01x11 - The Phoenix

[bunniefuu]

(thudding, crumbling, continuous)

(machine whirring)

(thudding continues, muffled)

I can't stand that noise.
It makes me uneasy.

I love it. It makes me happy to know
they're demolishing that shitty shack.

(sighs) The roof is
going to look gorgeous.

No superintendent ever again.

ROMINA: A lot of buildings
don't have them anymore.

It's medieval, especially for 30 years,
as if he had a medical condition.

-They hardly do anything.
-Well, I don't agree with that.

It doesn't matter anymore.
He was a horrible person.

(scoffs) It's over. He's gone.

He's living in a tiny studio
in the neighborhood not too far away.

Maria told me he's working
at the greengrocery around the corner.

Are you kidding me? m*therf*cker!

ROMINA:
He needs to work. It's not a big deal.

It is. I don't like having him around.

I want him as far away as possible.
In another province, not near here.

ROMINA:
I think you're a bit obsessed with Eliseo.

Not in the slightest.

If you say so.

What?

Nothing. I'm just saying.

(thudding changes rhythm)

Listen.

Listen to that music.
(Romina sighs)

Listen.

(mimics thudding)
(Romina sighs)

What are you doing? Come on, dumbass.

Leave me alone. Leave me alone. Leave it.

Don't tease me. Stop it, because
you know I'll want more.

-I'm going all the way in.
-Stop.

-Cut it out. I have a hearing.
-Dumbass.

Honestly… I'm very upset
for letting them kick Eliseo out.

As if he meant nothing.

Beba, we did what we
could, but it was a vote.

I saw him the other day
working at the greengrocer's.

-He looked good. Yes.
-Really?

I had to go to a different greengrocery.
I couldn't bear to look him in the face.

-I'm so embarrassed.
-RICARDO: Beba.

To be fair, he was given a
handsome sum of money.

Let's not talk about money.

(leaf blower blowing)

I hate this plant.
They even removed his desk.

Don't worry Beba, he'll be just fine.

Hey, hey, hey!

(machines cut off)

Sorry, granny.

-Don't f*cking call me granny.
-Excuse her.

Bye.

-Bye, Beba.
-Bye.

Relax!

(leaf blowers resume)

(cellphone ding)

Ah. They're saying
they're just five blocks away.

It's crazy to think all of Eliseo's
apartment is in that truck.

FLORENCIA: Yeah.
(Marina hums)

What's wrong with you?
Do you miss the superintendent?

-No, not at all.
-FLORENCIA: I see.

I love not having to greet anyone every
time I come in or out of the building.

I never understood why
you voted against the pool.

The project is great.
Why did you side with Eliseo?

I didn't. It was a good project,
but it felt like it didn't belong.

It's suited for a hotel in
Miami with palm trees.

(Marina hums)

It has nothing to do with the 60s
aesthetics of this building.

Okay. I guess I'm cheesy because
the renders looked great to me.

But I also felt bad for him. Laying
him off like that. I felt bad for him.

(laughs) You felt sorry for him?

Florencia, since when do
you have a conscience?

-Stop it.
-Besides… Eliseo was a bit odd.

-Odd?
-I don't know, he was kind of shady.

I disagree. He was a good guy.

-I'm not so sure.
-Forget it.

He's gone, your Caribbean
pool is being built…

(car honks)

-And we're off to dinner.
-MARINA: OK.

(both giggling)

FLORENCIA:
Come on.

-MARINA: Hello.
-DRIVER: Hello.

-Good evening.
-DRIVER: Hi.

(R&B music plays)
FLORENCIA: Let's go.

(ominous music)

(theme song)

THE BOSS

(expl*si*n)
(dogs barking)

(cracking continues)

What happened? You alright?
-SUSANA: Yes.

-MARINA: There was an expl*si*n.
-I heard it.

-CAROLA: And all this smoke?
-It comes from the basement.

-GERMÁN: It must be the boiler.
-What about the cleaning guys?

They don't come on Saturdays.

Listen. Warn all the residents
to come down immediately.

-I'll call the fire department. Come on.
-CAROLA: What's wrong, baby?

WOMAN:
I'd like some tangerines.

ELISEO: Perfect. We have Creole,
Dancy, Clementines, and Dulcombe.

Um...

Let me help you. Creoles are
common, the most popular.

Dancies taste tangier, but they
don't have seeds. That's great.

Clementines are juicier, but their
skin is thick. They're harder to peel.

