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ER
"Stages of Recovery"
Act One
Scene opens stll at the hospital cafeteria at the conference between Mark Greene and Nina
Pomerantz, still discussing their "mutual" patient.
Nina (points to files):
I see you still have files on him, so, he IS still your patient, right?
Mark (nods):
Right. I've given him clearance to return to work, but, he's still under my care.
I've not given him full medical clearance yet. And I'm still keeping an eye on
him.
Nina (smiles a satisfied smile):
Good. I'm glad he has someone to keep an eye on him.
Mark (cautiously):
He's OK, isn't he? I mean, he's not going to crack down in the ER or anything,
is he?
Nina (shakes her head):
He shouldn't. He's doing very well...cooperating nicely...it's just.... (she
pauses...Mark gives her a coaxing look)
Mark:
It's just...what?
Nina (taps her fingers on the table):
Well, he's just very strong, that's all. I mean, more than once now I've gotten
him right to the edge of the dam and he just teeters back. He's incredible,
actually. I've never seen a will fight so hard not to be broken.
Mark:
I'm guessing this is a bad thing?
Nina:
Well, not a bad thing...he's just making it harder on himself. If he would just
relent and let everything go that he's holding back he'd get past this a lot faster.
Mark (sarcastic grin):
I thought that was your job?
Nina (in mock defense of herself):
Well, it IS my job, but, I've just never come up against anybody this strong
before !
Mark (smiles softly):
He's not that strong, Nina. He's just a good fighter. If I can help, just let me
know.
Nina (smiles back at him):
Thanks, but, I'm not ready to call in the troops just yet. (looks at her watch
quickly) But, I AM late for an appointment! (stands up and gathers her files to
leave) Thanks, Mark! I'll talk to you later!
Mark (gathers his own things):
Yeah, right! I've got to get back to the ER anyway...
Cut back to the staff locker room. Doug is standing in front of his open locker getting ready for the
day...he is the only one in the locker room and he is fingering the chain around his neck with the key
to Carol's house dangling from it when Mark comes into the room.
Mark (brightly):
'Morning!
Doug (turns and grins):
Hey, Mark!
Mark (motions to the chain):
What's that?
Doug (holds the chain out to show the key):
The answer to my prayers.
Mark (sarcastically):
And just when did you get spirituality?
Doug (chuckles):
Hey, I know a miracle when I see one! (pauses before tucking the key into his
shirt) Carol gave it to me. It's the key to her house.
Mark (stunned look):
Does that mean you're moving?
Doug (slams locker shut):
Yep! Wanna help?
Mark:
Sure! Just let me know when!
Doug (starts for the door):
On our day off, of course! (grins impishly)
Mark (nods sarcastically):
Of course! (catches Doug back just as he starts completely out the door) Hey,
what time is your appointment with Pomerantz today?
Doug:
It's tonight...7pm.
Mark (nods):
OK...just be sure you KEEP it!
Doug nods and disappears on out the door. Cut back to show Mark shaking his head with a smile
over their conversation.
Cut scene.
Open next scene in the ER. Chuny is going over a chart and shaking her head, mumbling ad libs of
'this can't be right' to herself. Haleh comes up beside her and looks over her shoulder.
Haleh:
What can't be right?
Chuny:
These instructions Dr. Ross left for this patient. I know I'm not a doctor, but,
this just doesn't look right to me.
Haleh (in offer to help):
Well, if you have a question about it, just ask him!
Chuny (nods):
Yeah, I think I will...
Chuny exits with the chart in her hand. Pan over to show Jerry and Carol working at the station
together and Kerry Weaver strolls up casually.
Kerry:
So, Carol, I hear you may be getting a roommate?
Carol (looks up quickly):
Who told you that?
Kerry (smiles teasingly)
You know what they say about news spreading like wildfire, don't you?
Jerry (matter-of-factly):
My dad always said news like that spreads like manure!
Carol (rolls her eyes):
I don't know yet. Nothing is final.
Kerry (laughingly):
Oh, come ON, Carol...you gave the man a key to your house! How fast do you
think he's gonna break his neck moving his stuff over there?
Carol (truthfully):
It's really not quite like that.
Kerry (as she starts away):
Well, congratulations anyway.
Carol watches Kerry go with a blank stare. She turns around to see Jerry and several of the others
just staring at her.
Carol (emphatically):
What?
Everybody makes a 'nothing' motion and goes back to work. Cut to Doug and Chuny. Doug is
making some notes on a chart in a trauma room when Chuny comes in carrying the one in question
with her.
Chuny:
Dr. Ross?
Doug (doesn't look up):
What is it, Chuny?
Chuny (nervously):
About these instructions for the pedes case in three...
Doug (still doesn't look at her):
Is there a problem?
Chuny:
Well, I just wanted to ask if you were real sure about these instructions...
Doug (looks at her quickly):
Of course I'm sure! Why wouldn't I be?
Chuny (hands him the chart):
Would you just take a look, please? Just to be sure?
Doug looks over the chart quickly and hands it back to her with a 'what' expression on his face.
Doug:
Yes, I'm sure.
Chuny (desperately):
But, Dr. Ross...
Doug (impatiently):
Chuny, I really don't have time to stand here and argue with you about this.
Now, either carry out my orders or give them to someone who will!
He pushes past her and goes out the door. Focus on Chuny with an expression between angry and
frustration on her face. She walks out of the room and straight down the hall to Carol.
Chuny:
Carol, could you take a look at this for me, please?
Carol (looks over the chart and her eyes widen with fear):
This can't be right!
Chuny (relieved):
That's what I thought, too, but, I took it to Dr. Ross a second time to be sure.
What should I do?
Carol (smiles at Chuny):
You did the right thing, Chuny. I'll take this to Dr. Greene. Thanks.
Follow Carol as she carries the chart down the hall to find Mark. Cut to Mark in an empty medic
room filling out some forms. Carol knocks on the door for his attention and he looks up.
Carol (holds chart up):
Got a minute?
Mark (motions her in):
Sure.
Carol:
Chuny brought this to me...I thought you might need to see it..
Mark (looks over the chart, shaking his head emphatically):
No, no, this isn't right...who signed this? (turns the page up to see signature and
sighs) That's why you brought it to me, huh? I was afraid this was gonna
happen...
Carol (sits on the exam table and faces Mark):
He says he's fine, but, he's really having a rough time with Nina right now. He's
not sleeping very well. And I never see him eat. I'm really getting worried about
him.
Mark:
I've been watching for things like this. I was hoping it wouldn't come to force. I
guess I need to have a little talk with Dr. Ross...
Carol (sympathetically):
Go easy on him, Mark. He's really trying.
Mark (nods, still looking at the chart):
I know he is. But, he has to make decisions that effect lives. I can't play around
with something like that. (sighs and looks up at her) But, don't worry, Carol, I'll
handle it diplomatically. (scribbles something on the chart and hands it back to
Carol) Tell Chuny to do this. Everything should be fine. But, I need this... (takes
off the original instructions)
Carol (nods and turns to leave):
Thanks, Mark.
Mark (calls after her):
And tell Doug I want to see him!
Carol (nods over her shoulder):
Right away!
Cut scene.
Open next scene with Doug opening the door to the room Mark is sitting in. Mark is at a table
looking over papers in front of him.
Doug (opening door):
Carol said you wanted to see me.
Mark (motions him in):
Yeah, Doug! Thanks! I wanted you to look at something for me. (Hands him a
copy he has made of the original instructions Doug gave, but, has omitted the
signature) Since you're in Pedes, I wanted to see what you thought about this.
Doug (looks over the instructions and chuckles):
Oh, no! This is ALL wrong! What kind of a knucklehead ordered something
like this? (Mark doesn't answer...just hands Doug the original orders so he can
see that he, himself, signed it. Doug is deflated to see his own signature) So, I'm
the knucklehead, huh?
Mark (shakes his head):
You're not a knucklehead. You're a good doctor. And we both know that. But,
I think right now, you maybe have too many things on your mind.
Doug:
Well, how did Carol get this anyway?
Mark:
Chuny took it to her. She didn't think it looked right...
Doug (sighs):
That's what she brought it back to me for! She was trying to get me to see my
own mistake! Thank God I work with a good team! This could have had
serious consequences...
Mark:
I'm seeing the signs of fatigue in you almost everyday. Is there anything you
want to talk to me about?
Doug (toys nervously with an edge of the paper):
Nina's tough...
Mark (nods):
I know she is. And I think if you just stay with her, you'll get through all of this
and be better for it. But, right now, I think you need some time away... (Doug
looks up quickly and starts to protest) I know that you wanted to bury yourself
in your work through this. And that's a natural retreat. Most people absorb
themselves into something that keeps them busy while they're battling something
bigger than they are. There's nothing wrong with that. I've done it my own self.
But, the decisions you make effect other lives, Doug. I can't take chances with
something like that. You know that.
Doug (nods):
OK. What do you want me to do?
Mark:
Carol is off for the next three days. Why don't you take at least two of those
days and the two of you just GO someplace. Get away from here. Go up to
Wenetka to the lake or something. Then, when you come back, let me
re-evaluate you and I'll tell you if I think you should go back to work yet.
Doug:
So, you're more or less suspending me, right?
Mark (shakes his head):
No, not at all. I'm suggesting you take a couple of days off and I'm not giving
you any choice in the matter. (smiles....Doug chuckles) It's a vacation, OK?
Doug (nods):
OK.
Mark (gathers up his things to leave...leaves Doug sitting there thinking):
Don't miss your appointment with Nina tonight, OK?
Doug (nods again):
OK.
Mark pats Doug on the shoulder and goes on out the door. Doug looks down again at the his
mistake he made earlier and shakes his head. He pockets the instructions into his lab coat and
leaves the room.
Cut Scene.
Open next scene at the nurses station. Carol is going over charts and looking down. Doug comes
up and leans on the counter, getting her attention carefully.
Doug (softly):
Hey!
Carol (looks up and smiles):
Hey!
Doug:
I'm in with Nina Pomerantz tonight at 7pm but, would it be OK if I came over
after? Should be around 9pm or so?
Carol (smiles):
You have a key now...
Doug (smiles coyly):
Well, yeah, but, I still want you to know when I'm coming home...I don't want
you to sic the dog on me or anything!
Carol (laughs):
I don't have a dog...
Doug (chuckles):
We might just have to remedy that!
Carol (grins):
Sure, come on when you leave, OK? I'll be there. (pauses carefully) Did Mark
talk to you?
Doug (chuckles lightly):
Oh, yeah!
Carol (concerned):
How'd it go?
Doug (looks her in the eye):
It went OK. We'll talk about it later, OK? Tonight?
Carol (nods):
OK...
Carol watches him go off down the hall...her face registers mild concern that his attitude turned
around so quickly...but she shrugs it off...and goes back to work.
Fade Act One to black...