13x19 - Trials and Tribulations

[bunniefuu]

[officer #1] Take your positions.

[g*n clicks]

[officer #1] Let's move.

Go.

Check the bathroom.

[eerie music]

-[officer #1] All clear. -[officer #2] Radio to station.

[officer #2] Number 3 to Number 1, no sign of... Moving back.

[eerie music]

[monitor beeping]

[dramatic music]

You know, she's going to be sleeping

for a couple of more hours.

Why don't you go home?

[dramatic music]

No.

[Mack exhales deeply]

[dramatic music]

All right, let me know if there's any change.

[Greg] Listen, Doc, I want you here as soon as possible.

I'll charter a plane. Anything.

What do you mean, "Is it necessary?"

Of course, it's necessary.

She's the most important person in my life

and she cannot move her legs.

I want you here tomorrow.

Merci beaucoup, Doc.

[dramatic music]

[theme music playing]

I was falling asleep.

You were supposed to call me.

[birds chirping]

How is she?

She can't move her legs.

-What? -She's paralyzed.

[Mack sobs]

Oh, my God.

Oh, Mack.

Oh, Mack.

But when you called me before,

you didn't say anything about this.

They had to wait for the anesthetic to wear off,

and when it did

and she came out of it, she was like her old self.

She even joked.

And then when this doctor started testing

with the instrument... [voice breaking]

[crying]...she couldn't feel her legs.

God, Mack.

I just keep thinking,

you know, what kind of life could she have?

She's so independent, so feisty.

-She's not dead. -No.

-Morning. -Morning, sweetie.

What are you doing up so early?

Couldn't sleep.

[Gary breathing deeply]

About how long?

About an hour or so.

There's coffee over there if you want.

Working on the old book?

This bother you that I'm working on the old book?

Yeah, it does.

It bothers me that Pierce Lawton is still on the loose

and the guy's crazy. Who knows what he's going to do next?

That doesn't have anything to do with my book.

Yeah, it does.

You're writing a book about Sumner.

Pierce is obsessed with the guy.

What happens if he finds out you're writing about him

and then does something,

I don't know, crazy again?

Wait, what? What could he possibly do?

Well, last night he scared the hell out of Claudia.

Right here in the cul-de-sac, not 100 feet from our house.

From our kids.

Gary, the police are going to find him

and I'm going to keep working on this book.

Why don't you hold off on this book

until the police do find him?

I can't find my blue tights.

What I'm gonna wear?

What's for breakfast? I want pancakes.

Your tights are on the dryer, sweetie.

And As for you, Mr. Pancakes,

as soon as you get dressed,

then you can have breakfast.

Come on with me. Come on, I'll help you get ready.

Val.

All right, Gary.

I will hold off.

Except for a few phone calls, okay?

[Val] Come on, sweetie.

Do you mind? I got to get in there.

[Vanessa] Just a second, darling.

No, I'm really-- I'm late.

[Vanessa gargling]

Would you keep--?

Okay, okay.

Good morning.

[seagulls squeaking]

[telephone ringing]

[telephone ringing]

-Hello. -[Alex] Vanessa.

Hi.

[Alex] Hey, last night.

-What about it? -Great.

[Vanessa] Only great?

Perfecto.

[Alex chuckles]

Isn't it rather cheeky calling me here?

I wasn't calling you.

[Vanessa] Oh.

I was calling Kate.

Well, how honest you are.

-Is that bad? -I don't know.

Why were you calling Kate?

To ask her about how Paige is.

So? Is she there?

-In the loo. -[Alex] In the what?

In the bathroom. Oh, okay well.

Tell her I called

and again about last night.

Yes?

When are we going to see each other again?

Well, that's up to you Alex, isn't it?

Called the hospital.

What?

And they wouldn't tell me anything about Paige.

Oh no. It's just so awful, isn't it?

So did you stay there last night with Anne?

Yeah.

But there wasn't anything I could do.

Paige was in surgery for hours and hours

and Anne kept telling me to leave.

But you stayed anyway?

No, I didn't.

There was this really adorable resident

who was just getting off of 48 hour shift

and he asked me to have a bite.

Well, he was so exhausted,

I thought it was my civic duty

to act as his designated driver.

Actually, he fell asleep in the mashed potatoes.

His head just went whoosh.

It's quite disgusting really.

Why don't you put on your face and, you know, it's late

we should go.

[telephone ringing]

[woman 1] One moment, please.

What the...?

[scoffs]

Good morning.

What's been going on here?

An orgy.

I asked you a question.

Only following instructions.

Hey, your brother told me to come over here

and make sure Lawton didn't try to sneak in here.

And to make myself comfortable.

His exact words.

That's the truth.

I'm only sorry you weren't here to keep me company.

This is a place of business.

I'm in business.

You keep it up and you'll be looking for another job.

Yeah? What would your brother think about that?

He'd agree.

Now I've got a very busy day here today.

Gregory won't leave the hospital,

so it's up to me to carry on.

So--

Alex. Yo, Alex.

Is there anything I can do to help?

Yes, you can find Mort

and tell him that I'll take the meeting with Mr. Burton,

then get over to the hospital

and see if you can make yourself useful to Greg.

Okay.

You want to know something, Claudia?

You're very sexy when you're in charge.

What was in the shot that quack gave her?

She's been out for hours.

Something for the pain.

I don't trust the guy.

Who is he? I never heard of him.

Greg.

Well, who recommended him?

Was he the only neurosurgeon on duty?

You know, maybe you should leave.

You're not supposed to be here anyway, you know.

You want me to leave?

Well, if you can't settle down.

Paige.

[Anne] Are you awake?

Oh God.

I'll get the nurse.

[breathing difficulty]

You're doing fine, babe.

Great.

How are you doing?

How do you think?

I know you're uncomfortable, Paige.

Doctor Green ordered medication.

I'll be right back.

That old movie.

What old movie?

Where's the rest of me?

[sobbing]

Let me fluff your pillows.

No, don't.

I'm sorry, I'm just trying to help.

I can't feel anything from waist down.

You think fixing my pillows is going to help?

[sobbing]

-Let me get the nurse. -No, I don't want the nurse.

I don't want anything.

[crying]

I just want to die.

Paige you don't mean that.

Remember what the doctor said.

He said the paralysis might not be permanent.

You have to hold that thought.

You want a little spa water?

I want you to get out.

What?

I don't want you here, hovering around.

Holding my hand.

Fixing my damn pillow.

I just want to be here for you.

It's too late for that.

I want you out.

Leave me alone, please.

[Paige crying]

[emotional music]

Just go.

[woman 2] Doctor Torres. Doctor Torres...

[Paige crying]

[breathing heavily]

[emotional music]

[eerie music]

[Pierce] Paige Matheson, please. She's a patient.

Well, you can tell me how she's doing, can't you?

Yeah, but you can tell me

if she's critical or in intensive care.

And you can tell me that much, can't you?.

[eerie music]

[woman 2] Doctor Blair. Doctor William Blair to ICU.

[telephone ringing]

Sorry Sir, I tried not to disturb you.

Carlos. I was sleeping.

What have you got here?

I thought you might need it.

Good thinking Carlos.

But you know, I can't read when I'm in the hospital.

Can't seem to concentrate.

I just get so tired.

Hospitals are exhausting, Sir.

That should be me down there with all those tubes in my nose.

I thought I was protecting her when I pulled her to me.

[telephone ringing]

I should have pushed her away.

Was God's will, Sir.

Just a simple twist of fate, huh, Carlos?

Yes.

Just a simple twist of fate.

-[woman 3] Hello. -Hello.

I'd like to speak to Mr. Joe Robeson, please.

[woman 3] Joe Robinson? Why?

Who's this? Is this Missus Robison?

[woman 3] You haven't answered my question.

What do you want?

I'm sorry. I should have introduced myself.

My name is Valene Ewing

and I'm writing a book on Gregory Sumner.

Perhaps you've heard of the Sumner Group?

[woman 3] I know who Gregory Sumner is.

Well.

I was looking at some old records

and I noticed that

Mister Robeson did some contracting work for Mr. Sumner

a few years back.

And...

I noticed that there was some sort of a lawsuit

and I kind of like to--

[phone line on hold]

Paralyzed.

Oh, how horrible.

You're going to be okay, aren't you?

Yeah, I'm fine. Fine.

So we're not into returning phone calls?

Alex, I--

I called you this morning, did Vanessa tell you?

No,

I'm sorry, Kate. I forgot.

Listen, no problem. I just...

I just wanted to see how you were.

I was shocked when I heard.

-I know Paige and you were pals. -Yeah.

We got to sit together at a time like this.

We got to stay close.

Right?

Of course.

If you'll excuse me, I have to go check

some of Anne's messages.

Nice to see you.

Yeah.

Doing okay?

No.

I don't know if this whole thing is just really brutal.

You knew this guy Pierce?

Yeah.

And you never suspected?

I never suspected anything like this.

Yeah the first thing I thought when I heard this

was kinda how would have Kate's taking this?

I don't know why, but I did.

That's nice.

I'm not trying to be nice. It's the truth.

I would have come over, but I kind of felt

I need to stick closer to Mr. Sumner last night.

To handle things for him.

I think he did the right thing.

Listen, would you...

be interested in going out for dinner?

-Tonight? -Yeah.

I think I can get away pretty early.

I really should see how work goes.

I'll pick up around 7:00.

I'm looking forward to it.

[telephone ringing]

Oh.

Boy. A whole life laid out on index cards.

Paul Galveston.

And there's Abby up in the corner.

Yeah, there's so much stuff and so many people.

I thought something like this might just give me an overview.

Can you concentrate with everything going on?

No, not really.

But I'm just sorting through things.

You know, and getting it all organized.

Making a few phone calls.

Halfway promised Gary that I would hold off

until Pierce is put away.

I hope they get him.

Yeah. Amen.

How's Mack doing?

Terrible.

What about you?

I guess hanging in describes it.

Karen.

Let me just get my billfold, and go, okay?

[dramatic suspenseful music]

[emotional music]

[emotional music continues]

You look like the cat that ate the canary.

I just got off the phone

with the world's leading neurologist.

He's on a plane and he'll be here

in the morning.

-Greg. -Oh, don't Greg me.

We're going to lick this thing.

This guy can work miracles

and you don't know what's gonna happen.

I know that I'm going to get stuck in more needs.

What I know is that you're going to be walking again.

Not to mention skiing.

Maybe a little croquet.

Your money doesn't fix everything.

Oh, yeah, tell me one thing my money doesn't fix.

Laura.

Sometimes you play a little rough, babe.

Your money didn't save her,

and it's not going to save me.

[emotional music]

I'm so scared.

Everything's going to be all right.

Did I ever tell you my Stalin joke?

No, Greg, please.

One night Stalin decides to stay late at the perimeter...

You always have to do this, don't you?

...when somebody slides a letter underneath the door.

You have to turn everything into a joke.

You have to turn it into something.

Then turn it into something.

I dare you.

Dare me to what?

Dare you to tell me that you love me.

You know how I feel about you.

Besides, nobody writes my dialogue but me.

[emotional music]

Tonight I'd like to do something different.

Instead of you telling me about it,

I'd like to tell you about it.

I'd like to talk...

about the tragic sh**ting of my daughter, Paige.

[Anne] Her legs...

are paralyzed from the sh**ting.

And we don't...

yet know what other complications

there might be.

All I know for sure...

is that I'm scared.

Very scared.

For her...

and for me.

Because I don't...

know how to be a mom to her.

She... is angry

and frightened.

And I don't know how to reassure her.

I don't know what to say to her.

And I especially don't know

[crying] how to tell her that I love her.

But I'm here for her.

And then I would gladly give up

use of my legs...

if only she could walk again.

So call me, my friends.

Tell me your stories.

Tell me how you fought your demons.

And maybe you can help me fight mine.

Hello.

You're in the air.

[Mona] Hi, Anne.

This is Mona.

Turn it off.

[Mona] ...how sorry I am...

[Paige] Turn it off, damn it.

Was your mother really that bad?

[Mona] ...my son was in a car accident--

Nurse brought the radio and I told her

I didn't want to hear her.

She brought it in and she turned it on

and she left.

[crying] I couldn't move my legs to turn it off.

What is it? What's the matter?

The next time one of your staff presumes

to treat Miss Matheson as a child,

that person is history, do you understand that?

And the next time you presume to tell me

how to run my staff,

I will personally escort you out of this hospital.

Is that understood?

I want him to stay.

Some of your test results came in.

There's a chance the paralysis is due to the swelling

of the nerves surrounding the spinal cord,

so if the swelling goes down

and the spinal cord isn't injured...

Then she can walk again.

If the paralysis is due to the swelling

and only the swelling.

So keep your fingers crossed,

maybe we'll have you dancing in no time.

I'll be right back.

What is it with you?

-Beg your pardon? -"Keep your fingers crossed."?

"You'll be dancing in no time."?

What do you think she is? An idiot?

It's the best diagnosis I could give her.

And the most accurate.

You crippled her, pal. I hope you got a good lawyer.

Because you're going to need one.

Look, Sumner, you're welcome to sue.

Right now, I'm going to take care

of my other patients.

I want my own specialist here.

I want him here too, so he can tell you

what I'm telling you now.

That if I hadn't removed those fragments when I did,

she'd have died.

Excuse me.

[dramatic music]

He saved a life. We ought to be thanking him.

[telephone ringing]

I'll thank him when my specialist tells me

to thank him.

[eerie music]

Bobby, stop that, sweetie.

It's an airplane force.

[Betsy] What, stop it.

Bobby. Hey. Stop.

Both of you help me set the table.

Right now, alright? Move.

[telephone ringing]

-Hello. -[woman 3] Valene Ewing.

Speaking. Sorry sweetie.

[woman 3] You called earlier about Joe Robinson.

Yes, that's right. I did. Who am I talking to?

[woman 3] I have some information about Sumner.

you might be able to use.

But there's a price attached.

Well, I wasn't expecting to pay.

[woman 3] What I've got you won't find in the library.

You have to tell me what this is all about.

[woman 3] Not over the phone.

You could be recording this.

No. No, I'm not. I'm not.

[woman 3] Meet me in the high school parking lot

tonight, eight o'clock.

Don't bring a tape recorder.

Oh, especially don't bring any company.

No, don't worry, I won't. I just want to know what you--

[phone line on hold]

Hey, we still on for dinner?

You're not allowed in there.

Call security then.

You're nuts.

Does that mean dinner's off?

It means that you'll have to wait

until I finish my mail run.

Don't take too long.

[instrumental music]

[door shut]

Don't take too long?

It wasn't in line, I'm taking her out to dinner.

And I'm hungry.

Oh, what about me, Alex?

What do you mean?

When are you going to take me out to dinner?

Soon, maybe tomorrow night.

That's okay. I don't need dinner.

Besides, I know what you're doing.

And I understand.

[sensual music]

What am I doing?

Making an impression?

Getting ahead?

Oh, come on, Alex.

Kate likes you. She tells her uncle

that she likes you.

And that makes him like you.

Believe me, I understand ambition.

So if Kate helps you realize your ambition.

Then by all means, take her out to dinner.

[sensual music]

That's it for you.

Oh, that's for me to know.

And you'll find out.

Alex?

You know, this is the best pie I've tasted,

and I don't know how long.

-Thank you. -Did you bake it?

Of course I did.

If she's lying throw her cheese.

Well, I dusted sugar over the top.

That counts, doesn't it?

