01x16 - Limits and Boundaries

[bunniefuu]

[ upbeat jazz theme playing ]

[ baby crying ]

Oh, man.

Easy, John.
Just-- Just let it go.

Be patient.

Excuse me.
Heh-heh, so much for patience.

BECKER:
Excuse me,

does that have an off switch?

What, the baby?

Oh, after a while
you get used to it.

He's just a little cranky.
Yeah, well, well, so am I.

M-maybe he's trying to tell you
to show the rest of us

a little consideration
and take him home.

Hey, this is a public place,

I have every right
to bring my baby here.

Yeah, well, I have every right
to bring a jackhammer in here,

but I don't
out of courtesy.

Look, you know, that may be
music to your ears,

but to the rest of the world,

it's about as soothing
as a garbage disposal

with a fork in it.

I don't have
to put up with this.

Huh, good plan.

Teach 'em to hate you
when they're little.

Saves time later on.

Hey, if a person comes
into here and bothers

all the other customers,
somebody's gotta tell 'em.

Uh-uh, doesn't work.
Reggie tells you every day.

But--
But this is a first.

I've never heard you
curse out a baby before.

I don't have anything
against babies.

Hell, I deliver 'em
all the time.

But then unfortunately
I gotta turn 'em over

to stupid parents who don't
understand the simple concept

of giving their kids
limits and boundaries.

And you do?

Of course I do.

You know, parents
are too permissive.

Today she lets the kid cry.

Ten years from now,

he's shakin' down
his classmates for milk money.

Next thing you know, he's got
a g*n in my back at an ATM.

Maybe he's got a g*n at your
back

'cause he remembered
how you yelled at him

when he was a baby.
[ chuckles ]

All I'm saying is kids
are more out of control now

than they ever have been.

I mean, take today,
for example.

Kids are crawling around the
neighborhood like cockroaches.

Why aren't they in school?

School's closed. Some sort of
teacher's conference.

So they let 'em just hang out
on the street?

Why don't they teach 'em

how to fill their free time
like kids in other countries do?

Making sneakers
for a dollar a day.

[ blues theme playing ]

[ blues theme playing ]

Sorry to keep you waiting,
Mr. Duncan.

It's a little crazy
out there this morning.

What seems to be
the problem?

Well...

I got this pain.

Started last Tuesday.

No, no, no, uh,
I believe it was Monday.

No, it was Tuesday.

Fine, Tuesday.

Uh, no, no,
wait a minute.

Uh, it was Wednesday.
Yeah, definitely Wednesday.

Okay, okay,
Wednesday it is.

Uh, wh-where is this pain?

Well...

Now, I wanna be very clear.

The pain is in this arm.

Right.
No, that's not right.

It's not really my whole arm.

It's really more elbow-y.

You know, put down,
uh, "upper arm."

All right, fine.

Uh, upper arm.

Uh, can you, God help me,
describe this pain?

Well...

Actually, it's not a pain.
It's more of a ache.

Or maybe more
of a dull throb.

No, it's pain.

You know what I mean by pain?

Oh, yes, yes,
I think I do. Um...

I tell you what,
Mr. Duncan, why--?

Why don't you gather
all your thoughts,

and I'll be back
in a minute?

Might have been Thursday.

Dr. Becker,
do you have a minute?

No, I definitely don't.

Well, this won't take
but a minute.

This friend of mine,

she got a tattoo
of her boyfriend's name,

and since
they broke up,

she was wondering
if you knew anyone

who could
remove it for her.

Yeah, yeah. I have--
I have a name for you.

But what--? What kind of idiot
meets a guy in a bar,

two minutes later
tattoos his name on her ass?

Well, technically,
it's my lower back.

[ gasps ]

MARGARET:
John,

John, the waiting room
is filling up,

and Annette Johnson
is in your office

with M.J. and his sister.
All right, all right.

Uh, are you finished with
Mr. Duncan?
N-not even close.

Did he happen to tell you
what was wrong with his arm?

Well...
[ mutters ]

Mrs. Johnson, kids,
how you doing?

Fine, thanks.

Doctor, I'm sorry
to barge in like this,

but I don't know
where else to turn.

Don't worry. Whatever it is,
we'll figure it out. Relax.

Okay.

Do you remember when you said
that if I ever needed help

that I shouldn't hesitate
to ask you?

Uh, doesn't sound like me,
but you've never lied before.

I wouldn't be here
if I hadn't run out of options,

but I've asked everyone I know,

and, well, could the kids
spend the day here with you?

Do what?

My grandmother is sick,
the schools are closed,

I have to go take care of her,
and I can't take the kids.

