ON THE SECOND FLOOR
Miguel Castillo?
Oh no, sorry, he lives on the fourth floor.
This is the second floor.
Ok, thank you.
You’re welcome…
Oh, Enrique…
If you only knew how empty this apartment is without you.
The neighborhood has changed so much... People are different.
And they just do their own thing. No one cares about anyone else.
The bell only rings when a delivery man comes to the wrong door.
Or strange people are trying to sell you on their religion.
But...
Who is going to come here?
None of the old neighbors are left.
Araceli was the last one.
And the poor thing got sick and they had to take her to a nursing home.
Oh, and Carmencita...
Since Concha died, and she moved, I haven’t seen her.
She was so special to me...
I loved when she would come to watch me sew her mother’s dresses.
Oh, anyway.
What am I going to do…
You know, I always say to myself.
Aurora, don’t think too much.
Don’t expect anything from anyone, so life won’t disappoint you.
But, every time the bell rings, I run to the door like a fool to open it.
In case it is someone I know.
Someone who will brighten up my day.
Life would be easier in our small town.
Where you know everyone, and they know you…
But I can’t go there by myself.
It’s too late for that.
That must be Araceli. Yesterday she said she would bring me a piece of cake.
She’ll give me some too.
-Hello Araceli, my dear! - Hey sweetie! Here is the cake I promised you!
Come in, come in. Concha is here.
She came over so I could fix her daughter’s dress for her communion.
Indistinct chattering
Oh dear. A day doesn’t go by without a visit from my little friend.
Be patient.
You are more spoiled than a grandchild.
Well if I only had one…
I always used to say to Enrique that I would have liked to have had a child.
But no, it never happened.
Today, things are different.
Back then, we didn’t have
the medical advances of today, or the treatments.
During my time, if you couldn’t, you had to deal with it.
When my dear Enrique was sick in the hospital.
I thought, if only I had a child to be there with me, I would not be alone.
What would you do without me!
All those pigeons and birds out there on the streets.
I just don’t understand how you can survive.
You must be so scared out there all on your own.
I sometimes don’t want to go out either.
Well, of course, if I don’t go with someone... with all those people…
I see young people doing their own thing, all happy…
They remind me of myself, and it makes me sad.
Because at that age.
You don’t ever think that you’ll grow old.
Or that you’re going to die like everyone else…
But as you get older.
Those thoughts come to mind, and you think about it again and again…
It’s just because I am home by myself all day…
Now, now, really… you don’t say much, but you are great company.
I can’t talk right now; someone is at the door!
Oh! Since you took so long to open, I didn’t think you were home.
-Aurora, right? -Yes, yes.
-Is something wrong? -No, we just wanted to let you know .
That this afternoon you can’t use the bathroom toilet.
Because they are going to clean the pipes in the basement. Ok?
Well, that’s it.
Ok, ok, would you like to come for some coffee?
-No, no I don’t want to bother you, but thank you. -You’re not.
I just made a fresh pot.
No, don’t worry. I still have to notify six other floors.
Oh, ok, I won’t insist.
But when you’re done, if you want to,
I would love to have you over for coffee.
…have a nice day.
Oh, that woman. She is a little uptight.
Oh Enrique, you left me all alone…
The only thing that visits me is that little sparrow.
Ma’am, did you get a letter from your boyfriend?
No, sir. The bank doesn’t even send me letters anymore.
In my opinion, you’re better off that they don’t remember you.
They only send bad news.
Well, you know what, I would love to get a letter, even from the bank.
Instead of so much propaganda, or advertisements that are just a waste.
No one writes letters anymore.
It was so exciting to open your mailbox and find a letter from a friend.
Or from someone you haven’t seen in a long time.
Someone who had sat down.
And had written something, thinking about you.
You are right, ma’am.
I’ve read so many letters to people who couldn’t read.
Those were different times, but you felt good knowing you were helping someone.
And cheer up, ma’am.
For sure when you least expect it, someone will write you, you’ll see.
You never know.
If you say so…
Did you see how funny that man was.
The mailman.
Asking me if I was expecting a letter from my boyfriend…
THE BODY OF AN OLD WOMAN, FOUND DEAD, 15 YEARS LATER.
The National Police and the Madrid Fire Department found.
In her home, the mummified cadaver of a 78-year-old women.
She had been dead since September 2004.
The official reports states that she lived alone after the death of her husband.
And did not have any children.
The neighbors, after having to empty her mailbox.
On several occasions, called the police.
Other neighbors also called the police to file complaints
about the bad odor coming out of the apartment.
The firemen had to enter through a window since the old woman had left the keys in the door.
IN MEMORY OF ISABEL RIVERA HERNÁNDEZ