This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to people or situations, living or dead, is unintentional and coincidental.
THE LAST GOODBYE
FADE IN:
INT. ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL EXTERIORS SUNRISE
The sign, sidewalks, gardens, and entranceway of St. Mary’s Hospital are shown.
DR. HOPE THOMAS (V.O.)
Do you remember how you got here?
CHRISTINA PRICE (V.O.)
(a tired voice) Not really.
INT. ST. MARY’S DAYROOM DAY
PATIENTS are in the dayroom as ORDERLIES hand out medications.
INT. ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL INTERIORS DAY
NURSES AND DOCTORS are about their tasks.
DR. HOPE THOMAS (V.O.)
First entry of record. Patient is Christina Price, white female, approximately forty years of age, marital status-single, no insurance, unemployed, admitted to St. Mary’s at approximately two a.m. this morning. Patient was brought to St. Mary’s after a single-vehicle accident. No signs of alcohol or drugs. Patient was admitted for observation of injuries and at the ER physician’s request for a psychological evaluation.
INT. (SMALL THERAPIST’S OFFICE) HOPE’S OFFICE DAY
DR. HOPE THOMAS is shown turning around in a swivel chair in a small office, speaking into a hand-held tape recorder.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(continuing)
It is unclear at this time if the wreck was caused by vehicular malfunction, driving error and/or recklessness, or if this was a suicide attempt. (she shuts off the tape recorder)
INT. CHRISTINA’S HOSPITAL ROOM AT ST. MARY’S DAY
Hope walks into the room carrying a folder. CHRISTINA is lying in a hospital bed, sitting up a bit, and staring out the window until Hope walks in. Christina speaks in near monotones.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Ms. Price (reaching out her hand), I’m Dr. Hope Thomas. Do you remember me from last night?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(shaking Hope’s hand) You’re the therapist.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
That’s right. (rolls a stool seat from the side
of the room to beside the bed and raises the
height) I’m surprised you remember. You were
pretty out of it when they brought you in. That
was a bad accident. Could have been fatal.
Christina says nothing, but lowers her gaze.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(continuing)
Well (opening the folder and putting on her
glasses), do you remember that I was asked to
conduct a psychological evaluation on you? The
attending last night seemed to think it was
necessary. He was a bit worried about your demeanor.
CHRISTINA PRICE
(quietly, sadly) Um, I kind of remember.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(studying Christina’s expression)Can you tell me
about the accident, Christina, about what happened?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(crosses her arms protectively) There’s not much
to tell. I lost control. Then, everything
crashed. The car went up in flames. I’m here.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Anything else?
CHRISTINA PRICE
Like what?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(quietly clearing her throat) Why don’t we come
back to the accident. Your admit file lists no
next of kin, no one to notify. Surely there must
be someone to list. A relative, friend, neighbor?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(with watery eyes, quietly) No, there’s no one.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(removing her glasses) Do you have any family
living? Parents, brothers, sisters? Or, maybe
even extended family like a cousin or someone?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(looking downward) There’s no one to notify, no one to put on the list.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Well, why don’t you think it over for a while.
I’m sure you’ll think of someone. Everybody has
someone that they go to for help, to talk to,
call once in a while, have lunch with now and then, something. It’s not possible to have no one. The world’s not made like that. (confused at Christina’s lack of reaction and lack of eye contact) So, you just think it over for a while and let me know when you think of someone. There’s no rush. (pause)Okay? (pause, calmly) Won’t you even answer me?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(still looking downward, sadly) I told you that
there’s no one. Why don’t you believe me? Why am
I not worth believing?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(frustrated, but professional) In all my years,
I’ve never met anyone who was an island. People
are social beings. People need interaction with
other people. It’s part of what makes us human.
So, if you think of someone to put on the list,
just tell me. And, if you choose not to give
me a name, well that’s your choice. But, give it
some thought. If you really search your soul, you may find some answers to some questions that you didn’t realize were there.
A beam of sunlight shines in through the window, catching Christina’s downward stare and lifting her eyes towards the window.
INT. ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL INTERIORS DAY
Patients walk slowly through the halls, some are sitting in the dayroom staring at nothing, talking to themselves as:
DR. HOPE THOMAS (V.O.)
We’ll be administering a series of written tests that will gage both emotion and intellect. You’ll
also be receiving some tests such as puzzles to
determine your level of problem-solving abilities. We’ll be talking some in therapy sessions, but how much that is worth will depend a great deal on how willing you are to share about your life. Through it all, we’ll determine if you meet the criteria for diagnosis and if you have any need for medication. Any questions before we begin?
CHRISTINA PRICE(V.O.)
(quietly) No.
INT. OBSERVATION DECK OF DAYROOM DAY
In a two-way mirrored room overlooking the dayroom, orderly JOSEPH WALDEN stands, jotting notes now and then as he watches Christina in the dayroom, sitting alone near the window, either reading or looking out the window at the courtyard. Hope enters the observation room.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Got anything yet, Joe?
JOSEPH WALDEN
No. (yawns and stretches) She’s done so little
that I’ve been writing my grocery list while
I observe. Are strawberries in season?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(smiling) I don’t think so.
JOSEPH WALDEN
Oh, I was thinking about making strawberry
shortcake for my date tomorrow night. (bragging) I’m cooking.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(small laugh) I can’t wait to hear about it.
JOSEPH WALDEN
Yeah, I’m going all out. Roasted chicken with
herbs in a sweet glaze, some steamed vegetables,
desert, nice bottle of wine, everything.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Sounds nice. She’s a lucky girl. You don’t meet many guys who’ll cook for a lady anymore.
JOSEPH WALDEN
That’s me. (smiling, pulling at his collar)
Mr. Perfect. (sighs comically)
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Well, before we lose you to Ms. Perfect, has
this new admit done anything at all.
JOSEPH WALDEN
Does bore me out of my mind count? She’s done
nothing. Na-da. Zip, zero, nothing. She’s been
sitting there in that same chair for hours.
INT. DAY ROOM DAY
Christina is shown sitting beside the window in a seat beside a table looking out into a sunny courtyard as:
JOSEPH WALDEN (V.O.)
She hasn’t spoken to anyone, no one has spoken to
her. She reads that book for a while, then she
looks out the window at the courtyard. Then,
she reads that book for a while, then she looks
out the window at that courtyard.
INT. OBSERVATION DECK OF DAYROOM DAY
Hope and Joseph In the observation booth.
JOSEPH WALDEN
Then she reads that book for a while, you getting the idea here?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(quietly, observing Christina) Yeah.
JOSEPH WALDEN
She hasn’t gotten up to go pee, she’s not gotten
anything to drink, I don’t think she’s even
squirmed in her seat except for when she lowers
herself a bit to read that book so that her face
is nearly even with the book when it leans
against the table.
INT. DAY ROOM DAY
Christina is shown again looking through the window.
INT. OUTSIDE HOSPITAL DAY
Then, the courtyard that she is looking at, pretty gardens with a small table of nurses and orderlies chatting as they lunch at a table, patients walking along garden paths, is shown as:
DR. HOPE THOMAS (V.O.)
Do you know what she’s reading?
JOSEPH WALDEN (V.O.)
Self-help book from the library.
DR. HOPE THOMAS (V.O)
Um, make a million in a snap, cure your health
with a cure-all herb, or find the life you want in three easy steps?
JOSEPH WALDEN (V.O)
(jokingly) Oh, you’re familiar with our library here? (more seriously) Actually, she’s been reading a book about healing from a difficult
past.
INT. OBSERVATION DECK OF DAY ROOM DAY
Hope and Joseph observe Christina.
JOSEPH WALDEN
I think it’s interesting that she’d
choose something like that when we know so
little about her.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Good point. Why don’t you take a break. (she
pats his arm, smiling) You’ve done good work. Why don’t you go plan more of that dinner date.
JOSEPH WALDEN
Whew. Will do. Anything would be better than
being in here watching nothing!
Joseph leaves the observation deck as Hope continues momentarily to observe Christina.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Thanks, Joseph.
INT. (UPPER-MIDDLE-CLASS) THOMAS HOME EXTERIOR DAY
Hope pulls her SUV into the drive of her home. Her husband, MICHAEL PRICE, is getting out of another SUV along with their children, JOEY, age 10, and TIFFANY, age 7. Joey is still in his dirty soccer uniform, Michael in his business suit, and Tiffany is in typical school clothes carrying a book bag.
JOEY THOMAS
Hey, mom, you should have been there. I kicked the winning goal right past Jeremy Franks and everybody cheered. (waves his hands in the air
and roars like a crowd) It was great.
TIFFANY THOMAS
Hi, mom. (as she exits the car, then stands by
her mom)
MICHAEL THOMAS
(quickly kisses Hope, then moves to the rear of the car to begin removing soccer equipment) It was really something.
HOPE THOMAS
(runs her hand through Joey’s hair) Oh, I’m
sorry I missed it. Maybe I can be there next time, Joey. (pats him on the back) Go
get out of that uniform and cleaned up for
dinner.
JOEY THOMAS
Okay. (runs into the house still roaring like
a crowd) And Joey Thomas has scored!
TIFFANY THOMAS
I thought you were gonna pick me up today?
HOPE THOMAS
I know, Tiff, but I had an emergency at work.
(smoothes her hand over Tiffany’s head) I’ll do
my best to pick you up tomorrow.
TIFFANY THOMAS
(disappointed) Okay.
HOPE THOMAS
Now go get washed up for dinner. It won’t be
too long before we eat.
TIFFANY THOMAS
(curious) What are we having?
HOPE THOMAS
(looking at her watch) Considering the time,
how about ordering out for pizza?
TIFFANY THOMAS
Alright! I’ll tell Joey. (she runs inside)
MICHAEL THOMAS
(comes to Hope with bags of equipment) (quietly)
Pizza again? Hope.
HOPE THOMAS
(tired, but smiling) Do you feel like cooking?
MICHAEL THOMAS
Uh, no. (shakes his head) Pizza sounds good.
Besides, (they begin to walk to the house) I
think I cooked a few months ago (laughing) and
I think it’s considered cruel and unusual
punishment to have to eat anything I cook that
doesn’t come off the grill more than once or
twice a year.
HOPE THOMAS
And, it’s getting too late to fire up the grill.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(excited) How about a cook-out this weekend? It’s been a while since we’ve grilled out. I could make my famous Michael Thomas burgers, toast
some buns. (they enter the house)
INT. ENTRANCEWAY OF THOMAS HOME DAY
MICHAEL THOMAS
(continuing)
It could be a family event. You could make
INT. KITCHEN OF THE THOMAS HOME DAY
MICHAEL THOMAS
(continuing)
(they make their way into the kitchen) the potato salad, the kids could have time with both of us for a change.
HOPE THOMAS
(smiling) Okay. Saturday. It’s a plan.
JOEY THOMAS
(enters) What’s a plan for Saturday?
MICHAEL THOMAS
Family day. We’ll grill out and everything!
JOEY THOMAS
(getting juice from the fridge) I have back-to-back games Saturday, dad!
MICHAEL THOMAS
Oh, that’s right. Okay, then, we’ll make it Sunday.
TIFFANY THOMAS
(standing quietly in the doorway) But, on Sunday,
I’m supposed to go to the zoo with the rest of
the Sunday School class!
MICHAEL THOMAS
(looks to hope for answers) Okay, well, someday
soon, we’re going to grill out and have a family
day.
HOPE THOMAS
(looks up from the phonebook) (frustrated) Right. Someday soon. But, for now, what do you want on your pizza?
JOEY THOMAS
Pepperoni and sausage! But, make sure there’s
none of those gross things on there.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(grabbing a cookie) Those would be anchovies.
And, I second that motion. Tiff, what do you
want on your pizza.
TIFFANY THOMAS
Lots and lots of cheese!
HOPE THOMAS
(dialing the phone) Alright. I’ll order
the usual.
INT. THOMAS HOME KITCHEN EVENING
The family is sitting around the kitchen table, eating the pizza. Several pizza boxes are sitting across the table. The family is chatting and laughing when the phone rings.
Joey and Tiffany are laughing.
JOEY THOMAS
Uh-uh, that can’t be true, dad.
TIFFANY THOMAS
Yeah, daddy, that can’t be right.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(giggling) No, I’m really serious. He was the
very first patient I ever had and whenever he
got angry, he’d quack like a duck.
Joey and Tiffany laugh some more and Michael makes quacking noises.
HOPE THOMAS
(trying to hide her laughter) Michael, really!
The phone rings.
HOPE THOMAS
(continuing)
I’ll get it. (she goes to the phone)
TIFFANY THOMAS
Quack some more, daddy!
Michael quacks.
HOPE THOMAS
(into the phone, giggling) Hello.(pause) No, I
don’t think so Patty. (pause) We’re having
dinner right now and I need to get back to my family. (pause) Well, get somebody else to do it.
Hope hangs up the receiver as:
PATRICIA(V.O.)
(filtered)
(heard as Hope is hanging up the phone)I didn’t
ask somebody else. I asked you, Hope.
Hope returns to the table, frustrated and somewhat angry. Michael notices her change in mood.
MICHAEL THOMAS
If you kids are finished with the pizza, why
don’t you go on upstairs and get started with
your homework.
JOEY AND TIFFANY THOMAS (together)
Okay. (they leave the room)
MICHEAL THOMAS
Patricia calling?
HOPE THOMAS
(tearing bits of her pizza off) Um-huh. Never
fails, does it. (sarcastically) Her timing is always impeccable.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(wiping his mouth with a napkin) A&D is a hard
habit to kick.
HOPE THOMAS
She has sponsors and other people she could call.
Just when I think she’s out of my life, the phone rings, I pick it up, and it’s her and my life feels like it flies into chaos. She always wants something, she’s never stable, she never has enough money, she… (pauses, exhales) Why does she always call me?
MICHEAL THOMAS
Why do you always turn her down?
HOPE THOMAS
Because I refuse to be a part of her problem. I
will not enable her to destroy her life. Besides,
I’ve worked hard for everything. What I have,
what I’ve achieved, I’ve earned. She should do
the same and stop expecting everything to be
handed to her.
Hope takes a sip from a glass of water, pauses, and looks to Michael who is fiddling with his napkin.
HOPE THOMAS
(continuing)
(exhales) You know the history, Michael. How
can you defend her?
MICHAEL THOMAS
I don’t defend her. But, maybe she calls because
she needs you. You are her sister. The two of
you share a history that no one else shares.
Hope, (leaning forward and speaking quietly) you
and Patty both came from the same household but
you ended up so different. Don’t you ever wonder
why? (pause) Maybe Patty is having difficulty
moving on and getting past her own issues because
the two of you have never sat down and really
talked about how that came to be.
Hope stands and begins to clear the table.
HOPE THOMAS
Our lives are different because she chose not
to accept responsibility for hers. She got in
with the wrong crowd and made bad choices.
That’s all.
Michael sits at the table, a look of worried contemplation upon his face.
INT. TIFFANY’S BEDROOM NIGHT
Tiffany lies asleep in bed. A children’s book is still in her hands as Hope walks in and begins pulling the covers up and placing the book on the bedside table.
