Against the Ropes (Contra las cuerdas) (2023) s01e06 Episode Script

[upbeat music playing]
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
[Mau] Was I right about the coffee?
[Ángela] Absolutely, but we need
to bring tastier doughnuts.
[Mau] But only chocolate doughnuts.
What's going on?
What do you say we get a few beers?
[sucks teeth] We can't, Luisito.
We're going to the Rosary prayer.
- Ah.
- Yeah.
[kisses] We're going to thank God
for our recovery, you know?
- [Mau] Yes, absolutely.
- Do you want to come?
- Uh It'd be really awesome.
- Yeah.
The thing is,
I just remembered that I have to get
my my minibus checked out, so
- Ah.
- Oh.
[tsks] Next time, okay?
- Sounds good?
- For sure! All right.
- Okay, bye.
- Bye, man. See you soon for beers.
Take care.
- See you. See you around.
- Take care.
[both laugh]
- Oh, shit, that was a nice save. [laughs]
- It was
Hey, Ángela, I have a confession
to make to you.
The other day I couldn't help
but follow you to the arena.
- Oh, yeah?
- [Mau] Yeah.
- I just wanted to make sure you were okay.
- I was only leaving something for Malena.
It's just that for a moment there,
I thought you were one of the wrestlers,
- you know, with a secret identity
- Oh, you didn't.
No way! Could you imagine?
- I know, right?
- [laughs]
But seriously, even if you were, your
your secret would be safe with me.
I swear it on Perro Aguayo!
Well, if you swear it on Perro Aguayo,
I know it's for real!
- [Mau] Know what I'm sayin'?
- Yeah. [laughs]
[clicks tongue] Hey!
Isn't that your watch dog?
[woman vocalizing]
A NETFLIX SERIES
[theme song playing]
[crowd cheering]
THE HAPPY BRIDE
[vendors yelling]
[crowd cheering]
[bell dinging]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd cheering]
[bell dinging]
[airplane engine roaring]
[Claudia] I brought you this ointment.
It works wonders for muscle pain.
You didn't come all the way here
just to give me that, did you?
No. The truth is that I have a couple of
questions about the night of your arrest.
I swear to you that I'm innocent.
I'm not here to argue about it.
What do you want, then?
I already told you everything.
[inhales deeply]
Ángela, you claimed that the backpack
wasn't yours, correct?
I accidentally took the bag, you know.
I don't know
where it came from, or whose it was.
Okay, fine, but if it wasn't yours,
who the hell was the owner?
It had to be someone close to you,
otherwise,
how did it end up in your hands?
I'd be lying if I told you
I never thought about it.
So, who else was there?
Well, except for me, uh
There were Birrias, José Luis, and Malena.
And do you have something
to tell me about Chicarcas?
And Mofles?
I don't know those guys.
You really can't think of anyone
who wanted to hurt you
or who was angry with you?
I bought her a present for her birthday.
You won't see her like this.
Ángela, I want to see my daughter!
I said no. You smell like alcohol.
Go away, Flash. Come back
when you're feeling better.
Mind you own business.
- Let me see her. Where is she?
- She's with Malena.
- Sober up and you'll see her tomorrow.
- Rocío's birthday is today!
Tomorrow.
I'll be back later.
You better let me see her.
- [horn blaring]
- [man] Come on, asshole!
[Claudia] Anyone in mind?
No, I can't think of anyone.
[slurping]
["No Te Importó Mi Dolor" playing]
GINA'S SALON
I don't know. I want something discrete,
that passes unnoticed.
Oh, but the purpose of grooming oneself,
Vicky, is that it shows.
All right, all right, all right.
Fine. But how long will this take?
Because I've got a date.
[gasps] Whoa! A date?
[gasps]
Oh my God, I think it's great
that you're doing this.
To tell you the truth, I really don't
I really don't know if I could.
It's just that at a certain age,
your body can't take
You'll be fine. Don't listen to her.
[soft music playing]
I can come back another time.
No. It's not necessary.
[woman giggles]
Hey, ladies, do you recall
when you dyed your hair orange?
