betty -- Please, calm down, doctor, you're going to wake up everyone. Armando -- Of course, "calm down, doctor, please calm down!" (hits the wall with the palm of his hand). Why are you doing this to me, Beatriz? Can't you see? I've always told you that I suspected that there was something between you, that something was happening between the two of you, but you've always denied it! You're driving me crazy!!!!! I'm desperate, understand me, I'm desperate!!!! Why are you still denying it if I saw you?!?!?!? Betty -- One moment, doctor, but what have I done? Armando -- What do you mean? You and that guy were hugging, you were holding hands, you were caressing, you were ... (shakes the rails in front of the window) ... kissing!!!! Betty -- But not on the lips. Armando -- Well, I don't know where the kisses were, but you kissed. Betty -- Doctor, they were not on the lips, they were on the cheek. And let me tell you something, Nicolás and I know each other very well, we're very good friends. Armando (sarcastically) -- But of course you must be super good friends! Betty -- We've known each other since we were kids. Armando (even more sarcastically) -- But what a coincidence, how you know each other so well, right? Betty -- Doctor, as you heard in the office today, we had an argument. Armando -- God, do you think I'm dumb or what???? Of course I know you had an argument, but why? Tell me why?!?!? Because of a woman, because of a "peliteñida"! (Daring Betty) Deny it, deny it, Betty. Betty -- No, no, no ... just a moment, doctor. I was worried because I was under the impression that Terra Moda's money was involved but that was not the case, it's all been cleared up. Whenever you want, I can show you the company's books. Armando -- No, I know perfectly well that the company's books are in excellent hands, in the hands of Nicolás Mora. And of course you went to clear up everything today, in the midst of hugs, of caresses and ... KISSES!!!!!!! Betty -- Doctor, we reconciled. Our friendship was in danger, and, yes, since we love and trust one another so much, we held hands, we hugged, and kissed ... but on the cheek. Armando -- Yes, of course, Beatriz, what tender friends ... what tenderness. My heart broke at witnessing such tenderness!!!! Betty -- Listen, doctor, don't you think that it's not your place to come and ask for explanations? To come here to my house to see what I'm doing with my friend? When you spend all day at the office kissing Doña Marcela? When you spend almost every night at her apartment and not precisely sleeping? So really, doctor, it's not your place to ask for explanations, good night. Armando (pulling on the rails in front of the window again) -- I haven't touched Marcela again. Beatriz, since you and I were together, I haven't touched Marcela nor any other woman. (In a defeated tone) And that is my problem, that is my problem, that's what's eating me up inside, (emphatically) I can only be with you. Betty -- You don't have to try to make me happy by telling me that, doctor. I know the rules of this relationship very well, don't lie to me. And now if you'll let me, I must go in, I have to go to bed so I can get up early tomorrow morning and finish the balance. (Turns around to leave). Armando (grabbing Betty and making her stay) -- No! I swear to you by that which is most sacred to me, that which is most sacred in my life ... and that is you ... that what I'm telling you is true. Betty -- Yes, of course, doctor. See you tomorrow. (Turns around again). Armando (grabbing Betty by both arms and hugging her forcefully) -- BEATRIZ!!!!!! Just one kiss, please, I just want one kiss ... Betty (fighting Armando off) -- No, doctor, please calm down. Armando -- Just one kiss … Betty (turning her face away) -- No, doctor, no. You are very drunk, no, no ... Armando -- BEATRIZ!!!
Don Hermes apparently hears the ruckus and comes outside to see what's going on. Betty tells him that she was talking to Don Armando but he is just leaving. Don Hermes asks Armando if he was the one yelling and Armando tells him he was ... singing! :o) Betty explains to Don Hermes that they were fighting over something insignificant and then says goodnight to Armando. Before Armando can leave, Don Hermes tells him that he does not care for the way he sings and Armando agrees that that he sings horribly ... he starts to walk down the steps. When Hermes and Betty are alone, he loudly reminds Betty that he doesn't like anyone yelling at her (hello???). Betty tells her father that Armando wasn't yelling at her, and tells Armando, who is now standing by his car, goodnight again. Armando responds in kind and he gets into his car as Betty and Don Hermes enter the house. He says to himself, "Oh God, what's happening to me? I'm acting out of my wits. I yelled at her too much. What's happening to me????". And he drives off. Nicolás arrives at Patty's apartment building in the Mercedes. He calls her from his cell phone and she invites him up for a glass of wine. Nicolás accepts and he puts talcum powder on his underarms (with his shirt on??) and drinks some cologne (yuck!) to get ready. Patricia takes out her last bottle of wine when Nicolás rings the doorbell. She sprays perfume on and proceeds to open the door and invite Nicolás in. Nicolás congratulates Patty on the apartment and she in turn tells him that she used to have a much bigger one when she was married, but she let her husband keep it (yeah, right!). Patricia hands Nicolás the bottle of wine and the corkscrew so that he may open the bottle and excuses herself for a moment. Nicolás tries unsuccessfully to open the bottle ... I daresay he's never used a corkscrew before! He finally gives up and puts the bottle down and decides to look in Patricia's refrigerator for something to eat but he finds ... nothing!!! It's totally empty. In the meantime, from her bathroom, Patricia dials her home phone from her cell phone and when Nicolás tells her the phone is ringing, she yells out that she'll be right there. When she picks up the phone in the living room, she holds a mock telephone conversation with her attorneys making believe that they will auction her car. Patricia desperately asks for more time to pay off what she owes and hangs up crying. Nicolás asks her what the matter is and Patricia answers that she's got to come up with 6 million pesos by this weekend or they will auction off her car. Nicolás tells her he can help her out, that's what friends are for. Patricia feigns indignation at the offer and tells Nicolás that she doesn't like to muddle up friendships and their friendship is more important to her than any money or any car (geeez!!!) Patricia suggests that maybe he can ask some of his rich friends to help her out and Nicolás assures her that she can count on him and hugs Nicolás ... who is surprised beyond belief at his luck. Then Patricia kisses Nicolás on the lips and, just like Jenny did a few weeks back with Freddy, acts like it was an impulse that she fully regrets. While Nicolás assures her that it's not a problem, Patricia whines that she's ashamed of herself. Nicolás suggests that she needs a night out, some fresh air. But Patricia tells him she's really not feeling well and her conscience is bothering her (when did she develop a conscience?) ... and tells Nicolás she will see him tomorrow. She goes over to the bed and lies down in a very suggestive position and asks Nicolás to call her tomorrow ... she won't feel well until her financial problems are resolved. Nicolás tells her not to worry, he will call her tomorrow, and leaves. As soon as he's out, Patricia tells herself that she's successfully avoided another night out with Nicolás and then hugs her wine bottle [for it successfully avoided getting opened :o)]. When Nicolás makes it downstairs, he's going bonkers over the kiss -- he can't believe it happened and is jumping happily all over the place.
We hear Betty's voiceover as she's writing in her diary: "I understood that Nicolás also has the right to dream, even if it's a temporary dream like the one I lived with Don Armando. But with the difference that he full well knows what he's doing and I trust his word. Because I need to trust someone. What's coming in my life is not easy and I need to have my closest ally at my side. Now more than ever I'm sure that I must get away from Don Armando. He doesn't want to stop the game and I can't keep it up for much longer. His persistence weakens me, his kisses put me at the edge of a precipice, and his words tonight sounded so sincere." With that, we go to Marcela's apartment, where she's on the phone with María Beatriz talking about the wedding. The bed is a mess ... full of boxes. Armando walks in and dutifully lets himself be kissed on the cheek by Marcela while, with a frown on his forehead, he tries to take in the meaning of everything on the bed. He really looks disconcerted. Marcela gets off the phone and Armando asks her what all the boxes are. Marcela hands him a thank-you card, at which he looks like if it came from another planet. Then Armando notices some airline tickets on the bed and he asks Marcela what those are. She tells him they are for their honeymoon ... in the Middle East. Armando just repeats dumbly, "The Middle East?" and Marcela explains that she wants to take him away for a long time. Then Armando notices that there are also clothes on the bed and Marcela explains that that is her trousseau and that she wants to make him happy when he sees her wear it. Armando just says, "Marcela, pleaaase ..." And Marcela tells him, while he rubs his forehead and then his neck as if a headache were killing him, that all she wants is to give him time and that she knows that after the collection and the board meeting, all of his tensions will evaporate ... except that of the other woman. As if trying to make himself believe this as well, Armando repeats that after the collection and the board meeting, a lot of his tensions will disappear. As Marcela walks away with some of the boxes that were on the bed, Armando picks up a thank-you note and stares at it, while we hear Betty's voiceover: "He seemed so sincere, so honest, so tormented when he told me he had not made love to Doña Marcela again. If I didn't know him and if I had not seen them in the office practically devouring each other, I would have fallen in his arms again. (Armando at this point lets go of the card, takes of his glasses and just looks totally lost -- then we see Betty writing in her diary). I just ask heaven to keep me strong, I seem to be reaching the end of the tunnel where I can see the light."
Morning has descended on Bogotá and Betty's parents are having breakfast (well, actually Don Hermes is having breakfast while Doña Julia looks on). Betty comes in and tells Don Hermes that he needs too bring all of Terra Moda's books up to date. Don Hermes tells her that all he's got is one receipt for an exhorbitant amount from a restaurant and Betty tells him to deal with Nicolás regarding everything else. At that moment, Nicolás rings the doorbell, greets everyone in his usual manner [by asking to be fed, that is :o)], and Betty informs him that she will need a trial balance of Terra Moda's accounts. She tells Nicolás that Don Armando may ask for that balance at any time and she wants to be ready to show it to him. Nicolás asks her if seeing them together last night at LeNoir scared him, but Betty responds that he is just worried about his company, though he's pretending otherwise ... he even put on a show of jealousy for her benefit last night. Betty changes the subject and asks Nicolás how everything went with Patricia last night and asks how much his outing cost Terra Moda. But Nicolás tells her that it didn't cost a cent, Patricia asked him up to her apartment for a glass of wine. This makes Betty very suspicious and she reminds Nicolás that he promised never to lie to her again ... did Patricia ask him for any money? Nicolás tells her that she's desperate but that she didn't ask him for any money (ooooh, Nicolás!!!) and recounts the incident of Patricia's attorney calling about the car. This makes Betty even more suspicious and she asks Nicolás what he promised Patricia and Nicolás reiterates that she didn't ask him for one single cent. Betty asks him to swear it and he does. Then Betty asks him what else happened and Nicolás tells her that she kissed him and he's very excited. Betty is now really worried and tells Nicolás that the Peliteñida will do anything to get Nicolás. Nicolás asks if maybe Patricia has a sexual fantasy involving him, but Betty disavows him of that notion and tells him that what she has is an economic fantasy :o). She reminds Nicolás to keep his feet on the ground and to be very careful with that witch. Nicolás assures Betty that he knows what he's in for (I'm not so sure that he does). Then it's Nicolás' turn to change the subject and he asks Betty why she needs the trial balance. Betty tells him that this is a time bomb and it will explode at any moment.
Also plotting that morning is Daniel, who is in his office talking on the phone to ... Olarte!!! Remember him? The old vice-president of finance that got fired for messing up Betty's computer with Patricia's help? Apparently Daniel has asked him to research Terra Moda. Since Olarte seems not to have heard of the company, Daniel asks him to go to the Chamber of Commerce and ask for a certificate of good standing ... he wants to know who its manager is and who is the owner of the capital. Betty arrives at Eco Moda and El Cuartel questions her on the events of last night with Nicolás. Betty tries to get away with the excuse of having to work on the balance, but Mariana tells her that she need not worry because Doña Marcela called and told her that she and Don Armando were at the realtor's this morning signing the contract for purchase of their apartment. A look of determination comes over Betty's face as she hears and repeats this news. Aura María gets Betty back on track and reminds her to hurry up with the story before the bosses arrive or the Peliteñida comes out of the bathroom. Betty tells El Cuartel that she and Nicolás made up. El Cuartel is extremely happy to hear this ... Nicolás confessed, adds Betty, that it was a weak moment but it will never happen again. Sofía advises Betty not to trust so blindly because men lie very easily. Betty says that she will believe him just as Patricia walks by and greets Betty with a big smile ... which Betty returns with an ever bigger smile (extremely fake, of course). Just then, the elevator doors open and Armando and Marcela walk out -- Marcela looks happy, Armando looks perturbed. Patricia walks right up to Marce and asks her how it went at the realtor's and Marce tells her that the apartment is just divine ... right, mi amor? (looking at Armando). Armando has become even more uncomfortable because he has noticed Betty looking on and quickly agrees with Marcela to finish that line of conversation.
Marcela asks Patricia to come into her office so she can give her all of the details and Mario comes out of his office and asks Armando for a few minutes of his time. Betty and the rest of the girls walk away towards their respective desks. Armando walks in dejectedly to Mario's office: Mario -- Let's see, Mr. President, I notice you look tired ... to what do we owe that tragic face? What happened? Armando -- Betty overheard Marcela talking about the closing on the apartment. Mario -- Aaaaaaah ... Armando -- We just came from the realtor's. Mario -- But you had explained to Betty that you would follow all of the steps that lead to the wedding. She already knows all about it, so what's bothering you? The strange thing is that you would invest money in something that won't happen, but then you'll come up with something, won't you? Armando -- Come up with something? Mario -- Of course. Armando -- Calderón, it was absurd to sign that contract. Mario -- Let's see ... it was absurd because you didn't like the apartment or because it doesn't seem like a good deal? Armando -- It's not that, it's not that. I'm re-thinking whether I should marry Marcela. Yes, I want to stop my marriage, really, I don't want to marry her, Calderón. Mario (totally surprised) -- Excuse me? Is it April Fool's Day or where is the hidden camera? What am I hearing, by God? Armando -- Don't be stupid, I'm serious. Mario -- Let's see. Are you telling me you will cancel the wedding, which would unleash a storm, so you won't look bad in the eyes of Betty? Armando -- It's not because of Betty, it's because of me. Mario -- Just a moment. Mr. President, let's have a seat. What in the hell are you talking about? Betty walks angrily into her office, closes the door and heads to her desk crying. She tells herself over and over that she knew it (that Armando would go through with the wedding) and calls herself a fool for holding out a glimmer of hope. She reaches in her desk drawer for matches and lights the white candle.
At that exact moment, Cata walks in and reminds Betty that she needs the checks for the invoices she brought in yesterday. Betty asks her to give her 10 minutes and she will take care of everything. Cata tells her to take her time and, noticing the look on Betty's face, remarks that the candle must not be working as well as in the beginning. Betty tells her that the crisis with her boyfriend still continues. Cata responds that she never takes any time for herself ... she's got the balance, the collection and the board meeting to worry about, but where is the time to think about herself? Betty explains to Cata that she has no time and that she can't leave Don Armando alone. Cata suggests that she ask for vacation time right after the board meeting, but then she remembers that the wedding is this weekend and then Armando will be away on his honeymoon, so Betty can't leave Eco Moda alone then. Shutters come over Betty's face and she tells Cata that she doesn't want to be here this weekend and much less during Don Armando's honeymoon. When Cata questions the reasoning behind this, Betty tells her that her boyfriend's birthday is this weekend and then their anniversary is coming up and that's why she doesn't want to be here ... if she ever has to be away, it is this weekend (phew! close call!). Cata tells her that Armando won't permit it, but Betty answers that if he doesn't, she'll take the time off anyway. After all, she's sure that will be the happiest day of his life. Cata offers to ask on Betty's behalf, but Betty tells her that she doesn't want Don Armando to know that they've been talking about him and she makes it clear that it's a work problem strictly between Don Armando and her. Cata tells her she'll be back later for the checks. When she's left alone, Betty starts to cry again, telling herself that she needs to get out of there. :o(
And in Mario's office: Mario -- Tell me what this change is all about, what happened, what happened yesterday? What happened with Marcela? What happened with Betty? Did you explain things to her, did you clear everything up? Armando -- No, I didn't have the chance, Calderón. I really don't know what is going on between them. Yesterday I saw them at LeNoir. Mario -- At LeNoir? Armando -- Yes, they were drinking wine, holding hands, hugging ... Mario -- Were they kissing? Armando -- I couldn't tell, I couldn't see well. But of course when he took her home, then I got the impression that they kissed. Mario -- Then you followed them home? That's good, Mr. President, I thought you were going to catch them in the act at LeNoir and you were going to make a public scandal. Armando -- Of course I followed them home. And you know what, Calderón? They were so affectionate, so effusive, that I thought that guy was going to take her to heavens-knows-what- place, but no, Calderón, he took her home. Mario -- And there you attacked? Armando -- Of course I attacked, of course I did. I recriminated her actions. But she told me that there was nothing between them, that they were simply very good friends, that they had known each other since they were kids, and that's why they were so affectionate and what was happening between them was a simple reconciliation. Mario -- Aaaaah, a reconciliation ... so they had a fight? Armando -- Of course they had a fight. There had been a misunderstanding regarding Terra Moda's money but it was now all cleared up and that's why there were so happy, euphoric and content. In any case, that good-for-nothing is still driving my Mercedes Benz and he probably paid the restaurant bill with my money. Mario -- And he took your Betty. To sum it all up, Doctor Mendoza, that good-for-nothing is seducing your Betty with your money in your car ... why don't you lend them your apartment? Armando (getting up and gesticulating angrily) -- Stop it, stop it, Calderón, no more!!! Stop saying, my Betty, my Betty ... no more!!! Mario -- And why? Isn't she your Betty in any case? Did you lose her? Armando -- I don't know ... don't torment me!!! Mario -- You're tormenting your own self, don't blame me. I haven't done anything. And please, answer my question, did you lose her? Armando (in despair) -- I don't know, I just don't know. Last night, last night she didn't even want to ... kiss me. Mario -- Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, Doctor Mendoza, I don't know. If I were you, I would start making reservations in a monastery. Let's review the state of things: you start chasing a 'fea', making her fall in love with you, then you seduce her, then you stop making love to your fiancée, then the 'fea' cuts off her services, and our man stops going out with women, he disappears off the face of the earth, it is rumored that he is totally celibate, 0 kisses, 0 sex. The monastery, Doctor Mendoza, the monastery, or if not, then total confinement because you are going to become very dangerous. When we least expect it, you will jump on top of any model, yes sir. Armando (menacingly) -- Stop it, Calderón. Mario -- And that's not the worst part. The story gets even more complicated. Our hero will be left without his bread or his cheese. The 'fea' turns him away and betrays him with the dunce of the neighborhood, with his money, and what does our genius do in retaliation? He is going to re-think his wedding with the owner of company and all of that because of the 'fea'!!
