DISTANT SINGING
SINGING CONTINUES
SHE SINGS
Hey.
Hey!
HEY. Sorry.
SHE CHUCKLES
So sorry.
So, how many films has Bollywood actually made?
Oh, millions. But some are not so good.
But you watch those ones anyway?
What, this? This is a classic.
Ruby.
Ruby! Tell him, please.
If I agree with you, will you both promise to shut up?
Rude.
SHE SINGS
Well?
I make it two more minutes.
They're probably on their way now.
Isn't it time you released the prisoners?
Yep, I suppose so.
Do you know, extra workload aside, I've quite enjoyed this.
The power.
Perhaps I missed my calling?
Warden Fonseca has a nice ring to it.
SHE CHUCKLES
BEEPING
Oh, ask not for who the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.
One at a time, please. And just wait.
Pass. You're all free to go.
I recommend you take a shower immediately, preferably two.
Dr Fonseca... Oh! That's close enough.
Our patient is stable, still GCS 3 off sedation.
With your permission,
I'd like to settle her in your HDU before I leave?
I'm gonna let Sister Mari deal with that.
Your work here is done, Mr Hasan.
Guests are like fish, they go off after three days.
And I'm afraid you're stinking like a halibut.
Even so... Thank you and goodbye. I won't shake your hand.
I'm usually the first one here.
But I don't mind the competition. Indu.
Yeah, I know who you are. I mean...
Hard to miss. Oh...
That... That's a long time.
I haven't seen you here before?
No, I... I've been away.
Getting out the cobwebs.
Well, your speed is up there,
but you need to put your whole body into the cross, OK? Like this.
Now you try.
Oh, I would, but, erm... work.
Oh, erm... Well, there's always tomorrow.
Yeah.
Perfect timing, Dr Walker.
Right, I'll keep this short and sweet.
Our Nipah encephalitis patient is stable in HDU.
She's off sedation, but still unresponsive.
I've let her parents know. They're coming to see her today,
so can you fetch me the moment they arrive? Of course.
And what about the rest of the village?
The outbreak has been controlled. No further cases.
Our prompt identification of the virus no doubt helped with that.
Lucky escape.
OK, Dr Walker, you can supervise Dr Sharma in casualty.
All of life's rich pageant is there, both human and otherwise.
It will be an experience. That's exactly what I'm here for.
Thank you. Dr Nair and I will handle everything else.
I assume there are no questions? OK, go save some lives.
Don't spend too long with each patient.
We assess them, treat them and move on.
OK, great, exciting.
Yeah, that's one way of looking at it.
Mrs Balan, I'm Dr Walker. I understand you had a fall?
Mrs Balan?
I'm Doctor Walker. Ruby.
I have to go, the doctor is here. Tell them to reschedule for 11:00.
Well, if they can't, then it's next week. OK.
So sorry, doctor. Mia Kaur. What can I tell you?
I was just introducing myself to your mother.
It'll probably be quicker if you talk to me.
She's a little... You know? I was getting her up this morning
and she could barely walk, I think the left hip is paining her.
I asked if she fell and she denies everything, but...
PHONE RINGS Hi.
I'll call you back. Five minutes.
You're a very busy woman.
Oh, nothing like you, I'm sure.
But it would be so helpful if we could move this along.
Suits me.
Mrs Balan, do you mind if I examine you?
SHE GASPS
This hurts?
A little. Not much.
You have some bruises here?
Er, like I said, she falls. I can't be with her all the time.
The house staff are supposed to be keeping an eye on her,
but you know what it's like.
I'm going to prescribe some painkillers and order an X-ray.
The X-ray. Will it take long? Oh, yeah, quite possibly.
But I'm afraid it's absolutely essential.
So if you wouldn't mind waiting outside with the others?
Can I help you? Hi.
They told me to wait.
Outside is traditional.
So... you're back.
Either you can't get enough of my magnetic personality
or you want something.
DCO let me go. Breach of terms of service.
I was wondering if you could talk to them,
maybe explain what happened...
That your unprofessional behaviour
put an entire community at risk from a deadly virus.
Fine, I get it.
It was worth a try.
Sorry to... disturb you.
They won't take you back, no matter what I say.
But I could suggest an alternative arrangement.
Bobby, come and have some breakfast.
Eat your mango.
I told you, I don't like them. You know how much they cost?
50 rupees. That's approximately 50p.
What's that?
On your neck. Let me look.
It's some sort of a rash. Mum!
How far up does it go?
OK, let's get you seen to.
What? Erm...
So, according to this rota, I basically live here.
That's the long and the short of it. Also, the pay is terrible.
But negotiable?
Well, you could try, I suppose, but from where I'm sitting,
I'd say your position was extremely weak.
Or I just walk away?
Close the door on your way out.
You got me.
So... you've got me. 24 hours a day, it seems.
Lydia, Karishma's parents are here...
Oh. Perfect timing, sister.
Mr Hasan is joining our team, starting immediately.
And seeing as Karishma is once again his patient,
I'm sure he'd love to help.
Of course. This way, Doctor.
If this is about my bar bill,
I'm absolutely, without fail, going to bring my wallet tonight.
Your credit's good, Dr Nair.
But if you can help me with my little problem,
I'll happily wipe your entire slate clean.
The infection has caused some damage to her brain.
We're supporting her while it heals itself.
And, don't worry, this tube is just to make sure
that she gets enough nutrition and the water she needs.
My wife made food. We thought it would be a good idea.
And it smells delicious.
I can give some of this to some of the other children,
if that's OK with you? Of course. Thank you.
Doctor, when will she wake up?
Well, it's hard to say. Everyone's brain is different.
We will monitor her closely,
make sure we take very good care of her.
And we'll inform you if there's any progress, I promise.
Thank you for taking such good care of my daughter, Doctor.
OK, so it's a generalised macular eruption,
no sign of desquamation, no vesicles.
Yes, I'd say this was almost certainly
some kind of viral exanthem.
I'm sorry, I don't understand a word you're saying.
What's an exanthem? It's another word for a rash.
So... I brought my son here concerned that he has a rash,
possibly caused by a deadly virus,
and all you can tell me is that you think he has a viral rash?
Exanthem.
But, essentially, yes.
And I can assure you the recent outbreak
has been completely controlled... How old are you?
23. But I don't see how that's relevant here.
Also, I'm training to be a dermatologist...
Look, you seem like a very nice girl,
but can I talk to someone who's actually finished their training,
preferably in deadly infectious diseases?
I'll see what I can do.
They left quickly.
You think they don't care? I didn't say that.
In some ways, it's worse.
Will they be back tomorrow? They both need to work.
They'll be back next week, if they can.
Then I guess it's up to you and me. Mm.
You've seen cases like this before.
What do you think?
Be honest with me.
She's been off sedation for days.
I'd have hoped to see more by now.
Brain trauma is unpredictable.
Sometimes, it takes time. Months, even years.
I'm sorry.
Well?
This is bad.
How bad? Very bad.
See, Indian bureaucracy's like a glacier.
It moves slowly, but you cannot stop it.
And it's as cold as a block of ice.
You've never had a visa?
It was on my to-do list. Does the commander-in-chief know?
She's got a hospital to worry about.
And if she knew, she'd castrate me.
Yeah.
Ram, I need your help.
Utter discretion, your eyes only, totally Secret Squirrel.
I don't understand the reference of the squirrel,
but there is a lawyer who I know.
Smart as a whip. He has helped many people in the past.
If there is a loophole here, he will find it.
That's what I need.
A wily old fox who knows how to play the system.
There are no fractures that I can see.
Hip seems fine, pelvic bones are intact.
Wonderful. Hear that, Mum? Nothing broken!
Thank you, Doctor. We'll get out of your way.
