The Snake Pit Page #5

- No, it doesn't.

You see, Terry, I'm convinced there's something

quite recent in this woman's history...

that we know nothing about,

which I'm almost sure would lead

to the origins of her illness.

- If only I could get it out of her before...

- Before it's too late.

Yes. Well,

there's one more shortcut I can try.

Ninety-six, 95...

94...

90, 90...

- Ninety-three.

- Ninety-three...

92, 92...

- Ninety-one.

- Ninety-one...

88...

85, 80, 80...

Thoughts are coming

to your mind now.

You're going back.

You're thinking about Chicago.

Chicago. Concert.

You're in Chicago.

You're going to a concert with Robert.

Suddenly you decide

you can't go.

Concert. Chicago.

Yes. I left the bar.

Robert tried to stop me,

but it was late. It was late.

- Robert,

I can't go to the concert.

- What?

- I'm sorry. I was trying

to tell you all afternoon.

- Virginia, wait a minute.

- What is this? What's it all about?

- It's no use. Robert, I'm sorry.

I've got to go right away.

Let me go. Please! Let me go. Let me go.

Please let me go.

I have to hurry. It's late!

- Go on. Where are you going now?

- I only have a few minutes.

There's a train at 5:00.

- I've got

to be ready. I have to be ready.

It's 6... 30.

Where are you going?

- He'll tie it for me.

- Who will tie it for you?

I'm coming!

I'm coming!

Hello. I'm ready, Gordon.

I hope... I hope I'm not too late.

- Gordon?

- Yes. He hates to be kept waiting.

- All right. Go on.

- I tried not to go with him, but I had to.

Last Sunday, I tried. I'm going to Chicago

next Sunday, Gordon. There's a concert.

Oh, but you know, Gordon.

He said it was the annual banquet May 12.

Gordon, please,

couldn't you go without me?

L... But he... Oh, he...

- He said you must be ready by 6:30, Virginia?

- Yes.

6:
30, and to wear my long dress.

I had to. I had to.

- You liked doing what Gordon told you?

- Oh, I don't know.

Yes, I thought I owed it to him. He took

such good care of his mother and sister.

Janey said

he was like a father to them.

Was Gordon the first one

you cared for after your father died?

Yes. I was writing all the time.

I wanted to become a writer.

And before that, in school,

did you go out with boys?

Oh, no. I had to study. Gordon was the only

one. He seemed to know what was best.

He always tied the bow

in my hair.

- Gordon?

- Oh, no. My father.

Tell me about your father.

- I was ready, just

as Gordon said, at 6:30 sharp.

- Go on.

- You remember it now.

- Yes. Yes, I do.

Hello. I'm ready, Gordon.

I hope... I hope I'm not too late.

Ready? Not quite.

- Oh, I am sorry.

- I'm afraid you'll never change.

There. You look rather pretty tonight,

Virginia.

Well, we'd better be going. It's

a long drive, and I don't like to be late.

Go on. What happened then?

- I don't remember.

- You're in Gordon's car.

Yes. Yes.

Gordon's car.

You know, for the first time since I've

known you, you had me worried for a while.

Oh, I was sure you'd be there, butJaney

was trying to call you all day.

I'm sorry, Gordon.

I was out.

She and George Bennett

are going to be married in June.

Oh, I'm glad forJaney.

George is a nice boy.

You bet. So you see, honey.

Now I not only getJaney off my hands...

but George said he'd be glad

to pitch in and help with Mother.

Well, I decided...

I mean, this is as good a time as any.

We'll make it

a double wedding, huh?

I haven't got an engagement ring yet like

George, but we'll announce it at the dinner.

- You're shaking.

- It's nothing. I'll be all right.

- Virginia, are you sick?

- I don't know. I just feel...

- There's a drugstore about a mile up the road.

- I think I'd better go home.

- Virginia, what's the matter?

- Please, Gordon. Take me home.

You didn't want to marry him.

- Virginia, why?

- I was really sick. I couldn't help it.

Of course you couldn't. What happened then?

Gordon's taking you home.

I couldn't help it.

I couldn't. I couldn't.

Oh, he can't be dead! He can't be!

Oh, Gordon! If only I hadn't made him

turn back, he wouldn't have died!

You didn't make him turn back.

You were sick, and he was taking you home.

That's what anybody would've done.

It's only natural you felt a certain blame.

He died, and you didn't.

You're going to sleep now,

Mrs. Cunningham.

When you wake up, you'll

remember everything you told me.

Everything.

Let her sleep for a while

and then take her back to the ward.

And in addition to the foregoing...

the narcosynthesis

revealed the existence...

of earlier factors

in the patient's life...

directly connected with the root causes

of her present condition.

In view of this,

I'm sure you will agree...

that the patient should not be allowed

to leave the hospital...

at this time.

With a sincere hope that

you will take this matter...

into serious consideration...

and the usual ending.

Thank you. Will you see that Dr. Gifford

gets this as soon as possible?

Two chocolate and vanilla mix

and two coffees, please.

- Cream and sugar?

- One cream and sugar.

Two chocolate and vanilla mix,

two coffees, one cream and sugar.

Hiya, honey.

I hope you feel as good as I do today.

I wish Robert wouldn't leave me alone.

All these people probably looking at me,

thinking I'm one of the sick ones.

I won't let them scare me.

I wonder which is which.

If I can't tell,

maybe they can't tell about me.

Look at that one over there. Didn't know

they allowed that kind in the store.

It isn't nice.

They shouldn't laugh at us.

Watch me. I'm sitting

over there with my boyfriend.

I wanted to be sure. I was worried

you'd think my husband was him.

Well, here I am again.

Funny. I thought that tall, handsome man who

came to see her last week was her boyfriend.

This one doesn't look

like the real one. Or maybe l...

Question:

Dear Dr. Kik, when am I real?

Sorry, darling.

They don't seem to be in a hurry here.

- Half vanilla, half chocolate.

- Thank you.

- Cream and sugar.

- Nobody'd ever

think Robert belonged here...

whereas I always look rather...

- It isn't fair.

- What are you thinking of?

It's hard to say

what I'm thinking of ever.

I don't remember so many things,

and I forget even what I remember.

- It's such good ice cream.

- I'm glad. I have good news for you.

I'm pretty sure you'll be going with me

to my mother's soon.

- Your mother?

- Yes. To her farm. Where I was born.

- You remember.

- Oh, yes. Of course.

Everybody says you're so much better now.

The fresh air and rest and lots of good food.

- That's what you need most.

- Yes.

Sometimes I think I'm not

as sick as the others, but they

say if you think you're well...

then you're really sick.

If I say I'm sick,

maybe that means I'm well.

- The trouble is, I can't be sure of anything.

- You can be sure of one thing.

Of me.

Well, sweetie, I told you.

Everything's gonna be wonderful.

My husband has just agreed to give me

a divorce. That's the only reason I'm here.

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