You were like so trendy
Three days later, your alleged
orange dye had turned green.
No, no way! I use the best quality
hair dyes on the market!
- The problem is the tap water of
- So are you gonna do my nails or not?
Yeah! Sure!
Just be careful not
to damage her poor nails.
You're so hilarious.
Okay, Victoria. I'll be back in a second.
I'll go get my things.
And so, who's your date?
Why?
Do you want to know where I leave
my leftovers so you can go get them?
[somber music playing]
[breathes deeply]
I just wanted to say
I'm happy you're dating someone.
[music continues]
GINA'S SALON
[sighs]
THE HAPPY BRIDE
[Ángela] Hey, Malena
Was Lalo there the night I got arrested?
Yeah.
I even kicked him out of the booth.
What? When? I'd already kicked him out.
When you were in the restroom.
I saw him stuffing things
into the backpacks.
Unbelievable, Malena!
Why didn't you tell me?
Because I didn't remember.
I didn't think it was important.
And, you know,
it just never crossed my mind.
Do you believe he may
be the owner of the backpack?
Well, I mean, I don't know that.
But yes, I do recall he was
angrier than usual that day.
If there's really a chance
he was behind this,
you'll be able to prove your innocence
and also
I'll also be able to get custody of Rocío.
Maybe you should tell this to Claudia.
No, I can't do that.
Not without hard evidence.
And I wouldn't have the guts.
Well, uh
He was hanging out with
shady people back then, no?
[upbeat music playing]
How many ways are there
to win a wrestling match?
Mm-hmm?
Are we going to learn to fight,
or will we continue with the theory?
We've even watched all The Saint movies
from the '40s.
So how much theory can there be?
[Rocío] Well
I wanted it to be a surprise.
But tomorrow we will!
- For sure?
- [Rocío] I swear!
I'll even teach you how to do a
a double Nelson with a twist.
Okay! That's awesome! Perfect.
So I'll see you tomorrow!
- [Rocío] Mm-hmm.
- Perfect.
Uh, double Nelson with a twist?
I don't know what I'm going to teach him.
Anything! What matters is that
you make your move with him.
All right. Let's see.
Bride in Black Julián
[Malena] Hand me those!
Yes, ma'am.
- [phone dings]
- Wait.
[Rocío] The boy I like
asked me to teach him how to wrestle.
What hold do you recommend?
I'm terrified to touch him.
Oh my goodness!
[laughs]
[both laugh]
I don't know what's worse,
her teaching wrestling
to the boy she likes
or her seeking love advice from me.
Her boyfriend might like
to feel her hands.
Get out of here! She's twelve, you idiot!
Come on!
[sighs]
[texting]
- What did you reply to her?
- Nothing special.
Just to apply a couple of
compromising holds
like the Double Nelson or the Screwdriver,
so they can hold each other.
- You're unbelievable, Male!
- [Malena laughs]
- You didn't!
- Ouch!
WOMEN'S CENTER
FOR REFORM AND REHABILITATION
- [man] Someone planted that backpack.
- Yeah, I believe you, handsome.
We just need to keep you here for
a little while to ask you a few questions.
Okay. Take him away!
[Claudia sighs]
What happened?
Did our fighter from Iztapalapa
say something to you?
The same exact version.
That the backpack didn't belong to her,
but to someone else.
She also didn't recognize any of the names
I mentioned to her.
And you believe that?
No. Although I'm sure she isn't
involved in anything right now, Marta.
Do you think that big guy is innocent too?
Of course not! He's the third thug we got
with a flower backpack.
Hold on. You didn't ask her about Momo?
All the backpacks have those same letters.
Ah, I know that. It's a dead end though.
Yeah.
Okay.
[upbeat music playing]
[knocking on door]
What are you doing here, Ángela?
I need to talk to you.
I need to ask you something.
- If it's about the custody, I already
- It's about the night I was arrested.
What about that night?
Malena told me she saw you putting
stuff inside one of the backpacks.
[chuckles softly]
[inhales deeply]
Are you really going to play this card?
Is that your lawyer's new strategy?
Again, this has nothing to do
with the custody battle.
Why are you bombarding me
with all these questions then?
I want to know if you put stuff
inside one of the backpacks, Eduardo?
[tense music playing]
[Lalo sighs]
Yes.
So it was you.
Whoa. You accusing me of planting
the drugs in your backpack?
So what were you doing with it, then?
What I put in your backpack that night
were Rocío's birthday presents.
Those that you refused to accept.
Because you told me that
that I was a doomed little weasel.
A failure!
I just wanted to spoil my daughter.
And those presents, what were they?
Some candy and
and a stuffed giraffe.
With long, skinny legs like her mother.
I don't have skinny legs.
Tell me the truth, Eduardo.
I knew that you resented
the relationship I had with Rocío.
One that you'll never have with her.
But you know what?
That's not my fault, Ángela.
It's your own fault.
I need to work now,
so if you'll excuse me.
[sniffles]
[upbeat music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[exhales]
[breathes nervously]
Look at the mess you're making.
Tell me what you're looking for?
My backpack,
the the one I put diapers in.
I had it when I got arrested.
Yes, I know which one
you're talking about. It's not there.
[Ángela] What's all this?
The property taxes, water bills, you know.
What did you expect to find?
A stuffed giraffe.
Hmm.
This one?
[gentle music playing]
[sighs]
[siren wailing in distance]
I'm glad that Lalo didn't do it,
but that doesn't change the fact
he wants to take Rocío from us.
We still don't know
how that's going to end.
Perhaps we can still fix this.
Betrayals are difficult to overcome.
- What about those nails?
- Mmm.
Look. Do you like them?
- [chuckles] I do. They look pretty.
- [laughs]
Hmm.
I would have been devastated
if Lalo had been responsible.
[Victoria] Wait.
Are you telling me that you're
still in love with him, or what?
No, Mom! Of course not!
- That's a crazy thing to say.
- Well, you better not be.
Because he's doing everything he can
to separate you from your daughter.
And if you don't stand up to him,
he'll succeed.
You put your foot between the legs,
and then you grab your opponent like this.
And why did you arrive late?
You always get here before us.
I know, but it was Sofía's fault.
Oh yeah?
Yes.
It's just that, well, she told me
she loved me just before I came here
and I didn't know what to tell her.
What do you mean
you didn't know what to tell her?
[Julián] Rocío,
could you let go of my arm?
- You're hurting me.
- Rocío!
- This savage is going to kill him.
- [Julián groans]
[sighs]
[sighs]
[Rocío] The principal
caught me training Julián
and wants to see my mom or dad.
Who should I tell?
[Bride in Black] Tell your mom.
Perhaps it's time to start trusting her.
[Rocío] No, Ángela hates wrestling.
She'll force me to quit.
[Bride in Black] Tell your dad then.
[upbeat music playing]
[breathes deeply]
[Lalo] Goddamn Ángela, dude.
Man, let me tell you something.
That's exactly
how my third wife and I used to fight.
- [Lalo] Mmm.
- And I loved her the most.
- [both chuckle]
- [Lalo] Dude
We have a daughter.
- We were together for a very long time.
- Yeah, yeah.
It's natural
that I still have feelings for her.
But the one I'm in love with is Ángela.
I mean, Candy. I love Candy, dude!
[both laugh]
You're so screwed, man. Come on.
Ah, damn it.
Look, I'm just gonna
tell you one thing, dude.
You need to think long and hard
about what you really want.
Because if you happen to
break Candy's heart, well
I'll kick you out,
but she'll beat the crap out of you.
[both laugh]
[glasses clink]
- [crickets chirping]
- [dogs barking in distance]
[Candy] What are you doing here, sweetie?
Aren't you cold?
[inhales deeply]
The principal of my school sent my dad
a notification letter about me.
But I didn't do anything wrong.
If that's true, why didn't you
say anything to your dad, honey?
I'm just really scared
that he won't understand this time
and that he'll prevent me from wrestling.