HOPE THOMAS
(whispering) Goodnight, Tiffany.
Hope kisses Tiffany on the forehead, turns off the lamp, and begins to leave.
TIFFANY THOMAS
(sleepily) Mom, you promised to read my book
with me.
HOPE THOMAS
(quietly) It’s late, Tiffany. Go to sleep and
we’ll read the book tomorrow night. I’ll see
you in the morning.
TIFFANY THOMAS
(sleepily) Okay. Good night, mom. I love you.
HOPE THOMAS
(from the doorway) I love you too, Tiff.
INT. JOEY’S BEDROOM NIGHT
Hope steps across the hall into Joey’s bedroom. The light is still on and Joey is sitting on the bed beside an open textbook playing a gameboy.
HOPE THOMAS
(picking up the book) Science, interesting. Got your homework done?
JOEY THOMAS
Almost. (concentrating on the game) I’m just
taking a little break.
HOPE THOMAS
How much do you still have left to do?
JOEY THOMAS
Uh.
HOPE THOMAS
Um-hum. (she takes the gameboy) You can have
this back when you get your homework done.
JOEY THOMAS
But, mom!
HOPE THOMAS
No butts. You know the rules. Homework comes
first. (standing to leave) Now do your homework
and then lights out by ten. Understood.
JOEY THOMAS
(frustrated, but reluctantly giving in) Fine. I just have a couple pages left to do anyway.
HOPE THOMAS
Good night. (she leaves the room)
INT. HOPE AND MICHAEL’S BEDROOM NIGHT
Michael is lying in bed reading a book that he puts on the bedside table when he sees Hope walk in. Hope places the gameboy on the dresser, throws her robe over a chair, and climbs into bed.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(eyeing the gameboy) Science again?
HOPE THOMAS
Yes. But, I’m certain he’d make an A in video
games, soccer, and food. If only he could be
so interested in science and social studies.
MICHEAL THOMAS
Oh, don’t worry about it. Joey’s a smart kid.
He’ll grow out of it.
HOPE THOMAS
Especially if his science grade falls and he
won’t be playing soccer until he brings it up.
MICHAEL THOMAS
Whew! You’re a tough parent. (jokingly) I don’t think I could have survived my childhood if you had been my parent.
HOPE THOMAS
Did you fail science?
MICHAEL THOMAS
Uh, math actually. First grade math. I hated it,
absolutely hated it. (smiling) But, look at me
now. (chuckling)
Hope smiles broadly and playfully hits him with her pillow.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(continuing)
(laughing) Look, I’m just saying that it’s not
the end of the world. We’ll work with him. It’ll
be fine. He may never work for NASA, but I’m pretty sure he’ll survive. And, soccer will help him with that because it makes him feel good about himself.
HOPE THOMAS
(staring at the ceiling) If only life
remained that easy forever.
MICHAEL THOMAS
Still thinking about Patty?
HOPE THOMAS
(pauses, rubbing her hands across her face)
Patty’s not important. I don’t want to have to think anymore today. (turns off the lamp and curls up next to Michael)
MICHAEL THOMAS
(reaches to turn off his lamp)(whispers)
Okay.
INT. HOPE’S OFFICE DAY
Hope is making notes at her desk as NURSE BETTY knocks as she enters the small office. Betty hands Hope a small stack of folders.
NURSE BETTY
Here you go. Rounds for the day. Joseph called.
He’s running a little late, but he will be here.
Mr. Leonard has been complaining all morning that
he doesn’t want his meds. We snuck it to him
in his juice again. It’s the only way he’ll
take them.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
He’d be hell on wheels without those meds. What
about the new admit, the Price woman?
NURSE BETTY
(leans against the open door frame) Same as yesterday. I don’t know what it is about
her. She doesn’t battle us. She does what we
tell her to, but…
DR. HOPE THOMAS
But?
NURSE BETTY
Well, yesterday, she only came out of her room
and went to the dayroom because I kept suggesting to her to do so until I basically told her to do.
Even gave her a book to read. But, today is just
like yesterday. She’s just not leaving her room.
I thought I’d give her a little time to see if
she’d go to the dayroom on her own, but no luck
so far.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
But, she answers your questions?
NURSE BETTY
She’ll answer, but I don’t think I’ve seen her
initiate a conversation. But, I’ll keep an eye
on her. (Betty leaves the room, closes the door)
Hope turns her attention to her desk and jots down a quick note. As she begins to stand, the phone rings.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Dr. Thomas. (pause) (angry) Why are you calling me at work? (pause) Patty! (pause) No! (pause)
Just stop it! I’m tired of it. I don’t want to hear it. It’s not my job to help you! There is no room for you in my life, Patty. Now, don’t call me anymore!
As Hope is hanging up the phone and exhaling loudly, Patty is heard through the phone:
PATTY (V.O)
(filtered)
(crying) But, I need you, Hope.
Hope puts her hands over her face momentarily and then breathes slowly to try to calm herself.
INT. A SMALL OBSERVATION ROOM DAY
Joseph is filling out an application at a table beside a two-way mirror in a small observation room. The observation room is beside a room where Christina sits at a small table answering multiple choice questions on a personality test. The only items on Christina’s table are the test, a small cup of water, and three pencils. Hope walks in to greet Joseph.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(sees the application) What you got there?
JOSEPH WALDEN
Med school app. I’ve finally decided to give it
a try. In a few years, you’ll be calling me
Dr. Walden. (he smiles)
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Great! (smiling) Then, you can work here and help
me with these patients. They need good doctors.
JOSEPH WALDEN
Yeah.(he points to the mirror) Especially that
one. Could not be more dull.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(Hope looks through the mirror at Christina)
Betty says the Price woman doesn’t say much.
JOSEPH WALDEN
(concentrating on his app) She doesn’t say
much, doesn’t do much. I brought her in here
to administer some of the written tests. Some
questions she seems to think over and some she
answers in a jiffy. Not really that much
different from any one else taking those things.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(turning to Joseph) But?
Joseph turns his attention to Hope, moving so as to stand by the mirror. Then, they both look through the mirror at Christina.
JOSEPH WALDEN
Well, look at her. (he motions to Christina)
INT. THERAPY/TESTING ROOM DAY
Christina is shown quietly answering the questions as she sits alone at a small table in an empty therapy room. The walls are white, but the room is empty of décor except for the small table with a couple of chairs, a black leather loveseat and a matching chair.
JOSEPH WALDEN (V.O.)
(continuing)
She’s been in there for over an hour now. And,
like usual, she doesn’t know I’ve observing the whole time. I told her I had other patients to see and to answer as many questions as she could until I got back.
DR. HOPE THOMAS (V.O.)
And?
JOSEPH WALDEN(V.O.)
And, she’s not moved from that position. She’s
worked diligently. I’ve give her that much. But,
she’s not moved at inch.
INT. OBSERVATION ROOM DAY
Joseph and Hope are shown looking through the mirror as:
JOSEPH WALDEN
(continuing)
Not moved. Not stretched. Not gone to the door
like most patients do to ask to go to the
bathroom. Nothing, except one thing.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(curious) What?
JOSEPH WALDEN
When I first gave her the test, I set that…
INT. THERAPY/TESTING ROOM DAY
Christina at the table with the test and a nearly full cup of water is shown as:
JOSEPH WALDEN (V.O.)
(continuing)
…cup of water on the table, but I didn’t say
anything about it. About fifteen minutes ago, I
went in to ask how she was doing and made it a
point to tell her that the water was for her
if she wanted any.
INT. OBSERVATION ROOM DAY
Joseph and Hope are shown in the observation room as:
JOSEPH WALDEN
Since then, she has taken a couple of small
sips. She’s spacing them out almost as if she
thinks she won’t be allowed any more.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Interesting. Did she ask for the extra pencils?
JOSEPH WALDEN
Nope. (he grins) I will do well in med school.
That was my idea. Betty was bragging about how easy it was to tend to Price because of how tidy
Price was, so I put the extra pencils on the
table to see what she’d do with them.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
What did she do?
JOSEPH WALDEN
Nothing. She hasn’t touched them.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(unimpressed) Could mean anything. Could mean
nothing. How did she do on the intelligence
test administered yesterday?
JOSEPH WALDEN
High average. Doesn’t seem to be any problems
with comprehension. Memory is excellent. Even
I was surprised. Later today, she’ll undergo
some problem-solving testing. I’ll let you
know how it goes.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Good. I want as much info as I can get before
I sit down for her first session. Over the years, I’ve gotten pretty good at guessing diagnoses correctly on a first meeting. But, there’s something about this one that I can’t quite
put my finger on. Will she talk to you? You know, just general conversation?
JOSEPH WALDEN
She’ll answer questions if I ask them, but she’s
not much of a talker. She’s not been difficult
or given me any problems unless you count boring
me to death.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(laughs as she begins to leave) Keep up the good
work, Joe. (politely teasing) Oh, excuse me, I mean the future Dr. Walden. (she leaves the room)
INT. CITY PARK DAY
Hope and Abby are drinking fountain drinks as they walk along a paved trail through a city park on a sunny day. Other people are about the park, kids are playing on the equipment, people are laughing, adults are tossing a ball.
ABBY
So, anyway, that’s what I heard, but now Joan
tells me that she hears that Delila isn’t
pregnant. And, then, this morning, Valerie
said that Delila was pregnant, but she’s not
anymore if you know what I mean? Maybe it’s
for the best either way. I mean a married man,
really bad idea.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Never a good idea. Of course, we’ve all known Delila since college. We couldn’t exactly put such an idea past her. So, has anyone actually
asked Delila if she’s pregnant, let alone
by a married man.
ABBY
(laughing) Well, who would want to do a thing
like that and ruin the fun of all these stories!
Besides, Delila is a strong woman. She can
survive anything, including some fast talk by
a few old college roommates.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(smiles) The park was a really good idea, Ab. I’m glad you thought of it.
ABBY
What could be better than lunch in the park
with a friend, walk off some calories, and share lots of gossip. (laughs) (more serious) Okay, Hope. You’re turn. Time to fess up about what’s been on your mind lately? Is it Michael, the kids?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
No, they’re great except for not really having
enough time with them. I feel like my kids are
growing up without me.
ABBY
Then what, sweetie. Come on (she crosses her
heart) it’s just between us. (pause) Is it
that sister of yours again? Patty?
Hope’s expression becomes one of anger and worry.
ABBY
(continuing)
Oh, that’s it isn’t it. Is Patty on the
bottle again? Or drugs? I guess she never
really did know any limits of self-destruction.
She was never like you, Hope. You always
had it together.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
I hadn’t heard from her months, biggest part of a year. Then, out of the blue, she called last night and then she called me at work this morning.
ABBY
She want money, place to crash for a while?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
I’m sure she did, but she didn’t say as much. She just kept saying that she’s clean now and she wants to talk. Michael doesn’t think I give Patty enough credit or enough of an opportunity to prove herself. He seems to think that I need to be a major component for Patty to fully recover.
ABBY
And, what do you think?
Hope and Abby stop walking.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(seriously) I love her. She’s my sister, after all.
ABBY
And you probably did all those things together
as children that sisters do that bond them
together.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
No, not really. We’ve never been close. She was my younger sister, you know, but, still, she’s my sister. (pause) I don’t want her around my kids. She’s not a good influence. I didn’t cause this problem of hers and I don’t want, well, I don’t want to be burdened with it. She needs to find her own way and, until she does, I don’t want her around.
ABBY
If you haven’t had any contact with her in a
year, maybe she really is clean. Maybe she’s
trying to make amends. In recovery, one of the steps is to try to right the wrongs, to apologize for the pain you’ve caused. Could it really hurt
to talk to her?
Hope looks around, considering the question.
ABBY
(continuing)
Think about it. If she’s calling you, then
she’s reaching out to you. If you reach out
to her, maybe you’ll both find some peace.
INT. DAYROOM OF ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL DAY
An elderly man, Mr. Leonard, is sitting near a window in a wheelchair talking to an empty chair sitting opposite him when Hope walks in. The dayroom only has a few other patients scattered about on this occasion.
MR. LEONARD
(to the chair) So, while you were at the store,
I took him in the backyard and we threw the ball
around for a while. He’s old enough now, I guess,
and it’s important that a boy know how to play
baseball. What’s more American that baseball.
(pause)(smiles) And, you’ve always made the best
pie I’ve ever tasted.
Hope watches Mr. Leonard for a moment and then approaches him. She leans over Mr. Leonard respectfully and raises her voice so that he can hear her.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Mr. Leonard. How you feeling today?
MR. LEONARD
Oh, just fine, darlin’, just fine. Why, I was
just talking to my wife, Doris. (he motions to
the chair and smiles at it) Isn’t she the most
lovely sight you’ve ever seen?
Hope looks toward the chair. A ray of sunlight is shining on the empty chair. Then, returns her attention to Mr. Leonard and kneels beside him.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Mr. Leonard, I heard that you don’t want to take
your meds again. Is that true?
MR. LEONARD
(he motions toward his ear) What?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Your meds, Mr. Leonard. How are you doing with
your meds?
MR. LEONARD
Oh, it’s comfortable. Could use an extra blanket
sometimes, you know. (smiling) My Doris would always bring me an extra blanket when I got cold. She kept them in the closet, you know. (to the chair) What dear? (pause) Okay. (to Hope, smiling, and speaking proudly) I must very well be the luckiest man in the world, darlin’, to have a wife like my Doris. Did you know that she won the blue ribbon for peach preserves back in the sixties? And, one year, for Christmas, we didn’t have much back then, you know, she made every ornament we had on our tree. I cut it
down myself, you know. Just look at her darlin’,
(motioning to the chair) aren’t I just the luckiest man in the world to have such a woman walk with me through this life?
Hope looks toward the empty chair with the ray of light still shining on it.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Mr. Leonard, there’s no one…(long pause, her gaze turns downward), (more quietly) there’s.. (she pats his arm and stands slowly)
MR. LEONARD
(to Hope) Yep, I’m the luckiest man in the world. We got a boy, you know. Good boy, too. Smart, whew, lordly, he’s smart. We had him right before the war, you know and Doris had to raise him on her own while I was overseas. Her family helped her out, you know, but it’s not the same. I should have been there. (to the chair) Yes, Doris, of course. I’ll pick it up on my way home from work.
Hope walks away and meetS Betty, who has just entered the dayroom, in the middle of the room.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(sadly) He’s the luckiest man in the world.
NURSE BETTY
(shaking her head) Until his meds start to wear
off. Then, he remembers the war and other
unpleasant memories. His wife, Doris, died over twenty years ago and he still misses her. Can you believe that kind of love even exists?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
What ever happened to his son?
NURSE BETTY
When Mr. Leonard was first admitted a few years
ago, his son came to visit him fairly regularly.
But, like everyone here, after a while the visits
became more and more irregular until they didn’t
occur anymore at all. His son comes by for a few
minutes on Christmas, but that’s about it.
Sometimes, I wonder if that’s why Mr. Leonard
speaks of his son as a child when he talks of
him at all. Apparently, those were happier days.
