Laura and Caroline  
Vw Vixen64@aol.com

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This is the sequel to my third fanfiction, "All Apologies."  Please send any
comments, ideas, criticism to my e-mail address, Vw Vixen64@aol.com.  Your
comments really help a lot in portraying the characters!  Anyway, sit back,
read, enjoy, whatever!

"Bridge Over Troubled Water"

By Laura and Caroline at Vw Vixen64@aol.com

Previously seen on my ER fanfiction-

Doug and Carol argue when Carol tries to take over in the trauma room.  Her
mistake almost costs a life.  Doyle and Carter avoid each other after they
slept together, but when Carter continues to ask Maggie out, she is forced to
tell him she has no interest in him and that she made a mistake.  Jeannie
gives Dale a hard time about his treatment of Al.  Dale tells Jeannie he had
every right to refuse to suture him.  Kerry corrects Mark's mistake when he
misdiagnoses a leukemia patient.  Keaton returns and Benton admits that his
pediatric fellowship didn't work out.  Jerry discovers that Anna made her way
through med school as a stripper. Doug shows up at Lisa's house and tries to
convince her to let him have a part in his son's life.

ACT 1

SCENE 1

(Cut to show the back of Doyle.  She is facing the board, with charts in her
hand.  Zoom out to include John Carter, who is trying to sneak past her with
the aid of Jerry).

Doyle (noticing him)
Nice try.  You're late.

Carter (sighing)
Yeah.

Doyle
C'mon, we have a fracture in Curtain 2.

(Carter throws his bag on a chair and they go to Curtain 2).

Doyle
I have your X-Rays here, Miss Donaldson.  Your right arm is fractured.  We're
going to set it now.

(Doyle looks at the patient curiously).

Carter
I'll get the gauze.

(They put her arm in the rack and set her bone in place).

Doyle
Looks right, Dr. Carter.  Get me a sling.

(The woman itches her face with her free arm.  Doyle looks at her again while
Carter finishes the cast).

Carter
You're all set.  You'll need that cast on for six weeks, though.  Keep it out
of water, and no vigorous exercise.

Patient
Thank you, doctor.

Carter 
Mmm-hmm.

(She gets up and Carter and Doyle leave the curtain).

Doyle
Do you think she's ok?  Those lesions on her face...

Carter (laughing)
Lesions?  They were chicken pox.

Doyle (stops dead in her tracks)
Dammit!

Carter (turns around to look at her)
What?

Doyle
Do you think I'll get it, just from being around her for that long?

Carter (stifling a laugh)
You never had them?

(Doyle shakes her head no).

Carter
Oh, it's hell!  You itch like crazy and if you scratch, you get scars.  I
stayed home for at least a week all itchy.  And I think I had a fever...

(Doyle's eyes grow wide).

Carter (teasing)
My mom made me soup and I watched cartoons all day.  Does that make you feel
better?

Doyle (joking)
What was this, last month?

Carter
Very funny.  You deserve the pox.  

Doyle
The pox, is it?

Carter (shrugs)
It sounds scarier.

(Fade out).

END SCENE 1

SCENE 2

(Cut to show Doug in the lounge, dialing a phone number.  We hear a child's
voice say "Hello?" somewhat sleepily).

Doug
Hey, Mike.  It's Doug.

Mike (through the phone)
Hi.

Doug
You sound kind of tired.  Did I wake you up?

Mike
No, I got up about 10 minutes ago.

Doug (grinning)
It's 10:00!

Mike
Summer break...

Doug
So where's your mom?

Mike
Work.

Doug
So how have you been?

Mike
Fine.

Doug
That's good.  Hey listen, I was just thinking...well, there's a Cubs game
tomorrow and I've got 2 tickets...so if you'd like to come, I'd love to take
you, buddy.

Mike (doubtfully)
I'll have to ask my mom.

Doug
Yeah, well, I talked to your mom the other day and she said it'd be fine.

Mike
OK.

Doug
Good.  And Mike?

Mike
Yeah?

Doug
Just because we're spending time together doesn't mean you have to think of
me as your dad.  I don't want to push you.

Mike
OK.

Doug
You don't have to forgive me or anything.  What I did was pretty hard to
forgive.  All I'm asking is that you give me a chance.  Are you OK with that?

