Overview
- Female: 0
- Male: 4
Context
As a heavy fog surrounds the ship, injured sailor Yank lies convulsing in pain in a cabin bunk. His friend and colleague, Driscoll, is by his side. The Captain comes to check on Yank but it is clear that he is out of his depth with Yank’s medical needs. The best he can hope for is that Yank stays alive until they reach Cardiff but it is clear that this is unlikely.
Note: Driscoll speaks with a heavy Irish accent and the text is written reflect this.
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THE CAPTAIN. (taking out his watch and feeling YANK’s pulse) How do you feel now?
YANK. (feebly) All right, sir.
THE CAPTAIN. And the pain in your chest?
YANK. It still hurts, sir, worse than ever.
THE CAPTAIN. (taking a thermometer from his pocket and putting it into YANK’s mouth) Here. Be sure and keep this in under your tongue, not over it.
THE MATE. (after a pause) Isn’t this your watch on deck, Driscoll?
DRISCOLL. Yes, sorr, but Yank was fearin’ to be alone, and
THE CAPTAIN. That’s all right.
DRISCOLL. ‘Thank ye, sorr.
THE CAPTAIN. (stares at his watch for a moment or so; then takes the thermometer from YANK’s mouth and goes to the lamp to read it. His expression grows very grave. He beckons the MATE and DRISCOLL to the corner near the doorway. YANK watches them furtively. The captain speaks in a low voice to the MaTE) Way up, both of them. (To DRISCOLL): Has he been spitting blood again?
DRISCOLL. Not much for the hour just past, sorr, but before that
THE CAPTAIN. A great deal?
DRISCOLL. Yes, sorr.
THE CAPTAIN. He hasn’t eaten anything?
DRISCOLL. No, sorr.
THE CAPTAIN. Did he drink that medicine I sent him?
DRISCOLL. Yes, sorr, but it didn’t stay down.
THE CAPTAIN. (shaking his head) I can’t do anything else for him. It’s too serious for me. If this had only happened a week later we’d be in Cardiff in time to
DRISCOLL. Plaze help him some way, sorr!
THE CAPTAIN. (impatiently) But, my good man, I’m not a doctor. (More kindly as he sees DRISCOLL’s grief) You and he have been shipmates a long time?
DRISCOLL. Five years and more, sorr.
THE CAPTAIN. I see. Well, don’t let him move. Keep him quiet and we'll hope for the best. I'll read the matter up and send him some medicine, something to ease the pain, anyway. (Goes over to YANK) Keep up your courage! You'll be better tomorrow. (He breaks down lamely before YANK's steady gaze) We'll pull you through all right—and—hm—well—coming, Robinson? Dammit! (He goes out hurriedly, followed by the MATE).
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