Author’s Text

Well, I’ve learned a few things from writing so much. Some of you like hot sex in stories and some of you don’t. There has always been a reason why I don’t write those kind of stories about Doug and Carol. I reserve them more for Jack Foley and Karen Sisco! LOL! But most of you like calm and domestic stories for some reason. Me, I prefer a little action in a story, but I guess that’s why there’s vanilla and chocolate, huh?

This story continues from the last one in the same vein but it does also introduce the character of Trent Jacobs, who has been mentioned in several of the past stories. He comes into the story in physical form this time and he will be in future stories from time to time.

This story doesn’t deal much with Doug and Carol as a couple. In fact, Carol is hardly in this story. It focuses more on Doug and several sides of him at once.

The characters in this story are not mine and no money is made by me for the use of them in this story.

Robin

"ER"
"The Doctor Is In"
Opening Act

Scene opens at the Ross home. Show Doug sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper and eating a breakfast the consists only of toast and orange juice. Show Marc toddle into the kitchen and begins reaching for Doug’s juice glass. Doug catches him out of the corner of his eye and gives him a stern look over the top of the paper.

Doug (sternly):
No, Marc...that’s not yours.

Marc (wide grin, still reaching):
My juice!

Doug:
No, it’s MY juice and you are not to drink it, OK? I’ll get you some of your own... (Doug goes to the refrigerator to pour some juice into a toddler glass for Marc, who is already helping himself to the juice in Doug’s glass. Doug turns to him quickly)
Marc!
(snatches glass away from him)
What did I tell you?

Marc (grins):
No no...

Doug:
Then why did you do it?

Marc (big smile, arms out to the side):
I don know!

Doug (runs his hand through his hair):
Oh, God, don’t tell me we’re to that stage already...
(hands Marc juice in his toddler cup)
Here, pal...this one is yours. You’re too little to have a real glass yet...
(Marc sips from his toddler cup and grins up at Doug...Doug sits back down at the table)

Marc (climbing up to Doug’s lap):
Up, Dada....

Doug (laughing):
Like I have a choice...
(opens the paper back up)
OK...let’s read the comics together, OK?

Cut to the O’Hare Airport. Show a young man about 25 standing and waiting for baggage at the revolving terminal port. He is Trent Jacobs. Trent is tall, about 6 foot 2 inches, and has a California beach look with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. He is suntanned and looks as if he has just come from vacation wearing dockers, deck shoes, and a polo shirt. Show a young woman come up beside him carrying an 18 month old girl in her arms. The woman is also blonde, about 5 foot five inches tall and wearing a print sundress and sandals. The baby is blonde as well and wearing a one piece short romper and jellies on her feet. She is carrying a stuffed kitty cat in her arms. The woman is Christi Jacobs and the little girl is their daughter, Carlen.

Christi (stops beside Trent):
Please tell me the bags got here.

Trent (nods):
I saw them come down, they just haven’t come around yet!

Christi:
What time is your interview?

Trent:
It’s not until this afternoon. We’ll have plenty of time to get the hotel and get checked in before I have to go.

Christi:
Are you nervous?

Trent (nods):
A little bit, yeah. Dr. Ross has quite a reputation. I want to make a good impression on him. I really want this transfer.
(Carlen reaches for him and he takes her from Christi to hold her)
This would be a good move for all of us. I’d finally if I can stand on my own two feet instead of the reputation of my family.

Christi (loops her arm through his):
You can.

Trent (smiles at her):
I hope we get a chance to find out.

Cut to the Greene home. Show Mark Greene pulling his shoes on while sitting on the side of the bed. Show Nina Pomerantz-Greene come into the room and sit down beside him.

Nina (softly):
Are you OK?

Mark (nods):
Sure! Why wouldn’t I be?

Nina:
Are you nervous about the tests?

Mark (shrugs):
A little.

Nina:
Do you want me to go with you?

Mark (shakes his head):
Not for the tests. But when Doug gets the results, yeah, I’d like you and Rachel both to be there with me.

Nina (knowing look):
You’re expecting bad news, aren’t you?

Mark:
Not expecting it...just want us all to be prepared for every possible scenario.

Nina:
Well, I’m going to hope for the best.

Mark (nods, reaches over and kisses her gently):
Me too. But, you’ll still love me no matter what, right?

Nina (smiles at him):
Do you even have to ask?

Mark (grins):
No...not at all.

He wraps his arms around her and she returns the gesture. But show him looking over her shoulder with a concerned look on his face.

Cut back to the Ross home. Show Doug standing in the kitchen holding onto his index finger in pain.

Doug (painful expression):
God da...
(turns to see Marc standing looking up at him with concern)
...darn it!

Carol (comes into the kitchen):
What’s wrong?

Doug:
I smashed my finger in the drawer!

Carol (grins):
What’d you want to do that for?

Doug (sarcastic look):
I didn’t WANT to do it!

Carol (takes his hand in hers):
Well, let me see it.
(opens her hand to see his finger is red and bleeding around the knuckle)
Oh, that doesn’t look so bad! I’ll put some antiseptic spray and a Band-Aid on it. You’ll be fine. Come on...

Carol leads Doug to the bathroom with Marc following right on their heels. Doug sits on the toilet lid as Carol gets into the medicine chest and gets out an antiseptic spray and sprays it on Doug’s finger. It stings, and he sucks in his breath quickly. Marc looks up at him with a sad face but doesn’t say anything. Doug smiles down at the little boy.

Doug (to Marc):
It’s OK, pal...doesn’t hurt much.
(frowns as Carol takes out a box of Winnie the Pooh Band-Aids)
Don’t we have any other Band-Aids?

Carol:
Winnie the Pooh or Little Mermaid...
(smiles weakly at him)
Those are your choices.

Doug:
We don’t have any NORMAL Band-Aids?
(Carol shakes her head)
Carol, I can’t go to work with a Winnie the Pooh Band-Aid on my finger!

Carol:
Why not? You’re not actually WORKING, you’re just conducting an interview with an Intern candidate and running some tests on Mark. Besides, you’re a pediatrician...I think a Winnie the Pooh Band-Aid would be right at home with you!

Doug (sighs):
OK...give me one that has Tigger on it...

Marc (laughing):
Silly ole bear!!

Doug laughs with him as Carol puts the Band-Aid on his finger and the Opening Act fades into the Opening Credits of the show.

Act One

Scene opens at County Hospital. Show Kerry Weaver reading over a chart at the front desk when Doug Ross comes hobbling in through the staff entrance. He is walking with a cane and moving slow but doing all right on his own. Kerry looks up at him and smiles as he comes up to the desk.

Kerry:
I didn’t think you were due back yet!

Doug (shakes his head):
I’m not.

Kerry:
Here for a therapy session?

Doug:
No, I’m here to interview an intern transfer candidate this afternoon. I just had a few things I needed to do before he got here.

Kerry:
A transfer candidate?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, he’s on staff at UCLA and he wants to transfer here to finish his internship and possibly join our staff after as a resident.

Kerry:
Why would he want to transfer before his internship was finished?

Doug:
I’m not sure...one of the things I hope to find out in this interview.

Kerry:
Who is he? Anybody I know?

Doug:
His name is Trent Jacobs.

Kerry (shakes her head):
Never heard of him.

Doug:
Me neither...but I guess we’ll find out about him today, huh?

Kerry (nods):
I guess we will.

Doug:
If you could kind of watch out for him and direct him up to my office, I’d appreciate it.

Kerry:
Sure...I can do that.
(pause)
How are you getting along? Doing OK?

Doug (truthfully):
I’ve been having a lot of pain. But it’s getting better, I think. Carol and I do the leg reps every day and I can actually move when they’re over now. So, I think that’s one in the plus column.

Kerry (sympathetically):
It’s a long, painful procedure, Doug. I don’t envy you right now. I’ve been where you are so I know what you’re going through.

Doug (nods, starts away):
Thanks, Kerry... appreciate that.
(turns back to her from the hallway)
Is Mark here yet?

Kerry (nods):
Yeah, he came in a while ago. I think he’s up in his office.

Doug (nods, heads for the elevator):
Thanks...

Doug disappears down the hallway and waits for the elevator.

Cut to the Drake Hotel. Show Trent and Christi with Carlen standing at the front desk.

Desk Clerk:
Yes, Dr. Jacobs...I have your room ready for you. The bellhop with show you the way.

Trent:
Yes, well, I’d like to pay for the room now as I’m not real sure what my schedule is going to be while I’m here.

Desk Clerk (smiles):
Your room is on the house, Dr. Jacbos.

Trent (confused):
I’m afraid I don’t understand...

Desk Clerk:
Dr. Ross has taken care of it for you.

Trent (smiles):
Oh! OK. Thank you...
(starts away with Christi and Carlen)
Thank you very much.

They follow the bellhop to the elevator. Cut to show the doors opening again and they follow the bellhop to the Presidential Suite. Trent’s face registers his surprise when the door is opened.

Trent (to bellhop):
Are you sure this is the right room?

Bellhop (nods):
Compliments of Dr. Ross.
(Trent hands him a bill from his wallet)
Enjoy your stay.
(he exits out the door, pulling it shut as he goes)

Christ (looks around):
This is WONDERFUL! I hope I get to meet this Dr. Ross before we leave.

Trent:
I don’t know what kind of salaries they have at County, but, I’m really interested to find out! This is incredible!

Christ (puts Carlen down and she toddles across the room):
Certainly is nice of him. He must be quite a guy.

Trent (nods):
Yeah...he must be.

Cut to show Doug tying a tourniquet around Mark’s arm in a private exam room. They are the only ones in the room. No nurses are present. Mark is sitting on the exam table in just his shorts and T-shirt, looking nervous as Doug moves toward him with a syringe to draw blood.

Doug:
I’ll take blood first. Then I want to do a physical exam, OK?

Mark (nods):
I wouldn’t expect anything different! That’s why I wanted you. I don’t know how I’m going to react to someone besides Nina feeling my balls.
(Doug chuckles)
I really appreciate you doing this for me, Doug. I know you’re having problems of your own right now...

Doug (shrugs):
I don’t mind at all. You know that. How many times have you done special things for me? And for Carol?
(Doug inserts the needle and blood starts filling into the vial. Mark looks down at Doug’s hand and raises an eyebrow)

Mark:
A Tigger Band-Aid?

Doug (rolls his eyes):
Would you believe that we don’t have ANY normal Band-Aids in our house? It was this or Little Mermaid!

Mark (laughs):
Well, you have small children in your house...what do you do for Scott?

Doug:
That’s what I was just wondering...I’m willing to bet he has some normal ones in his room! I should have checked there...
(finishes drawing blood and places a gause patch on Mark’s arm)
Here, hold that there a minute, OK?

Mark (holding patch):
Oh, I don’t know, I think Winnie the Pooh is very charming on you!

Doug (sighs):
I have a professional interview with an incoming intern candidate and I have a Winnie the Pooh Band-Aid on my finger! What’s that going to look like?

Mark (surprised expression):
What’s this? Doug Ross? The Rebel Without A Cause of County ER is worried about what something is going to LOOK like to somebody he doesn’t even know?

Doug (shrugs):
I’ve never done an interview like this before. I guess I’m just a little bit nervous. I want to look as professional as possible!

Mark:
How did you label that blood test? I don’t want anybody else to know what’s going on yet...

Doug (grins):
Relax...I labeled in ‘private patient’. It’ll come back to me. No one is going to know anything. I promised you that much.
(pause)
You want to lie back on the table, please?

Mark reclines and Doug fixes a drape over him. Doug reaches under the drape and removes Mark’s short, placing them on the table beside him. Mark reaches out and grasps them quickly, knotting them in his hand as Doug begins his exam. Mark stares at the ceiling and doesn’t say anything.

Doug (feeling):
Does this hurt?

Mark (winces):
Yeah, a little.

Doug:
Can you describe the pain?

Mark:
Sort of like a burning pain...like maybe something is sticking into me.

Doug (nods):
OK...
(moves his hands under the drape)
What about this?

Mark (winces, nods):
Yeah...that hurts a lot.

Doug (nods):
Same kind of pain?

Mark:
No, that’s more like a throbbing pain...really sore.

Doug (takes a catheter from the tray beside him):
OK, let me get a sample and I’ll take you up to x-ray, OK?

Mark (takes a deep breath, nods):
OK.

Doug inserts the catheter carefully and Mark groans as it makes its way in. Once in place, Doug squeezes a release button and lets the bag fill. Then he removes the catheter and steps away from the table.

Doug (nods):
OK, Mark...you can relax now.

Mark relaxes on the table, but closes his eyes to the pain he is feeling. He looks up at Doug and doesn’t get off the table yet.

Mark:
You’re doing the x-ray, right?

Doug (nods):
Mark, I promised you this would be completely private and that nobody would know anything. I will do the x-rays and I will get all the results. Don’t worry.

Mark (nods):
I know...I trust you...I just wanted to be sure.

Doug (laughs):
What are you so worried about, anyway?

Mark:
It’s not that I’m worried about anything necessarily...it’s just that I don’t want anybody to know anything until I know everything.

Doug (laughs):
Sounds like you’re worried to me.

Mark (shakes his head):
I just want to take everything one step at a time.
(changes the subject quickly)
What time is your interview?

Doug:
I think he’s supposed to be here about 2 o’clock. That should give me plenty of time to get all your results back before the lab closes at 4. And I am NOT a hematologist so I can’t run the blood work for you. Sorry!

Mark (chuckles):
I wasn’t going to ask you to! So, this Jacobs guy is staying here in town someplace?

Doug (nods):
I recommended the Drake and I set him up there.

Mark (grins):
But of COURSE!

Doug:
OK...that’s everything here. You ready to go down the hall?

Mark (nods, sits up on the table):
As ready as I’ll ever be.

Doug (reaches for a wheelchair):
Hop on...I get to push YOU for a change!

Mark (climbs nervously into the chair):
So, how’s your driving record on these things?

Doug (as they start away):
Oh, excellent! I’ve never lost a patient yet...

Mark (as they start through the door):
Yet...that’s the word that worries me.

Focus on Mark’s concerned look as Doug wheels him through the door and they start down the hall towards x-ray and Act One fades to Black.

Act Two

Scene opens in the ER. Show Trent Jacobs come through the main doors and go down the hallway looking around, not sure of where he is going. He is dressed in a shirt, and tie, with a jacket and slacks now and dress shoes on his feet. He looks much different than he did at the airport. Show Kerry Weaver come out of a trauma room and she sees Trent looking lost.

Kerry (comes up to him slowly):
Can I help you, Sir?

Trent:
I’m looking for Dr. Ross...I have an appointment with him.

Kerry (smiles):
Oh, you must be Dr. Jacobs!

Trent (brightens):
Yes! I am!

Kerry (reaches her hand to shake with him):
I’m Dr. Weaver...ER Attending...Dr Ross asked me to watch for you. His office is on the fourth floor. Take this elevator down the hall and turn to your left when you get off. You can’t miss it.

Trent (nods):
Thank you.

Trent nods courteously to her and goes down the hall to the elevator. While he waits, he glances over at the Pedes wing nearby. He smiles at what he sees from the door way. The elevator opens and he gets in, pushing a button and the door closes.

Cut to show the door opening again and Trent steps out, turns to the left, and starts down the hall. He reaches Doug’s office door and knocks but gets no answer. He notices that the window on the door is dark and he looks around, down the hallway, looking for signs of anyone but doesn’t see anything. Trent looks nervously at his watch and looks down the hallway again. He sees a Coke machine in the corner and walks over to put coins into it. Just as he gets the soda from the machine, show Doug coming up the hall to stop at his office door. He looks over and sees Trent at the machine and smiles, knowingly.

Doug:
Dr. Jacbos?

Trent (looks over quickly):
Yes! Are you Dr. Ross?

Doug (nods):
Sorry, I’m late....I was working with a patient.

Trent (smiles):
That’s quite all right, Doctor...I just got here!

Doug (opens office door):
Well, come on in...please. And let’s get started.

Trent (as they go into the office together):
Having a little trouble getting around aren’t you?
(motions to the cane)

Doug (nods):
Yeah, I had back surgery about a month ago. I’m supposed to be back to work in a couple of weeks but right now I don’t really know about that.

Trent:
But, you said you were with a patient?

Doug:
Private patient...by request. Otherwise, and you, I wouldn’t be here!
(smiles)
So, let’s get down to business, shall we? You want to transfer here from your Internship at UCLA...
(reaches into his desk and pulls out a file)
I have all your records and stats and I must say they’re very impressive. Why do you want to leave there?

Trent:
My family is very well known in the community and I’m starting to question a lot of my status as being credited to my family and not to me. I want a chance to know what I can do on my own someplace where my family has no influence on the community.

Doug (chuckles):
Well, believe me, you won’t get anything like that around here. Why did you choose County?

Trent:
Well, truthfully, because of you, Dr. Ross.

Doug (confused):
Because of me?

Trent:
Well, sure! I’ve read all your articles in PEDIATRIC JOURNAL...and none of us can forget hearing about your work in the Josh McNeil case a while back. You’re a pioneer in so many touchy areas. I really admire that. And that’s the kind of doctor I am...one that takes risks for my patients.

Doug:
Well, let me be the first to tell you that’s not exactly a trait the administration around here looks for in a doctor!
(chuckles, smiles)
But it’s one I admire in anyone...especially someone so young.
(looks at file)
I see you are married?

Trent (nods):
Yes, my wife’s name is Christi...we’ve been married almost three years.

Doug:
Got married in med school, did you?
(Trent nods)
Takes a lot of guts...and you have a child?

Trent:
Yes, my daughter, Carlen, is 18 months old.

Doug (smiles):
Well, I’m a family man myself...been married three years and I have 6 children! Two by proxy...being my son from a relationship I had when I was just about your age, and a daughter by adoption. Then, we got pregnant and had one and the next pregnancy we had three!

Trent (brightly):
Wow! Multiple births has always been a fascination of mine! Did you deliver any of them?

Doug:
I delivered my son but the triplets were taken by cecesarian.

Trent (nods):
Of course...everyone doing well?

Doug (smiles):
So far!

Trent:
So, do you have room for me on your team here?

Doug:
We are in a building stage. The Pedes wing just opened and I lost one full time doctor from my staff. She is getting married and asked to be transferred to our free clinic connected to the hospital. Which was good, because we didn’t have a Pedes on staff there so I was glad to have her go there. Her husband-to-be is on staff here and he is pretty much my right hand man. He would be your boss. His name is Max Rocher and he’s very good. Also on the team we have John Carter. John came here as a med school student and has been here every since. He only recently chose Pedes as his specialty and he works very hard. You will probably learn more from him than anyone else downstairs. We also have a Pedes surgeon, being Abby Keaton...

Trent (interested look):
The one from Philadelphia?

Doug (nods):
You’ve heard of her, I see.

Trent:
Are you kidding? Almost everybody specializing in Pedes has heard of her! She’s fantastic! I’d be honored to be working on the same team with her!

Doug:
Yeah, she’s good. I worked hard to get her back here. I worked with her before when she was here briefly and I knew I wanted her on my team.

Trent:
From what I understand, you have pretty much built this operation yourself...is that true?

Doug:
I had a good hand in it but I have good people backing me. This is a team effort...there are no heroes here.

Trent (nods):
I understand. I also appreciate you putting me and my family up at the Drake Hotel. That was very nice of you.

Doug (grins):
Nothing to it...I own the Drake Hotel!
(smiles at Trent’s surprised look)
It was left to me by my father. It was a surprised to me, too!

Trent:
Well, it’s very nice and my family and I appreciate it very much. Thank you.

Doug (nods):
My pleasure. I hope you enjoy your stay.

Trent:
I’m sure we will.

Doug:
So, would you like to join the team here?

Trent:
I would LOVE to be on this team!

Doug (nods):
OK...I have to discuss this with the board, but, I’m sure it won’t be a problem. They told me I could hire someone else to replace what I lost and they will leave that pretty much up to me who I choose and I would love to have someone like you here.

Trent:
How long before I’ll know?

Doug:
I would say within the next two weeks...is that too long?

Trent:
No, that’s fine. The house is up for sale already...I was leaving to somewhere one way or the other! If everything goes well, can you recommend a good real estate agent here to help us find a house?

Doug (chuckles):
I can do better than that...my family and I are just about ready to move into a new home...our old home is in excellent condition. I would allow you and your wife first look at it and if you’re not interested, we’re keeping it anyway. It’ll be rental property.

Trent:
Sounds good...we’d be interested in looking at least.

Doug (stands up):
OK...just give me time to present everything and I should be back in touch with you very soon.

Trent (reaches his hand to shake):
Thank you, Dr. Ross, very much.

Doug (nods):
Thank you for coming.

Trent nods courteously and goes on out the door. Doug stays behind in his office and is buzzed on his intercom. He pushes the button to respond.

Doug:
Dr. Ross!

Voice on Intercom:
Yes, Dr. Ross, I have those lab reports you requested ready for you.

Doug (nods):
Thank you...I’ll be right there.

Cut to show Doug going down into a lab room and up to the desk. There is a doctor sitting behind the desk and a sign-in chart on the counter. Doug picks up a pen and signs the chart.

Doug:
I’m Dr. Ross...I just got a call of a special request lab result down here.

Doctor (looks at sheet on his desk):
Private patient, right?

Doug (nods):
Right, the patient requested anonymity.

Doctor (reaches to his basket):
Ah, here it is.
(hands file to Doug)
Hope it’s whatever news you want.

Doug (nods):
Yeah, me too.

Doug takes the envelope out of the lab and starts through the hall with it. Anticipation overcomes him and he rips open the envelope while he is waiting for the elevator. His eyes work over the paper quickly and he scrunches his eyes together as he is reading, unsure of what he is seeing.

Doug (mumbles, shakes his head):
No...this can’t be right...

Instead of going on to his office, Doug changes his route and heads another direction.

Cut to the ER. Show paramedics coming in with about three stretchers. They are running down the hallway and are met by Kerry Weaver.

Kerry:
What have we got?

Paramedic:
Family of three hit head on by a drunk driver. Driver of the other car dead at the scene. Victims are male, approximately twenty-seven years of age, female, approximately twenty-four years of age, and one child, approximately five years of age.

Kerry:
I’ve got the woman....someone page Mark Greene for the male and Max Rocher for the child...

Jerry:
I’m on it, Dr. Weaver...

Show Trent Jacobs on his way down the hallway just as Kerry asks for the page on Max Rocher. Trent watches as the paramedics wheel in the child to the Pedes wing. The little boy is gasping for air and covered with blood. Max follows the paramedics into the Pedes wing and leans over the child carefully.

Trent:
This child is suffocating...

Nurse:
Dr. Rocher is on his way...

Trent:
He may be too late...

Trent grabs an ET tube off a nearby tray and tries to inset it into the boys mouth with no luck. Patiently, he tries again with the same results. Finally, he gives up the tube and grabs a scalpel off the table. He paints the boys throat with dye and local anthestesia and starts to cut just as Kerry gets to the doorway.

Kerry (horrified expression):
What the hell do you think you’re doing?!

Trent does not flinch, nor does he acknowledge Kerry, he just continues to work as Doug gets to the scene and Act Two Fades to Black.

Act Three

Scene opens with Kerry charging into the Pedes unit where Trent is working with Doug hobbling behind her and Max Rocher running in to answer his page. Max rushes over to the table but does not interrupt Trent. Once the tube is in and the child is breathing easily, Trent steps away and lets Max take over.

Trent:
Are you Dr. Rocher?
(Max nods)
I’m sorry I couldn’t wait...every second counts when you’re dealing with lack of oxygen.

Max:
You did the right thing...

Kerry (astonished):
Did the right thing? How can you stand there and say that? First of all he’s an intern and should NEVER be working on a patient without a staff doctor present...second of all he isn’t even on staff at this hospital!

Max (turns nonchalantly to Kerry):
Dr. Weaver, would you please take your petty complaints about this outside to Dr. Ross and let me care for this patient without adding anymore stress to his situation?

Trent slowly follows Kerry out into the hallway where Doug is still standing. The three of them go into a corner together so as not to involve the whole ER with their discussion.

Kerry (to Doug):
A doctor not on staff at this hospital treating a patient....do you have any IDEA what kind of lawsuit we could get for that?

Doug (nonchalantly):
He’s on staff here...

Kerry:
He came in for an interview...

Doug:
Yeah, and I hired him....

Kerry:
You don’t have the authority to hire him! That has to go before the board!

Doug (shrugs):
The board will approve it...he’ll be working here within two weeks...

Kerry (starting away):
Not if I have anything to say about it!

Kerry goes away quickly. Trent sighs and shakes his head.

Trent:
I’m sorry, Dr. Ross, but in the two minutes it would have taken Dr. Rocher to get down here...

Doug (nodding):
There could have been brain damage to the patient...I understand. And that’s exactly what I’ll tell the board at the review. You did the right thing. Don’t apologize.

Trent:
She’s right that I’m not on staff here...it could bring controversy to you and the hospital.

Doug (chuckles):
Well, I’m used to controversy...and so this is hospital, thanks to me!
(claps Trent on the shoulder)
Don’t worry about it. Your main concern was for the patient...and I can’t fault a guy who thinks like that.

Trent:
I hope I don’t cause you problems with Dr. Weaver...

Doug (laughing):
Dr. Weaver and I are used to having problems with each other! Don’t give it another thought...
(shakes hands with Trent)
You’ll hear from me. I’m sure of it.

Trent nods slowly and goes on down the hall to disappear out the door. Doug goes in where Max Rocher is working on the young patient, hooking up an IV and also giving him a pint of blood.

Doug (looks down at the little boy who is resting but not unconscious):
How’s he doing, Max?

Max:
I’m moving him to PICU...I want him watched pretty closely. He’s lost a lot of blood and I want to keep an eye on him.

Doug:
Is he going to make it?

Max (nods):
Yeah....I think so.

Doug (smiles down at the boy):
Hear that, Buddy...you’re gonna be OK!

Doug watches as they wheel the boy away. Then he takes the chart out to Kerry at the ER desk.

Doug (hands her the chart):
Max thinks he’ll make it but he’s sending him to PICU.

Kerry (frowns):
I wish I could say the same for his parents.

Doug (stunned):
You mean...?

Kerry (shakes her head):
Neither one of them made it. The father was actually DOA and the mother died within minutes after they got here.

Doug (sighs):
Any emergency information?

Kerry:
The only phone number was long distance in Minneapolis but when I called it, it’s been disconnected.

Doug (nods):
OK...I’ll call Child Services and get someone on the case. Meantime, he’s fine here with us.

Kerry (nods shortly):
That’s your call...not mine.

Doug:
Listen, Kerry, I know Trent was out of line with what he did, but as a doctor I can’t fault him for doing it. I’ve done things like that outside the hospital, which is just as risky.

Kerry:
I’m well aware that you and risk pretty much go hand in hand, Doug. It’s your problem to handle...not mine. You can deal with it whatever way you see fit when the board reviews it.

Doug (nods):
That’s fine....I can handle it.
(pause)
Listen, Kerry, have you got a couple of minutes? I need your opinion on something.

Kerry (nods):
Sure...what do you need.

Doug (coaxing look):
Privately? Please?

Kerry follows him to an empty room and he closes the door.

Kerry (curious look):
What’s the problem?

