INT. ER - FRONT DESK - MORNING
The ER is as bustling as ever. Mark is on the phone.
MARK: (into phone) What can I tell you, I'm short-staffed, okay? I can't go on a transport. (to Conni) Conni, can you clear this T.I.A. in six?
CONNI: She's waiting for her daughter.
MARK: Well, that's what chairs are for. And give a gram of unisin to the dog bite in four.
RANDI: Mark, they need you at the MICN!
MARK: (into phone) Why don't you try Mercy Air? Maybe they can pick him up.
Chuny's on another phone.
CHUNY: Mark!
MARK: What?
CHUNY: The paramedics have a man with chest pain who won't get into the ambulance.
MARK: Okay, well, explain the risks and make sure he signs out AMA. (into phone) What are his vitals?
CHUNY: He's refusing to sign the form!
Benton walks to Mark.
BENTON: Mark, you gave my patient cefoxitin?
MARK: Who?
BENTON: Bouvard. Uh, appy.
MARK: (into phone) Hold on. (to Benton) Uh, yeah, listen, uh, he needed antibiotics.
BENTON: Yes, Cecofetan's a better drug.
MARK: Peter, I'm a little busy.
BENTON: I know, that's not my problem. You should've at least called me.
MARK: (to Abby) Did you get through?
ABBY: No, no answer at his hotel room, and I stat-paged him twice.
MARK: Well, try his cell phone. (into phone) Any response to Lasix?
CHUNY: Mark! The AMA!
MARK: Okay, well, get him on the radio and try and convince him. (into phone) What about a nitro-drip?
Romano comes in for the day.
ROMANO: Greene, I need you to buff up a, uh, recurrent bowel obstruction I have on the way.
MARK: What are we, Jiffy Lube?
Malucci walks up.
MALUCCI: I need a sugar tong splint in three. Kovac still MIA?
RANDI: Uh-huh.
ROMANO: Kovac missed his shift?
ABBY: I'm sure he's on his way.
ROMANO: Where's, uh, Kerry?
MARK: It's her day off.
RANDI: She's at a chrysanthemum show.
ROMANO: Great, the one day I need her she's playing Martha Stewart.
MARK: (into phone) Hold on, just a sec, I'm sorry. (to Romano) I've got a helicopter transport. We're going to have to, call in back-up.
ABBY: Why don't you wait 'til 8:30? He's never late.
Benton enters with a gurney.
ROMANO: Peter. What's this?
BENTON: Hot appy. OR's ready.
ROMANO: Great. I'll take him. Dr. Greene needs your help here.
BENTON: Trauma coming in?
ROMANO: No, you're gonna cover the whole ER.
BENTON: What?
ROMANO: Yup, ah, this'll get you started. (hands him charts) Diarrhea, ear pain and weak and dizzy all over.
BENTON: Wait a minute, wait a minute. Weak and dizzy wasn't a part of our per diem agreement.
ROMANO: Sure it is. Per diem means 'per my discretion.' (takes off) Okay, I'm on my way.
Benton catches up to Mark, who's on his way out.
BENTON: I haven't done primary care since med school.
MARK: Don't worry, you just gotta cover until Kovac gets here.
BENTON: When's that?
MARK: I hope soon. Andrisac in four, check his lights in an hour. Oh, and look at a post-production shoulder film on Quintano.
BENTON: All right, how long's your flight?
MARK: I don't know
BENTON: Well, where are you going?
END SCENE

*****

INT. DOC MAGOO'S
Benton enters. Cleo's seated at the counter.
BENTON: Can I join you?
CLEO: It's a counter, Peter, you can sit anywhere.
He sits.
CLEO: So, you survived.
BENTON: Weaver said I was incompetent.
CLEO: Really?
BENTON: I don't know, that's what she implied.
CLEO: It's a per diem job. It's just temporary until you get back into surgery.
BENTON: Yeah, but I needed to show them that I could run the ER.
CLEO: Why? It has no bearing on your surgical career.
BENTON: Yeah, but it reflects on me, you know, I should've been able to handle it.
CLEO: You can't be perfect at everything.
BENTON: Yeah, but I can learn a job, I can do it well.
CLEO: So you feel better having said this to a sympathetic ear?
BENTON: Yeah. Yeah, yeah, I guess so. Thanks.
CLEO: You know, I've had some problems, and I haven't had anyone to talk to. Are you ever going to be there for me? 'Cause you sure as hell haven't been.
She leaves. Benton sighs.