"Whatever Normal Is"

Opening Act

Scene opens at the Ross/Hathaway home. Focus on Carol Hathaway, dressed in a bathrobe, getting the table ready for breakfast. She puts out a plate of pancakes, a bottle of syrup, eggs, bacon, juice, and coffee. She looks over everything quickly and starts up the steps, only to be greeted by Scott and Tatiana in a full run down them.

Carol (grabs Scott by the arm):
Hey! Hey! Easy! Slow down!

Tatiana (taunting over her shoulder from the bottom of the steps):
I'm gonna beat ya!

Carol:
Breakfast is on the table...
(Scott scampers quickly on down the steps. Carol rolls her eyes and mumbles aloud to nobody)
...but, you don't need to run!

Follow Carol on up the steps. She goes into the master bedroom and finds Doug, still snoozing, wrapped contently under the covers.

Carol (sharply):
Doug! Wake up!

Doug (groans lightly):
Five more minutes...

Carol (starts over to the bed):
No, not five more minutes! NOW! I keep trying to emphasize to the kids the importance of breakfast AND quality family time and I can't do either one without your cooperation! Get up and come downstairs to the table for breakfast.

Doug (still curled under the covers):
I'll get a donut on my way to the hospital...

Carol (grabs the end of the covers):
No, you will come downstairs and have breakfast with your loving family...
(she yanks the covers off him and lets him lie in bed in his shorts and t-shirt)
...or I'll come back up here and kill you!

Carol turns and walks sharply out of the room, dragging the covers halfway across the floor with her before she lets them drop at the doorway. Doug lays in bed a minute, but, then pulls himself to his feet and ambles slowly toward the bathroom door.

Cut back to the breakfast table. Carol sits down at the table with Scott and Tatiana, who have both already dived head first into breakfast, and the make light conversation while they wait for Doug.

Scott:
Dad coming down?

Carol (nods):
He's on his way.

Scott:
He's going in early this morning…that means he'll be home tonight, right?

Carol:
Should be...why? Do you need him for something?

Scott:
No, I was just hoping he'd be here to watch the Bears game with me.

Carol (smiles):
I'm sure you won't have to ask him twice.

Cut to show Doug coming into the kitchen quickly. He is dressed for work in dockers and a t-shirt and slides casually into a chair across from Carol.

Doug (not quite sarcastically):
Good morning, Loving Family.
(Scott snickers and gives Doug a knowing look. Carol frowns at Doug)

Tatiana (excitedly):
Papa says I can have a bicycle!
(Carol shoots Doug a quick and surprised look)

Doug (shoots Tatiana a fast look):
That's NOT what I said! I said I'd talk to your Mama about it.

Tatiana (face falls):
Oh.

Carol:
Tatchie, do you even know how to ride a bike?

Tatiana:
No, but, I can learn!

Scott (helpfully):
Sure! I can help!

Carol:
Well, your Papa and I will have to talk about it.

Tatiana (frowns):
That means I won't get it.

Doug (smiles at her):
No, that means your Mama and I will discuss it together and decide what's best. OK?

Tatiana (nods quickly):
OK!

Carol (looks at her watch):
You kids better get ready for school...
(both kids exit the table quickly)

Doug (sighs):
I guess I missed the biggest part of breakfast, huh?

Carol:
I woke you up when the alarm went off...not my fault you went back to sleep.

Doug (truthfully):
I'm sorry. I'll try and do better.

Carol (sits down at the table closer to him and stirs her coffee):
You told Tatchie she could have a bike?

Doug:
Well...not in those words exactly...

Carol:
Doug, we agreed that we weren't going to take any unnecessary chances with Tatchie.

Doug (nods):
Well, yes, we did, but we also agreed we weren't going to put bumper pads around her and sit her on the front porch, either!

Carol (growing annoyed):
We also agreed to discuss things together with each other before we discussed any of it with the children!

Doug (nods):
Well, yes, we did...

Carol:
And didn't we also agree...

Doug (cuts in, exasperated):
Well, geez, Carol! Maybe you better give me a list of everything I agreed to! Otherwise I may have a hard time remembering all of it! Why can't she have a bike? Other kids have a bike!

Carol:
She could get hurt...

Doug:
She could get hurt at the bus stop waiting to go to school! Now, we agreed to let Tatchie be a normal kid! Normal kids have bikes! You won't let her have a bike...you wouldn't let her have skates...what are you gonna do, Carol? Wrap her in cotton batting and haul her around in a wagon? No! Wait! I forgot! You wouldn't let her have a wagon, either!

Carol (defensively):
It wasn't a wagon! It was a scooter!

Doug:
Well, whatEVER it was, you wouldn't let her have it! I'll buy her the bike...and a helmet...and knee pads and elbow pads... she'll be as safe as she can possibly be on it.

Carol:
Oh, Doug, I don't know...

Doug:
It has to be so hard for her to sit on the porch having tea parties with her dolls and stuffed animals while she sees Scott going all over the neighborhood on is bike, and his roller blades, and his skateboard...don't trust me? I'm a pediatrician for God's sake! What can happen to her that I can't fix? And you're a nurse! How much safer could one kid possibly be?!

Carol:
I just don't think she NEEDS a bicycle!

Doug:
Well, most kids don't NEED half the things parents buy them!

Carol:
That's not the point...

Doug:
Then what IS the point?

Scott (suddenly in the doorway):
Are you two fighting?

Doug and Carol (in unison...emphatically):
NO!

Scott:
Yeah, Mom and Dennis never fought either! They just had "disagreements".
(pause)
I think you should let her have a bike. I can help teach her to ride and if she has a helmet...

Carol (cuts him off quickly):
Aren't you going to be late for school?

Scott (starts away quickly):
I'm going!

Doug (looks at his watch):
Look, I don't have time to argue this with you now. I'm late for work. But, this discussion is NOT over...
(he starts through the house towards the door)

Carol (follows him, still arguing):
You BET this discussion isn't over!

Doug ignores her and goes on out the door. He passes Helen coming up the walk and she smiles at him as he storms by her.

Helen:
Good morning, Doug! How are you this morning?

Doug (grumbling):
Late for work!

Helen gives Doug a peculiar look as she goes on up the steps to the porch. She stops at the door where Carol is watching Doug go.

Helen:
Something wrong, Dear?

Carol:
You know that boat Doug and I have been smooth sailing on, Mama? Well, paradise just sprung a leak!

Carol turns sharply and walks away. Helen opens the door and goes on into the house with a smug, knowing smile on her face.

Fade into Opening Credits of the show.

Act One

Scene opens at County ER. Focus on Mark Greene working over files and writing at the front desk when Doug comes through the staff entrance and bolts through the ER to the lounge. Mark looks up in time to see him glance by and follows him into the lounge just as Doug slams his locker door shut and kicks it quickly.

Mark:
Something wrong, Doug?

Doug (turns quickly):
Wrong? Why no! What makes you think something might be wrong?
(begins to ramble)
Why is it that when a woman gets married she turns into a nag?

Mark (shrugs):
Just predestined, I guess. Did you and Carol have a fight?

Doug:
I wouldn't call it a fight! I'd call it a difference of opinion...

Mark (grins):
Same thing.

Doug:
Tatiana wants a bicycle...Carol doesn't think that's a good idea. We had this argument already over roller skates...
(Mark doesn't answer....just listens)
I thought if she had a helmet and knee pads and elbow pads it would make a difference, but, not to Carol...

Mark:
I thought you and Carol agreed not to overprotect Tatchie...

Doug (scoff):
Well, apparently, I'm the only one who remembers that particular agreement!
(they are interrupted by Anna Del Amico sticking her head in the doorway)

Anna:
Doug! Good! I thought I heard you come in! I need you for a consultant with a teenaged patient!

Doug (nods):
On my way...
(turns back to Mark)
Anyway! We'll get back to this, OK?

Mark (grins and nods):
Sure...

Doug goes on out of the lounge...focus on Mark as he chuckles and follows him out.

Cut back to Ross/Hathaway home. Carol is dressed now, in jeans and a sweatshirt, cleaning up the kitchen from breakfast, and complaining to Helen about her argument with Doug.

Carol:
Why is it that when they get married and have children in their lives that men lose all their senses!?

Helen (smiles):
What did Doug do now?

Carol:
He wants to buy Tatiana a bicycle!

Helen (Confused):
There's something wrong with that? Every child should have a bicycle...

Carol (astounded that Helen doesn't see her side):
An HIV positive child? On a bicycle? Mama! Surely you're kidding!

Helen:
No, dear, not at all. When you and Doug took Tatiana into your home, you agreed to treat her like any other normal child. And, as well I remember from when you were growing up with your sisters, bicycles ARE a part of normal childhood.
(Carol gives her a sour look)
Honey, look, I understand your concern. And that's only normal. Even mothers with children who are normal worry about things like bicycles. But, with proper precautions and training, I'm sure she'll be as safe as she can possibly be...as any child could be!

Carol:
I can't believe it! You actually agree with Doug?

Helen:
Well, in this case, I think he's right!
(Carol sits down and begins to listen as Helen talks)
He loves Tatiana just as much as you do and he would never do anything to purposely put her in danger. Surely you know that much.

Carol (sighs):
I know. I just worry too much...

Helen:
No, you don't worry too much...you worry like a mother. And, frankly, it looks good on you.
(smiles)
You're turning into a good mother. Maybe now you just need to work on the wife part...

Carol (defensively):
I'm a good wife...

Helen (shakes her head):
Honey, a good wife would never have let her husband go out of the house as angry as Doug was when I saw him this morning.

Carol:
We were having an argument and he walked out on it...

Helen:
He was on his way to work!

Carol:
Same thing!

Helen:
Well, of course, arguing is always good for a marriage... making up is always so much fun!

Carol (stunned):
Mama!

Helen (smiles):
Well, Carol, I wasn't always an old woman, you know!

Focus on Carol as she giggles embarrassed at her mother's remark, and Helen smiles with her.

Cut back to County ER in an exam room. Focus on Anna and Doug in the room, a teenaged girl sitting on the table, and her mother standing very close by.

Doug:
How many times did you say she blacked out?

Mother:
Three times this week.

Doug (nods):
OK...why don't you go with Dr. Del Amico and fill out some forms...

Anna (directs the mother with her):
Sure, come with me, please?

Doug stays behind with his patient. Once Anna and the mother are gone, Doug turns to her quietly, looking over her chart.

Doug:
OK (reading) Heather, can you answer a few questions for me?

Heather (nods):
Sure.

Doug (reading still):
OK, it says here you're 14, right?

Heather:
I'll be 15 in three months...

Doug (nods):
OK...are you taking any kind of drugs? Over the counter or otherwise?

Heather (annoyed):
Why is that always the first thing an adult wants to know? My mother asked me the same thing...

Doug:
Just a standard routine question...are you?

Heather:
No!

Doug:
Not taking anything like diet pills or caffeine pills or anything like that?

Heather (shakes her head for emphasis):
No!

Doug:
You aren't on any kind of crazy diet are you? I've heard of a liquid protein diet a lot of kids are getting into right now...

Heather:
Not me! I just made Cheerleader! I've been taking extra good care of myself.

Doug:
Is there any chance you might be pregnant?

Heather (VERY emphatically):
NO! My mother asked me that, too!

Doug:
These blackouts you're having...can you describe them to me? Do you remember much about them?

Heather:
Only that everything seems fine before one of them comes on and that I don't even realize it when I have one...I just lose a little bit of time...you know, like you miss a sentence or two in a conversation or something. Something like that.

Doug:
Anything else you remember about them?

Heather:
Sometimes I get this funny buzzing sound in my ears...

Doug:
Both ears?

Heather:
I can't really remember...I just sort of remember it from this time...

Doug:
Did you have these blackouts before you started Cheerleading?

Heather:
No, I don't think so...what does that mean?

Doug (shrugs):
Maybe nothing.
(smiles at her)
Just wait here...I'll be right back.

Doug carries the chart with him and goes out to find Anna and Heather's mother.

Anna:
Well?

Doug (ticks his head):
Can't be sure. I think we should send her up for a CSCAN and a reflex test.

Anna (nods):
OK...

Doug (hands chart to Anna):
Just let me know what you come up with...

Anna directs the mother with her and Doug goes on down the hall. He checks in at the front desk and Randi hands him a message written on a note sheet.

Doug (reading):
Sister Mary Catherine called from St. Michael's?
(looks at his watch)
Did she say what she needed?

Randi:
Nope! Just that she needed to talk to you.

Doug (sighs, picks up the phone):
Great...just what I need...more trouble.
(we hear only his one side of the conversation)
Sister Mary Catherine? This is Doug Ross...Yes, Sister...Well, no, I don't but...yes, Sister...this afternoon? I'm working until...yes, Sister. Three thirty....yes, Sister. I'll be there. Goodbye!

Doug bangs up the phone and notices Mark standing nearby him.

Mark:
Did you go to Catholic school by any chance, Doug?

Doug:
Yes, I did...why?

Mark:
I thought that 'yes, Sister' sounded like someone who had a lot of practice at it.
(he and Doug chuckle lightly)
Who's in trouble?

Doug (frowns):
Scott.

Mark:
I guess the acorn doesn't fall very far from the tree, huh?

Doug (smirks at him):
Very funny. He got into a fight. I have to go to school now, and get lectured for HIS behavior.

Mark (grins):
Well, look at the bright side...you get to yell at him later to appease it!

Doug (ticks his head):
He must have felt like he had a good reason...he's a pretty good kid...he doesn't go around asking for trouble.

Mark:
Well, I'm sure you'll handle it wisely.

Cut to show Carol coming into the ER through the staff entrance and she goes into the lounge to put her purse in her locker. Doug steps quietly into the lounge with her.

Doug (carefully):
Hey!

Carol (gives him a nonchalant glare):
Hey.

Doug (inches closer to her):
Are you still mad at me?

Carol:
I wasn't mad...

Doug:
Look, if you don't want Tatchie to have the bike...

Carol:
It's not about Tatchie getting or not getting the bike. It's about the fact that you discussed it with her without even including me in the conversation...something we clearly agreed not to do!

Doug:
Then, let's discuss it together...

Carol:
We will...
(brushes past him)
Believe me...we will...

Focus on Carol as she goes on out the door and leaves Doug standing watching her go with an exasperated look on his face.

Fade Act One To Black.

Act Two

Scene opens at County ER with scattered staff working at the desk...Carol is working on the computer...Mark is writing on files...Doug is nearby but it is not clear what he is doing when Anna comes in with a folder.

Anna:
Doug? Got the results back on the Tyler girl...want to come have a look?

Doug (nods):
Be right there!

Doug scribbles his signature on a few things in front of him and exits quickly toward an empty room with Anna. Carol glances up and watches him go with a soft smile. Mark catches her look and grins at her.

Mark:
I hear you two are having a disagreement.

Carol (frowns):
I wish he wouldn't bring his family problems to work...but I understand he needs somebody to talk to sometimes. We'll work it out.

Mark:
Haven't called off the wedding yet, have you?

Carol (grins):
No, definitely not. We were just talking about that the other day. Half the hospital already knows we're married, as well as our parents...it's really not any big secret anymore. At the rate we're going now, we'll be lucky if we have time to have a real wedding before our first anniversary!

Mark:
I thought you two were talking dates...

Carol (sighs):
Well, I suggested we get married in October...fall is such a pretty time of year. Doug kidded around that we could get married on Halloween and everyone could come in costume...
(Carol frowns...Mark chuckles)
I wanted a Christmas wedding and Doug said only if he could wear a red and green lighted tuxedo...

Mark (laughs loudly this time):
He's KIDDING...

Carol:
Well, I'm sure he is, but, I think that's his way of telling me he DOESN'T want to get married at Christmas!
(Mark nods with a smile)
So, we decided November 10th is our six month anniversary. We thought we would have a small exchange of vows in the Church for just our friends and family and then, probably on our first anniversary have a full formal wedding. Maybe.

Mark:
In other words, the two of you are happy with the wedding you had already...

Carol (nods with a grin):
Yeah. I guess that sounds kind of crazy, but, we are. It just isn't fair to our friends and family. That's one thing we'd like to change.

Cut to show Doug and Anna going over test results in an open exam room. They are viewing the CSCAN and going over the blood work together.

Anna (looking at x-rays on screen):
A lot of excess activity right in here (points).

Doug (nods, looking at paper in front of him):
Blood work pretty much confirms it anyway...

Anna:
Yeah...she's definitely epileptic.

Doug:
She's your patient...you want to tell her?

Anna (nods):
Yeah, but, I'd appreciate it if you back me up a little. I know she's gonna freak. If she doesn't, I'm sure her mother will.

Doug:
You just have to reinforce the fact that there is no medical reason she can't lead and active and normal life...even one that involves Cheerleading.

Anna (nods):
Yeah...just that the word 'epilepsy' is such a shock the first time you hear it...

Cut to show Anna and Doug in the room with Heather and her mother...Anna has just delivered the diagnosis. Heather is looking at her in disbelief...her mother has her hand to her chest in shock.

Heather:
Epileptic? You mean I'm going to start throwing fits?

Anna:
Don't call them 'fits'...they are seizures...

Heather (scoffs):
Same thing!

Doug (offering):
Your seizures are very mild...they're called Petite Mal...they can be controlled with medication...

Heather (horrified):
I have to take drugs now?

Anna:
Just a mild anti-convulsant medication! It won't effect anything in your normal routines AND you can still be a cheerleader!

Mother:
How could this just surface? She's never had any problems before!

Doug:
Sometimes the onset of puberty can stimulate these things...

Anna:
As well as an increase in physical activity.
(Doug nods)

Heather:
So, being a Cheerleader made me epileptic?

Anna (smiles):
No. You were always epileptic. Being a Cheerleader just brought it out into the open.

Heather (sighs):
And this is a good thing?

Anna:
It may not seem like it to you right now, but, yes, it really is good that you discovered it this quickly.

Heather:
Well, do you have some literature I can read to learn how to deal with this thing?

Anna (nods with a wide smile):
Yeah! Lots of it!

Heather (slides off the table):
OK! Let's get to it!

The four of them walk out of the exam room. Doug stops and watches the three women proceed on down the hall. He glances around to see Carol going into the supply room alone so he quickly darts down there to join her.

Doug (brightly):
Hey!

Carol (smiles slightly):
Hey.

Doug:
Are you still mad at me?

Carol (gives him a coy look):
I don't know...I'll have to think about it!

Carol gathers supplies and Doug helps her carry them back out into the hallway. They pass Mark along the way who is on his way down the hall with a chart.

Mark (quickly):
What time do you need to leave to get to the school, Doug?

Doug:
I'm supposed to be there at 3...

Carol (shell shocked):
What's going on at school?

Doug (tries to brush it off):
I'm not sure...Sister Mary Catherine wants to talk to me about Scott...

Carol (growing angry):
Well, were you planning on telling ME about this conversation?

Focus on Mark as he slips quietly on away, giving Doug and 'I'm Sorry' silent gesture.

Doug (rolls his eyes):
Well...yeah...whenever I know what's going on so we can talk about it...

Carol:
Oh, Doug, come on! You weren't gonna tell me about this?

Doug (defensively):
Well, not until I knew what we were talking about, no!

Carol (drops supplies and starts poking her finger into Doug's chest):
This is exactly what we were fighting about to begin with, Doug! You just don't get it, do you? Parenting is a two way thing! BOTH parents work together to make the rules and raise the children! What did Sister Mary Catherine say the problem was?

Doug (shrugs):
He got in a fight...

Carol:
About what?

Doug:
I don't know yet! That's what I have to find out!

Carol:
Oh, yeah! And THEN what? Not like you'll DO anything about it anyway!

Doug:
Oh, what's THAT supposed to mean?

Carol:
You NEVER say anything to him about anything. You never think he does anything wrong...

Doug (defensively):
Oh, come ON! You know that's not true!

Carol:
Well, we surely don't agree on how to handle things, anyway!

Doug:
Well, I admit I'm soft. I just don't think either one of them ever do anything so terrible. And, let's face it, Scott has a LONG way to go before he ever does anything like some of the things I did when I was his age...

Carol:
Well, that's just it! Do you want him to turn out like you?

Doug:
So, what's wrong with me? I didn't think I turned out so bad! I think I did OK!

Cut away as Doug and Carol continue to argue, toe to toe and finger to chest. Mark is at the counter with some of the staff and he can see them where they are arguing. He can't hear them, but, he can watch them. The staff is talking about the wedding.

Randi:
I think Dr. Ross and Nurse Hathaway are like great romantic lovers!

Kerry:
You mean like Romeo and Juliet?

Randi:
Well, maybe not quite that mushy...

Maggie:
Maybe more like the Duke and Duchess of Windsor...you know...the guy who gave up his throne for the woman he loved...

Mark (glances up...sees Doug and Carol arguing):
I don't think I'd count on that today!

Kerry (glances at Mark):
Who would you compare them to?

Mark (laughs lightly):
Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara!

Kerry (nods):
Yeah, Doug is definitely the 'frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn' type!

Staff laughs lightly. Mark keeps an eye on the door and Carol bangs out of the room, coming to the counter and going back to work quickly. The staff quiets at once and goes about their own work. Mark watches Doug dart through the hall and follows him quickly as they spill out onto the roof near the landing site for the chopper.

Doug (grumbles aloud to nobody):
Women!

Mark (chuckles):
Can't live with 'em...can't live without 'em, right?

Doug (turns quickly):
Thanks, Mark! Thanks a lot! I was this close
(measures with his finger and thumb)
to being out of trouble until you opened your big mouth about the school calling!

Mark (apologetically):
I'm sorry, Doug, really.

Doug (scoffs):
Aw, I know you are. It's not your fault I live with Mrs. O'Leary's mule.

Mark (tries not to laugh):
Cow.

Doug (turns to him sharply):
What?

Mark (repeats):
Cow. Mrs. O'Leary had a cow.

Doug:
Yeah? Well, if Carol had lived with her she would've had a MULE too!

Mark:
That's your problem, Doug! You guys are just too much alike. Neither one of you wants to give in.

Doug (calmer):
I always give in.
(sighs)
I don't know what it is, Mark. I never do anything right anymore. None of my decisions are the right ones. I'm always wrong about how to handle the kids...

Mark (shrugs):
Part of being married, Doug. All parents go through it. You and Carol just haven't learned how to meet each other half way on things yet.

Doug (looks at his watch):
I gotta get to the school. Cover for me, will ya? I owe you one.

Mark (nods):
Good luck.

Doug goes on back across the roof and disappears through the doors. Focus on Mark as he chuckles lightly before going back across the roof himself and Fade Act Two To Black.

