The Departure

The Departure
A play by Brendan O’Sullivan
2007


SCENE 1 : Concourse of a large, multiple-platform City Centre railway station in a large city in North-West England



{SOUNDS - A TYPICAL LARGE RAIL STATION, TANNOY ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUARD WHISTLES, PASSENGER BUSTLE ETC}

Adam : Are you sure you’re OK with that rucksack love?

Charlotte : (struggling) Ooh, I’ll be fine. We’ll be on the train in a few minutes baby, then we can relax. This heatwave is a real killer!

Adam : It certainly is another scorcher today. We’ll get ourselves a nice cool refreshing overpriced (laughs) drink from the buffet car as soon as we’re settled baby. What time are we due off?

Charlotte : I think its 4.10, platform 12. Told mum we should be arriving about 9-ish tonight, all being well. Well, according to the clock over there we’ve got about 25 minutes to wait, shall I go and check the departures board, make sure we’re not delayed?

Adam : Yes, that’s a good idea. Erm, will you be able to look after my backpack for 5 minutes please Charlie? I just need to make a call of nature, get freshened up. Won’t be long my love, why don’t you wait for me on the benches beneath the clock? I’ll be back before you can say ‘we apologise for the delay!’ (laughs)

Charlotte : (also laughing) I hope its not delayed! Course I’ll be fine, I’m going to give mum a quick call, tell her we are more or less en route. And if you aren’t back in 5 minutes I’m going to run away with that handsome porter over there!

Adam : Wha..?! Oh you little tease, don’t fret precious, I wont be long. Do you need anything from the kiosk whilst I’m passing? A magazine or a snack or something?

Charlotte : No thanks my love, I’ll be fine. (Changes mind) Oooh, I’ll tell you what I could really eat, a chocolate bar! Oh, what’s it called, the one with nuts in? One of those, err,…

Adam : A Twix?

Charlotte : A Twix!!? With nuts in!! Its been a long time since you had some chocolate obviously Adam Wilde! No, its got a stupid name, used to be called a ‘Marathon’ years ago, but now its got a really daft name that doesn’t mean anything, oh what IS it called…

Adam : Don’t worry, I’ll find you something nice my love, I really need to go, we’ll be missing the train at this rate!

Charlotte : OK babes, see you in a couple of minutes, I‘ll be waiting for you under the big clock. (Sound of kissing) I love you Adam, hurry back my superguy!

Adam : (walking away) Love you too Charlie! (further away, shouting now) And I wont forget your SNICKERS !!

Charlotte : (to herself, warmly) The big tease!



SCENE 2 : Gentlemen’s washroom at the station


{SOUNDS - ELECTRIC HAND-DRYERS BLOW NOISILY IN FOREGROUND WITH FAINT TRAIN ANNOUNCEMENTS IN BACKGROUND}

(SOUNDS - ALL NOISES CEASE TOGETHER - SOUND OF THE DRYER DYING OUT TO SILENCE - GENERAL CONFUSED MUTTERING OF A FEW MALE VOICES}

Adam : Hey! The lights have just gone out! Is anybody there? What’s going on?

Attendant : Alright mate, hang on, I think it’s a power cut, been happenin’ all week, think it this bloomin ‘eatwave. it’s a bloomin’ joke this country, little bit too hot, or bit too cold ’n what happens? Total chaos, I blame that Fatcher an’ her mob in the 80s, crippled this country. (sniffs) Anyways, give it a minute an the power’ll come back on again, don’t worry. Like I said, been doin’ it all week. Hang on a minute pal, I‘ve got a torch in here somewhere, wont be a sec - {SOUND OF SOMEONE TRIPPING OVER A BUCKET} Aww, blinkin ‘eck, who left that there…..(Toilet Attendant angrily mutters to himself)

Adam : I hope it wont delay the trains too much, this power failure.

Attendant : Nah mate, you’ll be alright, be back up an runnin’ in a minute like it never happened, no harm done, well, apart from a few frazzled laptops in the First Class Departures Lounge (chuckles weakly), god knows how they cope in Africa with heat like this, I mean, its not as if…. {SOUNDS OF DRYERS AND OTHER MACHINERY WHIRRING BACK TO LIFE} There ya go mate, what did I tell ya, back up in a minute, been happenin all week like.

Adam : Yes, you did say so, thanks for that. See you again.

Attendant : Yeah, see ya again mate, take care, an’ you might wanna get yerself a torch til this heat dies off!

Adam : (mild laugh) Yes, I might just do that. Thanks again, see you now.



SCENE 3 : The benches beneath the station clock - No sign of Charlotte


{SOUNDS - LOUD TANNOY ANNOUNCEMENTS, APOLOGISING FOR POWER CUTS ETC, MORE WHISTLES, PASSENGERS, TRAIN SOUNDS}

Adam : Excuse me sir, sorry to bother you but did you see where the young lady who was sat with this luggage went?

Man on Seat : {SOUND OF NEWSPAPER RUSTLING} Beg your pardon young man where you talking to me?

Adam : Yes. Sorry, you see, this case and rucksack are my girlfriends and mine, I said I’d meet her here after I’d been to, well, I’m supposed to meet her, we’ve got a train to catch you see?

Man on Seat : Oh. I literally sat down just as you walked up, what does she look like?

Adam : Well, she’s about (indicates height with hand) this tall, she’s got long dark hair, she‘s only 20, and she’s wearing a green army-type jacket, and a black skirt with grey leggings underneath. (A little worriedly) Didn’t she ask you to mind the cases or anything?

Man on Seat : I’m sorry young man, like I say I’ve been here barely a minute. I cant say I’ve seen her. You sound positively panicked! I’m sure she’s just nipped to the shop, or to the ladies or something, don’t fret son, she can’t have gone far.

Adam : Hmm, I s’pose you’re right. (almost to himself) But why leave our cases? (Louder, to man on seat) Well, thanks anyway, I’d best wait here for her then.

Lady on Seat : ‘Scuse me love, I overheard ya just then, and I’m pretty sure that I saw the girl you’re on about go over there, towards those platforms, see that big glass door that says 9 to 12, I’m sure she went through there.

Adam : Really? Oh thanks, wonderful, thanks. I bet she’s checking on our train!
Imagine just leaving the bags alone here, in this day and age, honest, she can be so scatterbrained sometimes!

Lady on Seat : (laughs sadly) Another 5 minutes and they’d have been blowing up your clothes. Ooh, it’s a sad state of affairs, all these terrorists and what-not these days.

Adam : (struggling with luggage) Yes, it is. Anyway, I’d best go and catch up with her, thanks again for your help.

Lady on Seat : Oh that’s OK love, hope you find her, you take care now young man!



SCENE 4 : Beside the train at platform number 12 of the station


{SOUNDS: QUITE LOUD SOUNDS OF TRAIN WARMING UP FOR DEPARTURE, GUARD ANNOUNCING BOARDING CALL FOR THE 4.10pm TRAIN TO NORWICH}

Adam : (Breathlessly) Excuse me, guard, is this the Norwich train?

Guard : That’s right. No rush lad, you’ve got about ten minutes or so yet! Oh, do you need a lift with these bags, you look a bit overloaded there.

Adam : Oh yeah, erm actually could you just watch them for me a moment please? I’ve lost my girlfriend and I just wanted to check if she’s got on the train already. Would that be O.K.? I wont be more than a couple of minutes I promise.

Guard : We-e-ell I shouldn’t really you know, safety precautions and all being what they are, but you look like a nice lad, go on then. But don’t be long, I’ve gotta see this train out on time!

Adam : OK, Thanks By the way, has a young woman been along this way recently? She‘s 20, wearing a green army jacket?

