Touched by an Angel (1994–2003): Season 1, Episode 5 - Cassie's Choice - full transcript

What are you
thinking about, Tess?

You remember that man
who lived around here

about 200, 300 years
ago, got lost in a blizzard?

Yes... yes, I do.

I led him to a cave.

He spent that winter ice-fishing

and concocting
stories to tell to his tribe

when he got back home.

I remember.

He told them later

that it was the most
wonderful season of his life.



He said that he had
met himself that year.

People are too busy to
meet themselves anymore.

Everybody's faxing and modeming

and onlining and inputting,
downloading and overnighting.

You don't like it?

Change the channel.

Push the button, escape, delete.

You know, you can say anything

to anybody anywhere
in the world in seconds...

but it still takes as
much time as it ever took

to know a soul or
mend a broken heart

or... give birth to a child.

Even in this world of change,

some things just don't.



And children like
her, they get lost

in the in-between.

What's her name?

Cassie... it's Cassie.

- Paging Dr. Klein.

Telephone, please, Dr. Klein.

I have a bag... a
flute... in my bag.

Shh... it's all here, Cassie.

Shh, it's all right.

Don't be afraid.

I'll be with you all the time,

and before you know
it, you'll be holding

your beautiful, wee
baby in your arms.

No, I won't.

♪ When you walk down the road ♪

♪ Heavy burden, heavy load ♪

♪ I will rise and I
will walk with you ♪

♪ I'll walk with you ♪

♪ Till the sun
don't even shine ♪

♪ Walk with you every time ♪

♪ I tell you, I'll
walk with you ♪

♪ Walk with you ♪

♪ Believe me, I'll
walk with you. ♪

Keep breathing, Cassie.

It's almost over.

I can't, it hurts.

I know, love, I know,
but you're doing so well.

Oh, shh... Cassie, is
there anyone outside

you'd like to have
in here with you?

I don't want anyone
to see me like this.

I just want to get it over with.

Another one's coming.

I can't do it.

I've just got to
get out of here.

Take my hand.

Cassie, take my hand.

Is that your flute over there?

Do you play in the
orchestra in school?

Cassie, I want you
to imagine right now

that you're playing a
beautiful flute solo...

A strong, simple melody.

Can you hear it?

And now the melody
is joined by an oboe...

and a clarinet and a horn.

Listen... listen.

And now the strings
take it up, playing faster,

driving the tune
into a wild symphony.

And the percussion arrives,
and the whole orchestra

crescendos into a
powerful wave of sound

that the flute is cresting

way up on the top
of, until... until...

Until it's over.

How?

I'm glad you're a
classical musician.

I don't think we'd get the
same effect with heavy metal.

Craig's band used to do metal.

Then they went punk.

Craig?

Craig... he's my... the...

Ah... Craig.

♪ I found me a
million dollar baby ♪

♪ Million dollar baby in the
five-and-ten-cent store. ♪

I'm telling you, it's
happening right now.

Can you believe this?

As soon as Craig gets in,

you tell him to get it
over here or I'll kill him.

Yeah... yeah, she's here.

Look, listen... listen,
they're here, too.

Them... the parent people.

Joanne?

Hi.

How long has she been in labor?

She went into labor
about six hours ago.

They say she's really close.

Is Cassie all right?

I guess.

I haven't been in there.

She wants to be alone, I guess.

Strange, isn't it?

The happiest day of our lives

must be one of the
hardest ones for you.

No... it's, um...

I never had a grandchild before.

It's just a little tough
to get one and lose one

all in the same day.

But you and Cassie
are always welcome

in our home... you know that.

Well, I'd better
call my manager.

Looks like I'm not
going to make my shift.

Shannon, call your mom
and tell her you're here.

Um, she's getting acrylics done

on her nails tonight.

Who's having the baby?

Well, we're not calling
it "having a baby,"

we'll calling it "giving birth."

Really?

Yes, it's a temporary situation.

See, my friend,
she's giving birth.

They're getting the baby.

Actually, I was
very instrumental

in the whole selection
process, you know.

Oh, really?

Mm-hmm.

Well...

