Family Plus One: SCENE FOUR

INTERIOR RECEPTION AREA — DAY
ESTRELLA IS WORKING ON THE COMPUTER WHILE SHE TALKS WITH EDNA.
ROBBIE ENTERS

ROBBIE

(TO EDNA) Cyn says Jester’s a sweet little girl.

EDNA

Did Cynthia say how old she is?

ROBBIE

Mom,I would never ask Cynthia how old she is.

ESTRELLA

Did Cynthia say how old little Jester is?

ROBBIE

She said about two years old. Probably.

ESTRELLA

(CHECKING RECORDS ON THE COMPUTER) I’ll just add Jester to Linda’s file.

ROBBIE
How many does this make?

EDNA
Robbie, we never ask Linda how many cats she has. (TO ESTRELLA) Is Emily busy, hon? I need to ask her something.

ESTRELLA
Trust me, Edna, you don’t want to talk to Emily right now.

ROBBIE
I don’t think you could, Mom. There’s some guy in her office who won’t let anyone talk but him.

EDNA

Estrella?

ESTRELLA

Interview for a new-hire.

CUT TO:
INTERIOR TREATMENT ARENA –DAY
CYNTHIA CRADLES JESTER IN ONE ARM AS SHE TALKS ON THE PHONE

CYNTHIA

That’s wonderful! Do you have to be there? … When do you have to leave? … What? How can you do that? How can you get ready by then? … Well, how long will you have to be there? … WHAT? … Of course it’s wonderful … I know it’s what you’ve been working for … No, baby, that’s not what I meant. I’ll just miss you, that’s all … No, Armando, I can’t … You know I can’t. … Mando, I’ve got to take care of this kitten right now … Love you, too, baby.

CYNTHIA ENTERS THE RECEPTION AREA, STILL HOLDING JESTER.

CYNTHIA

Estrella! Armando’s going to have his work exhibited in a New York gallery!

ROBBIE

But he’s not in New York, Cyn.

CYNTHIA

No, but his agent is. And Armando will be, too, this time next week. Hi, Edna.

EDNA
(TO CYNTHIA) Hello, dear. (TO ESTRELLA) Estrella, I really need to talk to Dr. Em. I told Linda that Emily would talk to her second graders a week from Friday.

CYNTHIA

Above my pay grade. I’m outa here.

CYNTHIA EXITS

ESTRELLA

Let me check her calendar. Next Friday’s really full.

EDNA

But this is Be Kind To Animals Week. Linda’s counting on it.

ESTRELLA

(ON THE INTERCOM) Dr. Em, could you come out here for a minute?

EMILY

(VOICE OVER THE INTERCOM) NO.

ESTRELLA

(TO EDNA) She has had that guy in there forever. It can’t be pretty.

EMILY

(VOICE OVER THE INTERCOM) Whatever it is, Estrella, you’ve got to take care of it.

EDNA

Dr. Em! You’re scheduled to talk to Linda’s second graders on Friday.

EMILY

(VOICE OVER THE INTERCOM) Edna? Is this some special favor?

ESTRELLA

Robbie and I are doing a favor.

EDNA

What?

ESTRELLA

Robbie and I are giving a talk to Linda’s second graders!

EMILY

(VOICE OVER THE INTERCOM) So this has nothing to do with me?

ESTRELLA

Right. Nothing. Nope. Not you. I don’t know why I even bothered you.

EMILY

(VOICE OVER THE INTERCOM) It’s okay. It’s all right. (PAUSE) Bye, Edna.

CUT TO:
INTERIOR EMILY’S OFFICE — DAY
EMILY IS STANDING AT THE DOOR TO THE PARKING LOT, HOLDING THE DOOR OPEN. A. MICHAEL STANDS AT THE PHOTO WALL.


A. MICHAEL
But Uncle Stuart said —

EMILY
I have patients waiting.

A. MICHAEL
Exactly. That’s why I’m here.

EMILY
What?!

A. MICHAEL
Okay, Uncle Stuart said you’re looking for a vet to bring into the practice.

EMILY
And what exactly does that have to do with you?

A MICHAEL
Dr. Mayfield, I am a licensed veterinarian.

EMILY
A. Michael, you are the nephew of my best friend and I’ll admit you’re a smart kid, but —

A MICHAEL
I was a smart kid. I am now a skilled veterinarian.

EMILY
No! You’re not a veterinarian. You’re a kid fresh out of school who hasn't the faintest idea of what a vet's practice requires.

OFFSTAGE: KNOCK ON EMILY’S INTERIOR OFFICE DOOR
ESTRELLA OPENS THE DOOR TO THE INTERIOR HALLWAY AND PEEKS IN.

ESTRELLA
Sorry to interrupt, Dr. Em, but we’ve got appointments backing up out here.

A. MICHAEL

It requires knowledge and skill.

ESTRELLA EXITS AND CLOSES THE DOOR.

EMILY
It requires compassion and patience. It requires experience.

A. MICHAEL
Yeah, well, I have those too.

EMILY
Experience, no, I don’t think so. Compassion and patience? Do you?

EMILY SLAMS THE DOOR TO THE EXTERIOR PARKING LOT. SHE WALKS ACROSS HER OFFICE AND EXITS INTO THE CLINIC HALLWAY.

EMILY

Follow me.


(CONTINUED)