Thought I’d chime in – almost never seem to have time …<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
INT. – DOCTOR’S OFFICE – DAY<\/p>\n
We see DR. BEN SKINNER, 40s, thin with a dark tan leaning back in a leather chair.\u00a0 Across the desk from him, CORA APPLEGATE, 30s, very large nose, shuffles through a pile of photographs.\u00a0 She scans each carefully, then discards it and moves on.\u00a0 Finally she grips one very tightly and glances up.<\/p>\n
CORA<\/p>\n
This is it!\u00a0 This is the one.<\/p>\n
DR. SKINNER<\/p>\n
You’re sure?\u00a0 Despite the antics of the late Mr. Jackson, this isn’t something you can revisit endlessly.<\/p>\n
Cora holds the picture up beside her face and holds a mirror up to show her the reflection.\u00a0 She stares into the mirror, and then nods.\u00a0 Reflected in the mirror is a picture of a woman’s face beside hers.\u00a0 The woman’s nose is decidely smaller.<\/p>\n
DR. SKINNER (CONT’D)<\/p>\n
We can, of course, write this off as work on your sinuses.\u00a0 With your record...<\/p>\n
CORA<\/p>\n
My insurance would pay?<\/p>\n
DR. SKINNER<\/p>\n
That depends.<\/p>\n
CORA<\/p>\n
On what?<\/p>\n
Dr. Skinner turns away for a moment so she can’t see his expression.<\/p>\n
DR. SKINNER<\/p>\n
There are...complications.\u00a0 The new health care, you understand?<\/p>\n
CORA<\/p>\n
But...I kept my health care. I’m not on the public plan.<\/p>\n
DR. SKINNER<\/p>\n
Still...see Jennifer in reception.\u00a0 She’ll take you where you need to go.\u00a0 I’m sure we’ll be beyond the unpleasantness shortly and on to a more beautiful you...<\/p>\n
Cora rises and exits the room. Dr. Skinner sits and watches her.<\/p>\n
CORA<\/p>\n
Thank you, Doctor.<\/p>\n
DR. SKINNER<\/p>\n
Call me Ben.<\/p>\n
Cora exits the room.<\/p>\n
CUT TO:<\/p>\n
INT. RECEPTION – DAY<\/p>\n
Cora stands nervously in front of a desk. Behind it JENNIFER, 20s, two-tone hair and too much gum, scans data on a computer monitor.<\/p>\n
CORA<\/p>\n
Dr. Skinner said that I should see you ... that you’d show me where I needed to go.<\/p>\n
Jennifer looks up and gives Cora a once over, then pops her gum and rises.<\/p>\n
JENNIFER<\/p>\n
Follow me.<\/p>\n
Jennifer leads Cora down a hallway.\u00a0 She opens a door and holds it for Cora, who enters.<\/p>\n
JENNIFER (CONT’D)<\/p>\n
The Doctor will be with you shortly.<\/p>\n
FADE TO:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
INT. WHITE ROOM – DAY<\/p>\n
Cora enters a room and glances around.\u00a0 There are three other women present, GWEN, 40s, extremely obese, Patty, 30s, thin and very small breasted, and AGNES, 50s, wrinkled and frowning.\u00a0 A bright light flashes on, and a speaker hums.<\/p>\n
DR. SKINNER (O.S.)<\/p>\n
Welcome ladies. Please, line up against the back wall.\u00a0 You’ll find numbers on the table.\u00a0 Each of you must choose one.\u00a0 It makes no difference which you choose, it’s for identification and anonymity.<\/p>\n
The women glance around, trying to find the source of the voice.\u00a0 Slowly, when they get no answer, they pick up the numbers and move to the wall, watching one another cattily.<\/p>\n
DR. SKINNER (O.S) (CONT’D)<\/p>\n
Very good ladies.\u00a0 Very good.\u00a0 Just a formality, I assure you. Shall we begin?<\/p>\n
A screen drops from the ceiling across from the women. On the screen, a group of five men, sitting on stools, stares back at them.<\/p>\n
DR. SKINNER (O.S.) (CONT’D)<\/p>\n
Take your time gentlemen.\u00a0 When you are finished, please cast your votes.<\/p>\n
CORA<\/p>\n
Votes?<\/p>\n
DR. SKINNER (O.S.)<\/p>\n
Well, yes, of course.\u00a0 It’s for your insurance.\u00a0 There are choices that have to be made.<\/p>\n
The first man on the panel holds up a number 3.\u00a0 Cora is holding #2, Agnes #1, Patty #3 and Gwen #4.\u00a0 The second man also holds up a #3.\u00a0 Cora, Gwen, and Agnes glare at Patty, who blushes.<\/p>\n
CORA<\/p>\n
What kind of sick game is this?\u00a0 You ask five men whether they’d rather see smaller noses than larger breasts?<\/p>\n
DR. SKINNER<\/p>\n
I’m afraid we’re rationing our services these days.\u00a0 The President’s policy clearly states that only the most needy will be served until all of the most needy have BEEN served.\u00a0 I’m sure you understand.<\/p>\n
CORA<\/p>\n
Are you crazy?\u00a0 She NEEDS bigger breasts?\u00a0 I don’t NEED a smaller nose, I just want it.<\/p>\n
The third man holds up a #3 and Agnes, the older woman, screeches and dives for the screen.<\/p>\n
DR. SKINNER (O.S.)<\/p>\n
Thank you ladies.\u00a0 It appears that our panel of experts agree.\u00a0 You don’t need the nose, but...<\/p>\n
Agnes, Gwen, and Cora turn on Patty, claws raised.<\/p>\n
DR. SKINNER\u00a0 (O.S.) (CONT’D)<\/p>\n
Oh crap...<\/p>\n
The screen goes blank and we close on it.\u00a0 There is the sound of running feet in the hall.\u00a0 Closer, we hear screeches of anger and pain as the four ladies work on their political philosophy mano a mano.\u00a0 The screen goes to a screen-saving image.\u00a0 It’s an insurance logo in the familiar Barack Obama colors...<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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