Night Surgeon (SA) xx-xx-xx Woman Loses Memory

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "Night Surgeon (SA) – Woman Loses Memory"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: September 17, 2025
Episode: "Night Surgeon (SA): Woman Loses Memory"
Theme:
This episode of "Night Surgeon" unfolds in a bustling city hospital, following a mysterious woman who loses her memory after a traumatic accident. The hospital staff must not only heal her body but also untangle the threads of her identity, leading to medical deduction, compassion, and an unexpected twist.

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Main Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. A Mysterious Accident and Amnesia

• [00:33] – The episode opens in the hospital where Dr. Lindsay and Dr. Morgan discuss the case of an unidentified woman who suffered a head injury after being struck by a car at a pedestrian crossing.
• The woman ("Ms. X") survives surgery but wakes up with no memory of who she is or where she belongs.

Quote:

"I can't even tell you by what name you should call me." – Ms. X / Josephine Harrow [04:03]

• Dr. Morgan tries to reassure her, but Ms. X is distressed and even wonders if maybe she's someone "dreadful" (e.g., a murderess).

Quote:

"Suppose I recover my memory and learn that I'm something dreadful like…for instance, a murderess." – Ms. X [05:23]

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2. Investigation and Small Clues

• Police Sergeant Verity visits, explaining that they have no leads—her belongings lack any identifying marks, and her clothes are generic.

• Dr. Morgan is puzzled by the absence of any ID or traceable items: "It's almost as though she tried to make herself unidentifiable." [08:03]

• The hospital staff, especially Nurse Powell, take an emotional interest, giving Ms. X a morale-boosting manicure since she can't yet have her hair set after surgery.

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3. A Manicure Sparks Insight

• While Nurse Powell gives Ms. X a manicure, Dr. Lindsay notes the distinctive way Ms. X offers her nails for polishing.
• This leads Dr. Lindsay to speculate that Ms. X may be a professional manicurist, since she instinctively follows the order used by experts.

Quote:

"Suppose she was an expert on fingernails and she knew that was the way they were to be done." – Dr. Lindsay [12:42]

• Dr. Lindsay calls several salons, ultimately deducing Ms. X's identity as "Josephine Harrow," a missing local manicurist working at Belle Coiffure Beauty Salon.

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4. Triumphant Discovery—Or Not?

• [18:09] – Dr. Lindsay joyfully tells Ms. X that she is Josephine Harrow, relieving her anxiety and giving her hope for her future.

Quote:

"You're Josephine Harrow." – Dr. Lindsay [18:12]
"Well, that's astonishing. I mean, I have no recollection of anything like that." – Ms. X [18:26]

• Dr. Morgan arrives and supports the revelation, but then privately expresses skepticism and caution, postponing a friend’s visit to allow Ms. X time to adjust.

Quote:

"Let's just take this step by step, in easy stages. Time enough for you to have a visitor a little later." – Dr. Morgan [20:59]

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5. The Twist: The Truth Unveiled

• [21:40] – In a dramatic twist, Dr. Morgan informs Dr. Lindsay that Ms. X is not Josephine Harrow.
  • Police quickly learned the real Josephine Harrow was on holiday and not missing.
  • Dr. Lindsay’s deduction, based on manicure technique, had led them astray. Dr. Morgan explains that Ms. X acted "like a woman who was used to having her nails done at a salon, that’s all." [22:20]

Quote:

"That woman in there is not a professional manicurist and her name is not Josephine Harrow." – Dr. Morgan [21:40]

• The real identity of Ms. X is even more tragic: she is the widow of Dermot Shane, the celebrated biologist whose death (by drowning in a pool he didn't want) sparked guilt in her. She was hiding, changing her hair, and wearing nondescript clothes.

Quote:

"She’s the widow of Dermot Shane...she felt his death was her fault. You were so eager to rush in and tell her who she is, Bart. But in a week or two, will you feel like telling her the truth?" – Dr. Morgan [23:13]

• The episode ends on a somber meditation about reality versus happy endings in true hospital dramas.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Amnesia’s Terrors:

  "I don't know who I am or where I belong or anything. My mind's a blank. I can't remember anything before I woke up in this bed. It's dreadful." – Ms. X [04:42]

• On Medical Deduction:

  "If it happens that the way Ms. X got you to paint her nails is the way of an expert, a professional, then maybe that's what she is." – Dr. Lindsay [13:08]

• Rivalry and Wit:

  "Just watch yourself, my lad. I might hold you to that. All right, Doctor. Brilliant. What would you do about those lesions?" – Dr. Morgan [02:09]

• Compassion in Medicine:

  "It makes you feel good inside when you can do a thing like that for someone, Doc." – Dr. Bart Lindsay [21:32]

• Reality Check:

  "A casualty Ward is like a great theater, but the players are drawn from real life. And not every story has a happy ending. So much depends on the Night Surgeon." – Narrator [23:42]

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Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:33] – Hospital receives news of a new case (the amnesiac woman)
• [03:48] – Ms. X wakes, is confused and frightened by her amnesia
• [06:24] – Staff speculate about her recovery; Nurse Powell’s compassion
• [09:29] – The manicure scene; Dr. Lindsay’s deduction begins
• [14:21] – Dr. Lindsay claims to have solved her identity
• [18:09] – Dr. Lindsay tells Ms. X she is Josephine Harrow
• [21:40] – Dr. Morgan reveals Dr. Lindsay’s mistake and real context
• [23:42] – Narrator’s somber reflection on reality versus drama

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Tone & Atmosphere

• The episode combines hospital procedural realism with moments of warmth and humor, particularly among the doctors and nurse.
• There is a keen sense of empathy for Ms. X’s plight, and a bittersweet quality as medical logic fails to deliver a tidy resolution.
• The ending is poignant, reminding listeners that true stories do not always offer happy endings, but demand courage and compassion.

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Summary:
"Night Surgeon: Woman Loses Memory" is a classic radio drama blending medical deduction, human vulnerability, and poignant revelation. Through a mistaken identity and a nurse's kindness, the episode journeys from confusion and hope to a sobering reminder of how truth is sometimes messier than fiction, even with the best intentions of hospital staff and the sharpest of detectives.

Transcript

[Interviewer]

What do you think makes the perfect snack?

[AM PM Spokesperson]

Hmm. It's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient.

[Interviewer]

Could you be more specific?

[AM PM Spokesperson]

When it's cravenient.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[AM PM Spokesperson]

Like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter, available right down the street at a.m. p.m. Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a.

[Interviewer]

Second at a.m. p. M. I'm seeing a pattern here.

[AM PM Spokesperson]

Well, yeah, we're talking about what I.

[Interviewer]

Crave, which is anything from AM PM.

[AM PM Spokesperson]

What more could you want? Stop by AM PM where the snacks and drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient. That's cravenience. A.m. p.m. Too much. Good stuff.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Casualty ward. Dr. Lindsay speaking. Yes, I see. Yes, I've got it. Right, we'll be ready. Sounds like one for the Night surgeon.

[Narrator]

Night Surgeon? Dynamic dramas set against the background of a great city hospital.

[Dr. Morgan]

But over here. Hi, Doc.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

That's a lucky break you're driving. This way to the hospital.

[Dr. Morgan]

I should think it is. Well, it's just as well I haven't along. Standing there with your nose in the paper.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Oh, what do you know?

[Dr. Morgan]

What?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Damn it. Shane's dead.

[Dr. Morgan]

You know.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

The biologist?

[Dr. Morgan]

No. Is he? Good heavens, he's a loss to science. Brilliant man. How did he die? He was only, what, about 40? I'd say drowned. Drowned?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

In a swimming pool at his home. Couldn't swim.

[Dr. Morgan]

Couldn't swim. And he owned a swimming pool?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

He probably had it for entertaining. He moved a lot in society circles, apparently.

[Dr. Morgan]

Oh, I don't know. Makes a man feel really old. About what? Well, I flatter myself. I'm a slightly better than average doctor.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Oh, no, don't overdo it now.

[Dr. Morgan]

But by heck, I have to work at it all the time. Yet you get these brainy young birds like Dermot Shane who can constantly startle the world with their work in biology and have time to spare to entertain society. Just how do they do it?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Search me. Maybe it's just a case of having an overactive thyroid.

[Dr. Morgan]

That doesn't account for the brilliant mind.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Oh, true. Personally, I find being brilliant takes up all my time.

