Scene 1
Metropolitan Hospital
Hospital lobby
Dr. Elizabeth: What time is it, I have completely lost track of time.
[Link]. Elizabeth, you have been on duty for the last 12 hours, no doubt
you have no idea about time.
Dr. Elizabeth: Not 12 hours, but the last 24 hours There is a constant inflow
of patients, sometime it seems that this is the nucleus of this world, and
nothing exists outside.
Dr. Sarah :Elizabeth you need to take a break, you go home, , I will cover for
you. You look exhausted.
Dr. Elizabeth. Sarah, I am not exhausted, but I feel really bad for all these
people who are here due to different reasons. I want to help them, it is my
duty and not just my duty, my calling. , No, I can’t go home I love working
here , healing people. I cant go home right now .I have to take rounds, two of
my patients are due for surgery tomorrow.
(on public address, Dr. Elizabeth report to emergency )
[Link]: Elizabeth your call.
Dr Elizabeth. Yes, I am going
(In walks the MD of Metropolitan Hospital
Dr. Collins with Dr. Matl
Page 2
Dr. Sarah
Dr. Collins
Dr. Elizabeth
Dr. Sarah: Good Evening
Dr. Collins: Good Evening,Sir.
Dr. Collins: Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
Dr. Elizabeth: Thanksgiving? Oh my God, today is Thanksgiving. Mary will kill
me. I had promised to visit her. I didn’t realize, it's been a hectic day.
Dr. Collins: Dr. Elizabeth, it has been a tough day and I have seen you
working nonstop for the last 24 hours. Dr. Elizabeth, you must take a break. I
strongly recommend it.
Dr. Elizabeth: Sir, I am so graeful for this appreciation.
Dr. Collins: I was telling Dr. Mathew about your expertise and professionalism
and commitment.
Dr. Elizabeth: Dr. Mathew is also an outstanding physician.
Dr. Collins: Yes, all praise for Mathew.
Dr. Mathew: I also have very late hours and give my hundred percent. Young
people are required to work hard, not a big deal.
Dr. Collins: Mathew, one must give credit where it is due. Dr. Elizabeth, I have
good news for you, you have been promoted to the post of attending
physician.
Dr. Mathew: Collins, how could you do this? I deserved that promotion.
Why are you favouring her? I have been expecting a promotion and you
have robbed me of what I deserved after such hard work.
Page 3
Dr. Collins:
Mathew, you will get your chance soon don't be so impulsive. Dr. Elizabeth is
an asset to us. You have never worked as hard as Dr. Elizabeth. Elizabeth
works twice as hard as you! Have patience .
Dr. Mathew
Patience, my foot.
Public Address)
Dr. Elizabeth, report to emergency ASAP.
Dr. Elizabeth:
Sir, I have to rush, thank you for the good news.
Dr. Collins:
You are most welcome.
(Elizabeth’s phone rings.)
Elizabeth: Hello Mary, yes I remember, yes, I will try to make it by 9:00.
Mary:
Lizzi, I have roasted turkey, the kids are looking forward to meet you. And
there is also a surprise guest I have invited, you will like him.
Elizabeth:
You are again setting me up. Have you met this person?
Mary:
No, I have not, but a friend of mine told me that he is a very nice person.
Elizabeth:
OK sis, will be home as soon as I am free, just now I have to attend to a
patient in the emergency. I also have a good news to give you.
Dr. Mathew: (Has been listening.)
You need to be taught a lesson. You will not come here tomorrow or ever.
What is mine, can't be yours... (sinister voice)
Happy Thanksgiving Elizabeth
Have fun at your funeral.
Page 4
Elizabeth: OK, it's 9:30, hope Mary won't be too mad. She will be pacified
when I’ll tell her of my promotion. She is a darling. (lights dim)
(The sound of car door opening, car starting, lights dim, sound of screeching
tires and crashing is heard)
Page 5
Scene Two
Estate Agent: Mr. Adam, I have shown you over a dozen apartments, you
enter, you look around, you appear to like them and then you reject. I am
not quite sure what you are looking for.
MrAdam: I need to feel a connection, a vibe, something friendly, something
warm in the place that I am looking for. I need to feel that I belong so far it
hasn’t happened
Estate Agent: This one is the last one in line. I hope that you find what you
are looking for. Otherwise you will have to wait for a while.
Mr. Adam : I also need to find a place which is like an anchor to hold me, I
have been drifting for a long time.
( They enter into another apartment)
Estate Agent: This apartment is on one year lease It belonged to someone
who hasn’t lived here for a while, so the family has sublet it, the family is
pretty close mouthed about who lived here. Family trouble I guess.
Adam: Wow, what a view. One plus so far. Let me check the couch. (He sits
on the conch) I like the couch, good couch, comfortable couch , it has
moulded itself to my comfort. Great couch. I like it, finally I feel at home.
Thank you Ms. Morgon . Thank for your help. I will move in tomorrow.
Scene Three
The Apartment (Night Time Adam is sitting on the couch, eating popcorn and
drinking Pepsi . He is staring into space and then he looks at a picture, says
to himself
" Judith I miss you so much, just can’t get over your death. I don't know how
to go on. I am nothing without you. He puts the can of pepsi on the table..
(Elizabeth appears suddenly)
Who are you you and what are you doing in my apartment?
Adam: Who are you and how did you enter? Did I leave the doiror open? I
beg your pardon how is it your apartment? A
I signed a lease , paid one years rent , its officially mine
Elizabeth: You cant just walk in here like your own place. Do not put a moist
can on my wood table without a coaster. You have left a wet mark on it. And
how did you enter, you leave right now or else I will call the police.
Adam: Go on and call the police, I also will tell or rather how you have
broken into my apartment, may be you are thief ,how else would you be able
to enter.
Elizabeth :This is my apartment , see that is my picture there. Where is my
picture?
Page 6
Adam. What picture? There wasn't any picture of anyone here.
Elizabeth. Open that drawer, it must be in there.
He opens it and finds a picture of Elizabeth. He looks at it and
and then at her, yes an uncanny resemblance, how did you put it here.
Elizabeth. I did not just put it there it has always stood on my bedside table ,I
don't know who put it in the drawer. Someone has moved my things .I don't
understand.
Adam: I also don't understand Why didn't you come before. I have been here
for a week.
Elizabeth: A week, you have been living in my apartment for a week, how
dare you.
Adam . I may ask you the same thing and it won't settle the issue. Let's do it
in a proper way. Starting with introduction s. Hello , Iam Adam, he extends
his hand to shake hands with her.
Elizabeth: Elizabeth, she extends her hand I am , I am , why don't I
remember my name. Check there may be a name on the picture.
David: Yes , it says Elizabeth Smith, dated 16/5/ 23
Elizabeth: So I am Elizabeth. She also extends her hand to shake and it
passes right through Adams hand.
Adam : O my God, you are dead.
Elizabeth :Excuse me?
Adam :You are a ghost.
Elizabeth :This is me, this is my stuff, this is my couch, this is my coffee table
which you have spoiled, your trash has infested my beautiful apartment you
have you never heard of a trash can.
David :Makes a cross, you are a ghost, just disappear, dematerialize.
Elizabeth just stares at him as if saying see, I am still alive.
She goes on to sit with Adam on the [Link] shifts uncomfortably,
tries to push her away but can't do so.
Adam (Call's a friend on his phone) After a few rings, someone answers.
Adam : Hello David.
David: in a sleepy voice .... Adam, what's wrong ? You have not called me in
ages and now so late.
Adam : I have been sort of seeing some one.
David: And you think middle of the night is the best time to tell [Link] , I am
happy that finally you are seeeing some one after Judith passed away. It is
good for you. Who is she? Do I know her?
Adam: I mean I'am seeing someone that's not there.
David: You mean like hallucination. In your dreams? Attractive ?
Adam: I don't know may be I am out of my mind . She is there, and yet not
really there.
David: Are you taking your antidepressants?
Adam: Yes I am taking all my medication .
David: I hope you are not drinking?
Adam: I am 100 percent alert, no drinking.
David: May be you need a few more sessions of therapy. I will visit you
tomorrow. Just try to sleep.
(Scene Closes)
Adam. Jam sleeping. It's a dream, it is one of those dreams where I know Iam
dreaming. You are still here.
Elizabeth : How do you keep getting here?
Adam: It is you who is here, why are you not resting in peace in your grave.
Elizabeth: This is more serious than I thought.
Adam: Go away, you don't exist.
Elizabeth : You are paranoid, you have
fantasized that you have rented this apartment which is my [Link]
that pillow up. Yes, that one, it has my initials on it, see E is written on it. This
is my apartment.
Adam: Seriously, lady, I have paid the rent for one year. I don’t care who you
are and whatever you are saying.
Elizabeth: You know what? I have had enough. I am calling the police.
(She tries to hold the phone, but can’t do so.) What have you done to my
phone. Why can’t I pick it. What has happened?
Adam: You are a ghost and I am going to get rid of you. You must move on ,
go where you belong heaven or hell and let me live in peace.
Elizabeth: I am not leaving.
Adam: You have to, you are dead.
Scene Changes
Adam: I have come to see Mr. Zen.
Mr. Zen: I am Zen, how can I help you?
Adam: My apartment is haunted by the ghost of a woman.
Mr. Zen: Do you believe in ghosts/spirits?
Adam: NOT until now... I have heard that you perform cleansing rituals for
getting rid of spirits and ghosts.
Mr. Zen: I will come tomorrow to your apartment. But I charge a fee of 50
dollars and take 35 in advance. Who knows how dangerous this ghost is.
Some are easily managed and some offer a lot of resistance.
Adam: These are your 50 dollars. I want to see my home completely free of
this ghost.
Mr. Zen. You can trust my expertise. 100 percent success rate.
Change of Scene.
Adam is asleep on the couch .
Adam wakes up with a start.
Adam : You are still here , why don't you leave me in peace.
Elizabeth : murmuring to herself: I get these flashes , some faces, I am so
exasperated , who can tell me who am I? I am sure I am here because it is
my home ....and you know I have noticed that I don't need to open doors to
pass through them and I also can pass through walls.
Adam: I told you that you are a ghost. Ghosts normally haunt placed like old
castles and abandoned places, go there. You are a misguide ghost go join the
rest of your kind. He laughs out loud.
Elizabeth give him a long cold stare.
Elizabeth: If I am a ghost and am in this place and you can see me then there
must be some reason for me being here. Maybe some unfinished
business...may be I am on a transit , something holding me here, and no one
wanting me there.
Adam: Unfinished business like what , oh like a wish list?
Elizabeth: in a very serious tone" like my life."
Adam: suddenly sobering: They both look at each other and a current of
understanding passes between them.
Adam :May be you are not dead at all and even if you are and still lingering
around there is something in it.
Elizabeth: If I could just remember something about who I am or was, I mean
then I can try figuring out but can’t seem to find any clue about myself.
Adam: You can ask me to help you, if you really want that, in a nice way.
Then at least you would let me live me in peace.
Elizabeth: Yes, I need some help, I am asking you in a nice way.
David: Thank you, now where do we begin?
Elizabeth: Why am I in this apartment?
David: When I rented this apartment, there was no information as to whose
apartment it was before me — the family which sublet this apartment was
quite tight-lipped about it. Some tragic family business matter.
Elizabeth: It is as if I were a ghost even before I was dead. You know I feel
that there must be some information about me somewhere in this
apartment. Try looking through the contents in these drawers. May be you
will find something.
David: OK, let’s begin with the first drawer. There is a phone number on a
slip of paper – a dry cleaner’s receipt. I can go and check from the address
on it.
Elizabeth: Call this number.
David: (He calls the number. (Bell rings) Someone picks.
Metropolitan Hospital, how may I help you? (David ends the call.)
It is the number of Metropolitan Hospital.
Elizabeth: Why would I have the hospital number by my bedside. Oh my God,
I lived alone and I was very sick. It seems to fit – no one knews who I was.
Adam (Suddenly, as if he has a spasm and he bends over)
O my stomach hurts.
Elizabeth: David, you are having a gastric attack, does it hurt on the left side
of your lower abdomen?
David: Yes, it’s like a sharp knife is ripping me apart.
Elizabeth: David, lie on your stomach and press your abdomen with your
hands, it will release the pressure and make you feel comfortable. Let me
take your pulse. (Her hand just passes through his wrist.) Oh this is so
frustrating. There must be an antacid in the bathroom cabinet, take one.
David: How do you know so much about how to treat me?
Elizabeth: I don't know, it just happened, it is as if I know what to do
instinctively.
David: Are you a doctor?
Elizabeth: I don't know.
David: I am feeling better, let me check the other drawer too. Maybe I will
find some clue.
Elizabeth: Thank you.
David (opens another drawer): (He takes out an ID with a string attached
which says: Dr. Elizabeth — Physician at Metropolitan Hospital. He says very
slowly:) Your name is Elizabeth and you were a General Physician at
Metropolitan Hospital.
Elizabeth: I am a doctor, yes I am a doctor, or should I say I was a doctor.
David: I will go tomorrow to Metropolitan Hospital and get some information
about you.
Elizabeth: I will go with you.
Next Scene
Metropolitan Hospital
David: (goes to the counter) Can you help me?
The Reception Clerk: Yes sir, what is it?
David: I want to meet Dr. Elizabeth. I was told she works here, I am an old
friend.
The Reception Clerk: I don't know how to tell you but three months ago Dr.
Elizabeth was in a serious accident and…
David: and
R.C: She got a major head injury and she is in a coma and is now on life
support in our hospital. She was one of our best young doctors.
Elizabeth: So I am neither completely dead, nor completely alive.
David: You are a doctor and you are not dead, and there is your reason for
still being here.
Elizabeth: Ask her to visit me in my room. (Ok I will and people are looking at
me for talking to an invisible entity.
Adam: Talking to the receptionist ) Iam devastated to hear about .May I visit
her.
R.C: Yes you may, Dr. Mathew he is in charge.
David: Thank you. Where may I find Dr. Mathew.
RC : In Room 226, that's where Dr. Elizabeth is resting.
David: Let's go and check how you are doing? Both of them go together and
David knocks.
Dr. Mathew: Enter.
David: Sorry to disturb you Dr. Mathew, I am here to see Dr. Elizabeth.
Dr. Mathew: You are?
David: A very old friend - Can you tell me what are the chances.
Dr. Mathew: "She has been in coma for last three months, since she worked
here, she has been put on life support (A waste of resources) I have spoken
to the MD to take off her life support tomorrow. I have spoken to her sister,
she would also come tomorrow. She has given her consent.
David: Is there no chance for her?
Dr. Mathew: In such cases one can never tell. But you cannot go on like this
for an unlimited period of time.
David: (goes close to Elizabeth’s body and holds her hand. (Elizabeth is
looking at herself on the bed)
Adam :Elizabeth, can you hear me? It is Adam .(There is a slight movement
in the eyelids and the hand) mean while Elizabeth starts to fade...
David: Doctor, I felt something, a sign of life, you cannot remove her life
support.
Dr. Mathew: I have got permission from authorities and I am going to do it
tomorrow afternoon after all the preliminaries.
Elizabeth: You have to save me.
