============================ ============================

Transcription

1 ============================ delivery ============================ by Michael Cheikin Copyright by Michael Cheikin DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P i

2 ============================ delivery ============================ Copyrighted material Production Information Synopsis: Actors: Set: DELIVERY is a fictionalized historical one-act based on a true fact about women's health care in the late 1800's. three: two woman, age 20's and 30's (the 20 year old off stage) one man, age 30's a doctor's lounge, circa early 1870's, in Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bookshelves, desk, sofa, small cot. A sink is important, but doesn't need running water. Playing Time: Approximately 20 minutes Props: DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P ii

3 delivery Time A fall day. Place The action takes place in the doctor's lounge on the obstetrics-gynecology wing of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dramatis Personae (in order of appearance) PHYLLIS MOORE: SAMUEL CHAMBERS: CHRISTINE: Female, early 30's, an instructor (low ranking doctor)in obstetricsgynecology. Energetic and intelligent, not physically attractive. Male, late 30's, an associate professor (higher ranking doctor). Arrogant and upper middle class, handsome. female patient, age 20's, (off stage voice only) DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P iii

4 delivery P iv HISTORICAL NOTE This story is a combination of several unfortunate but true facts about the history of medicine, and the role of women as patients and doctors: 1)"Child-bed fever", or "puerperal fever", the cause of death of many new mothers. It was caused by physicians going straight from the cadaver lab to the delivery ward without washing their hands, then performing pelvic exams on women in labor. 2)There were two wards in hospitals--one attended by physicians, the other by midwives (who did not do cadaver dissection). It was common knowledge that women on the midwife ward did better. 3)While van Leeuwenhoek invented the microscope in the early 1800's and noticed bacteria, it wasn't until Pasteur's papers in the late 1870's and Koch in 1882 proved the relationship between germs and infection. Prior to this, it was thought that infection, or suppuration, was caused by "spontaneous generation". Lister didn't develop antisepsis until the mid 1880's. (This play takes place in 1875.) 4)The famous physician, Oliver Wendell Holmes, did propose the cause of puerperal fever in a paper in However, because he was a non-practicing physician, his paper was ignored. 5)Ignaz Phillip Semmelweiss ( ), of Vienna, was the first obstetrician to wash his hands with chlorine water, which significantly reduced the incidence of puerperal fever. He wrote a definitive paper in 1861, but was ostracized by his peers, including two famous Philadelphia obstetricians (one of who was Meig, mentioned in the play), because his idea was considered heretical. He had to relocate his practice from Vienna to Budapest. He ultimately went mad and died of an infection following work in a cadaver lab. 6)The first women physicians were abused and ostracized by their male colleagues. 7)Physicians were in the upper class. Only the upper class could afford medical education and practice. Most patients were in lower classes than physicians, so class issues are implied DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P iv

5 delivery P (LIGHTS COME UP ON A DOCTOR'S LOUNGE, 1875 IN PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. A SINK, SMALL COT THAT IS UNMADE, BOOKSHELVES WITH THICK MEDICAL TEXTS, TABLE, CHAIRS. IT IS EMPTY.) (A PATIENT, CHRISTINE, IS IN LABOR IN THE ADJOINING DELIVERY ROOM. WE WILL HEAR HER MOAN OCCASIONALLY. THESE MOANS SHOULD BE COMIC.) CHRISTINE (FROM OFF) Ohhhhhhh. (PHYLLIS MOORE ENTERS FLYING BACKWARD, PUSHED BY CHRISTINE. SHE CATCHES HERSELF BEFORE SHE FALLS.) (FALLING BACKWARD, CATCHING HERSELF) Don't worry, Christine. In just 30 minutes you will be a mother! CHRISTINE (FROM OFF) Ohhhhhhh. I've summoned Dr. Chambers. He'll be here any moment. (TO HERSELF) I hope the clerk was able to find him. CHRISTINE (FROM OFF) Ohhhhhh. (SHE GOES TO HER BRIEFCASE, AND TAKES OUT SOME PAPERS.) (A FEW BEATS LATER, SHE GOES TO A WINDOW, LOOKS OUT, PACES.) (A BEAT OR TWO LATER, SAMUEL ENTERS, DRESSED IN A BLACK SUIT.) Dr. Chambers! You got here just in time. How dilated is she? Seven centimeters. Only seven! I told you not to call me until she's ready to go! DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 1

6 delivery P She's progressing fast. Let me take a look. (HE GOES TOWARD THE PATIENT'S DOOR.) Wait! Did you come from the cadaver lab? Of course. And I left the students alone when you summoned me. Could you wash your hands--before you examine her? Not this newfangled germ theory again. Sam, I've finally received those articles from Vienna and Paris. Let me examine the patient please. No. (THEY PHYSICALLY STRUGGLE.) CHRISTINE (FROM OFF) Ohhhhhhh. (PHYLLIS CLOSES AND LOCKS THE DOOR TO THE PATIENT'S ROOM.) What are you doing? Please. Before you examine her--listen to me. It could mean the life of that mother in there, and her child. Nonsense. My wife delivered here. Pennsylvania Hospital is the best in the nation. Well, I'm conducting research on this. Research!? What kind of research? DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 2

7 delivery P I'm looking at the death rates of these young mothers. You are the lowest ranking physician in this hospital. You can't conduct research. Yes I can. Well, I'm not interested. And I must go back to my students if I'm not going to care for this patient. No! (SHE LOCKS THE OTHER DOOR AND PLACES THE KEY IN HER BOSOM.) Hmmm. I suggest that you abandon this mission of yours. That is, if you want to remain here. You want to advance, don't you. (INSECURE) Yes. Then where will this get you? Far. I reviewed the last 200 deliveries here on the doctor's ward. And I compared them with the midwives' ward. (OUTRAGED) You are comparing us, physicians, with midwives! The death rate is thrice. By physicians. Nonsense, I say. Then what is the explanation? You don't know how to conduct research DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 3

8 delivery P No! The difference is that doctors come straight from the anatomy lab, where you are working with dead bodies. Midwives don't. So? What if there are germs? On your hands? And that, is the cause of "child-bed fever"? Doctor!? (LOOKING AT THEM) My hands! Have you gone mad!? What about my hands? Other than the lives they have saved. And delivered, safely. Let's say you are carrying germs-- (LAUGHING) --germs-- --from those dead bodies. When you deliver the baby, you transmit these germs to the mother's bloodstream. It's in these papers. Let me see. (HE LOOKS OVER THE PAPERS. HE TAKES ONE AND WAVES IT AT HER.) Semmelweiss! He's a Viennese maniac! His point is well argued. And Pasteur's paper raises some interesting questions about "spontaneous generation". Dr. Meig, here in Philadelphia, has already reviewed these papers. He says they're hogwash. Sam, every new idea in history has been rejected. Cadaver dissection was outlawed not so long ago. And now, it's the basis of training for physicians. And unfortunately now is the cause of all these young mother's deaths DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 4

9 delivery P The scientific establishment does not agree. Mothers died of childbirth before cadaver dissection. And let me show you what we think of this paper. (TEASING HER, HE GOES TO RIP THE PAPER. SHE LUNGES AT HIM.) Nooo! (SHE IS HOLDING HIS WRISTS TIGHTLY. THEY ARE VERY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER. HE LOOKS AT HER.) So, you want your papers back? Yes, please. It took me months to get them. You know, up close, you're not so bad looking. Let go, you foul man. Come on, fight with me. I wouldn't give you the pleasure. (SHE RELEASES HIM AND WALKS AWAY.) Aw. I've upset you. Here. You can have your paper back. (SHE QUICKLY RECOVERS IT. HE IS SMIRKING.) Thank you. (SHE REMOVES THE KEY FROM HER BOSOM.) Here, you can go now. Not easy, is it, being the first woman physician in this hospital? DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 5

10 delivery P No it isn't. Sam, that young woman in there, she's starting her family. What if you kill her with your exam? Hah. You're just jealous. Of what? That you are not the one delivering. Now you know-- --I remember--at the Christmas party. I had too much wine. You confided in me. Your sacrifices. (DEFENSIVE) My accomplishments. I am very proud of them. And we know what you've paid for them. Your chances of marrying and having a child are slim. What does this have to do with science? Jealousy has much to do with science. It's a prime motivator. Maybe for you. But my motivator is Truth. Truth... What I live for. (LAUGHS) (ANGRY) What are you laughing at? DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 6

11 delivery P A woman. Preaching truth. That's like a... a......a pauper tasting wine. Exactly. Sam, if you were not my superior... What? I would say things. What kind of things? (BITING HER TONGUE) Never mind. I do want to keep my position here. No--I want to know. Never mind. No. Let me hear your truth. I don't have the luxury--to toy with you. How do you hope to advance if you can't play with men? Huh? I've played enough. I just want to work. All work and no play? I don't like your flirtations. (MOCK SURPRISE) What? Me? Flirting? With you? DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 7

