"ER"

"From This Day Forward"

Opening Act

Scene opens at Carol Hathaway's home. Focus on her as she is busy in the kitchen making breakfast. She stands at the counter and butters toast. Looking quickly at the clock on the wall, she starts pouring coffee.

Carol (shouting) to be heard in another room):
Doug! Get a move on! If you're late again, Mark is really going to read you the riot act!

Cut to show Doug Ross slowly opening his eyes. He is lying on his stomach and reaches over to the table to gaze wearily at the alarm clock. At the sound of Carol's voice, he groans softly into his pillow, but, begins to drag himself out of bed, carrying his covers across the floor with him as he trudges slowly to the bathroom for his shower...

Cut back to Carol at the kitchen counter. She smiles softly as he hears the bathroom door shut.

Out of camera range, we hear someone knocking on the door.

Carol starts for the door, carelessly licking butter off her fingers.

Focus on her face as she rips open the front door, ad libbing an 'OK! I'm Coming!" to the intruder on the other side. She opens the door to find her mother, Helen, standing in front of her with a smile on her face.

Carol (taken aback):
Mama! What are you doing here?

Helen (smiles):
I was on my way into town and thought it would be nice to have breakfast with my daughter!

Helen pushes past Carol and started nonchalantly into the house. Carol closes the door and rolls her eyes to the ceiling behind her mother's back as she begins to follow her through the house to the kitchen.

Helen (babbling):
I'm glad to see I didn't wake you! Early day at the hospital today, dear?

Carol (stammers):
Uh, actually no! I don't go in until later.

Helen:
Well, you're certainly up early! Lots of plans for today?

Carol (shrugs):
Oh, you know me, Mama! Always doing something.

Carol nervously listens for Doug behind Helen's back. Helen goes about drinking coffee and munching on toast. not paying much attention to Carol's nervousness.

Out of camera range, we hear a soft "thump" as Doug is rummaging about after his shower.

Helen (looks up quickly):
What was that?

Carol (laughs nervously):
What was what?

Helen:
Didn't you hear something?

Carol (shakes her head):
Probably just the house settling!

Doug (off camera, calling out):
Hey, Carol! Have you seen my pager anyplace?

Cut to the kitchen doorway. Doug steps into view, pulling himself into a t-shirt and finger brushing his hair. Helen looks quickly at him, and then gives Carol a surprised stare. Carol gives her mother a nervous laugh and sinks up against the wall close to the door.

Doug (smiles lightly)
Good morning, Helen! It's good to see you!

Carol (trying to change the subject):
It's on the hall table.
(Doug gives her a confused look)
Your pager? You left it on the hall table.

Doug (nods...catches that she wants to get 'rid' of him):
Oh! Yeah! OK! Thanks.

Carol (softly):
You better get moving...Mark's clocking you.

Doug (nods):
Yeah. OK.
(nods to Helen casually)
Good to see you again, Helen.
(kisses Carol's cheek lightly)
And I will see you later, OK?

Carol (nods nervously):
OK.

Doug (nods solemnly):
O-K.

Doug gathers up his things, stops by the hallway table and picks up his pager, then goes on out the door with a final wave back to Carol.

Cut back to Carol and Helen. Helen sits quietly at the table and gives Carol an unsure look. Carol slides carefully into a chair opposite her mother.

Carol (quietly):
I did intend to tell you. I just never got around to it.

Helen:
What you do in your life is your business. We've been through that before. And you know how I feel about Doug Ross anyway...

Carol (shakes her head):
He's not the same, Mama. You wouldn't even know him anymore. He's really changed. A lot.

Helen (reaches over and pats Carol's hand):
You're a smart girl, honey. And you're old enough to make up your own mind about your life.

Carol (shows her the engagement ring):
We're getting married.
(smiles)

Helen (smiles weakly):
Am I supposed to say congratulations?

Carol (frowns at her):
Just be happy for me, Mama, OK? For the first time in a long time I'm truly happy with my life. Please, don't ruin that for me.

Helen (sighs):
So, when is the big day?

Carol:
We haven't set a date yet. We're going to start working on that. We had a lot of things to work out first. I think we're ready to start talking dates now.

Helen (smiles weakly):
Well, be sure I get an invitation, all right?

Carol (smiles wide):
Absolutely!

Fade opening act into the opening credits of the show...

"ER"

"From This Day Forward"

Act One

Scene opens at County ER. Mark Greene is planted stately at the counter near the staff entrance watching to door and looking at his watch. Cut to show Doug Ross bolting through the door in a dead run. He sees Mark waiting and slows up quickly, shaking his head as he pushes past him.

