Pine Valley Hospital. Emergency Room admitting area.
A nurse is at the front desk on the phone.
Jake is coming back from a break. Tad is with him.
Tad: Well, whatever you do, you know I’m with you, but I think you’d better move carefully. Adam is tough to go up against, and Liza’s no picnic either.
Jake: I hate to do it, but I really don’t think they’re giving me any choice, Tad.
Tad: I know, I’m just saying be careful.
The nurse at the front desk puts down her phone.
Nurse at front desk: Okay, we have three coming in. Car accident. Man is critically injured. Woman and infant seem fine, but need examination.
Jake: Sorry to cut this short, but my break’s up. I’ve gotta go.
Tad: I know. Just remember ... this is Adam Chandler. You don’t want to tip your hand anymore than you already have.
The doors to the E.R. waiting room burst open and the two EMTs rush Adam through on a cart.
A nurse follows, carrying Colby in her car seat, with Liza close behind.
EMT #1: We need a room!
Jake: Liza? What happened? Colby was in an accident?
Liza: We need a room. Do you have a room?
Jake: Not ‘til you answer my question. Is she hurt?
Liza: Jake, you get Adam a room right now, or I'll --
Jake (to EMTs): Take him into the first room on the right.
The EMTs head into the emergency room, and an intern follows.
Liza starts to follow and Jake stops her.
Jake: Liza, I’m sorry. You can’t go in there. You’ll have to wait.
Liza: Like hell.
Tad: Honey, I know this is difficult, but it’s for the best.
Liza (muttering): The best.
Liza goes to Colby, changing her demeanor.
Liza: How are you doing, princess?
Nurse holding Colby’s car seat: Ma’am, I’m going to bring her up to pediatrics. I’m sure she’s fine, but we need to check her out.
Liza moves to go along with them.
Nurse: We’ll page you when the doctor is done, Mrs. Chandler.
The nurse leaves with Colby.
Tad: Liza, what happened?
Liza: We were in an accident, Tad. What does it look like?
Jake: Liza, calm down.
Liza: Sorry. No. You know what? I take that back. I’m not sorry. My husband is lying in there unconscious, and I don’t know what’s going to happen. I think I’m allowed to be rude.
Tad: I’d better go call Dixie. I don’t want Junior hearing about this on the evening news.
Liza: Tad?
Tad: Yeah.
Liza: Could you call Stuart, too?
Tad: Sure thing.
Tad leaves to find a pay phone. Liza and Jake are left with each other.
Jake: Liza, where did it happen?
Liza: Aren’t you going to help Adam?
Jake: He’s being prepped by my intern. Tell me what happened.
Liza: We were hit by some lunatic who should never have gotten a license. And Adam had no time to react. He --
Jake: Adam was driving?
Liza: Yes.
Jake: That’s just great.
Liza: What does that mean?
Jake: Nothing. I’ll be back after I do a preliminary exam.
Liza: You’ll stay right here.
Jake: Liza, you’ve got to be kidding. You can’t be serious. I'll be right back.
Jake turns to go in the room, and Liza stops him.
Liza (in a heated lowered voice): Don’t you dare. You don’t get to be judge and jury and damn Adam to hell, and then get to go in and put your hands on him.
Jake: Liza, I’m the only doctor you have.
Liza: Adam is unconscious. He’s suffered an injury to the head. I want the best neurosurgeon on staff.
Jake: Liza...
Liza: I’m not kidding, Jake. I want the best. Who do you have?
Jake: That’s really not...
Liza: Who’s here?
Jake: Dr. Mason is here now, but Dr. Jensen is the best. He’s off tonight.
Liza turns to the nurse at the desk
Liza: Get Dr. Mason down here and get Dr. Jensen on the phone.
The nurse hesitates.
Liza: Now!
The nurse begins to page Dr. Mason.
Dr. Joe enters.
Dr. Joe: Liza? What’s going on?
Liza: Dr. Joe, can you go in and examine Adam?
Dr. Joe: Adam?
Liza: Yes, he’s in that emergency room.
Dr. Joe: Liza, I understand you’re upset. But this is really Jake’s --
Liza: Joe, I don’t want to argue. We’re losing time. Please go in.
Dr. Joe and Jake exchange a look, and Jake nods almost imperceptibly.
Dr. Joe goes in. Liza follows and hovers outside the door.
Dr. Mason enters and goes to the desk.
Dr. Mason: Someone paged me?
Jake: Dr. Mason, we have a --
Liza turns around.
Liza: Dr. Mason?
Dr. Mason: Yes.
Liza: My husband is in that room. We need for you to look at him.
Dr. Mason walks to the room and enters.
This time, Liza enters right behind him. Jake goes to the nurses station.
Jake: I know my father just got off duty, but when he comes out, could you ask him to cover for me? I need to go see my daughter.
Jake goes off in the direction of pediatrics.