NOT READY
                                 By Martin Douglas

               Valery just recently found out that she is pregnant with 
               Thatcher's child.  She' been hesitant to tell him for fear 
               of what he'll say.  She finally decides to break the news to 
               him. 

               INT. BEDROOM -- NIGHT

               Thatcher sits in bed reading a book next to his wife Valery, 
               who continues to toss and turn.

                                     THATCHER
                         Would you stop it already.

                                     VALERY
                         Stop what.

                                     THATCHER
                         Tossing and turning....Are you feeling 
                         okay?

                                     VALERY
                         Yeah.

                                     THATCHER
                         Something's bothering you.  What is 
                         it?

               Valery sits up next to Thatcher.

                                     VALERY
                         Are you sure you want to know?

                                     THATCHER
                         Yes I want to know.

                                     VALERY
                         I'm pregnant.

                                     THATCHER
                         Maybe I shouldn't have asked.

                                     VALERY
                         Are you upset?

                                     THATCHER
                         No.  Just a little surprised.

                                     VALERY
                         Angry?

                                     THATCHER
                         I don't know.....You should have 
                         told me sooner.

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                                                                         2.


                                     VALERY
                         I know.

                                     THATCHER
                         Have you called the doctor yet?

                                     VALERY
                         Doctor?

                                     THATCHER
                         Yeah, you're getting an abortion 
                         right?

                                     VALERY
                         No.

                                     THATCHER
                         Valery I don't want a kid.

                                     VALERY
                         I thought...

                                     THATCHER
                         We'll call the doctor in the morning 
                         and set up an appointment.

                                     VALERY
                         Thatcher I'm not getting an abortion.

                                     THATCHER
                         Yes you are.  Valery I can't be a 
                         father.

                                     VALERY
                         Don't tell me what I'm going to do.  
                         I'm having the child and that's final.

                                     THATCHER
                         Valery listen to me....

                                     VALERY
                         No you listen to me.  I'm having the 
                         child whether you like it or not.

                                     THATCHER
                         You don't understand.  I'm not ready 
                         to have a child!

                                     VALERY
                         What are you talking about?

                                     THATCHER
                         You wouldn't understand.

                                     VALERY
                         What are you so afraid of?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         3.


                                     THATCHER
                         Everything.  I'm afraid of everything.  
                         That's why I don't want you to have 
                         this child.

                                     VALERY
                         What?

                                     THATCHER
                         My father was never their for me.  
                         He was a terrible father.  People 
                         always say you end up like your 
                         parents.  I'm afraid I'm going to 
                         end up like my father and treat my 
                         child the same way.  I'm already 
                         like him in some ways and...and that's 
                         why I'm not ready.  There are things 
                         in my life I'm not prepared for yet 
                         as a person and I don't want to mess 
                         up my child's life like my dad messed 
                         up mine.

                                     VALERY
                         Thatcher the fact that you care should 
                         be enough for you to realize you're 
                         not going to be like your father. 

                                     THATCHER
                         I don't know the first thing about 
                         being a father.  What if I'm not any 
                         good at it?

                                     VALERY
                         You'll do fine.

                                     THATCHER
                         I don't even know if I can handle 
                         the responsibilities.  Can we even 
                         afford to have this child?

                                     VALERY
                         Thatcher do you love me?

                                     THATCHER
                         What?

                                     VALERY
                         Do you love me?

                                     THATCHER
                         Yes.

                                     VALERY
                         Then trust me when I say that 
                         everything is going to be fine.  You 
                         trust me right?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         4.


                                     THATCHER
                         I trust you.

                                     VALERY
                         Good.

               She kisses him on the cheek.

                                     VALERY (CONT'D)
                         Now come back to bed.  We've got a 
                         long day tomorrow.

               Thatcher lays down in bed next to Valery.