“Chapter 6 The other phone call”
Scene 1
A few days later Carter and Abby are sitting on the lounge in their apartment talking about their engagement.
Abby: (Swinging her legs onto Carters lap) So, have you told your parents yet.
Carter: Not yet, how about you have you told Maggie or Eric yet.
Abby: No, I thought we'd do it together, maybe have a little get together with our family's and a few friends from work.
Carter: (Smiling) Do you think that's wise?
Abby: (Looks at Carter a little surprised) Maggie and Eric are both on their meds and Eric’s even seeing a counselor.
Carter: (Looking up at Abby) I'm not worried about that. I was thinking about my parents you know what my Mum can be like and she and Dad don't get along that well since the divorce.
Abby: (Smiling at Carter) Well, they’ll just have to for one night.
Carter: Do you think everyone at work knows we're engaged?
Abby: I told Susan and Lu
Carter: (Interrupts Abby and smiles cheekily) Well then everyone knows.
Abby: (Hits Carter on the arm playfully) Hey, that's my friend you're talking about.
Carter: (Swinging Abby's legs off his lap and leaning forward) And what am I?
Abby: (Smiling at Carter) You're my best friend, the love of my life and my fiancé. (Looks surprised) Wow that was the first time I've called you my fiancé. It sounds good doesn’t it?
Carter: Yes it does. (Kisses Abby passionately on the lips).
Scene 2
Abby is on the phone in the Doctors Lounge calling Maggie and Maggie is in her apartment sitting
Abby: (Picks up the receiver and dials Maggie’s Number) Hi Mum.
Maggie: Abby?
Abby: Yeah.
Maggie: (A little surprised that Abby is calling) Is everything all right. Did something happen to Eric or John?
Abby: No. Mum I need you to came to Chicago tomorrow night.
Maggie: Are you ok. You’re not sick are you?
Abby: I'm fine. I just have something to tell you. Can you come?
Maggie: Yeah I'll take the 11:30 train tomorrow morning.
Abby: I'll meet you at the station. Have a good trip.
Maggie: Bye Abby.
(Abby and Maggie hang up their phones)
Weaver: (comes into the Doctors lounge) Abby we need you in triage.
(Abby follows Weaver out of the Dr Lounge)
Scene 3
Carter is in his and Abby's apartment on the phone calling his mother. Eleanor is at her coffee table in her apartment looking over documents.
Eleanor: (Picks up the phone after she hears it ring) Hello Eleanor Carter here.
Carter: Hi Mum. It's me.
Eleanor: Hi John.
Carter: Do you have anything planned for tomorrow night?
Eleanor: I'll have to check my planner, but I think I should be able to make it.
Carter: I hope you can come. I have something every important to tell you and Dad.
Eleanor:(A little surprised) your father's coming?
Carter: Yeah I called him just before you and he said he'd be there.
Eleanor: Are you sure you want both of us there?
Carter: This is really important to me Mum.
Eleanor: Well then I'll be there if it's that important to you I'll be there.
Carter: Thanks Mum. I better go now my sift starts in thirty minutes.
Eleanor: Bye John.
(Carter and Eleanor hang up their phones)
Scene 4
Abby, Carter and Jerry are at the desk. Abby and Carter are talking about their engagement party and Jerry is looking at the computer and listening to them talk.
Carter: Did you call your Mum?
Abby: Yeah she's coming
Carter: What about Eric?
Abby: I rang him but I got his answering machine. I left a message, so I'll see if he calls back. How about your parents? Are they coming?
Carter: They said they would
Abby: You don't think they will?
Carter: I don't know. It's hard to say with them.
Abby: (Kisses Carter on the cheek) Well it'll be just us then.
Carter: That'll be a great engagement party if no one shows up.
Jerry: (Looking up from the computer) What's this I hear about an engagement party?
Carter: Yeah tomorrow night. You can come if you want. We were going to invite a few friends from work but we haven't got around to it yet.
