Three strangers walk into an empty elevator in a courthouse. All three of them are visibly upset with their own situations but remain silent
COHEN: Hit the lobby button for me please.
LIZZIE: Me too please.
The elevator moves down slowly, makes a loud banging noise, then eventually comes to a stop.
A flashing red light in the elevator comes on
COHEN: What is going on?
PABLO IBBIETA: I think the elevator broke down. How do we call for help?
Lizzies face looks as if she is about to cry
LIZZIE: (Voice breaking up) Well surely there has to be a phone.
Cohen repeatedly bangs on the door
COHEN: Help us! We’re stuck in here!
Lizzie and Ibbieta join Cohen in banging on the doors and yelling for help
LIZZIE: Do you think anyone can hear us?
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Ibbieta looks off into the distance, clearly upset by her answer
COHEN: If you had come in legally this would not have happened!
Ibbieta, clearly fed up with Cohens remarks, turns around and punches Cohen. Cohen is knocked off his feet and his the ground hard. Blood pours out of his nose.
COHEN: OUCH! You better find a way out of the escalator, or I’m gonna give you the beating of a lifetime!
IBBIETA: Nothing is worse than going back to jail. It was terrifically cold there because of the drafts. We shivered all night and it wasn’t much better during the day. Even the thought of going back terrifies me. (Ibbieta takes a long pause in the silence) You both are such hypocrites. You look at me as though I am a puppy dog drowning, but you refuse to do anything but watch in fear of getting wet. Do you not have a responsibility to help other humans? I am sorry that I am upset and I am in no-way trying to pressure you, I am just doing my best to survive.
Lizzies face turns bright red
LIZZIE: I understand that you are upset, but I cannot help you. We have the responsibility to help ourselves before we help others.
COHEN: She doesn’t have to help you at all immigrant!
Ibbieta rolls his eyes at Cohens racist