Dr. Monica (Warner Bros.) (1934)

Adapted by Fred Ruslander from the Warner Bros. drama, starring Kay Francis. WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE Dr. Monica Braden, 30 years old, famous obstetrician, attends an afternoon tea, where she finds her 35 year old husband, John, a novelist, talking with Mrs. Hazlitt, a book critic, and Mary Hathaway, 21 year old aviatrix, who is obviously in love with him. Anna Littlefield, the hostess, imvites her guests to a spaghetti dinner. All accept except John, world???) she continued. “It’s bethrough inexperience. But if we cause the average young doctor, had these clinics, we could who gets such calls, doesn’t know change all that. Expectant what it’s all about.” mothers could come to them for “ve suspected advice, and these young doctors Hazlitt smiled. would get practical experience, that,” Mrs. who pleads an engagement with his publisher, and Mary. CHAPTER II. HEN Dr. Monica returned to the living room, she found Mary and Mrs. Hazlitt discussing aviation. Mary had had her license but two weeks, and openly admitted she was proud of her accomplishment. “‘T suppose you’ll be wanting to cross the ocean,’’ sug gested the book reviewer. ? “‘T’ll never be a stunt flyer of any kind—I’m too fond 9) of being alive, for the doctor. “T hope I didn’t ruffle your husband,” Mrs. Hazlitt said. “I may have been a little too motherly— I’m getting that way.” “Pye just been giving him a motherly talk myself,’ Dr. Monica stated. “He gets his feet wet and forgets his overcoat.” “He should see more of the world,’ Mrs. Hazlitt insisted. “Tt always enrages a young writer to be told that. But he really should travel. His books show it.” Monica smiled. “Do you know, I’ve felt the same way about him—and I’ve finally managed. He’s sailing for Europe next week.” Neither of the two women noticed that Mary’s body had) become tense and that she leaned suddenly forward. “For long” asked the girl. “Six months, anyway,” the wife replied. “I’m not going with him, although he thinks I am. I’ve never been able to have a baby— replied the girl, moving over to make room while he’s away I’m going to the hospital to see what can be done about it. I think [’m entitled to one—after all I’ve slapped the breath into for other people.” Mrs. Hazlitt studied Monica in admiration. “[’m,so interested in the work you’re doing, Doctor,” she declared. “As I remember the article, your plan was to divide the city in sections and have a lying-in hospital in each one.” Monica warmed to the subject. “Tt’s what every city in this country should have,” she said emphatically. “A small maternity hospital to every square mile— just like school houses—then this country wouldn’t be the unsafest place in the world for a woman to have her baby in. Do you know why we have the greatest child birth mortality in the Her lover—the husband of her best friend is deserting her. Mary faints in the arms of the wife she has betrayed. (Kay Francis and Jean Muir in a scene from “Dr. Monica,” one of the really great screen plays of the year.) “It’s a fact. Our medical students don’t wish to become baby doctors, because it isn’t fashionable enough,’ Monica continued. “What’s the result? Sixty thousand mothers slaughtered yearly and the art would take on a little decent dignity.” “Mary, come and sing for us,” called Anna, interrupting Dr. Monica’s plea for expectant mothers. “Tt can’t, Anna,” protested Mary. “I really must run along.” “Nonsense! I’ve said you would, and everyone is waiting,” Anna declared dragging the dazed girl toward the piano. As if in a trance, Mary suffered herself to be led to the piano. Seating herself she struck a few bars at random, and then, as the song started, pitched forward, falling over the keyboard in a faint. Dr. Monica rushed to her, and forced a few drops of water down the girl’s throat. In a moment the color had returned to the young face, and she struggled to her feet. “T’ll be all right now! I must go,” she cried. Monica assisted the girl from ‘he room and led her to a couch. “T have to go to the hospital, and V1] drop you off at your home,” she said. “T have to go the other way,’ Mary declared. “But you shouldn’t gad about,” protested Monica. “You're not fit.” Mary jerked away. “Please let me alone,” she snapped. “I know what I’m doing.” Doctor Monica watched her in hurt surprise as the girl dashed out of the door and entered a taxi. Mary lay back in the taxi breathing heavily. When it stopped she turned to the driver. “Please wait,” she said. Inside of the apartment, in the quiet building before which the automobile had stopped, pacing anxiously and impatiently up and down the floor, John awaited her coming. (To Be Continued) Adapted by Fred Ruslander from the Warner Bros. drama, starring Kay