Night Nurse Page #4

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- I'm sorry to drag you into this.

But those poor little kids are starving.

Anybody can see it in their faces.

And if somebody doesn't do something,

they won't last.

Don't get so worked up about it.

Don't you think I know starvation symptoms?

- Yes, I suppose you do.

- Well, then, won't you do something?

You know I can't interfere

in another doctor's case.

Why can't you, when things

like this are going on?

Why? It's about as unethical...

oh, ethics, ethics! That's all I've

heard since I've been in this business.

Isn't there any humanity in it?

Aren't there any ethics about

letting babies be murdered?

Steady. You need proof

when you talk that way.

What more proof do I need

than what I've already got?

Well, why don't you

cool down a bit?

Those kids were getting

along when you had them.

- Why were you taken off the case?

- I don't know.

Ranger's a rotten doctor.

You know his reputation.

- I can't discuss that.

- It isn't ethical.

Well, I can. Why doesn't he

belong to the medical association?

Why hasn't he got a job on

some decent hospital staff?

Because he's shady, and you know it,

as well as every other doctor in this city.

I know a lot of things inside the

profession that I can't advertise.

I also know that Dr. Ranger

has a tremendous practice.

And that alone can keep him out of trouble.

If I stir things up, if I go to the

authorities, what does it look like?

- Jealousy.

- Argue yourself out of your responsibility.

- I'll see this through.

- Will you be reasonable?

No! I won't see this go on another minute.

- I'm going to the police.

- Lora!

Don't you realize they'll only laugh at you?

You, a nurse on her first job, trying to pit

your opinion against a man like Dr. Ranger.

Oh, what'll I do? It's maddening.

Two little babies being murdered.

I could go out and

yell it on the street.

Listen, you've got to convince

people that what you say is true.

- How?

- Hysterics won't do it.

I'll calm down, if you'll

only tell me what to do.

- My advice is for you to go back on that job.

- What?

If you are convinced

of malpractice...

...you can do more good there than you

can shouting around on the outside.

Go back and watch those kids.

We've got to play Ranger at his own game.

It's a risky business,

and it's right under Ranger's nose.

But if he wants to murder those youngsters,

we'll make him use a gun.

I came to apologize for the

way I acted this morning.

So you've thought it over?

Yes, I'm terribly sorry.

I hadn't gotten over the

shock of last night.

I didn't realize what I was saying.

I hope you'll overlook it.

Who were you talking to?

Why, I didn't discuss

it with anyone.

I just sat in the park

and thought things over.

I realized I was simply

throwing my career away.

And I can't do that.

I thought you'd come around.

You're not the first

hysterical nurse I've seen.

- You'll forgive me, then?

- Entirely forgotten.

On both sides.

- That little business of last night?

- Oh, yes, of course.

I understand that such occurrences

are all part of a nurse's experience.

That's it exactly.

Let me give you a little

friendly advice, my dear.

The successful nurse is the

one who keeps her mouth shut.

You see, we doctors have to do it.

It's part of our professional ethics.

So naturally, we want nurses whose

discretion we can rely upon.

I realize that now.

Good. Come on, run along,

now, back to your case.

- I'm sure everything's going to be pleasant.

- You're generous to keep me on.

Since we understand each other, Miss Hart...

...I shall probably have

considerable work for you.

- Oh, do you think so?

- I like your spirit.

Just put it to use in the

interest of your doctor, can you?

I think I can.

- Good afternoon, doctor.

- Good afternoon, Miss Hart.

How do you do? I was told

you wished to see me.

Oh, yes, I have wanted to talk with you...

...but, oh, my head hurt so.

I hope it feels better now.

You know, if people only knew

the tortures of neurasthenia...

...they'd forgive us everything.

You see, Dr. Ranger forgot

to send my bromides.

Oh.

I do hope you weren't too upset

by the conduct of the chauffeur.

You know... Now, listen, Poochie, stop that.

You know, we discovered,

for some strange reason...

...that Nick seems to irritate me

less than any of the other servants.

So as far as feasible, Dr. Ranger

wanted him to be my personal attendant.

Well, we'll just forget about it.

I'm sure you understand how

much I'm depending upon you.

I'll do everything I can to

help the children. Is that all?

- Oh, I want you to have this, Miss Hart.

- Why, l...

Just a little appreciation

of your tactful conduct.

Oh, thank you very much.

Is that all?

I'll be sending for you soon.

Well, Poochie, now we can have a drink, huh?

Well, what'd she want?

- Gee, a hundred bucks.

- Yeah, isn't that a scream?

Hey, don't handle

it like it's rubber.

I won't get very much

kick out of spending it.

Listen, belle, for a hundred bucks,

I'd take a couple of socks on the chin.

Funny what people

think money will do.

Keeping our nose out of patients' private

affairs is part of our professional ethics.

I'll kill the next one

that says "ethics" to me.

- Says you.

- Yeah, says me in a big way, sister.

Will you make this up for me?

For the little girls,

eh? Are they any better?

I wish I thought so.

My pal.

Well, of all the places.

And drinking a soda too.

Why not? Have one?

Why not?

- One of the same.

- Yes, sir.

- How's your friend's hand?

- Oh, fine.

Good as new.

- Say, you're looking pretty hot yourself.

- Thanks.

Hey, where'd you get that?

Looks like somebody took a swing.

Oh, a chauffeur at the place

where I work got fresh.

He socked you? On the level?

Well, not exactly on the level.

From a way down here someplace.

Why, the dirty...

- I'll get him.

- What do you mean?

Say, listen. I know a couple of

guys who'll do it as a pleasure.

- You wouldn't do anything like that?

- I don't do a thing...

...but tell a couple of

guys I don't like this bozo.

- Anyhow, you don't know who he is.

- All you gotta do is tell me.

I should say not. I don't want

you getting in a jam over me.

There's nobody I'd rather get in a jam over.

Well, maybe there's nobody

I'd rather keep out of a jam.

- Honest?

- Maybe.

I tried to get you at the hospital.

Oh, I'm on private duty now.

- Nights?

- Mm-hm.

Then how about a buggy ride some afternoon?

Nurses have reputations.

Oh, I see.

What would you say if I told

you I'd quit the racket?

- I'd say I didn't believe you.

- Well, I did.

A month ago.

So how about a ride some afternoon?

Tomorrow afternoon.

- What do you say?

- I'd like to, but I hadn't better.

Oh, come on. I've been crazy to

see you ever since that night.

When I go riding...

...it isn't gonna be with anybody

that's liable to get shot.

- But I tell you I'm all washed up.

- And I tell you I don't believe you.

On the level, sister.

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