This project was originally written for my Creative Writing class at CCAC. The assignment was to write a two-page screenplay in which the main character discovers something that changes the situation. Daffodils is a short dramatic scene set during a hospital night shift, where an ordinary conversation takes an unexpected turn.

DAFFODILS

SETTING: The nurse’s lounge of a mid-sized hospital. Night shift, somewhere around 2am. A small table, two chairs, a microwave, a coffee maker. Fluorescent lights. A large, dark window that looks out onto nothing. Present day.

CAMILLE: (Enters.) Oh my God, you would not believe the patient I just had to deal with! (She locks eyes with MELISSA, who is sitting at the table.)

MELISSA: (Holding a paper cup. She gestures at a cup sitting across from her.) Tell me about it. I made your coffee just the way you like.

CAMILLE: (Sits down across from MELISSA.) Ugh. Thank you. (Takes a sip.) Well, it wasn’t really that big of a deal, I guess. Just annoying. He wouldn’t stop talking about his ex-wife.

MELISSA: (Sets down her cup.) Oh! That divorced guy in 216? I lasted about two minutes in that room. Did he mention why they divorced? I wanted to ask but he wouldn’t shut up.

CAMILLE: Not really. I didn’t ask. Something about the worst part was that he trusted everyone around her. (Takes a sip.) Oh, and then he noticed my wedding ring and asked how long I’ve been married. I told him a few years, thinking he was going to finally change the subject, and he went right back to talking about his ex-wife.

(Rain begins to tap the glass of the dark window.)

MELISSA: That is so weird. So how are you and Derek, anyway? I saw he’s working tonight, too.

CAMILLE: We’re fine, I guess. I don’t know. He doesn’t spend much time with me anymore. He’s been working weird shifts lately. It’s like he’s always on call. I think he’s on break soon, actually.

(Beat.)

MELISSA: (Casually.) Oh, I wanted to tell you this. I saw the ugliest “get well” bouquet the other day. You would have hated it. All daffodils, wrapped in this ugly green paper. It was horrific.

(Beat. CAMILLE pauses, looking closely at MELISSA’S face.)

CAMILLE: (Eyes narrowed.) Wait. How did you know I hate daffodils? I don’t remember ever telling you that.

MELISSA: (Laughs awkwardly.) What do you mean? I thought you did tell me. You tell me everything! Or—I don’t know, maybe Derek mentioned it once, like, asking for advice about a present for you or something. Why does it matter?

(CAMILLE goes still, scanning MELISSA’S face. She sets down her cup slowly. Her eyes drift to the window, then back to MELISSA.)

CAMILLE: (Speaking slowly, eyes widening.) It’s you. You’re the reason he’s been… oh my God.

MELISSA: (Shocked.) What?! What do you mean? You think he’s cheating on you? With me?! (Scoffs and waves her hand.) That’s ridiculous!

(DEREK enters. CAMILLE and MELISSA stand up simultaneously.)

CAMILLE: (To DEREK, her voice low.) Did you hear what she said? Is it true?

MELISSA: (Her face turning pale.) That’s crazy. That’s crazy, right, Derek?

(DEREK opens his mouth to speak but says nothing. He stands still, his eyes darting between the two women. CAMILLE and MELISSA look at each other.)

(End scene.)