Take the Next Road on your Left (Teleplay) Part 4

SC1. OUTSIDE ROOM 310
[CHARLIE EXITS LOOKING TIRED DESPITE THE SLEEP AND WALKS OVER THE EVENING PAPER SITTING ON THE FLOOR OUTSIDE HIS ROOM. THE BANNER HEADLINE READS “WITNESS TO TAINSTAL BANK ROBBERY UNDER 24 HOUR POLICE PROTECTION”]

SC2. RECEPTION HOTEL LOBBY
[CHARLIE ENTERS FROM LIFT AND ALMOST TIPTOES TO RECEPTION AS IF THEY COULD OVERHEAR HIM IN THE BAR FROM WHICH RAUCOUS SOUNDS CAN STILL BE HEARD. TRISH LOOKS CONCERNED]
TRISH:
IT’S GETTING UGLY IN THERE
CHARLIE:
YOU’RE RIGHT – THEY’RE NOT THE BEST LOOKING BUNCH OF HOMO-SAPIENS THIS SIDE OF THE MISSING LINK ARE THEY?
TRISH:
ARE ALL YOU SALESMEN LIKE THAT?
CHARLIE:
THEY CHARGE THEIR GLASSES TO HOPE; I DON’T
TRISH:
SHALL I CALL THE POLICE?
CHARLIE:
WELL IF YOU DO ASK FOR INSPECTORS WINDSOR AND TUDOR; THEY’RE PALS OF MINE.
TRISH:
WINDSOR AND TUDOR? ARE YOU MAKING FUN OF ME?
CHARLIE:
CONTRARILY NOT – I THINK INSPECTOR TUDOR WOULD CONSIDER IT A BEANFEAST. I’D CALL THEM MYSELF IF MY PHONE WAS WORKING.
TRISH:
WE DO OUR BEST TO SERVE SIR BUT STOP SHORT IN OFFERING A PLATTER OF DIFFERENT MOBILE CHARGERS
CHARLIE:
WHO BOOKED MY ROOM – HARDMAN? OR DID HE SWITCH ME TO 312 BEFORE HE LEFT
TRISH:
IS THERE A PROBLEM? IT’S ONE OF OUR BETTER ROOMS – CERTAINLY ON THE LOWER FLOORS.
CHARLIE:
IT DOESN’T STICK OUT LIKE THE PROVERBIAL SORE THUMB THOUGH
TRISH:
OH I SEE. I’M SORRY I FORGOT TO…
CHARLIE:
IT’S OKAY – I’M A LITTLE ABRASIVE AT THE MOMENT, BESIDES WHICH A CHAMBERMAID SHOWED ME WHERE IT WAS
TRISH:
CHAMBERMAID?
CHARLIE:
YES SHE CAME OUT OF ANOTHER ROOM AND SAW ME LOST
TRISH:
ALL OUR CHAMBERMAIDS FINISH AT TWO
CHARLIE:
WELL WHOEVER SHE WAS SHE PUT ME RIGHT
TRISH:
THAT’S VERY STRANGE
CHARLIE:
AW COME ON NOW YOU’RE NOT SELLING ME THE HOUSE GHOST ARE YOU?
TRISH:
SSH! WE DON’T HAVE ONE AND WE DON’T WANT TO MANUFACTURE ONE EITHER. DO YOU WANT DINNER?
CHARLIE:
NO THANKS; NOT HUNGRY, AT LEAST NOT AT THE MINUTE.
TRISH:
LAST ORDERS ARE AT…
CHARLIE:
I’LL FIND SOMEWHERE.
TRISH:
LA FORZA DEL DESTINO IS VERY POPULAR
CHARLIE:
IS IT NEAR THE HOSPITAL?
TRISH:
WHY? I HEARD THE FOOD WAS VERY GOOD
CHARLIE (CHUCKLING):
I THOUGHT I MIGHT VISIT SOMEONE
TRISH:
YOU’RE NOT GOING COLD CALLING ARE YOU?
CHARLIE:
JESUS WHAT SORT OF AN ARSEHOLE DO YOU THINK I AM?
TRISH:
SORRY. OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND FOLLOW THE ROAD…
CHARLIE:
I HAVEN’T A CAR REMEMBER?
TRISH:
DO YOU WANT ME TO RING FOR A TAXI?
CHARLIE:
NO – I FANCY SOME FRESH AIR. IS IT FAR TO WALK?
TRISH:
ABOUT HALF AN HOUR
CHARLIE:
THAT’S FINE. POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION THEN
TRISH:
IT’S A BIT TRICKY BY FOOT - WAIT
[SHE GOES INTO THE LITTLE ROOM BEHIND RECEPTION AND BRINGS FORTH A CITY MAP]
TRISH:
HERE WE ARE [MARKS THE SPOT] AND HERE’S THE HOSPITAL. IT’S A LITTLE TRICKY ONCE YOU HIT THE RING ROAD. THE LARGE ROUNDABOUT HAS AN UNDERPASS BUT IT MAY BE DARK BY THE TIME YOU REACH IT AND I WOULDN’T FANCY STROLLING THROUGH IT; WELL IT’S CREEPY IN THE DAY TIME.
CHARLIE:
I COULD TAKE A DIVERSION JUST HERE [POINTS TO MAP]
TRISH:
OH YES – I FORGOT ABOUT THAT
CHARLIE:
THANKS THEN – I’LL BE BACK AROUND TEN, TEN-THIRTY - OKAY
TRISH:
I’LL BE IN BED THEN BUT THE NIGHT PORTER WILL BE HERE
[CHARLIE EXITS. TRISH TIDIES UP THE AREA AND STEVE, THE NIGHT PORTER ARRIVES]
STEVE:
HOW WE LOOKING?
TRISH:
NOT TOO BAD; ONE CANCELLATION AND A ROWDY CROWD IN THE BAR, WE MAY NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON THEM.
STEVE:
THEY’LL BE UNCONSCIOUS IN HALF AN HOUR – DON’T WORRY; ANYTHING ELSE?
TRISH:
THE GUEST IN 312 WILL BE BACK AROUND TEN-THIRTY. HE’S PART OF THE BULTISH SEMINAR
STEVE:
IS THERE ANYTHING OPEN IN TAINSTAL THAT LATE ON A FRIDAY?
TRISH:
HE’S GONE TO THE HOSPITAL VISITING
STEVE:
HANG ON IF HE DOESN’T LIVE HERE HOW COME HE KNOWS SOMEONE IN OUR HOSPITAL?
TRISH:
YEAH I THOUGHT THAT WAS FUNNY. BY THE WAY – HE’S WALKING. I TOLD HIM TO AVOID THE SUBWAY. HE’S GOING TO TAKE A DIVERSION AROUND CALYPSO STREET? HE’S GOT YOUR MAP.
STEVE:
FROM OUT THE DRAWER IN THE BACK THERE?
TRISH:
YEAH
STEVE:
SHIT - THAT’S OUT OF DATE. CALYPSO STREET WAS DEMOLISHED LAST YEAR. THEY’VE BUILT A HOUSING ESTATE THIS SIDE OF THE RING-ROAD AND IT’S ONE WAY IN AND ONE WAY OUT. HE’LL BE GOING ROUND IN CIRCLES FOR HOURS.
TRISH;
JESUS, I HOPE HE CHECKS OUT TOMORROW BEFORE I START MY SHIFT!
