Here's a scene from my House spec, as promised. This should make Christopher happy. The husband, Jacob, has MS and is in a wheelchair. The wife, Amanda, is the patient and nobody knows what to do with her as usual. Foreman has been having constant problems with the husband's attitude.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
Foreman checks Amanda's vitals as Jacob looks on. Amanda watches carefully everything Foreman does.
AMANDA
So what do you think I have?
FOREMAN
We're honestly not sure. We've stopped the seizures, but we still don't know why they happened.
AMANDA
Or why I turn into a lunatic at regular intervals.
FOREMAN
That too. What we really need is a biopsy.
JACOB
A biopsy? You want to cut into her brain? Why?
FOREMAN
This problem is very likely neurological-
JACOB
Like what?
FOREMAN
Well, there's a possibility that it could be brain cancer.
JACOB
No.
Amanda drops her eyes and stares at her hands.
JACOB
No, she has MS. She needs a spinal tap. I want another opinion. Where is Dr. House?
FOREMAN
Dr. House believes her disorder is centered in the brain. He's the one who ordered the biopsy.
JACOB
Then I think-
AMANDA
I meant, what do you think I have, Dr. Foreman?
Foreman stops short and chuckles a little.
FOREMAN
I think it has something to do with the headaches you've been getting lately.
JACOB
Headaches? What headaches?
AMANDA
(to Foreman)
How did you know about that?
FOREMAN
How long have you been having them?
JACOB
You've been getting headaches? Why didn't you tell me? I could have taken care of you.
Amanda grabs Jacob's hand.
AMANDA
I was having trouble seeing. Like double vision or something. It was making my head hurt. I probably just need a new contact lens prescription.
JACOB
Double vision is a sign of-
FOREMAN
MS, I know. But it could also be a sign of a neurological disorder. Or it could be a result of an old prescription. Or it could be a coincidence.
JACOB
Why won't you help my wife?
AMANDA
Jacob...
FOREMAN
Only one person in this room has a medical degree.
Jacob rolls up close to Foreman. Amanda breathes heavily.
AMANDA
Dr. Foreman...
JACOB
I am not going to watch her go through what I went through! I am not going to let some Affirmative Action hiring paralyze my wife!
AMANDA
Jacob stop.
FOREMAN
Affirmative Action? If anybody here has been given special privileges, it's the cripple with the-
Jacob socks Foreman in the gut. As Foreman doubles over in surprise, Jacob reaches out and punches him in the jaw. Out of instinct, Foreman pulls back his fist and punches Jacob, knocking him over.
JACOB
You son of a bitch!
Foreman pulls his fist back and stares at it in surprise. He leans over and offers his hand to Jacob.
FOREMAN
Look, I didn't...
JACOB
Get away from me! You are so getting sued.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Feels like an episode of House.
ReplyDeleteI could almost see the fade to black and hear the commercials kick in on the line "You are so getting sued."
It's good that you said that. That was my Act 2 break.
ReplyDeleteOne friend of mine makes fun of me because she says I always go to commercial on a fistfight.
heh heh. I'm easy to please.
ReplyDeleteGreat exchange. I've only seen two eps of House, so I would be a bad judge. Instinctually it felt right to me!
I coulda swore the dude was going to inevitably explode when he got punched. Ha.
I'll shut up now.
That is the awesome sauce!
ReplyDeleteExcellent stuff, Emily. Really involving. Certainly feels like the 'real thing' for want of a better phrase.
ReplyDeleteGood scene! Thanks for posting it.
ReplyDelete