I’ve spent my entire nursing career working
with the mentally ill. I’ve seen patients who
range from always violent to always comatose,
but I’ve never figured out why they are so
disregarded by their families, just locked
away and abandoned as if they never existed.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Sometimes it’s easier to avoid the truth than
to face it.
INT. CHRISTINA’S HOSPITAL ROOM SUNSET
Christina is sitting beside the window looking sadly out at the setting sun as Hope walks in, tapping gently on the door as she enters before sitting near the window. Christina still speaks in near monotones. Hope remains calm throughout the conversation.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
How did the testing go today?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(to Hope) Fine.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Any visitors today?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(to Hope) No one to visit.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Well, it would be difficult for anyone to come
if they didn’t know you were here. (pause) Did
you think any more about that list?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(turns her attention back to the sunset) Yes, but there’s still no one to put on the list.(pause) When will I be leaving here?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
It might be a few days or even longer. A lot of
it depends on you. I need to be assured that
you’re not a danger to yourself before I can
release you. We have your address because it’s
on your admit papers, but does anyone live there
with you?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(to the window) No.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(pause) Do you want to go home?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(pause, thinking) I’m just not comfortable in
large buildings with lots of people around.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Have you had any problems while you’ve been here?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(pause, still to the window) No.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(pause, looking at the sun) Pretty sunset.
Christina continues to look sadly at the sunset.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(continuing)
Do you usually watch the sunset or the sunrise?
Do you look out the window frequently at home?
CHRISTINA PRICE
Not really.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(calmly, quietly struggling for questions and answers) Okay. Well, we’ll probably start some sessions soon. I know you have some more tests scheduled.
Christina turns her sad gaze to Hope as Hope rises.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(continuing)
It may be too late today, but you are allowed to go to the courtyard if you’d like. Perhaps you could watch the sunrise or the sunset or just enjoy the pretty day. You might like it. (pause) Okay?
Christina shakes her head yes to Hope then looks back out through the window, now dark, as Hope leaves, shutting the door behind her.
INT. St. MARY’S HALLWAY NIGHT
Hope is walking from Christina’s room, down the hallway, past the nurse’s desk when she PA system is heard.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(as she passes) Goodnight, Betty.
NURSE BETTY
(behind the nurse’s desk) Whew. I’m leaving
soon myself.
MALE VOICE OVER PA SYSTEM (V.O.)
Dr. Thomas to emergency. Dr. Thomas to emergency.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(boarding elevator, to Betty) You may make it
home before me.
INT. THOMAS HOME LIVING ROOM NIGHT
Michael is working at a computer in a dimly lit living room when Hope walks in. The house seems dark, but a lamp is illuminated on the desk beside the couch. Hope walks in quietly and falls into the couch beside the computer as if she’s exhausted.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(tugging his glasses down his nose) Long day again, I see. Have you eaten?
HOPE THOMAS
(rubbing her eyes) I ate a burger in the car on
the way home. We had another emergency admit.
You still working, too?
MICHAEL THOMAS
Thought it was a good time to catch up on some
notations on some sessions and I’ve been putting
some thoughts together for a book I’ve been
thinking of writing.
Hope smiles, surprise in her eyes, as she edges closer to the edge of the couch toward Michael, leaning her elbow on the couch arm and her head on her hand.
HOPE THOMAS
Really? What kind of book?
MICHAEL THOMAS
A day in the life of a therapist. Case studies
and so on. It’s just an idea. (takes his glasses
off) The kids are upstairs asleep already.
(pause) They wanted to wait up for you, but it
was getting late.
HOPE THOMAS
(tired) It couldn’t be helped. Michael, you know how these things are.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(leaning forward in his chair) Well, you have a daughter upstairs who is a bit angry that her mother promised to read a story to her, but worked late instead. And, you also have a son who is a bit upset that his mother can’t remember to pick him up from school and take him to soccer practice.
HOPE THOMAS
(running her hand through her hair) Oh, no, I forgot!
MICHAEL THOMAS
(calmly) Again.
HOPE THOMAS
I know, I know. I’ll make it up to him somehow.
MICHAEL THOMAS
I don’t think he’s falling for that one too
many more times. (fiddling with his glasses)
I know you’re work is important to you, but…
HOPE THOMAS
(gently interrupting)(quietly, calmly) It’s very important to me. The patients require my complete
focus when I’m there.
MICHAEL THOMAS
But the kids need you here. I need you here.
(pause)(tossing his glasses on the table)(slightly agitated)Sometimes, I feel like a single parent and you don’t live here, you just visit sometimes.
HOPE THOMAS
(a bit angry, moving across the room and standing) What do you want, Michael? Do
you want me to quit my job, just abandon the
patients who depend on me?
MICHAEL THOMAS
(frustrated, slightly raising his voice)No, of course not. But this family needs you as
much as your patients. You’ve got to find a way
to get this under control, find a balance between
work and family. Aren’t we as important to you
as your work?
HOPE THOMAS
(frustrated, a bit angry) Of course you are!
MICHAEL THOMAS
(frustrated, a bit angry) Well, it’s a little
hard to believe that sometimes. You’re never
here. You’re always at work. You hardly made
it to any of Joey’s games this season and Tiff,
well, it’s like she’s growing up without a
mother.
HOPE THOMAS
(angry) What do you want me to do about it,
Michael. Do you think I like forgetting to pick
up my child or not having time to read to my
little girl? Do you think I like feeling like
a bad mother, a bad wife? (tearfully, but angry) Don’t you realize how I hate feeling like life goes on here and I’m not really a part of it. I just hear about it.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(rubbing his hands together and calming himself, standing and moving toward Hope) Then, we’ll
work on it together. All of us, somehow. We’ll
figure it out.
Michael puts his arms around Hope and Hope puts her head in her hands and begins to cry.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(continuing)
Okay? We’re both therapists, for Pete’s sake.
Surely, we can figure out how you can have it
all. (slightly laughing) You know, successful
career, handsome husband, couple of kids, did
I mention the handsome husband?
Hope laughs through her tears, exhaling as she wipes her eyes and Michael kisses her on the forehead.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(continuing)
(whispering) We’ll figure it out.
INT. THOMAS HOME KITCHEN DAY
Hope is working in the kitchen, scrambling eggs. Freshly-baked muffins are sitting on the table beside a stack of four plates and some utensils and juice glasses. A carton
of milk and a carton of juice are also on the table. The sink is filled with the dishes used to make the muffins. The coffee maker is filling with freshly-made coffee.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(sniffing the air) (surprised) Coffee?
HOPE THOMAS
(motions to the coffee maker) Fresh and hot. Eggs
should be ready in a minute and blueberry muffins
are on the table.
Michael pours himself a cup of coffee and grabs a muffin, moving to Hope as he eats.
MICHAEL THOMAS
Hope, this is really nice, but I’ve got an early
meeting this morning.
HOPE THOMAS
(trying to hide disappointment) Okay, well…
TIFFANY THOMAS
(enters, goes to the table and gets a muffin)
Blueberry muffins! Thanks, dad!
MICHAEL THOMAS
Actually, you’re mom made them.
TIFFANY THOMAS
(surprised) Really? (takes a bite) Thanks, mom,
they’re really good.
HOPE THOMAS
(puts some eggs on a plate and hands it to
Tiffany at the table. Here you go. Where’s
your brother?
JOEY THOMAS
(enters, sleepy) I’m right here.
MICHAEL THOMAS
Did you get your homework done, Joe?
Joey shakes his head yes as he eats a muffin at the table. Hope hands Joey a plate with some eggs on it.
JOEY THOMAS
What’s the occasion?
HOPE THOMAS
(pouring some milk) Do I have to have an
occasion to cook for my family?
Joey and Tiffany look at each other curiously. Hopes sees their reaction.
HOPE THOMAS
Well, I just thought since I’ve been so busy
with work lately that I would get up early and
make breakfast for my family. Maybe we could
all sit down and eat together.
JOEY THOMAS
Uh, I can’t this morning, mom. Dad said that
he’d drop me off at school early so that I
could practice in the gym with the other guys.
HOPE THOMAS
(pause) Okay. Then, eat up.
Hope goes to the sink and begins loading the dishwasher with a disappointed expression. Michael notices how hard she’s tried.
MICHAEL THOMAS
You know, Joey, maybe we could be just a little
late this morning. After all, we are talking
blueberry muffins. (he goes to sit at the table)
TIFFANY THOMAS
They’re good, too, mom!
HOPE THOMAS
(turns to watch the family at the table) Thanks,
Tiff.
MICHAEL THOMAS
Come on, Hope, before it gets cold.
Hope slowly dries her hands on a towel and, with uncertainty, joins them at the table and grabs a plate.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(continuing)
Thank you for making breakfast, Hope. This is
really nice. (encouragingly) Kids, don’t you think this is a nice breakfast? Huh?
JOEY THOMAS
Sure is, mom.
TIFFANY THOMAS
Thanks, mom. Can you make muffins tomorrow?
Michael and the children laugh at the request as Hope unfolds a napkin across her lap and smiles as if she is finding comfort.
HOPE THOMAS
We’ll see. (takes a bite of a muffin)
INT. HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE DAY
Hope and the hospital administrator, EVELYN POWERS, are speaking about a patient. Evelyn is leaned forward with her elbows on the desk, sitting in her chair with the window behind her. Hope sits in a chair opposite the desk. Evelyn’s office is decorated with awards and a gold name plate sits at the front of her desk. The office is one of prestige and accomplishment.
EVELYN POWERS
So, then, what will your final recommendation be?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Evelyn, I don’t see that there’s much of a choice
here. Within the last year alone, she’s been
admitted to St. Mary’s five separate times. When
she’s released, she’s stable, but then, before
long, she’s not taking her meds correctly,
there’s been periodic use of illegal substances
to deal with her symptoms when she goes off her
meds, how could I possibly recommend that she
is competent to parent?
EVELYN POWERS
The Juvenile Judge in this matter has requested
a full report from you. He has to decide whether or not to allow her to have custody of her children back. He’s putting a lot of emphasis on
what this hospital has to report. I don’t have to
tell you that the success or failure of this
patient in the general population will reflect how well this hospital does its job and, in the future, could effect funding. There’s no room for error or speculation, here, Hope. We’ve got to be right on the money with this one. As hospital administrator, I have to tell you that this report is exceptionally important to the future of St. Mary’s.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
We write reports to judges all the time, Evelyn.
EVELYN POWERS
Yes, (leaning back in her chair) but few with the
publicity that this case has received from the
media. It’s become very high-profile, and it’s
taken St. Mary’s along with it. Every time they
mention the case, they mention her admits to
this hospital.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Brittany Burr is a thirty-year-old mother of four
with a primary Schizophrenic diagnosis and few
secondary diagnoses and stressors. She won’t stay
on her meds. Why, just a couple of weeks ago it
was all over the news that she had been arrested
again and child services were called because she
left the youngest at home alone and neglected to
pick up her oldest child at school. Principal
stayed with the kid at school until five, and
Brittany still hadn’t shown up. And, she didn’t
show up until seven or eight. She said that she
thought her mother was picking up the kid from
school and she claimed that her mother was
supposed to be babysitting the child at home.
Kids were put in a foster home that night. They
didn’t even know about the child left at home
alone until the apartment manager let the police
in to the apartment to check if Brittany was
inside and hurt or worse.
EVELYN POWERS
(stressed) Then, why haven’t we been able to get support built up around her so that she can successfully live outside of this hospital? There’s got to be some social worker or relative or someone who can help this woman control herself and protect the reputation of this hospital.
Hope answers with an expression of anger, but with controlled volume as she leans further toward Evelyn.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(pause) You know what, Administrator Powers, this
is why someone with no hands-on psychological
work on their resume should sit behind this desk.
Because you don’t understand the limits of what
we can and cannot do. For you, this is all about
the reputation of the hospital and funding. For
Brittany Burr, it’s about her life and whether or not she’ll ever be able to watch her children grow up. I’ll write the report to the Judge, I’ll
testify if I have to. But, I’ll report the truth
and conclusions that my professional conscience
is able to sleep with at night. As much as
Brittany loves her children, and she does, she’ll
never be able to effectively or safely parent
them without significant assistance from her
family. And, that, Evelyn, is the one important
factor that she’s never had and that we’ve
never been able to prescribe to her. Her family
has never wanted Brittany to have those children;
they want her hospitalized for the rest of her
life. So, when Brittany gets out, her family
sits back and waits, no, hopes for her to fall apart because they don’t want to be bothered with
Brittany. And, that (standing), Evelyn, is the
truth of what these patients live with. Brittany
has no real support outside of this hospital and this hospital and the insurance companies won’t pay enough to keep Brittany in the constant and on-going supervision of a caring social worker like she really needs. (turns to leave)
EVELYN POWERS
(sarcastically) Impressive speech from the
concerned doctor. (leaning forward, speaking seriously) But, I’m here to protect the bottom line, Hope, and that is that this hospital is a business. If we don’t protect our image and our funding, then there won’t be any where at all for people like Brittany to go. Think about that.
Evelyn turns her attention to the computer. Hope pauses for a moment, develops an angry expression, and leaves, closing the door behind her.
INT. ST. MARY’S HALLWAY DAY
Hope is walking down the hall, stopping as she passes Mr. Leonard’s room and listening to him from the hallway.
MR. LEONARD
(V.O.)
I remember that son, I do. You were only about
ten at the time and it was such a beautiful day
that day. I was so proud of you the way you
stepped up to bat. You seemed so confidant, like
you knew you were about to hit it far.
Hope walks on to the nurse’s desk where Betty is entering some notes on the computer.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(tired) Betty, can you pull all of the files we have on Brittany Burr? All of them, since the first time she was ever here?
NURSE BETTY
(noticing Hope’s expression) Sure, no problem.
Just don’t let old Pouty-Powers get to you, okay?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
I’m trying.
NURSE BETTY
Concentrate on the good things happening around
here.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
You mean like Mr. Leonard still talking to
himself. I heard him talking as I passed his
room.
NURSE BETTY
(excited) Uh-Uh, not this time. After our little
talk, I broke the rules a little and called his
son, told him how much I thought his father might
appreciate a visit. And, he came. Even I was
surprised. He’s in there now. You probably just
couldn’t see him from the doorway.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(surprised) That is good news. How long has he
been here.
NURSE BETTY
Just a few minutes, but sometimes that’s all it
takes to lift someone up. You should have seen
the old man’s face! Lit up like a kid’s eyes
at Christmas. (laugh) (pause, seriously) Uh, look
I do know that I’m not supposed to be calling
and requesting…
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(interrupting) Don’t worry about it. I think
you’ve done a good thing here. Maybe rules are
meant to be bent once in a while.
NURSE BETTY
I’ll get those files to you shortly.
Joseph walks up to the desk, smiling.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Date night must have went well!
Joseph, smiling, in a funny way pretends to be arrogant, tugging at the collar of his coat as he speaks, before turning and strutting in an exaggerated manner back down the hall.
JOSEPH WALEN
(sighs) Yes, it did, ladies. Yes, it did.
