Just Say No Doctors

MUSIC SPILLS THROUGH HEADPHONES

MUSIC STOPS

HE EXHALES

BEEPING

BEEPING CONTINUES THEN STOPS

# What you gonna do musically now? It's not all about making your mark

# Well, I'm back where I wanna be

# It's not about money I'm chasing the art

# When I'm chasing, I'm chasing I won't stop chasing

# No system is gonna block the creation

# I'm a grime king of the king conversations

# Not a grass, I don't need compensation

# I'd be further if I was more patient

# Like waiting for the trains at Euston station... #

MUSIC STOPS

MUSIC SPILLS THROUGH HEADPHONES

Grant? Grant?

Right. Sorry. Miles away. What was I saying?

All right if we go now?

Sure.

I'd like your assignments in by Friday, please.

Any problems, give me a shout.

And don't forget, Dr Haskey is coming to

-give his talk at lunchtime.

-THEY SIGH

He knows his stuff. Be there.

Hey, Monica. Did you want something?

Just checking you've recovered from last night.

Nothing to recover from. Just a normal night out.

-You've got some moves on the dance floor. For a...

-Man of my age?

-I did not say that.

-You didn't have to.

Good night. First time I've been.

Hopefully we'll see you there again sometime.

-Maybe. See you later.

-Ciao!

-He's not been hassling you, has he?

-No. Why?

There was a girl last year. Before your time. Alice Watkins.

What about her?

Left unexpectedly.

There were rumours. Nothing proved.

He's OK. Good tutor.

Just be aware, that's all I'm saying.

Ew! He's old enough to be my dad!

You should give Macey's a try. Great vibe.

I thought that place was for kids.

Age isn't about years. It's about attitude.

If you say so.

I'd rather have a cuppa and some rubbish reality TV.

Whatever floats your boat. You coming to the talk?

Is it the guy that was in Letherbridge Life?

-The one who gave his invention away?

-Yes.

Brilliant concept, putting all your basic medical diagnostic tools

into one simple smartphone app.

I think you'll find his approach to software design quite inspirational.

It needs to be, if I'm missing lunch.

I wouldn't mind a chat about that assignment at some point too.

I'm free later. Got to see a doctor first.

Some routine health check. Staff Wellness Week.

-I'll drop by later, if that's OK?

-Yeah, sure. Great.

Are you all right?

Great.

Never felt better.

I can't imagine it not being a breeze.

What?

He's giving a lecture to the students at the university.

Advanced Software - A Force For Good?

Is that about your app?

Some lecturer in the computer science department

read about me in the Letherbridge Life article,

and he thought that some of his students might benefit.

Sounds good. I've got staff health checks this morning,

-but if I've got the time, I'll swing by.

-You done much prep?

No. They only asked me yesterday.

That doesn't give you much time.

Don't you worry, Sidney, it's all up here -

in this vast repository of knowledge that you mere mortals call a brain.

-I figured I'd just blag it.

-Your dedication to science is awe-inspiring.

It's not a Nobel lecture, is it?

It's just a lunchtime chat with some bored students.

-Bored before the talk, or bored after?

-Don't say that.

Just saying, they might be asleep.

Great, now I'm worried. Thanks chaps(!)

Why don't we invite some friends over for supper?

OK. That's a good idea.

Quentin and Sophie?

Quentin as in Professor Rawlins, the cardiologist?

Yeah, he's very nice when he's not in the cath lab.

And Sophie is lovely.

OK. Let's do it.

-A week next Saturday?

-Oh, no, that's a good idea,

but I won't be able to eat with you until later.

-Why not?

-Ramadan.

Oh. I didn't know you went in for that sort of thing.

I might not be the best Muslim in the world, and I might not

pray as much as I'm supposed to, but Ramadan means a lot to me.

I'm not sure I could cope with the lack of food.

There's more to it than that.

It's a chance to think, reflect and consider.

Other people. Life. God.

-So when can you eat?

-When it gets dark. 9.30-ish?

I don't think Quentin could wait that long for a starter.

He's a creature of habit.

Yeah, and so am I. For one month of the year.

You don't mind, do you?

No. I'm sure we can work round it.

Your blood pressure is a little high. So is your heart rate.

I've had a busy few days. It's probably just that.

And you say you're not sleeping?

Not as much as I'd like.

Any reason? Extra stress at work, perhaps?

No more than normal.

Any recent life-changing events?

Such as?

Death in the family? Divorce?

My parents are fine.

Though me and the wife did go our separate ways about a year ago.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Don't be. Best thing that ever happened to me.

She was too controlling. I needed space.

And you've got that now?

Plenty. It's like a new start. Parties.

Clubbing. It's like being 21 all over again.

Sounds like quite a life.

It is, yeah.

It is.

-Do you drink much?

-Alcohol?

-Hmm.

-It's not really my thing.

Recreational drugs?

Yeah, when I was a student.

And now?

I'm on a half shift today so I'll be back early.

Shak's upstairs studying, so don't play your opera too loud.

Oh, no, I won't!

And will he and Alia be observing Ramadan too?

-I don't know. It's up to them.

-That's very modern. I thought there'd be a three-line whip.

Neither of them bothered last year, though I did hear Shak

with his mates talking about it.

Teenagers and no food. The mind boggles.

It's not just about fasting.

-I think they might do some voluntary work.

-Really?

-Hmm.

Though, being teenagers, plans might change.

I'll see you later.

-See ya!

-Bye.

Can you give me something to help me sleep?

I'm not sure drugs are the answer.

-They may be part of the problem though.

-How do you mean?

Everything about your symptoms suggests some

form of substance abuse.

-Amphetamines?

-No!

Something else, then?

Off the record.

Not drugs as such.

-What, then?

-Mood enhancers.

Highs.

What's the difference?

They're legal, for a start. Look, it's no biggie.

-All the kids are doing it these days.

-All of them?

The ones I hang out with.

With respect, you're not a kid.

What is it you're taking?

At the moment? Blue Dawn.

Gets you right up there.

How often?

-A fair bit.

-How often is "a fair bit"?

Every day.

Well, it used to be weekends,

but since my wife left me, it kind of got out of control.

Look, there's no way of knowing what goes into these legal highs.

And they don't stay legal for very long.

They can induce anxiety, affect your sleep, increase your heart rate.

Mr Johnson, given your age, your current state of health

and your history with drug use, I strongly suggest you reconsider.

What if I don't?

How old are you?

Nearly 50.

OK. Let me spell it out for you.

If you don't address your drug dependency issues,

the chances of you reaching 60 are seriously reduced.

I can arrange some help for you, if you like. Therapy. Counselling.

No... No, no need to.

I always promised myself if a doctor told me to stop...

..then I would.

I can't tell you to do anything, but I do strongly recommend it.

Just grabbing a snack.

I think there's some peanut butter.

Cool.

Build up your reserves.

Like a camel.

You've lost me.

Preparation for Ramadan.

Oh, right.

Your mum tells me you're observing it with some friends.

We're going to give it a go, yeah.

-We thought we'd help out down the homeless hostel.

-Good for you.

Some of those people have nothing.

It's a good opportunity to do something to help them.

Besides, beats going round mugging grannies, which is obviously

what we do with the other 11 months of the year.

Is that normal, voluntary work?

There's this thing called the internet.

Very good for finding out stuff.

You should check it out.

I'll do that.

And it was at that point, I realised that

I was, technologically speaking, in unchartered waters.

There was a very real need for me to think outside of the boat.

As a great man once said, "E pluribus unum."

It was up to me. Just as it is up to you.

Could you leave it open?

It's warm in here.

I've got the latest Letherbridge Life.

Dr Haskey? His app.

-Oh, right.

-He sounds quite interesting actually.

I hadn't realised how much he'd stood to earn

if he'd developed it himself.

It's a great piece of software. Technically brilliant.

And he just gave it away?

In a way, yes. Each to their own.

What?

Nothing. Just a bit tired, that's all.

About this assignment...

There's a couple of things I wasn't sure about.

I think I'll give Macey's a miss tonight.

-Been overdoing it a bit lately.

-OK. Thought that place was for kids?

-Like you said...

-Anyway...

It's the introduction I'm having trouble with.

-A quiet night in front of the TV sounds quite appealing.

-Good.

Maybe you could join me? We could watch a DVD and chill out.

Oh.

It's no biggie. As friends, you know.

I'd rather not. You're my tutor.

So what? We're neither of us kids.

And I'd be grateful of the company.

I should be going.

But...but we haven't talked about your assignment.

No, we haven't, have we? Look,

I don't know what's going on with you right now,

but with respect, you really need to sort yourself out.

Looks like you're popular.

Don't sound so surprised.

Speech all prepared?

I can waffle with the best of them.

Let's hope you don't crash and burn, then.

What are you doing here?

I thought you'd appreciate the moral support.

Wow. Dr J Clay offering moral support. Wonders will never cease.

I thought you'd appreciate the support from a mate

when everything goes horribly wrong

because you failed to prepare properly. Shall we go in?

That's a really good crowd.

Thanks, mate. Enough.

I'm just having a small informal discussion with some students,

-I'm not going to go 12 rounds with Sonny Liston.

-I was just trying to keep you loose.

Have you ever been booed before?

Yes, I have. Where's your Mr Johnson?

-I don't know.

-Hi.

-Hi. Dr Haskey?

Yes, that's me.

-Isabelle Frayne.

-Hi.

-I'm really looking forward to your talk.

Thank you.

I'm interested in some of the technical details.

You're in luck. I've got technical details.

But I love the humanitarian aspect of what you've achieved too.

-It's a great combination.

-Yes, it is, thank you for noticing.

She was friendly...

Shouldn't we have started by now? Where is this Mr Johnson?

Hey, slow down!

I'm late. For the lecture.

That's OK. It can't start without moi.

I really should be going.

You going to Macey's again tonight?

Don't think so. Skint.

That's OK. I'll buy you a drink.

And anything else you fancy.

-What?

-I've got some new stuff from Dodgy Derek.

Pretty intense hit.

You should give it a try.

Might loosen you up a bit.

We could have some fun. Go back to my place.

Pull an all-nighter.

I really need to be going.

And you don't need to worry about missing lectures the next day.

I'll write you a note.

After all, one good turn deserves another.

Monica, wait!

Urgh.

Stupid, stupid!

Are you OK?

Small world! You're not Dr Haskins, are you?

No, he is. And it's Dr Haskey.

Are you OK?

Never better, amigo. Never better!

HE CHUCKLES

-Why are you here?

-Just supporting a colleague.

Cool. OK, guys, listen up.

Dr Caskey here has given up his free time to come

and talk to you, so let's give him maximum respect.

He's come to talk about...

I've come to talk about Advanced Software - A Force For Good?

That's it. # Can you feel the force?

# Hoo-hoo-hoo! #

The Real Thing? 1970s?

Before your time.

I hadn't planned on it being a musical presentation

but I could easily throw in a few whoo-hoo-hoos, if we fancy.

Come on, guys! Lighten up!

Kids, eh? Take it away, Doctor H.

About what just happened...

Look, I'm trying to apologise.

Leave me alone.

Come and sit here.

Thank you, Mr Johnson, for that fulsome and funky introduction.

Now, about 18 months ago, I came up with an idea

and through a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck,

I managed to turn my idea into an application.

I'm off. I'll catch you later.

The more I read about Ramadan, the more intrigued I am.

Developing the links between friends and family.

Forging a sense of community. It's very laudable.

And if there's anything I can do to help, anything at all,

please let me know.

But you're not even Muslim.

Do I have to be?

I guess not. Anyways, laters.

So, it's our app now, and it will develop and adapt.

It really is a force for good... for good.

That's me, I'm done. Thanks for listening.

I'm sure my knighthood is in the post!

Amazing stuff by the good doctor here.

Who says brute-force algorithms are boring, eh?

Anybody any questions?

Wow, blue jeans?

I get that your app was pretty good. But why did you give it away?

That was the only way I could be sure it would get to the

people who really needed it.

But didn't you have people offering you money for it?

Yeah, I did. There was a chap, came over from America.

He offered to write me a cheque

which had the biggest number I've ever seen on it.

But couldn't you have taken the money and still got it made?

-Yeah, maybe.

-But that's mental. Why would you do that?

You could've been famous.

It's not just about being famous, you know.

There's more to a smartphone than social media and selfies.

This man has turned it into a life-saver.

-I was just saying!

-Oh, shut up, Monica!

If you paid a bit more attention in tutorials,

your opinion might carry a bit more weight.

But, quite frankly, your obsession with easy money

and casual celebrity is rather tiresome.

Look, I know you kids think you know it all,

but if you just listen to the good doctor

and people like myself, you might actually just learn something.

What? Like how to get off your face

and sexually harass one of your students?

Okey-doke. Obviously, the financial issues are going to be relevant

-to you when your developing your work.

-You've got it wrong.

You offered me drugs and asked me back to your house

for an all-nighter. I reckon that's pretty clear, don't you?

-Are you all right?

-Yeah.

Monica, wait!

Let's call that class dismissed, shall we?

Unless anyone has any final questions they want...

How did that happen?!

Monica...

I'm going to see Professor Denning.

-Please. You can't.

-Why not?

-I'll get in trouble.

Has this got anything to do with Alice Watkins?

Who told you about her?

It's true, then?

That was a misunderstanding. Like us earlier.

That was no misunderstanding.

-Please, Monica. I have a problem.

-Too right.

I'm an addict.

I realise that now.

But I'm doing something about it, I swear.

Say that to Alice, did you?

Please, M-Monica. Don't do this.

Why? So you can perv on another student?

Please.

I'm on an official warning already.

The minute you make a complaint, I'm finished.

I'm begging you. This job, it's the only thing I've got.

Please...don't do this.

You should have thought of that earlier, shouldn't you?

Please, Monica!

Are you all right? Let's get you sat down.

OK. What if there are four tigers and only two elephants?

-Hello again.

-Hello.

Great talk.

Thank you very much.

Sorry about Grant.

Yeah... Is he always like that?

He can be a bit...unpredictable.

Do you mind if I ask you something?

Of course not. You ask away.

I love the way you put the software together.

And the way you achieved geometric decomposition

was absolutely brilliant.

Thank you very much. That wasn't really a question, though.

It was a great compliment.

Very complimentary. And the geometric decomposition was absolutely key in the invention.

Clever and modest. It's a winning combination.

-I read your interview.

-We are really proud of him.

And then listening to you today.

Your wisdom. Your compassion.

It's very reassuring to know there are still

people like you in the world.

Cheers!

Mr Johnson, Grant, what is it that you've taken?

I don't know. New batch.

Strong stuff.

Steady there.

Here. Come on. Sit down. Take a seat.

It doesn't matter now, anyway. She's gone to Denning.

I'm finished.

HE WHEEZES AND GROANS

What is it? Where's the pain?

C-Chest.

Anywhere else?

OK. Just take it easy.

Hi. Ambulance, please.

DOOR SHUTS

Hey.

-Mwah!

-What's that for?

You.

Shak get off all right?

Yes. And he told me all about his plans for next month.

-You should be very proud of him.

-Thank you. I am.

In fact I'm so inspired, I'm going to join you.

-How do you mean?

-Observing Ramadan.

You're funny.

Well, it was really nice chatting to you.

Giving your invention away like that -

it was such a generous thing to do.

Well, it was the right thing to do.

People are so obsessed with money nowadays.

Not everyone.

Your lecturer was right, even if he did make his point

somewhat unusually.

Well, it was a wonderful gesture.

Just think of all the lives you've saved.

I think that's wonderful.

I need to be going soon. Parking ticket's going to expire.

Yeah. That's a shame. We got given free parking.

Right, um, shall we go and see if Sidney is all right?

Do you know, I think he's old enough to take care of himself,

unlike some people.

It's been nice meeting you.

It was really nice meeting you.

I'm pleased that you enjoyed the, erm...erm...what was it called?

The, um, the dis... The talk.

Bye.

Bye!

Useless.

Absolutely useless.

When you get out of hospital, I'd like you to come and see me.

You've had a tough couple of years. A lot of life changes.

That's bound to bring about some stress.

I've messed up...big time.

Is there anyone you'd like me to contact?

-No, it's just me.

-Looks like it's all down to you, then.

Are you up for the challenge?

I'll have to be.

She was so into you.

I wouldn't put it that strongly.

Were you not listening? "You're beautiful. You are wonderful."

Clearly, she was begging you to ask her out.

-I don't think so.

-Definitely, 100%. So why didn't you?

The opportunity just never arose, did it?

Come on, the opportunity never arose?

She might as well have had a sign saying "I fancy the pants off you!"

I'm not going to go chasing after some sexy girl because she's

got a sign saying "I fancy the pants off Al."

You'll catch her if you're really quick. You'll have to run, though.

It's not just about fasting. You said that yourself.

How are you going to cope with not eating?

-We'll find out.

-What about your health?

What about my health?

You don't have to change for my sake.

I love you just the way you are.

Which is a source of continuing joy and amazement to me.

And I feel the same way about you.

I'm really excited about this, it's going to bring us all together.

Whoa! Hold up.

Oh, sorry.

-Chips!

-Oh!

Before his dementia diagnosis, did you ever know him

-be physically violent?

-And it's your obligation to keep my confidence.

Your word, Heston, not a soul...

Do you see these frown lines? They tell you how angry I am with you.

And if you think that we can work together on this, you can...