05x09 - Ecotone

[bunniefuu]

( Theme music playing )

( Panting

( Growls ) ( Grunts )

( Cougar growls )

( Growls )

Sorry. I'm going with...

Only family rides along. I won't get in the way.

I can't let him go alone. I'll be with him the whole time.

Ma'am, all you can do is follow.

Nate... Don't try to keep up.

We'll be running the red lights.

( Siren wailing )

No! Wai... I am family!

He's my stepbrother!

( Beeps )

( Cell phone ringing )

( Ringing continues )

( Line rings )

You have 45 minutes and $300.

Go for it. Woman: You really have to think...

Just five more minutes. Okay?

Okay. Woman: You have to meet the needs of the client.

For me, it set off just a total panic att*ck.

Man: ( Bleep ) ...I am glad this final challenge is...

( Cell phone buzzing ) An evening gown because I think that is probably my true speciality.

Hey, what's up?

David, it's Maggie. Hi, Maggie.

( Sobbing ) Nate collapsed at my house.

Nate what? He what? Why? Uh...

I don't know. Is he okay?

I don't know. He was still passed out.

The paramedics took him. Can you meet me at the hospital?

Which hospital? Saint Bridget's.

David... I'm on my way.

David, could you call Brenda?

Yeah.

( Beeps ) Tell them avm.

Maggie? What happened to Nate?

Get me the number for Saint Bridget's and Dr. Dipaolo.

D-i-p-a-o-l-o.

Everything's going to be okay, all right?

( Phone ringing )

Where the f*ck are you?

Brenda, it's David. David, I'm sorry.

Is Nate with you? He's at Saint Bridget's.

Something happened to him... what do you mean? What happened?

I don't really know any of the details. I just got a call.

Who called you? Why didn't they call me?

Can you come? Yeah. I don't understand...

Brenda, I'm sorry. I have to call my mom.

I'll take care of everything until you get there.

David.

( Beeps )

( Sighs )

( Classical music playing )

Waiter: Are you ready yet? You're quiet.

( Chuckles ) Am I? Sorry.

No, it's okay. It's nice to be quiet with somebody.

Do you like this place?

Yeah. It's lovely.

But?

( Chuckles ) You can tell me.

You're not going to hurt my feelings. ( Laughs )

I just kind of feel like Nancy Reagan might walk in and sit at the next table. ( Laughs )

Yeah, I think we've stumbled upon a republican nest.

I believe it's called an enclave.

No no, like vampires, a nest.

Here they are, safe in their fancy restaurant bubble while that stupid, evil w*r goes on and on.

Stupid, evil, I don't think so. Right.

We eliminated a murdering assh*le dictator.

And now we're establishing democracy which, of course, takes time.

But we have to stabilize the middle east. The w*r was inevitable.

You're not serious. Of course I'm serious.

Ma'am.

Ma'am? Will you complete this, please?

Woman on pa: Physical therapy to five west.

Physical therapy to five west.

I don't know if he had a colonoscopy or what his paternal grandmother d*ed of.

I don't... I don't know the answers to anything.

How about his insurance provider?

I don't know.

Do you have his wallet?

I don't know.

Maybe it's in his jacket. Is that his jacket?

Yeah.

( Sniffles )

Okay.

You don't think they wanted a free election?

Did you see those pictures?

They were dancing in the streets, literally.

That doesn't mean they wanted to be invaded and slaughtered.

I saw the pictures from Abu Ghraib, too, and nobody was f*cking dancing there.

That was an isolated group of disturbed individuals. Don't give me that.

Those orders came down from the top, the top! There's memos to prove it.

Wow!

The world is corrupt. How can that be?

Freedom isn't free.

Oh, god! What are you? Some redneck blogger pig?

Come on. Name one right, one civil Liberty, that doesn't have blood all over it, that people haven't fought and d*ed for.

We didn't go to w*r to protect Iraqi civil liberties.

That's just a lame justification. I didn't say it was just.

But that's the way human beings make progress.

We're violent. It's our nature.

It's a little naive to expect anything different.

So you just rationalized away all moral responsibility.

I guess you learned that in law school. ( Cell phone ringing )

What?

( Sighs ) Oh, no.

Man: He's stable for the moment. Maggie: Is he conscious?

Not yet. I called his specialist, Dr. Dipaolo, but he's out of town. That's all right.

His records are coming over and we're going to get him in for a cat scan right away.

Okay, that's good. He's been completely asymptomatic for two years, since the embolization?

As far as I know.

And immediately prior, any nausea or pain?

He said something about his arm.

Has there been any recent physical or mental stress?

Yeah, actually, I think he's been under a lot of stress.

But nothing physical?

Except...

Before he fell, there was...

Physical activity.

All right. Well, would you characterize it as extreme exertion?

No.

No, but...

Um... there was a climax.

Okay. That's helpful.

When there's new information, we'll let you know.

Please. Thank you.

Woman on pa: Dr. Klein, call pain management.

Dr. Klein, call pain management.

My mother's not answering her phone.

I tried her at your father's. She's not there, not that she would be, but...

You want me to call George again?

Maybe he could come... No. God, no.

I'm looking for my husband. I'm so sorry.

I know. David.

Is he okay? We're not sure.

What happened?

Um...

I called 9-1-1. He was at my house when he collapsed.

He came to pick me up for church.

That was like two hours ago.

Woman on PA: Dr. Duvall, 1421.

Dr. Duvall, 1421.

Right.

Um... I want to see him.

They're doing a cat scan.

Okay, so...

What, we wait?

Yeah.

( Overlapping voices )

( Radio playing )

This wasn't planned, you know.

I know. ( Groans )

What? ( Inhales )

My arm's numb. Ow.

Are you all right? Yeah, yeah.

Huh.

Whole thing went to sleep... sleep there for a second.

( Electricity crackles )

( Chuckles )

Maggie.

What are we going to do?

Nothing. I don't want to hurt anyone.

I don't, either.

I want to do it.

( Electricity crackles )

Woman on PA: Cardio tech to room 322.

Cardio tech to 322.

Claire: There they are.

Hey. What's going on? Is he okay?

He's in radiology. We don't know what it is yet.

( Sighs ) Where's mom?

I haven't reached her. What?

That sucks. She should be here. I know.

When can we see him?

Probably after the CAT scan.

Last we heard, she was still unconscious.

Okay.

Um... this is my friend Ted.

This is my brother David. Hi.

Ted: I'm so sorry.

Claire: And my sister-in-law Brenda.

Hi. And Maggie.

Stepsister, former, sort of.

Hi.

Hi.

Why is she here?

( Whispers ) Later.

( Hiram sighs )

Whenever I see a fire, I think of you.

It reminds me of the color of your hair.

Sometimes I feel like all I have going for me is the color of my hair.

It reminds me of your spirit... ( Moans )

Your sexual spirit.

( Grunts )

What? Nothing.

Let's talk a little.

We're talking.

You know what I'd like?

What?

I'd like to see life clearly, but that's the first thing to fly out the window when I get romantic.

I wonder if there's a way to do it where that doesn't happen.

( Sighs ) You're over-thinking.

You need to just...

Let things flow.

You came back to me for a reason.

I did? What reason?

This.

This is Dr. Fraker. She's Nate's neurosurgeon.

Neurosurgeon? Oh, god. What did you find?

There was a hemorrhage in his brain. How bad?

Well, obviously, any hemorrhage is bad, but I've seen worse.

We need to get him into the O.R. as soon as possible.

Was it another avm? Or did the other surgery not work, or what?

We're not going to know until we get in there. We may not even know then.

Are there any other options? Sometimes there are.

Not this time. We have to stop the bleeding before there's more damage.

There's damage? What kind of damage?

We don't know yet. Maybe none, but you should prepare yourselves for possible... changes.

"Changes." we really need to see him.

Yeah. Doctor: I'm sorry. We need to move on this right now.

Fraker: I'll talk to you as soon as we finish.

It's going to be at least a few more hours. Show them to the waiting room.

Mrs. Fisher, could you go with Derrick and sign the papers?

I'm Nate's wife.

Uh... I beg your pardon.

If everyone could follow me.

( Sniffles )

( Objects clatter ) f*ck.

( Sighs )

( Sighs )

What are you doing up? It's the middle of the night.

You hurt?

( Heavy sigh )

Fine. I give up.

How could you say I don't love you? How could you think that?

What am I supposed to think? You treat me like sh*t.

We already argued about this. I don't want to go through it again.

You're not supposed to love someone who cheats on you. It's stupid.

It's weak. I know, because I work with these women.

They get their hearts broken every Saturday night, and I won't be like them.

I f*ckin' refuse.

It will never happen again.

But then here I am in the same house with you, and I'm so scared because you're closer to me than my skin.

That's how much you're a part of me, Rico.

I can't ever stop loving you.

That's why I treat you like sh*t.

Don't you get it?

( Sobs ) Got it.

( Phone rings )

David: Okay, Rico. Bye.

( Phone beeps )

( Sighs )

I'm running out of battery can I use your phone?

Here. Take mine.

Thank you.

Where could she be?

She's not answering her cell? She doesn't have one.

( Beeping )

David, I can't remember when they took him in.

How long has it been?

I don't know.

I have to go outside to call Keith.

Oh, god, what if something happened to my mother?

That's extremely unlikely.

I'm sure she'll call back soon.

I'm kind of flipping.

I don't blame you.

I think I'm going to leave. So would someone give me a call and let me know...

I think you should stay.

You were with him. You might know something that none of us do.

Did he just pass out?

What were you guys doing?

Nothing.

Talking.

Did he say something? Was he not feeling well?

Could you tell something was wrong?

No, he was fine till he...

Did he have his phone on? 'Cause I called like 20 times.

How long were you guys talking? I don't know.

Oh?

Well, it must have been a great conversation.

What were you guys talking about?

His daughter and his pregnant wife?

You don't have to stay.

I know. I mean it.

I've got people here for support.

Right.

( Sighs, laughs )

Hiram: Oh, god, you're beautiful. Thank you.

Oh, wait. Ow!

I've fantasized about another night with you in the woods, kissing you everywhere, your soft, white skin.

There's a rock right under me.

Did you think about me ever? If you could just shift this way.

Tell me you missed me. Oh, god, you feel wonderful.

You're too heavy. Please. Would you hold me?

I can't breathe. Move. I want you naked. Say my name.

Hiram! Yes, yes.

Get off me! What?

I can't do this.

Oh!

( Phone ringing )

( Beeps )

Hey, would you like me to go down to the cafeteria and get you some tea or real food?

No, I'm good with these. Thanks.

( Sighs ) How are you feeling?

With the pregnancy? Oh. Good, good.

No morning sickness. She's kicking like a horse.

She?

Yeah. Yeah, it's a girl.

Congratulations. Thanks.

Have you picked a name? Well, the only one that Nate and I could agree on is Willa.

Willa? That's pretty.

Yeah? Yeah.

A little sister for Maya. Yeah.

Anthony and Durrell have such a bond. It's beautiful.

I really admire your choice.

You didn't go for the perfect little infant.

Well, we went for it. We just didn't get it.

And I'm totally glad we didn't because these kids need us and I love them to death.

I didn't know I'd feel like this, like a lioness with my cubs.

Man on pa: Dr. Hoffman 308.

Dr. Hoffman, call 308.

Then there are days I want to k*ll them.

Well, that's part of the fun.

( Sighs )

( Hiram snoring )

( Phone ringing )

( Door opens )

Is he okay? Was it the avm?

Let me tell you everything I know up front, and then I'll try to answer your questions.

He developed a new avm. That's what ruptured and caused some herniation and swelling in the brain.

We did manage to stop the bleeding and to relieve the cranial pressure...

But there were some problems with his heart rate and his breathing.

What does that mean? He's in a coma.

There may be some long-term effects from everything that's happened.

We won't know for certain until he wakes up, and we don't know when he will.

Jesus.

So he could be in a coma for...? Days, weeks.

What kind of long-term effects?

Loss of vision, memory, impairment of speech, movement.

But you can learn how to speak and walk again.

My grandfather had a stroke, and he did.

Fraker: That's right. That can happen.

But, like I said, we are not going to know anything until he's conscious.

We really need to see him as soon as possible.

Once he's out of recovery. If all goes well, we'll transfer him to the neuro step-down unit in the morning.

But let's just get him through the night first, okay?

