WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.460 align:middle line:90% 00:00:02.460 --> 00:00:08.760 align:middle line:84% The second scene has to do with-- 00:00:08.760 --> 00:00:11.970 align:middle line:84% its much later on in book, about halfway through. 00:00:11.970 --> 00:00:19.640 align:middle line:84% It has to do with Mr. Flood's first exacerbation. 00:00:19.640 --> 00:00:23.730 align:middle line:84% And for those of you who never grovelled 00:00:23.730 --> 00:00:30.360 align:middle line:84% around the courses of a pre-medical major, 00:00:30.360 --> 00:00:32.740 align:middle line:84% this simply means the heightening of the disease 00:00:32.740 --> 00:00:33.240 align:middle line:90% itself. 00:00:33.240 --> 00:00:35.760 align:middle line:90% 00:00:35.760 --> 00:00:38.190 align:middle line:84% These kinds of things the way I understand them, 00:00:38.190 --> 00:00:41.700 align:middle line:84% the diseases go in remissions and in exacerbations. 00:00:41.700 --> 00:00:46.230 align:middle line:84% And exacerbations is when you feel the direct effects 00:00:46.230 --> 00:00:48.840 align:middle line:90% of the disease. 00:00:48.840 --> 00:00:50.730 align:middle line:84% And it has to do also as you'll find out 00:00:50.730 --> 00:00:55.470 align:middle line:84% with Mr. Flood's weight loss, which goes along 00:00:55.470 --> 00:00:58.200 align:middle line:84% with this particular exacerbation. 00:00:58.200 --> 00:01:03.180 align:middle line:84% And I think you'll also see how the relationship 00:01:03.180 --> 00:01:07.590 align:middle line:84% between the two men has begun to deepen 00:01:07.590 --> 00:01:13.530 align:middle line:84% according to their situation and to their needs. 00:01:13.530 --> 00:01:18.390 align:middle line:84% The bulk of this scene-- and it's a fairly long, as long 00:01:18.390 --> 00:01:21.660 align:middle line:84% as what I'm going to do, has to do 00:01:21.660 --> 00:01:29.100 align:middle line:84% with the arrival in the hospital room of a television set 00:01:29.100 --> 00:01:36.120 align:middle line:84% that has been sent to Mr. Flood by his son who is named Gail. 00:01:36.120 --> 00:01:42.060 align:middle line:84% And there is one other character in the next scene. 00:01:42.060 --> 00:01:46.170 align:middle line:84% And it's a nurse by the name of Miss Scarlet. 00:01:46.170 --> 00:01:50.560 align:middle line:84% And she is really the only visible-- 00:01:50.560 --> 00:01:54.360 align:middle line:84% as far as the book is concerned, visible humanitarian 00:01:54.360 --> 00:01:55.395 align:middle line:90% on the hospital staff. 00:01:55.395 --> 00:02:04.490 align:middle line:90% 00:02:04.490 --> 00:02:09.650 align:middle line:84% "Mr. Flood's exacerbation continued relentlessly. 00:02:09.650 --> 00:02:12.620 align:middle line:84% He fought the pain and slamming sensations 00:02:12.620 --> 00:02:17.270 align:middle line:84% that went through him for just under a day, 00:02:17.270 --> 00:02:21.410 align:middle line:84% then he gave up and let the thing run its course. 00:02:21.410 --> 00:02:23.930 align:middle line:84% In periods of semi consciousness, 00:02:23.930 --> 00:02:29.270 align:middle line:84% he called, and called for water, but no one gave him any. 00:02:29.270 --> 00:02:31.490 align:middle line:84% Occasionally, Mr. Miller would tell him 00:02:31.490 --> 00:02:36.290 align:middle line:84% that he couldn't have any but Mr. flood did not hear him. 00:02:36.290 --> 00:02:38.990 align:middle line:84% The IVs they ran did not stay even 00:02:38.990 --> 00:02:43.250 align:middle line:84% with Mr. Flood's loss of fluids and he had periods 00:02:43.250 --> 00:02:46.520 align:middle line:90% where he felt he was shrinking. 00:02:46.520 --> 00:02:48.710 align:middle line:84% When he came out of the exacerbation 00:02:48.710 --> 00:02:53.900 align:middle line:84% after almost three days, he had lost 17 pounds. 00:02:53.900 --> 00:02:58.110 align:middle line:84% He gained back four of them within two days. 00:02:58.110 --> 00:03:02.690 align:middle line:84% But the other 13 pounds were gone for good. 00:03:02.690 --> 00:03:05.990 align:middle line:84% When he was able to get up two days later, 00:03:05.990 --> 00:03:11.000 align:middle line:84% he asked Mr. Miller if he had ever lost that kind of weight. 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:15.990 align:middle line:84% No, Mr. Miller told him without looking up from his book. 00:03:15.990 --> 00:03:16.670 align:middle line:90% What's it mean? 00:03:16.670 --> 00:03:18.620 align:middle line:90% Mr. Flood asked. 00:03:18.620 --> 00:03:21.170 align:middle line:84% It just gets you down to fighting weight, 00:03:21.170 --> 00:03:23.970 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller said. 00:03:23.970 --> 00:03:25.470 align:middle line:90% How come I get it and you don't? 00:03:25.470 --> 00:03:27.440 align:middle line:90% Mr. Flood asked. 00:03:27.440 --> 00:03:29.540 align:middle line:84% Don't you know anything about cancer? 00:03:29.540 --> 00:03:31.550 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller asked. 00:03:31.550 --> 00:03:36.120 align:middle line:84% If you've got it, you know enough, Mr. Flood said. 00:03:36.120 --> 00:03:41.522 align:middle line:84% Q, Mr. Miller answered, just like a tough leading man. 00:03:41.522 --> 00:03:42.980 align:middle line:84% I guess you've got everything there 00:03:42.980 --> 00:03:46.670 align:middle line:84% is to know about it somewhere in your head, Mr. Flood said. 00:03:46.670 --> 00:03:50.460 align:middle line:84% As a matter of fact, Mr. Miller said. 00:03:50.460 --> 00:03:55.460 align:middle line:84% What I'd like to know is why about it, Mr. flood said. 00:03:55.460 --> 00:03:58.580 align:middle line:90% Knowledge, Mr. Miller answered. 00:03:58.580 --> 00:04:00.020 align:middle line:90% What good is it? 00:04:00.020 --> 00:04:01.730 align:middle line:90% Mr. Flood said. 00:04:01.730 --> 00:04:05.150 align:middle line:84% It makes one understand, Mr. Miller said. 00:04:05.150 --> 00:04:08.270 align:middle line:84% Knowing things is all right, Mr. Flood said. 00:04:08.270 --> 00:04:13.100 align:middle line:84% But when I know something and I can't use it, I forget it. 00:04:13.100 --> 00:04:14.120 align:middle line:90% It don't mean a thing. 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:16.860 align:middle line:90% 00:04:16.860 --> 00:04:19.910 align:middle line:84% Did you know that cancer is as old as life itself? 00:04:19.910 --> 00:04:22.100 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller said. 00:04:22.100 --> 00:04:25.280 align:middle line:84% When they told me I had the crab, that's 00:04:25.280 --> 00:04:28.190 align:middle line:84% where the disease originates its name from, 00:04:28.190 --> 00:04:31.760 align:middle line:84% I read very nearly 20 books within a week. 00:04:31.760 --> 00:04:35.300 align:middle line:84% The Greek in the original the Egyptian and Sanskrit 00:04:35.300 --> 00:04:39.110 align:middle line:84% in translation, of course, fascinating. 00:04:39.110 --> 00:04:42.470 align:middle line:84% Fossil remnants of bones millions of years old 00:04:42.470 --> 00:04:46.790 align:middle line:84% revealed a honeycombing of carcinoma. 00:04:46.790 --> 00:04:50.090 align:middle line:84% Writings 2000 years before Christ 00:04:50.090 --> 00:04:55.940 align:middle line:84% made note of ulcers, mysterious swellings, tumors, Carcinos, 00:04:55.940 --> 00:04:58.820 align:middle line:84% he went on loving the sound of his voice. 00:04:58.820 --> 00:04:59.540 align:middle line:90% What's that mean? 00:04:59.540 --> 00:05:02.120 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood asked from the edge of his bed. 00:05:02.120 --> 00:05:04.850 align:middle line:90% Crab, Mr. Miller said. 00:05:04.850 --> 00:05:11.120 align:middle line:84% The Greek word for crab, Carcinos, hence carcinoma. 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:13.070 align:middle line:84% Crab because of the tentacle like-way 00:05:13.070 --> 00:05:16.700 align:middle line:84% the disease radiates throughout the body. 00:05:16.700 --> 00:05:19.580 align:middle line:84% Did you know that Gailn, the great Roman physician 00:05:19.580 --> 00:05:25.280 align:middle line:84% identified the cause of cancer as melancholia. 00:05:25.280 --> 00:05:28.250 align:middle line:84% Can't say as I did, Mr. Flood said. 00:05:28.250 --> 00:05:30.020 align:middle line:84% Rather putting the cart before the horse, 00:05:30.020 --> 00:05:33.740 align:middle line:84% Mr. Miller said chuckling to himself. 00:05:33.740 --> 00:05:35.660 align:middle line:84% You really think that stuff's important? 00:05:35.660 --> 00:05:38.150 align:middle line:90% Mr. Flood asked. 00:05:38.150 --> 00:05:40.520 align:middle line:84% It wasn't until the Renaissance that cancer 00:05:40.520 --> 00:05:45.020 align:middle line:84% got its first serious scrutiny, Mr. Miller said. 00:05:45.020 --> 00:05:49.640 align:middle line:84% He raised the book slightly to indicate his source. 00:05:49.640 --> 00:05:52.460 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood look hard across the room at Mr. Miller 00:05:52.460 --> 00:05:57.050 align:middle line:90% and then he said, so what? 00:05:57.050 --> 00:06:00.260 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller closed his book. 00:06:00.260 --> 00:06:03.080 align:middle line:84% And after a moment he said, good point. 00:06:03.080 --> 00:06:06.000 align:middle line:90% 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:11.790 align:middle line:84% The stench in the room the next morning was unmistakable. 00:06:11.790 --> 00:06:15.150 align:middle line:84% It was noticed first by Mr. Flood 00:06:15.150 --> 00:06:20.730 align:middle line:84% who said across the room, what in hell is that? 00:06:20.730 --> 00:06:23.550 align:middle line:84% The orderly noticed it but said nothing 00:06:23.550 --> 00:06:26.430 align:middle line:84% when he brought the breakfast trays. 00:06:26.430 --> 00:06:29.880 align:middle line:84% But very soon Miss Scarlet came in and went directly 00:06:29.880 --> 00:06:32.460 align:middle line:90% to Mr. Miller. 00:06:32.460 --> 00:06:35.550 align:middle line:84% I have a day off and they don't even change your dressing, 00:06:35.550 --> 00:06:37.950 align:middle line:90% she said to him. 00:06:37.950 --> 00:06:40.230 align:middle line:84% Neglect is one of my minor difficulties, 00:06:40.230 --> 00:06:45.660 align:middle line:84% he answered, and then lay back passively in the bed. 00:06:45.660 --> 00:06:49.530 align:middle line:84% Miss Scarlet went to work quickly on him. 00:06:49.530 --> 00:06:53.310 align:middle line:84% His wound was noticeably larger, puckering up 00:06:53.310 --> 00:06:57.450 align:middle line:84% like a little volcano, and fluid ran freely 00:06:57.450 --> 00:07:00.960 align:middle line:84% from it for a few seconds after Miss Scarlet took off 00:07:00.960 --> 00:07:03.750 align:middle line:90% the last layer of gauze. 00:07:03.750 --> 00:07:06.880 align:middle line:90% She cleaned the wound carefully. 00:07:06.880 --> 00:07:09.450 align:middle line:84% And when she asked Mr. Miller if he had pain, 00:07:09.450 --> 00:07:12.270 align:middle line:90% he told her he did not. 00:07:12.270 --> 00:07:15.720 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood drank his juice but with the odor 00:07:15.720 --> 00:07:18.630 align:middle line:84% in the room as strong as it was, he quickly 00:07:18.630 --> 00:07:20.990 align:middle line:84% set the metal cover back over his plate 00:07:20.990 --> 00:07:24.480 align:middle line:90% of whitish scrambled eggs. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:27.990 align:middle line:84% As Miss Scarlet finished her dressing on Mr, Miller, 00:07:27.990 --> 00:07:32.040 align:middle line:84% the orderly came in with an aerosol can of air freshener 00:07:32.040 --> 00:07:35.790 align:middle line:84% and set it down on Mr. Miller's night table. 00:07:35.790 --> 00:07:39.060 align:middle line:84% Then Miss Scarlet stood straight again beside the bed 00:07:39.060 --> 00:07:42.300 align:middle line:84% and pulled the sheet to Mr. Miller's chin. 00:07:42.300 --> 00:07:46.770 align:middle line:84% She picked the can from the table and shook it vigorously. 00:07:46.770 --> 00:07:50.040 align:middle line:84% Then she blessed the air over Mr. Miller's bed 00:07:50.040 --> 00:07:54.570 align:middle line:84% and set the can down again and left the room. 00:07:54.570 --> 00:07:57.450 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood moved off his bed with a quick motion 00:07:57.450 --> 00:08:00.390 align:middle line:90% and went straight for the can. 00:08:00.390 --> 00:08:04.470 align:middle line:84% He took it and began to spray the entire room. 00:08:04.470 --> 00:08:07.470 align:middle line:84% White misty clouds began to squirm out of the 00:08:07.470 --> 00:08:09.210 align:middle line:90% and hang in the air. 00:08:09.210 --> 00:08:12.180 align:middle line:90% He sprayed and sprayed. 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:13.350 align:middle line:90% What are you doing? 00:08:13.350 --> 00:08:14.760 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller asked. 00:08:14.760 --> 00:08:17.700 align:middle line:84% Cleaning out the place, Mr. Flood answered. 00:08:17.700 --> 00:08:20.550 align:middle line:90% His arm completed a long arc. 00:08:20.550 --> 00:08:23.890 align:middle line:90% Will you please stop it? 00:08:23.890 --> 00:08:26.830 align:middle line:84% I can still smell it, Mr. Flood said. 00:08:26.830 --> 00:08:31.540 align:middle line:84% Then spray some up your nose, Mr. Miller said. 00:08:31.540 --> 00:08:36.370 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood spun around the can still emptying itself and said, 00:08:36.370 --> 00:08:39.010 align:middle line:90% I don't stink. 00:08:39.010 --> 00:08:42.460 align:middle line:84% God who's been good to you, Mr. Miller answered. 00:08:42.460 --> 00:08:45.940 align:middle line:84% He coughed as a billow of the heavily perfumed mist 00:08:45.940 --> 00:08:48.790 align:middle line:90% surrounded his chest and head. 00:08:48.790 --> 00:08:51.970 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood stopped spraying then and tested the air 00:08:51.970 --> 00:08:57.010 align:middle line:84% with his nose and he noticed that the can was nearly empty. 00:08:57.010 --> 00:08:59.470 align:middle line:84% And he put the cap back on it and set it down 00:08:59.470 --> 00:09:01.660 align:middle line:90% in the night table. 00:09:01.660 --> 00:09:03.760 align:middle line:84% Are you satisfied the room has been 00:09:03.760 --> 00:09:05.740 align:middle line:90% purged of all offensive vapors? 00:09:05.740 --> 00:09:07.270 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller said. 00:09:07.270 --> 00:09:11.410 align:middle line:84% That's a God awful smell you got there, Mr. Flood said. 00:09:11.410 --> 00:09:15.790 align:middle line:84% I am closer to it than you are, Mr. Miller said quietly. 00:09:15.790 --> 00:09:17.810 align:middle line:84% Why did all of a sudden get like that? 00:09:17.810 --> 00:09:19.810 align:middle line:90% Mr. Flood asked. 00:09:19.810 --> 00:09:23.860 align:middle line:84% Because they did not change the dressing, Mr. Miller answered. 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:27.430 align:middle line:84% If that was me, Mr. Flood said, I'd sure as hell 00:09:27.430 --> 00:09:29.980 align:middle line:90% let them know a thing or two. 00:09:29.980 --> 00:09:33.800 align:middle line:84% It would do no good, Mr. Miller said. 00:09:33.800 --> 00:09:35.810 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood thought for a moment and then 00:09:35.810 --> 00:09:40.370 align:middle line:84% said, why don't people come in here more? 00:09:40.370 --> 00:09:44.540 align:middle line:84% I see so many people going up and down the hall. 00:09:44.540 --> 00:09:49.640 align:middle line:84% It allows us more time for self-pity, Mr. Miller said. 00:09:49.640 --> 00:09:53.780 align:middle line:84% Nobody ever really comes in here, Mr. Flood said, 00:09:53.780 --> 00:09:55.220 align:middle line:90% as if discovering the truth. 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:58.560 align:middle line:90% 00:09:58.560 --> 00:10:03.120 align:middle line:84% Both men slept well for of that afternoon 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:05.760 align:middle line:84% and when Mr Miller awakened along toward five 00:10:05.760 --> 00:10:10.140 align:middle line:84% he sat up in his bed and stared in horror 00:10:10.140 --> 00:10:16.930 align:middle line:84% at a 27-inch colored television set that sat between the beds. 00:10:16.930 --> 00:10:18.840 align:middle line:84% There was a bright red ribbon around it 00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:22.140 align:middle line:84% with an envelope attached at the bow. 00:10:22.140 --> 00:10:27.330 align:middle line:84% Flood, he shouted, wake up and tell me who in the name of God 00:10:27.330 --> 00:10:30.960 align:middle line:90% has given birth to that. 00:10:30.960 --> 00:10:35.310 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood slowly came alive and he looked with wonder 00:10:35.310 --> 00:10:37.230 align:middle line:90% at the television. 00:10:37.230 --> 00:10:39.690 align:middle line:90% Jesus, damn, he said. 00:10:39.690 --> 00:10:43.320 align:middle line:84% And he smiled affectionately at the set. 00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:45.480 align:middle line:90% Well, Mr. Miller said. 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:48.060 align:middle line:90% Beats me, Mr. Flood answered. 00:10:48.060 --> 00:10:52.680 align:middle line:84% Get the goddamn thing out of here, Mr. Miller said. 00:10:52.680 --> 00:10:56.460 align:middle line:84% He pointed to it as if it were a deadly animal. 00:10:56.460 --> 00:11:01.050 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood eased himself out of bed and went to the set. 00:11:01.050 --> 00:11:03.810 align:middle line:84% He rubbed his hands over the top of it 00:11:03.810 --> 00:11:06.510 align:middle line:84% and then he fondled the knobs as if he were 00:11:06.510 --> 00:11:09.330 align:middle line:90% a child with a Christmas toy. 00:11:09.330 --> 00:11:12.810 align:middle line:84% Jesus, that's nice, he said to himself. 00:11:12.810 --> 00:11:15.990 align:middle line:84% Flood, what the hell are you Doing Mr. Miller said. 00:11:15.990 --> 00:11:19.920 align:middle line:90% Out of this room with that. 00:11:19.920 --> 00:11:22.980 align:middle line:90% Mr. Flood took no notice. 00:11:22.980 --> 00:11:25.770 align:middle line:84% He pulled the envelope from the ribbon 00:11:25.770 --> 00:11:28.140 align:middle line:84% and when he saw his name on it, he 00:11:28.140 --> 00:11:31.050 align:middle line:90% turned it over and opened it. 00:11:31.050 --> 00:11:37.860 align:middle line:84% A card inside read, with all my love daddy, Gail. 00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:40.920 align:middle line:84% And underneath it his son had carefully printed, 00:11:40.920 --> 00:11:43.870 align:middle line:84% do not go gentle into that good night. 00:11:43.870 --> 00:11:48.420 align:middle line:84% Rage, rage, against the dying of the light. 00:11:48.420 --> 00:11:50.760 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood read the card several times 00:11:50.760 --> 00:11:54.870 align:middle line:84% and his bewilderment was visible on his face. 00:11:54.870 --> 00:11:57.450 align:middle line:90% Well, Mr. Miller said again. 00:11:57.450 --> 00:12:00.270 align:middle line:90% Shut up, Mr. Flood said quietly. 00:12:00.270 --> 00:12:04.440 align:middle line:84% And he put the card to his chest with great affection. 00:12:04.440 --> 00:12:09.780 align:middle line:84% Who in hell has perpetrated this on me, Mr. Miller said. 00:12:09.780 --> 00:12:14.040 align:middle line:84% It's from my son, from his shop to card says. 00:12:14.040 --> 00:12:14.850 align:middle line:90% His shop? 00:12:14.850 --> 00:12:16.290 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller said. 00:12:16.290 --> 00:12:18.900 align:middle line:90% Gail's Gale. 00:12:18.900 --> 00:12:23.010 align:middle line:84% Whatever is a Gail's Gale, Mr. Miller said. 00:12:23.010 --> 00:12:27.150 align:middle line:84% His boutique or whatever you call it, Mr. Flood said. 00:12:27.150 --> 00:12:31.170 align:middle line:84% He looked down again at the card like a poker player. 00:12:31.170 --> 00:12:33.870 align:middle line:90% Dandy, Mr. Miller said. 00:12:33.870 --> 00:12:38.280 align:middle line:84% Now when is this monstrosity going to leave? 00:12:38.280 --> 00:12:42.390 align:middle line:84% You are a sad son of a bitch, Mr. Flood said vehemently. 00:12:42.390 --> 00:12:44.640 align:middle line:84% It's just because you ain't got nobody 00:12:44.640 --> 00:12:48.090 align:middle line:84% that you don't want me to have my family. 00:12:48.090 --> 00:12:52.080 align:middle line:84% Well, Mr. Professor big shot, it stays. 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:55.620 align:middle line:84% And if you don't like it, you can lump it. 00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:59.010 align:middle line:84% I should kick its face in, Mr. Miller said. 00:12:59.010 --> 00:13:05.700 align:middle line:84% You do and I shall kick in yours right after it, Mr. Flood said. 00:13:05.700 --> 00:13:09.450 align:middle line:84% Mr. Miller's little body was a fire. 00:13:09.450 --> 00:13:15.480 align:middle line:84% Reason had suddenly deserted him and he was helpless without it. 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:17.580 align:middle line:84% He yanked his buzzer from the night table 00:13:17.580 --> 00:13:20.760 align:middle line:84% and started squeezing it as if he might make 00:13:20.760 --> 00:13:24.180 align:middle line:90% some final statement with it. 00:13:24.180 --> 00:13:25.920 align:middle line:84% When Miss Scarlet came into the room, 00:13:25.920 --> 00:13:29.070 align:middle line:84% Mr. Miller was still holding the buzzer 00:13:29.070 --> 00:13:32.850 align:middle line:84% and Mr. Flood was unwrapping the ribbon around the television. 00:13:32.850 --> 00:13:33.630 align:middle line:90% What have we here? 00:13:33.630 --> 00:13:35.690 align:middle line:90% She said to Mr. Flood. 00:13:35.690 --> 00:13:39.450 align:middle line:84% Scarlet, you're a reasonable woman, Mr. Miller said. 00:13:39.450 --> 00:13:41.680 align:middle line:90% Sometimes, she said. 00:13:41.680 --> 00:13:44.400 align:middle line:84% And then she looked back to the television. 00:13:44.400 --> 00:13:47.220 align:middle line:84% Your son didn't want to wake you, she said to Mr. Flood. 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:48.570 align:middle line:90% He was here? 00:13:48.570 --> 00:13:51.550 align:middle line:90% He brought it himself? 00:13:51.550 --> 00:13:54.870 align:middle line:84% He came with the two men who brought it, she said. 00:13:54.870 --> 00:13:59.190 align:middle line:84% Reason Scarlet I beg of you, Mr. Miller put in. 00:13:59.190 --> 00:14:03.000 align:middle line:84% She turned slowly toward Mr. Miller as she said, 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:05.640 align:middle line:90% what's the trouble homer? 00:14:05.640 --> 00:14:08.730 align:middle line:84% You know perfectly well, he said. 00:14:08.730 --> 00:14:12.060 align:middle line:84% I can understand your objections to the last black and white, 00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:14.910 align:middle line:90% she said, but this is colored. 00:14:14.910 --> 00:14:17.880 align:middle line:90% She spread her arms in emphasis. 00:14:17.880 --> 00:14:20.940 align:middle line:84% What little respect I had for you as a human being 00:14:20.940 --> 00:14:23.400 align:middle line:90% has abated, he said. 00:14:23.400 --> 00:14:27.630 align:middle line:84% You want the rule sheets brought out again? 00:14:27.630 --> 00:14:31.770 align:middle line:84% I know what the rules say, Mr. Miller answered. 00:14:31.770 --> 00:14:36.180 align:middle line:84% They say he can have his sleek full color fruit 00:14:36.180 --> 00:14:42.450 align:middle line:84% carton if he pleases to, and furthermore, the rules 00:14:42.450 --> 00:14:44.490 align:middle line:84% say that if the other patient in the room 00:14:44.490 --> 00:14:47.310 align:middle line:84% doesn't care for fruit cartons, it 00:14:47.310 --> 00:14:50.850 align:middle line:90% is simply his eternal bad luck. 00:14:50.850 --> 00:14:53.950 align:middle line:84% You two can work it out, she said. 00:14:53.950 --> 00:14:55.590 align:middle line:84% And then she started to leave the room, 00:14:55.590 --> 00:14:58.218 align:middle line:90% she looked again at the set. 00:14:58.218 --> 00:14:59.260 align:middle line:90% It's all right, isn't it? 00:14:59.260 --> 00:15:01.120 align:middle line:90% Mr. Flood asked. 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:04.300 align:middle line:84% Play it day and night if you want, she answered. 00:15:04.300 --> 00:15:08.960 align:middle line:84% I'll get you for that Scarlet, Mr. Miller said. 00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:11.410 align:middle line:84% When are you going to join the 20th century? 00:15:11.410 --> 00:15:12.940 align:middle line:90% She said to him. 00:15:12.940 --> 00:15:16.090 align:middle line:90% Never, he answered. 00:15:16.090 --> 00:15:18.370 align:middle line:84% There was a long moment of silence in the room 00:15:18.370 --> 00:15:21.190 align:middle line:90% after Miss Scarlet left. 00:15:21.190 --> 00:15:23.980 align:middle line:84% Mr. Miller toyed with his buzzer and Mr. Flood 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:28.810 align:middle line:84% began to unwrap the cord from the back of the television. 00:15:28.810 --> 00:15:31.090 align:middle line:84% He held it in his hands for a few seconds 00:15:31.090 --> 00:15:33.640 align:middle line:84% while his eyes moved about the walls of the room 00:15:33.640 --> 00:15:36.340 align:middle line:90% in search of a socket. 00:15:36.340 --> 00:15:40.690 align:middle line:84% His gaze settled on the outlet just above Mr. Miller's head 00:15:40.690 --> 00:15:43.000 align:middle line:90% and he started for it. 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:46.030 align:middle line:84% You wouldn't dare, Mr. Miller said to him. 00:15:46.030 --> 00:15:48.400 align:middle line:90% No, Mr. Flood said. 00:15:48.400 --> 00:15:52.240 align:middle line:84% Take one more step and I'll let you have it, Mr. Miller said. 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:54.850 align:middle line:84% He slapped the buzzer into his palm 00:15:54.850 --> 00:15:56.980 align:middle line:90% as though it were a blackjack. 00:15:56.980 --> 00:16:01.210 align:middle line:84% There's an outlet just behind the head of your bed, he said. 00:16:01.210 --> 00:16:04.090 align:middle line:90% You had better use that. 00:16:04.090 --> 00:16:07.930 align:middle line:84% Then he very deliberately pressed the buzzer 00:16:07.930 --> 00:16:10.990 align:middle line:84% and reached into the cabinet of the night table 00:16:10.990 --> 00:16:13.660 align:middle line:90% and took out the whiskey bottle. 00:16:13.660 --> 00:16:14.650 align:middle line:90% Going to get drunk? 00:16:14.650 --> 00:16:16.660 align:middle line:90% Mr. Flood asked. 00:16:16.660 --> 00:16:20.560 align:middle line:90% Utterly, Mr. Miller said. 00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:22.960 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood began to pull the rabbit ears up 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:25.570 align:middle line:84% from the back of his set and as he 00:16:25.570 --> 00:16:29.950 align:middle line:84% did so he said, what you got against TV anyway? 00:16:29.950 --> 00:16:33.048 align:middle line:90% TV helps to pass the time. 00:16:33.048 --> 00:16:34.840 align:middle line:84% That's the first thing I've got against it, 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:37.120 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller answered. 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:40.090 align:middle line:84% The orderly brought in a fresh pitcher of ice water 00:16:40.090 --> 00:16:43.360 align:middle line:84% and set it on Mr. Miller's night table. 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:46.120 align:middle line:84% As he was leaving the room he paused for an instant 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:50.290 align:middle line:84% to watch the television blossom into a painfully green 00:16:50.290 --> 00:16:52.390 align:middle line:90% existence. 00:16:52.390 --> 00:16:53.950 align:middle line:90% Then he was gone. 00:16:53.950 --> 00:16:55.690 align:middle line:84% And Mr. flood turned to Mr. Miller 00:16:55.690 --> 00:17:00.640 align:middle line:84% and said, how do you get the green out? 00:17:00.640 --> 00:17:03.190 align:middle line:84% He stooped a little to look at the array of knobs 00:17:03.190 --> 00:17:05.950 align:middle line:90% and the right side of the set. 00:17:05.950 --> 00:17:09.579 align:middle line:84% Green people are rather refreshing, Mr. Miller said. 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:11.470 align:middle line:84% He poured the ice water into the whisky 00:17:11.470 --> 00:17:14.650 align:middle line:90% and drank two large gulps. 00:17:14.650 --> 00:17:19.359 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood began to turn the knobs in a random awkward way 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:21.910 align:middle line:84% and the picture whirled down the color spectrum 00:17:21.910 --> 00:17:25.329 align:middle line:90% and back with great speed. 00:17:25.329 --> 00:17:27.670 align:middle line:90% Is there a dial that says tint? 00:17:27.670 --> 00:17:30.310 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller asked. 00:17:30.310 --> 00:17:34.300 align:middle line:84% Here it is, Mr. Flood said after a moment. 00:17:34.300 --> 00:17:39.100 align:middle line:84% He began to turn it as if you were rapidly winding a watch. 00:17:39.100 --> 00:17:43.150 align:middle line:84% And the picture went so green that only the vague outlines 00:17:43.150 --> 00:17:45.610 align:middle line:84% of the faces were distinguishable. 00:17:45.610 --> 00:17:48.580 align:middle line:84% The other way boo, Mr. Miller said. 00:17:48.580 --> 00:17:49.570 align:middle line:90% Who you calling? 00:17:49.570 --> 00:17:51.670 align:middle line:90% Mr. Flood began. 00:17:51.670 --> 00:17:54.820 align:middle line:84% But then the picture began to adjust itself 00:17:54.820 --> 00:17:57.530 align:middle line:84% under the ramblings of his fingers 00:17:57.530 --> 00:18:00.560 align:middle line:84% and he forgot what he was going to say. 00:18:00.560 --> 00:18:03.400 align:middle line:84% Is it possible that we might watch a news broadcast? 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:05.110 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller asked. 00:18:05.110 --> 00:18:08.800 align:middle line:84% I want to see what else is on, Mr. Flood said. 00:18:08.800 --> 00:18:11.410 align:middle line:84% He twirled the channel selector so fast 00:18:11.410 --> 00:18:15.730 align:middle line:84% that all of the stations seem to blur into one. 00:18:15.730 --> 00:18:18.580 align:middle line:84% Mr. Miller rolled his eyes to the ceiling 00:18:18.580 --> 00:18:22.870 align:middle line:84% and then took another large mouthful of whisky. 00:18:22.870 --> 00:18:25.210 align:middle line:84% The television sat between the beds 00:18:25.210 --> 00:18:31.270 align:middle line:84% all that evening as if it were a short square person for whom 00:18:31.270 --> 00:18:35.360 align:middle line:90% Mr. Flood had great affection. 00:18:35.360 --> 00:18:39.720 align:middle line:84% Mr. Miller tried to read but it was impossible. 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:42.890 align:middle line:84% He drank in an effort to block the meaningless gurgles 00:18:42.890 --> 00:18:47.630 align:middle line:84% and burps that spilled from the set onto the floor of the room. 00:18:47.630 --> 00:18:49.280 align:middle line:84% When he could stand it no longer, 00:18:49.280 --> 00:18:54.170 align:middle line:84% he asked Mr. flood to turn the set down to minimum volume. 00:18:54.170 --> 00:18:56.900 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood turned the set only a little bit lower 00:18:56.900 --> 00:18:58.910 align:middle line:90% and moved forward. 00:18:58.910 --> 00:19:02.180 align:middle line:84% Then after a while, Mr. Miller would ask again 00:19:02.180 --> 00:19:05.210 align:middle line:90% and Mr. Flood would comply. 00:19:05.210 --> 00:19:07.580 align:middle line:84% By 10:30 that evening, Mr. Flood was 00:19:07.580 --> 00:19:11.240 align:middle line:84% no more than two feet from the set and Mr. Miller was good 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:13.730 align:middle line:90% and filled up with whiskey. 00:19:13.730 --> 00:19:18.080 align:middle line:84% But he knew it and he was not surprised to hear his own voice 00:19:18.080 --> 00:19:21.320 align:middle line:84% slur occasionally or to feel his hands 00:19:21.320 --> 00:19:24.710 align:middle line:84% slip a little on the sides of the glass when he went to pick 00:19:24.710 --> 00:19:27.020 align:middle line:90% it from the night table. 00:19:27.020 --> 00:19:30.480 align:middle line:84% He knew that he was very close to being very drunk 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:33.110 align:middle line:90% but he did not care about it. 00:19:33.110 --> 00:19:36.680 align:middle line:84% There was the feeling in him of deep depression 00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:41.360 align:middle line:84% as if the organs of his body had suddenly gone to rocks 00:19:41.360 --> 00:19:44.540 align:middle line:84% and he felt in isolation from his surroundings, 00:19:44.540 --> 00:19:49.640 align:middle line:84% a distance from Mr. Flood and the rest of his small world. 00:19:49.640 --> 00:19:53.240 align:middle line:84% He picked the glass from the table and set it on his chest 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:55.970 align:middle line:84% within tipping distance of his lips. 00:19:55.970 --> 00:20:00.620 align:middle line:84% And he stared alternately at Mr. Flood and the television set. 00:20:00.620 --> 00:20:03.050 align:middle line:84% He watched Mr. Flood giggle occasionally 00:20:03.050 --> 00:20:05.840 align:middle line:90% at the program he was watching. 00:20:05.840 --> 00:20:09.710 align:middle line:84% And when he did, Mr. Miller's head went slowly back and forth 00:20:09.710 --> 00:20:12.350 align:middle line:90% in awe and bewilderment. 00:20:12.350 --> 00:20:15.710 align:middle line:84% Finally, without thinking about it he said, 00:20:15.710 --> 00:20:18.500 align:middle line:84% what are you going to turn that thing off? 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:20.990 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood answered with a short wave 00:20:20.990 --> 00:20:24.890 align:middle line:84% his hand as if he were batting away a fly. 00:20:24.890 --> 00:20:25.940 align:middle line:90% When? 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.920 align:middle line:90% Mr. flood said. 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:32.810 align:middle line:84% He waited for an answer but none came. 00:20:32.810 --> 00:20:37.250 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood simply reached out and adjusted the volume upwards. 00:20:37.250 --> 00:20:41.600 align:middle line:84% Again, Mr. Miller asked him, and this time Mr. Flood said, 00:20:41.600 --> 00:20:44.690 align:middle line:90% you drink too much. 00:20:44.690 --> 00:20:50.000 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood giggled at the program and said, did you see that? 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:50.600 align:middle line:90% Jesus. 00:20:50.600 --> 00:20:52.370 align:middle line:90% Damn, that was funny. 00:20:52.370 --> 00:20:55.250 align:middle line:84% It was not funny, Mr. Miller said. 00:20:55.250 --> 00:21:00.470 align:middle line:84% A comic magician had appeared to swallow two ping pong balls. 00:21:00.470 --> 00:21:03.710 align:middle line:90% It was to me, Mr. Flood said. 00:21:03.710 --> 00:21:06.620 align:middle line:84% He did not move his eyes from the set. 00:21:06.620 --> 00:21:09.890 align:middle line:84% How in the name of God can you look at that thing for hours 00:21:09.890 --> 00:21:11.840 align:middle line:90% upon end? 00:21:11.840 --> 00:21:14.760 align:middle line:90% I like it, Mr. Flood said. 00:21:14.760 --> 00:21:17.270 align:middle line:84% Can't you read a book or talk or something? 00:21:17.270 --> 00:21:18.560 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller asked. 00:21:18.560 --> 00:21:23.210 align:middle line:84% I never liked reading, Mr. Flood said to the set. 00:21:23.210 --> 00:21:27.740 align:middle line:84% Mr. Miller drank himself into a half sleep within the next hour 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:31.790 align:middle line:84% and Mr. Flood moved back in his bed to watch the late movies. 00:21:31.790 --> 00:21:34.370 align:middle line:84% He was soon sound asleep and the television 00:21:34.370 --> 00:21:38.150 align:middle line:84% continued to throw its rainbow in eerie fashion 00:21:38.150 --> 00:21:40.490 align:middle line:90% about the walls of the room. 00:21:40.490 --> 00:21:44.570 align:middle line:84% All the while, Mr. Miller kept his glass balanced on his chest 00:21:44.570 --> 00:21:47.120 align:middle line:84% and watched the television through half opened eyelids. 00:21:47.120 --> 00:21:49.970 align:middle line:90% 00:21:49.970 --> 00:21:52.790 align:middle line:84% When he heard Mr. Flood begin to snore 00:21:52.790 --> 00:21:57.320 align:middle line:84% in what sounded a most profound and satisfied way, 00:21:57.320 --> 00:22:01.250 align:middle line:84% he got out of bed and went to the television. 00:22:01.250 --> 00:22:05.210 align:middle line:84% He was about to turn it off when he saw the card lying 00:22:05.210 --> 00:22:07.880 align:middle line:90% on top of the set. 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:13.040 align:middle line:84% He picked it up and read what Mr. Flood's son had written. 00:22:13.040 --> 00:22:16.290 align:middle line:84% Do not go gentle into that good night. 00:22:16.290 --> 00:22:21.200 align:middle line:84% Rage, rage, against the dying of the light. 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:25.310 align:middle line:84% The hand that held the card dropped to his side. 00:22:25.310 --> 00:22:29.510 align:middle line:84% And he turned to look at Mr. Flood's sleeping form. 00:22:29.510 --> 00:22:37.510 align:middle line:84% On no Flood, he said very softly this hasn't got it at all. 00:22:37.510 --> 00:22:44.380 align:middle line:84% He shook his head slowly and said, it isn't even close. 00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:47.980 align:middle line:84% He put the card back on top of the television 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.090 align:middle line:90% and turned it off. 00:22:49.090 --> 00:22:51.750 align:middle line:90% 00:22:51.750 --> 00:22:55.020 align:middle line:84% The next morning when Mr. flood put the television 00:22:55.020 --> 00:22:58.950 align:middle line:84% on at a quarter past six, the picture 00:22:58.950 --> 00:23:02.040 align:middle line:90% filled only half the screen. 00:23:02.040 --> 00:23:06.750 align:middle line:84% In 10 minutes, it had shrunk to the size of a postcard, 00:23:06.750 --> 00:23:12.420 align:middle line:84% and in another 10 minutes, there was a dry crackling sound 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.890 align:middle line:90% and the picture too blue." 00:23:13.890 --> 00:23:18.480 align:middle line:90% 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:21.840 align:middle line:84% That's the longest selection I want to read, 00:23:21.840 --> 00:23:24.820 align:middle line:84% and it's the last frame from going general. 00:23:24.820 --> 00:23:26.000 align:middle line:90%