05x05 - Vertigo

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Royal Pains...

Her father's on the way.

No, he's already here.

I'm the lucky dad.

It turns out the source of your pain

is not an ulcer at all,

but a four-millimeter kidney stone.

Nothing that small could cause
this much agony.

This is your first day.

I have the job?

Unpaid internship.

I thought I should add back
a little hydrocodone.

How much do you need?

Mr. Lawson, we would be happy
to consider your waiver.

Okay. How long will that take?

Six months to a year.

I'm running for village council.

You were right. This guy's got flair.

Shh!

- Oh, look who's here.
- Shh!

Hey, Don, I get the feeling
I'm a little late.

Don't try
that lame "saving lives" excuse.

Yeah, well, some of my patients actually

- keep their appointments.
- Well, my bad. It's been busy.

Are you doing okay, though?

Yeah, no more kidney stones.

Just been feeling a little tired.

- Well...
- I know I'll reschedule

- the follow-up.
- Tomorrow before work?

Sure.

Perfect.

Looks like a good crowd tonight.

Yeah, folks love this young guy.

I don't know his music much,
but I admire

what he does with at-risk kids.

Speaking of...

Say hello to Dr. Lawson, Molly.

Hello, Dr. Lawson.

Hello, Molly.

Run along, Slack. She's got work to do.

- All right, see you later.
- See ya.

- Boy drives me nuts.
- His name is Slack?

Yeah, it's a family name.
I assume they came over

on the Mayflower and did nothing.

The boy's dad's in and out of jail,

which wouldn't bother me,
except that we're neighbors.

And the boy's always pestering my girl.

Hey.

- I try, Hank.
- I'll see you in the A.M.

Paige. How lovely.

Isn't it amazing?

Yes. If it weren't for this migraine...

I cannot survive the Rimsky-Korsakov.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

And such a week I have ahead.

I have to oversee the packing of a...

of an exquisite Chagall
that's off to auction...

unless you'd like to take that on.

A Chagall? Of course.

The crating assistant
will meet you at 10:00.

Tomorrow at 10:00?

Inconvenient for you?

No, no, it's just usually
I'm with Hankmed on Mondays

and with you...

it's no problem.

I'm on it.

Bye.

Hi. Two... black.

Mr. Lawson... man of the hour.

Ms. Ballard.
Why am I the man of the hour?

You are running
for village council, aren't you?

Against my appointment
for the open seat.

Tara in the clerk's office
said you picked up a packet.

She did? I asked her
not to mention that.

Don't fret. You're new.

I've lived here for over two years.

Oh, dear, no, I meant new to politics.

I'm sure you'll catch on.

I'm impressed you think

you can gather enough signatures
to get on the ballot

on such short notice.

Or one could pay a filing fee.

Yes, you do have the option
to forgo public support,

if that's the kind of candidacy
you want.

Well, of course I'm getting signatures.

It's 300 for special elections...

to discourage poseurs.

We best get back.

Good luck.

Right.

Aah!

Excuse me.

Sorry. Excuse me.

Excuse me. Coming through.

Hi. Hi. I'm a doctor.

- Are you okay?
- I'm fine.

They finish playing. They work so hard.

- Thank you.
- Are you all right?

I'm okay. Let's go.
Okay, everybody, sit down.

Come on. Come on.

Hey, we can examine him afterwards.

All right, Mussorgsky.

The C.T. confirmed a minor concussion,

but considering the fall he took,

Santi was lucky.

Oh, Santi.

One ride to the hospital,
and she's on a nickname basis.

Two rides, actually.

I also gave Santi a lift

to a patron's studio, where he's staying

while the kids, you know, finish
their local concert dates.

Thank you very much. And on to you.

Is he as passionate in person?

Wait a second.
Since when did classical dudes

- get groupies?
- I'm not a groupie.

I am a philharmonica.

And, yes.

I'm following up with him later today.

Signing your sheet reminded me

that I forgot to get his autograph.

Thank you, guys, again

for giving me the day off
to crate this painting.

If Russel ever sends
our client's address.

Nice. And on to you, Henry.

If I sign this, does that mean
I'm obligated to vote for you?

You're not, but you will.

I don't know. What's in it for me?

The convenience of seeing patients again

in your home office.

Way to pander to your base.

Not bad, right?

Bam! At this rate,
I'll be done by lunch.

All right.

We're out. See you guys.

What's wrong?

I just got the client's address.

So?

Who is it?

I don't understand.

Like, Blythe Ballard Blythe Ballard.

- Yes.
- No. No.

No.

Paige, no.

You are absolutely not going
into that lioness' den.

She...

Wait a second.

Hold on a second.

This is perfect.

You can be my eyes and ears.

You can get inside
and expose her corrupt nature.

Or I could be professional
and do my job.

Or you could do that.

It's not fair. I wasn't with Slack.

You're just... you're seeing things.

You ditched your community service.

I took a break.

No, you left! You left!

It was a long break!

- Ugh!
- Yeah, ugh!

Bad time?

Yeah. Yeah, it's called adolescence.

Hey.

Molly has some objections
to being grounded.

Grounded on a boat...
it doesn't even make any sense.

No TV.

- Sorry to interrupt.
- Unh!

Are you kidding? Please do.

So you mentioned not feeling so great.

What's up?

Well, I'll stick to the medical.

Probably best.

Uh, I've been getting short
of breath when I exercise,

a little weak and light-headed.

I've been having some blurry vision.

Any sharp abdominal pain?

No, no, none of that.

You still taking the diuretics
I prescribed

after your kidney stone?

Not happily, but, yeah.

Well, good news...
I'm taking you off those.

The symptoms you mentioned
could all be side effects

from those water pills.

And since you're having
no more issues...

Oh, thank God.
I hate taking those pills, man.

Sorry, doc.
I know that meds get a bad rap,

but I just... I still hate 'em.

No, look, I get it.

I had a surgery last winter,
and afterwards I couldn't stand

to look at those pills by my sink.

Just knowing they were mine,

it was depressing.

Are you okay now?

I am.

And you're off all the meds?

Yep.

Okay.

Well, your whole family
is full of surprises.

I take it you work for Russel,
Ms. Lawson.

I do, but, please,
Ms. Ballard, call me Paige.

Please, Paige, call me Blythe.

Blythe, if my assisting
with your artwork

is uncomfortable for you...

If I were to shun every neighbor

with an issue before the council,

I'd be a hermit.

Don't tell me.
Russel has one of his migraines.

Chicken.

You want to see my baby?

The Chagall? Yes.

Very much.

Wow.

She's amazing.

I don't know why I say "she."
It's both of them.

It's Bella, Chagall's wife.

He's lost in love.

The painting was my grandmother's.

In some ways, over the years,
I've mixed Bella up with grams...

both strong women
who didn't surrender easily.

But now I'm the one
who has to surrender her.

It must be so intimate
to live with a piece like this,

not just stand in front of it

for a few minutes in a museum.

When do your henchmen cart her away?

Our packers should be here shortly.

I will make sure your painting
is handled properly.

Excuse me, sir?

Hi. Could I just have
one moment of your time?

I'm Evan R. Lawson,
and I'm collecting signatures

to get on the ballot for a
vacancy on the village council.

I'm gonna stop you right there.

I spend summers here,
but I'm registered in the city.

Oh. But you own a home here?

- I do.
- Well, that's crazy.

You own a home here, but you can't vote?

Owning property
has nothing to do with voting,

not since the 18th century.

And you really can only vote
in one precinct.

Oh, okay.

Well, that's the first thing
I'll change, then.

It's kind of in the constitution.

And if it's any consolation,
after this little chat,

I wouldn't have voted for you anyway.

See, kids?

That's why you do your homework
before video games.

Yah.

Come. Divya, you're early.

No, I think I'm on time.

Oh. Oh, please, just one moment.

I'm not so used to this software.

Ugh, I can't believe it's so late.

I had a brainstorm before dawn,

and I started composing.

I should hit my head more often.

As a medical professional,
I can't recommend that.

Hmm. This wave came.

It's, uh... an overture...

I think. I don't know.

It's something for the kids to rehearse

on their European tour.

I hate to tear you away

for a post-concussive exam,
but I'll be brief.

No, it's good. It's good to break.

Any headaches or nausea?

No. No, I feel, uh, inspired.

Well, it's only fair.

You've inspired so many others.

Not to mention
all you give to your kids.

Everybody says this, but, you know,

it's the students that give to me.

They are like sponges, you know.

Well, you demand a lot of them.

No, but it's the music
demands, you know?

I mean, it's what my teacher gave to me.

He knew the power of music.

To pull a boy from El Cartucho,
the toughest streets in Bogota,

and give to him a world...

I can never repay this.

Well, you do a fine job trying.

And it seems that you've
sustained no lasting effects

- from your fall.
- Oh, thank you.

Sorry. Should I bring
the horns back later?

No, no, no, it's okay.
I think we're finished.

Divya, this is Lily.

She is our orchestra's concertmaster.

It's nice to meet you.

I enjoyed your playing last night.

Thank you. Is he okay now?

- He is.
- Hey, everybody, we are leaving

for Vienna on schedule.

Ah, ha ha.

As long as you stay podium-bound

and don't try to fly again.

No, but this is what I'm saying.

If the music soars, then you must soar.

You don't have a choice.
Then, please, soar with care.

Divya, I appreciate everything
that you've done.

I hate to be a gushing fan,
but I would love

to get your autograph if I...

Santi. Santi.

What happened?

I don't know. The room was like...

Were you dizzy at all last night onstage

before you fell?

Why? What would it mean if I was?

We'll need to run some tests
to find out.

Yeah, I'm just checking in.

Okay. Yeah, I'm spying.

Look, I just want to make sure
that you stay grounded.

Yeah, or decked...

whatever you want to call it, okay?

I've got to go. Good-bye. Good-bye.

Thanks for meeting me on my break.

No problem.
Can I have your hand, please?

Sounds like your shortness
of breath is worse

and that Molly still
isn't cutting you and Slack.

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

I have to call her landline

every couple hours to check up.

Well, you know,
she could forward your landline.

Aren't you supposed
to make me feel better?

- Sorry again.
- No whip mocha.

Yeah. You know, I try

not to come down too hard
on Molly, but she keeps pushing.

When her mom left,
Molly was only seven years old,

and I thought she was gonna
act out, but she didn't.

She was my rock.

And then she hit her teens,
and I braced myself,

but she stayed my sweet little girl...

up until this year.

She's just so angry all the time,

and it's like, she shuts me out.

I really miss her.
I miss us being a team.

Well, I hear they come back.

Yeah, if I can hang on that long.

To that point, I want to follow up

on your shortness of breath
and this cough you've developed.

Plus, your oxygenation isn't great.

Do you have time to get a chest
X-ray at Hamptons Heritage?

I got a court appearance in an hour,

and my car's in the shop.

Well, how about I pick you up
when you're off duty?

Quickly...

- Go.
- Oh.

- Any light-headedness?
- Mm, no.

Actually, no, I just had a thought

of adding violas to my theme.

- Is that a symptom?
- Not to me.

But I am partial to violas.

- Did you play?
- In school.

Pursuing music beyond that
was not practical.

Hmm. I loved playing, though.

Your parents didn't approve?

No, it was me.

I thought I needed
a more dependable career path.

- Ah. Okay.
- Lie back again...

Quickly...

Go.

Do you think that there's
some truth to musical talent

being inherited?

Oh, absolutely.

Everyone in my family plays.

The marimbas were always alive,

and there was always dancing in my house

ever since I was a baby.

So then my child could be musical.

You have a child?

I meant one day.

I believe you will pass
your love for music along.

Hmm. So no nystagmus...

- eye movement.
- So is that good or bad?

Well, it rules out
benign positional vertigo...

neither good nor bad, just puzzling,

since it doesn't explain your dizziness.

Okay.

I'd like you to see an audiologist.

Can it wait?

I mean, we play Stony Brook tonight,

and then we have two nights
in Manhattan,

and then we go to Europe.

What if I got you
an appointment this afternoon?

Well, I mean, I could get Lily
to warm up the orchestra,

but I have to be in white tie
and on the podium by 8:00.

I'll see what I can do.

Hi, there, guys.

Could you give me
one second of your time?

Okay. Thank you.

All I need is one signature,
and I can get on the ballot. No?

If I give you a little
tap dance, maybe sign it? Nope?

Just one signature, sir, one signature.

Please. My name's Evan R. Lawson.

I'm begging you. Resident?

Sir, are you a resident here?

Ladies... I'm so sorry.

No chance that you're
a resident here, is there?

Born and raised.

- Really?
- Yeah.

Are you registered to vote?

Dude, I haven't missed an election

since I was 18 and wasted
my vote on Ralph Nader.

Well, my name's Evan R. Lawson,

and I'm running for village council.

Oh, for Bostwick's seat, right?

- Yeah.
- Nice.

I heard the old dude retired.

He did. But in with the new, right?

You got it.

I'm gathering signatures
so I can get on the ballot.

- Yeah, hand it over.
- Really?

Yep. So is this, uh...

is this like a special election?

That's exactly what it is.
You are very well informed.

Well, I have to be.
I'm on the village payroll.

So you're working with
Blythe Ballard, then, I guess.

No, no, I'm running
against her candidate.

Dude, I can't sign this.

Ms. B... she's been great
for us lifeguards.

She got us these chairs.

Before that, I was out here
cooking in the sun all day.

I got second-degree burns once.

Speaking of which, you do have
some sunscreen on, right?

- Yeah, I'm covered.
- Nice.

- Thanks.
- Yeah. Good luck.

I'm sorry if I called at a bad time.

My lawyer can't call your lawyer.

Bubbles facing out.



and you're a total stranger to me.

Go to the truck and get more tape.

I've got plenty.

Were you always this devious?

Then take a break.

If you really want
to hide assets from me,

you should adopt your mistress.

She's the right age.

Franklin, did you hang up on me?

- You did.
- We should be finished soon.

Mr. Ballard is creating
financial problems for me.

Which is why you have
to part with Bella?

One really should be more careful

when falling in love.

Don't listen to me.

I'm going through a bitter period.

I'm sure you and Mr. Lawson

will never have this kind of trouble.

That's very sweet of you to say.

Well done.

No need for good-byes.

Would you like
a little more time with her?

We could come back in the morning.

I hope this chest X-ray is clear.

I don't have too many sick days left.

I thought you were Superman
in your department.

I don't take off for illness.
They're Molly crisis days.

Or "molidays," as I like to call them.

Well, you shouldn't worry
about the X-ray.

I'm just being extra cautious.

But if it is pneumonia,

It's better to catch it early.
Speak of the devil.

Molliwog, what's up?

Whoa, whoa, slow down.
Where are you now?

All right, listen to me.
Do not confront him.

I'm on my way.

Molly. Molly!

- Where are we going?
- The marina...

Slack's family boat.
His father has a g*n.

This is O'shea.

Send all available units to the marina.

Move back, folks.

A family's being held
hostage on their boat...

- sh*ts fired.
- Where's my daughter?

- Dad!
- No one has made contact

with the father yet.

He's drunk or high or something,

and he's waving a g*n around.

I know. I know
I shouldn't have been there,

- but I jumped off the stern...
- Listen, listen, you stay here

with Hank, and you get
behind the car, you hear me?

He pulled a g*n on Slack's mom.

Okay, I'm gonna take care of this.

I'm gonna take care of it, all right?

All right, Mike, Andy,
secure the perimeter.

Give me all eyes on the boat. Let's go.

All right, Molly, let's get
behind the car.

Molly! Molly, stop!

Terry, it's your neighbor Don.

Listen, I'm a little concerned
about Rita and your son.

Is everything okay in there?

No, Don, it's not okay!

It's not my fault! Get out of here!

No, no, no, no.

It's okay. It's all right.
Your dad's got this.

Hey, no, Terry.
No one's saying it's your fault.

Listen, the bluefish are gonna
be coming in in a couple weeks.

Weren't you and Slack
gonna take out the dinghy?

He doesn't want to be with me.
He hates me.

No. No, that's not true, Terry.

I see the way Slack looks up to you.

Now, listen, don't you think
you should let him come out?

I do.

Terry, are you there?

Terry, are you still there? Talk to me.

It's all right. Slack's okay.

- Okay, Terry.
- Come on.

All right, now I need you

to put the g*n down and come on out.

Can you do that?

Come on out.

Hands! Show me your hands right now!

Hands up! Hands up!

Keep 'em up! Get down on your knees!

Get down on your knees now! Cover me.

- Is it over?
- It is. It is.

He did it. He did it.

Watch your head.

Hey, Don...

I noticed you were having
some trouble with your eyes.

- You mind if I take a look?
- No, not at all.

- Is the sunlight painful?
- Uh, a little bit, yeah.

Then I apologize in advance
if this makes it worse.

Open and look straight ahead.

Mm.

Bingo. What's that about?

Photophobia...

sensitivity to light
can have various causes.

I'm also seeing red,

not just around your irises but in them.

And let's face it...
your vision was blurry before.

You clocked that, huh?

- I did.
- Yeah, well, if this doc thing

doesn't work out for you,
you'll make a decent cop.

Thank you very much.

