Nightmare Page #2

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Her mother hadn't been well

and was staying in bed.

So we'd arranged a little tea party

which we were going to have

up in her mother's room.

We got back,

I think it was about 3:00.

Janet had found some wild flowers

that she had picked for her mother.

I'm going to take these up to Mummy.

Take your coat off first.

No, afterwards.

She was 11, miss, 11 years old.

Can you imagine what a thing like

that could do to the mind of a child?

No.

They found her mother insane.

Perhaps it would have been

better if she hadn't been.

Perhaps it'd have been better if it

had been a cold-blooded killing...

by a sane and normal person.

Why do you say that?

Janet had a nervous breakdown after that.

She was in hospital for weeks.

And when she came out, she started to worry.

That's what's been troubling

her this last couple of years.

The terrible worry that she might have

inherited something from her mother.

That she might be insane, too.

That's not very likely, is it?

I don't know, miss. These

things can happen, I've heard.

Not very often.

Perhaps not, but...

has it occurred to you that the

terrible worry that it might happen...

could be sufficient to drive

a person out of their mind?

Who's there?

It's you, miss.

I came down to get a book.

I thought everyone was in bed.

Sorry if I startled you.

That's all right, miss. I'll just

finish putting out the lights.

Janet?

You frightened me.

What do you want?

I thought I heard something. I went into

your room to see if you were all right.

I'm all right.

What are you doing out here?

I had a dream. At least,

I think it was a dream.

Did you see anyone?

No.

If it was a dream, what am I doing here?

Come back into your room. You can

tell me all about it. Come on.

What is it?

She was standing there.

Who was?

The woman.

I dreamed I woke up

and she was standing there.

She was staring at me...

and she turned and walked towards the door.

No, she didn't walk, she seemed to drift.

When she got to the door, she

turned around and beckoned me.

She wanted me to follow her.

When I got to the corridor, she'd gone.

I was looking for her when you...

You found me out there, didn't you?

That part of it wasn't a dream.

Where does the dream finish

and reality begin?

Perhaps it wasn't a dream...

Of course it was a dream.

You must have walked in your sleep.

Perhaps I was awake all the time.

How could you have been, if you dreamed it?

You know what's said of people who

see things when they're awake?

I don't think...

They're mad!

Don't say that.

It's true.

Try and get this into its right perspective.

You're a highly strung girl.

Nothing wrong with that. Hundreds

of people are highly strung.

What it means is, your imagination

is liable to play tricks.

You can't keep it in control

the same as other people.

You are highly imaginative,

nothing more than that.

You've got to learn to control that

imagination. Do you understand me?

If you say so.

Come on now.

Into bed. I need my sleep

even if you don't.

I've a long journey tomorrow, remember?

Do you have to go?

You know I do. Anyway, you don't need me now.

You've got Grace.

Yes. I still wish

you didn't have to go.

Good night, Janet.

I'm sorry you're leaving, miss.

So am I, in a way.

And Janet?

She needs looking after, John.

I know.

I'll keep my eye on her best I can.

I know you will.

You and Mrs. Gibbs.

But she needs something more

than that, doesn't she?

She has to learn to believe in herself again.

That's the most important thing.

Perhaps Grace... Miss Maddox

will be able to help.

I hope so, miss. I hope so.

You know, this house is a much brighter

place now we've got you back home.

Mrs. Gibbs, did Mary say

anything to you before she left?

Say what?

Anything about me?

No, darling. Why should she?

You don't think...

You think I'm all right, don't you?

What do you mean, all right? You

don't think I'm like Mummy?

No, darling, of course not.

Mummy used to have dreams.

She told me about...

Now look, dear, your mother was very ill.

Now you know that.

But I have these dreams...

That's nothing, so do I.

We all have dreams.

Not like mine.

Never mind, darling.

You're home now and everything

will be all right.

Janet, what on earth are you doing?

What's happening?

Janet, stop it!

Stop it, Janet!

Yes, the doctor's with her now.

Yes, all right. I'll tell him.

How is she, Doctor? She's

much quieter now, Mrs. Gibbs.

Did you get him?

Yes, he'll be here

tomorrow afternoon at 3:00.

I've given her a sedative. It

should last through the night.

Look in about 7:
00 in the morning. If

she wants, she can have two of these.

Yes, Doctor.

Good night, Mrs. Gibbs.

Good night, Doctor.

Thank you so much for coming, Doctor.

See you tomorrow.

Good night.

Why does the doctor

want to see Mr. Baxter?

I don't know. But we have to find

that out tomorrow when he comes.

You better go to bed, Mrs.

Gibbs. What about you?

I'll stay up. I'll look in

on Janet from time to time.

It's such a relief having you here, miss.

I'm sure I'd never have managed on my own.

Nonsense, Mrs. Gibbs. Go to bed.

Good night, miss.

Good night.

I agree with most of what you say, Doctor.

She is nervous, she is highly strung.

But what I don't agree with is that

it goes any further than that.

I'm only giving you my

professional opinion, Mr. Baxter.

You've known Janet a long time.

You know her whole background.

This abnormal fear she has that she

may inherit her mother's insanity.

Surely, you must see that

to send her away...

would only make the situation

worse, not better.

But she must have properly

supervised psychiatric treatment.

I'm not implicating an asylum,

just a private sanatorium.

But, Doctor, you and I know the difference

between such places. Would Janet?

I don't think she would.

All right, Mr. Baxter.

Naturally, I can do no more

than make recommendations.

Whether or not you act on them

is entirely your concern.

But at least grant me one thing.

What is that?

If there are any repeats of last night,

then please get another opinion.

Just don't leave things

to sort themselves out.

They won't, you know.

That's a promise.

That's a sensible young lady you

sent down to keep Janet company.

She came well-recommended. One of

the most important things is...

for Janet to have people around

her that she likes and trusts.

And yet you advocate sending her away.

As a first choice, yes I do.

But you've ruled that out.

Now, who knows, you may be right.

Let's hope so, anyway.

How is she? Much better. Still

a little dopey, though.

You gave her the sedative? Yes, at

7:
00 this morning like you said.

Good. I'll look in tomorrow.

Thank you, Doctor.

Think over what I said, Baxter.

Yes, of course.

Now, thank you, Doctor, and good-bye.

Good-bye.

May I see her now?

Yes, please do. She's so

looking forward to seeing you.

Henry.

Hello, darling.

Where have you been? You should

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