Hold good thoughts. David: Thank you, Dr. Fraker.

Thank you for the worst f*cking news I ever heard.

( Sobbing )

He's alive.

That's something.

( Brenda sighs )

( Monitors beeping )

Brenda: Did you sleep with her? Nate: Yes.

Brenda: You're so f*cking predictable.

It wasn't about the sex. Oh, right, you f*cked her because of silence and meaning and god. Yeah.

Not because we're having a hard time and you need an illusion to stick your d*ck in.

We're always having a hard time.

There's all this pain and anger and struggle here.

I used to think it was passion, but it's just drama.

You came to me. I had my own f*cking life before you turned up on the doorstep, bleeding and crazy.

Remember? I remember. We have to face the truth.

We don't fit.

We never have. We weren't meant to be.

"Meant to be"?

What Quaker bullshit.

You think you and Maggie are meant to be after you slept with her, what, once?

What are you, 15? No, I'm 40 years old.

And I see that there can be peace between a man and a woman, and that's what I want. Fine.

Go for it.

I'm certainly not going to beg you to stay.

But you might want to ask yourself, "what kind of person am I?"

What kind of man betrays his pregnant wife and leaves her?

It's better this way. You know it is.

( Monitors beeping )

( Monitors beeping )

Nate.

Nurse, he's awake.

Nate.

I'll go get the doctor. Nate.

Nate.

Do you know who I am?

Brenda.

( Sobs )

You had a cerebral hemorrhage.

We thought you might be in a coma for months, but...

( Exhales ) Here you are.

What's wrong with my arm and my leg?

Well, they said you might have problems just for awhile.

Maya? She's with my mother.

It was an emergency.

( Sighs )

You were with Maggie. Do you remember that?

Yeah. You're going to have to step out, Mrs. Fisher.

We're going to run some tests.

How long will that take? A little while.

Here. Let me help you.

Brenda: I'm going to go tell everybody you're awake.

Chuck, get back in that bed.

Brenda?

I think it's very childish that you're not speaking to me, Hiram.

But suit yourself. I don't want to say something I'll regret.

Go ahead. What's one more regret? I'm full of them.

All right. I think it was rude and selfish of you to leave the tent last night.

You're not mad at me for leaving the tent.

You're mad at me for not having sex. Well, yes.

You were the one that came into the salon.

Then you seduced me with the promise of aperitifs.

Then it was your idea to go camping.

You led me on, then pushed me away.

I feel rejected and humiliated.

I didn't mean to lead you on.

I wanted to want to have sex in the tent, but when it came down to it, I couldn't. Couldn't or wouldn't?

What do you want me to do? Just lie there while you do whatever?

I am not a receptacle.

There are other things you could have done, but you didn't even offer.

Do you mean oral? Yes, or a hand job.

Hiram, a woman has to be in the mood to do that stuff, or it's just no good.

I'm a sensitive man, but, you know, I have needs.

Your needs are not my responsibility!

Where are you going? You can't survive out here on your own.

You have no wilderness skills.

Oh, go give yourself a hand job!

David: Where's Dr. Fraker? She went home.

I'm her associate. I'm following Nate at the moment.

We can talk, or you could wait to talk... no, no more waiting.

Okay, what Nate had was called an arterial venous malformation.

We know. Oh.

He had one before. Oh.

Um... oh, right. Here it is.

What happened this time is this avm ruptured, causing herniation and bleeding.

We know. We've been here all night.

So you know the operation went well and he was in a coma briefly?

Yes, we know. How is he now?

His vitals are stable, and everything looks good, except for a weakness on your right side, Nate.

( Sighs ) Yeah.

What about physical therapy?

We'll start as soon as he's up to it.

When do you think he might be able to leave the hospital?

A week or two, if he continues to improve.

That's not long. Yes.

( Claire sighs ) Are you okay?

I am now.

Really? Mm-hmm.

Doctor: You put up a great fight. We're all proud of you.

I've got a lot to live for.

Claire: We'll be right back.

Woman on pa: Dr. Klein, call pain management.

Dr. Klein, call pain management.

I know you want to see Maya. I'll go pick her up.

Thanks.

( Sighs )

Ruth, you came to me for a reason.

