granny panties and the last rose of summer by cindi …€¦ · granny panties and the last rose of...
TRANSCRIPT
GRANNY PANTIES AND THE LAST ROSE OF SUMMER
by
Cindi Walton(based on the book: The Granny Monologue by Cindi Walton)
FADE IN: EXT: cemetery on a beautiful sunny September day. KAY A sixty year old woman) is seen brushing a stray leaffrom a grave as she places a single rose on the headstone. She caresses the headstone but the name engraved on thestone cannot be seen. KAY pulls a blanket and picnic lunchout of the bag she is carrying and settles down next to thegrave site.
KAYI’m so sorry I never came back tovisit you, that’s why I’m heretoday. I wanted you to know thatbecause of you, I see thingsdifferently. Our brief encounterhas changed my life. I was angryback then, throwing adult sizedhissy fits, so here I am...fulldisclosure and confession time
FADE TO BLACK: EXT: A BUSY MEDICAL COMPLEX THAT HOUSES A WOMEN’S HEALTHCLINIC. SUNNY MID MORNING SPRING DAY
“SEVEN MONTHS EARLIER” KAY, a sixty-year-old woman is seen leaving the medicalclinic. She is fiddling to shove something in her purse andinadvertently steps off the curb and walks in front of thelocal nursing home transport bus as it approaches themedical complex. People scramble to help. In the chaos Kaycan be seen struggling against those who are trying tohelp. Once the ambulance arrives and KAY is loaded andready to be transported, it is last seen racing toward thehospital with its sirens blaring.
FADE OUT:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM FILLED WITH AN ARRAY OF MEDICALEQUIPMENT NEXT TO THE PATIENT’S BED. LARGE OBSERVATIONWINDOW WITH THE BLINDS PARTIALLY OPEN REVEAL AN ADJOININGNURSE’S STATION AND HALLWAY KAY is in a hospital bed hooked up to IV’s and machines.She has one leg in a cast and one arm is in sling as nursesfuss about her. Kay is staring at a spot on the ceiling asher thoughts whirl about her.
KAY (V.O.)We’ve all used the phrase, “I feellike I’ve been hit by a bus” todescribe how our bodies feel whenwe hurt from one end to the other.I’m here to enlighten you, whenyou’re ACTUALLY hit by a bus, thepain is not evenly disbursed andhurts like hell. I now speak as anauthority on such matters. Aftercompleting my annual Pap smear andmammogram, I left mygynecologist’s office and steppedsmack dab in front of the localnursing home transport bus. Theinitial details are a bit fuzzybut I was told, “I swore like adrunken sailor, asked Jesus tosave me, and then requested thatthe attending paramedic fetch mypurse.” You see, I was in theprocess of stuffing my bra in theside pocket of my purse when I gothit. I hadn't intended on goinganywhere but straight home aftermy appointment, so I didn't botherputting the damn thing back on...Iwould also like to point out, Ihighly doubt the person whowitnessed my accident had everbeen in the presence of a cursingsailor, thus making theirjudgement about my outburstirrelevant. It was one of thosedays when crap happens to youcan’t possibly begin to imaginethe twists and turns that layahead.
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INT: HALLWAY WHERE THE DOCTOR IS TALKING TO KAY’S HUSBANDAND TWO DAUGHTERS
DOCTOR HORTONYour wife is going to be fine.There were no serious internalinjuries but the healing andrehabilitation process is going totake some time; that's why Irecommend that she be transferredto High Point Nursing andConvalescent Facility within theweek. With the injuries she'ssustained she'll need constantnursing care as she heals, alongwith some rehabilitation therapyto get herself back on track.
Kay's husband Michael looks overwhelmed as his youngestdaughter Kristy interrupts the doctor.
KRISTYBut isn't High Point a nursinghome? Mom just turned sixty andshe still has her wits about her.
The doctor turns to address Kristy (Kay's daughter)
DOCTOR HORTONIn addition to being a long termnursing home facility, High Pointalso has a wing that is solelyused for short term rehabilitationstays like what your mother isgoing to require. Between herbroken hip, femur, clavicle andinternal bruising, she willrequire assistance with her dailycare for at least the next six toeight weeks and the first fewweeks will be the most difficult. The length of her stay will dependon how fast she heals and canresume some of her own care.
CANDI (KAY'S OLDEST DAUGHTER)
Shit Dad! Mom's going to pitch afit and it's going to aimed at thethree of us. I take that back,being the oldest, I'll take herwrath more than Kristy!
(MORE)
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CANDI (KAY'S OLDEST DAUGHTER)(CONT'D)
I sure as hell am not going to bethe one to inform her that she'sheaded for the "old folks" home.
Kay's daughters exchange nasty sisterly looks whileMichael, (KAY'S husband) sheepishly looks at the doctor.Michael then turns and addresses his daughters
MICHAELThat's why we'll let the gooddoctor be the one to tell her. Hehas all of the facts, medicallyspeaking that is and that's whatyour mother needs to hear.
The doctor appears puzzled by the interchange betweenMichael and his daughters. Kristy places her hand on thedoctor's forearm
KRISTYDr. Horton, I'm afraid my mothercan be a tad bit stubborn andshe'll fight this move with allthe energy she has in her. Ithink what my father is trying tosay is... you're the only one whohas the upper hand at this momentand we need you be the one to tellmy mother that she has no otheroptions. Believe me when Isay...WE NEED YOU TO BREAK THENEWS!
Dr Horton not fully understanding what awaits him, headsinto KAY'S room and appears to be giving KAY the news abouther transfer to the nursing home. A view from the openblinds makes it obvious that KAY is not taking the newswell. Kay is agitated and with her one good arm, brushesthe doctor's hand away as he tries to calm her down.
FADE TO BLACK: EXT: HIGH POINT NURSING HOME SIGN AND BUILDING IS IN VIEW. INT:KAY IS SEEN BEING CHECKED INTO HER ROOM #216 AT HIGHPOINT NURSING FACILITY Kay is getting settled into her room. Her daughters arehovering about and unpacking her belongings as the nursing staff is going over some paperwork with her husband,
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Michael. Kay is angrily watching her admittance to thenursing home as it unfolds before her.
KAY (V.O.)I'd left the house that fatefulTuesday, a woman who’d just turnedsixty the week before and hadnever felt better or more alive inmy entire life. In the course ofone day, one event and onehospital stay…I was in an "oldfolks' home.Once they'd scraped me off thepavement and transported my ass tothe hospital. My husband wassummoned, surgeries ensued and myworld was suddenly a Broadwayproduction with me starring in theleading role. I was toileted,medicated, fed, medicated somemore and then ithappened…somewhere between aspoonful of pudding and a coldbedpan under my butt cheeks, itwas decided that I needed to relocate to a wing in our localnursing home that was reserved forindividuals requiring short termrehabilitation and care. I shouldprobably add that this facilitywas none other than the nursinghome which owned the bus thatlanded me in this bitch of asituation the week before. Asmuch as I would have preferred tobe at home in my own bed, thefacts spoke for themselves as thedoctor seemed to relish in tellingme. I COULD NOT TAKE CARE OFMYSELF and apparently neithercould my family. There was nothingto do at this juncture other thancomply. Little did I know“compliance” would become a thornin my side and a pain in my assbefore this whole ordeal was doneand over with. Crap happens andin my case a shit storm wasbrewing!
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INT: HALLWAY OUTSIDE OF KAY'S ROOM Three nursing assistants are talking outside of Kay's "Room216"
AIDE 1: YOUNG PERKY OVERLY DRAMATIC NURSING ASSISTANT ABOUT 18 YEARS OFAGE
The poor thing! You know I oncedated the paramedic who was firston the scene and he said sheactually "plunged" in front ofthat transport bus! Walked rightin front of a moving vehicle allthe while making eye contact withthe driver. I guess more than 100people witnessed her trying totake her own life.
AIDE 2: A CHUNKY DOWDY WOMAN OFINDISCERNIBLE AGE
Do you think she's really suicidalor maybe it's because she'ssenile? If that's the case, Iwonder why she isn't over at MercyGeneral in the psychiatricobservation ward if there's theslightest possibility that she mayharm herself. We aren'tadequately trained to deal withsuicidal patients. If we find hernot breathing or something, do wedo CPR before we call 911 orafter?
AIDE 3: STERN NO NONSENSE WOMAN WHOAPPEARS TO BE IN HER MID 30'S
I don’t give a rat's ass why shewalked in front of that bus.Senile, suicidal or just plaincrazy, I have a full patient loadand don’t have time for that kindof bullshit. The sooner "granny"realizes she is getting no specialtreatment, the faster we can gether up and outa here! God I hatethis hallway and the wack jobsthey send us!
KAY HEARING ALL OF THIS IS GETTING PISSED OFF AND BEGINSLOOKING FOR HER CALL BUTTON
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KAY (TALKING OUT LOUD TO HERSELF)WHAT THE HELL! In the course of anhour I've been labeled "a poor oldthing, a suicidal granny andapparently a pain in the ass bythree health care professionals, none of whom have a MD, DO or anyof the other professional letters behind their names! If I have tobe here, then it’s about time Imeet Perky, Frumpy and …I thinkI’ll just refer to the last oneas… Bitch!I swear I've been handed a ticketon the express train heading fromwomb to tomb. They wanna kill menot help me! Damn it all to themoon and back. I may be aging butI sure as hell am not old, or deadfor that matter!
Seeing Kay's call light flashing, "Perky" the young aideand "Bitch" the stern aide rapidly walk away from Kay'sroom, only leaving the dowdy aide who will be referred toas "Frumpy" to answer Kay's call light.
FRUMPY (NAME TAG SAYS BETH)You need something sweetie?
KAY is visibly upset by what she has heard.
KAYI need my reading glasses. Ithink my daughter put them in thenightstand. I couldn't helpoverhearing part of yourconversation and for the record, I AM NEITHER SENILE NOR SUICIDAL. I was preoccupied trying to stuffmy bra into my purse and simplydid not see the bus that hit me.
Kay realizes just how pathetic her excuse sounds and it'sconfirmed by the look on the aides face
KAY (V.O.)Damn! Now she thinks I'm bat shitcrazy
Frumpy aide just stares at Kay trying to grasp what she hasheard and appears skiddish around her delusional patient
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FRUMPYOh! I'm sure that could happen toanyone who tries to discard theirundergarments in public.
As the aide locates Kay's glasses. Kay takes a good lookat her surroundings and suddenly notices the hideouslywallpapered hall outside of her room
KAYThat awful wallpaper in thehallway reminds me of the fabricon my grandmother's davenport.
FRUMPY
Excuse me? Daven what?
KAYYou know...a davenport... couch
By the puzzled look on the aides face, Kay proceeds tooffer an explanation
KAY (CONT'D)A davenport is an extra long couchthat a grown man can stretch outon and take a nap.My grandmother had both adavenport and a couch in herliving room where you could findher “resting” her eyes with thenewspaper covering her face everyafternoon from 3:45 to 4:00.
FRUMPY
Why not just say she had twocouches, a short one and a longone? Here's your glasses. Do youneed anything else?
Kay is getting frustrated by the entire situation.
KAYYes as a matter of fact I do. Ineed you to get to hell out ofhere. Now scoot! Scram! Oh my god,just go!
Kay dismisses the aide with a sweeping motion of her handand Frumpy nods as she leaves the room
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KAY (V.O.)There is no frickin way I willsurvive the next six weeks in thiscircus for old folks. Between theoutdated furnishings and thosethree stooges, I'm either gonnahave a nervous break down or killsomeone... but right now I think Ineed a nap...
Kay is getting groggy as she starts to drift off, stillholding her reading glasses.
FADE OUT: FADE IN: EXT: BACK AT THE CEMETERY Kay removes a thermos and pours herself a cup of coffee asshe looks at the rose sitting on top of the headstone andbegins to speak.
KAYThe move to the nursing home was aproduction in and of itself. Itleft me sweaty and panting like apimply faced teenager in thebackseat of a car. Okay, I’ll behonest. I knew I wouldn’t bestaying in a private room with anocean view, but I never realizedthat “Room 216” with Frumpy, Perkyand Bitch would be the catalystsfor one of my biggest lifelessons, but you knew that, didn'tyou?(pause/sighs) I want you toknow I get it now. Too bad Ifought it all the way, but if onlyyou could have seen it through myeyes! I know it sounds like anexcuse but...
FADE TO BLACK:
INT: THE DINING ROOM IN AT HIGH POINT NURSING HOME AND KAYIS INTENTLY WATCHING AS RESIDENTS ARRIVE. SOME ON THEIROWN AND OTHERS WITH ASSISTANCE OR IN WHEELCHAIRS. KAYSTARTS FIDDLING WITH THE CONDIMENT TRAY AND BECOMESIRRITATED AS SHE REALIZES THAT MOST OF IT IS "FAKE"....
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DINING ROOM AIDEGood afternoon Miss Kay. Wouldyou like the fish sandwich,healthy burger or cold plateplatter?
KAY
(sarcastically replies) What'sthe difference? Around hereeverything is served cold, plateand all! I have a question foryou? Where is the real salt, realbutter, real creamer and realsugar. Everything on thiscondiment tray is salt free, fatfree, sugar free and taste free.
DINING ROOM AIDE
That's because of the dietaryrestrictions, but you can requestthe real stuff....
Kay cuts the aide off mid sentence and is grabs the aidesarm....speaking slowly and animated
KAYListen clearly (she looks at theaides name tag) Aimee, I have nodietary restrictions and you can'ttell me that every person here hasthem either. Are these peopleeven aware that they have theoption of using REAL stuff intheir coffee or on their food?Since I am now aware of it... IWANT REAL CREAM IN MY COFFEE ANDREAL SALT ON MY FISHSANDWICH...which is what I will beordering, thank you very much!
The aide walks away clearly shaken by Kay's outburst. Kayturns to lady next to her.
KAY (CONT'D)Makes you wonder where they findthese imbeciles, doesn't it?
FADE OUT:
EXT: BACK AT THE GRAVE SITE AND KAY IS NIBBLING CHEESE ANDCRACKERS
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KAYI now realize that my outburst wasa bit much but everything aboutthat place seemed to bestrategically planned to make theresidents feel old and unable tomake decisions for their ownlives. Like the case of Ms.Peltzer. I'm sure you met herduring your stay. She was such adear lady and had her wits allabout her...
Kay has a flashback to her encounter with Ms. Peltzer atthe nursing home. Lunchtime at High Point. Kay is seatednext to a very elderly lady named Mary Lou Peltzer who hasbeen served a healthy burger and limp french fries forlunch. Mary Lou Peltzer ( a ninety six year old resident}
Oh how I would love to have someHeinz ketchup and salt on thesefries, but I can't on account ofmy high blood pressure and heartproblems.
Miss Peltzer picks at her meal and pushes it away. EXT: BACK AT THE GRAVE SITE AS SHE CONTINUES TO NIBBLE ATTHE LUNCH/SNACKS SHE HAS BROUGHT. Kay once again begins to talk to whomever is buried at thisparticular site. She is riled up and on a rant
KAYGIVE ME A BREAK! If a hand fullof salty French fries dipped inHeinz ketchup was going to be thedeath of a ninety six year oldwoman…then I do believe it was hertime to go. Once again, agingsomehow translated into a group ofpeople being treated like littlechildren without the childhoodperks of lollipops, French friesand yes…SALT! That damn placemade me feel old. Why do we evenuse the word old?
(MORE)
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(CONT'D) I prefer to say “I am aging!” Old makes me think of somethingthat is no longer of any use,something musty and dusty thatneeds to be thrown out orreplaced. Damn it...I’m not old! Irealize that some of the residentsneeded to have decisions made forthem, but they were the minority,and you and I both know that's thetruth. Just because you can nolonger drive or need helpnavigating to the bathroom, itdoesn't give people the right totake away your dignity. Look whatthey did to Mrs. Pritchard andMr.Thompson...that was downrightcruel, probably illegal too.
Kay is lost again in her thoughts as she finds herself backat the nursing home in Room 216. Two new aides are beingshone the ropes by the aide Kay refers to as Perky and Kayoverhears their conversation.
PERKYThis hall is really pretty boring.The real action is over on theEast wing. Two of the residentsjust got caught having sex.
AIDE 1:
Oh My God! That is so disgusting.Can those old guys even get a hardon?
AIDE 2:
Isn't that against the law orsomething? It's all so perverted!It creeps me out to think aboutall of that loose wrinkly skinrubbing around, GROSS!
Kay is fuming by what she has overheard and throws an emptycup at the doorway which causes pain to her injuredshoulder. The aides turn toward her door as Kay startswagging a finger at them.
KAYGet in hear right this instant!
Perky starts walking toward Kay's room while the two newaids remain in the hallway.
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KAY (CONT'D)I MEAN ALL THREE OF YOU! GET YOURSORRY ASSES IN HERE NOW!
The two new aides approach with caution, whispering betweenthemselves.
AIDE 1:(whispering) Isn't shethe resident who triedto commit suicide?
AIDE 2:
I heard she was mental and neededa psych evaluation.
Perky approaches Kay's bed all smiles and Kay is clearlypissed off
KAYListen here Perky and you too,thing one and thing two. I heardthe three of you talking in thehallway about Norma Pritchard andEd Thompson and you should beashamed of yourselves. What thehell kind of training do youmorons get before they let youwork here?
Perky jumps up, ready to answer Kay.
PERKYWe have six weeks of...
Kay points a finger at Perky.
KAYFor the love of God Perky, SHUTUP! What I meant to ask is whereis your compassion andsensitivity? DON'T ANSWER ME, JUSTLISTEN! Just because Mrs.Pritchard and Mr. Thompson are nolonger able to totally care forthemselves because of physicalailments, they are both operatingon full mental cylinders and havea right to seek out companionshipand comfort.
Pointing at the new aides, Kay continues her lecture.
