Original subtitles

'Previously on St Elsewhere...'

We'll find another housekeeper.

Do you really think that many will take care of an autistic child?

And then what did you do?

I took the keys from the sweater and removed the drugs from the cabinet.

They voted for formal censure.

Formal censure?

Two years' probation.

'Tonight on St Elsewhere...'

I was raped.

I know you're concerned.

He's 10 and acting like he's 4!

Tommy! Tommy, stop it!

Tommy, stop it! Stop it!

An autistic teenager needs structure.

I want your opinion.

My opinion doesn't count very much.

Shirley, I said 100mls of Lidocaine.

This is Wendy's patient.

You can't work in ER any more.

It's the television documentary.

If you take one frame of film, I'll punch your lights out.

Maybe you'd prefer I forget the bypass altogether and we can watch this man die of a heart attack.

And... action!

ENGINE SPLUTTERS

SPLUTTERS

Do you need any help?

No, it's just stubborn. I'm OK.

I understand you're doing some kind of TV special.

A documentary, not a variety show.

Weren't notices sent out to department heads?

Of course.

Warning us that TV camera crews will be trampling through this hospital?

You make it sound like a remake of Ben-Hur. It'll be just a cameraman,

a director...

Why pick on St Eligius?

What have you got against a little goodwill publicity?

I'm sick and tired of seeing Porter General and every other hospital in Boston getting the airtime.

Lord knows, we've seen enough of St Gregory's on TV this year.

Reporters always disrupt everything.

I'm afraid, Helen, the board can't give up this chance.

It'll give our fundraising efforts a boost.

And besides, I'm keeping a tight rein on these TV guys.

You'll never know they were here. Look at that.

I mean, that's disgusting. How is that going to look on TV?

Helen? Get someone to take care of that!

A star is born.

AMBULANCE SIREN WAILS

I'll be with you in just a second.

That's OK.

Scotty, come on, I need you here, baby. Excuse me.

Now, can I help you?

Oh...

Ma'am?

I don't want to bother you. I may have broken my wrist.

How long ago did this happen?

I don't know... I'm not sure.

Are you in any pain?

Clear out of the way!

Uh... a little bit, yes.

OK, what's your name?

Roxanne Reed.

Roxanne Reed...

All right, if you have a seat a doctor will be with you.

I have to call my husband.

There's a payphone. St Eligius Emergency.

I'll have to put you on hold.

Roxanne Reed?

Roxanne Reed?

Yes.

You have a broken wrist?

I think so.

Well, I've got an opening down in X-ray. Why don't you follow me? There's no waiting.

Why don't I get you a wheelchair?

I just... I want to call my husband.

X-rays won't take that long.

I was raped, too.

When I was told my son Tommy was autistic, I didn't want to believe it.

I took him from colleague to colleague, hoping something had been missed along the way,

under the delusion that conflicting diagnoses meant there still might be hope. Yes, Paul?

My wife and I had a similar experience. Every paediatrician said something different.

One wouldn't allow us to start therapy because it was too soon. Another said it's never too soon.

Paul's brought up a very important point.

For those of you who are new to our discussion group, I want you to know

that most paediatricians don't make any evaluations beyond the initial diagnosis of autism. &gt.

Once that's been made, specialised clinics such as the Harvard Child Study Centre will help.

Um... next time we get together,

representatives from several clinics and the public school system will be here to explain their programmes.

All right? I guess that does it, huh? Good night.

Hi. Hi.

Can you have the kids' Valentine's Day party at your house?

I had the Christmas party!

I know, but Gary's taking me on a surprise second honeymoon.

You're one of the few with a house that's big enough.

OK. But you take 4th of July and Thanksgiving.

It's a deal!

Want me to pick up Kim?

No, my sister Laura will bring her.

I wanted you to meet her anyway.

Tommy? Tommy! &gt

Tommy! Tommy, put that away! Tommy!

Tommy, stop it! Tommy, stop it! Stop it, Tommy! Tommy...

Tommy, stop it right now! Tommy... stop it!

Ow!

What happened?

Tommy wanted to set the table for tomorrow's breakfast.

Tommy, come on. Let's set the table. Here are the place mats.

I told him he couldn't do that.

Mrs Catalano let him do this all the time. Let's set the table.

Whatever Mrs Catalano did was not working, right?

He shouldn't have to scream and fight to do something.

When you countermand my orders, it only confuses him.

Tommy, no signing. You tell me what you want.

Tommy, tell me what you want! &gt.

Napkins.

Good. OK.

&lt Elizabeth...

Tommy needs to learn obedience.

How do YOU know what he needs? You've been here two weeks.

I've taken care of other autistic children.

You're not helping. You scold him every time he does something wrong.

You never work with him either. &gt.

It's almost time for you to go, so why not just leave now?

I'll talk to your father tomorrow.

Hello, Mrs Reed. I'm Dr Cavanero.

&lt OK, Mrs Reed, I'll call your husband now. Temperature's 97.1, BP is 140 over 92.

I never thought this would happen to me. I just came to visit a friend.

I want to make sure that you're all right, so I'll do a complete physical examination.

If you have any questions or want me to stop, just let me know.

And did Nurse Daniels speak to you about collecting evidence?

I signed some consent forms.

That doesn't obligate you to press charges,

but the hospital is required to report all incidents.

Now, Mrs Reed... I'm so sorry there isn't some other place to take you.

We need to do a pelvic exam. Have you had any gynaecological problems or operations recently?

No.

I'll be doing a routine exam and taking test cultures.

Would you lie back?

I-I see my gynaecologist every six months.

I have a breast examination, too. I'm very careful.

I have a close friend, the doctor found a small lump on her ovary.

She took such good care of herself and they caught it in time.

She's OK now. I think she's very lucky, don't you?

Annie?

How's she doing?

She's a very brave lady. If that were me, I'd be hysterical.

She's really holding it together.

The police will send someone over to ensure chain of evidence.

I hate these things. It's tough enough to comfort a patient without playing cop.

Pretty bad break.

She has a possible concussion, too.

Thanks, Fiscus.

Chris... What are you doing here?

I thought we might go for dinner.

I'd love to, but I don't know when I'll finish.

The desk said in half an hour.

You know how reliable the desk is.

Now look, Annie, if you don't want to go, you don't have to.

I'm sorry. It's just been crazy tonight. Why don't I call you in the morning?

Fine. OK?

Actually...

why don't I call you when I finish?

See ya.

How you doing, kiddo?

&lt Hi, Dad.

Tommy asleep?

He went down about an hour ago.

I'm sorry I'm so late.

Dad, I have to talk to you.

OK, what's up?

Miss Clifford and I got in another fight tonight.

Honey, you two can't be at each other's throats all the time.

I think she's going to quit.

Oh, damn.

She wasn't any good with Tommy anyhow.

That's what you said about Mrs Murdoch, remember?

Well, it's true.

Now I have to find someone else and soon. You go away to college in the fall and I work...

I know, but we need someone to encourage Tommy and play with him.

Sweetheart, how will I find anyone if you keep challenging them?

I don't. You do!

I've seen you do it. If they don't treat Tommy...

Dad...

You have to give them a chance.

Not if they let Tommy slip away. Haven't you noticed how he's behaving?

He hardly even talks any more. &gt.

I know you're concerned, darling.

He's ten years old and acting like he's four! It's like he's starting all over again.

Lizzie...

(SIGHS)

DOORBELL RINGS

This better not be that little twerp collecting for his paper route!

I told him specifically - Saturday afternoons. Hold it! I'm coming!

Now listen...

Bill Wolfe, WIN.

Shut off that damn light!

For crying out loud, it's 6.30!

What's going on here, Mark?

It's the television documentary.

If you take one frame of film, I'll punch your lights out.

Look, I feel awful about this. We can wait in the van.

What for? Just direct yourself down to Route 128. I'll meet you at St Eligius, nine o'clock sharp.

I'd like to shoot some film here.

No, no, no.

Like the Kennedys playing football on the beach at Hyannisport.

Come on, Mark. It's cold out there.

All right, come on in.

Thank you. You're very understanding.

This is Mike, our cameraman. And this is our assistant, Jody. I thought we lost you!

Dr and Mrs Craig, this is our makeup artist.

Hi. I was asleep in the van. I can't believe how early it is.

Please, don't let us disturb you. Just go about your normal routine.

What would you be doing right now?

Sleeping!

OK, why don't you make your way into the kitchen and I'll fix breakfast?

Oh, thank you. Thank you, Mrs Craig. Great.

Ellen, are you kidding? You don't have to make breakfast.

What difference does it make?

Coffee and toast will be fine.

And put out the imported preserves.

Then we rode on the monorail. Didn't we, Pete? Huh?

Went up the Space Needle.

What did your parents think? Is Pete worthy of the Morrison name?

Are you kidding? I'd a tug-of-war with my mother!

'Dr Morrison - 4132.'

Can you hold him for a second?

I thought you'd never ask!

Hey, Jack! Welcome back.

Em, this is Dr Morrison.

Who is she?

Who? ..What's that?

The lady holding Pete.

Hey, Victor! How's the honeymoon?

Jack!

Her name's Amanda Taylor.

She's a physical therapist.

I'm not sure. Every honeymoon is different.

Is she new?

Phil, come on.

Victor, it's not worth arguing over.

If Roberta sleeps with her head at the foot of the bed, let her. Is that it?

You're welcome.

Bye.

Now what were you saying?

Hm?

No, it's... Never mind.

Thank you.

You're acting just like you did when Amy was born

and she had to stay in the hospital with those horrible ear infections.

I just want to do something for you. And I can't.

Sweetheart, I know.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Mrs Reed? My name is Sue Follett. I'm with Social Services here at the hospital.

Dr Cavanero said you'd be by. This is George.

Hello, Mr Reed.

You're with...?

Social Services.

I'm available for counselling.

Good. Maybe you can make it clear to her that she has to forget this.

That's not going to be easy. Sometimes it helps to talk about it.

I don't see how.

It's similar to talking to our children about their bad dreams.

This has taken some control over your life...

This isn't a dream. And it's not controlling Roxanne's life, unless they remind you.

Why don't you go on home?

Yeah, I...

I better get ready for work.

I love you.

Shirley!

I hear you made some brownies.

Cupcakes. Help yourself.

Hi, Peter. Shirley, can you give me a hand?

Oh, sure.

Good. Thanks!

Somebody, I need help! He's been electrocuted.

Right this way!

I don't even know if he's alive!

Wendy! Put him right here.

Yeah, all right.

Yeah, OK.

What happened?

He got electrocuted.

He was working on a lady's washing machine. There was this loud bang and Leo got knocked across the room.

The electricity shot out his shoulder. A bright blue flash.

Sir, could you wait outside?

Sir, can you hear me?

His pulse is 40 and irregular.

&lt BP is 80 over 50.

Let's get him on the EKG monitor.

Tell Scotty to start an IV of D5LR.

Right there. Just right there. Let me do that.

I got it.

Give me your pen light.

You're not supposed to be here.

Give me your pen light. Pupils are sluggish and dilated.

Shirley, give me 100mls of Lidocaine.

Shirley, I said give me 100mls of Lidocaine!

This is Wendy's patient.

You can't work in ER any more.

EKG looks like bigeminy.

You're just as much to blame for giving out those pills as I am.

I saved your tail!

Peter, let her go! Get out of here!

Elevate his feet. Open up the IV and give me 300ml Vertilium.

Ever since Mrs Catalano left, Tommy's been in a tailspin. &gt.

He's been unco-operative, moody, aggressive.

Who's Mrs Catalano?

Oh, sorry. Our housekeeper.

She was a lot more to Tommy, especially after his mother died.

And now he's drawing Lizzie into it as well.

In what way?

Manipulating her, trying to get her to fight his battles for him.

And does she?

More and more.

I took Tommy in for his physical. &gt

Mary Carlisle suggested he might be better off in an institution.

Well, you realise that most of them won't take autistic children,

but I know of an excellent group home in Natick.

Michael, he's my son.

The three of us are a family.

I only wish I had more time to give him.

I was lying in bed last night, awake.

I was tired and frustrated.

And I heard him in the next room. He was whimpering.

He wanted a glass of water.

I lay there that extra moment, just listening.

I hoped he'd stop.

Or maybe even get up and get it for himself.

I'd be very happy to see him.

Actually, Michael, I was hoping you'd see both Tommy and Elizabeth.

Sure.

CRASHING AND SCREAMING

Help! Get off me! Aagh! Aagh!

No! No! Stay back! Aaagh! Stay back! Aagh!

Calm down. You're safe. You're safe.

No-one's going to hurt you. You're safe.

(SOBS)

Now, listen to me, Roxanne. Ssh, ssh, ssh.

This is going to happen from time to time, but it's going to get better.

PHONES RINGING

Mike! Let's go to the end of the hall, OK?

Dr DeBakey, how's it going?

Don't start. These people have been trailing me since 6.30 this morning.

Dr Craig, we're all set. We can just film you walking down the hall.

Donald Westphall, meet Bill Wolfe.

Nice to see you again.

Thank you. You too.

You know each other?

I asked Dr Westphall to be in the documentary, but he turned me down.

Listen, would you mind being in this next shot?

No, I've got patients...

It'll take five minutes.

You really add a nice touch.

OK.

Jody, check the doctors' make-up.

Wait. We agreed - no make-up.

It's just a little foundation. I don't want you to look pale.

You should look healthier than your patients.

Do what you have to do.

We'll shoot you as you're walking towards us.

I'll let you know when we'll start.

OK?

Why did you turn it down?

I wasn't the right guy, Mark.

Besides, they only asked me because they thought you'd be too busy after the transplant.

How about Dr Westphall?

No, really, I don't think...

Let me just take down the shine.

I find balding men very attractive.

Uh-huh...

Mm-hm.

I think she missed a spot.

And... action!

HEAVY ROCK MUSIC

&lt Hey, Jack!

Hey, come on in, come on in.

Isn't the music a little loud?

Not loud enough to wake up the dead.

(SWITCHES MUSIC OFF)

I need the results of the Spelling autopsy.

Right there on the desk.

What do you think?

Oh, he's dead all right.

I mean, about his liver?

Cirrhosis, severe ballooning of the hepatocytes and fibrosis.

But the guy wasn't a drinker. His enzymes are normal. I'm stumped.

Don't come down here playing 20 Questions, trying to patronise me.

The results are all right there.

I want your opinion.

My opinion doesn't matter any more around here.

I'm just an over-trained tech, remember?

That's not how I feel about it.

I was doing good, man.

I was doing good. I mean, I was off the pills.

Things were good at home.

It was like for once, everything was clicking for me.

Well, it could have been worse.

How?

Huh? I mean, they might as well just yank my license off.

I should have been acquitted.

A lot of people think you got a bum deal.

That really doesn't help me very much now, does it?

Huh?

Why don't you transfer to another service?

If you hang around dead bodies all day, it'll just depress you.

That's not the point.

I know what the point is.

No, you don't!

Believe me!

(SWITCHES MUSIC ON)

♪ Good times, bad times You know I've had my share

♪ When my woman left home with a brown-eyed man

♪ Well, I still don't seem to care... ♪

I thought we'd eat at Van Dyke's.

Quincy Market or Wayland? &gt.

Does it make a difference?

Quincy Market is closer to the hospital. I want to check on a patient. &gt.

The kitchen closes at 10. I don't think we'd make it.

Chris, I'm leaving for the Cape first thing in the morning.

No, thanks.

You spend enough time at work as it is.

There's no reason to be there when we don't have to be.

It'll only take ten minutes.

Doctor first, woman second.

What did you say?

Oh, nothing.

Look, why don't you go ahead? I'm not really hungry anyway.

Come on. I'm sorry.

Don't!

Annie, I just said I was sorry.

Chris, I want you to leave.

Come on. No, you don't.

Chris, I don't want you touching me right now!

You expect me to believe that?

No!

Stop it!

Come on, Annie.

What the hell's gotten into you all of a sudden?

Just because we made love a couple of times

doesn't give you unconditional rights.

When I say, "Don't touch me," I mean that!

Fine.

Fine!

You really know how to ruin a good thing.

No, Chris, you do.

DOOR SLAMS

I think you'll find this operation rather interesting.

Yeah. We're rolling.

Oh, so are we. Scalpel!

Nurse Mead, would you put in Wagner's Dutchman, please?

Dr Craig, sorry, no music. It ruins the sound.

No-one mentioned that at the production meeting.

I always operate with music.

I'm worried it'll drown out the dialogue. We can dub it in later.

Dr Carlton, why do we use the saphenous vein for bypass surgery?

Excuse me again. Can we skip the lectures?

This is a teaching hospital.

I'm not having any problems with the teaching if you're doing it.

Fine.

The saphenous vein...

What I'd like to do is... Mike!

I'd like to zoom the camera in tight and have you react to the emergency.

I haven't even made my first cut yet.

We need action, something to hold the audience's attention.

Maybe you'd prefer I forget the bypass altogether.

We could all stand around and watch this man die of a heart attack.

You could film that!

You're right. I was taking dramatic license. I had no business doing so.

When I agreed to do this, I was promised

that you'd simply observe and not interfere.

&lt So far you haven't done either!

Sorry. It won't happen again.

All right. Let's proceed.

Kochar, what the hell are you doing?

Um... Excuse me.

Excuse me.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Yeah?

Doctor, hi.

Elizabeth, Tommy.

My dad said you'd be expecting us.

Yeah. Hi, Tommy. Remember me?

So...

I understand Tommy's going through a pretty rough period right now.

Yeah.

Do you think that's because of the last two housekeepers you've had

I don't know.

I mean, both of them came highly recommended

and with good credentials.

But the problem is the people who write recommendations

don't have to take care of Tommy.

Yeah.

&lt You know how change can affect an autistic child.

Tommy just needs someone who could read his signals

and figure out what he wants when he can't put it into words.

&lt Yeah, but that takes a very long time to develop.

So, you're going to college in the fall, right?

&lt Which one is it again?

Vassar. It just seems so far away, though.

I asked my dad if I should go to Boston College, but he says no.

Well, do you want to go to BC?

It would be a lot closer to home.

Elizabeth, um... You're 18 years old, right?

And you've helped take care of your father and Tommy

practically all of your life.

I mean, there's enough to worry abou being a sister and a daughter

without trying to be a mother too.

I don't know, I think that you've got plenty to handle.

Just being a freshman in college seems like a lot to handle.

Now you're talkin'!

It's quiet here.

That's why I like it.

Here we go.

What did you say this room used to be?

Part of the animal research lab. It's been this way for a month.

They assure me every day that it will be finished any minute.

How do you feel about the attack?

Like I'll never be able to forget it.

It'll be with me always.

In the beginning, the images are much more intense.

They will diminish over time.

The first thing I did when I came into this office

was look for the way out.

I know how this is affecting you.

It's frightening and overwhelming.

He had no right to do that to me.

No.

He had no right to touch me.

He kept kissing me and asking me if I liked it.

I didn't look at him. I didn't want him to think I was trying

to see who he was, so I could recognise him later.

I want you to tell me something.

Tell me how you felt when you woke up this morning.

I was happy.

George was there. He smiled and we talked about our children.

I was happy...

to be alive!

That's right.

That's right.

I don't think this is a good idea.

We're going for cinema verite.

It wouldn't be honest if we excluded the most painful part of your job.

This is what your audience wants to see.

Even so.

Mrs Sigfried agreed to do it. She signed the waiver.

Said she always wanted to be on television.

All right, OK.

It'll be staggering, believe me.

Mrs Sigfried...

Can we move you around on this side?

It'll be better for the camera.

This'll be fine right here.

Mr Wolfe told me not to look at the camera.

Mrs Sigfried...

Hold on there, Dr Craig, we have a sound check.

Test, test. One, two, three, four. Test.

OK, go ahead.

Mrs Sigfried, because of your recent heart attack,

elective surgery isn't safe.

Your abdominal aortic aneurysm could rupture at any time.

I don't quite understand what you mean.

I'm afraid that the best we could do is stabilise your heart and wait.

I'm sorry.

Oh...

Damn!

I know, it's a tragedy.

No, we ran out of film.

What?

Look, I feel bad about this, Dr Craig,

but you're going to have to tell her again.

(STARTS SOBBING)

Outside, all of you!

Come on.

Out!

&lt Out!

Hand me the other magazine.

I should have stopped this sooner.

I just told that woman there was nothing we could do to help her right now.

She came to me, to this hospital,

hoping and praying that something could be done.

But we've let her down.

Now, we don't serve anyone...

by sensationalising her tragedy.

Not medicine, not the media and certainly not Mrs Sigfried. &gt.

The least we can do is to leave her with a little dignity.

Fabulous. Are you getting this?

Get out of this hospital!

All right...

KNOCK AT DOOR

He's only going to get bigger and stronger, Donald.

And probably more aggressive.

I've never known of an autistic chil that became less difficult

as he reaches adolescence.

God, I miss my wife!

She always knew how to reach him.

By loving, touching, playing.

Patience.

She knew how to be with him.

She helped me to realise that Tommy's not an affliction,

but a person.

A gift.

I'm sure her way worked beautifully when he was younger.

Elizabeth's been talking to me lately

about going to school locally.

That's not the right approach. You were right to discourage it.

Sometimes I'm not so sure, Michael.

It could give us all a sense of continuity.

It would only make the next transition a lot more difficult.

In the long run, Donald,

you've got to find a way to make Tommy's needs work.

Michael, I'm aware of that.

I'll spend all of tomorrow morning interviewing housekeepers.

For the moment, I'm sure that's the right solution.

What do you mean, "for the moment"?

An autistic teenager will need a lot more structure in his life

than any housekeeper can provide for him.

What are my choices?

We could drive out together to that group home in Natick.

&lt See what it's like?

It doesn't have to be right away.

(CLEARS THROAT)

By the way, my name's Phil.

Amanda.

I've seen you before.

Well, I... I hang around here.

I mean in Physical Therapy.

Oh, yeah.

With patients. &gt.

So, what, you always work so late?

No.

Oh, I got a break coming up. Would you like to join me for dinner.

Actually, I was just leaving. I've got to catch the T.

Oh. Would you like me to walk you to the station?

I'm all set, Amanda. Let me get my coat.

Thanks. Maybe we can make it some other time.

&lt I'd love to.

Hi.

Good night, Dr Chandler.

Good night.

(MOUTHS WORDS)

Next time another film crew invades St Eligius, give me some notice.

I'll be sure to be out of town.

By the way, I heard what you said about Hilton Baronoff

from Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrows.

What?

That he's an incompetent surgeon with the touch of a blacksmith.

Well, at least I'm being quoted correctly.

You may want them to delete that.

What about that director? "More action"?

It's a hospital, for Pete's sake!

What does he think goes on here all day? Shoot-'em-ups?

No wonder cop shows are such a success!

PHONE RINGS

Third floor nurses' station?

Victor, hi, it's Annie!

You know, your friends at the hospital &gt

can't believe how big you're getting. &gt.

Did you have a nice day?

Yes.

Dr Ridley likes you very much.

You want book?

Your mommy bought this book for you.

Once there was a little bunny who wanted to run away.

So he said to his mother, "I am running away."

"If you run away," said his mother, "I will run after you.

"For you are my little bunny."

"If you run after me, I will become a bird and fly away from you,"

said the little bunny.

"If you become a bird and fly away from me," said his mother...

"I will be a tree that you come home to."