STEADILY INCREASING THUDDING NOISE
THUDDING NOISE INCREASES IN VOLUME
LOUD ELEPHANT TRUMPET CALL
INCESSANT ELEPHANT TRUMPETING
LOUD SUSTAINED ELEPHANT CALL
RESOUNDING ELEPHANT TRUMPET CALL
STORM WIND HOWLS
A BABY CRIES
FAIRGROUND BARREL ORGAN MUSIC
FIRECRACKERS EXPLODE STALL-HOLDERS SHOUT
MUSIC, LAUGHTER, NOISY CHATTER
DRONING CONCH SHELL NOTE
IDIOTIC CACKLING LAUGHTER
Excuse me, please!
SEMI-HYSTERICAL SHRIEKS
UNCONTROLLABLE PEALS OF LAUGHTER
Get rid of them!
Darling, don't be difficult. Let's take our sweet, lovely children on an outing!
'You can't do this. I know my rights.
'I have the authority to close you and that's that.'
This "exhibit" degrades those who see it as well as the poor creature himself.
He is a freak! How else will he live?
< Freaks are one thing!
This is entirely different.
THIS is monstrous! It should not be allowed.
Be on your way as soon as possible. Good day!
'Move along, ladies and gentlemen.'
This way.
On the move again.
(My treasure.)
MOANS PAINFULLY
We're seeing a lot more of these machine accidents. Yes, sir.
Abominable things, these machines.
Can't reason with them.
What a mess!
Pull on the rope.
Irons, please.
HE COUGHS
HISS
KNOCKING
Who is it?
Excuse me, sir. Yes, what is it?
I found it.
Good. Did you see it?
No.
All right. I'll see you in a moment. Thank you.
Who's that? A friend of mine.
Yes.
What are you up to, Treves? Nothing.
Come on, Freddie!
Nothing of any importance.
BARREL ORGAN MUSIC
Excuse me...Cleeve Street? Round the back, go left, then right and it's straight across. Thank you.
LOUD HISSING FROM ROAD MACHINE
CONSTANT HISSING AND DULL HEAVY THUDDING
RUNNING WATER
Are you the proprietor? Who might you be, sir?
Just one of the...curious. I'd like to see it.
I don't think so. No, sir.
Closed.
Now, I'd pay handsomely for a private showing.
Are you the proprietor? Handsomely? Who sent you?
I beg your pardon? Never mind.
I'm the...er...owner.
LIFE...
..is full of surprises.
Consider the fate...
of this creature's poor mother.
STRUCK DOWN...in the fourth month of her maternal condition
by an elephant - a WILD elephant!
STRUCK DOWN...
on an uncharted... African veldt.
The result...
..is plain to see.
Ladies and gentlemen...
The terrible...
..Elephant...
..MAN!
THUMPING
Stand up.
Stand up!
LABOURED BREATHING
THUMPING
Turn round. Turn around.
Turn around!
Yes...um...
You'll bring him to me tomorrow morning at 10, Mr...? Bytes.
He'll be there.
Here's my card -
and I'll send a cab. All right?
We...have a deal.
We...
understand each other.
More than money has changed hands.
We understand each other completely, my friend. Yes, well, th-thank you.
(Tomorrow.)
CHATTER
SILENCE
BREATHES NOISILY, GRUNTING WITH EFFORT
(Cor! What a stink!)
I'm looking for a Mr Frederick Treves.
Please, Ma'am.
Very well. I'll send for him. Nurse...
Oh, um, Mr Treves, sir. There's...um...
There's...ah... Yes, thank you.
Yes, I was expecting him.
Are you the cab driver? Yes, sir.
Anyone else with you? No, sir. Just this...gentleman.
Thank you for your troubles. My pleasure.
Thank you.
Please, come this way.
I'll be in my room and am not to be disturbed. Of course, sir.
Will you come with me?
You heard what the doctor said?
Go on.
RASPING BREATHS
Um...
My name is Frederick Treves
and I'm a surgeon here at the London Hospital and...um...
..I lecture in Anatomy at the Medical College.
So...(ahem!)
I'd like very much to examine you so that...um...
I mean, would that be all right?
Please...
I-I'd like to ask a few questions. Would that be all right?
Your owner - I mean, the man who looks after you tells me...
that you are English and your name is John Merrick.
John Merrick. Is that right?
Tell you what - I'll ask you a question and...
you shake your head like this for...no.
Um...have you always been this way?
Are you in any pain?
Are your parents still alive?
Do you understand me? Your father, your mother - are they dead?
KNOCKING STARTLED WHIMPER
Freddie, what are...? Oh, I'm dreadfully sorry. I had no idea you were...
What HAVE you got in there?
You'll know soon enough, at the meeting of the Society. Until then, not a word, please. If you insist.
You must have quite a find there. I don't know. Oh, ho! Nothing of any importance, eh?
Not...a word. Please, Fox, not a word.
All right.
GASP
WHEEZES RAPIDLY
I think I'll examine you now.
I'll leave the questions till later. All right?
Will you take your hat off now, please?
Don't be frightened. I simply want to look at you.
I'll take your hat off. Don't be frightened.
GAVEL BANGS
Thank you.
Good afternoon.
Mr Thomas, Mr Rogers.
Pull the curtains aside.
He is English.
He is 21...years of age.
His name is John Merrick.
Gentlemen, I have come upon many lamentable deformities of the face,
due to injury or disease;
as well as mutilations and contortions of the body,
depending upon like causes.
But never have I met with such a perverted or degraded version of a human being as in this man.
Let us examine the insidious conditions affecting this patient.
Can you see over there?
Note - the extreme enlargement of the skull;
the totally useless right upper limb;
the alarming curvature of the spine.
Would you turn round, please?
The looseness of the skin; the varying fibrous tumours almost covering the body.
The indications are
that these conditions existed
and progressed rapidly since birth.
He also suffers from chronic bronchitis.
It is of note, that, in spite of these anomalies,
the patient's genitals remain entirely intact and unaffected.
Thank you.
His left arm is perfectly normal, as you see.
So, gentlemen, owing to these conditions:
congenital exostosis of the skull, large pendulous masses of skin,
the enlarged right upper limb, the massive distortion of the head
and the extensive area covered by papillomatous growth,
the patient has been called the Elephant Man.
Thank you.
You never mentioned his mental state.
He's an imbecile - probably from birth. A complete idiot.
Pray to God he's an idiot.
Where have you BEEN?
SLURPING GURGLING NOISE
How can I eat with a noise like that?
Come on!
WHACK
Bytes! Don't!
WHACK
Where have you been?
WHACK
What did you do?
WHACK
The Elephant Man is sick. Come right away.
He sounds like this...
HE WHEEZES
What did you do with him? He's been like this all night.
He was fine when he left here. Now look at him.
Yes, I intend to.
What happened? He fell!
He...falls.
Looks like he's had a severe fall.
He is a...clumsy soul.
Never looks where he's going.
But, that's all right. He has me to take care of him.
Why is he sitting up? He needs rest.
Well, that-that's how he sleeps.
If he...lies down, he'll kill himself.
His...head's...too big.
He belongs in a hospital...
Er...! (Could you treat him here?)
Listen, he's my livelihood.
We're...business partners, he and I.
(He's the greatest freak in the world.)
You're not going to have a livelihood if he dies.
Stop wasting my time. I'll get a cab. I-I...!
I truly appreciate this, my friend.
Listen...there are a lot of things I could do for you.
You see, I-I move in the proper circles for...this type of thing.
In fact...
ANYTHING at all - if you take my meaning.
All will be taken care of. It's good to do business with you.
LOUD RAPID BREATHS
HEAVES PAINFULLY FOR BREATH
MUFFLED RHYTHMIC THUD
THUD
CREAK
HEAVY RUMBLE
BELL CHIMES
Can I have a bowl of oatmeal? Yes, sir.
Breakfasting with the patients this morning, Mr Treves?
No, I... It's for a patient.
There you are, sir.
Thank you.
Oh, Treves!
Just a moment.
Good morning.
What's that you've got?
You haven't acquired a sudden taste
for this stuff, have you?
It's quite nutritious. Possibly.
Not the diet for a grown man.
Nurse!
Just take this up to the patient in the isolation ward, will you?
Yes, sir.
Don't be afraid. He won't hurt you.
Indeed? Oh, one moment. I want to see you. Come in.
A hospital is no place for secrecy,
Mr Treves.
Doctors spiriting hooded figures about is apt to cause comment.
Why wasn't this patient properly admitted?
Why is he in isolation? Is he contagious? Oh, no.
He's got chronic bronchitis and is badly beaten. The general ward, then.
Well, sir, he's seriously deformed and...the other patients might find him shocking.
Deformed - is THAT it?
I assume he is ultimately incurable?
Yes, sir.
But we don't accept incurables. The rules are clear.
I am aware of that...
but this case is quite exceptional.
MUFFLED THUDDING FROM CLOCK TOWER
I appreciate your problem, Mr Treves.
Why not contact the British Home or the Royal Hospital for Incurables?
I'll look into it. Would you like to meet him?
Aaaaaaaagh! Aaagh!
SCREAMS CONTINUE
Excuse me!
The Elephant Man.
Aaaaaaaaagh!
SHE SOBS HYSTERICALLY
Sorry. Sorry.
I should have warned you.
Please forgive me.
Are you all right? Yes, sir.
Please ask Mrs Mothershead to come up.
Tell her to knock on the door and wait for me.
I'm sorry about that.
We'll bring you another breakfast. I'm sure you must be very hungry.
You'll be comfortable here. I'll see you have all you need.
CLOCK MECHANISMS THUD STEADILY
BREATHING IS AUDIBLE BUT CALMER AND MORE REGULAR
CREAK
HEAVY RUMBLE
LOUD CHIMES
CHIMES CONTINUE
Cor blimey!
So...
this is the Elephant Man.
I ain't seen nothin' like YOU before.
What the hell happened to yah?
HE SHRIEKS
Now, mate...
I like people that can keep quiet.
'Ere.
Have a drink.
Go on!
No?
You should be more sociable, mate. You'll get yourself disliked.
You and I are goin' to be good friends
an' I've got a lot of friends who'd like to meet you.
An' they will, mate.
Believe me...they WILL.
SHOUTING, SCREAMING AND FRENZIED COMMOTION
Your breakfast... What are you doing down there?
Come on. Up on the bed.
Come on!
All he understands is a good smack.
He's had his share - it's why he's under the bed.
He needs kindness and patience.
Perhaps YOU have time for such treatment, but I haven't.
I've got the hospital to run!
Don't waste your time with him, sir. It's like... talking to a brick wall.
Now, I don't...I don't mean to be harsh, but...
..he doesn't belong here.
Now, honestly, sir...?
Honestly, what can you do for him?
By the way,
Mr Carr Gorm would like to see you
when you can spare a moment.
Yes. Right.
I can't help you unless you help me.
I believe you want to say something to me - there's something there.
I can't HELP you unless you help ME, you know.
I believe you want to say something to me, don't you?
I've got to understand what you're feeling,
what you're thinking.
Do you understand me?
All right. Just nod your head if you... Can you understand me?
Just nod.
All right.
You DO understand.
I want to hear you talk.
We'll show them you're not a wall.
Understand?
I want you to talk to me.
(All right.) Now, I want to hear you say it.
I've got to hear how you say things. I won't hurt you.
But I must know how you say things.
I must hear them.
Very slowly, I want you to say "yes".
Say "yes".
SLURPS
SWALLOWS NOISILY
Ye-e-gh.
(YES.)
(Good.)
Now, just once more, say it again, "yes".
(Ye-es.)
Yes! I can understand that.
It's good.
Very good. Now...
I'm going to say some words and you repeat them...
Understand?
Say, "Hel-lo. My...name...is..."
Uhh-lo.
M-M-My...
name is...
John Merrick.
Chh-ohn Erck.
No, John M... That's very good -
but say John M-M-Mer-RICK.
M-Merr-ick.
Hello. My name...
is John...Merrick.
Huh-hello. My na-a-ame...
..is...Ch-on Mer-rick.
You CAN speak.
How did you get up here?
I want my man back. Just a moment. How did you...?
Never mind. I want my man.
He is still very sick. Come and I'll explain...
DON'T!
(Don't.)
You've had plenty of time to...
cure him(!)
And now he's leaving with me.
Do you understand me?
NOW! Mr Treves.
We made a deal. You misunderstood.
This man has suffered a severe fall,
if you take my meaning.
He's my patient now. Pull the other one, why don't you?
Mr Bytes, I'm sorry,
but all you do is profit from another man's misery.
Think you're better than me? No, I don't.
You wanted the freak!
To show your doctor chums, to make a name for yourself.
YOU...my friend...
..I gave you the freak!
On trust;
in the name of...science(!)
Now I want him BACK!
You do not own him! Now, stop it! I want him back. To beat him, starve him.
A dog in the streets would fare better with you. I shall go to the authorities.
Go, then.
Go to them, by all means.
They'll be interested in your story
as well as ours.
Now...
I think we really DO understand one another.
Hm?
All right.
All right!
Singularly unattractive character,
I must say.
Well, Treves - I may as well meet this patient of yours.
Thank you very much. Thank you.
Um...
..in a few days, then?
2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon?
Um...yes. Whatever's most convenient for you.
2 o'clock, then, tomorrow.
Thank you VERY much.
(2 o'clock!)
Morning, Mr Treves. Early again, I see? Yes.
With these early habits of yours, you'd have made a good milkman!
I'll keep that in mind, Charles. OK, sir!
"Re-store...m-m-my soul;
"He leadeth-th m-m-me in the paths...
"fo-for His name's sake."
Righteousness - (righteousness).
"He leadeth me-e-e...
"in the paths of right-eous-ness for His name's sake."
Good. That's very good.
When your visitor comes today,
say it exactly the way you said it just now.
When I introduce him, say the words you've learnt.
If you have trouble with anything, I'll help you.
I will introduce him and say, "Please meet Mr Carr Gorm." And you say...?
"Hello. My name is John Merrick. I'm very pleased to meet you."
Good!
I'll go and get Mr Carr Gorm.
It IS only a physical problem.
He has trouble with certain sounds because of deformity of the mouth.
But he can talk. Talking's one thing. Can he UNDERSTAND what's said?
Yes! Oh, yes! Except, um,
he's so anxious to impress you, he might seem a little nervous.
KNOCKING
Come in.
John.
May I introduce Mr Carr Gorm. Mr Carr Gorm, this is John Merrick.
H-Hello... My name is John Merrick. I'm very pleased to meet you.
I'm very pleased to meet YOU.
How are you feeling today?
I-I...feel much better.
Are you comfortable here?
Ev-Everybody's been very kind.
How is your bronchitis?
Oh...!
It's...
Mr Merrick likes the food here, don't you?
ALMOST SOBS
Muh...Mu-ch better than what I'm used to. Oh, yes?
(Yes.) And what was that?
Potatoes.
I understood you'd been flogged.
I f-eel...
much better now.
Splendid. How... How do you find Mr Treves?
As a teacher, I mean.
Pos-it-iv...
MUMBLES:
Unbelievably kind.
How long did you and Mr Treves prepare for this interview?
MUMBLES:
Very pleasant. Extremely kind.
Yes, of course. I understand. Well...
A pleasure to meet you, Mr Merrick.
Good day to you.
Very good, John. That was very good. I'll be back in a moment.
IN A CLEAR STRONG VOICE:
"The Lord is my Shepherd;
"I shall not want.
"He maketh me lie down..."
A brave attempt but he was clearly mouthing words taught by you.
Yes, sir. I'm sorry to have wasted your time.
"He restoreth my soul."
He doesn't belong here. He'd be better somewhere else under constant care.
I'm sorry, Treves. Good day to you.
"Yea...!
"though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil."
"For Thou art with me,
"Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me. Mr Carr Gorm!
"Thou hast prepared
a table before me..."
What is it?
"In the presence of mine enemies." It's that.
"Thou hast anointed my head with oil,
"My cup..." I didn't teach him that part. "...runneth over."
"Surely goodness and mercy
"Shall follow all the days of my life.
"And...I will dwell...
"in the house of the Lord - (for ever)."
How did you know the rest of it? I didn't teach you. It's very strange.
Tell me, how did you know the rest of it - the 23rd Psalm?
I used...to read...
the Bible every day.
I-I know it...very well and the Book of Common Prayer.
The 23rd Psalm is very beautiful. It's my favourite.
Treves, come and see me when you're through up here.
I have something important to say to you.
Goodbye, Mr Merrick. I do hope we shall meet again.
Why didn't you tell me you could read?
(I-I was...frightened.)
I see.
I...was afraid to... to talk.
Please forgive me.
Can you IMAGINE the kind of life he must have had?
Yes, I think I can. I don't believe so.
It's impossible to imagine. None of us can!
"Terrible though his appearance is,
"so terrible, indeed, that women and nervous persons...
"fly in horror from the sight of him,
"and that he cannot earn his livelihood in any ordinary way,
"yet, he is superior in intelligence,
"can read and write, is quiet, gentle, not to say even refined in his mind."
I should very much like to meet this gentleman.
CHATTER
DRUNKEN SINGING
Have you seen this?
No.
Listen to this.
Hey UP! Hey UP!
Hey UUP!
Now, listen.
This is a letter... to the London Times...
from the Guv'nor of the Hospital.
"There is now in one of our attic wards, a man named John Merrick...
"..so unsightly he cannot come out by daylight, even to the garden.
"He has been called "The Elephant Man"
"on account of his terrible deformity.
"His appearance is so terrible that women and nervous persons
"fly in terror at the sight of him."
And how do you get tickets to see him?
Your very own... Sonny Jim.
Let's go!
Keep your shirt on.
The time must be right!
Right now, he's in the attic.
Tomorrow, they're going to move him to Bedstead Square.
Right into my lap! Then...
for the right price,
you will see something you'll never, ever see again in your life.
Agh! Aaaaaaaaaaagh!
Aaaaaargh!
Aaaaaaaaaagh!
Ha! Haa! Haaa!
HISS OF STEAM
ROAR FROM BLAST FURNACES AND CLANKING OF HEAVY MACHINERY
LOUD ROARING
Don't look so glum, girls. Enthusiastic volunteers should be more cheerful.
Put your collar straight, girl.
And remember...
that, under no circumstances,
what - so - ever,
are any mirrors to be brought into this room.
Yes, ma'am.
Yes, Mrs Mothershead. Yes.
Right.
He's so ugly.
Ugly or not, you'll help me.
Feeling better now, Mr Merrick?
Ye-es.
You look very nice in your new clothes.
(Th-thank you very much.)
If there's nothing else,
we'll leave you now.
There's n-nothing.
Are you ready for tea?
Please go in, John.
Make yourself comfortable.
(Ohhh.)
Come...meet our guest.
Mr Merrick, I'd like you to meet my wife, Anne.
Anne, this is John Merrick.
I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr Merrick.
I...
I'm...
very please...
HE SOBS
What's the matter?
I-It's just...that I'm...
I'm not used to being...
..treated so well by...
..a-a beautiful woman.
SOBBING CONTINUES
Would you like a cup of tea, Mr Merrick? That's a good idea.
Come and see the rest of the house.
Come on... I'll show you.
How's your tea?
It's very good.
I'm...enjoying my visit here very much.
It's so kind of you... to have me in your own home.
I'm...sorry that... I made a spectacle of myself.
No, not at all.
I like the way...you've arranged the pictures on the mantelpiece.
Oh, thank you.
Is that the way they do it in most houses?
Yes, I'm sure they do, yes.
Who are they of?
Well, these are relatives...
and these are our children.
Children? Oh, may I see?
And...where ARE the children?
Where? Well...they're...um... out with friends.
Friends!
And here is Frederick's mother.
(How lovely.)
And these...these are my parents.
They have such...
..noble faces.
Yes, I-I've always... thought so myself.
(Would you...?)
Would you care to see my mother?
Your mother?
Yes, please.
Oh, but she's...!
Mr Merrick, she's beautiful! Oh, she had...
..she had the face of an angel.
I must...
..have been...a great disappointment
to her.
No, Mr Merrick, no. No... No son as loving as you could ever be a disappointment.
If only...
I could find her - so she could see me.
With such...lovely friends, here, now,
perhaps she could... love me as I am.
I'm trying so hard to be good.
I'm so... Oh, I'm so sorry.
(I'm so sorry.) Please...
I'm so sorry.
Oh, please. Sh.
What's that you're doing?
What is it?
Oh, I see. It's St Philip's!
That's very good.
You got the windows and arches just right.
I wish...
..I could sleep...
like normal people.
Mr Treves?
There's something... I've been meaning to ask you for...
some time now.
What?
Can you cure me?
No.
No, we...er...we can care for you but we...
we can't cure you.
No.
I thought not.
KNOCKING
Come in!
Good morning.
There's someone here who would like to meet you.
May I introduce one of the... bright lights of the English stage.
Mrs Kendal - Mr John Merrick. Good day, Mr Merrick.
(Oh.)
Good day!
I brought you some things. I hope you like them.
I hope you don't think it too forward?
Oh!
Oh, n-n-no!
I knew you'd understand.
I'll leave you together.
Here.
You know, I don't give my picture to just anyone.
Oh, no, I wouldn't think of it.
It's beautiful.
You're so...
Well, I'm...
I'm...
I shall put it... in a place of honour.
There...next to my mother.
She's very pretty, your mother.
Oh, yes!
Oh! I see you're constructing a...church?
Oh, yes. It-It's a cathedral.
You see?
Only...I have to rely... on my imagination
for what I ca-can't actually see.
Mr Treves tells me that you're in the theatre.
Do you...live there?
Oh, no, Mr Merrick. I just work there.
It must be...wonderful just to work there.
Is it beautiful? You've never been?
I'm-I'm afraid not.
Oh, Mr Merrick. You must go.
It's THE most beautiful place. Of course, I am partial.
The theatre is...
romance.
(Romance!)
(Oh, yes.)
Which reminds me - I've brought you something else.
Oh!
Thank you. Have you read it?
(No.)
No, but... Oh, I certainly shall.
Ooh!
"Romeo and Juliet."
Yes, I've heard of this.
"If I profane with my unworthiest hand
"This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this.
"My lips, two blushing pilgrims...
"Ready stand To smooth that rough touch...
"With a tender kiss."
"Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,
"Which mannerly devotion shows in this.
"For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,
"And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss."
"O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do!
"They pray:
"Grant thou, lest faith turn to despair."
"Saints do not move,
"though grant for prayers' sake."
"Then move not...
"..while my prayer's effect I take."
"Thus from my lips,
"by thine, my sin is purged."
Then, it says, they kiss.
"Then have my lips the sin that they have took."
"Sin from my lips?
"O trespass sweetly urged!
"Give me my sin again."
Oh, Mr Merrick. You're not an elephant man at all.
N-No?
(No.)
(You're Romeo.)
"Mrs Kendal was seen leaving "The London" the other afternoon.
"No, the most facile actress of our day is NOT ill,
"but rather said she was visiting a friend.
"Who was the lucky re-recipient of this attention?
"It proved to be none other than Mr John Merrick, the Elephant Man, with whom our readers are familiar.
"After a chat of three quarters of an hour,
"Mrs Kendal kindly left
an autographed portrait of herself."
I saw it in his room.
"Owing to a disfigurement of an extreme nature,
"Mr Merrick has not been presented to London society.
"but, wherever Mrs Kendal goes,
"others i-in-evitably follow,
"the question arises,
"Will London society present itself to him?"
A walking stick! It's so...dashing!
It's much more elegant than my old one.
Some more tea?
You see, I don't go out... as often as I would like,
because, naturally, some people do find my appearance disturbing.
If you have a chill,
I'll close the window.
No, no. I'm fine.
Please...er... I mean, thank you.
You see...
..people are frightened by what they don't understand.
And it is hard to understand, even for me, because...
my mother... she was so very beautiful.
I don't think John should have any more visitors today.
I must go now. I'll be back this evening. Excuse me, sir.
May I have a word with you? I'm late. What is it?
Well, sir, I don't... quite understand
why you allow that sort of people in there.
Because he enjoys it and I think it's good for him.
Yes, but...you saw their faces. They didn't hide their disgust.
They don't CARE. They only want to impress their friends...
That's rather harsh. I beg your pardon, sir.
YOU didn't show much loving kindness at first, did you?
I bathed him. I cleaned up after him, didn't I?
And I see my nurses do the same.
And if "loving kindness"
can be called "care",
and "practical concern",
then I did show him loving kindness and I'm not ashamed of it!
I didn't mean it exactly that way, please believe me.
I appreciate your concern.
And all you do for him. Thank you.
But I am in charge... But... I must do what is best - for HIM.
I'm very late... If you ask my opinion,
he's only being stared at all over again.
Thank you.
KNOCKING
(I'd...die.)
HOLLOW LINGERING BOOM
LOUD SUSTAINED ELEPHANT TRUMPET CALL
REGULAR POUNDING OF MECHANICAL CONTRAPTION
HISS OF STEAM ROAR OF FURNACE
CLANKING FADES ROARING NOISE REMAINS
SLIGHT MOAN
STORM WIND HOWLS
Freddie...? What's the matter?
I'm thinking about Mr Bytes.
Why him?
I believe Mr Bytes and I are very much alike.
That's absurd.
It seems that I've made Mr Merrick into a curiosity all over again.
Doesn't it?
This time in a hospital, rather than a carnival.
My name is constantly in the papers; I'm being praised...
Patients now expressly ask for me. Of course - you're a very fine doctor.
John Merrick is happier and more fulfilled than he has ever been -
and it's completely due to you.
What was it all for? Why did I do it?
What are you trying to say?
Am I a good man?
Or am I a bad man?
Steady on, Treves. Steady on, my dear fellow.
Come and sit down.
GAVEL BANGS
Gentlemen - I know we usually open proceedings by reading the minutes,
but, today, in the interests of urgency,
if we first conclude the case previously discussed: Mr John Merrick, the Elephant Man.
One moment, Mr Chairman.
In my opinion, this "creature" should not be here at all.
I am sick and tired of this competitive freak-hunting
by overly-ambitious young doctors, to earn a name.
To parade them in front of a Pathological Society is one thing,
but to waste our valuable time with requests for shelter
for these abominations of nature is quite another!
In the light of these facts, our course is clear!
The question is not about having this creature as a patient;
but about vacating those rooms for use by better-qualified, more deserving cases! Hear, hear!
I propose he be removed at once!
We have a sacred duty to cure the sick!
NOT care for circus animals!
Mr Broadneck...
That's my last word. Mr Chairman, shall we vote?
I take it that your mind is quite unshakeable?
Mr Chairman, do you not have ears?!
I...am...unalterably opposed!
My mind is made up!
You shall not sway me.
May we now vote?
At long last.
Yes, Broadneck.
I think the time has come.
Gentlemen...
Her Royal Highness,
Alexandra...Princess of Wales!
Good morning. I hope I am not disturbing you.
Oh, no, ma'am. Your presence is always much appreciated.
We were just taking a vote... on Mr Merrick.
Her Highness has shown
great interest in Mr Merrick.
Indeed I have, sir, as has the Queen.
I have a brief communication
from Her Majesty,
which she requests I read to you.
"To the Governing Committee, London Hospital."
"I would very much like to commend you
"for the charity shown Mr John Merrick, the Elephant Man.
"It is laudable to have provided one of our most unfortunate sons
"with a safe and tranquil harbour -
"a home.
"For this immeasurable kindness,
"and the many other acts of mercy on behalf of the poor,
"of which Mr Carr Gorm has kept me informed,
"I gratefully thank you."
Signed, Victoria.
I'm sure I can count on you, gentlemen,
to do the...Christian...thing.
Thank you very much, ma'am.
I'm sure we shall all try.
Gentlemen...
I move that Mr Merrick be admitted
on a permanent basis,
provided the hospital receives a yearly sum,
equal to the cost of occupation of one bed.
All those in favour?
Thank you, gentlemen.
Motion carried!
GAVEL BANGS
KNOCKING
Yes. Come in!
Mr Carr Gorm has something to say to you.
Mr Merrick, I have great pleasure in welcoming you...
officially... to the London Hospital.
The Governors voted, unanimously, to provide you with these rooms on a permanent basis.
This is your home now.
I'm so very, very glad for you. Welcome HOME.
This...is...
..my home?
Yes.
Please, will you thank the governors for me?
I will do my utmost
to merit their kindness.
(This...)
(..is...my home?)
Yes. This is from us.
Your dressing case.
(Oh.)
Oh.
It's...wonderful.
Oh! Thank you.
Oh, thank you!
Oh! Oh, thank you!
Oh, my friends!
Thank you!
My friends!
Oh!
Oh, my friends!
My friends.
Thank you!
NOISY DRUNKEN DIN
Behave yourself, darlin'.
Who's next?
What? You again?
No, but...
these young ladies have never seen it.
You're on, mate!
OK! That's it for this performance!
Can I come?
Sit down, Charlie!
Room for one more?
At the right price.
There's room!
EXCITED GABBLING
All right! All RIGHT! Keep the noise down!
Sh! Sh!
We don't want to frighten him, do we?
HE CHUCKLES
IN A HAUGHTY VOICE:
Ah, my name...
is John Merrick!
I'm so very...
very pleased...to meet you.
I think you are...
..very beautif...
Aaagh!
HE LAUGHS
Curtain time!
You look beautiful, darlin'!
I wouldn't change a thing.
You look like the bleedin' Prince of Wales!
Here!
The Elephant Man!
I TOLD you he was horrible!
Just horrible!
Perhaps the ladies would like a closer look.
Yes!
There!
Oh!
He's quite a ladies' man, ain't he?
Give the ladies' man a little kiss, eh?
Come on.
Oh!
No!
Here, here! That's enough!
LOUD FRENZIED CARNIVAL MUSIC
All right! Keep the noise down! Keep it quiet!
Hey! Keep quiet. Now, watch this.
Argh!
RAUCOUS LAUGHTER AND CHEERING
Show's over! See you back at The Peacock.
Get out of it!
DRUNKEN SHOUTING
CHOKED GASPS
Here!
(Come on.)
There you are.
That's better, ain't it?
I've done well tonight.
Here.
Buy yourself a sweet.
My treasure.
KNOCKING
John?
JOHN!
Mr Treves? I know what happened last night.
Dear God!
Boy!
Where is he?
Where is Mr Merrick?
Hm? John?
Where is he? Where's Mr Merrick?
I don't know what you mean, sir.
DON'T LIE TO ME!
I know all about it. You were seen.
You're involved with Bytes, aren't you? You've taken him. Where is he?
Here, I haven't taken him anywhere. I don't know no Bytes.
It was just a bit of fun. We never hurt him.
Just havin' a laugh, that's all.
You're lying, you bastard! He's gone!
I left him in bed!
Bastard! You're not listening to me!
I don't know no Bytes!
I ain't done wrong! People pay money to see your monster. I collect it.
You're the monster! Now, get out! You're finished!
Damn you!
You don't scare me. You and your elephant man!
I'm glad what I done. You can do nothing about it.
Only Mothershead can sack me!
Done!
MR CARR GORM:
I have to tell you, Treves.
I felt as deeply as you about John.
Well, now he's disappeared.
Very likely to the Continent.
There's no question of you're going after him.
You're desperately needed here by your patients.
You did everything in your power.
Remember that, Treves.
Everything in your power.
THUNDERCLAP
PEOPLE SPEAK IN FRENCH
Mesdames, Messieurs...
Le terrible...
Homme Elephant.
THUMPING
Leve-toi.
Tourne-toi.
Danse-toi.
(The stool.)
THUMPING
Crie comme l'elephant.
Get up, you bastard.
Look at all these beautiful animals.
What a lot you have!
That sly bastard.
He's doing this to spite me!
You're doing it to spite me! And it's got to stop!
Bytes, he's sick! LET HIM DIE!
But don't think I'm going to bury that...
..bag of flesh!
I won't!
As a matter of fact...
As a matter of FACT...! Bytes, don't!
No!
EAR-SPLITTING SCREECHES
Bytes, please, don't!
Psssst! >
(We've decided...)
(We're going to get you out of here. All right?)
Good on you, mate. Good on you.
SHIP'S HORN BLOWS
Luck, my friend!
Luck.
And who needs it more than we?
Mister? Mister?
Why is your head so big?
Come on. Tell me why?
Mister?
Why is your head so big?
Mister!
SHE SCREAMS
Argh! Stop him!
Stop him!
ROWDY SHOUTING AND YELLING
NO!
SILENCE
I am NOT an elephant!
I AM NOT AN ANIMAL!
I AM a human being.
I'm...
I am...a man.
Out of the way, sir. Excuse me.
Mr Treves! Sir! They've found him!
I think they've found John!
Mr... Treves...
Oh, Mr Treves.
Keep still, girl.
It was very nice of Mrs Kendal to give me this dress for tonight.
It's so beautiful.
Does Mrs Kendal know that John is dying?
Yes.
She knows.
How do I look?
Splendid. You will not look out of place.
You look absolutely splendid.
(Splendid!) Shall we go?
Again... I can't tell you... how sorry I am for what happened.
You see, I had no idea... really.
Please. You mustn't blame yourself.
Mr Treves - don't...
worry about me.
My friend...?
I AM happy - every hour of the day.
My life is full.
Because I know that I am loved.
I have gained myself.
I could not...say that...
..were it not for you.
Well...and I - you've done so much for me.
As well.
Thank you.
So!
I'll fetch Mrs Mothershead and Nora and be back in a few minutes.
Very good, my friend.
(My friend.)
ORCHESTRA PLAYS
Mrs Kendal?
Your Royal Highness, ladies and gentlemen.
This performance is special to me
because it is special to someone else -
who knows the theatre and who loves the theatre.
And yet, this is the very first time he's ever been here.
I wish to dedicate - the company wishes to dedicate, with all their hearts -
tonight's performance...
to Mr John Merrick, my very dear friend.
(Stand up.) What's happening? It's all right. Just stand up.
Stand up.
I really did believe that...
the ogre would never get out of the dungeon.
Good. So, you really enjoyed yourself?
Oh, it was...wonderful!
Then we must go again some evening.
Oh, yes. Oh, I hope so.
Yes, we will. We will.
Good. I'm pleased.
Well... I ought to go.
You must get some sleep.
Goodnight. Sleep well.
And you, too, my friend.
I'm so pleased you enjoyed yourself. Goodnight.
(Goodnight.)
It...
(..is...finished.)
STORM WIND BLOWS DISTANTLY
WOMAN'S VOICE: "Never...oh, never, Nothing will die.
"The stream flows The wind blows
"The cloud fleets The heart beats."
WIND FADES SLOWLY
"Nothing will die."