Armando -- I am not re-thinking it because of her. Mario -- Yes, you are re-thinking it because of her. For her you would give your life. You follow her everywhere and even put on public scandals. The only thing you don't know is if she has anything with Nicolás Mora or not, but because of her you are re-thinking your wedding to Marcela ... (now singing) because of her, because of her. Armando -- No, Calderón!! You don't understand what I'm trying to say. Last night when I arrived at Marcela's apartment she had all of the preparations for the wedding to show me. And you know what? I felt alien to all of it, I wasn't excited. Calderón, look, you have to understand something. Marcela thinks of the wedding as a countdown, and when we get married, everything will be as it was before, we will be the same people we were, we will love each other like we did, but that is a lie!! You know why? Because I can't marry a woman that I don't desire and it's been a long time since I've desired Marcela Valencia. Mario -- Correction. You stopped desiring her after you went to bed with the little monster. Armando -- Don't confuse me. Do anything you want, Calderón, but don't confuse me because I won't let you. Mario -- No. You are confused because you won't accept that Betty is changing your life. Please react! It's incredible, she has changed your intimacy! Look at yourself in the mirror, you are skinny, with bags under your eyes, on the edge of a nervous breakdown ... In response, Armando pounds on Mario's office door -- FREEZE! To be continued ...
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USA 1/8-12/01. Sofia visits Efraim in jail. Marcela tries on her wedding dress. Armando's mother arrives. Ines becomes sick and the entire cuartel, plus Hugo, visit her at home. Catalina sees Armando kissing Betty and Betty sees her. Betty tries to explain to Catalina but she says, meaningfully, that she saw nothing. Olarte gives Daniel the news about Terra Moda, that it is owned by Betty. Betty tells Nicolas that her plan of vengeance, the car, etc., isn't working, that it isn't her. Armando confronts Nicolas and Betty outside of Ines's house and the two get into a fight. Armando the next day asks Betty's forgiveness and gives her another card. She apologizes for slapping him the night before but it was the only way to stop him. Everybody is talking about what happened. Ines, better, opens the door and finds Rafael, the husband who abandoned her 20 years before, standing there. He wants forgiveness but she tells him to leave. The episode of the 12th uses children in the roles of all the characters.
La Opinion, 1/14/01. Solo telenovelas [summary of previous week] Laura M. López BETTY LA FEA KVEA Canal 52, lunes a viernes, 8:00 p.m. Casi todo estaba listo para el evento más importante de Eco Moda... la boda de su presidente con una de las accionistas y presidenta del área de diseño. Las invitaciones estaban repartidas, Margarita y don Gustavo acababan de llegar de Europa para estar en la junta directiva y por supuesto, en la boda de su hijo. El único que faltaba para completar el cuadro, era Armando. El se encontraba en un mundo de desesperación sin salida. El reporte de la junta aún no estaba terminado, pareciera como si Betty lo quisiera matar de angustia y Mario presionando para que se lo exigiera a costa de lo que fuera. Un matrimonio con alguien a quien no amaba y lo peor de todo, que ni siquiera la deseaba como mujer. Sin embargo, lo que más tenía al borde de la crisis de nervios a Armando, era haber reconocido que se moría de celos ver a Betty al lado de Nicolás Mora. Lo grave del asunto es que ese día en que Inesita se enfermó, todas las muchachas del cuartel se fueron con ella a su casa para cuidarla, incluyendo Hugo quien la adoraba y estaba muy preocupado por la salud de la anciana. Armando había bebido bastante y con el pretexto de saber de Inesita, llegó hasta ahí, pero al ver a Nicolás junto con Betty no aguantó más y provocó una gran pelea, que por supuesto el que salió mal físicamente fue Nicolás. Al día siguiente, en los corredores de Eco Moda ya todos sabían lo que sucedió la noche anterior, además de que Armando no podía ocultarlo, pues en su cara tenía las huellas. Armando le prometió a Betty que después de la junta directiva, además de suspender su boda, confesaría que la pelea de la noche anterior fue por celos. Patricia por su parte, estaba completamente segura que Nicolás le daría el dinero para recuperar su Mercedes, aunque tuviera que entregársele. Sin embargo, Nicolás tenía siempre en su mente, que le prometió a Betty que no le daría ni un peso a la peliteñida.
5-10-2000 Marcela ofende gravemente a Betty. Margarita trata de convencer a Armando para que le cuente que le está sucediendo realmente. Armando escucha a Betty cuadrar una nueva cita con Nicolás y éste, por su parte, le pide permiso a Betty para invertir 3000 dólares en Colombia. Sofía le cuenta a Jenny que visitó a Efraín en la cárcel. Inesita sufre un desmayo. 06-10-2000 Armando besa a la fuerza a Betty en su oficina y alguien los descubre. Hugo insiste en cuidar personalmente de Inesita. Daniel Valencia recibe el certificado de existencia de Terramoda. Betty le anuncia a Nicolás que manejará de manera diferente las cosas con Armando. 09-10-2000 Armando confirma que Betty se encuentra en casa de Inesita y pasa con el pretexto de saludar a su empleada enferma. Hugo no tiene otra opción que compartir espacio con el tan odiado, para él, "cuartel de las feas". Betty trata de irse cuando Armando llega y se encuentra con Nicolás en la puerta. Hugo le recrimina a Armando por llegar pasado de tragos. 10-10-2000 Armando sigue a Betty hasta el carro y trata de impedir por la fuerza que se vaya con Nicolás. Nicolás la defiende y discute fuertemente con Armando. Después de intercambiar acusaciones sobre utilizar a Betty los ánimos se suben. El Cuartel y Hugo se sorprenden de ver un espectáculo bochornoso en la misma puerta de la casa de Inesita. Freddy y Sandra deben intervenir. 11-10-2000 Armando pierde el control de sus acciones y Betty debe tomar cartas en el asunto para calmarlo. Armando se sorprende de la capacidad de su asistente. Marcela recibe una llamada de Armando donde le dice que no irá a casa de sus padres. Betty confirma que a Armando lo único que le interesa es su dinero. Patricia llama a Nicolás. El Cuartel hace un análisis de Nicolás. 12-10-2000 Hugo despide al "cuartel" de casa de Inesita y se queda a cuidarla. Sin embargo, la noche no la usan para descansar sino para que Inesita le cuente lo que ha sido su vida. Nicolás accede a ir al apartamento de Patricia pero "desarmado". Patricia se las juega todas mientras limpia las heridas de Nicolás. Patricia se entera de lo que pasó con Armando en casa de Inesita.
1/8/01. Subject: MOnday night summary - - sorry it's late Author: Gea (208.36.75.173) Date: 01-10-2001 10:25 I got blitzed at work. here it is Mario and Armando are arguing in Armando's office. Mario is telling Armando to get the situation under control, and Armando says that "he can't", he's too stressed about everything that is going on. Armando says that of course he is at loose ends: everything is about to come to a head with the company, the board meetings is looming, he's about to get married (and doesn't want to), his parents will be here any minute and the company is in the hands of a crazy woman. Mario points out that on top of everything, he hasn't had sex lately, Armando says, of course not, he has no desire for it because he is so stressed out!! Armando is standing, then sitting, turning this way and that while Mario watches all of his movement. Mario then offers 'one final question' If la fea would have made love to you when you offered, would you have been able to? Armando replies that Mario has "awakened" him - -no, he wouldn't. Mario then asks if Armando has determined whether Patty is "la Peletenida" and armando asks, throwing his hands up, when, when would I have had time to find that out!! Mario asks if Armando has done the card of the day, and Armando says no, not yet. Mario holds up a card, and says for the poet to get to work. Mario continues to talk about how Armando must stay on track, and Armando becomes frustrated by Mario's interruptions, telling him to be quiet, he can't think. Mario keeps asking if he is finished, and finally he is. Mario asks to read it, and Armando says no, since Mario isn't writing anymore, he doesn't get to read it, it's private. Just after Armando leaves with the card in his hand, Mario says to himself - -President, don't let la fea turn you around…
Flash to Marcy and Patty sitting in Marcy's office, chattintg. Patty is telling Marcy that she thought Betty would be upset, that Betty would be all over her for going out with her boyfriend, but not a word. Patty then "lets it slip" that she kissed Nicholas. When Marcy freaks, Patty said it only happened once and it was an accident. Marcy replies that she must have provoked it. Marcy then asks what Patty is doing about her car, and Patty responds that she still hasn't come up with the money. She then begins to beg and wheedle Marcy for the money, saying that it isn't that much, Marcy can afford it. Marcy informs her that that is not the case at all, that all of her money went for the apartment, and all of the recent purchases, and who pays for the wedding? The family of the bride, but her sister is in south america, her brother disapproves, and her parents are (she points to the heavens), so who is paying for everything? Marcy is. Marcy is paying for everything. Marcy has no extra money at all. She doesn't have an extra cent to give to Patsy-Pat. Marcy then says she has to go, and gets up and walks toward the door, on her way out she asks when Patsy's next meeting with Nicholas is, and Patsy says she doesn't know, why? Marcy suggests that there "be no more accidental kisses."
Yenny is in the hall talking to her pupuchurri - -saying how she misses him and everything, but she has been too too busy to visit, but she would be by soon. The baby talk continues for a moment, until Hugo calls for her and she has to hang up. Armando comes in to Betty's office, and they exchange pleasantries. He then offers Betty the card of the day. (this is a rough sketch, because my VCR was not working last night, so I couldn't replay it) All of this distance between us; all of these nights when you cancelled our plans; missed kisses, missed lovemaking, etc., but soon we will be together, soon I will be with the woman who is the love of my life, who awakens me, it is only a few days more before we can be together. She reads while he watches and waits, on pins and needles. He asks after she finishes if she is calmed by the letter, she says yes. As he begins to speak again, Marge shows up at the door of the office with a "look who's here" and Margarita walks in! Armando jumps guiltily, gets up to kiss her on the cheek, and asks, why she didn't let them know she was coming. Marcy and Margarita exit to let Armando wrap up, and Armando is begging Betty under his breath to help him out, to save him, his parents are here, the board meeting is just around the corner, please, please could she take care of the numbers (fix them). He leaves to go with Marcela and Margarita, and she thinks to herself, of course, pretty cards, pretty words, pretty illusions/dreams, all in exchange for the marked numbers. She then said "PIG" out loud.
Armando, Margarita and Marcy all walk and talk together to Hugo's arena. Margarita answered that "your father was busy and Marcy has so much to do, so I came here. So how is it going" Bien, responded Armando While they are in the lobby, Patsy runs up to say hello to Margarita. Armando is picking on her, nastier than ever, mocking her financial status, the lack of car, etc., insulting in the extreme, especially for him. Patsy defends herself to Margarita, but Armando continues to mock her, talking abou t the things that everyone says about her, including the nickname, and when she doesn't deny it, he knows he has found "Nico's friend, la Peletenida"!! Nico and Hermes are talking about money, and an extra $25 thousand floating around. Nico tells Hermes to pile it in with the rest except to set aside $3,000. Hermes says, what for - -Nico dances around about having lots of expenses. Hermes says – what expenses and Nico is evasive. Clearly he is thinking about Pasty Pat. Hugo is practicing with the models on the runway, and Yenny is up there, until another model shows up who was away working another gig. Yenny gets booted off the stage and back to her role as a size model by a very happy Hugo. Margarita and Marge run into Gutierrez and Berta, who are arguing about where Sofia is and how long she has been gone. Gutierrez says that Sofia has been gone much more than her hour, and that something must be done. When questioned by all, Berta insists that Sofia has gone to the drugstore. Efrian is sitting alone in a dark jail cell that looks pretty gloomy and cold, but not as seedy as the ones you usually see on American TV. The guard says that he has a visitor, and he arises, anxiously, saying out loud how pleased he is that his girlfriend has finally managed to visit him. The guard opens the cell door and in walks Sofia with her hands full of packages. The guard says that they have 10 minutes, and leaves, locking the door behind her. She tells him that she has brought a pillow, an extra blanket, and some food, including some sandwiches. He mostly just looks at her, he can't quite believe she is here. When he asks why she came, she mentions again all that she has brought. Then she turns to leave. He says that they have several minutes more, she could stay. She asks what they have to talk about, besides the lawyers, the money, and ½ of her house. He asks how are the children, and she says that they are fine, and they have no idea he is here, they only think that he is busy with work, as always. He asks how she is, and she says fine. He asks again why she came, and she says that she supposes the good memories overcame the bitterness and anger. It comes up that Yenny has not visited, and Sofia says that she must be very busy and it is difficult to get away from EcoModa right now with so much going on. She agrees. He says that she must be very busy too, did they give her special time off to come see him? She says no, she had to work around it. He quietly takes all of this in. She turns again to leave, and he invites her to sit down and eat a sandwich with him, and makes a place on the narrow bed. She agrees. As they are sitting, he looks at the sandwich and says that it is his favorite. She says that she remembered. They continue to eat and she quiets, and he asks what she is thinking about. She says that the cell reminds her of their honeymoon. Our honeymoon, he replies, Sofia, you always were a strange one. She repeats, their honeymoon, because their bed was narrow and hard like this one. They visited a little village, and they had very no money, but it didn't matter, because all they cared about was making each other happy. She talked about how much they had loved each other, and how it all came to end in this jail cell. Would he ever have guessed it? No, he replied, he never would have thought they would end like this. The guard comes to take her away, and she hands him most of the sandwich back, saying that he should save it for later. He says that things are as always, him finishing her sandwiches for her. She says that she hopes that the good memories will overcome all of the bad. He agrees, and she leaves.
Back at ecomoda, Armando, Marcy and Margarita are talking to Hugo about the wedding dress. He says it is ready and she should come for a fitting NOW. Marcy and Margarita walk away with him, but as Armando comes to go with them, Hugo says no way is he seeing the dress before the wedding. Armando stays to talk to the models as always, but following the customary kisses on the cheek, stands a reasonable distance and doesn't have anyone on his arm. Betty gets a call from Armando's father, puts him on hold and goes to tell Armando, and walks in on him encircled by models. When he offers to explain that he wasn't doing anything, she says he owes her no explanations, only that his father is on the phone, and he should take the call. He asks her to let his mother know where he is and goes to take the call. Betty goes back and stares an Marcy in a beautiful wedding dress and veil (it really was stunning). Hugo asks what she is doing here and Marcy sneers as well, and she says she is only there to deliver the message to Margarita, but she can't stop staring, or seem to move her feet to leave. Marcy says that of course she is not coming to the wedding, and betty says, no, she has an important engagement. Hugo is equally rude, and Betty flees. Margarita asks Hugo and Marcy why they were so rude - - Hugo replies that he cannot be nice to anyone who leaves their house without checking the mirror. Marcy says that Betty hates her and wants Armando to marry any one but her. Margarita says, aghast, that betty can't be in love with him. Marcy replies no, she has a rich boyfriend that she is constantly bragging about, but she helped Armando hide his mistress. Margarita says "Armando has a mistress?" !!
Subject: ***SUMMARY - Tuesday, October 9, 2001*** Author: Becky A. (63.44.232.184) Date: 01-11-2001 02:39 HUGO'S WORKROOM Marcela (staring at Margarita and in a weepy voice), "I don't know if he still has her, but he did have one. She was very important to him. Beatrice helped him with that romance and that is why I detest her! I detest her!" Hugo appears and orders Marcela to take that look off of her face because she will ruin his dress. He yells at Inesita for the hangers that he had requested and the clothes for Maria Fernanda. Inesita tells him that he has not given her enough time. Margarita steps in and tells Inesita that she needs to rest because she looks pale. She asks if she's been to the doctor. Inesita says that there is much work to be done and that she has not been allowed any time off. She mentions that she was promised a vacation (she stares at Hugo). Margarita inquiries as to where she plans on going. Inesita says no where. Dona Margarita wants to know about her family. Inesita replies that her children live far way. Dona Margarita, "Then you are all alone". Inesita, "Yes, I have always lived alone and that is how I will die". Hugo (with a grin) immediately stops Inesita and reminds her that he had introduced her to the porter of his building who is a divine old man and that she stood him up. Inesita tells that she has known love, enjoyed it and suffered it and that she too old for it and she asks him to stop talking about it. He tells then to bring the hangers. Dona Margarita stops him from speaking to her in that manner. With a grin, Hugo says that she is efficient, that "Quasimota".
