Elephant Man - Christine Sparks [44]
Carr-Gomm stood back when they reached the door of the Isolation Ward and allowed Treves to precede him. He did not see Merrick at first, because the Elephant Man was standing right in the middle of the floor, hidden by Treves’ form. But then Treves stepped aside and Carr-Gomm found himself just four feet away from a head such as he had never seen before in his life.
Years in the law had taught him to control his feelings, but even so he could not avoid a violent start. Treves noticed with relief that Merrick could not have seen this reaction. His eyes were firmly closed. He was breathing unevenly and seemed to be holding himself rigid. Treves went up and touched him gently on the shoulder, and immediately the eyes were open, gazing trustingly into his. They both turned to Carr-Gomm who lowered his eyes in pity and disgust.
“John,” said Treves steadily, “may I introduce you to Mr. Carr-Gomm.”
“Hello, my name is John Merrick. I am very pleased to meet you.”
Carr-Gomm was still shaken. Without thinking he instinctively put out his right hand. Too late he realized that Merrick’s own right hand could not take it.
“I’m very—pleased to meet you.” Carr-Gomm sounded unsure of himself. Before he could withdraw his hand Merrick grasped it with his left. Treves felt a certain half-malicious pleasure at Carr-Gomm’s expense. It had only been a tiny awkwardness, but of the two Merrick had coped with it better. He saw Carr-Gomm staring at the left hand that he held, and felt the older man’s shock at its perfect human beauty.
After an uncomfortable silence Merrick removed his hand. Carr-Gomm nervously cleared his throat.
“How are you feeling today?” he asked politely.
“I feel much better.” Merrick’s words were clear and assured. Treves began to breathe again. “Thank you for asking. And you?”
“I’m feeling very fit, thank you,” Carr-Gomm told him. “How is your bronchitis?”
“I feel much better, thank you.”
“Are you comfortable here?”
“Everyone has been very kind. I am extremely grateful.”
Treves looked hopefully at Carr-Gomm waiting for what he had been sure would be the next line. On the odd occasions when he met patients Carr-Gomm had a fixed routine of polite questions. It almost never varied, and he had counted on it when coaching Merrick. The next stage was always an inquiry about the hospital food.
But no inquiry came. Carr-Gomm was staring at Merrick in a kind of dumbfounded horror. Treves knew that his carefully laid plans would come to nothing if he didn’t rescue the situation now.
“Mr. Merrick likes the food here,” he said hastily. “Don’t you, John?”
“Oh yes,” Merrick responded on cue. “It is much better than what I am used to.”
He stopped abruptly. As the silence grew longer Treves realized with a sinking heart that his memory had failed him. He was growing skilled in reading the expressions in Merrick’s eyes. He saw desperation in them now.
“Oh yes?” Carr-Gomm prompted in a polite but chilly voice.
The pause grew agonizing. “And what was that, John?” Treves encouraged.
“Potatoes …” Merrick’s voice trailed away.
“Yes, potatoes. But …” Treves prompted.
It all came back to Merrick in a rush. “But the variety of food here is very pleasing. I commend you.”
He looked hopefully at Treves, like a dog that has done the trick right at last and waits to be praised. Carr-Gomm was gazing very hard at Merrick. At last he said, “I understand that you were beaten.”
Treves stiffened. He had not anticipated this line of questioning, nor had he prepared Merrick for it. Merrick’s eyes were flickering helplessly from one to the other.
“Oh no,” he said at last. “Everyone has been very kind.”
“No,” persisted Carr-Gomm. “I meant in your former situation.”
A kind of blank despair seemed to settle over the grotesque figure