DOCTOR'S WAITING ROOM - MORNING
There's a sign saying "Dr J.M. Mercer, MD" and "Dr T.M. Charles, MD" and a feeling of a small GP's office. There are several chairs neatly arranged against a couple of walls. In the centre is a coffee table with magazines on it. On a couple of chairs are signs of patients having been there - a polystyrene coffee cup, or an opened magazine abandoned when they've been called in. There's a Reception Desk without a Receptionist, and a little bell to press. PHILIP sits reading a magazine. He is a private person who isn't really one for chat. MELISSA races in, all full of her own importance, and obviously breathless from running late. She is high energy, and someone who can't shut up because she thinks everyone is interested in what she has to say. She heads straight for the Reception Desk. Sees it's unattended. MELISSA: Oh. She is about to hit the bell when she notices PHILIP. PHILIP doesn't look up. MELISSA: (to Philip) Is Karen around? She cranes her neck trying to see into the actual rooms.He looks at her blankly. MELISSA: Karen ... the Receptionist. PHILIP: Oh ... she's with a patient. MELISSA: Right. Oh well, guess we'll just have to wait then. Pause. He obviously doesn't want her to talk to him. MELISSA: Are you here to see Dr Mercer or Dr Charles? PHILIP: Dr Charles. MELISSA: (disappointed) Oh. No response. MELISSA: That's a pity. PHILIP: (Dry) Why? Isn't he a good doctor? MELISSA: Oh he's great. I'm here to see him too. She smiles.He goes back to his magazine. MELISSA: No, it's just that I'm an actress you see ... No response. MELISSA: ... and I have an important audition this afternoon. PHILIP: (totally uninterested) Really. MELISSA: (thrilled he's interacting) Yes ! PHILIP: Well ... (meaning it) ... hope you break a leg. MELISSA: Thank you ... PHILIP: Don't mention it. Pause. MELISSA: I'm sure I'll get the part ... but the thing is that I have to learn my lines - and I have to be on time for the audition. And if Dr Charles is running this late I might have to reschedule. No response. MELISSA: Reschedule my appointment with Dr Charles, that is. Not reschedule my audition ... my agent wouldn't let me do that ... it's a great part ... (She leans in and whispers) I am not supposed to tell anyone this, but Susannah Larkins has a drug problem, and she has to go into rehab. He just stares at her as though she's speaking gibberish. She mistakes it for shock. MELISSA: I know ... it's not such a shock to those of us in the industry of course. She's always got a cold, if you know what I mean. Always wiping her nose. Apparently she nearly died on the weekend from too much ... And she mimes sniffing cocaine. He still has no idea what she's on about. MELISSA: It's good news though, because they're recasting her role. PHILIP: (sarcastically) That is good news. MELISSA is happy he's getting it finally. She moves a chair closer to her new friend. END OF FIRST PAGE |