The Graduate

 By Derek Wenmoth

Summary

Rachel has recently graduated from Medical School, and announces to her stunned parents that she intends to use her medical knowledge on the mission field.

Cast:

Rachel Newly graduated Doctor
David Father; successful, hardnosed businessman
Mary Mother; doesn't like conflict

Setting

The lounge of an upper middle class house.

Script:

 

(All three enter through the front door of their house, hang up their coats. Rachel and Mary sit down on the couch, David opens a bottle of champagne and pours three glasses. He hands them to the two women and proposes a toast.)

 

David:
Here's to the new doctor in the family. Well done, darling, your mother and I are really proud of you.

Rachel:
(smiling and raising her glass) Thanks Dad.

(Rachel sits back and relaxes.)

Mary:
Five years, darling. Five years and all that hard work and now it's all over. (Mary looks over at David and smiles. ) I think it's time you had a nice holiday.

David:
Oh yes. (He pulls an envelope from his suit pocket. ) We thought a couple of weeks in Fiji would be nice... (waves the tickets in front of Rachel)

Rachel
(A little embarrassed ) Oh Dad, that's really nice of you, but I'm not sure...

David :
(interrupting to continue ) ...And when you get back I've had a word with Jack Masters, down at the medical clinic, and I've persuaded him that he needed a new GP. You start in a month, and on a decent salary.

(Rachel looks very uneasy)

Mary:
Rachel, what's wrong. We thought you'd be pleased.

Rachel:
Mum, Dad. I already have a job waiting for me.

Mary:
Oh darling that's wonderful. Where is it, I hope you will still be here in the city. (turns to face Dave )You see Dave, I told you not to interfere. Our little girl has got her own job. (turns back to Rachel) Now, dear, tell us all about it...

Rachel :
(decidedly uneasy) Mum, Dad, I think you had better sit down.

(Mary and David sit down, Mary beside Rachel and David opposite her.)

Rachel:
Mum, Dad I really appreciate all your help, especially the money during my studies. Dad it was really sweet that you found me a job, and that you're offering me a trip to Fiji, but...

Mary:
(Eager) Yes dear - go on...

David:
(Sternly) Indeed - go on,... but what?

Rachel:
(Timidly) ...but I have decided to accept a job offer working in Sri Lanka with World Vision.

(David and mary look at Rachel, open-mouthed, then at each other.)

David:
(Angry outburst) What!!! You are not!!! No daughter of mine is going to work in some Asian hell hole, especially Sri Lanka. For goodness sake the country is practically at war. (Throws his arms up in exasperation)

Mary:
(Trying to mediate) What your father is trying to say dear, is you can't go there, it's dangerous - you may get hurt.

Rachel:
It is not a "Hell Hole." (Sighs) Look, I know there may be some danger, but there are a lot of very needy people there. People that I think I can help.

David:
(Increasing agitation and anger) Listen here young lady. I did not pay the best part of a hundred thousand dollars to get you educated at the best medical school in the country to have you waste your life working in... in Sri Lanka.

Mary:
Yes darling, it does seem like an awful waste of your talents.

Rachel:
Mum, helping others who don't have a chance of getting decent medical care is not a waste of time.

Mary:
I understand how you feel dear, but, don't you think it would be better to get a bit of experience her first - take the opportunity to learn more skills and then think about going when you're better prepared?

David:
(standing up and pointing his finger) For goodness sake - she's prepared already - but not for Sri Lanka - she's prepared for a life in a reputable medical practice here in the city - not in some God forsaken country. I'm afraid my mind's made up, - you are not going!

Rachel:
Dad, I don't want to argue with you, but I am going, in four weeks.

(David walks away and then turns back, changing tack)

David:
Look, if you want to go overseas, why not at least work in a decent hospital that has adequate facilities. London, L.A. Even South Africa. Look, I've got a mate in Cape Town who could get you into one of the top medical facilities in the country. Why don't I give him a ring.

Mary:
Oh yes dear. That would be nice.

