Original subtitles

Mum's a mess, which is why I've asked her and Luke to come and stay with me

for a couple of weeks.

CHARLOTTE: She kissed me. I want to make a formal complaint.

Excuse me. Can I help you?

I have to find the Emergency Department.

Are you sick? It's my wife.

What's the problem, sir?

Well, I got her her tea last night.

She wasn't looking too good so I put her to bed.

What's her name? Jean.

Jean? Jean, can you hear me?

She has had a bit of a cough.

Has she been sick before now?

Alzheimer's but I don't think that's what's got her this time.

Alright. We need to get her out of the car.

Rhiannon, can you get me an orderly?

Now, please. Don't just stand there.

OK, Rhiannon, let's get an IV inserted ASAP.

Do you want full bloods? Yeah, and a litre of saline.

I brought her in as soon as I could.

1g paracetamol IV before she has another rigor

and let's start her on some oxygen therapy.

OK. Um, I'll look after this.

You take Subacute. It's fine.

Now, Rhiannon.

I'll get you another nurse.

I'm going to need a chest X-ray as soon as I can.

I'll get you the portable organised.

OK. Oxygen sats are at 85%. Heart rate is 92.

Let's wait on X-ray confirmation, but we'll probably need to aspirate.

What's that?

It's just something that will help drain the fluid from her lungs.

We're going to do everything we can for her, Bill. I promise you.

Von, you're not able to give Charlotte a hand in there

for a couple of hours, are you?

Isn't Rhiannon there?

Um, Dan's taken some leave to look after his mother.

I've got some admin business I need to sort out.

Alright. I've got home visits all arvo, though.

Thanks.

Dr Taylor, this is Mai-Lyn Chen.

She collapsed while out shopping.

Getting a bit of retail therapy, I see?

It's for my wedding. I'm usually not this bad.

Mai-Lyn's been vomiting. She's got stomach cramps, nausea.

She's afebrile but slightly hypotensive and tachycardic.

OK.

Could it be food poisoning?

Why? Have you eaten something dodgy lately?

I've been taste-testing at reception venues all week.

Last thing I wanted to do,

but, you know, wedding's got to be good, right?

OK, let me help you.

Could just be a gastro.

Skin is showing signs of dehydration.

Let's get Mai-Lyn into a gown and start her on a saline infusion.

I'll be back to examine you shortly. (BREATHLESSLY) OK.

So when's the wedding? Three months.

You are organised!

Well, had to get it all done before my grandmother took over.

She thinks I should have a traditional Chinese wedding.

You don't? That's really not my style.

(GROANS) Oh, that doesn't feel so good.

Now, Bill, the X-rays confirm that Jean does have fluid on her lungs.

Probably an underlying form of pneumonia.

The 'silent death', hmm? How did you know it was called that?

Our GP told me.

He said that's probably what would get her in the end.

At least it'll be peaceful.

Ceftriaxone, 1g.

What will that do?

It's going to help with the infection. It's an antibiotic.

Oh.

Now we will watch her breathing and oxygen saturation

to monitor her progress,

but for someone in Jean's condition,

it really is a matter of wait and see.

Yes, I thought she was in serious trouble.

That's why I brought her in.

You did the right thing.

Got a minute?

Sure.

Let's set up to aspirate, Von.

How long's she had Alzheimer's? Going on 10 years.

Keeps you on your feet, I can tell you that.

I bet.

She's always been one for the books, our Jean.

You are not to approach Rhiannon or talk to her or intimidate her...

Intimidate?! Please. I am trying to help you.

I don't believe this.

Is this why Gabrielle pulled Von off her home duties

to nurse my patient?

From now on, you are under investigation

for the sexual harassment of a junior member of staff.

What a load of crap! I didn't make a pass at her. She...

She what?

Well, come on. Tell me what did happen.

I can't.

Then how the bloody hell am I supposed to defend you?

Look, Frank,

you've just got to talk to her before this gets out of control.

It's too late, Charlotte.

It's already gone to Admin,

and once it's in the system it has to go through the proper channels.

You know that.

Thanks a lot, Frank.

You're going to have to make a statement. Charlotte...

Charlotte, I mean it. You keep your distance.

Admin want to do interviews with the whole staff.

Oh, bloody hell! I thought there were no witnesses.

Well, there aren't,

but apparently they're trying to build up an overall picture.

Character assassination, more like.

Alright, just give us a minute and then wheel them in,

but for Christ's sake, will you be discreet?

What?

Don't you think Zoe would be a more appropriate person

to conduct these interviews?

No, I don't. Thank you very much.

Everybody knows how fond you are of Charlotte.

And everyone knows how unfond Zoe is of Charlotte.

Exactly.

We get Zoe in there, the process is entirely transparent.

There can be no questions about the outcome.

Oh, alright. Get her.

But I want to read that report before it goes upstairs.

Oh, Jack,

I've got a patient with significant central back pain

and paresthesia in the right leg I'd like you to take a look at.

Right. Well, her obs are normal.

No nausea or fever.

Mate, what's she doing here? Why don't you send her to a GP?

Look at the name. She's a previous admission.

Georgia O'Reilly.

Oh, yeah, I remember her.

Yeah, she remembers you too. Asked for you specifically.

Hey, Georgia.

Now, Dr West has just been telling me that you've got some back pain.

Do you mind going through it again? Yep.

Sure. Um...

(GROANS) It starts here and then it radiates out.

OK. Do you think you can stand up for me?

Yep.

(GROANS)

Thanks. OK.

You right?

Yeah. I will be now you're on the case.

Right. I'll leave you to it.

Hey, Georgia, I'm just going to feel down your spine,

and now you tell me when it hurts, OK?

OK.

Whoa! Yep, there.

Uh-huh. Have you fallen over recently?

No.

Lift anything heavy?

No. Ow! There as well.

Seems to get worse at night.

I spend most of my time walking around.

Mmm.

Can you touch your toes for me?

Oh, please!

Couldn't even do that when my back wasn't hurting.

How about you jump back on the bed, OK?

OK. Thanks.

Oooh.

How long have you had the pain?

Oh, everything was actually going great until about three months ago

and that's when it first started playing up.

My GP put me onto anti-inflammatories,

heat packs, exercise.

I have tried everything there is to try, Dr Quade,

and, well, seeing as you were so great last time...

OK. You can sit up now.

Add 20 milligrams Buscopan to her IV.

It'll help you with your cramps.

Bloods?

Yeah, and a midstream sample just to rule out a urinary tract infection.

Any chance that you might be pregnant?

You're kidding, right?

My wedding dress is a real fitted number.

There's no way I could wear it if I'm pregnant.

We might test anyway, if that's OK.

So once you rule out bladder infection

and I'm not knocked up, any idea what we're looking at?

Food poisoning, most likely. That'd be right!

We'll know more when the results are back.

I'm just going to take a little blood first,

and then we'll get that urine sample, OK?

Yeah.

Do you want me to call your fiance? He's overseas on a buying trip.

We're into fabric design.

That sounds glamorous.

Yeah. It's not exactly the career my grandmother had in mind.

Not exactly the husband she had in mind for me either.

What? Not rich enough? Not Chinese enough.

Peter's tall, blond.

Real surfer type.

Totally laid-back about everything,

which is fantastic because he's had to deal with the in-law from hell.

I know how that feels.

There.

That'll take the pressure off her lungs and help her breathe.

You OK to stay with her? Yeah.

I'll get this off to Pathology.

Pethidine 75 milligrams, IMI. Mm-hm.

You know you changed my life with that operation.

All I did was take out your appendix.

You believed in me. No-one's ever believed in me before.

Gave me inspiration.

I even decided to go back to uni. Oh, good on you.

Yeah.

I thought I'd finish that arts degree

I started all those years ago.

