He stopped at this crossroads for two minutes and went on to Madrid” (Hemingway 222). The setting of the story highlights the fact that they are in a train station, where the railroad tracks run parallel but never cross each other. Furthermore, the relationship is at a crossroads. This symbolizes that the couple's relationship is on a difficult path, for example, they never say anything significant to each other. Both the girl and the American talk but neither really listens or understands one or the other's point of view. Drinking alcohol is an escape from their reality. As the girl gets drunk, her perspective on the situation is manipulated, not only by the alcohol but also by the American. As a reader you can sense that there are deeper issues in the relationship of which the unborn child is only one. The reference to heat indicates the tension the couple is going through and how uncomfortable this situation is for them as they don't know where their lives are going due to the lack of communication. The heat seems to extend beyond them