[Dr. Morgan]

Oh, does it? Well, just watch yourself, my lad. I might hold you to that. All right, Doctor. Brilliant. What would you do about those lesions?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

It's your operation, Doctor. I wouldn't dream of interfering.

[Dr. Morgan]

You're a wonderful help. Scalpel.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

You going to drain?

[Dr. Morgan]

No, I don't think it's necessary. Once we get that pressure off the brain retractor. I'll take it right now then. Yes. I think she'll be better if we close it up as soon as possible. Mm. One of those cases where the less fiddling about the better.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

If that depression has gone another half inch.

[Dr. Morgan]

Yes. Smashed, by all accounts. Driver told the police he didn't see her, but she was in a pedestrian crossing, so he'll be in trouble. Suture.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Manage this site?

[Dr. Morgan]

Yes, I think so. Incidentally, she hasn't been identified. When she's able to give a name, the police want me to have it.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

I'll see it's done. Good swap here, nurse.

[Dr. Morgan]

In a few days, with any luck, she'll be well on the mend. Good evening.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

How's the patient feeling?

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Not too bad, thank you, Doctor.

[Dr. Morgan]

Good. Everything all right, nurse?

[Nurse Powell]

Yes, doctor.

[Dr. Morgan]

Has Dr. Lindsay made his examination yet?

[Nurse Powell]

Yes, Doctor. About a quarter of an hour ago.

[Dr. Morgan]

Well, you ought to be congratulated, miss. You're making a good recovery.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Good recovery, Doctor. And I can't even tell you by what name you should call me.

[Dr. Morgan]

We do have a small problem there.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Small? I wouldn't call it small. It's dreadful.

[Dr. Morgan]

You should feel thankful you're in one piece. That was a nasty accident. You could have been killed.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

I might as well have been.

[Dr. Morgan]

Oh, no, no, no. That's no attitude to take. Physically, you're in good shape. In no time at all, your head will be completely healed.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

There's not much use for a head if you don't know who it belongs to, is there?

[Dr. Morgan]

Now, you mustn't be impatient. These things take time.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

It's all very well for you to say things like that, the bedside manner.

[Nurse Powell]

And so on, but you don't know.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

What it feels like.

[Dr. Morgan]

I've seen many cases like yours.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

I don't know who I am or where I belong or anything. My mind's a blank. I can't remember anything before I woke up in this bed. It's dreadful.

[Dr. Morgan]

Well, your brain had some pretty rough treatment in that accident. You must expect it to make some protest. And you must have it time to recover. When it does, you'll get memory back.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

How long, Doctor?

[Nurse Powell]

How long?

[Dr. Morgan]

I don't know. Nor does anybody else. The only thing I feel quite sure about is that you will recover your memory in time.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

It's funny. Sometimes, lying here, I find myself hoping I never recover it.

[Dr. Morgan]

Why do you say that?

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

I say it because I. I have no idea what sort of person I am. And I get frightened. I could be anyone, anything. Suppose I recover my memory and learn that I'm something dreadful like. Like, for instance, a murderess.

[Dr. Morgan]

Well.

[Nurse Powell]

Well, can I or can't I, Bart?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Why Ask me. I'm not going to give you permission and then have Sister Verity jump down my throat about it.

[Nurse Powell]

But she said it was all right with her as long as you said I could do it.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Oh, okay then go ahead.

[Nurse Powell]

Oh, goody.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

But remember, only if you have spare time. You'd better do it in your coffee break.

[Nurse Powell]

Okay.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Well, no argument. Greater love hath no nurse. Then she will give up her coffee break for a patient.

[Nurse Powell]

Well, it'll be good for her, Bart, for her morale. And she could do with a boost.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Yes, I guess so. Not much fun lying around in hospital for a week without knowing who you are.

[Nurse Powell]

What does Dr. Morgan think about Ms.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

X getting her memory back? Well, just quietly.

[Dr. Morgan]

I think he's a little worried.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

He expected her to have started remembering some things before.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

This poor girl. I feel terribly sorry for her.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Hence the manicure routine.

[Nurse Powell]

Yes, well, normally it would have been setting her hair, I suppose. But seeing she hasn't any hair, I had to think of something else.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

She has hair starting to grow out and it's blonde. She dyes her hair.

[Nurse Powell]

Doesn't everybody? I don't women, you idiot. Everybody changes color these days. It relieves the monotony.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

And when are you becoming a brunette?

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Why would it help?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

I make no promises. I'll have to see you as a brunette before I buy you.

[Nurse Powell]

Oh, you like yourself, don't you? What makes you think I'm for sale?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

I was speaking figuratively. Hey, here comes sister along the corridor. On your way, Cleopatra.

[Sergeant Verity]

And that's about all I can say at the moment, Doctor.

[Dr. Morgan]

Well, unfortunately, Sergeant, negative answers aren't what we need in a case like this. No?

[Sergeant Verity]

Well, we'll just have to see what we can do with the out of town notices of missing persons. It'll take time. Unless we're lucky.

[Dr. Morgan]

Let's hope we are. I'm rather concerned over this case, Sergeant. I've had similar ones before. But usually you police come up with the answer pretty quickly.

[Sergeant Verity]

That's because the patient turns out to be a local resident, Doctor. Somebody has an accident and somebody else reports them missing. Doesn't take long to put two and two together then. But your patient must be from out of town.

[Dr. Morgan]

Apparently. But what puzzles me is the lack of identification in her clothing and personal effects. It's almost as though she tried to make herself unidentifiable.

[Sergeant Verity]

Oh, I wouldn't say that. She just happened to be wearing clothes you could buy at stores all over the country. No name tags. But then the average person doesn't bother with names on his clothes. Unless they go to a laundry, of course.

[Dr. Morgan]

Yes, but a handbag. I mean, you'd think there'd be a. What? A driving license, checkbook, something.

[Sergeant Verity]

Perhaps she doesn't drive a car. As for a checkbook or bank passbook either. Not everybody carries things like that. People have charge counts.

[Dr. Morgan]

Oh, no.

[Sergeant Verity]

Nothing very unusual about this case, Doctor. Just unlucky that she can't be identified as one of the local missing persons. But we'll track her down. Never you fear.

[Dr. Morgan]

I hope so. You'll let me know if you come up with anything?

[Sergeant Verity]

I certainly will.

[Dr. Morgan]

It could be important to her mental well being. You know, not doing her any good lying in bed day after day, wondering who she is.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

No, I suppose it isn't.

[Sergeant Verity]

We'll do the best we can for you, Doctor. Now I'd better be getting along. Nice of you to walk to the car with me.

[Dr. Morgan]

I felt like a dream anyway.

[Sergeant Verity]

No, you've got the night for it. Very pleasant out.

[Dr. Morgan]

Well, good night.

[Sergeant Verity]

I'll keep in touch.

[Dr. Morgan]

Right. Thank you, Sergeant.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Well, well, what have we going on here? Is this a beauty parlour?

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

It rather looks like it, doesn't it, Doctor?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Maybe we should run a little sideline. Might be profitable. How's your manicurist?

[Dr. Morgan]

Is she doing a good job?

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

She's very good. Nice touch.

[Nurse Powell]

You see, Doctor, I'm not really appreciated around here.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

I'll make a note of it. Well, you've finished already? I'm disappointed. I wanted to watch the process, figuring.

[Nurse Powell]

To learn something new. Doctor, in case people stop getting ill. He'd like to take up manicuring.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Perhaps.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

As you see, nurses have very little respect for their betters.

[Nurse Powell]

Oh, I can't believe that.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Nurse Powell was telling me what a good doctor you are.

[Nurse Powell]

Please, let's not talk about that. It'll be no living with him.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Well, what are you doing now, Nurse? I thought you said you were finished.

[Nurse Powell]

You said I was finished. I didn't. I'm going to put the polish on now.

[Dr. Morgan]

Oh, great.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

I might learn something after all.

[Nurse Powell]

Ready?

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Here.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

That's very interesting. But that's funny.

[Nurse Powell]

What is?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Well, why do you start with the thumb of the right hand and then do the little finger next?

[Nurse Powell]

I don't know. It's just the way, miss. The patient put out a hand, that's all.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

How about that, miss? Why did you get her to put the polish on the little finger after doing the thumb?

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Why not? It's always done like that.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Is it now? Very interesting. And even more interesting, just how did you know when Nurse Powell didn't.

[Nurse Powell]

It's not a subject a man would know anything about.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

No, maybe not. But it might be a subject a man might find out something about.

[Nurse Powell]

What do you mean?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Just what I said. Come on, Nurse. It's time you got back to your normal duties. Me too, for that matter.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

I hope I haven't disrupted the hospital routine.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Well, if you have, don't worry. Does a hospital routine good to be disrupted now and then? Well, thanks for letting me watch the operation.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

It's a pleasure. Just as long as you don't ask me to watch one of your operations. Doctor, I won't see you later. Right. And thanks again.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

That's very interesting.

[Nurse Powell]

You know what is?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

That business of the fingers. The way she offered you the thumb first and then the little finger.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Well, I don't see what happened.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

And then with the left hand, she didn't. She offered the thumb followed by the first finger.

[Nurse Powell]

Are you going off your rocker, Bart? Seems a pretty trivial thing to get so worked up about.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Ah, but is it trivial? We don't know who that woman is. We have to call her Ms. X. She has no idea who she is or what kind of a life she led before she came to the hospital.

[Nurse Powell]

I can't imagine what having her nails done can have to do with it.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

When I asked her why she offered the fingers in that order, she couldn't say.

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[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

It just seemed to come naturally.

[Nurse Powell]

So what?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Suppose there was a reason for it.

[Nurse Powell]

Reason? I don't know why.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Suppose she was an expert on fingernails and she knew that was the way they were to be done.

[Nurse Powell]

Well, I don't do my own. That way.

[Dr. Morgan]

Yes.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

That's not the same as putting polish on another person's, is it?

[Dr. Morgan]

No.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

But you're not a trained manicurist, Sue. Like most women, you learn to fix your own nails, but you're not used to doing them for other women.

[Nurse Powell]

Well, Ms. X seems satisfied with the way I did hers, so.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

I mean, carrying on. I'm not knocking you. Well, can't you see what I'm getting at?

[Dr. Morgan]

No.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Look, if it happens that the way Ms. X got you to paint her nails is the way of an expert, a professional, then maybe that's what she is.

[Nurse Powell]

Say, maybe you have something. She's lost her memory so she wouldn't realize she knew anything about manicuria.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

That's right. The mind plays funny tricks. The habit of doing the nails a certain way is almost like a reflex action. The brain retains that while losing conscious memory.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Well, it's a start.

[Nurse Powell]

That is, if you're right about the nails being done that way by pros.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

I can soon check on that. A phone call to one of the beauty salons is all that's necessary.

[Nurse Powell]

Just be careful what you say on the phone. If they get the impression you're inquiring about having polish on your own nails, there could be some nasty gossip about Dr. Bart Lindsay.

[Dr. Morgan]

What's that silly grin for, Barnes?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Well, remember what you said about my being brilliant? That unpleasant crack you made.

[Dr. Morgan]

Oh, heavens.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

What now you're going to eat your words. I'm certainly brilliant at something.

[Dr. Morgan]

Your modesty is most becoming. Now, what incredible feat of medicine have you performed now?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Not medicine. A sort of Sherlock Holmes act. Sherlock Holmes? I have solved the problem of Ms. X. Oh, she's a professional manicurist. Her name is Josephine Harrow.

[Sergeant Verity]

Great Scott.

[Dr. Morgan]

And how did you find that out?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Elementary, my dear Watson. Nurse Powell was painting the patient's fingernails.

[Dr. Morgan]

Painting her fingernails? What for?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

It was just a little kindness. Well, Doc, you know how it helps the morale of women patients to have the hair set. Well, since the op on her head, Ms. X hasn't enough hair to set, so she asked for a manicure.

[Dr. Morgan]

The usual thing is to send for a professional manicurist. Now what the devil has Nurse Powell got to do with it?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Oh, don't start a riot, Doc. Sue offered to do it for the patient. Ms. X, or Ms. Harrow, I should call her, like Sue. That was it.

[Dr. Morgan]

The nurses in this hospital, Bart, have certain specific duties that should keep them extremely busy. Now, if we find that one of them has nothing more important to do than fiddle about giving manicures, Doctor. Well, then it's time we examine the question of being overstuffed.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Doc, take it easy. Sue got my permission. And Sister Verity's. No, she did this little favor in her own time during her coffee break. And if Sue Powell goes without her coffee break to help somebody, I for one am not going to discourage her.

[Dr. Morgan]

Well, all right then. Yeah, we'll get on with it. What about this manicuring business?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

I noticed that the patient offered her nails for painting in a certain way. She couldn't explain why she did it just like that. So it occurred to me that it might be the way professionals are trying to work.

[Dr. Morgan]

And?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Well, I rang up one of the big beauty salons and spoke to one of the manicurists. She confirmed what I thought.

[Dr. Morgan]

Which convinced you Ms. X is a professional manicurist?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

That's right.

[Dr. Morgan]

And what about the name?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

The name?

[Dr. Morgan]

Well, you told me her name is Josephine something. How did you get hold of Vent?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Oh, yes. Well, I rang all the beauty salons in town to see if one of their staff, a manicurist, was not at work.

[Dr. Morgan]

Tell me, is the hospital paying for all these calls?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Oh, dear, what's making you so sad?

[Dr. Morgan]

I just don't see what happens.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

What happens? That I struck oil. There is a girl missing from one of the salons, a Miss Josephine Harrow. And from the description, it could easily be Miss X.

[Dr. Morgan]

Which you're convinced it is?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Well, I am, because, thinking Miss Harrow might be homesick, I checked at her home address. She's disappeared.

[Dr. Morgan]

Disappeared? That's ridiculous. You mean she's disappeared and her family haven't reported her missing with the police?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Well, she doesn't live with her family. It's just a lodging house where she has a room. Her rent's paid in advance, but she hasn't been there for some time.

[Dr. Morgan]

I see.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

In fact, the last time she was seen was the day before Miss X was knocked down by the car.

[Dr. Morgan]

And nobody wonders where she is. Her employers, this beauty place, they haven't tried to find out where she's gone.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

They're pretty casual about such things. They say girls come and go all the time and some of them even take other jobs without bothering to give notice or anything.

[Dr. Morgan]

I see. Well, you seem to have made a pretty thorough job of your little investigation. But brilliant, huh? Oh, I wouldn't go so far as to say that.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

You see this on my way to Miss X, Miss Harrow, to give her the good news. Oh, and some other girl from the salon who knows her is coming to see her tomorrow. She'll be able to identify her for sure.

[Dr. Morgan]

Now, wait a minute, Bob. We don't. Just a second, Dr. Morgan. Oh, yes, Sergeant.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

I'll see you later, Doc. I'll go and see Miss Harrow.

[Dr. Morgan]

Yes, I read about it, but I didn't know.

[Nurse Powell]

Barb. Barb.

[Dr. Morgan]

What? Oh, confound the boy. Hmm? No, no, no, Sergeant, I'm sorry. I was. I was talking to Somebody else. You were saying?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Well, Miss Harrow, I have some good news for you.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

I beg your pardon, Doctor. What did you call me?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

I called you by your name. You're Josephine Harrow.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Josephine Harrow.

[Nurse Powell]

Am I?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

You surely are. You're a professional manicurist. You live at 33 Lovebury street and you work at the Belle Coiffure Beauty Salon.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Good heavens. Well, that's astonishing. I mean, I. I have no recollection of anything like that. And the name.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

But you have no recollection of any past, have you?

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

No, that's true.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

So why shouldn't you be Josephine Harrow?

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

No reason at all, I suppose. Josephine Harrow. Well, it's not a bad name to have, is it?

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Very nice.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Professional manicurist. I don't feel like a manicurist.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Well, you will once you get back on the job. It'll all come back to you. Well, even now it's obvious you haven't forgotten some of your professional tricks. Oh, well, that's how I got onto this. Remember I remarked on the way you offered your hand for sue to put the polish on?

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Yes, that's right, you did say something about that.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Well, it occurred to me that that might be the way an expert would do it. From there, the rest was just a matter of checking up.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Now, it's sounds very smart to me. So that's what I am. Of course, it'll take a little getting used to.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Well, don't worry about it. Now that you really know who you are, you'll find other things will start to come back to you.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

I hope so. It's rather uncanny feeling you have no.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Past, but it's only a matter of time. Oh, and by the way, one of your acquaintances from the salon will be up tomorrow to see you. She'll make the identification complete.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Well, I owe you My thanks, Dr. Lindsay. It's quite a relief to know I am someone.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Yes, I guess it is. I'm very glad to have been able to help. Oh, here's Dr. Morgan. I was just congratulating Miss Harrow on being Ms. Harrow. Doctor.

[Dr. Morgan]

Oh, yes, well, I imagine it's always a relief to be able to identify yourself, eh, Miss Harrow?

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

I was just saying that to Dr. Lindsay. It's funny, when he told me my name, it sounded strange at first, but.

[Nurse Powell]

Even in a couple of minutes I've.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Started to get used to it.

[Dr. Morgan]

Mm.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

I'm looking forward to meeting someone who knows me. Dr. Lindsay said one of the girls from the salon would be coming to the hospital tomorrow.

[Dr. Morgan]

Yes, well, that's why I came down right Away. I wouldn't want you to be disappointed.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Disappointed?

[Dr. Morgan]

I've put off the girl's visit for a few days. Oh, but now I want you to have time to get used to your identity again, you know.

[Nurse Powell]

Oh, but.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

But I want to see her.

[Nurse Powell]

I want to be sure.

[Dr. Morgan]

Don't worry about it. Now, you must remember this sudden revelation has been a shock to your mind. A pleasant shock for the most part. But the mind needs time to get used to a thing like that.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

If you say so.

[Dr. Morgan]

Let's just take this step by step, in easy stages. Time enough for you to have a visitor a little later.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

All right, you're the doctor. But I can tell you I feel much better already. I was so afraid I might turn out to be something terrible.

[Dr. Morgan]

Yes, you told me.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

It's wonderful to think I'm just an ordinary person after all.

[Dr. Morgan]

Of course. Well, now we must let you get some sleep. Enough excitement for one night. Come along, Doctor. Right.

[Ms. X / Josephine Harrow]

Thank you for everything, Dr. Lindsay. I can't tell you how grateful I am for your help.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

The pleasure's all mine, Miss Harrow. It makes you feel good inside when you can do a thing like that for someone, Doc.

[Dr. Morgan]

Yes. Well, let's see how good inside this makes you feel. That woman in there is not a professional manicurist and her name is not Josephine Harrow. When I spoke to the police about her, it took them about 10 minutes to learn that Josephine Harrow had made a holiday observation. On the day you say she disappeared. The first agency they rang was the right one.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Doc, you didn't tell the patient I was wrong.

[Dr. Morgan]

Why? You'd already convinced her that she was this Miss Harrow. It's too early to upset her with the truth. Yes.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Yes, I guess it is. Except that if the truth's even better, I don't see why you. Hey, what about that manicuring business? Well, I mean, she acted like an expert. Rubbish.

[Dr. Morgan]

She acted like a woman who was used to having her nails done at a salon, that's all.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Didn't think of that.

[Dr. Morgan]

No. You've got this bee in your bonnet about experts being the only ones to know that. And that bee has led you a merry dance part. You've made quite a mess of this.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Oh, take it easy, Doc. It can't be as bad as all that. I mean, if the patient is some well to do type who has manicures all the time, that's even better than being Miss Harrod.

[Dr. Morgan]

Oh, she's well to do all right. She's the widow of Dermot Shane.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Dermot Shane?

[Dr. Morgan]

It was you who told me about his death. Now, what you didn't know, but what the local police have learned, is that she suffered a guilt complex about his death because it was her idea to have a swimming pool against his wishes.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

Brother. But they didn't live here.

[Dr. Morgan]

Apparently, she came here to disappear. She dyed her hair. She wore chain store clothes. She didn't want to be found because she felt she couldn't face her hometown friends.

[Dr. Bart Lindsay]

I wondered why Shane bothered with all those parties and society functions when his heart was in his biology work. She was the one. She was the one who wanted to live it up.

[Dr. Morgan]

And she felt his death was her fault. You were so eager to rush in and tell her who she is, Bart. But in a week or two, will you feel like telling her the truth? That she really is the terrible person she's afraid of being?

[Narrator]

A casualty Ward is like a great theater, but the players are drawn from real life. And not every story has a happy ending. So much depends on the Night Surgeon. This is an Artranza production written by.

[Dr. Morgan]

Krazik Jenkinson and directed by Jim Bradley.