Uh, well...

Uh, yeah, you know,
if you're in a jam,

I-I-- Sure they can.
Sure they can.

Oh, thank you.
I really appreciate this.

I'd take Keisha, but she
just got over a cold,

and, of course,
I can't expose M.J. directly

because of the HIV.

Mrs. Johnson,
you've made the sale.

Go on. Go, go, go.

Thank you.
Yeah.

I'll be back by 6.

And I promise
they'll be little angels.

Yeah.
Right?

Yes, ma'am.
We'll be good.

Get out. Go on. Out, out,
everybody out. Come on.

Oh, uh--
Go play over there.

Bye.
Okay, Margaret, who's up?

In a minute.

Would you mind telling me
why Keisha and M.J.

didn't leave with their mother?

Oh, I'm gonna, uh, take care of
them today.

You are?

All right, all right,
fine. W-we are.

We are?
Okay. You are.

Look, John, I am all for helping
Mrs. Johnson, but today?

I mean, we are up to our ears
as it is.
She's in a bind.

How hard can it be to take care
of a couple of kids?

Ha-ha! The mere fact
that you said that

proves you don't have a clue.

Look, look, all they need
is clear limits and boundaries.

It won't be a problem.

It's simple. Watch--
Watch this. Watch this.

Hey, Keisha, M.J.

Margaret's in charge.
Do whatever she says, okay?

Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.

See?

[ blues theme playing ]

Snooze,
you lose.

All you have to do
is follow the queen.

Find the red lady,
and she's your baby.

What do you say?

Thank you very much.

Anybody?

Young lady, will you just
stop that right now?

Where did you learn
how to do this, anyway?

It was on
Touched by an Angel.

Oh.

Just pick up those cards
and go do your homework.

And where is your brother?

I don't know.

Linda, where's M.J.?

I don't know.

[ groans ]

Nobody knows anything.

Go find him.

Did any of you
lose any money?

Serves you right.

Hmm.

We may have
to run more tests.

[ knock on door ]

There you are.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Sullivan.
It's okay.

This is the quickest I've ever
seen a doctor in this office.

[ door closes ]

M.J., you can't just
barge into the exam rooms

and bother the patients.

You know how long I worked here
before they let me do that?

What is he doin' back here?

He was examining
Mrs. Sullivan.

I don't like the way
she looks at all.

Hee-hee! Well, I will make
a note of that in her chart.

Look, I want you someplace
where I can keep an eye on you.

Just go down there
and have a cookie.

Yes, ma'am.
Yes, ma'am.

Tendonitis can be very painful,
Mr. Duncan.

I want you to keep your arm
in the sling

and try not to move it
for a while.

Well...
J-just go home. Go to bed.

Don't do anything
until you hear from me.

Bye-bye.

Hey, John.

Hey, Jake.
What're you doin' here, buddy?

Listen, I-I was workin',

and I felt this bump
on the back of my wrist.

And I've never
had this before.

I know
the back of my hand...

like I know
the back of my hand.

Let me see that. Ah, it's
a small ganglion cyst, Jake.

It's a fluid-filled outpouching
of the wrist capsule.

You know what? I--
I could live with that.

Yeah, yeah, whoa, whoa.
Get back here.

Relax, it's no big deal.
Linda?

Yeah?
Take Jake into my office.

I got a patient before you.
Then I'll take care of it.

Eh, cool.
Okay, just this way. Okay.

Go right in here.

Oh, God,
I'm so sorry. So sorry.

Okay, John.

That one
was seein' patients,

and I found this one
in the back

hustling Mr. Ginzburg
at pinochle.

I cannot run a daycare center
and an office at the same time.

You know, you haven't listened
to a word I've said all day.

Come on, kids.
It's very simple.

Limits and boundaries.

Limits and boundaries.

It's okay. I'll take care
of the kids myself.

Jake, take care of these kids
for a minute, will you?

[ door closes ]
What kids?

[ blues theme playing ]

Mm,
it's the middle one.

Wow!
How'd you do that?

[ chuckles ]

Hey, Jake, thanks
for helpin' out.

Uh, I'll watch the kids.

Hey, Linda?

LINDA:
Yeah?

Watch the kids for me,
will you?

What should
I do with 'em?

Uh, take 'em into
the waiting room.

And do what?
Wait.

So, what about my wrist?

That's what I'm gonna
take care of right now.

Sit in this chair.
Here you go.

Ahem.
Yeah, you--
You trust me, right, Jake?

Oh, nothing good ever started
with those words.
Yeah.

Put your hand right here.
What--? What're you gonna do?

I'm gonna hit you
with this book.

[ laughs ]:
Oh, the hell you are.

Look, it's an old remedy,
but it works.

Now, just put your hand
right here.

On three, okay?
Okay.

One.
Ouch! Son of--

Oh, hey, what--?
What do you know?
Yeah.

It's gone.
Of course it is.

I've been tellin' you for years,
I'm a brilliant doctor.

All you did
was hit me with a book.

Yeah, but now I'm gonna
charge you for it.

See how brilliant
I am?
[ groans ]

[ blues theme playing ]

Annette Johnson
for you.

Oh. Mrs. Johnson?

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

All right, then.
No, that's no problem.

All right,
see you then. Bye-bye.

She got hung up.

Wants to know if, uh, we can
take the kids overnight.

That's not gonna be a problem
for you, is it?

Nice try. Louis and I
have plans tonight.

All right. Well...

Linda?
Sorry. I have a date.

Yeah.
I guess you're on your own.

You know something?
I'll take 'em home with me.

No problem.
Ha-ha-ha!

Hey, don't "ha" me.

Oh, come on, John.

You haven't looked after
these kids all day.

You have been pawning them off
on me, on Linda, even Jake.

Well, tonight I guess
you are on your own.

You don't think
I can do this, do you?

[ titters ]
You know something, Margaret?

Trust me,
it's gonna be easy.

After all,
they're two little angels.

[ screaming ]
[ screaming ]

Stop it!
Stop it! I mean it!

Right now!

[ blues theme playing ]

Okay, kids,

we got off to a little bit
of a rocky start there,

but we're gonna have
a good time tonight.

We-- We just need to set
clear limits and boundaries.

Okay?

What are
limits and boundaries?

Well, fair question.
Fair question, M.J.

It's what you can do
and what you cannot do.

But don't worry about that.

I've got everything
worked out here.

See, I got
a little schedule here.

All right, 7 to 8,
we have dinner.

All right? Eight to 9,
we watch television.

Nine o'clock,
you guys go to bed.

But at home we don't have
to go to bed until 9:30.

Okay, I'm flexible.

Nine-thirty it is.

Um, can we watch TV
until the food gets here?

Uh...

Well, sure, sure,
why not?

Yeah.

See how well
this is working out?

[ channels changing ]

Th-this--
This is not working out.

Pick a channel
and stick to it.

There's nothing on.

Well, then turn it off.

But I'm watching.

No, you're not. Turn it off.

Anyway, we're--
We're gonna, you know,

e-eat
in a little while.

Really? 'Cause I see plates,
and I see silverware.

But I don't see
food.

The food'll be here
in a minute.

Now what do we do?

Well, uh, we, uh--
We talk.

I mean, that's what
people did before television.

We'll get to know
each other that way.

Okay.

So, doc, how come
you're not married?

None of your business.

W-wait, I'm sorry.
Wait, that's-- That's not fair.

Um...

Well, I-I-I
was married once.

Uh, it just didn't
work out.

She probably starved to death.

She did not
starve to death.

Mm-hm.

Yeah, anyway,
the food's gonna be here.

Any minute, I know.

[ knock on door ]
See? See?

Don't climb-- Don't--
Ah...

Yeah, th-thanks. Just, uh, put
it on-- Put it on my tab.

No problem.
Hey, those your kids?

Do they look like
my kids?

Hey, what do I know?
My father's Puerto Rican.

Ew. Ew.

What is all
this stuff?

It's moo shu pork,

fried rice
and shrimp lo mein.

Can we have pizza
instead?

I want burgers.

No, pizza.
Burgers.

You're having Chinese food
whether you like it or not!

Gosh, you don't have to
yell at us.

I was-- I wasn't yelling.

I was just-- Just trying
to make a point, that's all.

Okay, here we go.

Let's eat.

Aren't we gonna
say grace?

Yeah,
we have to say grace.

Uh, actually,
n-no, we don't.

Th-this is Chinese food.
They don't say grace in China.

Why not?

Because if you do,
they run you over with a t*nk.

Now, just-- Just eat.

There you go.
Good boy.

What's wrong?

My food
is touching.

What?

If her food touches,
she won't eat it.

Well, that--
That's nuts.

That's just
the tip of the iceberg.

All right, fine.

There. Okay?

Nothing's touching. Now, just--
Just-- Just eat it.

Get a life, will you?

Is this chicken?

Do you like chicken?

Yes.

That's chicken then.

What are
the white things?

Bamboo sh**t.

Ew, gross!
Oh, what the hell?

All right, fine, you know.
Don't eat it.

