Mimic Doctors

STATIC FROM TV

They're under your skin, Caroline.

The spiders. They're inside you.

SHE SCREAMS

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

Who is this?

Caroline?

What is it?

Great, thanks.

Need a hand?

Oh, Al! You shouldn't creep up on people like that!

All right, keep your hair on! Do you need a hand?

Erm...

Yes. Thank you.

Just put it on the reception desk.

It wasn't a nightmare. I was wide awake.

It's called a somatic or tactile hallucination.

Caroline, this is really important -

have you ever experienced anything like it before?

It felt so real.

I know. Try not to think about it.

When we last spoke,

you said you were feeling disconnected from things.

-Have you felt like that again this week?

-Yeah.

It's getting worse, isn't it? This isn't just depression.

There's something I haven't told you, about Mum.

Go on.

I told you that she died when I was a kid.

But she didn't die at home.

She was... She was in an institution.

They say madness runs in families, don't they?

DOOR OPENS

Don't say anything to Ben.

I need you to see your GP for a full assessment.

I'll drive you there.

Why is there a TV in the hallway?

You look awful, Mum.

I'll get dressed.

Has she been drinking?

Why do you say that?

Yesterday, she was completely out of it.

Slurring her words, couldn't remember things.

You're supposed to be helping us!

Ben, I'm trying to.

Sorry, I didn't mean to have a go.

-I'm going to the shops.

-Ben?

I need you to tell me if your mum shows any new symptoms.

Like the slurred speech you mentioned.

It's really important, OK?

OK.

Cup of tea?

Cup of tea?

Earth to Pitman! Cup of tea?

Erm, no, thank you.

-What are you up to?

-Nothing.

-Oh, Ayesha! Have you got a min?

-Yeah.

Here you go. Do not say that I don't think of you.

Oh, Ambassador, with these treats you're spoiling us!

-No, thanks.

-Really?

Babe, you wanted me?

Oh, it can wait. I'll come and find you.

Campus Surgery.

Meredith Cleaver?

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

-Morning.

-Morning.

Sorry.

We're open till 6:00, but we've got a Well Woman Clinic,

so we're very busy. I recommend you get here early.

OK, bye.

-I haven't drawn breath.

-Who's next, then?

Erm, Sharon Drummond.

Hi, do you want to follow me?

Morning. Are you here for the clinic?

No, I need to see the doctor. My social worker referred me.

Are you registered with us?

Yes. My name's Caroline Connor. 16 Kimble House, Letherbridge.

OK, there's a few people in front of you, but do you want to take a seat?

I've got a patient.

Oh, they're running late.

Well, open it!

Oh, you're not still on about this?

You do know you don't need an actual turkey baster?

A disposable syringe would do it.

Oh.

Before we get to the mechanics, how exactly are you planning to

transport the stuff once Daniel's done the deed?

Please let me be there when Zara finds out.

I'll freeze it.

That way, Daniel can, you know, when it suits him, I can keep it

on ice, and then, when I'm ready, I can... You know.

How romantic(!)

Look, it would help if you'd take this a bit more seriously!

You know how important this is to me!

All right, calm down.

Look, freezing IS the best option,

but we're not talking about your average kitchen freezer.

The temperature needs to be really cold and the freezing process

has to be done gradually so you don't kill off any of the sperm.

Oh.

Well, the girls didn't mention that.

When you say "the girls," you mean the internet, don't you?

Yes.

They'll put you in an institution, Caroline. Just like your mother.

-Whoa!

-I can't breathe!

OK, I need you to take a deep breath for me.

Breathe in for four seconds.

OK, take it really slowly.

And breathe out for four seconds.

OK, that's it. And again.

What's your name?

-Caroline.

-I'm Dr Sharma.

Karen, could you get Caroline a glass of water, please?

How are you feeling now?

Erm...

better.

Have you had a panic attack like that before?

Do you know what might have caused it?

I think I'm losing my mind.

I'm going to bring up your medical record to check some details.

What's your surname?

She'll have you committed.

EVIL CAROLINE CACKLES

You'll never see Ben again.

Are you OK?

No! No!

Caroline!

Mum, I made you a cuppa.

The landline's been disconnected.

There's no mobile listed. She's not had an appointment in years.

Sorry. A patient just handed this in.

Apparently, it was left in the waiting area.

Ta.

This is a dead end.

Not necessarily.

"To the doctor who examines Caroline Connor".

Hey, why didn't you go in with her?

I sent the doctor a very detailed note, explaining her symptoms.

What about the blood?

Blood? Where?

On her sleeve, here.

Is she hurting herself now?

I don't think so, not deliberately.

-What does that mean?

-Ben, calm down.

Why aren't you doing something?

There's a process that has to be followed.

The doctor at the Campus will know what to do.

You don't care about us.

Of course I care! But there's only so much I can do.

Ben!

OK, then, bye, Mrs Cooper.

-That was a morning and a half.

-Mm.

-Are you OK?

-Didn't sleep a wink.

We were told we were going to get a new foster kid last night.

You get all psyched up, and then...

Do you mind if I speak to Rob? I won't be long.

Yeah, sure. Carry on.

I want to know what happened to Caroline Connor.

She was here this morning.

Was she here at the clinic?

She just came to see the doctor.

She hasn't come home, and she doesn't have her mobile on her.

OK. What's your name?

Ben Connor. She's my mum.

Sid, can I handle this? Ben, I'm Dr Sharma.

Did you examine her?

Would you like to come through?

Well?

Have a seat.

Why can't any of you people give a straight answer?

Have you spoken to your mum since she left for the surgery?

-No.

-Do you know why she was coming?

I thought she was just depressed.

-Does your mum have a partner, Ben?

-No.

And how long has she been depressed for?

A few years.

The last six months have been worse, since she got sacked.

I kept telling her to come see one of you,

sort herself out.

I didn't realise how bad it was.

Did you get the note from her social worker?

Social Services are involved?

Do you know the name of her social worker?

Lucie Begley.

OK. Would you mind waiting outside for a moment?

Just take a seat in reception.

Hello, this is Dr Sharma here.

I'm calling from the Campus Surgery.

I'm calling in regards to one of your patients, Caroline Connor.

Yeah, she's in my care.

I need to speak with her social worker.

Her name's Lucie Begley.

You're absolutely sure?

I've been doing some more research.

Oh, lordy.

And according to my lesbians, all I need is a 10ml medical syringe.

Yeah, I told you that.

-Here.

-Oh, thank you.

They also said that I need to find the angle of my cervix,

and that I should sit with a pillow under my bottom after inseminating.

And Gladys from Leeds said that having

a female orgasm greatly increases your chances of success.

Valerie, you haven't even discussed this with your haematologist yet,

-or got Daniel on board.

-No, I know.

Yes?

Could you help me find the angle of my cervix?

I thought we could do it over lunch.

She's still not back.

You're sure that's Lucie's car?

Yep.

How did she get involved with your mum in the first place?

I don't know.

How long has she been visiting?

Couple of months. She's even helped me get an apprenticeship.

Why?

I need you to go home and wait for your mum.

Text me as soon as she gets back. OK?

-Lucie Begley?

-Yes.

We have a mutual acquaintance, Caroline Connor.

I'm Dr Sharma.

I'm a clinical psychiatrist from the Campus Surgery.

You got my note?

And did you agree she needs referring to a specialist?

I'll have to do a bit more research first.

I've got all my notes from every appointment I had with Caroline.

Can I see them?

It's been like a huge jigsaw puzzle. This is Caroline's file.

I only started to suspect what it actually was this morning.

You left no name or number, so I had to call Social Services.

For some reason, there was no Caroline on file.

Typical inefficiency.

Their attention to detail leaves a lot to be desired.

Unlike yours. How many cases are you working on?

Currently? Four in total.

How remiss of me - I haven't shown you my ID.

I could be anyone.

And can I see yours, please?

Thanks.

You do realise it's a criminal offence to pretend to be

a qualified and registered social worker?

You've just seen my ID.

Which is clearly fake.

Obviously, you take this very seriously, Lucie,

but the fact remains you're deceiving vulnerable people.

Vulnerable people who have been failed by the system.

I'll be reporting you to the authorities. Thanks for this.

Report what you like, Dr Sharma.

Caroline Connor's got Huntington's disease. I'm 99% sure of it.

Have you heard from Gina?

No. I was going to ask you the same thing, actually.

What are we like, though?

We ought to be making the most of this. The calm before the storm.

-Oh, no.

-What?

Don't look now. It's JJ and Mrs Te... Don't!

Do you know he's sponging off her? He's lost his job.

Have they seen us?

Maybe we should get the food to take away.

-Oh, too late.

-Oh, no!

-Thank you.

-Hi.

What good did the system do for the children abused by Treehouse,

or for individual cases like Nicolas Cuthbert?

The system needs people like me.

Not when it involves operating outside the law.

I've tried to raise my concerns about Caroline with Social Services,

and they ignored me. That was before I made the link to HD.

You are hardly qualified to make that kind of physical assessment.

I am, actually. I may not have all your degrees, but I do have

30 years' experience as a psychiatric nurse.

If you're that desperate to be a social worker,

-why not apply to be one?

-I did.

I'm not eligible for training because I don't have a GCSE maths.

It's ridiculous. I only want to help people.

Why not apply to be a Community Psychiatric Nurse?

With 30 years' experience, it can't be that difficult.

30 years, which counts for nothing when they're forcing you

into early retirement.

This is all I have.

And it's not just lack of resources.

Social Services would gladly wash their hands of this whole estate.

But there are good people here, and they deserve better.

What makes you so sure that Caroline has HD?

The slurred speech, the slow movements, the hallucinations.

-I've had patients with this before.

-PHONE BEEPS

I recognise the signs. It's not something you forget.

Caroline's home. Ben was worried. He didn't know where she'd gone.

She was at the cemetery. Visiting her mother.

Can I come with you?

You have no jurisdiction.

I sent her to you. I care about her wellbeing!

Well, then, you can wait here until I finish my assessment.

Enjoying your day off?

Yes, thank you.

Where shall we sit?

Er, I don't know.

Mind if we join you?

No, please do.

Cheers.

We can't stop long, cos Rob's got a shift.

How are you, Sergeant?

I'm fine, thanks. Yeah.

Any news on Mickey? I heard he got refused bail.

Er, oh.

He's on remand, awaiting his court date.

Can we not talk about that while we're eating?

I agree with Mrs Hollins. That was in the past.

The only thing that matters now is the future.

Well, shall we order? My treat.

What's happening to me, Dr Sharma?

We'll need to do tests to confirm that.

Can you do them?

I'd like to refer you to a neurologist.

Lucie said I might have something called Huntington's disease.

As I said, we'll do tests.

But if she's right, will I go insane?

No.

Huntington's is a condition that damages nerve cells in your brain,

but I don't want to speculate.

Well, what are the symptoms?

Please.

Personality changes, mood swings, altered behaviour.

Over time, it can affect movement, awareness, speech patterns.

Hallucinations?

That's actually a very rare symptom.

Is there a cure?

We don't know if it is HD.

I want to know.

Currently, no.

But there is medication to help, and occupational therapy

to support day-to-day living with the condition.

And we can prescribe medication to settle the hallucinations.

I think my mum might have had the same thing.

Is that possible?

This is all speculation.

It's hereditary, isn't it?

Yes.

So Ben could have it.

See?

You're no Tony Hart, are you?

So, what's this tentacle?

It's a fallopian tube. Didn't you do Sex Ed at school?

I was more interested in the men's bits.

-Here..

-Oh, no, thanks, I've eaten.

Your cervix is a bit like a doughnut.

When it's fertile, it's soft, like on the inside.

When it's infertile, it's hard, like on the outside.

Here, try touching the different parts.

That way, you'll be able to identify them.

-Can you feel it?

-Hmm. Yep.

-Yep, that's quite firm.

-What on earth are you doing?

-Nothing.

-Nothing.

Weirdos. Ooh, I like your drawing.

What is it? A dinosaur?

Thank you.

So, the bikes - are they just a hobby?

Yeah. I'm just a wannabe grease monkey. Ask Winifred.

Oh, he's much more than that.

JJ has an encyclopaedic knowledge of motorbikes.

You know, one of our first dates was spent

putting a carburettor back together.

Very romantic(!)

Yes. Yes, it was, actually.

What about you, Sergeant? Any hobbies?

Fish. Oh, yes, I fish. In fact, you came once, didn't you?

-Once was enough.

-What happened?

Well, unlike you, Mrs Tembe, Karen didn't want to get her hands dirty.

Although there was an incident with some maggots.

-Someone put them in my bag.

-They did!

So, JJ, what about you? You got a job yet?

No, not yet. I've got a few irons in the fire, though.

In the meantime, JJ has agreed to move in with me, just to save money.

That's a bit sudden!

Although, we did the same, actually, didn't we?

We moved in together after about three months.

Yeah, but that was different.

Mrs Tembe's a mature woman with a lot more to lose.

Well, thank you for your concern, Mrs Hollins,

but this decision is not yours to make.

Now, has anyone got room for dessert?

Since we have something to celebrate.

Erm, you've got to be making a move, haven't you? So...

But what are the chances, statistically?

If I have got HD...

One in two.

Caroline, did the doctors ever give your father

a formal diagnosis of your mother's condition?

Not that I remember.

He never discussed it with me.

After she died, I went to live with an aunt,

and they just swept it under the carpet, pretended she never existed.

I want to be honest with Ben.

-I'll give you some space.

-Will you come back?

Let me speak to him first, but then if he's got any questions,

you'll be able to explain things better than me.

Did you tell her about me?

No. Caroline's had quite enough to contend with today.

But I will be making a statement to the police about your activities.

Surely you can see there were extenuating circumstances?

I'd never put people at risk.

You dumped Caroline at the surgery this morning

in an incredibly vulnerable state.

You have no access to the resources you're promising.

Carry on like this, and sooner or later, someone's going to get hurt.

The system might not be perfect, but at least it's accountable.

You're right. It's just,

I couldn't handle not having a purpose any more.

Let me go to the police.

If I give myself up, it'll stand me in better stead.

All I've ever wanted to do is help people.

You'll go straight to the police station?

I promise.

I know it's a lot to take in.

Can you get tested today?

It's not as simple as that. The doctor will explain everything.

I could take time off work.

Just till you're better. They'll understand.

Mum?

What's wrong?

It's not something that's just going to sort itself out overnight,

but I'll be OK once I know what I'm dealing with.

-You're sure?

-Yeah.

But if I am diagnosed, you'll need to be tested, too.

Why?

Huntington's is an inherited condition.

It would just be a precaution.

Let's not jump the gun here.

If you did need to be tested, you would have counselling first,

to explain everything.

Your mum won't go through any of this unsupported.

It won't be Lucie struggling on her own any more.

Are you all right, love?

-I'm scared.

-I know.

But once I get tested, then we'll know what we're dealing with.

-It's always the unknown that's more scary, right?

-Yeah.

Come here.

We'll be OK.

Give me your coat.

He's a nice bloke.

You're supposed to have a copper's finely honed instincts.

He could take her for every penny she's got.

Somebody's got to make her realise before it's too late.

This was supposed to be my treat.

No, I'll get it.

What is it?

Maybe I shouldn't move in.

Why not?

Your friend thinks I'm sponging off you, and now I'm on the dole

with no prospects, maybe she's right.

Put a tip on there for yourself.

JJ, surely my opinion is all that matters?

Ta.

No. Hang on, Dr Sharma. I'll check with one of my colleagues.

Andy, have we had a Lucie Begley come in to make a statement?

-No.

-No, she's not been in.

and I've been here since 2:30, so definitely not in the last hour.

I don't believe this.

Did you get an address, a phone number? Licence plate?

I don't even know if Lucie Begley's her real name.

Why don't you come in anyway? And if she does spend most of her

time driving around the estate, maybe one of our CSOs has seen her.

-Thanks, Sergeant.

-Thanks, Dr Sharma.

How dare you speak to JJ that way!

Our relationship is none of your concern!

-No, wait, I was just...

-No!

No, for once in your life, you listen!

If you cannot support my happiness,

then you are no longer my friend.

Do I make myself clear?

Look, Jimmi would rather have lunch with his new best friend,

then it's his loss. I don't care.

Sounding bitter and jilted, Haskey.

My mantra is - "The less you have, the easier."

-Easier to what?

-To pack up and go.

Homeopathic remedies have got healing powers.

-I don't care what you say.

-Read my lips, Pitman. It is a con!

LOUD ROCK MUSIC

JJ, will you please...?

JJ!