-No, it doesn't. -Yes, it does.

Counts in my book.

Any word on Pierce yet?

I'm afraid not. He's still out there.

Police are doing what they can, though.

They got any leads yet?

They only know the truth.

Police know zip.

Won't you guys mind finishing up for me?

I want to do a little research at the library before it closes.

Wait a minute, I thought you said

you're holding off on the book.

I am Gary, this is just research.

I'm just picking up a book they ordered for me.

-I won't be long. -All right, I'll go with you.

-Frank, would you mind-- -Gary. No, stop.

No, I mean.

Stop treating me like a little child.

It's just a quick trip to the library.

I'm going to be right back.

Don't worry.

[telephone ringing]

Hello.

Hi, how you doing?

Well, I just finished rearranging the furniture.

[Mack] Oh, that bad, huh?

Karen, I've...

I've been talking to Paige about her

doing her recuperating at the house with us.

What does Anne think about this?

Anne?

You know, Paige's mother.

Anne can't take care of Paige the way we can.

Did she say that?

Well, not in so many words.

[exhaling deeply] Karen.

I'm here.

I'll talk to Anne.

I think that's a good idea.

At the right moment.

Now's the right moment.

Yeah.

[woman 2] ...to ICU. Nurse Jennifer Goldberg.

I would like to be alone while examining the patient.

I can respect that, Doc, but I want to watch.

I prefer it if the two of you just left me alone.

-I want to see this. -Come on.

You heard the lady out.

[Paige] You too, Mack.

I can't stand your bickering anymore.

And I'm the one who can't walk.

And you two act as if you're the ones who got shot.

Please, stand still.

No, I won't stay still.

and stop poking me with that thing.

Come on.

Ow that hurt.

-Ow? -Ow?

That hurt.

[emotional music]

That hurt.

[Paige giggling]

[giggling] That hurt.

[mysterious music]

[Val screams]

Gary.

What are you doing here? You scared me half to death.

I could ask you the same question.

You said you were going to the library.

I couldn't tell you where I was going.

-I knew that you'd be upset. -Upset?

-Yes. -You're damn right I'm upset.

You said you were gonna hold off on the book.

You said you were just gonna make a few phone calls.

What kind of a phone call got you

to a deserted parking lot?

It was a woman who said

she had some exclusive information.

Something I know that I would have needed for the book.

A woman you know nothing about.

Val, you could have got yourself k*lled.

God, Gary, come on. Now you're exaggerating.

With Summer involved? I don't think so.

And you're being overprotective. And you're not trusting me

-to be-- Wait a minute.

You're telling me I should let you meet

with a complete stranger

in a deserted parking lot at night?

Honey, what's the matter with you?

I am telling you, Gary.

That you should have trusted me

to handle this one on my own

instead of sneaking out after me,

following me like some kind of a spy.

I wasn't spying on you.

So then what do you call it?

Concern. Courage.

-Love. -Love?

Yeah, love.

Do you know how scared I was when I saw you drive in here?

-No. -Well, I was.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Didn't know.

Sorry too... for yelling at you.

But I'm not sorry for being worried about it.

Don't ask me to stop, okay?

Okay.

[Gary sighs]

I'm gonna k*ll you. Get in there.

I never thought I'd appreciate just moving my legs.

Well, take it easy, I don't want you to strain yourself.

I'm not straining myself.

I'm sorry.

I guess I can't help acting like a mother hen.

Oh, you're entitled to act like a mother hen

some of the time.

I heard your show last night.

Oh.

How badly did I embarrass you?

On a scale from one to ten.

I'd say about a hundred.

You said some things that I needed to hear.

I meant every word I said, Paige.

I'd really like it if you and I could start over again.

[Paige scoffs]

I don't know.

Every time we take a step forward,

it seems like we take three leaps back.

And you and I are just like oil and water.

I'd still like to try.

Paige.

Would you like to come home with me to recuperate?

Oh, I haven't even been released yet.

I talked to your doctor today.

