"Family Man"

Opening Act

Scene opens at the C.A.R.E Center at the start of a clinic day. Cynthia Hooper is busy at the front desk getting things ready for the day. Mark Greene and John Carter are taking advantage of a few quiet moments before patients start spilling into the center. Show Carol Hathaway come over to Cynthia's desk and start laying pieces of candy out on it in front of her.

Carol:
Here...take these and put them in a jar and put them out for the patients so I can keep it away from Doug!

Cynthia (confused):
Won't he be in later?

Carol:
Well, yeah, he will be, but, by then the patients will be here and I should be able to keep him away from it with them around.

Mark (chuckles from across the room):
I take it Doug enjoyed Trick-or-Treating?

Carol (rolls her eyes):
He took those kids all over Chicago! He took them through OUR neighborhood...he took them over to Mama's neighborhood...he drove them to Trish's neighborhood...he took them to the Mall... those two kids have enough candy to last them until Easter at least!

Carter:
Did he dress up, too? I used to LOVE to dress up and hand out candy when I was at home!

Carol:
He dressed up...he even drove them to Winetka for THEIR trick or treat the next night in Fred and Kate's neighborhood...

Mark (serious tone):
He and Fred trying to bury the hatchet, are they?

Carol (nods):
They're working on it...Fred has a lot of trouble resisting when Scott bats those eyes at him and goes
(imitates Scott)
'don't hate my Daddy, Gramps'.

Mark (laughing loudly):
Oh ho! That is GOOD!

Carol:
Yeah...he's got that Ross charm, all right!

Mark (sad smile):
Rachel used to be pretty good at that kind of stuff, too. I don't get to experience that much anymore...

Carter:
Well, Shawna and I dressed Daylin up and took him around to some of Shawn's friends in the building. You should have SEEN him...he was SO cute! We had him dressed up like a Jack O-Lantern and I did his face with face paint.

Mark (grins):
Your first holiday with a little one, Carter...how did you like it?

Carter:
It was great. He was so cute. And I ended up carrying him home asleep on my shoulder...

Carol:
And did you eat all his candy while he was asleep?

Carter (shakes his head):
No, of course not...just one little piece...we only took him about 5 places!

Carol:
Well, Doug devoured half of Tatiana's bag before they ever even got home!

Mark (chuckles):
I used to do that with Rachel...she used to get so mad at me!

Carol:
I should have gone with the kids and left him at home handing out candy...

Mark (sarcastic smile):
Think about that, Carol!

Carol (rolls her eyes):
You're right...he probably would have eaten five pieces for every one piece he handed out.

Carter:
What did he dress up as?

Carol (giggles):
He wore his scrubs and a pair of latex gloves...HOW original is that?

Mark:
Better than me! I used to just wear a cap and smoke a cigar and tell everybody I was George Burns!
(scattered laughter)

Carter (looks at his watch):
I got time to call Shawna before we open the door...
(heads across the room to a private phone)

Mark (laughing):
That's how it all starts, Carter!

Carol (leans on the counter...faces Mark...quiet voice):
You really miss Rachel, don't you?

Mark (sad smile):
Yeah...it shows, huh?
(Carol nods)
It's gonna be really hard, I think, through the holidays. I've never really spent the holidays alone before...

Carol:
Can Jen do this to you? I mean, can she just deny you visitation like that? Maybe you should talk to a lawyer...

Mark (scoffs):
Jen IS a lawyer, Carol. I'm sure she has more ammunition for this thing that I could ever come up with.
(shakes his head)
No, I'll just try to play the game her way and see if things can get better.

Carol (truthfully):
Well, you know, you're welcome to come and spend any part of any holiday with us. Doug and I are more than happy to share our children with you.

Mark (nods with a smile):
Thanks, Carol...I appreciate that.
(pauses)
So, how is Doug doing now? Better?

Carol (nods):
Oh, yeah! He's fine...

Mark:
No more nightmares? What about the pills? Is he still taking them?

Carol:
No more pills, but, he still wakes up in the middle of the night. Goes right back to sleep, though. He's OK. Really. Thanks for asking.

Mark:
I was gonna come by the other night and check on him, but, I figured you had things under control.

Carol:
He just slept it all off...he's fine.

Mark (looks at his watch):
Well, he'll be here shortly...then he's closing up tonight with Carter...I am leaving at five!

Carol (laughs):
You've earned it, Mark! Cynthia leaving with you?

Mark (nods):
Yes, she is! And we're making an evening of it! Dinner and a movie!

Carol:
That's fantastic, Mark! You go for it!

Focus on everybody getting ready for the center to open and as a last minute thing, everybody, including Carol, raids the candy jar...

Fade into Opening Credits of the Show.

Act One

Scene opens at the C.A.R.E. Center with the work day in full swing. Show Doug Ross come in the back door for staff and hang up his jacket on the coat tree in the corner.

Doug (cheerfully):
'Morning, all!

Mark (looks up from a file):
Good morning! You're all bright and chipper this morning!

Doug (saunters towards the front desk):
Well, I'm feeling good today!

Mark:
Well, maybe some of it will rub off...some of us could use a little of that.

Doug (chuckles):
I'm assuming we're not talking about Johnny Glib over there...
(motions over his shoulder to Carter)

Mark (shakes his head with a grin):
Oh, no! No problems with him.

Doug (quietly):
You still having problems with Jen over Rachel?
(Mark nods)
I'm telling ya, Mark, you can't let her do this to you.

Mark:
Well, I'll worry about that later. Right now, I just want to get my OWN life back in some kind of a light.

