Welcome Home: SCENE 7

INTERIOR KENNEL AREA — DAY
ROBBIE IS HOLDING MR. BUN AS HE TALKS ON A CELL PHONE.

ROBBIE
Hi, Mom. How’s my best girl? … Nope, just keeping company with Mr. Bun. Well, that and telling you I finally met the new apartment manager. … She’s really nice, Mom. And guess what?! She says I can have a dog! … Yeah! Of my very own! … During the day? … Why couldn’t he come to work with me? He’d have lots of company. And he’d get to know Mr. Bun. … Dr. Em? No. I’m talking to you. … Oh, Okay. I’ll talk to her.


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


ESTRELLA
No, no, no, no. I most certainly do NOT want to relinquish this greyhound. We’re keeping him. …

SOUNDS OFF
PHONE RINGS

ESTRELLA
(SIGHS) We, the Mayfield Veterinary Clinic, owned and run by Dr. Emily Mayfield. … Yes, she has a transfer of interest from the owner’s beneficiary. …

SOUNDS OFF
PHONE RINGS

ESTRELLA
Yes, those are the correct numbers on his tattoo. Would you hold, please? (PUSHES BUTTONS ON PHONE) Mayfield Veterinary Clinic, can you hold please? … Thank you, Mr. Dexter. (PUSHES BUTTONS ON PHONE) What were those numbers again? … Yes, that is his tattoo. … How about we make this as easy as possible, okay? … He’s here in the clinic, and he’s still recovering. He’s here. He’s going to stay here. He’s not coming back to you. How about you fix your records? … Okay? Okay. And when will Dr. Mayfield get those papers? … That will be lovely. … And you, too. (PUSHES BUTTONS ON PHONE) Mr. Dexter? … Oh, good, I didn’t lose you. What can we do for you today? …

CUT TO:
INTERIOR KENNEL AREA — DAY
ROBBIE IS HOLDING MR. BUN AS HE TALKS ON A CELL PHONE.


ROBBIE
So what do I say to her? … Well, sure she’s a nice lady, but what if she says ‘no’? … I just need to ask her, don’t I? … Yes, Mom, I’ll remember to say ‘please.’


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


ESTRELLA
No, I don’t think it would do any harm to put off Moxie’s allergy shot for three days. Why? … No, Mr. Dexter, I’m not in the Chipper Clipper, so I don’t know Gordon’s schedule. But I know Gordon loves your Moxie. I’d trust his new schedule, if it was me. … (SMILES) I see. No, Mr. Dexter, we don’t want to make Moxie come all the way to town twice in one week. He will be so much happier if he can get his shot and his shampoo on the same day. … Of course you will. (TYPES ON THE KEYBOARD) It’s done. Third Tuesday of the month. You take care of little Moxie. (HANGS UP)


CUT TO:
INTERIOR TREATMENT AREA — DAY
CYNTHIA IS IN THE TREATMENT AREA FILLING OUT CHARTS.
ROBBIE ENTERS WITH PAYCHECK ON LEASH


ROBBIE
Hey, Cyn, can I ask you something?

CYNTHIA
Something wrong with Paycheck?

ROBBIE
Is something wrong? I don’t know, Cyn. Is there?

CYNTHIA
No. He looks good, doesn’t he? What did you want to ask?

ROBBIE
You sure he’s okay?

CYNTHIA
I’m sure Robbie. What was your question?

ROBBIE
How do I talk to Dr. Em about a dog?

CYNTHIA
(PUZZLED) You talk to Dr. Em about dogs all the time.

ROBBIE
About a dog for ME.

CYNTHIA
(TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ROBBIE IS TALKING ABOUT) What about a dog for you?

ROBBIE
I can have one now. (PAYCHECK IS LEANING AGAINST ROBBIE’S LEG) (TO PAYCHECK) Isn’t that great, Paycheck?

CYNTHIA
So why do you need to talk to Dr. Em?

ROBBIE
Mom said I should. To make sure it’s okay for me to bring my dog to work with me.

CYNTHIA
Okaaay. (STIFLES A SMILE) Your mom’s right. You do need to ask Dr. Em.

ROBBIE
How?

CYNTHIA
Just like you said it to me.

ROBBIE
But you’re not Dr. Em, Cynthia.

CYNTHIA
It’ll be okay. Just ask her like you said it to me.

CUT TO:
INTERIOR EXAM ROOM #1 — DAY
ROBBIE IS CLEANING THE EXAM TABLE
A. MICHAEL ENTERS


ROBBIE
Hi, Dr. Kendrick.

A.MICHAEL
Robbie.

ROBBIE
You like dogs?

A.MICHAEL
Uhhhh. Yeah.

ROBBIE
I can have a dog.

A.MICHAEL
That’s nice.

ROBBIE
And I want to bring him to work with me. (BEAT) Or maybe her. Do you think it might be a girl?

A.MICHAEL
To work with you?

ROBBIE
If Dr. Em says I can.

A.MICHAEL
Well, let me tell you how I feel about that.

ROBBIE
(EXCITED) I’ll go ask her right now.

ROBBIE EXITS


CUT TO:
INTERIOR RECEPTION AREA
ESTRELLA IS SEATED AT THE MAIN DESK
ROBBIE ENTERS


ROBBIE
(TO ESTRELLA) I can have a dog!

ESTRELLA
Really, Querido? How wonderful! Where are you going to get your dog?

(BEAT)

What are you going to name your dog?

(BEAT)

Okay. What is your puppy going to do during the day?

ROBBIE
I hadn’t thought about those. But I’ll bet Officer Trumbull could help me find a dog of my own. I don’t know about a name, though.

ESTRELLA
The dog will tell you its name. They always do.

ROBBIE
Really? They tell you?

ESTRELLA
I’ll come over to your apartment and I’ll help listen for his name.

ROBBIE
But I want him to be here, Estrella. I want him to come to work with me.

ESTRELLA
That’s a good idea, Robbie. Does Dr. Em know about your dog?

ROBBIE
Not yet. My mom says I have to ask her permission.

ESTRELLA
That’s a good idea.

ROBBIE
Will you ask her for me?

ESTRELLA
You know I can’t do that, Querido. But I’ll be beside you when you ask her.

ROBBIE
Thanks, Estrella.

(FADE TO WHITE)

(FADE IN)
INTERIOR RECEPTION AREA — DAY
ESTRELLA IS STANDING AT THE COUNTER
OFFICER TRUMBULL IS STANDING ON THE CLIENT SIDE OF THE COUNTER
EMILY IS BESIDE OFFICER TRUMBULL


ESTRELLA
(TURNS TO HALLWAY DOOR AND CALLS OUT) Robbie! Can you come up front?

ROBBIE ENTERS

ROBBIE
I’m here, Estrella. Oh, hi, Officer Trumbull. Got any new dogs?

OFFICER TRUMBULL
Hi, Robbie. No, son, all I have today is a problem.

ROBBIE
What kind of problem?

OFFICER TRUMBULL
Well, it’s a dog problem, Robbie. There’s this great dog that needs a home —

ROBBIE
I can have a dog.

OFFICER TRUMBULL
That’s nice, son, but this dog has a special problem.

ROBBIE
I’m pretty good with dogs.

OFFICER TRUMBULL
But see, this dog works. He has a very important job, and he has to go to work every day.

ROBBIE
Boy, he must be a really important dog.

OFFICER TRUMBULL
He is. Problem is, he doesn’t have any place to go after work.

ROBBIE
He’s HOMELESS?

OFFICER TRUMBULL
Well, not exactly. But he doesn’t have a family of his own, so after work he’s really lonely.

ROBBIE
Yeah. I know what you mean. My apartment’s pretty lonely, too.

