The Last Child (1971 TV Movie)

Michael Cole: Allen Miller

Quotes 

• Doctor Young : I'm Doctor Young. I suppose this might seem very frightening and confusing to you but, er. let me assure you that no one here is going to hurt you. In a sense we're here to help.

  Doctor Young : Now then, you came here from Syracuse?

  Alan Miller : Yes, the last year. After our first child died.

  Doctor Young : Yes, I see - Miller baby, female. She was only 15 days old. That's unfortunate. Yet, I observe from Mrs. Miller's condition that the mandatory hysterectomy wasn't performed?

  Alan Miller : Well, we made the appeals to the government office, and no one would listen so we just decided it was hopeless and left town to move down here.

  Doctor Young : I understand. Not a very palatable law is it? Perhaps if we'd practised planned parenthood in the past, it wouldn't be necessary. But now it's the law. One child per family. No more. And no exceptions.

  Alan Miller : But our baby's dead.

  Doctor Young : After having lived longer than ten days. The law's very specific, Mr. Miller. I know how unfair this must seem to you. The child is gone, now your wife is facing an operation that will end her ability to bear children. Not so sure I wouldn't have done the same thing, if I'd been in your place. Now, when is the child expected, Mrs. Miller?

  Karen Miller : The end of November.

  Doctor Young : Hmm-mm. Have you been experiencing any pains of any kind? Or any difficulties?

  Karen Miller : No.

  Doctor Young : Good. Now, we're at a very difficult period in the pregnancy, Mrs. Miller. I suppose we could bring on a miscarriage. But at this point, that always carries a danger to the mother. On the other hand, we could wait until the child is actually delivered and then immediately dispose of it.

  Alan Miller : Disposal? You're not talking about a piece of garbage.

  Doctor Young : I'm sorry. I apologise, I didn't mean it to sound that way. Now look, both of you, I promise you, there is no pain for the baby. There's no life to speak of really, it's just a fleeting moment. It's all done with kindness. Quickly, efficiently.

  Alan Miller : You're murdering a baby, but you're doing it kindly?

  Doctor Young : We don't think of it as murdering. We simply can't let...

  Alan Miller : You're taking a human life. That is murder. Every human being has the right to live.

  Doctor Young : No, Mr. Miller. You're wrong. In this day and age, not every human being has a right to live. You and your wife knew that when you conceived this child. You're free to go, Mr. Miller. Mrs. Miller will have to remain with us. We simply have to make sure that you don't disappear again. You'll find it very comfortable here, I assure you.

  Alan Miller : Can I ask you a question? Do you sleep at night?

  Doctor Young : Sometimes. If it's of any help to you Mr. Miller, sometimes with vast difficulty.