The Elephant Man Page #22

Carr Gomm, from his chair on the committee, pounds his gavel.

CARR:

Gentlemen, may I make a suggestion.

There are two small rooms off Bedstead

Square that are no longer in use and

would be admirably suited to Mr.

Merrick's needs. I also propose to

write a letter to The Times, appealing

to their readers for assistance.

Knowing the generosity of the British

public, I feel we would have little

trouble in raising the funds for his

maintenance. Indeed, this hospital's

rules do preclude the admission of

incurables, but if ever there was an

exception to the rule, it is this

patient. So therefore, I propose, if

Mr. Treves is finished, that we put

it to a vote. All those in favor of

keeping Mr. Merrick here?

Carr Gomm and another committee member raise their hands.

Broadneck is displeased.

BROADNECK:

One moment,

(showing the picture

of Merrick)

as far as I'm concerned this creature

has no business being in our hospital.

I think Mr. Carr Gomm's letter would

be an excellent idea,

(to Carr Gomm)

and when you appeal for funds, I

think you should appeal for a more

appropriate place for him as well. I

agree the British public is generous,

and I'm sure that somewhere the

creature will find a happy and

permanent home, but not here.

One of the committee members says "I quite agree". Carr Gomm

scowls a bit.

CARR:

I see. All, then, that move we keep

Mr. Merrick here?

Carr Gomm raises his hand. None of the others do. Treves and

Carr Gomm exchange hopeless glances. Carr Gomm looks at the

man who had originally raised his hand. He looks away,

ashamed.

CARR:

All those opposed?

Broadneck and the rest raise their hands.

CARR:

I see.

BROADNECK:

(triumphantly)

Well then. In the meantime, of course,

he needn't be turned out. He may

stay in the rooms off Bedstead Square

until such time as more suitable

arrangements can be made, thus freeing

the Isolation Ward for more deserving

patients. Well then, Mr. Chairman,

if there is nothing further to

discuss, I move that we adjourn this

meeting and all go bout our normal

business.

Carr Gomm cannot conceal his contempt.

CARR:

I second the motion gentlemen. This

meeting is adjourned.

The others cough their agreement and hurriedly leave the

room. Treves walks over to the committee table and takes the

paper off the photograph. He stares sadly at Merrick's

picture.

CARR (V.O.)

Somehow I don't think they quite

understand.

THEATRE DRESSING ROOM

We see a very lovely WOMAN seated in a chair before a mirror.

She is reading aloud from The Times. Her hair is being brushed

by a YOUNG GIRL.

WOMAN:

...terrible though his appearance

is, so terrible indeed that women

and nervous persons fly in terror

from the sight of him, and that he

is debarred from seeking to earn his

livelihood in any ordinary way, yet

he is superior in intelligence, can

read and write, is quiet, gentle,

not to say even refined in his mind.

She turns to the girl thoughtfully.

WOMAN:

I'd very much like to meet that

gentleman. He sounds almost

Shakespearean.

DINING HALL - THE LONDON

The room is elegantly furnished and heavily carpeted. The

walls are panelled in richly gleaming walnut with finely

wrought brass lamps spaced regularly along their length. In

the center of the room is a long oak table with a fine linen

table cloth, around which sits a number of Doctors, among

them, Fox.

Some of them are still eating. A waiter is clearing away a

few plates and several Doctors are helping themselves to

port wine kept in decanters in the center of the table and

to cigars in humidors. One of them is reading The Times. At

one end of the table sits Treves, picking at his food.

#1 DOCTOR

"...in life until he came under the

kind care of the nursing staff of

the London Hospital and the surgeon

who has befriended him..."

#2 DOCTOR

Good publicity for the Hospital, at

any rate.

#3 DOCTOR

Treves comes off well too, eh Freddie?

#4 DOCTOR

It was pleasant of you to join us

this evening, Frederick.

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