Author's Text

Let Me Tell Your Fortune...look into your crystal ball and see if you can see the future...only with Doug his past it his problem. Seeds were planted and things were dropped to give you clues of what's going on with Doug but this story draws some of them together.

This one is still towards the calm side...but after this one...watch out. You won't believe what's coming...

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

Robin

"Family Center"
"Let Me Tell Your Fortune..."
Opening Act

Scene opens at the new Ross home, interior, early morning. Pan through the house and show boxes in just about every corner on the way to the master bedroom. Show Doug and Carol Ross both sleeping in bed with boxes stored all over the rest of the room. Doug's dialysis machine has a message on it that says 'End Of Therapy' and it is quiet. Pull close on Doug to show that he is dreaming. Distort picture to take us into his dream...

*****Dream Sequence*****

Doug is struggling to get to his feet at a dumpster. He is battered and confused and not steady on his feet at all. He is clinging to the handles on the dumpster trying to get a grip on himself when he hears a voice behind him.

Voice (distorted):
You OK, Dr. Ross?

He turns in the direction of the voice, but he can't see a face for the fog and bright lights in his dream. He starts to fall and a pair of hands catch him. He reaches his hands up to pull himself back to his feet with the help of this unseen person and his hands clutch around clothing.

Voice (distorted):
Are you OK?

Doug (nodding):
Yeah...I'm fine...just not feeling too well...

Voice (distorted):
You want me to take you inside and get a doctor?

Doug (shakes his head):
No...it's OK...I'm OK...thanks...

Voice (distorted):
Well...if you're sure...

Doug:
I'm sure...thanks...

Doug hears footsteps as the helpful stranger walks away. He feels something in his hand and opens it to see but the fog in his dream won't let him.

*****End of Dream Sequence*****

Cut to show Doug waking up and sitting up in bed. He looks around, not at first sure where he is. Show Carol reaching up and putting her hand on his shoulder, pulling him back down in bed.

Carol (doesn't open her eyes):
New house...remember?

Doug (snuggles back beside her):
Yeah...I do now.

Carol:
How's your headache?

Doug (rubs his temples):
Still there.

Carol:
I want you to let Mark look at you today...

Doug (chuckles:
Well, he'll be there...I'm sure he'll see me.

Carol (opens her eyes to give him a perturbed look):
That's NOT what I meant!

Doug:
I know what you meant...and OK! I'll let Mark examine me. Will that make you feel better?

Carol:
Depends on what he tells you...

Doug:
I'm sure it's migraines.

Carol:
You were expecting them?

Doug:
Eventually, yeah. My Dad had them. I remember my Mom talking about it.

Carol (sighs):
Well, that's just what you need, isn't it? On top of everything else...

Doug:
I can handle it...we just need to diagnose it and get the meds for it!
(chuckles)
More meds! JUST what I want...
(reaches over and puts his hand on her stomach)
How are you doing?

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Oh, they're in there, all right. I thought Marc kicked me to death! I'm going to be lucky if I don't have a cracked rib by the time I get these here!

Doug:
We haven't talked about names yet...any ideas?

Carol:
I don't know...I don't want to give them dumb names...

Doug:
I want to name the boy Michael.

Carol (smiles at him):
You wanted to name Marc 'Michael' if I recall correctly.

Doug:
If he makes it here...and I'm praying he will...he may need extra help. Michael is the archangel...top of the line protection.

Carol:
OK...Michael what?

Doug:
David...Michael David...with the Morgansterns serving as Godparents, I think it's appropriate.

Carol (nods):
OK...Michael David it is! And I'd like to name the girls after our Mothers...only use the name Helena instead of Helen because my mother hates that name...
(Doug Chuckles)
Helena and Sarah? Would that be OK with you?

Doug (nods):
Sure, but, we don't want to call them by those names. It could get confusing at family gatherings.

Carol (frowns):
Ummm...you have a point...we could call her Lana!

Doug:
That's good for one...what are you going to call the other one?

Carol:
Guess we better work on middle names...

Doug:
One of them will be Carol...and I'm thinking Helena Carol would be good...

Carol:
Oh, Doug...not my name...

Doug:
Yes, your name! You had to use my name...I want to use yours!

Carol:
OK...Helena Carol and Sarah what?

Doug (smiles):
Name her after a Princess...Sarah Diana...and call her Diana...

Carol (scoffs):
Diana Ross? I don't think so...
(pause)
We could call her Ana...

Doug:
Sure, if you want everybody to think we named her after Anna Del Amico.

Carol:
We need to come up with a better middle name...

Doug:
How about Christine? That's a name I've always liked...

Carol:
Yeah! And we could call her Tina...Tina and Lana...that would work!

Doug:
I like that...OK...we agree then?

Carol:
We agree...something else I want to do that you probably won't like...I want their ears pierced...like right after they're born...with different color earrings that I'll pick out.

Doug (chuckles):
So we'll be able to tell which one is which, right?

Carol (nods):
Yeah...exactly...you're a pediatrician...what do you say about that?

Doug:
I don't recommend it...but you're a nurse...you'll know how to take care of their ears...it should be OK.

Carol:
Do you think it's a bad idea?

Doug:
No...I think it's probably a good idea. But, we'll be able to tell them about quickly, anyway. We'll know their personalities.

Carol:
We will, yeah, but our mothers might not.

Doug:
That's something else we need to talk about...I don't think we can expect our mothers to take care of 4 babies full time...do you?

Carol:
Well, I don't know if I'm going back to work right away or not. I might take a year off...especially in light of your new found fortune...

Doug (chuckles):
Yeah, I go in and sign all the papers on that today...It's OK if I share it with my Mom and give Mark a hefty bonus out of it, isn't it?

Carol:
Absolutely...and I think the amount you set aside for my mother was very generous...I think she'll be surprised!

Doug:
And that still leaves us enough to pay off the house, set up 6 trust funds, and pay off the van...

Carol:
And still have mad money! Plus income from the practice AND the hotel!

Doug (puts his arm around her shoulder):
Life is good...

She snuggles her head on his shoulder and sighs. Show Doug is deep in thought as Opening Act Fades into the Opening Credits of the show.

Act One

Scene opens at the center. Mark Greene is there sifting through the morning mail when Doug comes in from off the elevator.

Doug (brightly):
Morning, Mark!

Mark:
Hey, Doug...what's on your agenda today?

Doug (stops at the desk with Mark):
Five well baby check ups, three Elementary school sports physicals, and one adult physical.

Mark:
Sounds like a full day...Adult physical?

Doug:
She's the daughter of a friend of mine. She has a real qualm about doctors but she knows me and feels comfortable with me. She's getting married soon and wants to be checked out before she does. What about your agenda?

Mark:
Oh, the usual...you know the ropes...physicals...flu shots...check ups...I love this life!

Doug:
I'll need to be gone just a short time this afternoon...I'm signing the papers on the hotel deal today.

Mark (grins):
So, today you become a millionaire, huh?

Doug (chuckles):
Yeah...I guess so.

Mark:
You know, I wouldn't mind buying into that partnership...

Doug (surprised):
You have the money? I didn't think you did, that's why I didn't ask you in the first place!

Mark:
I could borrow the money...I think it would be fun! And I'd like to have continuous outside income...I could live with that.

Doug (rubs his chin):
Well, Mark...I was planning on giving you some money out of all this just because...would you rather I just invested it into the hotel for you?

Mark:
Can you do that?

Doug:
I'm the owner...I can do what I want!
(chuckles)
Sure...we'll put you on the board of directors as another backer...you'll only have a small share but you'll still make money from it.

Mark:
Sounds good to me...how much am I investing?

Doug:
$250,000.

Mark (drops his jaw):
You were going to give me a quarter of a million dollars? That VERY generous of you, Doug!

Doug:
Well, I hope Helen feels the same way when I give it to her!

Mark:
How much does your Mom get?

Doug:
I'm giving her a flat million...she'd kill me if I gave her more than that with triplets coming.

Mark:
Yeah, speaking of which...will Carol be in today at all? I know she's not officially working but she was doing the books...

Doug:
She'll be in to interview some PAs this afternoon. She has an appointment with Stephanie this morning...

Mark:
And you're not going to this one?

Doug (shrugs):
Ah, this is a routine check up...shouldn't be any problem. She may give us a delivery date, though...but Carol can tell me that when she gets here. She doesn't need me for this!

Mark (changes tone):
Something I needed to talk to you about before the office gets busy...
(Doug gives him his attention)
...something I did that I didn't mean to do that betrayed you.

Doug (chuckles):
You betrayed me? Do I know it?

Mark:
No, not yet...
(sighs)
I mentioned to Nina that you were in JDH when you were a kid.
(Doug rolls his eyes and starts nodding)
I didn't mean to betray your secret! I just assumed that Nina already knew...seeing that she's your shrink and all...

Doug:
So, you just figured Nina and I had already talked about it, huh?

Mark:
I'm really sorry! She didn't know anything about and I felt just terrible...

Doug:
Sure, Mark...just give away my deepest darkest secret that nobody in Chicago knew except you!
(Chuckles at Mark's pained look)
It's OK, Mark. I'm kidding! You didn't know...it's OK. I'm sure Nina and I will end up talking about it now.

Mark:
I get the feeling it's really not OK you just don't want to tell me...

Doug:
Don't worry about it...

Mark:
I'm supposed to be your friend! You told me that in confidence! I shouldn't have betrayed that...

Doug:
Been beating yourself up long over this, Mark? Because you're doing a better job of belittling yourself than I ever could.

Mark:
I just feel bad about it...

Doug:
Well, don't, OK? It's not a big deal.

Mark:
Does Carol know about that?

Doug:
When I asked Carol to marry me, I told her everything in my life that I thought could ever come back and haunt me, and yes, that was one of them...Carol knows about it.

Mark:
Well, that's a relief...

Doug:
Just forget about it, Mark...let's get to work!

Mark nods and Doug goes by him, down the hall, and into his office. He closes the door and looks over his appointment book, but his attention is caught by a button in a dish on his desk. He picks it up and his mind flashes quickly back to his dream and he sees himself opening his hand and this time he sees this same button in his hand. Flash back to present and Doug picks up the button and holds it in his hand, closing his fist around it. He shakes his head and puts the button back in the dish. He picks up his appointment book and heads back out of his office.

Cut to show time lapse. Show Doug in an exam room with an 18 month old baby on the table. He is listening to the child's heartbeat through his stethoscope and the little girl is patting his face gently with her tiny hand. he takes the ear pieces out of his ears and pulls the scope around his neck, making notes on a chart beside him. Then, he smiles at the mother standing by the table.

Doug:
Allison is doing fine, Mrs. Culmer. She's right where she should be. You can dress her now...

Mrs. Culmer:
Thank you, Dr. Ross...how is your little one?

Doug:
He's nine months old and walking already...started walking just a few weeks ago. Now we can't keep up with him!
(chuckles)

Mrs. Culmer:
Walking already? Early developer, is he?

Doug (making more notes):
Yeah...he's really something!

Mrs. Culmer:
Well, they grow up fast...enjoy him while he's little.
(she finishes dressing her daughter and picks her up in her arms)
I guess we'll see you in three months?

Doug:
That'll be fine!
(Pats child)
Good bye, Allison...
(he reaches into a drawer and hands her a saf-t-pop sucker)
There you go, Sweetheart.

Allison (takes sucker...smiles wide):
Bye bye!

Doug (chuckles):
Bye bye, Sweetie...
(opens the door for the mother)
Just stop at the desk and Vickie will give you an appointment.

Mrs. Culmer:
Thank you again, Dr. Ross.

She carries Allison on down the hall and the little girl waves over her shoulder to Doug, who smiles and waves back at her. Before the next patient comes back, Doug sees Greg Powell working at the file rack and goes up to him carefully.

Doug:
I have something that belongs to you, I think...
(reaches into his pocket and produces the button)

Greg (surprised):
Yeah! I lost that off my jacket ages ago! I figured it was gone for good! Where did you find it?

Doug:
Can we talk sometime? Privately? Something I want to talk to you about...

Greg (nods):
Sure...but, does this have anything to do with that day I went to your house to talk to Carol?

Doug:
No, this is something different...

Greg:
Is something wrong?

Doug:
No, just something I want to ask you about...

Greg (confused...laughs):
Can't you just ask me here?

Doug (shakes his head...starts walking away):
No...it's private...we'll talk later...

Doug goes on away and Greg watches him go with a concerned and confused look on his face, but shrugs his shoulders and goes back to work.

Cut to show Doug with his adult patient in the exam room. She is wearing an exam gown and sliding up onto the table.

Doug (cheerfully):
Deborah! The last time I examined you, you were thirteen! Now I hear you're getting married!

Deborah:
I'm 19 now, Dr. Ross...and I really appreciate you doing this for me, even if I'm not a kid anymore!

Doug (smiles at her):
I take care of adults, too, Deborah. You just want a physical, right?

Deborah:
Right...one for getting married. My mother told me to tell you that.

Doug (nods):
Ah, OK...are you sure you want me to do that?

Deborah:
I'd rather you than a stranger. It's OK. I trust you.

Doug (ticks his head):
OK...let me get my wife...
(steps into the hall and goes to his office where Carol is working at the computer)
Hon? I need you to come be in the room with me while I do an internal exam?

Carol (looks up and smiles):
Sure...be right there...

Doug goes back to the exam room and Carol comes in just a minute later.

Doug:
Deborah, this is my wife, Carol...Carol this is Deborah Carey...she's getting married in a few months.

Carol:
Congratulations.

Deborah (motions to Carol's stomach):
And to you, too! When are you due?

Carol:

Well, this pregnancy is triplets and my OB-GYN told me this morning she'll take them in about 6 weeks...

Deborah:
Triplets! Wow! Are you scared?
(all the while the girls are talking, Doug is conducting his exam but all we see is the sheet over Deborah's legs and her legs apart and elevated)

Carol:
Not really...I have a good support team. Are you excited about getting married?

Deborah:
Oh, yes! We're planning a beautiful church wedding and a big reception...and we're going to honeymoon in Europe!

Carol (smiles):
Sounds great! I wish you all the luck and happiness in the world!

Deborah:
Thanks! And when we get back, I want to get in your condition RIGHT away!

Doug:
You guys excuse me...I'll be right back...

Deborah (concerned):
Something wrong, Dr. Ross?

Doug:
I just want to get Dr. Greene a minute.

Deborah (still concerned):
Why? Is something wrong?

Doug:
I just want a second opinion...
(goes on out the door)

Deborah (to Carol...near panic):
Something wrong, isn't it?

Carol:
Not necessarily....Doug gets Dr. Greene to look at things lots of times when he's dealing with adults. Since he works with children so much, sometimes he feels better asking Dr. Greene about things...

Deborah (satisfied):
Oh...OK!

Cut to show Doug going to Mark's office and sticking his head in the door.

Doug:
Hey, Mark, can I get a consult on a patient from you?

Mark (looks up from his desk):
Sure...what's wrong?

Doug:
I think this girl is missing a uterus.

Mark:
Are you sure?

Doug:
Looks like it to me...will you come take a look?

Mark:
Sure...I'll be right there...
(gets up and follows Doug to the exam room)

Doug:
Deborah, this is Dr. Greene...he's just going to verify that I'm right...nothing to worry about.

Mark (cheerfully):
Hi, Deborah.

Deborah (nods):
Dr. Greene...

Show Mark looking under the sheet and making his normal physician 'uh huhs' as he does his exam. He takes his head out of the sheet and motions for Doug to follow him.

Deborah (nervously):
Please go see what's going on for me...

Carol (comfortingly):
They'll be right back...they'll tell you...don't worry.

Cut to Mark and Doug talking quietly in the hallway outside the closed exam room.

Mark:
You're right...there's no uterus.

Doug (spins around in anguish):
Oh, man! I've got to go in there and tell a 19 year old girl about to be married with dreams of having a family that it's never going to happen?

Mark (sighs):
This job is just never easy, is it? You want me to do it?

Doug (shakes his head):
No...thanks...and thanks for your consult.

Mark:
Anytime...that's what we're together for!

Mark pats Doug on the shoulder as he starts to open the door and go back into the room and Act One Fades to Black.

Act Two

Scene opens with Doug going back into the exam room with Carol and Deborah. He pulls up a stool and sits close to the table to talk to his patient.

Deborah:
Something's wrong, isn't it?

Doug:
I'm not an OB-GYN...and I'd like to refer you to one so that they can verify or denounce my findings.
(Deborah gives him her full attention...Carol listens carefully, never taking her eyes off him)
From what I can tell by my examination, you don't have a uterus.

Deborah (shocked):
But, that's impossible! I have a monthly cycle...

Doug:
Then monthly cycle is generated from the fallopian tubes...not the uterus. All the uterus does is...

Deborah (softly):
Carry the child...I can't have a child?

Doug (shakes his head sadly):
Not if my findings are correct. And I'd really encourage you to check that out.

Deborah:
But, you don't think you're wrong, do you? That's why you brought Dr. Greene in here?
(Doug nods sadly)
If I can't have children, what's the use to get married?

Doug:
Because you love the man you're going to marry? You can always adopt children if you want them...

Deborah (cuts him off):
I'd like to just get dressed now...please?

Doug (nods):
Sure.

He and Carol leave the room and the shell shocked young woman alone and go into the hallway.

Carol:
Pretty devastating news for her...

Doug (sadly):
Yeah.

Carol:
You OK?

Doug:
Yeah, I just hope she's able to work it out with her fiancee.

Carol:
You wouldn't love me any less if I couldn't have anymore children...I've already been advised not to and it doesn’t seem to have changed anything with you.

Doug:
And it won't. I love you and we have enough children. But, this means they can't ever have even one. That's rough.

Carol:
If I couldn't have had children, would you have married me anyway?

Doug:
Absolutely...and then we would still have Scott and Tatiana and that would be fine.

Carol:
Here I am whining that I can't have anymore and that girl will never even have one...makes me ashamed of myself!
(Doug chuckles)

Deborah comes out of the exam room fully dressed and starts slowly down the hall.

Doug (hands her a card):
This is the OB-GYN I'm suggesting you see. And if there's anything I can do for you, you just call me, OK?

Deborah (takes card, nods):
Thank you, Dr. Ross.

Doug and Carol watch her go but as soon as she is gone, they turn their attention back to work.

Doug:
So, what time do your PA interviews come in?

Carol (looks around at the clock):
First one should be here at one o'clock...

Doug nods and Carol heads back to his office. Mark comes down the hall whistling...

Doug (writing on a file):
Ah, he's whistling...must be lunch time and he's having lunch with Nina!

Mark (smiles):
Good guess...you have a session with her today, don't you?

Doug:
Yeah, at 2 o'clock, so, please try and get her back by then, OK?

Mark:
I promise.

Doug (as Mark goes on down the hall):
When are you two getting married, anyway?

Mark:
You'll be the first to know...
(pause, snaps his fingers and turns back)
When do you go sign your papers?

Doug:
Four o'clock...you got plenty of time! Go!

Mark goes out the door and disappears. Doug chuckles and heads back to work.

Cut to show time lapse. Doug is working at the counter when a uniformed police officer gets off the elevator with Raoul Fernandez in tow. He stops at the desk and waits for Doug to give him his attention.

Doug (looks up):
Can I help you, Officer...Raoul!? What's going on?

Officer:
Are you responsible for him?

Doug:
Well, sort of...I'm a Big Brother...what's the problem?

Officer:
He was skateboarding down the Interstate.

Doug (looks at Raoul):
In traffic?
(Raoul ducks his head)
OK, Officer...can I handle this? Or do you need one of his foster parents?

Officer (looks sternly at Raoul):
I'll let you handle it...THIS time.

Doug:
Thank you, Officer...there won't be a next time.

The officer walks away and leaves Raoul standing giving Doug a sheepish look. Doug directs him around the counter and down the hallway with his hands on his shoulders.

Doug:
Step into my office...
(Doug takes him into his office and closes the door...Carol is not still there...she is conducting interviews in another part of the building)
You want to tell me what's going on?
(Raoul doesn't answer...just puts his head down)
You know better than to skateboard on the interstate, don't you?
(Raoul nods his head slowly)
It's not only dangerous, it's illegal. You want to end up in Juvey? Because I can tell you first hand, it's no fun.
(Raoul shrugs)
Talk to me, Buddy...tell me what's going on. You having a hard time at the Altons?

Raoul (softly):
They have so many rules...

Doug:
You have to have rules when you have kids, Raoul. I know. I've got kids and we have lots of rules in my house.

Raoul:
Maybe Juvey would be better...

Doug (shakes his head):
No, Bud...it's not.

Raoul:
How would you know?

Doug:
You think my life has been a bed of roses? You think because I'm a doctor I grew up with some kind of silver spoon in my mouth? You couldn't be further from the truth, Buddy. When I was your age, I was just like you...angry...belligerent... hard to handle...

Raoul (impressed):
You were?

Doug:
Yep...and you know what happened to me?
(Raoul shakes his head)
I ended up in Juvenile Hall.

Raoul:
You did? Well, what did you do to get there?

Doug (smiles weakly):
Nothing. That was the whole point. I got accused of something I didn't do and I got sent there for a year while they 'rehabilitated' me. It was the worst experience of my life.

Raoul:
You're not just making this up, are you?

Doug:
No, Raoul...I'm telling you the truth. And I'm telling you something that I don't let very many people know about because it's not something I'm proud of.

Raoul:
But, you turned out OK?

Doug:
It's been a long hard road, but, I finally put it together. And you know how I did that?
(Raoul shakes his head)
I let myself care about somebody besides myself.

Raoul (scoffs):
Why should I care about anybody else? Nobody cares about me!

Doug:
Lots of people care about you, Raoul...

Raoul (scoffs again):
Who? The Altons? They don't care! I heard them talking the other night about how much longer they had to keep me! They can't wait to get rid of me either!

Doug:
Now, Raoul...maybe you misunderstood what they were saying...

Raoul:
I didn't misunderstand. I know what they were talking about. And then what? I get to go back to my Mom and my StepDad? No thanks! I already know what that's like. They send me back there, I'm outta there. I'll hit the streets before I'll stay there again!

Doug (takes him by the shoulders):
Then, what about me? I care! My God, Raoul! If anybody knows what you're going through, it's me!

Raoul:
Yeah? Anybody ever smack you around?

Doug:
Yeah! My Dad did. So I know what it's like to be under a belt all the time.

Raoul (quietly):
Did he ever...you know...touch you?

Doug (softly):
No, he didn't...but somebody else did.
(reaches out and pulls Raoul to him, pressing his head to his chest and Raoul puts his arms around Doug)
So, I know what you've been through, Kiddo. And I give you my word that I'm gonna to everything I can to make sure it doesn't happen to you anymore...
(kisses his head gently)
...no matter what I have to do.

Raoul (hugging him):
Promise?

Doug:
Word of honor.

Raoul:
I love you, Doug.

Doug (pats his back):
I love you, too, Buddy.
(pause...recovers his emotions)
Now...I'm going to call the Altons to come down here and get you and I won't tell them about this incident if you PROMISE me there won't be another one like it.

Raoul (looks up at him, nods):
I promise...but why will you tell them I was here?

Doug:
Oh, well, we'll just tell them you came to see where I work...that'll work, won't it?
(Raoul smiles and nods)
OK...you can stay in here and play computer games until they come to get you, OK? I gotta get back to work!

Raoul nods happily and gets behind the desk to fire up the computer. Doug laughs and goes out of the office, leaving him in there alone. He gets into the hallways and passes Mark.

Mark:
What's up with Raoul?

Doug:
Nothing serious...I've got it under control...

Mark nods as Doug goes on down the hall back to work.

Cut to show time lapse. Mark and Doug are working at the front counter when Carol comes out, leans on the counter, and sighs.

Doug (chuckles):
That good, huh?

Carol:
I've interviewed nine people and none of them are what you guys need in here.
(pause)
Was Raoul here earlier?

Doug (nods):
Yeah...Dr. Alton just came and got him.

Carol:
Something wrong?

Doug:
Yes and no...we'll talk about it later...right now I'm more concerned about being without a PA...

Mark:
I thought you wanted Jeanne Boulet?

Doug:
Well, I said I'd like to GET her...I didn't really think it was actually possible!

Mark (shrugs):
Did you ask her?

Doug:
Well, no, because we didn't really discuss it first.

Mark:
It's OK with me...we know her and know her work...and we don't have many cases with blood around here...it should be an ideal situation for all of us.

Doug (looks at Carol):
What do you think, Hon?

Carol:
I say call her and talk to her about it...in fact...I'll do it! I'll take her to lunch tomorrow and we'll talk about it there...

Mark (nods):
Fine with me.

Doug (nods):
OK by me, too!
(turns and looks at the clock)
Time for my session...I'll be back!

Carol (calls after him as he goes):
Have a good one, OK?

Doug (chuckles):
I'll do my best.

Show Mark and Carol watching him go, both with a concerned look on their face and Fade Act Two to Black.

Act Three

Scene opens with Doug going into Nina Pomerantz's office. Nina is in the reception area picking up magazines when he comes in.

Nina (smiles):
Hi, Doug!

Doug (nods):
Nina...

Nina (starts into her office):
I understand today is the day you become a rich man!

Doug (follows her in...laughs):
Yeah...that's what they tell me.

Nina (sits at her desk and folds her hands):
So, how does it feel to be a millionaire?

Doug (slides into a chair and chuckles):
I don't feel any different...I guess money doesn't change some things, huh?

Nina:
No, I guess it doesn't. How are you doing?

Doug:
Still having those dreams and I've got a few more pieces now...I think I'm getting close.

Nina:
You want to talk about it?

Doug:
I found a button...you remember when I told you about that?
(Nina nods)
Well, what I didn't tell you was that I knew who owned the piece of clothing the button came off of...

Nina (encouraged):
So, that may be your attacker?

Doug (half grin):
No...not that good...but this guy definitely played some part in all of it. I just don't know what part. He may have been the other man that held me down...or he may have been the one that tried to help me when it was over.

Nina:
Someone tried to help you? You never told me that before...

Doug:
I didn't remember it. That was part of my dream.

Nina:
Tell me about it.

Doug:
After it was over...when I was trying to get on my feet by kissing the dumpster...
(chuckles)
...somebody came up to me to see if I was hurt or if I was OK. I wasn't too steady on my feet and I started to fall and this person reached out to catch me and when they did, I grabbed onto their jacket and that may have been when I pulled the button off.

Nina:
May have been?

Doug (nods):
Yeah...when I was held down against the pavement, I also reached up and grabbed onto someone and I could have pulled the button off then. See, that's what I don't know. I don't know if the button belongs to a friend or a foe...I just know who it belongs to.

Nina:
Did you talk to this person?

Doug (shakes his head):
Not yet...but I did ask for time to talk to him. I just don't know what I'm going to say yet.

Nina:
My advice is to not accuse him of anything. Just tell him where how you got the button...you don't have to tell him all the gory details...just tell him where you were...see if he offers any information.

Doug:
And if he doesn't?

Nina:
That's up to you...just be careful how you handle it...keep your temper in check.
(Doug chuckles)
And then let me know what happens, OK?

Doug (nods):
OK...

Nina:
Anything else on your mind?

Doug (grins):
I understand you have stumbled upon something from my past thanks to the big mouth of my best friend...
(chuckles)

Nina:
Yes...and he was very upset about that! I hope you weren't too harsh with him...he worried about that all day and all night!

Cut back to Mark and Carol working together at the counter. Carol is sitting down...Mark is standing at the edge with a stack of files.

Carol:
Did Doug talk to you about his headaches?

Mark (looks over at her):
Headaches? No...why?

Carol:
He's been having really bad headaches for about 2 weeks now. He thinks they're migraines but he promised to let you look at him.

Mark:
Huh! Must have slipped his mind...but we can fix that! I'll get him...don't worry.

Carol (stands up):
Well, when he comes back, tell him I went home and I have a lunch date with Jeanne Boulet tomorrow.

Mark (nods):
Will do, Carol...take it easy.

Mark watches as Carol goes down the hall and gets into the elevator. She waves to him as the doors close and he nods back at her.

Cut back to Nina and Doug...Doug is curled in the chair now and relaxed a little more...Nina is still behind her desk.

Nina:
I hope you aren't too angry at Mark. He didn't mean to betray your confidence...he just assumed I knew.

Doug:
That's understandable...he thinks I tell you everything! And I know the two of you discuss my case...you're both doctors...I expected that too...

Nina:
Well, now, that's not entirely true. I don't tell Mark the things we discuss in here, but, if you've talked to him about it, I can offer him input.

Doug:
That's OK. I don't mind. And I wasn't upset with Mark. I don't think there's anything Mark could do that would break our bond. It's really incredible. I wish I knew what it is about him that makes him different.

Nina:
Maybe he's the first man in your life that ever showed signed of caring anything about what happened to you.

Doug (thinking...nods):
Maybe. You could be right. I didn't have very good experiences with men before Mark.

Nina:
Do you want to talk about when you were in JDH?

Doug (shrugs):
It's an area of my life that I never talk about...it's not something I'm proud of.
(chuckles)
And then, today, I told a 10 year old boy about it because I hope it will keep him from ending up there.

Nina:
Raoul?
(Doug nods)
How are the two of you getting along now, anyway? I know you said you had a rocky start...

Doug:
It's getting better. We communicate really well now...today he told me he loved me.
(chuckles)
That was a big deal.

Nina (smiles):
I bet. That's big breakthrough for both of you. So, you told Raoul about when you were in JDH?

Doug:
Not about it...just that I was there and that it wasn't good and it wasn't a place he wanted to go to.

Nina:
It was bad for you then?
(Doug nods)
Well, what did you do to end up there? I mean, that's a pretty serious step...

Doug:
I didn't do anything...that's the whole point. I think that's why I went into it with such a bad attitude...I was railroaded.

Nina:
How so?

Doug:
OK, yeah, I'd been taken home by the cops a few times for things kids do, so, I guess I had a reputation of sorts. I was 12...same age my son is now...anyway...my Dad was home...one of his rare times...and he had been drinking...not rare...I came home and I came in the back door. The door didn't close all the way sometimes and my mother always told me to be sure I got the door closed, so, I pulled it shut really hard and it slammed with a long BANG! Ray came storming through the house, screaming at me about 'how many times had he told me not to slam the damn door?!?'. So, he grabbed me and told me he'd 'teach me a lesson about slamming doors'...he hauled me into my bedroom and threw me across my bed. I remember I tried to get away from him, but he grabbed me and threw me face down on the bed, pinning me with his arm in my back. With his one free hand he pulled my jeans off me and then he took off his belt. I remember at first thinking he was going to pull an 'Uncle Don' on me, but, he just laid into me with the belt. He hit me over and over...the belt cut into my skin and it burned like crazy, but, I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of tears. When he finally let me go, I felt like I was on fire from my shoulders to my knees he had hit me so many times. I remember I pulled up my pants and ran out of the house as fast I could and when to my girlfriend's house...

Nina:
You had a girlfriend when you were 12?

Doug:
Yeah...just like Scotty now with Veronica.

