E.R.
"Blood Bonds"

Act One:

Scene opens with ER busy from an accident on the interstate highway. Present and working are Carol Hathaway, Peter Benton, Mark Green and  Doug Ross.

Cut to show a gurney being wheeled quickly in by an Orderly. On the gurney is a patient, while male, approximately 30 years old. He is not bleeding, but he is groaning in apparent discomfort from other injuries.  Behind him is a 'walking wounded' male, approximately 50 years old holding a bandage to a gash on his own forehead. Both patients are coherent and conscious. Doug Ross is the first doctor to them and he leans over the patient on the gurney first.

Doug (taking a closer look at the walking man's wound):
You can have a seat right over here, Sir, and we'll be right with you.

Gene (shakes his head):
I'm fine. Just a little bump. You take care of him. He's more important. I'm staying right here!

Doug (shrugs):
Suit yourself. (Places his hand on the patient's head to peer into his eyes): Can you tell me your name?

Chris (sarcastically):
I'm Batman!


Gene (sternly, standing behind Doug):
Chris! Behave yourself! His name is Chris...Chris Kilpatrick.

At the mention of this name, Mark Greene looks up quickly from his work on another patient.

Mark (noted excitement in his voice):
Not 'Killer' Kilpatrick? The race car driver!?

Gene (nods to the doctor):
Let's hope there's only one!

Doug (smiles at the humor, turns to Chris):
Are you hurt anyplace besides the cut on your head, Chris?

Chris (winces slightly):
I hurt all over. Can't you give me something for the pain?

Doug:
Once we determine the injuries, then, I'll know what I can give you.  Show me where it hurts, OK?

Chris (reaches his hand back to his neck):
My neck hurts...and my back hurts...really bad.

Doug (places his hand over Chris' to make his own evaluation):
Can you tell me what happened?

Chris (point to Gene):
Ask him. He was driving. I was asleep.

Gene (extends his hand to shake with Doug):
Gene Carrigan, I'm his manager. He was sleeping in the bunk over the driver in the Winnebago. The car that hit us came out of nowhere. I didn't have any chance to swerve. The force of the impact knocked him out of the bunk and threw him into the back of the cabin. He hit pretty hard on the wall
back there.

Doug (nods with understanding):
OK, Chris, (takes out a small penlight flashlight and holds one of Chris' eyes open to peer close) Let's see what we've got here. (looks closely in one eye...then into the other) Looks like a mild concussion. The impact on the wall would explain the pain in your back. Do you hurt anyplace else?

Chris (places his hand over his stomach):
Yeah, really bad, right here.

Doug (places his hand over Chris' gently):
Here? (presses down slightly on the abdominal area. Chris groans in discomfort)

Chris (winces against the pain):
Yeah!

Doug (moves his hands over a little further to the left side):
Or, is it more like over here?  (Presses down firmly. Chris lurches upward off the table just slightly)

Chris (in more intense pain):
Yeah! There! Oh! God! Right there!

Doug (nods):
OK, that's OK! Take it easy. Just one test and we'll know what we're dealing with, OK?   (Doug reaches to the table and takes out a retracting syringe. He swabs Chris' abdominal area with alcohol but Chris catches sight of the needle before he can insert it)

Chris (eyes the needle cautiously):
What's that for?

Doug (explaining):
I'm just going to draw some fluid out and see if you're bleeding internally. The pressure I'm feeling tells me you could be. I just need to be sure.

Chris (swallows hard):
Is this gonna hurt?

Doug (shrugs):
Only when it first goes in. After that, you shouldn't really feel anything at all.

Chris (nods, carefully):
OK.

Doug (inches the needle towards Chris' abdomen):
Just take a deep breath and hold it until I say let go, OK?

Chris (nods...his eyes flash a faint hint of fear):
OK.

Chris takes a deep breath and holds it, Doug inserts the needle into his patient's abdomen. Chris groans in obvious pain and closes his eyes tight.

Doug (softly):
OK, let it out.  (Chris releases his breath and Doug retracts a pinkish looking fluid into the syringe)

Gene (sees the fluid):
What does that mean?

Doug (reassuringly):
Pink means there is some bleeding, but, it's very minor. What we're gonna do here, Chris, is put you in a room and keep you for observation. We'll put some ice on you and see if the bleeding stops on it's own. If it doesn't, then we may need to do some surgery to repair it later, OK?

Chris (with a grunt):
Like I have a choice.

Doug (smiles slightly):
It's gonna be OK. (Doug pats Chris' shoulder and he is wheeled quickly out of ER. Doug turns back to Gene) I'm gonna need some information on him to admit him. Can you give it to me?

Gene (nods):
Sure. Cut scene to a one-on-one situation between Doug and Gene. Doug is carrying a clipboard and taking information as it is given.

Doug (without looking up):
Chris is short for Christopher?

Gene (shakes his head):
Christian. Mark Christian Kilpatrick.

Doug (jots that down):
And his age?

Gene:
He just turned 30...birthdate is 12/9/66

Doug (keeps writing):
Marital status?

Gene:
Oh, he's definitely single.

Doug (laughs):
I'll need to notify some next of kin?

Gene (shakes his head):
There isn't any. I'm it. His mother died years ago. He has a father but  Lord knows where he is. I've never even met the man. Chris doesn't talk much about him. I doubt you could even find him. His parents were never married
anyway.

Doug (professionally):
Well, if you know his name, I could at least put that down here, just in case we might need it later.

Gene (offering information):
Ray Ross. 

Doug (looks up...dumbfounded look):
Excuse me?

Gene (waving motion with his hands for Doug to write that down):
That's his father's name. Ray Ross.

A short wave of shock moves over Doug's eyes, but, outwardly, he says or does nothing to alarm Gene Carrigan.

Doug (snaps his clipboard shut):
Well, I guess that's about all I need for now. I'd appreciate it if you'd let yourself be checked over just to be safe that you're OK.

Gene (nods):
Now that I know Chris is OK, I'll do that.

Doug (shakes hands with Gene):
And Chris will be settled in a room soon. You can see him shortly. (starts to walk away quickly)

Gene (stops him as he leaves):
Excuse me, Doctor! I didn't get your name.

Doug (smiles...making sure the name 'Ross' does not show on his nametag):
Doug. (he nods to Gene) If you need me, just tell somebody to find Doug. They'll know it's me.

Gene (genuinely):
Well, thank you for all your help.

Doug (smiles a tight smile and nods):
Yeah.

Fade Act One To Black


Act Two


Scene opens in Doctor's Lounge. Doug is pacing the floor with a clenched fist, banging his clipboard off the side of his thigh, and mumbling under his breath in obvious low boiling rage.

Doug (mumbling):
Son of a ... (released his rage by hurling his clipboard across the room at the wall)

Cut to doorway. Just as the clipboard begins to fly through the air, Mark Greene is entering the lounge. The clipboard narrowly misses hitting him and Mark puts his hands up to shield himself.

Mark (with a laugh):
Whoa! INCOMING!!

Doug (turns quickly...apologetically):
I'm sorry, Mark! I didn't see you coming.

Mark (enters the room...starts over toward Doug):
Probably because you weren't looking? Take it easy, Bud (stops Doug's pacing by placing his hands on his shoulders) What's wrong?

Doug (looks his friend in the eye):
In a word? Ray Ross!

Mark (rolls his eyes):
Again? Still? When are you gonna stop letting that guy get to you?

Doug (pulls loose and starts pacing again):
It wasn't enough that he screwed up my life! Oh, no! He can't stop there! He has to screw up somebody else's life too!

Mark (stops his pacing again...tries hard to understand what he's hearing):
You're not making any sense, Bud. Maybe you better start at the beginning?

Doug (stops pacing...stands eye to eye with Mark again):
They guy they brought in down in ER a little bit ago? Kilpatrick? His manager gave me his personal information so we could admit him. His mother died years ago. His father is alive, but, Chris doesn't know where he is. Well, I do know where he is! His manager told me his father's name is Ray Ross!

Mark (tries not to react):
Are you sure it's the same one?

Doug (sarcastically):
Oh, there's only one, Mark! Nobody else named Ray Ross could be that good at screwing up people's lives!

Mark (trying to offer light in a dark situation):
Then, you've got a brother?

Doug (nods):
A brother I didn't know about for 30 years!

Mark (quietly):
Well, you know about him now. The past doesn't matter, Doug. Now is what counts.

Doug (looks at his feet...unsure of his words):
How do you walk into a hospital room and tell a man you've never met before that he's your kid brother?

Mark (places a hand of friendship on Doug's shoulder):
I don't know. But, I'm betting you'll find a way. Maybe you should start with his manager?

Doug (nods...emotion clouding up in his eyes):
Yeah. Maybe that would be the best place to start. (thinks about the situation and minute and looks up to face Mark) Suppose Chris doesn't want a brother?

Mark (shrugs):
Maybe he could use a friend. From the sounds of things, he's not any more fond of Ray Ross than you are, so you've already got something in common with him. (both laugh at this remark)

Doug (nods):
Yeah, I guess so. OK. You're right.

Mark (pats his friend on the shoulder):
And let me know how it turns out, OK?

Doug (nods again):
Yeah. I will. And, I'm sorry about that incoming.

Mark (shrugs):
It's OK.  (starts to walk away...turns back from the door with a smile) You missed!

Scene cuts to a waiting area, where Gene Carrigan is sitting alone waiting for word about Chris. Doug comes down the hall, spots him, and walks over to him quietly.

Doug (taps his shoulder lightly):
Excuse me, Mr. Carrigan?

Gene (looks up quickly):
Yes, Doctor? Doug? Right?

Doug (smiles):
Yeah! I was wondering if we could go for coffee together. I'd like to talk to you about Chris.

Gene (concerned look on his face):
Nothing serious, I hope?

Doug (shake his head lightly):
No, nothing like that! I'd just like to talk to you.

Doug leads Gene to a quiet corner in the hospital cafeteria and get coffee for both of them. He sits down at the table with the manager and begins 'fixing' his coffee the way he likes it.

Gene (concerned):
Chris is going to be all right, isn't he?

Doug (nods):
He's gonna be fine. The ice isn't doing much for the bleeding, however. I think we're looking at some surgery to fix the tear in his spleen. But, that's not really anything major. He should be out of the hospital in a few days and back on the race track in a few weeks.


Gene (gives a sigh of relief):
Well, that's good news. Will you be doing the surgery?

Doug (shakes his head):
No. First of all, I'm a Pediatrician. I was on call when the accident happened, and I just did my job down in ER to take care of things. No, Chris will be in the care of Dr. Peter Benton, he's a surgeon and he's excellent, so, you have nothing to worry about there.

Gene (sips his coffee):
Well, I'm sorry to hear that. Chris seems to be comfortable with you. I'm sure he'd feel better in your care.

Doug (smiles):
Well, I'll talk to him about Peter and I'm sure he'll feel just as comfortable in his care as he would mine.

Gene (laughs lightly):
Chris doesn't warm up to very many people. I was surprised he didn't blow you off down there.

Doug:
He seems to like you pretty well.

Gene (sips his coffee and returns the cup to the table):
Chris is a good kid. He's a little wild, but, that's just because he's never had anyone to really care about him much.

Doug:
How'd you meet him?

Gene:
He started hanging around the track in Pocono when he was about 13 I guess. His Mom was real sick and he was trying to make money to help her. I put him to work as a 'gopher' for my mechanics. He learned a lot about cars. By the time he was 16 he was working under the hood and by the time he was 17 he was driving test laps. When he turned 18, we got him a sponsor and turned him loose on the circuit.

Doug (smiles):
I understand he's pretty successful.

Gene (shrugs):
He could be a champion if he'd just take some meaning into his driving. He's got the head. And the skill. It's the heart he lacks.

Doug:
What do you know about his father?

Gene (shakes his head):
I never met the man, actually. Chris only mentioned him a couple of times. He was married to another woman when Chris was born. I think he saw the boy a couple of times. Chris tried desperately to find him when his mother died, but, didn't have any luck.

Doug (looks at his hands...speaks slowly):
And you said his name is Ray Ross, right?

Gene (nods):
Yeah, that's right. You know him?

Doug (nods):
Yeah. I know him. (looks directly into Gene's eyes) He's my father too.

Gene (shocked...but interested in hearing more):
Your father?

Doug (anger starting to boil, but, he contains it):
Yeah, he's never been much good to me, either. I would have thought ruining one life would have been enough for him, but, I guess not.

Gene:
You plan to tell Chris about this, don't you?

Doug:
Do you think I should? I mean, how do you think he'll take it?

Gene:
Well, there's never been any love lost for Ray where Chris is concerned anyway. It won't change anything there. I don't know how he'll react to a brother but, I think he should know.

Doug (nods):
Then, I'll tell him. I'm not sure how....but I'll find a way.

Gene (offering):
Would you rather I told him?

Doug (shakes his head):
No. Let me tell him. Please.

Fade Act Two To Black


Act Three


Scene opens in a hospital room, dimly lit, curtains drawn. Chris lies on his bed in a t-shirt that reads 'Terror of the Track' and shows a race car with a mean face zooming around a track and leaving fire behind it. Chris is resting with his eyes closed, but, he is not asleep. The covers are drawn up to his chest and he has his head turned to one side facing the door.


Cut to show Doug opening the door and stepping carefully into the room. He is careful not to 'wake' the patient. Chris hears Doug enter the room and opens his eyes.

Chris (lightly):
Hey, Doc! I thought you pawned me off on somebody else. What are you doing here?

Doug:
(walks over to Chris' bed and grins slightly as he looks down at him) I guess that means you met Dr. Benton.

Chris (sits up slightly in bed):
Yeah, he was in a little while ago. He told me about the surgery.

Doug:
When did he say they'd do it?

Chris:
In the morning. Apparently, I'm not in any real danger tonight.

Doug (shakes his head):
Not as long as you stay still and quiet. I had to give you over to somebody else. I'm a Pediatrician, not a surgeon, so, I wouldn't have been your doctor anyway.

Chris (laughs):
Guess I wouldn't qualify, huh?

Doug (laughs with him):
Not quite. But, there's another reason I wouldn't have been able to be your doctor. A more important reason.

Chris (laughs...doesn't catch the serious tone in Doug's voice):
Oh yeah? What's that? You got something against race car drivers?

Doug (pulls a chair beside the bed and sits down):
No, nothing like that. I took your personal information in admitting from your manager in case we needed to contact next of kin...

Chris (scoffs):
There isn't any. Gene is all there is. I know my Dad is alive, but, I wouldn't know where on Earth to find him...

Doug (cuts him off quickly):
I would. I could pick up the phone and have him here inside an hour.

Chris (scoffs):
Yeah, right. You got some magic power? Little magic wand you can wave?

Doug (shakes his head):
No. It's just that Ray Ross is my father too.

Doug's words hammer in on Chris like a bomb. Cut to focus tight on Chris' face. His eyes flash confusion, but, he says nothing.

Doug (continues):
Before you even ask, yes, I'm sure it's the same Ray Ross. Let's hope there's not two of them in this world that make a career out of screwing up people's lives. Besides, when I looked into your eyes down in ER, I felt something. Maybe that sounds crazy, but, you have his eyes. I'm sure it's the same man. And, I'm not any happier with him than you are. He was never there for me, either.


Doug continues to talk...Chris stays silent...he is taking everything inslowly. His eyes continue to flash confusion and he doesn't talk.

Doug (continues):
I know this is a shock for you. It was for me, too. When your manager told me your father was Ray Ross, I felt like I was walking on a railroad track and a train hit me from behind. But, I thought I should at least tell you the truth. Maybe that way you'd know that everybody named 'Ross' is not a lout.

Chris (stammers):
I don't know what to say.

Doug (stands up):
Maybe you shouldn't say anything right now. I just wanted you to know I was really sorry about your Mom. Gene told me you had it rough for a long time. If I'd known about you, I could have helped. And I would have. But it's too late for all that now. Maybe it's too late for us to be brothers, even. I don't know. But, maybe it's not too late for us to be friends.

Chris (looks away quickly):
I'm really tired right now. I think I need to get some rest.

Doug (nods...almost understandingly):
Sure. We can talk later. (walks across the room and calls back from the door way) You get some rest.

Chris (calls out):
Hey, Doc!

Doug (peers back around the door):
Yeah?

Chris (offers peace):
Thanks.

Doug (shrugs):
You might change your mind about that later. (he gives Chris a short wave) See you later.

The door bangs shut and Chris is left alone in the room to ponder the conversation. Focus on his confused expression and fade... Cut scene to Chris' hospital room. Chris is resting in bed. Pan back to the door and show Gene enter the room. He smiles at Chris from the door and Chris gives him a short wave. Follow Gene across the floor to have him stop at Chris' bedside.

Gene (with a smile):
How you doing, Kid?

Chris (grunts):
I've been better.

Gene (ignores his tone):
Did Dr. Benton talk to you about the surgery?

Chris (nods):
Yeah. I signed everything. The vampires have been here. Everything's ready. Don't expect me to be happy about taking six weeks off the circuit. Might as well be a year...

Gene (cuts in quickly):
Don't start that with me! Ricky Crayven took three months off the circuit and he's doing just fine. Ernie Irvan was gone almost two years. A few weeks isn't going to make or break your season. You know better than that.

Chris (shrugs):
I don't have to like it.

Gene (knowingly):
That's not what's bothering you anyway.

Chris (looks him in the eye):
No. I guess not. I guess I just got one more reason to hate Ray Ross today, didn't I? All those times in my life when I could have used a helping hand, I had one! I just didn't know it!

Gene (smiles):
Doug seems like a really nice guy. I hope you'll use this time off to maybe get to know him a little.

Chris (looks at his hands):
I just don't know how I feel about it, you know? I don't know how I feel about anything right now.

