Love Child

Ward B. Down the corridor.

Turn left. Look right. Get a move on.

I wanted everyone moved into the new wing half an hour ago!

Attention. Would all passengers please disembark the vessel?

Hey, what are you doing here? Only passengers are allowed on board.

Elena!

Elena!

Elena!

You glad you've got the night off? Yes.

Whoo!

See you tomorrow at the baby shower.

Ah!

Oh! Are you alright?

Sorry. What's the matter? What's wrong?

What are you doing?

Leave her alone. This is none of your business.

I said, stop!

What are you doing here?

Sorting out my career.

So, you've met Dr Patterson? I'm trying to.

He's very difficult to find.

He's a dish. That's him.

Oh, Dr Patterson! I'm glad I caught you.

I wanted to talk to you about my position.

Standing up, squatting, whatever works for you.

No, no, no. My position here at the hospital.

I'm Dr Millar. Joan.

Oh, right. You're that one.

What one?

My credentials.

I want to return to work as soon as possible, after the birth.

I know it's not usually allowed, but I see no reason why

I can't be a working mother. Agreed.

Really? Look, I spent the last two years

in Vietnam. Women give birth, they're back

in the rice paddies the next day. I wasn't thinking quite that soon.

You let me know when you've made up your mind.

So, you'll take it to the board? No, no, no.

I will leave the politics to you.

Love the new maternity wing, Matron.

Can't wait to get into it.

As a patient, of course.

As a doctor.

Returning to work is not an option.

A fact you were well-aware of, when you fell pregnant.

Enjoy your baby shower. Lovely day for it.

Oh, Joan. Thank God. I found her in the Cross last night.

There was a man was chasing her.

I took her home and she's been vomiting all night.

I don't know what's wrong with her and I have to open the creche.

I'll take care of her. Thank you.

Her name's Elena, but she doesn't speak much English.

You alright? There you go. OK.

Let's sit down this way.

Could be as simple as food poisoning.

It might explain the vomiting.

On a ship, all the way from Italy.

She could have picked up anything.

Ah... she seems afraid.

Apparently, someone was chasing her.

Should we call the police? No polizia! No police!

Elena, Elena, it's alright.

The police, they might be able to help you.

No! No! No! No, no, it's all right.

Elena... OK, no, no police.

OK? No police. I promise.

Oh. Oh.

Are you alright?

You're pregnant?

Please, I cannot...

the baby, keep.

These documents, once signed,

give the state ultimate guardianship

over the child you are carrying.

Once born, you will leave here

and the child will become a ward of the state

until such time a suitable adoptive family is found.

Do you understand?

I don't think she does.

Si.

And here we are in the sewing room, where we find poor young girls

mending soiled hospital linens.

This strange specimen is Rita.

She's our very own flying nun, but we like to call her church mouse.

I asked you not to call me that.

Church mouse is one of our newest inmates.

Her story is a mystery to all imprisoned in this hellhole,

but we do know that she shares one thing in common

with all the other girls.

She's a slut.

Whoo! Slut!

Slut! Slut! Slut! Slut!

Slut! Slut! Slut!

Slut! Slut! Slut!

For months on end, the sluts perform like

trained animals for the Matron.

Whoo!

This afternoon is the official opening of the new maternity wing.

Some of you will be given the opportunity to serve the staff

of Kings Cross General, light refreshments.

In the meantime, you will all complete your work here with pride

and a keen sense that your industry is for the greater good.

It will give you time to reflect on the sorry state

you have got yourselves into

and the possibilities for redemption.

Amen.

Elena.

Elena will be joining you for the period of her confinement.

Girls, we've got ourselves a wog.

Deborah, your grasp of the subtle

and more nuanced expressions of our language

leads me to suspect you would be most suitable

to teach our newcomer how to speak English.

The idea of getting your camera back

will prove to be a most useful incentive.

OK, I want you to say 'slut'.

Tada! Isn't he cute?

So I'll have something to cuddle at night.

Exactly!

Mmm, so I can impress the panda?

Hey. Sorry I'm late.

I don't know what you've organised, but I thought

it might be good to have some free babysitting up your sleeve.

- Thank you. - Telegram from Annie and Shirley.

Oh, I love telegrams. What does it say?

"Happy baby shower, Joan." Stop.

"Miss you." Stop.

"Wish we could be there."

Oh!

Cheers. Cheers!

Cheers.

Next item on the baby shower agenda is the baby book.

Guess the correct date of birth, its weight and sex and win the booty!

Ooh, what about height? If he's anything like his parents...

Or she.

How is Jim?

I haven't heard from him. Have you?

No!

It's $2 to play. Who's in? Me!

I'll play.

Who knew Matron could speak Italian?

Maybe she had an Italian lover who taught her

while he fed her olives in bed.

Matron with a secret lover? I don't think so.

It's always the quiet ones.

You must be happy to see the back of Matron.

Hopefully not for long.

I'm planning on returning to work.

Well, have you spoken to Jim about that?

I don't need to speak to Jim.

I'm here. He's not.

So, you're punishing him for leaving?

Back off, Patty. Or is it just me that

you won't forgive? Maybe we should cut the cake.

I made one mistake and if I could take it back, I would.

This is not the time or place for this conversation.

What conversation?

You delivered my baby and you looked after me

and I thought we were friends.

And then, you slept with my husband.

Well, it's been a lovely baby shower.

Thank you.

I think it's time I got going. Thank you.

How could you do that?

Martha, don't go.

Where is she? Elena, where is she?

I don't know what you're talking about.

Where is she? Let go of me! Let go of me!

Help! Police! Help me! Get off!

Hey, you alright? What's going on?

People are still after you.

I didn't think you'd come.

I've come to say goodbye.