Chapter 4: Chapter 4
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16x01 - REUNION - PART 4

SCENE 23 - RENTAL CAR, BOSTON

It's early evening in Boston, the capital of Massachusetts. With an extra passenger, the car model had to be changed. Kerry is now driving through the streets of a beautiful residential neighborhood in a SUV, with Susan, wearing sunglasses, in the passenger seat. The cameramen are behind them, with the sound technician in the middle, and they're recording... Even though Lewis is talking more than she should.
Susan:Ugh, hangover...
Weaver:Susan, how many times do I have to tell you we're being recorded?
Susan:Who cares? – turns to face the cameras – I crashed the car while drunk. Who cares? – turns back – The thing is, I've got a killer hangover...
Weaver:Great. More material to cut in editing.
Susan:If you'd let me drink a little more on the plane...
Weaver:Wasn't one glass of whisky enough?
Susan:No. Now I've got a hangover.
Weaver:That's what you get for messing around in the classroom...
Car GPS:Turn right.
Susan:How does this thing know where we're going?
Weaver:I... I programmed it.
Susan:Wow... Isn't technology amazing?
Weaver:Susan, have I told you it's a great pleasure to see you again?
Susan:No, Kerry. – getting happier – I say the same.
Kerry smiles, shaking her head, not believing the surreal situation she's in.

SCENE 24 - KOVACS HOUSE

The SUV stops in front of the Kovac house. It's simple but huge. A small white fence marks the boundary between the garden and the street, as well as the neighboring houses. There's a stone path leading to the entrance of the house, passing through the well-kept green lawn. The only sign of mess is the children's toys scattered everywhere.
Weaver:They seem to be doing well, huh?
Susan:Good for them...

The two step over Joe's toys with every step. The recording crew stayed in the car...

Weaver rings the doorbell. From inside, someone can be heard saying to wait. It doesn't take long for Abby to open the door...
Weaver:Good evening.
Lockhart's expression changes quickly. She opens her mouth, her eyes widen, and she lets out a contained squeal of joy.
Abby:Oh my God, what are you doing here?
The three hug tightly, while Abby invites them in.
Weaver:We were passing by and decided to pay a visit.
Abby:Yeah, right. – smiling – Ignore the mess. Make yourselves at home.

The inside of the house seems modest... but cozy. And if there were a lot of toys scattered outside, they dominate even more in the living room. Abby, wearing a green apron from Massachusetts General Hospital, picks up some toys from the floor while directing Susan and Weaver to the couch.
Weaver:Well, actually, I'm making a documentary.
Lockhart goes to the kitchen to throw the toys there... and since they're far apart, they kind of shout to each other:
Abby:Do you want something to drink?
Weaver:No, thank...
Susan:YES!
Weaver:No, thank you!
Kerry glares at Susan like a mother scolding her daughter. Lewis doesn't like it and pouts.

Abby:Ehr... A documentary? – still from the kitchen
Weaver:Yes! I'm gathering some colleagues and – Abby returns from the kitchen, so Kerry speaks in a lower tone – and... I'm gathering some colleagues from my time to do the filming.
Abby:Mm... Okay. – sitting on the couch next to Weaver – When's the filming?
Weaver:Now.
Abby:Now? – smiling in surprise – I don't know if I can. I have a meeting with the hospital board in... – looking at her watch – two hours. I just got home from work almost an hour ago – showing her ER uniform – but I haven't even had time to shower. Actually, I'm going with Luka, who's on a double shift today. I'm just waiting for him to finish his shower...

Lewis turns her head sneakily, lowers her sunglasses with her middle and index fingers, and staring at the upstairs, she says seductively:
Susan:The croatian is taking a shower?
Kerry slaps Susan on the back of the head:

Weaver:What's the meeting about?
Abby:Ehr... – trying to ignore the slap Kerry gave Susan and Susan's comical reaction, holding her head as if she has a headache – Yes. And it's for a good reason. – speaking proudly – I'm about to be promoted to Chief of Emergency Medicine.
Weaver:That's great. – very happy – Good to know.
Abby:Thank you.
Weaver:Ehr... Well, I'm sorry for showing up like this. I was trying to use the surprise factor...
Abby:It's okay. But if you want to schedule for another day, we're free.
Weaver:Good point. How about this weekend in Chicago?
Abby:What?

Before Weaver could answer, Luka comes down the stairs, already dressed for work. He's surprised to see the colleagues.
Kovac:Kerry? Susan? – smiling
Susan:Hi... – too lazy to get up
Weaver:Hello, big guy.
Kerry walks over to Luka and hugs him.
Kovac:What are you doing here?
Abby:Ehr... A documentary.
Kovac:What? – smiling

Kovac and Lockhart sit side by side on the three-seater couch. Weaver returns to her armchair, and Lewis remains slumped in hers, dying of a headache, barely interacting in the conversation.
Abby:Kerry is... doing some filming with former colleagues.
Weaver:Exactly. I have a recording crew outside, but... Abby said you're busy.
Kovac:That's right. – smiling and squeezing his wife's leg – Dr. Lockhart here is about to become Chief of the ER at the hospital.
Weaver:She already told me... congratulations.
Abby:It's nothing...
Kovac:What do you mean, nothing? Kerry, you should see her at work. All the residents prefer to ask her questions, the nurses respect her... and no receptionist gets in her way.
Abby:It helps when you're married to the hospital director.
Kovac:Well...
Weaver:Wait, wait, wait. You're the hospital director? – happy – When did that happen?
Kovac:Three months ago. The former director died in a helicopter accident, and I took over.

Weaver's eyes widen in shock.

Kovac:It's true.
Abby:Like... the helicopter didn't fall on him.
Kovac:He was traveling and... it crashed.
Weaver:Oh, if that's the case...
Kovac:He was a good person. May God have him...
Weaver:Amen.
Kovac:Ehr... Honey? – looking at his watch
Weaver:Oh, I'm sorry.
Abby:No, no. It's just...
Weaver:I completely understand. I just need a confirmation from you: what do you think about going to Chicago this weekend?
Kovac:What?
Weaver:All expenses paid by the network. I plan to do the filming with everyone at County's ER.
Kovac:This weekend? I don't know...
Abby:Luka, it sounds like a good idea.
Weaver:I've already talked to Elizabeth, and she's in. Susan too, although she might need an IV by then.

Lewis has her head resting on her left shoulder, completely slumped in the armchair.
Susan:I heard that.
Weaver:Good! That was my intention!
Susan:No need to shout... Abby, Luka, do you have any drinks to offer me?

Everyone falls silent, staring at Susan.
Abby:Ehr... No.
Susan:What do you mean, no? What kind of house doesn't have a drop of alcohol?

Another moment of silence... Until Lewis realizes, turns her head toward Abby, looks back into space, and without taking off her sunglasses, mutters:
Susan:Sorry...

Lockhart pouts, pointing at Susan, and asks Kerry:
Abby:Is she really okay?
Weaver:She's great! And the filming? What do you say?
Abby:Ehr...
Weaver:I invited Doug and Carol. I think you remember Carol.
Kovac:Carol?
Abby:Mm... Sort of.
Kovac:Carol confirmed she's going? – happy
Abby:Hey, what's with the stupid grin? – ironically
Kovac:Ehr... nothing, geez.
Weaver:Yes. And I think a lot more people will come. And since you missed the Carter Center opening, you have to come to this reunion.
Abby:Oh, I'm sorry about that. Joe broke his arm.
Kovac:Yeah. We even bought the tickets, but... he fell down the stairs and got hurt.
Weaver:I remember. But still, you have to come this time.
Kovac:Alright...
Weaver:Confirmed? – offering her hand to seal the deal
Kovac:Ehr... – timidly shaking her hand – Okay, why not?
Weaver:Great! – shaking Luka's hand
Abby:Maybe I'll show up bragging about being an ER Chief.
Kovac:Show-off. – ironic
Weaver:And you wouldn't brag about being the hospital director?
Kovac:Maybe just a little? – smiling

Everyone stands up, except Susan, who seems to have passed out on the couch, and they start saying their goodbyes.
Abby:Sorry we can't do the filming today...
Weaver:No problem. The important thing is that you're coming. – handing over the card – Be in Chicago on Saturday. Call this number and get authorization for the tickets.
Abby:Great. Now we just have to see if we take Joe or leave him with a babysitter...
Lewis jumps off the couch:
Susan:Oh my God!

Everyone is startled by Susan's unexpected reaction. There she is, wearing sunglasses, mouth agape, hair disheveled, and feet slightly apart, standing as if she's had the biggest scare of her life. The trio of colleagues stares at her until she puts her hands on her head and yells:
Susan:I forgot Cosmo with the babysitter!

Then she runs out, opens the living room door, and takes off.

The three watch in silence as Susan runs like a madwoman. Fifteen seconds pass, with everyone staring at her, until Abby asks:
Abby:What's she doing? Walking to the airport?
Weaver:I think she's planning to walk to Iowa...
Kovac:Ehr... I'll give her a ride to the airport.
Weaver:No, I'll do it... I have to catch a flight anyway...
From far away, Susan's scream can be heard:
Susan:Cosmooo!
Weaver:Thank God we're on different flights.

All three smile. Weaver says her final goodbye and closes the living room door.

The Kovac couple looks at each other, smiling. They liked the invitation. Until Luka snaps back to reality:
Kovac:Shower! – pointing to the bathroom
Abby:I'm going!
Lockhart runs to the stairs but... stops halfway, turns back, and pulls Luka by the arm, dragging him to the bathroom.
Abby:Come with me. – happy
Kovac:But I already showered...
Abby:So what?

The couple goes upstairs, smiling...

And outside, Weaver shouts for Susan while getting into the double cab.

SCENE 25 - NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL, CHICAGO

It's already the next morning, and Weaver is in Chicago at Northwestern Hospital, in the surgery lobby. She stays quiet until she sees a familiar face across the department:
Weaver:Cleo?
Dr. Finch turns her head, still a bit confused...
Cleo:Kerry?
The pediatrician was wheeling a patient on a gurney to the operating room.
Cleo:What a surprise. What are you doing here?
Weaver:I came to see you and Benton...
Cleo:Ehr... – a bit confused
Weaver:I'm making a documentary. I stopped by your house, and they told me you were working.
Cleo:Oh, right. – smiling – What kind of documentary?

Benton enters, coming from one of the rooms and about to start an operation:
Benton:Dr. Weaver...
Weaver:Hello, Benton.
The two hug amicably...
Benton:Corday gave me a heads-up. Said you might stop by.
Finch looks annoyed. Benton notices.
Weaver:That snitch... Did she tell you about the documentary?
Benton:Of course. Is it this Sunday? We're in.
Cleo:What documentary?
Benton:Ehr... Didn't I tell you?
Cleo:No... – very cold – You don't tell me much about your conversations with Elizabeth Corday.

Peter is speechless but glares at her with some anger. Cleo doesn't even blink, and Weaver starts to feel uncomfortable in the middle of the couple's argument...

Weaver:Ehr... It's a documentary I'm doing this weekend.
Cleo:Okay...
Weaver:We're going to County with a recording crew, and we'll talk about medicine from years ago. And my years at County... And the colleagues I met.
Cleo:Didn't you already do that in April? At the Carter Center opening?
Weaver:Ehr...
Cleo:What I remember is not getting an invitation to go out that night. – turning to Benton, still not blinking – Is it because Elizabeth was there?
Benton:Oh, my God... – getting furious
Weaver:Okay... – uncomfortable – The invitation stands. Cleo, Benton, my card...

Kerry hands over the card... and it takes a while for Peter to take it, but without taking his eyes off Cleo, who also stares at him. Weaver takes a few steps back, turns around, and leaves the two alone.
Benton:What was that?
Cleo:What do you mean, what was that? I didn't do anything...
Benton:Did you have to be so rude to a colleague of mine?
Cleo:I wasn't rude! You're the one who's clueless.
Peter chooses not to respond...
Cleo:And you're not going to that filming.
Benton:Like hell I'm not!
The two start having a serious public argument in the hospital hallways:
Cleo:You're not going because you know if you do, you'll get all mushy over Corday!
Benton:She's a friend!
Cleo:She's an ex-girlfriend who's been lonely since she became a widow!

Benton steps closer to Cleo, furious, but all he does is point his finger at her face and clench his jaw... Then he turns on his heel and walks away.
Cleo:Wait! – Benton stops – You still have to take care of this patient.
Peter comes back, and when he's close to Finch, she throws the medical chart at him, which he almost drops.
Cleo:He needs a circumcision.
And Finch walks away.

The 14-year-old boy, lying on the gurney, watched the entire argument and couldn't help but notice the anger on Peter's face. Full of fear, he asks the surgeon:
Patient:Can I... maybe switch doctors?

SCENE 26 - AMBULANCE BAY, COUNTY GENERAL

Kerry is now face-to-face with the hospital where she worked for almost 12 years. And once again, since she needs authorization from the local administration, she asks the recording crew to wait. They go to eat at Jumbo Mart.

An ambulance heads toward the emergency entrance. There, Gates and Sam are preparing to receive a patient:
Gates:That's not true! – smiling
Sam:Yeah, right. As if Sarah isn't into Alex.
Gates:Look, nothing against Alex, he's a great kid and I love him, but... No!
Sam:What do you mean, no?
They help each other put on sterile gowns:
Gates:It would be... weird. They're practically siblings now.
Sam:Not yet.
Gates:Technically! In a few months, I know, but... They're our kids. I don't want that. It's bizarre.
Sam:It is a little weird, huh?
The two look at each other, laughing hard...

The ambulance arrives, and Zadro informs them about the patient after Tony opens the doors:
Zadro:Neal Baer, 55 years old, victim of a stray bullet during a shooting in Halsted, hit in the abdomen.
Sam:Tough luck... Blood loss?
Zadro:Less than a liter. The bullet is lodged, and the patient passed out after 10MS.
Gates:Vitals?
The three are wheeling the patient to the Trauma Room when Sam sees Weaver:
Sam:Dr. Weaver? – surprised
Weaver:Hi, Sam.

Everyone is now accompanied by Kerry, while Zadro reports the vitals:
Zadro:Ehr... 12x7, pulse at 110.
Sam:What are you doing here?
Gates:Dr. Weaver, it's a pleasure to see you again, but... Sam, the patient?
Sam:Right. – starts examining him
Weaver:Can I follow you inside?
Gates:Of course.

SCENE 27 - ER

Everyone passes through triage, which isn't too busy, and the ones with the gurney pick up the pace, leaving Weaver behind:
Sam:Dr. Weaver, we're taking him to the trauma room... We'll catch up later!
Weaver:Sure.
Gates:Call a surgeon and ask for O-negative units...
And the three move away.

Kerry heads toward the reception entrance. It's a calm day. The patient board isn't full, Jerry is facing away from the reception, sucking on a lollipop and reading a magazine, while Brenner crosses the hallway accompanied by a group of residents, who pass Weaver on their way to the gurneys lined up by the reception:
Brenner:And what's the differential for chest pain? Daria.
Daria:Ehr... – flipping through a notebook
Brenner:Too late. Tracy.
Tracy:Angina, myocardial infarction, aortic stenosis...
Brenner:Daria.
Daria:Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – fumbling with the notebook – Gases?
Brenner:Was that a question?
Daria:Ehr...
Julia:And if it's not the heart? It could be a pulmonary embolism or a pneumothorax.
Brenner:Very good, Dr. Wise. Did anyone here bother to look at the X-ray?
Daria:Ehr... – flipping through the notebook
Brenner:Daria, for God's sake, put that notebook down!

Weaver watches the activity and likes what she sees. Especially the new wooden details on some of the ER furniture... She then heads to the counter and stands near Jerry, who's reading a list of the best medical dramas on TV and hasGrey's Anatomyat the top.
Jerry:Who wrote this nonsense?
Kerry decides to startle him by slamming the counter and shouting:
Weaver:Hey!
Jerry:Jesus Christ! – standing up and seeing Kerry – I'm sorry, Dr. Weaver. I promise I don't usually do this, only when it's slow.
Kerry looks at him with some irony... Then it takes a moment for it to sink in. The receptionist smiles:
Jerry:Dr. Weaver!
Weaver:Hi, Jerry.

He hugs her and, smiling, lifts her off the ground.
Weaver:Easy, or you'll break me.
Jerry:Long time no see. – putting her down – So you really came?
Weaver:I said I would.
Jerry:How were the visits?
Weaver:Great. Abby, Luka, Corday... Carol and Doug are coming too.
Jerry:No way! – smiling
Weaver:Well... now I just need authorization to film here. – looking at the patient board – Is Carter here? I need to talk to him. I also need to speak with the ER chief.
Jerry:You don't know Dr. Banfield?
Weaver:No...
Jerry:Oh... – laughing – You're gonna love her.

SCENE 28 - DOCTOR'S LOUNGE

Banfield:No way!
Cate and Kerry are in the doctors' lounge. The current chief is filling a cup with coffee while refusing the former chief's request to use the ER as a filming location.
Banfield:This is a public ER. You can't just stop for filming.
Weaver:Who said it's going to stop? It would even be good to show how busy it is...
Banfield:Negative. I can't authorize this kind of thing in my ER.
Weaver:I used to be the chief here, and...
Banfield:But you're not anymore.

Kerry decides to stare at Cate and take a deep breath... Banfield doesn't know who she's dealing with.
Weaver:See this table you're drinking coffee on? Before, it was where a gurney used to be. The old doctors' lounge was where triage is now. I planned the renovation in 2004.
Banfield:Interesting. It looks much better this way. – ironically
Weaver:Right... Is Donald Anspaugh here?
Banfield:Going to appeal to daddy?

The two are clearly not getting along... And Morris enters the lounge.
Morris:Is it true... Dr. Weaver! You're here! – happy
Weaver:Hi, Dr. Morris.
Archie runs toward Kerry and hugs her tightly.
Weaver:Urgh! Careful, Archie. – smiling
Morris:Sorry... – patting Kerry's arms – So? Is what Jerry said true? Are you making a documentary here?
Banfield:NO...
Weaver:YES.
The two stare at each other, competing. But Weaver spoke louder.

Morris:That's great! I'll... I'll get to say how much I've grown here. Dr. Banfield can confirm: I'm the best Attending in this place! Well, except for Dr. Banfield... And Dr. Carter... And Dr. Brenner... – Archie realizes there's no one left – I'm engaged! Did I tell you?
Weaver:You did. – smiling – I got the messages...
Morris:Yeah... I called your studio like 50 times. But you were never there, and I couldn't get anyone to give me your home number. It's like you were avoiding me... – grabbing his phone – Give me your cell number? That way we can talk whenever... I can also invite you to my wedding! It's in April! You in?!
Weaver:Ehr...
Archie stares at Kerry with that innocent and sincere smile only he can pull off:
Weaver:Ehr... Sure, why not? But... I didn't bring my phone.

Kerry then receives a call. Cate smiles discreetly. Morris looks confused. And Weaver answers the phone...
Weaver:Hello... No, we still don't have authorization.

Kerry hangs up the phone, and Archie leaves the room like a spoiled child. Coincidentally, he bumps into Carter, who was entering the lounge.
Carter:What the... – notices Weaver – Hey!
Weaver:Dr. Carter...
With some joy, Kerry walks over to her colleague and hugs him.
Carter:It's great to see you again. What are you doing here?
John heads to his locker and prepares his things. He's about to start a shift.
Banfield:She thinks she's going to film a documentary here.
Carter:What?
Weaver:I... I AM going to film a documentary here. It's about my time at County. Actually, about the doctors I met here.
Carter:Really? Cool. When's that?
Weaver:This weekend. You in?
Carter:Why not? – turns to Weaver – Who else is coming?
Weaver:Almost everyone. Benton, Susan, Corday... I also talked to Abby, Luka, Carol, and Doug.
Carter:Carol and Doug are coming too? – smiling – Awesome!
Weaver:Oh, John, there's something I really wanted to tell you... but we'll have to wait for the filming.
Banfield:That filming isn't happening. I'm sorry.
Weaver:Here she goes again.

Cate is fed up with Weaver's arrogance. But when she takes two steps to confront her, Carter steps in.

Carter:Easy, easy... Cate, she's going to make this documentary.
Banfield:No way. – speaking like a diva
Carter:Ehr... Months ago, when I said I wanted to stay at County... What did you tell me?
She doesn't answer...
Carter:Didn't you say you were thinking about leaving, and I convinced you to stay... while you kind of gave me the Attending position?
Banfield:Dr. Carter...
Carter:Please. – smiling – Don't take yourself so seriously. You even said you were softening up and about to step down as Chief... Show that you've really softened. It's just one day of filming. – looks at Kerry – It's just one day, right?
Weaver:It shouldn't take more than three hours.
Carter:Just three hours. – puts his arm around Weaver's shoulders – What do you say?
Banfield:Damn it... I need to go.

She heads out of the lounge.
Carter:Is that a yes?
Banfield:It's a maybe! – leaves
Weaver:Hmph. Amateur.
John laughs out loud. And he goes to get some coffee.
Carter:So? Is this thing really happening?
Weaver:I believe so... We just need to make sure everyone's here on Saturday.

SCENE 29 - BOSTON AIRPORT

A few days have passed... it's Saturday morning, and a plane from Seattle has just arrived. Doug and Carol are disembarking, waiting for their luggage, and ready to wait for their connecting flight, which will depart soon for Chicago.
Doug:I hope it didn't get lost...
Carol:Don't be so negative.
Doug:How can I not be negative? – smiling – We're going to a place that's a pit of negativity.
Carol:Don't talk like that. – nudging her husband – Don't talk like that...
Doug:Alright...
Carol:Look, our bags. – pointing to the luggage.

Shortly after, the two are sitting in the terminal chairs, waiting. Carol is reading a magazine, and Doug seems very restless...
Carol:What's gotten into you? – smiling
Doug:Nothing... Where's the bathroom?
Carol:I think it's back there...
Doug:I'll be right back.
Ross stands up quickly.
Carol:I swear, if you run away from the airport, I'm going without you.
From a distance, her husband responds...
Doug:I'm just going to pee! – chuckling
Carol:Why don't you announce that over the airport PA system?! – smiling

Ross crosses the terminal and passes by a couple waiting for the same flight. It's Abby and Kovac.