PASSAGES - EPISODE 5, ACT 5

[kashiwrites]

Previous: Episode 5, Act 4


V.A) HOSPITAL NURSES’ STATION. Joanna and Nelson as before.


NELSON – Paige has asked Kyle if he’s married?

JOANNA – Yes. And I’m completely mortified.

NELSON – Oh Joanna, I hardly think it’s anything to worry about. I’m sure the boy was flattered.

JOANNA – He was very kind about it. But how else could he be? He’s clearly not interested in her, but naturally he’d try not to hurt her feelings. I just can’t believe Paige was so forward.

NELSON – But aren’t modern young women supposed to be as "forward" as young men these days?

JOANNA – Nelson, we are talking about a high school girl and a working professional man. That alone should make you nervous. And however much women have advanced, it’s still the young woman who risks the most in an ill-advised relationship.

NELSON – "Risks"...? But I thought you said Kyle wasn’t interested. I should think Paige is only risking a little rejection.

JOANNA – Maybe this time. But if she develops bad habits now, who knows what kind of trouble she could get into the next time.

NELSON – But how else is she to learn except by trying her wings and maybe experiencing a couple of rejections? It might actually do her some good if Kyle would –

JOANNA – Shh! Here they come!

(KYLE AND CONNOR APPROACH THE NURSES’ STATION)

CONNOR – Hi, Doctor Collier.

NELSON – Hi, Connor, what brings you here today?

CONNOR – I wanted to say hello to my mother, but I can’t find her.

NELSON – Sorry you made the trip. She isn’t in till later this afternoon.

CONNOR – That does explain the empty office. Maybe I’ll drop in for lunch so she can make it up to me.

JOANNA – That sounds familiar. The joys of motherhood.

CONNOR – Oh, I’ll contribute to the meal, never fear. I’ll bring the sprouts.

JOANNA – Oh, well then...

CONNOR – Which means I’d better be off, since the morning is almost over. It was nice to see all of you again.

NELSON – And you, Connor. I need to get to a couple more patients myself. Say hello to your family for me. (EXITS DOWN THE HALL)

CONNOR – So, I’ll see you sometime, Mrs. Collier. And it was good to run into you again, Kyle.

KYLE – You too.

(CONNOR EXITS BY WAY OF THE ELEVATOR. KYLE WATCHES HIM GO AND CONTINUES STARING AT THE ELEVATOR DOOR EVEN AFTER HE IS GONE.)

JOANNA – Well, Kyle, I’m glad you’ve met Connor. I think you could use a few more friends. And Connor Hollister is a very nice person. Don’t you think so?

KYLE – (PAUSE) Yes. I do. (COMES TO HIMSELF; REALIZES HOW INTENTLY HE’S BEEN STARING.) Yes, I do, but now I’ve got to follow your husband’s example and get to some patients. I’ve got some meds to do before lunch.

(EXITS AS JOANNA REACHES TO ANSWER A PHONE)



V.B) HOLLISTER KITCHEN. Moira still sits at the table, updating files. Ian goes in and out a couple of times, whistling. He goes to the fridge and pours a glass of juice.


MOIRA – It’s lunch time, Ian. Why don’t you make yourself a sandwich?

IAN – D’you want one too?

MOIRA – So long as you make mine a little healthier than yours is going to be.

IAN – What – all sprouts and dirt?

MOIRA – Don’t forget the bark.

IAN – (GRINS) What if I sneak in a slice of processed cheese?

MOIRA – I’d disown you.

IAN – I’ll remember that. (STARTS DIGGING OUT SANDWICH MATERIALS AND MAKING THE SANDWICHES. THERE ARE VOICES OUTSIDE THE DOOR, AND DAWN, PENNY, AND BARB ENTER)

DAWN – Hi, mom. We brought Barb for lunch. We’re going to have a strategy meeting. Do you mind?

MOM – Not at all. Hi, Barb.

BARB – Hi Doctor Hollister.

MOIRA – How did your visit go, Dawn? With Blythe Chambers?

DAWN – It was okay. I’ll give you the details later. But she wants me to come back. She says she wants to show me something. She claims she can justify killing animals for their fur, on other grounds than mere greed.

MOIRA – That should be interesting.

DAWN – It’ll be ludicrous. There’s no conceivable justification.

IAN – That’s what I’ve always loved about you, Dawn. Your open mind.

BARB – Hi, Ian. How’re you doing?

DAWN – You know each other?

BARB – He fixes my car. Frequently.

IAN – So, Penny. How’s the family jailbird? I can’t believe I missed the adventure.

PENNY – Oh Ian, it really wasn’t an adventure, believe me. It was a nightmare.

IAN – But it’ll be something to tell your grandchildren about. It’ something to tell me about. What was it like in the clink?

PENNY – Cold.

IAN – That’s it?

PENNY – I wasn’t there very long.

IAN – Did you meet any…disreputable women? Could’ve been a great career opportunity, Pen.

DAWN – Oh Ian, show some couth, why don’t you?

IAN – I was just joking.

PENNY – I’m afraid I’m not in a joking mood. (SPOTS THE FOLDED NEWSPAPER ON THE TABLE) I imagine you’ve seen the article. And the picture.

IAN – You’re famous.

MOIRA – Have you had a lot of negative reaction to it?

PENNY – Not yet. But Professor Patel was enough. She thinks it was disgraceful that I 'wasn’t behaving objectively,' and that I 'espoused a violent cause' while I was supposed to be an objective student of politics and a representative of the university. That sort of thing. She wouldn’t even stay to listen to my explanation.

MOIRA – Maybe you should make an appointment to discuss it with her.

PENNY – Maybe I will. I just hope Ashwin can persuade her to listen.

DAWN – Gods, what a wretched few days it’s been!

IAN – What an adventurous few days. I feel left out. Nothing happens to me.

DAWN – Believe me, Ian, if I could tear this last week out of my life and dump it on you, I would do it!

PENNY – Ditto.

BARB – Same here.

PENNY – And now I just want to stop talking about it. I feel like if I talk about it for thirty more seconds I’m going to start screaming and tearing out my hair.

DAWN – You know, I agree. Let’s drop it and talk about something nice for a while.

MOIRA – Very well. Consider the subject dropped. Alright, Ian?

IAN – Oh, alright. So, Penny. How’s the weather? (A GENERAL LAUGH)

(CONNOR OPENS THE DOOR AND COMES IN)

CONNOR – Well, hi, all. Mind if I join in the family gathering?

MOIRA – Come in, come in. Join the party.

(CONNOR SITS AT THE TABLE AND PICKS UP THE PAPER)

CONNOR – Gods, Penny. What is this? You – in jail? What have I missed?

PENNY – I can’t stand this. Good-bye. (EXITS HASTILY)

DAWN – Me either. C’mon, Barb. (THEY EXIT. CONNOR IS LEFT STARING, DUMBFOUNDED, AT MOIRA AND IAN)


Next: Episode 6