Welcome Home: SCENE 2

INTERIOR MAYFIELD VETERINARY CLINIC RECEPTION AREA — DAY
ESTRELLA IS AT THE MAIN DESK.
CYNTHIA IS SITTING AT THE SIDE DESK.

SOUND OFF: PHONE RINGS

CYNTHIA
Mayfield Veterinary Clinic. This is Cynthia. Can I help you? … Hi, Baby. How’s the Big Apple? How’s my big boy?

ESTRELLA
Ah, Armando, our resident artist. (TO CYNTHIA) Well, how is he?

CYNTHIA
(TURNS HER BACK TO ESTRELLA) Me, too, Baby. (GIGGLES)

ESTRELLA
When does he get home?

CYNTHIA
You sold how many? … More news than that?

CLIENT MRS. LARSON ENTERS WITH HER GOLDEN RETRIEVER ELSIE.

MRS. LARSON
Hi, Estrella! Hi, Cynthia!

CYNTHIA
(WAVES HELLO TO MRS. LARSON AND CONTINUES TALKING ON THE PHONE) Where? … Armando, you’ve got to be kidding—

MRS. LARSON
(TAKES A POSTCARD OUT OF HER PURSE AND HOLDS IT OUT) Elsie’s here for her checkup, right on time.

ESTRELLA
(TO MRS. LARSON, RELUCTANTLY) Of course she is.

CYNTHIA
For how long?

ESTRELLA
(TORN BETWEEN EAVESDROPPING ON CYNTHIA’S PHONE CALL, AND TENDING A CLIENT AND PATIENT) Hello, Mrs. Larson. How is Elsie doing?

MRS. LARSON
Just Great!

CYNTHIA
Oh, no!

MRS. LARSON
(TO CYNTHIA) Of course she is, honey. Just look at that beautiful coat.

ESTRELLA
Oh, no?

MRS. LARSON
Well, Estrella, of course it is. Elsie’s coat is a show-stopper.

ESTRELLA
(FINALLY OUT OF HER CHAIR AND STANDING AT THE COUNTER FACING MRS. LARSON) Yes, it is. So, what does this beautiful girl need today?

MRS. LARSON
(WAVING POSTCARD IN ESTRELLA’S FACE) It’s right here. Her annual checkup, just like you said.

CYNTHIA
How can you even ask me that? You know I can’t.

ESTRELLA
(GIVING UP, TO MRS. LARSON) Okay then. You just bring that beautiful girl right through here and we’ll get you settled in room two.

ESTRELLA, MRS. LARSON AND ELSIE THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER EXIT.

CYNTHIA
I am happy for you, Armando. … Yes I am. A show in New York, and now a big commission. … I know it’s a big deal … Of course I’m happy for you. But I can’t just leave my job and fly off to the Hamptons.

ESTRELLA ENTERS

CYNTHIA
Have you even thought about the dogs? What about Gideon and PooDoo?

ESTRELLA
What is happening?

CYNTHIA
(TO THE PHONE) I can’t talk about it right now, Armando. … I just can’t. … Well, you’re going to have to wait. (HANGS UP THE PHONE)

CYNTHIA EXITS.

ESTRELLA
(TO CYNTHIA’S DISAPPEARING BACK) What is happening?

CLIENT ENTERS CARRYING A SMALL ANIMAL CRATE.

CLIENT
I don’t usually put them both in one crate, but I knew you wouldn’t make us wait.

(CONTINUED)