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RUSSIAN ROULETTE




 
** FEBRUARY 11TH **
 
*** MEDICAL CLINIC - 10:20 AM ***
   
  Suzi is heating some water in the sink while Polly sterilises some needles.
Suzi Croft: You look tired.
  Polly replies absent-mindedly.
Polly Page: We had a late night last night. Viv was taken.
Suzi Croft: Is she okay?
  Polly nods slowly.
Polly Page: She was quiet, that's all.
  Suzi shakes her head and gets on with her work.
Suzi Croft: And how are you bearing up?
  Polly sighs.
Polly Page: I'm...fine.
  Polly stacks the supplies into a cupboard.
Suzi Croft: You don't look fine.
  Polly snaps back angrily.
Polly Page: Piss off, will ya! I'm sick of you all down me throat!
  Suzi shrugs.
Suzi Croft: Fine, be a stuck up little cow. You'll last two weeks maximum with an attitude like that.
Polly Page: I just wish you'd all bloody leave me alone!
  Suzi goes back to her work.
Suzi Croft: You're really winning friends and influencing people today.
  Polly observes the assorted medicines in the cabinet before taking a deep breath and turning back to Suzi.
Polly Page: Can I ask you something? In confidence?

 

Suzi raises an eyebrow.
Suzi Croft: Go on.
Polly Page: It's just, you have to promise me that it won't go any further, I, I don't want anyone else knowing.

 

Suzi looks intrigued.
Suzi Croft: I think I know what you're going to say, but I promise to keep it a secret.
Polly Page: Well, I mean, I'm not sure, but I, I think I'm pregnant.

 

Polly remains oddly detached and unemotional. Suzi furrows her brow.
Suzi Croft: What makes you think that? Here, sit down.

 

Suzi indicates for Polly to sit on a bed. Polly sidles over, taking a seat tentatively.
Polly Page: Look, you promised you wouldn't say anything!

 

Suzi sighs.
Suzi Croft: You can trust me, Polly. Now, tell me about it from the start.

 

Polly speaks very matter-of-factly.
Polly Page: There's nothing to tell. I haven't had a period since we got here, and I've spent the better part of the last two weeks throwing up!

 

Suzi gives a small smile.
Suzi Croft: I noticed.

 

Suzi waits for Polly to continue. Polly considers her next sentence for a moment.
Polly Page: Is, is there anything you could, I mean, is there anything I could take that would get rid of it?

 

Suzi looks serious.
Suzi Croft: You mean abortion?

 

Polly scoffs.
Polly Page: I don't care! Just get rid of it!

 

Suzi is taken aback.
Suzi Croft: So you'd prefer to kill the baby?

 

Polly gives Suzi at dirty look, getting to her feet.
Polly Page: If you won't help me, leave me alone!
Suzi Croft: I can't help you unless you help yourself, Polly. What exactly do you want to do about this pregnancy?
Polly Page: Well, surely there's something you can do? Something I could take?

 

Suzi sits down on the bed next to Polly.
Suzi Croft: Well there are always ways. I mean, some of the things I saw when I was working as a paramedic. If you take an overdose of pills, it usually leads to abortion but it's very hard to get the dosage correct. And I don't have the pills to spare, I'm afraid.

 

Polly looks pleadingly at her.
Polly Page: But surely there's something you could do? Anything!

 

Suzi shakes her head slowly.
Suzi Croft: There's nothing I can do, Polly. Maybe you should ask the guards, tell them about the baby? They might be able to arrange something.

 

Polly cringes.
Polly Page: Are you kidding! That�s the whole point. I'll probably wind up dead for this anyway! Please Suzi!

 

Suzi looks pityingly at Polly's crumpled form.
Suzi Croft: I wish there was something that I could so for you but there isn't. You're on your own here Polly.
Polly Page: You're as bad as the others. You all wanna know everything, but then you can't do anything to help!

