The Unsuccessful Puppets (english version)

Episode 8 - ( Act 1 Scene 15, 16)

SCENE 15 - MISS FISHERS FIRST DAY

The lights are turned on. Miss Fisher waits in Mr Mason's office. Mr Mason arrives with a notepad and pen. He places the notepad and pen in front of Miss Fisher.

MR MASON

Good day, Miss Fisher

He extends his hand and Miss Fisher answers the handshake uncertainly.

MISS FISHER

God day, Mr Mason

MR MASON

It is a great opportunity for you to study under one of the top psychiatrists here in the US. Your job is to note down reactions.

MISS FISHER

What kind of reactions?

MR MASON

All you can find. You will be working in section C and writing down the inmates' reactions.

MISS FISHER

Is that all?

MR MASON

Another thing to remember. You cannot discuss inmate recommendations or what you do here. Breaking this rule can lead to serious consequences. Do not tell your teacher, mother or father.

MISS FISHER

Do you think I will be able to obtain a degree from my work if I follow your suggestions? If I cannot talk about what I work with. How will my teacher know if I am capable of doing practical work?

MR MASON

You will receive an excellent recommendation letter from me. This will resolve your evaluation problem. You do not need to worry. Rather than wasting time discussing the details, it might be better to just leave it at that. It is time for you and me to get to our work. The changing rooms for women are located to the right. Your work clothes can be found here. After you have finished, I will show you where you will sit for the first work shift.

Miss Fisher leaves. She returns wearing an old coat that is too big and filthy.

MISS FISHER

Mr Mason, you gave me one of the best coats in the prison (ironically).

MR MASON

Absolutely, Miss Fisher. I want my trainees to feel at home during their internship. You can wait here while I get my patients' files. It will only take a moment.

Mr Mason walks away and returns with a very full folder of papers.

MISS FISHER

You should probably fix a new folder. Any minute it will be ruputure.

MR MASON

There is no chance of this happening. I can assure you of that. Please follow me to see your first patient.

Miss Fisher and Mr Mason go to Mr Powell's prison cell. Mr Mason sits down on a chair in front of the cell.

MISS FISHER

My job is to write down his reactions. What behaviour should I look for?

Mr Powell lies on the floor and snores.

MR MASON

You will notice that when he wakes up. Here is some background information about Mr. Powell. You can read it while he sleeps. That was probably it. I have to go see another patient now. Have a nice day until we meet again.

Mr Mason leaves the stage. Miss Fisher sits down in the chair and begins reading Mr Powell's background.

MISS FISHER

What is this place I have ended up in? Secret substances, people who sleep all day. Then they want you to watch someone who just lies and snores. I go around with this cloth. Quite humiliating. Why did I not choose the mental hospital?

Mr Powell wakes up and stares with wide eyes at Miss Fisher.

MR POWELL

What is the purpose of staring at someone when they are sleeping? It is rude. (mumbles).

MISS FISHER

I apologize if I have frightened you. I will not hurt you. I promise. My purpose is to document your behavior.

MR POWELL

Who sits and documents someone's behaviour if the person is not mad? (mumble).

Miss Fisher writes down the responses Mr Powell has given so far.

MR POWELL

Can you Miss...

MISS FISHER

Miss Fisher

MR POWELL

Could you tell the man behind you to leave me alone, Miss Fisher?

Despite turning around, Miss Fisher does not see anything.

MISS FISHER

I cannot see the man you are referring to.

MR POWELL

Can you not see the dark coat he wears, how he stands with a sinister look on his face?

Miss Fisher shook her head in disbelief.

MISS FISHER

When did you first see this man? Mr Powell. Is he tall or short? Have you seen him before?

MR POWELL

Already, I have lost control. Everything is spinning. I do not have control over anything anymore.

MISS FISHER

Control over what exactly? Would you like me to bring Mr. Mason? Maybe he can help.

MR POWELL

A submersion will take place tonight. It will drown us all. It will claim my life. I will drown. Are you not seeing the clouds on the other side?

MISS FISHER

There are no seas or oceans nearby. The nearest sea or ocean is a few miles away. There is no need to be concerned.

MR POWELL

You can say whatever you want. I know there will be a submersion. I am prepared for this to be my last day on earth.

Lighting shows the passage of time. Mr. Mason enters the stage when the old lights return. Mr Powell fell asleep with a bottle of alcohol again.

MR MASON

Seen any interesting observations?

MISS FISHER

The prisoner 23 TE appears to be under the influence of alcohol and drugs. His eyes see things that are not there, and he murmurs.

