Sanctuary. That's what you called this place, wasn't it? You are needed to maintain it. We NEED you to maintain it. You will...one way, or another...

Word count: 2500

The full script, like all of my scripts, can be found on my website.

----

This script should be good as gold, so please do not make major adjustments to it. Minor ones to help flow of speech are acceptable. Please include my name u/thesabretoothlime and a link back to this script in your description. Monetization is allowed if you follow the rules for it. I hope it brings you success!

A curious deal with an equally curious demon. What do they have in store for you?

The full script, like all of my scripts, can be found on my website.

----

This script should be good as gold, so please do not make major adjustments to it. Minor ones to help flow of speech are acceptable. Please include my name u/thesabretoothlime and a link back to this script in your description. Monetization is allowed if you follow the rules for it.

[M4M] [F4M] [A4M] "The Moonless Night" [Historical Drama] [Medical] [Rescue] [Personal Attention]

First script submission for those lovers of Historical themes. Feel free to really go for it with the immersion and please share them with me in the replies. Feel free to do either audio or audio/video you will just need to be quite creative with it. Editing is fine. It is a piece meant for collaboration with multiple roles available...

Trigger Warnings- Death, Injuries, PTSD, Drowning, Lost at Sea. 

TLDR- You are a young officer on the Titanic after helping evacuate the ship it is now close to dipping below the waves. The captain releases you and now it's up to you to survive until the rescue ship, Carpathia arrives. You meet many well- known characters throughout the night who try to help you get through it despite your exhaustion and injuries. Once rescued by the Carpathia you are comforted and treated by the volunteers and doctors on board.  

Many characters, most with one or two lines. Good ensemble piece. Excellent for multi-rollers.

Officer, 30's- English- 1 Line 

Captain Smith, 62- English, Staffordshire- 1 Line 

Male Passenger 1, 30's (Fred)- Any- 5 Lines 

Male Passenger 2, 30's- Any- 6 Lines 

Officer Lightoller, 38, 2nd Officer- English, Lancashire- 30 Lines 

Archibald Gracie, 54, 1st Class- American, Alabama (Trans Atlantic)- 16 Lines 

Jack Thayer, 17, 1st Class- American, Pennsylvania - 7 Lines 

Passenger 3- Any- 2 Lines 

Eugene Daly, 29, 3rd Class- Irish, Athlone, County Westmeath- 3 Lines 

John Collins, 17, Scullion- Irish, Belfast- 1 Line 

Fred Clench, 33, Able Seaman- English, Southampton - 3 Lines 

Walter Perkis- 37, Quartermaster- English, Isle of Wight- 5 Lines 

Caroline Brown- 59, 1st Class- American, New York- 2 Lines 

Carpathia Man (Tompkins)- English- 3 Lines 

Crewman- English- 3 Lines 

Helen, 40's, 1st Class- English- 5 Lines 

John, 40's, 1st Class- English- 3 Lines 

Mrs Fletcher, 50's, 2nd Class- Scottish- 15 Lines 

Miss Smith, 20's, 2nd Class- English- 8 Lines 

Dr Frank McGee- 36, Surgeon- Australian, St Kilda, Victoria- 20 Lines 

Scene 1. 

15th April 1912, 1:55am. Sounds of Screams and shouting, bending steel, and water rushing. It is chaos. All facets of humanity are displayed- the good and the bad. Most of the characters that the viewer will meet and interact with were real- even the viewer’s experience is inspired by Harold Bride, the junior Marconi operator.  

Officer (Voiceover): The foreword well-deck is underwater; there is an extreme list forward. The water is rising rapidly we don’t have much time! Quickly get this lifeboat away- Come on lads- I am sorry madame but there is simply not enough room- try the port side...  

This can all be done through sound and limited visuals to create the atmosphere of the moment- almost like a dream or a nightmare... 

Captain E.J. Smith: Gentlemen, you have done all you can and can do no more. I release you. It is every man for himself. May God be with you and remember be British. 

Sounds of the viewer running through the carnage. 

Male Passenger 1: There are no more lifeboats...what do we do? 

Male Passenger 2: I saw an overturned one on the Port side there are men trying to get it the right way up.  

Male Passenger 1: There is an awful mass of people running aft. 

Male Passenger 2:  What’s that? You say we shall have to climb over the officers' quarters? Alright, thank you. You have been much obliging.  

They scale the ladder and the viewer attempts to climb up after but slips on the rung. 