 

Polly walks across the room in a huff to continue folding sheets and pillow cases. Suzi rolls her eyes and gets back to work.
Suzi Croft: If you're really desperate I could try to perform some surgery, but it's very risky in these conditions.
Polly Page: How do you mean risky?

 

Polly looks curious. Suzi purses her lips.
Suzi Croft: There's every chance that you could bleed to death.

 

Polly�s jaw drops open.
Polly Page: But, you could do something?

 

Suzi chooses her words carefully.
Suzi Croft: I could. But I advise you against it. In these conditions, it would be safer to see through the pregnancy full term.

 

Polly looks as if she's about to burst into tears.
Polly Page: But I can't. Please Suzi?
Suzi Croft: Abortions are risky enough but in a camp like this you'll probably get infected at the very least. Chances are that you wouldn't be able to have kids after the operation as well. So think carefully about it before you do anything rash.
Polly Page: What makes you so sure I'd get through a pregnancy in a place like this, anyway?
Suzi Croft: You can never be sure, but it's the safest option in my opinion.

 

Suzi folds her arms decisively. Polly sighs, turning back to her work.

 

 

 

 

 

*** VEGETABLE PATCH - 11:00 AM ***

 

 

 

Liz shifts a final shovel of dirt before standing back to admire the planted crops.
Liz Rawton: I thought we'd never get it done.

 

Viv wipes the sweat from her brow and leans on her shovel.
Viv Martella: Well it's planted now. Bloody seeds, I've always hated gardening.
Liz Rawton: Tell me about it. And trying to grow anything in this weather is impossible!

 

Viv carefully rearranges her hair.
Viv Martella: Well I hope this pays off. Maybe the guards will leave us alone if we grow vegetables for them?

 

Liz scoffs.
Liz Rawton: I wouldn�t get ya hopes up! I think by growing 'em, we just prolong starvation!
Viv Martella: Yeah, why do we bother though? Sometimes I think it'd be better to starve.

 

Viv bites her lip and sits down, pale-faced. Liz turns around, slightly annoyed.
Liz Rawton: Just what you think you're doing? We've still got another ten rows to plant!

 

Viv snaps at Liz.
Viv Martella: I've had enough work for now.

 

Liz scoffs.
Liz Rawton: Oh, don�t even think about it Viv, I ain't doing this on me own!

 

Viv ignores Liz and turns her head. She looks very withdrawn. Liz throws the shovel angrily to the ground.
Liz Rawton: I'm not kidding ya know! Get your butt over here!

 

Viv groans and gets to her feet angrily.
Viv Martella: Just get lost Liz, I'm not in the mood.
Liz Rawton: What is it with everyone around here! You're getting as bad as Polly!
Viv Martella: Yeah, well I've got a bit more in common with her after last night!

 

Viv stops, realising that she's said too much. Liz looks back at Viv, slowly making her way over to her.
Liz Rawton: Viv?

 

Viv turns away from Liz.
Viv Martella: What? Just leave me alone.

 

Liz sighs.
Liz Rawton: Viv, don't shut yourself away like the rest of 'em. You think you're the only one, eh?

 

Liz pauses for a moment.
Liz Rawton: Was it the Gentleman?

 

Viv nods slowly.
Viv Martella: Several times.
Liz Rawton: I see. Have you seen Suzi?

 

Viv shakes her head.
Viv Martella: No need, I'm more or less okay. Physically that is.

 

Liz nods.
Liz Rawton: If you're sure.

 

Viv waves Liz aside.
Viv Martella: I'll be fine. I usually am.

 

Viv looks closely at a figure talking to the guards at the fence nearby.
Viv Martella: What's she up to I wonder?

 

Viv notices that Sally is speaking to the guards. Her manner and bearing are very seductive..
Viv Martella: They are over-sexed as it is, does she really have to encourage them?

 

Viv speaks bitterly. Liz narrows her eyebrows.
Liz Rawton: What's he giving her? Viv, see? He's handing her something!

 

Viv peers down at the pair.
Viv Martella: Blimey, he's giving her some cosmetics!
Liz Rawton: Sure looks like it, that vicious cow. what'd she do to get all that!

 

Viv shrugs.
Viv Martella: I've got a feeling I don't want to know!

 

Viv shakes her head as Sally takes one of the guards by the hand and leads him towards her tent.
Viv Martella: She's insatiable!

 

Viv gasps. Liz scoffs.
Liz Rawton: Explains why she's able to push everyone around I guess. She's got the guards on her side.

 

Viv growls.
Viv Martella: Yeah, well she'll get her comeuppance soon enough. I hope that Wild Cat gets his claws into her!

 

Viv turns away and the women get back to work.

 

 

 

 

 

** APRIL 10TH **

 

*** MEDICAL CLINIC - 9:00 AM ***

 

 

 

Suzi is walking from patient to patient, applying cool cloths to their heads and performing basic medical duties. Polly places the breakfast tray in the patients laps, systematically pouring them cup of powdered orange juice. Norika taps Polly on the shoulder.
Norika Datta: I ordered tea, waitress!

 

Norika grins at Polly, who rolls her eyes, sitting on the bunk.
Polly Page: I wish. Here, drink this.

 

Norika slowly sips the orange juice.
Norika Datta: I'm feeling better this morning.

 

Polly nods.
Polly Page: You'll probably get out of here tomorrow, depending.

 

Norika yawns and stretches her arms.
Norika Datta: Back to the fun of the morning run. I can't wait. How are things in the camp right now?

 

Polly shrugs, getting to her feet.
Polly Page: Same old story. That Johnson cow pushing everyone around. It's not like anything ever changes round here!

 

Norika snorts.
Norika Datta: Just ignore her, Poll. Her type's always bad news.

 

Norika finishes her drink and hands the empty cup back to Polly.
Polly Page: Just you concentrate on getting better, yeah?

 

Norika smiles.
Norika Datta: Will do.

 

Norika turns over and slips into a light sleep. Polly heads over to the next patient, giving Suzi a curt nod.
Suzi Croft: Are you finished, Polly?
Polly Page: Accept for the ones on fluids only.

 

Suzi makes a note on her clipboard. Polly takes the wet cloth from Suzi,
Polly Page: How's she doing?
Suzi Croft: Ruth? I'm a bit worried about her.

 

Suzi sighs.
Suzi Croft: It tough for everyone here but she's not coping very well.

 

Polly looks down at the feverish patient.
Polly Page: This is her third day, isn't it?

 

Suzi nods.
Suzi Croft: And she's still got a fever.
Polly Page: Is she still going without liquids?
Suzi Croft: Yeah, well at this stage it's the only sensible thing to do.

 

Polly nods slowly.
Polly Page: We'll just have to wait it out.

 

Suzi frowns thoughtfully.
Suzi Croft: Could you get the penicillin? I think she needs some to help her cope with the fever.
Polly Page: I didn't think we had that? Where is it?

 

Suzi points to a cupboard in the corner.
Suzi Croft: We just got a new batch in, courtesy of that nice Lieutenant. It's over there.
Polly Page: Right.

 

Polly heads over towards the medicine cabinet. Suzi gazes back at her clipboard, filling out another few sheets. Polly searches through the jars, quickly unscrewing the full container of penicillin, slipping the two pills into her hand. Looking slowly from the full bottle back to Suzi's turned figure, Polly quickly empties a handful of tablets into her gown pocket, leaving two in her hand for the patient.
Suzi Croft: What's keeping you?

 

Polly looks up surprised as Suzi appears next to her, quickly placing the bottle back on the shelf.
Polly Page: Nothing.

 

Suzi nods her head and is about to turn back to her work when she spots something amiss. Suzi takes the penicillin jar down from the shelf and examines the contents carefully.
Suzi Croft: This was a new container! Now it's half-empty.

 

Suzi turns to Polly accusingly.
Suzi Croft: Care to explain this Polly?

 

Polly takes a deep breath, replying innocently.
Polly Page: What?

 

Suzi narrows her eyes.
Suzi Croft: Well the only people with access to this jar are you and me, and I certainly haven't taken them.

 

Suzi glares at Polly. Polly raises her voice weakly.
Polly Page: The jar was only half full in the first place, don't look at me!

 

Suzi carefully puts the jar back and moves towards Polly.
Suzi Croft: Show me your hands Polly.

 

Polly rolls her eyes, turning her hands over, palms open.
Polly Page: See? Just the two for the patient.

 

Suzi notices a bulge in Polly's pocket.
Suzi Croft: What's that in your pocket Polly?

 

Suzi grabs Polly's gown and slides her hands towards the pocket. Polly pulls back and looking away, dumps the pills onto the bench top. Suzi purses her lips.
Suzi Croft: And just what were you hoping to do with these? Sell them? Are you really that selfish and greedy?

 

Polly shrugs, still refusing to meet her glare.
Suzi Croft: Hoping to get something out of the guards in exchange for them were ya? Or from that Johnson cow running the black market?

 

Polly stares Suzi in the face.
Polly Page: It's not like that!

 

Suzi laughs scornfully.
Suzi Croft: What is it like then? For God's sake, we could save the lives of twenty women with those pills and you're stealing them for your own gain. How would you like to have all those deaths on your conscience Polly? Make you feel good would it?

 

Suzi is furious. Polly replies in a soft, drawn out breath.
Polly Page: What would you know. You really think I could care?

 

Suzi clenches her fists.
Suzi Croft: That's the most selfish thing I've ever heard! Do you ever think about anyone apart from yourself?

 

Polly raises her voice weakly.
Polly Page: I'm not doing it for myself! I don't want a child being brought up here. I thought that if I took something, I would miscarry.
Suzi Croft: So many people who have died here deserve life. How can you say that a healthy baby deserves death?
Polly Page: This place is death, Suzi. And if we ever do get out of here, I don't want a single reminder of any of it!

 

Suzi shakes her head.
Suzi Croft: So you kill the baby, condemn the women who could have been saved by those pills to a horrible death and poison yourself into the bargain? Great plan Polly!

 

Suzi speaks with heavy sarcasm. Polly sniffles looking from the pills to Suzi.
Polly Page: I'm sorry.

 

Suzi backs away from Polly with a look of disgust on her face.
Suzi Croft: Yeah sure you are. You couldn't care less!
Polly Page: I'm not interested in your lectures!

 

Polly turns and storms out of the clinic. Suzi snorts.
Suzi Croft: Come back here!

 

Suzi walks to the door and watches as Polly heads back to her dorm. Suzi shakes her head.
Suzi Croft: Some women just aren't fit to be mothers.

 

Suzi returns to her work.

 

 

 

 

 

*** MESS HALL - 12:10 PM ***

 

 

 

June is forcing down lunch, today's being a mixture of liquid steak and grisly gravy. Suzi walks into the mess hall. She spots June, smiles and sits down next to her.
Suzi Croft: There's no need to look so reluctant June. I don't think that'll go to your hips!

 

June forces a weak smile.
June Ackland: I'd prefer the porridge to this. At least that doesn't smell like the PC's locker room!

 

Suzi snorts.
Suzi Croft: Be fair June, the food isn't that bad!

 

June rolls her eyes as she stands to scrape the half-filled tray into the rubbish. Suzi picks up a bowl of her own and looks at the unappetising contents without enthusiasm.
Suzi Croft: Have you seen Polly recently?
June Ackland: She was in our dorm a few hours ago. Haven't seen her since then. Shouldn't she be with you?

 

Suzi sighs.
Suzi Croft: She did a runner.
June Ackland: She what?

 

June suppresses a chuckle.
Suzi Croft: She ran off after I caught her stealing some penicillin.

 

Suzi is very serious. June looks at Suzi strangely.
June Ackland: She was doing what?
Suzi Croft: She was trying to steal the new supply of penicillin we just got in. More than half a bottle. I don't know how she thought she'd get away with it.
June Ackland: That's not like Polly. Did you confront her about it?

 

Suzi bites her lip.
Suzi Croft: I did. Actually, I'm in a bit of an ethical dilemma here June.

 

June pauses, noticing that they are the only ones in the room.
June Ackland: Go on.
Suzi Croft: Well surely you know by now, about the pregnancy?

 

June sighs.
June Ackland: I didn't, no, but I'd expected as much since it happened.

 

Suzi nods.
Suzi Croft: Well she came to me a few months ago begging me to abort the baby. I managed to discourage her from the idea but I think she's so screwed up by now that she's trying to abort it herself.
June Ackland: You mean the pills?

 

Suzi nods again in agreement.
Suzi Croft: I'm just worried that she might do something silly. Or that a guard might notice.
June Ackland: I don't know what to do. I've tried everything from playing the big sister, mother, even down-playing it! Nothing works. I can't get through to her, and she won't get through this place the way she's going.
Suzi Croft: Yeah, and I don't think I helped.

 

Suzi looks miserable.
June Ackland: How do ya mean?
Suzi Croft: Well when I caught her with the pills, I was a bit tough on her. I was just so angry at her for taking them, I thought that she was being greedy.
June Ackland: Ah, you mean black-market?
Suzi Croft: Yeah, but I was wrong. I just hope I haven't made things worse.

 

June gets to her feet again, heading for the door.
June Ackland: Come on, let's go sort this mess out!

 

Suzi follows June out into the yard. They walk along towards the sleeping quarters when Suzi stops suddenly.
Suzi Croft: What's that?

 

June also heard the loud sobbing, and increases her pace behind Suzi.
June Ackland: Come on!

 

Suzi tenses in nervous anticipation and follows June towards the door. Suzi pulls the door open as the pair rush towards the source of the noise. Polly is curled up on her bunk, her hands splattered with blood, moaning. Two towels and a blood stained knitting needle are all the remaining evidence. Suzi gasps and both her and June rush to Polly's side.
Suzi Croft: Oh my God!

 

June surveys the scene, looking helplessly at Suzi for advice.
June Ackland: Oh, Polly! Why didn't you say something, you stupid kid!

 

Suzi breathes deeply and thinks fast.
Suzi Croft: There's no time to blame her, quick grab some towels and help me clean her up!

 

June does as she's ordered, sitting Polly up, and cleaning off her hands. Polly poises no resistance, merely sobbing desperately.
Suzi Croft: It's okay Polly, just tell me what you tried to do.
Polly Page: I'm sorry, please Suzi, I'm so sorry!

 

Suzi sighs and indicates for June to come over.
June Ackland: What can I do?
Suzi Croft: Go back to the clinic and get some assistance. I have a small stretcher there too, see if you can bring that.
June Ackland: Right.

 

June takes off out of the dorm. Suzi turns back to Polly.
Suzi Croft: Are you okay Polly? Where does it hurt?

 

Polly manages a few sobbed phrases.
Polly Page: Everywhere! I'm sorry Suzi, I just wanted it all to go away. I shouldn't have done it, please help me, please.

 

Suzi sighs and takes Polly's hand.
Suzi Croft: Just hang in there Polly. I hope it's not too late.

 

Suzi trails off and observes the gruesome scene in front of her.
Polly Page: I didn't know what else to do. You wouldn't do anything, and then the thought of going through with it, I just couldn�t...

 

Polly trails off in tears. Suzi pats Polly's hands reassuringly.
Suzi Croft: Shhhhh, just stay calm. June'll be back in a minute and I can see exactly what the situation is. Just stay calm.

 

Suzi gives Polly a small hug and looks out of the door anxiously.
Polly Page: How, how could I do this! You were right, I was being a selfish child! Please, please don't let the baby die!

 

Suzi smoothes down Polly's forehead.
Suzi Croft: Don't worry Polly, I'm sure it'll work out fine. Just don't give up hope.

