Welcome Home: SCENE 6

INTERIOR RECEPTION AREA — DAY
ESTRELLA IS AT THE MAIN DESK TALKING ON THE PHONE

ESTRELLA
A salt water tank? … Well, of course. The colors are so much brighter. … I can see that could be a very delicate problem. … No, sir, we don’t have an ichthyologist on staff. … No, I do not suggest you should just wait and see if she dies. I’m going to give you the number of the ichthyologist Dr. Em uses. … Yes, sir, a Dr. Haggartay. … Whenever you’re ready. … 813-555-1218. … No, sir, it’s Tampa. … Yes, sir. Good luck. (HANGS UP THE PHONE)

(BEAT)

ESTRELLA
(CALLS OUT) Cynthia! (BEAT) Cynthia? (BEAT) Robbie, do you know where Cynthia is?

SOUNDS OFF

ROBBIE
(CALLING OUT) Right here with me, Estrella.

ROCKO TROY ENTERS

ROCKO
(WITH BRAVADO) Hi, Estrella!

ESTRELLA
(STARTLED) Rocko!

ROCKO
The one and only.

ESTRELLA
(RECOVERING HERSELF) What do you have for me today?

ROCKO
(CONSIDERS THE POSSIBILITIES) Everything! For you, Estrella, everything.


CYNTHIA ENTERS


ESTRELLA
(GIVES CYNTHIA A QUICK GLANCE) (TO ROCKO) How much time do you have, Rocko?

ROCKO
Oh! (LOOKS AT HIS WATCH) Well. Well. I only have one more delivery after you. And then?

ESTRELLA
Well, well? And who is the receptionist at that delivery?

ROCKO
It’s at Pet Craft. You know, that place with the boy with the long hair and the falling-down pants.

ESTRELLA
Rocko! How do you know his pants fall down?

ROCKO
(DEMONSTRATING) Because he has to hold them up with one hand all the time. (HE WADDLES AROUND THE RECEPTION AREA WITH ONE HAND GRABBING HIS PANTS.)

ESTRELLA AND CYNTHIA LAUGH.

ESTRELLA
So you’re not putting me off for the boy with the falling-down pants?

ROCKO
I would never put you off, Estrella.

CYNTHIA
Smooth, Rocko.

ESTRELLA
Even if I was far away?

CYNTHIA
(TO ESTRELLA) Is this what you called me in here for?

ESTRELLA
(TO CYNTHIA) No.

ROCKO
(SIGHS) Do you want the invoice first?

ESTRELLA
If you wait until the delivery is done, I’ll get to see you again.

ROCKO EXITS

ESTRELLA
(TO CYNTHIA) So, you have news to share?

CYNTHIA
(IN A RUSH) Armando got a commission in the Hamptons and wants me to come join him there for two months.

ESTRELLA
Two months alone together. It’s wonderful.

CYNTHIA
Two months away from work. Two months away from my dogs. Two months away from home. Two months away from paying the bills.

ESTRELLA
Don’t you have some vacation time?

CYNTHIA
Oh, sure. Six days.

ESTRELLA
Couldn’t you use those days to visit your Armando in the Hamptons?

CYNTHIA
I hadn’t thought about that.

ESTRELLA
Love always finds a way, Querida.

CYNTHIA
But, Estrella, the dogs.

ESTRELLA
You think we wouldn’t take care of your babies?

(BEAT)

ESTRELLA
Over here. Come over here and look with me at the calendar. What days will be best with your Armando?

(CONTINUED)