And before you ask,

I made sure my posture was good while I was studying,

so no, it's got nothing to do with this back pain.

Alright, Georgia, just push against my hands.

OK. Alright.

Little bit of weakness in the right leg.

Yeah. My back's not feeling so bad now.

Told you he was a miracle worker!

I haven't had this much relief in months.

Georgia, that's the pethidine.

So why the hell were you doing an appendicectomy under an epidural?

Because she was terrified about having a general anaesthetic.

Apparently she'd woken up in the middle of a previous surgery.

Oh, that's garbage.

Yeah, that's what you said last time.

Yeah. Right. So what are her current symptoms?

Nonspecific radiating back pain.

She has tingling sensations, like insects running down her legs,

and hot stabbing feelings around the ankle.

Does suggest a degree of nerve compression.

You ruled out infection?

The blood results are on their way back now

but there's no fever, no signs of photophobia,

and no head and neck stiffness.

Are you totally sure it's not just a case of generalised back strain?

Yes, I'm sure.

Right. Then you are running out of options.

So it could be a complication of the surgery?

Why don't you just go over all her old case notes again?

Look, I know I didn't do anything wrong.

Oh, no. Of course. Not you, Jack Almighty.

But you weren't the only medical practitioner involved, were you?

MAI-LYN: No, you don't need to come in.

Look, I just didn't want you to cook me lunch or anything.

Yeah, OK. (SPEAKS MANDARIN)

OK, OK. Bye-bye.

(SIGHS) My grandmother.

You should've let me call her for you.

She pretends she doesn't speak a word of English.

She's pretty selective about what she admits to understanding.

How long has she been out here for?

Only about 15 years.

That must've been scary having to learn a new language at her age.

Trust me. My Po Po is not scared of anything.

You two sound very close.

(SIGHS) Yeah, I guess.

Mum and Dad died before we left China.

It's been the two of us ever since.

I love her. Just wish she wouldn't fuss over me so...

(GRUNTS) Mai-Lyn?

I think I'm going to be...

(VOMITS)

(GROANS)

(GASPS) What is that? OK, stay calm.

Steve. Steve! OK, we'll get you cleaned up.

(PANTS)

Let's set up a nasogastric tube and get Radiology on stand-by.

What is it?

It's faecal fluid. Probably from a bowel obstruction.

I'm vomiting shit?!

Oh, God! What's happening to me?

(GROANS)

There. All done.

Sorry. I know that wasn't pleasant.

What happened?

Our guess is there's a blockage in your bowel.

The X-ray should tell us more.

So not food poisoning?

No.

Do you want this on low suction?

Yeah, and I'll write up an order for antibiotics.

And then what?

Initial treatment is conservative.

We'll keep you nil-by-mouth, see if the blockage resolves itself.

If it doesn't?

Then the build-up of pressure can be significant.

If it perforates, you will need emergency surgery.

I'm sorry we didn't pick this up earlier.

(CRIES) I feel so stupid!

I need surgery and all I can think about is buying shoes.

Never thought I'd be that type of girl.

A wedding's important, OK? I'd be exactly the same.

Really? You're not just saying that to make me feel less pathetic?

No. Bride's honour.

Don't you worry.

We'll have you back on your feet in time to say "I do."

Won't we, Dr Taylor?

The rest of the family - are they on their way in?

Both of our sons live overseas.

The last time they visited, she didn't know who they were.

So they're in no hurry to come home again.

One minute she'd be her old self,

telling me I was doing this or that wrong. (LAUGHS)

The next, well...

..she's like a stranger.

Why don't you take a break? Get some air.

I'm here with her and if there's any change...

Yes, yes. Thank you.

How come you're in here?

I have no idea.

Is she...? Yeah.

Looks like it. Poor thing.

Gabrielle said that Dan's taken some time off.

Yeah. His mum isn't coping very well.

Yep. Hard when you lose a partner.

Yeah, it is.

I'm glad Dan's not here today.

