ACT TWENTY-SEVEN


FADE IN


INT: JUPITER - THE CONSULTING ROOM OF DR. R - DAY

Kate sits, facing the doctor who sits behind his desk.

KATE
The medicines just aren't working for James, Dr. R.
He had to be Baker Acted yet again last week.
I think I'm starting to lose my mind.
I just can't take the constant stress anymore.

DR. R
Maybe we should consider electric shock therapy.
There's been some success with this procedure.

KATE
No!
I saw that movie 'One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest.'
I don't want to turn my son into a walking zombie.

DR. R
Then why don't you try a group home?
He'll get 24-hour care and they will monitor
his medications.
You'll be able to visit him every day and still
have some time for your own life.

KATE
Ivan's contribution for child support will fall far
short of the fees for a home.
But I'll earn the extra money somehow.
I need a break before I go crazy!


INT: JUPITER - THE GROUP HOME - DAY

Kate sits with James in his small bedroom.

JAMES
I hate it here!
Their mashed potatoes have rocks in them,
and someone stole my computer.
I want to go home!

KATE
It's only been two weeks, James.
Please, give it a chance.

JAMES
They kill people in here!

KATE
Don't be ridiculous, James.
I've paid your room and board
for the whole month.
You'll stay here for at least another two weeks.
Then, we'll see.

Kate leaves. She returns the following morning and is met by the manager of the home.

MANAGER
I have bad news, Ms. Cassidy.
James is in hospital.

KATE (bursting into tears)
What?
What has happened to him?

MANAGER
The night nurse gave James his medications,
but she forgot to record it on his chart.
The day nurse thought James had missed his
nightly dosage and gave it to him again.
He overdosed.

KATE
He overdosed?
Your incompetent staff overdosed him!
Where is my son now?

MANAGER
We called an ambulance and they took him to
Oakwood Hospital.

KATE
I'll go to him.
But before I leave, I demand to speak to
the duty nurse who made that horrid mistake.

MANAGER
That's not possible right now.
She's a resident herself and receiving
treatment at the moment.

KATE
What do you mean she's a resident?
Doesn't a trained nurse administer
my son's medications?

MANAGER
Most of our staff are recruited from
the higher functioning residents.
We couldn't afford to operate otherwise.

KATE
But you told me you had 24 hour nursing care.

MANAGER
We have a trained nurse who works until
5:00 p.m.
The residents left in charge can always call
her at home if there's a problem.

KATE
That does not constitute 24-hour nursing care.
You lied to me.
You also lied about James having his own room.
You stuck him in a cramped room with another
person.
You're ripping vulnerable people off!

MANAGER
Group homes are all run this way.
It's not illegal.
Without us, most of our patients would
be homeless, living on the streets.

KATE
Being homeless is better than being dead!
If you have harmed my son, I'll sue you
for malpractice!

Kate storms out of the building and heads for the hospital.


FADE OUT

To be continued.