The Cry Doctors

CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS

HE TURNS VOLUME UP

KNOCKING

Is he going to live?

Why do I do this to myself every weekend?

Ah, look at that. Love's young dream.

Well, slightly older dream.

-Shut up.

-Morning.

Mind you, the deja-vu is messing with my head a bit.

Have some orange juice.

Freshly squeezed? We are in the honeymoon period.

Do you want some cornflakes over your Armani trousers?

I can see why you went running back to him.

I've always thought you two belong together.

You go together like orange and juice.

Do you get it? Aran-Jas.

That's appalling.

-I've not lost it.

-Kev, you never had it, mate.

I'd prefer it if you called me Dr Kevin Tyler seeing as you are spending the night in my home.

-It's a bit more respectful.

-"Doctor, my friend's got a really high opinion of himself,

"I think his head might explode, what shall I do?"

It's only eight o'clock in the morning and you two have already started.

You're right. I can't be wasting my breath talking to you,

when I've got to go and save lives.

What are you doing today?

-Probably just stay here feeling empty till you get back.

-Thought so. Laters.

Big kiss.

It's like stepping back in time seven years.

Well, not exactly.

No...I didn't mean us, I just meant...

-What?

-Oh, it doesn't matter.

I'd better get ready, I don't want to be late.

I am trying, all right?

Yeah, I know, so am I, all I'm saying is, it's not the same, is it?

I'm afraid Dr Carter's appointments are all taken this morning.

I can give you 3:15 or...

Well, he might have said "this morning",

but I'm afraid his diary is full,

so unless it's an emergency, I can't...

Yes, I understand your distress.

OK, look, I'll talk to Dr Carter,

if he said he would see you this morning...

Can I take your name please?

Eeurrgh!

No, sorry! Not you!

There's something here. Sorry.

Yes. Antonia Harrison.

I'll pass that on to him and get him to call you back.

As soon as possible. Yes.

Thank you.

What is that?!

Er... Oh!

It touched me.

I'm sure it's not the plague!

What if it touches a patient?

I hadn't noticed it before.

You all right?

You don't want to give them...

Oh! That's urticaria.

I've got urticaria!

Otherwise known as nettle rash.

Oh.

Harmless.

If you're looking for your lucky pants, they're on the toaster!

Right, do you want some breakfast, mate? What do you want?

We've got onion bhaji and margarine.

Mate, I thought you said you were getting the shopping in.

I couldn't, could I?!

Why not?

In case you needed me!

I'm here to support you, don't forget.

I can't go leaving you in the house alone, all vulnerable like.

You are on an emotional knife-edge.

I don't think I'd be a danger to myself if you went to the Co-op.

Chuck us my lucky pants, will you? I can't find any others.

Is that my aftershave?

-You don't mind, do you?

-No.

Are you thinking of going home?

Ah, that's just it you see.

-What is?

-I can't.

Why not?

My girlfriend...

She chucked me out.

Mrs Harrison, I can't tell you how inappropriate it is

to turn up on my doorstep.

-I know. I'm sorry.

-How did you get my address? I was inclined to call the police.

I'm sorry. I just need to know if Alex is going to live.

OK, right, let's start at the beginning.

My husband is at St Phil's.

He's been in a coma for five months.

And you want some sort of prognosis from me?

I can't live like this.

I understand. What does his consultant say?

She says I have to wait.

-Well, I'm inclined to agree. Comas are very unpredictable.

-I can't wait any more.

I know it's exhausting living with such uncertainty...

I'm pregnant.

Does your husband know that?

-Maybe you should tell him. It'll help him to rally.

-I can't tell him.

Just because he's in a coma doesn't mean

he can't hear or understand what you're saying.

If my husband lives, I can't have this baby.

I don't follow you.

It's not his.

I didn't know you had a girlfriend.

Fair play to you, you're an emotional wreck right now, it's not your fault.

I didn't even know you were seeing someone.

That's what women do to us, James.

That's the carnage they leave behind. It goes deep.

-I'm sorry.

-I don't want to hear it.

Time will come when the shoe will be on the other foot

and it'll be you picking me out of the gutter, saying,

"Franklyn boy, dust yourself off, we're going out on the lash."

