(Rubbing hands together briskly) This surely must be one of the most awful winters I have ever experienced. 

Look at this list of people who have died during it. Four of our best doctors, three nurses and poor old Ward and his wife.

I felt the man tried his best, even though he drove me up the wall with his petty regulations.

Well, being positive... at least we’ve now got the cholera epidemic under control. If it hadn’t been for the Sanitary Commission and their inspection of the hospital’s disgusting sewers, we would undoubtedly have lost a darn sight more men.

Thank Florence Nightingale for that. If she hadn’t informed the authorities, who knows what state we’d be in. She has worked tirelessly night and day, week in week out, throughout the entire winter. The wards are cleaner and the food is adequate. I really must say Doctor Smith, I have changed my opinion of her.

She seems to have gained everyone’s respect. Even the rank and file swear less in her presence.

I’ve just come from her quarters. She’s established an impressive list of contacts. There was a queue of people waiting to see her.

How on earth does she manage to sleep in that cramped storeroom? It’s freezing cold and there is precious little heating to comfort her.

Do you know, the other morning, one of the nurses found her sprawled sound asleep on her bed, fully clothed and covered by piles of notes and letters.

She’s over doing it. If she carries on, she’ll be the next victim. There is concern for her health as it is.

Why did you send for me?

(Grimacing) We have a visitor.

(Apprehensively) You sound worried. Who is it?

Doctor Hall.

(Stunned silence. Crestfallen. Then slowly, staccato) Here... Doctor Hall.

He was here... in this very office... not five minutes ago.

Why has he come here? It will mean nothing but trouble.

The matter has something directly to do with Miss Nightingale. You are aware that the other hospitals are having problems?

The odd rumour reached my ears. The cook over at Balaclava gave away ninety boxes of food, didn’t he?

There are far more serious problems. Miss Nightingale’s been touring round all the army medical sites with a view to trying to improve conditions. (Becoming irate) Doctor high- and-mighty Hall says she has absolutely no jurisdiction over any other hospital (Stabbing finger on table) except this one.

Well, if he’s sent a curt letter to England stressing our medical units lack for nothing and Miss Nightingale’s charging round trying to modernise his old-fashioned ways, I can only see the two of them on a collision course.

There will be one huge exploding volcano right under our noses!

Indeed.

I saw that letter. Most of what he’d written was a shabby pack of lies. He merely wants to protect his position. Hall is a powerful man and I dread to think what will happen to those who underestimate him. Miss Nightingale I fear, is going to have an extremely tough battle on her hands. He has gone to find her and he wasn’t in a very good mood when he left me. (Enter Dr CUMMING)

The wards are being made too comfortable for the men.

(Scowling) What on earth do you mean Doctor Cumming?

Without my knowledge, Doctor McGrigor has had the wards equipped with some new fancy facilities. I have ordered all this new equipment to be removed forthwith.

But, why? (Vexed) The whole idea of those facilities was to make the men more comfortable.
You are aware are you not Doctor Smith, that Doctor John Hall, the Chief of the Medical Staff is here now, visiting this hospital?

One can hardly miss him.

I came across him in the corridor and was able to delay him long enough to get all the paraphernalia removed. He would not have approved of all that pampering of soldiers... infirm or able.

Since your promotion Doctor Cumming you are becoming more like Doctor Hall every day. Where’s your compassion man? You behave like his toy puppet. He pulls the strings and you leap into the air.

... and whilst I’m in command of the Barrack Hospital, Doctor Pincoff, Doctor Hall’s wishes will be carried out. Do I make myself perfectly clear?

Perfectly... and it seems I was right. You have forgotten how to think for yourself.

Your early retirement could be arranged Doctor Pincoff. Presumably you do not need reminding of Doctor Lawson’s unfortunate removal to another place. (Silent pause) I think we had better make preparations for Doctor Hall’s inspection. Shall we go?... (Frozen long pause as DR CUMMING opens door and stands there, rigid with sickly smirk on his face) Gentlemen?

(Exit DR PINCOFF and DR SMITH followed by DR CUMMING)