A Matter of Life and Death Page #4

- You know a good deal.|- Like to know more.

All right.

Now, these headaches,|when did they start?

- Six months ago.|- Bad?

- Not at first.|- Where?

- Here.|- Frontal and temporal.

Did you ever have|a rather nasty bang on the head?

- I don't think so.|- Sure?

The usual one - dropped as a baby.

Has that spoilt everything for you?

- Yes, I'm afraid it does.|- I'll see what I can cook up.

- Do you mind if I try something?|- No, go ahead.

Now... er... just face this way. Don't move.

Now, don't move your eyes,|look straight ahead.

- Check.|- What are you looking at?

- The girl with red hair and legs!|- Right, I've got her.

- Don't take your eyes off her.|- Easy!

Without moving your eyes,|what can you see on the extreme right?

- Fireplace.|- In the centre?

- Girl.|- Extreme left?

Windows?

- Curtains?|- Yes.

- Colour?|- Red.

Right, that'll do.

If you've quite done staring|at that girl's legs...

You've got to do as the doctor says.

Confidentially,|they're rather knock-kneed.

Hmm.

- Any loss of appetite?|- No.

- Nor of thirst?|- No fear.

You've been eating and drinking|more than usual.

- You've just seen my mess bills!|- And you've... seen something.

- Someone.|- Clearly?

As clear as I see you.

- Had such an hallucination before?|- No, thanks.

Do you believe in the survival of|human personality after death?

I thought you said you read my verses.

Do you?

I don't know, I've never thought about it.|Do you?

I don't know.|I've thought about it too much.

- I thought I was asked to tea.|- It isn't time yet.

Past my time. One last question.

It may sound silly,|but have you imagined recently...

.. that you've smelt something|that couldn't be there?

What an extraordinary thing!

- What is?|- How did you know?

A long shot. You have?

Yes. It was so silly,|I'd never have told you.

It might explain everything abnormal|you've seen and heard.

But it still can't explain how I can jump|without a parachute and be alive.

No, but there might be a possible|explanation even of that.

Now, this heavenly messenger,|you saw him quite clearly?

I told you, as clear as I see you.

This smell you imagined|was at the same time?

Yes, it was particularly strong.

- A pleasant smell?|- Yes.

- Could you place it?|- Fried onions.

And this messenger,|he hasn't turned up again?

- No, but he will.|- When?

- He picks his own time and stops it.|- Peter's appealed against his call-up.

- That's the spirit. Don't give in.|- I won't.

I'm lucky June knew you.|Thank you for coming.

June has lucky friends. I've got bad news.

- Why the grin?|- You're going with me.

- Where?|- My house. For two reasons.

I want to meet this chap next time...

.. and I like a nice girl in the house.

She only comes to borrow a book|and she's a slow reader!

- What about my CO?|- I've fixed it with him.

Besides, until we get this settled,|I'm your CO.

At my house, you get your tea at 4.30.

(man) Tea break!

Here you get it at five.

Sinkers, Doc?

Thank you.

We're shaping, Frank, we're shaping!

(ping-pong game in progress)

(rhythmic batting of the ball)

(Dr Reeves) Ohhh!

(batting stops)

(batting resumes)

Ah-ha! 20-all!

21-20. Sorry.

- You're sorry, my foot! Ready?|- Ready.

- Nearly.|- Nearly doesn't count. 21-all.

- I'll be...|- Count 10.

I wonder if Peter's a good player.

- Ask him when he wakes.|- He's been asleep 21/2 hours.

- He'll wake at 11.|- How do you know?

- I gave him a tablet.|- How can you tell?

- I know the patient.|- Do you know him?

- I think so.|- Tell me about him!

Are we playing table tennis|or are we not?

- All right, your serve.|- Ready?

- Ready.|- Ohh!

Your game.

Now tell me what you think about him.

- I think he's fascinating.|- So do I.

Not biologically. Medically.

- Have a drink?|- Love one.

What do the books say, Doc?

I see a dark stranger in his life.

Do you know what's wrong with him?

Yes, I think I do.

Is he... going to be all right?

He'll be all right. Here's your drink.

Will he have any more hallucinations?

- Yes.|- How do you know?

Because this conductor|promised to come back.

- Will that make him worse?|- Why should it?

I don't know. Seeing things,|arguing about his own life.

- Talking to a non-existent man...|- He does exist for him.

He's not going mad?|His brain isn't being affected?

It is, but not in the way you mean.

That's why I asked him|about his sense of smell.

I saw it was important.

He's having highly organised|hallucinations...

.. comparable to an experience|of actual life.

A combination of vision,|hearing and idea.

To a neurologist, it points directly|to the sense of smell or taste.

Once that connection's established,|we know where to look.

I want to find out one thing more|in his history. I'll find it out later.

Now...

- I'm not going to tell you any more.|- Thanks.

- But how did he survive the jump?|- I don't know.

If we could find out and tell him,|it would save him.

It would help, but the main thing|is for him to win his case.

- Are you serious?|- Perfectly serious.

- We must help him to win it.|- How?

It depends on what message|the conductor brings.

But... suppose he loses his case?

Oh, that's absurd!

If we see he's losing|or we think he's going to lose,...

.. we'll find out the reason he survived|or we'll invent one.

We'll have a couple of drinks...

.. and we'll invent the greatest lie|in medical history.

- Care for another game?|- I don't mind.

- Don't worry. See that bell?|- Yes.

He'll ring it if he gets another visit.

- Fine.|- Come on, your serve.

- Ready?|- Uh-huh.

One-love.

(no sound)

(no sound)

Doc, he's here! June!

Doc?

Eh bien, mon cher, comment a va?

Not too good.

Not too good. Ah.

I would not bother to ring that bell|if I were you. Nothing will happen.

A little trick of mine. You remember?

After all,...

.. what is time?

(wind whistles violently)

(thunder)

A mere... tyranny.

Let me know if you're|going to do that again.

- Looks good.|- Very good. Know the author?

No, but I often have a game with Philidor.

- Philidor?|- The greatest chess master ever.

A Frenchman.|Come along and I'll introduce you.

- Good.|- Splendid!

- You've got good news for me.|- How did you guess?

You wouldn't entice me with Philimor...

- Philidor.|- .. if you had the right to conduct me.

- True.|- Well?

Speaking officially,|I have good news for you.

Good!

- You can appeal to the High Court.|- Splendid!

The trial will be trs chic. In three days|so you can prepare your case.

Better and better.

- Do not be too pleased.|- Is there a catch?

The prosecuting counsel.

I am not permitted to offer advice|or give a personal opinion but...

- Who is this counsel?|- Be prepared.

- For what?|- A shock.

- Tell me the worst. Who is it?|- Abraham Farlan.

- Come again?|- Abraham Farlan!

- Never heard of him.|- No?

- Never.|- He lives in Boston.

- I've never been.|- Massachusetts.

- I've never been there!|- Abraham Farlan died in Boston in 1775.

Does that date convey anything to you?

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote