My Outcast State Doctors

-Hey.

-Sorry, I wasn't...

I just thought I'd pop in, you know, on my way, um...

Yeah, sure.

I was just wondering why you hadn't rung over the weekend.

No reason.

Did you, er...go somewhere?

No, I was here all weekend.

Doing...?

Listening to music, catching up on some reading.

That's a bit heavy for first thing in the morning.

It was last night.

Shakespeare's Sonnets.

Refreshing my memory.

That's nice.

So, does that mean we are going to Stratford?

-PHONE RINGS

-Sorry, sorry.

I'm sorry.

Hello? Hi, Valerie. No, Mrs Abel, I know.

Yeah, I'm on my way. Bye.

-Look, Heston...?

-Sounds like you'd better go.

Yeah...I'd better.

SHE SIGHS

Ah, you...!

PHONE RINGS Oh!

What?!

Oh, right. Sorry, Brian.

Yeah, yeah. No, no, no, I'm fine.

What's up?

What time?

Yeah, no, that's great, yeah. No, I can be there.

Yeah, yeah, no problem.

Great. Thanks a lot, yeah?

Cheers.

Right.

PHONE RINGS

Karen Hollins.

Oh, um...sorry, um...

Um...are you sure you're OK with this?

I suppose so.

Great. Er...12:00 meeting, yes?

OK.

Andy!

HE SIGHS All right?

-What's up?

-Have you seen this lot?

-Oh, Sian, don't start!

-Eight months and you haven't changed your address!

-It's all rubbish.

And you're still getting messages on the phone.

Who from, double-glazing salesmen?

No, the hospital, actually.

So, what's it about?

-Nothing.

-What's wrong with you?

-Nothing.

-Andy!

It's not really your business any more, love, is it?

-What time are you picking her up?

-I'll have to see.

We've got to be there by 4:00.

Yeah, I know, but I've just had a job come in.

-On Livvy's birthday?

-It's the first one I've had in a week.

-Fine, then, forget it!

-I might be a couple of minutes late, that's all.

Don't bother, I'll go with Tim.

No. Now, you said you wouldn't do this.

I'm her dad, not him!

No! Not today.

Eh, I don't want him anywhere near her!

Well, that's too bad, Andy, because he's moving in!

You what?

-When?

-It's not really your business any more, is it?

-That's my house!

-Was!

You tell Livvy I'll be there!

NOVELTY RINGTONE

-Hiya, love.

-Hiya.

I've just heard from Treehouse. They don't need me to testify.

Well, that's good, isn't it?

Yeah, I suppose.

It is. You don't want to put yourself through all of that.

Wish I could get out of going to court. I'll be there weeks.

I just wanted to do something.

You've done plenty already, love.

Those poor kids. Huh!

-Yeah, I know.

-I feel like I'm turning my back on them.

No, you're not. If they'd have needed you,

you would have been there for them, wouldn't you?

-SHE SIGHS / DOOR OPENS

-Oh, um...listen, I've got to go.

I love you.

I love you, too.

-Sorry.

-Morning.

SHE CHUCKLES

SHE SIGHS

B87 3DS.

Have you got a work number?

-Er...mobile's fine.

-OK.

Mr Hylton. I'm really pleased you came in to see me.

I just had to change my details.

I think we need to have a conversation, don't you?

I'm running late as it is.

Come on, five minutes.

Any thoughts over the weekend?

Jim?

-Well, don't get me wrong, I'm not dismissing...

-But?

But I just don't see how, if we do merge...

-It's more a question of when.

-..that I'll have enough time for my regular patients.

-Why not?

-If I'm spending half my week at King's Green...

They can come and see you here.

-But why should they have to?

-It's called extending choice.

Don't you think we're just spreading ourselves too thin?

It's just a matter of prioritising. Streamlining.

Cutting, you mean?

We're just trying to make best use of our resources, that's all.

And that's what our patients expect, surely, Jimmi.

No, they expect to be treated by someone they know.

I don't understand this, Jimmi, all this negativity.

I just don't think we're putting our patients first, that's all.