I'll tell you, there's
starving kids in the world

who'd be happy
to have this food.

Fine, then let's put it
in an envelope

and send it to them.

Why don't I put you
in an envelope and...?

Guys, th-th-this is what
I was talking about.

This is one
of those limits.

Now, w-we're having
Chinese food.

It's Chinese or nothing.

[ blues theme playing ]

The burgers will be here
in a minute.

You said that
an hour ago.

But I'm hungry now.

Asking me a million times
and staring at the door

is not gonna make the food
come any faster.

[ knock on door ]

♪ Oh, you were wrong
Oh, you were... ♪

Quit singing and answer
the door, will you?

Mine better have cheese.
[ stuttering ]

Yeah...

No, no, don't--
Don't-- D-don't...

Use a plate.

The hell with it.

It's amazing.

All the things you come
to the diner and talk about,

and you've never
mentioned them.

Well, no, actually, I'm, uh,
just doing their mother a favor.

Does she know
you hate kids?

No, I-- I don't hate--
I don't hate all kids.

Just bad kids.
These aren't bad kids.

Quit it!
I didn't do anything!

You touched my food.
Did not!

Did too!
Hey, hey, hey, M.J.,

d-don't put French fries
up your nose.

It's, uh-- It's a little game
we're playing here.

Hey, you wanna
hang out with us?

We're having
a hell of a lot of fun.

You know, as much
as I'd like to, I can't.

I just remembered everything you
said this morning in the diner.

Yeah, what--?
What did I say?

You remember, all your theories
on parenting.

If I were
to help you, uh,

it would make you look
like a big, phony blowhard

who didn't know
what he was talking about.

Dr. Becker,
is she your girlfriend?

No, no.
Ew.

You-- You could've
just said no.

No, I couldn't.

Have fun, Becker.

[ laughing ]

[ blues theme playing ]

Come on, kids,
time to go to sleep.

We-- We had a deal,
remember?

Eleven o'clock.
Lights out.

KEISHA AND M.J.: Good night.
Good night.

Oh, my God.

How do people do this?

[ grunts ]

[ door opens ]

Doc?
What?

What's wrong? What--? What--?
What's wrong?

Keisha hogs
all the covers.

Can I sleep out here?
Oh, no, M.J.,

I really gotta
get some sleep.

Oh--

All right, all right,
fine.

You gotta go to sleep though.

And this is the line.
Right here.

That's the line.

Don't cross over it.

[ sighs ]

Doc?

What?

I think you oughta marry
that lady who brought the food.

Reggie?

No, that would never work.

Why not?

Someday when you're older,

I'll explain the concept
of "high maintenance."

Go to sleep.

Okay.

Good night.
Good night.

Doc?
What?

Do you think
I'll ever get married?

Sure, if you want to.

Then you must think
I'm going to get better.

You know, from the HIV.

Hey, come here.

Come on up here.

I'll tell you
what I do know.

I know that no one,
not your mother, not me,

not those doctors downtown,

no one is gonna give up.

So I don't want you
to either, okay?

Okay. I'll try.

[ blues theme playing ]

[ Keisha screams ]

What?

I saw a spider.

Well, spiders are fine.

Don't worry about spiders.

They-- They eat
all the other bugs.

Other bugs?

There's no way
I'm going back in there.

Oh, no-- Oh.

All right, all right,
all right.

Just w-watch the feet,
watch the feet.

[ blues theme playing ]

[ snoring ]

[ snoring stops ]

[ mouthed dialogue ]

[ blues theme playing ]

[ blues theme playing ]

[ upbeat blues theme playing ]

Okay, I want you two
to sit down,

read your books quietly
and wait for your mom.

And I don't care
if the boogie man,

Bigfoot or a 50-foot spider
comes through that door,

you don't move. Okay?

Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.

Okay.

Good news,
Dr. Becker.

I don't have to
have that tattoo removed.

Oh, good.

Wanna know why?
No.

Morning, John.

Morning, kids.

BOTH: Morning.
Morning, Margaret.

Mrs. Johnson's gonna come pick
up the kids in a little while.

Till then they're gonna
sit in their chairs,

read their books
and be very quiet.

Am I right?

BOTH:
Yes, sir.

Well, John, I guess
I owe you an apology.

They certainly do seem
to be well-behaved.

Limits and boundaries,
Margaret.

It's very simple.

Doc?
BECKER: Yeah.

Time's up. We've been quiet
for a whole hour.

Wanna go again?

All right.

This buys me
another hour of silence.

And that goes
for you too.

[ upbeat blues theme playing ]

[ upbeat blues theme playing ]