02x19 - The Flood

[bunniefuu]

[waves crashing]

[lighting]

[raining]

[music]

[lighting]

It's all right, Johnny, darling.The doctor's coming pretty soon.

[car horn]

[music]

[lighting]

Franklin. Ms. Ryan, willyou take that, please?

Where is Dr. Redwick?

Can you hear?

Didn't he come you?

No, he telephoned mefrom the Feldman's place.

Our phone's out the levee breaksbetween here and the Feldman.

I wouldn't worry about it, Ms.Ryan. You'll get here somehow.

I know, I know.

-Is Mr. Ryan here?-No.

No, he left home at eleven this

morning to get toa phone to call the

doctor and then help with thesandbank crew at the levee break.

I see.

Johnny was

Johnny wasn't so bad then I.

I thought it was just a badstomachache or something.

Johnny.

Johnny it's Mrs. Franklin.

Can you tell me where it hurts?

He keeps puttinghis hand out here.

Oh.

Ah.

I think I'll just wash up first.

Yes, sure. In there.

[music]

Has he got much fever?

Children run fevers at theslightest provocation, you know.

Do you have any ice bags?

That it is a pencil cyber.

Let's let the doctor diagnose it.Honey, do you have any ice bags?

-No, I don't.-Alright.

We'll use something else.

Tea towels.

Yes, he has to havesome in the kitchen.

We'll need about four of them.

[music]

[lighting]

Oh, it's math board only here.

Ah.

Past tapper, he hasn'tpaid any attention at all.

Just as though he's given up.

His temperature hasn't risen.

Are you sure you're doingthe right thing, Mrs. Franklin?

Yes, I'm sure. Mrs. Ryan.

Remember what I toldyou about barring trouble?

Yes, I know, I know.

You know, myhusband used to say that

upendectomy is thesimplest operation there is.

If Johnny's temperaturestays the way it is and the

doctor gets here beforemorning, will be all right.

Operation here?

Yes maybe.

That's why you wanted all thosesheets and everything out there.

Mrs. Ryan.

Don't you know thathalf the babies in

this countryside weredelivered at home?

[door knocking]

Oh, thank god.

Come in, doctor.

Well, I thought you were the doctor.

-What doctor?-Come in, come in.

Didn't he come with you?

No, I didn't know anybodywas sick. I got caught when

the South Ridge went outand I took the high road up.

South bridge went down. That was hisonly way here. What do we do now?

Mrs. Ryan? Mrs.Ryan's son is very

ill. We've beenwaiting for the doctor.

I'm sorry, ma'am. I better leave.

No, we're all alone here.We don't know what to do.

Ma'am, but I don'twant to upset anything.

You look like you'resoaked to the skin.

Maybe you better get outof those wet clothes Mr..

Mr kovak, Larry Kovak

Kovak.

Mrs. Ryan, why don'tyou see if you can

find me somethingdry to put on huh?

Excuse me.

She'll be right back.

Yes, ma'am.

Ma'am I, ma'am I, need to drinklots more. And I do dry clothes.

Please, ma'am, I got to have it.

I'm awfully sorry butI'm afraid I can't help you.

And I happen to knowthat the Ryan's or teetotlers.

You know what, ma'am? You'renurse, aren't you? car out there?

Yes.

When you have a bond with it,you know, a stimulant or something.

I'm awfully sorry but I haven't.

You can come inhere if you want to.

These may be bigfor you, but they're dry.

I don't want to trackmud all across your floor.

Oh, then that's all right.

It's the first door. There the openone. There's plenty of hot water.

[door closing]

[music]

It's alright johnny.

What's the trouble?

We have a reason tobelieve it's appendicitis

What makes you think so?

Well, the doctor thoughtso when he heard

the symptoms overthe phone this morning.

Take a blood count?

No, no I was waitingto the doctor to get it.

Take one. Whathave you got to lose?

What do you know about blood counts?

Not much.

Are you a doctor?

No, ma'am I'm not a doctor.

You sound as thoughyou'd had medical training.

I was a courier man in Korea.

Oh.

That's a long time ago.

I see.

For a moment I thought you werea miracle we've been praying for.

No miracles around me, lady.

Not any good. Wouldn't slice waste.

Mr. kovak.

A moment ago you said I had nothingto lose by taking a blood count.

Do you still think so?

Yes.

Can you help me take one?

Sure I can help you take one.

Good.

When you bring thatcase over here please?

[case opening]

[music]

That's it, all right.

I'll bet everything I knowthat counts been climbing.

There's no doubt.

I don't like to frightenMrs. Ryan any more

than she already isbut I honestly think

she wants to be frightened about

That boy ought tobe operated out now.

I know.

I've been afraid it might rupture.

We could with that count.Times running out fast.

You know.

Dr. Redwick told methis morning to bring

everything I needed foremergency operations.

He was afraid he might not beable to get him back into town.

Why come he didn't show.

Must be cut off at Feldman's.That's all I can figure.

Feldman's?

Yes, that's about miles north of here.

Look, I'll try the phone. I sawsome men working on Phone Lake a

couple of miles outside of town.Could be they got a line in already.

[telephone sound]

[telephone sound]

[putting down the telephone]

What do you thinkwe ought to do?

We can't just standby, let that boy die.

There was nothing we can do.

When you were acorpsman in Korea.

You must have handledemergencies didn't you?

Sure.

Well, then.

Wait a minute, wait aminute. Not on the kid.

But I can help you.

I had three years and surgery

and I am an Anesthesist.

Look, ladies, yougot the wrong idea.

No, I don't think I have, Mr. Kovak.

Look, have you ever performedan emergency appendectomy?

Sure, but that was five yearsago, under enemy fire with

a young lieutenant briefingme in step by step, right

from the book. I didn'tthink. I just did it. That was

five years ago in a w*r, andI was on a man, not a kid.

You know as well as I do,unless we do something right now.

That boy may die.

I was younger than.

I had nerve.

You want me to do the surgery?

I don't know.

Well then?

Could you brief me?

Yes, yes I know I could.

All right, good. Now, comeon, help me get that boy in here.

No, wait a minute.

I'm a surgeon.

I just happened here.

Look, I'm a bum, andnone of this is my business.

All right, Mr. Kovak.

if you are a bum, youcan sit in there by the fire.

If you're a manyou can try to help.

But I'm going to do everythingI can try to save that boy's life.

[door opening and closing]

[music]

[door opening]

[door closing]

Mrs. Ryan.

We've taken another blood count.

We can't wait we've got operate.

Operate?

Without the doctor?

We figure it's the only chance.

Believe me if you.

If you say no we won't do it.

But it is the only chance

understand?

Oh, no.

Mrs. Ryan I don'twant to do this.

If you give me onelittle reason I won't.

She has gotta be done now too.

Yes, if you agree.

Alright.

Do it.

And God love youand guide your hands.

Okay.

Okay.

She alright?

He said go ahead.

Mr. Franklin. He'shere. The doctor's here.

[crying]

I tried to come inthe back way into the

fairgrounds but it was ftof water over the ground.

Young Collins kidbrought me in his boat.

Oh, hello, Susan.Where's the boy?

He's in the kitchen. And,Doctor, you are right appendix.

Everything is set up for surgery.

I'll have a look at it.

Yes, a doctor. This is Mr. Kovak.Mr. Kovak was a medical

corpsman in Korea.I'll explain it to you later.

We've taken two blood counts, Dr.

[crying]

If you're a bum, youcan sit by the fire.

[music]

[lighting]

Does it usually take so long?

Sure does. Mrs Ryan.

I couldn't live if anythinghappened to Johnny.

He's all we've got, Mad and me.

If anything happened,

We just couldn't go on.

Sure you could.

People do.

Not you have tothink of that right now.

You don't know.

People don't understandwho haven't got children.

Sure.

People go on living.

Even when I don'thave anything to live for.

Don't always do itcold sober, Mrs. Ryan.

At least I have it.

Mrs. Ryan.

have you got anythingin the house at all?

Hard sight or wine?Anything I really need?

No.

We don't have anything likethat in the house anymore.

Thank god

Thank god.

The lights

-Johnny.-Wait a minute.

It's the flood. It'sh*t the powerhouse.

Listen, have you gotcandles or flashlights?

There is the oil lamp.

-A hand mirror.-Yes.

-That?-Yes.

[music]

You can leave now, Mrs. Ryan.

Everything's goingto be all right now.

I know this.I know it.

I'm sure it is.

Mr. Kovak

do you believe thatthings happen certain

ways because the Lordplanned them that way?

I'm not much of an authorityin my own ways, much less his.

I think the lord broughtyou to have his house.

A nice way to put it. Mrs. Ryan

I got news for you.

Nobody brought me. Icame all the way alone.

Mr. Kovak, I wantto tell you something.

My husband used to be an alcoholic.

I wish you'd wait untilMad comes home.

I'd like for you to meet him.

That'd be very nice.

We can compare notes on howdifferent our experiences were.

Seven years ago, when Johnnywas three, he had pneumonia.

And my husband, Mad. He promised Godthat he'd never touch another grind.

I don't want to be rude that thiskind of talk irritates me. I haven't

had a drink in hours and my nerves

are roar right frommy skin on me.

Well, maybe the Lordarranged that, too.

Mad says that thefirst hours without

drink are hell. Therest only purgatory.

Hell with hope.

That's it. That's what Matt meant.

He's all right, isn't he,Doctor? I know he is. I know it.

No, he won't be turningany handsprings for the

next few days. Outsideof that, he'll be fine.

Thank you, Dr. Thank you.

Can I see him now?

I think you better let us gethim back into the bedroom

first. Mrs. Franklin is gettinghim all cleaned up now.

