Thirsty Work Doctors

Couldn't you have dressed down?

I feel comfortable like this.

Well, you could at least... loosen your collar.

HE CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY

I'll be sorry to see the back of these. They're like old friends.

They're just musty textbooks. Anyway, it's all for a good cause.

If you say so.

I'm making you some lunch for later. Is ham OK?

Drink your tea before it gets cold.

What's the matter?

I'm not thirsty.

Might as well finish.

Don't forget, we're going to the campus later.

I won't.

Would you like me to tell you what I've achieved this morning?

Go ahead, maestro.

I've successfully diagnosed three different skin disorders.

I convinced a long-term smoker to pack it in.

And I told a very difficult woman with anger-management issues

-that she just needed to chill out.

-Sounds like an average day at work.

No, you miss my point, Karen.

I get results because I'm well above average.

Um, I've got a patient's mother on the phone.

-She wants you to come out and see her.

-Nah! It's my afternoon off.

-That's what I told Mrs Henning, but she won't take no for an answer.

-Who?

Mrs Henning. She's being very insistent.

OK, um...tell her I'll be there in a couple of hours.

A home visit on your afternoon off?

Yeah, well, like I said... well above average.

Ah, Mr and Mrs Gibney! What can I do for you?

I'm here to see Dr Clay.

Hi, great timing. Would you like to follow me?

I thought we could give you a lift

to the church book fair this afternoon.

That is very kind, but I have already ordered a taxi.

Are you sure? Harry said it would be no problem.

-He could drop you off afterwards.

-Is he going?

He likes to do his bit for Third World charities.

Speaking of charity... I need your help.

Oh! In, uh... In what way?

Do you know what the date is today?

Uh, it is the 11th, I believe.

That's right. The feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Oh...

I'm sorry, I do not understand.

Is there somewhere more private that we could talk?

Yes...

Yes, of course.

Follow me through here.

My fingers are numb.

Why don't you take a break?

-SHE GROANS

-I had one five minutes ago.

I don't know. Is this going to be my life?

Endless data entry and...

..being stared at by sick people.

Well, that's up to you, isn't it?

Yeah, that's what my therapist said.

If you want to make changes, you've got to be bold.

Well, that sounds like good advice.

I told her about wanting to be a writer.

I don't know, cos there's so much out there.

I tell you what. Why don't we have lunch together in the staffroom?

We can do some more work on your mood board.

I'm not really sure it's helping.

-Well, it can't hurt, though, can it?

-I suppose.

That's the spirit!

This water is from Lourdes.

I got it on the internet.

Yes?

As I'm sure you're aware,

Lourdes water is known for its curative properties.

Well, I think you will find that is mainly a Catholic belief.

Whatever. The point is, I think it could help Harry.

Why? What is the matter?

Nothing in a physical sense.

He's no longer the man I married.

He's lost his spirit.

His spark.

-And you think that...

-This is... It's my last hope.

But the trouble is, Harry refuses to drink it.

He thinks it's all mumbo jumbo.

Yes, but if he does not have faith...

I have faith enough for the both of us.

But I need something more.

And that's where you come in.

Me?

He's refusing to take any liquids off me,

so someone else is going to have to give it to him.

Well, I hope you are not thinking what I think you are thinking!

You're running the refreshment stall this afternoon.

You could easily just slip it to him.

No! Absolutely not.

Why not? He trusts you.

And that is why I refuse to play a trick on him

or anyone else for that matter.

-You'd be helping him.

-No, I am sorry!

Look, you'd be helping to save our marriage.

At least take some time to think about it, please!

I have given you my answer, and that is final.

Well...

..if that's your decision, there's no point troubling you any further.

OK?

-All fine.

-Good!

MUSIC: "Ooh La La" by Goldfrapp

I didn't tell her you were coming.

I'm not quite sure what her reaction will be.

Well, we'll soon find out.

-Fliss? Can I come in?

-Go away.

MUSIC PLAYS FROM ROOM

Hi, Fliss, it's Dr Haskey. Can we talk?

Fliss, I'm going to take silence to mean,

"Hi, Al, really nice to see you. Please come in."

Right, finished with the patients now, so I'm all yours.

It is very kind of you to hold the fort, Dr Clay.

I am sure the temporary receptionist will not be very long.

These are for your book fair.

Boring textbooks, but I'm sure someone will use them

-as doorstops.

-Thank you! HORN HONKS

I think that is my taxi.

I should be back for about five o'clock.

-OK. Do you want a hand with these?

-Oh, that is very kind.

You are a true gentleman.

Oh! Thank you.

You do seem pale. Are you eating properly?

-I suppose.

-Not really.

You've been pushing your food around your plate, haven't you?

Mrs Henning, it would be easier if you let Fliss answer for herself.

Oh, of course.

You won't find a better account of the Spanish Peninsular War.

The chapter dealing with how the demoralised Portuguese forces

were eventually re-organised into effective fighting units

-is of particular...

-Stop browbeating the customers.

You're not giving one of your lectures now.

Early days. I'll get the hang of it.

You need to build up your strength

if you're going to be a good salesman.

Have you noticed that most of these colours

are very strong, very vibrant?

Now you come to mention it.

All these images are leaning towards something.

Maybe you could be a dress designer?

Well, I was still thinking of becoming a writer.

Yeah, let's run with that.

I was going to have a stab at a style-magazine writer?

That works for me. Or you could be a style guru?

Because you've always had a nose for what looks good on people.

Yeah! Um...

Well, you've got to look at all the options, haven't you?

Well, you seem to be doing a roaring trade.

It's because my wife is much better at sales than me.

You are far too modest, Mr Gibney.

That's what Ursa often tells me.

Is, uh... Is something the matter?

Nothing, really.

It's just that sometimes I get the feeling

I've become somewhat of a disappointment to her.

Well, I am sure that is not true.

You are a good man and a loyal husband.

Even if that were the case...

..I wonder if it's enough for Ursa.

Don't mind me. I seemed to have developed quite a thirst.

Oh, well, what would you like?

We have lemonade, ginger ale.

Tea?

Water, just water.

Please.

What is it?

-SHOUTS:

-What have you done?!

Why don't you go and get what you need?

What was in that?

Happiness!

Mr Gibney, what is it? What has happened?

It's over.

What is?

My life.

Yes, can I have a taxi, please?

So you're sleeping all right?

Not feeling tired during the day?

Are you sure, darling? You do look rather tired.

Mrs Henning. Do you think that I could speak to Fliss alone now?

If it's all the same to you, I'd rather stay.

-The thing is, it's not...

-If you don't mind.

Mr Gibney?

You have left your front door open.

-Mr Gibney?

-Get out!

Actually, don't - you've got some explaining to do.

-What do you mean?

-Did she send you?

Nobody sent me.

Does she want you to watch me having a relapse? Is that it?

Mr Gibney, I have not got the faintest idea

what you are talking about. I came to...

You're in it together, aren't you?

You and my loyal, loving wife. You planned this.

Planned what?

I... I really do not understand.

I don't suppose you could actually be telling the truth, could you?

That could be determined, if you would please...!

Please explain to me, what is happening?

That drink. It might as well have been poison.

It was laced with vodka.

How many Ls has diligent got, one or two?

I don't know. Use the spell check.

-Here you go. What do you think?

-What's this?

This is your brand-new, updated, turbo-charged CV.

(Don't tell anyone, OK?)

Is this me?

-What?

-Well,

"In addition to my duties as a first-contact facilitator

"I play a crucial role as the main conduit of information exchange

"pertaining to the efficient running of the surgery."

It's very posh.

And true.

What's this bit about me being a medical consultant?

I was a health-care assistant.

Well, that's medical. And people consulted you.

Yeah.

Um, Mand, I'm doing my mission statement,

and I'd really like your input.

-Oh, sorry. Maybe later, eh?

-OK.

And here is a list of potential employers.

What's this? Oh, wow! Wow! This is brilliant.

THEY CHUCKLE

Well...

I've been a recovering alcoholic for a couple of years now.

It hasn't been easy.

In that case, I find it very difficult to believe

she would deliberately want you to drink alcohol.

Until today, I would have said the same thing.

Today?

Please go on.

This morning, I saw her trying to slip some whisky into my tea.

But why would she do something like this?

I don't know.

You didn't ask her, confront her?

I was shocked, all right? And besides, I don't like arguments -

not with Ursa.

All I wanted to do was resist taking a drink.

And as they say... resistance is futile.

So what d'you think?

Well, you've obviously been very busy.

Oh, come on, Mand. Do you think it's too much?

Oof... I wouldn't say that exactly. It's very, um, clear.

Um, it's very positive.

-Only...

-Only what?

Some of these jobs you're applying for.

-Yeah?

-Are you sure they're, you know...

-What?

..the right jobs for you?

Of course they are. I wouldn't have applied otherwise, would I?

There are some things that might count against you.

Such as?

Look, your age for one.

Oh, here we go.

Oh, no, Karen, you haven't actually got

any relevant experience in any of these areas,

not proper qualifications.

