Family Plus One: SCENE EIGHT

INTERIOR RECEPTION AREA – DAY
EMILY STANDS IN THE HALLWAY DOOR.
ESTRELLA SITS AT THE RECEPTION DESK.

EMILY
Did we see every dog in the county today?

ESTRELLA
No, just the odd-numbered ones.

INTERIOR TREATMENT ARENA – DAY
CYNTHIA IS HOLDING JESTER. ROBBIE IS CLEANING.

ROBBIE
Boy, Linda’s going to be glad to get this kitty home.

CYNTHIA
I thought Jester was a rescue.

ROBBIE
She is, and Linda hasn’t even seen her since she picked her up from the side of the highway.

EMILY AND A. MICHAEL ENTER.

CYNTHIA
(TO JESTER) Jester, you are one lucky kitty.

EMILY
Because Linda brought her in to the clinic?

ROBBIE
Oh, no, Dr. Em, Mom brought Jester to the clinic.

EMILY
You’re right, Robbie. Jester is one lucky girl to have your sister and your mother on her side.

EMILY TAKES JESTER FROM CYNTHIA

CYNTHIA
So Jester will go home with Linda today?

A. MICHAEL
Certainly not!

ALL STARE AT A. MICHAEL

A. MICHAEL
This cat is in no condition to be turned loose in a regular home environment.

ROBBIE
Linda’s house isn’t regular, doctor. It’s full of cats.

A. MICHAEL
All the more reason to keep Jester here until she’s completely recovered.

ROBBIE
But Linda’s been waiting …

EMILY
(TO CYNTHIA) Could you give Robbie a hand with that supply inventory?

CYNTHIA
Yeah! Sure thing. (TAKES ROBBIE BY THE ARM AND LEADS HIM AWAY)Come with me, Robbie, my man, it’s inventory time.

ROBBIE
I thought the computer kept track of inventory.

CYNTHIA
Yeah, well this is sort of off the record.

CYNTHIA AND ROBBIE EXIT.

EMILY
(TO A. MICHAEL) Besides being Robbie’s sister, Linda Hightower happens to be one of the most responsible, caring, knowledgeable clients this clinic has ever had the pleasure to work with. She has personally rescued more animals than you treated in your entire series of rotations.
A. MICHAEL
But this cat needs …

EMILY
And she has every animal examined, inoculated, and neutered before she even begins to look for a home for them.

A. MICHAEL
But Jester’s got —

EMILY
So if you think for one minute that you can stand in this clinic and pass judgment on the people who are putting up their time and money —

A. MICHAEL
But —

EMILY
… and love to make life better for these less fortunate ones, you can leave right now, doctor, and don’t let the door hit you on your way out.

A. MICHAEL
(TAKING JESTER FROM EMILY) You be a good girl, Miss Jester. You’re going to have to take thyroid pills, twice a day, for the rest of your life. I know you’re not going to like it, but you have to do it, okay?

EMILY
Unless you think you could actually start putting your lips together and keep them that way.

A.MICHAEL
She needs some time to build up her strength before she undergoes a spay. (BEAT) That would be my recommendation.

EMILY
I agree, doctor. In this case, the patient has nothing to lose and everything to gain if we follow a conservative line of treatment.

A. MICHAEL
(HANDS JESTER TO EMILY) She deserves the chance.

EMILY
Six months.

A. MICHAEL
It won’t take her that long. A few weeks, at most.

EMILY
I’m talking about you, doctor. Six months probationary hire. But you do one thing to endanger one of my patients and you’ll be the one on the emergency table, understand?

A. MICHAEL AFFECTS AN ATTITUDE AND STARTS TO SPEAK.

EMILY
Don’t say it. Don’t even think about saying it. I can read body language. Nod your head for yes, shake your head for no. I’ll get the message.

A. MICHAEL SLOWLY NODS HIS HEAD.

EMILY
Six months.

A. MICHAEL NODS HIS HEAD.

EMILY
Probationary.

A. MICHAEL NODS ONCE.

EMILY STEPS TO THE HALLWAY DOOR.

EMILY
(CALLING TO ESTRELLA) Estrella, get Linda on the phone for me. And open an employee file for Dr. Kendrick.
(BEAT)
Temporary.


END EPISODE ONE: Family Plus One

(Stay tuned for EPISODE TWO: Beginnings)