The Ottoman Lieutenant

1

WOMAN:
I'll tell you the story

of my journey.

Where I went, how I got there,

and what I saw along the way.

I thought I was going

to change the world.

(SHOUTING)

But, of course,

it was the world that changed me.

We need a doctor! Please help!

- MAN:
You can't be in here.

- Please!

- We need help.

- Here. This way. This way.

- They can't be in here!

- It's all right.

- What happened to him?

- Drill bit broke loose.

- Hang on, Sam.

- Hold on. You're gonna be all right.

- You'll be all right, Sam.

- Help me, please.

- They don't belong here.

- What are you doing?

- He's bleeding to death.

- He can't be in here!

Help me!

- What is going on?

- Doctor, he has a deep puncture.

This man is in the wrong hospital.

He doesn't have time for the right one.

- Get him out of here. Quickly!

- He's bleeding to death!

- He's bleeding!

- This isn't right!

Move it! Move it! Get him out!

- What is wrong with you?

- Take him down the back stairs.

This way.

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

MAN:
It gives me great pleasure

to introduce our speaker and friend,

Dr Jude Gresham.

(APPLAUSE)

JUDE:
Thank you.

Eastern Anatolia is a rugged country.

Its people are poor but hard-working.

For them, modern medicine

is a revolutionary concept.

You might have changed

out of that uniform.

- Sorry. I didn't have time.

- Shh!

That is why the work of

the American Mission Hospital in Van

is so vitally important.

For many people in the region,

our hospital offers

the only medical care available.

People come from

hundreds of miles around.

And the only reason

we are able to provide for them

is because of generous donations from

open-hearted Christians like yourselves.

There are impediments, of course.

Eastern Anatolia can be a place of

unspeakable violence and transgression.

But it is also a place of fierce spirit.

And the people

who have survived there...

When I first came to Van

as a newly graduated doctor,

my plan was to stay a year,

do my service,

and then come back to the States

and open a prosperous practice.

Well, that was eight years ago.

I didn't intend for it to happen,

but once I got to know these people

and live among them,

I knew I would never leave.

- Than k you.

- (APPLAUSE)

- Sounds like a whirlwind.

- It has been a whirlwind.

I've been visiting hospitals

in various cities,

catching up on the latest advancements

in modern medicine.

It's true. Medical science

has been making amazing advances.

If only we could advance

the thinking of the doctors.

- Lillie...

- How do you mean, miss?

Yesterday, a man was turned away

from the hospital where I work

because his skin was the wrong colour.

Dr Gresham, I have to apologise

for our daughter.

I assure you, Miss Rowe, no one has ever

been turned away from our hospital

due to the colour of their skin

or their religious beliefs.

That would be against

everything we believe in.

Dr Gresham, I'd like

to show you something.

(HORSE WHINNIES)

Isn't it beautiful?

- It's very handsome.

- It was my brother's.

He was training to be a doctor

when he died.

- I'm sorry, Miss Rowe.

- I want to donate it to your mission.

- Hm...

- You can use a truck, can't you?

Of course.

And I appreciate the offer.

But there's no way

to get this to our hospital.

Why not?

Well, for one thing, the railroad

only goes a third of the way

and the roads are just rough trails

cut through the mountains.

Goat paths, really.

I'll find a way to get it there.

I want it to serve a purpose.

JUDE:
Are you sure it isn't you that

wants to serve a purpose, Miss Rowe?

I suppose I'm looking for something,

some way to contribute.

Well, whatever that is,

I'm sure you'll find it.

I hope we meet again one day.

I hope so too.

(CAR STARTS)

MR ROWE:
Europe's on the verge of war.

There's no guarantee that the truck

or the medical supplies

would ever reach Dr Gresham's hospital.

What if I took them myself?

What do you mean?

Sail to Istanbul and make sure

they get the rest of the way.

- What, deliver them in person?

- Yes.

MR ROWE:

Lillie, your heart's in the right place,

but this journey,

it's far too dangerous.

Oh, it's unimaginable.

Out of the question.

A young woman on her own

in that part of the world.

MR ROWE:
No.

I've already made the arrangements.

- You did what?

- I've already booked the passage

for myself and the supplies.

I used my inheritance from Grandmother.

- Lillie, it's not a matter of money.

- You're 23 years old.

All your friends are married

and raising families.

Now, up until now,

we've indulged your whims.

- Whims?

- Nursing school.

Your work with the poor.

Lillie, it's time to settle down, not

run away to the other side of the world.

I'm sorry, dear.

We cannot possibly allow this.

Absolutely not.

I love you both.

But this is something I have to do.

Lillie? Lillie?

- Miss Rowe?

- Hm-hm?

- Your goods will be unloaded shortly.

- Thank you, Thomas.

(OBJECT CLATTERS ON GROUND)

Sir?

Sir? Excuse me?

Ignore him. Keep moving.

I'm sorry?

Special "welcome to Istanbul" greeting.

He drops the brush, you pick it up,

and suddenly you're getting the most

expensive shoeshine in the world.

I'm sorry, sir.

I'm all right, thank you.

(SPEAKS TURKISH)

(SPEAKS TURKISH)

- Thank you.

- You're welcome.

- Are you American?

- Yes. I...

I wanted to see the mosque.

Could you tell me how to get there?

Well, I could.

It might be easier if I just show you.

Come on. You don't want to miss the most

beautiful mosque in Istanbul, do you?

Come on!

(CALL TO PRAYER)

Take off your shoes and cover your hair.

It's like being inside God's thoughts.

(SPEAKING IN TURKISH)

It appears our time inside

God's thoughts has come to an end.

Goodbye.

Thank you, Mr...?

Lieutenant Ismail Veli

of the Ottoman Imperial Army.

When I'm not playing tour guide

to young American ladies.

Lillian Rowe.

Well... I hope your visit to my country

is a pleasant one, Miss Rowe.

Pleasant but brief.

There's a war coming.

MAN:
I'm sorry, Miss Rowe,

but I can no longer guarantee delivery.

The Ottoman Empire may be entering

a state of war any day now.

Goods intended for the American missions

are being detained.

Your only choice is to return home.

I didn't come this far

just to turn around now.

There may be one way

in which you can obtain permission.

Yes?

You would need to find

a military escort.

ISMAIL:
Uncle, this is ridiculous.

UNCLE:
The American girl requested you

by name. Think of it as an opportunity.

An opportunity? This hospital

is in the middle of nowhere.

Once this war begins, Russia will try

to expand its borders into Anatolia.

The question is whether the Armenians

in the region will stand with the empire

or join the Russians against us.

Ah. So you want me to be a spy?

Let us be honest with each other.

Your name and your charm

have carried you this far.

But now it's time for you

to prove yourself.

All right.

(MAN SHOUTS IN TURKISH)

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