Gene (pats his shoulder):
I know.

Chris (getting emotional...a bit upset):
Why does this always happen to me, Gene? Just about the time I get things going the way I want them something has to pitch a monkey wrench into the middle of it!

Gene (trying to calm him):
That's just the way life is, Chris...

Chris (raises his voice...getting more emotional):
First I get hurt...now I won't be able to race...to top it all off, I got a brother I have to try and deal with...

Gene:
Chris, please, getting upset about it isn't going to help you right now. You need to just rest...

Chris:
How can I rest? I don't want this surgery! I don't know how I feel about that either!

Cut to show Peter Benton coming quickly into the room. He has heard the commotion in the hallway and is coming to check on his patient.

Peter (from the doorway):
Is there a problem in here, Gentlemen?

Chris (sarcastically):
This is a private discussion, Doctor.

Peter:
You have a really bad attitude, do you know that? You're in a countdown for surgery. You need to just rest.

Chris:
Maybe I don't want you doing the surgery. Maybe I have my own choice!

Gene (cuts in):
Chris is just having a hard time dealing with some things tonight, Dr. Benton. He'll be fine. Don't worry.

Cut to show Doug rushing into the room from the hallway. He has also heard the combination and comes to investigate.

Doug (coming into the room):
What's wrong down here!? Chris, why are you so upset?

Chris (pleadingly):
I want you to do the surgery!

Doug (shakes his head):
I can't do that, Chris. First of all, it's not my line of work! Second of all, you're family, Kid! I can't cut on you! It's a code of ethics!

Peter (looks over at Doug quickly):
Family? What the hell are you talking about?

Doug (shrugs):
Chris and I have the same father. It's a complicated story.

Peter (detains anger, but, it flashes in his eyes):
Could I speak to you in the hallway? Please?

Doug nods and follows Peter out the door and into the hallway. Cut to their conversation outside the door. Peter had a grip on Doug's arm and his voice is harsh.

Peter (low but stern voice):
I can't believe you would tell a patient something like that the night before surgery! You know that a patient's mental well being is just as important as anything else in a surgery situation! I'd think you'd be more professional than that...

Doug (defensively):
I just found out I had a brother after 30 years! Suppose he'd die on the table without me getting a chance to let him know that?

Peter:
This is routine surgery...there is no chance he'll die on the table...

Doug (cuts in...pokes Peter in the chest with his index finger):
There is always a chance of that in any surgery!

Cut to show the door being jerked open behind the two doctors. Cut to show Chris standing in the doorway in sweat pants and a t-shirt. He is supporting his weight on the door facing.

Chris (angrily):
Does the patient get to say anything here?

Doug and Peter (in unison):
Get back in bed!

Chris:
I'll go back to bed if you two stop yelling at each other!

Peter (nods):
Deal.

Cut to show one doctor on each side of their patient escorting him back into bed.

Chris (quietly...to Peter):
Don't yell at Doug. I'm glad he told me. I'm glad I have a brother. I'm glad I have some blood family of some kind at least. I'd want to know  something like this. Honest. I just wish he could do the surgery. I feel safe with him.

Doug (smiles):
I can't do it myself. But, I can be there with you. I can go in with you and be in the operating room. Would that make you feel better?

Chris (nods):
Yeah. I really think it would.

Peter (grins):
Then, I have your word that you'll stay put the rest of the night?

Chris (crosses his fingers across his chest):
Scouts honor. (Peter looks at Gene, who smiles and nods)

Gene:
He's a man of his word. He'll be fine.

Peter (nods):
OK. (strolls over to the door but gives Chris a warning finger point on his way out) But you stay put!

Fade Act Three To Black


Closing Act


Scene opens in an office...Doug is seated at a desk and is rolling a small toy car back and forth with his fingers...

Cut to show Mark Greene coming into the room from the doorway. He stops at the desk and speaks quietly to his friend...

Mark (with a rye smile):
Taking up racing now, are we, Doug?

Doug (looks up...smiles slightly):
Gonna have to, I guess! If I'm gonna keep up with my kid brother.

Mark (sits on the edge of the desk):
Things go OK with Chris?

Doug (nods):
I think we got a good start.

Mark:
You think he'll be back?

Doug (ponders):
Yeah. (nods) I do.

Mark (motions to the door):
Duty calls, Bud...we better get moving...

Doug (stands up and starts away with him):
Yep!

Last scene focus on the toy car on the desk and fades...


2/1/97


*****AUTHOR'S NOTE*****
The characters in this script do not belong to me. This script is written purely as entertainment and I make no profit on any part of it.