The Nightmare's End: 1-1 A Roundabout Invitation

The Nightmare's End

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When an invitation from an extremely wealthy and famous family landed on the doorstep of an unknown young doctor, it suggested that London's physicians had finally reached their limit with this difficult patient.

Info

Style: No dress-up component Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1

Dialogue Choices

There are no dialogue choices in this stage.

Transcript

Expand for script.

• A day in London begins at dawn.

• While the sun has not yet risen, the stars sleep in the darkness.
• Under the gas lamps, the earliest to wake, the knocker-upper, wraps himself tightly in ragged clothes, hunches over, and uses a long bamboo pole to wake up the poor workers.
• A yawning housewife shivers in the cold air, throws a penny out the window to the other side, and then turns around to poke the stove open.

• The flames drive away the cold, and heats up tea and bakes bread to create a fragrant smell.
• There are bread, potatoes, and hot tea on the dining table. There's milk in a jar, and only a few slices of bacon or small pieces of butter on a plate.
• The man wolfs down the best food and walks out of the door as the children look on eagerly.
• And steps into the famous fog of the city and starts the day's work.

• And then, the sun finally shines.
• The streetlights are still on, but they are no longer able to compete with Apollo's glory.
• The streets gradually become noisy. People walking about wipe away the sleepiness that remain, raise their voices, and begin to greet each other.
• The giant beast called prosperity awakens in the bustling streets, full of energy as it devours countless material possessions and money.

• The last to wake are well-dressed. The gentlemen are dressed decently, and the ladies are elegant and dignified.
• The cigar smoke carries the scent of cologne, masking the pungent smell of smelling salts.
• But no matter what—

• Edward Grey: A new day has begun.

• He stares out of the window at the busy crowd as he murmurs to himself.
• There is a loud knock on his door, and a middle-aged woman calls out loudly.
• Mrs. Thomas: Are you up, Doctor Grey?

• Edward Grey: I am. Good morning, Mrs. Thomas.

• Mrs. Thomas: Good.

• The kindly Mrs. Thomas stands at the door with a tray, a shrewd light in her eyes.
• Mrs. Thomas: The scrambled eggs are still warm and I just brewed a fresh pot of tea.

• Mrs. Thomas: You won't find a better cook than me in all of London—

• Edward Grey: Or a better landlady than you. Yes, Mrs. Thomas, I agree.

• Edward Grey takes the plate and smiles in agreement at his landlady's words.
• Mrs. Thomas: So do I have the best tenant in all of London?

• Edward Grey: I did my best. Here's the proof.

• Mrs. Thomas takes the coins with a look of satisfaction on her face.
• Mrs. Thomas: I knew I didn't make a mistake.

• Mrs. Thomas: What more can a landlady ask for than a tenant who never falls behind on rent?

• Mrs. Thomas: I'll excuse myself now. Enjoy your breakfast.

• Edward Grey: Please wait.

• Seeing that the other party is about to leave, the young doctor hurriedly puts down the tray and takes out a business card.
• Edward Grey: I'm not familiar with this address. Can you tell me how far it is?

• Mrs. Thomas: That neighborhood, huh? The people who live there are quite wealthy.

• Mrs. Thomas: Lindvall... Is that the Lindvalls who own a bank?

• Mrs. Thomas: Are you going to the Lindvall's residence for a house call? Thank goodness!

• Mrs. Thomas: Seize this opportunity, doctor. Your dream of owning a private clinic on Harley Street isn't far away now.

• Edward Grey: Don't joke around so, Mrs. Thomas. It could be just a servant who caught a cold.

• Mrs. Thomas: That's not bad either. You should still be paid generously.

• Mrs. Thomas: Shall I call you a carriage? You don't plan to walk to such a distinguished client, do you?

• Edward Grey: I was just going to take a public carriage to the area, then...

• Mrs. Thomas: Oh no, that won't do. The housekeepers of high-class families are all quite snobbish.

• Mrs. Thomas: Eat up now. I'll take care of this.

• Mrs. Thomas walks away and Edward watches her leave with a helpless smile.
• Edward Grey: (Sounds like the Lindvalls are wealthy and famous. They should have chosen a famous doctor whom they're familiar with.)

• Edward Grey: (Why me then?)

• The question lingers in his mind for just a moment before he dismisses it.

• It is hard to refuse his landlady's hospitality, so he eventually gets into a beautifully decorated rental carriage.
• The carriage slowly travels for a while before finally stopping in front of a magnificent red brick mansion.
• Only then did Edward finally admit in his heart that what the landlady said was indeed reasonable.
• He walks up the wide and beautiful stone steps and rings the doorbell.
• Butler: What can I do for you, sir?

• He hands over the business card in his hand.
• The butler glances down and immediately understands.
• Butler: Please follow me, Doctor Grey.

• Butler: I will announce your presence immediately.

• Butler: Please wait.

• He maintains a calm expression and nods politely to the butler, preparing himself mentally for the upcoming meeting.
• The magnificent and imposing aura of Lindvall's family home makes him slightly nervous.
• ...
• Ten minutes pass.
• ...
• Another ten minutes go by.
• ...
• When another ten minutes pass for the third time, Edward begins to suspect that his patient may be a cat who loves hiding in secret corners.
• He looks up at the grandfather clock, confirming that he's waited long enough, and hesitates, wondering if he should ask someone what's going on.
• He walks to the window. The grass is green outside and the flowers are in full bloom.
• In the spacious mansion, the faint sound of piano notes can be heard. A lady must be enjoying herself.
• He can only see one man who is clearly a gardener busy with his work among the purple daisies.
• A slightly dry breeze mixed with the scent of flowers rushes towards his nose.
• His heart suddenly beats irregularly, as if trying to break free from the cage formed by his ribs.
• Janet: Would you like a sandwich, Mr. Hill?

• A maid approaches with a tray and greets the gardener.
• Gardener: Thank you. So Master Jesse didn't eat anything for teatime today again?

• Janet: As always. He didn't even have lunch today.

• Janet: If you ask me, having no appetite is more serious than any disease. No wonder all the doctors are at a loss.

• Gardener: What a shame. Master Jesse is very kind and very friendly even to someone like me who has only just started working here.

• Gardener: I really hope he gets better soon.

• Janet: He's friendly to us yes, but not necessarily to his family... and especially his brother.

• Janet: But that's mostly because of Master Henry himself.

• A moment of silence passes.
• Gardener: No matter what, it won't do to not eat.

• Gardener: I just saw a new doctor being led into the living room. I hope he finds something.

• Janet: I don't think so. Master Jesse had a big argument with Master Henry in the morning.

• Janet: I'm afraid he's not in the mood to see that doctor at all-- What happened to your hand?

• Gardener: Hmm? Oh, I don't know what's wrong either. My hands suddenly became red and swollen these past few days.

• Gardener: I hope it'll get better soon. I don't have money to see a doctor...

• Edward Grey: ...

• He leaves the window and sits back down on the sofa.
• After waiting for another ten minutes, after the faint piano melody disappears, hurried footsteps are finally heard outside the living room.
• The butler returns, appearing at the door with an imperceptible look of embarrassment on his face.
• Butler: Thank you for waiting. I'm sorry, Doctor Grey, there have been some unexpected circumstances.

• Butler: Please return first today.

• Edward Grey: I understand.

• There is a trace of apology in the butler's tone.
• Butler: I'll see you off.

• Edward and the butler stand on the stone steps, waiting for the groom to bring the carriage.
• Not far away, the gardener is still busy on the lawn. Suddenly, he has an idea.
• Edward Grey: Mr. Hill!

• Gardener: Huh?

• The middle-aged man struggles to straighten his back and looks at him blankly.
• Edward Grey: When did your hand start to swell and turn red? Do you feel any pain or itchiness?

• Gardener: ...It's not very painful. It itches sometimes...

• Edward Grey: Could you please come over here and let me see your hand?

• The gardener looks around in confusion, as if waiting for someone to help him out.
• After a few seconds, he slowly walks towards Edward and cautiously stretches out his hand.
• Edward Grey: Apart from your hands, have any other parts of your body developed red, swollen, itchy lumps?

• Edward Grey: Do your eyes sometimes water and your nose and mouth feel itchy?

• Gardener: ...

• Edward Grey: It gets more serious when you're working, but gets better once you go home and rest?

• Gardener: ...Yes! How did you know?

• The gardener's gaze shifts from confusion to surprise. Edward smiles and lets go of his hand.
• Edward Grey: Don't worry. You're not sick.

• Edward Grey: You only just started working at the Lindvall residence, and I'm sure there are some plants in the garden here that you have rarely encountered before.

• Edward Grey: The smell or pollen of these plants caused the symptoms I mentioned. This is not a disease.

• Edward Grey: As long as you wear gloves during work and cover your mouth and nose with something like a scarf, things will get better.

• He smiles and nods politely to the gardener, then walks back up the stone steps.
• He prepares to board the carriage under the butler's astonished gaze.
• ???: Please wait!

• A young woman's anxious voice comes down the hall. Accompanied by the rustling sound of silk, a blonde lady appears.
• ???: Sorry to stop you, doctor—

• Her pleading eyes turn to the butler, who quickly takes over the conversation.
• Butler: It's Doctor Edward Grey, Miss Agnes.

• Agnes Lindvall: Hello, Doctor Grey.

• Edward Grey: Hello, Miss Lindvall. How can I help you?

• Agnes Lindvall: I saw that you diagnosed our gardener quite quickly...

• Edward Grey: It was just a casual suggestion.

• Edward Grey: I originally planned to help a patient who was in greater need of my services, but I need to meet him in person first.

• Miss Lindvall and the butler lower their eyes awkwardly.
• Edward sees her slight frown and looks inquiringly at the butler.
• Butler: Ah... Master Jesse said he's not available right now...

• Agnes Lindvall: Where's Henry?

• Butler: Master Henry has already left. He won't be back until dinner.

• Agnes Lindvall: Right then. I'll handle this.

• The gray-haired butler looks relieved and leaves.
• Agnes Lindvall: I'm sorry, Doctor Grey. We shouldn't have treated you so rudely.

• Edward bows in silence, not responding to her statement.
• Agnes Lindvall: My younger brother Jesse is sick. I'll take you to his room now. Please follow me.

• Agnes Lindvall leads Edward up to the second floor.
• The corridor here is slightly dim and narrow. Agnes suddenly speaks up and apologizes softly again.
• Agnes Lindvall: I'm sure you must be very confused and angry about what just happened.

• Agnes Lindvall: Jesse has been in poor health since he was young, often getting sick, so our family inevitably spoils him a little.

• Agnes Lindvall: So, he always acts and speaks willfully, which may appear rude... I hope you don't mind.

• Edward Grey: Miss Lindvall, few people can maintain a good temper when suffering from illness. As a doctor, I pay such things no mind.

• Edward Grey: All I expect is that the patient is willing to cooperate with me in treatment.

• Edward Grey: I heard from the idle chatter of the servants in your mansion that many famous doctors have also treated the young master, but the results were not very satisfactory.

• Edward Grey: May I ask, does he resist treatment?

• Agnes Lindvall: ...If I say "yes," will you refuse to come here again?

• After receiving confirmation, he lets out a sigh of relief and his expression softens. Agnes is somewhat surprised.
• Edward Grey: No, of course not, Miss Lindvall.

• Edward Grey: Thank you for informing me of this. It is very important for the upcoming treatment.

• Agnes looks even more puzzled.
• She looks like she wants to ask what he means. But they have reached the end of the corridor and are standing in front of Jesse Lindvall's bedroom door.
• She can only temporarily suppress her emotions, raise her hand, and knock on the door.
• Agnes Lindvall: Jesse?

• There is only silence. Agnes emphasizes her tone once again.
• Agnes Lindvall: Jesse, it's me. Open the door.

• Finally, a very reluctant response comes from the other side of the door.
• Jesse Lindvall: Come in.