Nina:
Continue, please...

Doug:
There wasn't anybody home at her house except her and she could see that I was really upset, so, she let me come in. I just wanted somebody to be gentle with me...I just wanted comfort. At first all we did was snuggle. She held me close and I felt safe. So, I started touching her...and kissing her... and before I knew it, we were on the floor and undressed...

Nina:
So, you had experience with sex as early as 12 years old?

Doug:
I started having sex with girls when I wasn't much older than Raoul...I was 11. I lied to my son when he asked me when I started having sex...I told him 15...but it was really earlier.

Nina:
Why did you say 15?

Doug:
That's when I had my first serious girlfriend...the first person I ever thought I might be in love with. I always kind of blocked out most of my life before I was 13. After Ray left and didn't come back, I felt like I started my life over.

Nina:
That makes sense...what happened with this relationship when you were 15?

Doug (shrugs):
The same thing that always happened...I did something to screw it up...or I got into some kind of trouble and she didn't want anything further to do with me. It's always been that way with women...except Carol. Carol may have told me off a few times, but, she never stopped being my friend. She never walked out on me. I think it was that way with Mark, too...

Nina:
These are good points...
(makes note of them in his file)
...please go back to your story.

Doug:
So, her Dad came in and caught us. We weren't doing anything, but, we were undressed except for our underwear and we were on the floor...and I was on top of her. He called the police and said I raped her. They took her to a hospital and a doctor said she had been violated. I remember when I was with her that she had bruises all over her, but, I didn't put them there. They were already there. I think her Dad raped her. I always thought he did it. But, she wouldn't say anything, so, they pinned the blame on me.

Nina:
And you went to Juvenile Hall?

Doug:
I got a real tough judge. I remember they told me before I went before him that he was really tough. He looked over my records and my school records and determined that I needed 'guidance' that I 'obviously wasn't getting at home' so he sentenced me to a year in a Detention Center...pretty much like Raoul getting yanked out of his home and put in a foster home or some other kind of a home. It's not much different where they put you once you're labeled as a 'bad kid'...

Nina:
But, you weren't a bad kid. You were abused and no one ever did anything to help you...

Doug (nods):
Exactly...it's the same thing with Raoul. In the right environment, I think he could flourish. I just don't know if he'll ever have a chance to get the right environment.

Nina:
So, you were in JDH a year?

Doug (nods):
Yeah...while they 'rehabilitated' me. Maybe it's just me, Nina, but, I don't see how putting a kid's face to the wall and beating them with a paddle can constitute 'discipline'. To me, that's just plain mean.

Nina:
You were paddled in JDH?

Doug (nods):
Practically daily. We were paddled for the least little thing.

Nina:
Who paddled you?

Doug:
They had a 'disciplinarian'. All punishment was administered by him. He was like a school principal...or a warden...or something. He was the one who did the deed.

Nina:
Was this punishment like a school paddling? How many licks were you given?

Doug:
There wasn't any set number. He just put you across the desk and hit you until he thought you had had enough. I remember one time he hit me about 20 times...

Nina (shocked):
With a wooden paddle?
(Doug nods)
Were you hurt?

Doug (shrugs):
Wouldn't have mattered if I was. Nobody was going to do anything about it anyway.

Nina:
So, you were subjected to a lot of physical abuse during this year there?
(Doug nods)
What about sexual abuse?
(Doug looks up at her over the top of his bangs)
I'll take that as a 'yes'. So, you were subjected to physical abuse at home, as well as the sexual abuse when you were 6, and then you have to endure both of them for a year? Without anyone to counteract any of it?

Doug (nods):
That's about the size of it.

Nina:
Well, my Lord! No wonder you turned into an uncaring adult! How could you be capable of an emotion like love when you were obviously denied it most of the formative years of your life!

Doug:
My Mom tried, you know...but she could only make up for just so much...I still can't sleep on my stomach...I remember when they held me on the ground on my stomach, I knew what was coming...and I started fighting...and in my mind I remembered some of the things that happened if you fought in JDH and I let up and just let them have their way with me...figuring that would be easier in the long run...

Nina:
What kind of things happened if you fought in JDH?

Doug (sighs):
If you fought the guards...

Nina:
Guards? I thought punishment was administered by a disciplinarian?

Doug:
Punishment was a paddle...what the guards did was something different.

Nina:
Wasn't someone aware it was going on?

Doug (shrugs):
I'm sure they were...but nobody cared about any of us. We were all 'bad kids'...why else would we be there? Anyway, if you fought with them during this 'ritual' you might get zapped with an electric cattle prod or have your head held under water...things like that...and it didn't stop what was happening anyway...

Nina (shakes her head):
It is deplorable what our system does to children. I mean, I know there are truly 'bad seeds' but there are some children who, like you said about Raoul, just need the right environment. I mean, look at you! You are a WONDERFUL example for a child like Raoul. Once you got out, you put yourself together, applied yourself to a goal, and became a doctor. You are proof that abused kids CAN overcome.

Doug:
Professionally, I did fine. But my personal life has been a lot of tug and pull to get where it is now.

Nina:
Yeah, OK...you had problems but you sought help for them... that takes a lot of courage. You wanted to change things and you knew you were the only one that could do it. You took control. You wanted to climb out...you didn't use your abused past as an excuse for your actions or as a tool to gain special favors. You just used the experience to produce something good out of it...your work as a doctor with children...and lately with Raoul on an individual basis. You took a bad thing and made something good. That's something not everyone can do.

Doug (ticks his head):
I guess I didn't think of it like that.

Nina:
Oh, Doug...you just have no idea how far you've come, do you?

Doug (grins):
Yeah...I guess I do. I mean, I could have ended up in prison, but, I have a career, and a family...good friends...I may have some bad times, but, there are always people there to see me through them. I guess things turned out OK after all.
(smiles)
I just don't always see that.

Nina:
Most of us don't...but I will ask you if Carol knows about your JDH experience?

Doug (nods):
When Carol and I were dating, I probably told her everything that ever happened to me in my life at one time or another. And, yes, I told her about that, too.

Nina:
Why didn't you ever bring it up with me?

Doug:
It's not something I like to talk about. Truthfully, I'd really rather just forget about it.

Nina (looks at her clock on her desk):
Well...our time is up for today...when are you going to confront this person about the button?

Doug (stands up):
Today, I think...

Nina:
Well, you let me know about that, will you?

