The Slender Thread Page #5

21 from 40.

It could hit you

any second, too.

It could come up

behind you

And grab you right

in the middle

of a sentence.

Oh, wouldn't

that be a laugh

If I ended a sentence

with a preposition

And didn't have time

to correct myself?

Very funny.

Oh, aren't we grim.

This is not

my happy night.

Look, I don't just come

and go with people,

you know.

I don't have

many friends,

And when I lose one,

I feel rotten.

Yeah, but just think.

Tomorrow morning

on campus,

You'll be a celebrity.

You can tell them

all about this stupid...

About the what?

About the unlocated

overdose I talked to

For a little while

tonight?

You know,

that's what the police

will call you tomorrow.

You will be

on the blotter.

"Unlocated overdose."

That's all.

No history to it,

no love, no beauty,

Nothing about

how sad you are,

what you want,

What you're

doing it for.

No name, Inga.

Unknown and turning cold.

So tell them what?

That I let you go,

That we talked,

and I let you slip

through my fingers?

Maybe I can

make it up to you.

A few simple words,

"Come and get me, Alan."

Maybe you could use me

as a lesson.

Look, Inga.

And please

get this straight.

I'm up to my ears

in lessons.

I've been taught,

long before I picked up

this phone tonight.

I've been taught.

So lessons, I don't need.

Understand?

Good people, I do.

You've watched the walls

close in on you. Me, too.

You've been ignored

or studied

Out of the corners

of people's eyes.

Me, too.

You've been suffered

and tolerated. Me, too.

Okay?

Times are bad.

Things stink.

The world's a cinder

in your eye,

But what is

the alternative?

Now, I ask you, Inga,

what in God's name

is the alternative?

Every time I breathe,

every breath I take,

every gulp,

It's like it's got

bubbles in it.

It's heady.

Why can't you

reach out and

hang on to me

And feel what I feel?

Why can't you

come into my world?

Oh, God...

Where were you today,

Alan?

This morning,

when I left the office,

After my boss called.

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)

The poor bird

can't fly.

Is he hurt?

I don't know.

I'm afraid

to find out.

Well...

He seems to be all right

as far as I can tell.

He has

a white eye.

Oh, that's just

his eyelid.

I wouldn't

touch him

if I were you,

Because you could

catch something.

I tell you what.

You stay here

and take care of him,

And I'll go

get something, okay?

Okay.

I'd like some brandy,

please.

Any particular

brand?

Well,

I know you're gonna think

this is ridiculous,

But it's for

a bird.

What's ridiculous?

Well, he's

a very sick bird.

Okay, we got brandy

for all kinds of birds.

We got brandy for, uh,

hoarse canaries.

We got brandy

for tired sea gulls.

We've even got...

I think a pint

would be enough.

Lady, even for an eagle,

this is too much brandy.

I'll take

just the pint,

please.

Okay. $2.50.

You don't care

if something dies?

(GRUNTING)

Ohh!

Chris!

Chris!

Chris!

Hi.

How come you're

not at work?

Oh, I just took off.

I brought you

some cold fruit.

Okay.

Uh, what do you do

around here every day?

Nothing,

just mess around.

I like to look for boats

from other places.

You see any?

A couple.

Something wrong?

No.

Hey, come on,

Chris!

Where you going?

We've got a game, Ma.

Oh.

Hey, Chris!

For the road?

No, thanks.

Oops!

Would...

Would you take this

home for me?

Sure.

Ma, you want to

come watch the game?

I can't.

What?

See you later.

ALAN:
Okay, Inga,

he gave you the boat.

Then what did you do?

Where did you go?

Inga, can

you hear me?

INGA:
The water's

full of coins.

What? Are you near

the water, Inga?

For every coin,

someone made a wish.

For every wish,

I wonder.

Listen to me, Inga...

There just wasn't

anywhere to go.

I even tried

to get arrested,

But everyone

looked the other way.

Oh.

Is this where

I was before?

What hospital is this?

Well, what hospital

were you looking for?

Does a Dr. Van

work here?

Dr. Alden Van?

Yes.

He left last week.

I believe

he was transferred

to Los Angeles.

Would you like to see

the resident on duty?

Yes.

Please.

Dr. Morris, please.

Uh, he's

eating dinner.

Oh.

Do you want to

sign in?

Look, I just want to

talk to somebody.

Well, can't it wait

a few minutes?

No.

Would you ask

Dr. Morris to come

to the desk, please?

The doctor will

be right here.

Hello.

Oh, hello.

What's the problem?

Oh, listen, I'm sorry

I spoiled your dinner,

But, you see, well...

Well, I think

I'm going to pieces.

I have a husband, and I

can't seem to reach him.

And my son,

well, he's very young,

And he's playing

baseball someplace,

And I really

have nobody.

Oh, God! I know this

sounds like it's something

For a lovelorn column,

But, honestly,

I feel very, very strange.

Do you want to

commit yourself?

Well, I don't know.

How long would

I have to stay?

I can't tell you that.

It could be two days

or two months.

Oh, no, I couldn't possibly

be away that long.

Anyway, I don't want to

be around crazy people.

I just want

somebody to talk to.

Well, maybe I

can suggest...

Dr. Morris, you're

wanted on the line.

Hold it for

just a minute.

Maybe I can

suggest somebody

for you to see.

No! No, no, no!

You don't understand.

I need somebody now.

I'm terribly sorry,

but, you see, there's

nothing I can do

Unless you sign in.

But, gee, I just want

somebody to talk to.

I tell you what, I'll have

the nurse draw up

admittance papers.

She can admit you

if you want, okay?

But you decide.

Nurse,

make out the papers.

I'll be up to see her

as soon as

she's settled in.

Excuse me.

Listen,

I just want somebody

to tell me

What's happening to me.

Hello, admitting.

How do you spell

that last name,

please?

All right.

All right.

It's got to

be one of these

two switches.

MAN 1:
At least two gross,

wing-collar model.

MAN 2:
Going that well,

huh?

MAN 1:
Can't keep them

in stock.

Let's try this one.

ALAN:
So you decided

to show them.

Is that when

you took the pills?

INGA:
They were

hard to swallow.

At first, I didn't

think they were

going to stay down.

They looked

so harmless, Alan,

Like you had

the biggest headache

in the whole world.

Crisis Clinic,

Newell speaking.

I have to

talk to somebody.

Inga, talk to me!

Inga!

(INGA BREATHING HEAVILY)

Mmm.

Go ahead, baby.

Go ahead and die.

Let it go. You

never liked it anyway.

Go ahead and kick it!

If love were enough,

I could drag you back.

I could reach

through this phone

and drag you back,

But it isn't enough.

You're going to have to

want to come back

All by yourself.

Look, I'm dried up.

I'm tapped out.

I'm done!

So you choose.

You choose right now,

or, so help me God,

I'll hang up this phone!

Goodbye, Inga.

No, don't!

Don't leave me.

(RINGS)

Police department.

Hold the line,

please.

Sarge, got a request

to locate.

They traced

the calling number.

Sergeant Ward.

Get me the exact address

as quick as you can.

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