Rocío, your father will always
try hard to understand you
and so will I.
So now, tell me what happened.
[Malena] But you're her mother.
She doesn't want me there.
I don't want her to hate me more.
You know damn well kids will
always find reasons to hate you.
Lalo should go there alone.
Plus, I'm not ready to see him now.
I really think you should go, Ángela.
This is definitely the kind of situation
that a judge would look into
in order to determine
who's the best guardian for your daughter.
Go for it.
We'll cover for you with Don Gabriel.
[upbeat music playing]
[principal] I love it! It's really nice.
- You look beautiful.
- [Candy] Thank you so much.
- Really good to see you.
- You too.
Mrs. Gutierrez! I didn't expect you.
What's she doing here?
Well, who's here to talk about Rocío?
It's her mother, obviously.
[sighs]
Why are you looking at her?
I just answered you.
Who has provided for her all these years?
[principal] I have no issue
with both of you being here.
I'll go get her,
so that we can start the meeting.
[indistinct chatter]
And Lalo?
He couldn't make it.
Mmm All right, so,
since I'm already here, you can go now.
They asked for her real parents,
not the fake ones.
[laughs]
So now you're the model mother.
How convenient.
Oh, Candy, have your own kids already
so you can put them on a diet
if you want. You're not too old yet.
- Don't you ever say that again, bitch.
- [laughs]
What are you laughing at?
Don't touch me, stupid!
You think you're so tough.
Show me what you learned in prison.
- [Ángela grunts]
- [kid] Look at Rocío's mother!
Mom! Candy! What's wrong with you?
Ladies, please!
In this school, violence is not allowed.
I'm sorry but you'll just have to go
through a process we do in these cases.
So, according to
the new educational textbooks,
in cases of violence, we should
turn to the circle of love.
Whoever holds the bag of honesty
must share their thoughts
on the conflict
we're currently experiencing. Understood?
Sofía, would you like to start?
[sighs] I'm not part of any conflict.
She's the savage.
We don't call each other savages here.
There are also no culprits.
And if you're not part of the problem,
then, why did you accuse Rocío?
She's jealous
because Julián prefers to be with me.
- That's what I feel.
- [sighs]
Well, I feel that Julián
would rather be with me.
That's why he asked me to train him.
I also feel that you're really ugly.
I'm sorry.
[principal] Julián, how do you feel?
I, uh
I feel like I'm twelve years old.
Nobody should be fighting over me.
He's just saying that, I know.
He likes me more than her.
Leave him alone! He can decide on his own.
Right, Julián?
What do you think he's gonna say
if he's scared of you?
You could break his arm,
like you broke mine.
It's nothing, I barely twisted it.
But if you want me to break it,
just tell me.
[principal] That's enough, Rocío!
Why don't you tell us why
you like wrestling so much?
I think it's because wrestling helps me
forget my problems and all.
I forget my life stinks.
When I'm at a wrestling match
I feel like everything's gonna be okay.
Besides, it's an incredible sport.
They should clearly teach wrestling
in schools rather than prohibit it.
Okay. Let's listen to what the adults
have to say. If you want.
Candy.
Um Well, I feel that, uh
that Rocío is very fortunate to
have so many people who love her.
[clears throat] I, um
I'm very grateful that, uh
that there were people taking care
of Rocío while I wasn't there.
It's not just that
you weren't there, Ángela.
The reason why my grandma, Dad, and Candy
had to take care of me,
is because you were in prison.
- But, Rocío, I'm innocent.
- Oh, just drop it, Ángela.
- Be quiet. I'm talking to my daughter.
- Your daughter, huh?
Well, you weren't there
when she needed you, and I was.
So I'm also her mother, like it or not.
[groans]
[huffs]
Like mother, like daughter.
Rocío.
Don't you ever get tired
of embarrassing me?
Please forgive me.
No! I won't forgive you!
Every time you apologize,
you immediately make things worse.
Please, let's talk about it at home.
There's no way I'm leaving with you!
Rocío!
[Rocío] Can we go?