-That's what friends are for.

-Yeah, but still...

I'm your rock. I'm your bridge over troubled water.

OK, look, maybe I was a bit hasty asking you to move out,

it's just I've been burnt before.

-Last time Dav stayed here...

-James, I'm going to stop you there.

Number one, please don't mention my name

and that sponger's name in the same sentence - it's insulting.

Number two - don't take this the wrong way - but I wouldn't be

borderline homeless if it wasn't for your sugar plum wedding.

Really, how d'you figure that out?!

Well, if you hadn't made me all dopey

and sentimental with your fairy-tale nuptials, I would never have

rushed into this doomed relationship in the first place.

I came back from that weekend looking to settle down

would you believe?

Right. So why did things go belly-up with this girl, then?

It's possible I...accidentally slept with her mother.

You are kidding?!

I can't remember the details.

Well, you know can't stay here rent-free forever.

Don't you worry, my friend,

I have no intention of wallowing in self-pity.

For today, the mighty Franklyn Ward will be unleashed unto

the Letherbridge job market.

Just as well I found your lucky pants then, eh?

-Seriously, I'm nothing without them.

-You are going to wear trousers?

Yeah! Yeah, course.

Have you seen them?

Does he need to know immediately that the baby's not his?

Alex is infertile. He'll know.

Right.

If he wakes up and finds out I've betrayed him...

I can't do that to him.

But if he doesn't wake up,

I'm 44. We've been trying for a baby for 12 years.

-I see.

-It's all I ever wanted.

I've booked myself in at the hospital.

For a termination?

They won't see me after 23 weeks.

I'm 23 weeks today.

Right.

That's why I need you to tell me if he's going to live.

Are you sure that your husband won't accept another man's baby?

No.

It's complicated.

At 23 weeks, it's not like pulling a tooth.

-You think I'm a terrible person.

-No, I don't.

I do.

We've talked about nothing for years but having a child

and now I've got one and all I can think about is whether to get rid of it or not.

Mrs Harrison...

-I don't think I deserve this child.

-I'm sure that's not true.

What if I told you there were days when I wish Alex would die?

I'd think that's perfectly normal...

Is it?! To actually wish your husband was dead?!

Your best friend? Is that normal?

-Living in limbo is exhausting.

-That's why I need your help.

I'm not sure I can help.

But you can give me your professional opinion?

-What time is your procedure?

-At two.

I'm at St Phil's this afternoon, I'll talk to the consultant.

But that's all I can do.

Thank you.

Have you taken an anti-histamine?

-It looks like it's fading.

-Mm-mm.

You haven't touched anything unusual?

Only if you count my boyfriend.

-You haven't been rolling around in the nettles, have you?

-No fear.

Now, it could be idiopathic. You're not particularly stressed at the moment?

Not really. Work's going well. Howard seems pleased.

I heard.

And yeah, just got back with my ex so had a pretty loved-up weekend,

so not really.

Ah. You may well have hit on it.

-What?

-Those two little letters.

-Which?

-E and X.

What do you mean?

Well, you may think I'm poking my nose in, but in my experience,

those two little letters can hold a whole world of pain.

I'm no shining example, but there is a reason why they say

don't go back.

Or it could be my new moisturiser.

-Get out!

-Have you even seen the film Cocktail?

No, I didn't think so! I don't know why I bother.

MUSIC PLAYS

DOORBELL RINGS

That's a bit loud, isn't it?

What are you doing here?

Everything all right at the doctors'?

Er, yeah.

Baby OK?

It's fine.

I was on my way to the hospital to see Al, thought you might want a lift.

-Why are you going to the hospital?

-To see Al.

Don't you have to work?

Not yet. Are you all right?

Sorry, yes, I'm fine. I'm just a bit tired.

Come on, let me drive you.

It's not good for the baby, you traipsing all that way every day.

Yeah, that would be great. I'll get my coat.

You've only got a couple of months to go,

we need to make sure that baby is strong and healthy for when Al wakes up.

When are you going to tell him?

I don't want to tempt fate.

Seriously?! You need management experience to run a dump like this?

Sorry.

Hey, mate, look what I brought you, your guitar.

Talk about a blast from the past.

I found it in the attic. What do you think about that?

I thought I could re-string it for when you wake up,

see if the old jammin' magic is still there, eh?

I'll put it over here for you, yeah?

Oh, Alex. Please.

Give me a sign. Anything.

Oh!

-What happened?

-He blinked.

No way!

He blinked!

That's great. I'll let the nurses know. He's going to wake up.

All right, look, I'll give you some space for a bit.

Well done, mate!

Thank you.

I'll just pop this on you, there you go.

And you've had nothing to eat in the last six hours?

Lovely. So, when we go in, the anaesthetist will give you an epidural,

it's only a small injection.

You're OK with needles, are you?

Lovely.

Right. We can put a screen up so you don't see anything.

The whole procedure should only take about 20 minutes,

and provided there's no complications, you should be able to go home later today.

Is that OK?

Right...

You might experience some bleeding in the first week or two, but that's normal.

I just need you to sign this consent form and as soon as they're ready for you,

I'll come and collect you.

Lovely.

Are you OK?

Actually, do you mind if I just have a moment with my husband?

-Of course. I'll get him for you.

-No, I'll go. He isn't in the waiting room.

CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS

SHE TURNS MUSIC OFF

I didn't know your husband was a musician.

So, you've made your decision?

He blinked. So he's going to be all right. I know he is.

Mrs Harrison, I spoke to his consultant...

Whilst it's feasible that he could make a complete recovery,

a muscle spasm can happen at any time and generally speaking,

the longer someone's in a coma...

But this is the first time he's moved.

Mrs Harrison, I know you think it's impossible for a man to love

-another man's baby...

-It's not just another man's baby.

Well, of course you have feelings for the father of the child.

No! It was one night!

It was just after the accident.

They told me that he wasn't going to live.

I just wanted to hold him, so badly.

And Gary was there.

I held him, and we were very drunk. It was stupid.

Does Gary know about the termination?

Does he know the baby is his?

He thinks it's Alex's. No-one knows Alex is infertile.

Don't you think he has a right to know?

No.

In these situations, honesty is the best policy.

Gary should really know the truth.

-Why are you wearing that?

-I'm Heston Carter. Alex's GP.

I'm Gary, Alex's brother.

I'll erm...leave you to it.

I've decided not to keep the baby.

What? Why not?

He's in a coma.

Yeah, and this might be what pulls him through!

Keep your voice down.

No, I won't keep my bloody voice down. This is my brother we're talking about.

-Where was your loyalty when you slept with his wife?

-What's that got to do with it?!

When did you decide this?

I've been thinking about it for a while now.

-And you didn't think to tell me?

-It's none of your business.

You don't get a say in how I live my life.

It's not your life we're talking about!

I'm not going to stand here and let you kill Al's baby.

Don't say that!

It doesn't make any sense. You'll be a family.

We won't.

Why not?

I mean, if you're worried about bringing the kid up alone,

if Al doesn't pull through, or he needs care, well then, I'll step in.

It's not that.

Surely you can't go through with it now.

You're too far gone.

I'm not. I'm 23 weeks, Gary.

23 weeks.

PHONE RINGS

Why didn't you tell me?

Right. OK.

Look, we...

This is a mess, but we can sort this.

I know I'm not Al, I know I'm nothing next to him, but...

-No.

-All right, but I could help you. I mean, as friends.

I could support you. Be a dad.

Nobody needs to know.

And if Al pulls through, I'll stand aside.

-It will be Al's kid.

-It won't work.

It will. He need never know. We've got the same genes.

Look, as much as I might want it to, it won't work.

Why not?!

Alex is infertile. He'll know the baby isn't his.

There you are. They're waiting for you in theatre. You need to come with me now.

One minute. Please.

Look, there's...there's got to be something we can do.

Do you think that I haven't thought about this, Gary?

I have thought about nothing else.

He pulls through this and discovers what?

That the two people he loves most in the world have betrayed him.

That'll destroy him.

Can you live with that?

I'll never be able to look him in the face again.

I can't do that to him. Can you?