You have a swelling
and irritation of the eyes

called uveitis.

We'll treat it with anti-inflammatories,

but we still need to determine
the root cause,

and given your other symptoms,

we really need to get that X-ray.

Okay. Listen, thanks
for your help earlier.

Yeah, you got it.

Molly seems to have dealt well
with the trauma.

Maybe she has her dad's ability
to take charge.

Or like her dad, maybe she
just knows how to act tough.

Listen, I'm gonna... I'm gonna go
be with her, okay?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, of course.

Your test can wait until morning,

but call me if any new symptoms develop.

- Thanks, doc.
- Sure.

I'm sorry, Molly.

I'll be on the boat.

Ah.

I missed it.

The audiologist? Yes, you did.

I am so sorry.

That is so rude,
after you made the effort.

And you didn't answer your phone.

I've been lost in this,

and I have little to show for it.

You know, it's not coming
like it sounds in my head.

I thought maybe there's a glitch
or a problem

with the subwoofer or something.

Do you want to listen?

Of course.

It's very powerful.

But it's tinny.

There is no bottom to the music.

Are you kidding?

The timpani and the double bass
are overwhelming.

They are?

Wasn't there a tuning fork around here?

Uh, yeah.

But, uh, Divya, I don't have much time.

I have to get dressed
for the concert tonight.

It won't take long. Sit, please.

Okay.

- I want to try something.
- Okay.

- Do you hear anything?
- Yeah.

More in one ear or equally in both?

It's more in the left ear.

Okay.

Nod when you can no longer
hear the tone.

Okay.

Yeah.

Do you hear anything?

No. What does that mean?

You're experiencing
conductive hearing loss,

especially in your left ear.

So what you are saying...
the bass is there,

but I just can't hear it.

Mm-hmm.

Will this get worse?

We'll need to do a full workup
to answer that

before going on tour.

Could I, uh... can I go deaf?

'Cause my students...

you know, I won't be much of a mentor

if I can't hear my students.

I know that it's scary,

but it's premature to be so dire.

I'll have a list of names
of Manhattan ENTs for you

by tomorrow morning.

But, Santi, this appointment
you cannot miss,

even if you get inspired.

Maybe I shouldn't have wanted
so much to be

in the company of Beethoven.

If it's progressive,

our treatment options
have also progressed quite a bit

since Beethoven's day.

- How's it going, boss tweed?
- Hey.

It's good. It's going great, actually.

Yeah? That bad, huh?

- Horrible.
- Ugh.

I'm sorry. Man, you got some sun.

Didn't you wear a hat?

Politicians don't wear hats.

They hide your eyes
and make you look shifty.

Didn't you at least put on
some sunscreen,

or does that make you
look slick and oily?

I'm not an idiot, Henry.

Of course I wore sunscreen.

I've been reapplying it all day.
Oh, my God.

Hydrating night cream?

It's a very similar bottle.

To your hydrating day cream?

With SPF-40, yes. I have dry skin, okay?

Can I talk to you seriously
for one second?

I don't know.

I'm having second thoughts
about my campaign.

- Okay.
- Maybe running just to solve

our Hankmed issue's a mistake.

You mean a personal grudge

isn't a solid political foundation?

That's the thing.

I know nothing about local issues.

Evan, you've always been a quick study.

I bet this night-cream mistake
doesn't happen twice.

Sorry this took so long.

Ah. Are you waiting tables, Stu?

Oh, the joys of owning a business.

Doc, don't tell me you're
running for village council.

Uh, no, Evan is... I think.

I guess I'll still serve you,

even if you do join those
anti-business-zoning czars.

Actually, I want to change
restrictive zoning laws.

I've been trying to expand
for three summers,

but those fossils on the council
want to keep

the Hamptons in the last century.

All they do is throw up roadblocks.

That's exactly
why I want to get in there

and shake things up.

Well, you got my vote, pal.

And, hey,

food's on the house.

- Thank you, Stu.
- Yes.

Hey, folks, how's the day?

I think I just got my first issue.

I think you just got your first bribe.

- I better eat this.
- It wasn't a bribe.

I didn't promise him anything.

Still, to be safe.

Manhattan is going to flip.

It's only for one night.

Unless she changes her mind.

It's just so sad
that she has to let Bella go.

- Bella was Chagall's wife.
- Yes.

You got an "A" in early modernists.

How nice for you.

You were supposed
to follow instructions.

