OUT TO LUNCH-LAURA LURCH GOES TO THERAPY
INT.-JESSICA’S BEDROOM- DAY
ACT ONE SCENE ONE
Jessica stands in front of her bedroom mirror finishing
getting dressed. She is wearing her typical faded blue jeans
and a white tee. Her blond hair casually cascades about her
shoulders. Very little thought or effort goes into her
relaxed style. She is at ease. A glance at the clock shows
the time to be 8:30 in the morning. Light classical music
plays in the background.
FADE OUT
INT. -LAURA LURCH’S BEDROOM- DAY
ACT ONE SCENE TWO
Laura Lurch stands in front of her bedroom mirror fussing
with her long blond hair, picking at her white tee, and
fretting about the fit of her skinny jeans.
It is obvious that she has adopted the same look as her
neighbor Jessica, right down to her skinny jeans and her
casually draped long blond hair.
She is anything but relaxed. She tries out a half dozen hair
styles, all similar before deciding on the same one she
started with; the same one Jessica is sporting.
Laura grimaces in the mirror as she ‘surveys the damage’.
She attempts a smile, without success. Frantic music can be
heard in the background.
One last glance at the clock shows the time to be 8:30 in
the morning.
Laura grabs her keys off the dresser and heads out the door.
FADE OUT
INT. DOCTORS OFFICE DAY
ACT TWO SCENE ONE
Laura is sitting on one end of a couch, pillow in her lap.
Her hands never stop moving; pulling, picking, scratching,
peeling; through out the whole session.
DOCTOR CARPENTER
So Jessi-Laura, what brings you
here today?
LAURA LURCH
Uh, why do you need to know that?
DOCTOR CARPENTER
You seem to think that’s an odd
question, by the look on your
face…
LAURA LURCH
Well sure, I mean really does it
matter? If I came on the subway
instead of a car would you decline
to see me? That’s pretty…
DOCTOR CARPENTER
I’m sorry Laura, I was referring to
the reason you came today, not your
mode of transportation.
LAURA LURCH
Oh, yes of course. I knew that…
There’s a moment of uncomfortable silence as both wait for
the other one to beging talking again.
Laura’s fingers work at the pillow frantically.
DOCTOR CARPENTER
So Laura, I’m still wondering what
brings you here today?
LAURA LURCH
Yes, or course…
A knock on the door interupts Laura mid sentence. A grey
haired lady pokes her head in.
RECEPTIONIST
Sorry to interupt Doctor, but your
10 o’clock said she would be quite
early today…
She pauses, noticing Laura for the first time.
RECEPTIONIST
Oh, she’s here already.
DOCTOR CARPENTER
Oh no, this is Laura. She slipped
in when you stepped out for coffee.
RECEPTIONIST
(Gives Laura a puzzled look,
then shakes her head)
I see…well your…
DOCTOR CARPENTER
(Doctor Carpenter cuts her
off)
Yes yes, I know, now if you’ll
please…
The receptionist shuts door without further comment.
DOCTOR CARPENTER
I’m sorry. Now where were we?
LAURA LURCH
You were wanting to know why I’m
here today, I believe.
DOCTOR CARPENTER
Of course
LAURA LURCH
People tell me, I’m never myself. I
should just be me and not worry
about what others think…
DOCTOR CARPENTER
And who are these people who say
that?
LAURA LURCH
My mother and father, my best
friend…They say I’d be happier if
I could just be me…What do you
think that means?
DOCTOR CARPENTER
Well a lot of people think if they
could just be like so and so, or
have that persons job…
LAURA LURCH
Oh no, that’s not me. I’m
definatley my own person…One of a
kind…I guess you could say…I
have heard you can get surgery now
to look just like your favorite
actor or actress. Seems kinda
extreme don’t you agree doctor? I
mean, if you have the money, and
kinda look like someone famous, I
guess it’s alright. For someone
else though, not me. I’m, you know,
just me, I’m fine with me being me.
Mom always said that was best; to
be just you that is…
Doctor Carpenter gets a far away look in his eyes and
Laura’s voice fades out.
FADE OUT
ACT TWO SCENE TWO
INT.- OFFICE OF DOCTOR WOLFE, PHD – DAY
Doctor Carpenter is reclining on the couch of his own
therapist, Dr. Wolfe
DOCTOR WOLFE
…go on…
DOCTOR CARPENTER
And as I was saying, my patients
are so goddam boring and their
trivial little problems are so, so,
trivial, and little. How can one
possibly be expected to stay
focussed one hour, much less a full
day? Can I not, for one time in my
life have a patient with a real
problem to fix? Now that would be
a, I mean, look at you. You’re a
psychiatrist’s psychiatrist. You’re
down there in the trenches of
modern day psychiatric medicine.
You’re dealing with the real…
Doctor Wolfe’s chin hits his chest. He doesn’t even pretend
to be interested in his patients problems as he snores away.
FADE OUT
ACT THREE SCENE ONE
INT. – DOCTORS OFFICE – DAY
Laura’s voice fades back in as she continues on with her
monologue.
LAURA LURCH
…and then she say’s, well I liked
your hair better brown. Well thanks
a lot mom, it’s a little late for
that don’t ya think? But really,
deep down, I think I’m a blond
anyway…Don’t you think I’m a
natural blond doctor Carpenter?
DOCTOR CARPENTER
Well, uh…I don’t know about that
Jess, uh Laura.
LAURA LURCH
Excuse me doctor, did you just say
Jessica?
DOCTOR CARPENTER
Oh no. Laura, I said Laura of
course.
LAURA LURCH
Okay…So anyway, I just moved into
this new building and already
there’s this neighbor who’s doing
it again. I mean, really, I just
moved in two weeks ago.
DOCTOR CARPENTER
She’s stalking you?
LAURA LURCH
No, no this is way creepier.
DOCTOR CARPENTER
Okay…
LAURA LURCH
She’s trying to look just like me.
She’s got the blond hair thing
down, she wears it just like me.
Same kind of jeans and white tee
shirts, just like this. Exactly
like this.
Laura is wearing a non descript plain white tee shirt and
faded blue skinny jeans, just like every other twenty
something girl in the world wears.
DOCTOR CARPENTER
So what can I do for you
Ms._______?
LAURA LURCH
I don’t know, can’t you like, make
her stop or something?
DOCTOR CARPENTER
Well, that’s usually the job of the
police…
LAURA LURCH
I went to them first you know, and
I thought they would be all,
understanding and listen to my
problems and all…
DOCTOR CARPENTER
Yeah, that’s kind of what we do…
LAURA LURCH
Oh, that’s right. I kinda got you
guys mixed around…
DOCTOR CARPENTER
Laura, I hate to cut you off here,
but we are pretty much out of time
for today. Why don’t you schedule
another appointment on the way out?
LAURA LURCH
Uh, okay, thanks doctor.
Laura gets up from the couch and leaves out the seperate
exit door. Moments later and tall blond girl wearing a white
tee and a pair of faded skinny jeans walks into the office.
DOCTOR CARPENTER
Well hello Jessica, nice to see you
again.
FADE OUT