E.R.
"New Adventures"
Opening Act
Scene opens at the County Memorial Hospital. Doug Ross in on duty with Carol Hathaway and
Mark Greene. Everybody is working on different things...Carol watching monitors, Mark
going over a chart, and Doug reading back some notes he's made about something else.
Action is interrupted by a ringing phone, which Carol quickly reaches to answer.
Carol (into phone receiver):
County Memorial, Carol Hathaway speaking. (her face brightens into a smile at the sound of
the voice on the other end, which we do not hear) Hi, Chris! Yeah! He's right
here! Hold on! (reaches the phone to Doug quickly) It's Chris! He wants to talk to
you!
Doug takes the receiver and leans back against the desk station. Cut the screen to show
both brothers in the picture...Doug in his hospital scrubs leaning on the desk...Chris in
jeans and a t-shirt sitting on a desk.
Doug (brightly):
Hey, Kiddo! What's up?
Chris (smiles):
How's Chicago, Bro?
Doug:
Oh, same ole, same ole. You know how it goes.
Chris:
Guess you read about the track crash, huh?
Doug:
Oh, yeah! I read all about that. They said you're OK though, and they expect you back on
the track in no time.
Chris:
Yeah, well, it may not be quite that simple. The doctors here are talking about surgery
for my knee.
Doug:
Banged it up pretty good, did you?
Chris:
Listen, Doug, I'll be honest with you, OK? I got a lot of things on my mind and I think I
need to get out of here for a while. I'd like a second opinion about my knee. And I'd like
it to come from somebody you trust. If I come up there, could you get somebody to take a
look at it?
Doug:
Sure, Bud! That's not a problem at all.
Chris (quietly):
And if I do have to have it cut on, well, I think I'd just rather be with family for a
while, OK?
Doug (smiles):
Come on home, Bro. The door's open.
Chris (smiles now):
Thanks, Doug! I'll be there tomorrow, OK?
Doug:
I'm on duty all day! Just come on to the hospital and I'll see you then.
Chris:
You know someplace I can stay while I'm there?
Doug:
Sure! Hotel Ross! The accommodations aren't the greatest, but, I got a sofa bed that's
never been slept on and it's free! I'll be glad to have you! It's OK.
Chris:
Then, I'll see you tomorrow. Thanks, Doug.
Doug (smiles):
Hey, Kid, that's what families are for!
Show Chris hanging up the phone in Florida and Doug reaching the phone back to Carol in
Chicago.
Carol:
So, you're gonna have company for a while, huh?
Doug (smiles as he starts away):
Yeah! My little brother's coming home!
Carol:
What was that about him being as good as new in no time?
Doug (looking back over his clipboard note):
Had a crash on the track about three weeks ago. Hit a wall and banged up his knee pretty
bad. Doctors in Florida are talking surgery and he wants a second opinion, so, he wants to
come home. (turns to look at her quizzitively) Why?
Carol (dumbfounded expression):
Oh, no reason, really. Just wondered what was wrong.
Doug (laughs, goes back to his notes):
Got a thing for my little brother, now, have you? (Laughs again) Just can't leave those
Ross men alone, can you, Carol?
Doug goes on off down the hall, chuckling to himself. Cut to show Carol with a 'slow
burn' look on her face and fade
Opening Act into Opening Credits of show
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Act One
Scene opens outside the Emergency entrance to County Memorial. Cut to show Chris
Kilpatrick's car cruising carefully to a stop just at the handicap ramp of the entrance.
He puts the car in 'park' and carefully leans his head back against the head rest of
the driver's seat. He reaches carefully to try and move his left knee, but, he can't
move it. He sighs, and leans his head back again. He winces against the pain and tries
again at no avail. Finally, he leans his hand on the horn and lets it honk until Mark
Greene comes rushing out to see what the problem is.
Mark (leans down to peer in the window to Chris):
Hey, Chris! What's the problem?
Chris (voice reflects his pain):
I can't get out of the car. My knee just won't work! I need some help! Can you go get
Doug?
Mark (shakes his head):
Doug's making his rounds right now, but, we'll get you out of here! Don't worry, OK? I'll
be right back.
Chris leans his head back again and winces, still trying to move his knee with no luck.
Mark exists quickly, and returns just as fast with a wheelchair and two orderlies. It
takes all three men to maneuver Chris out of the car, but, they finally manage to get him
into the wheelchair and wheel him into the hospital. Mark parks him close to Carol's
station desk and pats his shoulder gently.
Mark:
Someone will be right with you.
Chris (smiles sarcastically):
Sure. (looks up at Carol helplessly) I guess I'd stand a better chance of getting a doctor
if I were unconscious, right?
Carol (smiles slightly):
Actually bleeding. That usually works quicker! If you're unconscious, you're lying still
and not causing any problems. If you're bleeding, you're making a mess, so, we want to get
you out quicker! (She winks at him and smiles) Carter will be taking care of you.
He'll be here in a minute. I'll just take you on back now...
Chris (smiles, satisfied as he is wheeled away):
Ah, so, being family does count for something sometimes...
Carol (laughs):
Don't get used to that idea!
Cut scene to an ER exam room. Chris is sitting on the table with his off and his left knee
stretched out full on the table. He is wearing only a shirt and brief shorts with socks.
He is resting nervously when John Carter enters the exam room. John is briefing over
Chris' chart and smiles at his patient when he stops at the table to face him.
Carter:
Hi, Chris. How's the knee feeling now?
Chris (winces painfully):
Pretty sore. I guess driving up from Florida was a little much for it, huh?
Carter (nods):
Don't worry. We can fix it. What exactly did they tell you in Florida about it?
Chris (shakes his head):
I don't remember. Bunch of medical mumbo jumbo, actually. The only word I clearly remember
is 'surgery'.
Carter (turns away from Chris to a tray of medical supplies):
Well, first I need to see if there's any kind of fluid floating around in there.
(Carter picks up a long needle on a syringe and starts towards Chris with it. When Chris
catches sight of the curved end on the needle, he grips the table on both sides for
support and eyes Carter nervously)
Chris (looking at the needle):
What's that?
Carter (nonchalantly):
Just something to let me draw the fluid off, if there is any. Don't worry.
Chris (cautiously):
Will it hurt?
Carter (truthfully):
Only when it first goes in. Once it's in there, you won't feel it much.
Chris (nods nervously):
OK.
Cut to show needle inserting carefully into Chris' knee. Cut back to show Chris' face...he
winces and draws his breath in sharply. Cut to show the needle inserting further. Chris
groans and grips both sides of the table with his hands. Cut to show Chris laying
his head back so he can't watch the procedure any longer.
Carter (as he draws the needle out):
OK, there's some fluid in there. What I'm going to do for you today is order a full series
of tests. We'll run x-rays and an MRI. Then you should be able to go home in a knee brace.
Once the swelling is down, and I have all the results of the tests back, we'll see about
the surgery, OK?
Chris (reluctantly):
So, you're in agreement with the surgery?
Carter (shakes his head with a smile):
I won't say for sure until I get all the results, but, yeah, it's a good possibility.
Chris (disappointed):
OK.
Carter (pats his shoulder):
We'll get you on down to x-ray and I'll see you again in a little bit, OK?
Chris (reaches for his jeans):
Sure.
Cut to show time lapse...Chris is coming back to Carol's station in a knee brace. He stops
at the desk and she smiles at him.
Carol:
Hey, walking out under your own power! That's always a good sign!
Chris (grunts):
I need to see if Doug can drive me home. Dr. Carter says I can't drive for a while.
Carol (smiles):
I'll see if I can find Doug for you...
Focus on Carol as she picks up the phone to page Doug. Cut to show Chris staring at her
with a wry smile on his face....he is attracted to her... and he is intrigued by her. She
catches him starting at her and smiles, but does nothing to lead him on.
Carol (hangs up phone, turns to Chris):
Doug can't get free just now, but, I've got a break. I'd be glad to drive you to the house
if that's OK with you.
Chris (smiles):
That's fine with me.
Cut to show time lapse....Carol has delivered Chris to Doug's apartment and is helping him
get settled in to rest. Show as he helps him unfold the sofa bed and get it ready. Cut to
show her carrying an ice pack in to give to him. She stops by the bed and he is standing
there waiting for her.
Carol (nervously):
Why do you keep staring at me like that?
Chris (smiles a mischievous smile):
Something I wanted to ask you.
Carol (nonchalantly):
OK. (shrugs) Ask me.
Chris (reaches behind her hair to touch her neck and pull her face close to his):
What would you do if I was to do something like this?
(He leans in and kisses her hard on the lips, holding her face close to his for an instant
after
the kiss. Both close their eyes to the pleasure of the kiss, but as soon as it is over,
Carol
looks up at him quickly)
Carol (calmly):
I'd probably do something like this.
(she reaches out and slaps him hard across the cheek)
So, you probably should ask me first before you ever do that again.
(shoves the ice bag into his hand)
Here's your ice, although, I'm not sure your knee is the only thing you need it for now!
Doug should be home in a little while...
(picks up her car keys and starts for the door...she is nervous and can't get away fast
enough)
If you need anything, the number for the hospital is by the phone.
Chris (coaxing):
Carol, wait, I'm really sorry...
Carol (turns back from the door):
Don't be.
(she shakes her head as she turns the knob)
I'm not.
She opens the door and leaves quickly. Cut to show Chris easing himself onto the sofa bed
and carefully placing the ice pack on his sore knee. He leans his head back into the
pillows and lets out a long sigh...
Fade Act One To Black
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Act Two
Scene opens at Doug's apartment...night time...the room is dark except for the light from
the TV screen. We can hear a basketball game in progress on the TV. Cut to show Chris,
lying on top of his covers on the sofa bed. He is wearing a pair of jeans and a
sweatshirt, barefoot, with an ice pack still
on his knee, and drinking a bottle of beer. Off
screen we hear the door open and close. Cut to show Doug enter the room and lean down onto
the back of the sofa behind Chris.
Doug:
Hey, Bro!
Chris (doesn't look around, but lifts his beer bottle in greeting):
Yo.
Doug:
Who are the Bulls playing tonight?
Chris:
Lakers. Bulls are winning. Don't ask me by how much 'cuz I'm not sure I've been watching
the whole thing.
Doug (walks across the room and takes a bottle of beer from the refrigerator himself):
Did you eat?
Chris (calls into the kitchen to him):
Yeah, and I saved some for you. It's in the microwave. All you have to do is heat it.
Doug (returns to the room, stops beside Chris' bed):
Where'd you order it from?
Chris (looks up at Doug and laughs):
I didn't order it! I cooked it!
Doug (flops into a chair nearby):
You cook?
Chris (shrugs):
A few things. I don't starve, anyway.
Doug:
Carter take care of your knee?
Chris (looks back over his shoulder at Doug):
Yeah! He took a needle about this long...
(makes a LONG measurement with both his hands)
And shoved it into my knee...
Doug (laughs)
I think it was more about this long...
(shortens the distance between Chris' hands with his own hands)
With a curve on the end of it.
Chris (shrugs):
Wasn't your knee!
Doug (begins to sift threw old mail on the table in front of him):
So, what's he say?
Chris (waves his hand, trying to remember everything):
He says I have a torn medieval something or other...
Doug (smiles):
Torn medial collateral ligament?
Chris (nods):
Yeah, that's it. I also have something called a crushed interior something...
Doug (laughs lightly):
You mean a damaged anterior cruciate ligament?
Chris (laughs a little):
Yeah! That's it! What does all that mean?
Doug (slaps Chris on the thigh with a couple of the bills in his hand):
Means you tore up your knee, Bud!
Chris (quietly):
I guess I didn't need him to tell me that, did I?
Doug (flips the mail back on the table, takes a drink of beer):
He say anything about surgery?
Chris (nods):
Yeah, he wants to do it later this week. He wants the swelling to go down some and then
he'll schedule it. He called it 'band aid' surgery.
Doug (nods):
Yeah, they do it on football players all the time! You'll be back on the track before you
know it!
(Chris looks quietly at his beer bottle and doesn't say anything. Doug picks up the
'quiet' cue and zeros in on it)
You will be able to race again. Surely you know that.
Chris (shrugs):
I guess.
Doug:
Sounds like maybe you're not too sure?
Chris:
Well, Gene put another driver in the car before I ever left Florida.
Doug (shrugs):
Well, isn't that how it works with racing? The car has to have a driver? So, they put one
in the car? And as soon as you're ready to go back, you get the car back?
Chris (nods):
Yeah, that's how it works. I'm sure if I want the car back, I could have it. That's not
the problem.
Doug:
Then, what is the problem?
Chris (cuts the sound on the TV but leaves the light from the picture glowing):
I'm not sure I want it back.
Doug:
You don't want to race anymore?
Chris (shrugs):
I haven't really wanted to for a long time. I keep thinking that there has to be more to
life than racing around a track at 190 miles an hour. I've thought about doing other
things before, but, not like this.
Doug:
Well, you'll have some time to think it over. I'll help you anyway I can, you know that.
Chris (looks at him quizzingly):
When did you know you wanted to be a doctor?
Doug (laughs):
When I was in Boy Scouts, I guess. I splinted a bird wing. I figured if I could do that
for a bird, maybe I could do it for people. Just something born in me, I guess.
Chris (scoffs):
Well, at least you had a calling. I've never even had that. I really admire your
profession. Very noble, to say the least.
Doug (shrugs):
It's a rough life. Some days I come home telling myself I don't have the courage to face
another day. But, then, the next day, I do something that makes life better for somebody
for a while and it's all worth it. I guess it balances out. You thinking of being a
doctor?
Chris (laughs lightly):
Not a chance. I don't have the brains to be a doctor. I barely made it out of high school!
Doug (shakes his head):
Has nothing to do with intelligence. Not really. You probably barely made it out of high
school because you didn't apply yourself. That's all. the biggest hang up with being a
doctor is that it takes a lot of schooling to get there.
Chris:
Yeah, well, my grades would never get me into college to study medicine. I can tell you
that much.
Doug:
Well, if you're seriously looking at the medical profession, there are lots of other areas
besides being a doctor. Doctors need all kinds of help in fields you could probably do
very well at.
Chris (sits up...takes interest now):
Really? Like what?
Doug:
Well, like Technicians, for starters. X-Ray technician...Lab technician....not to mention
Medical Assistants and EMTs....
Chris (confused look):
What do all those kind of people do?
Doug:
They all play important roles in the medical profession. Take, like an EMT? A good EMT can
be the difference between life and death by taking care of a patient before they get them
to a doctor. I've seen it a thousand times in ER....
Chris (scoffs):
Yeah, but, you have to go to school for all those things don't you? We're back to college
again...
Doug:
Well, yeah, it's college, but, it's technical college. It's different. The courses are all
more general to the study. And shorter. Most of those degrees are two year courses.
Chris (grins slightly):
Would I be silly if I looked into some of them?
Doug:
Not at all! Tell you what! You get on your feet a little better and come to the hospital
with me. I'll let you observe some of these things and see what you think. I'll even see
if I can arrange for you to get a ride along with the EMT team so you can check it out as
well.
Chris (brightens):
Yeah? You can do that?
Doug (nods):
Sure! Meantime, I'll pick up some brochures and you can look them over.
Chris (nods happily):
Thanks, Doug! I really appreciate that!
Doug:
You know, though, that even if you decide to give up racing, you would need to drive in
one more race anyway?
Chris (scoffs):
Now you sound like Gene. He said the same thing before I left.
Doug:
Well, if you don't, then, you'll wonder for the rest of your life if you quit because you
were afraid. So, you'd need to race one last time to be sure you really wanted to quit.
(laughs) It's kind of like kissing an old flame good-bye, you know? You gotta kiss her one
last time to be sure it's really over!
Chris (shakes his head):
I wouldn't know about that! (laughs) Never had one long enough to tell them good-bye! What
about you? The voice of experience talking to me there?
Doug (stands up...stretches...and leans down to pat Chris on the shoulder):
Ah, I don't know! (laughs) Maybe! We'll talk about it some more tomorrow, OK, Kid? Right
now, I gotta get some sleep.
Chris (nods and stretches as well):
Yeah, me too! Been a long day. I didn't know how tired I was until I sat down here!
Doug (starts out of the room):
I'll see you in the morning, Bro!
Cut to show Doug going into this own bedroom and closing the door. Cut back to Chris. He
shuts the TV off and lays down on his bed to sleep. Cut to show time lapse and
distort the scene to show dream sequence. Show Chris' race car on a race track. Show car
rounding a curve in the track and start to swerve. Show car slam hard into concrete wall
of the track. Sirens wail in the background. Show Chris fighting to get out of the car but
is pinned inside. Show fire begin to spread from back end of the car. Muffled shouting can
be heard as well as the crackling of the spreading fire. Cut quickly out of the
dream and into present. Show Chris sitting bolt upright in bed with labored breathing. He
is shirtless now and sweating profusely on his face and chest. He places his hand to his
chest and recovers his breathing to normal, looking carefully and cautiously around him to
be sure of where he is. Slowly, he lays back down on his bed. Focus on his eyes wide
open, starting at the ceiling and fade Act Two to Black
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Act Three
Scene is in a hospital exam room. Carter is there with Chris and is going over details
with him carefully.
Chris (understanding):
So, you're gonna cut my knee open, right?
Carter:
We'll do an arthroscopy...it's band aid surgery...doesn't really cut the knee open but
fixes everything just the same. It's out patient surgery. You'll be in and out the same
day. The rehab is what is usually time consuming and painful in these.
Chris:
How long?
Carter:
No less than six weeks. At least. And then you should be able to do anything you did
before by then.
Chris (nods):
Well, OK, then! Anytime you think I'm ready. I'll see if Doug thinks he can put up with me
that long, and we'll get this thing done!
Carter (smiles):
Great! Everything will be fine, Chris...don't worry.
Cut to show Chris ambling the hall on his way out of Carter's exam room. He passes
Carol who gives him a careful look. The hallway is deserted except for the two of them.
She suddenly moves closer to him and draws him close to her.
Carol (quietly):
Something I wanted to ask you about, Chris.
Chris (stops, smiles down at her):
Yeah? What's that?
Carol (pulls him a little closer to her):
What would you do if I was to do something like this?
(she reaches up and kisses him quickly on the lips. When she pulls back, he is smiling at
her)
Chris (wide smile, begins to back her up to the wall):
I'd probably do something like this...
(he presses her to the wall with his own body and kisses her hard on the mouth)
So, you better be real sure you want to do that before you do it.
Cut to show both smiling and giggling a light laugh, but they compose themselves quickly
and she helps him on down the hallway. Pull back long pan shot to show Doug standing
at the end of the hallway and fade...
Cut scene to the hospital coffee shop. Doug is sitting at a table alone reading over
something in a book on the table in front of him. Cut to show Mark Greene sitting at
another table close by. He looks over at Doug a couple of times and finally, show him
getting up and walking over to stop at Doug's table
beside him.
Mark:
Something you want to talk about, Doug?
Doug (looks up suddenly, startled):
I'm reading.
Mark (nods):
You've been reading the same page for twenty minutes! Either you're a real slow reader or
something else is on your mind. You want to talk about it?
Doug (shrugs):
It's crazy.
Mark (motions to an empty chair):
I'll listen.
Doug (motions him to sit down):
It's just me. I don't even know why it's bugging me.
(Mark gives him his full attention. Doug works his hands nervously)
I saw Chris and Carol kissing each other in the hallway this morning.
Mark (trying to help):
And you're not sure how you feel about that?
Doug:
It's crazy! I mean, it's been over with me and Carol for a long time, but, when I saw her
kissing my kid brother...I don't know...it just did something to me! That's crazy! Right?
Mark (shakes his head):
I wouldn't call it crazy. I'd say maybe you aren't sure all your feelings for Carol are
behind you. There's nothing crazy about that.
Doug:
Chris has no way of knowing about Carol and me. This isn't his fault. I can't be mad at
him. I can't really be mad at her either. I mean, I pretty much made it clear the
relationship was over. I don't know why this is bugging me, Mark!
Mark (grins):
Maybe something you don't want to admit? Maybe feelings?
Doug (shakes his head):
If I cared about anyone it was probably Carol. But, I think a lot of that was because of
everything that happened after. Then, Chris came into my life out of nowhere. Here we are,
two grown adults, trying to catch up our whole lives. Both of us feel cheated by
Ray...both of us happy to find a blood tie...
Mark:
I think you should talk to one or the other of them about it...
Doug (shakes his head):
Oh no! If I talk to Carol, she'll read something into the conversation that might not even
be there! And if I talk to Chris, he'll think he did something wrong! I'm the only one
with a problem in this situation. I'll just have to work it out for myself!
Mark (sincerely):
Doug, Chris is your brother. He's family. There's a blood tie there that is stronger than
any relationship you've ever had in your whole life now. And he seems to be crazy about
you. I mean, he came home to you when he needed help and advice with his knee. He wants
very much to get to know you, and I can tell you're working on opening up your life to
him, which, I know is not easy for you. Don't let something like this stand between the
two of you and not let him know what's going on. Because in the long run, it can only
serve to hurt your relationship with him...not help it.
Doug (sighs):
I guess I have a lot to learn about families, don't I? (smiles at Mark) OK.
Thanks for the advice. I'll take it into consideration.
Mark leaves Doug alone to ponder the situation as well as the conversation.
Fade Act Three to Black
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Act Four
Scene opens at Doug's apartment. Chris is sitting at the kitchen counter going over some
brochures Doug has given him. Cut to show Doug entering the room from another room. Chris
looks up at him quickly.
Chris:
Going to the hospital?
Doug (nods):
Yeah. You want to go in with me? You can do some observing. Today's a good day...should be
fairly quiet today. I hope!
Chris:
Sure!
Doug:
I talked to Carter yesterday and he said they're going to schedule you for surgery day
after tomorrow. He said you'll be laid up about six weeks, counting the rehab and all. I
just want you to know you're welcome to stay here for as long as you need to. It's not a
problem.
Chris (nods):
Thanks. I appreciate that.
Doug:
There's just one thing, though, OK? If you start dating anyone, I really don't want you to
bring them back here. OK?
(Chris gives him a confused look. Doug gives him a half smile)
I saw you and Carol at the hospital yesterday. Looks like you two might be starting
something and I just don't think it's a good idea if you bring her back here when I'm
home.
Chris (realization slams him head on...his eyes flash concern):
Oh, my God! You mean you? And Carol? Doug, I'm sorry! I honestly didn't know...
Doug (defensively):
It's not a problem! Don't get the wrong idea! I just think it might be better that way, at
least for a while.
Chris:
She brought me here the other day when you couldn't get away to bring me home. She knew
where everything was without even thinking about it. She's obviously been here a lot
before! I never thought anything about it until just now...
Doug (sits down at the counter with him):
Carol and I were over a long time ago. I don't want you to worry about that. If you like
her, then go for it. It's my problem. Not yours.
Chris:
But, seeing us together is a problem for you. I don't want to give you any grief.
Doug (shakes his head):
It's my grief, Chris. I'll have to work it out for myself. I don't want that to stop you.
You want to take her to dinner, take her to dinner. Take her to a movie. Take her anyplace
you want, just please don't bring her back here.
Chris (nods):
It's a deal.
Doug (smiles a sad smile):
Remember I told you that you racing again was like kissing an old flame good-bye to be
sure it was over?
Chris (smiles):
Yeah.
Doug (tight lip):
I don't think I ever did that with Carol.
Chris:
Maybe you should.
Doug (looks at his watch...changes the subject quickly):
We better get moving!
Chris (grabs a jacket off the chair):
Right behind you, Bro!
Cut scene to the hospital cafeteria. Carol and Chris are seated across from each other at
the table drinking coffee. Chris has a serious look on his face. Carol senses something is
bothering him.
Carol (helpfully):
Bad news about your knee?
Chris (peers up at her through his bangs, shakes his head):
Nah, it's fine. Dr. Carter is doing the surgery in the morning. It should be good as new
in no time.
(looks up to confront her head on)
No, it's something else. Something I didn't know anything about. Something I'm not sure
how to handle.
Carol (offering):
Something I can help you with?
Chris (matter-of-factly):
Why didn't you tell me you and Doug used to be a hot item around here?
Carol (dumbfounded):
Well, that's kind of old news, Chris! I didn't think there was any reason for you to know!
Chris (stirs his coffee...looks at the cup):
He saw us kissing each other in the hallway.
Carol (doesn't understand the problem):
Yeah? So?
Chris (shrugs):
I think it kind of bothered him. He doesn't want to admit it, but, I think it did.
Carol:
Well, I don't know why it should! Doug was the one who ended that relationship... not me!
And besides, it was over a long time ago. We're all past that now. We're friends.
Chris (point blank expression):
I don't care how good of 'friends' I thought I might be with a woman, if I saw my brother
kissing her, it would bother me, too.
Carol (surprised expression):
God, you really are a Ross man, aren't you? You are so much like Doug I can't even believe
it!
Chris (smiles slightly):
Is that a good thing?
Carol (nods with a smile):
Yeah. Because you see, I have this thing for Ross men.
Chris (smiles):
Doug told me not to hold back. And I don't want to. Because I like you. A lot. And I'd
like to get to know you better. I don't know very many people in this town and if I'm
gonna be hanging around here for a while, then I'm gonna need all the friends I can get.
Carol (curiously):
Are you going to be hanging around here for a while? I figured you'd go back to Florida as
soon as you're able...
Chris (shakes his head):
No. I'm gonna stay here. I'm thinking of going to school to be an EMT. Doug got me a ride
along with the squad and I already went out with them. I talked to the paramedic a long
time. He told me drivers are a high demand and that he's sure I could get into the driving
school immediately. He says I can drive and get paid and still go to school. It might not
be easy, but, I'm willing to give it a shot. And I'm going to need Doug's help so I need
him on my side...not against me...right now. I've never had a brother. And now that I have
one, that relationship is more important to me than any other one in my life right now.
Carol (admittingly):
Well, I'll be honest with you. I'm going back to school myself. I'm going to study to be a
doctor. So, I guess I won't have much time for a relationship either.
Chris (reaches over and takes her hand in his):
But, we'll both have a little free time...(smiles) won't we?
Carol (smiles back at him):
I'd like that, Chris. We'll just take it slow and see what happens. If neither one of us
expects too much, who knows what can happen.
Chris doesn't answer...only smiles...
Cut scene to Doug's apartment. Chris has had his knee surgery and is recuperating on the
sofa bed. Doug comes in from his day at the hospital and pitches his keys on a table
before collapsing in a chair close to Chris' bed.
Doug (points to the ice pack):
How's the knee?
Chris (shrugs):
Hurts a little, but, it's OK.
Doug (points to balloons on the table):
From Carol?
Chris (nods):
How'd you guess?
Doug (shrugs):
She never sends flowers. Always balloons.
Chris:
Carol and I had a long talk yesterday. We agreed to be friends first and see how things
go. She told me she is going back to medical school...
Doug (nods):
Yes, she is. And I'm really proud of her for it. She'll be a good one.
Chris (continuing his interrupted sentence):
And I figure I'll have plenty of time for friendship because, if you'll have me, I'd like
to stay here a while.
(Doug gives him his full attention with a smile and a nod)
I'm going to take the driver course for the EMT squad. Dale Aldrick says I'd be a shoo in
and I can go to work driving right away. He says I can drive and go to school too. Is that
right?
Doug (nods):
Yeah, but, it won't be easy.
Chris (continues):
I know I'm gonna need help. Can I count on my big brother for that?
Doug (smiles):
Anyway I can! I told you that already, Kid.
(he and Chris 'high five' each other)
I'm not big on relationships, either, Kid. Never have been. I've never really had anybody
need me for anything. I think I kind of like it.
(Chris senses Doug's need to talk and lets him continue)
If we had grown up together, I would have helped you pick a career and helped you with it
any way I could have. Now is no different. I'll give you all the encouragement I can. I
can even help you with some of the courses you'll take. I can give you a place to stay and
all the momentum you can handle. But, the rest is up to you.
Chris (nods):
I can live with that. I can even pay half the expenses around here if you're sure we won't
get too crowded.
Doug (laughs):
With the schedules we'll be keeping? We'll be lucky if we see each other anyplace but at
the hospital!
(offers his hand to shake)
It's a deal then?
Chris (reaches out and shakes with him):
It's a deal.
Doug:
What about racing again? Have you talked to Gene?
Chris (nods):
Talked to him on the phone today. He told me to do whatever I thought was best for me and
he'll support my decision. He'll miss me...and I'll miss him...but, we'll see each other.
I can't toss away everything Gene has done for me, but he knows I haven't been happy on
the tracks for a long time, too.
Doug:
What about the hurdle of fear? Gene and I both kind of agreed you should race one last
time...
Chris (shrugs):
I'll pick a race somewhere down the road sometime. (grins) This is more important. This is
something I really want to do, Doug.
Doug (smiles):
Then, I think you should definitely do it!
Doug stands up and starts away, but, in one instant, he turns back to Chris. He
leans over the back of the sofa and squeezes Chris' shoulders in a soft gentle hug and
pats his shoulder. He walks away without a word, leaving Chris with a smile that says he
knows the foundation they've put down is firm and that things
will work out all right...
Fade Act Four To Black
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Act
Scene opens at the hospital ER desk. Carol is chatting with Doug and Carter...Carter is
eating something snack food wise and Doug is busy making notes on a clipboard.
Carol (to Doug, casually):
So, what's the latest with Chris? I haven't seen him around lately!
Doug (doesn't look up...keeps his attention on his work):
Uh, he's been real busy studying, mostly. He got his CDL recently and was going to take
his test for driving, but, I don't remember when he said that was....
Carter:
His knee has done great! I guess because he's in such good shape but he beat my schedule
for healing by a mile!
Carol (smiles):
I think maybe he had a lot of help and support from family, too.
(Doug looks up at her and grins)
Doug (goes back to his work):
Anyway, he asked me to meet him here today....said he has a surprise to show me... so I'm
waiting for him now...
Carol (looks up and gasps in her breath):
Oh, my God! (gives a soft 'wolf' whistle....Doug and Carter give her a "look")
Well, I'm sorry! There's just something about a man in uniform that brings out the worst
in me!
Chris walks into the scene in full EMT uniform, complete with a radio transmitter and a
photo name badge.
Carter (tugs on his jacket sleeve gently):
Well, Buddy! Would you take a look at this?
Doug (turns to see Chris in his uniform and smiles):
You got in!
Chris (smiles wide):
Best driving score they ever had! And...
(pulls out a schedule from his pocket)
I'm already accepted and pre-registered for the next semester of EMT courses!
Doug :
I'm really proud of you, Kid!
Carter:
Way to go, Chris! Hey, I guess you Wing 'em and we sling 'em, huh?
Carol (winces in mock pain):
Oh, Carter! That's so bad!
Chris' radio suddenly crackles to life and group gives a careful listen to the call that
comes in...
Radio Speaker:
Responding Units, Red 21 and EMT 719...
Chris (looks up quickly):
719! That's me!
Doug (grins):
Then, you're out of here, Bud! Just try and bring 'em back alive!
Chris turns and races quickly away...just as he gets to the door, he turns back to
Doug with a short wave...Doug gives him a "thumbs up" sign and freeze the frame
to fade...
2/21/97
*****AUTHOR'S NOTE*****
The characters in this script do not belong to me. This script is written purely as
entertainment and I make no profit on any part of it.