Last thing he needs is having to deal with watching someone die.

I don't think Jean's husband is having too good a day either.

I'm sorry.

No. I'm gonna freshen her up. Off you go.

Well, ICU cleared her of any post-op infection.

Yeah. The anaesthetist's report's got no surprises either.

Hmm.

This your patient with back pain? Yeah.

Did they check the tip of the epidural catheter?

Yeah. It was removed intact, sent to Microbiology. Came back clean.

(SIGHS) That's good news, Jack.

Means that nothing we did is causing her pain.

No, it just means there's nothing in these notes

that SAYS we caused it.

Um, I've given Georgia some heat packs

but I think her pethidine's starting to wear off.

Hmm. It's a little too soon to give her another dose.

I can try some massage on her - see if that helps.

Yep. Yep.

If you can't find anything wrong with her,

maybe you should give her something for the pain,

tell her she's fine, and send her home.

I never picked you for someone so cynical, Charlotte.

Oh, it's hard not be some days.

Jack, have you got a second? No, not really.

Sorry.

Is everything OK? No, actually.

Whatever this is, can it wait, because I have a patient.

I'm sorry, it can't. We need to ask you a few questions.

So, if you wanna take a seat...

Right. You were working last Monday?

Yes. You know that I was.

Did you see anything that may have troubled you on that shift?

What is this about?

Jack, can you just answer the question, please?

Well, other than the usual pain and suffering of our patients...

So you didn't see anything between any staff members

that may have made you feel uneasy?

I'm sorry. You're gonna have to be a little more specific than that.

An accusation has been made against Charlotte.

What accusation?

By whom?

Yeah, well, the details at this stage are confidential.

(IMPATIENTLY) Oh! OK, listen.

I have not ever seen anything but total professionalism from Charlotte,

so whatever this accusation is, I wouldn't believe it for a second.

Yeah, we understand that people have their loyalties.

Oh, come on. I don't know why you guys are wasting your time with this.

And honestly, I'm a little bit pissed off that you are wasting mine.

So, do you have any other questions that you wanna ask?

Good.

(DOOR SLAMS)

That went well.

I didn't... want to report her. I just wanna keep doing my job.

You don't believe me. No, it's not that.

Sure you just didn't misinterpret it?

That's what Gabrielle said when I told her.

Well, you know Charlotte's a very tactile person.

She doesn't mind giving someone a hug if she thinks they need it.

Maybe that's all she was doing.

It wasn't a hug. She kissed me.

That doesn't make any sense because she's got a child with Spence.

Spence who lives overseas.

But people do break up.

She was married before that.

Yeah. You know why she split up with him.

She left him for a woman.

WOMAN: Get away! It's alright now.

Who are you? You're in the hospital.

I'm a nurse. My name is Von. Oh, get out.

She hates this little number. I'll use prongs.

Alright, Jean. My name's Doctor Beaumont.

We're just going to roll you on your side.

Alright? No, I don't wanna...

Come on. That's the way.

Where's her husband? Sent him for a break.

Alright, Jean, we're just gonna roll you back.

Nice and easy. There you are. (MOANS)

Her chest is clearing.

Sats are good, even without the oxygen.

They are too.

I need my car keys.

What's going on?

You didn't come in here with anything, Jean.

W-we have to pick up the children,

and these people are saying they can't find my handbag.

Jean still has some crackles

but her lungs are showing a real improvement.

I don't want that on me. No.

Take it off. What is it? That's got to stay there.

I don't want it on me.

Bill, you are gonna get your wife back.

Huh. Oh. (MOANS) Bill?

Oh, bloody... hell!

Come on.

Ugh. Oh, I can still taste it.

Yeah, the NG tube's probably making you gag as well.

Lignocaine on the back of the throat might help.

That's fine.

The girl's got obvious guarding and tenderness.

Why the hell wasn't I called earlier?

Take it easy, Vlasek. She wasn't that bad when she came in.

