The Outsider Page #4

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if I agree to see you.

- Oh, certainly.

- Well, I've seen you.

So please sign.

Now I do something to make you trust me.

I give you this little paper, so that you

can lock it in your desk.

There's no need. But if you wish.

Why did you threaten that poor woman?

You think I really meant that letter?

I had to make her think I did...

...otherwise she wouldn't get

me in to see you.

Don't watch me.

You're looking at me like a doctor.

All right, take her to the sofa.

I not look any more.

I've already seen all I want to know.

Can you make her well?

I've cured worse.

But first, please - I want to

speak to her alone.

All right.

You see, Miss Sturdee, I can only cure you...

...if you really want to be well.

And of this, I'm not yet sure.

So, when I hear about you...

...l say to myself "what is she like, this Lalage?".

Then I get the score of her lovely opera,

and I play it over to myself...

...very, very soft.

Just to hear what the soul is saying.

What did you hear?

That you are not a saint.

That your music is not hymn tunes.

There is the devil in it.

You sound an ideal listener.

Your music has passion.

Did you really come here

to discuss my music?

No, but I'll tell you this.

All your life you've given your

passion to your music.

Now, I can cure you so

that you can marry...

...and tell your passion to

the man you love.

Really Mr Ragatzy, I find this

a little unnecessary.

Mmm hmm.

That, er... charming young man?

You like to marry him, eh?

I know what you think.

Some other girl would be

better for him, eh?

Any other girl.

Any little blonde with half your

charm and half your talent.

Just because she's born with

no head, but two feet.

And you're right.

You beast!

Oh, now.

Let's stick to one animal -

it's less confusing.

The, er, general assumption

is that I'm a swine.

I swear to you...

...that I will not say that I can cure you...

...unless I am doubly sure.

Why not let me try?

Why not put yourself entirely in my hands?

You mean, without a doctor?

Yes. Without a doctor - and

without your father.

Don't be absurd.

I wouldn't dream of such a thing.

I think that's all we have

to say to each other.

You'd better go.

Very well.

I come back when you send for me.

Hmph. Never.

Oh, no, no, naturally. But, er...

...you take my card, yes?

And remember...

...that when I cure you...

...there'll be no more limping.

And no more tears that no one sees.

Oh. Pardon, please.

Basil, don't look at me as if you've suddenly

realised I was a woman for the first time.

I'm trying to imagine you,

as he might make you.

You mustn't.

I must forget it, and so must you.

You know, Lally, you need cheering up.

Come down to the country for the weekend.

Basil.

I always feel so out of things.

- What, with me?

- No.

Well, then.

Aren't you glad I persuaded you to come?

Oh, yes. It's lovely.

And you don't feel out of things?

I never feel out of things with you.

And sometimes, when I'm playing and

my head's full of music...

...l don't even feel lame.

I feel as if I'm held up by wings.

Then some brute of a tender-hearted

woman says...

..."How dreadful to see you like that."

Oh, they don't, Lally.

They do.

Perfect strangers - in hotels and places.

That's why I usually prefer

to stay at home.

Hey, let's have some rough

stuff on the pole.

You know I can't swim.

Now, don't give me that stuff, Wendy.

Nobody's going to rescue you.

All right. I know someone who will.

Basil. Oh, Basil!

I'll find him.

Hey, come on, everybody!

Come on, Basil, come on. You're

going to fight with me.

- Fight with you?

- Yes, you know, on the pole.

Oh, yes. Of course.

Oh, I know! And you, Lally,

can be the referee.

Oh, no. I... I think I'd better stay here.

Oh, no. Do come, Lally.

Lally, come with me.

You know, Basil - you're round this side.

All right.

Hello, Barbie.

Oh, Lally - you'll enjoy watching us.

Come on, Basil. You're next.

Am I?

I wonder what they're up to now?

You'll see.

One.

Two... three...

Em!

Hooray!

Look at that pretty girl.

Hey, Lally. Fetch us the ball, will you?

All right.

Oh, why, thank you.

- My dear, don't mention it.

- We are so sorry for you.

You look so pretty, sitting in that chair.

Have you seen anybody good about it'?

Or were you born that way?

Have you ever felt like murdering anyone?

Why?

Here's someone who does.

Oh, that's fun!

Where's Lally?

I saw her talking to two nice old ladies.

I'm sure she's all right.

Oh, well, If she's with someone

that's fine, then.

- Take me home, please.

- Very good, miss.

They were taken in Vienna - to

show Professor Lorenz.

Yes, these x-rays are good. They tell

you the worst quite plainly.

You know, Lorenz is a great doctor.

What did he say?

He could have cured me if

I'd been under ten.

Do you think you can do anything for her?

Sure.

How long will it take?

A year.

Strapped on my Rack.

A year!

And then?

Then I shall say to you, "Rise up and walk."

Lally, darling.

I can't believe it until Father says it's true.

Oh, he'll say that it's not true, because

he believes that it's not true.

Where's Miss Lalage?

Lally, my darling.

Look what I've brought you

from your favourite shop.

Oh, thank you.

- Hello, Basil.

- How are you, sir?

Oh, has this gentleman been helping

you with your work?

Well, my dear, aren't you going

to introduce us?

This is not a musician, Father.

This is---

Anton Ragatzy.

The surgical instrument maker.

I also make miracles.

May I ask what you're doing in my house?

I'm placing my professional services

at the feet of your daughter.

- She doesn't need them.

- I think she does.

Look at that.

- Can you mend that.

- No one can.

Then I am no one, because I can.

How?

I shall not tell you.

You will not tell me!

Why not?

Because I prefer to work alone.

Most famous English surgeon -

cannot cure his daughter.

But Ragatzy has done it.

What an advertisement.

Do you mean you won't even

work with Father?

No.

If he will not meet me as his equal...

...then I will not meet him until he

says that I am his master.

My master?

I suppose you know I have just come from

seeing one of your "masterpieces".

Captain Witcherley.

You've ruined his life nicely, haven't you?

I see you've no answer to that.

No, I've no answer.

But haven't you also ruined people's lives?

Will you leave my house, sir?

Yes, but not with your daughter in it.

Do you imagine you can make

her come to you?

I shall not even try.

Mr Ragatzy!

Will you wait until I have spoken

to my father, please?

Sure.

Alone, please.

Lally.

Do you believe this fellow when

he says he can cure you?

I like to hear it.

It's wonderful to hope.

And so new.

But my dear little girl, don't you know that even

if he could ruin me by curing you...

...l should say "Thank God."

Father, darling.

But if you choose to put yourself in the hands

of an unqualified practitioner...

...you must leave this house.

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