Walkin’ the line (abort!)
A young woman, Clara, is approaching the entrance to an abortion clinic. A protester, Trevor, stops her at the door.
TREVOR
Ma’am, don’t be afraid. I’m not one of those crazy, violent protesters. I just want to talk to you. Please. Just for a moment.
CLARA
Please let me through.
TREVOR
Please, just reconsider your decision for a moment. Your child could grow up to be the next Albert Einstein or Gandhi.
CLARA
I doubt that.
TREVOR
You could be bearing the messiah! What if Mary had aborted Jesus? She was young, she was unprepared, she was scared…just like you.
CLARA
Listen, what if I’m bearing the next unibomber? Or Charles Manson? Your logic doesn’t really work.
TREVOR
You’ll never know unless you give it a chance! That’s the miracle of life…
CLARA
And if it grows up to be evil?
TREVOR
There’s always the death penalty!
A beat.
CLARA
So you’re fine with death as long as it’s not a fetus?
TREVOR
All I’m saying is that everyone deserves a chance at life. If they mess it up, then we can always step in and deal with it later.
CLARA
What if I told you I was going to raise this child to be an abortion doctor?
TREVOR
(drawing back)
You wouldn’t.
CLARA
Oh I would. I come from a long line of abortion doctors. In fact, I’m sure he’d be the best abortion doctor that ever lived! You know what, you’re right. You’re absolutely right. How could I ever prevent a fledgling life from living up to its full potential? I’m keeping the baby!
TREVOR
(terrified, he flip flops)
You know what, you probably don’t want the financial responsibility of raising this child. You’re young, you’re scared, you probably don’t even know the father. Probably better to just get rid of this one.
Trevor opens the door and quickly gestures into the clinic.
CLARA
Thank you.
Clara enters, the pauses.
CLARA
Oh, by the way asshole, I’m not pregnant: I work here.
END
