Scene I
The opening scene unfolds at London Hospital where Dr. Treves, the new anatomy lecturer, presents his credentials to the hospital administrator, Carr Gomm. They agree on a salary, and Gomm mysteriously mentions that the salary is an excellent consolation prize.

Scene II
In a shop, Ross is collecting money for people to view John Merrick, whom he describes as a freak of nature. Treves enters, stating he will not pay if it is a trick. After seeing Merrick, Treves pays Ross and they agree that Treves will pay a fee to take Merrick for a day to study his condition.

Scene III
During a lecture, Treves shows slides of Merrick and details the nature of his deformities. Merrick is present and demonstrates his infirmities upon request. An audience member tells Treves that he cannot allow Merrick to return to the freak show.

Scene IV
In Brussels, the pinheads are being prepared to sing by the Man. Ross and Merrick arrive, and Merrick tells the pinheads that he has earned a lot of money, which Ross is holding. Merrick also expresses his happiness. The Man reenters and instructs the pinheads to sing.

At that moment, a policeman enters and orders the show to stop. Ross returns and tells Merrick he has become a liability. After stealing Merrick’s money, Ross hands him over to the conductor, who agrees to drop Merrick at Liverpool Station in exchange for some money. The scene concludes with Merrick declaring he has been robbed.

Scene V
Merrick arrives in London, and a policeman and the conductor hide him to protect him from the mob. Merrick attempts to speak, but his words are hard to understand; the policeman and conductor assume he is an imbecile. They find Treves’s card in Merrick’s pocket and summon the doctor.

Scene VI
Treves interviews Nurse Sandwich, hoping she can care for Merrick. Several other nurses have been too repulsed by his appearance to care for him. Despite claiming extensive experience with severe diseases in Africa, Miss Sandwich is equally frightened and flees the room.

Scene VII
The bishop and Gomm discuss Merrick’s potential for biblical instruction. The bishop feels it is his Christian duty to help Merrick with religious instruction and is pleased that Treves is also a Christian.

Scene VIII
Treves informs Merrick that he now has a home for life and will never need to be exhibited again. Treves pressures Merrick to acknowledge his good fortune, repeatedly forcing him to express gratitude and admit that following certain rules will make him happy. This demonstrates that Treves views Merrick as a child incapable of independent thought.

Scene IX
Treves introduces an actress, Mrs. Kendal, to Merrick. He explains that Merrick is extremely lonely and needs more social interaction. Mrs. Kendal inquires about Merrick’s condition and whether it affects his sexual functions. Although Treves is hesitant to discuss such matters with a woman, he eventually confesses that Merrick is normal in that regard.

Scene X
Mrs. Kendal visits Merrick, and they converse about Romeo and Juliet, a play she has performed in multiple times. Their animated discussion reveals Merrick's intellectual depth and capacity for profound thought.

Impressed by Merrick's ability to delve beyond surface-level interpretations, Mrs. Kendal tells Treves that Merrick should meet some of her acquaintances. As she departs, she shakes Merrick’s hand, and he is heard sobbing softly in the background.

Scene XI
Merrick is busy constructing a model of St. Phillip’s Church. He receives visits from several prominent society members, each leaving a Christmas gift for him. After they depart, Treves and Merrick discuss the model and...