Woman, the Bird in the Cage

"Today, gentlemen, I want to reveal to you the future of science and technology and how we will look at medical treatment moving forward." the young doctor nervously organized his stack of papers at the podium as he cleared his throat and pinched his moustache. Then he changed his mind, put the papers down and walked over to the rectangular shape that was covered by black drapes.

"I won't bore you with calculations and thesis just yet. Let me present my test subject to you now. There will always be time for semantics later." The statement was followed by a ripple of unsure applause started by one of the doctor's colleagues. It was soon picked up by the entire audience and grew to a steady rhythm as it should, because the people expected great things from this particular doctor. The drapes were drawn and fell onto the dark floor of the stage, revealing a large cage containing a young woman in a frilly white dress. She sat side-on to the audience and was staring straight ahead.

"This woman has experienced a great tragedy and has been in shock for a whole year now. I have here with me her father who will undoubtedly attest to her state of being. Gentlemen, Mr. Pittstone."

A gentlemen of the approximate age of five and forty entered stage right. He first shook hands with the doctor and mumbled a greeting to him before addressing the audience.

"Good evening, my good fellows. The young lady you see here before you is none other than my daughter, Elsa. As her father, it is my duty to inform you of the toils that she and I have experienced. We are the lone survivors of a most brutal attack on our family, carried out by derranged lunatics. I was spared by my absence of the homestead, and she bore witness to the unspeakable events in my place."

He raised an eyebrow and looked around the room as if daring anyone to contradict him on the matter. "You need not know the other details; suffice it to say, it left my former lively daughter bereft of joy. She has not uttered a single word since the day it happened and she lives each day like the dead.

"I bade Dr. Glum to help at all costs and I firmly believe he has found a cure for us."

He went over to the cage, opened the door, and guided the frail woman out onto the stage and maneuvered her onto a stool. Meanwhile, Dr Glum had extracted a small box from the podium and reached in to carefully retrieve its contents with both hands. His hands cupped, he walked over to the unresponsive woman. He bade Mr. Pittston to flip the switch and a strong light came on which was pointed at the woman and projected the inside of her head onto a canvas behind her. The shape of her skull was clearly visible and showed a grey mass, which was her brain, lacking a hefty chunk within. A murmor went through the room at this unusual sight.

"I ask you to remain calm now, gentlemen." the doctor looked from the audience to his patient as the noise turned into a chorus of whispering.

"Pay attention, please. Notice the innards of the girl's skull. You will see her brain's mass has shrunk from shock and I have here the remedy to her sullenness."

He held his hands tight against her ear and, in so doing, pushed whatever was there into her head. The audience watched in silent anticipation as a lump of something appeared within the outline of the head on the canvas. Then there was movement as it wriggled into the empty space. The men in the room exploded into noise of protest when the shape of a bird flitted to and fro within the girl's head.

The doctor held up his hands and turned off the light and, instead, a spotlight was now cast up to the woman.

"Gentleman, please, be calm and observe."

Men had gotten out of their seats in an uproar and started to move about and things were generally getting quite out of hand, and then came the movement.

She blinked and looked around, her eyes revitalized. She stood and fell into her father's arms and wept. The audience watched in deafening silence; the only sounds now were the echoing sobs of father and daughter.

"I understand you may have some questions." began Dr Glum. "I will answer them in time. Most importantly, however, we should give these two emotional people some time alone. I suggest we reconvene here in a fortnight. Good evening."

With those words he picked up his papers and ushered the family of two off stage and through the back door, avoiding all questions and comments hurled at him from the pursuing audience.