Dark Victory Page #3

- No, just cells.

- Sounds silly.

So I'm told.

Still, I almost envy you. Must be nice

to believe in what you're doing.

- Don't you?

- Not in the way you do.

Oh, I'm not complaining.

Take it all in all,

they've dealt me a very good hand.

I'm young, I have no particular

responsibilities.

I don't intend to cultivate any either.

One's freer without.

I shall probably marry someday.

No hurry about that.

When I do, I shall build a house

on a ridge I know with a glorious view.

I have my horses. Any luck,

I'll have about 40 years of that.

I think that's a pretty good setup.

That light was bothering you.

- There's nothing wrong with my eyes.

- You were squinting.

- I was not squinting.

- I'm sorry, but you were.

Well, suit yourself. It's your office.

What did you do yesterday?

I played bridge in the afternoon,

I went to the theater in the evening.

Other way around, wasn't it?

- Yes, I guess it was.

- What was the play?

- Cyrano, wasn't it?

- Yes, why?

Did you like it?

- I had such an awful headache, I...

- How long have you had headaches?

Oh, I...

- I don't have them.

- You have one now.

No, I have not.

How did you make out

at bridge yesterday?

- Let me think...

- Quickly!

- I don't remember.

- I know, you lost.

- Yes, I lost.

- How much?

How can I remember?

I play bridge every day.

- Losing a lot lately?

- Yes.

- Playing badly?

- Well, I...

- Forgetting what cards are out?

- Why do you ask stupid questions?

Wait.

Did Dr. Parsons say

you could go out yesterday?

- I'm accustomed to looking after myself.

- But you did disobey his orders.

- What if I did?

- Why pay a doctor, then disregard him?

Someone else called him.

- So you're taking orders from someone?

- I've never taken orders from anyone.

I'll never take orders from anyone.

I'll tell you something else.

I'm well, absolutely well.

I'm young and strong.

Nothing can touch me.

Neither you nor Dr. Parsons can

make an invalid out of me. I'm going.

Wait!

I'm sorry to have wasted your time.

Run away because you're frightened.

- That's not true.

- Yes, it is true.

That's why you held certain things back

from Dr. Parsons.

You were afraid to admit them.

You didn't tell him you've been having

these headaches for months.

But you have.

Lately, they've been getting worse,

until now you're never free of them.

And your eyes,

they've been cutting up too.

Just like somebody shutting

a pair of folding doors...

till your vision is almost cut in half.

You pretended it was your imagination,

but it isn't.

Then that queer, dull feeling

in your right arm.

You can't laugh that off.

I'll tell you how you got those burns

on your fingers.

A cigarette.

You didn't feel the burns because

your nerves are paralyzed.

Your memory is all shot to pieces.

You can't concentrate.

Look at your bridge scores.

And you're irritable

because your nerves are all on edge.

You won't admit it,

but you can't deny it. Can you?

Now I think we'll get somewhere.

Come on.

Come on.

Now just hold my hand with your right.

Now squeeze. Tight.

Come on. Good and tight.

That's it, good. Now the left.

That's right.

Now would you mind removing your coat?

I'm afraid this coat is all there is.

Just sit up here, then, would you?

That's it.

Maybe we can move this sleeve.

- Yes.

- Just a second.

Miss Wainwright.

Nothing in here to bother you.

- Nearly time, doctor.

- I know, I know.

Now, give me your right elbow, please.

Just relax.

Now the left.

Good. Now will you

cross your knees, please?

- That always makes me laugh.

- It is silly, isn't it?

Good. Now the left, please.

Now don't be frightened of this.

It's just an electric light.

You're very kind to your guinea pigs,

aren't you?

Just look straight ahead, please.

I've been told they're a nice color.

- Do you agree?

- Just once again, please.

That they're a nice color?

Oh, yes. Yes, fine.

I'm going to ask you to close them.

Hold your hands out,

palms upwards, please.

Now tell me what this is.

- It's a cube.

- Hard or soft?

- Hard.

- Good.

Now can you tell me what this is.

- I'm not quite sure.

- I see.

Just a minute. Tell me what that is.

Move it around in your hand.

Know what shape it is?

I can't quite make out.

- Can you tell me what this is?

- A pencil, silly.

That's right.

- May I open my eyes now?

- No, no. Not yet.

Here.

Is that cloth rough or smooth?

- It's a piece of silk.

- I see.

I'm going to fool you this time.

What's this?

You can't fool me.

It's still a piece of silk.

- All right. You can open your eyes.

- Am I promoted, teacher?

Now I'm going to ask you

two more questions.

How long since you first noticed

the headaches?

Oh, horrible months ago.

About five or six.

- Your eyes been bothering you that long?

- That's only lately. The last few weeks.

Well, that's a big help.

- Now I...

- If you don't leave immediately...

you'll miss that train.

- Cancel the tickets.

- Doctor...

There are other trains on other days.

- Yes, doctor.

- Thank you.

A few days one way or

the other doesn't matter.

- I'm sorry I'm so difficult.

- You were a good sport.

If I weren't that, doctor, I'm afraid

I wouldn't be much of anything.

Tell me.

What's wrong with me?

Is it my eyes?

I'd be a pretty poor excuse for a doctor

if I told you before I was positive myself.

Anyway, I want you to have

some x-rays taken, lots of them.

Otherwise, you'll lead your normal life,

see your friends, give parties.

Do everything you have been doing,

with one exception.

- What's that?

- You've got to see a good deal of me.

I'll bet you'll be a frost at a party.

Thank you.

Anything else, gentlemen?

No, I think that's all.

- Can we go somewhere and talk?

- Yes.

Go right in here in the sitting room.

- You'll find cigarettes on the table.

- Thank you.

Better put your shoes on.

Hey, you guys be quiet!

There are doctors in the house.

- What have you got?

- I don't know. Maybe it's kittens.

- Well, what's the verdict?

- Dr. Steele will talk to you.

- Well, goodbye.

- Goodbye, Miss Traherne.

- I'll show the doctors out.

- Then come up, will you?

- All right.

- Goodbye.

Would you like a drink?

No, thanks.

Well?

The prisoner will rise.

The sentence?

We've got to operate.

Operate?

On me?

Where?

No.

Well, after all, the brain's like

any other part of the body.

Things get out of kilter,

have to be adjusted.

Oh, no, I won't.

Ann.

- Ann?

- What's the matter?

Come here. Quickly.

Tell her.

- He wants to operate.

- Operate?

- Yes, on my head.

- Oh, no. You've made a mistake.

I knew almost at once.

I just wanted confirmation, that's all.

- What's she got?

- Yes, what have I got?

Technically, it's called glioma.

- Glioma?

- Oh, don't listen to him.

- It sounds like a kind of a plant.

- Yes.

It is rather like a plant,

a parasitic one.

- If it's taken care of...

- All surgeons are alike, Judy.

Don't be upset, darling.

We can call in other doctors. We wait.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote