Scene 2

[After taking off their shoes and leaving them on a mat near the front door, Neil and Eva walk in, slowly taking in the atmosphere of the house.]

[It is simply perfect. Surrounding a orange stained glass table in the center are two beige leather loveseat couches and a black upright piano. The square rug underneath the table and couches is adorned with a design of four large red roses in the cardinal direction, four blue roses in the intermediate direction, and several yellow roses in between every blue and red rose. A small but intricate chandelier illuminates the entire living room brightly. The place is completely spotless, and the furniture looks like it has never been touched. Even the scent of the house reeks of newly bought furniture.]

[Neil carefully places down the box next to him. He lowers himself to sit down on one of the two couches at the glass table. Eva takes the initiative to sit on the couch opposite of him. The woman comes in, and sets tea out on the glass table between the two couches. Neil is quick to grab one of the teacups.]

Eva: Thank you, miss.

[Eva reaches for the teacup, and Neil holds his teacup and saucer to his face, getting ready to drink]

Neil: So, tell me. Who's the patient, how long do they got, and what do they want before passing on?

[The woman sits down next to Eva.]

Woman: Actually, I must be honest. There is no one is dying here.

[Neil puts down his cup onto the saucer.]

Neil: [flatly] What?

Woman: In fact, no one is sick either.

Eva: [raises an eyebrow] Really?

Woman: Yes. It is my understanding that the Sigmund Corporation specializes in altering the memories of a person to fulfill whatever wish they desire before they pass. However, the situation is a little different.

[Neil and Eva exchange a concerned glance.]

Neil: So, what exactly is wrong then, lady?

[Eva glares at Neil.]

Woman: There is no need to alter any memories. Instead, you would just need to help my daughter remember them.

Eva: Ehh... [pauses] Well, I suppose we could reactivate the memories of any person. And that way, they wouldn't need to be dying since there are no conflicting memories being created. However, not only is it difficult regardless of what needs to be done, but Dr. Watts and myself aren't really here for that in the first place.

Neil: Yeah. Our client's name here, according to your phone call, is a woman named Ib, right?

[The woman's eyes dart around aimlessly.]

Woman: Well, yes, but... Not exac-

[Footsteps can be heard going towards the living room.]

Voice: Mommy! What are we eating for-

[A girl with golden blonde hair reaching her waist and a cotton green dress walks into the living room. She too seems to be dressed very nicely. She begins to stare at the two doctors, particularly Neil, with intrigue and slight alarm.]

Girl: [worried] Who are these people?

Eva: A little girl?

Neil: I really don't think we should be the ones to be here... [pauses] Huh. Déjà vu. Happens a lot, apparently.

Woman: Oh heavens, no! Not my dear Mary. But yes, Ib is a little girl. She's nine years old. [to Mary] Mary, can you go play with Ib for now? The adults need to speak, okay?

[Mary stands in place, frozen for just a moment. She eventually regains consciousness and walks out wordlessly. Both Neil and Eva start drinking their tea.]

Neil: I got a feeling she doesn't like us.

Eva: That doesn't matter. [turns to the Woman] Anyway, we came here expecting that we would go take a look at a person's memories, alter them to fulfill their dreams, and leave our client before they pass.

Neil: Yeah, what she said. And like I said before, I really don't think we're the right people. You should-

Woman: [interrupting] Still, it'll be quick, I promise!

[Neil quickly finishes his tea, places his cup on his saucer and leaves both on the table.]

Neil: Good tea. Thanks!

[The woman nods her head in appreciation.]

Neil: Back on subject, you don't know that. One of our clients requested our service, and we stayed there for half a week! We could be helping someone else out in that time. After all, we have more cases than just this one. If we are helping you instead of someone who is actually dying-

Woman: Is there any possible way, Dr. Rosalene?

Eva: What exactly is the problem with Ib?

Woman: She has been complaining about not remembering... something that seems direly important.

Eva: [flatly] That's it?

[Eva places her unfinished tea back onto her saucer.]

Neil: That seems a little... I dunno, a little underwhelming, don't you think? And can you be a little more specific than "something?"

[The woman shakes her head.]

Woman: She hasn't been communicative with me, my husband, or her sister. Please. She's been struggling with this for the past three weeks now!

Eva: Three weeks isn't normal for a child, but like we said-

Woman: What if you come here after work, with the equipment? Just take a quick look.

Neil: Eva, didn't the last guy that used the equipment against company policy get fired?

Eva: Not only was he fired, he was also sued by the agency. [hushed] Also Neil, Dr. Rosalene? Not Eva.

[Neil quickly sticks out his tongue, but gets interrupted by the sounds of ceramics clanging with glass.]

Woman: [yelling] There has to be something I can do for my poor Ib!

[The woman breathes through her teeth, rubbing her reddened pinky gently. An air of silence fills the room. A long brief moment passes before Neil breaks the silence.]

Neil: [exhales] Fine.

Eva: [exclaiming] Dr. Watts!?

Woman: You'll do it? Really?

[Neil starts to get up from the couch.]

Neil: [mild strain] No, but I'll tell the higher-ups about the situation. You should ask them too. If they'll give a pass on it, and if we, we being you, Eva- I mean Dr. Rosalene, and me... If we give them a signed contract of the specific details of the case, they might let us do it.

Eva: I guess that might work. But there's no guarantee, and if that happens to be the case, then I'm afraid we won't be able to help you, miss.

Neil: Chances are, you'll probably have to pay in advance, at least half. And the price is probably going to be really steep.

[The woman tears up.]

Woman: [voice cracking] Yes, that will be fine. I'll make sure it'll happen, Dr. Watts, Dr. Rosalene! Anything for my little girl.

Neil: I guess that'll be that! So, we'll be leaving, and we'll know if you are able to do it, since our bosses will probably tell us.

[The woman recomposes herself, wiping the tears off of her face. Neil stares at the door.]

Eva: By the way, if I may ask, who told you about us, the Agency?

Woman: [clears her throat] One of our family friends, a woman named Lily.

[Neil walks over to Eva's unfinished tea, and downs the rest of it.]

Eva: Lily. What a coincidence! We helped her out too. She was taking care of the man who became our client.

Woman: Oh really? Was she the nice woman that I have always known?

Eva: Of course. She was very ladylike and courteous. Kind of like you, come to think of it.

Woman: Hmm...

[She closes her eyes and smiles, clearly in deep thought.]

Neil: Hey Eva, we should head out. We still have another case tonight.

Eva: Oh, right. [turns to the Woman] So, you'll speak to our bosses and if they say it's okay for us to do the procedure, we shall.

Woman: Thank you so much!

Eva: No no, thank you for your hospitality.

Neil: Yeah, the tea was great!

[The woman, blushing, gets up and shows the two to the door. Neil leads the way out of the house, slowly walking down the path.]

Woman: I will make sure you two are back here. I would rather have someone who knows the entire situation and all to be working on my little girl.

Eva: I'm sure that if you're successful, we'll have to. By the way miss, I don't believe I caught your name.

Woman: Oh my! I'm sorry, my name is Sherry.

[Neil turns around.]

Neil: Like the drink?

[Sherry laughs lightheartedly and closes the door.]

Eva: Neil, did you bring the equipment?

Neil: I told you to bring it out.

[Eva places two fingers on her forehead in supreme irritation.]

Eva: Neil. Get the equipment. Now.

Neil: Fine... [pauses] Actually, can you get it?

Eva: Stop wasting time! You're the one so eager for the next patient.

Neil: Ugh. Okay, okay. I'm getting it.

[Neil turns around and knocks on the door. Mary answers the door, clearly unhappy of his presence on the porch.]

Neil: Oh hello, little girl. I need to-

[Mary closes the door.]

Neil: [shouting loudly] Hey! Let me in!

[Neil continues to knock on the door. Some time passes, when Mary opens the door again, giving Neil a grudging look.]

Neil: Very funny. I need to get-

[She attempts to close the door again, but Neil places his foot in between the door opening.]

Neil: Hah! Take that!

[Mary runs away, presumably to her room.]

Eva: [shouting] Neil! What's the hold up?

Neil: [shouting] I was just held up by a little twerp! I'll be there in a few.

[Neil walks over to the metallic box, and stares at it.]

Neil: Man, we didn't even use it today, and I had to carry this stupid- [sigh]

[Neil hastily picks up the box, still struggling, and leaves the house. A loud thud can be heard from outside.]

Eva: Did you just drop the equipment?

Neil: [shouting] I didn't drop it! I was going to close the door.

[Neil closes the door and walks toward the car.]

Eva: You totally dropped it.

Neil: [chuckling] I guess I did... But there was butter on the machinery! And then-

[Neil exclaims in pain. Eventually, the sounds of a car revving up and rolling away is heard. A thin man dressed in a spiffy gray suit walks down the steps towards the house. He pulls out his keys and tries to unlock the door, but discovers that it is already unlocked. He walks inside.]