Beginnings: SCENE SEVEN

INTERIOR RECEPTION AREA — DAY
CYNTHIA IS AT RECEPTION DESK.
ROBBIE AND ESTRELLA ENTER.
ESTRELLA PUTS HER PURSE IN A CABINET BESIDE THE DESK.

ESTRELLA
We’re back. Thanks for handling the desk. Anything critical?

EMILY ENTERS CARRYING A CHART.

CYNTHIA
No. Actually, it’s been pretty calm. Just the scheduled clients. I even got a little filing done.

ROBBIE
(HANDING HIS BASKET TO EMILY) Dr. Em, does Mr. Bun look tired to you?

EMILY
(TAKES THE BASKET AND CHECKS THE RABBIT) How are you, Mr. Bun? He doesn’t seem stressed. How was the talk?

ROBBIE
(EXCITED) The kids really listened, and some asked questions, and we knew all the answers, and they were even gentle with Peter Bunny. (TO RABBIT) Weren’t they, Mr. Bun?

ESTRELLA
It was great. Linda asked if we could come again next year. Robbie’s a natural with the kids once he forgets he’s in school.

CYNTHIA
Kids and animals recognize a good heart.


INTERIOR TREATMENT ARENA – DAY
ROBBIE IS RETURNING MR. BUN TO HIS CRATE: AN OVERSIZED METAL CAGE LINED WITH A BABY BLANKET. WHEN THE RABBIT IS IN THE CAGE, ROBBIE HOLDS OUT HIS HAND TO HIM.

ROBBIE
Here’s a bit of banana for you, Mr. Bun. (WATCHES AS MR. BUN TAKES THE TIDBIT.) The kids really loved you, Mr. Bun.

GORDON TUDOR PATRICK ENTERS, CARRYING MOXIE.

GORDON
Hi, Robbie. Is Mr. Bun okay? Little guy’s not sick, is he?

ROBBIE
Oh, no. We went to Linda’s school and talked to the kids.

GORDON
You and Mr. Bun went to school?

ROBBIE
And Estrella. And Captain Ahab.

GORDON
A parrot and a rabbit, huh? That must have been some talk.

ROBBIE
Oh, Gordon, Mr. Bun doesn’t talk.

GORDON
Captain Ahab didn’t use any of his bad words, did he?

ROBBIE
Nooo. He only whistled for the kids. (TO THE DOG)
Hi, Moxie. Boy, you sure look pretty.

GORDON
Yes, even in this humidity.

A. MICHAEL ENTERS


ROBBIE
(TO MOXIE) Do you need to go potty, little man?

A. MICHAEL
(TO HIMSELF) What kind of fool can’t even tell the difference between a male and a pregnant female?

GORDON
(TO A. MICHAEL) Really? Here in Florida?

A. MICHAEL
(TO GORDON) Apparently there are all kinds of fools in Florida.

GORDON
(TO A. MICHAEL) Like my daddy says, a dog smells his own tracks first.

A. MICHAEL
(TO GORDON) Is that what passes for southern wisdom?

ROBBIE
(TAKES MOXIE FROM GORDON) Boy, Moxie, I’m sure it’s time for you and me to go outside.

ROBBIE AND MOXIE EXIT

GORDON
(TO A. MICHAEL) You can always tell when a man’s a southern gentleman, because he knows when it’s time to leave. (BEAT) I, for example, must now talk with Estrella about an invoice.

GORDON EXITS

A. MICHAEL
(TO GORDON’S BACK) Coward.



CUT TO:
INTERIOR RECEPTION AREA — DAY
ESTRELLA IS AT THE DESK
GORDON ENTERS


GORDON
You know, that Kendrick fellow is such a twit.

ESTRELLA
Tell me something I don’t know.

GORDON
No, darling you tell me, please, that he is not going to be in our lives forever.

ESTRELLA
Define forever.

GORDON
A week? (BEAT) A month? (BEAT) Oh, please.

ESTRELLA
Or until he bites a dog.

GORDON
Oh, you sweetheart. (HE HANDS HER A PIECE OF PAPER) And speaking of sweethearts, how about saving Mr. Dexter a trip next door, and put this with the clinic invoice?

CUT TO:
EXTERIOR EXERCISE YARD — DAY
ROBBIE AND MOXIE ARE WALKING AROUND AND KEEPING EACH OTHER COMPANY WHILE MOXIE DECIDES WHETHER OR NOT HE IS GOING TO POO.

CUT TO:
INTERIOR RECEPTION AREA — DAY
ESTRELLA IS AT THE DESK, TALKING ON THE PHONE

ESTRELLA
(DIALS A NUMBER ON THE PHONE. LISTENS FOR A MOMENT. HANGS UP.
REDIALS, PHONE BEEPS NUMBERS AS IT REDIALS.
LISTENS A MOMENT. HANGS UP.
REDIALS, PHONE BEEPS NUMBERS AS IT REDIALS.
LISTENS A MOMENT. HANGS UP.
REDIALS, PHONE BEEPS NUMBERS AS IT REDIALS.

ESTRELLA
(TALKING ON THE PHONE) You want a message? I’ll leave you a message. This is Mayfield Veterinary Clinic. Animal Control Services has brought us your beautiful greyhound. He is a very sick boy. You must call us back. Our number is 555-881-9765. (HANGS UP)


(CONTINUED)