The Elephant Man Page #16

TREVES:

He's doing very well. In fact that's

why I came to see you. I think that

if I were to present Mr. Merrick to

the hospital committee, then they

would have a chance to see for

themselves not only the extraordinary

nature of the disease, but of the

man as well. If the committee had a

chance to speak with him, hear him

say a few words for himself, I'm

sure they would see him as a patient,

rather than as a violation of the

rules.

CARR:

A few words? I thought he was

imbecile?

TREVES:

Well sir, perhaps I should explain...

CARR:

I really don't think that's necessary

Treves. I'm quite sure the committee

will be able to make an equitable

decision on the merits of the case,

such as they are.

TREVES:

I don't agree. No one can make a

reasonable decision about this man's

future without at least meeting him.

No doctor would presume to diagnose

a patient he had never met.

CARR:

No, Treves, it's out of the question.

Now if it was up to me, I'd say

"Certainly, let's meet the fellow,

by all means," I'm sorry, I simply

can't speak for the other members of

the committee.

TREVES:

Then will you meet him, as a

representative of the committee.

CARR:

Mr. Treves, it's out of the question.

I want to hear as soon as possible

what the other hospitals can do. I'm

sorry.

HALLWAY - STAIRCASE - THE LONDON

We see Treves leave Carr Gomm's office and walk toward us to

the stairwell.

As Treves begins down the stairs, he sees Bytes on the next

landing coming up.

Bytes spots him and goes toward him.

BYTES:

I want my man back.

TREVES:

Just a moment, how did you get in

here?

BYTES:

Never mind that, I want my man!

TREVES:

He's still very sick. Please come

downstairs with me. I'll explain the

situation.

BYTES:

(shouting)

DON'T... Don't muck me about. You've

had plenty of time to fix him up,

and he's leaving with me, NOW. Do

you understand me? Now, Mr. Treves.

We had a bargain!

TREVES:

You misunderstood. This man suffered

a severe fall, if you take my meaning.

He's my patient now and I must do

what...

BYTES:

Pull the other one, why don't you!

We made a deal!

TREVES:

I know what you've done to him and

he's never going back to that.

BYTES:

He's a freak! That's how they live.

We're partners, him and I, business

partners. You're willfully deprivin'

me of my livlihood!

TREVES:

All you do is profit from another

man's misery!

BYTES:

You think you're better 'n me? YOU

wanted the freak to show all your

doctor chums and make a name for

yourself, you guv. So I gave him to

you. On trust, in the name of science!

And now I want him back.

TREVES:

You don't own this man!

BYTES:

I want him back!

TREVES:

So you can beat him? So you can starve

him? A dog in the street would fare

better with you!

BYTES:

I've got my rights, damn you, and

I'm going to the authorities!

CARR (V.O.)

Well, go to the authorities...

Now we see Carr Gomm standing above them, at the top of the

stairs.

CARR:

By all means do so. In fact, I'll

fetch them myself. I'm quite sure

they'd be very interested in your

story, as well as ours.

Livid, Bytes looks from Carr Gomm to Treves, at a loss for

words.

TREVES:

Now I think we really do understand

one another.

BYTES:

(venomously)

Right... Right.

He backs slowly down to the landing eyeing Treves and Carr

Gomm. At the landing he casually turns and disappears down

more stairs. Treves turns and gazes at Carr Gomm.

CARR:

Singularly unpleasant chap... uh...

I don't suppose there would be any

harm in my meeting your... patient,

Mr. Treves.

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