Come Find Me by Erin Mallon

Author:Erin Mallon [Mallon, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 55537031
Publisher: #PrB.rating#4.41
Published: 2020-10-28T00:00:00+00:00

SCENE SEVEN

An examination room.

Henry: Dr. Cotton. Hello.

Margot: I’m not Doctor Cotton.

Henry: No no. I meant “I am Doctor Cotton. Hello.”

Margot: (imitating him)

“And I am joking with you. Hello.”

Henry: Ah. Hello.

Margot: Hello.

Silence.

Well we’ve certainly said hello. What exciting thing is going to happen next I wonder?

He reads her file.

Margot: I like your moustache.

Henry: Do you?

Margot: No. Your moustache is a monstrosity. Slimy hair positioned directly above a man’s mouth? Are we trying to torture women? Oh, right, we are. How does your wife feel about that slippery upper lip atrocity you call a fashion statement?

Beat.

Henry: If you’ll allow me to ask the questions, I think you’ll find things will move along more smoothly.

Margot: Of course, Henry.

Henry: Doctor Cotton will do.

Margot: Dr. Cotton will do what?

Henry: What?

Margot: What?

Henry: I meant that you are not to call me Henry. Doctor Cotton will do.

Margot: Doctor Cotton will do what?

Henry: DR COTTON WILL DO WHATEVER HE DAMN WELL PLEASES SO YOU SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH!

Silence.

Margot: You have a wonderful bedside manner.

Henry: If you’ll excuse me a moment.

He turns his back to her.

He feels the pulse at his wrist a few moments.

Then the pulse at his throat.

When he’s done, he glances down at her file.

Margot: You alright Doctor?

Henry: Mrs. Andrew McGuire. 37 years old.

Margot: I thought you were Doctor Cotton.

Henry: (warning)

Mrs. McGuire...

Margot: Margot will do.

Beat.

Henry: Very well. How many pregnancies have you had?

Margot: Oh, we’re getting right to it, aren’t we. Nine.

Henry: Nine??

Margot: That’s what I said.

Henry: And how many of those pregnancies resulted in live birth?

Margot: Seventy-five.

Beat.

Seeing if you’re paying attention.

Henry: Please be accurate.

Margot: Zero.

Henry: Zero.

Margot: That’s right.

Henry: Zero live births after nine pregnancies.

Margot: That’s what I said. All of this information should be there in my file, no?

Henry: Yes, I’m sure it is. I’m simply trying to... connect with you on a – a – a -

Margot: A human level? That’s so nice, Henry. We human women thank you for that.

Beat.

Henry: Mrs. McGuire, I am a holistic doctor. Meaning I treat the whole person.

Margot: Thank you for explaining that.

Henry: So, yes of course I can refer to your files, but I’d like to take you in as a whole. Look in your face. Hear your voice. Watch your breath.

Margot: Buy me a drink? Share me a smoke? Take me on a long walk down a short pier?

Henry: What did you do to create that outcome?

Margot: Which outcome? The zero live births?

Henry: Yes.

Margot: Not a thing.

Henry: If I asked Mr. McGuire the same question, would his answer align with yours?

Margot: Hard to say. Bit of a liar, that one.

Beat.

Henry: How would you describe your mental hygiene?

Margot: Clean. Serene. Pristine.

Henry: Please take this seriously.

Margot: I apologize.

She makes a serious face.

Henry: When would you say your troubles began?

Margot: The day I walked in here. Forgive me – the day I was dragged in here. There wasn’t much walking happening. (quick beat) You asked me to be accurate.

Henry: Mrs. McGuire –

Margot: Margot.

Henry: I think we both know that your psychotic episodes began when you reached puberty.

Margot: Do we both know that?

Henry: We do.

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