St. Elsewhere (1982–1988): Season 3, Episode 10 - Girls Just Want to Have Fun - full transcript

'Previously on St Elsewhere...'

Dr Holtz is from the Bray
Clinic in Minneapolis.

Wait a minute, first put the TV
set back on and fix the colour.

Do you want me to leave?

Mr Millstein, you need your
brother's bone marrow or you'll die.

Chris, why don't you come
and stay with me?

I'm gay.

Oh.

I don't think we're
supposed to do this.

Your neighbour brought his
daughter in a few minutes ago.

She ate a bottle of
acetametaphine.



I have been praying that a
child will die so Alexis can live.

'Tonight on St Elsewhere...'

Don't say it.

Niagara Falls.

My wife is going to start
volunteer work at St Eligius.

What's in the bottle, Mr Moore?

Medicine.

Went to one of these folk
healers in his building.

I'm not giving out medicines
but I couldn't turn away a baby.

Helen? Mitzi Clarendon,
I'm sure that name rings a bell...

after all you have been spending
a lot of time with my husband.

My private life, Annie.

Sex between two women is unnatural.

Nuts and sluts, is that right?



What if that was Pete lying there?

She needs liver dialysis.

There's no way Shirley
shot Peter White.

She admitted shooting him.

I know this woman, I've worked
with her, I've slept with her.

Believe me, she couldn't have
done it.

What you think, Shirley is
taking a fall for somebody else?

Over here. Over here.

About time somebody paid attention.

People have been walking by
and looking the other way.

What's the problem?

My leg's broken.

Let me take a peek.

You a doctor?

We both are. Chandler, Fiscus.

My name is Quinton Moore.

Fat old Mercury hit me
across in Hawley Street.

That's six blocks away. How did
you get all the way over here?

I walked.

Whoever was driving wasn't
about to stop and give me no ride.

It's broken. It's nothing that can't
be fixed. Let me get a wheelchair.

I should have stayed in bed.

What's in the bottle, Mr Moore?

Medicine.

I've got a bad stomach.

I've had it about five years.

May I?

Don't spill it.

There's no prescription label.

Don't need one.

It was made by a woman who lives
in my building, Regina Bigalow.

You haven't considered that maybe
this is why you have a bad stomach?

Then why would I be using it?

When we get him up in X-ray, let's
do an upper GI search.

He's taken some kind
of elixir for his stomach.

What if she can't answer, >

but she sees when
you open her eyes, >

or hears when we talk? >

I think she knows I'm here.

Alexis is very sick,
she is getting very weak.

Her liver function has
almost completely stopped.

She may die sooner than we thought.

I know that.

Every day you tell me she's dying,
but you do nothing to help.

I have tried to help you.

You're a doctor!

You're supposed to have the answers.

You are supposed to make her well.

Instead you are just marking time.

Look at my daughter, Jack.

Look at her.

What if that was Pete lying there?

We are not going to let her die.

We are going to do everything
it takes to make her live.

Put her on life-support systems.

That is not going to help.

She needs liver dialysis.

We can't get her on the
machine at the Boodwin Institute.

There is nothing I can do.
I'm sorry.

Go to hell.

That's it?

That the extent of
Hershel's big sacrifice?

Melvin, don't start.

I'm dying here and you're
snivelling about giving me

one lousy bottle of bone marrow?

Your brother endured a very
painful procedure for you.

After I do back to New Jersey

do you know how long I have to sit on
this thing? A couple of weeks.

Do you know what that will look like
in a restaurant or at the movies?

Oh, you are breaking my heart.
Stop, will you please?

To collect this marrow,

we had to make nearly 100 punctures
at the base of his spine.

Really? I'm surprised
you even found the spine.

You're a comedian, Melvin.

Too bad they closed
the RKO Keith's circuit.

At least I've got a personality.
You, Hershel, you're a doorknob.

Both of you, for heaven's sake,
settle down or I'll separate you.

It's been this way ever since...

Don't say it.

Niagara Falls.

You've got some hell of a
nerve bringing that up again.

Mr Millstein, out.
Back to your room.

Just you stay away from me!

You know something, Melvin...

you're a schlemiel!

He took his mask off,
did you see that?

You're spreading germs! Hershel!

Niagara Falls! >

Mr Moore, you're a lucky man.

Phil, the man got hit by a car.

I'm talking about his ulcer, Fiscus.

Lucky he didn't have a rupture.

He had no idea what was wrong?

No, not the slightest.
He went to one of these

folk healers in his building.

She told him she could help him
put the fire out in his stomach.

Hey, Jack, have you heard
anything about Shirley?

No.

I've been trying to get
in touch with Detective Margalian.

I guess she'll have to stay
at the government centre

until the arraignment.

Whose are these?

Alexis Wagoner's.

Oh yeah, poisoning.

She looked pretty
good when she left ER.

She went into a coma
later that night.

Did you check her vitals?

Yes.

May I?

How many liver scans did she have?

Three.

I don't know what it is with
you, Boomer.

All your patients seem
to be going south lately.

Fiscus!

Why the hell have you got to make
a smart remark about everything?

Jack, take it...

Hey! Why don't you shut up?
Philip, I don't need you telling me

what to do or
how to treat my patients.

Don't question my medical
judgment, OK? All right?

I'm just a good a doctor
as either of you.

Good morning, Dr Holtz.

Morning. It's Christine.

That's a great colour on you.

Thank you, anything loose-fitting
is a great colour on me.

Annie, I'm really looking
forward to this evening.

Shall we just meet at home?

You two going out on the town?

Christine wants to go to
the hasty pudding show.

Oh, that sounds like fun.

It's a pity that Dr Holtz
is leaving tomorrow,

you and she seemed to
have become great friends.

Not really.

I'm surprised to hear you say that.

I was even more surprised to
find that she's a lesbian,

after I invited her to stay with me.

Dr Craig?

Mm hmm?

You and I had a meeting scheduled.

I was called into emergency surgery.

He's a salesman for the
Peugeot dealership in Worcester.

Now I've corrected his
pulmonary artery stenosis

he will live long enough
to see the 85.

Dr Craig. About you speaking as

an expert witness in front
of the Phelps Committee...

Yes, I know how important the state
medical cost control hearings are.

You don't have to remind me.

That's not what I came to say.

Dr Harvey Massick, a lobbyist for
physicians for quality control

asked me personally.

Dr Auschlander doesn't think
it's a good idea

for you to speak at
tomorrow's hearing.

Oh really?

And tell me, are you simply
Dr Auschlander's prat girl

or do you
feel the same way?

I agree with him.

Speaking out against
freezing physician's fees

will reflect badly
on this hospital.

It'll look as though
doctors at St Eligius are

more concerned with savings
accounts then saving lives.

Look, listen lady,

somebody has to stand
up to the Phelps Committee.

I mean God forbid that they
send their proposals down

to the state legislator
and it becomes law.

like some public utility.

I testify tomorrow, as planned.

Damn, damn, damn.

That'll stop itching as
soon as the plaster dries.

Stomach aches.

When you giving back my medicine?

I'm not.

Mr Moore, you have an ulcer that
is a raw area on the inside...

I don't care what it is called.
I just want my medicine.

I'm writing you a prescription.

I can't afford it.

Fine, look.

I have samples here. These are free,
they won't last that long it so...

I don't want it!

Mr Moore, now unless you start

taking care of your stomach you
are going to have serious problems.

You already took away my medicine.

This is your medicine, Mr Moore.

Mr Moore, your folk
healer won't help you.

Guess he didn't believe you.

Yeah, but he will listen
to some ignorant woman

who practises without
a licence, right?

Mr Moore's managed
OK up until now.

The X-ray shows his ulcer is
under control, why are you so upset?

Because.

Because I am sick and tired
of people getting suckered in

by these, these folk healers.

You know I had a woman come in,

present a DOA with a burst
appendix, 20 years old.

Now she walked around,
three days in severe pain.

But instead of going to
a professional,

she went to one of these
neighbourhood witch doctors,

told her to put garlic in her
body and drink her own urine.

You know this kind of stuff
happens all the time but this

Regina seems to be helping them.
Who are you calling?

The board of health.

I want them to drop in on Regina
and make their own decision.

Then who are you going
to go after, Phil?

Anybody who tries to put
on their own Band Aid?

Why the furrowed brow?

Ever see a film called
When Worlds Collide?

Missed that one.

Well I...

I think we're starring in the sequel.

My wife is going to start
volunteer work at St Eligius.

You're kidding?

No.

Mitzi is going
through her manic phase.

She heard me saying so many wonderful

things about a hospital never
realising it was because of you.

And decided that she must
lend her services

to such a worthwhile institution.

Well...

I guess that puts an end to
our trysting in the stairway.

Until she goes through her
depressive phase and quits.

Well, we always have this place.

And each other.

I really tried to
reason with Dr Craig.

Was he intractable?

Yes.

And the Phelps Committee won't look
favourably on what he has to say.

They have jurisdiction over all
healthcare funding in Massachusetts.

KNOCK ON DOOR

I have to see you.

Ask Dr Westphall to talk to Dr Craig.

I can't deal with this.

What's the matter?

I can't accept the fact
that Alexis Wagoner is dying

and there is nothing I can do.

We can't be expected
to perform miracles.

I am not asking to perform miracles.

I just want to be
able to do something!

This hospital is
filled with doctors

who have spent their lives
learning to treat diseases.

We have machines and countless
drugs, we have therapies,

treatments, I refuse to believe we
can't save a little girl's life.

It's not your fault
or your responsibility.

Well, if it's not my responsibility,
then what am I doing here?

I mean what good am doing if I can't
help? What good are you if you...

Morrison, why don't you
take a few minutes and cool down.

Gee, those are nice!

Elliott, please.

Nice? Full grain uppers,
spool cut laces, suede instep

and apron soles and
all you can say is "nice".

New bucks, Victor? >

Clarkington whites, bought
them with a health-spa paycheque.

Sure are nice.

You guys wouldn't know a good pair
of shoes if you tripped over them.

Uh-oh. >

What?

Looks like a lover's spat. >

What are you talking about? >

According to rumour,
Dr Holtz is a lesbian.

As in Top Sergeant,
Amy John, screaming queen?

I understand that... I mean
people with that sexual inclination

prefer to be called gay.

Wait a minute, isn't Holtz
staying with Cavanero?

All week.

Freud said that all of us go
through a homoerotic phase.

Hold the phone, I wonder
if the two of them...

I'm merely repeating innuendo. >

Homosexuality has been
tolerated in certain societies.

Take ancient Greece for example.

It's no secret Cavanero's has never
really had a relationship with a man.

This is terrible. >

How can we sit here casting stones

just because of someone's
preference in lovers?

Casting stones, are you crazy?

Trying to figure out a way to
get both of them over to my place.

Mr Millstein, everything all right?

There's hardly any pain
when I'm not sitting.

I'm glad to hear it.

You know, I know you and your
brother inside and out. Physically.

But something's still a mystery.

What's that?

Niagara Falls.

1949.

I met a girl named
Gladys at Niagara Falls.

The Canadian side is much prettier.

We spent one weekend
together that was...

you know what I mean?

Generally, yeah.

Flash forward a couple of years,

I come up to Boston to see
Melvin and his new bride.

Gladys?

You got it.

But I still don't see why...

Let me finish.

Flash ahead a couple more years,

Melvin and Gladys are
in the divorce court.

At the trial she says Hershel's
a better lover than Melvin.

They had to drag her
screaming from the court.

"I married the wrong brother!"

Melvin never had a way with women.

And that's why you've
been fighting for 35 years?

Do you know how I found out that
my brother had thyroid cancer?

About six months after
it was all over,

I called him from New Jersey,
"How you been?"

"Fine, I have cancer."

For the love of Mike,
our father died of cancer.

"I didn't want to worry you,"
he said.

But I don't think that was it.

Who knows why brothers and sisters
don't tell each other things.

It's wrong, we're
from the same womb.

How did we get to the strangers?
How did we get to be so different?

Trust me, Mr Millstein,
you're not all that different.

We are too, don't tell me.

The man is venality personified.

I'm no expert on this,

I certainly don't get along
with all my siblings,

but I know that when we're together,

it's what we have in common
that makes me the craziest.

You mean that even
if I'm not aware of it,

I see myself reflected
in Melvin's actions?

Yep!

What a lot of hooey.

Someone here to see you.

Mr Moore's doctor.

I'm Dr Chandler.

Mr Chandler.

Two investigators from the medical
board stopped by my apartment,

told me they'd arrest me if they
caught me giving out medicine again.

You're practising without a licence.

I have a licence, I'm a midwife.

That means you should be
delivering babies, nothing else.

You should forget about
treating people like Quentin Moore.

Quentin came to me for help.
He has a bad stomach.

No, he has a duodenal ulcer.

Quentin Moore should be coming
to someone trained and educated

to make the proper diagnosis and
prescribe the right treatment.

Dr Chandler, could we sit down?

I grew up in Gee's Bend, Alabama.

There was no such thing as a
coloured doctor.

And the white doctors
didn't take care of coloureds.

We had to take care of ourselves.

That's Gee's Bend, Alabama.
Things are different now.

Not as much as you think.

People go to who they trust.

A lot of folks in my neighbourhood

are scared of big hospitals
like this so they come to me.

I can't turn them away.

That doesn't justify
what you're doing.

It's so easy, isn't it, for
you to sit here inside this

big building and judge me?

You've got no idea what I do.

If you did you wouldn't
be trying to stop me.

Would you speak to
those investigators?

What you're doing is wrong.

If you don't let me do my doctoring,
you'll be hurting a lot of people.

They can come here.
We'll take care of them.

But they won't!

Dr Chandler, how many
babies have you delivered?

15.
Maybe.

I've delivered almost 2,000.

Only lost seven.

Annie.

I've been meaning to tell
you how nice you look today.

Thanks, Fiscus.
I've been meaning to ask you,

do all your clothes
come from a sporting goods store?

Glad to see you haven't
lost your sense of humour.

I feel like I'm walking down
the runway at a beauty pageant.

What is with you?

I'm trying to spot that subtle
something I missed before.

Before what?

With the exception of
Shirley "Cha-Cha" Muldowney,

you're the hottest woman I know.

Not buying, Fiscus.

Annie, I realise we're never
going to be more than friends.

Was there ever a question?

I just can't believe it.

Almost two years wasted
on trying to land you,

only to find I was
using the wrong bait.

However it is a comfort to know
I didn't lose you to another man.

Fiscus!

Give my best to Dr Holtz.

She's only a guest.

Right.

Andy?

Have you located a donor? >

No. >

I hate falling asleep.

I'm afraid that every time I
wake up I'll find that Alexis is...

Andy, over 30 years ago,
doctors learned to defeat

tuberculosis with antibiotics.

Before that we fought the
disease the best way we knew. >

Treatment usually involved
the loss of a lung

in the hope of saving a life.

We weren't always successful.

At one time, people
with liver failure

would undergo a procedure
known as course perfusion.

if you and Alexis
are linked by this procedure,

there is a small chance

that your liver could take
the strain off of hers.

It might give her liver
time to regenerate.

There are grave risks involved.

There are always risks involved.

Hear me out.

The toxins from Alexis's blood
could overwhelm your liver.

It's possible you could die.

Also, if the perfusion apparatus
were to develop a leak,

an embolism could occur, which
would be fatal to you both. >

I wanted you to take your
time and think this over.

this is probably
your only hope for Alexis.

common sense or in this case
the odds against your survival.

There's nothing to talk about.

Let's start the procedure.

Phil, lab analysis came back
on Mr Moore's magic potion.

Turned out it was chalk,
egg whites and water.

Just about the same chemical
compound we give for a mild ulcer.

Calcium carbonate and albumen.

Sure you didn't know that,
but don't feel ignorant.

Myocardial infarction. BP 70.
Patient has a history of hypotension.

Let's get a 12 lead EKG.

I want ABGs, CBC.
I need a nurse here.

He's atrial flutter.

Is he on any medication?

Nitroglycerine, 1/50th
of a gram sublingual.

Call the cardiac unit, please.

Where the hell's the nurse? Shirley!

The delivery room is the
most out of the way,

sterile environment in the hospital.

We'll put both beds in here,
side by side,

with the perfusion apparatus
in between.

How long does the procedure take?

Maybe up to a week.

Andy, we need to get a medical
history and do a physical. >

No problem, I've only been
sick two days of my life.

Andy, please remember there are
no guarantees for your daughter.

This is a long shot.

All I wanted was a chance.

That's what you're giving me.

Let's get you admitted.

Jack, are you coming with us?

Yeah, sorry.

Is there something wrong?

This hospital is so full
of bad memories for me.

All the problems last year,

Wendy Armstrong dying, then Peter.

Shirley Daniels.

This is one place
where the memories are good.

It's where Nina gave birth to Pete.

Phil, you offered medical treatment
to Mr Moore. He refused it.

There's nothing else
you can do about that.

I took the easy way out again.

I made a phone call instead
of going down to Regina's,

and checking things
out for myself.

Why don't you go down there now?

You know, when I was in college,

I wanted to do something
to help my fellow man,

so I volunteered for mission work
down the worst part of New Haven.

You know me, I
wanted to go all the way.

I saw cockroaches so big

you had to stamp your
feet every once in a while

to keep them from
running up your leg.

I saw sick people, hungry people,
babies with distended stomachs.

I stayed 20 minutes.

I couldn't handle not
being able to help these people.

Those people come to
this hospital every day

and now you know how to help them.

I just feel like I'm taking
the easy way out again, that's all.

Well if you're saying you
want to do more, do it.

Just because I'm black doesn't
mean that I fit in down there.

What are you worrying about, Phil?
Fitting in or helping people?

And so, Chairman Phelps,
committee members, honoured guests...

Distinguished guests.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come in.

Just want to see how your
speech is coming along.

Hey, Donald. This is exciting.

This stuff takes me back to my
days on the debating team at Penn.

Did you know
that I was the only undergraduate

to receive the Cicero award

for oratory excellence
two years in a row?

Really?

How did you know I
was writing a speech?

Joan Halloran told me.

She asked me to drop by.

You know that woman is incredible,
like a hummingbird.

She flits from one place to another

sticking her nose
in everybody's business.

Since when do I have
to have the approval

of the entire staff
to express my opinions?

You're certainly
entitled to your views.

That's very progressive
of you, Donald.

But like it or not, when you
go in front of that committee

you're speaking for St Eligius.

Yes, that's been made clear.

Rising hospital costs is
a very complicated issue.

I'm very glad that I don't
have to address it.

I wouldn't know where to start.

Yes, you would. How about here?

The gang members who jump
into a Friday night rumble

than appear in the ER expecting
to be patched up free of charge.

Where does the money come for that?

How about these freeloaders who check
in with no intention of ever paying?

Mark, we don't operate
in a vacuum, you know?

I think the people in this community

are going to be upset when
they hear those remarks.

Do you think the people
in the community

would mind my talking about
the money spent on some guy

up in the psych ward who's depressed
because his mother yelled at him?

I'm simply concerned

that what I've heard so far is
inflammatory and divisive.

That's what they
said about Goldwater in '64.

Look where he is today.

He's got more credibility
than Joe DiMaggio.

Well, I wouldn't want to tell
you how to write your speech.

Yes, you would, but don't.

The Phelps committee has to realise
that putting a cap on doctors' fees

is not the answer to cutting costs.

Good luck.

In a few weeks we should
have you eating and drinking.

Dr Cavanero will make the decision
when she feels you're strong enough.

OK. That's fine and dandy with me.

You're in a good
mood all of a sudden.

Why shouldn't I be?
I'm going to beat this disease.

That whining brother of
mine is going back to Ho-Ho-Kus.

Don't tell me again I
should be grateful to him

because he owes me and he knows it.

Whatever you say.

Hey, what's all this
yakety-yak I hear?

Like I saw in a movie once -
women in prison.

I don't follow you.

One of the orderlies asked me

if I objected to having
a gay for a doctor.

Are you wondering if I'm gay?

Not you,

Dr Cavanero.

Don't worry,
Mr Millstein, she's normal.

Yeah. I thought so.
I knew it wasn't true.

Doctors live by a higher code.

You see, God put two
sexes on this earth, right?

He made each with
parts to fit the other.

I mean what are two girls going to do

that could be more
fun than with a man?

I tell you what.
I don't think lesbians really exist.

I think it's all media hype.

All right, maybe they
existed a long time ago,

but I think they all died out.

Yeah, because they
couldn't have kids.

Hey, I don't want you to
tell Hershel about this,

but if you ask me, that boy of his...

Can't even tell the
Celtics from the Bruins.

Would it matter if I were gay?

Don't be ridiculous.
You're a great doctor.

You practically saved my life.

On top of that,

you're a nice person.

Thank you, Mr Millstein.

Hey, Doctor.

You know, I never once saw
you with your mask off.

How about a little peek
before you go?

Oh!

You are going to make some
lucky guy a wonderful wife.

I don't think so. I'm gay.

Ah! Hey! You really had me
going there for a second.

Goodbye, Mr Millstein.

Goodbye, Doctor.

It's going to be
first ice pretty soon.

Tommy's going to
want to go to the pond.

You ever worry you won't be
there when your kids need you?

All the time.

I do the best I can.

When I think how
easily accidents happen.

I work these crazy hours.

I'm always leaving them with
sitters, dragging them here.

That's no way for a kid to grow up.

Aren't you being tough on yourself?

Busy trying to be a
doctor and not being a father.

You're doing a fine job
with that little guy.

Yesterday on the roof,

I don't know what I
thought I was doing,

taking that gun away from Shirley.

What if I had been killed?
Who would have taken care of Pete?

I'm glad I found you before I left.
Excuse me.

Dr Jack Morrison, Dr Holtz.

Thank you for your hospitality.

You're welcome.

I only wish I could take credit for
initiating the bone marrow programme

but that was Dr Craig's idea.

We were very impressed
with the work you did here.

Thank you. I hope the
opportunity arises to come back.

Me, too.
Good night.

Goodbye.

I can never remember her first name.

Dr Westphall,

would you consider
being Pete's godfather?

He hasn't been christened.

I'm flattered but isn't there
someone in your family you'd like?

No, no, it should be somebody close.

There's no-one I admire more.

I know if something happened
to me he'd be in good hands.

All right, just think about it.

I don't have to
think about it, Jack.

I'd be honoured.

Well?

It's ready.

I mean the speech.

Oh, I'm not done yet.

Cinnamon?

A dash.

What do you think?

Yeah, it's just not you, Mark.

OK, so I haven't written
the Gettysburg Address.

How is it on the issues?
Clear, concise?

And about as interesting
as a washing machine manual.

That's the fourth draft
you're waving at me.

You asked me for my opinion.

Well, I thought you'd like it, Ellen.

I've been pushed and pulled
all over the map on this one.

First draft sounded
like a Christmas toast.

I never realised I
knew so many platitudes.

The second draft, Donald thought
would start a riot and the third...

Forget about Donald
and the PQC.

What do you want to say?

What about your
passion for your work?

Your feelings for your patients?

Remember when you used to give
speeches in college

you'd make a few notes
on your shirt cuffs

and you'd get up and have
the whole room spellbound?

That was a long time ago.

You can do better.

Trust your instincts.
Really, they never let you down.

Good night, sweetheart.

Everybody's a critic.

Too much cinnamon, Ellen!

'Large, small, pug or ski-slope,

'your nose is your passport to the
world of olfactory delight...'

These health spots are
really something, aren't they?

Very entertaining.

I'm sorry I can't take you
to the airport tomorrow.

I'll get a cab.

I'd better get some sleep.
Early rounds.

I thought we were supposed
to go to Cambridge tonight.

I met somebody for drinks and it
turned into dinner. I meant to call.

I think it's time to talk.

About what?

Mr Millstein heard a rumour
in the hospital that I was gay.

Nothing to say?

After making my private life another
scoop for the St Eligius grapevine?

You said you weren't ashamed.

My private life, Annie.

I mentioned it to one person.

I told you in confidence, as friends.

Why did you have to
tell anyone at all?

It just came out.

That kind of thing doesn't just
come out. It's said for a reason.

I don't want to talk about this.

You just want to take cheap shots.

Don't expect me to be understanding.

I'm sorry if you got hurt but
you choose your own lifestyle.

And I have to pay for it.

What you do is perverted.

Sex between two women is unnatural.

I must have missed that
lesson in med school.

It's deviant behaviour.

Nuts and sluts, is that right?

Come on, Annie.

Ever since you told me you were gay
I haven't known how to treat you.

I was taught that women shouldn't
have those feelings

and if you do it's wrong.
Just wrong!

TELEVISION BLARES

MUFFLED SHOUTING

KNOCK ON DOOR

BABY CRIES

Is Regina here?

I'm not giving out medicines
but I couldn't turn away a baby.

What's the matter?

She's burning with fever.

Look, I want to help.

We'll work together.

I'll come down
here as often as I can

but you've got to start sending
people to St Eligius.

It's OK.

It's all right.

I hope I didn't wake you.

I've been up for a while.

Sorry about the paper.

No, it's OK.

Did I tell you I spoke to
Dr Westphall last night?

Anything said about a
permanent appointment?

No, it was short.

Appreciate your work, impressed
with your research. Stuff like that.

CAN HORN BEEPS

It's late. I'd better go.

Thanks for letting me stay here.

Chris, I stayed up
thinking last night.

I'm sorry.

People don't change overnight.

Listen, I don't try and hide
the fact that I'm a lesbian,

but it's not the first thing I
tell people, especially colleagues.

It's hard enough being accepted
as a woman in this profession

let alone a gay woman.

All I wanted was to be friends

and you made that
friendship suspect.

You automatically assumed I was
interested in you romantically.

I hope we still can be friends.

CAR HORN BEEPS

I agreed to speak here today
for two reasons.

One, Physicians For Quality Care
is an organisation

that I've always respected.

And two, I abhor bureaucrats
trying to tell me how to do my job.

Dr Craig, we're here to discuss
doctors' fees,

not your personal likes and dislikes.

What I'm saying is

that quality care in
medicine is an absolute.

You can't put a price tag on it.

According to our figures, doctors'
net incomes have more than doubled

from 48,000 to 100,000
in just over 10 years.

I'm not an economist,
I'm a heart specialist.

Then your income is
considerably more. >

For your information,

I give, free of charge, 10% of my
time in the OR to indigents.

That's very commendable.
May I ask why?

Because it makes me feel good

to take care of people who might
not otherwise find proper care.

We can't expect all
doctors to be so altruistic

and that's why this committee is
out to put a cap on physicians' fees

because they're simply too high

and too many people are being denied
expert healthcare because of it.

You're not listening
to what I'm saying.

I think it is abundantly clear
what you came here to say

and whom you're speaking for.

We have a long list of speakers.

Thank you, Dr Craig.

Dr Herbert Minetty, from the
Boston chapter of the ANA.

Would you please come up now?

Wait a minute.
No, wait a minute.

I haven't finished here.

Here we go.

Healthcare isn't some
political contest about fees.

It's...

How about a woman's face when you
tell her, her son is going to live?

Or repairing a human heart
while that heart beats in your hand?

It's complex.
Not unlike the body itself.

So, instead of taking sides,
we should all be working together

to strengthen healthcare, to reach
out to those people who need help.

I mean, lives are at stake here.

And damn us all
for playing politics with them.

I always get nosebleeds
when the weather changes.

I think it has something to
do with my mucus membrane.

This way, come on.
Enough with the mucus membrane.

It's leaking. I need ice.

Fascinating(!)

Let's just go in here.

Whoa! Annie.

Eliot. What happened?

When the weather changes my...

Don't get him started.
Where's your roomy?

She went back to Minnesota.

Doggone it! I was hoping we could
make it a threesome.

For dinner, that is. >

Hey, now.

If only I could have been a
fly on the wall there. Come on.

Where can I find Helen Rosenweig?

It's Helen Rosenthal and
she's right over there.

Oh!

Excuse me, Helen.
Mitzi Clarendon.

Hello.

I'm sure that name rings a bell.

After all you have been
seeing a lot of my husband.

He told me what you did.

I don't know what you mean.

Deep in his heart of hearts,
I think Richard knew from

the start you wouldn't hold out. How
long did you think it would go on?

Unions are broken all
the time these days.

You nurses are lucky that you
didn't become another statistic.

Lucky...

Well, I'm only on
a ten-minute break.

I should go back to paediatrics.
I read to the kids.

I know.

Pleasure meeting you.

My God. Poor Richard!

You're sure there's
nothing I can do to help?

Not really. The whole thing
scares the hell out of me.

You want to call it off?

No. Andy's young, healthy and
committed to going through with it.

Those qualities
mitigate in his favour.

Donald, if Andy and his daughter die,
we'll have a damn tough time

explaining to an ethics board that
we made a responsible decision.

We're not here to
play it safe, are we?

Don't bother scrubbing.

Sir?

As far as I'm concerned you're
very much part of this procedure.

As far as the nurses, technicians

and anyone else is concerned,
you're simply assisting me.

I don't understand.

Jack, you've got a long
career ahead of you in medicine.

I've had a long career.

If this procedure fails and they die,

it's quite possible someone will
end up losing his licence.

I don't want that person to be you.

Has the tube been irrigated?

Thanks.

You OK?

Thanks for all you've done.

If anything happens is
there someone I should call?

Sounds like you're saying goodbye.

We're not gonna die, Jack.

It's going to work.

Andy, you may be a bit
dizzy the first few hours.

It's important to let us
know how you're feeling.

You're the only indicator
we have for this procedure.

Let's do it.