The original…
Saturday, July 21, 2012, 1:44:10 AM | kayfgibbs@gmail.com (Kay F Gibbs)
Setting
The setting of this movie takes place, first in the ward of
a psychiatric hospital.
The main character, Kate, is seated on the edge of the hospital
bed in a ward room nervously smoking a cigarette. She's wearing
black and white shorts and a black shirt. She gets up meanders
around the room, then sits down again. She continues to puff
on the cigerette. She starts to get up again when the nurse
comes in. She is dressed in street clothes.
Nurse: Hi, Kate. My name is Delores. I'm going
to be your primary nurse while you are
here.
Kate responds in a slow, monotone voice...
Kate: Uh, hi! What's a primary nurse?
Nurse: A primary nurse is the person who is
responsible for your care while you are
in the hospital. I'm here to answer
any of your questions.
Kate: Uh, I see, ok.
Nurse: My regular shift is second shift so you
won't see me during the day but you
will see the doctor and the med students,
so they will be able to help you also.
They will take you down to finance in
the morning, to make arrangements to
make arrangements for the bill.
Kate: Ok.
Nurse Welton had her own agenda and in her usual curious manner
which got her into this profession anyway, and her concern for
others, she felt the compulsion to ask Kate how she came to
be at "The Gurney", Gurney Memorial Hospital's Psychiatric Unit
that is...
Nurse: What brought you to the hospital if I
might ask?
Kate: I was going to kill myself.
Nurse: I see. Did you have a plan?
Kate lowered her eyes as if she were ashamed of feeling the
way she did. She held back the tears and in a low shaky voice
she murmured...
Kate: Yes. Actually I had two.
By Kate's response she knew Kate was serious and listened
intently as she spoke.
Nurse: May I ask what they were?
Kate frowned. Nurse Welton was annoying her with her questions
about what happened. Kate wanted to forget about it.
Kate: Well, I guess the one that landed me in
here was that I was going to hang myself,
I just flipped out and started throwing
shit all over the place, then I grabbed
some rope I had just bought, jumped
into my car and started driving.
I mean I was on my way to do it and
something compelled me to stop at a
friend's house. When she realized what
I was going to do,she got me to go to
mental health, and they got me in here.
Nurse: Why do you want to kill yourself?
Kate's brow knitted tightly with discontent at the question...
Kate: Boy, lady I just got here! Give me a
break. I really don't want to talk
about it right now. I'm very tired.
and I'd like to go to sleep.
Nurse Welton reached over to touch Kate's arm and Kate withdrew.
Nurse Welton sensed that Kate was going to be a tough one to
deal with. She stood up and walked to the door...
Nurse: Ok. You get some sleep. I'll be here
tomorrow night and we can talk some more.
Kate took a drag off her cigerette. She was starting to get
angry. She crushed the butt in the ashtray and exhaled the
smoke with a quick puff. Nurse Welton exits the room. Kate
is uneasy and restless by now, she plops down on the edge of
the bed...
Kate: Goddamn nosy bitch! I wonder what
she's going to do with that information?
Kate undresses and puts on her pajamas. She starts mumbling
to herself...
Kate: What the hell am I doing here anyway?
Her roommate comes in. Kate is startled and jumps backward
and nearly falls...
Kate: hey, you're in the wrong room.
Kate catches herself on the side table and calls for the nurse.
Kate: Nurse! Nurse!
She reaches for the call button but can't find it.
Kate: Oh, where is that damn call button...Nurse,
Nurse!
Kate's roommate steps back from the door and waves at the nurse's
station, then enters the room carefully...
Roommate: Shhhh! It's ok, it's ok. This is
my room too! My name is Doris. Nice
to meechya! How ya doin?
Doris extends her hand but Kate refuses to take it.
Kate: Geez, you scared the hell out of me!
Roommate: Oh, I,m sorry. You sure are jumpy
Honey. Didn't Nurse Welton tell you
this was a ward room?
Kate: yes, but she didn't tell me I'd be sharing
the room with anyone.
Roommate: Figures! I bet she was pluggin away
atchya, askin all kinds a questions,
huh?
Kate: Well, uh,...
Doris: Oh, it's all right honey, you can tell
me, anything. Me and that ole battle
axe have had a few go' rounds. I know
What she's like. Anyway, I'm sorry honey,
I surely didn't mean to give you a start
like that. I'll just knock or give you
some warning next time, so's I won't
scare ya, so bad, ok?
Kate: That's fine. Sorry I did that, I am a
little jumpy. I've never been in a
place like this before and I don't know
what to expect. I've been living alone
too and I've gotten used to hearing every
noise and bump in the night.
Kate slips between the crisp white sheets, props her pillow
against the wall and tries to relax. She starts to wonder about
how she ended up in a place like this. Where did things go
wrong, she thought to herself...she turns to Doris...
Kate: Ever been in a place like this before?
Doris: Honey, I've been in this hospital twice,
this is my third visit. They haven't
gotten it right yet.
Kate: It, what's it?
Doris: My medicine. Damn pills I've been takin'
ain't helped atall.
Kate: What kind of medicine?
Doris: Oh, I don't know what they call it, I
keep forgettin.
Kate: Well, if you don't mind me askin' what's
wrong' with you?
Doris: They say I'm schizophrenic.
Kate's eyes grew wide. Oh, God she thought to herself. She
knew a little about that illness because of her father. She
grew even more uneasy...Doris could tell she was getting
uncomfortable...
Doris: Don't worry honey, I ain't gonna flip
out or nothin' like that! I just get
a little outta touch with the real
world every now and then. I don't get
violent or anything like that.
Kate sighed with relief. Her father would periodically get
violent...her memories were still very vivid...
Kate: Oh. Thank you for telling me that.
Doris: How bouch you, whatcha in here for?
Pretty thing like you oughtta be married
with a arm full of babies!
Kate's upper lip started to twitch and she could feel her blood
pressure go up 50 points...
Kate: Yep, you are definitely schizo, she mumbled
under her breath..
Oh, I'd rather not talk about it if you
don't mind.
Kate put on that pretty little thing smile that was so far from1:37 AM 7/21/2012
the way she really felt. She felt dishonest...
Doris: Not at all hon, just remember what I
said. Any time you feel like talkin'
I'll listen.
Kate: Ok, thanks. I'm getting tired. I'm going
to go to sleep.
Kate slips down in the bed, curls up in a little ball, tucks
the pillow under her head and closes her eyes. Her mind starts
drifting...what happened she thought to herself...why do I want
to die? She rolls over and falls asleep.
Scene II
6 AM the next morning
Scene opens with a nurse bolting into Kate and Doris's
room...
Nurse: Ok, ladies time to get up. Breakfast
Will be here shortly. Get your showers
and get dressed. Let's go ladies.
Kate barely moved a muscle. It was the best sleep she had had
in months... Doris bounces out of bed...
Kate: What time is it?
Doris: Oh, probably about 6:00.
Kate: You're kidding. That early? No wonder
I don't want to get out of bed.
Doris: Do you want to get your shower first?
Kate: No, that's alright. I'll wait, that
way I can sleep a little longer.
Doris: Alright.
Doris heads for the shower and slams the door. Kate raises
her head from under the covers.
Kate: Damn, she mumbles to herself.
After a few minutes the nurse comes in again...
Nurse: Miss Gibbs, time to get up! Lets go,
hon.
Kate throws the cover off and sits up on the edge of the bed.
Kate: I'm up, I'm up. Goddamn this is as bad
as the army.
Doris sprints out of the shower half naked...
Doris: What did ya say hun?
Kate was getting angry. She started screaming to the top of
her lungs, flailing her hands up in the air...
Kate: I said, this goddamn place is as bad as
the army. Get me the hell out of here!
The charge nurse bolts down the hall...
Nurse: what's going on in here ladies?
Kate standing by her bed, is about to burst...
Doris: Nothing to be concerned about nurse Kate's
just a little upset. She'll be alright
as soon as you get her one of them shots.
Nurse: Doris, you worry about Doris and get
yourself dressed. I'll worry about
Miss Gilman and let's keep it down. This
is a hospital. Ms. Gibbs why aren't
you showered and dressed?
Kate's face reddens with more anger...
Doris: Oh, I just got out of the shower nurse,
she let me go first.
Nurse: Well, Ms. Gibbs lets get showered and
dressed.
Kate starts to chuckle and in a smart aleck manner retorts...
Kate: Why nurse, are you going to shower with
me this morning?
Doris bursts into a full belly laugh...
The nurse shakes her finger at Kate vigorously.
Nurse: Ms. Gibbs, get your shower before I
call the orderly down here to give it
to you.
Kate can no longer contain herself and explodes...
Kate: See what I mean. Every damn where you
turn there's always some ASSHOLE trying
to tell you what the hell to do, every minute of every day.
Aaaggghhh!
Kate starts pulling at her hair...The nurse steps back...Kate
starts to stamp her feet and scream...
Kate: I'm sick of it! I'm sick of all of it
and all of you. Goddamn it.
Nurse: Ms. Gibbs if you do not quiten yourself
I will have to call the orderlies to
put you in restraints.
By this time several other nurses had gathered outside Kate's
room... Kate sat down on the edge of the bed, took a deep breath
and started to cry...
Kate: Why can't you people just let
me get some rest, please. All I need
is SLEEP PLEASE! Goddamn it!
The charge nurse told everyone to leave and then sat down on
the bed next to Kate...
Nurse: do you feel better now, Ms. Gibbs?
Kate: Hell no!
Doris glared at Kate. The nurse seemed upset at her response.
She hadn't expected that...
Doris: your turn to shower Kate.
Doris was afraid Kate was asking for trouble. She tried to
divert the nurse's attention. Doris had been strapped down
and it wasn't a picnic. The nurse gets up to leave...
Well, Mss gilman, get your shower and you can
talk about it in group.
Kate grabs up her towel and washcloth and heads to the shower.
Kate: Damn, I thought the hospital was a place
where
you went to get well, you know, rest and
recuperate! You people are a bunch
of sadists. This is like being in the
Army again and I certainly didn't get
any rest there.
She pauses a moment before stepping into the bathroom...
Kate: Group, what damn group. I'm not going
to group.
Doris: Oh, you won't believe what they have
us doing all day. You get your shower
before the witch comes back in here.
We can talk later.
Kate: Damn, I can't believe it. May be you
better fill me in before I get into trouble.
Kate steps into the shower and slams the door. She turns on
the shower and lets the warm water wash over her for several
minutes.
Kate: Wouldn't it be nice if you could just
wash away your past and your troubles like this?
She mumbled to herself, watching the water slip down the drain
and out of sight...she lost track of time and the nurse knocks
on the door...Kate is startled back to reality...
Nurse: Miss Gibbs, you need to get out of that
shower and get dressed, your breakfast
is waiting.
Kate: Ok, ok, ok! Jesus, get off my back
already.
Nurse: What's that hon?
Kate: Nothing, I'm coming.
Kate rushes out of the bathroom, grabs her clothes and goes
back in and shuts the door. She starts dressing...She exits
the bathroom zipping up her blue jeans...
Kate: God, I've got to get the hell out of here.
Doris: I know, it's like being in prison, isn't
it?
Kate: Well, I guess that's where you need to
be if you're trying to kill yourself.
Doris: Well, I'm glad they don't go to those
extremes around here.
Kate: Yea, I guess I am too! Thanks for waiting
for me, let's go! I hope this shit
is worth getting up at 6:00 am for.
Doris: Well, it has been pretty decent since
I've been here.
Kate: I hope so. I haven't had a good meal
in a weeks.
Kate and Doris exit the room adn head toward the dining area.
SCENE TWO
Scene opens with Kate and her Doctor in her office...
Doctor: Kate, may I call you Kate?
Kate: Sure.
The Doctor stands behind her desk and extends her hand to Kate...
Kate refuses to accept her hand and plops down in the chair
in front of her desk...Doctor sits down in her chair...
Doctor: I am Dr. Young, Miss Gibbs. I'm going
to be working with you while you are
here
Kate: Yea, well that's good to know!
Doctor: How are you feeling today?
Kate: Like shit!
Doctor: I gathered that. Did you sleep well
last night?
Kate: I suppose I did. I didn't wake up until
that nurse came barrelling into the room
at 6 am. I don't sleep very well
anyway. Can't I get a private room with
a do not disturb sign or permission to
sleep later or something like that?
Doctor: well, we like to encourage the patients
here to follow a routine schedule and
get involved in the groups here as part
of your treatment. I'd like to see
how you do before I recommend something
else.
Kate snaps a quick response.
Kate: Fine!
The Doctor pulls her chair up to her desk. she rolls her pen
in her hand severl times...
Doctor: Nurse Welton tells me you are here
because you wanted to kill yourself.
Is that true?
Kate: yes, I guess so. I was on my way to do
the dirty deed when my friend intervened and took me to mental
health.
The doctor is taking notes periodically...Kate shifts in the
chair a little as the Doctor folds her hands under her chin...
Doctor: would you like to tell me why you wanted
to end your life? That seems like a pretty drastic measure
for such a young person.
The doctor leans back in her chair...Kate swings her legs over
the arm of the chair and leans on the opposite arm and casually
discusses her motive...
Kate: Drastic measures for tragic lives doc.
Doctor: Do you think your life is a tragedy?
Kate gets up and starts to walk around the room, then she stops
in front of the window...She stares out into the parking lot
of the adjacent building...
Kate: Shakespeare was a genius at writing
tradgedies, Doc, I'm a genius at living them. I mean, if you
took a look at my life, you'd know what I mean.
Kate leans on the front of the Doctors desk...
Kate: I'm 34 years old. I have no career, no
husband, not even a boyfriend, I lost my job, I've lost my
apartment now, because I'm in here and I'm about to lose my
car, and I've lost my self respect because of my drinking.
My life has been one disappointment after another. I didn't
finish college, my father committed suicide, my mother tried
to kill herself, I was molested as a child, my father broke
my nose, I've been raped, even raped by a damn woman, how much
more tragic can you get than that?
Doctor: Please sit down miss gibbs.
