Reach for the Sky Page #2

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I don't think we've got too much time.

I got here as fast as I could.

- What about his mother?

- I rang her.

- She'll be here tomorrow.

- Helluva mess.

A fellow like him

either flies that way or not at all.

- Oh, sister, what's happening?

- He's in theatre.

- How is he?

- They're amputating his right leg.

What a helluva thing to happen

to a man like Douglas.

- Sister, Mr Bader's mother's here.

- Show her into the waiting room.

All right, nurse,

you can take the dressings off now.

What am I doing here?

Oh, you're awake, are you?

- Of course I am. Where am I?

- In hospital.

- You had an accident.

- Accident?

- You crashed in an aeroplane.

- Bloody silly thing to do.

This is Mr Joyce.

He operated on you.

What did I do? Break a leg?

(Joyce) You broke both of them.

I suppose that sort of thing happens

in an aeroplane crash.

I'm sorry, old chap,

we had to take off the right leg.

- I hope I haven't been a nuisance.

- (Nurse) Ready, sister.

We'd better see

how the other leg's getting along.

This might hurt a little.

I can't remember anything.

Crashed in an aeroplane.

I broke both my legs.

Ahh!

There, the dressing's off.

Right... see you later, old chap.

All right, nurse, you can re-dress the leg.

Well, sir?

I'd better have a word

with the mother, I suppose.

She's in here.

This is Mr Joyce, the surgeon.

I'm Bader's uncle. This is his mother.

How do you do? Your son came through

the first operation very well.

The first operation?

He needs another.

The other leg's infected.

I'm sorry... but I must have

your authority to amputate.

Oh, no!

No! (sobs)

What's the alternative?

There is no alternative if he's to live.

But he can't lose both legs, not both!

I think I can save the other

below the knee.

Couldn't we wait a little while?

- 'Fraid not.

- It's his only chance, my dear.

If you do it... are you sure

you'll be able to save him?

I can't be sure, he's very ill,

but I would like to try.

Very well.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

Give him my love.

Yes, I will.

Mr Joyce will do everything possible.

I'm so afraid that Douglas

will hate me for ever...

...but I couldn't let him die.

- Of course not.

(Sanderson) Knowing the danger...

...Joyce did the second amputation

at top speed...

...and they wheeled Bader

back to his room.

Every ten minutes, day and night...

...they took his pulse.

It was there, but only just.

Douglas was like a man hanging on

the edge of a precipice by his fingertips.

Would he have the strength

when the anaesthetic wore off...

...to face the terrible weight of pain

that would fall on him?

Can't we give him more morphia?

He's had as much as we dare give.

It seems to have no effect.

(Douglas groans)

He lay there... fighting...

...fighting...

...for two days and two nights...

...but there was no relief

and no defence...

...until his body could stand no more.

Then came the morning

when the pain had left him.

He felt warm and peaceful.

He was, in fact...

...slipping away from life.

- (nurses laughing)

- Shh! There's a boy dying!

Dying?

We'll see.

In that moment, the pain started again.

- Send Mrs Williams home.

- Yes, sir.

- How's Bader today?

- I think he's a little better.

- He's still in terrible pain.

- Let's take a look at him.

The morphia seems

to be having some effect.

I think he'll pull through.

Some of the nurses

are in quite a state about him.

Well, you know young nurses...

...and he is good-Iooking.

I'll see they keep their minds

on their work.

There's life in the patient yet.

How's your pulse rate, sister?

(Sanderson) Hour after hour,

for four endless days...

...the devoted nurses fought for his life...

...and, in the end, they won.

I came as soon as I could, sir.

How is he?

You can see him today.

He's made a remarkable recovery.

What sort of chap is he?

What are his interests?

Flying...

...and sport.

I was afraid of that.

He's always been on top in those things.

He's got a sort of dynamo inside

makes him show off.

He won't accept second best.

- He's going to have to accept it.

- To Douglas, that would mean failure.

He always has to prove himself...

otherwise he feels out of it.

How will he take it when

he finds out he's lost both legs?

You mean he doesn't know?

No, we haven't decided on

how best to tell him.

It's important

he shouldn't find out by accident.

Would you like me to tell him?

Thank you. That's why I asked you

to come and see me.

There's no-one with him at the moment.

Hello, John.

Hello, Douglas.

You look fine.

The boys all send their best wishes.

Thanks, old boy.

Nice of you to come and see me.

Yes, isn't it?

As a matter of fact,

I've come to say goodbye.

What?

I've been posted to the Middle East.

Phworr.

Lucky devil.

I wish I was going with you.

(gasps)

Giving you some trouble?

It's the left one.

Hurts like hell.

It's bound to hurt at first, I expect.

Wish they'd cut it off like they did

the right one. That doesn't hurt at all.

Would you really like them to cut it off?

I don't give a damn what they do

as long as they stop it hurting.

As a matter of fact, Douglas...

...they have taken it off.

Why does it hurt so much, then?

You had to know sometime.

Yes, I suppose so.

Thanks for telling me, John.

It's a bit difficult to...

(sobs)

It certainly does hurt.

I'll try to come and see you

tomorrow, Douglas.

- Well?

- Well, I told him.

- How did he take it?

- I think it hit him pretty hard.

- I'll go and see him.

- I must get back.

- Thanks for doing a difficult job.

- (Both) Bye.

I gather you've done

quite a job on me, sir.

Sorry, old chap.

It's a case for artificial legs.

They're very good these days

so don't worry too much.

That's all right, sir, I'm not worried.

I'll get some longer legs.

I've always wanted to be taller.

Brace!

Brace!

Brace!

Come on, look lively!

- Sally'll be here soon.

- Why all the excitement?

- I'm keen on her.

- You hardly know her!

What? When I met her,

I drove her home 40 miles.

We had punctures every other mile!

- She's keen about me.

- Is she?

She likes smoothing your fevered brow,

but it won't last.

- You old cynic.

- I'm practical.

You don't want to marry her?

If I marry, it'll have to be someone

I met the way I am now.

It's that or no-one.

Blazes, if no-one'll have me,

I'll marry you!

I wouldn't ever marry you!

You'd be killed in the rush!

- Anyone home?

- Harry Day!

Don and Tommy! Come on in!

This is a surprise!

- Well, well...

- Some goodies.

Tinned pears, my favourite! You know

Brace, the only woman in my life.

- Sally!

- How are we today?

- Fine, thanks.

- Are we having a party?

It's not a bad idea.

Don, put the gramophone on.

Tea for five!

- What do you think this is? A cafe?

- Yes, look sharp.

Sally, may I have the pleasure

of this dance?

Please do.

(# jazz)

Waltz me round the garden, Harry.

- I haven't had my exercise today.

- All right, I'll push you around.

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