Beginnings

Opening Act

Scene opens at the Ross home, interior, night time. Pan slowly through the house from a distance. Show Tatiana lying on her stomach on the floor in front of the television set downstairs. She is not watching TV but coloring in a color book. Pull back to show Scott is lounging on the sofa reading a school book. Move slowly up the stair case to the second floor. Pan down the hall to the nursery and pull in slowly. Show Doug and Carol hovering over the railings of the crib, smiling, and both have their hands down over the rail and into the crib. Pull around the top of the crib to show baby Mark kicking his feet and cooing lying in the crib.

Doug (touches the baby's tummy):
Settle down, Mark...it's time to go to sleep!

Carol:
It's his first night in his crib...he's going to fuss...but he'll be fine.
(takes Doug by the hand)
Come on...let him be.

Doug smiles down at his son affectionately, touches him one last time, and steps away. He reaches over on the changing table and turns on the baby monitor, then, he and Carol slip quietly out of the room.

Doug (grins):
So, do we go back to our room and listen to him?

Carol (gives him a scolding look):
No, we go downstairs and spend some time with our other two children.

Doug (nods):
Oh, yeah! That sounds good.

Carol tries not to laugh at him as they head down the steps to the living room with Scott and Tatiana. Just before they go down, Carol stops in the master bedroom and gets the baby monitor speaker to take down with them.

Doug (standing behind Scott):
What are you reading, Bud?

Scott (grunts):
Edgar Allen Poe.

Doug:
Oh, yeah? Which one?

Scott:
The Tell Tale Heart.

Carol (makes a face):
Ewwww...isn't that kind of deep for a sixth grader?

Scott:
It was my choice!

Carol:
Why in the world would you choose Poe?

Scott:
I don't know...because I think his stuff is cool I guess!

Doug (offering):
That kind of junk appeals to a boy his age. When he gets a little older, he'll know how morbid it is.

Carol (kneels to Tatiana):
Can I see?
(Tatiana leans back so Carol can see her picture)
How, pretty! You're getting so good with that now!

Tatiana:
I'm going to give it to Nana Helen 'cuz it has a rainbow in it! She says she's always looking for a rainbow...

Doug (lowly to Carol):
The pot of gold at the end of it is what I'm looking for!

Tatiana (perks up):
There's a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow?

Carol (scolding):
Doug! Now see what you've done!
(sweetly to Tatiana)
No, honey, that's just a fairy tale.

Doug (teasing, eyes Carol impishly):
Yeah, Tatch...there's only a pot of gold if you see a Leprechaun.

Carol (scolding sharper):
DOUG!

Scott (looks up):
Hey, Dad, can I ask you about something?

Doug (nods):
Always.

Scott (reaches under him and pulls out a small stuffed animal):
I found this in an old box in the corner upstairs in my room. Is this something you wanted for Mark?

Doug's eyes fix hard on the toy and he is surprised. He goes over to Scott and takes the toy out of his hands gently, holding it lightly in his own and eyeing it carefully.

Doug (shakes his head):
No, it wasn't for the baby...

Carol (goes over to him...touches toy):
My God...have you still got that ratty old thing?

Doug:
I guess I had it in a drawer or something and didn't even know it.

Scott:
If it's not for the baby, what was it for?

Doug (softly):
It was a gift from Carol...for me.

Scott (laughing):
For YOU? Since when do you play with stuffed animals.

Carol (looks sweetly at Doug):
It's a long story...

Doug (laughs lightly):
Yeah...it sure is.

Carol (looks at the clock on the wall):
Come on, you two! Time for bed.

Scott (protesting):
Just one more page?

Doug (nudges him off the couch):
Nope! You'll 'one more page' us for an hour...move it...NOW.

The children reluctantly trudge off to bed. Cut to show time lapse with Doug and Carol also upstairs and in their own bed, listening intently to the baby monitor.

Doug:
What do you suppose he's doing in there?

Carol:
You know, I think you're having a worse 'first night' than he is!

Doug (shrugs):
I can't help it. I got used to listening for him in here.

Carol (takes stuffed animal in her hands):
I can't believe you kept this.

Doug (smiles):
Got me through a rough time. It has some good memories locked in it.

Carol (scoffs):
GOOD memories? You gotta be kidding!

Doug:
It was a rough time, but the memories of how much my friends cared about me were good.

Carol (nods):
I guess I didn't think of it like that.

Their conversation is interrupted by Baby Mark crying loudly on the monitor.

Doug (kisses her forehead):
I'll go...you rest.

Carol (smiles):
Thank you.

Doug slips out of bed and ambles down the hallway to the nursery. He goes in and over to his son, reaching down into the crib to inspect what the problem is.

Doug (mumbles):
What's the problem, Mark? You wet?
(checks the infant's diaper)
No? Worse?
(checks again)
No? Well, what's the deal, little guy?
(he picks the baby up and goes over to the rocking chair with him. Once there, he realizes he is still carrying the stuffed animal he had)
Hey, look here...
(shakes the animal gently in front of the baby)
Look what I got.
(Baby's eyes stay fixed on the toy)
You like that? That's a special memory for Daddy...it's about your namesake...would you like to hear the story?
(Baby glares at him)
You would? Well, OK...I'll tell you the story about how your Uncle Mark and I became such good friends...

Focus on Doug rocking in the chair with the baby and fade into the opening credits of the show.

Act One

*****STORY IS TOLD IN A FLASHBACK FORM*****

Scene opens at County ER. The staff is considerably different than it was when C.A.R.E. opened. Susan Lewis is still there, Kerry Weaver and Anna Del Amico are not there. The staff is scattered about the front desk, working, and grumbling at the same time.

Carol:
Anybody seen Mark Greene? He needs to sign these for me.

Doug (sarcastically):
Oh, don't worry! I'm sure he won't miss a beat. He never does.

Carol (rolls her eyes):
He's just dedicated, Doug. Give him a break.

Doug:
We're all dedicated...some of us just have different priorities.

Carol (grunts):
Yes, and most of us around here know what yours are.

Carol steps away with filing and Doug follows her to the file room. One to one, he corners her.

Doug:
You're just never gonna let me of the hook, are you?

Carol:
Why should I? You're the one that hung yourself on it. Not me.

Doug:
I said was I sorry!

Carol (chuckles):
You don't know the meaning of the word.
(turns to give him a cold look as she starts out of the room)
But, you will.

She walks away and leaves him standing there alone, looking confused and bewildered. He shrugs, and goes on about his work.

Cut to show Mark Greene coming into the ER from a nearby elevator. Carol flags him down at the desk as he goes back.

Carol (quickly):
Dr. Greene! I need you to sign these for me, please?

Mark (stepping away):
Sure, Carol...just a minute...

Mark goes directly to a patient waiting at the end of the counter. He hands the patient a prescription paper and quietly gives her instructions that we do not hear, only see. Once the patient is gone, Mark goes back to Carol and starts signing her files.

Mark (quietly, to Carol):
Is Doug giving you a hard time?

Carol (confused):
What?

Mark (doesn't look up...keeps his voice low):
I saw Doug hanging around up here...is he giving you a hard time?

Carol:
I can handle Doug...

Mark (looks up over the top of his glasses):
That wasn't what I asked you.

Carol (gives in):
Doug is always going to be persistent. I knew that when I broke up with him. I can handle it. It's OK.

Mark:
Because, you know, I can make sure he stays busy on the other side of the ER if he's bothering you...

Carol (brushes him off):
I can take care of Doug. Don't worry.

Mark (nods):
OK. Just trying to help.

Carol:
I appreciate the thought...but I don't need your help.

Mark stops short with a file he is about to sign. He looks at it again and then turns it over to see who the doctor who took care of the patient was. He has a troubled look and looks again at the page he was about to sign.

Mark (to Carol):
Did you see this patient in here? A Mr. Dale Westover?

Carol (sarcastically):
I see 100 plus patients in here a day, Mark...how do you expect me to remember just one?

Mark:
Would have been assigned to Doug...complaining of not being about to sleep?

Carol (shakes her head):
I don't recall anybody like that today, no. Why?

Mark (looking over the page):
Doug took the patient and prescribed some sleeping pills.

Carol (shrugs):
What's wrong with that? That sounds reasonable to me.

Mark:
Yeah, well, he didn't run any tests to determine WHY the patient was having trouble sleeping...and the potency of the pills is WAY too strong for someone who hasn't been taking them before.
(pause)
Where IS Dr. Ross, anyway?

Carol (shakes her head):
I have no idea...taking a break, probably.

Mark (nods, takes file in question with him):
If you see him before I do, tell him I'm looking for him, please?

Carol (nods):
Sure thing, Mark.

Mark stalks away and Carol makes an 'uh oh' face as he goes.

Cut to a supply room. Show Doug rummaging through the cabinet looking for something. Show Mark passing by outside the door, looks in casually, sees Doug, and goes into the room, closing the door behind him.

Mark:
Hey, Doug, you got a couple of minutes?

Doug (discouraged face...looking into cabinet):
Not right now.

Mark:
Are you with a patient?

Doug:
Just finishing up.

Mark (knowingly glance):
You looking for a short supply of meds for your patient?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, and I can't find enough...I hate to have to write a script...

Mark:
What are you looking for?

Doug (shrugs):
Ah, the guy is a little run down...I was just gonna give him something to pick up him up a little.

Mark:
Gonna give him uppers?

Doug:
Well, of a sort, yeah.

Mark:
Are you sure that's wise? I mean, giving somebody speed can have serious side effects.

Doug (chuckles):
I'm not giving him speed...

Mark:
What room is he in? I could take a look at him. Maybe all he needs is vitamins...

Doug:
Mark, I appreciate your expertise, but, I think I can handle my own patients.

Mark (nods):
Well, OK.
(starts for the door)
Hope you find what you're looking for.

Doug:
Oh, if I don't I'll find something else that will do.

Mark (just as he gets to the door):
Oh, by the way, I need to talk to you about something when you have a minute, so, would you look me up later?

Doug ( nods):
Sure, Mark.

Mark (nods):
Great...anytime you're free...I'll make time.

Doug (chuckles:)
Sounds serious.

Mark (nonchalantly):
It might be. We'll talk.

Mark goes on his way, Doug watches him with a confused look, but, then shrugs his shoulders and goes back to his looking. Show his face register with happiness as he apparently finds whatever he's looking for.

Cut to show time lapse. Doug is working on a file at the front desk when Carol comes up to him casually.

Carol (lowly):
Beware of Dr. Greene with a mad face and a target for you.

Doug (chuckles):
Already encountered in the supply room.

Carol:
So, what's going on?

Doug (snaps file shut and hands it to her):
Don't know yet! We're going to talk later.

Carol:
He was asking me questions...I hope I didn't say anything wrong.

Doug:
Carol, will you relax? Everything's fine.

Doug chucks her chin playfully and goes on off down the hall, whistling. She watches him go with a disturbed frown.

Follow Doug down the hall and into the men's room. The restroom is empty and he looks around carefully. He goes over to the sink and reaches into his pocket, takes out four pills, cups water in his hands and swallows them. He stands in front of the mirror with his hands on the sink, collecting himself, and then he turns and goes back out of the restroom.

Cut to show Mark standing at the end of the hallway watching him with a cold stare.

Cut to show another time lapse. Doug is signing charts in an empty trauma room. Show Mark pass by the room, see that Doug is alone, and he goes into the room and closes the door.

Mark:
Busy?

Doug (shakes his head...keeps signing):
Not especially.
(looks up, grins)
What's up?

Mark:
Maybe you should tell me that.

Doug (chuckles):
I don't get it.

Mark (sighs):
Doug, I don't want to call you on something, but, I have a suspicion you may be falsifying charts.

Doug (carefully):
You have a 'suspicion'? You come in here and accost me on a 'suspicion'?
(Mark shrugs)
Well, I'll tell you what, Dr. Greene...
(gets in Mark's face...pokes him in the chest with his finger)
...when you have something to back up your 'suspicion' come back and talk to me...otherwise...mind your own damn business.

Doug angrily pushes past Mark and goes out the door. Mark lets him go with an exhausted sigh and a look of despair.

Focus on Mark's exasperated look and Fade Act One To Black.

Act Two

Scene opens at the front desk of County ER. Carol is working in the computer when Mark comes up to her quietly.

Mark:
Carol? Got a minute?

Carol (doesn't look up):
Just a minute, Mark...
(finishes what she is working on and looks up at Mark with an exhausted sigh) What can I do for you?

Mark:
I was wondering if you could take a break? I'll buy you some coffee...

Carol (knowing grin):
What do you want to drill me about?

Mark (sheepish look):
Doug Ross?

Carol (sighs):
OK...I don't know why but, OK...
(she goes around the desk to Mark)
...lead away.

The two of them go together out of the ER.

Cut to show them sitting at a table in the cafeteria, both sipping coffee.

Carol (sighs):
OK...what do you need to know?

Mark:
How long have you known Doug? Long time, right?

Carol (shrugs):
A while. Why?

Mark:
Know him pretty well, don't you?

Carol (sighs):
Don't you listen to the hospital gossip, Mark? I know him intimately.

Mark:
I'm not interested in his bedroom affairs...

Carol (laughs):
Too bad! I could write a book about those!

Mark (rolls his eyes):
OK, bottom line. I think Doug is a really good doctor. He has a good bedside manner with the kids...he works well with his peers...he handles adults in a compassionate manner...he's exactly the kind of guy I'd want on my team if I was picking one...

Carol (knowing nod):
But?

Mark (sighs):
Something's wrong. There's something not quite right.

Carol (confused):
You're saying he's too perfect?

Mark:
I'm saying there's a flaw.

Carol:
Well, do you know what the flaw is?

Mark:
I suspect he may be taking drugs.

Carol (nearly chokes on her coffee):
What?!

Mark:
It's just a suspicion I have. I confronted him with it in the supply room and, of course, he blew a cork. But, I have good reasons for my suspicion.

Carol (coaxing):
And that would be?

Mark (doesn't offer information):
Just say I have my reasons.
(pause)
You and Doug were together a while, right? A couple?
(Carol nods)
Well, you ever see him take any kind of drugs?

Carol (shakes her head):
Nope.

Mark:
Do you think he would do anything like that?

Carol (coy grin):
If he thought he could get away with it.

Mark:
See, I don't know very much about Doug. Just what I hear and observe.
(sighs)
He seems like an OK guy. And, as I already said, he's a really good doctor. But, I think he has a problem that could cost him more than he's willing to pay if he's not careful.

Carol:
Why do you care?

Mark:
Because I don't think there are enough 'good' doctors around. I think we need every one of them we can get.

Carol (sighs):
Doug's been on uppers since he was in Med school. He keeps telling me he's going to kick the habit, but, he never makes much of an effort to do it. I know he takes sleeping pills but I don't know if he's hooked on them or not. Probably is. They're really potent.

Mark:
Like the ones he scripted for Mr. Westover?
(Carol sighs, rolls her eyes, Mark nods with a pained expression)
He's hooked on them.

Carol:
Well, what are you gonna do?

Mark:
I'm gonna try talking to him again...maybe a different approach...

Carol (scoffs):
Good luck. Doug tends to bite when you back him in a corner.

Mark (pushes chair back to leave):
I'll wear gloves.

Carol (mumbles after Mark is gone):
You better wear a suit of armor.

Cut to show Doug finishing up with a young patient. Mark stands to observe unseen and unheard. There is no audio, but Doug is very compassionate with the child and the parent. Once they are on their way, Mark steps forward.

Mark (quietly):
Doug?

Doug turns his attention to Mark and frowns somewhat.

Mark:
Got a minute? We need to talk.

Doug (nods):
OK.

Mark directs Doug into an empty room and closes the door. Doug lounges on an exam table and folds his arms, waiting for Mark to start.

Mark (drops down about 5 charts on the table):
Can you explain these?

Doug (nonchalantly):
Explain what?

Mark:
These patients are non-existent.

Doug (almost laughs):
What are you talking about?

Mark:
They don't exist. You made them up. You drew up the chart, did the diagnosis, and you took the prescriptions you administered to these patients.

Doug (taken aback):
That's crazy.

Mark:
Can you explain why not one nurse in the ER can remember any of these patients, then?

Doug:
I didn't have a nurse with me...

Mark:
ALWAYS supposed to have a nurse with you.

Doug (nods):
I'll remember that in the future...
(starts to walk away but Mark catches him gently by the arm)

Mark (coaxing):
Come on, Doug. Talk to me. Tell me what's going on.
(Doug stops, but, doesn't look at him)
I want to help.

Doug (chuckles):
What makes you think there's something that needs help?

Mark grows angry. He tightens his grip on Doug's arm and escorts him out the door. Doug goes with him, reluctantly, and protesting as he goes. Mark hauls both of them to the hospital roof and lets go of Doug's arm with a mighty shove.

Mark (explodes):
What the hell is wrong with you, huh? You're doing a Fellowship for God's sake! You want to throw your whole career away?
(Doug doesn't answer...just gives Mark a sheepish look and lets him continue)
You are a good doctor! And good doctors are hard to find. That's why I go out of my way to preserve every one I find! Now I know you don't think much of me, but I know something screwy is going on with you!

Doug (explodes back at him):
Well, where do you get off checking up on me anyway? You're not my boss! It's none of your business what I'm doing down there unless it brings harm to a patient...

Mark (jumps back at him):
And you think being stoned on drugs isn't going to hurt one of them? You're a DOCTOR, Doug! You know what effects uppers and downers can have on someone...especially when you take them for a long time!
(quiets his voice, stands close to Doug, looks him in the eye)
You need to admit that you have a problem, and then let somebody help you.
(Doug doesn't talk. He turns away and puts both hands on the railing to look across the city. Mark moves close to him and keeps his voice quiet)
I can help you. If you'll let me.
(Doug turns and gives him a blank stare)
A friend of mine has a cabin in Winnetka. He's in Europe right now and he told me I could use it anytime. We can go up there together on a weekend trip. We both have the coming weekend off. Nobody has to know anything. I can get you off cold turkey in 48 hours...no problems.

Doug (quietly):
How did you figure it out?

Mark:
Well I got suspicious when you made so many trips to the supply room. I followed you one day and I saw you take the uppers.

Doug:
Why didn't you turn me in?

Mark:
Feed you to Morganstern?
(shakes his head)
Mark (continued):
I don't think so. What would I gain from that? We'd lose a good doctor from this staff and I'd make an enemy for life.
(grins)
As it is, I have a chance to gain a friend.

Doug (sighs):
Why do you want to do this?

Mark (shrugs):
Because I think you're worth working for.

Doug (lowers his head...low voice):
I started popping pills in Med School...

Mark (nods):
Most of us do...

Doug (shakes his head):
Yeah, but, then most of you stop. I never did. I kept telling myself I would, but I just never did. I slacked off for a while...everytime I felt someone getting close...but as soon as the coast was clear, I went right back. I almost quit just recently, but, a failed romance gave me an excuse to start back again. Truth is, I've wanted to quit for a long time...just didn't have the guts.
(looks sheepishly at Mark)
You can do this?

Mark (grins):
With my eyes closed.

Doug (nods):
OK. I'll go with you.

Nothing more is said. Mark nods and puts his hand on Doug's shoulder as they start away together.

Focus on the two of them going through the door together and disappearing back into the hospital and Fade Act Two to Black.

Act Three

Scene opens focused on a wooden door. Show the door swing open with Mark and Doug in the doorway. They walk in and Mark opens his arm around them.

Mark:
Well, this is it! What do you think?

Doug (looks around):
Primitive enough I guess.

Mark (pitches a duffel bag on the floor by a bed):
Well, hardly. It's got indoor plumbing and electricity.

Doug (nodding):
Wood floors...wood walls...and a fireplace.

Mark (chuckles):
Yeah, OK, it's primitive.

Doug (pitches a duffel bag on the floor and flops on a bed):
Not a bad place...you come here much?

Mark (sits in a chair at a table):
I've been here a few times. Good fishing up here in season.

Doug:
I bet.

Mark (serious tone):
Now, let's get down to business. When was the last time you took something?

Doug:
I took sleeping pills two days ago...I gave you the write up on what I'm taking, right?

Mark (nods):
Right...I got it. You're really not in too bad shape, you know?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, I know. I'm looking at fever, and cramps. I'll live. Nothing much will happen until later. What do we do until then?

Mark (whips out a checkerboard):
Well, there's always checkers!
(Doug rolls his eyes)
Mark (continued):
You got a better idea?

Doug (reaches into his bag):
Always...
(pulls out a deck of cards and flips them)
Just name your poison...I play anything!

Mark (grins, rolls his eyes):
All right...get over here and let's start.

Doug smiles delightedly and goes over to the table with Mark, pulls up a chair, and slides in, shuffling the cards on the table excitedly.

Cut to show time lapse. Mark and Doug are absorbed in a game of cards, but Mark breaks their silence as they stare seriously at their hands of cards.

Mark:
So, how long were you and Hathaway together?

Doug (looks up with a dumbfounded expression):
What?

Mark (looks over at him):
You and Hathaway...you were an item for a while weren't you?

Doug:
How long have you been at County now? Six months? That's the first piece of gossip you pick up on?

Mark (nonchalantly):
Seems to be the most popular item around the water cooler!

Doug (grunts):
Huh. I can imagine.

Mark:
So, how long were you together? Give me all the juicy details!

Doug (frowns):
We were together quite a while and we're not together now.

Mark (scoffs):
Oh, come on! You can do better than that!

Doug (getting agitated):
Look, Mark, it's all water under the bridge now...it's over. I really don't want to talk about it.

Mark:
You still have a thing for her, huh?

Doug (gives him a coy grin):
It shows, huh?

Mark (beaming grin):
Like a beacon light.

Doug (sighs):
OK! Carol and I were together longer than any woman I've ever been with...

Mark:
And that would be what? Two days?
(Doug smirks at him)

Doug:
We had everything any couple should have. We had fire. We had passion. We were great together.

Mark (confused look):
So, what happened?

Doug (sad look):
In a nutshell? I blew it.

Mark:
How so?

Doug:
Carol wanted someone who could make a commitment to her and her alone...

Mark:
Most women expect that out of a man...

Doug:
Yeah, well, that's just not me. I've never been that way. I've never been a 'one woman man'. I don't think I have it in me.
(pauses...sighs)
But, I do love her. She's under my skin and I can't get her out. No matter what I do, everything goes back to her.

Mark:
Some people might call that love.

Doug:
I don't know if it's love or not, but, I can't get her out of my mind. Working with her drives me crazy sometimes...I want to just grab her and drag her into a broom closet and show her how much I miss her...

Mark (shrugs):
Might just be what you need to do the trick...

Doug (chuckles):
Actually, I did do that already...and my face burned for hours from the slap.
(chuckles again)
She's got a good right cross.

Mark (quietly):
So, what happened between you?

Doug (sighs):
Drinking was part of it...she didn't like it when I showed up drunk...

Mark:
Not too many women do.

Doug:
And I have this thing for women...I just can't seem to leave them alone much...especially when I'm drinking. She caught me at my apartment with another woman and that was pretty much all she wrote.
(pauses...ticks his head)
The second she walked out the door I regretted it. I've regretted it every day since.

Mark:
Ever try telling her that?

Doug:
I don't know if you noticed or not, but, Carol and I don't exactly communicate well on a civil basis now.

Mark:
Maybe you're just not saying what she wants to hear.

Doug (scoff):
Ah, I can never be what Carol wants in a man. She wants a family someday...I'm not a family man.

Mark:
Are you kidding? You're a Pediatrician! You're GREAT with kids.

Doug:
OTHER people's kids. I don't think I'd do too well with any of my own.

Mark:
Why not?