Doug:
Test I ran on a man this morning...

Kerry:
I didn’t think you were working yet...

Doug (shrugs):
This was a private patient...someone requested anonymity...this is what I got back from the lab.

Kerry (takes envelope and looks over the report):
Did you do a physical exam?
(Doug nods)
Any swelling or pain?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, all on the left side.

Kerry:
What about an x-ray?

Doug (nods, hands her the x-rays):
Mass starts at the base of the testicle and extends down into the tissue.

Kerry (holds x-ray up to the light and frowns):
I’d say you better be telling him the bad news.

Doug (nods):
Then, I’m not mistaken...I’m seeing it all just as it is?

Kerry (hands him back the x-ray):
I’d say you’re right on the money and you should be referring him to treatment.

Doug (nods):
OK, Kerry...thanks. I appreciate you backing me up.

Kerry (nods):
Anytime, Doug.

Kerry turns and leaves the room, leaving Doug alone and holding all the test results in his hand.

Doug (mutters lightly):
Damn it...

Carrying a dejected look and all the test results with him, Doug trudges slowly back out into the hallway. Cut to show Carol coming in the staff entrance. She smiles when she sees Doug and goes to him quickly.

Carol (kisses his cheek):
Hey! I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d see if you needed a ride home yet!

Doug (sighs, kisses her back lightly):
No, I’m not ready to leave yet.

Carol:
Your interview should be over, shouldn’t it?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, it’s over...
(takes her by the arm)
Come on upstairs with me...I need to talk to you.

Carol (concerned look):
Sounds serious...

Doug (nods):
It is.

Show Doug and Carol get onto the elevator and cut to show Doug opening the door to his office. Carol goes in with him and he pitches all the test results onto his desk with a heavy sigh.

Doug:
I didn’t tell you about this because I was asked to keep this in confidence...I ran some tests on a patient who requested anonymity today...the results weren’t what I wanted.

Carol (knowing look):
Bad news?

Doug (nods slowly):
Testicular cancer.

Carol (sorry look):
I’m sorry...young man?

Doug:
Not even 40 yet.

Carol:
Does he have any children?

Doug:
One...he and his wife were working on another one. I don’t know how to tell him this, Carol...

Carol (shrugs):
You’re a doctor, Doug...that’s your job...you’ll just have to tell him and get him into treatment.

Doug (gives her a sheepish look):
It’s Mark Greene.

Carol (stunned):
Mark? Our Mark?
(Doug nods)

Doug:
I can’t tell him something like this, Carol! He’s my best friend...how can I give him news like this gracefully?

Carol:
Doug, because he IS your friend, you HAVE to tell him! He’s a doctor...he’ll understand.

Doug (shakes his head):
I never had to give news like this to anybody I cared about before...

Carol (rubs his shoulder comfortingly):
It won’t be easy for you, I know. But, Mark trusted you and came to you, so, he’s trusting you to be honest with him. Do you want me to go with you when you tell him?

Doug (shakes his head):
No...but don’t be too far away, OK?

Carol (smiles weakly):
OK.

Doug trudges slowly out of the office and heads back to the ER. He gets down to the desk, but he doesn’t see Mark anyplace so he stops at the desk where Kerry is working.

Doug:
Do you know where Mark went?

Kerry (nods):
Yeah, he’s finishing the file on the Andrews patients. I told him you moved the child to PICU.

Doug:
When he gets finished, would you tell him I need to see him, please?

Kerry (nods):
Sure thing.

Doug (starts away slowly):
Thanks.

Kerry watches curiously as Doug goes slowly and dejectedly down the hall to the elevator as Act Three Fades to Black.

Act Four

Scene opens on the hospital roof. Doug is standing alone at the rail near the side of the building with the wind tossing his hair. He is gazing out over the city of Chicago with a worried look on his face. Cut to show Mark opening the door and looking out onto the roof. He sees Doug and he smiles slightly, then he ambles slowly towards him.

Mark:
Been a while since we were up here, huh?

Doug (smiles weakly at him):
Yeah, I guess it has.

Mark (gets beside Doug and leans on the rail with him):
You weren’t in your office...I took a chance that you might be up here.
(Doug looks at him)
It’s bad news, isn’t it, Doug?
(Doug continues to just look at him, doesn’t say anything)
I figured as much. That’s why I wanted someone I trusted to do all the tests.

Doug:
I even consulted a back up to be sure I was reading everything right.

Mark (knowing look):
Kerry?
(Doug nods)
Good choice. And I appreciate that. I intended for Nina and Rachel to be here when you gave me the news...
(sighs)
I’m kind of glad they weren’t.

Doug (sighs, stares out over the view):
I feel like I’ve been kicked in the stomach. I can’t imagine how you feel.

Mark:
It’s cancer, huh?
(Doug nods sadly)
One side or both?

Doug:
Just the left side. The tumor is pretty big, though.

Mark:
So, you’re prescription, Doctor, is what?

Doug (sighs):
We’ll refer you to an Oncologist and let them get you started on treatments right away. I’d recommend surgery to remove the tumor and follow it up with radiation and chemo.

Mark (Nods):
Yeah, that’s pretty much what I’d recommend, too.

Doug:
If there’s anything I can do...

Mark (shakes his head, cuts him off):
You already have. You ran the tests and you kept everything quiet. I appreciate that. I’ll deal with the rest of it.

Doug:
I’ll be glad to talk to Rachel for you if you want. Being trained in Pedes I know how to talk to kids...

Mark (nods):
Yeah, OK...I’d appreciate that. I’ll let you do that, but, I’ll be there with both of you.

Doug (nods):
OK.

Mark (clears his throat and changes the subject):
Kerry told me you moved the Andrews kid to PICU.

Doug (shakes his head):
I didn’t...Max did. He thinks he’s going to make it, though.

Mark:
Yeah, well, when he’s well Child Services will take him. There’s no relatives. He’s all alone in there now.

Doug (winces):
Poor kid...that’s gonna be rough for him....lose his parents and then have no place else to go.

Mark:
Well, it’s gonna be a while, I guess before he has to face that.

Doug (nods):
Yeah.

Mark (reaches over and puts his hand on Doug’s shoulder):
It’s OK, Doug.

Doug (shakes his head, fights back tears forming in his eyes):
No, it’s not OK...not for me, it isn’t.

Mark:
We’re doctors, Doug. We deal with things like this everyday...

Doug (turns sharply to him):
Not with each other, we don’t! When it’s a stranger, it’s hard enough to deliver this kind of news. I couldn’t...or didn’t want to...believe what I was reading!

Mark (nods):
I suspected.

Doug (gives him a look):
You did?

Mark (chuckles slightly):
I’m a doctor, Doug! I reviewed the symptoms...I did a manual exam....I pretty much figured what you were going to tell me, just knew I’d better be doing something about it.

Doug:
This doesn’t mean you and Nina still can’t have a baby, you know...it just means you have to put it on hold for a while.
(Mark nods, but doesn’t look too convinced)
I’ve read reports of men having two and three children after this kind of surgery. We’ll just have to see how your body reacts.
(Mark nods)
I’ll be there with you every step of the way, Buddy. You know you can count on me and Carol...

Mark (chuckles, shakes his head):
You and Carol have enough problems of your own to deal with....

Doug (soft voice):
But you know we’re going to be right there for you...and for Nina...as well as Rachel and Emma.

Mark (looks over at Doug, smiles weakly):
Exactly why I picked you to take care of me.
(Doug chuckles and claps Mark’s shoulder lightly)
Come on....let’s go back in....it’s getting cold out here.

Show the two of them walking back across the roof together. Doug reaches over and puts his arm around Mark as they go. Mark reaches over and squeezes Doug’s shoulder tightly in his hand as they get to the door to go back inside.

Cut to show Doug, Carol, Mark, Nina, Emma, and Rachel sitting in Mark’s office together. Doug has just delivered the news of Mark’s condition to the family. Nina is pained, but not shocked. Rachel is very apprehensive and frightened.

Rachel (looks at Doug):
Is my Daddy gonna die?

Doug (smiles at her):
No, I don’t think so. Lots of men have this type of cancer and get over it. It’s a very curable form.

Nina (looks at Mark):
How soon will they do the surgery?

Mark:
Well, Doug is going to get me into Ono probably as early as tomorrow, and then we’ll know more once I get the evaluation there. I would guess the surgery will be done within the next week or so. As soon as possible, for sure.

Nina (nods):
And then he starts radiation?

Doug (nods):
Right...and as soon as those treatments are finished, follow it up with Chemo.

Rachel:
Is Daddy gonna be sick?

Doug (ticks his head):
He might be.
(chuckles lightly)
I’d say he might lose his hair, but, since nature already took care of that, that’s one less thing to worry about.

Mark (sarcastic smile):
Thanks a lot, Doug.
(Nina chuckles...Carol rolls her eyes)

They are all interrupted by a knock at the door.

Doug (turns his attention):
Come in!

Max Rocher opens the door and leans in. He smiles at the troop of people inside.

Max:
Oh, good, this is even better! I was wondering if I could borrow some of you people down into the hospital chapel? You’re invited to a wedding!

Mark (grins):
You and Anna are getting married at the hospital?

Max (shrugs):
We can’t think of a better place! The Priest is here...we just need some witnesses...a Bridesmaid and someone to give the Bride away! Dr. Greene, would you do us that honor?

Mark (nods, smiles):
Sure...

Max:
Then, if your wife will be the Matron of Honor, your daughters can be Jr. Bridesmaids and Dr. and Mrs. Ross can be witnesses for us.

Nina (smiles):
I guess we’re all going to a wedding, then!

Mark (smiles brightly):
Well, come on, Gang...let’s go get married.

The group follows Max out the door. As they go, Nina reaches out and takes Mark by the hand. He squeezes her hand and gives her a hopeful look.

Cut to show the group coming into the hospital chapel. Anna is there with a Catholic Priest. She is wearing a white dress, but not a wedding gown, and she smiles when she sees the party of people coming.

Anna (softly):
Thank you all for coming.

Doug:
Are you kidding? We wouldn’t miss this!

Priest (smiles):
If everyone will take their places, we’ll begin.

Max (looks at Doug):
Will you be my Best Man?

Doug (laughing):
I guess I’m the best one you can come up with on short notice!
(nods)
Sure.

Anna goes back up the aisle with Mark, Nina, Rachel, and Emma. Mark and Nina help the girls get into place and then Nina gets behind them. Just as the organist starts to play the wedding march, John Carter comes to the door carrying two bouquets of flowers.

Carter (smiles at Anna):
Here...no one should get married without flowers.

Anna (surprised):
John! How did you know?

Carter:
Hey, I know a lot of things that go on around here!
(hands her the flowers and she hands one bouquet to Nina)

Anna:
Will you stay for the ceremony?

Carter (smiles):
Can’t...somebody has to be in control of Pedes!
(kisses her cheek lightly)
I wish you good luck, though.

Anna (near tears with happiness):
Thank you, John.

Carter disappears back out the door and the organist plays the wedding march a little louder. Max stands with Doug at the alter and Carol sits in the front pew with a huge smile on her face. Emma and Rachel walk down the aisle, followed by Nina, then Mark escorts Anna down the aisle to stand at the alter with Max and Doug.

Priest (smiles):
Who gives this woman to be married?

Mark:
I do.

Mark slips off to the side and sits down beside Carol. Carol reaches over and pats Mark’s hand gently, giving him a soft smile and a look. Mark puts his arm around her understandingly and they turn their attention back to the wedding.

Priest:
We are joined together today to unit Max and Anna in Holy Matrimony. If there is anyone present who sees just reason for these two to not be joined together, let them speak now or for here ever after hold his peace.
(silence in the chapel)
Do you, Maximillian...

Doug (surprised):
Maximillian?

Max (shrugs):
My Mom was a big fan of Maximillian Schell...what can I say?

Priest (smiles):
May we continue, gentlemen?
(Doug nods, shyly)
Do you, Maximillian Christopher Rocher, take this woman to be your lawful and wedded wife?

Max:
I do.

Priest:
Will you honor her? Comfort her? Love her foremost and forsaking of all others for as long as you both shall live?

Max (nods):
I will.

Priest:
Do you, Anna Catherine Del Amico, take this man to be your lawful and wedded husband?

Anna (looks at Max, smiles):
I do.

Priest:
Will you honor him? Comfort him? Love him foremost and forsaking of all others for as long as you both shall live?

Anna:
I will.

Priest:
The rings, please?
(Doug produces two rings given to him by Max and hands them to the Priest)
Bless these rings, Oh Lord, that they may hold Max and Anna sacredly in your hands.
(hands the rings to each of them)
Maximillian, place this ring on Anna’s left ring finger and repeat after me...with this ring, I thee wed...

Max (slips the ring on Anna’s finger):
With this ring, I thee wed...

Priest:
Anna, place this ring on Max’s left ring finger and repeat after me...with this ring, I thee wed...

Anna (slips the ring on Max’s finger):
With this ring...
(looks into his eyes and smiles)
...I thee wed.

Priest:
By the power vested in my by the State of Illinois and the Holy Catholic Church, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.
(smiles at Max)
You may kiss your bride.

Max and Anna kiss amid applause from the group of witnesses and the organist plays the exit march for them as Act Four Fades to Black.

Closing Act

Scene opens at the Drake Hotel. Show Trent Jacobs lying in bed and gazing at the ceiling in lost thought. Christi comes in and lays down beside him, wrapping her arms around him.

Christi:
Are you still thinking about today?

Trent:
I think I blew any chances I had of getting on here.

Christ:
Is that what Dr. Ross said?

Trent:
No, he seemed to think it wasn’t going to be any problem.

Christi:
Well, you trust him, don’t you? He’s a good man?

Trent (nods):
Seems to be.

Christi:
Then, just trust him and wait and see what happens.

Trent (smiles):
Carlen sleeping?

Christi:
She’s down for the count...time for Mom and Dad to get a little time together...

Cut to the Ross home. Doug is in the final stages of hooking up to his dialysis machine when Carol comes into the bedroom with him carrying Josh in her arms.

Carol (hands Josh to Doug):
Someone wanted to see his Daddy!

Doug (smiles at the baby as he hoists him above his head):
Hey, there, big guy! How you doing this evening?
(Baby laughs)
Feels like he’s gained some weight.

Carol (sighs):
I like to think so.
(sits down beside Doug and rubs his shoulders gently)
Are you OK?

Doug:
You mean about Mark?
(nods sadly)
Yeah. He’s OK with it, so, I guess I have to be.

Carol:
I know how hard that was for you. I thought you handled things very well at the family conference.

Doug:
I’ll take Rachel and Emma alone and explain things to them a little better. I don’t want them to be frightened by all of this and I know they probably are.

Carol:
What about that little boy...the Andrews boy? What’s going to happen to him?

Doug (shakes his head):
I don’t know. He has no one to take care of him. I guess he’ll end up in a home. Poor little guy...he’s only five. He has his whole life ahead of him and he has no life to look forward to. He’s going to need more surgery...he’ll probably have some physical handicaps at least for a child. No one will adopt a kid like that...

Carol (touches his shoulder):
I know someone who might...
(Doug looks at her, she gives him a coaxing look)

Doug:
You mean, you want US to adopt him?

Carol (shrugs):
At least look into it? Could we? We could take care of him, I know!

Doug (kisses her gently):
You are really something, you know that?
(kisses her again)
We’ll look into it, OK?

Carol cuddles close to him and Josh coos lightly as Doug bounces him on his lap.

Cut to the Greene home. Show Mark coming out of the shower in just his boxer shorts and he goes over to the bed. Show Nina sitting at her vanity and brushing her hair, watching him through the reflection in the mirror. He goes over to the bed and sits on the edge of it. His attention is caught by an envelope lying on his pillow. Nina watches carefully as he picks up the envelope and opens it. He looks over at her dumbstuck.

Mark:
Is this a joke?

Nina (puts her hairbrush down and walks over to sit beside him):
It’s no joke. I found out this morning. I just wasn’t sure how to tell you after Doug gave us your news.

Mark (smiles):
You’re really pregnant?

Nina (smiles, nods):
I’m really pregnant.

Mark (hugs her, laughs):
This is great!

Nina:
Now more than ever I need you to take care of yourself.

Mark:
Don’t worry...I have every intention of taking care of everything. I have too much to live for...

He puts his arm around her and holds her close to him, but his eyes cast out over a blank space as he is deep in thought of his future and the Closing Act Fades into the Closing Credits of the show.

August 16, 1998