OFFICER TRUMBULL
Oh, yeah?

ROBBIE
Sure is. After I get home from having supper with Mom. (TO EMILY) What happens to important dogs, Dr. Em?

EMILY
Officer Trumbull, you have any ideas?

OFFICER TRUMBULL
I was hoping you all might know of someone who could bring an important dog to work every day, and take him home at night. Someone to be his family.

ROBBIE
Hey! I could do that! I can have a dog, and I go to work every day! (TO EMILY) Couldn’t I do that, Dr. Em?

EMILY
That’s a great idea, Robbie. I mean, I think it’s a great idea. What do you think, Officer Trumbull?

OFFICER TRUMBULL
Yes, m’am, I think it’s a real good idea. But maybe we ought to ask the dog what he thinks.

ROBBIE
Do I get to meet him? Is he a boy?

ESTRELLA
(CALLS DOWN THE HALL) Cynthia, would you bring him in, please?

CYNTHIA ENTERS WITH PAYCHECK ON LEASH

ROBBIE
Paycheck! You were talking about Paycheck?! (KNEELS DOWN AND PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND THE GREYHOUND) Hey, buddy, do you want to live at my house? You can sleep on the bed. There’s plenty of room for both of us.

EMILY EXITS THROUGH HALLWAY.
EMILY AND ESTRELLA GIVE EACH OTHER A HIGH FIVE AS EMILY PASSES BY.

(CONTINUED)

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)

Welcome Home: SCENE 3

INTERIOR EXAM ROOM #2 — DAY
NO AUDIO
A. MICHAEL IS EXAMINING THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER ELSIE. MRS. LARSON TALKS, AND TALKS, AND TALKS. A. MICHAEL CONTINUES TO EXAMINE ELSIE, SILENTLY.


CUT TO:
INTERIOR RECEPTION AREA — DAY
ESTRELLA STANDS AT THE COUNTER, TALKING WITH GORDON PATRICK TUDOR.
GORDON IS HOLDING A PETITE PAPILLON, ABIGAIL.


GORDON
This is a sweet one. I wish my Tatiana was as easy to groom.

ESTRELLA
She is a little dumpling. Maybe it’s because her mamma is such a dear.

GORDON
I’m a dear. I deserve a dumpling.

ESTRELLA
Gordon, you and I both know you wouldn’t trade your Tatiana for all the dumplings in the world.

GORDON
That’s true. And she is dramatic.

ESTRELLA
(LAUGHS) And where is the surprise in that?

GORDON
(WISTFULLY) Still, this one would be a perfect partner to go to the nursing home with me.

ESTRELLA
It’s kind of sad that no one visits Abigail and her mom. It’s just the two of them in that house.

GORDON
Alone? (BEAT) Like Mr. Dexter and his Moxie?

ESTRELLA
You have ‘that look’ again.

GORDON
Well?

ESTRELLA
Well, I have to say, Querido, you’re right. (HOLDS UP HER LEFT HAND )Here there are two alone, and there, (HOLDS UP HER RIGHT HAND APART FROM HER LEFT) there are two alone. (BEAT) But Abigail is here today, and Moxie was just in for his checkup last week. So they don’t need to see Dr. Em for another six months. And who knows what life can do in six months?

GORDON
Ah, but they come to me for grooming once a month. I think I can arrange things so their appointments happen to be on the same day.


CUT TO:
INTERIOR TREATMENT AREA — DAY
NO AUDIO
EMILY AND ROBBIE ARE WORKING WITH PAYCHCECK THE GREYHOUND. ROBBIE TAKES THE LEASH AND WALKS PAYCHECK IN A SMALL CIRCLE IN THE TREATMENT ROOM. EMILY AND ROBBIE ARE BOTH DELIGHTED AT PAYCHECK’S PROGRESS.


CUT TO:
INTERIOR RECEPTION AREA — DAY
ESTRELLA IS SITTING AT THE MAIN DESK.
MR. AND MRS. LLOYD WYNTER AND THEIR CLUMBER SPANIEL CHURCHILL ENTER.

MR. WYNTER
I’m just saying, I don’t want to have to take a second mortgage on the house.

MRS. WYNTER
Oh, for pete’s sake, Lloyd. We don’t even know what Dr. Em is going to say.

MR. WYNTER
I’m just saying—

ESTRELLA
Mr. and Mrs. Wynter! And Churchill. Dr. Em is ready for you right now.

MR. WYNTER
Listen, Estrella, before we —

ESTRELLA
(TO CHURCHILL) Hi, gorgeous. Would you like a cookie?


CUT TO:
INTERIOR EXAM ROOM #1 — DAY
EMILY IS SITTING ON THE FLOOR WITH CHURCHILL.
MR. AND MRS. WYNTER ARE SITTING IN CHAIRS, WATCHING.
A. MICHAEL IS STANDING BEHIND EMILY, SCOWLING AT MR. WYNTER.



MR. WYNTER
I’m just saying, if it’s going to take a long time for this to work, well, he’s uncomfortable now and we shouldn’t let him suffer like this, so I think —

A. MICHAEL
What you think isn’t going to fix this dog’s—

EMILY
You’re absolutely right, Mr. Wynter. The condition of Churchill’s skin is showing us some pretty extreme allergic reactions. I’d recommend that we take some blood and send it to the dermatologist. She can tell us specifically what Churchill’s allergies are, and what it will take to get your boy’s quality of life back again.

MRS. WYNTER
How long will it take to find out?

MR. WYNTER
How much will it take?

EMILY
Not long. About a week, usually.

MRS. WYNTER
Then let’s go ahead and do it.

MR. WYNTER
How much is it going to cost me?

MRS. WYNTER
(TO MR. WYNTER) That’s not really the point, is it, dear?

MR. WYNTER
(TO MRS WYNTER) I’m just saying there’s no point in spending a lot of money if it can’t be helped.

A. MICHAEL
(TO MR. WYNTER) Oh, is that what you’re saying?

MRS. WYNTER
(TO A. MICHAEL) If you don’t mind, Doctor.
(TO MR. WYNTER) Lloyd, you know you love this dog, and you know you don’t want him to be miserable.

MR. WYNTER
That’s just what I’m saying.

MRS. WYNTER
(TO EMILY) Of course we want to have the tests for Churchill. Today will be perfect.


CUT TO:
INTERIOR RECEPTION AREA – DAY
ESTRELLA IS AT THE MAIN DESK
CYNTHIA IS STANDING IN THE DOORWAY


ESTRELLA
Everything okay with you and Armando?

CYNTHIA
Just ducky.

ESTRELLA
Are those ducks in a row, or ducks amiss?

CYNTHIA
Why is it that men think the world revolves around them and that you can drop everything just because they say so?

ESTRELLA
Drop everything and do what?

CYNTHIA
Fly to the Hamptons! Just like that! Just fly away to the Hamptons. Poof!

ESTRELLA
You know we will always take care of Gideon and PooDoo here.

CYNTHIA
So you think I’m supposed to go off and leave my dogs for two months just because Armando says so?

ESTRELLA
Two months?! (BEAT) What would you do in the Hamptons for two months?

CYNTHIA
Well, Armando will be painting, so I could sit adoringly and watch him, I suppose.

ESTRELLA
What’s wrong with Armando’s studio here?

CYNTHIA
There is not one darned thing wrong with his studio. Except for the fact that it’s over a thousand miles away from his commission.

ESTRELLA
Commission? Armando has a commission? Cynthia! This is good news! Why didn’t you tell me?

CYNTHIA
(BEAT) He did good, Estrella. His New York show was good. He sold paintings, and he got a commission. Imagine. Just like that.

(CONTINUED)