Scripted Short

INT. PRIVATE MEDICAL OFFICE - EXAM ROOM – DAY

MARYJANE, a cute blond haired, blue eyed 5 year-old girl,is lying on a generic examining table with a pullout step being poked and prodded by DR. JO, a small Asian woman in her late thirties wearing a white lab coat and stethoscope.

On the opposite wall, sitting anxiously, are a mildly obese mid thirties mom, BETTY-LOU, and dad, BILLY-RAY, who are intensely watching and listening.

DR.
(Looking at MARY)
Her lungs sound fine, every thing’s clear, so it’s probably just a virus causing the cough-

Now carefully probing Mary’s left side


DR.

(To Mary)

Does this hurt sweetie? Mary shaking her head negatively

MARY 

No mam. Well maybe a little there.

Dr. Jo looks up from Mary and turns towards mom & dad

DR 

Everything looks good except for this one little spot-

Turns to Mary

DR 

Mary, does it hurt when you go to the bathroom? When you go poopy?

Mary shakes her head no and DR turns back to the parents

DR 

She has a small lump, or a hard spot in her abdomen that is just mildly concerning.  I would guess that she’s just a little constipated so I want you to make sure she gets plenty of fiber and green leafy vegetables this week, and give her a little prune juice every day, that should clear things out.

BETTY 

So, its nothing we need to worry about? We shouldn’t run any tests?

DR 

No, I don’t want to put her through the trauma of all the possible tests we may need to run just to find out that she’s a little backed up. We’ll make her an appointment for next week and see how things look then.

BILLY 

Ok. That sounds good; I’ll stop by the desk on the way out and get her on the schedule.

DR 

Great! I’ll go grab the nurse and have her set those immunizations up and we’ll get you guys on your way...

Dr. Jo turns and leaves the room, shutting the door behind her.

Mary looking very concerned

MARY 

Mommy? I don’t want to get any shots.

Billy smiling at Mary

BILLY 

Honey, I told you that you would be getting some shots today, but don’t worry, there’s only going to be five of them and the needles are only –

Billy holds his hands out, about shoulder width apart

BILLY 

 - going to be about this big.

Mary visibly shrinks and moves further back on the table. Betty turns toward Billy, attracting his attention

BETTY 

Now you stop that DADDY! Last time it took me and three nurses to hold her down.

BILLY 

What’s my name? Come on, you can say it, MASTER. Just watch and learn honey, watch and learn...

Billy turns back to Mary smiling

BILLY
Don’t worry sweetie, there’s only going to be six of them and the needle is only going to be as big as your thumb and – 

Billy holds his hands out, considerably wider than he did a moment ago

BILLY
- they are only going to be this long 

MARY 

STOP IT DADDY!

BETTY 

YEAH. Stop it DADDY! ...Oh!

Betty reaches in her pocket and pulls out a vibrating cell phone. She looks at the caller id and turns to Billy,

BETTY 

It’s the boss honey. I gotta take this. 

Answering the phone

BETTY 

Hey Sandy! What’s up?

SANDY (V.O.) 

Hey Betty, we had a meeting this morning and I need to talk to you about it. Is now a good time? Do you have a minute?

BETTY 

Sure! What’s up?

SANDY (V.O.) 

Well, like I said we had a meeting this morning with all the department heads and, well, you can’t work as a nurse tech anymore. –

Billy watches as Betty closes her eyes and tenses up.

SANDY (V.O.) 

 - As you know, a nurse tech is technically a nursing student working in the position of a nursing assistant, and, well, you graduated and have your license. You’re a RN now, not a nursing student...

Betty looking down at the floor

BETTY 

Well, yes that’s true, but HR said I could continue to work as a tech for up to three months while I look for a new position. And you said I could work as long as I needed and it’s only been a month...

Betty looks up at the ceiling 

SANDY (V.O.)
I know, I’m sorry but they changed the policy on the nurse tech position and told us this morning that effective today, anyone not currently enrolled in and actively attending nursing school could no longer work as a tech.

Betty looks back down at the floor shaking her head with her eyes closed

SANDY (V.O.) 

I’m sorry honey, there’s nothing I can do. I’ll let you know of any RN positions that open up. Let me know if I can do anything to help you get on somewhere.

BETTY 

Yeah, thanks Sandy

Betty hangs up and turns to Billy

BETTY 

I just got fired –

Billy’s eyes go wide

BETTY 

Yeah, I’m an RN now, not a nursing student, so I can’t work as a tech anymore, period. Dot.

BILLY 

(very sarcastically) YAY! 

The NURSE enters the room smiling and looks at Mary

NURSE 

I’ve got something for you!

Mary, who has been watching her mom, jumps and looks up at the nurse. Seeing her, she tenses up.

MARY 

What? Still smiling and looking Mary in the eye

NURSE 

I’ve got a special band aide for you! Do you want it?

With out looking away from Mary or waiting for a response the nurse pulls a big blue crayon shaped band aide out of her pocket and sticks it on Mary’s arm. In the same motion she pulls 2 small syringes out of her other pocket.

NURSE 

You like that?

Mary smiles and nods, then seeing only 2 small needles, she visibly exhales and relaxes

NURSE 

Good! I’ve got 2 more of those for you! Where you want them? Arms or legs?

MARY
Legs. 

Betty gets up and moves towards Mary. Before she can get there the nurse slides both of Mary’s pant legs up and gives her both shots, not giving Mary time to react. She puts on 2 more crayon band aides and smiles at Mary.

NURSE 

There! Now that wasn’t too bad was it? 

Mary smiles

MARY 

No... 

Billy looks at Betty and smiles

BILLY 

See! MASTER...

Betty smiles and playfully tries to smack him. 

FADE OUT:


THE END