Can I talk to you for a second?
I have some ongoing concerns about your mother.
We need to work out exactly why she's falling... I'm sorry.
I'm sure you're very conscientious, but I have a million things to...
And so I'm going to insist that we admit her to our ward overnight,
run the necessary tests, you can collect her tomorrow.
That way, you can get on with your busy day,
and Bhoomy can get the care she needs.
Clearly, you know best, Doctor.
Walker. Ruby Walker.
Then I'll see you tomorrow.
SHE SIGHS
So, if you could just take a look at him for me?
You're sure it's just a simple exanthem?
Yes, absolutely. No doubt in my mind, but...
Then, just run a standard blood count.
Oh, and get a urine sample. Sure.
What is it we're actually looking for? In the urine, I mean?
Nothing. But we're doing something.
That way, everyone's happy and you and I can get on with seeing
the rest of Kerala, who are waiting just outside that door. OK? OK.
Thank you for the advice.
Nimish! Over here.
Greg, let me introduce you to a very good friend
and a brilliant lawyer, Nimish Chari.
Nice to meet you. Nimish.
A word?
Mr McConnell, if you are about to draw attention
to my youthful appearance,
can I just say that I am not only the most highly-qualified lawyer
this side of Kochi, but I am also the most unscrupulous.
This childlike visage hides the soul of a ruthless killer.
Metaphorically, of course.
OK, I'm in. Let's do it.
So, the tests are completely normal.
All normal? Yes. Completely fine.
Even the urine test.
What was that looking for, exactly?
Oh, many things.
They are incredibly useful.
So, how do you feel now?
Fine. I've always felt fine.
I was fine this morning, fine at lunchtime and I'm fine now.
So, what's causing this?
As I said, it's some sort of viral... Exanthem, yeah.
You mentioned that.
Well, our doors are always open.
So if Bobby has any more symptoms, we'd be very happy to see him again.
Great.
Let's go.
Mum?
Mum, come on.
I see your problem.
But can you help me?
I will return in 24 hours with a 100% fool-proof strategy.
Yeah!
Tell me, do you love India, Greg? With every bone in my body.
Then you will never leave here.
Not with Nimish Chari as your lawyer.
Excellent. The drinks are on me.
What can I get you? Thank you.
But I never touch alcohol. It is a sign of moral weakness.
But, please, don't let my own life choices
stop you from indulging yourself. Good on you, Nimish.
Why buy a dog and bark yourself? I'm thinking gin!
You're thinking right! Teetotaller.
Dr Walker?
I've had a visitor from a Mrs Kaur.
She said you were rude and unprofessional.
Now, the first I can believe,
but unprofessional doesn't sound like the doctor I know.
She irritated me. I shouldn't have let it show.
A skill I've never mastered. What were you worried about?
Multiple injuries of different ages.
Worsening confusion, possibly early dementia.
Chronic subdural? Maybe.
What's definite is her daughter finds her a burden.
Then I think I better take a look, don't you?
Can you sit forward, please, Mrs Balan?
I don't know why you keep calling me that.
My name is Bhoomy Ambedkar.
Like I said, confused.
AMT three out of ten.
Indeed. But it's unusual to forget one's own name.
Bhoomy? Can you turn to me, please?
Oh, yeah, look at these dark patches behind the ears.
And here.
More bruises? No, I don't think so.
Yep. And here.
And there, see?
Mercury? Mm.
It's common in the older skin-lightening preparations.
And with regular use, the metal builds up inside the body.
But behind the ears, back of the knees?
Well, even the most careful woman can miss the tricky spots.
Did you notice the fine tremor?
No.
Chronic mercury poisoning also explains the confusion.
So I think we should get a tox screen done
as soon as possible.
I missed it.
The tremor, the signals, all of it.
No. No, your instinct told you something was wrong.
You just needed me to tell you what it was.
Let's get that tox screen done and then we can review her tomorrow.
Right.
Thanks.