I'm sorry I talk to youlike that a minute ago.

Glad your boy made it.

I didn't mean to makefun of your prayers.

That's all right, Mr. Kovak.

You were good tous and we needed it

bad. And God's goingto reward you, too.

[music]

[lighting]

Mrs. Ryan. Doctor saysyou can come in now.

Thank you. Stayaway in a few minutes.

[door closing]

Mr. Kovak, would you mind very muchhelping me clean up the kitchen?

Thanks.

[walking]

Must be a pretty goodsurge in the old boy.

He's not so old. He'sjust hard working.

You know, that wasreal fast thinking on

your part. The mirrorand the lamp, I mean,

like everythingelse in my life, it

wasn't necessary.It didn't come off.

It might've been verynecessary indeed.

If all sad words oftongue or pen the

saddest are theseit might have been.

You feel awful sorryfor yourself, don't you?

Are pretty coolcustomer Mrs. Franklin.

Cool, calm collector at all times.It must be great for your husband.

like to think I'ma credit to him.

Oh, you are.

But he never has the think.

No, doesn't.

I'm sorry. I got nothingagainst you. I just need a drink.

I haven't had any sleepin this house. Gives me

the shakes. Do you thinkthe doctor has anything?

No, I'm sure he hasn't.

You certainly walkedinto something when

you came in heretonight, didn't you?

Yeah.

Well, Marsh, another day,

Hmm.

The first of a week that'll be downis the longest drunk of my life.

Mr. Kovak, hasn'tanyone ever told you

you can't drown yourtroubles? They float.

I lost track of that kindof reason a long time ago.

You know, I read oncesomewhere when I was a child,

nothing's ever lost. Nothingreally. No good deed, no thought

You did something good tonight.

Thanks.

Sorry you didn'tbring my tambourine.

Come off. The w*r is over. Whoare you fighting besides yourself?

I'm sorry.

Thought you were goingto give me some of that

chaplain talk. I just hadsome from Mrs. Ryan.

[foot step sound]

You know what I think?

I think you're lookingdesperately for something.

And I think you're halfafraid of finding it. Because

if you do, you might haveto do something about it

Is that all?

No.

What really happened to you?

Why didn't you finishmedical school and

become a doctor like youshould have?

Fourteen months in a

prison camp for north Korea.

I got back, they told me Ihad a year old daughter.

My wife had beendead for eleven months.

Oh, I see.

Got married justbefore it went over.

Three weeks we had together.

Three weeks out of a whole lifetime.

There's two ways oflooking at, you know.

You did have the threeweeks. You're in love

with each other andyou have a child from her.

She was a year oldbefore she saw me.

My wife's folks weretaking care of her.

She never even knew who Iwas any more than I knew her.

So I'll let him raise her.

But she is your daughter.

And you do have somethingto live for. And to work for.

Well how are we doing out here?

Fine, doctor.

Hadn't we better work our way home?

I'll be ready in a minute.

Susan tells me youmight have been a doctor.

Yeah

I couldn't help overhearinga little of your conversation.

You are in a prisoncamp in north Korea.

That's right.

Fourteen months.

Me, no business they say.

Major Franklin, Susan's husband.

d*ed in a prisoncamp in North Korea.

Is that right?

She didn't mention it.

No, she never does.

It hit her rather badly.

She was pregnant atthe time and lost a child.

That's a pretty rough deal.

Very rough, very rough indeed.

Her husband was a veryfine doctor, Really gifted.

And it was a real love match.

They were engaged fora long time. Her salary

as a nurse helped himthrough medical school.

They don't have beenmarried three week.

They said a wordfor six months. She

wouldn't go outside,wouldn't see anybody.

Now she's taken to work,like some people take

to drink. It helps herforget in the right way.

Yeah, I see what you mean.

And there's this much about it.

Sometimes we find ourselves ina spot where we can't get a drink.

but there's never a place wherewe can't find something to keep us

busy. Especially if we're inmedicine. There's always work to do.

[music]

Ready doctor.

Oh.

I'll take these.

Thank you.

We'll find someone with arobot to get us across the slew.

How about you?

we probably can get you acrossdo if you want to get back to town.

Well, I still got all ofMr. Ryan's clothes on.

Well, we can wait for you tochange. Not that much hurry.

Love.

Do you think it would be wrong if I

if I stayed around? I mean,until Mr. Ryan got back?

No, I think that'dbe a very good idea.

I kind of like to stayand talk to him, see

if he needs someoneto stay around, help.

He is going to needsomeone to rebuild

the fences that havebeen washed out.

I kind of thought he'd helpme rebuild a few of my fences.

And when you get backto town, young man, look

me up. I think you owemedicine a little debt.

I'll do that doctor.

Mr. Kovak.

-Good luck.-GoodBye.

-Doctor.-Thank you.

[music]

Thank you.

[Music]