Joseph & Julianne

7/29/2019 Joseph & Julianne

1/65

Joseph & Julianne, or, Love is Blind

illustration by Audrey Kantrowitz


2/65

By Audrey Kantrowitz & Mae Stroshane


3/65

(London, 1886)

In his memoirs, The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences, Frederick Treves

commented that Merrick often said he wished he could go to a home for the blind. Trevessensed that Merrick perhaps held out hope that a woman who couldnt see him might

come to love him. This fictional role play is based on that premise.

(A few blocks from The London Hospital stood The Victoria Home for the Blind.

Despite its having the appearance of an asylum, the facility was quite welcoming and

catered to its residents with kindness and patience.)

(Outside, a carriage with drawn curtains parked before the door. Frederick Treves, an

eminent surgeon at the hospital, is giving Joseph Merrick some final words.)

Treves: I suppose this is the best we can do. As you know, your rooms wont be ready for

a few days.

(A shrouded figure sits next to the surgeon, clad in a long black cloak and an oversizedhat with a veil. Though the strange man's face cannot be seen, it is clear he is both

nervous and excited.)

Treves: remember, this is only a trial. We'll have a real home set up for you soon.

Joseph: I know

Treves: are you sure you want to do this? I know you're not especially comfortable

around strangers

Joseph: I'd like to do it very much, sir

Treves: alright then. I'll come around to visit you every Sunday

(He helps the cloaked man out of the carriage and hastily ushers him inside so as not todraw too much attention. At once they are met by Mrs. Sherman, the head matron of the

facility.)

Mrs. Sherman: so this is the Mr. Merrick I've heard so much about. Welcome to theVictoria Home for the Blind

(After exchanging pleasantries, Mrs. Sherman leads the men down a corridor.)

Mrs. Sherman: no doubt the place feels like a maze, but you'll get used to it. We've never

had one resident get lost.

Treves: how many live here?

Mrs. Sherman: thirty five. Not to worry. We're hardly filled to capacity. Speaking of


4/65

which, the staff took the liberty of informing the residents of your arrival Mr. Merrick.

I'm sure you'll be quite popular around here

Joseph: really?

Mrs. Sherman: oh yes. Everyone here's very nice. You wont have a problem makingfriends at all

(Joseph is positively elated. Finally people could be in his presence and not even noticehis appearance. But what captured him the most were quite a few of the residents were

women. Some were barely older than him and quite beautiful. But just as he is about to

enter his room...)

(She stands at the end of the hall. Her hand on the wall railing, she walks along in halting

steps, her form clad in a gray dress that was not at all becoming to her. She is a little

woman, perhaps only an inch or two taller than him. Her black hair is tied back in a

ribbon and her face is the picture of sweetness and serenity, but at the same time sad.)

Joseph :( to himself) I think I'm really, really going to like it here.

Mrs. Sherman (turns and sees the young woman. Her pleasant manner instantly changes)

Mrs. S: Miss Caravnon!

Young woman (startled) Yes, Mrs. Sherman?

Mrs. S: You shouldn't be up in your condition.

Julianne: But I'm feeling much better now.

Mrs. S: (to Treves and Joseph with a plastic smile) Excuse me for one moment.

(goes to the young woman and has a fierce whispered conversation with her. Reluctantlyshe turns away and moves slowly down the hall. Puzzled, Joseph watches her disappear

into a room and close the door.)

Mrs. S: I apologize for the little scene.

Treves: I do hope she's well?

Mrs. S: Yes, of course.

Treves: Fine. (hands her a piece of paper) Here are some notes from the Matron as to Mr.Merrick's needs whilst he is here. Bathing, meals, and so on.

Mrs. S: Thank you, Doctor. I'm sure we'll agree. Won't we, Mr. Merrick?


5/65

Joseph (a bit uneasily) Yes, ma'am. (He looks at the directress' angular, lined face. Her

eyes seem pleasant but he decides it's better not to cross her. He can't stop wondering

about the beautiful young woman in gray, and vows he will seek her out at the firstopportunity)

Treves: Well, Joseph, I must be off.

Joseph: Huh? (snapping to attention) Oh yes, Mr. Treves. Thank you for bringing me.

Treves: I'll see you on Sunday. Thank you for your kindness, Mrs. Sherman (bows and

leaves)

Mrs. S: I'll show you to your room, Mr. Merrick.

She leads Joseph down another hall and downstairs to the basement. It's slow going, and

he's exhausted by the time they arrive. They enter a small room furnished with a bed,

table, chair and bathtub. It looks comfortable but unfortunately is next door to thefurnace. Joseph sighs. From the attic with its deafening clock to the basement with its

roaring furnace. Well, beggars can't be choosers, and he chose to come here.

Joseph: (politely) Thank you, Mrs. Sherman.

Mrs. S: One of the sisters will be down with your lunch shortly. Until then, make yourself

at home. (leaves)

Joseph unpacks his meager belongings and neatly stacks his books on the table. Worn outby the trip, he settles himself on the bed, which has been piled with the pillows he needs.

He dozes and dreams he is back in the sideshows. The women he had seen there were

terribly worn out, not to mention deformed. But one of them had been young andbeautiful, with tumbling black locks. She bore an uncanny resemblance to the sad young

woman upstairs. But that was impossible! Or was it?

(Back upstairs, Mrs. Sherman leads Julianne back up to her room. As one can imagine,

she has little use for prints or photographs. Her wardrobe is filled with few clothes of her

own. Only the same drab, ill fitting dresses provided by the Home. The part of her roomthat was not totally utilitarian was a little vase of flowers on the table.)

Mrs. Sherman: we've been over this before, Caravnon. If you need something, just ringthe bell by your bed

Julianne: I may be blind, ma'am, but I'm perfectly capable of navigating the place bymyself

Mrs. Sherman: that I'm not worried about. It's the little walks you take at night


6/65

(Julianne knows what she was talking about. She had been sleepwalking since her mother

passed away and was forced to move to the Home. Every time Julianne wakes from these

little spells, she found herself in different surroundings. It is terribly frightening, as wellas disorienting.)

Mrs. Sherman: I won't have you ending up in the courtyard again like last time. Youcould have gotten yourself run over by a street car

Julianne: I know... may I at least take my lunch in the commissary?

Mrs. Sherman: very well. But be back when you're finished

(She takes some knitting with her. The Blind Home encouraged its residents to do usefultasks such as mending clothes, knitting blankets for the poor, and learning to read and

write Braille to continue their education.

(Meanwhile with his strength finally returning, Joseph figures it is safe to go and minglewith the others. It was what he had been looking forward to all day. The nurses at the

hospital were kind enough, but Joseph could see in their eyes that his appearancedisturbed them. No doubt the blind folk would know he was different just from hearing

his voice. But at least they wouldn't see him.)

(Swallowing his apprehension, Joseph makes his way to the lounge. Some of the

residents are reading, while others are talking amongst themselves. He spots a lady sitting

on the sofa pursuing a Braille tome. She was a pleasant looking woman with curly red

hair and a somewhat ample figure.)

Joseph :(nervous) excuse me... mind if I sit here?

Woman: not at all

(She makes room and gestures for Joseph to sit.)

Woman: you're that fellow from the hospital, aren't you?

Joseph: thats right

Woman: oh yes, they told us you were coming today. I'm Caroline, by the way

Joseph: pleasure to meet you. I'm Joseph

(For Joseph, it is like drifting in a dream world. He is talking with a woman, and she iscompletely unaware of what he looks like. He is about to answer Caroline's question

when he feels a slight tap against his foot. Looking down, Joseph spots a ball of yarn

beside him.)


7/65

Caroline: what is it?

Joseph: looks like somebody's knitting got away from them

(Looking up, Joseph spots somebody following the trail of yarn left by the ball. His eyes

are instantly drawn to the blue, unseeing eyes, and the long black hair.)

Julianne: Oh, I dropped my yarn, didn't I?

The attendant, a cheerful blonde woman named Jeanette, puts down her embroidery.

Jeanette: One minute, Miss Caravnon. (starts to go after the ball of yarn)

Joseph painstakingly reaches down and picks it up. Jeanette has seen a photograph of him

and is not alarmed. He gives her the yarn.

Jeanette: Thank you, Mr.

Joseph: Merrick.

Jeanette: Mr. Merrick. I heard you would be staying with us for a bit.

Joseph nods, hoping the pretty dark-haired woman would hear their conversation.

Jeanette gives the yarn back to Julianne.

Julianne: Thank you, Miss Jeanette.

Jeanette: Don't thank me, it was the gentleman that fetched it.

Julianne: Gentleman? Here?

Jeanette: Why yes. Allow me to introduce you to Mr. Joseph Merrick.

Julianne: I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr. Merrick

Joseph gulps. Her sightless eyes are crystalline blue, the color he always thought the sky

should be.

Joseph: Im pleased to meet you, Miss...

Julianne: Caravnon. But you can call me Julianne. (she holds out her hand and after a

moment Joseph takes it.

Suddenly he chokes up, hardly able to believe he is holding a woman's hand)


8/65

Joseph: (finally able to speak again) Julianne. Please call me Joseph.

Jeanette: (chuckles) Julianne, Joseph, Jeanette. We should form a society for people with

names beginning with "J."

Caroline: (joking) That excludes me!

Jeanette: Oh, I'm sorry. We shall make you an honorary member! (they laugh, andCaroline goes back to her book.)

Joseph looks around the room. The furniture is old but comfy, and sunlight spills through

a high window. In the corner, a gramophone is playing "Auld Lang Syne." He can'tbelieve he's sitting here among people who are not screaming at the sight of him.

Julianne: (taps the chair next to her) Won't you sit down...Joseph?

Joseph: (somewhat out of breath) Thank you!

Jeanette: Would you like a newspaper, Mr. Merrick?

Joseph: Yes, please. (to Julianne) Shall I read the news, Miss Julianne?

Julianne: Oh yes! I don't often get to hear what's going on in the world.

Joseph begins to read aloud. The other residents perk up and listen.

Joseph: On New Year's Day, the country of Burma was presented to the Queen as a

birthday gift.

All: A birthday gift? For our Queen?

Joseph: It says that Burma was annexed into British India last November. I suppose she is

happy to have another colony.

Caroline: (laughs) Well, I hope Her Majesty enjoys her present. I'd rather have fragrantsoap any day.

Caroline: Mr. Merrick, I hope you don't think this a bother...

Joseph: what is it?

Caroline: well... I got some letters from my friends. It's just that... well... I can't quite read

them

Joseph: here, let me see them


9/65

(She reaches into her pocketbook and pulls out three envelopes.)

Caroline: sometimes the aides here read them for me, but nowadays they're just so busy

Joseph: There's no need to apologize. It's alight, I assure you.

(He opens the letter and begins to read. Caroline listens with great interest, as do some of

the other residents in the lounge. For Joseph, it feels wonderful to be needed. For so long,he had always been seen as "useless" and a "good-for-nothing". Perhaps these new

friends could even come to depend on him.)

(As he continues reading, Joseph keeps an eye on Julianne. She has gone back to herknitting, but is still listening. Her eyes are positively hypnotic. The pupils are not black,

but a dark, reflective blue. He's seen people with cataracts before, but they were usually

older. He figured Julianne must have been born with them.)

Caroline: thank you so much, Mr. Merrick

Joseph: no trouble at all. I like reading. Especially with others

(Julianne smiles a little, which makes Joseph's heart flutter. He always fancied ladies, butfor so long he had to do so from afar. If any woman caught sight of him, they would

shudder and hurry away. Julianne could be the young lady he had been dreaming of. All

he had to do was make sure she never knew what he looked like.)

Caroline: perhaps you'd like to take a walk this afternoon. April's doing wonders for the

gardens

Joseph: oh... thank you, but I think I'll stay in doors. (Thinking up a clever ruse) I get hay

fever sometimes

Caroline: thats a shame. Maybe you could talk the matron into letting you go out a night.

The pollen might be less severe then

Joseph: hmm... thats not a bad idea. All right, I will talk to her about it

(Swallowing his apprehension, Joseph plunges in.)

Joseph: perhaps if I'm allowed to, you and Julianne would care to accompany me

Julianne: I'm not allowed out of my room after hours

(Sighing to herself, Julianne gets up and walks out of the room. Sensing Joseph's fear that

he had terribly insulted her, Caroline came to the rescue.)


10/65

Caroline: don't worry about it, sir. She's just a little down in the dumps today. Mrs.

Sherman's been harping on her as of late. Julianne lingers outside the room and hears

Caroline and the new gentleman discussing her. "Down in the dumps' is putting it mildly.She craves fresh air and the feel of the breeze on her face. Clutching her partly-finished

scarf and the ball of yarn, she follows the railing back to her room. She wonders about

Joseph Merrick, and why his voice sounded a little odd. It was gentle, almost musical butsome words were blurry and he had trouble pronouncing his consonants.

Julianne has a keen ear for voices. She has learned to read their emotions and she picturestheir personalities. A deep voice might mean someone solemn and stern, perhaps lacking

in humor. Or it could be rich and aristocratic, as if made for reciting Shakespeare. A high

breathless voice would suggest a young girl, perhaps flighty and absented-minded.

Julianne's voice is neither high nor deep. A soft alto, she speaks in hushed tones mostly

and hides her feelings most of the time. That's not to say she doesn't enjoy a good laugh

once in awhile.

Today she doesn't feel like laughing. Mrs. Sherman had embarrassed her in front of the

visitors, making her feel like a wayward child.

Julianne (to self) I shall walk wherever I want. I shall.

She sits on her bed and takes out a wooden box from her nightstand. Its smooth andcarved with intricate designs. Carefully she opens it and takes out the treasures from

childhood. A smooth penny (her mother told her). A small tiny bear, soft as cotton. A hair

ribbon from her fifth birthday party, the day her father had left them forever. A collection

of letters from her mother, back when Julianne had been able to read them. It doesn'tmatter. She's memorized every word.

Julianne: (reciting)Dearest Julie,

I will be home soon with special treats. Fresh oranges, can you believe? I hope you are

behaving yourself and minding Nanny.Love,

Mother

If only Mother were alive...Julianne probably wouldn't sleep walk anymore. If only shecould see...

If only.

Back in the lounge,the residents are eating lunch. Jeanette and Henry, the other

attendant, serve the food on trays and tell each person where their food is on the plate.

Jeanette: Mrs. Robinson, your roast beef is at six o'clock and there is squash at ten

o'clock, next to your left hand. Your napkin is on the right.

Mrs. Robinson: Thank you, Miss Jeanette. (begins to eat)


11/65

Henry draws up a chair and begins to feed Mrs. Rigby, a woman with cerebral palsy. He

jokes a little with her, and helps her drink her tea.

Joseph is worried that he'll spill his food and make disgusting noises. After all, it wasn't

long ago that he had to eat coarse food with his hand, chewing on stale bread and almostmoldy cheese. This tray of victuals looks sumptuous by comparison. But he need not

worry. Everything has been cut into small bites so he can eat with just a fork in his left

hand. He can't help slurping, because he can't quite close his mouth, but no one seems tonotice.

Jeanette joins him and Caroline with her lunch, and they chat during the meal.

Henry finishes feeding Mrs. Rigby, wishes her a good day, and takes away the tray.

Jeanette: Take a lunch break, Henry. Be back by one o'clock.

Henry: Yes ma'am.

Jeanette: We're lucky to have Henry with us.

Caroline: He's very helpful.

Jeanette: He's improved greatly since he came here.

Joseph: Where was he before?

Jeanette: The insane asylum. Most of the doctors insisted there was nothing wrong with

him, but the family insisted he stay there. (whispers) I think they wanted to have him putaway so they could get at his inheritance.

Caroline: That's awful!

Jeanette: Indeed.

Listening to their talk, Joseph begins to think his own problems seem small. Whatmiracle it had been to find Mr. Treves again, after two years on the road. All it took was

the calling card Joseph had carefully saved through all the moves from town to town.

After lunch, Joseph and Caroline go for a walk in the courtyard. He offers her his good

arm, like any gentleman, and she takes it at once. They stroll amidst the flowers, and he

points out each one to Caroline.

Caroline: Flowers smell especially sweet when there's someone with you to enjoy them.

Joseph (startled again to be referred to as a 'someone') You're right, Miss Caroline. In


12/65

fact, I shall pick a few and take them to Miss Julianne.

(Joseph spies lilacs and picks a few, along with some daisies. They are both beautiful andfragrant. He keeps them hidden behind his back, especially when Mrs. Sherman was

around. Once he gets a chance, he makes his way up to Julianne's room. He almost loses

his nerve, but Joseph perseveres and knocks on her door.)

Julianne: come in

(Swallowing an obstruction in his throat, Joseph enters her room. He finds her sitting on

her bed pursuing one of her Braille volumes.)

Joseph:(trying to find the right words) I'd... I'd just like to apologize if I said somethingthat upset you. I had no idea...

Julianne: oh, thats all right. I suppose walking off like that wasn't the best thing to do

Joseph: anyway, I was out with your friend Caroline and... well... I thought these might

help

(He hands her the little bouquet, which was a little awkward as Julianne did not know

where Joseph's hand was in space. Finally she finds the flowers, but her fingers linger onJoseph's arm. It is thin, yet strong. For a brief moment, Joseph is paralyzed with fear.

What if she discovered what he truly looked like?)

(Julianne's hands travel up his arm to his shoulder. She is just inches away from hisafflicted head. Thinking quickly, Joseph quickly retreats.)

Julianne:(startled) what happened? What's wrong?

(Joseph is close to panting. She had come way too close. Clearly shocked by what just

happened, Julianne groped for her visitors hand.)

Joseph: I'm sorry. I have to go

Julianne: no, wait. Come back

Joseph:(bolting for the door) I'll see you later

(She grabs onto Joseph's sleeve. He wants so badly to let her touch him, but he can't bear

the thought of frightening or disgusting her. Reluctantly, he forces himself to wriggle

free from her grip.)

Joseph: I'm sorry... I can't...

(He retreats down the hallway, leaving Julianne very confused


13/65

Mrs. Sherman appears around the corner. Joseph halts at once, leaning heavily on his

walking stick. She looks past him.

Mrs. S: Have you been visiting Miss Caravnon, Mr. Merrick?

Joseph (knowing he can't lie): Yes, Mrs. Sherman.

Mrs. S: I'd appreciate it if you not associate with her too closely. It's for your own good.(smiles a crocodile smile, turns and goes back where she came from)

Puzzled, Joseph turns back towards Julianne's room. He wishes he had the courage to go

back and face the pretty young woman, but not right now. For the moment, fearoutweighs the desire to see her again.