ARMANDO'S OFFICE Armando is on the telephone speaking to his father. He tells him not to worry about the meeting that Catalina was at the airport coordinating the arrival of the international visitors. (Betty walks in, stops in front of his, and stares. Armando slows down his conversation and stares back. Betty hurriedly leaves for her office.) Armando tells him that he will go the apartment that evening and that they will speak then. (Betty is listening to his conversation with his friend.) Armando sends him a kiss and says that he is glad that he is here. (Armando hangs up and throws his head back showing that he is worried.) Upon his ending his conversation with his father, Dona Margarita and Marcela enter. Margarita, "The wedding dress is spectacular. What do you plan on wearing, tails or smoking?" (Armando doesn't know what to say. He puts his right hand against his temple as though he is thinking.) "I hadn't thought about it. I don't know". Marcela steps in and says that she is in charge and says that he will be wearing "tails". Marcela excuses herself saying that she has work to do. Margarita tells him that Marcela has informed her that almost everyone has confirmed that they will be attending. Marcela says that basically everything is the same between the showing of the new collection and the wedding, the guests, dinner, etc. The only difference is that they will be the center of attention. Margarita says that the best thing will be the honeymoon. It would allow him to rest and dedicate some time to Marcela. (During this conversation, Armando leans towards his desk with his hands entwined, a fake grin, shrugging his shoulders as if in agreement. Since he knows that Betty is listening he keeps looking in the direction of her office.) Marcela states that she has things to do and leaves.
Margarita sits down and says that the grand day is approaching. Armando wants to know what she is referring to, the new collection or the executive meeting. Margarita goes to say his marriage. She tells him that this is the most important event that she has been waiting for. She says that this is a desire that is becoming a reality for her and his father. She says that his marriage will show a significant change in his life. It will show that he is the president of a stable company that he has managed well. (Armando is shaking his head in a agreement with a worried look on his face.) She goes on to say that his marriage will signify that he is leading a normal life, he is an adult and is responsible. She continues to say that he is marrying a marvelous woman that loves him. (Betty is listening to the conversation. Armando continually looks in the direction of her office. Betty's telephone rings.) Betty answers her telephone, it's Nicolas. "Hello Nicolas!" says Betty in her loud sweet voice for Armando's benefit. (Armando rolls his head to the side. Troubled that it is Nicolas) "Very good thank you. How are you?", she continues. Nicolas wants to know what is wrong, what has she been drinking. Betty ignores him. Nicolas tells her that she is making him nervous. Betty asks what time he plans on picking her up. Nicolas is shocked by her request. Dona Margarita notices that something is wrong with Armando. He tells her that he is tense. Everything is happening at once, the collection, the meeting and the wedding. (He continually looks towards Betty's office and noticeably disturbed that Nicolas will be picking her up. His wringing his hands and he is tense.) She tells him that she has noticed that he is not interested in the conversation of the wedding. "Are you not sure about getting married", she asks. Betty continues talking to Nicolas as though they are boyfriend and girlfriend. Dona Margarita asks that Armando close Betty's door. Armando is glad to do so since he is very anguished over listening to Betty's conversation with Nicolas. When Armando approaches Betty's door she asks him to close her door. (Betty won't make eye contact with him. His face shows anger.) He says, "But, of course".
BETTY'S OFFICE AND HER HOME After the door is closed, Betty becomes teary-eyed and Nicolas asks her what is happening. He says that she is worrying him and he wants to know if she is going crazy. Nicolas is telling Don Hermes that Betty has gone crazy over him and that he may become his son-in-law. Don Hermes tells Nicolas that he is not going to the father-in-law of a bread maker. (Don Hermes laughs.) Nicolas tells him not to dismiss him so fast. He states that Betty would be lucky to get a guy like him. Nicolas tells her that her father wants to know what to do with the money that they have invested in the United States. Betty tells him that she needs the balance tomorrow. Nicolas notices that she is not fine. He wants to know what is going on. Is she ill, he asks. Betty tells him to come pick her up after work and to hurry. She tells him that she is going crazy and that life is going out of her hands.
ARMANDO'S OFFICE Armando tells his mother that he prefers not to discuss the wedding. It is not because he is not interested, but he rather talk about it at home. He has too many problems that he needs to solve at work. Margarita, "I hope that it is something else and not someone else". She gets up and walks out.
SOPHIA'S AND BERTHA'S AREA Sophia is telling her story about her visit to Efrain to Bertha. She tells her that she thought that she hated him, but after seeing him she felt pity for him. Bertha can't stand still and Sophia asks her what is wrong. Bertha apologizes, but she says that she needs to go to the bathroom, again. She says that the pregnancy makes her spends quite a bit of time in the bathroom. She says, "We can act as though this is a telenovela and we are taking a commercial break". Sophia frustrated, comments that it is hard to have a conversation with her because her bathroom breaks are always interrupting. After Bertha takes off for the bathroom, Hugo and Jenny come walking down the hall. Jenny with her whiny voice tells Hugo that she cannot stay to rehearse because she needs to go and visit her puppochurro. Hugo tells her that she needs to stay and help "Inesita Quasimota". Jenny begs. Sophia chimes in and tells Jenny not to worry because she has already been to the jail to take him food, blankets, a pillow and a change of clothing. (Hugo is standing behind Jenny smiling.) "You!" , says Jenny. Sophia answers yes. "Why did you do that?", Jenny asks. Sophia answers since it corresponded to Jenny to go and she didn't she decided to go. Jenny says that all this has been a plan on Sophia's part to win Efrain back. Sophia stops her and tells her that he is no longer her husband and he is Jenny's lover and the father of Sophia's children. (Hugo has moved to a spot behind Sophia and is grinning.) She goes on to tell Jenny that the day will come when she will leave Efrain for another, but will always be the father of her children. (Hugo is behind Sophia and puts his hands on her shoulders as if though a show of support.)
HUGO'S WORKROOM Hugo has returned to his workroom and is barking orders. He tells Inesita that Jenny has left them and that it will be up to them to complete the work. Inesita tells him that what Jenny has to do is very important. Hugo is inspecting the dress that Maria Fernanda is wearing and gets upset with Inesita because it is too big. Hugo, "Didn't I tell you to fix this". Inesita replies that he did, but he had her working on Marcela's wedding dress and other projects that she has not had time. Hugo sends her for his measuring tape and blue thread. Hugo asks Maria Fernanda if she has had a fight with her boyfriend. He slaps her butt and tells her that the reason he asks is that she is thin. Hugo is yelling at Inesita to hurry with the measuring tape and thread. Inesita is on her way with the items when she begins to complain that she is not feeling well. She puts her hand on her forehead. Hugo immediately rushes to her side and asks what is wrong. Inesita faints. Hugo gets scarred and yells to the models, who are already around Inesita, to do something and not be useless.
SOPHIA'S AND BERTHA'S AREA Sophia is telling Bertha what happened between her and Jenny. All of a sudden they hear Hugo yell Inesita's name. Sophia and Bertha raise hurriedly to go to see what is happening. At the moment that Bertha gets up, she's overcome with pain. Sophia tells her to sit down, Bertha refuses she wants to check on Inesita. Sophia promises to go check on her if she promises to sit back down.
HUGO'S WORKROOM Sophia rushes in and sees Inesita laying down and passed out. Hugo is a nervous wreck. Sophia asks what happened and Hugo tells her that he doesn't know. He asks for them to bring water, call a doctor, get first-aid, or to call an ambulance.
SOPHIA'S AND BERTHA'S WORKAREA Sophia comes and tells Bertha that Inesita has suffered from a minor fainting spell. Bertha becomes anxious and is still suffering with pains. Sophia tells her to calm down Bertha asks if they shouldn't take Inesita to a clinic. Sophia tells her to go home and that she will take care of Inesita. Bertha gets up to leave and is having trouble walking. Hugo is yelling for Inesita's water.
HUGO'S WORKROOM He is talking to Inesita and apologizes for calling her Quasimota, making her work so many hours, and being a tyrant. (When he says the word tyrant he looks up at the models as asking them to tell him that he is not a tyrant, which they do.) He asks if she can imagine what his life would be without her. He says if she dies now she won't be able to enjoy her retirement. Sophia enters with the water. Hugo takes it away and tells her to leave. He asks if she can imagine how scarred Inesita would be if she were to wake up and see her standing there. Sophia ignores him. Hugo tells Sophia to go get some water and asks the models what happened to the doctor. The models tell him to calm down.
ARMANDO'S OFFICE Mario enters and wants to know how the budget is going. Armando (with a drink in his hand) says for him to go in and ask Betty. He says that he is not up to going in and asking her. He says that he is going to sit down and wait for that damned budget. Mario asks if there has been another couple's fight, more domestic problems. Armando says that no, Nicolas has called again and invited her out. He tells him that Betty is dying of emotion. Mario asks if he plans on following her. He says no that he can't. Since his parents are in town he can't go and he doesn't want to leave his mother with the spies, Marcela and Patricia. Armando is just wanting the budget.
BETTY'S OFFICE Mario goes in and asks if the budget ready. Betty tells him that the real budget will be ready tonight and she will make the changes tomorrow. Mario tells her that they only have 36 hours until the meeting.
ARMANDO'S OFFICE Mario tells Armando that it is not ready. He says that Betty is acting differently and expresses his concern. Mario tells Armando that he needs to calm down and that he can't leave nor let Betty leave until the budget is ready. Mario leaves. Betty's telephone rings and Armando hears Betty asks Wilson to tell Nicolas that she will right down.
BETTY'S OFFICE Armando walks into Betty's office and asks if she has finished the budget. Betty tells him that it will have to be tomorrow. Armando says no, that it will she will have to stay that evening and finish it. Betty says that her ride has arrived and she needs to leave. Armando asks if she prefers to go home with that man instead of staying at work and finish the budget. Betty says that she is tried and would like to leave. Armando says no that all she wants to do is torment and drive him crazy. Betty tells him that he is mistaken. As she tries to leave Armando tells her no. He says that he is tired of this situation and that it is making him sick. He tells her that she is going to stay and finish the budget with him and then make the changes. (Armando's voice is getting louder.) Betty tells him that it won't be possible and asks him to calm down that someone will notice. He asks why would it matter to him if someone found out. He tells her that she has created this situation and she wants something grave to happen. (He is getting angrier and he roughly grabs her by the chin.) He tells her that it is already beginning He says that she wants him to go crazy. He tells her that this is the new Armando, the one that she has created, "The one that can yell at her if he chooses. The one that can kiss her. The one that can do with her what he likes." He roughly grabs her begins to kiss her. Betty tries to push him off. Betty notices that Cata is standing at the door and witnessing the kiss. Cata hurriedly backs out and closes the door. Betty tells Armando that someone has opened the door. Armando wants to know who. Betty says that she does not know. Betty walks out of her office with Armando right at her heels. As she is approaching the door from Armando's office to the hallway, Marcela, Patricia and Margarita enter. Betty says goodnight to them and they all reply, however, Marcela and Patricia block her way.
IN THE HALLWAY Aura Maria and Freddy are coming around the corner. Betty runs into them and asks if the have seen Dona Catalina. They answer no and Betty asks them what is wrong and they tell her the news regarding Inesita
ARMANDO'S OFFICE Margarita wants to know when he will be home. He says that he has work to finish. Margarita says that she will leave with Marcela. (Marcela notices the liquor.) Margarita asks Patricia if she will be joining them. Patricia answers that she cannot since she has a very important engagement. Margarita asks if it is with a boyfriend. Patricia answers that she is dating a young businessman, with many projects, with a solid company and has a lot of money. Margarita congratulates her and tells her that she hopes that he is the man of her life. Armando hopes so too so that he will take her away from there forever. Marcela asks Armando if he is drinking. He says that yes he is and that she knows that he is tense. They agree to see each other at the apartment. Armando asks if Daniel will be there to which she says no. She tells him that they will see him in the morning since he has asked Roberto to meet him at Eco Moda. Armando thinks to himself that at least it was not them who saw he and Betty kissing.
HUGO'S WORKROOM The doctor has finished checking on Inesita. Hugo asks if she should go to a hospital. The answer is no, but that she needs bed rest. Inesita has come to and says that there is much work to be done. Hugo tells her that if it has to be there will be no collection. Freddy volunteers to Inesita home on his motorcycle. Hugo gets angry and says no. Betty offers to take home in the Mercedes. Cata immediately turns to look at her. Hugo tells everyone that he is going to take her home. Aura Maria says that she is going to take care of Inesita. Hugo says that he will be the one taking her home and she will be going to his house. Inesita protests and he agrees to take her to her home with the condition that he is going to stay and take care of her. After Inesita is taken, Cata says good-bye to everyone. Betty stops her. Betty tells Dona Catalina that she knows that she saw them. Catalina tells her that she did not see anything. As Betty tries to explain Cata interrupts and says that she did not see anything. Cata tells her that her problem is very serious. Betty asks if she understands why she wants to leave Eco Moda. Cata nods her head yes and tells her that she will have to leave. She tells her that she does not know what is happening, but she does know that she would not want to be in her place. Betty says that she doesn't want to be in her own shoes. Cata asks if she would like to talk, but Betty tells her that her friend is downstairs waiting for her. Cata asks if it is her boyfriend or her friend. Betty tells her that she does not have a boyfriend and that they will speak tomorrow.
ARMANDO'S OFFICE Mario is now in Armando's office who has explained what happened between he and Betty. Mario tells him that he needs to calm down with Betty or there will be a great tragedy. Mario asks if he is crazy. What if he had been caught by his mother, Patricia or Marcela. Armando says that he knows that it wasn't his mother, Marcela or Patricia. Armando tells him that they will have a bigger problem if Betty doesn't fix the budget. Mario tells him to quit lying to him. Mario says that what is tormenting him more is what Betty is doing with Nicolas. He tells him that he doesn't need a president who is full of jealousy. He says that he wants to see him tomorrow with his feet planted on the ground.
DANIEL'S OFFICE Orlate arrives to give Daniel information as to Terra Moda. He tells him that Betty is the owner, Nicolas the manager and the initial capital. When he tells him the office address Daniel notices that it is a home address. Daniel orders him to leave the information. As Orlate is leaving he extends his hand which Daniel ignores.
OUTSIDE ECO MODA Nicolas is waiting for Betty. Betty tells him that this game has ended. She says that she is the one losing. She tells him about Cata seeing them kiss. She says that she is killing Armando and herself. She says that it is not just to make someone jealous who does not love her. She says that she is looking ridiculous. She has lost the cause. She says that she is not the same Betty. Everything that they are doing with the car, restaurants and money is not them. She says that she is playing with the family, the company and Armando. Nicolas tells her that she is trying to freeze his relationship with Patricia. She tells him no, but that he needs to end his relationship with her. She doesn't want to be around when the wedding occurs. This will all end this weekend.
BETTY'S OFFICE Armando walks in and acts as though he is speaking to Betty. He wants to know why she is doing this to him., where does she want to take him and why does she want to turn his life. He says that he doesn't actually know what he feels for her. He says that she doesn't answer him anymore. Talking to her is like talking to the empty chair that is in front of him. (Armando is still drinking.) As he leaves her office he tells the empty chair thank you.
OUTSIDE ARMANDO'S OFFICE Armando is leaving when he sees Cata passing by with clothing in her hands. He asks her what she is doing. She replies that she is helping Hugo with the collection. He tells her to leave it for Hugo and Inesita. She asks him if he has not heard that Inesita became ill. Immediately, Armando becomes concerned for Inesita. She assures him that she is fine.
Subject: Summary for Wednesday 1/10/01 Author: Maria K. (65.80.41.146) Date: 01-11-2001 19:39 Yo Soy Betty, La Fea Summary for Wednesday, January 10, 2001 Cata asks Armando if he has any serious problems, if there's anything she can help him with. He tells her that presidents of large companies have problems besides those of the business and that those problems don't always have a solution. Nico takes Betty to see Inesita. She tells him she'll hurry so that he has time to visit Patsy-Pat. The cuartel is at Inesita's house and Mariana and Sandra are taking turns doing Hugo's bidding who is like a mother hen over Inesita. Betty goes upstairs and everyone is near Inesita, very worried about her. Inesita wants Hugo to go home but he says that he will not leave her with the cuartel. He tells her that her husband may have left her, but that this new self-appointed husband will never abandon her! Betty enters Inesita's room and Hugo warns her not to kiss her as she may give her an "ugliness" virus. Hugo is mothering Inesita and caring for her. Armando calls Hugo on his cell phone and Hugo answers it sweetly thinking it I his boyfriend. He and Armando go into their usual funny exchange. Armando asks to speak to Inesita and asks her how she is doing. Inesita says that the cuartel is there caring for her. Armando asks then if Betty is also there. She tells him yes and he asks if she brought her boyfriend. Inesita tells him that Nico is in the car downstairs waiting for Betty. He wishes Inesita well and hangs up. Inesita tells Betty to invite Nico in but she says that he is too timid. Nico is in his car talking to a photo of Patsy-Pat telling it that he will soon have to say goodbye to her.