Doug (on his way into the locker room):
So busy around here this morning that you have time to play vulture, Mark?

Mark (taps his watch as he follows Doug into the locker room):
You're late! Again! That's the third time this week!

Doug (annoyed, begins to pull into a scrub top from his locker):
You're keeping a diary of this now, Mark? What are you now? The Hall monitor and I'm gonna be on your report?

Mark (can't resist teasing him):
When you were living alone you never used to be late...

Doug (cautions him with a stern look):
You don't even want to go there...
(shrugs)
I'll stay late, OK?

Mark (nods sarcastically):
Yeah, tonight you probably will...Carol works late tonight!
(shakes his head slowly...Doug gives him a careful look)
I'm only making a point, Doug. This can't keep happening. When you're late...

Doug (nods his head in agreement):
I know! I know! It makes somebody else late, too! And I apologize!

Mark (sternly - seriously):
Unless you can give me a good explanation, I'm going to have to dock you...
(Doug gives him a look crossed between surprised and sheepish)
I can't let you take advantage of our friendship, Doug. It wouldn't be fair.
(Doug nods, understands)

Doug (gives Mark a careful look):
You have swear you won't laugh!

Mark (gives Doug a mock 'scout' salute):
I promise.

Doug (sighs):
I'm working on a paper for a Pediatric Journal.

Mark (expression shows genuine surprise):
For publication?

Doug (nods):
Yeah. I was contacted by the AMA and asked to write it. I was so flattered I accepted before I realized I didn't have the faintest idea what I was doing!
(chuckles)
I've been writing it out long hand, but, it really isn't working out well.
(ducks his head sheepishly)
I guess I haven't been getting much sleep.

Mark:
Well, what's the paper going to be about?

Doug (leans on the table behind him):
Triage, mostly...Pediatrics and ER...something I have some basic knowledge about.

Mark (nods):
That's great, Doug! I'm really proud of you. That's good for the hospital, too. Good going.
(pauses)
Why didn't you want to tell me about?

Doug (shrugs):
I guess I'm just a little shy about it right now.
(shuffles his feet and stuffs his hands in his pockets)
But the truth is, I guess I really could use a little help.

Mark:
You said you were writing it out long hand?
(Doug nods...Mark shakes his head)
No, no, you need to get yourself a good word processor...

Doug (gives Mark a surprised look):
A good what?

Mark (pauses with a chuckle):
A good word processor...you do know what one of those is, don't you?

Doug (nods with a smile):
Yes, I do, and that means I would have to type my article as a word processor is combination of a computer and a typewriter, am I right?

Mark (quizzingly):
And I take it that's a problem for you?

Doug (nods):
Yes, it is. Because I don't type.

Mark (thinks he's kidding):
You work at the computer around here all day...

Doug:
That's not typing...that's data entry...there's a big difference!

Mark:
How did you manage to get through medical school if you couldn't type?

Doug (nonchalantly):
I never had any trouble getting someone to type anything I needed for me...

Mark (rolls his eyes):
I should have guessed that!

Cut back to show Carol coming quickly through the doors. She is cheerful to both of them.

Carol:
Good morning, guys!

Mark:
Good morning!

Carol (sizes up the situation):
Everything OK in here?

Doug (chuckles):
Everything's dandy!

Mark (To Doug...looks at his watch):
Well, if you need any help...

Doug (nods):
Yeah, Mark, I will. Thanks.

Mark exits...Doug stays behind a few minutes with Carol. He takes her by the shoulders and kisses her gently.

Doug (smiles):
Didn't get to give you that before I left this morning. How'd it go with Helen after I left?

Carol (shrugs):
We came to an understanding. She'll come to our wedding, but, watch your back when she throws us rice for good luck, OK?

Doug (chuckles):
Fair enough.

Carol (motions at the door):
You told Mark about the paper, huh?

Doug (nods):
Yes, and he suggested I get a word processor to work on it with. I told him that would be fine except that I don't know how to type!

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Yeah, Sam told me she typed all your stuff when you were in Med School. Well, I can type it for you now. Why don't you just dictate it out and leave it with me? I'm sure I can handle it.

Doug (confused):
Dictate?

Carol (can't believe what she's hearing):
Yes, 'Doctor', Dictate! Jeez! I can't believe it! You'll never make it in private practice, Doug!
(pauses quietly)
We do need to start talking about weddings, though...making some plans...

