<< ____ >>

BETRAY THEIR ANXIETY BUT ONLY WHEN THE OTHERS ARE NOT WATCHING THEM.
FRANCISCA.- What floor are we on?
MIGUEL.- Fifth.
VIRGINIA.- How would you know?
FRANCISCA.- Oh, Holy Mother! If it's the fifth floor nobody's going to hear us. This is the floor they're turning into a condo and selling. Nobody lives here.
VIRGINIA.- Soon they'll be getting rid of us all.
RAMON.- Only if we allow them to.
AMPARO.- BANGING ON THE WALL HARDER THAN BEFORE. Open, please open!
VIRGINIA.- Didn't you just hear? Nobody lives on this floor.
AMPARO.- I have to get out. Something might happen to my son.
FRANCISCA.- Only you would think of leaving him alone.
AMPARO.- I went down to help the señora get her car out.
RAMON.- MOCKINGLY. You drive?
AMPARO.- I went to open the garage door.
FRANCISCA.- We can't stay here all day.
CECILIA.- INCREASINGLY FRANTIC. I'm going to get fired if I don't get there on time.
VIRGINIA.-TO MIGUEL. Stop wiggling.
MIGUEL.- I'm tired.
VIRGINIA.- I'm old and I'm not fussing.
ANOTHER LONG PAUSE. THEY FIDGET. CECILIA TOUCHES UP HER MAKE-UP. MIGUEL SITS ON HIS BACK-PACK. FRANCISCA CLEANS HER GLASSES. VIRGINIA REARRANGES THE CONTENTS OF THE SHOPPING CART.
ALMA.- Anybody got a cigarette?
FRANCISCA.- A cigarette? What for?
ALMA.- To smoke, What else would it be for?
FRANCISCA.- Have you noticed the size of this place, the amount of oxygen we have in here?
ALMA.- There are cracks in the elevator.
RAMON.- Nobody here is going to smoke. I won't allow it!
ALMA.- It's a free country!
RAMON.- Smoking in elevators is not allowed anywhere in the world.
ALMA.- That's when there’re in working order.
VIRGINIA.- Only young people would think of something like that.
ALMA.- I'll smoke a joint.
SHE AND FERNANDO LAUGH. ANOTHER PAUSE, NOT AS LONG AS THE PREVIOUS ONE.
MIGUEL.- TO VIRGINIA. May I eat an apple?
VIRGINIA.- No, they aren't washed. Anyway, if you eat one now you won't want your breakfast. You're mother's waiting for you.
FRANCISCA.- She's probably hungry.
CECILIA.- Apples aren't filling.
VIRGINIA.- He's my grandson, his mother put him in my care. He will do as I say.
FRANCISCA.- Fruit is good for you when you're scared.
MIGUEL.- I'm not scared.
THE YOUNG PEOPLE LAUGH. ANOTHER PAUSE. CECILIA PUTS HER BAG ON THE FLOOR. SHE TRIES TO PRY THE DOOR OPEN WITH HER FINGERS, BUT CAN'T MANAGE IT.
FRANCISCA.- Leave it, you could make it worse.
RAMON.- BANGS ON THE WALL. I'll sue the landlord.
VIRGINIA.- DISCREETLY GIVING AMPARO A SHOVE. I told you you were squeezing me.
CECILIA.- TO VIRGINIA. Don't push her, now she bumped me.
VIRGINIA.- I'm sorry.
AMPARO.- I wasn't squeezing you, she's the one pushing us because of her cart.
VIRGINIA.- Can you tell me where else I should put it?
ALMA.- Elevators are for people.
VIRGINIA.- You're mistaken. They're also to bring our things in.
FRANCISCA.- You could put it in a better place.
VIRGINIA PLACES THE CART AGAINST THE BACK WALL. SHE IS OBVIOUSLY UPSET. ANOTHER PAUSE. THE POWER GOES OUT. ALL LET OUT A MUFFLED SCREAM. THERE IS A SHORT SILENCE.
FERNANDO.- That's done it...I smell smoke!
FRANCISCA.- Heaven help us! What could be burning!
FERNANDO.- HIS TONE VERY SERIOUS. The elevator.
RAMON HAS ANOTHER COUGHING FIT, SPITS IN THE DARK.
CECILIA.- You spat at me, idiot!
RAMON.- I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
AMPARO.- Stop pushing me!
MIGUEL.- Gran...they stepped on me.
VIRGINIA.- It must have been this maid.
ALMA.- PLAYING FERNANDO'S GAME. We'll be roasted alive!
FERNANDO.- They'll make soap out of our fat!
FRANCISCA.- Shut up! Death isn't a game.
RAMON.- BANGING ON THE WALLS. Janitor! Why aren't you opening this door?
CECILIA FLICKS ON THE LIGHTER, HOLDS IT HIGH FOR A MINUTE, BURNS HERSELF. THE LIGHTER DROPS TO THE FLOOR. CECILIA TRIES TO PICK IT UP IN THE DARK. SHE CRIES OUT. AT THAT MOMENT THE POWER COMES BACK ON.