I can't keep them waiting any longer.

You have to come now.

It's OK.

Oh!

It kicked!

Come on.

You look like you need me to cheer you up.

-Do I?

-Which is just as well, cos I'm...

What happened to your arm?

Oh, it's nothing, it's just a rash, it's fine.

What caused that?

It's idiopathic. Cause unknown.

Oh, right. You sure it's not psychopathic?

You can be a bit of a nutter sometimes.

-Shut up!

-Have you got any cream for it?

There might be some in the bathroom.

Stay there.

Hi. How'd you get on?

Gutted. I genuinely do not understand it.

I mean, how can anyone not want this?

I can only think Letherbridge isn't ready for me yet.

Anyway, how was your day, darling?

Same old. Did you get anything for dinner?

I'll be honest with you Jimmi, I was too drained to go to the supermarket.

I only just had the emotional energy to get some tinnies in.

Right. I'll phone for a takeout.

Tidy. I'll have 67a.

See how you go tomorrow, but if you're still getting desperate,

I could always put you on to this job at the uni.

Jimmi, look at me. I've been watching a shopping channel online,

-of course I'm desperate! What's the job?

-It's only temporary.

It's...um...security. Campus security.

-You're joking.

-No.

Strolling round chatting up intellectual totty in a uniform!

Why didn't you tell me about this before?

You haven't met the boss yet, he's a nightmare, total jobsworth.

Jimmi, in all my years, I am yet to meet the person who can

resist the charms of Franklyn Ward.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Hi! Could I have two 67a's and a pork banquet, please?

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry!

SHE SOBS

Sorry!

Gary?

Hey? Oh, hi.

Are you OK?

Yeah, fine. Just waiting for Antonia. Give her a lift.

There are people you can talk to. I can put you in touch.

I'll be all right. You knew then?

That I was the...?

She wasn't even going to tell me.

It was a very difficult decision for Antonia. Agonizing, in fact.

No, she's done the right thing. This whole thing's a mess.

Well, don't underestimate the impact of losing a child that's been

yearned for for so long.

I didn't know they were trying.

-PHONE RINGS

-Sorry...

Hi.

Gary?

You er...you done?

Sort of.

I'm in reception if you want a lift.

-Listen...

-No, I know what you're going to say. I don't know what I was thinking.

You're right, if Alex found out it would destroy him.

And I don't know if I could step aside.

This is a mess.

You did the right thing not going through with it.

I didn't.

You did.

I didn't go through with it, I couldn't.

I'm keeping the baby.

Is that better?

-Much.

-I didn't notice it this morning.

-It's probably nothing.

-Weird.

So, go on then, what is it you need to tell me?

OK. Well...

I know I was a bit out of order this morning.

I'm sorry. I think it's just... all this happening so quickly.

It has been a bit quick, hasn't it?

Yeah. And I don't think my head's had a chance to catch up...

..you know, with my heart.

I think I was just trying to carry on as if nothing had changed,

but things have changed, haven't they?

Yeah. I'm glad you say that.

And...I've had a bit of time to think it over now.

Me too.

So what I reckon...

is, what happened last year was

more of a misunderstanding than anything else.

And being with you this weekend, it's just confirmed it.

Confirmed what?

Maybe we're meant to be together.

-Aran...

-No, don't stop me.

I've been practising this all day, you know I'm no good at this sort of thing.

So what I wanted to say...

Yeah, I reckon it might take me

a bit of time to trust you properly again and...

there's no point in pretending what happened didn't happen,

and it's going to be a nightmare telling my family!

But I reckon it's going to be worth it.

You're worth it.

I think in 30 years' time,

when we're married and sprogged up,

-we'll look back and laugh at all this.

-You think?

-Yeah.

The main thing is,

we're both committed to making it work this time.

I know I am, for sure.

It's just whether you are?

Of course I am.

Well, well. If it isn't old Miss Snotty Knickers!

What is she doing here?

Have you got a criminal record, Mr Ward?

I've got Agadoo by Black Lace. Does that count?

I want you as a partner, Howard.

If we combine our surgeries

we could change the face of healthcare in Letherbridge -

create a super-practice.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd