The 17th Floor Doctors

DOORBELL RINGS

DOORBELL RINGS

LAUGHTER

Leave me alone!

DOORBELL CONTINUES TO RING

It's not funny!

Go away!

LAUGHTER

-Serves you right!

-Freak!

-Cheers.

-Hey, Rob.

Oooh! Um...how's Sid getting on?

Fine. He's decided to go out with the paramedics today,

which sort of makes more sense, if you want to see emergency medicine up close.

Do you think he's cut out for rapid response,

you know, from what you've seen?

I don't know. I doubt he knows.

-Well, you don't know until you do it, do you?

-Fair enough.

Still, good to see that he's got your ringing endorsement(!)

It's not that I don't think he can do it, it's just...

Just that you don't think he can do it?

I'm not sure he's cut out for it.

I mean, he freaked out when a patient died of natural causes in his room.

He's had emergency training, but he's a GP.

-It's quite a gear change.

-Well, that's great to hear(!)

It's only five minutes ago, he wanted to be an FME.

He should pick something and stick with it.

KNOCK AT DOOR Come in.

Cotton buds.

Oh, great. We're getting low.

Is your foot healing OK?

Oh, well, you know, not as fast as I'd like,

but you keep going, don't you?

I think it's really great, the way you keep picking yourself up.

Aw! Huh!

If we were texting right now, I would send you a great big heart.

-Have you got any plans for lunch?

-No. Why?

Well, I thought it would be nice to have a catch-up.

Oooh, and I've been reading this article about coping mechanisms.

-I could fill you in.

-OK.

-Yeah, it sounds good.

-Mm!

Bye.

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-Mr Graham, it's the police.

Mr Graham?

One of the neighbours called and said that there's been some trouble.

What?

Are you OK?

Um...yeah.

Do you want to tell me what's happened?

It's...it's nothing. It's just...just some little brats.

Have you been hit by this brick?

-What?

-Sir, I think you need some medical attention.

Go and get an ambulance. I'm going to come in now, if that's OK?

Take that. Thank you, sir. Let's get you sat down.

I'd have thought you'd know what you want to do by now.

I've tried a few things. I even shadowed a police surgeon,

but nothing was right for me.

Sounds like a First World problem(!)

Maybe you should just pick something and get on with it.

I think I'll know when something's right for me.

But, um...this should be exciting.

It's not a game.

This is how it works - we go to a scene, I like to go straight to the patient.

Dave, the technician with me. I like him to have a look around the room,

see if anything, you know, leaps out.

-Does the scene match what we're being told?

-Got you.

Not everyone approves, and it's not great for infection-control procedures,

but I like to make my initial notes on my gloves.

Some people like notebooks, others use apps.

Whatever works for you, each to their own.

3002 receiving.

Over.

-Where we going, Dave?

-The Moors flats.

Oh! I hate the Moors.

Er...why?

You'll see.

DOG BARKS

There's another tower block about five minutes from here.

The people are lovely.

Cooperative, always offer you a cup of tea. But this place...

Oh, you're kidding me?

-What floor?

-Top, of course.

We're looking for a Sergeant Hollins.

Oh, I know Sergeant Hollins.

I tell you what, I'll shoot ahead, see how the patient's looking.

No, no, no, I'd rather you didn't. We treat the patient...

I'll make an initial assessment and then I'll wait for you. Don't worry.

Dr Vere?

He's going to do my head in if he carries on like this.

You haven't got a clue who did it? Really?

Hello?

Hi, Rob. Sorry, Sergeant Hollins.

-Where are the paramedics?

-They're on their way.

Um...is this the patient?

Yeah. Some kid threw a brick at him.

Shouldn't we wait for the paramedics?

Why? I'm a doctor.

Yes, I know you are, but it's their thing, really, isn't it?

And you are only shadowing.

Hello. Um...I'm Dr Vere.

Um...what's your name?

-Y-Your name?

-Charles. He's a bit out of it.

OK. Um...Charles, I'm just going to take some obs, if that's OK?

May I? Don't worry.

You're in safe hands. Sergeant Hollins is one of the best.

Charles, er...can you tell me what year it is?

Um...2017?

-Good.

-Are you sure you can't remember who threw that brick?

Sergeant, please. I'm not finished yet. Charles?

Good. OK. Um...if I just, er...swing you around? Can you raise this arm?

Dr Vere, if it's OK with you, I'd like to find out who did this.

-Er...yeah, of course.

-Thank you.

CHARLES VOMITS

I'm sorry.

That's OK. Not your fault.

ROB EXHALES

We're nearly there!

Where are the paramedics? What are they up to?

I was all ready to wade into the army, but I've got to say,

they've really surprised me.

They're really trying to do the right thing by Karl, and it's not easy.

Some of the staff are sympathetic and they really get it

and then others, well, I don't know,

but they're doing a lot better than I thought they would.

Life gives you lemons...

This foot injury has made me see things from a completely different perspective.

I've realised how much luck I've had in my life.

Luck? The foot, the cancer stuff, the job thing.

I'm not seeing much luck there, Valerie.

It's all about the perspective.

No, I think you're entitled to think you've had

a raw deal of it and just want to catch a break for a change.

Is this what you wanted to talk about? Half full, half empty?

Well...

I think I have had good luck.

You might think it's bad luck, but I would like to pay it forward.

You're want to pay bad luck forward?

Someone's going to get it in the neck!

No. I've had good luck, And it's time to give something back.

So how are you going to pay it back...I mean, forward?

Sorry.

That was family. My brother's kid.

What are you doing?

The patient was a bit woozy, I thought I'd help out.

His name's Charles.

Yeah, Sergeant Hollins told me.

OK. His GCS is 13, pulse 96, BP 80 over 60.

Thank you for your help, Doctor. We'll take over now.

Yeah. Absolutely. Sorry.

I'll stay here till the medics are happy.

I don't really know what know what's happened yet

and as soon as I find out, I'll let you know. Out.

-Get down!

-Get down!

LAUGHTER

See if you can find the little so-and-sos.

Hurting much?

Every time you touch it, it's like you've got hammers for fingers.

-Sorry.

-It doesn't hurt when you don't touch it.

Well, when it settles down, it'll hurt. A lot.

-So do you need pain relief?

-I'm OK for now.

OK. Did you lose consciousness at all?

I-I think so.

He was more confused when I arrived.

And he vomited just before you got here.

Were the kids shouting when you came up?

Yeah. Shows how times have changed.

When I was a kid, first sign of the police and we'd be in hiding.

Little toerags don't care now, do they?

No, they don't. Have you any idea why they attacked you?

Sorry, I...

That's concussion and head trauma.

The degree of disorientation can change quite quickly. Do you not

think we should get him to St Phil's, let them check him out?

Probably.

I...don't want to be here on my own at the moment.

We'll need some assistance, a stretcher.

It's going to be a big job getting him down.

It's a big job - what, cos I'm fat?

No, it's a big job because we've got a concussed patient we need to get down 17 flights of stairs.

I'll be OK.

I think you should wait.

I don't want to wait.

Is he all right going down 17 flights?

No, but we can't stop him.

Then I thought about standing for public office again.

That didn't work out so well last time.

I know, you're right. So I decided against it.

And I read about benevolent organ donation.

I could make a real difference to someone's life.

Give them a kidney, or... It's not like I need both and

then I thought, "I can't face the operation," so...

Valerie, what are you talking about?

I can't believe you wanted a natter about the things you're not going to do.

Valerie, get to the point.

I am thinking about having a baby.

A baby?!

Charles, you don't look... in the best condition.

You've got concussion.

It's downhill. I-I don't want to stay here.

Let me check your obs again.

Dave, can you go down ahead and get the chair ready at the bottom, please?

Do you want to go with him, VJ?

What did you say his heart rate was?

Erm... Oh, I binned it, sorry.

Erm, look, if you do want to walk down on your own, take it nice and slowly.

If you feel dizzy or anything - make sure you tell us. OK?

I was thinking Gillian, I always liked Gillian.

What do you think?

Yeah.

Her nursery would have to be pink,

but I was thinking I wouldn't dress her in too much pink.

You can go too far, can't you?

What if she's... What if he's a boy?

Blue, I suppose.

I have been looking up schools in the area and I've found this

all-girls school, their stats are off the scale.

Valerie, I think you might be running before you can walk here.

If I have anything to do with it, she will be.

No, I mean, there are more practical things to

think about, before names and colour schemes.

You don't think I should have a baby?

It's not that. I just want you to think it through, properly.

Oh, I have! Honestly, you can ask me anything. Quiz me.

LABOURED BREATHING I need to stop.

Charles, it's not too late to get the Stryker chair up here.

It really would be the smart thing to do.

No... No, I want to keep going.

KIDS SHOUT

I just need to catch my breath.

-SHOUTING CONTINUES

-Are those the kids?

-What do you think?

-Is it the first time they've attacked you?

-Yeah.

Why did they do it?

Because they're scummy little morons whose parents have a lot to answer for.

When did they ever need a reason?

They can do whatever they want.

If I lay one finger on them, it's me that gets all the grief. That's why.

But what happened?

They're bullies, anyone that lives on their own,

anyone that isn't them or theirs gets treated like a weirdo, a freak.

Just for a laugh.

SHOUTING

I want to go. I want to go!

What about the father?

I can find a father.

How hard can it be?!

Sperm banks?

I could ask a friend to contribute.

OK. Work?

The Mill are actually forward thinking when it comes to mixing work and parenthood.

Being a single mum isn't going to be easy.

I'll find a creche!

What if you can't get them into the school you want, what then?

Are the other schools OK? Will you have to move to get into a good one?

I don't know!

Sometimes you've just got to take the leap, haven't you?

You can't plan every single step in advance.

No, but you can at least think about them!

I have got so much to give a child.

I've already picked up more than most new mums about childcare

from working at The Mill.

This baby will be wanted, safe!

Isn't that the most important thing a child needs - security?

Love? And I have got bucket-loads!

Any more questions?

I think I'm going to make a great mum.

Take it easy.

HE PANTS

-You OK?

-I'm OK.

Ah! Oi!

Sid! Dr Vere!

-Ah, ah! Gotcha!

-Let me go!

-Let me go! Help, help!

-Calm down!

What the hell are you playing at?

-Let me go, help!

-I'm not going to hurt you. OK?

-Help!

Why are you picking on him?

He's a sicko. He deserves it. Let me go!

Has he hurt you?

No.

OK. Listen, I'm going let go now.

Calm down. Don't try and run.

Good. Did he hurt any of your friends?

No. They all know what he is.

Don't let him near us.

-How do you know?

-He just is. Looks like one.

Acts like one.

-I'm not feeling good. I need to sit.

-Sit on this.

Are you sure you don't know any of those kids?

What? What does it matter?

You're not the only one in danger, you know.

You don't know any of their names? Or their parents?

The parents are just as bad - if not worse.

What do you think you were doing?

How do you know he didn't have a knife?

-Sorry.

-Don't do that.

It won't happen again. I'm sorry.

Mr Graham...

I don't think we should be asking him questions right now.

Gary's probably right. This isn't the time.

Charles, have you got any next of kin we can contact?

-Any family?

-No. No family.

Rob, can I borrow you for a minute?

There was something I wanted to show you.

You OK? Let's put this on. There you go.

Look, that kid that threw the brick, he made an allegation against...

Hinted that he might be a paedophile.

He claimed he wasn't a victim and he didn't specifically know any

victims but I did see this photo on his laptop.

A boy. He said it was his brother's kid.

Now he's just said he has no family.

Hm. So, one of them's a lie.

Good, well done. Souvenir.

Charles, sorry about this, but Dr Vere wrote some very important

medical information on his surgical gloves but he put it in the bin and we need it.

Is there any chance I can have your keys

so I can run up and get it?

Yeah, of course.

-Cheers. I won't be a minute.

-All right.

CAMERA CLICKS

There you go. Take it easy. You're doing really well.

-It's only another couple more flights.

-I'll be OK.

FROM ABOVE: Go back to where you came from, you pervert! No-one likes you. We're coming to get you!

What?

Charles, have you always lived alone?

Yeah.

I know you said you had no next of kin, but is there anyone else we can contact?

Do you have any friends?

No.

No problem.

-Can't this wait?

-So no-one ever visits you?

Not, really. No. Look, I'm Johnny No Mates, OK?

I'm antisocial, I live alone, I don't go out much!

-What a weirdo, eh(?)

-I didn't say that.

I've always had problems with my weight.

I've been picked on all my life.

And I've never been that confident with people.

And I'm agoraphobic!

So, no, I don't get time to go outside and make friends!

-If that's all right with you!

-Yes, of course it is.

-Do you spend a lot of time online?

-What... What are you getting at?

I'm just being a policeman. A professional nosy so-and-so.

-It's what I do.

-What's with all the questions?

What are you accusing me of?

I'm not accusing you of anything.

But I'm the victim here!

Rob, please... This isn't the time.

We need to keep him calm and comfortable.

