[STEPHANIE sits on the hospital bed.]
-Do you want me to bring your mum in?
Stephanie?
Stephanie?
Do you want that?
-I don’t want to see anyone
-Do you want to be by yourself? We can arrange that
-I don’t want to talk to her
-Are you sure?
-No it’s fine. Maybe I need to be alone
-She’s quite worried. Why don’t you see her and then we can send her away?
You just take us much time as you need
-Have my legs?
-It’s your ankles
-Right
-Do you want me to explain it to you?
I can show you the x-rays
You’ll need to have several operations
You won’t be able to dance…
-Please don’t
I don’t need the information
-I’ll just get your mum
[DR FENWICK leaves. STEPHANIE sits in stony silence. She can’t cry.]
[STEPHANIE’s MUM enters. She is very upset.]
-You looked so wonderful
-Until it snapped
-Darling
[MUM suffocates her child with kisses.]
-Stop it.
-I’ll bring you some water
-Could you go?
-What?
-Please go.
-I’ll get you a water and then we can
we can watch something
-Could you go?
-Stephanie, don’t be difficult
-You’re the one who’s still here.
-Stephanie…
-Just fuck off
-You’re tired. Here, lie back have some rest. I’ll fetch the doctor.
-I don’t need the doctor. She explained it.
-So you want me to go?
-Yes
-Fine.
[MUM picks up her bag and spends a long time putting on her coat.]
-Well
-Goodbye
-Are you sure I can’t get you anything?
[Nothing.]
[DR FENWICK returns.]
-I think it might be time to let Stephanie rest.
It’s time to say goodnight.
You can come back in the morning, Mrs Harris.
ENDS
PHILIPPA MANNION 