Okay, Cassie, take
a deep breath, hold it.

Push... push... Push...

Okay, relax, relax now.

You're doing it, Cassie,
you're almost there.

Let's try again, deep breath.

Hold it.

Push... push... Here
comes the head.

Keep pushing.

It's a girl.

I know.

Oh, I've never seen it
from this side before.

Oh, isn't it something?

How long you been working on OB?

Don't remember seeing
you around here before.

But I've been working upstairs.

Can I please get
out of here now?

Don't you want to
see your baby, Cassie?

No.

Oh, my, you're just
in time... she's hungry.

She's an angel.

Oh, she's beautiful.

Something about a
baby, I'll just drop anything,

you know, the way they are.

Amber says don't worry
about cheerleading practice,

because they're pushing
tryouts back for another month.

That's a whole four
weeks to lose weight.

And Randolyn, she says hi,
and you owe her 20 bucks...

But don't worry about that.

And Jane Gerberding, she's
being the typical snob that she is,

and says that you should... Hi.

Hi, Craig.

Nice of you to drop by.

So, where were you last night

while this poor woman
writhed in agony?

Shut up, Shannon.

I left the gig as
soon as I heard,

but the van broke down about
50 miles outside of Fort Harris.

How was the show?

It was great.

I mean, they
were really into it,

especially the new songs.

Cool.

This is Craig.

Hello, Craig.

I've heard a lot about you.

Yeah, well...

Monica got me
through last night.

She's really into music.

Oh, yeah?

Well, I used to
be in a choir, yeah.

I'll be outside if you need me.

Shannon... we need some privacy.

Oh... all right.

Just remember,
privacy got you into this.

You okay?

Mm.

Did it hurt?

Yeah... but I'm okay now.

Um... The guy last
night who owns the club

really liked the band.

And he wants us to play
for six weeks straight.

In Fort Harris?

Yeah.

I mean, it's not L.A.,
but this guy owns clubs

all over the place.

If he likes us,

we could be on
the road for a year.

Only problem is, I
have to go back tonight.

Well, that's wonderful.

I'm really proud of you.

But you could come
and visit or something,

you know, on
weekends... if you want.

I mean, it's a long haul,
but, when you're ready...

you know, after this.

I think I saw them.

The Feldmans.

They were holding her.

Can they do that yet?

The nurse asked me,
and I said it was okay.

It's going to be theirs anyway.

We're doing the right thing.

Yeah.

I mean, you know,
maybe in a year,

I get a record deal,
you graduate, then...

What did it... What
did she look like?

She's, uh...

She's awesome.

Hi.

Ms. Peters.

I'm glad you're here, Craig...

We can take care
of this all at once.

These are the
final release papers.

The lawyers filled
everything out,

so all you have to
do is sign, uh, twice.

Here.

And, um, here.

Good.

Um...

I'll call you.

The doctor said you could
come home tomorrow.

I think the sooner that
you get back to school

and move on, the better.

That's what everybody says.

How are you feeling?

Mother, I feel awful.

I feel like a truck ran over me.

You know, when... when I
had you, I... I cried for a week.

Thanks.

Oh, honey, that's
not what I meant.

I... I just... I meant
I understand.

See you tonight.

Nurse Wagner to
sixth-floor nurses' station.

Nurse Wagner to
sixth-floor nurses' station.

Hi.

What are you reading?

Legal stuff.

Give-up-the-baby stuff.

That must have been a
very difficult decision for you.

Not really.

I always said that if I got
pregnant, this is what I'd do.

So when it happened,
it was... kind of like, uh...

fire drills at school, you know?

I just knew what
to do automatically.

Except that, um... a fire drill

isn't the same as a fire, huh?

I took a nap this afternoon...
and when I woke up...

my hands were like this.

I spent nine months pretending
something wasn't there.

Now that it's gone,
I think I miss it.

Oh, Cassie.

I know I'm not supposed
to see the baby...

Because then I won't
want to give her up

and the baby won't
want to go either...

But all I can think of
is that down that hall

there's a part of me that
I may never see again.

What's it going to be like in
20 years if I never saw her?

What's it going
to be like if I did?

What should I do?

Cassie... that's a decision
that only you can make.

But I believe that if you
truly make that decision

out of nothing but love,

it will be a decision
that you can live with.

And morning, low clouds.

We'll have fog near the coast.

Highs both days in the
upper 60s to upper 70s.

Lows tonight in the upper 40s.

What can I do for you?

I'd like to see my baby.

Sure.

"Peters."

I'll be right back.

You're real.

So unbelievable.

MAN: Attention, passengers.

Southbound train now
boarding, platform two.

Southbound train now
boarding, platform two.

Yes?

I'd like a ticket
to Fort Harris.

That'll be $38.50.

For one person?

Yep.

How far could I get for, um, 20?

9:15, from San Francisco,
now arriving, platform three.

Trentfield.

Great.

Thanks.

Okay, baby.

Let's go see your daddy.

Good morning, Cassie.

Isn't it a lovely day?

Dr. Seidleman, line one,
please, Dr. Seidleman.

She must have said
something to you.

You're the one she talks to.

She didn't tell me.

I mean, I don't know
where she went...

Unbelievable as that is.

Shannon, this is not the
time to be covering for her.

This is serious.

I swear I don't know.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

I just need to find...

What's wrong?

Is the baby all right?

The baby's not here.

Cassie took her.

How did this happen?

I-I have no idea.

Does this mean that
we've lost our baby?

I don't know.

I don't even know
if I've lost mine.

Mr. Walker, please
call extension 2-4-4.

Monica... is the baby...?

No.

Is Cassie...?

Both gone.

And just where were you

when this was going
on anyway, Miss Wings?

You see, Tess, there's this
wee girl up on the third floor

and she's having
an operation today,

and she was really
terrified about it,

so I... you know, I
thought I'd sit with her for...

Maybe I should just resign.

What?

No, no... I'll transfer.

Back to Revelations
and Annunciations.

At least there what I
said was taken seriously.

That little girl's operation
was under control,

and we thought Cassie and
the baby were under control, too.

Well, you'll just
have to go get them.

Well, I know,
and I better hurry.

As much as I hate to
say this, take the car.

You would trust me with the car?

No, but what choice do I have?

But just let me say this:

If I see one nick
in my paint job...

Don't worry about it, Tess.

Just give it a little
gas before you start it.

Not a lot, or you'll flood it.

And the left turn signal sticks.

It'll be just fine, I promise.

I'll take care of it.

Now, I'd better get going.

I know it's just a car.

But it's my car.

Monica, what are you doing here?

You left so suddenly

this morning, I didn't get
a chance to say goodbye.

Did you follow me?

In a way.

I borrowed my friend's car.

But I took the train hours ago.

It's got a lot of get-up-and-go.

How's the wee one?

Oh, there now,
darling, there now.

Oh, she's lovely.

What kind of nurse are you?

And aren't you a little
far from the hospital?

I'm, uh... I'm a floater.

I go where I'm needed.

Where are you going?

I'm going to see Craig.

He's playing in Fort Harris.

Fort Harris?

Such an exotic sounding name.

I think I'd like to go there.

Do you want a lift?

If this is some way of
trying to get me to go back...

No.

It's a way of getting you

where you want to be.

Oh, she's lovely.

I forgot.

Where did that come from?

Oh, my friend, she
likes to be prepared.

♪ I see you counting
outs, it bothers me ♪

♪ I'll leave it alone. ♪

♪ There's so much
awfulness I want to see ♪

♪ What do you want... ♪

Hold on, guys, I need a minute.

Okay, guys, take five.

Cass?

What happened?

I think... I changed my mind.

You were right.

She is awesome.

I-I, um... I think I'll
check out the band.

Hello.

Hello.

It sounds lovely.

In an alternative sort of way.

What are you doing here?

I held her, Craig.

I-I just couldn't let go.

Aren't you glad to see me?

Oh... Uh, sure.

It's just that, um...

you know, we got to practice.

Hey, kid, want a drink?

Cool it, man.

Come on, Craig, I mean...

can't we just go and talk?

Cass, I can't go anywhere.

I got to practice.

Craig, you've got
responsibilities now.

Grow up.

Act like you're supposed to.

You're a father now.

Oh, come on, Cass.

No, Craig, you come on.

I signed the papers.

I gave her up.

I thought that's what
you wanted me to do.

Well, it's obviously
what you wanted to do.

Cass... I love you.

It's just that...

What?

It's just that there's things
I want to do, you know?

Before I become a father.

You already are one, Craig.

Damn it, Cass, what
are you doing here?

I mean, what do
you want from me...

I can't do anything.

The baby belongs somewhere
else now, and so do you.

And so do I.

We made a
mistake... not a family.

We made a mistake and a baby.

So don't make her pay for it.

Forget it, I'll do this myself.

What?

Keep the baby.

And I don't care if
you... you help or not.

So just go get
drunk or something.

Cass... Craig,
just... drop dead.

Monica?

Can I keep riding with you?

I'll be here as long
as you need me.

Maybe she's hungry.

Maybe she knows her
daddy doesn't want her.

What's today?

Sunday.

Do you have any kids, Monica?

No.

But to be honest, I've often
wondered what it would be like.

It changes everything.

A few months ago, a
few weeks ago, even,

I would have spent Sunday
with Shannon at a mall or a movie.

And practiced my
flute for a while.

I don't think I'm
ever going to have

another Sunday like that.

But the funny thing is...

when I look at her... it's okay.

Where are you going?

Well, thanks for the room,
but I can take it from here.

Oh, Cassie, this is something
you don't have to do alone.

Well, if Craig's not
going to be a part of it,

there's no other
way for me to do it.

Well, why don't you
call your mother?

My mother doesn't care.

She thinks I'm a screw-up.

Maybe I am.

Look, I'll get a job, then I
can stay here for a while.

This place is pretty
cheap by the week.

I'll be fine.

Promise.

What is this?

A flute?

Looks kind of beat up,

I'll give you $50 for it.

Fifty dollars?
It's worth $1,000.

My mother made
payments on it for two years.

Yeah, well, what
would your mother say

if she saw you pawning it, then?

I think she'd understand.

There's not much
demand for flutes

in this neighborhood.

Hundred bucks,
take it or leave it.

Little sister going to miss

hearing you play that flute?

She never heard me.

Well, it's not the Ritz,

but it's a great
view of the sign.

Oh, I wish they were
somewhere else, Tess,

but it's all she could afford...

And only for two nights.

After that...

After that, she's
going to have to start

making some decisions.

Tess, what am I
supposed to be doing

with Cassie?

Am I supposed to get her

to go back to the Feldmans?

Or am I supposed to
help her to keep her baby?

You're supposed to help
her become a good mother.

Now, that's all I can tell you.

I'm not sure I know
what a good mother is.

Oh, you'll know one
when you see one.

Well...

if it isn't the Big Dipper
and the Little Dipper.

Adam?

What are you doing here?

Just... hanging around.

I'm beginning to
worry about you, son.

You're not starting
to burn out, are you?

Nah.

I was made for
this kind of work.

Well, taking people
home to their reward

can wear a soul down...

especially if you
feel misunderstood.

Hang in there.

Thanks, Tess.

Listen, I have some...

information about
the Peters baby.

But you don't handle babies.

Just thought I'd pass
the information along.

The baby's very sick.

Sick?

How sick?

The doctors won't get these test
results until tomorrow morning,

but... by then...

Cassie, wake up.

Cassie?

The little one is very ill.

You must take her to a hospital.

Cassie?

Wake up.

Monica?

Oh... Oh, God.

Oh, God, no.

Come on, baby, wake up.

What's wrong with you?

Dr. Katrell, Dr. Janet Katrell.

Hello?

Hello?

Cassie, honey?

Do I understand that you
don't have any insurance?

Insurance? No, I don't think so.

Okay, well, then I
need to get your address

and your phone number.

I don't live here.

I-I've been staying in a motel.

Okay, well, um, I need the
phone number of the hotel.

I don't know, I, uh...

It's the Great Little Lodge.

Uh, how about
place of employment?

I've been looking.

Hon, do you know
your blood type?

No.

Sit down.

Roll up your sleeve.

I'll need to draw some blood.

Okay, are you an
emancipated minor?

I don't know.

Well, where are your parents?

I'm glad you got her in
when you did, Miss Peters.

She's a very sick little girl.

Squeeze.

Miss Peters, we think your
baby has hemolytic anemia.

What that means is

you and your baby probably
have different blood types

and your body has
made antibodies

against the baby's
red blood cells.

Until we give her
new blood cells,

by transfusion, she could die.

"Die"?

You're very lucky

you got in here when you did.

After the baby's transfusion,

she's going to have to stay

in the hospital for a few days

until all of your antibodies
have been cleared

from her bloodstream.

The nurse is going to give
you some consent forms to sign.

We'll give you an update

on your baby in about an hour.

Monica?

Monica?

Cassie.

Cassie?

Oh, Monica... The
baby... the baby...

The baby's going
to be just fine.

She could have
died because of me...

because of my blood.

I almost killed her.

No, it's not your fault.

You did nothing wrong, Cassie.

And now you've saved the baby.

How am I going
to take care of her?

I never knew being a
mother would feel like this.

It's so... every moment.

I'm just a kid.

I'm not a good mother.

Oh, Cassie, Cassie,
you are a good mother

because you know what
it is to love your baby

more than yourself.

But... how do I know
the Feldmans are

the right parents for her?

Well, no one knows
the future, Cassie.

All right.

I can tell you this:

You daughter's going
to have a wonderful life.

And she's going to have
freckles just like you.

And she'll have skinned
knees and maybe a broken arm,

but she'll win the
fourth-grade spelling bee

and she'll become president
of her sophomore class.

And she'll fall in
love... a few times.

Oh, and Cassie,
she'll play the violin

in the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra.

How do you know that?

Because I'm an angel.

You mean... like, a
psychic, or something?

No, this is not a
prediction, Cassie.

It's a message.

Do you remember
when you were a child

and you used to pray at night:

"Please, God, let me
make beautiful music"?

Well, that prayer
will be answered

for generations to come

because the beautiful music...

it started with you.

She's just going to yell at me.

Why don't you give her a chance?

Come with me?

Uh-uh.

You've found a
mother for your baby,

now it's time to find your own.

Mom?

Thank God.

The baby?

Oh, she's okay.

She's outside with a friend.

I've been, um...

been making dinner every night,

you know, just in case...

I know... I screwed up, Mom.

Oh... I don't know...
Maybe you did what...

what any other mother would do,

given the circumstances.

You... you'd made
your decision...

the Feldmans were there...

everything was planned,

except for how you'd feel.

That's the only thing
that no one thought of.

I'm sorry.

When I walked into that...

empty hospital
room, I was so afraid

that I would never
see you again.

And I knew how
you must be feeling.

But we both know that
we can't keep her, Cassie.

But I will never, never
blame you for wanting to.

Oh, Mama, I'm going
to miss her so much.

I know, baby, I know.

Ben and I have
learned a lot about faith

as we waited for our
baby to join our lives.

For that reason,
the name "Faith"

seems perfect for
this little baby girl.

It means so much
to have you here

with us today, Cassie.

Thank you.

I'm sorry for the
worry I caused you.

I just needed some time.

But we've had that time
together, Faith and I.

She's ready to be
your little girl now.

But if it's okay, can I spend

one last moment alone with her?

Sure.

I'll never forget you.

Well, I hope not.

You won't remember
this, baby, but I will.

Hi.

What is this?

What's what?

This big gouge in my car.

I don't see anything.

It's right here.

You mean that wee, tiny scratch?

That's always been there, Tess.

Not to my recollection.

I took really good
care of the car.

Always took two parking
places, just like you said.

Did you hear Cassie
playing the flute?

Ask me how I got it
back, go on, ask me.

Don't go changing
the subject on me.

I wasn't created
yesterday, you know.

I made the pawnbroker
an offer he couldn't refuse.

Oh, Lord, here it comes.

I took care of his sciatica.

Is that wrong, Tess?

Father, why will you not
help me with this child?