 

Suzi gasps with relief as June and assorted other women rush in with the stretcher. They slowly lift Polly up and out of the dorm towards the sickbay.

 

 

 

 

 

*** MEDICAL CLINIC - 12:50 PM ***

 

 

 

Liz, Viv and June rush into the tent looking flustered.
Viv Martella: What the hell happened, Suzi? June said that you found Polly badly injured. Is she okay?

 

Suzi makes her way over to the three women, motioning for them to lower their voices.
Suzi Croft: June?

 

June looks deeply concerned.
June Ackland: How is she?
Suzi Croft: I'm afraid it's too soon to tell. Fortunately the bleeding's stopped, and the internal damage doesn�t seem to be very severe, but we'll just have to wait it out for a few days.

 

June covers her eyes.
June Ackland: And the baby?

 

Suzi shrugs.
Suzi Croft: We won't know for certain, but hopefully she didn't do too much damage, and provided the bleeding and pain don't return then it's hopeful.

 

Viv looks flustered.
Viv Martella: What exactly happened?

 

Suzi shakes her head from side to side.
Suzi Croft: From what I gather attempted abortion, thankfully unsuccessfully.
Viv Martella: She's pregnant?

 

Suzi looks over at June, surprised that Viv hadn't been brought up to date.
Suzi Croft: Yes, I'm afraid.

 

Liz sighs.
Liz Rawton: Poor kid. We shoulda done something sooner.

 

June takes control of the situation.
June Ackland: All right, well what state is Polly in Suzi? Can we see her?
Suzi Croft: Sure, she's over in the corner bunk. She was asleep when I left, and I'd prefer her to stay that way for awhile, but you'll welcome to sit with her.

 

Viv and June walk over to Polly's bedside. Viv kneels by the bed and takes Polly's hand.
Viv Martella: Polly? Are you awake?

 

Polly turns her head slightly, groaning a response..
Viv Martella: Polly? How are you feeling?

 

Polly looks away.
Polly Page: Leave me alone.

 

June kneels beside Viv.
June Ackland: Why did you do it Polly?
Polly Page: I don't wanna talk about it.

 

Viv sighs.
Viv Martella: I know it's a difficult question Polly. And you don't have to answer it if you don't want to, but I think it would help.
Polly Page: I just wanted it all to go away. Suzi wouldn't do anything to help, and I just wanted everything to go back to normal!

 

June takes a step back.
June Ackland: But all this? Surely it's a bit much Polly?
Viv Martella: What made you do it?
Polly Page: I dunno, I was scared.

 

Viv looks doubtful.
Viv Martella: This is stupid Polly, why didn't you tell us that you were pregnant?
Polly Page: I, I dunno. I was ashamed, I guess.
Viv Martella: Ashamed?
June Ackland: There's nothing to be ashamed of, Polly!

 

June tries to console her. Polly shrugs.
Polly Page: Whatever.
Viv Martella: I mean, you're pregnant, what's the big deal? It happens to hundreds of women around the world every day!
Polly Page: Well maybe not everyone sees it as conventionally as you do.
Viv Martella: So you try to kill the baby and yourself too? Don't you realise how bloody selfish that is? You're right, you don't deserve to be a mother you great big wet blanket!

 

Viv is fighting to control her emotions. Polly looks crushed, pulling herself to a sitting position, trying to fight back tears.
Polly Page: Get outa here, Viv, What the hell would you know!
Viv Martella: A lot more than you do, you spoilt brat!

 

June grabs Viv's hand.
June Ackland: Viv, stop it!

 

Viv turns away in a huff. Suzi strides across the room.
Suzi Croft: Just what the hell do you two think you're doing! Out, now!

 

Suzi kneels by Polly's side, settling her back down in the bunk. Viv storms out of the tent. June walks out but turns back in the doorway.
June Ackland: I'm sorry Suzi. I'm so sorry, Polly.

 

June follows Viv outside.

 


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