Pushing Against The Dam

Opening Act

Scene opens focuses on Doug Ross' jeep parked at the curb of the street in front of a house, but, it is not the Ross house. Pan up slowly to show another car is parked in the driveway in front of a garage door. Pan slowly along the front exterior of this house to show that it is big. Cut to inside the house. Show Doug and Carol Ross walking slowly through a large, empty room, looking around in awe. Carol is showing her pregnancy and wearing a maternity top, Doug is carrying Marc in his arms. They are in the company of a smartly dressed real estate agent. Her name badge reads TERESA CUMMINGS. Show Scott and Tatiana running through the house to check out everything at once, shouting excited ad libs as they go.

Teresa:
This was used as a family room.

Carol (looks around):
Oh, Doug, look! It has a fireplace!

Teresa:
There's a fireplace in here...and one what they used as the living room. There's a fireplace in the master bedroom and one in the basement.

Carol:
But, that's not the only heat in the house, right?

Teresa:
Oh, no! It has central heat and air.

Doug (stoops down to look into the fireplace):
What else does it have?

Teresa (reading from paper):
OK, it has a Living Room, Dining Room, Family Room and Kitchen on the main level...up three steps to the bedrooms...five rooms were used as bedrooms...

Doug (chuckles, looks at Carol):
Gee, Carol, they must have had as many kids as we're going to have!

Teresa:
...that's the master bedroom and four additional. There is a half bath on the main level, the master bedroom has a full bath, one of the other bedrooms has it's own full bath, and then there is another bathroom on the split level.

Carol:
Three and a half baths!
(Looks at Doug)
Sounds too good to be true!

They walk on through to see the Dining Room and Living Room. The rooms are huge and beautiful. They go on through and into the Kitchen.

Carol (looks around):
It has a dishwasher?

Teresa (nods):
Yes, it's built in, so, it stays.

Carol (still looking):
Oh, Doug! Just LOOK at this! We would even have room to put a breakfast table in here!

Doug (taps the counter in the middle of the room):
I like this.

Carol:
Yeah, I can't believe that's there and there's STILL room for a table! These rooms are immaculate!

Teresa (smiling):
There's a small room over here ...
(she goes over and opens a door)
...that was used as a laundry room...

Doug (looks in):
And that's what it would remain! This is nice...

Teresa:
Would you like to see the bedrooms now?

Doug (nods):
Sure...

Doug helps Carol up the three steps to the second level behind a leading Teresa.

Doug:
I'm glad it doesn't have very many steps. Neither one of us need them...

Carol:
One of the things I specifically asked for, Love.

They go with Teresa up into the second level and start looking into very large bedrooms.

Doug:
Exactly how many kids were in this family, anyway?

Teresa:
I think the owner told me she had seven children.
(Doug nods, Carol grins. Teresa directs them to another large room)
This is the Master Bedroom...

Carol (going into the room):
Oh, Doug! This is WONDERFUL!

Doug (looking around):
I gotta admit...even I am stunned.

Carol (going into a small room off from the bedroom):
What's this?

Teresa:
Oh, they used this as a dressing room.

Carol:
Doug, come here and look at this! This would be PERFECT for a nursery!

Doug (comes and looks into the room):
Yeah! It would!

Teresa:
The basement is finished and has a half bath, the attic is not finished, but, it is floored and insulated. All you'd need to do to finish it is panel it...

Doug (chuckles):
Well, we know how to do that...

Teresa:
It has a two car garage and a fenced back yard...

Carol (looking around):
Where are the kids?

Doug (chuckles):
I'm sure they're nearby.

Carol (to Teresa):
Can we see the back yard?

Teresa (nods):
Of course.

She leads them to a door off the main level and onto a screened in back porch area.

Carol:
I LOVE this! This is beautiful.

Doug looks across the yard and sees Tatiana and Scott climbing on a log playhouse, playing with each other, and Tatiana is squealing with delight. There is also a large wooden swing set in the yard.

Teresa:
The playhouse comes with it...and the swing set.

Doug (looking):
Look at all that grass I'd have to cut...

Carol (ignores that remark):
Look at this patio over here where you can Bar B Que all summer!

Doug (turns his attention):
Yeah!

Carol (to Teresa):
Could you give us a couple of minutes?

Teresa (smiles):
Sure!
(she steps quickly away)

Carol (very quietly):
Doug, I am in love with this house! What do you think?

Doug (nodding):
The neighborhood is good...the kids seem to like it... it really is a wonderful house. You want to make an offer?

Carol (nods):
Yes! I really do!

Doug (nods):
OK...let's see if this is in our price range...we know what we discussed.
(they walk back to Teresa)
OK...we'd like talk business.

Teresa:
Wonderful. Do you want to talk here? Or would you prefer to go to my office?

Doug:
Here is fine. We want to know the price so we can see if we can afford to make an offer.

Teresa (getting into her briefcase):
OK...just a minute...

She fishes around and comes up with a piece of paper, which she hands to Doug. He looks at the paper in disbelief and hands it to Carol. She looks at it and her eyes register shock.

Carol (to Teresa):
OK...so what's wrong with this house?

Doug (chuckling):
Yeah, was there a mass murder here or something?

Teresa:
I know that figure is astonishing for a house like this. But that's what the owner set the price at...so that's what it has to sell at.

Carol:
Why would the owner price this house so low?

Teresa:
The owner is an elderly lady who now lives in Florida. Her husband built the main part of this house when they were married at a very young age. I think she told me she 17 and her husband was 19. He and his father built the house for them. As their family grew, they added onto the house. They moved to Florida about two years ago and her husband died suddenly last winter. She couldn't bear to come back to his house without him, so, she wants to sell.

Carol:
But, they have children...why not go to one of them?

Teresa:
She told me the children didn't want to fight over it and the family decided the best thing to do was sell. But, she told me she would only sell at that price and only to a family. So, I immediately thought of you.

Carol (looking at Doug):
I can't believe it...this is a dream house! We would never be able to afford anything like this under normal circumstances.

Doug:
So, you don't want to look any further?

Carol:
Are you kidding? We've been looking at houses all month and even though we've seen some very nice places, nothing compares to this!
(she nods at him)
Yes...absolutely...this is the one we want...

She steps over with Doug and Teresa and three of them talk quietly together as Opening Act fades into Opening Credits of the show.

Act One

Scene opens panning along a golf course. Pan down the fairway and come to rest at the tee. Mark Greene is there, with Nina Pomerantz, her daughter, Emma*, and his daughter, Rachel. Mark is helping Rachel hit the ball by standing behind her and placing his hands on hers to help her swing as Emma and Nina look on.

* - Author's Note...in the last story, I called Nina's daughter Lisa, because I couldn't remember her name and was too lazy to get out the tape of the ER show that would have told me, but, one of my readers informed me of her name so it is corrected now. Thanks.

Mark (as they swing):
There you go! See?

Rachel (delighted):
I did it! I hit it!

Mark:
Good, now let's see if we can find it!

Emma and Rachel take off in a mad race down the fairway to find the balls they have hit. Mark and Nina walk along slowly, carrying their golf bags.

Nina (laughing):
I never saw two little girls enjoy golf so much.

Mark:
I didn't know you enjoyed it so much...I was really surprised.

Nina:
Oh, that just shows what you DON'T know, Dr. Greene! I was the captain of the Golf team when I was in high school!

Mark (surprised):
Really? I AM impressed!

Nina (laughing):
Well, you should be!

Mark:
Doug and Carol were looking at another house today.

Nina:
They've been looking at several...any luck?

Mark (shakes his head):
Not so far.

Nina (slips her hand in his):
I hope they find one soon...so we can have the old one.

Mark (stops walking, turns to look at her):
Does that mean what I think it means?

Nina (smiles at him):
Any time you want to talk to the girls about us becoming a family is fine with me.

Mark (takes her by the shoulders, still in shock):
You want us to get married now?

Nina:
If you still want us to.

Mark (delighted):
If I still want us to?!
(hugs her tight)
Absolutely I still want us to!

She hugs him back and they both laugh, kiss, and go on up the fairway to the girls.

Cut back to the real estate house. Doug and Carol walk out into the yard where Tatiana and Scott are playing.

Doug:
Hey, kids! Come here! We want to talk to you.

Tatiana:
Uh oh!

Scott (as they come to Doug and Carol):
What did we do now?

Carol:
Why is it that every time we ask to talk to you two, you want to know what you did wrong?

Scott (shrugs):
Just our job, Mom!

Doug:
We want to ask you kids what you think of this house?

Scott:
You're asking us?

Carol:
Well, sure! You guys are going to live in the house, too! We want you to be happy, too!

Scott:
I won't have an attic room anymore, will I?

Doug:
Not right away...we would have to finish the attic first, which we can do, after we've been in a while. But, you get your pick of the bedrooms. How's that?

Scott:
Will I still have my own room?

Carol (nods):
Yes...absolutely.
(Doug starts to say something but Carol cuts him off with a stern 'we'll talk about it later' look)

Scott (thinking...nods):
OK! It's cool with me.

Doug:
What about you, Punkin?

Tatiana:
Will I still have my own room?

Carol:
Yes, and you can decorate it any way you want.

Tatiana (nodding with a big smile):
OK!

Doug (chuckles, turns to the baby in his arms):
What about you, Marc? Do you like this house?
(imitates baby voice)
Yes, Daddy.
(laughs)
OK! It's unanimous!

Carol (nods):
Let's make an offer.
(turns to the children)
You guys can play a little longer, OK?

Scott (races away):
All right!

He and Tatiana go back to the swing set...Tatiana swings and Scott climbs. Doug and Carol go back to Teresa.

Doug (nods):
OK...we'd like to make an offer.

Teresa (delighted):
Splendid!

Doug writes down a figure on a piece of paper and hands it to her. She nods, and puts it in her briefcase, attached to the papers for the house.

Doug:
I'll go round up the kids...

Carol (nods at him, walks with Teresa):
OK, if this goes through, how long before we can close?

Teresa:
Well, this is a private sale. If the owner approves your offer, you could close by the end of next week and be ready to move in the first of the month.

Carol:
Oh, that's really great! Because...
(pats her stomach)
...it isn't going to be much longer now before I won't be able to do much.

Teresa:
I hope you and your family will be very happy here, Carol!

Carol (looks around as she starts out the door):
I'm sure we will be...

Cut to the golf clubhouse at a table. Mark and Nina are there with Rachel and Emma and everybody is having lemonade.

Nina:
We wanted to talk to you, Girls.

Emma:
Uh oh!

Rachel:
What did we do?

Mark:
You didn't DO anything. We just want to talk to you about something important.

Rachel (grins):
Like getting married?

Mark (shocked):
How did you know?

Rachel:
Oh, Daddy! It's so easy to tell! You look at Nina just like you used to look at Mommy!

Nina (snickers):
Leave it to a child...

Mark:
Well, yes, that's exactly what we wanted to talk to you about. So, what do you girls think about that?

Emma (shrugs):
It's OK with me.

Rachel:
Yeah! Me too!

Nina:
Well, Emma, something else you need to think about...we'd be moving...into a house.

Emma (excited):
Oh, Mommy, really? A house? A real house? With a porch and a yard and everything?

Nina:
You've been over to Carol and Doug's house...that's the house we'd be moving into!

Emma:
I LOVE that house!

Rachel:
Me too! Would I have a room when I visit?

Mark:
One all your very own.

Rachel:
That's great, Daddy! How soon will this happen?

Mark:
Well, Doug and Carol have to find another house to move into first, but as soon as they do, we'll all get married! How's that!?

Emma:
OK!

Rachel:
Absolutely OK!

The four of them raise their lemonade glasses in unison and clink them together with a laugh.

Cut to the Ross home. Show Doug and Carol coming in the front door and Doug sees the red light blinking on the answering machine. He goes over and punches a button and is amazed at the message he hears.

Teresa's voice (on machine):
Doug, Carol, this is Teresa Cummings. I just couldn't wait to tell you...your offer was accepted and when I told the owner about you, she asked me to push the sale to put it through as soon as possible. She will be in Chicago next Tuesday and I am pretty sure you can sign the closing then. I'll be in touch. Bye bye.

Carol (standing beside Doug, listening):
Oh my God. We're going to get that house!

Doug (confused):
That's what you wanted, isn't it?

Carol:
Oh yeah! It is! I'm not upset! I'm just in shock! I didn't think we'd get it at all, much less this quick!

She hugs Doug as tight as she can with her protruding belly and the two of them laugh excitedly together.

Cut to show Doug passing baseball on the front lawn with Scott and Tatiana come to them with a big play ball in her hands.

Tatiana:
I wanna play, too!

Scott:
Monkey in the Middle, Dad! She can play!

Doug (takes glove off his hand):
OK.

Tatiana gets in the middle and Scott and Doug begin passing the ball over her head, while she jumps and laughs trying to get it. Carol comes out on the porch with Marc and puts him down on the porch floor. He takes off quickly in a fast crawl and Carol has to keep going to him and turning him into another direction. Finally, he stops and sits up, banging his hand on the banister rails and babbling baby talk happily as Carol sits on the steps to watch him. She also keeps an eye on the game in the yard and smiles. After a while, Doug relents and lets Tatiana and Scott play a game without him while he goes and joins Carol on the steps. Marc is still playing in a sunbeam on the porch.

Doug (looks over Carol's shoulder at Marc):
He looks like he's having fun.

Carol:
It's good for him to be out here for a while.
(pause)
Is your Mom coming to babysit while we go have an ultrasound done?

Doug (nods):
Yes, she is. And I wanted to ask you about something.
(Carol gives him her attention)
Do you think I should tell her about what happened when I was six? What we found out?

Carol (thinking):
I think that should be up to you.

Doug (gives her a pleading look):
I'm asking for your advice.

Carol:
Do you think she should know?

Doug (shrugs):
I don't know. I mean, the man is dead. There's nothing anybody can do about it now...

Carol:
Didn't you tell me once that your were unruly as a child? that your Mother really had fits with you sometimes?
(Doug nods slowly)
Well, then, what happened might explain some of that to her.

Doug:
You mean that I was subconsciously behaving to the pain of what happened?

Carol:
Well, I know that sounds dumb, but, I've read about things like that.

Doug:
I'll think some more about it before I make up my mind...

Carol (looks around):
I will miss this place.

Doug:
Do you hate to give it up?

Carol (smiles):
No...
(shakes her head)
...not really. Because this house was my first house and it represents a life that I no longer have. I'm not just a nurse anymore. I don't work in the ER anymore...
(Smiles, wraps her arm around his)
...and I'm not single anymore. The house we're moving into will be ours...as a family...

Doug:
And that's OK with you?

Carol (nods, smiles):
That is absolutely OK with me!

Doug watches over her shoulder at Marc and he suddenly taps Carol's arm to get her to watch with him.

Doug (taps her):
Watch...watch Marc a minute! I think he's going to stand himself up.

Carol:
Well, he does that all the time in his crib now...you knew that didn't you?

Doug:
I knew that, but, I think he's going to let go this time...watch him.

Carol:
He can't stand up on his own yet...he's not even eight months old yet!

Doug (watching):
Well, almost...he'll be eight months old in another couple of weeks...

The two of them watch together as the baby reaches to the top of the rail and pulls himself to this feet. Once he is on his feet, he can see his parents sitting down away from him and he smiles, waving his hand at them. He begins to babble baby talk as he works himself along the rail. Suddenly, he turns away from the rail and lets go of the bar he has been clinging on to stand upright in the middle of the porch by himself. Doug and Carol cannot contain their excitement of this event.

Carol:
Oh, my God! You were right! He DID let go!

Doug:
Look at him, Carol! He's standing without support! Seven months old and he's standing without support...

No sooner has Doug uttered these words but Marc loses his balance and plops down on his bottom. He sits dumbfounded for a minute after he hits, then he opens up and starts crying loudly. Carol gets up and go to him, picking him up and cuddling him, carrying him back to the steps with her.

Carol:
It's OK, Marc...you're not hurt...

Doug (chuckles):
That's not a hurt cry...that's a MAD cry. He won't wait long to try that again!

Carol:
If he's standing this early, that means he could walk early.

Doug:
And if he does, I want us to have his intelligence evaluated. If we have a budding genius on our hands, I want to know about it early!

Carol (nods):
I agree...develop him as soon as we can.
(jostles Marc in her arms)
Are you a little genius? Huh? Are you gonna grow up and find a cure for the world?

Doug:
I wonder what he will be when he grows up?

Carol (plays with Marc who puts his hands on her nose and laughs):
Anything he wants to be...

Doug watches Carol playing with Marc and smiles...focus on his eyes looking past them and seeming to be thinking of something else and Fade Act One to Black.

Act Two

Scene opens with Mark and Rachel walking alone together close to a pond. Rachel throws bread for the ducks, and they come quickly to gobble it up. Rachel walks along with her head down, deep in thought.

Rachel (suddenly...quietly):
Daddy, can I ask you something?

Mark (arm around her shoulder):
Of course, Honey. Ask me anything.

Rachel (stops walking...looks up at him):
When you marry Nina and move into a house, do you think I could come and live with you?

Mark (shell shocked expression, stops walking, looks down at her):
Come and live with me? You don't like living with your Mom?

Rachel:
I miss you, Daddy.

Mark (guides her over to a bench and they sit down together):
I miss you, Honey. More than you really know. But, having you come and live with me is a very complicated procedure...

Rachel:
You mean we'd have to go to court?

Mark:
It could come to that...yeah...you see, I just don't think your mother would let you go too easily.
(Rachel frowns and looks at her feet)
Honey, I know it hasn't been easy for you since your Mom and I split up. And I haven't been a very good father to you because I was always so wrapped up in my job. But, things are different now...and I'm loving having the chance to catch up on lost time with you...
(Rachel looks up at him and smiles)
...I'll tell you what...when Nina and I get married and move into our house, I'll talk to your Mom about you coming over a little more often...would that be OK?

Rachel (disappointed):
You don't want me to live with you?

Mark (takes her by the shoulders):
Oh, Honey, more than anything in the world, I would LOVE to have you live with me, but, like I told you before, it's just not that easy.

Rachel:
Can we at least talk to Mommy about it?

Mark (nods slowly):
Sure, Honey...we'll talk to your Mom about it...
(under his breath)
Sure we will...

Cut to the Ross home. Show Doug leaning over to peer into a box in the back of the closet in the master bedroom. He takes out a pair of tan Dockers, still with blood stains on them. These were the pants he was wearing the night of his attack. He reaches into a pocket of them and takes out a button. He holds the button in his hands and fingers in carefully. His eyes register that he is deep in thought...flash into his mind and show a brief flash of memory. He sees a jacket with a sheepskin collar and his mind flashes back to present quickly.

Carol (coming in the doorway):
Doug? Are you OK?

Doug (pops his daydream and quickly puts the button back in the pocket of the jeans and stuffs them back in the box quickly):
Yeah! I'm fine!

Carol (comes over to him):
What are you looking for?

Doug (shrugs, stands up):
Oh, nothing, really...
(kisses her cheek)
Are we ready to go?

Carol:
Yeah, Sarah just got here.

Doug:
OK! Let's rock and roll!

Carol goes with him, but, she looks over her shoulder suspiciously at the closet in wonder as she does.

Cut to Mark delivering Rachel home to Jennifer. Jennifer opens the door and Rachel bounces with excitement as she rushes into the house. Mark stays out on the doorstep.

Rachel:
Daddy's getting married!

Jennifer (coolly):
Oh, really?

Mark:
Well, not like tomorrow or anything. There's still some things that have to be worked out. But, yes, I am getting married.

Jennifer:
Well, I guess I should say congratulations.

Mark:
Not unless you mean it.

Rachel:
Will I see you again soon, Daddy?

Mark:
As soon as I can, Sweetheart!

Rachel gives Mark a quick hug and then he waves to go on his way with Jennifer and Rachel both watching him from the doorway.

Cut to show Carol on an exam table with Stephanie and Doug standing nearby. Stephanie is running an ultrasound and Doug and Carol both have their eyes fixed on the monitor.

Stephanie:
OK...let's see what we have here...
(she plays the wand around Carol's stomach with her eyes on the monitor)
...OK...there are the twins...
(Doug leans in to look carefully...Stephanie works the wand around)
...and it looks like the twins are both girls!

Carol (laughs with delight):
Girls!? I'm having twin girls?

Stephanie (smiles):
And they both look really good for 16 weeks.

Carol:
What about the other one?

Stephanie:
I can't see it from this angle...let's try another one...
(she moves the wand around several times before the fetus finally appears on the monitor)
...and the third one is...
(she strains to see, playing the wand around several more times)
...it's a boy...

Carol:
Another son! We're having two daughters and a son! Doug! Isn't that great?

Doug (smiles and nods his head):
Sounds good to me.

Stephanie (shuts down the machine):
OK...Carol...get dressed...and I'd like to talk to both of you in my makeshift hospital office...
(she grins at her remark and leaves the room)

Carol (pulling into her blouse):
Uh oh...something's wrong.

Doug (chuckles):
Now, when I said that the last time, you gave me a look like I grew another eye in the middle of my forehead.

Carol:
Yeah, but, now I have that feeling! It must be wearing off...

Cut to show Doug and Carol with Stephanie in an office there at the hospital. Stephanie is quiet when she comes in and lays the file on a table.

Carol (groans):
I was right. Something IS wrong.

Stephanie (clears her throat):
You two are both medically trained, so, I'm going to be very blunt with you. The twins are developing perfectly normal, and they appear to be as healthy as any set of twins ever is at 16 weeks...

Carol (dejected):
There's something wrong with the boy, isn't there?

Stephanie:
He's very small. He's practically being crowded out by the girls. Right now, he's holding his own. But, as small as he is now, and as much growing as the girls have yet to do, if you manage to deliver him alive, I'll be very surprised.

Carol (shell shocked):
You mean, I'm going to carry a dead baby and deliver it stillborn?

Stephanie:
With any luck, you'll just simply miscarry him and the girls will absorb what they need from him.

Carol:
But, he's alive, isn't he? How can they just 'absorb' him?

Stephanie:
They won't as long as he's alive! But, if he should happen to give up the ghost, then, they will pretty much take over and then...

Carol:
Yeah, I know...you just flush the rest. God, that sounds so heartless!
(pause)
There's nothing we can do for him, is there?

Stephanie:
Not at this stage. If the two of you were of another religion, I would suggest selective abortion...

Carol (shakes her head):
That would be completely out of the question even if we weren't Catholic...I couldn't live with myself if I did that.

Stephanie:
Well, that would be the best thing for him. Because he really doesn't have much of a chance. And even if he does manage to survive to birth, you're looking at multiple medical problems and possible birth defects.

Carol (looks over at Doug):
Well, we'll take our chances...
(reaches over and squeezes Doug's hand)
We'll take whatever God gives us. If it's meant to be, he'll make it. He's a Ross...and Rosses are fighters...
(squeezes Doug's hand again and smiles)
...and survivors.

Stephanie (nods):
OK...that's your choice...and I respect that even if I don't agree with it. Now...there's another problem...the exam indicates that Carol is already starting to dilate...

Doug (shocked expression):
What?!

Stephanie:
If it gets any worse...and I'll be watching it carefully...we're going to have to stitch her and put her in bed if she's going to have any chance of delivering the twins even at seven months...

Carol (shocked expression):
Seven months?!

Stephanie:
That's as long as I can hold you, Carol! I'll be lucky to get you that far along!
(Carol gives her an exasperated look but doesn't say anything)
Now, you know this will have to be a Cesarean Delivery, don't you?

Carol (another shocked expression):
Why? I had Marc just fine!

Stephanie:
Marc was only one...this time it's two...maybe three. We'll have to help you with these.

Carol:
But, if you take three children by Cesarean, I won't be able to have anymore children!

Stephanie:
You won't be able to have anymore children, anyway, Carol. After we stitch you up to hold these in, you won't even be able to carry another one.

Carol (starting to get agitated):
So, this is it? This is the last time I'll ever be pregnant!

Doug (trying to calm her down):
Carol, take it easy...don't you think six kids is enough?

Carol:
Well, what if she's right about the boy and he doesn't make it? Marc is the only son I'll ever give birth to?

Doug:
Well, what's WRONG with that? Isn't that better than never having one at all?

Carol (tears brimming in her eyes):
I guess...

Stephanie:
It's going to be OK, Carol. We're going to do everything we can to get the babies you are carrying here...and then that's going to have to be the end. I'm sorry. I wish I could have given you better news.

Carol (wipes a tear from her eye):
Oh, it's not your fault.

Stephanie:
OK, I want to monitor the little guy real carefully, so, I want to see you again in three weeks.

Carol (getting up to leave):
OK.

Doug (stands up to leave with Carol):
Thanks, Stephanie.

Stephanie (sighs):
If either of you need anything, please just call me, OK?

Carol (nods, hand on the door):
We will.

She and Doug leave the hospital together and sit quietly side by side in the car.

Doug (reaches over and takes her hand):
Are you OK?

Carol:
I don't know. I've just been told my son my not live long enough to be born and I can never have another one! How am I supposed to feel after that?

Doug (shakes his head):
I don't know.

Carol:
Just take me home, Doug...

Doug doesn't say anything else. He just starts the car and drives them off into traffic. Focus on Carol's perplexed look as she stares blankly out the window and Fade Act Two to Black.

Act Three

Scene opens at the center...Mark is there even though no one is working. There is a CLOSED sign on the door. Show Mark in his jeans and t-shirt, going through some files in his office when the outside intercom buzzes.

Mark (pushes button):
We're closed!

Voice (on intercom, has a bit of an accent):
I'm looking for either Dr. Greene, or Dr. Ross?

Mark:
Is this an emergency?

Voice:
Dr. Morganstern suggested I talk to one of you...I'm interested in combining my practice with yours.

Mark (nods his head with a interested look):
OK, I'll be right down.

Mark gets in the elevator and goes down to the main door. He opens the door and motions the outsider in quickly.

Mark (reaches his hand to shake):
I'm Dr. Greene, Mark Greene.

Man:
I am Dr. Aja Valstropidos...Dr. Morganstern told me you and your partner, Dr. Ross, is it?

Mark (nods):
Yeah, Doug Ross...he's a Pediatrician.

Aja:
I am an Optometrist...
(hands Mark a business card)
...and I'm interested in combining my practice with yours.

Mark (brightens):
Yeah, we have incidents where if we had a vision center here it would really help out our patients...I did mention that to Dr. Morganstern over lunch just recently.

Aja (hands Mark a folder):
I've prepared for you and your partner to inspect a print out of my last years' records. I would be very interested in joining with you...and of course, I am prepared to pay my share.

Mark (looks over the folder material briefly):
You would be setting up down here...
(motions behind him to the open downstairs area)
...would this be enough room?

Aja (looks around):
Oh, this would be wonderful! Three times as much room as I currently have!

Mark:
Well, I'll tell you what, let me get together with my partner and we'll get back with you as soon as possible.

Aja (shakes hands with Mark again):
Thank you, Dr. Greene, very much.

Mark walks him to the door, lets him out, and locks it back. He takes the material upstairs and begins to go over it with an encouraged look on his face.

Cut to the Ross home. Doug and Carol are going in the front door and Carol starts immediately up the steps.

Doug:
Are you OK?

Carol:
I'll be fine, Doug. I just need to lie down for a while.

Doug:
OK, Hon...I'll be down here if you need me.

He lets her go, but, he stands at the bottom of the steps watching her until she is out of sight. Then he goes on through the house and find Sarah sitting at the kitchen table sipping coffee.

Sarah (sees the look on Doug's face as he comes into the room):
Something wrong?

Doug (gets into the refrigerator and takes out the milk carton):
We got some bad news at the doctor.
(pours milk into a glass, puts the carton back, and sits at the table with Sarah)

Sarah:
What's wrong?

Doug:
Where are the kids?

Sarah:
Both of them are with a friend...they'll be home later...why? What's wrong, Doug?

Doug:
I told you we were having triplets, right?
(Sarah nods)
Well, we found out today the twins are girls and the other one is a boy. The boy is very small and may be squeezed out before he can be born.

Sarah:
Oh, Doug, I'm so sorry.

Doug:
Carol is really upset about it...because Stephanie also told her she will not be able to have anymore children after this. The cervix is already dilating...they will have to stitch her to hold the twins before they can take them at seven months...

Sarah (gasps):
Good heavens! Is there any good news?

Doug (ticks his head):
The girls are developing normally and appear to be healthy.

Sarah:
Well, that's something, anyway.

Doug:
Things just aren't going well right now...
(pause)
...there's something I need to tell you, but, I don't know how.

Sarah:
Well, I thought we had always had a pretty good relationship, Doug...that you knew you could always talk to me.

Doug (nods, then ticks his head):
OK...here goes...you remember Dad's friend, Don, that used to stay with us when I was little?
(Sarah nods)
Well, you remember that night you came home and I was in the closet in my room?

Sarah (puts her hand to her mouth):
Oh, my Lord...don't tell me...

Doug (ticks his head...looks at the glass):
Yeah. He did.

Sarah:
Oh, Doug! Why didn't you tell me?

Doug (shrugs):
I was too scared, Mom. Now that I'm a doctor, I know I should have told you...or Dad...but back then...I just couldn't.

Sarah:
Did he hurt you?

Doug:
Well, obviously not much if he did. Not the kind of hurt that would have mattered at the time. I was OK. Just scared.

Sarah:
So, that's why you turned into a holy terror...

Doug:
I guess...I never really knew. That's why when I get abused kids, I try to get help for them...because I know now that if I'd gotten help as a child, things might have been different when I got older.

Sarah:
Did you find this out through therapy?

Doug (nods):
Hypnosis...I didn't even remember it. I've been having nightmares...
(sighs)
...over something else I never told you about...
(takes a deep breath)
...I was a victim of a sexual assault two years ago.

Sarah (appalled):
Two years ago?! And you never told me about it?

Doug:
There was no reason for you to know, Mom...

Sarah:
I'm your Mother, Doug! I have EVERY reason to know EVERYthing that happens to you!

Doug (nods):
I know! I know! You're right...and I'm sorry. I should have told you...
(starting to build anxiety)
...I should have told you everything...but, I just couldn't!
(calms down)
Can you ever forgive me?

Sarah (sincerely):
Of course I can forgive you...you're my son...and you didn't do anything wrong...except not tell your Mother what was going on...

Doug:
I know...I'm sorry.

Sarah (pats his hand):
It's all right.

Doug:
You don't need to stay now, Mom...thanks. I'll be here when the kids come home.

Sarah:
Are you sure you're all right?

Doug (nods):
I'm fine.

Sarah:
All right, then...I'll go. You'll call me later?

Doug:
Don't I always?

Sarah:
Yes, you do.

She kisses his cheek and starts away, but, she turns back suddenly and hugs him tight. He hugs her back and she goes on her way.

Cut to show Carol upstairs alone. She has been lying on her bed, crying softly, but not violently. She stops her tears and sits up on the side of the bed, putting her hands on her stomach.

Carol (aloud to no one):
You hang in there, little guy. If you just hang in there, I promise to get you nothing but the best once you get here.

She gets up off the bed and goes out of the room, down the hall to the nursery. Marc is standing up in his crib, babbling baby talk. He smiles when he sees her come through the door and reaches his hands out to her. She goes over and picks up him, going over to the rocking chair and sitting down with him, rocking him. He keeps babbling and playing with her face and her nose.

Carol:
Mommy loves you, Marc...do you know that?

She cuddles him close to her and her tears start all over again. Show Doug standing in the doorway now and his look is very concerned. He comes slowly into the room and touches her shoulder.

Doug:
Carol, honey, please talk to me...tell me what I can do...

Carol (through her tears):
There isn't anything you can do, Doug...it's all out of our hands now...just let me have some time alone with Marc and I'll be OK...all right?

Doug (nods slowly):
If you're sure...

Carol (nods):
I'm sure.

Doug ducks his head and goes reluctantly out of the room. Carol cuddles Marc close the her and closes her eyes.

Doug goes down stairs and paces around restlessly in the living room. Audio offstage indicates Scott and Tatiana are home and they are fighting with each other.

Scott's voice (shouting):
I've told you 100 times to NOT follow me everyplace I go!

Tatiana's voice (shouting back):
I wasn't following you!

Scott's voice (still shouting):
OH, no! You just ALWAYS want to go everyplace I do!

Tatiana's voice (shouting):
Maybe!

Doug follows the sound and finds the kids standing toe to toe with each other in the family room.

Doug:
Hey! What's going on in here?

Scott:
Dad, you have to do something with her! She follows me around everyplace I go so she can make fun of me and Veronica!

Tatiana:
That's a lie!

Scott (turns on her):
You calling me a liar?

Tatiana:
Well, that's what you are!

Doug (raises his voice above the static):
OK, that's enough! Both of you!

Scott:
I'm sick of her following me around all the time, Dad! She never leaves me alone!

Tatiana (taunting):
He just wants to be alone so he can neck with Veronica!

Scott (anger boiling over):
Oh, that's IT!

With one motion, he gives Tatiana a mighty shove that sends her sprawling to the floor behind her, her head barely missing the table leg of the coffee table behind her. Tatiana sits on her bottom with a totally surprised look on her face and Doug reacts instantly. He grabs Scott by the arm and jerks him to him...

Doug:
Don't you EVER do that again!
(shakes Scott harshly)
Do you hear me?

In an instant, Doug raises his hand and starts to hit Scott, but the terrified look on his son's face stops him.

Doug (softly):
Go to your room...both of you!

Neither child wastes any time getting out of the room and out of Doug's way. As soon as they are gone, Doug turns around to see Carol standing in the doorway.

Doug (runs his hand through his hair):
Oh, my God. How long have you been standing there?

Carol:
Long enough to know you lost it.

Doug (starts for the door):
I've got to get out of here...I'll be back later...

Carol (grabs him by the arm):
I don't want you to go like this...

Doug (touches her shoulder in reassurance):
I'm all right...I just need to clear my head...I'll be back!

Carol (trying desperate measures):
Doug, don't leave! I need you to stay here with me...

Doug (shakes his head):
You'll be all right for an hour...I'll be back, Carol...
(gives her a desperate look) please...

Carol (releases his arm):
OK...but I'll be waiting up for you.

Doug goes on quickly out the door and Carol watches him go, rubbing her arms with her hands and a concerned look. As soon as he walks away, she goes to the phone and punches a number.

Carol:
Mark? It's Carol...please tell me where Doug goes to think when he doesn't go to the lake...

Stay focused on Carol's concerned face and Fade Act Three to Black.

Act Four

Scene opens at Mark Greene's apartment and he is on the phone with Carol. Split the screen to show both sides of the conversation.

Mark:
What happened, Carol?

Carol:
I don't want to talk about it on the phone, Mark...can you come over here?

Mark (sighs...nods):
Sure, Carol...I'll be right there...

Carol hangs up the phone and starts pacing around the living room. Mark hangs up the phone and grabs his jacket, starting for the door.

Cut to show Doug walking alone on a dimly lit street. He has his hands in the pocket of his jacket and has his head down. He takes his hand out of his pocket and looks at it, flashing back to earlier when he raised it to Scott.

Doug (mumbles):
I'm just like you, now, Ray...I'm just like you.

He puts his hand back in his pocket and keeps walking.

Cut to the Ross home. Carol is opening the door to find Mark on the other side and her look is disappointed.

Mark (coming into the house):
I get the feeling you wanted me to be somebody else.

Carol:
I'm really worried about him right now, Mark.

Mark (goes in, sits down with her):
OK...tell me what happened.

Carol:
We got some bad news from Stephanie today...I think that's part of it.

Mark (concerned):
What kind of bad news?

Carol (sighs):
Well, first of all, we're having twin girls...

Mark (brightly):
Congratulations...

Carol:
Yeah, the twins are developing very well and they have as good a chance as any twins of getting here just fine. The third baby is a boy and he's very small...his chances aren't too good...

Mark (sincerely):
I'm very sorry...

Carol (rolls her eyes):
There's more. They're going to have to take these babies Cesarean and they will be the last ones I can have.

Mark (winces):
Oh, man...

Carol:
I was really upset when I came home and I guess I really didn't talk to him about it...it has to have hurt him, too, and I didn't even be with him after it.

Mark:
I imagine he was more concerned about you than he was himself.

Carol:
Well, Tatchie and Scott came home arguing and Doug started to hit Scott...he stopped himself...but it really shook him up.

Mark:
What about Scott?

Carol:
He was really upset, too...Tatchie was scared to death...I talked to both of them, but, I don't think they're going to feel better until Doug talks to them. He told me he had to get away from here for a while and he left...do you know where he goes?

Mark:
Sometimes he just walks...you remember that night when you called me and you couldn't find him?
(Carol nods)
I combed the whole city looking every place I could think of that he might be and couldn't find him...John Carter told me to try the Church...

Carol (surprised):
The Church?

Mark (nods):
Yeah...and that's where I found him. Now, I'm not saying that's where he went, but, that would be about the only advice I could give you, considering the situation under which he left.

Carol:
Why the Church?

Mark:
He told me sometimes the noise in the house gets to him and he needs peace and quiet, so, he goes there.

Carol (sighs):
I know. This house got really crowded really fast. He really doesn't have any space much just for him...a room where he can be alone or anything. When we move into this new house, I'm going to make sure he has that...

Mark (delighted):
New house?

Carol:
Yeah, we made an offer on it today and it was accepted. It's a private sale and we hope to close very soon. It is the most beautiful house you've ever seen and it's HUGE! It'll be perfect for us.

Mark:
So, you'll be moving from this house soon?

Carol (confused by his excitement):
Yeah, probably by the first of the month...why?

Mark:
Didn't Doug tell you? I want to buy this house...

Carol:
I think he mentioned something about it...yes...

Mark:
Well, never mind...that's secondary right now...we'll all talk about that later...right now, Doug is more important.

Carol:
I want to go to the Church and see if he's there...can you stay with the kids? I really hate to call my Mother out in the middle of the night...

Mark (nods):
I can stay...no problem.

Carol (gets her jacket):
OK...Tatchie and Scott are in their rooms and I guess they'll probably stay there most of the evening...

Mark (chuckles):
Afraid to come out?

Carol (nods):
I think so right now...but they don't have to stay there so if they come out, it's OK. Marc is in his crib but he'll probably start howling before long...just give him a bottle and he'll be fine.

Mark (nods):
OK.

Carol (starting out the door):
Thanks, Mark...I don't know what we'd do without you!

Carol goes on out the door and Mark closes it behind her.

Cut to show Doug sitting alone in a pew at the Church in front of the alter. His face shows anguish. He reaches forward and lowers the prayer bench attached to the pew in front of him, makes the sign of the Cross on his chest and drops to his knees on the bench. He looks up at the Crucifix behind the alter and puts his hands together in prayer...then he drops his head onto his hands.

Cut to show Carol coming into the Church slowly. She looks around in the dim light, walking slowly forward. She goes past a rack of vigil light candles and starts down the aisle. As she goes forward, she sees Doug down in front of the Alter and her face shows relief. She goes on down the aisle and starts to slide in beside him, but, as she gets to him, she realizes he is crying. Taken aback, she stands very quietly for a moment, not sure of what to do. Then, she slides in besides him and reaches to pull him into her arms. He is startled, but, the minute he sees her, he lets her wrap her arms around him and hold him to her, wrapping his arms around her as well.

Carol (comforting voice):
It's OK, Doug...whatever it is, we'll get through it together.

Doug (trying to compose himself):
I'm turning into Ray, Carol! I almost hit my son...

Carol (takes his face in her hands, makes him look at her):
Did you hear the most important word you said there? 'Almost'? That means you didn't do it.

Doug:
But, I wanted to...

Carol:
All right! You wanted to! Don't you think there are times when I want to smack one of them but somehow refrain from doing it? That's part of being a parent, Doug...all parents feel that way. The most important thing is that you DIDN'T hit him.

Doug (composed now, sits back in the pew with her):
I hope Scott feels that way...

Carol:
Talk to me, Doug. Something's going on with you...

Doug:
Too many things are going on with me...

Carol:
Then talk to me. Maybe the two of us together can figure out what to do...

Doug (sighs):
This afternoon when you came into the bedroom? And I was in the closet?
(Carol nods)
There was something about the attack I never told anybody. I got my hands on one of the guys and I ripped a button off his jacket. I was looking at the button, because I saw one recently that looked familiar.

Carol (encouraged):
You did? Where?

Doug (looks her in the eye):
It was on a jacket that Greg Powell was wearing.

Carol (shocked):
Greg? Are you sure?

Doug (nods):
I'm sure about the button. I just don't know about Greg. I don't know if he played a part in all that or if he did, what part he played. I know who the one man who held onto me was...we found that out a long time ago...I don't know if Greg was the other holder or if he was the actual attacker. I never saw a face.

Carol (still shocked):
I can't believe Greg would involved in something like that. He just doesn't seem like the type...

Doug (sad smile):
Neither did the man I met at CARE with the little girl...

Carol (ticks her head):
Well, yeah, you have a point there. What do you think you should do? Do you think you should confront Greg?

Doug (shrugs):
I don't know. I think I should talk to Nina about it first...don't you?

Carol:
That's up to you...you know more about that than I do.
(pause)
Have you ever talked to Mark about that night?

Doug (shakes his head):
No...not really. I went to Mark...and I let him take care of me...but, I never really talked to him about it. Why? Did he say something?

Carol:
No...and I don't think that he ever would...it's just that you and Mark are so close and you talk to him about everything else...I wondered if you shared something this personal with him.

Doug (shakes his head again):
No...do you think I should?

Carol:
Again, that's your call. I can't tell you what you should do about things like that. You have to make that decision on your own.

Doug:
The only person I know for sure I want to tell everything to is you...

Carol (smiles):
And I appreciate that. I wasn't very fair with you today and I apologize for that.
(Doug gives her a confused look)
I'm sure the news Stephanie gave us upset you, too, and I was only thinking about how I felt. I didn't think about your feelings and I should have...
(Doug starts to say something but Carol cuts him off with a look)
And DON'T tell me you were OK, either, because what happened later surely proved otherwise!

Doug (grins at her):
I also told my Mother about what happened when I was six...

Carol:
Oh, my God...what did she do?

Doug (ticks his head):
Exactly what I figured she would...told me I should have told her...wondered if I was hurt...'Mom' things...

Carol:
Do you feel better now that you've told her?

Doug (shrugs):
I don't know. In some ways, maybe...in other ways, no.
(pause, looks at her)
But, all that together doesn't equal the fear I have with you right now.

Carol (surprised):
Me?

Doug:
Carol, think about it. The things Stephanie told us today...do you know how much danger you could be in when it comes time to deliver these babies? Don't you realize that even though I might lose my son, I might lose you too?
(Carol nods slowly and looks down at her feet. Doug lifts her chin with his fingers and looks directly into her eyes)
I can't lose you, Carol. I don't know how I'd go on without you.

Carol:
Nothing's going to happen to me, Doug. Everything will be all right...

Doug:
But, I have to think about what if it doesn't! I'm a doctor...I'm trained that way.

Carol:
If something does happen to me...and I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that it doesn't...but, if it does, I'd expect you to take care of our children.

Doug:
You know I would...

Carol:
Yes...I do. I do know you would. And that's very important to me, Doug. Because I know I can count on you. Considering how you were when I met you, that's a big deal to me. I know that no matter what happens, I can count on you to be there. That's a feeling of security I've never had before at any time in my life.
(looks directly into his eyes)
I can never thank you enough for that.

Doug (smiles, puts his hand on her stomach):
You already have...
(Carol smiles and looks down, embarrassed)

Carol:
Whatever we have in front of us, Doug, we will stand it together. As long as we promise each other that much, I think we'll be OK.

Doug (chuckles...nods):
You know...I believe you.

Carol:
It scared me when I came in and you were crying...I don't think I've ever seen you like that before.

Doug (sighs):
It's a weakness, I know...

Carol (sternly):
It's NOT a weakness. Sometimes you need that to cleanse out the inside. It just scared me that you were that down and you were all alone.

Doug:
I'm OK now.
(pause, looks at her)
Thanks to you.
(Carol looks down, embarrassed again)
Are the kids OK?

Carol:
I think they'll feel better when you talk to them, but, yes, they are both OK.

Doug (stands up and reaches to help her to her feet):
Come on...let's go home...

Carol stands up with him and they both step out in the aisle, turning to nod an acknowledgment to the Crucifix before turning their backs on it. Arms around each other they walk slowly up the aisle together as Act Four fades to Black.

Closing Act

Scene opens at the Ross home. Mark is watching television sitting on the sofa and Scott and Tatiana are watching with him. They are watching a Cartoon and all of them are enjoying it. Cut show Doug and Carol come in the front door together and come through the house following the noise.

Mark (looks up at them):
Everything OK?

Doug (nods):
Everything's fine, Mark. Thanks for staying.

Carol:
How's your namesake?

Mark (grins):
He's fine. You were right...he started fussing, but, once he had his bottle and a clean diaper, he went back to sleep.

Carol (catching a cue from Doug):
Mark, could you help me with something upstairs, please?

Mark (nods):
Sure.

Mark and Carol go out of the room and Doug sits in a chair facing the sofa. Scott and Tatiana give him a careful, but not a fearful, look.

Doug (slowly, softly):
I want to talk to both of you. I made a mistake this afternoon and I want both of you to know I'm very sorry for it. I should have been more in control of my temper. I can't promise you it will never happen again, but, I hope both of you can forgive me for if it does. I hope you two are both able to understand that even grown ups make mistakes.
(both children nod slowly)
And I hope that you two know that I love you very much and I would never want to hurt you.
(again, both children nod slowly)
Now, we really need to talk about the argument that prompted the whole incident anyway. But, let's talk about it calmly and without shouting, OK?
(Both children nod)
OK, Scott you go first...
(Tatiana starts to protest but stops when she gets a stern look from Doug)
You will get your turn in due time!
(Tatiana folds her arms in disgust but stays quiet. Doug turns to Scott)
Go ahead, Scott.

Scott:
She's always following me around. She goes every where I go! It drives me crazy, Dad!

Doug (nods):
OK...
(turns to Tatiana)
You want to say your piece now?

Tatiana (shrugs):
I just want somebody to play with!

Doug (nods):
That's about what I figured. OK, Scott, I can see how this might bother you some...but think about this...she's your little sister and right now, she really looks up to you. Someday she's not going to want to follow you around and I think you might miss her. So maybe she's following because she wants to be with you. You've had a lot of new interests come into your life lately and maybe you don't spend much time with her anymore. Maybe she just wants to spend some time with you and that's why she follows you around.

Scott:
I didn't think of it like that.
(Turns to Tatiana)
I'm sorry, Tatch. I guess we don't do things together like we used to.
(hugs her)
I'll work on that, OK?

Tatiana (nods...satisfied):
OK.

Doug (turns to Tatiana):
Now, you...your brother is getting older and he's going to have lots of new friends and activities he's going to be involved in. You're going to have to respect his privacy a little more and when he doesn't want you around him, you're going to have to let him alone. Do you understand that?

Tatiana (nods):
Yes, Papa.

Doug:
So, now, we all understand each other here?
(Children nod)
OK, so we understand, if I ever referee another incident like the one this afternoon, you're both going to be punished for it...am I understood?

Scott (nods):
Yes, Sir.

Tatiana (nods slowly):
Yes, Papa.

Doug:
I think now, you should just both go to bed.

Scott and Tatiana get up and slowly start trudging to the stairs.

Doug (calls to them):
And by bed I mean IN bed and lights OUT.

Scott and Tatiana (dejected...in unison):
Yes, Sir.

Doug (stands up and starts toward the stairs):
And one more thing before you go...
(gets to them, reaches out and hugs them both)
I love you both very much.

Scott (doesn't hug him, but nods at him):
I love you, too, Dad.

Tatiana (hugs his neck tight):
I love you, too, Papa.

Satisfied they are no longer in trouble, the children run up the steps. Doug goes on up to find Mark and Carol in the nursery with Marc.

Doug (seeing Marc in Carol's arms):
I thought he was sleeping!

Carol (hands Marc to Doug who takes him readily):
And about how long do you think that lasted?

Doug (jostles Marc gently):
Until he heard you come upstairs! He sleeps like a feather. I've never seen a kid you could wake up as easily as him.

Carol:
I heard the kids come up...everything OK?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, I think so. I think we all understand each other.
(Looks at Mark)
Is it supposed to get harder as they get older?

Mark (nods):
Oh, yeah...once they get old enough to think for themselves, your job gets LOTS harder.

Doug (looks at Carol):
And we've got more behind them? Are you sure we know what we're doing?

Carol (chuckles):
No, I'm sure we DON'T know what we're doing...but I think we're going to have some fun figuring it out.

Doug (twinkle in his eyes):
Well, it's early...let's go do some figuring now.

Mark (chuckles):
I can take a hint...
(starts for the door)
I'm out of here.

Carol (as he gets to the door):
Thanks, again, Mark...

Mark:
I'll see you guys at work on Monday...

Doug:
Yeah, closing the office for a day and half today and tomorrow was a good idea, Mark...I'm glad you wanted an extra day with Rachel!

Mark:
One of the main advantages to being your own boss...you can do whatever you want!

Doug:
I'll call you tomorrow and we'll talk, OK? We need to talk about the house...

Mark (nods):
I'll be waiting! Don't see me out...I know the way!

Mark waves and goes on out. Doug gives Marc a gentle shake and starts back to his crib with him.

Doug:
And you, Little Mister, are going to SLEEP. Your Mommy and I want to do some figuring!
(Carol chuckles as Doug lays Marc in his crib)
Good night, Little Man.

Carol turns on the baby monitor and she and Doug leave the room hand in hand. As Carol closes the door, Fade Closing Act into the Closing Credits of the show.

March 24, 1998