Patsy-Pat is in her apartment talking to her dad telling him that she's seeing the friend who will lend her the money to rescue her Mercedes Benz. She tells him she'll get the money today. Patty sits down to eat and her stomach gurgles and she tells it to stop complaining that they are on a forced diet. Nico continues talking to the photo of Patty telling it that he can't give her the money because Betty is his best friend and that she'd kill him. But that if he had it his way, he'd gladly give it to her. Freddy arrives with Inesita's medicines and asks Dona Hugo how Inesita is doing? Hugo wants to make sure they have the right medications and goes off to get them ready for Inesita. Freddy asks Hugo if everyone is upstairs and Hugo tells him that no, that they are in the basement. <grin> The cuartel are talking about Berta and how she got sick when she found out that Inesita fainted. They also mention that Berta's husband is taking her to see a doctor. Freddy greets everyone and tells Inesita that he has brought her medications and hands her an apple. Inesita tells the cuartel to stop standing around as if they were at her funeral and they get in bed with her. Hugo wants to know what everyone is doing in bed with Inesita, that they'll suffocate her. Ines is happy to have company since no one has been in her house since her family left. Hugo sees the apple and confiscates it, asking Freddy if he's a doctor now and knows what's good for Inesita. Freddy eats the apple. The cuartel invite Hugo to get into the bed with them and Inesita. He says he never dreamt of being in bed with so many women, especially ugly ones! He gets in the bed! It's very sweet. The girls tease Hugo by touching him. Armando arrives at Inesita's house. He's on the phone with Marcela telling her he is going to visit Inesita and that he will be at his parents' house afterward. She must have made a comment about his drinking because he asks her if she is going to prohibit his drinking. Armando rings the doorbell and Freddy answers. Armando asks where Betty is and Freddy asks if he wants Betty or Inesita. Armando says either and heads up the stairs, stumbling on his way up. When he enters Inesita's room, the cuartel gets up to greet him. Inesita wants to know if she can offer him something to drink and he asks for a whiskey. Hugo asks him if he thinks he's at an English pub or at Marge's apartment and goes into one of his dissertations. Betty excuses herself and says goodnight. Armando also excuses himself and runs out after Betty. Betty is trying to get into the car and Armando slams the door shut and asks if she's in a hurry. Betty tells him that he's drunk and that his family is waiting for him. He grabs her and tells her that she is leaving with him. Betty says, "Where to?" and Armando tells her that they're going somewhere where they'll be alone and they can talk. Betty tells him she's not going anywhere with him. Armando wants to know if she prefers to leave with the "muelon" instead of with him. He is tugging on Betty and she is trying to get out of his grasp. Armando asks Betty to stop playing. He asks Betty if she loves him the same way that he loves her. He asks her to leave with him and leave Nico there. Betty tells Armando to leave her alone. Armando says that he won't leave her alone, and if she wants to know why. He says that he adores and loves her. Nicolas gets out of the car and yells at Armando to let go of Betty. Armando calls Nicolas a dummy and tells him to be quiet that this is between he and Betty. Nicolas tells him that whatever involves Betty also involves him. Armando says, "Fine, come and get me." Betty attempts to leave again. Armando screams that Betty is staying there with him. Betty tries to leave one more time and Nico tells her to wait. He wants to know what Armando's problem is with him. Armando screams that his problem with him is due to the fact that Nicolas is abusive, and that he's fresh, because he's driving a car that's not his and that he's spending a fortune that is also not his. That he, Armando, put the money into Terra Moda. He tells Nico to stop exploiting Betty. Betty asks Armando what he means. Armando states that he knows everything. Nicolas says that the car came from the sweat of his brow and Betty's. That he and Betty worked hard. Nico says that Armando didn't put anything in. Armando is indignant and says that he put in $80,000. Nico says that because of that Armando thinks he has earned his way to heaven. Nico asks Armando if he has forgotten where the money for Terra Moda came from (RagTela). Armando tells Nico that it's fine, to keep the money but to leave Betty alone. Betty tells Armando that he doesn't know what he's talking about and that he's drunk. Armando says that he does know. He knows that Nicolas is after her because of Terra Moda and the luxuries she affords him. Nicolas calls Armando a delinquent and tells him that he's the one that is exploiting Betty. Nico continues yelling at Armando, making him angrier and angrier. Betty asks Nicolas to stop. Nicolas tells Armando that he won't leave Betty there with him because she has someone to defend her. Armando says, "Oh we have a hero, you're the hero with the black Mercedes, the general manager of Terra Moda." "I'm terrified, what are you going to do to me?" Nicolas tells him that he's going to tear him to pieces and takes his coat off. Armando snorts (?) and tells Betty to watch Nicolas tear him apart. He tells him to go ahead , to start, to tear him apart. Nicolas takes his glasses off and Armando calls him a blind man, and asks if Nico can see him. Nico gets in a sucker punch and hits Armando in the jaw. Betty screams. "No more, please, no more!" Armando hits Nicolas really hard over and over again. Betty continues to scream, asking them to help. The cuartel, Hugo, and Inesita hear the ruckus and Hugo runs downstairs to investigate. Hugo runs back and informs everyone that Armando is beating up Betty's boyfriend. They all run downstairs to help and Hugo crawls into the waiting arms of Inesita. She comforts Hugo. Armando is savagely beating Nicolas and Betty asks Freddy to help. Armando tells Freddy that if he intervenes, that he'll kill him too. The girls are trying to get Freddy to go help and he says that if Don Armando doesn't kill him, he'll surely fire him. Freddy grabs Armando from behind and momentarily stops him. This gives Betty enough time to run in front of Nicolas to protect him. Armando tells Freddy to let go of him or he'll fire him. Betty screams out "No More!" Armando screams at Nicolas to come, and tells Betty to move out of the way or he'll move her himself. Betty slaps Armando's face hard. Armando looks as though he is in total disbelief. Hugo has run downstairs and yells for them to tie up the beasts. He gives Armando a lecture about being the president of Eco Moda and starting a brawl.
The cuartel goes back inside and Betty drives Nicolas home. Armando looks terribly shaken and upset. He runs his fingers through his hair in desperation. He looks terribly distraught. His cell phone rings and it is Marcela. He informs her that he is not in the mood to see his parents. He is rude and belligerent with her. He screams at her and then asks her to make his excuses to his parents for him. He tells her that he knows he's been drinking. He yells at her that he knows that he's upset and excitable. He tells her to call him in 15 minutes if she wants to check up on him to make sure he's going to his apartment. He then tells her to call the doorman if she doesn't believe he's going home alone. He hangs up. He walks toward Inesita's door as though he's about to ring the bell and covers his face with his hands, visibly shaken. He looks as though he may cry. He whispers, "What have I done?" Then he speaks louder, almost yelling, "Damn it, what have I done?" He paces back and forth, agitated and in desperation repeats, "Jealousy, jealousy. "It's jealousy!" He hides his face in his hands once more. Betty is in the car with Nico. She tells him that Armando had an attack of jealousy, but that the truth came out. His concern was financial. He was concerned for Terra Moda and the money he thinks they're spending. Betty says that since she hasn't prepared the financial report for Armando, and hasn't doctored it up, he gets drunk and follows her around. She wants to make sure that every penny in Terra Moda is accounted for. Nicolas tells Betty that Armando made a spectacle of himself with the fight. Betty says that she was the one who made a spectacle of herself. She slapped him! Betty tells Nicolas that she will never forgive Armando for this. Nicolas says that things won't stay the way they are and that he'll go to Eco Moda tomorrow to take care of Armando. Betty says he's not to do anything. Betty says it's over. The cuartel wonders what could have happened to Armando to behave the way he did. They wonder if Nicolas provoked him. They talk about Nico and decide he's not as great as Betty made him out to be. Inesita warns the cuartel not talk about this at work tomorrow. They are disappointed. Betty asks Nicolas to have a detailed financial report of Terra Moda ready for her. She wants all monies accounted for. She asks him what he did with the $3000 he was going to invest. Nico coughs nervously and tells her that he hadn't done anything yet. She says everything must be accounted for. Nico's cell phone rings and it's Patsy-Pat. Nico lies and tells her that he got into a fight with a group of guys who were envious of him. Patsy-Pat invites him to her apartment so that she can give him first aid. Betty tells him to be careful with the story he told Patty because everyone at Eco Moda will know what happened between he and Armando Mendoza by morning. Inesita talks to the cuartel about her family and how they have all left her. Hugo tells the cuartel that it is time for the company to leave. They bicker about who will care for Inesita that evening and Hugo wins. He doesn't let the girls kiss him goodnight, but tries to kiss Freddy on his way out!! (funny). Nicolas arrives at Patsy-Pats apartment……….to be continued!!
Subject: SUMMARY 1/11/01 Author: sandy (63.29.201.192) Date: 01-12-2001 21:41 I came in late so I am not shure what I missed but here is where I started watching. At inesita's room. Inesita asks" And where are you going to sleep,Don Hugo?"Don Hugo answers "What are you scared of me???? , I am the one who is supposed to be scared , maybe you could take advantage of me."They both laugh and go to sleep. Outside Patty's Apartment in the Hall Nicolas is talking to himself and saying how he is going to be with Patty and all . He hides the Terramoda checkboork under a plant that is ouside Patty's apartment.He gargles some cologne or Scope whatever it is and knocks or rings (not shure). Patty lets him in and starts talking about what happened to him . Patty tells him to lay on the bed and Nicolas tells her surpised"in the bed?""Yes."answers Patty.He sits down and she pushes him down and now he is laying there , she comes near him and tells him that she is going for some bandages,alchol and band aids to cure him.(there is a comercial so we see imeadtialy Patty coming back with everything)She comes in and asks him who hit him and he answers that he will tell her the truth since she is going to find out anyway. He tells her that He fought someone she knows ARMANDO MENDOZA. Patty answers overly surprised (imagine tipical Patty)"That savage !!!!!look waht he did." SHe starts curing him and Nicolas starts saying in how he beat him up and Patty answers but look at you. Patty says" You must be really hurt, does it hurt a lot."Nicolas says well yeah it hurts." Patty kisses him in the cheek and asks "does it still hurt."Nicolas is al happy and tells her that he is feeling better. Patty asks how what his day , Nicolas answers "well in the stock market you know how it is ." Patty answers "Oh yes and me with this problem of my car." SHe hugs him and pretends to cry he gets al guilty and tells her that he will make a loan to her . Patty hets really exited and aks him if he could give her the check today. He remembers what Netty told him. He answers he will but he does not have the check book right now. SHe answers " Don't lie you always carry it." She starts checking him everywhre , she does not find it she stands up and acts all embarased then she lays at the other side of the bed and says that she si so embarased for what she did that this night was not supposed be like that . She tells him to better leave. He promised he will help her . He leaves. Patty is laying in the bed and says"what ?how could he . not bring the checkbook, is it that he wants be to sleep with him, LIke I wass that easy."
Next day at the secretrial hall Armando comes in with Mario . Mario asks "what you want me to come so early.What happened to you." Armando answers "I got in to a fight and I think I stuck a dagger in myself."He is about to explain what happened when the elevator doors oen and Sodfia is talking about Armando . Armando notices and he turns around and says" goooood morning Sofia."She turn around embarrased and starts pretending he was talking about a novela. Armando tells Mario that they should go in his office. Sofia starts hitting herself in the head she can't believe he heard that. SHe asks Mariana and Sandra if they think he bought it . THey answer joking that oyeah. THEy talk about how they fear for Bettys job and they say they have to tell everyone that they will have a meeting about that. At Marios office. Maro asks about waht happened. Armando makes excuses about why he fought and Mario asks him if Betty would have gome with him will he sleep with her. Armando answers that if he had to he would. Mario knows he was there because of Betty and not the report as Armando says. Armando tells Mario how he felt good hitting "el muelon" Nicolas. And how he could not stop.Mario asks how did he stop and he answers taht Betty slapped him.Mario is totally surprised and says that that was to much , that he will prefer to lose the company than that , that he will kill her. Armando answers " Oh yeah and the Pinzon family will inherit the compant , THat is wonderful." Mari says "well ok not that , but now you are going to have to say sorry , ho ahead write her a letter."HE gives him a paper. Do you know how Inesit is. No he answers.
At Inesita's room Inesita and Hugo are sleeping and Inesita wakes up and stands up. Hugo does not feel who he was holding and starts asking about "his chesito" He starts screaming and he wakes up and he asks about who he sleeped with and he remembers Inesita and he starts Screaming for Inesita . Inesita comes in syas here I am . Hugo asks and where do you think you are going and she answers I am taking a shower. Hugo says "no, no you go back to sleep." Inesita answers"I have to take a shower to feel better." hugo says "okay but why don't you take a shower with me ." Inesita says "Don hugo I never took a shower with my husband and now you want me to take it with my boss ." she laughs and Hugo tells her to take a shower but if she is going to pass out to scream. At secreterial hall Betty comes in and is atacked by el cuartel with questons. Betty says she does not want rumors and that they better sont say anything. Ek cuartek tells her taht they will have a meeting later. Sofia is in the hone talking to BErta (you cant hear Berta) . it Appears that because of Inesita sickness Bert got sick to and she had to stay for the sake of her baby. Armando comes out of Marios office and HE sees Patty and tells her the usual of her being late.Patty asks with a smile what happened to him. He answers something I did not get sorry. Marce comes in complaining about how armando and Daniel did not attend a dinner where they were the guests of honor because he was drunk.Paaty tells her that the real reason is that he got ina fight with Nicolas mora. Marce answers "Bettys boyfriend."Patty says "and mine." Bettys office armando comes in with the letter of the day. He ewscuses himself he did not know she was there . She answers that it is 9 she is always there at 9. He starts saying how sorry he is of what happened the day before taht he was jealous . She says that he spit out what was really bothering and that was that Nicolas used his car and money. He says is not true taht he was eally jealous.Betty tells him that she will give him a Terramoda report so he will know how they use they use the money. He says he does not want one. But BEtty says she will give him a report anway.HE gives her the letter and tells her to read it. She readsit she is moved( it said something really preety sorry I did not get it)She asked if that meant he will tell everyone what this letter said . He answered yes by after the meeting . Betty tells him that they have to agree in a story of what happened .She sta rts telling him and Marcela comes in she asks what happened to him and tells him not to tell taht a taxi driver robed him because she is not going to buy it. He tells her that he got in a fight with Nicolas MOra and she says why and he tels her that he saw Betty and he wanted her to come back to work and she and Nicolas did not want to so they got in to a fight. She gets really mad and she leaves. Armando asks if the story was similar , she answered yes but he skipped te slap. Betty says she is sorry , he answers that he deserved it. Sofia is telling Gutierrez that Berta is not going to be able to come he starts saying he did not get any papers . Marcela comes in and asks what is happening Sofia explains and Marcela tells Gutuerrez to wait for the papers and to dare boter Bert. HE sasys he will have to get a eaplacement and he is HAPPY. Sofia tells Marcela to please not let Gutierez bring a 90-60-90 that will take Bertas job. SHe says she will take care of it. Marcela asks Patty how did she know about the fight she answers she got first hand information. Marcela says "so you went out with him yesterday." Patty says"no we were at my apartment" .Hugo comes in talking about his wach , Mariana and sandra ask how is inesita and if she is alone he answers yes and that one of them has to go take care of her later. Inesitas house Inesita answers the door it is his husband she is soooooooooooooo surprised she almost fainted. They talk ( this was really boring) Inesita goes to her room and prays to god that why did he bring him back. Freeze frame
1/12/01. ESPECIAL CON NIÑOS.
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USA 1/15-19/01. Betty gives Armando and Mario the real balance. Inés lets her husband stay in the house. Daniel tells Armando's parents that Terra Moda is owned by Betty. She is called in and explains that her novio Nicolas put it into her name because of her contacts with bankers. Catalina offers Betty a job and she accepts. She is desperate to leave Terra Moda. Marcie reprimands Betty for hitting Armando (she has heard the whole story) and reminds her that she will always be nothing more than an employee. Armando realizes that Betty doesn't want to fix the books but he begs her and she finally agrees to help him. Another fashion show is held. During the reception, Patricia gets ? to pose as her novio and introduces him as such to Daniel. Afterwards, Betty gives Armando the fixed books and they embrace. He tells her that is feels like a goodbye. After she leaves, he realizes that for the first time he is really in love with her. Betty has her father and Nicolas prepare the records of Terra Moda. She plans to leave after the board meeting. Nicolas goes to his date with Marcela, minus his checkbook. She kisses him, asks for the checkbook, changes her tune, gets into her bed with him....then he leaves as if to get his checkbook and never returns. She calls his cell phone repeatedly. Betty tells her parents she will leave Eco Moda and Terra moda and go to Miami. She gets the checkbook from Nicolas and tells him they will return the car. Daniel asks Olarte to find out if Eco Moda is embarcado before the directors' meeting.
