EMMA: I’ve got to go mum.
NURSES from the clinic rush in and approach PAUL.
NURSE 1: Mr Waverley.
NURSE 2: Mr Waverley let’s go back inside alright?
PAUL: WE ARE LOVE WE ARE GOD WE ARE POWER AND LIFE AND WE WILL NEVER SURRENDER!
FOSTER has entered. He has long hair and wears a bandana. He wears a different uniform to the NURSES. There is blood on FOSTER’s shirt.
FOSTER: (To EMMA.) You can’t smoke in here.
EMMA: Oh. What?
FOSTER: You can’t smoke in here.
NURSE 2: (To PAUL.) Mr Waverley,
NURSE 1: Paul, will you please
PAUL climbs up onto the reception desk and throws and kicks whatever is in his path onto the floor. He throws pens at the NURSES. PAUL continues to shout as FOSTER talks to EMMA. NURSES try to persuade PAUL to climb down from the desk.
PAUL: THESE PEOPLE ARE SHADOWS, THEY’RE SKELETONS AND THEY’RE SUCKING OUR BLOOD. I HAVE LOCKED EYES WITH GOD I HAVE TOUCHED THE EYES OF GOD I HAVE LICKED GOD’S EYEBALLS.
FOSTER: it’s a medical building, this is a medical
EMMA: yes of course.
FOSTER: you can smoke outside.
EMMA: It’s raining.
FOSTER: I don’t know what to tell you, it’s a medical building, this is part of a medical / building, you can’t
EMMA: yes, I know, I understand that, it’s just
FOSTER: you can take it outside or put it out, those are your options.
Other PATIENTS enter the room to watch the chaos. One of the NURSES talks into a handset.
NURSE 1: Doctor please come to reception. Doctor to reception please.
NURSES have managed to get PAUL back onto the floor but he’s climbed onto the windowsill and they’re being cautious in case he falls through it.
PAUL: Listen. I’m sharing a truth with you. This is an act of LOVE, don’t you understand? The world has to change and it can start here it can start this minute! With us! I can see what we need to do.
EMMA: Do you have an ashtray?
FOSTER: There isn’t an ashtray no, it’s a medical building so
EMMA: right.
FOSTER: I’m not being petty.
EMMA: No.
FOSTER: There have to be rules or things descend into chaos.
The DOCTOR enters hurriedly. She has been eating lunch. She prepares a needle. PAUL walks towards EMMA, looking directly at her.
PAUL: You can see it too. Can’t you? It should all be torn to pieces.
The walls are losing definition. Everyone in the room seems to be moving in slow motion. PAUL and EMMA are the only people moving at normal speed. PAUL speaks to EMMA with a surprisingly conversational matter-of-factness.
Things need to change but they won’t. There’ll be so much death, one after another and then many at once. It’ll be such a loud party.
The DOCTOR administers an injection. PAUL stays staring at EMMA and smiles. The room catches up to normal speed and PAUL loses a little of his clarity.
They’re going to ask for everything but you’ve got nothing to begin with. Nothing.
NURSES support him as he slumps forwards onto one knee.
Never
surrender.
He loses consciousness.
DOCTOR: EVERYONE BACK INSIDE PLEASE.
NURSES usher PATIENTS back into the clinic.
FOSTER: Checking in or picking up?
PAUL is taken back into the clinic. FOSTER stops the alarm.
EMMA: Is he okay?
FOSTER: Are you checking in?
FOSTER changes the radio station. Choral music plays.
EMMA: I’m
FOSTER: if you’d like to finish your cigarette outside I’ll check you in once you’ve
EMMA: oh, sorry.
FOSTER: Do you have anyone with you?
EMMA shakes her head. The word ‘EXIT’ lights up above the front door. EMMA looks at it.
EMMA: Actually, sorry. I think. Yeah. I’m going to just go outside for a second.
EMMA gathers all her belongings.
FOSTER: You can leave your bags.
EMMA: Yeah, no I’ll just
I’m going to just
FOSTER: how about we check you in first and / then you can
EMMA: is there a lot to do?
FOSTER holds up a clipboard.