Yeah, this. ( Groans )

( Bell rings ) ( Circus music playing )

Ruthie, bring me my lunch.

( Bell rings ) Oh!

I care for you. Let's rub heads.

( Shudders ) ( Gasps )

It's perfectly normal to live in a b*mb shelter.

Oh! ( Bell rings )

I'm your first love, Ruth, the father of your children.

I'm where it all began.

Oh, Nathaniel. ( Laughs )

( Groans )

( Sighs )

Chuck: Go on, Durrell, it's your play.

Hey hey hey! Quiet, all right?

So we don't get busted by having too many visitors in the room.

Okay. Be careful, Durrell. Chuck's a shark.

There you go.

Anthony, come talk to your uncle Nate.

Is this too much action for you?

No, no, it's good.

They wanted to come and see you. No, I didn't.

David: Anthony.

Hey, don't worry about your arm and your leg.

It feels strange.

I have to really concentrate to make anything happen.

But it's not permanent.

There's a cop I know. They said he would never get out of a wheelchair.

You know what? Now he's running. Huh.

Durrell: Ha! I won! What do you mean?

Whoa, whoa. Shh!

You owe me a dollar.

David: You're not taking anybody's money.

Where's Anthony?

He was right here.

Anthony, come back here. ( Laughs )

I don't know how to thank you.

I'll think of a way.

No, I mean it.

I mean, how many guys would spend the night in a hospital on the first date?

I mean, that is just f*cking goodness.

I didn't know you were like that. Not a big deal.

You'd do the same thing for me, wouldn't you?

I would now.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Your brother's fine.

David: All I could think about during the parent-teacher meeting was how much I wanted to smoke a joint.

( Laughs ) Um...

Maggie. I'm sorry. I don't mean to interrupt.

No. Please.

I won't stay. I just want to see him.

Stay.

I'm sure my boys are creating mayhem somewhere.

I'll be back in a little bit.

Hi. Hi.

Are you all right?

Swear to me.

I swear.

If only I hadn't asked you for a ride.

Hey...

I'm not sorry for anything.

You're making love with somebody and your head explodes.

That's a good sign. ( Laughs ) Stop it.

You're awful.

I'm so relieved.

Last night was just...

100 years long.

So many things I want to say. I don't know where to begin.

Just rest.

( Knocks )

Oh, hey, Maggie. Hi, Rico.

Take care, Nate. I'll be in touch.

What do you want?

Man, oh, man, oh, man. What the hell, Nate?

Pretty f*ckin' bizarre, huh? David told me, but I couldn't believe it.

I mean, you were fine. I'm still fine.

What a shock.

I had to come by, but I only got a minute.

There's an intake. This guy got mauled by a cougar.

No sh*t. Yeah, right here in L.A.

He was walking in the canyon.

( Sighs )

The ecotone. Hmm?

Ecotone. It's the area where two ecological worlds overlap.

You know, like wilderness and civilization.

Hmm, ecotone.

Mm-hmm. I'll be sure to say that in the intake.

( Chinese music playing )

Excuse me. I notice you have a bus. ( Speaking Chinese )

Courtney. Courtney.

Please, somebody. I just want to go home.

Hi. I'm Courtney. Is there a problem?

I'm not hungry.

Fine. Then don't eat.

I'll take his. I want to go home.

Why are you acting so crazy?

We are staying with uncle Nate until we are sure that he is better.

Man, it's okay. Just chill.

No!

Hey, get back here. He's going for the front door.

Durrell, stay here and help me clean this up.

What is wrong with him? Are you blind?

He hates hospitals. We always had to go when mama OD'd.

Why didn't he tell us? You didn't ask.

Can I go get him now?

Yeah.

Brenda: Look who's here.

Daddy! Hey.

Hey, big girl.

Come on up.

Come here.

Give me a big hug, would you? Come here.

I am very happy to see you.

( Sighs ) Why don't you read your book, honey?

You brought a book, huh?

I was waiting for you at the church last night...

( Pages turning ) When you and Maggie were...

Talking.

( Sighs ) I told you to go do what you want.

I guess you did.

I'm sorry. I never wanted it to go this way.

Listen. ( Sighs )

I've been up all night, thinking and...

You're alive.

That's all that really matters.

