THE EDGE OF NIGHT
Airdate: February 22, 1961
Summary By: JIM CONLIN
OPENING BILLBOARD
Harry Kramer: The Edddgggee of Night.
ACT ONE
Scene 1
Winston comforts Mattie
In the hospital waiting room Mattie and Winston are alone. Mattie is seated, staring in a numb way. Winston paces slowly, turning an unlighted cigar in his lips. Mattie, in a somewhat dazed fashion says, "Winston - I don't remember - did you say you phoned Jack and Betty Jean, or you were going to?" Winston says he phoned them and Mattie leans against him for comfort. She talks about how close Jack and Sara have always been. Winston tells her she mustn't lose hope as Willy enters the room. He tells them he got through to Lt. Gibson as fast as he could. Winston tells him that Sara regained consciousness and Mike was with her. Dr. Jacobs thought he'd better see her. Mattie and Winston leave to go to the hospital chapel. Once alone Willy almost gives way, but doesn't. He reaches into his pocket and finds the broken pieces of his pipe. He crosses to the wastebasket and drops the pieces into it. He looks at the clock, then sits and stares straight ahead. . .
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT TWO
Sara and Mike share last moments together
In Sara's hospital room Sara lies very still, very white - in bed. Dr. Jacobs stands beside the bed taking her pulse as Mike stands at the head of the bed anxiously watching and waiting. The two exchange looks and Dr. Jacobs shakes his head futilely. Mike calls Sara's name and after a moment she moans a little and her hand stirs, groping weakly. Mike moves quickly to Sara's side and takes her hand in his, gripping it gently. She opens her eyes slowly - eyes filled with the pain of knowing they are looking on the object of their love for the last time - loving, yearning, and somehow resigned. As she tries to speak, Mike tells her to save her strength but Sara needs to know about Laurie Ann. Mike tells her she's fine, that Sara saved her life. If it hadn't been for her, that car would have hit Laurie. Sara smiles with relief and asks to see her but Mike tells her she's been given a sedative and is fast asleep. Sara, who knows if she doesn't see Laurie Ann now she never will again, asks if she can be woke up. Mike tells her perhaps a little later. Sara says, "All right. . .no matter. . .I remember how she looks. . .I remember. . ." a fond remembrance stained with the knowledge of farewell. She then asks to see Mattie and Mike tells her she can see her when he leaves. The doctor only wants her to have one visitor at a time. Sara begins to say something but loses consciousness. After a few moments she comes back asking for Mike. He listens as she starts talking about Laurie Ann. "She's very much. . .you always said. . .she's like me." She quietly says that she often wondered if Mike had been disappointed when their baby turned out to be a girl. Mike says that he's as happy as he could be and all that matters is for Sara to get well and come home. Trying to prepare Mike Sara says, "If. . .if it turns out. . .we're not together again. . .all of us. . .you mustn't let it be an ending. . .but a beginning. . ." She says, "If we're so alike. . .Laurie Ann and I. . .I can never be far from you . . .so long as she is there. Take care of her, Mike. Please remember to take care of her," as she closes her eyes. Mike regards her a long moment, then in faint alarm turns to Dr. Jacobs. The doctor takes her pulse as Mike bends his lips to Sara's hand held in his. Jacobs presses the call-button and a nurse enters. He crosses to her and tells her to find Mrs. Grimsley. The nurse's eyebrows go up as if asking a question. Jacobs nods and the nurse goes out quickly.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT THREE
Willy confronts Dr. Jacobs
A short time later, a dejected Willy sits alone in the hospital waiting room. Dr. Jacobs enters and Willy, fearing the answer, asks about Sara. Jacobs tells him, in his opinion, she has no chance at all now. Although he really knew this, Willy's heart turns over and Jacobs notices this saying, "I just wanted you to know that if it had been humanly possible to save her, we would have." Willy tells the doctor what Mike and Sara meant to each other, "For Mike, the sun rose and set on Sara. And for her it was the same. I've seen people in love - but never like those two." With a wry, lopsided snort of a laugh he continues, "Mike isn't just losing Sara. He's losing half his heart." He stands looking down at the floor sinking in a swamp of black thoughts. Willy sighs heavily as he says, "There's one thing to be grateful for. He'll still have Laurie Ann." Dr. Jacobs makes no comment on Laurie Ann but says, "I'd better go back to Sara's room now," as he starts out. Something suddenly hits Willy as Jacobs reaches the door. He says, "Wait a minute, Doc! He will have Laurie Ann - won't he?" The doctor's face says "No."
COMMERCIAL BREAK
STATION IDENTIFICATION BREAK
ACT FOUR
Willy and Dr. Jacobs
Willy presses Dr. Jacobs with questions regarding Laurie Ann's condition but the doctor says only time can answer. He says that Laurie Ann's condition is grave. Paraneucleosis alone is a serious and dangerous disease - made even more serious and dangerous by the fact that it's extremely rare and the operation that might effect a cure is an extremely delicate one. Willy says he thought the operation was all arranged with McShea. Dr. Jacobs informs him that McShea went to the West Coast to perform the same operation, however, post operative treatment is of the most vital importance. McShea cannot leave his patient to return to Monticello for at least several days. If the automobile accident hadn't occurred -- if Laurie's nervous system hadn't been shocked when Sara pushed her out of the way of that car - the danger to Laurie Ann of being forced to wait for McShea's return would have been great - but now it is desperate! Willy asks how desperate. Jacobs answers, "In my opinion, Laurie Ann must be operated on within the next twenty-four hours at the outside. Twelve hours would be better and that's an impossibility." When Willy says there must be a solution Dr. Jacobs says, "McShea is the only surgeon in the area qualified to attempt such a delicate operation. A Dr. Southard discovered the surgical approach to the cure of Paraneucleosis less than two years ago. Until then, there was no cure. The victim of the disease was doomed." Further, because it takes a year of dedicated study and training, Dr. McShea is the only fully trained surgeon available. Willy asks about Dr. Southard. Since he perfected the operation can they get him? Jacobs says that Dr. Southard retired from active practice "some time ago." Being evasive he says that Dr. Southard isn't the man he was. He's not even sure the doctor's in the condition to do a successful Paraneucleotomy. Not letting it drop, Willy asks why he can't be brought out of retirement. Dr. Jacobs sighs and says that Dr. Southard's young daughter was stricken with Paraneucleosis and normally a surgeon never operates on anyone of his own family - but in this case, since Southard was the only one who could operate, there was no alternative. Sadly, his daughter died. Willy asks where the doctor is now and Jacobs answers he's living in his cabin somewhere up in the mountains. He then advises Willy not to get any ideas; there isn't a man on earth who could persuade Southard to do another Paraneucleotomy. Suddenly a nurse's voice over the intercom urgently pages Dr. Jacobs to room 580, Sara's room! Dr. Jacobs hurries out as a stricken Willy follows.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT FIVE
Mike and Willy
At the same time, in the corridor outside Sara's room, Mike stands staring out a window and Winston sits on a bench against the wall. Dr. Jacobs comes hurrying along, headed for the closed door of Sara's room. Mike turns and Winston rises, but Jacobs only gives them a silent look and goes into the room - closing the door behind him. Mike and Winston look at each other, then go back to what they were doing before. Willy appears and he and Winston exchange looks. Willy turns toward Mike who pays no attention, rapt in numb and dismal thought. Willy takes a step toward Mike but changes his mind; he obviously doesn't know what to do. The door to Sara's room opens suddenly and the nurse hurries out and down the corridor. The three stare after her. . .then go back to waiting. Again the door opens and Jacobs comes out. Mike snaps toward him and Jacobs jerks his head toward the room's interior. Mike rushes to the open door and into the room. Winston, stunned, follows Mike into the room. Willy makes a move toward the room but Dr. Jacobs stops him gently saying, "just the immediate family." Willy nods as Jacobs goes back into the room, closing the door. Standing there, feeling like an outsider, Willy is hurt. His heart is with Sara and he wants to be with her, now the end is come. His hurt becomes anger at being refused, and with a grimace of hot determination he steps toward the door, is about to open it - and stops, realizing that after all is said and done he isn't a member of the family. He's Willy Bryan - outsider. He turns away from the door and sits on the bench. The nurse returns carrying a tray covered with a napkin. Willy half rises, half starts to say something - but the nurse pays him no attention whatever, vanishing into the room. In the brief seconds that elapse between the opening and shutting of the door Willy hears Mattie's voice sobbing in an agony of shocked sorrow. Willy becomes strangely quiet, nobody has to tell him Sara is dead - and he feels dead. In those final moments they didn't need him, the doctor and nurse made it clear. He's Willy Bryan - a friend of the family. But he's not family. He flings himself away from the door and finds himself confronting the blank wall across from it, and because he has to give vent to the empty sorrow, he beats the wall with his fist - not viciously or savagely - but hard and steady - and he is beginning to cry - and he is saying under his breath, "Damn life the way it can be - damn it!!! Willy turns slowly as the door opens. Because there is only a night light in the room the open door frames only blackness out of which come Mattie and Winston. Mattie is bent in sorrow as Winston supports her. Not seeing Willy they go away down the corridor. Then Mike comes out; his eyes are blank, devoid of life. Dr. Jacobs appears behind him and lays a hand on his shoulder, gently moving him to the bench. Mike sits and Willy stares at the open door. Slowly, numbly he walks toward it - and through it.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT SIX
Mike and Sara alone
In the hospital corridor Mike is swallowing a drink of water. Dr. Jacobs takes the cup from his hand and goes off down the corridor, bent on some urgent errand. Willy comes out of the room and goes to Mike. Not knowing what to say, Willy tells Mike they've got to keep on the tracks. There's Laurie Ann; she's in danger. They, he, has to do something fast. After a moment Mike looks up at him. He rises and turns toward the door of Sara's room. As Willy watches helplessly, Mike walks to the door as if in a dream. As he reaches it, the nurse is coming out. She moves as if to stop Mike, then thinks better of it and steps aside. Mike stands in the door then goes inside slowly. Willie goes to the door. He is about to enter, but changes his mind. He gently closes the door - leaving Mike and Sara alone. Then he leans his forehead against the door.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
CLOSING BILLBOARD
Harry Kramer:This is Harry Kramer inviting you to join us each weekday afternoon for THE EEEDDDGGGEE OF NIGHT.
Airdate: February 22, 1961
Summary By: JIM CONLIN
OPENING BILLBOARD
Harry Kramer: The Edddgggee of Night.
ACT ONE
Scene 1
Winston comforts Mattie
In the hospital waiting room Mattie and Winston are alone. Mattie is seated, staring in a numb way. Winston paces slowly, turning an unlighted cigar in his lips. Mattie, in a somewhat dazed fashion says, "Winston - I don't remember - did you say you phoned Jack and Betty Jean, or you were going to?" Winston says he phoned them and Mattie leans against him for comfort. She talks about how close Jack and Sara have always been. Winston tells her she mustn't lose hope as Willy enters the room. He tells them he got through to Lt. Gibson as fast as he could. Winston tells him that Sara regained consciousness and Mike was with her. Dr. Jacobs thought he'd better see her. Mattie and Winston leave to go to the hospital chapel. Once alone Willy almost gives way, but doesn't. He reaches into his pocket and finds the broken pieces of his pipe. He crosses to the wastebasket and drops the pieces into it. He looks at the clock, then sits and stares straight ahead. . .
