ER (1994–2009): Season 3, Episode 13 - Fortune's Fools - full transcript
Benton can't keep his mind on the job, Mark and Chuny break up and Carol does what she needs to do regarding the fatal error she has made.
[theme music]
(Carol)
Previously on "ER".
Either he lost his balance
and fell onto the tracks..
...or he jumped.
All he ever got from you
was harping and criticism
and now, he's dead.
And you're gonna
have to face it.
I was a bit tough
on your...your son.
No one was actually
stupid enough
to admit to
an organized sick‐out?
Nope.
You are spoiling me,
you know that?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I'm HIV positive.
I gave type A blood to
a type O patient. I killed him.
Hey, Doug! Doug!
Wait up a minute.
I gotta ask you
something in confidence.
Good morning to you.
So how many people know
about me and Chuny Marquez?
‐ Including the cleaning crew?
‐ So it's everyone.
That would be
an understatement.
Look, it's great, it's just..
You kinda run out
of things to talk‐‐
‐ And you want out.
‐ I think that would be best.
‐ Well, you covered the spread.
‐ Huh?
The office pool.
I had you for next week.
But what's five bucks
for a friend's happiness?
You've had experience at this.
How do I end it?
You know those Chinese
finger puzzles?
You know, the harder you pull
them, the tighter they get.
You got to just relax
and then, they just droop
and fall off.
‐ That sounds ominous.
‐ Here's what you do.
You explain to her
that you're doing this
for her own benefit,
that it's been fun
but it's starting
to interfere with work
and you don't wanna
ruin your friendship
because that's what
you really care about.
You know what? You're
frightening, you know that?
Morning.
You're late.
Hey, I was checking
the surgery schedule.
This is it for us today?
A hernia?
Is that what it says?
Wow.
‐ Problem, Carter?
‐ No.
It's just that our schedule's
been pretty..
...lightweight lately.
Hernias and Hickman lines
you can do this stuff
in your sleep.
‐ No Hibiclens?
‐ No, we're out.
Well, at least this gives us
a little bit more time
to prepare for firm conference.
You ready?
Mm‐hmm.
Uh‐uh.
Three o'clock sharp, right?
I'm doing the first half,
you're doing the second.
We'll brush each other up
over lunch.
Carter, if I need your help
I'll ask for it, okay?
Happiness is
a full nursing staff.
I hope everyone
is feeling healthy.
Peachy.
I'd hate to see us get hit
by the one‐day flu again.
Oh, I think
it's run its course.
I hope so.
I can't afford to get fired.
Oh, honey, that was
just management
rattling its tired old saber.
What if they decide
to replace us?
They won't. After our sick‐out,
management got religion.
The contract negotiations
are going great.
So are we gonna get
what we want?
Yep. County commissioners
are nervous.
They know the public's
on our side.
They won't be
after they read this.
‐ Right there.
‐ Oh, no.
What?
"Patient dies
after nurses walk.
'"An unidentified nurse
at County General Hospital'
"allegedly transfused a patient
with the wrong type blood
"leading to his death
in the hospital's
emergency room."
Somebody died?
That's what they get
for hiring temps.
'"Hospital sources say
the nurse's error
"was a direct result
of understaffing
caused by an illegal,
one‐day sick‐out by ER nurses."
Oh, man!
‐ Where's Carol?
‐ She's on at nine.
Did this guy die because of us?
First name Gil.
Last name unknown.
Section Y‐37.
No headstones?
They just get a number.
Of course, between
the wind and the snow..
There's nothing.
Friend of yours?
No.
Well, uh...he might be
one of these in here.
I think we buried them last.
[theme music]
Ah, Mark, I was just reminding
Kerry that today‐‐
‐ Is prospective intern day.
‐ How could I forget?
There are six
fourth year medical students
interviewing upstairs.
‐ Six?
‐ These are top prospects.
Being hotly recruited
by other programs
so I expect you two to show them
what a real ER is all about.
We'll do our best.
I'm sure you will.
Carol, can we talk
to you for a minute?
‐ Sure. What's up?
‐ This.
We're not going
to take the fall for this.
The negotiations
are going our way.
If some temp made a mistake,
that is not our fault.
What temp?
The one who gave
the patient the wrong blood.
It wasn't a temp. It was me.
God, they lied to me.
I filed an incident report
and they said
that was the end of it.
Need a hand back here!
Fifteen‐year‐old male.
Multiple GSWs to chest.
Massive blood loss on scene.
‐ He shot my partner!
‐ BP's 50/palp, pulse 130.
'Two liters saline in transit.
O2 15 liters.'
‐ He got a name?
‐ Hernandez.
Who's bringing up the rear?
Fifty eight‐year‐old male,
single GSW.
Through and through
to the thigh.
BP 130/90, pulse 108,
resps 26.
‐ Help the boy!
‐ Now, don't listen to him, doc.
Look, we're gonna help
both of you, okay?
No, no, officer, officer, we
need you to wait outside, okay?
We got to work on your partner.
Don't worry, don't worry,
Just give us some room.
On two. Hut one, hut two!
Need suction.
Decreased breath sounds
on the right side.
I need to intubate.
Pressure's down to 40/palp.
Pulse 160.
(Mark)
'Lydia, draw up a blood gas.'
Maybe this will teach him
not to shoot cops.
CBC, type and cross for six.
Get O‐neg going,
chest tube tray.
‐ You got that Thora‐Seal ready?
‐ In a sec.
Alright, I'm in.
Tape that up for me, please?
I'll call Radiology
for a portable.
And Respiratory for a vent.
Alright, I'm gonna
go check on Doyle.
CBC and a crit,
update tetanus
and give him
one gram of Ancef.
‐ How is he?
‐ Missed the femoral artery.
‐ No neuro deficit.
‐ Excellent.
Sergeant..
...Mattimore..
'...welcome to
The Purple Heart Club.'
Thanks. How's the kid?
We're working on him next door.
Hi. I'm Jeanie Boulet.
Uh, Mike and Cindy Patterson.
Hi, Mike. Have a seat.
I understand
you've got a headache.
Oh, nothing serious.
Do you have a history
of migraines?
‐ I got a few in college.
‐ These are different.
They come on for no reason.
What caused them before?
‐ Uh, tubas.
‐ We were in the marching band.
Okay. You're also suffering
from insomnia and dizziness.
‐ Is there anything else?
‐ He just hasn't been himself.
How so?
Well, uh, last night
in his sleep, he bit me
and when he woke up
he didn't know where he was.
Okay. Let's take a look.
Hi.
Hi.
How's that kid who got shot?
Oh, he made surgery.
Oh, thank you.
My mother was disappointed
you couldn't make it
for dinner last night.
Ah, work, you know.
My brothers are starting
to doubt your intentions.
All five of them?
[chuckles]
‐ Chuny‐‐
‐ Mark..
You first.
Mark...I'm not sorry
we did this.
It's been fun, but, um..
...it's starting
to interfere with my work
and I really wanna
preserve our friendship.
I know that's as important
to you as it is to me.
Yeah.
No hard feelings, right?
No, no.
Of course not.
[laughs]
Okay.
Oh, what did you wanna say?
Um..
...nothing.
You hung me out to dry.
No, I didn't.
Then who did?
Sit down, Carol.
Let me get you a cup of coffee.
I don't want a cup of coffee
and I don't wanna sit down.
‐ It wasn't me.
‐ Who then? Drummond?
Somebody who wanted
to influence negotiations
and somebody who had access
to your incident report.
Look, Carol, we have got
a threatened work stoppage here.
Emotions are running high.
The budget is shrinking.
And you've got a nursing staff
that seems to refuse
to acknowledge
the realities of '90s medicine.
This has nothing to do
with the sick‐out.
I gave him the wrong blood.
Which, I believe,
would not have happened
if your friends had honored
their contract
and shown up for work.
This isn't labor politics, Mary.
A man died.
I'm sorry, Carol.
I killed a man
and nobody around here seems
to give a damn!
[monitor beeping]
Tie.
Peter? Tie.
[sighs]
I think you're wise
to slow it down
after Pediatrics.
Nothing like a simple hernia
to put you back in touch
with the basics
hand, blade, clamp, suture.
Peanut, please.
Carter, what's the difference
'between a prostate
and a garden hose?'
‐ I don't know.
‐ Let me tell you.
There's a vas deferens.
[laughs]
'Oh.'
'Corky Butterfield told me that
back in the day.'
'Good old Corky.'
Blew a gasket in the latrine
at Soldier's Field.
Met his maker
with his pants down.
Metz.
And sometimes, you have
to step back to reassess.
Hell of a lot easier
to take stock
from a nice, puffy blimp
than an F‐16.
'Right?'
It's the first mature breakup
of my entire life.
Oh, congratulations.
Yeah, no histrionics,
no yelling.
And we saw the situation,
we addressed it.
Yeah, and how'd she take it?
She's hurt, you know
but she's gonna
get over it in time.
[laughing]
Mm‐hmm. What time you got?
[chuckles]
(Kerry)
'Mark?'
I'd like you to meet Jay Musoff
'Whit Haskell,
Monica Campbell'
Alex Ghandar,
Matt Collins and Leslie Wu.
Hello.
I've prepared
an introductory packet
to our emergency medicine
program.
'You can refer to it
throughout the day.'
The ER may appear chaotic,
but if you watch closely
you'll see a carefully
organized system at work.
I thought that I would
take Jay, Whit and Monica.
Fine.
We'll start with the admissions
desk and go from there.
If you wanna follow at
a ten‐minute stagger, feel free.
Right.
The heart of any emergency room
is the admit desk.
Information is the blood
that courses through it
and the desk clerk
is like the tricuspid valve
if you will.
So you guys wanna play doctor?
Let's go.
I chase number one,
lose him down an alley
I come back just in time
to catch number two
bleeding my partner here
with a cheap .22.
He doesn't even have his gun out
so I capped the punk, twice.
You were lucky your partner
came back when he did.
Two rounds, two hits.
I couldn't believe it.
You should have seen his face,
Pete. He was so surprised.
Like, what did he think
I was gonna do, give him a hug?
'And then when
he saw the blood‐‐'
You have to go now.
He needs his rest.
‐ Oh, I'll wait outside, sarge.
‐ No, no. Go on home.
‐ No, no. I'll wait outside.
‐ Pino!
Home.
Bring me a chocolate frosted
in the morning.
He can do that, right?
If he gets a dozen for us.
‐ Alright, take care.
‐ Yeah.
Talkative.
Ten months out of the academy,
he thinks he's dirty Harry.
‐ Why didn't you shoot back?
‐ Thirty two years on the force.
I've fired twice
outside the practice range.
A cop who won't use his gun.
That's a first.
Your arm okay?
Yeah, yeah.
It's just a little sore.
Carol, can I speak
to you a minute?
Be right back.
We got a situation here.
Well, I spoke to Mary Cain
and she says she doesn't
know who leaked it.
And you believed her?
Yeah, I did.
We had an agreement
on the table
to protect
current staffing levels
and management
just pulled it.
They're gonna use this
to renege on the whole contract.
I'm sorry to hear that.
You had no idea
they were gonna use
this incident against us?
No, I didn't.
What? You think
I'm lying to you?
I don't know anymore, Carol.
You and management
can fight and scream
and tear each other's hair out
for all I care.
I've got a patient.
Most interns send their samples
to the lab without knowing
what happens once they're there.
Let's pretend that we're
a urine sample and find out.
Okay. Let's see.
Scalded foot in curtain two.
That looks promising.
This way.
Mark, I've got
a 25‐year‐old male
headaches, insomnia,
behavioral tics.
His wife brought him in,
he's pretty young for a stroke.
What do you think?
Encephalitis
or a mass lesion.
Could be. Let's do a CT first.
And who's on
for Infectious Disease?
‐ Greg Fischer.
‐ Get him down.
Okay.
Oh, hello, Dr. Greene.
(Mark)
'Sasha,
what a pleasant surprise.'
Sasha's one of our five‐star
chefs in the cafeteria.
‐ 'So what's today's special?'
‐ Bratwurst.
Idiot busboy,
carries out bin of hot water.
Shoom! Right down my boot.
Ah, pretty nasty.
Normally, I'd amputate
but I'm afraid
you'd put it on the menu.
‐ Alright, Alex, first step.
‐ Assess the burn.
Okay, Leslie,
what do you think?
Partial thickness
and there's a small blister
below the medial malleolus.
Good. Matt, what's next?
Uh, 100 of Demerol for the pain.
Then debride
any broken blisters.
Thermazene dressing.
Correct.
You snip, you dress
and you give the Demerol.
I thought we were taking a tour.
Consider it interactive.
[laughter]
I'll check in on you later. Let
me know if you need anything.
Thanks.
Hey..
'...regards to Kenny.'
Will do.
You two know each other?
Yeah. I picked up
her cousin for B and E.
‐ She doesn't seem to mind.
‐ No.
The best thing that
ever happened to him.
He's just like this kid
who got shot
young and scared and gangs
putting the heat on him.
What happened to him?
I got him into a work program.
You know what he is now?
A locksmith.
They used to have these dances
here called Blue And Whites.
You know, cops and nurses.
Lot of marriages
came out of that.
‐ Yeah?
‐ Yours, too?
No.
For me, it was always the job.
You were probably
just a lousy dancer.
Hey, if I didn't have
this hole in my leg
I could show you a turn or two.
Thanks.
I'll take a rain check.
Do you know why so many nurses
end up with cops?
Similar schedule?
Shared appreciation
for life's vicissitudes.
That's beautiful.
Thanks.
I stole it myself.
Too much coffee.
Has that happened before today?
Hey, give me a break. I'm 58.
I can't have the shakes
after I get shot?
I thought
only the scheduling nurse
was allowed to change the board.
I like to erase my own surgery
when I'm done.
Gives me a sense of
accomplishment.
What are you up to?
I'm presenting at firm
conference with Benton.
There's a name I haven't
seen up here in a while.
Been a little slow lately.
'There's a splenectomy that's
open five o'clock with Crosby.'
Why don't you
sign him up for it.
Oh, he usually signs up
for his own surgery.
Just because
Peter's stuck in neutral
doesn't mean you have to be.
I'm doing a portacaval shunt
later. Care to join me?
I'd love to..
...but I don't know
what Benton has planned.
Judging by this, not much.
‐ Hi. I'm Dr. Ross.
‐ Hi.
Uh, Lisa Sailor.
This is my son, Benny.
‐ You work at the hospital?
‐ Yeah, upstairs in ICU.
Um, I usually bring him
to the clinic
but I really didn't wanna
wait this time.
Okay. What happened?
Uh, I'm not sure.
He was out in the backyard,
and he hurt his elbow.
Alright, Benny,
can you do this?
Can you straighten out
your arm like that for me?
You have to use
his special name.
Which is?
Right now it's Clark Kent.
‐ Hi, Clark.
‐ Hello.
Hey. Alright, let me straighten
your arm out just here.
Does that hurt?
It's okay. Alright.
We're gonna have
to get some X‐rays.
Anybody here have X‐ray vision?
Uh, no? Okay.
Well, we'll get Radiology
to take a look at it.
No idea how this happened?
No. I wasn't there
but I think
he was trying to fly.
Ghandar, jeopardy time.
Tenderness
in the anatomic snuff box
indicates this common fracture.
What is first metacarpal?
[imitates buzzer]
Navicular.
I should try that
on my students.
I teach third grade.
Really? Nice.
Ow.
Heather, you have a medial
collateral ligament tear
otherwise known as
gamekeeper's thumb.
Hmm. Playing goalie
is hell on a manicure.
‐ Hockey?
‐ Water polo.
‐ Co‐ed.
‐ Sounds rough.
Last year, I took a point blank
shot to the face.
Fractured my left orbit.
It's a singles league
swim and mingle.
The guys I've met there,
they're tough on the outside
but emotionally,
they're wimps.
I guess my type is more..
...the reverse.
‐ Need some help?
‐ No, thanks.
But, um, I did want to talk to
you about that cop, Mattimore.
Oh, isn't he great? My dad says
he's a real legend on the force.
His right hand has a twitch.
No head trauma,
no focal deficits, right?
Right.
It's probably nerves.
Well, I'd like a head CT
to be sure.
The way his hand moves,
something about it bothers me.
I can't order a $1000 test
without indications.
I think it's recurring.
He's trying to hide it.
I'll do a neuro exam.
If something shows up,
we'll scan him.
Thanks.
Accommodation without
direct response to light.
Argyll Robertson.
‐ Mrs. Patterson..
‐ Cindy.
Cindy, how long ago
did you notice
the change in Mike's behavior?
About a month ago.
I found him down in the kitchen
at three a. m.
talking to himself.
There's a possibility
you have a low‐grade infection
in your
central nervous system.
I'd like to do a spinal tap.
Uh...that sounds painful.
We give you plenty
of local anesthetic.
Takes about five minutes.
Jeanie, can you get
an LP tray, please?
Jeanie. I'm sorry.
I've been meaning to call you.
That's okay.
I didn't expect you to.
‐ Hey, Dr. Benton.
‐ Three o'clock conference.
Thank you, Carter.
Which leaves us plenty of time
for a splenectomy at five.
We'll be in and out by 6:30.
You signed me up for surgery
without my permission?
Crosby needed someone to assist.
He does great work
and I know he respects yours.
‐ Take it off.
‐ What?
My name, take it off the board.
It's too late.
There's not enough time.
Someone's going
to have to cancel.
(Doug)
'The only sign of fracture
is the fat pad.'
‐ Very slight.
‐ Will he need a cast?
I think the splint's
gonna be fine.
He should be healed
in three or four weeks.
Can I talk to you outside?
‐ Yeah.
‐ Just real quick.
We're gonna be right back, okay?
You just hang here.
Has he always been
this uncommunicative?
My, uh...my husband
died five months ago
in a car accident.
He was taking Benny
to get an ice cream cone.
(Doug)
'Was Benny hurt?'
No...but it took
about ten minutes
for the ambulance to get there.
Benny watched his father die.
I'm sorry.
Um...so when he started to
pretend that he was Superman
I‐I just, I thought
it was healthy
a way of coping.
I mean, I got him
that costume for Halloween.
Now he wears it every day
under his clothes.
Do you know Lyle Baker?
He's a child psychiatrist.
He's one of the best.
I'll have him come down for
a consult, see what he thinks.
‐ Okay.
‐ Yeah? Okay.
Benny?
'Benny?'
Benny, come out, please.
‐ How long will it take to heal?
‐ About six weeks.
There go the playoffs.
I don't know what I'm gonna do
with myself.
Would you like
to go out sometime?
Uh...that brings up
an interesting issue.
Wu, are doctors supposed
to date patients?
Uh, definitely not.
‐ For my protection, right?
‐ Right.
I mean, what if
you weren't my doctor?
Then, it's hypothetical.
When do you get off?
Six o'clock.
So hypothetically
if I were at Finch's Bar
on Dearborn tonight at 6:30
and you just happened
to come in and have a drink
that would be legal, right?
Hypothetically...if
I weren't your doctor.
Hmm.
You know, this thumb
is starting to hurt again.
I think I'd like
to see a specialist.
[groaning]
Whoa!
Sorry. Have you ever seen
an abscess this big?
‐ Never.
‐ It's extraordinary.
Mr. Cliffe, how did this happen?
I'm building a cabin up north.
No plumbing yet,
just an outhouse.
I sat down on the seat
without noticing the ice.
‐ Ooh. When I stood up..
‐ Yeah.
That would account
for the wide extension.
We need to drain.
Eleven blade.
[Cliffe groans]
Not to worry, Mr. Cliffe.
Relief is on the way.
[groaning]
Hey, my two favorite ladies.
Still trying to charm us?
And they said
man would never fly.
Now, they have Air Jordan
on a mission to Mars.
Nurse Hathaway told me
about the problem
you're having with your hand.
She did, did she?
'I'm sure it's nothing serious'
but I'd like to do
a simple neurological exam.
So I want you to do is squeeze
my fingers when I say so.
I got shot in the leg.
The rest of me is fine.
‐ 'We just wanna make sure.'
‐ No, thanks.
‐ It'll only take a minute.
‐ I don't want it.
‐ It's for your own good.
‐ I said I don't want it.
The man doesn't want it.
Carla?
Hey.
What are you doing here?
Waiting.
What's wrong?
Are you sick? What's wrong?
No. We should probably
talk later, Peter.
‐ Carla Reese.
‐ That's me.
Dr. Coburn will see you now.
Coburn? OB?
Peter, I will call you later.
No, no, no.
Whoa, whoa. Hey, hey, whoa.
What's up? Are you pregnant?
Later, alright?
When Kerry asked me to talk to
you about our program I thought
what's a grizzled old
muckety‐muck such as yours truly
have to say to
the next generation of sawbones?
And then I realized, nope.
Everyone has a tale to tell,
and mine begins
in a cold, little farmhouse
in Hoobane, North Dakota.
'Pa Morgenstern worked
at the local tannery'
'and ma was a taxidermist..'
‐ How are they holding up?
‐ Stick a fork in 'em.
They've been Weavered.
Still no sign
of Superman, Dr. Ross.
Thanks, Malik, keep looking.
What is that smell?
‐ Bratwurst on the house.
‐ Oh, man.
Compliments of Sasha,
the cafeteria guy.
Yeah, remind me
not to cure him again.
‐ So what do you think?
‐ About you dating a patient?
Do the words Exxon Valdez
ring a bell?
‐ Yeah. I'm still holding.
‐ You should talk.
This is new territory for you.
It takes time to learn
how to read the signs
I know the difference
between dependence
and mutual attraction.
So what are you
gonna do about it?
Doyle. Gamekeeper's thumb
in four.
Check the splint. If it's set,
you discharge her.
Roger that.
Lisa? Yeah, not yet.
Well, I know he didn't
get past security
so he's still in the building.
No. No, you stay put.
He knows where you're working.
He'll probably be
heading your way, okay?
Great. Bye.
When I held that dying
mole rat in my hand
when I felt its little heart
pitter‐pattering in my hands..
‐ Do you see it?
‐ It's glowing.
Looks like syphilis.
Wow. Neurosyphilis.
I'm surprised.
Imagine how surprised
Mrs. Patterson's gonna be.
How are we gonna tell them?
We don't tell them.
‐ We tell him.
‐ And not her?
It's his disease. We can't
violate his right to privacy.
Oh, and she has no rights
except the right to be infected?
‐ Why don't I talk to him?
‐ He's my patient.
'I just asked you down
on a consult.'
I appreciate that,
but this is a tricky situation
and I have more experience
in these matters. It's my field.
I've dealt with these situations
hundreds of times.
This kind of thing
can kill a marriage.
So can silence.
Dr. Carter?
Are you aware of the time?
Yes. I was waiting
for Dr. Benton
to go over some of these notes.
The entire surgical staff
is already here.
Any time now, doctor.
So, uh..
...when were you gonna tell me?
When I knew I had
something to tell.
You know, both my sisters
had miscarriages
during the first trimesters.
What did Coburn say?
Well, she said that
it was just some spotting
and that, you know
there was nothing
to worry about. All systems go.
Carla, I don't understand.
I mean, we were careful. I..
Well, it's like they say,
nothing is 100% effective.
And you're sure it's mine?
I'm gonna forget
you said that.
I'm just gonna lay it
all on the stress
and the surprise, okay?
Carla, I'm sorry.
Look, honey, I don't..
What am I supposed to say?
Look. We're two very
different people, Peter
and Lord knows we both have
enough going on in our lives.
Look..
I've made the choice, Peter..
...to have this baby.
Alright, uh..
...what do you expect
from me, Carla?
The truth.
You've always been
really honest with me.
It's one of
your finer qualities.
I gotta get back to work.
I'll...I'll...call you,
alright?
Sure.
You can adjust these
if they're too short.
We're probably gonna
discharge you today.
Thought you could
use the practice.
Stop being so nice.
Makes me feel even more foolish
for speaking the way I did.
You know,
when I was in the alley
with the kid, Hernandez..
I've had guns pulled
on me a dozen times.
This wasn't a hard guy.
This was a kid caught
in the deep end.
Thirty more seconds,
he drops that piece
we both walk out of there.
What happened?
My hand jerked.
He thought I was going
for my gun.
In a second, he had to decide
whether he wanted
to live or die.
Does anyone else know
about your hand?
You mean,
like the department?
[chuckles]
They'd put me in the mail room.
Then who deals with
the next stupid kid
who panics and pulls a piece?
Some hotshot like Pino?
You need to get it checked out.
What is it?
Is it Parkinson's,
is it a brain tumor..
I don't know, but those are
treatable disorders.
'You could have years to teach
the Pinos to be better cops.'
Or I could be here
lying flat on my back,
stuck full of tubes.
At least, let me do a CAT scan,
find out what's going on.
I'll tell you what, angel.
I'll think about it, okay?
Good.
The aortogram confirms
the unilateral renal
artery stenosis
and treatment was via
an aortorenal bypass graft
using a segment
of the saphenous vein.
Now, discussing the causes
and evaluation
of surgical hypertension
will be my colleague..
...Dr. Peter Benton.
Except that he was detained
which is why he asked me to s..
Uh, stand in for him.
The surgically correctable
causes of hypertension
include coarctation
of the aorta
Cushing's syndrome
and, uh, pheochromocytoma.
(female #1)
'What about Conn's syndrome?'
Uh, and Conn's syndrome,
of course.
‐ 'And hyperaldosteronism?'
‐ That, too.
Wasn't a trial
of drug therapy warranted
before surgical intervention
was undertaken?
'The surgery carries
a 1% mortality rate.'
I see, I see your point.
(Anspaugh)
'What were the results
of the renal vein renin assays?'
Uh, they were high.
They were very high.
Of course,
but what was the ratio
of the affected
to the unaffected side?
[indistinct murmuring]
‐ That I don't know.
‐ 'Obviously not.'
So...uh..
Hey, anyone know
the difference between
a prostate and a garden hose?
‐ Leave her alone!
‐ Shut up! Listen.
I ought to put you over my knees
and slap some manners into you.
Hey, you got no right
to talk to me like that.
Hey! What are you doing?
Let go of him. What is that?
I am trying
to talk to my lady, here.
This kid comes up and starts
kicking me in the leg.
‐ You sit down and relax.
‐ You were mean to her!
Sit down and relax!
Call ICU, tell Lisa Sailor
we found her son
and get security down here.
What is that? What is that?
What are you doing?
He was being mean to her.
Yeah, he could have been
mean to you, too.
‐ No, he couldn't.
‐ Yes, he could have.
No, he couldn't
because I have super powers.
Benny, you don't have
super powers
You are a six‐year‐old boy.
You live with your mother
in Hyde Park.
Benny...you cannot fly
and you cannot attack grown men
who are arguing
with their girlfriend.
You understand?
Hey, are you listening to me?
How's it going?
Hey, somebody
who will talk to me.
You must not
have gotten the memo.
I read the paper.
‐ You hanging in there?
‐ By a thread.
The nurses think
I'm Benedict Arnold.
Management's using my mistake
to make the RNs look bad.
You're in a tough spot.
[sighs]
Yeah.
You know, I should probably just
go to the "Sun Times" myself
'tell them the death had nothing
to do with the sick‐out.'
Then what happens?
I don't know.
Lose my job, maybe?
You ready for that?
Good news?
Mrs. Patterson, I'm gonna need
to speak to your husband alone.
Why? What's wrong?
Jeanie, will you show
Mrs. Patterson
to the waiting room?
No. I wanna stay with you, Mike.
‐ Does she have to go?
‐ Only if that's what you want.
‐ Mike, I wanna stay.
‐ I want her to stay.
Mr. Patterson,
this is sensitive information.
'It can be very difficult
to hear.'
I want my wife
here with me, okay?
Alright. That's your decision
Our tests show
that you have neurosyphilis.
'It's a disease that can cause
mild personality disorders'
'like the ones
you've been suffering.'
Syphilis?
Neurosyphilis.
It's sexually transmitted.
But that doesn't mean
it was contracted recently.
'Takes an average of seven years
for symptoms to arise'
'after the initial infection.'
Seven years?
But we've been together
since high school.
We've always been committed
to each other
from the day we met, to the day
we got married, to now.
We can treat you
with IV antibiotics
and check Cindy for exposure.
In two weeks,
you'll be as good as new.
This is impossible.
We've only been with each other.
Cindy..
Cindy?
I'm s...I'm sorry.
[sobbing]
We've got
a 35‐year‐old male, MVA.
Car skidded into a light pole.
ALOC, multiple lacs,
GCS 8 at the scene.
BP's 90/60,
pulse 110 and irregular.
Passenger space intrusion.
We had to use the jaws
to get him out.
Extrication time?
Approximately 20 minutes.
No witnesses, no ID.
Clear, people, stay back.
‐ Dr. Greene?
‐ Yeah, yeah, come with me.
(male #2)
'Fifteen liters O2, two IVs
normal saline, one liter in.'
Alright, everybody,
on my count.
One, two, three.
Go.
Ghandar, cardiac monitor.
What do you see?
‐ Looks like PVCs.
‐ Pupils are sluggish.
(Kerry)
'Good bilateral breath sounds.'
(Mark)
'Lidocaine 100 IV push.'
‐ Start a drip at two mgs.
‐ Should they be in here?
My students, my call.
Get a CBC, chem 20, enzymes.
‐ Type and cross for four units.
‐ Pulse ox 95.
Dr. Weaver,
OD in curtain four.
We got a gusher.
Pressure dressing.
Piggyback a gram of Ancef.
‐ He's in fib.
‐ Alright, charge 200.
Wu, put gloves on.
You ever bring somebody
back to life?
‐ 'No.'
‐ Alright.
Get over here.
‐ Clear.
‐ 'Clear.'
Here you go.
Okay, charge to 300.
Clear.
Charging 360.
Clear.
‐ Excellent.
‐ 'Got a pulse.'
Alright, Collins.
Put in a Foley.
Don't be shy, it's not yours.
Ghandar, glove up.
Okay, you're gonna help me
with a peritoneal lavage.
Doug, how's that leg?
Nasty.
He got the popliteal artery.
‐ Dr. Ross?
‐ Yeah?
Benny, what are you
doing in here? Benny!
Benny!
Haleh, get him out of here,
will you, please?
(female #2)
'Spiked a liter for the lavage.'
Come on, baby, come on.
That's it. Come on.
More 4 x 4s.
Grab that 5‐inch Ace.
[sighs]
Where were you?
‐ Ugh. Firm conference.
‐ Yeah, the firm conference.
I got crucified in there
covering for you.
Yeah, well,
you shouldn't have tried.
I didn't have a choice.
We were supposed
to do it together.
And you left me
twisting in the wind, man.
Not to mention
trashing my reputation
in front of every surgeon
in this hospital.
Carter, I'm sorry. Alright?
Something came up.
You're sorry and something
came up. That's your excuse?
‐ Yeah.
‐ Right.
I've got a shunt with Hicks.
Would you do me a favor?
The next time
that you feel the urge
to ruin my career,
I would appreciate a warning.
‐ Tom Clayton?
‐ Carol Hathaway?
Yeah.
You want something
to eat, coffee?
No. No, thank you.
So you're the nurse manager
in the ER.
Is that right?
Do you mind if I take notes?
No.
Is this gonna be
on the record?
Yes, it is.
(Doug)
'Here you go.'
Is that man going to die?
Maybe.
He was hurt pretty badly.
Just like your dad, right?
I was thinking
about what I said to you earlier
and I was wrong.
Okay, sometimes, when you try
to help somebody and you can't
it gets inside you
and it, and it twists
and you wonder why.
You should do..
...what you think is right.
And you don't let me
or anybody else stop you.
Okay?
It's...been a long time.
I can't remember if, uh,
Superman had a dad or not
but if he did,
I know that he was
very, very proud of his son.
[sighs]
Okay?
Come here.
Come here.
Hey.
I've never done this before.
Really? This is exactly the kind
of thing you should be doing.
So should I be worried
about Peter?
‐ What do you mean?
‐ Don't play dumb, Carter.
It doesn't suit you.
Is his emotional state
impairing his surgical ability?
No. Not that I've seen.
I appreciate your loyalty.
But I want you to know
if Peter can't use your talents
my team can.
Really? Are you serious?
I'm almost always serious.
‐ I need Mr. Patterson's chart.
‐ Why's that?
I couldn't
convince him to stay.
Tricky situation.
Are you going to notify
the department of health?
It's the law.
Well, why don't you wait
a couple of days.
Let them talk it out
I'll give him a call and
he'll probably come back in.
Are you refusing
to give me his chart?
It's my job to be
an advocate for my patients.
It's your job to assist me.
That's why it's called
physician assistant.
Are you always this arrogant
or is it just me?
It's just you.
Look, I owe you an apology
for the other night.
Greg, you don't wanna date
a woman who is HIV positive.
You don't owe me anything.
Did you see me zap that guy?
I had my hands inside his chest.
Unbelievable.
‐ Bye.
‐ Goodnight.
‐ Thank you. Bye‐bye.
‐ Thank you.
Well, I wanna thank you two
for taking care of our charges.
What do you think?
Well, frankly,
I was disappointed.
I found a general
lack of enthusiasm
inattention to detail.
If I were you, Donald,
I would seriously
re‐evaluate their applications.
Well, don't worry, Kerry
because none of your students
decided to apply
for the program.
On the other hand, Mark,
all three of your candidates
'rank us as their top choice.'
You know, you really
reached those kids today.
You ever thought
about an academic appointment?
'There is a tenured spot
available.'
I never thought about it.
I think it's clear your place
is on the faculty.
‐ Really?
‐ Absolutely.
Carol...I just got a call
from a "Sun Times" reporter.
He wanted me to confirm
some statements you made.
I hope you did.
They're all true.
Why did you do it?
If you have to ask,
you don't know me very well.
I thought we were friends.
No, Mary, you're my boss.
I lost a patient.
I can't hide that,
and I can't forget it.
Neither should you.
Drummond wants to see you
right away.
Hicks offered me
a position on her team.
I'm taking it.
Effective Monday.
Okay.
You know, a month ago you
would have ripped my lungs out
for going behind your back
to another surgeon.
'Now you just stand there?'
Since when did I start caring
about what you do, Carter?
Never.
But now you don't care
about yourself.
You don't care
about your reputation.
I need an evaluation
before I can transfer
to Hicks' team.
You'll get it.
You know,
in that surgery today..
...everything I did,
you taught me.
[instrumental music]
Saul, I'll try your winter ale.
Yeah.
Mark Greene.
Heather Morgan.
‐ What happened to your thumb?
‐ Oh, it's a long story.
I had to go
to the hospital for it.
Saw this great doctor.
I hope he took
good care of you.
She, actually.
Can I ask you
a hypothetical question?
I think we can dispense
with the hypotheticals.
‐ Absolutely.
‐ Did you order those?
No, they're from
table 14 in the back.
You bring them everywhere?
Haleh?
These are the shifts
for next week.
There's still a problem
with Wednesday.
We only have six RN's scheduled.
So you may need
to bring in a float.
There's supply reqs,
a memo from Mary Cain
and a note from
Buildings And Grounds
that two of our parking spaces
have been reassigned.
Don't go to the parking clerk,
go straight to Weber.
We won on this last year
but I think
now they're getting serious.
That's not my job.
It is now.
I've been suspended.
[dramatic music]
[theme music]
(Carol)
Previously on "ER".
Either he lost his balance
and fell onto the tracks..
...or he jumped.
All he ever got from you
was harping and criticism
and now, he's dead.
And you're gonna
have to face it.
I was a bit tough
on your...your son.
No one was actually
stupid enough
to admit to
an organized sick‐out?
Nope.
You are spoiling me,
you know that?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I'm HIV positive.
I gave type A blood to
a type O patient. I killed him.
Hey, Doug! Doug!
Wait up a minute.
I gotta ask you
something in confidence.
Good morning to you.
So how many people know
about me and Chuny Marquez?
‐ Including the cleaning crew?
‐ So it's everyone.
That would be
an understatement.
Look, it's great, it's just..
You kinda run out
of things to talk‐‐
‐ And you want out.
‐ I think that would be best.
‐ Well, you covered the spread.
‐ Huh?
The office pool.
I had you for next week.
But what's five bucks
for a friend's happiness?
You've had experience at this.
How do I end it?
You know those Chinese
finger puzzles?
You know, the harder you pull
them, the tighter they get.
You got to just relax
and then, they just droop
and fall off.
‐ That sounds ominous.
‐ Here's what you do.
You explain to her
that you're doing this
for her own benefit,
that it's been fun
but it's starting
to interfere with work
and you don't wanna
ruin your friendship
because that's what
you really care about.
You know what? You're
frightening, you know that?
Morning.
You're late.
Hey, I was checking
the surgery schedule.
This is it for us today?
A hernia?
Is that what it says?
Wow.
‐ Problem, Carter?
‐ No.
It's just that our schedule's
been pretty..
...lightweight lately.
Hernias and Hickman lines
you can do this stuff
in your sleep.
‐ No Hibiclens?
‐ No, we're out.
Well, at least this gives us
a little bit more time
to prepare for firm conference.
You ready?
Mm‐hmm.
Uh‐uh.
Three o'clock sharp, right?
I'm doing the first half,
you're doing the second.
We'll brush each other up
over lunch.
Carter, if I need your help
I'll ask for it, okay?
Happiness is
a full nursing staff.
I hope everyone
is feeling healthy.
Peachy.
I'd hate to see us get hit
by the one‐day flu again.
Oh, I think
it's run its course.
I hope so.
I can't afford to get fired.
Oh, honey, that was
just management
rattling its tired old saber.
What if they decide
to replace us?
They won't. After our sick‐out,
management got religion.
The contract negotiations
are going great.
So are we gonna get
what we want?
Yep. County commissioners
are nervous.
They know the public's
on our side.
They won't be
after they read this.
‐ Right there.
‐ Oh, no.
What?
"Patient dies
after nurses walk.
'"An unidentified nurse
at County General Hospital'
"allegedly transfused a patient
with the wrong type blood
"leading to his death
in the hospital's
emergency room."
Somebody died?
That's what they get
for hiring temps.
'"Hospital sources say
the nurse's error
"was a direct result
of understaffing
caused by an illegal,
one‐day sick‐out by ER nurses."
Oh, man!
‐ Where's Carol?
‐ She's on at nine.
Did this guy die because of us?
First name Gil.
Last name unknown.
Section Y‐37.
No headstones?
They just get a number.
Of course, between
the wind and the snow..
There's nothing.
Friend of yours?
No.
Well, uh...he might be
one of these in here.
I think we buried them last.
[theme music]
Ah, Mark, I was just reminding
Kerry that today‐‐
‐ Is prospective intern day.
‐ How could I forget?
There are six
fourth year medical students
interviewing upstairs.
‐ Six?
‐ These are top prospects.
Being hotly recruited
by other programs
so I expect you two to show them
what a real ER is all about.
We'll do our best.
I'm sure you will.
Carol, can we talk
to you for a minute?
‐ Sure. What's up?
‐ This.
We're not going
to take the fall for this.
The negotiations
are going our way.
If some temp made a mistake,
that is not our fault.
What temp?
The one who gave
the patient the wrong blood.
It wasn't a temp. It was me.
God, they lied to me.
I filed an incident report
and they said
that was the end of it.
Need a hand back here!
Fifteen‐year‐old male.
Multiple GSWs to chest.
Massive blood loss on scene.
‐ He shot my partner!
‐ BP's 50/palp, pulse 130.
'Two liters saline in transit.
O2 15 liters.'
‐ He got a name?
‐ Hernandez.
Who's bringing up the rear?
Fifty eight‐year‐old male,
single GSW.
Through and through
to the thigh.
BP 130/90, pulse 108,
resps 26.
‐ Help the boy!
‐ Now, don't listen to him, doc.
Look, we're gonna help
both of you, okay?
No, no, officer, officer, we
need you to wait outside, okay?
We got to work on your partner.
Don't worry, don't worry,
Just give us some room.
On two. Hut one, hut two!
Need suction.
Decreased breath sounds
on the right side.
I need to intubate.
Pressure's down to 40/palp.
Pulse 160.
(Mark)
'Lydia, draw up a blood gas.'
Maybe this will teach him
not to shoot cops.
CBC, type and cross for six.
Get O‐neg going,
chest tube tray.
‐ You got that Thora‐Seal ready?
‐ In a sec.
Alright, I'm in.
Tape that up for me, please?
I'll call Radiology
for a portable.
And Respiratory for a vent.
Alright, I'm gonna
go check on Doyle.
CBC and a crit,
update tetanus
and give him
one gram of Ancef.
‐ How is he?
‐ Missed the femoral artery.
‐ No neuro deficit.
‐ Excellent.
Sergeant..
...Mattimore..
'...welcome to
The Purple Heart Club.'
Thanks. How's the kid?
We're working on him next door.
Hi. I'm Jeanie Boulet.
Uh, Mike and Cindy Patterson.
Hi, Mike. Have a seat.
I understand
you've got a headache.
Oh, nothing serious.
Do you have a history
of migraines?
‐ I got a few in college.
‐ These are different.
They come on for no reason.
What caused them before?
‐ Uh, tubas.
‐ We were in the marching band.
Okay. You're also suffering
from insomnia and dizziness.
‐ Is there anything else?
‐ He just hasn't been himself.
How so?
Well, uh, last night
in his sleep, he bit me
and when he woke up
he didn't know where he was.
Okay. Let's take a look.
Hi.
Hi.
How's that kid who got shot?
Oh, he made surgery.
Oh, thank you.
My mother was disappointed
you couldn't make it
for dinner last night.
Ah, work, you know.
My brothers are starting
to doubt your intentions.
All five of them?
[chuckles]
‐ Chuny‐‐
‐ Mark..
You first.
Mark...I'm not sorry
we did this.
It's been fun, but, um..
...it's starting
to interfere with my work
and I really wanna
preserve our friendship.
I know that's as important
to you as it is to me.
Yeah.
No hard feelings, right?
No, no.
Of course not.
[laughs]
Okay.
Oh, what did you wanna say?
Um..
...nothing.
You hung me out to dry.
No, I didn't.
Then who did?
Sit down, Carol.
Let me get you a cup of coffee.
I don't want a cup of coffee
and I don't wanna sit down.
‐ It wasn't me.
‐ Who then? Drummond?
Somebody who wanted
to influence negotiations
and somebody who had access
to your incident report.
Look, Carol, we have got
a threatened work stoppage here.
Emotions are running high.
The budget is shrinking.
And you've got a nursing staff
that seems to refuse
to acknowledge
the realities of '90s medicine.
This has nothing to do
with the sick‐out.
I gave him the wrong blood.
Which, I believe,
would not have happened
if your friends had honored
their contract
and shown up for work.
This isn't labor politics, Mary.
A man died.
I'm sorry, Carol.
I killed a man
and nobody around here seems
to give a damn!
[monitor beeping]
Tie.
Peter? Tie.
[sighs]
I think you're wise
to slow it down
after Pediatrics.
Nothing like a simple hernia
to put you back in touch
with the basics
hand, blade, clamp, suture.
Peanut, please.
Carter, what's the difference
'between a prostate
and a garden hose?'
‐ I don't know.
‐ Let me tell you.
There's a vas deferens.
[laughs]
'Oh.'
'Corky Butterfield told me that
back in the day.'
'Good old Corky.'
Blew a gasket in the latrine
at Soldier's Field.
Met his maker
with his pants down.
Metz.
And sometimes, you have
to step back to reassess.
Hell of a lot easier
to take stock
from a nice, puffy blimp
than an F‐16.
'Right?'
It's the first mature breakup
of my entire life.
Oh, congratulations.
Yeah, no histrionics,
no yelling.
And we saw the situation,
we addressed it.
Yeah, and how'd she take it?
She's hurt, you know
but she's gonna
get over it in time.
[laughing]
Mm‐hmm. What time you got?
[chuckles]
(Kerry)
'Mark?'
I'd like you to meet Jay Musoff
'Whit Haskell,
Monica Campbell'
Alex Ghandar,
Matt Collins and Leslie Wu.
Hello.
I've prepared
an introductory packet
to our emergency medicine
program.
'You can refer to it
throughout the day.'
The ER may appear chaotic,
but if you watch closely
you'll see a carefully
organized system at work.
I thought that I would
take Jay, Whit and Monica.
Fine.
We'll start with the admissions
desk and go from there.
If you wanna follow at
a ten‐minute stagger, feel free.
Right.
The heart of any emergency room
is the admit desk.
Information is the blood
that courses through it
and the desk clerk
is like the tricuspid valve
if you will.
So you guys wanna play doctor?
Let's go.
I chase number one,
lose him down an alley
I come back just in time
to catch number two
bleeding my partner here
with a cheap .22.
He doesn't even have his gun out
so I capped the punk, twice.
You were lucky your partner
came back when he did.
Two rounds, two hits.
I couldn't believe it.
You should have seen his face,
Pete. He was so surprised.
Like, what did he think
I was gonna do, give him a hug?
'And then when
he saw the blood‐‐'
You have to go now.
He needs his rest.
‐ Oh, I'll wait outside, sarge.
‐ No, no. Go on home.
‐ No, no. I'll wait outside.
‐ Pino!
Home.
Bring me a chocolate frosted
in the morning.
He can do that, right?
If he gets a dozen for us.
‐ Alright, take care.
‐ Yeah.
Talkative.
Ten months out of the academy,
he thinks he's dirty Harry.
‐ Why didn't you shoot back?
‐ Thirty two years on the force.
I've fired twice
outside the practice range.
A cop who won't use his gun.
That's a first.
Your arm okay?
Yeah, yeah.
It's just a little sore.
Carol, can I speak
to you a minute?
Be right back.
We got a situation here.
Well, I spoke to Mary Cain
and she says she doesn't
know who leaked it.
And you believed her?
Yeah, I did.
We had an agreement
on the table
to protect
current staffing levels
and management
just pulled it.
They're gonna use this
to renege on the whole contract.
I'm sorry to hear that.
You had no idea
they were gonna use
this incident against us?
No, I didn't.
What? You think
I'm lying to you?
I don't know anymore, Carol.
You and management
can fight and scream
and tear each other's hair out
for all I care.
I've got a patient.
Most interns send their samples
to the lab without knowing
what happens once they're there.
Let's pretend that we're
a urine sample and find out.
Okay. Let's see.
Scalded foot in curtain two.
That looks promising.
This way.
Mark, I've got
a 25‐year‐old male
headaches, insomnia,
behavioral tics.
His wife brought him in,
he's pretty young for a stroke.
What do you think?
Encephalitis
or a mass lesion.
Could be. Let's do a CT first.
And who's on
for Infectious Disease?
‐ Greg Fischer.
‐ Get him down.
Okay.
Oh, hello, Dr. Greene.
(Mark)
'Sasha,
what a pleasant surprise.'
Sasha's one of our five‐star
chefs in the cafeteria.
‐ 'So what's today's special?'
‐ Bratwurst.
Idiot busboy,
carries out bin of hot water.
Shoom! Right down my boot.
Ah, pretty nasty.
Normally, I'd amputate
but I'm afraid
you'd put it on the menu.
‐ Alright, Alex, first step.
‐ Assess the burn.
Okay, Leslie,
what do you think?
Partial thickness
and there's a small blister
below the medial malleolus.
Good. Matt, what's next?
Uh, 100 of Demerol for the pain.
Then debride
any broken blisters.
Thermazene dressing.
Correct.
You snip, you dress
and you give the Demerol.
I thought we were taking a tour.
Consider it interactive.
[laughter]
I'll check in on you later. Let
me know if you need anything.
Thanks.
Hey..
'...regards to Kenny.'
Will do.
You two know each other?
Yeah. I picked up
her cousin for B and E.
‐ She doesn't seem to mind.
‐ No.
The best thing that
ever happened to him.
He's just like this kid
who got shot
young and scared and gangs
putting the heat on him.
What happened to him?
I got him into a work program.
You know what he is now?
A locksmith.
They used to have these dances
here called Blue And Whites.
You know, cops and nurses.
Lot of marriages
came out of that.
‐ Yeah?
‐ Yours, too?
No.
For me, it was always the job.
You were probably
just a lousy dancer.
Hey, if I didn't have
this hole in my leg
I could show you a turn or two.
Thanks.
I'll take a rain check.
Do you know why so many nurses
end up with cops?
Similar schedule?
Shared appreciation
for life's vicissitudes.
That's beautiful.
Thanks.
I stole it myself.
Too much coffee.
Has that happened before today?
Hey, give me a break. I'm 58.
I can't have the shakes
after I get shot?
I thought
only the scheduling nurse
was allowed to change the board.
I like to erase my own surgery
when I'm done.
Gives me a sense of
accomplishment.
What are you up to?
I'm presenting at firm
conference with Benton.
There's a name I haven't
seen up here in a while.
Been a little slow lately.
'There's a splenectomy that's
open five o'clock with Crosby.'
Why don't you
sign him up for it.
Oh, he usually signs up
for his own surgery.
Just because
Peter's stuck in neutral
doesn't mean you have to be.
I'm doing a portacaval shunt
later. Care to join me?
I'd love to..
...but I don't know
what Benton has planned.
Judging by this, not much.
‐ Hi. I'm Dr. Ross.
‐ Hi.
Uh, Lisa Sailor.
This is my son, Benny.
‐ You work at the hospital?
‐ Yeah, upstairs in ICU.
Um, I usually bring him
to the clinic
but I really didn't wanna
wait this time.
Okay. What happened?
Uh, I'm not sure.
He was out in the backyard,
and he hurt his elbow.
Alright, Benny,
can you do this?
Can you straighten out
your arm like that for me?
You have to use
his special name.
Which is?
Right now it's Clark Kent.
‐ Hi, Clark.
‐ Hello.
Hey. Alright, let me straighten
your arm out just here.
Does that hurt?
It's okay. Alright.
We're gonna have
to get some X‐rays.
Anybody here have X‐ray vision?
Uh, no? Okay.
Well, we'll get Radiology
to take a look at it.
No idea how this happened?
No. I wasn't there
but I think
he was trying to fly.
Ghandar, jeopardy time.
Tenderness
in the anatomic snuff box
indicates this common fracture.
What is first metacarpal?
[imitates buzzer]
Navicular.
I should try that
on my students.
I teach third grade.
Really? Nice.
Ow.
Heather, you have a medial
collateral ligament tear
otherwise known as
gamekeeper's thumb.
Hmm. Playing goalie
is hell on a manicure.
‐ Hockey?
‐ Water polo.
‐ Co‐ed.
‐ Sounds rough.
Last year, I took a point blank
shot to the face.
Fractured my left orbit.
It's a singles league
swim and mingle.
The guys I've met there,
they're tough on the outside
but emotionally,
they're wimps.
I guess my type is more..
...the reverse.
‐ Need some help?
‐ No, thanks.
But, um, I did want to talk to
you about that cop, Mattimore.
Oh, isn't he great? My dad says
he's a real legend on the force.
His right hand has a twitch.
No head trauma,
no focal deficits, right?
Right.
It's probably nerves.
Well, I'd like a head CT
to be sure.
The way his hand moves,
something about it bothers me.
I can't order a $1000 test
without indications.
I think it's recurring.
He's trying to hide it.
I'll do a neuro exam.
If something shows up,
we'll scan him.
Thanks.
Accommodation without
direct response to light.
Argyll Robertson.
‐ Mrs. Patterson..
‐ Cindy.
Cindy, how long ago
did you notice
the change in Mike's behavior?
About a month ago.
I found him down in the kitchen
at three a. m.
talking to himself.
There's a possibility
you have a low‐grade infection
in your
central nervous system.
I'd like to do a spinal tap.
Uh...that sounds painful.
We give you plenty
of local anesthetic.
Takes about five minutes.
Jeanie, can you get
an LP tray, please?
Jeanie. I'm sorry.
I've been meaning to call you.
That's okay.
I didn't expect you to.
‐ Hey, Dr. Benton.
‐ Three o'clock conference.
Thank you, Carter.
Which leaves us plenty of time
for a splenectomy at five.
We'll be in and out by 6:30.
You signed me up for surgery
without my permission?
Crosby needed someone to assist.
He does great work
and I know he respects yours.
‐ Take it off.
‐ What?
My name, take it off the board.
It's too late.
There's not enough time.
Someone's going
to have to cancel.
(Doug)
'The only sign of fracture
is the fat pad.'
‐ Very slight.
‐ Will he need a cast?
I think the splint's
gonna be fine.
He should be healed
in three or four weeks.
Can I talk to you outside?
‐ Yeah.
‐ Just real quick.
We're gonna be right back, okay?
You just hang here.
Has he always been
this uncommunicative?
My, uh...my husband
died five months ago
in a car accident.
He was taking Benny
to get an ice cream cone.
(Doug)
'Was Benny hurt?'
No...but it took
about ten minutes
for the ambulance to get there.
Benny watched his father die.
I'm sorry.
Um...so when he started to
pretend that he was Superman
I‐I just, I thought
it was healthy
a way of coping.
I mean, I got him
that costume for Halloween.
Now he wears it every day
under his clothes.
Do you know Lyle Baker?
He's a child psychiatrist.
He's one of the best.
I'll have him come down for
a consult, see what he thinks.
‐ Okay.
‐ Yeah? Okay.
Benny?
'Benny?'
Benny, come out, please.
‐ How long will it take to heal?
‐ About six weeks.
There go the playoffs.
I don't know what I'm gonna do
with myself.
Would you like
to go out sometime?
Uh...that brings up
an interesting issue.
Wu, are doctors supposed
to date patients?
Uh, definitely not.
‐ For my protection, right?
‐ Right.
I mean, what if
you weren't my doctor?
Then, it's hypothetical.
When do you get off?
Six o'clock.
So hypothetically
if I were at Finch's Bar
on Dearborn tonight at 6:30
and you just happened
to come in and have a drink
that would be legal, right?
Hypothetically...if
I weren't your doctor.
Hmm.
You know, this thumb
is starting to hurt again.
I think I'd like
to see a specialist.
[groaning]
Whoa!
Sorry. Have you ever seen
an abscess this big?
‐ Never.
‐ It's extraordinary.
Mr. Cliffe, how did this happen?
I'm building a cabin up north.
No plumbing yet,
just an outhouse.
I sat down on the seat
without noticing the ice.
‐ Ooh. When I stood up..
‐ Yeah.
That would account
for the wide extension.
We need to drain.
Eleven blade.
[Cliffe groans]
Not to worry, Mr. Cliffe.
Relief is on the way.
[groaning]
Hey, my two favorite ladies.
Still trying to charm us?
And they said
man would never fly.
Now, they have Air Jordan
on a mission to Mars.
Nurse Hathaway told me
about the problem
you're having with your hand.
She did, did she?
'I'm sure it's nothing serious'
but I'd like to do
a simple neurological exam.
So I want you to do is squeeze
my fingers when I say so.
I got shot in the leg.
The rest of me is fine.
‐ 'We just wanna make sure.'
‐ No, thanks.
‐ It'll only take a minute.
‐ I don't want it.
‐ It's for your own good.
‐ I said I don't want it.
The man doesn't want it.
Carla?
Hey.
What are you doing here?
Waiting.
What's wrong?
Are you sick? What's wrong?
No. We should probably
talk later, Peter.
‐ Carla Reese.
‐ That's me.
Dr. Coburn will see you now.
Coburn? OB?
Peter, I will call you later.
No, no, no.
Whoa, whoa. Hey, hey, whoa.
What's up? Are you pregnant?
Later, alright?
When Kerry asked me to talk to
you about our program I thought
what's a grizzled old
muckety‐muck such as yours truly
have to say to
the next generation of sawbones?
And then I realized, nope.
Everyone has a tale to tell,
and mine begins
in a cold, little farmhouse
in Hoobane, North Dakota.
'Pa Morgenstern worked
at the local tannery'
'and ma was a taxidermist..'
‐ How are they holding up?
‐ Stick a fork in 'em.
They've been Weavered.
Still no sign
of Superman, Dr. Ross.
Thanks, Malik, keep looking.
What is that smell?
‐ Bratwurst on the house.
‐ Oh, man.
Compliments of Sasha,
the cafeteria guy.
Yeah, remind me
not to cure him again.
‐ So what do you think?
‐ About you dating a patient?
Do the words Exxon Valdez
ring a bell?
‐ Yeah. I'm still holding.
‐ You should talk.
This is new territory for you.
It takes time to learn
how to read the signs
I know the difference
between dependence
and mutual attraction.
So what are you
gonna do about it?
Doyle. Gamekeeper's thumb
in four.
Check the splint. If it's set,
you discharge her.
Roger that.
Lisa? Yeah, not yet.
Well, I know he didn't
get past security
so he's still in the building.
No. No, you stay put.
He knows where you're working.
He'll probably be
heading your way, okay?
Great. Bye.
When I held that dying
mole rat in my hand
when I felt its little heart
pitter‐pattering in my hands..
‐ Do you see it?
‐ It's glowing.
Looks like syphilis.
Wow. Neurosyphilis.
I'm surprised.
Imagine how surprised
Mrs. Patterson's gonna be.
How are we gonna tell them?
We don't tell them.
‐ We tell him.
‐ And not her?
It's his disease. We can't
violate his right to privacy.
Oh, and she has no rights
except the right to be infected?
‐ Why don't I talk to him?
‐ He's my patient.
'I just asked you down
on a consult.'
I appreciate that,
but this is a tricky situation
and I have more experience
in these matters. It's my field.
I've dealt with these situations
hundreds of times.
This kind of thing
can kill a marriage.
So can silence.
Dr. Carter?
Are you aware of the time?
Yes. I was waiting
for Dr. Benton
to go over some of these notes.
The entire surgical staff
is already here.
Any time now, doctor.
So, uh..
...when were you gonna tell me?
When I knew I had
something to tell.
You know, both my sisters
had miscarriages
during the first trimesters.
What did Coburn say?
Well, she said that
it was just some spotting
and that, you know
there was nothing
to worry about. All systems go.
Carla, I don't understand.
I mean, we were careful. I..
Well, it's like they say,
nothing is 100% effective.
And you're sure it's mine?
I'm gonna forget
you said that.
I'm just gonna lay it
all on the stress
and the surprise, okay?
Carla, I'm sorry.
Look, honey, I don't..
What am I supposed to say?
Look. We're two very
different people, Peter
and Lord knows we both have
enough going on in our lives.
Look..
I've made the choice, Peter..
...to have this baby.
Alright, uh..
...what do you expect
from me, Carla?
The truth.
You've always been
really honest with me.
It's one of
your finer qualities.
I gotta get back to work.
I'll...I'll...call you,
alright?
Sure.
You can adjust these
if they're too short.
We're probably gonna
discharge you today.
Thought you could
use the practice.
Stop being so nice.
Makes me feel even more foolish
for speaking the way I did.
You know,
when I was in the alley
with the kid, Hernandez..
I've had guns pulled
on me a dozen times.
This wasn't a hard guy.
This was a kid caught
in the deep end.
Thirty more seconds,
he drops that piece
we both walk out of there.
What happened?
My hand jerked.
He thought I was going
for my gun.
In a second, he had to decide
whether he wanted
to live or die.
Does anyone else know
about your hand?
You mean,
like the department?
[chuckles]
They'd put me in the mail room.
Then who deals with
the next stupid kid
who panics and pulls a piece?
Some hotshot like Pino?
You need to get it checked out.
What is it?
Is it Parkinson's,
is it a brain tumor..
I don't know, but those are
treatable disorders.
'You could have years to teach
the Pinos to be better cops.'
Or I could be here
lying flat on my back,
stuck full of tubes.
At least, let me do a CAT scan,
find out what's going on.
I'll tell you what, angel.
I'll think about it, okay?
Good.
The aortogram confirms
the unilateral renal
artery stenosis
and treatment was via
an aortorenal bypass graft
using a segment
of the saphenous vein.
Now, discussing the causes
and evaluation
of surgical hypertension
will be my colleague..
...Dr. Peter Benton.
Except that he was detained
which is why he asked me to s..
Uh, stand in for him.
The surgically correctable
causes of hypertension
include coarctation
of the aorta
Cushing's syndrome
and, uh, pheochromocytoma.
(female #1)
'What about Conn's syndrome?'
Uh, and Conn's syndrome,
of course.
‐ 'And hyperaldosteronism?'
‐ That, too.
Wasn't a trial
of drug therapy warranted
before surgical intervention
was undertaken?
'The surgery carries
a 1% mortality rate.'
I see, I see your point.
(Anspaugh)
'What were the results
of the renal vein renin assays?'
Uh, they were high.
They were very high.
Of course,
but what was the ratio
of the affected
to the unaffected side?
[indistinct murmuring]
‐ That I don't know.
‐ 'Obviously not.'
So...uh..
Hey, anyone know
the difference between
a prostate and a garden hose?
‐ Leave her alone!
‐ Shut up! Listen.
I ought to put you over my knees
and slap some manners into you.
Hey, you got no right
to talk to me like that.
Hey! What are you doing?
Let go of him. What is that?
I am trying
to talk to my lady, here.
This kid comes up and starts
kicking me in the leg.
‐ You sit down and relax.
‐ You were mean to her!
Sit down and relax!
Call ICU, tell Lisa Sailor
we found her son
and get security down here.
What is that? What is that?
What are you doing?
He was being mean to her.
Yeah, he could have been
mean to you, too.
‐ No, he couldn't.
‐ Yes, he could have.
No, he couldn't
because I have super powers.
Benny, you don't have
super powers
You are a six‐year‐old boy.
You live with your mother
in Hyde Park.
Benny...you cannot fly
and you cannot attack grown men
who are arguing
with their girlfriend.
You understand?
Hey, are you listening to me?
How's it going?
Hey, somebody
who will talk to me.
You must not
have gotten the memo.
I read the paper.
‐ You hanging in there?
‐ By a thread.
The nurses think
I'm Benedict Arnold.
Management's using my mistake
to make the RNs look bad.
You're in a tough spot.
[sighs]
Yeah.
You know, I should probably just
go to the "Sun Times" myself
'tell them the death had nothing
to do with the sick‐out.'
Then what happens?
I don't know.
Lose my job, maybe?
You ready for that?
Good news?
Mrs. Patterson, I'm gonna need
to speak to your husband alone.
Why? What's wrong?
Jeanie, will you show
Mrs. Patterson
to the waiting room?
No. I wanna stay with you, Mike.
‐ Does she have to go?
‐ Only if that's what you want.
‐ Mike, I wanna stay.
‐ I want her to stay.
Mr. Patterson,
this is sensitive information.
'It can be very difficult
to hear.'
I want my wife
here with me, okay?
Alright. That's your decision
Our tests show
that you have neurosyphilis.
'It's a disease that can cause
mild personality disorders'
'like the ones
you've been suffering.'
Syphilis?
Neurosyphilis.
It's sexually transmitted.
But that doesn't mean
it was contracted recently.
'Takes an average of seven years
for symptoms to arise'
'after the initial infection.'
Seven years?
But we've been together
since high school.
We've always been committed
to each other
from the day we met, to the day
we got married, to now.
We can treat you
with IV antibiotics
and check Cindy for exposure.
In two weeks,
you'll be as good as new.
This is impossible.
We've only been with each other.
Cindy..
Cindy?
I'm s...I'm sorry.
[sobbing]
We've got
a 35‐year‐old male, MVA.
Car skidded into a light pole.
ALOC, multiple lacs,
GCS 8 at the scene.
BP's 90/60,
pulse 110 and irregular.
Passenger space intrusion.
We had to use the jaws
to get him out.
Extrication time?
Approximately 20 minutes.
No witnesses, no ID.
Clear, people, stay back.
‐ Dr. Greene?
‐ Yeah, yeah, come with me.
(male #2)
'Fifteen liters O2, two IVs
normal saline, one liter in.'
Alright, everybody,
on my count.
One, two, three.
Go.
Ghandar, cardiac monitor.
What do you see?
‐ Looks like PVCs.
‐ Pupils are sluggish.
(Kerry)
'Good bilateral breath sounds.'
(Mark)
'Lidocaine 100 IV push.'
‐ Start a drip at two mgs.
‐ Should they be in here?
My students, my call.
Get a CBC, chem 20, enzymes.
‐ Type and cross for four units.
‐ Pulse ox 95.
Dr. Weaver,
OD in curtain four.
We got a gusher.
Pressure dressing.
Piggyback a gram of Ancef.
‐ He's in fib.
‐ Alright, charge 200.
Wu, put gloves on.
You ever bring somebody
back to life?
‐ 'No.'
‐ Alright.
Get over here.
‐ Clear.
‐ 'Clear.'
Here you go.
Okay, charge to 300.
Clear.
Charging 360.
Clear.
‐ Excellent.
‐ 'Got a pulse.'
Alright, Collins.
Put in a Foley.
Don't be shy, it's not yours.
Ghandar, glove up.
Okay, you're gonna help me
with a peritoneal lavage.
Doug, how's that leg?
Nasty.
He got the popliteal artery.
‐ Dr. Ross?
‐ Yeah?
Benny, what are you
doing in here? Benny!
Benny!
Haleh, get him out of here,
will you, please?
(female #2)
'Spiked a liter for the lavage.'
Come on, baby, come on.
That's it. Come on.
More 4 x 4s.
Grab that 5‐inch Ace.
[sighs]
Where were you?
‐ Ugh. Firm conference.
‐ Yeah, the firm conference.
I got crucified in there
covering for you.
Yeah, well,
you shouldn't have tried.
I didn't have a choice.
We were supposed
to do it together.
And you left me
twisting in the wind, man.
Not to mention
trashing my reputation
in front of every surgeon
in this hospital.
Carter, I'm sorry. Alright?
Something came up.
You're sorry and something
came up. That's your excuse?
‐ Yeah.
‐ Right.
I've got a shunt with Hicks.
Would you do me a favor?
The next time
that you feel the urge
to ruin my career,
I would appreciate a warning.
‐ Tom Clayton?
‐ Carol Hathaway?
Yeah.
You want something
to eat, coffee?
No. No, thank you.
So you're the nurse manager
in the ER.
Is that right?
Do you mind if I take notes?
No.
Is this gonna be
on the record?
Yes, it is.
(Doug)
'Here you go.'
Is that man going to die?
Maybe.
He was hurt pretty badly.
Just like your dad, right?
I was thinking
about what I said to you earlier
and I was wrong.
Okay, sometimes, when you try
to help somebody and you can't
it gets inside you
and it, and it twists
and you wonder why.
You should do..
...what you think is right.
And you don't let me
or anybody else stop you.
Okay?
It's...been a long time.
I can't remember if, uh,
Superman had a dad or not
but if he did,
I know that he was
very, very proud of his son.
[sighs]
Okay?
Come here.
Come here.
Hey.
I've never done this before.
Really? This is exactly the kind
of thing you should be doing.
So should I be worried
about Peter?
‐ What do you mean?
‐ Don't play dumb, Carter.
It doesn't suit you.
Is his emotional state
impairing his surgical ability?
No. Not that I've seen.
I appreciate your loyalty.
But I want you to know
if Peter can't use your talents
my team can.
Really? Are you serious?
I'm almost always serious.
‐ I need Mr. Patterson's chart.
‐ Why's that?
I couldn't
convince him to stay.
Tricky situation.
Are you going to notify
the department of health?
It's the law.
Well, why don't you wait
a couple of days.
Let them talk it out
I'll give him a call and
he'll probably come back in.
Are you refusing
to give me his chart?
It's my job to be
an advocate for my patients.
It's your job to assist me.
That's why it's called
physician assistant.
Are you always this arrogant
or is it just me?
It's just you.
Look, I owe you an apology
for the other night.
Greg, you don't wanna date
a woman who is HIV positive.
You don't owe me anything.
Did you see me zap that guy?
I had my hands inside his chest.
Unbelievable.
‐ Bye.
‐ Goodnight.
‐ Thank you. Bye‐bye.
‐ Thank you.
Well, I wanna thank you two
for taking care of our charges.
What do you think?
Well, frankly,
I was disappointed.
I found a general
lack of enthusiasm
inattention to detail.
If I were you, Donald,
I would seriously
re‐evaluate their applications.
Well, don't worry, Kerry
because none of your students
decided to apply
for the program.
On the other hand, Mark,
all three of your candidates
'rank us as their top choice.'
You know, you really
reached those kids today.
You ever thought
about an academic appointment?
'There is a tenured spot
available.'
I never thought about it.
I think it's clear your place
is on the faculty.
‐ Really?
‐ Absolutely.
Carol...I just got a call
from a "Sun Times" reporter.
He wanted me to confirm
some statements you made.
I hope you did.
They're all true.
Why did you do it?
If you have to ask,
you don't know me very well.
I thought we were friends.
No, Mary, you're my boss.
I lost a patient.
I can't hide that,
and I can't forget it.
Neither should you.
Drummond wants to see you
right away.
Hicks offered me
a position on her team.
I'm taking it.
Effective Monday.
Okay.
You know, a month ago you
would have ripped my lungs out
for going behind your back
to another surgeon.
'Now you just stand there?'
Since when did I start caring
about what you do, Carter?
Never.
But now you don't care
about yourself.
You don't care
about your reputation.
I need an evaluation
before I can transfer
to Hicks' team.
You'll get it.
You know,
in that surgery today..
...everything I did,
you taught me.
[instrumental music]
Saul, I'll try your winter ale.
Yeah.
Mark Greene.
Heather Morgan.
‐ What happened to your thumb?
‐ Oh, it's a long story.
I had to go
to the hospital for it.
Saw this great doctor.
I hope he took
good care of you.
She, actually.
Can I ask you
a hypothetical question?
I think we can dispense
with the hypotheticals.
‐ Absolutely.
‐ Did you order those?
No, they're from
table 14 in the back.
You bring them everywhere?
Haleh?
These are the shifts
for next week.
There's still a problem
with Wednesday.
We only have six RN's scheduled.
So you may need
to bring in a float.
There's supply reqs,
a memo from Mary Cain
and a note from
Buildings And Grounds
that two of our parking spaces
have been reassigned.
Don't go to the parking clerk,
go straight to Weber.
We won on this last year
but I think
now they're getting serious.
That's not my job.
It is now.
I've been suspended.
[dramatic music]
[theme music]