Beginnings: SCENE ONE

MAYFIELD VETERINARY CLINIC INTERIOR LOBBY — DAY
ESTRELLA IS SITTING AT THE DESK IN THE RECEPTIONIST’S AREA HOLDING THE PHONE TO HER EAR. SHE HANGS UP THE PHONE AND CALLS OUT.

ESTRELLA
Robbie! Front door! Officer Trumbull, emergency!

ROBBIE ENTERS, RUNNING THROUGH LOBBY AND TO THE FRONT DOOR. HE HOLDS THE DOOR OPEN.

SOUNDS OFF: CAR PULLS TO A STOP. CAR DOOR SLAMS. SECOND CAR DOOR SLAMS.

ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICER SCOTT TRUMBULL ENTERS THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR CARRYING AN EMACIATED, LIMP GREYHOUND.

ESTRELLA
(TO SCOTT) Straight on back, and I’ll get Dr. Em.

SCOTT TRUMBULL AND ROBBIE EXIT

ESTRELLA
(ON INTERCOM) Dr. Em, Scott’s here with an emergency.


CUT TO:
EXAMINING ROOM #2
EMILY IS EXAMINING A VERY SMALL MIXED BREED DOG AS A. MICHAEL STANDS BEHIND HER AND OBSERVES IMPATIENTLY.

EMILY
(TO A. MICHAEL) Dr. Kendrick, give Rapunzel her rabies shot. And then express her anal glands.
(TO DOG’S OWNER) Mr. Harvey, excuse me.

EMILY EXITS

CUT TO:
INTERIOR TREATMENT ARENA— DAY
EMILY ENTERS AT A RUN

EMILY
Cynthia! Get a line started on this guy.

EMILY BEGINS EXAMINING THE GREYHOUND.

EMILY
(TO SCOTT) What’s the story here, Scott?

CYNTHIA ENTERS, BEGINS ASSEMBLING EQUIPMENT AND SALINE BAG

SCOTT
Running in the wrong neighborhood. Driver called on his cell phone. Really upset. The dog was running in the yards and dashed into the street right in front of the caller’s car. Guy thinks he might have grazed him.

EMILY
No obvious broken bones.

ROBBIE
Dr. Em?

EMILY
(TO HERSELF) Too skinny. Even for a track dog.
(BEAT)
Pulse, slow. Gums, pale.
(TO ROBBIE) Robbie, start getting a blanket warm for this big guy.
(TO CYNTHIA) Cyn, let’s get him in for x-rays. Now.

SCOTT
Let me carry him.


(CONTINUED)