Back in the lounge, he reads to the residents, chats with Caroline and Mrs. Robinson,

then goes back to his room, exhausted. He had come here expecting peace and quiet.Most of that is true but there's something strange about this place. Hopefully he'll get to

the bottom of it before he has to return to the London.


14/65

Chapter Two

On Sunday, Mr. Treves arrives bearing an armload of new books--Dickens, Victor Hugo,and the Dumas series.

Joseph: Oh thank you, Mr. Treves. The people here will enjoy hearing them.

Treves: Really? Have you been reading to them?

Joseph nods.

Treves: Well done, lad. That's very kind of you. Are they treating you well?

Joseph: Oh yes. (he's learned to avoid Mrs. Sherman as much as possible)

Treves: Baths twice daily?

Joseph (a bit embarrassed) Yes.

Treves: And the food?

Joseph: Its very good.

Treves: Well, then. I'm glad to hear you're so well. They are beginning to install the

plumbing in your new bath.

Usually Joseph would be excited to hear about his new home. Now he wishes he had

more time here. Every time he glimpses the mysterious Julianne, he wants to know more

about her.

(Joseph settles against the pillows, listening to the ever-present roar of the furnace. He

had gotten used to it, so it wasn't as loud as it had been the first day he arrived.Casually, Joseph flips through the pages of his books. Normally he would have been

engrossed the moment he read the first word. But at that moment, his mind is elsewhere.

Closing his eyes, Joseph drifts off to sleep. It's been a long day and he's in desperate need

of a nap.)

(In his dream he is lying in bed when suddenly his door bursts open. For the first time, he

is not afraid. Standing in the doorway was his mysterious lady who had been so bold as totry to feel his face. Julianne is positively radiant. She is clad in a long white night gown,

and her black hair was loose and unencumbered. Her arms out in front of her, she walks

in halting steps towards his bed.Joseph does not back away. In the strange world of dreams, he wants Julianne to know

the deformed face he tries so hard to hide away.)

(Suddenly, as soon as her fingers touch his cheek, Joseph is jolted awake. Gasping, he


15/65

looks up to see Mrs. Sherman standing over him.)

Mrs. Sherman: bad dream?

Joseph :(panting) not exactly

Mrs. Sherman: supper's on

(Nodding stiffly, she exits the room.)

(Getting up, Joseph smoothes out the wrinkles in his shirt and changes his jacket. He

knows looking his best is somewhat futile, especially around the residents. But he didn't

care. It was the first time he has ever been invited to dine with others, and he wanted tolook as nice as he could.)

(Upstairs, the aides are helping the residents to the tables. Some offer Joseph a nod or a

wave before returning their attention to the blind folk. At one of the tables, he spiesCaroline.)

Joseph: mind if I join you?

Caroline: of course you can. I just have something to do first, I'll be right back

(He watches as Caroline makes her way out of the commissary. The Blind Home has

obviously done a lot to make it easy to navigate, as Carrie knows her way around without

any effort.While he waits, Joseph tucks into his supper. It certainly is a lot better then what he is

used to. But just as he is finishing his slice of shepherd's pie, Caroline returns with

Julianne on her arm.)

Caroline:(whispering to Julianne) don't worry, we'll just tell Sherman you were getting a

little cabin fever up there

Julianne: well it's not exactly a lie

Henry looks up from helping Mr. Collins cut his meat and bellows, "Why hello,

Julianne!" (he tends to be rather enthusiastic, so relieved is he to be employed here after

being liberated from the insane asylum.)

Joseph looks up and sees the young woman entering with Caroline. His fork clatters to

the floor, and conversation stops. Embarrassed, he struggles to retrieve the fork but Henryjumps up.

Henry: Wait, Mr. Merrick. 'ere's a clean 'un.


16/65

Joseph: Thank you. (he can't take his eyes off Julianne. She is facing him, having heard

his name, and has a puzzled look on her face. Caroline guides her to their table. Nobody

speaks as Henry serves dinner to Julianne. She picks at her food without much interest.Caroline eats with gusto. Joseph tries to eat but suddenly he's as nervous as if he'd just

arrived.)

Caroline (looks up) This shepherd's pie is delicious.

Julianne: I'm sure it is.(tries a bite or two.)

Joseph: How are you today, Julianne?

Julianne: Very well, Joseph. (but she doesn't sound well. Turns towards Joseph) Andyou?

Joseph: Very well. (pause) Shall we..shall we read together after dinner? Here, I mean.

Julianne: If you like.

That wasn't exactly the response Joseph was hoping for. He would have preferred "Oh

yes, I would love to." Something is clearly wrong with Julianne. But what? Caroline tries

to liven things up.

Caroline: Do you know what I heard yesterday? (pause.) Nobody answers She goes on.

Caroline: (whispers) One of the nurses is expecting.That gets Julianne's attention.

Julianne: Who?

Caroline takes her hand and fingerspells the name into her palm. Julianne gasps. Joseph

watches them, feeling left out.

Caroline (to Joseph) Their training forbids it. The nurses, I mean.

Joseph: I see. (he certainly can't imagine Matron getting pregnant!)

Caroline: Mark my words, she'll be gone before the month is true.

Julianne: Oh Caroline, you and your gossip!

Caroline (a bit hurt) It's true. I have reliable sources. She'll have to get married.

Julianne:Iwould never make that mistake.

Joseph is discouraged. Here he'd been hoping to find a woman who might love him,


17/65

someone who would not be frightened of his appearance.

Julianne: I would only marry for love.

Joseph perks up. Maybe there's hope after all.

Then he sees Mrs. Sherman entering the room. She smiles and chats pleasantly with theother residents. Joseph would get up and run if he could, but he's trapped. The directress

spots him and comes over.

Mrs. Sherman (in a chilly voice) Ah, good day, Mr. Merrick. How was your supper?

Joseph: Very good, thank you.

She nods towards Julianne.

Mrs. S. Are you enjoying your company?

Joseph: (somewhat defiantly) Yes, I am.

After the meal, Julianne gets up and leaves right away without so much as a good-by.

Joseph: She still seems upset. (he wishes he could take back what had happened in herroom. If he ever had the chance again, he would let Julianne touch him. It was time to

pull together his courage.)

Caroline: Let me go talk to her. Don't worry, Joseph.

(Caroline goes to Julianne's room. She is in a dressing gown and brushing her hair.)

Caroline: he really likes you, you know

Julianne: who?

Caroline: Joseph. I think he fancies you

Julianne: you think so?

Caroline: of course. I don't know if you noticed, but his voice always changes a littlewhen he talks to you

Julianne: ...really?

(She pauses for a minute. Almost involuntarily, her hand goes up to her left shoulder.

Carrie knows instantly what she's thinking about.)


18/65

Caroline: I know what that uncle of yours did to you. But I don't think Joseph has it in

him to pull a woman's arm out of its socket

(Julianne gulps. After her dear mother passed away, she was sent to live with her uncle.

But she wasn't there for too long. After accidentally knocking over a teacup, Uncle Roger

grabbed her by the arm and threw her to the floor. In just one split second of uncontrolledstrength, Julianne's shoulder was dislocated. After her injuries healed, the blind girl was

deposited at the Home.)

Julianne:(after a long pause) I know he'd never do that

Caroline: then talk to him

Julianne: do you really think he fancies me?

Caroline: Of course. Hes gone crackers over you.

(At last a smile finds its way to Julianne's face.)

(The next morning, Joseph reports to the commissary for breakfast. A bowl of hot cereal

with a side of toast and apple slices. While reading the paper, he senses someone

approaching the table. At first he thinks it's just Caroline, but when he looks up, Josephnearly chokes on a mouthful of toast.)

Julianne:(shyly) mind if I join you?

Joseph: n-no... I mean yes...

(He continues stumbling over his words. Julianne covers her mouth to stifle a giggle.)

Julianne: I'll take that as a yes

(She takes a seat across from him. As usual, Julianne is dressed in the drab frocks issued

to her by the Home. But her hair is done up in a bun with a handful of daisies stuck in it.)

Julianne: thank you for the flowers. They were lovely

Joseph:: You're very welcome. I...I wish you could join me for a walk at night.

Julianne: I wish I could, too. But I'm not allowed, as I said.

Joseph: Your tea is in front of you.

Julianne: Yes, thank you. You see, I've been told I'm a somnambulist.

Joseph: That sounds dreadful. What is that?


19/65

Julianne (giggles) It's a fancy word for sleep-walker.

Joseph (not sure he heard right) You mean...a...one of those...

Julianne: Oh! No, a SLEEP-walker. (they both blush violently, then begin to laugh. ThenJulianne sighs.)

Julianne: Sometimes they find me down in the receiving room or even in the Men's wing.That causes quite a ruckus. It's why Mrs. Sherman confines me to my room at night.

Joseph: I'm sorry.

Julianne: Don't be. You see, I have bad dreams sometimes.

Joseph: So do I. I suppose I would sleep-walk too if I could get out of bed.

Julianne: What do you dream about?

Joseph: My father, mostly. After my mother passed away, he mistreated me. I tried to

escape but with this bad hip, I couldnt get very far.

Julianne: You have a bad hip? You're a cripple, then.

Joseph: Yes, but I don't especially like the word. My mind certainly isn't crippled.

Julianne: No, not at all. You read so beautifully and you're a very interesting person.

Joseph's eyes fill with tears. Nobody has given him such compliments in his life. She's sobeautiful, and he's quickly falling in love with her. What would she do if she found out

how hideous he was? If she touched his face, would she scream in horror? He wants to let

her read his features and understand his pain but he doesn't dare lose her friendship.

Julianne: Joseph? Are you there?

Joseph: (hoarsely) Yes. Julianne, you're very interesting too. What gives you bad dreams,if I may ask?

Julianne is about to reply when Henry rings the bell signaling the end of breakfast. Peoplebegin to get up amid much noise and confusion.

Julianne (quickly) Let's meet in the library in half an hour. It's quiet and one can talkthere.

Joseph: The library? You're able to read?


20/65

Julianne: Yes, we have a whole collection of books in Braille.

A very young nurse from the Men's wing comes into the room and approaches their table,Joseph looks at her closely. Is it his imagination or is the tie of her uniform rather loose

about her waist?

Joseph:(to himself) that must be the poor nurse who got herself in trouble

(Joseph knew how women were stigmatized for having a baby outside of wedlock. Hismother was almost one herself. Of course she never told him, but he always heard the

neighbors whispering about it. Though Joseph's mother and father loved each other, their

marriage had to come earlier then expected, as Mary soon discovered she was with child.

In his mind, he could only imagine how the scene played out.)

Joe Rockley: so... what are you going to do?

Mary Jane: I went to see the midwife this afternoon. She said I'm only six weeks along

Joe Rockley: you going to keep it?

Mary Jane: of course I am. I could never do something like that

Joe Rockley:(after being silent for a moment) *sighs* I don't know Mary. This isn't

exactly the best time... Besides, if something happened to you...

(He sees how dejected Mary looks.)

Joe Rockley: you really want this baby?

Mary Jane:(sincerely) yes... yes I do

Joe Rockley: all right... all right, lets try and have this baby

(He embraces her, wrapping his arms around her waist. No bump yet, but it'd only be a

matter of time before their little stranger would make its appearance.)

(There had been so many times Joseph wished he had never been born. Perhaps

everyone's life would have been better if his mother had disposed of him when she first

discovered his existence, despite her moral aversion to such practices. But now that life islooking up for him, Joseph is happy to be alive. A beautiful young lady is waiting for him

in the library.)

(Before meeting Joseph downstairs, Julianne is up in her room. She doesnt have much in

the way of making herself look fine. No jewelry, no rouge, and no pretty clothes, though

she does have one thing that would pass as being pretty. Going to the wardrobe, she finds

something smooth and satiny at the bottom of her carpet bag. A sash in a lovely shade of


21/65

pink that had belonged to her mother.

Julianne has long forgotten what pink looks like, but knows it is a color that means

delicate femininity. Carefully she wraps the sash around her waist and ties it off with abow.)

Julianne:(feeling the bow) hmm... not bad

(Gripping the railing on the wall, Julianne makes her way downstairs. The library is

silent, but she can sense somebody is there.)

Julianne: Joseph? are you in here?

Joseph:(a little too eagerly) yes... yes, I'm here

(Julianne is certainly looking radiant. The pink sash is quite lovely, and it brings

definition to her waist, which is usually hidden under dresses that are two sizes too big.)

Joseph can't take his eyes off her. She makes her way around the walls of books to thetwo chairs by the window. Joseph would have gotten up to guide her but with his lame

hip, he probably wouldn't have been much help. She seems to know her way around very

well. They sit facing each other.

Julianne: This is my favorite room. Sometimes I come here with my knitting and sit

quietly away from the others. The lounge can be quite noisy and my room feels very

small and stuffy.

Joseph: It's nice here. You can see the garden through these windows.

Julianne: Do you see any birds yet?

Joseph: Just little fat ones.

Julianne: They must be sparrows. One of the last birds I saw before I went blind was a

cardinal. Bright red! I can still see his color in my mind. You see, these cataracts just

grew and grew. They told my mother they could remove them but it was very risky and Icould bleed to death. She refused the operation, and I'm glad she did.

Joseph: Do you miss being able to see?

Julianne: Not really. I can hear and taste and smell. Touch. I can learn a lot about a

person by their face.

Joseph takes a deep breath. Here they are again. He's paralyzed with fear. Julianne

reaches out one finger and touches the side of his face. The left side, without the tumors.

Joseph lets out his breath.


22/65

Julianne: You have a strong jaw. I like that.

(Please don't search for my chin. It's not where you think it is.)

Julianne: What color are your eyes?

Joseph: Brown. Last I knew, anyway (she thinks Im making a joke. She doesn't know I

haven't looked into a mirror for years)

Julianne: I remember brown. The color of the pony I rode for my fourth birthday party.

My little friends and I took turns riding him in a circle while the owner held him on a

rope. I loved it!

Joseph: I've never been on a horse. They seem so big and frightening.

Julianne: Yes, but ponies are much smaller. That was one of the happiest days of my life.To me, brown is a happy color.

Joseph: I'm glad.

Julianne: You must have beautiful eyes. (Joseph sits frozen as her fingers trail across hischeek. Then she finds his thin hair and strokes it behind his ear. So far, so good. He's

almost normal on the left side. Quickly he holds out his left hand and clasps Julianne's,

artfully turning her away without frightening her this time.

Joseph: You're very beautiful, Julianne. I've never known anyone like you.

Julianne: I feel the same, Joseph. The home seems changed since you've been here.

Joseph (nervously) In a good way, I hope.

Julianne: Oh yes!

Just then the door opens and a housekeeper comes in with her dust cloth.

Housekeeper: Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to disturb you------------(sees Joseph)

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!! (drops cloth and runs away, slamming the door.

Julianne (instantly alert) Joseph, what happened? Why did she scream?

Joseph cannot answer. It's been a few months since he's heard that kind of scream but it'sburned on his soul. Years and years of them, and each one is as painful as the first.

Julianne: Joseph! Are you all right? (jumps up)


23/65

Finally Joseph stammers "I'm fine, Julianne. That was... I guess she was frightened.

Julianne: Of what? Tell me, Joseph!

Joseph: (thinks fast) I think she saw a rat.

Julianne shrugs: That's London for you. Every now and then I hear one in my room.

Rustling under the bed.

Joseph: (forgetting he has just lied) Really? Doesn't it frighten you?

Julianne: Not really. I grew up with them in my home.

Joseph: Yes, we did too. They're honorary citizens of Leicester.

Julianne laughs, but Joseph is worried. That was a narrow escape but sooner or later she'll

find out the truth about him.(Joseph is still shaken up by the scream, and quickly tries to better the situation.)

Joseph: uhh... why don't we go out for a moment. I hear it's quite warm outside

Julianne: are you sure? What about your limp?

Joseph: oh, it's all right. Really, I think I just need some air

(Getting up, Julianne offers him her hand. Joseph gratefully takes it and she helps him tohis feet. Julianne could feel his hand trembling.)

Julianne: Good heavens! Hedda really must have startled you

Joseph: oh... I guess she did. I'm sorry, I just hate the sound of women screaming

(At that moment, Joseph wishes he could take what he said back. He may have alluded to

too much.)

Joseph: besides I'm not too fond of rats either

Julianne: I don't blame you. My mother was always warning me not to linger in the

corridors, because that's where the rats live, she said

Joseph: ah yes, my mother was the same way

Julianne:(after a bit of a pause) may I ask... how did you injure your limb?

Joseph: you know, it was so long ago, it's hard to remember exactly. I couldn't have been

more then four or five at the time. I think I fell from something


24/65

Julianne: then I imagine you're not at all partial to heights

Joseph:(suddenly becoming a little queasy) oh, heavens no

(Julianne giggles, causing Joseph to blush. He can't believe he actually made a womanlaugh.)

(They arrive outside in the Home's little courtyard. Following the scent, Julianne finds abush of fragrant flowers. As Joseph watches her, he "smiles" to himself. Julianne was just

as sweet and beautiful as any of the blossoms growing in the garden.)

Julianne: aren't they lovely. The Home planted the flower beds just a few years ago. A lotof the residents pitched in to help as well

Joseph: they did a wonderful job. It's like a little patch of heaven

(She gropes her way to the bench. Joseph lends her a helping hand in guiding her back.)

Julianne: I've been told you'll be living at the hospital

Joseph:(a little let down) yes

Julianne: would it be all right if I came to visit you from time to time

Joseph:(instantly perking up) of course! Yes, please by all means!

(Julianne puts a modest hand to her giggles. Shes never known a man so enthusiastic for

her company.)

Hedda flees through the halls to Mrs. Sherman's office and bursts in without knocking.

Hedda: Oh Mrs. Sherman, I don't b'lieve I can work 'ere.

Mrs. S: (annoyed) Why not, Hedda? You just started last week.

Hedda: Hit's that there gennulmun. 'E's made me all a-twitter.

Mrs. S: (stalling for time) Which 'gennulmun', Hedda? We have quite a few.

Hedda: 'E's got a gurt big 'ead 'n' twisted face. I went hinto library to clean, 'n' there 'e

was. Right there sittin' wi' Miss Julianne hin a fancy sort o' suit.

Mrs. S: Yes, those would be his clothes. Well, Hedda, I don't know what you think you

saw. I shall assign you to the children's quarters as of this moment.


25/65

Hedda curtsies. 'Yes'm. Hi'll go there himmediately.

Mrs. S: On one condition. You must never mention this again.

