mr. treves, come over here a moment, won't you?
good morning, treves.
you've acquired a taste for this?
don't be mad. this muck can kill you.
take this up, to to the man in the isolation ward when you have a moment, won't you?
indeed!
a hospital is no place for secrecy, mr. treves. doctors spiriting hooded figures about are liable to cause comment. why wasn't this patient properly admitted, and why is he in isolation? is he contagious?
why isn't he in the general ward, then?
deformed? is that it. then am i to assume that he is ultimately incurable?
what are your plans then, treves.  you are aware that the london does not accept incurables. the rules are quite clear on that point.
oh, is he a friend of yours?
i certainly sympathize with your problem, treves.  why don't you try the british home, or the royal hospital for perhaps they would have a place for him.
the elephant man?
ah, treves.
have you contacted the british home and the royal hospital?
good! how is the patient?
a few words? i thought he was imbecile?
i really don't think that's necessary treves. i'm quite sure the committee will be able to make an equitable decision on the merits of the case, such as they are.
no, treves, it's out of the question. now if it was up to me, i'd say "certainly, let's meet the fellow, by all means," i'm sorry, i simply can't speak for the other members of the committee.
mr. treves, it's out of the question. i want to hear as soon as possible what the other hospitals can do. i'm sorry.
well, go to the authorities.
by all means do so. in fact, i'll fetch them myself. i'm quite sure they'd be very interested in your story, as well as ours.
singularly unpleasant chap.  uh.  i don't suppose there would be any harm in my meeting your.  patient, mr. treves.
shall we say two o'clock tomorrow afternoon?
two o'clock then.  you know treves.  it seems this acquaintance of yours has become rather more than just an acquaintance.
elephant man? i don't want to meet an elephant man.
speaking is one thing, treves, but can the man comprehend?
he needn't. i have no desire to cause him any discomfort. did you make those inquiries we spoke about?
fine, fine. you know, your dedication to this patient is an inspiring thing, treves. but you must remember that this is a hospital, and there are many patients here. patients who can be made well, and you owe them your first consideration. just don't become so obsessed, old man, that you begin to neglect them.
i'm very.  pleased to meet you.
how are you feeling today?
i'm feeling very fit, thank you. how is your bronchitis?
are you comfortable here?
oh yes?
i understand that you were beaten?
no, i meant in your former situation.
tell me, how do you like mr. treves? as a teacher?
of course. how long did you and mr. treves prepare for this interview?
yes, of course.  well, it's been a pleasure meeting you, mr. merrick. good day.
it was a nice try, treves, but the man is so obviously mouthing your words.
i'm sorry too. he simply doesn't belong here. he's be much happier somewhere else, where he could be constantly looked after. believe me, frederick, it's better that it worked out this way. good day.
what is it, treves?
i don't understand.
it was a great pleasure to meet you, mr. merrick.
i hope we can talk together again sometime. good day.
i want to see you in my office as soon as you're through up here. we've a good deal to discuss.
treves. well done.
can you imagine what his life has been like?
no you can't. you can't begin to know, no one can.
you are quite right, treves, this is an exceptional case. and i quite agree that the committee should see mr. merrick.
no, not that way. broadneck and the others don't like to deal with patients directly. it makes them queasy.  do you have any photographs of mr. merrick?
excellent. we shall present them, along with the other particulars of the case to the committee. i want them to see, exactly, how horribly his body has been affected. you and i shall vouch for his inner qualities.
of course they will. they're reasonable men.
as far as i can see, the only obstacle might be broadneck. he has enormous influence over the others, very old school, not an easy man to impress. in any case, if worse does come to worse, we still have the british and royal homes to fall back on, don't we.
don't we?
well, it's up to us then, isn't it?
don't worry treves, we'll make them see it our way.
they've eyes, haven't they?
gentlemen, may i make a suggestion. there are two small rooms off bedstead square that are no longer in use and would be admirably suited to mr. merrick's needs. i also propose to write a letter to the times, appealing to their readers for assistance. knowing the generosity of the british public, i feel we would have little trouble in raising the funds for his maintenance. indeed, this hospital's rules do preclude the admission of incurables, but if ever there was an exception to the rule, it is this patient. so therefore, i propose, if mr. treves is finished, that we put it to a vote. all those in favor of keeping mr. merrick here?
i see. all, then, that move we keep mr. merrick here?
all those opposed?
i see.
i second the motion gentlemen. this meeting is adjourned.
somehow i don't think they quite understand.
frankly, treves, it's not what i'd expected. a few small cheques. well- wishers. don't worry, these things undoubtedly take time.
well.  i'll let you know if there's something in the afternoon post.
ahh! broadneck! you'll no doubt be pleased to know that we've received a smashing response to my letter. it's all very heartwarming, though several letters do mention how beastly it would be to part the poor fellow from mr. treves and the staff, but since the committee insists.
i'm afraid so, mrs. mothershead. perhaps tomorrow.
steady on, treves. have a seat.
gentlemen, i know we begin every meeting by reading the minutes, but in the interest of speed i think we should conclude a matter discussed previously, to wit, that of mr. john merrick, the elephant man.
mr. broadneck?
yes, i believe that time has come.
indeed not, your highness. your presence is always greatly appreciated. we were just about to put the matter of mr. merrick to a vote. the princess is very interested in mr. merrick's fate.
thank you very much, your highness, you may be sure we shall.
well then, i move that mr. john merrick be admitted to the london hospital on a permanent basis, on condition that the hospital shall receive a yearly payment equal to the cost of occupying one bed, and that the funds for his care shall be clearly separate from hospital funds. all those in favor.
the motion is carried.
well, now we may go about our normal business.
mr. merrick, it is my great pleasure to welcome you, officially to the london hospital. the governing committee this morning voted unanimously to provide you these rooms on a permanent basis. this is your home now. i'm so very, very pleased for you.
i'd like to think i felt no less for john than you, treves, but face the facts, the man has disappeared, very likely to the continent. there's no question of your going after him, you're desperately needed here by your patients. remember treves, you did everything in your power.  everything in your power.