Friday, May 7, 2010

Act I :: Scene II

Setting: The hospital. Kristin is hooked up to several machines; she is in a coma. Alex, Cora, and Casey are in the waiting room; Alex is sitting in a chair, Cora is leaning against a wall, and Casey is pacing back and forth. All look distressed.

Casey:
This is crap! We can't just sit here and let her be unconscious! Aren't either of you guys worried about her at all?!

Cora: [growls, gets in Casey's face]
You think I'm not worried?! This is all your fault! Had you not--

Casey: [voice escalating]
My fault?! Really?! Do we have to blame anyone?!--

[The two began a heated argument, until Alex stands up]

Alex:
Enough! Guys, we're not helping anything here by pointing fingers and letting our dislike of one another get in the way. Our friend is lying in a coma. It sucks, but all we can do is wait to hear what's going to happen so let's just sit down and be mature about this. Alright?

[Cora and Casey look at him, then glance at each other and begin fighting again. Alex sighs and sits back down, mindlessly playing with his phone or iPod Touch. A doctor walks in after about 5 minutes.]

Doctor: [looks at Cora and Casey, who are still arguing. Then approaches Alex]
Are you here for...

Alex: [stands up and walks over to Doctor]
Is she going to be alright?

Doctor:
Well, kid, I'm not going to lie. It was touch and go for a while there, and she's still in a coma--

Alex: [agitated]
Will she be alright?

Doctor: [sighs]
In time. Right now, the stress of the accident and the surrounding elements of which she has put herself [glances at Cora and Casey] are causing her brain to be dormant, but she is still alive. I'd give it about...well, there is no period of time I could give this. Now are any of you related to her?

Alex:
No, sir, we're all just friends.

Casey: [stops arguing]
Actually, I'm her boyfriend.

Alex: [rolls eyes, mumbles]
Always a one-up guy...

Casey: [snarls at Alex, then to Doctor]
Is there anything--anything at all, that we could do for her?

Doctor:
Just stay by her side. When she wakes up, there is a good chance she won't remember much about herself. You could help her.

Alex:
Don't worry, sir. We will.

Doctor:
Excellent. [pager beeps] Ah, another trauma. I'll be checking in with all of you again in a few days with her progress.

Alex, Cora, Casey: [in unison]
Thank you.

[Doctor walks away. Casey sighs, placing his hands behind his head. Cora sits against a wall. Alex sits in a chair, staring at the ground]

[END SCENE II]