ABBY
How long is that woman here?
SCOTTY
What do you mean?
ABBY
It’s been three weeks. And she never stops talking. How long is this supposed to go on?
SCOTTY
This is where she lives, Abby.
ABBY
Well yes, for now, but I / meant—
SCOTTY
Not just for now. Indefinitely. This is Marilyn’s room. Same as you.
ABBY
But I thought she was being moved as soon as a bed opened up. And from what I hear, that fat woman on the first floor died last night.
SCOTTY
Mrs. Moore. Her name was Mrs. Moore.
ABBY
Well I can’t keep track of everyone’s name. You knew who I meant. She’s dead isn’t she?
SCOTTY
She passed away, yes.
ABBY
Then there’s an open bed.
SCOTTY
I think Marilyn prefers this room. She said she likes the view of the park. She’s very happy in here.
ABBY
But everyone wants the first floor. It’s closer to everything. And I’ve always had my own room, Scotty.
SCOTTY
That’s not true.
ABBY
Most of the time. That Spanish lady was here for a few months, but after / her—
SCOTTY
If there’s space, we try to accommodate you, but there’s not always space. And you don’t have a private room.
ABBY
Not officially maybe.
SCOTTY
If you and your family want to pay for a private room—
ABBY
If I have to have someone in here, why can’t it be someone quiet? What about that woman without the voice box? She seems nice.
SCOTTY
So is Marilyn. You just need to give her a / chance.
ABBY
That woman is troubled, Scotty. I think there’s something wrong with her. She’s always trying to make little bets with me.
SCOTTY
What do you mean, bets? What kind of bets?
ABBY
Just the stupidest things. Guessing games and quizzes. This morning she wanted to race me to the elevator. Last night she bet me she could balance a slipper on her head.
SCOTTY
Could she?
ABBY
I don’t know, I rolled over. You have to get her out of here.
SCOTTY
I can’t force her to leave, Abby.
ABBY
Management could. Charlie Hastings would’ve done it. He always made sure I had my own room.
SCOTTY
Well, Charlie doesn’t work here anymore.
ABBY
Which is a shame. Charlie liked me.
SCOTTY
I like you too. But, I’m not in charge of room assignments. Miss Larusso is.
ABBY
Well you’re friends with her, aren’t you? I see you in her office all the time watching those cat videos or whatever they are. They must be very funny the way you two carry on.
SCOTTY
They aren’t cat videos.
ABBY
No?
SCOTTY
Not all of them.
ABBY
Can’t you talk to her?
SCOTTY
You talk to her. Be your own advocate.
ABBY
Oh that never works. Besides, Miss Larusso doesn’t like me.
SCOTTY
Because you’re mean to her.
ABBY
Her problem is, she has no sense of humor. Charlie Hastings thought I was hilarious.
SCOTTY
Because he was drunk.
ABBY
You leave that man alone.
SCOTTY
He had a terrible drinking problem, which is why he was fired.
ABBY
All I know is, he did whatever I asked him to. If he were here, that woman would’ve been gone by now.
(Marilyn enters. She’s warm and pleasant.)
SCOTTY
There she is.
MARILYN
Here I am.
SCOTTY
How you feeling, Marilyn?
MARILYN
I feel great, thank you. Just back from my walk.
SCOTTY
Oh, are you doing that now?
MARILYN
Every day after lunch. Twice around the park. Me and Alice and Sally. Mr. Hantz comes along sometimes. I’ve invited Abby but she doesn’t like the exercise.
ABBY
It’s not the exercise I don’t like.
MARILYN
Did you make my bed, Scotty? I’ve told you that you don’t have to do that. I’m only gonna mess it up again. I’m a restless sleeper.
ABBY
Also she snores.
MARILYN
It’s true!
ABBY
I had to get earplugs.
MARILYN
My Oliver used to boot me out of bed. Usually it’s the husband on the couch, but with us it was me. Poor man.
ABBY
My very thought.
MARILYN
(Chuckles at that) Isn’t she awful, Scotty?
SCOTTY
She is, yes. She’s awful. (As he exits) I’ll be back.
MARILYN
We missed you in the dining room. You should see it down there. They have it all done up for Halloween now. Pumpkins up on the walls, skeletons, black cats. You’d love it.
ABBY
Why would you think that?
MARILYN