Act Three

Scene opens at the front desk of the ER. Carol is working there on paperwork, but her attention isn't being fully given to it. Focus on Kerry Weaver as she comes down the hall. She sees Carol sigh and blow her breath out long and slow. Kerry walks slowly up to the counter touches Carol's arm gently.

Kerry:
You look like you could use a break.

Carol (looks up quickly):
Oh! No! I'm just fine! I was just thinking about something.

Kerry (knowing smile):
Let me guess...Doug Ross.

Carol (sighs):
I'm that predictable, huh?

Kerry (shrugs):
Only lately. Come on...
(takes Carol by the arm)
Let's go have that talk we were going to have about Doug that we never got around to before...

Carol (thinking):
Well...
(looks at her watch and nods)
OK!

Cut to show Doug walking through the halls of a grade school, looking at names and numbers on doors. He comes to the one he needs and walks through the door and up to a desk where a receptionist greets him. She is a "civilian" in plain clothes.

Receptionist:
May I help you, sir?

Doug (nods quickly):
Yes, I'm Doug Ross. I have an appointment with Sister Mary Catherine...

Receptionist (glances at schedule in front of her):
Yes, Dr. Ross. Sister will be right with you. Please just have a seat.

Doug sits nervously in a chair there in the room and begin to tap his fingers together as he waits. Show a door opening and a middle aged woman in a Nun's habit opens the door. She smiles politely at Doug.

Sister Catherine:
Are you Dr. Ross?

Doug (pops up out of his seat and starts across the floor):
Yes, Sister!

She directs Doug into her office with her and closes the door. Doug slides into another chair and she sits down at her desk.

Doug (quietly):
I expected to see my son sitting in here as well.

Sister Catherine:
Scott is waiting in another room. I wanted to talk with your privately first.

Doug (toys with his hands):
What exactly is this all about?

Sister Catherine (calmly):
Dr. Ross, I understand the very special circumstances that are going on at your home. And I commend you and your wife for taking such a special child as Tatiana...

Doug (annoyed):
Get to the point, please? I'm a doctor...my time is very valuable.

Sister Catherine (nods...continues):
And I also understand that Scott has had to endure quite a bit of stress for a young child lately in his life, what with his mother and his step-father passing on, added to relocating and starting over in a new school...

Doug (agitated now):
Just tell me what he was fighting about, please?

Sister Catherine:
Well, Sister Mary Agnus was the one actually present at the time, but, she relayed all the information to me. It seems there was a scuffle on the playground between your son and the McGuire boy, Patrick...

Doug (nods):
I'm aware there has been some tension between Scott and Patrick lately.

Sister Catherine:
You were aware of the problem?

Doug (shrugs):
Scott mentioned a few things, yes.

Sister Catherine (concerned):
And you did nothing to alter your son's aggression?

Doug (almost laughs at out loud):
Aggression?

Sister Catherine (calmly):
We are a religious institution, Dr. Ross. We do not condone fighting as a way to settle our problems.

Doug (nods):
I agree.

Sister Catherine:
Then, how do you propose we solve this problem of your son's aggression?

Doug (calmly as well):
Do YOU know what the problem between Patrick McGuire and my son is?
(Sister shakes her head)
The McGuire kid insists on calling my daughter a faggot because she is HIV positive. You are a religious institution... do you condone name calling directed at a child too young to know what he's even calling her? A child who has had a disease transmitted to her that she had absolutely no control over whatsoever?

Sister Catherine (shakes her head):
Of course we don't...

Doug (continues his rant):
You teach love and compassion for your fellow man, don't you?

Sister Catherine (nods):
Yes, we do...

Doug:
Well, unless I missed something this morning at breakfast, I believe my daughter is still a member of the human community you teach love and compassion for, am I right?

Sister Catherine (nods again):
Yes, you are right...

Doug (continues):
Now, I don't happen to see either Mr. or Mrs. McGuire down here to discuss Patrick's behavior in this situation...why would you suppose that is?
(before Sister Catherine can respond, Doug continues quickly)
I have my own theories on that and none of them are anything I care to discuss here with you. My only concern here is my son. Because, you see, Sister, from my end, there IS no problem with Scott's behavior.

Sister Catherine (close to appalled):
But, Dr. Ross, surely you don't think fighting is the answer for dealing with name calling?

Doug (very firmly):
No, I don't necessarily think that's the answer, and I will talk to Scott about it. But, that's all I intend to do... talk. There will be no punishment from my end for this. If you feel it is necessary to put him in detention, or whatever, then, fine, you do it. But, until you call the McGuire's down here to discuss their son's aggression and reinforce some of the love and compassion for fellow man into Patrick, don't tell me how to deal with my son who was only sticking up for his little sister!
(looks at his watch)
Is there anything else? I really need to get back to work!

Sister Catherine (nods calmly):
Scott will only be kept after school today until 4PM. And I agree with you that perhaps we need to look at all sides of this situation.

Doug (nods with a sarcastic smile):
Thank you very much.
(stands up to leave)
Thank you for your time, Sister. Have a nice day.

Doug walks out quickly and leaves Sister Catherine sitting somewhat shell shocked at her desk.

Cut back to the hospital to Kerry and Carol sitting together at a table in the cafeteria over coffee.

Kerry (smiles):
So, what's Doug done now?

Carol (sighs with a soft smile):
Oh, you know...just being Doug.

Kerry:
Trouble in paradise?

Carol (shakes her head):
No, not really. Just games we play, I guess.

Kerry:
Problem?

Carol (sighs):
Doug wants to buy Tatiana a bicycle.

Kerry (confused):
And that's a problem?

Carol:
Well, it seems to have created one between us at least. I don't know! I know he's right! We agreed not to treat Tatiana any different from any other child her age. And I thought we were doing a really good job of that until Scott moved in. She sees him doing things and she wants to be right out there with him. And he's used to having sisters he could rough house with so, it's not easy for him either.

Kerry:
Have you talked to him about Tatiana's needs?

Carol:
Oh, yeah! That's not a problem. Doug and I both instructed him on what to do if Tatchie gets cut or scraped and starts bleeding and he's a real smart kid. He's not a problem.

Kerry (more confused):
So, what IS the problem?

Carol:
I guess it's just that I wanted Doug and I to work together with the kids. I wanted us to talk about things together and decide together what the best thing to do it. I didn't want either one of us being the only one to make decisions.
(frowns)
It sounded like a good plan on paper, anyway.

Kerry:
I've known Doug a long time and I've never seen him more settled or happier than he is right now. Whatever you two are doing together, it must be working in his life.

Carol:
Doug wasn't very happy much before, was he?

Kerry:
Doug has always been a whirlwind...never staying in one place very long...never staying with one person very long...I think that's why I was so surprised when I came here and found out he had been here for a while.
(Carol grins with a nod)
And now, this relationship with you has set him even more.

Carol (sighs):
Yeah, I know. Sometimes I worry that our lives are going to get boring.

Kerry (chuckles):
Boring? Are you kidding? With two kids? How could that ever be boring?

Carol:
Well, I guess we just never have any time to ourselves anymore. About the only time we ever get to see each other is at work. When we're at home, we're either sleeping or too tired to do anything else...expect for fighting about the kids.

Kerry:
Well, I'm no expert in the romance department, but, as much fire as you and Doug have between you, it would be a shame to waste that energy.

Carol:
Are we THAT obvious?!
(Kerry nods)
Oh, geez! We tried to keep things professional around here.

Kerry:
You're professional...but you can't hide your eyes.

Carol giggles and Kerry laughs with her as they finish their coffee and head out of the cafeteria.

As they come into the ER hallway, Doug is back, and running down the hall with Mark and a patient on a gurney.

Mark (commanding voice to Doug):
BP dropping...abdomen is tender and swollen...

Doug (grabs the end of the gurney to help Mark push):
Ruptured spleen?

Mark (nods as they guide the gurney into a room):
Possibly...

Carol dashes in to help...the team does the 1-2-3 lift and Mark and Doug start working on opposite sides of the table over their patient.

Carol (reading from machine):
BP 130/70...

Doug (feels abdomen):
Firm and solid...gonna need a puncture to test for blood...

Mark (over his shoulder):
Somebody get Carter for the puncture, please!

Chuny (exiting quickly):
Right away!

Doug takes a scope and leans over the patient. Patient is a white male, between the ages of 30 and 45. He is a bit disoriented and in obvious pain. Doug leans close to his face to peer deep into his eyes and the man opens his eyes in a flash. The instant his eyes meet Doug's, Doug gets a peculiar look on his face. He backs up from the exam and stands up right. He ticks his head a little, and then leans back down to peer into the other eye. The patient reaches up and grabs hold of Doug's wrist suddenly and Doug backs up quickly.

Mark (looks up confused):
What's the problem, Doug?

Doug (shakes off his ill feeling):
Nothing...

Doug steps back to the patient and leans down again but he can't shake whatever is bothering him. He steps away again and backs out of the room just as John Carter comes rushing in.

Mark (gives Doug a peculiar glance as Carter comes in):
I need a stomach puncture, Carter and a CBC...

Carter (steps into the vacant spot where Doug was):
I'm on it!

Doug walks slowly into the hallway and stands watching through the glass as the team continues to work on their patient. He stands in the doorway watching and in his mind he sees a flash...no vision...just a flash of light going off in is mind.

Focus on Doug's perplexed and confused look and Fade Act Three to Black.

Act Four

Scene opens on the hospital roof. Doug is standing along at the railing looking out over the city. Wind is gusty and the sky is grey and overcast. Doug is showing signs of being a little cold...he has his arms folded together tightly against his chest. He is wearing only his t-shirt and a scrubs shirt with his dockers His face is troubled as he gazes out. Cut to show Mark coming out onto the roof as well. The wind whips around him and he, too, folds his arms across his chest against the chill and walks over to stand beside Doug.

Mark (quietly):
You OK?
(Doug nods quietly)
What happened down there?

Doug (shrugs):
I don't know.

Mark (peers off into the sky...notes the dark clouds):
Looks like a storm coming on.

Doug (nods):
Looks like it.
(pause)
Feels like one coming on in my life, too.

Mark:
What do you mean?

Doug (ticks his head):
I don't know, Mark. I can't explain it. Something happened down there. I don't know what, but, something definitely happened down there.

Mark:
You want to talk about it?

Doug:
Nothing to talk about...just a feeling that came over me. I can't explain it. And I've never felt like that before.

Mark:
Probably just a reflection of the rough day you've had. It's probably nothing to worry about.

Doug (nods):
Yeah, you're probably right.
(starts away from the rail)

Mark (puts his hand on Doug's shoulder):
Come on...get some coffee...you'll feel better.

Doug nods and follows Mark on across the roof. Just as they get to the door, Doug hears a rumbling of thunder and turns back to look at the sky. He sees a bright flash of lighting off in a distance and his eyes show deep concern.

Doug (distantly):
There's a storm coming, all right...

Mark and Doug go on through the door and disappear from view.

Cut to show Carol walking slowly through the halls of the hospital, obviously looking for something. She spots Jeanne Boulet working in a room by herself and approaches the doorway carefully.

Carol (very quietly):
Jeanne? Could I talk to you for a minute?

Jeanne (looks up, smiles at Carol):
Sure, Carol!
(Carol walks slowly into the room and closes the door)
What's on your mind?

Carol (nervously):
I heard a rumor through the grapevine and I wanted to talk to you...

Jeanne (rolls her eyes and frowns):
I think I know what this is about...it's not a rumor. It's true.

Carol (stunned):
You're HIV?
(Jeanne nods)
Jeanne, I'm so sorry...

Jeanne (smiles lightly):
It's OK. Really.

Carol:
Well, what I wanted to talk to you about is Tatiana. She's also HIV...I didn't know if you knew that...

Jeanne (sad expression):
She's just a little girl!

Carol (nods):
She got it from her Mom...but that's not what I wanted to talk to you about...it's just...well...when Doug and I took Tatchie, we agreed to raise her like any other child...let her have a normal childhood...

Jeanne (smiles knowingly):
And now you're having trouble living up to that promise?

Carol:
I am. Doug doesn't seem to be having any problems!

Jeanne:
I don't know how I'd handle it, either. I mean, you can't help but be scared to death! And there's another child in your home, too, isn't there? Doug's son?

Carol:
Yeah. And he's great with Tatchie! He really is! Doug and I both briefed him what to do if something happens that involves blood and he's just really great about everything. But, Tatchie is getting more settled with us now and she's wanting to do things...things like roller skates and bicycles...I know I'm not helping her any by shielding her so much...I know I can't protect her forever...it's just so hard to let go!

Jeanne:
There's always going to be risks for her...in everything she does. But, as long as she understands her special needs and the people around her can handle them, then, I'd have to say she's probably as protected and safe as she can possibly be.

Carol:
I know that here
(puts her hand to her head)
It just gets lost once it gets here
(puts her fist to her heart)
I wanted her to just be happy sitting on the porch having tea parties with her dolls and stuffed animals.

Jeanne:
When you were a little girl, were you happy doing those things?

Carol:
Oh, for a while, I guess. Until I saw all the other kids out on their bikes and skates.
(sighs)
I guess Tatchie is a lot more normal than I gave her credit for.

Jeanne:
Get her a helmet...get her knee and elbow pads...and brief her on safety...only ride with an adult around...or with Scott. Just simple little things can really make a difference.

Carol:
Thanks, Jeanne. I hope you don't think I was intruding...

Jeanne (smiles):
Not at all. And if you ever have anymore questions or just need someone to talk to, my door is always open for you.

Carol:
I appreciate that!

Carol and Jeanne nod a silent agreement and Carol slips quietly out of the room. She goes back down toward the ER and starts down the hallway. Just as she gets almost back, she passes a doorway with the door ajar just a crack. As she goes by, an arm comes out and claps a hand over her mouth and the other hand quickly pulls her into the room. Her eyes flash fear and surprise, but, once in the room, she is spun around into the face of Doug Ross. He keeps his hand over her mouth and begins backing her up towards the wall.

Doug:
You have been mad at me all day! And I've LET you be mad at me all day! But, now, I'm TIRED of you being mad at me! It's time we settled this thing!

He takes his hand away from her mouth and leans in quickly to kiss her before she can scream or react in any other way. His kiss is deep, and forceful, and he backs her tighter against the wall. She kisses him back, but, as she takes a breath, she is trying desperately to see over her shoulder.

Doug:
What are you looking for?

Carol (nervously):
I'm just making sure there are no emergency buttons on the wall behind me...wouldn't want us to end up like Mark and Jen did that one time...

Doug (grins devilishly):
I don't intend to take my pants off here...not a smart move on Mark's part!

Carol (looks quickly):
No buttons!
(wraps her arms around Doug's neck and reaches to kiss him)
Where were we?

Doug (smiles, kisses her short kisses):
Ummmm...does that mean you aren't mad at me now?

Carol:
You're forgiven.

Doug (chuckles lightly):
Ummmmmm....thank you for that!

He holds her close to him and kisses her sweetly. We he stops, they neither one let go of the other or open their eyes for a minute.

Carol (sighs):
I wish we were going home right now.

Doug:
I'll wait up for you!

They compose themselves and walk over to the exam table, both of them sitting on the edge of it casually.

Carol:
So, how'd it go at school with Scott?

Doug:
He got into a fight with the McGuire kid. Sister told me her view. I told her my view. Case is pretty much closed. I will talk to Scott about fighting, though.

Carol:
Patrick was ragging on Tatchie again, huh?
(Doug nods)
Poor kid. She just doesn't understand...

Doug (looks at her hands):
I guess there's a lot of things she doesn't understand...

Carol (sighs):
Yeah, I know...like why every other kid on the block has a bicycle and she doesn't...

Doug:
I didn't say that!

Carol:
You were thinking it!

Doug (smiles):
But, I didn't say it!

Carol (grins):
You don't have to say it. I can read you like a book. And you're right. I'm sure she doesn't understand that either. I know that we can only protect her just so much...the rest is out of our hands.

Doug:
Does that mean she can have the bike?

Carol:
Yeah...but let ME buy it for her, OK? I think this is one time it needs to come from me specifically.

Doug (chuckles):
Thinking about that long, sad face at the breakfast table this morning, huh?

Carol (rolls her eyes):
I have seen the picture of that face in my mind all day! I just know she thinks I don't want her to have any fun at all!

Doug:
Oh, I don't think she thinks that!

Carol:
Well, I do! I used to think that about my mother! God, Doug! I get a little bit more like my mother every day!

Doug (kisses her forehead sweetly):
Well, that's not such a bad thing. Helen did a pretty good job with you. Does this mean we're back to normal?

Carol:
Well, whatever normal is, I'd say we're headed that way. We'll just have a little safety seminar with the kids and go from there.
(pause)
Mark said something bothered you with a patient? Are you OK?

Doug (nonchalantly):
Oh, yeah! It was nothing....just one of those spur of the moment type things!
(takes her by the hand and starts for the door)
Come on! We better get back to work before somebody misses us!

She goes with him in a trudging fashion and they go into the hallway together.

Cut to show Doug standing in the doorway of a room with the mysterious patient resting in bed. He watches the rise and fall of this man's chest and replays his entrance into the ER in his mind. In a flashback, he sees himself leaning over this man and the man opening his eyes to peer back at him. Doug shakes his head. In another flash, he sees the man grab him by the wrist and, again, Doug shakes his head. Just as Doug turns away he sees another bright flash of light. He turns back to look at this patient and all he can see is darkness. He sees another bright flash of light and everything returns to normal, but, Doug puts his hand on the back on his neck, feeling for something he cannot see...only feel. He ticks his head slowly and steps away from the doorway, walking on off down the hall alone.

Fade Act Four To Black.

"Whatever Normal Is"

Closing Act

Scene opens at the Ross/Hathaway home. Doug is home with both the kids, but, he is standing out on the front porch just gazing out at the neighborhood. It is dark...evening time...and he is leaning on the banister when Scott carefully opens the door to join him.

Scott:
Are you mad at me?

Doug (turns to him with a grin):
Now, why would I be mad at you?
(Scott shrugs)
Because, maybe, that I got called down to your school and had to take time off from work to go talk to Sister Mary Catherine?

Scott (quietly):
Yeah, something like that.

Doug:
We've talked about Patrick McGuire before. I told you he's just showing his ignorance. You didn't need to compound that ignorance by making your own self look stupid with fighting.

Scott:
I know. But, he made her cry! It just really made me mad.

Doug:
Well, then, we need to find some way to channel that anger. Maybe it's time you got into karate or something...a way to work off that aggression.

Scott (quietly):
Are you gonna punish me?

Doug:
I can't punish you for sticking up for Tatchie. You did the right thing...you just did it wrong.

Scott (shrugs):
What should I have done?

Doug (ticks his head):
I don't know. It's hard to say. Sometimes you just have to be there, you know?
(Scott nods)
You know that fighting is not a way to solve problems.

Scott:
Yeah...but I just couldn't take him making her cry!

Doug:
I can't fault you for that. I'm proud of you for caring enough about Tatchie to stick up for her like that.

Scott:
Hey, that's my sister! Don't let anybody try and tell me different!

Doug (strokes his son's hair gently):
Your Mom did a great job with you...do you know that?
(Scott smiles)
Well, as you know, I well believe that men can solve their problems without fighting, even though I don't always exercise that belief my own self, either...but, I also believe that there are some forces in this world that no matter how hard he tries a man just can't reason with them...maybe Patrick McGuire is one of those forces. I don't know. I don't know what to tell you that you should have done. But, in the future, do your best to just walk away, OK?

Scott (nods):
I'll do my best, Dad.

Doug (smiles):
That's all I can ask.

Their conversation is interrupted by Carol pulling the jeep wagon up in front of the house. Doug calls quickly over his shoulder into the house.

Doug:
Hey, Tatchie! Come on out here, sweetheart.

Focus long shot of Carol as she goes around to the back of the jeep and pulls open the hatch.

Doug (calls from the porch):
Need some help?

Carol (calling back):
I got it.

Tatiana (on the porch beside Doug now):
What's going on?

Doug (points out to the jeep):
Mama has a surprise for you.

Tatiana stands and watches and Carol lifts a 20" pink and purple bicycle out of the back of the jeep and starts up the walk with it.

Tatiana (races out to Carol):
Is it for ME?

Carol (smiling):
Well, I don't know anybody else it would be for!

Tatiana (climbs onto the seat and tries it out for size):
Can I ride it NOW?

Carol:
No, not right now! It's dark and it's late! You'll have all day tomorrow to ride it, OK?

Tatiana:
Where will we keep it?

Scott (joins her on the walk now):
We'll put it in the hallway with mine! Come on! I'll show you!

With Scott's help, Tatiana hauls the bike up the steps and into the house. Carol joins Doug on the porch carrying a box under her arm.

Doug (points to box):
Helmet?

Carol (nods):
Helmet...pink....to match the bike, of course!
(holds up a bag)
Knee pads and elbow pads...also purple and pink, like the bike.

Doug (chuckles):
She'll be the most color coordinated kid on the block.

Carol (grin):
That's my girl!
(pause)
You talk to Scott?

Doug (nods):
Yes, we came to an understanding, and I was thinking, maybe it's time to give him someplace to channel that aggression...like maybe karate or something.

Carol:
We can look into that. Whatever he wants to do.

Doug (takes her by the hand):
Come on inside...I got a surprise for you!

Carol:
A surprise? (follows him) For me?
Doug takes her into the living room and puts a cassette tape in the tape deck. He moves the coffee table out of the way and kicks the rug back under the table across the room. Rhumba dance music comes on the stereo and Doug takes Carol in a ballroom dance position and starts leading her across the floor.

Carol (laughing hysterically):
Doug! What ARE you doing?

Doug:
When was the last time we danced together?

Carol:
Never! You HATE to dance!

Doug (holds her close to him and jerks her around with the music):
Maybe the old Doug Ross didn't like to dance...but the new and improved Doug Ross just might take a liking to it.

Carol (still laughing):
Yeah? Well, when you LEARN to dance, look me up!

Doug:
I know one good step...

Carol:
Oh yeah? Which one is that?

Doug (grins impishly):
The Valentino step.

Carol:
The Valentino step? I don't think I've ever heard of that one!

Doug:
It goes like this!

He kicks her foot out from under her and dips her backwards, pressing his forehead next to hers and gazing deep into her eyes.

Carol (breathlessly):
Oh, I think I like that one...

The two of them glance up to the doorway and see Scott standing there watching them. He shakes his head sadly as he starts away...

Scott (mumbles):
Oh, please...you guys are SO lame...

Scott disappears and Carol looks up at Doug helplessly.

Carol:
Exactly when did we turn into our parents?

Doug:
The same time everybody else turns into their parents...when we got kids!

Carol:
Ah, well....what the hell...

She reaches up and grabs him around the neck pulling him down to the floor with her... Fade into the closing credits of the show.

September 11, 1997