Not to mention your accident.

So what, I've just got to sit around here

and be really grateful for a boring job?

No. Just don't go quitting this one before you find another one, eh?

You've had some really good times here.

Just promise me you will think about the positives

about working at the Mill.

OK, I will.

You know, I don't know how

I stuck it out for so long with you on the wagon.

There were times when I thought I was going to drop dead with boredom.

-You don't mean that.

-Don't I?

Do you have you any idea how dull,

how punishingly dull it is

to be married to a dreary saint?

Look at you.

Mr Conformist.

Would you prefer the old me?

At least when you were on the booze, you were wild and unpredictable.

-And you were rough.

-I did some terrible things.

-It was part of your charm.

-This isn't a joke, Ursa!

I was a monster, and I'm not going back there.

Too late for that.

No, it is not.

You could go to your AA group.

Better still,

I can introduce you to a fine malt whisky.

You are a disgrace!

Don't be so melodramatic!

I am trying to save our marriage,

to bring back its spark.

You are trying to ruin a GOOD man for your own selfish needs.

Selfish?!

I am the one who got him off the booze in the first place.

And all it's done is make both of us unhappy.

It's time... for that big bad wolf to return.

Do you remember him? All teeth and claws.

Especially claws.

Yeah, that's right.

The light's returning.

The monster's returning.

-No.

-Harry, please, don't fight it any more.

You've been dead to me for too long.

-Ursa, please.

-Stop whining!

I've had just about enough of your sanctimonious side.

Either you come back or I go.

I will leave you.

Would that be such a bad thing?

Think about what I'm offering you.

Remember what I'm offering you.

And if you need further inducement.

Mr Gibney! Mr Gibney, listen to me. You cannot stay here.

If you do, she will drag you back to hell.

Haven't you got some prayer meeting to skedaddle off to?

Please, come with me. I can find you help.

I think you should leave now.

But, Mr Gibney, for... for your own sake.

Goodbye.

DRINK POURS

So...just to be clear,

you are not experiencing any physical pain?

No, nothing like that.

I'm OK, except...

Except?

I feel like I'm never going to be happy again.

I keep having these thoughts.

Horrible thoughts.

What about?

Listen, this thing which is making you feel so low,

whatever it is, it is not going to last.

You are going through a phase and it will pass

and you will forget all about it.

Do you think so?

I know so.

But in order for that to happen, you have to take care of yourself.

So, come on, what is your favourite dinner?

-I don't know.

-Come on, everybody's got a favourite dinner.

I like spaghetti Bolognese.

There we go - spaghetti Bolognese.

Mum, do you think we could have one very special spaghetti Bolognese?

And how do you feel about getting up?

Could put a DVD on. What's your favourite film?

-Hunger Games.

-It's all right, but the books are better.

What would you say about going back to school?

I can't face going back.

You could try it, at least for one day.

You'll see all your mates. I bet you're really missing them.

Sort of.

SHE SIGHS

MUSIC: "Venus In Furs" by The Velvet Underground

Cheers.

Cheers.

And now...for your favourite.

Do you know what? I think there is change in the air,

cos one of these may very well be the passport to my future.

Well, fingers crossed. Not that you need any luck.

Mand, thank you. Thank you ever so much, you're a star.

For what?

Well, for getting me to think about what this job really means to me.

Well, it's brought things into focus.

Oh, well, great. Glad to be of help.

I have come to the conclusion that this job is

and always will be totally, totally boring.

So the sooner I'm out of here, the better.

SHE WINCES

SHE SHUDDERS

Thank you.

HE SIGHS AND SHUDDERS

It was good of you to have spent so much time with her.

Not at all.

I think Fliss just needed a fresh face to coax her out of her shell.

I happened to have been that fresh face.

What do you think's wrong with her? I mean really wrong.

-I don't think it's anything serious.

-What's the matter with her, then?

It's difficult to say, it could be any number of things.

Such as?

Well, she's a teenager.

We all know what they're like, like a hormonal time-bomb.

She's got all these changes going on in her,

and she doesn't know how to process them.

It's perfectly normal and it will pass in time.

I hope so. I really do.

I really don't think you've got anything to worry about now.

Thank you. You've done so much.

Not just for Fliss.

I'm not going to school!

Just go in till lunchtime. See how you feel.

Are you deaf? I'm not going!

That's it, there's nothing wrong with you, now get up!

If I don't eat at 12.30 on the dot, my blood sugar drops,

and I risk having a hypoglycaemic attack!

Which one?

Well, they are... they are both very nice.

But which one is more fun?!