Volunteers: The Face of the Enemy" Dialogue Sample 2
SCENE: CAPTAIN TIBBALS has been brought in to the field hospital where DOCTOR TALBOT has been treating his men; SERGEANT O'NEILL and LIEUTENANT RIDGEWAY among them. When Talbot informs Tibbals of the severity of O'Neill's injuries, and his inability to treat them using "conventional" methods, TERRENCE, a young orderly, offers a somewhat "radical" procedure that just may save O'Neill's life.
Talbot pauses a moment, sighing.
TALBOT
He lost an awful lot of blood out there on the battlefield. If I were to take him into the O.R. and he even flinched involuntarily on the table, he could wind up bleeding to death.
RIDGEWAY
So, you’re just gonna let him rest until he’s a little stronger?
Talbot nods.
TALBOT
Only his body may be too damaged even for that to happen.
Terrence enters the room. He steps over to the unconscious O’Neill’s bed, checking him as the next part of the conversation carries on.
TIBBALS
(O.S.)
So, what are you telling me? That if you take him into the O.R., there’s a chance he could die. But if you leave him up here, he could die just as easily?
TALBOT
(O.S.)
I’m afraid that’s the long and the short of it, Fred.
Back on Tibbals and Talbot.
TIBBALS
Listen to me, Steven. O’Neill may not be the best man I’ve ever had under my command, but he is still my responsibility. And if there’s even the slightest chance you could save him...
TALBOT
I’m a good doctor Fred, but I’m no miracle worker. There’s only so much even I can do...
TIBBALS
You just said that he could die....
Having heard enough, Terrence finally steps in and interrupts
TERRENCE
(timidly)
If we were to use traditional medical practices, yes. That would be true...
TALBOT
(threatening)
Peter...
TERRENCE
(timid but unyielding)
But there is a way to make sure he has enough blood. At least, to make it through the surgery.
TALBOT
Now is not the time for this, Peter...
TIBBALS
Wait a minute, Steven. I want to hear what Terry has to say.
RIDGEWAY
Are you saying there’s a way to speed up the way his body produces blood?
TALBOT
No, Alex. I’m afraid that’s impossible...
TERRENCE
I’m not talking about that at all, Doc! And you know it! I’m talking about drawing blood from someone else’s body and pumping it into O’Neill’s while we perform the surgery.
RIDGEWAY
That’s crazy! You can’t just put someone else’s blood into him!
TERRENCE
The technique’s been around for over 100 years, Alex. There have been documented cases of its success in saving patient’s lives.
TALBOT
Then why isn’t it in all the standard medical texts?
TERRENCE
(hesitant)
Well...
TIBBALS
Terry?
TALBOT
Because it’s failed more often than it’s succeeded. Standard medical procedures, not to mention Regulations have forbidden its use. My God, even the Church has had it outlawed!
