Sentimental Institution
The concept and the original characters of the Tomorrow People are the property of Roger Price.
Prologue
"Two lovely ladies to see you, John" said Jaydev, the male nurse, as he escorted Elizabeth and Carol into the day room. John sat at the back of the room, in an old, high-back chair. Dressed in pyjamas and a blue dressing gown, he sat, looking ahead into the middle distance. Surrounding him were other people, men and women, most wearing night-time attire, some with visitors, some without. "Aren't you going to say hello? Where are your manners?"
"There's nothing wrong with my manners" mumbled John, under his breath.
"Okay, I'll leave you to it" said Jaydev as he walked away. "If you need me, just ask at the desk."
"You're looking well" said Elizabeth, drawing up a chair.
"You think so?" said John. "Just look at me! Look at my colour. I'm so pale! Look at my eyes!"
"You look fine to me" said Carol, drawing up another chair.
"Well I don't feel it" said John. "And just look at what they're feeding us!" John indicated the untouched plated meal on a tray that had been left on a table for him.
"What's wrong with it?" asked Elizabeth, examining the meal.
"What's wrong with it?" repeated John. "Can't you see?" Elizabeth and Carol looked at each other, puzzled. "The carrots are touching the peas!"
"Is that all?" asked Carol.
"It's enough" said John.
"That wouldn't worry me" said Carol.
"But look!" said John, pointing at the food, frantically. "The carrots are touching the peas! That's just wrong!"
"Aren't you going to eat it?" asked Carol.
"You must be joking" said John, turning away from the table. "The carrots are . . ."
". . . touching the peas!" said Elizabeth, beating him to the punch."Yes we know!"
"Well if it's all the same to you, I'll have it" said Carol. "I haven't eaten all day!" She moved her chair over to the table and began to eat. John looked revolted. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know how you could do that" said John.
"Wasting food's a sin. Anyway, it's good" said Carol.
"I mean, that fork. It's probably been in someone else's mouth" said John.
"I'm sure it's clean enough" said Carol.
After twenty or so awkward minutes of forced conversation, Elizabeth tried to steer John into a different pattern of dialogue.
"So how are they treating you?" asked Elizabeth.
"Okay, I suppose" said John. "Not very helpful though. Once a day the Obergruppenführer does his rounds . . ."
"The who?" asked Elizabeth.
"The Obergruppenführer" said John. "That's what we call him. Dr Salgado, the top man."
"The doctor?" asked Elizabeth.
"The Kommandant" said John. "Every morning I ask questions, but what do I get? "Good morning John, and how are your bowels?" They won't even discuss the Tomorrow People!" Carol suddenly looked straight at Elizabeth, who looked straight back at her.
"Sorry John, what was that?" asked Elizabeth.
"The Tomorrow People. It's like they won't admit they exist" said John.
"You've lost me there" said Elizabeth.
"The Tomorrow People! Telepaths!" said John.
"No," said Elizabeth. "What about you, Carol?" Carol looked blankly at John and Elizabeth and shook her head.
"You must know!" protested John.
"Anyway, we must be going" said Carol. "There's a bus due anytime now and we mustn't miss it." She stood up and leaned over to kiss John on the cheek and he moved away sharply. "John, please! I haven't got any lurgs!"
"But you had that fork in your mouth" said John.
"Really!" said Carol, exasperatedly.
"Would you take a kiss off me?" asked Elizabeth.
"I'd rather not" said John, "if you don't mind."
"Okay" said Elizabeth. "We'll see you later in the week."
"And please try to eat properly" said Carol.
Carol and Elizabeth made their goodbyes and stopped at the desk to speak to Jaydev.
"His progress is slow" said Jaydev, "but we're confident he will recover sooner rather than later. He keeps mentioning the Tomorrow People. Does that mean anything?" Elizabeth and Carol shook their heads and made a few negative mumbles. "Anyway, it's important you keep coming to see him. Come and see him as often as you can." Carol and Elizabeth made their exit.
John made his way over to the window and looked out. From there, he could see the road, including the bus stop from where he expected Elizabeth and Carol to catch their bus. Next to him, sitting in a chair was Glenn, a very quiet young man in his late twenties.
"Couldn't wait to get out of here. Did you notice that, Glenn?" asked John. Glenn did not reply. "Can't blame them, of course. Anything to get away from this dirty, diseased . . . Here comes their bus! They'll have to hurry up if they're going to catch it. Wouldn't even be drawn on the Tomorrow People, but I know they know something, Glenn. Here they come now." John could see Elizabeth and Carol trying to cross the road against the heavy traffic. "They'll never make it." Eventually, they crossed the road, but too late. The bus pulled away without them. "What did I tell you? They missed it!" John looked directly at Glenn as he spoke. "Are you okay, Glenn?" Glenn did not reply. John looked through the window again, but Carol and Elizabeth were nowhere to be seen.
"They're gone! I knew it!" said John. "Tomorrow People!"