Kate: Why? Am I making you nervous, Doc?
Doctor: Quite honestly, yes it does. I don't
know you very well, and I don't know what to expect from you
so if you would please remain seated during our discussions
I would appreciate it. I understand you are upset.
Kate is astonished by the Doctor's honesty, no one has been
that honest with her before.
Kate: No problem doc.
Doctor: So...
The doctor exhales and Kate sits down in the chair again...
Doctor: It is apparent that you have suffered
some serious trauma in your life. It is also apparent that
you measure your life according to material things.
Kate: Doesn't everybody? Damn, most of my
friends from higschool and college are married. They have
their exciting careers, their nice homes, decent cars, a couple
of children. they are living, their lives. And they haven't
been through nearly half the shit I have! Why am I not living
mine?
Kate is starting to get frustrated and angry. The doctor crosses
her legs and leans back in her chair...
Doctor: You know, Kate, Not everone is
materialistic,
Kate: Well, I am dammit, and I find it hard
to believe, that people aren't materialistic, except of course
nuns and priests, but even they have to have some amount of
money to survive.
Doctor: Ok, well, why aren't you living
your life then?
Kate: How the hell do I know! If I knew the
answer to that question I wouldn't need to be here now, would
I doc? I need to get the hell out of here. You are pissing
me off.
Doctor: I'm making you angry so you want to
run away.
Kate: hell yes. I don't like to be angry.
Doctor: Are you afraid of your anger?
Kate: That's it, I'm leaving. I'm going back
to my room.
Doctor: Very well, I'll be by your room this
afternoon to check in on you.
Kate: well that's comforting to know.
The Doctor stands and opens the door to her office...
Doctor: Have a good day Ms. Gibbs.
Kate: How the hell can I do that, you just fucked
it up!
The Doctor sits back down and begins making some notes, then
closes her notebook and Kate flies out of the doctors office
slamming the door behind her. She heads off down the hall...
The Doctor gets up from her chair and rushes to the door...she
calls to Kate...
Doctor: Ms. Gibbs, would you come back to my
office please?
Kate knows she is about to get the third degree. She looks
a little embarrassed...then strutts back to the doctor's office.
Doctor: Miss Gibbs, let's you and I get one
thing straight before we go on this little journey. I am going
to respect you while you are in my care and I expect you to
respect me. From now on you will not leave this office in the
manner you just did!. Is that clear?
The doctor reaches out to touch Kate's arm...Kate steps back...
Doctor: Kate, not everyone gets through this
life without suffering from some tradgic event or some trauma.
It does appear that you have had more than your share of trouble.
Maybe together we can get you through this without hurting
yourself anymore.
Kate responds curtly...
Kate: Well, I guess we can talk about that and
the subject of respect tomorrow, huh!
Kate breezes down the hall and bumps into another patient...
Kate: Oh,Sorry, I'm not paying attention to
what I'm doing. I'm a little upset right now.
Patient: I can understand that. There seems
to be alot of that going on around here. I think they
deliberately try to piss us off. They must get off on seeing
us get angry and weepy and all that emotional shit.
Kate: What's your name? I haven't seen you
on my side of the unit.
Patient: my name is Lucy.
Lucy smiled kindly at Kate.
Lucy: I have a private room over on the other
side, room 456. Come and visit me sometime.
Suddenly yellow flags went up in Kate's head. Uh oh, she thought
to herself. Lucy seemed a little too friendly to Kate. what's
she got on her mind, Kate wondered.
Kate: Ok, I'll do that.
Kate went to her room and slept.
4 pm the Doctor arrives at KAte's door, Knock knock...Kate raises
her head from the pilow. Doctor is standing at the foot of
her bed...
Doctor: Ms. Gibbs, do you feel like talking?
Kate: Oh, yes, I guess so.
Kate sits up on the edge of the bed as the Doctor pulls up a
chair.
Doctor: How do you feel this afternoon?
Kate: A little more rested I guess. Doc...
Doctor: yes...
Kate: ...I apologize for this morning, slamming
the door, I mean.
Doctor: thank you for apologizing. That is
something we will work on together...
Kate: what's that?
Doctor: your anger!
Kate: Oh, that...
the doctor stands and prepares to leave...Kate remains seated
on the bed...
Doctor: Is there anything you need Kate, before
I leave for the day?
Kate: No, I can't think of anything.
Scene four
Later that evening in the day room. Several patients are seated
around the room, watching the television. Kate comes out of
her room and enters the dayroom. She notices Lucy sitting in
a rocking chair. Lucy has on a white cotton gown with a shawl
wrapped around her shoulders. She inquires of Lucy..
Kate: Hey, Do they keep popcorn around here
for the patients?
Lucy: I don't think so, but I have some in my
room. You can have it if you like. It's the microwave kind.
Kate: Thanks, I've been craving popcorn all
day. I can get some tomorrow if you tell me where to get it.
Lucy starts to rock in her chair, anxiously.
Lucy: I can get it for you since I have a pass.
Kate: Thanks. When can you get a pass?
Lucy: Oh, that comes after you have been here
awhile. The nurse will let you know.
Kate : Thanks.
Kate heads off to the kitchen to fix the popcorn. Suddenly
Kate hears someone screaming from the dayroom. She darts into
the room to find Lucy being tackled by two orderlies...Kate
covers her mouth in suprise...
Kate: What the hell's going on?
Kate asks of another patient.
Patient: uh, I don't really know, I wasn't
watching. A male patient comes over to Kate...Kate's
pulse starts to race with fear...
Bill: I saw you talking to Lucy, I guess...
Kate interrupts him...
Kate: hey, I didn't say anything to her, I mean
I just...
Bill stops Kate...waving his hand in front of her face...
Bill: No, no, no...
Bill wraps his arm around Kate's shoulders.
Bill: Lucy goes through these little spells
every now and then. She sort of freaks out, ya know. I think
they call'em panic attacks or something like that. Sometimes
they have to strap her down for a few hours. Don't worry, She'll
come out of it.
Bill pats Kate on the back.
Bill: Hang in there kid, it gets better.
Bill chuckles puts his sun glasses back on and returns to his
chair. The orderlies cart Lucy off to the rubber room.
Kate falls into a chair with the popcorn Lucy gave her. She
puts a handful in her mouth...
Kate: Damn, I can't eat this.
Kate sets the full bag of popcorn in the chair next to her.
Another patient comes over and sits in the chair with the
popcorn.
Patient: hey, are you going to eat this?
Kate looks angrily at the patient.
Kate: No! Get the hell away from me.
The patient, a mousy, overweight young woman named linda, hair
uncombed, acned skin, bad breath, gets upset at Kate's attack..
she nervously asks Kate for the popcorn...
Patient: Can I have it?
Kate: Sure, take it.
Linda grabs the popcorn and starts to leave...
Kate: Hey, I'm sorry I yelled at you. I'm not
having a goood day.
linda sits down again... Kate looks irritated...she didn't want
to carry on a converstion...
Linda: Did you see what happened to Lucy?
I've seen it before you know.
Kate: Yes. I don't really want to talk about
it. Please just take the popcorn and go somewhere
else. I don't feel like talking.
Linda jumps up quickly...
Linda: Bitch, I was just trying to be nice to
you!
Kate jumps up too...
Kate: Liar, you wanted that fucking popcorn.
You aren't concerned about Linda, or being
nice to me,and it doesn't look like you
much care for yourself. Look at yourself!
Linda starts to cry and runs over to theother side of the room
and squats in the corner...a nurse comes running after hearing
the loud voices in the nurses station...
Nurse: what's going on in here ladies?
the nurse walks over to Linda...
Nurse: let's get up and sit in a chair Linda,
are you alright?
Linda's crying and starts to choke on the popcorn...Kate starts
to run over to help, but the nurse stops her with her hand...
Kate: Ms. Gibbs, just go sit down, I'll handle
this.
Linda starts complaining about Kate...
Linda: I was just trying to be nice to that
lady...
She points to Kate...
Linda: ...and she was so ugly to me!
Linda sticks out her tongue at Kate...
Nurse: Linda, stop! That is not appropriate
behavior. Don't bother Ms. Gibbs, if she doens't want to talk.
I'm sure there are other patients here who will talk to you.
Linda sits in a chair and starts to rock back and forth...Kate
stops the nuse...
KATE: I didn't mean to upset her, I just didn't
feel like having a converstion.
Nurse: It's ok Ms. Gibbs. Just go back to what
ever you were doing and don't say anything else to her.
The nurse leaves the room and everything is back to normal for
the time being...Kate decides she's had enough for one evening
and goes to her room...there she finds Doris sitting on the
edge of her bed talking to herself...she stops at the door and
listens...
Doris: I don't know, it just comes and goes,
you know, I can't seem to get rid of
the things, where did they come from?
Doris scratches her leg, then points to the floor as if she
were looking at something crawling on the floor...Kate decides
to enter the room...
Kate: Huh, huh! Hey, Doris, what's up?
How's your day been?
Kate falls onto her bed...Doris gets up and starts rummaging
through her dresser draw...
Doris: I don't know if I've had a good day or
not, I can't find my socks.
Doris continues fumbling through her dresser drawer...
Kate: Doris, did you take your medicine today?
Kate gets up and walks toward her...
Doris: No, I stuck the damn thing under my
tonque, I'm tired of this stuff!
Doris reaches into her gown pocket and pulls out the pill and
shows it to KAte...
