"The Greatest Gift"

Opening Act

Scene opens at the Ross/Hathaway home, exterior, daytime. Doug and Scott Ross are passing football in the backyard, clad in blue jeans, sweatshirts, and tennis shoes. Doug passes the football to his son, who beings the runback immediately. Doug lets him dodge a couple of side steps, then tackles him and gently pulls him to ground. Both are laughing and rolling in the dirt when Carol Hathaway appears in the back door of the house. She looks out at them and shakes her head, then opens the door just a little to call out to them.

Carol:
Hey! You guys get in the house and get cleaned up! It's almost time for dinner!

Doug (over his shoulder...toward the house):
Be right there!
(to Scott)
Guess we better go in, Bud.

Scott (jumps to his feet, frowns):
OK.
(Doug stands up with him and they start back for the house)
I bet if we had a few more minutes, I could beat ya!

Doug (chuckles):
Son, the day you can 'beat me' is the day I retire!

Scott:
Did you ever play ball with your Dad?

Doug (sadly, shakes his head):
No, I never did.

Scott:
Why not? Didn't he ever want to?

Doug (thinking):
Yeah, but, by the time he wanted to, I didn't want to anymore.

Scott:
How come? You seem to like playing ball with me!

Doug (ticks his head):
It's complicated, Scott. I don't really know how to explain it to you. I wish I did.

Scott:
Were you sad when GrandPa died?

Doug (nods, sadly):
Yes...yes, I was. And I miss him, in a crazy sort of way.

Scott:
How come you never talked about it?

Doug:
Well, I didn't want to make everybody else sad. And, besides, it wasn't like it was for you when Dennis died.

Scott:
Sometimes I still miss Dennis...
(reaches and puts his arm around Doug)
But, not as much since I have you around all the time.

Doug (roughs his hair):
Well, I'm not going anywhere, Buddy!

They reach the house and go in the back door to met with stern instructions from Tatiana.

Tatiana (very sternly):
Wipe your feet!

Doug (nods obediently):
Yes, Ma'am! Are you the guard today!

Tatiana (matter of factly):
Yes, I am!

Doug goes over to where Carol is cooking dinner and wraps his arms around her from behind.

Carol (dodges away from him):
God, Doug! You need a shower!

Doug (mocks being insulted):
Well, that's a fine way to greet your husband! Suppose I worked in a factory or something, and came home from work all grubby and dirty everyday! Would you still greet me the same way?

Carol (nods):
Yes, I would! And I'd tell you the same thing I'm going to tell you now...take a SHOWER and then you can have anything you want!

Doug (chuckles lowly):
Ummmmm...anything?

Carol:
Anything after dinner and the kids are in bed!

Doug (sighs):
Boy, you really know how to kill a mood, don't you!

Carol:
Go on...you've got time to shower before dinner.

Doug (nods, turns away):
I'm going!

As he turns away, Carol reaches out and smacks him on the rear and giggles. He turns around and gives her a scolding look before he exits the room.

Cut to Doug's shower. He is in the shower now letting the hot water pound down on him and lathering himself well with soap. He is singing stands of Patsy Cline's 'Walking After Midnight' and enjoying his shower. He is washing his left arm when his attention is quickly alerted. He stops singing and pulls the skin to look a little closer. Focus on his fingers working slowly over a lump about the size of a quarter on his arm under the surface of his skin. Pull back to show a concerned look from Doug, but, he shakes it off and finishes his shower.

Cut scene to show that dinner is over and Doug is reading a medical book in a care in the living room. Carol is finishing up with the dishes in the kitchen and she looks in on him and smiles. He catches a glimpse of her and looks up.

Doug :
You need some help in there?

Carol:
No, I got it...thanks, anyway, though!

Focus on Tatiana coming slowly to Doug with her hands behind her back. We can see she is holding a book, but, Doug can't see what she's hiding.

Doug (grins at her):
What are you hiding back there behind you, Punkin?

Tatiana (pulls book out to show it to him):
Will you read it to me, Papa?

Doug (puts his own book aside and smiles at her):
Sure...
(reaches to help her climb up into his lap)
What are we reading?

Tatiana (grins at him):
You pick it!

Doug (looks at book):
Six By Seuss...Dr. Seuss...you know, I used to love Dr. Seuss when I was little, too!

Tatiana:
Dr. Seuss has been around THAT long??

Doug (tickles her):
Yes, it has! 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas' is still my favorite Christmas story ever!

Tatiana:
We'll read it at Christmas...right now...pick another one!

Doug:
Let's read 'Horton Hatches The Egg'...OK?
(Tatiana nods and Scott comes into the room)
What's up, Sport?

Scott:
Can I hear it, too?

Doug (grin at him):
A little old for Dr. Seuss, aren't you?

Scott (nods):
Maybe...but I'm not too old to just wanna be with my Dad.

Doug (motions him in):
I hope you never get too old for that, Buddy.

With Scott on one side of him and Tatiana on the other, Doug opens the book and begins to read the story.

Fade Into the Opening Credits of the show.

Act One

Scene opens at C.A.R.E. center. Show John Carter spreading cream cheese on a bagel and munching on it in the kitchenette of the center when Doug Ross comes through the back door. It is raining outside, and Doug is shaking off the rain as he comes in.

Doug (to Carter):
Please tell me those are hot!

Carter (smiles):
Sure are! I waited for them to take them out before I brought them in!

Doug (reaches into the bag):
You're a good man, Carter!
(pulls out a bagel, splits it with a knife from the table and spreads cream cheese on it quickly)
What time does Mark come in?

Carter (looks at his watch):
Should be here anytime...

Doug:
I didn't think you were working today...

Carter (shakes his head):
I'm not...I just thought I'd supply breakfast this morning.

Doug:
Big day planned, have you?

Carter (shrugs):
Nothing special...how was your evening?

Doug:
It was great! I passed football with my son, and after dinner the whole family listened to my reading of 'Horton Hatches The Egg'.

Carter (laughs):
Well, that sounds like a good family evening.

Doug (nods):
Yeah...it was. What about you? You have a good evening?

Carter (nods):
I got a sitter for Daylin...

Doug (grins):
A sitter! Sounds like serious adult time...

Carter (nods):
Shawna and I went to the Ballet! It was really great!

Doug (grins):
The Ballet! A woman who shares your taste?

Carter (nods):
Yeah...my Grandmother took care of Daylin. She seemed to really enjoy it.

Doug:
I'm going to have to meet your Grandmother one of these days. Carol talked a lot about her when she met her.

Carter (nods):
She's quite a woman.

Doug:
Well, she must approve of Shawna if she kept the baby for you...

Carter:
Ummm, I'm not so sure...I think she just likes babies!

Both laugh at their joke as Mark Greene comes in the back door, shaking off rain, and complaining about it.

Mark:
Why does it ALWAYS rain in the mornings when I'm on my way to work?

Doug:
Which would be better? On your way to work or wait until you're ready to go home and rain then?

Mark (rolls his eyes):
I guess we're never satisfied, are we?

Doug (grins):
Nope!

Mark (makes his way to the bagel bag):
Are these still hot?

Doug:
Warm, at least.

Mark (grabs a bagel):
Good enough!

Carter:
Did you have a good evening, Dr. Greene?

Doug (quietly to Mark):
He had a great evening, so, he has to ask that of everybody else now.

Mark (shrugs):
Nothing special...it was OK. What did you do that was so special, Carter?

Carter:
A night at the Ballet with a wonderful lady! It was fantastic.

Mark (nudges Doug with a wink):
The Ballet? Or after the Ballet?

Carter (catches the tease and gives it right back):
Both!
(Doug and Mark chuckle)
Shawna is really something...I've never felt like this before.

Doug (looks at Mark):
Oh, Ho! He's in trouble now!

Mark (puts his hand on Carter's shoulder...mocks a country accent):
Yep...she done took you in, Son. It's all downhill from here...

Carter (scoffs):
Ah, come on, you guys! Romance isn't that bad!

Mark (shakes his head):
No, not at first...

Doug (ticks his head):
Well, it's still going pretty well for me so far...

Mark:
You're still a newlywed! Wait until you start the SECOND year... things change!

Doug (quietly, changes tone):
Hey, Mark, listen, have you got a minute? I need you to look at something for me.

Mark (nods):
Sure...what's up?

Doug (motions him with him):
Excuse us, Carter?

Carter (nods):
Sure...I got some files to get in order before Cynthia gets here...she always yells at me when I leave them laying out at night.

Mark:
Good for her!
(chuckles...follows Doug to an exam room)
What's going on?

Doug (quietly):
I found something while I was taking a shower last night and I want you to look at it...tell me what you think, OK?

Mark (nods):
Sure...let's have a look!

Doug peels off his shirt and hops up on the table. He directs Mark's attention to the lump he found on his arm the night before in the shower. Mark exams it only by feeling it carefully. He feels it... squeezes around on it a bit, and feels it a different angle. He bites his lip and shakes his head.

Doug (quietly):
Well? What do you think?

Mark (shakes his head):
Well, of course, we can't know anything without further tests. You want my professional opinion?

Doug:
Of COURSE I want your professional opinion! That's why I asked you to look at it!

Mark:
OK, I can't tell from feeling it it's in the muscle or if it's actually attached to the bone. My professional opinion is that you should go over to County and see somebody an Oncologist.

Doug (winces):
Yeah, I thought that's what you'd say...who's good over there?

Mark (thinking):
Dr. Grissom is pretty good. I'd see her if it were me.

Doug (questioning):
Elaine? You think she's the best?

Mark (nods):
At County, yeah.

Doug:
Should I go to County? Maybe I should go to CHOP...or Mercy...somebody at County is likely to tell Carol I was there if I go there.

Mark (surprised):
You weren't planning on not telling Carol about this, were you?

Doug:
Well, I intend to tell her, but, in my time...not somebody's big mouth.

Mark (nods):
And when do you intend to tell her? After the biopsy? And you know what it is

Doug:
Probably.

Mark nods briskly but doesn't say anything. Doug starts putting his shirt back on and slides off the table.

Doug:
What? You think that's a bad idea?

Mark:
It's not what I'd do...but I'm not you.

Doug:
What? You would tell Carol now? Before I know if it's anything to even worry about?

Mark:
You're going to go over there and let someone there take a look at this thing. They are going to send you for a biopsy and then you're going to have to sit over there and wait for the results, all the while wondering all kinds of crazy things that go through everybody's mind when they think something serious could be wrong with them. Do you really want to go through that alone? What if you need surgery? What are you going to do if it comes to that?
(Doug shrugs)
My professional advice would be to tell Carol and let her go over there with you...

Doug:
And sit and worry with me? That's not going to do either one of us any good.

Mark:
OK, then think about it this way...you don't tell Carol and then you tell her when it's all over...how do you think she's going to react to not knowing before hand?

Doug (winces):
Ummmm...you could have a point. This is her day off...I guess you're telling me I should take today off, go home, get her, and head on over to County?

Mark (nods):
And let me know when you have the results.

Doug (wondering):
What am I going to say to her, Mark? How do I tell her about something like this?

Mark (shakes his head):
I don't know, Bud. I've never been in this position. But, I do know that you love Carol...and she loves you...and I think you should tell her the facts you know...that you've found something, but, you don't know what it is, and you want to have it checked out.

Doug:
And the kids?

Mark (shakes his head):
I wouldn't say anything to the kids until you have to...no use getting them all worked up until there's something wrong.

Doug (nods):
Yeah.
(exhales deeply)
Well, OK then...I guess I'll go home and get Carol.

Mark (nods):
Call me later, OK? Or stop by? Or something so I know what's going on?

Doug (nods slowly):
Yeah...sure.

Show Doug slipping into his jacket and heading back out the door into the rain.

Carter (as Doug slips out the door):
I thought he was working today?

Mark:
Something came up, Carter...you'll have to cover for him, OK?

Carter (grins):
Sure! Great! Daylin is having a check up today! Dr. Ross was going to do so I guess I can take that one now!

Mark (grins):
Yeah, Carter...you can take that one...I promise.

Cut back to show Doug sitting alone in his car. The rain is beating on the windows but he hasn't started the car. He's just sitting there thinking. He reaches over and feels carefully on his arm where the lump is lurking underneath his jacket sleeve. He carefully fingers the key chain dangling from the key in the ignition. On it, it reads "Faith...Hope...And Love...These Three...And The Greatest Of These Is Love". He rubs his arm again gingerly and shakes his head. He reaches out and puts hand on the steering wheel and starts the car, driving away slowly.

Fade Act One To Black.

Act Two

Scene opens at the Ross/Hathaway home. Carol is busy picking things up and putting them away. She is listening to rock music and dancing merrily as she works. Show Doug some into the house and he sees her dancing. He leans on the door facing and just watches her without intruding. She spins around and comes quickly face to face with him and shrieks in a startled state.

Carol (gasps):
Oh My, God! Doug! You scared the hell out of me!
(Doug grins at her and chuckles)
What are you doing home anyway? I thought you were working today!

Doug (smiles):
I got sent home.

Carol:
Who sent you home?

Doug:
Mark.

Carol:
Mark? Mark can't send you home! You're the boss after David...he would have to send you home. What's wrong?

Doug (takes her hand):
Come over here and sit down with me.

Carol (painful expression):
Oh, God. It's something bad! Anytime a doctor wants you to 'sit down' it's bad news.

Doug doesn't say anything, just takes her by the hand and leads her over to the sofa. He sits down with her and turns to face her, rubbing her shoulders with both his hands while he struggles for words.

Carol (comfortingly):
Doug, what IS it? What's wrong?

Doug:
Last night, while I was taking a shower, I found something.

Carol (repeats slowly):
Found something? Well, what? What did you find?

Doug (slowly):
I found a lump on my arm.

Carol (alarmed):
A lump? What kind of a lump?

Doug:
I don't know, exactly. I let Mark look at it this morning and he thinks I should see an Oncologist over at County...

Carol (more alarmed):
Oh, God! He thinks it's a tumor?

Doug (looks her in the eye):
He thinks there's a chance it could be.
(Carol expresses concern and fear, but, hears him out)
Mark can't tell, and neither can I, if the lump is in the muscle or attached to the bone. So, he thinks I should go over to County and let Elaine Grissom look at it.

Carol (nods):
Yeah, she's supposed to be one of the best over there...

Doug (gives her a sheepish look):
Will you go with me?

Carol:
Well, of COURSE I'll go with you...
(touches his cheek)
You must be scared to death...

Doug (shakes his head):
No, not really...not yet...not until they lay me on that table and snap that gun into my arm...then I might get a little nervous...
(grins at her)

Carol:
Let me get my jacket...
(starts across the floor)
Do you want me to drive?

Doug (shakes his head, grins at her):
No, it's OK...I got it.

Show Carol getting her jacket and starting for the door with Doug. As they start out the door, she slips her arm around his back for moral support.

Cut back to C.A.R.E. center. Mark and Carter are busy working while Chuney and Cynthia take care of files and patients at the counter. Show Shawna Murphy coming into the clinic carrying Daylin with her. She goes to the front desk, bouncing the baby, while he coos and reaches for Cynthia book on the counter.

Shawna (takes his hands away):
No, no, Daylin...not your book.
(smiles at Cynthia)
We're here to see Dr. Ross...I have an appointment.

Cynthia (smiles at her):
Yes, well, Dr. Ross had to leave, so, Dr. Carter will be seeing you today.

Shawna (smiles):
Oh? Well, that will be fine!

Cynthia:
I'll tell Dr. Carter you're here.

Shawna (nods):
Thank you.

Carter comes to the door and opens it for them, smiling, and taking the chart from Cynthia.

Carter:
Hi! I'm filling in for Dr. Ross today...right this way, please? (he opens the door and lets them inside, leading them to an exam table, looking over the chart)
Says here Daylin is just due for a check up? Is that right?

Shawna:
Yeah, that's right.

Carter (looks over file):
But, you have another pediatrican, right? Someone else has been seeing Daylin?

Shawna (shrugs):
Well, I like Dr. Ross really well. He was really good with Daylin on Vaccination Day and I liked that. I think Daylin can have a new Pediatrician. Besides, I kind of like the atmosphere over here...
(winks at him...Carter laughs)
I had a great time last night, John.

Carter (sheepishly):
Yeah, I did, too.

Shawna:
And your Grandmother was so wonderful with Daylin! But, why do you live here in that little apartment when your family is so wealthy?

Carter:
That's my family and their money. I really want to establish my own identity.

Shawna (nods):
Well, that's admirable, at least.

Carter (grins):
Besides, it was part of the deal to take this position.
(Both laugh, Carter turns his attention to the baby)
Well, let's get you checked up here, Daylin!

Carter starts checking the baby and the little boy coos and laughs.

Cut scene to County General ER. Show Doug and Carol coming in through the main doors. They are greeted by Kerry Weaver, who is working at the front desk when they come in.

Kerry (brightly):
Well, look who's here! How are things over at C.A.R.E. Center going?

Doug (nods, tries not to be short...he is nervous):
Going well...thanks.

Kerry (smiles at him):
I hear you guys are doing really well and they can't say enough good things about the work you're doing.

Doug (nods again):
Yeah, uh, thanks. Listen, this is not a social call, OK? I need to see a doctor.

Kerry (mood changes...expresses concern):
Anyone in particular? Will I do? Or would you prefer someone else?

Doug:
Well, actually, Mark has already checked me and he thinks I need to see someone in Oncology. He suggested Elaine Grissom...is she available?

Kerry (nods):
I can send upstairs for her, sure. Can I at least tell her the nature of the problem?

Doug (clears his throat):
I have a lump...and we need to have more concrete tests run on it.

Kerry (nods):
Sure...just have a seat and I'll get her down here right away.

Doug (nods, takes Carol's hand and heads for the waiting room):
Thanks, Kerry...I appreciate your help.

Kerry exits quickly with a chart in her hands...Doug and Carol go over to the waiting area and sit down together to wait.

Cut back to C.A.R.E. Center with Mark and Carter discussing the mornings routines.

Mark:
You took the Murphy baby, I see.

Carter:
Yes, I did. He's great. He got a really good check up.

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

Carter (quietly):
There's something wrong, isn't there?
(Mark gives him a look)
With Dr. Ross? There's some kind of a problem, isn't there?

Mark:
What makes you say that?

Carter:
Because he asked you to look at something and then he left. That would indicate it's something pretty serious that you don't think he should play around with...especially not if you sent him over to County.

Mark:
Now, what would make you think I sent him someplace?

Carter (shrugs):
He left...you obviously sent him somewhere...I'm sure you wouldn't send him anyplace else.

Mark:
Well, it could turn out to be nothing...

Carter (knowingly):
Or?

Mark (sighs):
It could turn out to be something very serious. Doug found a lump on his arm. I sent him over to County to have it checked out.

Carter (floored expression):
Whoa! That's pretty heavy stuff! Is he OK?

Mark (nods):
Yeah, I think so. I sent him home to get his wife...nothing like a little moral support to help you in a time like this.

Carter (nods):
Yeah, I guess.
(Mark steps away and Carter mumbles under his breath)
Hope I never have to find out...

Cut back to County ER waiting room. Doug and Carol are sitting side by side and holding hands, waiting. Show a female doctor come into the waiting area carrying a chart with her. She is Elaine Grissom and she smiles as she approaches Doug.

Elaine:
Dr. Ross?

Doug (stands up to greet her):
Yes! You're Elaine Grissom?

Elaine (reaches her hand to shake with him):
Yes, I am!

Doug (nods):
Well, I've heard a lot about you, Dr. Grissom.

Elaine (smiles):
Likewise, Dr. Ross.

Doug (quickly):
Uh, this is my wife, Carol...

Elaine (shakes hands with Carol):
Nice to meet you, Carol. Would both of you come with me. please?

Doug (nervously):
Sure.

He clutches Carol's hand and they follow Elaine to an exam room.

Elaine:
Take off your shirt, please?
(Doug does as he's told...Carol takes the shirt and holds it)
Now, where is this lump?

Doug (shows her):
Right here.

Elaine begins to exam this lump carefully. She checks it from several angles...pushing on it...squeezing on it...and checking the area around it.

Doug (once she is finished):
Well?

Elaine:
How long ago did you notice this?

Doug:
Just last night in the shower.

Elaine:
You never noticed it before last night?

Doug (shakes his head):
No. Is that bad?

Elaine:
Oh, no! Don't get upset. I was just wondering if you had noticed it before.

Doug:
No...if I had noticed it before, I would have been having it checked on before.

Elaine:
OK. Well… guess you know the ropes from here. We'll take you upstairs and I'll take a piece of it...we'll send it to the lab and see what it is and take it from there. OK?

Doug (nods):
Yeah...OK.

Focus on Doug and Carol's clasped hands and Fade Act Two to Black.

Act Three

Scene opens at County General, upstairs in another exam room. Doug is sitting on the edge of the table and Carol is standing behind him. Elaine Grissom comes to the table to them.

Elaine:
OK, Doug, just take off your shirt and lie down, please?

Doug slips his shirt off and hands it to Carol and lies flat against the table. Elaine pulls a cover over his chest and leaves only his left arm and shoulder exposed. She takes a syringe off the tray and starts filling it up for an injection.

Doug (knowingly):
Lidocaine?

Elaine (smiles):
One good thing about working with a doctor...they already know all the ropes! Yes, it's Lidocaine.

Doug nods and she injects his shoulder with the antistetic quickly, rubbing the medicine into the muscle with a soft massage.

Elaine:
OK...you know how this works...I'm going to 'dot' out the working area and this is just a pen, so, this won't hurt.

Doug nods, nervously, to let her continue. She takes the pen and makes a circle on his arm in an area just a little wider than the actual lump. As she makes these dots on his arm, Doug stares straight ahead at the ceiling. He doesn't look at her and he doesn't look at Carol. His face is a mask of concentration. He reaches his right hand out from under the cover and hands it to Carol. She takes his hand in hers and pats the back of it supportively and smiles weakly at him.

Doug (once Elaine stops marking dots):
Now I get the gun? Right?

Elaine (shakes her head):
No, we're not going with the gun. I'm going to do a needle biopsy first. I don't have any reason to think the bone is actually involved at this point, therefore I don't need to go as deep as the gun would take me. If I can't come up with what I need with a needle, then, yes, we will go with the gun. But, let's do it this way first, OK?

Doug (nods, nervously):
OK. You're the boss.

Elaine (taps his arm lightly):
How's that Lidocaine working? Pretty good? You feel that?

Doug (shakes his head):
No, it's pretty numb.

Elaine (nods):
OK...let's get this over with, shall we?

She takes a needle and inserts it deep into the lump on Doug's arm. He cannot feel the pain, but he can't look at the procedure either. He turns his head away and looks across the room. Then, he looks up at Carol who gives him a supportive smile and pats his hand. But, then, unable to stand the suspense, he turns his head back toward the needle in his arm to see if he can see what is happening.

Doug (nervously):
What have you got? Anything?

Elaine (tight lip...shakes her head):
There's no fluid in it, Doug...

Doug (groans...rolls his head away):
Oh, God! That means it's not a cyst.

Elaine (nods):
Yeah, that's pretty much what it means all right.

Doug quickly squeezes Carol's hand tight in his. She squeezes his hand back and smiles at him, giving him a silent 'it's ok' message from her lips. He gives her a helpless look from his eyes. Elaine takes the needle out, labels a vial, places the contents from the biopsy into and places it in a lab chute.

Elaine:
OK, Doug, you can put your shirt back on now.

Doug sits up on the table and Carol hands him his shirt. He tugs himself into it and reaches for Carol to join him sitting on the table. Elaine comes back to the table with another needle.

Elaine (explaining):
Since there is no fluid in that lump, I want to run a blood test and see what kind of chemicals might be in there. This is just a precautionary measure. Don't be alarmed, OK?

Doug (nods, nervously):
OK.

She ties a tourniquet around his arm and inserts the needle into his vein to draw blood. He makes a fist and bites his lip, watching the blood flow into the vial. Once she has all she needs, she takes the needle out and unties the tourniquet, letting Doug tend to his arm himself. She labels the blood vial and sends it to the lab chute. Then she turns back to the couple sitting side by side on the table.

Elaine:
I can have the results of the blood work back in about an hour if you want to wait for it.

Doug (Nods):
Yeah, I'd like to wait. We'll be able to tell a lot just from that.

Elaine:
The results of the biopsy, however, won't be in for at least 24 hours...more like 36 or even 48. I'm sorry to have to have you wait that long, but, test of that delicate a nature we don't rush.

Doug (nods):
I understand...ok...let's go over the best and worst scenarios, OK?

Elaine (nods):
OK, well, the best possible scenario is that it is a fatty tumor, we don't do anything to it, just leave it alone and keep an eye on it.

Doug (shakes his head):
Not good. If it's something that grows, it's going to bug me. I'd like to get rid of it regardless of what it is.

Elaine (nods):
OK, well, I'll certainly take that into consideration.

Doug (nods):
Thank you.

Elaine (continues):
OK, the next possible scenario...it's a benign tumor, we go in, cut it out, sew you up, you go home, live a long happy life with your wife and children, provided you have any children, and it never bothers you again.

Doug:
And that's what we're really hoping for, right?

Elaine (nods):
Right.

Doug:
But, the next possibility?

Elaine (sighs):
OK...it's cancer...we go in, take it out, and put you into extensive treatments of Radiation and Chemo for the next six months, with regular check-ups after that to keep an eye on it and anything else it might have affected.

Doug (sighs, closes his eyes against the pain of this conversation):
And, of course, the very worst is that it's already affected the bone and you have to take my arm?

Elaine (smiles):
Well, yes, but, I don't really even see that as a possibility at this time. I would say if it ever comes to that it would be WAY down the road someplace.

Doug (nods):
OK. Well, I'd like to wait for the blood test to come back. Where can I wait for that?

Elaine:
You can stay right here, if you'd like. I'll be back as soon as I have some news for you.

Doug (nods again):
OK. Yeah. Thanks. Here is fine.

Elaine gathers her things and leaves the room. Carol stays behind with Doug. He sits on the table beside her, but he looks at his feet. He does not look at her. And he toys nervously with his hands.

Carol (quietly):
Are you OK?

Doug (nods):
Yeah. I think so.

Carol:
Can I get you anything? A coke or something?

Doug (shakes his head):
No, I don't think my stomach can handle it right now.

Carol:
How about a Ginger Ale, then? That might help your stomach.

Doug (nods):
OK...yeah...fine.

Carol (smiles at him):
I'll be right back, OK?

Doug nods. Carol starts across the room. He holds onto her hand until she is out of reach. Then he just lets his fingers slip off hers carefully. Follow Carol out the door and down the hall to the Soda machine in the waiting area. She puts coins in the slot and pushes a button. The can clatters down into the receiving well and she bends over to pick it up. When she stands up, she covers her mouth with her hand and fights to hold back the tears that are welling in her eyes. She gives herself a minute to compose herself, wipes her eyes quickly and gets herself back under control before going back down the hallway with the can of soda. She goes back into the room with Doug and pops open the can, pouring the soda into a paper cup from the tray on the table beside him. She hands it to him and he reaches to take it, giving her a soft, sad smile.

Doug (quietly):
I hate waiting like this. It drives me crazy.

Carol:
I know. I guess we're going to be doing a bit of this for the next few days. This is almost like waiting for the results a while back when you had that thyroid flare up...you remember?

Doug (smiles):
How could I forget? Turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me...it got you to at least talk to me again...look where we are now!
(looks at her, finally)
Do you think we should say anything to the kids?

Carol (shakes her head):
I don't think so...not until we know what to tell them. We have everything in front of us and know exactly what we're dealing with, then I'd say we should sit them down and tell them what's going, but, not until.

Doug:
Scott will know something's wrong. He's got that 'sixth sense' about him. He just picks up on those kind of things.

Carol (touches his hair affectionately):
Just tell him you had a rough day. It won't be a lie.

Doug (grins):
No, it sure won't.

Carol:
And he if notices anything after that, you'll think of something to tell him until you know what we need to do. Tatchie won't notice much. She's too young.

Doug (chuckles):
No...she'll just get her toy doctor kit and take care of me.
(sighs)
I wish she could fix me that easily right now.

Carol (wraps her arms around him):
Oh, Doug! Whatever is wrong with you, I know it can be fixed! We just have to believe that.

Doug (gives her a sad look):
I think we've got a lot of things ahead of us right now.

Carol (takes his hand):
We'll be fine. We always are.

Doug:
I guess this could really screw with our chances to have a baby, huh? If I have to undergo Radiation and Chemo...

Carol:
Let's not think about that just yet. And if it comes to that, then, we'll deal with it then. A baby is just something we've talked about...it's nothing definite yet. You are way more important to me than a baby right now.

Doug smiles and reaches to kiss her gently.

Cut to show time lapse. Show Elaine Grissom coming back into the room with them and she carrying a file in her hands.

Elaine:
A positive note...the blood work looks good. There are no chemical markers in the blood test to indicate any kind of cancerous activity. This is good news no matter how we look at it. If this tumor IS cancer, then it's in a very VERY early stage and the chances of a complete cure increase dramatically.

Doug (hopeful):
But, more than likely, the blood test is indicating it's benign?

Elaine (nods her head):
Well, hopefully, yes. But, we never want to be that confident with a patient, do we Dr. Ross?

Doug (shakes his head):
No, we don't. And we're still looking at surgery, right?

Elaine:
Yes, absolutely, it's going to have to come out. I will confer with Elizabeth Corday. I think she would be the best for this assignment.

Doug (confused):
Even over Peter Benton?

Elaine:
For this? Yes. Now, the best thing for both of you is to just go home, and try not to worry about this for the next day or so. I will call you as soon as I have the test results in my hands, OK?

Doug (nods, smiles slightly now):
OK. Thanks, Elaine, for everything.

Elaine:
Don't thank me yet...it's not over yet.

Doug and Carol head out of the exam room and pass back through the ER on their way out. They pass Kerry Weaver who gives them a wondering look as she sees them arm in arm.

Kerry:
Everything OK?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, I think so. Thanks, Kerry, for your help.

They go out to Doug's car and climb in together. He puts the key in the ignition and gives her a blank look.

Doug:
Mark wants me to stop by the Center and let him know what's going on.

Carol (nods):
OK. Then I think that's what you should do. You want to take me home first? So I can be there when the kids get home from school?

Doug (nods):
Sure.

Carol (touches his arm gently):
Are you gonna be OK?

Doug (nods):
Yeah. I'll be fine.

Cut to show Doug arriving through the back door of the C.A.R.E. Center. Carter and Mark are conversing together about their patients for the day, but they stop as soon as they see Doug.

Mark (cheerfully):
Hey, there he is! How did it go?

Doug (quietly):
Well, we don't know yet. It's a tumor. We know that much. There was no fluid in it. But, the blood test looks good...no chemical markers or anything. We won't know everything for about 48 hours yet.

Mark (nods):
Well, why don't you just take the rest of the day off and go on home?

Doug:
I'd really rather work...keep my mind off it!

Mark:
Well, in all due respects, when that local she gave you wears off, that arm is really gonna throb. I think you'll be better off at home today and then you can come in tomorrow.

Doug (nods):
Well, OK...if you think that's best...

Mark:
For today, at least. And then, see how you feel tomorrow.

Doug:
OK.

Doug turns blankly and walks back out of the Center. He gets back in his car and puts his key back in the ignition. Before he turns the key to start the car, he rests his head wearily on the steering wheel. Then, he reaches to turn the key, fingering carefully the words on his key chain again.

Fade Act Three To Black.

Act Four

Scene opens at the Ross/Hathaway home, exterior, night time. Show Mark Greene walking up onto the porch and knocking on the door. Before the door is opened, a voice calls out to him from the other side.

Scott:
Who is it?

Mark (grins):
It's Dr. Greene, Scotty.

Scott opens the door and Mark smiles at him. He opens the door to let him into the house.

Mark (compliments him):
Somebody has taught you safety measures in answering the door, I see.

Scott (nods):
Yeah...my Dad!

Mark:
Well, you learned very well. Is your Dad home?

Scott:
Yeah, but, Mom told us not to bother him for a while. He had a really bad day, I think.

Mark (nods):
Yes...yes, I think he did. Is your Mom here, then?

Scott:
Yeah...I'll go get her for you.

Scott goes off to get Carol. Mark goes into the living room and sits down on the sofa. While he's waiting, Tatiana comes in to stand and stare at him. Mark grins at her.

Mark:
Hello, there, Tatchie. How are you?

Tatiana:
Fine!

Carol (enters the room):
Hi, Mark! Hey, Tatchie, go play with your brother someplace, OK?

Tatiana (nods):
The grown-ups want to talk!

Carol (laughs):
Right!

Tatiana scoots past Carol, who gives her a playful slap to her bottom as she goes by. Carol goes in and sits with Mark.

Mark:
Doug was a little out of it when he left the Center today. I just kind of wanted to be sure he was OK.

Carol (smiles):
He'll appreciate that.

Mark:
So, IS he OK?

Carol:
Well, the local wore off and his arm was throbbing pretty bad. I gave him a painkiller and he went upstairs to lie down for a while.

Mark:
Is there anything I can do?

Carol:
You're already doing it, Mark...just being here...caring...that's about all any of us can do right now until we know what we're up against.

Mark:
Well, what about you? Are you OK? Is there anything I can do for you?

Carol (smiles):
I'm as OK as I can be. I went and got him a soda today and I had my little breakdown there alone. I'm sure when he goes to sleep tonight I'll take a shower and have a good cry... get it all out of my system so I can be strong for him. I think he's a lot more scared than he wants me to know. I know I'd be scared if it were me.

Mark (nods):
I'm sure I would be, too. Well, I won't keep you. I just wanted to be sure he was OK.

Carol (stands up to walk him out):
Thanks, Mark. I'll tell him you came by. He'll really appreciate it.

Mark (as they walk to the door):
You say anything to the kids yet?

