*** POLLY'S ROOM - ST HUGH'S - 2:00 PM ***

Ian is looking curiously up at Polly on the bed. He peers at her through a pair of khaki-coloured army binoculars.

Ian Page:

You look silly up there, Polly! You're very big and your tummy takes up the whole horizon!

Polly Page:

What would you know? Look, jump up here, will ya?

Polly pats the end of the bed softly. Ian pockets his binoculars, climbs up onto the bed then points his gun directly at Polly's abdomen.

Ian Page:

Pow! Pow! I'm gonna kill the baby when it comes out! I'm gonna blow it up into a million pieces!

Polly Page:

You are not! Leave her alone!

Ian Page:

Bang, bang! Baby pie for supper!

Polly grabs Ian's gun out of his hands and chucks it down onto the floor. It falls down with a clatter.

Ian Page:

Hey!

Ian gets down on his knees and wrestles with his sister for a moment.

Ian Page:

You're a silly fat cow, Polly!

Polly sticks her tongue out at Ian and flips him over onto his back.

Polly Page:

You're pafetic. Why did Mum leave you in here, anyway?

Ian Page:

'Cause she couldn't trust you alone! The baby might get out and devour us all! So I'm here to keep watch until they rip the baby out, then I've gotta kill it like they did in Revenge of the Mutant Babies!

Ian lets out an evil laugh.

Polly Page:

You are not! You lay one finger on my baby and she'll bite it off. Besides, she ain't gonna come out for ages yet so you'll have a long wait.

Ian Page:

Well maybe I'll just have to kill it while it's still inside you?

Ian pushes down on Polly's abdomen. Polly winces and gives her brother a dirty look.

Polly Page:

Ow! Get lost will ya? That hurts!

Ian Page:

Uh-uh! I'm getting that baby out or she'll grow huge and start smashing buildings! I've seen it happen before.

Ian digs his elbow into Polly's stomach.

Polly Page:

I said piss off! Ouch!

Polly lets out a low moan as she clutches her stomach. She clenches her face up as another contraction rips through her entire body. Ian leaps off the bed and peers at Polly with a frightened look in his eyes.

Ian Page:

It's coming out! The mutant baby!

Polly groans as she tries to catch her breath.

Polly Page:

Awwww! When is this gonna stop?

Ian Page:

The baby's gonna rip you up Polly! Quick, let me kill it before it eats you!

Despite his bold words, Ian is terrified. He backs away from the bed. Polly raises her head and lets out a long, drawn-out wail.

Polly Page:

I said shut up!

Ian Page:

I'm getting outta here! You're going crazy, Polly!

Ian runs to the door, pulls it open and leaves the room. Polly's head sinks back onto the pillow. The young girl rubs her stomach as she sobs quietly and talks to the baby.

Polly Page:

Just hurry up and come outta there. I can't take this any more.

Ian runs up to Anne and the nurse. Sarah looks down curiously at the little boy. Ian is in a high state of excitement.

Ian Page:

Mummy, Mummy! Polly's having a baby! I pushed her tummy and the baby's coming out! I saw it! It was all wet and slimy and it was grinning at me as it tore its way out of Polly's tummy!

Anne Page:

She's giving birth?

Sarah, Anne and Ian quickly make their way back towards Polly's room..

Ian Page:

Yeah! And the baby's gonna destroy the city if we don't kill it! Quick, come in here Mummy!

Sarah chuckles at the little boy.

Nurse Lawson:

Don't worry, I'm sure she's just having a contraction. Calm down.

Ian Page:

What's a contraction? It sounds dangerous! I don't mean any disrespect lady, but you didn't see Polly. It was horrible!

Ian dashes into the room with Sarah and Anne close behind him.

Polly Page:

Mummy!

The two women walk over to Polly. The young girl moans with pain.

Anne Page:

What's the matter, dear?

Polly Page:

Mummy, it hurts! Tell them to make it stop! Please! Please Mummy!

Polly sobs desperately as her body shudders.

Anne Page:

Is it a contraction, nurse?

Sarah nods as she turns to a clipboard and jots down a few notes.

Anne Page:

Don't worry Polly. You'll be all right. It's perfectly normal, honey.

Polly Page:

But Mummy, make it stop. Please make it go away!

Anne Page:

I can't do that Polly. You'll just have to put up with it!

Polly Page:

But I don't wanna put up with it� Get her out. Please Mummy, do something!

Anne is beginning to get annoyed with Polly's constant whining. Polly clutches her mother's arm as tears stream down her cheeks.

Anne Page:

Look, I know it hurts but you have to wait it out! This was all your idea in the first place, remember.

Polly Page:

But� I didn't know� That it'd be like this. Mummy, please do somefink!

Anne Page:

Look, just sit still and keep quiet Polly! I can't do anything about it and you can't do anything about it so just concentrate on easing the pain and stop yelling at me!

Polly Page:

But Mummy�

Polly trails off into a strangled gasp.

Anne Page:

Oh grow up and face your problems, Polly. Stop crying, you're a big girl now! Stop being such a wet blanket and cope with the situation.

Anne is getting very irritated. Sarah heads across to the bedside, gives Anne a dark look and slips the nitrous oxide mask over Polly's face.

Nurse Lawson:

Here, sweetie. This will help. Just breathe in like I told you.

Sarah carefully adjusts the mask.

Nurse Lawson:

Okay?

Polly nods. She sniffs at the gas.

Anne Page:

Feeling any braver now, Polly?

Polly's chin quivers slightly as she shakes her head.

Polly Page:

Why can't they just get her out?

Anne Page:

You could have got her out ages ago! But you were so bloody stubborn about it. This is a fine time to change your mind.

Polly Page:

But you wanted to kill her! You wanted to kill my baby!

Polly turns her head to the side so that she is no longer looking at her mother.

Anne Page:

If we had aborted the baby in the first place it would have saved you from all this pain. Hell, I should never have let you go through with this!

Polly sobs. Her voice becomes harsh and accusing.

Polly Page:

It's all your fault anyway. You're to blame for this.

Anne Page:

What do you mean?

Polly looks at her mother with loathing in her eyes.

Polly Page:

It's all your fault coz you weren't at home. You should've been the one having this baby, not me. You're to blame for everything!

Anne Page:

I'm not putting up with this any more. Ian!

Anne grabs hold of Ian and walks out the room. Polly bites her bottom lip. She realises that she has said too much.

Polly Page:

Come back Mummy! Pwease come back!

Sarah takes Polly's hand and tries to comfort her. She is thoroughly confused.

*** CORRIDOR OUTSIDE POLLY'S ROOM - 2:20 PM ***

Anne is storming along the corridor with Ian trailing behind her. She is about to leave the area when Doctor Geoghan literally bumps into her.

Anne Page:

I'm sorry.

Doctor Geoghan:

That's quite all right. Were you coming out of room eight?

Anne Page:

Yeah.

Doctor Geoghan:

Are you Mrs Page? Polly's mother?

Anne Page:

Ms Page, yes I am.

Doctor Geoghan:

Could I speak with you in private?

Anne shrugs.

Anne Page:

I don't see why not.

Anne follows the Doctor into one of the nearby empty offices. Ian sneaks in too. Samantha smiles at the small boy and directs him to a toy box in the corner of the room. Once Ian is content, she turns back to Anne.

Doctor Geoghan:

Take a seat.

Anne sits down. Samantha settles down behind her desk.

Anne Page:

Is there something wrong with Polly? Please just tell me if there is.

Samantha smiles at Anne reassuringly.

Doctor Geoghan:

No, everything is progressing normally. I just thought I should bring you up to date on the current situation.

Anne relaxes slightly.

Anne Page:

Go ahead.

Doctor Geoghan:

Firstly, my name is Samantha Geoghan and I was the duty obstetrician and gynaecologist on staff when we brought your daughter in. Can I just take a few moments to clear up a few details with you?

Anne Page:

Sure. What do you want to know?

Doctor Geoghan:

Well, given her age is there anything we should know? Anyone else we should be contacting?

Anne Page:

No. I am a single mother.

Doctor Geoghan:

I see. Well, with regards to her labour everything seens to be going perfectly according to plan. There are no complications at this stage. However, I was a little bit concerned by Polly's limited knowledge of what she will be going through. I realise that she isn't due for another three more weeks but has she been seeing a regular doctor over the past few months?

Anne Page:

She's been seeing our GP for a check up every month and I organised specialist appointments with an obstetrician every two weeks.

Doctor Geoghan:

Were there any complications with the pregnancy that you think we should be made aware of?

Anne Page:

None whatsoever. It's been a perfectly normal pregnancy so far according to Doctor Sutch.

Doctor Geoghan:

Good. Now, you have several options at this stage. Ultimately, the choice is down to Polly but I would strongly suggest that you advise her to have a caesarean section. In the long run, I think it would be the safest option.

Anne Page:

Because of her age?

Doctor Geoghan:

Because of her age but more because of her hip size. If we prepare for a caesarean from the start it's a far better situation than having to organise an emergency induction at a later stage.

Anne sighs. She is slightly lost.

Anne Page:

What does that mean in plain English?

Samantha smiles apologetically.

Doctor Geoghan:

Basically, if you encourage her to go for a c-section then it will make everything go more smoothly and we can make her more comfortable during the birth.

Anne Page:

Is there any danger to Polly?

Doctor Geoghan:

You needn't worry. I know it's all very confusiong and chaotic at the moment but, believe me, everything is proceeding fine. The baby is in excellent health.

Anne Page:

Is there anything else I should know?

Doctor Geoghan:

Not really. I will speak with your daughter about her delivery options and then see what happens from there. I would appreciate your help in urging your daughter to opt for a c-section.

Samantha stands up and leaves the office. Anne gets to her feet, pulls Ian out from under a pile of toys then walks out into the corridor.

*** FRONT FOYER - 3:50 PM ***

Sally is kicking her heels in the general area of the hospital. She is waiting for Viv to arrive. Eventually, Viv steps through the automatic doors and walks across to her sister.

WPC Martella:

Sally, I got your message. What's going on?

Sally smiles at Viv.

Sally Martella:

Polly's in labour.

WPC Martella:

How did it happen? Is she okay?

Sally Martella:

Well, it was in the middle of Canley High Street's Shopping Mall, so she's a bit shaken up.

WPC Martella:

I can understand that, poor kid. Has her Mum arrived?

Sally Martella:

Yeah, I think so. I phoned her just before I phoned you.

WPC Martella:

So what's happening? How far into the labour is she?

Sally Martella:

She's just about giving birth

WPC Martella:

Which room is she in?

Sally Martella:

She's in the Maternity Suite. Room Eight I think. I haven't really checked it out, though. Why, are you thinking of seeing her?

WPC Martella:

I'm not sure. Maybe I should just stay out of it. You should be thinking of going home, Sal.

Sally Martella:

Nah, I think I'll wait around. I'll wait until it's all over one way or the other. I owe Polly that much.

WPC Martella:

You could be waiting awhile but sure, if that's what you want.

Viv checks her watch.

WPC Martella:

Do you fancy something to eat?

Sally Martella:

Yeah, I guess. First sign of anything gruesome and I'm running to the hospital canteen, though!

Viv chuckles grimly.

WPC Martella:

Let's go then.

Sally and Viv head towards the canteen together.

*** POLLY'S ROOM - 4:30 PM ***

Polly is surrounded by a circle of faces. She is very frightened.

Doctor Geoghan:

Do you understand, Polly? We'll put you to sleep and take the baby out of your stomach. You won't feel a thing and when you wake up, it'll be all over, you'll have a beautiful baby girl and things will go back to normal.

Polly Page:

But why can't she come out the normal way?

Doctor Geoghan:

It's up to you Polly. I just think this would be simpler for you. This way, you won't have to experience all the pain associated with a natural birth. That's what you want, isn't it?

Polly Page:

I just want the pain to stop! Will the baby be okay?

Doctor Geoghan:

She'll be fine. And this way she gets to be lifted out safely instead of being all squashed and bruised on the way out like most babies are. So, are you okay about going through with the operation?

Polly Page:

Yeth, if you pwomise that she'll be okay. Can I see her afterwards?

Samantha smiles warmly at Polly.

