"Doctor is IN"
.
FADE IN:
INT - BEDROOM – LATE AFTERNOON
RIA
(Snuggling up to him)
Do you need the newspaper honey?
DEV
(Gently removing RIA’s
arm from around his
waist)
I don’t feel like it actually. Is there
anything new about the news really? Or
anything happy? Or anything human???
RIA
Looking at him with uncertainty.
DEV
(Sarcastically)
Wombs for rent! Surrogacy legalized.
The only story this paper has is how I
asked the government to investigate the
nexus between the doctors and the police.
RIA
(Stirs, digs her nails
into his back and
mumbles)
Lie down.
DEV does not move.
RIA
(Props herself on her
elbow, blocking the
light with her hand)
What do they say?
DEV
(Snorting)
Ha! They write – ‘Most doctors eventually
will do anything for money’, but Dr. Dev
does not think so.
.
So what if I have toiled hard to get here?
So what if I got into this noble
profession to serve people? So what if I
have a strong sense of right and wrong?
DEV
(Pauses and then in
anger)
These journalists! They write anything to
spice up their stories.
RIA
(Stroking his chest, she
baby talks)
Is Dr. Dev angry?
DEV does not react. He is too enraged to be soothed so
easily.
DEV
(Angrily and breathing
fast)
Commercial surrogacy is not legal and
there are no laws to ban it either.
Surprisingly, there is a Rs. 10,00,000
fine and 15 years in prison to pay a
surrogate or egg/sperm donor.
If I had any powers, I would also punish
the doctors who allowed this thing.
RIA
(In a gentle and calming
tone)
You must be right.
DEV
(Crushing the paper and
flinging it)
Of course I am! I’m a
doctor; I know what
exactly goes on.
RIA continues to stroke him and he calms down. She
twirls his chest hair and he looks more relaxed and
confident.
.
DEV
(In a gentle and
calming tone)
It’s about ethics RIA, ethics! Look at our
country’s political system. Aren’t our
politicians supposed to be the epitome of
ideals? But really, they are synonyms for
bribery, fraud and everything that’s
sleazy.
RIA
(Giggles)
I love it when you talk like this. Your
vocabulary is like reaaaaally good. That’s
what I like about you.
DEV
(In a hurt tone)
That’s all?
RIA
(Glances downward)
And of course……
DEV
(In a relieved manner)
Respect, honesty, integrity, sincerity,
frankness, truthfulness……meaningless words
that ought to be struck off from the
dictionary. Utter rubbish.
The mobile phone alarm rings. DEV looks at it.
CU: Mobile phone.
INSERT: Sending 60 kidney donors by evening. Please
send advance deposit. Let’s meet in your office to
discuss details.
DEV
I have to go to the hospital. There’s an
emergency.
He struggles out of bed and starts wearing his
trousers.
RIA
(Sulkingly)
Why can’t your assistants handle it?
.
DEV
(Buttoning his shirt)
I can’t honey. This situation requires a
senior.
He looks at RIA. She is upset.
DEV
C’mon cheer up now. Don’t you want to get
that promotion before your batch mates?
RIA
(Watching him zip up his
trousers)
Can’t I stay in longer?
DEV
(Smiles)
No, darling. You better get going now. My
wife will be here in the evening and the
clinic better look starched.
Overcome by the shape of her body under the sheets, he
rushes over and passionately kisses her. As she leaves the
clinic, he changes the signboard.
CU of signboard: DOCTOR IS IN.
FADE OUT:
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