NURSE BETTY
(laughs) That, boy!
INT. HOPE’S OFFICE AT ST. MARY’S DAY
The clock hand turns from 2pm to 3pm as Hope reviews the Burr files, making hand-written notations to herself, and typing on the computer. Hope never notices the clock, but is absorbed by the information in the files.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(opening a file) So, Brittany, let’s see what
we can do to help you and let’s see what’s
safe for your children.
INT. FRONT STEPS OF SCHOOL DAY
Joey Thomas looks at his watch, drops his backpack to the concrete, and sits on the steps in front of the school.
INT. MICHAEL THOMAS’S OFFICE DAY
Michael is seen at his office desk as if speaking to a client, the window is behind him. It is a large office of dark leather furniture, but is well-lit and comfortably furnished. Degrees hang on the wall. Family photographs sit on the desk.
MICHAEL THOMAS
Yes, and we will certainly be working to help
(looks at the clock on his desk as he writes a prescription) you deal with those issues.
INT. HOPE’S OFFICE AT ST. MARY’S DAY
Hope is seen silently jotting the following on paper as the clock hand continues to be seen turning from 3 pm to 4 pm.
Diagnosed—age 25—by private therapist
Done well on meds—won’t stay on meds
Total hospital admits—22 since diagnosis
10 arrests since diagnosis—including
possession of Sch. VI and child neglect
INT. FRONT STEPS OF SCHOOL DAY
Joey Thomas is still sitting on the steps of the school, doing his homework, but periodically looking around for a possible incoming car.
INT. MICHAEL THOMAS’S OFFICE DAY
Michael is seen talking on the phone, watching the clock, an expression of wonder on his face.
MICHAEL THOMAS
Well, Counselor, he’s done well with the
combination of meds and therapy. He’s
managed to stay on his meds while living
on his own, so I see no reason why he
wouldn’t be able to continue to do so without
any more run-ins with the law. (pause, looks at the clock on his desk) Yes, I think the coke he was using was just a way to deal with some symptoms when he had no other way to deal with them. But, he feels the meds work now and he’s one of the few who has had no significant side effects to them. Those side effects are one of the primary reasons patients won’t stay on their meds. (pause) I think this young man has paid his debt to society for using. And, he’s got some strong family members who keep an eye on him.(looks at the clock again)
INT. HOPE’S OFFICE AT ST. MARY’S EVENING
Hope is seen silently typing on the computer. The clock hand moves unnoticed by Hope from 4pm to 5 pm. Hope’s computer writing is shown in bits as:
…diagnosed…
Patient has consistently shown an inability to
responsibly…
…has no known sources of emotional support…
Although admission to an on-going treatment
facility is not necessary at this time…
…no known resources to properly assist…
Patient is unable and incompetent to care for the
safety and well-being of children.
INT. FRONT STEPS OF SCHOOL EVENING
Joey Thomas has leaned his head against a support beam beside the steps and closed his eyes. He opens them and lifts his head when he hears a car approaching. Then, he realizes it is a POLICE CAR.
INT. MICHAEL THOMAS’S OFFICE EVENING
Michael is sitting at his desk typing on the computer when the phone rings. He removes his glasses and rubs at his eyes as he answers the phone.
MICHAEL THOMAS
This is Dr. Thomas. (pause, surprised) What?
(pause) Well, of course, Officer. It’ll take
me about ten minutes to get there.
INT. HOPE’S OFFICE AT ST. MARY’S EVENING
The clock hand moves unnoticed by Hope from 5pm to 6pm as she continues to type. Then, she stops typing, closes the files, leans back in her chair, and rubs her face. Suddenly, she notices the small clock at the bottom corner of the computer screen.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(worried, quietly) Joey!
INT. FRONT STEPS OF SCHOOL EVENING
Hope pulls up to the steps where Joey has been, but there is no one around. She goes to the doors, but none of them will open. Hope then bangs on the doors, but there is no answer. Hope begins to cry.
INT. THOMAS LIVING ROOM NIGHT
Hope enters the living room. Michael is waiting for her. The room is well-lit and the children are not at home.
HOPE THOMAS
(as she comes in the door) Joey? Joey!
Hope and Michael see each other. Michael is angry and pacing about the room as Hope stands near the door.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(angry) Where the hell have you been! And, don’t
tell me that it was work again! You were supposed
to pick up Joey.
HOPE THOMAS
(stressed, worried, ashamed) I’m sorry. (pause)
I’m sorry.
MICHAEL THOMAS
You’re sorry? Joey waited at the school until
five o-clock. The police were the ones who
called me, Hope. The police!
HOPE THOMAS
Is he alright?
MICHAEL THOMAS
(a bit more calmly) Yes, he’s fine, no thanks
to you.
Hope moves toward the stairs, but stops when Michael speaks. Michael stands near a book case and remains there as Hope remains in the center of the room. Michael is emphasizing with his hands.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(still angry) He’s not here. I dropped him off at the game. The neighbors are going to bring him home. And, my mother picked up Tiff and took her to her house so that they could go spend the afternoon together.
HOPE THOMAS
(upset) Michael, it was just an accident.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(shakes his head) I really don’t want to hear it
any more.
HOPE THOMAS
I’m sorry.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(yelling again) Yes, you are! How could you do
this, Hope? I thought things were getting better.
I thought you really intended to give this family
as much of your focus as your work. But,
apparently, I was wrong!
HOPE THOMAS
(whispering) How can you say that, Michael?
MICHAEL THOMAS
(somewhat calmly again) Well, here we are.
HOPE THOMAS
(upset) I’ve been trying so hard, Michael.
Really, I have.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(pause) (angry, but controlled) This is the last
straw, Hope. The police, Hope! The police found
ouR son alone at school and called me to pick him
up. The police! (pause, yelling again) And, do
you know what they told me? They told me that
they weren’t pressing any charges because they
had brought inmates and other arrestees to us and
they knew that this was nothing but a simple
mistake. Did you hear that, Hope? What luck!
We won’t be charged with child neglect because
it’s our jobs to help the drug addicts,
according to the police, who do this very same
thing!
HOPE THOMAS
(pause, upset, but getting angry) What do you want me to say? (pause) That I’m sorry. I am. More than you’ll ever know. That I feel like a horrible mother? Well, I feel that way, too, Michael. You want me to say I was wrong? I was.
I know that. But, don’t ever compare me to
people who choose drugs over their own kids.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(pause, more quietly, more serious) Why not? It’s
just a different addiction. Instead of drugs, you
choose your work over your kids, your family.
HOPE THOMAS
That’s not fair.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(yelling again) Don’t talk to me about not fair.
Not fair is a 10 year old boy who can’t depend on
his mother, who gets left at school alone for
hours. Anything could have happened to him, Hope.
HOPE THOMAS
(pause, quietly) What do you want me to do, Michael?
MICHAEL THOMAS
(turns to the book case so that his back is to
Hope)(pause, quietly) I can’t live like this
anymore. Maybe it’s time you decide whether or not you really want to be a part of this family.
HOPE THOMAS
Are you saying you want me to leave?
MICHAEL THOMAS
(pause, turns back around to face Hope) I don’t
want you to, but I’m not convinced that you want
to be here either. If this ever happens again,
Hope, there won’t be a family anyway because all
of this is just ripping our family apart at the
seams. We barely have a family now. Joey is really upset this time. He could have been in danger. I don’t know how to repair all this damage. But, you need to decide fast if you even want to try.
Hope tearfully looks around and at the floor as Michael walks toward her. Her arms are folded in a self-protective manner.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(continuing)
(calmly again, almost tearfully) We wanted a family when we got married. I still want this family. Do you?
INT. CITY PARK DAY
Hope and Abby sit on a bench in the city park on a sunny day drinking fountain drinks and finishing off lunch. Hope is contemplative and saddened by recent family events.
ABBY
So how did the kids react?
HOPE THOMAS
Too soon to say. I don’t think Joey accepted
my apology at all. I can’t really say I blame
him. And, Tiff, well, she’s angry with me for
missing out on so much lately, but I think she’s
more willing to give me a second chance.
ABBY
And, Michael?
HOPE THOMAS
Michael has always been such a rock for me. But,
I really feel like I’m losing him now. (pause)
Or, maybe the truth is that I’ve pushed them all
away. (pause) I don’t know what I’d do without
them.
ABBY
There’s still time. It sounds like Michael is
willing to give this one more try. There’s
still a chance there.
HOPE THOMAS
Do you think I did the right thing by staying
there? Should I have left and given the kids
some room to breathe?
ABBY
I think time away may have actually
worsened these wounds. The family needs to be
together. You need to be around the kids so you
can prove yourself to them. If you’re not around,
then they won’t have opportunities to trust you,
and without those opportunities, they never will
learn to trust you. Michael won’t either, for
that matter. But, it cuts both ways, Hope. You
need to be around them so that you can learn to
trust yourself again, so you can remember what
it’s like to be a part of a family, so you can
remember how it feels to have that support around
you.
HOPE THOMAS
There’s not much there right now.
ABBY
No, but in time, if things go well, if
everyone does their part, things will change.
As Hope thinks back in time, Abby notices the expression.
ABBY
(continuing)
What’s on your mind?
HOPE THOMAS
I was just remembering how strange it felt
every time I was around Michael’s family before
we were married, and even after. They were close,
they laughed together, they supported each other.
It was so strange, and yet so welcoming. It took
me a long time to learn how to fit in to that
and, when Michael and I married, I was determined
that our family would be like that, too. Now,
look what I’ve done to it.
ABBY
Nobody’s perfect, Hope. We all live and most of
us learn. And, I know you. You’re a learner. Give it time. Work on it. It’ll be okay. (pause, smiling) I have faith in you!
HOPE THOMAS
(smiles slightly) Thanks, Abby. You’re a good
friend.
INT. THERAPY/TESTING ROOM AT ST MARY’S DAY
Hope and Christina are talking in the small room where Christina had previously been observed taking psychological tests. Joseph watches from the observation room. Hope and Christina sit facing each other. Christina sits with her knees together and her feet very still, very proper, on the floor while her back is against the chair. Christina’s fingers wring a tissue. Hope’s legs are crossed and she seems comfortable. Christina speaks calmly, not as if complaining, but as explaining, simply answering questions. Yet, her eye contact goes from Hope to the tissue in her hands, which remain positioned atop her knees, as she speaks.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
But, you’ve never been in trouble with the law,
never done drugs, no mental health diagnoses?
INT. OBSERVATION ROOM DAY
Joseph is shown taking notes while observing through the two-way mirror.
CHRISTINA PRICE (V.O)
That’s right. I’ve never even smoked a cigarette
or had a drink of alcohol.
JOSEPH WALDEN
(whispering) Man, what a loser!
INT. THERAPY/TESTING ROOM DAY
Hope and Christina are shown again.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(confused) But, nobody? No family, no friends,(pause)nobody?
CHRISTINA PRICE
That’s right.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(trying to understand) I, I just don’t see how
that’s possible. What do you do if you need to
move a piece of furniture? What do you do if
you’re sick, if the toilet or the car needs
fixed or the roof needs repaired?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(curiously) You really don’t know, do you?
(pause) (confused) You really don’t get it?
(pause) I do it (pause) or it doesn’t get done.
And, on a rare occasion, I’ll call someone from
the yellow pages if I can’t fix it myself.
(pause) If I’m sick, there’s no one that calls
to see if I’m getting better. And, if I don’t
feel like I’m able to go pick up a prescription,
I just have to do it anyway. There’s no one to
help, there’s no one to ask.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(still confused)Neighbors?
CHRISTINA PRICE
Couldn’t tell you who they are or even what they
look like. Come to think of it, I’m not even
sure what they drive. I don’t go outside much,
not unless I have to to get the mail or go to
the store for groceries.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(still confused) And, no one calls you just to chat about the weather or something? You don’t
call anyone just to chat or to ask advice,
something?
CHRISTINA PRICE
That’s right. (pause) (reassuring her) It’s okay,
Dr. Thomas. I’ve never ran into anyone who could
really understand and I don’t expect you to,
either. You’re not like me. You’ve never been
like me. I know this because I’ve seen you
as you do your job here at St. Mary’s. You talk
to people and people talk back. It’s probably
something you don’t even recognize. They want
you here. People want you around. I don’t know
what even makes you able to understand the
complete opposite of that, when no one wants
you around, when no one wants to talk to you and
they don’t want you to talk to them and they
tell you so.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(pause, leans forward in her chair towards Christina) I really am trying to understand,
Christina. Really, I am. (pause) But, you’re
right. So far, I don’t understand. Aren’t you
lonely?
CHRISTINA PRICE
Desperately, at times. Other times, it’s kind
of a relief because if I’m not around people
then I know I won’t have to hear all of the
negative comments and see all the sneers (pause)
except, of course, for those that are in my
memory. I can’t seem to forget those.
INT. OBSERVATION ROOM DAY
Joseph is shown in the observation room.
JOSEPH WALDEN
(whispering, with a yawn, sarcastically) Try a single’s bar for Christ’s sake.
INT. THERAPY/TESTING ROOM DAY
Hope and Christina are shown again.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Do you like being this isolated? Is this how you
want your life?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(hiding tears) No! I want to be like the other
people I’ve seen. I want friends. I want to be
somewhere where I feel wanted. Actually, at
this point, I’d settle for someplace where I’d
feel like I was just being tolerated.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
But, you have siblings still living, you have a
parent still living? Why don’t you have contact
with them?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(an expression of confusion, leans forward and looks at Hope)(pause)(calmly) Dr. Thomas, think for a moment about what you just said. (pause) Who do you think were the first people to say and act as if they did not want me around, as if they wanted nothing to do with me, as if I’m a burden that they really wish they didn’t have to deal with? (pause) They’ve acted that way for as long as I remember, and they told me those words to my face. I finally got tired of trying to make them love me, so I stopped going to family functions. That was basically the only contact I had with them anyway. There were no phone calls with updates on anyone’s lives, no letters, nothing.
My family was the first. But, then, when I was old enough to go to school, everyone else, teachers, kids, everyone treated me the same way. No one wanted me around, no one wanted to talk to me. And, as I got older, I started to notice how I would be treated differently, ignored usually, if I needed a salesperson in a store or something. The sneers of not wanting to help me.(leans back against the chair again, her eyes downcast to her hands again) I just finally got tired of it all. Maybe it just took me a long time to finally learn that I’d never be allowed to be anyone else but that.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(leaning back in her chair) The world can be a harsh place.
CHRISTINA PRICE
And, unforgiving.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
What did you do that was unforgivable?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(seriously) I was born. At least, that’s the only possible answer I’ve ever come up with. (pause) Can you even imagine what it’s like, what it’s really like to be the one who is always forgotten, always left out, the one who is always blamed, disregarded, dismissed, always pushed aside because you’re not considered important enough to exist, just simply exist?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
No, no I can’t. But, don’t you think that a lot
of this is your reactions to things? It doesn’t
sound like you had a very positive childhood.
That may be causing you to view things
differently as an adult. We can work on your
perceptions, your social skills, and you may find
that life is a lot brighter than what you
realize.
CHRISTINA PRICE
(rubs her forehead) I was wondering when that was coming.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
So this is something you’ve thought about?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(tears fall, but she wipes them away and tries
not to cry) Don’t you think I’ve tried? (pause)
You really don’t get it. I guess that’s a good
thing. If you did understand, it’d mean you’d
have to experience it, and I wouldn’t wish this
feeling on anyone. But, it doesn’t work. I can
never win. I sit quietly, people get mad because
I’m not speaking. I say something, people get mad
and tell me to shut-up. I can’t win. Sometimes,
it seems like people need me to lose, like they
need someone weaker than they are.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
If you have something to say, Christina, I’m
listening.
CHRISTINA PRICE
(points to the clock on the wall) (calmly) It’s your job to listen. At least you act like you are. I’ve had some therapists who acted like they didn’t even want to be paid to listen to me. Yes, I’ve tried therapy, too. I’ve tried everything I can think of to change my life, but nothing’s worked. Ever.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Will you be willing to give it one more try? Give
me a chance to help you help yourself? We’ll
just try and see what happens. The only promise I
can make you is that it won’t be easy. But, if
it works, well, your life would be different.
CHRISTINA PRICE
I don’t know. I can tell you what the problem
has been in the past.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Okay, let’s start there.
CHRISTINA PRICE
The reason why drug addicts are able at all to
come off drugs, is because they usually have
support networks of one kind or another who want
to help them stop using. The reason why most
people are able to survive failure or loss, any kind of trauma, is because they have something else to hold on to, something that they’re good at, something that they feel good about,
something that is a source of strength, a source
of esteem. I don’t have any of that. I never have, and I don’t know how to get it. I’m not even sure I’m deserving of it. It’s like a void. There’s nothing to hold on to, nothing to look forward to. How do you overcome that?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(inhales as she leans forward) We find a way,
little by little, to get you there. I’m just
asking for you to try, but you’ll have to do
most of the work. You survived the crash. Maybe this is supposed to be your second chance. Or, maybe it’s your chance to help us understand so that we could help others in your situation before it gets so bad. What do you say?
INT. ST. MARY’S DAYROOM DAY
Mr. Leonard is sitting in the chair beside the window, speaking at times to Doris, his deceased wife whom he believes is sitting across from him. Hope is sitting in a chair next to Mr. Leonard that she has pulled up to him.
MR. LEONARD
(to the empty chair) Are you sure? (pause) Oh,
I could have sworn that was 1951. (to Hope,
laughing) I guess my memory just isn’t what it
used to be.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
That’s alright, Mr. Leonard.
MR. LEONARD
But, anyway, I think that was the best
baseball coach that school ever had. Good man,
good man. He didn’t just teach them how to
play baseball, he inspired them to play life,
you know, to learn, to take some chances.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
I had a teacher like that once.
MR. LEONARD
You did!
DR. HOPE THOMAS
She always told me I could be whatever I
wanted to be and that I should never let
anyone make me believe any differently.
MR. LEONARD
Sounds like a good woman, a real teacher.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
And, I got really lucky because she kept
teaching different grades each year, so I
ended up with her as my teacher three separate
years and saw her in the hallways every time
school was in session.
MR. LEONARD
(patting Hope’s hand) And, you turned into a
fine, fine woman. (to the empty chair, smiles)
That’s right, and a doctor! (to Hope) You should
be proud of yourself, dear, very proud. (to the
empty chair) Well, you remember that, don’t you
dear?
Hope’s cell phone rings.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(to the phone) Dr. Thomas. (Hope takes a few
steps away from Mr. Leonard)
INT. MICHAEL THOMAS’ OFFICE DAY
Michael is seen in his office at his desk.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(smiling) Just thought I’d call and give you
a little reminder to check the time.
INT. DAYROOM DAY
Hope looks at the clock on the dayroom wall, it reads 2 pm.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Two pm. I’ve got it. I’ll leave to pick up Joey
in about fifteen minutes. I rearranged my
schedule so that I can watch him practice today.
MICHAEL THOMAS(V.O.)
(filtered)
(sincerely, excited) Good! He’ll really like
that.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(sincerely) Oh, and, thanks for the reminder. It
always helps.
INT. MICHAEL THOMAS’ OFFICE DAY
Michael is seen in his office at his desk.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(smiling) You’re welcome. I told you we’d face
this thing together.
INT. DAYROOM DAY
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(smiles) And, that means everything to me.
MICHAEL THOMAS(V.O)
(filtered)
I’ll see you at home later.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Okay, bye. (shuts off phone and looks out at the
sun)
INT. SOCCER FIELD DAY
Hope is seen sitting in the stands as Joey practices soccer. Periodically, Joey looks towards the stands, Hope waves or smiles in response. Joey then smiles and continues practicing.
INT. HOPE’S CAR EVENING
Hope and driving Joey home after practice.
JOEY THOMAS
Did you see it!
HOPE THOMAS
(laughing) Yes!
JOEY THOMAS
If we could play like that in every game we’d be
the champions! We’d be unbeatable!
HOPE THOMAS
Those were some awesome plays! The team did well.
(a bit more seriously) You did well, Joey. You did well.
JOEY THOMAS
(pause, more seriously) Thanks, mom. Thanks for
coming.
HOPE THOMAS
I’d forgotten what I was missing, watching you
play.
JOEY THOMAS
(sadly) I’d kind of forgotten what it was like to have a mom around.
HOPE THOMAS
No matter what, Joe… (tears, but tries not to
cry)
JOEY THOMAS
(puts his hand on her shoulder) It’s okay, mom.
I know you’re trying. I know you love me.
HOPE THOMAS
(pats Joey’s hand) More than anything else in
this world, Joe, I hope you and Tiffany always
know that, that you always know that I love you,
even if I don’t do such a great job at
showing it or saying it as often as I should.
JOEY THOMAS
(quietly) I love you, too, mom. (pause)
Hope comes to a red light and stops.
JOEY THOMAS
(continuing)
What’s for dinner tonight?
HOPE THOMAS
Uh (pause)
HOPE AND JOEY THOMAS (TOGETHER)
Pizza.
JOEY THOMAS
That’s cool.
INT. TIFFANY’S BEDROOM NIGHT
Hope is seen reading a bedtime story to Tiffany. Michael stops at the bedroom doorway as he passes by, smiling at what he sees, but quietly moving on so as not to disturb the story.
INT. JOEY’S BEDROOM NIGHT
Joey is seen quietly playing his gameboy on his bed until Michael is standing in the doorway. Joey then picks up a textbook, Michael smiles and walks on.
INT. TIFFANY’S BEDROOM NIGHT
Hope is seen tucking in Tiffany and gently kissing her good night on her forehead.
INT. JOEY’S BEDROOM NIGHT
Joey has fallen asleep with his textbook in his hand. Hope is seen covering him up with the blanket and turning off the lamp.
INT. HOPE AND MICHAEL’S BEDROOM NIGHT
Hope and Michael lay talking in bed.
HOPE THOMAS
(quietly) I’ve been thinking a lot lately.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(quietly) About what.
HOPE THOMAS
(quietly) Patty. I think maybe you were right
all along. Patty and I need to talk. There’s a lot of things we never talked about that maybe we
should have. Maybe it’ll help if we can sort out
a few things.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(quietly) I think it’s a good idea. Long overdue. Do you think you’re ready to handle dredging up the past?
HOPE THOMAS
(quietly)Is anyone ever really ready?
MICHAEL THOMAS
(quietly) I’ll be there with you if you want me to or do you want to do this alone?
HOPE THOMAS
(quietly) This one I need to do alone. Patty and I have a lot to talk about, a lot we need to deal with, unfinished business.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(quietly) You know, Hope, it will require the two of you working together to really resolve this.
There’s no way that either of you will be able
to find the peace you’re after without the other.
You need each other, there are things that will
have to be said, emotions that can only be
completely worked through if you work together.
HOPE THOMAS
(quietly) I know. (breathes deeply) I think I’m
finally willing to do my part.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(quietly) Do you think she’ll actually talk to you after that last phone call?
HOPE THOMAS
(quietly, but almost arrogantly) Of course, she
will. She’s too needy not to.
As Hope turns over, Michael has an expression of disappointment, doubt, as he realizes that Hope still has not reached a complete understanding of the situation.
INT. ST MARY’S HALLAWY DAY
Hope walks down the hallway and is greeted by a stressed Betty who meets her and walks beside her quickly.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Good morning!
NURSE BETTY
(worried) Thank Heavens, you’re finally here.
Mr. Leonard has been having an outburst that
started a few hours ago. Joseph is in his room
now keeping an eye on him. We’ve strapped him
down.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Did you call the on-call physician?
NURSE BETTY
No, we felt like we could keep the situation
under control until you got here.
INT. MR. LEONARD’S HOSPITAL ROOM DAY
Mr. Leonard’s arms and legs are strapped to the bed. Joseph is beside him, trying to calm him with words and checking on the straps when Hope and Betty walk in. Mr. Leonard struggles against the straps as much as he can.
MR. LEONARD
(yelling) Why didn’t you tell me? Why? Let me
out of here. I’ll have you arrested for this.
JOSEPH WALDEN
(checking the straps)(calmly, but loud enough
for Mr. Leonard to hear) Really, Mr. Leonard,
it’s okay. Just calm down because when you’re
calm, then we can get you out of these straps.
Betty and Hope walk in.
JOSEPH WALDEN
(relieved) About time. We’ve got a tranquilizer
I.V. ready to go. Just waiting on the order.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(leans over Mr. Leonard’s bed) Mr. Leonard,
can you tell me what’s going on?
MR. LEONARD
(yelling) He won’t let me out of this bed. He
tied me to this bed and no one told me. Why
didn’t anyone tell me?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(to Joseph) What’s he talking about?
JOSEPH WALDEN
(rolling an I.V. to the bedside) We’ve not been
able to figure that out.
MR. LEONARD
(yelling) Don’t you stick that thing in me.
I mean it. I’ll call the police. Someone
should have told me. Why didn’t someone
tell me?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(to Betty) Has he missed any meds?
NURSE BETTY
We gave him his meds in his juice last night,
but he vomited after taking it. We can’t be sure
what, if any stayed in his system. We had the
same problem this morning. We called the ER
physician last night, but he said it sounded
like a virus that had to run its course.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(to Betty) Get his PCP up here this morning. (to Mr. Leonard)
Betty rushes out of the room. Joseph is continuing to hook
up the I.V.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(continuing)
Mr. Leonard?
MR. LEONARD
(to Joseph who is hooking up an I.V.) Don’t you
do it, I say.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Mr. Leonard, we’re going to have to give you a
tranquilizer to help you calm down a bit so we
can get your meds regulated again and get your
health checked-out.
JOSEPH WALDEN
(turning on the drip) this old man is as
strong as an ox.
INT. ST. MARY’S DAYROOM DAY
Hope walks in and sees the empty chair where Mr. Leonard usually sits speaking to an empty chair. The sunlight shines in on the two empty chairs. Hope looks out the window and sees:
INT. ST. MARY’S GARDENS DAY
It is a bright sunny day and Christina sits quietly on a stone bench looking up at a stone angel. Nurse’s at a nearby table chat, eat, and laugh, but Christina sits alone.
CHRISTINA PRICE
Hello.
Christina says hello to a nurse and a patient who pass, but they do not respond to her. Christina sits quietly again, staring at the stone angel.
INT. ST. MARY’S DAYROOM DAY
Hope watches Christina’s behavior as a young woman, BRITTANY BURR, dressed in a robe, approaches Hope. Hope and Brittany stand, talking by the window.
BRITTANY BURR
Dr. Thomas?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(noticing Brittany) Yes, Brittany.
BRITTANY BURR
I heard about what you wrote to the judge.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
I wish it could be different, Brittany. But,
until you’re stable for any length of time,
I just can’t recommend anything different.
BRITTANY BURR
(crying) But, my kids, Dr. Thomas. They’re gonna take my kids away from me and give them to my mother! I’d rather see my kids stay with some
foster family then go with my mother, Dr. Thomas.
You just don’t understand! Why did you do that?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
I don’t have any control over who the judge gives
your children to, Brittany. Perhaps the attorney
that represents you should speak to the judge.
BRITTANY BURR
(pouting, crying) My attorney doesn’t care about
me or my kids. Court appointed him. He’s not
getting paid, I guess, or maybe he just doesn’t
want to represent me or something. I think he’s feeding information to my mother’s attorney and secretly working for her for kickbacks. He won’t
listen to me, he never has time to talk to me, he
just tells me he’s busy with other cases and
tells me to show up in court. Then he shows up
and when I ask him to explain what’s going on,
he says it doesn’t matter ‘cause I wouldn’t
understand anyway and he just walks off.
(flopping down into the chair were Mr. Leonard
thinks Doris sits) I want to understand, Dr.
Thomas. These are my kids. People think I’m a
bad mother and all, but I love my kids, Dr.
Thomas. I love ‘em. They’re the one good thing
I’ve ever done in my life. The only one.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(sits in Mr. Leonard’s chair, leaning towards
Brittany, sincerely) I know you love your children, Brittany. I never once doubted that.
But, it takes more than just love.
BRITTANY BURR
What do you mean?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Well, I’ve never once heard anyone say that
you’ve ever hit your children.
BRITTANY BURR
(getting angry) No, I don’t hit my children. Who
said that because I’ll go tell them to their
face. I don’t hit my children because I know
what it’s like to be hit when you’re a kid and
I won’t do that to my children.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(calmly) I know. But, there are people that who
have been in here before that have hit their
children but, in some really strange,
dysfunctional way, I think they still loved
their children. What they did was wrong, and
love is no excuse for it, but it’s just that
their love for their child wasn’t enough to
make them a good parent, it didn’t help them
to keep their children safe.
BRITTANY BURR
Do you think I could ever be a good parent?
‘Cause I love my kids, I do! Isn’t that a
good place to start?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
It is a good place to start, but I can’t
prescribe what you really need to make it
work. I can’t manufacture people in your life
who are willing to be as support system for
you, help you do what you’re supposed to,
help you make good decisions and be there
to help pick up the pieces when you make
bad ones. Where’s the children’s father?
BRITTANY BURR
(with attitude) Huh, those losers! Well, my oldest ain’t got a daddy no more ‘cause he died in a motorcycle accident a few years ago. But,
he was never around much anyway. And, my youngest, well, her daddy is either in jail or
strung out somewhere. Only time he comes around is when he wants some, if you know what I mean. The last time I saw him, he told me how worthless I was, (becoming, teary eyed, sad) how I didn’t deserve him or my children. He kept saying what a horrible mother I was. Then, he started hitting me, tried to strangle me. I called the police and they took him away. I think he’s still in jail. (getting angry at all) I’m surprised he got arrested at all ‘cause the police didn’t believe me when I told them what he had done and I had bruises all over me! But, they didn’t take pictures or send to the hospital or nothing. I tell you, the police, it’s like a conspiracy or something, they are only out to serve some people and out to get the rest!
