Second
Chances
by Ali
Setting: Current Season - It is a couple of weeks since Deannas departure. Jess has been filling in as NUM. It is now clear that Nelson wont be returning. It is a Friday afternoon. A charity event has been organised by the hospital for the following day to raise money for the paediatrics ward. Everyone is getting into the spirit of it except Frank!
At the staffbase Dan is trying to talk Frank into taking part in a
slave auction.
Frank: Its bad enough I have
to spend my Saturday in this place watching people make fools of themselves, I am not going to do the same!
Dan: Oh come on Frank! Its for a good cause!
Every other ward has a theme or an event planned, Ward 12 have a circus theme
going, and apparently they have all learnt some tricks to perform for the kids!
Frank: Well, its hardly a
big stretch for them is it? They act like clowns everyday!
Cate arrives.
Dan: Cate, tell him, a
slave auction is a great idea to raise money.
Cate: Yeah, and itll be fun!
Dan: We cant be the only department not doing
something. Think of the children Frank! Think of the children!
Frank: Im not opposed to the
idea itself, I just wont be part of it!
Cate: But the point is that everyone in the ED put themselves up for
auction, and youre the department head! You should be leading by example!
Frank: Forget it!
Frank walks
off. Dan and Cate sigh.
Dan: (positively) Well
talk him round! Everyone else has agreed right?
Cate: Von is still refusing! She and Frank are two of a kind!
Dan: (confidently) Leave Von to me!
Jess is
stressed out trying to deal with Dennis the maintenance man.
Dennis: So you see, its not
as simple as youd think. I
Jess: (snapping) Just fix
it!
Dennis: Have you not been
listening? I
Jess: I dont care!
Dennis: Bu
Jess: Get it done Dennis!
Jess storms
off. Dennis shakes his head and lazily wanders over to the staffbase,
where Dan and Cate are still discussing the auction.
Cate: So who do we get to MC it?
Dan: Never thought of that.
Cate: Frank? If he still refuses to be in it?
Dan: Nah, I told you, well talk him round.
Dennis: I couldnt help
over-hearing your predicament!
Cate: Probably because you were eavesdropping!
Dennis: (offended) I would
never! What is it with the women in this hospital? Always so confrontational!
Dan: Whats up Dennis?
Dennis: You need an MC for your
little auction thingy?
Dan: Yeah?
Dennis: Well, I happen to have
considerable experience in that area!
Cate: (sceptical) Really?
Dennis: Yeah, Ive done local
quizzes for years, raising money for the local old folks
home.
Dan: Yeah?
Dennis: (boastfully) They beg me to do it every year!
Dan: Youre good then?
Cate: Dan! Shouldnt it be a member of the department?
Dennis: Oh, so Im not a
member of the department! This place would come to a standstill without me!
Dan: (quietly) Who else
have we got?
Cate rolls her eyes.
Dan: Dennis, youre hired!
Dennis: (pleased) You wont regret it!
Cate: We better not!
Dennis is
about to give Cate a smart answer when he spots Jess
coming back.
Dennis: (hurriedly) Talk to you later then!
Dennis rushes
off. Jess arrives.
Jess: Was that Dennis?
Dan: Uh
Jess: That man! No wonder it takes him so long to
get things done!
Dan: Jess, deep breaths!
Cate laughs.
Jess: I dont know why I agreed to do this job!
Dan: The perks of sharing an office with Frank?
Jess: (grumbling) Oh dont get me started on him!
I dont know how Nelson and Terri managed it without going insane!
Cate: (teasing) Yikes, youre not turning into another Deanna are you?
Jess looks
appalled.
Jess: God no! I dont act like her do I?
Cate: I was kidding Jess! Youre nothing like her!
Jess sighs.
Dan: Why dont you grab a coffee? You look like
you need one!
Jess: Yeah, that
Frank: (yelling) Jess!
Jessica!
Frank comes barrelling out of his office.
Jess: Yes Frank!
Frank: Where is the latest
costing report?
Jess: On your desk?
Frank: I cant find it!
Jess: (mumbling) Im not surprised.
Frank: What?
Jess: Im sure its on your desk.
Frank: Well, come and find it
would you?
Jess sighs and
follows Frank to the office. Dan and Cate try to look
sympathetic but cant help but smile.
Charlotte and
Erica are dealing with a patient, a young boy with appendicitis.
Boy: (scared) Does this
mean I have to have an operation?
Charlotte: (gently) Yes
it does, but there is no need to worry.
Boy: Are you going to do the operation?
Charlotte: No, a surgeon will do that.
But all our surgeons are very nice and very good so they will take the best of
care of you.
Erica: Hey, look, your mum is
back!
The boy
immediately cheers up.
Mother: I just had to call his
father and let him know.
Charlotte: (nodding) Surgery have
called and they are sending someone down for him.
Erica: Ill be accompanying
him as far as theatre, and I can show you where you can wait if you want?
The mother
nods.
Charlotte: Okay then! Dont worry about
your surgery, this time tomorrow you will be feeling much better and will have
an impressive scar to show your mates!
Charlotte
leaves them to it. On her way back to the staffbase
she bumps into Vincent.
Charlotte: (cheerfully) Hello!
Vincent: (smiling) Hi!
Charlotte: I thought you said you were
going to avoid the ED until Dan and Cate stopped hassling you about the auction?
Vincent: They have stopped
hassling me!....Because I gave in!
Charlotte: (laughs) Wimp! Youre
argument about technically being part of the Surgical Department didnt work
then?
Vincent: Oh it worked! But then
I found out that the Surgical Department is having a singing contest!
Charlotte: Singing surgeons?
Vincent nods.
Charlotte: Well, that should be
entertaining!
Vincent: Or terrifying!
Back at the staffbase, Cate is trying to get
Frank to buy raffle tickets.
Frank: Five bucks for a
raffle ticket?
Cate: Its for a
Frank: (grumpily) Good cause,
yes I know!
Frank takes
out his wallet.
Cate: How many shall I put you down for?
Frank: One!
Cate: (amazed) One?
Dan: Oh come on Frank! The children! Think of the
children!
Frank sighs
and takes out twenty dollars. Dan and Cate still
dont look impressed.
Frank: What?
Cate: This is like pulling teeth!
Dan: I gave twenty!
Frank: So?
Dan: So, my bank balance would pale in comparison
to yours DOCTOR!
Frank sighs
again and this time takes out fifty dollars. Cate smiles.
Cate: Thats more like it!
Alison Newell
comes over.
Alison: There you are! I paged
you an hour ago looking for that report!
Frank: Oh right, come on!
Alison: (irritably) Its all right, I got it myself.
Dan nudges Cate telling her to ask Alison to buy a ticket.
Cate: Uh, Dr. Newell, would you like to buy a raffle ticket?
Alison: (hesitantly) Uh
Frank: Of course she would!
Its for the hospital after all and Admin always likes to lead by example,
isnt that right, Alison?
Alison: (forcing a smile)Yes, yes of course.
Frank smirks
as Alison glares at him.
Cate: How many? They are five dollars each. We write your name next to a
number and then a number will be pulled at random tomorrow.
Alison: Uh
Frank: Oh, youll buy twenty
wont you?
Alison glares
at him again.
Dan: Wow, that would be
the most by anyone so far! A hundred dollars!
Cate: Very generous!
Alison: (smiling stiffly) Why
not?
Frank grins
smugly as Cate writes down Alisons name. When Cate is finished and waiting for the money, Alison suddenly
looks contrite.
Alison: Oh I uh, dont have
any cash on me at the moment! Take care of it, would you Frank? And we can sort
it out later!
Frank: What?
Alison: (smiling brightly)
Thanks!
A haughty
Alison hurries off and a not very happy Frank watches her go. Dan and Cate try desperately not to laugh.
Frank: (to Dan) Not a word!
Frank
reluctantly hands over a hundred dollars and then wanders off grumbling about
bloody women.
Jack and Von
are dealing with a patient who has mystery symptoms.
Jack: (frustrated) All
the test results have come back negative and the head CT was clear. Do you
still have the pain Mr. Harris?
Mr. Harris: (wincing) Yes, its going right across my head.
Jack: Right across your head? It was only in your
temple earlier, right?
Mr. Harris: Yes but its spreading!
Jack: And what about the nausea?
Mr. Harris: Yes, yes, I still feel
nauseous too!
Jack sighs and calls Von aside.
Jack: I cant find anything wrong with him. Do you
think hes faking?
Von: Well, his chart says that he has been
admitted with these symptoms on several occasions, and nothing has ever been
found!
Jack sighs
again. Frank appears.
Frank: Are you still treating
Harris?
Jack nods.
Frank: Have you found
anything wrong with him?
Jack: Not yet.
Frank: Not yet? So you expect
to find something wrong with him?
Jack: Well, he is still complaining
Frank: Of course he is!
Complaining and wasting hospital time are what he does best! He gave the same
list of symptoms last time and there was nothing wrong with him then either!
Cut him loose!
Jack: But
Frank: Youve done all the
tests?
Jack nods.
Frank: They all came back
clear?
Jack nods
again.
Frank: Give him an aspirin
and tell him to go home!
Jack sighs and
goes back to talk to Harris. Dan comes looking for Von.
Dan: Von!
Von: No!
Dan: No?
Von: No!
Dan: No what? I havent even asked you anything!
Von: No, I am not taking part in the auction and
no I am not buying any more raffle tickets!
Dan: (pleading) Oh come on Von! Think of the
children!
Von: Oh please!
Dan: Youll be the odd one out! Department
pariah!
Von: Good!
Dan: (pleading again) Von!
Von starts to
walk away, ignoring him. Dan follows.
Dan: Its to raise money to provide sick children
with better care! How can you not want to do your bit? Sick children!
Von: Ill donate money.
Dan: Money! See thats what is wrong with the
world these days! People are only too willing to throw money at the problems if
it saves them having to give a little tiny bit of their time!
Von: The day is all about raising money! Thats
the whole point!
Dan: Yeah, wellLook Im not going to give up! So
you may as well agree now!
Von stops
walking, turns to Dan and sighs.
Von: No!
Dan: (shaking his head sadly) This
is going to be a long day!
Von rolls her
eyes. Dan takes a deep breath.
Dan: The children, Von! Sick children!
Von: Oh for Gods sake!
Von walks away
again but Dan follows her, determined.
Jess has
caught up with Dennis again. Charlotte, and Erica are
watching with amusement from the staffbase.
Jess: You said you were on your way to fix it over
two hours ago!
Dennis: I know but another job
came up!
Jess: We are talking about a vital piece of
equipment; it should have been given priority!
Dennis: You lot always say
that!
Jess: This is the Emergency Department! We need to
know that we can rely on all our equipment being in good working order! Your
other job could have waited!
Dennis: Look, I only do what
Im told, and I was told to do the other job immediately.
Jess: You didnt listen when I told you to take a
look at the defibrillator immediately! So what was this other job that was so
important?
Dennis: Fixing a desk up in
Admin, and no offense, but Dr. Newell is a lot scarier than you!
Jess looks at
him speechless for a moment. Charlotte and Erica roll their eyes.
Jess: Why didnt you explain to her?
Dennis: I tried! But she
wasnt listening, all she cared about was getting some important documents from
her desk and the drawer was stuck. Once I was up there, she had a few more jobs
for me to do for the big important meeting!
Jess: (dismissively) Oh
you obviously didnt try very hard!
Dennis: (defensive) Look, I
did my best. Do you know how difficult it is to say no to that woman? Youve
never done it! And how do I know? cause youve still
got your head, thats how!
Frank turns
up.
Frank: Whats going on?
Jess: Dennis here went to fix a desk in Admin,
after I spent all morning trying to get him to fix a defibrillator!
Frank groans.
Frank: Why cant you ever
just do as youre told? How, even with your peanut sized brain, did you think
fixing a desk was more important than a defibrillator?
Dennis: As I said, Dr. Newell
Frank: Oh I might have bloody
known!
Frank throws
his arms in the air.
Frank: Have you fixed the
equipment yet?
Dennis: Im on my way now!
Frank: Well, get on with it,
and dont even think of doing anything else until its done. I dont care if
God himself comes down and begs you to fix his toaster!
Dennis leaves
sulkily. Jess sighs in frustration.
Frank: (scoffing) Her bloody desk!
He walks off
shaking his head.
Dan catches up
to Cate in the corridor.
Dan: (pleased with himself) Add Von to the list!
Cate: You talked her round?
Dan: More wore her down!
Cate: So thats everyone except Frank.
Dan: Ah well get Frank! If I was able to get
Von, Frank will be no problem!
Cate looks at him sceptically.
Jess is taking
a well earned break outside. She is fidgeting absentmindedly with her coffee
and doesnt notice him until he sits down next to her. Her eyes widen.
Stuart: Hey Jess!
Frank barges into Alisons office. She sighs when she sees him.
Alison: What have you got
against knocking?
Frank: I cant help it. I
just love the look on your face, in that split second, that
you go from curious surprise to bitter disappointment when you realise its me!
Alison shakes
her head in amusement. Frank takes a seat. Alison looks at him expectantly. He
looks back blankly.
Alison: Well?
Frank: Yes, Im very well,
thank you!
Alison: (rolling her eyes) What do you want?
Frank: Uhjust came to see if
all was well with your desk now. It would be a calamity if it wasnt in tip top
condition!
Alison looks
at him as if he is insane at first, then her look turns to one of suspicion.
Alison: Spit it out Frank!
Frank: A broken defibrillator
was relegated to second place so that maintenance could come and look at your
desk!
Alison: (dismissively) Oh, it
only took him a few minutes, and I needed those files for a meeting.
Frank: (sarcastically) A meeting? Oh well, in that case!
Alison: (disinterested) Is that all?
Frank: You dont think thats
enough?
Alison: I think you are making
a mountain out of a mole hill! Its not like it was the only defibrillator in
the department. Now, if youre done?
She looks towards
the door. Frank looks thoughtful. He looks like he is about to say something
else but then seems to think better of it and stands up. He makes his way
towards the door then stops. Alison looks at him expectantly again as he
dithers in the doorway.
Frank: Dont forget you owe
me a hundred dollars!
Alison: (smiling sweetly) I
wont!
Frank: Hmm.
He turns and
leaves. Alison looks after him curiously.
Jess and
Stuart are walking outside.
Jess: Im really pleased for you. Your counselling sounds like it is
going really well, and your new job!
Stuart: Yeah, things are
great. Id like to get back on the ambos eventually, but for now Im happy
enough shuffling papers.
Jess: (smiling) Youve
done really well.
Stuart smiles
back.
Stuart: What about you? Any news?
Jess: (hesitates) Uh, no. Same old, same old!
Actually, I should be getting back, Ive been gone for
ages.
Stuart: (nods) Maybe we could
chat again sometime?
Jess: Yeah, yeah. And Ill tell Dan you said hi.
Stuart: Yeah, tell him Ill
give him a call.
Jess: Okay. Bye.
Jess makes her
way back inside.
Jack, Dan and Cate are at the staffbase.
Jack: Who is up for a few drinks tonight?
Dan: Jess and I are going out for dinner tonight.
Jack: Aww, you taking
her for a pizza?
Dan: (making a face) No, actually, Ive booked a
fancy restaurant, you know the French one? Its supposed to be THE place to eat
at the moment. And Ive bought her flowers and a box of her favorite chocs!
Cate: Wow, going all out! Ive heard about that restaurant, Le Monde or
something, the prices there are supposed to be off the charts!
Dan: Shes worth it!
Jack: Yeah, if she doesnt end up having to wash
dishes at the end of the night!
Dan: Whatever! Youre just jealous because you
dont have anyone to spend your money on!
Cate laughs and Jack makes a face.
Jack: (sarcastically) Yeah,
thats right! Im jealous that you get to spend a small fortune in a hyped up,
over-priced restaurant!
Frank arrives
with some x-rays.
Frank: Whos spending a
fortune in hyped up, over-priced restaurants?
Cate: Dan is taking Jess to Le Monde tonight.
Frank looks
surprised.
Frank: Still trying to
impress huh? Not sure if you got her hooked yet?
Dan: Jess and I are solid! I just want to show
her a good time.
Jack and Frank
dont look convinced.
Frank: Usually the more
solid you are, the less money you have to spend on them!
Cate: Dont be so cynical! Its a pity more guys didnt follow Dans example
instead of your antiquated ideas! Too many men think once they are in a
relationship they can stop making an effort.
Dan: (brightly) Oh he
doesnt mean that! Even when the relationship is over, Frank is still more than
willing to fork out the cash! Isnt that right?
Cate laughs. Frank gives Dan a warning look. Jack
looks lost, knowing he has obviously missed something.
Jack: Is anyone up for a drink tonight then?
Cate: Yeah, Ill come for one.
Jack: Frank?
Frank: No, thanks.
Dan: You got plans?
Frank: (warily) Maybe.
Dan: Thats nice!
Frank: Mmm.
Frank goes
back to checking the x-rays. Dan grins at Cate and
Jack.
Vincent is
back in the ED. He finds Charlotte
checking some test results.
Vincent: Hey
beautiful!
Charlotte: Hello handsome!
They grin at
each other.
Vincent: Jack just asked if we wanted
to grab a drink tonight, what do you think?
Charlotte: EhId rather if we had a
night in just the two of us.
Vincent: (smiling) Whatever you want, Ill let him know.
Charlotte: Do you want to go out?
Vincent: I want to be with you!
If I have you all to myself, Im not going to complain.
He takes a
quick look around and then kisses her gently.
Vincent: I better get back. See
you later.
Charlotte: See you.
Charlotte
sighs contently as she watches him go.
Dan and Cate are discussing how they can convince Frank to take
part in the auction. Von overhears.
Von: You said everyone was taking part!
Dan: Welleveryone will be, once we convince
Frank.
Cate: (doubtful) I dont know Dan, we havent got a lot of time.
Von: Well, if he doesnt have to do it, Im not!
Dan: Von!
Frank arrives.
Dan: (accusatory) See what youre doing!
Frank: (surprise) Me?
Dan: Yes you!
Frank: (confused) What am I doing?
Dan: Undermining the spirit of participation and
charitableness andand
Frank: Are you still on about
that bloody auction?
Von: How come you get away with not doing
anything?
Frank: (smug) Because Im me!
Von: (unimpressed) Huh.
Von wanders
off.
Cate: Oh come on Frank! Its a bit of fun.
Dan: If you dont do it
neither will Von and Ive had my heart set on bidding for her!
Frank: Von?
Cate: (pleading) Come on Frank!
Frank sighs.
Frank: Fine, if it will shut
you up!
Cate and Dan grin and look very pleased with themselves.
The shift is
over and everyone is getting ready to leave. Jack, Cate
and Erica are walking out.
Jack: Erica, you coming for a drink?
Erica: Emm
Jack: Please? If you dont then its just going to
be and Cate!
Cate: Oi! My company not good
enough?
Jack: Well
Cate thumps him on the arm laughing.
Erica: Okay then, I guess someone should be there to referee you two!
Frank and Von
are finishing up at the staffbase.
Frank: Any plans tonight?
Von: What plans would I have?
Frank looks
awkward.
Von: What about you?
Frank: No, its just me and
Kathleen tonight. Why dont you join us for dinner?
Von: Nah, but thanks.
Frank: Are you sure?
Von smiles and nods.
Dan and Jess
arrive at the restaurant and are shown to their table. Jess looks around
impressed.
Jess: Are you sure this isnt too expensive?
Dan: Dont worry about that!
Jess: Its just
Dan: Tonight is about spoiling you!
Jess: If youd just agree to split the bill I
wouldnt feel so guilty! You already gave me those beautiful flowers and the
chocolates.
Dan: You are worth it.
They smile at
each other.
Charlotte and
Vincent are preparing dinner at home. Charlotte
goes to feed Charlie the puppy.
Charlotte: Charlie! Charlie!
The puppy
comes running.
Charlotte: Theres my good boy!
She pets and
cuddles him, mumbling and talking to him as though he were a baby. Vincent
watches in amusement.
Vincent: Steady on, Ill get
jealous!
Charlotte
picks up the puppy and brings him over to Vincent.
Charlotte: (in a babyish voice to
puppy) There is no need to be jealous, is there? Mummy
loves you both doesnt she? Yes she does!
Vincent: (petting the puppy) Does that make me daddy?
Charlotte
looks at him almost startled, then covers it up with a bright smile and starts
mumbling to the puppy again.
Dan and Jess
are tucking into their starters. Dan glances around briefly and squints.
Dan: Is that Alison Newell?
Jess: Where?
Dan: Over there?
Dan nods
towards the opposite side of the restaurant, where Alison is just taking a seat
at a table with a man.
Jess: Yeah it is. I wonder who he is?
Dan shrugs.
Dan: So anyway, we eventually talked Frank into
it!
Jess: I just hope I dont get bid on by some
weirdo!
Dan: Aw I wouldnt let that happen, Ill bid on
you myself!
Jess: You better!
Dan: Although, I have to warn you, if it comes
down to being able to afford you or Von Im afraid youll have to fend for
yourself!
Jess: Nice!
Dan laughs.
Dan: So where did you skive off to today?
Jess: What?
Dan: You were out of the ED for ages.
Jess: Oh uh, yeah. I had to meet with Admin anduh,
oh yeah I almost forgot! I bumped into Stuart!
Dan: Stuart? Where?
Jess: While I was sitting outside on my break.
Dan: He just happened to be strolling past?
Jess: Um, I guess, he didnt really say actually.
Dan: Why didnt you bring him in? Id love to
catch up.
Jess: Well, he, uh, wasnt there for long.
Jess looks
awkward.
Dan: Hows he doing?
Jess: Good! He says his counselling
is going really well and he is working again! He looked really well.
Dan: (looking pleased) Thats
great.
Jess: Yeah, he said he would give you a call
sometime.
Dan: (tentatively) Did
you tell him about us?
Jess looks
down at the table.
Jess: No, I wasnt sure if it was a good idea. I
thought it might be strange.
Dan nods, understanding.
Jess: It might be better coming from you anyway.
Dan: (nods) If he calls,
then we can have a proper chat.
Jess still
looks a little uncomfortable.
Jack, Cate and Erica are at a club.
Jack: I dont care how high the bidding goes! I am
going to have Frank Campion as my slave for a day!
Erica: You might have some
competition, I can imagine a lot of people would love being able to order Frank
around for a day!
Jack: Well, everyone can just back off, cause hes mine!
Cate and Erica laugh. A different song comes on
and Cates eyes light up.
Cate: I love this song!
She stands up.
Cate: Come on! Its time to boogie!
Erica stands
up too, but Jack shakes his head.
Jack: I dont think so.
Cate: Listen Quade! I came for a drink with you
and you ARE going to dance with me!
Cate nods at Erica.
Cate: Come on!
They both grab
Jack by the arm and drag him onto the dance floor.
The following day, the hospital grounds are a hive of activity, noise and colour a bit too much for a hungover
Jack!
Vincent: (laughing) It was a good night then?
Jack: (wincing) The bits
I can remember!
A cheerful
Erica joins them.
Erica: Morning!
She looks at
Jack.
Erica: Yikes! You look
terrible!
Jack: Why dont you?
Erica: I dont know. Do you think
it might have something to do with me not drinking nearly as much as you?
Jack: Yes you did! I remember us doing shots!
Erica: Yeah I did two rounds
of shots, you did God only knows how many! Dont you remember? You said Cate and I were lightweights because we couldnt keep up!
Jack looks
embarrassed as Vincent laughs.
Jack: I didnt do anything stupid, did I?
Erica: No not at all!
Jack looks
relieved.
Erica: Everyone was really
impressed with your striptease!
Jack: (horrified) I didnt!
Erica just
grins.
Jack: I didnt!
Erica: (grinning) Suppose we may as well have a look around, huh?
Vincent: Yeah, good idea!
Vincent and
Erica start walking away. Jack follows.
Jack: Erica! Erica, tell me you are joking!
Dan and Jess
are telling Cate about their night out. Frank arrives
with Kathleen. Von is walking with them.
Jess: Hi!
Frank: Morning.
He turns to
Kathleen gently.
Frank: Kathleen, this is
Jessica, Dan and Cate. They work with me.
Kathleen: In the hospital.
Frank: Thats right.
Cate: Hello Kathleen, its nice to meet you.
Kathleen: It is nice to meet you
too.
Frank: So how was dinner at
Le Monde?
Jess: Great. The food was gorgeous and it had a
really nice atmosphere.
Dan: Yeah, we really enjoyed it. Have you been
there?
Frank: No not yet.
Dan: You should. We saw Dr. Newell there.
Frank: (curiously) Really?
Dan: Yeah.
Von: So is this going to become a regular thing?
Jess: Ah I doubt it! No matter how nice the food
and atmosphere, we couldnt afford to spend that much on it very often!