Rachel:
Look, It's not that I want to go to overseas. I want to go somewhere where I can do some good for people who can't afford it.

David:
Oh here we go. Off to save the world again. (Turning to Mary) You see, I told you about that mob she's been hanging out with. Bunch of do good liberals who wouldn't recognise reality if it came up and hit them on the nose.

Mary:
(Defensively) That's a little bit harsh dear. I've met some of them and they are really quite nice. Anyway, I'm sure they mean well.

David:
Yeah Great! They mean well but never get anything done. When will people like them grow up and start taking some responsibility for their lives. (turns back to Rachel) And how much does this wonder job pay? It had better be a lot for what you are putting your mother and me through.

Rachel:
Nothing. It's voluntary.

David:
(David looks skyward in frustration and anger. Sarcastically) Well isn't that just wonderful. You bludge on me for five years, get a first class education in a profession that could see you financially secure for the rest of your life, and you go and work for free. Talk about irresponsible, Where are your brains.

Mary:
Yes dear, it does seem a bit strange to work ...well... to work for free.

Rachel:
(ignoring her father) Mum, I know it seems a bit crazy, but I really want to do something that counts. These people don't have a thing. They're dying of things that we go to the chemist and but a pill for. It's just not fair. Someone has to do something.

David:(Still sarcastic) "And that someone just has to be you. Look, there are heaps of people in this country, in this city, who need help. Why don't you go and satisfy your bleeding heart conscience on them.

Rachel:
I know there are people hurting here, but when you compare what we have in New Zealand with what they have, well it just doesn't compare. We are so rich, we're living in a different world.

David:
So all the people living on the streets, or suffering from AIDS, or spaced out on dope are rich and well off are they?

Rachel:
(Stands, shouts, close to tears) No of course not. But at least we have a social welfare system that will take care of them. The people in Sri Lanka have nothing. Absolutely nothing. They're dying of hunger while we eat three course meals. It not fair, it's just not fair! (She runs from the room)

(David turns and gets himself another drink. Long pause while he and Mary compose themselves.)

Mary:
You know she's going no matter what we say.

David:
(Tired and resigned to a hopeless situation) Yes I know. The little fool. I guess we will just have to pick up the pieces when the bubble bursts and it all falls apart.

Mary:
(Thoughtfully) Maybe the bubble won't burst. You know, when I think about what she is doing,....I'm kind of proud of her.

David:
(surprised) What!!

Mary:
(More determined) Yes, she's obviously thought long and hard about this - it's no spur of the moment decision. I think she is doing something really very special. She needs our support, not our condemnation, and what's more we are going to do everything we can to help her.

David:
(very surprised and taken aback) We are??

Mary:
In fact - we're going to pay her airfares!

David:
(still surprised) We are??

Mary:
And send her a monthly allowance.

David:
Oh no! You've got that wrong - she's already had everything she's going to get from me!

Mary:
Well if you won't, then I will, I've still got some money saved from the relief teaching I've been doing. She's my daughter, and I trust her judgement.

David :
(aghast) You're serious aren't you - you're really on her side? How can you be after everything we've invested in her and now she's.. now she's prepared to throw it all away!

Mary :
(Assertive now) Helping people who can't help themselves isn't throwing it all away. Using the very skills and abilities she's spent five years developing in isn't throwing it away. I'll tell you what throwing it all away is - it's having the dream to actually do something of value, and the opportunity and ability to do something about it, and then not doing it - that's throwing it all away. (Turns to walk off stage)

David:
(Stunned) Mary - where are you going...

Mary:
Our daughter needs our support - I'm going to help her pack. You can come too if you want - and bring your chequebook! (exits)

(David left standing, looking sheepish. Pauses, pulls cheque book from pocket, shakes head over it, undecided. Exits.)

 

© Derek Wenmoth 1997

All rights reserved
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged.

In exchange for free performance, the author would appreciate being notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed.
He may be contacted at: dwenmoth@xtra.co.nz