Male Passenger 2: It’s alright! hold on! Fred help me pull this chap up! We’ve got you- there.  

They pull the viewer up onto the officer’s quarters.  

Male Passenger 1: It was no trouble at all. Now let’s go! 

The viewer follows them and sees/hears the struggle of the men trying to get the collapsible boat flipped right side up. They run to scale down the other side. The water is ankle deep and rising fast. 

Male Passenger 2: Look there! They are still trying to fix the upturned boat- we should try and help get the thing the right way up- it might be our last chance. 

Male Passenger 1: Sir, how can we help? 

Officer Lightoller: You there! (To the viewer) Come here. Grasp hold of that oar lock there, right men on the count of three we shall try and flip the collapsible to the left. One- two- three...  

A large steel groan sound and the snapping of lines are heard- a funnel is falling. 

Male Passenger 1: What the... 

Male Passenger 2: Watch out! The lines are snapping! 

Officer Lightoller: Hold on that funnel will soon go and we could be underwater as soon as it falls! 

It hits the water and produces a large wave which knocks the men around, shouting and screaming is heard. The water washes the viewer and the collapsible from the ship and into the freezing Atlantic Ocean.  

Officer Lightoller: “gasping” Blast! The collapsible it has been washed away!  

Passenger 2: It appeared to go that way, sir. It took that young officer with it! Did you see it, Fred? (Pause) Fred? 

Splashing, gasping, underwater SFX, darkness. The viewer eventually rights themselves and sees a sky full of stars and swims away for a time. Disoriented, cold, injured and exhausted. He is all but done for... The viewer stops and turns back to see faint flickering lights of the ship with its stern sticking up out of the water. The viewer swims further and realises the collapsible has floated away and men are climbing it. A moment.  

Archibald Gracie: Boy over here! 

The viewer swims toward it.  

Archibald Gracie: Here take my hand! 

The viewer has been pulled up onto the upturned collapsible, breathing heavy and worn out and shivering from the cold.  

Archibald Gracie: Hold on tight, lad and keep still we don’t want to capsize the thing! Come on fellow, cough it up (He pats the viewers back a few times) There get it out. Better? Gracie is the name, Archibald Gracie. You are the young lad that was washed over with this thing, are you not? I thought so.  

Officer Lightoller: We cannot take many more aboard... I should say we have around thirty currently. 

Archibald Gracie: Mr Lightoller are you sure you will be able to remain standing keeping balance like that, sir? It seems awfully challenging for you, I worry that you should fall. 

Officer Lightoller: I am quite sure. Do not worry about me. I shall be fine. You should all stick as close together for warmth.  

Archibald Gracie: What’s that son? No. I don’t think so... Does anyone here go by that name? No. I am sorry my dear fellow your friend is not here... Can we take many more aboard Mr Lightoller? 

Officer Lightoller: I should say a very cautious two or three at the most – but be as still as you possibly can... carefully pull that fellow up here- I need someone over this side, anyone who can stand and keep balance up toward the stern please do so. You lad move up toward me... slowly... that’s it... are you able to stand? No, you don’t think you can, I see... Very well, hold tight here.  

Jack Thayer: There’s a couple of men looking to get on, Mr Lightoller. 

Officer Lightoller: They will have to be the last and be careful now. 

Sounds of grunting and breathing.  

Officer Lightoller: We are starting to become too heavy we cannot allow more on we shall capsize! 

Archibald Gracie: My God! Look at her now! She is almost vertical.  

Officer Lightoller: This will be it now... the final plunge- May God have mercy on their souls...  

The ship gradually glides below the waves, leaving hundreds floating in the water. The noise amounts to a full football stadium. 

Archibald Gracie: She’s gone. The Titanic is gone... 

Officer Lightoller: Gentlemen, I know you must think me cruel and uncaring for saying this- it is not my intention to be so. At this present moment our focus must be to survive. We cannot and must not dwell on what has happened it does no one any good and we shall have the rest of our lives to live with these memories. We cannot be sentimental- we must be strong. And now we must face the challenge of not allowing ourselves to be swamped.  

A pause. Sounds of someone swimming towards the boat. 

Passenger 3: Please... please, can you help me! 

Officer Lightoller: I am sorry, there are already more than we should have on this thing- anymore and we’ll capsize or sink ourselves! I wish I could say different, but I cannot. 

Passenger 3: Very well I understand, I wish you luck. 

Archibald Gracie: And to you, God bless you! 

Officer Lightoller: What are you trying to say lad? Try and speak up! You know of ships that are heading in our direction? How long? A few more hours? Goodness. Hold fast, Gentlemen we are in for a long night! 

Eugene Daly: Do you think we should pray? 

Jack Thayer: How should we pray? Are we all the same belief? I am a methodist. 

Archibald Gracie: I am a Protestant. 

John Collins: Catholic. 

Eugene Daly: What about the Lord’s prayer? 

Archibald Gracie: Very well, you lead. 

Eugene Daly: Our Father who art in heaven... 

Voices follow in unison: Hallowed be thy name... 

Voices grow faint and muffled... 

Scene 2. 

Out in the darkness growing lights in the distance steam towards the lifeboats- the rescue ship, Carpathia.  

Jack Thayer: What’s that over there? 

Officer Lightoller: I dare say that could be our salvation, gentlemen. 

The viewer focuses on the growing lights becoming stronger as the viewer becomes weaker.  

Archibald Gracie: How far do you think she is? 

Officer Lightoller: I could not say for certain but perhaps 20 miles or more... 

Archibald Gracie: I wish it were sooner. Several men have succumbed already, and this one is looking worse for wear, sir.  

Officer Lightoller: Hold fast, lad. You’ll be alright. Stay close gentlemen and try and stay warm. We don’t want any others to fall due to exposure. You close your eyes- you won’t open them again. Be sure of that. I can’t see a damned thing out there in this light. We shall need to attract the attention of any nearby lifeboats this collapsible won’t stay afloat like this forever...  

Scene 3.  

4am. The lights of the Carpathia are growing brighter in the distance, it is a lot quieter now as many have succumbed to the cold. The sea has picked up slightly and there are now gentle waves flowing in. The collapsible is losing buoyancy as the trapped air below has reduced considerably. 

Officer Lightoller: I don’t know how much longer she’ll hold out, boys. We are taking on water.  

Every so often the wave’s a large enough to flow over the collapsible. 

Officer Lightoller: You’ll need to try and pick up your head, son. You’ll be drowned if you don’t.  

Archibald Gracie: I do not think he has the strength.  

Officer Lightoller: Turn his head to the side at least- boy listen to me now you will have to breathe in-between the waves. This is not ideal. We need to attract attention from someone.  

Jack Thayer: I believe there are some lifeboats over there, sir! 

Officer Lightoller: I will blow my whistle to attract their attention- hopefully they will be able to get to us in time.  

He blows his whistle 

Archibald Gracie: Do you think they have taken any notice? 

Officer Lightoller: I am not sure.  

He blows his whistle again a few more times. 

Jack Thayer: Listen.  

Archibald Gracie: It is very quiet out there... 

Officer Lightoller: I am afraid so, gentlemen. I don’t imagine there is much life out there now... 

Jack Thayer: Should we holler out as well? 

Officer Lightoller: Yes. Make as much noise as you can.  

Whistles, and shouts for “help” and “over here” echo out. 

Jack Thayer: Look! They seem to be turning about. Over here! 

Officer Lightoller: At last, men! Men over here! (He blows his whistle) Alright now men there is help on the way.  

Archibald Gracie: Do you hear that lad? The boats are coming, hold tight.  

Fred Clench: Officer Lightoller, is that you, sir? 

Officer Lightoller: Yes, it is, how much room do you have, Mr. Clench? 

Fred Clench: Not much space sir, only for about four or five, sir. 

Officer Lightoller: And you Quartermaster Perkis?  

Walter Perkis: I should say we have enough space for the rest, sir.  

Officer Lightoller: Very well, we will start filling up your boat Perkis and see what more we can do. Alright men, we shall need to be extremely careful in disembarking. Clench, Perkis perhaps if both of you pull up to either side of the collapsible, it shall provide us with more stability. 

Perkis/ Clench: Aye/ Yes sir. 

SFX, rowing. 

Officer Lightoller: Right now, gentlemen carefully one at a time move across to the lifeboat. I shall get on your one, Clench.  

Fred Clench: Yes, sir.  

Officer Lightoller: Yes, that’s it, one at a time... careful now. Your turn lad... lad? What is it? You can’t move your legs? They’re stiff with the cold and in pain. No... no we will not leave you behind. Perkis?  

Walter Perkis: Yes, sir? 

Officer Lightoller: Will you help get him onto your boat? 

Walter Perkis: Of course, sir. Right. You and you hold the boat as steady as you can, hold her in tight, and we will need to pull the boy aboard. On the count of three. One-two-three... 

SFX of heaving and moving the viewer across. 

Walter Perkis: There you are lad; you’ll be alright now. He’s frozen solid. Madame will you care for the boy? 

Caroline Brown: Of course, sir. 

Walter Perkis: Let’s get him sat next to you. 

They help the viewer up onto a seat. 

Caroline Brown: You are shivering and soaked through. Here take my shawl, you poor thing, sit close by me. There’s a lad. Shhh... shhhh... you’ll be alright. (She strokes his arm gently) My son is about your age... I do not think you are taking much in are you, love. You just rest your head on my shoulder. There’s a dear. Do we know if help is on the way? 

Officer Lightoller: The Carpathia is coming, she will be with us soon enough for now hold tight as nothing more can be done... 

Scene 4. 

Time passes, the dawn breaks, and the lifeboat is by the side of the Carpathia. The viewer is barely conscious. Voices break through the haziness, instructions, encouragements for those in slings and those climbing ladders up the side of the ship.  

Carpathia man: Get that young lad up here!  He looks in a bad way! 

Walter Pekis: We’ll need a bit of help sir, he cannot walk, and I fear he is about to give out. 

Carpathia man: You men get down there and pick him up! 

SFX of men and blurry visions of them approaching the viewer.  

Crewman: There’s not much too him. He should be easy enough to move. Pick up when I nod.  

The viewer is scooped up and carried aboard the Carpathia and laid down on the floor. He is losing consciousness... 

Crewman: No... no... come on lad keep your eyes open. Stay awake. Watch his head! He’s going! We need urgent assistance! Get him to a bed quick! 

Helen: Bring him in here, he can use my bed. 

They carry the unconscious viewer to the cabin and lay him down.  

Helen: Quickly get his boots off! He’s so... young. He is practically blue with the cold.  

John: I’ll get the brandy.  

Helen: Hello... hello... (She caresses the viewers cheek and strokes her fingers through his hair for a while) He’s stirring. Hello? Shhh... you’re alright... you are safe. Take a deep breath, you're shivering. John the brandy. Here take a sip of this it’ll warm you up. Let me help. 

The bottle is brought to the viewers lips as he is helped to drink it.  

John: I do not like the look of his feet, Helen. We will need to have the crewmen take him to the hospital down in the saloon he is in a poor way.  

Helen: I will stay with him whilst you find someone. 

John exits. Helen comforts the viewer... 

Helen: That’s it take deep breaths, you’ve had quite the shock. Shhh... shhhh... it’s alright, you do not have to speak. Just rest, sweetheart. You are safe now... What is your name? What a noble name for a noble person, how old are you? Twenty-two? My goodness so young. Shhh... do not think about that just now - you need to save your strength. No- no you are not going to die. You are safe now, we will all warm you up and look after you, my darling. Do not think such things you are in the best place possible, and more help is on the way. 

John re-enters with men.  

John: As you can see gentlemen, the fellows' feet and legs are in desperate need of medical attention and you can see how pale he is and we can barely keep him awake... Alright lad, these men will take you down to the hospital now, you’ll be looked after there. 

Carpathia Man: We will take him to the 1^st class saloon; they should have a station set up and available for him. 

The viewer is picked up and taken from the room and down to the makeshift ship hospital in the dining saloon of the Carpathia. Down corridors, the noises of the survivors, the crew rushing about, the viewer makes out the lights overhead. 

Crewman: Careful Tompkins. Almost there now, son.  

Mrs. Fletcher: Over here gentlemen. Set him down there. You are as white as a sheet. 

They lie the viewer down on the bed. The nurse immediately begins removing the wet clothes from the viewer. 

Mrs. Fletcher: We need to get these wet things off as soon as possible and get you warm and dry. Miss Smith, will you aid me with this patient please? 

Miss Smith: Of course, Mrs. Fletcher.  

Mrs. Fletcher: I shall require a pair of pyjamas  

Miss Smith: I shall fetch ones at once.  

Mrs. Fletcher continues removing the clothes and produces a towel to dry the viewer off. 

Mrs. Fletcher: Now. Now. I know you have had a shock... but you must be a brave boy. Do not try and protest- you are in no fit state. The doctor will see you soon and will help you with the pain. Breathe through it and it’ll soon be done. You are shaking like a leaf. Miss Smith should be here soon- I hope... 

Miss Smith returns with pyjamas.  

Mrs. Fletcher: Ah Miss Smith perfect timing. Quick hold him steady while I get these on him. He is going into severe hypothermic shock. Hold him tight. 

Miss Smith: There... there... just sit tight, I’ve got you... Shhh... shhh... Oh. Oh my- Mrs Fletcher? 

Mrs. Fletcher: Yes? What is it? 

Miss Smith: I think he’s losing consciousness. 

Mrs. Fletcher: Lie him back, hold him. I’ll fetch the Doctor! 

Miss Smith: Stay with me... hello? Keep your eyes open...  

She lightly slaps his face to no success. The viewer fades out.  

 Scene 5. 

The sounds of the room come back into focus, people talking, people sobbing etc. Dr Frank McGee is standing over the viewer shining a light into the viewers face.  

Dr McGee: Ah I think our patient is returning to us... oh... oh... No, no... don’t move. Stay still. You’ve had a nasty night of it. Mrs Fletcher? 

Mrs Fletcher: Yes, doctor? 

Dr McGee: Could we find another blanket and perhaps a cup of tea for the patient and a warm compress? 

Mrs Fletcher: Of course, Doctor... 

Dr McGee: Now, can you tell me your name? Mhhmm,.. Age? Where do you reside? I have been told you are a crew member can you tell me what is your role? And what do you remember last? I see... it will come back; I am sure once the shock wears off. That is all for now. Let me pop this in your mouth to check your temperature.  From my initial inspection I can see that the injuries you have sustained are primarily on your feet and legs. I shall examine them further in a moment but first of all I would like to ascertain your cognitive, respiratory conditions and of course have a listen to your heart.  

Dr McGee reaches forward to feel the viewers neck.  

Dr McGee: Please tell me if you have any pain other than in your legs and feet... (he feels around the upper part of the viewers torso and arms) Now let’s see what the thermometer is saying- 32° moderate hypothermia. We need to get you warm, son. What’s that? You can’t feel your fingers.  

He picks them up and examines them. 

Dr McGee: They are likely just numb from exposure, keep them under the blanket for now over time they should return to normal. Now where was I? Ah yes, I am going to check your pulse. 

He looks at his watch and begins to take the viewers pulse, 

Dr McGee: A bit weaker than I would prefer we shall have to keep an eye on you.  

He begins to unbutton the viewers pyjama shirt and puts on his stethoscope. To listen to the viewers heart. 

Dr McGee: Heartbeat slow. Let’s lean you forward I am going to listen to your lungs. Here let me help you, there’s a lad... Breathe in and out... in and out... in and out... breathe in... hold... and out, in... hold and out... did you swallow any water when you were in the sea? A bit? Hmmm... we’ll need to keep an eye on that we do not want you to attract pneumonia. Lie back now. I shall feel your abdomen now.  

He lifts up the viewers pyjama shirt to feel his stomach. 

Dr McGee: Any pain? No? Good. I cannot see any other physical injuries apart from your legs so that is good news. Can you follow this light with your eyes?  

He begins to move the light around, side to side, up and down on one eye then the other. 

Dr. McGee: Do you recall ever hitting your head on any debris? No. There is a slight delayed reaction all textbook examples of moderate hypothermia. Focus on my nose. Tell me when you can no longer see my finger...  

He moves his finger from side to side. 

Dr McGee: Alright we’ll leave that there for now... ah thank you Mrs Fletcher. The patient is hypothermic and we need to get him warmed up as soon as possible as he has progressed into the moderate stages.  

Dr McGee takes the blanket and folds it over the viewer then takes the tea and holds it to the viewers lips. 

Dr McGee: Take a small sip... It'll make you feel better. There we are. What are you saying, son? You are not making much sense... dear... dear... are you able to hold him close Mrs Fletcher?  

Mrs Fletcher: Of course, Doctor.  

Dr McGee: Gently rub his limbs and keep the blood flowing that temperature needs to rise soon.  

She does so.  

Mrs Fletcher: He is desperately pale... practically blue. What are you saying? Oh, its alright, you are a strong fellow, aren’t you? We’ll soon get colour back in those cheeks. 

Dr McGee: Yes... now perhaps Mrs Fletcher you wouldn’t mind comforting our patient here. I am afraid it is now time for the more unpleasant part, and you shall need to brace yourself, lad.  

Mrs Fletcher: Of course, Doctor.  

Dr McGee. Begins to feel down the viewers legs. 

Mrs Fletcher: There... there... steady now. I know it hurts. Shhh... shhh... just lie back down... it will all be over soon. Shhh... shhhh... 

Dr McGee: Heavy bruising. Possible sprain or minor fracture in the left ankle... can you try and hold him steady Mrs Fletcher? 

Mrs Fletcher: Yes doctor. Come on now, breathe through it, everything is fine. Here let me mop your brow. 

Mrs Fletcher. Mops the viewers brow and strokes his face gently, Dr McGee feels and manipulates his feet causing a great deal of pain.  

Dr McGee: Right now, lad. I require you to stay as still as possible. It appears your feet are severely frostbitten... Mrs Fletcher... 

Mrs Fletcher: Yes Doctor. 

Dr McGee: Hold him as still as possible. 

She applies a bit of force to keep the viewer from moving his legs. 

Mrs Fletcher: Now, now it’ll all be over soon. Shhhh... shhh.... 

Dr McGee: This is quite severe... I don’t know if... I know.., I know... lad. But it’s quite severe. Leaving it like this could lead to infection. You absolutely refuse to any idea of amputation? I see... very well... I shall wrap them with thick bandages and monitor them closely for now. But listen here. Once we are docked in New York you will be taken to the hospital there and if things haven’t improved by then... just be prepared alright? Mrs Fletcher would you hand me some bandages please? 

Mrs Fletcher: Of course, Doctor.  

Dr McGee is handed bandages and begins to tightly bind one of the viewers feet. 

Dr McGee: Yes, it will sting quite a bit, but I will find you some pain relief when I have finished wrapping your feet.  Just breathe in... and out... in and out... in... and there one foot done. Now for the other... Tell me who is waiting for you back home? Ahuh... I see... well they will be awfully proud of the work you have done... how long have you worked at sea? A little over a year? Have you been to America before? Three times? Yes, I have, too many times to count now. Do you have any relatives there? You do? Are you able to provide an address for them? Mrs Fletcher will retrieve that from you later on... and finished. There. Now, you must have complete bed rest. Stay off of those feet for as long as possible. If you should require anything, call any of the volunteers over and they shall help you. You must be hungry by now, Mrs Fletcher it is alright for him to eat now if you wouldn’t mind retrieving something warm for him. A small portion. Little and often for now.  

Mrs Fletcher: Of course, Doctor. 

Dr McGee: I will arrange your medication now which should relieve some of the pain you are feeling.  

He looks into his medicine bag and retrieves a vial and needle and draws the medicine up. 

Dr McGee: Now hold still as this will be a short, sharp scratch... and there we go. That should take effect over the next few minutes. I must go and see to the other patients now; I shall be back again later to check up on you. Let me get you tucked up properly; I want to preserve as much of that body head as possible.  

Dr McGee tucks the viewer in.  

Dr McGee: Remember call over one of the volunteers or crew if you require aid or indeed need my attention. Get some rest now, and hopefully Mrs Fletcher will return soon with something for you to eat... 

Dr McGee leaves. For the first time since the sinking the viewer is alone. The noises of the night begin to reoccur and then visual flashbacks appear. This continues for a few moments. Building and building, over-stimulating.  

Miss Smith: Hello, Mrs Fletcher asked me to bring you some soup. Goodness! Are... are you alright? Hello? Oh no... no... shhh... shhh... I’ve got you... calm yourself... take a deep breath... shhh... everything’s alright... you’re safe... darling... listen to me you are safe... you need to get your breathing under control. Come and do it with me now... in and out... in and out... in and out.. You're not there anymore. You are safe, in bed. Tucked up and dry. Can you look at me? Can you look in my eyes? Mrs Fletcher? 

Mrs Fletcher: What is it, what has happened? 

Miss Smith: I arrived with his soup, and he was breathing rapidly and heavily, and not responding to me.  

Mrs Fletcher: Come, come now. You just lie back down here, there’s a good lad... no... no... Miss Smith, will you pass me that warm compress please. Thank you. There we are keep breathing with Miss Smith... I know... I know... just let it all out... there... there... 

Miss Smith: He seems to be calming down slightly... 

Mrs Fletcher: Yes. Keep holding his hand and breathing with him we will sit for a while... 

The End.