If I wanted someone
to get all emotional,

I would have gone myself.

You knew it would be tough.

Heart-wrenching.

So many clients treat their precious art

as only investments.

When someone actually appreciates

what they have, I get all gooey.

But you are not allowed to.

Understood. I will take care of it.

And I'm very sorry to have bothered you

- during your migraine.
- Russel!

We're out of Pinot!

And there's my migraine.

Okay.

- Divya!
- Santi?

Santi.

Divya, thank God you came.

What happened... dizzy again?

It's worse.

I feel better now, but...

- My voice... it hurts.
- Your throat?

No, no, no, the sound of my voice...

it hurts my ears.

What were you doing when it started?

Uh, I was taking a break.

I was checking the mixer.

Hey, I got your call.

Yes. Sorry. I asked Hank to join us.

I hear you've been having dizzy spells.

It's horrible.
It's like the world is tilting.

Okay, his vitals are normal.

I'm beginning to suspect
Tullio phenomenon.

It's a vertigo that is sound induced.

When you were dizzy earlier,
the horns were playing,

and this time you were mixing tracks.

Do you feel up to testing
Divya's theory?

- Sure. Yeah.
- Okay, good.

It's okay.

Okay.

Whoa.

Looks like Divya's on the right track.

It was much worse before.

I'd like to try something else.

- Can you sit down for me?
- Yeah, okay.

Oh, ear plugs... perfect.

I don't want you to hear the music.

Santi, can you play back your
theme with just the violins?

- Just the violins?
- Mm-hmm.

Okay.

I'd like to take your pulse.

Yeah.

Can you add the percussive hits now?

Yeah.

Hank, watch his eyes.

The hits match his blinking.

And the strings
match the wave of his pulse.

There are flutes that chirp.

They could be in sync
with cranial pressure changes.

A chirp... that's exactly the sound

I was going for.

Santi has been composing

a theme he's been hearing
since his fall,

but he has been having trouble focusing

and losing track of time.

I have been feeling cloudy, you know?

Am I crazy to think that his composition

could be based on autophony?

No, his fall may have caused cracks

in the temporal bone in his inner ear.

Santi, I think that your music

reflects bodily sounds
that you are literally hearing

in your head because of a thin
or cracked ear bone.

You've been hearing your blood pulse,

your eyes moving in their sockets,

maybe even the creak of your joints.

Well, so much for inspiration.

But wait. When we did the
C.T. scan for the concussion,

it didn't show this?

A C.T. wouldn't pick it up,
but there are hi-def scans

that can confirm Divya's diagnosis.

And a soft-tissue graft
can repair the damage.

Will my hearing be fully restored?

Yes. It will.

Oh, uh, I was gonna wash my hands.

Help yourself.

Please don't feel too badly for me.

I'm not so entitled I don't realize

how fortunate I was
to have Bella's company

for as long as I did.

Nothing lasts forever.

Blythe, where did you get this bowl?

I have no idea.

It's been in the family for years.

Have you ever had it appraised?

I never thought to.

It's a sweet thing, isn't it?

I always liked the glaze.

Now, I could be wrong,

but these marks look authentic to me.

Authentic what?

Song Dynasty ceramic.

And not a chip or a cr*ck in it.

Would it have value at auction?

Maybe more than Bella...

maybe considerably more.

We'll have to get an appraiser out,

but in the meantime,
you should stop using this

as a soap dish,
and I should stop the truck.

You mean...

Oh, Paige, how can I ever repay you?

Those white areas
are swollen lymph nodes

in the hilar region.

Is that bad?

Prednisone will help reduce
the swelling,

and we'll keep you
on a preventative dose.

Okay, so you're saying
it may come back, then?

Yes.

It could.

This inflammation,
together with your eye symptoms

and recent kidney stone,
suggests a serious condition

called sarcoidosis.

- Sarcoidosis?
- Yeah.

It's treatable,
but a complicated disease

because its course is hard to predict.

Some people have one episode,
and it never reoccurs.

Others suffer chronic bouts.

So, if I'm in that second category,

I may need to take some of those
sick days for myself, then.

I'm afraid it's possible.

Look at what Chewy's is up to now.

Trying to sway public opinion
with freebies?

- It could work.
- Yeah, with the takers.

But those clams are k*ller.

You're right.

Okay, we'll take a sample.

I'm sorry?

"Free Chewy's."

Oh. No. No, there's no giveaway.

