Magnificent Obsession Page #4

after trying this way of life.

Well, if it's as simple as all that,

why, I'll certainly give it a chance.

Wait, Merrick.

Don't try this unless you're ready. You

can't just try it for a week like a new car.

And if you think you can feather your

own nest with it, just forget it.

Besides, this is dangerous stuff.

One of the first men who used it

went to the cross at the age of 33.

Excuse me.

- Won't you come in, please?

- I understand that Mr Merrick...

- I'm here, Williams.

- Good morning, Mr Merrick.

Well, goodbye. And thanks. You take

good care of a drunk and his hangover.

I ought to know how by this time.

I've been there myself.

Mr Merrick! It's good to

see you around again.

Hello, Dan.

No. Another look you owe me.

- How's the family?

- Not so hot. We lost the baby, you know.

- Oh?

- The missus is still in the hospital.

- The bills are pretty rough.

- I'm sorry to hear it, Dan.

- Say, Dan.

- Yes, Mr Merrick?

How much do you need

for all the expenses?

About $300 would do it.

- Mr Merrick...

- It's yours. On two conditions.

- Anything.

- Don't tell anybody.

- I've got to tell my wife.

- No, not even your wife.

And never try to pay it back.

I don't want it.

- Anything you say.

- Good.

But this is sure a funny way

to help a guy out, isn't it?

I think you're absolutely right.

- I don't believe it!

- Your order, Mr Merrick?

It does work.

Thank you, Phyllis. Joyce and I will see

you again soon. We won't hibernate.

- I'm glad of that.

- Goodbye.

Mrs Phillips. This is more than just a

coincidence. I've got to talk to you.

- I was just leaving.

- You have two minutes, haven't you?

Perhaps I wasn't as diplomatic as I could

have been, but I did mean well, really.

We've all been under a strain. Sorry

if I said anything I shouldn't have.

What I can't understand is how we've

avoided knowing each other before this.

It wasn't intentional,

I assure you.

I think we ought to correct

that mistake. Don't you?

Of course. I'm very late.

Mrs Phillips.

We haven't decided where we're

going to have dinner tonight.

I have a previous engagement.

Excuse me.

Please don't go!

I'd like to ask you... about

this theory of Dr Phillips'

that Edward Randolph

was telling me about.

- Why would he talk to you about it?

- I guess he believes in it.

I guess I'm starting to,

after meeting you here.

What has meeting me

got to do with it?

Well, I... I just did something.

I'm going to go find somebody that

needs a couple of thousand bucks

and my worries will be over.

I think you've twisted my husband's

beliefs into something very cheap.

Taxi!

Wait a minute!

- 15 Lake Drive, please.

- Mrs Phillips.

- I wouldn't offend you for the world.

- Just drive on.

- Wait here. Mrs Phillips...

- Please don't start a scene.

I'm only trying to tell you that...

Look out!

Brightwood Hospital.

The line is busy. Will you hold?

I'll try to locate him for you.

Brightwood Hospital.

I'll take a message.

I can connect you now.

Brightwood Hospital.

- Is there any chance at all?

- No.

How about the x-ray findings?

They leave no hope.

She's lucky to be alive.

Will you tell them, Nancy?

- All right.

- Thank you.

Miss Ashford...

Joyce.

She's going to live.

And she'll be all right in time?

Not completely. There's

an inoperable lesion.

- What is it?

- Where?

Well... Her eyes.

Tell me, Nancy.

Let me have it straight.

She'll be blind.

- Blind?

- It can't be.

Oh, no!

- Miss Ashford, could I see her?

- Haven't you done enough?!

- Joyce...

- It's the truth. Why shouldn't I say it?

She'll never see again, thanks to you.

Write a cheque for that, Mr Merrick!

No, Nancy. No.

Darling, don't you think if

you just talk to him once...

What good would it do?

What could he possibly say?

And what difference

would it make now?

I don't blame him for

anything, Nancy.

It's just that I feel it's better

if I don't see him at all.

Well... I'll send him away.

I'm sorry, Mr Merrick.

She won't see you.

Nancy?

Yes, darling.

I know I'm right.

He'll finally give up.

- Your things are on the beach, Helen.

- Thank you, Nancy.

- Is Judy there?

- Yes. She's waiting for us.

- Call me when you're ready to go down.

- I will.

- Some more tea, Helen?

- Yes, thank you.

- Is Nancy staying with you?

- No.

She comes and takes me down

to the beach, picks me up later,

whenever she can get

away from the hospital.

- I'm going to miss you terribly, Ed.

- Well, I hate to say goodbye.

But I've refused the

gallery so many times,

and I do have to be in Chicago

at least once this year.

You've been wonderful all these months,

and I apologise for being a handful.

Uh-uh, Helen. Quiet.

Well, I'd have thrown me in the

drink if I were me. Thank you.

But, Ed, I get so tired of

learning how to eat and dressing

and finding out where

the heck things are.

I get so tense, and then I'm

a problem to everybody.

Of course you have to have

people around to help you.

So do several geniuses

that I could mention.

But you're such a good friend.

- And don't forget that.

- No.

Sorry I had to miss Joyce.

Say goodbye for me.

Yes, I will. She's in town. It's

about that accident insurance.

Thank goodness for that.

It's kept us going.

Well, goodbye.

You'll be hearing from me.

God bless you.

- I'll get Nancy.

- No, not yet.

Where's my radar?

No, no, no. As a farewell present for

you, I'm going to try something.

For the first time, in your honour,

down to the cove all by myself.

- But you've never gone down there alone.

- Well, it's about time I start.

- I'd better go partway with you.

- Oh, no. Just stay and watch.

I know these steps by heart.

One...

two...

three...

Helen?

Where did Helen go?

- That's progress for you.

- It's remarkable!

Judy!

Hi, Helen!

Say, what do you know!

- You started exploring by yourself!

- How about that!

- I'm sorry I'm late, Judy.

- Me too. I gotta get back early.

I thought you weren't coming, so I

went ahead and read the whole chapter.

Serves me right for being late.

What happened?

Well, old Huckleberry's on

this crazy raft with Jim,

and they run into this

old, deserted houseboat.

- Huck... Here's a step.

- Oh. Thank you.

One, two, three, four, five steps.

Now let's see.

Where was I? Oh, yes.

Huck thinks maybe they

can scrounge something,

so he starts to investigate in

all this dirt and disorder.

He opens this door and finds two fellas

talking in a very rough fashion.

Well, here we are.

Take it easy, now.

These characters are

very hostile indeed.

And?

Tune in tomorrow,

same time, same station.

Shall do.

What's going on out

on the lake, Judy?

Oh, I'd say there's

about a ten-knot blow,

and about a half-dozen

snipes having a race.

And a couple of stars foolin'

around by the yacht club.

And a real gone daddy zoomin'

around with his inboard.

Aw, some babe's water-skiing.

Not so hot. She's usin' both hands.

- Sounds like a big day.

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