Women's shelter in Seattle, Washington. A mid-aged MANAGER is sitting at his desk when he spots SABRINA and JOAN sneaking in.
SHELTER MANAGER
May I help you?
JOAN
My daughter and I need a place to stay for a few nights.
SHELTER MANAGER
I�m sorry ma�am, but as you can see, we�re full.
JOAN
Please, we won�t get in the way.
SHELTER MANAGER
I�m sorry, but we don�t have any room. I can get you a list of other shelters in this area that may have some space available.
JOAN
We�ve already been to all of the shelters in Seattle. You�re our only hope. (Pause) At least let my daughter stay, please?
SABRINA
Mom!
JOAN
(Aside to MANAGER) It�s too dangerous for a young and pretty girl to stay outside, don�t you think?
SHELTER MANAGER
You�re right. You both can stay if; she (to SABRINA) comes home with me tonight. (JOAN turns to SABRINA)
JOAN
Honey?
Lights out
SCENE 5
A Hospital. A NURSE is cleaning and bandaging cuts on JOAN�S fist, SABRINA watches.
NURSE
And so you punched the wall?
JOAN
The guy ducked out of the way. (To SABRINA) If your father were there he would have decked him too. Although, I don�t think I did it right.
NURSE
And why is that?
JOAN
It really hurts.
SABRINA
What did you expect? (slight pause) Mom it isn�t funny. If you actually hit him, you�d be in jail right now.
JOAN
And it would have been worth it. (SABRINA smiles)
SABRINA
You�re impossible.
NURSE
Done. (The NURSE finishes bandaging JOAN�S fist) Here�s a prescription for xanex. They will ease the pain and help you relax. Stop taking the pills if you feel nausea or vomiting and let the Doctor know right away. (Pause) Are you familiar with it?
JOAN
I used to get it from my own doctor. (slight pause) I'm wondering if you could give me a sample? I don�t have very much money; I had to sell the house to pay off my husband�s debts and now I only have fifty-cents to my name.
NURSE
I'm sorry to hear that. I�ll have to speak with the Doctor, but I'm sure we can figure something out.
(NURSE exits)
JOAN
What? (To SABRINA) We're going to be fine.
SABRINA
Why did this happen? Does God hate us?
JOAN
No, no, God didn't do this to us. Honey, if you haven't noticed people hurt people.
SABRINA
Dad hated us, didn't he?!
JOAN
No. He had some problems but he loved you, your sister and me very much.
(Enter NURSE)
NURSE
Mrs. Moth, the Doctor said to give you this.
(The NURSE hands JOAN a bottle of pills)
JOAN
Thank you, I really appreciate it.
NURSE
You�re free to go now. Mrs. Moth, may I make a suggestion? Next time, be sure to hit your target.
(NURSE exits)
SABRINA
So, where are we going to go, back to the streets? I can�t believe you tried to hit him.
JOAN
We could always go back to the shelter and take him up on his offer, but I don�t think he�s your type.
SABRINA
Ha, ha. So what are we going to do?
Lights out
