Casualty (1986) s01e15 Episode Script
Closure
If the board of management Nah.
As the board of management can find no alternative but to close down the permanent night shift, I must regard this as a vote of no confidence in me Your tea.
Thanks.
What are we going to do, Susie? I'm sure you'll think of something.
All right.
Closure equals a vote of no confidence in me.
In the circumstances, I consider it my duty to resign.
And I will not hesitate to make public my reasons for doing so.
I'm gonna force them to realise that health care cannot be assessed on levels of efficiency alone.
(Singing Jingle Bells) (Shouting) Get him! Get him! Come on! Come on! Come on! Charlie, we need help.
- Him out! - But, Charlie If he can run like that at 6:30am, he doesn't need treatment.
- I second that.
- Out.
(Sings Jingle Bells) Micky Jones, out you go.
Get outright now! - Micky? - (Groaning) All I did was give Ewart a cup of tea.
Santa Claus and he's full of Christmas spirit.
- You on for this afternoon? - As long as we get somewhere.
- Doctors carry weight.
- Nobody told me.
What's he doing here? He has visions of hellfire and a kidney bowl makes him faint.
Human beings are beyond me.
Show him our selection of thumbscrews.
Without wings - All right - Oh, please, Micky.
- Come on.
- Oh, Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Oh, Nurse, never take up drinking.
Now, now, don't give up on me, you've got New Year to get through yet.
That's the wrong end of the bed.
That's it.
Lie down.
Lie down.
That's it.
Could you sign this for me? Yep.
Yes? Well, obviously his bleeper's bust.
Thank you.
(Man moaning and gibbering) This is Casualty.
You'd think it was the other side of the world.
(Clears throat) Could I have your attention, please? I'd like a wee word.
Just to say that at this afternoon's meeting, I'm going to call for a strike.
Now, I don't want your reaction.
Just to tell you, that's all.
( Spandau Ballet: Through The Barricades) With nothing left to lose, there's everything to go Now I know what they're saying It's a terrible beauty we've made So we make our love on wasteland And through the barricades Let's face it, 99% of the paying public are not interested in the National Health until they're ill.
I mean, why should they be? So we have to hurt before they'll listen.
And you know what that means.
- Strike.
- Strike.
We're too small, Charlie.
It's our only weapon.
Honestly.
I don't know.
- Maybe you're right.
- I am right.
I'm right? Already? So soon? I am right.
I said maybe.
Comrade Doctor, that was better than a kiss.
On second thoughts, maybe not.
This is not unconditional support.
Not support.
We are all in this together, up to our toupees.
Oh, God, I never realised.
- Have you seen Rocky IV? - No.
Do you fancy missing it with me? Yes.
- Oh - No, no, please, please.
Don't move on my account.
I just live here.
- (Horn blasts) - (Shouts) Coming Mr Plimmer, coming! You think I'm gonna fight you with that thing? It's your problem.
If you've got a score to settle, you use your fists.
I'm not stopping you.
Play the game, Bobby.
She's my wife! Look, ask her why she did it.
She's my wife.
Well, ask her! Go on! Do you think she didn't want it too? You've got no idea, have you? Bastard! (Shouting) - Don't mention her name again! - Is that what you say to Jane? - Cut it out! - Is that what you say to Jane? Is that what you say? (Man) OK, that's it.
Bastard! Oh! No This is between him and me! Go home! Move! No! No! Move! I cannot.
You report this, you're dead.
He needs help.
I'm warning you! Friend I'd like to thank you all for coming, especially at such short notice, and sorry I can't be the bringer of comfort and joy.
- Whatever happened to Christmas? - Passed you by, boy.
- Whereabouts is Kuba? - He's headed east with Nurse Clements.
How the younger live.
All right! Thank you! We called this meeting to discuss what action we can informally take to protest against closure.
Stop work.
Charlie, you know the RCN's clause 12 as well as I do.
That's no option.
- So join NUPE.
They'll support a strike.
- (Ponting) That's true.
Megan, I'm counting on the RCN, NUPE and the BMA all making official noises.
About as effective as a deaf-and-dumb guard dog, in my opinion.
We could get patients to sign a petition or something.
They don't care.
We haven't got the numbers.
They're jolly glad to see us when they're hurt.
We won't get very far unless we examine all the options.
I'm sorry but we cannot strike.
Now, it's a matter of honour.
There are one or two other things to remember.
One, the permanent night shift was an experiment.
They don't have to give us the same notice.
Two, they're being clever because you don't lose your jobs.
- You get transferred.
- Where? The psycho-geriatrics? Don't you see? No union has much of a leg to fight from.
What happens to the department? I see 'em come in.
Where are those patients gonna go? Just means they'll be in the wagon for ten minutes more.
That could kill people.
Listen, I think they've got you over a barrel and you haven't got a hope.
This is a waste of time.
We stop work.
Sod which union we belong to, show them we're needed.
- I go for that.
I go for that.
- No.
Wonderful, we work on like heroes, lose the night shift and not a word is said.
Tell that to the next RTA peppered with glass.
That's who I'm thinking about.
We have an RTA when on strike.
What happens? - I'm talking about long-term care.
- I can't do that, Charlie.
I can only care as far as the next patient who needs our skills and I will go on working until they close those doors.
- Very moving.
- There are alternatives to a strike.
We can lobby.
We can talk to the press.
They're all with BUPA.
BUPA doesn't have casualty.
Before you tear each other to pieces, remember we've got to work fast.
There's a new general manager and he's using us to make his mark.
I want to know from the doctors here how far you would support the nurses.
- Charlie, that's divisive.
- Baz? You know you've got my support.
But it's not enough.
People don't know what we do.
The local community has no idea what we do until they're affected.
Look at the support for the maternity hospital.
Everyone cares about children.
We have to make them care that much about us.
So Charlie's right.
We have got to stop work.
- We've got to - No! - Listen, they get another doctor - We make a lot of noise about it.
Sorry but no.
I will stand outside those doors all the hours God has made telling people they are closing us down.
I'll go to the House of Commons if I have to but I will not strike.
(All talk at once) Stay awake.
- The ambulance is coming.
- (Distant siren) Yes, right now.
Stay awake.
My name is Kuba Trzcinski but you can call me Kuba.
- Stay away.
Stay awake! - (Moans softly) Hey, Charlie, come on, then.
She didn't mean it.
Come on.
She meant every word, mate.
Charlie, come on! They're behaving like I'm a revolutionary in there.
All I'm asking for is united action, right? Look, you care, I care, they care.
Come on, let's go and fix it.
I know what I'm talking about.
I'mI'm right.
(Heated debate in background) CharlieCharlie, man.
Call the hospital.
I work there.
Quick! I love that stupid idiot like a brother.
You're still tired.
It is a matter of principle and he should know that.
- Of course he knows.
- Of course he knows, Megan.
If he had the least idea of how much I really look up to him Who are these people trying to close us down? I should be screaming at them.
- Do you want to take the night off? - No, I don't.
I'll come in.
- Where's Ted? - I'm here, love.
- Help me clear up these coffee mugs.
- Yeah, yeah.
- I'll see both of you in about an hour.
- OK.
(Siren blares) We could do a convoy, eh? I've seen it on the telly.
Straight to Downing Street.
Now, every nurse gets a free lift in a taxi.
If we did it smart enough, we might get the national press onto it and you hand the Prime Minister a letter Ted, I know we have to do something.
I do know that.
But you cannot force people to do something they don't believe in.
That is just as bad.
Supposing we do strike and we close down the department, nobody can do our job.
And what about the patients? They'd never trust us again.
Look, I'm sorry I have to say this but you want to start living in the real world.
- I live in the real world! - Before you shout, just hear me out! Now, Charlie, Baz, Susie, Clive, all of you, you're wonderful people.
But you're no different to any other hospital department.
- I know that.
- Of course you do but really you don't.
You can't see any further than your own little department.
So you start fighting among yourselves when you should be seeing it nationally.
It's every hospital in the country! The National Health! That's what you're fighting for.
Oh, come here.
You took a hell of a risk, didn't you? What else to do? Speaking as a paid-up coward, I'd have chucked in my bicycle pump.
It wasn't my fault.
Really.
Bob's crazy.
Marriage is disintegrating anyway.
She just turned to me.
I wasI was just there.
She just turned to me.
All right.
Take it easy.
She, er She Well, the marriage could be pretty lonely.
It's going wrong.
Oral surgery will take him as soon as they can get here.
OK? (Charlie) Good.
Right, we're gonna keep you here for a couple of hours till we can get a bed.
In the meantime, I don't want you running out for a Big Mac.
All right? Nice one.
Did you get a face on his attacker? - Er, no.
- Shame.
That's GBH.
- GBGBH? - Grievous Bodily Harm.
- Grievous Bodily Harm - A baseball bat? - Yes.
- He's lucky to be alive.
If that had caught him Inspector Potter wants to talk to the big-hearted Pole.
- You mean me? - Yeah.
You're a hero.
No, no.
He's even claiming the Polish can play football.
Oh, I'm sorry.
- My fault entirely.
- Don't all leap up at once.
Are you all right? - Are you planning on camping here? - No.
- Where did you get that tan? - Nigeria.
Oh, please.
Excuse me.
- Where'sthe lavatory? - It's just through there.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
- Last of the empire, eh? - He said Nigeria.
- So? - What's that got to do with the empire? Oh, forget it, Duffy.
What's happening? You're going to be all right.
He could have killed me.
You're OK now.
OK.
Listenthanks.
- (Clive) Brian Finch? - Yes.
Can you come this way please, sir? All right, how are you doing today? I don't know, really.
Save Casualty.
Save the night shift.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Just make sure the others know about it.
End of shift and pass it on.
She knows that.
Thanks.
- Pass what on? - We're having a demo.
- End of shift.
- Does Charlie know? He will do.
We're making enough fuss.
Don't tell Ewart.
He's handling it his way.
- Well, if you need any help, let me know.
- Great.
The press.
Micky, what are you doing down here? - I am a patient.
- Then you should be in your ward.
I'm inspecting.
I'm doing my inspection.
(All shout) I'm a patient! You're molesting a patient! - Calm down.
- This is my hospital! So this is what you do in your spare time, molest the patients? I shall report you to the superintendent Micky Jones.
Micky Jones.
Micky Jones? I thought we got rid of him last night.
He was admitted.
Not our shift, day shift.
- On what pretext? - He said he wasn't feeling well.
- They believed him.
- Must be a new SHO.
I'm still here.
This is my hospital and those women should be cleaning dishes! Cleaning dishes.
Duffs, give Coram Ward a ring.
We've got a patient.
Yeah.
I hope you're not thinking of doing anything silly.
- When? - After the shift.
With Susie.
No, of course not.
- I'm fighting as hard as I can.
- Yeah, I know you are.
Right.
PUOwhat do you think? - (Jet lag.
) - (He's been back a week.
) (Could be bringing it on himself.
God squad.
Retribution.
) - (I want Ewart to take a look.
) - (OK.
) (And can you check how many patients we've got waiting? ) Is there anything you can do to help? I can't speak for the station but if it came to closing you down I'd be offering my support and that's a promise.
It's not a question of if.
It's a question of when.
- I'm a policeman.
I can't strike.
- We're not talking about a strike.
We're talking about publicity, banners.
You know what we all think about you.
(Duffy) But? - I'm sorry.
We have to be careful.
- Right.
- Lucy Tomlins! - She's recovered.
- From what? - You know, the attack on Easter Steps.
- That was ages ago.
- Well, I was just interested.
She's not gonna talk about it if that's what you mean.
Mr George Karliokarkas.
Ah, Kuba, just the man.
I'm sorry.
I'm not obliged to be interrogated.
Take it easy.
I just want a word with you about the GBH you brought in.
A very brave thing you did.
Foolish but brave.
I'm not very brave.
Sit! You may not think so.
I tell you, I'm not very brave man.
Listen, this patient is very ill.
Excuse me, please.
Excuse me.
Susie, how many have we got waiting? About eight, why? Don't admit anyone else in for the moment, OK? But Eight waiting.
And we've got a negative test on malaria.
MO? Not yet.
I want to go over his symptoms again.
If he's got what you think he's got, we'll have to shut up shop.
- Ha.
- What's so funny? He's about to do what 100 bureaucrats have been trying to do for months.
- Hm.
- Sorry.
Close us down.
(Police radio ) .
.
on premises.
Over.
On my way, Control.
I'll talk to Cuba again when I get back.
1-4 out.
(Siren) Did you travel? Sorry.
I'm not Leave the city, camping, roughing it? Yes, all over Nigeria.
Kano, Enuguthe Lassa Valley.
And, eryou're feeling a bit nauseated? Any sore throat? Cough? Just generally achy and weak.
Diarrhoea? Yes.
I tell you what, we may move you to another cubicle and we'll probably want to keep you in for a few more tests.
It's possible you got a slight fever while you were in Africa.
I want a word with Dr Samuels.
Someone will be along to see you in moment, OK? - Temperature? - 39.
5.
You really think We've got pyrexia of unknown origin, a high-risk area.
He said himself Symptoms say anything from flu to glandular fever.
- We can't assume it's not.
- Just let me think.
I just heard.
What's the verdict? OK, we have Lassa fever, strong suspicion.
Clear the department but steady, I don't want to start a panic.
If we're wrong, I'd rather have egg on my face than an epidemic.
Now, this is serious.
We shut down at least until morning.
All right.
Duffy, we're shutting up shop.
Suspected Lassa fever in three.
"Keep me the apple of Thy eye, oh, Lord.
"I kneel under the shadow of Thy wings "from the wicked that oppress me "from my deadly enemies who compass me about.
" - Thanks.
- Most important is number of contacts.
We've got to contain them as soon as possible.
Come on, will you? Answer.
Let's hope we've got it right.
You mean if he doesn't die, we look like wallies.
That's just what I mean.
No, it's Dr Gould I want please.
- Who are you ringing? - Medical Registrar.
- Davis? - Yeah.
He wouldn't know a tropical virus if it wiped his nose for him.
That could be dangerous.
In the utility room, there should be a box with special suits.
What do you do, die in them? - For the medical staff.
- Bagsy the smallest.
From now on, only you, me and Charlie go anywhere near him, OK? Well, keep trying her, will you? I bumped into his rucksack.
Whose? The bloke with the Lassa fever.
I bumped into his rucksack and I helped him with his stuff.
I touched him.
Megan touched him.
We don't know for certain if he has Lassa fever.
Have your temperature checked daily for the next three weeks.
Get a couple of helpers and strip the plastering.
Just leave a trolley and a chair.
Who's doing reception? - ErmCharlie and King.
- Mm-hm.
- Have you done this before? - Tropical diseases? Sort of hobby.
Like fish? Not really, no.
No - Where did you say? - Out there.
Says he knows you.
But you can't go out cos we're about to be isolated.
Are you OK? Oh, yes, I'm fine.
Yes.
Susie, is Inspector Potter still ermspeaky speaky? He went out as well but he still wants to talk to you.
Tell him I'm very busy with Charlie.
OK? (Distant chatter and laughter) "We'll talk to Kuba again when we get back.
" That's you.
So I thought we'd have a little talk.
Have you seen what we've got to wear? Wait till you see the masks, doll.
Thanks.
The MO is "delighted" at the prospect of a proper Lassa fever virus.
She says she's had a lot of hoaxes lately and she's on her way.
Don't you just love fanatics? No sense of humour and they say the funniest things.
A fractured skull in X-ray and that's it.
- Is that ambulance outside? - Yes.
Warn the driver and hold him until the MO says it's clear to get him out of X-ray and we'll need his destination and address for monitoring.
All right? I didn't realise Lassa fever was only identified in 1969.
And they haven't changed the suit since.
There's room for both of us in these wellies.
- (Laughter) - No photographs please.
Man, you look a complete and utter jerk.
- Watch it.
- I'm watching it.
Will you start behaving like doctors and nurses? This is a dangerous virus.
- Sorry, sir.
- (Clive) Beam me up, Scotty.
- (All laugh) - What's so funny? We will exterminate! Did you call me? Right, get that room sealed upnow.
Follow us please, Mr Finch.
Don't be ridiculous.
I've come to collect Mr Jones.
- We're sealed off.
- Sealed off? We've got suspected Lassa fever.
- Get me the charge nurse.
- (Mouths) Don't move.
It was me and him so I took precautions.
If he wasn't so thick, he would have.
He was screwing my wife.
Fair's fair, isn't it? Fair's fair Lizzie won't squeal, you don't, everything's sweet.
Give me your hand.
I've got friends who'll do this for me.
Understand? Has he had any contact with the patient? - I'm telling you no.
- Can you be absolutely certain of that? Not 100% , no.
Then I'm not risking my ward till he's been cleared by the MO.
- This is Lassa fever, Charlie.
- All right.
I'll keep him here till we open up again.
You know I'm right.
Listen, keep this under your hat.
We don't want to start a panic.
Have I got laser fever? - What? - It's all these radiations.
I see your suit.
You can't fool me.
Any smart remarks about the zoot suit, sunshine, you go in the dentist's chair.
That's torture.
There'll be nobody to hear your blood-curdling screams.
Tea? Medical Officer's arrived.
She'll be along any minute.
Scary when you wear that stuff.
Yes, sorry.
You think I've got Lassa fever? Pyrexia of unknown origin.
Could be malaria, typhoid, typhus, yellow fever, glandulartricky.
- Where did you get all that? - I'm a missionary.
Souls of little brown babies to save.
Taught English mainly.
Fever's endemic.
Were you up to date with inoculations? - To the day.
- I'm sure everything's going to be fine.
Do you believe in God? - No.
- I think I may have just joined you.
- Rats, isn't it? - What? - Carry the virus.
- Yes.
"For there is wrath gone out from the Lord, the plague is begun.
" Numbers 16, verse 46.
You see, the basis of my faith is that God's benign.
How else do you justify hope? I don't know.
When I started medicine, I wanted to believe but in here Couldn't it just be that your God is testing you? (Sighs) If I felt guilt, I could understand being ill.
I could understand all this.
Actually, what I feel isincredibly lonely.
That's pretty basic.
(Sighs) All I can hear is rats squeaking.
Here we are, nice cuppa tea.
Stop looking so pathetic.
You'll make me feel sorry for you.
Watch the telly.
- Seen it.
Goes round in a loop.
- You will an' all in a minute, mate.
Right, are we ready? - Er, Ewart's in admin.
- Oh.
Kuba, where have you been? - Crash.
- What? - Crash.
- Crash? - Crash room.
- Crash room, OK.
- Who's been in contact with him? - (Ewart) Most of us.
Right, I'll need one assistant to help me with blood for cultures and serology.
- I'll do it.
- Good.
We've got addresses of all potential contacts.
They'll be monitored.
Staff will be checking temperatures for the next three weeks.
Secondary contact.
- You know your stuff.
- Well Sensible precaution.
Arrange for an isolation ambulance and escort in about an hour.
- Right.
- Ready? - This way? - Yes.
Ewart, what happens now? Use glutaraldehyde on everything he's touched.
How dangerous is that? Duffy - There you are now, OK? - Thank you.
Does anybody else know about this, Kuba? No, no.
You should have told us before, you silly twit.
I was scared.
It's all right, Kuba, nothing to worry about, OK? - What happens? - He just cut you like that? - You've got to tell the police, Kuba.
- No struggle, nothing? - He will kill me.
- Tell them about the threat as well.
They are experts at this kind of thing.
That's what they're there for.
- So? - What you do is you phone the police.
You ask for Potter and tell him exactly what happened.
You shoulddo it.
OK (Micky) Jingle all the way I hope they're not going to bring him this way.
They'll take him out the back way.
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one and open sleigh Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, oh (Low mumble) Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride in a one Happy New Year.
Oh.
- How long before we're out the woods? - A few hours.
Finish wiping down, ventilate, then we open up.
- So we finish wiping down? - Yeah.
- And then we wait? - Yeah.
(Micky) Jingle bells, jingle bells What horrible thought are you having? Speaking, Mr Plimmer, as the senior nurse in this department, I would say that the staff are demoralised.
They have to work through Christmas, now they face the threat of closure.
Just what are you planning, Charlie? (Micky) Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way There.
Lift your arm up.
Write that down.
No, we're closed for the night.
No.
What OK, right.
He says he'll talk to you through the door.
OK? - But the others? - I'll keep them away.
OK, thanks very much.
Bye.
He says not to worry.
It is the right thing to do.
- OK? - Sure.
"Three weeks later, the nurses attending the second victim contracted symptoms "and one recovered only after immune plasma transfusions were flown in "from a survivor in New York.
"So contagious is Lassa fever that in the Evangel Hospital in Joss, "no fewer than six cases were reported, all attributable to one patient "admitted four weeks previously.
"Three of the victims were nurses and four other cases proved fatal.
" - Written a will? - It's not funny.
I've written death out of my act.
- It's going up.
- Keep her away from me.
I'm a mother.
- I'm serious.
- Listen, Duffs Will you stop calling me Duffs? Lassa fever has an incubation period of minimum five days.
Maybe I'm a fast reactor.
- Believe me, Duff, you're a slow reactor.
- Are you? (Clive laughs) - Where's Kuba? - Kuba? He's out there somewhere.