Yes, my love. Let's go.
[mellow music playing]
Would you like to go
to the Arena for a while? No?
So I noticed that you really
like this boy, Julián, right?
I don't want to talk about that.
I know your mom screwed up,
and God knows how much I hate her,
but I don't think
your mom is a bad person.
Are you seriously defending her?
I thought you and I were
supposed to be a team.
Oh, of course we're a team, come on.
You should've asked my dad to go to
the meeting with the principal instead
You know what? I'd better
head home right away.
["Nada Más" by Sailor An playing]
[sighs]
["Nada Más" continues playing]
Whoa!
[groans]
Mm-hmm. Yeah.
This dress would also be great
for our new collection next summer.
[Lucy] Uh-huh.
[Mr. Gabriel] Mrs. Victoria!
Victoria!
Had I known that you were
with those people,
I wouldn't have come down here to see you.
What just happened?
Mmm.
What is that woman doing
in your store, Don Gabriel?
Re-Re-Refugio?
I mean, she just sells merchandise
from catalogs to the girls.
Or something like that. I don't even know.
I don't do business with her.
Are you telling me the truth?
Cross my heart.
[breathes deeply]
You look handsome.
[chuckles]
When I take a bath,
I don't really look that bad, do I?
[chuckles]
N No.
- [Victoria laughs]
- [sniffing]
[chuckles]
[vendors yelling]
[Pato] Your mom and stepmom
crossed the line.
We can't pick a side anymore.
[Rocío] Yeah. Don't even mention it.
[Julián] Hey, it's a shame what happened
at school. Are you okay?
Oh my goodness!
It's a message from Julián.
- Come on!
- Cool!
Tell me what he says.
Don't make me guess, Rocío.
He wants to know how I am.
Tell him you're in love with him.
Are you nuts?
Um All right.
I'm sorry for throwing
the little bag at you.
Seriously? He's the one
who should be apologizing
for clearly flirting with Sofía.
Hold on, he's typing.
[Pato] Ugh.
There were three dots, then nothing.
Oh, that's not good.
Maybe he wants to tell you
that he doesn't want to see you again.
Mmm.
- [phone chimes]
- He just wrote.
[Julián] I didn't want to say yes
to Sofía, because
"Because I like someone else."
He likes you!
[chuckles]
I also like someone, um
You.
Why deleting it?
I don't know.
I want him to tell me this in person.
It's more romantic, right?
[both laugh]
Um You can tell me about it at school.
Let's go.
[salsa music playing]
You have a lot of history
with Refugio, right?
Truth is, I don't have the best
relationship with my past, either.
- Do you have a lot of regrets?
- Not exactly.
Have you ever asked yourself
why a man who has poor taste,
happens to own a bridal store?
I assumed you opened it
to seduce desperate bridesmaids.
[both laugh]
Actually, it was my wife's dream
to open that store.
Rebeca.
I knew you were a widower,
but nothing else.
Rebeca and I didn't have
the wedding of our dreams.
So basically we wanted to
give that opportunity to others.
My Aníbal doesn't seem
as wonderful as your Rebeca.
[chuckles]
You know, the thing is, memories don't
necessarily have to be painful
for them to be unpleasant.
My store
is a permanent reminder of why
it's important not to run away.
All right. We're here
to dance, not to philosophize.
I like that.
[salsa music continues playing]
Pancho, please clean everything
and close. I'm leaving.
Lalo.
I found it in our daughter's things.
I should've trusted you.
Yes.
Yes, you should have.
But you never learned how.
That's not true.
You never really wanted
to give me a chance.
You kept me at a distance.
You were ashamed of me,
admit it.
It wasn't shame, it was fear.
I was afraid that what happened to me,
would happen to Rocío as well.
Growing up without a father.
I would never have left you guys.
Perhaps you wouldn't have left,
but you were a thief.
Something could've happened to you.
The only reason I was doing it,
was to give you and Rocío
the kind of life you deserved.
I know it was immature.
And stupid. I was in the wrong.
- I wanted
- But I never asked you for anything.
