The Roads Not Taken

Yes?

No, no, he's not answering the phone.

Well, just keep trying the door. Keep...

Well, is the buzzer working?

Are you sure?

¡Papá!

¡Papá!

Dad, are you okay?

You didn't answer the phone.

Or the door.

Dad, it's here. It's here.

Remember?

- The button that opens the door. - Mm.

Everything is open.

Mm.

Well, not actually, Dad.

Front door was closed.

I see.

Leo.

Leo.

Leo.

Hey, listen.

I can't make it in this morning.

Yeah, something came up. I'll be in later, though. I just...

Yeah, I have to, um...

Well, I'm taking my dad to the dentist

and getting his eyes tested.

No, no. I'll be back by lunchtime, though.

For sure.

I'll be there.

Hello, Mr. Leo.

You awake now?

- Are you with us? - Who...

You're...

I'm Xenia.

And you're Leo.

Mr. Leo.

- You want water? - Mmm.

Everything okay, papa?

He keeps looking at something.

Do you wanna look at that photo?

Of Néstor?

Look at Néstor.

He was such a good dog, wasn't he?

Don't you remember?

No?

Leo...

This time let's go together.

Come with me.

Please.

Did you hear me?

I can't. I can't.

You know that I can't.

Try!

M-Mi amor...

Please.

It means nothing to me, okay...

No...

But it does to me -

it's an old superstition, Dolores.

It's a...

My love, it's a public celebration of pain

that's become a fucking circus.

Ay, Dolores.

Dolores?

Who's that?

Is that someone you used to know?

Today. Juntos.

Together?

That's right, Dad. That's what we're going to do today.

We're going to the dentist together.

You remember?

Maybe?

A celebration of pain that's become a fucking circus?

Yes, Dolores.

A superstition?

Ay, ya.

That's enough, Dolores.

Please.

I don't know why I thought this time would be different.

It's clear I don't matter; you don't give a fuck.

You can't do this for me?

You're leaving me alone.

I'm not leaving you alone.

I simply can't do it.

I am alone.

Dolores.

Huh? Dolores!

You are hot, Mr. Leo.

It's stifling in here.

They still haven't fixed the boiler.

I'll open a window.

Mmm.

This is early for you.

Not working this morning, huh?

A writer is always working, my friend, in here.

- Okay. - No. Mm-mmm.

- You don't want to? - No.

Okay. Sorry, Mr. Leo. I'm sorry.

You don't have to if you don't want.

Uh, dressing. Uh, your clothes.

I can help.

I can...

Yeah?

Okay, good.

Good.

Dad.

No, no.

Dad!

We have to go. Come on.

Dad?

Let's go.

Dad?

Come on.

You have to get in. Come on. It's okay.

I'm going to close the door, yeah?

Ah.

I see. I see.

Yes, Dad?

Dad?

- Do you wanna tell me something? - Many things.

Things, uh...

All...

No, no.

There.

Me.

Things.

It's okay.

Mm.

Are you ready for the dentist?

- Ahh. - Mm?

You gonna open your mouth? Ahh.

Ahh.

Oh, Dad.

Thank you. Bye.

Hello?

Can I help you?

Mikael? Mikael!

You have new customers.

And give me a cigarette, please.

Your mouth.

Can you just bring that hand down?

Good. And just open your mouth.

Open.

Can you open your mouth, please?

Good.

Uh-huh.

If you could sit in the chair a little bit longer.

Tranquilo, papá. Tranquilo.

It's okay.

Sit back. Good, good. There you go.

A little longer.

Good.

Okay. And this one might have to come out eventually, okay?

Do-Don't worry.

Not right now.

- It doesn't have to come out right now. - No.

Nothing's gonna happen right now. Do you understand? This is just a check-up.

- Does he understand? - Sorry?

I'm asking, does he understand English?

Of course he does. He's lived here for over 30 years.

Okay.

Would you like to rinse your mouth out?

- Mm, water. - Huh?

No, no, no. Don't drink it. Don't drink...

No, no, no, no.

Oh.

Water.

Hmm.

- No. No. - Dad? Dad?

Dad, we have to do this, okay? We have to change your pants.

No, no.

- No. - Are you shy? You're a little shy?

Look, my eyes are closed.

Not seeing you. Not seeing you.

Not seeing you. Not seeing you.

Whoa! Oh, whoa!

That's why we're going to get your eyes tested.

Not seeing me? Ha!

Come on.

Ah-ah. Stand up. Stand up.

Yeah.

Okay.

- No. No. - Oh, Dad.

It's normal. It's normal to take off your pants.

See? People do it all the time.

Look.

Whoo! See?

It's normal. It's normal, Dad.

See? Whoop. Whoo!

Ha! I think they'd fit you real nice.

Don't you think? Whoo!

Stylish, Dad!

Just a minute!

Ah! Oop! Okay.

- Mmm. - Ooh!

Yuck, yuck. Okay.

Do you realise what you're doing doesn't help you?

It doesn't help us. Not you, not me.

And what are you doing to make things better?