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Do you realize that the court will probably have
someone checking on the kids to make sure they’re okay, wherever they go?
BRITTANY BURR
You mean they’re going to have someone following
them around or something? Like a private detective? ‘Cause my mother needs someone checking on her.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
No, more like a social worker who will make sure
that the children are safe and well taken care
of. Someone who will be on the children’s side.
BRITTANY BURR
Really?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Really. And, maybe, in time, if you’re able to
deal with all the things you need to deal with,
get stabilized, and find that support system to help you outside of this hospital, you can petition the court for the return of your children. But, a support system has to be
in place, it’s crucial for your survival out in
the real world.
BRITTANY BURR
A support system? (excited) Okay, Dr. Thomas,
I’ll go find one! (stands and rushes off)
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(stands and looks out the window at Christina)
(whispering to herself) If only it were that easy.
INT. ST. MARY’S GARDENS DAY
Christina is seen still sitting quietly, alone, staring at the stone angel.
INT. ST. MARY’S HALLWAY DAY
Hope and Betty are talking at the nurse’s desk. Hope is jotting some notes down on a chart.
NURSE BETTY
I’m so glad to see you leaving earlier these
days, spending more time with that family
of yours, having a life outside this place.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
So am I. And, tonight is an important game.
If they win, they go to the championship.
NURSE BETTY
Alright! Well, tell that boy of yours I wish
him luck.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Sure will. Where’s Joseph? (closes the chart)
NURSE BETTY
(leaning forward, whispering) Left early today.
Mentioned something about a ring!
Betty leans back as Hope grins with surprise and interest.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Well, well. (laughs) And, how is Mr. Leonard.
NURSE BETTY
Tranquilizers worked. PCP has ordered a full
battery of tests. He’s calm, but he’s fading
in and out of sleep. He’s having moments of
actual clarity alternated with the usual. We
took the straps off hours ago.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Good. I’ll check on him before I go.
INT. MR. LEONARD’S HOSPITAL ROOM SUNSET
Hope walks in quietly and leans over Mr. Leonard’s bed. He is awake and looking out the window at the setting sun.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Mr. Leonard, how you feeling now?
MR. LEONARD
(turns to Hope, pats her hand, tearfully)
As good as I could be at a time like this, dear.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Well, hopefully, you’ll feel good enough tomorrow
to go back to the dayroom. Everyone missed you
there today.
MR. LEONARD
(sadly) I just haven’t felt much like company.
You understand, don’t you dear?
Hope smiles sweetly as she holds Mr. Leonard’s hand.
MR. LEONARD
(continuing)
(sadly, to the window) I guess I knew it was coming. Just didn’t want to face the obvious. (pause) It took several weeks, you know, but the doctors took real good care of her. (to Hope) I
took her fresh flowers from the garden every day so she’d be able to see how well they were doing. She loved her flower gardens, you know. (pause, to the window, sigh) She was a better wife than I ever could have dreamed of and a fine, fine mother to my boy. But, when she got sick, I guess I just couldn’t think of life without her. They wouldn’t let me stay there with her at night, but I’d go to the hospital every morning with a bouquet of flowers for her bedside and stay until they turned out the lights. The house had never been so quiet. The bed seemed so empty, I couldn’t even sleep in our room. So, I just curled up with a blanket on the couch. It was easier that way. But, when the time finally came, I was right there with her so that she wasn’t frightened. I just held her hand and talked to her, you know, told her I loved her and that it’d be okay, that I’d see her soon, like she could hear me. I think she did. And, I was there holding her hand when my angel went back to Heaven. (to Hope) Doris was a wonderful woman, and she made me feel like the luckiest man in the world. (pause) She had a real nice service. Lots of flowers. She had lots of friends. There were some people she hadn’t heard from or seen in years that remembered her and came to pay their respects. (to the window) Doris would probably have not seen much reason for all the fuss. She was more about visiting and sending flowers while people are still alive, you know. (to Hope) But, people loved her and I guess it seemed easier, somehow, to say our final goodbyes by surrounding ourselves with all the flowers she loved when she was alive. And, now, every time I see fresh flowers, I think of my Doris. I was such a lucky man.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(wiping away tears) Doris sounds like a wonderful
woman, Mr. Leonard, a wonderful woman indeed.
INT. HOPE’S BEDROOM NIGHT
Hope and Michael are sleeping when the phone rings. Hope turns on the table lamp as she reaches from her bed to the phone.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(groggy) Hello.
Hope puts her hand to her mouth and begins to tear as she is on the phone.
INT. MR. LEONARD’S HOSPITAL ROOM NIGHT
Mr. Leonard is seen laying dead on his hospital bed as a white sheet is respectfully and slowly pulled up to cover his head.
INT. CEMETARY DAY
A LARGE GATHERING of people, including Hope and Betty, are standing around Mr. Leonard’s casket as the PRIEST prays. Hope holds a bouquet of fresh flowers. The casket and the ground are covered in flowers as the casket is lowered into the ground. The people, the casket, the flowers, and Hope and Betty’s expressions are shown as:
PRIEST (V.O.)
We pray that he is once again reunited with his wife, Doris, and that the example he set for us all shall always be remembered. May he forever rest in your loving arms. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
The priest is shown making the cross.
PRIEST
(continuing)
Amen.
The crowd is seen shaking hands and giving each other hugs as they walk away from the cemetery plot. Hope gently places a bouquet of fresh flowers at the edge of the plot before standing. The rest of the crowd has now left the plot as Hope and Betty watch the workers shovel dirt onto the casket in the ground.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(looking toward the crowd) I wonder when was the
last time most of them even wondered how Mr.
Leonard was doing or asked someone about him?
NURSE BETTY
(thinking the question strange) Hard to say. I
suppose people deal with change differently,
people get busy with their own lives. (watching
Hope)(pause) What’s on your mind?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(a bit startled) Oh, just wondering what Mr.
Leonard would have thought of all this.
Hope and Betty begin walking off in the opposite direction of the crowd.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(after a few steps, contemplative) All of those times he’d sit in the dayroom and talk to that empty chair as if it were Doris, maybe it was his way of holding on to the only hope he had left. (brightening, smiling) All those stories he shared with us over the years.
NURSE BETTY
(smiling, slight respective chuckle) You know, I’m gonna miss that man.
INT. EVELYN POWERS’ OFFICE DAY
Hope is walking in to Evelyn’s office. Evelyn sits behind her desk as Hope walks in, still in the outfit she wore to Mr. Leonard’s funeral.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
I had a message you wanted to see me. (Hope
stands behind a chair)
EVELYN POWERS
Have a seat.
Hope sits down as Evelyn eyes Hope’s outfit. Hope sits on the edge of the chair, leaning towards Evelyn’s desk.
EVELYN POWERS
(continuing)
You went to the funeral, I see.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Yes, I think it was appropriate considering the
length of time Mr. Leonard has been a patient
in my care.
EVELYN POWERS
(to the computer) You know the rules, Hope. Don’t become personally involved. (pause, to Hope)
However, it probably did make a good impression on the family. I called you in here to talk about Brittany Burr.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
What about her? She’s doing much better since
she’s been back on the ward, taking her meds
regularly. The paranoia is more under control,
at least, controlled enough that it’s possible
to have a rather reasonable conversation with
her.
EVELYN POWERS
I expected as much. You’re good at what you do,
Hope. You’re an asset to these patients. I’ve never denied that, but your judgment isn’t always the best when it comes to other matters.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Meaning?
EVELYN POWERS
Brittany Burr had another appearance in juvenile
court this morning. The Judge terminated all of
her parental rights (emphasizing ‘and’) and put a
permanent no contact order in place so that
Brittany can never see her kids again.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(angry) He can’t do that!
EVELYN POWERS
Well, apparently he can and he did. According
to my sources, he’s actually made this ruling a
small number of previous times and none of them
have been overturned on appeal because his basis
for the ruling is always the same.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(angry) Which is?
EVELYN POWERS
That the children are not only unsafe in the
care of the parent, but that the parent is
unexpected to ever be able to develop appropriate
parenting skills, and because the instability
of the parent is causing irreparable damage to
the emotional well-being of the children. Then,
he finally throws in the unwillingness and inability of the parent to follow the orders of the court and that her very presence being an actual physical risk to the children.
Hope’s expression is one of anger as she searches for words.
EVELYN POWERS
(continuing)
(long exhale) Brittany and her children have had
an on-going case in juvenile court for years,
Hope. And, Brittany has, well, never lived up
to the court’s hopes for her or their standard
of parenting.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(stands and begins pacing)Who made the standards?
EVELYN POWERS
The Judge’s decision is out of your hands, Hope.
However, he did decide that Brittany be allowed
an opportunity to say goodbye to her children.
So, St. Mary’s has agreed that the children will
be brought here, to an empty room where they
won’t encounter any other patients. The
children’s attorney will bring the children
here and the children’s therapist will be present for the meeting. I want you in there as well.
Hope seems surprised at the request and is still angered at the termination.
EVELYN POWERS
(continuing)
(emphasizing) You will be there. That report you
wrote gave the Judge everything he needed for
this decision in one neat little package. He
may have made the decision, but you gave him
the summary he needed to do it.
Hope raises her hands in confusion and surrender.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(as she’s leaving) Fine. I would have been
there anyway.
INT. ST. MARY’S DAYROOM DAY
The dayroom is empty as Brittany kneels by her CHILDREN, ages approximately 7 and 2 years, in the corner of the room, the sun shining in. Hope and the CHILDREN’S THERAPIST look on from nearby. Brittany behaves lovingly and protectively towards the children, but is crying as she speaks but is not touching them.
CHILDREN’S THERAPIST
(whispering to Hope) We’ve laid down some
ground rules for Brittany to follow for this visit.
Hope shakes her head yes as if understanding, but observing Brittany and her children.
BRITTANY BURR
And, I want you both to know that you ain’t done nothing wrong, nothing at all. And, I want you both to remember how much I love you. I really do. And, I’m doing this because I love you and I want you to have a better life then I could ever give you. I don’t want either of you to ever forget your mama. Okay, your mama, that’s me. And, I want you both to be good. Do you understand? I want you to be on your best behavior and do as your told. And, go to school now, I want you to go to school and learn so that you can be really smart (she smiles), you know, a lot smarter than I ever was. (crying again) And, you look out for each other, too, ‘cause that’s what family’s supposed to do. You understand?
The children shake their heads yes as they begin to cry. Brittany then hugs her children, patting them on the back as she says:
BRITTANY BURR
(continuing)
It’ll be okay. You’ll see.
And as Brittany begins to hug the children, the children’s therapist begins to bolt forward, but Hope puts an arm out to stop her.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(whispering to the therapist) They’re safe.
CHILDREN’S THERAPIST
(whispering to Hope) We have the court’s orders.
The children’s therapist goes to Brittany and the children, separating the hug and keeping her hands on the children’s shoulders.
CHILDREN’S THERAPIST
(continuing)
They have to go now, Ms. Burr.
The children’s therapist begins to lead the children away as Brittany, still kneeling, reaches out for them and says:
BRITTANY BURR
No, please, no. Don’t take my babies. Always
remember I love you. Please!
The oldest child breaks free from the therapist just before reaching the door, running back for his mother and hugging her. Hope’s eyes begin to tear as she watches. The younger child, still with the therapist, begins to loudly cry. Brittany continues to hold the oldest child.
OLDEST CHILD
(while holding Brittany)(quietly) I love you,
mama.
BRITTANY BURR
I love you, too, baby. I always will.
Brittany gently ends the hug by pushing the oldest child out of the hug, but holding on to his arms.
BRITTANY BURR
(continuing)
(reassuringly) You’re gonna be okay. You’re
gonna be okay. (wipes her tears and turns the
child around to face the therapist) Do you see
that woman? She’s gonna make sure that you’re
okay, alright? You (crying harder) just go with
her now (swallowing to maintain control) and
everything will be okay.
As the therapist walks over, Brittany gives the oldest child one final hug from behind and kisses him on the forehead.
BRITTANY BURR
(continuing)
I love you, baby. Always remember I love you.
The therapist reaches out her hand for the oldest child, the child takes the hand, and they begin to walk off as the youngest child is still crying loudly and the oldest child is wiping away tears.
BRITTANY BURR
(continuing)
Can I just hold my baby one last time, please?
CHILDREN’S THERAPIST
I can’t, Ms. Burr. It’s the court’s orders.
The children’s therapist walks out with the children as Brittany begins to cry, dropping into the corner as if she has lost everything. Hope goes to Brittany and rubs Brittany’s upper arm in a soothing manner but it doesn’t help calm Brittany.
INT. HOPE’S OFFICE AT ST. MARY’S DAY
Hope is still upset, angry over the termination of Brittany’s parental rights and the last meeting between Brittany and her children. Hope swipes some of the papers and books off of her desk with one swoop. She begins to throw a book into the corner, but stops. Hope then sits in her chair with her head in her hands, slowly lifting her head to see the family photo that now sits on her desk of her, Michael, and the kids. With tears in her eyes, she says:
DR. HOPE THOMAS
What have I done?
INT. ST MARY’S GARDENS DAY
Hope and Christina sit talking on a bench near the angel. Christina, gently leaned toward Hope and comfortable in her position and words, speaks calmly, softly, nurturingly, as if a quiet teacher. Hope sits where Christina usually sits staring at the angel. Christina seems to be teaching Hope.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
What are you thinking when you stare at that angel?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(smiles) She’s made of stone. Her expression
never changes. And, yet, every time you look
at her, you can see a different expression.
Joy, sorrow, despair, hopefulness, they’re all
there in her eyes because it’s what we choose
to see that we’ll find there. It’s a lot like
life.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(curiously) How so?
CHRISTINA PRICE
Not all learning comes from books and classrooms.
People find what we want to find, we see what we
want to see, with few surprises. We set out on
journeys not to learn or explore but to seek out
proof of what we already believe. And, like the
angel, even if it’s not there, we’ll find it,
we’ll see exactly what it is that we want to see.
Hope pauses, studying the angel and thinking as Christina observes her.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(long pause, quietly) And, we believe what we
want to believe.
CHRISTINA PRICE
At times, because it’s easier. At others, because
it fulfills some purpose we may never even
realize we have. Consciously, unconsciously, doesn’t seem to make much difference really.
Whatever the outcome, we continue believing what we want to believe and creating the evidence to support it.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(pause) No matter the cost.
CHRISTINA PRICE
(repeating with emphasis) No matter the cost.
(pause)The people here, their eyes are hollow.
Not because they’re in here. No, they lost that
light long before they came here. It’s like they
were some kind of candle that, little by little,
was extinguished because people believed what
they wanted, judged too quickly, too harshly, saw
what they wanted to see and took the easy path.
Not to say that the patients here don’t have
serious conditions, impairments, problems,
(pause) but think of all that’s been lost because
people only saw what they wanted to see. Within
the people here, the patients, there’s greatness,
there’s kindness and creativity, desires to do
things, desires to learn. Some here probably have
incredible lessons that they’ve learned about
life that they could share, that could teach so much, but they stopped talking about such things long ago because the outside world refused to listen because it only found the evidence of the limitations that they believed existed.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
People have been fighting for years to make the
public understand that many people with mental
illnesses can live productive lives.
