| Cut/Changed Scenes |


Exodus

Changed Scene:
EXAM THREE - NIGHT
Carter shows Dr. George his new eye drops and fills out aftercare papers.

CARTER
Use these twice a day.

Dr. George sniffs at the air.

DR. GEORGE
Benzene.

CARTER
What?

DR. GEORGE
The smell.

CARTER
They're probably stripping the floors.

DR. GEORGE
Not with benzene. Extremely toxic.

CARTER
(focusing on papers)
Uh huh.

DR. GEORGE
Amazing story. 1858. German scientist Kekule is asleep. He dreams of strings of atoms, twisting and turning like snakes.

As Carter moves him towards the door.

DR. GEORGE
Now one of the snakes bites its tail and whirls before his eyes. He awakes having discovered the molecular structure of benzene.

They reach the -
SIDE HALL - NIGHT

CARTER
(amused)
Wow.

DR. GEORGE
A vision that changed his life.
(as he leaves, casually)
I'd find out where that smell is coming from if I were you.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cut Scene:
CHAIRS
Del Amico has thrown out half of the patients. As Carter directs traffic in the b.g., she moves to a middle aged WOMAN in a full cervical halo.

DEL AMICO
What about you?

WOMAN
I need a refill for Flexeril, I'm down to my last pill.

Del Amico scribbles on her prescription pad.

DEL AMICO
Who's your doctor?

WOMAN
I go to the neurosurgery clinic.

Del Amico tears off the prescription.

DEL AMICO
Make an appointment.

The Woman exits. Del Amico moves down the line to a smallish MAN, holding his hat in his hand.

DEL AMICO
And you?

MAN
I was in a car accident last week and my lawyer told me to come here for x-rays.

DEL AMICO
Get outta here.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Last Rites

Cut Scene (after Mark is told about Amy's DNR/before everyone congratulates Jeanie on her engagement):
ADMIT/MAIN HALLWAY
Hathaway checks the board against a chart, calls out to Cleo, freshly showered. Randi works Admit. Malik and Marquez are there.

HATHAWAY
Hey, Cleo, do you have the sore throat/fever in two?

CLEO
Nope.

MALIK
Val took it.

HATHAWAY
Who?

MALIK
Val -- the Impaler.
(off Hathaway's look)
You know ... Dracula.

CLEO
Isn't that Vlad?

MALIK
Whatever.

HATHAWAY
What are you talking about?

MARQUEZ
Doctor Kovac. You haven't heard his accent?

HATHAWAY
You're one to talk.

CLEO
I've hardly heard him speak. He doesn't share a lot.

MARQUEZ
Like where he's from.

HATHAWAY
Maybe he's private.

MALIK
Transylvania. That's where he's from.

RANDI
He uses a P.O. box for his mailing address.

MAILK
I would too if I lived in a cemetery.

HATHAWAY
Malik.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Great Expectations

Cut Scene (after Carol leaves the hospital in the morning/before her water breaks):
EL STATION

Hathaway steps up to the turnstiles, stares at them. There is no way she's fitting through.

A TRANSIT WORKER opens a gate for her. Hathaway walks through, offering her subway card.

HATHAWAY
Thanks.

TRANSIT WORKER
(re: token)
Forget about it. Happy Thanksgiving.

HATHAWAY
You too.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cut Scene (right before Mrs. Olsen dies):
CURTAIN THREE/MAIN HALLWAY/ADMIT

Cleo steps up to Malucci as he assesses Ager, still displaying severe chest pain.

CLEO
Is this the guy who hit the paramedics?

AGER
They ran a red.

CLEO
They're an ambulance.

AGER
I was having a heart attack.

CLEO
Really.

MALUCCI
Textbook complaints. Crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm and jaw. Nausea, short of breath. History of high blood pressure…

CLEO
Classic.

MALUCCI
You just bought yourself an angioplasty, my friend.

AGER
What's that?

MALUCCI
They stick a catheter up your groin into your heart and rotor rooter out your arteries.

AGER
Is it totally necessary?

MALUCCI
From what you're telling me, yeah.

AGER
Can I get a second opinion?

MALUCCI
Sure. What do you think, Doctor Finch?

Cleo plays along.

CLEO
Coronary artery disease for sure. Better start thinning his blood with heparin.

MALUCCI
You're not worried about brain hemorrhage?

CLEO
Have to accept the risk with an acute myocardial infarction.

AGER
You know, I'm feeling a little better. Can we just wait awhile, see if it goes away?

MALUCCI
Time is heart muscle, Mr. Ager.

Malucci walks away from Ager.

MALUCCI
Malik, let's get him up to the cath lab, pronto. I'll meet you up there.

AGER
Uh…can I call my doctor?

MALIK
After we get there.

Cleo follows him away.

CLEO
You sure he's full of it?

MALUCCI
EKG's completely normal. He'll change his story.

CLEO
You should have cardiology see him just in case.

MALUCCI
After I break him. Nice teamwork. You're quick on you feet. I like that.
(off Cleo's grunt)
So, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?

CLEO
Working.

MALUCCI
After work. If you have no plans and I have no plans, maybe…

CLEO
Forget it.

A young candy striper, LINDA, storms up to Malucci.

MALUCCI
Oh, come on.

LINDA
You bastard.

MALUCCI
Linda.

Whack! She slaps him across the face and storms away. It stings. Malucci looks back to Cleo, decides not to try to explain. Marquez rushes over from trauma.

MARQUEZ
Doctor Finch, we need you in Trauma Two. She's about to deliver.

CLEO
Who?

MARQUEZ
Carol.

MALUCCI
Where have you been?

Cleo follows Marquez. Randi points out a DELIVERY GUY carrying a basket of tropical fruit: a pineapple, bananas, mangos…

RANDI
Doctor Malucci, you go by 'Jungle Dave?'

MALUCCI
What?

DELIVERY GUY
I've got a delivery for 'Jungle Dave' from a 'Mister M. Katz.'

MALUCCI
M. Katz. Very funny.

RANDI
Some guy's sending you fruits?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Changed Scene (slight dialogue change):
GREENE:
You want me to call anyone else?

Like the daddy. Hathaway thinks about it for a moment

HATHAWAY:
No . Not yet.

GREENE:
You sure?

HATHAWAY:
I just want to get through this.

GREENE:
Okay.

As Greene fishes around Hathaway's bag for her organizer...

HATHAWAY:
You know, this is really unfair.
(off Greene's look)
No one should have to do this alone.

Greene simply nods, then a wry smile.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Abby Road

Cut Scene:
As Luka and Carol finish examining Connor Brant:

LUKA
Three-way abdominal series.

CAROL
Yeah.

Corday enters.

CORDAY
What have you got?

LUKA
Ileus vs. obstruction.

Corday palpates his belly.

CORDAY
Does he have a fever?

MRS. BRANT
He felt hot this morning.

LUKA
Can you let me finish my assessment first?

CORDAY
You called for a consult, didn't you?

LUKA
Not yet.

Malucci calls out from Trauma One, now pushing around his IV pole.

MALUCCI
Yo, Dr. Corday. Over here. Surgical belly.

CORDAY
Sorry.

She exits.

---------------------------------------------------------------

All in the Family

Cut Scene (before Amira is being questioned about the knife):

MAIN HALLWAY
The commotion continues as Officer Darcy interviews Greene and Deraad.

GREENE
I don't know. He was in a gown. No clothes, no shoes.

OFFICER DARCY
Would that stop him from leaving the building?

DERAAD
Not if he's acutely psychotic.

OFFICER DARCY
Nurse said he was freakin' out before.

GREENE
I saw him arguing with a friend, but it wasn't violent.

OFFICER DARCY
Will he calm down on his own?

DERAAD
Not with out medication.

Officer Darcy interrupts, calls to Bernini.

OFFICER BERNINI
Jim, homicide's here.

OFFICER DARCY
Alright.

GREENE
Homicide?

OFFICER DARCY
Detectives. They just need to get a jump on things. Just in case. Can you get me his belongings bag?

GREENE
Sure.

Darcy moves off. Deraad follows Greene down the hall.

DERAAD
This shouldn't have happened.

GREENE
I know.

DERAAD
I'm going to wait upstairs. Call me if they find him, okay.

GREENE
Yeah.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cut Scene:
LOUNGE
Chen enters to find Malucci, sitting at the table, idly flicking latex gloves into the waste basket.

CHEN
Hey.

MALUCCI
Hey.

Chen pops down in the sofa.

CHEN
Any news?

MALUCCI
I heard Lucy came out okay. They had to take her spleen.

CHEN
Good. I mean that she came through.

MALUCCI
That's one.

CHEN
Yeah. The police talk to you yet?

MALUCCI
Twice. You gonna stick around? … Wait?

CHEN
I think so. I wouldn't be able to sleep.

MALUCCI
Yeah, me too.

Greene enters, looking for his father.

GREENE
You guys see an old couple waiting around?

MALUCCI
Your dad?

GREENE
Yeah.

MALUCCI
I heard him tell Randi he was taking a cab home.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Changed Scene:
INT. SPARE BEDROOM - NIGHT
An alarm clock reads 5:37 AM over the sound of a DOOR BEING UNLOCKED. REVEAL Isabelle. She wakes, hears the FRONT DOOR OPEN and SHUT. Isabelle sits up, throws on her robe and shuffles into - -

INT. CORDAY'S CONDO - CONTINUOUS ACTION

Isabelle finds Corday sitting at a dining room chair, coat still on, purse in hand.

ISABELLE
You're home.

Corday looks up at her, drained, shaken.

ISABELLE
Is everything alright?

CORDAY
No

ISABELLE
Do you want to tell me about it?

CORDAY
Not particularly.

Isabelle nods, moves to the kitchen.

ISABELLE
How about some tea?

But Corday doesn't answer.

ISABELLE
Elizabeth.

Corday looks up.

ISABELLE
How about some tea?

CORDAY
No. Thank you.

ISABELLE
I always made tea for your father when he came home looking like that.

CORDAY
Tea's not going to fix it, Mother.

ISABELLE
It's not meant to fix it
(then)
Are you going to bed?

Corday doesn't look like she'll move for hours.

CORDAY
No.

Isabelle gives her a brief, albeit awkward hug. Corday accepts it.

ISABELLE
Then I'll make breakfast.

Corday doesn't fight it. She'll let her mother take care of her. Isabelle breaks out eggs and milk as Corday sits there. OFF Corday - such a waste.

CUT TO --
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cut Scene:
HOSPITAL ROOF - DAWN
Greene and Weaver stand on the rooftop, as if they've come up for air, as the morning greets the cityscape. Having talked through what happened and how, they are left with the simple, irreversible fact that Lucy is gone.

WEAVER
Someone has to call her mother.

GREENE
You want me to do it?

WEAVER
No, I should. I called her the first time.

GREENE
What did you tell her?

WEAVER
That she came out of surgery. It was very serious, but it looked good.

GREENE
Oh boy
(then)
Does she live in town?

WEAVER
No.

GREENE
Where is she from?

WEAVER
I didn't recognize the area code.

GREENE
Huh. You'd think I'd know that.

How much more was there to her that they didn't know?

WEAVER
She was considering Emergency Medecine.

GREENE
Really.

WEAVER
It was between us and psych. I only know because she asked my advice last week.

GREENE
What did you tell her?

WEAVER
To go with her gut. It had to feel right; she had to enjoy it because she'd be doing
it the rest of her life.

Oh, man. Greene can't say anything to that. Everyone worries about their future because they assume they have one. After a beat...

WEAVER
I better go do it.

GREENE
Yeah. I've got to get down there.

WEAVER
Are you coming on shift?

GREENE
At seven.

But they don't move. They just stand there, not quite ready to brave the rest of the day.
GREENE
She wasn't the best student I've ever had, but she sure tried the hardest. Never gave up.

WEAVER
No. She never gave up.

---------------------------------------------------------------

The Fastest Year

Cut Scene (before the LP on Edgar):
Luka talks to Edgar's mother who heads back to ICU, then greets Kerry as he comes to the admit desk, Carter comes up too.

LUKA
Kerry, good to have you back.

KERRY
Good to be back, except for the paperwork. Did no one order any supplies while I was gone?

Randi shrugs.

LUKA
I guess not. Carter, can you help me for a minute?

CARTER
Sure.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Such Sweet Sorrow

Changed Scene:
HATHAWAY
Did you have a bad dream?

TESS quiets a bit in her mother's arms. Hathaway takes her back out into --
THE LIVING ROOM
Closes the bedroom door behind her quietly as the microwave BEEPS its completion. She heads for it, takes out the bottle, stirs it, tests it on her wrist. Heads into the living room.


HATHAWAY
I thought we had a deal? You and me. Didn't we have a deal? Last night, in the bathtub? I said why don't we all sleep until six? And you said yes Mommy, I'd love to sleep until six...
She works her way to the rocking chair in the corner of the darkened living room, sets down her cup, turns on the corner light, it's shade canted away from the chair. Sits, pulls up the waiting blanket, and gives the anxious Tess the bottle. Leans back, putting her feet up on the tiny stool and begins to rock, Tess now quiet in her arms, feeding.

HATHAWAY
There we go. Oh boy...yum....yum...
The baby settled in, she leans her head back in the chair, exhales. Exhausted, closes her eyes.

HATHAWAY
Oh man, Tess...you're killing me.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cut Scene (before Carol arrives at work):
ON A MOVING EL - MORNING 7:00am

Hathaway stands in her civvies, Tess strapped to her chest, Kate in the stroller. A woman, DARLENE, watches. Makes faces at Kate, looks up to Hathaway expectantly, but Hathaway doesn't want to engage, smiles noncommittally, looks off.

DARLENE
How old?

Okay, well. Guess she's going to have engage.

HATHAWAY
Six months.

DARLENE
I've got a three year old son at home. They sleeping through the night yet?

HATHAWAY
Yes and...no.

DARLENE
You still breast feeding?

HATHAWAY
They're on bottles, but I'm still pumping when I can.

DARLENE
Keep it up, breast milk is the best thing for babies. I'm still nursing.

Her three year old? God, won't this woman ever shut up?

DARENE
I don't know how you do it with twins. I barely survived my daughter. I wasn't sure who I was going to kill first, the baby or myself.
(the train slows)
I finally worked out a deal with my husband, one night on, one night off; saved my life.

The train finally stops. Hathaway smiles wanly as the doors open. Pushes the stroller out as we -- CUT TO:
---------------------------------------------------------------
Changed Scene:
HATHAWAY
Pride. I asked him to stay for me. I thought I should be at least that important to him. It never occurred to me that he would go anyway. If he'd said he would stay, then I would have gone.
(a beat)
It was complicated.

Kovac nods, it always is. Takes a moment.

KOVAC
I still love my wife.
(takes a beat)
But it's time to get on with my life. Have someone to share things with again. I'm not sure we can be like that for each other, but I'd like to find out.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cut Scene (right before Kerry starts yelling for Amira):
THE ELEVATORS

DING! The elevator doors SLIDE open revealing KERRY WEAVER. She's tired, cranky, and looking for trouble. Carries a huge insulated CG coffee mug, CLANKS her way down the hall toward chairs. PICKMAN and a gurney fast approaching.

PICKMAN
LOL with LOC in the stairwell of her nursing home. Eighty-two, history of dementia, dehydrated. They weren't sure how long she was down there, could have been all night.

TAKATA
Remind me to get the name of that nursing home so my relatives never end up there.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Changed Scene:
FRANK
She uses a whistle?

WRIGHT
They took away her whip.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cut Scene (after Kerry yelled at Chen and Carter/before she began handing out patients):
A MORTUARY OFFICE

Greene sits in a brocade chair in a tasteful waiting room. The coffee table covered with a fanned array of Architectural Digests and understated Mortuary brochures, a floral arrangement. A receptionist's desk.

CHAPIN
Dr. Greene?

Youngish man, nice suit. Greene stands, offers his hand.

CHAPIN
David Chapin. We spoke on the phone.

GREENE
Yes, of course.

Chapin ushers Greene back into -
HIS OFFICE

Offers Greene a chair in front of a very neat desk. Chapin takes his seat behind the desk.

CHAPIN
I have a few papers I need you to sign.

Chapin opens a folder, points to Greene where to sign.

CHAPIN
This first one is the hard copy of the Disposition of your father's remains, you sent us a signed fax a few days ago, the state requires an original signature for our files.
(Greene signs)
And this one is your Acceptance of his remains. Is that still your wish?

GREENE
Yes, it is.

CHAPIN
We're available to help you with any of the arrangements for your father.

GREENE
He was a career Naval officer. I'm going to get in touch with the VA.

CHAPIN
We work with the VA all the time, so if you change your mind, please call.

On the desk beside Chapin, a small white paper bag. The kind with little rope handles. Greene points.

GREENE
Is that it?

CHAPIN
Yes.

Chapin sets the bag down on the desk in front of Greene. He stares at it for a moment.

GREENE
Thanks.

CHAPIN
Of course.
(a last piece of paper)
Here's your final invoice. You send that to the VA for reimbursement. We take Visa, Mastercard or a personal check.

CUT TO:
OUT SIDE THE MORTUARY

A warm spring day. Greene walks down the sidewalk from the entrance, carries the little white bag. Unlocks the driver's side door. Climbs in, sets the bag on the passenger seat. Puts the key in the ignition. TURNS it over.

Powers down the windows, the seatbelt warning CHIMING. Sits there for a long beat. Exhales. Looks over at the bag sitting on the seat beside him. Isn't sure what comes next. Leans his head back, closes his eyes.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Changed Scene:
HATHAWAY
Tess still isn't sleeping.

GREENE
Teething probably.

HATHAWAY
That's what Luka said.

GREENE
He's sees them enough to know.

He's smiling, she looks at him mildly irritated.

HATHAWAY
Don't give me a hard time, I'm struggling with it enough as it is.

GREENE
No, I think its great. I want you to be happy. You deserve it.

HATHAWAY
But I'm not happy.

GREENE
That's because you like being tortured.

HATHAWAY
Everytime I'm around him I feel like I'm being unfaithful.

GREENE
To who, Doug?

HATHAWAY
You make it sound ridiculous

GREENE
It is ridiculous.

Now she's getting mad, not at him, at herself.

HATHAWAY
You're right, I've been living like some kind of nun. Luka's a great guy. (then)
So, why do I still feel so unsure?

GREENE
Maybe you're afraid of making yourself vulnerable again.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cut Scene:
THE AMBULANCE BAY - AFTERNOON

Abby comes out of the ER doors, sees Malucci, sitting on the back of an ambulance, staring off. She approaches him.

ABBY
You okay?

MALUCCI
Yeah. Fine.

ABBY
I'm sorry.

MALUCCI
It's not your fault, Corday was right.

ABBY
What'd she say?

MALUCCI
I'd rather not repeat it if that's okay.

ABBY
Thanks for trying to take a bullet for me.

MALUCCI
Didn't work.

ABBY
I appreciated it anyway.

They stand there for a moment, watching the traffic out on the street, a Chicago Tribune truck passing by.

MALUCCI
What's with the eleventh? Earlier. You said you thought today was going to be a terrible day.

ABBY
I wasn't so wrong about that.

MALUCCI
You trying not to answer the question?

She smiles. Yes actually, she was.

ABBY
My divorce became final today.

MALUCCI
Sorry.

ABBY
No, that's okay. He was a real bastard.

MALUCCI
Want to talk about it?

ABBY
Not particularly.

MALUCCI
Lockhart your name or his?

ABBY
His.

MALUCCI
You gonna go back to yours?

ABBY
Wyczenski? Lockhart was the only good thing I got out of the whole mess.

MALUCCI
I don't know, Wyczenski's kinda sexy.

She's gotta give him an "A" for effort. Her BEEPER goes off. They start back in.

ABBY
The nurses must of found some more scut for me to do.

MALUCCI
What're you doing tonight?
(off her look)
You don't want to spend the night your divorce becomes final all alone.

ABBY
Are you hitting on me?

She's smiling. So's he, they're just having fun.

MALUCCI
I've got a video camera on a tripod in my bedroom, we could send the ex a little revenge suprise.

ABBY
You're a real classy guy, you know that?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cut Scene (after Elizabeth gives back the pearls):
THE MAIN HALLWAY

WRIGHT
Fifty-seven year old female. Paramedics are six or seven minutes out.

GREENE
Who's on from psychiatry?

WRIGHT
Nadio. I saw him around earlier.

GREENE
See if you can find him, will you?

They duck into -
ADMIT

Chen's there, Abby, Haleh, Marquez. Weaver is at the computer - she looks dead. Greene joins her.

GREENE
Malucci again?

WEAVER
(wearily)
Yes.

They eye Malucci across the way, goofing off with Malik.

GREENE
Anything big?

WEAVER
Big enough. He's screwing up, Carol's off the reservation, the entire day's been an unmitigated disaster.

GREENE
When's the last time you slept?

WEAVER
Dr. Malucci, if you don't have a patient try catching up on your chart reviews. I think you're about six months behind.

MALUCCI
You got it chief.

Malucci smiles. God, is this guy oblivious. He takes off.

WEAVER
I really can't understand why I have to bitch at people all the time just to get them to do their jobs. It's like I'm some kind of hall monitor.

GREENE
What did Carol do?

WEAVER
Exactly what she felt like, as always.

GREENE
Why don't you go home?

WEAVER
I've still got a ton of work to do.

GREENE
I'm here. Luka. Smitty will be in in an hour. Go home, take a bath, have a glass of wine, get some sleep.

WEAVER
You think?

GREENE
Absolutely.

WEAVER
(gathers her things)
I've got a DNR down in Trauma Two, make sure Carol doesn't resuscitate her again.

GREENE
That what it was about?
(Weaver nods)
I'm sorry you took the brunt of my being off with my father, Kerry. Thank you.

She's headed for the lounge. Stops to smile back at him.

WEAVER
You're welcome.

Weaver disappears again as Carter arrives with a chart. He looks exhausted again.

CARTER
Where's that new clerk guy?

ABBY
Frank? I think he's helping Carol with a patient's kids.

CARTER
He was supposed to call x-ray about some films I've been waiting on.

ABBY
They'd be on the desk.

CARTER
He look familiar to you?
(no)
Looks familiar to me.

ABBY
He was a cop. Maybe he arrested you.

CARTER
I wish. No colorful episodes in my past, sorry to say.

And Carter takes off. Passing a young man wandering by, ROGER. Twenties, hip, earring and tattoos, weaving. Marquez notices him.

MARQUEZ
Can I help you sir?

Roger stumbles by them at Admit. Whew…you can smell the alcohol on his breath a mile away.

ROGER
…I…need to lie down…

Where the hell is he going? Towards Exam Two - sort of. Now they're all watching him pass.

MARQUEZ
You need to see a doctor?

THUD. He misses the door, SLAMS into the wall. Ouch.

HALEH
Now that's drunk.

It's like watching a rapidly spinning top careening slowly around on it's axis, waiting to see if it finally falls over.

MARQUEZ
Do we have to sign this guy in? I don't think he wants to be seen.

ABBY
Maybe he's an OD.

HALEH
Maybe he's just hammered.

WRIGHT
(returning)
I found Nadio down in Curtain Three with that attempted suicide. And EMS diverted that MI to Rush, she crashed in route.
(sees Roger)
…Whoa…

They watch him feel along the wall, the curtain, lamp and - eureka! The bed. He flops down on to it, curls up into a ball, covering his head with the pillow. Lights out.

CHEN
He's altered, he walked in the door, we have to take care of him.

GREENE
Right you are Dr. Chen. He's all yours.

Greene starts out. That wasn't Chen's hoped for outcome. Haleh grins, laughs.

GREENE
Haleh, why don't you give her a hand.

HALEH
Me…?

GREENE
Have fun.

Off Chen and Haleh, the others enjoying it.

HALEH
He's not puking on me.

CUT TO:
THE ELEVATOR LOBBY

Greene finds NADIO coming out of Curtain Three, psych resident, twenties, skater haircut, Hawaiian shirt.

GREENE
Nadio? You got a minute?

NADIO
I'm late. You got a patient for me?

Nadio hits the elevator button.

GREENE
Need some advice. I've got a staff member acting eradictly. Grandiosty, dark depressions, irritability. Mood swings, not sleeping.

NADIO
You thinking bi-polar?

GREENE
One of his colleagues suggested it?

NADIO
Know if there's any family history?

GREENE
No. I guess I could ask.

NADIO
Who're we talking about?

GREENE
John Carter.

That gets his attention. DING, the elevator opens. A gurney is pushed off. Nadio lets the elevator go without him.

NADIO
Ran into Carter a couple of weeks ago. He said he was having a rough time. I told him he should see someone.

GREENE
And did he?

NADIO
I don't know. I could give you a couple of names if you want to talk to him.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Changed Scene:
KOVAC
Find out what?

HATHAWAY
If he's still in love with me.

Oh. He smiles softly, looks away.

HATHAWAY
Because I'm still in love with him. I have been since I was twenty-three years old. He's my joy, my life, my everything. I'm complete when we're together and empty when we're apart. He's the father of my children, my soulmate, he's my family.

Kovac hasn't looked back up at her. She reaches across, raises his chin so that he's looking at her.

HATHAWAY
You'll find someone again. You're a wonderful man and some lucky woman will get to keep you. She's out there Luka, someone who will love you the way she loved you. Someone you can lose yourself in and have children with. You'll find her.

She leans across, kisses him gently on his cheek, then his other cheek, his forehead, his nose and finally, his lips.

HATHAWAY
You'll find her.
---------------------------------------------------------------

A Walk in the Woods

Cut Scene:
GREG
Tomorrow this will all be a memory.

GREENE
Believe me, I've been counting.

Greg places a plastic dome-like crown on Greene's head and begins measuring.

GREG
Hold on, we're off by a millimeter or so.

He tilts the dome slightly.

GREENE
Take your time. I don't want to be zapped anywhere I don't have to be.

GREG
There we go. I'm going to lock you in now.

Greene lies back on the bed. the machine moves to cover his face, stopping at about his nose. A pretty claustrophobic position.

GREG
You okay?

GREENE
All set.

GREG
Here we go. About three minutes.

GREENE
Right.

Greg goes into the control room.

Greene's absolutely still as the lights go down and BRIGHT RED LASERS appear, all aimed at the same spot in Greene's head. The machine above his head and the bed both start MOVING. Off Greene's face, enduring it.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cut Scene:
A DIFFERENT FACE
Screaming. Very close, on an unhappy Hispanic KID.

KID
...Ahhh...damn...give me something...!
The X-ray machine swings across into place, pushing us back and we find we're in --

TRAUMA ONE

CARTER is there, MALIK assisting. The Kid's flopping around, fighting, one hand cuffed to the gurney. A Cop stands nearby in full winter gear.

CARTER
You're going to have to calm down.

KID
It hurts, it hurts!

MALIK
BP's 150 over 90. Pulse ox 96.

CARTER
Stop moving around.

MALUCCI enters, pulling on a trauma gown.

MALUCCI
Frank said you needed some help.

Carter takes the chart, tries to write in it, but his pen isn't working. Takes one from Malik's belt, writes.

CARTER
Einstein here pried off a roof vent on a drug store. Fell fifteen feet to the concrete floor when the duct work collapsed. Neck's clear, but check out those ankles.
High top basketball shows akimbo, one foot going south, one going north. It's not pretty.

MALUCCI
Not going up to fight for a rebound anytime soon, champ.

CARTER
Give him something for the pain and babysit until Corday gets down.

MALUCCI
Isn't that a nurse's job?

CARTER
Not today it's not.

But Carter is smiling, hands the chart back to Malik, starts out. Calls to the Cop as he passes.

CARTER
You can uncuff him, he's not going anywhere.

Carter takes us out into the

TRAUMA HALLWAY

Dodges a housekeeping cart, tosses his dead pen in the trash, grabs a fresh one off the nurses station.

MARQUEZ
Four year old boy coming in from a preschool, fever, having trouble breathing, 62 is pushing in.

CARTER
Okay-dokey...Carter arrives at the admin desk
---------------------------------------------------------------
Slightly Changed Scene (dialogue):
TRAUMA TWO - MORNING

CLOSE on Zack's small, draped back. Chen's collecting spinal fluid into the last vial as Carter arrives.

CARTER
How's it going?

CHEN
Easy tap when they're uncomscious.
(holds up the vial)
Looks pretty clear.

She stands as Abby and Malik remove the drapes.

CARTER
Cute kid. What's his name?

CHEN
Zack.
(to Malik)
cell count, glucose, protein, gram stain and culture.

CARTER
Still no parents?

ABBY
The teacher finally got through to the mother. She's on her way.

CARTER
He's got those tennis shoes that light up when they walk, how do you think they do that? A battery in the heel or something?

ABBY
Let's roll him back over.

Malik and Abby roll the little boy. Carter notices something, leans in to the child.

CARTER
What's that?

He examines the red splotches around the boy's hairline and the sides of his neck.

CARTER
You didn't tell me about the macular rash.

Chen leans in to take a look.

CHEN
It wasn't there half an hour ago.
(then)
It must be a viral exanthem.

CARTER
It could be measles.

CHEN
Measles?

CARTER
Fever, altered mental status, pneumonia...

CHEN
Or more likely he has a virus with pneumonia and had a febrile seizure from the high temperature.

CARTER
He has the classic measles rash.
(to Abby)
Hand me the tongue depressor.

Carter examines the inside of the kid's mouth.

CHEN
Have you ever seen measles?

CARTER
No. Have you?

CHEN
Of course not, nobody's seen measles.

CARTER
Koplik spots on the buccal mucosa.

She takes a look. Remains skeptical, argumentative.

CHEN
Or he bit the inside of his mouth when he was seizing.

CARTER
Malik, there's a Nelson's in the lounge, go get it.
(he hasn't moved yet)
Go...go!

Malik jogs out. Carter offers Abby a chance to take a look inside the kid's mouth.

CARTER
Take a look.

CHEN
You've never seen Koplok spots either.

A woman pushes into the room, thirties, well educated, professional, NICOLE WOODMAN. The prescholl teacher, Firth, trails behind her.

NICOLE
Is Zach alright?

CARTER
Are you his mother?

NICOLE
Yes.

FIRTH
This is Mrs. Woodman.

NICOLE
I was in court, I have to turn my cell phone off when we're in session.
(sees Zach)
Oh my God...

CHEN
I'm Doctor Chen, your son had a seizure and a high temperature.

FIRTH
We were just finishing crafts and he collapsed onto the floor.

CHEN
We've done a LP to rule out meningitis.

NICOLE
An LP, what's that?

CHEN
A spinal tap.

NICOLE
You performed a spinal tap without my permission?

CHEN
Zack is gravely ill, he has a fever of 105 and altered mental status, we couldn't wait.

CARTER
Mrs. Woodman, are Zack's immunizations up to date?

She looks at him, a little uncomfortable.

NICOLE
...NO.

CARTER
Has he had the MMR?

NICOLE
He hasn't had any immunizations, none of our children have.

Malik comes bursting back in lugging the big Nelson's.

MALIK
Got it.

CARTER
Abby, put a mask on Zack now!

Carter throws the book down on the counter, rifles through the pages. Chen crowded in beside him.

NICOLE
What's going on?

Carter's looking...looking. Abby puts a mask on the still unconscious Zack. His mother is starting to freak out.

NICOLE
What the hell is happening?

Carter finds it, points. Chen leans down, stares.

CHEN
...Oh my God...

Carter swings into action.

CARTER
Malik, hang those IV's and kick off the brakes, we've got to get him into a laminar flow room. Abby, call housekeeping, they have to terminally clean this room now!

NICOLE
What is happening?

CARTER
(points to Firth)
You, you're from Zack's school?
(Firth nods)
Call them, don't let anyone leave.

NICOLE
What's the matter with my son?

But Carter and Malik already have the gurney and Zack on the move for Exam One. Chen stands behind.

CHEN
Your son has measles.

Off Chen and Nicole, the gurney now gone we--
---------------------------------------------------------------

Where the Heart Is

Slightly Changed Scene (dialogue):
EXT. AMBULANCE BAY

Kovac stands in the Bay, checks his watch. After a beat, Weaver steps up alongside him.

KOVAC
Hit and run, ETA's five minutes out.

Weaver doesn't respond. Kovac notes it, sees the difficulty with which she gathers her thoughts.

KOVAC
Kind of like waiting for thunder after the lightening strikes.

WEAVER
Doctor Legaspi and I...

This is so hard for Weaver to do.

WEAVER
...It ended.

KOVAC
Oh.

An awkward beat. Then...

KOVAC
I'm sorry?

WEAVER
I've spent most of my life just doing the expected thing...for a long time, I didn't question that.
(beat)
I made the most of what was presented. Tried to make it work.

KOVAC
And something changed

WEAVER
Yes.

SIRENS approach in the near distance.

KOVAC
Do you love her?

Weaver's expression answers the question. It's painful.

KOVAC
Then you should go foward, not back.

Weaver has a second to digest this before a rig SCREAMS into the Bay.
---------------------------------------------------------------

The Longer You Stay

Slightly Changed Scene (dialogue):
XT. AMBULANCE BAY

Carter sprints into the empty Ambulance Bay, save a mini street sweeper. Carter ducks around it as he runs through the arch, accelerates and suddenly finds himself on his back. That hurt. That really hurt. The spill is bad enough that the STREET SWEEPER stops his rig.

STREET SWEEPER
You okay?

CARTER
No.

STREET SWEEPER
You've got to be careful.

Carter scrambles to his feet and pushes into the street on adrenaline. He dodges a few cars as he jaywalks to Doc Magoo's. Not until he reaches the steps of the diner does he realize he may have seriously screwed up his back. He limps into:

INT. DOC MAGOO'S

CARTER
(shouting)
Doctor Weaver! Doctor Weaver!

He finds Weaver sitting in a booth with Sam Broder, who's just handed her a red folder. Weaver looks at Carter as if she's been caught in an intimate act of some kind.

WEAVER
What?
---------------------------------------------------------------

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Slightly Changed Scene (dialogue):
weaver's car

weaver and lopez drive in traffic along a row of restaurants

WEAVER
i was sure it was on this block, has a blue awning. forget it. let's just go home and order something in.

LOPEZ
i like a take-charge girl.

lopez smiles. weaver too, a little less nervous now.

WEAVER
my place?

LOPEZ
mine's closer.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Changed Scene:
INT. JUDGE'S CHAMBERS

JUDGE ALTER sits on the floor. Across from him Reese plays with toy cars, albeit anxiously. Behind them and seated are Benton, Prager, Roger and Wharton. A sign language interpreter, NANCY, sits next to Reese. A Court Reporter is present.

JUDGE ALTER
Pretty cool, huh?

Nancy signs to Reese. He shrugs, tentative.

JUDGE ALTER
I've had 'em since I was your age. (beat) Reese, I have to decide something and I need you to help me by answering some questions. Can you do that?

Nancy does her thing. Reese hesitates, then nods.

JUDGE ALTER
(points to Benton) Who's that?

NANCY
Daddy.

JUDGE ALTER
(points to Roger) And who's that?

NANCY
My other daddy.

JUDGE ALTER
You love both your daddies, don't you?

Nancy signs. Reese just shrugs, focuses on the cars.

JUDGE ALTER
Can you ask again?

Nancy tries again, but Reese is in his own world. Benton can't help himself. Gets up, signs to Reese.

JUDGE ALTER
Doctor Benton --

BENTON
I told him to answer the question. He'll listen to me.

JUDGE ALTER
(to Nancy) Is that accurate?

NANCY
Yes.

JUDGE ALTER
I don't want any further interference, understood?

In the meantime, Reese does as Benton's told him.

JUDGE ALTER
What's he saying?

NANCY
(re: Reese) He says he doesn't know.

JUDGE ALTER
Reese, when you get sick, who makes you feel better?

Nancy signs to Reese. He responds.