Dulcombes are acid, juicier, and sweet.
An outstanding experience for your taste.

I'll take two of each
so I can give them all a try.

-Perfect. OK.
-WOMAN: That will be eight.

-Thank you.
-ELISEO: Let me walk you out.

Thank you.

-ELISEO: See you soon. Goodbye.
-Thanks again.

ENRIQUE:
You're a great salesman.

ELISEO: I'm not a good salesman. You are
an awful one. Believe me. I've seen you.

You sell rotten tomatoes just to get rid
of them. You want customers to come back.

So you shouldn't do that. Seriously.

It's just good business sense.

-Got it. There's a boy.
-Hello. Good morning, how are you?

Eliseo!

-ELISEO: What's wrong, Camila?
-Eliseo, the building's on fire.

-Enrique, I must go. Sorry.
-Go ahead! Run!

(dog barking)

(indistinct chatter)

-BEBA: Eliseo.
-What happened?

-Camila told me about an expl*si*n.
-The boiler.

-Is everyone OK?
-CROWD: Yes, we are.

-Is there anyone left?
-I can't find Thiago.

What do you mean?

PAOLA:
Camila, wasn't he in the garden with you?

Yes, but then he went home.

-I'll go inside.
-MARÍA: The fire department is on its way.

-We can't wait for them!
-CROWD: Don't!

-PAOLA: Eliseo, stay put!
-BEBA: Eliseo, you have to wait.

-GERMÁN: Eliseo, please! Don't do that!
-BEBA: Where are you going?

-BEBA: What is he doing?
-PAOLA: Eliseo, please be careful!

(tense music)

(indistinct muttering)

CAUTION

(siren)
(indistinct radios)

POLICE

Look!

(sighs of relief)

(cheers)

CROWD:
Bravo!

PAOLA: Why did you disappear
like that? Where were you?

-My love.
-I looked for him on every floor.

And then I found him in the garbage
room. He was so scared, poor thing.

-My poor thing.
-Thiago!

PAOLA:
Are you OK?

I'm a bit dizzy. It must
be the smoke. But I'm fine.

(crowd ahhs and applauds, continuous)

-Thank you!
-No worries.

No…

Bravo, Eliseo!

(siren)

MESSINA:
The insurance report is crystal clear.

The boiler exploded
due to excess pressure.

Luckily, the fire was contained inside the
boiler room which can withstand the heat.

HUGO: That all makes sense,
but… How did it happen?

Someone's to blame.

The insurance company confirmed
that the safety locks were opened,

which made the pressure go up
and caused the boiler to explode.

-Who's in charge of that?
-Eliseo used to be in charge of it.

Now the current employees
are supposed to take care of it.

This wouldn't have happened
if he were still here.

Sorry to interrupt you, Beba,

but the cleaning agency's employees said
they checked everything on Friday,

and that the pressure was fine.

What did you expect them to say?
They're protecting themselves.

DI LELLA:
Of course. They don't want to be sued.

Let's see… If someone did this on purpose,

it would be considered criminal damage
to property aggravated by mortal danger.

That's five years in the
slammer, without parole.

BEBA:
Stop talking nonsense.

We just need to get rid
of those useless guys we hired

and ask Eliseo to come back.
It's as simple as that.

-I don't think there's any other option.
-It was a mistake firing him.

ZAMBRANO:
Wait a minute, wait.

Am I to understand that some of you are
having a sudden change of heart?

If we're talking about rehiring Eliseo,

then I hereby resign as president
of the neighbors' association.

And there's no turning back.

Rosario, don't throw
away the beetroot leaves.

You can use them in salads
like you do with spinach. It's delicious.

ROSARIO:
Thanks, Eliseo. I'll give it a try.

-No problem. Bye.
-ROSARIO: Bye! See you tomorrow.

(phone rings)

Beba, what a nice surprise!

BEBA: Eliseo, can you stop
by the building for five minutes?

-BEBA: No, nothing.

You're talking with the new president
of the neighbors' association.

Did you stage a coup?

Come over and I'll explain everything.

-BEBA: Bye.

So, Zambrano resigned. Beba was
elected as interim president

as the oldest owner in the building.
It's just until we elect a new board.

I wanted to congratulate you
on what you did. It was amazing, Eliseo.

Thank you, Mario. I just did
what needed to be done.

OK, then. Let's cut to the chase. Hm?

-OK.
-We want you back.

First of all, I appreciate
the offer, Mario. But…

(sighs) after everything
that happened, I'd…

I'd come back under certain conditions.
I don't know if they'll accept them.

What would those conditions be?

ELISEO:
I'm not sure yet. I need to think it over.

-Come on, speak your mind.
-Well, a 50% increase in my salary.

Retaining my seniority and the
corresponding compensation upon dismissal.

No removal until my voluntary retirement.

Bringing back Miguel
with an increase in his salary.

Hiring a security guard
for the night shift.

It'd be very useful, and I just happen
to have the right person for the job.

And on my free time, I'd like to
be allowed to use the pool.

(chuckles) We're not building
the pool anymore, Eliseo.

MESSINA: We just bought
a new and expensive boiler.

And we have to repair the wrecked
room. It costs a lot of money.

What a shame.

The owners will have to vote
on all of Eliseo's requests.

BEBA:
Not at all.

I'll assume responsibility before the
owners concerning this matter.

Do we have a deal?

-Very well. Then… Welcome back, Eliseo.
-Thank you.

MESSINA:
I've got to go.

-Will you start next Monday?
-Sure, of course.

MESSINA:
So, Monday at 7:00 a. m.

I'll bring you the keys
and we can go over the details.

-I'm off.
-Thank you, Mario.

-MESSINA: Bye, Beba.
-BEBA: Bye.

-BEBA: Are you happy now?
-Yes, Beba of course I am.

I'm very grateful for all
you've done for me.

-But I won't lie to you.
-What do you mean?

I've got to get this off my chest.

I need to tell you the truth. Exactly what
happened. Listen to me very carefully.

The night before the expl*si*n,

I came inside the building
without anyone seeing me.

I went into the boiler room
and tampered with the controls.

I opened all the valves
so the pressure would rise.

I sabotaged the boiler, Beba.

The pressure went up…
and caused the expl*si*n the next day.

(expl*si*n)

(cracking, rumbling)

(dogs barking)

The kids, Thiago and Camila were my
partners in crime. Poor things.

They were an essential part to my plan.

Camila would come looking for me at the
greengrocer's when the boiler exploded.

And I'd come running back to the
building like a hero. To rescue Thiago.

But Thiago was safe and sound
playing with his tablet, waiting for me,

and pretending to be rescued
in front of all of you.

(crowd cheers)

That's what happened.

Because of my crazy plan the whole
building could have blown up.

But I needed you to know the whole truth.

Are you a conman or just insane?

(both laugh)

You made me believe all that nonsense.

I'd almost forgotten
what a joker you are. (laughs)

You old fart. You should've
seen your face.

(laughs) Thank, God! What a
relief! I was starting to worry.

Let's get to work.

MESSINA: Eliseo. I don't have
to explain the job to you.

No, you don't.

MESSINA:
Here's a brand-new set of keys.

The yellow one is the
key to your new apartment.

What?

MESSINA:
Yes, the one that belonged to Eugenia.

She sold it. She went on
a spiritual journey to India.

Yeah, I heard something like that.

We contacted the new owner
and the apartment was available to rent,

so it's yours now. It's a nice
and spacious apartment.

Yeah, I think I was inside once.

What? Aren't you happy? We've spent a
lot of money to get you to come back.

I know. I'm just going to miss
my apartment on the roof.

-(sighs, chuckles) Please, let that go.
-Let me ask you a question.

Whose side are you on?

-(quietly) The one with the most power.
-(quietly) You're a clever man.

(chuckles) I've got to go talk
to Beba about a few things.

She's going nuts as
president of the association.

Let her know she
can rest easy, I'll help her.

-Bye, Messina.
-MESSINA: Bye, Eliseo.

(chuckles)

Eliseo.

Miguel.

-Can I hug you?
-Make it quick.

MIGUEL:
I don't know how to thank you enough.

Avoiding this whole sentimental thing,
which makes me really uncomfortable.

How about that?

-Can I at least say thank you?
-Yes, you can.

-Thank you.
-ELISEO: You're welcome. Now go to work..

-(laughs) You're a tough guy.
-No, don't get me wrong.

You wanted to thank me and you did.
But I do appreciate action over words.

It's important you keep that in mind.

A man should act on his words,
not just verbalize them.

Got it?

-Yes, sir.
-ELISEO: Great.

-Now come with me. I need your help.
-Sure.

-ELISEO: A little towards this way.
-Sure.

ELISEO:
Be careful.