CHRISTINA PRICE
And, some have learned. But, many still need to
learn. People spend their lives putting
limitations on their selves and on others, and
they never even realize what they’re doing. It’s
not just the mentally ill that are being judged and having their fates,(emphasizes ‘in part’ with her index finger and slowly speech) in part, decided by total strangers, it’s everyone, drug addicts, alcoholics, the mentally retarded, the regular joes just walking down the street trying to make their way through life. It’s easier,
sometimes, to push away people or stay away from situations so that we don’t have to deal with them, so that we don’t really have to look in to that mirror that shows us who we really are, flaws and all.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(understanding, tearfully) So we can keep on believing what we want to believe.
Christina shakes her head yes.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(continuing)
(wiping away a tear, small laugh) You really
do observe a lot.
Christina smiles.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(continuing)
(tearfully) And, the flaws, all the mistakes?
CHRISTINA PRICE
The ability to learn and change, to fail and succeed, is part of the beauty of being human, probably the best part.
INT. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS MEETING ROOM NIGHT
Hope enters the room were NA meetings are held. There is a circle of fold-out chairs in a large, vacant room. Additional chairs are folded and lined up against the wall. The walls are filled with encouragement posters and the floor is concrete. There is only one person present, the NA COUNSELOR, KEITH, who is laying a flyer in each fold-out chair as Hope walks in.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(nervously) Hi. Uh, I’m not sure who to talk to.
COUNSELOR KEITH
(walks to Hope, the flyers in his hand) Well, I’m
Keith, one of the counselors here. Maybe I can
help you.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(nervously) Oh, one of the counselors. Well,
good. I was hoping to find someone. I mean, oh,
let me start over.
COUNSELOR KEITH
It’s okay, just relax. Most people get a little
nervous when they first come here. Would you like
to sit down? (he motions to the chairs)
DR. HOPE THOMAS
No, (realizing he thinks she’s a client) No, no,
you don’t understand. I’m a doctor.
COUNSELOR KEITH
That’s okay. We have doctors here, too. It’s a
good group. We have rules about privacy, if
that’s your concern.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(nervously laughs) No, you see, um, this isn’t
quite coming out right at all.
COUNSELOR KEITH
(gives her a flyer) I’ve been passing these out
as a reminder when the group gets here. We have
a celebration coming up. One of our members has
been clean sixty days. It hasn’t been easy, but
he did it and he’s been very open about his
experience. He’s invited not only the group, but
friends and family to celebrate with him. We
like these celebrations, it helps the recovery
process, you know. Let’s people know that there are people out there who care about them, support
them. And, it helps other addicts to see that
it is possible to regain control of your life.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Do a lot of people usually come to these
celebrations?
COUNSELOR KEITH
Some addicts have lots of people attend. Some,
well, some aren’t so lucky. Some just have a
small celebration here with the group because
everyone else has turned away from them. Once
an addict, always an addict, but people can
change. But, sometimes, people aren’t willing
to believe that a person has changed.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Or, just not willing to let someone change.
COUNSELOR KEITH
Right. It’s really a shame. Life is so short and so unpredictable, yet look at how we all waste it, addict or not. (pause) (looking about the room) We don’t have much here, but we put it to good use. If you’d like to stay…
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(interrupting) Oh, I’m sorry. I think I’ve given you the wrong impression. I came here hoping to find my sister, Patty. She’s supposed to be coming here. I’m Dr. Hope Thomas. I work over at
St. Mary’s.
COUNSELOR KEITH
(looking at Hope with confusion) Patty?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Yes, she was supposed to be coming here. Look, I know about the confidentiality thing, but I really need to find my sister.
COUNSELOR KEITH
You must not have talked to her lately.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Well, no, no I haven’t, but I hoping to find her
here.
COUNSELOR KEITH
(confused, concerned) Patty hasn’t been here in
months.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(an angry expression) I see. (pause) (angry tone)
Well. Thank you for your help, Keith. (turns to go)
COUNSELOR KEITH
(reaching towards her) No, wait a minute.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(tearfully, angry) You know what, I hope the rest of your group does well. Good luck on your celebration. But my sister never seems to change. I came here hoping that she had finally cleaned up her act and gotten her life together. But, here we are once again. I’m standing here with egg on my face and she’s probably hold up in some back alley somewhere with a needle and a pipe. (turns to leave)
COUNSELOR KEITH
(eagerly) Please, you don’t understand.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(angry) Just stop! I really don’t want to hear any of your NA mumbo-jumbo about how addicts need the support of their families. I’ve had it with her. (turns again to go)
COUNSELOR KEITH
(grabs Hope by the arm)(eagerly) Patty has been trying to contact you.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(removes Keith’s arm, angry) Why, to ask for more
drug money? Some place to stay. That’s all
she’s ever been good for!
COUNSELOR KEITH
(suddenly calm and still) No, because she wanted
to talk to you.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(angry) Why?
COUNSELOR KEITH
(calm) I don’t know. Maybe right the wrongs? But,
you’re wrong about Patty. Of course, I haven’t
seen her in a couple of weeks, but every time
I’ve seen her she’s been doing well.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(angry) But, she’s not going to meetings
anymore? That’s not really a good sign, is it!
COUNSELOR KEITH
(calmly) I didn’t say she wasn’t going to
meetings. I said she hadn’t been here to
this group. A few months ago, a new group
started over on Second Street. It ended up
being mostly people who were brand new to
the recovery process, so the counselor there
wanted someone with some experience, a success
story, you might say, to join the group and
be something of a example. I recommended
Patty because she’s been clean and sober for
over a year now and she’s always been willing
to share her story, pitfalls and successes.
(pause) She’s doing well, Dr. Thomas. (pause)
Actually, she’s been doing really well.
Keith walks off, leaving the room and leaving Hope standing alone near the entranceway considering all she’s learned.
INT. THOMAS’ HOME BACK-YARD/SWIMMING POOL DAY
The kids are playing in the pool, jumping off the sides, splashing, and having fun. Michael is grilling and Hope is setting out condiments on a pool-side table.
JOEY THOMAS
(jumping into the pool, yelling) Geronimo!
HOPE THOMAS
(to Michael) I just felt like such a fool.
MICHAEL THOMAS
Well, there’s gonna be some rough spots. You
and Patty didn’t get to this place in your lives
overnight and you won’t deal with it overnight
either. You’ve got to be open, keep your defenses
down.
TIFFANY THOMAS(V.O)
(to Joey) Yeah, together.
TIFFANY AND JOEY THOMAS (TOGETHER)
(jumping into the pool, yelling) Geronimo!
HOPE THOMAS
Maybe I’m not ready for this. Maybe if I see
Patty now it won’t do anything but set her
back.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(to the kids, playfully yelling) Okay, anyone
who wants a famous Thomas Burger Deluxe needs
to get out of the pool and towel-off.
JOEY AND TIFFANY THOMAS(V.O)
(splashing around) Yeah!
The kids climb out of the pool and begin toweling off poolside.
JOEY THOMAS
Time to eat!
MICHAEL THOMAS
(to Hope) That’s something you have to decide,
Hope. But, Patty did try to contact you.
HOPE THOMAS
Yeah, right before I told her not to contact
me again.
Michael shakes his head in agreement as he begins loading burgers on a platter and the kids sit at the table.
MICHAEL THOMAS
What is that they say, nothing worth doing is
ever easy?
TIFFANY THOMAS
Are the burgers ready?
JOEY THOMAS
Yeah, I’m starving!
Hope laughs at Joey as she takes a seat.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(laughs, playfully yelling) Burgers up! (he takes the burgers to the table and takes a seat) Let’s eat!
INT. HALLWAY OF ST. MARY’S DAY
Hope and Betty are at the nurse’s station as Joseph walks up. Betty takes one chart from Hope and gives her another.
NURSE BETTY
And, this one.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(Hope signs the chart) Any more? (hands it back)
NURSE BETTY
That’s the last one. However, Powers has been
calling down here this morning wanting to know
the diagnosis for Christina Price. Said if the
woman doesn’t need to be here, then you need to
release her because she is taking up a bed and
it’s a non-paying bed at that.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
If Evelyn gives you any headache, send her to me.
I want a few more sessions with Christina before
I make a final decision.
Joseph walks up to the nurse’s station, laying down a chart.
JOSEPH WALDEN
Ladies (smiling), I’d like you both to be the
first to know that I am now off the eligible
bachelor list!
HOPE AND NURSE BETTY
Congratulations.
NURSE BETTY
So, she said yes!
JOSEPH WALDEN
I guess she decided that it would be wise to
marry someone who has an application in for med
school and can cook. (laughs)
DR. HOPE THOMAS
So, how did you pop the question?
JOSEPH WALDEN
At the most expensive restaurant in town that
I could afford working at this place! (pause)
But, really it was nice and she was really
surprised.
NURSE BETTY
Tears?
JOSEPH WALDEN
Oh, we both cried. (pause) But, she said yes.
I guess that’s all that really matters.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Be sure and tell her we send our congratulations.
JOSEPH WALDEN
(as he turns to go) Will do, Doc, will do.
INT. ST. MARY’S DAYROOM DAY
Hope walks in to the dayroom, seeing the empty chair where Mr. Leonard used to sit and seeing Brittany curled up asleep in a nearby chair. Hope goes to the window and looks down into:
INT. ST. MARY’S GARDENS DAY
Christina is seen sitting on the bench staring up at the angel.
INT. CITY PARK DAY
Hope and Abby are walking through the park.
ABBY
I just don’t see what else you could do, especially if she’s made no significant progress. You have no one to release her to, you’re not convinced that that car wreck wasn’t a suicide attempt. I think you’d be liable to let her go yet.
DR HOPE THOMAS
But, Evelyn wants that bed.(pause, angry) Damn, I hate the politics behind what we do. (pause) And, even though I can’t say for sure that it wasn’t a suicide attempt, I also can’t say that it was. I can’t really tell if she wants to live or die. I know no more now than when she was admitted.
ABBY
If Evelyn forces her out, be sure to have her
sign one of those papers where she crosses her
heart and signs a promise that she won’t hurt
herself.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Oh, please. We both know that they’re not worth
the paper they’re written on. They’re just
guarantees that we won’t be sued.
ABBY
What about something like an independent living
facility, just until there’s some proof that
she’s no danger to herself, maybe a social worker
to make sure she gets a job, checks on her
periodically?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Most of them want insurance or cash payment.
The ones that take patients without insurance,
you know, the ones that the State pays for, are
full, with waiting lists. (pause) But, (pause) she’s smart, you know.
ABBY
(sarcastically) You think dumb people have a monopoly on bad decisions, suicide attempts, and mental illness? Hope, you know better than that!
INT. HOPE’S OFFICE AT ST. MARY’S DAY
Hope sits at her desk and unfolds a small piece of paper containing Patty’s name and a number. Hope inhales deeply and picks up the phone.
HOPE THOMAS
(nervously) Uh, yes, is Patty there? (pause) Uh,
she called from this number recently. It was on
the caller ID.(pause) No, I’m her sister, Hope.
Hope hears the called phone hang up and slowly puts her receiver down, crumples up the small piece of paper, and throws it in the garbage.
INT. ST. MARY’S HALLWAY DAY
Hope, Joseph, Evelyn, and Betty are at the nurse’s desk. Evelyn is reviewing a chart.
JOSEPH WALDEN
Well, I for one am glad to see her go. Man,
she’s mean, always going around grimacing at
everybody all the time. She’s just hateful.
NURSE BETTY
Hum. She’s always been nice to me, just not
much to say, you know.
EVELYN POWERS
Well, either way, it’s time for her to leave.
It doesn’t seem that we’re doing much for her
here anyway. She’s just costing us money.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(frustrated) We have patients who spend years here and don’t change much. They’re here because we can keep them stabilized.
EVELYN POWERS
Yes, Hope, but they have diagnoses and insurance and they pay.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(more frustrated) So, this is it. We’re just going to serve the bottom line instead of doing what’s best for the patients who trust us with their lives?
EVELYN POWERS
(closing the chart) As I’ve explained before, this is a business. We have to make ends meet. Our charity ward cannot exceed our funding.
(hands the chart to Hope) Now, she has an address to go to and there’s no reason to keep her here. (begins to walk away, but stops and turns back) Oh, and make sure she signs that form that releases us from liability. Make sure your I’s are dotted and your T’s are crossed. (turns and walks away)
JOSEPH WALDEN
Well, I’ve got more important things to do than
just stand around here. (begins to walk away) I’m
just glad I won’t have to deal with her anymore.
Hope appears worried and angry. Betty gives Hope a comforting expression.
NURSE BETTY
(reassuringly) You know she’ll have a social
worker checking on her for a few weeks.
Hope nods in understanding, but is still frustrated.
INT. CHRISTINA’S HOSPITAL ROOM DAY
Christina is seen standing just inside the door in street clothes, as if she has heard everything just said. She turns toward her bed with a sorrowful, tearful expression on her face. She is by the window when Hope walks in.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(walking in) Knock, knock. (goes to the window)
Got a bunch of paperwork I need you to sign
before we let you escape from this place. (small
laugh)
Christina turns to Hope and slightly smiles, taking the papers from her, pulling the food tray to the bed as she sits on the bed and begins to sign them, not reading them.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
You might want to read those before signing them.
They’re just standard release papers, but still
(pause) always a good practice.
CHRISTINA PRICE
(quietly) I’m sure they’re fine.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
And, uh, there’s one in there saying that you
agreed to work with the social worker like we
talked about and another that, um…
CHRISTINA PRICE
(interrupting) That I won’t hurt myself. I just
saw that one.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(sitting on the bed) We just want to make sure you’re okay.
CHRISTINA PRICE
(quietly) And that I or no one associated with me
will sue you or the hospital. (pause) It’s
standard procedure. I know. You don’t have any
thing to worry about.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
So, your car was totaled. Is someone picking you
up today?
CHRISTINA PRICE
(quietly) No. I’ll just take a cab.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
The social worker will be checking in to some
therapists in the local area who work with
patients without insurance. So, she should be
getting you that information.
CHRISTINA PRICE
(quietly, looking up from the papers) I think
that’s all of them.
Hope shakes her head and picks up the papers.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Well, then, I guess this is it.
CHRISTINA PRICE
(confidant, but quietly, smiling as if she’s heard good news) Yeah, this is it.
INT. SMALL PARKING LOT NIGHT
Hope paces in front of her car in a small parking lot outside of a small, unimpressive building on a city street as she talks on her cell phone.
HOPE THOMAS
I know. I want to talk to her, but I feel like
I’m stalking her or something.
MICHAEL THOMAS(V.O)
(filtered)
(laughs) Well, you kind of are.
INT. THOMAS HOME KITCHEN NIGHT
Michael is seen leaning against the kitchen counter, talking on the kitchen phone as Tiffany gets a glass of water and Joey bounces a soccer ball.
MICHAEL THOMAS
But, if you want to talk to her, this may be the only way you’ll be able to get in touch with her.
Just make sure your safe. The meeting should end
soon and, maybe, you’ll have the chance to talk.
INT. PARKING LOT NIGHT
Hope continues to pace as she speaks on the cell.
HOPE THOMAS
I guess you’re right. I just hope she wants
to talk. She might not want to
INT. THOMAS HOME KITCHEN NIGHT
The kids are out of the room but Michael is still on the phone.
MICHAEL THOMAS
Well, if that’s her choice then you need to
respect her decision. But, take it slow, Hope.
A lot has happened. This probably won’t be
easy and it won’t happen overnight.
INT. PARKING LOT NIGHT
Hope leans against her car, talking on the cell.
HOPE THOMAS
I know.
Hope sees the doors open and people begin to leave.
HOPE THOMAS
(continuing)
The meeting is letting out. I’ll talk to you
later, Michael.
Hope shuts off the phone as she searches with her eyes through the small group, looking for PATTY. Patty separates from a couple of other people and heads for her car alone.
PATTY
(cheerfully, to the small crowd) See you next
time.
Patty walks through the small parking lot, digging her keys from her purse. Hope walks towards her.
HOPE THOMAS
Patty?
Patty turns and sees Hope there. Patty nervously plays with her keys throughout the conversation.
PATTY
(uncertain if she wants to see her) Hope. What
are you doing here?
HOPE THOMAS
(nears Patty) Well, I, uh, well, I was hoping
that we could talk.
PATTY
That’s okay, you made it perfectly clear that
we have nothing to talk about.
HOPE THOMAS
Patty, please. I was upset. (pause) I’d really
like us to sit down and talk.
PATTY
(angry)Why? Why, Hope. Feeling a little low
lately, need to belittle someone to make you
feel better? Need someone to blame for something?
HOPE THOMAS
(confused, angry) Stop being dramatic, Patty. Blame you, that’s crazy. I never blamed you!
PATTY
(angry, sarcastically) Well, what do you call it, Doctor? You’ve always been the one with all the
answers.
HOPE THOMAS
(professionally) Alright, we just need to calm
down here and take a moment.
PATTY
(turning for her car) You take a moment. I’m
leaving.
HOPE THOMAS
Patty, we’re not going to work anything out if
you keep running away.
PATTY
(to Hope) Running away? I wasn’t the one who said
not to call anymore. I’m not the one who’s
avoided my sister most of our lives.
Patty pauses, slaps her hand on the car, and then puts her hand to her forehead. She is tearing, her voice is beginning to crack and her agitation is showing.
PATTY
(continuing)
I’m so tired of this.
HOPE THOMAS
(calmer) Come on, Patty. We’re family.
PATTY
(crying) Family? Family did you say? (laughs
sarcastically) How could you possibly say such
a thing? Family is a bunch of people who care
about you, people who love you, stay in contact
from time to time. (pause)
Hope looks about the parking lot as Patty continues.
PATTY
(continuing)
I don’t have any family. I never have.
HOPE THOMAS
(becoming angry again) Um-huh. Same ol’ Patty.
Still as dramatic as ever.
PATTY
(pause, upset) Dramatic? Well, if that’s what
you want to call it. Whatever. Really doesn’t
matter. It’s always been about you, whatever
you thought, whatever you wanted. Gee, what
has Hope accomplished this week. Let’s all
cheer on Hope. (pause) Nobody had time to
even notice me. It was like I didn’t even exist.
(pause) Well, I guess that’s not entirely true.
After all, dad found time to tell me he wished
I’d never been born and mom always found time to
tell me what a success you were and what a
failure I was. (pause) You weren’t much help. You
never wanted me around, even when we were kids.
All you ever had to say was what an embarrassment
I was to you. I could never do anything right
enough for you or mom and dad. I was never smart
enough, never pretty enough, never athletic
enough, never anything.
Patty pauses as Hope continues to look about the dark, empty parking lot with something of a smirk on her face.
PATTY
(continuing)
But, I’m sure none of you ever remember it that
way.
HOPE THOMAS
(direct) That’s because it didn’t happen that
way, Patty. It’s just something you’ve cooked
up in your imagination. It probably makes for
a good excuse for all the drugs and running
away you’ve done, the mess you’ve made of your
life.
PATTY
(her tears drying, calm) You really don’t get it, do you, Hope? Why do you think I ran away from home so often? Because I felt so good when I was there? Why do you think I started using? ‘Cause I liked how it made me feel? (pause) Come on, Hope,
think about it. I’ve spent nearly every day of my life wishing I had never been born because I felt like that’s what everyone else felt about me. And, I spent a lot of years trying to slowly kill myself. I used drugs to try and mask all of that loneliness and pain. At least I didn’t feel so isolated when I was with other users. (pause) Give me some credit, Hope, for at least recognizing the pain and trying to deal with it. I may have chose a horrible, destructive way to try and do that, but at least on some level I tried. (pause) I’m choosing better ways now.
HOPE THOMAS
(quietly, to Patty) Yeah, I heard you were doing well, really well.
PATTY
Yeah, well, I am, but it’s still hard as hell to
stay away from it. Especially right now. (pause)
I called you because I wanted to try and talk to
you. (pause)But, I really don’t want to anymore.
HOPE THOMAS
(remembering) You were just always so quiet, even
when you were little. You’d just sit there and
play alone. I remember mom saying that you even
learn to count playing solitaire.
PATTY
(calm) And, that doesn’t sound a bit isolated
to you?
HOPE THOMAS
Well, maybe if you had made more of an effort
to be a part of the family.
PATTY
You really haven’t been listening to me, have
you. You’re still blaming me for everything. I
was just a kid, Hope. How come no one reached
out to me? How come no one felt I was worth
saving? (pause) And, that just set the stage
for my life, because no one else thought I was
worth their time all the way through school. It
was like mom and dad sent some message out to
the world, ‘don’t pay any attention to Patty.’
‘Cause whenever I did try to reach out, no one
was there. I wasn’t worth their trouble. (pause)
I’m clean now. I’m in this group, but even they
don’t believe me when I tell them of some of the
things I’ve done. What makes me so unbelievable?
HOPE THOMAS
(pause, tearfully, clearing her throat) I don’t
know. (pause) Do you have a safe place to stay?
PATTY
Yeah.
HOPE THOMAS
If you didn’t, would you tell me?
PATTY
(considering, then directly) No.
Hope shakes her head in understanding.
INT. HOPE AND MICHAEL’S BEDROOM NIGHT
Hope and Michael are lying in bed talking. The table lamp is still on, shedding a small amount of light in the room.
MICHAEL THOMAS
Was it like that when you were kids?
HOPE THOMAS
That’s not really the way I remember it, but
Patty was never really a part, well, she, I
was busy with school and sports and friends.
She was my younger sister. Maybe I never
noticed. Patty was just always the quiet one.
She was around, but I don’t remember her
saying much. It was always like she didn’t
fit in.
MICHAEL THOMAS
(curiously) With the family?
HOPE THOMAS
With anyone. (pause) She never did anything,
she never joined in.
MICHAEL THOMAS
Did anyone ever invite her in, make an effort
to try and get her to socialize more?
HOPE THOMAS
Of course, we did.
MICHAEL THOMAS
Truly?
HOPE THOMAS
Well, I’m sure we did.
MICHAEL THOMAS
How come no one got her help when she was still
young? Before all the drugs and behavior problems.
HOPE THOMAS
(exhales, pause) I don’t know. (pause) She’s
just looking for someone to blame, that’s all.
And, she wants to blame me.
MICHAEL THOMAS
Did she say that she felt like it was your
fault that she ran away or used?
HOPE THOMAS
Not in those exact words, but I know that’s
what she meant. She remembers things the way
she wants to because it justifies her behavior.
MICHAEL THOMAS
Hope. (pause) Truth is relative.
HOPE THOMAS
What?
MICHAEL THOMAS
Even though the two of you were reared in the
same house, you could have had very different
realities. Two people can be in the same room and
witness the same event, and each can see it in
a different way. Truth is relative. Both you and
Patty could be remembering the past accurately,
you just view it differently.
HOPE THOMAS
Because it suits Patty’s purpose, because she
needs to see the past a certain way.
MICHAEL THOMAS
And, because you need to see the past a certain
way (pause) because it suits your purpose.
Hope’s expression is one of confusion and consideration.
INT. CITY PARK DAY
Hope and Patty are seen sitting on benches across from each other in the city park. At times, their expressions are ones of anger, other times they shake their heads in denial as they mouth a conversation.
INT. SMALL PARKING LOT NIGHT
Patty is seen walking out of the building where the NA meetings are held. Hope waits for her in the parking lot, holding up an offer of a cup of coffee. They smile slightly at each other.
INT. SOCCER FIELD DAY
Hope, Michael, and Tiffany, and Patty are seen cheering on Joey.
INT. THOMAS HOME KITCHEN DAY
The family is seen eating breakfast together. Michael jokingly steals a muffin off of Tiffany’s plate, but she laughs at it and a platter full of muffins is still on the table.
INT. ST. MARY’S DAYROOM DAY
Hope walks in the dayroom. Brittany is sitting in a chair by the window, curled up in a ball, and looking downward. Betty is picking up some magazines that were lying on a table near where Hope walks in. There is a storm outside.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(quietly) Hey, how she’s doing?
NURSE BETTY
(whispering) We’ve been keeping a really close
eye on her like you asked. She’s gone downhill
so fast over the past few weeks.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Ever since she lost her kids.
NURSE BETTY
That was all she ever really had that kept her
going. Strange thing is, I should be hoping that
her hallucinations and delusions are at a
minimum. But, I keep finding myself hoping that
she’ll think she hears or sees the kids telling
her she loves her or something, just some little
something to brighten her up a bit.
Hope shakes her head in agreement and then walks to Brittany, taking a seat across from her.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Brittany, how you feeling today?
BRITTANY BURR
Fine.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(disbelieving) Fine, huh?
BRITTANY BURR
My kids, Dr. Thomas. I lost my kids. (tears
begin) I had to tell ‘em goodbye, Dr. Thomas,
and I can’t remember if I told ‘em I loved
‘em or not. I can’t remember if I told my
babies that I love them more than anything.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
You told them, Brittany. You did. I was there.
I remember.
BRITTANY BURR
I did?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Yes.
BRITTANY BURR
That was the last time I’ll ever see them. I’ll
never see my babies grow up, never see them learn
to drive. (pause, calmly) Was I in my right mind
when I said goodbye to them, Dr. Thomas? Was I?
I need you to tell me the truth now. I need to
know if my babies are just gonna remember their
mama as some crazy lady. (tearing up again) I
just want them to remember how much I love ‘em
both.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
You did good, Brittany, when you told them
goodbye. You told them to behave and be smart.
You did well.
BRITTANY BURR
Do you think they know, Dr. Thomas? Do you
think they’ll remember their mama?
DR. HOPE THOMAS
(uncertain what to say) I’m sure they will.
INT. ST. MARY’S HALLWAY DAY
Hope walks up to the nurse’s desk.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Can I have Brittany’s chart, please?
NURSE BETTY
Sad case, isn’t she? She’ll probably be here
for the rest of her days.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
Probably. Were you able to get hold of the
social worker with Christina Price’s case?
NURSE BETTY
Talked to her a few minutes ago.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
And, how’s she doing?
NURSE BETTY
No idea. Social worker made a few home visits,
but never got an answer. Left her business card
but never got a call. She’s having to close her
case today for lack of activity. To make sure
she covered all her bases, though, she called
the landlord this morning to see if Christina
still rented the address.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
And?
Joseph walks up to the nurse’s desk, laying down a chart.
NURSE BETTY
She hasn’t rented from there in years. Landlord
didn’t even remember her, had to look up the
file. Never had any problems with her as a
tenant, though.
DR. HOPE THOMAS
So does anyone have any idea where Christina
Price went when she left here or where she
is now, if she’s alive or dead, anything?
Betty shakes her head no.
INT. CITY PARK DAY
Hope and Patty are walking through the city park. Although they are civil, they’re still getting to know each other.
PATTY
Don’t you find it hard to deal with
everyone else’s problems?
HOPE THOMAS
Well, I don’t really deal with them, I just
help the patients learn to deal with their
own problems.
PATTY
But, don’t you get attached or depressed or
something from dealing with all of this
every day?
HOPE THOMAS
No, not really. That’s something you learn not
to do early on in your career. Otherwise, you’d
just end up driving yourself crazy. The hardest part is dealing with all the red tape that doesn’t really have anything directly to do with patient care. (pause) Sometimes, you just have to let go.
PATTY
(sincerely) I’m sure you’re really good at
what you do. I know the patients appreciate you,
even if they’re not able to tell you.
HOPE THOMAS
(sincerely, somewhat surprised) Thanks, Patty.
The two walk along quietly for a moment.
PATTY
I asked you here today, Hope, to tell you some
news.
HOPE THOMAS
Oh, good news, I hope.
PATTY
I think so. I’ve got a new job lined up. I’ve
been good at saving my tips, so the move
shouldn’t be too hard for me. But, it’s a
better job, a lot better money. I’ll be the
receptionist in a small insurance office. One
of the counselors I’ve been working with at
the meetings knew someone who knew someone
who helped me get the job. And, I’ve mailed in
an application to a community college near the
office so I can take some night classes.
HOPE THOMAS
(impressed) That’s great, Patty. It really is.
PATTY
(quietly) I know. I know. I’m a little nervous,
but I’m really excited about it. I think a change
will do me good.
HOPE THOMAS
(sincerely) I’m really proud of you. I never
gave you enough credit for all your strength.
Hope and Patty stop walking, but stand facing each other.
PATTY
There’s just one more thing. Um, the job is out
on the coast, so I won’t be around here anymore.
I’ve been wanting a fresh start for a while now,
and I think this is it.
HOPE THOMAS
(disappointed) Oh. I guess we won’t be seeing
much of each other anymore. (pause) Well, I
guess there’s always the telephone and letters.
PATTY
(uncertain) Sure, maybe even a holiday now and
then once I get on my feet.
HOPE THOMAS
Wow. I feel like I’ve just started to get to know
my sister, and now you’re leaving to start a new
life.
PATTY
We still have a long way to go. It’s been hard, you and me, but I’m really glad that we took this chance to try and talk some things through. I mean, it’s not like we’re the best of friends or anything; maybe we never will be. But, I’d still like to stay in touch, keep talking. Who knows, maybe in time, we’ll actually be family.
HOPE THOMAS
(tearfully) I’d like that. I really would.
PATTY
(tearfully, begins to laugh) Hey, at least I didn’t kill myself before we decided to take this chance. That would of kind of ruined our chances.
HOPE THOMAS
(grimacing) Oh, don’t even joke about that. We wasted too much time already; we waited much too long, much too long.
Hope and Patty tearfully embrace.
HOPE THOMAS
(continuing)
(while embracing)And, I’ll never make that mistake again.
PATTY
(while embracing) Me, either.
Hope and Patty laugh as they dry tears and then begin to walk on.
THE END
written by Debra Phillips
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons or situations is unintentional and coincidental.
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