Doug (nods in agreement):
Yeah, I think we're to that point now.

Carol (leans on the table beside him):
And this is our wedding...that means we plan it, OK? I don't want any of this 'whatever you want, Carol' from you, OK?

Doug:
I promise.

Carol (gives him a 'wanting' look with her eyes):
You better get to work. You're in enough trouble with Mark for one day.

Doug (nods...heads for the door):
Yeah.

Focus on Carol as she slowly shakes her head in light of her conversation with Doug and cut scene.

Open next scene out at the ER desk. Doug is writing on a chart...Jerry is on the phone...Kerry Weaver and John Carter are going over something together at the end of the counter...and Carol is flipping hap-hazardly through a 'Brides' magazine when Anna Del Amico comes up behind her.

Anna (points at page):
I like this one better.

Carol (grins):
You do? I don't know...(points to page) I kind of like this one, myself.

Anna (looks at Carol carefully):
Yeah, with your coloring, that one probably is better...

Kerry (moves closer to the conversation action):
So, when's the big day?

Carol (eyes Doug carefully):
We're still working on that.

Kerry:
Planning a wedding is so romantic.

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Well, let's hope I have better luck with this one than I did the last one.

Doug (chuckles under his breath):
Oh, you have my personal guarantee on that!

Carter (grins from across the counter at Doug):
So, you're ready to give up bachelorhood, Dr. Ross?

Doug (nods):
Yes, I am.

Mark (senses a wide open opportunity to tease Doug):
And, when did Carol make this fact known to you, Doug?

Doug (doesn't take the bait):
Wouldn't you love to know?

Doug picks up a chart and walks quickly away with it amid chuckles from the group behind him. Mark watches him go, and then goes after him. He finds him alone in an empty trauma room and Doug has a pensive look about him. Mark walks up behind him and puts his hand comfortingly on Doug's shoulder.

Mark:
You OK?

Doug (doesn't turn around, just nods):
Yeah. I'm great.

Mark (knowingly):
Getting cold feet already?

Doug (shakes his head):
I don't think it's cold feet so much. I guess I just hope we know what we're doing.

Mark (grins):
No two people truly know what they're doing when they get married. It's kind of like Las Vegas. You just roll the dice and hope you beat the odds.

Doug:
I just want everything to be perfect, you know?

Mark (nods):
Sure. And don't worry. You both will have plenty of help from everybody around here.

Doug looks out through the window and everyone crowded around Carol. Everyone is talking, laughing, and pointing to things on the page. Slowly, Doug shakes his head and chuckles lightly...

Fade Act One To Black.

"ER"

"From This Day Forward"

Act Two

Scene opens in the staff lounge at County ER. Carol is taking a break and sipping coffee from a Styrofoam cup when Doug comes in. They don't speak right away but give each other a "knowing" glance.

Doug (quietly):
You OK?

Carol (nods):
I just didn't think it would be this crazy, you know? So many people wanting to do things for us.

Doug (leans on the table):
They just care about us.

Carol:
I know. It's not that I don't appreciate it...I guess I just can't forget what happened the last time.

Doug (walks over and puts rubs her shoulders with his hands):
I promise you that you are going to walk down the aisle, and into my arms, and then you're going to be stuck with me for the rest of your life, so, if you're thinking about running, this would be a good time to do it.

Carol (grins):
I'm all done running, now, Doug.
(reaches for his hand)
I know that together we can handle anything. We've already proven that much, what with the attack and Sam and Scott, and everything else. It's not that I don't appreciate everything everyone wants to do...I honestly do...it's just so much to deal with right now. Everyone wants to be a Bridesmaid. Everyone wants to give me a shower. I don't want all that. I just want to get married.
(Doug doesn't interrupt her...just listens)
You don't need all those things just to get married.

Doug (nods):
I know.

Carol:
And you're a guy, so, you don't really care about that kind of stuff anyway. In fact, I've always heard most men feel really left out of the wedding arrangements, anyway...that they think it's mostly for the bride.

Doug:
Well, isn't it?

Carol (shrugs)
Well, yeah, to some extent. But, you're getting married, too, and you've never been married before either. I think you should have some say in how things are done, too.

Doug (grins):
You just tell me when and where, and I'll be there. The only thing I care about being there is you.

Quick cut to show Lydia in the door way as she interrupts their conversation.

Lydia (from the doorway):
Dr. Ross? Dr. Greene needs you right away.

Doug (nods):
On my way.
(Rubs Carol's shoulders briskly and smiles):
Everything will be OK...OK?

Carol (nods...begins to follow him out):
OK.

Doug steps out into the hall and is met promptly by Mark pushing a gurney in his direction. Mark is being following by a paramedic pushing another gurney.

Doug (grabs his end of the gurney):
What have we got?

Mark (quickly):
Auto accident...you take this one...I've got the driver!

Doug (nods quickly):
Got it!

Woman (reaches her hand from the gurney to the one behind her):
Dale?!

Doug (places her hand back on her chest and he wheels her into a trauma room):
Dale's with Dr. Greene...he's in good hands...right now let's just take care of you, OK?

Doug wheels the gurney into the trauma room and is met by several other members of the staff as they begin to work on their patient. She is conscious...and lucid...so, she begins to talk to Doug while he works with her.

Woman:
When can you check on Dale?

Doug (smiles softly):
As soon as I get you taken care of. So, your husband's name is Dale...what's your name?

Woman:
Karen.

Doug:
How old are you, Karen?

Karen:
I just turned 24...and he's not my husband...not until Saturday.

Doug (smiles):
Engaged, huh?

Karen (smiles):
Yeah. We were coming from our rehearsal on our way to dinner. He's gonna be OK isn't he?
Doug (continues to work...looks carefully over his shoulder at Mark working in the next room):
All I can honestly tell you right now is that he's in very good hands at the moment

Cut scene over to trauma room where Mark is working feverishly over the other patient.

Mark (to no one in particular):
Serious internal bleeding here...somebody go get Benton down here, please...

Mark's patient is not conscious but he works quickly and intently around him. Sounds of a heart monitor beeping and people shuffling about fill the air around him.

Cut to focus on Peter Benton banging into the trauma room and making his way quickly over to Mark.

Peter (shortly):
What have you got?

Mark:
Severe abdominal bleeding...spleen is the culprit...but, there's so much blood I'm not sure what else is bleeding in there.

Peter (Looks up quickly...directs his words to no one in particular):
Let's get him up to OR...STAT!

Focus on Doug as he glances up from his work to see the patient being wheeled out for surgery. He gives it one thought, then, smiles lightly at his own patient and goes back to work.

Cut scene to aftermath of trauma. Doctors and nurses are assembled at the front desk in various activities of work.

Doug (quietly to Mark):
Any word from Benton on that OR patient you sent up a while back? The car wreck?

Mark (shakes his head):
Nothing yet. I could slip up there and see how things are going if you want me to.

Doug:
No, that's not necessary, just let me know when you know something, OK?

Mark (glances to woman resting in trauma unit):
His girlfriend asking about him?

Doug (nods):
She's his fiancee...they were on their way to dinner from the wedding rehearsal...getting married this Saturday...

Mark (nods slowly):
Hope they don't have to postpone it...

Carter (nervously):
All this talk about weddings around here is starting to make me nervous.

Doug (teases Carter):
Don't worry about it, Carter...I think you have to have prospects first.
(Scattered chuckles float around the counter)

Carter:
Speaking of weddings, Dr. Ross, a few of us were discussing where to have your bachelor party...

Doug:
I knew there was something good in getting married for me!
(winks at Carol)

Mark (nonchalantly):
Yeah, it's called the honeymoon!
(Doug chuckles devilish)
By the way, Doug, have you given any more thought to a word processor for that paper you're writing?

Kerry (looks up quickly):
You're writing a paper?

Doug (nods, nonchalantly):
For Pediatric Journal, yes.

Kerry (happily):
Well, congratulations! Have you started on it?

Doug (shuffling papers):
Yes, about a half a hundred times!

Kerry:
Mark is right...a good word processor will help you a lot.

Doug:
Great! Will it type itself for me, too?

Kerry:
There is software what can do that, yes, but, can't you type it yourself?

Doug:
I probably would if I could type...

Kerry:
How'd you get through Med School if you can't type?

Mark (shakes his head):
You don't wanna go there.

Kerry (grins):
No, you're probably right...

Carol (cuts into the conversation):
He's going to dictate it on tape and I'm going to type it for him.

Kerry (brightly):
Now, there you go! That should work!
(chuckles float around)
All kidding aside, Doug, that's great. We're real proud of you.

Mark (nods):
Yeah, Doug, really, it's good PR for the hospital, too.

Doug (chuckles):
Well, since I bring so much of that anyway...

Jerry (interrupts...holds up a chart):
18 month old bleeding from the forehead in three...

Doug (snatches chart from his hands):
I got it.

Doug goes off to attend his patient.

Fade Act Two to black.

"ER"

"From This Day Forward"

Act Three

Scene open with Doug and Carol alone in the staff lounge. Carol is sitting in a chair rubbing her neck...Doug comes in behind in her and moves her hands away to massage her neck himself.

Carol:
Any word on the accident victim yet?

Doug (nods):
Yes, he's out of surgery and in recovery.

Carol:
How's his fiancee?

Doug:
She's being released, but, she doesn't want to leave until she sees him first.

Carol (pats Doug's hand gently):
I'd be the same way, I guess, if it was you.

Doug:
He's not my patient, but, I did look in on him. He seems to be resting OK, but, he lost a lot of blood.
(continues to rub her neck and shoulders)

Carol (gloriously):
Oh, that feels so good!

Doug:
Come up with a good wedding day yet?

Carol (smiles):
I was thinking about a June wedding...

Doug (sighs):
Why does everybody want to get married in June?

Carol:
Because it's the month for Brides!

Doug:
Well, I think we should do something totally different from what everybody else does.

Cut to show Mark Greene coming into the lounge quietly. He walks across the room and pours himself a cup of coffee. Then, he leans on the table to listen in on the conversation without interrupting.

Doug (to Mark):
What do you think?

Mark (not following the question):
What do I think about what?

Doug:
When two people should get married? When's a good time?

Mark:
Well, dates can be important, depending on the couple.

Doug:
What about a Christmas wedding? That's a nice time of year...everybody's already festive and everything...

Carol (scoffs):
No! EVERYBODY gets married at Christmas!

Mark (laughs):
No, EVERYBODY gets married at Valentine's Day!

Carol (nods):
He's right. It's the single most popular wedding day in the world.

Doug:
So, how did you and Jennifer pick a date?

Mark:
Well, when Jen and I got married, we picked a day that was an anniversary of our first kiss.

Carol (smiles):
How romantic!

Doug:
So, it had sentimental value to you, then?

Mark (shrugs):
I guess.

Carol:
Doesn't matter...nine out of ten men never remember their wedding anniversary anyway.

Mark:
That's not necessarily true. Jen always made sure I remembered ours.

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Don't you think it would have been nice for you to remember it once on your own?

Mark (nods smugly):
Well, sure, but, she never gave me a chance to see if I could. And in his case (points over his shoulders to Doug) I'd take that as good advice.

Doug (chuckles lightly):
So, you think we should pick some hokey sentimental day like that for us?

Mark (shakes his head):
No, I think you should pick a day that's good for both of you and just get married. The day isn't important. The place isn't even important.

Doug (nods):
Yeah, I think I saw a TV show once where this couple got married on a plane that was crashing and the were married by a Rabbi...

Carol:
Really? And the marriage turned out OK?

Doug (shakes his head):
No, he was killed in the crash...

Carol:
DOUG! How could you tell me something like that?!

Doug (laughs):
It was just a TV show! I think the actor playing the part was leaving to go to another show or something!

Mark (nods):
Isn't that the one that left to play the doctor on the medical drama?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, that's the one.

Carol (shakes her head):
I never watch those things. They're so fake.

Lydia (breaks quickly into the staff room):
Dr. Greene? Dr. Benton needs you in Recovery right away.

Mark (puts his coffee down and starts across the room):
Right behind you!

Doug (follows Mark to the door):
Isn't that the accident victim?

Mark (Nods from the doorway):
'Fraid so!

Doug and Carol stand in the doorway and watch as Mark and Benton speed to their patient in recovery. Then, Carol goes to her station and Doug rushes down the hall to stand and watch Mark and Benton work on the accident victim in recovery. Doug watches helplessly as the monitor line goes flat. Inside the room, Mark and Benton work as quickly as they can with revival tactics, but, none work for their patient. Doug drops his head against the window as he hears Mark's voice record the time of death for the patient. Mark walks away from the room, pulling off his rubber gloves as he reaches the door. He meets Doug with a grim look.

Mark:
Sorry, Doug. You want me to tell his fiancee?

Doug (shakes his head):
No, she was my patient. I'll tell her.

Mark (nods, understands):
OK.
(pauses shortly)
Do you want me to go with you?

Doug (starts away):
No, I'll be OK.

Mark nods and pats Doug on the shoulder.

Cut to show Doug walking slowly to the end of the hallway where Karen is sitting and waiting for word on Dale. She looks up at him and smiles as he sits carefully down in the chair beside her.

Karen (doesn't pick up Doug's tone):
Dr. Ross! Did you check on Dale for me?

Doug (nods slowly):
Yeah, Karen, I did.
(clears his throat)
Listen, Karen, Dale was hurt a lot worse in this accident than you were.
(Cut to Karen's expression as she begins to understand what Doug is about to tell her)
And all efforts to repair the damage failed. I'm sorry.
(Cut back to Doug's expression as he looks down)
He died just a few minutes ago.
(Karen covers her face with her hands)
He coded out in recovery...a massive hematoma...must have hit the heart.
(Shakes his head. Karen begins to sob. Doug puts his arm around her)

He never even knew what hit him. I didn't know it would be so sudden or I would have let you see him.

Karen:
It's all right.
(she reaches down and takes her engagement ring off her finger)
Are you married, Dr. Ross?

Doug (shakes his head):
No, but, I'm going to be getting married very soon.

Karen (smiles through her tears):
Well, don't waste too much time planning. It took Dale and almost a year to plan this wedding and get it to fit into everybody's plans. That's a year we could have been married already. Maybe if I'd done it his way he'd have left me with a child to remember him by.
(toys with the ring in her hand)
We were supposed to get married on Saturday.
(smiles sadly)
I guess I'll be going to a funeral instead.
(stands up to walk away...Doug stands up with her)

Doug:
Will you be OK? Is there someone I can call?

Karen (shakes her head):
No, thank you. I want to be alone for a while. It's something I think I'd better be getting used to for a while.

Doug stands and watches her walk slowly down the hall and out the door.

Fade Act Three To Black.

"ER"

"From This Day Forward"

Act Four

Scene opens back at Carol's station. Mark, Carol, Carter, and Kerry are busy working when Doug comes up slowly and stops at the desk. Mark gives him a sad smile and a glance up over his paperwork.

Mark (quietly):
How'd it go?

Doug (nods):
She took it very well, actually.

Carol (smiles sadly at Doug):
Are you OK?

Doug:
Yeah. I'm fine.

Carol (hands him a message):
Sam called. Something about Scott's baseball game this weekend?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, I remembered. I'll be there.

Mark (smiles):
So, how you getting along with the 'Dad' thing, anyway?

Doug:
It's getting better.

Mark:
I'm real happy to hear that. Good for you.

Doug (distracted slightly):
Yeah, Mark, uh, thanks.
(touches Carol's shoulder)
Carol, could I talk to you a minute?
(Carol looks up to give him her attention)
Privately?

Carol (nods...curious):
Sure.

Carol follows Doug into an empty trauma room and he closes the door behind them. She leans against the exam table while he paces back and forth in front of her, collecting his thoughts and words together.

Doug (rambling):
I know that what I'm about to say to you is going to come out sounding REALLY crazy, but, please, just hear me out before you say anything at all, OK?
(Carol nods, nervously)
Let's get married...right now...tonight!

Carol (completely taken aback):
Tonight? Are you crazy??

Doug (takes her shoulders in both his hands and looks her in the eye):
I've never been more serious! I just sent a lady out of here who lost her fiancee tonight. She told me they spent a year planning their wedding and that was a year they could have been married! And you know what? She's right! I've wasted so much time with you already that I don't want to miss one more second of what time I can spend with you in my life.

Carol:
Doug, that's all very beautiful, but there is NO WAY we can get married tonight!

Doug (nods, excitedly):
Yes, there is! I know a Judge in Winnetka! Linda introduced me to him once. It's his specialty! All he needs is a blood test and we can do that right here! Right now! And get the results back before you get off duty!

Carol:
What about a witness?

Doug:
It's all taken care of. The guy's wife handles that. I think he's also a minister! I don't remember! But, it's all legal!

Carol:
But you don't just GET married like that! There's still things that have to be done!

Doug (looks at his watch):
I'm off duty as of ten minutes ago. We can do the blood tests right now, send them up to the lab, you'll have the results inside an hour. I can go home, get everything ready that we'll need and pick you up when your shift is over. We can drive to Winnetka and be married before midnight. What do you say?

Carol (doubtful):
You want us to just run off and get married? But what about all our friends? And our families?

Doug:
We'll have a wedding for them later. We can go ahead and plan it just like we are now. There won't be as much pressure. We'll already be married.

Carol:
It all just sounds so sneaky...
(smiles)
And crazy enough to work.
(nods)

Doug (smiles):
You'll do it?

Carol:
Yes.

Doug hugs her enthusiastically and she returns his embrace with a laugh. She draws blood from him and he draws blood from her, both of them exchanging excitedly glances of anticipation. Doug labels the vials and puts them in an envelope. Then he places a red "RUSH" label on the envelope and hands them to Carol.

Carol (thinking ahead):
Rings! What about rings!

Doug (assuringly):
We'll have rings! I promise.

Carol:
What are we gonna do with them after the ceremony? If we're married in secret, surely we aren't going to wear them here to work?

Doug (frustrated):
I don't know. I'll think of something.

Doug starts away quickly, but, Carol grabs him back just as quickly.

Carol:
Please wear a tie, OK?

Doug (nods, with a grin):
Of course!
(starts away, but turns back quickly)
What dress do you want me to bring you?

Carol (rattled...can't think):
I don't know! Just try to pick out something that looks like a wedding, OK?

Doug (nods, starts away again):
OK!

Carol (catches his arm one last time):
DOUG!
(Doug turns back quickly and she smiles sweetly at him)
I love you.

Doug (smiles...then chuckles):
Hold that thought.

Doug disappears quickly on out the door. Carol turns around, places her hand to her head, and lets go an 'I can't believe I'm doing this' laugh before she goes back to her post.

Cut scene.

Open next scene with a volunteer bring an envelope to Carol at her station.

Volunteer:
This is that rush test Dr. Ross ordered.

Carol (snatches it quickly):
Thank you!

Mark (looks up curiously):
Doug ordered a test? I wasn't aware of this!

Carol (shrugs):
Oh, it was just sort of a last minute thing.
(looks at her watch)
I'm off duty in just a bit...I'll just take it to him.

Mark:
Is it anything I need to look at?

Carol (nervously):
No!
(Mark gives her a curious look)
I mean, I'm sure if it's anything he needs to talk to you about, he'll get together with you on it later.

Mark (nods...gives Carol a careful look):
Oh. Yeah. OK. Sure.

Mark turns away. Carol rolls her eyes and blows her breath out in a 'whew' motion before she stuffs the envelope into her purse.

Cut scene.

Open next scene with Carol leaving the hospital and climbing into the car with Doug. She slams the door and kisses his cheek lightly.

Doug:
Get the blood tests?

Carol (holds up the envelope):
We're both fine. Mark was there when it came. I thought for sure I was gonna blow it.

Doug (smiles):
Nah, you work well under pressure.

Carol (near panic):
My dress!!! Did you bring my dress?

Doug (nods):
It's in the back with my suit. We'll change at the hotel before we get there.

Carol (surprised):
Hotel? You didn't say anything about a hotel...

Doug (teasing her):
Well, we have to get a little honeymoon feeling, don't we? You're off tomorrow and I'm in late! We can spend the night in Winnetka and at least we'll think we went someplace.
(Carol grins slightly)
And, I promise, when we have the wedding for everybody else, we'll have a real honeymoon.

Carol (shakes her head):
Doug, I don't care about things like that.
(Looks him in the eye)
I just care about you...and us...and our future together. Right now, I'm probably more scared than I've ever been in my entire life...but I've never been more sure of anything before, either.

Doug:
Let's get to Winnetka
(starts engine)
Before we both lose our nerve!

Cut scene.

Open next scene at the wedding parlor. Doug is leaned over the table signing a form while the Judge makes his last minute preparations for the ceremony. Doug lays the pen on the table and begins to pace, nervously, waiting for Carol. The Judge's wife comes into the room, smiles with a nod, and sits down to play the Wedding March on the piano. Doug stands at the end of the aisle with the Judge and watches the doorway. He is wearing a nice suit, and tie. Carol steps into the clearing wearing a pale eggshell colored dress and carrying a small bouquet of flowers in her hands. She smiles nervously at Doug and walks alone down the aisle to stand beside him.

Judge (smiles at them):
Join hands, please.
(Doug reaches over and nervously clutches Carol's hand in his)
And face each other.
(Doug and Carol turn to each other and nervous smile at each other. The Judge addresses Doug first)
Douglas Ross, do you take this woman, Carol Hathaway, to be your lawful and wedded wife?

Doug (without hesitation):
I do.

Judge (turns to Carol):
Carol Hathaway, do you take this man, Douglas Ross, to be your lawful and wedded husband?

Carol (looks directly into Doug's eyes):
I do.

Judge:
You may repeat the vows after me...

Wedding vows are repeated from the Judge to Carol and Doug. Show the vows repeated back in split form...Doug begins the ceremony with "I, Douglas Ross, take you, Carol Hathaway, to be my lawful and wedded wife. To have and to hold in sickness and in health..."switch to Carol speaking for the next part "for better or for worse...for richer or for poorer..."switch back to Doug for the line "and forsaking all others..."switch back to Carol for "from this day forward..."and show both saying "as long as we both shall live"

Judge (smiles):
The rings, please?

Doug nervously reaches into his pocket and pulls out two simple gold bands. He keeps the smaller one in his hand and reaches the other one to Carol. Show both repeating the promise "with this ring, I thee wed and this band is a symbol of my never ending love for you".

Judge:
By the power vested to me by the State of Illinois, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.
(pauses while Doug and Carol smiles excitedly at each other)
Dr. Ross, you may now kiss your bride.

Doug (almost nervous):
You bet I will!

Doug pulls Carol close to him and kisses her sweetly and tenderly, holding her against him in his arms. The Judge's wife plays the exit March and the Judge throws rice at them.

Fade Act Four To Black.

"ER"

"From This Day Forward"

Closing Act

Scene opens at the hotel. Show Doug kicking in the doorway to the hotel room with Carol in his arms as he carries her over the threshold. He is making a big deal out of it, acting like she is too heavy for him to carry...she is giggling and as he carries her in and flops her onto the bed. He leans over her with a wicked grin. She reaches up and take him by the tie, pulling him down to her and kissing him madly.

Carol:
I can't believe I let you talk me into this!

Doug:
Who are you kidding? You couldn't WAIT to marry me!

Carol (giggles girlishly):
Well, I guess you'll just never know, now, will you, Dr. Ross!
(Gazes at the ring on her finger)
God, my Mother is just gonna FREAK when she finds out about this!

Doug (lies on the bed beside her and kisses her ring):
Are you gonna tell her?

Carol (frowns):
I don't know. Maybe. But, not right away. She already knows you're living with me. Maybe that's enough to hit her with for a while.
(Doug chuckles)
When we have the Church wedding, which anniversary will be celebrate?

Doug:
This one. This is our wedding day. The rest of it is just for show.

Carol:
And we keep our professional lives professional?

Doug (nods):
Absolutely. And plan our wedding just like we were. It's all fall into place. But for now...
(reaches over and pulls a bottle of champagne out of an ice bucket)
We celebrate, Mrs. Ross!

Carol (realizing):
Oh, God! I've got so many things I have to change! Doug:
Just take it all one day at a time, OK? We'll get it all together.
(kisses her lightly)
I promise.

Doug rolls over on the bed and rolls on top of Carol, growls playfully, and reaches to unzip her dress.

Cut scene.

Open next scene later that night. Doug is sleeping soundly in bed on his stomach. Show the open and half empty bottle of champagne back in the ice bucket and two glasses on the night table beside the bed. Cut to show Carol standing alone by the window in her bathrobe gazing out at the lights of the city. Pan back to show Doug sleepily opening his eyes, feeling the empty space in the bed beside him, and pulling himself into his own bathrobe as he crosses the room to join Carol at the window. He comes up behind her and rubs her shoulders gently, kissing her neck sweetly as he stares out at the lights with her.

Doug (softly):
Please tell me you're not thinking you made a mistake.

Carol (smiles, rubs his hand assuringly):
I know I didn't make a mistake.

Doug (leans his head down to rest it on her shoulder):
Then what are you thinking about?

Carol:
Oh, just little things...stupid things...things that don't matter.

Doug (coaxingly):
Like?

Carol (gazes at her hand):
Like, what are we going to do with the rings until the wedding?

Doug (shrugs):
I thought we could wear them on a chain around our check. They wouldn't show. And no one would know.

Carol (nods):
Yeah, that would work. We're already living together, so, everybody knows that. I just feel like we're doing something wrong, you know?

Doug (chuckles):
Yeah, I know! That's half the fun of it!
(Pats her shoulder gently)
Coming back to bed?

Carol (nods):
Yeah, in just a minute, OK?

Doug (nods):
O-K.

Doug goes back to bed and climbs back under the covers. Carol stand at the window and gazes at him in the moonlight. In her mind, she flashes back over some of the times of their relationship...the good times and the bad times...the times they were together and the times they were apart...the times Doug was there for her and the times he let her down...the times she let him down...the fights...the arguments...and the passionate kisses. She smiles to herself, walks over to the bed, and climbs back in beside him.

Fade Closing Act to Black on rippling giggles from both.

July 13, 1997