Kate: Doris, you better take your pill, you
are a little out in left field right now.
Kate grabs a cup from Doris's night table and pours her a glass
of water...
Kate: Ok, Kate, I'll take my pill.
Doris pops the pill into her mouth and gulps down the glass
of water kate hands her. Water trickles down the side of
Doris's mouth and she wipes it off with her gown sleeve...
Doris: Thanks Kate.
Kate puts her arm around Doris and gives her a hug...
Kate: anytime Doris.
Scene five
This scene opens with Kate and her Doctor again in the doctor's
office...
The Doctor is seated in her chair, poised and relaxed...Kate
is seated in the chair next to the Window, somewhat nervous
and anxious, but trying to appear calm and relaxed...
Doctor: How did the rest of yyour day go
yesterday, Kate?
Kate: Ok, I guess, except for my roomie, she
didn't take her pill and she was around
the bend for a little while, but I got
her to take her pill, so...
Doctor shifts in her chair a little, then leans toward her
desk...
Doctor: That's good. I'd like to discuss some
of your experiences with you if you
don't have a problem with that, this
morning.
Kate: Well, I thought we might talk about respect
this morning.
Doctor: We can talk about that too, but I'd
like for you to focus on some of the
things that have been going on with
you in our sessions.
Kate: Fine with me, what would you like to start
with?
Doctor: What seem to be bothering you the most
right now?
Kate: I guess I seem to think alot about what
happened to me in the army. It seems like a dream to me, now
but I know it happened.
Doctor: would you lke to tell me what happened?
Kate: I don't know if I can, but I'll try..
FADE OUT
FADE IN
Scene opens with Kate standing in front of the American Flag
and saluting several Army Officers. She is taking the oath
as part of her final enlistment into the Army and will be
boarding a plane for Alabama...
Recruiting Officer: Congratulations ladies and
gentleman, and good luck. Some of you will be shipping out
today, so let's get loaded up and we will transport you to the
airport...
Kate is not quite ready for the step she is about to take, and
begins having second thoughts. With a wide-eyed look she mumbles
to herself, as she climbs into the van that will transport her
to the Raleigh-Durham airport...
Kate: God, what have I done, I don't want to
do this! Shit, I just gave up three years
of my life to the Army.
Kate is quiet on the ride to the airport. She makes her way
to the terminal, shows the attendant her ticket and then boards
the plane...Kate has never been on a plane before...
Attendnat: do you have your ticket Ms.?
Kate: yes, here it is.
Attendant: Thank you for flying Eastern Airlines.
Go right through that gate, you will
be changing planes in Atlanta, for Anniston Ala.
Kate: Ok, thanks.
Attendant: Have a good flight!
Kate: thank you.
Kate walks down the long passageway to the plane. She boards
the plane with reservation. She hands the attendant her ticket
and the attendant dirests her to her seat. Kate gets belted
in. Once the flight got underway,
I forgot about this story I was writing…
Friday, July 20, 2012, 11:30:39 PM | kayfgibbs@gmail.com (Kay F Gibbs)
What's In Kay's Mind 2: I had a dream about Gurney – Gurney Hospital…
…mostly about myself being in the hospital.
The first setting of this movie takes place in the ward of a psychiatric hospital. The main character is Kate. She is a strong willed, opinionated, sometimes meek and timid, young woman.
Kate is seated on the edge of the hospital bed in a ward room nervously smoking a cigarette. She is dressed in a shirt and shorts. She gets up and meanders around the room, then sits back down. She continues to puff on the cigarette. Kate starts to get up again when the nurse comes in. The nurse is dressed in street clothes.
Nurse: Hi Kate. My name is Delores. I’m going to be your primary nurse while you are here
Kate responds in a slow, monotone voice…
Kate: Uh, hi! What’s the primary nurse?
Nurse: A primary nurse is the person who is responsible for your care while you’re in the hospital. I’m here to answer any of your questions.
Kate: I see, okay.
Nurse: my regular shift is second shift so you won’t see me during the day but you will see the doctor and the med students. They will be able to help you also. They will take you down to finance in the morning to make arrangements for your bill.
Kate: Okay.
Nurse Wallace had her own agenda and her usual curious manner which got her into this profession anyway, and her concern for others, she felt compelled to ask Kate how she came to be at “The Gurney” Memorial Hospital’s psychiatric unit, that is…
Nurse: What brought you to the hospital, hun?
Kate: I want to kill myself!
Nurse: Do you have a plan?
Kate lowered her eyes as if she were ashamed for feeling the way she did. She held back tears and in a low shaky voice she murmured…
Kate: I did have a plan, actually I had two.
By Kate’s response, nurse Wallace knew Kate was serious and listened intently as she spoke…
Nurse: May I ask what your plans were?