She wasn't that bad half an hour ago.

What does the X-ray show? This.

Good God! Are those needles?

I'd say you need a psych consult on this one.

Already done.

The other X-rays show needles in your chest, liver

and kidneys as well.

You'll need emergency surgery to repair the damage to your bowel

and we'll try and remove the other needles after that.

Mai-Lyn? You're lying.

Why would we do that?

This is not my X-ray. How could they be inside me? How?

We don't know. But we'd really like to find out.

You think I put them there, don't you?

Why would I do that? I'm about to get married.

Maybe it was something you did when you were younger.

This is crazy. You're all crazy! I have to get outta here!

Steady, steady. Listen to me. Listen to me.

These needles - they really are inside you.

Any one of them could perforate your bowel at any time.

Even if they don't, you may die from septicaemia unless we remove them.

Do you understand me? Get them out.

Yep. That's the plan. NOW!

(SCREAMS) Get them out! Stay calm, stay calm.

(SCREAMS HYSTERICALLY) 5mg Valium.

Oh, BP's dropping.

Abdomen's rigid.

No bowel sounds. It's perforated.

I'll let theatre know you're on the way up.

Jean. (SPLUTTERS AND GAGS)

Oh! Get that thing away from me.

It's poison. It isn't poison.

It's another antibiotic. You're trying to kill me.

No. Trying to get you better!

Get off! Jean!

Evie, Oh! Am I glad to see you here?

How do you like my hair?

I had it done.

Bill doesn't like it when it's too short.

He thinks it makes me look old.

This Bill - who's he?

That's a funny question.

Bill. Bill is my husband.

Oh, of course. Silly me.

Where is he?

OK. Good.

Blood pressure's back to normal. How're you feeling now?

Fine. Sorry to be such a bother. Bill, you're not a bother at all.

Well, Jean has settled down.

And, er, everything alright here?

Bill's just had a little bit of a shock, that's all.

Well, I'd prepared myself, you know.

Said my goodbyes.

I don't care that she doesn't know who I am half the time

but when her own body starts giving out on her,

when it stops functioning the way it should,

well, then, it stops being OK.

Listen... er, Bill, could we go and have a chat somewhere?

You see, there are many options for Jean's ongoing care.

You don't have to do it on your own. No, I can't.

Er, I gotta get home and get organised.

Er... she'll need her nightdress?

She will need to stay in overnight, yes,

but, Bill, I'm not sure you're ready to drive.

Oh! And her makeup. She'll hate not having her makeup.

OK. Here's the deal. I've got some home visits to make.

I will drive you, and we can chat in the car.

Thanks. Sure, yeah. Come on.

Just this way, Mrs Chen. (GASPS)

Mai-Lyn! Mai-Lyn.

(SPEAKS CHINESE) Mai-Lyn.

MIKE: Let's move it.

Mai-Lyn. Mai-Lyn. Oh, Mai-Lyn!

Here, I'll take her. I'll organise a translator.

Mai-Lyn says she understands more English than she speaks.

My grand-daughter!

Yes. She has to go upstairs. She needs to have an operation.

(SOBS) Don't let her die.

No, no, no. She's in very good hands.

Why don't we find somewhere to sit down, OK?

(SOBS) Don't let her die. Mai-Lyn. Mai-Lyn.

Now, Mrs Chen, the surgeons need to operate.

They need to cut out a part of your grand-daughter's bowel

because it's damaged.

Please sit down. Do you understand that?

Born on a bad day - the fourth of the fourth.

Ah.

She'll need to have other operations too, on her liver and kidneys.

She's marrying. Yes, yes. She told us.

Look, Mrs Chen...

..do you know if your grand-daughter has ever tried to harm herself?

No!

Because all of the injuries to her organs have been caused by needles.

I need to know why she would have done that.

Please, water.

Oh, are you alright?

Yes, yes. Of course.

I told you a massage doesn't work. I've tried it.

And acupuncture and just about every other herbal remedy there is.

