Ext. Highway - day

A pregnant woman sits in her car on the side of the road. A motorcycle policeman dismounts his bike and walks up to the side of her car.

Cop

Ma'am, do you know why I pulled you over?

Woman

Um, no officer, I don't think so. I wasn't speeding, was I?

The cop shakes his head and points to a sign in front of the car. The woman is obliviously cheery.

COP

No ma'am, you weren't. You were travelling in a high-occupancy vehicle lane.

WOMAN

Yes, that's true.

COP

By yourself.

WOMAN

Right.

COP

Ma'am, the HOV lane is for cars with at least two occupants.

The woman finally gets it.

WOMAN

Oh, I see!

COP

Yes. Well, unfortunately, the fine for illegally travelling in a car pool lane during rush hour is two-hundred and seventy one dollars.

The woman seems shocked. She motions towards her swollen belly while speaking to the cop.

Woman

That much? Wow. Well as you can see, I'm actually travelling with another occupant, so that doesn't really apply in this situation. But thank you very much for being so helpful. I had no idea the penalties were so stiff!

The woman goes to start her car and drive off. The cop puts his hand on her arm to stop her.

COP

Ma'am, I don't think you understand. The HOV lane is for cars carrying two people. So until that little guy's riding in back in a car seat, you're going to have to stay in the regular lanes with everyone else. And pay this fine, I'm afraid.

WOMAN

Officer, I don't mean to sound disrespectful, but you obviously haven't been following the news very closely. There are now laws that protect the rights of my unborn child.

COP

I am aware of the law, ma'am... but that law only applies to pregnant women who are murdered.

WOMAN

Yes, and if they are killed, it counts as two murders. So therefore, it should follow that two murders implies two people. Me and my baby. Two people.

COP

Ma'am, I'm not here to discuss with you when exactly a fetus becomes a person. I'm a traffic cop. That law applies to dead babies. Your baby isn't dead.

WOMAN

Well he could be.

COP

What?

WOMAN

I'm just saying, you never know.

COP

Ma'am, this is ridiculous. just pay the fine. Besides, I saw the pro-choice bumper sticker on your car.

WOMAN

Oh, well that applies to other babies.

The cop starts writing out the ticket, basically ignoring what the woman is saying.

COP

I see. Now you'll have 21 days to pay this fine by mail or you can choose to contest it in court--

WOMAN

Black babies.

COP

(shocked)

What?

WOMAN

I don't know how that bumper sticker got there. Praise Jesus!

The cop holds up his pen in front of the woman, watching her eyes as she follows the pen.

COP

Ma'am, you'd tell me if you had been drinking or using illegal substances, wouldn't you?

WOMAN

I'm a unicorn!

COP

OK, ma'am, please step out of the car...

As the cop goes to open the door and arrest the woman, her water breaks and the baby pops out. The cop picks up the baby and gives it to the woman who cradles it in her arms.

WOMAN

My baby! It's alive! I guess I was wrong.

The cop tears up the traffic ticket and starts to walk away.

COP

Well, problem solved! Have a nice day, the both of you!

Fade out: