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16x01 - REUNION - PART 2

It's important to keep in mind that from now on, this is Kerry Weaver's documentary. In other words, most of the "scenes" and dialogues will be filmed. Imagine that every action is what we see being filmed by the two cameramen and the sound technician, who do not interact with the characters. If you've watchedThe Office, you know what I'm talking about.

SCENE 4 - MIAMI AIRPORT
Kerry is waiting to board her plane. The entire crew already has their tickets in hand. Sitting in one of the chairs, she speaks off-the-cuff to the cameras, gathering archival material to make the most of the final edit of the documentary.

Weaver:Alright, we're in Miami, and it's late afternoon here in Florida. In a little while, we'll be heading to the other side of the country, to Seattle. There, I should meet two colleagues from my County days. One of them is Carol Hathaway, a nurse. We worked together for... five years. I should also meet her husband, Doug Ross. A pediatrician. We worked together for about four years, and... to be honest, I'm a bit apprehensive about this meeting.

Kerry takes a deep breath and smiles awkwardly.

Weaver:I don't know if I'll be welcomed. The fact is, I'm planning to set a day for all my former colleagues to have a reunion and interviews at the ER in Chicago. And I'm doing this in order of difficulty: I'm visiting those most likely to refuse this reunion first. And if I know Doug Ross... he's the one I should visit first.

SCENE 5 - WEAVER'S CAR, SEATTLE

Now in the far northwest of the United States, Weaver drives a rental car to the University of Washington Medical Center. In the passenger seat is a cameraman. Right behind him is another, and next to her is the sound technician. Weaver continues her briefing.

Weaver:In early '99, over ten years ago, Doug Ross and I reached the limit of our patience with each other. –looks at the camera beside her– I need to admit right away that I wasn't exactly a saint during my hospital days. But he wasn't exactly a good guy either. –looks back at the road– So, we still have some unfinished business. Not with Carol. I think everything's fine with her... But I don't see a bed of roses between me and Dr. Ross. –smiles, again awkwardly– This will be my first interview for the documentary and should be important for one thing. Since I'm doing these visits in secret, Doug will be my reference. If he shows any resistance, maybe I'll rethink my method. But if he accepts me without issues... I'll continue with the surprise visits.

SCENE 6 - ENTRANCE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON MEDICAL CENTER, SEATTLE

Kerry is showing her credentials to the hospital security. After some time, she returns to speak with the recording crew.
Weaver:As I suspected, they didn't allow cameras inside... Here's what we'll do: stay outside in the car, and I'll try to arrange an interview with Carol and Doug for tonight.

SCENE 7 - ER OF THE MEDICAL CENTER

Kerry is now in the ER of the university hospital. The place is clean, organized, and appears to have half the beds of the Chicago ER. She approaches the receptionist.
Weaver:Good afternoon, my name is Kerry Weaver, and I work for a television station. Could...
Receptionist:Sign in and wait for the doctor.
Weaver:Oh my. –smiling– ER receptionists are always the same.
Receptionist:What did you say?
Weaver:Never mind. I'm looking for two people. Nurse Carol Hathaway and Dr. Doug Ross. Are they on duty today?
Receptionist:Yes... Yes, they are. Dr. Ross is busy with a trauma and might take a while. But Mrs. Hathaway is in the administration office and is about to leave. If you go up now, you might catch her.
Weaver:Administration? Okay, which floor?

SCENE 8 - 6TH FLOOR OF THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

The elevator doors open, and Kerry steps out. Right in front of her is a mural with the locations of various rooms. After checking, she heads down the hallway to the right and comes face-to-face with a door. The plaque on it makes her smile with satisfaction: "Director of Nursing - Carol Hathaway." She knocks three times on the door.
Carol:Come in.
Kerry opens the door.
Weaver:Can the director see me?
Carol:Kerry! –opening her eyes wide and standing up from her chair

The two colleagues exchange a warm smile. There's no doubt Kerry is being welcomed, and Carol is happy with the surprise visit. They hug tightly:
Carol:Wha... what are you doing here?
Weaver:It's a surprise visit.
The two stop hugging and look at each other tenderly, both wearing very similar outfits.
Carol:Look at you... You haven't changed a bit.
Weaver:Thank you. You, on the other hand, look even more beautiful. And with a new position...
Carol:Yeah... Wow! Ehr... Sit down, sit down. Do you want something to drink?
Weaver:No, thank you.

As she heads to a chair in front of Hathaway's desk, the nurse finally notices that Weaver no longer limps. She asks ironically.
Carol:Kerry, did someone steal your crutch?
Weaver:No... –laughing– I... had hip surgery. I don't need a crutch anymore.
Carol:That's great! –sitting down– Good for you! Wow... It's been so long.
Weaver:Exactly.
Carol:And... what brings you here? –still smiling
Weaver:To make up for lost time. To have a little reunion.
Carol:What do you mean?
Weaver:Well, I... left County a few years ago and changed careers. –hands over a card– I'm a reporter for a channel in Miami.
Carol:No way. –taking and reading the card– That's great, Kerry. Doug told me a while ago that you had left, but I didn't know about the TV job. That's so cool.
Weaver:Doug knows I left County?
Carol:Two County employees passed by here months ago... But I thought he was joking. I can't imagine you leaving County.
Weaver:Yeah. People change. –leaning toward Carol and clasping her hands– That's more or less why I'm here. They asked me to do a story about my former colleagues from Chicago. So, I'm setting a day for filming and interviews at the ER.
Carol:Ehr... What? –smiling– Go to Chicago? –somewhat incredulous
Weaver:It'll be interesting. And you're my first stop.
Carol:I... don't even know what to say, Kerry.
Weaver:Say "yes."
Carol:Of course, –smiling– easy to say, but...
Weaver:It's pretty simple. We'll do a short interview with you today, about how you've been since leaving the hospital, and then we'll have a little reunion at County.
Carol:And by "you," you mean "me and Doug," right?
Weaver:Right...

The two look at each other, smiling simply, with only the right side of their mouths moving.
Weaver:I stopped by the ER, and they said he was in a trauma. So, I came here.
Carol:Yes, that's right. We were supposed to leave 15 minutes ago, but a patient came in, so I got some paperwork done while waiting for Doug.
Weaver:Well, what are you doing tonight? Can we do the pre-interview at your place today?
Carol:Ehr... What? –awkwardly– Now? Today?
Weaver:Yes. My recording crew can't come into the hospital, but...
Carol:I don't know, Kerry. We don't have plans, but I'll have to check with Doug first.
Weaver:Of course...

The two look at each other, now a bit awkwardly. After a few seconds of silence, Weaver decides to break the ice.
Weaver:How are the twins?
Carol:Great! –smiling and showing a photo of the two– They'll be 10 in November.
Weaver:Wow, they're already that old? –looking at the photos– They're beautiful, Carol...
Carol:And you?
Weaver:What about me?
Carol:Did you... have kids?
Weaver:Oh, of course! –pulling a photo from her bag– Henry. Five and a half years old.
As Weaver proudly shows the photo of her son, Doug enters the room.
Doug:Carol, I'm sorry. It took longer than I expected. I had to put on a scr...
And he sees Kerry.

Carol takes the photo from Weaver, who leans back in her chair almost in slow motion. While Hathaway smiles at the situation, Doug puts both hands in his pockets, lowers his head, raises his right cheek, and chuckles with a smile.
Doug:Visitor's day...
Kerry decides to stand up, faces Ross, and offers her hand for him to shake.
Weaver:Hello, Doug.
Doug:Kerry... –he doesn't hesitate to shake her hand– It's a... surprise to see you here.
Weaver:I'd say it's great to see you.
Ross lowers his head a bit more, raises his cheek, and chuckles while using the hand that shook Kerry's to scratch the back of his neck as he moves toward Carol.

Before an awkward silence sets in, Hathaway decides to speak.
Carol:Weaver... came to make us an offer.
Doug:Really?
Weaver:Yes. I now work for a TV station in Miami. As a reporter. And I'm doing a documentary about my time at County.
Doug:Oh, a documentary about you? –smiling
Weaver:No, no. –awkwardly– To explain better, it's about my colleagues from County.
Doug:Well, if it's about your colleagues, I think I can sit this one out.
Carol:Doug... –disapproving
Weaver:No, it's okay, Carol. I... It's fine. Doug, I plan to gather as many people as possible and take them to County for filming this weekend. And that includes you.
Doug:Travel to County this weekend? –rubbing his chin with his left hand– Not gonna happen. I'm gonna get sick.

Ross and Weaver smile.
Weaver:And will you get sick tonight?
Doug:Depends.
The two smile again.

Weaver:I've already talked to Carol. I have a recording crew here with me, and I'd like to film at least half an hour with you before the main filming in Chicago.
Doug:I don't know if...
Carol:Can it be now, Weaver? –writing on a piece of paper– Here's our address. –hands over the paper with the address and the photo of Henry– We're already heading home, and a short interview won't hurt anyone.
Weaver:Thank you, Carol. Do you agree, Doug?
Ross nods and chuckles awkwardly.
Weaver:Great. See you in... an hour. I'll have dinner with the production team, and you'll have time to shower. –Carol was about to speak, but Weaver interrupts– And it's completely out of the question that we have dinner at your place, Carol. Doug would eat you alive just for making the offer. Still, thank you. –heads toward the door– See you later.

Weaver closes the door.
Hathaway smiles at Ross. He lowers his head again, raises his cheek, and seems confused about something.
Doug:Did someone steal her crutch?

SCENE 9 - THE ROSS HOUSE

Everyone is in the couple's living room in Seattle. It's a large place: the two have done very well for themselves. One of the cameramen films Kerry, who is sitting on a single-seat sofa facing Doug and Carol, seated on a three-seat sofa and being filmed by the other cameraman. The sound technician stands halfway between them.

Weaver is at ease, as is Hathaway, who took a shower, let her hair down, and put on a more casual outfit than the suit she wore at work. Ross, on the other hand, doesn't seem to have showered, as he's still wearing the same blue scrubs he had on when he entered Carol's office. The sound technician gives the green light for recording.

Weaver:We're here with Doug Ross and Carol Hathaway. Respectively, a doctor and a nurse I had the pleasure of working with for much of the '90s. Doug, Carol... 10 years. It's great to see you again.
Ross never loses his charm and poise. But he was preparing a rude response.
Doug:I wish I could say the sam... –and gets a discreet elbow from Carol.
Carol:It's also a pleasure, Kerry. I... We didn't expect your visit.
Weaver:In preparing for this interview, I already mentioned that I left medicine. And that was less than three years ago. You two left almost a decade ago. What happened in that time?
Doug:We got married in July 2001. But you already know that because we invited a lot of people from County, but not you.
Weaver also tries not to lose her composure.

Carol:It was the last time we saw some colleagues! –staring at Doug with wide eyes– We invited some nurses, but not all of them came. We also invited Mark, Elizabeth, who came. Carter too, but he wasn't available at the time...
Weaver:Yeah... That year he was unavailable.
(The wedding took place between seasons 6 and 7, when Carter was in rehab.)

Weaver:Did you know he's still at County?
Carol:Really?
Weaver:Yes, but... We should talk about that later, but he left and came back to County. He spent some time in Africa and returned for a kidney transplant.
Doug:Carter had a kidney transplant? –showing interest for the first time
Carol:Was it because of the stabbing? Is he okay?
Weaver:Yes, yes. That was in... I think March. Right before the inauguration of his Center.
Hathaway and Ross exchange puzzled looks.
Carol:Carter had a kidney transplant in March?
Weaver:Yes... Why?
Doug:Do you have a surgeon... –snapping his fingers, trying to remember– who's Indian?
Weaver:I think it's Neela. But why?
Carol:Oh my God, Doug...
The couple looks at each other, smiling.

Weaver:What happened?
Doug:I think we were part of that transplant.
Carol:Yes. One of our patients had brain death, and... a kidney was sent last-minute to Chicago.
Doug:If I remember correctly, they said it went to a doctor.
Carol:I'm sure it didn't go to County, but...
Weaver:Wow, that's amazing!

Doug smiles with good intention for the first time during the interview.

Weaver:Carter is at County. It would be incredible if he knew about this!
Doug:Well... –running his hand through his hair
Carol:It's kind of last minute, Kerry. We even got some invitations to go to Chicago. From Carter himself, for the opening of his medical center...
Weaver:Exactly. The Carter Center. Why didn't you go?
Doug:Well...
Weaver:Oh! You know who was there? Of course, Susan, Benton, Elizabeth...
Hathaway and Ross smile each time a name is mentioned...
Weaver:But who was also there was Rachel, Mark's daughter. –the couple follows Kerry's account more attentively– She was living with Corday in North Carolina and came back a few months ago to study medicine in Chicago.
Doug:Rachel Greene is studying medicine?
Weaver:Yes. –smiling– She's huge... grown up... 22 years old. The future Dr. Greene.
Carol:That's... amazing.

A nostalgic glow fills the eyes of all three.

Weaver:Why didn't you go back to Chicago?
Carol:Well, when Carter invited us, we couldn't go because...
Weaver:No, I'm talking about before.
Carol:What?
Weaver:For Mark.
Doug and Carol decide not to answer.
Weaver:Why didn't you go... say goodbye?
Doug:Kerry, if the questions are going to be like this...
Weaver:Doug, people change.

After being interrupted, Ross decides to listen to her.
Weaver:A lot has happened between us, but that's in the past. The past... People change. And after so long, it would be interesting to know about you, it would be good to share all of this with our people in Chicago.

The couple looks at Weaver. Especially Doug, who seems lost in his thoughts...

SCENE 10 - DOUG ROSS FLASHBACK

Car with Ross and Hathaway
Doug is driving the car. Carol is in the passenger seat. Both are silent. In the background, the Sears Tower in Chicago can be seen on the horizon.

Mark and Elizabeth's house
They knock on Greene's door, but no one answers.

County ER
Carol and Doug discreetly enter the reception area. They are seen by Jerry.
Jerry:No way!
Carol:Hello, Jerry.
Jerry:It's so good to see you.
The receptionist hugs Carol and shakes Doug's hand firmly.
Doug:Where's Mark?
He takes a while to respond.
Jerry:He... He's not working anymore. You didn't know that...
Doug:Yes, yes. We know. He told us a few days ago.
Jerry:Dr. Greene traveled with his daughter. They're in Hawaii.
Both seem disappointed...
Carol:Ehr... We heard Susan is back. Can we talk to her?
Jerry:I'm sorry, but she just left for New York. Dr. Carter is in the lounge. And Weaver is in the trauma room...
Doug:Forget it. It's better if they don't know we're here. And Elizabeth? Is she here?
Jerry:Yes. She's upstairs in surgery.
Doug:Great. Jerry, we're leaving now. – shakes her hand – No need... to say you saw us.
Jerry:Ehr... okay.

Walking through the halls, Doug and Carol (more him than her) seem to want to avoid familiar faces. While waiting for the elevator to come down, they see the end of a conversation between Pratt and Gallant. As Greg goes up the stairs, Michael storms off to the lounge to talk to Carter about an unsupervised thoracotomy.

County OR
In the surgical center hallways, Elizabeth talks to Romano.
Corday:I need a break.
Romano:And I need a month in France with two Vietnamese twins. But that's not happening.
Corday:Mark got worse.
Romano:I thought he was in Tahiti.
Corday:In Hawaii. He got worse. I don't think he can fly back.
Romano:Then you have to go.
Corday:I don't know for how long...
Romano:We'll manage without you.
Corday:Thank you...
Romano:Can I do something?
Lizzie takes a deep breath before answering...
Corday:Pray.
Romano:Not my strong suit, but in this case, I'll make an exception.

The two go their separate ways. As Lizzie heads toward the elevator, she sees Carol and Doug coming out of it.

Weaver:Doug?

SCENE 11 - THE ROSS HOUSE

Weaver:Doug?
Kerry calls Ross's attention, who was lost in thought.
Doug:Sorry...
Weaver:Ehr... As I was saying, none of us have seen each other in years. A lot has happened. And it needs to be shared... It'll be good to see Benton, Elizabeth... Carter will love hearing about the kidney. It'll be special, we promise.
Doug:I don't know...
Weaver:Earlier, I was talking to Carol... And she showed me pictures of the girls. They're beautiful. And I showed her a picture of my son and...
Doug:You have a son?
Weaver:Yes –proudly.
Doug:Carol didn't tell me.
Ross and Hathaway exchange glances.
Carol:We didn't have time. –smiling– I was trying to calm my husband down.
Doug:You... got married?
Weaver:Unfortunately, no... She died a few months later...
Doug:"She"?
Weaver:There's a lot you missed.

Kerry smiles very warmly at both Doug and Carol.
Weaver:A lot has happened since I delivered Tess. Did Carol tell you that?
Doug:Yes... – squeezing his wife's hand– She also said how much you helped her after that.
Carol:Yeah...
Weaver:One thing I promise you. –both look at her curiously– You won't have to talk to Robert Romano.

A few seconds of silence fill the room... until Doug and Kerry burst out laughing. Carol, embarrassed, tries not to laugh.
Doug:We saw it on TV! My God, what was that?
Weaver:Right on top of him!
The two laugh even harder.
Carol:You're both going to hell. –smiling
Doug:I have a question... He had an amputation before, right?
Weaver:Yes.
Doug:Because of a helicopter blade...
Weaver:That's right. A real tragedy.
Doug:Tell me something. The helicopter that fell on him... was it the same one?
Doug and Weaver look at each other for a moment and then almost cry from laughing. Even Carol smiles a little.
Weaver:– looking at one of the cameras –We'll have to cut that out in the final edit of the documentary.

Doug lowers his head and then raises it timidly, looking Kerry in the eyes.
Doug:When's the filming in Chicago again?
Weaver smiles back.

SCENE 12 - SEATTLE AIRPORT

Kerry spent the night at the hotel and the next day is at the airport counter looking for tickets to Iowa, but without finding a direct flight, she's getting increasingly frustrated:
Weaver:But Iowa should be direct!
Attendant:I'm sorry. We don't have direct flights there. Only connections.
Weaver:Yes, but... I'd have to stop in California, Texas, New York, Georgia, Mexico, and only then Iowa!
Attendant:That's what I just told you...
Weaver:This is ridiculous! Why on earth would I have to travel across the United States and even land in Mexico just to visit an American state?! If I took a bus, I'd get there faster!
Attendant:Then take the bus.
Kerry doesn't like that and yells even more at the attendant, pointing her finger at the counter:
Weaver:Son of a... I want to speak to your supervisor!

Only then does the former County doctor realize she's being filmed by her production crew. She glances at the camera, feels embarrassed by her outburst, and pretends to be calmer on camera.
Weaver:Okay... I'm sorry for the trouble...
Attendant:It's nothing.
The attendant seems unfazed, showing no emotion. This irritates Kerry, but in front of the cameras, she tries to stay calm.
Weaver:Ehr... –looking at a notebook– When's the next flight to Louisiana?

The attendant starts checking the computer, and Weaver turns to the camera:
Weaver:Apparently, there are no direct flights to Iowa, so we'll have to leave Susan Lewis for later...
Attendant:In five hours.
Weaver:Five hours?
Attendant:... Five hours...
Weaver:Ehr... –glaring angrily at the man– Please check for flights to Duke in North Carolina and Boston, Massachusetts.

The attendant checks the computer again, and Weaver turns back to the camera:
Weaver:I'd get to Iowa in less than five hours. Neela and Ray will have to wait. The next options are Boston, where Luka Kovac and Abby Lockhart live now, or...
She's interrupted by the attendant:
Attendant:Boston leaves in three hours, and Duke's boarding ends in 30 minutes.
Weaver:Alright, Elizabeth Corday it is. It's on the other side of the country, but... four tickets, please.

After buying the tickets and checking the luggage, the production team hurries to catch the flight. Weaver grumbles angrily almost the entire way because of the attendant. And maybe because she can't vent in front of the cameras...

SCENE 13 - DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

The crew takes their positions in the rental car again. Everyone has spent the night at the hotel, and it's morning the next day. Kerry heads to Duke University.
Weaver:We're in North Carolina, entering the campus of Duke University, where Elizabeth Corday is. She was supposed to be one of my last stops, but the closest flight we could get was this one, because of that jerk who deserved to be... –Kerry raised her voice and realized it... Then she takes a deep breath and refocuses on the camera– I... I saw Elizabeth a few months ago at the Carter Center opening, so this visit doesn't have much surprise value...
Suddenly, the car jolts violently. Something hits the hood hard and cracks the windshield.
Weaver:Oh my God!
Kerry slams on the brakes. She's hit someone.