AMPARO.- I did, but I left him in my bedroom.
CECILIA.- How old is he?
AMPARO.- Nine months.
FRANCISCA GIVES HER A DISAPPROVING LOOK
RAMON.-COUGHS DISCREETLY. Excuse me. Allow me to try pressing the buttons.
FERNANDO.- I already pressed them again.
RAMON.-CROSSING TO THE PANEL. Excuse me...
FERNANDO.-GIVING HIM ROOM. Wow, maybe he has bionic fingers.
HE, ALMA AND THE BOY LAUGH. THE BOY'S GRANDMOTHER SMACKS HIM LIGHTLY.
RAMON.- Excuse me.
RAMON IS NOW FACING THE PANEL AND PRESSES ONE OF THE BUTTONS. WHEN THERE IS NO ACTION, HE IMPATIENTLY TRIES AGAIN. HE BANS ON THE DOOR.
FERNANDO.- MOCKINGLY. See, now you've screwed it up.
RAMON.-BANGING AGAIN ON THE DOOR. It's impossible. HE HAS A COUGHING FIT. A person could die and nobody gives a darn.
CECILIA.- Why isn't it moving?
FERNANDO.- Well, you see, it's just like that Cucaracha-won't move without a hit.
ALMA.- SINGING AND PRETENDING TO SMOKE..." marihuana que fumar"
FRANCISCA.- It the power is back on there's no reason why it shouldn't be working.
VIRGINIA.- Everything in this building is a mess. People do whatever they please, the janitor is never around, the stairs are filthy. You'd think that the least you could expect when you pay the rent promptly is minimum maintenance service...never mind anything better. That would be asking for the moon.
LONG PAUSE. THE WATCH'EACH OTHER. THEY SHIFT AND SETTLE AGAIN. ALMA TURNS ON HER TRANSISTOR RADIO. SHE HUMS TO THE MUSIC. THE OTHERS, EXCEPT THE YOUNG MAN AND THE CHILD, STARE AT HER MEANINGFULLY.
VIRGINIA.- If you wouldn't mind, could you please turn the radio off?
ALMA PAYS NO ATTENTION. NOW SHE HUMS LOUDER. FERNANDO SWAYS TO THE MUSIC.
CECILIA.- NERVOUS BUT KEEPING HER CALM. What time is it?
RAMON.- Five past eight.
CECILIA.- I won't be on time even if I fly there.
AMPARO.- TO RAMON. Press number six again.
FERNANDO.- PRESSING ALMA'S STOMACH There, I've pressed it.
ALMA.- I told you to quit that.
MIGUEL.- LAUGHS. I'm going to press my Granny's
HE DOES SO AND SHE SMACKS HIS HANDS.
VIRGINIA.- That's all you ever learn, the bad things.
AMPARO.- TO RAMON. Please.
RAMON.- Don't you see it's not working?
FRANCISCA.- AFTER A PAUSE, TO AMPARO. Move a little, you're squeezing me.
AMPARO MOVES AND NOW SHE'S UP AGAINST VIRGINIA
VIRGINIA.- Girl, I'm not just painted on here. What are you trying to do, squeeze me to death?
AMPARO.- There's no room.
VIRGINIA.- You could easily have used the stairs, this is for the elderly, like us.
FRANCISCA.- It's true, young people are strong, they can walk up and down. Look how crowded it is in here.
FERNANDO.- It just so happens that we were all very comfortable until the seventh floor. Then you and this gentleman got on. POINTS TO RAMON.
RAMON.- It's our building, we have a right to use the elevator.
FERNANDO.-POINTS TO THE SING. It says here very clearly that this elevator is for six people, and, with the two of you, there are eight of us...and that doesn't include the lady's cart.
VIRGINIA.- You don't expect me to carry it down, do you?
FERNANDO.- Down or up? Aren't you on your way back from the market?
VIRGINIA.- No, since it seems to interest you so much. I'm taking this to my daughter's house, groceries she ordered. Is that all right?
RAMON.- These things never used to happen. There were fewer people living in these buildings, not like nowadays...
ALMA.- There are more everywhere. Haven't you tried getting on the subway at Centrum?
FRANCISCA.- In a few years' time we'll be living on top of each other.
ALMA.- HUGGING FERNANDO FROM BEHIND. Sounds great!
FRANCISCA.- This is a decent neighborhood. LOOKS STRAIGHT
AT ALMA) Or used to be.
ALMA.- Isn't is anymore?
FRANCISCA.- Not, anybody can live here now.
FERNANDO.- Nothing personal, but if we die of asphyxiation due to
lack of oxygen, the last two people who got on will be responsible.
RAMON.- STARTS COUGHING. Don't say that, I have pulmonary emphysema.
FERNANDO.- TO ALMA. What does one eat with that?
ALMA.- Who knows?!
VIRGINIA.- It's tuberculosis.
RAMON.- Emphysema! It's not tuberculosis.
AMPARO.-BANGING ON THE WALL. Open up!
ALL WATCH HER. SHE'S ASHAMED. ANOTHER LONG PAUSE. THE LOOKS ON THEIR FACES BECOME MORE TENSE. THE TWO YOUNG PEOPLE ALSO