Doug (grins, nods):
Next time, OK?

Nina:
I'll see you then, Doug.

Doug (stops as he gets to the door):
Thanks, Nina...talking to somebody really helps.

Nina (smiles at him):
I know, Doug...that's why I made it my job to listen.

He grins and goes on out the door. Show Nina smiling and making notes on his file as Act Three Fades to Black.

Act Four

Scene opens still at the center. Doug is coming back from his session with Nina and stops beside Mark at the front counter.

Mark:
Everything OK?

Doug (nods):
Everything's fine. Carol go home?

Mark:
Yeah and she said to tell you she has a lunch date with Jeanne Boulet tomorrow.

Doug:
Well, then, let's hope for the best.

Mark:
You really think Carol won't come back to work?

Doug:
We talked about it...she said she might take a year off...but she would still do the books and data entry and stuff. I thought we'd buy another computer and set it up for her at home so she can work at home. I think she might like that for a while.

Mark:
What about you? All this money...you don't have to work now...

Doug:
I want to work. This is what I do. And this is what I want to do...but it's nice knowing I don't have to now...
(chuckles)

Mark:
I have exam room two all ready for you.

Doug (surprised):
For me? What for?

Mark:
Carol mentioned your headaches...

Doug (scoffs):
Ah, man! She would! They're migraines, Mark...just give me a script for the meds...

Mark (smiles as smirking smile at him):
Not without an exam, DOCTOR!

Doug (agitated):
Oh, hell! All right...

Mark:
Neither one of us have any patients right now...now is the perfect time.

Doug goes on off down the hall with Mark following behind him. They go into an exam room and Mark closes the door. Doug goes over and slides up onto the table and Mark brings a BP cuff.

Doug (sighs as Mark puts the cuff on his arm):
Do you really have to do all this?

Mark:
Yes....you know I do!

Doug rolls his eyes as Mark starts pumping the bulb to get the BP reading. The numbers stablize and Mark nods a satisfied smile.

Mark:
115/88...pretty good.

Doug:
It's been staying around in there...

Mark:
OK, where exactly do the headaches originate?

Doug (rubs the base of his neck):
Right around in here...then they just travel up to the top of my head and around to my temples.

Mark:
Does it make your shoulders hurt?

Doug:
Sometimes.

Mark:
How long do they last?

Doug:
I had one that lasted about 12 hours...I had another one that lasted 2 days.

Mark:
Do you wake up with them? Or go to sleep with them?

Doug:
Sometimes.

Mark:
OK!
(takes out a pinlight flashlight)
Let's have a look...

Doug lays back so Mark can look into his eyes. When the light hits his eyes, Doug winces and turns his head away.

Mark:
Come on, I have to see...

Doug:
I know! It just hurts...

Mark shines the light in each eye, one at a time. When the light hits the eye, Doug winces and grunts, but, manages not to turn his head away again.

Mark:
I'd feel better if you went over to County and had a CAT scan, but, I pretty much agree with you. The pupils pretty much indicate it's migraines.

Doug (sits up):
You want me to get a CAT scan?

Mark:
Yeah, I'd feel better about it.

Doug (nods):
OK...call it in and I'll go now. Then I have to sign some forms...you'll be at the Board Members party tonight, right?
(slides off the table and heads for the door)

Mark:
There's a board members party?

Doug (at the door):
Yeah, at the hotel at 7 o'clock...bring Nina!

Mark (smiles):
I'll be there...
(once Doug is gone)
...how about that...I'm a board member on a hotel!

Cut to show time lapse. Show Doug leaving County through the ER exit. He walks across the lot and into the parking port. He goes slowly along, his mind flashing back to the night of the attack. He sees the distorted image of the person who stopped him, asking for a light and hears the voice...and his mind flashes back to present...his eyes wide with surprise.

Greg (steps out from behind a concrete pillar in the garage):
Dr. Ross? You OK?

Doug (whirls around quickly):
Greg! What are you doing here?

Greg:
I had to run an errand for Dr. Greene...I was on my way to my car and I saw you...you look confused...are you OK?

Doug:
Yeah...I'm fine...

Greg:
What was it you wanted to talk to me about earlier? You said it was private...is this private enough?

Doug:
I think you already know what I wanted to talk to you about, don't you, Greg?

Greg (shakes his head with a confused look):
No...I don't think so...

Doug (starts walking towards him slowly):
You don't? I know you were here that night, Greg...I know I pulled this button off your jacket...

Greg (starts backing up slowly):
I don't know what you're talking about...

Doug (playful taunting voice):
'Hey, Buddy...got a light?'...that was you, wasn't it?
(Greg doesn't answer, just gives Doug a careful look)
What was your plan, Greg? Were you already in love with Carol and thinking if you could get me out of the picture you could make your move on her? So, you set me up to be taken down in a way you thought would repulse Carol so that she would dump me? Was that your plan?

Greg:
You've got it all wrong, Dr. Ross!

Doug (backs him up against a stone pillar and gets right in his face...Greg shows fear):
Then why don't you fill me in on the parts I'm missing?

Greg (near panic):
OK! All right! You're right! I was here that night! And I did stop you for a light! But that's ALL I had to do with it!

Doug (takes Greg by the shirt collar):
Did you initialize it? Did you set it up?

Greg:
No...I swear!
(Doug tightens his grip on him)
OK...I mentioned it to somebody...but I wasn't going to do it! I swear! He told me he had some guys that would help us and I wouldn't have to do anything but they would get the job done! I got scared. I didn't know how to stop it! That's why I waited around until they let you go and came to see if I could help you...

Doug:
So that was you that offered to get help for me?

Greg (nods slowly):
Yeah...

Doug (slams him back against the wall a little):
So, you participated in it by stopping me so they could grab me? I oughtta knock your head in...
(stops...releases him and calms his voice)
...but that wouldn't make me any better than you. Besides...I know how to cook your goose well done...I'll just tell Carol what I remembered...
(Greg bites his lip)
...that ought to make you history, Pal!

Greg:
Are you going to go to the police?

