Meanwhile at the school, the volunteers may be nicknaming me "Dr. Murphy" by the time the Christmas program is over, as my "flawless" Christmas production goes dreadfully wrong. Everything that could go wrong during the preparation of the Christmas program goes wrong.
As I take attendance of the children participating in the program, I question Louisa, saying, "Our Christmas program is supposed to have three wise men. I see Billy and Bobby, but where's Scott?"
Louisa responds, "Scott's mother phoned me a little bit ago. She's taking him to see Martin. She believes he has the flu."
I frustratingly respond, "Lovely. Let me call Martin and see what's going on."
Martin is in his surgery examining Scott when he receives a phone call from me.
Doc Martin answers the phone, "Ellingham."
I respond on the other end, "Martin, I couldn't give a rip about doctor-patient confidentiality at the moment, but I know Scott is in your office. Have you had a chance to examine him yet?"
Doc Martin bluntly responds, "Yes."
I reply, "Without going into details, will Scott be well enough to participate in the school's annual Christmas program this evening?"
Doc Martin again bluntly responds, "No."
I, now hopelessly frustrated, interject, "Ugh! Bugger! What else could possibly go wrong?"
Doc Martin continues, coldly, "It gets worse. Not only does Scott have the flu, but it turns out so does Steve and Staton as well. I'm excluding all of them from participating in the school's Christmas play."
I panic and blurt out, "What? First I'm down to two wise men and now I don't have anyone to perform their animal roles in the Christmas program? This is a disaster! How in the bloody world am I going to have enough cast members to complete this program!"
Doc Martin casually responds, "I have to go. I have patients to attend to."
I respond, "Bye. (hangs up phone) Louisa, it is confirmed that Scott will not be performing in our Christmas program."
Louisa disappointingly responds, "So we are down to just two wise men in the Christmas program? How unfortunate."
I continue, "It gets worse, Steve and Staton are sick with the flu as well, which means we have no animal roles for our Christmas program either."
Louisa, more disappointed and now frustrated, replies, "This is getting dreadful! What are we going to do?"
I calmly and impromptu offer a suggestion, "I'm running back to my flat. I have a worn out plush Daffy Duck I put a Christmas sweater on years ago. I'm going to grab him and lay him beside the manger for our Christmas program."
Louisa, hesitantly responds, "I'm not sure exactly how a plush duck in a Christmas sweater is going to fulfill our requirements for animals for the Christmas program, to be honest."
I, getting more desperate sounding by the moment, reply. "I don't know either, but at least he will look festive."
About that time, Buddy ("Doc Martin's Dog"), comes meandering into the school auditorium. I shirk at the thought of a dog in the school auditorium and proceed to throw him out, when I then decide to allow Buddy to stay without objection since I am in dire need of an additional animal role for the school Christmas program and will take whatever I can get. I then had back to my flat to grab my plush Daffy.
Meanwhile, I pass Roger Finn and his Christmas carolers on the way to my flat and wave at them, as they continue singing Christmas carols around the village, one song being "Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella."
Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Bring a torch, come swiftly and run
Christ is born, tell the folk of the village
Jesus is sleeping in his cradle
Ah, ah, beautiful is the mother
Ah, ah, beautiful is her son
About that time, Bert passes the Christmas carolers as he makes his way with the Christmas tree toward the school, waving at the carolers as they begin lining the sidewalks to clear the path for Bert, all the while singing "He is Born".
(Men Singers) He is born, the divine Christ child
(Women Singers) Play on the oboe and bagpipes merrily
(Men Singers) He is born, the divine Christ child
(Women Singers) Sing we all of the Saviour's birth.
(All Singers) Jesus, Lord of all the world
Coming as a child among us
Jesus, Lord of all the world
Grant to us Thy heav'nly peace.
(Men Singers) He is born, the divine Christ child
(Women Singers) Play on the oboe and bagpipes merrily
(Men Singers) He is born, the divine Christ child
(All Singers) Sing we all of the Saviour's birth.
Roger then comes up with a brilliant idea, "Hey let's all go visit the Doc's cottage and spread some Christmas cheer to him!"
Roger and the carolers then run off toward Doc Martin's cottage.