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KAY (CONT'D)As for you two idiots here's anews flash...OLD PEOPLE HAVE SEXAND LIKE IT! You seem to thinkthat sex is reserved for youngpeople and firm bodies. For therecord, your generation has notinvented anything new that hasn'tbeen done by the generationsbefore you. How dare you twitsembarrass two consenting adults,making them feel like a couple ofkids who got caught in the act. How about respecting their rightto some damn privacy? Now quityour damn gossiping and one of thethree of you help me get my ass tothe bathroom, unless you'd ratherI sit here and pee myself, whichI'm more that happy to do sinceyou seem to prefer treating us like babies.
FADE OUT:
EXT: BACK AT THE GRAVE SITE. KAY HAS TAKEN HER SHOES OFFAND IS MASSAGING HER TOES. SHE ONCE AGAIN BEGINS ACONVERSATION WITH WHOMEVER IS BURIED AT THAT PARTICULARSITE
KAYIt was so wrong on so many levels.It seemed like the residents werebeing stripped of their rights anddemoted to the status of "child"again. Their only crime was thenatural order of things...they'dgotten old. That's exactly howthey made me feel on my fist dayof physical therapy...
Kay once again drifts off into a memory from her stay atHigh Point nursing home and her first day of physicaltherapy. The aide that Kay refers to as "The Bitch" wheelsKay to the door of the physical therapy room, but stopsshort of opening the door up for Kay and turns to walkaway.
KAY (CONT'D)Hey, come back here! You can'tLeave me here!
The aide keeps walking and turns back to snarl at Kay.
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THE BITCHMy job was to get you down to PTand I did. Knock on the door andsomeone will answer it. (Smirking)PT's not on my floor, so your notmy problem... see ya!
KAY
GET BACK HERE AND SAY THAT TO MYFACE YOU MISERABLE HUMAN BEING!
The aide disappears as Kay struggles to knock on the door. Furious and pissed off, she starts to knock when the doorflies open almost hitting her wheelchair.
YOUNG MALE REHAB AIDE NAMED BILL“Well who do we have here? Youmust be our little lady from room216, we were wondering if you werecoming!”
Bill wheels a stunned Kay into the therapy room and pushesher into a circle of wheelchairs where a red ballon isbeing batted back and forth.
YOUNG MALE REHAB AIDE NAMED BILL(CONT'D)
Hey everyone, look what I foundOutside the door!
FADE OUT:
Ext: back at the cemetary. Kay has dumped her purse ontothe blanket and is sorting through its contents. Kaycontinues her rant at the unknown gravesite.
KAYI still can't believe thathorrible aide just dropped me offat the door like I was a packagefrom Fed-Ex and then to have somekid announce "look what I foundoutside the door!" like I was astray puppy or something. Thewhole encounter just proved mypoint that we were treated with norespect or dignity. Rehab was ajoke in and of itself. I wassupposed to be there to exercisemy body, not my patience.
(MORE)
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KAY (CONT'D)That damn circle of wheelchairslooked more like our localWal-Mart parking lot with cartsgoing every which way and then tohave us bat around a balloon likewe were at a kid's birthday party.None of it made any sense. It wasas if the minute I made contactwith the fender of that damn bus,I instantly fell down a rabbithole, similar to the one Alice inWonderland found herself in. Cometo think of it, that damn placeaffected everyone who came throughit's doors. It sure as hellturned my family into a bunch ofidiots I no longer recognized.What until I tell you that story!
FADE OUT:
Int: Kay is in her room 216 and is waiting for her husbandand daughters to bring her the items that she hasrequested. Michael and her daughters Candi and Kristy arein the hallway bickering back and forth about the items inthe bags they are carrying. As they approach Kay's room,they suddenly plaster fake smiles on thier faces. Kaywitnesses this from her vantage point on her bed and knowssomething is up.
KAY (CONT'D)Hi guys! Is there anything wrong?
CANDI (KAY'S OLDEST DAUGHTER)
Why would you say that mom? Wewere just discussing the items webought you.
KAY
What in the hell did the three ofyou buy? I only asked for somenew underwear and my nighties fromhome. By the number of bagsyou're holding, it looks like youbought out the store, but I don'tsee my overnight bag. Don't tellme you forgot my nighties. I'mgetting tired of these hospitalgowns.
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KRISTY (KAY'S YOUNGEST DAUGHTER)Mom, Candi and I were goingthrough your drawers and think itstill might be too difficult foryou to get into your nightgowns,so we bought you these.
Kristy proceeds to extract three hideously ugly, over-sizedhousecoats from the first bag.
KAYWhat in the world possessed you tobuy those hideous things? ForGod's sake I'm sixty years old noteighty. Between the front snapclosures and pockets deep enoughto house a couple of Shihtzu's,now all I need is some saggy kneehi stockings and I'll look like acharacter from a Carol Burnettskit.
CANDI (KAY'S OLDEST DAUGHTER)
Mom, we don't know who CarolBurnett is.
Kay is extremely perturbed and having a hard timecontrolling the rage she feels.
KAYOh My God, you know who CarolBurnett is! She did that funnyskit from Gone With the Wind whereshe wore a pair of drapes thatwere still on a curtain rod andtried to waltz down the stairslike Scarlet O'Hara.
Candi and Kristy exchange puzzled looks, not sure whattheir mother is talking about. Just then the aide known asFRUMPY enters the room dragging her Eeyore persona withher.
FRUMPYLooks like you hit the jackpot.Those housecoats are so pretty andpractical. I actually own thisblue one.”
Frumpy picks up the ugliest housecoat of the entire lot. Kay shakes her head and takes a deep breath.
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KAYMy request was simple....BRING MEMY NIGHTGOWNS. They button donethe front and are sleeveless. Howcan they be any harder to get onand off than these old lady clownsuits?
MICHAEL
Sweetie calm down, the girl's wereonly trying to help. What wouldyou like us to do?
KAY
Not that it matters what the hellI want, but since youasked....TAKE THE DAMN THINGS BACKAND BRING ME MY NIGHTGOWNS! Didyou at least get the underwear Iasked for?
