Welcome Home: SCENE ONE

INTERIOR EMILY’S HOUSE — DAWN
EMILY IS IN HER KITCHEN WITH HER IRISH WOLFHOUND O’HOWLORAN. SHE IS DRESSED FOR WORK. HE IS FOLLOWING HER AROUND.

EMILY
You’re a good boy to eat all your breakfast. Still hungry? (SHE GETS A LARGE DOG BONE OUT OF A CANISTER) Oh, come on. You know the drill. (BEAT) Sit, O’Howloran. (HE SITS. SHE GIVES HIM THE DOG BONE.) Good boy.

EMILY SITS AT THE KITCHEN TABLE AND WATCHES O’HOWLORAN AS HE EATS THE BONE.

EMILY
So, what are your plans for the morning? Chasing squirrels? Guarding hearth and home? Taking a nap? (BEAT) Me? Hmm…. I never know, do I, old fellow?

EMILY GETS UP FROM THE TABLE, TAKES A BACKPACK OFF A HOOK BY THE DOOR. SHE UNLATCHES A JANGLE OF KEYS FROM A LOOP ON THE BACKPACK.

EMILY
See you at lunch, kiddo. Keep the squirrels guessing.


CUT TO:
INTERIOR A. MICHAEL’S APARTMENT — DAWN
A. MICHAEL IS STANDING AT THE COUNTER EATING YOGURT OUT OF THE CARTON. A PRAIRIE DOG SITS ON THE COUNTER WATCHING HIM.

A. MICHAEL
The world famous veterinarian, A. Michael Kendrick, bestows a treat upon the beautiful Sarah Bernhart.

HE PLUCKS A STRAWBERRY OUT OF THE CARTON, PUTS IT IN HIS MOUTH, WORKS IT AROUND HIS MOUTH, TAKES IT OUT OF HIS MOUTH AND PLACES IT ON THE COUNTERTOP.)

A. MICHAEL
Thrilled at his generosity, Sarah Bernhart scurries to the treasure and picks it up with a dainty paw.

THE PRAIRIE DOG SCURRIES TO THE STRAWBERRY AND PICKS IT UP, BRINGS IT TO HER MOUTH AND BEGINS TO EAT IT.

A. MICHAEL
Ah, my beauty, it is time for you to go back to your palace. Do not fret. You will be surrounded by your lackeys, and I, your hero, will return anon.

A. MICHAEL PICKS UP THE PRAIRIE DOG AND HOLDS HER TO HIS CHEST AS HE WALKS TO A BAY WINDOW WHICH IS FILLED WITH LARGE, COMPLEX PRAIRIE DOG HABITATS.

A. MICHAEL
(OPENING THE DOOR TO THE LARGEST HABITAT) Sweet dreams, Sarah. See you tonight.


CUT TO:
INTERIOR ESTRELLA’S HOUSE — DAWN
ESTRELLA IS SITTING ON HER COUCH IN THE LIVING ROOM, SURROUNDED BY CATS.

ESTRELLA
Can you stay out of my magazines today? (TO THE BLACK CAT) Be nice to Paulie. (TO THE CALICO) No tearing up the toilet paper. (TO THE ONE WITHOUT A TAIL) You can sleep on the bed but not under the covers.

ESTRELLA SITS BACK AND RELAXES WITH HER CATS, MANAGING TO PET EACH ONE OF THEM.

ESTRELLA
Keep the mice at bay. I’ll be back by dinnertime.

SHE RISES, GIVES EACH CAT A PARTING PET AND WALKS TO THE FRONT DOOR. SHE PICKS HER PURSE OFF A TABLE, FISHES HER KEYS OUT OF THE PURSE, AND PICKS UP A TRAVELING MUG OF COFFEE. SHE BLOWS A KISS TO THE CATS AND CLOSES THE DOOR BEHIND HER.


CUT TO:
INTERIOR MAYFIELD CLINIC KENNEL AREA — DAY
ROBBIE IS STANDING BESIDE THE KENNELS HOLDING MR. BUN.

ROBBIE
So, Mr. Bun, do you have a big day planned? I brought you fresh celery, with lots of leafy top stuff. How does that sound?

SOUNDS OFF: DOG BARKING

ROBBIE
Sorry, Mr. Bun. I have to take a walk with Leroy or he’s just gonna pop.

ROBBIE GIVES MR. BUN ONE LAST PET AND CUDDLE AND THEN PLACES THE RABBIT IN HIS KENNEL.


(CONTINUED)