Doug (almost laughs):
The police? For what? So they can arrest you? Take this to trial? You think I've spent two years of my life trying to get over this to relive it all on a witness stand? So the Chicago Tribune can report and the whole world can know about it? No thanks, Greg. They'd put you in jail, and I know about what would happen to a guy like you in a place like that...
(pause, turns away)
...and I wouldn't wish that on anybody...not even you.
(walks away...looks out over Chicago from the opening nearby)
I want you out of Chicago, Greg. Mark and I will give you a good recommendation and help you relocate to a good hospital someplace like Florida, New York, or California...someplace a long way away from here.
(turns back and stares at him)
And if I ever see you again, I don't make any promises that I won't go to the police. I'm giving you one chance to get your life back...that's more than you did for me.
(Greg lowers his head and nods slowly)
Now get out of my sight before I change my mind.

Greg doesn't waste any time sidestepping Doug and heading across the garage. Doug stands and watches him go with a confused, but satisfied and relieved look on his face.

Cut to show time lapse and Doug going back into the center where Mark is winding things down for the day.

Doug (pitches a folder on Mark's desk):
Results of the CAT scan...

Mark (surprised):
You brought them with you?

Doug:
Sure! Better than waiting for them to send them over here!

Mark (opening envelope...chuckles):
What does it say?

Doug:
It says the blood vessels are constricted causing pressure and pain...

Mark:
In other words, it says you have migraines.

Doug (grins):
Bingo! Write me a script for the meds and everything should be fine.

They are interrupted by Greg stopping in the door way. He gives Doug a careful look, but, comes in nonchalantly.

Greg:
Oh, good, you're both here! I wanted to talk to you.

Mark (motions him in):
Sure, Greg...come on in.

Greg:
I have a cousin in California and he has offered me a staff position at a University Hospital out there...I know this is sudden, but, I'd really like to take this opportunity.

Mark:
Well, geez, Greg...couldn't you at least let us find a replacement for you first?

Greg (shrugs):
You can get a temp, I'm sure...and I know it won't take long to fill the position...not in this town...

Mark:
Hate to lose you, Greg. You're very good at what you do.

Greg (eyes Doug carefully):
I appreciate that, but, I really don't want to lose this chance.

Mark (nods):
Well, I can respect that. OK. When are you leaving?

Greg:
I'm leaving for LA tomorrow.

Mark (looks carefully at Doug and then back at Greg):
Something going on here I don't know about?

Doug:
No...why?

Mark:
Because I'm picking up bad vibes between you two...what's going on?

Doug:
Well, Greg has a crush on my wife...but that's not anything I can't handle...maybe it's gotten to be too much for Greg to handle?

Greg (nervously, but relieved Doug isn't telling the truth):
Actually, I do think it's best if I leave the face of temptation...yes.

Mark:
Well, OK...will you mail me a resignation? So I can keep it in your file?

Greg (nods):
Sure.

Doug:
Dr. Greene and I will be happy to give you letters of recommendation...

Mark (nods):
Absolutely...just let us know where to send them.

Greg (nods):
I will...
(shakes hands with Mark)
Thank you, Dr. Greene...
(shakes hands with Doug and they meet eye to eye)
...and thank you, Dr. Ross.

Doug:
Good bye, Greg...I wish you good luck with your new life.

Greg turns quickly and starts out of the office. Doug watches him go with a relieved smile as Act Four Fades to Black.

Closing Act

Scene opens at the Drake Hotel. Pan in from the street and past a bar filled with customers into a dining room. Pan along and show guests at tables and counters enjoying themselves and the atmosphere. Pan into a private dining area where Mark, Nina, Doug, Carol, and two other people are sitting at a table enjoying dinner. The two other people are Karen, the hotel manager, and Clark Adams, another partner.

Doug:
OK, gang...we have the titles for everyone...Mark...you are simply a member of the board...you don't have an official title...sorry about that...

Mark:

As long as I'm in...

Doug (nods):

Clark...you're the man with all the money and financial brains...we're making your CFO...Chief Financial Officer. You will handle the money and the business side of things...checking everything with me, of course.

Clark:
Of course! I wanted to thank you for allowing me in. I've been trying to get into this hotel for several years but, your Dad insisted on doing everything himself.

Doug:
Well, I have my job...I don't need another one. But, I am trusting from Karen's recommendation that you will continue to run this hotel financially in the same manner in which my father built it to this level.

Clark:
I intend to make it better!

Doug:
Well, that's fine, too!
(all laugh)
Karen...you are Vice President of Executive Affairs and Manager...you get ALL the headache of running this place, which I already know you love to do anyway!

Karen (nods):
And I run all promotion and advertising ideas through you, or Carol, right?

Doug (nods):
Right. I am CEO...Chief Executive Officer...and Carol is Vice President of the Board...she can always act in my behalf in I'm not here. I don't travel...that's up to Clark...and no one can rent the Presidential Suite unless it's first cleared by me!
(all laugh)
Everybody has their copy of the draft?
(everybody holds up their copy)
Everything is signed...sealed...and delivered. We are now corporate partners and hotel owners!

Mark:
A toast?

Doug (nods):
A toast...champagne for the ones of us who drink...
(fills up his glass and Carol's from a different bottle)
...and Sparkling Cider for those of us who don't!
(Carol smiles)

Mark (hoisting his glass):
To partnership!

Doug (lifting his glass):
To success!

Karen:
To Clark....without whose backing I would never have been able to afford this...

Clark:
To Doug...who made it all possible for us.
(all clink their glasses together)

Cut to show time lapse. Show Mark and Nina, Doug and Carol walking slowly down the street together away from the Drake.

Carol:
Doug told me Greg resigned today...that must have been a shock.

Mark:
I was a little surprised, yes...

Carol (sighs):
Now we have to get another nurse as well as another PA.

Mark:
Well, maybe Jeanne will give you good news tomorrow.

Carol:
Yeah, that would be one relief...

Doug:
It shouldn't be hard to find another nurse.

Carol:
I hope not...we've only got a few weeks to get everything nailed down before I won't be coming in at all...

Doug:
We'll get it done...don't worry.

They get to Mark's car and Mark opens the door for Carol as she gets in the back to wait for Doug. Nina goes around and gets in on the passenger's side. Once both women are in the car, Mark turns to Doug.

Mark:
Why did I get the feeling you were celebrating more than becoming a millionaire and a hotel owner tonight?

Doug (smiles):
I don't know, Mark...maybe you just know me really well.

Doug pats Mark on the shoulder and leaves him to think about that remark as he climbs into the back with Carol. Mark thinks a minute, then ticks his head and gets in behind the wheel to drive them away as Closing Act Fades into the Closing Credits of the show.

April 1, 1998