For Dr Brent putting on a hat enables him to adopt the character of a person who might have worn it. For instance, he quotes Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln whilst wearing a Homburg and top hat respectively. When visiting a patient (Mrs Gouch) he notices that she has a hat that he would like to add to his collection. Her husband won't sell it to him though and Dr Brent begins to stalk Mr Gould discovering that young women are visiting him regularly. Later, at home and while wearing a copy of Nelson's hat, he fantasises that he confronts Mr Brent who is cavorting with young women. Back in reality Dr Brent sees his wife knocking on the Goulds' door. He storms in and demands the hat, which Mr Gould gives to him to stop him pestering him. As he leaves Mr Gould says that he will now have to find another hat for the carnival, which explains why he wanted to keep the hat and why the women were visiting him.
Dr Brent - Martin Brooke-Taylor
Mrs Brent - Judith Christian
Mr Gouch - John Barstow
Mrs Gouch - Paddy Gore
With members of the Buxton Drama League
Produced by Howard Clowes
Directed by David Russell