CUT TO:

SC3. RING ROAD ROUNDABOUT NEAR TAINSTAL HOSPITAL, ONE HOUR LATER
[IT’S NOW DARK AND CHARLIE RUNS ACROSS THE BUSY ROUNDABOUT FROM THE CITY SIDE ACROSS TO THE HOSPITAL SIDE. HE CLAMBERS OVER THE FENCE GUARD. HE IS DISHEVELLED, HIS SHIRT HANGING OUT TO ONE SIDE AND HE HAS A TEAR IN HIS RIGHT TROUSER LEG ABOVE THE KNEE. HE IS SWEATING AND OUT OF BREATH. AS HE STANDS THERE HE PULLS OUT THE MAP FROM HIS JACKET POCKET AND TEARS IN INTO TWO, SWINGING ROUND AND THROWING IT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE ROUNDABOUT]
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SC4. TAINSTAL HOSPITAL CAR PARK
[CHARLIE IS WALKING ACROSS TOWARD THE MAIN ENTRANCE. AS HE DOES SO HE SQUEEZES BETWEEN A FORD KA AND A LARGE 4X4. HE LOOKS AT THE 4X4 IN ADMIRATION. IT IS BLACK WITH TAINTED WINDOWS AND DISTINCTIVE WHEEL TRIMS. HE STOOPS TO LOOK INSIDE THE DRIVERS WINDOW TO SEE IF HE CAN DISTINGUISH WHAT THE DASHBOARD LOKS LIKE. AS HE DOES SO THE WINDOW IS LOWERED AND HE IS STARING INTO THE FACE OF VILLAIN 1. HE IS WEARING DARK GLASSES AND SMOKING]
CHARLIE:
FUCK – SORRY I DIDN’T KNOW ANYONE WAS IN THERE.
[CHARLIE BACKS AWAY A LITTLE]
CHARLIE:
SORRY – DON’T MEAN TO BE NOSEY BUT THIS IS A NICE CAR – HOW MUCH…
[VILLAIN 1 FLICKS HIS CIGARETTE END INTO CHARLIE’S FACE AND THEN THE WINDOW IS SLOWLY RAISED. CHARLIE STANDS THERE INCENSED FOR A MOMENT HIS FACE REDDENING AS IF HE WERE ABOUT TO REACT. THE WINDOW LOWERS ABOUT AN INCH AND STOPS. CHARLIE’S RAGE TURNS TO FEAR AND HE WALKS ON]
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SC5. TAINSTAL HOSPITAL RECEPTION
[THE AREA APPEARS RUN DOWN AND THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ABOVE THE DESK DO LITTLE BUT ADD TO THE RATHER SICKLY LOOK OF THE PLACE. THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE CENTRAL AREA THROWS UNWANTED SHADOWS INTO BOTH CORNERS OF THE SEATING AREA WHERE, IN ONE, A GIRL IS CRADLING A BEATEN UP YOUNG MAN AND IN THE OTHER A DRUNKEN WOMAN ABOUT 40-45 BUT LOOKING PREMATURELY AGED AROUND 55+ IS HUMMING SOFTLY TO HERSELF. THE RECEPTION AREA ITSELF IS BUSY WITH A QUEUE FORMING DISPLAYING THE USUSAL VARIETY OF INJURIES BUT THERE ARE ONLY TWO PEOPLE AT THE DESK. CHARLIE LOOKS AROUND AND DECIDES THIS WAS A MISTAKE AND TURNS TO LEAVE.]
TUDOR (FROM BEHIND CHARLIE’S SHOULDER AND HOLDING TWO VENDING COFFEES):
LUCRE: HOW THE BLOODY HELL DID YOU COME TO BE HERE?
CHARLIE (TURNING AROUND AND LOOKING CRESTFALLEN AND THEN AS SUDDENLY SULLEN):
I GOT LOST! SHIT!
TUDOR:
HEY YOU HAVEN’T STARTED INSURING THE GOOD PEOPLE OF TAINSTAL AND THEN RUNNING THE BASTARDS OVER AS SOON AS THEY LEAVE THE HOUSE HAVE YOU?
CHARLIE:
NOT YET, BUT IT’S AN IDEA. I MIGHT START WITH THE LOCAL POLICE FORCE.
TUDOR:
PERHAPS YOU’D BE BETTER BEGINNING WITH A LOWER FORM OF INTELLIGENT LIFE
CHARLIE:
I WOULD DO BUT IT’S EXTINCT. WHY ARE YOU…OH GOD I HAVEN’T…
TUDOR (IGNORING ME):
WOULD YOU LIKE A COFFEE CHARLIE?
CHARLIE:
NO – I WANT TO GO
TUDOR:
OH COME ON – I’M BUYING
CHARLIE:
I CAME HERE TO SEE HER
TUDOR:
THAT’S NICE – HERE HOLD THESE
[TUDOR THRUSTS THE TWO COFFEES INTO CHARLIE’S HANDS SO THAT HE HAS TO HOLD THE HOTTEST PART OF THE CUP. CHARLIE WINCES AND BEGINS TO LOOK FOR SOMEWHERE TO PUT THEM DOWN BUT THERE ISN’T ANY PLACE BUT THE FLOOR. TUDOR MAKES A MIME AT CHECKING HIS POCKETS FOR CHANGE AND SMILES BROADLY AT CHARLIE’S AGONY]
TUDOR:
OH DEAR – NO MORE CHANGE LEFT
[HE TAKES BACK THE COFFEES BY THE CUP LIP]
CHARLIE:
YOU ROTTEN…
TUDOR:
NOW, NOW CHARLES DON’T LOSE YOUR TEMPER
CHARLIE:
IF SHE’S BADLY HURT I DON’T THINK I CAN FACE IT?
TUDOR:
NO YOU MUSTN’T GO. I’LL TAKE YOU TO ADEONA.
CHARLIE:
WHAT’S AN ADEONA?
TUDOR:
A CLIENT OF YOURS; FOLLOW ME
[HE MOTIONS CHARLIE FORWARD AND CHARLIE MOVES TOWARD THE STAIRS]
TUDOR:
NOT THAT WAY – OVER THERE – THE LIFTS. THE COFFEE WILL BE COLD USING THE STAIRS. (GESTURING TO NURSE AT RECEPTION DESK AS SHE QUESTIONS WHAT HE’S DOING) IT’S OKAY HE’S ONE OF US
[THE NURSE NODS IN AGREEMENT AND CHARLIE RETURNS THE NOD THEN FOLLOWS TUDOR MEEKLY]
CUT TO:

SC6. TAINSTAL HOSPITAL LIFT
[THEY ENTER AND ARE THE ONLY OCCUPANTS. TUDOR PRESSES 7 THE UPPERMOST FLOOR. THEY RIDE THE FIRST THREE FLOORS IN SILENCE. THE LIFT DOES NOT STOP UNTIL THEY REACH 7]
CHARLIE:
WHAT HAVE I DONE TO HER?
TUDOR:
JESUS, GUILT MR LUCRE? – YOU’LL BE A BLOODY CATHOLIC BY THE MORNING
CHARLIE:
I AM CATHOLIC
TUDOR:
THAT’S A LOT OF SUPPRESSED GUILT
CHARLIE:
I DIDN’T SUPPRESS IT – I LOST IT. IS SHE A CABBAGE?
TUDOR:
WHY DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE FOR VEGETABLES?
CHARLIE:
WHY; YOU WANT SOME? (PAUSE) LOOK IF YOU WANT TO SEE ME BREAK DOWN OVER WHAT I’VE DONE TO HER.
TUDOR:
CALL IT A TRANSFIGURATION
CHARLIE:
EVEN THOUGH YOU MUST KNOW THE FACTS BY NOW
TUDOR:
WE’RE NOT INVESTIGATING THAT ANY MORE
CHARLIE (SHUDDERING):
CHRIST – SHE’S DEAD, BUT NO, YOU’RE NOT TAKING ME TO A MORGUE, NOT ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR
[TUDOR SAYS NOTHING IN REPLY. THE LIFT DOOR OPENS AND THEY BOTH STEP OUT]
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SC7. FLOOR SEVEN TAINSTAL GENERAL HOSPITAL
[OUTSIDE THE LIFT THE CORRIDOR RUNS BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT AND THEY BOTH HOUSE GENERAL WARDS. TO THE RIGHT CHARLIE CAN HEAR THE HUBBUB AS PATIENTS AND VISITORS MOVING IN AND OUT OF THE ROOMS BUT TUDOR SWINGS HIM TO THE LEFT BY THE ARM]
TUDOR:
WE’RE THIS WAY
[THE DOUBLE DOORS TO THIS SIDE OF THE GENERAL WARD HAVE A NO-ENTRY SIGN ACROSS THEM]
CHARLIE:
ARE YOU SURE?
