Épisode Tout est dans la tête S08E15

EXT. NEW YORK

Establishing shot of the city, as we pan over Central Park (I guess, I've never been to the city) toward some skyscrapers. "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" plays, and we quickly cut to --

INT. WAITING ROOM

A close-up of Mark's face, with the song still playing.

VOICE: (over loudspeaker) Dr. Hirsch, please come to...

The voice fades out so as to be unintelligible, and the song fades out. We get out of the close-up, and see that it's a fairly upscale waiting room. A receptionist sits at her desk, across the room from Mark. Mark's wearing a suit. He's the only one waiting to be seen. He taps at the metallic sculpture beside him, emitting a ringing sound. The receptionist glances up and gives him a small smile. Mark gives a small smile back. Mark sighs, and pours himself some water from a water cooler. He takes a sip. Then he takes a look at his watch.

RECEPTIONIST: I apologize for how late he's running.

MARK: It's okay.

RECEPTIONIST: I'm sure he'll be with you any moment.

MARK: I can wait.

Dr. Burke comes out of his office with a man and a woman.

DR. BURKE: (to man and woman) I'll see you in two weeks. Oh, Judy will give you all your pre-op instructions before you leave.

WOMAN: (shakes his hand) Thank you.

DR. BURKE: You've come to the right place, Mary. (to Mark) Mark! You look good.

MARK: You too.

DR. BURKE: How was your flight?

MARK: Uneventful.

DR. BURKE: The best kind. Elizabeth with you?

MARK: Not this time.

INT. DR. BURKE'S OFFICE

Dr. Burke is sitting at his desk, Mark's sitting in a chair across from him. Dr. Burke is showing Mark the results of his brain scan.

DR. BURKE: See this area? It's called "ring enhancement." It encircles the cavity where we removed your tumor.

MARK: Could it be inflammation from the vaccine?

DR. BURKE: No.

MARK: How about a side effect from radiation?

DR. BURKE: The spec MRI shows a peak of creotine and choline with a depressed NAA, which rules out radiation necrosis. I'm afraid it's definitely tumor regrowth.

MARK: Don't you need a biopsy?

DR. BURKE: Spectroscopy was conclusive.

MARK: How soon can you operate?

DR. BURKE: I can't. Not this time. The tumor's invaded the eloquent areas of the brain that control speech and motor function. If I start digging around in there now, the results would be devastating. You wouldn't be able to walk, talk, feed yourself.

MARK: Which is exactly what will happen as the tumor grows.

DR. BURKE: (nods) Some of the cells must have been radiation-resistant.

MARK: So, what are my options? I mean, other than sticking a shotgun in my mouth?

DR. BURKE: Your best bet now is Stereotactic Radio Surgery. The Gamma knife's safe and effective, and they can do it in Chicago.

MARK: And if it works?

DR. BURKE: The average is four, maybe five...

MARK: Years?

DR. BURKE: Months.

MARK: So I'm back to where I started.

DR. BURKE: You should have been dead a year ago, Mark. You got married, saw your daughter born. I'd say that was time well spent.

EXT. SIDEWALK

Mark exits the building, and stands still among the throngs of people walking in either direction. First we see a close-up of his face, then the camera pulls back, Mark just another face in the crowd.

CREDITS

INT. MARK'S BEDROOM

He sleeps. Rachel enters.

RACHEL: Dad?! Dad? Don't you have work today?

Mark opens his eyes and rolls over.

MARK: I'm up.

RACHEL: I made you some coffee.

MARK: Thanks.

RACHEL: You want some breakfast?

MARK: No, I'm good, thanks. I'll be down in a minute.

Rachel exits. Mark sits up and sighs.

INT. MARK'S KITCHEN

Rachel sits at the counter eating breakfast. Mark comes in, dressed.

RACHEL: Elizabeth called while you were in the shower.

MARK; You should've come and got me. Did she leave a number?

RACHEL: No.

MARK: How am I supposed to call her back?

RACHEL: Oh, she just wanted you to bring some things for Ella to work. (holds a piece of paper out to Mark) I wrote them down.

MARK: (takes paper) Oh.

RACHEL: I can get all that stuff and put it in a bag or something if you want.

MARK: No, no, no. I'll do it.

RACHEL: I don't mind. How'd it go?

MARK: What?

RACHEL: The conference in New York.

MARK: Oh, oh, good. You know. Usual. Boring. So, everything's set for staying tonight at Kelly's?

RACHEL: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Are you sure you should be doing this?

MARK: This?

RACHEL: Working a double shift? You still seem a little tired from your shift.

MARK: I'll be fine.

INT. ER - ADMIT DESK

Carter talks to Chen, handing her charts.

CARTER: Iverson in four needs about another hour of monitoring. Don, also in four, is probably going to need a walking cast. The foot x-rays are pending. Dr. Lewis is crashed out in three...

CHEN: Susan?

CARTER: Yeah, she, uh, she worked a double, so don't wake her up. And last, but not least, is the lovely but kind of spooky Miss Armstrong in two. Was waiting on a psych consult before the sewer people come and get her.

CHEN: What sewer people?

CARTER: She's crazy, Deb, hence the psych consult. There's a bad burn trauma coming in, so have fun.

CHEN: Mm, right.

Carter leaves. Jerry hands Chen a note.

JERRY: He called again.

CHEN: Ugh, Randall?

JERRY: Mm-hmm. Five calls in 18 hours.

FRANK: Sounds like a stalker. Want me to talk to him?

CHEN: No. Thanks. (walks off)

Pam and another paramedic enter with an unconscious girl on a gurney.

PAM: Theresa Matthews! Comatose for over a year following an MVA. Mom takes care of her at home. She called 911 because she thought her daughter was in discomfort.

CHEN: How could she tell?

PAM: That was my question.

...And Theresa is wheeled into a room. Abby walks by the front desk.

FRANK: Abby, Luka wants you to meet him in the ambulance bay with Mrs. Tartaglia's x-rays.

ABBY: Really? (goes for the x-rays)

FRANK: Said it was an emergency.

ABBY: Tartaglia from last night?

JERRY: She's the one with the whiplash.

FRANK: Just telling you what he said.

JERRY: You know, a little bit MORE information might have been helpful.

FRANK: Am I talking to you?

ABBY: Could you guys knock it off and help me find it?

EXT. AMBULANCE BAY

Abby walks out of the hospital, holding the x-ray folder. Luka pulls up in his car -- a black Dodge Viper -- followed by a police car, and gets out.

LUKA: Is that it? (takes the x-ray folder, waves to police car)

ABBY: Yeah. Who's your friend?

Luka studies an x-ray.

ABBY: Would you mind telling me what's going on?

LUKA: Uh... he was going to give me a ticket.

ABBY: (laughs) Uh... excuse me?

LUKA: I told him I had an emergency.

ABBY: Oh, so you used me to get out of a ticket?

Seeing the police car has left, Luka hands back the x-rays and heads back to his car.

LUKA: It would have been a BIG ticket!

He gets in his car.

ABBY: I'm glad you pulled me away from patients so you could avoid traffic school.

The car engine starts, music starts blaring.

LUKA: I owe you.

Luka drives off. Carter comes out of the building.

CARTER: Nice car. Did he get the leopard-print interior? You off?

ABBY: Not till ten.

CARTER: What did you do to deserve that?

ABBY: I asked. This way I'm never home when my neighbor is.

CARTER: He's out on bail?

ABBY: Mm. Until the trial. Then I can get my life back.

CARTER: How's his wife?

ABBY: She's good. Safe.

CARTER: How are you? How's the eye?

ABBY: It's good. I think my Good Samaritan days are over, though.

CARTER: Probably saved her life. Steady midnights, that can be tough. You getting enough sleep? Yeah? Eating okay? Feeling depressed or anxious?

ABBY: I have to get back. (walks back to hospital)

CARTER: Call if you want to talk.

ABBY: (over her shoulder) I'm good!

CARTER: Coffee and pie on me, if you change your mind.

EXT. STREET NEAR AMBULANCE BAY

Mark's buying a cup of coffee from a vendor near the hospital. Susan walks up. Mark's too spaced out to notice.

SUSAN: Hey! What does a girl have to do to get a cup of coffee around here? Mark?

She taps him on the shoulder, and he finally turns around.

MARK: Hey.

SUSAN: Hey, I just worked two shifts, I'm the one who's supposed to be a zombie.

MARK: A little slow getting started this morning.

SUSAN: How was New York?

They start walking toward the hospital.

MARK: Well, I didn't see as many Broadway shows as I'd hoped. My tumor's back.

SUSAN: Oh, God, Mark, I'm sorry.

MARK: I do Gamma knife today.

SUSAN: Today? What are you doing here?

MARK: It's best to stay busy.

SUSAN: How's Elizabeth taking it?

MARK: Haven't told her yet.

SUSAN: What?! Why not? Mark, you should not be going through this alone.

MARK: I'll see her this afternoon.

SUSAN: What time's your treatment?

MARK: One-thirty.

SUSAN: I'm going to go home and get some rest, but, uh, after I'll come by and see if you're okay.

MARK: No, no, you don't have to.

SUSAN: No, I want to.

They're at the ambulance bay doors now. Gallant steps out.

GALLANT: Excuse me, Dr. Greene, Dr. Weaver needs some help.

SUSAN: All right, I'll let you go. Bye, good luck.

MARK: What patient?

Mark and Gallant enter the hospital.

GALLANT: She's got an elderly woman in CHF and explosion trauma just rolled in and there's a multiple MVA with a possible spinal cord injury ten minutes out.

Gallant heads off. Lily approaches Mark.

LILY: Mark, they need you in trauma two -- burn victim.

MARK: Okay.

FRANK: I'm firing that new guy.

MARK: What new guy?

FRANK: Jerry.

MARK: Jerry was here before you, Frank.

Mark is handing Lily his coat, but doesn't take off his toque.

FRANK: So was the Neanderthal man, but he didn't last either.

MARK: You can't fire anybody.

FRANK: Either he goes, or I go.

Malik walks by, pushing a male patient in a wheelchair.

MALE PATIENT: (pointing at Mark, yelling) You! You'll be hearing from my lawyer.

MARK: What did I do?

LILY: Mark, coffee.

Mark hands her the coffee.

INT. TRAUMA TWO

Mark attends to the burn patient. It looks pretty bad.

MARK: Mr. Nevinger, did you pass out?

Mr. Nevinger can't talk.

MARK: Full trauma panel, portable c-spine, chest and pelvis. Start a second IV with LR. Add an ABG with carboxyhemoglobin and a CK.

HALEH: Stats 94, pulse 120. Can I give him something for pain?

MARK: Uh, titrate 10 of morphine, but watch his pressure, keep him above 90. Carbonaceous material around his nose and lips.

HALEH: He's not moving much air.

MARK: That's 'cause he's in too much pain to breathe.

HALEH: How much fluid?

MARK: One litre per hour for the first 8 hours.

INT. LOUNGE

Abby sits with Malik and Chuny.

CHUNY: I'll ask my super, but I think there's a waiting list for my building.

MALIK: Hey, there's an old lady who's been sick on my floor.

ABBY: I don't know if I want to live in an apartment where somebody died.

Luka comes in.

MALIK: Well all you need is some Lysol and some air freshener -- it's all good.

LUKA: (to Abby) Are you moving?

ABBY: Yeah. The freak who hit me moved back in.

LUKA: You can stay at my place 'til you find something else.

ABBY: Thanks. (stands and walks to door) I don't know if that's a good idea.

LUKA: Why not?

CHUNY: Yeah, Abby, why not?

ABBY: Don't you guys have something to do?

Abby exits the lounge. Luka follows her out.

INT. HALLWAY

Abby and Luka walk and talk.

LUKA: You shouldn't have to leave your own place. He should be forced to move.

ABBY: Mm, he'll be in jail soon. I just don't know if I want to live there after all this. What's with the car?

LUKA: Like it?

ABBY: Kind of flashy.

LUKA: Well, you only live once.

ABBY: Not if you keep driving like a maniac. You look kind of tired.

LUKA: Yeah, I was up late.

ABBY: Oh, really? What's her name?

LUKA: Who?

ABBY: It's a joke, Luka.

LUKA: No, seriously, if you need a place...

ABBY: Thank you.

LUKA: You can stay as long as you need and you only have to sleep with me on the weekends.

ABBY: Excuse me?

LUKA: It's joke, Abby, it's a joke.

Luka walks off, as Elizabeth approaches.

ELIZABETH: Who called for a consult?

ABBY: Uh, burn patient, Trauma Two.

ELIZABETH: What doctor?

ABBY: Greene.

INT. TRAUMA TWO

They're still working in on Ian Nevinger in there. Mark's still wearing his toque.

IAN: (muffled through the O2 mask he's wearing) Make it stop hurting.

MARK: We're trying, Ian.

Elizabeth enters.

ELIZABETH: How's his PO2?

MARK: 89 on 10 litres.

ELIZABETH: That's pretty borderline.

MARK: I don't want to tube him yet.

ELIZABETH: Why the hell not? He's hypoxic, he needs intubation, then I can assess him for escarotomy.

Malik enters.

MALIK: Dr. Greene. His wife's here.

MARK: That's why I've been waiting. Keep an eye on him.

Mark exits with Malik.

INT. HALLWAY

Mark heads into the hallway where Mrs. Nevinger is with her two kids.

MARK: Mrs. Nevinger. I'm Dr. Greene...

WIFE: Can I see him?

MARK: The surgeon's in with him now.

WIFE: The surgeon?

MARK: The burns caused constrictive swelling around his chest. He may need a procedure to relieve that so that he can breathe easier.

WIFE: You have to do an escarotomy.

MARK: Maybe. You in the medical profession?

WIFE: Yeah, I'm a nurse at Mercy. Is he intubated?

MARK: Not yet.

WIFE: What's the surface area?

MARK: Over 50%.

WIFE: Oh, God.

MARK: Do you know how it happened?

WIFE: Uh, he was in the garage painting some new furniture for our son bedroom.

MARK: Did he have a heater on in the garage?

WIFE: No, he paints cars. He know he has to be careful around that stuff.

MARK: Well, we're going to do everything we can.

Mark returns to the trauma room.

INT. ANOTHER PART OF THE HALLWAY

Elizabeth walks with Haleh.

ELIZABETH: Repeat the blood gas in 20 minutes and have a fiber-optic scope standing by.

Haleh veers off. Mark gets Elizabeth's attention.

MARK: Elizabeth. How is he?

ELIZABETH: In need of intubation.

MARK: I brought the things you asked me to bring.

ELIZABETH: Thank you.

They get to the elevator. She pushes the button.

MARK: What are we doing? I miss you and Ella, I need you to come home.

ELIZABETH: I can't.

MARK: You have every right to be angry with me, but staying in the hotel isn't going to solve anything.

ELIZABETH: Mark, I'm not trying to punish you. I'm just trying to do what's best for Ella.

The elevator door has opened. She gets in.

MARK: Don't you think what's best for her is to be with her mother and father?

ELIZABETH: Yes, I do.

MARK: So when are you coming home?

ELIZABETH: I don't know.

The elevator door closes, ending the conversation. Mark is left standing in the hallway.

COMMERCIAL

INT. TRAUMA ROOM

Kerry and Mark are attending to Aaron, a boy about 12 years old. He's wearing a neck collar. Kerry shines a light in his eyes.

KERRY: Aaron, how many lights do you see?

AARON: One. There's nothing wrong with my eye. It's my arms and legs.

MARK: Okay, Aaron. We need you to lay absolutely still. KERRY: No sign of cranial nerve impaction or blowout fracture. Bilateral TMs clear. No blood.

Mark presses Aaron's chest.

MARK: Does it hurt when I press here, or just on the sides?

We cut to an angle where we see a middle-aged man watching through the window.

AARON: Both.

KERRY: Foreface is stable. No dental fractures.

Kerry's poking at Aaron's face, and he gives a yelp/moan of pain.

MARK: Okay. We're going to leave the collar on for a while. Let's tape down his head and use sandbags to stabilize. (to Aaron) Can you feel this?

Mark prods Aaron's belly.

AARON: No.

A police officer, Darcy, comes in.

DARCY: How's he doing?

MARK: It's too early to tell.

DARCY: Can he tell me what happened?

KERRY: I thought it was a sledding accident.

DARCY: Yeah, his father got smashed and was pulling him and his friend on the sled behind the snowmobile.

KERRY: You smelled alcohol on his breath?

DARCY: No, but he seemed out of it. Maybe drugs.

KERRY: Lungs are clear, bilaterally, normal heart tones.

Kerry notices Mark looking at the clock.

KERRY: You going somewhere?

MARK: What?

KERRY: That's the third time you've looked at the clock.

Mark strokes Aaron's hand/wrist.

MARK: Aaron, can you feel this?

AARON: No.

Mark strokes further up the arm.

MARK: How 'bout now?

AARON: No.

He strokes even further up the arm.

MARK: Anything?

AARON: No. (panicking) Why can't I feel my arms?

KERRY: Just relax, Aaron, we're trying to help you out, okay?

MARK: I'm going to go out and speak with the father.

KERRY: Prep the Solu-Medrol, hold the scanner. Okay, give me a reflex hammer.

INT. HALLWAY

Mark steps out of the trauma room and approaches Mr. James, the father (the man who was watching them examine Aaron earlier).

MARK: Mr. James, I'm Dr. Greene. I'm treating your son, Aaron.

MR. JAMES: He got hurt.

MARK: He has no feeling in his arms and legs. We're sending him for x-rays and an MRI and we'll have a better idea of what we're looking at once the neurosurgeon's had a chance to assess the injuries.

MR. JAMES: This is all my fault.

MARK: You were pulling him and his friend behind a snowmobile?

MR. JAMES: I-I knew it was wrong.

MARK: Have you been drinking?

MR. JAMES: You mean booze? No. I-I told them.

MARK: Told who?

MR. JAMES: Aaron and Chris, that we shouldn't. B-But they kept bugging me to.

MARK: Well, that's where adult judgment comes in.

An angry man heads down the hallway in Mr. James's direction.

MAN: Hey! Idiot!

MARK: Is there a problem?

MAN: Yeah, my son has a broken arm thanks to dumb and dumber here. You could've killed both of them!

He lunges at Mr. James, but Darcy stops him.

MR. JAMES: I didn't mean to! It was an accident!

MARK: You need to calm down, sir.

MAN: I'll settle down after he's arrested! Look, he shouldn't be allowed to operate a motor vehicle. He's only got half a brain. I'm serious! His wife even left him because he's lost it!

DARCY: (leading Man away) Let's go over here and talk, sir.

MARK: Sorry about that.

MR. JAMES: It's okay. He's kind of right. I-I never would've done something like this before I was stupid.

MARK: Sit down. What happened?

Mr. James sits on the edge of a gurney(?) in the hallway.

MR. JAMES: July 17, 1997. It was very hot. I-I took off my hard hat so I could wipe the sweat off my forehead and a pipe fell loose from the fitting above me, and... boom.

MARK: Head injury.

MR. JAMES: My brain doesn't work as good as it used to.

MARK: Does Aaron live with you now?

MR. JAMES: Sometimes. We're buddies now. We don't fight like we used to. He's going to get better, right?

MARK: I hope so.

Abby, in street clothes, walks up with Mrs. Nevinger (aka WIFE).

ABBY: Dr. Greene, Mrs. Nevinger's wondering about an update on her husband.

MARK: (to Mr. James) Um, sit tight. I'll be back to tell you about your son.

MR. JAMES: Thank you.

MARK: (to Abby) Can you get a red tap on Mr. James?

ABBY: Sure.

Mark walks with Mrs. Nevinger.

WIFE: Nobody's telling me anything.

MARK: He's still in with the surgeon. Why don't you sit down here and I'll find out.

We pan to Abby, who's walked to the Admit desk.

FRANK: (hands Abby a note) Oh, Abby. District Attorney's office called. Your subpoena's been revoked.

ABBY: Revoked?

FRANK: Trial's been cancelled.

ABBY: What? Why?

FRANK: I don't know. Some legal snafu, I guess. You know about lawyers -- they're half as smart as doctors, but twice as sneaky.

INT. TRAUMA TWO

Mark enters.

MARK: Ian, your wife's here. She wants to come in and see you.

IAN: (strained) Is she alone?

MARK: No, your sons are with her.

IAN: I-I don't w-want them to see me like this.

MARK: I'm going to have to put a tube down your throat to protect your airway. Once I do that you won't be able to talk to them.

IAN: I don't care.

MARK: Your urine tested positive for amphetamines. Want to tell me why?

IAN: (quivering) I've been working two jobs. Sometimes I need a little help to keep me going.

MARK: How do you take it?

No immediate reply.

MARK: Do you smoke it?

Ian doesn't say anything.

MARK: Did you light up with all those fumes in the garage?

IAN: I wanted to finish the dresser. Birthday's on Saturday.

INT. HALLWAY

Elizabeth walks to the ER. Romano catches up with her.

ROMANO: Hey! Where have you been?

She doesn't turn around.

ROMANO: Elizabeth!

She turns.

ELIZABETH: I was down in the ER.

ROMANO: Uh-huh, let me guess. Rule out appy on a corpse?

ELIZABETH: No.

ROMANO: Well, you're lucky. I'm beginning to think "ER" stands for "everyone's retarded." I mean, I know your hubby's one of the big giant heads down there, but honestly, it's a wonder they all find their way to work everyday.

A nurse walks up.

NURSE: Excuse me, Dr. Corday? Your nanny called. (hands Elizabeth a note) Said they're just leaving the hotel.

ELIZABETH: Thanks.

Nurse leaves.

ROMANO: That sounds kinky.

ELIZABETH: Do you need something, Robert?

ROMANO: Yes, actually. Your buddy Benton left us with eight delinquent operative reports.

ELIZABETH: Yeah, well, he said he was stopping by sometime this week.

ROMANO: Yeah, right. He wouldn't be caught dead in this hospital, which means they are now your problem.

ELIZABETH: I'm not the operating surgeon.

ROMANO: I don't give a damn. I just want a circulated op note on every chart --

Elizabeth's pager goes off.

ROMANO: -- before our JAYCHO review.

ELIZABETH: I'm being paged to the ER.

ROMANO: If I don't have them 'til tomorrow I'm going to report him to the state medical board.

INT. ER - ADMIT DESK

Jerry examines a bouquet of flowers. Chen and Frank are there too.

JERRY: Someone is very popular today.

CHEN: Oh, Jerry, give me a break.

FRANK: You know, I could have one of my old buddies on the force do a background check on this Randall character.

We see Mark, wearing a winter jacket and hat, leaving.

JERRY: Isn't that nice to know?

FRANK: Now what's that supposed to mean?

JERRY: It means that the continuing invasion of personal privacy by law enforcement is appalling, not to mention amoral.

FRANK: Well, you have nothing to worry about -- if you don't have anything to hide. (mutters to self) Malcontent.

JERRY: Psycho-fascist.

FRANK: (riled up) Now that's it!

CHEN: Hey, settle down, you two.

FRANK: No, do you want to start something, tough guy?

JERRY: Bring it on, Gramps!

FRANK: Gramps?

Frank lunges at Jerry, shoving him into the counter.

FRANK: Who the hell are you calling Gramps...

CHEN: Hey, guys, stop it! Hey, hey!

Chen tries to pull them apart, but gets shoved to the floor.

CHEN: Ow!

They stop.

FRANK: Now look what you did!

JERRY: You did it!

CHEN: Will you both shut up!!

FRANK: Are you okay?

Doris enters with a gurney with a man in his thirties on it, followed by more paramedics bringing in his daughter.

DORIS: Can I get a doctor here?!

CHEN: (gets up, comes over) What happened?

DORIS: Dennis Coope, 32, multiple GSW to the chest. I got his 8-year-old daughter too.

CHEN: Was she shot?

DORIS: Not that I could see. Dad arrested about a minute out. No BP, but good pulse with CPR.

CHEN: All right, somebody page Corday, and open a thoracotomy tray.

INT. TRAUMA ROOM

Corday, Chen and some nurses work on Dennis Cooper.

ELIZABETH: Spreader.

CHEN: Okay, crank it open. Suction.

Kerry enters.

KERRY: What do you need?

CHEN: Oh no, it slipped. I need to reset the lift. Could use a subclavian.

KERRY: Eight French, Cordis inducer.

CHEN: Gallant's next door withy the daughter. Paramedics didn't think she was injured, but she was covered in blood.

ELIZABETH: I've got it, Kerry. Open up the pericardium.

CHEN: Pick up.

Kerry heads next door, where Gallant is with the daughter, who's sitting on the bed, clutching a teddy bear. There's an investigator named Watkins in the room.