- Stand still and get it down.
- Careful.
Bloody typical.
Another minute and McEwan and Pearson would've had this.
- They would have deserved it.
- Destiny, boyo, innit? Destiny.
I'm gonna come back and haunt you.
Now, there's an idea.
- Can you keep a secret? - No, he can't.
I want you to get some goods for me.
- Charlie, it's the middle of the night.
- Yeah, yeah.
- What's he like? - Goods? What are you talking about? Oh, Clive, Clive, Clive, where are we all going to be next year? Whatever happens, Megan, we're going to fight.
Come on.
Ooh! Mr Finch is leaving.
He's died.
Charlie's got an announcement to make if you can be reception in five minutes.
- I wonder what it's about.
- Come on, Duffy.
- (Clive) Bye, Mr Finch.
- (Nurses) Bye.
Bye.
Get well soon.
Happy New Year.
(Sirens) May need you for an ID later.
Inspector, I have to have police protection.
Er, you do this for Royal Family, yes? Well, they're a bit different.
No, no, no, I need this because of the threats.
Look, Kuba, it's not quite as easy as that.
You said it is no problem.
Look, we get him, he's nicked.
He can't attack you behind bars.
He has friends.
- Bluff.
- No, no, no, it is real.
I tell you what, anything odd, you tell us, OK? Inspector, it is your duty to protect me.
Kuba, I'd like to help you.
I'd like to help a lot of people.
We haven't got the manpower.
If you get suspicious, give me a ring.
That's all I can do.
What do you think? I'm at home and he's going to phone me.
He won't work like that.
Then I should never have told you.
- (Mutters in Polish) - Look, Kuba This is a state of fear.
Right, this is strictly invitation only.
My assistant Mr Jones here has kindly agreed to perform himself.
- (Chatting) - Are you listening? This is a box of tricks from the Mencap gala.
You got one hour and I'm master of ceremonies.
How come you always get the best parts, boy? (Imitates Clive) Cos I always got the best ideas, boy.
One at a time! You tell 'em, Micky.
There's enough for all.
There's plenty for all.
Megan, they won't protect me.
Kuba.
Did you go and say what I told you to say? - Are you all right? - What's he done to his hand? - They won't protect me.
- You don't need police protection.
Somebody explain what's going on.
Look, Kuba was threatened by the man who did the GBH, right? So I told him to go to the police and tell them what happened.
He's been to the police and he says And now they won't protect me.
- It's all right, Kuba.
- It was a real threat.
- Come to my office, please.
- Thank you.
- I feel awful now - You did the right thing.
Thanks.
Ewart will sort him out.
Threats are his forte.
Charlie, about the meeting in the house Don't apologise.
I'll go all soppy.
Give us a kiss, then, will you? Come on.
Ouch! Remind me never to go arm wrestling with you.
Come on.
Micky.
Micky, give us a hand.
(All chat excitedly) Oh, timing.
Tell me, what have you got? - Not a lot.
Don't get many to a pound.
- Shh.
Shh.
Shh.
Shh.
Shh.
Argh! Micky's a bit quiet.
What have you got him on? I promised him he could sing Jingle Bells at the end of the party.
This I've gotta stay for.
Speaking of which, you could be of great assistance.
- What do you mean? - The old joanna.
- No.
- Go on.
No.
(Welsh) We are in desperate need of your musical talent.
Charlie, no.
I'll fight this one.
- He's got to be joking.
- You've got a much-needed talent.
- Are you going to sing? - Tone deaf, Andrew.
Thought you'd have known that by now.
I will not play.
(Chatting and laughter, piano chords) Charlie, I spend New Year with Mr Plimmer.
- Great.
- And I cook him a dinner Polish style.
- Beautiful taste.
- Terrific.
Do you want to give Andy a hand with the grub? Absolutely, yes.
- That's a bit beyond the call.
- Only till the threats blow over.
- Besides, I can do with the company.
- (Phone rings) Casualty.
No, we're still ventilating.
Couple of hours.
(Cheering) Chin chin.
Chin chin.
We'll meet again Don't know where, don't know when But I know we'll meet again some sunny day Keep smiling through Just like you always do Till the blue skies chase the grey skies far away - Mr Plimmer! - Will you please say hello - Hello! - To the folks that I know Tell them I won't be long - I won't be long - I'll be happy to know That as you saw me go, I was singing this song Altogether now! Keep Come on, altogether.
Don't know where, don't know when But I know we'll meet again some sunny day Some sunny day (Cheering and laughter) And last but not least, ladies and gentlemen, for our grand finale, I would like to introduce you all the way from the heart of Holby at enormous personal expense Mr Micky Jones! (Cheering) He'll perform that old Christmas classic! I can see the end and nobody'll ever know when it comes cos we'll all blow up and you'll all blow up and there'll be blood and stench and black and charred bodies! Black and charred, I say, black and charred, black and charred! This is my hospital and you and you should be cleaning dishes! Bloody clean nothing.
Dirt! - Black and charred! - (All sing Jingle Bells) And nobody sees it.
And don't talk to me! Don't talk to me! I know.
I can see the end.
- Black and charred, I say! - Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride on a one-horse open sleigh Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride on a one-horse open sleigh (Cheering) As soon as you see us wave, you drop it, OK? Everybody's doing it, I promise.
Even Sister Kiljow said she'd do it.
Right, that's where the meeting is, up there.
So that's what we're aiming for, OK? Ermwe take the hovercraft over to Boulogne where we pick up a dinky little hire car and then we drive off to this lovely little hotel I just happen to know.
What? Your belated Christmas present, three days off.
Lost in France in love.
I've checked the roster.
You're off.
Ah.
I was going to visit my brother.
Well, we could pop in on the way back.
Charlie White wine, Citroëns, accordions, snails.
Well? As long as I pay my share.
(Laughs and squeals) Thank you.
- Do you want yours? - Gimme, gimme, gimme.
As long as you behave yourself.
Rocky IV.
Miss it with me.
- Happy New Year.
- Happy New Year.
- Charge nurse, the demonstration.
- Uh-uh.
- Charlie! - It's a strike or nothing.
You won't get a strike.
The two are not mutually exclusive.
- I'm not going to compromise.
- Who said anything about compromise? - I'll wait for you.
- Come on.
You're the most selfish So there it is.
You came in at 7:30 to tell me that? I don't expect you to be happy.
- What did you want, a letter? - No! ErI don't know.
- The staff will not be made redundant - But the department will be.
How often do I have to say it? I'm concerned about the patients.
The people we exist for, not just my staff.
It was the general manager's decision.
I don't care whose decision it was.
General manager, Department of Health, health minister, I don't care.
When will you understand we're uniquely placed here? The only other casualty is the other side of town.
Close us down, somebody somewhere is gonna die because an ambulance can't get there on time.
That's a fact! Ewart, I agree with you.
Well, then tell me something, how do you sleep at night? (Klaxon tooting) What the bloody hell is that? (Cheering and horns blasting) Save the night shift! Save the night shift! You need us! It'll never work.
We'll meet again Don't know where, don't know when But I know we'll meet again some sunny day We'll meet again Don't know where, don't know when Is this your idea? (Horns tooting) (Shouting and chanting)
As the board of management can find no alternative but to close down the permanent night shift, I must regard this as a vote of no confidence in me Your tea.
Thanks.
What are we going to do, Susie? I'm sure you'll think of something.
All right.
Closure equals a vote of no confidence in me.
In the circumstances, I consider it my duty to resign.
And I will not hesitate to make public my reasons for doing so.
I'm gonna force them to realise that health care cannot be assessed on levels of efficiency alone.
(Singing Jingle Bells) (Shouting) Get him! Get him! Come on! Come on! Come on! Charlie, we need help.
- Him out! - But, Charlie If he can run like that at 6:30am, he doesn't need treatment.
- I second that.
- Out.
(Sings Jingle Bells) Micky Jones, out you go.
Get outright now! - Micky? - (Groaning) All I did was give Ewart a cup of tea.
Santa Claus and he's full of Christmas spirit.
- You on for this afternoon? - As long as we get somewhere.
- Doctors carry weight.
- Nobody told me.
What's he doing here? He has visions of hellfire and a kidney bowl makes him faint.
Human beings are beyond me.
Show him our selection of thumbscrews.
Without wings - All right - Oh, please, Micky.
- Come on.
- Oh, Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Oh, Nurse, never take up drinking.
Now, now, don't give up on me, you've got New Year to get through yet.
That's the wrong end of the bed.
That's it.
Lie down.
Lie down.
That's it.
Could you sign this for me? Yep.
Yes? Well, obviously his bleeper's bust.
Thank you.
(Man moaning and gibbering) This is Casualty.
You'd think it was the other side of the world.
(Clears throat) Could I have your attention, please? I'd like a wee word.
Just to say that at this afternoon's meeting, I'm going to call for a strike.
Now, I don't want your reaction.
Just to tell you, that's all.
( Spandau Ballet: Through The Barricades) With nothing left to lose, there's everything to go Now I know what they're saying It's a terrible beauty we've made So we make our love on wasteland And through the barricades Let's face it, 99% of the paying public are not interested in the National Health until they're ill.
I mean, why should they be? So we have to hurt before they'll listen.
And you know what that means.
- Strike.
- Strike.
We're too small, Charlie.
It's our only weapon.
Honestly.
I don't know.
- Maybe you're right.
- I am right.
I'm right? Already? So soon? I am right.
I said maybe.
Comrade Doctor, that was better than a kiss.
On second thoughts, maybe not.
This is not unconditional support.
Not support.
We are all in this together, up to our toupees.
Oh, God, I never realised.
- Have you seen Rocky IV? - No.
Do you fancy missing it with me? Yes.
- Oh - No, no, please, please.
Don't move on my account.
I just live here.
- (Horn blasts) - (Shouts) Coming Mr Plimmer, coming! You think I'm gonna fight you with that thing? It's your problem.
If you've got a score to settle, you use your fists.
I'm not stopping you.
Play the game, Bobby.
She's my wife! Look, ask her why she did it.
She's my wife.
Well, ask her! Go on! Do you think she didn't want it too? You've got no idea, have you? Bastard! (Shouting) - Don't mention her name again! - Is that what you say to Jane? - Cut it out! - Is that what you say to Jane? Is that what you say? (Man) OK, that's it.
Bastard! Oh! No This is between him and me! Go home! Move! No! No! Move! I cannot.
You report this, you're dead.
He needs help.
I'm warning you! Friend I'd like to thank you all for coming, especially at such short notice, and sorry I can't be the bringer of comfort and joy.
- Whatever happened to Christmas? - Passed you by, boy.
- Whereabouts is Kuba? - He's headed east with Nurse Clements.
How the younger live.
All right! Thank you! We called this meeting to discuss what action we can informally take to protest against closure.
Stop work.
Charlie, you know the RCN's clause 12 as well as I do.
That's no option.
- So join NUPE.
They'll support a strike.
- (Ponting) That's true.
Megan, I'm counting on the RCN, NUPE and the BMA all making official noises.
About as effective as a deaf-and-dumb guard dog, in my opinion.
We could get patients to sign a petition or something.
They don't care.
We haven't got the numbers.
They're jolly glad to see us when they're hurt.
We won't get very far unless we examine all the options.
I'm sorry but we cannot strike.
Now, it's a matter of honour.
There are one or two other things to remember.
One, the permanent night shift was an experiment.
They don't have to give us the same notice.
Two, they're being clever because you don't lose your jobs.
- You get transferred.
- Where? The psycho-geriatrics? Don't you see? No union has much of a leg to fight from.
What happens to the department? I see 'em come in.
Where are those patients gonna go? Just means they'll be in the wagon for ten minutes more.
That could kill people.
Listen, I think they've got you over a barrel and you haven't got a hope.
This is a waste of time.
We stop work.
Sod which union we belong to, show them we're needed.
- I go for that.
I go for that.
- No.
Wonderful, we work on like heroes, lose the night shift and not a word is said.
Tell that to the next RTA peppered with glass.
That's who I'm thinking about.
We have an RTA when on strike.
What happens? - I'm talking about long-term care.
- I can't do that, Charlie.
I can only care as far as the next patient who needs our skills and I will go on working until they close those doors.
- Very moving.
- There are alternatives to a strike.
We can lobby.
We can talk to the press.
They're all with BUPA.
BUPA doesn't have casualty.
Before you tear each other to pieces, remember we've got to work fast.
There's a new general manager and he's using us to make his mark.
I want to know from the doctors here how far you would support the nurses.
- Charlie, that's divisive.
- Baz? You know you've got my support.
But it's not enough.
People don't know what we do.
The local community has no idea what we do until they're affected.
Look at the support for the maternity hospital.
Everyone cares about children.
We have to make them care that much about us.
So Charlie's right.
We have got to stop work.
- We've got to - No! - Listen, they get another doctor - We make a lot of noise about it.
Sorry but no.
I will stand outside those doors all the hours God has made telling people they are closing us down.
I'll go to the House of Commons if I have to but I will not strike.
(All talk at once) Stay awake.
- The ambulance is coming.
- (Distant siren) Yes, right now.
Stay awake.
My name is Kuba Trzcinski but you can call me Kuba.
- Stay away.
Stay awake! - (Moans softly) Hey, Charlie, come on, then.
She didn't mean it.
Come on.
She meant every word, mate.
Charlie, come on! They're behaving like I'm a revolutionary in there.
All I'm asking for is united action, right? Look, you care, I care, they care.
Come on, let's go and fix it.
I know what I'm talking about.
I'mI'm right.
(Heated debate in background) CharlieCharlie, man.
Call the hospital.
I work there.
Quick! I love that stupid idiot like a brother.
You're still tired.
It is a matter of principle and he should know that.
- Of course he knows.
- Of course he knows, Megan.
If he had the least idea of how much I really look up to him Who are these people trying to close us down? I should be screaming at them.
- Do you want to take the night off? - No, I don't.
I'll come in.
- Where's Ted? - I'm here, love.
- Help me clear up these coffee mugs.
- Yeah, yeah.
- I'll see both of you in about an hour.
- OK.
(Siren blares) We could do a convoy, eh? I've seen it on the telly.
Straight to Downing Street.
Now, every nurse gets a free lift in a taxi.
If we did it smart enough, we might get the national press onto it and you hand the Prime Minister a letter Ted, I know we have to do something.
I do know that.
But you cannot force people to do something they don't believe in.
That is just as bad.
Supposing we do strike and we close down the department, nobody can do our job.
And what about the patients? They'd never trust us again.
Look, I'm sorry I have to say this but you want to start living in the real world.
- I live in the real world! - Before you shout, just hear me out! Now, Charlie, Baz, Susie, Clive, all of you, you're wonderful people.
But you're no different to any other hospital department.
- I know that.
- Of course you do but really you don't.
You can't see any further than your own little department.
So you start fighting among yourselves when you should be seeing it nationally.
It's every hospital in the country! The National Health! That's what you're fighting for.
Oh, come here.
You took a hell of a risk, didn't you? What else to do? Speaking as a paid-up coward, I'd have chucked in my bicycle pump.
It wasn't my fault.
Really.
Bob's crazy.
Marriage is disintegrating anyway.
She just turned to me.
I wasI was just there.
She just turned to me.
All right.
Take it easy.
She, er She Well, the marriage could be pretty lonely.
It's going wrong.
Oral surgery will take him as soon as they can get here.
OK? (Charlie) Good.
Right, we're gonna keep you here for a couple of hours till we can get a bed.
In the meantime, I don't want you running out for a Big Mac.
All right? Nice one.
Did you get a face on his attacker? - Er, no.
- Shame.
That's GBH.
- GBGBH? - Grievous Bodily Harm.
- Grievous Bodily Harm - A baseball bat? - Yes.
- He's lucky to be alive.
If that had caught him Inspector Potter wants to talk to the big-hearted Pole.
- You mean me? - Yeah.
You're a hero.
No, no.
He's even claiming the Polish can play football.
Oh, I'm sorry.
- My fault entirely.
- Don't all leap up at once.
Are you all right? - Are you planning on camping here? - No.
- Where did you get that tan? - Nigeria.
Oh, please.
Excuse me.
- Where'sthe lavatory? - It's just through there.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
- Last of the empire, eh? - He said Nigeria.
- So? - What's that got to do with the empire? Oh, forget it, Duffy.
What's happening? You're going to be all right.
He could have killed me.
You're OK now.
OK.
Listenthanks.
- (Clive) Brian Finch? - Yes.
Can you come this way please, sir? All right, how are you doing today? I don't know, really.
Save Casualty.
Save the night shift.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Just make sure the others know about it.
End of shift and pass it on.
She knows that.
Thanks.
- Pass what on? - We're having a demo.
- End of shift.
- Does Charlie know? He will do.
We're making enough fuss.
Don't tell Ewart.
He's handling it his way.
- Well, if you need any help, let me know.
- Great.
The press.
Micky, what are you doing down here? - I am a patient.
- Then you should be in your ward.
I'm inspecting.
I'm doing my inspection.
(All shout) I'm a patient! You're molesting a patient! - Calm down.
- This is my hospital! So this is what you do in your spare time, molest the patients? I shall report you to the superintendent Micky Jones.
Micky Jones.
Micky Jones? I thought we got rid of him last night.
He was admitted.
Not our shift, day shift.
- On what pretext? - He said he wasn't feeling well.
- They believed him.
- Must be a new SHO.
I'm still here.
This is my hospital and those women should be cleaning dishes! Cleaning dishes.
Duffs, give Coram Ward a ring.
We've got a patient.
Yeah.
I hope you're not thinking of doing anything silly.
- When? - After the shift.
With Susie.
No, of course not.
- I'm fighting as hard as I can.
- Yeah, I know you are.
Right.
PUOwhat do you think? - (Jet lag.
) - (He's been back a week.
) (Could be bringing it on himself.
God squad.
Retribution.
) - (I want Ewart to take a look.
) - (OK.
) (And can you check how many patients we've got waiting? ) Is there anything you can do to help? I can't speak for the station but if it came to closing you down I'd be offering my support and that's a promise.
It's not a question of if.
It's a question of when.
- I'm a policeman.
I can't strike.
- We're not talking about a strike.
We're talking about publicity, banners.
You know what we all think about you.
(Duffy) But? - I'm sorry.
We have to be careful.
- Right.
- Lucy Tomlins! - She's recovered.
- From what? - You know, the attack on Easter Steps.
- That was ages ago.
- Well, I was just interested.
She's not gonna talk about it if that's what you mean.
Mr George Karliokarkas.
Ah, Kuba, just the man.
I'm sorry.
I'm not obliged to be interrogated.
Take it easy.
I just want a word with you about the GBH you brought in.
A very brave thing you did.
Foolish but brave.
I'm not very brave.
Sit! You may not think so.
I tell you, I'm not very brave man.
Listen, this patient is very ill.
Excuse me, please.
Excuse me.
Susie, how many have we got waiting? About eight, why? Don't admit anyone else in for the moment, OK? But Eight waiting.
And we've got a negative test on malaria.
MO? Not yet.
I want to go over his symptoms again.
If he's got what you think he's got, we'll have to shut up shop.
- Ha.
- What's so funny? He's about to do what 100 bureaucrats have been trying to do for months.
- Hm.
- Sorry.
Close us down.
(Police radio ) .
.
on premises.
Over.
On my way, Control.
I'll talk to Cuba again when I get back.
1-4 out.
(Siren) Did you travel? Sorry.
I'm not Leave the city, camping, roughing it? Yes, all over Nigeria.
Kano, Enuguthe Lassa Valley.
And, eryou're feeling a bit nauseated? Any sore throat? Cough? Just generally achy and weak.
Diarrhoea? Yes.
I tell you what, we may move you to another cubicle and we'll probably want to keep you in for a few more tests.
It's possible you got a slight fever while you were in Africa.
I want a word with Dr Samuels.
Someone will be along to see you in moment, OK? - Temperature? - 39.
5.
You really think We've got pyrexia of unknown origin, a high-risk area.
He said himself Symptoms say anything from flu to glandular fever.
- We can't assume it's not.
- Just let me think.
I just heard.
What's the verdict? OK, we have Lassa fever, strong suspicion.
Clear the department but steady, I don't want to start a panic.
If we're wrong, I'd rather have egg on my face than an epidemic.
Now, this is serious.
We shut down at least until morning.
All right.
Duffy, we're shutting up shop.
Suspected Lassa fever in three.
"Keep me the apple of Thy eye, oh, Lord.
"I kneel under the shadow of Thy wings "from the wicked that oppress me "from my deadly enemies who compass me about.
" - Thanks.
- Most important is number of contacts.
We've got to contain them as soon as possible.
Come on, will you? Answer.
Let's hope we've got it right.
You mean if he doesn't die, we look like wallies.
That's just what I mean.
No, it's Dr Gould I want please.
- Who are you ringing? - Medical Registrar.
- Davis? - Yeah.
He wouldn't know a tropical virus if it wiped his nose for him.
That could be dangerous.
In the utility room, there should be a box with special suits.
What do you do, die in them? - For the medical staff.
- Bagsy the smallest.
From now on, only you, me and Charlie go anywhere near him, OK? Well, keep trying her, will you? I bumped into his rucksack.
Whose? The bloke with the Lassa fever.
I bumped into his rucksack and I helped him with his stuff.
I touched him.
Megan touched him.
We don't know for certain if he has Lassa fever.
Have your temperature checked daily for the next three weeks.
Get a couple of helpers and strip the plastering.
Just leave a trolley and a chair.
Who's doing reception? - ErmCharlie and King.
- Mm-hm.
- Have you done this before? - Tropical diseases? Sort of hobby.
Like fish? Not really, no.
No - Where did you say? - Out there.
Says he knows you.
But you can't go out cos we're about to be isolated.
Are you OK? Oh, yes, I'm fine.
Yes.
Susie, is Inspector Potter still ermspeaky speaky? He went out as well but he still wants to talk to you.
Tell him I'm very busy with Charlie.
OK? (Distant chatter and laughter) "We'll talk to Kuba again when we get back.
" That's you.
So I thought we'd have a little talk.
Have you seen what we've got to wear? Wait till you see the masks, doll.
Thanks.
The MO is "delighted" at the prospect of a proper Lassa fever virus.
She says she's had a lot of hoaxes lately and she's on her way.
Don't you just love fanatics? No sense of humour and they say the funniest things.
A fractured skull in X-ray and that's it.
- Is that ambulance outside? - Yes.
Warn the driver and hold him until the MO says it's clear to get him out of X-ray and we'll need his destination and address for monitoring.
All right? I didn't realise Lassa fever was only identified in 1969.
And they haven't changed the suit since.
There's room for both of us in these wellies.
- (Laughter) - No photographs please.
Man, you look a complete and utter jerk.
- Watch it.
- I'm watching it.
Will you start behaving like doctors and nurses? This is a dangerous virus.
- Sorry, sir.
- (Clive) Beam me up, Scotty.
- (All laugh) - What's so funny? We will exterminate! Did you call me? Right, get that room sealed upnow.
Follow us please, Mr Finch.
Don't be ridiculous.
I've come to collect Mr Jones.
- We're sealed off.
- Sealed off? We've got suspected Lassa fever.
- Get me the charge nurse.
- (Mouths) Don't move.
It was me and him so I took precautions.
If he wasn't so thick, he would have.
He was screwing my wife.
Fair's fair, isn't it? Fair's fair Lizzie won't squeal, you don't, everything's sweet.
Give me your hand.
I've got friends who'll do this for me.
Understand? Has he had any contact with the patient? - I'm telling you no.
- Can you be absolutely certain of that? Not 100% , no.
Then I'm not risking my ward till he's been cleared by the MO.
- This is Lassa fever, Charlie.
- All right.
I'll keep him here till we open up again.
You know I'm right.
Listen, keep this under your hat.
We don't want to start a panic.
Have I got laser fever? - What? - It's all these radiations.
I see your suit.
You can't fool me.
Any smart remarks about the zoot suit, sunshine, you go in the dentist's chair.
That's torture.
There'll be nobody to hear your blood-curdling screams.
Tea? Medical Officer's arrived.
She'll be along any minute.
Scary when you wear that stuff.
Yes, sorry.
You think I've got Lassa fever? Pyrexia of unknown origin.
Could be malaria, typhoid, typhus, yellow fever, glandulartricky.
- Where did you get all that? - I'm a missionary.
Souls of little brown babies to save.
Taught English mainly.
Fever's endemic.
Were you up to date with inoculations? - To the day.
- I'm sure everything's going to be fine.
Do you believe in God? - No.
- I think I may have just joined you.
- Rats, isn't it? - What? - Carry the virus.
- Yes.
"For there is wrath gone out from the Lord, the plague is begun.
" Numbers 16, verse 46.
You see, the basis of my faith is that God's benign.
How else do you justify hope? I don't know.
When I started medicine, I wanted to believe but in here Couldn't it just be that your God is testing you? (Sighs) If I felt guilt, I could understand being ill.
I could understand all this.
Actually, what I feel isincredibly lonely.
That's pretty basic.
(Sighs) All I can hear is rats squeaking.
Here we are, nice cuppa tea.
Stop looking so pathetic.
You'll make me feel sorry for you.
Watch the telly.
- Seen it.
Goes round in a loop.
- You will an' all in a minute, mate.
Right, are we ready? - Er, Ewart's in admin.
- Oh.
Kuba, where have you been? - Crash.
- What? - Crash.
- Crash? - Crash room.
- Crash room, OK.
- Who's been in contact with him? - (Ewart) Most of us.
Right, I'll need one assistant to help me with blood for cultures and serology.
- I'll do it.
- Good.
We've got addresses of all potential contacts.
They'll be monitored.
Staff will be checking temperatures for the next three weeks.
Secondary contact.
- You know your stuff.
- Well Sensible precaution.
Arrange for an isolation ambulance and escort in about an hour.
- Right.
- Ready? - This way? - Yes.
Ewart, what happens now? Use glutaraldehyde on everything he's touched.
How dangerous is that? Duffy - There you are now, OK? - Thank you.
Does anybody else know about this, Kuba? No, no.
You should have told us before, you silly twit.
I was scared.
It's all right, Kuba, nothing to worry about, OK? - What happens? - He just cut you like that? - You've got to tell the police, Kuba.
- No struggle, nothing? - He will kill me.
- Tell them about the threat as well.
They are experts at this kind of thing.
That's what they're there for.
- So? - What you do is you phone the police.
You ask for Potter and tell him exactly what happened.
You shoulddo it.
OK (Micky) Jingle all the way I hope they're not going to bring him this way.
They'll take him out the back way.
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one and open sleigh Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, oh (Low mumble) Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride in a one Happy New Year.
Oh.
- How long before we're out the woods? - A few hours.
Finish wiping down, ventilate, then we open up.
- So we finish wiping down? - Yeah.
- And then we wait? - Yeah.
(Micky) Jingle bells, jingle bells What horrible thought are you having? Speaking, Mr Plimmer, as the senior nurse in this department, I would say that the staff are demoralised.
They have to work through Christmas, now they face the threat of closure.
Just what are you planning, Charlie? (Micky) Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way There.
Lift your arm up.
Write that down.
No, we're closed for the night.
No.
What OK, right.
He says he'll talk to you through the door.
OK? - But the others? - I'll keep them away.
OK, thanks very much.
Bye.
He says not to worry.
It is the right thing to do.
- OK? - Sure.
"Three weeks later, the nurses attending the second victim contracted symptoms "and one recovered only after immune plasma transfusions were flown in "from a survivor in New York.
"So contagious is Lassa fever that in the Evangel Hospital in Joss, "no fewer than six cases were reported, all attributable to one patient "admitted four weeks previously.
"Three of the victims were nurses and four other cases proved fatal.
" - Written a will? - It's not funny.
I've written death out of my act.
- It's going up.
- Keep her away from me.
I'm a mother.
- I'm serious.
- Listen, Duffs Will you stop calling me Duffs? Lassa fever has an incubation period of minimum five days.
Maybe I'm a fast reactor.
- Believe me, Duff, you're a slow reactor.
- Are you? (Clive laughs) - Where's Kuba? - Kuba? He's out there somewhere.
- Stand still and get it down.
- Careful.
Bloody typical.
Another minute and McEwan and Pearson would've had this.
- They would have deserved it.
- Destiny, boyo, innit? Destiny.
I'm gonna come back and haunt you.
Now, there's an idea.
- Can you keep a secret? - No, he can't.
I want you to get some goods for me.
- Charlie, it's the middle of the night.
- Yeah, yeah.
- What's he like? - Goods? What are you talking about? Oh, Clive, Clive, Clive, where are we all going to be next year? Whatever happens, Megan, we're going to fight.
Come on.
Ooh! Mr Finch is leaving.
He's died.
Charlie's got an announcement to make if you can be reception in five minutes.
- I wonder what it's about.
- Come on, Duffy.
- (Clive) Bye, Mr Finch.
- (Nurses) Bye.
Bye.
Get well soon.
Happy New Year.
(Sirens) May need you for an ID later.
Inspector, I have to have police protection.
Er, you do this for Royal Family, yes? Well, they're a bit different.
No, no, no, I need this because of the threats.
Look, Kuba, it's not quite as easy as that.
You said it is no problem.
Look, we get him, he's nicked.
He can't attack you behind bars.
He has friends.
- Bluff.
- No, no, no, it is real.
I tell you what, anything odd, you tell us, OK? Inspector, it is your duty to protect me.
Kuba, I'd like to help you.
I'd like to help a lot of people.
We haven't got the manpower.
If you get suspicious, give me a ring.
That's all I can do.
What do you think? I'm at home and he's going to phone me.
He won't work like that.
Then I should never have told you.
- (Mutters in Polish) - Look, Kuba This is a state of fear.
Right, this is strictly invitation only.
My assistant Mr Jones here has kindly agreed to perform himself.
- (Chatting) - Are you listening? This is a box of tricks from the Mencap gala.
You got one hour and I'm master of ceremonies.
How come you always get the best parts, boy? (Imitates Clive) Cos I always got the best ideas, boy.
One at a time! You tell 'em, Micky.
There's enough for all.
There's plenty for all.
Megan, they won't protect me.
Kuba.
Did you go and say what I told you to say? - Are you all right? - What's he done to his hand? - They won't protect me.
- You don't need police protection.
Somebody explain what's going on.
Look, Kuba was threatened by the man who did the GBH, right? So I told him to go to the police and tell them what happened.
He's been to the police and he says And now they won't protect me.
- It's all right, Kuba.
- It was a real threat.
- Come to my office, please.
- Thank you.
- I feel awful now - You did the right thing.
Thanks.
Ewart will sort him out.
Threats are his forte.
Charlie, about the meeting in the house Don't apologise.
I'll go all soppy.
Give us a kiss, then, will you? Come on.
Ouch! Remind me never to go arm wrestling with you.
Come on.
Micky.
Micky, give us a hand.
(All chat excitedly) Oh, timing.
Tell me, what have you got? - Not a lot.
Don't get many to a pound.
- Shh.
Shh.
Shh.
Shh.
Shh.
Argh! Micky's a bit quiet.
What have you got him on? I promised him he could sing Jingle Bells at the end of the party.
This I've gotta stay for.
Speaking of which, you could be of great assistance.
- What do you mean? - The old joanna.
- No.
- Go on.
No.
(Welsh) We are in desperate need of your musical talent.
Charlie, no.
I'll fight this one.
- He's got to be joking.
- You've got a much-needed talent.
- Are you going to sing? - Tone deaf, Andrew.
Thought you'd have known that by now.
I will not play.
(Chatting and laughter, piano chords) Charlie, I spend New Year with Mr Plimmer.
- Great.
- And I cook him a dinner Polish style.
- Beautiful taste.
- Terrific.
Do you want to give Andy a hand with the grub? Absolutely, yes.
- That's a bit beyond the call.
- Only till the threats blow over.
- Besides, I can do with the company.
- (Phone rings) Casualty.
No, we're still ventilating.
Couple of hours.
(Cheering) Chin chin.
Chin chin.
We'll meet again Don't know where, don't know when But I know we'll meet again some sunny day Keep smiling through Just like you always do Till the blue skies chase the grey skies far away - Mr Plimmer! - Will you please say hello - Hello! - To the folks that I know Tell them I won't be long - I won't be long - I'll be happy to know That as you saw me go, I was singing this song Altogether now! Keep Come on, altogether.
Don't know where, don't know when But I know we'll meet again some sunny day Some sunny day (Cheering and laughter) And last but not least, ladies and gentlemen, for our grand finale, I would like to introduce you all the way from the heart of Holby at enormous personal expense Mr Micky Jones! (Cheering) He'll perform that old Christmas classic! I can see the end and nobody'll ever know when it comes cos we'll all blow up and you'll all blow up and there'll be blood and stench and black and charred bodies! Black and charred, I say, black and charred, black and charred! This is my hospital and you and you should be cleaning dishes! Bloody clean nothing.
Dirt! - Black and charred! - (All sing Jingle Bells) And nobody sees it.
And don't talk to me! Don't talk to me! I know.
I can see the end.
- Black and charred, I say! - Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride on a one-horse open sleigh Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride on a one-horse open sleigh (Cheering) As soon as you see us wave, you drop it, OK? Everybody's doing it, I promise.
Even Sister Kiljow said she'd do it.
Right, that's where the meeting is, up there.
So that's what we're aiming for, OK? Ermwe take the hovercraft over to Boulogne where we pick up a dinky little hire car and then we drive off to this lovely little hotel I just happen to know.
What? Your belated Christmas present, three days off.
Lost in France in love.
I've checked the roster.
You're off.
Ah.
I was going to visit my brother.
Well, we could pop in on the way back.
Charlie White wine, Citroëns, accordions, snails.
Well? As long as I pay my share.
(Laughs and squeals) Thank you.
- Do you want yours? - Gimme, gimme, gimme.
As long as you behave yourself.
Rocky IV.
Miss it with me.
- Happy New Year.
- Happy New Year.
- Charge nurse, the demonstration.
- Uh-uh.
- Charlie! - It's a strike or nothing.
You won't get a strike.
The two are not mutually exclusive.
- I'm not going to compromise.
- Who said anything about compromise? - I'll wait for you.
- Come on.
You're the most selfish So there it is.
You came in at 7:30 to tell me that? I don't expect you to be happy.
- What did you want, a letter? - No! ErI don't know.
- The staff will not be made redundant - But the department will be.
How often do I have to say it? I'm concerned about the patients.
The people we exist for, not just my staff.
It was the general manager's decision.
I don't care whose decision it was.
General manager, Department of Health, health minister, I don't care.
When will you understand we're uniquely placed here? The only other casualty is the other side of town.
Close us down, somebody somewhere is gonna die because an ambulance can't get there on time.
That's a fact! Ewart, I agree with you.
Well, then tell me something, how do you sleep at night? (Klaxon tooting) What the bloody hell is that? (Cheering and horns blasting) Save the night shift! Save the night shift! You need us! It'll never work.
We'll meet again Don't know where, don't know when But I know we'll meet again some sunny day We'll meet again Don't know where, don't know when Is this your idea? (Horns tooting) (Shouting and chanting)