Kate frowned. Nurse Wallace was annoying her with her questions about what happened. Kate wanted to forget about it…
Kate: well, I guess the one that landed me in here was that I was going to hang myself. I just flipped out and started throwing shit all over the place, then I grabbed some rope I had just bought, jumped into my car and started driving. I mean, I was on my way to do it and something just stopped me… something made me go to my friends house. When she realized what I was going to do, she brought me here.
Nurse: Why do you want to kill yourself?
Kate’s brow was knitted tightly with discontent at the question…
Kate: Oh boy, lady I’d just got here! Give me a break. I really don’t want to talk about it right now. I’m very tired and I would like to sleep.
Nurse Wallace reached over to touch cakes harm and Kate withdrew. Nurse Wallace sensed Kate was going to be a tough one to deal with. She stood up to walk to the door…
Nurse: okay. You get some sleep. I’ll be here tomorrow night and we can talk some more.
Kate took a drag off to her cigarette. She was starting to get angry. She crushed the butt in the ashtray and exhaled the smoke with a quick puff. Nurse Wallace exits the room. Kate is uneasy and restless now, she plops down on the edge of the bed.
Kate: Goddamn nosy bitch! I wonder what she’s going to do with that information?
Kate undresses and puts on the hospital pajamas the nurse gave her. She starts mumbling to her self…
Kate: what the hell am I doing here anyway?
Her roommate comes in. Kate is startled and jumps backward and nearly falls…
Kate: hey, you’re in the wrong room!
Kate catches yourself on the side table and calls for the nurse…
Kate: Nurse! Nurse!
Kate reaches for the call button but can’t find it…
Kate: Oh, where is that damn call button… nurse! Nurse!
Kate’s roommate steps back from the door and waves at the nurses station, then enters the room carefully…
Roommate: Ssshhh! It’s OK, it’s OK. This is my room to! My name is Doris. Nice to meecha! How you doin?
Doris extends her hand but Kate refuses to take it…
Kate: Geez, you scared the hell out of me!
Doris: 0h, I’m sorry. You are jumpy, honey. Didn’t nurse Wallace tell you this was a ward room?
Kate: yes, but she didn’t tell me I’d be sharing the room with anyone.
Doris: figures! I bet she was plugging away atcha akin all kinds of questions, huh?
Kate: well,uh..
Doris: oh, it’s ok, you can tell me anything. Me and that old battle axe have had a few go rounds. I know what she like. Anyway, I’m sorry honey, I surely didn’t mean to give you a start like that. I’ll just knock or give some warning next time so’s I won’t scare you to so bad, ok?
Kate: that’s fine. Sorry I did that. I am a little jumpy I guess. I’ve never been in a place like this before and I don’t know what to expect. I’ve been living alone too and I’ve gotten used to hearing every creak and bump in the night.
Kate’s slips between the crisp white sheets, props her pillow against the wall and tries to relax. She starts to wonder about how she ended up in a place like this. Where did things go wrong, she thought to herself…she turns to Doris…
Kate: ever been a place like this before?
Doris: funny, I’ve been to this hospital twice. This is my third visit. They haven’t gotten it right yet.
Kate: it? What’s it?
Dryers: my medicine. Damn pills I’ve been takin’ ain’t helped atall.
Kate: what kind of medicine?
Doris: 0h, I don’t know what they call it, I keep forgettin.
Kate: well, if you don’t mind be asking what’s wrong with you?
Doris: they say I’m schizophrenic.
Kate eyes grew wide. Oh God, she thought to herself. She knew a little about the illness because of her father. She grew even more uneasy…Doris could tell she was getting uncomfortable…
Doris: don’t worry honey, I ain’t gonna flip out or anything like that! I just get a little out of touch with the real world every now in then. I don’t get violent or anything like that.
Kate sighed with relief. Her father would periodically get violent…her memories were still vivid…
Kate: oh. Thank you for telling me that.
Doris: how about you, wadda ya in here for? Pretty thing like you ought to be married with an arm full of babies!
Kate’s upper lip started to the twtich and she could feel her blood pressure rise…
Kate: yep, you are definitely schizo, she mumbled under her breath…
Oh, I’d rather not talk about it if you don’t mind.
Kate put on that “pretty little thing” smile that was so far from the way she really felt. She felt dishonest…
Doris: not at all Hun, just remember what I said. Any time you feel like talking I’ll listen.
Kate: Thanks. I’m getting tired. I’m going to go to sleep.
Kate slips down into the bed, curls up in a little ball, ducks the pillow under her head and closes her eyes. Her mind starts drifting…”what happened” she thought to her self…”why do I want to die”? She rolls over and falls asleep.
Scene II
6 AM the next morning
scene of opens with a nurse bolting into Kate and Doris’s room…
nurse: okay ladies time to get up. Breakfast will be here shortly. Get your showers and get dressed. Lets go ladies!
Kate barely moved a muscle. It was the best sleep she had had in months…Doris bounces out of bed…
Kate: 0ooohhhh, what time is it?
Doris: probably about 6.
Kate: your kidding? That early? No wonder I don’t want to get out of bed.
Bars: do you want to get your shower first?
Kate: no, that’s all right. I’ll wait, that way I can sleep a little longer.
Doris: all right.
Doris heads for the shower and slams the door. Kate raises her head from under the covers…
Kate: damn!
After a few minutes the nurse comes in again
Nurse: Miss G…., time to get up! Let’s go, hon!
Kate throws off the covers and sits up on the edge of the bed…
Kate: I’m up, I’m up. Goddamn this is as bad as the Army.
Doris sprints out of the shower half naked…
Doris: what did you say, hun?
Kate was getting angry. She started screaming to the top of her lungs, flailing her hands up in the air…
Kate: I said, this Goddamn place he is as bad as the Army. Get me the hell out of here.
The charge nurse struts down the hall…
Nurse: what’s going on in here ladies?
Kate standing by her bed, is about to burst…
Doris: nothing to be concerned about nurse, Kate is just a little upset. She’ll be alright as soon you get her one of them shots.
Nurse: Doris, you worry about Doris and get yourself dressed. I’ll worry about Miss Gilman and let’s keep it down. This is a hospital. Ms. Gilman why aren’t you showered and dressed?
Kate’s face reddens with more anger…
Doris: 0h, I just got out of the shower nurse, she let me go first!
Nurse: well, Ms. G. let’s get showered and dressed.
Kate starts to chuckle and in a smart alec manner retorts…
Kate: well nurse, are you going to shower with me this morning?
Doris burst into a belly laugh…the nurse shakes her finger at Kate vigorously…
Nurse: Ms. G., get your shower before I call the orderly down here to give it to you.
Kate can no longer contain herself and explodes…
Kate: see what I mean! Everyday and everywhere there is always some asshole trying to tell you what the hell to do, every minute of every day, AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!
Kate starts pulling at her hair…the nurse steps back…Kate starts to stamp her feet and scream…
Kate: I’m sick of it! I’m sick of all of it and all of you. Goddamn it!
Nurse: Ms. G., if you do not quiet yourself I’ll have to call the orderlies to put you in restraints.
…by this time several other nurses had gathered outside Kate’s room. Kate sits down on the edge of the bed, takes a deep breath and starts to cry…
Kate: why don’t you people just let me get some rest, please! All I need is sleep please! Goddamn it!
The charge nurse told everyone to leave and then sat down on the bed next to Kate…
Nurse: do you feel better now miss G?
Kate: Hell no!
Doris glared on. The nurse seemed upset at her response. She hadn’t expected that…
Doris: why nurse, she’s just having a good old-fashioned temper tantrum! She’ll be alright. Kate, its your turn to shower!
Doris was afraid Kate was asking for trouble. She tried to divert the nurse’s attention. Doris had been strapped down and it was no picnic. The nurse gets up to leave…
Nurse: well, Miss G., get your shower and you can talk about it in group.
Kate grabs her towel and washcloth and heads to the shower…
Kate: Damn, I thought the hospital was a place where people went to get well, you know, rest and recuperate! You people are a bunch of sadists. This is like being in the Army again and I certainly didn’t get any rest there.
She pauses a moment before stepping into the bathroom…
Kate: group, what damn group. I’m not going to group.
Doris: 0h, you won’t believe what they have us doing all day. You get your shower before the witch comes back in here. We can talk later.
Kate: I can’t believe it. It may be better for me to leave before I get into trouble.
Kate steps into the shower and slams the door. She turns on the shower and let’s the warm water wash over her for several minutes…
Kate: wouldn’t it be nice if you could just wash away your past and your troubles like this?
She mumbled to herself, watching the water slip down the drain and out of sight…..she lost track of time and the nurse knocks on the door…Kate is startled back to reality…
Nurse: Miss G, you need to get out of that shower and get dressed, your breakfast is waiting.
Kate: okay, okay, okay! Jesus, get off my back already.
Nurse: what’s that hon!
Kate: nothing, I’m coming.
Kate rushes out of the bathroom, grabs her clothes and goes back and shuts the door. She starts dressing… she exits the bathroom zipping up her blue jeans…
Kate: God, I have to get the hell out of here.
Doris: I know. It’s like being in prison isn’t it?
Kate: well, I guess that’s where you need to be if you’re trying to kill yourself.
Doris: I’m glad they don’t go to those extremes around here.
Kate: yea, I guess I am too! Thanks for waiting for me, let’s go! I do hope this stuff is worth getting up at 6 AM for.
Doris: it’s been pretty decent since I’ve been here.
