OPEN CURTAIN
|
Elderly man:
|
Stops at receptionist's counter.
My name's Carlson. I have an appointment for 1:00 pm.
|
|
Receptionist:
|
(Smiling)
Yes sir. Please have a seat, it'll only be a few moments.
|
|
Elderly man:
|
(Scans the room. Walks to far corner and sits down. Checks his watch. He continues to watch kids squabbling in play area. Checks watch again, impatiently.)
|
|
Mother #3:
|
(Door to rear area opens and receptionist calls out a name. Mother #3 takes her little girl into the back.)
|
|
Elderly man:
|
(Checks his watch again. Unsuccessfully tries to catch eye of receptionist. Shakes his head.)
|
|
|
(One of the children throws a toy, almost hitting the man.)
|
|
Elderly man:
|
Excuse me.
(Attempts to catch the mother's attention)
(Louder.)
Excuse me!
|
|
Mother #1:
|
(Finally looks at the man.)
|
|
Elderly man:
|
Would you mind controlling your kid? I don't appreciate things being thrown at me.
|
|
Mother #1:
|
(Gives the man a 'what's your problem look')
He's just being a little boy.
|
|
Elderly man:
|
Well he's not at home now.
(He scowls and refuses to return the toy, placing it on the table beside him. Checks his watch again. Door to rear area opens. Man starts to get up.)
|
|
Receptionist:
|
(Receptionist calls out the boy's name.)
|
|
Mother #1:
|
(Mother takes her boy into the back.)
|
|
Elderly man:
|
(Man sits back down visibly disappointed.)
|
|
Mandy:
|
(Walks up to the Elderly man and stares at him. Says nothing.)
|
|
Elderly man:
|
(He appears uneasy.)
What?
|
|
Mandy:
|
My name is Mandy.
|
|
Elderly man:
|
That's nice.
(He looks towards the mother hoping she will call the child.)
|
|
Mandy:
|
I'm going to see the dentist. Are you going to see the dentist?
|
|
Elderly man:
|
(Just nods.)
|
|
Mandy:
|
Do you have holes in your teeth? I have holes in my teeth.
(She opens her mouth real wide for the man to see.)
|
|
Elderly man:
|
(Purses his lips but says nothing. Becoming annoyed.)
|
|
Mandy:
|
My mom says I eat too much candy. Are you allowed to eat candy?
|
|
Elderly man:
|
(Looks towards the mother whose face is buried in a magazine. He nods again.)
|
|
Mandy:
|
Can you take your teeth out to brush them? My granny is old like you. She can take her teeth out. Can you take your teeth -?
|
|
Mother #2:
|
Mandy, come over here.
|
|
Elderly Man:
|
(Sighs a relief as the little girl leaves. Checks his watch again. Gets up and walks to receptionist's counter.)
Excuse me.
(He waits until she acknowledges him.)
I'm still waiting.
(He taps his watch.)
|
|
Receptionist:
|
It'll only be another few minutes, sir.
|
|
Elderly man:
|
(He shakes his head impatiently, and then returns to his seat.)
|
|
|
(Door to the street opens and a native man enters.)
|
|
Receptionist:
|
(Big smile.)
Hello Mr. Brown. Just go ahead and take a seat.
|
|
Native man:
|
(Walks past several vacant chairs to where the elderly man sits.)
Can I sit here?
|
|
Elderly man:
|
(Reluctantly moves his coat.)
|
|
Native man:
|
(Sits with great difficulty - arthritis.)
|
|
Elderly man:
|
(Picks up a tattered magazine.)
You'd think with what we have to pay for dental work they could afford some newer magazines, wouldn't you?
|
|
Native man:
|
(Says nothing but smiles wide enough to show a shiny gold tooth.)
|
|
Elderly man:
|
(Sees gold tooth. Leans forward to see it better.)
Must be nice to be able to afford gold teeth.
(He mutters to himself while thumbing through the magazine back to front. Checks his watch again.)
(Gets up and walks to receptionist's counter.)
(Stern voice.)
This is getting ridiculous. I've been sitting here for almost twenty minutes.
|
|
Receptionist:
|
I'm sorry sir, but the doctor was a little late getting back from lunch.
|
|
Elderly man:
|
You noticed that I was here on time.
(He shakes his head sarcastically, and then returns to his seat where the native man is now reading the magazine.)
Do you mind?
(He takes the magazine back and drops into his seat, shaking his head.)
|
|
Native man:
|
(Just smiles, not bothered by the other man's actions.)
|
|
Elderly man:
|
Why do they give you an appointment time and then totally ignore it?
(He continues flipping through the magazine.)
(The door to the rear opens again. He gets to his feet.)
|
|
Receptionist:
|
Mr. Brown. Please.
|
|
Native man:
|
(Flashes a toothy grin and heads for the door.)
|
|
Elderly man:
|
(Heads for the receptionist's counter.)
I was here before that man.
|
|
Receptionist:
|
Well his appointment was before yours, sir.
|
|
Elderly man:
|
Maybe, but I was here on time so I should have gone first.
|
|
Receptionist:
|
I understand that, sir. But we have to follow the order in the appointment book.
|
|
Elderly man:
|
(Sarcastically)
But that doesn't include staying on time.
(He returns to his seat.)
|
|
|
(Door to the street opens)
|
|
Mother #4:
|
(Mother #4 with baby in arms and two boys enters.)
|
|
Elderly man:
|
Oh great! More brats!
(He shakes his head in disgust.)
|
|
|
(The two boys head for the play area.)
|
|
Mother #4:
|
(Speaking to the man.)
Pardon me?
|
|
Elderly man:
|
I hope your kids are better -
|
|
|
(Door to the rear suddenly opens.)
|
|
Mother #1:
|
(Mother #1 and her boy come through door and heads for street door. The boy sticks out his tongue at the man.)
|
|
Receptionist::
|
(Motions to man.)
Mr. Carlson, you're next.
|
|
Elderly Man:
|
(Jumps up.)
Thank God! I never thought I'd actually be happy to see a dentist's chair.
|
CLOSE CURTAIN
|