Carol:
No, Doug and I discussed it and we decided not to say anything until we know everything.
(opens the door for Mark)

Mark (nods):
Yeah, that's probably best. Well, listen, you tell Doug that if he doesn't feel like working until you guys get the test back, he doesn't have to. Carter and I can handle it and David will be there, too.

Carol (nods):
I'll tell him. Thanks, Mark...for everything.

Mark:
You've got my beeper number...you call me if you need anything, OK?

Carol:
I will. I promise.

Carol stands on the porch and watches as Mark drives away. Then she turns and goes back into the house.

Cut to show time lapse. Show Carol coming into the master bedroom quietly. The room is dark except for a very dim night light on across the room. Doug is not in bed, but sitting on a window seat gazing blankly out at the city. From his view, we see the El Train go by on it's tracks and flickering lights. He has his left arm resting across his chest and his expression is blank. Carol comes up behind him and runs her hands across his shoulders and down the front of him to his chest. He reaches with his good arm and pats her hand affectionately, and smiles weakly at him up over his shoulder. On his chest he is holding the plaque from her night stand that reads "Faith...Hope...And Love...These Three...and The Greatest Of These Is Love".

Carol:
I guess I don't have to ask you what you're thinking about, do I?

Doug:
Got a lot of things on my mind, I guess.

Carol (sits down across from him on the window seat, keeps a hold of his hand):
You want to talk about them?

Doug (shrugs):
Thinking about you, mostly...about us.

Carol:
What about us?

Doug:
Well, suppose this turns out to be Cancer? And I have to go through all the Chemo and Radiation...I'll be really sick for a while...will you still love me if I'm sick?

Carol:
Hey, the vow I recited said "In Sickness and In Health" didn't it? I went into this profession to take care of people. You and those two kids are at the TOP of my 'care' list.
(Doug smiles)

Doug:
Might not be easy. What if I lose all my hair?

Carol (shrugs):
I wouldn't care. You know that song Randy Travis sang once? "Forever and Ever Amen"? There's a line in that song that says "I ain't in love with your hair, and if it all fell out, I would love you anyway". I don't love you for your hair, Doug. I love you for the man that lives in here.
(She places her hand on his chest over his heart)
ChemoThearpy or Radiation isn't going to change that man. It may change what you look like on the outside, but, it's only going to make you stronger on the inside.

Doug (looks her in the eye):
I'm scared.

Carol (squeezes his hand and lays it to her face to kiss the back of it softly):
I know you are. I am, too. But, we'll get through this together. There's nothing they can throw at us that we can't fight as long as we stay together.

Doug:
What if I lose my arm? What do I do then?

Carol:
Elaine doesn't think it will come to that...

Doug:
I know, but, she doesn't know! And I have to think about every possibility right now.

Carol:
OK, if you lose your arm, you could teach. Or you could work with Cancer patient. Just because you don't have an arm doesn't mean you have to give up practicing medicine. And who better than a Cancer survivor could work with Cancer patients? Especially kids?

Doug (nods):
I guess I hadn't thought of anything like that...
(squeezes her hand)
I guess that's what I need you for right now...to keep my thinking rational!

Carol (grins):
Mark stopped by...he was worried about you...he said you seemed a little out of it when you were at the clinic.

Doug (nods):
Yeah, I guess I was.

Carol:
He said to tell you if you don't feel like working for the next few days, you don't have to. He and Carter can handle it...and David is there, too.

Doug:
I'll consider that. I may take him up on that.

Carol:
Do you want me to stay home, too? Or do you want me to go in tomorrow?

Doug:
That's up to you...you do what you think is best for you.

Carol:
Will you be OK by yourself?

Doug (grins):
If I'm not, I know where to find you.

Carol:
How's your arm feeling now? Any better?

Doug:
It aches, but, it's OK. It's not as bad as it was when you gave me the pain pill. I should be able to sleep with it, at least.
(pause)
Did you tell Mark I was OK?

Carol:
I told him you were resting.

Doug (looks at his watch):
Kids in bed?

Carol:
Yeah...should both be asleep by now.

Doug (slides off the window seat):
I'm going to go tuck them in.
(kisses her on top of the head)
Then, I'll come to bed, OK?

Carol:
OK.

Doug goes down the hall to Tatiana's room. He walks in and bends down over the little girl lovingly. He takes her covers and pulls them around her, tucking them gently under her. He leans down and kisses her forehead lightly, touching her hair, but, being careful not to wake her up. He goes back out of the room, checks to be sure the night light is on for her, and closes her door. Follow him down the hall to Scott's room. He opens the door and catches a faint glimpse of a flashlight beam being quickly turned off. He chuckles to himself and goes on into the room, sitting gently on the edge of Scott's bed beside him.

Doug:
I used to keep a flashlight and a radio under my pillow, too. I used to read comic books and listen to baseball games LONG after I was supposed to be asleep.

Scott:
You did? Really?

Doug:
Yep! I sure did! And my Mom would always come in and tell me to go to sleep! But, she never took either one of them away from me even though I was very sure she knew I had them!

Scott (quietly):
Dad? Is everything OK?

Doug:
Sure, everything's OK. Why would you ask?

Scott:
You just seem really out of it tonight.

Doug (smiles at him...pulls the cover around him):
I just had a really rough day.

Scott:
You'd tell me if something was wrong...wouldn't you?

Doug (places an affectionate hand on Scott's head):
Yes, Sport...I would tell you if something was wrong. Right now, I think you need to go to sleep.

Scott (nods):
OK.
(he watches as Doug goes back across the room and just before he closes the door, he catches his attention)
Dad?

Doug (leans back into the room):
Yes?

Scott (quietly):
I love you.

Doug (smiles):
I love you, too, Son. Get some sleep.