FOSTER: Just a few questions.
EMMA: Like
FOSTER: like what’s your name?
,
The questions do get harder so you may want to
EMMA: I’d like to
FOSTER: anonymity.
EMMA: Something like that.
FOSTER: The privacy policy is all on the back of the form, it’s important that you read and sign that too. But your recovery depends on you being completely truthful while you’re here. Do you understand that?
,
So what name shall I put on the form?
,
EMMA: Nina.
FOSTER: Right. Nice to meet you Nina.
The forms are all quite self-explanatory. I’ll need a bunch of signatures. And I’ll need your phone and if you’ve got a laptop, iPad, any electronic devices, you’ll have to hand / those in.
EMMA: I need my phone.
FOSTER: Yeah, no. It’s policy. It’s like the policy about smoking.
EMMA looks at the cigarette in her hand.
EMMA: I thought I put that out.
FOSTER: You didn’t.
EMMA: Right. Sorry.
,
The thing is that this is my last cigarette and once it’s out I’m
FOSTER takes the cigarette from EMMA and drops it out of the window.
FOSTER: we’ll keep your devices safe for you and once you’ve / finished your
EMMA: I’m waiting to hear about this thing, I need my phone because there’s a thing / I’m
FOSTER: tell me Nina, when did you last use?
,
EMMA: I
FOSTER: blunt, I know, but
EMMA: er
FOSTER: more than a week or less?
The ‘EXIT’ light flickers.
,
In the last 72 hours?
The last 24?
,
Are you high right now?
,
EMMA studies him. FOSTER appears to be a different person than he was a moment ago. EMMA can’t be sure, the clothes and bandana are the same.
Can you tell me what you’ve taken?
EMMA: I just needed something to get me here.
FOSTER: It’s important to be accurate so we know how to treat you. And it won’t help you to lie. You’re going to have a full medical and history taken so you may as well start being honest now.
EMMA: I drank a bit and smoked some weed.
FOSTER: What alcohol did you drink and how much?
EMMA: Some wine. Red wine. Rioja. Quite an expensive one.
FOSTER: Okay.
EMMA: And gin. I was anxious about coming here so I just wanted to take the edge off.
FOSTER: Nina, I’m not judging, I just need to get as / accurate a
EMMA: I took a couple of beta-blockers and some ibuprofen too.
FOSTER is writing all of this down. EMMA tries to read what’s being written.
FOSTER: Right.
EMMA: And some speed just to balance me out. Get me motivated.
FOSTER: And how long ago did you take the speed?
,
EMMA: Oh, I don’t know.
She is chewing her lips.
Ages.
,
FOSTER: Is that everything from the last 24 hours?
,
Nina?
EMMA: Like a half a gram of coke.
And a multivitamin.
FOSTER: Any prescriptions?
,
EMMA: For anxiety. Benzos. Valium. And Ativan.
FOSTER: And you smoke.
EMMA: Until just now.
FOSTER: R
ight.
EMMA: Is that important?
FOSTER: There’s a checklist, I’m just
EMMA: trying to fill your bingo card.
FOSTER: Right. (Not smiling.) That’s funny.
,
How did you get here today Nina?
EMMA: I drove.
FOSTER looks at EMMA.
,
It’s fine. I’m a really good driver.
Got here in one piece didn’t I?
And I’m okay really. Overall. It’s not a problem, my using. I just want to get a tune up. I’m not completely in control of it anymore. I’ve had some problems at work because of it and some blackouts and I think I tried to kill myself so I’m just a bit
FOSTER: blackouts?
EMMA: Yeah.
FOSTER makes some notes. He continues to write without looking up.
,
I’m actually quite healthy. I know I’m not giving that impression. I go to the gym. Sometimes.
FOSTER: Is there a contact I can have, a partner or
FOSTER appears to be a different person again, perhaps a woman.
EMMA: no.
FOSTER: Family member or
,
we won’t contact them unless there’s an emergency.
,
Work colleague?
EMMA: Mum.
My mum.
The lights flicker again. Only EMMA seems to notice it.
,
FOSTER: Just pop her details on the form. Then I’ll take you through for your medical.
FOSTER hands EMMA the form.
EMMA: You won’t contact her / unless
FOSTER: unless there’s an emergency.
EMMA looks at the form. FOSTER takes her bags.
I’ll let them know you’re ready.
,
FOSTER pauses at the door and looks back at EMMA.
Don’t go anywhere.
,
FOSTER leaves.
EMMA considers writing on the form but doesn’t.
She sighs.
She talks to herself.
EMMA: Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.
EMMA looks at the door to the outside world. The EXIT light seems to have grown impossibly large.
She stands and approaches the doorway. Lights in the room start to fade. She is lit by the light from outside. The choral music from the radio seems to be coming from all around her.
NURSES approach EMMA and take the form, her phone, her coat. They take her shoes and help her into a medical gown. They attach a blood pressure cuff to EMMA’s arm. One shines a torch in EMMA’s eyes and mouth.
FOSTER returns, takes EMMA’s possessions, then closes the door to the outside world. The choral music ceases. Electric lights snap on.
DOCTOR: Nina?
EMMA doesn’t look up.
Nina?
Still no response.
Excuse me, hello.
,
EMMA looks around. She is in the DOCTOR’s consultation room.
EMMA: Sorry. Yes, that’s / me.
DOCTOR: Great. Take a seat.
EMMA remains standing.
Well the good news is that this looks perfectly normal.
The DOCTOR is looking at the contents of a small, clear plastic box.
EMMA: What is that?
DOCTOR: Your stool sample.
EMMA: Not mine.
DOCTOR: Oh. Really?
,
The DOCTOR looks at the contents, picks it up, sniffs it, then takes a bite of it. EMMA stares.
,
The DOCTOR looks up.
Falafel. It’s falafel.
EMMA remains very still.
I’m making a joke. I didn’t finish lunch.
,
The DOCTOR takes the form from one of the NURSES and reads it. She makes a couple of notes. EMMA watches her.
Seriously though, you may have to do a stool sample. Has she done a UDA?
EMMA: What’s that?
DOCTOR: Urine.
NURSE: Not yet Doctor.
EMMA: Could I have some / water?
DOCTOR: Your name is ‘Nina.’
EMMA: Yes. Why are you saying / it like
DOCTOR: and you’re an alcoholic and drug addict.
EMMA: Fucking hell.
DOCTOR: Aren’t you?
EMMA: I’m
DOCTOR: why else would you be here?
NURSE: (To DOCTOR.) 160 over 110.
DOCTOR: Your recovery can’t start until you admit you have a problem.
EMMA: This was a mistake.
DOCTOR: You’re not an alcoholic and drug addict?
EMMA: I’m not saying I’m anything, I just need a
I don’t know.
I just want to get clean, get my certificate and go back to / work.
DOCTOR: Certificate?
EMMA: A piece of paper or a signed whatever, something that says I can work. That I’m not a risk.
DOCTOR: Once you complete the programme / we can
EMMA: how long will that take?
DOCTOR: It varies. First I’ll need to see your results and take a history and / psychological examination.
EMMA: Isn’t there a way we could just speed this along?
The DOCTOR is consulting the form.
DOCTOR: Benzodiazepine, Lorazepam.
EMMA: Valium, yeah. For anxiety. It’s a / prescription.
DOCTOR: And do you use beyond your prescription?
,
EMMA: I have a few GPs. And I get some online and from a few people / I know.
DOCTOR: Has your use of pills impacted on you and those around you? Work? Relationships? Family?
,
EMMA: I was
I was at work and I
I was confused about where I was. Who I was.
DOCTOR: Dissociation.
EMMA: I guess so. You look like my mother.
DOCTOR: That’s projection. Assigning familial attributes onto an authority figure.
EMMA: No, you really fucking look like her.
The DOCTOR has taken EMMA’s hands and is holding them out, looking for tremors.
DOCTOR: Detoxing from benzos takes about ten days.
EMMA: Ten / days?
DOCTOR: You’ll start tonight, and tomorrow morning you can begin with Group.
EMMA: I don’t need that, I just need the first thing.
DOCTOR: Nina, the Group is the programme. The truth is that it doesn’t take long to get everything out of your body. It’s the behaviour, the psychology that is the important thing to address. We can’t do that until we’ve dealt with the physical symptoms. Then it’s twenty-eight days of therapy. Ideally it’ll be closer to ninety.
EMMA: Ninety? No, that’s not possible.
DOCTOR: Tell me Nina, how do you think this story ends?
EMMA: What story?
DOCTOR: You. Your life. How does it play out, do you think, if you don’t prioritise getting well?
EMMA: I’m not ill, I’m
The DOCTOR consults the form.
DOCTOR: blackouts.
EMMA: A few, yeah.
A NURSE checks EMMA’s pulse.
DOCTOR: Memory loss?
EMMA: Sometimes I think. It’s like time travel or a skipping CD. One minute I’ll be talking to someone, the next I’ll be walking in the road. Could I have some water please?
NURSE: You have water.
EMMA: No I
EMMA sees that she’s holding a plastic cup of water. It wasn’t there a moment ago.
oh.
She drinks the water.
NURSE: (To DOCTOR.) 130.
The DOCTOR stands very close to EMMA. EMMA is unnerved by this but tries not to show it. A NURSE prepares to take a blood test.
DOCTOR: Look at me.
She does.
I know you don’t I?
EMMA avoids eye-contact.
EMMA: I’ve just got one of those faces.
DOCT
OR: What’s your occupation?
EMMA: Is that one of the questions?
DOCTOR: It is.
EMMA: Is it important?
DOCTOR: Is it a secret?
How are you with needles?
EMMA: Excuse m – ouch.
A NURSE has put a needle into EMMA’s arm and begins to take blood. EMMA winces.
A hiss of blood in EMMA’s head. Lights begin to fade. The DOCTOR shines a torch into one of EMMA’s eyes.
DOCTOR: Do you often pass out?
The lights in the room flicker.
EMMA: I suppose so. I wake up places.
DOCTOR: Do you feel like you might pass out now?
EMMA: A little, yes.
The room is losing detail somehow, the walls are moving further away or dissolving into a pixelated fuzz.
DOCTOR: It says here ‘suicide attempt’.
EMMA: Not a successful one.
DOCTOR: Evidently.
EMMA: That’s me. Never seeing anything through. Violin lessons. Diets. Suicide attempts. I never finish what I start.
DOCTOR: If you’re trying to be funny can you let me know because it’s not immediately obvious.
NURSE: Hold this.
The NURSE places EMMA’s thumb so that she’s holding a small ball of cotton wool where the needle was. EMMA looks at her blood in the tube. The DOCTOR’s voice increasingly sounds like it’s underwater.
DOCTOR: Memory loss?
EMMA: Didn’t you just ask me that?
DOCTOR: Nina, I’d like to hear you say that you need my help. I feel uncomfortable giving you help if you haven’t asked for it.
EMMA: I’ve been managing just fine.
DOCTOR: When I look at your blood results am I going to see that you’re just fine or am I going to see something else?
If you don’t want help then why are you here?
EMMA: I’m not sure if I am.
DOCTOR: I’m sorry?
,
A sense of things falling.
EMMA: I said I don’t know if I am.
,
Here.
The lights blackout. Chaotic sounds, like a thousand television channels playing simultaneously, all rising in pitch.
After barely a second the lights snap up again and the sounds stop.
EMMA is surprised and scared to find herself on the floor, surrounded by NURSES.
DOCTOR: (To NURSES.) Give her some space please.
EMMA: Get off me.
DOCTOR: Stand back.
EMMA: GET THE FUCK OFF ME.
EMMA pushes the NURSES away.
DOCTOR: Leave us please. It’s okay.
The DOCTOR refills EMMA’s water cup. She holds the cup while EMMA drinks. The NURSES leave the room.
You were screaming.
Her voice no longer sounds like it’s underwater. The detail of the room has returned. EMMA concentrates on controlling her breath. The drawers of a filing cabinet breathe in and out with her. Gradually this will stop and the room will stabilise.
People, Places & Things Page 2