Mike
Yeah.

Doug
All right then.  I'll see you tomorrow.

Mike
Bye.

(Doug hangs up the phone).

END SCENE 2

SCENE 3

(Jeannie is sorting medicines in a closet.  Kerry Weaver enters).

Jeannie
Hi Kerry.  Ugh, this is such a mess.  You doing anything tonight?

Kerry
Maybe another time, Mark and I are going to a medical conference.

Jeannie
Sounds like fun.  Mark?  What happened to Dr. Greene?

Kerry (smiling)
What are you inferring?

Jeannie
Nothing, nothing.  It's just that you're always talking about him.

Kerry (annoyed)
I am not.

Jeannie (pestering)
C'mon Kerry.  Last week you were saying you like those rimless eyeglasses he
wears now instead of the black frames.  And you were upset when he wouldn't
see a psychologist.

Kerry
That was nothing more than concern for my co-worker.

Jeannie (laughs)
Where did you get that line?  Why won't you tell me?

Kerry
I have a patient in five.

Jeannie
I will not let you out of this room until you tell me.  (She blocks the
door).

Kerry
All right, all right.  Maybe I am...interested in him as more than a...

(The door opens and Jeannie stumbles forward.  Mark enters).

Mark
Sorry, Jeannie.

Jeannie
No problem, well...(she looks at them).  I'll leave you two alone.

(Jeannie exits).

(Mark looks over at Kerry).

Kerry (quickly)
I have a LOL in 5.  See you tonight.

Mark
Yup.

(Fade out).

END SCENE 3

SCENE 4

(Cut to show Jerry, Anna, E. Ray, Haleh, and Chuny at the front desk).

Anna (picks up piece of paper and recognizes it as yet another Las Vegas
brochure)
Ugh.  Didn't I throw this out already?  How many copies did you make, Jerry?

Jerry
A lot.

E. Ray
He looks at them all the time.

Chuny
He's probably made a shrine.

Jerry
Ha ha ha.  Very funny.

Haleh
Anna, there's a two year old with a fever in Curtain 6.

Anna
Got it.

Jerry
Um, Anna...before you go?

Anna
Yeah?

Jerry
I was just thinking maybe you'd like to go out for a cup of coffee after work
or something.

Anna
I'd love that.  I'm off at 7, ok?

Jerry
Great.

(Anna exits).

Haleh
Ooh...she said yes!

Chuny
So what's with the sudden interest in Anna, Jerry?

Jerry
Come on!  Who doesn't want to date an ex stripper?

E. Ray
Me.

Jerry
You don't count, E. Ray.

(E. Ray looks hurt).

Haleh
Well, have a good time.  If you're lucky, maybe she'll perform for you.

Jerry (grins)
Just what I had in mind.

(Close on front desk).

END SCENE 4

END ACT 1

ACT 2

SCENE 1

(Show hospital lounge.  Carter is filling out patient histories with a
twinkie in his mouth looking like a cigar.  Doyle enters, fanning the back of
her neck, her hair is pulled up).

Doyle
Is it hot in here?

Carter (whips around and takes the twinkie out)
Oh, it's just you.  It's nice in here.

Doyle
Can I have one?  (points to twinkie).

Carter (tosses her a twinkie)
Mmm-hmm.

Doyle (bites off the end)
How many do you have?  (looking at charts).

Carter
2 from you, 5 from Greene, 1 from Weaver, all due in 2 hours.

Doyle
You can do mine last.  They're not surgical or anything.

Carter
Thanks.

(Doyle sits down across from him).

(Carter looks up at her).

(Carter smirks).

Doyle (smiling)
What?

Carter (turns away)
Nothing.

(His eyes fasten on her lips).

Carter
Girls, they can't even eat a twinkie right.

Doyle
Huh?

(Carter reaches over and wipes whip cream off from under her nose.  He sucks
it off his finger).

Carter
There.

(They looks at each other).

Doyle (realizing)
I'm all itchy.

Carter 
Ha ha.  You're imagining it.  The pox doesn't work that fast.

Doyle (scratching)
Will you get my back?  Please, John?

Carter (sighing)
OK.

(He scratches her back).

Doyle 
Oh, that feels so much better.  A little lower.  Oh, that's it.

(They both look up as the door swings open.  Suddenly Anna finds Carter and
Doyle in what looks to be a very compromising position).

Anna (laughs and closes the door)
I'll just leave you two alone.

(Carter and Doyle turn and look at each other).

Doyle
Oh great.  Now she's got the wrong idea about me...

Carter
Why do you care what she thinks?

Doyle (evasively)
I dunno.  I got beeped.  Later.

Carter (sits down to finish charts)
Yup.

END SCENE 1

SCENE 2

(Cut to show Jerry, Randi, Lydia, Chuny, Jeannie and Anna crowded around the
front desk).

Randi
Did you really leave them alone in the closet?

Jeannie
Yup.

Anna
Can you imagine what happened?

Chuny
I don't want to.

Lydia 
Same here.

Jerry
And I saw Kerry and Mark coming out of the elevator together.

Randi
Oh, that's a great place...

(Everyone turns and stares at her).

Randi
Not like I ever tried it or anything...

Anna
Sure.

(Mark walks up to the desk).

Lydia
So, Mark, how was your little adventure in the closet?

Mark
What?

Chuny
With Kerry?

Jerry
You dog, Mark!

Mark
I don't understand.

Anna
I think you guys are a great couple.

Lydia
Mmm-hmm.

Randi
There's no point in trying to keep it quiet, Mark.  Jeannie's told us all of
the details.

(Kerry walks up).

Kerry
Mark, there's an aneurysm in three...could you help me?

Jeannie
Oh, I'm sure he'd love to.

(Jeannie pushes Mark into Kerry).

(Mark looks confused but proceeds to follow Kerry).

Randi
Aneurysm?  Yeah, right.  What kind of lame excuse is that?

Lydia
Who would've guessed Kerry's so horny?

(Everyone laughs).

END SCENE 2

SCENE 3

(Doug is in the X-Ray room, peering at the film clipped to a lighted board.
 Carol enters, pauses when she sees Doug, then lifts her chin haughtily and
drops the papers she's holding on a desk.  Doug notices her).

Doug (without turning around)
Carol?

Carol (pretends to just notice him)
Oh, hi Doug.  How are you?

Doug (turns around and walks toward her)
Don't be like that.

(The look each other in the eyes).

Doug
Will you tell me the truth?  Why did you cancel last night?

Carol (sighing)
I was cancelled because you were right in that Trauma and I was wrong.  And I
was mad, not mad at you...mad at myself.  

Doug
What are you trying to say?

Carol
That I shouldn't be a doctor.  (They smile).  But I can't stop thinking that
my life could be a little better, if only-

Doug
It'd be different with me in your life.

Carol (smiling)
I was thinking the same thing.  (She leans in to kiss him).

Doug
Not so fast.  (He backs off).  First, I want you to agree we'll keep our jobs
out of our relationship.  No taking professional problems home, OK?

Carol (murmuring)
OK.

(They lean in to kiss each other.  Doug wraps his arms around Carol's waist.
 Their lips meet and past.  Doug backs her onto the lab table).

Carol (laughing)
Doug!

Doug (buries his head in her neck)
Mmmm....

(Fade out).

END SCENE 3

SCENE 4

(Cut to show Mark Greene bent over a patient.  Enter Carter).

(Carter smacks his hands down on Mark's shoulders.  Mark whirls around with
his fists doubled up).

Mark (angry)
God, you scared me!  Don't ever do that again!

Carter (looks taken aback)
Sorry.  (Changes subject).  What do we have here?

Mark
12 year old female overdose.  I'm waiting for the tox screen results.  Looks
like attempted suicide to me.

Carter
CBC, chem 20?

Mark
It's done.  Aren't you supposed to be with Doyle?

Carter (shrugs)
She doesn't need me.

Mark
I'll borrow you, then.  Order the antibiotics, I'm supposed to be at the
police station to look at some mugs.

Carter
They still haven't found the guy?

Mark
Nope.  Del Amico will check with you in awhile.

Carter
Bye.  All right.  (Checks patient).  What's going on...foley's in.

Chuny
We're lavaging.

Carter
Sounds good.

Haleh (hands him a paper)
The tox screen.

Carter
Tested positive for Valium.  OK...we need Ancef.....

Chuny
How much?

Carter
Uhh 1 gram...does that sound right?

Chuny
How should I know?

Carter
OK, OK...10 milligrams gentamicin...that should do it.

Haleh
Blood alcohol's .23.

Carter (checking pupils)
Got it.

(Fade out).

END SCENE 4

END ACT 2

ACT 3

SCENE 1

(Cut to show Benton in surgery with Dr. Hicks).

Benton
We're going to need to bypass-

(Jeannie enters).

Jeannie
I have a message for Dr. Peter Benton.

(Benton turns around, slightly annoyed).

Benton 
What is it?

Jeannie
I think you might want to come with me?

Dr. Hicks
Scrub out, Dr. Benton.

(Benton backs up and pulls off his gloves.  He walks outside).

Benton
What?

Jeannie
Dr. Tabash wanted me to tell you...(she pauses).  Well, your child has down
syndrome.

Benton (shocked)
When did-

Jeannie (comforting)
They weren't sure until this morning.

(Benton looks lost).

Jeannie
I know that this is hard for you, Peter.

(Benton suddenly snaps out of it and glances at his watch).

Benton
Yeah, well...I have to go-Dr. Hicks needs me in there.

Jeannie (confused)
Don't you want to talk to Dr. Tabash?

Benton (abrupt)
Oh...that can wait.  I, ah-

(Benton takes a step backward).

Benton
Thank you.

(He ducks inside).

(Jeannie looks angry and slightly confused).

END SCENE 1

SCENE 2

(Show Carter working on the O.D. patient).

Anna
This the O.D.?

Carter
Yup.  Hi, Anna.

Anna
What've we got?

Carter
12 year-old female suicide attempt.  Name's Meredith Grant.  

Anna
She's pretty young.

Carter
I know.

Anna
Any family around?

Carter
I called her dad.  He'll be here "later" as he put it.  Sounded kinda drunk.

Anna (sarcastically)
Great.  What'd you order?

Carter
Um, I gram Ancef...10 milligrams gentamicin...

Anna
Just 10?

Carter
Yeah.

Anna
What did she take?

Carter
Valium.

Anna 
Valium?  Carter, you've got to be kidding...10 mils for Valium?

Carter (nervous)
Yeah.

Anna
Haleh, what's her barbituate level?

Haleh
42.

Anna
Dammit!

(Anna whirls around).

Anna
Give her another 20 mils gentamicin IV over the next hour...then page me.
 What the hell were you thinking, Carter!  Barbituate level 42 and you give
her 10 milligrams?  She needs three times that!

Carter
I don't know.

Anna
You don't know?  That's no excuse, Carter.  This patient will die unless her
barbituate level falls within the next 24 hours.

(Anna stomps out.  Carter looks upset and pulls up a seat next to the
patient).

END SCENE 2

SCENE 3

(Cut to show Mark leafing through a thick packet of mug shots at the front
desk of a police station.  Nina is leaning over his shoulder).

Mark (pointing to photograph)
Him.  I think maybe it was him.

Nina (putting an arm around his shoulders)
Are you sure?

Mark
No...wait!  He looks familiar.

Nina
Mark...

Mark
Yeah.  Him.  I know I've seen him before.

Nina
Why are you doing this to yourself?

Mark (quizzical) 
Doing what?

Nina
Trying to find your attacker...you're just searching for someone to blame
this on, Mark.

Mark
I've got to find him.

Nina
Why?

Mark (sighing)
I just want to put all of the pieces together and let this part of my life be
over.

Nina
Mark...there is no way you can just forget this.  Once you find him, if you
find him...then you'll just have more decisions to make.  It won't just end.

Mark (flipping to another page)
All I want...all I need...is to find him and forget this ever happened.

Nina
And what will you do if you find him?

Mark (glances up, looks bewildered)
I don't know.

(Fade out).

END SCENE 3

SCENE 4

(Cut to show Carter in the trauma room with O.D. patient Meredith Grant.  It
is getting dark out.  The first signs of stubble decorate Carter's face).

Carter
What's her barbituate level?

Haleh
Still 42.

(Carter sighs).

Haleh
You're off, Carter.  You can go home.

Carter
No...that's ok.

Haleh
Suit yourself, I'm leaving.

(Haleh exits).

(Keaton enters and wraps her arms around Carter's neck).

Keaton
You ready?

Carter (doesn't turn around)
Can't go.  I have to watch her.

Keaton
What happened?

Carter
I didn't give her enough gentamicin...her barbituate level is still 42...

Keaton (removes her arms)
Hey, honey, it's OK.  We all make mistakes.

Carter (bitterly)
Seems like I make them a lot more than most people.

Keaton
You don't have to stay here and torture yourself.  Go home, get some sleep...

Carter
No, I want to do this.

Keaton (kisses him on the head)
All right.  Can I take a rain check on that date?

Carter
Sure.

Keaton
Then I'll see you later.

(Keaton exits).

(Close on Carter, sitting alone next to the bed, heart monitor beeping slowly
but rhythmically).

END SCENE 4

SCENE 5

(Cut to show Doug sitting on Carol's porch surrounded by a mess of empty
cartons.  It is late at night.  Carol appears and starts to head up the
walkway.  She notices Doug).

Carol (walks up to porch and sits down beside him)
What're you doing here?

Doug (sweetly)
Well, since you got off so late, I decided to bring you dinner.

Carol (glances around)
Where is it?

Doug (motions to cartons, then to his stomach)
Chinese.  It was starting to get cold, so I figured you'd want me to have it.

Carol
Thanks....I think.

Doug
It was good if that makes you feel any better.

Carol (smiling)
You're a mess.

(Carol leans over and puts her head on his shoulder.  Doug kisses her lightly
on the lips).

Doug
So do I get to come inside?

Carol (smiles)
Are you sure you've been a good boy?  You did eat my dinner...

(Doug nods emphatically).

Doug (wheedlingly)
I'll buy you more Chinese...

Carol
Well...I guess so...

(Carol gets up and takes Doug's arm to pull him up, too.  She puts the key in
the lock and opens the door.  Show Doug duck inside, Carol follows him).

END SCENE 5

END ACT 3

ACT 4

SCENE 1

(Cut to show Anna walking over to the waiting room).

Anna
I'm looking for a Mr. Grant?

(A middle aged man walks over).

Grant
I'm him.

Anna
Mr. Grant, I'm Dr. Del Amico.

Grant
Did you drag me over here for some stupid introduction?

Anna (swallowing temper)
Your daughter, Meredith, was brought here.  She overdosed on Valium.

Grant
Yeah?

Anna
It appeared as if it was attempted suicide.  Do you know any reason why she
might have overdosed?

Grant (shrugs)
Dunno.  I never tried to get inside that kid's head.  She was always kinda
crazy.  Went around messing up my life.

Anna
Mr. Grant, your daughter is in critical condition.  Her barbituate level is
holding at 42.  That's extremely high.  It's possible that she might die.

Grant
That's no less than she deserves.  She killed her mother.  Her mom...she
always wanted a baby.  She died having Meredith.

Anna
Mr. Grant, this is your daughter's life!  Don't you want to see her?  Can't
you just realize she needs you?

Grant
I don't care what she needs.  (Pauses).  She's not my responsibility.  Let
her go to hell.  It's where she belongs.

(Mr. Grant walks away.  Close on Anna's reaction).

END SCENE 1

SCENE 2

(Cut to show Benton in the surgeon's lounge, drinking coffee and watching TV.
 Jeannie enters).

Jeannie
Dr. Benton?  You didn't answer your pages.

Benton
Oh, damn.  I...my mind isn't in here today.

Jeannie
We need you for a surgical consult in Trauma 7.  42 year-old man with
abdominal pain.

Benton
Sorry.

Jeannie
I'll walk you down there.

Benton
Mmm.

(They exit the room).

Jeannie
So how's David?

Benton
I don't know.  I haven't been to see him yet.

Jeannie
What?  After what Dr. Tabash found this morning?

Benton
I didn't have time.

Jeannie (angry)
That's crap, Peter!  You're giving up on this baby because it's disabled?

Benton
Of course not!

Jeannie
Don't lie to me.  What gives you the right to judge him?  This is your child.
 Give it a chance.

(She stalks off.  Close on Peter, standing alone in the hallway).

END SCENE 2

SCENE 3

(Show John Carter slumped in a chair next to Meredith).

(Maggie Doyle enters behind him).

Doyle (drums on his head with her fists)
Hey, John.

Carter (startled)
Oh...oh, it's just you.

Doyle
Damn chicken pox!  Just me?  (She scratches her arm).  

Carter
I think I won't answer that.

Doyle
Smart.  You OK?  (She looks at him and then at the OD patient).

Carter
Fine...fine.

Doyle
I heard about what happened.

Carter (looks away)
Yeah.

Doyle (looks at him)
Del Amico said she's doing a little better.  Let it go, John.  All you can do
now is hope.  

(Carter looks passive).

Doyle
You want to go get something to eat?  We can pick up girls and get very, very
drunk?

Carter (bitterly)
You should be a therapist.  (Looks at her, tone changing).  No, Maggie.  I
want to stay with her.

Doyle (smiles)
It's almost 1 o'clock.  You're falling asleep.  Have you had dinner?

(Carter shakes his head no).

Doyle
I'm gonna get you some and come back with a pillow.  Mind if I stay with you?
 We can talk...

Carter
I'd like that.

(Fade out).

END SCENE 3

SCENE 4

(It is the next day, early in the morning.  Cut to show Carol and Doug lying
in her bed.  He reaches over and pulls her over to his bare chest while
growling.  Carol yelps in surprise).

Doug
Guess what?

Carol
Hmm?

Doug (turns to face her)
I'm never getting out of bed today.  And, I'm stealing the covers.  (He rips
them off her).

Carol
Hey!  (She tugs at them).

Doug
Uh-uh you're not getting the blanky back so stop trying.

(There is a persistent knock on the door.  Carol's mother calls out).

Mother
Carol?  Honey, I need to borrow a cup of flour.

Doug
Yikes!  (He hides under the covers).  Think she'll notice me?

Carol
Of course not.  I'll just tell her you're a shy hippo who sleeps in my bed
sometimes.

Doug (dives under bed as Mother walks in)
You think I'm as big as a hippo?

Mother
The door was open so I figured you wouldn't mind.

Carol
No, no, the flour's in the cupboard.

(She swings her feet over the side of the bed).

Mother
Oh, don't get up, dear.  So, how's that Toby you've been seeing?  

(Doug crawls over to where Carol's feet are.  He sloppily kisses her ankles
from under the bed.  Carol laughs).

Mother
Something funny?

Carol
No, no, Toby is...(Doug nips her ankle, she laughs again).

Mother (peers at her curiously)
Are you all right?

Carol (smiles)
Yup.

Mother
Well, I have to go, I just came for the flour.

Carol
Ok, bye Mom.

(Mother leaves).

Carol
Coast is clear.

(Doug slithers out).

Doug 
Bumped my head (he pats it).

Carol
My mother is so awful!  She just came to check up on me.

Doug
You haven't told her about me?

Carol
She'll just get angry.

Doug (nodding)
Mmm-hmm.  Carol, you know, it's really great that your mother cares about you
that much.

Carol
Are we talking about my parents or your being a parent?

Doug
Both.  At least Lisa will let me see Mike occasionally.

Carol
That's something.

Doug
We talked last night, she won't forgive me, but I persuaded her that Mike
needs a father even if he is a son of a bitch.

Carol (protesting)
Doug...

Doug
Lisa's really independent, but maybe she'll let me pay child support.

Carol
Give her some time, Doug.

Doug (sighing)
OK.

Carol
Now, get dressed.  (She throws his scrubs at him).

Doug (pulling on pants)
You know, you're always saying what's wrong with me.  Let's talk about you.
 Why don't you come clean with your mom?

Carol
Aww, enough psychology for today.

(Fade out).

END SCENE 4

SCENE 5

(Cut to show Carter asleep in the trauma room.  Doyle is stretched out on two
chairs on the other side of the room.  Show Carter slowly open his eyes
slowly and yawn.  He stretches glances up at Meredith.  Play cheesy dramatic
music.  Close on Carter's face).

END SCENE 5

END ACT 4

Well, that's the end.  Tell me what you want to happen and what you thought
of the whole thing!  Thanks a lot, and keep reading.