The Outsider Page #5

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And me.

Father!

Don't you understand?

It's Basil.

I love him.

I want him.

My dear child.

He isn't worthy of you if he

doesn't want you, too...

...for your qualities of mind and soul.

Souls don't count with men

in marriage, Father.

Only bodies.

You mustn't believe that, Lally. You mustn't.

All right.

Here's something I've never asked you before.

Would you have married mother

if she'd been lame?

Lally.

And so you can't blame Basil.

My dear.

Marriage isn't just sex.

But Father...

...I'm human.

I want to live.

Mr Ragatzy, please!

Mr Ragatzy.

I've decided to put myself in your hands.

Lally, don't you realise this

man's an outsider?

Well, what am I? An outsider, too.

Outside the common human joys of life.

But if he should make you worse!

As he did Witcherley.

Then I'll know I can never be better.

- Never marry.

- This is madness!

Basil.

Are you daring to take my daughter?

No - I'm daring to take my degree.

A higher degree than you have.

The ADF.

"After Doctors Fail".

Pardon, please.

Ah, Miss Sturdee.

You see - I've brought you

to my own house.

You are my special patient.

I suppose you realise that you are

all alone with me now?

The big ogre, Ragatzy, has you

entirely in his power.

It's not too late to go back.

I'll go back when I can walk back.

By myself.

I knew you'd say that.

You have more courage than ten men.

Now, we begin.

Now, at first it will be very, very gentle.

And all the minutes, you

will be getting better.

And when at last we switch off,

there will be no more pain.

Now, I'm going to take you out

to lie all day in the fresh air.

The trees and the birds shall watch you.

The morning sun shall kiss you.

Thank you.

There you are.

Now you can see everything that's below.

Next year I will run you a

race from that tree...

...to this one.

Ah. It begins to hurt, yes?

Help me to bear it.

Look at me.

You're safe in my hands.

They're wonderful hands, yours.

Now they will make you sleep.

All through the summer nights.

Go to sleep, until the days of

fogs and yellow leaves.

Go to sleep.

Until the crocuses push out

through the dead earth.

Like little golden flames.

Each day makes you stronger.

Each hour brings you nearer

to the man you love.

You like the sound of your own music, eh?

You played it beautifully.

Is that another thing you learnt in

the Chicago stockyards?

Oh, there's nothing you can't

learn in Chicago.

It was because of what I learnt there, that I

make you better quicker than I think.

But, the pain's getting worse.

Yes, it must get worse. But

don't think about pain.

Think instead about getting well.

About walking and dancing, about splashing

through the breakers with Basil, eh?

You must fight.

Fight with me.

But...

...it doesn't hurt you.

Do you think it doesn't hurt me to watch

your face all torn and twisted...

...when you think I'm not looking?

Do you think it means nothing to me?

Now I must make it go faster.

- More pain.

- Mmm hmm.

Much more pain for you, and

a little more for me.

And then big time for us both, eh?

Look. They want me to dance at

The Big Apple, tonight.

Not this year, my dear. Next.

And then the same dance will

have a different name.

My goodness. I've never seen a girl

receive so many presents.

And here's a registered envelope.

- Shall I open it?

- Please do.

I wonder what's in here.

Pearls!

Good imitation, eh?

My heavens! I believe they're real.

They're from my father.

"God bless you, my darling."

He... couldn't come here and see me.

So he sent me these instead.

And now...

...on this last day of the year,

I bring you my gift.

What is it?

From now on, I reduce the current.

And the pain will get less and

less - until it's gone.

But remember - you're not healed yet.

You must lie absolutely still

for three months more.

You promise?

Then I shall say to you

"Rise up and walk."

- Lally!

- Basil!

Darling, you look marvellous!

What's happened?

The presiding genius has waved his hand,

and there's going to be no more pain.

Oh, Lally, I'm so glad.

All I have to do is be bored stiff...

...for another three months, convalescing.

That's nothing. When I was in Dartmoor, a

mere three months went like wildfire.

If they've a new book in the prison

library, you might tell me.

I seem to have read everything twice.

Even books that aren't written yet.

Don't worry, I'll find something that

hasn't even been thought of.

I say, Lally's in such grand form. Can I

bring some of her friends up?

- Yes, but only for a moment.

- Right!

And remember, no excitement.

Now, don't forget your promise.

Absolutely still.

Yes, I always wanted a house in Regent's Park.

- Well, where's the body?

- Yes, where's Lally?

Grand to see her again.

- How do you do?

- How do you do?

- Oh, how do you do, Mr Ragatzy?

- How do you do?

- Oh, Mr Ragatzy,

- How do you do, Mr Ragatzy?

How do you do? Now, please keep quiet.

- Where's Lally?

- She's on the balcony.

- Come on, everybody,

- Let's go up.

- Lally!

- Barbie.

Am I glad to see you.

My dear! Hello, Hugh, how are you?

Look, this will bring you luck.

Oh, darling - that's grand.

Here you are, Lally. Guaranteed

every throw a double.

I'll have to have a dartboard

fixed on the ceiling.

Hello, darling.

- Wendy.

- Your favourite perfume.

Darling, lovely to see you.

You're looking marvellous.

Just a few flowers.

Oh, it's sweet of you all

to come like this.

Lally, darling. I thought we'd never see

you again. It's been so long.

And what a lot you've missed.

You haven't even seen my new show yet.

I'll be out long before it's taken off.

I hear it's a great success.

Especially you, Wendy.

Well, I was awfully lucky.

I just sang the words.

Basil wrote them.

Isn't it marvellous for Lally? There's

going to be no more pain.

- How perfectly splendid.

- I'm so happy for you.

Soon she'll be dancing with me.

And me too, I hope, Lally.

Lally, darling...

...you won't want Basil tonight, will you?

I want him to take me to a

New Year's Eve party.

Why, of course.

You must go, Basil. It'll do you good.

You sure you don't mind?

Of course not.

Look, I'll leave the party early...

...and we'll see the New Year in together.

Shall we?

Be lovely.

Goodbye, Basil.

Goodbye, darling.

Goodbye, Lally.

Bye for now.

Goodbye, and thanks so much.

Goodbye, Barbie. Have a

good time tonight.

We'll miss you, Lally.

- Goodbye, sweet.

- Goodbye, Basil.

It's really wonderful.

- I'm sorry if I kept you waiting.

- That's all right, dear.

- Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

Are you going to dance with

that chorus girl all night?

What about giving us amateurs a break?

The next dance, my pet, is yours.

Here's to the chorus girl.

Thank you, my friends. I thank you.

Cheers.

Good evening. I'm looking for a Mr Basil Owen.

ls he here, by any chance?

Yes, sir. He's here most nights.

Thank you.

Excuse me, sir, but I'm afraid you can't

go in there like that. Please.

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