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT TWO
Sara and Mike share last moments together
In Sara's hospital room Sara lies very still, very white - in bed. Dr. Jacobs stands beside the bed taking her pulse as Mike stands at the head of the bed anxiously watching and waiting. The two exchange looks and Dr. Jacobs shakes his head futilely. Mike calls Sara's name and after a moment she moans a little and her hand stirs, groping weakly. Mike moves quickly to Sara's side and takes her hand in his, gripping it gently. She opens her eyes slowly - eyes filled with the pain of knowing they are looking on the object of their love for the last time - loving, yearning, and somehow resigned. As she tries to speak, Mike tells her to save her strength but Sara needs to know about Laurie Ann. Mike tells her she's fine, that Sara saved her life. If it hadn't been for her, that car would have hit Laurie. Sara smiles with relief and asks to see her but Mike tells her she's been given a sedative and is fast asleep. Sara, who knows if she doesn't see Laurie Ann now she never will again, asks if she can be woke up. Mike tells her perhaps a little later. Sara says, "All right. . .no matter. . .I remember how she looks. . .I remember. . ." a fond remembrance stained with the knowledge of farewell. She then asks to see Mattie and Mike tells her she can see her when he leaves. The doctor only wants her to have one visitor at a time. Sara begins to say something but loses consciousness. After a few moments she comes back asking for Mike. He listens as she starts talking about Laurie Ann. "She's very much. . .you always said. . .she's like me." She quietly says that she often wondered if Mike had been disappointed when their baby turned out to be a girl. Mike says that he's as happy as he could be and all that matters is for Sara to get well and come home. Trying to prepare Mike Sara says, "If. . .if it turns out. . .we're not together again. . .all of us. . .you mustn't let it be an ending. . .but a beginning. . ." She says, "If we're so alike. . .Laurie Ann and I. . .I can never be far from you . . .so long as she is there. Take care of her, Mike. Please remember to take care of her," as she closes her eyes. Mike regards her a long moment, then in faint alarm turns to Dr. Jacobs. The doctor takes her pulse as Mike bends his lips to Sara's hand held in his. Jacobs presses the call-button and a nurse enters. He crosses to her and tells her to find Mrs. Grimsley. The nurse's eyebrows go up as if asking a question. Jacobs nods and the nurse goes out quickly.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT THREE
Willy confronts Dr. Jacobs
A short time later, a dejected Willy sits alone in the hospital waiting room. Dr. Jacobs enters and Willy, fearing the answer, asks about Sara. Jacobs tells him, in his opinion, she has no chance at all now. Although he really knew this, Willy's heart turns over and Jacobs notices this saying, "I just wanted you to know that if it had been humanly possible to save her, we would have." Willy tells the doctor what Mike and Sara meant to each other, "For Mike, the sun rose and set on Sara. And for her it was the same. I've seen people in love - but never like those two." With a wry, lopsided snort of a laugh he continues, "Mike isn't just losing Sara. He's losing half his heart." He stands looking down at the floor sinking in a swamp of black thoughts. Willy sighs heavily as he says, "There's one thing to be grateful for. He'll still have Laurie Ann." Dr. Jacobs makes no comment on Laurie Ann but says, "I'd better go back to Sara's room now," as he starts out. Something suddenly hits Willy as Jacobs reaches the door. He says, "Wait a minute, Doc! He will have Laurie Ann - won't he?" The doctor's face says "No."
COMMERCIAL BREAK
STATION IDENTIFICATION BREAK
ACT FOUR
Willy and Dr. Jacobs
Willy presses Dr. Jacobs with questions regarding Laurie Ann's condition but the doctor says only time can answer. He says that Laurie Ann's condition is grave. Paraneucleosis alone is a serious and dangerous disease - made even more serious and dangerous by the fact that it's extremely rare and the operation that might effect a cure is an extremely delicate one. Willy says he thought the operation was all arranged with McShea. Dr. Jacobs informs him that McShea went to the West Coast to perform the same operation, however, post operative treatment is of the most vital importance. McShea cannot leave his patient to return to Monticello for at least several days. If the automobile accident hadn't occurred -- if Laurie's nervous system hadn't been shocked when Sara pushed her out of the way of that car - the danger to Laurie Ann of being forced to wait for McShea's return would have been great - but now it is desperate! Willy asks how desperate. Jacobs answers, "In my opinion, Laurie Ann must be operated on within the next twenty-four hours at the outside. Twelve hours would be better and that's an impossibility." When Willy says there must be a solution Dr. Jacobs says, "McShea is the only surgeon in the area qualified to attempt such a delicate operation. A Dr. Southard discovered the surgical approach to the cure of Paraneucleosis less than two years ago. Until then, there was no cure. The victim of the disease was doomed." Further, because