Amanda, a woman pained.- Scene 8

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Scene 8 Int/Night
Inside the hospital. Richard walks down the corridor and enters the doctor's office. The doctor on seeing him stands up abruptly.

Doctor.- Thank God you are here sir.

Richard.- [Alarmed] Is everything alright? Amanda.., is she okay? Where is my wife? Is everything okay with my wife?

Doctor.- I would not say yes sir.. [tries to move towards the door]

Richard.- [Walks up to the doctor menacingly] What the hell do you mean by that... you would not say yes?

Doctor.- [Steps back] Take it easy, I will explain, but you better come with me so you see and understand better. [Shows the way] Please?

Richard sighs and then follows the doctor and they walked from the office down the corridor into the intensive care ward.
Inside the ward, Amanda was tied to her bed as she chants incoherently, while trying to free herself from the straps that holds her to the bed.

Richard.- What...doctor what is happening here? [Rushes forward to Amanda, but stops when she couldn't recognize him] What is happening here? [He turns and grabs the doctor by the shirt]

Doctor.- Take it easy sir.., let me explain. [Stutters] Its its ...

Richard.- Explain what? [lets go of the doctor and breaks down] My good heavens..., What have they done to you Amanda? What have I done?

Doctor.- You have to be a man for your wife sir..

Richard.- [Barks] Be a man? You tie my wife down like some mad person and you tell me to be a man. Tell me, is my wife mad?

Doctor.- Well erm..not completely mad, but it is something that can be explained as being in a state of Limbo.

Richard.- What?

Doctor.- Your wife is in between normalcy and insanity, and nothing can be done at the moment.

Richard.- [Visibly angry and shocked] Are you a doctor? Please tell me you are a doctor and what qualifies you to be called one.

Doctor.- [Confused] What ..I don't get you...

Richard.- Of course you won't get me. Why can't you get me a name for whatever is wrong with my wife and you speak in some jargonistic slang.

Doctor.- But..

Richard.- But me no buts. [Shouts loudly] But me no buts. My wife is in what freaking condition? Tell me what is wrong with my wife..

Doctor.- You have to calm down sir and stop shouting. I will not stand and watch you question my competency..

Richard.- Then sit down...

Doctor.- Sir, your wife's condition is one that has not been properly diagnosed. We are doing our best to stabilize her..

Richard.- [Moving away angrily while beating his fist in the air] Then diagnose properly and tell me what is wrong with my wife, because my wife is not mad... Amanda is not mad. Amanda is my wife and she is not mad.

Richard storms out of the ward, while the doctor and nurses watched.