SHE WHISPERS A PRAYER
You're early, Doctor.
Old neurosurgical habit. Ward rounds at 6am.
Made me into a morning person.
It doesn't work.
The old...
At least, not in my experience.
In fact, I don't think God gets up till much before noon.
Thank you for your advice.
I'm sorry, Mari, I was just teasing. It's fine.
Hey.
Keep your head up, OK?
Harder. The hook.
The hook. Argh!
OK, OK, OK, OK.
You don't fight angry. OK.
OK? It just makes you vulnerable. You need to stay calm and clinical.
Watch for the mistake. Again, head up.
OK, this is boxing, not therapy.
Concentrate. Yeah.
Again.
OK, OK, OK. Listen, time out. Same time tomorrow.
No, no, one more time. I can do it. I can do it.
I can do it!
Oh, wait for the guard to drop.
Better.
Argh!
Are you OK? Hey...
You all right? Woo.
You must really hate that guy, huh?
Who says it's a guy?
I mean, there's a lot of people I want to punch right now.
OK. Good session.
SHE PANTS
Same time tomorrow, yeah? Yeah, sure.
I'll see you. OK.
SHE PANTS
HE COUGHS
Hey.
I knew it.
Sister. Doctor.
I just wanted to apologise about earlier.
For what it's worth,
I have always believed in the power of prayer,
but it's easy to forget,
especially when you're facing your own tests.
I wasn't laughing at you.
Then why did you make a face like this?
Sometimes, I try and make a joke about serious things.
I don't know why.
Well, I do know.
It's because they make me feel uncomfortable.
Always have.
Anyways, I'm sorry.
And this is your official apology.
I don't know whether you're sincere or just a really good actor.
Actually, I have done some acting.
At medical school. They had a theatre club.
I was in Loot.
But I am being sincere.
Very sincere.
Look.
CLEARS THROAT Apology accepted.
Now, go away and let me do my work.
Sure.
Sorry.
Thank you. OK.
Good.
Are you OK?
Talk to me.
Can I...?
Ah! I need an ambulance now.
They attended the casualty yesterday?
Yes, Doctor Nair.
I thought it was just a mild viral infection.
And what did Doctor Walker think?
Did you ask Dr Walker to take a look at the patient?
Not... Not exactly. I wasn't concerned at the time.
But his mother is worried about him.
Yes.
Parental instincts should never be ignored.
Now, we have awakened a sleeping giant!
Luckily, at least one of us has both authority and charisma.
Give me your stethoscope.
Watch me.
Say 99. 99.
Now, say 22.
Whisper it, please.
WHISPERED: 22.
HE SIGHS
His chest is clear,
but your son has a mild temperature, Ms Martin.
So we should rule out all possibilities of an infection here.
A full range of tests, nothing left to chance.
Dr Sharma, let's get a chest radiograph,
full hepatic function tests
and a rapid malaria screen. Yes, Dr Nair.
In the meantime, we shall keep him under close observation.
Hourly temperatures, please.
Any further questions, Ms Martin?
No, Doctor. You've been very thorough. Thanks.
Good. And I want to know the test results as soon as they come in.
Well, what are you waiting for?!
Young doctors!
What have we got?
This is Indu, mid-20s, suspected ruptured spleen
due to a blunt trauma. Where did you find her?
In the gym. She owns it.
So she was hit? Yes.
It was me. She was distracted and I hit her.
She's freezing. And in shock. Already decompensating.
She's unstable. She needs theatre.
Mm. Emergency exploratory laparotomy.
I can assist. No, you stay here, where I can find you.
Mr Hasan, let's see how much you've forgotten about
the surgical abdomen, shall we?
Liver looks OK.
No sign of small bowel perforation.
Here's our problem.
Looks like a grade 3 rupture. Agreed.
Prep for a splenectomy, please, Sister.
Or we can try to conserve it? The bleeding's stopped.
Blood pressure?
120 systolic. Pulse steady.
All right, but if I'm not convinced, it comes out, OK?
No problem. Knife, please, Sister.
Hey.
Hey, Bobby. You are not to leave your bed,
Dr Nair was very clear about...
Baya weaver. What?
A male is meant to make up to 500 trips to create its nest.
They weave them with their bills.
People don't think that birds are smart.
You know a crow is more intelligent than a chimpanzee?
Tool use, logical reasoning. They're way ahead.
OK, please. If your mother finds you out here,
she will actually kill me.
She worries too much.
There's nothing wrong with me. That's why you sent me home.
How much do they cost?
Is it a flat rate, or do they have a meter?
I don't know. Like, a few rupees? I don't use them, I have a car.
OK, can we, please, get you back to bed?
May I use your stethoscope? No!
You have good hands, Mr Hasan.
Surprised the Royal College let you leave.
Truthfully, they begged me to stay.
It was actually quite embarrassing. Mm-hmm.
Right, I'll supervise recovery,
you go and give Dr Walker the good news.
Oh, and can you tell her to come and see me, please?
You're the boss. Don't forget it.
HE CHUCKLES
Nothing?!
What happened to the baby-faced assassin?
Mr McConnell, if you'd merely murdered someone,
we wouldn't have a problem. This is immigration!
Listen, we have funds. So perhaps a donation?
To a favourite charity?
I checked. Not a chance. Refused point blank.
I don't know what's happening to this country
when an honest lawyer can't bribe a government official.
It's terrible. So, what do I do now?
That, I can't tell you.
But, please, be rest assured, if I can't fix this, no-one can.
What's that? My bill.
I prefer cash.
He prefers cash!
SHE KNOCKS You wanted to see me?
Yeah, come in. Sit down.
I don't appreciate my medical staff creating work for me.
Being rude to irritating relatives is one thing,
but rupturing spleens is quite another, so...
my question is a simple one. What the hell is going on?
I'm angry.
It's just there.
I think I can control it, but up it comes again.
When I hit her...
..when I threw that punch...
..I remember exactly what I felt.
I wanted to hurt her.
I wanted her to feel pain.
Not her.
Someone.
This is a demanding job. Everybody wants something from you.
They expect you to be perfect,
but if you slip up, they'll crucify you.
And that kind of pressure can leave you hating the world
for dumping all its problems at your door. But...
anger isn't the answer.
I'm hard on you for one reason and one reason only.
You're a good doctor. You could be a great one.
If you want to be.
Now, I was right about that other case.
Chronic mercury toxicity.
The levels are sky high. Do you want me to talk to them?
No. She's my patient. I'll do it.
Thank you.
Do it again.
SHE WHISPERS A PRAYER
I agree.
Definitely more signs of cortical activity.
She's waking up?
I think that's what I just said. Oh, thank God.
Excuse me, can you take me here?
No problem, Bird Man, sir. You got money?
Come on.
Impossible. My mother doesn't use skin cream.
Moisturiser, yes, she's always been careful.
But lightening? No, this is crazy.
I'm afraid there's no other explanation.
Dr Walker, let me explain to you.
We are a good family. My mother is of high caste.
A Brahmin woman.
She has no need to use these damn potions on her skin
like some peasant. You have this wrong.
Now, let me talk to Dr Fonseca, please.
The mercury in her body has affected her brain.
I'm sorry, but this confusion will never improve.
She's going to need full-time care for the rest of her life.
What do you think I have been doing? I am with her every damn day!
Trying to do my own job at the same time.
Then, my own husband accuses me of neglecting him
because there is no food on his table.
It's impossible!
But this isn't your problem, Dr Walker,
I have heard enough of your ridiculous theories.
I am taking my mother home now.
Mumma, come. We're going.
You believe her?
Her reaction seemed totally genuine. She denied everything.
Her mother doesn't use creams. Much too good for that (!)
But she has mercury in her system.