La Opinión, 1/21/01. Solo telenovelas[summary of previous week] Laura M. López Betty la fea KVEA Canal 52, lunes a viernes, 8:00 p.m. Betty ya no estaba sola en medio de su angustia, además de Nicolás, su mejor amigo, también estaba Catalina, quien por accidente se enteró de la relación entre Betty y Armando. Catalina no aprobaba esa relación, porque sabía que Armando no era hombre para ese tipo de mujer, pero no por eso dejaba de sentir lástima por Betty y se dispuso a ayudarla a superar el dolor. Al día siguiente del lanzamiento de la nueva colección, Betty estaría muy lejos de Eco Moda. Catalina logró convencerla para que se alejara lo más posible que pudiera de la empresa y de la vida de Armando, porque de no hacerlo, se hundiría más y más, y entonces sí que sería muy difícil ayudarla. El amor que Betty siente por Armando puede más que el deseo de venganza. Por eso cumplió con su promesa de ayudarlo a maquillar los números para que el día de la junta todo saliera bien. Aunque Daniel cada día ahondaba más en el asunto de Terra Moda. Todo fue un éxito el día de la presentación, todos brindaban; sin embargo, a Marcela le parecía muy extraño que Armando estuviera llamando a Betty a cada momento. Tan pronto terminó la fiesta, Armando se fue para Eco Moda. Ya para entonces Betty había finalizado los últimos detalles del balance financiero y estaba a punto de irse. La presencia de Armando en ese lugar le quitaba el valor para abandonar todo, y más cuando él la tomó en sus brazos y la besó apasionadamente, diciéndole al oído cuánto la amaba. Betty respondió con la misma pasión, aunque para ella eso era una despedida y quería llevarse en su boca y en su piel hasta el último aliento de Armando. Una vez a solas él tuvo que reconocer que por primera vez estaba perdidamente enamorado, nada menos que de Beatriz Pinzón.
17-10-2000 Armando le explica a Betty que después de la junta hará público el amor que siente por ella. Marcela enfrenta a Armando. Bertha es incapacitada y Gutiérrez aprovecha para contratar a una 90-60-90, pero Marcela le tiene una sorpresa. Inesita recibe la visita de alguien a quien hacia 20 años no veía. Betty le entrega a Armando y a Mario el balance… real. Roberto llega a Ecomoda. 18-10-2000 Catalina le hace a Betty un ofrecimiento para trabajar con ella fuera del país. Marcela despide a Jenny. Hugo le cuenta a Marcela y a Catalina que Betty le pegó a Armando. Marcela le reclama a Betty por haber golpeado a Armando. Daniel escucha a Patricia pelearse con los abogados que le quitaron el carro. Delante de Margarita, Roberto y Marcela, Daniel le habla a Armando sobre la dueña de Terra Moda. 19-10-2000 Armando siente que el mundo se le viene encima cuando Betty es llamada a la reunión con sus padres e interrogada sobre Terra Moda. Daniel le dice a Patricia que le da dos días de plazo para recuperar el Mercedes o presentar "casting" ante sus amigos. Armando recibe los reproches de Marcela por haber permitido que Betty lo golpeara. Marcela le cuenta a Patricia que Terra Moda es de Betty. Catalina le pregunta a Betty si definitivamente se irá con ella.
25-10-2000 Nicolás y Patricia tienen un encuentro bastante romántico. Betty se despide de Armando y le cuenta a sus padres que renuncia a Ecomoda para irse a Miami con Catalina. Patricia llama desesperadamente a Nicolás. Betty prepara los papeles para la junta directiva.
Subject: MONDAY SUMMARY 1/15/01 - -right here Author: GEA (208.249.92.75) Date: 01-16-2001 11:07 Monday Summary: Hugo is in his space working with models all around him, and he is edgy, whiny and fussy. There is a new woman helping him out with the last minute measurements and adjustments, but he can't take it!! He can't work like this!! He needs Inesita, and Yenny is getting on his nerves! She pouts, and is acting annoying, and he decides that they are both incompetent, and they have to go! Gutierrez is interviewing a woman in a very little top and a very little skirt, and is "interviewing her" for the job of Berta's replacement/his next girlfriend. He asks all sorts of personal details, is clearly flirting and using lots of English in conversation. In addition, he tells her that the job is very demanding and time consuming, with a lot of late hours, so it will be difficult for her boyfriend, or close friend, or whatever. She assures him that she has no boyfriend, which makes him very happy. Armando, Betty and Mario are all in Armando's office, and Betty gives them the real report with the real numbers. Armando and Mario are very distressed to see this, and not the fixed numbers. Betty tells them that it will not be done until tonight, and both are very upset. They won't have much time to study the report then. She replies that it is the best she can do. Don Roberto then sticks his head in the door and asks how they are taking care of his company, and Armando passes the report off to Mario like a side pass in football, Mario almost fumbles before tucking it away, and Betty slips away to her office. Roberto comes forward to her doorway and asks how she is doing, how things are with his business. She looks as if she is going to be sick, and he smiles and says he knows it is in good hands.
Catalina comes in to Betty's office looking for Armando, sees Betty, and asks her if she has talked to Armando about leaving. Betty looks very, sad, and overwhelmed, saying that he will never let her go. Cata asks what she plans to do then? Betty replies that it doesn't matter, she will be resigning after the meeting tomorrow regardless. Cata asks where she will go, what does she plan to do. She says she doesn't know. Cata then says that after the showing her contract with EcoModa will have ended, and she has lots of other work. Her next job is out of town, and Betty needs a change of scenery, so Cata proposes that Betty join her in Miami - -the beach, the water, different people, different place, and all that sun. Betty says she can't afford it. Cata says, oh no! You would come as my assistant, all of the bills would be paid! I really do need someone to help me on this trip. Betty says little, but is clearly reluctant, and Cata responds that she can think about it, but needs to let her know soon, so she can make all of the arrangements and reservations. Meanwhile, Sofia and Aura Maria are outside the office looking upset when Marcela comes by. She asks about Berta, and they respond that they are concerned about her job, because Gutierrez has never liked Berta and has always wanted to replace her with someone else, 90-70-90, and now he can. Marcy responds that no, that isn't going to happen, and tells Aura Maria to come with her. She then marches into Gutierrez's office and dismisses the woman, telling her they will call her if they need her, and telling Gutierrez that Aura Maria will be filling in until Berta comes back, and Freddy will take over reception. The woman says she will wait Gutierrez's call (obviously not referring to the job) Marcy then leaves with Aura Maria following looking unhappy. Marcy asks if she doesn't want this opportunity to better herself, or would she rather be a receptionist for the rest of her life? Aura Maria then tells her that Gutierrez had behaved inappropriately with her, and Marcy says to let her know if anything else happens, because if it does, he will go.
As Marcy and Aura Maria round the corner, they come upon Sofia. Hugo is directing both his new assistant (seamstress) and Yenny out of the showroom, and Marcy asks what is going on, while Sofia and Aura Maria look on. Hugo says the new assistant is incompetent, and Marcy says that is ridiculous, she is one of the best. Hugo says he cannot work with her, so Marcy sends her back to the main room where the other seamstresses work. She then tells Yenny to go. Yenny says What! Marcy looks at Hugo, and asks him if he needs her, he replies no, so Marcy reiterates that she is fired. Yenny begins to whine, and Marcy just tells her to get out, pick up her last paycheck and go. Sofia is smiling a big smile, and Yenny asks if she is satisfied, if she is content, and says that it is all Sofia's fault. Sofia responds that she did nothing, nothing., this is not her fault. She adds that if Yenny asks if she is satisfied, the answer is yes, but if she is content, the answer is no. Because she is Happy, Happy, Happy, and she and Aura Maria begin to jump up and down in delight, like little girls in the school yard, as Yenny looks on. Hugo is then sitting in his "space" in the showroom surrounded by models, talking with Cata and Marcy about the last arrangements, and what has to be taken care of, and how he cannot handle it all, and he needs Inesita. Marcy suggests that he talk to Armando about it, and Hugo says why? So he can attack me, almost kill me with his punches the way he did Betty's boyfriend? "I don't think so" (attitude, not words). Marcy says that she knows that is why Armando has those marks on his face. Hugo (still surrounded ) says "you don't know?" and she replies, know what? He then tells them all to go away, he needs his space. He then speaks in a "confidential tone" (but none too softly) about how Betty slapped Armando the night before. Marcy says what? In front of everyone? And Hugo says, no not everyone, the news and reporters and cameras were not there, so not everyone saw it… Marcy says why, what was she thinking? Hugo replies that it was the only way to stop that out-of-control fool, he was beating the daylights out of her boyfriend(I forget the exact language) Cata is smirking, and clearly trying to hold back a laugh. Marcy is fuming, and Cata redirects the conversation to the event of the evening. Hugo says over and over that he needs Inesita, and Cata says he can't have her, so what will they do now. Inesita at home with estranged husband who has been away for 20 years. She isn't comfortable talking with him, and in fact talks to him from more than half the way up the stairs, peering at him over the railing. They are talking, and she asks him where he has been. He is deliberately vague, here and there, and doesn't want to give a straight answer. He picks up a picture with 5 children in it, and asks who they are. He is surprised and saddened to hear that those are her grandchildren, and therefore also his. He asks about the children, and she says they live far away, one in Moscow, the other in Canada. Both have their own lives there, but call from time to time. He turns to go, and asks that she send a kiss to their children, though they won't receive it. She asks where he will be. He says he doesn't know, here and there. She asks about his brother and sister, he replies quietly that one died 18 years ago, and the other a year (or two) after that. He then steps towards the door, and reaches to open it, when she offers to let him stay at the house. It was his once, after all. She then comes down the stairs and heads towards the door herself, and when he asks where she is going, she says to EcoModa, the place she has been since he left her. (I think this was supposed to be really sad, but it mostly fell flat for me. The scenes with Sofia and Efrain were much more affecting, perhaps because we knew them both better)
Marcy marches calmly into Betty's office and asks Betty directly if she slapped the President of the Company. Betty says she did, it was the only way to stop the fight. Marcy replies that is sure that isn't true. Betty says that it wasn't deliberate, and Marcy replies that she doesn't do anything by accident, that she is a human computer, calculating every move, and that Marcy KNOWS it was intentional. Marcy then begins a very calm, harsh tirade, telling Betty that she may think she has come up in the world, with her rich boyfriend, her Mercedes benz, and invitation to the best restaurants in town that until now she had never set foot in, but she is just an employee at ecomoda, a secretary who THROUGH LUCK ended up in the position of assistant to the President. She may be important in her work at EcoModa, but at the end of the day, tomorrow, etc., she can GO! EcoModa does not belong to her, it belongs to the Valencias and the Mendozas, and she is merely an employee, an employee and nothing more. She has no right to touch the President of EcoModa, much less slap him; she has no right to go out with him, to spend time with him, etc., She is merely a stupid employee, not one of them, she has no class, no real education/manner, She is merely a stupid one! (Estupida) Marcela then turns and leaves, Betty eyes are filled with tears. A moment later Cata comes in, knocking on the door. Betty is turned away, trying to pull herself together. Cata says that she just learned about what happened with Betty and her "boyfriend" the night before, and asks if that is why she is so upset. Betty says she doesn't want to talk about it, and Cata says, okay, just one more question. Has Betty decided to come with her? Betty walks toward Cata and the tears begin to fall as she says, please, please take me out of here! I am living in hell! Cata hugs her as she continues to cry. Daniel steps off of the elevator and begins to mock Patricia, who he overhears assuring her creditors that she will have the money for the car very soon. He asks who she has been sleeping with to get the money, and she replies that she doesn't have to sleep with him for the money. He responds that if she hasn't been, she'll never get it. She goes into one of her usual "I'll show you" tirades, before he walks away. He asks where Margarita and Roberto are, and she says in the boardroom with Armando and Marcela.
Marcela, Armando, Mario, Margarita and Roberto are all sitting around talking about the wedding plans when Daniel comes in. Armando looks a little uncomfortable, but is joking along. Daniel gives Marcy a kiss on the way in, then sits down to join them and asks Armando if he knows very much about the finances of his assistant? He replies no, he doesn't. He and Mario look nervous. Daniel tells him that she is the owner of TerraModa. Both Armando and Mario look bad, Armando as if he is going to throw up, and Mario as if his eyes are going to fall out. Roberto asks what is going on, and Armando says that Daniel is casting aspersions against Betty as usual, he wants Betty's head as usual, he has hated her from the start. Daniel interrupts and says that he is trying to protect the company. Marcy makes some biting remarks (I forget the details) They go back and forth for just a second, because Roberto intercedes and says that the best thing to do is talk to Betty. Mario jumps up to get her, but Marcy says, no, she'll go. Marcy knocks on the door and asks Betty to come to the conference room. When she arrives, Roberto invites her to stand close over by Armando and Mario. She says they wanted something, and Daniel begins the questioning. "What is the name of the business your boyfriend owns? TerraModa, she responds. Really, he asks, (ready to go in for the kill) well, it says on the registration papers that you are the sole owner. Why would you have ownership of the business you have been bragging about your boyfriend having. It seems strange. (marcela chimed in something biting here). Betty responded, clearly nervous but in control, "first, I have not been the one bragging about my boyfriend's company, it has been mostly the cuartel, and mostly to Patricia Fernandez" This illicits a smile from Daniel and smirk and headswing from Marcy. Daniel then asks, so why is the business in your name? She responds that he put it in her name because he has a great deal of confidence in her, and in her relationship with the banks. He asks if she works there too, and she says that she does at night after work. (Armando is becoming more and more calm, the edge is gone from his face) So, Daniel asks, the business is a gift? She responds that it is in her name, but he is the manager. Marcy asks why she didn't tell them about the business, and she replies that other employees have their own businesses, and they do not disclose to EcoModa, Daniel says that it seems a very generous gift. Betty replies that is isn't exactly so, because he works there. Further $80,000 is not a lot of money. Daniel then asks what someone with a $80,000 business is doing driving a $50,000 car. She replies that this was the amount they started with, not the current amount. The business has grown by more than 50 percent, and if they need more information about the business, she can bring all of the books if they would like to review them ( it is clear that Daniel is implying that she stole the money). Armando is looking positively smug, and happy, a bit like a proud papa, while Mario mostly looks relieved. Roberto interrupts and says that it won't be necessary, that everything is fine. He gives Daniel a hard look and cuts him off when he tries to interject further. Betty goes back to her office and calls Nicholas, who is out at some type of car lot. She tells him everything that happened, and how awful it was. He responds that it wasn't so strange what she came up with, that boyfriends often give their girlfriends businesses. Betty says that it was awful lying to Roberto and everyone else, and she just wants to get out of here. After the board meeting tomorrow, it will all be over.
Subject: ***Summary, Tuesday, January 16, 2001*** Author: Becky A. (63.46.223.197) Date: 01-17-2001 23:42 SECRETARIAL AREA On his way out, Daniel says good evening to Sandra. As he presses the elevator he catches a glance of Patricia. (Patricia is looking at a Vogue magazine. She seems to be comparing her necklace to one in the magazine.) He towards her and tells that if she does not receive her money that evening she is to dress sensually and he will present her photograph to his friends. Patricia tells him that she will have her car tomorrow, and if not, then the following day. Daniel extends his offer of showing her picture to his friends until the day after tomorrow so that he can go ahead and die. He tells her that he will go ahead and speak to his friends, winks at her and gives her body a once over. (Daniel leaves.) Patricia, talking to herself, says that Daniel is not going to humiliate her. She quickly picks up her cell telephone and calls Nicolas. (Nicolas is still at the carwash.) She tells him that she was afraid that he had become bored with her, since their visits usually ended with her crying. Nicolas tells her that she does not bore him, in fact, she is a special person and beautiful. He tells her that he shares her problems. Patricia wants to know when she can she him. He tells her whenever she wants. She informs him that she is scheduled to attend the fashion show and would like to know if he will be attending. Nicolas tells her no. He doesn't want to run into Armando, he might end up killing him. Patricia says that she understands and Nicolas offers to pick her up. (He interrupts their conversation to give orders to the man who is washing his car.) Nicolas continues their conversation and tells her that he will pick her up and they will go to the restaurant of her choosing. She invites him to her apartment for dinner. (Nicolas' gets a worried look and scratches his head.) He asks, "At your apartment"? She says yes, that it is her turn to extend the invitation. They make arrangements to meet at her apartment at 10:00 p.m. As they are about to close the conversation she reminds him about the money for her car. He tells her that he remembers and that she can count on him. She then asks if it would be possible for him to give her the money as soon as possible so that she can make the payment that very day. Nicolas tells her that it is not possible because she has caught him at a bad time. He left the office to go the club to play golf and lift weights. After they hang up, Patricia continues to talk to herself and states how difficult it is to get money out of Nicolas. Sandra begins to make fun of her for talking to herself. Nicolas is still the car wash, giving orders to the car washer. He looks at the checkbook and says, "She doesn't love me, she loves you. This evening's good-bye with Patricia is going to be very difficult."
IN THE BOARDROOM (Marcela and Armando are sitting at the conference table. Mario is leaning against the wall.) Marcela tells them she believes Daniel did the right thing in investigating that business and that man. Armando asks if the explanations were not understood. She tells him that the she believes that they sufficed for Roberto and Margarita, but not for her. She believes that something strange is occurring. "Say it, Marcela" Armando says. He tells her to say everything that she has against Betty. (Marcela rises from her chair. Mario moves to the chair behind the desk and puts his hand on it.) Marcela begins by saying that Armando does not find anything strange with Betty. She tells him that when someone speaks ill of Betty, the world is his enemy. She continues to saying that he has turned over the company to her, she is his celestine (she turns to look at Mario), and he has turned over his intimacy to her. Armando becomes very angry, jumps out of his chair and tells her that he has not turned over his intimacy to anyone. He tells her that Betty has a right to a private life that her boyfriend owns a company and has put it in her name. "What is the problem, Marcela"?, he yells. Marcela yells back that she hopes for the good of everyone that there is not a problem. (Mario is still standing behind the chair, but this time he keeps turning to face the wall.) Marcela continues yelling at Armando and says that Betty treats him however she wishes. She even slaps him in front of his employees. Armando wants to clear up that by Betty slapping him she did him a favor. She stopped him from doing something stupid. (As the yelling continues Mario is standing behind the chair and fanning himself with some papers. Armando sits down.) Marcela says that Armando is now defending Betty and that is just marvelous. Marcela tells him that he has lowered himself. "You look like a clown. Is that what you want?", Marcela asks. "What about your image? Is that what you want to project"? (Mario is scratching the back of his neck.) Marcela says that Betty or the other woman has changed him. Marcela tells him that he is not the same Armando Mendoza whom she fell in love him. He has turned weak. He spends his evenings getting drunk and looking for fights. He agrees that he has become this person. He tells her that person who she fell in love with and is going to marry is now this new Armando. This is the Armando that she now has in front of her. "Does he serve you?", he yells. (Mario puts his hands to his head in disbelief.) She answers that she understands. She is giving him the opportunity and handing it to him on platter. She asks if he wants to cancel the marriage. (Mario puts his hands as though his begging Armando to stop. Marcela turns over to look at him.) She tells him to decide. There is still time to cancel. Armando tells her that he is not the one that needs to decide, but she. He tells her that she is the same Marcela that he has always known and whom he fell in love. (Mario throws a kiss at Armando and makes a movement with his fist as way to go.) He tells her that she is the one marrying a stranger. She agrees, but says that their cases are distinct. She is the same Marcela that he fell in love with, but whom he no longer loves. Marcela says that the Armando in front of her is the man that she loves and wants to marry. She turns to leave and tells him that she will see him at the fashion show. (Armando is standing against the window and looks disappointed. Mario approaches Armando and tells him "macho" and asks if he thought the wedding was going to be canceled. Armando says that he was lacking a will. Mario tells him that the wedding being canceled is the last thing that they need. Mario tells him that he felt as though they were going to drown today. Armando says that because Betty answered with such firmness it did not happen. (He looks proud of her.) Mario reminds him that tomorrow is going to be difficult because Daniel and Marcela will be looking at budget very closely. Mario tells him that it is up to him to make sure that Betty fixes the budget. He asks Armando if he noticed that Betty named Patricia as Nicolas' other woman. Armando answers that he did and not only does he have to support Nicolas spending his money, but also Patricia.
SECRETARIAL AREA Patricia sees Marcela coming and asks to borrow money to make dinner that evening. Marcela guesses that she is making dinner for Nicolas. Marcela informs her the business belongs to Betty. (Patricia is shocked and has to support herself against her desk.) Patricia wants to know why Nicolas would deceive her in that manner. Marcela tells her that the explanation that they received was that Nicolas gave it to her as gift. (A big smile appears across Patricia's face.) Patricia says, "divino". (Upon hearing that a boyfriend gave his girlfriend a business you can see how little brain begin to turn.) Marcela does not like the idea and finds it strange. Again, she asks Marcela for the money, now begging. She promises to pay her back next month. Marcela agrees to give her the money because she knows that she will get the money back since it is for an "investment".
MAIN HALLWAY AT ECO MODA Hugo, Cata, Inesita and the models are preparing to leave for the hotel. Hugo tells Inesita that he will call for a taxi to take her home. She tells him that she is not leaving. He replies that if she does not go home he will treat her bad, and she knows how he can be. She tells him that without her, he will die. (Cata is walking beside them laughing at the conversation.) Hugo laughing out aloud, "Me, without you I will die". He gives in and admits that he will and kiss her a kiss on the forehead. He tells her that he doesn't want her to die due to the excess work. Inesita tells him that she will go and get a taxi to take her to the hotel. He tries to stop her. She won't listen and hurries to get in the elevator with the models. Cata tells him to go ahead that she will catch up with them. Hugo hurriedly heads for the elevator before it closes, "Inez! Inez!" (After he boards the elevator and the doors are closing you can hear Hugo and Inesita continuing their little argument.)
BETTY'S OFFICE (Cata enters Betty's office.) Cata tells Betty that the reservations are made and tells her not to let her down. Betty tells her that she won't. She wants to leave with her. (Cata leaves and Armando enters.) He asks Betty how the budget is going. Betty doesn't answer. (He puts his hands as though in prayer and closes his eyes.) "Beatrice, promise me with what is most scared that you are going to turn in that budget, fixed. I need you to swear it." (Silence. They stare at each other.) Armando asks what is wrong. Betty tells him that it seems that he didn't notice what had happened. She tells him that they are watching them and that what is occurring is not right. He tells her that nothing happened and it calm down. He tells her that all that they have is a copy of the registration certificate and that she defended herself very well. She tells him that everything is suspicious. He tells her that it isn't. Had Daniel found the document that states that Terra Moda owes Eco Moda, that would have been suspicious and dangerous. "What is the problem?", he asks a little sternly. Betty tells him that Daniel will continue to investigate. Armando begins to get a little heated and states, "The only thing that is going to happen here is a tragedy if you don't finish that damn fixing, if you don't finish that balance once and for all!". (Armando jumps out of his chair, walks toward the wall and shakes his fists. He calms down.) He agrees that Daniel is suspicious and will continue to watch them. He tells her that the only way to keep everyone from wondering is to present an impeccable report. He says that she knows perfectly that this is what needs to be done. They need to continue ahead. "For the love of God", he says, "we don't have another road." Armando states that tomorrow that need to get this storm out of their face.
MAIN HALLWAY (Mario appears at Betty's door and calls for Armando. Armando becomes frustrated that he has appeared.) Mario informs him that they have some guests who decided to show up at the company instead of waiting for their appointment at the fashion show. Before he leaves, Armando places his hands on her desk, leans forward and begs Betty to finish the budget. He tells her that he needs it before the show. (Betty does not look up to see him until he begins to walk out of her office.) (Mario is waiting outside for Armando.) Mario asks how Betty is doing and Armando informs him that she is nervous. He asks if she is going to fix the budget. Armando tells him that is what he is expecting. Mario wants to know what he means and Armando yells at him that he will be in charge of it. Mario looks at him and asks him, "How did you say?"
BETTY'S OFFICE Betty puts her hands to her mouth.
IN FRONT OF SANDRA'S DESK Sophia and Aura Maria are heading out and ask Sandra if they should go ahead and leave. Sandra says that they might as well since that they have not been told if they will be allowed to attend the fashion show. Patricia (in a short tight black dress) gives a wicked laugh and tells them to forget it. Sandra tells her to be quiet and wants to know who told her to butt in. Patricia tells her that she herself did and she has every right. She informs them that this is an exclusive fashion show and the employees are not invited. This is only for the executives. Aura Maria chimes in that Patricia must not be attending because from what she knows she is not an executive, not anyone special, or brought. She is nothing. (The women laugh.) Patricia tells them that she has always been a special guest. She continues to say that it doesn't matter that she is an employee, she is above all of that. She is a special person. Sophia says that she may be but that doesn't give her the right to tell them that they cannot attend. Patricia asks if they are going to be mean about it. Sandra (pulling up her sleeves) tells her if that is the way that it has to be. (Patricia walks over to her desk. Aura Maria, Sophia and Sandra follow. Patricia picks up her cell telephone. She points her telephone at them.) She tells them that she can stop them at anytime. (She presses a button, turns her back on them and runs her fingers through her hair.) "Marce, it's me, Patricia." Sandra says, "She is calling the director of the college, what will we do"? (They're laughing.) Sophia tells her not to look ridiculous and to hang up the telephone. Patricia tells them to be quiet because she can't hear. Patricia tells Marcela her version of the discussion with the members of the Cuartel and tells Marcela that they plan on going even after she informed them that they could not attend. She tells Marcela that since they did not believe her she had to call. Patricia tells her that they called Marcela a name which they did not. (Aura Maria, Sandra and Sophia are beginning to look worried.) Sandra tells her that she called her a director. Patricia tells Marcela that they said that she looks like a director of a college. (The Cuartel's mouth drops open.) Sandra calls her a wretch and Patricia immediately tells Marcela that she, Marcela, was called a wretch. Sandra gets angry and goes to her to take the telephone away. Patricia threatens her. She puts the telephone so that they can hear Marcela telling them not to even think about attending. (The Cuartel goes back to Sandra's desk.) Patricia begins to tell Marcela that she will be leaving in a few minutes. Her problem is that she doesn't have a ride so she will need to glue herself to someone. (At this point Armando and Mario step out of the elevator and she quickly hangs up.) Patricia in her whiny voice asks Armando when he is leaving. He answers in a short irritated tone, "Now!" She wants to go with him. He answers, "No!" She wants to know why not since he is going alone. He says that he enjoys going alone. That is what he likes more in life, to go alone. Sophia, Sandra and Aura Maria wish him luck. They begin to leave. Guiterrez appears and asks Aura Maria where she is going. She answers home. Guiterrez in English says, "No, No, No, mucho trabajo, much work." Armando asks Guiterrez if he does not plan on attending the fashion show. Guiterrez apologizes for missing the show and that they will have to do without his presence. Armando says that it is not that, but he realizes how much Guiterrez enjoys the shows as it is an opportunity for him to get drunk. Guiterrez makes the excuse that due to Bertha absence he and Aura Maria need to stay in order to prepare the models contracts. When Armando hears that it is due to the contracts, he has no choice but to agree with Guiterrez. (Armando and Mario walk away. Patricia appears briefly behind Guiterrez in order to make a face at Aura Maria, Sophia and Sandra.) Guiterrez tells Aura Maria that both of them will have to stay late, "alone". Aura Maria asks Sophia and Sandra if they realize why Guiterrez wants her to stay. Sandra and Sophia tell her that she won't be staying alone with him, because they plan to accompany her until her work is done. At this point, Freddy appears for Aura Maria in order to escort her home. Once he finds out about the situation, he states that he does not plan on leaving her alone with Guiterrez.
MAIN HALLWAY On the way to Armando's office Mario asks if he thinks that Betty has finished the budget. Armando answers that he hopes so. Mario says, "God Bless Us". (He does the sign of the cross as if he's blessing Armando.)
BETTY'S OFFICE Armando walks into Betty's office and asks nicely if the budget is ready. (Betty won't look at him.) She answers that it is not. (She won't make eye contact with him.) Armando becomes very upset, puts his hands on his desks and begins to yell. He demands to know why it is not finished. He tells her that it is 7:00 p.m. and that the budget needs to be ready by (8:00 or 11:00 a.m. - I had trouble understanding him) and on top of the conference table. (Mario with his hands in his pockets, turns sideways, throws his head back in disbelief and rolls his eyes.) Yelling, Armando asks why. Mario grabs him by the arm to try to calm him down. Armando jerks his arm away and apologizes. Armando tells Mario to leave them alone and on his way out to lock the door that he does not want to be disturbed by anyone. (Mario making faces curtsies on his way out.) Armando says that he is going to ask her a question and he wants her total honestly. "You don't want to fix that budget, isn't that true?" Armando tells her that they need to put all lies and deceits aside. Betty remains silent. (She gets up and walks to the shelves behind her desk.) Betty answers that they are going to be found out. He tells her that they are not going to be found out. (He rises from his chair.) He tells her that if she does not have the intention to fix the budget, now is not the time to tell him. (He walks towards the door.) He tells her that he doesn't deserve that. (He is now leaning against the door.) He tells her that maybe she hasn't given it a second thought, but that his life and everything that he has are in her hands. "My future, my credibility, my honor, if I have any left, is in your hands. All that I have, all that I am, and what I love, is in your hands." He goes on to tell that in all his life he has never depended on anyone, "much less someone that I love". (Betty looks at him. He closes his eyes.) He begs her not to abandon him. He tells her that he can't ask her to love him, because it is evident that she no longer feels the same for him. (Betty begins to walk towards him.) He asks that if there was a time when she did feel something for him, if she still feels some affection for him, some type of compassion for what he feels for her, (he begins to walk towards her and Betty is looking down) if she appreciates what they lived together, worked together, if any of that is still left in her he asks her to extend her hand. He tells her that he needs her at this moment. He tells her that she does not realize how much he needs her. (He grabs her and holds her. He looks as if he is about to cry. Betty remains silent, but she goes into his arms.) He wants to know if she wants to see him destroyed. (He puts his face against her head.) "Does she want to see him torn into pieces?" (Betty shakes her head no.) She answers that she doesn't want that. He begs her to help her. He tells her that he understands that she doesn't feel anything for him, but he loves her. Betty tells him that she also loves him. (He pulls her away, puts his hands on the side of her face and begins to kiss her. The continue kissing passionately. Suddenly his cell phone goes off.) Betty tells him to answer his phone. He yells hello. It's Marcela, wanting to know what time he plans on arriving at the show. He should have been there by now. Betty tells him that he needs to leave. He tells her that he can't leave until he knows what is going to happen to his life. Betty agrees to fix the budget. (He grabs her.) "I love you", he says. (Betty's glasses begin to fall off.) "I love you like I have never loved anyone." (He kisses the side of her head.) He wants to know when the budget will be ready and she tells him sometime that evening. He tells her that he would like for her to go to the show. She tells him that she prefers to stay and work on the budget. He agrees. He tells her that he will be calling her. (He puts his hands on her face and on her chin.) He tells her that he wants her to know that after the meeting tomorrow, Marcela Valencia will no longer exist for him. He tells her that even though she doesn't believe it, it is going to be their day. (He kisses her again.) "I love you very much", he says. He thanks her and kisses her again. (Betty won't make eye contact with him, but Armando looks at her for a moment before he leaves.) Betty puts her hands to her face. As Armando walks out of his office he touches his lips.
BY AURA MARIA'S DESK (Sophia, Sandra and Freddy are with Aura Maria.) Armando wants to know why they are still there. Sophia tells him that they are going to wait for Aura Maria to finish. (He walks away. Armando runs into Patricia as she is apply makeup. He doesn't say a word, just gives her one of his looks. He tells Mario that he is ready to go. Mario wants to know about the budget. Armando tells him that he convinced her. Mario wants to know how he convinced her Armando tells him that he talked to her directly and honestly. Mario then says that they sealed it with a kiss, that he promised her children, family, trips and the complete package. Armando gets irritated and tells him not to asks anymore questions. The only thing that he needs to know is that he convinced her to fix the budget.
BY THE ELEVATOR As Armando and Mario are leaving Patricia stops Mario and asks for a ride to the hotel. She tells him that she will ride in the back and she will be silent. Mario agrees. Patricia tells Armando that she hopes that he doesn't mind if she goes in Mario's car. Armando tells her that she could go to Muppet country for that he care, just as long as it is not in his car.
IN THE DRESSING ROOM AT THE HOTEL Hugo is yelling why one of the models has not been dressed. Inesita tells him that she will do it. He says no. He gets a chair for her to sit down. Inesita says that if she does not help the show will not begin until 11:30 p.m. He agrees that she should help, however, she should sit and give directions. Marcela walks in with a surprise for Hugo. Its Maria Beatriz humming the bridal march. Hugo wants to know what she has done to herself. "I have taken away things and added things", she answers. She brags what she has taken off and put on. She tells him about the removal of two ribs. Marcela sees Inesita and wants to know what she is doing there. Inesita explains that she is there to help Hugo. Hugo tells Marcela not to try to convince her to go home. Cata walks in and greets Maria Beatriz. Maria Beatriz tells Cata that she wouldn't miss the show or the wedding. She asks for the groom. Marcela tells her that he will be arriving soon. Maria Beatriz says that she imagines everything is well and that he is happy. She immediately notices that something is wrong and asks for an explanation. She wants to know if there will still be a wedding because she has purchased a new dress. (Cata has been standing between them during the entire conversation.) Marcela tells her that they will speak later, but she wants an answer now. She yells out that he has a lover. (Cata keeps her head down. Marcela walks away.) Maria Beatriz tries to get Cata to give her the information, but Cata says that she doesn't know anything.
BETTY'S OFFICE Betty is looking at Armando's picture on her computer and remembering their earlier conversation when he is holding her. After daydreaming, Betty says, to herself, that she needs to help him.
