Bonanza (1959–1973): Season 14, Episode 9 - The Hidden Enemy - full transcript

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It couldn't have just walked off
by itself, now, could it?

Where is it?

Man's gotta be kinda dumb
to lose somethin' as big as a saddle.

All right,
the joke's gone on long enough.

I got some work to do.
Now where is it?

Hey, Griff, you ready to ride?

No, I'm havin' a little trouble
findin' my saddle.

All right, where's his saddle?

Oh, that's very funny, Smokey.



That's hilarious.

Help!

Get it off. Get it off.

Oh! Oh.

Go get a doctor, quick.

Get a blanket, a slicker,
get some guys out of the bunkhouse.

Go on, get the doctor! Move!

But the doc's in Reno, Candy.

There's a new one.

- Get the new doctor. Go on, move!
- Yeah.

Don't move. Don't, don't,
don't move, Griff.

Now, no matter how bad it hurts,
don't move.

Mr. Cartwright.

What's happened?



Well, he... He fell and broke his arm,

and the bone is sticking
right through his skin.

He's hurtin' pretty bad, Doc.

I'll give him a shot of morphine
to ease the pain.

Doc, can you do something?

It'll be all right.

Okay.

Okay, I'm going to need
some straight boards about this long,

clean rags, and plenty of hot water.

We'll get the water.

It's okay. All right.

- I gotta set that arm.
- You want me to hold him?

Oh, that won't be necessary.

He won't feel a thing.

It's as bad as I've seen
in quite a while.

But it should be
as good as new in a few weeks.

Here are some laudanum pills

in case the pain
gets to be too much for him,

or in case
he has trouble sleeping.

And, uh, if the pain gets very severe,
I can...

Come out and give him another shot.

Fine. Thank you.

Doctor, that was
a very, very good job.

Thank you. I must say,
I've had a great deal of experience

with this sort of injury.

I was a surgeon in an Army hospital
during the war.

Well, before you go, would you...
Would you like a drink?

No, thank you. I don't drink.

But I'll tell you, I would love
a cup of coffee, if you have one.

All right. We'll see
what we can do about that.

I see Candy's fallen asleep.

- Would you like some coffee?
- Uh, no. No. No, thanks.

Where's Joe?

Oh, I guess
he went to bed about midnight.

- You should have done the same.
- Yeah.

How is Griff?

Oh, he'll be all right.

Doctor did a real good job on him.

Oh, I, uh... I wanted to ask you

what you want me to do about
Bates and Smokey. They, uh...

They're the ones that hung that, uh,
saddle up there in the first place.

- Mmm.
- They're feeling pretty bad about it.

They've been waitin' out there
on the porch

ever since the doc got here.

Well, they should feel badly.

Maybe it'll teach 'em something
about practical joking.

Oh, tell 'em to go to bed.

- Thanks.
- Sure.

Doctor, let's see what
Hop Sing left in the coffee pot.

- Henry?
- Is Doc here?

Yeah, right here.

Doc, you gotta come quick.
My brother's been hurt.

- Pa's takin' him into town in a wagon.
- What's the matter with him?

Well, there was a stampede,
and he was trampled.

Would you hurry?

I'll go tell Pa you're comin'!

- Doc, you all right?
- Oh, just a little dizzy.

Do you think
you can make that ride out?

- Yes. Yes, I'm fine.
- No, wait a minute.

Look, I'll hitch up the buggy
and I'll... I'll drive you.

- No. No...
- Stay right here. I'll get my coat.

What took you so long?

Where is he?

He's in there with the nurse.

What's she doing here this late?

I went and got her.

- Myles?
- Yes?

Let the doctor have
a minute for himself.

You might make him nervous.

Doctor, I'm glad you got here in time.

I... I did my best, but I...
I can't stop the bleeding!

I'll, uh... I'll be back in a minute.

Doctor?

Doctor Wills?

I wish Doc Martin was here, Ben.

Take my word for it, Myles,
Dr. Wills knows what he's doing.

Doctor!

Doctor Wills, I can't stop the bleeding!

I... I think an artery's been severed!

Don't you worry.

We'll do everything we can.

Here, Doctor.

I wonder what's taking so long
in there.

I wish that storm would move south.

You know, Dave was ridin' herd
when the lightnin' struck

that big fir tree down by the creek.

And then there was this...

Clap of thunder,

strong enough to knock you
right out of the saddle.

He's dead.

Dead?

I'm sorry, Mr. Johnson.

What do you mean, "dead?"

He can't be dead!

Myles?

I know he was broken up
and bleedin' some,

but he wasn't hurt
bad enough to die.

You're not a doctor, Henry.

Well, I've seen men hurt
and so have you.

You know when a man's hurt
bad enough to die.

What did you do to him?

An artery was severed.

The boy'd lost too much blood
before I was able to get to him.

Are you saying it was my fault?

That I didn't get him here in time?

Mr. Johnson, I'm saying
it was nobody's fault.

Nobody's fault.

Myles... why don't you go on home?

I'll look after things here.

No.

I'll do it. Thanks, Ben.

He wasn't hurt that bad, Ben.

Come on, son.

He did a good job, Ben,
maybe better than I would have done.

Oh, I doubt that, Doctor.

Dr. Wills knows his business.

Graduate of the University
of Edinburgh.

Had a practice in Boston.

During the war,
he was brevetted twice...

Decorated three times.

Ended up as one of
the most respected doctors

with the Army of the Potomac.

That's, uh,
pretty stiff competition, Doctor.

Oh, now,

there's plenty
of work for both of us.

Yeah.

- How does it feel, Griff?
- It feels pretty good.

You know, those laudanum pills
are really great.

You won't need those anymore.

Well, I was, really beginning
to like 'em. I mean...

They stopped the pain,
and I was sleeping like a baby.

That's because they contain opium.

- Well, what does that mean?
- It's dangerous.

When you need them,
they're worth their weight in gold.

The point is not to take them
when you don't need them.

Well, I guess I can
get along fine without 'em.

Good.

Thank you, Doctor.

Take care.

- All set?
- Right.

Doctor Wills told me
about Griff's arm,

and asked me to come out
to make sure

he hadn't done something wrong.

- Sure glad you did.
- I guess he didn't want me to think

he was trying
to steal my practice.

I don't think
that's likely to happen, Doctor.

- Myles?
- Ben.

Can I talk to you a minute, Doc?

Why, of course, Myles. I, uh...

I was sorry to hear about Dave.

That's why I came to talk with you.

Oh?

I want to send that new doctor to jail.

Well, you'd better talk
to the sheriff about that.

I already talked to the sheriff.
There's nothing he can do.

It's up to you.

A doctor can only do his best,
and then...

Do his best?

He didn't do nothing.
He didn't even try.

You don't know that, Henry.
You weren't even in the room.

Well, Evie Parker was,
and she told me.

Henry, Evie Parker is a trained nurse.

I don't think she would have
told you something like that.

Well, Evie Parker and me
have been going together

for about six months,
and she just didn't just tell me.

I had to pry it out of her,
word for word. And she said this.

She said Doc Wills just let him
lay there and bleed to death.

Well, maybe there was nothing
he could do.

Well, talk to Evie. Ask her.
She'll tell ya!

I can't do that, Henry.

Evie is just a nurse.

She's not qualified
to judge a doctor's work.

Well, if you don't do somethin',
I'm goin' to.

Uh, I'll talk to Evie, Henry.

I'm sorry, Mr. Cartwright.

But I... I can't discuss that with you.

You discussed it with Henry.

That was a mistake.

You see, Henry and I are very close,

and we've never had any secrets
from one another.

But what I told Henry was
something I sensed.

There was nothing definite about it.

It was definite enough
for Henry and Myles

to go to the sheriff
to see if he'd arrest Dr. Wills.

Even asked Doc Martin
to testify against him.

Oh, no.

Mr. Cartwright,
I have great respect for...

Shh.

I have great respect for this man.

He's, he's probably
one of the most brilliant doctors

I've ever worked for.

That isn't what you told Henry.

That night he...

He seemed different.

He... He seemed to be detached.

There was no sense of urgency.

And... Dr. Wills just...

I didn't tell Henry
that Dr. Wills didn't try, but...

I guess that's the only way to say it.

He seemed to be somewhere else,
and... And that time didn't matter.

Have you talked
to Dr. Wills about this?

Of course not.

I would never talk to the doctor
about something like this.

Well, I think you should,
before anything else happens.

Evie?

Evie...

Now, where does it hurt, son?

Right here, when I swallow.

When you swallow?

Oh, I'm... I'm sorry, Doctor.
I didn't know that you were busy.

Oh, no, no. We're just
finishing up, Ben. Please come in.

You haven't met my wife.
Nancy, this is Ben Cartwright.

- Hello.
- Hello, Mrs. Wills.

This is our son, Chris.

Mr. Cartwright.

- Chris.
- Hello.

Uh, Evie, if we're not interrupting,

I was wondering if we could have
a moment or two.

Certainly. Certainly.

Chris, go upstairs, and your mother
will tuck you into bed.

I'm sorry, Doctor, I...

I just felt I had
to talk to you about it.

Don't be sorry, Ben.

What you did was exactly right.

Exactly right.

Miss Parker is an excellent nurse.

If she has a doubt,
she deserves an explanation.

Oh, no, you don't owe me
an explanation, Doctor.

Perhaps I owe Myles Johnson one.

I believe you said I seemed to be off
in another world.

I think you used the word "lost?"

Maybe the fact
that it was nearly dawn

and I was dead tired might have
something to do with that.

The fact that I'd been on my...
On my feet almost 20 hours straight.

I was lost with a man I couldn't save.

That's the most terrible
kind of lost there is.

To know that his heart still beats,
that he's still alive,

and there is nothing I can do
to keep him alive.

That everything I've learned...

Everything I know is, is nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

Perhaps I was, uh...

Too tired to conceal that emotion,
and that's what you saw.

Uh, I'm sorry, Doctor.

I'll tell Myles just what you said.

Thank you, Ben.

Don't worry, it's all right.

It always is, until we start packing.

I thought we had an agreement.

That you do not interfere
in my professional life.

Jim, why didn't you just
tell them the truth?

I did. That's exactly what I did.

You tell it so much

that you're beginning
to believe the lie yourself.

Nancy, that's enough.
I don't wanna hear any more about it.

Jim, you've started three practices
in three different cities.

"Doctor Wills is a saint."
Now, that's what they all say.

And then we have to move,
and it's all for the same reason.

It was an accident!

They were all accidents!

Dear, Good Doctor, how many more
murders are you gonna commit?

Now, Jim, no...

Jim, please. Please don't!

Oh, Myles!

Ben?

I intended to come over
to see you today.

You seen, uh, Henry, Ben?

No. No.

Joe, have you seen Henry?

No, not today. Why?

Well, he got into a jug of liquor
I had stashed out at the place.

That was early this afternoon.
I haven't seen him since.

You don't think he'd do
anything foolish, do you?

Ah, he just might.

He's mad enough.

Could be drunk enough by now.

Mmm.

Joe, why don't you look around,
see if you can find him?

- I'll do the same.
- Right.

Better go see the sheriff and tell him.

Well, I was on my way there
when I saw you.

Well, I'll have
a look around, and I'll, uh...

I'll drop over to Doc Wills' house

and tell him to stay inside,
just in case.

All right.

Oh, Mr. Cartwright.

Mrs. Wills, is the doctor in?

Well, no. Is it an emergency?

No, it's nothing. Uh...

I... I just want to see him.

Do you know where he is?

Well, he left his bag here.
I guess he must be out for a walk.

Oh, well, thank you.

I'll tell him that you called.

Oh, yes, please.

And, uh, if he comes in
before I find him, would you...

Just tell him to wait here for me.

Not to go out.

- To wait here.
- I'll tell him.

Thank you.

- Dr. Wills?
- Yes?

What's happening, Ben?

Someone took some potshots
at the doctor.

Must be Henry.

Smitty, take Dr. Wills to the jail
and keep him there

until we get Henry Johnson.

And make sure he stays there.
Understand?

Right. He won't poke his nose
out the door. Come on, Doc.

Joe, get the other side of the street.

Henry?

Henry?

You answer me, Henry!

Look, this is silly.
I... I'm going home.

It ain't gonna take long, Doc.

You... You just have yourself a chair.

Listen, it's...
It's really important that I, uh...

Go on, uh, have yourself a chair.

In other words, I'm being protected,

whether I want to be protected
or not, is that it?

Well, it just ain't you.

We got to protect Henry, too.

Now, if he was to shoot you,
he'd be in a whole lot of trouble.

Henry?

All right, come on, get up.

Look, Deputy...

If you won't
let me go back to my office,

will you go over
and get my black bag for me?

I ain't gonna let you
out of my sight

'til they catch Henry Johnson.

Then go with me.

No, sir, you're stayin' right here.

Then send somebody for it.

Why? Ain't nobody sick here.

You try that again,

I'm gonna lock you up
in one of them cells!

Come on, Henry.

Clem!

There's something wrong
with Doc Wills.

He's havin' some kind of a fit.

Take him!

Get Doc Martin.

Where's my... My black bag?

Dr. Wills suffers from morphinism.

He's an addict.

If he doesn't get a certain amount
of morphine every day,

he gets sick.

Every day?

Yes.

What does it do to him?

Well, it affects
different people different ways.

But in general, it brings a euphoria.

You're not aware
of the passage of time.

You feel calm.

Gives you a sense of detachment.

Like he was off somewhere?

Lost?

That's what Evie said.

That's how he was
the night David died.

I told you that, Ben.

Clem?

You told me, Myles.

All right, then I want him
arrested for murder.

As soon as we can get him
on his feet, we'll lock him up.

Hey, Doc.

Hi, Griff. How are you?

- How's that arm?
- Oh, it's almost good as new.

Good.

I don't see your wife
here today, Doctor.

Well, my little boy has a bad fever.

She stayed home with him.

It would look better
if she were here.

Well, perhaps
she'll be here tomorrow.

If this goes the way I plan,
this trial won't last 'til tomorrow.

All right, Dan, let's get started.

Your Honor, the prosecution contends
that on the night of February 23rd,

Dr. James Wills was responsible
for the death of David Johnson.

That the doctor, while under
the influence of an opiate,

neglected to perform his
proper duties,

which was the direct cause of
the death of the Johnson boy.

Counsel for the defense,
Mr..., uh... Mr. Evans.

Have we met?

No, Your Honor. I'm from Kansas City.

How does your client plead?

Not guilty, Your Honor.

All right, Dan, let's hear your case.

- You're Dr. Wills' nurse?
- Yes, sir.

And you were present

when Dave Johnson
was brought in, weren't you?

I was.

What was Dave's condition
when they brought him in?

Objection, Your Honor.

Miss Parker is not a doctor,

and therefore not qualified to judge
the condition of a patient.

I'm afraid he's right, Dan.

Was Dave Johnson
still conscious?

Just barely.

- Was he bleeding?
- Yes.

- How badly?
- Objection.

Same grounds.

Sustained.

Well, since we can't discuss
the condition of the patient,

let's see what we can find out

about the physical
and mental state of the doctor.

Objection, Your Honor.

Sustained.

Now, look here, Harvey!

Evie's the only person who knows
what happened in that room!

You gotta give her a chance to testify!

Dan, you know as much about
the rules of evidence as I do.

And I have to be
specially strict in this case.

Even if she gave Dr. Wills

a thorough physical and mental
examination at the time,

she's not a doctor,

and therefore not qualified
to express a medical opinion.

I told you all this
before the trial started.

Now get on with it.

Evie...

Without stating a medical opinion
of the patient,

and without giving us your judgment

of the physical
and mental state of the doctor,

would you please tell us
what happened in Dr. Wills' office

the night of February 23rd?

Dave Johnson died.

I don't think it was necessary.

Objection, Your Honor! I object!

So do I, Mr. Evans.

Miss Parker, the court is not
interested in what you think.

Dan, I suggest
you call your next witness.

Morphine didn't come into wide usage
until the War Between the States.

It was considered a miracle.

There's no accurate estimate
of how many lives it saved.

Since then, medical science has
found numerous uses for morphine

and other opium derivatives.

It's used to treat,
uh, nervous conditions.

Bronchitis, common cold,
sleeplessness.

Some forms of it are put
into babies' pacifiers.

Doc Martin, could this drug
affect a man's coordination?

His ability to function normally?

I'm afraid I couldn't say.

But it could be possible, couldn't it?

It is a drug.

Now, what would happen
if a man was addicted

and took too little?

Then he would need more.

What would be the effect
if he took too much?

He'd die.

- Then it is a dangerous drug?
- Objection, Your Honor.

He's putting words
into the witness' mouth.

Sustained.

All right, all right.

Dr. Martin, in a few words,

how would you describe morphine?

A mixed blessing.

No more questions.

Prosecution rests.

All right.

Mr. Evans?

Your Honor, this case should
never have been brought to trial

because there is no law
on the statute books

anywhere in the United States
which prevents a citizen...

Doctors, lawyers, or even judges,

from buying or using morphine
or any other opium derivative.

I have here medical journals,

letters from the Surgeon General
of the United States,

and numerous doctors in the Army
and in private practice stating

that morphine
and the other opium derivatives

are a modern medical miracle.

Its introduction to the Army hospitals
during the Civil War

cut battlefield casualties in half.

It is also well known

that many of those doctors
in those Army hospitals

used the drug themselves to perform
superhuman feats of endurance.

The drug enabled
a man to stay on his feet

18... No, 20 hours a day,

tending the wounded
from the battlefields.

Dr. Wills was decorated twice

and cited three times
for the work he performed

while under
the influence of morphine!

Now, if it hadn't been for the drug,

he would have probably collapsed
from exhaustion

and become a patient
in his own hospital.

Countless of our young men
are alive today

because this man took morphine

and stayed on his feet,
and continued to work!

But the use of this drug
is not confined to the battlefield.

You are Mr. Morris Flannigan?

Yes, sir.

That vial in your coat pocket,

does it contain laudanum tablets?

Well, I, uh...

No, no. No, no.
There is nothing to be ashamed of.

Now, you are a vice president
of one of the local banks.

Yes, the Miners Bank.

Yes, well,
that's a very important position.

Do you find that the use of laudanum
impairs, in any sense, your faculties?

Of course not,
or you wouldn't be there.

Um, might I have the vial
for a moment, please, sir?

Thank you.

There are many such vials
containing morphium,

paregoric, laudanum
and other opium derivatives

to be found in the homes or offices

of many of the citizens
in this courtroom,

as demonstrated in the ledger
from the local apothecary.

Thank you.

If, as the prosecution contends,

the drug detracts
from our efficiency...

why, then Virginia City
would scarcely be the thriving

and energetic community it is.

And this entire nation

would not be premiere
among the nations of the world!

I move that the case against
Dr. James Wills be dismissed.

It took you long enough
to get to it.

Case dismissed.

Pretty quick trial, huh?

Yeah.

Something's wrong, Joe.

Something's wrong.

Well, one thing,

this town isn't gonna let him
make another mistake again.

It's like giving him
a license to kill.

No...

The matter's closed now, Henry.

We went to the law
and the law says he's innocent.

The matter's closed.

Maybe for you it is.

Just listen to me.

I've already lost one son.
Let that be enough.

Now let's go home.

Why don't you fellas
go on back to the ranch?

I've got a couple of things
to do in town.

Ben, please come in.

Thank you.

I'm glad you came.
I've been wanting to tell you...

how sorry I am

that you had to be involved
in my little problem.

Well, it's, it's more than that, Doctor.

Not just your little problem.

Well, there's no point in making
a mountain out of a molehill, Ben.

You heard the court.
There's no law against what I did.

No, that's true, but...

Then again, there's no law
against, uh,

causing heartbreak
or emotional anguish either.

That doesn't excuse it
or make it right.

Ben, I did everything I could
to save that boy's life.

What did you do, Doctor?

Specifically, what did you do?

A young man, severed artery,
bleeding to death.

Now, what do you do
to save his life?

There are any number
of things you can do.

What?

Well, you stop the bleeding.

- How?
- You can, uh...

Clamp the artery or sew it up,

or even amputate the leg
and tie off the artery.

Which of those did you do?

Well, I, I don't remember.

Shall I refresh your memory?

You walked into that room,

you saw Dave Johnson
and walked out again.

Now, what did you do
while you were out of the room?

Would you like me to guess?

There's nothing wrong
with what I did.

- You took morphine.
- That's not a crime.

No...

But the young man died.

You are not qualified to judge
my work, Mr. Cartwright.

You're not a doctor, I am.

You probably were at one time.

And maybe you will be again.

But not now.

What about all the lives I've saved?

Don't they count for anything?

I don't know, Doctor.

You might ask Myles Johnson
that question.

It's over. I was acquitted.

Told you everything
would be all right.

Chris is worse.

There's something wrong
with him, really wrong.

- I'll be up in a moment.
- Now, Jim. Right now.

Open your mouth, son.

Open wide.

- Say ah.
- Ah.

Oh, boy.

There's an abscess in his throat.

I'll have to open it and let it drain.

Bring him downstairs.

Chris, you wait here.

Did you put him on the table?

You're not gonna touch him.

- Nancy...
- No.

Nancy, if something isn't done,
the boy might choke to death.

All right, then I'll take him
to another doctor.

But I'm not gonna take the chance
of his being one of your...

Your accidents.

Nancy, look at me. Look at me.

There is nothing wrong with me.

I don't trust you.

He's my son and I'll take care of him!

Jim, I'll kill you before you touch him!

- Nancy...
- I mean it!

I mean it!

The people of this town may find you
innocent, Dr. Wills, but I don't.

- You are guilty.
- I am not guilty!

And you know it,
and you try to excuse it!

I am not gonna take a chance. I can't!

I'm not gonna stand over my son's
grave and listen to you

while you try to explain it away

by telling me all the lives
you've saved.

I can't do that.

I'm going to take him
to another doctor.

And then when he is well,
I'm gonna...

I'm gonna take him back East.

I don't want to see you again.
I... I don't want to...

I don't want to talk to you again.

I don't even want to hear
your name again, ever!

You were there at the trial.
The matter is settled.

Doctor, I saw him
set Griff's arm,

but I also believe every word
that Evie Parker said.

Now, whether she's legally
qualified to judge or not,

she certainly knows
what she's talking about.

I agree.

Now, between the time
he treated Griff

and the time he went in
to look after Dave Johnson,

something happened to that man.

What do you want from me, Ben?

Your opinion.

All right.

The whole idea of opium
or anything derived from it scares me.

I think it does affect
your judgment and your ability.

Then why didn't you say so?

Because it's a personal opinion,
not a proven medical fact.

But the thing that scares me
most is... addiction.

Excuse me.

Dr. Martin, my son is sick

and I'd like for you
to take care of him, please.

Why of course, Mrs. Wills. Come in.

Oh, thank you.

There's something wrong.

He has infection in his throat
or something.

We'll take a look.

There we are. Open your mouth.

Ah, yes.

I'll... I'll be leaving now, Doctor.

Oh... Oh, Ben, I'd appreciate it

if you would consider
this conversation confidential.

Between friends.

- Of course.
- Thank you.

Now, let's take another look.

Uh, I never touched him,
Mr. Cartwright.

He's like this when I come in here.

There we are.

Chris?

He's comin'.

Here he is.

- Say goodbye to...
- All ready, ma'am?

Oh, more than ready. Thank you.

- Say goodbye to Mr. Cartwright.
- Bye.

Bye, Chris.

I want to thank you, Mr. Cartwright,
for all the...

All the help
you've given Chris and me.

Well, it wasn't too much.
I wish it could have been more.

I wish you had known him
before, Mr. Cartwright.

He was a... He was a good doctor,
he was a good husband.

All aboard.

He was...

He was a rare sort of man.

I'm sure.

Well, you, uh,
have a good, safe journey.

Bye.

- Hyah!
- Bye!