None of them seem to do a damn thing.

(GASPS IN PAIN)

I need you to stop this pain.

We can't give you any more medication.

(SCOFFS) Did I say I wanted medication?

We have the results back from your blood tests.

Oh, about time.

And they're all clear which means you don't have an infection.

You think I'm making this up? No, of course not.

Because I need you to believe me. Yeah.

I do believe you.

And that's why I'm gonna be sending you off for an MRI.

Um... OK.

Um, that's gonna tell us

whether there's been any damage to your spinal column.

How could there be any damage? I haven't had an accident.

But you did have an epidural.

And you think that could have caused this pain?

It's a possible complication, yeah.

No.

Listen, Georgia...

No. The operation you did changed my life.

You'll see.

You'll find out what's really wrong with it and you'll fix it.

Just like you did last time.

Can we get Georgia to Radiology straightaway?

Yep.

I've checked the canteen, chapel, taxi rank - there's no sign.

Hmm.

How can an old lady just disappear without anyone noticing?

You were with Mai-Lyn when she first came in?

Yep.

Did she seem capable of self-harm to you?

No, not really. Nah.

But the needles got into her body somehow.

Yes. And as soon as I mentioned them, Grandma disappears.

What? You think she did it?

No. You're wrong. Mai-Lyn said they were close.

I mean, why would her grandmother do that? Why would anyone?

Mai-Lyn was born in China. They've got a one-child policy.

A what? Most families prefer boys.

Female infanticide is not uncommon.

But sticking needles into her so she'll die?

There have been several documented cases, very similar to Mai-Lyn's.

Oh, my God. Yes.

So find out when she gets out of theatre and make sure you're there.

If she sees a familiar face, it may help,

because she's gonna twig to this sooner rather than later.

Yeah.

VON: Someone's worked very hard. This garden is gorgeous.

It was Jean's pride and joy.

The doctor thought it might help if I kept things as normal as possible.

I, er, hate gardening.

Tea? Lovely.

Thank you.

Well, I must say you've done a wonderful job looking after Jean.

Oh, another of her doctor's suggestions.

No new routines. No moving things around the house. Hmm.

Fat lot of good that did.

This was her.

Just after our first boy was born.

She's beautiful.

Yes, she was. She was really gorgeous.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's - tough job.

I can handle it. Oh, I see you do that.

But you don't have to.

There are alternatives.

Nursing homes. They're horrible places.

Our boys looked into that last time they were here.

Well, so they didn't find one you liked.

Let me show you some others. No, no, no. Thank you.

I... never walked away when everybody said I should have,

so I'm not gonna do it now.

You wouldn't be walking away.

You could see her every day.

You could stay involved. I said no.

You OK?

Why wouldn't I be? Sorry. They're questioning everyone.

Bart, it's fine.

I told them, you know, what they're doing to you is wrong.

It's no-one's business who you get involved with.

Excuse me?

You and Rhiannon. She was my babysitter!

Yeah, I know.

I just... I got the impression that...

Who gave you that impression? No-one.

You just told her personal information,

and I thought that you would only do that to someone you were... really...

..close...

I got the wrong impression.

There you go! Where's Dr Quade?

I'm sure he'll be in when he's had a chance to look at your MRI report.

I want a word with you. I'm with a patient.

Excuse us.

I keep your secret and this is how you repay me.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

My private life is my business.

Where the hell do you get off talking to other people about it?

I think you should leave me alone.

And you should start telling the truth.

Alright, Beaumont, that's enough. Oh, good. Great. No.

Everyone's here. You can tell them all at the same time.

It'll save them from more 'behind closed doors' meetings about me.

You don't have to say a single word.

No, no, no, no. No, you don't!

Just tell them what really happened.

Tell them.

Or I will.

Charlotte made a pass at me. It made me uncomfortable.

(SCREAMS) You lying bitch. Hey! Hey.

Hey. Come on. That's it. Shift's over.

Go home.

I just want her to tell the truth. Go home!

Rest of you get back to work. Now!

Beaumont. Oh, Beaumont, don't be so bloody stupid.

Come back here. Stop right now.

I didn't make a pass at her, Frank. She made one at me.

Then why didn't you think to say so earlier?

Of course I thought about it. I was trying to be a friend.

Rhiannon's confused enough already.

The last thing she needed was to be the subject of hospital gossip.

Right. Well, I'll be a friend to you now.

Go back inside and make a statement that puts your point of view clearly.

What good is that gonna do?

Everyone's already decided on the truth -

frustrated lesbian hits on a young nurse.

Why on earth did you tell her about your past?

What's that got to do with her?

I thought if she knew she wasn't the only one, it'd make things easier.

I was trying to... Alright, alright.

I'm not having a go at you.

Do you think you can fix this?

Not if you run around the E.D. screaming at her, I can't.

Why don't you go home and try to calm down?

I'll...

Frank.

This is my life she's screwing with.

Everything I have worked for.

Go home.

Ow! (SQUEALS) Hey, hey, hey.

Make her give them back to me! Just let go of the hair.

Don't move, Zoe. I'm not!

She stole my shoes! Oh, did she?

She's a very naughty doctor and she will give them back...

Let go, Jean.

I mean it!

Bill! Where have you been?

I'm here now, love.

This is Bill, Jean's husband.

Yes, well, your wife has made quite a recovery.

(CHUCKLES)

Um, if you could just get that nice doctor for me,

I'd like to talk to her about taking Jean home.

I'm sorry. But Dr Beaumont had to leave for the day.

So I will be looking after Jean now.

Oh, I'll talk to you, then. Mm-hm.

You do understand, don't you, that your wife is still quite ill?

Well, she can be very difficult.

But especially with strange people around her all the time.

Yes, well, we apologise for that. It was unavoidable.

And I know how to deal with her at home.

Somebody will have to come by and administer antibiotics daily.

That'll be fine.

And she needs to come in next week for a follow-up X-ray.

That'll be fine too.

Has Von spoken to you about nursing-home care?

Oh, yes.

I understand I won't be able to look after her for much longer.

OK, then.

If you can remove the cannula and I'll write up the discharge papers.

Thank you.

(GROANS) Shh.

I need to speak to my grandma.

I've tried calling but she's not answering.

She seemed very concerned about you, Mai-Lyn.

You talked to her? Yes, I did.

Did she understand what happened? You really need to calm down.

You explained someone tried to kill me, stick needles into my flesh?

Yes, she understands that, I think.

Then why isn't she here defending herself? Or my mother or father.

Whichever the person that I trusted did this to me!

Why don't I call your fiance for you?

You think he'd still want me with this?

I'm shitting into a bag, for God's sake.

(SOBS)

You have a condition called arachnoiditis.

I'm scared of spiders.

It's an inflammation of the arachnoid layer of the meninges.

Ah, OK... (SIGHS) ..you've lost me.

Well, basically, scar tissue is compressing the spinal column.

Scar tissue? From the epidural.

I can feel the ants running down my legs again.

Well, I can... I can give you some pethidine.

You don't think that's a good idea.

Not as a long-term solution, no. OK.

Um...

..then, what can you do to fix this 'arachnoid' thing?

We can do physiotherapy, exercising, anti-inflammatories...

Mmm, all of which I've tried.

I could also start you on a course of antidepressants.

Oh, well, we're...

..right back to crazy again.

They can trick the brain into not registering the pain.

Yeah, well, I think I'd rather stick to the pethidine, thanks.

What about further surgery?

It's not advisable in this situation.

Not advisable, wow.

You were so gung-ho for it last time.

Well, that's because you had a bursting appendix

and I could fix that with surgery.

Yeah, which has landed me... (GROANS) ..right back here with more problems.

What are you doing?

I'm going home.

Georgia, you're in pain. (WEEPS)

I want my life back.