[TUDOR IGNORES HIM AND PUSHES HIM THROUGH. THERE IS AN EERIE SILENCE IN THIS WARD. CHARLIE LOOKS INTO THE ROOMS RIGHT AND LEFT – THEY ARE ALL DARK AND UNOCCUPIED]
CHARLIE:
I THOUGHT THERE WAS A NATIONAL BED SHORTAGE
TUDOR:
THERE IS TONIGHT; WE NEEDED THE SPACE
[AS THEY WALK ON THERE IS A BRIGHT LIGHT TO THE LEFT AND A DIMMER ONE GLOWING IN THE ROOM AT THE END WHICH FACES THE CORRIDOR. WINDSOR STEPS OUT FROM THE ROOM ON THE LEFT – THE NURSES STATION]
TUDOR:
LOOKS WHO’S COME TO SEE OUR VICTIM
WINDSOR:
COME TO FINISH THE JOB THEN?
CHARLIE:
SO SHE IS ALIVE EH?
TUDOR:
DON’T SOUND SO DISAPPOINTED CHARLIE
WINDSOR (WHISPERNG TO TUDOR):
IS THIS WISE BRINGING HIM UP? IF KENNEDY FINDS OUT
TUDOR:
LET HIM SEE HER – WHAT HE’S DONE. I’LL DRAG HIM OUT AFTER TEN MINUTES. NO-ONE WILL KNOW
WINDSOR:
WHAT ABOUT THOMPSON?
TUDOR:
WE’LL SAY IT’S HER BROTHER
WINDSOR (NOW LOUDER TO CHARLIE)
YOU TOOK YOUR TIME DIDN’T YOU?
CHARLIE:
YES I WAS DETAINED AT HER MAJESTY’S PLEASURE
TUDOR:
IT WAS RATHER ENJOYABLE
CHARLIE:
OVERLONG I THINK
WINDSOR:
BUT YOU’RE HERE NOW THAT’S ALL THAT COUNTS – OKAY LET’S SEARCH YOU
[WINDSOR REACHES DOWN TOWARD HIS TROUSERS]
CHARLIE:
WHAT THE FUCK?
TUDOR:
YOU CAN’T SEE HER UNTIL WE SEARCH YOU
CHARLIE:
FOR WHAT - A POLICY?
WINDSOR (NONCHALANTLY):
NO, NO – GUN, KNIFE - MAYBE
CHARLIE:
I’M NO ASSASSIN…OH FUCK! NOW IT ALL MAKES SENSE
TUDOR:
THE PENNY DROPS!
[WINDSOR SEARCHES CHARLIE REGARDLESS]
CHARLIE:
SHE SAW IT, DIDN’T SHE?
TUDOR:
NOT IT, MISTER LUCRE - WHO
WINDSOR:
A LITTLE TOO MUCH INFORMATION COLIN!
CHARLIE (LAUGHS):
AND THEY GAVE YOU THE JOB OF GUARDING HER! (PAUSE) HOLD THE FUCK UP…ARE YOU EXPECTING THEM TO?… OH NO, I THINK I’LL GET BACK TO MY HOTEL.
WINDSOR (STILL PATTING CHARLIE DOWN):
STAY CHARLIE, THEY MIGHT NEED SOME JAIL INSURANCE.
CHARLIE:
I TOLD YOU BEFORE I’M NOT TO BLAME. I CAME HERE…WHY THE FUCK DID I COME HERE? I GOT LOST, RIPPED A HOLE IN MY PANTS, HAD A CIGARETTE FLICKED IN MY FACE AND THEN WALKED BACK INTO THE ARMS OF THE FUCKING CHUCKLE BROTHERS. NOW IT LOOKS AS IF I’M ABOUT TO CAUGHT IN A BLOOD BATH.
TUDOR:
CALM DOWN CHARLIE, IT’S JUST A PRECAUTION. I WOULDN’T BRING YOU UP HERE IF I THOUGHT THERE WAS ANY REAL DANGER.
WINDSOR:
THEY WOULDN’T RISK IT SO SOON AFTER THE ROBBERY
CHARLIE:
WHY NOT, IF SHE CAN IDENTIFY THEM? THEY’RE HARDLY SHORT OF CASH ARE THEY?
TUDOR:
TRUST US
CHARLIE:
YOU COULD BE RIGHT. IF YOUR BOSS KNEW THERE WAS ANY CHANCE THEY WERE COMING HE’D NEVER GIVE YOU THE JOB.
TUDOR:
CHARLIE, I’M SURE DEEP DOWN YOU’RE A GOOD LAD, SO SHUT UP; BESIDES WHICH YOU’VE DONE ENOUGH DAMAGE FOR ONE DAY
[CHARLIE’S SMILES TURN TO A MIXTURE OF SCORN AND FEAR AND HE GAZES TOWARD ADEONA’S ROOM. WINDSOR FINISHES HIS SEARCH BY CUPPING HIS RIGHT HAND UNDER CHARLIE’S SCROTUM]
WINDSOR (GIGGLING):
NO WEAPONS THERE
CUT TO:

SC8. CORRIDOR LEADING TO ADEONA’S ROOM
[TUDOR AND CHARLIE WALK ON AS WINDSOR GOES BACK INTO THE NURSES STATION. CHARLIE GLANCES IN AND SEES WINDSOR TAKE A REVOLVER FROM UNDERNEATH HIS JACKET AND PLACE IT ON THE TABLE. AS THEY PROCEED TOWARD THE ROOM CHARLIE’S HEART IS THUMPING AWARE THAT HE WILL FEEL CULPABLE FOR WHATEVER STATE ADEONA IS IN REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES. AS THEY STAND OUTSIDE THE ROOM CHARLIE CAN SEE ANOTHER OFFICER IN A CORNER TO THE RIGHT ABOUT TWENTY FEET AWAY. TUDOR NODS TO HIM AND THOMPSON RETURNS IT]
TUDOR:
THAT’S THOMPSON. HE’S COVERING THE STAIRWELL
CHARLIE:
IS HE ARMED TOO?
TUDOR:
OF COURSE
CHARLIE:
HE’S NOT YOUR PROTÉGÉ OR ANYTHING IS HE?
TUDOR:
THOMPSON, NO – A GREENHORN, I THINK THE AMERICANS CALL IT. STRAIGHT FROM COLLEGE – DOESN’T HAVE OUR EXPERIENCE
CHARLIE:
GOOD
[HE LOOKS INTO THE WARD. ADEONA IS LYING ASLEEP BENEATH THE COVERS WITH HER HEAD RESTING AWAY FROM THE DOOR. HE PUSHES AT THE DOOR AND THEN HESITATES]
TUDOR:
GO ON THEN – SEE WHAT YOU’VE DONE TO HER
CHARLIE:
I’LL GO ALONE THEN
TUDOR:
I’LL BE WITH WINDSOR
CHARLIE:
ET ETERNAM
[TUDOR WALKS BACK TO THE NURSE’S STATION AND CHARLIE MOVES INSIDE THE ROOM]
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SC9. ADEONA’S ROOM, TAINSTAL HOSPITAL
[THERE ARE FOUR BEDS ARRANGED TWO EITHER SIDE AND ADEONA IS LYING IN THE FURTHEST ON THE RIGHT. CHARLIE APPROACHES THE BED BUT AS YET CANNOT SEE HER FACE. HE KICKS SOMETHING AT HIS FEET. IT’S A NECK BRACE. HE PICKS IT UP QUIZZICALLY AND PLACES IT ON THE OTHER BED. THERE ARE NO MACHINES MONITORING HER AND HER ARMS ARE BY HER SIDE, A LITTLE BRUISED BUT WITHOUT BANDAGES OR A CAST, BUT CHARLIE IS DRAWN TOWARD THE SHAPE OF HER LEGS UNDER THE COVERS. HE BENDS DOWN LOW AND TRIES TO LIFT THE COVERS SO AS TO CHECK FOR SIGNS OF DAMAGE BUT AS HE DOES SO SHE STIRS AND HER HEAD FALLS TOWARD CHARLIE. AT ONCE HE IS STRUCK BY THE PLACIDITY IN HER FACE. HER NOSE HAS A SLIGHT TURN BUT NOT TOO PIXIE LIKE AND ALTHOUGH HER CHEEKS ARE WELL DEFINED HER CHIN BETRAYS A PLUMPISHNESS THAT MAY BREED A SUCCESSION OF SIMILAR FEATURES. HER LONG HAIR, BRUNETTE, FELL ACROSS HER EYES AS SHE MOVED HER HEAD AND CHARLIE MOVES HIS RIGHT HAND AS IF TO BRUSH IT AWAY SO HER CAN SEE HER CLEARER BUT AS HE DOES SO HER CLOSED EYES BECOME AGITATED AS IF SHE WAS HAVING A NIGHTMARE. HER HEAD ROLLS BACK SO THAT IT IS POINTING STRAIGHT AT THE CEILING. HER HEAD BEGINS TO ROCK A LITTLE AS IF IN PAIN AND CHARLIE MOVES ABOVE HER CONCERNED, BUT AT THE SAME TIME WITH AN IRRESISTABLE URGE TO SMOTHER HER WITH KISSES, RATHER THAN PUSH FOR THE NURSE HE PUTS HIS ARM ON HER SHOULDER AND SHE AWAKES AND STARES DIRECTLY AT HIM. ADEONA, INSTEAD OF PANICKING, BREAKS INTO A BROAD SMILE AS SHE SEES CHARLIE ABOVE HER. CHARLIE IS CAPTIVATED BY THE CRYSTAL GREEN OF HER EYES AND HOW HER SMILE ILLUMINATES THOSE WINSOM FEATURES]
CHARLIE:
I DIDN’T MEAN TO WAKE YOU
[ADEONA SAYS NOTHING BUT CONTINUES TO SMILE AND STARTS TO SIT UP]
CHARLIE:
I EXPECT YOU’RE WONDERING WHAT I’M DOING HERE
[SHE SHRUGS HER SHOULDERS]
CHARLIE:
ADEONA, OH I’VE JUST THOUGHT, YOU’RE NAME IS ADEONA, OF COURSE
[SHE NODS AGAIN]
CHARLIE:
HERE’S ME TRYING TO TALK TO YOU IN ENGLISH.
[A PLAYFUL LOOK IS IN HER EYE AND AGAIN SHE SHRUGS HER SHOULDERS]
CHARLIE (GESTURING AS HE GRASPS FOR WORDS):
I (POINTS TO HIMSELF) WAS THE DRIVER (MIMES HOLDING A STEERING WHEEL) WHO KNOCKED YOU OVER (HE STANDS AND DOES A POOR CARTWHEEL MIME ACROSS THE FLOOR)
[ADEONA LAUGHS SILENTLY BUT AS CHARLIE SITS BACK ON HER BED SHE PUTS HER HAND ON HIS ARM NOT AS A FORGIVING GESTURE BUT AS IF SHE WERE APLOGIZING TO CHARLIE]
CHARLIE:
ARE YOU…
[CHARLIE HESITATES OUT OF FEAR AS WELL AS AN INABILITY TO MIME THE RIGHT WORDS]
CHARLIE:
DID THE DOCTORS (TAKING OUT A PAIR OF EXPENSIVE SUNGLASSES FROM HIS INSIDE POCKET AND HANGING THEM UPSIDE DOWN ON HIS EARS AS IF THEY WERE A STETHESCOPE) TELL YOU (POINTING TO ADEONA) WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?
[AS HE STRUGGLES TO PRODUCE A MIME THAT BEFITS THE SITUATION TUDOR, WHO HAS BEEN WATCHING ALL THE TIME, WALKS IN]
TUDOR:
SHE’S LOST HER FUCKING VOICE YOU IDIOT.