Cate: Expensive?
Dan: (rolling his eyes) Scarily!
Frank: Have you had a look
around yet?
Cate: Yeah, they were just beginning to set things up though. They have a
pet farm for the kids and the staff from Ward 12 are
all dressed as clowns!
Von: So what time is this auction thing?
Cate: 2
oclock.
Dan: You want to go see what else has been set
up?
Cate and Jess nod.
Frank: See you later.
Von waits
behind with Frank and Kathleen.
Von: (wearily) This is
going to be a long day!
Frank: Mmm.
Von: Is Kathleen staying for the whole day?
Frank: No, just for an hour
or so, then the sitter is going to pick her up. I just hope she doesnt get
upset by all the people and noise. I wasnt going to bring her at all, but
Alison reckoned it would be good for her to experience social interaction in a
more animated environment!
Kathleen: Kathleen wants to see
mummy.
Frank: (sighs) Lets go find her then!
Von smiles.
Charlotte and
Vincent are watching some kids playing with the animals at the pet farm.
Charlotte: Theyre so adorable!
Vincent: The kids or the
animals?
Charlotte: Both!
A desperate
Jack is following Cate and Erica around.
Jack: Be honest! I didnt! I wouldnt! Cate?
Laughing, Cate and Erica ignore him.
Frank finally
spots Alison talking to the Head of Paediatrics. Just
then the CEO steps onto a stage that has been set up and begins to give a
speech.
Dan: Oh I hope she doesnt waffle on for ever!
Von: She will. They always do!
The CEO talks
for over half an hour and by the time she finishes her speech everyone is
getting fidgety. But its not over. The Head of Paediatrics
steps up to give a speech. Dan groans. The others laugh at him.
Dan: Lets hope he makes
this quick!
Vincent: You know, well probably have Alison Newell up after this, right?
Dan groans
loudly again.
Dan: Why? By the time this guy is finished there
couldnt possibly be anything left to say!
Charlotte: Shell find something. If
there is one thing Alison is good at its long-winded,
tortuous waffle!
Suddenly Charlotte
gasps as she remembers. She turns apologetically to an amused looking Frank.
Charlotte: Sorry!
Frank: For what? Youre spot
on!
The others
laugh. And Vincent turns out to be right. Alison does take to the stage and
talks for 15 minutes. Dan is like a bored child at this stage and keeps
whispering and picking at Jess. Finally the speeches end, and Dan grabs Jess by
the hand and drags her off in search of some food.
Frank is keeping an eye out for Alison. He spots her again. She is having
photographs taken with the Head of Paediatrics, the
CEO and a few children from the paediatrics ward.
Charlotte: I see they are taking
advantage of the photo opportunity!
Frank: Sick children no
better publicity!
Jack: So photos of sick kids tug at the publics
heartstrings! If it helps raise money for new equipment, wheres the harm?
Frank looks at
Jack.
Frank: No wonder Alison likes
you!
Jack: (pleased) Has she
said something?
Frank looks at
him strangely and turns away. Charlotte and Vincent laugh.
Vincent: Well done Jack! You
keep schmoozing Admin and youll go far!
Jack: Whats wrong with wanting to get ahead?
Charlotte: Hey, I think the singing
surgeon competition is starting now. Want to go see?
Jack: Why arent you taking part in that?
Vincent: I dont sing!
Charlotte: He CANT sing!
Vincent: Neither can any of the
rest of them! Believe me, I heard them practicing!
As they wander
off, Frank waits, with Kathleen, to get a chance to speak to Alison. The photo
session finishes and Frank makes his way over. It takes a couple of seconds to
catch Alisons attention as she is busy talking to the Head of Paediatrics again. Finally, she excuses herself and comes
over.
Alison: (to Kathleen) Hello
darling.
Frank: You know when you told
me to bring her today, I thought you might actually
spend some time with her!
Alison: Its a busy day for
me!
Frank: Not too busy, every
time I see you, you seem to be gassing with that idiot!
Frank nods
towards the Head of Paediatrics.
Alison: Its a fundraising
event for his department! Weve had to put a lot of organisation
into this and so far it looks like its paying off!
Alison looks
around pleased.
Alison: Its garnering a lot
of media attention too.
Frank rolls
his eyes, clearly unimpressed. Alison smiles at Kathleen.
Alison: I have some free time
now. Why dont you and I have a look around?
Kathleen: And daddy too.
Alison doesnt
look overly delighted at that, neither does Frank, but both smile brightly at
Kathleen.
Jack,
Charlotte and Vincent are making their way back from the singing surgeon
competition, having not stayed very long.
Jack: That was painful!
Vincent: Yeah, I dont think
Oscar will be giving up the day job anytime soon!
They are
joined by Dan and Jess.
Dan: Hey, we were just on our way to the singing
contest!
Charlotte: I wouldnt recommend it!
Jack: Looks like Frank is playing happy families!
Jack nods to
where Frank and Alison are strolling with Kathleen.
Charlotte: I still cant get my head
around that!
Jess: And who do you think the mystery brunette
was that night at Cougars?
Vincent: (shrugs) Hes a man
with many secrets!
Charlotte: Whoever she was, shed have
to be an improvement on Newell!
Cate and Erica are walking along when they bump
into Dennis, wearing a hideous multi-coloured shirt.
Dennis: Ladies!
Erica: Wow! Love the shirt!
Dennis: (pleased) Thanks! I
like to get into the spirit of things!
Cate: You all set for the auction?
Dennis: Raring to go!
Cate: Right. Well, well see you later then!
Dennis: Uh, could I maybe
tempt you ladies to an ice-cream?
He nods to a
nearby stand. Cate and Erica look at each other and
shrug, smiling.
Erica: Why not?
Dennis: Excellent!
Dennis looks
even more chuffed when both Cate and Erica link arms
with him.
Frank is on
his own talking on his phone.
Frank: Its hell! Everyone is
smiling and cheerful!...Exactly! Not my scene at all!.......Yeah, she is doing really well. Alison has just
taken her to the bathroomOf course shes here. Youd swear shed organised the whole thing single-handedly the way shes
talkingNo, no..I do too!....Yeah, talk to you
later.
Dan finds Von sitting on a bench.
Dan: Having a good time?
Von just looks
at him with a raised eyebrow.
Dan: I cant wait for the
auction!
Von: (sarcastically) Oh
yes, its going to be the highlight of my week! I dont
know why I let you talk me into it.
Dan: Ah, you just couldnt
help but succumb to my charming powers of persuasion!
Von: Charm? Ha!
Dan looks at
her sideways and pretends to be insulted. Frank and Kathleen make their way
over.
Von: Hello.
Frank: Hi.
Dan stands up.
Dan: Ill see you guys
later.
Frank: Yeah!
Frank and
Kathleen sit down.
Von: Alison busy with the
big wigs?
Frank: Mmm.
She tells me to bring Kathleen and then she only spends half an hour with her.
Von: Did you have a nice
day Kathleen?
Kathleen
doesnt answer, she is looking around almost nervously.
Frank: Shes getting tired.
Von: When does the sitter
pick her up?
Frank: Soon hopefully, shes
running late.
Von: I wish someone would
come and bring me home!
Frank laughs,
then his face suddenly changes. Von notices and curiously follows his gaze to a
woman walking towards them.
Eve: (smiling) Great, I
found you easily enough!
Frank: Where did you come
from?
Eve: I was nearby.
Eve and Von
smile and each other and wait to be introduced.
Frank: Uh, Eve, this is Von
Ryan. We work together. Von, this is Eve Ballantyne,
she uh, shes an old friend.
Von: Its nice to meet you.
Eve: Nice to meet you too.
Eve looks at
Kathleen.
Eve: This must be Kathleen.
Frank: Uh yeah. Kathleen,
this is Eve. Shes a friend of daddys.
Eve: (gently) Its nice to meet you Kathleen.
But Kathleen
appears distracted and doesnt respond. Eve looks a little awkward.
Von: Uh, I may as well have
another look around. Ill see you later. It was nice to meet you.
Von leaves.
Frank: What are you doing
here?
Eve: (smiling) You sounded so bored on the phone, and I was nearby, so I
thought Id come cheer you up!
Frank doesnt
look very cheered up.
Frank: Why didnt you tell
me?
Eve picks up
on his tone and the smile disappears.
Eve: You mean given you a
chance to arrange things so that you wouldnt have to introduce me to anyone?
Frank: Of course not! But you
know its awkward, I have to think of Kathleen.
Eve: Kathleen seems fine.
What did you think I was going to do to her?
Frank: Nothing, dont be
ridiculous!
Eve: (quietly) Im
ridiculous?
A little boy
starts playing with a balloon next to them. The balloon bursts. The little boy
starts to cry. Kathleen jumps with fright and becomes hysterical.
Frank: Kathleen, its all
right. Its all right, youre safe. That little boy is just upset because his
balloon burst. Its okay.
Kathleen rocks
back and forth. Eve, in an attempt to comfort her, puts her hand gently on
Kathleens shoulder.
Frank: (snaps) Dont do that!
Kathleen
recoils and begins to moan loudly.
Eve: (upset) Im sorry!
Frank: Im going to bring her
inside.
Frank coaxes
Kathleen to come inside with him, and leaves Eve standing helplessly outside.
Jess is
walking along happily, when suddenly Stuart pops out in front of her. She jumps
slightly.
Jess: God! Stuart!
Stuart: Sorry, I didnt mean
to frighten you.
Jess: What are you doing
here?
Stuart: I heard about the
fundraising and thought Id show my support.
Jess: Oh.
They smile at
each other. Dan sees them and comes over.
Dan: Hey Stu!
Stuart: Dan!
Dan: Its good to see you.
Stuart: You too!
Jess: Stuart is here to show
his support.
Dan: Really?
Stuart: What can I say? Im a
giver!
The three of
them laugh. Dan looks really happy to see his old friend again.
Eve is still
standing awkwardly by the bench. Von comes over.
Von: You okay?
Eve: Uh, yeah. Kathleen got
upset, Frank decided to bring her inside.
Von: Oh. To
his office probably. Do you want me to show you?
Eve smiles
gratefully.
Von: Follow me.
Charlotte and
Vincent are standing, arm in arm, watching one of the clowns from Ward 12 trying
to make balloon animals for some kids. Charlotte
laughs as the guy succeeds in creating a very dodgy giraffe. The children are
delighted however and beg him to do another.
Charlotte:
Children are great, they dont care about imperfections.
Vincent just
watches her. Charlotte
sighs and leans into him.
Vincent: (quietly) You still
want children?
Charlotte: Some
day.
Vincent is
silent. Charlotte
waits. He looks like he is about to say something, but then doesnt.
Von points Eve
towards Franks office. Eve peers in the door.
Eve: (quietly) She okay?
Frank comes
out.
Frank: Yeah, shes calmed
down and the sitter should be here in a minute.
Eve: Im sorry. I didnt
mean to make things worse.
Frank: No, you didnt. Im
the one who should be sorry. I shouldnt have snapped at you like that.
Eve: Well, Ill agree with
you there!
They both
laugh. Alison comes hurrying along the corridor. She looks surprised and not
very pleased when she recognises Eve.
Alison: (rudely) What is she doing here?
Eve: (sarcastically) Its nice to see you too Alison!
Frank: Shes here to see me,
not that its any of your business! Kathleens in there.
He gestures
towards his office. Alison looks at them both coldly before going to Kathleen.
Eve: Ill leave you to it.
Frank: Youre not going?
Eve: Dont you want me to?
Frank: No.
Eve: Then Ill just wait
outside.
Eve smiles as
she leaves. Frank takes a deep breath before going back into his office.
Everyone is
getting ready for the auction.
Jack: I mean it! No one is
to outbid me for Frank!
Erica: All right! We get it!
The others
laugh at the determined look on Jacks face.
Dan: Where is Von?
Von: (from behind him) Shes here!
Dan: Good, I was afraid you
might have done a runner!
Von: (suspiciously) Im
afraid of why youre so interested!
Dan just
grins. Cate nudges him suddenly when she sees Frank
approaching with Eve.
Dan: (quietly) Are we going to meet the mystery woman?
Cate: Looks like it.
Frank: Hey. Do we still have
to go through with this?
Cate: Yes!
Frank rolls
his eyes.
Frank: Uh, everyone, this is
Eve Ballantyne. Shes a friend of mine. Eve, this is
Dan, Cate, Erica, Jack, Vincent and Charlotte. Youve
met Von.
Eve: Its nice to meet you
all.
They all nod
and say hello.
Frank: Where is Jess?
Dan: Shell be here in a
minute, shes with Stuart.
Frank: Hes back? How is he?
Dan: Good. Hes doing
really well.
Frank: Im glad.
Dennis
arrives.
Dennis: So whos up first?
The decision is made to go in alphabetical order so Cate
is first.
Dennis: Okay, who wants to
start the bidding on this beautiful, blonde bombshell?
Jack: Two dollars!
Cate: Cheapskate!
Dennis: Come on! Someone must
be able to do better than that! Look at her! Imagine having her at your beck
and call for a day!
Cate: Uh, careful Dennis!
Dennis: Admittedly shes a bit
bolshy, but you could put up with that for a day
couldnt you?
Cate: Oi!
An ambulance
officer Cate knows bids twenty dollars and it takes
off from there. Eventually the ambulance officer makes the final bid of
sixty-two dollars. Cate is a little disappointed.
Cate: (joking) Thought I should have gone for a bit
more!
Next up is Charlotte.
Dennis:
Another blonde beauty! Come on folks, wholl start the bidding?
Vincent: A hundred dollars!
Charlotte
grins and everyone else groans.
Dennis: Wow! A
hundred bucks! Anyone want to do better?
Vincent: (quietly) I hope not!
Frank laughs.
Dennis: Going once, going
twice
Man: One hundred and fifty!
Charlotte and
Vincent both look in surprise.
Dennis: Hey, now were
talking! Anything on 150?
Dennis looks
at Vincent. Charlotte
looks at Vincent. Everyone looks at Vincent. Vincent remains quiet.
Dennis:
Anything on one hundred and fifty dollars? Going once, going twice, g
Vincent: Two hundred!
Dennis: Two hundred!
Charlotte
looks relieved and Vincent grins. Dennis looks expectantly at the other man,
but he shakes his head.
Dennis: Going
once, going ! For two hundred dollars to the handsome surgeon!
Next up its Dan.
Dennis: Now, a move away from
beautiful women. We have alets be honest, a runt!
Everyone
laughs.
Dan: Oi! Im average
size!
Dennis: On the plus side
though, hell be good for getting into small corners if you have a few odd jobs
at home that youve been putting off!
Jess: Oh poor Dan!
Everyone else
laughs.
Dennis: So, ladies and
gentlemen, wholl start the bidding?
Jess: Ten dollars!
Dan winks at
her.
Dennis: Ten dollars. Anyone
want to go higher?
Stuart: Fifteen!
Dan nods
gratefully.
Dennis: Fifteen dollars! Are
we going to go higher? Come on ladies and gentlemen! He needs this boost to his
confidence, so far only his girlfriend and a friend have bid! Thats like
having your mother award you a blue ribbon! Doesnt count!
The crowd
laughs again. Dan looks like he wants to throttle Dennis.
Frank: Twenty dollars!
Dan looks down
in surprise, then throws Jess and Stuart a pleading
look.
Stuart: Twenty-five! (mumbles to Jess) He better owe me for this!
Frank: Thirty!
Frank enjoys
the squirming look on Dans face as he throws more pleading looks at Jess and
Stuart but they just laugh.
Dennis: Thirty dollars! Anyone bidding higher?
Dan looks at
Jess but she just shrugs laughing.
Dennis: Going once, going
for thirty dollars to the big guy!
Dan gulps.
Frank grins at him.
They all wish
Erica luck as she takes to the stage.
Dennis: Okay folks, weve got
a very lovely young lady for you now. Shes a nurse, so she comes with her own
uniform!
Man: Ten dollars!
Dennis: Oh please! Thats an
insult! Come on someone do better than that!
Head of Paediatrics: Twenty-five dollars!
The bidding
eventually goes to forty dollars and the first man wins.
Then its Franks
turn. Jack rubs his hands together in anticipation. Cate
looks at him.
Cate: Im beginning to worry about you!
Dennis: Now, we have the big
man himself! Head of the Emergency Department! I know there are probably quite
a few of you out there whod love to get your hands on him for a day! So wholl
start the bidding?
Charlotte: A dollar!
Frank gives
her a look of disgust.
Jack: Five dollars!
Frank: Oh give me a break!
Im not doing anything for less than thirty dollars!
The crowd laugh.
Dennis: Well, you heard him
folks! Full of self-importance as usual! But it is for a good cause! Will
anyone give us thirty?
Eve: Thirty dollars!
Jack: Thirty-five!
Dan: Forty!
Jess looks at
him.
Jess: Really?
Dan: No, just winding up Jack!
Vincent: Forty-five!
Jack glares at
them but they just laugh.
Jack: Fifty dollars!
Eve: Fifty-five!
Frank smiles
at her. Alison is watching from nearby.
Jack: Sixty-five!
Dennis: Wow, a lot of
determined people want to get their hands on you!
Frank laughs.
Eve: Seventy-five!
Jack looks
frustrated.
Dennis: Are you sure? Seventy-five dollars for this guy? You do know that we have
the heartthrob Dr. Hughes coming up later?
Frank doesnt
look impressed. The crowd laughs. Vincent looks a little embarrassed. Eve nods.
Dennis: Okay, up to you!
Though I think you could get better value for your money! Any increase on
seventy-five?
Jack: Eighty!
Eve: Ninety!
Erica: Wow this is exciting!
Jack: A hundred dollars!
Dennis: A hundred dollars for
the boss man. Will you go higher?
Everyone looks
at Eve. She smiles at Frank and shakes her head. Frank smiles back.
Dennis: Is that it? Anyone else? Anyone else want to go higher? Think of all the
times youve wanted to tell him where to go! Imagine ordering him around for a
day!
The place is
silent as everyone looks around expectantly.
Dennis: Okay thats it. Going
once, going ! He is all yours for a day Dr. Jack! Now we are going
to take a short break. Back in five!
Dennis comes
off the stage and grabs a glass of water. Jack looks pleased with himself.
Alison makes her way towards where Frank is coming down from the stage. Jack
turns apologetically to Eve.
Jack: Sorry!
Eve: (laughs) Thats
okay, I prefer his company when Im not paying for it!
Dennis: Why would you want to
spend a hundred dollars on him when you could have had one of those beautiful
women?
Dennis nods
towards Cate and Erica. Jack ignores him and Eve
laughs.
Dennis: Dr. Newell! Enjoying
the day?
Alison: (looking past him) Mmm.
Dennis: Im surprised you didnt
bid for Campion yourself! I bet youd enjoy having
him at your beck and call on his day off!
Jack looks
with interest to see Alisons response. Alison looks at Dennis and then glances
coldly at Eve.
Alison: Ive already had that
dubious privilege! (quietly) And
paid considerably more for it.
Eve looks back
at Alison frostily. Jack picks up on the tension. Dennis is just confused by
the statement.
Alison: Excuse me.
Alison walks
off. Frank is on his way over but Alison intervenes and pulls him aside. Eve
watches them. Jack watches all of this with great curiosity.
After a break
Dennis takes to the stage again and this time its Jacks turn.
Jack: Whatever you do, dont let Frank get me! Promise?
Cate: (laughing) Promise!
Dennis: Now, one for the
ladies! The handsome young Dr. Quade!
Cate whistles.
Dennis: Think what you could
do with him for a day! Wholl start the bidding?
Nurse from
Ward 12: Twenty dollars!
Dennis: Okay, good start! Twenty dollars. Do I hear more?
Frank
eventually makes his way back to Eve.
Eve: Thought youd abandoned me!
Frank: Sorry.
Dennis: Come on ladies and
gentlemen. Do I hear a higher bid?
Frank: Twenty-two!
Frank looks
ominously at Jack. Jack throws Cate a pleading look.
Dennis: Twenty-two! Dr. Campion breaking the bank there! Anyone
else?
Cate: Twenty-five!
Jack gives her
a look of gratitude.
Frank: Twenty-six!
Frank grins
evilly at Jack.
Dennis: Come on folks! Itd be
a shame to let him go for that! Twenty-six dollars! Do I hear any more?
Erica: Thirty dollars!
Frank: Thirty-one!
Cate and Erica begin to whisper. Jack looks at
them nervously. Alison catches Franks eye from the other side of the stage and
signals for him to come over.
Frank: Uh, will you excuse
me?
Eve: Hmm?
Frank: Ill be back in a
minute.
Frank walks
off. Eve looks confused.
Cate: Fifty dollars!
Dennis: Fifty dollars for our
strapping young doctor! Do I hear any other bids?
Cate and Erica look around to see if Frank is
going to bid and realise he is gone.
Dennis: Fifty dollars! Any one
else want to bid? Anyone? Okay, going once,
for fifty dollars to Nurse Cate!
Jack comes off
the stage relieved.
Jack: Thank you Cate!
Cate: Its not just me you have to thank! Twenty-five of those dollars
belonged to Erica. We decided to share you!
Erica: Hope you have no
objections!
Jack: None at all!
Jess is on
stage now.
Dennis: Another nurse up for
grabs now, but be warned, shes tougher than she looks! So lets get started,
whatll it be? Anyone?
Dan: Ten dollars!
Jess smiles at
him.
Man: Twenty dollars!
Dan: Twenty-five dollars!
Man: Thirty dollars!
Dennis: Thirty dollars! Do I
hear anymore?
Dan: Thirty-five!
Man: Forty-five!
Dan looks
annoyed and turns around to see who it is but doesnt recognise
the man.
Dan: Fifty!
Man: Fifty-five!
Dan hesitates,
trying to add up how much he can afford.
Stuart: Sixty-five dollars!
Jess smiles at
him. Dan looks at him in surprise.
Dennis: Sixty-five dollars! Do
you want to go higher sir?
The other man
shakes his head.
Dennis: What about anyone
else? Anyone? Going once, ! Sixty-five
dollars to the gentleman over there!
Stuart: You dont mind do you?
Thought it would be better than that other bloke.
Dan: No, yeah! Thanks. Im sure shell be
relieved!
As Vincent
takes to the stage, Frank is talking to Alison.
Frank: What is it now?
Alison: Well, did you call the
sitter?
Frank: Yes, shes fine.
Theyre going for a walk later around the park.
Meanwhile
Vincent is standing uncomfortably onstage. Frank is still talking to Alison. The ED is in chaos, but well organised chaos, as the
team deal with the influx of patients. Everyone has been brought in from the
crash site. Vincent and Frank are dealing with one of the worst off patients in
resus, a woman who was crushed by the collapsing
stage. Jack and Charlotte are dealing with more minor injuries. Slowly things
begin to get under control.
Dennis: So whats the first
bid going to be?
Charlotte: One hundred and fifty
dollars!
Vincent laughs
and the crowd murmurs.
Dennis: Geez,
I think shes keen on you Doc! Anyone else?
Everyone waits
in silence.
Dennis: Anyone want to top a
hundred and fifty?
No one does.
Dennis: All right, going,
once, to the eager Dr. Beaumont! Well that was short and sweet!
Vincent laughs
and hurries off the stage.
Alison: So how long has she been
back?
Frank: Do you mean Eve? A while.
Alison: A while? And were you
going to tell me?
Frank: Why? Did you want to
catch up?
Alison: I have a right to know
what kind of women youre parading around my daughter!
Frank: (cautionary) Careful
Alison! Kathleen didnt meet Eve until today, if you must know.
Alison: Is that why she was so
upset?
Frank: (snapping) Of course
not!
They look at
each other crossly.
Frank: Now, if youre done
with the interrogation?
Frank heads
back to Eve, leaving an irate Alison behind.
Von is on the
stage.
Dennis: Its all right folks,
dont be afraid! Shes a pussycat underneath!
Von glares at
him.
Dennis: Or maybe not!
Dan: Twenty dollars!
Dennis: Twenty dollars, anyone
want to beat that?
Jack: Twenty-five!
Dennis: Twenty-five dollars
very good, but I think we can do better! Do I hear a higher bid anyone?
Frank: Forty dollars!
Frank arrives
back beside Eve.
Frank: Sorry about that.
Eve just looks
at him.
Dennis: Forty dollars from Dr.
Campion, surely you wont leave her to that fate,
folks! Come on, any more bids?
Dan: Fifty dollars!
Dennis: Fifty dollars! Do I
hear anymore? Any increase on fifty dollars? Going once, going twiceshes all
yours Daniel!
Dan looks very
pleased with himself. Von rolls her eyes and sighs.
Dennis: Well, thats it folks,
over and done. Thanks very much to everyone who bid
Dennis is still relishing his position onstage and seems reluctant
to stop talking. Von reaches Dan.
Dan: (grinning) Looks
like I got myself a Von!
Von: Im warning you Dan
Dan: Uh Id prefer if you called me master from
now on actually!
Vincent: (laughing) Have you
got a death wish?
Von: Obviously he does!
Dan: Now now!
Dan steps
behind Vincent playfully as if for protection.
The crowd
begins to wander away from the stage area. Frank, Eve, Von and Dan are walking
in the same direction.
Dan: So when do you want to do this? I was
thinking tomorrow?
Von: (sighs) I suppose I might as well get it
over and done with.
Frank: Now that weve done
our bit, do you think theyd notice if we went home?
Dan: Dont you want to wait for the raffle?
Frank doesnt
look very enthusiastic about that. He turns to Eve.
Frank: You okay? Youre very
quiet.
Eve: Was Alison giving you a hard time?
Frank: Alisons always giving
me a hard time!
Eve: Its just earlier
Frank: (dismissively) Oh that
was nothing!
Eve stops
walking. Frank stops too and gives her a worried look.
Frank: Is something wrong?
Eve: Well, its justI dont think it really
struck me until today that you have a family! And like it or not, Alison is
part of it.
Frank: Is that a problem? I
mean, I did explain.
Eve: Yes I know, its
just seeing her today. Seeing you with her.
Frank: Its only because I have
to.
Eve: I know.
Eve smiles
understandingly and they start walking again.
Jess and
Stuart are walking together.
Stuart: You dont mind, do
you? That I bid on you?
Jess: No, of course not! As long as you dont get
me to do anything messy!
Stuart: Changing the oil in my
bike is out then?
Jess: (laughing) Definitely!
Stuart: I feel sorry for Dan
though, I bet Frank will make sure to get his moneys worth!
Jess: Yeah, poor Dan. Maybe I should have bid
more.
Stuart: Nah, itll be good for
his character!
They both
laugh.
Jess: (tentatively) I know it must be awkward for
youme and Dan being together now.
Stuart: Its a little strange,
but Dan is a good guy and hell treat you right so Im glad for you.
Jess: Thanks.
Stuart smiles
at her.
Cate and Erica are still teasing Jack about the
night before.
Jack: Oh come on, be honest! I didnt really
strip?
Cate and Erica look at each other.
Cate: (relenting) No you didnt strip..
Jack looks
relieved.
Cate: Entirely!
Erica: You have lovely legs
though! And those blue boxers? Very sexy!
Cate and Erica laugh, Jack turns pale. Suddenly
there is the sound of screeching breaks and they all look in horror as an out
of control car mounts the grass verge and into the hospital grounds. People
scream and run out of its path as it careens toward the stage. It crashes into
the stage with a loud bang and the whole thing collapses.
Cate: Oh my God!
Within seconds
people are running towards the car and helping the injured. Frank takes control
as usual and orders Jess inside to prepare the ED for the arrival of patients.
Frank: Charlotte, Erica
and Von, I want you to check all the wounded and prioritize the most serious
cases! Vincent and Cate, help me by the stage, there
could be people trapped. Jack, see to the driver! Dan, go inside with Jess and
get ready to receive the first patients.
A few doctors
and nurses from other departments ask Frank what he wants them to do and he
directs them to different jobs.
Jess stands
next to Von, looks around the ED and sighs.
Jess: Can you believe this? One minute everyone is
enjoying a lovely day and the next
Von: (sadly) That seems
to be one of lifes favourite tricks.
Vincent takes
the patient to theatre and Frank joins Jess and Von.
Frank: Looks like were over
the worst of it.
Jess: Yeah, the rest have mostly minor injuries.
Things could have been so much worse! Thank God there werent any children
hurt.
Frank: What about the driver?
Jess: (unsympathetic) Oh he gets off with just a
bump on the head!
Frank: Do we know what
happened?
Jess: Drunk!
Frank rolls
his eyes and shakes his head in annoyance. He spots Eve looking for him, she is holding two cups of coffee.
Frank: Are you all right?
Eve: Yeah, just thought Id see if you were okay.
That was pretty frightening.
Frank: And all because of a
drunken fool!
Eve: Looks like things are under control now?
Frank: Yeah at last. You
didnt have to wait.
Eve: I wanted to. Oh, I got you a coffee! Do you
have time?
Frank: Yes, thank you! Lets
go to my office.
Charlotte and
Dan are checking x-rays.
Charlotte: Just proves, that you never
know whats around the corner!
Dan: Yeah, its scary. I mean if that car had
come just a few minutes sooner, there would have been so many more people
around that stage for the auction!
Charlotte: It could have been a lot
worse.
Dan: Try telling that to the people with the
broken bones!
Cate and Erica are at the staff base.
Erica: What a day huh?
Cate: Yeah. Its strange, it almost feels like two
separate days.
Erica: I know what you mean.
You used to be an ambo right?
Cate: Yeah.
Erica: So youre used to that
kind of situation then. I saw you out there, you were
really impressive the way you just got stuck in.
Cate: Its all down to training, you act almost out of reflex. You did
really well too.
Erica: I have to admit though, it took me a minute to get into gear. I just
couldnt believe it had actually happened.
Cate: Thats one thing I learnt being on the ambos anything can happen!
Alison Newell
enters the ED. She is holding a piece of gauze to a cut on her forehead. Von
sees her.
Von: Dr. Newell! Would you like someone to take a
look at that?
Alison: (gratefully) Uh yes thank you!
Von shows her
to a bed. Jack notices and comes over.
Jack: Dr. Newell, youve been injured!
Alison: Its just a scratch
really.
Jack: Ill see to this, Von.
Von nods.
Jack: What happened?
Alison: Um, I was standing
near the stage. I was hit by some falling debris. No one from the department
was hurt?
Jack: No, luckily.
Frank emerges
from his office again with Eve. He suddenly notices Alison being treated by
Jack.
Eve: Frank?
Eve follows
his gaze.
Frank: Uh, I have toI should
see if shes
Eve nods.
Eve: Do you want me to wait?
Frank: Uh no. You may as well
go home, and Ill give you a call later.
Frank begins
to walk away.
Eve: Talk to you later then!
But Frank is
gone.
Frank: What happened to you?
Jack: She got hit by some debris from the stage.
Frank: Did you lose
consciousness?
Alison: No.
Frank: Have you had any
blurred vision?
Alison: (impatiently) Ive
already been through this with Jack!
Frank: Well, now you can go
through it with me! Have you had any blurred vision or dizziness?
Alison looks
at him defiantly.
Jack: She experienced a little dizziness after the
blow but no blurred vision and no headache.
Frank shoos
Jack out of the way and begins to examine the cut on Alisons forehead.
Jack: Its not very deep,
I dont think itll need suturing.
Frank: Mmm.
Alison is
losing patience.
Alison: Can I just get it
cleaned up?
Frank: What took you so long
to come in?
Alison: A car crashed through a
dozen or more people on hospital grounds! Ive been a little busy!
Frank: (sarcastically) Helping the wounded I bet!
Jack: Um, do you want me to get a nurse to clean
that up?
Alison: Yes!
Frank: No!
Jack looks
unsure.
Alison: Frank!
Frank looks at
Jack.
Frank: Its all right, Ill take care of it.
Jack: Uh okay then.
Jack leaves.
Frank: Youre sure you
havent got a headache?
Alison: (irritably) I will
have soon if you keep asking me the same questions over and over!
Cate, Dan and Jack are at the staff base.
Dan: Who wants to grab a drink later? I think we
deserve one after today!
Jack: Yeah I dont mind.
Jack looks
oddly at Cate who is holding a giant pink stuffed
rabbit.
Jack: Cate? Whos your
friend?
Cate laughs.
Cate: This is the third prize in the raffle! Im minding it until they
finish the draw.
Jack: Five dollars a ticket and thats the third
prize? First prize would want to be good!
Cate: Its dinner for two at Le Monde!
Dan: Really? Are they still going ahead with the
draw?
Cate: Yeah they are doing it now. Im just waiting for the call to find out who bugsys new owner is!
With that the
phone rings. Jess and Erica join them.
Jess: Everything is under control here so the
weekend shift say we can go. To be honest I think they
are dying to get us out of the way!
Dan: Uh I suggested we go for a drink, you dont
mind do you?
Jess: No, thats a great idea. Why dont you give Stu a call too and invite him?
Dan nods. Cate hangs up.
Cate: Well if you are talking to Stuart you can give him the good news!
Dan: (laughing) Dont
tell me, hes won the bunny?
Cate: No better than that! He won first prize! Dinner for two at Le Monde!
Jess: Really? Thats great, lucky Stu!
Dan: Yeah, I wonder who hell take?
Erica: So who won the rabbit?
Cate laughs and nods towards Frank and Alison.
Erica: Frank?
Cate: (shaking her head) Alison!
Dan: A hundred bucks for a giant pink bunny!
Cate: It might be just what shes always wanted!
Frank finishes
up with Alison. At the bar, Jess is getting the drinks. Stuart joins her. still i
wonder why it is,
Frank: There, all done!
Alison: Good.
She stands up
immediately.
Frank: (mumbling) Youre welcome!
Alison takes a
few steps and wobbles dizzily.
Frank: Sit down.
Alison: Im fine,
I just stood up too fast.
Frank: (firmly) Get back on the bed Alison!
Alison looks
at him stubbornly for a moment, but taking in the determined look on Franks
face she relents and gets back on the bed. Frank begins to examine her again,
shining a light in her eyes.
Alison: Im fine!
Frank: Youre dizzy!
Alison: (impatiently) I need
to get back to work Frank! The press are having a
field day with the accident, I have to
Frank: You have to rest!
Alison: I havent got time to
rest!
Frank: You are in no state to
work, you could have delayed concussion.
Alison: I dont!
Frank: (frustrated) Whos the doctor here?
Alison just
looks at him with raised eyebrows. Frank looks sheepish.
Frank: Well, in this case
youre the patient! And Im saying you cannot go back to work! You need to be
monitored for a couple of hours
Alison: I dont think so! Im
not wasting the rest of the day lying here!
Frank: Its that or I bring
you home and keep an eye on you there! One or the other
Alison.
Alison looks
at him in frustration.
Frank: Now, I just have to
finish up a few bits. You wait here until I get back. I wont be long.
Alison just
nods sulkily.
The others are
still at the staff base getting ready to leave. Frank comes over.
Frank: Everything under
control now?
Jess: Yeah, they say we can go.
Frank: (nods) Right. Good work
today guys!
Jess: Were grabbing a drink, you want to come?
Frank: Thanks but I have a
few things to take care of.
Jack: Uh Frank? I was thinking, about the auction!
Frank rolls
his eyes.
Jack: Tomorrow would be good for me, how about
you?
Frank: I suppose.
Jack: (pleased) Great! Uh, come around to my place
about nine?
Frank: (sweetly) Whatever you say!
Cate appears with the bunny.
Cate: Um Frank, could you pass this on to Dr. Newell?
Frank looks at
it in confusion.
Frank: What the hell for?
Cate: Its her prize! She won third prize in the raffle.
Frank: (making a face) That?
Jess: I think its cute!
Frank takes
the bunny from Cate, looking at it strangely.
Frank: Mmm.
Im sure shell love it!
He turns to go
back to Alison, but instead finds that she is gone. He rolls his eyes to heaven
and sighs.
Vincent is out
of theatre again and comes looking for Charlotte. He
finds her in the staffroom.
Vincent:
Thought you might have gone home.
Charlotte: No, I wanted to wait for
you. You finished?
Vincent: Yeah. The others all gone?
Charlotte: Yeah, theyve gone to
Cougars. You want to join them?
Vincent shakes
his head. Charlotte
looks at him.
Charlotte: (softly) Are
you okay?
Vincent looks
at her.
Vincent: Is there something you
want to tell me?
Charlotte: (confused) Like what?
Vincent: Like why you suddenly
decided to give us another go?
Charlotte
looks at him in surprise.
Charlotte: (still confused) What do you mean?
Vincent: Its something Ive
been wondering about.
Charlotte: Since when?
Vincent: I guess its been
niggling at the back of my mind for weeks, but then todaywell, I finally came
up with a possible answer.
Charlotte
just continues to look at him in confusion.
Charlotte: The answer is because I love
you!
Vincent: Is it?
Charlotte: Vincent, whats going on?
Why are you being like this?
Vincent: I need to know Charlotte if
its me you really want.
Charlotte: Of course it is! Who else?
Vincent takes
a deep breath.
Vincent: (quietly) A baby.
Charlotte
looks stunned.
Stuart: Need a
hand?
Jess: (smiling) Thanks!
Stuart: That was certainly a
dramatic end to the day wasnt it?
Jess: (seriously) Yeah,
it was terrible.
Stuart: I thought it was
great!
Jess looks at
him like he has lost his mind. Stuart looks back seriously for a moment and
then grins.
Stuart: Im talking about my
raffle win! What are you talking about?
Jess laughs.
Jess: Youre terrible!
Stuart smiles
at her.
Jess: So who are you going to share your prize
with?
Stuart: Oh I dont know, Brittany, maybe
Beyonce!
Jess: (laughing) You
wish!
Stuart: How about you?
Jess: (surprised) Me?
Stuart nods.
Dan arrives. He sees the drinks ready on the bar.
Dan: Whats the delay?
Jess: Oh uh sorry.
Stuart: My fault! You know
what Im like when I get talking!
Jess and
Stuart take the drinks and make their way back to the others. Dan watches them.
just
like a star across my sky,
just like an
angel off the page,
you have appeared
to my life,
feel like ill never be the same,
just like a song
in my heart,
just like oil on
my hands,
honour to love you.
i dont argue like this
with anyone but you.
we do it all the time,
blowing out my
mind.
Frank makes a
funny sight, walking towards Alisons office holding the giant pink rabbit.
Alison is sitting at her desk. She looks curiously at the rabbit. still i
wonder why it is,
Alison: Finally made a friend?
Frank: Did I or did I not
tell you to stay put in the ED?
Alison shakes
her head dismissively.
Frank: For Gods sake,
Alison, youre a doctor, you should know better!
Alison: Oh youve remembered?
Frank sits
down.
Alison: I feel fine. But if
there is any change I will have it checked.
Frank sighs.
He stands up again and hands her the rabbit. She takes it puzzled.
Frank: You won it on the
raffle! Or, technically, I won it on the raffle!
Alison: (sarcastically) Money
well spent! I take it the other prizes must have been better?
Frank: First prize was dinner
for two at Le Monde. You know, that new restaurant?
Have you been yet?
Alison leaves
the bunny aside.
Alison: Yes. Shouldnt you be
getting home to Kathleen? You shouldnt keep the sitter waiting too long.
Frank: Hmm. Are you ready?
Alison: Not for hours yet! I
have a meeting with the Board in half an hour to discuss what happened.
Frank: Im sure its not that
urgent. You need to take it easy.
Alison: Frank
Frank: I know you like to
think the hospital would grind to a halt without you but it wont! As much as
youd like to think so, youre not indispensable. Im taking you home!
Alison: I think you are
forgetting Frank you dont get to tell me what to do anymore! I will go home
when I am ready to.
They stare at
each other stubbornly. Frank sighs in frustration.
Frank: Fine, have it your
way!
He storms out.
Charlotte is
sitting at home looking stony-faced. Vincent is sitting opposite looking
equally serious.
youve
got this look i cant describe,
you make me feel im alive,
when everything
else is au fait,
without a doubt
youre on my side.
heaven has been away too
long,
cant find the
words to write this song of your love.
i dont argue like this
with anyone but you.
we do it all the time,
blowing out my
mind.
Frank meets
Eve in a bar. She looks pleased to see him but also a little surprised.
Eve: Everything okay?
Frank: Fine, I just felt like
seeing you!
Eve smiles.
Eve: What about Kathleen?
Frank: Shes fine, the sitter
agreed to stay late.
Eve: Are you sure youre okay? You sounded kind
of wound up when you called.
Frank: (shrugs) Its been a wound up kind of day!
Eve: (apologetic) Im sorry if I made things
difficult
Frank: No! You
Frank looks
awkward.
Frank: (gently) You only ever make things better. Everything is so much
easier with you.
Eve takes
Frank by the hand and they smile at each other.
now i have
come to understand the way it is its not a secret anymore,
cause weve been
through that before.
from tonight i know that youre the only one.
ive been confused and in
the dark,
now i understand.
The others are
all laughing and joking at the bar. Stuart sits quietly watching Jess.
i wonder
why it is,
i dont argue like this
with anyone but you.
i wonder why it is,
i wont let my guard
down for anyone but you.
Charlotte
finally speaks. just like a song in my
heart, Frank arrives at Jacks bright and early the next morning. Jack greets
him cheerfully.
Charlotte: (hurt) I cant believe you
think I could be that callous! That I would use you like, like you were just a
sperm donor!
Vincent: Youve asked me in the
past!
Charlotte: That was different. Back
then, I didnt see any other choice.
Vincent: But now youre
straight again, so you can do it the old fashioned way!
Charlotte
looks at him hurt. Vincent looks remorsefully at her.
Vincent:
(softly) Im sorry. But you have to see it from my point of view.
Charlotte: Yes, I want a child. Yes, I
had hoped to have your child someday. But that is not why I agreed to give our
relationship another go. If you dont believe that, then maybe this was all a
mistake.
Charlotte
gets up and leaves the room.
we
do it all the time,
blowing out my
mind,
just like a star
across my sky,
just like an
angel off the page,
you have appeared
to my life,
feel like ill never be the same.
just like oil on
my hands.
Frank: Huh!
Jack: Well, um Ive given some thought to how I
might best utilise your time, and dont worry, Im
not going to get you to do anything ridiculous!
Frank doesnt
look very worried at all.
Frank: Before you begin, may
I remind you, that the auction entitled you to eight hours of my time.
Jack nods.
Frank: Being the Director of
the Emergency Department, entitles me to your soul if I so please!
Frank smiles
wickedly. Jack nods laughing.
Jack: Ill bear that in mind. Now, back to what I
was saying. Such is my dedication to my work(Frank
scoffs)there are a few things around here that I havent been able to get
around to lately. For instance, my oven could do with a really good scrub!
Things like that.
Frank sighs.
Jack: First of all though, I havent had any
breakfast yet so you can do that. Im thinking scrambled egg! Oh yeah, but uh,
I havent had time to do a shop, so youll have to do that first.
Jack smiles
brightly. Frank doesnt look amused.
Jack: Ive made a list!
Jack hands it
to him. Frank looks like he is seriously tempted to tell him where to stick it.
Jess and Dan
are having breakfast.
Jess: Last night was fun, wasnt it?
Dan: Yeah, not as much fun as the night before by
the sounds of it though!
Jess: Do you think its true? Or were Cate and Erica just winding Jack up?
Dan: They insisted it was true!
Jess laughs.
Jess: So what are you going to do with Von today?
Dan: (winks) Im afraid thats top secret!
Jess: I take it that means you want me out of the
way then?
Dan: Do you mind?
Jess: No, I might go see Cateoh
no hang on! Isnt she fulfilling her slave duties with that ambo today?
Dan: Oh yeah!
Jess: I might go and see Stuart then. Im his
slave after all!
Dan is quiet.
Charlotte is
eating breakfast alone and staring into space.
Jack is
reading a paper while Frank makes him scrambled eggs.
Jack: Hey, youre in the paper!
Frank: What?
Jack: Theres a photo of you in action after the
accident yesterday! Dr. Frank Campion, the IMPRESSIVE
Director of Emergency at All Saints Hospital!
Jack skims
through the article.
Jack: Whilst the terrible accident yesterday
highlighted the questionable safety measures of holding such an event on open
hospital grounds near a road, it should be a source of pride for the hospital,
and a comfort to the rest of us, that they have such obviously well-skilled
staff. Seconds after the smash, the hospitals expert and cool-headed Director
of Emergency, took control and quickly had it all in hand.
Frank looks
quietly pleased.
Jack: Well, that should
get you a few brownie points with Admin! Are my eggs done yet?
Von arrives at
Dans looking not very enthusiastic.
Von: So, come on, lets get it over with. What do
you want me to do?
Dan: Do you want a coffee?
Von just looks
at him.
Dan: Im having one!
Von: Okay.
She watches
Dan suspiciously.
Dan: Have you seen the papers? Theyre full of
what happened yesterday. Frank has come out as a bit of a hero figure!
Von: Yes, I saw. Thats all he needs, something
to give his ego an even bigger boost!
Dan laughs as
he makes the coffee.
Jess and
Stuart are strolling along in a park.
Stuart: So whats Dan up to
today?
Jess: Oh, he has Von over,
you know he bought her yesterday?
Stuart: Oh right. So youre
staying out of the way?
Jess: Yep.
Stuart: The whole day?
Jess: Well, most of it. But dont worry Im not
expecting you to entertain me all day!
Stuart: I wouldnt mind if you
did!
Jess smiles
awkwardly.
Jess: So, when do you want me to fulfil my slave duties?
Stuart: How about tomorrow
night?
Jess: Tomorrow night?
Stuart: Have dinner with me?
Jess: Stuart, I dont think
Stuart: As friends! I have
this prize and it would be a shame to waste it.
Jess: Isnt there anyone else youd like to
invite?
Stuart looks
at the ground.
Stuart: Im not really ready
for dating yet. Thats why I thought of you. You understand my situation and we
could just relax and enjoy ourselves. No pressure.
Jess looks at
him sympathetically.
Jess: I guess it wouldnt do any harm.
Stuart smiles
gratefully.
Frank is
scrubbing Jacks oven when his phone rings. He grumpily pulls off his rubber
gloves and answers.
Frank: Yes?
It is Alison
at the other end.
Alison: (cheerfully) Good
morning to you too!
Franks tone
changes and he suddenly looks smug.
Frank: Alison! Good morning!
Alison: I take it you have
seen the papers?
Frank: (innocently) Papers?
Alison: Oh come off it! I can
hear the smugness in your voice!
Frank: (nonchalantly) Oh yes,
the article. Yes, what did it say again? expert and
cool-headed Director of Emergency?
Alison is
smiling in amusement at the other end.
Frank: (gloating) I believe
the word impressive was also bandied about. At least in the article I saw.
Apparently, Im mentioned in a few others too, but I havent read them. Its
all in a days work really!
Alison: Pleased with yourself
arent you?
Frank: Well!
Alison: (seriously) You should be. You handled things very well yesterday.
Frank: (surprised) Good grief
Alison! Are you actually admitting that Im good at my job?
Alison
hesitates.
Alison: Im admitting you were
good at it yesterday!
Frank laughs
knowing that is as close as hell get.
Frank: Hows your head?
Alison: Fine. Bit sore.
Frank: Why dont you come
over for dinner tonight? Kathleen would like it.
Alison: (hesitatingly) Uh, I
cant tonight, I have a previous engagement. Uh what about tomorrow?
Frank: Sure, whatever.
Alison: Okay. Goodbye.
Frank: Bye.
Dan and Von
are stilling chatting over coffees. Dan is telling her all about his and Jesss
dinner at Le Monde.
Dan: And the dessert! Dont get me started!
Heaven!
Von laughs.
Von: Now that youve had a taste of the good life
I take it youll be making it a regular thing then?
Dan: Not on my lowly nurses wages unfortunately!
That place is strictly for the likes of Alison Newell! Did I tell you? We saw
her there having dinner!
Von: (sarcastically) No! Having dinner? Imagine
that!
Dan makes a
face.
Dan: She was with a man!
Von: So?
Dan: SoI dont know. Do you think Frank knows
shes dating someone?
Von: (rolling her eyes) You
dont know shes dating anyone! And its no ones business but hers!
Dan: Hmm. Its still weird, isnt it? Thinking of her and Frank married.
Von sighs.
Von: Shouldnt we be getting on with whatever it
is you have me here for? Weve wasted the morning already!
Dan: No we havent!
Von: We havent done anything!
Dan: Yes we have! I dont know about you, but
Ive enjoyed our chat!
Von looks at
him in confusion.
Von: What is it exactly you want me to do?
Dan: (shrugs) Hang out!
Von: Hang out?
Dan: Yep. Have you finished your coffee? How are
you at computer games?
Von looks at
him as though he has grown a second head.
Charlotte
opens the door to Vincent.
Charlotte: Yes?
Vincent: We need to talk.
Charlotte
hesitates, but then lets him in.
Vincent: I handled things badly
yesterday. Im sorry.
Charlotte: Its not the way you handled
it thats the problem, its that you could even think it in the first place!
Vincent: Can I just explain
things?
Charlotte
nods. Vincent takes a deep breath.
Vincent: When
you said you wanted to give things another go, you made me the happiest man in
the world. There is nothing I have ever wanted more. But I guess, there was a part of me that thought it was too good to be
true. That kept asking, why is she really doing this.
Vincent sits
down and sighs.
Vincent: I know how much youve
wanted to have a baby. I saw the look of longing in your eyes so many times
yesterday watching those children. It made me remember that time you asked me
to donate sperm. It kept running through my mind all day. All
through surgery. So I had to ask, and now Im sorry. Im sorry Charlotte.
Charlotte
just looks at him with an unreadable expression.
Jack is
relaxing on the sofa watching tv.
Frank emerges from the kitchen.
Frank: Well, your kitchen is
now safe once again for the cooking and consumption of food!
Jack grins.
Frank: Whats next?
Jack: Uh, you can take a break before you start
dinner!
Frank: Gee thanks!
Frank takes a
seat.
Jack: So you got any plans for whats left of the
weekend?
Frank: Whats left of it?
There is nothing left of it!
Jack: (winking) Youve
still got tonight!
Frank gives
him a good-humoured smile.
Charlotte
finally speaks.
Charlotte: If I just wanted a baby, I
wouldnt need to go through all this.
Vincent: I know. I
Charlotte: What it comes down to
is you not trusting me!
Vincent: No, thats not it!
Its more like I didnt trust my luck!
Charlotte: What?
Vincent: I wasnt enough for
you last time, so why would I be this time?
Jess arrives
home and finds Dan and Von playing video games. She stands looking at them for
a few minutes before they notice.
Dan: Jess! Hey!
Von: (sheepish) Jessica! How are you?
Jess: (looking slightly stunned) Good. Uh, have you had a good day?
Dan: Great! Shes really getting the hang of
this!
Von looks
slightly embarrassed and checks her watch.
Von: Oh dear! Looks like time is up!
Dan: Already?
Von nods and
hands him the control pad.
Dan: (almost disappointed) Right, well uh, it was
nice having you Von!
Von: (smiling) Hmm.
Von stands up.
Jess: Do you want to wait for a coffee?
Von: Uh no, thanks, Id better head home.
Dan: Thanks for today. We should do it again some
time!
Von laughs.
Von: Maybe!
But she
doesnt sound very convincing. Dan shows her out. Jess goes to the kitchen. Dan
comes back in.
Dan: What did you do all day?
Jess: Not much, had a
look around some shops. Met up with Stuart for a bit.
Dan: Oh right, how is he today?
Jess: Good.
Dan: Has he decided what he is going to do with
his prize?
Jess: Eh yeah, actually, I want to talk to you
about that. He wants me to go with him.
Dan: You? He wants you to go for a romantic
dinner for two with him?
Jess: It wouldnt be like that obviously! He just
wants to go with a friend.
Dan: Im a friend! He didnt invite me!
Jess: Dont be childish!
Dan looks at
her sulkily.
Jess: I felt kind of sorry for him. He says he is
not ready to start dating again and I dont think he has that many other people
who he can ask. You know, people who understand about his condition. He just
wants a nice evening out, with a friend, without any pressure. It has to be
better for him to get out and see people instead of brooding at home, right?
Dan looks
thoughtful.
Jess: You know there is nothing romantic between
us any more, right?
Dan: Yes, but does he?
Jess: Yes. He even said he was glad you and I got
together!
Dan is
thinking.
Jess: Its just dinner.
Dan: I suppose.
Jess smiles.
Frank lays
dinner on the table for Jack. Jack tastes it.
Jack: Mmm. You know
what? Youre not a bad cook Campion!
Frank: (sarcastically)
Thanks, that means a lot coming from you!
Jack laughs.
Frank: Now if thats all?
Ill be off. I have to go home and cook my own dinner now!
Jack: Okay, see you tomorrow!
Frank: (ominously) Yes you will and Im looking forward to it!
A bewildered Charlotte
looks at Vincent. The following morning Cate is telling Jess and Erica
about her day with the Ambo as they are walking into the ED.
Charlotte: That was a long time ago.
Vincent: But what has changed?
Charlotte: Everything! Weve changed.
We are different people now. We have both grown up a lot since then Vincent.
Vincent: You think?
Charlotte: Yes. Weve been through so
much, of course weve changed. But its been a good change I think so anyway.
I know Ive learnt a lot about myself. And Ive seen you change too. Things
havent been easy for either of us, but I think that has just lead us to realising what is important in life. Or at least thats
what I thought.
Vincent nods.
Charlotte: Will we work out this time?
I dont know. I cant give you guarantees, Vincent. But I can promise that I
want to be with you and no one else. And for no other reason
than because you are you, and I love you. Is that enough?
Tears run down
Charlottes
face. Vincent nods, also with tears in his eyes.
Erica: You
lucky thing! A picnic! Ill probably end up scrubbing floors or something!
Cate laughs.
Jess: So do I detect a new romance?
Cate: Well
Cate laughs again.
Cate: (more seriously) I dont know, I think Ill give romance a wide birth
for a while, but I wont say no to having a bit of fun
and taking things easy.
Jack and Dan
are putting stuff in their lockers and getting ready to start their shift. Jack
is telling Dan about his day with Frank.
Dan: You do realise
that he will make you pay for all that today?
Jack: (grinning) Yeah,
but the sight of the expert and cool-headed Frank Campion
doing my laundry will get me through!
Von and Jess
are at the staff base when Frank emerges from his office.
Frank: I have to meet with
the CEO, I shouldnt be too long.
Jess: Okay.
Jess turns to
Von.
Jess: What do you think thats about?
Von shakes her
head without comment. Erica comes from triage.
Erica: Von, there is a man
here who wants to speak to you.
Von: (surprised) Who is
he?
Erica: Says his name is
Philip Harris.
Von doesnt
seem to recognise the name. She peers out into the
waiting room and groans as she sees the patient from the previous week.
Erica: Do you know him?
Von: Hes a time waster! What did he say is wrong
with him this time?
Erica: Nothing. He just asked
to speak to you.
Von: Tell him Im unavailable!
Von goes back
to work. Erica shrugs.
Vincent,
Charlotte and Jack are dealing with a patient in resus.
Vincent is just about to take the patient to theatre. Even thought they are
just discussing medical treatment, Jack picks up on an atmosphere between
Charlotte and Vincent.
Vincent: Right then, were
ready to go.
Vincent leaves
with the patient. Jack turns and looks at Charlotte.
Jack: What
was that?
Charlotte: What?
Jack: The tension!
Charlotte: Well, when a patient
crashes, things tend to get tense!
Jack: I meant with you and Vincent.
Charlotte: (dismissively) What?
Jack: There was a definite atmosphere between you
two!
Charlotte: Maybe you should be paying
more attention to the patients, instead of reading things into other peoples
relationships!
Charlotte
walks off. Jack looks taken aback.
Dennis is at
the staff base regaling Dan, Cate and Jess, with his
near death experience at the fundraising event.
Dennis: I saw my whole life
flash before my eyes!
Jess: Dennis, you were nowhere near the stage or
anywhere near the path of the car, I saw you just before it happened!
Dennis: So? I was standing
directly in the path of certain death just minutes before! That kind of thing
affects a person!
Jess rolls her
eyes and Dan and Cate laugh.
Dennis: (un-amused) Yeah whatever!
Its all right for you lot! Ive been slaving away trying to clean up the mess
from Saturday!
Jess: Poor you! And all we did was help the
injured people!
Dennis: You know, I think
youve been spending too much time around Campion! He
is starting to rub off!
Dan: (seriously) Ive been telling her that!
Cate is laughing again.
Jess: Shouldnt you be getting back to work then?
Dennis: (reluctant) Yeah I
suppose, or Ill have Newell on my back again. That bloody woman, there is no
pleasing her! Always wanting everything done yesterday.
Youd think after her bump on the head shed realise
how short life is and loosen up!
Dennis wanders
off grumbling.
Cate: (laughing) Oh good old Dennis!
Frank arrives
back looking pleased with himself.
Jess: You look very happy for someone who was
summoned by the CEO!
Frank: I wasnt summoned! I
was requested to attend a meeting!
Jess: Excuse me!
Dan: What have you done wrong now?
Frank: Oh I can do nothing
wrong today!
The others
look at each other.
Cate: Come on then, why do you look like the cat who
got the cream?
Frank: Well, its not
everyday I have the CEO and those farts on the Board fawning all over me!
Cate: Ah, they are pleased with your recent media profile!
Frank nods,
grinning.
Frank: Not only that, but
apparently some reporter wants to interview me!
Dan: Why?
Frank: Because Im brilliant!
Frank looks at
Dan as though it were obvious.
Dan: Oh right!
Jess: So are you going to do it?
Frank: Am I hell! I dont
want some bloody hack asking me stupid questions and nosing around!
Cate: What did the Board say to that?
Frank: They gave me a
disappointed look and asked me to think about it. But they can forget it, Im a
doctor, not a bloody popstar and Im damned if they
think they can use me to make themselves look good.
Jack catches
up to Charlotte
outside.
Jack: I
didnt mean to upset you earlier.
Charlotte: (apologetic) No, its me who
should be apologising. I shouldnt have snapped at
you like that. Especially when you were right.
Charlotte
sighs.
Jack: Whats
going on? You two had a row?
Charlotte: Sort of. He accused me of
only getting back with him because I wanted to have a baby!
Jack looks
surprised.
Jack: Why would you need to get back with him to
have a baby? There are plenty of other options out there.
Charlotte: Exactly. Anyway, I think we
got that sorted.
Jack: But there is something else?
Charlotte is
quiet for a moment, then looks at Jack.
Charlotte: I do want a baby. And I
would love to have Vincents baby, but
Jack: But?
Charlotte: How can I ever raise the
subject now, without him thinking that he was right?
Jack: But I thought you sorted that. That he knows
now thats not why you wanted to give things another go?
Charlotte
nods.
Jack: Then
it shouldnt be a problem, right? You are a couple. I take it you both see a
long-term future together, so it is only natural that the topic of children
will come up eventually. Vincent must know that.
Charlotte: Eventually. Thats just it.
Im not getting any younger and I had been thinking about it lately. In fact, I
know we havent been together long, but I had considered raising the issue with
him soon. I cant do that now, can I? Oh look, I shouldnt be lumbering you
with this!
Charlotte
shakes herself up.
Jack: You
can talk to me about anything, you know that? But right now I suggest you talk
to Vincent.
Charlotte
nods, then heads back towards the hospital. Jack waits back a few minutes. As
he does make his way back towards the hospital he bumps into Eve, coming in the
opposite direction.
Jack: Hello!
Eve: Hi, Jack, isnt it?
Jack nods.
Eve: I heard you certainly got your moneys worth
out of Frank yesterday!
Jack: (laughs) Yeah, he makes a great housekeeper!
Eve: And youve lived to tell the tale! He must be
mellowing!
Jack: Not exactly! He has been getting his revenge
today. So far, my workload has consisted of lancing boils, treating an infected
abscess and doing a rectal exam!
Eve laughs
making a face. Jacks pager goes off.
Jack: I better get back. Nice to see you again!
Eve: You too!
Laughing, Eve
turns to continue on her way, but the smile soon disappears when she sees
Alison approaching. Alison smiles falsely.
Alison: Back again!
Eve: Mmm.
They both come to an awkward standstill, looking
each other up and down.
Alison: Frank generally
doesnt like distractions when he is working.
Eve: I know. Im here visiting a friend, he just
had surgery.
There is an
awkward pause.
Alison: So, what do you do
with yourself these days?
Eve: (warily) I sing.
Alison: Sing?
Eve: Yes.
Alison: Oh thats right! Yes,
I think I remember you having a half decent voice. You went abroad didnt you?
Eve: Yes.
Alison: (sweetly) And its going well?
Eve: I make a living. And more importantly, I
enjoy what I do.
Alison: (condescendingly) Thats good. You always were more suited to the life of a
lounge singer anyway!
Alison smirks.
Eve tries not to rise to it.
Alison: So, uh, youll be
going back to wherever it is you came from fairly soon, I presume?
Eve smiles.
Eve: Oh no! Im here for good, Alison! Im not
going anywhere!
The false
smile on Alisons face freezes. Eve looks smug.
Eve: (sarcastically) Well,
as ever, its been a pleasure talking to you Alison. We should do it again
sometime!
Eve begins to
walk away, then turns back.
Eve: Oh uh, if you see Frank, tell him Ill see
him this evening!
Alison smirks
again.
Alison: Oh, I doubt youll see
him this evening!
Eve looks at
her questioningly.
Alison: Were having a family
dinner. Kathleen, Frank and I.
Eve just gives
her a look of despise. Alison smiles with self-satisfaction.
Eve: That must be nice for Kathleen. Its
probably still quite a novelty for her having both her parents around!
With that Eve
walks off, pleased by the indignant look on Alisons face.
Jack reaches
the staff base. Dan and Von are doing paperwork. Frank appears to be doing very
little.
Jack: I was paged?
Frank: Yes, where the hell
have you been?
Jack: Sorry, I was taking my break.
Frank: Its well for some!
Jack rolls his
eyes.
Jack: Was there something urgent?
Frank: Uh, kid in three. Has
an eraser stuck up his nose!
Dan grins.
Jack: Ah, come on Frank!
Frank: Oh come on what?
Jack: Havent you had your revenge by now? Youve
been giving me all the ridiculous cases all day.
Frank: Ridiculous? Oh Im
sorry, I didnt realise there were certain cases that
were just beneath you Dr. Quade!
Jack: Thats not what I meant!
Frank: Good. Now go sort that
kid in three!
Jack sighs and
does as he is told. He throws Dan an evil look as he goes for laughing. Jess
comes looking for Von.
Jess: Von, there is a Philip Harris looking for
you. He has been here for ages!
Von: (sighs irritably) Tell him Im unavailable
and if he has a problem to go to his GP.
Jess: Are you sure? It doesnt seem to be medical.
Von: Then he definitely has no reason to be here!
Charlotte and Cate arrive discussing a patient. Alison suddenly appears
looking uncharacteristically cheerful. She looks around.
Alison: Good, youre almost
all here!
Everyone looks
at her expectantly. Frank just looks suspicious.
Alison: I just wanted to
congratulate and thank all of you, on behalf of the Board and everyone else,
for your good work on Saturday. You all did very well.
Alison smiles
brightly. Everyone else looks stunned. Alison turns to Frank.
Alison: Can I have a word?
Frank nods and
they go to his office. The others look at each other.
Charlotte: Do you think its delayed concussion?
Frank shuts
the door to his office and looks at Alison suspiciously again. Cate and Jess are sorting through some supplies. Jess
has told her about dinner with Stuart. Von is looking at Philip Harris in confusion.
Frank: What are you up to?
Alison: Nothing. I thought
they deserved some recognition for their work, especially considering they
werent even on duty.
Frank doesnt
look convinced. He sits down.
Alison: The CEO has asked to
me to see if you have given any more consideration to doing that interview.
Frank: I havent. Im not
doing it.
Alison: (nods) Okay, Ill let
them know.
Frank: Thats it? What are
you playing at Alison?
Alison: (exasperated) Nothing! Its your decision whether you do it or not.
Alison picks
up the model brain on Franks desk and shakes her head at the mountain of
paperwork. Frank watches her.
Alison: Oh uh, I hope Eves friend
doesnt have anything too serious. Do you know him too?
Frank: Who?
Alison: Eves friend, the one
she visited.
Frank: Here?
Alison: Oh you didnt know?
Im surprised she didnt drop by seeing as she was here.
Frank: You saw Eve?
Alison: Mmm
yes. I bumped into her outside as she was leaving. Did Jack not mention it to
you?
Frank: Jack?
Alison: Yes, he saw her too.
They seemed to be having a great chat. Do they know each other previously?
Frank shakes
his head. Alison puts down the brain.
Alison: Oh! They seemed to be
getting on like old friends today!
Frank: Eve has always been
friendly. Good at putting people at their ease!
Alison: (quietly) I suppose
thats one way of putting it!
Alison cant
resist adding, with a sly look at Frank.
Alison: She always was a
flirt.
Frank looks at
her annoyed.
Alison: (harmlessly) I dont
mean anything bad by it! Its just her personality. Its probably why shes
been such a success with her singing. Im sure that requires a certain amount
offlirtation, with the audience.
Alison smiles
innocently. Frank looks cross but says nothing.
Alison: Well, I better get
back. Ill inform the CEO of your decision. And, uh, Ill see you tonight!
She smiles
again, looking pleased with herself as she leaves. Frank doesnt look very
happy.
Cate: And Dan is okay with this?
Jess: Yeah, why wouldnt he be?
Cate: Well, I dont know many guys whod be happy for their girlfriend to go
out to dinner in a posh restaurant with their ex-boyfriend!
Jess: Stuart is a friend! Dan knows there is
nothing more.
Cate: Dont you think that you might be complicating things a bit though?
Friend or not, he is still your ex.
Jess: Stuart has been through a rough time, he
needs the support of all his friends right now. And thats all tonight is.
Jess finishes
up and leaves the room. Cate looks sceptical.
Jack walks
into the staffroom and finds Vincent in there having
a coffee.
Jack: Hey!
Vincent: Hi.
Jack: The surgery went well?
Vincent: Yep, text book!
Jack: Thats good.
Jack pours
himself a coffee and sits down.
Jack: (carefully) So, how
are you?
Vincent looks
at him warily.
Vincent: Fine. And you?
Jack: Good!
Vincent nods
slowly. Jack tries to think of a subtle way of raising the topic and then
decides to just go for it.
Jack: I was talking to Charlotte
earlier!
Vincent: Well done!
Jack: She told me thataboutthe baby issue!
Vincent looks
at him seriously.
Vincent: (stiffly) Did she
really?
Jack: Look, I know its none of my business but I
cant just watch you two like this.
Vincent: (angrily) Youre right Jack, it is none of your business! Just because
you got her pregnant once doesnt mean you have carte blanche to stick your
nose into our relationship!
Vincent stands
up.
Jack: This has nothing to do with that! Charlotte is a
friend, and so are you, thats why I dont want to see
you ruin things because of this.
Vincent: Oh what do you know!
Jack: I know Charlotte is
upset! And I know there is probably no reason for her to be, because Im pretty
sure you both want the same thing!
Jack stands up
and they face each other.
Jack: You need to sit down and talk to her Vincent, dont let a lack of communication tear you apart.
Jack walks
out. Vincent looks thoughtful.
Frank spots
Jack emerging from the staffroom.
Frank: Taking yet another
break are we?
Jack: I was just grab
Vincent then leaves the staffroom.
Frank: Oh, so it was Hughes
you were having a nice chat to this time! Well, if you are quite done, maybe
you could treat some patients.
Frank crankily
slaps a chart into Jacks hand.
Frank: Nasty case of food
poisoning in 12!
Frank stalks
off. Jack sighs.
Dan catches up
to Jess in the corridor.
Dan: Hey, Im staying behind a little late this
evening!
Jess: Why?
Dan: Frank said if I just organise
his office he will consider my debt paid!
Jess: Debt?
Dan: The auction.
Jess: Oh! Im surprised he is letting you off so
easy!
Dan: Me too! Lets hope he doesnt change his
mind.
Jess: Ill see you when I get back tonight then.
Dan: Yeah, just make sure you do come back, all
right?
Jess rolls her
eyes.
Jess: I will think of you as I order dessert!
Dan sighs
theatrically and Jess laughs.
The shift is
over and Jack couldnt be happier.
Jack: I am out of here!
Cate: You in a hurry somewhere?
Jack: Nope, just glad to see the end of a
mind-numbingly dull day and looking forward to not hearing Frank Campions voice for over twelve hours!
Jack takes off
giving them all a wave goodbye.
In his office,
Frank is giving Dan instructions on what he can and cannot touch.
Dan: Are you sure you dont want to do this
yourself?
Frank: All right, all right.
Just dont move everything around so that I cant find anything anymore!
Dan nods
solemnly. Frank looks apprehensive but leaves him to it.
Von is walking
through the staff base when a man calls out to her.
Philip
Harris: Yvonne? Yvonne Ryan!
Von stops and
looks at him, when she realises he is the patient
from the previous week she looks nervous.
Von: (cautiously) Yes?
Philip: (smiling) You dont remember me do you?
Von: Yes, you were here last week.
Philip: (still smiling) No, I
mean you dont really remember me!
Von looks at
him guardedly.
Vincent is
hanging around the staff base. Frank notices him.
Frank: So why dont you want
to go home?
Vincent: What? Im just
finishing up
Frank looks at
him sceptically and Vincent nods.
Vincent: I have to have a conversation
and Im not sure how its going to turn out.
Frank: Well, there is only
one way to find out!
Vincent nods
and sighs.
Vincent: What about you? Why
dont you want to go home?
Frank: Who said I dont want
to go home?
Vincent: The pointless shuffling
of papers from one side of the desk to the other?
Frank grins.
Frank: Same as you really.
Avoiding conversation!
Vincent: Whats your
conversation going to be about?
Frank: Doesnt matter, I
generally try to put off any conversation with Alison for as long as possible!
Vincent
laughs.
Frank: I take it this
conversation of yours, its with Charlotte?
Vincent nods.
Frank: You two hit the rocks
already?
Vincent: No!
They are both
silent for a while.
Frank: Oh cheer up! Could be
worse!
Vincent: You know that for sure
do you?
Frank: Yes! You could be
facing an evening with Alison Newell!
Vincent smiles
and looks in wonder at Frank.
Vincent: How on earth did you
two ever end up together?
Frank rolls
his eyes and shrugs.
Frank: She was pretty and she
laughed at my jokes!
With that
Frank grabs his keys and takes off. Vincent shakes his head and smiles.
Philip: I lived down the road
from you! We went to school together! I sat behind you for two years and pulled
your hair!
Slowly a look
of recognition appears on Vons face.
Philip: (smiling) You remember?
Von: (nods slowly) Yes.
Von looks at
him expectantly. He smiles back.
Von: Is that it?
Philip: Uh no, I uhI just
wanted toactually Im not sure what I wanted!
Von looks
around uncomfortably.
Von: Well. Its been nice to see you again, but I
better be going!
Philip: Wait! Im not a
stalker I swear!
Von looks sceptical.
Philip: Um, about Friday, I want
to apologise. There was nothing wrong with me.
Von: Yes I know. What about the last time?
Philip: (shameful) No, there
was nothing then either.
Von: (annoyed) You do realise how much of our time you wasted?
Philip: I know, Im really
sorry. I just panicked!
Von: Panicked?
Philip nods.
Philip: The first time I saw
you I was here with a neighbour, hed sprained his
ankle. I wasnt sure it was you at first, then I saw
your name tag. I came back the following week, with the intention of just
saying hello, butoh I dont know, I feel so stupid now! I froze when you
started asking me questions and the words just came out. Then after I told you
about having headaches I could hardly go and then say that I was making it up!
Von: Am I that scary?
Philip: I know its pathetic.
Von: And Friday?
Philip: Same thing.
Von looks at
him in disbelief. He looks at the ground.
Philip: Im really not a nutter! Not normally.
Von: Well, you do a very good impression of one!
Vincent
arrives at Charlottes
with a take-away. They begin to sort the food in the kitchen. There is a
strange atmosphere. Jess and Stuart are enjoying themselves at the restaurant.
Charlotte: Youre late,
did you get caught in surgery?
Vincent: Uh, no, I got talking
to Frank.
Charlotte: Frank? He is normally
straight out of there once the shift is over!
Vincent: Yeah, not today.
They take the
food to the table.
Charlotte: Was he keeping an eye on
Dan?
Vincent: Charlotte, we
need to talk!
Charlotte
takes a deep breath.
Frank is
preparing dinner in the kitchen and Kathleen is laying the table. Alison has
just arrived.
Alison: You running late?
Frank: Mmm.
Alison: (looking around) Anything I can do?
Frank: You can open the wine.
Frank hands
her a corkscrew.
Alison: I told the CEO about your
decision. The Board is naturally disappointed. The interview would have great
been publicity for you
Frank: You mean for the
hospital!
Alison: That too. But it
wouldnt have done your reputation any harm either, especially with the Board.
Frank: Can we not talk
hospital politics please? It gives me indigestion!
Alison nods.
Von and Philip
take a seat in Cougars.
Philip: Thanks for agreeing to
a drink and not just running away screaming!
Von: Can you just tell me why it is you wanted to
see me?
Philip takes a
sip of his drink.
Philip: Im not really sure.
Von rolls her
eyes.
Philip: I just wondered how
youd been, I suppose.
Von: (unimpressed) You
couldnt have just asked me that the first time?
Philip: Would have been an
idea I suppose!
He laughs, but
Von still doesnt look impressed.
Philip: You know I married
Lisa? Lisa Granger.
Von shakes her
head.
Philip: You two used to be
friends didnt you? I think she regretted sometimes, that she didnt do what
you did and go off and become a nurse instead of marrying me!
Von: How is she?
Philip: (quietly) She died. Cancer. Two months ago.
Von: Im sorry.
Philip
suddenly becomes agitated.
Philip: Oh look, Im sorry. I
shouldnt have bothered you!
He stands up.
Philip: It was good of you to humour me. I wont bother you again.
He leaves. Von
looks baffled.
Jess and
Stuart have just finished ordering at the restaurant.
Stuart: Wow, this place is
fancy!
Jess: Yeah, and the food was delicious last time.
Stuart: Poor Dan, maybe we
should bring him a doggy bag!
Jess laughs.
Stuart: I know I said it
already, but you really do look amazing!
Jess: (blushing) Thanks.
They smile at
each other.
Frank,
Kathleen and Alison are having dinner.
Alison: I thought I might take
Kathleen shopping on Saturday. She needs some new clothes.
Frank: Her clothes are fine!
Alison: Frank, theyre old!
Frank: They are not! You make
it sound like they are in rags! There is nothing wrong with them.
Alison: (rolling her eyes)
Shes had them for ages, shes bored with them!
Frank looks at
her sceptically.
Frank: She is not bored with
them!
Alison: Oh look, does it
matter? Do I really need to justify wanting to buy my daughter new clothes?
Frank: Youre the one trying
to justify it! If you want to spend your money on more clothes, when the ones
she has are fine, then go ahead its nothing to do with me!
Alison sighs.
Frank: But get her practical
stuff, would you? I dont want her wardrobe over-flowing with stuff shell
never actually wear!
Alison: Practical stuff? You
cant have too many clothes Frank!
Frank: Yes you can! I know
you, and unless youve changed, you probably have a wardrobe of clothes worth a
small fortune that you never wear!
Alison: (haughty) Well, its
not something you need to worry about anymore, because its my small fortune
not yours!
Frank: And your
clogged up wardrobe space, not mine!
Frank grins.
Alison shakes her head.
Alison: How did we ever manage
to get married? How did we ever think we could stay married?
Frank looks at
her, remembering Vincents question.
Frank: Why did we get
married?
Alison: Temporary insanity?
Frank: Well, thats obviously
my reason, but what about yours?
Alison laughs.
Frank smiles.
Stuart: So are you going to
apply for the permanent position of NUM?
Jess: I dont know, everyone says I should butIm
not sure Im up to it.
Stuart: But you are already
doing the job and Frank wouldnt have asked you if he didnt think you could do
it.
Jess: Yeah, but sometimes I feel like Im banging
my head against a brick wall! There are days when its like I have to struggle
for everything and nothing seems to go right!
Stuart: But when you do get
them to go right?
Jess smiles.
Jess: When I do get things to work and solve
problems I love it!
Stuart: And I bet more often
than not, you manage to solve all those problems.
Jess: (smiling shyly) I guess.
Stuart: You need to have more
faith in yourself Jess. There is nothing you cant do when you put your mind to
it! I know its a clich, but its true! You will make one hell of a NUM, in fact theyll probably wonder why they didnt give
you the job a long time ago!
Jess laughs.
Charlotte and
Vincent are seated facing each other.
Charlotte: Vincent
Vincent: Can I go first? What I
said the other day was stupid, and I knew that as soon
as the words were out of my mouth. I believed you when you said you loved me,
and I believe you when you say that you want to be with me and only me, for
that same reason. And you know I feel the same, right?
Charlotte
nods. Vincent doesnt seem quite sure of how to go on.
Vincent: I know
how much you wanted a child. And you did say the other day that you still do,
eventually, want children? I just hope that what I said doesnt put you off,
because, I cant think of anything I would like more than to have a family with
you.
Charlotte is
going to speak but Vincent cuts her off.
Vincent: I
dont mean immediately! Obviously, its whenever you are ready. After the
miscarriage, you probably dont want to go through that again so soon. Thats
fine. But please, dont think because of what I said,
that Im against the idea.
They are both
quiet for a moment. Vincent looks at Charlotte
expectantly.
Charlotte: To be honest, after what you
said, I was a little worried about ever raising the topic of children with you.
I do still want a child. I think losing my baby just made me realise even more how much I want to be a mother. And I
dont want to wait forever. Lately, Ive come to think that I might be ready to
try again.
Vincent looks
a little surprised.
Charlotte: I know we havent been back
together very long Vincent, but if you are willingId like us to try for a
baby. Id like to us to start a family. What do you think?
Vincent looks
stunned. He smiles suddenly.
Vincent: I think Ive never
been happier!
Kathleen is
heading off to bed and saying goodnight.
Frank: Night.
Alison: Goodnight sweetheart.
Kathleen
leaves the room and Frank and Alison look at each other.
Alison: Ill be off then!
Frank: Uh, no rush!
Alison looks
surprised.
Frank: There is something I
want to discuss, well, to tell you.
Alison looks
expectant. Frank seems uncomfortable.
Frank: Its about Eve.
Alisons face
stiffens.
Frank: I know you two dont
get along, but Eve and Iwere good friends and weve been seeing quite a lot
of each other lately.
Alison: (coldly) So?
Frank: Im just letting you
know, as a matter of courtesy, because I will probably be spending more and
more time with her.
Alison: And out of courtesy
you thought I should know this?
Frank nods. Alison smiles.
Alison: Frank, who you spend
your time with, is of no concern to me!
Frank nods
again.
Alison: And as long as she is nowhere
near Kathleen, then there wont be a problem!
Alison smiles
brightly. Frank looks at her incredulously.
Jess and
Stuart are finishing up at the restaurant.
Stuart: Thanks for coming with
me tonight, Ive had a really wonderful time.
Jess: No, thank you for inviting me. I really
enjoyed myself, it was nice catching up.
Stuart: Yeah, its been good.
Youre so easy to talk to. I really miss that. Talking to
you.
Jess: Well, you know you can talk to me anytime
you want Stu, right? Ill always be here for you.
Stuart nods.
Stuart: Thanks, but I dont
think I could do this again.
Jess looks at
him puzzled.
Jess: What do you mean?
Stuart: I thought I was okay
with it. That I could just be your friend, butIm still in love with you Jess!
The following day Von is at the staff base looking up patient details on the
computer. Cate is sorting patient files. Jess appears
following a harassed looking Dennis.
Jess: Are you listening to me?
Dennis: Ive told you, I will
get to it as soon as I finish upstairs!
Jess: Dennis, do you remember the conversation we
had last week, about emergency equipment being given priority?
Dennis: Its a bed!
Jess: Its a broken bed! Which
means I cant put any patients in it. Which means
there are people waiting unnecessarily on trolleys. Which
in turn means they cannot be treated effectively. Which
Dennis: (unimpressed) All this
because the adjustments on one bed dont work?
Jess: Yes!
Dennis sighs.
Dennis: How about this, once I
have finished setting up for the presentation upstairs, I will find you a
replacement bed? How about that?
Jess: Not good enough Dennis! I need it done now,
not later.
Dennis looks
stressed. Jess decides to change tack.
Jess: Look, I realise
you cant be in two places at once and you are doing your best.
Dennis: Damn right I am!
Jess: But surely finding a bed wont take too
long, will it? And then you can deal with the set up for the presentation,
knowing that you have helped to ease the burden and the suffering of patients
here in the ED.
Dennis looks
thoughtful.
Dennis: WellI suppose I could
do that first. I mean this is a hospital right? What are we here for if not to
ease the suffering of our fellow man?
Jess smiles
gratefully.
Dennis: Ill be as quick as I
can!
Jess looks
pleased with herself. Cate laughs.
Cate: Youre becoming quite the diplomat!
Jess: Anything to get the job done!
Frank comes
thundering towards the staff base.
Von: Whats up with you?
Frank: Bloody Admin! What
else?
Von: (sighing) What have
they done now?
Frank: Gone and arranged for
a journalist to do a piece on the ED, after I refused to be interviewed!
Cate: What kind of piece?
Frank: Oh, apparently a
general look at life in a busy Emergency Department, how the staff cope, blah blah blah!
Cate: So theyll be talking to all of us?
Frank: They wont be talking
to me!
Frank picks up
the phone and dials.
Frank: (irately) Is she in
her office?...Yes bloody DR. NEWELL, who else?....Save
me the spiel you buffoon and just answer the question!....Tell her Im on my
way up!
Frank hangs up
roughly and storms off without another word. Cate,
Von and Jess look at each other with raised eyebrows.
Jack and
Charlotte are checking some x-rays.
Charlotte: Looks like just a minor
fracture, lucky boy!
Jack nods.
Jack: Uh Charlotte, I
think I owe you an apology.
Charlotte: What for?
Jack: Yesterday, I had a word with Vincent about
what you told me. I know its none of my business, but I thought I could help.
I think I might have just made things worse though, if I did Im sorry.
Charlotte smiles.
Charlotte: Its
okay, you didnt make things worse. Actually, you might have helped!
Jack: Really?
Charlotte: (nodding) Yeah,
we cleared the air and now we both know where we stand and what we want.
Jack: Thats great! I was so afraid Id put my
foot in it!
Charlotte: Thanks for your concern
Jack. Youre a good friend.
Jack: Well, youre important to me.
Charlotte
smiles at him.
Dennis turns
up at the staff base again. Jess looks around but she doesnt see a bed.
Jess: Dennis, tell me youve got me a bed!
Dennis: Not exactly! There
doesnt appear to be one available
Jess: What?
Dennis: But! But, dont worry
because Ive had a look at your broken one and I reckon I can have in fixed in
a jiffy! Im just going to get my tools.
Jess: (surprised) Oh, well thanks.
Dennis nods
and off he goes. Frank reappears still looking angry.
Jess: Did you talk to Dr. Newell?
Frank: No I didnt! She
buggered off to a meeting or something before I got there!
Jess: So when is this journalist supposed to do
the piece?
Frank: Today!
Jess: Today?
Frank: This afternoon
apparently!
Frank storms
off to his office again. Jess sighs. Dan arrives.
Dan: Hey, you okay?
Jess: Yeah, its just Frank on the warpath with
Admin!
Dan: You sure? You were really quiet when you got
back last night, and this morning.
Jess: Oh I was just tired!
Dan: Stuart didnt do anything to upset you did
he?
Jess: No! Stuart wouldnt upset me!
Dan: Not deliberately maybe, but
Jess: Im fine, Dan, really. In fact Im more than
fine, for once everything seems to be going to plan!
Jess sees
Dennis approaching again.
Jess: Well?
Dennis: Yeah, it was a simple
enough job. I just had to
Jess: Its fixed?
Dennis nods.
Jess: (smiling) Thank you Dennis! Youve been a
real help today!
Dennis looks
pleased with himself, as does Jess. She turns to Dan.
Jess: See? Everything is fine. Im having a great
day!
Jess goes to
move a patient to the newly available bed. Dan watches her.
Dan: (to himself) I wasnt talking about work.
Charlotte and
Von are finishing up with a patient.
Charlotte: Whats this I hear about a
journalist coming to interview us?
Von: Admin arranged it apparently. Hes coming
this afternoon some time.
Charlotte: This afternoon? They dont
give much notice do they?
Von: Less notice, means less time for Frank to
put the kybosh on it!
Charlotte
laughs.
Vincent
catches up to Jack in the corridor.
Vincent: Jack, can I have a
word?
Jack nods.
Vincent: About yesterday, Im
sorry for the way I reacted. I know you were just trying to help,
I was just a little on edge.
Jack: Its fine. Im glad you got things sorted.
Vincent looks
at him in surprise.
Jack: Uh, Charlotte said
youd had a talk.
Vincent: Oh, right. Well, Id
appreciate it if you kept it to yourself for the time being? We dont really
want people to know that were trying for a baby just yet. You know how it is.
Vincent
leaves. Jack nods, but is frozen to the spot by the news.
There is a
commotion coming from the staff base. Everyone peeks from where they are to see
what is going on. Alison is berating Jess for delaying a presentation by a
visiting specialist.
Jess: We were already short on beds, I needed that
one replaced or fixed and asked Dennis to see to it.
Alison: He was already seeing
to the setting up of the presentation!
Jess: (assertively) No offence Dr. Newell, but
surely providing our patients with beds so that they can be treated effectively
is more important than some presentation!
Alison glares
at Jess. Cate and Charlotte who are at the staff base exchange surprised looks at Jess nerve.
Alison: Dr. Setchfield came all the way from London to
give his presentation on the latest advances in neo-natal vascular surgery. You
dont consider it important for our surgeons to be up-to-date on such
procedures?
Jess: Yes, of course but
Alison: Surgeons from all over
the country came to attend that presentation and thanks to your stunt, Dr. Setchfield had to stand around like a lemon for almost
forty minutes because the equipment for his presentation hadnt been set up!
Jess: (indignantly) It
wasnt a stunt!
Dan and Jack who are also watching from nearby cringe.
Jess: We had three patients on trolleys. We
couldnt afford to be down another bed.
Alison: The set up for the
presentation would have taken half an hour at the most,
the bed wasnt needed that urgently!
Jess: (defiantly) I judged that it was!
Alison is
clearly losing her temper at this stage.
Alison: Well, perhaps you
should be spared from having to make such judgements
in the future!
Jess: (reasonably) Look Dr. Newell, I was simply
trying to prevent the situation regarding bed shortages from getting any worse.
I knew that Dennis was supposed to be setting up for the presentation but as
acting-NUM I had to do what I considered best for the department.
Alison: If I were you, Id
bear in mind the acting part of that title and what it means!
Frank suddenly
emerges from his office.
Frank: Whats going on?
Alison: Your ACTING-NUM, has been causing confusion and making this hospital
look inept!
Jess: I simply wanted to
Alison: (snapping angrily) Oh
I think weve heard quite enough from you!
Frank: Look, I dont know
whats going on here, but I will not have you speaking to a member of my staff
like that, Alison!
Alison: (heatedly) Well, perhaps if you spent more time keeping an eye on YOUR
staff, instead of throwing tantrums and verbally abusing my PA, I wouldnt need
to!
Frank and
Alison stare at each other angrily. Everyone else looks on in fascination.
Suddenly Frank and Alison seem to become aware that they are in the middle of
the ED.
Frank: Well, this is hardly
the place to discuss it! My office.
Jess moves to
follow them.
Alison: Dont bother!
Frank: Its all right Jess,
Ill handle this.
Jess stays
behind awkwardly. Everyone else converges on the staff base.
Dan: Are you all right?
Jess nods
numbly.
Erica: (stunned) Wow!
Cate: (lightly) Ill bet theirs was a fun divorce!
Jack laughs. A
man approaches the desk.
Ken
Simons: Hi, Im Ken Simons, Im a journalist. Im here to do an article on the
ED.
Jess: Oh, uh its nice to meet you Mr. Simons. Im
Jessica Singleton, Acting-Nursing Unit Manager.
Ken: Call me Ken! I was
hoping to begin by having a word with the Director of Emergency,
do you know where I could find him?
Everyone looks
at each other.
Jess: Im sorry, hesin a meeting with the
Director of Medicine at the moment.
Cate suppresses a laugh.
Ken: Oh right, well maybe
you can help me then just to get a feel for what you all do?
Jess: Sure, uh, we can talk in the staffroom if you want? Itll be quieter.
Ken Simons
nods and follows Jess. The others look towards Franks office.
Jack: Oh, to be a fly on that wall!
Frank is
standing angrily behind his desk.
Frank: What the hell was that
about?
Alison: Dr. Setchfield
Frank: Had to wait a few
minutes to begin his talk! Boo bloody hoo! We had
sick people waiting considerably longer for beds! Jess was right to demand that
maintenance see to the bed first.
Alison: Oh thats right!
Defend her! Maybe Deanna was right in some of her accusations!
Frank: (threateningly) Dont you dare! If anyone has been unprofessional its you!
Youre just using this as an excuse to let off steam. Well, I dont care whats
up your bum, you do not treat a member of my staff any member the way you
just did Jess, in the middle of the ED!
Alison: But its all right for
you to threaten and insult my staff?
Frank: Is that what this is
about? Revenge because I was mean to your little Jeffrey!
Alison: This is about your
staffs incompetence and disregard for
Frank: (yelling) Stop right
there Alison! Im warning you!
Alison looks
at him furiously. They are both silent for a moment. Alison takes a deep
breath.
Alison: (calmly) I dont want
this kind of thing happening again. In future will you remind your staff that
they cannot override Administrative orders.
Frank laughs.
Frank: What is this really
about? You dont seriously expect me to believe that youre this worked up
because maintenance fixed a bed before plugging in a projector for you?
Alison: Dr. Setchfield
Frank: (dismissively) Oh
please!
Alison looks
at him and then checks her watch.
Alison: (quietly) That journalist should be here by now.
Frank: Oh yes! I wanted to
talk to you about that! What the hell were you playing at? I said no to the
interview.
Alison: I know.
Frank: But you went ahead and
organised this anyway! If you think Im talking to
him, you can think again!
Alison: I didnt organise this! But it is supposed to be a piece on the ED,
how will it look if the Department Head doesnt take part?
Frank: I dont care how it
looks! And even if you didnt organise it, you must
have known about it last night and yet you said nothing!
Alison: Actually, I didnt
know anything about it until this morning either!
Frank scoffs
and shakes his head.
Alison: I dont see what the
problem is with you just having a few words with him.
Frank: Im not doing it!
Alison: (crankily) Do you always have to be so bloody stubborn?
Frank: Do you always have to
be so bloody two-faced?
Alison looks
at him angrily and walks out.
Jack nudges
Dan, who nudges Cate, as they watch Alison storm out
of Franks office.
Von is at the
staff base, everyone else has scattered after the commotion. Jess arrives with
the journalist.
Jess: Von, do you know if Dr. Campion
has finished his meeting with Dr. Newell yet?
Von: (nodding) Dr. Newell left some time ago!
Ken: Great, I can talk to
him then!
Jess: (unsure) Um yeah, I guess. His office is
this way.
Jess shows him
the way. Von picks up the phone and dials. She waits while it rings.
Von: Hello? Uh, Philip, this is Von. Von
I just called to uh, see how you were. You were a little agitated
when you left last nightno, no there is no need to be
youre okay?...............right, well if youd like maybe we could meet up
again?.....yes, that would be right Philip, Ill see you then! Bye.
Von hangs up.
Jess returns.
Von: So did Frank agree to talk to him?
Jess: No, he called him a hack and told him to
bugger off!
Von: So whats he going to do now?
Jess: Oh, he took Franks advice and buggered off!
Apparently there is no point in doing the article if Frank doesnt take part!
Von: (laughing) Admin will love that!
Frank is
walking towards Alisons office. The door is slightly ajar and Alison can be
heard talking on the phone. Frank pauses outside.
Alison: Yes, I knowActually,
I think I have the perfect , I dont want to speak too
soon, but I have approached him with the idea and he is definitely keen.I
think he would be an asset to the hospital if he were to take over as
Department Head..Anyway, as I said, I dont want to speak ,
yes of right, Ill have more details for you at the next meeting.
Goodbye.
Alison hangs
up. Frank is stony-faced outside the door. He decides against going in and
instead walks away.Charlotte
walks into the staffroom and finds Jack staring into
space.
Charlotte: Hey, you okay?
Jack: Hmm? Oh yeah, just daydreaming.
Charlotte: About something nice I hope!
Charlotte
takes a seat. Jack looks at her.
Jack:
Actuallyno, doesnt matter.
Charlotte: What?
Jack: No, I shouldnt bring it up. Not now.
Charlotte
looks at him worriedly.
Charlotte: Jack, whats the matter?
Jack sighs and
struggles with whether or not to say anything.
Jack: Vincent told me, about you two trying for a
baby.
Charlotte: Oh.
Jack: Why didnt you tell me? I mean, not that you
should have to run it by me or anything, I just wondered.
Charlotte: I thought it would be
strange.
Jack: It was stranger coming from Vincent.
Charlotte: Im sorry.
Jack: No, its okay. I dont really have any right
to beto beI dont know, anything.
Charlotte
looks at him sympathetically.
Jack: When
you came in, I was thinking about our baby. What it would be like by now. I
dont know why, but when Vincent said that you and he were trying for a baby, I
felt as though Id been kicked in the gut. Its likelike if you and Vincent
have a baby, then it will make ours less real. Because youll
have an actual child, whereas we never even got to touch ours. Ours is
just a memory.
Charlotte
takes Jacks hand.
Charlotte: If Vincent and I have a
child, it wont be a replacement for ours. No matter how many children I have,
I will always remember my first, even if I never got to hold her.
Tears stream
down Charlottes
cheek.
Jack: Im
sorry, I shouldnt have brought it up, I didnt want
to upset you.
Charlotte: Its all right, Jack. I like
to remember her, I like to do what you were doing
sometimes and wonder what she would be like now. And yes, it upsets me. But Id
rather be upset and remember her, than not. So if you ever want to talk about
our baby, dont worry about upsetting me. I mightnt talk about her all the
time, but I do think about her every day and that will never stop, no matter
how many other children I have.
Jack and
Charlotte hold hands for a while, with tears streaming down both their cheeks.
Frank is on
the phone in his office.
Frank: Yeah, I was just wondering
if youd like to come over this evening?.....No reason, I just thought it would
be nice for you and Kathleen to get to know each other , thats
, Ill see you then. Bye.
Cate and Jess are walking along the corridor together.
Cate: So, you havent told me how your dinner with Stuart went?
Jess: Oh, it was great. Food was great. You know,
it was
Cate: Great?
Cate
smiles. Jess doesnt seem too happy.
Cate: Whats wrong?
Jess: Nothing!
Cate: Jess!
Jess: I should have listened to you.
Cate: Why? What did I say?
Jess: About the dinner just complicating matters.
Cate: Did something happen?
Jess stops
walking.
Jess: Stuart said he still loves me.
Cate: Whoa!
Jess: I dont know what to do!
Cate: Well, how do you feel?
Jess: Im with Dan now!
Cate: Thats not what I asked! I asked how you FEEL?
Jess: What do you mean?
Cate looks at Jess worriedly.
Cate: Do you still have feelings for Stuart?
Jess: What? No! He is a friend,
I have the same feelings for him that I have for all my friends!
Cate doesnt look completely convinced.
Cate: What did you say to Stuart?
Jess: I told him, that Im with Dan now, so
nothing can happen between us.
Cate: And he accepted that?
Jess: He has no choice!
Cate: Have you told Dan?
Jess: No! Of course not!
Cate: Dont you think its best to be straight with him? He and Stuart are
friends, they are going to be spending time together, how is that going to
work?
Jess: Stuart wont say anything Dan,
he doesnt want to hurt him.
Cate: And you are going to be completely fine with Stuart hanging around,
knowing the way he still feels about you?
Jess: Yes.
This time even
Jess herself doesnt look entirely convinced.
Charlotte
sees Vincent getting into the elevator and rushes in after him.
Vincent:
(surprised) Hey! What are you up to?
Charlotte: You told Jack about us
trying for a baby!
Vincent: No, you told him! Even
though we decided we were keeping it to ourselves for now.
Charlotte
shakes her head.
Charlotte: I told him we had sorted out
our problems, I didnt tell him we were trying to
start a family!
Vincent: Oh! Well does it
matter?
Charlotte: Of course it matters! I
should have been the one to tell him!
Vincent: Why does he need
special treatment?
Charlotte: Because we almost had a
child together!
Vincent: Almost!
Charlotte
looks at Vincent with surprise.
Charlotte: Just because our baby died,
doesnt make it any less real! Jack and I were about to become parents together.
I owed it to him to tell him myself that I was trying for another baby with
you.
Charlotte
presses the button on the elevator and the doors open. Vincent looks
apologetic.
Vincent: Charlotte!
But Charlotte
just walks out.
The working
day is over and everyone is heading home. Von is met at the door by Philip
Harris.
Philip: I wouldnt have
thought youd be in a hurry to see me again, after my crazy behaviour!
Von: Oh, were all a little crazy sometimes!
Philip: Uh, I know a nice little
caf where we can have a chat if you want?
Von: Perfect.
They head off
together.
Jess is making
her way out. Dan calls to her to wait up.
Dan: Hey Jess!
She stops and
waits.
Dan: Whats the rush?
Jess: Nothing, I just cant wait to get home and
wash this place out of my hair!
Dan: You upset about Newell?
Jess: (surprised) Actually, Id forgotten about
that!
Dan: You must have something else, thats pretty
important if you can forget about a row like that with Newell!
Jess shrugs.
Dan looks at her curiously.
Dan: Are you sure everything is okay?
Jess: (brightly) Yeah! I guess Im just becoming
immune to rows and stuff now! Water off a NUMs back!
Jess laughs
and keeps going, but Dan still looks concerned.
It is a nice
evening and Frank, Eve and Kathleen are sitting outside.
Eve: So, how was your day?
Frank: Fine.
Eve: Fine?
Frank nods.
Eve looks disappointed.
Frank: What?
Eve: You dont talk to me about things.
Frank: We talk all the time!
Eve: Not about serious things! Not about things
that really matter. You didnt tell me anything about the sexual harassment
allegations until the whole thing was over!
Frank: Well, its not exactly
the kind of thing you boast about is it?
Eve: That doesnt matter. You should be able to
talk to me when something is bothering you. You dont need to pretend with me
Frank. I wont think any less of you! You dont have to be the strong one all
the time.
Frank sighs.
Frank: I dont mean to shut
you out, Ive just gotten used to handling things on my own.
Eve: (gently) You dont
have to do that anymore!
Frank smiles.
Eve: So, shall we start again? How was your day?
Frank is still
hesitant.
Frank: Youre going to regret
asking!
Eve: Tell me!
Frank: It was a bloody awful
day!
Eve: Why? What happened?
Frank: (still reluctant)
Admin tried to pull a fast one over the interview.
Eve: Tried?
Frank: Yeah, didnt work. I
sent him packing!
Frank grins.
Eve laughs.
Eve: What else?
Frank: What do you want? An
entire run down of my day?
Eve: Yep! Spill Campion!
And no holding back!
Von is seated
at the caf with Philip. They both seem a little awkward, unsure of what to say
to each other.
Philip: Bet you regret making
that phone call now!
Von: I kinda do!
Philip looks
at her and then they both laugh.
Von: Why did you come looking for me at the
hospital?
Philip: (shrugs) Ive thought
about it, and I dont honestly know. Maybe because you were a
familiar face when from years ago, an old friend of Lisas?
Von: Lisa and I hadnt been in touch for years!
Philip: I know, butall our
other friends, when they talk about her now, they are remembering how she was
near the end. When she was weak and helpless. You know
Lisa, she was anything but, and shed hate to be remembered like that. I guess,
I wanted to talk to you because, you didnt see her like that. Your memories of
her will be of when she was young and full of life, the way she should be
remembered. Does that make sense?
Von nods.
Von: You want her to be remembered for the way
she lived life, not the way she died.
Philip: Yes, thats it. You
probably think Im being ridiculous.
Von: No I dont.
Philip: Anyway, I still
shouldnt have bothered you. Youre probably busy, you
dont need an old coot like me taking up your time!
Von: If I thought that I wouldnt have called
you, would I?
He shrugs.
Philip: How did you get my
number?
Von: I got it from your patient chart!
Philip: Are you allowed to do
that?
Von: Not exactly!
They both
laugh again.
Philip: So, do you have any family?
Von shakes her
head.
Von: (sadly) I had. I had a niece,
murdered.
Philip: (shocked) Oh Von, Im
sorry.
Von nods.
Von: So, you see, I do understand what you mean
about remembering Lisa. Kerry was stabbed on her wedding day. She was a
beautiful, gentle, kind woman. But all anyone remembers now is that she was
stabbed on her wedding day.
Von has tears
in her eyes. Philip pats her hand gently.
Frank has
finished filling Eve in on his day, including overhearing Alison on the phone.
Eve is furious.
Eve: She cant really get rid of you though,
right? I mean, its not her decision.
Frank: Officially she would
have to get the Boards approval but theyre not exactly fans of mine, so I
doubt shed have a problem. Anyway, it sounded like she was talking to a Board
member on the phone, so it seems she already has their backing.
Eve: (angrily) Alison always was an evil cow!
Frank: Steady on!
Frank nods
towards Kathleen.
Eve: Sorry. She is just doing this out of spite.
Frank: I dont know why Im
surprised, its not like she hasnt tried before. I guess I just thought we had
moved on since then.
Eve: The woman cant be trusted, she never could.
Kathleen
stands up.
Kathleen: I want to go inside
now.
Frank: (nodding) Okay
sweetheart. It is getting a little cold.
They all move
indoors.
Frank: Do you want to stay
for dinner?
Eve: (pleased) If its okay with Kathleen, sure.
Frank: Kathleen, Ive asked
Eve to stay for dinner, you dont mind do you?
Kathleen: Eve can stay.
Frank and Eve
smile.
Kathleen: When will mummy come
for dinner again?
Frank: Uh, soon. Why dont
you go and wash your hands and Ill start dinner?
Kathleen goes.
Frank and Eve move to the kitchen.
Eve: What can I do?
Frank: Thats okay, Ive got
it, you just take it easy!
Eve: Im not just going to sit here and watch you
cook!
Frank: All right, all right!
Frank laughs
and hands her some stuff.
Eve: What are you going to do about Alison?
Frank: (sighs) Im not sure
yet.
Eve: (frustrated) I know shes Kathleens mother
but, she just makes me so angry!
Frank: Youre not alone
there!
Eve: What on earth were you thinking Frank, when
you married her? Even back then she was a nasty piece of work!
Frank seems a
little surprised at Eves reaction.
Frank: She wasnt that bad!
Eve: Then you didnt know her very well!
Frank: I guess its true what
they say about love being blind!
Eve looks at
him. Kathleen walks in.
The following day Dan catches up to Cate as
she is just arriving in the ED.
Dan: Morning!
Cate: Good morning.
Dan follows Cate to her locker.
Cate: Whats up?
Dan: Um, I was just wondering, has Jess said
anything to you?
Cate: Shes said a lot of things since Ive known her! Can you be more
specific?
Dan: Just aboutif there is something wrong.
Cate looks at Dan seriously.
Cate: Why do you think something is wrong?
Dan: Shes just been behaving sort of strangely
the last couple of days, like shes avoiding me or something.
Cate: Well, have you tried talking to her?
Dan: Yes, but she just says that shes fine.
Cate turns to face her locker.
Cate: Maybe she is.
Dan shakes his
head.
Dan: No, there is definitely something shes not
telling me. She hasnt told you whats bothering her?
Cate turns back.
Cate: I think you should just try talking to her again.
Cate finishes up and leaves the room. Dan looks
suspicious.
Alison is in
her office, seated at her desk doing paper work when there is a knock at her
door.
Alison: Come in!
She looks up
and is shocked to find Eve standing there.
Alison: What the hell are you
doing here?
Eve: I need to talk to you.
Alison: Well, Im sure I have
no interest in anything you have to say, so please leave.
Eve: I dont care whether youre interested or
not, youre going to hear it!
Alison looks
at her in astonishment.
Alison: Who the hell do you
think you are?
Eve: No, Alison, the real question is who do you
think you are?
Eve stands in
front of Alisons desk. Alison stands up.
Alison: Get out!
Jess is walking back from the pharmacy when Stuart comes running to catch up
with her.
Stuart: Jess, wait!
Jess stops in
surprise.
Jess: Stuart, what are you doing here?
Stuart: I need to talk to you.
Jess: I dont think thats a good idea.
Stuart: Please Jess! I didnt
mean to freak you out the other night, I just had to
tell you how I really feel.
Jess: Well, it doesnt matter how you really feel
because Im with Dan now! Remember Dan? Your best friend?
Stuart: I dont want to hurt
Dan any more than you do, but if there is any chance, even the remotest chance
that you still feel the same way about me, then Id
regret it for the rest of my life if I didnt at least try.
Jess: You cant do this Stuart!
Stuart: I know its not fair,
but you have to be honest with yourself. Seeing you again, talking to
felt just like it used to. Dont tell me you didnt notice? Because there has
been a definite spark there and I know you felt it too.
Stuart looks
at Jess pleadingly. Jess shakes her head.
Jess: I cant do this Stuart. Please leave me
alone.
Jess walks
away. Stuart looks shattered.
Eve and Alison
are still staring angrily at each other across the desk.
Eve: (with contempt) I wouldnt have thought even
you would sink this low!
Alison: I dont know what
youre talking about, and I dont care! Get out of my office!
Eve: Do you really hate Frank that much? Or is it
because he is seeing me?
Alison: What are you talking
about?
Eve: Replacing him as Head of Department just
because you cant get your own way thats low even for you!
Alison: I dont know what kind
of deluded
Eve: Oh drop the act! Frank heard you on the
phone himself!
Alison: I dont know what
Frank thinks he heard, but either way Im sure its none of your business!
Eve: You cant stand to see him having another
chance at happiness can you?
Alison: (derisively) With you?
Eve: Yes! With me! I made the mistake of backing
off and letting you have your way once before, but I wont do it again.
Alison laughs.
Alison: Letting me have my
way? What you did or didnt do was of no significance whatsoever; it didnt
matter if you were there or not because Frank wasnt interested!
Eve: I should have told him the truth, about how
you lied at the inquest! At least then he would have known what you were really
like.
Alison: (cynically) And he would have gone falling into your arms instead I
suppose!
Eve: Doesnt matter, at least it would have
stopped him from making the biggest mistake of his life!
Alison: According to you!
Eve: According to Frank!
Alison: (snapping) I doubt
Frank would regard Kathleen as a mistake!
Eve: No, youre right. One good thing came out of
it, Kathleen is a lovely girl. Fortunately she seems to have inherited more of
Frank than you!
Eve sneers.
Eve: Strangely, you probably did her a favour by abandoning her! Your lack of influence in raising
her can only have been a good thing! Lets just hope your side of the gene pool
never kicks in!
Alison
furiously clenches her fists and grits her teeth.
Alison: (quietly) Get out.
Eve: If it wasnt for Kathleen, Frank would have
nothing to do with you. But for his daughters sake he has put up with you and
your nonsense, and this is how you treat him in return? You never deserved him
and you dont deserve to be a part of his or Kathleens life now.
Alison: (yelling) Get out!
Eve looks at Alison, shakes her head contemptuously and leaves. Alison
stands shakily behind her desk. Jeffrey walks in.
Jeffrey: (uncertainly) Uh Dr.
Newell, is everything all right?
Alison: Fine.
Alison sits
down. Jeffrey leaves hesitantly.
Jess, Dan and
Frank are at the staffbase. Von arrives.
Von: Uh, is it okay if I take my break now?
Jess: Yeah sure, were quiet.
Frank notices
Philip standing near the door.
Frank: Dont tell me that
bloody fool is back again!
The others
look to see who he is talking about.
Dan: Wasnt he here last week?
Frank: Yes, wasting our
bloody time! Well, he is not doing it today!
Frank makes a
move towards him but Von intervenes.
Von: Hes not here as a patient today! And he
knows what he did was wrong.
Frank: (sarcastically) Oh, so
hes back to apologise, is he? Oh that makes it all
better then! I should go and thank him!
Von: He has apologised,
now can that be an end to it?
Frank: Since when are you so
soft on timewasters?
Von: Hes not a timewaster, he is a friend.
Frank: (baffled) A friend of who?
Von: Mine!
Frank: (surprised) Oh!
Von: Now Ill be off on my break. I wont be
long.
Von makes her
way over to Philip. Dan and Frank lean forward to get a proper look. Jess rolls
her eyes.
Vincent
catches up to Charlotte walking through the ED.
Vincent: Charlotte, wait
up!
Charlotte
waits.
Vincent: Look,
this is ridiculous!
Charlotte: What is?
Vincent: You being cross with
me because I told Jack about us trying for a baby! You know I didnt do it on
purpose!
Charlotte: (relenting) I know.
Vincent: I really did think
that you had already told him, I mean you run to him with all the other details
of our relationship!
Charlotte: Whats that supposed to
mean?
Vincent: Well, dont you think
its a little inappropriate for you to be confiding in him about our
relationship?
Charlotte: He is a friend!
Vincent: A friend you slept
with!
Charlotte
shakes her head in annoyance and walks off. Vincent looks equally annoyed.
Frank is
seated in his office. Jess is also at her desk doing paperwork. Alison walks
in. Frank does not look pleased to see her.
Alison: (to Jess) Could you excuse us please?
Jess: Uh sure.
Jess grabs a
few things and hurries out.
Frank: What do you want?
Alison: I want to know who
your girlfriend thinks gave her the right to walk into my office shouting the
odds!
Frank looks
confused.
Frank: What? Eve?
Alison: Yes Eve, why? How many
others have you got? She barged into my office with some ridiculous story about
me replacing you as Department Head!
Frank: Look, I dont know why
Eve came to see you, but we both know her story wasnt ridiculous. I heard you!
Alison: Lowered yourself to
eavesdropping now have you? Must be the company you keep!
Frank: If you think Ill let
you get away with this, Alison, youre dreaming!
Alison: Im not the one
imagining things! What exactly did you hear me say?
Frank: Oh dont play games!
Alison: Did you hear me say
the words emergency department? Did you even hear me say your name?
Frank doesnt
respond.
Alison: No you didnt! Because
I wasnt talking about you! And if you paid any attention to what goes on in
this hospital, instead of assuming the whole world revolves around you, you
would have known I was talking about the position of Head of Surgery!
Frank cringes
quietly. Alison shakes her head sadly.
Alison: Im always the bad guy
arent I?
Frank: Well, you do have something
of a track record!
Alison looks
at the ground and then leaves quietly. Frank sighs heavily.
The ambos
arrive with a patient. Jack and Jess immediately go to them.
Lorraine: Suicide attempt. Overdose
and slashed wrists. Her name is
Jess: (shocked) Oh my God! Stephanie Wright!
Jack: Damiens?
Jess nods. Cate arrives.
Cate: Jess, maybe you should let someone else deal with this.
Jess nods
again. Stephanie is brought into resus. Charlotte and
Erica join them and they get to work on Stephanie. Lorraine
shakes her head and stands next to Jess.
Lorraine: Found out her husband
cheated on her again. Her mother is on the way in.
Still all Jess can do is nod and watch the others
work on Stephanie. Her mother arrives and immediately goes to Jess.
Mother: (crying) Shes going to be okay isnt she? You can save her again!
Jess: Were doing the best we can.
Mother: I told her, I told
herbut she said it would be differentnow look at my baby. Hes done this to
her!
Jess: Does Damien know?
Mother: (shaking her head) We dont even know where he is. She threw him out last week
and we havent heard from him since. He didnt even say goodbye to his kids.
Stephanie
crashes in resus. The team work hard to revive her
but cant. Stephanies mother breaks down completely. Jess numbly tries to
comfort her. Cate quickly comes and takes over.
Cate: Its all right, Ive got her.
Jess nods and
wanders away.
Frank enters
the staffroom. Vincent is already there, glumly
staring into a cup of coffee.
Frank: Dont you do any work?
Vincent: Do you?
Frank sits
down and sighs. Vincent continues to stare into his coffee.
Frank: Howd that
conversation go the other day?
Vincent: That went really well.
Frank: Thats good.
Vincent: Yeah. If only things
hadnt gone downhill from there! There always seems to be something. Why is
nothing ever straightforward?
Frank: Women!
Vincent: How did your evening
with Alison go?
Frank: Like everything else
with Alison! For a while things seem to go well and then bang! The other
Alison emerges and I remember exactly what it is I hate about her.
They are both
quiet.
Frank: So are you going to
stay hiding in here, or are you going to find Charlotte and
grovel pitifully until she forgives you for whatever stupid thing you did?
Vincent: I dont think Im the
one in the wrong this time.
Frank: (shaking his head) Oh
Vincent! Youre always the one in the wrong youre the man!
Vincent
laughs.
Vincent: Not this time!
Frank: Did she cheat on you?
Vincent: No!
Frank: Then more than likely,
you are the one in the wrong!
Vincent: She keeps running to
Jack and telling him everything.
Frank: Everything?
Vincent: About our
relationship!
Frank: Well, they are
friends!
Vincent: Yeah, but
Frank: (knowingly) But they
slept together?
Vincent nods.
Vincent: I just dont see why
they need to be so close.
Frank: They have been through
a lot together. Its really not that surprising that they are close.
Vincent: It was just a one
night stand! They were never even a proper couple!
Frank: They almost had a
child together, Vincent. It doesnt matter if the baby was the result of the
romance of the century or just a quick fumble! Becoming parents
changes things.
Vincent: But they didnt become
parents. They never actually had a child.
Frank: I dont think Charlotte would
see it like that, and I doubt Jack would either. That baby was real. They loved
it and it died. You might be uncomfortable with it, but you have to recognise that Charlotte and Jack will always share that.
Question is are you big enough to deal with it?
Frank gets up
and leaves a thoughtful Vincent behind.
Jess is
outside crying. Stuart appears.
Stuart: Jess? Whats the
matter?
Jess: (startled) What are
you doing here again?
Stuart: I thought I might
catch you as your shift finished.
Jess: Does the word stalker mean anything to
you?
Jess tries to
wipe her tears.
Stuart: Whats the matter? Has
someone upset you?
Jess shakes
her head.
Jess: You shouldnt be here, Stuart.
Stuart: Ill go if you promise
me youre okay?
Jess tries but
instead bursts into tears even more. Stuart puts his arms around her.
Frank meets
Eve in a club. Eve smiles warmly but Frank greets her coldly.
Frank: What the hell did you
think you were doing?
Eve: (takes a deep breath) Is
this about me talking to Alison?
Frank: What else?
Eve: I couldnt just sit back and do nothing
while she tries to ruin you! I went to tell her a few home truths.
Frank: (angrily) Well, it wasnt your place! I dont need you storming into
the hospital and fighting my battles for me!
Eve: I just thought that Alison
Frank: And if Alison needs to
be dealt with, I will do it!
Eve: The woman
Frank: Is MY problem, not
yours!
Eve: I was just trying to help!
Frank: Well dont!
Frank storms
off. Eve furiously watches him go.
Jess arrives home. Dan is already there. He looks worried.
Dan: Where have you been? I looked all over the
ED for you and then Von said youd already left.
Jess: Yeah, sorry I should have said. I just needed
some time on my own.
Dan: Were you afraid Damien would show up?
Jess: Kinda.
Dan: He didnt. Stephanies sister came and took
her mother home. Poor woman was in bits.
Jess nods
sadly.
Dan: Are you all right?
Jess: Yeah.
Jess walks
past him into the kitchen. Dan watches her worriedly.
Dan: Jess, something has been bothering you for
days now and dont tell me youre fine because I know youre not.
Jess looks at
Dan and sighs.
Dan: Talk to me Jess.
Jess: II think we need a break.
Vincent is at Charlottes.
They are both standing awkwardly looking at each other. Dan stands and looks at Jess in stunned silence.
Vincent: I want
to apologise. Ive been thinking and Ive realised how insensitive I was. Of course you should have
been the one to tell Jack, and after everything you have been throughwell,
its bound to have brought you closer together.
Charlotte: Jack and I are close, but
youre the one I love!
Vincent: (nodding) I
understand. Im sorry it took so long, I can be kinda dumb sometimes!
Charlotte: (mischievously) Kinda?
Vincent: (smiles) Jack is a
good guy and if you two need to talk sometimes, I understand.
Charlotte: (relenting) You might have had a point though. About me telling him too
much about our relationship. He is a very good friend but some things should be
kept between just you and me.
They smile at
each other.
Vincent: Do you think that can
be an end to the arguments and misunderstandings for a while? After all, we are
supposed to be making a baby!
Charlotte
laughs.
Charlotte: I think we can probably give
the rows a break for a while!
Vincent: And what about the
other?
Charlotte: The other?
Vincent nods
as he comes closer and puts his arms around her.
Charlotte: Oh! Well, I suppose we
should really make a start! What do you think?
Vincent nods
and they kiss.
Eve arrives at
Franks.
Eve: Ive come to apologise.
Frank just
looks at her.
Eve: I shouldnt have gone to Alisons office. It
was a professional matter and I shouldnt have interfered.
Frank: No you shouldnt.
Eve: I really did just have your best interests
at heart.
Frank softens
and nods.
Frank: I know.
Eve: Although, maybe I wasnt being entirely
unselfishI saw a chance to yell at Alison and couldnt resist!
Frank: I know you two are
never going to see eye to eye and I expect catty remarks from Alison, but
couldnt you at least try and be civil?
Eve: How about if I just promise never to be in
the same room as her again?
Eve smiles
mischievously but Frank looks serious.
Frank: Alison is always going
to be a part of my life, no matter how much we wish otherwise. Kathleen needs
to see her and likes to have her around. Maybe Im being presumptuous, but Id
like to think that you and I have a future.
Eve: So do I!
Frank: Then what ever issues
you have with Alison you are going to have to put them behind you. I cant deal
with constant bickering between you two and its not good for Kathleen either
if she senses tension between you.
Eve: (quietly) I understand.
Frank: Do you think you can
do that?
Eve: I dont know.
Frank: You never did tell me
exactly why you hate her so much. Yesterday you made a remark about me not
knowing her very well.
Eve looks at
the ground. Frank looks at her curiously.
Eve: Lets just say, what Alison did changed my
life. Ill never be able to forgive her for it, but for youIll try and be
civil at least. I dont want her to ruin what we have.
Frank: What did she do?
Eve shakes her
head.
Frank: Tell me, please.
Eve takes a
deep breath.
Dan: What? What do you mean a break?
Jess: I just need some time to myselfto sort
things out in my head.
Dan: Does this have something to do with Stuart?
Jess doesnt
answer for a moment just looks at the ground.
Dan: It does, doesnt it?
Jess: No, not entirely
Dan: Not entirely? What does that mean?
Jess: Stuart has said that he still has feelings
for me
Dan: And do you have feelings for him?
Jess: I dont know. But thats not the only
reasonso much has been going on latelyI feel like I need to take control of
my life.
Dan: Step one: dump Dan! Thats your idea of
control?
Jess: No! Im just not sure I got together with
you for the right reasons. After Damien, I was a mess. You made me feel
special
Dan: Are you saying I took advantage?
Jess: No of course not! Im not saying youve done
anything wrong. Its me. I wanted so much to be loved and to be in love, that I
think I made myself feel something for you that wasnt
there. You are the best friend Ive ever hadand maybe thats where we should
have left it.
Jess looks at
Dan sadly. Dan looks devastated.
The following
day Jess bumps into Cate and Jack as they are walking
through the carpark. Cate
notices that Jess looks a little down.
Cate: You okay?
Jess: Yeah, fine.
Jess forces a
smile.
Jack: Where is Dan? He running
late again?
Jess: Um, actually I think he left early this
morning.
Jack: You think?
Cate nudges Jack not to probe, guessing that
something is wrong. Jess wants to change the subject and notices Alison next to
a car chatting to a man.
Jess: Hey thats the guy we saw Alison having
dinner with at Le Monde! Is he dropping her off?
Jack: Looks like he is getting out too. I wonder
who he is?
Frank is at
the staffbase when Jess, Jack and Cate
arrive in.
Frank: (sarcastically) Oh do
take your time! Its not like we have sick people to tend to!
Jack: Were five minutes early!
Frank: (crankily) Maybe according to the cheap knock-off watch you wear! But
according to mine, you should have been here three minutes ago!
Jack: What?
Frank
disappears into his office. Cate laughs.
Cate: Looks like its going to be one of those days!
Erica turns
up.
Erica: One of what days?
Cate: Cranky Frank days!
Jess finds Dan
sorting stuff in the store room.
Jess: You left really early this morning.
Dan: (coldly) I had things to do.
Jess: Dan
Dan: Im busy.
Dan walks out
past her.
Jack is at the
staffbase about to make a call. Charlotte
arrives.
Charlotte: Hi.
Jack: Hey.
Charlotte: You have a burns patient?
Jack: Yeah, seven year old boy. Second degree
burns in his arm. Im trying to get hold of a specialist.
Charlotte: Poor kid.
Frank and Cate arrive discussing a patient.
Frank: Half hourly obs for the time being.
Cate nods as Frank hands her
the chart.
Frank: Not only were you late
arriving this morning but now youre wasting time gossiping!
Jack looks at
Frank with annoyance.
Jack: I was just about to
Frank: Just about to! Never
mind just about to, get a move on!
Charlotte
looks at Jack sympathetically and at Frank defensively.
Charlotte: Its my fault, I interrupted
him.
Frank: Why doesnt that
surprise me!
Charlotte is
just about to answer Frank when Jack interrupts.
Jack: Youre
right Frank, Im sorry. Charlotte and I just got distracted gossiping. Wont happen again.
Charlotte
looks at Jack as though he is crazy.
Frank:
Gossip! Huh! Hope it was bloody interesting!
Jack: Oh, we were just wondering who the guy was
that dropped Dr. Newell off this morning. Apparently, he is the same guy Dan
and Jess saw dining with her at Le Monde!
Frank looks at
Jack huffily. Charlotte and
Cate give Jack astonished looks.
Jack: Of
course its really none of our business, so we wont waste any more time on it!
Jack picks up
the phone and makes his call. Frank walks off grimly.
Charlotte: Have you got a death wish?
Cate: What did you say that for?
Jack: (irritably) Oh it shut him up, didnt it?
Frank goes barrelling towards Alisons office and
barges straight in without knocking. Alison looks up almost startled. Jeffrey
is seated in front of her desk taking notes.
Alison: (crankily) Do you mind?
Frank: (to Jeffrey) Get out!
Alison: Jeffrey stay!
Frank: Get out!
Jeffrey looks
from one to the other terrified.
Alison: You cannot barge in here
and start shouting orders!
Frank: Believe me Alison, you dont want him here for this!
Alison: Actually Frank, its
you I dont want here!
Frank: (to Jeffrey) Leave!
Now!
Jeffrey turns
to Alison. Alison nods relentingly and he rushes out.
Alison: (irritably) What do you want?
The others in
the ED are still gossiping about Alison.
Charlotte: And its definitely the same
guy she was seen having dinner with?
Cate: According to Jess.
Jack: It looked like he was getting out of the car
too.
Charlotte: Well, he was obviously
heading to the psych ward! Anyone who willingly spends time with Alison Newell
is clearly in need of help!
Vincent sneaks
up behind Charlotte and
gives her a fright.
Vincent: What
has she done to you now?
Charlotte: Nothing, but apparently she
has a man in her life! Dropped her off this morning.
Vincent: Fascinating. Are you
busy right now? Cause I have time for a break.
Vincent pulls Charlotte
aside.
Charlotte: Um, yeah, were not busy. I
can take my break.
Vincent grins.
Charlotte
looks at him suspiciously.
Charlotte: What are you up to?
Vincent: Well, babies dont
make themselves!
Charlotte: (shocked) Now?
We cant! Where would we even
Vincent: Oh come on, wheres
your sense of adventure? This is a hospital, no shortage of beds!
Charlotte
laughs as Vincent sneakily drags her away.
Frank is
standing angrily in front of Alisons desk. She is looking at him coldly.
Frank: How could you lie like
that? In front of all those people, you stood there and lied.
Frank looks at
her expectantly. Alison looks at him blankly.
Frank: Well?
Alison: (flippantly) Oh, Im
sorry I thought that was a rhetorical question!
Frank: Dont be flip!
Alison: What do you want me to
say? Eve has obviously fed you her side, and we both know where your loyalties
lie.
Frank: This isnt about
loyalty, its about honesty though they are both concepts youve always had
trouble with!
Alison just
continues to look at him coldly.
Frank: (frustrated) Youre not even denying it!
Alison: Whats the point?
Frank: The point? You must at
least have a reason, no matter how nasty, for doing what you did!
Alison: You dont care about
my reasons!
Frank: No I dont, because no
matter what they are they couldnt excuse your behaviour!
But at least it would show some kind ofof thought behind it all. Not even you
would ruin someones career just for the sake of it! Tell me I couldnt have
married someone that evil!
Alison: You want to know why?
I panicked!
Frank: (disbelief) Panicked?
Alison nods.
Frank: Oh come off it! Youre
one of the most self-controlled people I know, and you expect me to believe
that you just panicked and blurted out a bunch of lies by mistake!
Alison: I thought you wanted
to hear my reason?
Frank: Well, I thought after
all these years you would have had time to come up with something a little more
convincing!
Alison: Im telling the truth!
I knew I was in the wrong but I wasnt the only one, Eve is no saint either!
Frank: Eve accepts her part
in it.
Alison: I knew how serious the
situation was and if found to be at fault that I could say goodbye to my
career.
Frank: (disgusted) So you hung Eve out to dry to save your own pathetic skin!
Alison: Medicine was all I
had! Id never wanted to do anything else. Eve was always torn between it and
her singing, I doubt shed have stuck it out anyway!
Frank: That doesnt excuse
what you did!
Alison: Im not trying to
excuse it, Im just trying to explain. I felt terrible
about it.
Frank: Not terrible enough to
tell the truth.
Alison: I couldnt, not after
it was all done.
Frank paces
back and forth.
Frank: Even after everything
else that youve done, thisthis takes the biscuit! Eve is right,
you were a nasty piece of work even back then. And I cant believe I didnt see
it in you.
Alison: I was scared of losing
my job!
Frank: You deserved to lose
it! And Eve deserves an apology!
Alison: (adamant) Forget it! I
am not apologising to that woman!
Frank: You ruined her career!
Alison: She ruined our
marriage!
Frank looks at Alison incredulously.
Frank: (dismissively) Dont be ridiculous! I didnt see Eve once while we were
married. She didnt even know we were married!
Alison: It didnt matter that
she wasnt around!
Frank: Alison, youre not
making any sense!
Alison: Eve could do no wrong
in your eyes, even after the verdict of the inquest.
Frank: Which was lies!
Alison: You didnt know that!
But still you made excuses for her! Had it been anyone else you would have
condemned them.
Frank: (impatiently) What has this got to do with our marriage?
Alison: Well, I could never
compare to Saint Eve could I? I was never enough. I wasnt as nice as Eve, as
much fun as Eve. I didnt want to spend my time in dingy clubs listening to
jazz or take off in the car at a moments notice to drive God knows where just
for the sake of it! I wanted to further my career, make a home for us. Boring stuff.
Frank: I never thought that.
If I had wanted those other things dont you think I would have gone after Eve
then? Youre just rambling! Our marriage ended because you walked out!
Alison: I walked out because
it was killing me! After Kathleen was diagnosed you shut me out. All that
mattered was finding the best treatment for Kathleen, the latest research on
autism
Frank: What kind of mother is
jealous of her daughter? I was trying to do the best for Kathleen!
Alison: I understood that, but
would it have killed you to see how I felt?
Frank: Im sorry if you felt
shut out. I thought I was helping all of us by helping Kathleen.
Alison: I needed my husband,
not an encyclopaedia on autism!
Frank sits
down.
Frank: Look, weve been
through this. I apologised for not supporting you
better, but I dont see what this has to do with Eve.
Alison: What do you think its
like knowing that your husband wishes you were someone else?
Frank: I never did.
Alison: Admit it Frank, you
always thought youd made the wrong choice in marrying me.
Frank shakes
his head.
Frank: Okay, I admit, there
have been times when I have seriously questioned what I ever saw in you. But I
never thought I made the wrong choice, because at the time there was no choice
to be made I was in love with you. Not Eve, not anyone else you.
Jess is in the
office with Cate. She has told her about herself and
Dan. Charlotte and Vincent arrive in the ED looking guilty. Jess greets them
sternly.
Cate: Oh Jess, are you sure you know what you are doing?
Jess: No, thats why I want us to take time out so
that we can be sure.
Cate: You seemed fine before Stuart came along.
Jess: I thought we were fine too. But is fine
enough? Dan and I never had the sameexcitement that Stu
and I had.
Cate: Excitement isnt everything.
Jess: Maybe not, but when Im around Stuart I feel
different.
Cate: Different how?
Jess: I cant explain itjustlighter!
Cate sighs.
Cate: Just be sure youre doing the right thing. Stuart comes with a lot of
baggage.
Jess: He is working through that, he is much
better. And anyway, that shouldnt matter if you love someone, you should be
willing to give them a second chance.
Cate: Now youre saying you love him?
Jess looks
uncertain.
Jess: Thats what Im trying to figure out.
Cate: Well, remember sometimes love isnt enough to make things work.
Stephanie Wright gave her husband a second chance because she loved him look
where it got her.
Jess: (dismissively) Oh Cate,
this is a completely different situation!
Cate shrugs.
Alison looks
at him sadly.
Alison: Then why didnt you
say?
Frank: I didnt think I
needed to!
Alison: I felt useless. I
could just imagine you thinking oh Eve wouldnt have done that or Eve would
have handled that better!
Frank: If you thought that,
then it was in your own head.
Alison: Eve probably would
have given you a healthy child to begin with!
Frank: I never blamed you for
Kathleens condition!
Alison: Maybe not but you
resented me for not being able to cope with it like you could.
Frank: I didnt resent you.
Alison: Well, thats not what
it felt like! You could barely look at me.
Alison shakes
her head sadly.
Alison: (sadly) I never felt
more alone than when I was with you, because you were never really there.
Frank: I was alone too.
Alison: You didnt need to be!
I tried again and again to get you to open up to me.
Frank: That was just my way
of coping. I didnt want you to see how helpless I felt dealing with Kathleen.
Alison: I was your wife, Frank, you didnt need to put on a front for me.
Frank: Someone had to stay in
control! Especially after you
They both look
away from each other uncomfortably.
Frank: And then you left.
Alison: (tearfully) I had to.
But it tore me apart.
Frank: (scoffs) Tore you apart?
Alison: Of course! Can you
imagine what it was like for me leaving my little girl? Leaving my whole life
behind?
Frank: Leaving Kathleen
didnt seem to bother you that much! You didnt even apply for custody! You
just gave up on her.
Alison: I thought it was best.
You said I was a hopeless mother, that Kathleen was
better off without me and I believed you. You didnt need me.
Frank: Of course I needed
you! We both did.
They are both
quiet for a moment. Frank sighs.
Frank: We made a mess of
things. But dont you see that Eve had nothing to do with the failure of our
marriage? The only people we have to blame for that are ourselves.
Alison: (quietly) I always
felt I was second best to her as far as you were concerned. And now she is
back, you can start playing happy families with her.
Frank: Is that what you are
afraid of? Eve couldnt replace you in Kathleens life, you are her mother.
Alison looks
down at her desk awkwardly. Frank watches her almost sadly.
Jess: Ive just had the NUM from Ward 12 on the
phone!
Charlotte and
Vincent look at each other and burst into laughter. Jess serious face cracks
into a smile.
Jess: Its not funny! She wants to speak to Frank
about your behaviour!
Vincent: Oops!
Jess: Oops? She said she caught you fornicating
in one of their unused rooms! She is livid.
Charlotte: Has she spoken to Frank?
Jess: Not yet, he seems to have disappeared
somewhere.
Charlotte and
Vincent sigh with relief and then begin giggling again. Jess just shakes her
head.
Jack emerges
from behind some curtains and spots Dan.
Jack: Daniel! Give me a hand?
Dan nods. Jack
looks at him curiously.
Jack: You okay? You dont seem your usual chirpy
self today?
Dan shrugs.
Jack: Whats wrong? Have you and Jess had a row? I
noticed you didnt arrive together today.
Dan: Its a little more than a row. She finished
with me.
Jack: What? Why?
Dan: Shes not sure Im what she really wants now
that Stuart is back and says he still loves her!
Jack doesnt
know what to say.
Jack: Oh Dan
Dan: Can we get on with this? What do you need me
to do?
Dan briskly
swishes back the curtain, Jack follows him.
Frank emerges
from his office looking stern and summons Charlotte and Vincent to the staffbase.
Frank: Hughes! Beaumont!
Charlotte and
Vincent look at each other and make their way over.
Charlotte: (warily) Frank?
Frank: Ive just had an irate
NUM on the phone. Im sure I dont need to explain why!
Charlotte and
Vincent look at him guiltily.
Frank: What the hell were you
playing at?
Vincent: Uhwe justyou know
Frank stares
at him.
Charlotte: Oh come on, its not like we
killed someone!
Frank just
continues to stare.
Vincent: We were unprofessional
and we apologise. We just got a little carried away.
You know how it is!
Vincent smiles
brightly at Frank. Frank doesnt return the smile.
Frank: In future I would
appreciate it if you could restrain yourselves from such activities during work
hours. Id have expected better from you two!
Charlotte: We didnt do any harm!
Frank: (grumpily) I dont
care! I could do without having to listen to that fishwife yammering on at me
down the phone line! She wants an apology and you better make it good!
Charlotte and
Vincent both nod solemnly. Frank shakes his head at them like a cross school
master, but there is a hint of amusement on his face. Jack and Cate are listening in and give Charlotte and Vincent mock
looks of disapproval. Charlotte
sneakily sticks out her tongue when Frank isnt looking. Von arrives and gives
her a strange look.
Jack: (nudging Cate) Hey
isnt that the guy from this morning?
Cate: With Alison?
Jack nods.
Standing near the elevator are Alison, Jeffrey and another man.
Charlotte: The guy she had dinner with?
Cate: Yeah.
Frank turns
and looks. He sees Alison talking to Jeffrey and his eyes widen.
Frank: (disgusted) Bloody
hell!
Frank storms
off into his office. The others watch him confused.
Vincent: Which guy?
Jack: The one on the left.
Vincent: Thats Mike Vlasek. New Head of Surgery.
Alison and
Mike approach the staffbase.
Mike: Hughes! You keeping busy?
Vincent: Yeah, Im just here
for a consult.
Mike: Anything interesting?
Vincent: Uh no, the patient
wont need surgery.
Mike: (cheerfully) Oh well, never mind, maybe the
next one will!
The others
exchange glances.
Von: (mumbling) Great, just
what we need another scalpel happy surgeon!
Alison: This is Mr. Vlasek,
he is the new Director of Surgery. Mr. Vlasek, this
is Dr. Beaumont and Dr. Quade, who will soon be
joining you on the surgical team!
Alison doesnt
introduce Von or Cate. Cate
makes a face, Von rolls her eyes. Mike looks Jack up and down.
Frank finds
Jess sitting glumly at her desk as he bustles in talking to himself.
Frank: Women! Ill never
understand!
He sits down.
Jess is quiet.
Frank: (making a face) Makes my skin crawl!
He finally
notices something is wrong with Jess.
Frank: You all right?
Jess nods.
Frank watches her.
Frank: No youre not. Whats
wrong?
Jess: Nothing, it doesnt matter.
Jess looks as
though she has been crying. Frank looks at her worried.
Frank: If youre upset of
course it matters!
Jess shakes
her head, her eyes welling up again.
Frank: (gently) Im a good
listener!
Jess: Im sorry, Im being unprofessional.
Tears begin to
run down her cheeks. Frank grabs a tissue, gets up and
hands it to her. She takes it and wipes her eyes. Frank pats her gently on the
shoulder.
Jess: Im sorry!
Frank: You dont need to apologise. If you need to talk
Jess: I broke up with Dan!
Frank looks
surprised. Jess stands up flustered.
Jess: Im sorry, you dont need this! I should get
back to work!
Frank holds
her back.
Frank: You dont have to rush
off! You and Dan definitely finished or have you just had a row?
Jess: I think were definitely finished. I think I
made a mistake!
Jess looks
distraught. Frank looks at her sympathetically and gives her a hug. At that
moment a surprised Alison walks in with Mike. Alison clears her throat. Jess
jumps away from Frank.
Jess: Uh excuse me!
An embarrassed Jess rushes out. Alison gives Frank a curious
look. Mike grins.
Mike: Do you hug all your staff or just the pretty
ones?
The others are
still gathered around the staffbase.
Charlotte: So she gave her boyfriend a
job!
Cate: Or did she give the job and then get the boyfriend?
Jack: (to Vincent) Whats
he like?
Vincent thinks
for a minute.
Vincent: Its hard to say, I
dont know him long butdemanding might be a good word to describe him!
Frank, Alison
and Mike are finishing up. Mike has just left the office ahead of Alison.
Frank: About what you saw
Alison: She upset about the
break-up?
Frank: Break-up?
Alison: Her and Goldman!
Frank looks at
Alison in surprise.
Frank: I didnt realise you were so up-to-date on hospital gossip!
Alison shrugs
lightly as she leaves the office.
Alison: I do talk to people
Frank!
Alison and
Mike make their way back to the staffbase. Jess looks
really embarrassed.
Alison: Mr. Vlasek, this is Jessica Singleton, who you saw briefly a
while ago! She is the temporary Acting-NUM.
Mike grins.
Mike: Well, temporary Acting-NUM Jessica
Singleton, I am the new, hopefully permanent, Head of Surgery, Mr. Mike Vlasek! Are you feeling better now?
Jess: (blushing) Yes
thank you.
Mike: I always find that a well timed hug does
wonders for me too! Of course, it depends on who is doing the hugging cant
say Frank Campion would be high up on my list of
huggers, but each to their own!
Jess is
blushing furiously, the others are all giving her
curious looks wondering what Mike is talking about. Frank joins them.
Frank: You still here?
Mike: Alison was just introducing me to your
ephemeral Acting-NUM! Werent you?
Alison isnt
paying attention. Frank isnt amused.
Frank: (sarcastically) Well,
I can see why you got the job now! Take heed Jack! To make a successful surgeon
you should be able to trot out words like ephemeral without
Suddenly
Alison falls to the floor.
Dan meets
Stuart in the hospital grounds.
Stuart: Hey, is everything all
right? You sounded strange on the phone.
Dan looks at
him without speaking for a moment. Stuart begins to look worried.
Stuart: Dan?
Dan: Why did you come back? Were you planning to
get her back all along?
Stuart: I didnt know you two
were
Dan: You knew the other day when you told her you
still love her!
Stuart: I do.
Dan: (yelling) Well so
do I!
They look at
each other.
Stuart: I cant help it. You
know I would never try to hurt you deliberately, and if there was any wayif I
could walk away I would. But I love her.
Dan: You had your chance and you messed her
about.
Stuart: I know, but Ive got
myself together now.
Dan: How many times have I heard that!
Stuart: Its true this time!
Jess was the best thing to ever happen to me and I messed it up. So I vowed
that I would sort myself out and become the kind of guy she deserves.
Dan: And you think youre that guy now? You think
she deserves the kind of guy who is willing to stab his best friend in the
back? You hung out with us, smiled and joked and told us how happy you were for
us and the whole time you were planning this!
Stuart: I wasnt planning
anything! When I found out you and Jess had got together I decided not to say a
thing. I thought being her friend and seeing her happy would be enough but it
wasnt, I had to tell her how I really felt. Im sorry Dan.
Dan shakes his
head in dismay and walks away.Alison
is brought to a bed. Frank, Mike and Jess are gathered around as she regains
consciousness. Frank begins to shine a light in her eyes.
Frank: Alison! Alison, do you know where you are?
Alison: (irritably) Of course I do!
Frank: Do you know what happened to
you?
Alison: I fainted! I have a headache.
Mike: (to Jess) Order a head CT, she suffered a blow to the head recently.
Frank: Do you mind? If there are any
tests to be ordered Ill do it!
Mike: She needs a CT!
Frank: Im aware of that!
Mike: Then does it matter which of
us requests it?
Frank: If you like giving orders so
much, why dont you go back to your own department and give some! We dont need
you here.
Jess looks at Frank.
Jess: Do I still order the CT?
Frank nods. Mike rolls his eyes. Frank continues to examine Alison.
Jess goes to order the CT. She bumps into Dan.
Jess: Hey.
Dan: I hear Alison Newell fainted or
something?
Jess: Yeah, Im just ordering a CT.
Dan
Dan: You better get on with it then.
Dan walks away.
Jess: Dan, wait, please! We need
to talk.
Dan stops and turns.
Dan: Actually, I do need to tell
you something.
Jess looks expectant.
Dan: I told Erica Id cover her
shift tonight.
Jess: I thought we could talk things
through tonight.
Dan: I dont need to talk, Im not the one thats confused. In fact, this should
give you some of that space you wanted to figure things out! I dont mean to
sound petty, but the sooner you work things out the better, cause then the
sooner I can start looking for a new housemate.
Jess: (hurt) You
want me to move out?
Dan: Well, be honest Jess, do you
really think we can still keep living together? You think I can just sit by
while you have Stuart over?
Jess: Nothing is going on with me
and Stuart!
Dan: He told you he loves you so you
dumped me! It's only a matter of time before you get together and you know it.
Dan turns away and walks off.
The results of Alisons CT come back.
Alison: Well?
Frank hands them to her.
Frank: The CT revealed a minor
contusion, likely to be from the blow to your head on Saturday. Must have been a harder knock than we thought. And of course
you not resting didnt help! As you know, such a small contusion wont require
surgery but you have to rest! I mean it this time, Alison, or you could do
some serious damage!
Alison nods. Jeffrey arrives.
Jeffrey: Uh, am I interrupting?
Alison: What is it?
Frank: (making a slight face) Ill
give you two some time to yourselves!
Frank leaves.
Charlotte and Vincent are whispering and giggling in a corner. Jack calls
them.
Jack: Oi!
I hope you two arent getting up to anything!
Charlotte:
Chance would be a fine thing! Roll on the end of the day!
Jack: Im surprised Frank didnt
give you more of a telling off. When Dan and Jess got caught in the iso room it was like the end of the world!
Vincent: Yeah, but we didnt get
caught in front of the hospital board!
Charlotte:
And Deanna had it in for Jess anyway.
Cate walks past.
Cate: Oh dont! Dont even say her name!
Charlotte:
I wonder wholl be the next NUM?
Cate: Jess should get it no problem. I mean
she has done a brilliant job as Acting-NUM for the last six weeks.
Charlotte:
Has it been that long?
Cate nods.
Frank goes back to check on Alison. Jeffrey is still there.
Alison: And dont forget to
cancel my meeting with the Director of Nursing.
Jeffrey: Okay then thats
everything.
Jeffrey nods and leaves. Frank shakes his head in disgust.
Frank: Do you give all the
orders off the clock too?
Alison: (confused) Im his boss, Im
supposed to give the orders.
Frank: Were you going to tell me or
were you too ashamed?
Alison looks lost.
Alison: Tell you what?
Frank: About you and your little
boyfriend Jeff! Half the department has been talking about it!
Alison looks horrified.
Alison: I know my taste in men
has been questionable in the past but good God Frank!
Frank: You mean youre not
Alison: (disgusted) No! What on
earth made you think that?
Frank: (thinking) They
said
Suddenly it dawns on Frank.
Frank: Its Vlasek!
Mike: You called?
Mike suddenly appears.
Frank: What the hell are you
doing here again?
Mike: (ignoring Frank) A contusion I
hear! Youll have to get plenty of rest.
Alison: Mmm.
Frank: If you are quite done stating
the obvious, maybe you should get back to your own department and do some
bloody work instead of hanging around mine!
Alison: Frank!
Mike: Its the warm welcoming
atmosphere down here, I just cant get enough!
Frank shakes his head in annoyance and walks off.
Mike: Is he always so
territorial?
Alison nods.
Cate comes across Jess in the supply room
in tears.
Cate: Jess!
Cate puts her arm around her.
Cate: What is it?
Jess: Oh Cate,
what have I done? Dan hates me! He wants me to move out.
Cate: Well, you did just dump him!
Jess: I didnt, I didnt meanI just
wanted some space to thinkI didnt mean for us to be over, not definitely.
Cate: Jess, you asked for some space so you
could decide if you want to get back with your ex one of his oldest friends!
How did you expect him to react?
Jess: I dont knowI dont know
anything, what if Ive made a mistake and Dan really is the one?
Cate takes hold of Jess by both shoulders
and looks directly at her.
Cate: You need to be very sure about what
you want, Jess. Dan is a good guy, he doesnt deserve
to be messed about. If you think there is any possibility of something
happening with you and Stuart then make a clean break with Dan now.
Jess: (sobbing) I know, I knowbut
he is my best friend Cate and now he hates me.
Cate hugs Jess again.
Charlotte is at the staffbase
staring into space. Jack is talking about a patient but soon realises she isnt listening.
Jack: (waving a hand in front of her face) Hello! Earth to Charlotte!
Charlotte: Hmm?
Jack: Where were you just now?
Charlotte:
Doing math!
Jack: (puzzled) Math?
Charlotte shakes herself up.
Charlotte:
What were you saying?
Jack gives her a funny look but then continues to discuss the patient with
her.
Frank sees Mike leaving and goes back to Alison.
Frank: Finally gone to do some
work is he?
Alison: You were out of line
speaking to him like that! And what did you mean earlier when you said its Vlasek?
Frank: Your new boyfriend! Dont
know which is worse, mousy Jeffrey or that loudmouth!
Alison looks at Frank as though he is insane.
Alison: Where is all this coming
from?
Frank: You were seen dining with
him!
Alison: Well, not that its any of
your business, but that was work-related!
Frank: Work related? You have all
your meeting in expensive restaurants now do you?
Alison: Where would you suggest?
McDonalds? Anyway, its none of your business! And stop being so rude to him!
Frank: The man is an arrogant,
overconfident
Alison: You should have a lot in
common then!
Frank sneers.
Alison: Can I go now?
Frank: No, you bloody cannot! I want
you here for observation for at least another hour and then you are to go
straight home and rest. Actually, why dont you come over for dinner? Itll
save you having to cook.
Alison: (surprised) Twice in one
week?
Frank: Well, someone has to keep a
bloody eye on you!
Alison: Okay then.
Frank: Right.
Frank turns to leave but suddenly has a realisation
and makes a face.
Alison: What is it?
Frank: IEve is
supposed to come over for dinner tonight.
Alison: (coldly) Oh.
Frank: You can still come!
Alison: (sceptical)
And have dinner with Eve?
Frank warms to the idea.
Frank: Yes, actually I think
itll be a good opportunity to clear the air. You two need to put your issues
to rest.
Alison: You mean you want me to beg
forgiveness?
Frank: No, but like I said Eve and I
are going to be spending more time together and its not good for Kathleen if
there is tension between you two.
Alison doesnt look very enthused.
Frank: Please Alison, for the
sake of having a peaceful life?
Alison nods reluctantly.
Von is at the staffbase with Dan.
Dan: You doing a double tonight
as well?
Von: Im a sucker for punishment!
Dan: Lets just hope its a quiet
one!
Von: Mmm.
Jack calls Dan and he leaves. Frank arrives. He stands in the middle of the
floor for a minute then groans and leans on the desk with his head in his
hands.
Von: Whats wrong with you?
Frank: Ive just done something
incredibly stupid!
Frank continues to hold his head in his hands.
Von: Am I supposed to guess?
Frank: (sighs) I invited Alison to
have dinner at my place tonight.
Von: So?
Frank: With Eve.
Von: Oh, I take it theyre not too
keen on each other?
Frank: Thats like saying the
Israelis and Palestinians arent too keen on each other!
Von: Then why did you do it?
Frank shakes his head.
Frank: Thats not whats
concerning me at the moment. I still have to tell Eve!
Dan and Von are taking a quick break in the staffroom
before starting the night shift.
Dan: Frank looked like he was heading off to a firing
squad.
Von: Oh you
know Frank, hes a drama queen!
Dan laughs.
Von: So
you can still do it!
Dan looks at her questioningly.
Von:
Laugh! Youve been very serious the last couple of days.
Dan: I suppose
youve heard about me and Jess. Im sure everyone is talking about us.
Von: I dont
listen to gossip.
Dan: Jess
finished with me. Stuart told her he stills loves her.
Von:
(sympathetic) And she feels the same?
Dan: She
doesnt know. She said she needs time to figure things out. To be sure that we
were meant to be together.
Von: So she
didnt actually say she didnt want to be with you?
Dan: Same
thing isnt it?
Von: Not
exactly. Sometimes, when it looks like things might be getting serious people
panic. They start wondering if they are doing the right thing and searching for
other options just in case. It sounds to me like thats whats happening with
Jess. And Stuart threw her an option. But it doesnt mean shell take it, it
doesnt even mean she wants it.
Dan: But that
she would even consider itsurely that means she wasnt happy with what we had?
Von: Have you
ever panicked about doing something? Even when you knew it was the right thing?
Dan looks thoughtful.
Alison arrives early at Franks house. Kathleen hugs
her.
Alison:
Hello sweetheart!
Frank: Youre
early!
Alison: Sorry,
I just thought Id spend some time with Kathleen beforedinner.
Kathleen:
Kathleen has to set the table.
Alison: Okay,
you go on and do that then.
Kathleen goes. Alison follows Frank to the kitchen.
Alison:
Want me to do anything?
Frank: I want
you to sit. How are you feeling?
Alison: Fine.
Frank looks at her.
Frank:
Hmm.
Alison: Eve is
still coming?
Frank: Yes.
Alison looks disappointed.
Frank: And
I hope you two can keep it civil! I dont want Kathleen getting upset.
Alison:
Neither do I!
Frank: Then
for Gods sake, be nice!
Alison:
(innocently) I can do nice!
Frank looks sceptical and
clearly has a bad feeling about it all.
Cate arrives in Cougars and finds Jack at the bar.
Cate: (cheerfully) Thought I might find you
here!
Jack: Oh?
Cate: Yeah, I saw that
God I need a drink look on your face as you were leaving! Thanks for inviting
me by the way!
Jack: Sorry, I
figured youd be busy. I hear things have been hotting
up with that ambo guy who bought you at the auction!
Cate makes a face.
Jack: Did
I hear wrong?
Cate: (grinning) Buy me a drink and Ill tell ya!
Charlotte and Vincent have just finished dinner.
Charlotte:
You can do the washing up!
Vincent: I
cooked!
Charlotte:
Exactly, you got em dirty you can clean em!
With a cheeky grin Charlotte leaves Vincent to it. She
goes to the living room and lights some candles, then pours a glass of wine.
Vincent soon follows her in.
Charlotte: What happened to the dishes?
Vincent: Oh,
lets just buy new ones when we need them again! Im on strike!
Charlotte laughs and Vincent looks
around.
Vincent: What are you up to?
Charlotte brings him the glass of wine.
Vincent: You not having any?
Charlotte:
No.
Charlotte sits down and pats the chair
for Vincent to join her. She produces a glass of water.
Charlotte:
A toast! To a wonderfully magical day!
Vincent: The
supply closet was fun but I wouldnt say it was magical!
Charlotte laughs.
Charlotte:
Thats not what I meant, although as it was a first for me in a supply closet
it probably does deserve some recognition!
Vincent: Why
do you think it was a magical day then?
Charlotte:
(smiling) Because it was the day I discovered I was
carrying your baby!
Frank is still cooking dinner. Alison is sitting
talking to Kathleen. Frank is sitting at the head of the table. Eve and Alison are opposite each
other and Kathleen is sitting next to Alison. Everyone but Kathleen looks like
they would rather be somewhere else. it
used to feel like heaven,
Alison: Is
something burning?
Frank: What?
Alison:
Something smells like its burning.
Frank rushes to the stove.
Frank: Oh
blast!
The doorbell goes. Frank looks from the pot to the
door.
Alison: I
can get it, you sort that.
Frank is about to object but Alison is already gone.
Eve is a little surprised to be greeted by Alison.
Alison:
(smiling falsely) Eve, just on time. Come in!
Eve just coldly walks past Alison without responding.
Alison smirks a little.
Eve: Am I
late?
Frank: No,
Alison was early.
Eve moves to give Frank a kiss but at that moment
Alison comes back into the kitchen and Frank turns away awkwardly. Eve doesnt
look happy. Alison is still smiling brightly.
Alison:
Eve, here, why dont I take your coat?
Eve: Its
fine.
Alison: Ill
hang it up for you.
Eve: Its fine, Ill do it myself.
Alison shrugs and throws Frank an at least Im trying
look as Eve leaves the kitchen with her coat.
Alison:
How much longer until dinner?
Frank: Eh,
forty-five minutes? I didnt time it very well.
Alison: Why
dont I pour us all a glass of wine then?
Frank:
(mumbling to himself) I could do with something bloody
stronger!
Eve returns and smiles at Kathleen.
Eve: Hello
Kathleen!
Kathleen:
Hello.
Alison appears with wine.
Alison:
Eve here you go.
Eve takes it reluctantly. She looks at Frank but he
quickly busies himself with cooking again.
Cate and Jack are still at the bar laughing.
Jack: So
its not going to be a happy ever after then?
Cate: Spending the rest
of my days with someone whose sole topic of conversation is surfing, is not my
idea of a happy ever after!
Jack: Youre
just too picky, thats your problem!
Cate: Really? Then whats
yours? How come youre on your own?
Jack: (sighs)
Im too good-looking! Women find it intimidating!
Cate bursts into laughter.
Cate: Well, I must need my eyesight checked then, because to be honest
Jack you look pretty ordinary to me!
Jack: Could it
be? At last a woman who can see past my fatal attractiveness! Marry me Cate!
Cate: (laughing) Do you
surf?
Jack: Hate it!
Cate: Then yes Jack!
Yes!
They both double up laughing.
Vincent is ecstatic at Charlottes news.
Vincent: II just feel like jumping up and down!
Charlotte laughs.
Vincent: But how? I mean we just started
trying!
Charlotte:
My guess is that first night that we got back together, we werent exactly
careful.
Vincent: You
mean youve been pregnant this whole time?
Charlotte nods.
Vincent: When did you know?
Charlotte:
I did a test today.
Vincent: Why
didnt you tell me?
Charlotte:
I wanted to be sure.
Vincent: Are
you sure?
Charlotte:
As sure as I can be, you know how accurate those things are.
Vincent: Maybe
you should do another, just to be doubly sure!
Charlotte:
I havent got one!
Vincent: There
is a late night pharmacy I know, Ill go and get one.
Vincent stands up.
Charlotte:
Vincent you dont need to!
Vincent: I
want to. I want to see that little blue line for myself! Humour
me?
Charlotte nods smiling and Vincent
rushes off.
Frank and Eve are alone in the kitchen. Eve isnt
happy.
Eve: I
dont know why I agreed to this! I dont know why you suggested it!
Frank: I told
you, I thought it would be a chance for you two to put your differences behind
you.
Eve: Our
differences? Is she going to apologise for what she
did to me? Is she even going to acknowledge it?
Frank just looks at her.
Eve: I
didnt think so!
Frank: Maybe
its best for everyone to just make a fresh start.
Eve: (shaking
her head) I cant believe you! After everything she has done I dont know how
you can even have her in your house!
Frank: Shes
Eve:
Kathleens mother! Yes I know.
Frank: Look, I
know this is awkward and I admit, not one of my greatest ideas, but can you
please try?
Eve sighs.
Eve: I
must really love you.
Frank smiles. Alison walks in. Eve makes a face at Frank and walks out of
the kitchen.
Jack and Cate have moved
from the bar to a table.
Jack: I
cannot believe I dont remember taking my pants off! Be honest Cate, were you guys making it up?
Cate: If we were making
it up how would we have known what colour boxers you
were wearing?
Jack thinks about it and then hides his head in his
hands. Cate laughs.
Cate: Aww its nothing to be embarrassed
about, you have lovely legs!
Cate pats him on the back consolingly.
Eve and Kathleen are seated at the dinner table.
Alison helps Frank serve the food. Eve looks annoyed.
Vincent has returned with a pregnancy test and is
waiting patiently for Charlotte outside the bathroom door. Charlotte emerges.
Vincent: Have you done it?
Charlotte:
(shaking her head) I cant pee under pressure!
Vincent rolls his eyes and Charlotte grins.
Frank: So you are taking all of next week off?
Alison: Yes.
Following doctors orders!
Frank: That
makes a bloody first! Youll have to cancel Saturdays day out, youre really
not up to it.
Alison: But
Ive promised Kathleen!
Frank: She
wont mind, Ive already explained to her. Didnt I Kathleen? Remember I told
you why you and mummy cant go shopping on Saturday?
Kathleen:
Because mummy has a sore head.
Frank: Thats
right.
Alison: But
she can still come over to my place.
Frank: Well see. You know she can be a handful
sometimes.
Alison looks disappointed. Eve is looking really
bored.
Eve: That
bang to the head you got last week must have really hurt.
Alison:
Surprisingly it didnt.
Eve:
(disappointed) Aww.
Alison gives her a dirty look. Frank looks at her in
surprise. Eve has had enough.
Eve: I
cant do this, Frank, Im sorry.
Frank: Eve
Eve stands up and walks out. Frank follows her.
Frank:
Eve, wait!
Eve: I tried,
Frank, really I did, but sheI cant be around her! I had my reservations
coming over here and even more so when I got here, but I stayed for you. But I
just cant sit there and watch while she plays hostess and I feel like a third
wheel!
Frank: She was
just giving me a hand! You know Alison, shes a control freak.
Eve: Must be
what drew you to each other! Did you really think this was going to work? That
Alison and I would just suddenly become bosom buddies?
Frank: No of
course not!
Eve: Then what
were you hoping for? Because I really cant see what benefit this evening could
be to anything aside from maybe your ego!
Frank:
(annoyed) Whats that supposed to mean?
Eve: Oh come
on, there must be something of a buzz to be got from having your current
partner and your ex glaring at each other across the dinner table!
Frank: Dont
be so bloody ridiculous!
Eve: You know
how much I hate her, how could you ask me to spend an evening watching you play
happy families with her?
Frank: What?
Eve: Ever
since I got here this evening Alison has made it abundantly clear that being
Kathleens mother gives her dominance over you!
Frank:
Dominance? What the hell are you talking about? Okay, maybe Alison has been a
little over-bearing this evening but its just because she feels insecure
around you and
Eve: (laughs)
Insecure? Alison Newell?
Frank: Believe
it or not, yes. We had a long talk today
Eve: And as an
excuse for being a bitch, she fed you some bull about being insecure?
Frank: I dont
think it was just a story.
Eve: Im sure
you believed her, but remember I know what an accomplished liar she is, I have first hand experience of it!
Frank: Well
maybe you dont know her as well as you think you do!
Eve looks at Frank and shakes her head slowly.
Eve: You
should get back to your family!
Frank:
(worried) Eve
Eve: I love
you Frank, but I cannot be around Alison.
Frank: You
dont have to! Tonight was a mistake, I know. Please EveI dont want to lose
you because of this!
Eve sighs.
Eve: You
wont. I just cant do this.
Frank:
(relieved) Were still okay?
Eve: (nods)
Im a little pissed off at you right now, but Im not letting Alison Newell get
between us.
Eve kisses him and leaves. Frank sighs, then returns to the dining-room. Alison and Kathleen are
still eating dinner.
Alison:
She gone?
Frank nods. Alison tries not to look too obviously
pleased.
Charlotte and Vincent are cuddled up on the couch
together.
Vincent:
Were having a baby!
He strokes Charlottes stomach. Charlotte smiles.
Vincent: Im going to be a dad!
Charlotte:
Youre not freaking out on me are you?
Vincent: No
way! Its just amazing. There is going to be a new person in the world who is a
part of both of us! I cant wait to tell everyone.
Charlotte:
(hesitant) Uh Id like to hold off on that for a while, its just after last
time
Vincent:
(nodding) Of course, of course I understand. Itll be our little secret until
your ready.
Vincent strokes her cheek and they kiss.
Cate and Jack are leaving the Cougars.
Cate: Ive had a good night Jack!
Jack: Me too!
Cate: We are so going to
regret it tomorrow though!
Jack: Oh yeah!
I can hear Franks voice echoing in my head already!
Cate: (laughing) Another bloody late night was Jacky boy?
Jack: You look
like bloody crap Quade! Pull yourself together and
stop scaring the punters!
They both burst into laughter.
Cate: Seeing as were already going to be wrecked tomorrow, do you want
to come back to my place for a few beers?
Jack: How can
I say no to such a classy invitation?
Cate: Oi!
They both head off still laughing.
i know what i said was heat of the
moment.
but
theres a little truth in between the words we spoke,
and its a little late now to fix a heart thats broken.
please dont ask me where im going,
cause i dont know,
no i dont know anymore.
it used to feel like May.
i used to hear those violins playing heartstrings like a
symphony,
but now theyre gone away.
nobody wants to face the truth,
but you wont believe what love can do til it happens to you.
til it happens to you.
Jess is sitting in the dark at the kitchen table. She
has tears streaming down her face.
went to the old flat i guess i was trying to turn the
clock back,
but how come that nothing feels the same now when im with you?
we
used to stay up all night in the kitchen when our love was new.
ooo love, am i a fool to believe in you?
cause i
dont know,
no i dont know, anymore.
it used to feel like heaven,
it used to feel like may.
i used to hear those violins playing heartstrings like a symphony,
now theyre gone away.
nobody wants to know the truth until their hearts broken.
dont you dare tell them what you think to do,
til they get over.
you
can only learn these things from experience,
when you get older.
i just wish that someone wouldve told me.
Dan is busy in the ED. He returns to the staffbase with a patient chart. He looks up and sees Jess
standing just inside the door watching him.
Jess and Dan stare at each other. Von comes to the staffbase.
Von: You
can take your break now if you want.
Dan looks reluctant.
Von:
(gently) Go on.
Dan nods. He makes his way to the staffroom
and Jess follows.
Dan:
Youre out late.
Jess: We need
to talk.
Dan: Cant it
wait?
Jess: No it
cant. Dan I
Dan: Youre
getting back with Stuart!
Jess: (shaking
her head) No. Im not. Stuart is not the one I love.
Dan looks surprised.
Jess: I
know what I did to you wasnt very fair
Dan: Fair? You
basically asked me to hang around while you made your mind up about another
guy!
Jess: Im
sorry, but if youll let me explain
Dan: Whats to
explain? Our relationship obviously meant very little to you. I guess I was
just a stand-in until you got a better offer!
Jess: No! Dan
you are my best friend and what we have means the world to me!
Dan: Dont you
mean had?
Jess: I hope
not. Dan, Ive realised youre the one I really love.
Youre the one I want to be with.
Dan:
(sarcastically) Lucky me!
Jess: You have
every right to tell me to get lost, butplease at least give it some thought.
What I didI was stupid. I saw our relationship changing, it wasnt just us
fooling around and having fun anymore, things were getting serious andand I
guess I panicked. I havent had this with anyone else before and I thought this
change meant that we were getting stale, but now I realise
it means the exact opposite! I was comparing what we have to what I had with
Stuart and that was wrong because what we have is so much deeper. Ive never
felt like this about anyone else in my life and I just didnt know what to do.
But Ill understand if you dont feel you can forgive me.
Dan is quiet. Jess looks nervous.
Dan: You
hurt me Jess. Of all the people in my life, you are the one person I thought
would never do that to me.
Jess: Im so
sorry.
Dan: Ive
never felt like this about anyone else either and of course I felt a little
scared too but I didntwhy didnt you just talk to me? Weve always been able
to talk about everything.
Jess: I dont
know.
Dan is quiet again.
Jess: If
you still want me to move out
Dan: Move out?
Dont be daft!
Jess looks surprised.
Dan: I
should probably tell you to get lostbut my heart is over-ruling my head. I
love you Jess.
Jess:
(relieved) Ill never hurt you again!
Dan: You
better not, because I think losing you would finish me.
Jess:
(whispering) I wont.
Jess puts her arms around Dan and he hugs her back.
The following day change-over has just finished in the
ED. Cate and Jack both look the worse for wear.
Dan: You
two look rough! Late night was it?
Cate and Jack look at each other.
Jack: Yeah
kind of.
Cate: How was night
shift?
Dan: Pretty
quiet. Im heading off for a nice big breakfast in a bit!
Erica: Lucky
for some!
Dan: Oi, you got a night off cause of me! Hope you made the
most of it!
Erica:
(smiling) Oh I did!
Jack and Cate step into the
drugs room.
Jack: Emabout last night
Cate: Yeah, wed both
had a few
Jack: So you
just want to leave it at that?
Cate: Do you?
Jack: I dont
know, do you? Im not usually into one night stands.
Cate: Me either. I like
you Jack and I had a really good time last night. I dont mean whenI mean
before that at the barnot that I didnt have a good time after when
Cate stops awkwardly. They both look uncomfortable.
Jack: Do
you think maybe we could go out some time?
Cate: We go out all the
time! Do you mean a date?
Jack nods.
Cate: Yeah, yeah Id like that.
Jack:
(pleased) Good. Great!
Cate: Okay.
They both still look awkward.
Jack:
Right.
Cate: Yep.
They both get back to work smiling almost bashfully at
each other.
Charlotte and Vincent are huddled in a corner
together.
Vincent:
Youve made the appointment?
Charlotte:
Yeah, for two thirty. Hopefully Ill be able to sneak
out of here by then.
Vincent: Okay,
Ill meet you there instead of here.
Charlotte:
Yeah thatd be better.
Vincent looks really excited.
Vincent:
Were having a baby!
Charlotte smiles at how happy he is.
Neither notice Dennis nearby.
Frank is in his office with Von.
Von: So
how did dinner go?
Frank: It was
a disaster!
Von: Why, what
happened? Screaming, hair pulling?
Frank: No, I
suppose I should be grateful for that at least! Eve walked out. Not that I
blame her with bloody Alison being so nice all evening!
Von: (puzzled)
Alison being NICE was a problem?
Frank: It was
the way she was doing it. She was just winding Eve up. Although Im surprised
Eve let it get to her so much. Why does my life always have to be so bloody
complicated?
Von: Have you
ever thought you might be adding to it? Why did you organise
for them to spend an evening together? Wasnt very smart was it?
Frank: WellI
felt sorry for Alison, she needed keeping an eye on.
Von: Did you
need Eve there for that?
Frank is quiet.
Von: They
clearly have a problem and if they dont like each other, they dont like each
other. Their business, not yours!
Frank: But it
is my business!
Von: Why?
Frank:
Because
Von: You
planning anymore get togethers like last night?
Frank: God no!
Von: Then they
dont really have to see that much of each other, do they?
Frank: They
dont have to see each other but I still have to listen to them carping about
each other!
Von: Well,
they should both realise not to put you in that
position. Just be straight with them both.
Frank: I have
been! I didnt expect Alison to change but I thought Eve would make more of an
effort.
Von: Youve demonised Alison and put Eve on a pedestal. Things are not
that black and white Frank, you should know that. Theyre just human. People
dont always behave to type. Stop expecting them to and youll save yourself a
lot of disappointment. Last night was probably difficult for them both.
Frank looks at her grumpily.
Frank:
Well, enough about my love life, what about yours?
Von: I dont
have a love life, thats why Im happy!
Frank: What
happened to Mr Time Waster?
Von: He is
just a friend!
Von begins to walk out of Franks office. Frank
follows.
Frank:
Just a friend eh?
Cate, Jess, Jack and Dan are chatting at the staffbase.
Jess: Are
you sure thats true?
Cate: Yeah, Erica heard
it from Melinda in radiology who apparently heard it from the horses mouth!
Dan: (sceptical) Melinda swears she heard everything from the
horses mouth! She swore that it was Charlotte who told her when she and
Vincent got back together, and I know for a fact it wasnt because I was the
one who told her!
Jess: Yeah,
she does tend to exaggerate.
Jack shakes his head.
Jack: If
only everything in this hospital worked as smoothly as the grapevine!
Cate: We are just taking
an interest in our colleagues!
Jack rolls his eyes. Dennis appears out of nowhere.
Dennis: Great news about Hughes and Dr.
Beaumont isnt it?
Dan: What
news?
Dennis: Theyre having a baby.
Jess: What?
Dennis: You mean you didnt know?
At that moment Charlotte and Vincent come around the
corner.
Dan: Are
you two having a baby?
Charlotte and Vincent look shocked.
Charlotte:
How did you find out?
Dennis: Oh Im sorry, was it supposed to be a
secret?
Charlotte:
(sarcastically) Thanks Dennis!
Dennis slips away quickly. Charlotte looks apologetically at Jack.
Jess: So its true? Congratulations!
Jess hugs them both. The others congratulate them as
well.
Jack: Im
really happy for you. Youll make wonderful parents.
Charlotte:
Thank you.
Von and Frank arrive.
Frank:
Whats all this? Why arent you lot doing any bloody work?
Jess:
Charlotte and Vincent have some wonderful news!
Frank: Oh?
Charlotte:
Were having a baby!
Frank: What
about the training programme?
Charlotte:
Ah! We might need to discuss that!
Frank looks at her seriously and shakes his head.
Frank: Of
all the bloody timing
Charlotte looks worried. Franks face
cracks into a smile.
Frank: Oh well! Congratulations! Both of you!
He hugs Charlotte and shakes Vincents hand.
Von congratulates them as well. Frank: Well, seeing as you are all here, I have some more
news. I want you all to meet your new NUM!
They all look around expecting to see someone new.
Frank turns to Jess.
Frank:
Jessica! Admin are going to offer you the post permanently!
Jess:
(shocked) Really? But I was sure after my row with Dr.
Newell
Frank:
(dismissively) Oh Alison barks a lot but fortunately she has a short memory!
Ten minutes after that she was probably yelling at someone else who knocked you
off the top of her hit list! Anyway, you were the best candidate by far.
Jess looks delighted.
Jack: How
about a drink tonight at Cougars to celebrate all the good news?
He adds to Charlotte.
Jack: Itll be orange juice for you off course!
Charlotte:
Of course!
Dan: And whats
this I hear? All the drinks are on the father-to-be?
Vincent laughs.
Vincent:
Actually I think I heard they were going to be on the NUMs
boyfriend! I have a family to support now you know!
Then Erica arrives wheeling an elderly patient.
Erica: Is
there an orderly to bring Mr. Baxter out to his taxi?
Von: Ill do it, Im on my way out anyway.
Erica: Thanks.
Von takes control of the wheelchair.
Von:
Hello, Von Ryan, nurse and love guru at your service!
The others all laugh.
Frank:
Goldman, why are you still bloody here?
Dan: I just
cant get enough!
Frank: Well if
thats the case
Dan:
(hurriedly) Actually, you know what? Ive suddenly
just reached my fill! Im off, see you guys later!
Dan rushes out before Frank can give him a job to do.
Vincent:
Will you join us tonight at Cougars, Frank?
Frank: I
cant, tonight I am having dinner with the love of my life!
Everyone looks at him in surprise.
Frank: My
beautiful daughter!
Jess and Charlotte: Aww!
Frank:
(gruffly) Now get back to bloody work!
