"Closing the Circle"

Opening Act

Scene opens exterior Chicago at a little league baseball field. Show a game in progress with lots of screaming kids in dugouts, excited parents in the stands, and coaches on the field. A lot of shouting and 'kid' sounds fill the air. Pan slowly down the fence, showing parents and brothers and sisters on their feet and cheering. Keep panning down to show Doug Ross leaning on the fence...his fingers locked into the slots of the wires...taking in all the action. He is watching the action on the field and is deep in thought. Pull tight on his face...a half smile creeps across his face. He scuffs the ground with his shoe and looks solemnly down at his feet before he turns away. Just as he is leaving, there is a loud crack of a bat. He turns to see one of the boys has hit a home run on the field. He watches as the boy rounds all the bases and jumps on home plate. Focus on the boy as he runs to the fence and both his parents rush to congratulate his hit. Doug watches the family scene with a sad smile. He puts his head down and walks away from the field.

Cut to Country ER...interior. The staff is busy and people are flowing through the hallways quickly. Jerry holds up a chart as Anna Del Amico comes rushing through...

Jerry (holding up a chart):
Five year old in two...

Anna (snatches chart):
I got it!

Mark (looks up from behind the desk):
Where's Doug?

Anna (shakes her head):
Not here yet...
(she disappears with the chart)

Mark (looks at Carol):
Something wrong with Doug this morning?

Carol (shrugs):
He just said he had something he needed to do. He should be here any time.

Mark (shakes his head):
Things have been going pretty well with him lately...hope everything's OK.

Carol (smiles slightly):
I'm sure it is.

The staff doors bang open and Doug rushes in. He knows he is late and gives Mark a sheepish look as he passes by him to the locker area without speaking to him.

Mark (calls after him):
You're late!

Doug (calls back from behind the door):
I'll stay late. Sorry, Mark!

Doug comes back to the desk, pulling his arms into his lab coat and checking the desk for files.

Mark (quietly):
Everything OK?

Doug (nods, looking over a file):
Yeah, everything's fine.

Carol (comes beside Doug):
I missed you at breakfast...did you eat?

Doug (still looking over files):
No, but, I'm OK.

Kerry (approaches quickly):
Doug! I need your help in four with a screaming eight month old!

Doug (looks up and nods):
On my way...
(to Mark and Carol as he starts away)
A screaming eight month old...JUST how I want to start my day!

Doug slams down the file in his hand and rushes off to aide Kerry Weaver, leaving Mark and Carol to exchange confused glances.

Mark:
WHAT is going on with him this morning?

Carol (shakes her head):
I don't know, but he does seem pretty edgy, doesn't he?

Mark (rolls his eyes, picks up a chart, and starts off):
I hope we're not having a set back...

Carol watches Mark go with concerns of her own, but, she shakes it off and goes back to work.

Cut scene.

Open next scene in room four, aftermath of the screaming eight month old, Doug is picking things up and placing them on a tray. Camera picks up Mark Greene at the door and follows him into the room. He stops besides Doug and leans back against the table, folds his arms, and nods to him.

Mark (quietly):
Everything OK?

Doug (doesn't look at Mark, nods):
Yeah. Everything's fine.

Mark (sighs):
I know that tone. That tone is not 'everything's fine'. That tone is 'I don't want to talk about it, Mark, get off my back'.

Doug (looks Mark in the eye):
I don't want to talk about it, Mark.
(puts the last article on the tray, smiles sarcastically at Mark, and starts for the door)
Get off my back.

Doug is out the door before Mark can react again. He looks at the door with a puzzled look, shakes his head, and starts for the door himself. He stands in the doorway and watches Doug start sifting through files at the front desk again. Carol walks up slowly beside Mark, folds her arms, and joins him in his observance of Doug's actions.

Mark:
Well, I hope whatever's bothering him he talks to somebody.

Carol:
I think he's just nervous. He put in a call to his son's mother recently. I think he's a little on edge waiting for her to call him back.

Mark (looks at Carol...surprised look):
He called her? When?

Carol (shrugs):
Day of the talent show.

Mark (watches Doug ripping through files on the desk, still looking):
No wonder he's nervous.

Focus on Doug as he slams files down, one at a time, back onto the desk. Pan back to show several staff members just watching him....everyone afraid to get too close. Focus tight on Doug as he realizes what he is doing and where he is. He braces his hands on the desk and leans heavily onto it. With a heavy sigh, he drops his head down and closes his eyes, trying to collect his thoughts and his emotions...

Fade Opening Act into the Opening Credits of the show...

"ER"

"Closing the Circle"

Act One

Scene opens at County ER...interior...a little later in the morning. Doug is sipping coffee in the lounge while going over some paperwork in front of him. He is somewhat calmer now but still slightly agitated. Camera picks up Mark Greene at the doorway and follows him into the lounge. He sits in a chair across from Doug and eyes his friend carefully.

Mark (quietly, motions to the coffee cup in front of Doug):
You feeling better now?

Doug (looks up, sees Mark, and ducks his head as he nods):
Yeah, much. I'm sorry I popped off at you back there. I'm just not myself this morning.

Mark (folds his hands and rests them on his chest):
Anything you want to talk about?

Doug (shakes his head):
No. Not right now.
(looks up at Mark and shrugs)
Thanks, though. I appreciate it.

Mark:
Do you see Nina today?

Doug (goes back to his paperwork, does not look at Mark):
No, not today.
(looks up and grins this time)
Are you insinuating you think I need to see her?

Mark:
I think you need to talk to somebody...yes...

Doug (shakes his head and chuckles):
I'm OK.
(the look Mark gives him tells him he doesn't buy this line)
Really, Mark, I'm OK. If I need to talk to somebody, I will. I haven't gone through six months of therapy to tear it all down now! There are some things I think I can handle on my own now. OK?

Mark (nods):
OK.
(gets up and starts for the door)
You know where to find me if you need me.

Camera follows Mark out of the room. Pan back to show Doug shaking his head with a chuckle and a smile and going back to his paperwork.

Cut scene.

Open next scene at the front desk of the ER. Carol is working over files there and Mark is going over things as well. Camera picks up a woman at the entrance doors and follows her inside. She is in her early 30's, blond, dressed neatly in jeans, boots, and a nice blouse and a jacket. She walks slowly up to the counter, but, no one really notices she is there. Carefully, she reaches out and touches Mark Greene's arm for his attention.

Samantha:
Excuse me, but, this is County General, isn't it?

Mark (looks up at her and stops his work):
Yes, ma'am.
(he smiles at her)
Something I can help you with?

Samantha:
I'm looking for a Dr. Douglas Ross...is he on staff here?

Mark (nods):
Yes, he is.
(sighs...looks at Carol)
What's he done now?
(Carol gives him an 'I don't know' shrug)

Samantha (smiles, nods her head):
Well, that answers that question...is HAS to be the same one. Only the Doug Ross I know could still be in trouble every time he turns around.
(stops her monologue to look at Mark)
I'm sorry. I don't mean to just barge in. I think Doug was really expecting a phone call, but, I really needed to make sure it was the same Doug Ross before I give him too much information.

Carol (looks up...realization sets in):
Oh, my God. You must be Samantha.

Samantha (smiles at Carol and directs her attention to her):
Yes, I'm Samantha Lyons. How did you know?

Carol (clears her throat nervously):
I'm Carol Hathaway...
(extends her hand in friendship and the women exchange grips)
I'm Doug's fiancee. I've been helping him (nervous pause) find you.

Mark (with stunned realization):
I'll go find Doug...

Carol (looks at Mark quickly):
He's with a patient. Could be a while.

Mark (to Samantha):
Well, in that case, can I get you anything? Coffee? Anything like that?
(puts a hand to his head to trigger thinking)
Excuse me, my manners aren't in check this morning! I'm Dr. Greene. I'm Doug's supervisor...
(shakes hands with her)

Samantha (nods with a smile):
Coffee would be great.

Mark (motions her with him, looks at Carol):
We'll just go down to the cafeteria...Carol, when Doug is free, let me know, OK?

Carol (cautiously):
Do I just send him down there?

Mark (shakes his head):
No, have him wait in the lounge...I'll come to him.

Carol (nods, nervously):
OK.

Mark takes Samantha with him and Carol watches them go...almost relieved when they are out of sight of the ER hallway.

Cut scene.

Open next scene in the hospital cafeteria. Mark and Samantha are sitting at a table together, both of them with coffee cups in front of them.

Samantha (smiles nervously):
Maybe I should have just called...

Mark (assuringly):
No, it's OK.
(nods at her)
Really.

Samantha (still babbles nervously):
I hope I'm not getting Doug into any trouble? You did say you were his supervisor, right?

Mark (smiles):
Yes, but, I'm also his friend. It's really OK. Not a problem. Really.

Samantha:
When I got that phone call, I was just so stunned just to hear his name, much less his voice...
(she stops and gives Mark a slight smile)
Exactly how much do you know about this situation?

Mark (nods with a soft smile):
I know you are the mother of his child. He mentioned he had called you. I think he's been kind of nervous waiting to hear from you.

Samantha:
I was just so shocked. It's been so long. And then, I got to thinking that anyone might be able to pull his name out of my past, so, I wanted to be sure it was really him. He left a phone number, and when I called it I got this place. So, I thought it might be best if I came here to be sure it's the same Doug Ross...not that I think there could be two of them.
(smiles slightly)

Mark (shares her joke):
Well, let's hope not, anyway.
(both laugh)

Samantha:
Sounds like Doug hasn't changed much...you asked me what he'd done now that someone was looking for him...

Mark (cuts her off with a laugh):
Oh, that's just a standard line with me for Doug. In reality, he has changed quite a bit.

Samantha:
I would guess so if he's calling looking for Scott.
(Mark's face registers that he did not know the child's name and she smiles)
That's his son.
(short pause and she reaches for her purse nervously)
Would you like to see a picture?

Mark (holds out his hand in 'stop' gesture):
I really think Doug should see it first.
(Samantha smiles in understanding)
He'll share it with me when he's ready for that.

Samantha (cautiously):
Dr. Greene, I have to ask you...since you are his supervisor...perhaps you'll know what he's up to with all this?

Mark (not sure he understands):
Up to?
(shakes his head in confusion)
I'm not sure I follow...

Samantha:
I didn't discuss this with Dennis....that's my husband....before we came. He's at a ball game with Scott and he doesn't even know I'm here....or why. You don't think Doug is trying to take Scott away from me, do you?

Mark (grins):
I don't think it's anything like that. There's a lot of things I could tell you, but, I'd really rather give Doug the chance to tell you himself. But, I can assure you, there is no ulterior motive here on Doug's part.

Samantha (breathes a sigh of relief...presses her hand to her chest):
Thank God! I worried about that all the way down here.

Mark (assuringly):
Doug's not that kind of guy.
(smiles at her)
Really.

She nods in understanding as she and Mark takes sips of their coffee.

Cut scene.

Carol (puts chart away):
Everything OK?

Doug (sighs, shakes his head):
Why do all four year old boys stick everything they can get their hands on up their nose?
(chuckles)

Carol:
Mark asked me to let him know when you were free. He wants to talk to you about something.

Doug (looks up at her quickly):
Oh yeah?
(looks around for Mark)
So, where is he?

Carol:
He asked me to have you wait in the lounge. I'll go get him.

Doug (gives her a suspicious look):
Wait in the lounge? What did I do now?

Carol (shrugs):
I don't know! I'm just following orders.

Doug (starts for the lounge):
OK...go bring in the tiger...I'll get ready to be mauled...

Follow Doug as he bangs open the lounge room door and disappears inside.

Follow Carol as he heads for the elevator, punches the button, the door open and she steps inside. As the doors close, cut scene.

Open at the cafeteria doors. Show Carol coming into the cafeteria quickly, spotting Mark and Samantha, and heading for their table. She stops beside Mark and gives Samantha a nervous grin.

Carol:
He's in the lounge.

Mark (stands up, nods his head):
OK, give me five minutes and then come on up.

Carol (as Mark starts away):
He thinks he's in trouble...

Mark (nods):
Good...let him think that for a while. It'll give me a head start on the next time.
(smiles at Samantha)
If you'll excuse me...

Follow Mark as he exits the cafeteria and disappears.

Cut to show Carol and Samantha standing side by side. Carol gives Samantha a nervous grin. Samantha makes a 'here we go' cringe with her face.

Cut to the doctor's lounge. Show Doug in the lounge alone, playing basketball by himself with paper wads and a waste can. Pick up Mark at the door and follow him in to watch Doug in silence for a minute.

Doug (to himself):
Ross shoots!!
(paper wad falls nearly into the waste can)
And scores!!!
(Doug triumphantly throws his arms into the air in jubilation and spins around to see Mark standing behind him)
Oh! Hey! I didn't hear you come in!

Mark (smiles sarcastically):
Having a good game?

Doug (shrugs):
Hey, I figure if I'm about to be executed for something I can't even remember, I might as well have a few minutes of glory before you got here!

Mark (folds his arms and shakes his head):
You're not in trouble, Doug. I just thought maybe I should tell you this before you see her...Samantha Lyons is here.

Doug (gives Mark a stunned look):
Samantha? Here? (points to the floor) In this hospital? Right now?
(Doug starts for the door but Mark pulls him back by the arm quickly)
Is he....?

Mark (reads his mind, shakes his head):
No, she's alone.
(Doug relaxes in Mark's grip with a dejected sigh)
She wants to talk to you first. And I just wanted to tell you to take all the time you need, OK? Don't worry about work...I'll cover for you.

Doug (nervous cock of his head):
Thanks, Mark. I appreciate that.
(starts for the door...Mark releases his arm. He turns back one last time)
Is she....?
(he stops, but, again, Mark reads his mind)

Mark (nods):
It'll be OK, Doug. She just wants to talk.

Doug nods and starts out of the lounge. He opens the door to see Carol and Samantha standing at the counter together. Both turn to look at him when he steps into the hall. Focus tight on the three of them and alternate the looks between each one.

Fade Act One to Black.

"ER"

"Closing the Circle"

Act Two

Pick up action right where Act One left off with Doug, Carol, and Samantha looking back and forth at each other while Mark looks on from the doorway. Doug walks slowly towards Samantha with a look of surprise on his face.

Doug (smiles):
Sam? (inches closer to her...she smiles) Samantha? It really IS you...

Samantha (smiles softly):
It's good to see you, too, Doug.

Doug (looks nervously around him):
Well, uh, did you meet Carol?

Samantha (nods):
Yes, and Dr. Greene as well.
(smiles)
Seems like you have some good friends here.

Doug (smiles nervously):
I can't believe how great you look.
(stands in front of her, arms folded across his chest)
Well, uh, Mark says we can take some time to talk, so, would you like to go someplace a little more private?

Samantha (nods with a smile):
Sure. I think we have a lot to talk about.

Doug (nods):
Well, OK, then.
(to Mark)
I'll be back as soon as I can, OK?

Mark (shakes his head):
You take all the time you need. It's OK.

Mark stands at the desk and watches as Doug and Samantha walk away, already in casual chatter. He looks back over his shoulder at Carol, who is also watching them go.

Mark (carefully):
You OK with this?

Carol (nods):
Sure. He'll share it all with me later.
(smiles at Mark)
I just hope HE'S OK with it...

She looks down the hall to see Doug holding the door for Samantha and they disappear through it.

Cut scene.

Open next scene still at the hospital, Doug directs Samantha into an empty medic room and closes the door. He chuckles nervously as he directs her to sit on the table and he pulls up a stool.

Doug (apologetically):
I don't have an office...this is about the best I can do.

Samantha (slips up onto the table, looks down at him, and smiles):
This is fine.
(she reaches down and brushes his bangs carefully with her finger tips)
Look at you! You actually made it out of Med School!

Doug (laughs):
Yeah! I guess there were some real doubts about that for a while.
(drops his head down nervously)

Samantha (trying to get the conversation going):
So, are you the ER Attending?

Doug (shakes his head with a smile):
Uh, no. That would be Mark. I'm doing my Fellowship here in Pediatrics.

Samantha (brightly):
Fellowship? Then, you must be pretty good?

Doug (shrugs):
Mark has a lot of confidence in me.

Samantha:
And you don't?

Doug (nods nonchalantly):
I'm OK.

Samantha (softly):
You look great, Doug. It's good to see you looking so good.

Doug (looks at his feet):
Thanks. That's nice to hear.

Samantha (quiet voice):
I was never even sure if you got my postcard when Scott was born...

Doug (looks up at her quickly):
Scott? Is that his name?

Samantha (smiles):
Yes. Scott Douglas. My Dad threw a fit, but, hey! This is MY child!
(both snicker)
We weren't married, so, the name on the birth certificate is Claymont. Dennis wanted to adopt him, but, that's a complicated procedure...

Doug (nods, taking in the conversation):
Dennis is your husband, right?
(she nods)
He pretty good to you?
(looks up at her)
Treat you pretty good? And Scott?

Samantha (nods):
He's great. Really.
(clears her throat to start her story)
When I got that phone call, I was so shocked. I didn't know what to think. I didn't tell him anything about it until I could come here and see for sure it was the same Doug Ross...not that I think there could possibly be two of you!
(both chuckle)
He was bringing Scott into town for a Cubs game, so, I asked if I could come...told him I wanted to just spend the day window shopping in the city.

Doug (looks at his feet):
Scott likes the Cubs?

Samantha (rolls her eyes):
Scott loves sports. Period.
(lifts his chin with her finger tips)
Just like his Dad.
(reaches for her purse)
Do you want to see a picture?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, I'd LOVE to see a picture!

She reaches into her purse and pulls out a photo to hand it to Doug. He looks at it, a smile spreading across his face. The boy is about 10-11 years old, dressed in a baseball uniform with a bat on his shoulders and a cap on his head.

Samantha:
They just took that a few weeks ago. You can keep that, if you want it.

Doug (brightens):
You don't mind?

Samantha (nods...smiles):
I have extras. I brought that one for you.

Doug (still looking at the photo):
Thank you.
(nervous pause)
Is he a good kid?

Samantha (smiles wide):
He's a GREAT kid! He does well in school...gets along well with other kids... he plays sports...never gives us much trouble. He's great...

Doug (nods):
Good....that's great.

Samantha (smiles):
But, he has a lot of his 'Dad' in him, too...has an eye for the girls and a tendency to want to do things his own way a lot.
(Doug chuckles)
So, what happens now, Doug? I'm sure you didn't go through all the trouble of hiring a lawyer to find us for nothing.

Doug (looks up at her):
I don't know what happens now. I guess I hadn't really thought about it. When I started looking, I don't guess I ever planned for if I actually found you.

Samantha:
OK, then, just let me fill you in on what you've missed, OK? I met Dennis when Scott was still just a baby. We fell in love, and were married when Scott was just two. We have two other children...both girls.
(produces another photo from her purse)
That's Sharra on the left, she's seven. And Jessie on the right is just four.

Doug (chuckles):
They're adorable.
(looks at Samantha)
So, you're happy?

Samantha (nods, and smiles):
Very happy. What about you? Carol told me she was your fiancee?

Doug (nods, returns the photo to her):
Yeah, but we haven't set a date or anything yet. It's kind of a long story, but, I'm happy now.
(nervous pause)
Does Scott know anything? At all?

Samantha (sighs):
He has asked me about 'his real Dad' every since he was big enough to know Dennis wasn't him. He loves Dennis, don't get me wrong. They're great pals. And Dennis is crazy about Scott. But, when Scott was big enough to understand, Dennis and I told him the truth about when he was born...

Doug (ducks his head):
So, he knows I'm a lout, huh?

Samantha (lifts his chin):
You're not a lout. Don't put yourself down like that. Everything that happens is not always your fault, Doug. I should have stood up to my parents. There are a lot of 'could have beens' that we never even explored. We were young...we were both scared... it's easy to look back now and say what we should have done, but, none of it would have been easy to do back then.

Doug:
I just want a chance to be part of his life, Sam. That's all. I don't want to take him away from you or anything. I just want to know him. I want to give him a chance to know me...

Samantha (smiles and cuts off his babbling):
I almost told him the truth not too long ago...when you made headlines all over the state as the Hero Doctor above and beyond the call of duty to save a life...
(Doug chuckles)
...but that wouldn't have been fair. I want Scott to be proud of you on his own. Not because he thinks you're a heroic doctor.
(she smiles)
And I think he will be.
(pause)
Let me do this, OK? Let me go back to the boys and tell them the real reason I came with them. We'll get a room here in Chicago overnight and tomorrow maybe we can arrange a meeting someplace. Would that work for you?

Doug (nods):
Sure, that's great. But, when we do, I want to bring Carol with me. She's going to be a part of the rest of my life, so, she'll part of Scott's life, too.

Samantha (nods enthusiastically):
That's great! Bring her along. I'd love to get a chance to talk more with her!

Doug (nervous pause):
How do you think Dennis and Scott are going to react when you tell them tonight?

Samantha (rolls her eyes):
Well, I'm not sure! But, I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

Doug:
What about the girls?

Samantha (laughs):
The girls are with Dennis' parents and they would be happy to stay there for a year! They live on a farm and both my girls think it's heaven on earth there. I'll call Mom Lyons and ask her if they can stay a little longer...it won't be a problem.
(Doug chuckles and nods)
Looks like you've finally grown up, Doug.

Doug (shakes his head with a smile):
Been a lot of growing pains getting there! Maybe I'll catch you up with what YOU'VE missed one of these days!

Samantha (nods):
I think I'd like to hear it.
(pause)
I'm really glad you wanted to find us, Doug. I had always figured that when Scott was old enough he was going to go looking on his own. This way, he knows his Dad wanted to find him first. That's really important to a kid.

Doug (nods):
Yeah, I know. I hope it's a lot better for your Dad to come looking for you when you're ten than it is if he waits until you're 34 and on the news to find you.

Samantha (sighs):
I'm assuming that means your heroic rescue flushed out Ray?
(Doug nods)
How did that go?

Doug (chuckles):
Well, we're still working on that! But, I think it's getting better. He doesn't even know he has a Grandson, though! That ought to really be something to tell him!

Samantha:
Well, I better be getting back. The game will be over soon and I promised to meet them for pizza.

Doug (stands up with her):
Thanks for coming by.
(short pause)
Thanks for not hating me.

Samantha (surprised tone):
Hate you? Douglas Ross! How could you SAY such a thing! I could never hate you! Why on Earth would you think I did?

Doug (shrugs):
I wasn't there when you needed me...

Samantha:
Well, now, that wasn't all your fault, was it? You didn't have a lot of control over that situation.
(touches his cheek with her fingers)
Besides, the important thing is that you're here now. You want to be here for Scott and I think that's great! I could never hate you...you gave me one of the three most precious things in my life. Every time I look at my son I see something else that reminds me of you. I loved you, Doug. Very, VERY much. Surely you knew that?

Doug (nervously):
I didn't know a lot of things back then...
(looks into her eyes and grins)
...but, yeah, I did know that.
(short pause)
What about now? I could make arrangement for child support...

Samantha (cuts him off with a shake of her head):
No, Doug, that's not the way we're going to do it. I don't want money from you. Dennis makes a good living for us and it's really not necessary.
(Doug nods, understandingly)
But, if you want, you could open a trust fund for him and it can go towards his education. If that might make you feel better.

Doug (nods with a grin):
Yeah! That's a good idea! I'll look into that.
(takes her arm and opens the door)
I'll walk you out, OK?

Samantha (shakes her head):
No, that's OK. I'll just go out the way I came in.
(thinking quickly)
But, I'll need a phone number where I can reach you tonight!

Doug (nods, reaches for his pen and scribbles a number on a card from his lab coat pocket):
This is my pager number. I'm never sure where I'll be exactly, but, I can always be reached with this.

Samantha (takes card and puts it in her purse):
OK, then, I'll get in touch with you tonight and we'll set something up for tomorrow.

Doug (nods, they start walking out the door together):
OK.

Just as they get to the door, Samantha reaches to hug Doug gently around the neck. He returns the embrace and the hold onto each other for just a minute, then release each other from their hold.

Samantha goes off down the hall and Doug stands in the doorway and watches her go.

Fade Act Two to Black.

"ER"

"Closing the Circle"

Act Three

Scene opens at County ER...exterior...on the hospital roof. Doug is standing alone at the rail, letting the Chicago wind brush against him, just looking out over the city. He is still holding the picture of his son and gazing at it in wonder. Cut to show Mark Greene coming out of the door and looking out to see Doug. Focus on Mark as he smiles a soft smile and shakes his head. Follow as he walks over to stand close to where Doug is standing. Mark turns around and leans on the rail to face Doug. Doug looks up quickly to see Mark is there, but, doesn't take his eyes far from the photo he is holding.

Mark (quietly):
Everything OK?

Doug (nods):
I think it will be. Step one went pretty well. The big test will come later.

Mark (motions to photo):
That your son?

Doug (hands photo to Mark):
Yeah!
(turns around to stand beside Mark and lean back on the rail with him)
His name is Scott...

Mark (looks at photo...smiles wide):
He has your eyes...

Doug (talking excitedly now):
Sam says he's a great kid...loves sports...
(nervous pause)
She's going to talk to her husband and we're going to try to set up some kind of a meeting.
(Mark hands the photo back to him and he takes it back carefully)

Mark (picks up the nervous vibes):
And that's not OK with you?

Doug (shrugs):
It's not that it's not OK. It's what I've been working for. And I can't come this far and back out now. It's just that I'm not sure how to handle this.

Mark:
He's a ten year old boy, Doug. You're great with kids. You'll do fine.

Doug:
What if he hates me?

Mark:
Did Samantha give you any reason to think he would?

Doug:
No...just the opposite really. She says he's always known Dennis wasn't his 'real Dad' and that he's asked about that every since he was big enough to ask.

Mark (motions with his hands):
Well, then, there you go. He'll be excited to meet you. It should be fine.

Doug:
What excuse am I going to give him, Mark? About why I wasn't there all those years?

Mark:
Don't give him an excuse, Doug. Tell him the truth. He knows Samantha's story, now's your chance to tell him yours. Just be honest with him. All he really wants to know is if you care about him now...and he's going to know that you do. Otherwise, you would never have tried to find him.

Doug (sighs...looks at his feet):
Why do I have this feeling that this wasn't such a good idea after all? That this is going to tear his whole world apart?

Mark (shakes his head):
If you and Carol work with Samantha and her husband to handle this properly, there's no reason it should cause anybody any problems. All Scott really needs to know is that everybody involved loves him. And if you all work together for what's best for him, everything should be fine.

Doug:
Like you and Jen with Rachel?

Mark (glances at the sky and sighs, then looks down):
We try, you know? But, Jen and I have too many things between us personally that interfere with a lot of things sometimes. You and Samantha shouldn't have that problem. You both have your own lives now...there shouldn't be any competition between the two of you. Scott's going to have two families now.

Doug:
What about Dennis?

Mark (shrugs):
What about him?

Doug:
Well, Sam says he has a great relationship with Scott. And that Scott is really crazy about him, too. Am I going to wreck that?

Mark (shakes his head):
Not as long as you don't put Scott in a position where he thinks he has to choose between the two of you. There shouldn't be any competition between you and Dennis. You aren't in love with Samantha anymore.
(short pause)
Are you?

Doug (looks at Mark and grins):
No.
(chuckles)
You know better than to ask me that. What Sam and I had was over a long time ago.

Mark (smiles):
Then you got nothing to worry about.
(pats Doug on the back)
Don't worry, Doug...everything will be fine.

Doug nods and tucks the photo of his son into his lab coat pocket. He and Mark walk across the roof together and disappear back through the door into the hospital

Cut scene.

Open next scene interior...hospital lounge. Focus on the photo of Scott and pull back slowly to show Carol Hathaway is holding the photo. Focus on her face. She smiles wide and then looks at Doug, who is standing close beside her gazing at the photo with her.

Carol:
He's adorable.
(looks at Doug and smiles)
He has your eyes.

Doug (nods):
That's what Mark said...

Carol (hands the photo back to Doug):
Did Samantha tell you much about him?

Doug (grins):
He loves sports. She says he's a great kid...

Carol:
How much does he know? About you?

Doug (shakes his head):
He doesn't know anything. She said he's asked about his 'real Dad' for a long time, but, that he doesn't know anything. She's going to talk to Dennis and I guess they'll sit down with him about it tonight and try to arrange a meeting with us tomorrow...

Carol (looks at him surprised):
Us?

Doug (dumbfounded by her surprise):
Well, yeah! You said you'd go with me!

Carol:
Well, that was to make connections with Samantha. I really think you should meet Scott on your own.

Doug (confused):
Why?

Carol:
Well, I just think he should meet you first. And then he can meet me later. I'll go with you, but, I really think the first meeting should be just between the two of you.

Doug:
You're going to be part of the rest of my life...that makes you part of his life...I want him to know you, too...

Carol (nods with a smile):
And he will! We'll make sure of that! I'm hoping we can work things out to maybe keep him one weekend a month or something after things get settled down a bit. There will be plenty of time for us to get to know each other...but the first time should just be with his Dad...
(short pause)
...OK?

Doug (sighs):
What am I going to say to him, Carol? What if he doesn't like me?

Carol (smiles):
He's probably thinking the same thing about you! I won't tell you it's not going to be an awkward situation, Doug. We both know better than that. But, if you just talk to him, answer his questions and tell him the truth about whatever he wants to know, everything should be OK.

Doug:
Did you really mean what you said? About maybe keeping him one weekend a month?

Carol (nods):
Absolutely! Once you walk into his life, Doug, you can't walk out. So, you better be sure you can follow through with this. Because once he knows about you, you can't just walk away. You know that, don't you?

Doug (nods...looks at his feet):
Yeah, I know. I just hope I can do this. I don't know very much about being a Dad.

Carol (grins):
Well, I don't know very much about being a step-mother, either. We'll just have to learn together.

Doug (cocks his head to stare at her):
Don't you think we should start talking about wedding dates?

Carol (smiles, but shakes her head):
We still have a lot of adjustments to make before we talk about wedding dates. Let's get this thing with Scott under control first, OK? Then we'll talk about it...

Doug nods slowly. Carol reaches across his shoulders and rubs his back affectionately. They look at each other and just smile.

Cut scene.

Open next scene at Carol home...interior. She is sitting on the sofa reading a book. Doug is sitting beside her, his feet propped up on the coffee table in front of him, watching a baseball game on TV when his beeper goes off. Carol looks quickly over at him as he grabs it to read the number.

Doug (offers an explanation):
I wasn't sure where I'd be, so, I gave Sam my beeper number.
(looks at number)
I don't recognize this one, so, either Mark is out someplace in trouble, or it's her.

He reaches for the phone and quickly dials the number from his beeper and we hear only his side of the conversation.

Doug (into receiver):
Hi, Sam...it's Doug.
(he nervously eyes Carol all during his conversation. Carol puts her book down and moves closer to him for support)
Yeah? What did Dennis say? Uh huh...well, what about Scott?
(Doug smiles into the receiver)
He's excited, huh?
(Carol wraps her hands around Doug's arm and smiles)
Tomorrow morning?
(Doug looks at Carol who nods approvingly)
Well, uh, yeah, I guess that will be OK. Yeah, I know where that is. 7:30?
(He looks at Carol again, who nods, quickly, again)
Sure, I can make it. I'll meet you there. Yeah. That's great. Thanks, Sam. Bye.
(he hangs up the phone and sits quietly for a minute, collecting his thoughts from the conversation. Carol looks up at him expectantly)

Carol:
Well?

Doug (sighs...smile creeping across his face):
Well, we're meeting at the hotel tomorrow morning. She said Dennis wasn't too surprised and Scott is excited about meeting me.

Carol (smiles):
See? I told you everything would be OK!

Doug (looks her in the eye):
Are you sure you won't come with me?

Carol (shakes her head):
No. You go. And maybe before they leave you can bring Scott by the hospital to meet me.

Doug (nods, nervously):
OK. That might work.

Doug sighs, but smiles. Carol hugs him close and he rests his head against her and chuckles with delight.

Cut scene.

Open next scene still at Carol's home, interior, very late and dark. Doug is sitting in a chair by the window in the bedroom in his bathrobe gazing out the window blankly. Pan back to show Carol sleepily opening her eyes in her bed. She reaches over for Doug and feels the empty space where he should be. She sits up slowly and sees him sitting across the room. Slowly, she gets out of bed and walks over to him, stands behind his chair, reaches her hands inside his robe and begins to gently rub his shoulders with her fingers.

Carol (softly):
Are you OK?

Doug (nods):
Just nervous, I guess.

Carol (leans her head down to rest it on top of his):
It's going to be OK. Come on back to bed.

Doug (looks up at her....kisses her quickly):
In a minute.

Carol (smiles knowingly):
OK.

She goes back to bed and gets under the covers. He sits alone for another minute or two, then, he gets up and climbs back into bed as well.

Cut scene to another window across town in a Chicago hotel. A ten year old boy is sitting in the window sill ledge in his room, gazing out over the lights of the Chicago city. Cut to show Samantha Lyons walk slowly over to him and sit down in a chair beside him.

Samantha (touches his shoulder):
It's going to be all right, Scotty. I thought you were excited about this?

Scott (nods, nervously):
I am...I just...what if he doesn't like me?

Samantha (brushes his bangs with her fingers):
Don't be silly, Honey! What's not to love? And trust me when I tell you he's just as nervous about this as you are.

Scott (brightens a bit):
He is?

Samantha (smiles and nods):
Yeah. He really is. I just want you to give him a chance, OK? Don't expect too much out of him the first couple of times you meet him. If you just give him time to get to know you, I think the two of you can be great friends.

Scott:
Does he like the Cubs?

Samantha (chuckles):
And the Bulls...and the Bears...and every other Chicago sports team that exists. Scotty, you are so much like him...all the good things...

Scott (looks at his feet nervously):
I'm scared, Mom. I always kind of thought I'd meet him, but, now that it's happening, I just feel really scared.

Samantha (smiles, understandingly):
Everything is just new and strange right now, Sweetheart. He's scared, too. You guys are just gonna have to help each other through this...you'll learn together. Now, you're a great kid! Your Dad is gonna be just as crazy about you as Dennis is!
(hugs him)
It'll be all right!
(looks at him)
OK?

Scott (nods and smiles):
OK.

Samantha:
Now, get back in bed and try and get some rest, OK? It'll be time soon enough!

Scott nods and climbs off the window sill. She puts her arm around him and walks with him back across the room towards his bed.

Fade Act Three To Black.

"ER"

"Closing the Circle"

Act Four

Scene opens in the lobby of a Chicago hotel. Focus on Doug Ross as he sits quietly and alone in a chair in a corner of the lobby, his eyes fixed heavily on the elevator across the way from him. He is nervous and toys continuously with his hands, looking occasionally at his watch. He stays in constant nervous motion...picking a raveling from his jacket...all the while watching the elevator. At every sound of people coming, he looks up, only to see it is not who he is expecting and he looks back away. Finally, the elevator doors bang open and he looks up to see Samantha coming out with her hands on the shoulders of her son and her husband following close behind her. She looks across the lobby and sees Doug. She smiles and starts walking Scott in that direction. As soon as he sees them, Doug is on his feet, nervously awaiting this confrontation.

Samantha (smiles at Doug):
Good morning.

Doug (nods, nervously):
Yeah, good morning.

Samantha (motions over her shoulder to Dennis):
Doug, I'd like you to meet my husband, Dennis...Dennis, this is Doug Ross.

Dennis (reaches around her to offer his hand in friendship):
Hi, Doug.

Doug (reaches to return the handshake):
Yeah! Hi! Nice to meet you.

Samantha (hands on her son's shoulders):
Scotty? This is Doug Ross
(short pause)
This is your Dad.

Scott doesn't speak right away. He looks carefully up at Doug with big brown eyes reflecting a hint of fear. Doug looks down at him, reads what he is thinking, and smiles at him.

Doug (grins):
Hi, Scott.

Scott (shy and quietly):
Hi.

Samantha (clears her throat...looks at Doug)
I was thinking you might like to take Scott with you someplace for breakfast where the two of you could just talk for a while.

Doug (still looking at Scott):
I think that should be up to Scott...what do you think, Buddy?

Scott looks up at Samantha and also over at Dennis. Both adults give him a smile a nod. Scott looks back at Doug and smiles slightly this time at him.

Scott (nods):
OK.

Samantha:
Meet you back here in, say, a couple of hours?

Doug (nods with a grin):
That should be fine.
(looks her in the eye)
Thanks, Sam.
(glances at Dennis)
You too, Dennis.

Samantha (smiles and shakes her head):
You did all the ground work. You got us here. The rest of it is up to you now.

Doug (nods, but, looks at Scott):
Well, OK, every minute counts right now, OK? Let's go get something to eat!

Scott nods and starts walking away with Doug. Dennis and Samantha stand and watch them go. Dennis has his arm around Samantha's shoulders. They watch as Doug and Scott get to the door and Doug puts his hand down on Scott's shoulder to take him out with him.

Dennis (quietly as Samantha still watches them go):
They're gonna be fine.

Samantha (tears in her eyes):
I know. I just can't believe this day ever got here.

She turns with her husband and they go back across the lobby together.

Cut scene.

Open next scene at a restaurant someplace across town. Scott is sitting on one side of the table dousing a stack of pancakes with maple syrup. Doug is sitting on the other side fixing tea and just watching him, his head propped on his elbow resting solidly on the table.

Doug (points to the pancakes):
You gonna eat all of those?

Scott (nods, spears a fork full of pancakes):
And then some!
(Doug chuckles)

Doug (quietly):
You know, Scott, if there's anything you want to ask me about, now would probably be a good time to do it.

Scott:
Mom told me most of it, I think.
(pause)
Are you married?

Doug (shakes his head):
No. I'm engaged to be married, though.

Scott:
Is she nice?

Doug:
Who? Carol?
(nods)
Yes, she's very nice. Before we go back, I'll take you by the hospital and you can meet her if you'd like.

Scott:
Is she a doctor like you?

Doug:
No, she's a nurse. And she's a real good one, too.

Scott:
Does she take care of you if you're sick?

Doug (nods):
She has, in the past, yes.

Scott:
Do you give shots?

Doug (chuckles):
If I have to. I usually make Dr. Greene do that kind of stuff, though. If I can. (Scott grins)

Scott (lays his fork down):
If I tell you something, can it be our secret?

Doug:
Well, do you think it's a good idea to keep secrets from your Mom?

Scott (nods):
Sometimes!

Doug:
Tell you what, you tell me what it is and I'll see if I think it's something we need to tell your Mom, OK?
(Scott nods)

Scott:
Well, you remember when you saved that boy in the storm drain?
(Doug nods)
I knew then you were my Dad.

Doug (surprised expression):
You did?
(Scott nods nervously)
Well, how did you know that?

Scott:
Once when I was staying at Nanna and Gramps' house, I saw a picture of you with my Mom. They don't know I saw it. It was in my Mom's diary.

Doug (another surprised look):
And exactly what were YOU doing with your Mother's diary?

Scott:
I was playing around in the attic and I found it in an old trunk. She wrote your name on the back of the picture.

Doug (not sure he follows):
But how did that tell you I was your Dad?

Scott:
Because there was also a letter my Mom wrote to you in there. She was telling you about when I was born and how much she wished you could have been there with her.

Doug (looks at his hands):
What was the letter doing in the diary?

Scott:
It came back from the post office...you know...one of those 'Return To Sender' things?

Doug (nods):
Must have been after I left school...she didn't know where to find me...
(shakes his head in disgust at himself)

Scott:
So, when I saw you on the news, I knew who you were.

Doug (looks at him nervously):
And how did that make you feel?

Scott:
I thought it was pretty cool.
(smiles)
Would you fight that hard to save me?

Doug (eyes fill with emotion):
Well, yeah! Of course! Only thing is, you're my son, and I wouldn't be allowed to take care of you. There's a medical code of ethics about that...

Scott (disappointed):
So, who would take care of me?

Doug:
Well, I would get Dr. Greene to take care of you...and I would stand right there beside him and make sure he did it right.
(reaches across and touches Scott's arm)
I wouldn't let anything happen to you.

Scott:
Do we have to tell Mom? About the secret?

Doug (grins at him):
Nah, I don't think that's anything Mom needs to know about right now. We'll tell her later...on your wedding day, maybe!

Scott:
Will I get to come to your wedding?

Doug (nods):
Absolutely! Carol and I would be honored to have you there. In fact, Carol and I were talking about arranging things with your Mom and Dennis that maybe you could come to Chicago once a month and spend a weekend with us...would you like that?

Scott (smiles happily):
You mean you really WANT me?

Doug (gives him a sincere look):
Scott, it was never a question of whether or not I ever wanted you. It was a matter of getting my own life together enough that I could responsible enough to care for you. See, for a long time, I was really out of control. I barely had a handle on my own life...much less anything else.

Scott (listens...tries to understand):
Well, are you OK now?

Doug (grins):
Well, I was always 'OK'. But, things are a lot better now, yes. And Carol and I would love to have you stay with us whenever you can...as long as it's what you want too. You see, Scott, I don't want to just barge into your life and start making demands on you. I want us to work like a team...agree on things...talk about things...

Scott (perplexed look):
Well, what am I gonna call you? I don't want to call you Dr. Ross...and I don't want to call you Doug! If I call you 'Father' the kids will all think you're my Priest or something! And I call Dennis 'Dad'...what does that leave to call you?

Doug (shakes his head...looks at his hands):
I don't know. Is it important?

Scott:
Well, what do you call your Dad?

Doug (clears his throat nervously):
I call him Ray. He's never really been a 'Dad' to me. It's kind of a long story that I don't want us to get into right now.
(Scott frowns)
It'll give us something to talk about later.
(Doug smiles...Scott grins)

Scott:
I'll think of something...

Doug (pats Scott's arm gently):
Right now, why don't you just call me 'Friend'?
(Scott smiles but doesn't say anything...Doug looks at his watch)
Hey! You about done with those pancakes? If we're gonna meet Carol at the hospital before I take you back, we better get moving!

Scott nods quickly and downs the last of his milk.

Cut scene.

Open scene at County ER. Carol and Mark are working at the front desk with several other members of the staff. The staff entrance doors bang open and Doug and Scott come in together, both of them laughing over some private joke they have shared together. Mark and Carol both look up and Carol smiles to see them getting along well. They stop at the desk and Doug stands behind Scott with both his hands on his son's shoulders.

Doug:
Scott, this is Dr. Mark Greene...
(leans down to talk quietly to Scott in his ear)
...this is the guy I told you about!

Mark (grins at Scott...has picked up what Doug told him):
And don't believe a word of it, Scott!
(Mark shakes hands with the boy quickly)
It's nice to finally meet you.

Scott (grins shyly):
Hi!

Doug (points Scott toward Carol):
And THIS is Nurse Hathaway...this is Carol. Carol (smiles down at Scott warmly):
Hi, Scott! How was your breakfast?

Scott:
It was great! I had pancakes!

Doug (nods):
Yes, enough of them to sink the Bismarck!

Carol (winks at Scott, eyes Doug with a smile):
So, how are you getting along with this guy?

Scott (looks up at Doug and grins):
He's great.
(he motions up to Doug with his finger and Doug leans down to him)
(quietly, but, still audible to Carol and Mark)
You're right! She IS a babe!

Doug chuckles nervously...Mark and Carol both laugh.

Mark (pats Doug on the shoulder):
Oh, yeah! He's your son all right!

Carol (sighs, but smiles):
You're a Ross man, all right, Scott.
(she roughs the boys hair quickly and smiles at Doug)

Doug (never takes his eyes off Carol):
I gotta get him back...

Mark (leans over...quiet voice):
And get in to work...

Doug (nods, repeats Mark's words):
And get in to work. I'll be back soon, OK?

Carol:
OK!
(smiles at Scott)
I'm looking forward to getting to know you better, Scott.

Scott:
Yeah! Me too! Bye!

A chorus of good-byes and Doug and Scott disappear back out the hospital door.

Cut scene.

Open last scene back at the hotel lobby. Focus on Samantha and Dennis getting on their feet as Doug brings Scott back through the lobby to them.

Samantha (smiles at Scott):
So? How did it go?

Scott (beams happily):
It was great!! And he says I can come down and visit one weekend a month...
(retracts his statement quickly as Doug raises an eyebrow at him)
If that's OK with you and Dad!

Samantha (smiles at Doug):
I'm sure we can work something out.
(she puts her hands on Scott's shoulders firmly)
But, we really have to get going...long drive back...

Doug (nods):
Yeah, I gotta get to work, too.
(smiles at Samantha)
I can't thank you enough for this. We'll do this again?

Samantha (nods with a smile):
Count on it.

Scott (looks up at Doug):
When will I see you again?

Doug (winks at him):
As soon as we can arrange it, Buddy. I promise, OK?

Scott:
Can I hug you good-bye?

Doug (laughs):
You bet you can!

Doug leans down to Scott and Scott hugs him tight. Doug returns the embrace and then pats his son on the back quickly. Doug stands up and Samantha starts Scott away with her and Dennis. Just as they get back to the elevator, Scott turns around over his shoulder, waves quickly to Doug and smiles. Doug waves back at him and the elevator doors close them away from each other.

Fade Act Four to Black.

"ER"

"Closing the Circle"

Closing Act

Scene opens at County ER. Carol Hathaway is gathering up things in the locker room to leave for the day when Mark Greene comes in and collapses into a nearby chair.

Mark (tired voice):
Well, at least somebody gets to call it a day! You and Doug have big plans for tonight, Carol?

Carol (grabbing her jacket from her locker):
We're playing 'Mom' and 'Dad' this weekend. Samantha and Dennis had to go to a dance recital, so, we're keeping Scott with us until Sunday. Doug's had the whole day with him.

Mark:
How's he doing with his 'new role' in life?

Carol (smiles, pulls her arms into her jacket):
He's learning. Scott's really a great kid.

Mark:
Did I tell you what a great person I think you are?
(Carol gives him a confused look)
I know I've seen a lot of changes in Doug, but, I didn't notice there have been just as many in you. The things you've done to help Doug...really admirable of you, Carol.

Carol:
Whatever it takes, Mark. I'm not letting go of him again. If I can keep him sober, he's the greatest guy I've ever known. And he has so many things in his life now to keep him going in the right direction...he just needs a gentle shove once in a while now.

Mark (nods):
Well, I'm sure one or the other of us can be sure he gets that.

Carol (laughs):
Good night, Mark!

Mark (waves to her as she starts out the door):
Good night, Carol.

Carol goes on out the door...Mark leans his head back and sighs wearily, looking at his watch and making a groaning sound as he rolls his eyes.

Cut scene.

Open Scene at Carol's home. Show Carol unlocking her front door and going into the house. There are lights on and she can hear the TV as she goes in the door. She goes through a doorway into the kitchen. There is an pizza box on the table with two slices of pizza still left in it and two empty root beer bottles on the table. Carol picks up a slice of pizza and bites into it as she starts on through the house.

Carol (calling out):
Hey, guys! I'm home!

Carol steps into the clearing of the living room and stops short. Focus on the couch in front of the TV are Doug and Scott, both sound asleep with the TV watching them. Doug is leaning back into a corner pocket, both feet on the floor, and Scott is curled up length wise on the couch, with his head in Doug's lap. Doug has one arm draped across his son's body holding it adjacent him. Cut back to Carol as she smiles at this scene. She walks over carefully, and gently shakes Doug's shoulder.

Carol (quietly):
Doug? Hey?
(Doug sleepily opens his eyes and peers up at her)
Don't you think you should put him to bed?

Doug looks down at Scott sleeping against him and smiles.

Doug (nods):
Yeah, I guess.
(shakes his son by the shoulders gently)
Scott? Hey, Buddy...come on!
Let's get you to bed.

Scott (sleepily):
Huh?

Doug (sits Scott up beside him):
Bed time...let's go.

Scott (as he stumbles to his feet):
Who won the game?

Doug (starts walking him slowly across the floor...Carol follows them):
I don't know, but, I'm sure the Cubs lost...

Cut scene to show Doug and Carol tucking Scott into a sofa bed in another room.

Carol:
Sorry about the bed...best we can do for now, but, we'll get you a bed for when you visit, OK?

Scott:
That's OK! This is great! It's a fun change! Really! I don't mind!

Doug (puts his hand on Scott head):
OK, you get some sleep, OK?

Scott (quickly....doesn't want to lose the thought):
I talked it over with Dennis about what I should call you! He says since I call him 'Dad' and still call him 'Dennis' sometimes that maybe I should do that same thing with you...call you 'Dad' when I'm with you, and 'Doug' when I'm talking about you. You think that would be OK?

Doug (nods with a smile):
I think that would be just fine.
(chuckles)

Scott (gives a cock of his head...almost the same as Doug always does):
Gonna take some gettin' used to, though!

Doug:
We got all the time you need, Buddy!

Carol (reaches to turn out the light):
Good night, Scott.

Scott:
Good night.

Carol turns out the light and she and Doug walk out to the hall. She starts down the hall but Doug stays standing in the door way a few more minutes. She comes up quietly beside and gazes in at Scott with him. She rubs his shoulder and wraps her hands around his arm.

Carol:
You coming to bed?

Doug (still gazing at Scott):
In a while.

Carol:
He's not going anywhere, Doug. He'll still be there when you wake up in the morning.

Doug (nods):
I know. I just want to look at him for a while.

Carol (smiles):
He's really something, isn't he?

Doug:
Definitely one of the few things I ever did right in my life.

Carol (shakes her head...rests it against his shoulder):
You've done a lot of things right, Doug.

She reaches us and kisses his cheek sweetly, then walks away and leaves him alone in the door way just watching his son sleep.

Fade Closing Act into end credits of the show.

5/23/97