Beginnings: SCENE THREE

EMILY’S OFFICE INTERIOR — DAY
EMILY SITS AT HER DESK. A. MICHAEL SITS IN THE CHAIR OPPOSITE HER.

A. MICHAEL
So, I guess the only question is how much you’re going to pay me.

EMILY
Oh, no. There are lots of questions before we get anywhere near that one.

A. MICHAEL
Such as? You know I graduated at the top of my class.

EMILY
Such as, what can you bring to this clinic? What have you got that will make this a better place for our clients?

A. MICHAEL
I do know the most current technology.

EMILY
Oh, even oldsters like me find time to read the journals. I manage to keep up.

A. MICHAEL
Oh, really? And what about that receptionist? You have a woman out there who doesn’t give you the respect you’re due and treats the other help like children. You shouldn’t let her get away with that.

EMILY
Who do you think you are to … no, let me rephrase that. What can you add to the clinic?

A. MICHAEL
I could bring some order. That woman acts as though she runs this place.

EMILY
Oh, she does. That’s her job. My job is to heal. What do you think yours would be? What could you add to our family?

A. MICHAEL
Family? Why would I care about family?

EMILY
Family is the only reason you’re here. You wouldn’t be sitting in this office right now if it weren’t for your Uncle Stuart.


CUT TO:
INTERIOR TREATMENT ARENA – DAY
ROBBIE IS HOLDING HIS RABBIT.


ROBBIE

(TO PETER BUNNY) There’s going to be a room full of kids, Mr. Bun. And there’ll be a teacher, but the teacher is Linda, Mr. Bun, so you don’t have to be afraid. What if I say something wrong? I’ll be letting Dr. Em down. Estrella will be disappointed in me. I just can’t remember all the words. Estrella says it’ll be easy, but she doesn’t forget words. Do you want to do the talking?

CYNTHIA AND A. MICHAEL ENTER.
A. MICHAEL
It’s Dr. Dolittle talking to the animals.

CYNTHIA
It’s Robbie talking to his rabbit. And I don’t want to hear anything from you about Robbie. He may not have your education and your skills, doctor, but, Robbie has a magical touch with the animals. You will not put him down.


CUT TO:
CLINIC RECEPTION AREA INTERIOR— DAY
EMILY AND ESTRELLA ARE AT RECEPTION AREA LOOKING AT SCHEDULING BOOK. ROBBIE IS CLEANING THE CAGE OF THE PARROT CAPTAIN AHAB.

EMILY
Who’s on for surgery today?

ESTRELLA
Zeke’s neuter, Malfeasance’s cherry eye, Jackson’s neuter, Abigail spay.

EMILY
Teeth?

ESTRELLA
Three cats, four dogs. Oh, and A. Michael.

EMILY
A.Michael?

ESTRELLA
You’ve got the anesthesia, a break between 1:30 and 1:45. It’s as good a time as any for a neuter.

EMILY
Who’s bringing him in?

EMILY EXITS.

ROBBIE
There you go, Captain, nice and clean and tidy and ready for you to make your mess. Now be nice, Captain, and don’t say anything ugly to the children.

ESTRELLA
What are we going to say to the children, Robbie?

ROBBIE
I don’t know.

ESTRELLA
Well then, who’s going to talk first?

ROBBIE
You start.

ESTRELLA
Okay, I’ll start it off. I’ll introduce us, then what do you want to say?

ROBBIE
I don’t want to say anything. I’ll just go with you and carry stuff.

ESTRELLA
You go with me, you talk.

ROBBIE
Okay, I won’t go.

ESTRELLA
I need you to carry stuff.

ROBBIE
How about Cynthia going? She’s strong.

ESTRELLA
Cynthia isn’t as strong as you.

ROBBIE

But she likes to talk.

ESTRELLA
I’ll make you a deal. You come over to my house tonight. I’ll fix some barbecue.

ROBBIE
I don’t know, Estrella.

ESTRELLA
With ice cream for dessert.

ROBBIE
What time?


(CONTINUED)