-Of course we are.

-How?

We're giving them the gold standard!

The best possible quality of service

from a forward-facing, multi-layered...

Sausage factory.

Why am I getting the impression this has already been decided?

Nothing's set in stone.

Have you discussed it, though, the three of you?

Not formally, no.

Just an informal chat over dinner, for goodness' sake.

It was mentioned, that's all. On Friday.

Go on, take a seat.

So, I'm wondering what happened with the hospital?

Um...nothing.

Yeah, nothing's right. You didn't attend your appointment.

No, I couldn't.

The hospital's been trying to contact you.

Well, they had my mobile.

So do we, but you don't answer.

I can't when I'm driving, that's my job.

I wrote you a letter about it last week.

Yeah, well, I've moved.

That would have been useful to know.

I've just told them at reception, haven't I?

Is there a particular reason that you couldn't attend?

Work, probably.

It's zero hours, mate, they just call me in whenever.

You do realise that this is really important, don't you?

Andy, do you realise how important...?

I've got a lot on my plate right now, OK?

Like what?

I've just been kicked out my house.

Living like some outcast.

-I'm sorry to hear that.

-Daughter I'm supposed to be providing for.

It's really important you go and see your consultant as soon as possible.

What for, more bad news?

-No, not necessarily.

-I only had a bad back!

-Suspected renal colic.

-It cleared up by the time I had the scan.

-The scan was a precaution.

-Yeah, well, look at me now!

There's nothing wrong with me. I'm fine.

I've never had a day off sick. It's like you're wishing it on me.

Why would I want that?

I'm not having this.

You're like a shower of vultures, the lot of you!

Freeing you up to provide the local and directed enhanced services.

By dropping half my list.

Well, isn't that why you took the FME course?

It's still a general practice.

Is that the best use of your skills, Jimmi, coughs and sneezes?

It's all about specialisation now.

Think about it. You get to follow your passion,

-we get to generate the revenue.

-Profit, you mean.

-To recruit new staff.

-Like who?

Salaried GPs contracted to do the extra hours.

-Earlies, lates, weekends.

-Kids!

Everyone has to start somewhere.

You're OK with this, are you, after your chat the other evening?

I think so, yeah.

Ripping everything up and starting from new?

Jimmi, nobody likes change, but...

It's called progress.

No, I'm out most of the day on house calls,

but I'll be back for afternoon surgery at 4:00.

OK, bye.

Rhiannon!

Hi!

FAINT LAUGHTER

No, seriously, though, this weekend, though, it's going to be big.

I'm telling you, man, I'm telling you. Remember last year?

This is going to absolutely destroy last year.

Yeah, yeah, for my 21st, mate.

Yeah, it's got this balcony, I swear, you've got to see it.

You can see the whole city just kicking back in bed.

No, oh, my God, and the bathroom! Oh, my God!

It's got a hot tub and everything.

We're going to have to some big parties, brother! Yeah, yeah.

Oi, two hours, yeah?

-No problem, sir.

-Cheers, mate.

Nah, that was just the driver.

Yeah, no, so, you're down?

'Course you're down, 'course you're down.

What, my licence? Nah, don't worry about that, I'm getting it back.

I don't know, some lawyer my dad knows.

-How are you feeling?

-Fine, thanks.

-Good.

Rhiannon, um...

..I've been told something that you didn't make very clear.

What's that, then?

That you may have to give up your baby.

Why is that?

Because of what happened with my first.

Which was?

That they took her for adoption.

A-hem! I mean, I was just a kid myself, wasn't I?

I didn't even have anywhere proper to live.

-And what about your family?

-Yeah, right!

-The father?

-Are you joking?

Right, so, you had no support at all?

No. I just... I couldn't manage.

I mean, I don't even blame them.

It was the best thing for her, it really was.

I did not have a clue!

And... Well, how is life now?

Fine. I've got this place, and Paul's fantastic.

Good. Good. That's... that's good to hear.

But how can this even be fair on him?

I swear, I don't do anything I used to do.

Like what?

Drinking, clubbing, a few drugs.

But that is not me any more.

You know, every time I feel him,

every time...he kicks, or moves,

just...just like now...

..I just want to hold on to him!

And... Oh, God, I just... I don't even want him to be born,

because that is when I'm going to lose him, isn't it?

And then I'm never going to touch him again!

SHE EXHALES

Right.

HE SIGHS

Thank you.

I don't know why I'm telling you, really. It's up to them, isn't it?

I'm afraid so, yes, in the end.

It's so unfair!

All I want to be is a good mum. That is all I want!

You believe me, don't you?

I mean, you've got to.

Is there nothing you can do?

Um...well, I-I can make an assessment, as your new GP.

Would that make a difference?

I don't know, but we can certainly keep seeing each other

and I can see how you're managing your pregnancy.

Yeah, anything. And then you'll speak to them, yeah?

-Rhiannon, I-I can't make any promises.

-Seriously?

Look, I'll...I'll do what I can, all right, but that's all I'll say.

Thank you.

-You know Mendici's, yeah?

-I'm sorry, sir?

It's pretty famous, mate.

Oh, I know where it is.

Yeah, that's where we're eating, then, yeah?

Well, no-one's told me.

I just did.

Oi, Cindy, babe, come on, I'm starving!

Um...I was only booked until 4:00.

Oi, do you like your job or not, mate?

Babe, we're only going for the weekend!

Eh! What you doing?!

Come on, then, let's go and see...

Look, I'm sorry, all right? I couldn't get away.

-Look, I'll take her home in it, OK?

-Don't bother.

I was ten minutes late, that's all. I went to the house.

Then why didn't you phone?

Well, last I heard, it's against the law.

-You are not spoiling her party.

-I won't!

Look, I won't even say a word to him, I promise.

-No way, not after the last time.

-Oh, Sian, for crying out loud!

I tell you what, if you want to do something for Livvy,

then go and get this sorted out instead, eh?

You might not care less about yourself, but what about her?

Don't you even think about that?!

-I don't know what's happened to you lately.

-Oh, well, let me think(!)

-Oh, please, don't start.

-No, you don't want to hear it, do you?

-Not right now, no.

-This is all down to you!

Yeah, you and that pillock over there!

And that's you getting back at us, is it?

-Oh, don't talk so stupid!

-Playing the martyr!

I don't believe you.

Just go and get it done!

Come on, then. Yeah?

Mrs Edwards?

He'll be fine once he gets his head around it.

Three hours tops, that's what you said!

Oh, don't give me that! How many times have I helped you out, eh?

And you still owe me overtime from New Year's Eve!

-Would you mind taking that outside?

-Is that right? I'll tell you what, then, Brian,

-why don't you just shove it, then, eh?

-I'm sorry...!

You heard me, just stuff your stupid job! What?!

How can we help you?

HE SIGHS

I need to see Dr Haskey...please.

CLASSICAL MUSIC

PHONE RINGS

So I rang the hospital

and they're going to need to do some more blood tests

and do an MRI scan.

So, that's it, then, is it?

That's what?

Liver cancer.

It's far too early to say.

Gives me, what, a year?

Five years?

You know, this time last year, I was just going along nicely.

Job, home,

wife, family.

Then what happened?

I got made redundant, again.

We just started at each other's throats, you know, like you do.

Then some...twerp from her office smarmed his way in.

And here I am.

Finished.

With one foot in the grave, according to you.

No, that's not what I said.

-Let's wait and see what the tests say.

-Oh, tests!

I've been tested enough.

What's the point in fighting it? I might as well just give up now.

Sorry, Andy, you're stuffed, mate. You haven't got a prayer.

It's no use thinking like this.

Why not? It's fate, isn't it?

Once your luck's out... it never lets up.

You go from one kick in the...teeth to another, until you die.

D'you know what? The way things have been going...

..that's about the best thing that could happen.

-Oh, hi.

-Hello.

-ANSWERPHONE: "This is Heston..."

-Hey, hi.

"..please leave a message and I'll call you back."

Hey, Heston, um...

look, you can't keep running away from everybody all the time.

SHE SIGHS

OK, look, if you don't mind,

would you let me know if we're going to Stratford?

So...just give me a call, please. Thank you.

SHE SIGHS

-RUHMA:

-"Thank you."

Well, you're certainly going through a rough patch, aren't you?

Huh!

-It must feel like everything's set against you.

-Well, isn't it?

You have to be logical.

You have to look at all these things one by one

and you deal with them one at a time.

I wouldn't know where to start.

Andy, you start with your health.

-Now, we know that there's a lesion.

-It's cancer!

That would be extremely rare in someone your age.

There's no predisposing factors, you don't drink to excess.

The truth is, we just don't know.

It's too early to say, and it's too early for you to be giving up!

I just can't see myself going through the whole thing, you know?

The chemotherapy, beating the odds, all the rest of it.

-Maybe not now...

-I can't do it!

Look, a lot of patients feel like that.

But they're not stuck out there on their own, are they, like I am?

I don't understand why you're talking like this when you haven't been diagnosed.

Yeah, well...

..it's only a matter of time.

You are not beaten yet.

Even if it does feels like that.

Look, I've just come out of the doctors, OK?

And, um...

I'm sorry you had to find out like that.

Well, what did they say?

Oh, tests, you know.

So, nothing's been confirmed?

No, it's just, er...it's just waiting now, I suppose.

You'll see, it'll be nothing.

Yeah! Like the rest of my life.

One big, fat zero.

No, I'm sorry, this is one thing you can't blame me for.

I'm not.

I didn't even want you to know about it, did I?

I haven't even got a job now.

Told him to shove it.

-What for?

-I couldn't stand it.

Yes, sir, no, sir, all that...

You never did look right in that uniform.

-Why's that, then?

-Just wasn't you somehow.

I'm sick of it.

I don't think there's one thing left I enjoy.

But we couldn't have gone on like that, you said so yourself.

I know.

And it wouldn't have been fair on Livvy.

So, he's moving in, then, is he?

-Andy, he's a good man.

-Not like me, then, eh?

-Please don't say that.

-It's true, love.

That's the worst part. I just hate it.

Being me. I despise being me!

Give her a kiss for me, all right?

Yeah.

HE SIGHS

Right.

-Sorry, had to finish that.

-Right.

He's been working for Ventura Health. Consultancy stuff.

-Good for him.

-Independent primary care provision.

Thinking of bringing him in, if I can, on the merger.

-So, that's it, then?

-Mate's rates, hopefully.

Done deal, all sewn up?

It's like the man said, progress.

-Privatisation, more like.

-It's not a dirty word, Jimmi.

Fine, just say the word, then.

Look, it's a tough world out there

and sometimes we have to make difficult choices.

-Don't patronise me.

-If Daniel and Zara can see that...

-They would.

-It's the only viable solution in the current climate.

You make me sick, do you know that?

Let's keep it professional here, shall we?

Fine.

I withdraw my support.

It's your call.

I'll pass that on, then, shall I?

Yeah, you do that.

But I have to tell you, we will be staying the course on this one

going forward. Sorry.

ANDY: 'When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes...'

Argh! CLATTER!

HE SOBS

'..I all alone beweep my outcast state.'

DOORBELL

DOORBELL

'And trouble deaf heaven with my...bootless cries.

'And look upon myself and curse my fate.

'Wishing me to be like one more rich in hope, featured like him.

'Like him with friends possessed.

'Desiring this man's art and that man's scope

'with what I most enjoy contented least.

'Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising

'haply I think on thee and then my state

'like to the lark at break of day arising

'from sullen earth sings hymns at heaven's gate.

'For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings,

'that then I scorn to change my state with kings.'

Oh, thank you. Come here!

Come here, baby, come here!

(Thank you.)

PANICKED GASPS

It's OK.

I'm surprised at Anthony,

but, Daniel, I'm disappointed in you.

Daniel? I need to hear you say it.

Sometimes I see her out of the corner of my eye.

The man you've just seen, that isn't Marcus.

-I love you so much.

-I love you, too.