People Will Talk Page #3

the medical corps.

That's why I took the courses.

When he came back and we were married, I...

I wanted to know

something about his work.

- When did he leave?

- Six weeks ago. Or was it five?

How right you are, Doctor.

How quick we've become with life and death.

- And had you known him long?

- No. Not even that.

Not even long enough

to be sure... either of us.

You're not permitted enough time

these days to be sure of anything.

And then when he had to go and we had to

say good-bye, I was suddenly afraid.

I wanted to prove to myself

and to him that I wasn't afraid!

Hmm.

The frightening things we do sometimes

when we're afraid to be afraid.

Sit down, why don't you.

- What are you afraid of now?

- I'm not.

Then stop behaving as if fear were

something to be ashamed of.

Stop being such a pompous know-it-all!

You don't know what I'm crying about.

- Do you?

- Yes!

Miss Higgins... I can't call you Miss Higgins.

What's your first name?

- Deborah.

- Blow your nose.

There's tissue in the top drawer.

No, no. Here.

I can't speak with

as much assurance as I usually do...

because you've just called me

a pompous know-it-all.

- I'm sorry.

- Don't be. I do get pompous...

but I'm really not

a know-it-all.

- As a matter of fact, right now I'm confused.

- By what?

Well, it seems to me that if you were crying

because of the father of your baby...

the time for you to cry would have been

when you thought you weren't pregnant...

not now that you know you are.

Isn't that so?

So he isn't the reason.

No, he isn't.

Then were you crying

because you're afraid for yourself...

- afraid of what people will say?

- No.

Are you sure?

Society has a strict set of rules

about that sort of thing...

the bylaws of

our social corporation.

You violated

section "A", article one.

That can bring heavy penalties,

up to and including expulsion.

You really think

I'm a coward, don't you?

- Are you?

- No.

Which brings us

to the party of the third part... the baby.

Were you crying

because of the baby?

You can't say there won't be time enough

for you to love your baby...

and, if you're a good mother,

to have it love you.

It is the baby

you're afraid of.

- In a way.

- Don't you want it?

Of course I do, but I can't have it.

I just can't have it.

Why not?

Why not, Deborah?

You couldn't understand.

I could try.

Because of my father.

You can never tell

about fathers.

They can be suddenly understanding

at the most unexpected times.

He's the most understanding

and most gentle man in the world.

- Well, then?

- I'm all he's got.

If he knew about this,

it would kill him.

Oh. Well, if you're all he's got...

- then the baby will give him

just that much more.

- He couldn't live if he knew.

Deborah, no man could be as gentle

and understanding as you say...

and still so deeply

prejudiced that...

It's got nothing to do with prejudice.

Then what has it to do with?

Perhaps...

This is only a suggestion...

- but perhaps if I were to tell him.

- No.

- It's possible I could put it

to him in such a way that...

- No, please.

It's very kind of you,

but you mustn't even consider it.

Dr. Praetorius, believe me,

if you did see my father...

you couldn't tell him about me.

Even you wouldn't know how.

And if you did,

you wouldn't have the heart.

Thanks just the same.

What are you going to do?

I don't know.

You had a pretty good idea, didn't you,

even before you came to see me...

- that you were having a baby?

- I wasn't sure.

Tell me, of all the doctors you could have

gone to, why did you pick me?

There wasn't anyone else I could...

Well, when you talked

to us this morning...

- I felt suddenly that

you could help me somehow.

- How?

You seem to care so much more about people

than just any doctor would and so...

So you came to me for help, and all I did was...

talk to you some more.

There is nothing I wanted from you,

Dr. Praetorius...

- that would have affected

your conscience in any way.

- Not even the tiniest hope...

that, uh, perhaps, for

your father's peace of mind...

I wouldn't want to buy my father's

peace of mind at the cost of yours.

- Did Miss Higgins make another appointment?

- Miss Higgins?

Sorry. I meant

Mrs. Higgins, of course.

No, Doctor.

She left without saying a word.

Sometimes, Shunderson, it seems to me

that half the women who come in here...

want babies they can't have

and that the other half...

She's old enough to know what she's doing

and to take what's coming to her.

I never want to hear you say anything

as idiotic and heartless as that again.

- But, Doctor...

- For one thing, you're a nurse.

And for another, you're a woman.

I'm ashamed of both of you.

Have her taken to

the nearest treatment room.

You prepare her yourself.

Left side, flesh wound.

Doesn't look too bad.

- Get Billings for intravenous anesthesia.

- Yes, Doctor.

- Thank you, Billings.

- Yes, Doctor.

Shall I have her taken

to the ward, Doctor?

Yes, and get some blankets, please.

- Is it bad?

- It's a good thing most people...

haven't the foggiest notion

where the heart is actually located.

- She didn't even come close.

- Why'd she try to kill herself?

Oh, I imagine, Shunderson,

that when people need help the most...

it must sometimes seem as if

they're all alone in the world.

Isn't that true?

Then she'll try it again.

She's still all alone,

and if there's still nobody to help her...

she'll try it again.

And so into the mixed chorus.

- How are they coming along?

- Just fine, Dr. Praetorius.

- They're ready to start with you any time now.

- Good. The sooner the better.

Set the first full rehearsal

for next week.

Well, tonight for the first time,

your attack was not premedical.

- The horns did not sound

as if they'd been sterilized.

The second fiddles still pull a little.

You're still inclined to regard the strings

as catgut for sewing...

rather than for playing.

And as for the gentleman

on the third bull fiddle...

Professor Barker,

is there any reason...

why you, Professor Barker...

who live so intimately with millions

of neutrons and know them all by name...

cannot maintain a simple beat

on a bull fiddle?

Are you referring to me?

I do not mean to impugn

your academic standing, of course.

My dear Dr. Praetorius,

I would willingly entrust the life of my sister...

to your skill as a gynecologist...

but I would not let you conduct

my three-year-old nephew to the bathroom.

The point is that I am the conductor

and you pay no attention to me.

- I do pay attention.

- Very well. We shall see.

Start at letter "B", please, Professor Barker.

Just your part alone.

It's going to sound

a little silly.

After all, the bass viol

is not a solo instrument.

On the contrary.

For one, Serge Koussevitzky has concertized...

as a virtuoso

of the bass viol.

Look who's talking about Koussevitzky.

Ready?

Tell me, Professor,

do the neutrons bombard the electrons...

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