FRUMPY
Now, Now, it's not good for you toget all riled up. Your family isjust trying to take care of you. Let's get you tucked back in... Maybe a nap will cure yourgrumpies!
KAY is now pissed and beyond frustrated as she turns andpoints a finger at Frumpy.
KAY IF YOU NEED A NAP, THEN GO TAKE ONE! IF NOT,LEAVE!(SARCASTICALLY) IF I NEED YOU I KNOW THEDRILL....PUSH THE DAMN CALL BUTTON AND WAIT AN HOUR FOR ONEOF YOU IMBECILES TO RESPOND. YOU CAN LEAVE NOW SINCE IAPPARENTLY HAVE MY OWN PERSONAL IDIOTS HERE TO ASSIST ME.
FADE OUT: Ext: back at the grave site. Kay is laying on her backand looking at the sky. She sits up and addresses the headstone. She is angry and crying at the same time.
KAY It's as if getting hit by that fricken bus made me suddenlyspeak Latin and no one understood me anymore. Upon enteringa nursing home your loved ones become possessed by some
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alien life force or at least that's what happened to mybunch. If the housecoats weren't bad enough, the underwearsituation made me "batshit" crazy. I think you'll finallysee my point. I’d handed my oldest daughter Candi mycredit card, and asked her to pick up a half a dozenpanties that were one size larger than what I normallywore. I thought they'd be easier to get on and off while Iwas still recuperating. I've always hated the feel ofelastic around my waist so I wear a modified bikini style. The cut's simple, full butt coverage, ample leg openingsand they fit just below the belly button. Cotton crotch, nofrills or lace. I’ve worn the same brand and style forever,and both of my daughters were well aware of this. Withthis tidbit of info you can understand my shock and dismayas my eldest child pulled out the biggest and ugliest pairof under-britches I've ever laid eyes on.
FADE OUT: INT: ROOM 216 KAY'S DAUGHTER CANDI HAS JUST PULLED OUT THELARGEST PAIR OF GRANNY PANTIES KAY HAS EVER SEEN AND HANDSTHEM TO HER MOTHER. KAY IS FLABBERGASTED AND PERPLEXED ATHER DAUGHTER'S PURCHASE.
CANDI (KAY'S OLDEST DAUGHTER)Before you get your panties in abunch, OH, I forgot you're notwearing any! (Candi laughs at herown joke)
Kay gives Candi a stone cold chilling look, the kind thatonly a mother can give to warn her child to "stand down"
KAYThat's not funny on so many levelsand I can't even fathom what thehell you were thinking when youpurchased these...um things. If Icould get my hands above my head Icould use them as a parachute. (Kay struggles to lift a pairabove her head)
CANDI (KAY'S OLDEST DAUGHTER)
Before you get all pissy mom, theywere out of the brand and stylethat you wear in the next largersize. These were on sale,it's notlike you have wear them forever. But you have to admit they haveample leg room.
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KAY(Throwing them at her daughter) By the looks of them, they haveAMPLE everything. I'm justcurious how you went from mymodified bikini cut to underwearthat reaches my armpits. Therewere no boy cut or regular pantsavailable? I swear to God on myfirst born...for the record that'syou...I am going to go off thedeep end and take all of you withme if you guys don't startlistening to me. Other than beinga little banged up, I'm the sameperson I was before the accident.I'm sick and tired of beingtreated like I'm old and incapableof knowing my own mind. It's badenough that I'm told when to get up, what to eat and when to go tothe bathroom. I do not...LOOK ATME so I know you're listening. Irepeat, I do not need to have youdressing me like I'm old too! Alittle respect would be greatlyappreciated, I take that back...IDESERVE and DEMAND that you, yoursister and your father for thatmatter...give me the respect I'vedamn well earned after all theseyears
FADE OUT:
EXT: BACK AT THE CEMETERY AND KAY IS DEEP IN THOUGHT ANDTHEN BURSTS OUT LAUGHING.
KAYFor God's sake it seemed to gofrom bad to worse and every time Iexpressed myself, those girls ofmine treated me more and more likea senile old lady. I think thevery fact that the residents atHigh Point were treated likechildren is what made Mr.Brewster's rebellion soentertaining to watch. I'm notsure if you ever met HaroldBrewster, but I'm sure you saw himin the dining hall. He damn wellknew how to make an entrance.
20.
FADE OUT: Int: Perky the aide is helping Kay from her room to thedining hall. Kay notices that as she passes the otherfemale residents in the hallway, they are dressed in pantsuits or have added jewelry and scarves to their regularhousecoats and robe attire. All of them appear to bewearing a large amount of rouge and red lipstick too.
KAY (CONT'D)My God the hall smells like anAvon Lady collided with the BenGayaisle at Walgreens and why dothese women look like they areplaying dress up? It's like asenior citizen version of "TheBody Snatchers!"
Perky has no idea what Kay is referring to, but she loves to gossip. Pery begins to give Kay the lowdown in herannoyingly animated way.
PERKYOMG KAY, You always say thefunniest things...(laughs) BODYSNATCHERS...THAT'S FUNNY! Anyway,all the ladies are trying toimpress the new guy, HaroldBrewster. He moved in four daysago...the same day you got in sucha snit about your physical therapyand decided to stay holed up inyour room for the last few days. I told you that eating in yourroom all by yourself wasn't a goodidea. It has been a hell of a fun week around here, so let mecatch you up to speed. Harold iswhat my grandmother referred to asa“dapper gent.” I guess in the olddays that's what you calledsomeone who was sharply dressedand well groomed.... and Mr.Brewster sure is that! He dressescasual for breakfast. Yesterdayhe wore khakis and a polo shirt.God, he smells good too! OldMaggie Collins from East Hall saidhis cologne is called "EnglishLeather." I caught her walkingby and sniffing over his shoulderwhile he ate breakfast a day ago.
(MORE)
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(CONT'D)Anyway, what I was saying is thatMr. Brewster spiffs himself up forthe later meals. He came down tosupper wearing a dinner jacketlast night and I guess he damnnear caused a group heart attackwith the ladies. Did you know themale to female ratio at High Pointis 1 guy for every 9 of you galsthat are in here? Doris, (pause)You know Doris, the weird chickwith the pink hair...she works inthe kitchen. According to her,the dining room was like a fishtank last night what with theladies circling him like a bunchof hungry piranhas.
As Kay enters the dining room there is the clinging andclanging sounds of walkers and canes as a large group ofwomen are vying for a spot next to an older well dressedgentleman. Kay motions for Perky to stop pushing herwheelchair.
KAYSince you appear to have theinside scope to the latesthappenings here, give me theReaders Digest version of whyHarold Brewster is in this place?
Perky looks confused
KAY (MUMBLING TO HERSELF)(Shit you don't knowwhat in the hell a"Readers Digest is.)JUST GIVE ME ANY INFOYOU HAVE AND MAKE ITQUICK!
Perky gets exited and animated asshe begins to brief Kay on Mr.Brewster.
PERKY
Well, he is a seventy six year oldwidower who suffered a stroke andhas limited use of his left arm.OH MY GOD, YOU SHOULD SEE ALL OFTHE CLOTHES AND SHOES HE HAS...
Kay gives Perky a stern look that says "move it along"
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PERKY (CONT'D)Anyway, his son felt it would bebetter for Harold to be somewherewhere his meals and whatnot wereprovided since he can more or lesstake care of himself. His roomlooks like something out of an oldmovie. He's got a wing backleather chair that has brass studsgoing up the arms and he hadmaintenance move out thefreestanding wardrobe that isstandard in all of the rooms andhe had his own cherry armoiremoved in. He's the one thatstarted the rebellion!
Kay interrupts Perky
KAYRebellion? Now what is sam hellare you rambling about now?
FADE OUT:
Ext: Back at the Cemetery talking to the headstone again
KAY (CONT'D)I have to hand it to Mr. HaroldBrewster for shaking up WhineyWine Thursdays. That's what Icalled the nursing homes patheticattempt to host Happy Hour onThursdays. The entire facade wasa joke in and of its self. Pushing around a beverage cart atthree in the afternoon offeringfour ounces of beer, boxed wine orlemonade does not constitute a"Happy Hour" and neither doesoffering "saltless" saltines and acheese wedge. Well I guess Haroldhad brought his own stash ofsherry with him and poured himselfa drink in front of Aide Bitch whoin turn went whining to themuckety mucks up in theadministrative office. When theyattempted to confiscate Harold'ssherry, he declared...
FADE OUT:
Int: The residents are congregatingin a hallway outside oftheir rooms, some in wheelchairs, others milling about with
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walkers or canes as they chitchat amongst each other. Anaide is pushing a cart that holds dixie cups, boxed wine,bottle of beer and lemonade along with saltines and cheesesqaures. She is distributing it to the residents of thenursing home. A sharply dressed Harold Brewster in hisroom addressing the adminitrative staff as he places hisright hand over his heart.
HAROLD BREWSTER"The last I knew this was stillAmerica where an adult citizen hasthe right to exercise their rights. I'm well over the legaldrinking age of twenty one andafter my stroke, my doctor advisedme to live my life as normally aspossible and that my dears...includes my daily sip of sherry.
Mr. Brewster raises his sherry glass to the nursing homebrass and continues to sip his glass of sherry.
FADE OUT: Ext: Kay back at the grave site laughing
KAYI guess Harold's doctor intervenedand scolded the administration fortheir treatment of Harold and theother residents, who with theirdoctors approval should be able tohave an adult beverage more thanonce a week on Whiney WineThursdays. According to Perky,the residents and their familieswere bombarding upper managementwith their demands. Serves HighPoint right for treating everyonelike they were under house arrestwhen their only crime was gettingold. Maybe now you can see why Iwas so damn bitter about my stayin the nursing home. Time and timeagain I watched a system fail thevery people they were supposed tohelp. Even my GYN let me downwith her assessment of my aginginnards.
FADE OUT:
INT: Room 216 Kay's OB/GYN stops in to check in on her.
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DR. SALLY WEBERWell, I see you got yourself inquite a pickle after you left myoffice. I thought I'd pop in andsee how you're doing.
KAY
Let's just say for the sake ofargument, I've been better andthis place is doing nothing toimprove that. So let's cut to thechase, are you here to tell me Ihave cancer in my boobs orsomewhere in my hooha region?
DR. SALLY WEBER
On the contrary Kay, Yourmammogram came back normal, nochanges from last year and as faras your so called "hooha"(laughing) everything looks likeit should. Your vaginal walls havegone from the reddish color ofyour youth to the grayish pinkwhich is normal for a woman ofyour age.
Kay looks looks mortified.
FADE OUT:
Ext: Once again Kay is talking to the headstone
KAYNot only did being in the nursinghome make me feel old but now Ihave confirmation that my ladyparts have gone from the color ofa fresh salmon filet to that of adecaying trout. It's bad enoughthat I see I'm aging every time Ilook in the mirror, now I realizemy insides are falling apart too! In the middle of all of mycomplaining you're probablywondering why I came today. Iguess in spite of all the thingsthat I found wrong with thenursing home and the system ingeneral, my brief encounter withyou changed everything and Iwanted you to know that.
(MORE)
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KAY (CONT'D)I only wish I would have soughtyou out one last time beforeyou...you know...um, died. I stillremember the first time I saw you.
FADE OUT:
INT: KAY IS HOBBLING TOWARD THE DINING HALL WITHOUTASSISTANCE
PERKYHi Ms Kay! Need any help?
KAY
Thanks, but I need the practicesince I'll be busting out of thisplace soon.
PERKY
Did you hear that last night theysnuck in the mayor's wife. Iheard it from Larry the nightjanitor. She apparently isloosing her mind or something.
KAY (STOPS AND STARES)
What is wrong with you people? Sowhat if the mayor's wife wasadmitted at night? You act likethis is some damn private clinicwhere a celebrity is scurried inunder the cloak of darkness forplastic surgery or a drugoverdose. Thank God I won't haveto deal with this crap muchlonger. JUST GET OUT OF MY WAYBEFORE I WACK YOU WITH MY CANE!
PERKY (WALKING AWAY)
Oh my! Someone is grumpy thismorning. Maybe you need a napafter breakfast.
KAY GIVES PERKY A SCATHING GLARE BUT PERKY IS OBLIVIOUS TOKAY'S DISGUST. PERKY JUST SMILES AND WAVES AS SHE WALKSAWAY.
KAY (talking to herself)I swear I'm gonna snap and reallygive them something to talk about.
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KAY ENTERS THE DINING ROOM AND NOTICES FRESH POTS OFPETUNIAS ON EACH TABLE AND THE LITTLE LADY WHO IS CHECKINGEACH POT TO SEE IF HAS BEEN WATERED AND IS TURNING SOMETOWARD THE SUNLIGHT. KAY FINDS A SEAT AND CONTINUES TOWATCH THE SWEET LOOKING WOMAN WHO STOPS TO CHECK THE POTTEDPETUNIAS AT KAY'S TABLE.
KAYGood Morning, the petunias are sopretty. It's nice to see realones on the tables for a change. By the way, I'm Kay Walton.
Kay extends her hand to the old woman who takes it andsmiles.
ROSE PAHL (THE OLD WOMAN)Well it's nice to meet you Kay,I'm Rose Pahl. I live down onNorth Hall and usually eat in theother dining room. I knew thechurch was bringing in thesepotted plants today and I was justmaking sure they were watered. Afew of the plants are kind of punyso I've been turning them to catchthe morning light. Well I'dbetter head back to my neck of thewoods since they'll be serving ourmeal soon. Please stop in if youever get down my way. I'm in room411, that's down on North Hall, Ithink I may have already told youthat. Well you have yourself alovely day. In my book...if I amlucky enough to wake up, it's allwonderful after that!
KAY
It was nice meeting you Miss Rose,you have a nice day too!
Kay watches Rose walk away and finds herself smiling. Shepicks up the pot of petunias at her table and says to theplant...
KAY (CONT'D)Now that is a kind and sweetwoman, she'll make sure you don'tdie in this damn place.
Kay finishes eating and as she leaves the dining hall shestops and heads in the opposite direction of her room.
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THE BITCH (AIDE)Hey You! Your room is the otherway, did you forget or something?
KAY (ANGRY)
No, I did not forget anything, notthat it would matter to you. I'mgoing to go for a little stroll ordo I need your permission, warden?
The Bitch just shrugs her shoulders and walks awaysaying...
THE BITCHWHATEVER... as long as you don'tfall down and extend your stay,neither of us would want that nowwould we?
Kay is fuming and tries to raise her cane toward "TheBitch" and becomes unsteady.
KAY (TALKING OUT LOUD TO HERSELF)Lucky for her I'm unable to run,otherwise I'd tackle that bitchand shove this can up her ass....
Kay notices that other residents have heard her and arestaring. She holds up her head and feebly heads toward theNorth Hall in search of Miss Rose Pahl. INT: WEST HALL. KAY IS WALKING DOWN THE WALL AND STOPS. SHE IS MESMERIZED BY THE WALLPAPER ON NORTH HALL. IT HASVIBRANTLY COLORED PEACOCKS WHICH ARE PEEKING OUT FROM VASESOF CHERRY BLOSSOMS WITH TINY SONG BIRDS IN FLIGHT.
ROSE PAHL (THE OLD WOMAN)It draws you in and takes youaway, doesn’t it?
Kay turns toward the voice and finds herself standing infront of the very woman she was in search of.
ROSE PAHL (THE OLD WOMAN) (CONT'D)It is so nice to see you again. Would you like to come in andvisit for a spell?
FADE OUT:
Ext: once again at the grave site...Kay is running her handgently over the stone and we see the name for the first
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time, Rose Emma Pahl...date of death is August 30, 2015 isengraved on the head stone.
KAYYou invited me in for a cup of teaand I remember the warm cozyfeeling I had the minute I entered your room,I guess I should sayhome, because that's what it feltlike, "your home." I was amazedthat a room the same size as theone I had could look so much likea drawing room from days gonepast. I remember you telling methat after your husband's deathand the sale of your home, youtook the items that held thedearest memories with you, andnever looked back. You said yourlittle room at High Point nursingfacility would be the last homeyou would ever have and you werefine with that. Damn I wish I hadknown you sooner.
FADE OUT:
Int: Rose Pahl's room. It contains 2 floral patterned highback chairs, an old, well preserved cherry serving cartthat is holding an electric tea kettle and a full teaservice on a lace doily. A side table holds old picturesof her husband and a teen-aged girl. Draperies cover thewindows and a small record player is present in place of atelevision.
KAY (CONT'D)Your room is so warm and inviting.It's hard to believe it's the samedungeon I've been living in.
ROSE PAHL (THE OLD WOMAN)
Rose motions for Kay to sit and proceeds to fix some tea.
ROSEI take it you don't much like ithere my dear, I have shortbreadcookies, would you like some?
KAY
No thank you on the cookies, teawould be just fine.
(MORE)
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KAY (CONT'D)As far as my stay here, I canhonestly say I detest it and amcounting down the days until myescape like some convict who'santicipating an early release fromprison. It's as if the missionstatement here is to strip you ofyour independence and make youolder than your years the minuteyou set foot in the door and don'tget me started on thehelp...INCOMPETENT doesn't beginto describe them.
Rose quietly makes the tea and hands a cup to Kay and thensits down. Silence fills the air for a moment and Kayfidgets until Rose looks up with tears in her eyes andbegins to speak.
Rose PAHL )I want to tell you a story and Iwant you to listen...understood?
Kay sits up straight and nods her head to indicate she isindeed listening to Rose.
ROSE PAHL“You are much younger than most ofthe residents who reside here andarrived because of an unfortunateaccident. It sounds like yourfirst encounters here at HighPoint weren’t with the startingline-up, but rather the benchwarmers.” (Kay smiles at thebaseball reference) Since yourfirst encounters here werenegative, is it possible that theyhave stunted your ability to seebeyond your own disappointment?You don’t send a child to schoolexpecting the teacher to meet allof your child’s needs, now do you?It’s no different here. Familymembers and residents alike mustmake themselves heard. Kindnessabounds in this place but yourefuse to even see it. (Speakinglike a teacher...firm, yet gentle)Perhaps if you got off your highhorse, the view would look a lotdifferent.