Guard : There’s been quite a few young ladies passed this way, busy train today, must be end of term. Cant say I remember a green jacket, but like I say, its been busy. Hurry up lad, 8 minutes til its off!

Adam : OK, back in a minute!

{SOUNDS OF ADAM BOARDING THE TRAIN AND BEGINNING TO SEARCH ALONG THE AISLE}

Adam : (Voice raised) Charlotte! Charlie! (Bumping past people on the train) Excuse me, Sorry, ‘scuse me! CHARLOTTE! (To himself, anger thinly masking rising worry) Where the bloody hell are you woman!!

{SOUND OF A BABY CRYING, GENERAL BUSTLE ON TRAIN AS PASSENGERS SETTLE DOWN FOR DEPARTURE}

Angry Woman : (Hisses) Excuse Me, do you mind not shouting! You’ve just woken my baby up!

Adam : Sorry, I’m really sorry, I’ve, err, I’m looking for someone, sorry didn’t
mean to wake the baby.

Angry Woman : Well you did, (sarcastically) thanks a bunch! People these days, no consideration for anybody else, if its not shouting, its MP3 players, or mobile bloody phones (woman continues to mumble complaints, mainly to herself, gradually becoming inaudible)

Adam : Of course! The phone!

Angry Woman : Wha??

{PHONE DIGITS BEING PRESSED, WE HEAR RINGING THEN A RECORDED VOICE MESSAGE}

Phone : (Charlottes Voice) Hi, you’ve reached Charlotte, aren’t you lucky! (giggles) I’m WAAAY too busy to take your call but if you leave me a message I MIGHT get back to you (more giggling, followed by an automated tone)

Adam : (Panicking, speaking to answerphone) Charlotte, its me Adam, I’m on the train, looking for you! Where in gods name have you got to? I’m really worried here love, ring me back PLEASE!! If I’ve not heard from you before this train leaves I’m going to ring your mum. I hope you’re alright baby, I love you girl, Please, please call me as soon as you get this message!

Conductor : Tickets please! ‘Scuse me, could I see your ticket?

Adam : My girlfriends got them, but I cant find her.

Conductor : Ya cant travel without a ticket mate, If ya don’t show me your ticket you’ll have to leave the train. We’re departing in (looks at watch) about 2 minutes.

Adam : I’ve been right through all the carriages and I cant see her anywhere . . . .

Conductor : Well maybe she aint on the train mate, like you shouldn’t be without a valid ticket

Adam : OK, OK. Err, What times the next Norwich train anyway?

Conductor : Every hour til 10 o’clock. C’mon mate, off ya go, else I’ll have to charge ya!

{SOUND OF TRAIN DOOR CLOSING, A LONG WHISTLE THEN THE TRAIN LEAVING THE PLATFORM}

Guard : (Shouting) Hey! You there lad! Your cases are still over here! I was just about to call the transport police and get them . . . . hey, are feeling alright son? You look really pale lad, is anything wrong? (Pauses thoughtfully) Still not found your young lady then I take it? Listen, I’m sure there’s a perfectly simple explanation and she’ll come waltzing round the corner in a minute.

Adam : (Voice breaking with emotion - denoted by italics) I wish I could believe you. I’m getting really, really worried now, I mean she wouldn’t disappear like this, she just wouldn’t! What am I going to do if she doesn’t turn up soon? We’ve already missed our train, its so unlike her! I’ve tried ringing her mobile, nothing, God, what am I going to do?

Guard : Look, you’re getting yourself all worked up, there could be just a simple explanation why she hasn’t come back yet. If you are really worried though lad, the best I can suggest is have a word with the station police. There’s a security office near the main entrance, just over past the coffee shop. I mean, she’s bound to show up on the CCTV cameras at least. I’ll buzz them on me radio, so they know you’re coming and let you in. (Sympathetic sigh) Don’t worry so much lad, it’ll be fine, you’ll see!

