The Cure

Part I 

Abigail: The thirty-something doting mother whose life revolves around the house and two children.

Nelson: The forty-something father and chief civil engineer of the recently built Empire state building.

Toby: The twelve-year-old son, who adores his little sister whose sick with Leukemia.

Hannah: The seven-year-old daughter who relies on her family in her weakened condition

Doctor Danforth: The city doctor who must admit to the family that Hannah’s condition won’t improve.

FADE IN (INTERIOR)

Setting: A Victorian home in Brooklyn early 1930. There’s a large oak door that leads into a large room with a vaulted ceiling and chandelier used for welcoming and entertaining guests. There’s a wide-spread oak staircase with a wraparound banister. It’s early winter but the sun streams in from tall windows where dust bunnies flicker.

Doctor Danforth appears from the doorway of child Hannah’s room with her mother Abigail Caldwell. Mrs. Caldwell goes down the stairs first in her olive flowing dress that hides the movement of her feet. The doctor follows behind with his black bag in one hand and his other hand to steady himself on the railing where they reach Nelson Caldwell whose been pacing the floor below.

Toby, the twelve-year-old son opens the front door with a rolled newspaper for his father from the stack he sells on the street corner. Seeing his mother and father with the doctor, he shies away into a dark corner.

Nelson Caldwell:  Doctor, how is she?

Doctor Danforth: I gave her something for the pain. I can manage the pain…

Nelson: But what? No cure. Right? You asked the doctor from Sweden to come? You told him I would pay whatever he needs?

Doctor: It’s not that. He’s had a family emergency. He won’t make it. (Doctor shifts his eyes away from Nelson to Abigail)

Nelson Flies into a rage. What do you mean? This is a family emergency!

Doctor: We can try more radiation, but it hasn’t been working on Hannah. It only weakened her immune system further. And the drugs from Sweden, they haven’t been tested here yet or approved.”

Nelson: I’ve had a hand in building the empire state building, the tallest skyscraper in the world. We build tunnels under rivers, miles of bridges over bays of an ocean, and there’s not one doctor in the world, not one who can use his mind and hands to help my innocent little daughter!

Abigail: It’s nothing he’s done that’s wrong. He’s just a man Nel.

Nelson: That’s right, I forgot. He’s not God. Where is God in all this anyway? He must be busy too.

Abigail: Don’t say that. You can’t mean it.

Nelson: I need a drink. You want one Doc? (Nelson shifts toward a table in the hall with brandy.)

Doctor: No, no thanks. I must get going. I can let myself out.

Nelson: (He raises his glass toward the doctor.) Yes, of course. And give my regards to all the team of doctors who have no answers.

*Toby appears from the shadows, drops the newspaper, and races up the stairs to see his sister. Abigail walks the doctor to the big oak door where he snatches his coat and hat from the rack beside the wall. They stand for a moment on a Persian rug in the entrance.

Abigail: How long do we have? You must know. You must have an idea, doctor.

Nelson: He can’t say Abby, he’s not a prophet. Just a man with human hands and a black bag. Besides these doctors fear a lawsuit more than cancer.

Abigail: (Pain written on her face. She whispers.) Please pay no mind. I’m sorry…we…

Doctor: I understand. Perhaps it’s time to call a priest or pastor.

Doctor let’s himself out. Abigail heads for the cradle phone on a stand across from her husband. Nelson slugs down brandy from a crystal glass. He turns toward Abigail.

Nelson: What are you doing?

Abigail: I’m calling Pastor Aubrey.

Nelson: Why? Because you’re giving up. We have to give Hannah hope, she might make it until we get word on a new drug.

Tears fill Abigail’s eyes as Nelson takes another swig. She clutches the receiver and is about to dial.

Abigail: We need prayer.

Nelson: Sarcastically “We need a miracle. Does he have one in his pocket? Maybe, the pastor can lay hands on her.

Abigail: Enough! (She crumbles on the floor enveloped by her dress. Receiver dangling)

Abigail. Clinches her fists I can’t take it anymore! Stop it! Just stop.

Nelson: (Approaches her with glass in hand and stoops) I’m sorry. If…if it makes you feel better…

Abigail: It’s not about me! I would die in her place.

Nelson: (Straightens himself and takes another swig) No one has to die.

FADE AWAY

Scene Two

FADE IN: INTERIOR

Hannah’s upstairs bedroom

The afternoon sun filters in through a half open shade in the window. There are racks of dolls along the walls and teddy bears too. There’s a small desk with a lamp and a smattering of children books. Hannah the seven-year-old daughter lays in bed with several covers including a patchwork quilt up to her chin. As Toby approaches and kneels by her bedside, she barely moves, but her eyes light up.

Hannah: Toby!

Toby: (Toby is hiding something behind his back. Then flashes a panda bear in front of her.) I got this for you with my own paper money.

Hannah: (Tears fill her eyes) Oh Toby. I love it!

She hugs the panda bear.

Toby: It was what you wanted for your collection

Hannah: You’re the best brother ever. I want to sleep with it.

Toby: When you get better, you can go outside and play ball.

Hannah: (Struggles to raise herself from bed) Toby, what did the doctor say. Are mum and dad arguing about me?

Toby: (Looks away) You know how they are. Try not to fret over them, sis.

Hannah: I don’t want to die, Toby.

Toby: (He looks back and hugs Hannah, hiding a faucet of his tears) No, don’t say that. That’s not so. Don’t think like that. I won’t let you.

Scene Three

Fade In

Exterior: Above the NYC skyline 1930. It’s early evening and lights from several buildings fill the skyline.  There are two individuals. A mousy little girl wrapped in a blanket and a father pushes the wheelchair close to the railing on the top observation deck of the empire state building.

Hannah Daddy, it feels so heavenly, if not for the cold.

Nelson Caldwell, the father. (Hugs her shoulders as the sound of the wind whistles through the slats of the rails. I know my sweety, I will keep you warm.

Hannah: Daddy, is heaven beyond the stars?

Nelson: (Pulls the collar of his coat up and looks at the stars. Clears his throat.) Heaven? Heaven is well warm, not cold. But not too hot either. What does your mother say.

Hannah: Mommy said there are three heavens. First is the sky where the clouds are. Second are the stars. But she said the third heaven is…

Nelson: Go on sweetie, tell your father what mom said.

Hannah: She…she said the 3rd heaven is beyond the stars. But I…I don’t see it. Too many stars in the way!

Nelson: (Dips and kisses Hannah on cheek) Heaven will wait for you sweet. It will be a faraway time as far as the furthest star in the sky. You don’t need to think about it now.

Hannah: Daddy, I’m so cold. Can we go.

Nelson: Yes. Let’s go. Let’s ride on the elevator now all the way down like an amusement ride.

Hannah: That’s fun. It makes me feel like I’m floating on air. Like butterflies in my tummy.

FADE OUT

 To Be Continued: