Dr. Weeks Tells Shirley Her Baby Is Deaf

Written by David McMillan & Janet Mock for the television series Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, this dramatic duologue captures a life-altering medical consultation between a physician and a worried parent. Dr. Weeks must inform a young mother, Shirley, that the antibiotic treatment used to cure her infant son's pneumonia has resulted in profound and permanent hearing loss. The scene traces a rapid, devastating shift from an anxious diagnostic discussion into overwhelming shock, exploring how a parent processes life-changing news in real time.

Shirley is an attentive, loving mother who correctly sensed something was wrong with her baby, yet remains completely unprepared for the irreversible reality of his prognosis. Her arc moves from cautious questioning and mild denial to a paralyzing state of emotional numbness as the permanence of the diagnosis sets in. Dr. Weeks represents the calm medical authority figure who carries the heavy burden of delivering tragic information, striving to balance clinical accuracy and professional directness with quiet, respectful empathy.

This scene provides an exceptional showcase for high-stakes dramatic realism within a tight two-minute timeframe. For actors playing Shirley, the material offers a masterclass in active listening and internal processing, allowing the performer to demonstrate deep vulnerability and shock without relying on broad melodrama. For actors auditioning for professional or clinical roles, Dr. Weeks provides an opportunity to display gravitas, clear communication, and the subtle emotional friction of having to crush a parent's hopes.

The duologue is an excellent selection for self-tapes, drama school auditions, agent showcases, and general classroom scene study. It is particularly well matched for performers seeking casting types such as Leading Lady, Doctor, Authority Figure, or emotionally intense and vulnerable roles requiring grounded, naturalistic acting.

Actors playing Shirley should allow the information to land in distinct, progressive stages rather than jumping immediately to grief. Pay close attention to the moments of denial, letting the confusion give way to stillness as the physical reality of the diagnosis settles in. For Dr. Weeks, avoid playing the dialogue with cold detachment; ground the delivery in the quiet exhaustion and genuine weight of an experienced physician who understands the lifelong difficulty awaiting the family.