So she's right about one thing - it doesn't make sense.
Thank you, Dr Walker, I'll take it from here.
Ms Martin? We have the results of the tests
and I'm delighted to say everything is completely fine.
It was almost certainly a reaction to the heat.
But his body temperature is back to normal.
Dr Nair is satisfied.
OK. Thank you.
Erm...
I'm sorry...
about the way I spoke to you earlier.
It was rude and disrespectful. Please, please, don't apologise.
I can't imagine what it's like to be a mother in this situation.
When my cat was vomiting,
I took him to the vet three times in a single day.
Although a vomiting child is so much worse, obviously.
It was a hairball.
CHUCKLES
When they're born, they're just there, you know?
Eat, poo, sleep, repeat.
Basically doable.
Then, after about two years, they learn to walk properly and...
they actively start trying to kill themselves,
falling downstairs, dodging traffic,
eating dishwasher tablets. Dishwasher tablets?
Twice.
That stage lasts about ten years,
all of which time you've been working as some sort of unpaid,
untrained bodyguard to a nutcase.
Then, they turn 14 and start totally ignoring you.
So I would definitely stick to cats,
no matter how many hairballs they swallow.
What about your husband? Or partner?
The going got tough and he got going.
Which is fine because we're strong, independent women
who can do everything, right?
You did do it.
I mean, Bobby's a great kid. And he's completely fine, so...
that's one less thing to worry about, right?
Which is your subtle way of telling me
to collect my perfectly healthy son
and get my neurotic arse out of your hospital.
No, no, not at all. I was just saying...
I'm teasing you. SHE LAUGHS
Don't worry, we're going. And thanks.
You're a sweet girl.
Don't listen to a cynical old cow like me.
Hi. Hey!
Listen, ten years as a pro fighter
and it took a doctor to put me in hospital.
Yeah, I, erm... I came to apologise. Oh, I was in the ring, OK?
My safety is my responsibility, nobody else's.
It doesn't feel like that.
Look, I'm your coach, not your shrink.
THEY CHUCKLE
But if you do want a little bit of wisdom...
..everybody gets hit. But not everybody gets up again.
Yeah.
So, will I see you again in the gym?
Yeah.
Oh, how are you? Are you OK? Rahul, I'm fine.
Good morning.
You have a beautiful home. Thank you.
Very fortunate, my dear husband worked so hard.
Is this him, your husband?
He's very handsome.
So, when was this taken?
A long time ago. I forget.
Well...
they do say the past is another country.
What are you doing here?
We need to talk.
Dementia is a cruel disease. As I'm sure you know,
it strips away the new memories and preserves the old.
So people go backwards, they retreat into the past.
And that's why your mother called herself Bhoomy Ambedkar.
Because that's who she really is. A Dalit woman.
A woman of low caste.
An untouchable. Yes.
I think she's used these skin-lightening creams
all her adult life, believing that somehow
a lighter skin would give her a different identity.
She became Brahmin so you could be Brahmin, too.
No, it can't be true.
My father, he said nothing about this.
He loved my mother. I don't doubt that for a second.
But would his parents have approved of him marrying a Dalit woman?
In order to be together, they lived a lie.
Your father took that secret with him to the grave,
I think your mother would have done, too.
And the creams, this poison in her. There's no cure?
No, I'm afraid not. The damage is permanent.
I can't find him. He's gone. What?!
OK.
How long?
OK.
Yeah, OK. Thank you.
How long has your father known?
A few days, I think. They were waiting for tests.
And they're certain it's a gastric cancer?
Because I've seen many mistakes made in the past.
I could organise a second opinion. My sister called back.
They did the CT. It's just been confirmed.
Stage four disease. Oh, I'm so sorry.
I need to go to him now. Yes, of course.
And if there's anything else we can do... Thank you.
Ruby!
I just heard. I'm so sorry.
If you need anything, you call me, OK?
Call me later. OK.
I have to go. Yes.
OK.
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