Jerry: Don't worry Carter I'll spread the word. Just tell me where and when.
Carter: (Smiling at Abby) It's at Doc Magoos at 7:30 tomorrow night.
Susan: (Walks up to the desk to put a chart in the dispo box) What's going on here?
Jerry: Party on Tomorrow night at 7:30 Doc Magoos for Carter and Abby engagement.
Susan: (Walking off) I'll be there. (Sees Gallant walking into Curtain area 3) Hey Gallant Party at Doc Magoos 7:30 tomorrow night.
(Carter and Abby look at each other and laugh then walk off in different directions)
Scene 5
It's the next night and everyone is at Doc Magoos celebrating Carter and Abby's engagement.
Susan: (Tapping a glass of wine with a spoon and yelling) Quiet everyone. I have something to say.
Luka: (A little drunk stumbles up to Susan and puts his arms around her shoulders and yells) Yeah quiet the women what's to say something.
Susan: (Takes Luka's arms from around her shoulders and smiles) Thank-you Luka. I would just like to say a few words about my two very good friends. (Shouts) It's about bloody time.
(Everyone laughs)
Susan: No I mean it you guys have been through so much together and I'm glad you've both finally found happiness together. (Holds her glass of wine up) To Abby and John may they always be happy.
Everyone: (Holds there glasses up) To Abby and John.
(Be there with you-Human Nature starts to play)
Carter: (Puts his hand out of Abby to take) Dance?
Abby: (Taking Carter's hand) I'd love to
(Carter and Abby start to Dance when the phone near the counter rings)
Jerry: (Walks over to the phone) I've got it. (Picks up the receiver) Hello
Eric: Is Abby there.
Jerry: (Yells) Hey Abby it's for you.
Abby: (Still dancing with Carter turns around) who is it?
Jerry: (In to the receiver) Who's calling?
Eric: It's Eric Abby's brother.
Jerry: Oh hi Eric (Yells back to Abby) It's your brother Eric.
Abby: (Stops dancing with Carter and walks over to Jerry and takes the receiver off him) Hi, did you get my message?
Eric: Yeah that's why I'm calling. I'm at the airport, can you pick me up.
Abby: (A little surprised) You're here?
Eric: Well I couldn't miss my sister's engagement party, now could I?
Abby: How'd you know it was an engagement party. I never said anything did Maggie call you.
Eric: No, why else would you want me to come all the way out there to tell me something important if it wasn't that.
Abby: (Laughs) You're right.
Carter: (Walks up to Abby and stands next to her) Is everything ok.
Abby: (Holds the receiver down and turns around to Carter) Eric wants me to pick him up.
Carter: I'll go if you want.
Abby: No it's ok I'll go.
Carter: You sure?
Abby: Yeah he sounds fine. We'll came straight back here after I pick him up.
Eric: (Yelling into the receiver) Abby you still there?
Abby: (Puts the receiver back to her ear) Sorry about that Eric I was just talking to Carter. I'll be there in 15 minutes.
(Eric and Abby hang up their phones)
Scene 6
Abby is at the airport picking up Eric.
Abby: (Walks over to Eric who is standing watching the planes) Did you have a good flight?
Eric: (Turns around and hugs Abby) Hey congratulations. Is John here too?
Abby: No his still at the party.
Eric: (Breaking out of the hug and smiling at Abby) Well we'd better get going, I don't want you to miss any of your engagement party.
(Abby and Eric walk out of the airport together)
Scene 7
Abby and Eric are driving back to the party when a car comes speeding towards Abby's Car. Meanwhile back at the party the phone rings. Maggie picks it up. We only hear Maggie’s side of the conversation.
Maggie: Hello. (Drops the receiver and starts crying) Oh God. No.
Carter: (Runs up to Maggie) Who is it,
Maggie: (Puts her hands over her face and continues to cry)
Carter: (Yelling with a worried tone in his voice) Maggie Who is it.
Maggie: (Looks at Carter as another tear rolls down her face) It's the other phone call.