Poor Joe (A Play)

Secretary: Please, Friend, have a seat.  We'll be with you in just a moment.  It won't be long now. . .  The Doctor is almost done now. . .  Joe, is it?  Well I suppose you've been on the waiting list for quite a while now haven't you?  A couple of months?  And the last time you came to see the doctor was after the incident. . .  But don't worry, you have nothing to worry about. . .  The doctor is really good with these sort of things.  She's the best psycho-specialist on the whole east coast.  You have nothing to worry about, Ms., Joe is going to be just fine.  If there's anything wrong with him the Doctor is sure to figure it out.  Besides, with a health record like Joe's it's a wonder he isn't outside playing right now. . .  You must take really good care of him.  No medications, no conditions of any kind. . .  If only everyone was so fortunate - ah, here comes the doctor now.1

Doctor: Ah, Joe is it?  Come along now.  (In a thoughtful tone.)  Alright boy, come have a seat on the table here, let's have a look at you.  (as they entered the doctor's examination office.)  What seems to be the problem with him?2

Woman: Well Doc, he tends to fall over a lot and fall asleep in the middle of activity. . .  He snores a lot,  and whenever he sleeps his whole body shakes violently and he starts into a whining fit. . .  As if he's having a reoccurring nightmare or some sort of seizure. . .  And when he's awake, he won't talk to me like he used to. . .  He ignores me. . .  Growls at me all the time. . .  Could he have some sort of mood disorder or condition?3

Doctor: Well, Ms., you have just described my ex-husband. . .  But, I assure you this is a common thing among young males, especially the first few months after being neutered.  Pretty soon he'll forget he even had those feelings.4