Breaking the Silence Doctors

DOG BARKS

CAR HORN BLARES

BIRD CALLS

RUNNING WATER

('Heston'.)

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LAUGHTER

BACKGROUND NOISE GETS LOUDER

I thought you were donning your cape today.

Pardon?!

Fighting evil on the perilous streets of Letherbridge.

Well, Letherbridge will have to wait until lunchtime

when my shift starts. In the meantime, I've enough on my plate

fighting through this paperwork here for the Mill...

I apologise then for adding to your woes,

have you had a chance to look at the second draft of the CCG letter?

Ah... No... it must be buried under here somewhere.

Erm, Howard...

I was wondering if you noticed anything out of place

in your house today?

How do you mean?

Well, you know, things moved about, knocked over.

Sorry?

I thought it might be one of those minor earthquakes

that you sometimes read about...

-I have another theory.

-What's that?

(Poltergeists.)

HOWARD GIVES A GHOSTLY CHUCKLE

Tinnitus and vertigo are nasty, but they're usual side effects.

It's still really weird.

I can imagine, still the symptoms will probably disappear, eventually.

How long do you think?

A couple of weeks, a month, maybe longer. Sorry,

-that's not very precise at all, is it?

-No.

-No, I get it. it's different for everyone.

-Yeah.

-I've been growing it long.

-It covers well.

Can't have it short now there's a weird bit of plastic

-stuck to the back of my head!

-Let's have a look.

-Oh.

-That's the weirdest thing of all.

-Having electrodes and wires in your head.

-Yeah.

But I'm lucky, right? It's kind of a miracle.

Definitely, it's just going to take you a little while

to get used to your new world, to make sense of it.

No kidding! This morning, I mistook a bicycle bell for a bird.

Well, make sure you know what a car horn sounds like.

Got that down already.

Good. You're healing really well, and your speech is great.

My audiologist says I'm lucky.

I lost my hearing after learning to speak.

It shows.

Hey, stranger!

-I've missed you.

-You too.

Wow, you can hear me, you can actually hear me.

Loud and clear, maybe too loudly, actually.

This is epic. We're having a real conversation.

-I'm still a work in progress.

-No, it's amazing.

-Isn't it?

-Now we're twins.

So cool you went through with it.

-Yeah.

-Look, I brought you this.

I filled it with some of my faves.

Here's 'Play', 'Stop'. 'Volume'. you'll work it out.

-That's sweet, thank you.

-And talking music, you got my text?

Yes.

We're practising at four. Top floor of the uni building.

-Can't wait for you to hear us.

-I know you'll blow me away.

Well, we're definitely loud.

So if you see me covering my ears, don't take it personally.

I won't! Got to run.

See you in a bit.

Hey, you should be saying that now.

What?

But that's why you got the operation done, right?

What?

There's nothing wrong with signing.

I didn't say that. That's not what I meant. I'm stoked you're back.

That's the important thing.

I'll see you at four. Don't be late.

OPERATIC MUSIC

ROCK MUSIC

BUZZING NOISE

I can do that. Actually, I'm looking at him right now.

Leave it to me. Bye.

-So, are we headed out?

-You're flying solo, mate.

-You're not coming?

-Change of plan.

I've got 20 reports to do for one shoplifter,

-who can't keep his hands to his self.

-I don't envy you.

So, what have you got for me?

Break in. 66 Baskerville Road. Owner's there already.

Yes. Ms Annie Harris. She's expecting you.

Enjoy...

Hmmm.

Why haven't you told her?

I don't know if we can still be friends if she finds out.

Why's that?

I'm a 'hearing' person now.

She might feel like I've betrayed her.

Still, if she were a genuine friend,

then she'd be cool with your choice, wouldn't she?

Don't count on it.

Then she can't be that good a friend, can she?

I was going to tell her,

but when you're being offered the presidency of the deaf club

and you're a hearing person, it's kind of awkward.

Ah. I see.

Your temperature has leapt up quite a bit since this morning.

What is it, do you think?

Could be that you've developed an infection. What I'd like you to do

is stay for a little while, lie down in the sick bay

and I'll come back and monitor your temperature, OK?

Hello?

Miss Harris? Police.

Up here.

Where are you exactly?

Just follow my voice.

Oh! I'm sorry. Terribly sorry, Miss Harris.

No offence taken!

You want me to wait downstairs?

-Oh, shush, come in.

-Are you sure?

Yeah, I've just got to slip my shoes on.

Right, do you want to sit down?

No. I'm fine standing. Thank you.

So, let's get started, shall we?

HOWARD CLEARS HIS THROAT

So, where were you?

Were you at home at the time of the burglary?

Yes, I was.

OK. And whereabouts exactly?

Erm.

I was just here. In bed.

In bed?

-In bed in the middle of the day?

-That's right.

You seem very interested as to whether I was in bed or not?

-Do I?

-Yes, very.

Not sure where you're going with it?

I mean, anybody might think...

that you were trying to hit on me or something...

No, no, course not.

-You sure?

-Absolutely not.

Couldn't be anything further from my mind.

You mean, you couldn't possibly imagine?

No, no.

I didn't mean...

You're very nice...

Nice?

Oh, I hate 'nice'! Call me anything but 'nice'!

You're very attractive..

-See? You are trying to hit on me?

-No!

No, I'm not hitting on you.

Oh, well, that's a shame.

I'm sorry, I'm being really mean to you.

Come on, let's go downstairs, and I'll show you what happened.

Cheers, guys, let's call it a day.

Thanks for staying as long as you did.

So, you heard noises you say?

Yes, and I didn't really think anything of it, actually,

because it's a really noisy house, this.

Groaning pipes, when it's loud, it wakes me up sometimes.

But then I heard a smash.

Probably that vase.

So, I called down from the landing.

What is it?

I just really loved that vase.

They've made a right mess, haven't they?

You know and I was here. I was here the whole time.

I'm very sorry. Must be very traumatic.

Yes, it is a bit. It's never happened to me before.

Being burgled.

Sorry.

Thank you.

I understand this must be a terrible time for you.

We'll get forensics on this, as soon as possible,

and they'll scour downstairs for fingerprints.

Right.

This is my card, and this is a crime number.

That's my number on there, if you do remember anything,

doesn't matter how small, just give us a call, any time?

You're so old school. And I mean that as a compliment.

Just trying to be professional, that's all.

Well, as I said, Miss Harris, I'll get forensics on this.

-There you go again.

-What?

The old school mentality. 'Miss Harris.'

It's very charming.

I better get off.

Hey. Where's Iona?

I know you can lip read.

MOBILE PHONE BEEPS

-Where were you?

-I was feeling crummy.

How about texting?

I fell asleep in the sick bay.

When I woke up it was way past four.

This was a big deal to me.

I'd waited a long, long time to play for you.

Didn't you hear me? I said I was ill.

That's the only reason I missed it.

I'll see the band next time, OK?

I'm sorry.

-What is it?

-I've had the worst day ever.

What happened?

I went to the deaf club.

They said they were going to make me president,

now they're not even sure they even want me in the club.

-They know about this.

-Forget them.

-What?

None of that matters any more.

What doesn't matter?

You're not deaf any more, Iona.

But they're part of my community...

No, you belong to the hearing community.

Like I do. That's what the operation was about.

Being able to hear was about changing your life,

getting away from all that.

You make it sound like I'm trying to escape the plague.

No, I'm just saying that being able to hear

is better than NOT being able to hear. Simple as that...

They're not lesser people and they're my friends.

-Some friends!

-What does that mean?

You didn't see Brooke's reaction when I told her.

YOU told her about my operation?!

You chose to have the operation done,

you must have thought it was a good thing?

But that doesn't mean it was an easy decision!

And that doesn't give you the right to tell anyone about it!

BUZZING

It's happening again.

Very handsome.

The suit.

The colour, it's good on you.

You really must learn to take a compliment!

That really isn't the issue, what are you doing here?

Plain clothes.

Well, not too plain, I hope?

-You're one of us?!

-Kind of, professional standards.

That's taking the job a bit far, isn't it?

What do you mean?

Getting me to come round to yours? What was all that?

-Seeing if I'm corruptible or not?

-No!

No, that was genuine! Police do get robbed too, you know!

And I like you.

In other words, I think you're more than 'nice'?

Which is why I'd like to give you my number.

For more than just professional reasons.

OK, I'm direct, I admit it.

It comes in extremely handy with my job.

But one thing you must know about me is, I always get people to crack.

Always. Even you.

Right, here's an idea.

You close your eyes, I'll just slip it in your pocket?

I'm not asking you to elope with me,

I'm just asking you to take my number.

If you say so. You're the expert on ethics round here.

You see, I told you resistance was futile.

Right. I've got to dash. Call me?

No excuses.

Oh, and by the way...

Thanks again for your kindness back at the house.

See you later.

Sensible man.

I wouldn't have dared say no to her, either.

She doesn't mess about, she's seen you round the station,

and she set her sights on you.

So, let's get this straight?

The break-in? You staying here at the station?

She asked for you specially. Alone. Wasn't going to argue.

Oh, and, good luck, keeping up with her.

Hello.

Jamie brought you back in.

You don't remember?

No.

OK. I'm concerned you could have a post-operative infection.

-The ambulance is on its way.

-The ambulance?

It's really nothing to worry about. They'll take you to hospital.

They'll give you some antibiotics, keep you in overnight

to check your temperature, and they'll sort this thing out. OK?

Before you ask,

I feel lousy and not just because of some ear infection.

Sorry.

I guess I haven't made things any easier today.

The truth is...

I'm not sure the implant was the right decision anyway.

-Now, hang on...

-I'm serious.

They could reverse the operation, couldn't they, Dr Granger?

I thinks it's far too early to consider a decision.

-But is it possible?

-Yes, it is possible, but...

This is crazy.

You told me you really wanted to do it.

I told you I wanted it, because I knew you wanted it.

You're saying you did it for me?

I don't know...

The advantages are obvious. Communication, conversation,

music... I mean, who doesn't want that?

-That's not the point.

-So what is the point?

I think she's saying it's not about what's rational.

When I had the operation on my hearing, it felt like a miracle.

And I wanted that miracle for you.

I'm not sure that being part of the hearing world

is such a miracle for me.

-It just takes time to get used to it, right, doc?

-Yeah.

See? I promise, you'll regret it if you go back.

So, you're ashamed of being deaf?

There's no way that it's better to not be able to hear.

That's why talk of you going back to being deaf is completely insane.

To you. Yes! But I'm not you!

I don't feel ashamed of being deaf. That's the thing.

In fact, the strongest feeling of shame I've ever had

was today, when I admitted I covered up the fact I wasn't deaf any more.

I'm proud of being deaf.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Dr Granger was right, I can't rush into quick decisions.

But in my heart, I'll always identify with being deaf.

I know.

But I'm going to see if I can belong to both worlds.

I want to be able to talk to you. Like this.

And I want to be able to hear you play music!

('Heston.')

('Heston.')

('Heston.')

THUD

-Wow. I'm so excited.

-What do you want to do to me?

-Is this you playing hard to get?

-Dinner might be a distraction.

-I love you.

-And I love you.

I'm not really into all that gazing into each other's eyes.

Well, I wasn't thinking of gazing into your eyes.

Hooray!

Howard!

Howard! Howard!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd