A Matter of Life and Death Page #6

- He almost got me.|- I know.

Crafty beggar.|I got away by the skin of my teeth.

Don't let anybody fool you|into giving up this case!

You were promised a fair trial.|Don't give in! Promise?

- Got no counsel.|- We'll find the right man.

- They can't start without counsel.|- They may appoint some stooge.

- Nonsense.|- Or let it go by default.

We'll find somebody.|They can't start till then.

Nobody famous!

No, that'd be the worst thing we could do.

- How about a pal of yours?|- Might find somebody.

- Your radio operator?|- Bob?

Yes. Think it over.

- You couldn't get through?|- No.

It's the storm.|They always cut the phone off.

- I'll go on my bike.|- No, you're more valuable here.

If the ambulance comes,|don't wait for me.

And if I meet it, I'll come back.

Go to him, don't allow him to despair.

His life is in your hands.

(wind howls)

(thunder)

(wind howls)

- Where's Frank?|- He won't be long, darling.

I must talk to him.|I don't think Bob's the right man.

I'll tell him you said so.

- Do you know Bob?|- No.

He was my sparks.

- Highly operational type.|- We'll find somebody.

- Time's nearly up.|- Frank'll come up with something.

I wish he'd hurry.

(thunder)

- Look out!|- (screeching tyres)

Dr Reeves!

Get the fire extinguishers|and the blankets!

- Can I help you, sir?|- Watch the road!

(thunder)

(ambulance bell ringing)

He never saw us until it was too late.

He turned off to save us.

Gosh, I feel bad about it.|He was a fine man.

You couldn't help it.

He was interested in this case, wasn't he?

Yes.

I saw his notes he left for Dr Leiser.

It was a fine piece of diagnosis.

He left notes for the operation, too.

- Dr Leiser is very good, isn't he?|- The best.

(ambulance bell)

Frank...

I'm here, darling.

Where's Frank?

He's... gone ahead.

(ambulance bell)

He's had an accident.

Hasn't he?

Yes,...

.. a bad accident.

Is he dead?

Yes, he's dead.

(ambulance bell)

All right, boys, step lively.

Okay, Doc.

- Easy.|- All right.

All right, guys, lead the way.

- An atropine injection, Sister?|- Yes, 100.

- Is this the cranial case?|- Yes, that's right.

Hello, Squadron Leader.|We're all ready for you.

(rhythmic breathing)

- Dr Reeves?|- Yes.

Permit me to return your book.

- Ho-ho!|- Ah-ha!

- So it's you!|- I will introduce you to Philidor.

Cher colleague, a special case.|Court of Appeal.

- I will deliver Dr Reeves.|- As you wish.

Merci.

Be of good cheer, friend.

One of the best men in the service.|Your compatriot.

- What's his name?|- John...

- Bunyan! Yes, of course!|- And... er... how is dear Peter?

Oh, he has a fighting chance.

Oh-oh.

- Dr Frank Reeves.|- Yes.

You are familiar with|Squadron Leader Carter's case?

I am.

He has chosen you to be his counsel.

I hoped he would.

- Do you accept?|- I do.

You have very little time|to prepare your case.

What facilities do you wish?

I should like to see my client|and get his instructions.

I subpoena Flying Officer Trubshaw|as a witness.

Certainly.

Conductor 71, you will take Dr Frank|Reeves to Squadron Leader Carter.

Psst!

(Peter! Peter!)

- Hello, Bob.|- Wotcher, skipper.

I didn't expect to see you - not yet.|Not up there, either.

Well, it was Doc Reeves's idea.

- I subpoenaed him. Let's talk.|- Right.

- You sure they won't miss me?|- Miss you? You know me, mon ami.

That surgeon's very neat,|very neat indeed.

I like his work.

- You're in good hands, Peter.|- I know.

- Look...|- I know what's coming.

- Are you sure I'm the best man?|- Quite sure.

Aren't you afraid|I may be out of my depth?

- No.|- Or that I'm no lawyer?

No.

- If he gets onto politics, I'm sunk.|- You must have something.

- Oh, just a little common sense.|- That's rare - it'll do me.

- Say yes!|- Well...

- He has no choice.|- What are we talking about, then?

All right, I need evidence.

Look at her.

Holy smoke!

- What?|- She looks like a nice girl.

- She is a nice girl.|- Hardly your type, skip.

I've fallen in love with her.

Her accent is foreign,...

.. but it sounds sweet to me.

We were born thousands of miles apart,...

.. but we were made for each other.

That's an excellent piece of prose.

Sorry.

Nothing to be ashamed of.

May I kiss her? Just in case, you know.

You may, but she will not know it.

Doesn't matter.

These English! What is the good of|kissing a girl if she does not feel it?

Look!

- What?|- The evidence you wanted.

Her tears.

Oh, I wish I could take one with me.

You are counsel, you can do as you wish.

Why don't we wrap it up|and take it with us?

Permit me.

That's it.

The only real bit of evidence we have.

Quick,|we must not keep the court waiting.

The Court of Appeal|sits to consider the case...

.. of the Department of Records...

.. versus Squadron Leader|Peter David Carter of the RAF.

He claims negligence and superior|rights and responsibilities...

.. arising out of that negligence.

He is appealing for remission|of the date of his term on Earth...

.. and for a reconsideration of his case.

It has been decided to allow this appeal.

It is for the jury to decide|whether it shall be successful.

Owing to the interest aroused|by the case...

.. there is an unusually large audience.

We can, of course, seat everyone|who wishes to be present.

The front rows are reserved for those|with a special interest in the case.

Members of the jury, do not allow|yourselves to be influenced...

.. by anything but the facts...

.. and by your conscience.

You'll have assistance from the court|to help you arrive at your verdict.

The counsel for the prosecution|will take his place.

The counsel for the defence|will take his place.

I call upon the prosecution|to open the case.

Your Honour, members of the jury,...

.. this case has three issues.

Peter D Carter, an Englishman,...

.. should have died|on the second day of May, 1945,...

.. at ten after four of the clock,|British Double Summer Time.

Due to an oversight,...

.. which I hasten to state is contrary|to the traditions of a great service,...

.. the defendant did not die.

Therefore, issue No. 1,|who is responsible?

When summoned to report|20-odd hours later,...

.. the defendant refused to accompany|Conductor 71,...

.. giving as his reason that|in the time which he had borrowed...

.. he had accumulated|new responsibilities...

.. of an allegedly important|and permanent nature.

He claimed, in fact,|that in these 20 hours...

.. a young lady of good American stock...

.. had fallen in love with him.

Therefore issue No. 2.

Are we to believe this?

Furthermore, he states...

.. in these borrowed 20 hours...

My lord,|I object to the word "borrowed",...

.. which counsel is using so emphatically.

To borrow means to get temporary use of|something without being the true owner.

My client didn't get,|he was given the 20 hours in question.

He didn't use something he didn't own.

He was the owner of his own life.

The next points are,...

.. is this young Englishman in love|with this girl of American stock?

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