Doug (shrugs):
Let's just say I didn't have a very good example to follow and leave it at that.

Mark (nods):
Fair enough. My childhood wasn't exactly five star either.

Doug:
It's just not in me to be settled.

Mark:
Well, you might change your mind someday.

Doug (frowns):
Yeah, but, Carol will be taken by then, I'm sure.

Mark (grins):
Maybe you ought to think about changing your mind sooner.

Doug (changes the subject quickly):
Hey, Mark...why are you doing this?

Mark (confused look):
Doing what?

Doug:
Why did you drag me up here...why are you trying to help me...why do you care?

Mark (gives him a coy look):
Doesn't somebody have to?

Doug (chuckles):
OK...good point.
(pauses)
No, seriously, why? We don't even know each other that well...

Mark:
And I know how you feel about me...'Mr. Perfect'...I've heard it around the ER...

Doug:
I've never seen anybody like you! Do you ever do anything wrong?

Mark (rolls his eyes):
More than you know...
(chuckles)
I just cover it well.

Doug:
I don't understand why if you knew I was forging files to steal drugs that you didn't turn me in to Morganstern.

Mark:
Well, for starters, I know you've had conflicts with Morganstern before...

Doug (chuckles...sighs):
You must spend a hell of a lot of time at the water cooler...

Mark (teases him):
No, you're just the most popular gossip topic in the ER!
(winks at him)
Anyway, I didn't think you needed anymore trouble with Morganstern, and I took a chance that maybe I could help this problem myself. If I hadn't been able to get through to you, I would have had no choice but to turn you in. It would be for your own good, you know.
(Doug nods...tone shifts...Doug has a pained expression on his face)
Something wrong?
(Doug shakes his head)
Feeling bad?

Doug (nods):
A little.

Mark:
Maybe you should lay down...get some rest.

Doug nods, scoots away from the table and stands up. He puts his hand to head and stands still.

Mark (knowingly):
Dizzy?

Doug (nods):
A little. I'm OK.

Mark:
Everything's wearing off now. You'll be OK.

Doug (nods):
Yeah.

Mark starts picking up the table from the card game while Doug eases himself onto a bed in the corner. Focus on Mark's concerned and solemn look watching Doug and Fade Act Three to Black.

Act Four

Scene opens still at the cabin. Mark is relaxing on a sofa by the fireplace, reading a medical journal. Pan back to show Doug climbing off the bed and starting across the floor. The instant his feet hit the floor, Mark looks up.

Mark:
Where are you going?

Doug (chuckles):
To the bathroom.

Mark (puts his journal down, gets up, goes over to Doug):
Let me check your pockets first...

Doug (annoyed):
You don't trust me?

Mark (working his way through all of Doug's pockets):
Nope!
(He stops, satisfied)
OK...you're clean...go.

Doug gives him a satisfied smile and heads on across the room. Just before he gets to the bathroom door, he stops, reaches into his sock and takes out a rolled up stash. He walks over and hands it to Mark with a sheepish look.

Doug:
You'd never make it as a cop, Mark. You don't know all the frisk points.

Mark (holds up stash):
Is this the only one?

Doug (nods):
I promise.

Mark (nods):
OK.

Under Mark's watchful eye, Doug goes on across the room and disappears into the bathroom. He is out in enough time that Mark is not suspicious, but, still keeps a watchful eye on him as he goes back to bed.

Mark's attention is distraction by a knock at the cabin the door.

Mark (confused):
Now, who could that be!?

Mark darts across the floor and rips open the door quickly. He is stunned to find Carol Hathaway standing on the other side.

Mark (stunned expression):
Carol? What are you doing here?

Carol (quietly):
Doug told me he was coming up here for the weekend with you. After our little talk the other day, I kind of put two and two together and figured out what was going on. Is he OK?

Mark (smiles a knowing smile):
He's resting. The worst hasn't set in yet.

Carol:
Well, I thought maybe you could use some help. Doug can be a real handful sometimes. I don't think you really know what you've set yourself up for.

Mark:
Well, all help is appreciated. Come on in.

Mark stands back and watches with a grin as Carol goes through the door, across the floor, and directly to Doug's bed. She drops to her knees beside him and gently smoothes his hair with her hand.

Carol (quietly, comfortingly):
Doug? Hey!
(he rolls his head and opens his eyes and smiles weakly at her)
How you doing?

Doug (softly):
What are you doing here?

Carol (smiles sadly):
Well, I know what a wildcat you are sometimes and I thought Mark could use an extra hand...someone who knows how to handle you.
(Doug chuckles weakly)
You feelin' bad right now?
(he nods slowly)
Then you should just rest, OK?

She carefully tucks the covers around him and kisses his forehead lightly. Then she stands up and goes over to the sofa with Mark, collapsing onto it with a sigh.

Mark:
That was touching what you did with him just now.

Carol:
When Doug doesn't feel well he's just like a little boy. You have to baby him a little. I didn't think you'd be able to do that.

Mark:
Not as well as you did, I'm sure.
(Carol sighs, Mark grins)
You still love him, huh?

Carol (frowns):
I don't know if it's love, but I feel something for him. I don't want to, but, I can't help it.

Mark:
Why don't you tell him that?

Carol (shakes her head):
Doug and I are history. All we had together was in bed. There wasn't anything else. Doug's not capable of any other relationship.

Mark:
Maybe he just needs the right woman to teach him.

Carol:
Yeah, well, it's not me, I assure you. I want a relationship I can rely on. I want to know my partner is going to come home to me, come home alone, and come home sober. I never had that with Doug. I can't trust him...and I can't depend on him...and I can't have a relationship like that.

Mark (nods):
I can understand that. But, people do change, you know.

Carol:
Yeah, well, leopards don't change their spots. Men like Doug never change.

Mark:
But, if he ever did, you'd snatch him back up?

Carol (gives Mark a coy look):
In a heartbeat.

Cut to show time lapse. Mark is sacked out on the couch asleep and Carol is in his bed asleep.

Doug (weakly from his bed):
Mark?
(no answer so he calls a little louder)
MARK?

Doug's voice jolts Mark awake. He sits up on the couch to register where the voice is coming from and goes over to Doug's bed. Doug is sweating and his hair is matted to his forehead. He is curled into a fetal position and rocking with pain and cramps. Mark sits on the bed to attend to him.

Mark:
Take it easy, Doug. The worst has set in.

Doug (weakly):
Can't you do something?

Mark:
No...you're just gonna have to ride it out.

Cut to show Carol waking up and coming across the room to kneel at Doug's bedside. He gives her a weak look and she smoothes his face with her hand.

Carol (softly):
It's OK, Doug.

Doug (shivers):
I'm freezing.

Mark (jumps up):
I'll get him another blanket...

Mark goes to get a blanket and Carol goes over to her jacket. She reaches into the pocket and takes out a small stuffed animal and goes back to Doug.

Carol (places toy in his hands):
Hey, Doug, you know how sometimes in the ER when your kids are really scared how you give them a stuffed animal and have them run their hands over it?
(Doug gives her his full attention, his eyes wide with fear and pain)
You know that really works for your kids...
(she takes his hand and starts stroking the fur on the toy with it)
...and I know you wouldn't tell your kids to do something if you didn't believe it your own self.

Doug keeps his eyes fixed on her and the sound of her voice, stroking the fur on the toy as he listens. He closes his eyes and relaxes into the pillow. Carol strokes his hair...he strokes the toy. Mark comes back and puts another blanket over him and he pulls it around his shoulders quickly.

Mark (quietly to Carol):
Gonna be a long night.

Carol (nods):
I'm ready...I'm a nurse, Mark...I know what to do.

Mark:
Some of it may not be pleasant.

Carol (rolls her eyes):
I wipe butts, Mark! I'm sure I can handle anything Doug throws at us.

Show various stages of Doug's night. He sweats and kicks the covers away. He chills and pulls the covers tight. He cramps and pulls his knees tight to his chest. He vomits and sweats. Through it all he clutches and stokes the stuffed animal Carol gave him and Mark and Carol never leave his side. Finally, he is calm and quiet.

Mark (quietly to Carol):
Body heat will help...I'll get behind him, you get in front.

Carol nods and climbs under the cover with Doug, wrapping her arms around him and cradling him close to her. Mark gets behind him and pulls the cover around him so that they encase Doug between the two of them. Pull back for long shot of the bed and fade into present with Doug in rocking chair with his infant son and the toy from long ago.

Doug (smiles down at Mark):
And, that's why you got named Mark. After that, I knew I could trust Mark with anything. He became my best friend. A title he still carries today.
(baby is asleep, but, Doug keeps rocking him)
(cut to show Carol standing in the doorway listening but Doug does not know she's there)
You're gonna learn so many things from Mark! You'll learn about trust and loyalty...friendship and all kinds of other things...

Carol (softly, walking into the room to stand behind the rocker with him):
What's he going to learn from you?

Doug (looks up at her, smiles):
I'm not sure...but it won't be anything like what he'll learn from Mark.

Carol (scoffs):
Mark is not a Saint, Doug.

Doug (nods):
I know...but he's saved my butt more than once. I owe him more than I can ever repay.

Carol ( touches baby Mark's belly):
Oh, I don't know...I think you did a lot for his ego when you told him what you named your son.

Doug (smiles down at the baby):
It was the least I could do...
(chuckles, smiles up at Carol)
Least WE could do.

Carol (leans down and kisses him):
Come to bed, Doug...it's our first night in our room alone...I'd like to enjoy it!

Doug smiles up at her and she goes on out of the room. He carries Mark to his crib and lays him in, placing the baby monitor close by, leaving the nursery and closing the door.

Focus on the stuffed animal from Doug's story on the dresser sitting beside the baby monitor and Fade Act Four to Black.

Closing Act

Scene opens at the Ross home. Mark and Doug are playing cards at the dining room table. There are pizza boxes and beer bottles scattered all over the table. Baby Mark is cooing happily amusing himself by playing with his feet as he lays in a bassinet nearby. Mark looks up and smiles at the baby.

Mark:
He's a happy little guy.

Doug (nods):
He seems to be. And why not? He's practically smothered with attention...between me and Carol, the kids, the Grandmothers...

Mark:
Well, I want to see him do that with his foot in about 30 years...
(Doug chuckles)
You know, it was really good of you to stay home with the baby and give Carol some time out.

Doug:
She deserves it. Besides, we agreed to make quality time with the other two kids.

Mark:
The admirable. I don't know how you balance it all.

Doug (ticks his head):
Sometimes it's not easy...but we have to make the effort. We don't want to lose sight of what's important.

Mark (chuckles):
This from a guy who once told me he wasn't the 'family man' type.

Doug (chuckles):
Yeah, I did tell you that once, didn't I? Well, things change.

Mark:
Not like you did! I've never seen anybody turn their life around like you did.

Doug (ticks his head):
Well, you just have to make up your mind what you want in life.

Mark:
Yeah, but, you never wanted a family...what changed?

Doug:
I wanted Carol. And to have Carol, I had to be different. And having a family has changed my life, Mark. If a day was bad before, I used to go out and get drunk. Now, I come home and Tatchie comes to me and wraps her arms around my neck, thrilled to death that I'm home, and suddenly the bad day goes away. I never knew anything like that before.

Mark (nods, understands):
I used to have that with Rachel.
(pause)
God, I miss her.
(Doug gives him a sad smile)
You know what I always wanted to know? Was how you and Carol got together! You guys were already broken up by the time I got to County...I think I missed all the action.

Doug (chuckles):
She was there when I got there. My first encounter with her was I got myself in trouble because I mistakenly asked her about a file. She informed me that patient files were as much the doctor's responsibility as they were the nurse's and I should keep track of my own files. She was such a spitfire, I just had to have her.

Mark:
Instant physical attraction, huh?

Doug (laughs):
Oh, yeah!

Mark:
I heard this rumor that you guys had sex on your first date?

Doug:
We never ever GOT to the date. I went to pick her up and the next thing we knew we were rolling on the kitchen floor.
(pause)
You know, we still have that.

Mark:
Don't ever lose it. It's what holds your marriage together.

Doug:
You really miss being married, don't you?

Mark:
Sometimes...other times, I think it's best this way. I don't know, Doug...I don't know what's best for me relationship wise anymore.

Doug (nods):
I used to be that way. But, in my heart I knew better. I wanted Carol from the minute I saw her. I never had a woman do to me what she did. Once I realized that, I just had to clean up my act to be the kind of man she wanted...wasn’t so hard.

Mark:
Now your life is ballet classes and hockey games and bottles and diapers...
(pause)
And I don't think I've ever seen you happier.
(Doug chuckles)
I really miss you at the clinic.

Doug:
You don't get along with Carter?

Mark:
Oh, Carter's great! But, he's not you.

Doug (baby cries, he puts the cards down and goes over and picks him up):
Well, I'll be back soon.

Mark (over the crying baby):
What's wrong with him?

Doug (chuckles):
Besides that he's spoiled? He's wet.
(grabs a diaper and starts changing the baby)

Mark:
You do that well...

Doug:
I'm a Pediatrician, Mark! I had to know how to diaper a baby to get my degree!

Everything is interrupted by Carol, Scott, and Tatiana banging through the front door.

Tatiana (loudly from the hallway):
PAPA! Where are you!

Doug (calls to her):
In here, Punkin!

Tatiana runs into the room where Mark and Doug are just as Doug lays the baby back into his bassinet.

Tatiana (runs to Doug):
Look what I got!!
(shows him a bracelet)

Doug (looks closely at it):
Wow! That's pretty! Did your Mama buy you that?

Tatiana (excitedly):
No! I won it! I threw a ball and I won it!

Scott:
You should have seen her, Dad. She was great. She should play softball or something.

Doug (smiles):
Well, we might have to look into that, huh?

Mark (shakes his head):
Just what this family needs...another activity!
(looks at his watch)
Well, it's getting late and I should be going.

Carol (smiles at Mark):
Well, thanks for entertaining Doug for a while. He doesn't get out much anymore.

Mark (chuckles):
Yeah...right...like I believe that!
(Kisses Carol on the cheek)
Someday, I want to hear the story about how you two got together in the first place.

Carol (nods):
Well, maybe someday I'll tell it to you.

Follow Mark through the house and out the front door. He walks down the walk shaking his head and smiling.

Fade into closing credits of the show.