Doug goes back to the master bedroom and Carol is in bed waiting for him. He slides into bed beside her and lays down carefully on his good arm, being careful how he positions his sore arm.

Carol:
Kids OK?

Doug (pulls close to her):
Kids are great.
(pause)
How does the rest of that song go?

Carol:
What song?

Doug:
That one by Randy Travis that you told me about before...how does it end?

Carol (plays lightly with a strand of his hair):
Oh, OK...it says:
'I'm gonna love you forever
Forever and Ever, Amen.
As long as old men sit and talk about the weather
As long as old women sit and talk about old men
If you wonder how long I'll be faithful
Just listen to how to this song ends
I'm gonna love you Forever and Ever
Forever and Ever, Amen'

Doug (cuddles on her shoulder):
Remember that line from your favorite movie?
(Carol gives him a blank look that she doesn't recall)
Ditto.

She smiles and wraps her arms around him, holding him close to her and stroking his hair.

Fade Act Four to Black.

Closing Act

Scene opens at County General Hospital. Carol is sitting in a waiting area alone, playing nervously with her hands, and staring at the floor. Focus to show someone's feet suddenly in her view and a cup of coffee suddenly in front of her face. She reaches up to take the coffee and looks up to see Mark Greene on the other end of the cup. She smiles weakly at him and he sits down beside her.

Mark:
Any news?

Carol (shakes her head):
Nothing yet.

Mark:
How long has he been in?

Carol (looks at her watch):
Long enough to be back.

Mark:
Did you see him before he went in?

Carol:
Yeah, I was with him right up to when he went through the doors.

Mark:
You could have gone to the observation tower, you know. You're family.

Carol (shakes her head):
I didn't have the guts. I'm better off out here.

Mark:
How was he when you were with him?

Carol (sighs):
Optimistic...in good spirits...we talked about a lot of things last night. He's not going to let this beat him, Mark. No matter what Elizabeth Corday finds once she gets in there, his long range outlook is that he's gonna be the Best Man at his son's wedding someday.

Mark (nods):
Then, he'll be there. I feel pretty certain about that.
(pause)
You OK?

Carol (nods, nervously):
I think so.

Mark:
I gotta hand it to you, Carol...you've been great...a real tower of strength through all of this

Carol:
This has been the hardest few days of my life. I want so much to be strong for him, but, I'm just like putty inside. I don't even want to think about anything being wrong with him.

Mark:
But, if there is, he's got the best person in the world to take care of him. Did Elizabeth give you anything to go on before she took him in?

Carol:
Well, she said all the preliminary tests look like it's benign, but, until she gets an actual piece of it to know for sure, she doesn't want to say.

Mark (nods):
That's a professional attitude...you have to appreciate that much at least.

Carol:
I'm just glad it's all almost over with the waiting and that by the time today is over, one way or the other, we're going to know something for sure. Then, we'll know what to do from there.

Mark:
Did you tell the kids anything?

Carol:
Doug sat down with them last night and told them he was having surgery. He told them about the lump and let both of them feel it. I don't think Tatchie understood too much about it, but, Scott did. He was a trooper though. Samantha really did a great job with that kid. He just asked me to call him at school if I found out anything before he got home and I promised him I would.

Mark:
Well, he'll be OK, I think. He's a lot like Doug with things like that.

Carol:
What are you doing here, anyway? Aren't you supposed to be working?

Mark:
Yeah, but, David is there with Carter and we all kind of thought you might need somebody over here with you. Where's Helen? I thought she might be here at least...

Carol:
She's at home in case I don't get back before the kids get out of school. I don't like them coming home to an empty house. And especially not today.

Mark (pats her hand):
Well, then, just think of me as moral support, OK?

Carol (smiles):
Thanks, Mark.

Cut to show Elizabeth Corday coming out of the surgery unit. She is still in her scrubs with her surgical cap on and she is peeling off her gloves to pitch them in disposal on her way down to where Carol is waiting. As soon as they see her, Mark and Carol both get to their feet slowly to await whatever news she is bringing them.

Elizabeth (comes up to them):
I have very good news...the test came back on the piece we sent out as benign...we took the whole tumor and it did NOT involve any muscle tissue. It was a pretty clean take. He's going to be fine and back to doing everything he did before within six weeks.

Carol (hand to her chest...very relieved):
Oh, my God! Thank you so much!

Mark:
That's really great news!
(he and Carol hug each other quickly)

Carol:
When can I see him?

Elizabeth (smiles):
You can go to him now, if you like, but, he is still a little groggy.

Carol (big smile):
That's OK! That's great! Thank you, Dr. Corday! Thank you so much!

Carol goes off quickly leaving Mark and Elizabeth smiling behind her. She goes through the doors and into the recovery area, going slowly and quietly to Doug's bed. He is hooked to a heart monitor and receiving an IV drip. She takes his hand in hers and leans over him carefully, stroking his hair and smiling at him. He is in a surgical gown top with his left arm heavily bandaged and has his eyes closed.

Carol:
Hey, Doug!
(she touches his cheek gently and he opens his eyes and peers up at her sleepily)
Hi!
(he smiles weakly at her and reaches for her)
Don't try to talk or anything right now, OK? I just wanted to see you...the tumor is completely benign. There's no cancer. Dr. Corday says you're going to be good as new in about six weeks!

Doug smiles at her and weakly squeezes her hand.

Carol (continues):
I'm going to go call the school and talk to Scott, OK? I don't want him to spend the whole day worrying.
(Doug nods)
I'll see you later when you're a little more awake, OK? I love you.

She kisses his cheek sweetly and slips something into his hand and then she leaves him there to rest. He opens his hand to see a tiny replica of her night stand plaque, but he doesn't need to read the words...he already knows what it says. He turns his head back and grins slightly, closing his hand around her gift.

Fade into closing credits of the show.

November 9, 1997