Hedda: Yes'm. You got my word. (scurries away like a rat)

Mrs. S: (to self) Drat. It'll only be a matter of time before word spreads all over. What

should I do?

She paces back and forth, then stops.

Mrs. S: That's it. I have the perfect solution.


26/65

Chapter Three

In the garden, Joseph and Julianne are enthralled with each other's company. They can't

seem to stop talking, though Joseph's words are getting more garbled as he grows weary.

Finally he regretfully closes their visit.

Joseph: I'm afraid I must rest now, Julianne. I'm sorry.

Julianne: That's all right. I have so enjoyed our chat.

Joseph: Shall I bring you back inside?

Julianne: No thank you. I'm enjoying the sunshine.

Joseph: Good day, then. I'll see you at lunch?"

Julianne:(laughs) Yes, I'llsee you then.

(Though Joseph's room is not too remote, it takes him a while to get down there. He

doesn't know why he's so exhausted all of a sudden. He had a good night's sleep, and ate

all his breakfast. Joseph figures it must have been his conversation with Julianne. He gotso excited that by the time they were through, he was left feeling somewhat winded.)

(Upon arriving to his room, he takes a seat and catches his breath. But it isn't long before

a knock at the door jolts him out of his reverie.)

Joseph:(groaning a little) come in

(It's Mrs. Sherman, looking as dour and no-nonsense as ever.)

Joseph: oh... Mrs. Sherman.

Mrs. Sherman:(nodding) Mr. Merrick. I trust you're having a good morning

Joseph: very much, thank you

Mrs. Sherman: well, unfortunately one of our maids did not

(Joseph feels himself growing pale.)

Mrs. Sherman: there's no need to feel guilty, sir, It wasn't your fault. However I think itwould best that you just stay in your room for a few days until the staff is a little more

composed

(Joseph is struck by her bluntness. In that one moment, the weight of sadness nearly


27/65

crushes him like a boulder. He had come to the blind home in hopes of experiencing a

place where he didn't have to hide himself away. A place where he could feel like any

other man.)

Joseph: oh... all right, then

Mrs. Sherman: it'll only be for a few days, I assure you

(She gives him a curt nod and exits.)

(Joseph sags into the chair. Everything had been going so well. It was just like the first

day he was admitted to the London Hospital. A nurse had not been warned of his

appearance and had screamed, dropped his breakfast tray, and dashed out of the room. Atthat time, Joseph was far too weak to respond. but he felt it.)

(The hours drag on. Mrs. Sherman brings Joseph his lunch, but he doesnt feel like

eating. He knows he should have his meal, as he had been told since the time he couldremember that it was a sin to waste food. But now that he is deprived of his new friends,

Joseph has no appetite.)

(Upstairs, Caroline and Julianne are talking.)

Julianne: so they just told Joseph to stay in his room?

Caroline: I'm afraid so

Julianne: how could they do that? It's not his fault that silly Haddams so afraid of rats

Caroline: I don't think it was rats. You know they say he's a little... odd looking

Julianne: hmm... that probably explains his speech. But I touched his cheek. It didn't

seem that bad

(She goes to the commissary and returns with a slice of raisin bread)

Julianne: Do you think he'll like this?

(Caroline takes a whiff)

Caroline: I should think so. His room's downstairs next to the boiler room

Although Julianne has gone many places in the Home (in her sleep), she's never been tothe boiler room. Her visit to the Men's wing had been scandalous enough. Caroline had

gleefully told her of the rumor that Julianne had a rendezvous with Wilfred Fredericks,

who had lived there since childhood. Wilfred was a strapping, boisterous man who could

throw around cords of firewood like toothpicks but had never learned Braille or much of


28/65

anything else. Hardly her type. Julianne had laughed at the rumors. Now she wondered

why Joseph wasn't in the Men's Ward in a small comfortable room like the rest of them.

Why was he down in the basement?

Going through the halls, she ponders how to find someone who can help her. Near the

front entrance she hears a familiar voice. It's Nurse Betty, the youngest nurse at theHome.

Betty: Miss Julianne, where are you going? Your room is back that way.

Julianne: Yes, I know. I...was wondering if there is anything in the post for me.

Betty (frowning as Julianne never gets letters from anyone) No, nothing. (Suddenly sheruns away to the nearest water closet. Julianne can hear her being sick. Instantly she

knows what to do. When the nurse comes out, Julianne approaches her.)

Julianne: I have a favor to ask, Miss Betty.

Betty: (sourly) What?

Julianne: Would you help me visit someone?

Betty: I don't have time.

Julianne: (lightly) I guess I'll have to find someone else then. Someone who doesn't have

morning sickness in the afternoon. (whistles and walks away)

Betty: Wait just a minute! Don't you dare tell.

Julianne: Then you'll help me?

***

Joseph sits in his chair trying to read but the words make no sense. He misses his new

friends so badly he wants to weep. Bill Collins and Henry. Mrs. Robinson, MissBancroft, Jeanette and most of all, Caroline and Julianne. If he's going to be kept prisoner

in this noisy hole, he might as well go back to the Isolation Ward until his new rooms are

ready. At least he would see Mr. Treves and Nurse Ireland every day. He's written lettersuntil his hand aches. Not for the first time, he wishes he could just go to sleep forever. He

knows pain every day in one form or another.

Then there's a soft knock at the door and voices outside.

Joseph: Come in.

It's Julianne and the young pale nurse with the thick waist.


29/65

Nurse: One hour. Exactly.

Julianne: Thank you, Miss Betty.

Joseph: What...how...

Julianne (laughs) There's more than one way to skin a cat! (offers Joseph the bread.)

Joseph: It's delicious. Thank you. Sit down, Julianne. I can't believe you found me! (he

gives her his chair and sits on the bed.)

Julianne: You're very far away from the rest of us. Why did they put you down here?

Joseph (thinks fast): Sometimes I...have nightmares and wake up screaming (And that's

no lie. She'll understand what that's like). They didn't want me waking up everyone.

Julianne: I'm so sorry, Joseph. But now I know my way here.

Joseph: How? There are so many turns and stairs.

Julianne (smiles and taps her head) It's as if I have a map in here. Once I've gonesomewhere once, I don't forget. But we must be very careful. I can't stay long or the nurse

will report me missing.

Joseph: Is she...?

Julianne: Yes, she's the one. I've promised to keep her little secret if she'll keep mine.

Joseph: (chuckles) You're amazing.

Julianne: Why thank you. I quite agree.

Joseph: even so, poor Betty. I hope she doesn't get sacked

Julianne: neither do I. She's very good with the other residents. Especially with thechildren

Joseph: they have a childrens ward here?

Julianne: mm hmm. There's a school for the blind on the other side the building. It's a

good thing, too. Most of those little ones would have wound up in some asylum

Joseph: do they live here?

Julianne: some do. Others just come here for schooling


30/65

Joseph: if you don't mind my asking, how did you come to live here?

Julianne: well, once my mother died, I went to go live with my uncle. But... things didn't

work out.

(The way her voice changes, Joseph can tell instantly that Julianne had been hurt. It

angers him somebody could wantonly injure someone so defenseless. But seeing how

much it has pained her to talk about it, Joseph does not pursue the matter further.)

Julianne: can I ask you something?

Joseph: yes, of course

Julianne: I heard the London Hospital is a little strict about what kind of patients stay

there. How did you persuade them to let you live there?

Joseph: well... it wasn't really my decision. Mr. Treves said the Chairman had written to

several hospitals for incurables but... they said they didn't want me there

Julianne: well thats not very professional. Did they say why?

Joseph:(lying again) uhh... they didn't mention it

(Julianne arches her eyebrow.)

Julianne:(a little playfully) you know, Joseph. Your little white lies aren't as convincing

as they had been

Joseph: what lies? I haven't been telling any lies

Julianne: I may be blind, my dear. But I know when someone's taking me for a ride

Joseph:(defeated) you're right... I've been awful to keep lying to you like that. It's just that

you've been so good to me. I didn't want to frighten you

Julianne: oh, don't be like that. There's nothing you could do or say that would frighten

me

Joseph: I'm not so sure...

Julianne: try me

Joseph:(biting the bullet) well... have you ever heard of The Elephant Man?

Julianne: Yes. Why do you ask?


31/65

Joseph: Thats me.

Julianne: You can't be!

Joseph: (feeling sick) Im afraid so.

Julianne: (faintly, to herself ) In Whitechapel...how long ago was it? Uncle made me

stand on the street corner and dance. For coppers...for scraps ..whatever we could get. Hemade me dance 'til my feet burned. Banging my tambourine until my arm nearly fell off.

If I stopped, he'd beat me. Right there on the street amidst the horses clopping by and the

apple vendors shouting. The stench of rotten vegetables. I'll never get those smells out of

my nose.

Joseph: I'm so sorry, Julianne.

(She barely hears him. Joseph can see she's forgotten he's there. But he's still dreadingwhat she'll say next. She twists her shawl between her hands)

Julianne: Sometimes I heard a man shouting. 'Step right up! Come 'n' see the Elephant

Man! He is not here to frighten you but to enlighten you. Step right up!' Over and over. I

grew sick of his bleating. I would hear an excited crowd gathering and following him.

All of a sudden I would hear screams. Terrible screams and feet trampling past me. A

mob shoving and pushing me against the wall. I would hear mean laughter. Men roaring

"It's a bleedin' monster! The devil's spawn 'e is. Somethin' like that should be drowned inthe Thames."

Joseph is cringing at what she had to hear. The words themselves he has grown used to.Sometimes he agrees with them.If she leaves me now, I will throw myself in the Thames.

If I could ever get there.

Julianne: It used to make me cry. How could they say such things about someone?

Whoever this Elephant Man was, he was still one of God's creatures. As for being a

monster, we are all born with sin, ever since Eden fell.

(She turns and faces him) Joseph, you're not terrible at all. I can't believe you were theElephant Man. Why did they call you that?

Here it is. The moment of truth.

Joseph: (reciting the words he has memorized from his sideshow pamphlet) 'The

measurement around my head is 36 inches. There is a substance of flesh at the back aslarge as a breakfast cup, while the face is such a sight that no one could describe it. The

right hand measures 12 inches around the wrist and 5 inches around one of the fingers.'

The feet and legs are covered with thick lumpy skin--


32/65

Julianne: Stop! Joseph, those are just words. Show me.

Joseph takes her hand and guides it over his face. All of it. He's trembling so hard he'salmost falling off the bed. Slowly she begins to explore the bizarre hills and valleys of his

features, the bulges and bumps that don't belong there. She has to stand up to reach the

top of his head and reach around the back. He leans forward to let her touch the deformedmasses between his shoulders.

At last she backs away and sits down. Her face is dejected, and Joseph begins to weep

silently. It's worse then he imagined.

Julianne: (pounds her fist against her palm) I can't believe they treated you like that.

Why?

Joseph (painfully) If you could see me, you'd know why.

Julianne: But I have seen you. The way I see, with my fingertips.

Joseph: And...?

Julianne: I see a human being. I hear your voice reading to me. I smell the flowers you

bring me. I laugh at things you say. I touch your hand and I don't feel lonely anymore. I

feel your kindness....(now she begins to cry. Instantly Joseph forgets his pain andembraces her, thunderstruck at his own courage.

Julianne (sniffles) Compared to my uncle, you're as a terrible as a..a..

Joseph:. A rat?

They burst into shaky laughter. And the terrible Elephant Man is no more.

Joseph:(laughing a little) you want to know something strange?

Julianne: what?

Joseph: I can't believe I'm remembering this, but I think I may have seen you dance

Julianne: well, I guess it's not too far fetched. I was only across the road from you

Joseph: from what I recall, you were wearing some kind of fringed thing over your skirt

Julianne: oh yes, I believe that was our old table cloth

Joseph: if you don't mind my asking, why on earth did your uncle make you do such a

thing? Were there money troubles?

Julianne: not quite. Roger had a job in a steel mill, so it's not like we were going hungry


33/65

or anything. I think he did it just so he could get some extra pocket money

Joseph: did you ever try running away?

Julianne: I did once. At the time, I still had a little vision left in one eye. I could still see

shapes, and some light. But I didn't get far

Joseph: what happened?

Julianne: I got picked up by a constable. I suppose it was right what he did. Helping out a

poor, defenseless blind girl

Joseph: it would have been. He just didn't know the sort of person you live with. And I'lltell you something. If I had been given a different a different form, there's no way I

would have allowed that sort of thing to happen to you

(Though Joseph meant every word of it, he wished he could have said it differently. It allsounded so foolish and hollow to him.)

Julianne:(trying to hold back tears) I know you would have. I don't doubt that for a

minute

(No longer afraid of her reaction, Joseph enfolds the young woman in his arms. To his

grateful surprise, he feels her arms coil around his back. Never in a million years did

Joseph think a woman would even look at him, let alone allow herself to be embraced.

Silently he prayed this wasn't all some dream.)

(After a few moments of bliss, Julianne gently pulled herself out of Joseph's grasp.)

Julianne: I should get going. Mrs. Sherman will fillet me alive if she knew where I was

(She gives him a little kiss on the corner of his distorted mouth and leaves. Joseph sagsagainst his pillow in a daze, unable to believe how much things have changed.)

Nurse Betty: that was a little over an hour

Julianne: I know

Nurse Betty: remember, Caravnon. We have a deal, you and I

Julianne: don't worry, Elizabeth. Your secret's safe with me

Caroline: Tell me all about it. Don't leave out a word!

They are sitting on Julianne's bed in their nightgowns. Julianne recounts her visit to


34/65

Joseph and why people screamed at the sight of him. How she learned that he had once

been known as the Elephant Man. And the terrible things people had said after viewing

him in Whitechapel Road.

Caroline: But he's so sweet! How could anyone think he's a monster?

Julianne: Because they only go by what they see. You know, Caroline, sometimes I think

we can see more than the so-called seeing people. We don't judge people on first sight.

Maybe we don't like the sound of someone's voice or maybe they smell bad. But we don'trun away screaming without getting to know the person.

Caroline: The only thing wrong with us is our eyes. So tell me more. Did he kiss you?

Julianne: Caroline!

Caroline: Don't hold out on me. You sound so excited.

Julianne: Well...I kissed him. Just a tiny kiss. He's very shy.

Caroline: That's not surprising. Imagine having people screaming at the sight of you.

After awhile you'd be pretty afraid to get close to anyone.

Julianne: After the way Uncle Roger treated me, I never thought I would kiss a man. Or

even want to. But when I touched Joseph's face, I could feel how nervous he was. It made

me want to hold him tight and kiss away his fear. I've never felt like that about anyone.

Caroline: (picks up a little music box from Julianne's nightstand and winds it up. The

little gypsy dancer begins to turn around to the sound of Brahms' Lullaby.)

Caroline: You have it bad, don't you?

Julianne: What?

Caroline (smiles) You're in love with Joseph.

Julianne: No, I'm not. Well, maybe I am. Yes. He's the most wonderful person I've evermet.

Caroline clears her throat noisily. Julianne hugs her.

Julianne: You're wonderful too. Like a sister. But Joseph is...

Caroline: You don't have to tell me. Oh, how I love matchmaking!


35/65

Chapter Four

When Treves arrives the following Sunday, Joseph is nearly bursting with his secret.Should he tell him about Julianne? No. Mr. Treves would probably tell Mrs. Sherman,

perhaps out of 'professional concern', and that would be the end of it. Joseph would get

hauled back to the London and never see Julianne again. He can barely pay attention toMr. Treves.

Treves: I daresay you must be going mad with boredom here. Shall I bring more books?

Joseph: Books?

Treves: Those objects upon your table. They contain information that is then absorbedinto the brain

Joseph: Oh! No thank you, I'm not finished with these. (If he could wear a sheepish grin,

it would be spread all over his face)

Treves: Are you feeling all right? You seem a little agitated.

Joseph: I'm fine. Maybe just anxious to see my new rooms. (he feels bad about lying once

again but Mr. Treves is trying so hard to make him happy.)

Treves: May I examine you, Joseph? You're breathing rather fast.

(takes out his stethoscope and listens to Joseph's heart and lungs)

Joseph (trying to joke) Well, Doctor, am I still alive?

Treves: Yes, but you need to be good to your body and take it for walks.

Joseph: I shall try, sir. (he can't wait to meet Julianne in the garden after lunch. They

seldom talk anymore. There's no need to. Or so he thinks)

That afternoon, Julianne falls asleep in a sunbeam shining through her window. But the

dream does not reflect the warm serenity on the day. It is only a few years ago. The

protection of her parents were gone, and now she is forced to dance so her uncle wouldhave a little more spending money. At the end of her performance, Julianne bends to pick

up all the coins that had been deposited in the hat in front of her. Her fingers covertly

smuggle away a few of the coins for herself. But as always, Roger catches her. Hisfingers grip her hair, pulling so hard that she fears he would rip it out.)

Roger: little slut, you are! Think you can steal from me?

(He pulls harder.)

Roger: ripe as a peach, but still unplucked. All the fellows love to watch you dance.


36/65

Tonight I'll show you why

(But just as he is about to make his move, a strange, phantom-like creature bursts fromthe shadows, enveloping Julianne in it's swirling cloak. The being is strange and

frightening, yet Julianne feels strangely comfortable in its protective hold.)

(Julianne awakes to the clanging bell that signaled to the residents that supper was being

served. But she doesnt go to the dining room right away. In the library is one of the

many Braille typewriters. After feeding a sheet of paper into the massive machine,Julianne starts typing.)

(Downstairs, Joseph sets aside some of his books and papers on his table. After Julianne's

visit, his appetite has returned with a vengeance and he is ready for supper. The sound offootsteps suddenly reaches his ears. At first he thinks it is Mrs. Sherman with his food.

But the footsteps stop just in front of his door and quickly run away. Perhaps it is just

some sight-seer staff person who chickened out. But there is something that had been

pushed under his door.

Its a letter written in the bumpy Braille alphabet, with a booklet that deciphers the code.These booklets are usually give to friends and relatives of the residents so they can read

letters from their loved ones.)

(For Joseph, it is all so delightfully scandalous. A letter written in a strange code just

waiting to be broken. Its like stepping into a mystery book.

He gets right to work, matching the bumpy jumble of dots with the letters theyrepresented. It only takes him minutes to translate the note.

"God closed my eyes so I could see only the real Joseph"

(That is all. An ocean of tears fills Joseph's eyes, spilling liberally down his cheeks. He

can see in his mind Julianne's delicate little hands typing out the note. He has never feltsuch feelings for another human being before.)

Joseph:(to himself) oh Julianne... my dear, sweet angel. How can you be so good to me?

(At that moment, Joseph knows what he has to do. As long as he remains on his best

behavior, and proves himself to be the gentleman Treves always said he is, Mrs. Sherman

will let him leave his room.

Mrs. Sherman :(knocking on his door) your supper, Mr. Merrick

Joseph: one moment

(He quickly stashes the letter in his pocket before letting her in.)


37/65

Mrs. Sherman: you're looking rather chipper this afternoon

Joseph: I am? Oh... I didn't realize I was

Mrs. Sherman: Mr. Treves tells me he's a little concerned about you. Your heart rate was

a little high. But you seem fine now.

Joseph: Right as rain, ma'am. But I am also a little concerned.

Mrs.; S: Oh?

Joseph: Has anyone been reading Caroline's letters to her? Or the daily news to everyone?

Mrs. S: I expect Jeanette or Henry have, as always.

Joseph: But they are only two, and there are so many who need someone to read to them.

I don't expect their families write to them in Braille.

Mrs. S: Just what are you saying, Mr. Merrick?

Joseph: If anyone would like to have me read to them, I would be happy to meet them in

a secluded place...perhaps the back garden.

(Mrs. S looks at him, frowning. He seems sincere, and his brown eyes are sparkling. Why

is he so blasted happy all of a sudden? His idea is quite sound. The staff are always

overworked. Sometimes residents have to wait for days to hear their letters read to them,or events in the newspaper headlines. And meeting in the garden would keep him from

being accidentally viewed.)

Mrs. S: All right, I consent. But you must wear your disguise.

Joseph sighs. He had been hoping to burn that thing forever, but he knows it's impossible.Yes, ma'am. I'll make sure of it.

And so he spends many days walking to the garden in the mornings, and the residents

come to him with their correspondence, books and newspapers. He reads aloud until he ishoarse but he is always glad to chat with his new friends. After a lifetime of dark

solitude, this sunny retreat and ever-present company is sheer delight. And just when the

last person has left. a certain young lady makes her way among the trees.

Joseph meets her on a side path and they sit on the bench until lunchtime, holding hands,

enjoying each other's warmth and presence. But they don't talk as much as they used to.Sometimes they run out of things to say. Joseph wonders if this is what marriage would

be like. He remembers his parents mostly discussing finances, profits from the

haberdashery shop, and medicines for himself. Arguments and silences. Not the stuff of

romance. He makes a vow--if he ever has the good fortune to marry, he will never treat


38/65

his wife that way.

Several times the word "marriage" has hovered on his strangely shaped lips. But hedoesn't dare. What if he frightened her off after all? She might tolerate him as a friend but

would she ever consider becoming his wife? If he told her all of his daily routines and

needs, surely she would run away screaming like the maid. He couldn't bear that. So hesits and holds her hand and treasures their moments together in the sun.

Julianne: you must be burning up in that cloak you have on. Why don't you take it off?

It's not too cold out

Joseph: I will, once I get back to my room

Julianne :( finally getting it) did they tell you to wear that in public?

Joseph :( sighs) I'm afraid so. I've had it ever since my touring days.

(He fingers the hem of his cloak. The fabric is coarse and heavy. At times it feels morelike a straight-jacket then anything else. It didn't even fit him, as it was several sizes too

big.)

Julianne: thats all right. Sometimes the matron takes a group of us on an outing. Usually

to help garner sympathy for the other residents. But I always have to wear these

(She takes out a pair of smoked glasses from her pocket and puts them on.)

(A small twitter of a laugh escapes Joseph's lips.)

Julianne: I know. I probably look silly with them on

Joseph: it's not that. It's just... I think we have more in common then I first thought

Julianne: how?

Joseph: well, we both came from rather sketchy backgrounds, we were both stared at formoney, and we both have to wear disguises, if you will

Julianne: you know, I thought that as well. I just didn't want to say anything because... Idon't know... that something about it might offend you

Joseph: oh Julianne, don't even think that. Nothing you could say could ever offend me

(The burning question on his mind is about to incinerate him all together. But instead of

asking her what he really wanted to, Joseph loses his nerve at the last moment.)


39/65

Joseph: Julianne, can I ask you something?

Julianne: yes, of course

Joseph: would you... would you do me... do me the honor of...

cometomyroomtonightforsupper?

Julianne: what? I'm sorry, I didn't quite get that last part

Joseph :( forcing himself to calm down) join me in my room tonight for supper

(He braces himself for her answer.)

Julianne :( smiling) I'd like that very much

Joseph: you... you would?

Julianne: yes

(Joseph wishes he could leap to his feet and grab her in a tight embrace and never let go.

But he forces himself to remain calm.)

Joseph: alright then. I'll see you tonight

Caroline: I can't believe you're going to his room for supper. That's...in the evening!

Julianne: Supper generally is. What's the matter, Caroline?

Caroline: Well, you are a young lady...

Julianne: Not so young and not much of a lady. Out with it, dear.

Caroline: And he's a man.

Julianne: My goodness, I did wonder about that! Thanks for enlightening me, Caroline.

Caroline: Oh stop making fun of me. You know very well it's not quite proper.

Julianne: Since when did that worry you?

Caroline: I never actually...it was only a few kisses. I miss him so much. (takes out her

handkerchief and dabs her eyes)

Julianne: I'm sorry; I didn't mean to hurt you. John was such a good man.

Caroline: If only he hadn't tried to cross Whitechapel Road alone...


40/65

Julianne consoles her friend. Finally Caroline gets hold of herself.

Caroline: I envy you, Julie. I never thought you'd find someone like Joseph.

Julianne: Trust me, Caroline. He's a real gentleman. He's the least dangerous person youcan imagine. In fact, he's quite funny

when he's nervous.

Caroline: Do you suppose...

Julianne: (dons her least baggy gown.) Caroline, help me with the sash. I want to look

especially pretty.

Caroline: Do you think he'll pop the question?

Julianne stops. It had occurred to her but seemed utterly impossible. How could she be aproper wife and look after a man? Literally?

Caroline: Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Julianne: I'm not sure.

Caroline: Don't you want to marry him?

Julianne: I barely know him. I do love him but...there's a reason why we live in this place.We can't even go to the market on our own.

The two women are quiet.

Caroline: Well, if he asks, follow your heart. That's all I can say.

Julianne: You're such a good friend. (embraces her.)

Meanwhile, Joseph has arranged and rearranged the books on his shelf, and straightenedthe tablecloth on the table at least twenty times. He places the chair facing the door, and

then decides that's silly, since she'll need to eat at the table. Then again, it would be nice

to have her face him as he sits on the edge of the bed. Is that too intimate?

God, I must be out of my mind, inviting her to dine with me. Sometimes I slurp and

slobber no matter how hard I try to be neat.

They've bribed Nurse Betty to say Julianne is indisposed and will not be dining in the

commissary. Then the nurse will lead Julianne down a back hallway, out past the trash

barrels, back in through the boiler room to Joseph's humble abode.


41/65

Their days of secret rendezvous are numbered, though. The nurse's waistline is swelling

and can't quite be belted in. At the moment she looks stout, and the other nurses have

teased her about indulging from the dessert cart. But it's only a matter of time before shewill be sacked.

Joseph smoothes down the bedspread. Then he dusts the chair and goes to the washstandto wash his hands for the umpteenth time. He wishes, not for the first time, that he had

two good hands. The rest of his deformities would have been bearable if he had been able

to make an honest living with his two hands like any man.

How could I possibly support a wife?There's nothing I want more in this life. Dear God,

how???

(Swallowing back what little apprehension she has left, Julianne knocks on Joseph's door.The sound of which nearly gives him a heart attack.)

Joseph: come in

(She opens the door, carefully smoothing back any stray hairs. Julianne's dress may have

been somewhat out dated, but it was much prettier then the sack-cloth frocks she usuallywore. Its blue fabric brought out her eyes, even if the only reason they were that color

was from the cataracts.)

Joseph :( unable to stop himself) Good lord, you're beautiful

Julianne: there you go again. Always making me blush

Joseph: I mean it. Where did you get such a lovely dress?

Julianne: it was a birthday gift from my mother's friend. I was a little worried aboutwearing it, because parts of it are moth-eaten

Joseph :( remembering his manners) please, sit down

(He guides her to a chair. As a force of habit, Julianne's hands explore the dishes and

utensils in front of her, making notes in her head on where they were in space so she

wouldn't accidentally knock anything over.)

Joseph :( breaking the silence) I got your note

Julianne: you did? Thank goodness for that. I thought I put it under the wrong door

Joseph: thats what I wanted to ask you about. You could have just given it to me?

Julianne: I don't know. I guess I thought it would be a little more mysterious. You know,

they're always doing that sort of thing in books


42/65

Joseph: that is true. I'm sure Jane Austen uses it every chance she gets

Julianne: you read Jane Austen?

Joseph: oh yes. At the moment I'm still on "Pride and Prejudice"

Julianne: I've read most of it. Though some chapters are especially difficult to get

through. That book's left my fingers quite raw on more then one occasion.

Joseph :( laughing a little) I can only imagine

(They start in on their meal. Joseph tries his hardest to eat quietly, and he does very well.

But every so often, a slurp escapes his lips. To him it sounds deafening, but Juliannedoesn't seem to notice. Or if she did, she did a good job of ignoring it.)

Joseph: so nurse Betty brought you here?

Julianne: mm hmm

Joseph: how is her... situation

Julianne: well thankfully she's a little on the plump side, so nobody's really taken muchnotice yet. Some of the other aides tease her about indulging in too many sweets... Poor

thing. I'd hate to see her go

Joseph: well, maybe they'll let her come back afterwards

Julianne: I hope so. If she can give the baby up for adoption, then perhaps Mrs. Sherman

will allow her to return

(She picks at her food a little)

Julianne: though I know if I got in trouble like that, she'd never let me come anywhere

near the home again

Joseph: I don't know. If all mothers were like you, then there would be no need fororphanages

Julianne:(giggling a bit) you really are a poet, you know that? Do these little gems justcome to you?

Joseph :( sheepishly) actually I had to think about that one for a while

Julianne: well that's a relief. Lets me know you're still human. Sometimes I wondered if

you wore a cloak only to hide your wings.


43/65

Joseph: Julianne, you say the sweetest things. Now you're making me blush. You have

what the Irish call the gift of blarney.

Julianne: Are you Irish?

Joseph: Not that I know of. Merricks go back a long way right there in Leicester.

Julianne: Well, you're the most special one.

Joseph: That's kind of you to say. (puts down his fork) If everyone in Leicester thought

that way, I'd still be there.

Julianne: Why do you say that?

Joseph: They crucified me. From early on, as I grew more and more deformed, the other

children taunted me. Not just the children. The grownups too. In the streets, when Fathermade me hawk his haberdashery. I'll never go back to that town. (Julianne can hear his

distress. She takes his hand)

Julianne: It's over now, love. You're here with me.

I wish it could be forever. Ask her, man!

Joseph: There's something I want to ask you, Julianne.


44/65

Chapter Five

She draws a deep breath. So Caroline was right.

Joseph: Would you, Julianne?

Julianne: Would I what?

Joseph: Would you stay with me? I mean...(he can't bring himself to say 'marry."

Julianne: (waits for that very word) What, Joseph?

The knock on the door echoes like a gunshot. They pull away breathlessly.

The nurse bursts in.

Betty: Time's up. Gather your things, girl.

Julianne (to Joseph rather loudly) I've been doing more knitting lately. I'm very good atbaby booties.

Joseph chokes on his water. The nurse glares at both of them.

Betty: That's it. No more favors for you, miss.

Julianne: (properly chastened) All right, Nurse. (hangs her head in sorrow.) Good night,Mr. Merrick.

The nurse shepherds her out, then turns back to Joseph.

Betty: Not a word. Do you understand?

Joseph: No ma'am. (he knows Julianne isn't at all dismayed. She's too clever to let such

trivial things as sullen nurses get in her way.

**

Caroline: So, did he pop the question?

Julianne: No, dammit. He was about to, I think. But that nurse came just then and

interrupted us.

Caroline: Do you think he's afraid to ask?

Julianne (sighs) Well, short of roping him and threatening to beat the question out of him,


45/65

I can only wait and see. (laughs) It's funny how often we talk aboutseeingthis or that.

Caroline: Will you go back again?

Julianne: Can an avalanche stop its course?

(That evening, Joseph lies against his mountain of pillows. He feels incredibly foolish

about how the whole thing turned out. But at least he had asked her to stay with him. It

was a start.

Joseph :( to himself) oh well...I'm not confined to my room anymore. I can see her

tomorrow

(He takes out the note Julianne delivered to him. His fingers feel the little bumps

perforated by the Braille typewriter. Joseph does not know the Braille alphabet.

Whenever he wants to read its words, he has to flip through the little booklet Julianne

sent along with it. But most of the time he didn't need it Julianne has accepted hisappearance, and that's all that mattered.)

(Early that morning, Treves had stopped by to check on his favorite patient.)

Mrs. Sherman: ah, Mr. Treves. Just the man I wanted to see

Treves: oh? What's wrong

Mrs. Sherman: nothing, I hope. However, I am concerned about your patient

(She ushers her into her office behind the front desk in the foyer.)

Treves: what's been happening? Is he ill?

Mrs. Sherman: not ill. At least not physically

Treves: "physically"?

Mrs. Sherman: he's been acting rather odd lately. Particularly around the aides.

Treves: well, he does tend to be shy around strangers

Mrs. Sherman: well he's certainly not shy around the residents. He's become quite

popular with some of them. Particularly our little Miss Caravnon

Treves: Caravnon? Who's that? Is she a resident here?

Mrs. Sherman: for a couple of years now. Look here


46/65

(She hands him a folder from the drawer. Inside are several papers, and a photograph.

Though grainy and a little decayed, the photo clearly displays Julianne's haunting

beauty.)

Treves: this Julianne woman. She and Merrick are close?

Mrs. Sherman: like two peas in a pod. They're always together. Don't get me wrong, Mr.

Treves. I'm happy to see our residents make friends. But you must understand my

concern for Julianne. She's been hurt many times

Treves: I assure you, Mrs. Sherman. Merrick would never harm a woman. Now, if you

don't mind, I'd like to speak with this Julianne

Mrs. Sherman: very well. Come with me

(She leads him upstairs.)

Mrs. Sherman: Julianne, you have a visitor (to Treves) I'll be back in a moment

(She exits)

Julianne: who's there?

Treves: sorry about that. My name is Frederick Treves, and I'm a surgeon at the London

Hospital

Julianne: London Hospital? Then you must know Joseph

Treves: I should say so. I'm his doctor

Julianne: Please sit down, Doctor. Is Mr. Merrick ill?

Treves: Not exactly.

Julianne: What exactly, if I may ask?

Treves: How well do you know him, Miss Caravnon?

Julianne: We've become well acquainted. I enjoy his company very much.

Treves: Please don't be alarmed if I tell you he has a rather unusual...condition.

Julianne (alarmed): I didn't know. Please, can you help him?

Treves: I'm afraid I can't cure him. But I can make him comfortable.


47/65

Julianne's eyes fill with tears.

Julianne: Is there anything I can do?

Treves: I understand he has become partial to you. You can help him pass his days as

pleasantly as possible. But you must try not to become overly attached to Mr. Merrick, inlight of his situation.

Julianne: (to self) Oh Joseph, I had no idea.

Treves: He is a very caring man, but I understand you have suffered some losses. Things

could become difficult in the near future.

Julianne: I have had some painful experiences. But that's behind me now. That's why I've

been so happy since meeting Joseph.

Treves: Yet you're not deterred by his condition?

Julianne: Mr. Treves, what is this 'condition' you keep referring to?

Treves: Surely you've noticed. Even without sight.

Julianne: He has an unusual form, but otherwise he is like any other man. Better, in fact.

Treves sits back and looks at her, astonished.

Treves: That's what I'm referring to. His 'form,' as you say. It's a most puzzling condition

that has stumped many of us in the medical profession.

Julianne: That's it? You mean he's not dying?

Treves: He suffers every day, but no, he enjoys a degree of good health otherwise.

Julianne: Oh, Mr. Treves! If that is the 'condition' you mean, I know all about that. Joseph

is dearer to me than gold, just as he is. Nothing he could say or do would make me love

him less.

Treves: You know, I believe you, Miss Caravnon.

*******

In Mrs. Sherman's office, Treves has very interesting news for the directress. She is at aloss for words for once as Treves bids her good day and goes away to visit Joseph.

(Whistling to himself, Treves arrives at Joseph's room. As always, he knocks on the door

and waits for his patient's usual "come in" before entering.)


48/65

Treves: got some good news for you, my boy

Joseph: what is it? Is it about my new room?

Treves: mm hmm. The plumbing is all hooked up. You should be able to have a bathevery day

Joseph: good heavens! I can have my own bath and running water

Treves: thats right

Joseph: what else have they done

Treves: well so far, it's mostly been the plumbing. Next is paint and flooring

Joseph: it all sounds so opulent. How is it the hospital can afford all of this?

Treves: I told you. We have the funds, remember? And from what I hear, the chairmanreceives at least three checks to be spent on your behalf every week

(Joseph is torn. He is so excited about his new quarters at the hospital. And yet he'sgrown so attached to his friends at the Blind Home. Particularly Julianne.)

Treves:(coyly) you know, Joseph. I had an enlightening conversation about you with a

rather lovely young lady. From what I can gather, she thinks very highly of you. Whetsher name? Oh... I can't quite remember. Julie something

Joseph:(blurting it out) Julianne

(Joseph quickly claps his hand to his mouth. His face flushes in embarrassment. At that

moment, he's sure Treves would condemn him for harboring such amorous thoughts. Butto his disbelief, a kind but knowing smile finds its way to Freddie's lips.)

Treves: theres no need to feel ashamed, Joseph. I'm glad you found such a close

companion. It seems to be doing you some good

Joseph:(as if confessing to a crime) she... she makes me very happy, sir

Treves: I don't doubt that for a minute. Julianne looks like a very respectable young lady.

Perhaps when the time comes for you to move in, we can make some arrangements for

her

Joseph: arrangements? I don't understand

Treves: well there's no need to dwell on it now. Your new room is still a ways away. Just


49/65

keep your spirits up, my boy

Joseph: I will, sir

Treves: good. I'll see you next week, then

(He shakes Joseph's hand and exits. On the way out, he can't help but smile to himself.)

Treves:(to himself) Joseph, you old ras

Joseph & Julianne

Documents

Transcript of Joseph & Julianne