Doctor Geoghan:

Of course you can. She's your baby girl. You can see her and hold her and kiss her and do more or less whatever you like with her!

Polly Page:

You pwomise?

Samantha nods. Anne steps forward and whispers softly into Polly's ear.

Anne Page:

Polly, you remember what we agreed? The baby is still going to go to it's new parents after this.

Polly Page:

But I am her Mummy! Can't I look after her for a little while?

Anne Page:

No Polly. It will be better if we just stick to the plan. Trust me.

Polly Page:

But why can't I look after her, Mummy?

Anne Page:

Because it's not fair on her. She needs a Mummy and a Daddy.

Polly Page:

Mummy, please?

Polly looks pleadingly into her mother's eyes.

Anne Page:

Polly, grow up and do as you're told for once. Take some responsibility.

Anne turns around and storms out of the room. Polly looks nervously across at Doctor Geoghan.

Doctor Geoghan:

Polly, you just concentrate on the birth, okay? I'll sort things out with your Mum.

Samantha sighs and leaves the room, in pursuit of Anne. Anne is striding down the corridor at full pelt. Samantha catches up, grabs Anne by the arm and pulls her to one side of the corridor.

Doctor Geoghan:

Right. I want you to stay still and tell me exactly what is going on here. I don't like being kept in the dark.

Anne Page:

It's none of your business, it's a family matter. Stick to the medical stuff. That's what you're supposed to be good at!

Doctor Geoghan:

It is my business because, despite what you might think, my duties as a doctor don't stop at catching the baby when it drops out! I'm responsible for your daughter's psychological welfare as well. I'm interested in the impact that this will have on both Polly and the baby medically. Now, I want to know the full history behind this. Ot once.

Anne is taken aback by Samantha's determination.

Anne Page:

Well, since you insist. Her stepfather raped her and made her pregnant. I wanted her to get rid of the damn thing but she was so bloody stubborn about it. She kept whining that she 'didn't want to kill the baby'. We finally reached a compromise and agreed to adopt the baby out to another family when it was born. So you can understand why I don't want Polly forming a bond with her.

Samantha takes a deep breath.

Doctor Geoghan:

I see.

Anne Page:

Well? Are you happy now that you know the gruesome details?

Doctor Geoghan:

I apologise if I may have said anything inappropriate earlier, Ms Page. But you really should have informed me of this from the start. I assume that you have made the necessary arrangements?

Anne Page:

Of course. I've already rung the adoptive parents. They should be here later today.

Doctor Geoghan:

All right. Well, I can appreciate that you wish to minimise any attachment your daughter may form to this baby. But do you honestly think it's in her best interests in the long term to deny her the right to see the child?

Anne Page:

It's the best thing that we could do in the circumstances. She'll thank me for it one day.

Doctor Geoghan:

I have to disagree with you on this. It is important for her to understand that the baby is a real human being. She needs to accept that the baby is hers and she needs to be completely comfortable about going through with the adoption before taking such a drastic step. This isn't something that should be rushed into and there is plenty of time left to think about it.

Anne Page:

I've had eight months to think about it. You've had ten minutes. I think I'm better suited to making decisions concerning my daughter's welfare, don't you?

Doctor Geoghan:

I think your daughter should be the one making the decisions. This is her life, not yours. Have you listened to her opinions on the matter?

Anne Page:

She's twelve, for God's sake. How can you expect her to make an informed decision at that age?

Doctor Geoghan:

I believe that regardless of her age, she needs to be comfortable with the decision to adopt out. And from what I've seen back there, she isn't.

Anne Page:

She doesn't know what's best for herself. And neither do you. So with all due respect, keep your nose out of things that don't concern you!

Doctor Geoghan:

All that concerns me is that girl's welfare. That's my job!

Anne Page:

It's also your job to be professional and from what I see, you're not doing that particularly well, doctor.

Doctor Geoghan:

Look, we don't have the time to get into all this now. We need to go back in there, provide support for your daughter and deliver that baby. We'll discuss this later.

Samantha walks back into the delivery room. She takes a deep breath to calm herself down. Anne shakes her head scornfully and walks away.

Continue...