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Kay is stunned as she looks into the eyes of Rose whobegins to speak with authority.
Getting old is a privilege thatmany are denied and my daughterwas one of them. You don't evenrealize how blessed you are.
Rose takes Kay's hand into hers as a tear rolls down hereyes as she nods to the pictures of a young teen girl.
ROSE PAHL (CONT'D)My husband and I lost our onlychild Claire, in a swimmingaccident. She was only fifteenyears old. (Rose pauses,lost inthought)From the time we’re born we are insuch a rush to grow up, to walkand talk, head off to school,marry and start a family. We’rein such a hurry scrambling to seewhat’s around the next corner andguess what? In the process of allthat growing up, we grow old; andthen we pitch a fit, as if old agejust jumped up outa the bushes andsnatched us up like a fox in a henhouse. But that’s not whathappened. We’re human, wesquander our youth trying to be anadult and once we get there webecome so busy with our lives thatwe never notice just how fast theclock of life has been ticking. Getting old is a privilege anduntil you realize that, you willnever see the good that trulyexists in people, including thoseworking here, in this very nursinghome.
FADE OUT:
EXT: GRAVE SITE OF ROSE PAHL KAY IS ONCE AGAIN TALKING TOTHE WOMAN BURIED THERE.
KAYI wish I'd known how much meetingyou would change my life.
(MORE)
31.
KAY (CONT'D)I'm ashamed to admit I should'vecome back to the nursing home andthanked you for heading me in theright direction. I can honestlysay that I'm not afraid to get oldnow...that doesn't mean I amlooking forward to a turkey neckand varicose veins but I think Ican say, what a minute...I KNOW Ican say that I want to age withdignity and not become thehardened old bitch I was during mystint at High Point. By the way,that very night after ourconversation I saw something inthe dining room that made a lightgo off in my otherwise darkenedsoul. I had no more gotten seatedfor supper when....
FADE OUT:
Int: Kay is seated in the dining hall when she notices anelderly man begging to be taken back to his room, he isrefusing to eat and is being badgered by the staff to eatsomething when a young man who is a server in the diningroom over hears the ruckus and approaches the elderly man
AIDEN (MALE DININGROOM AIDE)Good evening sir. I work in thekitchen and couldn't helpoverhearing that you don't want toeat?
ELDERLY MAN
Nothing tastes right and itdoesn't matter whether I eat ornot...gonna die anyway.
The aide kneels down so that he is face to face with theelderly gentleman and gently places a hand on the man'sarm.
AIDEN (MALE DINING ROOM AIDE)Sir, there must be something thatsounds good? Cookies, pie,toast...something.
The nursing aides start to refute what the dining aide issaying when suddenly the elderly man grabs the young manshand.
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ELDERLY MAN (SMILING)You know I've always loved jello. My wife would make it with fruitand put freshly whipped cream ontop.
AIDEN
Let me go see what I can round upfor you, but you have to promiseto give me a minute and not leave.Can you do that?
ELDERLY MAN
I guess I could wait a minute ortwo if these others (points to thenursing aides) will just scadaddleand stop hovering.
Aiden gestures for the others to back off as he scurriesinto the kitchen. Kay is watching all of this play outwhen the young man returns from the kitchen with a bowl ofjello with whipped topping. It is being served in a fancybowl which is not part of the dinnerware regularly used. The elderly man smiles as he sees the wiggly dessert beingset before him.
AIDEN (MALE DININGROOM AIDE)I know that your wife probably putthe fruit in the jello before itset up. I added strawberry andorange jello cubes to some fruitcocktail and gave you an extralarge dallop of whipped cream. Ithink it will taste about the sameif you make sure you have a littleof the jello, fruit and topping ineach spoonful.
As Aiden removes the jello from a serving tray and placesit in front of the elderly man, he also sets down a platethat appears to have a grilled cheese sandwich on it, a cupof coffee and a glass of juice. The elderly man is digginginto the jello and smiling, barely noticing the other foodbefore him. He gently pats the man on the back as he getsready to walk away.
AIDEN (MALE DINING ROOM AIDE)Enjoy the jello ad let me know ifyou need anything.
Aiden motions for the the other aides to stay away as theold man finishes his jello and begins to pick up thesandwich. Kay is watching all of this and finds herselfsmiling.
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KAY (TALKING OUT LOUD TO HERSELF)I'll be damned, that kid managedto get that old man to eat withoutbelittling him in the process. Way to use reverse psychology. Iguess it works no matter what ageyou are.
Kay begins to scan the room and sees other acts of kindnessand gentleness. Aides bending down and interacting withthe residents, gently wiping the faces of residents whocan't feed themselves. Some residents are smiling andlaughing at something an aide has said.
FADE OUT: Kay is gathering up her stuff and repacking the bag shecame with. She approaches the head stone, the camera nowpans the other two stones that are next to Rose's, theybelong to her husband and the Rose's daughter that haddrowned.
KAYYou were right about me beingblinded by my own pity party,there were good people peopleworking at the nursing home and Irefused to see the truth, judgingand condemning the entire facilitybased on a few bad eggs. I'm sosorry that you never got to seeyour daughter grow up. I havetaken my own two for granted. I always assumed I'd go first, butnow I realize that nothing isguaranteed in this life. Like yousaid, old age is a privilege thatmany are denied. YOU, my dearlady were a gift that was sent tome before it was too late. Inever knew that the day I saw youtending to the potted petunias inthe dining room... you wouldbecome the rose among my thorns. Ihave much to learn and I dobelieve you are going to be theone to teach me(pause) I'll beback. I'm pretty sure I stillhave a lot to learn and I knowyour gonna wanna hear it,
Kay picks up the single rose, kisses it before placing itback on the headstone, wiping a tear away from her eyes. Gathering her bag, Kay playfully walks away with a spring
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in her step as the song "The Last Rose of Summer" playsthrough the credits.
THE END ~
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