The October Man

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(Train whistle)

(Tyres squeal)

(Train whistle continues)

Depressed fracture of the skull

and extensive damage to the brain area.

Two attempts at suicide during

the first convalescent period.

It's an interesting case.

We knew, of course, that he

was upset about the child.

The parents were friends of his.

He felt in some way responsible.

It wasn't his fault. It was an accident.

An injured brain isn't

always logical, Mr Graham.

It may seem easier to take

one's life than to go on living.

Well, it's a most unsatisfactory case.

From an insurance point of view?

Oh, I'm as sympathetic as the next man.

We can't go on paying out indefinitely.

Is there still a qualifying disability or

isn't there? That's what I have to determine.

If the world's kind to him during the next

few months, he'll be all right. If it isn't...

A final breakdown. Insanity?

He'll probably commit suicide

first. There's still that tendency.

Any evidence of abnormality

before the accident?

None. He was an industrial chemist

- intelligent and quite sane.

It's all right, you can put your things on.

It was the claims manager himself

and he didn't bring a doctor.

- Oh.

- It's a good sign.

They'll probably agree now.

If your head bothers you during the

next year or so, you can still claim.

It's good of you to take

so much trouble, doctor,

but I want to forget the whole thing.

Insurance companies like paying out.

Any idea where you're

going to live in London?

Yes, Brockhurst Common

Hotel, it's near the works.

What about your friends in Sheffield

- are you going to see them again?

Yes, I suppose so, sometime.

You know they never blamed you.

No, but if I hadn't kept her out so

late, she'd still be alive, wouldn't she?

Apart from work, have you

any idea what you want to do?

Mm?

Oh, I don't know, I might get married.

Anyone in view?

No. The view's been rather

restricted lately, hasn't it?

There's a piece of advice

I ought to give you.

- About marriage?

- In a way.

I wouldn't make any important

decision for a time, if I were you,

about marriage or changing

your job or anything else.

You mean there's a good chance of a relapse.

Not necessarily.

If you came to me with a broken

leg, I'd say don't play football.

That's sense, isn't it?

Well, goodbye, Doctor, thank you.

Remember you'll tire easily

at first. Don't overdo it.

Go to bed early and take it easy.

- Thanks, I will.

- And that's not just routine advice.

When you've been in hospital a

long time, the outside world seems

strange and noisy.

People will upset you at

first. Try not to let them.

- All right, Doc, I'll remember. Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

- Here, mind what you're doing.

- Sorry.

(Train whistle)

(Train whistle)

(Typewriter clacking)

- Good evening.

- Good evening.

My name's Ackland, I believe

there's a room booked for me.

- Oh, yes of course, Mr Ackland.

- Yes.

- It's ready for you, I think.

- Thank you.

Room number eight on the

top floor. I'll show you.

- Right.

- Oh, the book. Will you sign it, please?

Such a nuisance, I always think.

- My last address?

- Yes, please.

Your firm booked the

room for you, didn't they?

Yes.

Loughton Hospital

- you're a doctor there?

No, I've been a patient there.

- For long?

- About a year.

- Would you show me to my room now.

- Oh, yes, of course.

No, it's quite all right, I can manage.

- Is this all your luggage?

- The rest of it's being sent on.

That's the dining room back

there and this is the lounge.

Oh, good evening, Miss Selby.

Oh, good evening, Miss Heap. This

is Mr Ackland. Mr Ackland, Miss Heap.

- How do you do?

- How do you do?

I wonder, could we have a little

more coal on the lounge fire?

It's really getting a bit chilly.

I'll take Mr Ackland up to

his room and I'll get you some.

You won't forget, will you?

No, Miss Heap! Miss Heap

always feels the cold so.

Oh, good evening, Mr Peachy.

Good evening.

- This is Mr Ackland.

- Good evening.

He's going in the room above you.

He's a retired businessman,

very rich, I've heard.

I think he likes it here because it's homey.

Number seven's Miss Newman.

She has a gramophone and the noise

comes through the wall sometimes,

but if it bothers you, just

knock on the wall and she'll stop.

And here's you.

It used to be Mr Leiper's

room. He went to Australia.

- Oh.

- (Train whistle)

We're a bit near the trains but

after a time you don't notice it.

If you let me know what time you'd

like your bath, I'll reserve it for you.

We like to have times so there's no waiting.

You look tired. Can I get you anything?

- No, thanks.

- An aspirin?

No, thanks very much.

Well, I'll leave you now. It's dinner time.

Good.

If there's anything you

want, please do let me know.

No, thanks very much. Thank you.

(Door closes)

From ghoulies, ghosties

and long-leggedy beasties

and things that go bump in the

night, good Lord, deliver us.

There, game end.

They could have set us if Mr

Pope had led the ace of diamonds.

Wisdom after the event.

- And before.

- Well, we'll see, eh, partner?

You'll have to excuse me, I'm

afraid. The accounts, you know.

I have a lot to do. There's Mr Ackland.

I was looking for you

after dinner, Mr Ackland.

- I was unpacking.

- Let me see.

- Miss Heap you met before dinner.

- Yes.

- Mrs Vinton...

- Could we have more coal on the fire?

Yes, Miss Heap. Mrs Vinton, Miss

Parsons, Mr Pope. Mr Ackland.

- How do you do?

- How do you do?

- Do you play bridge?

- Well, I have.

Couldn't have come at a better time.

Just the man we need for a fourth.

- You and me against the ladies, eh?

- I'm agreeable.

It's very kind of you, but

I only came in for a book.

Surely you'll play one rubber?

We have so few players here.

Mr Ackland is just out of

hospital. He's been there a year.

- Do excuse me.

- What was the trouble?

- Internal?

- A fractured skull.

- Ah, get headaches, I expect.

- You need taking out of yourself.

That's the idea. Cheer you up, a game would.

- I expect Mr Ackland's tired.

- Well, I was going to bed.

With a book? Now that is

bad for you, reading in bed.

Tire yourself out thoroughly

first, then go to bed and sleep.

That's what you need.

Shall he just take Miss Selby's

place or shall we cut for partners?

I'm sorry, I really would

rather go to bed now.

You won't play?

That's very unsociable.

I'm sorry, but not tonight if you don't mind.

Oh, well. Too bad. Another night perhaps, eh?

- Yes, another night.

- These invalids!

Self-pity, that's what it

is mostly, pure selfishness.

I think he heard.

What if he did? I know

his kind, I married one.

Mr Ackland?

Yes?

What time would you like

to be called in the morning?

Seven thirty, please.

Would you like early morning tea?

We charge sixpence a day extra.

Yes, please.

Are you all right, Mr Ackland?

Yes, thank you, good night.

Good night.

- Sure you're not cold?

- No, darling, I'm as warm as toast.

Good. Hello there.

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