We've been through worse together, I guess, and we'll get through this, too.

I don't think so.

What?

Not together.

Are you saying what I think you're saying? Yeah.

Uh...

What about Maya? We'll talk about that.

That's a future conversation.

So that's it? You're done?

( Sighs ) Um...

We're... we're not even going to try?

We've been trying.

Both of us, for a long time.

Since the beginning.

We're just different, that's all.

Yeah. You're a narcissist.

I don't even think you're capable of committing to anybody or anything, even yourself.

I'm not going to fight.

I am so tired of fighting.

( Heavy sigh )

( Speaking Chinese )

Do you really want a husband again?

Maybe. I don't really feel any better as a single woman.

( Translating in Chinese )

Hmm.

( Speaking Chinese )

Did the crazy husband b*at you? Oh, no, no.

He's a gentle person, sometimes boring.

I think he may want a mother more than a wife.

( Speaking Chinese )

( Speaking Chinese )

They're all like that.

Have you had other boyfriends?

Yes, unfortunately.

( Speaking Chinese )

( Courtney laughs ) What did she say?

All men are crazy. Stick with the devil you know.

Where the f*ck could mom be?

Sorry, Chuck. Chuck: That's okay.

I'm a Buddhist. We don't care about that sh*t.

( Chuckles )

First, I was worried, but now I'm just pissed.

It's really irresponsible of her.

She wouldn't have been able to handle it, anyway.

You know, she'd get all upset and flap around and squawk. We'd have to take care of her.

Poor mom. She's so out there.

It's all this stuff with George. It really did a job on her.

Well, she could still show up for her own son's coma.

( Laughing )

( Groans )

( Sniffs, grunts )

Okay, I'm going to go home and take a shower.

Nate: I was going to say.

But then I'm going to come right back.

What are you going to do? Watch the nurses wake me up every 10 minutes?

( Kisses )

Okay. Will you call me later, please?

Yep.

You, you rest.

Mmm.

Good-bye, Chuck. Chuck: Good-bye.

Dave, you should go, too.

Maybe later. I'll keep you company a little while.

You look tired.

I am.

We'll watch TV.

Hey, Chuck, turn it up, will you? Yeah.

( TV music increases )

( Car horn honking ) David: Nate!

David: Yo, Nate!

( Sighs )

( Soul music playing on radio )

♫ hello, my love, I heard a kiss from you... ♫ f*ck, dude, we've been honking for, like, ever. Let's go.

( Engine start)

We're going to be late. ( Groans )

Jesus, David. Watch the grip, man.

Lightweight.

♫ Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind ♫

♫ in the garden, I see ♫

♫ west purple shower, bells and tea ♫

♫ orange birds and river cousins dressed in green ♫

♫ pretty music I hear

♫ so happy and loud... Where's your suit?

♫ Blue flowers echo from a cherry cloud ♫ I'm wearing it, dude.

♫ Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue ♫

♫ playgrounds will laugh... ♫ You stoked?

♫ Is it cool? Is it cool? ♫ I guess. ( Chuckles ) You guess.

You assh*le, we've been waiting for this our whole f*ckin' lives, man. ( Sniffles )

♫ with my baby...

Oh, my motherfuckin' god.

This is so f*ckin' weird.

♫ over the sea... What?

I had this whole other idea of you.

I really thought you were this whole completely other person.

( Laughing )

You are so f*ckin' toasted, man. ( Laughs )

I don't know what it is. I must have been dreaming or so f*ckin' high.

( Laughing )

( Tires screech )

Am I going to have to separate you boys?

( Music continues )

We are so f*cking lost.

( Laughs )

( Coughs ) Give me that.

Whoa.

( Nate gasps )

Nate: Whew! Oh, man.

I'm going in. Nathaniel: Up to you.

Nate, don't be stupid. Stupid?

Stupid? This is what we came here to do, you assh*le.

Nathaniel: Play nice. Nate: Come on, bro!

You and me! David: There could be sharks!

Why don't you join him?

Why don't you join him? Dave!

You gotta try this! It's so f*ckin' warm!

You wanna smoke some cr*ck?

( Nathaniel laughs ) ( Monitor flatlining )

( Alarm ringing )

Nate.

Hey.