Doug (nods):
Good idea.
(Spots candy jar on Cynthia's desk)
Hey! So THIS is where all the good candy went to!

Carol (darts across the room quickly):
Oh, no, you don't!
(Slaps his hand soundly away from the jar)
You've had enough candy, Mister!

Doug (whining):
Enough? I barely had any!

Carol (astonished):
You ate half the candy out of BOTH trick-or-treat bags!

Doug (sarcastically):
Oh, yeah, like YOU didn't eat your fair share!

Carol (arguing):
I never touched it!

Doug (matter-of-factly):
You came to bed with M&Ms on your breath!

Carol (embarrassed):
OK, ONE thing!

Doug (backs her up against the desk):
If I frisk you, will I find bubble gum?

Carol (tries to bat him away):
No!

Doug (reaches to tickle her):
Jawbreakers...

Carol (doubles up her fist and lays it to his cheek):
Just THIS one, Bud!
(reaches around him and picks up a chart)
Carter?
(turns to him)
This one is for you!

Carter (takes file):
Thanks, Carol! Can you assist me on this one?

Carol (nods):
Sure!
(pokes Doug in the chest)
Stay OUT of the candy jar!

Carol and Carter take a patient and disappear into an exam room. Doug stays behind with Mark.

Mark (picks up candy jar):
So, what do you want out of here? I'll get it for you!
(Cynthia shakes her head and gives Mark a look)

Doug (looking):
Ummm...I'll take that grape sour ball in there.

Mark (reaches it out):
There you go...
(Doug peels the wrapper off the candy and pops it in his mouth)
So, Carol tells me you wore your scrubs and latex gloves to take the kids out?

Doug (nods):
Yeah...I didn't need a real costume...everybody knew what I was supposed to be anyway.

Mark:
Did you steal those gloves from here?

Doug (chuckles...gives Mark a confused look):
Steal them? No, I didn't STEAL them...

Mark (trying to be serious):
Did you take them out of the supply room here?

Doug:
Well...yeah...

Mark:
Then you stole them!

Doug (matter-of-factly):
I didn't 'steal' them...I just borrowed them!

Mark (laughs):
Doug, You can't 'borrow' rubber gloves that have to be thrown away after you wear them once!

Doug (shrugs):
OK, so, I stole them. They cost what? A quarter a pair? I'll buy you a Coke! You'll come out ahead.

Mark:
So, you and Carol doing OK?

Doug:
Must be...we're working on a baby.

Mark (amazed):
You don't say!

Doug:
Yeah, but, we don't seem to be having much luck. I don't get it...I didn't have this much trouble the first time!

Mark (chuckles):
Well, you were younger then!

Doug (nods sarcastically):
Thanks, Mark!
(Serious tone)
Seriously, though, we seem to be having some problems. I'm wondering if some of it's my fault...those pills I was taking might have had something to do with it.

Mark (knowingly):
You're probably just trying too hard...common problem when couples 'decide' to have a baby.

Doug (nods):
Yeah, I guess. We're going to a doctor, though, just to be sure we're both OK.

Mark (chuckles):
Oh boy! Are YOU in for fun!

Doug (coaxing):
You know something I don't?

Mark:
Been there...done that...you come and see me when it's over...

They are distracted by David Morganstern coming quickly out of his office. He sees Doug and points a finger at him quickly.

David:
Oh, good! You ARE here! Could I see you in my office? Please?
(Doug gives him a blank look, motions to his own chest)
Yeah, you! In my office? Please?

Mark (leans in to whisper in Doug's ear):
Uh oh!

Doug nods and grunts, then goes on across the room to follow David into his office and closes the door behind him.

David (motions Doug to a chair):
Have a seat...

Doug (folds his arms across his chest):
I prefer to stand...what have I done?

David (almost chuckles):
Guilty conscience, have you, Doug?

Doug:
Just past experience.

David (picks up a letter from his desk):
I have this letter here from a Stanley Watlin with the City District...he is asking me about a request for a street lamp to be erected out behind this building? Would you happen to know anything about this request?

Doug (nods):
Yes, I would.

David:
You don't know how I'm DYING to hear this.

Doug:
Well, we park our cars back there and there isn't much light except what we get from the lamp on the corner and I thought we needed one back there.

David (nods):
For security reasons, right?

Doug (nods):
Yeah...right...

David:
This request for 'security reasons' wouldn't have anything to do with the basketball court back there would it?
(Doug shrugs with a grin)
Doug, I am not going to let the city spend money to put up a street lamp just so you and 'the boys' will have a place to play basketball at night!

Doug (protesting...defensively):
Well, that's only ONE reason. There's others!

David (motions him to 'spill it'):
I'm listening.

Doug:
Well, it IS a staff entrance...and it ISN'T well lighted. And we DO have women working here. At night, one of us is going to have to walk them out to their car to be sure they get there OK. My wife is one of them. I don't see anything wrong with wanting a little extra protection for her or anyone else. And Carter's apartment is upstairs...the outside entrance to it is out there, too and there's some dark shadows out there around that door...the CITY isn't contesting this, David, YOU are!

David:
Doug, why is it that every time we have a conversation you end up yelling?

Doug:
I don't know, David! You just seem to have a way of the best in me!

David (grins):
Well, I just wanted to hear your side of it. And now that I've heard it, I agree with you. I'm going to second the request and ask the city to get that street lamp up ASAP.

Doug (nods):
Thanks.

David:
And I get the first game of one on one under it.

Doug (as he starts for the door):
You got it!

Cut to show time lapse. The center is ready to close up for the evening...the patients are gone...Mark, Cynthia, Carol and Chuney are gone...only Carter, Malik, and Doug remain. Malik picks up his jacket and calls out to Doug.

Malik:
See you tomorrow, Dr. Ross...

Doug (doesn't look up from the file he's reading):
Yeah, Malik...thanks!

Carter (quietly, standing beside Doug):
Is it OK if I go ahead and head upstairs? You need me for anything else down here?

Doug (chuckles):
Getting ready for a big date, are we, Carter?

Carter (grins, shyly):
Not a BIG date...just going to go over and watch an old movie on TV...but I want to take a shower first...

Doug (flips through the file and lays it down):
Sure, Carter...go ahead! I'll lock up.

Carter (darts away quickly):
Thanks, Dr. Ross! See you tomorrow!

Doug (aloud to no one as Carter disappears):
Have a good evening, Dr. Carter...
(Doug picks up the phone and we hear his one side of the conversation)
Hey! Hello there! Are the kids in bed? Yeah? Well, how about if I pick up a pizza and you and I have a little party on the couch before we move it up to the second floor?
(chuckles)
I bet you tell all the guys that, don't you?
(chuckles again)
OK, I'm locking up and leaving now...I'll get the pizza and I should be home in about a half hour or so, OK? O-K. Love you!

Doug hangs up the phone and grabs his jacket as he starts out the back door. He turns to lock up and just before he gets the key in the lock, he hears someone pounding frantically on the door around front. He steps quickly around the building to see what is going on. Around at the front of the building he sees a man holding a child wrapped in a blanket his arms.

Doug (peering around the corner):
Is something wrong?

Man (frantically):
Are you a doctor?

Doug (nods)
Yes, I'm a doctor...

Man (desperately):
You have to help my daughter! Please!

Doug (sighs, nods):
OK...but the center is closed...bring her around the back.

The man follows Doug around to the back of the center and Doug lets him in the back door. Doug (motions):
Put your daughter on that table right there...Mr?

Man:
Larry....I'm just Larry...

Doug:
OK, Larry, just take it easy!
(Doug makes his way over to the table and starts to open the blanket)
What happened to your little girl?

Larry:
She fell down the stairs...

Doug opens the blanket and looks at the child. She is still and quiet and covered with blood. He leans over her, carefully placing his stethoscope on her chest. He shakes his head and winces. He reaches to check her pulse and shakes his head with a sad look. The child is already dead.

Doug (turns back to Larry):
Larry? What happened at your house tonight?
(Man gives him a nervous look)
Did you hurt your little girl tonight, Larry?
(Man doesn't answer...just gives Doug a nervous look)
What did you hit this kid with, Larry?
(growing angry)
Or did you just throw her down the stairs yourself?

Larry (tearfully):
I didn't mean to hurt her! You gotta believe that, Doc! I love my little girl...I'm a family man...I didn't mean to hurt her...

Doug (trying to cope with his feelings and deal with this man):
Larry, your daughter is dead! Now, I HAVE to know! WHAT did you DO to her?

Larry (devastated)
Dead?
(begins to cry)
My baby is dead?

He walks over to the table and reaches down to pick his daughter up in his arms. He pulls the little girl to him and cradles her carefully, crying and sobbing onto her body while Doug stands back. He stays this way until Doug starts over for the phone. The second Doug reaches the desk, Larry pulls out a gun and aims it on Doug quickly.

Larry:
That's far enough, Doc! Not another step further!

Focus on Doug's look of surprise as he turns to face the barrel of the gun and fade act one to black.

Act Two

Scene opens at C.A.R.E. center with Doug under the gun of Larry. Larry stands with the gun in full arm reach pointed at Doug. Doug carefully raises his hands up where Larry can see them.

Larry (motions him away):
Get away from the phone, Doc...nobody you need to call.

Doug (slowly):
Just need to let me turn it on night answer, OK? Because if anybody calls here and it just rings, they'll know something's wrong, OK?

Larry (nods...motion with the gun):
OK...turn it on...

Doug reaches down carefully and turns the answering machine to the NIGHT mode. The second he turns his wrist, Larry aims the gun at him again.

Larry:
Now, just step away...you get back over here to my daughter...you're a doctor...do something for her!

Doug (walks slowly toward the exam table):
Larry...your daughter is already dead...

Larry (anger boiling):
She was alive when I brought her to you! You did something to her, then! You killed her!

Doug (defensively):
I didn't kill her, Larry!

Larry (nods...eyes glazed):
Oh, yes...you did...you had to! She was breathing when I brought her in here...now she's dead...nobody else touched her but you...
(points the gun at Doug again)
...you killed her...and now I'm gonna kill you...

Focus on Doug as he tries not to react to this threat. He slides limply into a chair and just stares back at Larry, who keeps the gun pointed on him and slides into a chair where he can see Doug and keep him under arms.

Cut scene to the Ross/Hathaway home. Carol is standing by the window with the curtain drawn back, looking out to the street. She lets the curtain go with a sigh and walks back into the living room. She looks at her watch and walks back to the window again, looking out to the street again. Finally, she goes and picks up the phone and dials a number. Then, she listens to the answering machine message on the other end...

Carter's Voice:
Thank you for calling C.A.R.E. Center. Our office is closed at this time and our normal working hours are 9AM to 9PM. If this is a medical emergency and you need a doctor, please page me at 555-6313 and I will meet you at the Center.

Carol (into receiver):
Carter, if you're home, please pick up the phone!

Show Carter coming across the floor of his apartment in his jeans and no shirt, towel drying his hair and he reaches for the phone.

Carter (comes on the phone line):
Hey, Carol! What's up!

Carol:
Carter! Good! You ARE Home...Was Doug still at the Center when you came upstairs?

Carter:
Yeah, he was getting ready to lock up. I came up a little early to take shower. Why? Something wrong?

Carol:
He's not home yet. He was going to pick up a pizza and come on home, but, he should have been here by now. Could you just kind of slip down there and see if he's still there? Maybe a patient came at closing time or something...Lord knows Doug doesn't know how to use a phone when something comes up...he’d just call when it was all over and say he forgot!

Carter (smiles):
Sure, I'll slip down there...

Carol:
And send him HOME, OK? And tell him not to forget the pizza!

Carter (laughing now):
OK, Carol! I got it! He'll be home soon.

Carter hangs up the phone and goes over to his closet, taking out a shirt, and pulling his arms into the sleeves.

Cut back to the C.A.R.E. center. Doug is still sitting in one chair, Larry still in the other, still holding a gun on his hostage.

Doug (trying to reason):
Look, Larry, how long do you think it's gonna take before somebody figures out something's wrong in here?

Larry:
How would they figure that out?

Doug:
Well, for one thing, there's lights on. This place is supposed to be closed. If somebody sees lights on, they'll know somebody's here and wonder why.

Larry:
You talk too much, Doc...you're startin' to make me nervous...

Doug:
I'm just trying to point out some facts, Larry...

Larry (matter-of-factly):
You think I killed my daughter, don't you?

Doug (shakes his head):
I don't know, Larry...why don't you tell me what happened to her?

Larry (snarling):
You think I beat my daughter to death, don't you?

Doug:
I don't know...

Larry jumps up quickly and grabs Doug by the back of the neck and shoves his face down close to the dead child's body.

Larry:
Look at my daughter, Doc! And tell me what you see!
(Doug winces as he stares at the dead child)
What killed this little girl, Doctor? What do you see?

Doug (calmly):
This child is battered...

Larry (matter-of-factly):
From falling down a flight of stairs...
(Doug shrugs)
You don't believe that?
(Shoves Doug down closer)
Look at that little girl, Doc! What could have happened to her?

Doug (slowly and carefully):
Looks like she fell down a flight of stairs...

Larry (smiles...satisfied):
And that's just what you'll tell those Child Welfare people when they ask you, too, ain't it, Doc?

Focus on Doug's serious expression and Larry still holding the gun on him. They are distracted by the sounds of Carter on the steps outside the clinic.

Larry (looks up quickly):
What's that?

Doug (sighs):
That's the guy that lives upstairs.

Larry (suspiciously):
What guy that lives upstairs?

Doug:
There's an apartment upstairs and there's a guy that lives in it...he goes up and down the steps all the time...you get used to it.

Larry gives a nervous look to the window...Doug looks up carefully and his eyes make a silent plea for Carter's help.

Cut to outside the window. Show Carter coming down the outside steps. He is buttoning up his jacket and twirling his keys in his hand. He gets to the bottom of the steps and show his focus on Doug's car still in it's parking space on the lot.

Carter (grins to himself):
Come on, Dr. Ross...your wife wants you home!

Carter goes to the door and reaches for the door handle. He can see the lights on in the clinic and he starts to open the door. Focus his attention on the green light on the security panel and this confuses him.

Carter (aloud to himself):
Door unlocked?

This strikes him as odd. He edges over to the window and peers to see if he can see anything inside. He gets close enough to see Larry and the gun and Doug still standing beside the table with the dead child. Carter backs away quickly and slips quietly back up the steps to his apartment, grabbing the phone as soon as he is inside.

Operator:
911 Operator, what is the nature of your emergency, please?

Carter (quietly):
I have a possible hostage situation at C.A.R.E. center Weston and Carvell Avenues...

Operator:
Can you define the situation, Sir?

Carter:
A doctor for the C.A.R.E. center is being held by a man with a gun...

Operator:
This is at Weston and Carvell?

Carter (nervously):
Yeah, that's correct...

Operator:
OK, I'm going to dispatch a black and white to your area right now...

Carter:
OK, but, no sirens, OK? I think this guy is really dangerous and a siren might make him crazy.

Operator:
OK, will you be able to assist the officer with building access for him to survey the situation?

Carter:
Yes, Ma'am...I can do that.

Operator:
OK, I'm dispatching that black and white now...he should be in your area within five minutes.

Carter:
Thank you.
(hangs up the phone and mumbles aloud to himself)
OK...do I call Carol back or not?
(thinks about it...shakes his head)
Nah...

Carter goes back outside and paces around the parking lot until he sees the patrol car come around the corner. He approaches the car at once and the officer steps out to him.

Officer:
OK, what's going on?

Carter:
I don't know...I just looked through the window and saw a guy with a gun.

Officer:
OK, who are you?

Carter:
Oh, I'm Dr. John Carter...I work here and I live in that apartment up there.
(points)

Officer:
OK, who's inside?

Carter:
Dr. Doug Ross...

Officer:
He works here, right?

Carter (nods):
Right.

Officer:
What about the guy with the gun?

Carter:
I don't know...I don't know him...he wasn't there when I left.

Officer:
What time did you leave?

Carter (shrugs):
Uh, about a quarter to nine.

Officer:
You saw a gun, right? You're sure?

Carter (nods):
Oh, I'm positive.

Officer:
OK, I'm gonna call for some backup...now that you're out of the building, stay out, OK?

Carter:
But, shouldn't I call Dr. Ross' wife?

Officer (picks up radio mike):
She'll find out soon enough...

The officer radios for back up while Carter gives a nervous glance back towards the center again.

Cut back to show Carol walking the floor at the house carrying the phone in her hands and looking out the window.

Carol (aloud to no one):
Damn it, Doug! Where ARE you? And Carter, you're no better! Why didn't you call me back!?

Finally, she picks up the receiver and dials a number.

Carol (into receiver...we hear only her side of the conversation):
Mama? It's me. Listen, can you come over here and stay with the kids a while? No, I just need to go down to the clinic. Something's wrong, Mama...Doug should have been home before now and Carter hasn't called me back. I'm going down there and see what's going on...will you come and stay with the kids? Mama! Don't argue with me...he's my husband...
(smiles)
Thanks, Mama. I appreciate it.

Focus on Carol getting into her jacket and walking the floor while she waits for Helen to come and Fade Act Two To Black.

Act Three

Scene opens outside the C.A.R.E. Center...two more police cars have pulled up now and several police officers are conversing with Carter.

Officer:
You say the door is unlocked?

Carter:
Yeah...the green light is on...that means the security lever is open.

Officer:
But, there's no way in without being seen, right?

Carter:
Well, not through that door...but you can go down through my apartment...

Officer:
You can get into the main floor of the center from your apartment?

Carter (nods):
Yeah.

Officer:
Without being seen?

Carter (shrugs):
Well, that depends on which direction everybody's looking, but, it might work...

Officer:
OK...I'll see what we can come up with...

Cut to show Carol rushing to the parking lot from around the corner. She sees Carter and goes to him quickly.

Carol (calling):
Carter! What is it? What's happened? What's going on?

Carter (calmly):
Just take it easy, Carol...the police have everything under control...

Carol (looks around):
Under control? What's going on?

Carter (tries not to alarm her):
There's a guy in there with a gun...

Carol (alarmed):
A gun? Carter! Doug's in there!

Carter (holds his hands up for calming effect):
It's OK...the police have everything under control!

Carol:
Under control Doug is in there with a guy with a gun instead of out here with us...I don't call that 'under control' by a long shot!

Officer (comes up to Carol suddenly):
Who are you and why are you here?

Carol (turns to him quickly):
I'm Carol Hathaway...I'm married to Doug Ross...he's the doctor inside...

Officer (to Carter):
Did you call the wife?

Carter (shakes his head):
No, sir...

Carol (explaining):
I just had a feeling something was wrong...

Officer (chuckles and nods):
Newlyweds, huh? You'll lose that before much longer...OK! Just stay out here and out of the way, OK?

Carol:
Well, exactly what are you doing to get him out of there?

Officer:
We're working on it, Ma'am...

Carol:
Well, I don't see you doing anything! All I see if a bunch of guys in uniform standing around!

Officer (gives her a sarcastic smile):
We're working on a plan, Ma'am.

Carol:
Well, it must not be a very good one if it takes five of you to think it up...

Carter (drags Carol off by the arm away from the Officer):
Hey, Carol...maybe you should just come over here and let the Officer do his job, huh?

Carol (protesting):
Sure, whenever I see them DOING it...

Carter (trying to calm her):
It's going to be OK...

Carol:
How can you say that? Doug's in there with a maniac with a GUN for God's sake...

Carter:
He's OK...

Carol:
For NOW! What happens if this guy blows a fuse in there?

Carter:
Maybe it won't come to that...

Carol (looks toward the Center):
You better be right, Carter...

Carter stands with her and looks towards the center as well. Show police officers mounting the stairs to Carter's apartment and going into it quickly.

Cut to inside the center...Doug sitting in a chair with Larry still holding a gun on him. The atmosphere is tense and quiet.

Larry:
I didn't mean to kill my little girl, Doc. You gotta believe that.
(Doug doesn't answer...just looks at him)
It was an accident...

Doug:
Well, Larry, if that's true, there's people who could have helped you before this happened...

Larry (snarls):
Sure...I know about them kind of people. They take your kid out of your house and give it to a stranger...a stranger that rapes her...or locks her in a closet...and all those other things that are 'in the best interest of the children'...

Doug (quietly):
Is that what happened to you before, Larry? Did someone take your daughter away?

Larry (matter-of-factly):
I'm not going to jail, Doc. I know what they do to convicted child killers in jail. I'll kill myself here first.
(cocks gun barrel)

Doug:
That's not going to help anybody, Larry...

Larry (picks up photo off the desk of Doug and Carol with Scott and Tatiana):
This is you...
(holds photo...Doug nods)
That your little woman with you?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, that's my wife.

Larry:
How long you been married?

Doug:
About six months.

Larry (looks at photo):
Those your kids?

Doug (nods):
Yeah.

Larry:
They don't look anything alike...

Doug:
The boy is mine...the girl is adopted.

Larry (grins):
You a family man, are you?
(Doug doesn't answer...just lets him talk)
I always thought I was a family man...tried to be one, anyway. You have a good family life when you were a kid, Doc?

Doug (shakes his head):
No...not really...my old man took off when I was 12...before he left he used to knock me around whenever he got drunk...showed up in my life again after 22 years and the only difference was he didn't knock me around anymore because I was bigger than he was...

Larry:
So, you hate him now, huh?

Doug (shrugs):
He's dead.

Larry:
Wish I was...wish it was me laying over there on that table instead of my little angel...
(focus his attention on the dead child on the table...tears form in his eyes)
Cut to outside the clinic. There are more police officers now and the building is pretty much surrounded.

Carter (aloud to no one):
All this for ONE gun?

Officer:
Can't ever be too careful...the main goal here is to get both of them out of there alive...the Doc seems to be holding his own in there so far...

Carter:
Dr. Ross is pretty tough...he'll be OK...

Carol:
But, he's not trained for psyche! He's a Pediatrician!

Carter (assuring her):
He'll be fine...Dr. Ross has a real cool head about things...

Cut back to show a car coming into the parking area and the police rushing to cut off the driver as he gets out. The driver is Mark...he steps out of the car and sees Carol and Carter. He motions with his hands for help...

Mark:
What's going on?

Officer:
Who are you?

Mark:
I'm Dr. Greene...I work here...
(looks over his shoulder to Carol)
What's going on?

Carol (rushes over to Mark):
There's a guy in there with a gun! Doug's in there with him.

Mark:
Well, what are they doing to get him OUT?

Carol (rolls her eyes):
They're 'working' on it...

Mark (scoffs):
Yeah, I already know how the Chicago Police Department 'works'...

Officer (cuts off his thought):
No heroics, Dr. Greene...let us handle it...

Mark (nods):
Well, OK...for now...

Cut back to inside the clinic. Larry looks at the ceiling as sounds of footsteps are overhead now.

Larry:
Having a party up there, is he?

Doug (shrugs...remains calm):
Could be.

Larry (points the gun back at Doug):
You good to your kids, Doc?

Doug (nod):
I try to be...

Larry:
You ever hit them?

Doug:
Haven't yet...don't know that I ever would...

Larry:
Your old man hit you but you don't hit your kids? How do you do that? I thought that's how the cycle works...

Doug:
Sometimes it does...but you have to be stronger than the cycle...you can break the cycle...

Larry:
You broke the cycle? How?

Doug:
I just promised myself I wouldn't do to my kids what my old man did to me...I remember what it felt like in here
(thumps his chest)
and I want better than that for my kids. No matter what I have to do, I'm gonna be sure they get it.

Larry:
It's too late for me, though, Doc...I already killed my kid...
(points gun again)
So, what happens to me now, huh? I go to jail? No. Not gonna happen. Shoot a family man?
(points gun at Doug)

Doug:
What good would that do, Larry? Who would that help? Won't bring back your daughter...won't help you any...leaves my wife a widow and my kids without a father...

Larry waves the gun again and then all at once he jumps up and points the gun squarely at Doug's face.

Larry:
On your feet, Doc. I see cops outside...

Doug (scrambles to his feet):
Larry, you can just walk out of here...

Larry (shakes his head...really uptight now):
Oh, no...I can't...I'm in big trouble now...

Doug (trying to reason with him):
I'll walk with you...I won't let anybody hurt you...I promise...

Larry (turns to Doug with a wild look):
It's too late, Doc...it's too late for both of us!

Focus back outside the center and the group there is jolted by the sounds of two shots being fired. Carol gasps and turns her attention to the center.

Carol (desperately):
Oh my, God! DOUG!

Focus on her horrified expression with Mark and Carter standing on either side of her in support and Fade Act Three to Black.

Act Four

Scene opens outside the C.A.R.E. Center. Carol has heard the gunshots from inside and starts at once for the door of the clinic, only to be cut off by officers on the scene.

Carol (sternly):
Get out of my way! My husband is in there!

Officer (hand on her chest holding her back):
Ma'am please let the officer assess the scene first...

Carol:
Yeah, right, like you guys did anything to prevent this in the first place! We are trained medical personnel! It's obvious SOMEbody needs a doctor in there!

Officer (nods):
OK...

Before anybody can say or do anything else, Carol has pushed past the officers and is halfway in the back door, with Carter and Mark right behind her.

The scene inside is chaos. The walls are splattered with blood. Larry lies slumped over in a chair with his head resting on the front desk counter. His arm is dangling close to the floor and he still holds the gun in his clutched fist. Across the room from him is the little girl dead on the exam table. Then, slumped against the wall on the floor behind him is Doug. His shirt is bloodstained in the front just above the left armpit. He groans softly and reaches his hand to feel the back of his head as the medical team goes to him quickly.

Carol (fearfully):
Oh my, God! Doug! Honey! Are you all right?

Doug (slowly):
I...I think so...
(feels his head and pulls his hand back to show blood)
I think I hit my head.

Mark (reaches to feel the back of his patient's head himself):
Take it easy, Buddy...let's see what we've got.

Doug:
I wasn't hit there...I was hit here
(taps his shoulder)

Mark (motions with his head):
Carter, open his shirt...

Doug:
It's a through and through. I can feel blood running down my back.

Carter (opens Doug's shirt):
Let's just have a look, Dr. Ross.

Carter opens Doug's shirt and winces at what he sees. The wound is angry looking, but, it is through and through with the bullet already discharged and lodged in the wall.

Carter (motions to the hole in the wall):
Here's the final stopping place. We need to get this sewn up...better transport him to County...

Doug:
No! It's OK, Carter. You can do it.

Carter:
I think I'd feel better if Dr. Benton did it for you, Dr. Ross.

Doug:
Well, I'm the patient, and I think I'd feel better if YOU did it. Come on, Carter...you do sutures real good...and I trust you. You can do it.

Carter (looks at Mark...Mark nods):
Well, OK. Let's get you to a table...

Officer (casually):
We're going to need a statement, Dr. Ross...

Mark (snaps at him):
Well, at least let us get him stitched up first, OK?

Officer (nods):
Sure...I'll get the coroner down here...

With the help of Mark and Carol, Carter gets Doug to an exam table and the let him slide up on it carefully, but, he has to have help getting there. He keeps his arm bent and close to his body and he winces in pain. Mark and Carol help Carter peel Doug's shirt off and now everybody gets a good hard look at the wound. Carol immediately applies pressure to his back to stop the bleeding there. Carter gets the antiseptic to clean it with and Mark fills up the syringe to deaden it with.

Mark (touches Doug's arm):
Just take it easy, Buddy...

Carol (assuring):
Everything's gonna be OK, Doug...

Mark plunges the needle into the skin around the wound and Doug clutches the table and winces. Carol helps steady him with his hands on his back and his good shoulder.

Carter (taps Doug's shoulder gently):
Do you feel that?

Doug (shakes his head):
No...it's OK...go for it.

Mark and Carol steady Doug on the table and Carter cleans it thoroughly and carefully. Once it is cleaned, he sets about sewing it up.

Carol (quietly):
What happened in here?

Doug:
The little girl was dead when he brought her here. I was locking up and he was banging on the front door. I didn't know she was dead until I got her in here and got her on the table. When I told him she was dead, he just freaked out.
(gives them all a careful look)
I wasn't real sure I was getting out of here alive.

Mark:
Was he aiming to kill you?

Doug:
Yes, he was. I dodged at the last second...I don't even remember moving.

Carter (pulls the last stitch):
OK, Dr. Ross...there you go. I want you to go over to County like maybe tomorrow and let Dr. Benton take a look at it, OK? Will you do that?

Doug (smiles, nods):
You're the boss, Carter.

Carter (grins):
And I don't want you working until the arm is out of the sling...should be about 2 weeks.

Doug:
2 weeks? You're putting me off for 2 weeks?

Carter (nods):
Unless you happen to heal faster than that, yes.

Mark (grins):
Looks like I'm working nights for a while...

Doug (sighs):
I'm sorry, Mark!

Mark (shakes his head):
Don't worry about it...it's not a problem...

Officer (softly):
Can I get a statement now, Dr. Ross?

Doug (nods):
Sure...

Cut scene to show time lapse. The Officer is standing near the door and writing things down on a note pad. Doug is sitting on the counter of the front desk behind him...Carol, Mark, and Carter are talking with the Officer.

Carol:
He's not in any trouble, is he?

Officer (shakes his head):
Don't know why he should be. The coroner's report should back up his story about the little girl...obvious what happened to her old man in here. I'd say the Doc handled himself really well.
(snaps his notebook shut)
I'll be in touch. You people should try and get some rest.

The officer leaves and the team goes over to Doug, still sitting on the table. He looks tired and drained, but, still manages to wrap his good arm around Carol's shoulders easily.

Carol:
The Officer says you handled yourself really well...

Mark:
Yeah, Doug, how did you manage to stay so calm?

Doug (grins):
I don't know...maybe I was a cop in another life!
(all chuckle)
Come on
(turns his attention to Carol)
Let's go home. I just want to lie down in my own bed with my wife and my kids...

Carol:
The kids are asleep...Mama is with them...

Doug (as he gets to his feet):
Then, we'll carry them to our bed and put them in there with us still asleep. I want my babies with us tonight.

Carol (nods with a smile):
OK...let's go home!

Cut to show time lapse and open at the Ross/Hathaway home. Show Helen opening the door as Carol and Doug come in together, arm and arm.

Helen (closing the door behind them once they are in):
Good heavens! What happened!?

Doug:
Long story, Helen! I'll tell you all about it tomorrow! Right now, I just want to say I really REALLY appreciate you coming to be here with the kids.

Helen (gives Carol a hand as she and Doug start for the steps):
Are you sure you're OK?

Carol (smiles):
He's fine, Mama. Everything's OK.

Helen:
Should I leave? I can stay if you want...

Doug:
That's up to you, Helen. If you want to leave or stay...either way is OK with me.

Helen:
I'll just sleep in the guest room...you might need me.

Carol (nods):
That's fine, Mama. See you in the morning.

They get to the top of the steps and Carol takes Doug to their bedroom. As he eases into the bed, he reaches his good arm up to her gently.

Doug:
I want the kids...I want the kids in here with us...I just want us all together tonight...

Carol (nods):
OK, Doug, OK! I'll go get them. You can't carry anybody with your arm like it is so you get to bed and I'll get the kids.

Doug (desperately):
You don't think I'm crazy do you?

Carol (strokes his face and smiles):
No...I think you're wonderful.

Cut to show Carol carrying Tatiana up on her shoulder and bringing her to bed to hand lay her down beside Doug. Scott is already in bed beside him and Carol climbs in on her side. The kids are in the middle between the two of them and Doug has his bad arm to the outside away from the children. He reaches over and kisses each one of them gently on the head...they are both instantly back asleep and not aware of what is going on around them.

Carol:
Are you having much pain?

Doug (shakes his head):
Not right now...probably later...I'll let Benton take care of it tomorrow and he can give me some painkillers. I'll be fine.
(reaches his good arm over and rests it on her shoulder)
In case I haven't said it for a while or something, I love you. I want to be sure you know that.

Carol (sad smile):
When I got down there and Carter told me there was a guy in there with a gun, I had so many things rushing through my head...one was that I couldn't remember if I told you that today.

Doug (smiles at her):
You don't have to tell me that, Carol. I know it. I see it in everything you do. You'd have to love me to stay with me.

Carol:
Let's get some rest, OK?

Doug (grins...nods):
OK.

He snuggles down under the covers on his side, she snuggles down on hers...they reach between them to each have one arm around the kids to shield them in with them. He lays his head against Tatiana's and she lays her head against Scott's and they close their eyes together.

Fade Act Four To Black.

Closing Act

Scene opens at C.A.R.E. Center. Mark and Carter are working there with Carol but she is gathering up things to leave for the day.

Mark:
You're leaving early today, I see?

Carol (nods):
Yeah...Doug and the kids are renting a family video and we're spending the evening at home with the kids.

Carter (smiles):
Now, there's a happy thought!

Carol (smiles at him):
I think Daylin is a little too young for you and Shawna to rent videos for just yet.

Carter (grins):
Yeah, he goes to bed early...which makes for MORE fun...

Mark (chuckles):
Better fun, actually.

Carter (nods):
Yeah!

Carol (rolls her eyes):
You guys!

Mark:
Hey, you're married now! You should know all about that stuff now!

Carol:
Please, I have 2 kids and a husband recovering from a gunshot wound...how much action do you really think is going on at my place?

Carter:
Yeah, how's he doing? Did he let Benton take a look at that?

Carol:
Yeah, he did...and Peter said you did a fine job...he wouldn't have changed a thing and Doug looked just fine to him. He's fine...really.

Carter (nods):
Good...I'm glad he let Peter check it...and I'm glad he's feeling OK.

Mark:
So, he's been home with the kids for a few days...how's he doing with that?

Carol:
Remarkably well, actually. He's really good with the kids.

Mark:
You sound surprised.

Carol:
Well, Mark, you have to admit, when I met him, Doug was about the last person on Earth I would have picked as a Father for my children. I never knew he had these kind of 'family man' qualities in him.

Mark:
Judging from the fact that he didn't have much of an example to learn from, I'd have to agree that this IS surprising.

Carol:
I guess it's his Medical field that's taught him how to deal with kids.
(shrugs)
Whatever it is, I'm glad I didn't let him get away.

Mark:
And that's why the two of you are working on one together, right?

Carol:
Right...but I think that's some time away yet.
(grins)
But, you never know.

Mark:
What ever happened to the wedding you guys were going to have for friends and family?

Carol (rolls her eyes):
We'll renew our vows in a church on our first anniversary. That's about as close as you're gonna get.

Mark:
You guys still don't wear the rings on your hands?

Carol (shakes her head):
Not while we're working, but, away from work, we do. It's just easier to keep them from getting caught on something at work this way. Besides, all our friends know we're married.

Mark (grins, nods):
Most importantly, you two know you're married. That's all that counts.

Cut to show Doug Ross coming into the Center with Scott and Tatiana in tow with him. He is wearing jeans and a t-shirt with a jacket and his arm in a sling.

Doug (grins at her as he approaches the desk):
Hey! You ready?

Carol:
Just about.
(to the kid)
You guys pick out a movie?

Tatiana (nods, shows it to her excitedly):
We're going to watch NATIONAL VELVET.

Carol:
Oh, that's a good story!
(Scott rolls his eyes)
Hey, you can pick the next one, OK?

Mark:
How's the arm, Doug?

Doug (taps his empty sleeve):
It's still there. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow...maybe he'll let me come back to work in another day or so?

Carter (shakes his head):
I told you, I'm not clearing you to work until that arm is out of the sling and that won't be for 10 days. At least.

Mark:
What's wrong, Doug? Getting tired of being a house husband already?

Doug (shakes his head):
No, afraid I might get too used to it and never want to come back.

Mark (sarcastic grin):
We won't let that happen!

Doug:
Hey, Mark, you wanna drop by tonight?

Mark (shakes his head):
Oh, no, that's OK. Thanks.

Doug:
Come on! Do you have plans?

Mark:
Well, no, no plans...but I couldn't intrude on family night.

Doug:
Why not? You're family!

Carol (sternly to Doug):
If you think for one minute that you can invite Mark over so the two of you can sneak off and play cards and you can weasel out of this movie, you better think again.

Scott (smiles triumphantly):
Yay! That's telling him, Mom!

Doug (quietly, to Mark):
Come on, Mark...help me out here...

Mark (smiles):
No way, Bud. You're on your own. I've seen NATIONAL VELVET. Twice!

Tatiana (gives Doug a disappointed look and a tiny pout):
Don't you like the movie I picked out, Papa?

Doug (smiles, bends down to her level):
Oh, sure, I do! It's a good movie for a little girl.

Scott (teasing):
Yeah, you better tell her that...since you picked it out for her.

Doug:
NATIONAL VELVET IS a good movie for a little girl.

Scott:
So, what? You gonna put me in a dress now?

Doug:
Don't get smart with me, Wise Guy. It's a good movie for a boy, too. It's got horses in it...and there's a boy in it...it's a good movie...

Carol (looks him in the eye):
So, who are you trying to convince? You? Or him?

Cynthia (speaks up):
I haven't seen that movie in years...

Carol:
Well, you're welcome to come...
(looks at Mark)

Mark (sighs):
I got weaseled into that pretty easily, didn't I?
(Nods)
OK...what time should we come by?

Doug (grins):
Movie starts promptly at 7...

Mark (turns to Carter):
I AM on call tonight...you WILL remember that won't you?

Carter:
Actually, Dr. Morganstern told me since you've been covering for Dr. Ross that he would be on call tonight and if I needed back-up, I was to call him.

Doug (slaps Mark on the back):
You want butter on that popcorn, Bud?

Carol and Doug laugh as they head out with their two kids. Cynthia laughs with them and Mark just shakes his head.

Fade into closing credits of the show.

November 3, 1997