Subject: *** Summary: Wed 1/17/2001 *** Author: Robin N (63.215.115.108) Date: 01-17-2001 22:03 Yesterday: Betty is convinced to create the fake report one last time. Sofia, Sandra and Aura Maria enter Betty's office to see if she's going to the show. She says she's not and Aura Maria asks if it's because she wasn't invited. Betty tells her she was, but she's busy and really isn't interested in going. She tells them that she'll probably be working at least until 8:00 and this surprises Sofia. "Aren't the balances done?" Betty assures her that they are, but she has folders to sort for the meeting. Sofia tells her that she'll have company because they're standing guard for Aura Maria. Sofia offers to help but Betty tells her that she can't: the information contains some confidential information. This surprises Sofia because she works for Betty but Betty emphasizes that the information is very confidential. Sofia's taken aback at this, but Sandra suggests that they leave her to work. After they leave Betty thinks about what she must do: she'll do the false balances one more time because she does not want to leave Armando in pieces. "In spite of everything, I love him still." Roberto asks Marcela why Armando hasn't yet arrived, he's very tense and Margarita tries to tell him to calm down. Marcela is busy with her cocktail and very cool about why Armando isn't there yet. Cata walks up and Roberto starts asking her the same question. Armando and Mario arrive and Roberto starts in on Armando, "You should be the first one here!" Armando tells him that they were working. "I hope all is ready for the meeting tomorrow," says Roberto, anxiously. Armando and Mario laugh nervously and assure him it is. Armando greets his mother and turns to Marcela, but she gives him the cold shoulder and takes another slug of her drink. Betty continues working and her phone rings; it's Nicolás and he wants to know when she's coming home. Her parents are getting worried. "I'm still working," she tells him. He wants to know what she's doing, "Hey, this is me, Nicolás, you're talking to! What are you doing?" She tells him that she spoke with Armando today and that he really needs her and she has to help him; she can't see his world fall to pieces. "So, you're putting your hands in the fire again for this guy..." He reminds her that there's no clemency shown her. "Whatever," says Betty, "I need the balance for Terra Moda, the false balance, the papers for the car and the cash—everything—and then tomorrow I'm gone. I know he hasn't acted well towards me, but I'm tired of the vengeance, the bitterness. This will be my last act." "What, did he propose you marriage? That you'll be like two turtle doves? He's fooling you again," says Nicolás. "I know," says Betty, sadly, "But I have to do it." "Well, okay, I'll be here to mop up your tears," promises Nicolás. Betty tells him there won't be tears. She adds that she'll be done about 11:00. "Why, do you want me to pick you up?" asks Nicolás, alarmed. "Why?" asks Betty, noting his tone. He tells her that this is his last night/chance with Patricia, "She's invited me to her apartment for dinner!" Betty cautions him again and reminds him that the "love" Patricia has for him is the same kind of love Armando has for her. Nicolás gives in and tells her he'll see her at 11 but Betty teases. "What will you do with the Peliteñida?" "Kiss her via satellite, I guess," says Nicolás, resigned to missing his date. She relents, "Fine, you go. I'll get a taxi." She tells him she'll deal with her parents, that he should go, but to not turn off his cell phone unless she needs him. Nicolás is one happy man and poses in front of the mirror. Patricia does a runway turn, pretending to be a model and is caught in the act by Marcela who calls her on it. Patricia starts pestering her to start the show. Tick tock, she's got to get home in time for her date with Nicolás.
Cata comes up and Patricia pesters her too. Just then, Cata notes a TV camera crew entering and recognizes the host, Gino Molinari, and rushes off to greet him. Marcela continues to tweak Patricia on her date. Cata enthusiastically greets Gino, the TV interviewer, and he asks for Hugo. He's ready to give them a good interview. She promises a great surprise. Hugo is giving the models final instructions. Then Maria Beatriz follows with her advice and promises to give them her surgeon's phone number. Hugo chases the models back to preparing for the show. Cata brings in Gino and Hugo greets him, "Ginazzo!" He introduces him as his old friend, Gino Molinari, an Ecuadorian presenter to Maria Beatriz. They all chitchat about food, designers, dancing and Cata interrupts them to get the show going. Hugo asks Maria Beatriz to take care of Gino and she agrees happily. After she leaves with Gino, he has to find someone to rescue Gino from Maria Beatriz. Hugo takes a deep cleansing breath and the models join in.
Roberto is talking to press with Armando and Catalina walks up to get Armando to start the show. Margarita sits next to Marcela and asks her what's wrong. Marcela tells her cynically that it's nothing, they just had words, as usual. Armando starts the show by giving the audience some details on what they are about to see—Hugo's vision for the collection—and invites them to sit back and enjoy, then stay after for the refreshments. The models begin to parade up and down the catwalk. Marcela is seated, staring stone faced into space, not reacting to anything around her, drink in hand. Armando, hands tucked under his arms, looks down the row towards her. Roberto follows his gaze. Armando gets up and excuses himself for a moment. He walks over to a quiet area and makes a call on his cell phone. It's to Betty. He asks how she's doing and she tersely tells him that she's working on the balance. "That's not why I called, I wanted to know how you were doing," he replies. "Have you had anything to eat? Are you hungry?" She tells him that she's not; she just wants to get the report done. She tells him that she expects to be done about 11:00 and he tells her that he'll swing by for her to take her home. She tells him not to worry about it, it's not important. "Not to you, but it is important to me," he tells her. Marcela has walked up behind him and has overheard the last part of this conversation and is steaming. She scoots back to her seat ahead of Armando. Armando, now seated, leans over and asks his father how he likes the show. Roberto is very impressed and comments on how it's so cohesive, how the fabrics are wonderful. His mother leans over and adds that it's fantastic, divine. Marcela picks herself up and flounces drunkenly over to the empty seat next to Armando and peremptorily asks to borrow his cell phone. "What about yours?" asks Armando. She doesn't have it. "Why do you want it?" "I want to see where Dan is." "You know, you're drinking a little too much," says Armando. "Are you going to lend me your phone?" she replies angrily. He hands it over briskly and she leaves. In the hallway she checks the phone log to see what number was dialed last and is confused to see that it's his office number. She hits re-dial to double check and Betty answers. Marcela hangs up, just as Dan enters. "I thought you weren't coming!" she says, tipsily. He asks where Maria Beatriz is and she airily replies that she's there somewhere. A friend of Daniel's walks up and Marcela zips off. She returns the phone to Armando and tells him that she didn't need to call him, he's just arrived. "Oh joy!" thinks Armando. Maria Beatriz is bending Gino's ear on the wonders of liposuction when Marcela skips up and tells her that Dan is there. Maria Beatriz introduces Gino and Marcela pretends great pleasure and then immediately asks Maria Beatriz to come with her. She's embarrassed by Marcela, but Gino tells her to run along, don't worry about him. He notes his escape to his camera crew with great relief. He thought he'd have to talk liposuction and plastic surgery all night!
Back at the office, Sandra, Sofia and Freddy snooze while Aura Maria plows through reams of greenbar. Sofia wakes up and notes the time and says she has to go, it's late. She wakes up Sandra, who was dreaming of a tall galan and gets up trying to hug the guy, only grasping air over Sofia's head. Dang! The group is upset that Aura Maria is still swimming in work and Gutierrez won't let her go. Sofia and Sandra will go, leaving Freddy to protect her, but this doesn't make Sandra happy. She wants to confront Gutierrez and bangs on his door, leaving Aura Maria to answer. Gutierrez won't budge an inch, blathering on in English about the work that must be done (which confuses Aura Maria). Sandra tries to pick a fight but he's not getting into that. The end result is that Sofia and Sandra have no choice to leave Aura Maria and Freddy still working. Gutierrez looks on and thinks of how he can get Aura Maria alone. The models continue with the show. Daniel continues discussing finance with his bearded friend who spies Patricia and her legs at edge of seats. "Who's that?" "You like?" asks Dan cynically. "What man wouldn't?" Patricia notices their interest and turns to look at them. "Would you like to spend a night with her?" Daniel continues. "Hey, I'm a man... what man wouldn't?" "How much would you offer to spend a night with her? You have 6 million pesos in your account?" counters Daniel. "Does she charge?" "No," says Dan, "But she needs the money." The guy can't believe it, and Patricia pipes up at this point and says that she can't believe it either. Dan turns and introduces her to his pal Santiago. He asks Patricia for a photo for him but Patricia tells him to forget it. "Too bad. He's rich," says Dan. Marcela bounds up saucily and pulls Dan away. His parting shot is that Santiago should chat up Patricia, she's smart, "Why she's had..." He turns to Marcela to finish the statement which she very playfully does, "... seis semestres de finanzas en San Marino!" Santiago seizes on this as a topic of conversation. "You went to San Marino? Well then... We can discuss finance!" Patricia tells him not to be stupid. He wants to go somewhere where they can "talk", but Patricia tells him she can't because her boyfriend is there and he's the jealous type. Santiago doesn't believe this and persists. Patricia spies Gino standing nearby and rushes up to him and pretends he's her boyfriend. After a little confusion, she convinces him to pretend to be her novio, which he does very convincingly. Patricia tries to get him to stick around in case Santiago returns.
The show ends and Hugo comes out for his bow, wearing a black bowler. He stops in front of Roberto and doffs the hat, handing it to him. Roberto playfully tries it on, then laughingly hands it to Maria Beatriz. Cata makes some final remarks and introduces the entertainment for the evening; a young actor-singer named Carlo Marques. A very catchy flamenco/rock number is the lead off tune and all enjoy it very much. Hugo thanks the models and tells them it's time to go change. Inés is in the changing room, looking very tired and pensive. The models enter and then surround Hugo and make a fuss over him. He exclaims that he's so happy, everything was divino, bombi, genial. He calls for Inés and notes her expression and is worried for her. "What's wrong?" She tries to reassure him that she's fine but he's still worried. He wants her to go right home but she tells him that's exactly what she doesn't want to do: go home. He thinks that it's because she feels nervous to sleep alone with her recent fainting spell and teases her that she won't have to but she stops him and asks him for his cell phone to make a call. He teasingly asks if she knows how to use it, if they'd been invented yet in the last century, and she politely responds. She asks him to dial her home number and explains that the phone hadn't worked earlier. Hugo teases that she's going to talk to the ghost of Inesita, but Inés is satisfied to hear that the phone continues ringing (hubby not there?). Hugo calls one of his assistants over, a young man, and tells him to see Inés home and into her jammies. He then kisses her affectionately, thanking her for all her hard work. Freddy snoozes and Aura Maria is fading too. Gutierrez comes out and has an envelope with a contract that he wants Freddy to take to the show immediately to be signed. Freddy questions the need for it to go immediately and Gutierrez demands that it go now. Freddy doesn't want to leave Aura Maria and Gutierrez says that he'll care for Aura Maria. "Who'll watch out for you?" asks Freddy, impertinently, and continues to stand up for Aura Maria. Gutierrez asks Aura Maria if her work is done. It's not, and he insists that Freddy go and she stay. If they don't, they're fired. Freddy calls his bluff, much to Aura Maria's horror and says, fine, fire us. Betty has become aware of the argument and comes to see what is going on. Gutierrez rapidly tries to backpeddle, knowing Betty's influence, but the capper is when his cell phone rings and it's the Mrs, demanding to know where the heck he is. He fibs that he's been involved with the desfile and rushes out the door. Betty tells Freddy and Aura Maria to leave and don't worry; she'll see them tomorrow. Aura Maria worries about leaving her there but Betty tells them not to worry.
Back at the show, the singer is doing another number and a young couple are complimenting Armando, Marcela, Roberto, Cata, and Margarita on the show. Armando tells Dan, also there, to congratulate him, that the collection is a success, but he replies tersely that he'll offer his congratulations after the meeting tomorrow. The couple also offer their felicitations on the wedding, causing an awkward moment. Roberto is feeling tired and wants to leave to be fresh for the meeting tomorrow, so he and Margarita leave. Marcela wants Armando to come with her to talk over the wedding details but he begs off tersely, telling her that he has to go back to Eco Moda. She is NOT a happy camper and makes no bones about it. He pleads with her for understanding but she only tells him to go. He promises to call but she's fed up. After she walks away, Maria Beatriz says in a singsong, "Armando has a lover!" to Cata, who can only look on with a guarded expression on her face. Dan sees his friend Santiago and asks him how things went. He's annoyed because Patricia brushed him off with talk of her novio and then he was there... some fat guy! Dan can't believe this; Patricia's novio is there? Tomorrow: Mario realizes the depth of his love for Betty !?!
Subject: **SUMMARY** Thursday, January 18 Author: Lupita (12.0.36.227) Date: 01-19-2001 14:53 Daniel is incredulous when informed that Patricia's boyfriend is at the show "This I've got to see!" . Seeing him approach, Patty grabs the first male at hand, who happens to be Gino Molinari, the Ecuadorian talk show host. She introduces him to Daniel as her boyfriend. "Nice to meet you. So, how long have you been together?" Daniel asks. "Um, 3 days" responds Patricia, as Gino simultaneously says "3 weeks". When Daniel looks skeptical, Gino quickly improvises "3 days that seem like 3 weeks, because she's so wonderful!" Daniel continues to interrogate them and continues to get conflicting answers. He doesn't look too convinced and suddenly asks Gino "Well, are you going to give her 6 million pesos?". Panicked, Patsy-Pat pulls the perplexed Gino away, but doesn't let the opportunity go by and in turn asks him to lend her 6 million pesos. Convinced he's landed in a room full of locos, Gino beats a hasty retreat and rushes over to interview Hugo.
On camera, Gino asks Hugo about his collection. Hugo gushes that his collection will introduce the new millennium, that it's the connection to the future and the past. It's where you find the spirit, the essence, the sequins, the cosmos, the chiffon and the lycra of history …… Meanwhile, Daniel is chatting with his friend. Daniel mentions the EcoModa board meeting and is surprised when his friend proceeds to tell him that rumor has it that EcoModa is having serious financial problems and that Daniel would do well to check it out. Don Hermes calls Betty, concerned that she's working late again. She reassures him that a company driver will bring her home later. She asked if the TerraModa balance sheet was done and reminded him that she needed all the TerraModa information, including the checkbook, ready for the next day. Don Hermes responds that he's got everything except the checkbook - Nicolas must still have it. Nicolas cruises to his hot date. Patty calls him on the cell phone and tells him she's eagerly awaiting his arrival. She hangs up as the delivery boy from the local Chinese place drops off her take-out dinner. She proceeds to stiff him on the tip. "Tacaña la señora, tacaña la señora" says the disgruntled delivery boy. "Chino cochino" responds Patty as she slams the door in is face. Armando has returned to EcoModa. Wilson mentions how strange it is to see him at the office at such a late hour. Armando tells him to take a hike - and is that liquor I smell on you? Wilson replies, that with all due respect, it's the doctor who smells of liquor. "No, it's you" replies Armando. "With all due respect, it's you" says Wilson. And so on until Armando yells at him to get lost. An excited and enthusiastic Armando barges in on Betty. He tells her that the collection was a smashing success. He asks her if the doctored balance sheet is ready. Betty hands it to him. He eagerly flips through it "You've given me my life back! Thank you". He caresses her face and gently kisses her mouth. Betty pulls away. Armando tells her softly that he can't help himself and kisses her more deeply. "Please, don't" Betty whispers. "What's wrong, Beatriz? I desire you. Don't you want me?" "Yes, too much" responds Betty. "Then what are we waiting for? What's really wrong?" Armando asks, as he holds her tenderly, trying to keep his passion in check. "Nothing's wrong. But please hold me". Armando takes her into his arms. Confused and scared, he asks "Beatriz, this feels like a good-bye hug. Like when you say good-bye to the person you love at the airport knowing that you'll never see her again" . Her phone rings suddenly. Betty breaks away from Armando's embrace. It's Wilson informing her that her taxi is waiting. Armando insists that he'll take her home. He tells her he wants to go somewhere and be alone with her - to spend the entire night with her. Disconcerted, Betty says that they'd better not - that Armando is too tired, that tomorrow is the board meeting and that it's going to be a long and difficult day, and that he needs to familiarize himself with the doctored balance sheet. Armando replies that he doesn't want to deal with the balance right now, and that Betty will be making the budget presentation anyway. He asks her where the real balance sheet is. Betty replies that it's in her desk drawer. She says that she is going to make copies of the doctored version for the meeting. As she tries to leave, he grabs her and tells her he must kiss her. "I'm so happy! I see the light of the end of the tunnel. EcoModa's finances will be stabilized and the success of our new collection will pay all our debts. And, by tomorrow, Marcela will be out of my life." "Yes, doctor. Good night." Betty again tries to escape him (and her own emotions). Armando won't let her go. "I need to know if you love me. I must know if you love me!" he says, with his voice full of anguish and longing. "Yes, doctor. I've never stopped loving you" whispers Betty. Armando smiles at her tenderly and kisses her . "I love you more than ever". She gently breaks away and leaves the room. Armando looks after her with a happy, but confused look on his face. He walks over to her desk and sits down as if his legs can't support him "Armando Mendoza" he says to himself "You've got to accept the fact that, for the first time, you've fallen in love. And you love Beatriz Pinzon Solano. Dear God, I don't know how this happened, but I love her more than ever."
Outside the office, Betty gets in the elevator "My God, what am I doing? That's the last kiss we'll ever ….." Morose, Marcela is at her apartment, drinking alone. Hugo and Maria Beatriz make a grand entrance and try to convince Marcela to go out and celebrate with them. When she declines, Hugo wants to know if she's plans to spend her life as a bitter spinster cooped up in her golden cage. They go on to chat about Inesita's strange behavior when she insisted on telephoning her empty house. Meanwhile, Inesita has arrived home and quickly goes upstairs. She finds Rafael sitting on her daughter's bed holding a doll. When Inesita tells him she's surprised he's still there, he answers that it's difficult to leave because the house holds so many memories. Bitterly, Inesita informs him that their daughter refused to change anything in her room because she thought it was the only way of holding on to her father and the times they had before he deserted them. She is relentless, ruthlessly enumerating the pain and suffering his abandonment caused the family. Rafael can't stand the pain and leaves the room weeping. Nicolas has arrived at Patty's. Before getting out of the car, he goes through the usual cologne routine. He admires himself in the rearview mirror. He talks to the checkbook "If I leave you here, I'll still have 6 million pesos when I come out. If I take you with me, I'll end up with lots of kisses from Patricia Fernandez". He quickly calculates the value of the kisses in pesos and figures out how many kisses he'll need to avoid any financial misgivings. Then his conscience kicks in. He decides he can't deceive Betty and leaves the checkbook in the glove compartment. "You're going to have to do this for love, Patty, for love!"