That's not a bad idea, though.
I'll have to tuck that one away.

Uh, my name is Evan R. Lawson.

I'm running for village council

and in support of Chewy's expansion,

which, I don't know if you know,

but it's been thwarted again and again...

That guy comes out here, brand-new...

He doesn't get the Hamptons.

He bought Chewy's six years ago.

And wants to add a second story.

To an historical landmark.

All right, little-known fact...

the original Chewy's had a second floor.

It was blown away by hurricane Hazel

in 1954.

This would be a restoration.

This guy wants to expand Chewy's.

Actually, I want a fair
and open zoning waiver process.

What's next... franchises
up and down the beach?

No, the moratorium on new structures

would not be affected at all.

Until he gets a foot in the door.

- Exactly.
- You believe this guy?

I appreciate how thorough you've been,

but I've got a favor to ask of you.

- You bet.
- I'd like to keep

this diagnosis between us.

Oh, it's not my place to reveal it.

I'd like to have your blessing

in that I not share my condition
with my department yet.

Since we don't know how
or even if it's gonna come back,

I'd like to keep up my balancing act.

If I have a flare-up,
you'll be my first call,

the captain will be the next.

Sounds like a plan.

And with these chronic conditions,

having a good plan is half the battle.

I guess we all can't have
smooth recoveries like yours.

- Yeah.
- I'll see you.

You know, Don, I misled you
the other day

about being drug-free.

The truth is, I'm still
on some pain medication

that I thought I'd be off by now.

But my recovery hasn't been that easy,

and I guess it's hard
for me to admit it.

Well, it sounds like neither
one of us can accept being sick.

It's like the whole town's
under Blythe's spell.

Changing things
might be harder than I thought.

Maybe I have good news.

Oh, yeah? I need it.

Blythe actually admitted
that she may have been

a little overzealous
in her anti-Hankmed crusade.

And since she knows
that politics isn't your thing,

she offered to expedite
our zoning waiver

so you can withdraw.

She offered to make it go away?

- Yeah.
- As long as I drop out?

Well, she didn't say it like that.

Well, of course she didn't, Paige.

If she did, it would be a bribe.

It'd be a naked bribe.

She was trying to be nice.

But she made it conditional, didn't she?

She said, if she cleared things up,

you wouldn't have to run.

Oh, my God.

What happened to "rules are rules"?

Suddenly she's just playing favorites.

You know what I think?

I think she's threatened.

Blythe Ballard is threatened by me.

Okay, that's ridiculous!

Sorry. I didn't mean
to sound so emphatic.

Just think about it.

She's used to getting
her own way all the time.

She manipulates the council.

She manipulated me

into this whole
signature-gathering time suck,

but this isn't about me anymore.

What this town needs is dissent, Paige.

It needs an outside voice.

It needs me.

Oh, boy.

Your recovery will take a few weeks,

but you should be back on your feet

before your students
get back from Europe.

What's this?

This is the beginning of my composition

with that autograph that you requested.

Oh, my gosh. Thank you.

I didn't think that you had heard.

No, I heard. And you know what?

Thanks to you, I will continue to hear.

But honestly, Divya, look,

I don't need this, uh, ear plugs.

And the chair, it's...

Uh, just in case.

What is this?

What am I hearing?

Bravo!

Bravissimo!

Hey.

Was your sentence lifted?

Yeah, served my time.

What's wrong with my dad?

You should ask him.

I did. He blew me off.

Look, you know,
even if something were going on,

I couldn't tell you,

just like I respected
your confidentiality.

I can tell something's weird.

He's, like, with you all the time.

Yeah, we've gotten to be friendly.

My dad doesn't have friends.

All he does is work.

And raise you.

And keep secrets from me.

He won't tell me anything.

He's my father. I have a right to know.

I understand.

But you got to give your dad a break.

And getting so angry doesn't help.

Look, when I was growing up,
my mom had a rule...

never go to bed angry.

And it worked out pretty well for us.

Yeah, let me guess, to this day,

you and your mom are still best buddies?

- Well, no.
- See? It's a stupid rule.

My mom d*ed...

when I was younger than you are.

My dad's not going to die.

I didn't say he was.

But I lost my mom way too soon.

And if you waste the time
you have with your dad,

pushing him away, you will regret it.

You better not let him die.

Again, I didn't say he was at risk.

But if he were, I would do
everything I could to help him,

I promise you that.

Well...

if he dies...

it's your fault.