Family Plus One: SCENE TWO

CLINIC INTERIOR LOBBY - DAY
A SMALL WOMAN IS HOLDING THE HAND OF A LITTLE BOY STANDING AT THE COUNTER. ESTRELLA IS TALKING TO THEM.

ROBBIE ENTERS, PICKS UP A CHART, EXITS.

WOMAN
Please, how’s Molly doing? This is her first litter. Is she okay?

BOY
Mommy? Is Molly sick?

WOMAN
No, Josh, she’s having puppies.

BOY
(TO ESTRELLA) She’s going to be a mommy, and I’m going to be a daddy.

WOMAN
Something like that.

ESTRELLA
Molly’s doing just fine. She acts like a veteran.

ROBBIE ENTERS WITH A BOX FULL OF PUPPIES.

ROBBIE
Whose puppies are these? Are these your puppies?

BOY
(LOOKING INTO BOX) Nope.

ROBBIE
No?

BOY
My dog is Molly.

ROBBIE
Well, what if we let Molly tell us whose puppies these are? Is that okay?

BOY
Okay.

ROBBIE AND THE BOY EXIT.
MAN WITH A SMALL DOG APPROACHES THE COUNTER.
PHONE RINGS.
A. MICHAEL ENTERS.


ESTRELLA
(ON THE PHONE) Mayfield Veterinary Clinic, could you hold a moment? … Me, too, hon, but I can’t do a thing about it. Give me just a second and I’ll be right back.

WOMAN
I’ll get the car ready.


ESTRELLA
Go out the back door, honey, and they’ll be right behind you. Cynthia, would you pick up line two, please?

WOMAN EXITS.

CYNTHIA
(OFFSTAGE) Can’t. We’re doing Murphy.

MAN
So, Estrella, when can the doc neuter Brutus?


A. MICHAEL STEPS TO THE COUNTER BESIDE THE MAN.

ESTRELLA
(TO MAN) I’ll be with you and Brutus in just a minute. (ON THE PHONE) Thanks for hanging in there. Whatcha need?

A. MICHAEL
I’m here to see the doctor.

ESTRELLA IGNORES A. MICHAEL, MOTIONS MAN TO WAIT. SHE’S STILL TALKING ON THE PHONE AS SHE LOOKS ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN.

ESTRELLA
Let’s see, Dr. Em could see Boodles, um, Mrs. Cardwell, she doesn’t have an opening ‘til Thursday morning. … Well, if you tell me this is an emergency annual checkup I guess I could work you in. (LAUGHS) How’s 9:30? Tell Boodles we’ll see him Thursday. … You, too, hon. (TO MAN) We could schedule Brutus for Wednesday. Brutus can’t have any food or water after —

A. MICHAEL
I’m here to see Dr. Mayfield.

ESTRELLA
Wednesday we’ll be doing the big job.

SHE MAKES SCISSORS WITH HER FINGERS WHILE LOOKING AT A. MICHAEL. SHE TURNS BACK TO THE MAN.

ESTRELLA
No food or water after midnight. Bring Brutus in by —

A. MICHAEL
The doctor is expecting me and I’m ready to see her now.

ESTRELLA
Well, I’m not ready to let you see the doctor – NOW. (CONTINUES TO MAN) 7:30 Wednesday morning. He’ll be ready to —

A. MICHAEL
I’m sure she’s expecting me.

ESTRELLA
Mr. Schmeddlapp, Brutus will be ready to go home Wednesday afternoon around 4:00. (TO A. MICHAEL) Now you, sir, if you’ll sign in, I’ll be happy to read your signature and tell Dr. Mayfield you’re here.

A. MICHAEL
I am a doctor and Dr. Mayfield is expecting me.

ESTRELLA
Well, sir, if you’ll sign in on the sheet, I’ll be happy to read your signature and find out exactly who you are, doctor.

A. MICHAEL
As a doctor, I feel obligated tell a woman your age that you are repeating yourself.

CYNTHIA ENTERS TO GET A CHART, JUST IN TIME TO OVERHEAR THE LAST REMARK.

CYNTHIA
I don’t know who you are, mister, but you are in bi-i-ig trouble.

ESTRELLA
(TO CYNTHIA) I can take care of this guy, thank you.

A. MICHAEL
(TO CYNTHIA) I don’t know who you are, MISS, but I don’t need anyone’s help on how to handle women.

CYNTHIA
Yeah, I would say you were pretty much beyond help.

ROBBIE ENTERS.

ROBBIE
(TO CYNTHIA) Have you finished Murphy’s x-rays yet?

CYNTHIA
I can do my job just fine without directions from you!

CYNTHIA EXITS.

ROBBIE
Cyn?

ROBBIE EXITS.

OFFSTAGE SOUND OF A CRATE DOOR SLAMMING AND ROBBIE CRYING OUT.
ROBBIE ENTERS, HOLDING HIS HAND OUT TO ESTRELLA.

ROBBIE
I think I need a Band-Aid.

ESTRELLA
Ay, niño, what happened?


A. MICHAEL
Nothing has happened. I’ve been waiting and waiting to see the doctor, but nothing has happened.

ROBBIE
Cynthia yelled at me and I caught my hand in the door of the big crate.

ESTRELLA GLARES AT A. MICHAEL.

ESTRELLA
(MUTTERS CURSES IN SPANISH)

EMILY
(OFFSTAGE) Estrella, what in the world is going on?

ESTRELLA
There’s a doctor here that needs neutering on Wednesday.

EMILY ENTERS.

EMILY
A. Michael!

(CONTINUED)