Of course. It's OK.

Come on. It's only a couple of flights to go

and we'll get you in that chair.

BOY SHOUTS

GLASS SMASHES

LAUGHTER FROM ABOVE

Nutters. I told you. Everyone round here's nutters.

Yeah, just try and calm down.

That's all right for you. You don't have to live here.

Right, I've got to get back out,

but I really can't have you running off like you did earlier.

If that stops, I'm happy to have you with us.

And you did help out with the patient, and, if you hadn't been

there, I would have got brained by that bottle.

I'll be out in a bit.

-Cheers, Rob.

-See you later, Gary.

Look, um...I probably spoke out of turn before.

I don't even know if he's done anything wrong.

Maybe. Maybe not. But you did the right thing.

I reckon that, if he really was dodgy,

then he'd have had more security on his computer.

But...

Treehouse got away with it because people

didn't follow up their suspicions

That can't happen again.

Do you mind telling me who that is?

You've got no right!

Yes, I have. You see, you contradicted yourself.

You told me you had no next of kin

but you told Dr Vere you had a brother.

And there's been unofficial allegations.

We can do this by the book and I can take you down the station.

It doesn't matter to me.

But you will have to explain.

-OK, let's do it by the book.

-Look, I...

I never said I didn't have any family.

Just that I didn't want them called.

I do have a brother.

That's his kid.

I haven't seen him for a couple of years.

We all fell out over Mum's estate and...

Me and his eldest...

We were really close. I'm his godfather

and I used to baby-sit all the time.

That kid was the most normal thing in my life.

Charles, I really hope that you are telling the truth,

but of course I will have to follow it up.

Can you give me a name and address, please?

Oh, hi, Karen. My next patient's there? OK.

Is Valerie at the desk?

Actually, I'll catch her later.

Have they given you the all clear?

-Yeah.

-OK, well, I'm just about done here.

If you wait ten minutes, I'll see if I can help find you somewhere to go.

I'm not staying here a second more than I have to!

Wait.

I can get you some help.

Or you can just grass me up to the police again.

No, thank you.

Oh, this is all I need(!)

Mr Graham, you will be pleased to hear

that I've confirmed your story about your brother.

SCOFFING: It wasn't a story! It was...

Oh, forget about it.

That explains the photograph,

but it doesn't explain why those kids singled you out

-and accused you of being a paedophile.

-Oh.

-You going to threaten me with the station again, are you?

-Could be.

OK.

A couple of days ago, I caught one of them

posting a big bag of dog crap through someone's letterbox.

They threw it at me, and I lost my rag

and I...clipped him round the ear.

Look, I'm not proud of it but there you go.

You know, those toerags, they can give it

but they can't take it.

And that's why they pick on me.

They think any bloke that lives on his own is a bit dodgy.

And I knew that you lot would see it as a crime.

Well, we've all wanted to give them a clip round the earhole

but it's against the law.

-What are you going to do?

-Nothing. This time.

-Because no-one has complained.

-What, I can go?

Yeah, you can.

-Where are you off to?

-Home.

But I thought you said you wanted out of there?

I haven't got anywhere else to go.

Have you tried social services?

I mean, you might have a case for relocation.

17 floors up a tower block - is that the best place to live?

What, cos I'm fat?! Thanks for nothing.

Rob, we can't just...

Charles.

What?!

I saw your nephew today.

He wanted me to pass on a message.

He says that his dad wishes that you two hadn't fallen out,

but it sounds like your brother's too proud to pick up the phone.

So your nephew wondered if you would do it.

It's a very nice big house.

A good idea.

Thanks, Reg.

Oh, how did Sid get on?

Good.

Maybe you lot at The Mill mollycoddle him a bit.

-Mollycoddle him?

-Maybe he's the type of bloke

that needs to sink or swim.

Let the job pick Sid.

Just saying.

-Valerie...

-Hmm?

..did your oncologist mention to you

that there was a risk of infertility from your cancer treatment?

Well, now you mention it...yes.

Did you have any of your eggs frozen?

I was single.

I thought I was dying.

Are you saying that I can't have children?

Why won't you stop seeing other men?

They mean nothing to me.

-Then stop!

-How would I live?

Jamal Habib, Trust Catering Manager.

This is Mr Kenwright.

Yes, we've met.

Aren't you going to reply?

What? Reply to their reply?

For me, one course over one weekend

is not going to make me a health care professional.

You're not going to be a health care professional.