Ianto's Monologue and Jack's Reply
Someone on YouTube wanted a transcript for the Torchwood radio play "The Dead Line"--specifically, Ianto's monologue to Jack when he's in a coma, and then Jack's reply. The audio YouTube video is here (credit to TorchyJ for uploading!):
www.youtube.com/watch
(You may want to open that in another page to listen, because after the jump is the transcript!)
Ianto: "They say you're supposed to talk to people when they're in a coma, don't they? I have absolutely no idea whether you can hear me, Jack. I never heard of anybody coming out of one and carrying on a conversation. So I suspect it's probably something the doctors tell us to do, to make us feel better, rather than help you. We don't feel quite so useless and helpless. We get the feeling there's still some sort of purpose in our lives. We're not just waiting. Waiting for the science to work, or the miracle to happen, or the nightmare to end. I'm not much of a talker, Jack, you know that, but I'll talk to you now, on the off chance that it helps. Just promise me, if you're hearing this, that when you come 'round--and you're going to, Jack. You're gonna come out of this. Just promise me you'll never bring up anything I say to you now. How's that? We got a deal?
This must be the longest I've ever looked at you and not seen you smile. I've watched you in your sleep, did you know that? So many times, just woken up beside you in the middle of the night and watched you. Watched your eyes moving behind your eyelids as you dreamed. I tried to imagine what a man like you could possibly dream about. The things you've seen...the lives you've lived. The people you've loved. I wondered if you were dreaming about me; I hoped you were dreaming about me. But let's be honest, Jack. I'm nothing more than a blip in time for you. Every day, I grow a little older. But you're immortal. You've already lived a thousand lifetimes. How could you watch me grow old and die? How can I watch you live and never age a day?
I suppose we both know that'll never be a problem. Not in this job. No one in Torchwood ever lives to draw their pension, do they? Even if, by some miracle, I survive to see my hair turn grey--or God forbid, fall out--I don't kid myself that you'd still be around to see it. One day, you'll go again. Just like you did before. And this time you won't be back. Maybe that's what you're dreaming about those nights when I watch you sleeping. Maybe that's why, even when you sleep, I see you smile. But you haven't gone yet, Jack. I know that. I know you're coming back to me."
(later)
Ianto: "So you don't...remember anything about the trance?"
Jack: "No. Did you talk to me while I was out of it? They say that's what you should do."
Ianto: "I talked...a little. But I'm not really much of a talker."
Jack: "I know."
Ianto: "That's just me."
Jack: "Yeah. But you never will just be a blip in time, Ianto Jones. Not for me."
Hope this helps, enjoy!
www.youtube.com/watch
(You may want to open that in another page to listen, because after the jump is the transcript!)
Ianto: "They say you're supposed to talk to people when they're in a coma, don't they? I have absolutely no idea whether you can hear me, Jack. I never heard of anybody coming out of one and carrying on a conversation. So I suspect it's probably something the doctors tell us to do, to make us feel better, rather than help you. We don't feel quite so useless and helpless. We get the feeling there's still some sort of purpose in our lives. We're not just waiting. Waiting for the science to work, or the miracle to happen, or the nightmare to end. I'm not much of a talker, Jack, you know that, but I'll talk to you now, on the off chance that it helps. Just promise me, if you're hearing this, that when you come 'round--and you're going to, Jack. You're gonna come out of this. Just promise me you'll never bring up anything I say to you now. How's that? We got a deal?
This must be the longest I've ever looked at you and not seen you smile. I've watched you in your sleep, did you know that? So many times, just woken up beside you in the middle of the night and watched you. Watched your eyes moving behind your eyelids as you dreamed. I tried to imagine what a man like you could possibly dream about. The things you've seen...the lives you've lived. The people you've loved. I wondered if you were dreaming about me; I hoped you were dreaming about me. But let's be honest, Jack. I'm nothing more than a blip in time for you. Every day, I grow a little older. But you're immortal. You've already lived a thousand lifetimes. How could you watch me grow old and die? How can I watch you live and never age a day?
I suppose we both know that'll never be a problem. Not in this job. No one in Torchwood ever lives to draw their pension, do they? Even if, by some miracle, I survive to see my hair turn grey--or God forbid, fall out--I don't kid myself that you'd still be around to see it. One day, you'll go again. Just like you did before. And this time you won't be back. Maybe that's what you're dreaming about those nights when I watch you sleeping. Maybe that's why, even when you sleep, I see you smile. But you haven't gone yet, Jack. I know that. I know you're coming back to me."
(later)
Ianto: "So you don't...remember anything about the trance?"
Jack: "No. Did you talk to me while I was out of it? They say that's what you should do."
Ianto: "I talked...a little. But I'm not really much of a talker."
Jack: "I know."
Ianto: "That's just me."
Jack: "Yeah. But you never will just be a blip in time, Ianto Jones. Not for me."
Hope this helps, enjoy!