8/3/2019 _3 Generations Excerpt

1/5

INT. VIRGINIA COLONY FOR THE EPILEPTIC AND FEEBLEMINDED -DR. BELLS OFFICE - DAY

DR. JOHN BELL, DIRECTOR OF THE COLONY, scans some of thetraits underlined on KATY BURKES Individual Analysis Card.Handwritten on the form is a note, "Sterilize before

release."

BELLWell. Weve all been very pleased with your progress Katy.

KATYThank you Doctor. I been tryinreal hard.

BELLI, we, know you have. And wereproud of you. But before you can go

on furlough-and weve found a verynice family for you.

KATY(eagerly)

Is it back in Lexington?

Bell waves his hand dismissively.

BELLNo, no. Really, you must leave thatsort of thing to us. Before you cango on furlough, I want to address

some of the health problems yourehaving.

KATYUmmm, what do you mean?

Bell looks at her. Holds his gaze. Katy lowers her eyes.

BELLI mean, some of the issues youveexperienced with your stomach andgastrointestinal tract.

KATYBut doctor-

Bell rises, shepherds Katy to an examining table.

BELLNow, if youll just come over here,I can diagnose the problem.

8/3/2019 _3 Generations Excerpt

2/5

2.

Katy stands uncomfortably.

BELLOkay, now, breath.

Bell massages Katys stomach.

BELLHmmm. Okay, cough.

Katy coughs, when she does so, Bell subtly thrusts his handinto her abdomen.

Katy winces.

BELLDid you feel that?

KATY

Yes.

BELLYes. Just as I thought. Okay, youcan sit down.

KATYWhat is it?

BELLRemember when you had thosedigestive problems a few monthsago?

KATYUuuuhhh-

BELLThose were the first signs of acondition thats now fullydeveloped. I didnt mention itearlier because sometimes it cancorrect itself. Unfortunately, thatdidnt happen in your case. Imafraid we have to address it.

KATYWhat is it?

BELLChronic salpingitis.

8/3/2019 _3 Generations Excerpt

3/5

3.

KATYIs that bad?

BELLIt can be. Its an inflammation ofthe fallopian tubes, and if we

dont operate now, it might becomelife threatening.

KATYOperate? Why?

BELLYou dont need to concern yourself with the particulars. Suffice tosay that with a small procedure well be able to release you andyou can start your new life.

KATY Are you sure?

BELLOf course. Its practicallynothing. Youll be all set to go inno time.

KATYOkay.

BELLThis procedure will also help with

some of your, um, less savoryurges.

KATYIf it will help me live a decent,clean life, like you and the nurses want doctor, thats fine by me.

BELLSo. Good. Then, if you consent, Ijust need you to sign this.

He pulls out a patient consent form. Beside her typewrittenname, Katy marks her signature, an X.

8/3/2019 _3 Generations Excerpt

4/5

4.

INT. VIRGINIA COLONY FOR THE EPILEPTIC AND FEEBLEMINDED -RECREATION ROOM - DAY

A gaggle of PATIENTS, NURSES, and ORDERLIES surround a boxon a table. Inside is a litter of puppies.

NURSE 1Ohh, look at that one! He canbarely keep his eyes open.

PATIENTId like that one! He looks like aRosco to me if there ever was one.

PATIENTI almost forgot how cute they are.Boy, do I miss my dog.

Bell walks up.

BELLWhats all this?

NURSE ALLISONDr. Bell, I know were not supposedto bring animals to the colony, butSheila gave birth this morning, andI just couldnt help myself.

Bell looks into the box sternly.

BELL

Allison, whatever are we going todo with you?

He breathes a dramatic sigh.

BELLHow many times do I need to go overthe colonys rules and regulations with you? When will you ever get itthrough your head that theres acertain order to things? I guessthe only option I have is--

He scans the groups anxious faces

BELL (CONTD)--to just make sure that thislittle incident doesnt find its way into my quarterly report to theBoard of Directors.

8/3/2019 _3 Generations Excerpt

5/5

5.

The group breaks into smiles. Nurse Allison jumps up,kissing Bell on the cheek.

NURSE ALLISONOh thank you Dr. Bell! Well makesure theyre all given to the best

staff and raised properly.

But Bell is preoccupied, looking into the box. Of thehalf-dozen puppies, theres one smaller and weaker than therest.

He sniffs to himself, pulls it out of the box. A couple ofnurses exchange worried glances.

BELLOkay. Very well. Now, back towork.

Bell exits, taking the runt with him.