M*A*S*H (TV Series)

Morale Victory (1980)

James Stephens: Private David Sheridan

Photos 

Quotes 

• Major Charles Winchester : Don't you see? Your hand may be stilled; but your gift *cannot* be silenced if you refuse to *let* it be.

  Private David Sheridan : Gift? You keep talking about this damn gift. I *had* a gift, and I exchanged it for some mortar fragments, remember?

  Major Charles Winchester : Wrong! Because the gift does not lie in your hands.

  [David huffs in frustration] 

  Major Charles Winchester : *I* have hands, David. Hands that can make a scalpel sing! More than anything in my life... I wanted to play. But I do not have the gift! I can play the notes; but I cannot make the *music*. You've performed Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Chopin! Even if you never do so again, you've already known a joy that I will never know as long as I live! Because the true gift is in your head, and in your heart, and in your soul. Now you can shut it off forever, or you can find new ways to share your gift with the world - through the baton, the classroom, the pen. As to these works, they're for you! Because you and the piano will always be as one.

• Maj. Charles Winchester : [Charles displays piano music in front of David]  I'm sure you've heard of these.

  Private David Sheridan : Huh? Pieces for the left hand. Of course I've heard of them. What are you suggesting now? That I make a career out of a few freak pieces written for one hand?

  Maj. Charles Winchester : Not at all. I won't make any pretense about your physical ability to play concerts. Not my point. Are you familiar with the story behind the Ravel?

  Private David Sheridan : No, and I don't really...

  Maj. Charles Winchester : It was written for an Austrian concert pianist named Paul Wittgenstein. He lost his right arm during the First World War. He embarked on a long search to commission piano works for the left hand alone. Composer after composer turned him down, but he refused to give up. Finally, he found Ravel who, like him, was willing to accept this great challenge.

• Maj. Charles Winchester : David?

  Private David Sheridan : What time is it?

  Maj. Charles Winchester : It's very late. David, I'm sorry to awaken you, but I feel that we need to talk.

  Private David Sheridan : Doctor, we have talked. How many times do you need to come here? I've told you I don't blame you for what happened, but that doesn't give me my hand back.

  Maj. Charles Winchester : Whether you blame me or not, makes no difference. It's you, David. You see no future for yourself, and that gnaws at me.

  Private David Sheridan : Your concern is admirable, but there must be better ways for you to spend your time because I don't give a damn.

  Maj. Charles Winchester : You have a very special gift.

  Private David Sheridan : Had, doctor. HAD. I'm very tired. Good night.