The Child in Time Page #6

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I like that.

She could be somewhere,

she could be loved.

She IS loved.

Of course she is.

Are you able to think of

anything else, besides her?

I must, and I do, yes.

Although I do live in a rare world.

Yes.

I think I know who wrote

the joke book, the report.

Who?

He's a friend.

Best friend.

SHE RINGS BELL:

Charles!

Charles!

Charles, I'm not leaving the track!

Charles!

OK, game's over. You win!

Charles!

F***!

Charles!

Charles!

Show yourself! Come on!

Please, please, please,

please, please...

SHOUTING:
Charles!

Oh, sweet Jesus, no...

Oh... Oh, sh*t...

Oh, sh*t...

HE BREATHES HEAVILY

HE SAWS:

ROPE CREAKS:

LOUD THUD:

HE TAKES DEEP BREATHS

HE SOBS:

HE PATS CHARLES BODY

Charles George Andrew Darke was...

... quite simply, too good a

man to be a man in this world.

Because what he had

managed to hold on to...

... was the honesty...

and the purity that

we are all born with.

But that, in time, we lose...

... without noticing, and

often, without caring.

And like a child, he

was without cynicism.

First and foremost,

he would always see the

good in people, he would...

... place his trust in

them, he would care.

His love was his

ever-loving wife, Thelma.

And his passion was literature

and, in particular,

children's literature.

He recognised how precious those...

... early years are...

... and he often spoke of the

importance of a supportive,

stimulating, caring

and loving environment.

Well, the very last

time I saw him, in fact,

he told me he had

written a book himself.

A "joke book", he called it.

I've often wondered...

... about finding that

joke book, and if...

... if I did, if there would

be any clues in there,

as to why he took his own life.

Something we've all pondered, I'm sure.

But I won't do that. I have decided...

... to remember Charles as I loved him.

For his warmth,

his smile...

... his generosity...

... and his brilliance, his...

... his ability to make my world

appear to be a better place.

I will remember him as my friend,

my best friend...

... forever.

The end.

MUSIC DROWNS SPEECH

Dad to Kate.

Dad to Kate.

I just wanted to tell you that we...

... love you,

very much

and we miss you.

And that we hope to see you,

very, very soon...

... for lots of hugs and games...

Over.

Take your time.

We'll be here.

KATE, OVER RADIO:

Daddy... Daddy, I'm here!

Look at me! I'm here with Mummy...

HE GASPS:

PHONE RINGS:

Julie?

How are you doing?

I'm so sorry about Charles.

I'm... I'm OK. Thank you, I'm OK.

Um,

I saw you yesterday at the church,

well, glimpsed you briefly

and then you were gone.

- How are you?

- I'm good. I'm fine.

I've not been back for long.

I've been wanting to

call you for a while.

- Where are you? Are you at the cottage? I'll come.

- I'm in town.

There's nothing to worry

about, but I'm in the hospital.

I was hoping you would come?

Which hospital? Are you hurt?

No, I'm fine, really.

I'm good.

I'm in Ward 17.

The Alexandra Wing.

You will come, won't you?

- You're doing really well.

- GROANING

JULIE YELLS:

Julie?

Stephen?

- My husband.

- You took your time, Mr Lewis!

JULIE GASPS WITH PAIN

We're having a baby.

A brother.

The baby's nearly here.

Just breathe.

SHE YELLS:

It's OK, it's OK. It's all right.

You're nearly there.

It's OK. Keep breathing.

- Keep breathing.

- SHE GROANS

Keep breathing.

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