Shelter Page #4

---

I don't think it's gonna work out.

- Do you have a place for tonight?

- Yeah. I found a placement.

It was hard though. Everything's

booked up because of the storm so...

- I can't even stay long, but...

- Get going. You don't want to miss curfew.

A**hole.

You f***ing scared me.

- I missed you.

- I won't have too much longer.

They're letting me go tomorrow.

We've been observing him for three days.

He's ambulant and he's well enough

to leave the hospital.

- If he continues to take his medication...

- Really? Because it's 20 degrees outside.

And by the way,

you are required to treat everyone

regardless of the immigration status.

This has nothing to do with his status

as an illegal immigrant.

We've looked after him well. He has had

great care. He is simply well enough...

Excuse me. It's a crock of sh*t.

I'm sorry. You know it.

You know it's about a bed.

He's not well enough to leave.

I'm sorry. What qualifies you

to make that prognosis?

You don't have to be a doctor to see

that he's not well enough to leave.

Actually, yes, you do.

I spent four years as an undergraduate.

Four years in med school,

three years in residency,

and a further two in fellowship. All of

which makes me a quote unquote doctor.

And in my opinion,

this patient, Tahir Abdi,

is fit and well enough

to leave this hospital.

I got stuck at the hospital.

I'm sorry, Hannah. It's just regulation.

It was curfew and there was

still a line of people.

- I'm not allowed to hold your bed.

- I know. I know.

Just stay calm. Let me make a phone call.

See if I can find you a placement.

Tracy? Did she speak to Tracy?

I don't know.

Okay. Well, go have a seat.

I'll go see what I can find out.

Okay, I don't know who she spoke to,

but we are definitely full to the bursting.

But I found you a place

at the Tillary Street Women's Shelter.

In Brooklyn?

Okay, so I gotta get to Brooklyn.

It was the only thing I could find.

Usually our van would be here to...

take you over there,

but because of the storm.

Look, here.

You're gonna wanna take

the R to... Jay Street.

You look freezing.

I've got reason to.

Don't you have anywhere to go?

Nope, not tonight.

It's a rough night to be out.

It's not fit to walk a dog in.

My daughter's about your age.

Oh, yeah?

What's her name?

Listen, I can't let you in here.

They have cameras all over the lobby

and it's more than my job is worth,

but if you go around the block,

I can let you in the back

and you can sleep in the boiler room.

- Really?

- Yeah, really.

So I'll meet you around back.

Okay? It's a big, green metal door.

- Okay.

- Okay.

- Thank you very much.

- Oh, you're welcome very much.

Couldn't have you get to your death

out there, could we?

I'm sorry. It's not much.

Oh, no. It's perfect, honestly.

There's more blankets in there.

It's so kind of you, really.

I'm beginning to feel my feet again.

What are you expecting?

Well, now I'm embarrassed.

I mean you're getting a bed

for the night...

so we don't have to... but you know...

this is New York.

It's not a something for nothing town.

Look. Let me look at your face.

Mary.

My daughter's name is Mary.

You asked earlier.

She married a real clean guy.

They live out in Jersey City.

Three kids.

Listen, I need you out of here by five.

Five-fifteen at the latest, okay?

I'll wake you up at four forty-five.

I'll bring you a coffee.

Okay?

Okay?

Look, since you aren't married,

the city is gonna give you a hard time

if you want shelter together.

We'll go to BA to get you guys a placement,

but for the best chance,

we need to gather some documents

and that'll take a few days,

maybe even a week.

The best I can do right now is get you

into separate shelters for men and women.

He couldn't get into a shelter.

They said he was a...

risk and disturbance with his coughing so...

they sent him back to the hospital

who won't take him either.

I see it all the time. People push back

and forth between shelter and hospital.

And finally, they give up.

It's just not an option.

He can't be on the streets right now.

That's why we really need a place

where I can look after him.

Okay.

Look, we will do everything we can,

but there's just no place I can

get you both into tonight as a couple.

Here's a list of some

of the documents we'll need.

And in the meantime, I can arrange a place

for you to stay tonight on your own.

- Hey.

- Hey.

- I got you a sandwich.

- Cool.

- Any luck?

- Nothing. Not even Abdul had space.

You? Not even for yourself?

No.

- I couldn't find anything.

- Not even for yourself, Hannah?

- I want you to go home.

- I want you back with me.

It would be easier for me

if you were not here.

- How much medicine do you have left?

- Enough.

I have enough.

I know a place.

I know a place we can go

and stay together.

We are very grateful. Thank you.

I'm not so sure this is such a great idea.

I mean, there was

just one of you last time.

It'll be the same as before.

We'll be quiet.

You'll be out of here

every morning at five?

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

Okay. We'll try it.

I'd sure like to help you people,

but I don't wanna lose my job.

You know...

Where's your inhaler?

Where is it?

And the steroids?

Okay.

Alright.

I'm here.

I'm here.

Breathe. Breathe.

Exhale.

It's gonna be okay.

So this is fifty.

This will cost you thirty-five

and the steroids are...

- two eighty-five.

- Two eighty-five.

You know, I lost his insurance card.

Is there any way that you could process it?

I can't do anything without a prescription.

Can you have your doctor call it in?

What are the last four digits

of his social?

Hello?

- Hello?

- Hi, who's that?

Jake.

Who's this?

Is your grandpa there?

Gramp!

Hello?

Hello?

- Who is this?

- Hi, Dad.

Hannah? Hannah, is that you?

Where are you? Are you coming home?

Tell me you're coming home.

I wanna come home, yeah.

Well, where are you? I'll come get you!

- I'm still in New York.

- That's great.

I can be on a plane by tonight.

No. No, you don't have to do that...

Maybe you can just wire

the money for a train ticket.

Hannah, you know I can't do that.

Tell me where you are.

I'll come and get you.

I'm clean, Dad.

- I swear to God.

- No, I can't. I can't. I can't.

Truth is, I need the money

for my boyfriend.

He's sick. He's run out of his meds.

- No, no, I can't wire you money.

- I'm not using.

- And you know why. You've said that.

- I'm not using, Dad. I swear to God.

- It's been four months now.

- You've said this before, Hannah.

I know, I know, I know I have

and I know how it sounds,

but I promise you this time it's true.

- Why did you lie to me about the train ticket?

- I don't know. I don't know.

Stupid. Stupid. I just...

He's... he's... he needs his meds.

He's so sick and I didn't think

you'd believe me.

They cost three hundred

and seventy dollars. I...

Well, if he's that ill then you

should take him to a hospital.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes