Diagnosis Murder: Script, "The Greatest Fear"

By Olivia Sutton

Part 3: Act II

A note on formatting. I wrote this script style with standard telecript formatting and camera directions. A list of abreviations is to be found in section one. Since I can't get this thing to save italics, all camera direction is enclosed in parenthesis. As always, asterisks (*) denote emphasis or stress.

ACT II

SCENE 1

(Int. Community General Hospital, cafeteria. Mark, Amanda, and Jesse sit at a small table. Various extras, in hospital uniforms, background.)

MARK

I know he's hurting over this-- but he won't talk to me. He's completely shut himself off.

JESSE

After you told me what happened, I tried calling Steve last night. He wouldn't answer, I just got his machine.

MARK

I'm worried about him, Jesse. I hate to see Steve going through something like this alone.

Dr. AMANDA BENTLEY

Did Steve say anything about why he won't discuss what happened with either of you?

JESSE

He won't even talk to me.

MARK

No. He told me right after it happened that he was fine, he'd deal with it, and I wouldn't understand.

AMANDA

That doesn't sound like Steve. (looking introspective) Well, maybe ... (she stops as STEVE SLOAN walks up to the table)

STEVE

Oh, Don't stop on my account.

MARK

We're all worried about you, Steve. What you're going through must be ... (he sighs) Let us help. (beat) Let *me* help.

STEVE

No, Dad. You've done enough, already, telling everybody.

(He turns sharply on his heel and leaves. Jesse gets up and starts to go after him)

JESSE

(over his shoulder as he follows Steve) I'll talk to him, Mark. (to Steve's retreating back) Steve!

(Jesse runs off after Steve, through a swinging door)

SCENE 2

(Int. Community General, hallway, Steve's stopped running and Jesse catches up with him)

JESSE

Steve, wait. We have to talk!

STEVE

There's nothing to talk about.

JESSE

Yes, there is. What is going on with you? Your Dad only wants to help.

STEVE

(bitterly) He's got a funny way of showing it. (normal tone, though still angry) Besides, he can't. He won't understand.

JESSE

Maybe you should give him a chance. Maybe you should give *me* a chance. Please. Mark just gave me the bare bones. What happened? Look, I'm your friend. Or at least I thought I was.

STEVE

(Looks at Jesse, who's looking at him, earnestly)

Okay, Jesse. Listen, my Dad's a doctor, you're a doctor, Amanda's a doctor--all of you. And I'm a cop.

(Jesse nods)

STEVE (continues)

All of you save lives. I took one.

JESSE

We've all lost patients...

STEVE

(angrily)

That is *not* the same thing, and you know it, Jesse. This is different. I killed someone.

JESSE

(ignoring Steve's angered tone, he responds gently)

It wasn't your fault. You're right, you *are* a cop. You fired because you had to. Steve, you've killed people before...

STEVE

(Calmly, his anger gone)

I know. I don't enjoy that part of the job, but I deal with it. I deal with it okay. No. I ...(beat) This is different, Jess. This wasn't some criminal I had to take down. I killed that boy, an innocent sixteen-year-old boy.

JESSE

It was an accident, Steve.

STEVE

Yeah, but it's still my fault. I need to deal with it.

JESSE

Talk to Mark, Steve. He can help. And I think he'll be more understanding than you think.

STEVE

No.

JESSE

But Steve ... then Steve, talk to me. Day or night, any time. Let me know what you're really thinking. It will help.

STEVE

(half-heartedly) Yeah, sure.

JESSE

I mean it. Steve, I . . . Okay, I don't know exactly what you're going through. But I can listen and give you support. Please, for god's sake. Let me help.

(Steve looks at him, pauses as if to say something, then turns and walks away.

L.S., Steve's retreating back, as he exits down the hallway.

Camera movement, turning to C.U. on Jesse's face watching Steve leave. *Cut*)

SCENE 3

(Ext. Steve walking into LA police HQ, day

Int. Steve walks up to his desk, his partner, Natalie, sits at her desk, waiting for him. Natalie is a short, intelligent, pretty blonde police detective. She's a no-nonsense type, not perky or flighty, but serious and talented. (Think Dana Scully, but a blonde))

Lt. NATALIE BAKER

(rising from her chair) Steve, Where have you been?

STEVE

At the hospital.

NATALIE

Did you talk to your Dad?

STEVE

I saw him, yeah. But I didn't *talk* to him. I can't. Not about yesterday, he wouldn't understand.

NATALIE

How about Jesse?

STEVE

Not really. Nat, I don't want to talk about yesterday.

NATALIE

Come on, Steve, it will help to talk it out. I'm a cop, too, you know.

STEVE

Yeah, you are . . . but . . .

NATALIE

Steve . . .

STEVE

Not today, okay?

NATALIE

(hurt) Sure. Fine, Steve. (softening, she adds gently) Just remember, I'm here. Okay?

STEVE

I'll keep that in mind.

SCENE 4

Int. Community General hospital, pathology lab. Dr. Mark Sloan and Dr. Amanda Bentley are going over reports at her desk. Amanda sits behind the desk, and Mark stands next to her.

AMANDA

Earth to Mark? Earth to Mark?

MARK

What? Oh, I'm sorry, Amanda. It's just that I'm so worried about Steve, it's hard to concentrate.

AMANDA

I know, Mark. If there's anything I can do?

MARK

No. You know, Steve's always wanted to be a police officer? Ever since he was a little boy, he wanted to be just like his grandfather. And when he graduated from the academy I was so proud of him. Then, when he became a detective, I thought, somehow I thought he'd be safer. Safer than a beat cop. (harrumphs) But now ... Amanda, he's just so, distant. He won't talk to me. And that hurts, Amanda.

(She nods, understandingly.)

MARK (continuing)

He hasn't been like this in years. Not since, Kathryn... Not since my wife passed away.

AMANDA

(Moves her hand across the desk to pat his arm.)

Mark, I ... maybe he just needs some time.

MARK

Time?

AMANDA

Sure-- to put the shooting behind him. (Changing the subject) Now, do you still want to go over this autopsy? Or would you rather wait until later?

MARK

Let's go over it, now.

AMANDA

One shot 9mm, clear, to the chest. He died almost instantly. There's nothing Steve could have done.

MARK

And that's tearing him up. And I know it's tearing him up, even if he's not showing any emotions. Why won't he talk to me?

AMANDA

Well, the autopsy just proves there wasn't anything complicated, here, like another shooter. Steve carries a 9mm and I've checked the rifling and they match. But I know Steve, too, Mark, and I'm sure it was an accident--just a horrible accident.

MARK

Oh, I know. But it may be Steve that you need to convince.

(*fade out*)