But I wanted to give it to you.
To both of you!
I wasn't planning on keeping you
away forever, you know that, right?
[somber music playing]
[breathes deeply]
I needed to grow up.
We both needed to grow up.
Do you know why I chose a giraffe?
Because of the first time
we took Rocío to see the zoo.
- When
- When we weren't able to see the giraffes.
They were sick that day
and Rocío was so disappointed.
So you jumped the fence
and acted like a giraffe
until security came and brought us in.
[laughs]
That day I knew that
no matter what happened,
Rocío was gonna be okay.
Because she had you, Angie, as her mother.
My life is finally in order, Ángela.
I need you to understand that.
[Ángela] I know that.
That's why I looked
for the giraffe everywhere.
And I would've never stopped looking.
I've never given up on you,
despite everything.
But you did.
You even wanna take Rocío away from me.
Angie, Angie, Angie, Angie!
[Ángela sighs]
[contemplative music playing]
["Las Lajas"
by Wilson y Sus Estrellas playing]
[chuckles]
[Mr. Gabriel] Sorry.
Sorry, Victoria. I lied to you.
Salsa was never my strength.
Don't worry about it, Don Gabriel.
It's okay, you're doing fine.
No! I promised you that
we would have a great time. I did.
- And I'm going to keep it.
- It's fine.
- Give me a few seconds. I'll be back.
- Don't go away!
[sighs]
[song continues]
[song stops]
["Feels Good" by Alden Lawson
& Kimberly Singleton playing]
[grunting]
- Whoo!
- [Mr. Gabriel laughs]
[screams]
["Feels Good" continues]
[grunts]
[gasps]
- The night is all ours now.
- Whoo!
["Feels Good" continues playing]
- Do you want to have dinner?
- Yes, of course.
Hey.
If you could choose who you wanted
to live with, who would you choose?
Of course, you guys.
Although I would never
want to stop seeing my grandma.
- Why? What's going on?
- [Candy] Nothing.
- Nothing yet.
- What do you mean nothing yet?
Rocío, please don't ask me questions.
I can't tell you right now.
What happened? I wanna know.
I'll tell you, all right.
But you can't tell anyone.
The real reason I chose to go to
your school without telling your father,
was because he's already worried enough
with the custody lawsuit.
Custody lawsuit?
What are you talking about?
Your mom wants to take you away from us.
No!
Please don't let that happen. Please.
Forgive me for yelling at you sometimes,
and being rude.
Candy, please, I love you.
Of course I'm not going
to let that happen, baby.
I love you too. Hmm?
No. That woman hurt me so much.
Like only a best friend could hurt you.
But it's too late. I can't forgive her.
Well, they say it's only one step
from hate to love, so
[Victoria] I don't think so.
The last thing I want is to see her face.
I can ask her not to
come to the store again.
That would be giving her
too much importance.
Although if you threw
some boxes and mannequins at her
and made it look like an accident,
I mean, I wouldn't be mad.
Well, I promise to practice my aim.
[both chuckle]
Thanks a lot
for the nice and fun evening, Don Gabriel.
Mmm.
You're more charming than I ever imagined.
Well, I guess, I have my moments.
That's all.
[Victoria chuckles]
Well, I better get going. It's late.
[Victoria moans]
Oh.
[laughs]
[dog barking in distance]
[Bride in Black]
How did the school meeting go?
[Rocío] Bad. My mom embarrassed me,
and now she doesn't want me to see my dad.
[Bride in Black]
Why's that? What happened?
[Rocío]
They're in a custody battle for me.
[sighs]
[breathes deeply]
Okay.
[Bride in Black]
Maybe it's because they both love you
and can't decide which is best for you.
[Rocío] But why can't they
just ask me what I want?
["Clika Nostra" by Cartel de Santa
feat. Santa Estilo playing]
[sighs]
["Clika Nostra" continues playing]
[engine revving]
["Clika Nostra" continues playing]
["Clika Nostra" continues playing]
[song ends]
[theme song playing]
- [bell dings]
- [song ends]