The Coffee Table

Jesús and María visit a furniture store, aiming to find a coffee table for their home. Their trip takes an unexpected turn when an overzealous salesman insists on sharing a name with their newborn son, Cayetano, causing discomfort for Jesús, who associates the name with a notorious bullfighter.

The salesman presents an expensive coffee table made of unbreakable glass, attempting to impress María and Jesús with grand claims. However, María is skeptical and artfully critiques the salesman, leaving him momentarily speechless before they leave the store.

Despite María's reservations, Jesús decides to go ahead with the purchase of the expensive table. He grumbles about losing his decision-making power to María, highlighting the tension in their relationship as they return to their inherited apartment.

Once home, Jesús embarks on the task of assembling the new coffee table. His efforts are interrupted by Ruth, a 13-year-old girl from upstairs who has a crush on Jesús, complicating the scene with her advances and threats.

As Jesús struggles to finish the assembly, he discovers that a crucial screw is missing. Frustrated, he contacts the salesman, who promises a replacement screw will arrive shortly, adding to Jesús’ mounting stress.

With María out for groceries and wine, Jesús faces the challenge of caring for their newborn, Cayetano, by himself. The stress mounts as he tries to calm the crying baby, marking a critical moment of parental responsibility.

In a horrific turn of events, the glass table claimed to be unbreakable shatters, leading to a devastating accident. Jesús is left in shock as he confronts the unimaginable loss of his child, overwhelmed by the tragic scenario unfolding in front of him.

Jesús, now grappling with his grief, attempts to clean the aftermath of the tragedy. He borrows bleach from Ruth, who is increasingly uncomfortable with the situation, highlighting Jesús’s isolation as he faces unimaginable horror.

The salesman arrives with the missing screw, completely oblivious to the catastrophe that has just occurred. In an ironic twist, he attempts to flirt with Jesús, adding to the absurdity of the moment amidst the tragedy.

María unexpectedly comes home and Jesús is filled with anxiety as he tries to shield her from the grim truth of the situation. Their conversation about the shattered glass becomes trivial compared to the underlying horrors that have unfolded.

As the evening progresses, Jesús’s erratic behavior becomes apparent, complicating his interactions with guests. The arrival of Jesús’ brother Carlos and his partner Cristina, who reveals her pregnancy, further intensifies the awkward tension in the atmosphere.

In a moment of despair, Jesús retreats to the bathroom to write a suicide note for María. Overheard by Carlos, this revelation leads to discussions of revealing the painful reality, yet their plans are interrupted by Ruth’s innocent entrance.

As the tension in the dining room peaks, Ruth's dog inadvertently leads to the severed head of Cayetano, triggering Jesús into a state of catatonia. The atmosphere in the apartment disintegrates into chaos as panic ensues among the guests.

Under immense pressure, María collapses emotionally and grasps the baby’s head, rushing to the balcony. The previously serene environment transforms into a chaotic spectacle representing the complete breakdown of sanity within their home.

Authorities gather outside, documenting the tragic scene that unfolded. The lifeless forms of Jesús and María, next to their decapitated child, reflect the unfathomable trauma that has enveloped their once happy lives.