MR MASON

Great observations.

MISS FISHER

He rambled about how he had lost control.

MR MASON

Oh really?

MISS FISHER

Is drinking allowed in inmates' cells? It is a rare event and carries a higher risk of death.

MR MASON

Your facts are based on what? Miss Fisher or Miss I know it all.

MISS FISHER

I learned this at Medical University.

MR MASON

You can be calm. I have it all under control. Come with me to my office.

Miss Fisher nods slowly and uncertainly. The two of them go to Mr Mason's office, and there are Miss Welsh and Miss Collins as well.

MISS WELSH

Good afternoon, Mr Mason.

MR MASON

Miss Welsh, good afternoon. What are you two doing here?

After looking at Miss Fisher, Miss Collins extends her hand.

MISS COLLINS

This must be the trainee. What was your name?

MISS FISHER

Miss Fisher.

MISS COLLINS

Miss Collins and my colleague is Miss Welsh

MISS WELSH

We have the results of your tests from Prisoner 200 TE, Mr Mason.

MR MASON

You can put it here on the table. Then can you two get back to your work.

Miss Welsh leaves the stage with Miss Collins after placing the papers on the table.

MISS FISHER

What do they work with?

MR MASON

They are prison nurses. Their work is to take care of the patients.

MISS FISHER

Is that not the doctor’s job? Why does this prison have two nurses in one section?

MR MASON

They help the patients with more everyday tasks. Having qualified staff is always beneficial. No need to ask unnecessary questions. You are not here to interrogate me. But to help me with my work. Understand? Miss Fisher.

MISS FISHER

I can stop asking if that is what you want.

Mr Mason sits down on his office chair and Miss Fisher sits down in front of him.

MR MASON

The last few hours here, I would like you to sort these results and put them into the right folder. After that, you write down the data and put it into a chart. After that, you can go home. Do not touch anything else. Got it?

MISS FISHER

Anything else will not be touched, Mr Mason.

Mr Mason leaves the stage. Miss Fisher sits and does paperwork. A light shows that time has passed.

SCENE 16 - HOW IS IT TO LOVE SOMEONE?

Mrs Hoffman and Miss Wagner go to check on Mr Powell.

MRS HOFFMAN

He has not done his chores for days. He is only lying on his back on the floor with a bottle of whisky in hand. We will soon need to tell the kitchen staff to reduce his rations.

MISS WAGNER

Would it be peculiar if he missed his family, wife, and children?

MRS HOFFMAN

It should he been used at this point. He has been in prison for four years. Most likely, he will never be released.

MISS WAGNER

Have you ever loved someone? Your husband maybe? True love is what drives you to do whatever it takes for that person.

MRS HOFFMAN

That is pure nonsense. True love does not exist.

MISS WAGNER

You mean that you never loved your husband?

MRS HOFFMAN

Of course I love my husband. Nevertheless, I would not drink like an alcoholic for him. My daughter is my life. This does not mean that I would be upset if my husband filed for divorce. I only desire stability and we provide each other with that.

MISS WAGNER

Why do you not talk about your husband? You should always want to talk about him if you love him. Love makes your body and soul happy. When you find your true love, everything will seem to fall into place.

MRS HOFFMAN

If you find your true love, it does not mean that you will be happy. The duty I have is not to run around like a little girl and be validated. It is my duty to find a sensible husband with whom I can have children. It is not about finding your true love.

MISS WAGNER

When you truly love someone, you will understand. Love is the best thing on earth. A marriage is not just about duties, but two people who are there for each other and build a future together.

MRS HOFFMAN

You can live in your fantasy world. Where there is a prince that saves you from your concerns. Then you two live happily ever after.

MISS WAGNER

You are hopeless. I wonder why you are married to someone who does not make you happy.

MRS HOFFMAN

He makes me happy. He gave me a wonderful child, he is kind and treats me well. What more can I possibly require from him?

MISS WAGNER

You do not thrive in your life, as everyone can see. You are unhappy. If you want to find happiness, you need to open to love. You must let your princess out. (this last part should be said ironically).

MRS HOFFMAN

Could you please stop making unnecessary comments now? We are here to check on Mr. Powell.

MISS WAGNER

Yes, captain

Mrs. Hoffman shakes her head and they go to Mr. Powell's cell. At the same time, Mrs Hoffman and Miss Wagner stop right in front of the cell.

MRS HOFFMAN

23 TE Stand up. You cannot just lay there all day long.

No answer from Mr Powell.

MISS WAGNER

He seems to be unconscious. Should we call on Miss Carter or Mr Mason?

MRS HOFFMAN

First of all, I will try to wake him up on my own. Alternatively, if I am unsuccessful in getting him to wake up can you get them.

MISS WAGNER

Perhaps you will have to go into his cell and check if he is alive. But what if he is no longer alive? Maybe he... No, that cannot be true.

MRS HOFFMAN

Hold on. Calm down for a moment. Having a wife and children, he would never do anything like that. Miss Wagner Wagner, maybe take a break and get some coffee.

MISS WAGNER

Until I know he is alive, I am not going anywhere.

MRS HOFFMAN

Miss Wagner, as you wish. But let me handle this. My guess is that he is only sleeping very deeply.

Mrs Hoffman opens the door. She goes in. As she kneels down, she shakes Mr Powell. Nothing happens. She removes the whiskey bottle from Mr Powell's hand and shakes him once more.

MISS WAGNER

He does not wake up. I will bring Mr Mason and Miss Carter now.

MRS HOFFMAN

Relax. I have experienced how you wake someone in a very deep sleep. Just trust me.

Miss Wagner nods a little concernedly.

MISS WAGNER

Do not harm him. You surely will not wake him with violence. Right?

Mrs Hoffman examines Mr Powell's chest to see if it moves. Then Mrs Hoffman rubs his breastbone with her knuckles. Then Mrs Hoffman wakes up Mr Powell with a strong twitch.

MRS HOFFMAN

Now you wake up. How much have you actually been drinking? 23 TE you must immediately begin your bagwash work.

MR POWELL

I would rather lie here and starve to death. I cannot sleep at night. The whole cell is filled with poisonous snakes. If they attack me, I will most likely die immediately. (Drunk).

MRS HOFFMAN

You should stop your stupidity right now. Get up an go. Or I will force you to get up.

Slowly, Mr Powell gets up, but almost collapses before he succeeds.

MISS WAGNER

It does not look good. He is unable to stand up and presumably walk. I think we should bring Miss Carter and Mr Mason..

MRS HOFFMAN

You are propably right. Go get them. I will try setting him up and giving him some water.

Miss Wagner returns with Mr Mason and Miss Carter. Despite her resistance, Mrs Hoffman sets him up. Afterward, Mrs Hoffman gives him a glass of water. After that, Mrs Hoffman locks his cell.

MR POWELL

You can go back to the hole you came from. You pig. What are you staring at…. Get lost.

MRS HOFFMAN

Cool yourself down, Mr. Powell. You do not want to end up in isolation.

Mr Powell stares at Mrs Hoffman with cold eyes, then starts throwing things around. As if Mrs Hoffman were his worst enemy.

MR POWELL

Go away, you... If I come out of here, I will smash you into pieces. I promise that I will strangle you.

Mrs. Hoffman stands amazed at her position. Soon after, Miss Wagner comes running with Miss Carter close behind.

MISS WAGNER

What is going on here? He is completely out of control. What should we do?

MISS CARTER

Mr Mason needs to be informed of this. What do you two think has caused this behaviour?

MRS HOFFMAN

I could smell alcohol on him. But his behavior may not be related to alcohol alone. It seems that his personality has totally changed. Due to the fact that he has become violent, we should probably confine him to an isolation cell.

MISS WAGNER

I know his behaviour is strange. But do you think an isolation cell will calm him down?

MRS HOFFMAN

It may not clam him down, but everything is nailed to the wall. He cannot hurt himself or anyone else there. So what do you think, Miss Carter?

MISS CARTER

This does not look good at all. I go to get Mr. Mason. The fact that our inmates have become unusually violent requires me to speak with Mr. Mason. Keep an eye on him, both of you. Is that clear?

MRS HOFFMAN

There is no need to explain Miss Carter. Right Miss Wagner?

Miss Wagner nods. A worried expression crosses Miss Wagner's face. Miss Carter leaves. Miss Wagner sits down on a chair. Mrs Hoffman sits down on another chair in front of the cell.

MISS WAGNER

This is not like Mr Powell. He does not have a violent personality. Alcohol cannot explain his behavior.

MRS HOFFMAN

Some people become violent when they drink alcohol. Did you forget how he brutally killed his best friend?

MISS WAGNER

Do you not see that he is completely gone? He seems to be influenced by something much stronger. He is not himself. It cannot just be a broken heart that causes him to behave like that. I suspect that Mr Mason has given the inmates powerful drugs.

MRS HOFFMAN

My trust is in Mr Mason's expertise. It might be part of the new treatment.

MISS WAGNER

You do not consider it strange to see Mr. Powell acting violently out of nowhere. All of them saw things that do not exist - first Miss Miller, then the rest of them.

MRS HOFFMAN

I believe that Mr Mason is very good at his work. Probably, he has a reasonable explanation for why the inmates react the way they do. I agree that it is strange.

Miss Carter and Mr Mason walk rapidly to Mr Powell's cell. Suddenly, there is a scream coming from the cell. As everyone turns around, they can see Mr Powell screaming his guts out.

MR MASON

It looks like we have a serious problem here. Mr Powell has chosen not to take part in the experiment. This is remarkable.

MISS CARTER

Are you saying that you are not behind this? If you are not behind it, where does he get the alcohol?

MISS WAGNER

Strange. A person can have a completely different personality from one week to the next.

MRS HOFFMAN

Perhaps it is just the alcohol that has changed his behavior. Alcoholics tend to be more violent.

MR MASON

Mrs. Hoffman, that is correct. In my opinion, it would be best for him to be isolated until he calms down. Then I can take a look at him.

MISS CARTER

Can I perform a physical exam to find out what's causing this unusual shift?

MR MASON

Miss Carter, that is not necessary. I have an idea of what is causing his behaviour.

MISS CARTER

Could you please explain why Mr. Powell should not be examined by a doctor in this condition?

MR MASON

In no way do I intend to harm the patient. In the prison, I suspect alcohol and drugs come from bootleggers.

MRS HOFFMAN

Unlikely. We have always had our eye on who is entering and leaving.

MISS WAGNER

The situation we have found ourselves in is very strange.

MISS CARTER

Presumably, I am going to put him in my unit. For the patient's wellbeing...

MR MASON

I think the problem stems from his mind, not just his body. But since he became violent, we have to put him in an isolation cell.

MRS HOFFMAN

Totally agree. He is capable of hurting himself and the rest of the staff. If he decides to attack anyone. Miss Wagner and I can move him.

MISS CARTER

Mr Mason, why would not you let me do a physical examination? Are you hiding something?

MR MASON

No matter what you think, Miss Carter, I have nothing to hide. It would be a waste of your time to waste it on something I already know the answer to. Now let me move on.

Mr Mason walks away.

MISS CARTER

Wait, Mr Mason… Can you give me a second? No, apparently not. Wait, Mr Mason... Can you give me a second? No, apparently not. Best of luck moving Mr Powell. Let me know if the situation worsens.

MISS WAGNER

We will, Miss Carter

Miss Carter leaves. Mrs Hoffman and Miss Wagner walk towards the cell door and open it. Mr Powell has calmed down. Mr Powell sits and stares around him.

MRS WAGNER

Mr. Powell, we want you to follow us.

MR POWELL

Where are you taking me? Are you going to execute me? I deserve it either way. After all, I murdered my best friend.

Handcuffs are placed on Mr Powell by Mrs Hoffman and Miss Wagner. Mrs Hoffman and Miss Wagner stand either side of Powell's cell and gently guide him out.

MRS HOFFMAN

We will just exchange cell Mr Powell. You will be put in a calmer cell.

MR POWELL

Why do I need an exchange cell? What is wrong with my current cell? Right?

Mr. Powell struggles to walk properly. Mrs Hoffman and Miss Wagner try to stabilize him and they go to section D. They stop in front of the second isolation cell. Mrs Hoffman opens the door.

MRS HOFFMAN

You will be here a while for now. Until you calm down.

MR POWELL

I am calm. I have done nothing wrong. You are going to lock me up here because you think that I am a serial killer.

MISS WAGNER

Our goal is to prevent you from harming yourself. Mr Powell.

MR POWELL

Let me go. I do not want to be there. It is dark and unpleasant. There are huge spiders that will attack me with their poisonous jaws.

Mr Powell tries to break free from Mrs Hoffman och Miss Wagners grip. Mrs Hoffman is forced to push Mr Powell into the ground.

MRS HOFFMAN

You need to calm down now. I will not stop holding to the ground if you do not calm down.

MR POWELL

Let me go, you Witch. You sow. When I am free from your grip, I will ensure that...

MISS WAGNER

We will escort you to your old cell if you calm down, Mr. Powell. But only if you calm down and let us help you.

Mr Powell calms down and Miss Wagner leads Mr Powell into the isolation cell. Miss Wagner walks out and closes the door. Mrs Hoffman unties the handcuffs. She put Mr Powell in a leg-iron and she goes out and locks the celldoor.