Francis. WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE John Braden, 35 year old novelist, and husband of Dr. ‘¢Why dear?’’ asked the man. ‘¢Tt’s something Monica said,’’ replied Mary. ‘‘She’s not going to Europe with you. When you’re The Eternal Problem Monica Braden, famous obstetrician, is having an illicit affair with Mary Hathaway, 21 year old aviatrix. Dr. Monica had arranged for John to take a long trip abroad, believing, with the critics, that his work showed the need of travel. She broke the news of her husband’s departure at atea party which Mary attended, stating at the same time that during her husband’s absence, she would enter a hospital for treatment that she, too, might have a baby. Mary, learning for the first time that her lover was about to leave her, fainted, and affronted Dr. Monica by refusing her assistance. She then went to the love nest to keep a rendezvous with John. CHAPTER III. gone she’s going to the hospital, so it can be possible for her to have a child.’’ John looked stunned. ‘After hearing that, being here seems like breaking in on someone’s sacred plans,’’ continued the girl. ‘“We couldn’t help ourselves, we’re doing our best. I’m not sure it’s the right thing, either. Why do we only think of Monica?’’ OHN Braden had set himself out to be a perfect host that J evening. The little apartment was a small affair. There was a combination living and dining room, into which opened a bed room and a tiny kitchenette. John had turned off the electric lights and stood moodily looking at the flame of two candles burning on the table, which he had set for two. Despite the intimate appearance of the place, the man seemed worried and distraught, but when the sound of Mary’s steps was heard, his face brightened somewhat, and he moved quickly to her. Crossing the room, the girl put down her bag and began taking off her gloves, her back to John. ‘¢T’ve just heard you’re going away,’’ she said. ‘tT was afraid of that,’’ he ad mitted. ‘‘I didn’t want you to know until after tonight.’’ **So this is our last time together?’’ the girl asked. ‘‘I heard Monica say you were going. I realized that was how you meant to break it off.’’ ‘‘Tf there aren’t thousands of miles between us, we’ll be back Page Ten together in a week. We can’t go on this way. Let’s not think of it now, though,’’ he added. ‘‘Let’s make ourselves forget that this is the last time we’ll be together. We’ve talked it over so much. We both know we can’t sacrifice Monica to our happiness. We’ve agreed we must part. Now, though, let’s forget everything except that we love each other.’’ ‘*We can’t even do that now,’’ replied the girl, going into the bed room and starting to pack her things—a house robe, slippers, and a few toilet articles—into a small week-end bag. ‘‘I shouldn’t have come here, only I couldn’t help myself. But it has to be over now.’?’ the man groaned, grabbing Mary in his arms. ‘‘ Would Monica want us to make such a sacrifice if she knew??? ‘“No, she’d sacrifice herself instead,’’ the girl answered. ‘‘But tell. me something. Would you want her to suffer like this? If you knew she were, on our account, you’d soon be hating me.’’ Mary turned away and closed the bag. John sat down on the bed and pulled her to him. ‘tT love you most, Mary.’’ He clung to her, bowing his head in the girl’s lap. ‘*T know you do, dear,’’ she said. ‘‘But there’s a spark of deceney in both of us that we can’t overcome. Perhaps if it were anyone else but Monica—but it has to end this way. Kiss me, once, and then I’m going.’’ John rose and took her in his arms, while Mary buried her face on his shoulder. A tremor ran through the girl’s body. Her arms stole around the “There’s a spark of decency in both of us,” Mary cried, “that we cannot overcome. This must be good-bye”—(Warren William and Jean Muir in a soul searing scene from the Warner Bros. drama “Dr. Monica.” ) man’s neck, and convulsive sobs wracked her chest. **Don’t come to the door with me,’’ she eried, as she rushed out. The next morning John Braden sailed for Europe. His departure was watched by his wife and a little group of her friends. It was watched too, by Mary, who, a little distance from the others, waved as she gazed with eyes made blind by tears, at the rapidly disappearing vessel. ‘*He couldn’t see us,’’ Monica remarked in a puzzled tone, as she turned away from the dock. ‘‘He was waving, but in a different direction from where we were. Why, there’s Mary,’’ she added as she caught sight of the weeping girl. ‘‘Were you seeing off??? Anna asked. Mary nodded. ‘Well, don’t cry. He’ll come back,’’ Monica counselled, placing her arm around the girl’s waist. ‘*Never to me,’’ sobbed Mary. ‘“Never, in this world, to me. (To Be Continued) someone (Fictionization continued on Page 19)