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AMPARO.- LOOKS UP. Can we get out through there?
FRANCISCA.- I doubt it.
CECILIA.- BANGING FEEBLY ON THE DOOR. Somebody must realize we're lock up in here, at least the people who need to go up or down.
VIRGINIA.- When they realize the elevator's not working, they'll just take the stairs. They won't stand around, waiting. This isn't the first time this has happened.
FERNANDO.- Do you want me to climb up there or not?
RAMON.- COUGHING. Who would've thought I'd die in an elevator?
FERNANDO.- BANGING LIGHTLY ON THE WALLS. Well, you won't need to buy a coffin. This box'll do fine.
RAMON.- Moron!
FERNANDO.- If you don't apologize for that, I don't open.
RAMON.-TURNS HIS BACK TO HIM. AFTER A LONG PAUSE. Please forgive me.
FERNANDO.- That's better.
ANOTHER PAUSE.
VIRGINIA.- BREATHING DEEPLY. Are you or aren't you going to open? I'm already feeling dizzy.
ALMA.- It's the smell. Somebody didn't take a shower this morning. LOOKING AT FERNANDO. And I know who that was. WHISPERING TO THE OTHERS. He hasn't showered in three days.
FERNANDO.- GIVING HER A SHOVE. Sooo, you've been spying on me, huh?
FRANCISCA.-TO VIRGINIA. Some people don't even change their underwear.
FERNANDO.- That's no me. My underpants are not dirty...They're not clean, either. I don't wear any! HE START UNZIPPING HIS FLY. Care to have a look?
ALMA.- COVERING HIM UP WITH HER HANDS. Don't show it to them. It's mine.
RAMON.- Your youth does not give you license to be disrespectful, especially towards ladies.
FERNANDO.- ZIPPING UP HIS FLY. OK, if you don't wanna take a look...but you're the ones missing out.
FRANCISCA.- I'm going to write a complaint letter about this.
VIRGINIA.- I'll back you up. They have got to get this thing repaired.
FRANCISCA.- I'm going to complain about them POINTING TO FERNANDO AND ALMA and the fact that people like them are allowed to live in this building.
FERNANDO GESTURES VAGUELY. HE KISSES ALMA. THE OTHERS WATCH THEM, IRRITATED. VIRGINIA STARTS GASPING FOR AIR.
VIRGINIA.- I need air.
FRANCISCA.- Holy Mother! Really?
VIRGINIA.-BREATHING RAPIDLY. God!
MIGUEL.- Gran! What's wrong?
CECILIA.- TO FERNANDO. Please, I beg of you, open; this lady needs fresh air.
FERNANDO.- Only because you have asked me.
RAMON.- We are all asking you.
FERNANDO.- I'm only interested in her.
ALMA.- Hey, hey, wait a minute. I'm here too.
FERNANDO.- GOES OVER AND KISSES HER. I know.
ALMA.-SMILES. Need help?
FERNANDO.- Everybody's gotta help. Give me a boost.
HE TRIES TO CLIMB UP, LEANS ON ALMA'S HAND AND ON SHOULDERS OF THE OTHERS. AS HE GETS TO THE TOP, HE SLIPS AND FALLS CLUMSILY. EVERYONE REACTS.
ALMA.-AS HE'S TO FALL. Watch out!
FERNANDO.- ALREADY ON THE FLOOR. See, I've my ass and it's your fault!
VIRGINIA.- CONTEMPTUOUSLY. I knew he couldn’t do it.
ALMA.-TO VIRGINIA. Weren't you choking to death?
VIRGINIA.- I am.
FRANCISCA.- TO FERNANDO WHO TRIES TO STAND UP. You hit me with your shoe.
ALMA.- Are you hurt?
FERNANDO.- What do you want? None of you helped.
ALMA.- You didn't tell us what to do.
FERNANDO.- Forget it. Anyway, we're gonna die of asphyxiation.
RAMON.- COUGHING DUE TO HIS AGITATION. Try again. We'll help you.
MIGUEL.- Lift me up. I don't weigh as much.
VIRGINIA.- You be quiet.
AMPARO.- I could climb up.
FERNANDO.-LOOKS AT HER, MOVES ASIDE. Up you go.
HE LIFTS HER, TRYING TO GET HIS HANDS ON HER BUTTOCKS AND KISS HER BREAST.
ALMA.- JOLTING HIM. Go ahead, keep it up.
FERNANDO.- Keep what up?
ALMA.- Only don't complain later.
CECILIA.-SMILES AT FERNANDO. I am asking you again.
FERNANDO.- Sure, and I can just crack my skull, right?! No way! None of you strong enough to hold me.
VIRGINIA.- SIGHING DEEPLY, HER VOICE LOW, SHE STARTS PRAYING. Sinner that I am, I do confess to Almighty God...SHE FAINTS, FALLS ON THE OTHERS, THEY MAKE ROOM FOR HER AND STRETCH HER OUT ON THE FLOOR.
FERNANDO.- Oh, shit! She's croaked! HE LAUGHS.
FRANCISCA.- Too bad she's not your mother.
FERNANDO.- Or yours.