Adam : Thanks, I suppose I AM getting a little carried away with worry. And thanks for the suggestion about the CCTV, yes that sounds like a good idea, I’ll go and see them now. Think I’ll give Charlottes mum a call as well, tell her we’ll be late and just check if she’s heard from her. Thanks again for your help!
Guard : Not a problem young man, you take care now and I’m sure you’ll find her soon. See you! (few seconds pause) Hey, don’t forget your bags, don’t want to lose them as well do you! (laughs)

{GENERIC RAILWAY STATION BACKGROUND SOUNDS, MUFFLED TANNOY ANNOUNCEMENTS, PASSENGER BUSTLE, TRAIN ENGINES ETC}

{WE HEAR MOBILE PHONE BUTTONS BEING PRESSED, FOLLOWED BY A RINGING TONE}

Phone : (In a smug, pseudo-sincere automated accent) I’m sorry, the person you are calling is not available to take your call at the moment, please leave a message after the tone {BEEEP!}

Adam : (Awkwardly) Hello, err, hi Mrs Houghton, its Adam, Adam Wilde, Charlottes boyfriend. I was, well, I’m just calling to say we’re delayed and going to be late this evening. Well, its, I was wondering if Charlotte had been in touch, we seem to have become separated at the station, (weak laugh) I’m just a bit, not worried exactly but, well, yes a little worried, I mean you hear about things happening on the news and your mind gets ahead of itself. I’m sure she’s around here somewhere, and I don’t want to alarm you Mrs Houghton, but if she calls you before you hear from me again would you please ask her to get in touch on my mobile? Thank you, and like I say please don’t fret I’m sure she’ll turn up soon, cant get rid of me that easily! (nervous laugh), sorry to bother you, and I’ll call back later, Bye.



SCENE 5 - The Security Office at the station


{KNOCK AT THE DOOR}

Policewoman : (Speaking through door intercom) Hello, can I help you?

Adam : Yes, I hope so. My names Adam, Adam Wilde and basically I’m getting worried sick because I cant find my girlfriend. The guard on platform 12 sent me over here to speak to somebody, anybody who could help me. he said he’d let you know I was coming.

Policewoman : Rrright. (Few seconds pause) Just one moment, when I press the buzzer, pull the door and come through, pull it hard mind, because it tends to get stuck in this hot weather!

Adam : O.K.

{SOUND OF AN ELECTRONIC DOOR BUZZER BEING ACTIVATED}

Adam : I’m pulling but the door wont open!

Policewoman : (Exasperated sigh) Hang on a minute, I’m going to have to come down and open it for you.

{SOUND OF AN EXTREMELY HEAVY DOOR BEING UNLOCKED, KICKED, AND EVENTUALLY OPENING WITH A NOSEBLEED-INDUCING SCRAPE}

Adam : Do you want me to pull from this side?

Policewoman : (Puffing & Panting) If you would please! God help us if there was a fire eh? We’d probably die of heart attack trying to open this flippin’ door! (Clears throat in order to establish authority-figure status with herself) Right young man, if you’d care to follow me into the office, lets see what we can do for you.

Adam : Right. Well, where to start?, Firstly I want you to understand I’m not a . . .

Policewoman : (Interrupting) Whoa! Slow down! Would you care to take a seat? I’m going to need to take a few details first. Just procedure, then you can tell me what you aren’t. Wont be a moment, would you like a coffee, or tea?

Adam : No, thanks though. Sorry about that, I’m just very worried and feel like I’m going mad.

Policewoman : O.K. (Brief pause) {Sound of papers being shuffled} Now then, my names Constable Benedetti (smile in her voice) yeah, me dads from Palermo, in Italy. Errm, but you can call me Angela if you like. And you are? Adam wasn’t it?

Adam : Yes. My names Adam, Adam Wilde. No middle name. I’m from Prestwich in Manchester. I’m a student, we both were, are. (gasps with emotional anguish)

Policewoman : {Sound of writing} Right. Now then Adam, what seems to have got you so upset today? You said something about your friend. . .

Adam : My girlfriend. I’ve lost my girlfriend, well, fiancé, well, I hadn’t actually asked her but was going to this weekend. I only nipped to the gents, cant have been gone more than 5 minutes and I came back and she’d just . . . (struggling for words) disappeared.

Policewoman : And where and what time did this take place approximately?

Adam : Oh, I don’t know exactly, maybe all within the last half hour, if that. It feels like a lifetime though! Look, the guard mentioned you have the station CCTV cameras here, I was hoping you could find her on there. Or what about an announcement over the station tannoy for her?

Policewoman : Mmm, don’t think we’re allowed to override the tannoy system without proper authority, a directive from the powers that be. But maybe we can come back to that, lets just get a few more details down so we have a clearer picture of what’s what. O.K? (kindly) Don’t worry Adam, we’ll track her down for you. Now then, what’s the name of your fiancé?

Adam : Charlotte, Charlotte Houghton. Her family are from Norwich, that’s where we were going today. Charlotte & I met at Uni, Manchester University and we’ve been going out for 2 years now. God I love her so much! (bursts into tears)

Policewoman : (In a gentle voice) Here, looks like you need a tissue. Adam, I PROMISE you we’ll find her, don’t worry, by tonight you’ll be laughing about this together.

Adam : (Almost inaudibly) I hope so.

Policewoman : So, can you describe what she was wearing Adam?

Adam : (distractedly) Err, yes, she had a green army style camouflage jacket on, and a black skirt with grey tights, leggings or whatever they’re called.

Policewoman : O.K. Got that down. So, you went to the toilets, and presumably said you’d meet up with (pauses to look at notes) Charlotte, and she wasn’t there.

Adam : Yes, on the benches under the station clock. I wasn’t gone even 5 minutes, (guilt in voice) I even forgot to buy the chocolate bar she asked me to get for her.

Policewoman : So, what did you do then?

Adam : Well, our cases were there, she was minding them while I was gone, and an old lady who was on the bench said she thought she’d seen Charlotte heading towards the platform. So I thought she might have gone to see if our train was on time or not, you know, with the weather and everything.

Policewoman : Yes, it IS ridiculously hot at the moment. And what then?

Adam : I don’t know. I felt a bit panicked because I just know deep down she just WOULDN’T leave our bags unattended unless there was a really good, or bad reason to. Well, going off what the old lady said, I went to platform 12 to check out the Norwich train.

Policewoman : But she wasn’t there either?

Adam : (Sarcastically angrily) Yes, I‘m just here for a laugh. (Shouts) NO! SHE WASN’T THERE EITHER! (coughs) I’m sorry, I’m really, really sorry. I know you’re trying to help, I just feel like I’m going to explode with panic. Sorry again.

Policewoman : Its O.K. I understand this must be very upsetting for you, don’t worry, I’ve got skin thicker than an overweight whale! (laughs weakly) You develop it quickly in this job. So, then you came down here?

Adam : Well, the guard at the platform was kind enough to watch my bags whilst I searched the train carriages. I went right from one end to the other - I couldn’t have missed her - I checked the toilets, nothing. Then I spoke to the guard who sent me over here. And now I just feel, I can’t even describe it. I feel totally unreal, like I’m in a bubble, or a bad dream or something, I just . . . (trails off into deep breaths - like slow-hyperventilating)

Policewoman : O.K. Adam. Well, you seem like a nice young man to me, and I do feel your concern believe me, but I need to ask a few questions you mightn’t appreciate, but, as they say, its me job.

Adam : I know, that’s alright. We’ve not had a row or anything like that, if that’s what you mean. She’s just so gentle, considerate, you know? Its totally against her nature to just go off like this.

Policewoman : O.K. Fair enough. Have you tried calling her mobile? I’m assuming she has one of course.

Adam : It just went to the answering machine, I left her a message, same with her mums number as well, you know, just in case she’d been in touch with home for any reason.

Policewoman : I see. So, hmmm, seems like we have a bit of a mystery on our hands, which, hopefully, we can solve through the magical medium of closed circuit cameras. I’ll just ring my partner upstairs on the camera console. We’ll get to the bottom of this in no time.

{SOUND OF PHONE DIGITS BEING PRESSED}

Policewoman : Hiya Greg, only little old me! (Pause as muffled voice on other end of phone replies) Yeah, me too chuck, roll on tea time eh? (Pause - Angela laughs) Listen mate, I’ve got a young lad here who has unfortunately become separated from his girlfriend. Could we come upstairs and have a look over the last, say 45 minutes, see if he can spot her? (Muffled voice replies over phone) Oh, right, I see. Well, that’s been no bloody help at all! Thanks anyway Greg, you can go back to sleep now! (laughs) bye!

Adam : What’s wrong? What is it?

Policewoman : Well, there was a power-cut earlier today, been a couple actually, and Greg, the officer upstairs has just informed me that the system reset and has wiped all the footage for this afternoon, and the software engineers are still trying to get all the cameras up and running again. Sorry.

Adam : (cries) Oh, no, I forgot about the power cut! (moaning) Oh, I’m never going to find her! Charlotte! What am I going to do? Is there no film at all? Some back-up power or SOMETHING?

Policewoman : Listen Adam, I’m only sharing what Greg told me, at the end of the day we’re police officers, not electrical experts! But please, try not to get too overwrought, she IS out there somewhere, its just a matter of us finding out where that somewhere IS. And we will, don’t doubt it for a second love.

Adam : (Full of indecision & paranoia now) What if she’s been taken by somebody? Kidnapped or tricked into going off somewhere with people who want to hurt her? I need to find her before anything bad happens to her! She’s not the type to, she just wouldn’t go off like that though? I mean, she’s very, sweet, and good natured but she’s not gullible, you know? She’s pretty street-smart to the way the world can be these days, but what if . . .

Policewoman : Shh, shh, shhhh! Calm down, Please! Listen to yourself, she’s been out of your sight for less than an hour, most probably for a perfectly plausible reason, and already your constructing a scenario from a horror film in your mind. Listen Adam, now getting yourself into a state like this wont help you, or us to find Charlotte, but in my 6 years experience as a police officer, people aren’t abducted in broad daylight from busy rail stations. Missing people usually turn up within the first 12 to 24 hours, mostly a lot sooner. She may have felt sick and gone to the ladies room, or maybe she got herself a little lost? You said she doesn’t come from around here. In fact, she’s probably wandering around the station worrying like crazy about you, it IS a big station after all!

Adam : I wish I could believe you, but these feelings I have in my gut, deep down tell me that things aren’t fine, that possibly she is in trouble and needs me to find her, and yes I know you’ll say its only panicked emotion but it just feels wrong!

Policewoman : O.K. (pauses thoughtfully) Hmm, I think the best plan of attack would be that we co-ordinate a search of the immediate area, and maybe you could try her mobile again, or see if she has been in contact with her mother. Look, believe it or not, the general public can be very observant, and if we ask around I’m sure we’ll get a good lead on her, and get you back together again. Sound like a plan?

Adam : (unenthusiastic) Yes, I suppose.

Policewoman : Right, lets head down to the clock, we’ll start by retracing your steps just to see what we see, leave your things here for now, I’ll just inform my partner of events OK? If you want to wait outside the door, Maybe try the mobile again, you wont get a signal in here unfortunately! I’ll be right behind you Adam.

Adam : OK. (to self) God, I just hope she answers. . . Oh Charlotte, where ARE you my love?

{SOUND OF ADAM WALKING DOWN AND OPENING THE STIFF DOOR}

Adam : Oh no, I feel really light-headed, PLEASE SOMEONE,HELP. . .

{SOUND OF A BODY SLUMPING TO THE FLOOR}

Onlooker : Hey, that guys just fainted! Hey, man, you O.K.?

{SOUND OF RAILWAY AND ANNOUNCMENTS GRADUALLY MERGES INTO THE SOUND OF AN ANNOUNCEMENT OBVIOUSLY IN A HOSPITAL }



SCENE 6 - The psychiatric ward of a hospital



Mrs Wilde : (flustered and worry in her voice) Excuse me, is this Ward 27? I’m looking for the psychiatry department

Janitor : Certainly is madam, jut through the main door on your left.

Mrs Wilde : Thank you. It isn’t very well sign-posted is it, not easy to find at all!

Janitor : Prob’ly don’t want to advertise the fact that its full o’ nutters do they? (laughs to himself)

Mrs Wilde : (Indignantly) My sons in there I’ll have you know, and he’s not mad!

Janitor : Sorry love.

Mrs Wilde : How in gods name did you get a job here with an attitude like that, its disgraceful!

Janitor : Take it up with the employment agency love, I just go where they tell me. Sorry, didn’t mean to offend ya like.

Mrs Wilde : Well, thank you for your err, help, anyway.

{SOUND OF HEAVY DOOR SWINGING OPEN, AND A VERY LOW VOLUME TV SET IN THE BACKGROUND PLAYING A LOCAL NEWS STATION}

{SOUND OF AN INTERCOM BUZZER BEING PRESSED, FOLLOWED BY A STATIC CRACKLE}

Admin Lady : Hello, Psychiatry. Can I help you?

Mrs Wilde : Yes, my names Lynette Wilde, I received a phone call informing me that you had my son here. His names Adam, he’s 26 years old.

Receptionist : One moment please.

{PHONE RINGS IN THE BACKGROUND, A BRIEF INDESCERNIBLE CONVERSATION TAKES PLACE}

Receptionist : OK, I’ll buzz you through now, push the door hard though, it tends to get a bit stuck in this hot weather!

{DOOR BUZZER SOUNDS, THEN DOOR SQUEAKS OPEN PAINFULLY}

Mrs Wilde : (Panicked) Excuse me, nurse! I’m here for my son, Adam, what’s wrong? I just received a call at work and came straight down.

Receptionist : Hello Mrs Wilde, if you’d just like to take a seat for a moment, I’ve informed the doctor dealing with your son of your arrival, she should be along in a couple of minutes.

Mrs Wilde : Is he OK? What’s going on? Nobody would tell me anything over the phone, is he injured? Please just tell me he’s going to be alright, at least.

Receptionist : I’m truly sorry Mrs Wilde, I don’t really have any information to give you. As I said, the doctor has will be along any second to speak with you. (Sympathetically) I have a son of a similar age so I can imagine you must be extremely worried, but believe me he’s in the best hands possible here, trust me.

Mrs Wilde : It’s totally out of the blue, I mean, I left for work this morning and he was fine, all things considered, then I came back from my tea break and they asked me to ring the hospital as a matter of emergency. Are you SURE he’s not hurt?

Receptionist : Well, all I know is that . . . Oh, here’s the doctor now. (to the doctor) Doctor, this is Mrs Wilde, Adams mother.

Doctor : Thank you. (To Mrs Wilde) Good afternoon . . .

Mrs Wilde : Lynette, you can call me Lynette. Is my son alright?

Doctor : He‘s going to be fine, Lynette. He’s sedated at the moment but we can go along to his room now if you like. Don’t worry, he’s in safe hands, we’re very hopeful he’s going to be fine again soon.

Mrs Wilde : Yes, I‘d really like to see him now please. I thought I was going to black out all the way over here in the car, they just called me at work and told me he’d been taken into hospital, I mean, you imagine the worst don’t you? What’s wrong with my Adam doctor?

