The Body Snatcher Page #5

---

They have reached the door. He bows in dismissal, and Mrs.

Marsh exits. As she leaves, Fettes passes her coming from

the hallway.

MED. CLOSE SHOT -- MacFarlane as he turns back into the room.

MACFARLANE (cont'd)

(to Fettes)

Well, Fettes -- what was it you

wanted to see me about?

MED. TWO SHOT -- Fettes and MacFarlane.

FETTES:

(shyly)

I'm afraid I'll have to give up

medicine, Dr. MacFarlane.

MACFARLANE:

(booming)

You're made for a doctor, young

man!

FETTES:

I'm afraid I have to, sir. You

see, my father is vicar at Thrums --

it's a small parish -- not much of

a living --

MACFARLANE:

(after thinking this over

a moment; very sincerely)

You're too good a man, Fettes --

I'll not let you quit.

(with a sudden thought)

I'll make an assistant of you --

that'll pay your keep and your

tuition, too --

FETTES:

I thought only the best students

were made assistants.

MACFARLANE:

Well? And are you not a good

student?

FETTES:

(getting the idea)

But Richardson?

MACFARLANE:

Richardson is a fine student. He's

got a glib tongue, but you'll be a

better doctor, Fettes. Come along

now --

He links his arm through Fettes' and starts toward the door

leading to the stairs.

MACFARLANE (cont'd)

-- let's get to the anatomy room --

I'll explain your new duties.

They have reached the door. Meg is standing there. As

MacFarlane and Fettes start to pass her, Meg puts her hand on

the doctor's arm. He pauses.

MEG:

A word with you, Dr. MacFarlane.

MacFarlane motions Fettes to proceed into the other room. He

closes the door behind him.

MEG (cont'd)

You're not having Fettes for your

assistant?

MACFARLANE:

And why not? He's a good lad --

bright and able.

MEG:

Aye. He's a good lad. That's why

I ask you, MacFarlane.

MACFARLANE:

You think it'll spoil the boy, eh?

Was I not assistant to Knox?

MEG:

(thoughtfully)

Aye --

MACFARLANE:

Did it spoil me, Meg, my lass?

She looks directly at him without answering. MacFarlane

grows uneasy.

MACFARLANE (cont'd)

(walking up to her,

putting an arm around her

shoulders and tilting up

her chin with his other

hand)

It will do the boy no harm.

He kisses her off-handedly. She wraps her arm around his

neck and kisses him with fierce passion. He releases

himself, goes on into the next room.

INT. ANATOMY ROOM -- LATE AFTERNOON

The anatomy room is dim. Long level bars of light come

through the wide windows to illuminate the bare austerity of

this classroom. The long rows of tables have a sombre and

empty look. Everything is meticulously clean.

At one of the tables is the hunched, dark and evil figure of

Joseph, the janitor of the school. He is engaged in rubbing

the surface of a marble-topped table. The door on the

landing opens. MacFarlane and Fettes come through.

MacFarlane still has his arm linked through that of his young

friend and is listening to Fettes' gratitude with evident

pleasure.

FETTES:

-- all my gratitude, sir -- I can

never express it...

MED. FULL SHOT -- Fettes and MacFarlane as they descend the

stairs.

MACFARLANE:

(lightly)

They'll be satisfaction enough for

me to know I've trained the great

Dr. Fettes.

MED. SHOT to include Joseph in the f.g. and Fettes and

MacFarlane as they reach the floor level of the anatomy room.

Joseph, continuing his work, casts a sidelong glance at the

doctor and student. It is evident he is listening to every

word they say.

MACFARLANE (cont'd)

Now -- as to your duties. It is up

to you to keep the accounts and to

distribute the specimens to the

students. Also, inasmuch as you'll

be living in the house --

He looks over and glances at Joseph and having noticed that

Joseph is eavesdropping, breaks off short.

MACFARLANE (cont'd)

(to Joseph)

Joseph --

Joseph looks up.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes