The Elephant Man Page #6

Mothershead stands fixed and watches too, ignoring the noisy

room.

TREVES' OFFICE

The door opens and Treves leads the hooded figure to a chair

in front of his desk and helps him to sit down, furtively

trying to look into the eye-slit of the mask. In the small

room the smell of the Elephant Man is overwhelming.

Treves goes to the window and opens it. He nervously tries

to compose himself, then turns to the hooded figure.

TREVES:

My name is Frederick Treves... I am

a surgeon here at the London Hospital,

and I lecture in anatomy at the

Medical College... I would very much

like to examine you. Would that be

all right?

The figure in the chair is still. Treves is at a loss. His

sense of discomfort is growing. He looks at the floor for a

moment, then locks his eyes on the figure's left arm.

TREVES:

Ah... yes. Um, first I would like to

ask you a few questions, would that

be all right?

The figure does nothing. Treves sits down at his desk and

picks up a pencil.

TREVES:

Good. Now, let's see. Your Owner...

um, the man who... who looks after

you tells me that you are English

and your name is John Merrick. Is

that correct?

The figure does nothing.

TREVES:

Do you know where you were born?

Where you come from?

The figure does nothing.

TREVES:

I tell you what, I'll ask you a

question, and you shake your head

like this for "no" and nod like this

for "yes", alright? Do you understand?

The figure following Treves' movements nods very slowly,

"yes". Treves sighs with relief.

TREVES:

Are you in any pain?

The figure begins to babble incoherently. Treves, alarmed,

interrupts.

TREVES:

Um, no. Just nod your head like this

for "yes" and shake it like this for

"no". Now, are you in any pain?

Again the figure, following Treves movements, shakes his

head "no".

TREVES:

Are your parents still alive?

The figure does nothing. Treves is quite nervous.

TREVES:

Do you understand? Are they dead?

Your father... your mother?

The figure begins to moan. There are two sharp raps at the

door. The hooded figure flinches.

The door opens and Fox pokes his head into the room.

FOX:

Freddie, what you doing for... I say

do open a window in here or...

He notices the hooded figure.

FOX:

Oh, I'm dreadfully sorry, I had no

idea that... I say!

Treves quickly rises and pushes Fox out into the hallway,

following him and closing the door.

IN THE HALLWAY:

Treves and Fox are standing outside the door to Treves'

office.

FOX:

Good Lord, Freddie! What have you

got in there?

TREVES:

You'll know presently. At the meeting

of the society. But until then, I

beg of you Fox, keep it to yourself.

FOX:

Certainly, if you insist. You must

have quite a find there.

TREVES:

I don't know what I've got.

FOX:

Nothing of any importance, eh?

Treves turns to go back in, then stops.

TREVES:

I'll tell you this much, Fox, it's

beyond anything you or I have ever

dealt with. Keep it to yourself,

please.

He goes back in, shutting the door.

TREVES' OFFICE

Treves turns the key in the door. He turns to the chair the

figure had been occupying, but he is not there.

The figure is hiding in the corner, crouched behind a black

frock operating coat, so stiff with dried blood and pus it

stands up by itself.

Treves looks quickly around the room and finally sees him.

He looks at the figure for a moment.

TREVES:

Come sit down.

The frightened figure just crouches there looking at him.

Treves goes to him, pulls him up and over to the chair.

TREVES:

Sit... down.

The figure sits. Treves pauses uncertainly.

TREVES:

I think I'll examine you now. I'll

save the questions for later... Will

you take off your hat now, please?

The figure does nothing. Treves moves to him.

TREVES:

Don't be frightened, I simply want

to look at you. Do you understand?

The figure leans back fearfully. From behind him we see just

the top of his wide hooded head.

Treves, standing before him, lifts the hood up and back.

TREVES:

(more to himself)

That's right, don't be frightened.

Don't be frightened.

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