{SOUND OF DOCTOR & MRS WILDE WALKING ALONG ECHOEY HOSPITAL CORRIDOR}

Doctor : Oh, how rude of me. My names Doctor Benedetti, (laughs) my fathers Italian, but I’m Manchester born and bred! Look, as far as we can see, he was found collapsed near an railway line in the city centre, the man who called the ambulance thought he’d been beaten up at first, but . .

Mrs Wilde : The railway! Oh, Adam!

Doctor : Well, he was checked over by the physicians in casualty but he appeared quite well, apart from quite underweight, but he began to get very agitated and was shouting that his girlfriend had been kidnapped, then, well along with a few other things he said it was thought best to bring him over to the psychiatry department, he seems very confused then became extremely upset, inconsolable so we took the decision to give him a sedative and let his mind and body get some well-needed rest.

Mrs Wilde : You know, you said he thought his girlfriend had been taken?

Doctor : Yes, he’s been calling for Charlotte all the time since he’s been here, he’s been quite a handful, keeps trying to wander into our nurses station to check if the CCTV has been fixed, almost as if he thinks he’s somewhere else.

Mrs Wilde : (crying softly to herself) Charlotte! Oh my poor baby Adam, oh please god help him!

Doctor : (Voice of concern) Mrs Wilde, is everything O.K.? You look pale. Well, here we are, Adams room, I think you best sit down, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.

Mrs Wilde : Oh Adam, my poor love! (Sounds of kisses and tears) Can he hear me? I mean, how long will he be asleep for?

Doctor : Maybe an hour, maybe a minute, its difficult to tell, he’s woken 4 or 5 times already when he should be in a deep sleep, obviously his mind is fighting to stay conscious. Now, how about you, you look terrible, if you don’t mind my saying, would you like a seat? A cup of tea?

Mrs Wilde : I FEEL terrible. Its like the past coming back to haunt me.

Doctor : How do you mean, I don’t think I follow Mrs Wilde.

Mrs Wilde : Well, Adam doesn’t have a girlfriend, at least not any more. One night 6 years ago he and his fiancé were coming home from a night on the town, I think they’d been to watch a band, and they decided to take a short-cut across the railway that backs on to the houses a few streets from our home. Adam had stopped to, well, to do what young men full of beer do when nature calls. Poor Charlotte carried on alone, and tripped on the track, she was hit by an Express train travelling through to Norwich, died instantly.

Doctor : Oh, thats awful! the poor thing! And how did Adam deal with it?

Mrs Wilde : Well, he was obviously distraught, they had both been together since meeting at University, oh she was such a lovely girl, but after the accident, he blamed himself, became very isolated, very depressed, so we urged him to visit a counsellor, to help with the grieving process, and after a few months he seemed to improve and want to get on with his life.

Doctor : Well, latent memories can be activated under times of extreme duress or if the persons health is under par for long periods, maybe there is some . . .

Mrs Wilde : Today was the 6th anniversary, if that’s the right word, of her death, but every other year on this day, we would go and attend her grave with him, and he would leave flowers, then visit her parents. But last year he said in order to move on completely he wasn’t going to do it anymore, which I thought was brave, but he seemed content with his decision so I assumed that was that.

Adam : (groggily) Mum? Where, where am I? Have they found Charlotte yet? I only nipped to the toilet, wasn’t gone a minute . . .

{ANGUISHED CRIES FROM MRS WILDE}

Doctor : Adam, Charlottes gone, she’s been gone for 6 years Adam. You have to accept it. Please, if you want to get better, just try to remember.

Adam : Oh, hello again officer! I think I fainted, did you manage to get the CCTV working again? (Concerned) I really need to find out what’s happened to Charlotte, could you ring her mum for me, see if she’s been in touch. . .

Mrs Wilde : (Loudly, distraught emotionally) Oh lord, please help, give me my son back!

END