And you're doing much better than they expected.

And he said if you continue your physical therapy,

you could be out of here in a week.

So I don't think it's too soon to ask.

Would you come home with me?

Let me take care of you?

[telephone ringing]

What's going on? You found Lawton yet?

Not yet. We're making progress.

In other words, you don't know anything.

Mr. MacKenzie, I know how upset you are,

but... unfortunately I can't divulge

-any facts at this time. -Detective Unger.

Don't con a con man.

If you had anything to divulge on Lawton,

he'd be in jail by now.

Sorry you feel that way, Sir.

Now if you'll excuse me.

You catch more flies with honey you know.

These guys don't know anything.

I think they know a lot more

than they're willing to divulge right now.

And what makes you so optimistic?

Our daughter survived being shot.

Major surgery

and I think she's going to walk in a few weeks.

I think I have a right to be optimistic.

You're right.

You're right. I'm sorry.

Don't apologize.

That glint in your eye made me nostalgic.

Glint in my eye? What glint in my eye?

You know, the one that says,

"I've got a problem

and I'm not going to stop until I solve it."

And that made you nostalgic.

Yeah.

It's one of the things that made me

fall in love with you.

[emotional romantic music]

Anne.

Thank you Mac.

For helping me get through this.

[dramatic music]

[telephone ringing]

[telephone ringing]

Hello.

Did you think I was lying, Mrs. Ewing?

No, of course I didn't.

I didn't tell anyone but...

see, my husband was worried about me so he followed me.

[Val] I didn't know that he was going to do that.

-What does he know? -Nothing.

Just as I know absolutely nothing.

But.

Please, if you have any information,

I just wish that you would tell me.

I don't understand all this secrecy.

You will when you hear what I have to say.

What is it?

I mean, do you really know something about Greg Sumner?

It isn't about Greg Sumner, Mrs. Ewing.

It's about his daughter.

Mary Frances. What about her?

Not Mary Frances. The other one.

The one he calls Meg.

Meg?

There's no Meg.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Oh, my God.

[Therapist] Come on Paige, kick.

Harder.

I'm trying.

Stop being such a sl*ve driver.

You stop being such a prima donna.

Unless, of course, you like the idea

of spending the rest of your life in a wheelchair.

One more word out of you and you're fired.

You know something? I think deep down

-you really like me. -Yeah.

Mr. Sumner, how can I help you?

Nurse McGee needs to see you

right away. She said it's important.

It always is with Nurse McGee.

I won't be long.

Just keep kicking.

[therapist] Keep an eye on her for me, Mr. Sumner.

[water splashing]

How you doing, babe?

[Paige] Great.

Aren't you bored with this yet?

I never get bored watching you in a bathing suit.

Well, I'm bored.

This therapy session's over.

I'm too little prune.

The US Cavalry to the rescue.

Greg, you're crazy.

Crazy about you, baby.

[romantic music]

You keep expecting the conventional from me,

you're always going to be disappointed.

So I've discovered.

You kind of like this.

Greg, put me down.

You're gonna hurt your back.

You know, you really scared the hell out of me.

And I'll never forgive you for that.

Or myself, but I guess you know that.

-Greg. -Let me finish.

You're always interrupting me.

[romantic music]

Now, for this part, I would normally

get down on my knees, but I'm afraid I'd drown here

if I did that.

So I'm just going to tell you straight out.

With no frills.

That I...

Sorry about that.

Nurse McGee says X-ray wants you.

Now?

[Therapist] This evening.

She just wanted you to know that they need

one more set of film.

And why don't I get you some dry clothes?

[romantic music]

They'll take you just as soon as they're ready, Miss Matheson.

This is the basement.

I've been to X-ray before and this is not where I went.

X-rays right next door.

Officer.

Officer.

[Paige screaming]

Pierce. -Paige there's nothing to worry.

What are you doing?

Pierce, please.

[dramatic tense music]

[police siren wailing]

[dramatic tense music]

[theme music playing]