Beginnings: SCENE SIX

INTERIOR RECEPTION AREA — DAY
ESTRELLA IS AT HER DESK, TAKING NOTES AS SHE TALKS ON THE PHONE.
CYNTHIA IS AT THE FACING DESK, WORKING ON THE COMPUTER.

ESTRELLA
… My understanding is that this greyhound was adopted from your rescue group … Yes, I have his tattoo numbers right here …

CYNTHIA
Robbie, have you got a minute?

ESTRELLA
No, hon, I have his numbers because he’s right here in our clinic … Brought in this morning by Animal Services … hit by a car … Touch and go, right now … Could you give me the owner listing? Oh, and what is the dog’s name?

ROBBIE ENTERS

CYNTHIA
(TO ROBBIE) How’s our greyhound doing?

ROBBIE
Gosh, I don’t know, Cyn. I can’t see him.

CYNTHIA
He’s just in crate five, Robbie. Haven’t you looked?

ROBBIE
Dr. Kendrick’s got hold of him and I can’t see.

CYNTHIA
What do you mean, “got hold of him?” What’s going on back there?

ROBBIE
Well, the crate door is open and Dr. Kendrick is sitting in there holding the greyhound in his arms.

CYNTHIA
Really?

ESTRELLA
And that phone number? … Thanks, hon. (HANGS UP THE PHONE.)

ROBBIE
Yeah, really. I can’t even see around him.

ESTRELLA
(TO CYNTHIA AND ROBBIE) Well, we have the name of the owner.

CYNTHIA
Have you talked to them?

ESTRELLA
(TO CYNTHIA) Not yet. And right now Robbie and I have to get ready to go. I’ll call ‘em when I get back. (TO ROBBIE) Ready, Querido?

ROBBIE
I’m ready, Estrella, and I started the car and turned on the air conditioning like you told me.

ESTRELLA
Good man. I’ll get Mr. Bun and you get Captain Ahab.

ESTRELLA EXITS
ROBBIE MOVES ACROSS LOBBY TOWARD THE PARROT CAGE.


CUT TO:
INTERIOR EXAM ROOM #1 – DAY
EMILY IS EXAMINING A LONG-HAIRED GREY CAT. CAT’S OWNER IS TALKING, EMILY IS LISTENING. NO AUDIO.


CUT TO:
A. MICHAEL IS IN THE CRATE AREA, HOLDING THE GREYHOUND.

A. MICHAEL
(TO THE GREYHOUND) So the sheriff comes up to the desperado and says, “Reach for the sky, partner. You’re under arrest for desertion. Whaddya mean, who? This boy right here. He hasn’t had enough groceries in a long time, and besides that, his teeth are stinky.” (A. MICHAEL GLANCES OVER HIS SHOULDER TO BE SURE NO ONE IS LISTENING.) “Oh, no you don’t. You keep your hands raised. Don’t you go reaching for your gun. I’m taking care of this boy now. You lost your chance, Mister.”


CUT TO:
INTERIOR EXAM ROOM #1 – DAY
EMILY CONTINUES EXAMINATION OF THE LONG-HAIRED GREY CAT. CAT’S OWNER IS STILL TALKING, EMILY IS STILL LISTENING. NO AUDIO.


CUT TO:
INTERIOR RECEPTION AREA — DAY
CYNTHIA IS WORKING ON THE COMPUTER AT THE MAIN DESK.
CLIENT ENTERS CARRYING A PET CRATE.

CYNTHIA
Well, who’s this?

CLIENT
Herman the Gerbil.

CYNTHIA
(TO THE CRATE) Hi, Herman. (LOOKS HARDER) Where are you, Herm?

CLIENT
It’s Herman, and he’s under the towel.

CYNTHIA
Right. Herman. Has Herman been here before?

CLIENT
Yeah.

CYNTHIA
And he’s here again.

CLIENT
Yeah.

CYNTHIA
And what is your name?

CLIENT
Harvey Johnson.

CYNTHIA
(READING THE COMPUTER SCREEN) Yes, sir, Mr. Johnson. Here you are, and here’s Herman. (TO MR. JOHNSON) So why have you brought Herman to see the doctor today?

CLIENT
My wife says Herman’s too fat.

CYNTHIA
Uh-huh. (BEAT) Well, I’ll tell you what. If you’ll sign in on that sheet, I’ll take you and Herman right around to room two.

CYNTHIA AND CLIENT EXIT

CYNTHIA
(VOICE OFFSTAGE, CALLING SWEETLY) Dr. Kendrick?


CUT TO:
INTERIOR EXAM ROOM #2 — DAY
CLIENT IS WAITING WITH PET CRATE ON TOP OF THE EXAM TABLE
A. MICHAEL ENTERS

A. MICHAEL
Mr. Johnson and (CHECKS CHART) Herman. I’m Dr. Kendrick. Why are you here?

CLIENT
I’m here because my wife says he’s too fat to be healthy.

A. MICHAEL
Well, let’s take a look. (REACHES INTO THE CARRIER.) Aha! There you are. (REMOVES THE GERBIL FROM THE CARRIER AND HOLDS IT IN HIS HAND.) You’re looking pretty bright-eyed.

CLIENT
Not his eyesight my wife’s worried about. Look at that gut, Doc.

A. MICHAEL
Dr. Kendrick.

CLIENT
Whatever.

A. MICHAEL
(EXAMINING THE GERBIL: LIFTS TAIL, PALPATES TUMMY, DOES VISUAL CHECK OF EYES AND TEETH.) (TO CLIENT) Why did you name her Herman?

CLIENT
My daughter named him.

A. MICHAEL
Her.

CLIENT
What?

A. MICHAEL
Your daughter named her. This gerbil is a her. And she’s not fat. She’s pregnant.


(CONTINUED)