Inesita bares her soul. She tells Rafael that he left her and the children when they most needed him. She's been trapped in a house full of memories for twenty years. Rafael weeps and tells her he'll rot in hell - it's all he deserves in life. As he walks towards the door, Inesita is suddenly concerned for him and tells him he can't leave in that state of mind. He doesn't listen until she sternly orders him to close the front door, sit down and have something to eat. Patty is chatting on the phone with her Daddy as the door bell rings. "I have to go now. Six million pesos have just rung the doorbell." She invites Nicolas in and gushes over him. He sits down and asks for a glass of juice. Patty makes a face. She then serves him the chinese take-out, saying she made it all herself. "It's special - made with camoe and choloi and gatoe". Nicholas laughs "And kitimiau?". "How funny" Patty retorts "I learned to cook Chinese when I lived in China". Nicolas proceeds to chow down. Back at Marcela's, Hugo says it's time to go because Checito Su Merced is waiting for them at the club. Marcela doesn't look any happier and Hugo tells her she's a sourpuss bride. Her sister tells Marcela that she shouldn't get married unless she's sure - to have the party because you can't let it go to waste - but not to marry unless she's sure. Inesita is still getting 20 years of pain and suffering off her chest. She accuses Rafael of leaving her for another woman and is very bitter. However, she seems concerned about him - where he lives, how he makes a living . Rafael tries to explain his actions and beg forgiveness, but Inesita won't listen. She runs upstairs and prays to the picture of Jesus over her bed "Please, Lord, make him leave. Make him leave me in peace. Tell him to leave!"
Subject: *****SUMMARY – FRIDAY, 01/19/01***** Author: Tuly (32.100.14.181) Date: 01-20-2001 11:45 *****SUMMARY – FRIDAY, 01/19/01***** Nicolás tells Patricia that dinner was exquisite and suggests that they open a Chinese chain of restaurants together, "Patty & Nico's". Patricia responds that she would love to but she doesn't even have the 6 million pesos to rescue her Mercedes. With that, she immediately asks him if he brought the check. Nicolás tells her that he did and she jumps for joy on top of him, makes him fall back on the floor and starts to kiss him, while she feels the inside of his coat for the check. Nicolás pushes her back and tells her that he does have it but he left it in the car. Patty suggests that he go downstairs to get the check from the car while she cleans up the dishes. As Nicolás is getting ready to do so, he hears Betty's voice telling him, "Nicolás, promise me that you won't give the 'peliteñida' one single peso, promise me!" He freezes and Patricia urges him to go down for the check. Nicolás puts on his coat giving the excuse that it's cold outside. Patricia notices that he's acting strangely and asks him if he's not sure of lending her the money, does he want her to sign something? When Nicolás starts to stutter that that's not the case, Patricia lays on the guilt trip and tells him that he doesn't have to lend her the money; the most important thing between them is their friendship. As Nicolás starts to fidget with his tie, Patricia thinks to herself, "He's not going to give me the check that easily, he's not going to give it to me, damn it. Does he want something in return? He's just like the rest of them. If that's what he wants, well okay." She comes over to Nicolás and tells him that she didn't invite him to dinner to pressure him about the check, takes his coat off, and leads him over to the bed while suggesting that he rest for a while. She sits him down on the bed, proceeds to take off his tie, tells him that she desires him, and then begins to kiss him. Nicolás doesn't have to be persuaded to much to play this little game and he takes Patricia by the shoulders and turns her on her back ... while Patty gives him an almost scared look. Nicolás tells her that he desires her too and starts to kiss her again, while Patricia tries to get out of it by bringing up Betty's name. Unfortunately for her, this doesn't work because Nicolás tells her that tonight he doesn't care about Betty, he will feel no remorse. Nicolás begins to kiss her again and Patricia starts follows the lead ... they roll around in the bed.
Betty arrives home to find Don Hermes waiting up for her with his usual blanket wrapped around his shoulders. She tells her father that someone from the company brought her home, but Don Hermes tells her there's no need to lie, he saw her getting out of a taxi. Hearing the voices, Doña Julia comes to see what's going on and hears Betty explain to her father that she called a taxi from Eco Moda. Don Hermes asks why Armando Mendoza didn't bring her home tonight since he made her work late, and Betty answers that he couldn't. Don Hermes doesn't like this answer at all and warns Betty that if they will not give her due respect at Eco Moda and give her all of the comforts she's entitled to, then he'll go talk to Armando Mendoza and present a formal protest; if she can't do it, he will. Betty tells him that it won't be necessary for him to do that; it won't happen again ... she's going to resign. Both Hermes and Julia are shocked to hear this and Don Hermes asks her if she's been drinking, but Betty just answers that she's taken a decision and she needs to talk to them. She heads in the direction of the dining room and her parents follow.
Back at Patty's, we find Nicolás and Patricia side by side on the bed now looking up at the ceiling and covered by the sheets. Patricia asks Nicolás if this was his first time because he was on fire. Nicolás answers that women always tell him that. :o) Patricia then reminds him that he needs to go for the check and then he can stay the night; she would like to spend the entire night with him and wake up together the next morning. As Nicolás looks on with a stupified face, Patricia urges him to go get the check ... she's nervous that someone might break into his car and steal it. Nicolás agrees, gets up out of the bed and tells her he'll be right back. Patricia then really pours it on and, as Nicolás is getting dressed, tells him that she loves him a lot. Nicolás says he does too and tells her he'll be right back. When he leaves, Patricia says to herself, "Dream on that you'll stay here to sleep. When you bring me the check, I'll say 'ciao' to you, friend." Meanwhile, at the Pinzón's home, the family is now gathered around the dining room table. Julia asks Betty if something happened to her at Eco Moda, but Betty tells her that she just feels like she has finished a cycle at Eco Moda and it's time for her to move on. Don Hermes moves in on Betty and asks her again if she's been drinking, but Julia tells him to leave her alone. Hermes pulls back and asks if she's already handed in her letter of resignation ... Betty answers that she'll do it tomorrow, after the board meeting. Hermes then asks if Don Armando knows that she's leaving, and when Betty answers in the negative, he goes off again telling Julia that she's lost her marbles, she's crazy. Julia, looking at a very sad Betty, tells Hermes that she doesn't think Betty's crazy; she knows what she's saying. Hermes continues the interrogation and asks Betty what she will do after she leaves her job at Eco Moda. Betty's answer, that she's going to Miami, fires up Don Hermes again and he comments that she has lost her mind and that her contact with all of those models and the rich people is at fault. Julia interrupts and suggests to Hermes that they let Betty explain. Betty tells them that it's a decision which she's been considering for a long time and it's the best thing for her ... she thinks that she's done a good job a Eco Moda, beginning as secretary and practically ending up running all of the finances of the company as well as Don Armando's private finances through Terra Moda, and she learned a lot, a lot of stuff that will look on her CV, but it's time to move on. Don Hermes tells her that's all well and good but he wants to know why. Betty tells him that she doesn't get along with either the Mendozas or the Valencias and the situation for her at the company is unbearable, she has a lot of stress and a lot of conflicts ... and tomorrow will be crucial because she will hand in the general ledgers of Eco Moda, with everything up to date, and will take the opportunity to resign -- she'll leave with everything in place and in good standing. Julia then asks Betty what she thinks Don Armando will think about her decision and Betty answers that it will the best thing for him. Julia doesn't think so because Betty is his right-hand person and she's sure that he adores her. But Betty's response to Julia is that one only adores and employee when he or she is useful to the company, but tomorrow he'll find a replacement for her, one even better than her, and he will forget her ... in any case, affection doesn't come into play. Hermes asks Betty again what she will do after she leaves ... will she get another job? Betty explains to her parents that Catalina Angel, the person in charge of public relations for Eco Moda, asked her to accompany her to Miami, she has a company that handles events and has asked Betty to come and help her with some events outside of Bogotá. Don Hermes wants to know why she didn't ask permission but Betty is firm in her decision and tells him that she needs a vacation, she needs some fresh air, and when she comes back she will look for a job. As Julia smiles, Don Hermes then changes his tune and tells her that if they've been humiliating her and treating her badly at Eco Moda, then he agrees with her decision of handing in her resignation ... but what about Terra Moda? Betty tells her father that she will turn that over tomorrow as well, she will give Don Armando the books and even the car ... she doesn't want to retain anything from that company. Hermes seems defeated by Betty's unyielding and decisive attitude and tells her that the ledgers are ready. Julia reminds her daughter that they will stand behind her, as they've always done, but this will present a difficult economic situation for them ... Nicolás and Hermes will be out of a job and they've still got the car payments, how will they make do? Betty reassures her mother that everything will be okay; she will receive her severance pay and they will make ends meet with that. Don Hermes reminds them that he's still waiting on his severance pay as well and, at any rate, he's not handicapped or blind ... he has two arms and he's ready, willing and able to work and they can rest assured that while he's alive, they will lack nothing, he swears it. Don Hermes leaves and Julia, now alone with her daughter, asks her if she's thought things over well. Betty answers that she has, but Julia advises her to go get some rest and sleep on it ... maybe tomorrow her ideas will be clearer. But Betty tells her that tomorrow she will wake up with the same decision and turns over to the cabinet behind her and stars to pull out Terramoda's documents. There is one thing she can't find, however ... the checkbook. Julia tells her not to worry, Nicolás took it. Knowing where Nicolás is tonight and with whom, Betty is indeed worried. :o)
Nicolás runs out of Patricia's apartment building almost jumping for joy, hardly believing that he made love with Patricia and how beautiful it was. He then hears Betty's voice again reminding him not to give Patty one single peso, but he disregards it and tells himself that after what happened tonight, he's got to give her the check. He opens the car from the passenger side, takes out the checkbook from the glove compartment, and as he's holding it in his hands, Betty's voice comes to him again. This time Nicolás listens and he moves over to the driver's side while saying to himself, "I'm very sorry, Patricia. It can't be. Goodbye, bitter love." And he drives off. Meanwhile, upstairs in her apartment, Patricia wonders what's taking Nicolás so long and dials the doorman. She asks whether he's seen her "cousin" who went down to the car to get some things, and the doorman answers that he left a while ago. Patricia is in shock to hear this revelation and drops the receiver. Nicolás, on the other hand, is driving at a fast pace away from Patricia's building and congratulating himself on his triumph. His cell phone starts to ring ... it's Patricia of course. Nicolás looks at it but doesn't answer it, while telling himself, "No, Patty, I really love you, you fascinate me, but I can't, I can't. Betty is first; she's my friend. Goodbye, Patricia (with this he kisses the phone and then tosses it into the back seat). It can't be, it can't be, resign yourself, Nicolás. Is anybody following me?" :o) In her room, Betty is confiding in her best friend, her diary: "Everything came to an end tonight. The illusions, the kisses, the dreams, and also the nightmares. Tonight the Beatriz Pinzón Solano that fell in love with Armando Mendoza said goodbye to him. And yes, I gave in again to the temptation of his kisses. I couldn't stand seeing him so weak. I was conscious that his words and his kisses were only meant to convince me to save him. And I gave in consciously because I knew that it would be the last kiss, the last caress, the last time that I would have the opportunity to give my body and my heart what it asks for. (With these words, we see Armando sitting at his desk, drinking ... he seems burdened, unhappy and a bit angry. And we continue to hear Betty's words to her diary as a voiceover). I would have preferred that at tomorrow's board meeting Eco Moda's real situation be cleared up. I would have liked to present the real report, not continue hiding the situation. Leaving Eco Moda with doctored books makes me feel bad. But that will be Don Armando's problem. I will leave to forget everything ... the company, what we lived, his deceit. I will try to eradicate him (from her heart, I suppose). I will go where I have no news of him or of his wedding. Because his path will be clear to get married ... in peace." When Betty finishes writing, the phone rings at Eco Moda and Armando, with a frown, goes to answer it ... he sounds a bit inebriated. Armando -- Hello? Marcela -- Hello. Armando -- Marcela? Marcela -- Yes. Were you expecting another call? Armando -- Forgive me, but I wasn't expecting your call (did he think it might be Betty?). Since you always call me on the cell phone, I didn't think it would be you, you're calling the direct line (of my desk). Aaaah (hitting his forehead with the palm of his hand), you are confirming that I'm at Eco Moda, right, Marcelita? Huh? Marcela -- Look, if it bothers you so much, we'll talk tomorrow. I'm tired of talking to you and you answering ironically. Everything that I do bothers you, it's offensive to me. Armando -- Your radar system is also offensive to me. Marcela -- You call it radar, I call it wishes ... the wish to know how you are, where you are, how you're doing. The thing is that we look at our relationship from two different angles. I'm going to marry the man I love, the man I need, and you're going to marry a radar. Armando -- No, Marcela, it's not like that. You're going to marry someone that ... I don't know ... someone whom you don't trust 24 hours out of the day, someone that you feel the need to watch night and day! Tell me, is that the way you think, is that your idea of marriage?!?!? Is that whom you want to marry??? Marcela -- I bore you. Simply put, everything that I do bores you. You find everything I do chaotic, everything I say you find annoying. It bothers you to talk to me. Look, this is more than just offensive, it's almost humiliating, Armando. It's as if I were begging you, imploring you, to love me. As if I were imploring you to marry me. And you? You act as if you are doing me a great favor. Tell me something, Armando, are you marrying me out of duty, or even worse, out of charity? Armando -- You kept on drinking, right? Marcela -- Haven't you been drinking? Who's there with you that you feel uncomfortable discussing this? Armando (staring into his glass of whiskey) -- No one. I'm completely alone. Marcela -- And Dr. Beatriz? Armando -- Beatriz left. She finished the books for tomorrow's meeting and I sent her home. Marcela -- Then just give me an answer. I'm not a happy bride that is counting the hours until I get to the altar to be united with the man of my life. I'm a woman that's counting the hours when she will force a man to marry her, counting the hours to consummate the biggest mistake of her life. I'm fighting alone, Armando, I'm forcing something and I don't want to. I don't want your compassion, Armando Mendoza, please give me an answer. Do you want to continue with this or do we stop? Tell me now! Armando -- We'll talk tomorrow, okay? We'll talk tomorrow after the board meeting, is that okay, Marcelita? Marcela -- No, that's not okay, I don't want to talk after the board meeting! Why don't you have the courage to tell me the truth? Armando -- I already told you, we'll talk tomorrow after the board meeting.
Marcela -- All right, Armando Mendoza, all right. I'll begin to prepare then ... because it's evident what news you'll have for me. (Hangs up) Armando (to himself, whiskey in hand) -- You better prepare yourself, Marcela Valencia. Because no matter what happens, I will never marry you ... never. The night is finally over (phew!) and morning dawns on Bogotá. At the Pinzón home, Betty is putting all of Terramoda's paperwork into a garbage bag and tells Don Hermes that she's only missing the checkbook. Don Hermes comments that the only good thing that will come out of all of this is that Nicolás will stop driving the Mercedes and carrying the checkbook everywhere he goes.
The doorbell rings and Julia goes to answer it ... it's Nicolás. He greets everyone and tells them that for a change he doesn't want anything to eat this morning (obviously he's depressed). Don Hermes tells Nicolás that Betty will hand in her resignation at Eco Moda today and turn over Terra Moda ... he suggests to Nicolás that he get the three-wheeler bike back out and start delivering bread for his mom's bakery or get a job because they're going to become unemployed. Betty reminds her father that after she gets back they'll figure out what to do, maybe they can even form another company. With that, she turns to Nicolás and asks him for the checkbook and the rubber stamp. Nicolás hands everything over and tells Betty that he hasn't written a single check. He sadly offers to take Betty to work in the Mercedes, leave it there, and he will return by foot or by bus. Noting his tone of voice, Betty tells him not to get discouraged, they will be okay, the world hasn't come to an end. After Hermes and Julia leave the room, Betty tells Nicolás to take her to Eco Moda and go have the car washed because she's turning it over to Don Armando today ... he can take it back to the dealership or sell it, she just doesn't want to keep anything that belongs to Terra Moda, and that includes the computer and the cell phone. Nicolás takes his watch off under the table so that Betty doesn't see (I guess that was acquired with Terra Moda's money but he doesn't want to give it back) and asks if he's got to give the suits back. Betty tells him he can keep the suits and reminds him to turn over the cell phone. Betty looks at it and asks him why it's turned off ... is it broken? Nicolás says it's not and as soon as Betty turns it on, it begins to ring. Guess who it is? Right the first time! Patricia, of course. Betty wants to know if he called it quits with the 'peliteñida' last night and Nicolás answers that he did, she just doesn't know it yet. :o) Betty suggests that he answer the phone and let her know but Nicolás tells her that he doesn't want to talk to her ever again. He morosely goes over to where her picture is and cleans the glass with his sleeve ... while Betty puts a comforting hand on his shoulder. At Eco Moda however, a flustered Patricia, upon receiving no answer and getting the voice mail, leaves a message telling Nicolás that he let her down and she'll be waiting for his call. Then she says to herself that he better not even dream that he slept with her in exchange