KERRY: What's her status Gallant?

GALLANT: She has a couple of superficial abrasions. No evidence of any penetrating injuries. I don't think any of this is her blood.

KERRY: (to girl; re: bear) Hey, who's your friend?

Kerry reaches for the bear and the girl shrinks back.

GALLANT: The first officers on the scene found her hiding under a table. But by the looks of it, she saw everything, including who shot her father.

Kerry goes and sits by the girl.

KERRY: So, what's your name?

GALLANT: I couldn't get her to say anything.

WATKINS: Her name is Brianne Cooper.

KERRY: Brianne? I'm Dr. Weaver. And we're trying to make your daddy better, okay?

BRIANNE: (small) Okay.

KERRY: All right. Now, are you hurt?

BRIANNE: I don't think so.

WATKINS: Did you see who shot your father?

KERRY: Do you mind?

WATKINS: I need to know.

KERRY: Yeah, and I need to make sure that she's all right. You can wait outside until we're finished.

WATKINS: Her father is known for --

KERRY: Outside means outside.

Investigator leaves.

GALLANT: Should I call the DCFS?

KERRY: Mm-hmm.

Gallant leaves.

KERRY: Don't worry, Brianne. You and your daddy are safe here. Nobody's going to hurt you now, okay?

Brianne nods.

INT. ER - HALLWAY

Kerry walks down the hallway with Watkins.

WATKINS: (insisting) She wasn't hurt.

KERRY: Physically, no, but she's already showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. You're going to have to wait until the pediatric psychiatrist is finished with her.

WATKINS: How long is that going to take?

KERRY: Hey, look, this little girl just saw somebody put five bullets into her father.

WATKINS: Yeah, and I need to know who did it. Her father's a well-known drug dealer and a murder suspect in his own right. If whoever did this finds out that she is the only witness, they may decide to finish the job.

KERRY: What about her mother?

WATKINS: She's a junkie. And a possible suspect.

KERRY: All right, post an officer outside her room, and, uh, I'll try to speak with her.

WATKINS: Okay, fine.

Elizabeth comes out into the hallway and approaches Kerry.

ELIZABETH: We did the best we could. But the bullet passed through Mr. Cooper's aorta. How's the little girl?

KERRY: Well, she's still in shock.

ELIZABETH: Would you like me to speak to you for her?

KERRY: No, I... No, I think I should do it, but thanks.

INT. GAMMA KNIFE ROOM

Technician (I suppose) enters. An attendant is hooking Mark into the machine.

TECHNICIAN: Sorry about the delay. We got a little backed up.

MARK: No problem.

TECHNICIAN: The whole procedure only takes about 40 minutes once we get started. Okay?

MARK: Okay.

TECHNICIAN: (re: frame around Mark’s face) This frame provides reference points so we can pinpoint the tumor with 201 separate Gamma rays.

MARK: Hope you’re a good shot.

TECHNICIAN: Well, the machine’s accurate up to 3 mm.

MARK: What if I sneeze?

TECHNICIAN: Just try not to. Could vaporize all the brain matter in your skull cavity. I’m kidding, Dr. Greene. You won’t be able to move once I lock the frame down, okay? Any last questions?

MARK: Nope.

TECHNICIAN: All right, see you in a few minutes.

Technician leaves. The machine pulls Mark into the radiation tube... thing.

TECHNICIAN: (from booth) Just try and relax, Dr. Greene.

MARK: (twiddling his thumbs) I’m ready.

The light changes. We have a shot of Mark awaiting the knife.

COMMERCIAL

INT. ER - ADMIT DESK

Jerry’s there. Elizabeth walks up, wearing her coat and hat to go outside.

ELIZABETH: Has anybody seen Dr. Greene?

JERRY: He left.

ELIZABETH: Already?! Did he sasy where he was going?

JERRY: Sorry.

ELIZABETH: We have an appointment.

JERRY: I can page him.

INT. GAMMA KNIFE ROOM

Mark sits on a bed(?), post-treatment.

TECHNICIAN: You should take it easy for the rest of the day.

MARK: No problem.

TECHNICIAN: A few people report headaches, nausea and vomitting.

MARK: What about seizures?

TECHNICIAN: Less than 10% experience seizures in the next 24 hours, but you're on Dilantin and we gave you some Decadron to reduce the risk of brain edema. Is there someone to drive you home?

MARK: I took the El.

TECHNICIAN: But do you have someone staying with you tonight?

MARK: My daughter.

TECHNICIAN: It would be better if it's an adult.

MARK: Rachel's a teenager.

TECHNICIAN: Okay, well just have her check on you and call if there are any problems, all right?

INT. PEDIATRICIAN'S CLINIC

Mark comes in. The doctor's talking to someone else.

DOCTOR: Reschedule Jenny Kline for Thursday and fax Dr. Horton Brook Young's MEG results.

MARK: I'm Dr. Greene. My daughter has an appointment.

DOCTOR: Ella!

MARK: My wife should be bringing her.

DOCTOR: You just missed them.

INT. LEGAL OFFICES BUILDING

Abby talks to her lawyer.

ABBY: Well, what does that mean, exactly?

LAWYER: It means in the interest of legal efficiency, we cut a deal.

ABBY: A deal for what? For jail time?

LAWYER: No. One year parole, 40 hours of community service.

ABBY: Community service?! This guy attacked me.

LAWYER: This is his first offense.

ABBY: Yeah, but he's pathological. I've had to call the police on him before.

LAWYER: He's had no prior arrests. We're also insisting he undergo mandatory therapy.

ABBY: Oh, that's great, so, what, he counts to 10 before he hits somebody now?

LAWYER: I'm sorry. This is the best we could do.

ABBY: The best you can do?!

LAWYER: Let's not overlook the fact that somebody beat the hell out of Brian Westlake a couple of hours after you were attacked.

ABBY: (surprised) What?

LAWYER: (sarcastic) But, you didn't know anything about that, right?

ABBY: No.

Lawyer isn't convinced, and walks off.

INT. EXAM FOUR

Mark takes a look at Aaron.

MARK: Wiggle your toes.

Aaron does.

MARK: Fingers.

Aaron does.

AARON: I'm not paralyzed?

MARK: You're showing signs of improvement. (sets the bed so Aaron's in a sitting position) It's only going to get better as the swelling in your spinal cord goes down. You are lucky. (props Aaron's head up with a pillow) Let me put this behind you. Your dad is going to be glad to hear this. The police think that he was drinking.

AARON: My dad doesn't drink.

MARK: Pretty angry at what he did. Pulling you behind a snowmobile. Your dad should know better.

AARON: He does.

MARK: Then what happened?

No response.

MARK: It wasn't your dad's idea to pull you behind the snowmobile, was it?

Elizabeth appears in the doorway. Mark jumps up to see her.

AARON: (blurts) It was Chris's idea! We were just trying to have a little fun!

Mark gestures to Aaron to give him a minute, and follows Elizabeth into the hallway.

MARK: Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH: Where were you?

MARK: I'm sorry, something came up.

ELIZABETH: Something more important than our daughter?

MARK: I was there, I-I just missed you. I talked to the doctor. Everything's going to be okay.

ELIZABETH: Yeah, well, any long-term effects remain to be seen, don't they?

Haleh steps out of a trauma room.

HALEH: Dr. Greene, Ian Nevinger's sats are down to 78.

ELIZABETH: I'm down for a GSW. You'd better hope you can still intubate him.

INT. ER - BRIANNE'S ROOM

Brianne's in bed, wearing a hospital gown.

KERRY: You still awake in here?

BRIANNE: A little.

KERRY: (sits) Um, Brianne, I have some bad news about your father. The surgeons did their best to help him but one of the bullets hit his heart and damaged it. They couldn't fix it. He died.

Brianne looks down.

KERRY: I know it's hard, and you feel really sad, but it's very important that you talk with the police.

BRIANNE: No.

KERRY: They just want to make sure that they find out who did this so that they don't hurt anyone else. Did you see who shot your father?

BRIANNE: Yes.

KERRY: Will you tell the police?

BRIANNE: (shakes head) I can't.

KERRY: Honey, you don't need to be afraid. Was it your mother?

BRIANNE: No.

KERRY: Then who?

BRIANNE: Me.

KERRY: You? You shot your father?

BRIANNE: He fell asleep on the couch and left the gun on the coffee table.

KERRY: Why did you shoot him?

No response.

KERRY: Brianne, was he hurting you? Honey, was he doing things to you that he shouldn't be?

BRIANNE: He wouldn't let me watch TV.

KERRY: So you shot him?

BRIANNE: He said if I turned on the TV while he was asleep he'd shoot me. So I shot him first.

Kerry sighs. And if you didn't see the episode, Laura Innes plays this scene brilliantly, registering just the right amount of gentleness, shock and fear towards this little girl.

INT. ER - HALLWAY

Mark steps out of Ian's room to where his wife waits with the two boys in chairs. Wife stands up when she sees Mark.

MARK: We can't protect his airway much longer.

WIFE: Can we go in before you intubate him?

MARK: He'd prefer if you didn't.

WIFE: This is the last time we'll have a chance to speak with him.

MARK: He doesn't want you to see him in his present condition.

WIFE: I've seen worse.

MARK: This is your husband.

WIFE: Yes, he is.

MARK: (re: boys) If they stay here.

WIFE: Brendan, watch your brother, I have to talk to the doctor.

INT. ER - TRAUMA TWO

Mark enters with the wife.

HALEH: Carboxyhemoglobin's 30.

Ian's breathing is raspy. He pulls of his oxygen mask.

IAN: I said no.

WIFE: I said yes. You're going to be okay, Ian.

IAN: How does my hair look?

WIFE: You might want to get a wig 'til it grows back.

IAN: Maybe I can get an afro.

He laughs, then begins to foam at the mouth.

MARK: Haleh, suction.

WIFE: Oh, uh, I can do that, I'm an RN.

Takes suction device from Haleh.

IAN: I'm sorry.

WIFE: Shh, don't talk.

MARK: Burn unit have any beds?

HALEH: Still holding.

MARK: He's going to need a Swann-Ganz catheter.

WIFE: (looking at chart) These his labs?

MARK: Some of them.

WIFE: He tested positive for amphetamines? (to Ian) Were you smoking?

IAN: It was an accident.

WIFE: You lied to me. You told me you were going to stay clean. You promised me you'd quit.

IAN: I did.

WIFE: (angry) Was it good? Did you get nice and stoned?!

IAN: I just wanted to finish the dresser.

WIFE: No, Ian, you just wanted to get high! (she storms out)

Ian sputters, seemingly trying to speak. Mark replaces the oxygen mask.

MARK: Let's get the heliox started.

EXT. SIDEWALK OUTSIDE ABBY'S APARTMENT BUILDING

Abby is walking up to her building, but stops cold in her tracks when she sees Brian coming from the other direction. He hurries up the steps and into the building without noticing her. Abby turns around, and heads back away from her apartment building.

INT. ER - HALLWAY

Mark exits Ian's trauma room, and spies Adele down the hallway talking to Mr. James and a police officer. We see her gesture to the police officer to give her a moment, and wheels down the hallway to talk to Mark. Chuny walks past, pushing a patient in a wheelchair.

MARK: Chuny, have you seen Mrs. Nevinger?

CHUNY: No, sorry. (leaves)

MARK: (to Adele) What's going on?

ADELE: We're trying to decide what to do with Aaron. We can't reach the mother.

MARK: You know the father's blood-alcohol level was negative.

ADELE: Yes, but what he did was still reckless. I don't want to split up this family, but the father is as much a kid as his son.

MARK: The boys talked him into it. They should take some of the blame. You need to talk to them.

ADELE: I did, and they didn't say anything.

INT. EXAM FOUR

Mark enters. Aaron's still there, in bed.

MARK: Did you talk to a social worker and the police?

AARON: Yeah.

MARK: What'd you tell them?

AARON: What do you care?

MARK: You worried about getting in trouble?

AARON: No.

MARK: What is it then? (he sits on the edge of the bed) You want your dad to get arrested?

AARON: Maybe it'll smarten him up.

MARK: What?

AARON: My dad's always doing stupid stuff, and saying things that are [b]tot[/b]ally embarrassing.

MARK: Every teenager thinks that about their parents.

AARON: Yeah, but my dad's [b]really[/b] a moron.

MARK: Well, you won't have to worry about that once Child Services puts you in a foster family. (stands up)

AARON: He could have said no!

MARK: Could he?

No response.

MARK: You think your father likes what happened to him? He lost his wife, he lost his job. He lost himself. You're the only thing he has left. And he still thinks that you two are buddies.

AARON: We are.

MARK: Well, then you need to grow up, and start acting like one.

Mark turns to go.

AARON: Are the cops still here?

MARK: They might be.

AARON: Well, can I talk to them again?

MARK: I'll see what I can do.

AARON: And... could you tell my dad I'm sorry?

MARK: No... but you can.

Mark exits into hallway. A wave of nausea passes over him, and he goes to sit down at the nearest spot available, as we fade to...

COMMERCIAL

EXT. AMBULANCE BAY

Mark goes to sit down on a bench and take some medication. Susan approaches.

SUSAN: Why are you still here?

MARK: I'm on 'til eight.

SUSAN: You shouldn't be on at all. Do you have a headache?

MARK: Just a... just a little stress.

SUSAN: Yeah, that and several hundred beams of radiation zapped into your brain this afternoon. You need to go home.

MARK: There's just a half an hour left.

SUSAN: Did you tell her?

MARK: Who?

SUSAN: Mark...

He shakes his head.

SUSAN: You said you were going to talk to her.

Mark shrugs.

SUSAN: Does Rachel know?

No reply from Mark.

SUSAN: Mark! They're going to figure it out.

MARK: Let them figure it out.

SUSAN: So... you're going to keep this a secret, act like nothing's wrong, until you pass out in public?

MARK: The moment you tell them they start treating you differently. They start giving you that look.

SUSAN: What look?

MARK: That look that looks like you're half there. Like you're already gone. Believe me, I've seen it before.

SUSAN: Yeah, well, you're still here.

MARK: (looks at Susan, then) Good night.

...And he starts to stand up, and almost falls back down. Susan stands up to support him.

MARK: Whoa.

SUSAN: What is it?

Mark sits back down, and Susan does too.

MARK: Nothing.

SUSAN: Mark!

MARK: I'm so nauseous.

SUSAN: (stands up) You know, that's it, I'm taking you home.

MARK: No, I am not going home!

SUSAN: You know what? You have two choices. I'm taking you home right now or I'm ratting you out to Weaver. What's it going to be?

Mark lets Susan help him up.

SUSAN: You'd better not vomit in my car.

INT. ER - HALLWAY/MEDICINE CABINET

Elizabeth is staring at a shelf. Haleh walks up.

HALEH: The burn unit's ready for Nevinger, Dr. Corday.

ELIZABETH: Haleh, do we have Marcaine?

HALEH: Right in front of you.

ELIZABETH: Right. (takes bottle)

HALEH: Can you take him up? I don't want to lose his airway in the elevator.

ELIZABETH: Who?

HALEH: Nevinger, the surface burn.

ELIZABETH: I thought he was intubated.

HALEH: He was stabilized on the heliox, but he's drifting down again.

ELIZABETH: Well, he's Dr. Greene's patient, why don't you ask him.

HALEH: Dr. Greene went home.

ELIZABETH: He did?

HALEH: Half an hour ago. Says "Corday" on the chart.

Haleh shows Elizabeth the chart.

ELIZABETH: Fine. (hands Haleh the bottle of Marcaine)

Elizabeth enters Ian's trauma room.

ELIZABETH: Mr. Nevinger. How's your breathing?

IAN: Didn't you find her?

ELIZABETH: Who?

IAN: My wife.

ELIZABETH: Uh, she wasn't here?

HALEH: No.

ELIZABETH: Um, point 8 of Pau, prep 20 of etomidate, 120 of SUX. Mr. Nevinger, we're going to have to intubate you for transfer. You might not be able to talk for a few days, but your wife will be able to talk to you.

IAN: I let her down.

HALEH: (to Elizabeth) Tested positive for amphetamines.

IAN: I promised her.

ELIZABETH: Well, all you need to worry about now is getting better. Eight-oh ET tube.

IAN: Even if I live, she'll leave me.

ELIZABETH: Oh, I'm sure that's not true.

IAN: (sputters, laughs) Wouldn't you? I mean, look at me.

ELIZABETH: Things might be difficult for both of you for a while, yes, but uh... you just need to give her some time.

IAN: Could you find her?

HALEH: Meds are in.

IAN: Tell her I love her. I'm sorry.

ELIZABETH: Yes, of course. Yankauer tip and a 3 mac.

HALEH: Got 'em. Bag him.

INT. ER - HALLWAY

Mrs. Nevinger (aka Wife) is on the phone.

WIFE: No, I had Debbie pick up the kids. Okay, thanks, Evelyn. No, I will. I will. Yeah, bye. (hangs up)

Elizabeth comes out and finds Mrs. Nevinger.

ELIZABETH: Mrs. Nevinger? I'm Dr. Corday. I helped work on your husband. Uh, they told me you were in Chairs. I couldn't find you. I was afraid you'd left.

WIFE: No, I'm leaving now. I just called Ian's mom. She's coming. I didn't tell her about the drugs. I should. I should let the boys see him, show them what drugs did to their father.

Wife storms out. Elizabeth follows.

ELIZABETH: Well, they'll see him soon enough.

WIFE: Yeah, assuming we're still around when he gets out.

ELIZABETH: We've just moved your husband up to the burns unit. Look, I know what he did was wrong, and obviously you have some things to work out. But he really needs you right now.

Wife stops, and faces Elizabeth.

WIFE: Yeah? What about me? What about my sons? They really need a father, but they don't have on right now.

ELIZABETH: Yes, they do.

WIFE: No, they have a drug addict in a hospital bed with burns over 50% of his body.

ELIZABETH: He's still their father. He's still your husband.

Wife sighs in exasperation and starts storming off again. Elizabeth follows.

ELIZABETH: Look, you do know that he could succumb to infection, and die in the next week.

Wife stops.

WIFE: That's not my fault. I [b]begged[/b] him to stop using drugs.

ELIZABETH: And I'm certain he's sorry for what he did.

WIFE: Is he?

ELIZABETH: Mrs. Nevinger. He's in unbelievable pain. He'll be permanently disfigured. He'll never look like the father your sons remember. I think he's suffered enough punishment, don't you?

INT. ER - ADMIT DESK

Frank and Jerry are there. Kerry walks up and hands them each an envelope.

KERRY: You two can go home. You're both suspended until Monday.

FRANK: For what?!

KERRY: For fighting.

JERRY: (laughs) We weren't fighting!

KERRY: I was told you two got into a fistfight.

FRANK: I'm afraid somebody's pulling your leg there, Chief. So to speak.

JERRY: Yeah, I-I love this... old guy.

Frank laughs. Frank and Jerry make a show of putting their arms around each other. Chen walks up.

KERRY: Dr. Chen, did you or did you not witness these two getting into an altercation?

CHEN: What altercation?

KERRY: You were knocked to the floor.

CHEN: No, I, uh, tripped over a phone cord earlier, but, uh, that was my own fault.

Kerry can tell something's suspicious, but leaves anyway. Frank and Jerry drop the ruse and start glaring at each other.

CHEN: Hey, knock it off you two!

Carter walks up, with a burrito (I think).

CHEN: Carter! Ah! Just the man I wanted to see. Ooh, look, I got six patients for you.

CARTER: I’m not on for 8 minutes.

CHEN: Yeah, but you’re here.

CARTER: But I’m eating.

CHEN: Well, too bad, right?

Randall appears at the desk.

RANDALL: Jing-Mei?

CHEN: Randall.

RANDALL: Hey, uh, I’ve been calling you all day. Did you, uh, did you get my flowers?

CHEN: Um, yes. Thanks.

RANDALL: So, are you off?

CHEN: Um, you know, actually, I have a...

She looks to Carter for help.

CARTER: Aren’t you supposed to be covering for Dr. Greene?

CHEN: Yes. Yes I am.

RANDALL: Oh, what about after that?

Chen is reluctant. Carter gives her a kick towards Randall.

CHEN: Um, you know... Look, Randall, you’re a nice guy and all, but uh... I just don’t think this is going to work out between us.

RANDALL: Well, I had fun.

CHEN: Yeah. Sorry. I’ve got to get back to work.

RANDALL: Well. can I call you?

CHEN: No.

RANDALL: Bye.

Randall leaves. Chuny walks up.

CHUNY: Don't tell me you just broke up with that guy.

CHEN: It was hardly a break-up. I mean, we just went out once.

CARTER: One date and he's buying you flowers?

CHEN: Yeah, can you believe it? You know, you give a guy a hand release during Harry Potter and he wants to marry you.

Carter chokes on his burrito in surprise.

CHEN: You okay?

CARTER: Fine.

INT. LUKA'S APARTMENT BLOCK - HALLWAY

Abby enters off the elevator and knocks on the door. When an answer doesn't come immediately, she looses her nerve and starts to leave. Then, a youngish blonde woman comes to the door. We hear music playing inside.

WOMAN: Hi.

ABBY: Hi.

WOMAN: Can I help you?

ABBY: Nope.

Abby starts to get in the elevator again. Luka comes to the door. Woman goes back into the apartment.

LUKA: (happy to see her) Hey, Abby.

ABBY: Hey.

LUKA: Come on in.

ABBY: (awkward) No, I di... I di... I just wanted to say hi. I didn't want to bother you. I didn't know you had... company.

LUKA: No, just a couple of friends.

ABBY: I'll see you tomorrow.

LUKA: No, you need a place to stay. Let me help.

ABBY: It's okay, really.

LUKA: Please. For me? I need you. They're kicking my ass in Pictionary. Come on!

He grabs her arm, and she lets him pull her into the apartment.

EXT. RIVERSIDE

Elizabeth talks to Benton.

ELIZABETH: Three lap choles, 2 inguinal hernias, LeFort III Reduction, vagotomy, and a pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BENTON: I only assisted on the LeFort. Daniels was the primary.

ELIZABETH: Yes, well, Daniels has moved to Las Vegas. Growing demand for breast implants, apparently.

BENTON: Yeah, well, I guess I should have moved further away myself.

ELIZABETH: This doesn't have to be so clandestine, Peter. You won't burst into flames if you actually step inside the hospital.

BENTON: I know, I just... I just wanted to make a clean break.

ELIZABETH: Yeah, well, finish these and you'll be free of us. Oh, and you owe me $27 for Xerox.

BENTON: How's the baby?

ELIZABETH: Normal background rhythms. Low amp activity.

BENTON: Make sure you get the SSEPs. You seem to be holding up okay.

ELIZABETH: (soft) Yeah.

BENTON: What?

No response.

BENTON: What?

ELIZABETH: I think I may have left my husband.

BENTON: You think?

ELIZABETH: I've never made demands on him. Not real ones, anyway. The only time I ask him to put his family first, he can't do it.

BENTON: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Back up. You lost me.

ELIZABETH: He won't send Rachel away. It's like he has to prove he loves her.

BENTON: And you want him to prove he loves you?

ELIZABETH: Yes! No. I don't know. I don't know if I'm protecting my daughter or if I'm just angry.

BENTON: Elizabeth, I'd be angry too --

ELIZABETH: At Mark! You see, I think I do blame him for what happened. And I think I've found a way to avoid being with him because I blame him. He's different. It's like he's... It's like he's disconnected from us somehow. Or maybe it's me, you know? I just don't have the energy to figure it out.

BENTON: What happens if he sent Rachel home tomorrow?

Elizabeth shakes her head and looks out at the river.

INT. MARK'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM

A weather forecast plays on the TV. Susan, in the kitchen, has made Mark a bowl of soup and a sandwich. Mark sits on the couch.

WEATHERMAN: (on TV) Usually this time of year, Chicagoans are tired of the cold and snow, wondering if winter will ever end...

The sound of the TV fades out as Susan walks into the living room with the food on the tray. she sets the tray on the coffee table, and sits beside Mark on the couch.

SUSAN: You're out of mustard.

MARK: I told you I'm not hungry.

SUSAN: You have to eat.

MARK: Oh, that's right. Starve a cold, feed a tumor.

SUSAN: You need to keep your strength up.

MARK: I need to take a nap.

SUSAN: Well, I'll help you upstairs if you have some soup.

MARK: No, I mean right now, right here.

SUSAN: What if Rachel comes home? She'll see you're sick.

MARK: She's sleeping over at a friend's.

SUSAN: Mark, you have to have someone watch you following Gamma knife therapy.

MARK: Oh, great.