David: Yes, lets go home and think of some action plan
Next scene
Elizabeth: I am not getting good vibrations from [Link].I is something
evil about him.
Adam :Yes, exactly but tomorrow I will do my best to save you Thats a
promise.
Elizabeth: Today is my last night, or my last few hours as a ghost.. If I die I
won't be here, if I live I won't be here.
Sure! Here's the typed version of the handwritten
PAGE 14
live
die, I won't be here.
Adam: Elizabeth, I have grown very fond of you, ghost or not. Whatever
happens tomorrow, I give you my promise, I will do everything possible to
save you.
Elizabeth: I am sorry that I messed with your life.
Adam: You know Elizabeth, whatever may happen tomorrow, let's celebrate.
Let me play my favourite song. Let's dance to the rhythm of friendship. Let’s
dance to the rhythm of the song. Though we cannot touch, but let song be
the vibration of music. Elvis on piano.
Elizabeth: Whatever you say, Music transcends. Elvis songs – they don’t need
touch.
Then Adam takes out a sketch book and says:
Adam: Elizabeth, I want to make a sketch of you, you look different tonight.
There is a certain ethereal quality about you, your eyes are more brilliant,
not of a ghost but a real person. (He draws her)
Adam: One thing more – there may be also a danger that you might not
remember me once you return to normal life. Whether your mind, or
memory, is registering what is happening now is yet to be seen.
Elizabeth: Oh Adam, I don't want that to happen. I don't exactly remember
how I lived my living life, but perhaps I was a loner and as a ghost I have
found someone that I have connected to.
Adam: May be this sketch will help you to remember me. I am signing my
name on sketch. Lets hope that tomorrow I bring you back to normal life.
(Elizabeth: Doesn’t say anything. Just sits with Adam and watches him fall
asleep)
Scene Changes: Room 226 – Hospital:
Mary, Dr. Mathew, and Elizabeth’s ghost are in the room.
Adam: Dr. Mathew, I request you yet again to reconsider. All her vitals are
stable, she may wake up any moment.
Dr. Mathew: I told you before, Elizabeth is beyond any hope. This bed and all
these facilities are being wasted on her. Our policy has been not to go
beyond two months with patients like her. It has been six months. We cannot
stretch it any further. Other patients need this bed.
Mary; Dr. Mathew, I have been visiting Elizabeth almost every week, I also
feel the same way as (pointing to Adam) him, (sorry I did not get your name).
Pointing to Adam.
Adam: I am Adam.
Mary : How do you know Elizabeth?
Adam: Very old friend of mine. We were class fellows in school and college.
Mary: I don't remember Lizzy ever mentioning you. But I am so grateful that
you are here.
Elizabeth (trying to connect to Mary: Sis, don't allow this evil man to take off
my life support.
Mary: (suddenly feels faint) I am sorry Lizzy. I would have wanted you alive
and active as you always were but not a vegetable like this.
Elizabeth: (screaming to Adam): He is a murderer, Dr. Mathew tempered with
my car and loosened the brakes. Oh my God I now remember, I died in a car
crash and he was responsible for it! He bore a grudge that I was promoted
and he wasn't to a position he coveted. Now he is finally having his chance to
get rid of me ,the first try was not 100% successful. Adam stop him.
Adam: I will.
Dr. Mathew: I am going to remove the life support now. Mary if you want to
say something to her
Mary : (holds Elizabeth’s hand): I loved you then my little Lizzy, I love you
now and will love you forever and ever. Forgive me if I couldn’t stop this.
As Dr. Mathew tries to take off Elizabeth’s mask, Adam tries to push him .
Dr. Mathew pulls out all plugs of monitoring systems as well as Elizabeth
oxygen. Elizabeth struggles for breath , Adam rushes to her and thumps her
chest. He keeps doing it and suddenly Elizabeth with a jerk opens her eyes
and looks around (The ghost of Elizabeth starts to fade and disappears)
Elizabeth : (looks at Mary) sister where am I what are you doing her ?
Mary: you are back Oh my God Elizabel It is a miracle.
Elizabeth :What happened to me?
Mary :You were in a terrible accident then in a coma for the last six months.
Elizabeth :Six month ? So how have I come back ?
Mary : This gentleman, your friend brought you back to life
Elizabeth :Who?
Mary: pointing to Adam .That gentleman.
Elizabeth: I don't know him who is he?
Then she completely ignores him and holds Mary s hand (She doesn't even
look towards Adam) Adam leaves crest fallen.
Scene Changes. Apartment.
Elizabeth and Mary enter.
Elizabeth: Thankyou for keeping every thing perfect for me in the
apartment. It looks spick and span.
Mary :I had sublet your apartment for one year . Someone lived here.
Whoever lived here had taken good care of it. When are you going to join
the hospital?
Elizabeth: Dr. Collins has asked me to join in a week’s time.
Mary :What about Dr. Mathew You cannot work while he is there.
Elizabeth: There are criminal proceedings, beginning against him. He will
spend the rest of his life in prison and his medical license has been
cancelled.
Mary: Good riddance to bad rubbish. I hope you will be able to take care of
yourself, now that you are going to live alone. I cannot stay with you due to
the kids, despite my wish to to be with you. Also, the gentleman who had
leased your apartment will be coming today to return the keys.
Elizabeth:I understand Sister, I am completely fine now .I know you want to
help but your kids are too naughty to be left without supervision. Don't
worry about me.
Mary: Ok, then good bye
Elizabeth: Goodbye sister. She comes into the room, looks around and then
settles on the couch. I have been in coma for six months, yet it seems that I
had been in In this apartment throughout. May be in my dreams or sub
conscious mind. There seems to be a presence of some other person a
shadow.
(Bell Rings) Elizabeth goes to open the door. It is Adam who is there.
Elizabeth: (Looks at him as if trying to recognize him.) You are —
Adam: I am Adam. I had leased this apartment. I have come to return the
keys and take my sketchbook which I forgot to take along.
Elizabeth: Please come in. I want to thank you for taking such good care of
my apartment. Please feel free to take your things.
Adam: (A very sad expression on his face, goes over to the piano and takes
his sketchbook. Elizabeth’s sketch falls on the floor.)
Elizabeth: Oh you dropped something. (She picks up the sketch, looks at it
closely and then looks at Adam.) “This is my sketch, when did you make it?”
Adam: I can’t explain.
Elizabeth: Your face is so familiar, yet I don’t know you. Wait a minute, I don’t
know why I have this image of you playing the piano. Can you play the
piano?
Adam: Yes I can, played often.
Elizabeth: Please play it, though I have no idea why I am asking you. I am
remembering something, yet missing something.
Adam: If you want me to. (He goes over to the piano and plays can't help
falling in love with you) Elizabeth walks over to the piano, keeps listening to
it and suddenly she remembers something.
Elizabeth: Adam, you are Adam, now I remember.
Adam: What do you remember?
Elizabeth: I don’t know what I remember, but there seems to be a strong
connection I feel with you. I was being pulled to the music like a magnet
when you were playing it. You and I have a soul connection, don’t you feel it?
Adam: I have known it, I felt it, I feel it but I was waiting for you to remember.
We met when you were on some other plane, not this physical self., Do you
really remember me?
Elizabeth: It is all coming back to me, each and every moment, every word
spoken, you saved me and now I also remember you were in the hospital too.
Sorry, I didn’t acknowledge you.
Adam: All is well that ends, from hating you to falling in love with you — was
meant to be.
Elizabeth: Yes it was meant to be; how it happened, why it happened I don't
care. I found you after having almost died, you brought me back to life. Now
we are going to be together till death do us part. (Curtain closes)
Narrator: And they lived happily ever after… who knows, they got married.
THE END