NANCY
Mommy.

JUDGE ALTER
Can you tell me which daddy makes you feel better?

Reese looks between his fathers. Plays with the cars.

JUDGE ALTER
Which daddy takes the best care of you when you get a boo boo?

Nancy signs to Reese. After a beat, Reese signs back.

NANCY
(re: Roger) He has band-aids with cartoons.

Off Benton --

FADE OUT
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cut Scene:
CLEO
I am getting over city living.

BENTON
Why don't you sleep on it.

She nods, likes the idea already. He checks his watch -

CLEO
When're you on?

BENTON
Half hour. I guess I can't blow off my last shift.

CLEO
Jackie and I can finish the tree.

BENTON
Last night at County.

CLEO
How's it feel?

BENTON
I'll tell you tomorrow.

He kisses her goodbye –
---------------------------------------------------------------

Damage is Done

Changed Scene:
INT. GREENE/CORDAY HOUSE - BEDROOM/HALLWAY/RACHEL'S ROOM - DAY (7:37 AM)

CLOSE ON a digital thermometer which reads 103 degrees. PULL BACK to reveal CORDAY in bed, having just taken her own temperature.

CORDAY
Damn.

She's miserable. Sets the thermometer on the nightstand, which is cluttered with glasses and medicine. GREENE steps in, holding ELLA on his hip, cup of tea in hand.

GREENE
Brought you some chamomile. Feeling any better?

CORDAY
A little.

Corday sits up, smiles at the sight of Ella.

CORDAY
(re: Ella) How is she?

GREENE
Faster than me -- TP'ed the bathroom, the hallway and half the kitchen while I was making your tea.

CORDAY
God, and she's not even walking yet.

GREENE
You take your temperature?

Greene picks up the thermometer, give it a read.

CORDAY
Yes, but --

GREENE
You want to call or should I?

CORDAY
I'm presenting at grand rounds.

Greene grabs the phone, dials.

GREENE
Not when you've got the flu.

CORDAY
Mark --

GREENE
(into phone) Yes, Doctor Corday has a highly contagious condition involving a strange, sulfury body odor. You still need her to come in today?

CORDAY
Very funny.

GREENE
(into phone) Thank you.

Greene hangs up. Corday stubbornly tries to get out of bed.

CORDAY
I'm calling back. With some Tylenol I'll be fine --

GREENE
You'll be fine if you stay in bed.

Greene lays her back down, leans in for a kiss.

CORDAY
Thought I smelled of sulfur.

GREENE
I held my breath.

Greene turns to go.

CORDAY
What about Ella?

GREENE
I'll have Katherine come over.

CORDAY
Who's going to watch her 'til then?

RACHEL (O.S.)
I'm not doing anything.

They turn to see Rachel in the doorway.

GREENE
Hey, Rach.

RACHEL
I can baby-sit today if you want.

CORDAY
I wouldn't want you to give up your Saturday.

RACHEL
(shrugs) It's freezing out anyway.

Questionable motivation. But not to Greene. He hands Ella over to Rachel.

GREENE
Sold. I'm late . . . and the sooner I get in, the sooner I can get back home.

Greene slips on his coat, kisses Ella.

GREENE
(to Ella) Be a good girl. (then to Rachel) That goes for you, too.

RACHEL
I will.

GREENE
(to Corday) And you -- stay in bed.

CORDAY
As if I had a choice.

Corday burrows back under the covers.

GREENE
(to Rachel) Thanks.

RACHEL
Sure.

Rachel smiles. Off Greene, at long last making inroads with his older daughter.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Changed Scene:
GREENE CORDAY HOUSE - BEDROOM (12:13 PM)

Corday is miserable. She looks at the clock. Tries to find the strength to pull herself out of bed.

TIME CUT TO:

13. HALLWAY/RACHEL'S ROOM

Corday pads toward Rachel's door, which is open.

CORDAY
Hi.

A back pack is spilled out on the floor, books and paper scattered about. Rachel sits in the middle of it.

Rachel looks up to see Corday in the doorway.

RACHEL
Hi. How are you feeling?

CORDAY
Awful. You busy?

RACHEL
Just studying while she takes a nap. (gestures to bed) I put pillows around her so she wouldn't fall off.

Corday sees Ella zonked out on Rachel's bed.

CORDAY
Good.

RACHEL
Can I get you something?

CORDAY
I hate to ask but . . . do you suppose you could make lunch?

RACHEL
(rises) Okay. You want that left-over soup?

CORDAY
Sure.

Rachel gets up to go. Corday moves over to Ella.

RACHEL
You want tea, too?

CORDAY
That'd be lovely. Thanks.

Corday reached down to caress Ella's sweet face.

RACHEL
Careful, you don't want her to get your flu.

CORDAY
I know.

Rachel smiles, heads out. Off Corday, gazing at her sleeping baby through feverish eyes.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Changed Scene:
CURTAIN THREE

Gallant works on Manny's toes with podiatric clippers.

MANNY
Ow... ow... easy, kid.

GALLANT
Almost there.

Gallant tries again. A big SNIP flies off, hits Haleh.

HALEH
Hey, watch it.

GALLANT
Sorry, ma'am.

MANNY
Don't worry -- she's all bark. You remind her of her own son.

GALLANT
Really?