Beginnings: SCENE FOUR

INT RECEPTION AREA – DAY
ESTRELLA IS SITTING AT THE DESK. EMILY IS STANDING AT THE COUNTER. CYNTHIA IS RETRIEVING FILES.

EMILY
I’m concerned about Mr. Dexter. I don’t think his Moxie is going to be with us much longer, and you know what Moxie means to him, especially since Mrs. Dexter died.

ESTRELLA
Maybe Moxie should get a little brother.

EMILY
Did you see the way Moxie looked at little Abigail? Whatever it is Moxie wants isn’t going to be fulfilled by a little brother.

ESTRELLA
I think Moxie’s memories outshine his abilities.

EMILY
Don’t they all?

EMILY EXITS
PHONE RINGS

ESTRELLA
(ANSWERING PHONE) Mayfield Veterinary Clinic … Ay, muchacho! I hear congratulations are in order! Will you still be speaking to us when you’re rich and famous? … A gallery in New York is no small potatoes, Armando. Your sweetie’s been bragging on you …

(MOTIONS TO CYNTHIA TO PICKUP THE PHONE. HANGS UP WHEN CYNTHIA PICKS UP.)

CYNTHIA
(ON THE PHONE) Hi, baby. What’s happening? … Which paintings do you have to send? … Is that one finished? … (LAUGHS) You can do it, Mando … Anything, baby, what do you want me to do for you? … Mando, don’t ask me that. You know I can’t …

EMILY AND A. MICHAEL ENTER

ESTRELLA
(TO EMILY) If this was any of my business, I would remind her to be gentle.

CYNTHIA
(TO ESTRELLA) Do you mind?

ESTRELLA
(TO EMILY) In my vast experiences I have repeatedly learned that a man with the soul of an artist has the tender heart of a child.

CYNTHIA
(TO PHONE) Mando, I already told you … Why are we talking about this over the phone? This is something we celebrate with wine and talk about in the
moonlight … No, no, you stay home and paint. I’ll bring the wine … (SOFTLY) Me, too, baby. (HANGS UP)

ESTRELLA
Wine and moonlight are good.

EMILY
Wine and moonlight are always good.

ESTRELLA
And crisp, clean sheets.

EMILY
What sheets? An old quilt thrown on the ground under the stars.

A. MICHAEL
That’s disgusting. Women your age should know better.

ESTRELLA
Women our age do know better.

EMILY
(TO A. MICHAEL) Didn’t you ever wonder about the phrase, “Mother knows best”?

ESTRELLA
If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.

A. MICHAEL
That isn’t what it means!

ESTRELLA
(TO EMILY) Did this little boy grow up in a Petri dish?

EMILY
What makes you think he’s grown up?

(CONTINUED)