The Great Adventure: A Play of Fancy in Four ActsBennett, Arnold
General
The Great Adventure: A Play of Fancy in Four Acts
Bennett, Arnold
English drama
PASCOE. You may say I've been quick. (As he bends down to SHAWN,
addressing CARVE.) Get me a wine glass of clean cold water. (To
SHAWN.) Now, please. I want you to drink a little brandy and water.
(SHAWN makes no response.) By Jove! (The doctor pours some of the
brandy and water down SHAWN'S throat.)
CARVE. (Who has been wandering about vaguely.) I don't think we've got
a wine glass. There's a cup, but I suppose that isn't medical enough.
PASCOE. (Taking a syringe from his pocket and unscrewing it.) Pour
some water in it. (CARVE obeys.) Now, hold it.
CARVE. (Indicating syringe.) What is this device? PASCOE. This device?
I'm going to get some strychnine into him by injection. Steady with that
cup, now!
(Pascoe drops a tablet into the syringe and screws it up again,
draws a little water up into the syringe and shakes the syringe.
Then he goes to SHAWN to make the injection, on the top side of
the patient's forearm. CARVE still holds the cup out
mechanically.)
PASCOE. I've done with that cup.
CARVE. (Putting the cup down.) Might I ask what's the matter with him?
PASCOE. Pneumonia is the matter.
(Noise of some one in the hall.)
CARVE. (Startled.) Surely that's some one in the hall.
PASCOE. Keep perfectly calm, my man. It's my assistant. I left the door
open on purpose for him. He's got the poultice and things. (In a loud
voice as he finishes the injection.) Come along, come along there. This
way.
(Enter EDWARD HORNING with poultice, lint, bandages, etc.)
PASCOE. Found the antiphlogistine?
EDWARD. Yes. (He looks at patient, and exchanges a glance with
PASCOE.)
PASCOE. Where's the bedroom?
CARVE. There's one there. (Pointing to double doors.)
PASCOE. (To HORNING.) We'll get him into bed now. (To CARVE.) Bed
ready?
CARVE. Yes. I--I think he was just making it up.
PASCOE. (Startled.) Does he make up his own bed?
CARVE. (Perceiving the mistake, but resuming his calm.) Always.
PASCOE. (Controlling his astonishment; looking through double doors and
opening them wider. To HORNING.) Yes, this will do. Put those things
down here a minute while we lift him.
(PASCOE and HORNING then carry the inanimate form of SHAWN
into the room behind, while CARVE hovers about uselessly.)
CARVE. Can I do anything?
PASCOE. (Indicating a chair furthest away from the double doors.) You
see that chair?
CARVE. I see it.
PASCOE. Go and sit on it.
(Exeunt PASCOE and HORNING, back, closing double door's.)
(After walking about, CARVE sits down on another chair. A bell
rings twice. He pays no attention. Then enter JANET CANNOT, L.
CARVE jumps up, but is inarticulate, though very favourably
interested.)
JANET. (Smiling sympathetically.) I rang twice.
CARVE. The bell must be out of order.
JANET. I couldn't be sure, but I don't think it's the bell that's out of
order.
CARVE. Oh! You think I'm out of order.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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