it takes a year of dedicated study and training, Dr. McShea is the only fully trained surgeon available. Willy asks about Dr. Southard. Since he perfected the operation can they get him? Jacobs says that Dr. Southard retired from active practice "some time ago." Being evasive he says that Dr. Southard isn't the man he was. He's not even sure the doctor's in the condition to do a successful Paraneucleotomy. Not letting it drop, Willy asks why he can't be brought out of retirement. Dr. Jacobs sighs and says that Dr. Southard's young daughter was stricken with Paraneucleosis and normally a surgeon never operates on anyone of his own family - but in this case, since Southard was the only one who could operate, there was no alternative. Sadly, his daughter died. Willy asks where the doctor is now and Jacobs answers he's living in his cabin somewhere up in the mountains. He then advises Willy not to get any ideas; there isn't a man on earth who could persuade Southard to do another Paraneucleotomy. Suddenly a nurse's voice over the intercom urgently pages Dr. Jacobs to room 580, Sara's room! Dr. Jacobs hurries out as a stricken Willy follows.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT FIVE
Mike and Willy
At the same time, in the corridor outside Sara's room, Mike stands staring out a window and Winston sits on a bench against the wall. Dr. Jacobs comes hurrying along, headed for the closed door of Sara's room. Mike turns and Winston rises, but Jacobs only gives them a silent look and goes into the room - closing the door behind him. Mike and Winston look at each other, then go back to what they were doing before. Willy appears and he and Winston exchange looks. Willy turns toward Mike who pays no attention, rapt in numb and dismal thought. Willy takes a step toward Mike but changes his mind; he obviously doesn't know what to do. The door to Sara's room opens suddenly and the nurse hurries out and down the corridor. The three stare after her. . .then go back to waiting. Again the door opens and Jacobs comes out. Mike snaps toward him and Jacobs jerks his head toward the room's interior. Mike rushes to the open door and into the room. Winston, stunned, follows Mike into the room. Willy makes a move toward the room but Dr. Jacobs stops him gently saying, "just the immediate family." Willy nods as Jacobs goes back into the room, closing the door. Standing there, feeling like an outsider, Willy is hurt. His heart is with Sara and he wants to be with her, now the end is come. His hurt becomes anger at being refused, and with a grimace of hot determination he steps toward the door, is about to open it - and stops, realizing that after all is said and done he isn't a member of the family. He's Willy Bryan - outsider. He turns away from the door and sits on the bench. The nurse returns carrying a tray covered with a napkin. Willy half rises, half starts to say something - but the nurse pays him no attention whatever, vanishing into the room. In the brief seconds that elapse between the opening and shutting of the door Willy hears Mattie's voice sobbing in an agony of shocked sorrow. Willy becomes strangely quiet, nobody has to tell him Sara is dead - and he feels dead. In those final moments they didn't need him, the doctor and nurse made it clear. He's Willy Bryan - a friend of the family. But he's not family. He flings himself away from the door and finds himself confronting the blank wall across from it, and because he has to give vent to the empty sorrow, he beats the wall with his fist - not viciously or savagely - but hard and steady - and he is beginning to cry - and he is saying under his breath, "Damn life the way it can be - damn it!!! Willy turns slowly as the door opens. Because there is only a night light in the room the open door frames only blackness out of which come Mattie and Winston. Mattie is bent in sorrow as Winston supports her. Not seeing Willy they go away down the corridor. Then Mike comes out; his eyes are blank, devoid of life. Dr. Jacobs appears behind him and lays a hand on his shoulder, gently moving him to the bench. Mike sits and Willy stares at the open door. Slowly, numbly he walks toward it - and through it.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT SIX
Mike and Sara alone
In the hospital corridor Mike is swallowing a drink of water. Dr. Jacobs takes the cup from his hand and goes off down the corridor, bent on some urgent errand. Willy comes out of the room and goes to Mike. Not knowing what to say, Willy tells Mike they've got to keep on the tracks. There's Laurie Ann; she's in danger. They, he, has to do something fast. After a moment Mike looks up at him. He rises and turns toward the door of Sara's room. As Willy watches helplessly, Mike walks to the door as if in a dream. As he reaches it, the nurse is coming out. She moves as if to stop Mike, then thinks better of it and steps aside. Mike stands in the door then goes inside slowly. Willie goes to the door. He is about to enter, but changes his mind. He gently closes the door - leaving Mike and Sara alone. Then he leans his forehead against the door.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
CLOSING BILLBOARD
Harry Kramer:This is Harry Kramer inviting you to join us each weekday afternoon for THE EEEDDDGGGEE OF NIGHT.