The second episode of "Snakes and Ladders" unfolds with the governor personally escorting his grandson to school. Following a conversation with Josefina, she publicly declares that Choquita will be reassigned to Miss Vero's class, whereas Vincentin remains with Miss Paula. The governor, wielding his influence, reverses Dora's decision, leaving her with a sense of unease. Choquita, upon hearing about her class transfer, is devastated, prompting Muriel to attempt calling Dora in distress.
Josefina summons Dora to her office, emphasizing that aligning with influential parents is in the school's best interest. She blames Dora for inciting the governor's wrath, revealing she had to resort to her tactics of shadowy diplomacy to placate him. Dora perceives the dispute between Choquita and Vincentin as having escalated into a power struggle, showcasing who wields the most leverage. She suspects that Josefina is attempting to undermine her bid for the headmistress position and vows not to let the matter rest.
Dora entrusts Martha to manage her duties at school while she ventures out to meet Muriel. She unveils to Muriel the governor's role in the transfer, believing Vincentin's parents are leveraging politics to harass Choquita. Offering to assist Muriel in securing justice, Dora confides her predicament with Tono, leading to a pact between them. Juana and Tono are tasked with becoming friends, with Juana tasked with monitoring Tono's interactions to prevent him from associating with criminals.
As the day progresses, Vicente arrives to pick up Vincentin from school. Vincentin, displeased with Choquita's transfer, informs Vicente that rumors are swirling about the governor's intervention in separating his best friend. Vicente, unwavering, insists that Vincentin sever ties with Choquita due to her indigenous heritage.
At his home, Vicente confronts Tamara regarding the transfer, his face etched with discontent. He frowns upon Tamara's attempt to seek favors from the governor, deeming it a deplorable act of corruption. Yet, Tamara's sole intention revolves around indulging in sexual pleasures and reclaiming the power she has been denied since their return. Their sexual intimacy, however, leaves much to be desired, as Tamara's mind constantly wanders back to devising revenge against Muriel during their intimate moments.
The following morning, as Tamara drops Vicente off at school, she boasts about her influence to Dora with a smug grin. She taunts Dora for not aligning with the victorious side and announces her support for Miss Paula in the forthcoming elections. Meanwhile, when Muriel arrives to drop off Choquita, Dora inquisitively asks if he has devised a plan for retaliation, but Muriel remains as clueless as ever. Impatient, Dora urges him to expedite his efforts.
Elsewhere, Tono arrives at Muriel's residence for his rendezvous with Juana. The butler bars his way at the door, but Juana intervenes, explaining that their butler harbors prejudices against those less fortunate. As Juana and Tono engage in light conversation, it emerges that Tono is an artist who eschews formal education. Juana confesses her admiration for art but believes that Tono's lack of schooling will hinder his success, emphasizing that schools are crucial for establishing connections with art dealers. Tono, however, professes his belief in "art for art's sake," which Juana dismissively labels as communist.
Later that night, Martha offers Dora another tarot reading, foretelling her future as a potential headmistress. The cards continue to cast a shadow of doubt over Dora's prospects, revealing numerous obstacles and a prominent male figure as a major hindrance. Martha inquiries if Dora encountered any men at Muriel's party, and the cards reveal a chilling revelation: the man in question is a ghost, sending shivers down Dora's spine.
Elsewhere, Nicolas and Juana grace a gathering meticulously organized by the governor, with Nicolas, a youthful emissary for the governor's political faction, poised to deliver an address amidst the festive revelry. Shortly thereafter, Tono arrives, and the trio forges an instantaneous bond of friendship. Meanwhile, Vicente, slightly inebriated, chances upon a snippet of conversation among the young crowd, wherein they mention Dora and her presence at Muriel's birthday bash. Vicente's attendance at the party stems from Tamara's directive—a strategic maneuver to cultivate ties with the governor, thereby paving the way for Vicente's appointment as Spain's next ambassador to Jalisco.
As dawn breaks, Dora steps into her school, only to find Tamara and Vicente already ensconced in her office. They confront her about her late-night appearance at Muriel's party, asserting their awareness of the night's occurrences and hinting at impending repercussions. In Dora's mind, they allude to her encounter with Bernie. When her visitors depart, Dora peers out the window, her gaze locking with Bernie's as he stares back at her, his eyes filled with an unspoken narrative.
