Gems

(The beeping of an ECG is low and consistent. Emerald, an elderly woman, lies in her hospital bed asleep. She rests peacefully until startled by the presence of her loyal nurse, Nurse Avery. )

                                                         Nurse Avery                                                

Mrs. Davis. Mrs. Davis.

Emerald

Leave me be! Don’t nobody want no damn Jell-o!

Nurse Avery

Mrs. Davis, it’s not lunch time.

Emerald

Then why are you all in my face?

Nurse Avery

Because you have a visitor.

Emerald

(curious)

A visitor?

Nurse Avery

Yes ma’am. Somebody special is here to see you.

Emerald

Tell ‘em I’m dead!

(Suddenly, an offstage voice rings out into the room.)

Ruby

You always were mean as a snake!

(Enter Ruby, electric and elegant, holding an oversized purse. Ruby is much older than she appears. Emerald, now awake, is flustered as she struggles to recognize Ruby.)

Emerald

Ruby MacEntire?

Ruby

In my beautiful chocolate flesh!

(Ruby embraces Emerald tightly and Ruby pulls a chair next to the bed.)

Your nurse called me and I came as soon as I could.

Emerald

This nurse? Nurse Avery?

Nurse Avery

You seem surprised.

Emerald

How did you even know about Ruby?

Nurse Avery

You worried about the wrong thing! Just enjoy the fact that she’s here. This is the part where you say “thank you”!

Emerald

Nah, I think this is the part where I ask for some apple juice.

Nurse Avery

You lucky I like you.

(to Ruby)

Do you want anything ma’am?

Ruby

Got anything stronger than apple juice?

Nurse Avery

(beat.)

 Grape juice.

Ruby