MEDICAL CLINIC WAITING ROOM - DAY
NATHAN is sitting in a chair in a waiting room. He has a polystyrene cup of almost-finished coffee in his hand. There are two spare chairs, one either side of him, and a longer, bench-type seat at right angle to him. There is a low coffee table in front of him, on which are well used magazines, and (if possible) a TV monitor with some generic TV talk show program running. NATHAN is very still, but it is obvious he is extremely anxious. He keeps looking towards the entrance, obviously waiting for someone to appear. He takes a sip of coffee, and picks up a magazine and flicks through it absentmindedly. He settles on one page and stares at it mindlessly. After a while he throws it back onto the coffee table. He drains the last of his coffee, and starts to peel the coffee cup into one long, spiral strip. When the anxiety gets too much, he drops the cup and puts his head in his hands and tries to breathe deeply. VANESSA comes in. She is wearing a pale coloured, hospital gown, with nothing underneath from the waist up, but she still has her skirt or jeans underneath. NATHAN stands up immediately to walk her over to a chair next to him. NATHAN: How are you? VANESSA shrugs. She's obviously not well. NATHAN: Did they say anything? VANESSA: Only that I could wait here with you while they are checking the tests, and the nurse will come and get me when the results are ready. NATHAN: So they didn't give any idea how the tests went? She hands him a pamphlet she's been carrying. VANESSA: See it says there are 5 procedures that could happen today. But if Step One was clear, they wouldn't have to move to Step Two etc. And I've already had all 5. So ... that can't be good. NATHAN feels the same way, but he tries to be positive. NATHAN: You don't know that. Maybe they just want to make absolutely sure. VANESSA: They brought me back in cos my mammograph showed a lump, Nathan. NATHAN: Yes, but the doctor said that doesn't mean cancer. VANESSA: They didn't stop at Level One ... or Level Two ... NATHAN: (gently) I know. VANESSA: (re the pain in her breast) And apart from everything else, it hurt like hell every time. I thought I was going to pass out from the pain. NATHAN: Yeah, I can imagine. She looks at him - no you can't. NATHAN: I mean, I can only imagine. Sorry I ... Pause NATHAN: You want a cup of tea or coffee? VANESSA: No thanks. Pause They're both very tense. VANESSA is feeling sick and even lacks the energy to talk. NATHAN: Can I get you anything? VANESSA just shakes her head "no". END OF FIRST PAGE |