There. Wait.

That's it.

Move it towards that
way a little. To your left.

Be careful. Be careful. Right there.

-Is that too far?
-Slowly, be careful.

Now, move it to the other end.

-Just a tiny bit. Slowly.
-There?

That's it! Come here. Have a look.

Does it look even?

-Yes, it does.
-Yeah, right?

(sighs, chuckles) That's great.
Now, get back to work.

-Sure, of course, excuse me.
-Go ahead.

Good evening, doctor.

-How are you, Eliseo?
-You're the last one. I can go to bed now.

Excuse me, Eliseo… You don't
go to bed until we all come home?

That's right.

If someone arrives at 6:00 a. m.,
you'll stay up till then?

I never go to bed until everyone's safe
at home. That's the way I operate.

-Good night.
-Good night. Sleep tight.

I'm sorry, my dear friend,
but I was right.

I told you they weren't going to build
that swimming pool, and now look.

I thought this time you were gone forever.
I heard it wasn't looking good for you.

Well, you were misinformed.

-And they let you stay in apartment 1B?
-ELISEO: That's right.

It's huge. 236 square meters.
Just for myself. I guess it's really nice.

-(laughs) That's great.
-Yeah.

Great.

Now, don't get the wrong idea.
You're not one of them.

What do you mean?

I meant what I said.
You will never be one of them.

Are you threatening me?

Or are you just being a resentful
and envious little prick?

Because I never pretended
or intended to be someone else.

(chuckles) Why are you
getting so defensive?

You're a piece of sh*t,
but I actually like you. (chuckles)

What we did was wrong. It's really
important you understand something.

It was a bad thing, but… I don't know,
in the end, it really wasn't that bad.

I thank you for what you've done for
me, but I put you in harm's way.

And that makes me
really upset. Do you get it?

Having said that, you both are
such great liars, you little b*stards.

(kids laugh)

When you pretended to be out of
breath, that was amazing acting.

And the way you came yelling into the
greengrocery. That was awesome!

-The way you got Thiago out was epic.
-I know. (laughs)

THIAGO:
My mom was scared to death.

(laughs) That was the idea.

Don't point it down there. You're flooding
it. Water the plants. Look at this mess.

(beeping)
(car engine)

ZAMBRANO:
There's that m*therf*cker again.

(beeping stops)
I'm sorry, excuse me, I'll be right back.

So, you're back, dirt bag.

-It all worked out for you, scum.
-I'm so glad to see you.

This is not the end of it, rat.

I'm so glad to see you're well, doctor.

m*therf*cker.

-How's your family? Are they well?
-You piece of sh*t.

-Are you going out?
-Dumbass.

(horn honks)

-ELISEO: Have a nice day.
-as*h*le.

-Pizza or steak? What are you having?
-Son of a b*tch.

I'm here anytime you need me.

-Don't be such a smartass, you idiot.
-ROMINA (yells, honking): Let's go!

It's time to end this little game,
Dr. Zambrano. It's time.

THE BOSS

(theme song)

-Hi. Are you the superintendent?
-Hello.

Eliseo, nice to meet you.

I'm Muriel, the new owner of apartment 5B.

ELISEO:
Ah! It's a pleasure. I'm Eliseo.

Right, you bought Mr.
Vasavilbazo's apartment.

-Allow me to welcome you here, Muriel.
-Thank you.

ELISEO:
I'm here for whatever you need me to do.

Whether it's plumbing or electrical help,
or help with your groceries,

(Muriel chuckles)
or even paying the bills.

I'm not just a regular superintendent.
I'm whatever the owners need me to do.

OK.

ELISEO:
Even a counselor. You got a friend in me.

MURIEL: Coincidentally,
I wanted to ask you a favor.

The painters are coming
tomorrow for a cost estimate.

I can't come tomorrow
and I'm moving in two weeks.

Can I leave you a spare key
so you can let them in?

Unfortunately, I can't accept.
Keys are where I draw the line.

It's a huge responsibility,
and I don't feel comfortable, Muriel.

(sighs) That's unfortunate.

Let's do the following…

I'm going to make an exception
because you're new around here.

I'll take your keys.

(laughs) Thank you!

ELISEO (laughs):
But don't let anyone know.

-Of course not. I'm going up.
-Sure.

Ms. Muriel. Let's exchange phone
numbers so we can stay in touch. OK?

-Sure, why not.
-ELISEO (laughs): Bye.