(Pointing, barks) You!

(Rather disrespectfully, points at herself) Me?

Yes, you. Come here. Don’t you know who I am?

Ain’t got the foggiest to be ‘onest.

I am Doctor Hall, Chief of the Medical Staff. Whenever I enter a ward, I expect people to drop what they are doing and spring to attention!

Beggin’ your pardon sir, but there’re many sick men ‘ere who need urgent treatment.

They’ll just have to wait then, won‘t they! Who’s in charge of the nurses here?

Miss Nightingale sir.

Aah... excellent. The very person I have come to see. Where is she?

She ‘eard you was ‘ere and ‘as gone lookin’ for ya (Pause) sir.

Good... so it shouldn’t be long before she discovers where I am. I’ll wait. (Looks

around) What exactly are you women doing?

‘Elpin’ to feed the men sir.
This man ‘ad ‘is fingers cut off... can’t ‘old a spoon.

Do you cater for their every whim? How is this soldier possibly going to learn to be a man again if you mollycoddle him as a mother would a baby? (Storms across the ward) This man here. He’s behaving as if he’s in some sort of stupor. What’s wrong with him?

‘e’s just come off the operatin’ table and is still affected by the anesthetic.

(DR HALL Bellows) Anaesthetic!! I thought I gave strict instructions that chloroform was never to be used! The smart use of a knife is a powerful stimulant and it is much better to hear a man shout and scream during an operation than to see him sink silently to his grave! (Enter FLO in an uncompromising mood)

​

A CLASSIC CASE OF CLASHING PERSONALITIES

​

DOCTOR HALL, I’D LIKE A WORD

THIS SITUATION’S HOPELESS

HOW AM I EXPECTED TO WORK

WITH YOUR BARBARIC APPROACH TO THE MEN

YOU DESTROY THE GOODWILL I’VE ACHIEVED

MY GIRL, YOU’RE NAIVE

TOO SOFT FOR BELIEF

THE MEN RESPECT STRENGTH

THEY WISH TO BE TREATED LIKE MEN... NOT BOYS

​

WELL, I WISH YOU’D REVISE YOUR ATTITUDE

YOUR PAGAN APPROACH IS OBSCENE

​

THIS IS A CLASSIC CASE OF CLASHING PERSONALITIES

TWO STRONG HEADS WHO DISAGREE
ON ABSOLUTELY EV’RYTHING
THE HAWK IS UP AGAINST THE DOVE

THE RUTHLESS WAY IS FACE TO FACE WITH CARE AND LOVE

THIS IS A PRIZE EXAMPLE OF DIVERGING STYLES
AND WE ALL AGREE
WE KNOW WITH WHOM WE’D WANT TO TRUST OUT LIVES

MISS NIGHTINGALE WINS BY A MILE

WE PREFER ANAESTHETIC TO HIS COLD, SHARP KNIVES

IT’S NO GOOD THEM SOUNDING FLIPPANT

MY RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
I’M A MASTER OF MY PROFESSION
MY SKILL IS SECOND TO NONE

I’M A SOUGHT AFTER SURGEON IN WAR

I CANNOT AGREE

I WILL NOT AGREE

YOUR METHODS ARE CRUDE

THEY’RE OLD FASHIONED AND WELL OUT OF DATE!

THEY’RE OBSOLETE!

YOU WILL NOT CHASTISE NOR INSULT ME

HEAD OFFICE MUST HEAR ABOUT THIS

THIS IS A CLASSIC CASE OF CLASHING PERSONALITIES

TWO STRONG HEADS WHO DISAGREE

ON ABSOLUTELY EV’RYTHING
THE HAWK IS UP AGAINST THE DOVE

THE RUTHLESS WAY IS FACE TO FACE WITH CARE AND LOVE

THIS IS A PRIZE EXAMPLE OF DIVERGING STYLES

AND WE ALL AGREE

WE KNOW WITH WHOM WE’D WANT TO TRUST OUR LIVES

MISS NIGHTINGALE WINS BY A MILE

WE PREFER ANAESTHETIC TO HIS COLD, SHARP KNIVES

WILL SHE CONVINCE THAT HE’S WRONG?

WE DOUBT IT. HE’S A BIT HEADSTRONG

YOU'RE RIGHT!

LOOK AT US!  WE’RE AT EACH OTHER’S THROATS
 

YES, I KNOW. BUT I AM RIGHT YOU MUST AGREE

NO, I DON’T.  I DISAGREE WITH EV’RYTHING YOU SAY TO ME

YOU’RE A POMPOUS FOOL I DISRESPECT

DAMN YOU, WOMAN! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

NOW! NOW! SIR! THAT IS NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY
 

GRRR... I’VE HAD ENOUGH, MAKE SURE YOU NEVER CROSS MY PATH

THAT! I FIRMLY GUARANTEE HERE AND NOW

WE PREFER FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE’S STYLE

WE’D TRUST HER WITH OUR LIVES

                                 (Song ends)

The army has no place for civilians.

As long as men like you exist Doctor Hall, I shall strive tirelessly to see my work done. You can put in my way as many obstacles as you wish. I will be visiting other hospitals to make the necessary arrangements and I will not rest until every soldier has the best possible care and attention.

You madam are insubordinate and your nurses are disobedient and inefficient. All you are achieving is the organised destruction of the discipline of the men. The Authorities will hear of your meddling. Mark my words. I bid you good day.

(DR HALL storms off, slamming the door. Scene change Music 15a)