The life that you gave me.

I am sorry if you feel like I have let you down.

You can't just tease me with it and take it away. I won't let you.

It's not his fault. Well, whose fault is it?

I am sorry that this has happened... No, don't.

Don't apologise.

You know, this can't be your fault.

Because if I lose faith in you, then I'll have nothing.

(PANTS)

It's her problem, not yours.

Yeah. I'll keep that in mind.

How about I shout you a coffee? We'll chat.

Thanks. But no, thanks.

Jack.

I'm not interested in socialising with you.

Because of Charlotte. Yeah.

I do have a right to protect myself.

Yeah, I'm not arguing that.

But a bloody good doctor and a really good friend

is sitting at home

because of what you have accused her of.

I do know that.

So...

..let's not pretend we're friends, OK?

Von. Thanks for your help this morning.

Oh, no problem.

I hear you had a breakthrough with Bill Brydon. Nursing-home care.

Hardly.

Sorry?

Well, um, I gave him a couple of options for his wife

but he wasn't interested.

He told us he was already making arrangements.

Her name's not here. Has she already been transferred?

No. She was discharged. Discharged?

She was on death's door this morning.

Well, her husband insisted he take her home.

Bill?

Bill? It's Von from the hospital.

Oh.

Bill, I'm coming in.

Hello?

(PUTS DOWN KEY)

Von.

Jaeger told me what happened. Are you OK?

They looked very peaceful

lying there in the bed, hand in hand.

Why the hell did he feel he had to take his own life?

Maybe he'd just had a gutful.

I only spent a few hours with her and...

..God knows that was hard enough.

Mmm.

Or...

..maybe he couldn't live without her.

They'd been married a long time.

Yeah, maybe.

Maybe.

Who knows why we do the things we do?

(HUMS SOFTLY)

Ricky. Dan.

What?

Hey, you. (CHUCKLES)

I was about to check on a patient before I headed home to get ready...

Oh.

Yeah. Of course I understand.

Maybe later in the week, then.

Yeah. I love you too.

Thanks. Problem?

Um, dinner cancellation.

No big deal. (ELEVATOR DINGS)

Everything's alright with you and Dan?

Yeah.

Good.

(MACHINE BEEPS STEADILY)

Hey.

21 needles in me at last count.

It'll be a lottery to see which one kills me first.

They'll get them out, Mai-Lyn.

Maybe not all of them.

Doctor says they're in my liver and kidneys.

I've even got one in my head.

My grandmother was right.

I was born under a bad-luck sign.

That's not luck.

Somebody did this to you, Mai-Lyn.

You have every right to be angry about it.

But that's the thing - I want to but I can't.

If it was my parents, they're long gone.

And if it was my Po Po...

When we first got here, we had nothing.

She worked so hard.

Two, sometimes three, jobs at a time without complaint.

Whatever she has done in the past she has more than made up for.

Besides, she's the only family I've got.

What about your fiance? He's family too.

Yeah. What exactly did you tell him?

Sorry?

The nurse said he's on his way home.

Figured it had to be you.

I'm not angry. It's just I need to know what he knows before I see him.

Mai-Lyn, I didn't call your fiance.

You didn't? Mm-mm.

(WEEPS)

(CONTINUES WEEPING)

CHARLOTTE: What do you want, Frank?

I just wanted to get quietly pissed with you.

I think you'll find that's very pleasant.

I also want you back at work first thing tomorrow morning.

Really?

I'm not sure I want to come back.

We will do everything in our power to make this thing go away.

Why?

What?

There's no fellowship position for me in the E.D.

And even if there was, no chance of me getting it - not after this.

Well, running away isn't going to make it any better.

For God's sake, Frank, how am I supposed to defend myself?

When people learn of my past sexual preferences,

they're going to assume the worst and you know that.

Do you have anything to be ashamed of?

Of course not.

Well, then, all the more reason to stay and fight.

Or...

..maybe it's time I moved on.