12 delivery P I remember the Christmas party too. I was drunk. You've been testing me ever since. That is true. I see you now as, as, a, potential. Potential for what? For some lucky man. What, is this some complement? Yes. Well, keep such thoughts to yourself. Phyllis, your... mind... intrigues me... (BACK TO REALITY) Go back to your wife, doctor. Know her mind. If you can find it. Beneath her beauty. Beneath her beauty is...air. And you, while you don't have so much beauty... What flattery....on the outside, on the inside, I've never met someone as beautiful. You're confusing me. Complements and insults in the same breath. Please, let me hear your truth. I'm just a woman. I can't take the risk DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 8

13 delivery P The prospect excites me. Go ahead. How would I benefit? Spoken like a man! What do you want? Nothing from you. Nothing? What if I promised you anything? Anything? If you speak the truth. To any question I ask. I'm up for the challenge. If you are. And what will you ask of me? If you tell me what I want to know. Simple. Before you go in there--before you touch that young mother--you will wash your hands. (IN DISBELIEF) That's all?! Now. And before you go into any delivery room. Wash my hands... Yes. And make your students do so as well. (SARCASTIC, COMIC GESTURE) Do we have to dry too?! What if the baby pops out while we're looking for a towel? I'm serious. And you'll tell me--show me your mind? If I wash? DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 9

14 delivery P Yes. No matter what I ask? It's a deal. Very well. I accept. (SHE PUTS OUT HER HAND) What is that? Shake on it. What are you, a man. No, but your equal. Doctor. (SCOFFS) What!? Just a taste. Of my truth. I like it! Come. Let's shake. Aren't you afraid of, (SARCASTIC VOICE AND FACE) germs!!!... Not me. I'm not dilated, with my legs in the air. Very well. Doctor. (HE GRABS HER HAND. THE SHAKE GOES FOR A WHILE. WE CAN SEE HIM TIGHTENING HIS GRIP. PHYLLIS GRIMACES.) That's enough! DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 10

15 delivery P Not yet! You're hurting me. I thought you were my equal. Ow. (SHE STAMPS ON HIS TOE. HE LETS GO.) Owwwwwwwww! CHRISTINE (FROM OFF) Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. (PAUSE. THEY RECOVER.) (RECOVERS, HURT, RUBBING HER HAND) The real truth is, I am your superior. (RUBBING HIS SHIN) Oh?! How is that? Maybe not in brute force. But certainly in intellect. (HURT, TAKEN OFF GUARD) Oh? How is that? How else could I get myself into this male-controlled institution? Wait a minute, I get to ask the questions. Go ahead. What do you think of me? What? Is that what you want to know? About you? The truth, please DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 11

16 delivery P Of course it's about you. (TO HERSELF) I should have known. (TO SAM) Very well. You're arrogant. And boorish. And disrespectful of your marriage and your child. What makes you say that? Everything about you. What a strong opinion. What's the matter, Sam, your wife's not interested in you, with her new baby? I see it all the time. And, my mother-in-law is there all the time. (SHUTTERS) Uhhhhhh. (PAUSE) But even before the baby... Your wife isn't interested in your thoughts, is she? Only your status. It's empty, isn't it--spending your evenings, your weekends, with someone who has no interest in your soul. Right? (MADE VULNERABLE BY HER TRUTH) Yes. You have the intuition of a woman, plus the intellect of a man. A lethal combination. (PAUSE) But wait, I was supposed to ask the questions. Go ahead, then. With all your preaching, and analysis, you find me attractive, don't you? (PAUSE) Well? What makes you say that? I've noticed you--watching me--when you think I'm not looking. Ever since the party. I see a longing in your eyes DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 12

17 delivery P (SMILES) You're smiling like the Mona Lisa. Answer me. You shook on it. You're right. I do find you attractive. Physically. [Only.] And I get angry at myself because I know what a beast you really are. Interesting! Tell me more. (SOMEWHAT ENJOYING THIS RARE FLIRTATION) You have to ask the right questions. But I warn you, I will ask more of you, if you follow this line. Have you been with a man? I am right now. Have you been intimate? I thought I told you at the Christmas party. You were drunk. (TEASING) What do you think? If it's true, there's a man somewhere who's missing... Why, thank you. Why do you say that? Me--the questions--remember? Right. Well? (PAUSE) Have you? (PAUSE) Have you been intimate? DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 13

18 delivery P I can trust you? Sam, with--not to speak of this to any one. You're not going to ridicule me? You can trust me. With your secrets. Phyllis. No, Sam. I have not been intimate. I am in my thirties, alone, and I will remain that way for the rest of my life. Such is the sacrifice I have made to enter your world. Do you dream about me? (PAUSE) Am I? Am I in your fantasies? (PAUSE) Yes. I'm afraid so. What do you imagine? Tell me. No. That has nothing to do with the truth. Yes it does. I told you the truth--but the content of my mind, that is my private world. [Those details have nothing to do with the truth.] (ANGRY) You are reneging. You are going back on your word! No I'm not! Yes you are. (PAUSE, RETALIATORY) And I'm not washing my hands! But you must! I've already told you far more than you should ever know DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 14

19 delivery P I want more. If you're a true scientist, then the truth is nothing to be ashamed of. The mind creates images... I don't know where they come from. But they're there... Images?... I've been denying them, fighting them, for so long. But, they keep coming back... stronger... more vivid... (INTRIGUED, NOT YET GETTING THE MEANING) What of? Tell me. I'm ashamed. I'm afraid, that I... too... am a beast. What do you mean? Oh, I can't-- speak--the words. I am a proper woman. I was taught to speak... civilly... I can't speak... obscenities! Obscenities! Now I must hear this! I can't. (LONG PAUSE) Then... show me. What!! Show me... what you imagine. Let me be your...laboratory. Never! DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 15

20 delivery P That's what I said about the germ theory. Until today. You believe? I'm willing to consider. That Dr. Meig is an idiot. I don't know about Semmelweiss, but this Pasteur--his work does seem... reasonable. More importantly, I do respect your... opinion. (PAUSE, PHYLLIS THINKING. SHE IS MORE AND MORE IN CONTROL.) If you don't, let me in, I'll never wash. Ever. And I'll oppose you. You'd sacrifice that young mother--and her child... and the Truth......to experience you......coercing me......yes. Without a regret. If we are still speaking the truth. Do you realize the risk you're taking? Your father-inlaw is on the city council. You're right. My life is... missing... something... You. I don't know. My risk is even greater. As a woman. Come on. You're not afraid of risk, what people say. If you were, you'd never'of gotten where you are now. It would be my word against yours. I'd lose. I'll make it worth your while. I'll promote this germ theory. I'll get you a lab. I'll support DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 16

21 delivery P your...research. (PAUSE) Come on, are you going to go the rest of your life, without... What are you going to do, find a young man? Another married man? You can trust me. (PAUSE, SHE THINKS) Let me see something. (SHE GOES OVER AND KISSES HIM PASSIONATELY. HE TAKES A WHILE TO RECOVER.) What was that? One of my images. I'll entitle it, "The Doctor's Lounge". (HE APPROACHES HER. SHE PUSHES HIM AWAY.) Not so fast. I want a promotion. To assistant professor. What!? I warned you, if you asked more, so would I. A woman professor. Never. Never! (SHE KISSES HIM AGAIN. SHE PULLS AWAY. HE TAKES TIME TO RECOVER.) Would next Monday be soon enough? And another thing. What? Tell me. How badly do you want me. A woman in her thirties. Past her prime. With animal desires. You're far richer than any twenty year old I've met. My wife... And I thought I was alone. At least I have my work DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 17

22 delivery P With you, I can be... I want something else. Anything. I want you to bark. Like the animal that you are. (SAMUEL BARKS, PLAYFULLY.) Ruff ruff. CHRISTINE (FROM OFF) Ohhhhhhh. (HEARS CHRISTINE, HOWLS) Aouuwwwww. Good boy. Now go wash your hands. And deliver that baby. And then? Then I will show you...my mind. You will be my passage into this men's club. You will be my pet. And I'll have you on my leash for ever. (SHE GRABS HIS COLLAR, GIVES HIM A QUICK KISS, AND THEN LEADS HIM TO THE SINK, BY THE COLLAR, SAMUEL PANTING, HIS TAIL WAGGING, AS THE LIGHTS SLOWLY FADE. (THE END.) DY-AS.WPF COPYRIGHT INFO: [5/7/11 07:35] P 18